MMA Fighting

Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at 2024, celebrating the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most unbelievable moments from one of the UFC and MMA's craziest years. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc 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

On the year-end edition of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin give their picks for the 2024 Fighter of the Year and start looking ahead at some of the biggest storylines in 2025. Will Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones actually happen? Will Conor McGregor fight in 2025? What happens to the PFL and a new upstart organization like the GFL? All this and much more on our special edition of The Fighter vs. The Writer to close out the year 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

Oleksandr Usyk remains the heavyweight champion of the world. On Saturday, Usyk took home a unanimous decision win in his rematch with Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Now 2-0 against “The Gypsy King,” Usyk is firmly entrenched as the best heavyweight boxer in the world, and possibly the best of his generation. Following Saturday’s epic boxing event, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Usyk’s big win and where we go from here. Topics discussed include whether the judges got things right, how A.I. judging got things wrong, what’s next for Fury, where Usyk rates among the greatest heavyweights of all time, a few holiday questions, and much 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

While some of the MMA year-end awards are easy to choose, others are not. In 2024, two UFC champions made compelling cases for Fighter of the Year — light heavyweight title holder Alex Pereira, and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. While Pereira had one more win than Topuria this year, is that enough to earn "Poatan" the crown? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and José Youngs previews the site's upcoming 2024 year-end awards, and give their rankings for Fighter of the Year, discuss whether or not Pereira or Topuria should win the award, along with Knockout of the Year, Fight of the Year, and Submission of the Year. Additionally, they'll answer some listener questions about the fallout from UFC Tampa, the UFC's massively successful year, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs 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

Conor McGregor says he's agreed to his next fight, but it's not in the UFC. On Monday morning, McGregor says he's agreed to a boxing match in India with WWE star Logan Paul, and then he'll head back to the UFC. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee react to McGregor's latest head-scratching comments, discuss if there's any smoke to the tweet, and that this means for his UFC future. 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin discuss what comes next for Colby Covington after a lopsided loss at UFC Tampa and if his days as an elite contender are already over. Plus we discuss how far Joaquin Buckley could go at welterweight and discuss Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 plus much 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

Joaquin Buckley is officially a player in the UFC's welterweight championship conversation after battering Colby Covington en route to a third-round TKO win in the main event of UFC Tampa. After an incredible 4-0 run in 2024, where does "New Mansa" go heading into 2025? 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 Buckley after the biggest win of his career. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Cub Swanson after his Fight of the Night knockout of Billy Quarantillo, Manel Kape following his phenomenal finish of Bruno Silva, Dustin Jacoby after his highlight-reel knockout of Vitor Petrino, along with fellow main card winners Daniel Marcos and Navajo Stirling, 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

Joaquin Buckley may not have ended 2024 with a bang, but he did close the show with a sensational performance. On Saturday, Buckley earned a third-round TKO victory over Colby Covington in the main event of UFC Tampa after battering “Chaos” en route to a doctor’s stoppage due to a nasty cut on Covington’s right eye. Following Saturday’s event, the final UFC card of the year, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and E. Casey Leydon react to Buckley’s big win, his unique callout of Kamaru Usman, where Covington goes from here, Cub Swanson’s possible swan song, Manel Kape’s case for a flyweight title shot, and the rest of the night filled with incredible knockouts and finishes. 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

UFC Tampa goes down this Saturday at Amalie Arena in the final UFC fight card of 2024. Headlined by a five-round welterweight matchup between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley, the event is stacked with 12 other big matchups to end the year on a strong note. It’s the final UFC fight card of 2024, so ahead of this weekend’s event, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Mike Heck preview Saturday’a lineup, discuss how close the main event winner will be to a title shot, what’s at stake in the co-main event between Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo, debate if Manel Kape can sneak into a flyweight title shot with a win, highlight other pivotal matchups, give shine to some low-key bangers, answer viewer questions, and more. Catch the UFC Tampa preview show above. An audio-only version of the show can be found below and on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

Former UFC interim champ Colby Covington steps in on short notice this weekend for his first fight in a year when he faces the surging Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa. What is on the line for Covington and Buckley in a very interesting welterweight division? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew answer fan questions about the Covington vs. Buckley matchup, Covington's media day, UFC Tampa, and more. Additionally, topics may include the fallout from UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja's dominant title defense against Kai Asakura and what could be next for the flyweight champ, Shavkat Rakhmonov's competitive win over Ian Machado Garry, the official announcement of the Global Fight League and the surprising roster of fighters, and much more on our monthly fan Q&A episode. 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

