The Head Line with Simon Head

What a night! UFC 269 delivered a spectacular final pay-per-view event for 2021 as the UFC’s final premium offering served up one of the most unforgettable performances in UFC championship history.

That performance came in the co-main event, as Julianna Pena, almost universally considered a huge underdog, submitted two-division champ Amanda Nunes to capture the UFC women’s bantamweight title.

With all respect to Nunes, it was a huge feel-good moment to see someone defy the odds to make their dream a reality, but where should Pena’s incredible win stand in the pantheon of great UFC title fight upsets?

We discuss that very topic on this week’s show, as we recap a quite brilliant night of fights at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – including Charles Oliveira’s finish of Dustin Poirier in the main event – and offer our takes on the big talking points that arose as a result.

We also take a look ahead to the final UFC card of 2021, as Derrick Lewis faces surging contender Chris Daukaus in a battle of knockout artists at the UFC Apex.

It’s a jam-packed show, with lots to discuss, so what are you waiting for?! Dive in and enjoy!

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The UFC brings the curtain down on a stellar 2021 with a huge pay-per-view offering from Las Vegas, as two champions get set to put their titles on the line at UFC 269.

In the main event, newly-crowned lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira takes on former interim champ Dustin Poirier in a battle to decide who’ll enter 2022 as the kingpin of the UFC’s glamour division.

Meanwhile, the co-main event sees the return of the most dominant athlete in combat sports. Amanda Nunes has ruled over the women’s 135- and 145-pound divisions with apparent ease, and she’ll face a fresh new challenge in the form of the gritty contender Julianna Pena, who plans to shock the world on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

On this week’s show, Simon flies solo to preview the card, as well as Cage Warriors’ upcoming “Double Trouble” events in London this weekend.

There’s also time to take a look back at the night’s big winners at UFC on ESPN 31, while also discussing the news of Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury’s cancellation and replacement with Paul’s rematch against Tyron Woodley.

Simon also gives his take on Dominick Cruz’s criticisms of Daniel Cormier as a UFC analyst ahead of Cruz’s UFC 269 battle with Pedro Munhoz.

It’s another packed show, and it’s yours, 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

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Conor McGregor has set his timeline for a return to the octagon, but who should “The Notorious” face on his return?

That’s just one of the questions we ponder on this week’s episode of The Brit Pack MMA Podcast as MMA returns to full speed after something of a “gap week” last weekend.

Before we mull over McGregor’s many, many options for a comeback fight, we take a look at the double-header of U.S.-based events, with bantamweights taking centre stage at both Bellator 272 and UFC on ESPN 31.

We give our takes on Kyoji Horiguchi’s return to Bellator as he challenges reigning bantamweight champ Sergio Pettis, as well as break down the UFC headliner between in-form contender Rob Font and Brazilian legend Jose Aldo.

We also look back at Triller Fight Club’s latest offering, Triad Combat, which offered a strange hybrid ruleset that didn’t quite pan out as one of our team expected.

There’s even time to give our early reaction to the booking of British rivals Amir Khan and Kell Brook in a welterweight boxing grudge match that has probably arrived six years later than it should have done.

It’s a packed, but pacy show, and it’s all yours right here!

Photo credit: @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

It’s been a quiet week in MMA, so it perhaps makes sense that one of the quiet contenders in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division came to the fore with one of the most important wins of her career.

Brazil’s Ketlen Vieira battled Miesha Tate – and, perhaps, her own confidence issues – to claim a huge decision win and cement her credentials as an elite contender at 135 pounds. But, even though she got the W against the former bantamweight champ, her performance still suggested there was more to come from her in the future.

It was also a big night for former CFFC welterweight champ Sean Brady, who extended his undefeated record with a decision victory over seasoned welterweight contender Michael Chiesa in the night’s co-main event.

It was a disappointing night for the two Brits on the card, though, as Joanne Wood and Davey Grant both lost out in their respective bouts against Taila Santos and Adrian Yanez, both of whom look set for contender status sooner rather than later.

Away from the cage, the news cycle was sparked into life by a tweet from Conor McGregor, who stated his aim to return to the octagon in a lightweight title fight in 2022.

With Sandhu away on assignment in New York, Simon flies solo this week to bring you bang up to date and offer his take on the past week’s events in a shorter-than-usual episode.

Dive in here!

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Just when you thought the UFC had hit the ceiling for outstanding fights in 2021, Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez collectively said, “Hold my beer,” and served up yet another Fight of the Year contender.

Former featherweight champion Holloway and high-flying contender Rodriguez – who was returning from a two-year layoff – delivered a five-round firecracker of a main event at UFC Fight Night 197 at the UFC Apex as they rounded off yet another outstanding fight card at the UFC Apex.

Holloway’s win all but guarantees either a huge trilogy bout with reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski, or a massive payday (most likely at 155 pounds) against former foe Conor McGregor. As options go, Max appears to be sitting pretty.

As for Rodriguez, his remarkable performance on his return has left fans salivating at the prospect of his next octagon appearance, and we have a dynamite matchup in mind for his first bout of 2022.

As well as recapping the events in Vegas at the weekend, we also look back at Cris Cyborg’s first-round demolition job at Bellator 271 and ponder the possibilities after Kayla Harrison was shown cageside – and directly discussed in Cyborg’s post-fight interview – in Florida.

We look at the fallout following the collapse of the eagerly anticipated Leon Edwards-Jorge Masvidal bout at UFC 269 and offer the best next steps for both men.

And we also take a look ahead to the main event of UFC Fight Night 198, as former women’s bantamweight champ Miesha Tate takes on Ketlen Vieira in the main event at the UFC Apex in a fight that could have massive implications for her career.

