Budocast: MMA, UFC & Martial Arts News Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into the escalating war of words between Olympic judo legends turned MMA superstars: Kayla Harrison and Ronda Rousey. Following her UFC bantamweight championship win, Harrison is firing back at Rousey, claiming, "I’ve beaten everything she’s ever done". We analyze Harrison’s upcoming high-stakes bout against Amanda Nunes and why a victory there could solidify her status as the superior fighter.We also break down the controversy surrounding Ronda Rousey’s return on May 16th for a Netflix special against Gina Carano. Is this a true quest for greatness or just a "money grab"? Harrison shares her unfiltered thoughts on why she and Rousey are "different". Plus, we discuss the latest injury news regarding Harrison’s emergency neck surgery and her potential retirement after the Nunes fight.Beyond the rivalry, we recap the explosive action from UFC Perth, where British heavyweight Louie Sutherland secured a massive short-notice victory over Tai Tuivasa, signaling what he calls a "changing of the guard". We also cover Carlos Prates’ career-best performance in his upset over former champion Jack Della Maddalena.Finally, we take a global look at the Cambodia-China martial arts performance at the iconic Angkor Archaeological Park, featuring a stunning showcase of traditional Bokator and Shaolin Kung Fu.

Topics covered:

• The Harrison-Rousey Feud: Who is the real G.O.A.T.?
• UFC 316 Aftermath: Kayla Harrison's reign and the road to Amanda Nunes.
• Netflix’s Fight Night: Rousey vs. Carano and the "money grab" debate.
• UFC Perth Highlights: Sutherland’s upset and Prates’ rise in the welterweight division.
• Cultural Martial Arts: Highlights from the Cambodia-China joint performance.

This episode breaks down a historic week in combat sports, featuring David Benavidez's dominant cruiserweight debut, Naoya Inoue's undisputed title defense, and a night of massive upsets at UFC Perth.

• Boxing Politics and Power: We dive into David "The Mexican Monster" Benavidez's clinical performance as he shredded Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez to claim the unified cruiserweight titles via a sixth-round TKO. Benavidez became the first person to ever stop Ramirez and the first boxer to win world titles at super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight. We also discuss his post-fight call-out of Canelo Alvarez.
• The Biggest Fight in Japanese History: Naoya "The Monster" Inoue turned away the challenge of Junto Nakatani to retain his undisputed junior featherweight crown in Tokyo. We analyze the scorecards (116-112, 115-113, 116-112) and how Inoue navigated dangerous waters in the second half of the fight after a clash of heads.
• UFC Perth Shockers: The Octagon returned to Western Australia for a night filled with local heartbreaks and rising stars. We break down Carlos Prates’ stunning third-round TKO of Jack Della Maddalena and Quillan Salkilld’s massive first-round upset over veteran Beneil Dariush. Plus, we look at Louie Sutherland's dominant decision win over Tai Tuivasa.
• ONE SAMURAI 1 Blockbuster: Japan’s new era of combat sports kicked off with a storybook ending as Takeru Segawa retired after a legendary knockout win over Rodtang Jitmuangnon. We also celebrate Avazbek Kholmirzaev, who became the first Uzbekistan MMA World Champion in history with a spinning back elbow finish.
• PFL Preview: A look ahead to PFL Sioux Falls, where hometown hero Logan Storley faces 2024 PFL Europe champion Florim Zendeli.

Whether you are here for the official scorecards, tactical breakdowns, or the latest news on Zuffa Boxing, this episode covers every angle of the fight game

From the dojo to the octagon—this is Budocast, your source for the latest in martial arts news, culture, and competition. In this episode, we break down a massive weekend in combat sports, ranging from the amateur ranks in the Midwest to elite-level professional clashes in Las Vegas and Bangkok.