The final UFC event of 2024 is upon us. This Saturday, UFC Tampa takes place at Amelie Arena in Tampa, FL, headlined by a welterweight contest between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley. It's the final event of the year and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew takes a deep dive into UFC Tampa and his favorite bets on this final card. Topics discussed include whether Covington still has the juice to compete against a top talent like Buckley, if Cub Swanson is too old to stick around against Billy Quarantillo, the sneaky great lightweight banger between Joel Alvarez and Drakkar Klose, the next level up in THE CLIMB, and much more. Tune in for episode 111 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the fallout from UFC 310 including Shavkat Rakhmonov’s win and Alexandre Pantoja calling out Demetrious Johnson. Brown also addresses Merab Dvalishvili getting into an altercation with a fan and he recounts his own incident punching a fan in Brazil. Brown also reacts to Dana White saying he wants fighters like Anthony Smith and Chris Weidman to retire after losses on Saturday. 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

Alexandre Pantoja had little to gain and a lot to lose at UFC 310, but he made the most of a tricky situation and turned in another sterling performance. The reigning flyweight champion notched the third straight defense of his flyweight title, taking the best shots that octagon newcomer Kai Asakura had to offer before putting him to sleep with a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Asakura was already an out-of-left field challenger, so what’s next for Pantoja, who has beaten many of his rivals, some of them twice over? 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 Pantoja following the Pound-for-Pound great’s latest exploits. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry following a back-and-forth co-main event contest that may have raised both fighters’ stocks, Ciryl Gane after a controversial win in his rematch with Alexander Volkov, along with fellow main card winners Bryce Mitchell and Doo Ho Choi, 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

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Alexandre Pantoja's incredible submission win over Kai Asakura to retain the flyweight title, Shavkat Rakhmonov's hard fought decision win over Ian Machado Garry, and more from UFC 310. 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

Relive the magic of UFC 310's live watch party with Mike Heck and Jed Meshew! Check out the original UFC 310 Watch Party here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iDVpwPmWskI 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

UFC 310 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, and it's a stacked lineup across the board. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja puts his UFC flyweight title on the line against Kai Asakura, while Shavkat Rakhmonov faces Ian Machado Garry in a battle of undefeated welterweights for a title shot. Ahead of this weekend's pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Mike Heck preview the lineup, the main event between Pantoja and Asakura, as well as the incredibly high stakes in the Rakhmonov vs. Garry five-round co-main event. Additionally, they discuss other pivotal bouts on the main card, some of the low-key fights that aren't getting the attention they deserve, answer viewer questions, and more. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

UFC 310 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, and in the main event, Alexandre Pantoja welcomes former RIZIN champ Kai Asakura to the promotion in his third defense of the UFC flyweight title. In the co-main event, Shavkat Rakhmonov puts his welterweight title shot on the line against fellow undefeated contender Ian Machado Garry. Despite the lack of star power, is UFC 310 one of the best cards on paper of 2024? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel previews Saturday's pay-per-view card, the main event between Pantoja and Asakura, and discuss where the winner goes from there. Additionally, topics include the significance of the Rakhmonov vs. Garry No. 1 contender fight, what it means for the winner in terms of perception from the fan base and community, other standout fights, the PFL's World Championship card this past Friday, what they need to do to be successful in 2025 and beyond, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Luke Thomas. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Luke Thomas: @lthomasnews 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

The final pay-per-view of the year is here! This Saturday, UFC 310 takes place in Las Vegas, headlined by a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and UFC-debutant Kai Asakura. Also on the card, two undefeated welterweights collide when Shavkat Rakhmonov faces down Ian Machado Garry in a title eliminator bout. It's the final big event of the year and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew is joined by The Action Network's Billy Ward to dive deep into UFC 310. Topics discussed this week include Asakura's chances to even make 125 pounds successfully, whether Shavkat can continue his finishing streak, if the Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov rematch is destined to end like the first, the big featherweight bout between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling, a bevy of gimmick bets, the next level up in THE CLIMB, and much more. Tune in for episode 110 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Billy Ward: @Psychoward586 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

Before Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura battle at UFC 310, check out the roads each fighter took to the UFC flyweight championship headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 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

On the latest episode of Fighter vs. Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin break down the key fights at UFC 310 and Brown details why Asakura might face struggles in his octagon debut plus we discuss former champions Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman being on the prelims and Brown details why that upsets some fighters so much 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