UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra

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Beneil Dariush, Terrance McKinney, UFC 317 picks Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Jim and Matt gear up for UFC 317 with a pair of lightweight contenders from Saturday’s card joining the show.

First, Beneil Dariush returns for his 12th Unfiltered appearance to reflect on his 18-month layoff and the road back after a tough 2023. He opens up about how fatherhood and a reset in training helped center him, and why the Moicano matchup feels like the right fight at the right time.

In between guests, Matt reveals what might be the greatest honor of his post-fighting life — leaving Jim to question whether anything in his own career can even come close (sarcasm may or may not be involved).

Then, fan-favorite Terrance McKinney stops by to talk about life after recently getting married, evolving under new coaches at Fusion X-Cel, and what a win over Viacheslav Borschev could mean for his momentum. He also shares thoughts on teammate Phil Rowe and how he’s balancing his trademark explosiveness with a new focus on patience.

Finally, the guys break down the UFC 317 main card, headlined by a can’t-miss title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, and lock in their predictions for the weekend.

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Ciryl Gane talks acting & fighting future after Jones’ retirement, Nazim Sadykhov on Baku homecoming Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by this past Saturday’s biggest winner in Nazim Sadykhov and heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane in the wake of Jon Jones’ retirement.

Fresh off his acting debut in the new Netflix film K.O., Gane reflects on the surreal experience of being a movie star — and how choreographed fight scenes compare to the real violence of the Octagon.

He also weighs in on Jon Jones’ legacy and what the future holds for Ciryl now that Tom Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion.

Jim and Matt begin to unpack the action from this past Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card before the fighting pride of Azerbaijan himself, Nazim Sadykhov calls in to reflect on the surreal feeling of winning in front of a roaring hometown crowd in Baku.

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Mohammed Usman, Melissa Mullins, UFC Azerbaijan picks Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Jim and Matt start today's show two hours earlier than usual to accomodate two exciting guests fighting on this Saturday's UFC Azerbaijan card: heavyweight Mohammed Usman and women's bantamweight Melissa Mullins.

Looking to bookend a second straight win from an Usman brother following Kamaru's victorious main event in Atlanta, younger brother Mohammed Usman talks about how he draws inspiration from his legendary brother’s success ahead of an explosive matchup against Hamdy Abdelwahab. Mohammed also sheds light on the Hall-of-Fame guidance he’s receiving from Rashad Evans — who is now in charge of leading his corner.

Melissa uses her first time on the show to discuss her journey into the world of professional martial arts. Mullins sets the table for her upcoming rematch with Daria Zhelezniakova by breaking down what she respects from her veteran opponent in Saturday's second go-around.

Finally, Jim and Matt wrap things up with a pair of fight picks each from the UFC Azerbaijan card headlined by Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.

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Unpacking Usman’s bounceback win at UFC Atlanta, Rose Namajunas & Pat Barry join the show Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Jim Norton and Matt Serra open today’s UFC Unfiltered with a full breakdown of UFC Atlanta, starting with Kamaru Usman’s bounce-back win over Joaquin Buckley and what it means for the future of a stacked welterweight division. Plus, Jim and Matt debate Rodolfo Bellato’s controversial no contest against Paul Craig and whether the backlash heading his way is fair. Plus, they spotlight strong performances from Malcolm Wellmaker, Edmen Shahbazyan, and others.

Then, Rose Namajunas joins the show to reflect on her win over Miranda Maverick and the personal dynamic of facing a former teammate. She also shares her thoughts on the idea of rematches vs. flyweights she lost to before ultimately assessing who she thinks realistically could be next and ideal for her.

Toward the end of the interview, Rose’s husband and coach Pat Barry hops on to talk about how they unwind after a fight — with gardening, good food, and catching up on their favorite shows.

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Joaquin Buckley, Paul Craig, guest co-host Phoenix Carnevale Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Longtime friend of the show Phoenix Carnevale reprises her esteemed guest co-host duties in Matt Serra’s absence, joining Jim Norton for an episode that features two fighters from this Saturday’s UFC Atlanta card: welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley and light heavyweight veteran Paul Craig.

The show opens with Jim and Phoenix reacting to UFC 316 — including Sean O’Malley’s response to his loss to Merab — before Joaquin calls in mid-track workout to discuss his mindset ahead of his main event clash against Kamaru Usman.

Later, Paul Craig reflects on his rocky run at middleweight, what he learned about himself through after going through more demanding weight cuts, and how he's channeling those lessons ahead of his 20th UFC appearance and a return to light heavyweight in Saturday’s featured prelim bout against Rodolfo Bellato.

