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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 Unloads on UFC for Denying Arman Tsarukyan His Title Shot, UFC 324 Main Event Predictions Jan 20, 2026

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In the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin look ahead to UFC 324, Kayla Harrison’s injury and if Amanda Nunes should consider taking another fight while the champion is sidelined. Plus we’ll discuss Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett and how much this fight really matters to the lightweight division and Arman Tsarukyan being stuck on the outside looking in despite being the clear cut No. 1 contender. We’ll also discuss Dana White saying he’s no longer interested in Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler and much more.

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MMA Fighting UFC Fantasy Draft, Season 4: Which 72 Fighters Will Start The Paramount Era With A Bang? Jan 16, 2026

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The MMA Fighting team is back with Season 4 of its fantasy league!

Who is set to star inside the octagon over the next six months? Will Islam Makhachev put together a real title reign at 170 pounds? Will Alex Pereira get to fight Jon Jones at UFC White House? Is Conor McGregor returning?

Plus, which under-the-radar standouts could fight more than once and produce the kinds of finishes that make the difference between winning and losing the league? Join the MMA Fighting staff as they select the 72 fighters they think are best poised to start 2026 off with a bang.

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BTL | Harrison OUT Of UFC 324, Dana White Announces Adesanya Return, RAF 5 Recap Jan 15, 2026

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The UFC has been in the news quite a bit on their final off-week ahead of UFC 324, but the first event on Paramount+ took a hit with Kayla Harrison being forced out of her title defense against the returning Amanda Nunes. How big of a hit to the card is the loss?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Harrison being scratched due to a reported neck injury, where Nunes goes, and more. Additionally, topics include Dana White announcing the return of Israel Adesanya as he faces Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle, RAF 5 this past Saturday highlighted by Colby Covington and Arman Tsarukyan's tech fall victories, Bo Nickal's callout of Covington for the White House card, PFL heading to Pittsburgh headlined by Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle, and more.

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

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BREAKING: Kayla Harrison OUT Of UFC 324 Matchup With Amanda Nunes Jan 14, 2026

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The UFC's debut on Paramount+ has taken a hit with Kayla Harrison suffering a reported injury that has scratched her from her scheduled title defense against Amanda Nunes at UFC324. Following the breaking news, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react, discuss if Nunes should remain on the card against a new opponent, and much more.

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Fighter vs Writer: Boldest Predictions for 2026, Most Vulnerable UFC Champion and Must See Fight This Year? Jan 13, 2026

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin give their predictions for the UFC in 2026 including the most vulnerable champion on the roster, the champion most likely to hold onto their title for the whole year, one must see fight and our boldest predictions for the year ahead. All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer.

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BTL | 2026 Burning Questions For Dana White, Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, More Jan 06, 2026

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The calendar officially reads 2026, and the UFC is about to kick off their new era on Paramount and a pay-per-view-less world. With UFC 324 just a couple of weeks away, what are the biggest questions you have about the new deal, for Dana White, and others?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses some of those burning questions, if White will be a focal point for the year, or continue to take steps back publicly. Additionally, topics may include the 2026 outlook for UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira and if he'll remain in the division throughout the year, Islam Makhachev and the welterweight title, what moves the PFL needs to make to have a big year, and much more.

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

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OTTNO 2026 Predictions Extravaganza | Does Conor McGregor Fight? Look Ahead For Ilia Topuria, More Jan 04, 2026

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Following a chaotic and unpredictable 2025 in the world of MMA, 2026 is shaping up to be even crazier — both in and out of the cage. Could this be a year that will see Conor McGregor actually fight in the UFC? Does Jon Jones return? Will Khamzat Chimaev keep his hands on UFC gold?

On a very special edition of On To the Next One, those questions — and a lot more — are presented during the 2026 predictions extravaganza. Hosts Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee will go through a slew of buy/sell questions presented by listeners about a variety of topics, including McGregor, Jones, Chimaev, Ilia Topuria, Francis Ngannou, Dana White, Tom Aspinall, Israel Adesanya, Nate Diaz, and much more.

Additionally, they will make their choices for who will end the year as UFC champions in each division, along with their bold and spicy predictions for the world of MMA in 2026.

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On To the Next One | 2025 Predictions Recap Dec 28, 2025

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With 2025 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport.

In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2025 was going to bring. Topics include Khamzat Chimaev's championship hopes, whether or not Nate Diaz would return to the UFC, if Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal would compete in a rematch, the UFC's TV deal, if PFL fighters and champions would find homes elsewhere, if the GFL would host any events, UFC champ-champ fights, and much more.

In addition, we will need you help for part two: Our 2026 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Friday, Jan. 2 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like.

The On To the Next One 2026 Predictions Extravaganza goes live on the MMA Fighting YouTube channel on Jan. 4 at Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT.

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2025 Year-End MMA Awards Spectacular | Knockout of the Year, Submission, More; Plus, WILD Controversy Dec 25, 2025

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The MMA world will remember 2025 for a number of crazy moments and breakout stars — as well as one of the most controversial voting moments in MMA awards history.

Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, surprises, and most unbelievable moments of 2025 in a special year-end retrospective. We’re honoring all the nights that defined a rollercoaster of a year this sport has seen in quite some time — and handing out plenty of hardware in celebration of the knockouts, submissions, fights, fighters, and breakthrough competitors who made sure 2025 was a year that will be remembered.

This year, the categories seemed tougher than ever in regards to determining a winner, along with figuring out who belonged in the top-five overall. We invite you to stick around for the final award, which features controversy like never before in the history of MMA Fighting award shows.

Check out MMA Fighting’s 2025 year-end award show above, hosted by our own Mike Heck and featuring a panel of Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew.

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BTL's 2025 Promotional Festivus: Grading the Best & Worst From UFC, PFL, More Dec 24, 2025

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With just a couple of days left in the year, it’s almost time to say goodbye to 2025, and hello to 2026. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like this past year — and a lot that needs to be improved upon, from the UFC, to PFL, and beyond.

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the fourth annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they grade the UFC for their 2025 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year.

Additionally, the duo do the same for PFL, BKFC, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, other ideas to bring into 2026, and what could be the breakout promotion in the space for the upcoming year.