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<\/a><\/p>\nNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Opponents Ciryl Gane of France and Josh Hokit face off during the UFC 334 press conference at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n
Question: How unentertaining and representative of what is wrong with the fan base, or dare I say society, is Hokit and why has he been given the chances he has. Imagine he wins?? (Chucs)<\/p>\n
Jesse Holland: It\u2019s kind of sad that Hokit is known for his goofball shtick and not his talent because he\u2019s a very entertaining fighter and a great addition to the stagnant heavyweight division. I don\u2019t find him particularly amusing but his antics don\u2019t bother me. From what I\u2019ve heard, he\u2019s actually a regular dude in real life and just wants to get his bag and go home. I\u2019m more troubled by losers like Sean Strickland, because \u201cTarzan\u201d really believes (and champions) the racist, homophobic rhetoric he spews on social media.<\/p>\n
Andrew Richardson: I would argue it\u2019s more about Hokit being an actual young talent than his antics. UFC is giving big opportunities to jump up the rankings to every random Heavyweight the wins his debut \u2014 Hokit is just the guy who capitalized.<\/p>\n
Thomas Myers: I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a great reflection on society, but we are dealing with combat sports fans, so, contextually I am not surprised by anything at this point. Dana White has made it pretty clear he\u2019s not a Hokit fan, but he is still challenging him and giving him more opportunities because he\u2019s earned them inside the cage despite the nonsense he spouts outside of it. And speaking of that nonsense, it more than likely moves the needle, gets people clicking and sharing, which is exactly what White and Co. love to see, regardless of how they get measurable results.<\/p>\n
Alex Behunin: While I do believe Volkov deserved it more than Hokit, Hokit did work his way to the title by putting on the best fight of the year but also talking his way into it.<\/p>\n
As for the fanbase, it\u2019s awful right now. The toxicity is out of control \u2013 it could be that I\u2019m on social media too much, but boy oh boy, it\u2019s bad.<\/p>\n
Cage fighting is always going to produce broken individuals \u2013 but it sure feels like their ugly personalities are being spotlighted way brighter than before.<\/p>\n
Dan Hiergesell: Josh Hokit is talented. That\u2019s not up for debate. He\u2019s a former standout collegiate wrestler and football player. Hokit\u2019s athletic abilities took him as far as the National Football League (NFL). Pretty impressive stuff. He has carried that success into the Octagon and has proven himself against some dangerous opponents in the UFC\u2019s heavyweight division. I don\u2019t think all of that should be overlooked, but at the end of the day his ability to talk and create drama is the reason why he\u2019s fighting for the title this weekend in New York City. Fans either want to see Hokit win or eat crow, but they\u2019ll tune in. Dana White knows that. UFC knows that. And Josh Hokit knows that. If he beats Ciryl Gane, it only gets worse!<\/p>\n
Adam Guillen: Hokit is like a car wreck, it\u2019s terrible but you can\u2019t look away. His schtick isn\u2019t original by any means, but he saw a void that was missing (Sonnen and Colby) and he\u2019s filling it nicely. Dana can say all he wants that he\u2019s not a fan, but he is drawing clicks and eyeballs, hence the opportunities. It\u2019s business, not personal. Plus, he can actually fight.<\/p>\n
Tim Edwards: He\u2019s not my cup of tea, but I\u2019m past the point of being too upset about that. He says very gross things, but this is a sport that has tolerated guys who have done very gross things. If you put a gun to my head I\u2019d rather spend time with Hokit than Conor McGregor, Gable Steveson, Greg Hardy and the like. All that being said, Hokit\u2019s shtick doesn\u2019t work without the wild fight with Curtis Blaydes. If he was doing all this pantomime and painfully affected and rehearsed character work, without delivering in fights then he wouldn\u2019t sniff a main event let alone White House and MSG cards.<\/p>\n
I actually don\u2019t think he\u2019s that popular of a character. I think he\u2019s popular with the brass because he gives them what they want, UFC fights that get the same reaction as Power Slap clips. That all White cares about these days (when it comes to what happens inside a cage).<\/p>\n
Gane vs Hokit – A stylistic mismatch<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n From the time this fight was announced, I have had this feeling that this is a mismatch. Below is an attempt to see I can justify my “feelings” with something real to back it or throw away that argument.<\/p>\n Long Range<\/p>\n Gane has some of the best footwork and long-range attack; if not the best in the game at HW. His range of kicks, coupled with a strong jab that he uses both as a power jab to step in and follow up with the power hand, and as a piston jab while moving backwards away from counters.<\/p>\n While the official stats may list Gane as orthodox, we can’t forget how he sets up his southpaw high kick through repeated kicks to the body, all while in the southpaw position. He can deliver power from both stances!<\/p>\n So how does Hokit even get in? Hokit is shorter, with a significant reach disadvantage. Any damage he can inflict on the feet is at close range, and his best chance of a finish lies on the ground; which also needs Josh to close range enough to shoot for takedowns.<\/p>\n I just do not see any route for Hokit to even get in to shoot takedowns!!!<\/p>\n Boxing Range<\/p>\n If we assume somehow Hokit is able to get into range where his hands can touch Gane, that means he is in range for the clinch.<\/p>\n Hokit usually has the advantage in the clinch against most opponents, but this is one fight where I believe Gane has him dominated. Gane is not just taller and bigger, but in my opinion the stronger MMA grappler in the clinch. He can be nasty with the Thai plum and truly hurt Hokit in the clinch, whereas punching\/elbowing upwards from the clinch means Hokit won’t have much to offer in terms of damage-inducing blows.<\/p>\n If he can get in range, then Hokit needs to use his chain wrestling to get the fight to the ground. It will not be easy.<\/p>\n Can Gane get the takedown from the clinch? Yes!!<\/p>\n Hokit still needs the takedown!!<\/p>\n Ground Game<\/p>\n If we assume somehow Hokit can get this fight to the ground with him on top, then the game changes. While Gane has some jiu-jitsu, I am not sure he has the skills to sweep and get back up from a lifelong wrestler like Hokit. If Hokit gets to top position, the back, or any other form of relatively dominant position on the ground, then he can ride him, GnP him, and maybe find the finish.<\/p>\n Also, Gane does make strange decisions on the ground which have cost him (vs Francis). But I see that as an anomaly that came out of an inexperienced Gane, and I think he is a lot more composed and confident in his grappling now.<\/p>\n But overall, this is the one place where I give Hokit the edge.<\/p>\n Cardio & Pace<\/p>\n Hokit has cardio and pace. He has been able to effectively utilize that to break down opponents, but Gane is one of the rare breed at HW who can match Hokit on cardio, and I don’t see him gassing out even if it involves a lot of grappling. Hokit could finish him by hurting him or submitting him, but I don’t see Gane as a guy who is going to lose because he got too exhausted.<\/p>\n Even stevens!!<\/p>\n Speed<\/p>\n While Hokit has had the speed advantage over his HW opponents to date; Gane is as fast as Hokit, and the speed advantage (whatever little Hokit does have) will need to be used to smartly get into range, without eating the jabs or kicks which are a staple of Gane’s offense (and defense).<\/p>\n Even stevens!!<\/p>\n My Personal Opinion About Hokit<\/p>\n I have enjoyed watching Hokit’s rise up the HW ladder. He brings the action and does not get tired. I don’t need anything more from a fighter at HW. Hokit also brings real grappling skills to the table which are at a premium in the HW division!!<\/p>\n For the first time ever, a fighter’s act outside the cage has actually made me smile!!! And he is American. I want an American HW champ!!! Not to mention the dude is active (but that changes when dudes become champ)!!!<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/p>\n I started off saying that this is a mismatch. The above were my running thoughts to see if I could convince myself one way or the other. Well, I have.<\/p>\n Hokit is up against it, with very few routes to victory. I see Gane, with the confidence of a champion, putting Hokit away.<\/p>\n Keep him at bay with long-range kicks to the leg and body and jabs, set up the high kick, win the clinch exchanges, and don’t let the fight hit the ground.<\/p>\n Expected Outcome: And Still… Ciryl Gane… R3 KO\/TKO<\/p>\n PS:<\/p>\n As far as Gane is concerned, I 100% ignore the Jon fight, since that was another mismatch.<\/p>\n Mismatches at the highest levels are not all that unusual. Styles make fights and skills pay the bills. In most aspects Gane is ahead vs Hokit, just as he was behind vs Jon.