U.S. DAILY SPORTS

Mailbag: Demetrious Johnson’s retirement, Sean Brady’s huge win, and Noche UFC

James Pier


UFC Vegas 97 is within the books and it’s full steam forward to UFC 306 AKA Noche UFC redux.

This previous Saturday, Sean Brady scored the most important win of his profession, taking a unanimous choice over Gilbert Burns to place himself within the thick of the title hunt at 170 kilos. That wasn’t the most important information of the week although as all-time nice Demetrious Johnson stole the headlines by saying his retirement from MMA.

We received questions on all of it this week so let’s dive proper in.

Demetrious Johnson

“If science tells us #chickenscantbegoats can a Mouse be a GOAT?”

The largest information of the earlier week was that Demetrious Johnson formally retired from MMA this previous weekend, and whereas we’ve already talked a bit about his legacy and place within the sport, now could be pretty much as good a time as any to dive slightly deeper.

Merely put, Demetrious Johnson is one among six male fighters who’ve a reputable case for the title of Best of All Time. I perceive that issues just like the GOAT debate are inherently subjective, however by affordable requirements, the record is DJ, Jose Aldo, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Fedor Emelianenko. They’re the one fighters who actually dominated their divisions for years on finish with quite a few title defenses (you’ll not discover a larger Khabib Nurmagomedov fan than I’m, however his time on the prime was reduce quick and so he’s neglected on this explicit dialog).

Now so far as the GOAT dialog goes, I don’t actually care who you rank No. 1. As long as it’s a type of six, you’re not mistaken as a result of you may nitpick issues with any of their résumés. On any given day I would change my thoughts and prioritize one or the opposite, as a result of when you get into this pantheon of expertise, it’s all splitting hairs. However the necessary half is that he’s one of many six, which is extremely unique firm (extra males have walked on the moon!).

On prime of that, “Mighty Mouse” has a report which I don’t consider might be damaged in our lifetimes: 11 UFC title defenses is categorically insane (he ought to really share this report with Anderson Silva, however Silva’s combat towards Travis Lutter didn’t depend as a protection since Lutter missed weight) and within the present period of the UFC the place each fighter is obsessive about champ-champ standing, it’s exceedingly unlikely somebody places within the work to carry a belt for six or seven years with out getting distracted. Alexander Volkanovski, Kamaru Usman, and Israel Adesanya are all-time greats. Every of them have 5 title defenses. DJ doubled them up. It’s insane.

And on prime of all of this, Johnson is among the few males in that GOAT pantheon that has no actual controversy. He’s an awesome man who by no means had any points exterior the cage. Anderson popped for performance-enhancing medicine, Fedor by no means fought within the UFC, Jon Jones, effectively, do I even want to enter all that?

Demetrious Johnson is among the greatest fighters I’ve ever seen, and whereas I’m unhappy to see him stroll away, I’m glad he’s doing it on his phrases. The UFC Corridor of Fame awaits.

Alternate Universe

“Had DJ remained within the UFC and never been traded, do you assume he would have regained the belt?”

When DJ retired final weekend, after I used to be completed interested by his biggest moments, the very subsequent thought that struck me was how unfulfilling the top of his profession was for me as a fan.

Johnson was one half of, thus far, the one commerce in UFC historical past when Dana White shipped Mighty Mouse to ONE Championship in trade for Ben Askren. It was a giant deal on the time, and in the end, a commerce I believe all events have been proud of. DJ appeared to love ONE, received to do extra issues than simply combat MMA, and received paid handsomely; ONE received to advertise having the most effective fighter on the planet; and the UFC received Askren, who made headlines, drew curiosity, and in the end elevated Jorge Masvidal to a celebrity. That’s a win-win-win.

However although everybody made out effectively within the commerce, I can’t assist however assume that we as followers misplaced a heck of rather a lot. Other than his trilogy with Adriano Moraes, DJ’s fights in ONE merely weren’t that compelling. The odd mixed-rules combat with Rodtang was foolish, and the remainder have been forgettable. The truth is the one motive the Moraes sequence was enjoyable was as a result of Moraes pulled off the upset the primary time round.

