​Check out this week’s Spinning Back Clique, MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that dives into the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel—Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, and Danny Segura—will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate a packed slate of topics.
First up, Conor McGregor’s anticipated return to the octagon didn’t unfold as planned. The Irish superstar aimed to make a big splash at UFC 329, but a knee injury early in the fight forced him to bow out, leaving fans disappointed after what had been one of the year’s most hyped matchups. We break down where McGregor goes from here and whether a rematch with Max Holloway makes sense for him at this point. Our discussion will cover the UFC 329 main event in depth, along with other significant results from the card, including Paddy Pimblett’s submission victory over Benoit Saint-Denis.
We’ll also run through the week’s biggest headlines and notable bookings. This episode covers Israel Adesanya’s surprising split from City Kickboxing, alongside newly announced bouts such as Alexa Grasso vs. Manon Fiorot and Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes, among others. Our conversation will analyze what these changes mean for the current landscape and which fighters could emerge as title contenders or spoiler figures in their divisions.
Looking ahead, we preview UFC OKC, headlined by Kamaru Usman’s return to the middleweight division to face former champion Dricus Du Plessis. What are Usman’s chances of mounting a credible title run at 185 pounds, and how might Du Plessis’ style fare against the former welterweight king? We dissect the matchup, strengths and weaknesses, and potential outcomes.
And before we wrap, we take a moment to express our gratitude to you, the fans. Your support helped MMA Junkie earn Media Source of the Year at the World MMA Awards, and we are incredibly thankful for the trust you place in our coverage of this wild sport.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie as a feature accompanying Spinning Back Clique: Conor McGregor’s comeback and its uncertain future. It runs through the latest events, analysis, and pairings to keep you in the loop as the sport evolves.