Podcasts about contender series

Brendan Schaub is back for another Big Brown Breakdown Fan Questions episode, answering your questions on the biggest topics in MMA and the UFC.Brendan responds to criticism of his Bella Mir and Dana White's Contender Series take and reveals what Sean Strickland and others connected to the UFC told him about Bella's training before her loss. Brendan explains why he still believes both Bella Mir and her opponent were pushed onto Contender Series before they were ready. Plus, Brendan talks Alex's heavyweight performance, the UFC heavyweight title picture, his biggest career “what if,” Fluffy Hernandez's future at middleweight, Henry Cejudo, UFC events in Los Angeles, developing young UFC prospects, his favorite sport to coach, friendships from his UFC career, the state of the light heavyweight division and more.Submit your questions in the YouTube comments and tune in to Big Brown Breakdown for more UFC and MMA news, breakdowns and fan questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brendan Schaub goes LIVE for another Big Brown Breakdown and responds to the fallout from his Bella Mir and Dana White's Contender Series rant.Brendan reveals that UFC matchmakers reached out following his criticism of Bella Mir being pushed too quickly and shares a conversation with Sean Strickland about what he saw from Bella during training. Brendan explains why he still believes elite prospects are being rushed into the UFC before they're ready and why Contender Series needs a legitimate developmental system. Plus, Brendan talks Dillon Danis pulling out against Mike Perry, rumors surrounding the situation, Kevin Holland's reported $11 million in UFC earnings, King Green's dangerous driving video, Jelly Roll and Donald Trump, Jon Jones, UFC Fight Night and more while answering questions from the live chat.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Friday and that means it's time to check in with Luke Thomas and Jed Meshew on Morning Kombat. LT and Jed get you ready for UFC Shanghai, starting with the main event between Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong. The guys go through the rest of the card including Denise Gomes matching up against Yan Xiaonan, Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura and Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas. Also, Dana White has made it a point to talk about Contender Series fighter pay. For a promoter who famously doesn't enjoy discussing pay, why is White all of a sudden talking about how much money the UFC pays out? Those stories and more on a Friday edition of MK!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Schaub reacts to Bella Mir's shocking loss on Dana White's Contender Series and explains why he believes the UFC system is rushing talented prospects before they're ready.Brendan breaks down Bella Mir's MMA potential, the pressure of being Frank Mir's daughter, why fighters need more professional experience before reaching the UFC, and why Dana White's Contender Series should function more like a developmental league for MMA.Plus, Brendan discusses UFC fighter management, fighter pay, Bo Nickal, Kevin Holland, Jon Jones vs. Demetrious Johnson in the GOAT debate, and more from the world of MMA.Subscribe for more Big Brown Breakdown and MMA coverage.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Andy Lang & Dan Alexander alongside Drew Martin and Skee Profit for daily sports betting analysis, picks, predictions and best bets across the NFL, MLB and WNBA.Intro 00:00WTT Play of the Day 01:00News & Notes 03:00Ladder Play & Live Betting Thoughts 05:00Drew Martin on Ladders 08:30Cubs vs Diamondbacks 11:40Drew's Best Bet Grab his 5% NOW! 13:00Dodgers vs Braves 16:44Drews MLB & CFB Package 18:20Andy's Best Bets 20:00Skee Profit 23:44Skee on Laddering Bets 24:15Live Betting 25:13 – Good clip @John Hoglund Skee on Angel Reese 25:50 – Another good clip since people hate her @John Hoglund Valkyries vs Sun 28:50Tempo vs Storm 31:00Skee on The Odyssey 32:00NFL Futures – Chase Brown Rushing TDs 34:46Andy on Contender Series 39:58

