Fighter vs. Writer Reacts to Jon Jones’ Win Over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 and a Possible Conspiracy Theory About His Future in the Sport

Francis Ngannou's first fight of 2024 is booked, and it will take place in the boxing ring, not an MMA cage. As MMA Fighting confirmed on Friday, Ngannou will face Anthony Joshua in a 10-round boxing match that is targeted for March, although the date is currently not finalized at this time. Following Ngannou making the decision to leave the UFC as heavyweight champion in early 2023, he went on to sign with the PFL before taking Tyson Fury to the limit in his pro boxing debut in October. Now, "The Predator" gets another massive opportunity to shake things up in boxing's heavyweight division. Following the news being announced, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Eric Jackman react to the news, how it benefits both fighters, discuss what it means for Ngannou's MMA future, early predictions, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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

5 Tammi 202428min

UFC 300 will be here before we know it, and everyone seems to have an idea of what the historic UFC pay-per-view event should look like. With Conor McGregor announcing he's fighting Michael Chandler in June, the main event — along with the full supporting cast — remains a mystery. So what would be your ideal UFC 300 lineup? On a special edition of Heck of a Morning (in the afternoon), MMA Fighting's Mike Heck takes your UFC 300 fight card suggestions. Additionally, he'll answer your questions about anything and everything as it relates to the crazy world of MMA, interim champ Tom Aspinall tweeting his thoughts about Stipe Miocic getting a title shot vs. Jon Jones over him, whether or not Nick Diaz should return at UFC 300, 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 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

5 Tammi 20241h 25min

According to Conor McGregor, his return is set against Michael Chandler at the UFC's International Fight Week in June. Although the promotion has yet to officially announce, it appears as if we'll see the sport's biggest star before the second half of 2024. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to McGregor's announcement that his bout with Chandler will not take place at UFC 300, but on June 29, along with the opening odds giving McGregor a slight edge. Additionally, the panel takes your questions about the bouts currently on the table for April's UFC 300 event, Leon Edwards saying he'll be defending his welterweight title on the card, what could be the main event, other big stories in the sport with the UFC on break until next Saturday, 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

4 Tammi 20241h 20min

Conor McGregor announced his octagon return against Michael Chandler, but according the former two-division world champ, it will not be happening at UFC 300 as many were predicting. With the UFC's 2024 calendar filling up rapidly, what fight will headline one of the promotion's biggest and monumental events? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the McGregor vs. Chandler announcement for June 29, if it is a mistake by the UFC to not have the fight headline UFC 300, and what the UFC could do in order to make that all-important main event spot pop. Additionally, listener topics include a potential Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad fight, if Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira should get the shot at Islam Makhachev, the UFC's future at the APEX, the promotion's debut in Saudi Arabia still without a headliner, 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 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

4 Tammi 20241h 20min

Who will be our 11 UFC champions by the end of 2024? The gang is BACK to predict the upcoming championship slate and debate the biggest winners and biggest upsets of the next 12 months. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin 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

1 Tammi 20241h 28min

DAMN! They Were Good celebrates the careers of our favorite fighters in MMA history. On this episode, the MMA Fighting staff takes a deep dive into the legendary career of Mirko Cro Cop. Making a name for himself in kickboxing as one of the most exciting fighters in K-1, Mirko Cro Cop transitioned to MMA in 2001 and quickly became one of the standout fighter in Pride FC. Leaving a trail of unconscious bodies in his wake thanks to his devastating left high kick, Cro Cop became one of the most accomplished and beloved heavyweights in history, most notably winning the Pride Openweight Grand Prix in 2006 and serving as one-half of the Fight of the Decade against Fedor Emelianenko. A disappointing sting in the UFC followed but Cro Cop then found new life with a late career resurgence that saw him claim a K-1 world title and win the RIZIN Openweight Grand Prix in 2016 before hanging up the gloves for good in 2019 following a stroke. What were the most iconic performances and what were our favorite memories from Cro Cop's career? Listen in as the MMA Fighting crews remembers remembers one of the most devastating strikers in MMA history. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Shaheen Al-Shatti: @shaunalshatti 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

31 Joulu 20232h 8min

With 2023 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport. In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2023 was going to bring. Topics include Conor McGregor's activity for the year, whether or not Jon Jones would retire at some point, if Dana White would be punished for what happened at the start of the year, what the year could bring for the likes of Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Shavkat Rahkmonov, and Khamzat Chimaev, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more. In addition, we will need you help for part two: our 2024 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Thursday, Jan. 4 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like. 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

31 Joulu 202347min

With just a couple of days left in the year, it’s almost time to say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like this past year — and a lot that needs to be improved upon, from the UFC, to PFL, and beyond. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the second annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they grade the UFC for their 2023 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year. Additionally, the duo do the same for PFL, Bellator's year prior to the merger, ONE Championship, BKFC, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, other ideas to bring into 2024, and what could be the breakout promotion in the space for the upcoming year. 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

28 Joulu 20231h 42min