UFC 299 roundtable: Does Sean O’Malley transfer on to superfights if he will get previous Marlon Vera?

UFC 299 is headlined by Sean O’Malley defending his bantamweight title for the primary time. And possibly the final?

It’s not far-fetched to see a world the place O’Malley defeats rival Marlon Vera after which instantly follows in Conor McGregor’s footsteps, eschewing his divisional tasks to pursue “champ-champ” standing or cross over to boxing. A few of the greatest names trying to get a chunk of “Sugar” aren’t in his division — or MMA in any respect, for that matter.

With one of the crucial stacked pay-per-views of the yr simply days away, MMA Combating’s Alexander Ok. Lee, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew ponder O’Malley’s future and which fighters have probably the most to achieve with a powerful efficiency in Miami this Saturday.

1. Will Sean O’Malley look past the UFC bantamweight roster for his subsequent problem?

Lee: I’ll admit, my eyes rolled together with just about everybody else’s when Sean O’Malley began drumming up some nonsense about combating Gervonta Davis. He had simply received the UFC bantamweight title and the very last thing anybody wished to listen to is him trying to find a combat with a boxing champion.

However this current Ryan Garcia drama? I’m kinda right here for it.

ICYMI, “King Ryan” not too long ago boasted on The MMA Hour that he “will destroy” O’Malley in a UFC combat. That’s proper, he didn’t name for O’Malley to step into the ring with him, he primarily did the “six months of sprawl coaching” meme however in actual life and acknowledged that with three or 4 months to arrange, he may take O’Malley out in his MMA debut. Unhinged, however I’m intrigued.

If there’s any reality to this — and Garcia claims that he already despatched out feelers to Dana White, make of that what you wil l— then how can the UFC resist throwing collectively such a wacky crossover combat? It’s been greater than 13 years since James Toney embarrassed himself in opposition to Randy Couture. Isn’t it time to present one other boxer the possibility to observe in his footsteps?

I sincerely doubt that Garcia can current a sensible problem to O’Malley in MMA, however I’d pay good cash to see how he reacts to O’Malley throwing a spinning kick at his noggin. Make it occur, folks.

Heck: My eyes are nonetheless rolling in relation to the Ryan Garcia concept, however that doesn’t imply it could possibly’t occur. It received’t, as a result of I believe the celebs would align for a unique combat that I wouldn’t be wholly concerned with due to the work that must be achieved by each guys in their very own divisions. That being stated, if the UFC goes to Spain, they’d be onerous pressed to discover a larger combat to fill a stadium than placing Ilia Topuria in there with O’Malley.

I do know, I do know, I can see it now, “Mike, you’re staunchly in opposition to the champ vs. champ stuff with out cleansing out a division,” and you’ll be right. However the UFC definitely doesn’t assume like that, and by tapping into this enormous market, the UFC sees greenback indicators in all places. Personally, I hate it. Topuria has lots of people to combat — a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, Movsar Evloev, Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez, the checklist goes on — and so does O’Malley. You solely get one probability to make a primary impression, and I believe Topuria desires to make the most important impression he can in his house nation. O’Malley is saying the appropriate issues currently, but when Joe Rogan arms off that dwell microphone after a highlight-reel O’Malley win, I can see the callout for Topuria and a shot a second belt.

Meshew: If you happen to had requested me this query 4 months in the past, I’d have stated there isn’t a probability that O’Malley fights Merab Dvalishvili. (Mike) Heck, in the event you had requested me it a number of weeks in the past, I’d have stated the identical. However then a humorous factor occurred in February: Dvalishvili received over.

By beating Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 (after which having an hour-long post-fight interview), Dvalishvili did the unimaginable and cemented himself as not solely probably the most deserving subsequent title challenger, however by some means the one with probably the most assist. Followers have rallied behind Dvalishvili such that even O’Malley himself — who beforehand stated he wished Ilia Topuria subsequent — has come out and stated Merab is subsequent. It’s an unbelievable flip of occasions, however a welcome one as the majority of the MMA fan base is lastly realizing that champ-champ fights must be particular and never the norm, and O’Malley involves phrases with the concept he’s not the following Conor McGregor.

After all, this whole query hinges on the concept O’Malley truly beats Chito Vera on Saturday, and I’ve to let you know, I’ve severe doubts about that occuring. Fortuitously, even when Chito wins, the result stays the identical: Dvalishvili is subsequent in line and Georgia will proceed to have a stellar 2024.

2. Outdoors of the headliner, what important card fighter has probably the most to achieve?

Meshew: There is likely to be extra apparent solutions obtainable, however give me Music Yadong, due to all the opposite fights on this important card, Music is the one particular person combating a former undisputed UFC champion.

