

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

Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 35min
BTL | Colby Covington Returns At UFC Tampa, UFC 310 Fallout, Global Fight League Reaction
Former UFC interim champ Colby Covington steps in on short notice this weekend for his first fight in a year when he faces the surging Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa. What is on the line for Covington and Buckley in a very interesting welterweight division?On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew answer fan questions about the Covington vs. Buckley matchup, Covington's media day, UFC Tampa, and more. Additionally, topics may include the fallout from UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja's dominant title defense against Kai Asakura and what could be next for the flyweight champ, Shavkat Rakhmonov's competitive win over Ian Machado Garry, the official announcement of the Global Fight League and the surprising roster of fighters, and much more on our monthly fan Q&A episode.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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

Dec 11, 2024 • 40min
No Bets Barred: Can Joaquin Buckley Beat Colby Covington and Become A Legit Title Contender at UFC Tampa?
The final UFC event of 2024 is upon us.This Saturday, UFC Tampa takes place at Amelie Arena in Tampa, FL, headlined by a welterweight contest between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley. It's the final event of the year and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew takes a deep dive into UFC Tampa and his favorite bets on this final card. Topics discussed include whether Covington still has the juice to compete against a top talent like Buckley, if Cub Swanson is too old to stick around against Billy Quarantillo, the sneaky great lightweight banger between Joel Alvarez and Drakkar Klose, the next level up in THE CLIMB, and much more.Tune in for episode 111 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

Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 7min
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Merab Dvalishvili Getting into Altercation with Fan, Dana White Telling Chris Weidman and Anthony Smith to Retire
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the fallout from UFC 310 including Shavkat Rakhmonov’s win and Alexandre Pantoja calling out Demetrious Johnson. Brown also addresses Merab Dvalishvili getting into an altercation with a fan and he recounts his own incident punching a fan in Brazil. Brown also reacts to Dana White saying he wants fighters like Anthony Smith and Chris Weidman to retire after losses on Saturday.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

Dec 8, 2024 • 1h 21min
On To the Next One: What’s next for Alexandre Pantoja after spectacular UFC 310 title defense?
Alexandre Pantoja had little to gain and a lot to lose at UFC 310, but he made the most of a tricky situation and turned in another sterling performance. The reigning flyweight champion notched the third straight defense of his flyweight title, taking the best shots that octagon newcomer Kai Asakura had to offer before putting him to sleep with a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.Asakura was already an out-of-left field challenger, so what’s next for Pantoja, who has beaten many of his rivals, some of them twice over?On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what’s next for Pantoja following the Pound-for-Pound great’s latest exploits. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry following a back-and-forth co-main event contest that may have raised both fighters’ stocks, Ciryl Gane after a controversial win in his rematch with Alexander Volkov, along with fellow main card winners Bryce Mitchell and Doo Ho Choi, 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

Dec 8, 2024 • 57min
UFC 310 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Pantoja's Nasty Submission, Rakhmonov's Grueling Win
MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Alexandre Pantoja's incredible submission win over Kai Asakura to retain the flyweight title, Shavkat Rakhmonov's hard fought decision win over Ian Machado Garry, and more from UFC 310.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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

Dec 8, 2024 • 3h 34min
UFC 310 Watch Party Replay w/ Mike Heck & Jed Meshew
Relive the magic of UFC 310's live watch party with Mike Heck and Jed Meshew!Check out the original UFC 310 Watch Party here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iDVpwPmWskI
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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

Dec 6, 2024 • 1h 42min
UFC 310 Preview Show | Can Alexandre Pantoja Continue To Defend His Flyweight Belt Against Kai Asakura?
UFC 310 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, and it's a stacked lineup across the board. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja puts his UFC flyweight title on the line against Kai Asakura, while Shavkat Rakhmonov faces Ian Machado Garry in a battle of undefeated welterweights for a title shot.Ahead of this weekend's pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Mike Heck preview the lineup, the main event between Pantoja and Asakura, as well as the incredibly high stakes in the Rakhmonov vs. Garry five-round co-main event. Additionally, they discuss other pivotal bouts on the main card, some of the low-key fights that aren't getting the attention they deserve, answer viewer questions, and more.
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
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

Dec 5, 2024 • 1h 32min
BTL | Pantoja vs. Asakura, Rakhmonov vs. Garry, UFC 311 Breaking News, PFL’s future
UFC 310 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, and in the main event, Alexandre Pantoja welcomes former RIZIN champ Kai Asakura to the promotion in his third defense of the UFC flyweight title. In the co-main event, Shavkat Rakhmonov puts his welterweight title shot on the line against fellow undefeated contender Ian Machado Garry. Despite the lack of star power, is UFC 310 one of the best cards on paper of 2024?On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel previews Saturday's pay-per-view card, the main event between Pantoja and Asakura, and discuss where the winner goes from there. Additionally, topics include the significance of the Rakhmonov vs. Garry No. 1 contender fight, what it means for the winner in terms of perception from the fan base and community, other standout fights, the PFL's World Championship card this past Friday, what they need to do to be successful in 2025 and beyond, and much more.Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Luke Thomas.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
Follow Luke Thomas: @lthomasnews
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

Dec 4, 2024 • 1h 13min
No Bets Barred: Breaking Down the Best Bets for UFC 310, the Final Pay-Per-View of 2024
The final pay-per-view of the year is here!This Saturday, UFC 310 takes place in Las Vegas, headlined by a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and UFC-debutant Kai Asakura. Also on the card, two undefeated welterweights collide when Shavkat Rakhmonov faces down Ian Machado Garry in a title eliminator bout. It's the final big event of the year and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew is joined by The Action Network's Billy Ward to dive deep into UFC 310. Topics discussed this week include Asakura's chances to even make 125 pounds successfully, whether Shavkat can continue his finishing streak, if the Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov rematch is destined to end like the first, the big featherweight bout between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling, a bevy of gimmick bets, the next level up in THE CLIMB, and much more.Tune in for episode 110 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

Dec 4, 2024 • 23min
UFC 310 Timeline: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura
Before Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura battle at UFC 310, check out the roads each fighter took to the UFC flyweight championship headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.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


