The Brit Pack MMA Podcast

The fight calendar rolls on, and two of the UFC’s biggest rivalries continue to generate heat away from the octagon as we look back on another busy week in MMA.

On “UFC Fight Island,” former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm and former UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie picked up big wins as they look to earn themselves a shot at all-conquering two-division women’s champion Amanda Nunes.

On social media, Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya continue to stoke the fires as they jab at each other from opposite sides of the world and build the anticipation as they continue to hint at a potential future clash inside the octagon.

Also on social media, England’s Darren Till took his social media mind games to a new level by answering longtime rival Mike Perry’s online offer to accommodate the highest bidder as a cornerman for his next fight. Till pledged to be that cornerman, and even started a GoFundMe to raise money to cover his travel costs, with the rest of the proceeds going straight to Perry.

As well as the above, we also take a look ahead to Bellator’s groundbreaking event in Paris this weekend, plus the latest installment of action from “UFC Fight Island.”

It’s yet another packed edition of “The Brit Pack” podcast, and it’s all yours via the player above, or the podcast app of your choice.

[Pic: @AwesomeGandalf]

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To say the last week was busy would be a huge understatement, and on this week’s show we attempt to unpack all of it as we look back on jam-packed seven days in MMA.

For starters, we had a staggering SIX events to look back on, with Cage Warriors’ “Trilogy” of events in Manchester, plus Bellator’s return to action in Milan, Italy. Of course, there was UFC 253 as the octagon reopened for business on “UFC Fight Island,” and Sunday morning’s early-risers will have enjoyed Rizin FF 24 from the iconic Saitama Super Arena. We look back on all six shows and pick out the most notable results from a huge weekend of fights, most notably UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s masterful performance to finish Paulo Costa and further separate himself from the pack at 185 pounds.

We also discuss the tricky issue of weight-miss fines, and how promotions – and fighters – can improve the situation moving forward. And we unpack the biggest fight away from the cage this week, as Conor McGregor and Dana White were at loggerheads following the Irish star’s leak of the UFC president’s private messages to him as they attempted to negotiate his next fight.

Check out the show via the player above and don’t forget to subscribe!

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A bumper edition of '“The Brit Pack” features plenty of pre- and post-fight chat as we preview UFC 253 and review UFC Vegas 11, and we also zero in on two key talking points around the two shows.

Last weekend in Vegas, Colby Covington bounced back with a fifth-round finish of Tyron Woodley, but despite once again proving himself to be one of the very best fighters on the planet, his divisive rhetoric after the fight yet again left a sour taste in the mouth. At what point does fight promotion go too far, and has Colby overstepped the line? We discuss the topic at length.

We also chat about the upcoming middleweight title fight at UFC 253, as Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa go head to head in what they and the UFC would have had us believe was a heated grudge match. But when a video posted to social media by Costa’s manager saw the pair greeting each other in cordial fashion, that narrative has been placed in some doubt. We assess what happened, and what impact it may make on the matchup, and the earning potential for the title challenger.

We also look ahead to a jam-packed schedule of fights this coming weekend, with a triple-header of Cage Warriors events, plus Bellator’s return to European soil, giving MMA fans on Simon’s side of the pond plenty to look forward to before the UFC takes centre stage on “Fight Island”.

Check out the show via the player above, and don’t forget to subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode. Thanks, as always, for your support. Enjoy this week’s show, and enjoy the fights!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

As the title of this week’s show suggests, we had a ton to discuss on this week’s episode of “The Brit Pack” as we picked through the results of a triple-header weekend, looked ahead to a stacked card this weekend, and chatted about some of the big MMA storylines of the week.

We had UFC on ESPN+ 35 in Vegas, where Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill served up a classic, and referee Chris Tognoni’s error helped Ed Herman to an unlikely come-from-behind win.

We also had a double helping of Bellator action, as the promotion’s “Fightsphere” at Mohegan Sun Arena played host to back-to-back fight nights for Bellator 245 and 246, as Juan Archuleta was crowned the promotion’s bantamweight champion on Saturday night.

We also discussed Bellator’s new direction following their switch from Paramount Network to CBS Sports, and their new fight for Thursday night supremacy against the PFL, which is set to return in 2021.

