The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 316

The 2024 NFL season kicks off this Thursday, and in light of that, the MMA Fighting crew decided to get together to draft yet again, but this time, we’re drafting Fantasy MMA for the remainder of 2024! Join Jed Meshew, Alexander K. Lee, Mike Heck, and Shaheen Al-Shatti as they select teams of 12 UFC fighters (one in each weight class plus a wild card) to score points for the remainder of 2024 and ultimately declare a winner. Which fighters are most likely to deliver big points and carry their team to a championship? Who are the sleepers, who are the snubs, and who are the potential busts? And most importantly, who is going to win the whole damn thing? Tune in to find out. Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti 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

4 Syys 20241h 25min

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin discuss Alex Pereira announcing plans to return to middleweight to fight Dricus du Plessis, Jon Jones’ legacy if he retires before ever fighting Tom Aspinall and Brown tells the story about when he almost fought a Diaz brother plus much more.  Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Syys 202446min

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira says he's focused on his UFC 307 title defense against Khalil Rountree, but regardless of what happens, he wants to head to middleweight one more time to face Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title. Will it happen? Is it the right move? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss Pereira's latest comments, and get your thoughts as well. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Syys 202437min

With UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall continuing to heat up their rivalry on social media, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew discuss the ongoing feud, what has been going on this week, who is winning and losing, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Elo 202441min

UFC CEO Dana White just won't quit Jon Jones when it comes to the debate on the greatest fighter of all-time, as well as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world currently. Despite constant push back from the rest of the MMA community, White is keeping his feet planted on Jones topping both lists without question. In the end, is he actually right? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses White's recent post-fight press conference following DWCS on Tuesday, being adamant that Jones is in a league of his own, and what he could be planning for the future in order to prove his theory right. Additionally, topics include Caio Borralho's big win over Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 96, his callout of Dricus du Plessis, what is likely next for the surging middleweight, how much the PFL press conference featuring Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira generated anticipation for their October matchup, Max Holloway's underdog promo, and more. Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and The Mac Life's Oscar Willis. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Oscar Willis: @oscarswillis Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Elo 20241h 16min

UFC legend Matt Brown discusses the ongoing debate about fighter pay in the UFC and he uses his own career as an example on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer while discussing a disparity between the UFC and other major sports leagues, the lack of a union, the ongoing antitrust lawsuit and how fighters actually maintain a lot of the blame why they’re not being paid more. Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Elo 20241h 10min

Caio Borralho made a statement on Saturday night when he defeated Jared Cannonier in the main event of UFC Vegas 96, and did so without using his high-level grappling chops. After the win, Borralho called out middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. Did he waste the callout, potentially taking another big fight off the table? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses what could be next for the surging middleweight contender after winning his first UFC main event. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Tabatha Ricci after defeating Angela Hill in the co-main event, TUF 32 winners Ryan Loder and Mairon Santos following their stoppage victories, Michael Morales after his impressive first-round finish of Neil Magny, Gerald Meerschaert following his record-breaking win against Edmen Shahbazyan, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Elo 202435min

Caio Borralho chose to stand with Jared Cannonier for the entirety of their five-round main event of UFC Vegas 96, and it was enough to get the job done in a wild middleweight battle. After the biggest win of his career, how close is Borralho now to a title shot? Following Saturday's Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman react to the latest APEX fight card, Borralho's victory, the great battle between "The Natural" and Cannonier, and discuss where Borralho could go next. Additionally, topics include Tabatha Ricci's co-main event win over Angela Hill, Mairon Santos and Ryan Loder earning contracts after winning The Ultimate Fighter, Michael Morales and Gerald Meerschaert's impressive finishes, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Elo 20241h 19min