UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra

Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by Michael Chiesa for a wide-ranging conversation centered around his upcoming return to action in Seattle and the balancing act of being both an active UFC fighter and one of the promotion’s most trusted analysts.Chiesa talks about fighting in the Pacific Northwest, what’s fueling his current 3-fight win streak, and how his mindset has evolved at this stage of his career.Chiesa reflects on the adjustments that have led to renewed momentum, the challenges of flipping between fighter and broadcaster mode, and what a big performance in Seattle could mean for his standing at welterweight.Before signing off, Chiesa shifts into analyst mode to plug and preview Thursday’s UFC BJJ 5 event — breaking down key matchups and what fans can expect as he joins Din Thomas on the broadcast team.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by friend of the show Chase Hooper and UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci on today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered.With the Seahawks fresh off their Super Bowl LX victory, it’s only right that Seattle’s own Hooper calls in ahead of his first fight back in the Emerald City in nearly nine years, as the UFC brings a Fight Night card to Seattle on March 28 headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer.Hooper talks about balancing fatherhood with life as a UFC fighter, what he learned from his first-round setback last summer, and how fighting close to home brings a different kind of motivation as he continues to evolve in the division.Later, reigning UFC BJJ champion Musumeci makes his Unfiltered debut with a bang — instantly clicking with Matt as they bond over authentic pizza. Musumeci then previews his upcoming bantamweight title defense against Shay Montague at UFC BJJ 5, reflecting on the discipline that shaped his career and what continues to drive him as one of the most accomplished submission grapplers in the world.Plus, Jim and Matt wrap things up with their biggest takeaways from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira card.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome a pair of first-time guests to the show as they gear up for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira card at the Meta APEX.First, middleweight Marc-Andre Barriault joins the show to discuss his MMA journey and the roots of the toughness that has defined his fighting style. The Kill Cliff FC staple also breaks down his upcoming matchup with Michał Oleksiejczuk and what fans can expect when the two heavy hitters share the Octagon.Later, flyweight contender Amir Albazi makes his UFC Unfiltered debut, eager to put an injury-filled stretch behind him and get back to making noise in the division. Albazi reflects on his journey from Iraq to Syria and Sweden, how those early experiences shaped him, and how martial arts became his outlet — before turning his focus to a high-stakes matchup with Kyoji Horiguchi.Stick around as Jim and Matt lock in picks for Saturday’s card.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton is joined by guest co-host RJ Clifford for a full recap of UFC 325, breaking down the card from top to bottom and reacting to the biggest performances from Sydney.But first, the guys welcome featherweight Colby Thicknesse to the show. Thicknesse reflects on a massive weekend for two of his closest teammates, sharing his perspective on Alexander Volkanovski successfully defending his featherweight title and Mauricio Ruffy’s statement win at lightweight.Having spent much of his life training alongside Volk — who has cornered him in both of his UFC appearances — Colby discusses what he’s learned from the featherweight GOAT and provides an update on when fans can expect to see him back in the Octagon.With Diego Lopes coming up short in Saturday’s main event, Jim and RJ close out the episode by discussing what the featherweight contender may need to do next to earn a third title shot after going 0–2 against Volkanovski.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off the episode by breaking down UFC 325 from top to bottom, locking in their picks and debating key matchups as the promotion gears up for one of the most anticipated cards of the year.After the picks, the guys are joined by one of the most dynamic power couples in the fight game — women’s strawweight Tabatha Ricci and Zuffa boxer Callum Walsh. Before diving into their careers, the conversation begins with a look at their unique farming lifestyle and how life outside the spotlight helps keep them grounded amid the chaos of combat sports.Ricci then talks about her continued evolution inside the Octagon, how she’s approaching this phase of her career, and why staying active and sharpening the details remain the priority as she pushes forward on her quest for a title shot — beginning with a high-stakes bout against Virna Jandiroba in April.Walsh reacts to his main event win from last Friday’s Zuffa Boxing card and outlines his plan to grow into a true 160-pound