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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.
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Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 21min
HOAM | Fallout Of Super Weird UFC Atlantic City Event
UFC Atlantic City sure had its moments, and delivered a bunch of talking points coming out of it — both good and bad – but the seemingly unanimous phrase used to describe the event as a whole is "super weird." Between the multiple eye pokes that led to finishes, to hip knockouts, to finishes and results that left us scratching our heads, this was not a normal event.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to this past Saturday's event, Manon Fiorot's dominant decision win over Erin Blanchfield in the main event, Chris Weidman's controversial victory over Bruno Silva and how the former champion has reacted to it, along with Joaquin Buckley's great in-cage performance, but not-so-great microphone work after getting the co-main event win over Vicente Luque. Additionally, listener questions include the UFC St. Louis main event between Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento that has been unanimously criticized, referees still not enforcing penalties during fights, UFC 300, and much 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
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Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 18min
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Weidman Controversy + Most Interesting Fight at UFC 300, Need for More Weight Classes
The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discussing the latest from the world of combat sports including a controversial ending at UFC Atlantic City where Chris Weidman finally got back on track but not without a pair of eye pokes that played a part in Bruno Silva’s demise.Brown explains that the real culprit in those fouls isn’t necessarily Weidman’s fault but rather something that the UFC needs to fix.We’ll also discuss our picks for the most interesting fight at UFC 300 with the card now less than two weeks away.Brown will also pitch his idea for more weight classes in the UFC with hopes that it could not only curb more extreme weight cutting but it could increase opportunities for fighters to compete across multiple divisions, which is what everyone seems to want to do these days!All that and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The WriterSubscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 31, 2024 • 1h 12min
This Is CineMMA, Episode 2 | Fight Valley | Can Miesha Tate Save This Movie?
Miesha Tate, Cris Cyborg, and Holly Holm step into the brutal, unforgiving world of "Fight Valley." What could possibly go wrong?On this episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review crew gets down and dirty on the mean streets of New Jersey as we follow the harrowing adventure of Windsor (Susie Celek), an out-of-her-element reporter on a quest to avenge her sister's death. A hardened brawler named Jabs (Tate) takes our heroine under her wing, but the clock is ticking and there may not be enough time to prepare her for a final showdown with the dangerous Church (Cyborg).Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, and E. Casey Leydon don their toughest-looking hoodies as they try to make sense of Fight Valley's frantic fight scenes, rank the acting performances of the featured MMA stars, and have a chuckle at some of the best C-movie one-liners you'll ever hear.How much of the film is carried by Tate? Where does Windsor rank among the worst main characters in a martial arts movie? And is repeatedly punching a bucket of rocks a good base for MMA?Step into Fight Valley with us for the answers to these questions and more.Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLeeFollow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshewFollow E. Casey Leydon: @ekcSubscribe 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

Mar 31, 2024 • 1h 41min
On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Atlantic City
Manon Fiorot has done more than enough to earn a title shot in the women's flyweight division after delivering a one-sided performance in her first promotional main event against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Atlantic City. While merit is certainly on Fiorot's side, is timing a different story altogether — to the point where Fiorot may have to take another fight while she waits to see how the Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy fight plays out?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 Fiorot after her dominant victory over Blanchfield. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Joaquin Buckley following his stoppage win over Vicente Luque in the co-main event, Chris Weidman after his controversial win over Bruno Silva, along with fellow main card winners Nursulton Ruziboev, Kyle Nelson, Chidi Njokuani, and more.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee
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Mar 31, 2024 • 1h 26min
UFC Atlantic City Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Fiorot's Shutout, Weidman's Controversial Win
Manon Fiorot closed out Saturday's UFC Atlantic City win by sweeping the scorecards against Erin Blanchfield in the main event. As dominant as Fiorot's performance was, compared to other moments on the card, it was incredibly tame as controversy stole the headlines.Following the UFC's most recent Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and José Youngs react to Fiorot's lopsided victory, discuss if a title shot will be next for the surging contender, and where Blanchfield goes from her first octagon loss. Additionally, the panel discusses Joaquin Buckley's second-round finish of Vicente Luque in the co-main event and where he fits in the welterweight division, Chris Weidman getting his first victory since 2020 against Bruno Silva, the controversy surrounding the multiple eye pokes that led to the finish, the bout being changed from a TKO to a technical unanimous decision, Weidman's reaction to it in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, and other storylines from a bizarre event.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs
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Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 25min
UFC Atlantic City Preview Show | Will Erin Blanchfield Or Manon Fiorot Punch Ticket To Title Shot?
