The MMA Hour - Episode 168

With UFC 290 just days away, The Fighter vs. The Writer tackles the upcoming card with Alan Jouban joining the show as a special co-host looking ahead at both the main and co-main events. At the top of the card, Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to defend his title against Yair Rodriguez but where would he sit amongst the all time greats at featherweight with another win? Has Volkanovski done enough to surpass the legacy of Jose Aldo at 145 pounds? We’ll also breakdown the co-main event where Brandon Moreno looks to get revenge on Alexandre Pantoja after suffering two previous losses to him while also attempting to defend his flyweight title. Moreno has come a long way since his last loss to Pantoja but is this a mountain he’s finally ready to climb? Plus we’ll debate Robert Whittaker’s chances of earning a third fight against Israel Adesanya when he faces off with Dricus du Plessi on Saturday. Does Whittaker need to do something special to justify that third shot against Adesanya or at least get people interested in the trilogy after falling to “The Last Stylebender” twice previously. All this and much more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify Read More: MMA Fighting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Jul 20231h 22min

Can you believe that 2023 is already half over? That's right, it's July now which means the year has hit the halfway mark and there's been a ton of stuff that has happened already. So what better thing to do than remember it all? MMA Fighting's Shaheen Al-Shatti, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew circle up to discuss their picks for Best Fighter, Fight, Knockout, Submission, and more so far this year. Who will take home these prestigious Half-Year Awards? Tune in to find out! Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee 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

3 Jul 20231h 6min

Sean Strickland feels he deserves a title shot after putting Abus Magomedov away in the second round of the UFC Vegas 76 main event, but will he get the fight with Israel Adesanya next, or will he have to win a few more before that opportunity comes his way? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on the matchmaking hats following Saturday's event at the APEX and discuss where Strickland goes from his second straight victory. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Grant Dawson after his dominant decision victory over Damir Ismagulov, Michael Morales following his impressive victory over Max Griffin, along with fellow main card winners Ariane Lipski, Benoit Saint-Denis, Nursulton Ruziboev, and more. 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

2 Jul 20231h 41min

Sean Strickland needed less than two rounds to put away Abus Magomedov in the main event of UFC Vegas 76 on Saturday night at the APEX, and then called out for a title fight against current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya for September. As of this moment, is Strickland sitting atop the contender's perch? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Strickland's second-round TKO win over Magomedov, and his title hopes following the victory depending on what happens in the UFC 290 bout between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis. Additionally, they discuss Kevin Lee's 55 second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov, where "The Motown Phenom," and Fakhretdinov go from the bout, Grant Dawson's suffocating win over Damir Ismagulov in the co-main event, how long Dawson's road to a title shot could be despite his talent, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

2 Jul 20231h 4min

Sean Strickland headlines his fifth event at UFC APEX and given his results and notoriety, is it possible that the controversial middleweight contender might actually find himself in a title shot? Champion Israel Adesanya has mentioned Strickland in the past and he needs a challenger soon… MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, and José Youngs break down the latest show from the UFC’s Las Vegas facility, from the weekend’s main event to an intriguing lightweight co-headliner between Damir Ismagulov and Grant Dawson, plus the return of one-time interim title challenger Kevin Lee and top welterweight prospect Michael Morales. Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs 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

30 Jun 20231h 14min

Henry Cejudo announced on Thursday that a shoulder injury has scratched him from his UFC 292 matchup with Marlon Vera in Boston. While Vera is calling for a fight with Petr Yan, if the former champion is not available, should Vera remain on the card to face another ranked bantamweight? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Cejudo's withdrawal and where Vera could go after losing a big-time matchup. Additionally, listener questions include UFC 290, Ilia Topuria's title hopes after his big win over Josh Emmett, Aljamain Sterling possibly moving to 145 pounds after facing Sean O'Malley, the MMA media landscape, the best play-by-play announcers in sports, how Jim Ross would fare calling UFC fights, how Jon Anik would do calling WWE matches, 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: 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

30 Jun 20231h 19min

Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg apparently want to fight in a cage against one another in this crazy year that is 2023, and UFC President Dana White doesn't just want to promote it, he's all-in on the idea of promoting what he predicts will be the "biggest fight ever in the history of the world." While he might be right, are you interested in seeing it, and if so, would you want it in the octagon? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel will give their thoughts on the potential bout, and White's overwhelming interest in being a part of it. Additionally, topics include the controversy surrounding the fallout of PFL 6, Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio's poor effort, both fighters being suspended — which led to Schulte being ousted from the playoffs for Shane Burgos — who the blame goes to, Ilia Topuria's incredible performance against Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Jacksonville, if a title shot could be next, Saturday's UFC Vegas 76 card headlined by Sean Strickland vs. Abus Magomedov, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup, which features the return of MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew as he challenges Eric "New York Ric" Jackman for the BTL title. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic 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

29 Jun 20231h 14min

Sean Strickland feels he should be in play for Israel Adesanya and the middleweight title should he be successful in his UFC Vegas 76 main event matchup with Abus Magomedov this Saturday. Should he be victorious, would Strickland be in the driver's seat to face the champ in Sydney in September? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck gives his thoughts on Strickland's chances to get the title fight with a win, and what could happen should Magomedov get a massive win in just his second octagon appearance. Additionally, topics include Dana White announcing Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Kelvin Gastelum as the co-main event for the UFC's event on Sept. 16 and if it was the correct fight to make, the most underrated UFC fights during the pandemic era, if a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight could ever happen, 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: 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

29 Jun 20231h 11min