This is The A-Side Live Chat on MMA Fighting.
Today on the show, we’ll be talking about T.J. Dillashaw’s two-year suspension from USADA for failing a drug test. What are the big takeaways from the news? What does the former UFC bantamweight champion’s positive drug test for EPO indicate? What kind of damage does this do to Dillashaw’s reputation and career?
We’ll also discuss this coming weekend’s UFC 236, which is headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. Israel Adesanya faces Kelvin Gastelum for the interim middleweight title in the co-main event. Will the winners of these fights truly get the next shots against the undisputed titleholders in those respective divisions? How are those bouts likely to go?
In addition, Brock Lesnar lost the WWE Universal title at WrestleMania 35 last weekend. He has been tied to a UFC heavyweight title fight against Daniel Cormier. What does his WWE title loss mean for a Cormier bout? Will Lesnar really fight in the UFC this year? Is it ridiculous that he’s getting a title shot, if so?
We will also speak about the possibility of Artem Lobov fighting Paulie Malignaggi for Bare Knuckle FC in June. Lobov defeated Jason Knight last weekend in a brutal brawl. Will Lobov even be healthy enough for June? Does he stand a chance against Malignaggi, a former two-division boxing champion? How does Conor McGregor figure into all of this?
Also on tap, a fight between Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal has been booked for UFC 239 in July. Is that a title eliminator bout? What does that mean for an already stacked card? Was that the right matchup for both?
If there is time, we can also talk about ONE Championship’s A New Era card and the promotion’s future. Marc was in Tokyo for that event and witnessed it firsthand. UFC 236 has a number of other good fights that we can go over, as well. Bellator held a press conference Tuesday in New York, announcing a June card at Madison Square Garden. And Marc was in New York over the weekend for WrestleMania and all the other pro-wrestling festivities.
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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