UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra

Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off today’s episode by unpacking the biggest takeaways from UFC Oklahoma City, including Dricus Du Plessis’ bounce-back win over Kamaru Usman, what that result means for Sean Strickland’s next title defense, and where Usman goes from here.

Then, Chase Hooper joins the show fresh off his first-round submission win over Mitch Ramirez. Hooper walks the guys through his rear-naked choke, opens up about the pressure of entering a fight on back-to-back stoppage losses, and discusses how baby No. 2 being set to arrive at any given moment affects his timeline for his next fight.

After more UFC Oklahoma City reaction — including Christian Leroy Duncan’s rise, Fatima Kline’s impressive win, and Tommy McMillen’s splashy arrival — Alden Coria stops by following his win over Stewart Nicoll. Now 3-0 in the UFC, Coria explains to a curious Matt Serra how the rush of fighting in the Octagon compares to Coria’s exhilarating experience of climbing hundreds of feet into the sky as a cell phone tower technician.

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With UFC Oklahoma City just days away, Jim Norton and Matt Serra preview Saturday’s card and lock in their picks before catching up with two fighters competing at the event.

First, former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis joins ahead of his main event clash with Kamaru Usman. Du Plessis discusses his first fight since losing the title to Khamzat Chimaev, what makes Usman dangerous, and why a statement win should put him right back in the thick of the middleweight title picture against Sean Strickland — a champion he has already beaten twice.

Then, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani stops by ahead of his welterweight prelim matchup with Seokhyeon Ko. Looking to continue his upward trajectory after a successful UFC debut against Phil Rowe, the Hermosa Beach native reflects on how life has changed since moving to Las Vegas — from sharing an apartment with teammates to living in a house — all while explaining how teaching jiu-jitsu classes at 10 years old helped shape the student-of-the-game mentality he now brings to “The Q” fight team.

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Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off today’s episode by beginning to unpack a UFC 329 card defined by stoppages, comebacks and unexpected turns before welcoming the first of two winners riding the high of first-round knockouts.

Fresh off his win over former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, Adrian Yañez joins the show to reflect, Yañez talks about the Cody matchup he long envisioned, the calming influence of coach Sayif Saud, and what kind of opponent he hopes to draw next.

Then, Jim and Matt continue their UFC 329 recap before another winner joins the show in King Green. Coming off a dramatic last-second finish of Terrance McKinney, Green delivers a fiery, smoke-filled interview about surviving early danger, extending his winning streak to four, squashing things with McKinney after the fight, and why a potential Los Angeles showdown with Dan Hooker has his attention.

Finally, the guys put a bow on UFC 329 with their remaining thoughts on the biggest results from Saturday’s action.

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With UFC 329 just days away, Jim Norton and Matt Serra make their final picks from Saturday’s International Fight Week card while catching up with two ranked fighters competing in Las Vegas.

After picking up Monday’s UFC 329 preview right where they left off, the guys welcome Tracy Cortez ahead of her ranked flyweight matchup with Wang Cong. Cortez details the ups and downs that have accompanied her seismic decision to switch gyms, move to Mexico City, and reconnect with her Mexican roots.

Finally, friend of the show Cory Sandhagen returns to break down the stakes of his bantamweight rematch with Mario Bautista more than seven years after submitting him in Bautista’s short-notice UFC debut. “The Sandman” assesses his place in the bantamweight division, reflects on the lessons he has learned from setbacks inside the Octagon, and discusses his entrepreneurial new chapter as the co-owner of a brand-new gym alongside his wrestling coach.

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Jim Norton and Matt Serra catch up with two fighters preparing for upcoming bouts before turning their attention to International Fight Week, where they make a few picks from Saturday’s UFC 329 card.

First, featherweight Austin Bashi returns for his second appearance on the show ahead of his July 18 matchup against Jose Miguel Delgado. Eager to return after an 11-month layoff, the 24-year-old explains why he’s so confident he’ll get another early finish and shares the story behind his Rocky Balboa-esque appetite for raw eggs and beef liver.

