The Co-Main Event MMA Podcast

On the heels of last week’s stinker between Tallison Teixeira and Tai Tuivasa at UFC 325, this weekend brought us Rizvan Kuniev vs. Jailton Almeida and, wow, holy shit did it absolutely suck. Not to beat a dead horse here but: Heavyweight. Still shitty after all these years, huh? In fact, we have to ask the question: Is the heavyweight division shittier now than it has ever been? That’s a scary thought, but one that deserves some of our attention.

Plus, the weekend’s Fight Night might have been dogshit, but Mario Bautista looked great in the main event. Plus, lo, there was despair across the land, as the Dark Lord Ben Rothwell lost his BKFC heavyweight title to Andrei Arlovski.
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They did it again, brother, but when it was over it sort of seemed like they probably didn’t need to go to the trouble. Once again, Alexander Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes by hard-fought but clear-cut unanimous decision, retaining his men's featherweight title at UFC 325. Somehow, the 37-year-old Volk is aging as gracefully as an MMA fighter can, looking damn near unbeatable with a remarkably versatile attack — the striking, the grappling, the feints, the stance switches, etc. , etc. It all gives you a lot to think about out there, and it was too much for Lopes, who came into this fight looking like he hadn’t made a TON of adjustments from the first fight.

Plus, is the UFC’s new deal on Paramount+ a home run so far? And why is heavyweight so ass?
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Apologies for missing the Proper yesterday, friends. We’re back today with an episode of the Co-Main Event Podcast Patreon Live Chat, which we’re releasing for free to everybody. Seemed like a bad week to miss an episode, what with it being on the heels of the first PLE of the Paramount+ Era and the week before UFC 325. So, here ya go!
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It’s happening. The Paramount+ Era is upon us. What surprises are in store? We’ll find out on Saturday, as UFC 324 goes down, featuring the interim lightweight championship fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. How does Pimblett (more than a 2-to-1 favorite) beat Gaethje? We’re not totally sure, but maybe that’s why we’re dumb podcast hosts and the oddsmakers are the oddsmakers.

Plus, Kayla Harrison’s pile-of-trash neck forced her off this card, which was kind of a big loss. And Conor McGregor says his UFC contract is “void,” since pay-per-view doesn’t exist anymore. Could he be… right?

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Just about 10 days before UFC 324, and oddsmakers still see Paddy Pimblett as a bit more than a 2-to-1 favorite to win the interim lightweight title over Justin Gaethje. I mean, damn. Does that seem right to you guys? Honestly, it feels super weird to us, but considering how bad we are at betting and how good oddsmakers are at, ahem, making odds, perhaps they are right? And if they are, are we all truly prepared for a world where Pimblett is the (interim) lightweight champ?

Plus, Gaethje has got a crater-sized sore on the side of his neck he swears isn’t staph, and Trevor Wittman is saying if they can’t win this one, Gaethje might as well retire. So … uh … is this about to be depressing as hell?
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