The Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN co-promotional event is in the books, and there was a lot to unpack from the New Year's Eve extravaganza, including a hint of rich irony.

On an all-new bonus edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck hits record and gives his overall reaction to the card, which took place at the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Topics include the grade for the event — and why the marks were skewed a bit higher — the matchups, A.J. McKee stealing the show for his main event fight against Roberto de Souza and potentially becoming the face of the promotion, the tape delay misstep, and how it led to an interesting discovery in the overall fallout of the event, thoughts on doing the concept again, other ideas on how it could be shaped together, how the build to the event got out of hand at times by taking focus off of what was important, and 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

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With 2022 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport.

In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2022 was going to bring. Topics include Conor McGregor's activity for the year, whether or not Jon Jones would fight Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title, or at all in 2022, Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz competing, Kayla Harrison, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal's rivalry, Kamaru Usman's championship status, Khamzat Chimaev, Jake Paul, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more.

In addition, we will need you help for part two: our 2023 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Thursday, Jan. 5 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like.

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether Khamzat Chimaev stays at welterweight, or makes the permanent move to middleweight, most would believe that one more victory would set Chimaev up for a title fight in either division. But will the timing work out for "Borz" to get his shot in 2023?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Chimaev's title prospects in 2023, and answers whether or not he'll get a crack at UFC gold before featherweight Ilia Topuria. Additionally, listener questions include Bellator vs. RIZIN and which promotion has the better chance to sweep, Jamahal Hill's chances against Glover Teixeria, fights to look forward to in 2023, some of the best moments of this year, 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

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With just a couple of days left in the year, it's almost time to say goodbye to 2022, and hello to 2023. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like, and a lot that needs to be improved upon — from the UFC, to Bellator, and beyond.

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the second annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they will grade the UFC for their 2022 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year. Additionally, the panel does the same for Bellator MMA, PFL, and ONE Championship, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, and other ideas to bring into 2023.

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephan Bonnar sadly passed away at the age of 45 recently, but the impact he had on the UFC — most notably with his incredible battle on the finale of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter — will be remembered forever.

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news of Bonnar's unfortunate passing, his legacy, Bonnar's incredible battle with Forrest Griffin at the TUF 1 Finale and its importance for the UFC, and much more. Additionally, listener questions include MMA Fighting's year-end awards, Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN and the card not airing live in the U.S., Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 285, Brandon Moreno's new team ahead of UFC 283, Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the light heavyweight title, Khamzat Chimaev, and 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

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

O UFC já encerrou seu calendário em 2022 e já tem muita gente fazendo suas listas de melhores do ano, mas ainda tem muita luta boa pra acontecer antes do réveillon. No último Trocação Franca do ano, o podcast recebe os três brasileiros escalados para o aguardado cross promotion entre Bellator e RIZIN no Japão, os campeões Patrício Pitbull, Kleber Koike e Roberto Satoshi.

O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda quarta-feira, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados.

The UFC has already ended its season in 2022 and many people are making their best of the year lists, but there are plenty of good fights set to go down before New Year’s Eve. The final Trocação Franca of the year welcomes the three Brazilian champions scheduled to compete in the much-anticipated Bellator vs. RIZIN cross-promotion in Japan, Patricio Pitbull, Kleber Koike and Roberto Satoshi.

Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every Wednesday to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world.

• Follow Guilherme Cruz @Guicruzzz

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it came to MMA, 2022 was one heck of a wild ride.

Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most jaw-rattling moments of 2022 in a special year-end retrospective. We’re honoring all the nights that defined one of the wildest 12-month stretches in recent MMA history — and handing out plenty of hardware in celebration of the knockouts, submissions, fights, fighters, and rookies who made sure 2022 was a year that won’t soon be forgotten.

Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti

Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee

Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew

Follow Mike Heck @MickHeck_JR

Follow Josè Youngs @JoseYoungs

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the year winds down, MMA Fighting will be giving out its 2022 awards celebrating the best the sport of mixed martial arts had to offer throughout the year.

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel brings you the annual 2022 year-end awards preview, as MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee give their top-five rankings for all of the categories that will be awarded beginning Sunday, Dec. 25 — which includes knockout of the year, fight of the year, rookie of the year, submission of the year, and fighter of the year. Additionally, they react to the news of the UFC's pay-per-view prices being raised to $79.99 in 2023, beginning with UFC 283 on Jan. 21.

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UFC ended their 2022 calendar year this past Saturday with UFC Vegas 66, but on Wednesday, it was revealed that it will be a little bit more expensive to watch their pay-per-view events in 2023.

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the news that UFC pay-per-views will now cost $79.99 — a $5 increase from 2022 — beginning with UFC 283 on Jan. 21. Additionally, listener topics include Dillon Danis' recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Arman Tsarukyan's win over Damir Ismagulov at UFC Vegas 66, Bellator vs. RIZIN, Taila Santos vs. Erin Blanchfield at the UFC's Feb. 18 event, Alexander Volkanovski, and 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

Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH

Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi

Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM

Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z

Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI

Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Um dos sambistas mais populares do país, Dudu Nobre tem raízes profundas no mundo das lutas. Em uma div retida resenha com o Trocação Franca, o carioca contou várias de suas experiências como fã do esporte, como a curiosa interação com Steven Seagal no vestiário de Anderson Silva antes da luta com Vitor Belfort, a “zicada” em José Aldo com um um samba anti-Conor McGregor, e muito mais.

One of Brazil’s most popular samba stars, Dudu Nobre has deep roots in the martial arts world. Nobre joins Trocação Franca to tell some of his experiences as a fan, like being backstage with Anderson Silva in Las Vegas before the legendary win over Vitor Belfort and having an awkward interaction with Steven Seagal, composing an anti-Conor McGregor samba prior to the Jose Aldo clash and being accused by friend of jinxing Aldo, and more.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts

Subscribe: Spotify

Read More: MMA Fighting

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices