On To the Next One | What's Next For Islam Makhachev, JDM After UFC 322?

The UFC returned to the APEX for one last stop on the road to Miami and UFC 299, and in the main event of Saturday's UFC Vegas 87, Jairzinho Rozenstruik outclassed Shamil Gaziev and earned a fourth-round referee stoppage TKO. Is it now time to book the fight for "Bigi Boi" that fans have been asking to see for years with Derrick Lewis? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Rozenstruik from a matchmaking perspective following his bounce back victory. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Vitor Petrino following his co-main event decision win, Muhammad Mokaev after his victory over one-time title challenger Alex Perez, Umar Nurmagomedov following his dominant win over a game Bekzat Almakhan, Steve Erceg after knocking out Matt Schnell, 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

3 Mars 202456min

Jairzinho Rozenstruik capped off Saturday's UFC Vegas 87 event at the APEX with a referee stoppage TKO victory after the fourth round against previously undefeated Shamil Gaziev. While that fight was the main event, the bout with the highest stakes in most people's minds was the flyweight fight that saw Muhammad Mokaev defeat Alex Perez via unanimous decision. With flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja potentially needing an opponent for UFC 301, did Mokaev do enough to get him that shot? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Eric Jackman react to Rozenstruik's big win and what should be next, if Mokaev's performance warrants that championship opportunity, and if not, who could be the guy. Additionally, they discuss Umar Nurmagomedov's win over a game Bekzat Almakhan and if a rebooking against Cory Sandhagen could be in play, Vinicius Oliveira's knockout of the year contender, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic 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

3 Mars 20241h 6min

Jairzinho Rozenstruik will look to stop the impressive 12-fight undefeated streak of Shamil Gaziev in the main event of Saturday's UFC Vegas 87 event. Will the result have a giant effect on the state of the UFC's heavyweight division, especially with two fighters in the division holding UFC titles? MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee preview this weekend's UFC event at the APEX in Las Vegas, the Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev, the stakes attached to it, and whether or not a potential fight with someone like a Derrick Lewis be awaiting the winner. Additionally, they'll grade the card as a whole, the big opportunity for Muhammad Mokaev at 125 pounds against Alex Perez, Umar Nurmagomedov's return against a dangerous newcomer, 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

1 Mars 202456min

With huge fights on the horizon — most notably the UFC 300 "BMF" title fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway — it leads to a lot of questions in regard to who lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and new featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will face when they put their titles on the line in their next outings. On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses what could be next for both champions, and if the Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis fight could play a role in determining Makhachev's next opponent. Additionally, listener topics include UFC Vegas 87, the UFC APEX as a Fight Night arena for the promotion, who Alexandre Pantoja could defend his flyweight title against at UFC 301 if Muhammad Mokaev loses to Alex Perez on Saturday, 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 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

1 Mars 20241h 7min

Ashlee Gambino has always been a fighter at heart, but little did she know that she would be in the biggest fight of her life with a rare and deadly disease, while also dealing with unfathomable loss. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck brings you the story of "Mobwife," and how her life was flipped upside down in a matter of months, losing her three-year-old daughter to acute leukemia cancer, getting diagnosed with the uncureable severe idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension — a rare heart and lung disease — having to lose another daughter before she was born, yet using her heartbreak to inspire others. This mini-documentary shares Gambino's story, along with appearances from Bellator fighter Cat Zingano, social media influencer Liver King, and features some incredible surprises. If you would like to donate to help Ashlee and her family in this time of need, you can do so here on the GoFundMe set up by her husband Travis. 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

29 Feb 202431min

UFC Mexico City is in the books and that means it's back to the APEX as UFC Vegas 87 goes down this Saturday, headlined by a heavyweight matchup between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Gaziev. Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a recap of UFC Mexico City and PFL vs. Bellator before turning their attention back to the APEX. Can all five undefeated prospects on the card stay that way? Is Eryk Anders being a massive betting favorite a huge trap? Will Alex Perez and/or Matt Schnell pull out before Saturday? Plus, some fun facts about Suriname! All this and more are discussed on this week's episode. Tune in for episode 80 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

28 Feb 202450min

Alexandre Pantoja não sabe quem estará do outro lado do octógono, mas bate o pé que deseja defender o cinturão do UFC no Rio de Janeiro, em maio. Ao podcast, o campeão peso-mosca analisou a categoria e citou possíveis rivais, além de rebater os “casuais” que criticam um possível esvaziamento do card. Junior Cigano volta ao podcast para falar de sua luta no MMA sem luva e o atropelo de Acelino Popó sobre Kleber Bambam, e Vitor Petrino comenta seu desafio contra Tyson Pedro sábado, no UFC. O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda semana, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados. Alexandre Pantoja doesn’t know who will be standing across the octagon, but he wants to be part of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. The flyweight champion names possible contenders and fires back at “casuals” who criticize the prospect of him headlining the show. Junior dos Santos returns to the podcast to discuss his upcoming bareknuckle MMA bout with Alan Belcher, plus Francis Ngannou boxing Anthony Joshua and maybe returning to MMA to fight Renan Ferreira. Vitor Petrino stops by to talk his Saturday’s UFC Vegas 87 clash with Tyson Pedro. 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

28 Feb 20241h 18min

The PFL vs. Bellator event is in the books, and it delivered a fun card of fights, capped off by Renan Ferreira's quick destruction of Ryan Bader. While the pay-per-view price tag was obviously too high, did the event deliver what it promised to the MMA fanbase? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew give their grades for Saturday's event in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, they'll take viewer questions throughout the show, including the fallout of UFC Mexico City, if Brandon Royval and Brian Ortega earned second cracks at UFC gold with their wins in the main and co-main, if Ferreira will end up fighting Francis Ngannou in his next fight, Johnny Eblen's close call, a busy weekend ahead with UFC Vegas 87, Gamebred Bareknuckle, and Jake Paul's next fight, and more. 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

27 Feb 20241h 26min