MMA Fighting

UFC CEO Dana White gave the MMA world a lot to discuss on Wednesday night with a slew of blockbuster announcements — including Ilia Topuria vacating the featherweight title in lieu of a lightweight move, and a new champion set to be crowned at UFC 314 in April. And that's just the start of the news.On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Topuria's big move, what it all means, and what his legacy could become if his gamble pays off, or fails. Additionally, they'll answer your questions about Topuria's future, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes to crown a new champ in Miami, Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett set for the UFC 314 co-main event, Patricio Pitbull signing with the UFC to face Yair Rodriguez on the card, along with the UFC 315 title fights, Saturday's UFC Seattle card, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: 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 CEO Dana White promised big announcements, and he delivered.Following White announcing Ilia Topuria will vacate the featherweight title, and that Alexander Volkanovski faces Diego Lopes for the vacant belt at UFC 314 in April, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Damon Martin react to the big news, along with Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett being officially announced as the five-round co-main event, Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena headlining UFC 315 in May, and much more.  Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Damon Martin: @DamonMartin Subscribe: 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

On Saturday, the UFC returns to Seattle for the first time in 12 years with a fight card headlined by a bantamweight bout between former champion Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong. It's a card that's been decimated by late-notice changes, but nevertheless, No Bets Barred is back to break it all down.This week, host Jed Meshew is joined once again by the Action Network's Billy Ward to dive into the fights. Topics discussed include whether this is do or die for Cejudo against Song, if Anthony Hernandez is a safe bet in his rematch with Brendan Allen, which of Jed's favorite prospects are most likely to disappoint him, the latest update on The Climb, and more.Tune in for episode 117 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Billy Ward: @Psychoward586 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin discuss the fallout from Eric Nicksick offering his brutally honest opinion about Sean Strickland's performance at UFC 312 and Strickland later saying that Nicksick probably wouldn't return to corner him again. We'll also talk about Francis Ngannou's decision to return to boxing and if that's a good idea or not? Plus, Henry Cejudo says he's taking one "last run" at the UFC title and we give our picks for Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 and much more!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

Jared Cannonier pulled off a sizable upset in the main event of UFC Vegas 102 as he battled back from a difficult first round to outlast, and eventually finish the dangerous Gregory Rodrigues in the fourth round. After stopping a two-fight skid, and avoiding the first three-fight losing streak of his career, where does Cannonier go from here in a wacky middleweight divisional picture?On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who could be in line for Cannonier to face next following his big win. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Youssef Zalal following his decision win over Calvin Kattar in the co-main event, Edmen Shahbazyan after his first-round knockout win in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Nazim Sadykhov, Andre Petroski, and Andre Petroski, and more from the UFC's return to the APEX. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe: 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

Jared Cannonier had a tough start to the UFC Vegas 102 main event, but he ended the fight in an emphatic way against Gregory Rodrigues in the fourth round to get back in the win column. After the big win, and having fought so many guys in the loaded middleweight division, where does Cannonier go from here?Following Saturday's card, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Cannonier's performance and comeback win after overcoming adversity in the first round, and what the best case scenario is for his next opponent. Additionally, they react to Youssef Zalal's win over Calvin Kattar in the co-main event, the negativity being thrown Zalal's way for the way he competed in the third round, accusing Kattar of greasing in the post-fight press conference, the bonus winners from the Fight Night card, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: 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

Jared Cannonier has his back against the wall this Saturday when he faces Gregory Rodrigues.Almost 41 years old and riding a two-fight losing streak, Cannonier hopes to defend his position as a Top 10 middleweight when he squares off against the surging Rodrigues in the main event of UFC Vegas 102. Can Cannonier fend off Father Time and Rodrigues or will "Robocop" vault himself into the thick of the middleweight title race?Ahead of Saturday's return to the APEX, MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview the card, discuss what's at stake for Cannonier should he lose, break down the co-main event matchup between Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal, dive into a few undercard gems, answer fan questions, and more. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe: 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 312 will go down as a mostly forgettable UFC event, but the dominance of champions Dricus du Plessis and Zhang Weili will carry on into their next potential matchups, while the MMA community is wondering where Sean Strickland goes after a lopsided loss to du Plessis in the main event.On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the fallout of UFC 312, the lopsided nature of du Plessis and Zhang's victories, and where Strickland and strawweight title challenger Tatiana Suarez go from here. Additionally, topics include the overall lackluster response to UFC 312, the promotion returning to the APEX on Saturday for UFC Vegas 102 headlined by Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodriguez, other news and notes in the world of MMA and combat sports, and much more.Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: 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

We're heading back to the APEX!This Saturday, UFC Vegas 102 goes down headlined by a middleweight matchup between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and rising contender Gregory Rodrigues, so No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to break down this lackluster card and all 13 fights on it. Topics discussed include how Jed did at UFC 312 (hint, not great!), if Cannonier still has anything left in the tank, why Calvin Kattar shouldn't be as big of an underdog against Youssef Zalal as he is, which other fights are worth paying attention to this weekend, the latest update on The Climb, and more.Tune in for episode 117 of No Bets Barred.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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to what unfolded at UFC 312 this past weekend and Brown fires back at critics suddenly upset that Sean Strickland went out and did exactly what he always does plus Dricus du Plessis’ ceiling with a fight against Khamzat Chimaev looming plus we discuss why there seems to be less and less top American wrestlers coming to MMA these days and more….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