This is The A-Side Live Chat on MMA Fighting.
Today on the show, we’ll be talking the UFC’s new pay-per-view deal with ESPN. What does it mean? How will it affect fans’ viewing habits? How will it affect fighters, if at all? Why did the UFC do it?
We’ll also discuss Jorge Masvidal’s coming-out party at UFC London, where he knocked out Darren Till and got into a scuffle backstage post-fight with Leon Edwards. Where does Masvidal go from here? How much has this raised his profile? Should Masvidal vs. Edwards be next?
In addition, Conor McGregor has alluded to a potential comeback fight this summer. Could it be against Nate Diaz in a trilogy fight? What else is out there at this point for McGregor? And what would it take to get him back in the Octagon?
We will also speak about the recently booked UFC Ottawa headliner: Donald Cerrone vs. Al Iaquinta. How does this further shape the lightweight division? Is this the right matchup for both? How will it likely play out?
Also on tap, we’ll chat about UFC Nashville this coming weekend, headlined by an intriguing welterweight matchup between Anthony Pettis and Stephen Thompson. Where would a win put either of those guys? Is Pettis likely to stay at welterweight? Can “Wonderboy” get back in the title hunt now that Kamaru Usman is the champion?
If there is time, we can also talk about the issues that Tony Ferguson is going through outside the cage, as well as any other important developments coming out of UFC London. UFC Nashville has some other very solid fights, Bellator 218 is coming up Friday night headlined by Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Georgi Karakhanyan, and ONE Championship has its huge card — with the debuts of Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez — around the corner next week.
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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