MMA Fighting

The Fighter vs. The Writer returns as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discuss the latest in combat sports.

With Dustin Poirier getting his third shot at becoming undisputed champion against Islam Makhachev at UFC 301 on June 1, is this opportunity do or die for him ever winning the title? Listen as Brown and Martin explain why no matter how many times Poirier fights for the belt, he’s probably never completely out of contention.

Plus Brown offers Poirier advice on how he should approach the fight with Makhachev and the best possible game plan to beat the seemingly unbeatable Russian.

Brown also tells a story he first teased on Twitter about nearly being shanked during a time he spent a few months behind bars when he was only 20 or 21 years old. Brown recounts the situation that led to the near disastrous end to his jail stay and he also reveals another brief stay in jail while he was in the middle of his UFC career.

All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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Derrick Lewis delivered a sensational knockout of Rodrigo Nascimento in the main event of Saturday's UFC St. Louis fight card, and then put on a show in his post-fight celebration. Lewis has put himself above the rankings in a lot of respects as people just want to see him in fun fights — but following another stoppage, what should be next?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for "The Black Beast" following this past weekend's victory. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Joaquin Buckley after his co-main event win over Nursulton Ruziboev — and subsequent callout of Conor McGregor — Carlos Ulberg following his 12 second knockout win over Alonzo Menifield, along with fellow main card winners Diego Ferreira, Sean Woodson, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and more.

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Derrick Lewis showed his knockout power, grappling chops, and after knocking out Rodrigo Nascimento, showed his backside to the St. Louis crowd to end Saturday's UFC St. Louis card with the fans on their feet.

Following the promotion's latest Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to the card, Lewis' big knockout of Nascimento and where he goes in this heavyweight division. Additionally, they discuss Joaquin Buckley's impressive co-main event win over Nursulton Ruziboev and his callout of Conor McGregor, Robelis Despaigne getting his first loss in lopsided fashion, bonus winners, and much more.

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UFC fan-favorite Derrick Lewis will make the main event walk once again this Saturday at UFC St. Louis, and will do so against a surprising opponent in Rodrigo Nascimento. Will Lewis end the night with another memorable celebration, or will the emerging Nascimento play spoiler?

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee preview this weekend's UFC Fight Night event, as well as the main event matchup between Lewis and Nascimento. Additionally, the panel will discuss the co-main event matchup between Joaquin Buckley and the dangerous Nursulton Ruziboev, if Buckley has the most to lose on the entire card, other matchups that might be flying under the radar, plus answer viewer questions at the end. 

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UFC bantamweight champ Sean O'Malley decided to release a new video from a 2016 sparring session with flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, where O'Malley delivered a devastating body kick that led to the spar being halted.

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Friday's video release from O'Malley, and if it was the right call. Additionally, listener topics include Jon Jones pitching a fight with Alex Pereira over Tom Aspinall, if Jones' legacy changes with a win over Stipe Miocic when they end up fighting, Saturday's UFC St. Louis card, if the PFL should sign Jose Aldo, and much 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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UFC 301 is in the books, and while there wasn't a ton of buzz heading into the UFC pay-per-view event, the card was fun to watch. In the end, the Brazilian fans went home happy after Alexandre Pantoja and Jose Aldo picked up unanimous decision wins in the final two fights.

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel will put a bow on UFC 301, discuss where Pantoja goes, Aldo's free agency, and other storylines from this past Saturday's card. Additionally, topics include the announcement that Cory Sandhagen will face Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of August's UFC Abu Dhabi card, this Saturday's UFC St. Louis event headlined by Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento, the boxing match between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal reportedly getting moved to July, Jon Jones favoring a fight with Alex Pereira over Tom Aspinall, and more.

Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Jose Youngs. 

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UFC 301 is in the book so it's on to St. Louis!

The worldwide leader in MMA heads to the Gateway Arch this Saturday with 13 fights, capped off by a heavyweight slugfest between Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento and the No Bets Barred boys are back to break down all the action.

Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a brief recap of UFC 301 and celebrate Jose Aldo's terrific win before diving into this week's card. Can Derrick Lewis become a Saint in the City that bears his name? Did Joaquin Buckley bite off more than he can chew against Nursulton Ruziboev? Can Robelis Despaigne continue to live up to "Lock of the Millenia" vibes? And Jed reveals his latest bit of nonsense: The Sharknado Bet.

All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode.

Tune in for episode 87 of No Bets Barred.

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Many people in the MMA community believe that Umar Nurmagomedov might be the UFC bantamweight champion in waiting — and in August, the undefeated Nurmagomedov will get to take the next step in proving that when he faces perennial contender Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi.

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov booking, and what is at stake for both guys. Additionally, listener questions include Jose Aldo's future following his dominant decision win over Jonathan Martinez, Steve Erceg's championship potential following his loss to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 this past Saturday, and much 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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The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with a special episode as UFC legend Matt Brown discusses his decision to retire from MMA for the first time.

With the most knockouts in welterweight history and the second most knockouts in UFC history, Brown etched his name in the record books numerous times over but what led to the timing for his retirement announcement this past Saturday?

Brown details when he told the UFC about his retirement and the reaction he received from the promotion.

He also explains why he’s really done with fighting and his immediate plans for the future.

All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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Alexandre Pantoja capped off UFC 301 with a unanimous decision win over a game Steve Erceg to retain his flyweight title, while Jose Aldo returned to the octagon to sweep the scorecards against Jonathan Martinez to become one of the sport's top free agents. What's next for the hometown heroes following Saturday's pay-per-view event?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Pantoja and Erceg following their main event clash in Rio. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Aldo — both in, and out of the UFC — Anthony Smith following his quick submission of Vitor Petrino, Michel Pereira after his 56 second stoppage win over Ihor Potieria, along with fellow main card winner Caio Borralho, and more.

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