Evaluate that with the seemingly occasions ought to Johnson not have been traded. A trilogy combat with Henry Cejudo is first up, and I personally thought DJ received the second combat as effectively. It’s 50/50 that he simply instantly reclaims the title and if that occurs, perhaps Cejudo by no means strikes as much as bantamweight. Perhaps DJ lastly does?

Or if Johnson doesn’t go as much as 135, as a substitute we get to appear him combat towards the brand new technology of flyweights that got here alongside after he left and Cejudo retired. You’re telling me you wouldn’t have liked to see Mighty Mouse vs. Deiveson Figueiredo or Brandon Moreno, or Alexandre Pantoja? All of these fights may have occurred and would have been enjoyable as hell. And admittedly, I nonetheless favored DJ’s probabilities in any of them.

So sure, I believe he would have reclaimed the title, and I’m a bit unhappy we didn’t get to see his closing act happen within the UFC.

UFC Vegas 97

“What does a Sean Brady vs. Ian Machado Garry combat appear to be, and are you interested by that subsequent?”

Pivoting again to the stuff in combat world, Brady outworked Burns for a stable unanimous choice win in the principle occasion this previous weekend and now the pleasure of Philadelphia is again within the title hunt in earnest. Following his win, Brady referred to as for both a top-5 opponent, or a matchup with Ian Machado Garry, saying they share a supervisor and it must be straightforward to make occur. I’m not so certain about that.

Whereas Brady is clearly wonderful and deserves a shot at a giant title, I’m very unconvinced that’s occurring. The combat would technically be preventing up for Garry, however the undefeated prospect appears to have his eyes on larger sport and along with his title, he can command that. I believe Garry goes to get both Usman or Colby Covington, and presumably even Leon Edwards (although a Masvidal matchup makes essentially the most sense there).

On prime of that, Brady’s current loss to now-champion Belal Muhammad nonetheless takes among the shine off preventing him, and many of the guys above him don’t appear prone to settle for a combat. The one exception to that is Jack Della Maddalena who additionally not too long ago defeated Burns, although by the pores and skin of his enamel, so that could be a combat which may be doable, and if I needed to guess, it’s the one I’d wager occurs.

But when the Brady vs. Garry combat does come to go, after all I’d have an interest. We’re speaking about two supremely proficient fighters. I’m unsure Garry wins a title, however I’m completely sure he challenges for one in his profession. He’s younger and proficient and getting higher each trip. Brady is a tier beneath, however with the correct breaks he may get a title shot, and at welterweight anybody can have an excellent evening and change into champion. Heck, the present champion and the man he beat have been, at one level, completely dismissed by the fan base. Perhaps Brady is the subsequent in line to choose up that mantle? I’ve my doubts, however I’ve been mistaken loads of occasions earlier than.

And for the sake of being thorough, I favor Garry within the matchup. Brady will get slightly higher each trip however his hanging nonetheless leaves rather a lot to be desired. Garry has an enormous benefit on the ft and is succesful sufficient to not let Brady run away with issues through his grappling.

UFC 306

“What if UFC 306/Noche UFC isn’t ‘the best occasion in human historical past’ and/or it isn’t ‘essentially the most worst occasion within the UNIVERSE’ and it’s only a mid occasion?”

As we not far away and head into the house stretch for Noche UFC, there’s a honest quantity of optimism surrounding how nice the occasion goes to be. However right here’s the factor, should you promise “the best stay sporting occasion of all-time,” you’d higher freaking ship. Will it? I don’t know, and apparently neither does Dana White.

My greatest guess is that this Saturday’s occasion will really disappoint the overwhelming majority of followers. From speaking to individuals who have been at Sphere for varied exhibits, it’s undeniably cool, and so the fortunate few who may pony up 1000’s of {dollars} to attend UFC 306, I think they’ll have a good time. However for the hundreds of thousands watching at house on ESPN+? I don’t actually see how that stay expertise will translate via a tv display screen.

And in that case? It received’t matter. The UFC is just too huge to fail at this level. If UFC 306 beneath delivers on its broadcast expertise, followers received’t care, particularly if the fights are good. You’re getting two title fights and one of many largest stars within the sport defending a belt. It’s a rock stable card and so it’ll all blow over shortly.

Thanks for studying, and thanks for everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you might have any burning questions on issues not less than considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definitely’re in luck, as a result of you may ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite ones! Doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.



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