In honor of America's birthday, I'm dropping tomorrow's episode early! In this episode, I tell you why it's wrong to say that Ilia Topuria is a double champ. After that, everyone is comparing Topuria to Conor McGregor, but I've got an entirely new spin to put on it. And Matt Brown claims that Ilia Topuria would become an all-time great with a win over Arman Tsarukyan ... is he right? Then, I take you inside the inner workings of the lightweight title picture, and whether Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, or Islam Makhachev will get the next crack at the new lightweight champ. Plus, why it's about time y'all give Jake Paul the respect he deserves.

CHAPTERS:

• Ilia Topuria is NOT a double champ (00:00)
• Topuria and McGregor comparisons (10:38)
• Topuria's already legendary career (20:54)
• Why Paddy and Gaethje aren't fighting each other (29:46)
• Paddy is JACKED (41:15)
• Joe Rogan's hot take on Islam Makhachev (52:22)
• It's time to respect Jake Paul (01:02:17)

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Ilia Topuria’s called his shot, and on today's episode, I give you my reaction to Topuria's first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in Las Vegas. Does this make Topuria a global superstar? And will he get Arman Tsarukyan next, or will it be Paddy Pimblett? Despite Dana White pouring cold water on the idea of Topuria vs. Pimblett.

Later, Alexandre Pantoja deserves more credit for what he did to Kai Kara-France. And finally, my sources tell me the Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch is officially happening.

CHAPTERS:

• Topuria vs. Oliveira reaction (00:00)
• Is Topuria a global superstar? (09:54)
• Who’s next for Topuria? (20:28)
• Dana White rejects the idea of Topuria vs Pimblett (30:12)
• Pantoja deserves credit (40:03)
• Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 (49:09)

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Now that the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall saga is over, why does it seem like no one cares? Then, Dana White won’t say it, but I think he’s relieved he doesn’t have to deal with Jones anymore. Plus, why I believe Aspinall’s next opponent is already booked. And what would a Jones return even look like? And finally, Ilia Topuria predicts he’ll knock out Charles Oliveira in the first round tomorrow at UFC 317!

CHAPTERS:

• No one cares about Jones vs. Aspinall (00:00)
• Dana White is relieved Jones retired (11:15)
• Apsinall’s next opponent is booked (20:35)
• What would a Jones return look like? (30:24)
• Topuria predicts KO (44:43)

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Jon Jones announced his retirement from the UFC! On today's episode, I tell you whether we should believe him, and why I’m curious how a star like Jones handles life after fighting. Plus, why part of Jones’ legacy depends on who Tom Aspinall fights next. And finally, my thoughts on Bo Bassett decommitting from Iowa.

Chapters:

• Jon Jones announces his retirement (00:00)
• Do you believe Jones? (10:59)
• How does Jones handle retirement? (20:49)
• Jones’ legacy (35:53)
• Bo Bassett decommits from Iowa (45:39)

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Islam Makhachev needs to fully commit to welterweight, and I’ll tell you why. Plus, Daniel Cormier says Makhachev may only have three fights left. Also, my reaction to the video of Conor McGregor punching a man in an Ibiza nightclub. And the latest on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, with Dana White saying he’s ready to “move on” if an agreement isn’t reached soon.

Then, my thoughts on Arman Tsarukyan getting named the backup fighter for Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. And what would Francis Ngannou’s legacy be if he’d never left the UFC? And finally, the story of how I ended up paying $12.5K to keep someone on The Ultimate Fighter.

Chapters:

• Makhachev needs to commit welterweight (00:00)
• Cormier: Makhachev may only have three fights left (10:58)
• McGregor punches man in Ibiza nightclub (16:52)
• Dana White ready to “move on” from Jones vs. Aspinall (23:06)
• Tsarukyan named backup fighter for UFC 317 (30:36)
• Ngannou’s legacy (39:13)
• How I ended up paying $12.5K to keep someone on TUF (47:45)

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Kamaru Usman proved the doubters wrong with his win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. I tell you what it means for Usman going forward and how the rest of the welterweight division should get matched up. Also, my thoughts on Paul Craig’s illegal upkick against Rodolfo Bellato that led to a no-contest, and whether Bellato flopped to get the call.

