Poirier-BSD | Oliveira-Tsarukyan | Ngannou-Joshua | UFC's Anti Doping Program | Morning Kombat 534
Jan 8, 2024
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Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan are broken down. The significance of Francis Ngannou fighting Anthony Joshua is discussed and Ngannou's future in MMA is questioned. Erik Magraken joins to discuss the UFC's anti-doping program. The hosts also discuss a terrible stoppage in a recent fight and potential matchups for Vergil Ortiz.
Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua presents an opportunity for Ngannou to secure massive financial gains and solidify his status as one of the top heavyweights in combat sports.
The significance and relevance of Ngannou vs. Joshua in 2024 lies in the potential for Ngannou to face off against the winner of Fury vs. Usyk and earn a shot at the undisputed heavyweight championship.
The questionable stoppage in a recent fight raises concerns about the criteria used for determining when to stop a match.
The ongoing drama and taunts on social media surrounding Ryan Garcia's decision to change opponents adds fuel to the fire in the ongoing feud between Garcia and Devin Haney and their teams.
The upcoming antitrust lawsuit against the UFC could result in structural changes to the sport, potentially allowing other promotions to bid on the services of champions and changing the landscape of MMA.
Deep dives
Francis Ngannou's decision to return to the boxing ring and face Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia is significant for several reasons.
First, it demonstrates Ngannou's continued rise as a serious heavyweight championship contender, particularly following his impressive performance against Tyson Fury. It also presents an opportunity for Ngannou to secure potentially massive financial gains, especially considering the lucrative nature of fights in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, this fight carries major title implications, as the winner could earn a shot at the undisputed heavyweight championship. Overall, the significance and relevance of Ngannou vs. Joshua in 2024 lies in the potential for Ngannou to solidify his status as one of the top heavyweights in combat sports and potentially face off against the winner of Fury vs. Usyk. This fight is poised to draw a significant amount of attention and generate excitement among both boxing and MMA fans.
Combat Sports Highlights and Lowlights
I scoured the globe to find some interesting highlights and lowlights from the world of combat sports. Let's dive in.
Knockout Victory in Las Vegas
First up, we have a boxing match from Las Vegas where Baroso scored a knockout victory. It was a solid left hook that sent his opponent down, showcasing his power and skill in the ring.
Questionable Stoppage
Next, we have a slow-motion replay of a questionable stoppage in a recent fight. While some punches landed, it wasn't clear if they were impactful enough to warrant a stoppage, especially considering it was in the first round.
Drama Surrounding Ryan Garcia's Decision
In the aftermath of Ryan Garcia's decision to change his mind about fighting Devin Haney, there was a lot of drama on social media. Ryan expressed his intent to fight Rollie instead, asserting that it would be a bigger fight. He even suggested that Haney needs him more than he needs Haney. This caused a heated exchange between the fighters and their teams, with taunts and challenges flying back and forth.
Intense Encounter Between Bernard Hopkins and Bill Haney
Lastly, there was an interesting encounter between Bernard Hopkins, who works for Golden Boy, and Bill Haney, Devin's father. They had a conversation about business after a main event and things escalated quickly. It was an intense moment that added fuel to the fire in the ongoing feud between the Haney and Garcia camps.
Excitement and Drama in Combat Sports
These are just a few of the notable moments that caught my attention. Combat sports continue to offer excitement and drama both inside and outside the ring.
Antitrust Lawsuit and the Future of MMA
The upcoming antitrust lawsuit against the UFC is expected to shape the future of the sport. The lawsuit, set for trial in April, could result in structural changes such as limited contracts and fighters becoming free agents within a year. This could potentially shake up the industry and allow other promotions, like the PFL, to bid on the services of champions, changing the landscape of MMA.
Challenges and Power Dynamics in MMA
While the sport of MMA continues to grow in popularity and generate revenue, there are ongoing challenges and concerns. Fighters are making more money compared to the past, but their percentage of revenues remains low. Additionally, the UFC's stranglehold over the sport and the lack of power for athletes raises questions about the need for structural changes to level the playing field and give more control to the fighters, potentially through organizations like the MMAFA.
On Episode 534 of Morning Kombat Luke and Brian some recent fight announcements. First off the guys break down the announcements of Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan. Then they discuss the news that Francis Ngannou will be fighting Anthony Joshua in March. What is the significance of this fight? Will Francis Ngannou ever fight in MMA again? The guys also break down Tony Week's terrible stoppage over the weekend and what Vergil Ortiz's future matchups could look like. Then the guys are joined by Erik Magraken of Combat Sports Law. Erik and the guys break down the UFC's new anti doping program. What should we know about it? As always we close out Monday's with Dm's from Donks and HYSTS.
(00:06:00) - Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
(00:20:30) - Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
(00:38:30) - Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua
(00:53:00) - Francis Ngannou's MMA Future
(01:00:00) - Erik Magraken Joins Morning Kombat
(01:27:00) - Weekend Combat Sports Recap
(01:36:00) - Dm's From Donks
(02:00:00) - HYSTS
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