This week is UFC 281 and there’s A LOT to discuss. Today, Gabe and Jamie break down the stacked prelims and early main card, discuss the potential title implications of Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler, how this is Zhang Weili’s title to lose & Israel Adesanya’s redemption arc vs his old rival Alex Pereira. 

Beyond The Cage is a weekly podcast hosted by Gabe Benchimol & Jamie Mancini where they interview guests in the combat sports world across the planet.

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:49 Recapping our UFC 280 picks
4:17 Molly McCann’s debut in front of a USA Crowd
4:57 Brad Riddell & Renato Moicano headlining the pre-lims
5:37 Dominick Reyes’ return vs Ryan Spann
6:17 How Quickly a fighter can become a GOAT
8:05 Dan Hooker’s last attempt to
10:26 Frankie Edgar’s retirement fight
11:47 Jamie’s experience with Frankie Edgar
13:27 Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler
17:07 Michael Chandler has been the best addition to the ufc
18:57 Carla Esparza vs Zhang Weili
21:06 Amanda Lemos’ is up next for the title
22:17 How Alex Pereira got fast tracked to title fight
24:15 Israel Adesanya might have to use his grappling
25:05 Alex Pereira’s kickboxing career gave him the fast track
27:32 It takes a while to adapt to the MMA game
28:30 Adesanya’s two losses to Pereria are deceiving
30:35 Will Michael Chandler show off his wrestling in the ufc
30:55 Will this be one of Dustin Poireir’s last MMA fights
32:30 Adesanya will be on the back foot and need to use his grappling
34:35 Pereira Will Retire from MMA if he knocks out Adesanya