Enjoy the show!

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

The biggest card of the year delivered the biggest thrills as UFC 268 served up a night to remember at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

The main event between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington produced another super-competitive title fight, with Usman getting the nod on the scorecards, while Rose Namajunas did the same in her title rematch with Zhang Weill.

But this was a card that delivered from top to bottom, with some incredible highlights throughout the night.

The main card opened up the pay per view with a Fight of the Year contender, as Justin Gaethje outpointed Michael Chandler in a three-round thriller.

And the preliminary card delivered a feast of finishes, with SIX knockouts in a row, including Chris Curtis’ crowd-pleasing wheel-kick, Ian Garry’s eye-catching octagon debut and Alex Pereira’s scary arrival as a middleweight threat.

All in all, it was a big night in the Big Apple, and on this week’s episode of the show we go big as we recap a night full of high spots and hijinks. 

There’s also time to recap Bellator 270 in Dublin, as well as Sandhu’s trip to Las Vegas for Canelo vs. Plant, plus a quick look ahead to the upcoming UFC Fight Night card at the UFC Apex as Max Holloway welcomes Yair Rodriguez back to the octagon.

Check it out here, and don’t forget to spread the word about the show!

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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In a packed year of MMA, our cup runneth over this week as we bring you an absolutely stacked episode of The Brit Pack MMA Podcast.

On this week’s show, we look back at a superb event in Abu Dhabi as UFC 267 delivered stunning action, brilliant individual performances, a touch of controversy and some social media hi-jinks at cageside.

We also recap the PFL’s 2021 Championship event in Hollywood, Florida before looking ahead to another huge UFC pay-per-view card, as reigning welterweight champion of the world Kamaru Usman faces off against rival Colby Covington in a hotly-anticipated title rematch at Madison Square Garden, New York.

We run down the fights that matter ahead of fight night in New York, then tee up a big night of fights in Ireland, as Bellator 270 is headlined by a lightweight title clash between Peter Queally and Patricky Pitbull at the atmospheric 3Arena in Dublin.

It’s a bumper edition of the show, and it’s all yours 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

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Two titles are on the line at the top of a stacked main card as the UFC returns to “Fight Island,” Abu Dhabi for UFC 267.

Topping the bill at the Etihad Arena on Saturday, October 30 is a battle for the undisputed light heavyweight title as reigning champion Jan Blachowicz looks to turn back the challenge of Brazilian veteran and former title challenger Glover Teixeira, who is making his second run at a UFC title after losing out to Jon Jones back in 2014.

There’s interim bantamweight gold to be dished out in the co-main event, as former undisputed champ Petr Yan looks to grab the interim strap and cement a rematch with current champ Aljamain Sterling. But standing in his way is a man more than capable of holding championship gold himself, Cory Sandhagen.

On this week’s show, we take a look at the fights that matter in Abu Dhabi as we look ahead to the UFC’s latest big-time event.

We also look back at an at-times controversial UFC Fight Night 196 event as Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori served up a classic after a turbulent fight week that enhanced Vettori’s stock, and did little to help Costa’s reputation.

We also touch on the knockout performance of Fedor Emelianenko in the main event of Bellator 269 as “The Last Emperor” finished Tim Johnson in blistering fashion in front of his adoring fans in Moscow, Russia.

And we look ahead to the PFL’s 2021 season finale, and ponder what could be next for the promotion’s biggest star, Kayla Harrison.

It’s yet another packed show, and it’s all yours, 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

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Fedor Emelianenko may be on the retirement tour portion of his MMA career, but there could be one more championship left to claim before he eventually hangs up the four-ounce gloves for good.

“The Last Emperor” returns to action in the main event of Bellator 269 in Moscow, Russia, with Fedor set to face current heavyweight contender Tim Johnson. It’s a fight that might not offer the biggest name opponent, but it’s one that, if Fedor is successful, could catapult him into one final shot at championship gold.

Emelianenko vs. Johnson headlines in Moscow, while a pair of duelling middleweight contenders are set to go head to head at the top of the UFC’s Fight Night card the same night.

Former title challengers Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori are both desperate to get back in the cage and challenge Israel Adesanya for the title again, but fight week has already thrown a curveball into proceedings, with Costa admitting that he has arrived significantly overweight for the matchup.

A catchweight bout has been agreed, but what does this mean for Costa’s future as a legitimate middleweight contender? And can Vettori, who has agreed a catchweight deal to ensure he gets to headline this weekend, still pick up the win he needs to push his championship claims once again?

Simon is on hand to talk through all of the above, as well as shine a light on the British fighters set for action this weekend, as we get ready for another UFC/Bellator double-header weekend.

Enjoy the show!

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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Tyson Fury proved that he isn’t just the best heavyweight in the world. “The Gypsy King” proved that he’s the best heavyweight of his era as he knocked out longtime rival Deontay Wilder in the 11th round of their epic trilogy fight in Las Vegas to retain his WBC and The Ring heavyweight world titles.

One half of The Brit Pack was there, and Sandhu recaps his experience of fight night in Sin City – including the remarkable way he ended up actually watching the fight – on this week’s show.

We also take a look back at the UFC Fight Night main event from last weekend as Marina Rodriguez defeated Mackenzie Dern, then swiftly called out Joanna Jedrzejczyk, before looking ahead to a double-header of UFC and Bellator action this coming weekend.

But, Fury-Wilder 3 aside, the boys were most excited about the breaking news that dropped moments before they hit record, as Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards reportedly agreed to a blockbuster grudge match at UFC 269 on December 11.

It all means there was plenty for the lads to pick over on this week’s episode, and you can check it all out, right here! Don’t forget to rate, review, and recommend us to your MMA-loving friends!

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