Missed the latest hubbub of the last 24 hours? Worry not as we are back with another episode of Roundup. So without any further ado, let’s get started. We will start our journey with Jon Anik, who appears to have shared his thoughts on the future UFC events that he would like to witness at the 2 billion dollar Las Vegas Sphere, despite Dana White’s hesitance.

We will move on from there to have a look at Raul Rosas Jr, who has urged the UFC CEO Dana White to give him a chance to face the top-ranked bantamweight fighters. Lastly, we will end our Roundup with a piece of crucial news coming straight from the Alex Pereira camp about his new training partner. So without any further ado, let us get started.

Jon Anik dreams of witnessing more UFC Sphere events in the coming future

Raking a massive 22 million dollars in gate revenue, UFC Sphere was an amazing experience for combat sports fans as well as the UFC CEO Dana White. The MMA community criticized White for spending a hefty $20 million for the event but it all came down to the UFC CEO shutting everyone down. Regardless, after the event, Dana White emphasized that they would not be going back to the Sphere ever again. This news has saddened the fans and even Jon Anik, who wants to witness more fights at the Sphere.

While having a conversation with ‘MMAFighting’, Anik explains, “When you look at the fight cards for UFC 307 and UFC 308 on paper, Jose Aldo’s fighting on the prelims in Salt Lake City. UFC 308 – I don’t say this hyperbolically – may be the best fight card I’ve ever been assigned. Go to Wikipedia and look up UFC 308, right?”

He further added, “So, just imagine for a second, UFC 307 or UFC 308, on paper, Khamzat Chimaev versus Robert Whittaker at Sphere f**king Vegas and tell me we couldn’t effectively change the game forever. So, this was an amazing experience. I just think we need one more shot.” Looking at the demand, the promotion might go back to the Sphere but nothing can be ascertained yet. Regardless, let us have a look at Raul Rosas Jr, who has a plea to Dana White.

Raul Rosas Jr. begs Dana White to give him tougher fights

With a record of 10 victories and only 1 loss, Raul Rosas Jr is one of the most promising fighters to come out of the Dana White contender series. The 19-year-old Mexican fighter was amazing when he defeated Aoriqileng at the UFC 306 and now that he is on a three-fight winning streak, ‘EL Nino Problemo’ believes that he has what it takes to defeat the top brass of the bantamweight division.

While having a conversation with Hablemos MMA, Rosas Jr stated, “The thing about me is that I like challenges, I want a challenge, [and] I want to test myself. Now I feel very comfortable being in the cage, and I keep getting more comfortable every time I step in there – I feel comfortable fighting a Top 15 opponent… Personally, I know I’m ready, but even if I’m not ready, I’ll figure out a way to be ready for that date and opponent.”

He further added, “I can do more than just win, but actually finish and impress everyone; more importantly the UFC can keep giving me fights toward the belt. That’s why I asked for somebody ranked. Either way, if I don’t get someone in the rankings, I want somebody that gets me a ranked opponent.” 

Will the promotion give him a battle against the top contenders in the future? Well, we have to wait for that. Regardless, let us move forward to the light-heavyweight division.

 Alex Pereira teams up with Sean Strickland for UFC 307

Alex Pereira is all set to defend his light-heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree Jr at the UFC 307 scheduled to take place on October 5th in Salt Lake City. Well, the fighter will be defending his title for the third time this year making him one of the most active champions in recent times. However, is he going to do it alone? Well, nope as it appears that along with Glover Texeira, Sean Strickland is there to help Pereira as well.

The champ took to his YouTube handle to drop the bombshell that he is training alongside Sean Strickland for Khalil Rountree Jr. “We have a good team, Glover [Teixeira], Plinio [Cruz], Yousri [Belgaroui], Cesinha [Cesar Almeida], and Sean Strickland will be here with us next week… The whole crew is here, very happy [and] excited. With all this preparation, for me it’s been very good to do this, come [here] three weeks earlier,” said Pereira.

The fight is just weeks away from materializing, who do you think would win in their clash? State your thoughts in the comments below.