The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 372

Dustin Poirier will step into the UFC octagon this Saturday in what will likely be his final chance to become an undisputed world champion. To pull it off, he'd have to defeat the incredible Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302. Can Poirier do it, and if so, what happens to the top of the lightweight division? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the Makhachev vs. Poirier headliner, the divisional landscape based on who wins, along with where either would rank all time at 155 with their hand being raised. Additionally, they'll talk the co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa, the stakes for both guys involved, Dana White announcing that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will have a press conference in Dublin next week ahead of their UFC 303 fight, the addition of Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Page, and Carlos Ulberg stepping in to face Jamahal Hill on the June 29 card, Nick Diaz's return set for UFC Abu Dhabi, along with Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, and Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa for the August event, and more. Host Mike Heck will be joined by MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew to discuss those topics and answer your questions. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

30 Maj 20241h 31min

Michael Chandler has been waiting for over a year to finally get his hands on Conor McGregor but that day finally comes at UFC 303 on June 29. Ahead of the highly anticipated showdown, Chandler speaks to MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin about the long wait and if there were ever any moments where he actually considered bowing out and facing someone different rather. He also addresses McGregor’s return from a broken leg and how all eyes are going to be on the Irish superstar in the days leading up to the fight and why he actually sees that as an advantage. Chandler also explains how he defused McGregor’s trash talk when they were filming The Ultimate Fighter together and his expectations to use that same game plan against the former two-division UFC champion as they start meeting at press conferences and media obligations heading into UFC 303. Chandler also gives his prediction on the UFC 302 main event when Dustin Poirier attempts to dethrone Islam Makhachev. All this and more in a special one-on-one interview with Chandler ahead of UFC 303. 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 Maj 202439min

UFC 302 takes place this Saturday in New Jersey with Dustin Poirier once again challenging for the lightweight title, this time against the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Islam Makhachev, and the No Bets Barred boys are back to break it down. Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a brief discussion about the optimal UFC schedule before diving into the UFC 302 talk. . Will Poirier finally claim undisputed UFC gold and finish his story or will Makhachev deny him yet again? Can Paulo Costa pull off the upset on Sean Strickland to get himself back into title contention? Just how fun will Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk be? All this and more are discussed on this week's episode. Tune in for episode 89 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

29 Maj 202451min

UFC 303, which features the return of Conor McGregor as he faces Michael Chandler in the main event, has added a much-needed bout to the lineup with surging contender Ian Machado Garry battling longtime Bellator star, now UFC welterweight Michael Page. How much does the fight help the card? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the Garry vs. Page booking, and why the lineup certainly needed the new booking. Additionally, listener questions include the future of the lightweight division if Dustin Poirier upsets Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 and what it could mean for Arman Tsarukyan, Kevin Holland's middleweight return, Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, the BMF title, and much 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

28 Maj 202446min

Ahead of UFC 302 on Saturday, The Fighter vs. The Writer returns as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin break down the biggest storylines from the card. First things first, we react to the latest from Ronda Rousey after the former UFC champion said she felt vilified by the media after her exodus from combat sports and how she expects she would get booed if she actually made an appearance at UFC events. Does Rousey have a point about how she was treated or is she still struggling to face her shortcomings at the end of her career? Brown has his take on Rousey’s exit from the UFC and the string of comments she’s made about her losses after releasing her autobiography. We’ll also get into the biggest fights at UFC 302 including Islam Makhachev defending his title against Dustin Poirier in the main event. Does Poirier have a great chance to pull off the upset on Saturday or will this be another dominant performance from Makhachev? What about Sean Strickland returning against Paulo Costa? What does Strickland need to do to win and how can Costa thwart the former UFC middleweight champion? 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

28 Maj 20241h 9min

UFC lead commentator Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 302 event in Newark, the main event between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier for the lightweight title, discusses whether or not he believes it will be Poirier's final fight, Makhachev not getting enough credit for his run, the Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa co-main event, Conor McGregor's return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, the bouts announced for UFC 304, and more. 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

27 Maj 202437min

Ahead of UFC 304 in July, Curtis Blaydes previews his rematch against Tom Aspinall after their first fight ended in just 15 seconds and now the interim heavyweight title is on the line. Blaydes also addresses Jon Jones picking Stipe Miocic has his next opponent and his expectations that the winner of that fight will almost certainly retire afterwards. He also discusses Ciryl Gane allegedly turning down the title fight against Aspinall in July as well as the dangers that come along with competing in the heavyweight division, especially when it comes to the idea that he somehow has a glass jaw plus much more. 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

27 Maj 202431min

With the UFC and major promotions off this past weekend, MMA Fighting’s matchmaking show decided to give back to fans of the program with a special “Ask Us Anything” show. On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee take listener submitted questions about Conor McGregor's 2024 and if he'll fight more than his scheduled UFC 303 main event with Michael Chandler, MMA pet peeves, when Khamzat Chimaev and other contending names could fight for a title, best prospects in the sport throughout the weight classes, the possibility of the UFC introducing a women's atomweight division in the future, MMA referees and when to show authority in fights, and much more. On To the Next One will return with a live matchmaking show on the MMA Fighting YouTube channel on Sunday, June 2 following UFC 302 headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier. 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

26 Maj 20241h 29min