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 248 event in Las Vegas, 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 lone main card callout …
Neil Magny
Wants to fight: Michael Chiesa
The callout: “I’m wasting no time. Michael Chiesa is the guy I’m looking to fight next, and I’m looking to do it as soon as possible. No need to wait until the summertime – I know you’re healthy. Let’s get out here and do it, give these fans the show they want, and let me bring the work.”
The reality: Perhaps the unlikeliest candidate to appear in “Callout Collection,” Neil Magny has personified the “fight whoever’s next” mentality throughout his UFC career. But, after being forced onto the sidelines in recent months, he knows he needs a solid win over a big name to get back to contendership at 170 pounds once again, and Chiesa might be the ideal man for the job. However, while the fight certainly makes sense for Magny, the upside isn’t quite as clear for Chiesa, who is on a tear following his jump from lightweight to welterweight. Following back-to-back wins over ex-interim champ Carlos Condit, “TUF 1” winner Diego Sanchez and former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, “Maverick” has called for a fight with Colby Covington. With all due respect to Magny, that’s a fight that gives Chiesa a lot more to gain.
Next up: The middleweight champion clarifies his next challenge
Israel Adesanya
Wants to fight: Paulo Costa
The callout: “I’ve had over 100 fights in my lifetime. I’ve had over 80 kickboxing fights. And this guy is going to actually come forward and try to (expletive) with me. So you know who the mother-effer is. I’m going to (expletive) this mother(expletive) up. Costa! ‘Livin’ La Vida Costa!’ I’ll see you soon, boy.”
The reality: Half-callout, half-declaration of war, Israel Adesanya already knows he’s going to face Costa next. But he cemented that matchup with his post-fight comments to Joe Rogan. The formalities of the matchup are almost there. A date and venue just need to be agreed, with the pair hinting at a possible matchup on July 11 during “International Fight Week” in Las Vegas. Barring disasters, Adesanya vs. Costa is the fight we’re going to get next. Will it generate the excitement we had before this weekend, or will the more tactical performance of Adesanya mean his next matchup is less keenly-anticipated? Let us know your anticipation level in the poll below.
