My Week in Words: June 17-23, 2023
It was another busy week, but I wouldn't have it any other way
There is something comforting to me in having serial content, schedules, a pretty clear understanding of what needs to get done each and every week. That kind of framework gives me structure, and then the fun thing about this sport is that it changes each week, so within those spaces, what I create each time out changes.
The podcast is never the same, though I probably rail against the folks that don’t pay close attention more frequently than I should.
One Question is always One Question, but the pairings and queries are different every Wednesday. Same with 10 Things, the PDPs, and the Betting Show.
I do the same allotment of things, on certain days, but what gets delivered is both the same and different every week, and I like that.
I hope you do too.
Here’s My Week in Words.
UFC Vegas 75 Recaps: what started as a kind of awkward event turned into a real quality show, with a Knockout of the Year contender, some strong outings from young talents, and a statement effort by Jared Cannonier in the main event.
KKP Episode 27: this week’s podcast focused on giving fighters like Josh Emmett (and Jim Milller, Katlyn Chookagian) their due. Far too often, we downplay the value, importance, and overall success of these types of athletes, focusing exclusively on titles and popularity, and has always felt like a mistake to me.
TUF 31, Episode 4 Recap: another week, another solid episode, and another win for Team Chandler. I’m honestly enjoying not only the fights (which have been really good), but the differences between McGregor and Chandler in terms of coaching and connecting are fascinating to me as well.
Teshay Gouthro Interview: got a chance to speak with Canadian bantamweight prospect Teshay Gouthro ahead of his fight at Unified MMA 51 last night in Niagara Falls. We was open about his upbringing, clear about his belief in himself and his team, and focused on reaching the next level.
He dropped a split decision to former UFC fighter and TUF contestant Eric Shelton on Friday night. Haven’t gotten a chance to watch the fight yet, but will soon to see how it all shook out.
UFC Jacksonville Fight-By-Fight Preview: we lost a couple from this collection, but it’s still a great way to start each and every Fight Week. We’ve made it even more reader-friendly over the last several months, shortening some of the sections where I could get a little too long-winded, however you still get insights into every pairing headed to the Octagon on Saturday.
Fighters on the Rise: really bummed that Tatsuro Taira’s fight with Kleydson Rodrigues was scrapped on Friday, though I understand given that “KR” missed weight by a couple pounds and it’s his second straight miss.
Really think the other two members of this week’s triumvirate, Brendan Allen and Tabatha Ricci, have a real chance to shine on Saturday.
Josh Emmett Interview: when I sat down with Emmett, one of the first things I asked him after we walked through his loss to Yair Rodriguez and food travelling around Australia and New Zealand was if he thought about packing it in.
He was quick to say the thought didn’t even cross his mind, and I believe him completely. Emmett is tough as nails, a dangerous fight for anybody, and a guy that still believes he’s capable of reaching the featherweight summit, and his second attempt to scale that mountain kicks off on Saturday.
Ilia Topuria Interview: there are times, I’ve found, when I can just tell whether a fighter is trying to convince me of what they’re saying, trying to convince themselves of what they’re saying, or not worried about convincing anyone because they believe that they’re saying so fully that nothing else matters.
When Topuria says he’s the best featherweight in the world — that’s the hype is real and he’s going to show everyone on Saturday — there isn’t an ounce of him trying to convince anyone present. I love an ultra-confident, unbeaten talent and can’t wait to see how Saturday’s main event shakes out.
A Star is Built: The Ascent of Ilia Topuria: this week for OSDB Sports, I traced the rise of Topuria to Saturday’s pairing with Emmett, which has been almost flawlessly executed, despite a few hiccups along the way.
There is a lot that goes into showcasing a young fighter like “El Matador” and there are never guarantees that things will work out as intended, but his ascent shows there is a blueprint the UFC can follow as it tries to build new contenders, new names going forward.
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