The 2022 MMA Draft: Which 25 fighters would you build a promotion around?

Tonight, the 2022 NFL Draft kicks off in Las Vegas. It’s a day of hope for soccer followers and franchises, as a result of for no less than one night, something is feasible. A workforce that has been caught in ignominy for many years (just like the Jets) might see their fortunes lastly rotated, and people center tier groups can, maybe, make the leap as much as the ranks of true contenders.

Sadly, MMA has no such mechanism for wish-fulfillment. As a monopsony masquerading as a competitive free market, the MMA panorama is one the place an enormous, overwhelming majority of fighters finally find yourself within the UFC, and all the opposite organizations are left making an attempt to area a workforce of spare components to be aggressive with. The tip result’s a decades-long dynasty atop the MMA panorama with no sign of ending.

However what if we might repair that? Or no less than recalibrate issues slightly bit to have a contact extra parity within the sport? Enter the 2022 MMA Draft.

The train right here is straightforward: We put all the main MMA promotions right into a draft and allow them to select fighters to construct their franchises round. To do that, we’ve given the reins of the highest MMA promotions on this planet to Alexander Okay. Lee, Damon Martin, Jed Meshew, Mike Heck, and Shaun Al-Shatti, who will all select their squads. On the finish, the effective readers and listeners will decide who has assembled one of the best expertise to construct round.

Listed below are the opposite guidelines:

1. All fighters can be found to draft. Drafting a fighter will lock them right into a 5-year contract with the group.
2. Getting a fighter underneath contract doesn’t imply the fighter has to struggle for that group, they simply can’t compete for some other MMA group. As an illustration, if you happen to draft Jon Jones, you run the chance of him failing a drug take a look at, getting arrested, or just not desirous to struggle.
3. On the finish of the train, any fighter who’s undrafted will revert to the corporate they’re at present underneath contract with.

We assigned draft positions primarily based on organizational standing within the broader MMA panorama, which means Eagle FC has the primary choose, ONE Championship the second, PFL the third, Bellator the fourth, and UFC citing the rear.

Savvy? Good! Let’s get drafting.

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Photograph by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Photographs

Eagle FC: Francis Ngannou

Heck: Let me simply begin off by saying that we at Eagle FC are right here to make a direct influence, and we are going to achieve this in additional methods than one. With the blessing of Khabib Nurmagomedov, we made our first choice with about three precise seconds of thought, and one other 30 seconds of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s for different issues which may be concerned.

So, the primary choose of the draft is none aside from the now former UFC heavyweight champion of the world: Francis Ngannou.

Not solely will he carry our heavyweight division to new ranges of greatness, however Mr. Ngannou additionally has our full blessing — with a little bit of a kickback, albeit a sliver within the grand scheme of issues — to face Tyson Fury in boxing, MMA, bowling, tether ball, or some other enjoyable sport they select to take part in. Additionally, as said in his new contract, Ngannou will likely be assured an enormous organizational debut, and we don’t take ensures flippantly right here at Eagle FC.

ONE Championship: Israel Adesanya

Martin: As the highest promotion throughout the globe with billions upon billions of potential viewers for each single occasion, along with our new broadcast partnership with Amazon Prime, ONE Championship is poised for an incredible run over the following few years. And that’s why our choose is constructed across the promotion that has granted us the flexibility to carry occasions that includes blended martial arts, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and even grappling matches.

That’s why our first choose is none aside from “The Final Stylebender,” Israel Adesanya.

Not solely is Adesanya one of the best middleweight on the planet, he’s additionally a multi-sport athlete who might ultimately cross over to compete for titles in kickboxing or Muay Thai, in addition to presumably making the transfer once more to turn out to be a two-division champion between each middleweight and lightweight heavyweight. There’s even an opportunity he challenges someday for the ONE heavyweight title!

