Spinning Back Clique: State of UFC heavyweight division after busy February

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Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a quick spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, host Simon Head is joined by panelists “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” of MMA Junkie Radio, as well as MMA Junkie reporter Nolan King. Let’s get into it!

February was a big month for the UFC heavyweight division, with Alexander Volkov, Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane picking up important wins. With the dust settled on those main events, what’s the biggest takeaway about the state of the division so far in 2021? Gane’s win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik this past weekend at UFC Fight Night 186 wasn’t the most thrilling we’ve seen in a heavyweight headliner, and it received a lukewarm response from UFC president Dana White. The phrase “damning with faint praise” springs to mind. What was your view of White’s comments? Fair assessment or unfair and unwarranted? We haven’t had a title fight for a few weeks, but the UFC is making up for it this weekend. Three title fights are on deck at UFC 259 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ pay-per-view), but which one will serve up the biggest highlight-reel moment we’ll all be talking about Sunday? Megan Anderson is the biggest underdog in those three title fights, and an Anderson win over champ-champ Amanda Nunes surely would be considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. But what’s the upset that has resonated most with our panelists in their careers covering MMA? Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is returning to competitive action and will take on former world light heavyweight boxing champion Antonio Tarver in a boxing match on the Jake Paul-Ben Askren undercard April 17. What do we make of this fight being made? And, to finish, book us an MMA vs. boxing matchup that would get you to open your wallet and stump up for a pay-per-view.

Hope you enjoy this week’s show. Watch Episode 69 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.

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