While Jim and Phoenix don't make any predictions of their own, the two set the table for UFC Atlanta by previewing some of this Saturday's dynamic matchups.

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Recapping UFC 316 w/ Bas Rutten, Kayla Harrison's victory lap, guest co-host Din Thomas Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Jim Norton and guest co-host Din Thomas are joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten for a lively recap of UFC 316. Din gives props to Bas for his unique insight into both the streetfighting mindset and high-level martial arts, setting the stage for Bas to break down what stood out most on the card — including how Joshua Van reminds him of a young Max Holloway.

Bas has so much fun he sticks around when UFC bantamweight champ Kayla Harrison calls in. She reflects on her Olympic roots, the emotions behind her recent victory, and whether a showdown with Amanda Nunes might be on the horizon.

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Joshua Van, Khaos Williams, UFC 316 picks Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

With UFC 316 just days away, Matt and Jim welcome two fighters making their second appearances on Unfiltered: rising flyweight Joshua Van and heavy-hitting welterweight Khaos Williams.

Kicking things off, Matt finally gets to meet 23-year-old prospect Joshua Van after missing his debut episode — and wastes no time bonding over Bruce Lee movies before breaking down Van’s upcoming clash with veteran Bruno Silva. Focused and self-aware, Joshua explains why he’s preparing for the best version of Silva — knowing how dangerous a fighter can be coming off a loss.

In the middle of the show, the guys dive into the UFC 316 card — sharing thoughts on the title fights between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley, and Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison — plus Kelvin Gastelum’s return, Patchy Mix’s Octagon debut, and Kevin Holland’s wild schedule. Matt and Jim each make three official fight picks heading into Saturday’s stacked show.

Then it’s time to catch up with Khaos Williams, who joins ahead of his short-notice bout against UFC newcomer Andreas Gustafsson. The welterweight striker reflects on his turbulent path — from getting jumped and stabbed in his younger years to a life-changing entry into MMA. Now 31, Khaos talks about staying grounded by embracing risk, investing in real estate, and focusing on long-term growth both in and out of the cage.

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Merab & Din Thomas crash Matt’s 51st bday episode, Ramiz Brahimaj talks 1st-RD submission win Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

It’s Matt Serra’s 51st birthday — and what better way to celebrate than with a few surprise guests?

Matt correctly guesses Din Thomas as part one of his birthday surprise — but it’s the unexpected call from bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili that really makes his day. Merab joins ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in Newark.

Din sticks around to co-host with Jim and Matt, as the guys share plenty of laughs before welcoming welterweight Ramiz Brahimaj. Fresh off a 1st-round submission win, Brahimaj opens up about his mindset heading into the fight and what’s next for him in the division.

Later, the crew breaks down the highlights from last weekend’s card and weighs in on how Erin Blanchfield’s scratched bout with Maycee Barber could affect the title picture for Valentina Shevchenko.

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Erin Blanchfield, Zachary Reese, UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber picks May 29, 2025

Show notes

After taking Monday off in observance of Memorial Day, Jim and Matt dive right into Wednesday’s episode of UFC Unfiltered with two returning guests: 4th-ranked flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield and middleweight finisher Zachary Reese.

Erin reflects on bouncing back from her first UFC loss to Manon Fiorot, shares how she’s grown more comfortable in five-round bouts, and breaks down her matchup this Saturday against fellow contender Maycee Barber — a fight with major title implications.

Later, Jim and Matt offer their picks for the UFC Fight Night card before welcoming Zachary Reese, who talks about life in small-town Shiner, Texas, his plans to deliver another first-round finish, and why Dusko Todorovic is the perfect dance partner for a crowd-pleasing scrap.

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Rolling into UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11 w/ Ffion Davies & William Tackett May 22, 2025

Show notes

It’s a jiu-jitsu kind of show today! Matt and his jiu-jitsu buddy Jimmy welcome a pair of elite grapplers for their first-ever appearances on UFC Unfiltered in Ffion Davies and William Tackett.

Set to headline next Thursday’s UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11, Ffion shares her journey into submission grappling and what it means to ink an exclusive deal with the UFC. With her Australian rival Adele Fornarino looking to even the score after a 2022 loss, Ffion breaks down her mindset heading into their rematch.

Later, William Tackett joins the show to talk about growing up in a family that eats, sleeps, and breathes jiu-jitsu — and how that led to marrying a fellow grappler. He previews his upcoming clash with 18-year-old phenom Achilles Rocha and reflects on life, love, and grappling under pressure.

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