Mailbag: Is the UFC bad now? What champions could make it better?

This previous Saturday, UFC Vegas 107 went down. It was a completely forgettable card, proper up till the primary occasion fell aside simply moments earlier than they had been set to do the walks. It was simply the newest in a 2025 that has been underwhelming for the world’s main promotion. Are issues unhealthy now? Let’s talk about.

Is the UFC unhealthy now?

Is UFC Vegas 107 actually the worst card in current reminiscence or are we being too harsh on the occasion?

Once I obtained this query, I assumed I’d should dive deep to determine it out. However then I took a have a look at it and realized, no, that is simple. UFC Vegas 107 isn’t the worst card in current reminiscence as a result of it’s not even the worst card this yr. In actual fact, it may not be High 3.

UFC Vegas 101 kicked the yr off within the precise reverse of favor. 14 fights with solely three ranked fighters on the cardboard in complete. When you can inform me one struggle apart from the primary occasion, I’ll be impressed (the primary occasion was Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2).

A month later, UFC Vegas 102 then lowered the bar even additional, with solely two ranked fighters competing on it. I’m keen to wager you possibly can’t even title the primary occasion off the highest of your head. However this card did at the very least have the decency to solely be 12 fights.

Then we’ve UFC Vegas 103 (are you sensing a theme creating?) with the Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev struggle and … nothing else. A minimum of this time the primary occasion was presupposed to be the unbelievable Kape vs. Brandon Royval matchup, so perhaps we will reduce the UFC some slack there.

Then there’s UFC Vegas 104 and the Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 struggle that nobody wanted and everybody needs didn’t occur, however the remainder of that card ended up being form of enjoyable at the very least.

No, the worst card of the yr, and maybe the worst card in a few years, occurred just some weeks in the past at UFC Vegas 105. Lerone Murphy vs. Josh Emmett was a traditional Lerone Murphy struggle, that means it was 25 minutes of unwatchable. And the remainder of the cardboard had seven selections in 11 fights. There may be virtually nothing redeeming or memorable about that card, making it undeniably higher than the tomfoolery that occurred this previous weekend.

All that is to say that that is what occurs while you don’t should strive. Competitors breeds creativity and a greater product. Monopolies are horrible for shoppers and that’s what we’ve right here. The UFC’s dominant market share means they don’t should make an effort, and so they aren’t actually even pretending any extra.

UFC 316 — not nice, Bob!

“Is Lipski-da Silva vs. Cong probably the largest banger on UFC 316?”

All that carries proper on over to this weekend. I believe most followers have come to grips with the concept that APEX playing cards are going to be unhealthy, however the hope is that the UFC will at the very least strive with regard to pay-per-views. I current UFC 316 because the counter to that notion.

The principle occasion is a fast rematch of a reasonably boring affair, with little cause to assume something occurs in a different way. Positive, Sean O’Malley would possibly do higher, you by no means know, however the extra seemingly consequence is a carbon copy of the forgettable first struggle just a few months in the past.

The co-main occasion this weekend is an excellent and vital struggle, however it’s additionally exhausting to be enthusiastic about any ladies’s bantamweight matchup now. The division is on life assist and it’s exhausting to think about it holding on for an excessive amount of longer, even when Kayla Harrison makes good and wins the title.

And the remainder of the cardboard is, meh? I’m excited in regards to the debut of Patchy Mix, who I believe the UFC desperately wants proper now, however past that, there’s not a lot to hold your hat on. Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van is a strong scrap however that’s about it.

So, to reply your questions, perhaps. I believe the Vicent Luque vs. Kevin Holland struggle goes to be violent for nonetheless lengthy it lasts, however given the underwhelming matchups and stylistic preferences of most of the high fighters on the cardboard, there’s an excellent likelihood that Ariane da Silva vs. Wang Cong is essentially the most enjoyable scrap of the night.

Be constructive

Of the 4 within the co-main/essential, who has the least to lose at UFC 316?

When you’re attempting to be constructive about UFC 316, that is the case: there are actual and really huge issues at stake within the high two fights on Saturday. Merab vs. O’Malley 2 could also be a travesty of matchmaking, however it’s extremely significant.

