Submit-UFC 299 questions — Largest winners, stars on upset alert, extra

With the conclusion of UFC 299, MMA’s main promotion now turns its focus to what’s anticipated to be its greatest battle card of the yr, UFC 300, at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas on April 13. However there may be nonetheless loads of motion to sit up for forward of the UFC’s subsequent pay-per-view occasion, together with Bellator MMA’s first occasion since being acquired by PFL late final yr.

Brett Okamoto, Jeff Wagenheim and Ian Parker spotlight the most effective performances from UFC 299 earlier than wanting forward on the upcoming occasions throughout MMA and giving some recommendation to UFC light-weight Michael Chandler, who continues to be ready to e-book a battle towards Conor McGregor.

Outdoors of the primary occasion, which UFC 299 fighter had the most effective win of the evening?

Okamoto: Poirier is the apparent reply, I do need to spotlight Kyler Phillips, although. Phillips is flying too beneath the radar. He solely has two losses — one was a break up determination, the opposite a majority determination. He has a win over Track Yadong. And Saturday’s efficiency towards Pedro Munhoz was an eye-opener. He is acquired issues clicking. Phillips has been within the UFC since he was 24 and he occurred to return up simply quick in a few fights, however the expertise has all the time been there. Now, he’s placing it collectively at age 28. He is a breakout candidate this yr.

Parker: Poirier had the most effective win of the evening. “The Diamond” took an enormous danger with this battle, and never solely did he come out on high, he did it in legendary style. A devastating loss may have despatched Poirier into retirement, as an alternative, his superhero-like efficiency within the win over Benoît Saint Denis may put him again within the title shot dialog.

Wagenheim: What an abundance of decisions, from veteran contenders reasserting themselves (Poirier, Petr Yan) to rising hopefuls giving their profession wings (Jack Della Maddalena, Maycee Barber). However there’s nothing as eye-opening as a primary impression, and two UFC newbies made memorable entrances. Early within the prelims, 2012 Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist Robelis Despaigne confirmed off agility exceptional for a heavyweight, knocking out Josh Parisian whereas he was in quick retreat and off steadiness. And he did it in 18 seconds. Later, Michael “Venom” Web page confirmed that the flashy expertise he’d flaunted for years in Bellator switch nicely to the Octagon, as he took aside Kevin Holland and placed on a present. I think about I’m not alone in wanting ahead to seeing extra of MVP and Despaigne.

Looking forward to UFC 300, which betting favourite on the primary card needs to be on upset alert?

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Arman Tsarukyan stuns Beneil Dariush for a knockout end

Arman Tsarukyan catches Beneil Dariush off guard with an enormous proper hand for a first-round knockout.

Parker: The sunshine heavyweight champ, Alex Pereira. Pereira is a gifted striker, however he leaves his arms low and would not have a robust grappling recreation. Jamahal Hill has the velocity, energy, and athleticism to tug off the upset in the primary occasion and regain the title he by no means misplaced.

Wagenheim: Arman Tsarukyan has received eight of his final 9 fights, and the latest of these victories was his greatest but, a knockout of top-five Beneil Dariush in only a minute. Nonetheless, I do not perceive why Tsarukyan is favored over Charles Oliveira, a former champion and winner of 12 of his final 13 fights, with the lone loss coming towards present champ Islam Makhachev. Like Tsarukyan, Oliveira owns a first-round knockout of Dariush, and inside the previous three years he additionally has completed Justin Gaethje, Poirier and Chandler. Tsarukyan has not confronted a murderers’ row the likes of that. I believe he and those that guess on him is likely to be in for a impolite awakening.

Okamoto: I will go together with Tsarukyan, as nicely. Stylistically, a variety of issues favor Tsarukyan over Oliveira. He has the wrestling to negate a few of Oliveria’s actions on the bottom. He has youth however can be comparatively skilled, having fought within the UFC solely since 2019. He has stopping energy. Tsarukyan is a tough employee, and he is with a very good camp at American Prime Crew, so he’ll be able to go. However it’s Charles Oliveira, man. That is precisely the type of scenario the place Oliveira has shined lately. We all know Oliveira reveals up when he is in adversity and beneath duress. If Tsarukyan finds himself in dangerous positions within the greatest spot of his profession, how will he reply? We do not know the reply but.

