This is The A-Side Live Chat on MMA Fighting.
Today on the show, we’ll talk UFC 232 with its two tremendous title fights: Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson for the light heavyweight belt and Cris Cyborg defended her women’s featherweight title against bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes. Should we expect to see the old Jones? Does Nunes stand a chance moving up against Cyborg? How well with this card do on pay-per-view?
We’ll also discuss Nick Diaz’s comeback false start. Diaz told ESPN that he has not agreed to the announced UFC 235 fight with Jorge Masvidal in March. Will we see Diaz fight at all next year? How about ever again? Why are fans mad at Diaz when he never accepted the fight in the first place?
In addition, the final UFC on FOX show — UFC on FOX 31 — took place last Saturday in Milwaukee, with Al Iaquinta taking home an enormous win over Kevin Lee. Did we agree with the decision? What’s next for Iaquinta? How about Edson Barboza’s amazing performance against Dan Hooker?
We will also speak about the Cain Velasquez vs. Francis Ngannou fight booked for the UFC’s debut on big ESPN in February. Is that a fitting fight for such an important event? How will Velasquez look after another long layoff?
Also on tap, we’ll chat about the ongoing feud between UFC president Dana White and Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya. Who is in the right here? Did De La Hoya really challenge White to a fight? Can Golden Boy MMA make waves in 2019?
If there is time, we can also talk about Bellator’s big weekend in Hawaii, highlighted by Ilima-Lei Macfarlane retaining her flyweight title against Valerie Letourneau in an emotional homecoming and Michael Chandler winning the Bellator lightweight title for a third time. Also last weekend, Jinh Yu Frey retained her atomweight title against Minna Grusander at Invicta FC 33.
There is plenty to talk about, so join us to discuss all of the above and much more. All is up for discussion. The chat will start at our time of 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
As always, we’ll post the video window as the event draws near and answer any questions you might have if you post them in the comments below. For the comments you deem the most deserving, please click the “rec” button. Comments in green will get first priority.
Please link this page and use the hashtags #theaside or #chatwrappers on Twitter when you’re watching to tell everyone you’re taking part with us.
Audio-only versions of the podcast can be found on Soundcloud, iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.
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