Get all the mixed martial arts fighting news and analysis you need from the award-winning team at MMA Fighting. Produced by MMA Fighting and SB Nation, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Jon Anik Previews Colby Covington's Return vs. ...
UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 296 event, the main event between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington and what's at stake for both guys, talks the Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval co-main event flying under the radar, what the reaction would be if Stephen Thompson upsets Shavkat Rakhmonov, the UFC booking Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett, the potential pressure on Ian Machado Garry, and more.
30 min
452
On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC ...
Song Yadong and Khalil Rountree closed the final UFC Fight Night event of 2023 off with importan wins, and callouts for bigger fights, including the surging light heavyweight shooting his shot at Alex Pereira and a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title. Will either Song — with his callout of former bantamweight champ Petr Yan — or Rountree get what they want? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Song following his main event decision win over Chris Gutierrez. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Rountree after stopping Anthony Smith in the co-main event. Nasrat Haqparast following his first-round finish of Jamie Mullarkey, Tim Elliott following his short notice opening-round submission win, Andre Muniz after putting an end to his two-fight skid in the main card opener, and more.
81 min
453
UFC Vegas 83 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Khal...
While Song Yadong swept the scorecards in the bantamweight main event against Chris Gutierrez, it was Khalil Rountree who stole the show at UFC Vegas 83 with his emphatic third-round finish of Anthony Smith in the co-main event before calling out new light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. If timing is his friend, could Rountree somehow get what he wants? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman react to the UFC's final Fight Night event of 2023, Song's dominant win over Gutierrez, whether or not he'll get his wish and face Petr Yan next, Gutierrez's frustrations throughout the fight, Rountree hitting his stride following the biggest win of his career, and his title prospects heading into 2024. Additionally, they discuss the post-fight bonus winners, Andre Muniz getting back on track against Jun Yong Park, Tatsuro Taira picking up another stoppage victory to remain undefeated, and more.
43 min
454
UFC Vegas 83 Preview Show | Could Anthony Smith...
Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez will battle it out in the main event of Saturday's UFC Vegas 83 event at the APEX, but the storylines seem to be centered on the co-main event in the UFC's light heavyweight division between Anthony Smith — who steps in on short notice — to face the surging Khalil Rountree. Could a win propel Smith to a title shot against Alex Pereira should the new champ want to stay active? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, José Youngs, and Jed Meshew preview the promotion's final stop before UFC 296, the 135-pound headliner between Song and Gutierrez and the stakes attached to the fight, Smith possibly sneaking into a title fight with Pereira if he upsets Rountree, Andre Muniz looking to get back on track against Jun Yong Park, Tatsuro Taira's bright future, and more.
62 min
455
HOAM | Should Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethj...
With Arman Tsarukyan's huge win in the main event of UFC Austin, there's been a lot of debate on how to matchmake the top of the lightweight division, including who Islam Makhachev should defend his lightweight title against next — Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the loaded 155-pound division, who Makhachev should face in his next title defense, and who Tsarukyan should face following his 64 second finish of Beneil Dariush. Additionally, listener topics include the future of UFC APEX cards, UFC Vegas 83, the flyweight development of Muhammad Mokaev and Tatsuro Taira, KSW and Oktagon MMA making big moves in 2023, and much more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
67 min
456
BTL | Mike Perry's Next Move, Tsarukyan Shines,...
This past Saturday delivered a fun and chaotic day in the world of MMA and combat sports as Arman Tsarukyan and Mike Perry ended UFC Austin and BKFC 56 with main event stoppages. With both men vying for big fights next, where will Tsarukyan and Perry go from their big wins? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel attempts to answer those questions following the latest offerings from the UFC and BKFC, discuss what 2024 could look like for Tsarukyan, and Perry's future as the face of bare-knuckle fighting. Additionally, topics include Dana White's response to PFL's acquisition of Bellator, Donn Davis' answer the next day, Jon Jones reacting to Tom Aspinall's call for Jones to be stripped of the heavyweight title, UFC Vegas 83 this Saturday headlined by Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez, who has the most to gain on the card, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Luke Thomas.
75 min
457
HOAM | What Is the Most Compelling Non-Title Fi...
The UFC is ending 2023 with a loaded UFC 296 pay-per-view event that features two world title fights, and a slew of compelling storylines outside of the top-two bouts. Of all of the non-title fights, what is the most intriguing on the card? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the UFC 296 card, the low-key storylines, and if Ian Machado Garry vs. Vicente Luque could be the big talking point outside of the championship bouts at night's end. Additionally, listener questions include the UFC Vegas 83 main event between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez and if the betting lines may be too wide, Anthony Smith's future following his co-main event bout with Khalil Rountree, if Tom Aspinall will ever get the chance to fight Jon Jones, the UFC anti-trust lawsuit, and much more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
79 min
458
Trocação Franca | Alexandre Pantoja explica fin...
