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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.

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1451
We Got Next | Pearl Gonzalez, Eryk Anders & Cod...
This week on We Got Next, Pearl Gonzalez (6:41) joins the program to discuss her fighting future, diving into a broadcasting career, what she would do if she saw Britain Hart on the street, if she would return to BKFC, Amanda Serrano headlining MSG, who Jake Paul should actually fight in the UFC, and gives context to her Tweet about the MMA media. UFC middleweight Eryk Anders (58:14) shares the gory details of the foot injury he suffered this past weekend due to a live chainsaw, what happened after, and when he plans to return to the octagon. Finally, Cody Brundage (1:08:06) recaps his submission win over Dalcha Lungiambula this past Saturday at UFC Vegas 50, talks overcoming the storm, referee Mark Smith allowing the fight to continue, taking steps to overcoming self-doubt, quieting the narrative from media members who labeled him as a quitter, the special armband the UFC created for him in support of his daughter, and more.
94 min
1452
Trocação Franca | Gilbert Durinho: Foco no Chim...
Gilbert Burns x Khamzat Chimaev foi finalmente anunciado, e o niteroiense volta ao Trocação Franca para comentar a luta que ninguém mais queria topar. Durinho analisa o jogo do rival e revela que contratou dois russos em “sigilo” para treinar antes do UFC 273. O lutador explica, ainda, por que quer enfrentar Colby Covington na próxima rodada. O podcast recebe também Coutinho, do Canal Encarada, para analisar o futuro de Poatan após bater Blindado, e as derrotas de Marreta e Marlon.
74 min
1453
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Scoffs At UFC Fi...
On the latest episode of Fighter vs. Writer, Matt Brown returns to discuss his upcoming bout at UFC Columbus and the recent rash of UFC fighters calling out the world’s top boxers while two-time Olympic medalist Kyle Snyder previews his super-match against J’den Cox and if he’s still interest in MMA in the future.
82 min
1454
On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC ...
How do you book Magomed Ankalaev following his eighth straight win over Thiago Santos in the main event of UFC Vegas 50 — a performance that has not been looked at in a positive manner? On this week's edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Ankalaev following his five-round decision win over Santos inside the APEX. In addtion, future matchups are discussed for Song Yadong after his sensational finish of Marlon Moraes in the co-main event, along with Sodiq Yusuff, Khalil Rountree, Drew Dober, and Alex Pereira following their victories.
98 min
1455
UFC Vegas 50 Post-Fight Show | Did Magomed Anka...
Magomed Ankalaev picked up his eighth straight victory in the main event of UFC Vegas 50 on Saturday night, but did his overall performance push him further back in the UFC's light heavyweight championship conversation? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and E. Casey Leydon discuss that topic, along with Song Yadong's statement win over former title challenger Marlon Moraes in the co-main event, what could be next for Alex Pereira and Terrance McKinney, and more.
65 min
1456
UFC Vegas 50 Preview Show | Does Magomed Ankala...
Thiago Santos will look to get himself back into title contention on Saturday, but to do so, he’ll have to stop the surge of Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC Vegas 50. The UFC light heavyweight matchup tops an exciting lineup of bouts, and MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, and Alexander K. Lee get you ready for the event, discuss the stakes in the Santos vs. Ankalaev headliner, the co-main event between Marlon Moraes and Song Yadong, other under the radar matchups, and more.
64 min
1457
BTL | Covington vs. Masvidal Fallout, UFC 272, ...
Colby Covington earned a lot of bragging rights after a dominant win over Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 272 this past Saturday. Will that be the last time these rivals cross paths? This week on Between the Links, the panel will discuss the aftermath of Covington’s win and where he goes, along with Masvidal’s path coming off of his third consecutive loss, the shining and breakout stars of the UFC’s March PPV event, Eagle FC’s return to the U.S. this Friday and the card’s main event between former UFC headliners Kevin Lee and Diego Sanchez, UFC Vegas 50 and their main event of Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev going heads up with Bellator 276 and their featherweight show capper between Adam Borics and Mads Burnell, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup for the BTL title between MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew, who will defend his championship against his colleague Damon Martin.
