The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 316

The MMA gods have a wicked sense of humor. Podcast pals Mike Heck and Jed Meshew join co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee this week to unpack the inauspicious double-dose that struck Michael Chandler over the past few days, with the status of Conor McGregor and UFC 303 hurled into doubt just as Chandler was removed from MMA Fighting’s lightweight rankings for inactivity. The gang talks the latest whispers around UFC 303 (5:20), tries to figure out the best back-up options for the event, and debates whether even a best-case win for either man could get them back into the rankings. Then, the crew sifts through the wreckage of UFC 302 to determine where Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier sits in the Fight of the Year race (44:30), figure how it became Dana White and Jon Jones against the world (54:30), plus much more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee 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

5 Jun 20241h 29min

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier's 20-plus minute battle in the main event of UFC 302 certainly saved a lackluster card, and while the MMA community continued to appreciate the greatness of the fight throughout Sunday, the UFC 303 press conference in Dublin was postponed ahead of Conor McGregor's return against Michael Chandler. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the roller coaster weekend, Makhachev's tremendous win over Poirier, the challenger's gutsy performance and his fighting future. Additionally, listener topics include McGregor vs. Chandler, whether or not the fight does end up happening on June 29, the speculation surrounding it, what the backup plan could be if the bout is scratched, the chances Makhachev moved up to welterweight to challenge for a second title in his next fight, Dana White saying Jon Jones is the best fighter in the world right now, and much more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays 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

4 Jun 20241h 4min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC analyst Alan Jouban joining MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin to discuss the fallout from UFC 302 as well as reacting to the sudden cancellation for the UFC 303 press conference in Ireland. Just hours before the press conference was scheduled to begin, UFC officials announced that the planned event in Ireland was no longer happening with McGregor later stating that “obstacles outside of our control” led to the cancellation. Should fans be more concerned that something else is happening behind the scenes threatening the UFC 303 main event? Plus, we’ll talk about Islam Makhachev’s fifth round submission win over Dustin Poirier and what should be next for him. Is Makhachev destined to become a two-division champion or should he stick around his own division for a little while longer? Plus Jouban explains why he believes now is the right time for Poirier to call it a career and walk away from the sport following his fight with Makhachev on Saturday. 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

4 Jun 20241h 9min

Islam Makhachev is still the UFC lightweight champion following a gritty fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. While it seems pretty cut and dry who Makhachev will defend his title against next, does Poirier continue on with his fighting career after falling short in his third opportunity at undisputed gold? 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 Poirier following their lightweight championship bout. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Sean Strickland following his decision win over Paulo Costa in the co-main event, Kevin Holland following his nasty armbar submission victory in his middleweight return, along with fellow main card winners Niko Price and Randy Brown. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

2 Jun 20241h 11min

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee as they react to Islam Makhachev's fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302, Sean Strickland's win over Paulo Costa, and more from Saturday's UFC pay-per-view event. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

2 Jun 20241h 31min

Relive the magic of UFC 302's live watch party with Mike Heck and Conner Burks! Check out the original UFC 302 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mExJiTJUaeo Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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 Jun 20243h 39min

Dustin Poirier's final chance to capture undisputed UFC gold is finally upon us. Can he finish his story against pound-for-pound No. 1 Islam Makhachev at UFC 302? Join Shaun Al-Shatti, Jed Meshew, Alexander K. Lee, and E. Casey Leydon as we preview UFC 302, Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa, and more. Where would a Poirier upset rank among MMA's all-time feel-good moments and how would Poirier's legacy within the lightweight pantheon change if he pulls off the improbable? What's at stake for Makhachev, who can tie the UFC's all-time mark for consecutive lightweight title defenses with a win? Ahead of Saturday night, we dive deep into every angle of UFC 302's featured bouts, make picks and predictions, answer fan questions, and much more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

31 Mai 20241h 36min

Dustin Poirier will step into the UFC octagon this Saturday in what will likely be his final chance to become an undisputed world champion. To pull it off, he'd have to defeat the incredible Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302. Can Poirier do it, and if so, what happens to the top of the lightweight division? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the Makhachev vs. Poirier headliner, the divisional landscape based on who wins, along with where either would rank all time at 155 with their hand being raised. Additionally, they'll talk the co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa, the stakes for both guys involved, Dana White announcing that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will have a press conference in Dublin next week ahead of their UFC 303 fight, the addition of Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Page, and Carlos Ulberg stepping in to face Jamahal Hill on the June 29 card, Nick Diaz's return set for UFC Abu Dhabi, along with Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, and Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa for the August event, and more. Host Mike Heck will be joined by MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew to discuss those topics and answer your questions. 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

30 Mai 20241h 31min