Adesanya can also be a world famous person with common enchantment and an enormous fan base that can undoubtedly comply with him from his house in New Zealand, which is at all times a bonus with lots of ONE’s reveals taking place all through Asia. However now as ONE plans to overcome the U.S. market as properly, who higher to prepared the ground than one of many high pound-for-pound fighters in all of fight sports activities?

PFL: Khamzat Chimaev

Meshew: As the brand new head of the PFL, there’s a structural challenge I’ve to reckon with — we host all of our occasions over the span of six months, which suggests I’ve to draft fighters who’re going to be keen to struggle 3-4 instances over a brief time frame. Additionally, we would like motion. Lay-and-pray has no place within the Sensible Cage. Give me pleasure and reliability or get out. Not everybody in MMA is constructed for that. However who’s?

Khamzat Chimaev.

Chimaev made his title within the UFC by having his first three fights within the group happen over the span of two months, and just one strike was landed on him in his first 4 UFC fights! It is a man who will likely be able to “smesh” individuals each single weekend if we ask him to, and his want to compete at welterweight and middleweight (and perhaps even gentle heavyweight) is precisely what we’re on the lookout for within the PFL.

Bellator: Kamaru Usman

Al-Shatti: First off, let me simply say I’m happy you all might make it right here right now for what’s going to absolutely be a seismic day for our business. After I was elevated to my new place of energy atop Bellator, the directive was clear: A brand new period is required.

It’s time to scrub away the sins of Bellator’s previous, to rid ourselves of the lingering stench of Bjorn Rebney and launch ourselves into the following technology with not one of the baggage that has plagued us over time. Meaning we’re making a number of key structural modifications earlier than we make our first choose. Now not will we go by the title Bellator. It’s a nasty title, it provides individuals zero thought of what our product is about, and albeit, we’re lengthy overdue for a model refresh. As a substitute, we’re going by one thing easy, with a contact of status. Possibly a reputation that harkens again to the golden days of Strikeforce. Let’s go along with Showtime MMA.

We’re additionally eliminating the much-too-large circle cage and giving the individuals what they need by overhauling the printed crew. A brand new day is upon us.

(The flashy entrances can keep although.)

With that enterprise out of the best way, let me additionally thanks gents for making the primary choose of this rebrand a simple resolution. As a result of I’m considerably surprised. If you get the prospect to lock down the pound-for-pound king at choose No. 4, how will you not take it? If you would like legitimacy within the eyes of followers, you exit and signal one of the best rattling fight sports activities athlete on the planet Earth. Now not can the UFC declare to have the No. 1 fighter on this planet. Welcome house to Showtime, Kamaru Usman. We’re joyful to have you ever.

UFC: Charles Oliveira

Lee: Full disclosure: Loath as I’m to confess it, my colleagues have completed an impressive job with the primary 4 picks of this draft and my promotion has already misplaced the highest two names on my large board, Francis Ngannou and Khamzat Chimaev.

The excellent news is that I’m the frigging UFC, which suggests my promotion already has an enormous head begin on everybody else and we’ve the benefit of getting to maintain the vast majority of our packed roster as soon as these shenanigans are over. That’s going to go away me with a number of world champions underneath the UFC umbrella, however there’s one particularly that I simply can’t let stroll.

Charles Oliveira, the king of what has traditionally been probably the most aggressive division in MMA, is my No. 1 choose. He has nowhere close to the star energy of among the fighters which have come off the board and among the fighters nonetheless to come back, however on this new period of the UFC, we’re banking on our model being robust sufficient to hold us by means of and everybody following by means of on my imaginative and prescient of doing a greater job of making and pushing stars versus ready for them to fall into our laps.

Even with a language barrier that limits his enchantment to North American audiences, “Do Bronx” is without doubt one of the most entertaining fighters in MMA when it’s time to get right down to enterprise, and that’s what I need to emphasize with my picks. We’re going to remind struggle followers that what ought to matter probably the most is being one of the best at what you do, not who can rack up the social media impressions, and few exemplify that higher than Oliveira.

