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Get all the mixed martial arts fighting news and analysis you need from the award-winning team at MMA Fighting. Produced by MMA Fighting and SB Nation, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
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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.
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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to Jake Paul losing to Anthony Joshua and what it means for his future. Does Paul deserve respect for just stepping into that ring to face a former heavyweight champion? What do we make of his performance? Will Paul fight again? We’ll discuss this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!
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Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the main event of Friday's Paul vs. Joshua fight card in Miami — a result that seemed to be as close to a unanimous prediction as you'll see in combat sports. However, Paul was able to make it to the sixth round before the eventual finish that left Paul's jaw broken, and with Joshua's hand raised. Despite the win, does Joshua's legacy take any kind of hit with the fight lasting as long as it did?
Following the boxing event that streamed on Netflix, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to the card, Joshua's finish of Paul and where their stocks go, and what could be next for both fighters moving forward. Additionally, topics include grading the entire event as a whole, Anderson Silva ending the night as the star of the event with a knockout of fellow former UFC champ Tyron Woodley, and much more.
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The UFC has wrapped things up for 2025, and now the combat sports world turns their attention to Miami and the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua heavyweight matchup in the boxing ring. With Joshua heavily favored to get the victory, what would be the result to make the event and matchmaking as successful as it can be?
On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the Paul vs. Joshua matchup and event, Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, and other storylines ahead of Friday night's Netflix card. Additionally, topics may include Manel Kape's big knockout of Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 113, UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria providing more details as to why he's taking time off from competition, Alex Pereira's latest comments on competing at the UFC White House card, Terence Crawford announcing his retirement from boxing, and much more.
Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long for the final live edition of the program for 2025.
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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the latest comments from Francis Ngannou addressing his future and saying he would like to fight Jon Jones on the UFC White House card. Is Ngannou regretting his decision to leave UFC or is something else at work? Plus, we’ll break down Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, a few fighters suddenly picking Paul for the upset and if the former YouTuber actually has any chance in the upcoming fight plus much more on the latest episode!
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Manel Kape had the chance to muscle his way into the flyweight title picture at UFC Vegas 112 and he more than took advantage of the opportunity.
It took a little over three minutes for Kape to remind everyone he’s the most dangerous knockout threat at 125 pounds as he took out Brandon Royval. Now, riding a three-fight win streak, he has his sights set on newly crowned champion Joshua Van. With a card in Van’s hometown of Houston around the corner, does it make sense to throw that together ASAP? And where does that leave presumptive No. 1 contender Tatsuro Taira?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who Van is most likely to defend against first, who stole the show on the last UFC card of 2025, and who embarrassed themselves on the microphone. Additionally, we make future matchups for main card winners Kevin Vallejos, Cezary Olekziejczuk, Melquizael Costa, and King Green, and take matchup suggestions from the listeners.
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Manel Kape did everything he needed to do in order to earn a UFC flyweight title shot against Joshua Van, both in the fight and on the microphone inside the octagon. But did the incredible first-round knockout victory for "Starboy" against Brandon Royval clinch his first opportunity at UFC gold, or is Tatsuro Taira ahead of him while Alexandre Pantoja heals up?
Following the final event for the UFC in 2025, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to UFC Vegas 112, Kape's sensational performance against a tough out in Royval, his wild post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, and his title hopes. Additionally, they discuss Kevin Vallejos' spinning back fist knockout of Giga Chikadze, Melquizael Costa's stoppage win to improve to 4-0 in 2025, the good, and the very bad heavyweight action throughout the card, and much more.
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The UFC's flyweight division has become even more interesting over the past week following Joshua Van's championship win over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. One week after the surprising title change, Brandon Royval faces Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112. With Van already holding a victory over Royval this year, could Kape leapfrog his way towards a title shot if he gets the win on Saturday?
Ahead of the UFC's final card of the year, and of the ESPN era, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee preview the event, the headliner between Royval and Kape, and the stakes attached to it. Additionally, they discuss the co-main event between Giga Chikadze and Kevin Vallejos, Gillian Robertson looking to earn a title shot at 115 when she meets Amanda Lemos, the octagon debut of Yaroslav Amosov as he faces Neil Magny, and much more.
