SR Morning After LIVE Who's NEXT for Aljo? Islam/Garry? JDM/Prates Preview!

In this lively episode of Submission Radio Morning After Live, host Dennis Schroder welcomes listeners from his bedroom—due to family visiting from New Zealand—while previewing the upcoming UFC Perth card and the broader implications for the featherweight and lightweight divisions. The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into Aljo Sterling’s dominant win over Yusef Zalal, questioning whether his performance warrants a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski, especially given the current chaos in the featherweight rankings. The hosts debate the merits of Aljo versus other contenders like Movsar Evloev, John Silva, and even the potential return of Armin Saruki, highlighting the frustration over the UFC’s lack of meaningful matchmaking despite Volkanovski’s hunger to fight. They also explore the potential fallout from Steve Garcia’s upcoming bout with Diego Lopez, suggesting a high-stakes clash with Yair Rodríguez could be the logical next step. The focus then shifts to the main event of UFC Perth: JDM vs. Carlos Prates. The hosts analyze JDM’s mental and physical recovery from his brutal loss to Islam Makhachev, questioning whether a win over Prates—known for his knockout power—could reignite his career. They predict a stand-up war, with Prates’ aggressive style clashing against JDM’s resilience. The episode wraps with a preview of UFC 328, emphasizing the potential for a major resurgence in fan interest with the highly anticipated Hamza Abdurakhimov vs. Sean Strickland rematch, dubbed a 'bad blood' fight. The hosts express excitement over media events and potential announcements, including a rumored IFW reveal, while underscoring the growing seasonality of MMA and the need for compelling narratives to sustain momentum.