Brendan Schaub is back LIVE for another Big Brown Breakdown covering the latest UFC and MMA news, answering fan questions and breaking down this weekend's fights.Brendan reacts to reports that Sean Strickland signed a massive $20 million deal and discusses just how significant that kind of money could be for a UFC fighter outside of Conor McGregor. He also revisits the continuing Din Thomas and Jillian Robertson situation, including Thomas cornering Sean Brady and why the controversy continues to create bad PR. The show also gets into UFC fighter pay following the new media-rights deal, the problem with fighters reaching the UFC too quickly through Dana White's Contender Series, Yair Rodriguez's inactivity, Aljamain Sterling turning down an opponent outside the rankings, and the upcoming UFC Sacramento card. Later, Brendan explains why Alexander Volkanovski should consider moving to lightweight for a superfight with Justin Gaethje, discusses Reinier de Ridder at 205, gives his picks for UFC Sacramento, and talks about a potential upcoming UFC 332 main event. Big Brown Breakdown with Brendan Schaub — UFC news, MMA, fight predictions, fan questions and everything happening in combat sports.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brendan Schaub is back with another Big Brown Breakdown covering the biggest stories in MMA, UFC and combat sports.The fallout surrounding Din Thomas and Jillian Robertson continues after Robertson rejected Thomas' apology following his controversial comments about her career. Brendan breaks down why the situation keeps getting worse, the messages Robertson shared, Thomas saying his comments were partly for television and ratings, and the confusion surrounding his supposed retirement from cornering while still planning to corner Sean Brady. The MMA world also begins piling on, with Kelvin Gastelum criticizing Thomas, Hector Lombard unloading on his former teammate, and the conversation turning toward the UFC's so-called “good old boys club.” Brendan explains why he actually believes all the controversy could ultimately be the best thing that happened to Jillian Robertson's career. Also discussed: Yair Rodriguez pulling out of his UFC Noche main event, Jean Silva, Tom Aspinall opening up about the mental toll of fighting, Dana White's Contender Series and fighter pay, the decline of The Ultimate Fighter, Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, Dana White's issues with Eddie Hearn, Khamzat Chimaev potentially moving to 205, Johnny Walker at heavyweight, and UFC Sacramento featuring Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez vs. Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues. Subscribe for weekly Big Brown Breakdown episodes covering UFC news, MMA, boxing, fight predictions and everything happening in combat sports.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Morgan and the hobbyist gardener Cold Coffee sit down to recap an incredible nights of fights that took place at Dana White's Contender Series 88 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The show continues to dazzle and introduce us to the future of the UFC. The guys also touched on UFC 330 storylines as well as John's increasingly busier schedule over at CFFC. As always thanks for listening and enjoy the show!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comThe UFC is in Sacramento this weekend with a card that's light on ranked fights and fighters, but heavy on Contender Series alumni. The solo ranked contest is an interesting one, featuring Gregory Rodrigues taking on Anthony Hernandez, fresh off his loss to Sean Strickland. Hernandez ended up going out to Las Vegas to train with Strickland after that fi…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.comThe UFC is in Sacramento this weekend with a card that's light on ranked fights and fighters, but heavy on Contender Series alumni. The solo ranked contest is an interesting one, featuring Gregory Rodrigues taking on Anthony Hernandez, fresh off his loss to Sean Strickland. Hernandez ended up going out to Las Vegas to train with Strickland after that fi…

This is a different kind of episode of Weighing In as Josh Thomson sits down with longtime channel member Alejandro Gutierrez for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about MMA, the UFC, fighting, training, and what it's really like behind the scenes of the sport. Josh and Alejandro debate one of the biggest questions in the lightweight division: Who was the better fighter—Khabib Nurmagomedov or Islam Makhachev? They also talk about the growing problem of keyboard warriors and fans disrespecting fighters online, why Josh believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry could potentially turn into a boring fight, and what made Khabib's dominance so special—including the incredible submission of Justin Gaethje. The conversation goes beyond fight predictions, with Josh opening up about his sponsorship experiences, training with Cain Velasquez, and some of the lessons that shaped the fighters we know today. Plus, the guys discuss Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson, Dana White's Contender Series, and the legendary work ethic instilled by Khabib's father. This is what Weighing In Membership is all about—giving the members who support the channel an opportunity to sit down with Josh, have real conversations, debate MMA and ask the questions they want answered. Want to become a member and get involved in the conversation? Join the Weighing In community!

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John Morgan and Cold Coffee get together for short chat following the conclusion of Season 10 - Episode 1 of Dana White's Contender Series before John had to head to the airport to head to Philadelphia for CFFC 159. Talk of the recent Meta Apex tour followed by some UFC 330 chat rounds out the conversation. We will make for the lost time in this short episode in an upcoming show we promise. As always thanks for listening!

