Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown REACTS to Ronda Rousey’s Comments on Joe Rogan Plus Jake Paul vs. Francis Ngannou and More

Dricus du Plessis is the new UFC middleweight champion after defeating Sean Strickland via split decision in the main event of UFC 297. While the fight was very close, did the judges get it right? Following Saturday's pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew react to the scorecards, du Plessis' championship win, and what will be next for the new champion. Additionally, they'll discuss Raquel Pennington's bantamweight title win against Mayra Bueno Silva, her likely first title defense against Julianna Pena, the overall grade for the promotion's first PPV event of 2024, Movsar Evloev's impressive win over Arnold Allen and where it puts him at 145 pounds, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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

21 Jan 20241h 11min

Relive the magic of UFC 297's live watch party with Mike Heck and Conner Burks! Check out the original UFC 297 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6FIz-M8SNS0?si=yP1U5cUPg8Y3I7Ve Timestamps: Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev (31:10) Evloev wins decision to improve to 18-0 (54:45) Reaction to Frankie Edgar's Hall of Fame announcement (58:45) Ripping packs part 1 (1:06:30) Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (1:11:46) Curtis wins decision (1:32:42) Ripping packs part 2 (1:40:18) Mike Malott vs. Neil Magny (1:45:30) Magny pulls out wild comeback finish with late in Round 3 (2:03:43) Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (2:20:23) Pennington nearly gets finish in Round 5 (2:50:31) Pennington wins vacant bantamweight title via unanimous decision (2:55:50) Ripping packs part 3 (2:59:50) UFC 4 best-of-3 (3:04:30) Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis (3:12:47) Du Plessis becomes new champ via split decision (3:49:00) 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

21 Jan 20243h 57min

Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will battle in the main event for the UFC middleweight title of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, the promotion's first pay-per-view event of 2024. While the card as a whole isn't anywhere near comparable to the UFC's next three pay-per-view cards, the Strickland vs. du Plessis matchup is doing a lot of heavy lifting as the anticipation continues to build. Ahead of the event, and the 185-pound title fight, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Eric Jackman preview UFC 297, Strickland vs. du Plessis, the potential of the winner turning around for UFC 300, and more. Additionally, they'll discuss the vacant women's bantamweight championship co-main event between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington, which other main card fighter is the panel keeping their eye on, the low-key banger of the card, and much more.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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 Jan 20241h 11min

Sean Strickland had the Toronto crowd eating out of the palm of his hand at Thursday's UFC 297 press conference ahead of his title defense against Dricus du Plessis. With a victory, where could it propel Strickland in terms of being a top draw for the UFC moving forward? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the wild pre-fight presser in Toronto, how over Strickland was with the crowd, and his approach to a gentleman's agreement for an all-out war with du Plessis. Additionally, topics include multiple fighters missing weight for UFC 297, the stakes in the Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev fight on Saturday, Mike Malott fighting the experienced Neil Magny and if the betting line is a bit wider than expected, Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway, UFC Saudi Arabia, 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 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 Jan 20241h 4min

The first UFC pay-per-view of the year takes place this Saturday in Toronto with UFC 297, and in the main event, the heated rivalry between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will be settled for the middleweight championship. While the card isn't as stacked on paper as the rest of the pay-per-view slate thus far, the stakes are quite high for one of the more exciting divisions in the promotion. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Saturday's fight card and its quality, what is on the line in the Strickland vs. du Plessis main event, Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Raquel Pennington for the vacant women's bantamweight title, and more. Additionally, they'll discuss the PFL vs. Bellator champions event that was announced earlier this week, Donn Davis' comments about the UFC Saudi Arabia getting postponed, Dana White announcing Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway for UFC 300, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee. 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

18 Jan 20241h 36min

UFC 297 is coming quickly, but April's UFC 300 event stole some headlines with UFC CEO Dana White announcing that Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway will take place for the BMF title at the event. While the fight will likely produce fireworks and incredible action, Gaethje is perceived as next in line for Islam Makhachev and the lightweight title, and Holloway still sits at the top of the featherweight division, was this the right fight to make? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to White's announcement of Gaethje vs. Holloway, and how it can shake things up in a wild way at 155. Additionally, listener questions include Saturday's pay-per-view event in Toronto, Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis, the UFC 297 media day, the PFL vs. Bellator champions event being announced, if the UFC could still have Conor McGregor headline UFC 300, 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 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

18 Jan 20241h 16min

UFC lead commentator Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 297 fight card, the main event between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, discusses the in-crowd fight between the two, if there's a line that can be crossed in fight promotion, the co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva, his biggest takeaway from 2023, UFC 300, and more.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

18 Jan 202431min

UFC 297 takes place this Saturday as the UFC returns to Toronto for the first time since 2018 and its brought two title fights with it. In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington faces Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant women's bantamweight title, and then in the main event, Sean Strickland puts his middleweight strap on the line against Dricus du Plessis, and the No Bets Barred boys are here to cover every angle of 2024's first PPV event. This week, hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew are joined by Alexander K. Lee who is boots on the ground in Toronto for this fight card, where they get a look into the vibes in Canada ahead of UFC 297. Then it's right into the breakdowns where the boys discuss the likelihood of finishes in the main and co-main events, the return of Flyweight Unders, and even some specialty props ahead of what is sure to be a heated pre-fight press conference. Tune in for episode 75 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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

17 Jan 20241h 17min