MMA Fighting

UFC bantamweight champ Sean O'Malley decided to release a new video from a 2016 sparring session with flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, where O'Malley delivered a devastating body kick that led to the spar being halted.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Friday's video release from O'Malley, and if it was the right call. Additionally, listener topics include Jon Jones pitching a fight with Alex Pereira over Tom Aspinall, if Jones' legacy changes with a win over Stipe Miocic when they end up fighting, Saturday's UFC St. Louis card, if the PFL should sign Jose Aldo, and much more.You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 301 is in the books, and while there wasn't a ton of buzz heading into the UFC pay-per-view event, the card was fun to watch. In the end, the Brazilian fans went home happy after Alexandre Pantoja and Jose Aldo picked up unanimous decision wins in the final two fights.On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel will put a bow on UFC 301, discuss where Pantoja goes, Aldo's free agency, and other storylines from this past Saturday's card. Additionally, topics include the announcement that Cory Sandhagen will face Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of August's UFC Abu Dhabi card, this Saturday's UFC St. Louis event headlined by Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento, the boxing match between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal reportedly getting moved to July, Jon Jones favoring a fight with Alex Pereira over Tom Aspinall, and more.Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Jose Youngs.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 301 is in the book so it's on to St. Louis!The worldwide leader in MMA heads to the Gateway Arch this Saturday with 13 fights, capped off by a heavyweight slugfest between Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento and the No Bets Barred boys are back to break down all the action.Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a brief recap of UFC 301 and celebrate Jose Aldo's terrific win before diving into this week's card. Can Derrick Lewis become a Saint in the City that bears his name? Did Joaquin Buckley bite off more than he can chew against Nursulton Ruziboev? Can Robelis Despaigne continue to live up to "Lock of the Millenia" vibes? And Jed reveals his latest bit of nonsense: The Sharknado Bet.All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode.Tune in for episode 87 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many people in the MMA community believe that Umar Nurmagomedov might be the UFC bantamweight champion in waiting — and in August, the undefeated Nurmagomedov will get to take the next step in proving that when he faces perennial contender Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov booking, and what is at stake for both guys. Additionally, listener questions include Jose Aldo's future following his dominant decision win over Jonathan Martinez, Steve Erceg's championship potential following his loss to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 this past Saturday, and much more.You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with a special episode as UFC legend Matt Brown discusses his decision to retire from MMA for the first time.With the most knockouts in welterweight history and the second most knockouts in UFC history, Brown etched his name in the record books numerous times over but what led to the timing for his retirement announcement this past Saturday?Brown details when he told the UFC about his retirement and the reaction he received from the promotion.He also explains why he’s really done with fighting and his immediate plans for the future.All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexandre Pantoja capped off UFC 301 with a unanimous decision win over a game Steve Erceg to retain his flyweight title, while Jose Aldo returned to the octagon to sweep the scorecards against Jonathan Martinez to become one of the sport's top free agents. What's next for the hometown heroes following Saturday's pay-per-view event?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 Pantoja and Erceg following their main event clash in Rio. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Aldo — both in, and out of the UFC — Anthony Smith following his quick submission of Vitor Petrino, Michel Pereira after his 56 second stoppage win over Ihor Potieria, along with fellow main card winner Caio Borralho, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Brazilian fans in Rio de Janeiro certainly went home happy after Alexandre Pantoja earned a hard fought unanimous decision win over Steve Erceg to retain his flyweight title in the UFC 301 main event, but it was Jose Aldo, now the sport's biggest free agent, who sent the arena into a frenzy with his throwback performance against Jonathan Martinez.Following Saturday's pay-per-view fight card, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to Pantoja's successful title defense, the scoring of the fight, and if Erceg made a fight-losing mistake in the fifth round. Additionally, the panel discusses Aldo's dominant win and what's next for him, his title hopes if he re-signs with the UFC, Michel Pereira's quick finish, Anthony Smith's upset win, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Relive the magic of UFC 301's live watch party with Mike Heck and Conner Burks!Check out the original UFC 301 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhRzAMevRKEFollow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JRFollow Conner Burks: @connerburksSubscribe: 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

UFC 301 goes down Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil is represented on the card from top-to-bottom – including Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight title against Steve Erceg in the main event, and Jose Aldo returning to the octagon, and his throne as "The King of Rio" as he faces Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event. Will the Brazilian fans go home happier than they did after UFC 283 in January 2023?Ahead of the pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Shaun Al-Shatti, Mike Heck, and Alexander K. Lee preview the fight card, and the main event between Pantoja and Erceg, discuss the challenger's underdog shot, and if Pantoja continues to be overlooked as a champion. Additonally, they'll talk Aldo's future following Saturday night, what Martinez would gain from a win over Aldo, the low-key bangers, plus answer viewer questions, and more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 301 goes down Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and there are a lot of fun matchups on the card for those in know — including an intriguing title fight at the top, and the return to the octagon of Jose Aldo. And while hardcore fans understand that the event does have the ability to be an enjoyable watch, has the build to it generated the least amount of buzz of any pay-per-view in recent memory?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck takes questions about Saturday's fight card, some of the compelling matchups, but the noticeable lack of fan excitement for it. Additionally, listener topics include Tom Aspinall's defense of U.K. fans for the UFC 304 start time, William Gomis' scary weigh-in on Friday, Steve Erceg being a bit of a darling underdog ahead of his flyweight title opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja, and much more.You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices