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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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1526
Between the Links: Edwards vs. Masvidal, Pena's...
Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin and singer-songwriter Nathan Williams from the band Wavves as they discuss the biggest stories of the week in the world of mixed martial arts. This week, the panel discusses the UFC finally booking the Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal matchup at UFC 269 in December and what's at stake for both guys, Luis Pena's latest domestic violence arrest and subsequent release from the UFC, while former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones still remains on the roster, Mike Winkeljohn announcing Jones currently not welcome at JacksonWink, the better card between UFC Vegas 40 and Bellator 268 this weekend, whether a Joanna Jędrzejczyk UFC return or Carla Esparza title fight will come first, Francis Ngannou's broken silence, and more.
74 min
1527
We Got Next | Taylor Starling, Erick Gonzalez &...
On the fourth episode of We Got Next, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks with BKFC's Taylor Starling to get her side of why her BKFC Fight Night Montana fight with Randine Eckholm was scratched hours before the event, Eckholm being "unprofessional" during the two-day stretch, what she said to Eckholm's face on Saturday when the fight was called, if there was any chance the commission would find a way to make it happen, plans to return at the promotion's New York debut in November, and the unfortunate death of Justin Thornton. UFC's newest lightweight Erick Gonzalez as he prepares to make his short notice octagon debut against Jim Miller this Saturday at UFC Vegas 40 and discusses getting the career-altering phone call, getting a veteran in Miller for his first fight, the road he's taken to get to the UFC, and how he sees the fight playing out. New England bantamweight prospect Jay Perrin recaps capturing the CES 135-pound title at CES 64 with a second-round submission win over Josh Smith, teammate Merab Dvalishvili defeating Smith's teammate Marlon Moraes the next night at UFC 266, talks holding titles in the top two promotions in the region, what he wants next, his longtime rivalry with Johnny Campbell and if he'll ever give him a rematch, how close he is to getting a call from the UFC, and the importance of mental health in the fight game. Finally, featherweight prospect Steven Nguyen reacts to his dominant unanimous decision win over Theo Rlayang on Dana White's Contender Series this past month and not getting a contract, feeling like he deserved that opportunity but understanding why it didn't happen, moving forward and believing he's in the UFC's short notice call-up pool, and more.
74 min
1528
Trocação Franca | Charles Do Bronx: Dustin Poir...
Campeão do UFC, Charles do Bronx quer respeito. O paulista, que defende seu cinturão contra Dustin Poirier no dia 11 de dezembro, conversa com o podcast sobre a luta, sobre ainda não ser visto como verdadeiro campeão por alguns fãs, as críticas de Justin Gaethje e a ascensão de Islam Makhachev, e mais. O jornalista Marcelo Barone, da Globo, analisa as últimas notícias do mundo da luta e o duelo Bronx x Poirier.
66 min
1529
On To the Next One: Matches To Make After UFC V...
On the 62nd episode of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaker hats following Saturday’s UFC Vegas 39 event at the APEX. Future matchups were discussed for Marina Rodriguez, following the biggest win of her career in the main event, Mackenzie Dern, Randy Brown, Matheus Nicolau, Mariya Agapova, Chris Gutierrez, and more.
79 min
1530
UFC Vegas 39 Post-Fight Show | Marina Rodriguez...
Marina Rodriguez is officially in the championship conversation at 115 pounds after a decisive unanimous decision win over Mackenzie Dern in the main event of UFC Vegas 39. Where Rodriguez goes from the biggest win of her career, and other top storylines are discussed with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs and Alexander K. Lee.
53 min
1531
UFC Vegas 39 Preview Show: Could Dern Leapfrog ...
Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez will battle it out in the main event of UFC Vegas 39, but could a title shot against the winner of the upcoming Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili fight at UFC 268 be at stake? MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs and Alexander K. Lee discuss that, as well as the top storylines ahead of Saturday’s fight card at the APEX.
54 min
1532
Between the Links: Sterling Out, Sandhagen In a...
Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs and Damon Martin as they discuss the biggest stories of the week in the world of mixed martial arts. This week, the panel discusses the no contest in the UFC Vegas 38 co-main event between Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus and how it was handled ahead of their Nov. 13 rematch, the reaction to UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling's withdrawal from his UFC 267 title defense against Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen being inserted into the bout for an interim title fight, Scott Coker's announcements on Wednesday's edition of The MMA Hour and what was the most impactful story for the promotion overall, what is at stake in the UFC Vegas 39 main event this Saturday between Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez, whether or not Carla Esparza should be nervous with the result of the 115-pound matchup, and more.
