MMA Fighting

Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will battle in the main event for the UFC middleweight title of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, the promotion's first pay-per-view event of 2024. While the card as a whole isn't anywhere near comparable to the UFC's next three pay-per-view cards, the Strickland vs. du Plessis matchup is doing a lot of heavy lifting as the anticipation continues to build.Ahead of the event, and the 185-pound title fight, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Eric Jackman preview UFC 297, Strickland vs. du Plessis, the potential of the winner turning around for UFC 300, and more. Additionally, they'll discuss the vacant women's bantamweight championship co-main event between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington, which other main card fighter is the panel keeping their eye on, the low-key banger of the card, and much more.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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

Sean Strickland had the Toronto crowd eating out of the palm of his hand at Thursday's UFC 297 press conference ahead of his title defense against Dricus du Plessis. With a victory, where could it propel Strickland in terms of being a top draw for the UFC moving forward?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the wild pre-fight presser in Toronto, how over Strickland was with the crowd, and his approach to a gentleman's agreement for an all-out war with du Plessis. Additionally, topics include multiple fighters missing weight for UFC 297, the stakes in the Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev fight on Saturday, Mike Malott fighting the experienced Neil Magny and if the betting line is a bit wider than expected, Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway, UFC Saudi Arabia, 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 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 first UFC pay-per-view of the year takes place this Saturday in Toronto with UFC 297, and in the main event, the heated rivalry between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will be settled for the middleweight championship. While the card isn't as stacked on paper as the rest of the pay-per-view slate thus far, the stakes are quite high for one of the more exciting divisions in the promotion.On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Saturday's fight card and its quality, what is on the line in the Strickland vs. du Plessis main event, Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Raquel Pennington for the vacant women's bantamweight title, and more. Additionally, they'll discuss the PFL vs. Bellator champions event that was announced earlier this week, Donn Davis' comments about the UFC Saudi Arabia getting postponed, Dana White announcing Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway for UFC 300, and much more.Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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 297 is coming quickly, but April's UFC 300 event stole some headlines with UFC CEO Dana White announcing that Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway will take place for the BMF title at the event. While the fight will likely produce fireworks and incredible action, Gaethje is perceived as next in line for Islam Makhachev and the lightweight title, and Holloway still sits at the top of the featherweight division, was this the right fight to make?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to White's announcement of Gaethje vs. Holloway, and how it can shake things up in a wild way at 155. Additionally, listener questions include Saturday's pay-per-view event in Toronto, Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis, the UFC 297 media day, the PFL vs. Bellator champions event being announced, if the UFC could still have Conor McGregor headline UFC 300, 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 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 lead commentator Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 297 fight card, the main event between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, discusses the in-crowd fight between the two, if there's a line that can be crossed in fight promotion, the co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva, his biggest takeaway from 2023, UFC 300, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Check 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 297 takes place this Saturday as the UFC returns to Toronto for the first time since 2018 and its brought two title fights with it. In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington faces Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant women's bantamweight title, and then in the main event, Sean Strickland puts his middleweight strap on the line against Dricus du Plessis, and the No Bets Barred boys are here to cover every angle of 2024's first PPV event.This week, hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew are joined by Alexander K. Lee who is boots on the ground in Toronto for this fight card, where they get a look into the vibes in Canada ahead of UFC 297. Then it's right into the breakdowns where the boys discuss the likelihood of finishes in the main and co-main events, the return of Flyweight Unders, and even some specialty props ahead of what is sure to be a heated pre-fight press conference.Tune in for episode 75 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

O UFC anunciou Charles do Bronx x Arman Tsarukyan para definir o próximo adversário de Islam Makhachev pelo cinturão dos leves, e o Trocação Franca recebe Diego Lima e Marcos Parrumpinha, treinadores que estarão em corneres opostos em Las Vegas, para destrinchar o combate. O podcast traz, ainda, uma homenagem ao lutador Diego Braga, morto esta semana no Rio de Janeiro.O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados.UFC announced Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, a No. 1 contender bout to determine who’s next for lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, and coaches Diego Lima and Marcos “Parrumpinha” daMatta break down both sides of the matchup. The podcast also features a tribute to veteran fighter and coach Diego Braga, father of PFL 2023 finalist Gabriel Braga, killed this week in Rio de Janeiro.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 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 CEO Dana White dropped two big fights for the upcoming UFC 300 event, including an all-action lightweight bout for the BMF title between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. With some of the negative vibes surrounding the event in its early stages, does this announcement begin the trend towards positivity?MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to White's massive announcement, the Gaethje vs. Holloway five-rounder, discuss what it means for the lightweight title picture and Islam Makhachev's next move, if this fight means the rumored Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad welterweight title fight could move to a different event, and more. Additionally, they discuss White also announcing Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green for the historic card, if it is the right fight to make for Miller, along with how the card currently stands eight official fights in. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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

Eric Nicksick joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to discuss Francis Ngannou booking another boxing match against Anthony Joshua in March, how nothing involving Ngannou surprises him anymore, and how preparation will be different than the Tyson Fury fight. Additionally, they talk Sean Strickland's preparation for his UFC 297 main event fight vs. Dricus Du Plessis, his reaction to the booking, Strickland and Du Plessis getting into a fight in the crowd and the emotions surrounding it, if Strickland has changed since becoming champ, other fighters at Xtreme Couture to keep an eye on, and more.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 PFL PPV Super Fight Division will kick off on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia as the expected PFL vs. Bellator champions event has been officially announced. With the main card heading to pay-per-view, and the UFC bringing a free event with UFC Mexico City that same day, can this card outkick its coverage?MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew react to the event's announcement, and give their 1-10 scores in regards to excitement levels — which may or may not change throughout the reaction. Additionally, they discuss the card, the main card being behind a paywall, if the PFL should've made an effort to stick it to the UFC by booking the card for March 2, how the event can be deemed a success for the PFL, any names that are visibly missing from the lineup, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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