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HOAM | Francis Ngannou Turns Down UFC, Jon Jones Is Back, More Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

While the UFC returned to in-cage action this past Saturday in Las Vegas, the event — and the fallout from it — took a back seat to a bunch of massive news that was revealed by Dana White.

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to White's UFC Vegas 67 post-fight press conference when he revealed that Francis Ngannou is no longer the heavyweight champion, or a promotional heavyweight in general after Ngannou turned down their latest contract offer, and that a new champion would be crowned at UFC 285 on March 4 when the returning Jon Jones makes his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane in the main event. Additionally, listener topics include whether or not Ngannou leaving the UFC will hurt the promotion long term, where Ngannou could end up, the Jones vs. Gane matchup, and much more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Slams Endeavor’s Lack of Dana White Response, Reacts to Francis Ngannou's UFC Exit Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin tackle the latest news from around combat sports including Endeavor’s lack of response to Dana White being caught on video slapping his wife and Francis Ngannou ultimately deciding to sever ties with the UFC.

In the aftermath of White’s actions, he has said that he doesn’t know what kind of punishment he’s supposed to face but what about Endeavor? Does the company that owns the UFC have some responsibility to hold White accountable in the wake of his domestic violence episode?

Also on the show this week, Brown and Martin discuss the ordeal surrounding Ngannou and the news that he’s officially a free agent after being unable to come to a deal with the UFC. Did the UFC make the right move in letting Ngannou walk?

What could be next for Ngannou now that he’s free and clear to sign with any other promotion? Is he headed to boxing? What optiosn are available for him in MMA?

We’ll also discuss Jon Jones moving to heavyweight and whether or not his biggest obstacle to becoming champion has already been removed now that Ngannou is out of the UFC.

All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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2023 UFC Champions Predictions: Who Will Hold UFC Gold By Year's End? Jan 16, 2023

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Who will be our 12 UFC champions by the end of 2023? The gang returns to the roundtable to predict the upcoming championship slate and debate the biggest winners and biggest upsets of the next 12 months.

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Trocação Franca | MMA em alta: UFC no Rio, Cara de Sapato no BBB 23 Jan 16, 2023

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Semana agitada para o Brasil no MMA, com o UFC retornando ao Rio de Janeiro e Cara de Sapato entrando na casa mais vigiada do país para o BBB 23, e o Trocação Franca repercute tudo com a companhia dos jornalistas Luis Fernando Coutinho e Raphael Marinho. O podcast traz, ainda, entrevistas com três atletas do UFC 283: Jailton Malhadinho, Jéssica Bate-Estaca e Melk Costa.

O melhor do MMA brasileiro no Trocação Franca, toda quarta-feira, com o jornalista Guilherme Cruz e convidados.

It’s a busy week for Brazilian MMA with the UFC returning to Rio de Janeiro and Antonio Carlos Junior making his Big Brother Brasil debut, and Trocação Franca reacts to everything with top MMA journalists Luis Fernando Coutinho and Raphael Marinho. This week’s podcast also features interviews with UFC 283 fighters Jailton Almeida, Jessica Andrade and Melk Costa.

Listen to Trocação Franca with Guilherme Cruz every Wednesday to hear from the biggest names on the hottest topics in the Brazilian combat sports world.

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On To the Next One | What's Next For Francis Nagnnou? Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 67 Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

While the UFC returning to action seemed like the MMA community was returning to some sense of normalcy following a chaotic start to 2023, that all changed very quickly before Saturday came to an end as UFC president Dana White announced that Francis Ngannou was no longer the UFC heavyweight champion, or a UFC fighter at all, and that Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will fight for the vacant heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 285 in March.

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss Ngannou becoming an unrestricted free agent, predict who his next opponent could be, and promotion he will fight for. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Sean Strickland following his short notice decision win against Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Vegas 67. Future matchups are also discussed for Dan Ige, Roman Kopylov, Raquel Pennington, Umar Nurmagomedov, and more.

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Reaction | Francis Ngannou Now Free Agent, Jones vs. Gane Title Fight Set, Strickland Shines On Short Notice Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

Francis Ngannou is officially a free agent, and a new heavyweight champion will be crowned on March 4 as Dana White confirmed that Jon Jones will return at UFC 285 to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant title in the main event.

Additionally, Sean Strickland went out to the octagon on less than a week's notice and defeated the surging Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of the UFC's first card of 2023. Where does Strickland go from a huge short notice win?

Following UFC Vegas 67, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Shaheen Al-Shatti react to the Jones vs. Gane fight, Strickland's victory, Dan Ige's incredible walk-off KO against Damon Jackson, Umar Nurmagomedov's frightening finish of Raoni Barcelos in the main card opener, and more.

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UFC Vegas 67 Preview Show | Can Sean Strickland Halt Surge Of Nassourdine Imavov On Short Notice? Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

Sean Strickland is stepping in on less than a week's notice to compete in his second straight main event in as many UFC cards as he faces the surging Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Vegas 67.

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew discuss the late changing headliner on the promotion's first card of 2023, the stakes involved, Dan Ige looking to get back on track against the streaking Damon Jackson in the featherweight co-main event, the low-key bangers, and more.

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HOAM | What In the World Is Going To Headline UFC 285 In March? Jan 13, 2023

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We are less than two months away from the UFC's first U.S. pay-per-view of the year, and as of now, there has not been a main event, or any title fight announced. While the clock is certainly ticking, will the UFC pull a big rabbit out of their hats?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the UFC 285 card — which is scheduled to take place March 4 in Las Vegas — and what could possibly serve as the main event. Additionally, listener topics include Dana White's media scrum ahead of UFC Vegas 67, Beneil Dariush throwing some shade at Dustin Poirier, Jimmy Flick's return to the octagon on Saturday after a short retirement, the importance of the post-fight call out, and much more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

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BTL | Dana White Speaks, Khabib Stepping Away, A.J. McKee Re-Signs, UFC Vegas 67 Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

UFC president Dana White began the UFC Vegas 67 media day on Wednesday by speaking with reporters about the video showing him slapping his wife during an altercation on New Year's Eve. While White is being open, is it sending the right message overall?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel will discuss White's media day scrum, him asking people not to defend him, and how the promotion and Endeavor continue to remain silent. Additionally, they'll discuss Khabib Nurmagomedov stepping away from MMA and how that could effect Islam Makahchev ahead of his upcoming lightweight title fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, A.J. McKee re-signing with Bellator and the official reveal of the lightweight grand prix, Saturday's UFC Vegas 67 event headlined by Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov, and more.

Host Mike Heck and MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew will discuss those topics, plus take some of your questions at the end of the show.

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HOAM | Would UFC Massively Suffer If Dana White Stepped Away? Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

Dana White spoke with reporters on Wednesday during the UFC Vegas 67 media day to discuss the video of him being shown slapping his wife on New Year's Eve. While White took ownership for a lot of things, one thing the UFC president said that stuck out was that the promotion, the fighters, and the business of the UFC would all suffer if White were to be suspended, or ousted from his position. Is that true?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck gives further reaction to White's scrum, and that comment in particular – arguing that the UFC would be just fine without him in that position. Additionally, listeners give their thoughts on how this situation continues to be handled, while also asking about Francis Ngannou, ONE Championship, Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski, Khamzat Chimaev, UFC Vegas 67, and more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

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