MMA Fighting

UFC 315 was capped off by Jack Della Maddalena becoming the brand new UFC welterweight champion following a thrilling battle with Belal Muhammad in the main event. Does the result officially lock down a champ vs. champ fight with lightweight king, and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev? Following Saturday's pay-per-view card, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Della Maddalena's title win, what a potential fight with Makhachev could look like, what's next for Muhammad, and who from the outside of UFC 315 lost the most with the result of the main event. Additionally, they'll recap Valentina Shevchenko's decision win over Manon Fiorot to retain her women's flyweight title, Aiemann Zahabi defeating Jose Aldo via controversial decision in, what appears to be, Aldo's final fight, other standout moments, and more. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠⁠@m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠⁠@JedKMeshew⁠⁠ 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

Belal Muhammad and Valentina Shevchenko are set for their first title defenses. This Saturday, at UFC 315 in Montreal, Quebec, Muhammad puts his welterweight title on the line against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event, while Shevchenko starts her second women’s flyweight title run against Manon Fiorot. Will both new champions keep their belts are are the welterweight and women’s flyweight divisions in for more changeover? Ahead of Saturday’s pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew preview UFC 315, weigh how good the card is versus how much interest its drawing, breakdown the two title fights atop the card, talk about Jose Aldo’s fight with Aiemann Zahabi and the weight class shenanigans, answer listener questions, and more. 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

UFC 315 goes down this Saturday in Montreal with two title fights, including the Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena main event for the UFC welterweight title, as well as Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot for the women's flyweight title. While the card — most notably the pay-per-view portion — is pretty good, the buzz doesn't seem to be in the air for this particular event. Why is that? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel talks the big storylines ahead of UFC 315, the fan reaction to the card, the two title fights, and who could steal the show. Additionally, they'll recap the big moments from this past weekend, boxing's tough weekend, #ufcdesmoines, Cory Sandhagen's big main event win, Bo Nickal suffering his first pro loss and the backlash he's received, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Alexander K. Lee and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠⁠@m_heckjr⁠⁠ Follow Alexander K. Lee: ⁠⁠@AlexanderKLee⁠ 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

The UFC is back in Montreal. This Saturday, the UFC is headed back to the 514 for UFC 315 which goes down at the Bell Centre and is headlined by a pair of title fights. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko puts her newly reclaimed flyweight title on the line against the surging Manon Fiorot, and then in the main event, Belal Muhammad puts his welterweight strap up against rising contender Jack Della Maddalena. And, of course, No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by Canada's favorite son, Alexander K. Lee, to dive into all things UFC 315. Topics discussed include whether Della Maddalena can offer Muhammad any real resistance, whether Shevchenko should be an underdog to Fiorot, the GOAT Jose Aldo, which underdogs are live on Saturday, the latest updates on The Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 127 of No Bets Barred. 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

Before Belal Muhammad defends the UFC welterweight title for the first time against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315, check out MMA Fighting’s UFC 315 Timeline to look back on how both fighters got to their championship bout this Saturday at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠@mikeheck_jr⁠ Follow E. Casey Leydon: ⁠@ekc 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to Reinier de Ridder knocking out Bo Nickal and the criticism Nickal has received after the loss. Plus, we’ll look ahead at UFC 315 and discuss the toughest possible matchup for Belal Muhammad at welterweight and why women’s MMA has seemingly been struggling lately with no new stars emerging plus more. 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

Cory Sandhagen did everything in his power Saturday to prove he deserves bantamweight title consideration. In the UFC Des Moines main event, Sandhagen dominated two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and looked to be cruising to a decision or a clean finish when the bout was stopped just before the end of Round 2 due to a Figueiredo injury. Even with that unfortunate ending, there should be no question Sandhagen is worthy of a championship shot. But does the UFC see him as the No. 1 contender? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, Alexander K. Lee goes solo to discuss what’s next for Sandhagen with bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili set to defend in a rematch against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 on June 7. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Reinier de Ridder after he humbled Bo Nickal, what to do with Nickal following his first loss in MMA, veteran welterweight Daniel Rodriguez, main card bantamweight winners Montel Jackson and Serhey Sidey, and the returning Mason Jones. Plus, some great listener picks to round out an otherwise dreary combat sports weekend. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠⁠@m_heckjr⁠⁠ Follow Alexander K. Lee: ⁠⁠@AlexanderKLee 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