middleweight after campaigning at 154 prior to signing with Zuffa Boxing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome a pair of familiar faces back to the show in women’s strawweight Gillian Robertson and men’s featherweight Jean Silva.First up, Robertson calls in to discuss her long-awaited return to the Octagon. After a frustrating stretch of delays, postponements, and bad luck with opponents, she previews her rescheduled matchup against Amanda Lemos — now set for March 14 at the Meta APEX — and explains why staying active moving forward is a top priority as she eyes a fifth-straight win.Then, fresh off his win over Arnold Allen, featherweight contender Jean Silva joins the show alongside his manager to assist with Portuguese-to-English translation duties. Matt sets the tone for the interview in a way that requires no Duolingo, immediately matching Silva’s infectious energy. From there, the conversation turns to a breakdown of Silva’s win over Allen, what the fight revealed about his evolution as a fighter, and where he sees himself fitting into the featherweight picture as Jim throws out potential next opponents.Jim and Matt wrap up the episode with their biggest takeaways from UFC 324, highlighting standout performances and early storylines from the first-ever UFC event of the Paramount era.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a six-week wait for live UFC action, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are back and ready to dive in. On today’s episode, the guys break down UFC 324 from top to bottom — locking in three official picks each for their first predictions of the year and setting the tone for what promises to be a loaded night of fights for the first card of the Paramount era.Then, former title challenger Alex Perez joins the show ahead of his Saturday matchup against surging flyweight Charles Johnson. Perez opens up about life outside the Octagon, fatherhood, navigating a tough stretch in his career, and why this fight feels like a pivotal opportunity to reassert himself in the men’s 125-pound division.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome back lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett, who joins the show ahead of his interim title showdown with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. Paddy breaks down why he believes this is the right moment to make a statement, how he sees the matchup playing out, and what an interim belt could mean with Ilia Topuria’s future still unresolved.Between interviews, Jim and Matt also touch on the day’s biggest news: Kayla Harrison’s neck injury forcing the cancellation of her women’s bantamweight title defense against Amanda Nunes.Middleweight standout Caio Borralho stops by to discuss bouncing back from the first UFC loss of his career, what he learned from his Paris main event against Nassourdine Imavov, and why his upcoming clash with Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326 feels like the perfect reset. Caio also weighs in on the crowded middleweight picture, his Fighting Nerds teammates, and what 2026 could present if all goes to plan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by Urijah Faber for a wide-ranging conversation about his continued impact on the sport — both as a competitor and a coach.Faber talks about still competing at 46 years old, including his upcoming combat jiu-jitsu and wrestling matchups scheduled for January and February of 2026. The UFC Hall of Famer explains how his mindset has evolved at this stage of his career and why staying active continues to fuel his passion for competition.Urijah also dives into his role coaching Song Yadong and explains why Song’s upcoming matchup with Sean O’Malley at UFC 324 could be the perfect moment for the best version of Song to emerge. Beyond the bantamweight title picture, Faber lays out how a win over “Suga” could mark a turning point for Song on a global level — and the start of his rise as a true national icon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome a pair of veterans gearing up for key matchups as the UFC schedule ramps up in early 2026.Featherweight Arnold Allen joins the show to talk about how he spent 2025 rebuilding his body and earning his black belt from the coach who first introduced him to MMA. Set to fight for the first time in nearly 18 months, Allen discusses his high-stakes matchup with Jean Silva on the main card of UFC 324.Later, light heavyweight Dustin Jacoby stops by to discuss his second UFC run, life at FactoryX, and preparing for the long journey from Colorado to Sydney for his upcoming fight with Jimmy Crute at UFC 325. Jacoby sheds light on his kickboxing days and how sharing a card with teammate Cody Brundage is huge for the both of them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off 2026 with a pair of rising contenders who have their sights set on big years ahead.First, light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas joins the show to talk about the momentum he’s built during his recent run and what’s at stake as he prepares for a crucial matchup against Nikita