It’s going to harm to see the UFC’s light-weight ranks thinned out over the following few rounds, however as I stated, this division runs deep, and whoever is left that types the brand new contenders’ line will shortly endear themselves to the fanbase. After which they’ll have to check themselves towards Oliveira, the person I need to lead my promotion into the long run.

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PFL

Eagle FC: Jon Jones

Heck: Keep in mind how we assured that Ngannou would have the largest potential promotional bout proper out of the gate? You’re welcome, MMA group! With the second choose, Eagle FC selects the best fighter of all-time, Jon Jones. Which suggests, you guessed it, Eagle FC would be the promotion that lastly brings you a heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.

The struggle you’ve all wished since we had been smack dab in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has now come to fruition. There’s nothing extra that must be stated, women and gents, aside from might one of the best man win.

ONE Championship: Jiri Prochazka

Martin: An enormous a part of the worldwide enchantment of ONE Championship is placing on thrilling fights that can have Jeff Bezos capturing off Blue Origin rockets to the moon, which is why gentle heavyweight dynamo Jiri Prochazka is the following addition to our roster.

Prochazka is just not solely probably the greatest 205-pound fighters on this planet, he’s additionally assured pleasure every time he units foot within the cage. Whether or not it’s spinning elbows, leaping knees, or a full on assault towards an opponent’s inner organs, Prochazka can do all of it. And because of his time in RIZIN, he already has large enchantment in lots of markets abroad, which solely helps to additional his celeb within the new ONE Championship.

PFL: Max Holloway

Meshew: As I stated initially, I’m targeted solely on versatility and offense. I’m making an attempt to Kyle Shanahan this factor with a bunch of Swiss Military Knives who can put up 55 factors a recreation. And there are few fighters extra reliably thrilling than one-time UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.

Holloway can compete at featherweight, light-weight, and perhaps even welterweight, and there are few males alive who’re extra enjoyable to look at. Plus, simply consider Holloway within the Sensible Cage! I can hardly start to fathom all of the enjoyable we are able to have with Holloway and stats as he romps his technique to two match victories.

Bellator Showtime MMA: Justin Gaethje

Al-Shatti: Fellas, I can’t imagine you’ve let me do that.

It was one factor to have the ability to seize the pound-for-pound king late in an admittedly star-studded first spherical. However now to let Justin F***ing Gaethje, the only most fun man in fight sports activities, one way or the other fall to me late within the second spherical? My goodness. Sure please.

All we’re making an attempt to do on this new period of Showtime is get followers to tune in and provides this rebrand an opportunity — and there isn’t a self-respecting MMA fan alive who’s going to willingly miss a Justin Gaethje struggle. He’s as near must-see TV as exists on this expertise pool. And hey, if he desires to do some bizarre extracurriculars on the aspect, extra energy to him. I’ll arrange an consuming competitors or an impediment course problem between him and Usman this very second. There’s no such factor as an excessive amount of Justin Gaethje. Simply an incredible begin to this draft.

UFC: Kayla Harrison

Lee: Alright, a few of these steals are beginning to damage. I don’t even need to point out the names which have been ripped from the UFC roster. Scroll up, have a look at all of that mess. Ouch.

It’s time to struggle fireplace with fireplace, and happily we’re within the excellent spot to make the proper choose by drafting one of many uncommon, genuinely distinctive sights in MMA: Kayla Harrison. The 2-time PFL champion has been marked for greatness ever since making historical past by changing into the primary American to win Olympic gold in judo after which changing into the primary to do it twice. After overcoming some preliminary reticence, Harrison jumped into cagefighting with each toes and hasn’t regarded again. She’s been as marketed, completely crushing her (admittedly weak) opposition at 155 kilos and creating her mic abilities whereas doing so.

I don’t know if Harrison can ever be that next-level star, however give me that one that is placing in that work and desires to be a next-level star any day of the week. We’re going to search out our bodies to place in entrance of her, whether or not it’s at light-weight of featherweight, and she or he’ll stay a one-of-a-kind act and an incredible ambassador for our model.

