UFC

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones made a cryptic post Friday on Twitter pointing toward his potential plan for a return fight:

The greatest heavyweight of all time versus the greatest light heavyweight, who wants to see it? I’m game

— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) February 4, 2022

Jones, who last stepped in the Octagon in February 2020, didn't drop any hints about who he's referring to, but there are several possibilities.

Fedor Emelianenko is often viewed as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, but the 45-year-old Russian has never fought in UFC. His most recent bout came at Bellator 269 in October when he scored a knockout victory over Timothy Johnson.

More UFC-centric options include Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier and current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Jones and Cormier have already faced off twice. "Bones" won the first meeting by unanimous decision in January 2015 and delivered a knockout in the second matchup in July 2017, though that result was later changed to a no contest after Jones failed a PED test.

Ngannou is set to undergo knee surgery following his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane in late January. That seemingly takes him out of the equation as Jones' opponent in the short term.

So that leaves Miocic as the most likely candidate to fit Jones' description.

Miocic held the heavyweight title for just shy of four years across two separate stints. He last fought in March when he dropped the belt to Ngannou.

A clash between Jones and Miocic would certainly be a main-event level attraction as the heavyweight division awaits Ngannou's eventual return.

Welcome back to the B/R MMA Mailbag. Here's where we answer your questions about the various MMA issues of the day.

The UFC took last weekend off, and into the void stepped a big Bellator card and the stateside debut of the suddenly star-laden Eagle FC promotion, now owned by lightweight GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Although the UFC is the unquestioned lord and master of the MMA world, it doesn't quite reach full monolith status. As long as global demand for blood sports persists (and UFC fighter pay levels remain a concern), the UFC will never truly be the only game in town.

To be crystal clear: even in a crowded field, the UFC is miles ahead. But the battle for Nos. 2 and 3 is as hot as it's ever been. What horse do you have your money on?

Let's weigh the options. Want to see your question or comment here? Drop it in the mailbag each Monday, and I'll answer a selection of some of the more reasonable ones. Let's get it on.

          

I think the PFL format has value, maybe offset the schedule so every card has a title fight and expanded roster

@NetProphet

The Professional Fighters League has two structural advantages going for it: an innovative regular-season/postseason format and the sparkly $1 million prize for season winners in six different weight classes.

There are downsides. First, the format is fun but rigid, meaning it may be too complex to bring flexibility—i.e., different timelines for each divisional season—into the mix. Second, with Kayla Harrison perhaps poised to fly the coop, PFL is a little short on big-name fighters.

They do have a few, with Anthony Pettis leading the pack, but a flagging Rory MacDonald and jiu-jitsu wiz Antonio Shoeface are not household names. The recent signing of a very washy Jeremy Stephens is fun, I guess, but kind of in the same semi-mediocre vein. Homegrown talents like Ray Cooper III and Lance Palmer are impressive competitors, but they haven't broken through to the mainstream consciousness. 

The PFL has to be heartened by recent news that its tentpole star may indeed be returning to the fold. But Harrison can't fight on every card, and when she does compete, the way she consistently mollywhopps the jobbers takes some intrigue out of the equation. Boxing champ Claressa Shields has been bandied about as a potential opponent, but to date her 1-1 MMA record hasn't shown she's equal to the challenge or the hype.

The league will heat up again in April when it begins its 2022 season behind a multiyear contract renewal with ESPN. There's a lot to like in the PFL, even if it lacks some of the shine of its competitors.

           

It's been Bellator for years

@Bear2327

It's true. Bellator just keeps chugging along.

Bring Bellator your tired, your hungry, your huddled masses. If you made a name for yourself in the UFC but were released or grew disgruntled, you have a home in Bellator. 

Last Saturday's Bellator 273 card was topped by heavyweight champ and eight-year UFC veteran Ryan Bader, who decisioned interim champ Valentin Moldavsky to unify the strap. Former UFC lightweight belt-holder Benson Henderson was doing Benson Henderson things in the co-main, grinding out a dull but technically proficient split-decision win over heavily favored Islam Mamedov, who hadn't lost since 2009. 

If this is indeed the end… Thank you, Benson. 👏

A Hall of Fame-worthy career, @BensonHenderson snaps his losing streak with a Split Decision win at #Bellator273 LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/tL4HmBQ3yq

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 30, 2022

The list of UFC converts goes on, from Sergio Pettis to Cris Cyborg to Corey Anderson. Legends from around the game, like heavyweight GOAT short-lister Fedor Emelianenko, also are in the mix. Remember, Bellator MMA is owned by media giant Viacom. The company is canny about its decisions, but when it does decide to pursue someone, it has the resources to get its man and/or woman.

