The Brit Pack MMA Podcast

Bellator 281 in London saw a host of Brits return to action on home soil on a night that saw mixed fortunes for the local heroes at Wembley Arena.

The main event saw Michael “Venom” Page lose out on the scorecards as Logan Storley picked up the split-decision win to capture the interim Bellator welterweight title. It was a fight that was particularly tricky to score, and the debate has raged on since the verdict. Some, including Bellator president Scott Coker, suggested that “MVP” deserved to get the nod, while others have offered the contrasting view that Storley dominated the fight and was the clear winner.

On this special Bellator 281 reaction pod, I take a look at both sides of the argument, and share my conversation with Scott Coker backstage, where he told me why he thought Page won, and why Storley needs to evolve his game to remain at the top of the 170-pound division.

It was a memorable night for Paul “Semtex” Daley, who bowed out of his 64-fight MMA career with his 35th knockout – a blistering finish of Wendell Giacomo that almost took the roof off Wembley Arena.

And it was a big night for Fabian “The Assassin” Edwards, who produced the best performance of his career to knock out Lyoto Machida and claim a huge scalp in the Bellator middleweight division.

It was a big night, full of talking points, and I recap the best of them on this special reaction pod. Enjoy!

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

Everybody loves knockouts. They’re one of the main reasons why people are perched on the edge of their seats, or simply standing up, whenever the big fights take place.

Michael Chandler certainly had the fans up and out of their seats at UFC 274 as his stunning front-kick finish of Tony Ferguson catapulted him right to the top (sorry, Molly McCann) of the Knockout of the Year contenders list.

It got us thinking: Which knockouts from UFC history are our all-time favourites, and which could be considered the best ever?

It’s one of many questions we pondered on this week’s meeting of the United Nations pod looked back at UFC 274, then looked ahead to Bellator 281 in London and UFC on ESPN 36 in Las Vegas.

It’s a packed show, and it’s all yours, in audio form, right here.

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

Everybody loves knockouts. They’re one of the main reasons why people are perched on the edge of their seats, or simply standing up, whenever the big fights take place.

Michael Chandler certainly had the fans up and out of their seats at UFC 274 as his stunning front-kick finish of Tony Ferguson catapulted him right to the top (sorry, Molly McCann) of the Knockout of the Year contenders list.

It got us thinking: Which knockouts from UFC history are our all-time favourites, and which could be considered the best ever?

It’s one of many questions we pondered on this week’s meeting of The Brit Pack United Nations looked back at UFC 274, then looked ahead to Bellator 281 in London and UFC on ESPN 36 in Las Vegas.

It’s a packed show, and it’s all yours, in audio form, right here.

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 274 sent us on a rollercoaster of emotions as the main card served up a real mixed bag of fights from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Charles Oliveira was stripped of his title for missing weight before his bout with Justin Gaethje, but he made sure the belt remained vacant with a superb come-from-behind first-round submission victory.

Carla Esparza is now a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion after edging Rose Namajunas via split decision after one of the most uneventful title fights in recent memory.

And Michael Chandler landed arguably the knockout of the year so far with a massive front-kick finish of Tony Ferguson, who had dropped the former Bellator champ in the opening round of their lightweight clash.

On this week’s weekend rundown, I take a look back at the big storylines coming out of UFC 274, and recap the best of the action from Phoenix, before recapping a rough night for the Brits at Bellator 280 in Paris.

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

The main card of UFC 274 is absolutely stacked with must-see fights and storylines galore as the UFC prepares to host its latest pay-per-view offering at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The card is topped by two UFC championship bouts, with the lightweight title clash between reigning champion Charles Oliveira and former interim champ Justin Gaethje set to headline the card.

The co-main features a women’s strawweight title rematch between two-time champion Rose Namajunas and the woman who denied her in the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight title fight, Carla Esparza.

Also set for action on the main card is a dynamite lightweight clash with high stakes for both men, as former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler takes on former UFC interim lightweight champ Tony Ferguson in a bout that both men will view as a must-win matchup.

There’s also a battle of lightweight veterans, as Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Joe Lauzon get set to kick off the main card in another eagerly-anticipated matchup.

Ahead of fight night, The Brit Pack United Nations crew convened their latest meeting to run the rule over the big fights and debate the big talking points of fight week.

