Fighter vs. Writer Reacts to Jon Jones’ Win Over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 and a Possible Conspiracy Theory About His Future in the Sport

Less than 18 months after taking Valentina Shevchenko to the limit in her only opportunity at UFC gold, Taila Santos is no longer on the UFC roster. While the news seems to be surprising to the MMA community, is Santos exiting the promotion actually a good thing for the 30-year-old fighter? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news of Santos' release, and makes the case that Santos continuing her career elsewhere may be the best thing for her at this time. Additionally, listener questions include Dana White's three title fights he announced on Monday, including the UFC 297 main event between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title, if Sean O'Malley has the most to gain of all the six championship competitors from a star-power perspective, Islam Makhachev getting ranked No. 1 on the UFC's pound-for-pound list, 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

7 Nov 20231h 28min

Ahead of UFC 295 on Saturday, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill gives an update on his recovery and timeline to return to action after the suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon that forced him to relinquish his belt while recovering. Hill will detail his rehabilitation as well as compare his injury to New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who also suffered a torn Achilles with both athletes undergoing surgery from the same doctor. Hill also breaks down the upcoming title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira, which will crown a new light heavyweight champion in his absence while also revealing his plans to return and face the winner. 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

7 Nov 202329min

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin previewing the upcoming UFC 295 card including the two title fights at the top of the lineup. Jiri Prochazka will attempt to recapture the belt he never actually lost when he clashes with Alex Pereira in the main event. Prochazka returns after suffering a devastating shoulder injury that kept him out of action for over a year but he anxiously awaits the chance to reclaim that belt. But will Prochazka’s creativity and willingness to put himself in harm’s way help him win at UFC 295 or could that style come back to haunt him, especially while facing a lethal striker like Pereira? We’ll also look ahead at the interim heavyweight title fight as Sergei Pavlovich looks to extend his six-fight winning streak when he takes on Tom Aspinall. Pavlovich hasn’t seen a second round in any of his recent wins while demolishing every opponent he’s faced by knockout but does Aspinall serve as the perfect fighter to counter his devastating power? Plus we react to the news announced by UFC CEO Dana White on Monday with Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis scheduled at UFC 297, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 and Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299. 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

7 Nov 202352min

O UFC finalmente voltou a São Paulo — e sete dias depois já tem Alex Poatan disputando cinturão em Nova York. O Trocação Franca repercute o que rolou na Terra da Garoa na companhia do jornalista Laerte Viana, e traz entrevistas exclusivas com alguns destaques do UFC 295: Alex Poatan, Jessica Bate Estaca, Diego Lopes e Tabatha Ricci. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. The UFC finally returned to Sao Paulo — and now Alex Pereira is fighting for a belt seven days later in New York. Trocação Franca dissects what went down in Brazil with MMA reporter Laerte Viana, and features exclusive interviews with UFC 295 stars Alex Poatan, Jessica Andrade, Diego Lopes, and Tabatha Ricci. Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every week to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world. Follow Guilherme Cruz: @Guicruzzz 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 Nov 20231h 31min

The first quarter of 2024 already has four UFC title fights on the books with Dana White making a blockbuster announcement on Monday afternoon. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Steven Marrocco react to the UFC CEO announcing that Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title will headline UFC 297 on Jan. 20 in Toronto, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria for the featherweight championship will serve as the UFC 298 main event in February, and Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera 2 will take place at UFC 299 in March for the 135-pound title. Both UFC 298 and UFC 299 do not have a date, location, or venue announced at this time. Additionally, the panel ranks the three new title fights in order of intrigue and interest, what the announcement could mean for UFC 300, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti Follow Steven Marrocco: @MMAFightingSM 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 Nov 202326min

UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 295 card, talks Jon Jones' withdrawal, Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title, Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira getting promoted to the main event, Francis Ngannou's future after his fight with Tyson Fury, Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev's wins at UFC 294, 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

6 Nov 202330min

UFC welterweight Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview his UFC 296 matchup with Shavkat Rakhmonov, talks he and the UFC working out an agreement financially following his UFC 291 fight cancellation with Michel Pereira, Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman's performance against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, and much 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

6 Nov 202322min

Jailton Almeida controlled and dominated Derrick Lewis for nearly the entire UFC Sao Paulo main event, and as impressive as a feat as that is, the performance still left people with questions about his ceiling in the heavyweight division. Where does Almeida go from here in order to answer those questions? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee attempt to predict who Almeida could face next following his unanimous decision win over Lewis in Saturday's headliner. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Nicolas Dalby after his gritty comeback stoppage win over Gabriel Bonfim in the co-main event, Rodrigo Nascimento following his second victory against Don'Tale Mayes, Caio Barralho after improving to 5-0 in the UFC with his win over Abus Magomedov, along with Rookie of the Year contender Elves Brener, 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

5 Nov 20231h 6min