Combat Sports Talk

Where there’s a will there is a way. It’s only impossible until someone does it. Crazy? Crazy Like a Fox. These are all ways we can describe UFC president Dana White in his quest to pull off a UFC event in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. He brazen actions are blurring the line between genius, and insanity. Listen to our show as we cover these topics and more.

UFC 249 is canceled. There are no fights planned until May.  Florida is considering WWE an essential business and Dana White is promising a Fight Island to get around governmental roadblocks preventing the UFC from putting on fights.  With all this drama, it makes you miss watching two fighters battle it out in the octagon.  Get discussion on all the drama taking place in this week's show.

While UFC 249 will be fought on tribal land in California, all this talk of private Islands had us imagining what might happen the UFC started holding fights in international waters.  Get the latest on Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje.  The Jon Jones plea deal, Coronavirus cancellations, and the harrowing story of Anthony Smith's home invasion experience. Plus, learn the tricks of the trade from the Korean Zombie on how fighters cheat the weigh-in scale and a celebration of the day Matt Serra shook the world and finished GSP.

Jon Jones and the UFC each faced their own troubles as the current UFC Light heavyweight champion was arrested for DWI and weapons charges and the UFC marquee event, UFC 249 looked ready to fall apart despite the brave face Dana White put on to convince the public that it would happen despite governmental border closures and shelter-in-place orders as a result of the growing epidemic of COVID-19.  Hear our take on this trouble with a capital T and more on this episode of Combat Sports Talk.

With no events from the UFC due to Coronavirus concerns, we take a deep dive into stories that illustrate how the virus is impacting the sport from the lens of the UFC and Bellator.  We talk about how some of the fighters are dealing with the evolving situation, and what risks the UFC might face pressing forward with their aggressive schedule.  We also talk retirement fight for Daniel Cormier, a MAGA-sized apology from Colby Covington, and critique one writers' picks for all-time best walkout songs.

In spite of the Coronavirus pandemic gripping the globe, the UFC forged ahead with a scheduled event in Brasilia, Brazil with UFC 170: Lee vs. Oliveira in an empty arena.  Ryan and John discuss the UFC's sudden decision to cancel fights due to COVID-19 concerns, the results from UFC 170, and key headlines from this past week.

Las Vegas was electric with two UFC titles on the line.  At strawweight, Zhang Weili sought to defend her title for the first time against an opponent as seasoned and dangerous as they come, and Israel Adesanya got his wish to fight one of the most feared Middleweights in the UFC, The soldier of God, Yoel Romero.  Get a full recap of the fights, some news from the week, and our picks for UFC Brasilia - Lee vs. Oliveira.

Get the results from UFC Norfolk, our takes on the Wilder-Fury Rematch and the alleged brainwashing of Diego Sanchez.  Hear us rant about Heny Cejudo's first title defense and our flash fight picks for UFC 248, Adesanya vs. Romero.

After a shocker in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a new contender stepped out of obscurity to emerge as the possible next contender against Jon Jones, Polish superstar, Jan Blachowicz.  His defeat of Corey Anderson in the first round has rocked the rankings.  Ryan and John cover the implications, the decline of Diego Sanchez, and the headlines making waves in the UFC world.  Then they pick key fights at this weekend's UFC card in New Zealand and both make their choices for the Wilder vs. Fury 2 rematch scheduled this Saturday night.

UFC 247 is coming live from our backyard in Houston, TX.  Jon Jones looks to defend his title versus the upstart Dominick Reyes and Valentina Shevchenko looks to add another title defense against Katlyn Chookagian.  Get a preview of the Jones vs. Reyes fight, headlines from around the MMA world and our flash fight picks on key fights scheduled for this weekend.