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.
HOAM | Reaction To Dana White Slapping His Wife...
On Monday evening, a video of a physical altercation involving Dana White was released that showed the UFC president slap his wife on New Year's Eve. White subsequently spoke to TMZ to discuss what happened and that he and his wife both apologized to one another, but other big questions loom in the aftermath. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the video of the incident in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and asks what will be done in response from a UFC and Endeavor perspective moving forward, and what impact there would be if White were to step down, or be removed from his position. Additionally, listener topics include Damir Ismagulov retiring, the horrifying moment during Monday Night Football with Demar Hamlin, the future of the featherweight division should Alexander Volkanovski defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 283, Ilia Topuria's ceiling, 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.
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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Gives His Picks ...
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin look ahead at 2023 in the UFC and give their picks for the biggest threats to each champion and who will have the title by the end of the year.
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HOAM | Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN Takeaways, Grades...
The Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN co-promotional event is in the books, and there was a lot to unpack from the New Year's Eve extravaganza, including a hint of rich irony. On an all-new bonus edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck hits record and gives his overall reaction to the card, which took place at the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Topics include the grade for the event — and why the marks were skewed a bit higher — the matchups, A.J. McKee stealing the show for his main event fight against Roberto de Souza and potentially becoming the face of the promotion, the tape delay misstep, and how it led to an interesting discovery in the overall fallout of the event, thoughts on doing the concept again, other ideas on how it could be shaped together, how the build to the event got out of hand at times by taking focus off of what was important, 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.
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On To the Next One | 2022 Predictions Recap
With 2022 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport. In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2022 was going to bring. Topics include Conor McGregor's activity for the year, whether or not Jon Jones would fight Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title, or at all in 2022, Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz competing, Kayla Harrison, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal's rivalry, Kamaru Usman's championship status, Khamzat Chimaev, Jake Paul, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more. In addition, we will need you help for part two: our 2023 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Thursday, Jan. 5 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like.
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HOAM | Will Khamzat Chimaev Fight For UFC Title...
Whether Khamzat Chimaev stays at welterweight, or makes the permanent move to middleweight, most would believe that one more victory would set Chimaev up for a title fight in either division. But will the timing work out for "Borz" to get his shot in 2023? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Chimaev's title prospects in 2023, and answers whether or not he'll get a crack at UFC gold before featherweight Ilia Topuria. Additionally, listener questions include Bellator vs. RIZIN and which promotion has the better chance to sweep, Jamahal Hill's chances against Glover Teixeria, fights to look forward to in 2023, some of the best moments of this year, 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.
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BTL's 2022 Promotional Festivus | Grading the B...
With just a couple of days left in the year, it's almost time to say goodbye to 2022, and hello to 2023. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like, and a lot that needs to be improved upon — from the UFC, to Bellator, and beyond. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the second annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they will grade the UFC for their 2022 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year. Additionally, the panel does the same for Bellator MMA, PFL, and ONE Championship, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, and other ideas to bring into 2023.
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HOAM | Remembering Stephan Bonnar, Bellator MMA...
Stephan Bonnar sadly passed away at the age of 45 recently, but the impact he had on the UFC — most notably with his incredible battle on the finale of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter — will be remembered forever. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news of Bonnar's unfortunate passing, his legacy, Bonnar's incredible battle with Forrest Griffin at the TUF 1 Finale and its importance for the UFC, and much more. Additionally, listener questions include MMA Fighting's year-end awards, Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN and the card not airing live in the U.S., Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 285, Brandon Moreno's new team ahead of UFC 283, Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the light heavyweight title, Khamzat Chimaev, 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.
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Trocação Franca | Peraí, 2022 ainda não acabou ...
O UFC já encerrou seu calendário em 2022 e já tem muita gente fazendo suas listas de melhores do ano, mas ainda tem muita luta boa pra acontecer antes do réveillon. No último Trocação Franca do ano, o podcast recebe os três brasileiros escalados para o aguardado cross promotion entre Bellator e RIZIN no Japão, os campeões Patrício Pitbull, Kleber Koike e Roberto Satoshi.
When it came to MMA, 2022 was one heck of a wild ride. Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most jaw-rattling moments of 2022 in a special year-end retrospective.
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Between the Links | 2022 End of the Year Awards...
As the year winds down, MMA Fighting will be giving out its 2022 awards celebrating the best the sport of mixed martial arts had to offer throughout the year. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel brings you the annual 2022 year-end awards preview, as MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee give their top-five rankings for all of the categories that will be awarded beginning Sunday, Dec. 25 — which includes knockout of the year, fight of the year, rookie of the year, submission of the year, and fighter of the year. Additionally, they react to the news of the UFC's pay-per-view prices being raised to $79.99 in 2023, beginning with UFC 283 on Jan. 21.
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HOAM | Reaction To Another UFC Pay-Per-View Pri...
The UFC ended their 2022 calendar year this past Saturday with UFC Vegas 66, but on Wednesday, it was revealed that it will be a little bit more expensive to watch their pay-per-view events in 2023. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news that UFC pay-per-views will now cost $79.99 — a $5 increase from 2022 — beginning with UFC 283 on Jan. 21. Additionally, listener topics include Dillon Danis' recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Arman Tsarukyan's win over Damir Ismagulov at UFC Vegas 66, Bellator vs. RIZIN, Taila Santos vs. Erin Blanchfield at the UFC's Feb. 18 event, Alexander Volkanovski, 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.
