Spinning Back Clique LIVE (noon ET): PFL’s 2023 millionaires, Bellator fighters’ new reality, Ngannou rumors, more
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, panelists Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura talk with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:
- The PFL crowned its six 2023 $1 million season champions, two of whom became back-to-back winners. We’ll break down the best of the bunch – and look back at some 2023 PFL disappointments.
- Kayla Harrison put on a dominant performance against Aspen Ladd and called for a fight against Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. But like it or not, Cyborg’s first assignment after the Bellator-PFL merger will be against PFL winner Larissa Pacheco – the only person to beat Harrison. Is that the right call, or should the PFL pounce on Cyborg-Harrison early, while the iron still is hot?
- Now that we’re getting used to the new reality of Bellator fighters suddenly trying to find their ways in the PFL, we can start looking at some of the very solid potential matchups that will be on the table in 2024 that weren’t possible before PFL bought Bellator. Some of the champ-vs.-champ matchups are automatic, but what are the other potential crossover fights that really rev our engines?
- Francis Ngannou signed with the PFL earlier this year after he left the UFC. His boxing debut against Tyson Fury was a loss on his record, but only barely – and an overall major success for him in that sport. Rumors are flaring up again that he’ll box Deontay Wilder next. But considering the PFL purchase of Bellator, should Ngannou fight Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader? Should he fight new $1 million winner Renan Ferreira, who called him out? Or should Bader and Ferreira deal with their stuff, and Ngannou can collect another big payday in boxing?
- Like Goose says in “Top Gun”: “The list is long, but distinguished.” He wasn’t talking about the fighters who stepped up to ask for a short-notice fight against Bobby Green after Dan Hooker pulled out. But it was Jalin Turner who got the call over the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Terrance McKinney and more. Was that the right move?
- … and much more.
