The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 397

Lerone Murphy shined in his first UFC main event as he battered and dominated Edson Barboza at UFC Vegas 92 this past Saturday at the APEX. Following the biggest win of his career, what is next for Murphy — whether he gets his wish to fight at UFC 304 in Manchester, or not? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what is next for Murphy from a matchmaking perspective following his breakout performance. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Khaos Williams after knocking out Carlston Harris in the co-main event, Themba Gorimbo after his decision win against Ramiz Brahimaj, along with main card finishers Adrian Yanez, Angela Hill, and more. 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

19 Maj 20241h 14min

Following the UFC featherweight headliner between Edson Barboza and Lerone Murphy, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman react to Saturday's UFC Vegas 92 at the APEX. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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 Maj 20241h 24min

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman as they react to Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury in an instant classic to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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 Maj 202439min

Edson Barboza will look to put a halt to another surging contender in the UFC featherweight division as he faces Lerone Murphy in the main event of Saturday's UFC Vegas 92 event at the APEX. Should Barboza get it done, where will he go in the loaded 145-pound division? And if Murphy can keep his long winning streak alive, how high is his ceiling? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and José Youngs take a deeper look at the upcoming UFC Fight Night event, the headliner between Barboza and Murphy, and the stakes attached to it. Additionally, they discuss Khaos Williams' return to the octagon, Adrian Yanez looking to bounce back in the win column after a tough 2023 campaign, how the card as a whole stacks up on the final stop to UFC 302, answer listener questions, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow José 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

17 Maj 202448min

UFC CEO Dana White made UFC 304 officially official with the announcement of five bouts — three of which were new – including Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad in a rematch, and Tom Aspinall defending his interim heavyweight championship against Curtis Blaydes. Will both champs retain in their rematches in their home country? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to White's reveal of the UFC 304 lineup thus far, the betting lines, and why the Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett matchup might be the most intriguing of all. Additionally, listener topics include Joaquin Buckley continuing to lose favor with fans, his Twitter rivalry with Daniel Cormier, Ian Machado Garry potentially fighting at UFC 303, 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

17 Maj 202434min

On Saturday afternoon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off in a highly-anticipated boxing match that will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years. So for a fight of this magnitude, MMA Fighting's José Youngs, Eric Jackman, and Jed Meshew join forces to preview the epic clash. Was Tyson Fury's poor performance against Francis Ngannou a one time thing or has "The Gypsy King" lost a step? Can Oleksandr Usyk cement himself as an all-time great and take the top pound-for-pound spot with a win over Fury? And how will this fight affect the legacies of both men, particularly with Anthony Joshua waiting in the wings? All this and more is answered as the MMA Fighting crew breaks down the biggest boxing fight of the year. Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic 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

16 Maj 20241h 30min

Saturday will be a monster day in the combat sports world, most notably because of the boxing world as for the first time in what seems like forever, an undisputed heavyweight champion will likely be crowned as Tyson Fury battles Oleksandr Usyk for all the marbles in Saudi Arabia. With such a high-stakes and fascinating matchup, what are the biggest questions surrounding it? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel will discuss their most burning questions heading into Fury vs. Usyk, what would be the more interesting result, and who needs the victory more. Additionally, topics include UFC St Louis this past Saturday, Derrick Lewis' big win, Joaquin Buckley's victory and subsequent callout of Conor McGregor, Dana White revealing that he wants out of the UFC APEX — which coincidentally is where Saturday's UFC Vegas 92 event will be held headlined by Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy — the targeted Maycee Barber vs. Rose Namajunas main event bout for July in Denver, and more. Plus, the show kicks off reacting to Dana White's breaking news about UFC 304, Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes, 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

16 Maj 20241h 32min

One of the most stacked fight weeks of the summer is upon us. This weekend features a combat sports triple header as UFC Vegas 92 and the Bellator Champion Series return, all leading up to the main event of the season: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title of boxing. And with so much action in play, the No Bets Barred boys are back to break it all down. Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a brief recap of UFC St. Louis before diving into this weekend's festivities. Is UFC Vegas 92 the worst fight card of the year? Is Edson Barboza washed? Will Jed's chosen prospect Tom Nolan disappoint him yet again? The Boys discuss all of that before switching over to the biggest fight in boxing and a healthy debate about whether Fury or Usyk will leave this weekend as the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly a quarter of a century. All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode. Tune in for episode 88 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

15 Maj 20241h 5min