MMA Fighting

Israel Adesanya finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he enters the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on a two-fight losing streak. Can the former UFC middleweight champ avoid a third straight loss against Nassourdine Imavov? On a special fan Q&A edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew answer your questions about the Adesanya vs. Imavov matchup at UFC Saudi Arabia, along with Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page and the rest of Saturday’s card. Additionally, they’ll answer questions about topics such as the PFL’s latest event that saw Usman Nurmagomedov hang on to his title against a game Paul Hughes, the GFL draft and what we learned, BKFC’s KnuckleMania 5 event, 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

The UFC is heading back to Saudi Arabia. After taking a week off following UFC 311, the world's premier MMA promotion returns to Riyadh for its second event in Saudi Arabia, this time headlined by a middleweight matchup between former two-time champion Israel Adesanya and rising contender Nassourdine Imavov. And No Bets Barred has you covered with a full betting breakdown of the card. Host Jed Meshew kicks things off with a brief look at how he did at UFC 311 before diving into this week's card. Topics discussed include whether Adesanya still has enough juice to get past Imavov, what exactly will the middleweight bout between Shara Bullet and Michael "Venom" Page look like, the latest bet on The Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 115 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 discuss BKFC KnuckleMania V and the potential for Conor McGregor to actually make his return in a bare-knuckle fight against Mike Perry or Jeremy Stephens plus we talk about Israel Adesanya coming back with something to prove at UFC Saudi Arabia off two straight losses and if Michael 'Venom' Page is making a mistake going up to middleweight to face a killer like Shara Bullet 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

Did the PFL just have its coming out moment? On Saturday, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes went to war for 25 minutes in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champion Series. Nurmagomedov eked out a majority decision win, but Hughes won the moral victory after giving the undefeated Dagestani all he could handle for 25 minutes, resulting in the current frontrunner for Fight of the Year In the immediate aftermath of such an incredible fight, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Casey Leydon hold an impromptu post-show, discussing the incredible main event, whether its the best fight in PFL history, if this is the sort of event that could get PFL to finally break through with the broader MMA fandom, and more. 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

With the UFC taking a week off, this weekend belongs to the other combat sports promotions in the world and they’re taking advantage of it. On Saturday, BKFC returns for its big Knucklemania 5 event in Philadelphia, headlined by a five-round scrap between Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens. But before that goes down, PFL hosts its first event of 2025 with a Champions Series card in Dubai headlined by a sensational lightweight title fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee take a deep dive into both big combat sports cards this weekend, including who wins the BKFC headliner, how the BKFC heavyweight title fight between Mick Terrill and Ben Rothwell might go, which other fights they’re looking forward to on Saturday, answer viewer questions, and more. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

UFC 311 is in the books and both Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili remain UFC champions. It was a hectic fight week that saw top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan withdraw the day before the event, allowing Renato Moicano to step in on short notice. Unfortunately for Moicano, he was unable to capitalize on his opportunity as Makhachev dismantled him quickly, submitting Moicano in the very first round. The co-main event was less dominant but no less impressive as Dvalishvili out-worked Umar Nurmagomedov over five rounds, taking a clear decision in his first-ever title defense. Mike Heck is on vacation so on this week’s all-new edition of Between the Links, Jed Meshew takes over the hosting chair and is joined by MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee to break down all the big takeaways from UFC 311 and answer fan questions. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the results from UFC 311 including Islam Makhachev making short work of Renato Moicano and Merab Dvalishvili silencing his doubters with a stunning performance to beat Umar Nurmagomedov. 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

GFL founder Darren Owen joins the channel to discuss their debut year for the promotion and to answer viewer questions about anything and everything, hosted by MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr  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

Islam Makahchev made short work of Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311 to retain the lightweight title, while Merab Dvalishvili silenced the doubters and handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first loss to keep the 135-pound world title. After the first pay-per-view card of the year, where do both champions go? 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 Makhachev and Dvalishvili after their impressive performances, along with Moicano and Nurmagomedov after coming up short in their first championship bouts. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jiri Prochazka after knocking out Jamahal Hill in the third round of their featured bout, Jailton Almeida following his quick finish of Serghei Spivac, Reinier de Ridder after tapping Kevin Holland in the main card opener, 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

Islam Makhachev delivered against short notice opponent Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., so much so, that Dana White finally had to admit that the lightweight champion is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Following the UFC's first pay-per-view event of 2025, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Makhachev's quick win, what could be next, and how Arman Tsarukyan could fit into things at 155 after his withdrawal. Additionally, they discuss Merab Dvalishvili's successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in the bantamweight championship co-main event, where Nurmagomedov goes from his first career loss, the incredible battle between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, both fighters' stocks rising after the fight between former light heavyweight champs, 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