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The UFC just ended their pay-per-view era with UFC 323, and this Saturday, the promotion's relationship with ESPN comes to an end. With Petr Yan's incredible performance over Merab Dvalishvili to regain the bantamweight title opening many eyes, the final PPV appeared to be quite the success for the hardcore fan base.
On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Yan's all-time great showing against Dvalishvili to become a two-time bantamweight champion, where both guys go from here, and how Dvalishvili and his team have handled the loss. Additionally, topics may include Joshua Van becoming the flyweight champion after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an unfortunate injury in the co-main event, Dana White once again saying Arman Tsarukyan has more work to do in order to get a title shot, UFC Vegas 112 this weekend headlined by a pivotal flyweight bout between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape, Francis Ngannou's comments earlier this week, and much more.
Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.
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The final UFC event of 2025 is upon us.
This Saturday, UFC Vegas 112 takes place at the world's mightiest APEX, the final UFC event of 2025. On top of that, there's a PFL card with weekend with a couple of marquee fights, so No Bets Barred is here to break it all down for the last time this year.
This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to look at UFC Vegas 112 and PFL Eruope. Topics discussed include whether Brandon Royval will actually fight Manel Kape, if the Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos fight is a true "so-main event," some undercard gems from the UFC, the massive favorites at PFL Europe, the fall from The Climb at UFC 323, and more.
Tune in for episode 145 of No Bets Barred.
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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the fallout from UFC 323 including Petr Yan beating Merab Dvalishvili to reclaim the bantamweight title. Plus Joshua Van became UFC flyweight champion after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a gruesome arm injury but was his post-fight celebration too much? And we’ll discuss Dana White shutting down Arman Tsarukyan from getting a title shot after dropping out of his previously scheduled championship opportunity during fight week. All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer …
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Odds were presented as very unlikely for either Merab Dvalishvili or Alexandre Pantoja to leave UFC 323 without their world titles, but very, very few could've predicted both would lose their championships on Saturday night. After their sizable reigns came to an end after losses to Petr Yan and Joshua Van, will they both come back to immediate rematches?
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 Yan and Dvalishvili after the eye-opening upset win for Yan to capture the bantamweight title for the second time. Additionally, they discuss where Van and Pantoja go after the unfortunate ending to their co-main event matchup where Van became the first UFC champ born in the 2000's, along with future matchups for fellow main card winners Tatsuro Taira following his stoppage win over Brandon Moreno, Payton Talbott after retiring Henry Cejudo, and more.
Plus, the guys take listener matchmaking suggestions at the end of the show.
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Petr Yan is now the third fighter in UFC history to become a multiple time undisputed bantamweight champion as "No Mercy" put on one of the best performances of the year to upset Merab Dvalishvili to regain the 135-pound world title. After Dvalishvili's long winning streak, and wild 2025 campaign, the two will almost certainly meet fora third time in 2026.
Following the final UFC pay-per-view for, at least, the next seven years, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to all of the action in Las Vegas, Yan's incredible win, and where it stacks up against other all-time performances. Additionally, they react to Joshua Van's title win against Alexandre Pantoja after the unfortunate end to the co-main event, Tatsuro Taira staking his claim to get the next flyweight title shot, Henry Cejudo's final career fight, other standout moments, and much more.
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Merab Dvalishvili looks to successfully defend his title for a record-breaking fourth time in a year when he faces Petr Yan in a rematch in the main event of UFC 323. If Dvalishvili pulls it off, is it the greatest year in UFC history? And how surprising would it be if Yan delivered an upset?
Ahead of Saturday's pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee preview the UFC's final numbered event of the ESPN era, and the historical stakes attached in the Merab vs. Yan 2 bantamweight championship headliner. Additionally, topics include the co-main event for the flyweight title between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van, how the Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira winner factors into the championship discussion, Henry Cejudo competing for the final time, what we'll miss — and won't miss — about the UFC on ESPN pay-per-view relationship, and more.
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Dana White made it a memorable Thanksgiving for MMA fans with the announcement during the Chiefs vs. Cowboys game that Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title headlines UFC 324 over the Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes mega-fight, and also revealed later that evening that Alexander Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes for the second time in a row in a featherweight title bout in the main event of UFC 325. While the bouts are big, they were met be a tidal wave of negativity from the fan base.
