MMA Fighting

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with a brand new episode as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discuss the latest in combat sports including how the UFC has embraced marketing and promoting athletes in way that boxing never has. Brown argues that boxing promoters are still stuck in the 1990s when it comes to their methodology trying to build interest in the sport while the UFC continues to run circles around them. We’ll also talk about Mike Perry’s latest win in BKFC and how he became the perfect person to serve as the face of bare-knuckle fighting. Plus we’ll discuss Jose Aldo coming back from retirement to fight at UFC 301 and if he’s returning for the right reasons? All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer! Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Perez has the weight of the world on his shoulders, likely putting his UFC career on the line against Matheus Nicolau in the main event of UFC Vegas 91. In the end, the one-time UFC title challenger was able to pick up his first win inside the octagon in nearly four years with a sensational knockout of Nicolau to close the show on Saturday. Now that he's back in the win column, what should come next for Perez? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who Perez could face next following his big win. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Bogdan Guskov following his second-round finish of Ryan Spann in the co-main event, Karine Silva after earning a hard fought unanimous decision victory over Ariane da Silva in the featured flyweight bout, along with fellow main card winners Jhonata Diaz, David Onama, Uros Medic, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Perez needed a win more than anybody on Saturday's UFC Vegas 91 card, and he delivered in a big way with a ferocious knockout of Matheus Nicolau in the main event. After his first win in nearly four years, is Perez back to where he was a legitimate title threat? Following Saturday's UFC Fight Night event at the APEX, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric "New York Ric" Jackman react to Perez's victory and what it means in the 125 pound division. Additionally, the panel discusses Bogdan Guskov's big stoppage win over Ryan Spann in the co-main event, cage announcer Joe Martinez having to step away for a couple of fights and Charly Arnolt stepping in, Dominick Cruz's commentary, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a week off following UFC 300, the UFC returns to the APEX for UFC Vegas 91 — which will serve as the go-home show for next weekend's UFC 301 pay-per-view event. While absence does make the heart grow fonder, it's pretty clear from an interest standpoint this weekend that the UFC is playing second fiddle to BKFC, and their annual KnuckleMania fight card. Ahead of the weekend doubleheader, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee preview Saturday's KnuckleMania 4 and UFC Vegas 91 events. Additionally, they'll discuss Mike Perry's return to the BKFC ring as he faces Thiago Alves in the main event, Ben Rothwell vs. Todd Duffee, the UFC headliner between Matheus Nicolau and Alex Perez, how the card stacks up from top-to-bottom on paper, and answer your questions. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UFC is taking more Fight Night cards on the road recently than they have in quite some time. While the full card and main event quality hasn't been much different than we've seen in the last few years, could this mean the end of UFC Fight Night cards at the UFC APEX? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses whether or not this could be the beginning of the end for UFC APEX shows. Additionally, Mike answers questions about Mike Perry's return to action this weekend in Los Angeles at BKFC KnuckleMania 4 against Thiago Alves, and where he could go with a win, if UFC Vegas 91 is one of the worst UFC cards from top-to-bottom, where Matheus Nicolau would go with a victory over Alex Perez in the main event, 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. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UFC returns following a weekend off to digest the memorable UFC 300 event, but BKFC's Knucklemania 4 will likely get top billing in the interest department this weekend, most notably due to Mike Perry's return to the ring against Thiago Alves. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses both UFC Vegas 91 and Knucklemania cards this weekend, the UFC headliner between Matheus Nicolau and Alex Perez, Perry's star power and future in BKFC, along with Ben Rothwell vs. Todd Duffee. Additionally, topics include Dana White's victory lap against the media and what can be taken away from it, Ryan Garcia silencing the critics with an incredible showing against Devin Haney this past weekend, the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal press tour coming to an end and how much interest in generated, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Brian Campbell: @BCampbell Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the 2024 NFL Draft set to take place this week, it's once again time for the MMA Fighting team to don the hats of the premier combat sports promotions in the world and select the 35 fighters they would most want to have on roster to build a promotion around. Listen as Jed Meshew guides the action and the staff drafts seven fighters to their respective organizations: the UFC, PFL/Bellator, ONE Championship, BKFC, and newcomer KSW. Other promoters include Shaun Al-Shatti, Mike Heck, Damon Martin, and Alexander K. Lee. Who will be the first overall pick? And which drafter is best set up for the next five years? Tune in to find out. Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After delivering one of the craziest moments in UFC history against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Max Holloway has a lot of options in front of him — whether it be Ilia Topuria and the featherweight title, a shot at the lightweight belt, or even a huge rematch with Conor McGregor depending on what happens at UFC 303. But what is the best option for Holloway following the performance of a lifetime? