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
2001
What the Heck: Episode 20 | Colby Covington, Mi...
On this week's episode of What the Heck, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks with Michael Chandler (11:50) to recap his first-round finish of Benson Henderson in the main event of Bellator 243 this past Friday night, and becoming a free agent. Bellator women's flyweight Valerie Loureda (43:38) discusses her second-round TKO win over Tara Graff at Bellator 243, the viral dance celebration, and the difficult road to get to the fight. UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal (1:05:24) talks his unanimous decision win over Peter Barrett at UFC Vegas 6 this past Saturday and becoming the first fighter on the roster to win three fights in 2020. EA UFC 4 creative director Brian Hayes (1:31:25) gives you an inside look at the video game's worldwide release on Friday, changes made compared to EA UFC 3, and answers some FAQ from social media about the game. Finally, we replay our exclusive interview with former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington (1:53:58) as he gives an update on the targeted Sept. 19 matchup with rival Tyron Woodley.
137 min
2002
The A-Side Live Chat: Stipe Miococ vs. Daniel C...
For this episode, MMA Fighting’s José Youngs, Alex Savas, and Esther Lin break down some of the top stories in MMA.
56 min
2003
Colby Covington Gives Update On Tyron Woodley F...
Colby Covington joined MMA Fighting's Mike Heck for an exclusive interview to provide an update on the targeted Sept. 19 fight with Tyron Woodley, his thoughts on Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251 and the current landscape of the welterweight division, the UFC 252 main event between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, and more.
23 min
2004
Between the Links: Episode 11 | Stipe Miocic vs...
Check out episode 11 of Between the Links as Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs and Alex K. Lee as they give their takes on which three fighters had the best performances from this past weekend’s UFC Vegas 6 and Bellator 243 events. In addition, the panel discusses who Michael Chandler should fight next now that he is a free agency—and where he will ultimately land—where the UFC 252 heavyweight championship main event between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier ranks on the all-time title fight list, give their grades on Saturday night’s event overall on paper, and more.
56 min
2005
On To the Next One: Episode 4 | Matches To Make...
In the fourth episode of On to the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaker hats following Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 6 event at the UFC APEX. Future fights were discussed for headliners Derrick Lewis and Alexey Oleinik, co-main event winner Chris Weidman, Darren Stewart, Yana Kunitzkaya, Beneil Dariush, Kevin Holland, and more.
34 min
2006
UFC Vegas 6 Post-Fight Show
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, Alex K. Lee and E. Casey Leydon break down the top storylines from Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 6 event at the UFC APEX, including Derrick Lewis’ second-round finish of Alexey Oleinik in the heavyweight main event.
66 min
2007
UFC Vegas 6 Preview Show
With UFC Vegas 6 just hours away, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jose Youngs and Alex K. Lee break down the top storylines, including the heavyweight main event between Derrick Lewis and Alexey Oleinik.
25 min
2008
Sean O’Malley talks UFC 252, new contract, Cody...
Ahead of his co-main event fight at UFC 252, "Suga" Sean O'Malley speaks with Damon Martin about his new contract, Marlon "Chito" Vera, his recent war of words with Cody Garbrandt and much more.
15 min
2009
What the Heck: Episode 19 | Marlon Vera, Kevin ...
On this week's episode of What the Heck, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck speaks to Marlon Vera (3:56) to preview his UFC 252 co-main event fight against Sean O'Malley on Aug. 15. Mike Hamel (23:21) discusses making his Bellator debut on short notice against Adam Borics at Friday night's Bellator 243 event. Kevin Holland (42:25) recaps his chaotic week as he prepares to face newcomer Joaquin Buckley at UFC Vegas 6 this Saturday night. Finally, Ashley Yoder (56:26) talks her strawweight matchup with Livinha Souza at UFC 252 in Las Vegas.
71 min
2010
The A-Side Live Chat: Derek Brunson’s TKO over ...
For this episode, MMA Fighting’s José Youngs, Guilherme Cruz and E. Casey Leydon break down some of the top stories in MMA.
66 min
2011
Between the Links, Episode 10: What’s Next For ...
Check out episode 10 of Between the Links as Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and journalist Anthony Walker to discuss where Edmen Shahbazyan goes after the first loss of his career to Derek Brunson in the main event of UFC Vegas 5. In addition, the panel discusses which card is better this weekend between UFC Vegas 6 and Bellator 243, which upcoming UFC title fight is the most competitive, Cody Garbrandt’s potential move to 125 to challenge Deiveson Figueiredo, and more.
47 min
2012
On To the Next One, Episode 3: Matches To Make ...
In the third episode of On to the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaker hats following Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 5 event at the UFC APEX. Future fights were discussed for headliners Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan, co-main eventers Jennifer Maia and Joanne Calderwood, Vicente Luque, Bobby Green, and more.
