UFC 331 brings us one other previous canine vs. younger pup title battle, so what does that imply for Alexandre Pantoja's plan to get his belt again from Joshua Van on Saturday? Plus, will Arman Tsarukyan actually be the following light-weight challenger with a win, or is he about to get hit with the previous switcheroo as soon as once more?
All that and extra on this week's mailbag. To ask a query of your personal, hit up A on X or s on Threads.
@Beastin364: Anyone else noticing that Pantoja is now 36 and making an attempt to get his belt again? When it was Volk folks couldn't cease speaking about 35 because the cutoff for the sunshine courses. FlyW is the lightest of all so is he screwed?
Alexandre Pantoja's solely loss within the final 5 years was a freak arm damage, so anybody considering he's washed is working on pure hypothesis. Sure, fighters within the lighter divisions (something below 170 kilos, mainly) are likely to wrestle within the championship fights when they’re older. However let's not overlook that Pantoja was on an absolute heater proper up till that bizarre loss to Joshua Van of their first battle.
What considerations me extra is that Pantoja hasn't fought since, and he's going up towards a younger gun with tons of momentum and confidence. It's not simple to come back again after nearly a yr away and soar proper again right into a title battle (on the age of 36). I nonetheless assume Pantoja may have the sort of evening the place he reminds us all that he actually is that dude, however Van actually has the juice proper now — and we already know he gained't go away quietly.
@bodkins_nick: We are able to't actually be shopping for that Arman vs Ruffy is a primary contender battle.
And see, there's the issue with going again by yourself guarantees too many occasions. At a sure level, folks simply don't consider you anymore.
Arman Tsarukyan's final battle was alleged to be to find out the highest contender at light-weight. That's what UFC president Dana White mentioned earlier than the battle, anyway. Now look. Tsarukyan gained that and gained it simply, however 10 months later he's proper again in one other battle that's supposedly for prime contender standing. So why ought to we consider it this time? Particularly with Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria chirping at one another a couple of rematch?
It will get us right into a dialog about how a lot the stakes of those fights ought to (and truly do) matter. Are we tuning in simply to see any two people battle in a cage, no matter why or what the result proves? Or are we motivated by the will to see every division kind out its personal pecking order via sanctioned violence? For me, the latter is much more fascinating. It's additionally what helps this really feel like an precise sport and never simply random beatings. As soon as folks now not belief that there's any upwardly cell system at work, I believe you lose one thing vital.
@shadore66: Utilizing your personal cash, what's the restrict you’d pay for a ticket to see a UFC occasion
Right here's what folks ought to perceive in the event that they've solely watched this sport on TV and have by no means been to a dwell UFC occasion: It genuinely is a wholly completely different expertise. There's an vitality within the constructing for an enormous battle evening that may by no means absolutely switch to the published. You need to be there. It's all a lot larger and louder and extra thrilling than you assume it's going to be. The punches appear more durable and extra visceral. The heartbreak and elation is extra actual. I've been to tons of those occasions, and the magnitude nonetheless surprises me every time.
All of which is to say, it's an expertise that’s value paying for, and I believe each battle fan ought to make a private pilgrimage to see a minimum of one large MMA occasion dwell. Final hockey season I paid over $600 for 2 tickets up near see Alex Ovechkin barely skate, and the expertise was nowhere as thrilling or memorable as any UFC occasion I've been to.
However you recognize what I completely wouldn’t do, particularly within the present period? I wouldn't purchase tickets with out seeing the entire battle card first. The times when you possibly can confidently cough up the dough the second the occasion goes on sale and belief that the UFC would fill it out later are lengthy gone, man. Salt Lake Metropolis is discovering that out. I would wish to know the lineup earlier than I purchase. Then I’d pray the entire thing holds along with restricted accidents and withdrawals.
@LCombatsports: With the ali revival act clearing committee, what are your rapid reactions to it and why do you assume there was such little consideration on it from the media?
My rapid response is that it's in all probability dangerous to alter a regulation on the request of 1 firm that desires to dominate each fight sport from professional wrestling to MMA to boxing. For those who consider that TKO and its political allies actually pushed for this factor to be able to give fighters extra protections, then you definately're extra gullible than these individuals who obtained scammed by the faux 49ers participant.
As for the media piece of it, I believe there's a normal fatigue round authorized and regulatory issues. Individuals are simply fed up and bored with listening to about these things. Plus, all of it looks like such a foregone conclusion. TKO needs this and so it is going to get it. That's not a very enjoyable story to inform.
@MarkWaldoWard: If the talent degree of Tommy Gunn is subpar however his fashion is monetizable, why don't extra fighters emulate it?
As a result of there's a price to it. Followers and promoters like a bit rock ‘em, sock ‘em motion, however the fighters who play that commerce at all times pay for it. However I additionally don't assume it's the sort of factor many individuals may simply select. You both are that sort of fighter otherwise you're not. It's additionally why, for many who solely know that means of doing issues, it may be so exhausting to alter even after they wish to. Some folks, after they hear the music, they will't assist however dance.
@GhosterCoaster: Because it's September and we're at present out of headlining champions for November/December, is now the time to introduce 165 division and break up 155 and 175 (new) respectively?
Morales vs Prates for 175.
Islam is the brand new 165 champ & will get a brand new belt on his first defence.
I've lengthy been in favor of a 165-pound division. And the UFC appears to like any excuse to place a belt on the occasion poster, so why not add a division and a title? I can't see it watering down the that means of those belts any greater than these interim titles have already got.
@welcometothe559: Sincere ideas on Ki MMA?
It's exhausting to have too many opinions on a corporation that hasn't placed on a single battle but. For now, I'm making an attempt to stay open to the probabilities. Part of me says {that a} 32-man event presents too many alternatives for issues to go means mistaken, and anyway doesn't each promotion that begins out doing tournaments ultimately ditch that mannequin? One other a part of me says, effectively, this sport wants one thing proper now. Go on the market and take an enormous swing and let's see what occurs.
I consider in Scott Coker and Wealthy Chou, although. In order that helps. These are folks with expertise on this house. They've run a profitable MMA promotion earlier than, and there are so few individuals who can say that.
@jaypettry: You talked about earlier the problem of ending a fight sports activities profession, particularly because it pertains to going out on the proper be aware.
How would you craft the proper exit for somebody like Tyron Woodley?
Like Joe Lauzon at Fenway towards an 0-2 BKFC man to win yet one more time at dwelling?
I want fighters would cease considering a lot about "going out" in one of the simplest ways. For many of them, there is no such thing as a such factor. That's as a result of those who’re nonetheless able to beating related opponents don't wish to cease. And in case you usher in some bum only for the needs of placing one final win on the finish of your document, how satisfying is that, actually?
I believe the Joe Lauzon factor was against the law of alternative. BKFC wished to do this occasion at Fenway Park anyway, and Lauzon simply occurred to suit as an attraction for that crowd in that place. I don't assume there are a lot of alternatives for fighters to craft that sort of second for themselves, although. It both arises organically or it doesn't.
Principally I want fighters wouldn't put a lot emphasis on the top. Aside from a couple of outliers — some good, some dangerous — we don't keep in mind the top all that a lot. What we keep in mind are the highlights alongside the best way. As years go and we glance again on somebody's profession, the factor that occurred final doesn't maintain a lot significance anymore.
@EyeofMihawk: Did you see award-winning author Annie Dillard handed and are you aware of her work?
Sure to each. Annie Dillard was one of many first non-fiction writers I actually obtained into. Each "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" and "The Writing Life" actually blew my thoughts the primary time I encountered them. She may write about completely something and make it completely fascinating. The world is poorer for having misplaced her.
