Michael Chandler Explains Why He Holds 'No Ill Will Whatsoever' Towards Conor McGregor Despite Waiting to Fight Him for Nearly 2 Years

Nassourdine Imavov picked up the biggest win of his career in the main event of UFC Louisville against Jared Cannonier, but it was mired in controversy thanks to referee Jason Herzog stepped in to stop the bout in the fourth round. Where does Imavov go after a victory that will likely propel him into the top-five at 185 pounds? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Jose Youngs react to Saturday's Fight Night event, Imavov's victory, Herzog's stoppage, and where both fighters go from the headliner. Additionally, they discuss Dominick Reyes getting his first win since 2019 with a first-round finish of Dustin Jacoby in the co-main event, Raul Rosas Jr. picking up a submission victory in the featured bout, the tough start to the card with the prelims, but the card picking up steam on the main card, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

9 Juni 20241h 11min

Jared Cannonier has become the forgotten man in the UFC middleweight title picture — despite winning two straight and four of five — as he returns to the octagon for the first time in a year in the main event of UFC Louisville in a five-round matchup against Nassourdine Imavov. If Cannonier can pick up another win, is he in the championship conversation in the loaded 185-pound division? Ahead of Saturday's Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee preview the promotion's return to Derby City, along with the Cannonier vs. Imavov headliner and the stakes attached to it. Additionally, they'll discuss Dominick Reyes' return after a long layoff to face Dustin Jacoby in the co-main event, 19-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. looking to make it two straight when he meets Ricky Turcios, the quality of the event as a whole, and much more. 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

7 Juni 20241h 14min

While one big fight in the combat sports world became a huge mystery, another one found a new date. Speculation went rampant following the cancellation of the UFC 303 press conference in Dublin featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, and now the vibes seem quite positive, while in the boxing world, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have a new date. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the latest on McGregor vs. Chandler, the optimism surrounding it throughout the week, and rating belief on if it goes down as scheduled on June 29. Additionally, listener questions include Paul vs. Tyson being set for Nov. 15, UFC Louisville, the main event between Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov, the quality of the UFC 304 main card, 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

7 Juni 20241h 5min

With UFC 302 officially in the rear-view mirror, all eyes are on UFC 303, which is scheduled to mark the UFC return of Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler in the main event. With the event's press conference in Dublin getting postponed, along with rampant speculation as to why, are you concerned that the fight may also be postponed? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the latest on the McGregor vs. Chandler story, the reports that have come out, and predict whether or not the fight will happen as scheduled. Additionally, they'll discuss the fallout of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev's submission win over Dustin Poirier, the fighting future of Poirier, Sean Strickland's win over Paulo Costa and if it was enough to get him a title shot, Dana White sparking a pound-for-pound debate between Makahchev and Jon Jones, UFC Louisville this Saturday, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and an opponent to be named. 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

6 Juni 20241h 32min

UFC 302 is in the books which means it's on to UFC Louisville. Headlined by a middleweight matchup between Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov, UFC Louisville features 14 competitive fights and the No Bets Barred Boys are here to break them all down. Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a recap of UFC 302 and celebrate Jed finally getting into the black for 2024 after another winning weekend before diving into this week's fights. Does Jared Cannonier still have enough left in the tank to make one more title run? Will the sad decline of Dominick Reyes continue? Will Raul Rosas Jr. keep impressing against favorable matchups? Plus, Conner and Jed discuss the heightening drama surrounding UFC 303 and whether or not Conor McGregor will actually return to the cage this month. All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode. Tune in for episode 90 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

5 Juni 202450min

The MMA gods have a wicked sense of humor. Podcast pals Mike Heck and Jed Meshew join co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee this week to unpack the inauspicious double-dose that struck Michael Chandler over the past few days, with the status of Conor McGregor and UFC 303 hurled into doubt just as Chandler was removed from MMA Fighting’s lightweight rankings for inactivity. The gang talks the latest whispers around UFC 303 (5:20), tries to figure out the best back-up options for the event, and debates whether even a best-case win for either man could get them back into the rankings. Then, the crew sifts through the wreckage of UFC 302 to determine where Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier sits in the Fight of the Year race (44:30), figure how it became Dana White and Jon Jones against the world (54:30), plus much more. 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

5 Juni 20241h 29min

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier's 20-plus minute battle in the main event of UFC 302 certainly saved a lackluster card, and while the MMA community continued to appreciate the greatness of the fight throughout Sunday, the UFC 303 press conference in Dublin was postponed ahead of Conor McGregor's return against Michael Chandler. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the roller coaster weekend, Makhachev's tremendous win over Poirier, the challenger's gutsy performance and his fighting future. Additionally, listener topics include McGregor vs. Chandler, whether or not the fight does end up happening on June 29, the speculation surrounding it, what the backup plan could be if the bout is scratched, the chances Makhachev moved up to welterweight to challenge for a second title in his next fight, Dana White saying Jon Jones is the best fighter in the world right now, 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

4 Juni 20241h 4min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC analyst Alan Jouban joining MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin to discuss the fallout from UFC 302 as well as reacting to the sudden cancellation for the UFC 303 press conference in Ireland. Just hours before the press conference was scheduled to begin, UFC officials announced that the planned event in Ireland was no longer happening with McGregor later stating that “obstacles outside of our control” led to the cancellation. Should fans be more concerned that something else is happening behind the scenes threatening the UFC 303 main event? Plus, we’ll talk about Islam Makhachev’s fifth round submission win over Dustin Poirier and what should be next for him. Is Makhachev destined to become a two-division champion or should he stick around his own division for a little while longer? Plus Jouban explains why he believes now is the right time for Poirier to call it a career and walk away from the sport following his fight with Makhachev on Saturday. 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

4 Juni 20241h 9min