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HOAM | Has There Been A UFC Pay-Per-View With Less Buzz Than UFC 301? May 03, 2024

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UFC 301 goes down Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and there are a lot of fun matchups on the card for those in know — including an intriguing title fight at the top, and the return to the octagon of Jose Aldo. And while hardcore fans understand that the event does have the ability to be an enjoyable watch, has the build to it generated the least amount of buzz of any pay-per-view in recent memory?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck takes questions about Saturday's fight card, some of the compelling matchups, but the noticeable lack of fan excitement for it. Additionally, listener topics include Tom Aspinall's defense of U.K. fans for the UFC 304 start time, William Gomis' scary weigh-in on Friday, Steve Erceg being a bit of a darling underdog ahead of his flyweight title opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja, and much more.

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

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR

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BTL | Ryan Garcia, Jose Aldo's Return At UFC 301, Mike Perry Shines Again, Paul vs. Tyson Sanctioned May 02, 2024

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Another UFC pay-per-view event is upon us with UFC 301, and with the incredible UFC 300 event preceding it, the card is in an unfair position. But Alexandre Pantoja defends his lightweight title against Steve Erceg in the main event. Can Erceg pull off the upset, and if he does, what does that mean for the 125-pound division?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel previews Saturday's championship contest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with Jose Aldo's return to the octagon in his final promotional contracted bout against Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event, and other notable storylines. Additionally, they'll discuss Ryan Garcia reportedly failing a pair of VADA drug tests in relation to his upset win over Devin Haney, Mike Perry's quick knockout of Thiago Alves at BKFC KnuckleMania 4, what could be next for him, Conor McGregor becoming a part owner of the promotion, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match being sanctioned as a pro bout, and more.

Host Mike Heck and MMA Fighting's José Youngs answer your questions about those topics and more.

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‘Mais Forte que o Mundo’ Review: Is This Even A Jose Aldo Movie? | This Is CineMMA May 02, 2024

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José Aldo is one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. You think you know his story? Think again!

On this episode of This is CineMMA, the MMA Fighting movie review crew gets in touch with their feelings as we follow Aldo’s heart-wrenching journey from Brazilian bad boy to MMA legend in the 2016 biopic Mais Forte que o Mundo a.k.a. Stronger than the World. Some… interesting choices are made, with Aldo (José Loreto) shown rising through the ranks in the fighting world while battling demons outside of the cage. If this sounds more like a telenovela than a martial arts film, then this might be just what you’re looking for.

Ahead of Aldo’s return at UFC 301, Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, E. Casey Leydon, and special guest Guilherme Cruz try to make sense of a sometimes baffling narrative, separate fact from fiction, and discuss ideas that could have made the movie so much better.

Is this even about José Aldo? Why is it missing some of his most famous moments? And is lumber-bashing a real hobby in Brazil?

(Leg) kick back and chill with us for the answers to these questions and more.

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Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc

Follow Guilherme Cruz: @guicruzzz

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Megan Anderson Previews UFC 301, Jose Aldo's Return May 02, 2024

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One-time UFC title challenger and current ESPN UFC analyst Megan Anderson joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to preview Saturday's UFC 301 event, the hangover from UFC 300, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg, Jose Aldo's return against Jonathan Martinez and if it will be Aldo's final UFC fight, why Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino is a fight she has her eye on, and much more.

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No Bets Barred: Will Jose Aldo And Alexandre Pantoja Give Brazil Something To Cheer About At UFC 301? May 01, 2024

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UFC 301 is here and we're headed back to Brazil!

This Saturday, the UFC returns to Rio de Janeiro for its first pay-per-view offering since the immaculate UFC 300, and the No Bets Barred boys are back to break down all the fights.

After taking a few weeks off to recuperate following the extravaganza that was UFC 300, hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew return with spirit, opening the show with a brief recap of their past couple of weeks before diving into this card. Will Alexandre Pantoja give the Brazilian crowd a happy ending to the evening or will Steve Erceg - AKA "Vinnie Cigs" -- become the most unlikely champion in UFC history? How will the return of Jose Aldo go? And which Brazilian fighters are primed to be upset on home turf?