Krylov at UFC 324. Modestas breaks down the work he’s putting in, provides an update on the Tom Aspinall eye injury holding back his close friend and training partner before circling back to why this fight vs. 13th-ranked Krylov is huge for Modestas as he eyes a spot in the 205-pound rankings.Later, middleweight knockout artist Ateba Gautier stops by to discuss his fast start in the UFC, his journey from Cameroon to England, and the mindset shift that followed his lone professional loss. Gautier reflects on his Combat Sambo roots and how he’s continuing to sharpen his tools ahead of his first fight of 2026 at UFC 324.Already a little stir-crazy for live UFC action, Jim and Matt also jump the gun with an early look at UFC 324 — even though the 2026 Paramount+ kickoff is still 19 days away… but who’s counting?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the final episode of UFC Unfiltered in 2025, Jim Norton and Matt Serra put a bow on the year that was and look ahead to what 2026 might hold.The guys open the show by revisiting their 2025 predictions, breaking down how the season played out after a razor-thin race in their season-long picks competition. Matt finished ahead on total points, while Jim led in correctly predicted winners — setting the stage for plenty of friendly back-and-forth.From there, Jim and Matt hand out eight end-of-year awards, including four official #UFCHonors categories that fans can begin voting on December 27, along with four Unfiltered-only awards the guys add in their own annual tradition. They debate the biggest fights, knockouts, submissions, comebacks, and breakout performances of 2025 — while giving special shine to standout runs that defined the year.The conversation then shifts to the future as the guys roll out their UFC holiday wish list for 2026, discussing everything from potential superfights and divisional clarity to fighters poised for massive breakout years.Jim and Matt wrap things up by calling their shots for 2026, predicting which fighters — including possible first-time champions — could be wearing gold by this time next year, and whether the very top of the women’s divisions could see major shakeups.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With Jim Norton out, Ray Longo steps in alongside Matt Serra for a fresh episode of UFC Unfiltered, featuring women’s flyweight Jamey-Lyn Horth.Coming off back-to-back wins to finish 2025 undefeated, Horth talks about transitioning into MMA later than most, her athletic roots, and how early amateur fights against Loopy Godinez turned into a close friendship and training partnership. She also opens up about life in Canada and her love for cold plunges in the lakes and rivers near her home.Matt and Ray then wrap things up by unpacking UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape, giving their thoughts on Manel Kape’s first-round knockout and whether it was enough to punch his ticket to a flyweight title shot against Joshua Van with Alexandre Pantoja sidelined.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With Matt Serra out for the day, Jim is joined by Mr. Reliable himself — Din Thomas — for an episode that opens with lightweight Chris Duncan checking in just days after his impressive first-round anaconda choke of Terrance McKinney at UFC 323. Duncan talks about surviving the early storm, leveling up since moving full-time to American Top Team, and why he believes 2026 is the year he finally breaks into the Top 15.From there, Jim and Din dive into one of the wildest stats of the year: 10 of the UFC’s 11 active champions have been crowned in just the past eight months. The guys give their thoughts on a chaotic UFC 323 card — including two new champions, major shakeups across multiple divisions, and whether the next wave of contenders is arriving faster than anyone expected.The show wraps with unbeaten middleweight prospect Mansur Abdul-Malik, who joins fresh off his standing guillotine finish on Saturday. Mansur discusses the obsessive tape study that fuels him, the positive energy he carries inside and outside the cage, daily training sessions with Sean Strickland at Xtreme Couture, and why he’s pushing for a quick turnaround to keep his momentum rolling.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim and Matt open the show with lightweight finisher Jalin Turner, who joins ahead of his return against Edson Barboza at UFC 323. Turner explains how training with Ian Machado Garry and reconnecting with his faith pulled him out of a brief retirement, helping him rediscover balance, purpose, and confidence. He also discusses studying the sport differently, and what he expects when he steps in with a tricky veteran striker like Barboza.The guys then shift into their UFC 323 predictions, breaking down a stacked card — from Merab Dvalishvili’s push for a historic fourth title defense of the year to Pantoja vs. Van, Moreno vs. Taira and more!Later, former light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz checks in to talk about making one more run at 205, how he views the danger posed by surging finisher Bogdan Guskov, and what “Legendary Polish Power” looks like in this stage of his career.Finally, Jim and Matt close out the episode with deeper analysis on some of the remaining UFC 323 matchups.