BTL | Is Ilia Topuria No. 1 Fighter In the World? Plus, Pantoja Shines Again, UFC 317 Recap, More

Did the PFL just have its coming out moment? On Saturday, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes went to war for 25 minutes in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champion Series. Nurmagomedov eked out a majority decision win, but Hughes won the moral victory after giving the undefeated Dagestani all he could handle for 25 minutes, resulting in the current frontrunner for Fight of the Year In the immediate aftermath of such an incredible fight, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Casey Leydon hold an impromptu post-show, discussing the incredible main event, whether its the best fight in PFL history, if this is the sort of event that could get PFL to finally break through with the broader MMA fandom, and more. 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

25 Tammi 59min

With the UFC taking a week off, this weekend belongs to the other combat sports promotions in the world and they’re taking advantage of it. On Saturday, BKFC returns for its big Knucklemania 5 event in Philadelphia, headlined by a five-round scrap between Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens. But before that goes down, PFL hosts its first event of 2025 with a Champions Series card in Dubai headlined by a sensational lightweight title fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee take a deep dive into both big combat sports cards this weekend, including who wins the BKFC headliner, how the BKFC heavyweight title fight between Mick Terrill and Ben Rothwell might go, which other fights they’re looking forward to on Saturday, answer viewer questions, and more. 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

24 Tammi 1h 9min

UFC 311 is in the books and both Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili remain UFC champions. It was a hectic fight week that saw top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan withdraw the day before the event, allowing Renato Moicano to step in on short notice. Unfortunately for Moicano, he was unable to capitalize on his opportunity as Makhachev dismantled him quickly, submitting Moicano in the very first round. The co-main event was less dominant but no less impressive as Dvalishvili out-worked Umar Nurmagomedov over five rounds, taking a clear decision in his first-ever title defense. Mike Heck is on vacation so on this week’s all-new edition of Between the Links, Jed Meshew takes over the hosting chair and is joined by MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee to break down all the big takeaways from UFC 311 and answer fan questions. 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

23 Tammi 1h 24min

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the results from UFC 311 including Islam Makhachev making short work of Renato Moicano and Merab Dvalishvili silencing his doubters with a stunning performance to beat Umar Nurmagomedov. 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

21 Tammi 1h

GFL founder Darren Owen joins the channel to discuss their debut year for the promotion and to answer viewer questions about anything and everything, hosted by MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr  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

20 Tammi 1h 2min

Islam Makahchev made short work of Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311 to retain the lightweight title, while Merab Dvalishvili silenced the doubters and handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first loss to keep the 135-pound world title. After the first pay-per-view card of the year, where do both champions go? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Makhachev and Dvalishvili after their impressive performances, along with Moicano and Nurmagomedov after coming up short in their first championship bouts. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jiri Prochazka after knocking out Jamahal Hill in the third round of their featured bout, Jailton Almeida following his quick finish of Serghei Spivac, Reinier de Ridder after tapping Kevin Holland in the main card opener, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

19 Tammi 1h 30min

Islam Makhachev delivered against short notice opponent Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., so much so, that Dana White finally had to admit that the lightweight champion is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Following the UFC's first pay-per-view event of 2025, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Makhachev's quick win, what could be next, and how Arman Tsarukyan could fit into things at 155 after his withdrawal. Additionally, they discuss Merab Dvalishvili's successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in the bantamweight championship co-main event, where Nurmagomedov goes from his first career loss, the incredible battle between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, both fighters' stocks rising after the fight between former light heavyweight champs, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

19 Tammi 1h 3min

Relive the magic of UFC 311's live watch party with Mike Heck and Jed Meshew! Check out the original UFC 311 Watch Party here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6nUruBPB9RE Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

19 Tammi 3h 37min