MMA Fighting

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.

Sports
News
Sports News
176
HOAM | Managing Expectations For UFC 300, Nate ...
Despite the event being three months away, UFC 300 is the talk of the MMA world right now. With lofty expectations, every fight announcement seems to be met with criticism. But is that actually fair with only five fights made official, and still upwards of 10 more to be announced? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the reactions to UFC 300 thus far, and why managing expectations is the most important thing fans can do right now. Additionally, listener questions include Nate Diaz's tweet teasing a return at UFC 300, why that likely won't happen, the current pay-per-view slate for the UFC, Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval 2 now set for UFC Mexico City, what could headline the UFC's debut in Saudi Arabia, Aljamain Sterling's featherweight outlook, 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.
69 min
177
BTL | Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua, Dana ...
With the new year comes big fights — not just for the UFC, but also for Francis Ngannou as he's set to clash with Anthony Joshua in a boxing match in March. What is at stake for the current PFL star, and what does his future now hold in the world of MMA? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to the booking of Ngannou vs. Joshua, what Ngannou has to gain and lose in the bout, and what comes next regardless of result. Additionally, they'll discuss Dana White announcing Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 299, Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, if the excitement levels are up thus for with the matchmaking in 2024, Saturday's UFC Vegas 84 event headlined by Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall stating their cases, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell.
95 min
178
HOAM | Reaction To Dana White Announcing First ...
UFC CEO Dana White has announced the first title fight for UFC 300, with the expectation that there will be more on the way as Zhang Weili will put her strawweight title on the line against Yan Xiaonan in the promotion's first all-Chinese world championship bout. While some are excited about the matchup, there are other fans who didn't seem all that enthused by the reveal. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the 115-pound championship fight announcement, discusses why it's a very good addition to the card as it stands right now, and what could be next for the winner. Additionally, listener questions include the rest of UFC 300 and how it will look, the importance keeping expectations realistic, what could headline the event, why UFC 297 could have some impact on what the UFC 300 main event could end up being, 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.
72 min
179
No Bets Barred: 2024 UFC Champion Futures, Plus...
No Bets Barred returns with a mega-episode to kick of the 2024 fight year as Conor Burks and Jed Meshew breakdown all of UFC Vegas 84 plus give their Future bets for 2024 UFC champions.
78 min
180
Jim Miller Talks UFC 300, Retirement Plans and ...
Jim Miller previews his return to action at UFC Vegas 84, his plans to still fight at UFC 300, what has changed regarding his plans for retirement and much more.
44 min
181
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Feud: Who's Right an...
Two men who hold championship belts in the UFC's heavyweight division have been going back-and-forth on social media. Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall are stating their cases, but which fighter is right, and which one is wrong? Moderator Mike Heck is joined by Eric Jackman, representing Jones, and Jed Meshew, who is representing Aspinall, as they explain why their fighter is correct in the situation, what they could be doing differently, the UFC not getting any blame for some reason, and offering up their honest opinions about the situation.
36 min
182
HOAM | Francis Ngannou's MMA Future, Jon Jones ...
Francis Ngannou left the UFC and has made it work better than anybody in recent memory, and with another massive boxing match ahead of him against Anthony Joshua in March, many want to know if Ngannou will still have any interest in returning to MMA competition. If you're the PFL, are you worried Ngannou may not have that interest? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Ngannou's MMA future following his appearance on The MMA Hour, and why things could get real interesting if he beats Joshua. Additionally, listener topics include the Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan fight announcements, Sean O'Malley's star power, what could be next for Justin Gaethje, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall's back-and-forth on social media, 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.
59 min
183
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Teases UFC 300 R...
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown reveals recent conversations about potentially returning at UFC 300 plus we talk about Conor McGregor’s return, Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua and what we want to see most in 2024.
96 min
184
Trocação Franca | Johnny Walker mira Alex Poata...
Johnny Walker tem planos ousados para 2024. De revanche marcada com Magomed Ankalaev para o UFC deste sábado, ele contou ao Trocação Franca que quer garantir chance pelo cinturão de Alex Poatan no histórico UFC 300, em abril. O podcast traz, ainda, entrevistas com Jean Silva, Nikolas Motta e Felipe Bunes, que lutam no mesmo card.
65 min
185
Emergency Reaction: Dana White Announces Poirie...
UFC CEO Dana White promised he would be announcing some big fights, and he certainly came through with a pair of massive bouts in the promotion's best division. On Sunday night, White revealed that former interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier will face the surging Benoit Saint-Denis in the five-round co-main event of UFC 299, which takes place March 9 in Miami, and former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will look to stop the title push of Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April. Following the big news, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew react to the pair of high-stakes 155-pound matchups, discuss which piece of business is more surprising, White saying that the Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan winner gets champ Islam Makhachev next and where that leaves Justin Gaethje, which fighter has the most to lose, early predictions, and more.
33 min
186
On To the Next One 2024 Predictions Extravaganz...
Following a chaotic and unpredictable 2023 in the world of MMA, 2024 is shaping up to be even crazier — both in and out of the cage. Could this be a year that will see stars such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones compete multiple times? Will Khamzat Chimaev finally get his hands on UFC gold? Will Francis Ngannou continue to shake up the boxing world, and also make his MMA return? On a very special edition of On To the Next One, those questions — and a lot more — are presented during the 2024 predictions extravaganza. Hosts Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee will go through a slew of buy/sell questions presented by listeners about a variety of topics, including McGregor, Jones, Ngannou, Sean Strickland, Dana White, Colby Covington, Israel Adesanya, Nate Diaz, and much more. Additionally, they will make their choices for who will end the year as UFC champions in each division, along with their bold and spicy predictions for the world of MMA in 2024.
124 min
187
Emergency Reaction: Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony...
Francis Ngannou's first fight of 2024 is booked, and it will take place in the boxing ring, not an MMA cage. As MMA Fighting confirmed on Friday, Ngannou will face Anthony Joshua in a 10-round boxing match that is targeted for March, although the date is currently not finalized at this time. Following Ngannou making the decision to leave the UFC as heavyweight champion in early 2023, he went on to sign with the PFL before taking Tyson Fury to the limit in his pro boxing debut in October. Now, "The Predator" gets another massive opportunity to shake things up in boxing's heavyweight division. Following the news being announced, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Eric Jackman react to the news, how it benefits both fighters, discuss what it means for Ngannou's MMA future, early predictions, and more.
27 min
188
HOAM | Would You Want To See Nick Diaz Return A...
UFC 300 will be here before we know it, and everyone seems to have an idea of what the historic UFC pay-per-view event should look like. With Conor McGregor announcing he's fighting Michael Chandler in June, the main event — along with the full supporting cast — remains a mystery. So what would be your ideal UFC 300 lineup? On a special edition of Heck of a Morning (in the afternoon), MMA Fighting's Mike Heck takes your UFC 300 fight card suggestions. Additionally, he'll answer your questions about anything and everything as it relates to the crazy world of MMA, interim champ Tom Aspinall tweeting his thoughts about Stipe Miocic getting a title shot vs. Jon Jones over him, whether or not Nick Diaz should return at UFC 300, 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.
81 min
189
BTL | Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, UFC ...
According to Conor McGregor, his return is set against Michael Chandler at the UFC's International Fight Week in June. Although the promotion has yet to officially announce, it appears as if we'll see the sport's biggest star before the second half of 2024. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to McGregor's announcement that his bout with Chandler will not take place at UFC 300, but on June 29, along with the opening odds giving McGregor a slight edge. Additionally, the panel takes your questions about the bouts currently on the table for April's UFC 300 event, Leon Edwards saying he'll be defending his welterweight title on the card, what could be the main event, other big stories in the sport with the UFC on break until next Saturday, and more.
77 min
190
HOAM | What In the World Will Headline UFC 300?
Conor McGregor announced his octagon return against Michael Chandler, but according the former two-division world champ, it will not be happening at UFC 300 as many were predicting. With the UFC's 2024 calendar filling up rapidly, what fight will headline one of the promotion's biggest and monumental events? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the McGregor vs. Chandler announcement for June 29, if it is a mistake by the UFC to not have the fight headline UFC 300, and what the UFC could do in order to make that all-important main event spot pop. Additionally, listener topics include a potential Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad fight, if Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira should get the shot at Islam Makhachev, the UFC's future at the APEX, the promotion's debut in Saudi Arabia still without a headliner, 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.