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Trocação Franca | Dudu Nobre conta causos da lu...
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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reveals His Pick...
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin give their picks for the Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year for 2022 and Brown details the time he fought with a broken jaw in his professional debut.
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On To the Next One | Matches to Make After UFC ...
The UFC closed out its year with a mixed bag of a card on Saturday, as Jared Cannonier walked out of the UFC APEX with a workmanlike - and controversial - win over Sean Strickland in the UFC Vegas 66 main event. How much did the fight affect either man's stock and does either still have an outside shot of fighting for a UFC title someday?
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UFC Vegas 66 Post-Fight Show: Jared Cannonier W...
The UFC's 2022 schedule is officially at an end — and Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland couldn't have closed it out with a weirder fight.
64 min
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UFC Vegas 66 Preview Show: Who Will Shine On Fi...
MMA Fighting's Shaun Al-Shatti, Alexander K. Lee, and José Youngs break down the final UFC card of 2022.
59 min
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BTL | Next For Paddy Pimblett, UFC 282 & Bellat...
Paddy Pimblett's UFC 282 heavily debated victory over Jared Gordon has caused quite the uproar in the MMA space. Following Pimblett's fourth straight octagon win in as many tries, is it possible "The Baddy" has reached his ceiling, or is there more to come? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Pimblett's win, and what should be next for him in 2023. Additionally, topics include the fallout of the main event from this past Saturday between Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz, along with Dana White immediately booking Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283, other standout performances from the final UFC pay-per-view of 2022, Bellator 289 — which included more controversial judging in the main event between Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello, and Patchy Mix's impressive submission win — UFC Vegas 66 this Saturday headlined by Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland, and more. Host Mike Heck is be joined by MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew for another roundtable episode of the program.
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Heck of a Morning | How Can We Fix Judging In MMA?
While 2022 has produced rising stars, incredible fights, and exciting finishes, it has also provided a shining light on the holes in judging in the sport of mixed martial arts. The big question remains: What can be done to improve it? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck gives his thoughts on what it could take to improve judging, or at least get more competent people sitting in those very important seats during fight nights. Additionally, listener questions include UFC Vegas 66, Arman Tsarukyan's ceiling at 155, the UFC's lightweight division as a whole and who could emerge as the next new face, Paddy Pimblett's next opponent, Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill, 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.
74 min
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No Bets Barred: Sending 2022 Off In Style With ...
Coming off an up-and-down week at UFC 282, the No Bets Barred boys are back to discuss the final UFC event of the year, UFC Vegas 66.
75 min
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Trocação Franca | Glover Teixeira sorri por últ...
Glover Teixeira sorri por último no UFC
29 min
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HOAM | Was Glover Teixeira UFC 282's Biggest Wi...
UFC 282 is in the books, and while controversy filled the T-Mobile Arena in the final two fights of the evening, Glover Teixeira ended the night by getting exactly what he wanted without even having to compete. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck recaps the top storylines of UFC 282, including Teixeira finding his way into a light heavyweight title fight against Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 after the main event between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev ended in a draw. Additionally, listener questions include the judging in the Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon fight, Darren Till's future after losing to Dricus Du Plessis, the judging in the final two fights of the card, 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.
74 min
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Rankings Show: How Low Do You Go For Paddy Pimb...
Paddy Pimblett isn't a top-15 lightweight. That much is clear after his controversial win over Jared Gordon. But just how far down the 155-pound ladder do you have to drop to find his place in the global lightweight ranks? That plus much more on the latest edition of the MMA Fighting Rankings Show.
97 min
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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Paddy ...
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin talk about Paddy Pimblett’s controversial win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 and the lack of accountability for judges making bad calls in fights.
72 min
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On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC 282
After a finish-filled 10-fight start at UFC 282, the final two bouts were the only to go to the judges' scorecards where controversy reigned supreme — leading to a light heavyweight division still not having an official UFC champion. With Dana White putting a new championship bout on the books for UFC 283, where do Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev go from here? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee attempt to answer that question from a matchmaking perspective. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Paddy Pimblett following his heavily debated decision win over Jared Gordon in the co-main event, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Dricus Du Plessis after his stoppage win over Darren Till, breakout star Ilia Topuria, and more.
77 min
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UFC 282 Post-Fight Show | Was Paddy Pimblett Gi...
Paddy Pimblett improved to 4-0 in the UFC on Saturday, but it has been met with quite a bit of controversy following UFC 282. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew react to Pimblett's heavily debated decision win over Jared Gordon in the co-main event of the UFC's final pay-per-view of the year. Additionally, they discuss the main event between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Anakaleav being scored a draw, Dana White revealing the Glover Teixeira will fight Jamahal Hill to crown a new champion at UFC 283, Dricus Du Plessis' finish of Darren Till, the breakout performance for Ilia Topuria, Raul Rosas Jr. impressing in his octagon debut, and more.