Get ready for UFC 309! 🥊 Join hosts Ryan, Luke, and Zach as they dive into each matchup, analyzing fighters’ strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. From the thrilling main event to the high-stakes prelims, they break down all the action and make their fight predictions. Will the underdogs rise, or will favorites secure their dominance? Find out with expert insights, insider takes, and bold predictions.
0:00 - Introduction
- Welcome to the podcast, previewing UFC 309 with Ryan, Luke, and Zach.
- Discussion of Jon Jones’s return at MSG and excitement for the card.
0:29-News Recap: UFC 308 and Khamzat Chimaev’s Win
- Recap of UFC 308: Khamzat’s dominant win over Robert Whittaker.
- Debating Khamzat's title shot: Should he skip Sean Strickland, or does Strickland deserve it next?
2:00 - Khamzat’s Reliability and Title Shot Concerns
- Concerns about Khamzat’s weight issues and his limited ability to fight in the U.S.
- Strickland as the next contender and possible matchup outcomes.
3:58 - Ilya Topuria’s Win Over Max Holloway
- Holloway’s potential next steps: moving to lightweight or a BMF belt fight.
- Predictions for Ilya’s title future and Volkanovski rematch speculations.
6:22 - Possible Opponents for Ilya
- Ilya’s title journey and potential headlining card in Spain.
- Possible interim belt with Diego Lopes and other featherweight contenders.
7:25- Max Holloway’s Future at Lightweight
- Matchup possibilities for Holloway at lightweight: Poirier, Chandler, or Dan Hooker.
9:22 - Wrestling News: Gable Steveson Returning to College
- Gable’s NCAA return and speculation on his MMA debut timeline.
- Excitement around Gable’s return for college wrestling and future in the Octagon.
11:25 - Fight Cancellation: Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
- Reactions to Belal’s injury and discussion on Shavkat vs. Usman for an interim title.
14:03 - Fight Breakdown
1. Veronica Hardy vs. Eduardo Mora
- Predictions on Hardy’s momentum and decision-based victory.
2. Basile Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
- Analysis of Hafez’s durability and Elliott’s technical edge.
3. Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
- Stand-up vs. grappling, both fighters’ balanced stats, and split-decision speculation.
4. Marcin Tybura vs. Jailton Almeida
- Leaning towards Tybura’s grappling experience; predictions on a close decision.
5. David Onama vs. Roberto Romero
- High odds for Onama, with a debate on Romero’s unknown potential.
6. Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
- Support for Miller’s experience and a potential fairy-tale retirement moment.
7. Chris Weidman vs. Eric Anders
- Concerns for Weidman’s recent performance; Anders as a slight favorite.
8. Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGee
- Debating Martinez’s style and rooting for him as an underdog.
39:21- Main Card Analysis
1. Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Lontop
- Ruffy’s impressive form and training background, expected dominant win.
2. **Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva**
- Silva’s finishing ability highlighted; predictions for an exciting grappling match.
3. Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
- Bo’s wrestling skills vs. Craig’s dangerous guard game; possibilities of Nickal’s first decision win.
4. Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler (Co-Main Event)
- High stakes for both fighters; analyzing Chandler’s KO potential and Oliveira’s resilience.
5. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic (Main Event)
- Jon Jones’s GOAT status and legacy; Stipe’s potential to pull off a shocking win.
1:04:03 - Jon Jones and the Tom Aspinall Discussion
- Debate on Jon Jones's legacy and whether he needs to fight Aspinall.
- The interim title controversy and Jon Jones’s plans after fighting Stipe.
1:17:18- Closing Thoughts
- Final comments on Jon Jones’s career, legacy, and what lies ahead for UFC’s heavyweight division.
- Excitement for UFC 309 and a farewell from the hosts.
1:22:15 - Wrap-Up and Picks