Relive the magic of UFC 311's live watch party with Mike Heck and Jed Meshew! Check out the original UFC 311 Watch Party here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6nUruBPB9RE 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

The UFC is kicking off their 2025 pay-per-view calendar year with a huge card for UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., but now there's a brand new main event for the lightweight title as Dana White announced that Arman Tsarukyan is out, and Renato Moicano is in to face Islam Makhachev. MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to the crazy turn of events with the new main event, where the division goes depending on the result, and discusses what a Makhachev win does for his and the division's legacy against Moicano. Additionally, they'll discuss the co-main event between bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and challenger Umar Nurmagomedov, Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill, the rest of the stacked main card, the low-key banger, and answer listener questions. 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

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the #Breaking news that Arman Tsarukyan is out of UFC 311, and Islam Makhachev faces Renato Moicano in the new main event. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis joins the channel to discuss changes to 2025 for the promotion and to answer viewer questions about anything and everything, hosted by MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. Watch replay: https://youtube.com/live/OHEPm3hSflc Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr 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

The first Pay-Per-View event of 2025 is here! This Saturday in Inglewood, Calif., UFC 311 goes down, headlined by a pair of title fights in the best divisions in MMA. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili puts his bantamweight belt on the line against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, and then in the main event, pound-for-pound No. 1 Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan. All that caps off an electric night of fights and No Bets Barred is here to break everything down. This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by Action Network's Billy Ward to dive into all things UFC 311. Topics discussed include Tsarukyan's chances at pulling off the upset, how Dvalishvili can retain his 135 title, differing opinions on the light heavyweight bout between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, the latest update on The Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 114 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

It's officially UFC 311 fight week as the UFC brings two big title fights to the octagon. In the main event, Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch, while Merab Dvalishvili puts his newly won bantamweight championship on the line against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel previews Saturday's big pay-per-view event, the two championship bouts, the highly anticipated light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, and the rest of the card as a whole. Additionally, they'll give their thoughts on the shocking airplane incident involving Khabib Nurmagomedov, Mackenzie Dern's big win over Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 101, Leon Edwards vs. Jack Della Maddalena to headline UFC London in March, and much more. Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat’s Luke Thomas. 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

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin preview UFC 311, Matt reveals how Arman Tsarukyan could pull off the upset and we discuss if Islam Makhachev deserves to be mentioned in the GOAT conversation at lightweight alongside his coach and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov 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

Mackenzie Dern finds herself in a very interesting spot at 115 pounds following her impressive submission victory over Amanda Ribas in the main event of UFC Vegas 101. Where does the highly skilled jiu-jitsu ace go after her second straight win in a division where she's fought almost every contender already? 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 Dern after exacting some revenge against Ribas nearly five years after their first matchup. Additionally, future fights are discussed for Santiago Ponzinibbio following his third-round finish of Carlston Harris in the co-main event, Cesar Almeida after his Knockout of the Year frontrunner moment against Abdul Razak Alhassan, along with fellow main card winners Roman Kopylov, Christian Rodriguez, Punahele Soriano, and more following the promotion's 2025 debut card. 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

Mackenzie Dern gets it done in the UFC Vegas 101 main event, getting some revenge against Amanda Ribas in the process. The big question is — which is one Dern had a hard time answering as well — where does she go from her second consecutive victory and not a lot of fresh and realistic matchups? Following the first UFC event of 2025, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and José Youngs react to Dern's spectacular third-round submission victory over Ribas and the potential options in front of her moving forward. Additionally, they discuss Santiago Ponzinibbio's much-needed victory over Carlton Harris in the penultimate bout, Cesar Almeida's brutal knockout of Abdul Razak Alhassan, the controversial last-second TKO stoppage win for Roman Kopylov against Chris Curtis, Punahele Soriano's quick knockout of Uros Medic, and other standout moments. 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

The first event of 2025 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas when UFC Vegas 101 takes place at the UFC APEX, headlined by a five-round strawweight rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. Dern and Ribas originally faced off in 2019, with Ribas handing Dern the first loss of her professional career. So, ahead of this weekend’s event, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview Saturday’s lineup, discuss what’s at stake in the main event and whether Dern can avenge her previous loss to Ribas, highlight other pivotal fights on the main card, give shine to some low-key bangers and prospects on the undercard, answer viewer questions, and much more. 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