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Esther Lin, MMA Combating

Eagle FC: A.J. McKee

Heck: I do know this one in comparison with Ngannou and Jones might sound slightly out of left area, however it’s time that A.J. McKee will get handled just like the star everyone knows he might be. So it’s my honor to welcome the second technology expertise to the Eagle FC roster.

It’s no secret that when McKee defeated Patricio Pitbull and captured the Bellator featherweight title, not a lot was completed to have a good time that achievement from a promotional standpoint. Whereas McKee ought to’ve been making the media rounds on the entire large reveals within the U.S., we didn’t actually see him have that shine exterior of being often featured on the desk previous to a Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley boxing bout. So get able to see A.J. McKee on Good Morning America, The Tonight Present, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and also you would possibly even see him studying off clues for a class on Jeopardy. The ceiling for McKee is excessive, and we are going to ensure that he has each alternative to interrupt by means of it.

ONE Championship: Islam Makhachev

Martin: Star energy and pleasure have been properly coated in our first two picks. Now it’s time to search for dominance. Soul-crushing, will-breaking dominance. And proper now there’s no higher potential for that than the person who will quickly turn out to be one of the best light-weight throughout all of fight sports activities: Islam Makhachev.

With a pedigree constructed within the mountains of Dagestan, Makhachev has realized from the perfect and he even counts the best light-weight in historical past, Khabib Nurmagomedov, as his head coach. Makhachev has solely gotten higher with each efficiency, which suggests he would possibly solely get higher as time strikes ahead. He’s a basis that a whole promotion can stand upon, and Makhachev is the type of monster who will gladly sit on a throne made out of the damaged and smashed our bodies of anybody loopy sufficient to oppose him.

He’s one other excellent addition to the ONE roster and we sit up for him demolishing the competitors for years to come back.

PFL: Jorge Masvidal

Meshew: I gained’t lie, shedding Kayla Harrison damage. I had designs on constructing out an elite roster of WMMA fighters and planting my flag there, however now I’ve to pivot. And so I’m gonna double down on my technique of taking fighters who’re all atop the “BMF” rankings by taking the BMF himself, Jorge Masvidal.

Conor McGregor would take advantage of sense right here however he’s riddled with damage considerations and character points and I’ve no perception I may even signal him to the PFL. I can’t danger the choose on that. So as an alternative, I’m going to take the following smartest thing. Masvidal is without doubt one of the largest stars in MMA, he’s competed in two weight lessons, and he normally likes to remain energetic. He’s an enormous asset to our roster and one who’s going to attract a ton of eyeballs.

Showtime MMA: Conor McGregor

Al-Shatti: The Showtime workplaces hate to sound like a damaged document, however what’s even occurring anymore? As a lot because the lack of McKee stings, I really feel like y’all are attempting to trick us proper now. First, you gifted us the pound-for-pound most gifted fighter in MMA. Then, you gifted us the pound-for-pound most fun fighter in MMA. Now, you’re letting us stroll in right here close to the tip of the third spherical and snag the literal single-biggest star within the historical past of this sport?

How??

OK, effective. We’ll take him off your arms.

The world is Conor McGregor’s oyster exterior the restrictive confines of the UFC. If he desires to struggle MMA for his return, hey, come on down. If he desires to field, hey, we’re right here for that too. If he desires to get bizarre with it and bounce straight into that impediment course with Usman and Gaethje, please, by all means. We’re within the enterprise of drawing eyeballs right here at Showtime, and whether or not you’re keen on him or hate him, there’s nonetheless nobody in fight sports activities who attracts eyeballs like a pissed-off Conor McGregor with a chip on his shoulder and some extent to show after watching 13 names get picked earlier than him.

UFC: Valentina Shevchenko

Lee: Oh no, Conor McGregor is gone. Cue the tiny violin.