Islam Makhachev's UFC GOAT case gets put under the microscope on Big Brown Breakdown.With Islam Makhachev set to face Ian Machado Garry, Brendan Schaub breaks down Islam's resume, strength of schedule, inactivity, and whether his biggest wins are enough to put him in the UFC GOAT conversation.Schaub goes through Islam's wins over Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Jack Della Maddalena while comparing his resume to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones and other all-time greats.The episode also covers Ian Garry vs. Michael Morales, Kamaru Usman's future, Patchy Mix's UFC struggles, Bellator vs. UFC competition, UFC weight misses, Dana White's Contender Series, and Schaub's prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry.Is Islam already a UFC GOAT, or does he still need bigger wins to build the resume?Watch Big Brown Breakdown and let us know where you rank Islam Makhachev among the greatest fighters of all time.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 women's bantamweight Alex Apodaca and women's flyweight Juliana Miller.Eager to show what a full fight camp looks like, Apodaca looks two weeks ahead to her Dana White's Contender Series main event matchup against Bella Mir. The 32-year-old Texas native discusses how casual kickboxing classes as a college student turned into Muay Thai dreams and eventually MMA, and what it's like balancing her fighting career with a full-time consulting job at a Big Four accounting firm.Then, Juliana Miller joins fresh off a pivotal submission win over Ravena Oliveira. Miller reflects on rising to the occasion with a patient grappling-heavy game plan that led to her rear-naked choke, and what it meant to show off her improved wrestling while representing Spokane after suffering the largest wildfire in the city's history.Finally, Jim and Matt recap Saturday's UFC Fight Night card, including Quillan Salkilld's first-round submission of Mateusz Gamrot, Diego Ferreira's Fight of the Night win over Billy Quarantillo, Alexia Thainara's biggest win yet over Amanda Lemos, and Ty Miller's continued rise at welterweight.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's TTP, we're chatting with title challenger Gillian Robertson ahead of her UFC 330 title fight. And we'll be breaking down the fights this weekend along with chatting with Contender Series' Trent Miller. TIME STAMPS: Gillian Robertson Interview - 1:53 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC 330 - 15:06 Trent Miller Interview - 23:02 And be sure to check out LEANS AI https://leans.ai/?lnkref=TURTLE

Geen Robin en Pedro deze week in OEP Z'N BAKKES, maar Andries en Jan hebben een vervanger kunnen strikken die voor twee telt: Alvi Dasuyev. De submission-verdeler uit Heers springt in september in én over de ring in de Apex op zoek naar een nieuwe finish in de Contender Series. Wij hebben met andere woorden nu al medelijden met Jaden Ortega en eigenlijk ook met Ian Machado Garry. De Ier neemt het komend weekend op tegen Islam Makhachev op UFC 330 en heeft zo eindelijk zijn title fight beet, al is de kans groot dat hij toch vooral in het zand zal moeten bijten. In dat andere titelgevecht verdedigt Mackenzie Dern dan weer haar belt en status als koningin van de grond tegen Gillian Robertson. 00:00 Intro01:05 Alvi staat te springen om zich te bewijzen in de Contender Series35:20 Islam Makhachev versus Ian Machado Garry48:23 Mackenzie Dern versus Gillian Robertson53:28 Rest van UFC 33056:46 Pronostiek59:58 Paddy is de ster van UFC 329, Conor McGregor de gevallen ster1:06:38 Jake Paul hoeft Alvi niet te bellen1:10:08 Outro

MMA Lock of the Night is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for Contender Series 2026: Week 1.

Episode 241: The boys are back for another great show! Live from Platform Sports Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina Joey D joins D-Rock and recap a highly rated UFC Belgrade. Soon to be MVP MMA is in town for PFL Charlotte and not only are we in attendance for that, we have a preview. UFC doesn't stop hosting an events, this time at twice at the Meta APEX for UFC Vegas 120 and the return of Dana White's Contender Series. As always, combat sports news towards the end of the show. So, make sure you hit that like button; subscribe, rate, review, and leave a comment about what you'll be betting on this weekend! Also, download the Kalshi app and use code: (ROCKK24) Trade 10, Get 10 only on Kalshi.Watch on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/nn-wMd5Vtbc?si=VHAVe62hmJoX3hbz#Kalshi #UFC #UFCVegas120 #DWCS #MVPMMA #PFLCharlotte #AKP241 #MMAPicks #FreePicks #SportsGamblingFollow Axe Kick Picks on X:@AxeKickPicksFollow Axe Kick Picks on IG:@axekickpicksFollow the boys on X:Dylan: @rockk24Joey D: @10secondsleft_Follow the boys on IG:Dylan: @yorockk24Joey D: @10secondsleft_KalshiUSE CODE: ROCKK24

Hilarious discussion about who Jonah Hill could beat up, New UFC 331 Fight Announcements + UFC Vegas 120 Preview and more!You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/SpinninBackfist

