UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra

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Chael Sonnen and Randy Brown Oct 12, 2021

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The baddest man out of West Lynn, Oregon, and the co-main event winner from UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Rodriguez, join Jim and Matt on today's show!

Chael Sonnen is the first guest to call in. He offers his analysis of Marina Rodriguez's main event victory against BJJ ace Mackenzie Dern, and explains why he's a fan of Rodriguez's callout of former Strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. He also reminisces about his near-victory against Anderson Silva and his first attempt at stand-up comedy over the weekend with comedian Adam Hunter.

Then, Randy Brown joins the show fresh off his win against Jared Gooden on Saturday. He reveals the smack talk he and Gooden shared mid-fight, shares how important it was for his father to watch him compete in the UFC for the first time, discusses his youth and growing up in Queens, and gives Matt some tips on joining Twitch.

Jim and Matt close the show discussing their favorite moments from UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Rodriguez.

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Mackenzie Dern and Sabina Mazo Oct 07, 2021

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Jim and Matt look ahead to the action at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Rodriguez -- with the help of two main card fighters -- on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered!

First, they're joined by Sabina Mazo ahead of her fight against Mariya Agapova this Saturday. After she clarifies that she did not, in fact, ever walk on stilts, she discusses how her goals shifted from medical school to MMA, and what life was like in Medellin, Colombia before moving to California.

Then, Jim begs Matt to watch Squid Game on Netflix and they both make picks for UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Rodriguez.

After that, one half of the main event on this Saturday's card, Mackenzie Dern, joins the show. She shares how head coach Jason Parillo's coaching style allows her to showcase both her improved striking and elite BJJ, how her mentality has matured throughout her UFC tenure, and why she's as confident as ever that she will be fighting for the UFC Strawweight title soon.

Jim and Matt close the show with a recap of all the action from Tuesday's episode of Dana White's Contender Series.

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Jared Gordon and actor Daniel Gillies Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

A UFC veteran crashes an interview on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered and gives an update on his next fight -- listen to find out who it is!

After Jim and Matt kick off the show with a recap of Matt's trip to Pennsylvania, Jared Gordon joins the show fresh off his win against Joe Solecki at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Walker. He shares what was going through his mind once he realized the fight was a split decision, what prompted his move to Sanford MMA, and why he decided to call out UFC newcomer Paddy Pimblett in his post-fight interview.

Then, Jim and Matt discuss all the action from UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Walker, including Thiago Santos' razor-close decision win against Johnny Walker in the main event, the head butt that rendered the bout between Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus a no contest, and Casey O'Neill's emphatic TKO win against Antonina Shevchenko.

Actor and star of the new movie "Coming Home In The Dark" Daniel Gillies closes the show. A massive fight fan, he shares his thoughts on Saturday's main event and offers his own critique of the advice from Johnny Walker's corner. He also reveals the acting tips he received from working with Ryan Gosling and shares why he's particularly proud of his most recent film.

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Thiago Santos and Aspen Ladd Sep 30, 2021

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Two fighters on this Saturday's card UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Walker join Jim and Matt on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered!

First, Aspen Ladd joins the show ahead of her bout against Macy Chiasson this Saturday in Las Vegas. She shares why she wanted to be a park ranger as a kid, how she transitioned back to training after knee surgery, and how she's feeling heading into her first bout since December 2019.

Then, after Jim and Matt preview the rest of the card and discuss Valentina Shevchenko's dominant reign as the UFC Women's Flyweight champion, Thiago Santos joins the show before he faces Johnny Walker in the main event of Saturday's card. He shares what inspired him to open a nonprofit in his home city of Rio de Janeiro, how he plans on dealing with the unpredictability of opponent Johnny Walker, and why it's so tough to coach and corner his wife - fellow UFC fighter Yana Kunitskaya.

Jim and Matt close the show with their picks for UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Walker, including Kevin Holland's return to action against Philly native Kyle Daukaus.

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UFC 266 Recap: Merab Dvalishvili and Coach Ray Longo Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Hear from a UFC 266 Performance of the Night winner, his coaching team including the great Ray Longo and our very own Matt Serra, a full analysis of the UFC 266 card, and much more on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered!

First, Matt asks Jim what his thoughts are on Henry Cejudo referring to Alexander Volkanovski as a "fun sized Matt Serra." You need to hear this!

Then, coach and friend of the show Ray Longo joins Jim and Matt fresh off Merab Dvalishvili's TKO victory against Marlon Moraes at UFC 266. He shares how he knew Merab would have to overcome adversity in this bout, why the VersaClimber is his secret weapon to amazing cardio, and his thoughts on Jon Jones' recent induction into the UFC Hall of Fame and legal troubles.

The man of the hour, Merab Dvalishvili, then calls in to the show. He goes into why he wants a top five opponent after his win on Saturday, how people from his home country of Georgia reacted to his win, and what his thoughts are on the rest of the Bantamweight division.

