UFC returns to Kansas City on April 26, 2025, headlined by an exciting welterweight clash between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates. Hosted at the T-Mobile Center, UFC Kansas City (also known as UFC on ESPN 66) brings an action-packed card featuring seasoned fighters and rising stars alike. The Ringside Report MMA crew—Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio—dived deep into their fight predictions, discussed potential UFC broadcast changes, and shared their thoughts alongside the enthusiastic live audience.
UFC Kansas City Table of Contents
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UFC Broadcast Rights: Is Netflix the Future?
The UFC’s current broadcast deal with ESPN is nearing its end, and speculation is high about where the promotion will head next. Dave Simon remarked on potential changes, suggesting ESPN might no longer be UFC’s home due to disagreements between ESPN and UFC President Dana White.
Netflix appears to be a leading contender since WWE, also owned by TKO Group, already streams there. Simon added there’s corporate synergy with Netflix but suggested UFC might diversify its broadcast strategy, possibly splitting between multiple platforms, including their own UFC Fight Pass.
AJ D’Alesio emphasized the challenges, noting UFC currently lacks big-draw stars necessary to secure lucrative deals like WWE. AJ explained the difficulty of maintaining dominant, marketable champions due to the competitive nature of UFC.
UFC Kansas City Main Card Breakdown
Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Despite losing his last bout narrowly, Ian Machado Garry remains a prominent name and potential future star. AJ emphasized Garry’s potential. Dave acknowledged the attention Garry received but underscored the need for significant wins to become a household name.
Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)
Anthony Smith, known for his experience and durability, faces Zhang Mingyang. This UFC Kansas City fight sees contrasting styles—Smith’s seasoned approach against Mingyang’s aggressive stand-up game. The hosts agree Smith’s experience might give him the edge but warn about Mingyang’s knockout power.
Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama (Featherweight)
A rescheduled bout between Chikadze and Onama brings striking dynamism to the card. Chikadze’s precise striking versus Onama’s robust style makes this an intriguing matchup. Dave and AJ see this as potentially Fight of the Night due to their explosive stand-up skills.
Michel Pereira vs. Abusupiyan Magomedov (Middleweight)
Pereira’s flashy fighting style contrasts sharply with Magomedov’s disciplined wrestling and striking. The hosts predict that Magomedov’s well-rounded skill set may overpower Pereira’s theatrical approach unless Pereira lands early significant strikes.
Who’s the UFC’s Next Big Star?
Dave and AJ debated potential future draws for UFC, pointing to fighters like Paddy Pimblett and Sean O’Malley as key hopefuls. Dave remarked that sustained success and charisma—elements present in Conor McGregor and Jon Jones—are critical yet increasingly difficult due to UFC’s competitive parity.
AJ noted the importance of having consistently dominant champions who attract mainstream attention, a challenge UFC currently faces. The hosts discussed Paddy Pimblett extensively, highlighting his recent victory over Michael Chandler as a significant step forward, yet questioning if he could consistently defeat elite-level fighters. Sean O’Malley also emerged in the conversation as someone UFC hopes can carry the torch of stardom, but again, consistency against top-level competition remains uncertain.
Other potential breakout stars mentioned included Ian Machado Garry, who despite recent setbacks, maintains significant hype due to his charisma and fighting style. Additionally, rising talents like Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev were discussed, with Makhachev’s impressive title reign bringing him into contention as possibly one of the greatest lightweight champions, yet his quiet personality potentially limiting mainstream appeal.
Both hosts agreed that the next big star would likely need a combination of sustained success, charisma, and mainstream appeal, elements that are increasingly challenging due to the highly competitive and talent-rich landscape of modern MMA.
Will Jon Jones Fight Again or Retire?
Dave and AJ tackled the ongoing debate around Jon Jones’ future in the UFC. Dave highlighted that Jones has hinted at retirement several times, noting how the uncertainty of his next move continues to captivate MMA fans. AJ suggested that while Jones could certainly retire on top given his impressive legacy, a super fight or high-profile match—particularly against rising star Tom Aspinall—could lure him back into the octagon for one last appearance. Both hosts agreed that Jones’ decision would significantly impact UFC’s promotional strategy and star power, emphasizing Aspinall as an intriguing potential opponent.
