It is a uncommon off week in MMA, and the Fourth of July means there will not be many massive MMA matches this weekend. However it comes at an ideal time, with 2026 formally midway via and UFC 329 and the return of Conor McGregor poised to kick off the second half of the 12 months.
So let’s discuss what is going on to occur within the subsequent six months.
Who may have the most effective efficiency within the second half of 2026 and who would be the Fighter of the Yr over Gaethje?
In the event you learn our midterm awards, you may see that Justin Gaethje gained Fighter of the Yr by a landslide. The person had two large upset wins, one of many greatest wins of all time, headlined the White Home card, rewritten his personal legacy, and even had two combat of the 12 months candidates. There aren’t many arguments towards him at this level, and even when he does not combat once more, he’ll in all probability nonetheless finish the 12 months on the high of the listing.
Nonetheless, I’ll say that I used to be adamantly towards voting for Carlos Ulberg as quantity two, however I nonetheless do not know the way that occurred. For me, the story of FOTY was the two-horse race between Gaethje and Sean Strickland, who additionally had two upset wins, however that meant rather less, and his win over Chimaev was very shut. Nonetheless, he needs to be the clear runner-up at this level.
And the factor about Strickland is that he will probably be preventing once more this 12 months. It is extremely unlikely that Gaethje intends to place his newly gained title on the road earlier than the top of the 12 months, and he is already stated so. However Strickland loves to remain lively, and whereas I believe he is properly behind Gaethje in the meanwhile, that may change if he provides a title protection to his resume.
And to be sincere, the one different fighter that might doubtlessly be within the combine is Josh Hokit. Hokit has already gained three fights and is atop the rankings with two wins, making him a candidate for Combat of the Yr. If Hokit in some way fights for and wins the heavyweight title this 12 months, he may have an actual probability to defeat Gaethje, but when not, I am undecided anybody else has a sensible probability.
But when I needed to throw out two extra names, I believe there are two very Potential candidates embody Mackenzie Dern and Joshua Vann.
If Dern beats Gillian Robertson, it would not be something particular, but when she in some way beats Weili Zhang afterwards, it might be even larger. And for Van to perform that, he wants so as to add two title defenses to Sheets this 12 months, defeat Alexandre Pantoja as soon as, and Manel Cape in December, which is a really robust resume.
However realistically, that is Gaethje’s deserved loss.
Do you continue to suppose John won’t ever combat once more or do you suppose he’ll return to the UFC subsequent 12 months?
The heavyweight division continues to be very unhealthy and bringing John again appears to make enterprise sense for the UFC, in addition to for Jones as his choices are restricted. Do you suppose?
Did you all hear that? Jon Jones is as soon as once more speaking about the potential of not retiring!
Over time I’ve labored on this trade, I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to consider Jon Jones is as a typical highschool child in a teen film.
Why is he so imply to the brand new pupil (Tom Aspinall)? As a result of he’s intimidated by their hotness (expertise) and worries that he is likely to be faraway from the position of promenade king (GOAT).
Does he ever get in bother as a result of he is a belligerent weirdo who will get arrested on a regular basis? In fact not, he is the captain of the soccer staff! The outcomes are for geeks. And identical to the soccer participant, he talks lots about his religion afterward and perhaps even quotes scripture… earlier than beginning another time.
And can he should do his homework like everybody else (defending his title towards the interim champion)? Not an opportunity! The man finally ends up doing a science undertaking on bananas (preventing an previous man, Stipe Miocic, who hasn’t fought in three years).
So, with all this in thoughts, this is the recommendation many highschool college students have shared with their distraught associates after being damage by their accomplice’s romantic indifference.
If Jon Jones desires to combat once more, he’ll. Nonetheless, the UFC responded to his request and he stated no. That is it. He is simply teasing the return as a result of he likes the eye, identical to a highschool child will get led on by somebody he is not truly occupied with.
Now, do not get me incorrect, if the UFC permits Jones to choose the combat he desires and pays King’s Ransom, he’ll do it. Jones would completely have fought Alex Pereira or Cyril Gane or somebody he was 100% certain he might win. However he has no intention of preventing Tom Aspinall. Even should you can win, there may be additionally an opportunity that you’ll lose. And Jon Jones is not within the risk-taking enterprise, and it seems to be just like the UFC is now not going to coddle him. I consider that finally highschool college students must graduate as properly. However I want he would simply transfer on as a substitute of wandering across the car parking zone and attempting to relive his glory days.
teenage mutant ninja turtles
Expensive Jean
In the event you had to decide on an MMA fighter for the live-action adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who would you select? Bonus factors for selecting Casey Jones, April O’Neil, Rocksteady, or Be-Bop.
your pal,
freddy from footclan
Is that this a silly query? Sure. Did I spend an enormous period of time excited about it? It definitely was. Did I arrive at a passable reply? In a way.
I briefly thought of utilizing the total Group Khabib model of this, as I believe I can do a reasonably good job at this. However as a substitute, I pivoted to a group of fighter planes that I favored a bit extra.
- leonardo — He’s a pacesetter (the highest pound-for-pound fighter within the sport) and it’s all about self-discipline and talent. Islam Makhachev.
- donatello — He is a sensible man, so he can in all probability give Leonardo a combat, however he will not beat him. Alexander Volkanovsky.
- Raphael — Tough is a wild card. Though it is vitally robust, it can be used as a head case. Arman Tsarukyan, come down!
- michelangelo — Vibes man. And who does not love Max Holloway?
- sprinter — Sensible Previous Grasp. It will be very attention-grabbing if this was Daniel Cormier, however I believe Khabib would even be acceptable right here.
- april o’neil — I do not know why, however this music instantly made me consider Angela Hill. So I spotlighted her. However Mackenzie Dern would even be acceptable.
- casey jones — A weirdo who does every little thing himself? Jiri Prochaska.
- shredder — Shredder is often drawn a lot bigger than the Turtles, so I exploit Heavyweight for all my villains. And is there a greater villain within the present heavyweight division than Cyril Gane? Primarily based purely on top, Alexander Volkov would even be acceptable.
- bebop — Bozo the mutant warthog. Josh Hokit is just too apparent.
- rock regular — One other easy factor. Of all of the heavyweights, who seems to be like the most important mutant rhinoceros? Sergei Pavlovich.
There you will have it! It isn’t an ideal listing, but it surely’s a reasonably satisfying listing. I give up the clan as a result of it was unattainable. very Discover somebody who matches your standards. The most effective I can consider is Rizvan Kniev when Krang enters a robotic physique, however I felt that wasn’t sufficient.
Now, any person fund this and let’s get began.
Thanks for studying, and thanks to everybody who despatched tweets (x?)! Do you will have any burning questions, at the least considerably associated to martial arts? Please ship me your tweets. @JedKMeshewreply what I like! It does not matter if it is topical or insane. It is high quality if it is good. Thanks once more. See you subsequent week.