83 min
1458
We Got Next | Robert Whittaker, Adam Borics, Ma...
Robert Whittaker hopes to have a quick turnaround to take a step closer to a third fight with Israel Adesanya. The former middleweight champion (4:40) kicks off this week's edition of We Got Next to reflect on his unanimous decision loss to Adesanya in the main event of UFC 271 this past month, discusses his takeaways, the aftermath feeling much different the second time around, how he would feel if he didn't get a third crack at Adesanya, hoping for a summer return, why Marvin Vettori makes the most sense for this next fight, and more. Mads Burnell (21:47) previews his Bellator 276 featherweight headliner with Adam Borics, talks signing a new multi-fight extension with the promotion, getting his first main event bout with Bellator, Borics as an opponent, the importance of defense in his fights, potentially fighting for the belt next, and why he feels A.J. McKee will have a repeat performance against Patricio Pitbull next month. Borics (34:51) also joins the program to give his thoughts on the matchup, the disappointment of only being able to compete once in 2021, his thoughts on how McKee vs. Pitbull 2 will go, and feeling like he and former opponent Aaron Pico have a lot in common despite Pico calling him out for a rematch on numerous occasions. Tim Elliott (48:27) recaps his upset win over Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 272 this past Saturday, discusses not feeling like he was himself in a great first round before head coach James Krause gave him that confidence in the corner, feeling like he had Ulanbekov well scouted, why he chose to admit he grabbed his opponent's glove in the fight and doubling down on it, if he heard Khabib Nurmagomedov's reaction, when he'd like to return, and thoughts on a potential matchup with Cody Garbrandt. Finally, Johnny Eblen (1:06:31) talks his biggest fight to date this Saturday at Bellator 276 against John Salter, why he has an issue with his opponent, the vibe at American Top Team after Colby Covington defeated Jorge Masvidal, signing a new contract with Bellator, Gegard Mousasi's two most recent title defenses, his thoughts on the Marshall Rogan inu coin, and why he turned the company down for a sponsorship.
79 min
1459
Reaction | Kayla Harrison Signs Multi-Year Exte...
Kayla Harrison is no longer a free agent as she has signed a multi-year extension to remain with the PFL. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew react to the news, discuss the impact it has on both Harrison and the promotion, how it could be a major hit for Bellator in the long run, thoughts on how Dana White will react to it from the UFC's perspective, and more.
28 min
1460
Trocação Franca | Alex Poatan: Israel Adesanya ...
Alex Poatan encara o compatriota Bruno Blindado no UFC deste sábado e conversa com o Trocação Franca sobre absolutamente tudo: as declarações dos técnicos de Blindado, a rivalidade com Israel Adesanya, como a luta o ajudou a vencer o vício no álcool, e mais. O podcast conversa, ainda, com o faixa-preta Balbino Junior, novo treinador de Amanda Nunes, sobre as gravações do TUF 30 e a revanche com Julianna Peña. Adriano Albuquerque, repórter do Combate, analisa tudo o que rolou no UFC 272 e o que esperar do UFC Vegas 50.
100 min
1461
Fighter vs. Writer: AJ McKee Responds to Alexan...
Bellator champ AJ McKee and Eagle FC 46 headliner Kevin Lee join the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer.
76 min
1462
On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC 272
Colby Covington continues to cement his place as the No. 2 welterweight on the planet. After mauling Jorge Masvidal over 25 minutes this past Saturday night, where does the brash and outspoken fighter go next? This week on On To the Next One, that question is answered from a matchmaking perspective following UFC 272 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In addition, future matchups are discussed for “Gamebred” following the “BMF” champion’s third consecutive loss, Rafael dos Anjos following his dominant unanimous decision win over a gritty Renato Moicao in the five-round co-main event, Bryce Mitchell after the biggest win of his career against Edson Barnoza, Kevin Holland, Sergey Spivak, and more.