72 min
1533
Trocação Franca | Mackenzie Dern: Brasileira (D...
Mackenzie Dern, que lidera o UFC deste sábado contra Marina Rodriguez, abre o jogo: a implicância com seu sotaque, ser vista (ou não) como brasileira, a mudança de vida trazida pela maternidade, se beleza põe mesa no MMA e, entre outros assuntos, a possibilidade de já disputar o cinturão do UFC na próxima luta. O jornalista Carlos Arthur Junior comenta o que rola no mundo do MMA.
66 min
1534
Rankings Show: September's Risers and Fallers, ...
Who's the real No. 1: Alexander Volkanovski or Max Holloway? Amanda Nunes or Valentina Shevchenko?? Co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee dive into MMA Fighting's Global Rankings to discuss the biggest risers and fallers of September and more. Then, the two are joined by Damon Martin and Mike Heck to settle a trio of debates raging internally among the team.
75 min
1535
We Got Next | AJ Dobson & Mitch Raposo
On the third episode of We Got Next, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks with the UFC's newest middleweight AJ Dobson following his first-round submission win over Hashem Arkhagha at Dana White's Contender Series this past month, the story of how he met Matt Brown and how the longtime UFC welterweight, along with Mark Coleman, have influenced him, immediately booking his octagon debut for UFC 270 against Jacob Malkoun, and how he almost made his promotional debut just days after getting a contract. Then, New England prospect Mitch Raposo discusses his upcoming Contender Series matchup against Jake Hadley next Tuesday night, his experience on The Ultimate Fighter and what he took away from his loss to Ludvik Sholinian, Alexander Volkanovski's motivation and his thoughts on the featherweight champ's recent title defense against Brian Ortega at UFC 266, how he likes the matchup with Hadley, the reaction the bout has gotten since it was revealed, and more.
55 min
1536
Fighter vs. Writer: Ryan Bader On Jon Jones Lat...
Bellator champion Ryan Bader joins the show to give his opinion on Jon Jones' latest arrest, his upcoming fight with Corey Anderson and more
40 min
1537
On To the Next One: Matches To Make After UFC V...
On the 61st episode of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaker hats following Saturday’s UFC Vegas 38 event at the APEX. Future matchups were discussed for Thiago Santos following his unanimous decision win over Johnny Walker in the light heavyweight main event, Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus following the controversial end to their co-main event bout, Niko Price, Krzysztof Jotko, Alexander Hernandez, and more.
71 min
1538
UFC Vegas 38 Post-Fight Show | To No Contest, O...
With UFC Vegas 38 in the books, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee break down the top storylines following Saturday’s card at the APEX, including Thiago Santos earning a decision win over Johnny Walker in the main event, while the co-main event between Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus ends in controversy.
55 min
1539
UFC Vegas 38 Preview Show | Do-Or-Die For Thiag...
Can Thiago Santos rediscover his winning ways? Or will Johnny Walker finally break through? With UFC Vegas 38 just hours away, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs and Alexander K. Lee breakdown the top storylines ahead of Saturday’s card.
36 min
1540
Lauren Murphy Reacts To Valentina Shevchenko Lo...
Lauren Murphy gives her first interview following her fourth-round TKO loss to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 266 this past Saturday. Murphy discusses the greatness of Shevchenko, when she felt the champion was on another level than the rest of the division, losing her head coach at the beginning of fight week and why she decided to fight, what she and her team tried to do to get her head coach involved in the fight, Daniel Cormier's criticism of her corner between rounds, and who she wants to face in her return in 2022 with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck.
30 min
1541
Between the Links: Jon Jones Arrest, Volkanovsk...
Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs and Alexander K. Lee as they discuss the biggest stories of the week in the world of mixed martial arts. This week, the panel discusses the Jon Jones' latest run-in with the law, the police report that was made public, and how they predict the UFC will handle the situation, Alexander Volkanovski's incredible featherweight title defense against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 this past Saturday and where he should sit on the current pound-for-pound rankings, Nick Diaz's return to the octagon in a third-round stoppage loss to Robbie Lawler and where he could go from Saturday, Valentina Shevchenko's next move, the better main event between Bellator 267, Douglas Lima vs. Michael Page 2, or UFC Vegas 38, Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker, and more.
85 min
1542
We Got Next: Episode 2 | Jasmine Jasudavicius, ...
