Spinning Back Clique: Weighing Yoel Romero's options after UFC release, what do cuts mean?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a quick spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, Simon Head hosts the panel of MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and Brian Garcia, as well as MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura. Let’s get after it!

• The big news of the week came before Saturday night’s fights when it emerged that perennial middleweight contender Yoel Romero surprisingly had been released by the UFC. He’s 43 years old but still among the world’s top 185-pound competitors. Where’s the right landing spot for “The Soldier of God”?
• When asked about Romero’s release on Saturday night, UFC president Dana White revealed that more cuts are soon to follow, with the UFC set to release as many as 60 fighters in the remaining weeks of 2020. What does this move tell you about the state of the UFC right now, and what do you think is driving such widespread cuts?
• The issue of COVID-19 is showing no signs of abating anytime soon, and the coronavirus has hit the UFC hard in recent weeks, with positive tests forcing a host of bouts, including the UFC on ESPN 18 main event to be scrapped. Given the increase in lost matchups and last-minute card changes and with the coronivirus surging, what’s your assessment of the UFC’s protocols in the current climate, and do they need revisiting in order to help keep fight cards intact and positive tests down?
• One man who benefited from all of the COVID-related upheaval was Marvin Vettori, who stepped in on short notice to defeat Jack Hermansson in Saturday’s main event at UFC on ESPN 19. Now that he’s well and truly in the mix at the top of the 185-pound division, how far away do you think he is from a potential rematch with the last man to beat him, Israel Adesanya, for the title?
• And finally, one man who is looking to make a big impact in early 2021 is former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, who is getting ready to return from a two-year USADA suspension after testing positive for EPO. He wants a shot at the title straight away but, given his indiscretions, plus the strength of the bantamweight division right now, should he be granted his wish when he’s eligible to return in late January?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 56 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.