<\/p>\n Rec 11CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 24 replies NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 12: UFC President and CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 334 press conference at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n Question: Further and related, what the hell is DW talking about how he hates and doesn\u2019t agree with what Hokit says but still gives him a shot?? (Chucs)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Josh Hokit is a dork who lands one joke out of ten. I\u2019m not sure that\u2019s enough to keep him blacklisted because he\u2019s also scored four post-fight performance bonuses in four trips to the Octagon. For all his cringe, Hokit delivers inside the cage.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: It\u2019s so obviously a troll job that I find it hard to get upset.<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: Dana secretly loves him because he\u2019s bringing eyeballs.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: See above: Hokit is good for business.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I actually believe him. Like I said above, I think White just wants the most viral fights possible and whether you are a literal clown like Hokit or a bland Dagestani doesn\u2019t matter. If you\u2019re knocking guys out cold, breaking limbs or bathing in blood you\u2019re going to get ahead in this era of fighting.<\/p>\n FIGHT STREAK RESULTS FOR UFC VEGAS 124!!!! Get your picks in for UFC 334!!!<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Action Man is on fire (again). He holds our record for 11 right picks in a row. And this week he just locked up his second 10 fight streak by picking Nina Milosevic.<\/p>\n Now we get to see if he can match that 11 fight streak and then go beyond it (to break his record). Fun!<\/p>\n Here’s what we’re picking from this week:<\/p>\n UFC 334 Main Event on Paramount+<\/a>:<\/p>\n 265 lbs.: UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit<\/a><\/p>\n UFC 334 Main Card on Paramount+<\/a> (9 p.m. ET):<\/p>\n 135 lbs.: UFC Women\u2019s Bantamweight Champion Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes<\/a> UFC 334 Late Prelims Card on Paramount+<\/a> (7 p.m. ET):<\/p>\n 170 lbs.: Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke UFC 334 Early Prelims Card on Paramount+<\/a> (5 p.m. ET):<\/p>\n 155 lbs.: Melquizael Costa vs. Jared Gordon I think most folks are going to go with Bilal Hasan. I think, as the host of this thing, I should force myself to not pick these big favorites. Maybe I should go all underdogs? <\/p>\n Yeah, let’s do that. Give me handsome Drew Dober.<\/p>\n ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: (R-L) Ciryl Gane of France punches Tom Aspinall of England in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 321 event at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n Q: How many fouls does Ciryl Gane hit Josh Hokit with this weekend? Does Hokit even have a shot at winning? (Igl00Man)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Josh Hokit is going to follow the wrestling blueprint from Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou at UFC 334 and probably win. I would say for every three takedown attempts, Hokit absorbs two shots to the back of the dome.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I\u2019m going with two eye pokes, a nut shot and three fence grabs.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: Hot take: Hokit throws the first eye poke!<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: 2 \u2013 Eye poke and low blow. If Hokit can take Gane down, yes, he has a big chance.<\/p>\n Ryan Harkness: 55 eye pokes 55 groin shots 55 back of the head shots 55 cage pulls 55 glove grabs 100 soccer kicks.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: Hokit is the king of going out on a limb to try and get attention. He\u2019s desperate to be a walking talking meme. Problem is, so much of his stuff is just not funny and comes off as extremely inauthentic. I think he might do something silly in this fight, like try and eye poke Ciryl Gane early for the lolz. If that happens, it could derail the whole fight (I don\u2019t think Hokit thinks about consequences, though).<\/p>\n What is your hype level for UFC 334?