Cory Sandhagen ended the night with a lopsided performance, and then a finish of Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC Des Moines. Despite the TKO victory coming via injury, Sandhagen's showing was outstanding, and believes he's done enough to earn a title shot. Is he correct? Following Saturday's UFC Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to the event, along with The Ring's doubleheader that left a lot to be desired, and may have created one of the roughest weekends for boxing in quite some time. Additionally, they discuss Sandhagen in the bantamweight title picture, Reinier de Ridder's handing Bo Nickal his first pro loss with a nasty body shot knockout, other highlights from the fight card, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠@mikeheck_jr⁠ Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠@JedKMeshew⁠ 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

The UFC returns to Iowa for the first time in nearly 25 years this Saturday for UFC Des Moines, headlined by a bantamweight contest between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Just one sleep away from the event, MMA Fighting's Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew preview Saturday's card, discuss what's at stake for Sandhagen and Figgy Smalls, break down the pivotal co-main event matchup between Bo Nickal and Reiner de Ridder, dive into the best undercard action this weekend, take fan questions, and more. Follow Alexander K. Lee: ⁠@AlexanderKLee⁠ Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠⁠@JedKMeshew⁠⁠ 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

It was a crazy weekend in the combat sports world this past weekend with MMA and boxing delivering big moments — such as Eddie Hall's crazy 30-second knockout win at KSW 105, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn's instant classic, and Ian Machado Garry's gutsy decision win over Carlos Prates in the main event of UFC Kansas City. This weekend, it's another busy time for the combat sports world, and the #UFC is returning to Des Moines, Iowa for a Fight Night card headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel fields questions from the listeners about all of the action in the combat sports world, including Saturday's UFC event, the plethora of boxing events featuring the likes of Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Canelo Alvarez, and what fight stands out most. Additionally, topics may include the UFC's welterweight division, UFC 317 still not having a main event with the card less than two months away, Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, and much more. Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew for a special Q&A edition of the program. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠@mikeheck_jr⁠ Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠@JedKMeshew⁠ 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

The UFC is heading to Iowa for the first time in nearly 25 years. This Saturday, UFC Des Moines marks the UFC's first trip to the Hawkeye State since UFC 26 in 2000 as the promotion brings a stacked Fight Night card to the capitol city, headlined by a bantamweight matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. So, of course, No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by The Action Network's Billy Ward to dive into the UFC Des Moines card. Topics discussed include why "Figgy Smalls" is such a big underdog in the main event, how Jed's boy Reiner de Ridder might fair against super-prospect Bo Nickal, what other underdogs are live bets for this week, the latest discussion on The Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 126 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠@JedKMeshew⁠ Follow Billy Ward: ⁠@PsychoWard586⁠ ⁠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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the UFC Kansas City card and Ian Machado Garry calling for the next title shot following his win over Carlos Prates. Plus we’ll discuss Anthony Smith’s retirement fight and Brown explains why he’s against fighters making those kinds of announcements before calling it a career. We also discuss the pressure on Bo Nickal, Tom Aspinall waiting for Jon Jones and much more. 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

Ian Machado Garry showed once again he can hang with anyone in the welterweight division, gutting out a five-round win over the white hot Carlos Prates in Saturday’s UFC Kansas City main event. But should fans be concerned about Prates nearly putting Garry down in the fifth? Does Garry need to fight again to cement a title opportunity? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what’s next for Garry as he plans a trip to Montreal to be the backup for Belal Muhammad’s welterweight championship defense against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Zhang Mingyang after he sent Anthony Smith into a bloody retirement, featherweight dark horse contender David Onama, Randy Brown following his Knockout of the Year-candidate against Nicolas Dalby, plus middleweights Abus Magomedov, Ikram Aliskerov, and more. All that and the Eddie Hall matchup that HAS to happen. Follow Mike Heck: ⁠@m_heckjr⁠ Follow Alexander K. Lee: ⁠@AlexanderKLee 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

