Spinning Back Clique: Will Miocic vs. Cormier 3 determine the heavyweight GOAT?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, John Morgan hosts and is joined by MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze,” as well as MMA Junkie reporter Nolan King. Let’s go!

SHOW TOPICS

• After his stoppage win over Aleksei Oleinik at UFC on ESPN+ 32 on Saturday night, Derrick Lewis dropped three names when asked about his next matchup. “The Black Beast” name-checked Curtis Blaydes, Francis Ngannou and Alistair Overeem as opponents that “make sense.” Which of those opponents would you like to see next? Or is there an alternative selection that makes even more sense?
• Friday night saw former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler head into free agency with a stunning first-round finish of former UFC and WEC lightweight champ Benson Henderson. He says he’s in his fighting prime, and it’s hard to disagree given his most recent performance. But if we’re to assume that all potential avenues are open, where do you think Chandler will end up, and how far will he go with his new promotion?
• It’s the big one this coming Saturday night, as Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier throw down for all the marbles in arguably the biggest heavyweight title fight in UFC history at UFC 252. The winner, will of course, be the UFC heavyweight champion, but will they also be the greatest heavyweight of all time, as some are saying this would determine?
• Sticking with UFC 252 this weekend, the fight card is stacked with superb matchups, but while the main event is obviously going to pull the majority of the attention ahead of fight night, the co-main has some real potential for fireworks. In just his fifth fight for the promotion, Sean O’Malley is featured in the co-main event of a pay-per-view. Do you expect him to capitalize on the opportunity in a matchup with a tough opponent in Marlon Vera, or is the hype too much at this point in his career?
• AND FINALLY, we’ve seen some solid successes from mulleted fighters in recent weeks, with Andrew Sanchez’s superb knockout this past weekend following hot on the heels of Tanner Boser’s two finishes in June and July. They’re the current flag bearers for the “Business in the front, party in the back” look, but who is your favorite mulleted fighter of all time? Who wore it best?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 41 of “Spinning Back Clique” above. UFC 252 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.