Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown REACTS to Ronda Rousey’s Comments on Joe Rogan Plus Jake Paul vs. Francis Ngannou and More

The Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN co-promotional event is in the books, and there was a lot to unpack from the New Year's Eve extravaganza, including a hint of rich irony. On an all-new bonus edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck hits record and gives his overall reaction to the card, which took place at the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Topics include the grade for the event — and why the marks were skewed a bit higher — the matchups, A.J. McKee stealing the show for his main event fight against Roberto de Souza and potentially becoming the face of the promotion, the tape delay misstep, and how it led to an interesting discovery in the overall fallout of the event, thoughts on doing the concept again, other ideas on how it could be shaped together, how the build to the event got out of hand at times by taking focus off of what was important, and 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: 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

2 Jan 20231h 1min

With 2022 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport. In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2022 was going to bring. Topics include Conor McGregor's activity for the year, whether or not Jon Jones would fight Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title, or at all in 2022, Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz competing, Kayla Harrison, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal's rivalry, Kamaru Usman's championship status, Khamzat Chimaev, Jake Paul, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more. In addition, we will need you help for part two: our 2023 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Thursday, Jan. 5 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

1 Jan 20231h 4min

Whether Khamzat Chimaev stays at welterweight, or makes the permanent move to middleweight, most would believe that one more victory would set Chimaev up for a title fight in either division. But will the timing work out for "Borz" to get his shot in 2023? On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Chimaev's title prospects in 2023, and answers whether or not he'll get a crack at UFC gold before featherweight Ilia Topuria. Additionally, listener questions include Bellator vs. RIZIN and which promotion has the better chance to sweep, Jamahal Hill's chances against Glover Teixeria, fights to look forward to in 2023, some of the best moments of this year, 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: 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

30 Dec 20221h 2min

With just a couple of days left in the year, it's almost time to say goodbye to 2022, and hello to 2023. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like, and a lot that needs to be improved upon — from the UFC, to Bellator, and beyond. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the second annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they will grade the UFC for their 2022 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year. Additionally, the panel does the same for Bellator MMA, PFL, and ONE Championship, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, and other ideas to bring into 2023. 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

29 Dec 20221h 50min

Stephan Bonnar sadly passed away at the age of 45 recently, but the impact he had on the UFC — most notably with his incredible battle on the finale of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter — will be remembered forever. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news of Bonnar's unfortunate passing, his legacy, Bonnar's incredible battle with Forrest Griffin at the TUF 1 Finale and its importance for the UFC, and much more. Additionally, listener questions include MMA Fighting's year-end awards, Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN and the card not airing live in the U.S., Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 285, Brandon Moreno's new team ahead of UFC 283, Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the light heavyweight title, Khamzat Chimaev, and 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: 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

29 Dec 20221h 29min

O UFC já encerrou seu calendário em 2022 e já tem muita gente fazendo suas listas de melhores do ano, mas ainda tem muita luta boa pra acontecer antes do réveillon. No último Trocação Franca do ano, o podcast recebe os três brasileiros escalados para o aguardado cross promotion entre Bellator e RIZIN no Japão, os campeões Patrício Pitbull, Kleber Koike e Roberto Satoshi. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda quarta-feira, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. The UFC has already ended its season in 2022 and many people are making their best of the year lists, but there are plenty of good fights set to go down before New Year’s Eve. The final Trocação Franca of the year welcomes the three Brazilian champions scheduled to compete in the much-anticipated Bellator vs. RIZIN cross-promotion in Japan, Patricio Pitbull, Kleber Koike and Roberto Satoshi. Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every Wednesday to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world. Follow Guilherme Cruz @Guicruzzz 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

28 Dec 202254min

When it came to MMA, 2022 was one heck of a wild ride. Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most jaw-rattling moments of 2022 in a special year-end retrospective. We’re honoring all the nights that defined one of the wildest 12-month stretches in recent MMA history — and handing out plenty of hardware in celebration of the knockouts, submissions, fights, fighters, and rookies who made sure 2022 was a year that won’t soon be forgotten. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Mike Heck @MickHeck_JR Follow Josè Youngs @JoseYoungs 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

27 Dec 20221h 25min

As the year winds down, MMA Fighting will be giving out its 2022 awards celebrating the best the sport of mixed martial arts had to offer throughout the year. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel brings you the annual 2022 year-end awards preview, as MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee give their top-five rankings for all of the categories that will be awarded beginning Sunday, Dec. 25 — which includes knockout of the year, fight of the year, rookie of the year, submission of the year, and fighter of the year. Additionally, they react to the news of the UFC's pay-per-view prices being raised to $79.99 in 2023, beginning with UFC 283 on Jan. 21. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR 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

22 Dec 20221h 2min