Ian Machado Garry looked like he was cruising to a flawless victory in the UFC Kansas City main event through nearly 18 minutes, but Carlos Prates turned things around in a big way — nearly finishing Garry in the fifth. In the end, Garry gets back in the win column, and is now the backup fighter for the welterweight title fight at UFC 315. Following Saturday's Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Garry's victory, being named the backup fighter by Dana White, and Prates' stock following his first promotional loss. Additionally, they discuss Anthony Smith's first-round stoppage loss in his final fight against Zhang Mingyang in the co-main event, Randy Brown's Knockout of the Year contender, and other notable moments from the UFC's return to Kansas City. Follow Mike Heck: @mikeheck_jr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

The UFC is back in Missouri and it brought a banger of a main event. On Saturday, UFC Kansas City goes down from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, headlined by a welterweight scrap between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates. Garry is coming off his near upset of Shavkat Rakhmonov in December, while Prates is one of the faces of the Fighting Nerds revolution that has taken the UFC by storm. So, who wins this main event and what’s at stake on Saturday? Ahead of this weekend’s action, MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew preview the main event between Garry and Prates, discuss what’s at stake for the winner, wax poetic on the career of Anthony Smith as he makes his final walk to the octagon, highlight some low-key bangers, and even spend some time talking about the World’s Strongest Fight between Mariusz Pudzianowski and Eddie Hall at KSW 105 on Saturday. Plus, Lee and Meshew answer fan questions and reaction to some breaking news! Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠@JedKMeshew⁠ 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

Even after a UFC-less weekend, the news cycle is buzzing about what could headline UFC 317 — the promotion's annual International Fight Week card in #LasVegas. With former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria teasing news, could he be involved in the main event, and if not, what could be the big fight on the card? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses that topic, how Topuria could be involved, and the UFC's conundrum with the event coming up in two months without a main event. Additionally, they'll discuss UFC Kansas City this Saturday headlined by Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates, the fight of the weekend between Eddie Hall and Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 105, Dricus du Plessis' statement about injury rumors, and much more. Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew for a special fan Q&A episode of the program to discuss the big amount of news in the sport. Follow Mike Heck: @mikeheck_jr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

With the 2025 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 28 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, BKFC, and newcomer GFL. Other promoters include 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 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

The UFC is back! This Saturday, the UFC returns after a week off for its third trip to Kansas City, with a dynamite welterweight matchup between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates headlining the card. UFC Kansas City also features the retirement fight for Anthony Smith, and a stacked main card, so, of course, No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to break down all the action. Topics discussed include a brief recap of his successful UFC 314 venture, who he likes in the main event between Garry and Prates, whether or not Smith can end his career on a high note, which underdogs are worth a look at on Saturday, the latest step in The Climb, the majestic Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Eddie Hall matchup over at KSW, and more. Tune in for episode 125 of No Bets Barred. 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin preview the UFC Kansas City main event between Carlos Prates and Ian Machado Garry, we pay tribute to Anthony Smith ahead of his final fight, Matt's concern for Paddy Pimblett after revealing his 40-pound weight gain after beating Michael Chandler plus we look back on CM Punk's ill fated attempt at becoming a UFC fighter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paddy Pimblett battered, bloodied, and eventually stopped Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 this past Saturday in #Miami, and now the ceiling appears to have been raised as to how high Pimblett can go in the UFC's best division. Can Pimblett find his way to UFC gold, and what's the next step to get him there? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel recaps Pimblett's outstanding performance against Chandler, his championship potential, and where "The Paddy" goes next. Additionally, topics include Alexander Volkanovski regaining the featherweight title against Diego Lopes in the main event, the featherweight GOAT discussion with this latest accomplishment, Jean Silva destroying Bryce Mitchell, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and José Youngs. Follow Mike Heck: @mikeheck_jr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs 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