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.
BTL: Vettori-Costa Reaction, How To Improve PFL...
Topics this week include the reaction to Marvin Vettori's win over Paulo Costa at UFC Vegas 41 in one of the best fights of 2021, if Costa's performance was enough to negate the weight missing shenanigans from the week, and where Vettori goes from his big win and babyface turn. In addition, the panel discusses Wednesday's PFL Championship event and some of the big storylines to come out of it, along with improvements the promotion can make to make their product as interesting and fun as possible, Kayla Harrison's next move following another $1 million championship victory, the UFC 267 main event between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira, how risky taking the interim bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan could be for Cory Sandhagen in the long run, and more. Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew to discuss those topics, and also reveals the first-round matchups for the upcoming BTL championship tournament on Between the Links.
84 min
1627
We Got Next | Modestas Bukauskas, David Onama, ...
Modestas Bukauskas has experienced a lot over the last several weeks, including recently being released from the UFC, which he discusses in detail on the sixth episode of We Got Next with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. Bukauskas (5:44) talks the injury he suffered in his most recent bout with Khalil Rountree at UFC Vegas 36 in September, when he plans on being cleared to compete again, whether or not he believes the oblique kick has a place in MMA, his reaction to the release from the UFC, Paulo Costa's big weight miss ahead of UFC Vegas 41, and if he has any interest in competing for Bellator or the PFL. Welterweight Themba Gorimbo (38:42) discusses his upcoming fight with Handesson Ferreira at UAE Warriors 24 this Friday in Abu Dhabi, his incredible journey to finding the sport of mixed martial arts, becoming an orphan at 13, becoming a blood diamond smuggler at 16 and having to escape from Zimbabwe to South Africa and why it took him two tries to get there, living on the streets before finding MMA, hoping Dana White will be in attendance, and feeling like a win will get him into the UFC. Finally, David Onama (1:05:30) recaps his incredible battle with Mason Jones this past Saturday at UFC Vegas 41, how his short notice debut came about, not knowing anything about his opponent when the offer came, his reaction to not getting the Fight of the Night bonus, what head coach James Krause said to him after the fight, wanting to return to 145 for his next fight, when he wants to return, and more.
88 min
1628
Trocação Franca | Vicente Luque Quer Luta De 10...
Vicente Luque comenta sua campanha para enfrentar Nate Diaz em duelo de 10 rounds no UFC e os planos de roubar o cinturão do ex-companheiro de treinos Kamaru Usman. Luque revela, também, como a mãe, faixa-preta de caratê, o ajuda nos treinos, e por que jamais enfrentará Gilbert Durinho. O episódio conta, ainda, com uma resenha com o jornalista Jorge Correa, editor do Omelete, sobre a visão do MMA na grande mídia, Paulo Borrachinha dentro e fora do octógono e, entre outros assuntos, os melhores filmes sobre MMA.
66 min
1629
Fighter vs. Writer | Aljamain Sterling Picks Co...
Aljamain Sterling co-hosts the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer to preview UFC 267 including his prediction for the interim bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen
49 min
1630
On To the Next One: Matches To Make After UFC V...
Marvin Vettori picked up a hard fought decision victory, up a full weight class, against fellow former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC Vegas 41. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaking hats to discuss what could be next for "The Italian Dream" after his win, and where Costa may go with a seemingly permanent move to 205 pounds on the 64th episode of On To the Next One. Future matchups were also discussed for Jessica-Rose Clark, Alex Caceres, Francisco Trinaldo, Nick Negumereanu and other notable names coming out of Saturday's event at the APEX with the help of the listeners.
76 min
1631
UFC Vegas 41 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To A Cl...
Marvin Vettori outlasted Paulo Costa in an absolute classic in the main event of Saturday's UFC Vegas 41 event at the APEX. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee and E. Casey Leydon react to the five-round light heavyweight battle, along with the top storylines from the event.
54 min
1632
UFC Vegas 41 Preview Show | Did Paulo Costa Gam...
Paulo Costa will now face Marvin Vettori in the main event of UFC Vegas 41 in a light heavyweight matchup. Did Costa put one over on the UFC, and will the fight being up a weight class have a dramatic effect on the fight itself? Those topics and other storylines are discussed ahead of Saturday’s card with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and E. Casey Leydon.