Then we threw things forward and took a look ahead to the coming weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 36 card, as a welterweight grudge match a few years in the making finally comes to a head at the UFC Apex. Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley should be a cracker.

There’s also the latest chapter of the remarkable breakout story of Khamzat Chimaev, who returns to face Gerald Meerschaert in the first of a pre-arranged two-fight booking that could see the unbeaten Swedish phenom face Demian Maia next… IF he can beat BJJ black belt and noted submission specialist Meerschaert, which will be no easy feat.

Check out the show via the player above, and don’t forget you can subscribe via the button below so you never miss a show. The show’s also available via all the usual podcast distributors, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and more.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

According to his manager, Nick Diaz is on his way back, and even though it’s been more than five years since his last fight, the MMA world is excited at the prospect of his potential return.

On this week’s show, we take a look at the potential options for a returning Diaz as he plans his comeback in early-2021. Who should he face when he steps back inside the octagon? We look at the permutations.

Also, one of the “Golden Oldies” of the UFC heavyweight division is still right in the thick of it and potentially only one or two fights from a shot at the gold.

Forty-year-old Alistair Overeem finished Augusto Sakai last weekend at UFC on ESPN+ 34 in Las Vegas to claim the 47th win of his MMA career keep the final chapter of his remarkable story rolling as he bids to chase that elusive UFC heavyweight title. He’s already captured titles in Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1. Can he add the UFC title to that remarkable collection?

We take a look at how “The Reem” might be able to get himself back to a title shot, and the chain of events needed to make it happen. We also recap the key performances on the card in Las Vegas from an event that was decidedly more low-key than previous UFC cards.

We also take a look ahead to this weekend’s UFC card in Vegas, where Angela Hill is set to make history as the first Black woman to headline a UFC card. She’ll take on another UFC role model, “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson in a replacement main event that deserves more enthusiasm than it’s getting from some quarters.

It’s also a big week for Bellator as the promotion gets set to host a double-header of events on Friday and Saturday, culminating in a battle for the vacant bantamweight title, as Juan Archuleta and Patchy Mix face off for the 135-pound title.

It’s another hour of MMA chat spanning the Atlantic, so why not join us?

Listen via the player above or hit the link under the player to open the show in the podcast player of your choosing. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review!

[Pic: @nickdiaz209 (Instagram)]

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

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As the title of this week’s show suggests, heavyweight discussion dominates the chat on the latest episode of “The Brit Pack” as we react to the breaking news of Brock Lesnar entering free agency. Could he really make a return to MMA? And would he actually be better off joining Bellator instead of the UFC? It sounds mad, but hear us out! We also chat about Daniel Cormier’s legacy after “DC” confirmed his retirement earlier in the day.

We bring you bang up to speed with the latest action in the UFC as we recap last weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 33 (or UFC Vegas 8, if you prefer) at the UFC Apex as Aleksandar Rakic defeated Anthony Smith to push himself into the title conversation at 205 pounds. We discuss what’s next for him, and for Smith, who is currently mulling over his options after back-to-back losses at light heavyweight.

And we also take a look forward to this coming weekend’s action at the UFC Apex as “The Demolition Man” himself, English-born Alistair Overeem, takes on surging prospect Augusto Sakai in the main event.

It’s another packed show, and by way of a bonus we even throw in a way-too-early review of Amazon Prime’s new “All or Nothing” series, focusing on Sandhu’s team, Tottenham Hotspur.

Listen via the player above, or via the podcast player of your choice. Don’t forget you can subscribe via the button below, and please do spread the word about the show on social media as we try to grow this thing. Your support is hugely appreciated by us both.

Enjoy the show, and enjoy the fights!

[Pic: @AwesomeGandalf]

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

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Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar made a victorious debut at 135 pounds as he edged out Brazilian contender Pedro Munhoz (some say controversially) in the main event of UFC Vegas 7 last weekend.

It means there’s yet another contender in the UFC’s absolutely stacked bantamweight division. But where does “The Answer” slot into things in the UFC’s 135-pound shark tank?

That’s just one of the questions we attempt to answer on this week’s episode of the show as we look back at an event that saw a host of rising prospects score eye-catching wins at the UFC Apex.

