We saw a major shakeup last week to UFC 282, specifically as it pertains to the light heavyweight title situation.
Jiri Prochazka is no longer the promotion’s 205-pound champion after he relinquished the title because of a serious shoulder injury that will require surgery and keep him out for an extended period. In response, the UFC elevated the UFC 282 co-main event to headliner as former champ Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev will now meet in a five-round bout for the vacant title.
All of this leaves former champ Glover Teixeira, who was supposed to rematch Prochazka, out of the mix, although he was first considered. The UFC wanted him to fight Ankalaev, but Teixeira countered with taking that fight on January 21 at UFC 283 so he could properly prepare for a new opponent with a different style. The promotion said no. When Teixeira asked if he could rematch Blachowicz instead for the title at UFC 282, the promotion said no once again.
Did the UFC handle this situation correctly? If not, how could they have done it better or more fairly given all the moving pieces?
Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia answered that question and more with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. You can watch their discussion in the video above. And don’t miss this week’s full episode below.
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.