I couldn’t be extra happy to see widespread malcontents McGregor and Jon Jones now not on my roster. Pay-per-view buys and mainstream cachet be damned, we’re dusting off the ol’ “Conduct Coverage” and adhering to it intently from this level ahead, so there’s no extra tolerance for outside-of-the-cage chicanery, I don’t care how a lot income you’re producing.

(Hmm… that’s bizarre, I maintain getting bombarded with e-mails and messages from some individuals known as “shareholders?” Eh, I’m positive it’s nothing.)

Sticking with our emphasis on excellence, I have already got one of the best light-weight on this planet and considered one of its most particular sights, so why not go for a girl near-unanimously acknowledged because the Pound-for-Pound greatest on this planet? My No. 3 choose with a “Bullet”: I’m not shedding Valentina Shevchenko.

Like Oliveira, Shevchenko has a charisma about her that’s onerous to quantify, however I’m assured we are able to take her to the following degree by way of recognition. She speaks a number of languages fluently, has completed a Netflix film with Halle Berry, and likes to play with weapons. How is she not already America’s favourite fighter? Throw within the dancing and, oh yeah, the truth that she’s arguably probably the most dominant champion in MMA and you may see why it is a no-brainer choose.

Your eyes don’t deceive you, the faces of my firm going ahead are Shevchenko, Charles Oliveira, and Kayla Harrison.

(Wow, my cellphone is definitely buzzing with pressing calls proper now. Surprise what that might be about.)

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Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Eagle FC: Brandon Moreno

Heck: Initially, AK, I’m offended at you for stealing a choose I believed could be there for me on this spot. Valentina Shevchenko would’ve been an ideal technique to take Eagle FC into new and thrilling locations by including an amazing face to our soon-to-be-introduced girls’s divisions.

Having stated that, we’ve determined to brighten issues up within the ol’ FLXCast Enviornment and herald a person we really feel represents our group with class and positivity, and might carry some recent new eyeballs to our rising product: Brandon Moreno. We will’t wait to associate up with Lego, Funko, and plenty of different corporations “The Murderer Child” will get the chance to work with. Moreno will even be featured as a part of the printed workforce on occasions he is not going to be competing on.

ONE Championship: Rose Namajunas

Martin: ONE has lengthy championed girls’s blended martial arts and the embodiment of honor, class, and the spirit of martial arts is represented by no person higher than our subsequent choose: Rose Namajunas.

Namajunas is a ferocious striker, a nasty grappler, and maybe above all else, she’s probably the greatest individuals each inside and out of doors the cage. Her stoic stare will oftentimes break down opponents earlier than they even get to throw the primary punch at her, and Namajunas will gladly smile again at them after she snatches a submission or knocks them out with a head kick, which constantly reveals how well-rounded she is in each aspect of the sport.

There’s even an opportunity Namajunas would possibly carry out as a live performance pianist earlier than her fights, which makes her a triple menace so far as we’re involved.

PFL: Dustin Poirier

Meshew: I can’t imagine everybody let Dustin Poirier fall this far.

Like Masvidal, Poirier is without doubt one of the largest stars within the sport, and he’s open to struggle at light-weight or welterweight. My run on position-less gamers continues and I now have three of the game’s eight largest stars, all of whom can compete in my greatest weight class. For all Shaun is speaking in regards to the steals he’s getting, the PFL now has a ton of starpower to hook a completely new technology of Sensible Cage followers.

Showtime MMA: Alexander Volkanovski

Al-Shatti: If it’s not clear by now, I’m looking for legitimacy within the eyes of MMA followers with this draft class. The times of scoffing on the notion of a non-UFC promotion having one of the best fighter on this planet in any given weight class are formally over. So let’s proceed down that path and snag one of the best worth choose nonetheless accessible on the board: Alexander Volkanovski.