<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Closes in 2 days \u2022 90 total votesView results<\/p>\n SUPER HYPEDPretty darn hypedRelatively hypedNot hyped at allRec 0CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 8 replies Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n Q: Is it all coming together for Johnny Walker now? He has all the physical ability at HW, and now he can take shots from heavier guys who would have flatlined him at LHW, with my guess being the weight cutting to LHW was affecting his ability to take a shot. Is he a potential title challenger at HW? (Igl00Man)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Heavyweight Johnny Walker is a low-rent Overeem. Looks great on the scale and will use his size and strength to knock around mid-card competition. Unfortunately, I expect him to fold like my eighth-grade Trapper Keeper when he gets into the division Top 5.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: Potential title challenger? Sure. Why not. Heavyweight is a low bar; Derrick Lewis fought for the belt after all. Potential title winner? No shot.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I am totally shocked his chin held up AND he was able to dent Acosta\u2019s granite beard. Never say never, especially at Heavyweight; however, I don\u2019t see him ever wearing UFC gold around his waist.<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: I\u2019m surprised at the success he is having at Heavyweight to be honest. His chin was always the question mark about going up and Waldo sure tested it. Ryan Harkness: Walker was in the wrong weight class and training at the wrong gym. He spent years at SBG Ireland working alongside a lot of great talent … at lower weight classes. Now he\u2019s at heavyweight, working with a heavyweight coach in Ray Sefo, training alongside quality heavyweights like Alexander Volkov. I don\u2019t expect this to make him unstoppable, but I\u2019m not surprised his sudden string of good career moves has added up to success in the cage.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I\u2019m still not sold on Walker in this division. There\u2019s a lot more heavy hitters he\u2019s going to meet up here and I think it\u2019s just a matter of time someone makes him look like a Wallace and Gromit character again.<\/p>\n SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 03: Damian Pinas of Aruba celebrates after defeating Andrey Pulyaev of Russia by technical knockout in their middleweight bout during UFC 332: Silva v Wang at Delta Center on October 03, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Q: I asked this question a few months ago and I\u2019m interested to see how answers have changed since, because I think someone picked Amoslov last time: If you had to pick one currently unranked fighter, from any division, to be a future champion, who would it be? (Casual_Monk)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Brazilian smashing machine Mateus Soares is just 22 years old and already a bull in the 135-pound china shop. I think he makes a run at bantamweight, loses because he\u2019s small, then drops down to flyweight and takes the title.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: This is such a hard question. I feel like Gable Steveson or Anthony Wint are still the \u201cbest\u201d answers just because Heavyweight is such a wide open field.<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: I believe I picked Gable last time. But I\u2019m all in on Damian Pinas at Middleweight and Bilal Hassan at Flyweight. Van vs. Hassan???? TAKE MY MONEY.<\/p>\n Dan Hiergesell: The UFC\u2019s flyweight division has really evolved of late and one of the biggest names to keep an eye out for is Imanol Rodriguez. The 26-year-old Rodriguez has been on a tear over the past year and with the coaching of Daniel Cormier he could one day threaten Joshua Van for the UFC flyweight throne.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I am all aboard the Damian Pinas hype train. Elijah Smith looks like such a major problem, too. And how about Jacobe Smith? I\u2019m lazy and didn\u2019t check to see if he\u2019s (un)ranked after his most recent performance.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: There\u2019s a lot of guys with a lot of hype around them right now. The hype, I believe, is a product of this Paramount+ era. At this point our roster is almost entirely made of Contender Series grads. Those fighters got contracts because they finish people. And a lot of them are getting matched against guys signed right off regionals or guys who are on the decline. This is your recipe for viral KOs. A lot of the names I could mention fit this bill: Damian Pinas, Elijah Smith, Jacobe Smith, Bilal Hasan, Ryan Gandra, etc. Of these names, I think Jacobe Smith might be the best shot at being a future champ, because he has the wrestling and the good team around him. I like Imanol Rodriguez, too, for the same reasons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before they were champions<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Looking through the fights I have seen live I decided to see who I saw before they became champions.