GSP Weighs In on Jones-Aspinall Showdown
Humility stands at the forefront of Georges St-Pierre‘s assessment of the greatest MMA fighter of all time, as he places Jon Jones ahead of himself in the debate.
Despite his own illustrious career and status among the greatest fighters in UFC history, St-Pierre acknowledges Jones’ unprecedented dominance in the octagon.
The Canadian legend’s perspective carries significant weight in legacy comparisons, given his extensive experience and achievements in the sport.
While discussions about the greatest of all time often spark heated debates, St-Pierre’s measured analysis reflects the respect and objectivity that has characterized his approach to martial arts. Additionally, the financial success of fighters like Jones can be attributed to factors such as marketability, skill level, and contractual terms.
The Financial and Motivational Factors Behind Jones’ Decision
Motivation emerges as a vital factor in Jon Jones’ hesitation to face Tom Aspinall, with St-Pierre emphasizing the delicate balance between financial compensation and legacy preservation.
The financial incentives must align with the significant risk Jones would undertake against a surging heavyweight contender.
Beyond monetary considerations, motivational factors play an essential role in Jones’ decision-making process, as he weighs the potential impact on his nearly unblemished record.
With just one disqualification loss marring his career, Jones appears selective about engagements that could jeopardize his status as arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history. Moreover, the ongoing debate surrounding Miocic’s legendary status adds another layer of complexity to Jones’ considerations.
Rising Star Aspinall’s Threat to Jones’ Legacy
Momentum stands firmly behind Tom Aspinall as he emerges as a legitimate threat to Jon Jones’ heavyweight supremacy.
The British contender’s rapid ascent through the ranks, marked by explosive victories and well-rounded skill set, positions him as a formidable challenger to Jones’ legacy.
Aspinall’s potential to reshape the heavyweight landscape has captured the attention of experts and fans alike, with his youth and athleticism presenting unique challenges to Jones’ traditional dominance.
The legacy implications of this matchup extend beyond a simple title defense, potentially impacting Jones’ status as the greatest fighter in UFC history. Additionally, the potential for a backup fighter could alter the dynamics of this highly anticipated showdown.
Breaking Down the Stylistic Matchup Between Jones and Aspinall
The stylistic contrast between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall represents one of the most intriguing technical matchups in heavyweight history.
Jones’ mastery of unconventional striking techniques, combined with his elite wrestling background, has proven nearly impossible to solve. Meanwhile, Aspinall brings explosive athleticism and refined grappling strategies that make him a unique threat. The dynamics of this potential clash center on whether Aspinall’s speed and power can overcome Jones’ renowned fight IQ and adaptability. Both fighters excel at controlling distance, though they employ different methods – Jones through his legendary reach and Aspinall through his quick footwork and boxing prowess. Additionally, Jones’ recent collaboration with Gordon Ryan highlights his commitment to enhancing his grappling game, which could play a pivotal role in this matchup.
UFC Gold Edition: Celebrating Championship Heritage
Building on the rich legacy of UFC championships, Bud Light’s innovative UFC Gold Edition campaign has integrated authentic championship heritage into a groundbreaking promotional venture.
The limited-edition can, featuring gold from Georges St-Pierre‘s actual championship belt, connects fans directly to UFC history while celebrating the upcoming UFC 315 event in May 2025.
This unique fusion of championship legacy and promotional marketing represents a significant milestone in connecting fans with the sport’s prestigious past.
The campaign specifically targets Canadian audiences, honoring St-Pierre’s enduring impact on MMA while creating tangible links between past glory and present celebration. Additionally, this initiative aligns with the UFC’s expansion into over 170 countries, further solidifying its global presence.
Catch the Replay and Podcast
Missed the UFC Kansas City Preview show or any of our episodes? You can catch the Ringside Report MMA episode replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick. Prefer audio? Listen to the podcast on Spotify or your favorite platform to stay updated with the best UFC commentary and insights.
