#469 – Anthony Smith, Stefan Struve, Valerie Loureda, Matt Mitrione

Ahead of UFC 302 on Saturday, The Fighter vs. The Writer returns as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin break down the biggest storylines from the card. First things first, we react to the latest from Ronda Rousey after the former UFC champion said she felt vilified by the media after her exodus from combat sports and how she expects she would get booed if she actually made an appearance at UFC events. Does Rousey have a point about how she was treated or is she still struggling to face her shortcomings at the end of her career? Brown has his take on Rousey’s exit from the UFC and the string of comments she’s made about her losses after releasing her autobiography. We’ll also get into the biggest fights at UFC 302 including Islam Makhachev defending his title against Dustin Poirier in the main event. Does Poirier have a great chance to pull off the upset on Saturday or will this be another dominant performance from Makhachev? What about Sean Strickland returning against Paulo Costa? What does Strickland need to do to win and how can Costa thwart the former UFC middleweight champion? All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer! 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

28 Touko 20241h 9min

UFC lead commentator Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 302 event in Newark, the main event between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier for the lightweight title, discusses whether or not he believes it will be Poirier's final fight, Makhachev not getting enough credit for his run, the Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa co-main event, Conor McGregor's return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, the bouts announced for UFC 304, 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

27 Touko 202437min

Ahead of UFC 304 in July, Curtis Blaydes previews his rematch against Tom Aspinall after their first fight ended in just 15 seconds and now the interim heavyweight title is on the line. Blaydes also addresses Jon Jones picking Stipe Miocic has his next opponent and his expectations that the winner of that fight will almost certainly retire afterwards. He also discusses Ciryl Gane allegedly turning down the title fight against Aspinall in July as well as the dangers that come along with competing in the heavyweight division, especially when it comes to the idea that he somehow has a glass jaw 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

27 Touko 202431min

With the UFC and major promotions off this past weekend, MMA Fighting’s matchmaking show decided to give back to fans of the program with a special “Ask Us Anything” show. On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee take listener submitted questions about Conor McGregor's 2024 and if he'll fight more than his scheduled UFC 303 main event with Michael Chandler, MMA pet peeves, when Khamzat Chimaev and other contending names could fight for a title, best prospects in the sport throughout the weight classes, the possibility of the UFC introducing a women's atomweight division in the future, MMA referees and when to show authority in fights, and much more. On To the Next One will return with a live matchmaking show on the MMA Fighting YouTube channel on Sunday, June 2 following UFC 302 headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier. 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

26 Touko 20241h 29min

MMA is freaking fun! On the latest episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review get their funny bones tickled as we watch the 2012 comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” starring Kevin James, Henry Winkler, and former UFC champion Bas Rutten. When disillusioned teacher and former wrestler Scott Voss (James) finds out that a friend needs almost 50 grand to save the school’s music department, he teams up with the eccentric Niko (Rutten) to get himself back into fighting shape in the hopes of making some quick cash. Scott’s inspiring underdog story eventually lands him a chance to fight for the UFC, where the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a season of episodes filled with doom and gloom, Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, E. Casey Leydon, and special guest Mike Heck have their spirits raised by the heartwarming tale, which also might be the most accurate MMA film ever made. How does the movie get everything so right? Would Scott Voss actually be a contender in the UFC? And is Bas Rutten the best MMA fighter/actor yet? Put on your viking helmet and get PUMPED as we answer these questions and more. Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc 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

26 Touko 20241h 24min

Belal Muhammad discusses his recently booked fight against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and how he expects this to be one of the "easiest matchups" of his entire career. Muhammad also addresses the strange circumstances surrounding UFC 300, his reaction to Colby Covington finally calling him out after asking for that fight for several years and Conor McGregor's interest in the welterweight title. Plus, Muhammad details working with Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 302 and possibly drawing Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement to corner him against Edwards in Manchester. 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

25 Touko 202435min

The Professional Fighters League began 2024 with a ton of questions and momentum following their acquisition of Bellator. Less than halfway through the year, the perception of the organization is in a much different place — and more so after a week of bad PR, most notably due to Donn Davis' comments about Kayla Harrison. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Davis' comments about Harrison, multiple fighters calling out the promotion for different reasons, Gegard Mousasi threatening legal action before getting released a day later, and the lack of buzz amongst the MMA community. Additionally, listener topics include Carlos Ulberg stepping in to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 303, Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 at UFC 304, Aljamain Sterling's next opponent, Dustin Poirier's prediction of knocking Islam Makhachev out at UFC 302 next weekend, 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 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

24 Touko 20241h 35min

Conor McGregor has had quite a bit to say over the past few days on the build to his UFC 303 main event with Michael Chandler, and a lot of names were mentioned — both positive and negative. Have the comments from the UFC's biggest star led you to feel any differently about his fight with Chandler, as well as his UFC future? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to McGregor's recent Q&A, the comments that he's made, where he would go with a win over Chandler, and a possible welterweight title fight vs. Leon Edwards if the champ retains against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. Additionally, topics include Oleksander Usyk's massive win over Tyson Fury this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia to become the undisputed boxing heavyweight champion, the fallout from UFC Vegas 92 and Bellator Paris, Dana White being compared to the past NBA commissioner David Stern in regards to building stars in MMA, and much 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 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

23 Touko 20241h 13min