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Rankings Show: The Worst Division In UFC History, An Investigation | Plus, Everyone Loves Middleweight! Jan 24, 2024

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It's time to ask the question: Is women’s bantamweight in 2024 the worst division in UFC history?

Podcast pals Mike Heck and Jed Meshew join co-hosts Shaun Al-Shatti and Alexander K. Lee this week to decipher that mystery and unpack everything UFC 297. The gang hits DDP's title win and whether his reign will finally bring stability to an unstable division around (10:05), and whip out their tier lists around (22:45) to debate where middleweight sits among the most fun divisions in MMA. Then, the crew puts on their investigative hats around (48:10) to determine whether it's an exaggeration to officially call this new women's bantamweight class the worst division in UFC history. All that plus the latest moves by Movsar Evloev and Magomed Ankalaev around (1:13:30), plus much more.

***NOTE: This episode was recorded before the UFC announced its signing of Kayla Harrison. While it's an interesting wrinkle, no doubt, we stand by this conversation. At least until Harrison proves she can make 135 pounds safely and consistently.***

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Trocação Franca | A insana história da nova promessa francesa no UFC Jan 24, 2024

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Benoit Saint Denis encara Dustin Poirier no UFC 299 de olho em uma possível chance ao cinturão dos leves da organização, e o treinador Daniel Woirin, que garimpou o ex-militar francês antes do seu inicio no MMA, fala ao Trocação Franca sobre sua incrível trajetória. O podcast recebe ainda o jornalista Coutinho, do Canal Encarada, para destrinchar o UFC 297 e suas ramificações.

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

Benoit Saint Denis meets Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 eyeing a future shot at the lightweight belt, and coach Daniel Woirin, who discovered the former French paratrooper before his start in MMA, joins Trocação Franca to look back at his incredible journey. The podcast also welcomes Canal Encarada’s Coutinho to break down all the UFC 297 storylines and future ramifications.

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

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Laura Sanko Reacts To UFC 297, Explains Scoring Dricus du Plessis Over Sean Strickland Jan 23, 2024

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Following UFC 297 this past Saturday, UFC color commentator and analyst Laura Sanko joins MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to react to the first UFC pay-per-view of the year, Dricus du Plessis' middleweight title win over Sean Strickland, explains why she scored the fight for du Plessis, the performances of both fighters, where both guys go from here, Raquel Pennington winning the women's bantamweight title, the potential of an Amanda Nunes comeback, agreeing with Jasmine Jasudavicius getting a 10-7 round over Priscila Cachoeira, and more.

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HOAM | What's Next For Sean Strickland — and Should It Be Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 300? Jan 23, 2024

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Sean Strickland may have lost the fight and the UFC middleweight title this past weekend at UFC 297, but in Nate Diaz like fashion, he still came out of the event in the court of public opinion as a winner. If the UFC goes ahead and books a fight between new champ Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 300, should Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev in a title eliminator also be added to the lineup?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to UFC 297, the razor close main event between du Plessis and Strickland, and discusses why Strickland vs. Chimaev makes all the sense in the world. Additionally, listener questions include the somewhat lackluster 2024 opener for the UFC pay-per-view year, Raquel Pennington's bantamweight title win, the possibility of an Amanda Nunes return to the UFC, how the UFC has changed over the last decade-plus, if the WWE's deal with Netflix could impact the UFC in their next TV deal, 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: UFC 297 Reaction with Alan Jouban Talking Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis Scores, The Problems Plaguing Women’s Bantamweight Jan 23, 2024

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The Fighter vs. The Writer returns as we react to the fallout from UFC 297 with Alan Jouban joining MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin on the latest episode.

We’ll discuss the main event fight where Dricus du Plessis dethroned Sean Strickland in a razor-close split decision in the main event. The scorecards were close but did the judges get it right?

Plus, how should the judges be informed about accidental fouls like the clash of heads that actually caused the gruesome cut suffered by Strickland midway through the fight?

We’ll also talk about Raquel Pennington winning the vacant women’s bantamweight title and the bigger problems facing that division in 2024 and beyond. A few years ago, the women’s bantamweight division was a marquee weight class but with Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey gone, the stars have disappeared and it doesn’t look like there are any prospects on the rise.

