MMA Fighting

Alex Pereira came through big for the UFC once again heading into Saturday's UFC 303 pay-per-view event. With the star power, the accolades, having a potential golden ticket with the UFC — along with the promotion owing him a couple of favors — if Pereira beats Jiri Prochazka for a second time on Satuday, could a fight with heavyweight champ Jon Jones be on the table?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the rarified air Pereira is in right now with the UFC, his options with a win on Saturday, and even being in a great position if he loses to Prochazka. Additionally, listener questions include Kelvin Gastelum's latest weight snafu ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia, Conor McGregor's fighting future, Brian Ortega teasing a lightweight move ahead of his UFC 303 bout with Diego Lopes, Paige VanZant going to Power Slap, and 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 UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin reacting to the latest news in combat sports including Conor McGregor revealing that a broken toe is ultimately what prevented him from competing at UFC 303.Brown backs McGregor dropping out of the fight with an injury but he explains why the Irish superstar still deserves criticism for his decision. We’ll also discuss his future and when we might actually see him fight Michael Chandler — does it happen before the end of 2024?We’ll also break down the main fights still happening at UFC 303 including Alex Pereira defending his title against Jiri Prochazka and Brian Ortega clashing with Diego Lopes.All this and more on the latest edition 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

Robert Whittaker closed the show at UFC Saudi Arabia with a quick, and brutal knockout of Ikram Aliskerov, and sent a message to the top of the middleweight division in the process. While "The Reaper" hinted at wanting to be the backup fighter for the Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesnaya title fight at UFC 305, would that be enough to get him the winner, or will he need another fight?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 Whittaker following his second consecutive victory. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Alexander Volkov after his dominant decision win over Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event, Shara Magomedov following his third-round knockout of Antonio Trocoli, Volkan Oezdemir after his nasty knockout of Johnny Walker, 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

Robert Whittaker reminded fans that he's still one of the best middleweights in the world as he quickly dispatched the very dangerous Ikram Aliskerov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. Was the win good enough to get him the winner of the UFC 305 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title, or does Whittaker now have a future with Sean Strickland?Following Saturday's Fight Night event in Riydah, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to Whittaker's first-round finish of Aliskerov, discuss the future of Aliskerov moving forward, and where Whittaker goes next. Additionally, they discuss Alexander Volkov's co-main event win over Sergei Pavlovich, Kelvin Gastelum ending a horrible week with a win over Daniel Rodriguez, Paige VanZant competing in Power Slap next week, and 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

The UFC and Bellator will go head-to-head on Saturday with UFC Saudi Arabia and Bellator Dublin, and while the UFC clearly has the deeper lineup, Bellator has an interesting slate on tap for the Irish fans. The weekend spotlight seems to be shining on the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner between former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov. Can Whittaker find his way back to a title shot, or can Aliskerov shake up the division?Ahead of Saturday's doubleheader, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and José Youngs preview the events, the UFC headliner between Whittaker and Aliskerov, if the matchup is tougher for Whittaker than Khamzat Chimaev, and what is at stake for both men. Additionally, they'll discuss the heavyweight co-main event between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, Kelvin Gastelum's continued weight issues ahead of his matchup with Daniel Rodriguez, Jason Jackson defending his welterweight title in the Bellator main event, Paul Hughes making his promotional debut, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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 303 has taken another hit to its main card with the loss of surging light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg from his scheduled bout with Anthony Smith. As the UFC 303 card continues to be cursed, a one-time title challenger has found himself at odds with the scale ahead of a pivotal matchup this Saturday at UFC Saudi Arabia.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Ulberg's scratch from next Saturday's pay-per-view card, talks discussions ongoing for Smith to face Roman Dolidze, and thoughts on the potential new matchup. Additionally, listener questions include Kelvin Gastelum's latest issues with his weight, his scheduled welterweight bout with Daniel Rodriguez for this Saturday becoming a middleweight bout, the UFC and free agents, and more.Also, UFC Vegas 93 winner Westin Wilson joins the show to recap his first UFC win, react to not getting a bonus for his triangle armbar submission of Jeka Saragih, and 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

While a couple of huge fights in the MMA and boxing world have been announced — with one, in particular crossing over into both sports — the future of another massive fight is still up in the air. Jake Paul and Mike Perry are set for a boxing match on July 20, while Dricus Du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight title against former champ Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305 in August. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to Paul vs. Perry being booked ahead of Paul's November matchup with Mike Tyson, discuss if it's a big risk for Paul, and what Perry would gain with a win. Additionally, they'll discuss the du Plessis vs. Adesanya booking, Adesanya announcing his own fight, where Sean Strickland fits in the title conversation, Saturday's UFC Saudi Arabia card headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov, Bellator Dublin going head-to-head with the UFC this weekend, the futures of Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler after their UFC 303 matchup got scratched, and more.Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Brian Campbell: @BCampbell 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 UFC is heading to Saudi Arabia!This Saturday, the UFC makes its maiden voyage to Saudi Arabia with a Fight Night card headlined by a middleweight matchup between Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov and the No Bets Barred Boys are here to break it all down.Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a brief state of the union discussing both of their winning weeks last week and Conner's return to the great state of Georgia. Then it's on to UFC Saudi Arabia and the late notice change up that saw Aliskerov step in for Khamzat Chimaev against Whittaker this Saturday. Will the short notice hurt Aliskerov's chances? Can Alexander Volkov stand up to the otherworldly power of Sergei Pavlovich? And what about Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez?All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode.Tune in for episode 92 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

Jake Paul is still fighting Mike Tyson in November, but he will still compete on July 20 as originally planned, but Paul will face the dangerous BKFC superstar Mike Perry in an eight-round boxing match in Tampa. How much of a risk is the matchup for Paul with the Tyson fight already on the books, and what would it do for Perry's career if he can get it done this summer?Following the announcement of Paul vs. Perry, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman react to the matchup, discuss why it might be the most compelling fight Paul has had in the boxing ring, the stakes attached for both guys, why Perry is playing with house money, a loss for Paul not being as devastating as some might suggest, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

Israel Adesanya is officially back as he'll face Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship in the main event of August's UFC 305 event in Perth, Western Australia. With the 185-pound division being as crazy as it is right now, was giving Adesanya an immediate title shot upon his return after losing to Sean Strickland this past September the right call?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the du Plessis vs. Adesanya booking, and discuss where the division goes depending on the winner, and where Adesanya would go with a loss. Additionally, listener topics include UFC Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov, who Sean Strickland may be rooting for in that fight, other compelling fights on the card, the Boston Celtics winning the NBA title, and 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