Each week, our ESPN.com panel tackles hot topics in the world of mixed martial arts.
This week, former UFC title challenger Kenny Florian joins our expert panel.
1. What are your thoughts on Bellator's main event between Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock and what kind of fight do you expect?
Kenny Florian: I think it's one of those fights that was supposed to happen a long time ago and didn't. I was interested in watching it back then [in 2008], but at this point -- unfortunately for Ken -- I think he's fighting for a paycheck and I don't like seeing that. For me, it's almost sad as a former fighter. I don't like to see guys come back for money. But I think there is some interest there. Slice still has some appeal and Shamrock, of course, with his name. I don't think it's going to be a long fight. I don't think it's going to be a technical fight. Whoever wins is probably winning by knockout.
Brett Okamoto: I mean, what thoughts are you really supposed to have on this fight? Slice is 41 and was never really a mixed martial artist to begin with. Shamrock is 10 years older. It's a circus fight, but if there's one thing we should all know about MMA by now, it's that circus fights aren't a bad thing. If people tune in on Friday, which they will, then it's a win for Bellator. As far as the fight goes, I'm expecting it to be pretty bad, if not downright awful. But again, that's not really the point here. Not every fight has to be a technical masterpiece. Sometimes you just want to see two guys you know slug it out, for old time's sake.
Michael Huang: Well, I had the opportunity to interview them when the fight was announced and both of them seem genuinely amped up for the opportunity to get back on the mat. Shamrock said he'd love to see a legends division for older fighters who still wanted to fight and still had fan recognition and draw. Look, he knows he can't compete with fighters half his age, but Shamrock made a good point -- the fights can still be high quality with fighters on the same level. That said, this particular fight will be over quick. Shamrock will just take Kimbo down and it'll be the end. These two are not on the same level.
2. On the heels of UFC 188, do you think the high altitude of Mexico City will discourage some fighters from agreeing to bouts there?
Florian: It's definitely going to get them to hesitate. I think it's a very real factor, the same way it's a factor in Denver. It's something to consider. I think a lot of people, especially champions, when there is so much at stake, are going to think twice about fighting in a place like that. For Cain [Velasquez], it was a little different because it was a dream of his to fight there. There are definitely some things to deal with fighting in a place like Mexico City, though.
Okamoto: I think it will be something fighters talk about and are aware of, but will it actually discourage them from going there? Doubt it. Most fighters -- not all, but the majority -- don't think in terms of, 'Oh, this might be a tough place to fight.' They're confident in their ability to win a fight anywhere. It's not that far off from a fighter agreeing to travel overseas and fight in his opponent's backyard. It's not ideal, but fighters do it all the time, on every card. Future events in Mexico City will be built like this one. If you have any kind of Latino appeal, expect to get a call from the UFC. Like I said, I think some fighters won't be thrilled about it, but I don't see a big issue in terms of them refusing to head down there.
Huang: It could, but as you saw with Fabricio Werdum, he spent the requisite time there and got acclimated, while Velasquez looked like he was drunk. It's up to the fighter to be there and make sure they can go championship rounds in a place. The company needs to promote the sport in Mexico. Ignoring the most populated and highest-profile city in Mexico just because of the altitude won't work. Soccer players don't boycott Mexico City.
3. Who should get the first crack at newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum?
Florian: As far as who has earned it, it's tough for me because in the fight between Junior dos Santos and Stipe Miocic [in December], I thought Miocic won. So I would like to see Stipe get that shot. I think he has earned it. However, for business reasons, it's a little different. I think Andrei Arlovski has the bigger name. You look at what he has done over the years in the UFC. I think the UFC will probably go with Arlovski.
Okamoto: Velasquez. I completely understand that we already waited what felt like 10 years for Velasquez-Werdum, but hear me out. Think about how long Velasquez was gone. More than 600 days. And in all that time, no one stepped up to the plate and solidified himself as the No. 1 contender. You can argue Miocic kind of did, but he didn't really seize it and force the UFC's hand. That tells me that a clear-cut No. 1 heavyweight contender doesn't really exist. If he did, we wouldn't even be asking this question. So, the most deserving title contender is the man who just lost the belt. I don't need to see Velasquez chew up someone ranked somewhere in the No. 10 range to know he's still, at the very least, the second-best heavyweight in the world right now.
Huang: Dos Santos. That will be a really good fight. Werdum is such a skilled striker now -- his jab made Velasquez's face look like hamburger -- that watching him and Dos Santos go toe-to-toe will be interesting. Alistair Overeem still needs a couple more wins to recoup momentum he lost.
4. UFC president Dana White has told middleweight Kelvin Gastelum not to cut to welterweight. Is this a promoter's right?
Florian: I don't think so. However, when a fighter is trying to make weight consistently and is not making it, it's dangerous. And it's not good for the promotion because for him to get a title shot at 170 pounds or whatever, it's a big-time risk. I know it was a big risk when Thiago Alves got a shot [in 2009], but he was able to get his weight under control. In the case of Gastelum, I think he should be allowed to cut to 170 pounds again, I do.
Okamoto: I think it absolutely is a promoter's right. It's not like I'm searching for ways to give a promoter more rights over athletes, but in this case, I don't think the UFC is obligated to book Gastelum to a welterweight fight given his history. He has already missed twice. The most recent, against Tyrone Woodley, almost didn't happen. Yes, the UFC is contractually obligated to promote Gastelum in a fight, but I don't think part of that obligation includes allowing him to cut to a weight he very clearly has problems getting to. Promoting a fight could essentially be looked at as an investment. You sell tickets, you put the fight on a poster and get the word out. If a guy's inability to cut to a certain weight puts that investment in jeopardy, the promoter has the right to not book it in the first place.
Huang: In a way it is, because Gastelum has shown a very poor record of making weight at 170 pounds. When the UFC goes through the process of promoting and building the fight card, then Gastelum fails to make weight, it costs the company money. It costs the PPV viewers, it costs the fans -- probably most importantly -- their patience with a fighter and the PPV. It just reflects badly on the company when fighters don't make weight. People don't realize it reflects badly on the sport and on the league.
5. How many successful title defenses will UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk ultimately record?
Florian: This will be her first one this weekend. So I will say at least three. Joanna has proven to be one of the best strikers in the UFC, period, man or woman. She's technical and very aggressive. I think her last win over Carla Esparza has given her a tremendous amount of confidence. She's very crisp and aggressive. I think aggression goes a long way in that division right now. Even if you're not the most technical fighter, you can overwhelm opponents. Joanna has that and technique to go along with it.
Okamoto: After a dominant performance in a title fight, it's easy to get carried away with a question like this. I'm looking around this UFC strawweight division though, and I'm just not seeing many names that really inspire a ton of confidence going up against Jedrzejczyk. Stylistically, the one who represents the most problems is probably Claudia Gadelha, whom Jedrzejczyk beat six months ago. I think I'll agree with Florian on this one and say the line is set at three title defenses for 'JJ.' I might take the over.
Huang: I really think she could turn into a mini-Ronda. Her striking is so far above any of the other fighters in her division -- the ones from the show. If we say nine, with a fighter usually taking three bouts a year, you're looking at least a three-year reign? Not bad.