118 min
1463
UFC 272 Post-Fight Show | What's Next For Colby...
Colby Covington backed up his trash talk and picked up a dominant unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 272. Following the UFC's March PPV event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Alexander K. Lee discuss Covington's performance and his callout of Dustin Poirier, where Masvidal goes after the loss, Rafael dos Anjos' outstanding performance against a gritty Renato Moicano, Bryce Mitchell's ceiling at 145 pounds, and more.
82 min
1464
UFC 272 Preview Show | Can Jorge Masvidal Silen...
A heated rivalry will finally find its way into the UFC's octagon on Saturday night as Colby Covington takes on Jorge Masvidal. With Covington entering the bout as a heavy favorite, can the fan-favorite Masvidal find a way to create another highlight? Covington and Masvidal are set to headline UFC 272 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ahead of the highly anticipated bout, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed K. Meshew break down the fight from multiple angles and discuss paths to victory, if it is a must win fight for Covington after the trash talk, the co-main event between Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano, Edson Barboza taking on Bryce Mitchell in a big featherweight showdown, and more.
88 min
1465
Reaction | Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal P...
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal took the stage at the UFC 272 press conference where things went off the rails immediately. Following the first face-off between Covington and Masivdal, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Steven Marrocco, and Jed Meshew react to Thursday’s press conference, discuss their overall thoughts, if there was a winner, and more ahead of Saturday’s five-round bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
25 min
1466
BTL | Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal, UFC 2...
A bitter rivalry will take center stage this Saturday at the UFC’s March PPV extravaganza between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. Although there is no title on the line, what is at stake for two of the top welterweights in the world? This week on Between the Links, the panel will attempt to answer that question, along with which fighter needs the win most in the main event of UFC 272. In addition, they will discuss some of the other top storylines ahead of this weekend’s card in Las Vegas — including the co-main event between Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano — Islam Makhachev’s dominant win over Bobby Green and his involvement this week with dos Anjos that led to Dana White proclaiming he will not get a title shot in his next fight, Gegard Mousasi’s 85 second finish of Austin Vanderford to retain his middleweight title at Bellator 275, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup for the BTL title between MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew, who will defend his championship against his colleague Shaun Al-Shatti.
72 min
1467
We Got Next | David Onama & Danaa Batgerel
Danaa Batgerel has won three fights in a row inside the UFC's octagon — all first-round knockouts — as he prepares to face Chris Gutierrez in a battle of under the radar fighters in one of the promotion's deepest divisions at the end of the month. Batgerel kicks off this week's edition of We Got Next ahead of his March 26 bout with Chris Gutierrez at UFC Columbus. "Storm" previews the bout, discusses his reaction to finding out original opponent Montel Jackson was scratched from the bout, his thoughts on Gutierrez as an opponent and how they match up stylistically, teammates such as Holly Holm and Michelle Waterson guiding him with their experience and wisdom, how he sees the fight playing out, and what he would like his 2022 to look like. UFC featherweight David Onama caps us off this week to recap his incredible first-round KO win over Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 48 a couple of weeks ago, talks his reaction to Benitez missing weight, being summoned to Dana White's office following the finish and what the UFC president said to him before heading to the hospital, why he feels the victory changed his life, when he wants to return, Max Holloway being his dream opponent, his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie, Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal, and more.
41 min
1468
Rankings Show: Can Tai Tuivasa Actually Break I...
Is Islam Makhachev’s takeover of the lightweight division inevitable? Does Gegard Mousasi have a case for being the No. 2 middleweight in MMA? Tai Tuivasa is suddenly a top-4 heavyweight in the world — will he ever be ranked higher than he is right now?? The crew returns after a hectic February to debate the biggest winners and losers of the past four weeks, crown an MVP of the month, and predict who will be the breakout story of a busy March.
88 min
1469
Trocação Franca | Michel Pereira Quer Trocar Ta...
