Video: The positives and negatives of UFC fighters competing in grappling events

FURY Pro Grappling recently grabbed the attention of MMA fans with a star-studded lineup that saw many UFC notables hit the mats for some submission-only action.

Although it’s far from uncommon for active fighters to dip their toes into grappling – be it for some extra cash or to sharpen skills – the FURY Pro Grappling 3 card had a little extra zest with the number of familiar names who competed.

For the most part, it was smooth sailing. There was some action-packed matches, fun finishes and an open forum for the athletes to show off personality and individual sponsorships in a way that can’t be done under the UFC banner. The potential downside was clear, however, when in the main event Carla Esparza suffered a nasty cut around the eye that halted her bout with Danielle Kelly prematurely.

Esparza, of course, is expected to rematch Rose Namajunas for the UFC strawweight title in 2022. The cut is unlikely to jeopardize the title fight, but now Esparza is dealing with extra scar tissue around the eye that could come back to haunt her down the line.

So with all that said, does it make sense for UFC fighters to venture into the grappling world? That was a subject of debate on the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique” hosted by John Morgan and with panelists Nolan King, Brian Garcia and Mike Bohn.

Check out the video above to see the conversation, or watch the full episode below.