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BTL | Mike Perry's Next Move, Tsarukyan Shines, Dana White Blasts PFL Deal, Jon Jones Fires Back w/ Luke Thomas Dec 07, 2023

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This past Saturday delivered a fun and chaotic day in the world of MMA and combat sports as Arman Tsarukyan and Mike Perry ended UFC Austin and BKFC 56 with main event stoppages. With both men vying for big fights next, where will Tsarukyan and Perry go from their big wins?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel attempts to answer those questions following the latest offerings from the UFC and BKFC, discuss what 2024 could look like for Tsarukyan, and Perry's future as the face of bare-knuckle fighting. Additionally, topics include Dana White's response to PFL's acquisition of Bellator, Donn Davis' answer the next day, Jon Jones reacting to Tom Aspinall's call for Jones to be stripped of the heavyweight title, UFC Vegas 83 this Saturday headlined by Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez, who has the most to gain on the card, and much more.

Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Luke Thomas.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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Follow Luke Thomas: @lthomasnews

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HOAM | What Is the Most Compelling Non-Title Fight For UFC 296? Dec 07, 2023

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The UFC is ending 2023 with a loaded UFC 296 pay-per-view event that features two world title fights, and a slew of compelling storylines outside of the top-two bouts. Of all of the non-title fights, what is the most intriguing on the card?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses the UFC 296 card, the low-key storylines, and if Ian Machado Garry vs. Vicente Luque could be the big talking point outside of the championship bouts at night's end. Additionally, listener questions include the UFC Vegas 83 main event between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez and if the betting lines may be too wide, Anthony Smith's future following his co-main event bout with Khalil Rountree, if Tom Aspinall will ever get the chance to fight Jon Jones, the UFC anti-trust lawsuit, 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.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR

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Trocação Franca | Alexandre Pantoja explica finalização de olhos fechados no UFC Dec 07, 2023

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No auge da sua carreira e sem se deixar levar pela modinha de trash talk do MMA atual, Alexandre Pantoja quer fazer história no UFC. Campeão dos moscas, Pantoja falou ao Trocação Franca sobre a defesa de título contra Brandon Royval, na próxima semana, explicou por que finaliza de olhos fechados no MMA, se cogita subir ao peso galo para enfrentar Sean O’Malley e Deiveson Figueiredo, e muito mais. O podcast traz ainda uma entrevista com Luana Santos, que volta ao octógono sábado em Las Vegas.

In his prime and uninterested in joining MMA’s trash-talk trend, Alexandre Pantoja vows to make history in the UFC. The flyweight champion returns to Trocação Franca to discuss his upcoming rematch with Brandon Royval at next week’s UFC 296, why he closes his eyes to work on submissions, if he’s into the idea of moving up to bantamweight to fight Sean O’Malley or Deiveson Figueiredo, and more. The podcast also features an interview with Luana Santos ahead of Saturday’s UFC Vegas event.

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.

Follow Guilherme Cruz: @Guicruzzz

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DAMN! They Were Good | Remembering Mark Hunt, The King Of The Walk Off KO Dec 07, 2023

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DAMN! They Were Good celebrates the careers of the most exciting and influential fighters in MMA history. This episode covers Mark Hunt, The King of the Walkoff KO and a criminally underrated action fighter.

Moving to MMA in 2004 after a short but accomplished career in kickboxing, the "Super Samoan" had immediate success in Pride, beating Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Cro Cop to establish himself as a serious threat. Then came a down period though as Hunt lost six in a row, including a UFC debut that the company begrudgingly gave him after he refused a buyout on his contract. What followed was one of the greatest second acts in MMA history as Hunt established himself as one of the best in the world and became a bona fide star, before an ugly late career period marred by a prolonged legal battle with the UFC ultimately left Hunt with less of a reputation that he deserves.

What were the most iconic performances and what were our favorite memories from Hunt's career? Listen in as the MMA Fighting crews remembers remembers the man who gave MMA the Atomic Butt Drop.

Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew

Follow Shaheen Al-Shatti: @shaunalshatti

Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee

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No Bets Barred: Best Bets For UFC Shang-Vegas Plus Pour One Out For The Georgia Bulldogs Dynasty Dec 06, 2023

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UFC returns to action this weekend with UFC Vegas 83 taking place at the Apex on Saturday evening and headlined by a bantamweight matchup between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez. Originally planned for Shanghai, the fight card was shifted to the Apex and despite the chance in venue, the No Bets Barred boys still have a full breakdown of all their favorite bets.

Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick the episode off with a sad eulogy for the University of Georgia Bulldogs Dynasty, as the boys' beloved Dawgs fell to Alabama (and the incompetence of Mike Bobo) in the SEC Championship game. Then it's on to fight business where the boys discuss Gutierrez's chances at pulling off the upset, Anthony Smith stepping in on short notice for the co-main event, Tatsuro Taira as a flyweight prospect, and just how smart a Song Gimmick Parlay is.

Tune in for episode 72 of No Bets Barred.

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HOAM | What's Next For Arman Tsarukyan After Quick Finish Of Beneil Dariush At UFC Austin? Dec 05, 2023

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Arman Tsarukyan solidified himself as a major player in the UFC's lightweight division with his incredibly impressive 64 second finish of Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Austin this past Saturday. The 27-year-old called for a fight with Justin Gaethje next, but will he get something of that magnitude, or will he have to fight backwards when he returns to the octagon?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Tsarukyan's unreal showing against Dariush, where he could go after picking up the biggest win of his career, and if UFC pivot in regards to the division's next title fight. Additionally, listener questions include Jalin Turner's finish of Bobby Green, the likely end of Green and Dariush's title hopes, Miesha Tate's one-sided win against Julia Avila, where Mike Perry goes from his BKFC 56 win over Eddie Alvarez, Josh Emmett needing a new opponent for UFC 296, 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 Reacts to Turner vs. Green Stoppage, Mike Perry’s Win, PFL Taking Lessons From BKFC Dec 05, 2023

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On the heels of UFC Austin and BKFC 56, The Fighter vs. The Writer returns with UFC legend Matt Brown and MMA Fighting senior reporter Damon Martin discussing the fallout from both events.

Arman Tsarukyan capped off the UFC card with a stunning knockout over Beneil Dariush but was that enough to earn him a title shot or who should he face next instead?

Brown also gives his opinion on the late stoppage involving Jalin Turner and Bobby Green and his preference for referees in his own fight career.

We’ll also discuss BKFC 56 where Mike Perry remained undefeated in bare-knuckle fighting with a win over Eddie Alvarez in a wild fight that only lasted two rounds.

Plus we’ll detail how BKFC has managed to carve out a niche in combat sports while promotions like the PFL are still trying to gain traction while attempting to goad the UFC into a war of words.

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 Austin Dec 03, 2023

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Arman Tsarukyan is now likely a win away from getting to a lightweight title shot, and a potential rematch with Islam Makhachev following his absolute drubbing of Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Austin on Saturday. With the 155-pound division being in a wild place, Tsarukyan finds himself in an interesting spot following the biggest win of his career.

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Tsarukyan after stopping Dariush in just over a minute in the headliner. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jalin Turner after his brutal finish of Bobby Green in the co-main event, Deiveson Figueiredo after his dominant decision win over Rob Font in his bantamweight debut, Sean Brady following his one-sided submission win over Kelvin Gastelum, along with fellow main card winners Joaquim Silva, Dustin Stoltzfus, and more.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
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UFC Austin Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Arman Tsarukyan's Quick Destruction Of Beneil Dariush Dec 03, 2023

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Arman Tsarukyan sent a message to Islam Makahchev, and the rest of the UFC's lightweight division after a devastating knockout of Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Austin. Where does the title contender go following the biggest win of his career?

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Shaheen Al-Shatti react to a chaotic return to Texas for the UFC, Tsarukyan's incredibly impressive performance, the fascination for a rematch between Makhachev and Tsarkyan, and Dariush's title hopes officially coming to an end. Additionally, they discuss Jalin Turner's vicious finish of Bobby Green and referee Kerry Hatley's awful stoppage, Deiveson Figueiredo and Sean Brady's big wins, Miesha Tate's bounce back performance against Julia Avila, multiple slam knockouts on the card, and much more.

Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR
Follow Shaun Al-Shatti: @ShaunAlShatti
Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew

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UFC Austin & BKFC 56 Preview Show: Perry vs. Alvarez Perfection + Dariush vs. Tsarukyan & The Bobby Green Renaissance Dec 01, 2023

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Saturday will serve as a fun night of combat sports action for fans as the UFC returns to Texas for a loaded UFC Austin event, and BKFC brings BKFC 56 to Salt Lake City headlined by the most exciting fight of the weekend between Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez.

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew preview both fight cards, the pivotal UFC headliner in the lightweight division between Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan, discuss whether or not it's do-or-die for Beneil Dariush's title hopes, the Bobby Green vs. Jalin Turner co-main event, and more from Saturday afternoon's event. Additionally, they'll discuss the Perry vs. Alvarez bout, the rest of the bouts featuring recognizable names to MMA fans, which event has the best chance to be the lead story next week, listener questions, and much more.

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