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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:

UFC Mexico Post Show: Arman Tsarukyan Starts A Brawl At RAF 6, Lone’er Kavanagh Scores Upset Of The Year Mar 01, 2026

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Arman Tsarukyan did it again.

On Saturday night at RAF 6, Tsarukyan wrestled influencer Georgio Poullas in a bout that quickly turned chaotic. Tsarukyan and Poullas got extremely physical during the wrestling match, with the referee repeatedly being forced to intervene as the bout blurred the lines between wrestling and Powerslap. Then, immediately after Tsarukyan won the match, he tackled Poullas and punched him, leading to a massive brawl in the arena. It was another instance of Tsarukyan letting his temper get the best of him, and will it once again lead to the UFC benching him in the lightweight title picture?

Not only was Tsarukyan’s outburst wild, it also overshadowed the UFC Mexico event, where Lone’er Kavanagh stepped in on short notice to handle Brandon Moreno in the main event, delivering the best performance of his career as he beat up the former two-time champion over 25 minutes. Fresh off a vicious KO loss, Kavanagh rebounded as well as possible, and is now a real player in the flyweight title picture.

Following RAF 6 and UFC Mexico, MMA Fighting's Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew react to both events, Arman’s big outburst, Kavanagh’s sensational showing, whether Moreno still has title aspirations, King Green turning back the clock, and more.

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UFC Mexico Preview Show: Is This Do Or Die For Brandon Moreno? Feb 27, 2026

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Brandon Moreno is back in Mexico, and this time his back is against the wall.

On Saturday, Moreno takes on short-notice replacement Lone’er Kavanagh in the main event of UFC Mexico, at a pivotal moment in the two-time flyweight champion’s career. Moreno is just 2-3 over his past five fights in the UFC, and coming of the first stoppage loss of his professional career, a TKO to Tatsuro Taira in December. Does Moreno still have what it takes to make it back to the title he once held?

MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew preview UFC Mexico and what’s at stake for Moreno and Kavanagh in Saturday’s main event. Additionally, Lee and Meshew discuss whether Chito Vera will finally be more aggressive when he takes on David Martinez, whether Daniel Zellhuber can make up for his loss to Michael Johnson by beating King Green, standout undercard fights, the freshly announced Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven boxing match, answer fan questions, and more.

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No Bets Barred: Can Brandon Moreno Get Back On Track At UFC Mexico City? Feb 26, 2026

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The UFC is back in Mexico City.

This Saturday, the UFC returns Arena CDMX for another fight card in Mexico’s capital city, headlined by a flyweight matchup between former two-time champion Brandon Moreno and rising contender Lone’er Kavanagh. Moreno was originally set to fight Asu Almabayev, but after Almabayev pulled out of the event on just a few weeks’ notice, Kavanagh was pulled from his scheduled bout against Bruno Silva to step in, creating an unexpected main event, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.

This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to dive into all the action at this weekend’s event. Topics discussed include where Moreno is in his career, how the short-notice might affect Kavanagh, whether or not Chito Vera will actually try to do stuff in the co-main event against David Martinez, if Daniel Zellhuber can start to live up to his potential, a ton of Contender Series prospects making their debuts, a three-headed Climb, and more.

Tune in for episode 149 of No Bets Barred.

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BTL | Sean Strickland Title Shot Next? Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn, UFC Mexico Feb 25, 2026

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Following UFC Houston, Sean Strickland may have put himself in a position to fight Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title. Nassourdine Imavov views it differently after his five-fight win streak. Did Strickland do enough to get another crack at UFC gold?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the fallout from the UFC's return to the Lone Star State, who should get the shot between Strickland and Imavov, and if it will even matter with Chimaev teasing a move up to light heavyweight. Additionally, topics may include the Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn story writing another chapter after Conor Benn signed with Zuffa Boxing, Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2 being signed for Netflix, UFC Mexico headlined by Brandon Moreno vs. Lone'er Kavanagh, and much more.

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long on a special Wednesday edition of the program.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, Zuffa Boxing Signing Conor Benn Away from Eddie Hearn Feb 24, 2026

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin discuss the news that Ronda Rousey is coming back to face Gina Carano in a fight on Netflix. Did the UFC mess up not booking this fight? Is this actually a fight MMA fans are interested in watching? Plus we’ll discuss Zuffa Boxing signing Conor Benn away from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and if the reported terms of the deal might upset some UFC fighters enough to make some bigger financial demands. All this and 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 Sean Strickland After UFC Houston? Feb 22, 2026

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Sean Strickland entered UFC Houston as a sizable underdog, but he delivered, quite possibly, the best performance of his entire career stopping Anthony Hernandez in the third round of their middleweight main event matchup. Where does Strickland go, and could it be ahead Nassourdine Imavov in the title conversation?

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 after his spectacular performance at Saturday's UFC Fight Night card over Hernandez. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Uros Medic after his thrilling knockout of Geoff Neal in the co-main event, Melquizael Costa following his highlight-reel finish of Dan Ige in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Serghei Spivac, Jacobe Smith, Michel Pereira, and more.

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UFC Houston Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Sean Strickland Finishing Anthony Hernandez; Title Shot Next? Feb 22, 2026

Show notes

Sean Strickland delivered a big-time performance after a year on the sidelines, dominating and stopping the surging Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston. Strickland called out middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev after the fight, but did he do enough to leapfrog Nasourdine Imavov?

Following the UFC Fight Night event in Houston, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee react to the card as a whole, Strickland's performance in the win, Hernandez's showing in the loss and if he's out of the title hint for good, and if Strickland locked up a title shot. Additionally, they discuss Uros Medic's incredible finish in the co-main event, Melquizael Costa stopping Dan Ige for his fifth win in less than a year, the ending of Jacobe Smith's brutal knockout of Josiah Harrell, referee blunders, and more.

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UFC Houston Preview Show: Can Sean Strickland or Anthony Hernandez jump Nassourdine Imavov for a title shot? Feb 20, 2026

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Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez are set to do battle as the UFC heads back to Texas.

On Saturday, UFC Houston goes down at Toyota Center, headlined by a middleweight matchup between former champion Strickland and surging contender “Fluffy” Hernandez, with middleweight title implications on the line. Strickland is a popular former champion coming off a win over Paulo Costa, and has already laid the seeds for a fight with current champion Khamzat Chimaev, while Hernandez has won eight in a row, positioning himself as one of 185’s biggest bogeymen, but can either surpass top contender Nassourdine Imavov with a standout performance on Saturday?

MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview UFC Houston and what’s at stake between Strickland and Hernandez. Additionally, Meshew and Lee discuss Strickland’s controversial pre-fight comments, the banger of a co-main event between Geoff Neal and Uros Medic, Melqi Costa’s rising star, Dan Ige’s status as a featherweight litmus test, the undercard bouts they’re most excited for, and more.

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BTL | REACTION To Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, Sean Strickland's Rant, UFC Houston, More Feb 19, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano have stolen the combat sports news cycle this week as they are set to compete in an MMA bout in May, live on Netflix. The fight as people split down the middle in terms of interest, but will it be one of the biggest fights of 2026?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to the matchmaking, MVP getting into the MMA game, and if the UFC should be concerned. Additionally, topics may include Sean Strickland's ugly rant ahead of his UFC Houston main event matchup with Anthony Hernandez, what is at stake for both fighters, the quality of the UFC Fight Night card, Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn in the boxing space, what White's reaction might be to Rousey vs. Carano, and more.

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

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BREAKING: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Fight SET For Netflix Feb 17, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are BACK, as they face each other in an MMA bout under the MVP banner in May on Netflix. Following the massive news, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee give their reactions.