Rankings Show: Who Has the Best Chance To Dethrone Khamzat Chimaev?

The UFC returns to the APEX in Las Vegas this Saturday for UFC Vegas 104. In the main event, Marvin Vettori faces Roman Dolidze in a rematch from two years ago. Where does the winner of this fight go in a stacked middleweight division? Ahead of this weekend's fight card, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew preview the follow-up to UFC 313, the 185-pound headliner, discuss why this fight is even happening, and the stakes involved. Additionally, they'll weigh in on the card as a whole, whether or not this is the worst card of modern era, and other notable fights and fighters. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

14 Mars 1h 10min

Magomed Ankalaev has conquered the light heavyweight division, dethroning one of the UFC's most popular and exciting champions in Alex Pereira. There's no questioning Ankalaev's championship accolades, but is he a tougher sell to the casual fan and possibly emblematic of the growing malaise fans are experiencing with the UFC product? Who are the most must-see UFC champions right now? And who are the ones fans are least willing to shell out their hard-earned money for? Join the MMA Fighting rankings panel of Alexander K. Lee, Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and E. Casey Leydon as we take stock of the UFC through it's first three pay-per-views of 2025, grading how well fans are being served, as well as breaking down Pereira's precipitous fall from the No. 2 spot in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings. And then, we give our picks for the most and least compelling active champions. This could get ugly. Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee Follow Mike Heck @MikeHeck Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow E. Casey Leydon @ekc 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

14 Mars 1h 10min

There's a new UFC light heavyweight champion and his name is Magomed Ankalaev after defeating Alex Pereira via unanimous decision at UFC 313. What does the result mean for Ankalaev, Pereira, and for the UFC, as well as its light heavyweight division. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to Ankalaev's title win, the impact on the promotion, and if an immediate rematch is a certainty. Additionally, they'll discuss Justin Gaethje's win over Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event, wanting a lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev next, Jalin Turner announcing his retirement from the sport after his first-round submission loss to Ignacio Bahamondes, Saturday's UFC Vegas 104 fight card and if it's the worst event the company has put on in years, and much more. Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew.  Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

13 Mars 1h 27min

The UFC is back in the world's mightiest APEX! Following UFC 313 this past Saturday, the world's leading MMA promotion heads back to its stomping grounds for UFC Vegas 104, headlined by a middleweight fight between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze. It's a rematch of a 2023 fight that Vettori won in a forgettable decision, but nevertheless No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to break down his favorite bets for UFC Vegas 104. Topics discussed include whether Dolidze can get his revenge on Vettori, which underdogs are best positioned to pull off upsets, which prospects are likely to show out on Saturday, how many Gimmick Parlays is too many Gimmick Parlay, Leg 12 of The Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 120 of No Bets Barred. 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

12 Mars 38min

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the action from UFC 313 including Magomed Ankalaev defeating Alex Pereira to become light heavyweight champion and Justin Gaethje getting back on track with a statement win over Rafael Fiziev. Brown addresses where Pereira went wrong and the danger he faces in his next fight if he gets an immediate rematch against Ankalaev. Plus Brown reflects back on his all-time favorite fight against Robbie Lawler after hearing that he’s being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2025 and more. 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

11 Mars 43min

Magomed Ankalaev can finally call himself champion after defeating Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 313 on Saturday in Las Vegas. After the long road to UFC gold, what's next for Ankalaev, and is it a rematch with "Poatan"?  On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss where Ankalaev and Pereira go following their 25-minute battle for the light heavyweight title. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Justin Gaethje after defeating Rafael Fiziev for the second time in the co-main event, Ignacio Bahamondes following his sensational submission of Jalin Turner in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Amanda Lemos, Mauricio Ruffy, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

9 Mars 1h 11min

Relive the magic of UFC 313's live watch party with Mike Heck and Jed Meshew! Check out the original UFC 313 Watch Party here: https://www.youtube.com/live/9I6_wgXyfIg Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

9 Mars 3h 43min

Alex Pereira is no longer the UFC light heavyweight champion as Magomed Ankalaev became the first UFC fighter in 2025 to be announced "and new" by Bruce Buffer at the end of UFC 313. Will Pereira look to run it back against the new champ, or will "Poatan" make the move to heavyweight, and for a new quest? Following Saturday's pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Ankalaev's unanimous decision win over Pereira to capture the title, how Ankalaev's first title defense could look, and how the UFC will respond to the shift in power at 205 pounds. Additionally, they discuss Justin Gaethje's Fight of the Night win against Rafael Fiziev, if Gaethje could get a title shot against Islam Makhachev, Maurico Ruffy's clubhouse leader for Knockout of the Year against Bobby Green, grading the card from top-to-bottom, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

9 Mars 42min