Inside this episode:

• Sterling’s Dominance: We dive into the full results of UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal, where Aljamain Sterling secured a dominant unanimous decision (49-45 across the board) over Youssef Zalal at the Meta APEX. We also discuss standout performances from the card, including Ryan Spann’s second-round knockout of Marcus Buchecha.
• Olympic Dreams in Wichita: Discover why Wichita, Kansas, has been named the "Best Sports-Event Host City" as it prepares to welcome back the 2026 USA Boxing National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival. We explore the economic and cultural impact of hosting over a week of high-level amateur boxing.
• ONE Friday Fights 152 Preview: We look ahead to the world's largest martial arts organization’s return to Lumpinee Stadium. Get the breakdown on the main event between Muay Thai powerhouse Kongklai Sor Sommai and Brazilian clinch specialist Julio Lobo, as athletes compete for a life-changing $100,000 contract.
• Martial Arts Headlines: Quick hits on Dana White’s search for Gable Steveson’s debut opponent and the UFC’s new multi-year partnership with the Baku City Circuit.

• Elite Sports: Leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Gear up at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate management software for your dojo. Start your free trial at OpenBlackBelt.com.

Special thanks to our sponsors:Train hard, stay humble.

From the dojo to the octagon—this is Budocast. In this episode, we break down the high-stakes action and emotional milestones currently shaping the martial arts world.We start with the results from UFC Winnipeg, where Canadian Mike Malott secured a massive TKO victory, leading to the legendary Gilbert Burns announcing his retirement after over a decade in the Octagon.

We also analyze the "culmination of everything" for Japanese megastar Takeru Segawa, who heads into ONE SAMURAI 1 for a high-stakes retirement rematch against Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

Additionally, we look at BRAVE CF’s announced return to Bulgaria for another historic night at the Burgas Arena. Finally, we discuss the importance of academy culture and student safety as martial arts leader Cris Rodriguez joins the Board of Directors at Academy Safe.

This episode is brought to you by:

• Elite Sports: Leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Whether you’re rolling or striking, they’ve got gear built to move with you. Check them out at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate management software for tracking ranks, attendance, and billing. Streamline your business so you can spend more time on the mats. Visit OpenBlackBelt.com to start your free trial today.

The UFC returns to the "Great Fight North" for the first time in over eight years, bringing a stacked Fight Night card to the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. In this episode, we break down the fascinating welterweight main event between former title challenger Gilbert Burns and ascending Canadian standout Mike Malott. Burns, currently ranked No. 11, is looking to snap a four-fight losing streak against a surging Malott, who enters his first UFC main event on a three-fight winning streak.We also dive into a compelling co-main event featuring a bantamweight clash between Kyler Phillips and the surging Charles Jourdain, where high-paced action is expected. Additionally, we analyze the most consequential rankings battle on the card: a Top 10 flyweight showdown between No. 7 Jasmine Jasudavicius and No. 9 Karine Silva.With nine Canadians set to make the walk in their home country—including the debut of seasoned lightweight Mandel Nallo and the return of heavyweight Tanner Boser—this event is primed for an "action is coming" vibe. Join us as we preview every matchup from the prelims to the main event for this Saturday's return to Manitoba.Watch UFC Winnipeg: Burns vs. Malott live this Saturday, April 18, on Paramount+

Undefeated prospect Breyon Gorham is ready to make his mark in London on the historic Fury vs. Makhmudov undercard. As a fourth-generation boxer, Gorham brings a 21-0 record and a legacy-driven mindset to the new Zuffa Boxing platform. We also pay tribute to Jackie Chan on his 72nd birthday, highlighting the bone-breaking stunts and cinematic masterpieces that defined his legendary career. From Police Story to Rush Hour, Chan's infectious blend of action and comedy remains unmatched in film history. Additionally, we preview the 2026 International Martial Arts Festival, where Hanoi will host 2,000 artists this August to showcase the essence of traditional and modern combat arts. The episode concludes with an interview with Travis Browne, the former UFC heavyweight who has traded the Octagon for the adrenaline of team roping. Browne discusses how the pursuit of mastery in a new arena has humbled him while bringing his family closer together on the ranch

Join us as we break down a massive week in combat sports, headlined by the IBF 168-pound world championship clash between Osleys Iglesias and Pavel Silyagin.

