Kevin Lee's release from the UFC seemed to come out of nowhere, but was it a total shock? That topic, along with where Lee may end up will be discussed this week on Between the Links. In addition, the panel will discuss this past Saturday's Trilller Triad Combat event — which featured well-known MMA fighters such as Frank Mir, Mike Perry, and Albert Tumenov — and if there's a bright future for the concept, which main event is better between Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo at UFC Vegas 44, or Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi at Bellator 272 for the promotion's bantamweight title, the low-key banger of the weekend, and more. Mike Heck moderates the first BTL Championship tourney semifinals matchup between Jed Meshew and Kristen King.

Where has Brianna Van Buren been over the last year-plus? She's been getting married and becoming a mother. Van Buren, now known as Brianna Fortino, discusses (3:45) what she learned from her most recent loss to Tecia Torres, how life has changed as a wife and mother, planning to return in the first half of 2022, her reaction to moving up the rankings despite being out of action, and what matchups stick out for her return to the octagon. Kenny Cross (27:22) previews his main event bout against Jose Martinez in the main event of XFC YoungGuns 4 on Dec. 10, why he's been out for so long since his win in November 2020, what the long layoff has taught him, changing gyms to work with the likes of Joaquin Buckley and Khaos Williams, what 2022 looks like for him, and being an official free agent after this upcoming bout. Finally, Chris Curtis (48:43) talks his short notice sophomore UFC fight against Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 44 this Saturday, when he found out about the fight, how he feels this is a tougher matchup on paper than the Phil Hawes fight, Sean Strickland's reaction to the booking, when — or if — he'll return to welterweight after this fight, and more.

In their first annual Airing of Grievances, MMA Fighting's Rankings Committee takes their seats around the roundtable and demands answers for the worst calls and most puzzling decisions by their fellow rankers. "Why is this name so high on your rankings? Why is this name so low?? How you could possibly leave this fighter out?!?" Consider it our own secret Santa gift exchange — only instead of gifts, the panel is handing out some accountability.

A família Gracie criou a base do que hoje chamamos de MMA, mas a filha do fundador do UFC está engajada em uma batalha diferente. Rose Gracie fala da luta para abrir olhos e mentes dos lutadores de MMA ao risco da encefalopatia traumática crônica e o que precisa mudar na cultura das lutas. Rose fala do apoio (ou falta dele) do UFC à causa, por que se incomodou tanto ao assistir Belfort x Holyfield, e mais. O podcast ainda conversou com Pedro Munhoz, que comentou o duelo com Dominick Cruz e analisou José Aldo x Rob Font.

Anthony Smith joins the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer as he discusses his return from injury, his concern over being the odd man out at light heavyweight and the backlash he faces at times from other fighters when asked to give his opinion on his own radio show or serving as part of the UFC broadcast team

Colby Covington would rather fight Kamaru Usman in a non-title fight than become a world champion against anybody else in the UFC's welterweight division. Covington discussed his UFC 268 loss to Usman, coming from humble beginnings to headlining at Madison Square Garden, not getting credit for the takedown, if he feels he'll fight Usman again, if he thinks Jorge Masvidal will be next, potentially coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, why he would be open to a fight with Khamzat Chimaev, and much more with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck.

Kay Hansen has had to fight in and out of the cage for the last several years of her life. The 22-year-old UFC fighter opened up about why she withdrew from her March matchup with Cheyanne Buys and her long layoff ahead of her UFC 270 matchup with Jasmine Jasudavicius in January, steps she has taken to get her physical and mental health on the right track, her hopes that telling her story will help other young girls struggling with similar circumstances, her search for answers, and more in a powerful conversation with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck.

Rainha dos penas do Bellator, Cris Cyborg fala da vitória diante de Sinead Kavanagh e os desafios que vêm pela frente. Além da possível luta com Cat Zingano, Cyborg avaliou a carreira de Kayla Harrison e disparou: ela copia Ronda Rousey ao focar na brasileira por atenção, mas será que topa lutar? Cyborg comenta, ainda, a vida pós-UFC e possibilidade de competir no boxe, entre outros assuntos. O podcast recebe ainda Gustavo Chagas, diretor do Porta dos Fundos, que faz um ranking dos lutadores mais engraçados do MMA, o lado bom e ruim de ser fã do esporte, e muito mais.

