The MMA Vivisection Shows: 'Main Card Preview' & 'Prelims Card Preview'

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comThe UFC is on an unprecedented roll—at least for this current era of mostly miserable cards. Why, you ask? For the third week in a row, we’re getting a really good show. And once again, all the components of what make an event great are contained in this one. The matchmakers did well, the stats look good and there’s a feel of importance to most of the f…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comIt’s been ages since we got a card at the Apex that had more than a single ranked fight on it, but this week, we’ve got one with three. That has to be a milestone, right? And get this, they’ve split them up so that we at least get one of them on the undercard. Are we looking at a new era being formed? Doubtful, but I am all about giving credit where it’…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comIt’s time for the monthly pay-per-view and UFC 321 should be a good one, considering they’ve packed it with 14 fights, two of which have titles on the line. Did Mackenzie Dern find out her fight was for a belt via social media? Yes, she did, but that’s just how the UFC does things these days. The other champion bout is Tom Aspinall’s first defense of hi…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comWell, we are looking at another horrendous card with stats so bad, even the most staunch UFC advocate couldn’t possibly defend it. The main event is okay, I guess, but Allen is just one fight removed from being on a two-fight skid. Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius is a legitimately great matchup, but the only other ranked fight is Vera vs. Zahabi. …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comIf last week’s card was a mess on paper, this week’s show is the remedy. The alternative stats are terrific, the fights look exciting, and matchmaking is sensible. I don’t know why people are pushing for Ankalaev to be traded, he’s some such a long way and continues to be more impressive with each contest. Maybe it’s just the idea that he’s killed Poata…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comThe stats are speaking volumes of UFC Perth this week. A sprawling, 14-bout card only has a single ranked fight gracing its lineup and only three ranked fighters in total. When you factor in how much the Aussies are likely paying in site fees—let’s just say I’d be asking for a steep discount. The main event looks like it will be a fun, action fight and …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comUFC Noche has 14 fights but only two are ranked. That’s how we’re going to start you off today. This year’s Noche event had its “PPV” moniker removed thanks to Canelo-Crawford taking center stage with TKO’s best efforts at promotion and the event’s lineup absolutely show it. The main event is good. The co-main isn’t really co-main worthy and isn’t a ran…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comUFC Paris is what an on-the-road fight night should look like. It has thoughtful, meaningful matchmaking (at least on the main card), a main event that looks like a title eliminator, and the potential for action. We don’t know what Bukauskas-Craig is doing on there, but aside from that contest, the premium portion of the event looks pretty damned good. …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comUFC Shanghai is your classic mixed bag with a few good fights among a sea of regional level fodder. The main event should actually be Ortega vs. Sterling but we get why it’s Walker vs. Zhang. Why Kavanagh vs. Johnson isn’t on the main card is the card’s greatest mystery and just seems wrong on every level. But we’ve come to expect oddities like these. A…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comGuess what? UFC is finally giving us a decent card. Is it a PPV? Of course it is. But the important thing to remember is that it’s got relevant matchups, great stats and the potential for a lot of fireworks. And let us not forget we also have a belt on the line with the main event. Will Dricus be able to fend off Khamzat? And what about Aaron Pico? Will…