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No Bets Barred: Will Alex Pereira knockout Magomed Ankalaev and move up to heavyweight after UFC 313? Mar 05, 2025

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Alex Pereira is back at it again.

This Saturday, Pereira puts his light heavyweight title on the line for the fourth time when he takes on Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in Las Vegas. On top of that, Justin Gaethje runs things back with Rafael Fiziev in an electric co-main event, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.

This week, host Jed Meshew is joined once again by Morning Kombat’s Long Island Luke to dive into all their favorite bets for UFC 313. Topics discussed include who will leave the main event as champion, whether this is Pereira’s final fight at 205 pounds if Gaethje has enough juice left to beat Fiziev again, who wins in a battle of The Hulk vs. Superman, Leg 12 of The Climb, and more.

Tune in for episode 119 of No Bets Barred.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Voices His Concerns for Alex Pereira Ahead of UFC 313 and Is This Do-or-Die for Justin Gaethje? Mar 04, 2025

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin preview UFC 313 including Alex Pereira defending his title during a time when there’s been concerns that perhaps he’s had too many distractions lately leading into a massive main event. Plus Justin Gaethje returns for a short-notice showdown against Rafael Fiziev but is this a do-or-die moment for his career where a win vaults him back into title contention but a loss could potentially lead to his retirement? All this and more on the latest episode!

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UFC 313 Timeline: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev Mar 03, 2025

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Before Alex Pereira again steps into the octagon to defend his UFC light heavyweight title, check out MMA Fighting's UFC 313 Timeline to look back on Pereira's incredible run at the top and the winding road challenger Magomed Ankalaev took to his championship opportunity.

Voiced by Mike Heck, produced by E. Casey Leydon.

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On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 103 Mar 02, 2025

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Manel Kape ended up with a replacement opponent, took care of business in emphatic—if somewhat controversial—fashion and now looks to still be on track to fight for the UFC flyweight championship. Has he done enough to spoil plans for a rumored Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France title fight?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss whether the UFC should make a hard pivot to Pantoja vs. Kape, a rematch of a February 2021 bout that Pantoja won by decision in what was Kape’s UFC debut. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Cody Brundage after a wild win over Julian Marquez, under-the-radar lightweight contender Nasrat Haqparast after he scored his fifth straight victory, plus where to go with the undefeated Hyder Amil and the streaking Sam Patterson.

All that, plus an avalanche of outstanding listener picks.

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UFC Vegas 103 Post-Fight Show | Did Manel Kape Earn Title Shot With Lopsided Finish Of Asu Almabayev? Mar 02, 2025

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Manel Kape is performing up to the hype hardcore MMA fans had for him when he signed to the UFC, and has now finished his second consecutive ranked opponent. After stopping Asu Almabayev in the main event of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday night at the APEX, Kape called for a title shot. Should he get it?

Following the UFC's latest Fight Night event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the fight card, Kape's impressive performance against Almabayev, the controversy surrounding a pair of uncalled eye pokes, where Kape goes from here, and if he should get a championship bout next. Additionally, he reacts to the bonus winners, the crazy war between Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez, the ceilings for surging contenders such as Chepe Mariscal and Sam Patterson, the close split decisions on the main card, Andrea Lee losing her record-setting sixth straight fight, and more.

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UFC Vegas 103 Preview Show | Can Asu Almabayev Make It 18 Wins In a Row vs. Manel Kape? Feb 28, 2025

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Are Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev fighting for a title shot in the UFC's flyweight division? Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they preview Saturday's UFC Vegas 103 card, along with the UFC Fight Night headliner between Kape and the surging Almabayev.

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BTL | Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2 Set For UFC 313 Reaction, Fight News Galore, Cejudo's Future, More Feb 27, 2025

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Justin Gaethje will compete in the UFC 313 co-main event after all after Dan Hooker was forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated lightweight contest with a hand injury. UFC CEO Dana White announced Wednesday night that Gaethje will now face the returning Rafael Fiziev. With the short notice nature, was this the right fight to make?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to the Gaethje vs. Fiziev rematch, what the fight means for both guys, and the impact of Hooker's scratch from the card. Additionally, they'll grade other fights announced by White and the promotion, the continued fallout from the main event of UFC Seattle between Song Yadong and Henry Cejudo, the discourse about rules and taking points, Cejudo's conversation with referee Jason Herzog, the Aaron Pico saga with PFL as a free agent, along with UFC Vegas 103 and much more.

Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee.

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No Bets Barred: Are Manel Kape And Asu Almabayev Fighting For A Title Shot At UFC Vegas 103? Feb 26, 2025

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This Saturday the UFC returns to the APEX for UFC Vegas 103, the go-home show ahead of UFC 313 next weekend. In the main event, Manel Kape takes on late replacement Asu Almabayev in a pivotal flyweight contest and so No Bets Barred is back to break it all down.

This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to talk about one of the weaker UFC offerings in recent memory. Topics discussed include whether Kape and Almabayev are fighting for a flyweight title shot, which underdogs present the most value on the card, which prospects are most likely to justify their heavy favorite odds, the latest update on The Climb, and more.

Tune in for episode 118 of No Bets Barred.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Henry Cejudo Eye Poke Controversy, Ilia Topuria Moving to Lightweight and PFL Refusing to Let Aaron Pico Go Feb 25, 2025

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the controversial eye poke that ended Henry Cejudo’s main event with Song Yadong, Ilia Topuria giving up his title to move to lightweight and if he should get an immediate shot at Islam Makhachev, Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett and the PFL maintaining matching rights on Aaron Pico, which prevents him from leaving the promotion plus more.

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On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Seattle Feb 23, 2025

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Song Yadong scored a convincing win—with an abrupt conclusion—over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo at UFC Seattle, claiming the most impressive scalp of his career so far. What should be Song’s next move as he continues to climb the rankings?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what the next step for Song is after finally knocking off a ranked veteran. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Anthony Hernandez following a second win over rival Brendan Allen, the spoiler Rob Font after upsetting the previously undefeated Jean Matsumoto, the white hot Jean Silva, and unlikely Fight of the Night winner Alonzo Menifield.

Plus, some amazing picks from the listeners, including what to do with Cejudo following his third straight loss since coming out of retirement.

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