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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:

Nate Diaz Responds to Dustin Poirier, Talks Conor McGregor Trilogy and Why He Has No Beef with Mike Perry May 11, 2026

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In this exclusive interview, Nate Diaz previews his upcoming fight against Mike Perry and why there hasn’t been any bad blood between them leading up to the Rousey vs. Carano card. Diaz also explains why he passed on a potential Conor McGregor trilogy but still expects that third fight to happen sometime in the future. Diaz also fires back at Charles Oliveria, his interest in returning to the UFC and he responds to Dustin Poirier after Poirier said he would come out of retirement only to fight Diaz.

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On To The Next One: What’s Next For Sean Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 328? May 10, 2026

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Sean Strickland. And Again.

Once again in the familiar spot of being a massive underdog in a middleweight title fight, Strickland outlasted Khamzat Chimaev to win a split decision and claim the championship for a second time in the main event of UFC 328 on Saturday. Strickland now has a handful of options for his next challenger—including a potential rematch with Chimaev—so who gets their shot at the surefire UFC Hall of Fame inductee? And what in the world do we do with Chimaev after that bizarre performance?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who should fight Strickland first in his second UFC title reign and whether Chimaev is going to move up to 205 pounds or stay put at 185. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Joshua Van coming off of his first successful title defense over Tatsuro Taira, where Taira goes from here, plus main card standouts Alexander Volkov, Sean Brady, and King Green, and more.

Plus, the fellas take your matchmaking suggestions at the end of the show.

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UFC 328 Post-Fight Show: Reaction To Sean Strickland Shocking Khamzat Chimaev To Regain Title May 10, 2026

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Sean Strickland is a two-time UFC world champion, and he did it with another massive upset win in the challenger spot. Strickland handed Khamzat Chimaev his first ever loss, regaining the middleweight title in the main event of UFC 328. And now, where in the world does this division go?

Following a memorable UFC 328 event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to Strickland's stunning victory, how the fight played out, biggest surprises, and who gets first crack at Strickland in this new title reign. Additionally, they discuss Joshua Van's knockout win over Tatsuro Taira to defend the flyweight title and if the stoppage was too soon, big decision wins for Alexander Volkov and Sean Brady, bonus winners, Dana White's press conference, and much more.

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UFC 328 Preview Show: Will Khamzat Chimaev And Sean Strickland’s Bad Blood Spill Over On Saturday? May 08, 2026

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Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland are set to solve one of the most heated rivalries in MMA history.

On Saturday, the UFC returns to Newark for UFC 328, headlined by a middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, and also featuring a flyweight title tilt between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira. It’s a main event filled with bad blood, and a co-main event showcasing the future of the flyweight division, but who will leave Newark with gold on Saturday?

Ahead of UFC 328, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview Saturday’s main event matchup between Chimaev and Strickland and debate how this ranks among the nastiest rivalries in UFC history. Additionally, Jed and AK break down the electric co-main event matchup and discuss what it means for the division, dive into the rest of the undercard, answer fan questions, and more.

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BTL | Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland, UFC 328, Carlos Prates Destroys JDM May 07, 2026

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The final countdown to UFC 328 is officially on, and this Saturday, the highly anticipated grudge match between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland for the middleweight title goes down in Newark, N.J. Despite all of the threats of pre-fight insanity, thus far, the paths of Chimaev and Strickland haven't crossed. Will they be able to keep the fighting in the cage, and if so, will it be competitive?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel previews the Chimaev vs. Strickland matchup, what's at stake besides the title, what happens if Strickland pulls off the upset, and if Chimaev leaves the division with a win. Additionally, topics may include other UFC 328 storylines, the Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira championship co-main event, the UFC White House faceoffs, the new UFC White House belts, Carlos Prates' massive UFC Perth win, other bits of news and notes, and more.

Plus, RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein joins the show to talk their big announcement today, and discuss promotional news and notes

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

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No Bets Barred: Can Sean Strickland Do It Again And Upset Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328? May 06, 2026

Show notes

Khamzat Chimaev is set to make the first defense of his UFC middleweight title.

This Saturday, the UFC returns to Newark, NJ for UFC 328, headlined by a pair of major title fights. In the main event, Khamzat Chimaev defends his newly-won middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland, and in the co-main event, new flyweight champion Joshua Van makes the first defense if his belt against Tatsuro Taira. Will both new champions retain their titles or will new clood continue to reign? No Bets Barred is here to tell you.

This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by Billy Ward of The Action Network to dive into all things UFC 328. Topics discussed include if Strickland has a chance to pull off another upset, whether the odds are right in Van vs. Taira, which underdogs are live throughout the rest of the card, The Climb, and more.

Tune in for episode 155 of No Bets Barred.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Carlos Prates’ Win and Potentially Breaking His Knockout Record, UFC 328 Preview May 05, 2026

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin discuss Carlos Prates dismantling Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth and Prates climbing the ladder for the most knockouts in welterweight history, which is a record Brown currently holds with 13. Plus we look ahead at UFC 328, Sean Strickland’s chances to dethrone Khamzat Chimaev and who becomes a bigger star with a win on Saturday? All this plus much more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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On To the Next One | What's Next For Carlos Prates, Other Big Winners At UFC Perth? May 03, 2026

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Carlos Prates delivered the performance of a lifetime in the main event of UFC Perth on Saturday at RAC Arena, obliterating former champion Jack Della Maddalena before unleashing a vicious finish in the third round. "The Nightmare" wants a title fight, and appears willing to wait for it, but is that what the UFC will want?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss where Prates goes after the biggest win of his career, and second straight finish of a former champ. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Quillan Salkilld after stopping Beneil Dariush in the co-main event, Steve Erceg following his decision win over Tim Elliott in the flyweight featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Marwan Rahiki, Brando Pericic, Louie Sutherland, and more.

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UFC Perth Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Carlos Prates Destroying Jack Della Maddalena May 02, 2026

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Carlos Prates sent a strong message to the top of the UFC welterweight division, and the promotional brass, as he ran through Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC Perth and he made it look easy doing it. Prates wants a title shot now, but will he get it in a loaded up 170-pound division?

Following Saturdau's UFC Perth card at RAC Arena, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the Fight Night event, Prates' phenomenal performance, if a title fight is next for "The Nightmare," or if anything else makes more sense. Additionally, topics include Quillan Salkilld's quick finish of Beneil Dariush in the co-main event, if we saw Dariush and Tai Tuivasa have their final UFC fights after Tuivasa's seventh straight loss, other standout moments, Yoel Romero's jaw-breaking win at Gamebred FC on Friday, and much more.

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UFC Perth Preview Show: Is Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates The Best Fight Of 2026? May 01, 2026

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Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal are fighting for big stakes this weekend.

On Saturday, the UFC returns to its stomping grounds, the META APEX, for UFC Vegas 116, headlined by a high-stakes featherweight matchup between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. Sterling wants a featherweight title shot, while Zalal wants to take his place in the pecking order, but who leaves Las Vegas with a win?

Ahead of UFC Vegas 116, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview Saturday’s main event matchup between Sterling and Zalal, and discuss whether the winner can leapfrog Movsar Evloev for the next featherweight title shot. Additionally, Jed and AK discuss the important (and somehow, not important) co-main event bout between Norma Dumont and Joselyne Edwards, rate the rest of the card, answer fan questions, and more.