UFC commentator and popular podcast host Joe Rogan, has reignited a long-standing debate in mixed martial arts by calling for the complete elimination of weight cutting from the UFC. Speaking candidly on his podcast, Rogan described the process as “sanctioned cheating” that not only endangers fighters but also undermines the integrity of weight divisions.
“I really wish the UFC would eliminate weight cutting, I really wish there was a way,” said Joe Rogan. “It’s sanctioned cheating that everybody has to do. If you’re saying you’re a 180 pounds, you’re not really 145! So, it’s kind of crazy that you’re the 145-pound champion and you’re a 180-pound man it’s kind of nuts!
Giving the example of Islam Makhachev joe Rogan laid the emphasis on the advantage that weight cutting brings to the table.
“Like Islam Makhachev, he is huge that guy- how he makes 155, I don’t understand it, every time I stand next to him, I’m like- how are you 155? He’s got to be in the 190ish-range,” said Joe Rogan.
Joe Rogan suggested some radical changes and claimed that he had spoken to Dana White about completely abolishing weight cuts from the system.
“It’s just so silly- the whole thing, its like an old thing that we’ve kept for no reason”, says Joe Rogan. “And I feel like they should blow all the weight classes- I've talked to Dana White about this. Get rid of the weight cutting and just add a bunch of weight classes!”
Joe Rogan also pointed out that the current gap between weight divisions was way too much. Joe Rogan, as we all know, has been in this sport long enough to witness multiple radicle changes. While his idea of abolishing weight cuts remains controversial- UFC and Dana White do not seem to be in a hurry to make any major changes just yet.
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The future of the UFC middleweight title picture is decided tonight, when a new prospect is either made or broken in the Abu Dhabi Fight Night main event. Former champion Robert Whittaker defends his top spot against the newcomer Reinier de Ridder, a phenomenal grappling threat and former ONE Championship double-champion, looking to earn a belt in the prestigious MMA promotion. UFC Abu Dhabi fight picks predictions for Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder UFC Abu Dhabi also features the return of former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, who, in a similar fashion to Whittaker, defends his spot against the lower-ranked Marcus McGhee. The twelve-fight card is set to start at 12 PM ET, subject to change. Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder; 185 Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee; 135 Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; 185 Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa; 125 Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov; 205 Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov; 135 Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal; 170 Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Davey Grant; 135 Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci; 115 Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekena; 205 Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen; 145 Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha; 265 UFC Abu Dhabi: Whittaker vs. de Ridder full card, odds, start time, how to watch UFC Abu Dhabi stream free Fight fans can watch along live using a live stream courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass YouTube channel, featuring Hall of Famer Jens Pulver. Stream below.
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
Things have largely gone cold on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade front, but that does not mean teams are not thinking of the possibility of that changing. Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard noted that the Warriors are being cautious in negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, as he could be possible trade bait if Antetokounmpo is traded by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warriors are adamant about not giving away Kuminga for less than his full trade value, which is why his situation remains unresolved with August looming. Kuminga and the Warriors have yet to agree on a contract, and it remains unclear when the situation will be resolved. He has a $7.9 million qualifying offer on the table, and signing it would allow him to approve any trade he is involved in. If he signs a multiyear extension, he would not be eligible to be traded until January, which could complicate things if Antetokounmpo decides late in the offseason that he wants a move. Presumably, Kuminga would be a key part of any trade the Warriors make involving Antetokounmpo. However, with no market materializing, there seems to be a growing chance he could remain with the team next season. The former No. 7 overall pick averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals per game last season. He appeared in 47 games, making 10 starts and averaging 24.3 minutes per game. However, he has been unable to consistently lock down a major spot in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, which reportedly led to some tension between the two last season. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, still seems unlikely to be traded, but teams are still going to prepare for the possibility.
Third baseman Max Muncy is in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. Muncy failed to establish himself as a reliable major-league hitter in Oakland, but his career took off in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger has made two All-Star teams with the Dodgers and appeared in 905 games, hitting 203 home runs and driving in 575 runs. He’s also been a postseason hero, batting .217 with 44 hits, 13 homers, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored across 62 career playoff games, and he’s won two World Series titles (2020, 2024). On July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise after a collision at third base while making a tag. An MRI showed no structural damage, and although his initial recovery timeline was set at six weeks, the Dodgers announced he could begin a rehab assignment next week and return ahead of schedule. His rehab progress has expedited his return timetable, and the team is eagerly anticipating his comeback. During his absence, the Dodgers have dropped five of 16 games, and their division lead dropped to five games over the San Diego Padres. His veteran presence has been missed in the clubhouse as much as his bat has been at the plate. In 2025, Muncy is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 walks while hitting in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.
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