Heavy Leather MMA

Margreth and Nate talk with #6 ranked UFC light heavyweight, Anthony "Lionheart" Smith, about his journey from fighting as an amateur who didn't even know how to tap out to competing against MMA GOAT Jon Jones in a UFC title fight. Smith also shares how he chooses his UFC opponents, what it's like to negotiate as a top fighter, the origins of his nickname, different countries he's fought in, who he hangs out with, his longtime second job as a concrete finisher, achieving financial stability, balancing fight camps and family life, volunteering in prisons, and how to find a community.

A very special episode with FrejaMMA discussing his love affair with Sweden, Swedish MMA, Conor McGregor charity controversy, Rose "Red Dead" Namajunas, MacKenzie Dern on the doorstep of a title shot, the return of Meisha Tate and Marvin Vettori's existential rage over Kevin Holland eating his breadstick at the weigh-ins. This episode of Heavy Leather also recaps the UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs Holland, the controversial finishes of Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez's fights in One Championship and previews UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Gastelum. 

Margreth and Nate discuss the Marvin "Spaghetti Man" Vettori vs Kevin Holland fight card, The Cuban Missile Crisis, locks of the night, gambling problems, weekday drinking, white guy afros, Bruce Lee's abs, Margreth's dislike of craft beer and the podcast's new logo. They mention upcoming fights in One Championship and Bellator. Plus they read their fan mail and answer the Question of the Week: What's in a Daukaus? 

Nate and Margreth discuss UFC 261 and the state of the heavyweight division. They also talk about paying Jon Jones, sports betting, Endeavor trying to buy out the other UFC owners, the Bellator debut of Khabib's cousin Usman Nurmagamedov, Aljo moving on from UFC 259 controversy, Tyron Woodley's last UFC fight, the terrifying presence of "Calm Francis Ngannou", and buying stock in the BMF ranch.

Margreth is fixin to go full Swedish Hillbilly. Nate plans a pizza eating contest against Kelvin Gastelum and learns about Swedish coffee breaks. Tai Tuivasa gets saved by Harry Hunsucker and says 'thank you' by beating him senseless. They also discuss Brunson vs Holland, KO's, cancelled fights, UFC 260 'Lock of the Night' and the heavyweight title fight rematch of Stipe "Immigrant Mentality" Miocic vs Francis "Actual Immigrant" Ngannou. 

Margeth and Nate talk about the history of illegal knee strikes in the UFC, how to improve the inconsistent performance of referees dealing with fouls and injured fighters, Matt Serra's retirement from cornering, Raging Al's great hair, the stagnancy of the top 5 welterweights, and the different pronunciation of words when speaking Swedish vs Ozark Hillbilly English. They also recap the Edwards vs Muhammad fight card and look ahead to Brunson vs Holland. Both hosts try to extend their lock of the night win streaks. 

This week top light heavyweight contender, Anthony Smith, stops by to talk about the Aljo vs Yan fight controversy. Margreth and Nate also discuss annoying American habits, UFC 259 highlights, biased commentary, what feints are and what they are not, and nopest nickname on the Edwards vs Muhammad fight card.

Margreth and Nate talk Cyril Gane vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik, fighter nicknames, holding a grudge against Dominick Cruz, the title fight for a division that doesn't exist and a preview for the stacked UFC 259 card.

Margreth and Nate recap Blaydes vs Lewis. They also discuss judging, pile drivers, nicknames, Swedish pronunciation and look ahead to Rozenstruik vs Gane.