We preview the April 9th showdown at Montreal’s Cabaret du Casino, where the undefeated Iglesias (14-0, 13 KOs) puts his IBO belt on the line while vying for the vacant IBF title.

We analyze Silyagin’s chances as the IBF’s No. 7-ranked contender and the implications of this fight in a division recently vacated by Terence Crawford.

In our second segment, we switch gears to MMA and grappling as we preview Hype Brazil: Vera vs. Silva. Get the details on former UFC title challenger Marlon “Chito” Vera making his Hype Brazil debut in a submission-only match against Jean Silva on April 8.Finally, we take a look at the wider 2026 boxing landscape, including upcoming mega-fights like Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, and the historic Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch scheduled for September.

Key Topics Covered:

• Iglesias vs. Silyagin Weigh-in Results and Fight Preview
• The vacancy of the IBF 168lb title following Crawford’s retirement
• Hype Brazil highlights: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
• Upcoming 2026 Boxing Schedule: Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper and more

Don't miss our expert analysis on this week's title fights and grappling super-matches!

Join us as we dive into a packed week of MMA news and upcoming fight cards:

• Chimaev’s First Defense: The middleweight title is on the line as Khamzat Chimaev prepares to defend his belt against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark.
• The Battle for May 16: UFC officially reveals its counter-programming for the Netflix "Rousey vs. Carano" card with UFC Vegas 117, headlined by Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa.
• Diaz Rejects McGregor: We discuss Nate Diaz’s "refreshing" decision to turn down a Conor McGregor trilogy in favor of competitive merit, while he prepares to face Mike Perry on the May 16 Netflix card.
• Roster Shakeup: The UFC parts ways with three fighters, including Luana Carolina following a massive eight-pound weight miss.
• Heated Rivalries: We break down the latest war of words between Daniel Cormier and Nate Diaz, along with updates on the UFC antitrust lawsuit payouts.

A massive weekend in combat sports saw a legend fall, a top contender hospitalized, and a pioneer make history. In this episode, we break down the fallout from UFC Seattle and Nação Cyborg 15.First, we dive into the main event where Joe Pyfer proved he can no longer be ignored as a "relevant force" in the middleweight division. We discuss how Pyfer used superior grappling to ground and batter Israel Adesanya, securing a career-defining second-round TKO that has elevated him several tiers in the 185-pound weight class. Is this the end of the road for the "skidding" former champion, and is Pyfer ready for a title eliminator against the likes of Caio Borralho or Dricus Du Plessis?Next, we address the "unnerving scene" in the co-main event that left the Seattle crowd breathless. Alexa Grasso reminded the world why she is a former champion, landing a vicious left hand that turned Maycee Barber’s legs to jelly before immediately transitioning to a fight-ending rear-naked choke. We provide an update on Barber’s health following her hospitalization and discuss Grasso’s return to the win column.Finally, we head to Brazil where Cris Cyborg has officially become a dual-sport champion. After capturing the WIBA super welterweight belt with a dominant TKO victory, Cyborg is already looking toward the future and calling out undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields.

Topics covered:

• Joe Pyfer’s rise and the future of the UFC middleweight division.
• The "frightening" knockout and submission of Maycee Barber.
• Alexa Grasso’s first win since her historic victory over Valentina Shevchenko.
• Cris Cyborg’s successful boxing title bid and her potential showdown with Claressa Shields.

Budocast provides an in-depth look at the latest developments and timeless fundamentals in the world of martial arts. This episode features a solemn tribute to the legendary Chuck Norris, the six-time world karate champion and 1980s action icon who passed away at the age of 86.

We also offer a comprehensive guide to BJJ fundamentals for beginners, detailing the strategic objectives and high-percentage submissions available from the guard, mount, side control, and back.Additionally, the podcast keeps you informed on the professional landscape, covering the initial list of invited athletes for the 2026 ADCC World Championships in Poland, including returning champions like Mica Galvão and Diogo Reis. Finally, we break down major UFC return news, including Paddy Pimblett’s goal to return for International Fight Week, Magomed Ankalaev’s planned July return in Abu Dhabi, and the polarized reaction to Michael "Venom" Page’s lackluster victory at UFC London