The Head Line with Simon Head

With just over one week to go to UFC International Fight Week 2022, I’m joined by MMA Junkie Radio's "Gorgeous George" and "Goze," plus Phone Booth Fighting's Richard Hunter, to preview a stacked card at UFC 276.On a packed episode of The Head Line: United Nations, we run through each and every one of the fights set for action at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, July 2 as they discuss some of the key talking points ahead of a massive night of fights in Las Vegas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

This week's United Nations pod has a little something for everyone:* Looking for reaction to last weekend's amazing UFC 275 title fights? We've got those.* Want recommendations for places to check out in Vegas during International Fight Week? We've got you covered.* And if you want to hear an incredible true story, brilliantly told, that involves a legendary entertainer, drug dealers and gangsters, then boy do we have an epic tale for you, too!It's all crammed into a little over an hour of podcasty goodness, and it's all yours, right here. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon recaps an unforgettable night for UK mixed martial arts as Michael Bisping stunned Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 to capture the undisputed UFC middleweight title in Los Angeles.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

From Mirko Cro Cop to the Champions League final, the conversation took a number of wild turns on this week’s episode of the United Nations pod.Simon, Gorgeous George and Goze caught up after a week off as they chatted about a host of topics, walkout music, classic comebacks, and what should happen next for Nate Diaz.It was a fun hour of MMA, sports and pop culture chat, and you can check it out right here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Bellator 281 in London saw a host of Brits return to action on home soil on a night that saw mixed fortunes for the local heroes at Wembley Arena.The main event saw Michael “Venom” Page lose out on the scorecards as Logan Storley picked up the split-decision win to capture the interim Bellator welterweight title. It was a fight that was particularly tricky to score, and the debate has raged on since the verdict. Some, including Bellator president Scott Coker, suggested that “MVP” deserved to get the nod, while others have offered the contrasting view that Storley dominated the fight and was the clear winner.On this special Bellator 281 reaction pod, I take a look at both sides of the argument, and share my conversation with Scott Coker backstage, where he told me why he thought Page won, and why Storley needs to evolve his game to remain at the top of the 170-pound division.It was a memorable night for Paul “Semtex” Daley, who bowed out of his 64-fight MMA career with his 35th knockout – a blistering finish of Wendell Giacomo that almost took the roof off Wembley Arena.And it was a big night for Fabian “The Assassin” Edwards, who produced the best performance of his career to knock out Lyoto Machida and claim a huge scalp in the Bellator middleweight division.It was a big night, full of talking points, and I recap the best of them on this special reaction pod. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Everybody loves knockouts. They’re one of the main reasons why people are perched on the edge of their seats, or simply standing up, whenever the big fights take place.Michael Chandler certainly had the fans up and out of their seats at UFC 274 as his stunning front-kick finish of Tony Ferguson catapulted him right to the top (sorry, Molly McCann) of the Knockout of the Year contenders list.It got us thinking: Which knockouts from UFC history are our all-time favourites, and which could be considered the best ever?It’s one of many questions we pondered on this week’s meeting of the United Nations pod looked back at UFC 274, then looked ahead to Bellator 281 in London and UFC on ESPN 36 in Las Vegas.It’s a packed show, and it’s all yours, in audio form, right here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Danny Roberts is all set to make his 12th UFC appearance on Saturday night when he faces Brazilian veteran Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 274 in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s a bout that offers “Hot Chocolate” the chance to kick-start his 2022 in style as he faces a tough, durable opponent on one of the biggest fight cards of the year so far.Ahead of his bout, I caught up with Danny from his hotel room in Arizona as he prepared for the 24th fight of his professional career. He’s fit, he’s in good form and he’s ready to deliver the goods for the fans back home.Check out the full interview as we discuss everything from his preparation for Trinaldo, to his willingness to face anyone and everyone at 170 pounds, to OG status in the current crop of active British UFC fighters. We even got to chat a little football, too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

