MMA Fighting

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Heck of a Morning | Is Justin Gaethje Overlooking Charles Oliveira? Marlon Vera's Title Hopes, More May 03, 2022

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Could Justin Gaethje be overlooking Charles Oliveira ahead of his shot at the UFC lightweight title this Saturday at UFC 274?

That question is discussed following Gaethje's recent comments ahead of this weekend's pay-per-view event in Phoenix, Ariz. In addition, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck recaps Marlon Vera's biggest career win over Rob Font at UFC Vegas 53, along with Katie Taylor's split decision win over Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden, while also taking listener questions about Vera's title hopes, why I seemingly don't seem to care — at least, at this moment — about Henry Cejudo coming back and how he could learn something from Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson's fight against Michael Chandler, the ongoing social media saga involving Canelo Alvarez and Kamaru Usman, and more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Beneil Dariush Previews Key UFC 274 Bouts; Kayla Harrison Talks Cyborg, Responds to Pena May 03, 2022

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On episode 34 of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Beneil Dariush joins the show to give an update on his health following an injury that prevented him from competing in February as well as the timeline for his return with plans to settle some unfinished business with Islam Makhachev.

Dariush will also breakdown the two key lightweight fights at UFC 274 as Charles Oliveira defends his title against Justin Gaethje while Michael Chandler faces Tony Ferguson.

Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison also joins the show to preview her upcoming return to action after she signed a new deal with the promotion following a stint in free agency.

Harrison will detail what it was like being a free agent for the first time, the potential that she’ll get the chance to face Cris Cyborg in the future and a fiery response to UFC champion Julianna Pena.

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

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On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 53 May 01, 2022

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Marlon Vera picked up the biggest win of his career in the main event of UFC Vegas 53, so how close is "Chito" away from getting himself into a title fight in the bantamweight division?

That question is discussed following Vera's dominant decision win over Rob Font in Saturday's main event at the APEX. In addition, future matchups are discussed for Andrei Arlovski following his controversial decision win over Jake Collier in the co-main event, Joanderson Brito after quickly finishing Andre Fili, Grant Dawson following his third-round submission over Jared Gordon, as well as Darren Elkins and Krzysztof Jotko following their main card wins, and more.

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UFC Vegas 53 & Taylor vs. Serrano Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Katie Taylor, Marlon Vera's Shining Moments May 01, 2022

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Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano made history on Saturday night in the boxing ring, while Marlon Vera officially inserted himself into the championship conversation in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

Following Taylor’s win over Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, Jose Youngs, and Alexander K. Lee reacted to the unbelievable atmosphere and fight in New York, along with the big moments from UFC Vegas 53, including Vera’s big win over Rob Font in the main event, where both guys go from the five-round headliner, Alexandr Romanov’s future, and more.

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UFC Vegas 53 Preview Show | Reaction To Rob Font's Weight Miss Ahead Of Main Event vs. Marlon Vera Apr 29, 2022

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Rob Font and Marlon Vera will still headline Saturday’s UFC Vegas 53 event despite the former missing weight for the first time in his career.

Ahead of the pivotal showdown between Font and Vera, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jose Youngs, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew react to Font’s weight miss and discuss whether it will make an impact on the fight itself, the other top storylines heading in, the historic Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano boxing match at MSG on Saturday night, and more.

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Heck of a Morning | Aljamain Sterling vs. Jose Aldo, Romanov's Historic Betting Line, Raufeon Stots Joins the Show Apr 29, 2022

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Should the UFC go with Jose Aldo as the next challenger to Aljamain Sterling's bantamweight championship?

On this episode of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck leads a 'Free-For-All Friday,' taking your calls about a potential Sterling vs. Aldo bout and whether or not Aldo should get the shot over T.J. Dillashaw, Alexandr Romanov heading into his UFC Vegas 53 matchup with Chase Sherman as the biggest betting favorite in UFC history, the main event of Saturday's card at the APEX between Rob Font and Marlon Vera, how to improve judging in MMA, more MMA fantasy draft chatter, and more.

In addition, the brand new interim Bellator bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots (1:13:10) joins the show to recap his third-round stoppage win over Juan Archuleta at Bellator 279 this past Saturday to capture the title, why he hopes Danny Sabatello defeats Leandro Higo in their upcoming grand prix matchup on June 24, Sergio Pettis, and more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

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BTL | Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, UFC vs. Bellator MVP, Cejudo's Comeback, More Apr 28, 2022

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Will UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou get his wish and box Tyson Fury?

That question is discussed following Fury’s sixth-round KO win over Dillian Whyte this past Saturday and the post-fight moment between the two combat sports champions. In addition, the panel will also react to the Bellator doubleheader and the UFC’s event at the APEX over the weekend and which fighter was the MVP of the slate, Henry Cejudo’s chances for a championship fight in his return to the UFC, UFC Vegas 53 this Saturday — which will be headlined by a bantamweight bout between Rob Font and Marlon Vera — the history making boxing match between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano and more.

Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs and Jed Meshew.

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Heck of a Morning | MMA Draft Chatter, Usman vs. Canelo, Urijah Faber Joins the Show Apr 28, 2022

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If you were promoting a brand new MMA organization and you were taking part in a multi-league draft, and all active fighters were available to be drafted, who would you choose first?

That question is discussed by a lot of callers on this edition of Heck of a Morning with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. Listeners give their thoughts where they would draft certain names such as Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Max Holloway, and others. In addition, questions about the UFC Vegas 53 main event this Saturday between Rob Font and Marlon Vera, interest levels in a potential boxing bout between Kamaru Usman and Canelo Alvarez, and more.

Also, former WEC champion and multi-time UFC title challenger Urijah Faber (51:08) joins the show to discuss his new MMA promotion Urijah Faber's A-1 Combat and their inaugural event this Sunday on UFC Fight Pass, Maycee Barber's recent win over Montana De La Rosa at UFC Vegas 52, how he would book Aljamain Sterling's next bantamweight title defense, and more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

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The 2022 MMA Draft | Which 25 Fighters Would You Build A Promotion Around? Apr 28, 2022

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Which 25 fighters would you build a promotion around if you had the chance?

With the NFL Draft upon us, that's the question we set out to answer in our inaugural 2022 MMA Fantasy Draft.

Listen as Jed Meshew guides the action and the staff drafts five fighters to their respective organizations: The UFC, Bellator, PFL, ONE Championship, and Eagle FC. Other promoters include Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, Damon Martin, and Alexander K. Lee. Who will be the first overall pick? And which drafter is best set up for the next five years? Find out right now.

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Rankings Show: Who Is The *Real* No. 1 LHW In MMA? | Plus Khamzat Ascends Into Top 3, More Apr 27, 2022

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Will the *real* No. 1 light heavyweight in the world please stand up?

The MMA Fighting Rankings Show returns after another monster month to debate the MVP of April, Khamzat Chimaev's torrid ascension up the welterweight ranks, and predict the breakout name of an action-packed May. Then, co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee are joined by old pals Damon Martin and Jed Meshew for a round of "State Your Case" as we try to make sense of the bizarro world that is the 205-pound division. The gang also makes a few long overdue mea culpas, takes a few well deserved victory laps, and much more.

Catch new episodes of the MMA Fighting Rankings Show on the first Wednesday of every month.