Which battle on one of many 4 UFC Combat Nights between UFC 299 and 300 are you most wanting ahead to?

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Erin Blanchfield celebrates after submission of Jessica Andrade

Erin Blanchfield, 23, celebrates the most important win of her profession with a submission vs. Jessica Andrade.

Wagenheim: Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot by a mile. What drives my curiosity in a battle is what’s at stake, and this March 30 essential occasion is all however sure to raise the winner right into a ladies’s flyweight title shot. However there is a twist: With champion Alexa Grasso and ex-champ Valentina Shevchenko slated to teach on “The Final Fighter” after which battle one another in a trilogy bout afterward, the Blanchfield-Fiorot victor goes to have to attend. And if it is Blanchfield, the delay may scuttle any hopes the 24-year-old has of changing into the youngest lady to win a UFC championship (presently, Rose Namajunas at 25). Understanding Blanchfield’s eye-on-the-prize self-assurance, I am guessing she’d gladly accept merely taking house the gold at any time when the day comes.

Okamoto: Simply Blanchfield vs. Fiorot. Huge spot. Nice conflict in types. Each are so good at what they do this both might be a possible drawback for the winner of Grasso-Shevchenko. Each are of their prime. I will not quit on whoever loses, although; they will have loads of time to work again towards a title battle. I additionally choose a Combat Night time that is not contained in the Apex.

Parker: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot is probably the most related. This battle will give us a transparent title contender and a contemporary face preventing for the title, after Grasso and Shevchenko deal with some unfinished enterprise.

Who leaves Belfast with the Bellator mild heavyweight and featherweight titles?

Wagenheim: Corey Anderson and Jeremy Kennedy. Anderson as a result of I actually have by no means laid eyes on Karl Moore, who has had 4 Bellator fights however only one on a essential card. And Kennedy as a result of everybody loves an upset and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, loser of two fights in a row, is 36 years outdated and ripe for one.

Okamoto: I believe it is lastly Anderson’s time. He had Vadim Nemkov on the cusp of defeat in 2022, earlier than an unfortunate conflict of heads dominated it a no contest, after which he misplaced the rematch. However the mild heavyweight title is there for his taking now. And I will nonetheless take “Pitbull” right here, regardless of his 0-2 skid. Kennedy has been delivering the most effective performances of his profession, however Freire continues to be the person to beat.

Parker: No query in my thoughts, it is Anderson. Anderson has competed with the most effective on the planet in each the UFC and Bellator. He’s the higher fighter regardless of the place the battle goes. I lean “Pitbull” right here within the featherweight title battle, however solely barely. Kennedy is not an enormous identify, however he’s a well-rounded fighter. Nonetheless, he has by no means had a essential occasion in a serious group. In the meantime, Freire does this constantly.

Bonus: For those who may give Michael Chandler recommendation on what to do in 2024, what wouldn’t it be?

Parker: Simply wait a bit of longer. I nonetheless have some religion that Chandler vs. Conor McGregor will essential occasion UFC 303 for Worldwide Combat Week. If it will get previous that time, I believe Chandler ought to marketing campaign for a battle towards Nate Diaz. That is one other large identify, a winnable battle for him, and he’ll sustain his thrilling battle fashion. In any other case, at this level, watch for the massive payday.

Wagenheim: Discover a new interest, yet one more fulfilling than following McGregor round. Since Chandler all the time ends his mic time with “See you on the high,” possibly he ought to take up mountaineering. And when he reaches the height and spots a Zen grasp sitting within the lotus place, he can ask for perception on this koan: What’s the sound of 1 man preventing?

Okamoto: He is waited this lengthy … I’d inform him to maintain ready. Who’s he going to maneuver on to? What matchup is on the market that he is denying himself by ready for McGregor? If there have been an apparent opponent — if he hadn’t already fought Gaethje and will go for a BMF title, or tackle Poirier in a setting like Miami, yeah, I might inform him to take a kind of. However he is already fought the highest names at 155. As wild because it sounds, wait right through 2024. If it would not occur this yr, I do not know if he’ll have any alternative however to maneuver on.