Spinning Back Clique: From coronavirus measures to actual fights, was UFC 249 a success?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, Simon Head fills in to host while John Morgan, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” recap UFC 249 top to bottom. Let’s go!

SHOW RUNDOWN:

• The UFC returned, but it wasn’t without issue as Ronaldo Souza, along with two of his cornermen, tested positive for COVID-19 while at the host hotel in Jacksonville, Fla., forcing him to be removed from UFC 249. The UFC’s handling of the situation was called into question, but the show went on to produce a spectacular night of fights. All things considered, would you call UFC 249 “a success”? Did the UFC really show how to do a sporting event safely during the coronavirus pandemic?
• The main event delivered as advertised as Tony Feruson and Justin Gaethje had themselves a barnburner, with the latter man putting on the best performance of his career before winning by fifth-round TKO to claim interim lightweight gold. What was the big difference in this fight? Was Gaethje’s performance a surprise? And where does Ferguson go from here?
• In the co-headliner, the self-proclaimed “King of Cringe” Henry Cejudo was anything but cringey as he defeated Dominick Cruz by second-round TKO to retain his bantamweight title. Afterward, though, Cejudo surprised everyone by announcing his retirement, which was met with both praise and skepticism on social media. Are you buying or selling that this is it for Cejudo?
• Also on the card, Francis Ngannou made an absolute statement by dismantling Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds to stake his claim for a heavyweight title shot. The problem, of course, is that a trilogy between champ Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier is planned but stalling to get scheduled. As frustrated as Cormier has been with Miocic’s holdup, does he really want any part of Ngannou at this point in his career? Or is it Miocic or bust for Cormer?
• As mentioned, UFC 249 was full of standout performances from top to bottom, from the guys already mentioned, to Calvin Kattar, Bryce Mitchell and more. Who shined brightest on the card?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 27 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.