MMA Fighting - Emergency Reaction: Jake Paul Now Fights Mike P... (2024)

The UFC and Bellator will go head-to-head on Saturday with UFC Saudi Arabia and Bellator Dublin, and while the UFC clearly has the deeper lineup, Bellator has an interesting slate on tap for the Irish fans. The weekend spotlight seems to be shining on the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner between former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov. Can Whittaker find his way back to a title shot, or can Aliskerov shake up the division?Ahead of Saturday's doubleheader, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and José Youngs preview the events, the UFC headliner between Whittaker and Aliskerov, if the matchup is tougher for Whittaker than Khamzat Chimaev, and what is at stake for both men. Additionally, they'll discuss the heavyweight co-main event between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, Kelvin Gastelum's continued weight issues ahead of his matchup with Daniel Rodriguez, Jason Jackson defending his welterweight title in the Bellator main event, Paul Hughes making his promotional debut, and more.Follow Mike Heck:@MikeHeck_JRFollow José Youngs: @JoseYoungsSubscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More:http://www.mmafighting.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hour 8 mins

21 June Finished

UFC 303 has taken another hit to its main card with the loss of surging light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg from his scheduled bout with Anthony Smith. As the UFC 303 card continues to be cursed, a one-time title challenger has found himself at odds with the scale ahead of a pivotal matchup this Saturday at UFC Saudi Arabia.On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to Ulberg's scratch from next Saturday's pay-per-view card, talks discussions ongoing for Smith to face Roman Dolidze, and thoughts on the potential new matchup. Additionally, listener questions include Kelvin Gastelum's latest issues with his weight, his scheduled welterweight bout with Daniel Rodriguez for this Saturday becoming a middleweight bout, the UFC and free agents, and more.Also, UFC Vegas 93 winner Westin Wilson joins the show to recap his first UFC win, react to not getting a bonus for his triangle armbar submission of Jeka Saragih, and more.You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.Follow Mike Heck:@MikeHeck_JRSubscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More:http://www.mmafighting.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hour 17 mins

21 June Finished

While a couple of huge fights in the MMA and boxing world have been announced — with one, in particular crossing over into both sports — the future of another massive fight is still up in the air. Jake Paul and Mike Perry are set for a boxing match on July 20, while Dricus Du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight title against former champ Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305 in August.On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel reacts to Paul vs. Perry being booked ahead of Paul's November matchup with Mike Tyson, discuss if it's a big risk for Paul, and what Perry would gain with a win. Additionally, they'll discuss the du Plessis vs. Adesanya booking, Adesanya announcing his own fight, where Sean Strickland fits in the title conversation, Saturday's UFC Saudi Arabia card headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov, Bellator Dublin going head-to-head with the UFC this weekend, the futures of Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler after their UFC 303 matchup got scratched, and more.Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Morning Kombat's Brian Campbell.Follow Mike Heck:@MikeHeck_JRFollow Jed Meshew:@JedKMeshewFollow Brian Campbell: @BCampbellSubscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More:http://www.mmafighting.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hour 38 mins

20 June Finished

The UFC is heading to Saudi Arabia!This Saturday, the UFC makes its maiden voyage to Saudi Arabia with a Fight Night card headlined by a middleweight matchup between Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov and the No Bets Barred Boys are here to break it all down.Co-hosts Conner Burks and Jed Meshew kick things off with a brief state of the union discussing both of their winning weeks last week and Conner's return to the great state of Georgia. Then it's on to UFC Saudi Arabia and the late notice change up that saw Aliskerov step in for Khamzat Chimaev against Whittaker this Saturday. Will the short notice hurt Aliskerov's chances? Can Alexander Volkov stand up to the otherworldly power of Sergei Pavlovich? And what about Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez?All this and a lot more are discussed on this week's episode.Tune in for episode 92 of No Bets Barred.Follow Conner Burks: @connerburksFollow Jed Meshew:@JedKMeshewSubscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More:http://www.mmafighting.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

55 mins

19 June Finished

Israel Adesanya is officially back as he'll face Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship in the main event of August's UFC 305 event in Perth, Western Australia. With the 185-pound division being as crazy as it is right now, was giving Adesanya an immediate title shot upon his return after losing to Sean Strickland this past September the right call?On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the du Plessis vs. Adesanya booking, and discuss where the division goes depending on the winner, and where Adesanya would go with a loss. Additionally, listener topics include UFC Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov, who Sean Strickland may be rooting for in that fight, other compelling fights on the card, the Boston Celtics winning the NBA title, and more.You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.Follow Mike Heck:@MikeHeck_JRSubscribe to MMA FightingCheck out our full video catalogLike MMA Fighting on FacebookFollow on TwitterRead More:http://www.mmafighting.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hour 27 mins

18 June Finished