The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 397

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

Halle Berry kicks ass! On the latest episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review crew walk the long road back to redemption with the 2020 drama Bruised, written, directed, and starring Berry. The Academy Award-winning actress plays Jackie Justice, a onetime UFC star who gets a second chance to kickstart her cagefighting career when she gets the offer to fight an Invicta FC champion, played by Valentina Shevchenko. But will Justice’s traumatic past derail her ambitions? In our second crack at reviewing a female-led MMA drama (shout-out to Fight Valley!), Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, and E. Casey Leydon pay respect to Berry and Shevchenko’s incredible work, while also pointing out what the film gets right and what it gets wrong about the world of fighting. Is Berry vs. Shevchenko one of the best fight scenes ever? How much trauma can one character take? And what did they do with Invicta FC boss Shannon Knapp in this movie? Mend your wounds and spend some time with us for the answers to these questions and more. Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc 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 19min

Joaquin Buckley made headlines for his performance at UFC St. Louis, but more so for his post-fight callout of Conor McGregor that left the MMA community collectively scratching their heads. As the week has progressed, Buckley continues to get McGregor's attention, but to no avail. Is he doing the right thing? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the big moments from UFC St. Louis this past Saturday, the promotion being on a financial tear in terms of business, the negativity surrounding Buckley's callout, insinuating that he may have turned down a fight with Ian Machado Garry — which if he did, might be more surprising than the McGregor callout in general. Additionally, listener topics include the targeted Maycee Barber vs. Rose Namajunas headliner for the UFC's potential return to Denver in July, the flyweight shuffle up that led to Alex Perez vs. Tasturo Taira headlining the UFC event on June 15, 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

14 Maj 20241h 7min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discuss the latest in combat sports. With Dustin Poirier getting his third shot at becoming undisputed champion against Islam Makhachev at UFC 301 on June 1, is this opportunity do or die for him ever winning the title? Listen as Brown and Martin explain why no matter how many times Poirier fights for the belt, he’s probably never completely out of contention. Plus Brown offers Poirier advice on how he should approach the fight with Makhachev and the best possible game plan to beat the seemingly unbeatable Russian. Brown also tells a story he first teased on Twitter about nearly being shanked during a time he spent a few months behind bars when he was only 20 or 21 years old. Brown recounts the situation that led to the near disastrous end to his jail stay and he also reveals another brief stay in jail while he was in the middle of his UFC career. 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

14 Maj 20241h 29min

Derrick Lewis delivered a sensational knockout of Rodrigo Nascimento in the main event of Saturday's UFC St. Louis fight card, and then put on a show in his post-fight celebration. Lewis has put himself above the rankings in a lot of respects as people just want to see him in fun fights — but following another stoppage, what should be next? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for "The Black Beast" following this past weekend's victory. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Joaquin Buckley after his co-main event win over Nursulton Ruziboev — and subsequent callout of Conor McGregor — Carlos Ulberg following his 12 second knockout win over Alonzo Menifield, along with fellow main card winners Diego Ferreira, Sean Woodson, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, 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

12 Maj 20241h 27min

Derrick Lewis showed his knockout power, grappling chops, and after knocking out Rodrigo Nascimento, showed his backside to the St. Louis crowd to end Saturday's UFC St. Louis card with the fans on their feet. Following the promotion's latest Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to the card, Lewis' big knockout of Nascimento and where he goes in this heavyweight division. Additionally, they discuss Joaquin Buckley's impressive co-main event win over Nursulton Ruziboev and his callout of Conor McGregor, Robelis Despaigne getting his first loss in lopsided fashion, bonus winners, 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 Maj 20241h 30min

UFC fan-favorite Derrick Lewis will make the main event walk once again this Saturday at UFC St. Louis, and will do so against a surprising opponent in Rodrigo Nascimento. Will Lewis end the night with another memorable celebration, or will the emerging Nascimento play spoiler? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee preview this weekend's UFC Fight Night event, as well as the main event matchup between Lewis and Nascimento. Additionally, the panel will discuss the co-main event matchup between Joaquin Buckley and the dangerous Nursulton Ruziboev, if Buckley has the most to lose on the entire card, other matchups that might be flying under the radar, plus answer viewer questions at the end.  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

10 Maj 20241h 22min

UFC bantamweight champ Sean O'Malley decided to release a new video from a 2016 sparring session with flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, where O'Malley delivered a devastating body kick that led to the spar being halted. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Friday's video release from O'Malley, and if it was the right call. Additionally, listener topics include Jon Jones pitching a fight with Alex Pereira over Tom Aspinall, if Jones' legacy changes with a win over Stipe Miocic when they end up fighting, Saturday's UFC St. Louis card, if the PFL should sign Jose Aldo, 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

10 Maj 20241h 17min