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the options ahead for Holloway, and why the fight with Topuria is the way to go over all other options. Additionally, listener topics include the futures for fellow UFC 300 winners Bo Nickal and Diego Lopes, Deiveson Figueiredo's callout of Dominick Cruz, where Charles Oliveira goes from his loss to Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier's chances against Islam Makhachev at UFC 301, Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301, 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. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discussing the latest news in combat sports including Conor McGregor finally booking his return to action at UFC 303. It’s been three years since McGregor last fought, which raised some doubts about whether he would ever return to compete again, but he’s now scheduled to fight Michael Chandler in June. But what kind of expectations should we have for McGregor in 2024 with his last truly meaningful win coming all the way back in 2016 when he demolished Eddie Alvarez to become a two-division champion? How dangerous is Chandler as an opponent in McGregor’s return? Plus we’ll talk about Ryan Garcia pulling off a massive upset with his majority decision win over Devin Haney this past weekend. Garcia also wasted no time accepting a challenge from UFC champion Sean O’Malley but should we even entertain these callouts any longer? All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer! Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Jai White has the skills, but does he have the grit to survive the mean streets of “Blood and Bone?” On this episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review crew break out of the clink to follow the adventures of Bone (White), a man on a mission who batters and bruises his way through L.A.’s underground fight scene while crossing paths with real-life combat sports stars Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, and Bob Sapp. Featuring plenty of bloody battles-and some very, very NSFW language-this one ain’t for the faint of heart. Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, and E. Casey Leydon channel their inner “Just Bleed Guy” as they marvel at White’s dazzling martial arts skills, pick out some of the nastiest looking moves in the movie, and try to make heads or tails of some truly befuddling dialogue choices. How would Bone fare in the #UFC? Is Eamonn Walker a better villain than Conor McGregor? And is it really possible to jump in the air and kick four people at once? Dig into Blood and Bone with us for the answers to these questions and more. Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Poatan volta ao Trocação Franca ainda como campeão meio-pesado do UFC, após nocautear Jamahal Hill com requintes de crueldade cômica no UFC 300, e fala sobre a comemoração ao estilo Khaby, se havia sentimento de vingança por Glover Teixeira, quem será o próximo rival pelo título, se enfrentaria Tom Aspinall pelo terceiro cinturão em Manchester, e muito mais. O podcast traz, ainda, a íntegra da participação de Kyra Gracie no WebSummit, que rolou no Rio de Janeiro e contou com Guilherme Cruz como moderador. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. Alex Pereira returns to Trocação Franca — still as the UFC light heavyweight champion — after knocking out Jamahal Hill in vicious fashion at UFC 300 to discuss the victory, his Khaby-inspired celebration, if he felt like avenging Glover Teixeira, who’s next for the LHW belt, if he’s down to fighting Tom Aspinall for a third title in Manchester, and more. The podcast also features Kyra Gracie’s talk at this week’s WebSummit in Rio de Janeiro, which was moderated by MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz. Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every week to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world. Follow Guilherme Cruz: @Guicruzzz Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 300 is in the books, but the shockwaves from its results will be felt for years to come. Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, and Kayla Harrison were three of the biggest winners of the night. What lies ahead for these stars? Host Alexander K. Lee is joined by rankings wizards Jed Meshew and Damon Martin to discuss who made the farthest jumps up the charts this week, whether we overvalued or undervalued some of Saturday’s notable victories, which fighters are serious contenders and which are just pretenders in new divisions, where Holloway’s unreal knockout of Justin Gaethje ranks among the coolest moments in MMA history, plus much more. Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

O UFC 300 prometeu e entregou, e o Trocação Franca repercute uma das maiores noites da história do esporte na companhia de Coutinho, jornalista do Canal Encarada que estava em Las Vegas para acompanhar de perto as lutas de Alex Poatan e Charles do Bronx, o espetáculo entregue por Max Holloway e Justin Gaethje, e a ascensão de vários brasileiros. O podcast recebe ainda o empresário Jorge Guimarães “Joinha”, que explica por que “Poatan” não lutará no UFC Rio, sua possível ida para a categoria dos pesados, e muito mais. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. UFC 300 promised and delivered, and Trocação Franca breaks down the historic night of fights alongside Canal Encarada’s Coutinho, who was in the arena Saturday to cover key fights for Brazilian MMA in Alex Pereira and Charles Oliveira, plus the epic moment in Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje and the rise of new Brazilian blood. The podcast also welcomes Alex Pereira’s manager Jorge Guimarães to discuss why “Poatan” won’t fight at UFC 301, his potential move to heavyweight, and more. Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every week to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world. Follow Guilherme Cruz: @Guicruzzz Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 300 over exceeded the lofty expectations, and when the dust settled on the epic UFC pay-per-view event, Alex Pereira knocked out Jamahal Hill in quick fashion to retain his light heavyweight title, before calling for a heavyweight fight at UFC 301 in less than three weeks. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Pereira's sensational finish, if he should fight at heavyweight in Brazil next, who should be next for the title shot at 205, and where Hill goes from the loss. Additionally, they'll recap Max Holloway's history-shifting knockout of Justin Gaethje to win the BMF title, discuss the plethora of options in front of him, what's next for Gaethje, Zhang Weili's dominant win over Yan Xiaonan, other superlatives and storylines coming from Saturday's blockbuster card, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler announced for UFC 303, Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier and Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa set for UFC 302, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Eric "New York Ric" Jackman. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns post-UFC 300 with Alan Jouban and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin reacting to the biggest moments from the historic card. While it wasn’t the main event, Max Holloway still stole the show after he demolished Justin Gaethje with a last-second knockout in the “BMF” title fight. The spectacular finish has been replayed millions of times already but is that the greatest moment in UFC history? Also who should be next for Holloway following this momentous win? We’ll also discuss Alex Pereira beating his fifth UFC champion in only eight fights as he continues his ridiculous run since transitioning from kickboxing to MMA. What’s next for Pereira and should he actually consider heavyweight? Plus we’ll talk about Kayla Harrison’s unbelievable debut where she took out former champion Holly Holm inside two rounds. With the win has Harrison already jumped to the front of the line for a title shot against Raquel Pennington? We’ll talk about that and so much more in the aftermath of UFC 300 on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer! Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Pereira and Max Holloway closed out the incredible UFC 300 card with a pair of highlight-reel knockouts of Jamahal Hill and Justin Gaethje. Following their big wins, where do the two big UFC stars go from Saturday's historic night in Las Vegas? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Pereira after his first-round knockout of Hill to retain his light heavyweight title, Zhang Weili following her dominant title defense against an Yan Xiaonan, Holloway after delivering one of the greatest knockouts ever to win the BMF title against Justin Gaethje, along with fellow main card winners Arman Tsarukyan, Bo Nickal, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 300 was everything we wanted it to be. MMA Fighting's Shaun Al-Shatti, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew react to one of the most insane nights in UFC history, including Alex Pereira's knockout of Jamahal Hill, Max Holloway's all-time finish of Justin Gaethje, Zhang Weili's win over Yan Xiaonan, and much, much more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Relive the magic of UFC 300's live main card watch party with Mike Heck and Conner Burks! Check out the original UFC 300 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/t2Eu9xvtmT4?si=ohADQUMZjIvHcau1 Timestamps: Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage (4:11:30) Nickal submits Brundage in Round 2 (4:22:01) Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan (4:37:45) Tsarukyan wins split decision after competitive battle (5:01:25) Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway BMF title fight (5:22:07) Holloway knocks Gaethje out cold in final second of fight (5:56:15) Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan (6:09:00) Weili nearly submits Yan in Round 1 (6:25:48) Weili wins decision (6:53:30) Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill (7:11:38) Pereira knocks out Hill in Round 1 (7:18:35) Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Relive the magic of UFC 300's live preliminary card watch party with Mike Heck and Conner Burks! Check out the original UFC 300 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/t2Eu9xvtmT4?si=ohADQUMZjIvHcau1 Timestamps: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt (7:47) Figueiredo taps Garbrandt in Round 2 (19:35) Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green (37:44) Green earns unanimous decision (58:30) Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez (1:07:40) Andrade wins split decision (1:28:35) Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano (1:34:35) Turner drops Moicano, confusingly walks off (1:40:40) Moicano finishes Turner in Round 2 (1:46:19) Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes (2:03:32) Lopes knocks out Yusuff in Round 1 (2:06:50) Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison (2:27:12) Harrison submits Holm in Round 2 (2:36:25) Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar (2:57:15) Sterling power bombs Kattar in Round 3 (3:14:15) Sterling wins unanimous decision (3:17:05) Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic (3:28:19) Prochazka knocks out Rakic in Round 2 (3:38:00) Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 300 is finally here! Ahead of Saturday's historic event, MMA Fighting's Shaun Al-Shatti, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew preview it all, including the main event between Pereira and Hill, the challenger's incredible confidence, and where both guys could go based on the result. Additionally, they'll discuss the co-main event for the strawweight title between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan, the highly anticipated BMF title fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira's return against Arman Tsarukyan, Bo Nickal, and much, much more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices