Certainly one of the notable matchups on this weekend’s UFC card left Jon Anik scratching his head.
Israel Adesanya returns to face Joe Pyfer within the essential event on March 28 on the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
As he looks to snap a three-fight losing streak, Adesanya doesn’t intend on retiring, though he has admitted that he’s coming towards the tip of his profession.
Two fighters who were paired together on late notice could each leave their gloves contained in the Octagon following their clash.
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Jon Anik calls out Niko Price being booked to face Michael Chiesa after he was knocked out in February
After hinting at it prior to now, Michael Chiesa has confirmed that he’ll retire this Saturday when he makes the walk in the identical state that he trains out of.
The 38-year-old was originally set to fulfill Carlston Harris, but visa issues led to the promotion drafting in fellow veteran Niko Price as his alternative opponent.
Fans calling for Price to retire after he was knocked out in devastating fashion last month caused Jon Anik to call this alternative of matchup out ahead of fight night.
“I’m not within the business of calling for fighters to retire, I actually have said that probably two dozen times on these airwaves over the past 11 years but sometimes I ponder how this happens,” he said on the Anik & Florian podcast. “I understand from a matchmaking perspective why this fight is going on but how does Niko get approved?”
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Kenny Florian identified that while each men are on completely different streaks at once, the one saving grace is that Chiesa isn’t known for being a knockout artist.
While ‘Maverick’ has won three in a row, Price is coming off three consecutive losses where he was finished in his last two outings.
“I feel it could thoroughly be his last fight as well,” Anik said about Price. “I’m sure the show money is great but I used to be very surprised to see that cross the wire.”