Conor McGregor's recovery starts here! PLUS Miesha Tate returns in style, Makhachev makes his move

On paper, this weekend’s UFC Vegas 31 event at the UFC Apex was a fight card that offered a couple of bouts of interest to the hard-core MMA fan. But, as is often the case with underestimated fight cards, the bouts delivered in spades as the Apex saw a night packed with finishes.The main event saw Islam Makhachev score a dominant win, but was it enough to see him gatecrash the division’s top five? Meanwhile, Miesha Tate returned to the UFC after more than four and a half years away and became the first woman to finish Marion Reneau before announcing that she’s not here for a fight, she’s here for a belt.On this week’s show, we discuss the very different career trajectories for both Makhachev and Tate, and debate the likely next steps for both athletes.We also catch up on the latest news from Conor McGregor as the Irish superstar emerged from surgery with a renewed determination to return in style after his broken leg sustained at UFC 264.We also recap Bellator 262, as Juliana Velasquez retained her title by the slimmest of margins, and preview UFC Vegas 32, where T.J. Dillashaw returns from his two-year USADA drugs ban to face in-form contender Cory Sandhagen in a mouthwatering main event clash.It’s another packed one, so settle in for another hour of fighting talk with a distinctly British flavour! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com