On this week's TTP, we're breaking down UFC Vegas 120 and chatting with co-main event participant Diego Ferreira. Plus, Adam Livingston joins to the show to talk about his upcoming Contender Series bout. TIME STAMPS: Diego Ferreira Interview - 1:46 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Vegas 120 - 15:23 Adam Livingston Interview - 20:49 And check out LEANS AI https://leans.ai/?lnkref=TURTLE

Seth Fassano, Santiago Zuluaga, and Nicholas Marinelli sit down with CFFC Flyweight Champion, and Dana White's Contender Series competitor Bilal Hasan to discuss the biggest fight of his career, and what his journey has been like leading up to this moment.

On this week's TTP, we're chatting with UFC hopeful Tom Pagliarulo before his fight on Contender Series. Plus, we're checking in with BKFC's Lex Ludlow following viral KO and callout. All that and a breakdown of the fights in Abu Dhabi this weekend. TIME STAMPS: Tom Pagliarulo Interview - 1:48 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Abu Dhabi - 17:24 Lex Ludlow Interview - 24:08 Check out our sponsor LEANS.AI https://leans.ai/?lnkref=TURTLE

„Som najväčšia nádej slovenského MMA a budem svetovou jednotkou,” vraví 24-ročný neporazený šampión RFA Martin Kozák. Medzi profesionálmi i amatérmi má skóre zhodne 6-0 a 8. septembra v Dana White's Contender Series zabojuje o zmluvu s UFC. Môže sa stať štvrtým a najmladším Slovákom v najprestížnejšej organizácii. V podcaste Staredown na ŠPORT.sk vyjadril ambíciu získať do štyroch rokov titul UFC!Čo sa dozviete v rozhovore?Prečo nikdy nezápasil v Oktagone?Čo ho živí popri zápasení?Kde sa vidí o dva roky?V čom chce prekonať úspechy Jiřího Procházku?Odkiaľ pramení jeho presvedčenie, že bude svetovou jednotkou?Aké reakcie dostáva na svoje sebavedomé vyhlásenia?Čím naštval Čepa a Piráta?Prečo si myslí, že by Piráta dominantne porazil?Aké mal detstvo a začiatky s MMA?Je prípadná prvá prehra jeho strašiakom?

„Som najväčšia nádej slovenského MMA a budem svetovou jednotkou,” vraví 24-ročný neporazený šampión RFA Martin Kozák. Medzi profesionálmi i amatérmi má skóre zhodne 6-0 a 8. septembra v Dana White's Contender Series zabojuje o zmluvu s UFC. Môže sa stať štvrtým a najmladším Slovákom v najprestížnejšej organizácii. V podcaste Staredown na ŠPORT.sk vyjadril ambíciu získať do štyroch rokov titul UFC!Čo sa dozviete v rozhovore?Prečo nikdy nezápasil v Oktagone?Čo ho živí popri zápasení?Kde sa vidí o dva roky?V čom chce prekonať úspechy Jiřího Procházku?Odkiaľ pramení jeho presvedčenie, že bude svetovou jednotkou?Aké reakcie dostáva na svoje sebavedomé vyhlásenia?Čím naštval Čepa a Piráta?Prečo si myslí, že by Piráta dominantne porazil?Aké mal detstvo a začiatky s MMA?Je prípadná prvá prehra jeho strašiakom?

Branden Hudson opens Champ Talk by thanking listeners and asking for reviews, likes, subscriptions, and shares, noting he takes no sponsorships. He welcomes guest Max Gimenis, an active UFC heavyweight and owner of Culture Jiu-Jitsu in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and discusses how they met through Dan Strutz and at PBJJF. Max outlines his jiu-jitsu résumé, including world titles across belts, four Pan American black-belt championships, and competing at ADCC, then describes switching to MMA after a disappointing 2021 black-belt worlds final, starting MMA at 29, and signing a four-fight UFC contract after Contender Series plans fell through. Max recounts moving from Brazil to Rio via a judo scholarship, living in a gym, and family support, then talks about learning English, jiu-jitsu gym culture, gi vs no-gi growth, belt promotion/retention, and his goals: return from injury, possibly fight in August, keep improving in MMA, grow his school, and continue PBJJF and his gear brand with support from his partner, brother, and wife.00:00 Welcome and Support00:43 Meet Max Gimenis02:52 Seminar and First Meeting03:45 Jiu Jitsu to MMA05:54 UFC Call Up07:50 Building Gym Culture10:16 Sleeping in Gyms15:12 Dad's Blessing18:41 Burn the Boats Mindset19:54 Accent and Moving to US21:31 Accent Confidence Mindset22:10 Jiu Jitsu Welcomes Immigrants23:53 Gen Z Anxiety Explained24:17 Smartphones Social Media Trap27:29 Fixing Phone Culture29:06 Combat Sports Build Confidence30:10 State of Jiu Jitsu Today32:27 Gi Versus No Gi Growth34:43 Belts Testing Retention37:21 Future Plans UFC And Business40:38 Plugs Thanks And Farewell

