UFC 313 Mailbag: Magomed Ankalaev unseats Alex Pereira, but what does that mean for Jon Jones?

UFC 313 is within the books, and for the primary time this yr, we’ve a brand new champion. Magomed Ankalaev lastly captured UFC gold, successful a unanimous determination over Alex Pereira of their long-awaited matchup.

The win despatched ripples not simply by the sunshine heavyweight division but in addition as much as heavyweight. So the place will we go from right here, and what concerning the light-weight performances from Saturday? Let’s leap into your questions this week.

Jon Jones

“Jon Jones has nowhere to go now. Nobody thinks he’ll take the Tom Aspinall combat however do you assume Jon will drag it out in order that Tom received’t be preventing somebody till November, additional losing his prime?”

My favourite a part of Saturday was everybody rapidly realizing that the most important loser of the evening might have been Jon Jones. Had Pereira received, it was even cash that the UFC booked Alex vs. Jon in an excellent combat later this yr. Now, that’s utterly off the desk, that means Jon Jones has to both combat Tom Aspinall or stroll away, and everyone knows which one he’s going to decide on.

My guess is Jones tries to barter just a little longer, asking for an exorbitant worth and hoping the UFC finally decides it wants a mega combat to juice up their broadcast rights negotiations. However I don’t assume the promotion pays Jon his asking worth or anyplace close to it and so by the summer season I anticipate Tom Aspinall to defend his belt in opposition to Ciryl Gane as Jon retires from the game.

Fighters of the Yr?

“Not a query, simply fairly loopy to assume that the 2 consensus prime vote getters for Fighter of the Yr 2024 (Ilia and Alex) are not champions earlier than the primary quarter of the yr is finished.”

I had not considered this however sure, it’s WILD that that is true. When you had requested anybody to wager in opposition to you on this they’d have laughed in your face. No one noticed this one coming. 2024 was primarily dominated by Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira, and whereas Topuria selected to vacate his title, it’s nonetheless fairly loopy to consider. And it speaks to my favourite factor to harp on about: how defending a title is probably the most troublesome factor in MMA.

Probably the most compelling components of MMA is that something can occur, and this simply goes to indicate you the way true that’s. It’s important to deliver your ‘A’ sport to the cage each day out otherwise you would possibly lose the title. And even should you don’t, maybe the prospect of defending a belt time and again not motivates you, so you must try to discover one thing else to chase. Champions who put up 5, 6, or 7+ title defenses over quite a few years are the precise best fighters of all time, as a result of if different individuals may do it, they’d.

Large Ank Time

“Who do you assume is the hardest match up for ‘Large Ank Time’ at 205 apart from ‘Poatan?’”

I’m tempted to go together with Jan Blachowicz right here as a result of we already noticed them combat and Ankalaev barely escaped with a cut up determination win. However Blachowicz is a couple of years older now and declining, so the precise reply ought to shock nobody: Jiri Prochazka.

Maybe that is homerism as a result of Prochazka is one among my favourite energetic fighters, however there’s a purpose the person has solely misplaced to Pereira prior to now decade — he’s rattling good. And whereas Pereira presents a uniquely dangerous fashion matchup for Prochazka, Ankalaev doesn’t. The truth is, Prochazka has an excellent likelihood at unseating the brand new champion if he will get the chance. He’s faster and way more athletic, and whereas Ankalaev took Pereira out of his sport with some sensible tactical choices, Jiri is more likely to power extra hectic exchanges than Pereira.

I’d nonetheless favor Ankalaev barely, however Prochazka is a really reside canine in such a matchup.

Lightweights

“Who do you consider the subsequent technology of lightweights (not counting Armen Tsarukyan) has the best ceiling as a fighter? Between Ignacio Bahamondes, Mauricio Ruffy, Joel Alvarez, Mateusz Rebecki, Myktybek Orolbai, and so forth I don’t know if any are future champs however BOY ARE THEY FUN.”

Sure. Sure, they’re. As a result of light-weight was and all the time would be the finest division in MMA.

First, shout out to the lightweights at UFC 313. Justin Gaethje delivered yet one more immaculate feather within the cap of a profession that’s destined to be underrated, Ignacio Bahamondes declared himself the actual deal, and Mauricio Ruffy scored what I can solely assume would be the Knockout of the Yr. Rattling advantageous work from all.

As for which of the subsequent technology would be the finest, I’d go together with one fighter you left off this listing: Usman Nurmagomedov. Sure, Nurmagomedov simply eked out a controversial determination in his final combat, however he’s additionally nonetheless solely 26 years previous and he’s arguably probably the most gifted of the Group Khabib fighters. Plus Paul Hughes is a rattling advantageous fighter himself and in addition one to observe within the subsequent technology.

However should you’re limiting this to UFC fighters solely, the give me Bahamondes. Alvarez isn’t actually within the subsequent technology since he’s 32, Rebecki and Orolbai are higher than they’re enjoyable (which issues at light-weight), and whereas it is a tougher promote given what he simply did, Ruffy is the Preventing Nerds guys I just like the least (which is like saying he’s the worst successful lottery ticket, he’s nonetheless nice).

Bahamondes continues to be determining find out how to combat just a little bit, however he’s large for light-weight, harmful in all places, and has the suitable mentality. Give me Nacho for the win.

Additionally, Luke Thomas talked about this some this week and I echo his sentiment: the present crop of elite lightweights is a once-in-a-lifetime group. Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler have been on the prime of this division for longer than must be attainable, however virtually each time the subsequent technology has had an opportunity to interchange them, the previous guard says “Maintain on a minute.” Really particular stuff.

Shock

“What was probably the most shocking second of UFC 313 for you?”

It needed to be Jalin Turner’s stunning retirement after getting tapped by Bahamondes within the function combat on the principle card.

I used to be extraordinarily excessive on Turner as a prospect and regardless of his present run of dangerous kind, he’s nonetheless comparatively younger. However listening to Turner communicate afterward and it appears that is one thing he’s been contemplating and that his coronary heart isn’t within the sport anymore. Nothing fallacious with that in any respect and I want him all the most effective, however undoubtedly probably the most shocking final result of the night.

Jalin Turner

“If Jalin Turner has retired for good, how will you bear in mind his profession?”

He’ll need to be remembered as a “What If.” This can be a fighter who had all of the potential on the planet however solely scratched the floor of what he might have been able to. We noticed that when Turner was at his finest, he was an issue for anybody he stepped in in opposition to; nonetheless, it looks as if Turner lacked one thing within the psychological facet of issues to develop into a very elite fighter.

Even so, he had a strong little run there and his five-fight end streak after the Matt Frevola loss was actual enjoyable. Joyful trails, Tarantula.

Thanks for studying and due to everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you will have any burning questions on issues not less than considerably associated to fight sports activities? You then’re in luck as a result of you may ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite 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.