Spinning Back Clique LIVE: UFC on ESPN 54, Brandon Moreno’s hiatus from MMA, Whittaker-Chimaev, more

Spinning Back Clique LIVE: UFC on ESPN 54, Brandon Moreno’s hiatus from MMA, Whittaker-Chimaev, 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’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, and Nolan King will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

• UFC on ESPN 54 is in the books, and it left plenty to talk about, including Manon Fiorot’s win over Erin Blanchfield and where she fits into the title picture at women’s flyweight; Joaquin Buckley’s 3-0 start in his return to welterweight; Chris Weidman’s controversial win over Bruno Silva and his future in MMA. We recap the main results of Saturday’s event in Atlantic City.
• Sad news for the men’s flyweight. Arguably the division’s most popular name has announced a hiatus from MMA. Former champion Brandon Moreno revealed that he’s in need of a break from fighting and that he will be stepping away for some time, but he promises to come back eventually. We react to the news and its impact on the flyweight division.
• The UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia is taking shape. UFC CEO Dana White announced several key matchups for the June 22 event, including a title eliminator bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzhat Chimaev – which will serve as the main event of the card. We break down Whittaker vs. Chimaev, along with the rest of the fights announced.
• Things got weird earlier this month when Igor Severino got disqualified, and later cut from the UFC, after biting his opponent Andre Lima at UFC on ESPN 53. We heard almost immediately after the incident from Lima, UFC CEO Dana White, the Nevada Athletic Commission, but this Severino broke silence in an exclusive interview with MMA Junkie. We discuss the whole incident as well as Severino’s recent comments.