76 min
191
2024 UFC Champions Predictions: Who Will Hold U...
Who will be our 11 UFC champions by the end of 2024? The gang is BACK to predict the upcoming championship slate and debate the biggest winners and biggest upsets of the next 12 months.
84 min
192
DAMN! They Were Good | Right Leg Hospital, Left...
DAMN! They Were Good celebrates the careers of our favorite fighters in MMA history. On this episode, the MMA Fighting staff takes a deep dive into the legendary career of Mirko Cro Cop.
125 min
193
On To the Next One | 2023 Predictions Recap
With 2023 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 2023 was going to bring. Topics include Conor McGregor's activity for the year, whether or not Jon Jones would retire at some point, if Dana White would be punished for what happened at the start of the year, what the year could bring for the likes of Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Shavkat Rahkmonov, and Khamzat Chimaev, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more. In addition, we will need you help for part two: our 2024 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. 4 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like.
45 min
194
BTL's 2023 Promotional Festivus | Grading the B...
With just a couple of days left in the year, it’s almost time to say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like this past year — and a lot that needs to be improved upon, from the UFC, to PFL, 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 grade the UFC for their 2023 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 duo do the same for PFL, Bellator's year prior to the merger, ONE Championship, BKFC, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, other ideas to bring into 2024, and what could be the breakout promotion in the space for the upcoming year.
98 min
195
2023 Year-End Awards Spectacular: Celebrating T...
The MMA world will never forget the insanity of 2023. Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most unbelievable moments of 2023 in a special year-end retrospective.
69 min
196
Trocação Franca | UFC, jornalismo e futuro do M...
2023 chegou ao fim e o mundo do MMA inicia um novo ano com mais perguntas do que o costume. O Trocação Franca recebe em seu último episódio da temporada o líder do Connect Cast, Alexandre Lemos, para analisar o esporte por diversos prismas, do papel da imprensa às próximas conquistas dentro do octógono em uma resenha de 1 hora de duração O podcast traz, ainda, Bibiano Fernandes explicando com exclusividade sua saída do ONE Championship, e o invicto Igor Tanabe comentando a carreira no RIZIN.
98 min
197
Fighter vs. Writer: 2023 Year In Review With Al...
Take a trip back through 2023 as The Fighter vs. The Writer digs into the biggest stories from the past year including Jon Jones making his return, Sean Strickland pulling off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history and much more.
72 min
198
Belal Muhammad Fires Back at Leon Edwards, Tras...
Belal Muhammad reacts to Leon Edwards ignoring him as the No. 1 contender in the division and he blasts ‘pathetic’ Colby Covington for his pre-fight comments followed by an abysmal performance at UFC 296
31 min
199
HOAM | Reaction To Dana White's UFC 300 Fight A...
UFC CEO Dana White dropped a slew of fight announcements on Thursday, including the first bouts for the historic UFC 300 event in April. While White didn't drop the main event, he did drop some interesting bouts such as Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar, Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic, and the return of Bo Nickal. Do those fights make you feel as if the PPV lineup will be the most stacked card we've had in a few years? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the UFC 300 bouts, along with White announcing Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa, and the moving up of Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal, Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega 2 for Mexico City, and Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot for UFC Atlantic City in March. Additionally, listener questions include Alex Pereira potentially teasing a move up to heavyweight to try and win a third UFC divisional title, Alexa Grasso and Zhang Weili's respectful back and forth, Parker Porter's UFC release, 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.
91 min
200
BTL | UFC 296 Fallout, Year-End Awards Preview ...
With the conclusion of UFC 296, the UFC's 2023 campaign is over, and that means it's almost time to hand out some hardware as the MMA Fighting year-end awards are just around the corner. The panel will preview the 2023 awards following a quick look back at UFC 296, Colby Covington's head scratching performance against Leon Edwards, and more. This week, the panel of MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and E. Casey Leydon preview the MMA Fighting 2023 year-end awards and reveal their top-five nominees for Fighter of the Year and discuss where Sean Strickland fits in after his unbelievable year, along with Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year, Submission of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. They'll also discuss if there are any snubs, why their list came to be, if 2023 was the craziest year in the history of the sport, and much more.
73 min