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim and Matt kick off the week with former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, who checks in ahead of his trip to Las Vegas to support Merab Dvalishvili before the bantamweight champ’s fourth title defense of 2025.Weidman shares what he expects from Merab’s continued dominance, and also weighs in on how Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett match up in next year’s interim lightweight title fight — the first numbered event of the new Paramount deal.Then, Syndicate MMA head coach John Wood joins the show to talk about life inside one of the busiest gyms in the sport. Wood breaks down Merab’s one-of-a-kind approach to fight week and explains whether he foresees anything different in the champ’s rematch with a resurgent Petr Yan in this Saturday’s UFC 323 headliner.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim and Matt kick off the show with British bantamweight Davey Grant, who joins live from the UFC Performance Institute as a brand-new Las Vegas resident. Fresh off rehabbing a torn bicep and injured nose, Davey talks about settling into life stateside, training his kids at Syndicate MMA, and why moving to America has changed the way he studies the sport — including watching fights live with a pen and paper to stay sharp on evolving MMA trends.The guys then unpack all the biggest storylines from UFC Qatar, where Matt takes a well-earned victory lap after going 2–0 in his picks — correctly calling Arman Tsarukyan’s arm-triangle finish and Volkan Oezdemir’s stoppage win.Later, women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko joins the show to discuss balancing her pursuit of all-time greatness with her creative “side quests,” from acting roles to drawing on her degree in film direction. With several options in front of her, Valentina reveals she’s keeping a close eye on a potential trilogy with Amanda Nunes — especially now that the Lioness has expressed interest in meeting her again, this time at 125 pounds.Finally, in the wake of Ian Machado Garry’s statement decision win, which capped off two straight weeks of top-flight welterweight action, Jim and Matt close the show by debating which 170-pound contender has earned the next shot at Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim and Matt kick off today’s episode with rising featherweight Ethyn Ewing, who checks in after a memorable short-notice UFC debut win at Madison Square Garden vs. Malcolm Wellmaker. The soon-to-be father talks about his MMA journey, how camping, hiking, and spearfishing help keep him grounded, and how he balances training with his demanding day job as a safety professional.With Ethyn’s call wrapped, Jim and Matt turn their attention to this weekend’s UFC Qatar event — a Fight Night so stacked with ranked talent that they can’t believe it isn’t a pay-per-view. And with their head-to-head prediction battle coming down to the wire, the guys go fight-by-fight and make their picks for this absolutely loaded card.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With Islam Makhachev dethroning Jack Della Maddalena on a historic night stamped by show-stealing wins from rising welterweight contenders, Jim and Matt have plenty to unpack on today’s UFC 322 recap show. The guys break down the championship shakeup at 170, Valentina Shevchenko’s flawless title defense, and all the biggest moments from Saturday’s card.They’re then joined by Johnny Walker, who hops on the show to talk fatherhood, his recent knockout win in China, and where he fits in the suddenly chaotic light heavyweight picture.After Johnny’s interview wraps, Jim and Matt take a deep dive into Makhachev’s future at welterweight — debating where Ilia Topuria stands among contenders vying for the first crack at the newest double champion’s 170-pound UFC crown.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With The Schmo filling in for Jim Norton, Matt Serra kicks off the show with undefeated bantamweight Malcolm Wellmaker ahead of his Madison Square Garden debut. “The Machine” talks managing expectations after two first-round UFC finishes, adjusting to a late opponent change, and how nine years as a welder shaped the discipline behind his undefeated rise.Matt and The Schmo then dive deep into UFC 322 — breaking down Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira and every fight thereafter on the PPV main card. The duo debate who’s primed for their big “Schmo-ment” on Saturday and who may keep their “Schmo-mentum” rolling in the night’s two championship bouts.Finally, Tracy Cortez joins the show to preview her high-stakes rematch with Erin Blanchfield. The #8 flyweight contender reflects on what she remembers from her razor-thin win over Blanchfield years ago before unpacking how a victory at Madison Square Garden could vault her into the title mix.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.