The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 316

Belal Muhammad discusses his recently booked fight against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and how he expects this to be one of the "easiest matchups" of his entire career. Muhammad also addresses the strange circumstances surrounding UFC 300, his reaction to Colby Covington finally calling him out after asking for that fight for several years and Conor McGregor's interest in the welterweight title. Plus, Muhammad details working with Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 302 and possibly drawing Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement to corner him against Edwards in Manchester. 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

25 Mai 202435min

The Professional Fighters League began 2024 with a ton of questions and momentum following their acquisition of Bellator. Less than halfway through the year, the perception of the organization is in a much different place — and more so after a week of bad PR, most notably due to Donn Davis' comments about Kayla Harrison. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Davis' comments about Harrison, multiple fighters calling out the promotion for different reasons, Gegard Mousasi threatening legal action before getting released a day later, and the lack of buzz amongst the MMA community. Additionally, listener topics include Carlos Ulberg stepping in to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 303, Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 at UFC 304, Aljamain Sterling's next opponent, Dustin Poirier's prediction of knocking Islam Makhachev out at UFC 302 next weekend, and 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

24 Mai 20241h 35min

Conor McGregor has had quite a bit to say over the past few days on the build to his UFC 303 main event with Michael Chandler, and a lot of names were mentioned — both positive and negative. Have the comments from the UFC's biggest star led you to feel any differently about his fight with Chandler, as well as his UFC future? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to McGregor's recent Q&A, the comments that he's made, where he would go with a win over Chandler, and a possible welterweight title fight vs. Leon Edwards if the champ retains against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. Additionally, topics include Oleksander Usyk's massive win over Tyson Fury this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia to become the undisputed boxing heavyweight champion, the fallout from UFC Vegas 92 and Bellator Paris, Dana White being compared to the past NBA commissioner David Stern in regards to building stars in MMA, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and José Youngs. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs 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

23 Mai 20241h 13min

Chael Sonnen is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and so the MMA Fighting crew takes a look back at his extraordinary career, as DAMN! They Were Good celebrates “The Bad Guy.” For the first half of Sonnen’s career, “The American Gangster” was an also-ran, a guy with an unexciting style who nobody cared about. He fell short in the UFC when he got the call and then came up short when he fought for the WEC middleweight title, and it looked for all the world like Sonnen would join the ranks of forgotten journeymen that fill MMA. But then something happened. Sonnen decided that anonymity wasn’t good enough, and he changed his stars, incorporating pro-wrestling style bombast to make himself marketable. His fighting style never changed but his mic work did and suddenly, Sonnen was the biggest thing in the sport, kicking up a rivalry with Anderson Silva that defined the early 2010s of MMA. And while Sonnen never ultimately won a major title in MMA, he did leave an indelible impression on the combat sports world. What were our favorite moments and the best highlights from Sonnen’s career? How did Sonnen pull off this incredible turnaround? And who exactly is Homer Moore? All this and more are discussed on the latest episode of DAMN! They Were Good. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Shaheen Al-Shatti: @shaunalshatti 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

22 Mai 20242h 29min

Leon Edwards discussed the possibility of a fight against Conor McGregor later this year if both men can emerge victorious in their scheduled bouts, and McGregor gave his stamp of approval on the idea as well. If McGregor beats Michael Chandler at UFC 303, and Edwards defeats Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, could that be the next welterweight title fight? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck gives his thoughts on the likelihood of that fight being made if everything falls into place, and the alternatives if either were to lose. Additionally, listener topics include the greatness of Olesander Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Lerone Murphy's big win over Edson Barboza in the main event of UFC Vegas 92, PFL seemingly losing buzz by the day, where Patchy Mix ranks at 135 pounds worldwide after his split decision win at Bellator Paris this past Friday, and 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

21 Mai 20241h 5min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with a new episode as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discuss the latest in combat sports including Oleksandr Usyk beating Tyson Fury to become the new undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing. Usyk nearly scored a finish over Fury in the ninth round but the referee opted to give "The Gypsy King" a standing 10 count rather than swooping in for a stoppage. Did the referee cost Usyk a knockout victory with that move? Plus, Usyk's win has been praised as one of the biggest in recent history in boxing but does that actually put him at the top of the pound-for-pound list? Brown explains why he just can't put Usyk there. We also discuss the recent criticism that Jon Jones has faced for picking Stipe Miocic as his next opponent rather than fighting interim UFC champion Tom Aspinall. We'll also react to Jake Paul talking trash to Mike Tyson at their most recent press conference and Brown details why he believes that's a huge mistake on Paul's part. 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

21 Mai 20241h 7min

Lerone Murphy shined in his first UFC main event as he battered and dominated Edson Barboza at UFC Vegas 92 this past Saturday at the APEX. Following the biggest win of his career, what is next for Murphy — whether he gets his wish to fight at UFC 304 in Manchester, or not? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what is next for Murphy from a matchmaking perspective following his breakout performance. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Khaos Williams after knocking out Carlston Harris in the co-main event, Themba Gorimbo after his decision win against Ramiz Brahimaj, along with main card finishers Adrian Yanez, Angela Hill, and more. 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

19 Mai 20241h 14min

Following the UFC featherweight headliner between Edson Barboza and Lerone Murphy, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman react to Saturday's UFC Vegas 92 at the APEX. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

19 Mai 20241h 24min