<\/p>\n Only criteria is they had to have fought on prelims or worse (see Jones, J)<\/p>\n Turns out more than I actually thought<\/p>\n Jon Jones – UFC 100 – dark match<\/p>\n Renan Barao – UFC 130<\/p>\n Demetrious Johnson – UFC 130<\/p>\n Glover Teixeira – UFC 146<\/p>\n Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC 160<\/p>\n Robert Whittaker – UFC 160<\/p>\n Tony Ferguson – UFC 173<\/p>\n Cody Garbrandt – UFC 189<\/p>\n Raquel Pennington – UFC 191<\/p>\n Rec 8CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 14 replies NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: Drew Dober poses on the scale during the UFC 334 official weigh-in at New York Marriott Marquis on November 13, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n Q: This upcoming UFC has some sneaky good prelim fights, which one are you looking forward to most? (Jack Reacharound)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: The lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Terrance McKinney is one I have my eye on. Both guys bring it, win or lose, and it\u2019s an interesting contrast of styles. Miller at +165 is a tempting offer despite his age and wear-and-tear.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: I really like Melquizael Costa, and Jared Gordon can be trusted upon to make it a scrap. That should be fun! Agree with JH as well.<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: Dober vs. Duncan is going to be violent. Donte Johnson vs. Almeida is going to be fun too. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing Bia Mesquita.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: Drew Dober and Jim Miller never disappoint, win or lose. Hell, Terrance McKinney for that matter. So, yea, some real solid bangers to set up a fun main card \u2013 this is how it should be done! And, sadly, \u201cWonder Boy\u201d losing another split decision is not something I will ever get excited about.<\/p>\n Dan Hiergesell: If UFC 334 is going to be Stephen \u201cWonderboy\u201d Thompson\u2019s last fight then it\u2019s a must watch. Thompson may not be what he once was, but he\u2019ll go down as one of the best strikers in UFC welterweight history. The 43-year-old Thompson will have a good chance to go out on a win when he squares off with Charles Radtke.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I\u2019m circling that Dober vs. Duncan fight.<\/p>\n NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Opponents Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes of Brazil face off during the UFC 334 press conference at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n Where are the ladies barn-burners?<\/p>\n Q: With Zhang MIA, Shevchenko out until at least next summer, and most women putting in rather boring fights, at least in my opinion, is there anything that interests you in WMMA? Will Harrison v Nunes give us a much needed barnburner, or are the wars of Zhang v Jedrzejczyk a thing of the past? (RookieWannaBe)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Women\u2019s MMA suffers from the same problem as men\u2019s MMA but the ladies only have three divisions so it\u2019s far more pronounced. The big stars rarely fight and matchmakers keep recycling the same contenders. I thought Bella Mir would give us something to talk about in 2027 but she shit the bed on \u201cContender Series\u201d and her conqueror, Alex Apodaca, is nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: The last couple weeks have been shit for women\u2019s fights \u2013 examples being Santos vs. Santos & Suarez vs. Jandiroba. BUT I will say there has been a ton of excellent finishes this year, which gives me some glimmer of hope. Grasso\u2019s KO\/SUB of Barber, O\u2019Neill\u2019s slick submission, Denis Gomes\u2019 elbow KO. Also, Carli Judice is all violence.<\/p>\n Harrison vs. Nunes should be fun.<\/p>\n Ryan Harkness: Women\u2019s MMA is in a similar funk flyweight was years ago when there were no compelling contenders and a general vibe from the promotion and fans alike that the division might be a waste of time. I\u2019m hoping that it can turn things around just like the men\u2019s 125 pound division did, but it\u2019ll take some effort from the UFC in the form of smart talent turnover, AND some effort from the women to show up and throw down. It\u2019s been a rough couple of years to be a WMMA fan. I don\u2019t see anything on the horizon that points to an improved 2027, but I\u2019d love to be wrong.<\/p>\n Adam Guillen: Nunes and Harrison will be a good scrap. After that, I can\u2019t think of any other women\u2019s fight that gets me hyped whatsoever except for maybe Dern vs. Suarez. But that is far from a super fight.