No auge da sua carreira e sem se deixar levar pela modinha de trash talk do MMA atual, Alexandre Pantoja quer fazer história no UFC. Campeão dos moscas, Pantoja falou ao Trocação Franca sobre a defesa de título contra Brandon Royval, na próxima semana, explicou por que finaliza de olhos fechados no MMA, se cogita subir ao peso galo para enfrentar Sean O’Malley e Deiveson Figueiredo, e muito mais. O podcast traz ainda uma entrevista com Luana Santos, que volta ao octógono sábado em Las Vegas. In his prime and uninterested in joining MMA’s trash-talk trend, Alexandre Pantoja vows to make history in the UFC. The flyweight champion returns to Trocação Franca to discuss his upcoming rematch with Brandon Royval at next week’s UFC 296, why he closes his eyes to work on submissions, if he’s into the idea of moving up to bantamweight to fight Sean O’Malley or Deiveson Figueiredo, and more. The podcast also features an interview with Luana Santos ahead of Saturday’s UFC Vegas event. Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every week to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world.
44 min
459
DAMN! They Were Good | Remembering Mark Hunt, T...
DAMN! They Were Good celebrates the careers of the most exciting and influential fighters in MMA history. This episode covers Mark Hunt, The King of the Walkoff KO and a criminally underrated action fighter.
186 min
460
No Bets Barred: Best Bets For UFC Shang-Vegas P...
No Bets Barred returns with a full breakdown of UFC Vegas 83 and the bantamweight main event between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez.
45 min
461
HOAM | What's Next For Arman Tsarukyan After Qu...
Arman Tsarukyan solidified himself as a major player in the UFC's lightweight division with his incredibly impressive 64 second finish of Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Austin this past Saturday. The 27-year-old called for a fight with Justin Gaethje next, but will he get something of that magnitude, or will he have to fight backwards when he returns to the octagon? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Tsarukyan's unreal showing against Dariush, where he could go after picking up the biggest win of his career, and if UFC pivot in regards to the division's next title fight. Additionally, listener questions include Jalin Turner's finish of Bobby Green, the likely end of Green and Dariush's title hopes, Miesha Tate's one-sided win against Julia Avila, where Mike Perry goes from his BKFC 56 win over Eddie Alvarez, Josh Emmett needing a new opponent for UFC 296, and much more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
77 min
462
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Turner...
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the late stoppage in the Jalin Turner vs. Bobby Green fight, Mike Perry’s savage win over Eddie Alvarez and how BKFC has found a niche in combat sports while PFL is still struggling to gain traction
107 min
463
On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC ...
Arman Tsarukyan is now likely a win away from getting to a lightweight title shot, and a potential rematch with Islam Makhachev following his absolute drubbing of Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Austin on Saturday. With the 155-pound division being in a wild place, Tsarukyan finds himself in an interesting spot following the biggest win of his career. On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Tsarukyan after stopping Dariush in just over a minute in the headliner. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jalin Turner after his brutal finish of Bobby Green in the co-main event, Deiveson Figueiredo after his dominant decision win over Rob Font in his bantamweight debut, Sean Brady following his one-sided submission win over Kelvin Gastelum, along with fellow main card winners Joaquim Silva, Dustin Stoltzfus, and more.
88 min
464
UFC Austin Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Arman ...
Arman Tsarukyan sent a message to Islam Makahchev, and the rest of the UFC's lightweight division after a devastating knockout of Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Austin. Where does the title contender go following the biggest win of his career? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Shaheen Al-Shatti react to a chaotic return to Texas for the UFC, Tsarukyan's incredibly impressive performance, the fascination for a rematch between Makhachev and Tsarkyan, and Dariush's title hopes officially coming to an end. Additionally, they discuss Jalin Turner's vicious finish of Bobby Green and referee Kerry Hatley's awful stoppage, Deiveson Figueiredo and Sean Brady's big wins, Miesha Tate's bounce back performance against Julia Avila, multiple slam knockouts on the card, and much more.
54 min
465
UFC Austin & BKFC 56 Preview Show: Perry vs. Al...
Saturday will serve as a fun night of combat sports action for fans as the UFC returns to Texas for a loaded UFC Austin event, and BKFC brings BKFC 56 to Salt Lake City headlined by the most exciting fight of the weekend between Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew preview both fight cards, the pivotal UFC headliner in the lightweight division between Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan, discuss whether or not it's do-or-die for Beneil Dariush's title hopes, the Bobby Green vs. Jalin Turner co-main event, and more from Saturday afternoon's event. Additionally, they'll discuss the Perry vs. Alvarez bout, the rest of the bouts featuring recognizable names to MMA fans, which event has the best chance to be the lead story next week, listener questions, and much more.
91 min
466
HOAM | What UFC 'Superfight' Could Dana White B...