The stakes are high for Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot as they battle in the main event of Saturday's UFC Atlantic City event with the winner expected to fight for the UFC women's flyweight title against the winner of the assumed trilogy bout between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.Ahead of the UFC's next Fight Night lineup, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Eric Jackman preview Saturday's card, the main event between Blanchfield and Fiorot, talk which headliner needs the win more, and what potential pairing would be most interesting in a title fight. Additionally, they'll talk the co-main event between Vicente Luque and Joaquin Buckley, the card as a whole for an out-of-the-APEX show, answer viewer questions, and much more.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic
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Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 7min
HOAM | Should Sean Strickland Or Israel Adesanya Get Dricus Du Plessis Title Fight Next?
The UFC's middleweight division is fascinating right now, especially with the addition of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia in June. As of now, new champion Dricus Du Plessis' first title defense is not lined up, but should he face bitter rival Israel Adesanya next, or the man who gave Du Plessis his toughest fight to date in Sean Strickland?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the middleweight title picture, why the word "deserves" should be limited from the vocabulary of UFC fans, and which fighter has the best chance of being Du Plessis' next opponent. Additionally, listener questions include Dana White's relationship with the MMA media, getting into the MMA space, the UFC Atlantic City main event between Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot, and much 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
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 28min
BTL | Whittakaer vs. Chimaev, Moreno Taking Break, Dana White Hints At U.K. Pay-Per-View,
It's been an interesting week in the MMA world as the UFC gets ready to return to Atlantic City on the road to UFC 300 — which includes Dana White hinting at bringing a pay-per-view event to the United Kingdom this year. If it happens, who should be featured on the card?On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel takes live viewer questions about the promotion's return to the U.K., if Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall will defend their belts in front of their home crowds, and who else could fill up the lineup. Additionally, they'll answer questions about topics such as UFC Saudi Arabia getting a slew of fights announced, including Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev as the main event, former flyweight champ Brandon Moreno announcing he's taking a break from MMA and what that means for the division in the short term, Saturday's UFC Atlantic City card headlined by Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot, Rose Namajunas' big win at UFC Vegas 89 and where she goes from here, and whatever else you would like to discuss.Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 12min
HOAM | Reaction To Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Headlining UFC Saudi Arabia
UFC CEO Dana White made a big announcement on Wednesday night as he revealed five fights for the upcoming UFC Saudi Arabia card on June 22, including the middleweight main event between former champion Robert Whittaker and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. Was this the right call?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the Whittaker vs. Chimaev matchup, why it was tremendous matchmaking, the stakes attached to it, and what it means for Sean Strickland, Paulo Costa, and other big names in the division. Additionally, listener questions include the top fights at UFC 300, Dana White's relationship with the media, what could headline UFC 302, the Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Volkov fight getting scrapped with Volkov now fighting Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia, and much 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
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Mar 27, 2024 • 58min
No Bets Barred: Can Manon Fiorot Stop Erin Blanchfield At UFC Atlantic City? Plus, One Time For Chris Weidman
The UFC is heading to Atlantic City, baby!After back-to-back weeks in the world's most famous APEX, the world's leading MMA promotion hits the road this Saturday for UFC Atlantic City, headlined by a presumptive women's flyweight title eliminator bout between Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot. So as always, the No Bets Barred boys are here with a full breakdown of the fights this weekend.Conner Burks and Jed Meshew open the show with a brief recap of their winning weeks at UFC Vegas 89 before diving into the 14-fight card with Saturday. Will Erin Blanchfield keep rolling against Manon Fiorot? Does Vicente Luque still have enough in the tank to get past Joaquin Buckley? Can Chris Weidman stave of Father Time for one last, great moment? All this and more are discussed on this week's episode.Tune in for episode 83 of No Bets Barred.
Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
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