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I feel like this is Rousey vs. Carano-esque \u2013 fight should have happened three years ago. Nunes, if I am not mistaken, is\/was dealing with nerve damage in her lower half and Harrison is coming off \u201cparalyzing\u201d neck surgery. These two women are warriors and their bodies are at the brink. So, no, I do not think this kick starts anything. I\u2019m really excited about Alexia Thainara, Fatima Klein \u2026 even Carli Judice. I think UFC needs to re-jigger its approach, maybe even pull the trigger on a \u201cface\u201d like Dakota Ditcheva.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I think Harrison vs. Nunes could be a real stinker, with Harrison pressing Nunes into the fence for most of it and failing to get take downs. There are some exciting women out there right now, though. Tommy lists some good ones, but I\u2019ll add Shanelle Dyer, Denise Gomes, Lucia Szabova, Michelle Montague and Bia Mesquita (who fights this weekend) to the mix. There\u2019s potential for some great fights in the future for sure.<\/p>\n ALICANTE VALENCIAN COMMUNITY, SPAIN – MARCH 01: The mixed martial arts fighter, during an official reception for the UFC featherweight world champion, at the Alicante City Hall, March 1, 2024, in Alicante, Valencia, Spain. Mixed martial arts fighter Ilia Topuria was proclaimed UFC featherweight world champion on February 17 when he defeated reigning UFC featherweight champion Volkanovski at UFC 298. Topuria has a record of 15 victories and is the first Spanish UFC world champion. (Photo By Roberto Plaza\/Europa Press via Getty Images) Europa Press via Getty Images<\/p>\n Landscape for Topuria at 145<\/p>\n Q: If Ilia stayed at 145, or decides to return, how do you think a matchup between him and Jean Silva would go? It\u2019s one of the most intriguing fights. Both formidable strikers with huge power. (FightFan)<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: I\u2019m not as high on Jean Silva as everyone else and I think he\u2019s more sizzle than steak. He\u2019s only faced one featherweight who is currently ranked in the division Top 5 and he got smoked. Fun fighter? Absolutely. Dangerous on the feet? No question. But Ilia Topuria has proven himself against the best featherweights in the world like Max Holloway and Alex Volkanovski. Sorry, he slaughters Silva.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: I, conversely, am very high on Jean Silva and think he\u2019s a future champ. That said, there isn\u2019t a Featherweight past or present that I would favor over Ilia Topuria (assuming he recovers well from the Gaethje loss).<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: I personally think Ilia Topuria does ugly things to Jean Silva. Topuria at Featherweight was a once-in-a-generation destroyer. Unfortunately, the weight cuts took too much out of him, so he\u2019s never going back.<\/p>\n Ryan Harkness: I think it\u2019s pride more than size that will keep Topuria from returning to 145 should he end up getting brutalized once more by Justin Gaethje or sizemogged by Paddy Pimblett. We\u2019ll probably never get to see Silva vs. Topuria, but if we did I\u2019d predict Topuria in an entertaining but short scrap. Silva is just too wild and Topuria too technical for it to go down any other way.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I think Ilia would wreck him \u2013 he hits so different, especially at 145 pounds. I also think Silva needs to put some real work in the cage, he would not deserve a shot at Topuria based on his current resume anytime soon.<\/p>\n Adam Guillen: I honestly think Topuria has his way with Silva. Ilia is too controlled, crisp and precise with his striking, while Silva is a wild man at times. Ilia will capitalize on his over-aggressiveness and knock him out.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
185 lbs.: Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui
170 lbs.: Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland
125 lbs.: Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule<\/p>\n
155 lbs.: Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan
155 lbs.: Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney
185 lbs.: Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida<\/p>\n
135 lbs.: Bia Mesquita vs. Macy Chiasson
135 lbs.: Heili Alateng vs. Juan Diaz
155 lbs.: Evan Elder vs. Samuel Sanches<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
I\u2019m not ready to call him a potential title challenger until he fights Pavlovich or Blaydes.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n