Between interviews, Jim and Matt lock in their first two picks for Saturday’s UFC 329 card, promising more predictions to come on Wednesday while debating what Conor McGregor’s return could look like against a naturally smaller (but far more active) Max Holloway in the Hawaiian’s welterweight debut.

Then, Mateusz Gamrot checks in ahead of his Aug. 8 main event against surging Australian Quillan Salkilld. Gamrot discusses why he welcomed the matchup with one of the lightweight division’s hottest prospects, reflects on the lessons he’s taken from recent wins and losses, and explains which part of Salkilld’s game he believes fans are overlooking.

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Guest co-host Michael Chiesa fills in for Matt in an episode of Unfiltered that invites reigning strawweight champion into the show after discussions about UFC Baku and next weekend’s UFC 329 card.

First, Jim and Chiesa unpack the biggest storylines from UFC Baku, including Rafael Fiziev's much-needed knockout win in front of his home crowd. The conversation then shifts to UFC 329, where Chiesa shares his expectations for Conor McGregor's long-awaited return against Max Holloway and shares his thoughts on whether Max can hold is own in his very first fight at 170 pounds.

Then, Mackenzie Dern joins ahead of her first UFC title defense against fellow jiu-jitsu ace Gillian Robertson at UFC 330. Dern reflects on the turnaround that led to her three-fight winning streak and championship victory, explains why the stylistic challenge against Robertson excites her, and reflects on what it meant to help out the next wave of UFC hopefuls on this season of The Ultimate Fighter.

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After a second successful event in Baku in as many years, Jim and Matt are joined by Brandon Royval and Shane Collins. The boys talk about wins, losses, and life outside the Octagon.

After three years away from the show, perennial flyweight contender Brandon Royval, stops by to discuss his IFW bout against Lone’er Kavanagh. Nearing the end of his longest fight camp, Royval thinks a win could catapult him into title contention once more. Moving away from business talk, the trio play around with assigning fight songs and movie comparisons.

Then, Shane Collins makes his Unfiltered debut just a week after his inaugural UFC bout. Although Shane just made his first walk to the Octagon, he’s no stranger to the UFC atmosphere after revealing he’s cornered multiple fighters. That experience provided a natural boost in the dominant decision win.

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Heading into the Fight Night in Baku, Din Thomas makes a special appearance and the boys meet up with Ode Osbourne and GiGi Canuto to talk the many eras of MMA, UFC, and TUF.

First up, Ode Osbourne returns to the show with his patented humor and optimism to talk about righting ships, the excitement of new fights, niceties throughout the UFC roster, and much more. Ode may not be competing on the IFW card as he intended, but that hasn’t deterred his drive and confidence.

Right after Ode, TUF standout GiGi Canuto makes her first Unfiltered appearance. With her exciting performance on episode 3 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ Din and Matt compare their respective memories of their time on the show now that season 34 is underway. Plus, GiGi dives into her journey from Brazil to Las Vegas.

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Coming off an electric Fight Night in Vegas, Jim & Matt are joined by a pair of Saturday night’s winners: Christian Rodriguez and Levan Chokheli.

First in the hot seat, Christian Rodriguez hops on to discuss his round one guillotine finish over Hyder Amil. Coming into Saturday’s fight, the featherweight felt the need to win after coming off two straight losses. Christian credits some major changes in his life like moving to Vegas and a focus on mental health. With this new direction, he feels he’s on the right path to reaching the top.

Then, for the first time, Levan Chokheli hops on still radiating excitement from his 23-second KO over Leon Shahbazyan (in his UFC debut no less). The Georgian delves into his origins, hobbies, and living in Vegas compared to Georgia.

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Still in the throes of UFC Freedom 250, Jim & Matt are joined by Bia Mesquita and Manel Kape to talk their respective matchups on this Saturday’s Fight Night.

Joining the guys for her inaugural appearance, Bia Mesquita talks about her entrance to the UFC, transitioning from BJJ to MMA, and life in Florida compared to Brazil.

Then, coming back on the show is Manel Kape who brings his signature confidence. While flyweight gold is the ultimate goal, Kape’s immediate test is a long-awaited rematch with Kyoji Horiguchi. Even though he was bested in their first meeting, Starboy knows he has what it takes to get this one back.

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