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 274 brings an absolutely stacked card of fights to Phoenix, Arizona, as the Footprint Center plays host to the UFC’s latest pay-per-view offering.

The card features a double-header of championship action, with Brazil’s Charles Oliveira putting his undisputed UFC lightweight title on the line against former interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event.

The co-main event also features a title tussle, as reigning strawweight queen Rose Namajunas faces off against the woman who defeated her to become the inaugural 115-pound champion, Carla Esparza.

There’s also a huge bout at 155 pounds, as former Bellator champion Michael Chandler looks to surge back into title contention with victory over former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson, who has arrived in Phoenix with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove.

It should make for a spectacular night of fights and, ahead of the action, The Brit Pack United Nations team break down the big main card clashes and offer their picks as they get set for a huge night of MMA in Arizona.

A video version of this podcast is available here.

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

Danny Roberts is all set to make his 12th UFC appearance on Saturday night when he faces Brazilian veteran Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 274 in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s a bout that offers “Hot Chocolate” the chance to kick-start his 2022 in style as he faces a tough, durable opponent on one of the biggest fight cards of the year so far.

Ahead of his bout, I caught up with Danny from his hotel room in Arizona as he prepared for the 24th fight of his professional career. He’s fit, he’s in good form and he’s ready to deliver the goods for the fans back home.

Check out the full interview as we discuss everything from his preparation for Trinaldo, to his willingness to face anyone and everyone at 170 pounds, to OG status in the current crop of active British UFC fighters. We even got to chat a little football, too.

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 274 brings an absolutely stacked card of fights to Phoenix, Arizona, as the Footprint Center plays host to the UFC’s latest pay-per-view offering.

The card features a double-header of championship action, with Brazil’s Charles Oliveira putting his undisputed UFC lightweight title on the line against former interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event.

The co-main event also features a title tussle, as reigning strawweight queen Rose Namajunas faces off against the woman who defeated her to become the inaugural 115-pound champion, Carla Esparza.

There’s also a huge bout at 155 pounds, as former Bellator champion Michael Chandler looks to surge back into title contention with victory over former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson, who has arrived in Phoenix with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove.

It should make for a spectacular night of fights and, ahead of the action, the United Nations team break down the big main card clashes and offer their picks as they get set for a huge night of MMA in Arizona.

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

NFL Draft fever had the sporting world gripped on Thursday night as the first round of the draft took place in Las Vegas.

Not wanting to miss out on the fun, we at The Brit Pack United Nations gathered together to conduct a draft of our own – The Brit Pack United Nations Fantasy MMA Draft.

The format was (relatively) simple:

* 11 rounds, one fighter per weight class, from women’s strawweight to men’s heavyweight (leaving out the women’s 145 division, due to a lack of depth)

* Each team must contain at least one fighter from each of the UFC, Bellator and PFL

* Each team is allowed no more than ONE active UFC or Bellator champion

The fighters will score points for the rest of the year, earning points for our teams.

Scoring System

The Brit Pack United Nations Fantasy MMA scores are determined by an adaptation of the PFL's league scoring system.

* Fight appearance: 1 point

* Win (of any kind): 3 points

* Additional bonus points for a finish:

* Round 1 finish: 3 points

* Round 2 finish: 2 points

* Round 3-5 finish: 1 point

* Championship bonus (for winning a title fight with any of the aforementioned promotions): 5 points

Check out the show and find out who went early, who went late, and decide which lineup has the best chance of success by the end of the year.

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

Could it be possible that a British fighter just locked up 2022’s Fight of the Year, Round of the Year AND Comeback of the Year honours in the space of just one round?

Liam Harrison’s incredible comeback against the “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai at ONE 156 was one of the highlights from an absolutely packed week of action as the world’s top promotions all put on a show (or, in Bellator’s case, two shows) for fight fans across the globe.

On the first episode of our post-weekend recap show, “The Rundown,” I take a look back at the biggest and best moments from a superb week of fights, starting with the PFL’s 2022 season curtain-raiser in Texas, continuing with ONE Championship's event in Singapore and Bellator’s double-header in Hawaii, and finishing with the UFC Fight Night event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

There’s also a little housekeeping, as I bring you bang up to date with developments with The Brit Pack, and what you can expect in the coming weeks and months.

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

Thanks for checking out The Brit Pack MMA! Subscribe for free and get new shows sent straight to your inbox, every week.

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