My featherweight division is already loaded with Patricio Pitbull on the high and Aaron Pico ready within the wings. Add the No. 1 ranked 145-pound fighter anyplace on this planet to that blend — a person who’s solely getting higher and nonetheless has loads of tread left on his tires — and there’s a whole lot of fist pumping occurring within the Showtime battle room proper now. And hey, if Volk is severe about making an attempt his hand at light-weight, we’re right here for that too. Volk vs. Gaethje? Volk vs. McGregor?? McGregor vs. Gaethje?! McGregor shedding terribly to Usman?!? Are all on the desk now. PFL Meshew is out right here speaking about drafting for versatility. He ain’t obtained nothing on us.

UFC: Aljamain Sterling

Lee: Okay, so after chatting with some very offended, very wealthy individuals, I’ve determined my subsequent choose must be slightly extra splashy. A bit extra controversial. And much more polarizing.

Let’s go along with Mr. Love Him Or Hate Him himself, “Funk Grasp,” Aljamain Sterling.

I’ve been an advocate of Sterling’s for a very long time and by no means understood why the reigning UFC bantamweight champion was buried on the undercard for therefore lengthy. Had it been me in cost, as I’m now, I’d have had the brash New Yorker opening pay-per-views and headlining struggle nights lengthy earlier than he emerged as a surefire title contender and eventual champion. His “F the Haters” strategy to interviews and social media appeals to me drastically, and in contrast to among the different names on my checklist, he’ll fortunately fireplace again at trolls who enterprise into his line of sight. We’re selling honor and good manners, however typically you simply want a dude in your roster who’s going to speak that s***.

He additionally matches my standards of divisional dominance as he’s the No. 1 man in what I think about to at present be the deepest weight class. With Charles Oliveira, that provides me two guys who’re the premiere athletes amongst a area of absolute killers.

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Esther Lin, MMA Combating

Eagle FC: Vicente Luque

Heck: People, we’ve the largest struggle that may be made in MMA, we’ve a star on the rise who will attain new heights, and one of many brilliant, optimistic stars within the sport who continues to develop in recognition. However what we want is a person who will set the desk for these huge fights Eagle FC is about to placed on for you, and a primary poll, all-violence Corridor of Famer.

That man is Vicente Luque.

Look, our matchmaking will likely be easy: Luque is early on the primary card towards a man who likes to get in there and get his scrap on. He is not going to be preventing people that will likely be seeking to take him down. We’re going to let Luque do what he does greatest, get in wild exchanges and create spotlight reels.

We’re setting ourselves up for the long run, and whereas Luque might by no means be one of the best welterweight on this planet, he positive is considered one of most fun, and we’re honored to look at him ship chaos each time he steps in our cage.

ONE Championship: Petr Yan

Martin: Final however actually not least, ONE will shut out our draft by choosing one other world famous person with bantamweight Petr Yan. With lots of his coaching camps spent in Thailand, Yan already has some roots proper in our yard, to not point out the type of type that can get crowds obsessed with each single considered one of his fights.

Yan is a powerhouse as a bantamweight with big pop behind his punches and a present of gab that can make him an excellent greater attraction. Let’s additionally not overlook that Yan is barely 29, which suggests his greatest years are nonetheless largely forward of him as he grows in his new preventing house at ONE Championship. Yan can go toe-to-toe with anyone in his weight class and he’s precisely the kind of fighter who can proceed to construct his personal stardom as properly. Additionally simply think about Yan vs. John Lineker and inform me you wouldn’t purchase a ticket to see that!

PFL: Tom Aspinall

Meshew: And that is the place we modify it up. As a result of whereas I like the concept of making an unguardable unit of X receivers and utility guys to run countless screens, end-arounds, and gadget performs, typically you simply want a man to pound the rock. The PFL heavyweight division is desperately in want of a revamp, and so we’re going to pin our hopes to probably the most thrilling prospect the heavyweight division has seen in years, Tommy Aspinall.

Aspinall is younger and has infinite potential, and he’s going to spearhead the PFL’s push abroad. Prepare, England, the Sensible Cage is coming throughout the pond.

