On To the Next One | What's Next For Islam Makhachev, JDM After UFC 322?

With the new year comes big fights — not just for the UFC, but also for Francis Ngannou as he's set to clash with Anthony Joshua in a boxing match in March. What is at stake for the current PFL star, and what does his future now hold in the world of MMA?  On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to the booking of Ngannou vs. Joshua, what Ngannou has to gain and lose in the bout, and what comes next regardless of result. Additionally, they'll discuss Dana White announcing Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 299, Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, if the excitement levels are up thus for with the matchmaking in 2024, Saturday's UFC Vegas 84 event headlined by Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall stating their cases, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Brian Campbell: @BCampbell 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

11 Tammi 20241h 38min

UFC CEO Dana White has announced the first title fight for UFC 300, with the expectation that there will be more on the way as Zhang Weili will put her strawweight title on the line against Yan Xiaonan in the promotion's first all-Chinese world championship bout. While some are excited about the matchup, there are other fans who didn't seem all that enthused by the reveal. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the 115-pound championship fight announcement, discusses why it's a very good addition to the card as it stands right now, and what could be next for the winner. Additionally, listener questions include the rest of UFC 300 and how it will look, the importance keeping expectations realistic, what could headline the event, why UFC 297 could have some impact on what the UFC 300 main event could end up being, 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

11 Tammi 20241h 16min

The boys are back! That's right, the first fight card of 2024 is set to take place this Saturday at the world famous UFC Apex and you know what that means: The No Bets Barred boys are back with all their best bets. This week, hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick the new year off right with a deep dive into all of the Future UFC Champions bets for 2024. Then it's right into a breakdown of UFC Vegas 84 as another year of 40+ UFC events kicks off. Is this the year Magomed Ankalaev finally wins the light heavyweight title? Are Flyweight Unders going to return in 2024? Who has the best chance to pull off a Sean Strickland-esque championship run out of nowhere? And what the (Mike) Heck is going on with Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, and the UFC heavyweight title. All this and more is discussed on the first No Bets Barred of 2024. Tune in for episode 74 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

10 Tammi 20241h 22min

Jim Miller previews his upcoming fight against Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84 and explains why he didn’t just sit around and wait to compete again at UFC 300. After earning wins at both UFC 100 and UFC 200, Miller has often talked about his desire to compete at UFC 300 and he doubles down on those plans while addressing any potential delays due to his fight in January. Miller also discusses his legacy in the sport as the fighter with the most fights and wins in UFC history and how he still wants to add onto that record after changing his plans regarding retirement. Miller also details more medical issues he faced after being diagnosed with Lyme disease, which hit him hard for two years of his career in the UFC. All this and more in this exclusive interview with Miller ahead of his fight at UFC Vegas 84 on Saturday!    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

10 Tammi 202446min

Two men who hold championship belts in the UFC's heavyweight division have been going back-and-forth on social media. Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall are stating their cases, but which fighter is right, and which one is wrong? Moderator Mike Heck is joined by Eric Jackman, representing Jones, and Jed Meshew, who is representing Aspinall, as they explain why their fighter is correct in the situation, what they could be doing differently, the UFC not getting any blame for some reason, and offering up their honest opinions about the situation. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

9 Tammi 202438min

Francis Ngannou left the UFC and has made it work better than anybody in recent memory, and with another massive boxing match ahead of him against Anthony Joshua in March, many want to know if Ngannou will still have any interest in returning to MMA competition. If you're the PFL, are you worried Ngannou may not have that interest? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Ngannou's MMA future following his appearance on The MMA Hour, and why things could get real interesting if he beats Joshua. Additionally, listener topics include the Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan fight announcements, Sean O'Malley's star power, what could be next for Justin Gaethje, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall's back-and-forth on social media, 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

9 Tammi 20241h 3min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with the first new episode in 2024 with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin reacting to the latest news in combat sports including Conor McGregor announcing his return. Just days ago, McGregor touted his plan to fight Michael Chandler — at middleweight — at the upcoming International Fight Week card in June but Brown still doesn’t buy it. Brown explains why he’s always doubted that McGregor would ever fight again and that opinion hasn’t changed even with this latest announcement. We’ll also discuss Francis Ngannou returning to boxing for a showdown against Anthony Joshua in March. Does Ngannou have a realistic shot at pulling off a win over Joshua and what would that mean for his future in MMA? Plus, Brown teases his potential return at the historic UFC 300 in April and what fights might actually end up headlining that card. All that and much 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

9 Tammi 20241h 39min

Johnny Walker tem planos ousados para 2024. De revanche marcada com Magomed Ankalaev para o UFC deste sábado, ele contou ao Trocação Franca que quer garantir chance pelo cinturão de Alex Poatan no histórico UFC 300, em abril. O podcast traz, ainda, entrevistas com Jean Silva, Nikolas Motta e Felipe Bunes, que lutam no mesmo card. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. Johnny Walker has bold plans for 2024. Set to rematch Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas, Walker told Trocação Franca he’s targeting a UFC 300 title bout with Alex Pereira with a win this weekend. The podcast also features interviews with UFC Vegas 84 fighters Jean Silva, Nikolas Motta, and Felipe Bunes. 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

9 Tammi 20241h 8min