The Brazilian fans in Rio de Janeiro certainly went home happy after Alexandre Pantoja earned a hard fought unanimous decision win over Steve Erceg to retain his flyweight title in the UFC 301 main event, but it was Jose Aldo, now the sport's biggest free agent, who sent the arena into a frenzy with his throwback performance against Jonathan Martinez.
Following Saturday's pay-per-view fight card, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to Pantoja's successful title defense, the scoring of the fight, and if Erceg made a fight-losing mistake in the fifth round. Additionally, the panel discusses Aldo's dominant win and what's next for him, his title hopes if he re-signs with the UFC, Michel Pereira's quick finish, Anthony Smith's upset win, and much more.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR


Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew


Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic


Subscribe to MMA Fighting
Check out our full video catalog
Like MMA Fighting on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 301 Post-Fight Show: Reaction To Alexandre Pantoja's Scare, Jose Aldo's Big Return

Get all the mixed martial arts fighting news and analysis you need from the award-winning team at MMA Fighting. Produced by MMA Fighting and SB Nation, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

News

Sports

Sports News

Ahead of UFC 302 on Saturday, The Fighter vs. The Writer returns as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin break down the biggest storylines from the card.
First things first, we react to the latest from Ronda Rousey after the former UFC champion said she felt vilified by the media after her exodus from combat sports and how she expects she would get booed if she actually made an appearance at UFC events.
Does Rousey have a point about how she was treated or is she still struggling to face her shortcomings at the end of her career? Brown has his take on Rousey’s exit from the UFC and the string of comments she’s made about her losses after releasing her autobiography.
We’ll also get into the biggest fights at UFC 302 including Islam Makhachev defending his title against Dustin Poirier in the main event.
Does Poirier have a great chance to pull off the upset on Saturday or will this be another dominant performance from Makhachev?
What about Sean Strickland returning against Paulo Costa? What does Strickland need to do to win and how can Costa thwart the former UFC middleweight champion?
All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!
Subscribe to MMA Fighting
Check out our full video catalog
Like MMA Fighting on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Ronda Rousey Saying She Would be Booed at UFC Events, UFC 302 Picks and Predictions

UFC lead commentator Jon Anik joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 302 event in Newark, the main event between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier for the lightweight title, discusses whether or not he believes it will be Poirier's final fight, Makhachev not getting enough credit for his run, the Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa co-main event, Conor McGregor's return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, the bouts announced for UFC 304, and more.
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR

Subscribe to MMA Fighting
Check out our full video catalog
Like MMA Fighting on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Anik Previews Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa At UFC 302

Ahead of UFC 304 in July, Curtis Blaydes previews his rematch against Tom Aspinall after their first fight ended in just 15 seconds and now the interim heavyweight title is on the line.
Blaydes also addresses Jon Jones picking Stipe Miocic has his next opponent and his expectations that the winner of that fight will almost certainly retire afterwards.
He also discusses Ciryl Gane allegedly turning down the title fight against Aspinall in July as well as the dangers that come along with competing in the heavyweight division, especially when it comes to the idea that he somehow has a glass jaw plus much more.
Subscribe to MMA Fighting
Check out our full video catalog
Like MMA Fighting on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Curtis Blaydes Talks Tom Aspinall Fight at UFC 304, Jones Waiting For Miocic, Gane Turning Down Title Fight

With the UFC and major promotions off this past weekend, MMA Fighting’s matchmaking show decided to give back to fans of the program with a special “Ask Us Anything” show.
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee take listener submitted questions about Conor McGregor's 2024 and if he'll fight more than his scheduled UFC 303 main event with Michael Chandler, MMA pet peeves, when Khamzat Chimaev and other contending names could fight for a title, best prospects in the sport throughout the weight classes, the possibility of the UFC introducing a women's atomweight division in the future, MMA referees and when to show authority in fights, and much more.
On To the Next One will return with a live matchmaking show on the MMA Fighting YouTube channel on Sunday, June 2 following UFC 302 headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR


Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee


Subscribe to MMA Fighting
Check out our full video catalog
Like MMA Fighting on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On To the Next One | Conor McGregor's 2024, MMA Pet Peeves, More | Ask Mike & AK Anything

MMA is freaking fun!
On the latest episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review get their funny bones tickled as we watch the 2012 comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” starring Kevin James, Henry Winkler, and former UFC champion Bas Rutten.
When disillusioned teacher and former wrestler Scott Voss (James) finds out that a friend needs almost 50 grand to save the school’s music department, he teams up with the eccentric Niko (Rutten) to get himself back into fighting shape in the hopes of making some quick cash. Scott’s inspiring underdog story eventually lands him a chance to fight for the UFC, where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
After a season of episodes filled with doom and gloom, Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, E. Casey Leydon, and special guest Mike Heck have their spirits raised by the heartwarming tale, which also might be the most accurate MMA film ever made.
How does the movie get everything so right? Would Scott Voss actually be a contender in the UFC? And is Bas Rutten the best MMA fighter/actor yet?
Put on your viking helmet and get PUMPED as we answer these questions and more.

Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew
Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc
Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Subscribe to MMA Fighting
Check out our full video catalog
Like MMA Fighting on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFC 301 Post-Fight Show: Reaction To Alexandre Pantoja's Scare, Jose Aldo's Big Return

Download our free app to listen on your phone