Showtime MMA: Dana White

Al-Shatti: Oh my! What simply occurred, UFC?? We’re brokers of chaos over right here at Showtime, disruptors by means of and thru, so why not take the last word disruptor with this closing choose?

That’s proper — we’re slicing AK off on the knees. Rightly or wrongly, the largest star within the UFC for the previous 21 years has been Dana White. He’s the face of the promotion. He’s the one who will get the largest pop at each press convention. He’s the title (apart from perhaps Joe Rogan) most individuals within the informal viewers bounce to first once they consider MMA. In many individuals’s eyes, he’s the UFC — and now he’s taking part in ball for the competitors. I find it irresistible.

That is self-explanatory. We want a person who is aware of how to attract consideration. We want a person who is aware of tips on how to make headlines. We want a person who is aware of tips on how to get individuals speaking. And hell, he’s most likely going to idiot loads of viewers into even considering we *are* the UFC.

The No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter within the sport? Verify. The No. 1 most fun fighter within the sport? Verify. The No. 1 famous person within the sport, the No. 1 featherweight within the sport, and the No. 1 figurehead within the sport? Verify, test, and test. It’s been a great day.

UFC: Reinier de Ridder

Lee: Thanks for taking that final millstone, Showtime MMA. Take pleasure in having Dana White publicly trash your fighters and telling individuals to not watch your product in the event that they don’t prefer it (one thing your crew needs to be used to anyway). Additionally, Cris Cyborg, I do know you Mr. White didn’t get alongside, so now that our promotion is now not underneath his purview, you’re welcome to come back again house and get your self as distant from him as potential. Kayla says, “Hiiii!”

As joyful as I’m to see some personalities go, there’s no denying that we took some photographs to the chest right here and we’ve misplaced a whole lot of blood. So I’m going to plug up a few these holes with my fifth choose, Reiner de Ridder. The undefeated Dutchman at present holds titles in two weight lessons for ONE Championship, has a fan-friendly grappling type, and will simply be the person to assist anchor 205 and 185 for us.

Give me de Ridder vs. Robert Whittaker, Jared Cannonier, Darren Until, Marvin Vettori, and Paulo Costa, or he can struggle up and go after the likes of Glover Teixeira, Jan Blachowicz, and Magomed Ankalaev. He gained’t win ‘em all, however “The Dutch Knight” will trigger some main issues for the veterans on my roster.

Talking of which, keep in mind that benefit I discussed earlier? We nonetheless heading into battle with undrafted champions Teixeira, Deiveson Figueiredo, Amanda Nunes (Kayla says, “Hiiiiiii!” once more), and Julianna Pena, plus plenty of high-profile names corresponding to Stipe Miocic, Ciryl Gane, Nate Diaz, Colby Covington, Zhang Weili, Jose Aldo, T.J. Dillashaw, Michael Chandler, Brian Ortega, and who is aware of what number of future champions and headliners?

I’ve been taking part in with home cash from the beginning, and with my colleagues serving to me to chop some fats and permitting me to take this firm in a recent course, don’t anticipate the coffers to run dry anytime quickly.

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Ultimate draft outcomes:

Eagle FC (Mike Heck)

1. Francis Ngannou
2. Jon Jones
3. A.J. McKee
4. Brandon Moreno
5. Vicente Luque

ONE Championship (Damon Martin)

1. Israel Adesanya
2. Jiri Prochazka
3. Islam Makhachev
4. Rose Namajunas
5. Petr Yan

PFL (Jed Meshew)

1. Khamzat Chimaev
2. Max Holloway
3. Jorge Masvidal
4. Dustin Poirier
5. Tom Aspinall

Showtime MMA (Shaun Al-Shatti)

1. Kamaru Usman
2. Justin Gaethje
3. Conor McGregor
4. Alexander Volkanovski
5. Dana White

UFC (Alexander Okay. Lee)

1. Charles Oliveira
2. Kayla Harrison
3. Valentina Shevchenko
4. Aljamain Sterling
5. Reider de Ridder