Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.
So after Saturday’s UFC 242 event in Abu Dhabi, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.
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First up, let’s take a look at the night’s prelim winners.
Muslim Salikhov
Wants to fight: Li Jingliang
The callout: “I don’t care who is next. I will take anyone. Maybe Li Jingliang from China. He’s a good fighter, he’s a star in China. I’m very popular in China, so it will be a good fight.”
The reality: Known as the “King of Kung Fu,” Muslim Salikhov is an exciting Russian knockout artist capable of devastating finishes, as Nordine Taleb found out at UFC 242. He also spent time competing in China and has a fanase built into the market.
Meanwhile, Jingliang is certainly gaining mass appeal in the country as he moves up the UFC welterweight rankings. A pairing between these two might not necessarily seem like a need, but it could certainly help the UFC to continue making headlines in the rapidly emerging Chinese market.
Belal Muhammad
Wants to fight: Li Jingliang
The callout: “Li Jingliang just came off a big win last week. He beat (Elizeu Zaleski) dos Santos. He’s a huge household name in Asia, and I want to take his name. I think that would be a great fight, a great fight for the fans, and I feel like we could put on a grerat show. We match up great. We both can stand and bang, we both have an all-around game … that could be a five-rounder for that. I’m down for that.”
The reality: Back-to-back callouts from “Performance of the Night” winners might seem a little disrespectful if you’re Jingliang, but the reality is likely quite the opposite. Jingliang’s penchant for exciting fights and memorable clashes make him an ideal name for anyone hoping to grow their popularity, even if it does come with considerable risk.
Muhammad has already shown a willingness to fight top competition, and if Salikhov doesn’t get the booking ahead of him, perhaps there would be a reason for Jinglinag to “Remember the Name.”
Next up, let’s check out the main card.
Curtis Blaydes
Wants to fight: Junior Dos Santos
The callout: “I think the only guy that’s logical is Junior. They’re not going to give me ‘DC.’ They’re not going to give me Stipe or Ngannou. Junior is ranked right above me. It makes sense. No disrespect to him. I don’t think he’s the easiest out of the guys ranked above me. He’s just the most logical one.”
The reality: Well, it’s hard to fault Curtis Blaydes for his logic, and he deserves credit for coming up with a viable option. Unfortunately, Blaydes didn’t know that just moments after he called for a matchup with Junior Dos Santos, the former UFC heavyweight champ would be announced for a headlining bout with Alexander Volkov in Moscow – which, by the way, is not a place Blaydes ever intends on fighting, so don’t worry about bringing him on as a potential backup option.
All that said, Dos Santos isn’t on the table. So what does make sense for Blaydes?
The winner of Blagoy Ivanov vs. Derrick Lewis on Nov. 2 might make for a good option, even if that would take some waiting. Perhaps Tai Tuivasa would make sense if he’s victorious on Oct. 5. Walt Harris could provide a target if he beats recent Blaydes training partner Alistair Overeem, as well.
There are options available, but it’s tough to see one clearcut need.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Wants to fight: A steak and a burger with double cheese
The callout: “My next opponent is very good steak, with burger, double cheese. I want this one, and with some juice with ice. I want to enjoy it a little. Give me a couple days, guys, please.”
The reality: OK, listen – there’s one fight to make here, and it’s clearly Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson.
In fairness, Nurmagomedov seems to believe that’s the best fight to make, as well, but after his big win over Dustin Poirier, the UFC lightweight champ made it clear he wasn’t ready to start talking about the matchup just yet, instead deferring to a man vs. food arrangement rather than starting up the promotion for his contest.
UFC president Dana White confirmed this is the working plan, as well, but there are always variables in place. So what’s the backup plan? Well, Nurmagomedov has never hesitated to admit he’d like to face all-time great Georges St-Pierre, and he doubled down on those feelings when asked after UFC 242.
“Georges St-Pierre is a great guy, great champion, great athlete, you know?” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s a very good for example for young kids. If he wants to come back – I know he retired, but if he wants to come back, if he feels hungry, if he feels he can improve his legacy with a fight with me and he can make 155, I’m waiting for him. And I think maybe he likes the new belt. If he likes, I can give him. Just only for one photo. But then he has to give me back this belt. But if you you want to fight, welcome.”
White was asked about the possibility, as well, and he refused to rule it out, so maybe it’s more possible than we might think – especially considering the UFC is hoping to make its annual stop to Abu Dhabi one of the biggest events of the year.
