The MMA Hour - Episode 168

While Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are expected to fight following the airing this upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, the big questions seem to be when will that fight take place, and will it happen before the end of this year? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses his confidence levels as to when the fight could happen, especially since a lot of the year's pay-per-view events have been announced or targeted. Additionally, listener questions include Francis Ngannou's deal with the PFL, why the PFL's next 12-18 months could be the most interesting story in all of MMA, the UFC middleweight and lightweight divisions, what things could look like if the PFL and Bellator were to actually merge, the UFC's return to Boston in August, and 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 Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Touko 20231h 24min

Francis Ngannou ended his MMA free agency as the former UFC heavyweight champion signed a new deal with the PFL. While there are still more questions that need to be answered, it appears this move has the potential to be a game changer for the sport. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to Ngannou's next move, and discuss things from different angles, including some of the remaining questions we have. Additionally, topics include Dana White announcing a bunch of big fights for the upcoming UFC 291 and UFC 292 events — including Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 for the vacant BMF title in Salt Lake City — Saturday's UFC Vegas 73 card headlined by Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill, the new 'McGregor Forever' documentary series on Netflix featuring Conor McGregor, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and José Youngs. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Touko 20231h 32min

Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will battle for the second time inside the octagon in the main event of UFC 291 on July 29 in Salt Lake City for the BMF title. While the premise is there, why is the BMF title on the line, and should the UFC have been more creative with it if they were going to slap a gimmick championship belt on a fight that doesn't need it? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Dana White's announcement of that massive bout in the lightweight division, along with the rest of the revealed lineup, along with the UFC 292 announcement for Boston in August. Additionally, topics include Francis Ngannou's new deal with the PFL, his boxing options, the potential short turnaround for the Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis winner to face Israel Adesanya in September, Alex Pereira vs. Jan Blachowicz at 205 pounds, and 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 Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Touko 20231h 10min

UFC Vegas 73 takes place this Saturday headlined by a strawweight showdown between Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill, and you know what that means: the No Bets Barred boys are back to break it all down. Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew begin the show with a recap of UFC Charlotte before diving into the lackluster card that is UFC Vegas 73. Highlights include debate about the main event, dissension on a couple of other main card fights, and a slew of technical difficulties. But things do get spiced up down the stretch as Conner and Jed react live to the breaking news about UFC 291 and the return of the BMF Belt. Tune in for Episode 46 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Touko 20231h 9min

Francis Ngannou has not only found a new home, but he spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour about some of the particulars of his massive deal with the PFL, the naysayers about his free agency, other promoters having their say on his free agency after parting ways with the UFC, and more. While Tuesday was officially a massive win for both Ngannou and the PFL, there are still lingering questions surrounding it all. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaheen Al-Shatti, and Steven Marrocco react to the news and Ngannou's appearance on The MMA Hour, reveal their long-term questions for both the former UFC heavyweight champion and the PFL, the boxing side of the equation, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti Follow Steven Marrocco: @MMAFightingSM Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Touko 20231h 12min

Semana agitada entre os pesos pesados no MMA, e o Trocação Franca recebe Junior Cigano para dissecar os detalhes do histórico acordo de Francis Ngannou com a PFL, que lhe garante milhões e caminho livre para lutar boxe. O podcast entrevista ainda Jailton Malhadinho e Johnny Walker, que brilharam no UFC Charlotte, e Diego Ferreira, que volta ao octógono no próximo sábado. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. It's a busy week for heavyweights in MMA, and Trocação Franca welcomes Junior dos Santos to dissect everything about Francis Ngannou’s historic deal with PFL, which guarantees him millions and a free path to boxing. The podcast also features interviews with UFC sensation Jailton Almeida, light heavyweight talent Johnny Walker, and returning lightweight Diego Ferreira. Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every week to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world. Follow Guilherme Cruz @Guicruzzz Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Touko 202359min

Francis Ngannou, free agent no more! The former UFC heavyweight champion is officially part of the PFL, with a new deal that makes him not only the most famous fighter on the roster, but an executive in partnership with the league. On this edition of Heck of a Morning, guest host Alexander K. Lee answers all of your questions about the Ngannou-PFL alliance, including potential opponents, why fans were so hard on him during his free agency, whether this move might influence UFC stars to demand more from their promotion, how this might affect the PFL’s bottom line, and more. Plus, have we entered a world where Conor McGregor vs. Matt Brown is possible, what are Jailton Almeida’s limitations, who could be the breakout stars of UFC Vegas 73, what’s next for Ian Machado Garry, and where in the world is Khamzat Chimaev? 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 Follow Alexander K. Lee: @alexanderklee  Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Touko 20231h 27min

The long wait for Francis Ngannou’s free agent decision is over as the former UFC heavyweight champion announced Tuesday that he is the newest member of the PFL roster and the chairman of the league’s PFL Africa expansion. Ngannou’s signing ends a 16-month wait to see where the Cameroonian-French star would take his talents. He fought his last fight at UFC 270 and then officially parted ways with the UFC this past January amid plenty of speculation as to what lay ahead for him: A mega boxing match with Tyson Fury? Would he simply head over to another top MMA promotion? Will he ever fight Jon Jones? Add in that Ngannou’s rift with the UFC was due to wanting several unprecedented contract stipulations and it’s fair to say that he was the most intriguing free agent in MMA history. MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew react to the breaking news, grade the deal for Ngannou and the PFL, discuss whether criticism of Ngannou’s decisions were justified, and what this means for other UFC stars who may want to explore life outside of the octagon. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @alexanderklee Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Touko 202359min