66 min
1633
BTL Roundtable | Paulo Costa Overweight, Ladd's...
Topics this week include the corner advice to Aspen Ladd during her UFC Vegas 40 loss to Norma Dumont and if it was too much, or blown out of proportion, whether Ladd's future is at featherweight or bantamweight, where Dumont goes from her first main event win, Corey Anderson's case for being the best light heavyweight in the world over Jan Blachowicz and if that weight class is the best argument for Bellator over the UFC, Paulo Costa coming into UFC Vegas 41 fight week unable to make the middleweight limit for his headliner with Marvin Vettori and what that may lead to, Fedor Emilianenko's return to action this Saturday against Timothy Johnson at Bellator 269, and more. Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Jed Meshew to give their thoughts on those topics, plus take a few fan questions this week on Between the Links.
83 min
1634
We Got Next | Jake Hadley & Joseph Holmes
On the fifth episode of We Got Next, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks with new UFC flyweight Jake Hadley (2:53) after earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series with a second-round submission win over Mitch Raposo despite missing weight, talks how it all feels a week or so later, what led to the first weight miss of his career and how it was handled, the issues White stated Hadley had with UFC staff during fight week, thoughts on his performance over Raposo and if he felt he would get a contract, getting White's stamp of approval against the wishes of matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, if he feels Shelby and Maynard will try and stack the deck, wanting a fight with Francisco Figueiredo for his debut, and his thoughts on Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 3. Finally, Joseph Holmes (41:53) discusses his second-round submission win over Shonte Barnes at DWCS and not receiving a contract, getting a second chance to fight in front of Dana White at Fury FC's Lookin' For a Fight event in November, fighting a former training partner that had talked his way into the fight, how he feels about the promotion taking to social media to ask who he should face, what he plans to do to make it indisputable for White in the bout, where his "Ugly Man" nickname comes from, and much more.
68 min
1635
Trocação Franca | Junior Cigano E Rodrigo Minot...
Ex-campeão do UFC, Junior Cigano critica a forma com que foi tratado pela empresa em sua reta final na organização, fala da experiência no prowrestling, e revela as lutas que gostaria de fazer no boxe, MMA e telecatch. Rodrigo Minotauro, embaixador do UFC no Brasil, analisa o retorno de Paulo Borrachinha neste sábado e as disputas de título de Glover Teixeira e Charles do Bronx, além dos planos de retorno do UFC ao Brasil e a volta de Fedor Emelianenko no Bellator.
75 min
1636
Fighter vs. Writer | Matt Brown: People Are ‘Ov...
Matt Brown joins Fighter vs. Writer to preview his fight with Bryan Barberena as well as give his reaction to Aspen Ladd's coach and the way he gave her advice at UFC Vegas 40.
50 min
1637
On To the Next One: Matches To Make After UFC V...
On the 63rd 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 40 event at the APEX. Future matchups were discussed for Norma Dumont following her unanimous decision win over Aspen Ladd in the featherweight main event, Andrei Arlovski, Jim Miller, Manon Fiorot, Nate Landwehr, and more.
80 min
1638
UFC Vegas 40 Post-Fight Show | Jim Miller Steal...
Norma Dumont picked up the unanimous decision win over Aspen Ladd in the main event of UFC Vegas 40. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and E. Casey Leydon break down Dumont's tactical victory, Ladd's corner advice being a big story throughout the fight, Jim Miller's incredible performance, and more.
46 min
1639
UFC Vegas 40 & Bellator 268 Preview Show: Is Ba...
Aspen Ladd faces Norma Dumont in the featherweight main event of UFC Vegas 40, while the finalists for the light heavyweight grand prix will be determined when champ Vadim Nemkov faces Julius Anglickas, while heavyweight champion Ryan Bader faces Corey Anderson at Bellator 268. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and E. Casey Leydon discuss those matchups, along with the top storylines ahead of Saturday’s doubleheader.
65 min
1640
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
1641
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
1642
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
1643
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
1644
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
1645
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
1646
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
1647
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
1648
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
1649
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
1650
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