Em um longo e descontraído bate-papo, Michel Pereira conta como se tornou um lutador eficiente sem deixar a irreverência de lado. O lutador revela quando deve lutar novamente, o desejo de trocar tapas com Nate Diaz, e analisa o duelo Gilbert Durinho x Khamzat Chimaev.
49 min
1470
Fighter vs. Writer: Thiago Alves Seeking New Co...
BKFC champion and former UFC title contender Thiago Alves joins the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer to discuss his current contract negotiations, plans for a summer showdown against Mike Perry and his thoughts on Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington after training with both of them for many years.
35 min
1471
On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC ...
There seems to be quite the debate happening in the MMA community in regards to whether or not Islam Makhachev's next fight will be for the lightweight title against the winner of the UFC 274 bout between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. Following Makhachev's dominant first-round finish over Bobby Green in the main event of UFC Vegas 49 on Saturday, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss that, and if they believe the protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight for the belt next. In addition, future matchups are discussed for Wellington Turman, Priscila Cachoeira, Arman Tsarukyan, Armen Petrosyan, and more coming out of the promotion's event at the APEX this past weekend.
97 min
1472
UFC Vegas 49 Post-Fight Show | Is Islam Makhach...
Islam Makachev submitted Bobby Green with a flawless performance in just over three minutes in the main event of UFC Vegas 49. With that performance, is Makhachev the best lightweight in the world? That question is discussed as the UFC puts a bow on their February slate. Other topics include where Green goes from the loss and if it had a significant impact on him, Arman Tsarukyan's impressive performance, the two closely contested bouts on the cards getting mini robbery reviews, and more with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew.
76 min
1473
UFC Vegas 49 Preview Show | Can Bobby Green Sho...
Bobby Green has little to lose, but a whole lot to gain when he faces Islam Makhachev in the main event of Saturday's UFC Vegas 49 event. Can the longtime veteran pull off the massive upset and turn the UFC lightweight division upside down? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew discuss that question, along with why Makhachev isn't getting a lot of shine in his own right for taking this fight on short notice after Beneil Dariush was forced to withdraw due to an injury, the potential championship implications in the matchup, other intriguing bouts on the card, and more.
68 min
1474
BTL | Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Gree...
A new video of Jon Jones’ September arrest has been released. Does it change how you view the situation? Will it change the UFC’s? Those questions will be addressed this week on Between the Links, along with the debate amongst the MMA community in regards to the video itself and if it should be on the newswire, who stole this past weekend between UFC Vegas 48, Bellator 274, and BKFC: KnuckleMania 2, Triller acquiring a majority stake in the BKFC, the stakes in the Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green UFC Vegas 49 headliner on Saturday, the rest of the card at the APEX, Bellator 275 headlined by a middleweight title bout between Gegard Mousasi and Austin Vanderford, and more. Mike Heck moderates the discussion between MMA Fighting’s Shaun Al-Shatti and Jed Meshew.
72 min
1475
We Got Next | Gegard Mousasi & Terrance McKinney
How would Gegard Mousasi fare if he shared the cage with current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, or former champ Robert Whittaker? In Mousasi's eyes, he thinks he would do just fine. The reigning, defending Bellator middleweight champion (4:57) joins this week's edition of We Got Next to give his thoughts on Adesanya's unanimous decision victory over Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271 earlier this month, talk his upcoming title defense against Austin Vanderford this Friday in the main event of Bellator 275 in Dublin, if the plan is still have him face the winner of the light heavyweight grand prix between Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson should he defeat Vanderford, who he believes will leave the grand prix with the title, and KSW double-champ Roberto Soldic's potential in the sport. Finally, UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (19:31) joins the program to preview his fight with Fares Ziam this Saturday at UFC Vegas 49, discusses having their first scheduled meeting scratched the day of the event due to one of McKinney's corners testing positive for COVID-19, sharing the fight week with his former high school wrestling coach Michael Chiesa, his public support of Joe Rogan — including writing an op-ed piece for Newsweek — his thoughts on Rogan not being on the broadcast for UFC 271, and more.
32 min