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Champion Alexander Volkanovski, Matthew Semelsberger and UFC 266 Preview Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

We have the champ and a 'Jedi' ahead of UFC 266 this Saturday on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered!

First, Alexander Volkanovski joins Jim and Matt before he defends his Featherweight belt against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 this Saturday in Las Vegas. After some members of his crew crash the interview and break balls with Matt Serra, "The Great" opens up about why Ortega's most recent win against The Korean Zombie was not as impressive as others have claimed, training with BJJ black belt Craig Jones, how he kept a level head throughout two training camps and a COVID-19 diagnosis and much more.

Then, Matthew Semelsberger calls in to the show before his bout against Martin Sano Jr. this Saturday at UFC 266. He reveals the origin of his nickname "Semi the Jedi", explains Dungeons and Dragons to Jim and Matt, and reveals why he dropped out of college about 12 credits shy of graduating to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.

Jim and Matt close the show with their picks for UFC 266, including Valentina Shevchenko's latest title defense against Lauren Murphy in the co-main event and the rematch 17 years in the making between Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz.

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Joseph Benavidez and Comedian Dan Soder Sep 21, 2021

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Try not to be jealous of Joseph Benavidez's life as a newly retired fighter on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered!

First, Jim and Matt break down a few of their favorite fights from Saturday's card, UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann. They discuss Devin Clark's toughness in his loss to Ion Cutelaba and Hannah Goldy's come-from-behind armbar submission win against Emily Whitmire.

Then, comedian Dan Soder joins the show. Before Matt reveals to Dan that he was the inspiration for one of his bits when he had to do stand-up on Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight, Dan tells stories of his time with Stipe Miocic during his guest appearance on Dan’s show "Billions" and shares why he is so excited to see the Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler rematch 17 years in the making at UFC 266 this Saturday.

Joseph Benavidez closes the show shortly after announcing his retirement from the UFC. He explains why the idea of making a spectacle of his retirement was uncomfortable at first, he talks about the career path he hopes to transition to, the reality shows he and his wife Megan Olivi most enjoy watching, and why crying at movies and television shows is nothing new for him.

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Raquel Pennington and Ariane Lipski Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters on this Saturday's card to help preview UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann!

First, Jim and Matt discuss the recent passing of comedy legend Norm MacDonald.

Then, Ariane Lipski joins the show ahead of her fight against Mandy Bohm on Saturday. She talks to Jim and Matt about how she manages her relationship with her husband (who happens to be her coach), why she decided to switch fight camps to ATT in Florida, and how she earned the nickname "The Queen of Violence."

After Matt tries to offer some movie suggestions to Jim, Raquel Pennington calls in. She offers a candid retelling of her experience with USADA during her recent suspension after taking banned substances to treat a thyroid condition, describes the dynamic at home between her and girlfriend Tecia Torres, and breaks down why she's excited to face off against Pannie Kianzad in the UFC Apex's smaller Octagon.

Jim and Matt close the show with picks for UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Spann.

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Yves Edwards and Matt Lindland Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered is a throwback to the early 2000's!

First, former UFC Lightweight Yves Edwards joins the show. Matt and Yves reminisce about the time they faced off in the Octagon nearly 20 years ago, and Matt reveals what Yves said in the lead up to their fight that motivated him to perform. They also discuss Yves' role as himself in Halle Berry's new movie set to debut in November, and how his mindset evolved as his UFC career progressed.

Then, former UFC Middleweight title contender Matt Lindland joins the show. He opens up about what it's like to be the head coach of the US National Wrestling team, reminisces with Matt about competing in the early days of the UFC, and reveals his take on Gable Stevenson's decision to not pursue MMA.

Matt discusses his weekend in Las Vegas for a special ceremony in his honor to close the show.

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Justin Gaethje, Sayif Saud, and co-host Megan Olivi Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

While Matt is in Las Vegas for a very special UFC project, Megan Olivi joins Jim as today's special guest co-host on UFC Unfiltered!

After Jim and Megan bond over how not-handy they both are, Justin Gaethje joins the show. He opens up about his gardening hobby, pulls absolutely no punches when asked what he thinks of UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira and UFC Welterweight Kevin Lee, and gives his perspective of the long road that has lead him to a match against Michael Chandler on November 6th at Madison Square Garden at UFC 268.

Then, coach, owner and founder of Fortis MMA, Sayif Saud joins the show. He discusses how proud he is that Fortis MMA has had more fighters earn contracts on Dana White's Contender Series than any other academy in the world, reveals how Fortis MMA fighter Ryan Spann has dealt with hateful messages on social media ahead of his main event bout against Anthony Smith on September 18th, and reveals what he believes are necessary characteristics of a great coach.

Jim and Megan close the show with their favorite moments from UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till, including Derek Brunson's underdog submission win against Darren Till in the main event and Paddy Pimblett's breakout victory in his UFC debut.

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