Brendan Schaub answers fan questions in this episode of Big Brown Breakdown, covering the biggest topics in UFC and MMA right now. Brendan breaks down the rumored Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway fight for International Fight Week, why the UFC may be using that announcement to take attention away from Netflix MVP, and how the upcoming UFC White House card could become one of the biggest combat sports events of the year.He also gives his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland, including whether Strickland can survive Khamzat's early wrestling pressure, why Khamzat's striking is being overlooked, and what Strickland would need to do to win late. Brendan also answers fan questions about the future of the UFC lightweight division, UFC star power, Dana White's Contender Series, UFC BJJ, fighter longevity, parenting, training burnout, and whether Big Brown Breakdown live shows could return.Fighters and topics discussed include Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Strickland, Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, Tom Aspinall, Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Bo Nickal, Dana White, UFC, MMA news, UFC rumors, and the White House UFC card.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailKarl Marx opens Das Kapital by warning that capitalism can turn people into things. Put that next to the UFC and suddenly a knockout isn't just a highlight, it's a product built from training bills, risk, and a body that can break on command. We walk through Dana White's rise from saving a struggling promotion to running a global mixed martial arts empire, then ask the harder question: what did the system require along the way?We break down the ideas that make the argument click. Commodity fetishism explains why the UFC sells “warriors” and “legacy” while hiding the labor underneath: the $30k camps, the brain trauma, the medical fallout, the contracts that control likeness rights and footage. Alienation shows up in the fine print too, with fighters classified as independent contractors, carrying their own costs and losing control over key parts of their work life.Then we follow the money. Surplus value helps explain why fighters reportedly receive only about 16% to 20% of UFC revenue while leagues like the NFL and NBA sit closer to 50% for players. We connect that gap to monopoly power as the UFC absorbs or outlasts competitors, and to the “industrial reserve army” effect of endless replacements on the regional scene and Dana White's Contender Series. The closing turn is on us: our clicks, buys, and shares keep the machine alive.If this shifts how you watch combat sports, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves MMA, and leave a review with your take: what would a fair UFC fighter pay model actually look like? Support the show

