Fares Ziam & Terrance McKinney discuss showdowns on next week's UFC Saudi Arabia

We have the champ and a 'Jedi' ahead of UFC 266 this Saturday on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered! First, Alexander Volkanovski joins Jim and Matt before he defends his Featherweight belt against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 this Saturday in Las Vegas. After some members of his crew crash the interview and break balls with Matt Serra, "The Great" opens up about why Ortega's most recent win against The Korean Zombie was not as impressive as others have claimed, training with BJJ black belt Craig Jones, how he kept a level head throughout two training camps and a COVID-19 diagnosis and much more. Then, Matthew Semelsberger calls in to the show before his bout against Martin Sano Jr. this Saturday at UFC 266. He reveals the origin of his nickname "Semi the Jedi", explains Dungeons and Dragons to Jim and Matt, and reveals why he dropped out of college about 12 credits shy of graduating to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. Jim and Matt close the show with their picks for UFC 266, including Valentina Shevchenko's latest title defense against Lauren Murphy in the co-main event and the rematch 17 years in the making between Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Sep 202147min

Try not to be jealous of Joseph Benavidez's life as a newly retired fighter on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered! First, Jim and Matt break down a few of their favorite fights from Saturday's card, UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann. They discuss Devin Clark's toughness in his loss to Ion Cutelaba and Hannah Goldy's come-from-behind armbar submission win against Emily Whitmire. Then, comedian Dan Soder joins the show. Before Matt reveals to Dan that he was the inspiration for one of his bits when he had to do stand-up on Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight, Dan tells stories of his time with Stipe Miocic during his guest appearance on Dan’s show "Billions" and shares why he is so excited to see the Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler rematch 17 years in the making at UFC 266 this Saturday. Joseph Benavidez closes the show shortly after announcing his retirement from the UFC. He explains why the idea of making a spectacle of his retirement was uncomfortable at first, he talks about the career path he hopes to transition to, the reality shows he and his wife Megan Olivi most enjoy watching, and why crying at movies and television shows is nothing new for him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Sep 202157min

Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters on this Saturday's card to help preview UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann! First, Jim and Matt discuss the recent passing of comedy legend Norm MacDonald. Then, Ariane Lipski joins the show ahead of her fight against Mandy Bohm on Saturday. She talks to Jim and Matt about how she manages her relationship with her husband (who happens to be her coach), why she decided to switch fight camps to ATT in Florida, and how she earned the nickname "The Queen of Violence." After Matt tries to offer some movie suggestions to Jim, Raquel Pennington calls in. She offers a candid retelling of her experience with USADA during her recent suspension after taking banned substances to treat a thyroid condition, describes the dynamic at home between her and girlfriend Tecia Torres, and breaks down why she's excited to face off against Pannie Kianzad in the UFC Apex's smaller Octagon. Jim and Matt close the show with picks for UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Sep 20211h 2min

Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered is a throwback to the early 2000's! First, former UFC Lightweight Yves Edwards joins the show. Matt and Yves reminisce about the time they faced off in the Octagon nearly 20 years ago, and Matt reveals what Yves said in the lead up to their fight that motivated him to perform. They also discuss Yves' role as himself in Halle Berry's new movie set to debut in November, and how his mindset evolved as his UFC career progressed. Then, former UFC Middleweight title contender Matt Lindland joins the show. He opens up about what it's like to be the head coach of the US National Wrestling team, reminisces with Matt about competing in the early days of the UFC, and reveals his take on Gable Stevenson's decision to not pursue MMA. Matt discusses his weekend in Las Vegas for a special ceremony in his honor to close the show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Sep 20211h 10min

While Matt is in Las Vegas for a very special UFC project, Megan Olivi joins Jim as today's special guest co-host on UFC Unfiltered! After Jim and Megan bond over how not-handy they both are, Justin Gaethje joins the show. He opens up about his gardening hobby, pulls absolutely no punches when asked what he thinks of UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira and UFC Welterweight Kevin Lee, and gives his perspective of the long road that has lead him to a match against Michael Chandler on November 6th at Madison Square Garden at UFC 268. Then, coach, owner and founder of Fortis MMA, Sayif Saud joins the show. He discusses how proud he is that Fortis MMA has had more fighters earn contracts on Dana White's Contender Series than any other academy in the world, reveals how Fortis MMA fighter Ryan Spann has dealt with hateful messages on social media ahead of his main event bout against Anthony Smith on September 18th, and reveals what he believes are necessary characteristics of a great coach. Jim and Megan close the show with their favorite moments from UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till, including Derek Brunson's underdog submission win against Darren Till in the main event and Paddy Pimblett's breakout victory in his UFC debut. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Sep 20211h 9min

It's Labor Day and Matt and Jim are off today. That doesn't mean we don't have something for you to listen to. Check out our pal Steve-O on the UFC's newest show - 8 Questions hosted by Big Zuu. A little about the show: Rapper and presenter Big Zuu fires 8 Questions at some of the UFC’s biggest and most famous fans! On this episode, Jackass star Steve-O talks his favorite fights, calling out Justin Bieber, why Rose Namajunas is his favorite fighter of all time and who is the GOAT in the UFC?! Check out the 8 Questions now: (1:00) What is the first UFC fight you remember watching? (3:45) Who is your favorite UFC fighter of all time? (6:49) What is your favorite UFC fight you have attended or watched? (8:30) Is there anything left on your bucket list? (10:48) If you were a fighter, what would your fighter nickname be? (11:45) If you could fight one fighter in UFC history, who would it be? (13:11) What would your fantasy UFC matchup be? (14:45) Who is the GOAT in the UFC and in your line of business? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Sep 202117min

Pal of the show Din Thomas stops by to help Jim and Matt look ahead to UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till this Saturday on ESPN+! First, Matt and Din open the show discussing some behind-the-scenes action from the latest episode of Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight. Then, Jim joins the show just in time to talk with Paddy Pimblett ahead of his UFC debut this Saturday. Paddy opens up about his battles with mental health after losing a fight in front of his home crowd, why his account was banned from Instagram, and what his reasoning was behind waiting to join the UFC despite getting multiple contract offers when he was younger. After Din signs off, Darren Till joins Jim and Matt on the show ahead of his headlining bout against Derek Brunson this Saturday at the UFC Apex. He shares why he does not care about being away from friends and family during training camp, why he believes he's only one fight away from a shot at the title, and how he's able to cut a promo better than anyone else on the roster. Jim and Matt close the show with a recap of their favorite fights from UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Chikadze and make their picks for the main event of UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Sep 20211h 7min

Hear Jim and Matt's reaction to UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Chikadze, and their thoughts on Tyron Woodley's boxing match against Jake Paul, on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered! First, Jim and Matt discuss Jake Paul's split decision win against Tyron Woodley in a boxing match, and Matt gives props to Gerald Meerschaert for his submission win against Makhmud Muradov on Saturday. Then, UFC Welterweight Claudio Silva joins the show. He shares his experience helping families in need in his home country of Brazil during the pandemic, what inspired him to start his own açaí business, and how old-school UFC veterans like Vitor Belfort inspired him to begin training MMA as a kid. After that, actor and mixed martial artist Michael Jai White closes out the show. He talks with the guys about everything from his conversations with Mike Tyson while he was in prison, to the reboot of his classic film "Spawn", to the myriad of UFC champions he's had the chance to train with. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

31 Aug 20211h 18min