The UFC's middleweight division is fascinating right now, especially with the addition of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia in June. As of now, new champion Dricus Du Plessis' first title defense is not lined up, but should he face bitter rival Israel Adesanya next, or the man who gave Du Plessis his toughest fight to date in Sean Strickland?
On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the middleweight title picture, why the word "deserves" should be limited from the vocabulary of UFC fans, and which fighter has the best chance of being Du Plessis' next opponent. Additionally, listener questions include Dana White's relationship with the MMA media, getting into the MMA space, the UFC Atlantic City main event between Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot, and much more.
You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR

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HOAM | Should Sean Strickland Or Israel Adesanya Get Dricus Du Plessis Title Fight Next?

Get all the mixed martial arts fighting news and analysis you need from the award-winning team at MMA Fighting. Produced by MMA Fighting and SB Nation, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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Another UFC pay-per-view event is upon us with UFC 301, and with the incredible UFC 300 event preceding it, the card is in an unfair position. But Alexandre Pantoja defends his lightweight title against Steve Erceg in the main event. Can Erceg pull off the upset, and if he does, what does that mean for the 125-pound division?
On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel previews Saturday's championship contest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with Jose Aldo's return to the octagon in his final promotional contracted bout against Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event, and other notable storylines. Additionally, they'll discuss Ryan Garcia reportedly failing a pair of VADA drug tests in relation to his upset win over Devin Haney, Mike Perry's quick knockout of Thiago Alves at BKFC KnuckleMania 4, what could be next for him, Conor McGregor becoming a part owner of the promotion, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match being sanctioned as a pro bout, and more.
Host Mike Heck and MMA Fighting's José Youngs answer your questions about those topics and more.

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BTL | Ryan Garcia, Jose Aldo's Return At UFC 301, Mike Perry Shines Again, Paul vs. Tyson Sanctioned

José Aldo is one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. You think you know his story? Think again!
On this episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review crew gets in touch with their feelings as we follow Aldo’s heart-wrenching journey from Brazilian bad boy to MMA legend in the 2016 biopic Mais Forte que o Mundo a.k.a. Stronger than the World. Some… interesting choices are made, with Aldo (José Loreto) shown rising through the ranks in the fighting world while battling demons outside of the cage. If this sounds more like a telenovela than a martial arts film, then this might be just what you’re looking for.
Ahead of Aldo’s return at UFC 301, Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, E. Casey Leydon, and special guest Guilherme Cruz try to make sense of a sometimes baffling narrative, separate fact from fiction, and discuss ideas that could have made the movie so much better.
Is this even about José Aldo? Why is it missing some of his most famous moments? And is lumber-bashing a real hobby in Brazil?
(Leg) kick back and chill with us for the answers to these questions and more.

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‘Mais Forte que o Mundo’ Review: Is This Even A Jose Aldo Movie? | This Is CineMMA

One-time UFC title challenger and current ESPN UFC analyst Megan Anderson joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 301 event, the hangover from UFC 300, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg, Jose Aldo's return against Jonathan Martinez and if it will be Aldo's final UFC fight, why Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino is a fight she has her eye on, and much more. 
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Megan Anderson Previews UFC 301, Jose Aldo's Return

UFC 301 is here and we're headed back to Brazil!
This Saturday, the UFC returns to Rio de Janeiro for its first pay-per-view offering since the immaculate UFC 300, and the No Bets Barred boys are back to break down all the fights.
After taking a few weeks off to recuperate following the extravaganza that was UFC 300, hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew return with spirit, opening the show with a brief recap of their past couple of weeks before diving into this card. Will Alexandre Pantoja give the Brazilian crowd a happy ending to the evening or will Steve Erceg - AKA "Vinnie Cigs" -- become the most unlikely champion in UFC history? How will the return of Jose Aldo go? And which Brazilian fighters are primed to be upset on home turf?
All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode.
Tune in for episode 86 of No Bets Barred.

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No Bets Barred: Will Jose Aldo And Alexandre Pantoja Give Brazil Something To Cheer About At UFC 301?

Tom Aspinall agrees with the U.K. MMA fans that the upcoming UFC 304 pay-per-view event in July should cater to the local market, as opposed to the U.S. fanbase — and he's absolutely correct in that assessment. But will the UFC change course to satisfy the Manchester fans as it relates to the card's start time?
On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Aspinall's recent response to the fight night schedule and why the UFC interim heavyweight champion is spot on. Additionally, listener topics include Saturday's UFC 301 event, flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg's chances against Alexandre Pantoja in the main event, whether or not Jose Aldo will be making the walk to the octagon for the final time against Jonathan Martinez, the hidden gem on Saturday's fight card, the UFC middleweight division, the BMF title, and more.
You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR

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HOAM | Should Sean Strickland Or Israel Adesanya Get Dricus Du Plessis Title Fight Next?

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