27 min
2013
UFC Vegas 5 Post-Fight Show
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Alex K. Lee and E. Casey Leydon break down the top storylines following UFC Vegas 5 Saturday night at the UFC APEX, including Derek Brunson’s third-round finish of Edmen Shahbazyan in the middleweight headliner.
81 min
2014
UFC Vegas 5 Preview Show
With UFC Vegas 5 just hours away, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jose Youngs break down the top storylines of Saturday night's event at the UFC APEX, including the main event between Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan.
12 min
2015
What the Heck: Episode 18 | Carla Esparza, Mane...
On this week’s episode of What the Heck, Mike Heck chats with Carla Esparza as she recaps her UFC on ESPN 14 win over Marina Rodriguez, talks being ready for a big fight next, which includes a title fight with Zhang Weili. Manel Kape explains why he’ll no longer be making his octagon debut at UFC 252, his thoughts on Deiveson Figueiredo’s flyweight title win, and why he loves the idea of Cody Garbrandt potentially dropping down to 125. UFC heavyweight Tanner Boser recaps his second-round TKO win over Raphael Pessoa at UFC on ESPN 14, talks a potential matchup with Maurice Greene, a recent Twitter contest he introduced, and more. In addition, Curtis Millender previews his upcoming fight with Sabah Homasi at Bellator 243, and Jesse Ronson explains how his first-round submission win over Nicolas Dalby at UFC on ESPN 14 almost didn’t happen.
90 min
2016
The A-Side Live Chat Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. J...
For this episode, Sarah Kaufman joins José Youngs and E. Casey Leydon to discuss some of the hot topics in MMA.
62 min
2017
Dana White Announces Khabib Nurmadomedov vs. Ju...
Moments after UFC president Dana White made the announcement, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jose Youngs react to the lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje being booked for Oct. 24.
10 min
2018
Roy Jones Jr. Talks 'Hammers and Nails' Fight W...
Former four-division world boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to discuss his eight-round boxing exhibition fight with Mike Tyson Sept. 12, his reaction to the booking, still being open to a boxing match with Anderson Silva, and more.
16 min
2019
Between the Links: Episode 9 | Robert Whittaker...
Check out episode 9 of Between the Links as Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Alex K. Lee and Jed Meshew discussing Robert Whittaker's win over Darren Till in the UFC on ESPN 14 main event, Dan Hardy and Herb Dean's confrontation, grading Bellator's return this past Friday, a look ahead to the UFC's return to Las Vegas on Saturday night, and more.
49 min
2020
On to the Next One: Episode 2 | Matches to Make...
MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alex K. Lee give their takes on what should be next for some of the notable names following UFC on ESPN 14.
35 min
2021
UFC on ESPN 14 Post-Fight Show
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs and Alex K. Lee break down the top storylines following UFC on ESPN 14 Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, including Robert Whittaker’s unanimous decision win over Darren Till in the main event.
96 min
2022
UFC on ESPN 14 Preview Show
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and José Youngs break down all the top storylines heading into Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 card headlined by a middleweight matchup between Robert Whittaker and Darren Till, and featuring a number of notable names including Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Fabricio Werdum, Alexander Gustafsson, and Carla Esparza.
15 min
2023
What the Heck: Episode 17 | Calvin Kattar, Bran...
Check out episode 17 of What the Heck on MMA Fighting as Mike Heck chats with Calvin Kattar (3:48) to discuss his UFC on ESPN 13 main event win over Dan Ige, Alexander Volkanovski's win over Max Holloway, how he matches up with both of those guys, and more. Top UFC flyweight contenders Alex Perez (22:29) and Brandon Moreno (48:26) state their cases for Deiveson Figueiredo's first title defense following the new champion's first round finish of Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Island 2. Finally, Modestas Bukauskas (1:10:27) recaps his first-round TKO win over Andreas Michailidis at UFC on ESPN 13, the controversy that seemed to surround it, and what he wants next.
95 min
2024
The A-Side Live Chat | Deiveson Figueiredo’s ti...
José Youngs, Alex Savas, and E. Casey Leydon discuss some of the hot topics in mixed martial arts.
85 min
2025
Between the Links: Episode 8 | Future of UFC 12...
Check out episode 8 of Between the Links as Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Alex K. Lee and Steven Marrocco as they discuss Deiveson Figueiredo's impressive flyweight title victory at UFC Fight Island 2 and what it means for the flyweight division. In addition, the panel discusses the Fight Island experience thus far, Dana White's hesitation to name Aljamain Sterling the no. 1 contender for Petr Yan's bantamweight title, and the return of Bellator MMA this Friday at Mohegan Sun.
51 min