We also look ahead to this coming weekend’s UFC Vegas 8 card, as light heavyweight contenders Aleksandar Rakic and Anthony Smith prepare to throw down at 205 pounds.

Speaking of light heavyweights, we also discuss the strength of a weight class that was previously maligned for being the most boring in the UFC. With all of the recent happenings, it’s anything but boring now.

There’s even a little bit of pro wrestling chat for those who enjoy a little “soap opera in spandex.”

Check out this week’s show via the player above, or click the link to open up the show via your podcast player of choice.

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Enjoy the show, and enjoy the fights!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

UFC 252 promised an epic trilogy fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, and it didn’t disappoint as the pair settled their rivalry at the UFC Apex.

On this week’s episode of “The Brit Pack,” we take a look back at the events of last weekend, when Miocic defeated Cormier to retain his UFC heavyweight title and claim the “win” in the three-fight series between the pair.

What did the win do for Miocic’s legacy? And how should Cormier be remembered now that he has announced his retirement from the sport? Also, what should happen next at the top of the heavyweight division? We answer those questions, and more, on this week’s episode.

There’s also time for a quick look ahead to this weekend’s double-header, with Bellator 244 on Friday night, and UFC on ESPN 15 at the Apex on Saturday night.

And, just before we wrapped things up, there was some breaking news, as Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz reportedly agreed to a huge fight at 205 pounds, but does it mean there’s a title on the line? Given what’s happened since we stopped recording, there’s every chance there will be.

It’s another jam-packed episode of “The Brit Pack” and we hope you enjoy it. Give it a listen, give it a share, and spread the word for us on social media and via podcast ratings and reviews. We really do appreciate you being a part of it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

We say it every week, but boy do we have a packed show for you!

Of course, the majority of this week’s episode of “The Brit Pack” is dedicated to the huge trilogy fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormer, who dance one final time for all the marbles – and possibly the mantle of the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time – in the main event of UFC 252 this weekend.

But that’s only part of what we have on this week’s show.

There’s a full main card recap of UFC on ESPN+ 32 last weekend, as Derrick Lewis scored a huge win, Chris Weidman breathed life into his UFC career and Darren Stewart proved he’s MUCH more than just another British striker.

We also unpack the news that broke just before we hit record, as Paige VanZant announced that she had signed with Bare Knuckle FC. Smart move or a baffling choice? We offer our respective takes. There’s also a quick word for the events of midweek, where Dana White handed out FIVE UFC contracts at the Contender Series, including one to 21-year-old Welsh strawweight Cory McKenna, who put on a brilliant display to earn herself a shot at the big time.

There’s also the usual fight reaction, early predictions and midweek matchmaking as we try to plot the course for key names in the sport.

Check out the show via the player above, or via the pod-catcher of your choice. We’re available pretty much everywhere these days. We’d also LOVE it if you could hit us up on social media, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and generally help us spread the word about our little show. And if you’re not a subscriber, just hit the button and enter your email address below and you’ll get notified every time we put out a new episode.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

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It feels like a quiet week this week, but we STILL have a double-header of UFC and Bellator action this coming weekend.

It meant we still had plenty to chew over on this week’s episode of “The Brit Pack” podcast as we recapped the action from UFC on ESPN+ 31 in Las Vegas, as longtime middleweight rankings resident Derek Brunson proved to Edmen Shahbazyan that there are levels to this game at 185 pounds with a third-round TKO victory.

We unpacked that result, plus the other eye-catching fight outcomes of the night, including Joanne Calderwood’s heartbreaking loss to Jennifer Maia as the Scot took a fight on short notice and lost her likely title shot with Valentina Shevchenko in the process.

We also looked ahead to Bellator 243, where former Bellator champ Michael Chandler and ex-WEC and UFC champ Benson Henderson will run it back for a potential shot at the promotion’s 155-pound strap.

We discussed the UFC’s next event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, as “The Black Beast” meets “The Boa Constrictor” in a real throwback fight in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

And we also looked ahead to the return to the UFC of England’s Darren “The Dentist” Stewart, after his last assignment saw him compete under the Cage Warriors banner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out the show above and don’t forget to drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or hit us up on social media @TheBritPackMMA.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebritpack.substack.com