1. Health, Fitness, and Longevity Philosophy Dana White emphasizes personal responsibility for health, especially after age 50. Core practices he credits for major health improvements: Keto diet (low carbs, meat, fish, vegetables; no “sides”). Intermittent fasting (skipping breakfast and lunch). Extended fasting (48–72 hour water + electrolyte fasts a few times per year). Cold plunges (3 minutes at ~50°F daily) to reduce inflammation and boost energy. Light weights + cardio, not heavy lifting. Claims these changes helped him: Lose significant weight (from ~235 to as low as 191). Eliminate sleep apnea and snoring. Get off prescription medications and rely on supplements instead. Improve mental clarity, focus, and energy. Dana White: UFC to issue 85,000 free tickets for White House card (CHECK OUT STORY HERE) 2. Skepticism of Traditional Medicine Expresses distrust of doctors for general health optimization. Strongly endorses personalized blood and genetic testing (via Gary Brecka). Believes many people are unnecessarily prescribed medication. Frames supplements, peptides, and lifestyle changes as superior to pharmaceuticals for chronic issues. FOLLOW DANA WHITE on Instagram HERE 3. Early Life and Entry Into Combat Sports Knew from a young age he wanted to work in the fight business. Left a hotel job in Boston at 19 to apprentice under boxing trainer Peter Welch. Learned the fight industry hands-on rather than through formal education. Left Boston abruptly after being shaken down by associates of Whitey Bulger, relocating to Las Vegas. LEARN MORE ABOUT DANA WHITE HERE 4. Acquisition and Transformation of the UFC Helped orchestrate the purchase of UFC for $2 million when it was near collapse. At acquisition, UFC had: Minimal assets (brand name and octagon). Sold-off media and merchandising rights. No mainstream credibility or regulation. Strategic decisions that fueled growth: Embracing regulation (opposite of prior owners). Educating audiences about MMA (especially ground fighting). Securing TV exposure, not just pay-per-view. Recruiting elite global talent. Creating compelling reality and talent pipelines (e.g., The Ultimate Fighter, Contender Series). UFC is now valued in the billions and dominates live-event gates, including Madison Square Garden. 5. View on Fighters and Greatness Believes MMA is superior to boxing structurally: Fighters must face top competition consistently. Harder to protect undefeated records. Calls Jon Jones the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Views Muhammad Ali as his favorite boxer, but praises Mike Tyson’s cultural impact. Believes elite athletes from other sports (NFL, Jordan, Shaq) could have been dominant MMA fighters with proper training. 6. Joe Rogan and Media Influence Credits Joe Rogan with helping mainstream audiences understand MMA. Did not anticipate Rogan becoming the world’s biggest podcaster. Attributes Rogan’s success to: Curiosity and intelligence. Long-form, unscripted conversations. Willingness to engage controversial topics. Sees podcasts as a powerful alternative to traditional media. 7. Relationship with Donald Trump Friendship began when Trump hosted early UFC events at his casinos when few would. Describes Trump as: Personally loyal. Resilient under pressure. Charismatic and relatable in private. Publicly supports Trump despite advice not to engage politically. Views Trump as unfairly targeted and uniquely resilient. Strongly positive about Trump’s embrace of podcasts and nontraditional media. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UFC is back in Mexico City. This Saturday, the UFC returns Arena CDMX for another fight card in Mexico's capital city, headlined by a flyweight matchup between former two-time champion Brandon Moreno and rising contender Lone'er Kavanagh. Moreno was originally set to fight Asu Almabayev, but after Almabayev pulled out of the event on just a few weeks' notice, Kavanagh was pulled from his scheduled bout against Bruno Silva to step in, creating an unexpected main event, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to dive into all the action at this weekend's event. Topics discussed include where Moreno is in his career, how the short-notice might affect Kavanagh, whether or not Chito Vera will actually try to do stuff in the co-main event against David Martinez, if Daniel Zellhuber can start to live up to his potential, a ton of Contender Series prospects making their debuts, a three-headed Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 149 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JedKMeshew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to MMA Fighting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our full video catalog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like MMA Fighting on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UFC is back in Mexico City. This Saturday, the UFC returns Arena CDMX for another fight card in Mexico's capital city, headlined by a flyweight matchup between former two-time champion Brandon Moreno and rising contender Lone'er Kavanagh. Moreno was originally set to fight Asu Almabayev, but after Almabayev pulled out of the event on just a few weeks' notice, Kavanagh was pulled from his scheduled bout against Bruno Silva to step in, creating an unexpected main event, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to dive into all the action at this weekend's event. Topics discussed include where Moreno is in his career, how the short-notice might affect Kavanagh, whether or not Chito Vera will actually try to do stuff in the co-main event against David Martinez, if Daniel Zellhuber can start to live up to his potential, a ton of Contender Series prospects making their debuts, a three-headed Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 149 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JedKMeshew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to MMA Fighting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our full video catalog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like MMA Fighting on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UFC is back in Mexico City. This Saturday, the UFC returns Arena CDMX for another fight card in Mexico's capital city, headlined by a flyweight matchup between former two-time champion Brandon Moreno and rising contender Lone'er Kavanagh. Moreno was originally set to fight Asu Almabayev, but after Almabayev pulled out of the event on just a few weeks' notice, Kavanagh was pulled from his scheduled bout against Bruno Silva to step in, creating an unexpected main event, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to dive into all the action at this weekend's event. Topics discussed include where Moreno is in his career, how the short-notice might affect Kavanagh, whether or not Chito Vera will actually try to do stuff in the co-main event against David Martinez, if Daniel Zellhuber can start to live up to his potential, a ton of Contender Series prospects making their debuts, a three-headed Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 149 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JedKMeshew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to MMA Fighting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our full video catalog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like MMA Fighting on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan joined Sean for a wide-ranging chat ahead of the blockbuster CW 200 which goes down Saturday in Dublin. Graham talked about the new wave of Irish MMA talent, the top fights on the card, CW's relationship with UFC Fight Pass and the potential awkwardness of having fighters he manages jump to "rival" promotions.0:00 Welcome1:58 Showcasing a renaissance in Irish MMA3:23 Is it harder to sign and keep top Irish prospects in this era?5:36 Solomon Simon vs. Nik Bagley: The best possible matchup in CW?7:26 What's it like when one of your fighters goes to DWCS and doesn't get signed?9:30 Highlighting the next wave of CW up-and-comers14:26 Are you happy with Cage Warriors on UFC Fight Pass?16:34 What's next for Rhys McKee? Is it awkward to manage fighters who jump from CW to "rival" orgs like PFL or Oktagon?17:57 The Boylan Curse? Name one CW fighter who will go on to become a UFC champion20:18 Has Dana White's Contender Series made it harder or easier for fighters to get to the UFC from top regional leagues?

