The MMA Hour - Episode 168

Conor McGregor made a surprise appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday evening and had a lot to say — including wanting a welterweight title shot against the winner of Saturday's UFC 286 main event between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman should he defeat Michael Chandler in his return bout. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to McGregor's interview and if he factors into the 170-pound title picture should he defeat Chandler later on this year. Additionally, listener questions include the overall welterweight landscape following UFC 286, where Belal Muhammad sits in the picture, the lightweight vs. bantamweight debate, Islam Makhachev potentially fighting at the UFC's return to Abu Dhabi in October, Aljamain Sterling's bantamweight future and where that puts Merab Dvalishvili, 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

16 Maalis 20231h

After knocking out Kamaru Usman in one of the greatest comebacks in MMA history last year, welterweight champion Leon Edwards will put his newly won title on the line in a trilogy bout with Usman this Saturday at UFC 286, and so the No Bets Barred boys are back, and they've got a couple special guests in store. To kick things off this week, co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew are joined by Andrew Collins, the man who turned $1 into $400,000 at UFC 285 with a five-fight exacto-parlay, to talk about what some are calling the greatest bet in MMA history. Then the boys are joined by MMA On Point's Alex Ritchings, who is on the ground in London for this week's events, to talk about all things UFC 286. Topics this week include differing opinions on whether Leon Edwards can retain his title, fervent debate on Justin Gaethje's chances to rebound against Rafael Fiziev, unanimous agreement in Gunnar Nelson's prospects against Bryan Barberena, and of course, some more flyweight under discourse. Tune in for Episode 38 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alex Ritchings: @Bayliun_Plays Follow Andrew Collins: @ACTHEHULK 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

15 Maalis 20231h 59min

Ainda em busca da luta de despedida no UFC, Demian Maia fala da transição para a carreira de comentarista no UFC Fight Pass, os novos desafios, e o duelo de sábado entre seu ex-rival Kamaru Usman e Leon Edwards. O podcast recebe também o piloto Max Wilson, campeão da StockCar, comentarista de Formula 1 na Band e apaixonado por lutas. Na sessão Fight Week, um papo com o estreante no UFC 286, Jafel Filho, sobre a luta contra um fenômeno do MMA. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. Still in pursuit of a UFC retirement bout, Demian Maia discusses his transition to the commentary booth at UFC Fight Pass, new challenges, and UFC 286's main event between former opponent Kamaru Usman and champ Leon Edwards. The podcast also welcomes racing driver Max Wilson, a StockCar champion, Formula 1 commentator, and MMA aficionado. The Fight Week session features UFC 286 newcomer Jafel Filho weighing in on his clash with an unbeaten MMA phenom. 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

15 Maalis 20231h 21min

Kamaru Usman will look to avenge his stunning loss to Leon Edwards this Saturday at UFC 286. With an already Hall of Fame worthy career on his resume, what would be next for Usman should he regain the welterweight title? Or, where would he go if he loses for the second straight fight? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses those questions ahead of Saturday's pay-per-view event in London, and what options could be in play for Usman depending on the result. Additionally, lister questions include the UFC 286 co-main event between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev, the title implications for both guys, Marvin Vettori's future, Merab Dvalishvili's impressive performance against Petr Yan at UFC Las Vegas, Aljamain Sterling's title fight with Henry Cejudo, where Usman Nurmagomedov currently sits in the global lightweight rankings after quickly dispatching Benson Henderson at Bellator 292, 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

14 Maalis 20231h 20min

The Fighter vs. The Writer with Matt Brown and Damon Martin returns with discussion about Merab Dvalishvili’s huge win, our UFC 286 preview and our Ask Matt Brown segment is back this week. Following a lopsided win over Petr Yan at UFC Las Vegas, Merab Dvalishvili may have just established himself as the second best bantamweight in the promotion but he’s stated emphatically that he will not face friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling. Is Dvalishvili making a huge mistake by not taking this opportunity or is staying loyal to his friend even more important? We’ll also give our thoughts on UFC 286 including the growing narrative that Kamaru Usman may still be suffering from sort of fallout from his devastating knockout loss to Leon Edwards in their previous encounter. Is Usman actually at risk just because he got knocked out or is this just a way for people to talk themselves into believing Edwards has a better chance to win? We also discuss Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev and Brown will explain why he believes Fiziev will be too much for Gaethje to handle at UFC 286. All this plus the return of our Ask Matt Brown segment on the latest edition of The Fighter vs. The Writer. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify Read More: MMA Fighting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Maalis 20231h 18min

Merab Dvalishvili dominated Petr Yan over five rounds to pick up the biggest victory of his career and make a compelling case for a bantamweight title shot — a belt currently held by his close friend and training partner Aljamain Sterling. With everything in play in the loaded 135-pound division, where does Yan go from his main event victory at UFC Las Vegas? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on the matchmaking hats to discuss what could be next for "The Machine" following his one-sided decision win. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Yan, who has now lost three straight and four of five, Alexander Volkov following his quick finish of Alexandr Romanov, Nikita Krylov after stopping Ryan Spann in the first round, Jonathan Martinez following his upset victory over Said Nurmagomedov, along with fellow winners Mario Bautista, Vitor Petrino, and more. 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

12 Maalis 20231h 20min

Despite being a sizable underdog, Merab Dvalishvili didn't just defeat Petr Yan in the main event of UFC Las Vegas, but he swept the scorecards against the former bantamweight champion. With title aspirations in play, and his close friend and training partner Aljamain Sterling holding the 135-pound title, where does Saturday's victory put "The Machine" in the championship discussion? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Dvalishvili's dominant performance against Yan, what could be next for both guys, and the surprising changing of momentum in the career of Yan over the last couple of years. Additionally, they discuss Alexander Volkov's quick stoppage of Alexandr Romanov, Nikita Krylov's first-round submission of Ryan Spann, Bruno Silva and Davey Grant's sensational finishes on the prelims, and more.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

12 Maalis 202357min

The UFC’s first event coming out of UFC 285 will take place in their home city, but not at the APEX, as UFC Las Vegas features a pivotal main event matchup in the bantamweight division between former champion Petr Yan and surging contender Merab Dvalishvili. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, José Youngs, and Alexander K. Lee preview the 135-pound bout and what is at stake for Yan and Dvalishvili, if a title shot could be next for either fighter with a win (or far, far away with a loss). Additionally, they’ll discuss the heavyweight co-main event between Alexander Volkov and Alexandr Romanov, the re-booked Nikita Krylov vs. Ryan Spann fight, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

10 Maalis 20231h 9min