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The A-Side – MMA Fighting

MMA Fighting’s senior editor Shaun Al-Shatti and deputy managing editor Marc Raimondi field questions from fight fans and debate the MMA topics of the day in this fun weekly live chat.

Latest Episodes:

Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Controversial Ending in Usyk vs. Rico, Conor McGregor in a Do-or-Die Situation at UFC 329? May 26, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the controversial ending in the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven match and if this is yet another black eye on the boxing industry. We’ll also discuss Colby Covington’s decision to retire from the UFC and how he’ll be remembered now that his fighting career is over. We’ll also talk about Conor McGregor’s comeback against Max Holloway — did the UFC set up him up for failure with this matchup in his first fight back in five years? Is it really do-or-die for Conor in this fight? All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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BTL | Rousey vs. Carano Viewership Reaction, McGregor vs. Holloway, Colby Covington Retires May 21, 2026

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According to the viewership numbers, the MVP MMA card — headlined by Ronda Rousey's quick stoppage of Gina Carano — was a big success. Now what's next for MVP as they plan to continue on in the space moving forward, and how can they pull it off?

On an all-new edition of BTL, the panel discusses the event itself, the fallout, the reaction from the MMA community, the numbers, the pros and cons, and more. Additionally, topics may include Dana White announcing Conor McGregor's return to action at UFC 329 in a rematch with Max Holloway, McGregor's chances in the fight, Colby Covington notifying the UFC of his retirement and what his legacy is in the sport, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven coming up this weekend, other news and notes, and much more.

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and more as they answer your questions all show long.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Ronda Rousey’s Quick Win and Conor McGregor Returning Against Max Holloway May 19, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to Ronda Rousey dispatching Gina Carano in just 17 seconds in the MVP MMA event. The result wasn’t a surprise but did Rousey prove anything with her comeback and now retiring off this win? Plus we’ll discuss where MVP goes from here after the first event on Netflix. Also Conor McGregor’s comeback is official as he faces Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event but Brown is skeptical that the Irish superstar actually makes that walk. All this and much 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 117 May 17, 2026

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Arnold Allen got back in the win column by spoiling the first UFC main event spot for Melquizael Costa with fantastic showing int the main event of UFC Vegas 117. After his much-needed victory, where does "Almighty" go in the absolutely loaded featherweight division?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on the matchmaking hats following the UFC's latest Fight Night event, and discuss what's next for Allen after his win over Costa? Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Doo Ho Choi after his Fight of the Night stoppage win over Daniel Santos, Juan Diaz following his finish win over Malcolm Wellmaker, along with fellow main card winners Modestas Bukauskas, Bernardo Sopaj, Khaos Williams, and more.

Plus, some listener suggestions and thoughts on the MVP MMA event on Saturday.

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Rousey vs. Carano Post Fight Show: Reaction To Ronda Rousey’s Vintage Armbar Win, MVP’s First MMA Event May 17, 2026

Show notes

Ronda Rousey got her fairytale ending.

On Saturday night, Rousey returned to the cage after a nearly 10-year absence, headlining MVP’s first MMA event, and hoping to rewrite the sad ending to her historic MMA career, and she did just that, submitting Gina Carano with an armbar in just 17 seconds. But what does any of this mean for Rousey, MVP, and the sport of MMA?

Following a historic night with MVP MMA 1, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Rousey’s quick win and where MVP MMA might go from here. Additionally, they discuss Mike Perry battering Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou’s triumphant return, the rest of the Netflix card, plus even UFC Vegas 117 and the main event win for Arnold Allen.

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BREAKING: Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 OFFICIAL For UFC 329 May 17, 2026

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Following Dana White's big announcement of Conor Mcgregor's return to action in a rematch against #maxholloway at UFC 329, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react.

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Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Preview Show: What Does Success Look Like For MVP MMA And Netflix? May 15, 2026

Show notes

After all these years, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are finally set to return to the cage.

Two of the most important figures in the history of women’s MMA, Rousey and Carano headline Most Valuable Promotions’ first foray into MMA with a superfight broadcast on Netflix. The event is likely to be one of the biggest in the history of MMA, at least from a viewership standpoint, but what can we expect from two fighters who have been out of action for a combined 27 years?

Ahead of Rousey vs. Carano, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview Saturday’s big event, discussing what success looks like for MVP MMA and Netflix. Additionally, Meshew and Lee discuss the main event fight between Rousey and Carano, the co-main event fight between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, whether Philipe Lins stands any chance against Francis Ngannou, and the rest of the main card. Then, the MMA Fighting team switches over to UFC Vegas 117 talk and the main event between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa, before taking viewer questions.

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BTL | Sean Strickland is Champ Again! Plus, UFC 328 Fallout, Rousey vs. Carano May 14, 2026

Show notes

UFC 328 is in the books, and it was capped off by another upset championship win by Sean Strickland as he defeated Khamzat Chimaev to regain the UFC middleweight title. With so much being discussed in the aftermath of the fight on both sides, what's the biggest lingering question as it relates to Strickland and Chimaev, as well as the 185-pound division?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Strickland's big win over Chimaev, where Strickland's all-time greatness stands in the division, and what's next for both fighters. Additionally, topics may include the rest of the storylines from UFC 328, Joshua Van's stoppage win over Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event to retain the flyweight title, Saturday's Rousey vs. Carano card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry, what would be a success for the event, and much more.

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.

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No Bets Barred: What Should We Expect From Ronda Rousey And Gina Carano? May 14, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano really are about to fight each other.

This Saturday, the biggest MMA event of all time will take place when Rousey and Carano square off against each other at MVP MMA 1, broadcast on Netflix. Rousey has been out of the cage for nearly a decade, while Carano hasn’t fought in 17 years, raising the question, what exactly can we expect from these two WMMA pioneers on fight night? Well, No Bets Barred is here to tell you.

This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by Alexander K. Lee to dive into all things MVP MMA 1. Topics discussed include how Rousey and Carano might look after the long layoffs, whether Nate Diaz should be an underdog to Mike Perry, Philipe Lins’ chances against Francis Ngannou, and the rest of the card. Then, the boys hop over to UFC Vegas 117 where they take a quick look at Arnold Allen vs. Melqi Costa, Daniel Santos vs. Doo Ho Choi, and more.

Tune in for episode 156 of No Bets Barred.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Sean Strickland Beating Khamzat Chimaev and What To Expect in Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano May 12, 2026

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to Sean Strickland’s upset win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Did the judges get it right? And how will Chimaev do if he actually moves up to 205 pounds? Plus we’ll discuss the phenomenal fight between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira and preview the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card. What should we actually expect from the main event? And who wins between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry? All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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