On To the Next One | What's Next For Islam Makhachev, JDM After UFC 322?

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin reacting to the latest news from the sport including Kayla Harrison joining the UFC roster and her upcoming fight against Holly Holm. The fight serves as Harrison first official trip to 135 pounds after primarily competing at 155 pounds for most of her career. Brown reacts to the arduous journey that Harrison is about to take getting to bantamweight and the trials and tribulations she may face before and after her weight cut. We'll also discuss recent comments from UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik after he confessed that he may not have much time left in the sport after interacting with some toxic criticism from fans. Brown gives his take on the situation and why he backed up Anik with a post on Twitter. Plus somehow we end up talking about Taylor Swift and the attention she's brought to the NFL after getting into a relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. 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

30 Jan 20241h 21min

DAMN! They Were Good celebrates the careers of our favorite fighters in MMA history. On this episode, the MMA Fighting staff takes a deep dive into the late Kimbo Slice, an internet legend who became the biggest star in MMA. Back in the early 2000s when MMA was still making its way into the mainstream, the more sophomoric corners of the internet birthed an entirely different kind of combat sport: bareknuckle fights in backyards and boatyards all across Miami. At the time, Kimbo Slice - real name Kevin Ferguson - was a driver and bodyguard for a pornography company, and began engaging in street fights for extra money. Not long after that, Kimbo's friends decided to video those fights and upload them to the internet, and almost overnight, a sensation was born. Thanks to those videos, Kimbo Slice became one of the most talked about fighters on the planet, rubbing shoulders with real life celebrity A-listers. Soon afterwards, he made the move into MMA, headlining the first MMA show on network television and then even joining up with the UFC. A move to Bellator and then boxing followed, and all the while, Kimbo remained a beloved figure in the space until his tragic passing in 2016 at age 42 due to congestive heart failure. But though Kimbo is gone, his spirit lives on as do the many legendary moments he gave us. Which of those were our favorite and what was it like to live through the Kimbo Slice era? Listen in as the MMA Fighting crews remembers remembers the life and times of one of MMA's greatest stars. 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

26 Jan 20243h 10min

Ahead of his return at UFC 300, Max Holloway sits down with MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin to preview his fight with Justin Gaethje and how that “BMF” title bout came together. Holloway addresses his request for the fight and how the timing worked out so he and Gaethje could throw down at the historic card in April. Holloway also discusses his interest in potentially headlining the fight or at least serving as “the people’s main event.” He’ll also give his take on the upcoming featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria and who he expects to win. Holloway also explains why he believes guys like himself and Gaethje are “the last of a dying breed” in MMA where nasty trash talk seems to get far more attention lately than just being the best fighter on the planet.  All this and more in a special sit down with Holloway ahead of UFC 300. 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

26 Jan 202425min

UFC lead commentator Jon Anik is getting a bit fed up with the negative portion of the MMA fanbase, and rightfully so, which has led him to ponder his future as a broadcaster in this space. Quite frankly, Anik deserves much better, and the UFC watching experience would change drastically if he weren't around. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Anik's comments on his podcast, it being more than OK that he expressed those feelings about the situation, and how this is the new norm for the sport and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Additionally, listener questions include Kayla Harrison's UFC signing, if any other PFL or Bellator fighters will follow suit, Alex Pereira's next move — whether he would face Magomed Ankalaev or Jamahal Hill next — 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 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

26 Jan 20241h 26min

Dricus du Plessis is the brand new UFC middleweight champion after defeating Sean Strickland via split decision in a fascinating 25-minute battle in the main event of UFC 297. The bout has led to a lot of questions about the future of the division, if du Plessis will share the octagon with rival Israel Adesanya next, and where Strickland goes after his title reign came to an end. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the fallout of Saturday's pay-per-view headliner, if we should expect du Plessis vs. Adesanya at UFC 300, and what could be next for Strickland with his star power continuously rising. Additionally, they'll discuss Raquel Pennington's title win in the co-main event, the overall grade for UFC 297, Kayla Harrison signing with the UFC to face Holly Holm at UFC 300, where the excitement levels are now that more fights have been announced for the April event, and 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 Josè 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

25 Jan 20241h 23min

Kayla Harrison is now a UFC fighter, as she prepares to face former UFC champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 on April 13 in Las Vegas. With Harrison now in the picture, and Amanda Nunes teasing a potential comeback following UFC 297, could the stars align to put a Nunes vs. Harrison matchup together? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to UFC CEO Dana White's stunning announcement from Tuesday night, what it would take to get Nunes out of retirement, and the pros and cons of the signing. Additionally, listener questions include the clip of Jon Anik expressing his frustration with the negative portion of the UFC fanbase, and why he's spot on, the current shape of UFC 300, a potential Francis Ngannou vs. Ryan Bader fight in the PFL, Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway, 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 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

25 Jan 20241h 14min

UFC CEO Dana White made a big announcement on Tuesday night as it relates to UFC 300, but it likely was not what most fans were expecting as White revealed that the promotion has signed former PFL champion Kayla Harrison, and she will meet former UFC champion Holly Holm at the historic pay-per-view event — not at featherweight, but at bantamweight. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew react to the big news of Harrison's signing, and the matchup with Holm. Additionally, they discuss the many questions surrounding this news, including major concerns about Harrison's ability to make the bantamweight limit, how much it improves the division now championed by Raquel Pennington, the PFL losing one of their biggest stars, along with one of the big fights on the table with Cris Cyborg, if Harrison's arrival could lead to an Amanda Nunes comeback, if Julianna Peña should be worried, and much 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

24 Jan 202429min

It's time to ask the question: Is women’s bantamweight in 2024 the worst division in UFC history? Podcast pals Mike Heck and Jed Meshew join co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee this week to decipher that mystery and unpack everything UFC 297. The gang hits DDP's title win and whether his reign will finally bring stability to an unstable division around (10:05), and whip out their tier lists around (22:45) to debate where middleweight sits among the most fun divisions in MMA. Then, the crew puts on their investigative hats around (48:10) to determine whether it's an exaggeration to officially call this new women's bantamweight class the worst division in UFC history. All that plus the latest moves by Movsar Evloev and Magomed Ankalaev around (1:13:30), plus much more. ***NOTE: This episode was recorded before the UFC announced its signing of Kayla Harrison. While it's an interesting wrinkle, no doubt, we stand by this conversation. At least until Harrison proves she can make 135 pounds safely and consistently.*** 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

24 Jan 20241h 27min