This is The A-Side Live Chat on MMA Fighting.
Today on the show, we’ll talk the very busy Nevada Athletic Commission meeting Tuesday that featured resolutions to cases involving Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov and others. What are the main takeaways from the lengthy Jones hearing? Were the sanctions given to McGregor and Nurmagomedov fair? What about the mention of the possible policing of pre-fight trash talk?
We’ll also discuss UFC Fortaleza, which is headlined by a big bantamweight fight between Marlon Moraes and Raphael Assuncao. Will the winner be guaranteed a title shot against T.J. Dillashaw? What’s at stake in the big Jose Aldo vs. Renato Moicano co-main event? Is there anything else on the card worth getting excited about?
In addition, Bellator 214 was over the weekend, featuring Ryan Bader’s knockout victory over Fedor Emelianenko to win the Bellator heavyweight title. Should fans have a different image of Bader than they might have had previously? Should this be it for Emelianenko, the legend? What’s next for top prospect Aaron Pico after being finished for the second time in six fights?
We will also speak about Nurmagomedov’s comments via his manager to ESPN that he will not fight until November due to being upset over the one-year suspensions handed down to teammates Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov. Should the UFC strip Nurmagomedov of the lightweight title if he doesn’t defend the belt for more than a year?
Also on tap, we’ll chat about Artem Lobov being granted his release from the UFC. Where will he land next? Will he have a measure of drawing power wherever he goes?
If there is time, we can also talk about Ronda Rousey, who reportedly could step away from WWE at least for a time after WrestleMania in April. Rousey will be facing Becky Lynch, who has trained under John Kavanagh, at WrestleMania, it was announced this week. What should MMA fans know about Rousey’s future in wrestling and beyond?
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.
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