The MMA Hour - Episode 168

In the UFC's first event following a storyline filled UFC 286 card, the promotion heads to Texas for UFC San Antonio, which will be headlined by a pivotal matchup in the bantamweight division between Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen. With the division in the state that it's in currently, what is on the line for both guys ahead of the fan-friendly bout? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, José Youngs, and Alexander K. Lee break down the Vera vs. Sandhagen five-rounder and where each guy goes with a win, and if a title shot is in play for either. Additionally, they'll discuss Holly Holm's first fight of 2023 as she meets Yana Santos in the co-main event, Maycee Barber vs. Andrea Lee, and more ahead of Saturday's event at the AT&T Center. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs 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 Mar 20231h

Belal Muhammad was confused as to why Colby Covington was named the No. 1 contender following UFC 286. Despite the bad news of getting passed over, Muhammad has found a way to turn the negative into a positive, and has gotten more support over the last few days among the MMA fan base than he has in his entire career. Will it work out for him in the end? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses how Muhammad has gotten himself over in a big way this week with how he has handled himself in the aftermath of Dana White's decision, and how Jorge Masvidal can give him what he wants should "Gamebred" defeat Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. Additionally, listener questions include greatest trilogies in MMA, Mount Rushmore of current fighters, the journey into the MMA media space, Benavidez vs. Plant, 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

24 Mar 20231h 12min

Leon Edwards sent the London fans home happy with majority decision win over Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 286 this past Saturday. With his rivalry with Usman officially behind him, there seemed to be many interesting options for "Rocky," before Dana White announced his own option. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the fallout of Edwards' victory over Usman, what the victory means for Edwards' legacy, and where Usman goes from his second straight loss. Additionally, they'll discuss the UFC president naming Colby Covington as the No. 1 contender for the welterweight title, Edwards taking a stand, Covington's interview with MMA Fighting, and if "Chaos" has done Belal Muhammad a favor, along with Justin Gaethje's big win over Rafael Fiziev in the UFC 286 co-main event, Saturday's UFC San Antonio event headlined by a pivotal bantamweight bout between Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Damon Martin. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

23 Mar 20231h 34min

After a year away from the public eye, Colby Covington stepped on the scale as the backup for the UFC 286 main event between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman, and was named as the No. 1 contender at welterweight to face Edwards next. While many were curious as to what Covington's demeanor would be upon his return, he has doubled down on his persona, but has that been detrimental to him in the eyes of the fans? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses his interview with Covington, along with his viral quote about Jon Anik, and how he reacted to it in the moment. Additionally, topics include if Covington is now getting "go-away heat," Paulo Costa agreeing to a new deal with the UFC and if a fight with Khamzat Chimaev is in his future, the bantamweight main event of UFC San Antonio between Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen, Jorge Masvidal's title hopes with a win over Gilbert Burns, 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: 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 Mar 20231h 2min

This Saturday the UFC concludes an eight-week stretch of events with UFC San Antonio, headlined by a bantamweight matchup between Marlon 'Chito' Vera and Cory Sandhagen, and the No Bets Barred boys are back to break things down. To kick things off, co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew recap UFC 286, where Conner continued to struggle, while Jed somehow pulled out a good weekend for the first time all year, and where UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev established himself unequivocally as an Enemy of the State for Flyweight Under Nation. Fortunately, Flyweight Under Nation is still thriving as this weekend there are THREE bouts that fit the description and so Conner and Jed dive deep into their UFC San Antonio breakdown, featuring a copious amount of over/under plays, and the debut of a new type of wager that could prove to be the Next Big Thing in MMA gambling. Tune in for Episode 39 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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

22 Mar 20231h 3min

Leon Edwards was one of the most disrespected fighters in MMA. Now he's the man who not only did the impossible — he did it twice. The rankings show is BACK after another crazy MMA stretch to sort through Edwards' massive win in his UFC 286 trilogy with Kamaru Usman, and much more. Co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee are joined by Jed Meshew and Damon Martin to debate where Edwards ranks among the greatest reversal-of-narratives UFC champions around (11:40), where the welterweight division stands after a slew of big fights, and much more. They also hit on whether Merab Dvalishvilli's standing as MMA's most overqualified bodyguard is good or bad for the bantamweight division around (33:57), whether Muhammad Mokaev's first year in the UFC deserves a reassessment of expectations around (43:54), and pour a few out for the homies with some bittersweet farewells around (55:58). Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee 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

22 Mar 20231h 6min

Rafael Cordeiro fala ao podcast sobre a preparação de Beneil Dariush para o desafio com Charles do Bronx no UFC 288 e os próximos passos de atletas da equipe, além de prever um caminho duro para Conor McGregor caso volte ao peso leve. Felipe Preguiça, um dos principais nomes do país no grappling, comenta expectativa para nova luta com o arquirrival Gordon Ryan e os planos de transição para o MMA. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. Rafael Cordeiro breaks down Beneil Dariush’s preparation to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 288 and next steps for other Kings MMA athletes — he also predicts a hard time for Conor McGregor if he ever goes back to lightweight. Top Brazilian grappler Felipe ‘Preguiça’ Pena talks about getting a new match booked against his longtime rival Gordon Ryan and future MMA plans. 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: 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

22 Mar 20231h 1min

Leon Edwards was on the right side of his trilogy with Kamaru Usman and retained his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 286. Following the event, UFC President Dana White created quite the stir by announcing that Colby Covington would be next for "Rocky." On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Edwards' big win, Covington getting the next shot and why it shouldn't be a surprise, Belal Muhammad getting skipped over and now being targeted to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov, and the timing of the announcement with Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal being scheduled to fight at UFC 287. Additionally, listener questions include Justin Gaethje's big win over Rafael Fiziev, a potential rematch between Gaethje and Dustin Poirier, 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: 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

21 Mar 20231h 23min