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

The knives are out for Colby Covington, but why have the past few days felt so different than when any other polarizing MMA figure loses? Old pals Jed Meshew and Damon Martin join co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee this week to unpack everything UFC 296. The gang hits the absurdity that was Strickland vs. DDP around (11:05), as well as the reckoning Covington now faces around (20:51) and where his third title loss ranks among the great ya-blew-it nights in UFC history. Then, the boys discuss Leon Edwards snatching the No. 3 spot from Jon Jones on the pound-for-pound list around (1:02:43), Shavkat Rakhmonov's ferocious ascendance to title contention around (1:19:49), the biggest rankings surprises of 2023 around (1:30:58), and much more. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin 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

19 Dec 20231h 49min

Colby Covington had the Las Vegas crowd in the palm of his hands throughout UFC 296 fight week, including the press conference where he took a controversial shot at Leon Edwards, his walk to the octagon for the main event and last minute powwow with Donald Trump — and then the fight began, and he was dominated by the champion and put forth an effort that has left the MMA community scratching their heads. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to UFC 296, Edwards' successful title defense, and if Covington will be able to bounce back in the eyes of fans following the worst performance of his career. Additionally, listener questions include whether or not Belal Muhammad should be next for Edwards, where Shavkat Rakhmonov fits in the mix after submitting Stephen Thompson, the incredible battle between Irene Aldana and Karol Rosa, Ariane Lipski's outstanding outing against Casey O'Neill, Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis fighting in the crowd, Dana White announcing a slew of fights for UFC 299 — including the newly signed Michael Page vs. Kevin Holland — 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

19 Dec 20231h 27min

Following arguably the biggest card of the year at UFC 296, UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin react to everything that unfolded on Saturday night in the final pay-per-view card in 2023. Leon Edwards successfully defended his title in the main event with a shutout performance over Colby Covington. Following the loss in his third attempt at becoming undisputed champion, where does Covington go from here? Does he have what it takes to earn his way back for another title shot or has he already reached his ceiling in the UFC? With Edwards winning, is Belal Muhammad next in line or did Shavkat Rakhmonov beating Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson change the pecking order at welterweight? We’ll also discuss the fallout from Tony Ferguson suffering a seventh straight loss to Paddy Pimblett and if he should actually retire or possibly return for another fight? 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

19 Dec 20231h 41min

The fallout of UFC 296 was always a part of what made Saturday's UFC pay-per-view event so intriguing. Following the final UFC card of 2023, where does Leon Edwards and Colby Covington go following Edwards' dominant win? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee attempt to answer that question from a matchmaking perspective on the final matchmaking edition of On To the Next One for the year. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja following his unanimous decision win in the co-main event against Brandon Royval, Shavkat Rakhmonov after submitting Stephen Thompson in the featured bout, Paddy Pimblett following his lopsided decision win over Tony Ferguson, Josh Emmett after his terrifying knockout of Bryce Mitchell, 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

17 Dec 20231h 3min

Leon Edwards made it look easy in his second title defense when he earned a unanimous decision over Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 296. Although it certainly won't be on anyone's Fight of the Year lists, what comes next for the UFC welterweight champion, as well as Covington, will be interesting.  Following the final pay-per-view event of 2023 for the UFC, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew react to Saturday's card, Edwards' championship retaining victory, Covington's puzzling strategy and performance, Alexandre Pantoja's successful flyweight title defense against Brandon Royval, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Paddy Pimblett's win, Josh Emmett's brutal knockout of Bryce Mitchell, Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis' brawl in the crowd during the event, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti 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

17 Dec 20231h 24min

Relive the magic of UFC 296's live watch party with Mike Heck, Conner Burks, plus a few special guests! Check out the original UFC 296 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/n5putD8D8XY?si=xx3tHG_k-SxiAYsy Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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

17 Dec 20233h 42min

Things got heated between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at Thursday's press conference ahead of their main event championship matchup at UFC 296. While Covington may have crossed the line, Edwards reacted as a melee nearly unfolded. With how fight week has gone, has the perception changed in regards to how this fight will play out? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew preview the UFC's stacked final pay-per-view of the year, what the fallout of the Edwards vs. Covington could be depending on who wins, and what happens with Covington if he comes up short for the third time battling for an undisputed title. Additionally, they'll discuss the co-main event for the flyweight title between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval, the big welterweight clash between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Stephen Thompson, Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett heating back up following the press conference and what the aftermath of that bout can bring, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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 Dec 20231h 19min

The UFC 296 press conference saw a lot of trash talk, mostly between headliners Leon Edwards and Colby Covington, with the welterweight title challenger saying some things that many believed crossed the line. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Thursday's wild press conference, Covington's comments about Edwards' father and taking shots at Stephen Thompson, how Thompson was able to somewhat disarm Covington, what is and isn't over the line when it comes to fight promotion — if there is anything — the UFC 296 co-main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval, Ian Machado Garry being forced to withdraw from the card due to illness and the potential impact of it, the welterweight title picture depending on who wins the main event, 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

15 Dec 20231h 27min