If Merab loses, his burgeoning case because the bantamweight GOAT (outrageous at this level) takes an enormous hit, particularly as a result of, let’s be critical, the UFC isn’t operating a trilogy proper again. If O’Malley upsets Merab, the UFC goes to bury “The Machine” and possibly ebook O’Malley in a rematch with Kris Moutinho subsequent.

Conversely, if O’Malley loses, nicely, shit. What does he do subsequent? I suppose he may attempt to bump as much as 145, however I don’t love his probabilities there, so now he’s one other Rich Franklin, simply extra standard? That’s by no means a really perfect place to be.

Within the co-main occasion, if Kayla Harrison loses, that is the second time the superfight with Amanda Nunes falls by means of for her, and, extra importantly, it kills the entire objective of her UFC profession. Kayla came visiting to the UFC to win this title, and if she loses to Peña, which may simply be the tip of her profession.

In distinction, Peña is a two-time champion (I can not consider that’s true), which suggests if she retires tomorrow, she’s nonetheless in all probability going into the Corridor of Fame. That’s fairly the accomplishment contemplating I’m nonetheless unsure she’s any good. And heck, ladies’s bantamweight is so skinny, Peña can in all probability hold round and get one other shot on the belt, perhaps even win it. So I suppose I’ll go along with Julianna Peña.

How can we repair the UFC?

Quick ahead one yr, in an ideal world, who’re your 11 UFC champions?

Be as practical or unrealistic as you please.

There are lots of points going through the UFC proper now, however the greatest one — from a fan perspective — is the dearth of stars. There merely aren’t many names that make individuals rise up and concentrate. This doesn’t damage the UFC’s backside line (yay for monopolies!) however it actually hurts informal fan curiosity. So one of the best ways to repair it will be to get a bunch of fascinating title holders who may perhaps break by means of. Right here’s my checklist:

Heavyweight: Tom Aspinall. In a really perfect world he KO’s Jon Jones and turns into a star. Jon gained’t struggle him although, so simply making him the Baddest Man on the Planet outright is the subsequent best choice.

205: Alex Pereira. If Alex can get the belt again, a superfight between him and Tom is huge. Additionally, Pereira vs. DDP is fairly sick.

185: Dricus du Plessis. I believe DDP is near crossing over as a star as a result of he’s gotten to beat huge names. Beating Chimaev ought to elevate him, and he’s obtained the generic beauty and character to resonate with a fan base.

170: Islam Makhachev. Jack Della Maddalena is uniquely unhealthy on a microphone. He’ll kill the division as its steward. Islam is the most effective fighter on the planet and has the Khabib legacy. Being WW champ would get him over in a significant manner.

155: Ilia Topuria. Clearly.

145: Jean Silva. He’s my boy, and he could make individuals care.

135: Jose Aldo. I don’t care that he’s retired. You mentioned good world, and that is good.

125: Brandon Moreno. Solely two fighters have ever gained a title thrice in the identical division. Randy Couture did it at heavyweight a billion years in the past, after which Jon Jones did it at mild heavyweight. Besides one in every of Jon’s was an interim belt he was later stripped of. So this might be new floor and fairly cool.

W135: They need to fold this division up after Kayla vs. Amanda Nunes.

W125: Dakota Ditcheva. She’s the one.

115: Mackenzie Dern. It’s time for the Dern hive to stand up.

Relaxation simple, Jordan Breen

Breaks my coronary heart to share the information to the MMA world that Jordan Breen has handed away.

Jordan forgot extra about MMA than most of us will ever bear in mind. One of many smartest souls I ever met. His ardour was actually distinctive.

Right this moment would’ve been his birthday. Will miss you buddy.

That is clearly not a query, however the information broke whereas I used to be penning this and I needed to say just a few issues.

Lots of you studying this will likely don’t know who Jordan Breen was. That’s a disgrace. Breen was one of many smartest individuals ever to become involved in MMA, and a significant cause why I ended up doing this. The person had a ardour for the game rivaled by few and unparalleled data that he handed on freely. He was on the forefront of MMA media again at the hours of darkness ages of the game and, most significantly, he was a great man. His passing is a tragic loss and hit me tougher than I’d have anticipated. He might be missed.

Thanks for studying and because of everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you’ve any burning questions on issues at the very least considerably associated to fight sports activities? You then’re in luck as a result of you possibly can ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply all the great ones! It doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.