Spinning Back Clique: UFC on ESPN 43 fallout, Cerrone to HOF, Texas commission blunders, more

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia will join host Simon Samano live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

• UFC on ESPN 43 this past Saturday was headlined by a marquee bantamweight matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera. The fight went the distance in a puzzling split decision result in Sandhagen’s favor. It shouldn’t have been a split, but that’s a discussion for later on. Were you more disappointed by “Chito” or impressed by Sandhagen?
• Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm dominated Yana Santos in clear unanimous decision in the co-main event. There aren’t many logical options next for Holm, which makes you wonder about how her new six-fight contract will play out. At 41 and beyond, do you buy Holm reclaiming the title before she’s done?
• Saturday, the UFC announced Donald Cerrone was added to 2023 Hall of Fame class. He’s joining an incredible inductee group that includes Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo and Jens Pulver. Unlike those guys, Cerrone never won a UFC or WEC title, but has always been a fan-favorite fighter. Is his spot in the Hall deserved?
• Dana White responded to Leon Edwards’ comments about Colby Covington, doubling down on the decision to give “Chaos” the next shot at the welterweight title. The division’s title picture got interesting when Jorge Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio that he has “insider information” that if he beats Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, he’ll get the shot over Covington. What do we make of Masvidal’s claim? Where does Belal Muhammad fit into all of this? And why is White so convinced Covington is a “no-brainer” for a title shot?
• Unfortunately, Texas lived up to it’s reputation for bad judging and other issues. The Texas commission came under fire after a pair of blunders in San Antonio this past weekend, when a referee failed to recognize when a fighter was choked unconscious, and that same referee turned around the next night to judge fights at the UFC event. In addition, a Texas judge turned in a bizarre 48-47 scorecard in favor of Vera in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event. It’s time to figure this out. Why is Texas consistently bad at this? How can it get better?
• Bellator and PFL are in action on a non-UFC weekend, and there are some fun fights to take in. Bellator 293 in Temecula, Calif. is headlined by a heavyweight bout between Marcelo Golm and Daniel James, and also features the return of Cat Zingano, who faces Leah McCourt. In Las Vegas, 2023 PFL 1 starts the regular season with featherweights and light heavyweights, and we’ll see Brendan Loughnane vs. Marlon Moraes and Rob Wilkinson vs. Thiago Santos. What’s the most intriguing matchup on these cards?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.