MMA Surprises: McGregor & Makhachev Miss Merch List, Hawk Tuah Girl in Trouble, Adesanya's New Goal

As the MMA world wraps up a year full of action and controversy, there’s still plenty of news to digest. Let’s dive into some of the biggest stories from the last days of 2024. First up, the unexpected news that Conor McGregor and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev didn't make the UFC's top merch sellers list. It seems fans are more interested in other fighters these days. Jon Jones, for example, is still on top even after a long break. He's joined by Sean O’Malley, Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, and the new star, Alex Pereira, who’s making waves in the merch game. Next, let’s talk about Hailey Welch, better known as the “Hawk Tuah” girl. She disappeared from the limelight after a crypto scandal. An ex-UFC fighter, Derek Brunson, even questioned her whereabouts on social media. Welch became famous quickly but faced backlash after her meme coin's value crashed. It’s a reminder that fame can be fickle. Finally, Israel Adesanya, a kickboxing pro turned MMA star, wants to add something new to his record: a submission win. Known for his striking skills, Adesanya has 16 knockouts but wants to tap out an opponent before he retires. He’s set his sights on this new goal, showing that even the best strikers can have different aspirations.