We’ll also discuss some possible fights for UFC 300 and how we need to handle our expectations for that historic card.

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

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On To the Next One | What's Next For Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland After UFC 297? Jan 21, 2024

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Dricus du Plessis accomplished his goal of becoming UFC champion on Saturday night with a hard fought decision win over Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 297. While du Plessis has his sights set on Israel Adesanya for his first title defense — possibly at UFC 300 — where does Strickland go after losing the title?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Strickland and du Plessis from a matchmaking perspective following Saturday's pay-per-view event. Additionally, future matchups will be discussed for new women's bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington following her dominant decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva in the co-main event, along with main card winners Neil Magny, Chris Curtis, Movsar Evloev, and more.

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UFC 297 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Dricus Du Plessis Winning Title vs. Sean Strickland Jan 21, 2024

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Dricus du Plessis is the new UFC middleweight champion after defeating Sean Strickland via split decision in the main event of UFC 297. While the fight was very close, did the judges get it right?

Following Saturday's pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew react to the scorecards, du Plessis' championship win, and what will be next for the new champion. Additionally, they'll discuss Raquel Pennington's bantamweight title win against Mayra Bueno Silva, her likely first title defense against Julianna Pena, the overall grade for the promotion's first PPV event of 2024, Movsar Evloev's impressive win over Arnold Allen and where it puts him at 145 pounds, and more.

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UFC 297 Watch Party Replay w/ Mike Heck & Conner Burks Jan 21, 2024

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Relive the magic of UFC 297's live watch party with Mike Heck and Conner Burks!

Check out the original UFC 297 Watch Party video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6FIz-M8SNS0?si=yP1U5cUPg8Y3I7Ve

Timestamps:

Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev (31:10)

Evloev wins decision to improve to 18-0 (54:45)

Reaction to Frankie Edgar's Hall of Fame announcement (58:45)

Ripping packs part 1 (1:06:30)

Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (1:11:46)

Curtis wins decision (1:32:42)

Ripping packs part 2 (1:40:18)

Mike Malott vs. Neil Magny (1:45:30)

Magny pulls out wild comeback finish with late in Round 3 (2:03:43)

Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (2:20:23)

Pennington nearly gets finish in Round 5 (2:50:31)

Pennington wins vacant bantamweight title via unanimous decision (2:55:50)

Ripping packs part 3 (2:59:50)

UFC 4 best-of-3 (3:04:30)

Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis (3:12:47)

Du Plessis becomes new champ via split decision (3:49:00)

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UFC 297 Preview Show | Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis — Who's More For Real? Jan 19, 2024

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Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will battle in the main event for the UFC middleweight title of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, the promotion's first pay-per-view event of 2024. While the card as a whole isn't anywhere near comparable to the UFC's next three pay-per-view cards, the Strickland vs. du Plessis matchup is doing a lot of heavy lifting as the anticipation continues to build.

Ahead of the event, and the 185-pound title fight, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Eric Jackman preview UFC 297, Strickland vs. du Plessis, the potential of the winner turning around for UFC 300, and more. Additionally, they'll discuss the vacant women's bantamweight championship co-main event between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington, which other main card fighter is the panel keeping their eye on, the low-key banger of the card, and much more.

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HOAM | Reaction To Insane UFC 297 Press Conference, Multiple Weight Misses Jan 19, 2024

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Sean Strickland had the Toronto crowd eating out of the palm of his hand at Thursday's UFC 297 press conference ahead of his title defense against Dricus du Plessis. With a victory, where could it propel Strickland in terms of being a top draw for the UFC moving forward?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the wild pre-fight presser in Toronto, how over Strickland was with the crowd, and his approach to a gentleman's agreement for an all-out war with du Plessis. Additionally, topics include multiple fighters missing weight for UFC 297, the stakes in the Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev fight on Saturday, Mike Malott fighting the experienced Neil Magny and if the betting line is a bit wider than expected, Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway, UFC Saudi Arabia, 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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