Where does Miesha Tate go from her #UFCVegas43 loss to Ketlen Vieira? Was the card as a whole as underwhelming as initially perceived? Those topics will be discussed on a brand new edition of BTL. In addition, the panel will talk what we learned from both 135ers in the main event this past Saturday, if the #UFC's final November event was a product of bad timing and oversaturation, the big wins for Sean Brady, Adrian Yanez and Taila Santos and which up and comer has the best chance to capture a UFC title first, the chances we could see Ben Askren actually return to the UFC for a fight against Nate Diaz, and much more. This week, host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA journalists James Lynch and Kristen King in the final opening round matchup of the BTL Championship tournament.

James Krause joins the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer as he addresses his future as a fighter after last competing in 2020, how he’s embraced his role as a full-time coach and the art of cornering his athletes to get the most out of them in every performance.

Ketlen Vieira and Sean Brady picked up the biggest wins of their careers on Saturday. While they will both take steps forward, how close are they to championship opportunities following UFC Vegas 43? This week, the On To the Next One squad answers those questions, along with where former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate goes from her first loss since making her return to competition. In addition, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee take a look at what could be next for Taila Santos — following her dominant submission win over Joanne Wood — Rani Yahya, Adrian Yanez, and more.

Ketlen Vieira battered Miesha Tate in a bloody bantamweight main event of UFC Vegas 43. Where do both fighters go from the battle at the APEX? That question is answered, along with discussions about Sean Brady's decision win over Michael Chiesa, Adrian Yang's Fight of the Night against Davey Grant and much more with MMA Fighting’s José Youngs, Alex K. Lee and E. Casey Leydon.

Is just getting a win enough for Miesha Tate at UFC Vegas 43 to get back to a title fight, and a chance to potentially exact revenge on Amanda Nunes? The former bantamweight champion takes on Ketlen Vieira in Saturday’s main event at the APEX and looks to improve to 2-0 since her return from a long layoff from the sport. That matchup, along with the co-main event between Michael Chiesa and Sean Brady, and more are discussed with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, E. Casey Leydon, along with special guest and UFC flyweight Andrea Lee.

Was the Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez fight from this past Saturday actually better than Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler's battle at UFC 268? That question will be answered this week on third opening round matchup in the Between the Links Championship tournament. In addition, the panel will discuss what the best option is for Holloway following his unanimous decision win over Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 42, what performance from Saturday's event stood out outside of the main event, Herb Dean's recent struggles continuing, where Cris Cyborg goes from another dominant title defense at Bellator 271 and what the chances are that Kayla Harrison would be the next challenger, Roman Faraldo's incredible KO, the stakes of this Saturday's UFC Vegas 43 main event between Miesha Tate and Ketlen Vieira, and more. Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and MMA content producer Alex Wendling.

With a win this Saturday at UFC Vegas 43, Adrian Yanez could find himself in a matchup with a top-15 opponent — potentially against a former world champion he admires. This week on We Got Next, Yanez joins MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck preview his upcoming bantamweight fight with Davey Grant, talks signing a new four-fight deal with the UFC, if he believes a matchup with Frankie Edgar could be next with a win over Grant and why it would be a bittersweet experience for him. Bellator welterweight Roman Faraldo recaps his KO of the Year nominee this past Friday — the viral flying knee he landed on Robert Turnquest at Bellator 271 — discusses getting a flying knee KO win on the same day two years in a row, what it felt like, and why he believes his flying knee was better than teammate Jorge Masvidal’s from a technical standpoint. Sean Woodson talks his first UFC finish this past Saturday over Colin Anglin at UFC Vegas 42, clarifies his post-fight comments about Max Holloway, what it was like to chat with the former featherweight champion throughout the week, and why he’d like to fight Melsik Baghdasaryan next. Finally, Lupita Godinez previews her UFC Vegas 43 fight with Loma Lookboonmee, discusses her record breaking week when she competed twice inside the octagon, what she took away from her loss to Luana Carolina and going up a weight class to do so, and fighting for the third time in 42 days this Saturday.

Gilbert Durinho conversa com o Trocação Franca sobre a ascensão de Khamzat Chimaev na categoria meio-médio do UFC e por que toparia enfrentar o checheno mesmo que não faça sentido em termos de ranking. Durinho argumenta por que Usman já passou GSP como melhor da história da categoria e, entre outros assuntos, revela que o UFC ofereceu luta com o amigo Vicente Luque. O jornalista Renato Rebelo, do Sexto Round, fala sobre Holloway x Volkanovski 3 e como A.J. McKee se sairia contra eles, o possível duelo Cyborg x Harrison no Bellator, e o trio Durinho-Chimaev-Usman no UFC, e mais.

