Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Dan Tom will join host Farah Hannoun live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:
- One of the most talked about rematches in UFC history is set for Saturday in Miami when middleweight champion Alex Pereira puts his title on the line in a rematch with former champ Israel Adesanya. Adesanya was up 3-1 in the fifth round of their first fight this past November when Pereira caught him and knocked him out. The Brazilian also has two wins over him in kickboxing. Recently Adesanya said his fight with Pereira could be his “last shot.” Is he blowing things out of proportion, or is there some truth to that?
- In the co-main event at UFC 287, Miami’s own Jorge Masvidal is back to take on Gilbert Burns. Masvidal, a regular lightning rod for controversy who is awaiting trial for an alleged attack of Colby Covington, is a heavy underdog in the fight. He’s lost three straight. Yet he maintains if he wins impressively, he’ll leapfrog Covington into a title shot with welterweight champ Leon Edwards – another of his big rivals. Is that likely to happen? Or can Burns make that same case, himself?
- Brendan Loughnane won $1 million in the 2022 PFL featherweight season. Saturday, he started off his quest for a repeat with 5 points and a finish of Marlon Moraes. Afterward, he talked about putting some respect on his name – and that he needs to be considered among the world’s best at 145 pounds. Is he?
- Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing took its show on the road to Milwaukee on Saturday with home city hero Anthony Pettis in the main event for his boxing debut against all-time legend Roy Jones Jr. But Pettis wasn’t alone for MMA standouts on the card, which included Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens, Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo Souza, Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina Mazany and more. How do we rate some of the MMA performances in their crossovers – and do we want to see more of it?
- The top two fights are UFC 287 are big ones, to be certain. But the rest of the card features some big names, too. Outside of the 1-2 punch in Miami, who is going to steal the show? Adrian Yanez? Kevin Holland? Or maybe someone farther down the card? We take a deep dive.
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.
