UFC 299 loss, Ngannou's next move, and more

Check out this week's “Spinning Back Creek.” MMA Junkie's weekly live show with a twist on the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, special guest panelist John McCarthy will join Brian “Gose” Garcia, Nolan King, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT). , we will discuss and debate the following:

• Sean O'Malley made his first title defense in the main event of UFC 299 and was impressive with a unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera. He avenged the only loss of his career by calling out featherweight champion Ilya Topria. Is it best to hold off on bantamweight and aim for a second belt? What used to be a novel idea now seems to have become the norm. If he can stay at 135, will he become a record-threatening champion?
• In the co-main event of UFC 299, Dustin Poirier had something to say about Benoit St. Denis' hype train rising with a brutal second-round KO win. Poirier stayed in the title picture with a KO. And lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is reportedly interested in defending his title in Saudi Arabia in June. Was Mr. Poirier simply jumping ahead of the candidate he thought was ahead of him?
• After spending several years in Bellator, Michael Page made his long-awaited UFC debut, outpointing Kevin Holland in Miami. Although the “MVP” said he was not satisfied with his performance, Holland was still given a tough opening test, which Paige passed. Has he done enough to prove to us that he can be a top contender in the UFC's welterweight division? And what about a possible All England title fight between him and champion Leon Edwards?
• Much of the boxing hype surrounding former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou came crashing down after he was brutally KO'd by Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. What's Ngannou's next move? He is waiting for Renan Ferreira in the PFL. But he may still be keen on a third boxing match.
• This will be the fifth time a female fighter has been the head coach on The Ultimate Fighter, with flyweight champion Alexa Grasso coaching former champion Valentina Shevchenko. This sets up a rematch of their trilogy, likely at Noche UFC at The Sphere in Las Vegas in September. Will this director duo be good for the next “TUF”? Who has the upper hand?