All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode.

Tune in for episode 86 of No Bets Barred.

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HOAM | Tom Aspinall Is Absolutely Right About UFC 304; Plus, Jose Aldo's Future After UFC 301 Apr 30, 2024

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Tom Aspinall agrees with the U.K. MMA fans that the upcoming UFC 304 pay-per-view event in July should cater to the local market, as opposed to the U.S. fanbase — and he's absolutely correct in that assessment. But will the UFC change course to satisfy the Manchester fans as it relates to the card's start time?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses Aspinall's recent response to the fight night schedule and why the UFC interim heavyweight champion is spot on. Additionally, listener topics include Saturday's UFC 301 event, flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg's chances against Alexandre Pantoja in the main event, whether or not Jose Aldo will be making the walk to the octagon for the final time against Jonathan Martinez, the hidden gem on Saturday's fight card, the UFC middleweight division, the BMF title, and more.

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

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Blasts Boxing For Failing To Follow UFC’s Model | Plus, Perry's BKFC Star, Aldo’s Return Apr 30, 2024

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The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with a brand new episode as UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discuss the latest in combat sports including how the UFC has embraced marketing and promoting athletes in way that boxing never has.

Brown argues that boxing promoters are still stuck in the 1990s when it comes to their methodology trying to build interest in the sport while the UFC continues to run circles around them.

We’ll also talk about Mike Perry’s latest win in BKFC and how he became the perfect person to serve as the face of bare-knuckle fighting.

Plus we’ll discuss Jose Aldo coming back from retirement to fight at UFC 301 and if he’s returning for the right reasons?

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

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On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 91 Apr 28, 2024

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Alex Perez has the weight of the world on his shoulders, likely putting his UFC career on the line against Matheus Nicolau in the main event of UFC Vegas 91. In the end, the one-time UFC title challenger was able to pick up his first win inside the octagon in nearly four years with a sensational knockout of Nicolau to close the show on Saturday. Now that he's back in the win column, what should come next for Perez?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who Perez could face next following his big win. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Bogdan Guskov following his second-round finish of Ryan Spann in the co-main event, Karine Silva after earning a hard fought unanimous decision victory over Ariane da Silva in the featured flyweight bout, along with fellow main card winners Jhonata Diaz, David Onama, Uros Medic, and more.

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UFC Vegas 91 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Alex Perez, Bogdan Guskov's Knockout Wins Apr 28, 2024

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Alex Perez needed a win more than anybody on Saturday's UFC Vegas 91 card, and he delivered in a big way with a ferocious knockout of Matheus Nicolau in the main event. After his first win in nearly four years, is Perez back to where he was a legitimate title threat?

Following Saturday's UFC Fight Night event at the APEX, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric "New York Ric" Jackman react to Perez's victory and what it means in the 125 pound division. Additionally, the panel discusses Bogdan Guskov's big stoppage win over Ryan Spann in the co-main event, cage announcer Joe Martinez having to step away for a couple of fights and Charly Arnolt stepping in, Dominick Cruz's commentary, and much more.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic

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BKFC KnuckleMania 4 & UFC Vegas 91 Preview Show | Is UFC Playing Second Fiddle To Mike Perry? Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

After a week off following UFC 300, the UFC returns to the APEX for UFC Vegas 91 — which will serve as the go-home show for next weekend's UFC 301 pay-per-view event. While absence does make the heart grow fonder, it's pretty clear from an interest standpoint this weekend that the UFC is playing second fiddle to BKFC, and their annual KnuckleMania fight card.

Ahead of the weekend doubleheader, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Alexander K. Lee preview Saturday's KnuckleMania 4 and UFC Vegas 91 events. Additionally, they'll discuss Mike Perry's return to the BKFC ring as he faces Thiago Alves in the main event, Ben Rothwell vs. Todd Duffee, the UFC headliner between Matheus Nicolau and Alex Perez, how the card stacks up from top-to-bottom on paper, and answer your questions.

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