UFC 322 Preview Show | Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Superfight Caps Off UFC's Best Lineup Of 2025

The UFC 300 lineup is, from start to finish, one of the best cards the promotion has ever put together. During Saturday's UFC 299 event, the main card was revealed and it included the middleweight matchup between Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage — which didn't sit well with a large number of MMA fans. But when you really look at the construction of the main card, it's not a bad choice for a few reasons. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Nickal getting the main card bump for the historic card, and why it's actually a good call when you really look at it. Additionally, listener questions include UFC fighter pay, the ongoing lawsuit against the UFC, Saturday's UFC Vegas 88 event, what constitutes a star that has negotiating power in the UFC, matchmaking for Kevin Holland and Benoit Saint Denis following UFC 299, 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

15 Maalis 202455min

Dustin Poirier continues to defy the MMA gods on his road to another potential UFC title shot, but where does he sit in the lightweight pantheon — and how would a championship change his legacy? Podcast pals Jed Meshew and Damon Martin join Shaun Al-Shatti this week to deep dive into 155 pounds around (36:30) and reach a surprising conclusion about Poirier in the aftermath of UFC 299. The gang also tackles the three-way debate muddying the top of the bantamweight division around (6:20) and whether MMA Fighting is being unfair to Sean O'Malley for not unanimously voting the champ as the consensus No. 1, ask which of the big wins by Jack Della Maddalena and Michael Page are more impactful to the welterweight division around (1:02:10), pour one out for a ex-UFC champ leaving the rankings around (1:16:15), plus much more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin 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 20241h 25min

This past weekend delivered unforgettable moments for MMA fans — both on the positive and negative sides — with Anthony Joshua’s absolutely ferocious knockout of Francis Ngannou, and the incredible UFC 299 event that featured spectacular performances from Sean O’Malley, Dustin Poirier, and others. What was the biggest fallout story from this past weekend? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the fallout of both Joshua vs. Ngannou and UFC 299 events, where Ngannou, O’Malley, and Poirier go from here, and other storylines from this past weekend in combat sports. Additionally, they’ll discuss the hotly discussed ending to the Cedric Doumbe vs. Baysangur Chamsoudinov fight from PFL Europe this past Thursday, react to the booking of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match on June 1, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Shaun Al-Shatti. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Shaun 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

14 Maalis 20241h 27min

Dustin Poirier took a super difficult fight against surging contender Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 299 and delivered an incredible highlight-reel knockout that sent the MMA community into a frenzy. With so much going on at lightweight, and champion Islam Makhachev needing an opponent for potentially as early as June, did "The Diamond" punch his ticket to one last opportunity at undisputed UFC gold? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck gives his thoughts on Poirier's performance, whether he will be next for Makhachev, and his incredible run as a 155-pounder in the UFC. Additionally, listener questions include the booking of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match June 1 and the pros and cons with the bout, Sean O'Malley's big win over Marlon Vera, Colby Covington's response to Ian Machado Garry, if Curtis Blaydes gets the fight with Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title with his win over Jailton Almeida, 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

14 Maalis 20241h 6min

The UFC is back in the world's most famous APEX. Following the sensational UFC 299, the world's leading MMA promotor returns to its home base for UFC Vegas 88 this weekend, headlined by a heavyweight fight between Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura, so of course the No Bets Barred boys are here with a full breakdown of the card. Conner Burks and Jed Meshew speak fondly of the wonder that was last weekend in combat sports, where UFC 299, Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, and a Cedric Doumbe fight all took place. Then it's on to the business at hand and a deep dive into UFC Vegas 88. Can Tai Tuivasa recapture the "Bam Bam" magic and knock out Marcin Tybura? Will Kennedy Nzechukwu like the new "Kenny Nunchucks" nickname Jed has chosen for him? How will the other Bryan Barberena, the other "Bam Bam", do on Saturday? All this and more are discussed on this week's episode. Tune in for episode 81 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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

13 Maalis 202449min

O eletrizante UFC 299 não terminou bem para o Brasil (a não ser que seu nome seja Michel Pereira), e o Trocação Franca repercute tudo o que rolou em Miami na companhia de Tarso Doria e Gustavo Chagas. O podcast ainda disseca os rankings em busca de nomes para o UFC Rio, entrevista Jafel Filho e Leandro Higo sobre suas próximas lutas, e revela em primeira mão adversária de Gabi Garcia para seu returno ao MMA. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. UFC 299 did not end well for Brazilians (except Michel Pereira), and Trocação Franca debates the aftermath alongside Tarso Doria and Gustavo Chagas. The podcast dissects the rankings while looking for names to help salvage UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, chats with Jafel Filho and Leandro Higo about their upcoming bouts, and breaks news of Gabi Garcia’s return to MMA. 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 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

13 Maalis 20241h 50min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discussing the fallout from the biggest moments of the past few days including Francis Ngannou’s knockout loss to Anthony Joshua as well as everything that unfolded at UFC 299. In just his second professional boxing match, Ngannou took on Joshua in a main event fight from Saudi Arabia but unlike his first fight with Tyson Fury, things did not go nearly as well this time. Joshua ultimately ended Ngannou’s night with a violent knockout in the second round. So following that loss what should Ngannou do next? Does he need to return to MMA or should he stick around for another boxing match? We’ll also discuss Sean O’Malley’s lopsided win over Marlon “Chito” Vera and what that performance said about him and his standing as bantamweight champion. Plus Dustin Poirier pulled off an incredible win over Benoit Saint Denis in a fight where it seemed like the entire world expected him to lose. Afterwards, Poirier hinted at a potential title bout with Islam Makhachev in June but should that actually happen? We’ll also react to the news that Jake Paul is boxing Mike Tyson in a fight scheduled for Cowboy Stadium in Dallas in July. Why is this fight even happening and what do we expect to take place when Paul clashes with the 58-year-old former heavyweight 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

12 Maalis 202458min

Following his one-sided unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera in the main event of UFC 299 to retain the bantamweight title, Sean O'Malley said his top choice would be a champ vs. champ bout with UFC featherweight champ Ilia Topuria in Spain. Will "Sugar" get his wish, or will he face No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and guest host Jed Meshew discuss where O'Malley goes from his impressive victory, and also give their thoughts on what could be next for Vera. Future matchups are also discussed for Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis after Poirier's show-stealing knockout victory, Michael Page following his victory over Kevin Holland in his octagon debut, Jack Della Maddalena after stopping Gilbert Burns in a dramatic comeback, former champ Petr Yan after getting back on track against Song Yadong, and more from the memorable event. 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

10 Maalis 202456min