On the second episode of We Got Next, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks with Jasmine Jasudavicius (3:03) to discuss her UFC contract earning win over Julia Polastri on Dana White's Contender Series earlier this month, how she was feeling when the judges' scorecards were being read and waiting on Dana White's decision, Georges St-Pierre's influence on her goals, and more. Bantamweight prospect Mo Miller (22:08) talks his dominant unanimous decision win over previously undefeated fighter Brandon Lewis on the same Contender Series card and becoming the first winner of the season to not be awarded a contract. Finally, lightweight Mike Breeden (39:38) joins the program to preview his short notice octagon debut against Alexander Hernandez this Saturday at UFC Vegas 38.
53 min
1543
Trocação Franca: Deiveson Figueiredo E Douglas ...
Deiveson Figueiredo comenta a trilogia com o campeão Brandon Moreno, o plano de treinar com Henry Cejudo nos EUA e, entre outros assuntos, o caso de racismo que sofreu antes da revanche. Douglas Lima, que reencontra Michael Page no Bellator desta sexta-feira, mira o invicto Yaroslav Amosov e fala sobre futuro no MMA e boxe, de olho nos irmãos Paul. A jornalista Fernanda Prates debate o UFC 266, a prisão de Jon Jones e a treta Khabib x octagon girls.
104 min
1544
Fighter vs. Writer: Joseph Benavidez On Decisio...
In the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Joseph Benavidez joins the show as co-host to discuss his recent decision to retire as well as breaking down all the action from UFC 266.
51 min
1545
On to the Next One: Matches To Make After UFC 266
On the 60th episode of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaker hats following Saturday’s UFC 266 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Future matchups were discussed for champions Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko after their successful title defenses, Brian Ortega, Lauren Murphy, Robbie Lawler, Nick Diaz, Curtis Blaydes, Jessica Andrade, and more.
70 min
1546
UFC 266 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To An Instan...
With UFC 266 in the books, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and E. Casey Leydon break down the top storylines coming out of Saturday’s event in Las Vegas, including Alexander Volkanovski’s decision win over Brian Ortega in a main event classic, Valentina Shevchenko’s dominant flyweight title defense, and Robbie Lawler evening things up with Nick Diaz 17 years later.
41 min
1547
UFC 266 Preview Show | What Can We Expect From ...
With UFC 266 just hours away, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, Jed Meshew and E. Casey Leydon break down the top storylines ahead of Saturday’s event in Las Vegas, including the featherweight championship main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega, Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy for the women’s flyweight title, and the five-rounds middleweight rematch between Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler.
64 min
1548
Reaction: Jon Jones Faces Multiple Charges Afte...
Following Jon Jones’ arrest early Friday morning in Las Vegas for alleged battery domestic violence and injuring and tampering with a vehicle, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew react to the news.
32 min
1549
Between the Links: Nick Diaz's Fight Week, UFC ...
Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and UFC bantamweight Cody Stamann this week as they discuss the top stories in the sport of mixed martial arts. This week, the panel previews this Saturday’s UFC 266 title fights: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega for the featherweight title, and Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy for the women’s flyweight title, Nick Diaz’s interesting fight week ahead of his return to action against Robbie Lawler in a five-round, non-title middleweight bout, where Yoel Romero goes from his Bellator 266 decision loss to Phil Davis, the recent retirements of Carlos Condit and Joseph Benavidez, and more. Who will leave with the most coveted title in MMA media? Listen to the show and find out.
58 min
1550
We Got Next, Ep. 1: Ben 'Big Tuna' Parrish & Ma...
On the debut episode of We Got Next, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks with Ben Parrish (6:13) to recap his upset KO win over Christian Edwards to kick off the main card of Bellator 266 this past weekend in San Jose, proving the doubters wrong, how he got started in the sport of MMA, the genesis of his "Big Tuna" nickname, not currently being signed to the Bellator roster, his interest in fighting veterans such as Quinton Jackson and Yoel Romero, his mom getting booted off of MMA Reddit for defending him, and much more. Matt Bessette (45:24) discusses his dominant third-round submission win over Ryan Dela Cruz to capture the lightweight title and become two-division champion in the main event of CES 64 on Friday night and subsequently announcing his retirement, when he made the decision to call it a career, a painful injury he's been dealing with for the last several years that he's never publicly revealed before, if anything would get him back in the cage, the most memorable fights of his career, and more.
78 min