One of the notable matchups on this weekend’s UFC card left Jon Anik scratching his head.
Israel Adesanya returns to face Joe Pyfer in the main event on March 28 at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
As he looks to snap a three-fight losing streak, Adesanya doesn’t intend on retiring, though he has admitted that he’s coming towards the end of his career.
Two fighters who were paired together on late notice could both leave their gloves inside the Octagon following their clash.
Jon Anik calls out Niko Price being booked to face Michael Chiesa after he was knocked out in February
After hinting at it in the past, Michael Chiesa has confirmed that he will retire this Saturday when he makes the walk in the same state that he trains out of.
The 38-year-old was originally set to meet Carlston Harris, but visa issues led to the promotion drafting in fellow veteran Niko Price as his replacement opponent.
Fans calling for Price to retire after he was knocked out in devastating fashion last month caused Jon Anik to call this choice of matchup out ahead of fight night.
“I am not in the business of calling for fighters to retire, I have said that probably two dozen times on these airwaves over the last 11 years but sometimes I wonder how this happens,” he said on the Anik & Florian podcast. “I understand from a matchmaking perspective why this fight is happening but how does Niko get approved?”
Kenny Florian pointed out that while both men are on completely different streaks right now, the one saving grace is that Chiesa isn’t known for being a knockout artist.
While ‘Maverick’ has won three in a row, Price is coming off three consecutive losses where he was finished in his last two outings.
“I think it could very well be his last fight as well,” Anik said about Price. “I’m sure the show money is great but I was very surprised to see that cross the wire.”