Louie talks Super Bowl commercials, worse half time shows, gambling.  What the ESPN/NFL merger looks like.Another "Listen In" Title Contender with Ohio State.

What happens when a life marked by violence, addiction, prison, and underground MMA is completely transformed by faith?In this powerful episode of The Resilient Show, host Chad Robichaux sits down with Garrett Gross, a professional MMA fighter, gym owner, and Christian leader whose story is as raw as it is redemptive.Garrett opens up about growing up in chaos, battling addiction from a young age, spending time in prison, and fighting professionally while still trapped in destructive cycles. From fighting with an ankle monitor to breaking his jaw on Dana White's Contender Series, Garrett's life looked successful on the outside but was completely broken within.Everything changed when Garrett surrendered his life to Christ and committed to sobriety. Today, he runs Backwoods American Jiu Jitsu, mentors young men, disciples athletes, and runs Operation 17-2 to expose and stop child predators, placing himself directly in harm's way to protect the innocent.This is not a polished testimony.It's a real one.If you're searching for purpose, struggling with addiction, questioning what biblical manhood really means, or wondering if redemption is still possible, this episode is for you.Follow Garrett on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialgarrettgrossRESILIENT:Live Resilient Store: ⁠https://shop.theresilientshow.com⁠Join Our Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/theresilientshow⁠Follow Us On Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/resilientshow⁠Follow Us On Twitter:⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/resilientshow⁠Follow Us On TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@resilientshow⁠Follow Chad:⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_official⁠⁠⁠https://www.x.com/chadrobo⁠SPONSORS:Smith & Wesson: ⁠⁠https://www.smith-wesson.com/⁠⁠Vortex Optics:⁠https://vortexoptics.com⁠Gatorz Eyewear: ⁠⁠https://www.gatorz.com/⁠⁠Allied Wealth:⁠https://alliedwealth.com⁠BioPro+: ⁠⁠https://www.bioproteintech.com/CHAD30⁠⁠BioXCellerator:⁠https://www.bioxcellerator.com⁠The Holy Waters:⁠https://theholywaters.com⁠Get The Resilient Show x Uncharted Supply Co Bag: ⁠https://shop.theresilientshow.com⁠TRS is a proud supporter of military & first responder communities in partnership with ⁠Mighty Oaks Foundation⁠.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for PFL Europe 4: 2025 Finals.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Vegas 112: Royval vs Kape.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off the show reacting to the wild ending of UFC 321's main event — sharing their thoughts on Ciryl Gane's dominant first round against Tom Aspinall before the anticlimactic finish via accidental eye poke. Both hosts agree they want to see that fight run back — and while Jim pulled ahead of Matt in the week's win-loss standings, he still trails by 13.5 points overall.Then, fresh off a first-round submission win over Davey Grant in Vancouver, Charles Jourdain discusses his perfect 2-0 start since moving down to bantamweight, what it's been like finding success at 135 lbs., and the pride of watching his younger brother Louis earn a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series.Finally, David Onama joins the show to preview his first UFC main event against Steve Garcia. The Factory X featherweight opens up about his journey from Uganda to Kansas City, his growth under Marc Montoya, and his mindset heading into the biggest fight of his career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today's episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy, DC & Chael dive into the news surrounding Conor McGregor and how he is facing an 18 month suspension for "whereabout failures". Only thing to say is that Chael P. Sonnen was right! The guys dive into what "whereabout failures" mean and how this suspension comes about. With Conor's suspension scheduled to end in March of 2026, and the White House event taking place in June... does this make it more likely that McGregor's return will in fact happen? Plus, does Youssef Zalal have a case, following his win vs Josh Emmett last weekend, to be next for featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski? DC breaks out the pen and paper to matchmake the division. And, the fight of the year took place Tuesday night on Dana White's Contender Series... Why did Chael believe the wrong person won? