The A-Side Live Chat: GSP retiring, Adesanya vs. Gastelum, UFC Phoenix aftermath, DC vs. Ngannou, MVP vs. Daley, more

This is The A-Side Live Chat on MMA Fighting.

Today on the show, we’ll talk the recently booked UFC interim middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236. Was putting up an interim title the right move? When should we expect champion Robert Whittaker to return? Is this too quick a turnaround for Adesanya?

We’ll also discuss the aftermath of UFC Phoenix, including Francis Ngannou’s knockout victory over Cain Velasquez. Was the finish caused by a punch or a Velasquez injury? Should Ngannou be next for champion Daniel Cormier? What should be next for Velasquez?

In addition, Paul Felder won in the UFC Phoenix co-main event and is still in Arizona after suffering a punctured lung against James Vick. Where does he go from here? Cynthia Calvillo, Vicente Luque, Aljamain Sterling, Andre Fili and Andrea Lee all picked up big wins. What’s next for them?

We will also speak about Kron Gracie’s first-round submission victory over Alex Caceres at UFC Phoenix. It was only Gracie’s UFC debut, but he wants a top-10 opponent next. Is that too much too soon?

Also on tap, we’ll chat about Michael Page’s unanimous decision win over Paul Daley at Bellator 216 in the first round of the Bellator World Welterweight Grand Prix. Page faces Douglas Lima next in May. Was the fight as disappointing as it initially seemed over the weekend? What are MVP’s chances against Lima? Where does Daley go from here?

If there is time, we can also talk about UFC Prague, which is coming up this weekend. Jan Blachowicz takes on Thiago Santos in the headliner, while Stefan Struve returns against Marcos Rogerio de Lima in the co-main event. Also coming up this weekend is Bellator 217, which is headlined by James Gallagher taking on Steven Graham.

Plus, there were two controversial finishes last weekend. Invicta FC 34 ended with an eye poke in a vacant flyweight title fight between Vanessa Porto and Pearl Gonzalez. Bellator 215 ended with a Matt Mitrione kick below the belt on Sergei Kharitonov. The former was a technical decision and the latter a no contest. We can chat about the rules contained in each.

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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