Spinning Back Clique: UFC 284 and ‘TUF 31’ controversies, Erin Blanchfield, BKFC’s rise, more (noon ET)
Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King and Dan Tom will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:
- It’s been more than a week, but we’re still talking about the UFC 284 main event in Perth, Australia, where featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski moved up to challenge lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. Makhachev squeezed out a unanimous decision, but the fight was a lot closer than the betting lines indicated before the bout with Volkanovski a big underdog. In the aftermath, though, there have been accusations of illegal IV use by Makhachev, and we’ve heard reactions from both sides, plus USADA. We’ll unpack all the controversy.
- “The Ultimate Fighter” is set to return this spring with new episodes in its 31st season, featuring coaches Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. But before McGregor even got to the States from Ireland, his involvement was causing controversy behind the scenes with accusations that he hand-picked three of his own fighters to coach – and gave the boot to three who already were chosen by the UFC brass and producers. We’ll dive into another polarizing situation involving former dual champion McGregor.
- BKFC put on a big show in Albuquerque, N.M., that featured some of its biggest stars, as well as new signees like Austin Trout, Diego Sanchez and Greg Hardy. BKFC president David Feldman even said the show outdrew a UFC card that was there a few years back. We’ll recap the event, including Sanchez’s loss to Trout and his subsequent accusations that Trout and his corner cheated, and discuss BKFC’s future
- At UFC Fight Night 219, Erin Blanchfield put a big stamp on her women’s flyweight prospect status when she choked out former strawweight champ and two-division standout Jessica Andrade, who took the fight on short notice. Is Blanchfield ready to challenge champ Valentina Shevchenko this early in her career if Shevchenko beats Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 in a couple weeks? And is flyweight becoming the premier division in women’s MMA?
- We have three big fight cards coming up this weekend from arguably the top three promotions in the sport. Between UFC Fight Night 220, Bellator 291 and ONE on Prime Video 7, which has the fight we’re most looking forward to? And is it no longer a no-brainer that the UFC will put on the biggest show each weekend?
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.