What sets Bellator apart from the PFLs of the world is its demonstrated ability to find and cultivate young talent. For example, the promotion has an electric star on its hands in AJ McKee, the featherweight champion and Bellator's current pound-for-pound kingpin. The 26-year-old with the spotless 18-0 record has only ever competed professionally under the Bellator banner.

Similar examples of Bellator-developed talent include Patricio Freire and Michael Chandler. Aaron Pico, perhaps the most ballyhooed prospect in the history of the sport, is on a five-fight winning streak after stumbling big time out of the gate.

Put it all together, and Bellator is your clear No. 2.

               

UFC has established itself to be in the top spot. A better question would be who can be #2 and I would say Eagle FC because it's being run by a respected legend who understands what fighters want.

@SkipBrainless

Well, the question was who can be the UFC's biggest competitor, so I'd say the question was pretty good.

To your more specific point, we may need to pump the brakes just a bit on the meteoric rise of Eagle FC. 

Every new show puts its best foot forward at first. Eagle FC, which streams for free on something called FLX Cast, certainly emptied its talent tank for Eagle FC 44 last Friday in South Florida. 

In the main event, two striking legends met when old-as-the-hills Sergei Kharitonov, 41, defeated Tyrone Spong by second-round TKO. Other notables on the card included former UFC light heavyweight champ and current media personality Rashad Evans, ex-flyweight contender Ray Borg and welterweight slugger John Howard. Former UFC lightweight challenger Kevin Lee and former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao also are on the roster.

Eagle FC 44 highlights: Sergei Kharitonov mauls Tyrone Spong for second round stoppage https://t.co/lo6sSYrX0Q

— Andrew Richardson (@AndyLRichardson) January 29, 2022

But Eagle may have an advantage in generating its own fighters. Given Nurmagomedov's involvement, this could become a developmental league for the well-stocked North Caucasus region of Russia, which includes Nurmagomedov's native Dagestan. Check any divisional ranking, and you'll likely see this region represented. The lightweight GOAT gives Eagle FC a built-in advantage here. 

So, there are some makings. But the promotion will have to put on more than one or two big cards to establish itself among the sport's major properties.

                       

Jake Paul Productions 

@Ninergang916

This isn't so silly as it seems. Bro, I'm not even kidding. 

Jake Paul has taken it upon himself to hit the UFC right where it hurts: its large, stingy wallet. That's going to keep the show relevant far beyond the merits of its competition. That's the power of sizzle, and Paul is a professional sizzler.

Are his boxing matches with aged MMA wrestlers the stuff of legend? No, they are not. No one needed to see Ben Askren halfheartedly box his way to a loss and a big payday. Paul's two bouts with Tyron Woodley weren't much better. And we won't even bring up Nate Robinson.

https://twitter.com/Zaki_Lucy/status/1483627624044044289

But the question isn't who can put on the better fights. Don't forget: The UFC is unparalleled in that area. Paul is taking a different tack, leaning into the carnivalistic nature of his own fight career and the fight game in general. He's hit on a formula of making himself look good on the backs of well-known but boxing-deficient MMA fighters. In the meantime, he's offering more zeroes in Most Valuable Promotions than the UFC—as Paul is always quick to point out.

Paul and company will never compete directly with the UFC, but there's no doubt that they're carving out their niche, especially given their new contract with Showtime.

Let us now close up the B/R MMA mailbag. You're all competitors here. See you next week for new topics.

Representatives for Jake Paul refuted comments made by retired UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov about Eagle FC offering him a contract.

"We offered him, we offered him [a contract]," said Nurmagomedov, who helped found Eagle FC. "Now we're waiting on his answer. If he wants, we're here."

Most Valuable Promotions responded to say that wasn't true, though.

"We spit facts only," the company said in an Instagram story (via MMA Fighting). "MVP has received multiple offers for Mr. Paul to enter MMA. Eagle is not one of them as of today."

Earlier in the month, Nurmagomedov reached out to Paul on Twitter to say Eagle FC would be willing to bring him aboard. The 25-year-old said he'd entertain the possibility on one big condition:

по рукам. только если я буду драться с тобой первым.

deal. only if I fight you first. https://t.co/4oRAZq8Ez3

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 23, 2022

Paul is 5-0 as a professional boxer. He most recently knocked out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the sixth round in December.

Having found success in a boxing ring, the Ohio native has teased a transition to mixed martial arts.

"F--k Dana White" is the chorus of a diss track released by YouTube star Jake Paul on Friday aimed at the UFC president.