Former UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano joins the Fighter vs. The Writer this week to address her release from the promotion, the struggles she had with weight cutting and her future moving forward.

Max Holloway has a lot of options after his UFC Vegas 42 win over Yair Rodriguez, but is a third fight with Alexander Volkanovski the best, or most likely, one? This week, the On To the Next One squad answers that question, along with what’s next for Rodriguez following his terrific effort against Holloway after a 25-month layoff. In addition, future matchups are discussed for Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Felicia Spencer, Khaos Williams, Song Yadong, and more in the fallout of Saturday’s event at the APEX.

Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez put on a classic in the featherweight main event of UFC Vegas 42. Where do both fighters go from the battle at the APEX? That question is answered, along with discussions about Herb Dean’s hesitation in the co-main event, the many finishes of the card, and much more with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and E. Casey Leydon.

Max Holloway enters his second fight of 2021 as a massive favorite against a high-level featherweight. Holloway will face the returning Yair Rodriguez in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 42 event, which takes place at the APEX. Fellow 145er Billy Quarantillo, fresh off his entertaining battle with Shane Burgos at UFC 268 this past Saturday, breaks down the matchup, what he expects from Holloway, how he would guide Rodriguez heading into the fight, and more with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and E. Casey Leydon.

Justin Gaethje discusses his epic win over Michael Chandler at UFC 268, his plans to compete for the lightweight title next and explains why he's not sold that Dustin Poirier would actually agreed to face him again if he's successful in his upcoming bout against Charles Oliveria with MMA Fighting's Damon Martin.

Will Kamaru Usman fight Leon Edwards after his successful title defense at #UFC268? Will Carla Esparza get her shot at Rose Namajunas? Those questions are discussed on this week's edition of Between the Links. In addition, the panel will discuss their takeaways from Usman's win over Colby Covington, if it's fair to compare Usman and Georges St-Pierre, how Namajunas' win over Zhang Weili was scored, if Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler can be considered one of the greatest fights of all-time, the unsung hero from the #UFC's return to Madison Square Garden, Max Holloway's return to action this Saturday against Yair Rodriguez and if the latter is being disrespected, the top storylines at Friday's #Bellator271 card, and more. Mike Heck moderates the second BTL Championship tournament opening round matchup as MMA Fighting's Jose Youngs takes on Phoenix Carnevale.

Aaron Pico is looking to continue his surge up the Bellator featherweight rankings as he faces a tough test in the undefeated Justin Gonzales this Friday at Bellator 271. Pico joins MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck (3:17) to preview the matchup, talks his reaction to getting the fight, wondering how Gonzales could actually beat him, fatherhood, Carlos Condit’s recent retirement, and Jon Jones’ exit from JacksonWink. Valerie Loureda (21:52) discusses her Bellator 271 matchup with Taylor Turner and explains why she was so devastated following her loss to Hannah Guy, why she feels like she was the better fighter and wanting a rematch, changes she’s made mentally, physically, and with her coaches over at American Top Team, feeling as focused on a fight as she has in her career, and her 2022 goals in MMA. Finally, BKFC breakout star Britain Hart (34:38) previews her matchup with Pearl Gonzalez at BKFC 22 this Friday in Miami, talks the fight coming together very quickly, her husband Joey Beltran’s recent loss, still feeling like Gonzalez is an “easy fight,” feeling like her opponent isn’t taking the fight, or her combat career seriously, being more open to a fight with Taylor Starling, and if she feels Paige VanZant will fight in the promotion again.

Campeão do povo, José Aldo comenta a luta com Rob Font no UFC, rebate as alfinetadas de Khabib Nurmagomedov, fala da relação paz e amor com Conor McGregor, critica a postura de Paulo Borrachinha e, entre muitos outros assuntos, conta que pensou em se aposentar antes de enfrentar Petr Yan. O podcast recebe, ainda, o treinador Cristiano Marcello, comentando o que tem rolado no UFC e Bellator e mais.

Josh Emmett co-hosts The Fighter vs. The Writer this week to discuss his return to action after major knee surgery, his thoughts on the featherweight division and where Max Holloway goes next if he’s able to get past Yair Rodriguez this weekend.