The MMA Hour - Episode 168

Magomed Ankalaev finished Johnny Walker in the first UFC main event of 2024 and sent a message to light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the process. While Pereira's coach Glover Teixeira seemed to express interest in the potential championship matchup, will that be the next fight for Ankalaev, who is on a 12-fight unbeaten streak? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Ankalaev from a matchmaking perspective following Saturday's UFC Vegas 84 event at the APEX. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jim Miller following his third-round submission win over Gabriel Benitez in the co-main event, Mario Bautista after his impressive decision win over Ricky Simon, Bruno Ferreira following his vicious opening round knockout of Phil Hawes, along with fellow main card winner Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

14 Jan 20241h 18min

Magomed Ankalaev wanted to make a case to get a title shot against Alex Periera heading into his UFC Vegas 84 main event bout with Johnny Walker, and with a brutal second-round knockout victory, Ankalaev certainly accomplished that. But will it be enough to get Ankalaev to a second opportunity at UFC gold, or will he have more work to do? Following the UFC's first event of 2024, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Eric Jackman react to Ankalaev's stoppage win, and talk his chances in getting the next shot at Pereira and the light heavyweight title. Additionally, the panel discusses Jim Miller's incredible performance in the co-main event, his callout of Paul Felder or Matt Brown for UFC 300, Mario Bautista's statement win against Ricky Simon, Jean Silva's memorable UFC debut, and other standout moments. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

14 Jan 202457min

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck drops a breaking news update after Manel Kape's 3.5 pound weight miss led to his UFC Vegas 84 co-main event bout with Matheus Nicolau to be cancelled altogether. 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

12 Jan 20247min

The UFC is back for the first time in 2024 as they return to the APEX for UFC Vegas 84, and a high stakes main event in the light heavyweight division will take place between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker as they compete for the second time. Could a title shot against Alex Pereira be next for the winner of the scheduled five-round matchup? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman preview Saturday's card, the Anakalev vs. Walker headliner, and discuss what is at stake for both guys. Additionally, they'll talk the co-main event between Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau, Kape missing weight by 3.5 pounds — which has now led to the bout being cancelled — the rest of the main card as a whole, Jim Miller's road to UFC 300, the low-key banger of UFC Vegas 84, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

12 Jan 20241h 22min

Despite the event being three months away, UFC 300 is the talk of the MMA world right now. With lofty expectations, every fight announcement seems to be met with criticism. But is that actually fair with only five fights made official, and still upwards of 10 more to be announced? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the reactions to UFC 300 thus far, and why managing expectations is the most important thing fans can do right now. Additionally, listener questions include Nate Diaz's tweet teasing a return at UFC 300, why that likely won't happen, the current pay-per-view slate for the UFC, Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval 2 now set for UFC Mexico City, what could headline the UFC's debut in Saudi Arabia, Aljamain Sterling's featherweight outlook, 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

12 Jan 20241h 12min

With the new year comes big fights — not just for the UFC, but also for Francis Ngannou as he's set to clash with Anthony Joshua in a boxing match in March. What is at stake for the current PFL star, and what does his future now hold in the world of MMA?  On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to the booking of Ngannou vs. Joshua, what Ngannou has to gain and lose in the bout, and what comes next regardless of result. Additionally, they'll discuss Dana White announcing Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 299, Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, if the excitement levels are up thus for with the matchmaking in 2024, Saturday's UFC Vegas 84 event headlined by Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall stating their cases, and more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Brian Campbell: @BCampbell 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

11 Jan 20241h 38min

UFC CEO Dana White has announced the first title fight for UFC 300, with the expectation that there will be more on the way as Zhang Weili will put her strawweight title on the line against Yan Xiaonan in the promotion's first all-Chinese world championship bout. While some are excited about the matchup, there are other fans who didn't seem all that enthused by the reveal. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the 115-pound championship fight announcement, discusses why it's a very good addition to the card as it stands right now, and what could be next for the winner. Additionally, listener questions include the rest of UFC 300 and how it will look, the importance keeping expectations realistic, what could headline the event, why UFC 297 could have some impact on what the UFC 300 main event could end up being, 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

11 Jan 20241h 16min

The boys are back! That's right, the first fight card of 2024 is set to take place this Saturday at the world famous UFC Apex and you know what that means: The No Bets Barred boys are back with all their best bets. This week, hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick the new year off right with a deep dive into all of the Future UFC Champions bets for 2024. Then it's right into a breakdown of UFC Vegas 84 as another year of 40+ UFC events kicks off. Is this the year Magomed Ankalaev finally wins the light heavyweight title? Are Flyweight Unders going to return in 2024? Who has the best chance to pull off a Sean Strickland-esque championship run out of nowhere? And what the (Mike) Heck is going on with Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, and the UFC heavyweight title. All this and more is discussed on the first No Bets Barred of 2024. Tune in for episode 74 of No Bets Barred. Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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

10 Jan 20241h 22min