UFC 274 brings an absolutely stacked card of fights to Phoenix, Arizona, as the Footprint Center plays host to the UFC’s latest pay-per-view offering.The card features a double-header of championship action, with Brazil’s Charles Oliveira putting his undisputed UFC lightweight title on the line against former interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event.The co-main event also features a title tussle, as reigning strawweight queen Rose Namajunas faces off against the woman who defeated her to become the inaugural 115-pound champion, Carla Esparza.There’s also a huge bout at 155 pounds, as former Bellator champion Michael Chandler looks to surge back into title contention with victory over former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson, who has arrived in Phoenix with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove.It should make for a spectacular night of fights and, ahead of the action, the United Nations team break down the big main card clashes and offer their picks as they get set for a huge night of MMA in Arizona. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Welcome to the first episode of a new spin-off pod, “United Nations,” as MMA Junkie Radio’s Gorgeous George and Goze join me to shoot the breeze on everything from upcoming MMA events to other sports and pop culture.On the inaugural show, the trio chat about the upcoming Bellator double header in Hawaii, including the start of the Bellator bantamweight grand prix, as they offer their tournament predictions, and look ahead to Cris Cyborg’s latest title defence against familiar foe Arlene Blencowe.The lads also chat about the upcoming World Cup, next year's Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix and ask why Simon still hasn’t made an appearance at the MMA Junkie Radio studios at Mandalay Bay…Enjoy the show! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon catches up with ONE Championship commentator Michael Schiavello, who lifts the lid on his experience of commentating on the first major MMA event of the "coronavirus era" as he called the fights at "ONE Championship 109: King of the Jungle" behind closed doors at Singapore Indoor Stadium. Michael also plays fantasy matchmaker as he books some of the big fights HE'D like to see in ONE Championship, and offers up a couple dynamite cross-promotional fights involving champions from both ONE and the UFC.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon joined CNN's Amanda Davies live on CNN World Sport to chat about Conor McGregor's announcement that he had "retired" from the sport of mixed martial arts.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

On Tuesday, March 19, Simon hopped on MMA Junkie Radio for the first time to join Gorgeous George, Goze, Dan Tom and Richard Hunter to discuss UFC London: Till vs Masvidal and unpack some of the big talking points from a wild night at The O2 Arena. For the full show, check out the MMA Junkie Radio podcast on Audioboom and iTunes, or rewatch the live stream from the MMA Junkie studios at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, via the MMA Junkie YouTube channel.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon chats with MMAjunkie's John Morgan on The MMA Road Show from his hotel room in Prague as he previews UFC on ESPN+ 3 in the Czech Republic.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon checked in with John Morgan and Ken Hathaway on The MMA Road Show after a busy day at the Bellator MMA press conference in London. This episode features his chats with British welterweight rivals Paul 'Semtex' Daley and Michael 'Venom' Page.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon grabs a word with press row colleague from Canada, PostMedia's Danny Austin, as they look back at the events of UFC on FOX in his home city of Calgary. Danny also reveals his other sporting beat, covering the CFL, and the pair look ahead to the big fights at the top of the upcoming UFC 227 card in Los Angeles. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon chats to British UFC welterweight Danny Roberts after his victory over David Zawada at UFC Fight Night in Hamburg, Germany. The pair chat about Roberts' career, the difficulty of facing a last-minute opponent change, and what inspires him to succeed inside the Octagon. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon checks in live from Octagonside as Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier do battle for the UFC heavyweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon checks in live from Octagonside at The Ultimate Fighter Finale as Israel Adesanya faced Brad Tavares in the main event at the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon chats UFC 194 and wraps up the MMA year in 2015 with press row colleague and MMA media mainstay John Morgan.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com

Simon checks in live from Octagonside pre-fight, then the press conferences post-fight, at UFC 194 in Las Vegas.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simonhead/message This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonheadsport.substack.com