Paul also rapped that White should "lay off that cocaine" and called him a "scumbag" for not increasing fighter pay or giving them healthcare options.

Here's the full song (language NSFW):

Near the end of the track, Paul transitions from rapping to a message directed toward White.

"I haven't met a single person who says anything good about you," he says. "I passed my drug test and you went silent. I'm keeping my foot on your neck until you tap, bitch. Stop raising your pay-per-view prices on the fans and not paying fighters more. Greedy, lonely, old, bald bitch."

It's the latest exchange in an escalating war of words between Paul, who's recently got into the fight game with a 5-0 boxing record, and White.

In December, White responded after the social media star's initial suggestion he used cocaine.

"So this guy keeps saying that I'm a cokehead," the UFC president said on The Fight with Teddy Atlas (via Bloody Elbow). "He can randomly cocaine test me for the next 10 years if I can randomly steroid test him for the next two."

Chisanga Malata of The Sun subsequently reported both Paul and opponent Tyron Woodley, a former UFC welterweight champion, "produced negative results for all prohibited substances" before their second fight on Dec. 18. Paul won the bout by sixth-round knockout.

The heart of the dispute between Paul and White has been fighter pay and healthcare. The YouTuber-turned-boxer announced Tuesday he'd purchased stock in Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., the UFC's parent company, to further his efforts to improve fighter pay and healthcare:

I’ve invested in EDR (UFC) stock with my partner @geoffreywoo 2 focus on UFCs ESG standards relating to fighters. We believe EDR can drive long-term economic value by increasing UFC fighter pay & providing them healthcare. Reaching out to @EngineNo_1 to partner on this “endeavor”

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 25, 2022

White previously said Paul and his manager, Nakisa Bidarian, should start their own promotion if they have all the answers.

"But if you two think you can do it better than we do, [that] we're doing the whole thing wrong and you're treating fighters better than we do, knock yourself out," White said. "Go start your own business, it's easy to do. Get the warlock on it."

Now the question is whether he'll fire back after Paul's diss track.

YouTube star Jake Paul said he's planning to release a diss track aimed at UFC president Dana White on Friday.

Paul, who's transitioned to the world of combat sports with a 5-0 boxing record, told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Thursday's edition of First Take he remains at odds with White about the issue of fighter pay:

"It's really about the fighters. You know, I've been in the gym and I've seen how hard these guys work and how mistreated they are and how underpaid all of them are. So, it's really about fighter pay and getting them health care, and poking the bear and disrupting his whole entire business. I'm dropping a diss track on Dana White tomorrow morning, so you will see that. And I'm not stopping any time soon.

"But this is about the fighters; I want to create a fighters' union. This is my goal, to really impact the whole entire sport, both MMA and boxing, and leave an everlasting stamp. And I just so happen to not be beholden to anybody. A lot of these UFC fighters are beholden to Dana White, they can't speak out against him. So, I'm using my platform because I'm one of the very few people who actually can. I'll say whatever, I'll speak the truth. So, I'm just doing my responsibility as a fighter and as someone who cares about other fighters."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luZ48ae_sN4?

Paul announced Tuesday he'd made an investment in Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., the parent company of the UFC, in a further effort to push for raising fighter pay and providing healthcare options:

I’ve invested in EDR (UFC) stock with my partner @geoffreywoo 2 focus on UFCs ESG standards relating to fighters. We believe EDR can drive long-term economic value by increasing UFC fighter pay & providing them healthcare. Reaching out to @EngineNo_1 to partner on this “endeavor”

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 25, 2022

White previously called out Paul and his manager, Nakisa Bidarian, saying if they believe it's possible to build a more successful MMA promotion they are free to try.

"But if you two think you can do it better than we do, [that] we're doing the whole thing wrong and you're treating fighters better than we do, knock yourself out," White told reporters in early January. "Go start your own business, it's easy to do."

Paul has generated ample mainstream attention since venturing into the boxing world. While he's undefeated, he's yet to face a classically trained boxer.

His wins since turning pro have come against fellow YouTuber Ali "AnEsonGib" Al-Fakhri, former NBA guard Nate Robinson and a pair of former MMA fighters, Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, the latter of whom he's beat in his last two fights.

Although White has shrugged off the criticism, it's brought the topic of UFC fighter pay into the spotlight:

The TOTAL combined payout for every fighter #UFC270 was $1.8 million.

Fury made $30 million in his third fight against Wilder.

Wilder made $20 million.

Fury and Wilder made 25x more than all the UFC 270 fighters COMBINED.