Nonetheless solely 26 years previous, Music is an extremely thrilling Chinese language fighter competing in one of many sport’s greatest weight courses. That’s a promotional unicorn proper there. And whereas he does have a loss to Cory Sandhagen on the résumé, losses imply much less in MMA today. If Music is available in and will get a win over Petr Yan on Saturday, that will get him a top-five rating within the UFC and instantly places him within the title dialog. At minimal, a win will get him a title eliminator, and if he’s fortunate, possibly he by some means sneaks right into a backup fighter function for the following bantamweight title combat. Crazier issues have occurred.

On the opposite aspect of issues, a loss is really catastrophic for Yan. Three years in the past folks thought Yan can be the man to truly have a protracted reign at bantamweight. Then the Aljamain Sterling fiasco occurred and now Yan has misplaced 4 of 5. One unlawful knee ruined his profession, and if Yan loses Saturday, it could effectively finish it. The historical past of MMA fighters who’ve misplaced 4 in a row after which rebounded to have any stage of success is exceedingly small, and none of them have gone on to say (or reclaim) gold. Yan has all the things to lose this weekend.

Lee: If we’re speaking about fighters who can increase their inventory probably the most, then we’re speaking in regards to the hottest fighter within the UFC’s light-weight division: Benoit Saint Denis.

It’s loopy to assume that Saint Denis has been combating professionally for simply 5 years and that his first UFC combat — a short-notice welterweight reserving in opposition to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos — was most notable for the quantity of punishment that the Frenchman took earlier than by some means surviving to the playing cards. Few may have guessed that he’d go on a hellacious win streak that could possibly be capped off by a win over one of the crucial revered warriors of his era.

All of the respect on the earth for Poirier taking this combat, as a result of he’s giving Saint Denis the chance to make a reputation off of him. Poirier would possibly see this as a winnable combat, and why shouldn’t he, however he has to know that he’s entering into the octagon with a rising contender who has trucked his previous 5 opponents and has all of the makings of a future champion. As soon as upon a time, Poirier was a white-hot prospect destined for UFC glory; now, it’s his job to gradual Saint Denis’ ascent.

Saint Denis received’t get a title shot if he smokes Poirier, however it would put him on the quick checklist and unquestionably transfer him into a unique echelon at 155 kilos. Don’t be stunned if we glance again on this combat because the second that Saint Denis cemented himself as belonging among the many best within the division.

Heck: I respect each solutions tremendously, gents, however the right reply is Michael Web page, who faces Kevin Holland in his first octagon look. Many have questioned how “MVP” would fare within the UFC, and Holland is the right first check.

Whereas the UFC utterly bungled asserting the signing of Web page, it has made an enormous effort to make issues proper since with some wonderful promos. The timing couldn’t be higher for this debut, particularly because the UFC has made the U.Ok. a spot they journey to not less than annually. And with a U.Ok. fighter holding the welterweight title in Leon Edwards, there’s little doubt these Tuesday matchmaking conferences have featured many conversations about constructing to a combat between Edwards and Web page if he’s in a position to knock off Holland, which shall be no simple feat.

And although this shouldn’t be the case, Belal Muhammad must be heading into UFC 299 combat week being the most important Kevin Holland fan on the planet, and everyone knows why. If “MVP” runs over Holland, Dana White and the choice makers will definitely take into account having Web page soar the road.

3. Can the Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida winner sneak right into a title shot?

Heck: If the query was nearly Jailton Almeida, than the reply is unequivocally sure. As I’ve stated many instances on a number of exhibits, if Almeida makes fast work of Curtis Blaydes, I can see the UFC reserving Tom Aspinall’s first interim title protection in opposition to Almeida in the principle occasion of UFC 301. That card goes to want a important occasion that may draw the eyeballs of the fan base as a complete, and whereas I believe Alexandre Pantoja is the freaking man, the UFC loves them some heavyweight headliners. That combat is intriguing as hell.

Now, for Blaydes, I’m not so positive. Aspinall may need that combat as a result of their first assembly led to such a bizarre manner, however the UFC hasn’t gave the impression to be within the “give Curtis Blaydes a title shot” enterprise, it doesn’t matter what he does. If Blaydes wins, I believe Ciryl Gane would get the shot at Aspinall.

And it doesn’t matter what occurs, neither shall be combating Jon Jones.

Meshew: If by “title shot” you imply “interim title (however all of us view it because the true belt as a result of Jones is a scared little ninny who don’t need that Aspinall smoke) shot,” then sure. Completely.

As Mike famous, in a dream state of affairs for the UFC, Almeida finishes Curtis Blaydes after which growth, Aspinall vs. Almeida for the interim strap can headline UFC 301 and the return to Brazil. If Blaydes wins, that’s a much less interesting location, however the combat itself remains to be wonderful as these two have unfinished enterprise, what with Aspinall blowing out his knee 4 seconds into their combat. Now Blaydes and Aspinall may run it again for gold. Whether or not that combat would go to Brazil, I’m undecided about, however it appears very clear that the winner of this matchup would be the subsequent man to combat the true heavyweight champion, Aspinall.

