

MMA Fighting
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 4, 2023 • 1h 22min
Trocação Franca | Previsões para 2023: Brasil pode fazer história no UFC
Crise? O Brasil segue o único país a ter mais de um cinturão no UFC apesar das derrotas de Charles do Bronx e Glover Teixeira — e ainda pode chegar a cinco, caso Glover e Deiveson vençam no UFC Rio. O Trocação Franca recebe o narrador André Azevedo, voz do UFC Fight Pass Brasil, para apontar quem mais tem chances de trazer títulos em 2023. O podcast entrevista também Quemuel Ottoni, único algoz de Alex Poatan no MMA, e Lucas Hulk, ícone do jiu-jítsu, que lutam no PFL Challenger Series.Brazil remains the only country currently holding more than one UFC belt despite Charles Oliveira and Glover Teixeira's past defeats — and the country can get to five titles simultaneously if Teixeira and Deiveson Figueiredo are victorious at UFC 283. Trocação Franca welcomes UFC Fight Pass commentator Andre Azevedo to look at who else can bring titles to the country in 2023. The podcast also features interviews with PFL Challenger Series fighters Quemuel Ottoni, the only man to beat Alex Pereira in MMA, and jiu-jitsu ace Lucas Barbosa.Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every Wednesday to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world.Follow Guilherme Cruz @Guicruzzz
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Jan 3, 2023 • 1h 29min
HOAM | Reaction To Dana White Slapping His Wife During Physical Altercation
On Monday evening, a video of a physical altercation involving Dana White was released that showed the UFC president slap his wife on New Year's Eve. White subsequently spoke to TMZ to discuss what happened and that he and his wife both apologized to one another, but other big questions loom in the aftermath.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the video of the incident in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and asks what will be done in response from a UFC and Endeavor perspective moving forward, and what impact there would be if White were to step down, or be removed from his position. Additionally, listener topics include Damir Ismagulov retiring, the horrifying moment during Monday Night Football with Demar Hamlin, the future of the featherweight division should Alexander Volkanovski defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 283, Ilia Topuria's ceiling, 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
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Jan 3, 2023 • 1h 25min
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Gives His Picks for the Biggest Threats to Every Champion in the UFC in 2023
To kick off 2023, The Fighter vs. The Writer will look ahead and preview every division in the UFC and who sits as the biggest threat to the reigning champion.UFC welterweight Matt Brown will give his thoughts on every current champion including the chances that Francis Ngannou will return to the promotion and if his biggest obstacle at staying champion will be Jon Jones moving to heavyweight.Brown will also detail why he believes Henry Cejudo is the most dangerous threat to current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling or any other contender coming up at 135 pounds.What about lightweight where Islam Makhachev appears poised to make a long run as champion? Can anyone challenge him in 2023?Check out the full episode preview looking ahead at the UFC in 2023 on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!Subscribe: Apple PodcastsSubscribe: SpotifyRead More: MMA Fighting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
HOAM | Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN Takeaways, Grades, and a Splash Of Irony
The Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN co-promotional event is in the books, and there was a lot to unpack from the New Year's Eve extravaganza, including a hint of rich irony.On an all-new bonus edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck hits record and gives his overall reaction to the card, which took place at the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Topics include the grade for the event — and why the marks were skewed a bit higher — the matchups, A.J. McKee stealing the show for his main event fight against Roberto de Souza and potentially becoming the face of the promotion, the tape delay misstep, and how it led to an interesting discovery in the overall fallout of the event, thoughts on doing the concept again, other ideas on how it could be shaped together, how the build to the event got out of hand at times by taking focus off of what was important, 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.Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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Jan 1, 2023 • 1h 5min
On To the Next One | 2022 Predictions Recap
With 2022 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 2022 was going to bring. Topics include Conor McGregor's activity for the year, whether or not Jon Jones would fight Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title, or at all in 2022, Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz competing, Kayla Harrison, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal's rivalry, Kamaru Usman's championship status, Khamzat Chimaev, Jake Paul, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more.In addition, we will need you help for part two: our 2023 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. 5 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee
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Dec 30, 2022 • 1h 3min
HOAM | Will Khamzat Chimaev Fight For UFC Title In 2023?
Whether Khamzat Chimaev stays at welterweight, or makes the permanent move to middleweight, most would believe that one more victory would set Chimaev up for a title fight in either division. But will the timing work out for "Borz" to get his shot in 2023?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Chimaev's title prospects in 2023, and answers whether or not he'll get a crack at UFC gold before featherweight Ilia Topuria. Additionally, listener questions include Bellator vs. RIZIN and which promotion has the better chance to sweep, Jamahal Hill's chances against Glover Teixeria, fights to look forward to in 2023, some of the best moments of this year, 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
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Dec 29, 2022 • 1h 50min
BTL's 2022 Promotional Festivus | Grading the Best & Worst From UFC, Bellator, PFL, More
With just a couple of days left in the year, it's almost time to say goodbye to 2022, and hello to 2023. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like, and a lot that needs to be improved upon — from the UFC, to Bellator, 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 will grade the UFC for their 2022 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 panel does the same for Bellator MMA, PFL, and ONE Championship, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, and other ideas to bring into 2023.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
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Dec 29, 2022 • 1h 29min
HOAM | Remembering Stephan Bonnar, Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN
Stephan Bonnar sadly passed away at the age of 45 recently, but the impact he had on the UFC — most notably with his incredible battle on the finale of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter — will be remembered forever.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news of Bonnar's unfortunate passing, his legacy, Bonnar's incredible battle with Forrest Griffin at the TUF 1 Finale and its importance for the UFC, and much more. Additionally, listener questions include MMA Fighting's year-end awards, Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN and the card not airing live in the U.S., Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 285, Brandon Moreno's new team ahead of UFC 283, Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the light heavyweight title, Khamzat Chimaev, 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.Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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Dec 28, 2022 • 55min
Trocação Franca | Peraí, 2022 ainda não acabou no MMA
O UFC já encerrou seu calendário em 2022 e já tem muita gente fazendo suas listas de melhores do ano, mas ainda tem muita luta boa pra acontecer antes do réveillon. No último Trocação Franca do ano, o podcast recebe os três brasileiros escalados para o aguardado cross promotion entre Bellator e RIZIN no Japão, os campeões Patrício Pitbull, Kleber Koike e Roberto Satoshi.O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda quarta-feira, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados.The UFC has already ended its season in 2022 and many people are making their best of the year lists, but there are plenty of good fights set to go down before New Year’s Eve. The final Trocação Franca of the year welcomes the three Brazilian champions scheduled to compete in the much-anticipated Bellator vs. RIZIN cross-promotion in Japan, Patricio Pitbull, Kleber Koike and Roberto Satoshi.Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every Wednesday to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world.Follow Guilherme Cruz @Guicruzzz
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Dec 27, 2022 • 1h 26min
2022 Year-End Awards Spectacular: Celebrating The Best Of The Best From A Roller-Coaster MMA Year
When it came to MMA, 2022 was one heck of a wild ride.Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most jaw-rattling moments of 2022 in a special year-end retrospective. We’re honoring all the nights that defined one of the wildest 12-month stretches in recent MMA history — and handing out plenty of hardware in celebration of the knockouts, submissions, fights, fighters, and rookies who made sure 2022 was a year that won’t soon be forgotten.Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShattiFollow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLeeFollow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshewFollow Mike Heck @MickHeck_JRFollow Josè Youngs @JoseYoungsSubscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgHCheck out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLiVisit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvMLike MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7ZFollow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUIRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