Tell me that UFC fighter pay isn’t an issue. pic.twitter.com/xYXxXLGvX8

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) January 23, 2022

It's clear Paul isn't willing to back down from the topic, and his 20.4 million YouTube subscribers all but ensure the diss track will receive a lot of attention on Friday.

The key question is whether his continued efforts will lead to any significant support within the UFC fighter community.

White will also face the decision of whether to keep the war of words going or try to move on.

UFC President Dana White told ESPN's Laura Sanko on Wednesday that he didn't put the title belt on Francis Ngannou following his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 because he left immediately after the fight to address something backstage, though he didn't specify what required his attention.

"For anybody that thinks I was showing any kind of disrespect towards Francis—I saw Francis all week, you idiots," he said in the interview. "I shook his hand, I said hi to him. I was out there for the staredowns, the whole thing."

Ngannou told reporters after his win Saturday night that he didn't know why UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, and not White, put the heavyweight title around his waist.

"I don't know. You have to ask him," he said. "No, I did not have anything to do about that. I think that was their decision. I'm about to ask about that, too."

White also didn't attend Ngannou's press conference after the win, which was news to Ngannou.

"Wow, OK, I didn't know that, too," he said.

Ngannou and the UFC have had their disagreements of late when it's come to agreeing on a new contract for the fighter, leading to speculation that White perhaps didn't put on Ngannou's belt or attend his press conference because of that rift.

Francis Ngannou says he didn’t tell Dana White not to put the belt around his waist after #UFC270, but: “It’s been a long time I’ve been worrying about my future in the company.” pic.twitter.com/n93Rjib5W9

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 23, 2022

Wonder if @danawhite is going to address the disgusting childish tantrum he did by leaving the Honda centre not handing out @francis_ngannou belt and bailing on the press conference !!!!!

— Mitch Gagnon (@MitchGagnonUFC) January 25, 2022

"I wish [White] would’ve taken the high road and just went in and done it, and just been a part of that," Ngannou's coach Eric Nicksick said on The MMA Hour this week. "Because the last couple weeks, I felt like Dana and Francis had been mending things. I felt like those two had been trying to become better and heal that relationship. So for him to not be there—again, I don't know his reasons why, I don't know if he got, all of a sudden he had a stomach issue, something—but for him not to be there, I just thought it was kind of a weak move."

Ngannou, 35, has emerged as one of the UFC's brightest stars, with six straight wins. He's now 17-3 in his professional career.

But it's arguable that he's being paid like a champion in one of the biggest sporting promotions in the world. Per the California State Athletic Commission (h/t Morgan Campbell of the New York Times), Ngannou pulled just $600,000 in guaranteed money for fighting Gane.

While Ngannou's contract with the UFC is up, the promotion does have a clause guaranteeing them the next fight for a defending titleholder. Ngannou told reporters after his UFC 270 win that he will become a free agent if he doesn't fight again in 2022, however.

So while White denied that his absence from the ring following Nbannou's big win was about disrespecting the fighter, it's hard to ignore the history between the two men amid the ongoing contract dispute.

And it's hard to completely ignore the possibility of a purposeful snub from White, especially without more clarity on what backstage situation he might have been handling.

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will fight Justin Gaethje on May 7, UFC President Dana White confirmed to Brett Okamoto of ESPN.

Oliveira claimed the vacant title with his second-round TKO of Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in May. He successfully defended the belt against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in December.

Gaethje rebounded from his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 to earn a unanimous decision over Chandler at UFC 268 in November.

Within the division, Conor McGregor attempted to leapfrog the field following Oliveira's victory over Poirier.

So what date am I fighting Oliveira?

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 13, 2021

Oliveira responded days later to say he'd be open to the proposition.

Considering McGregor has dropped three of his last four fights, he might need to notch another win or two before he is competing for the lightweight gold again.

Gaethje is the No. 1 challenger in the UFC rankings, and he has yet to cross paths with the current champ. As Oliveira looks to extend his winning streak to 11 fights, the Arizona native made the most sense as his next opponent.

Gaethje also told BT Sport he was willing to challenge Oliveira on the champion's home turf.

"There's a card in Brazil May 7," he said at the 3:53 mark of the interview. "I want to fight the Brazilian champion in Brazil. I want the chaos."

According to Okamoto, the UFC was looking at Brazil as a staging ground for UFC 274 but might now be focusing on locations within the United States.

Oliveira vs. Gaethje will be at least one of two championship fights on the card. Okamoto reported Saturday that Glover Teixeira will put the light heavyweight belt on the line against Jiri Prochazka.