Plus, Francis Ngannou seems interested in a fight with Jon Jones. I tell you what I think of that idea, and whether the pundits are right to call Jones is a quitter if he never fights Tom Aspinall. And Ilia Topuria says he "hates" Paddy Pimblett. To cap off the show, I give you my recap of Final X Wrestling, which took place over the weekend.

CHAPTERS:

• Credit Kamaru Usman (00:00)
• Matchmaking the welterweight division (10:04)
• Craig vs. Bellato - no contest (19:52)
• Jones vs. Ngannou speculation (30:35)
• Is Jones a quitter? (42:33)
• Topuria hates Pimblett (52:59)
• Final X Wrestling recap (01:02:19)

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Dana White says Jon Jones agreed to fight Tom Aspinall — so where does Ciryl Gane fit into this? Then, I’m all in on Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, but I’ve got questions about what kind of shape Nunes is really in after her time away. Plus, I talked to Kamaru Usman about the challenge of fighting Joaquin Buckley this weekend at UFC Atlanta. And a health update on Ben Askren following his recent hospitalization.

Chapters:

• Latest in heavyweight division (00:00)
• Harrison vs. Nunes (08:46)
• Usman vs. Buckley (19:31)
• Ben Askren update (26:35)

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Despite the loss to Merab Dvalishvili, I think we saw the best Sean O’Malley we've ever seen at UFC 316. Then, I give you some behind-the-scenes stories on Kayla Harrison's hellacious weight cut, which ultimately didn't stop her from putting a beating on Julianna Pena. Plus, I’m officially taking back everything I’ve said about Amanda Nunes — she’s coming back to the UFC. And finally, I defend Patchy Mix after his lackluster UFC debut against Mario Bautista. 

CHAPTERS:

• Sean O'Malley’s best fight ever (00:00)
• Incredible Kayla Harrison (07:30)
• Amanda Nunes is back (22:35)
• Patchy Mix’s UFC debut (31:51)

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It’s UFC 316 weekend! But I start with Jon Jones — and the only three options he has left. Plus, Sean Strickland admitted he turned down a fight with Caio Borralho, which concerns me.

Then, I explain how Julianna Pena can upset Kayla Harrison in the women’s bantamweight title fight. Also, what happens if Sean O’Malley loses to Merab Dvalishvili again? And finally, my official prediction for the bantamweight title rematch. 

Chapters:

• Jones has three options (00:00)
• Matt Brown warned Jones (07:07)
• Strickland turned down fight with Borralho (20:07)
• How Pena can beat Harrison (27:47)
• Official prediction: Pena vs. Harrison (40:28)
• If O’Malley loses again (46:08)
• Official prediction: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 (53:55)

To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.

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Maycee Barber backed out of the Erin Blanchfield fight at the last possible second, and on today’s episode I tell you what actually happened. Then, I explain why the stakes for Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 are far bigger than you could ever imagine. And, Ariel Helwani and I disagree over what I recently said about Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, but I still think everyone misunderstood me. So, I clear things up again. 

After that, Michael Chandler is still pining away for the Conor McGregor fight, and I’ve got a strong message to deliver to Chandler that I hope he takes to heart. And, Arman Tsarukyan took a shot at Paddy Pimblett saying his career is “built on handouts, hype, and shortcuts to the top,” but is it true? Plus, Don Frye gave some advice to Alex Pereira, and I tell you my thoughts on that.

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CHAPTERS:

• Barber backed out of Blanchfield fight (00:00)
• Stakes for Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 (08:52)
• What I said about Makhachev and Topuria (16:25)
• Chandler is still pining for McGregor (28:09)
• Tsarukyan says Pimblett's career built on handouts (35:04)
• Don Frye’s advice to Pereira (45:31)