In a recent interview, UFC CEO Dana White teased that he is working on a "superfight" for 2024, which has sparked some conversation. What could that fight be that White says he's trying to put together, and what actually constitutes a superfight in today's modern age of mixed martial arts? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck gives his thoughts on potential options for what could get matched up for 2024, his definition of what a superfight is these days, and what the reaction could be if it involves Ronda Rousey or Georges St-Pierre. Additionally, listener topics include the importance of Beneil Dariush's main event bout with Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Austin and why saying that he gains nothing from the bout is absolutely incorrect, what could be in store for the PFL in 2024 and their vision for Bellator, who Alex Pereira could fight next after capturing the UFC light heavyweight title, and more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
87 min
467
Mike Perry Wants To Retire Eddie Alvarez At BKF...
Mike Perry previews his bare-knuckle fight with Eddie Alvarez and how he wants to retire the former UFC champion plus he discusses his recent backup role in boxing
19 min
468
BTL | Mike Perry vs. Eddie Alvarez, UFC Austin,...
After a rare weekend off for the UFC, they return this Saturday for UFC Austin, which is one of the best Fight Night offerings of the year, while BKFC may be bringing the craziest fight of the weekend between Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel will discuss Saturday’s UFC card in Texas, the main event between Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan, the new lightweight co-main event between Bobby Green and short notice replacement Jalin Turner, and more. Additionally, they’ll discuss a loaded BKFC 56 card headlined by Perry vs. Alvarez, former UFC heavyweights Ben Rothwell and Todd Duffee in the co-main event, Dana White’s holiday weekend announcements this past week — and a possible leak for Kevin Holland vs. Michael Page — grading the PFL World Championship event and the improvements that need to be made, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Shaun Al-Shatti.
85 min
469
HOAM | Could Bobby Green Embark On Jorge Masvid...
In 2019, Jorge Masvidal went from respected, gritty veteran, to megastar and world title contender, seemingly out of nowhere. Could Bobby Green find himself embarking on a similar path should he pick up another big win this weekend? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Green's upcoming bout with Jalin Turner this Saturday at UFC Austin, and if a win can help push Green to a Masvidal-like run with the UFC in the loaded lightweight division. Additionally, listener topics include the Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan main event, the UFC Austin card as a whole, PFL renewing with ESPN, Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington at UFC 296, Tony Ferguson's chances against Paddy Pimblett in their upcoming bout, and more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
68 min
470
No Bets Barred: Is Arman Tsarukyan Ready For Th...
The No Bets Barred boys are back this week with a deep dive into the stacked UFC Austin fight card this weekend.
53 min
471
Trocação Franca | Mayra Sheetara: Cinturão para...
Mayra Sheetara vai do doping ao cinturão do UFC, mas não contra a rival que imaginava. A peso-galo falou ao Trocação Franca sobre a missão de assumir o posto de melhor do mundo após a aposentadoria de Amanda Nunes, o desafio com Raquel Pennington, a rivalidade com Julianna Peña, e mais. O podcast fala ainda com Allan Puro Osso sobre sua próxima luta no UFC e o trabalho como córner na Chute Boxe, e Rodolfo Bellato sobre os treinos com Alex Poatan e a estreia no UFC diante do homem que aposentou Maurício Shogun.
37 min
472
HOAM | How Do You Grade PFL's World Championshi...
The PFL completed its 2023 season by crowning six $1 million champions with the promotion's World Championship event this past Friday. In addition to the six title fights, the card also included the long awaited return of Kayla Harrison, along with the PFL debut of Derek Brunson, and more. While there were interesting storylines, and great moments for the new champs, does the promotion need to take a deeper look at their annual championship pay-per-view event structure? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the card, talks why it gets a mid-level grade, and multiple improvements that need to be made to make it successful in the future. Additionally, listener questions include Cris Cyborg's reaction to not being in attendance for the card and a potential matchup with Harrison, Saturday's UFC Austin fight card, the stakes in the Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan main event, Jalin Turner stepping in to fight Bobby Green on short notice in the co-main event, Dana White announcing Anthony Smith will now face Khalil Rountree Dec. 9, and more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
52 min
473
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Gives Surprising...
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, we break down the biggest fights at UFC Austin, Matt Brown offers advice to fighters considering a short-notice fight, and we debate the merits of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz in MMA.
94 min
474
DAMN! They Were Good | Was Brock Lesnar The Mos...
DAMN! They Were Good celebrates the careers of the most exciting and influential fighters in MMA history. This latest episode covers Brock Lesnar, an athletic marvel and somehow underrated champion.
148 min
475
BTL | PFL-Bellator Merger, PFL World Championsh...
The PFL has officially absorbed Bellator MMA in a blockbuster deal made official on Monday morning, and then PFL co-founder Donn Davis joined Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour to answer a lot of the burning questions surrounding it. While the news is certainly big, did Davis do himself and the promotion a disservice with some of the things he said? On a special Thanksgiving edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew discuss the deal a few days later and what it all means, Davis suggesting PFL now a "co-leader" with the UFC, why Dana White likely isn't worried about it, and how feasible the structure is for the PFL moving into 2024. Additionally, they discuss the Friday's PFL World Championship card, the $49.99 price tag, Brendan Allen's UFC Vegas 82 main event win over Paul Craig, how close Allen is to a title shot, what they're thankful for in MMA, and much more.