On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to the big title fights announced for the new Paramount era, the reception from the MMA community, and where this leaves other title hopefuls, including Arman Tsarukyan. Additionally, they discuss Saturday's UFC 323 event headlined by Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van in the co-main event, Henry Cejudo's final fight, and much more.
Join MMA fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.
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The final UFC pay-per-view ever is here.
This Saturday, UFC 323 takes place in Las Vegas, the final pay-per-view of 2025, which means the last PPV ever, as the UFC's new broadcast rights deal with Paramount will shake things up. And for their final PPV, the UFC is delivering the good, with two title fights and several big names for the penultimate card of 2025, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.
This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by the Luke Noseda of Morning Kombat and the Main Card Minute to take a look at all things UFC 323. Topics discussed include whether Merab Dvalishvili can make history against Petr Yan in the main event, Joshua Van's chances at pulling off the upset over Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event, whether the publis has simply forgotten about Brandon Moreno and Henry Cejudo, the next step of The Climb, and more.
Tune in for episode 144 of No Bets Barred.
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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the announcements made for UFC 324 and UFC 325 including Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett, Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2. Did the UFC make the right call with these fights? Plus we’ll give our picks and predictions for UFC 323 including if Petr Yan can pull off the upset and dethrone Merab Dvalishvili as he seeks his fourth title defense in 2025. All this and more on the latest episode!
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Arman Tsarukyan staked his claim as the top lightweight contender in the UFC with a spectacular performance against Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar this past Saturday, and he wants his chance at Ilia Topuria and his world title. Will the performance, and timing, work out for Tsarukyan, or will he have to watch Paddy Pimblett fight for the gold?
On a special Thanksgiving week edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses where Tsarukyan goes from his big win, and how the lightweight division may shake out heading into 2026. Additionally, topics may include who should be next for welterweight champ Islam Makhachev after Ian Machado Garry defeated Belal Muhammad to cap off moving month for the surging contenders, reports of Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes being the frontrunner to headline the UFC's first big numbered event on Paramount, the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua press conference, and much more. Plus, what we're thankful for in the world of MMA and combat sports.
Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.
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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin discuss the fallout from UFC Qatar including who is actually going to get the next shot at lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and did Ian Machado Garry make a compelling argument that he should be fighting Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title? Plus we react to the news that Jake Paul is actually facing Anthony Joshua in December plus much more …
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Arman Tsarukyan believes he has done enough to challenge Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title following his incredible performance against Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar. Will the UFC reward Tsarukyan with a title shot, or will Tsarukyan have to wait and watch Paddy Pimblett get the shot at Topuria first?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Tsarukyan after submitting Dan Hooker in Saturday's main event. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Ian Machado Garry after defeating former welterweight champ Belal Muhammad in the co-main event, along with fellow main card winners Volkan Oezdemir, Myktybek Orolbai, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Kyoji Horiguchi, and more.
Plus, a slew of listener matchmaking suggestions to close out the show.
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42:00 Gotta disagree with Matt over the headline spot. I think the larger weight class will headline for that and the attached name value.
16:00 MMA talk starts.
11:00 Laughing at Matt denying he is a liberal.
these trumpers can accept the fact that colby looked slow and fought terribly, they're actually criticizing Leon. wow the Trump dick riding is real folks
mike needs to rewatch the first 20 seconds of the Almeida vs shamill fight. Almeida ate a massive shot. he's got a chin.
nice editing
Leon Edwards takes the rat to school.
mcgregor bash
The volume on this Podcast was a nightmare!
What the hell happened at the end? Silence for like 30 mins
Great Pod,not sure how I stumbled upon your show but I'm glad I have. You've taken away all the annoying stuff from other shows and kept the good stuff . Win/Win. 😁
Man, you guys were wrong on a lot of fronts.
wow, good show but I would've expected the guy to know which way the microphone is to be positioned
A lovely episode presented by lovely lads. Lovely!
cool. I'll only be a watching a side and MMA beat. now I don't have to use the gosh darn awful MMA fighting website.
Luke listen to me... Valerie NEVER again, she was entitled and self-centered. Really annoying. Seriously had to turn it off.
why is this so inconsistent
let's
take some estrogen blockers fuk... u n the doofus after bas so womanly drama
this episode sucked just yippity yappy