Lee: My solely qualm with this query is the phrase “sneak,” as a result of Almeida shouldn’t be sneaking into something. Along with his dominant grappling, he must be on the forefront of the dialog!

No, his five-round smothering of Derrick Lewis wasn’t precisely the assertion he wanted to make to show he’s the heavyweight division’s No. 1 contender, however only a look at his general physique of labor must be sufficient to remind those who he’s a destroyer of worlds when the combat hits the mat. That singular ability makes him a menace to whoever holds the title when he comes knocking on that door, be it Aspinall or Jones.

The excellent news for Almeida stans corresponding to myself is that the matchmakers did the appropriate factor and re-booked this matchup with Blaydes. A win over Blaydes will reply a whole lot of questions, regardless of how he will get it achieved, and as soon as the drama on the prime of the division is resolved, the timing must be excellent for Almeida to slip into his well-earned championship alternative.

4. What’s probably the most intriguing storyline from the remainder of a stacked preliminary card?

Lee: This story is unquestionably flying underneath the radar, so if I’ve to be the one level a neon arrow in its path, I’m comfortable to do it.

Is that this the final combat for Joanne Wooden?

The previous Joanne Calderwood — actually, identified to the lots as simply “JoJo” — not too long ago hinted that her preliminary opening bout in opposition to Maryna Moroz could possibly be her “final one.” If that’s the case, the combat marks the tip of a 12-year profession that noticed the soft-spoken Scotswoman emerge as a contender in each Invicta FC and the UFC and practically problem Valentina Shevchenko for a flyweight title, a reserving that was spoiled by a Shevchenko damage after which misplaced when Wooden dropped a short-notice, stay-busy combat to Jennifer Maia.

Although she by no means captured a belt, Wooden helped to construct the ladies’s 115- and 125-pound divisions within the UFC and constantly threw her identify within the hat with the most effective, together with Alexa Grasso, Lauren Murphy, and Jessica Andrade. Kudos to the matchmakers for establishing this rematch with Moroz, giving Wooden the possibility to avenge an upset loss early in her UFC profession.

The UFC Corridor of Fame is unlikely to come back calling for Wooden sooner or later, which makes it all of the extra necessary that we respect her contributions to a enterprise that’s all too fast to overlook. We respect you, JoJo.

Heck: The very first thing that popped into my head was Maycee Barber’s alternative to show she’s a top-five expertise at 125 kilos in opposition to perennial litmus check Katlyn Cerminara (previously Chookagian), however you know the way a lot I prefer to see a viral regional sensation with freakish measurement and attributes are available in and attempt to carry out underneath the intense lights. So my choose is Josh Parisian welcoming Robelis Despaigne to the UFC.

Despaigne is a 6-foot-7 large heavyweight who simply melts folks — 4-0, 4 first-round finishes, and his final three fights have lasted a mixed 19 seconds. This dude is a monster, however he’s getting his first actual veteran check, and if Parisian can are available in with a granite chin and grapples like he’s by no means grappled earlier than, it may get attention-grabbing. Nonetheless, the UFC matchmakers sometimes have a watch for these sorts of issues, so I can definitely see “The Large Boy” getting an enormous rise in inventory on Saturday.

Meshew: It must be Mateusz Gamrot and the completely muddled light-weight title image.

As issues stand proper this second, Islam Makhachev has no apparent contender for his light-weight belt. The extensively held perception is that Makhachev will defend his title in June on the Saudi Arabia card, however who the (Mike) Heck will or not it’s in opposition to? Everybody thought it could be Justin Gaethje — he and Max Holloway are about to beat the souls out of one another at UFC 300. Charles Oliveira was the opposite apparent selection — he’s combating Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. The probabilities of any of these guys popping out of 300 wholesome sufficient to show round and combat in June feels actually slim.

OK, however he has to combat somebody. What’s Dustin Poirier doing? Oh, that’s proper, he and Saint Denis are going to bash one another’s brains in at Saturday’s co-main occasion. It’s unlikely both of them is making a fast turnaround. Michael Chandler remains to be on the market desperately hoping for Conor McGregor’s grace, so he’s gone. That leaves Gamrot as the one viable possibility. He was the backup fighter for UFC 294, and as a lot as all of us respect Rafael dos Anjos, his greatest days are behind him. Gamrot ought to come out of Saturday with an excellent identify on the résumé, good well being, and the within observe in direction of getting the title combat he deserved to get at UFC 294.*

*I attempted to let you know all that it was silly to run again Makhachev vs. Volkanovski on 10 days discover, however everybody known as me a hater. Then it seems Volk was in no form to make a legit effort at profitable; as a substitute, he received run over after which received lit up by Ilia Topuria a number of months. All of the whereas, Gamrot — who’s a enjoyable fighter! — was proper there and ready to step in. The lesson, as all the time, is I’m all the time proper.