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest co-host RJ Clifford joins Jim and Matt for a packed Monday show after a huge week for fight fans!Flyweight Alden Coria kicks things off by discussing his journey from preparing for a Contender Series shot to making a successful short-notice UFC debut at Noche UFC. He also shares how training alongside Joshua Van at 4oz Fight Club has elevated his game.The guys then break down all the action from Noche UFC in San Antonio, including Diego Lopes' statement victory in the main event.Finally, legendary trainer and ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas makes his first appearance on the show to reflect on his remarkable life journey, give his take on Terence Crawford's legacy-defining win over Canelo Alvarez, and explain how he's grown to truly appreciate the UFC.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 return from the Labor Day break with recent Dana White's Contender Series standout Donte Johnson and the great Jon Anik for today's episode of UFC Unfiltered.Fresh off a short-notice first-round knockout that secured his UFC contract, Johnson reflects on his rapid rise. Noticeably slimmer than the 297-pound collegiate defensive lineman who first walked into an MMA gym, the undefeated 6-0 prospect explains how the best version of himself may be found at light heavyweight or even middleweight.Between interviews, Jim and Matt trade picks for this Saturday's UFC Paris card before welcoming Jon Anik. The voice of the Octagon discusses the middleweight title picture, reflects on his hilarious cameo with Michael Bisping in The Naked Gun (2025), and shares what it means to call TKO's splashy entry into boxing with the Canelo vs. Crawford megafight — live on Netflix September 13.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today's UFC Unfiltered, Matt Serra and Jim Norton welcome middleweight veteran Brad Tavares and flyweight contender Charles Johnson. Two weeks out from UFC Paris, Tavares explains how he's keeping his 37-year-old body primed to break his tie with Michael Bisping for the most middleweight wins in UFC history. Fresh off a $50K bonus knockout in Shanghai, Johnson recaps his win over Lone'er Kavanagh, the story behind his “skullet” haircut, and the decision to speak directly to Chinese fans in their own language during his Octagon interview. Plus, Jim and Matt share their takeaways from UFC Shanghai — including celebrating Aljamain Sterling's co-main event victory.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Serra and Jim Norton welcome top middleweight contenders Anthony Hernandez and Caio Borralho to discuss the 185-pound title picture after Khamzat Chimaev's win. Hernandez recaps his submission victory over Roman Dolidze, previews his recently announced UFC Vancouver bout vs. Reinier de Ridder, and shares a laugh with Matt about their mutual appreciation for certain… ‘plant-based' recovery methods. As someone also there in Chicago for Chimaev's win, Borralho assesses his place in the title queue and what it might take from him in September's UFC Paris headliner against Nassourdine Imavov to seal his place as Khamzat's rightful challenger. Plus, Matt shares his excitement to wake up early for UFC Shanghai's sneakily action-packed card — including a high-stakes grappler's delight set between Brian Ortega and Serra-Longo's own Aljamain Sterling.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt and Jim unpack the action of UFC 319 on an episode of UFC Unfiltered that invites two victorious fighters from the card in Drakkar Klose and Loopy Godinez. Joining first is Klose, and the lightweight calls in to discuss the keys to his unanimous decision win over a tricky veteran like Edson Barboza. Drakkar touches on the memory of his deceased brother and how honoring him in victory helps him stay grounded. Between guests, the guys dish out some of their takeaways from UFC 319 and play matchmaker before finally bringing in Loopy Godinez for a chat. Matt sings the praises of Loopy's striking as the 11th-ranked strawweight details what a victory over a former champion like Jéssica Andrade does for her confidence.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There is no replacing Matt Serra. But when the champ can't make the show, it's never a bad idea to get another champ to fill in — and that's exactly what today's Unfiltered episode delivers with Forrest Griffin talking UFC 319 w/ guest callers Geoff Neal and Chase Hooper. First up, 11th-ranked welterweight Geoff Neal reflects on his inspiring journey from a life-threatening ICU stay in 2020 to competing at the highest level in the UFC. He breaks down his upcoming matchup with Carlos Prates and weighs in on whether “MMA math” applies when comparing each of their recent losses to Ian Machado Garry. Then, Chase Hooper — just 25 years old and already entering his 12th UFC fight — talks about taking on Alexander Hernandez, a dangerous striker with only one submission loss in 24 pro bouts. Usually on dad duty 50+ weeks a year, Chase shares how his locked-in fight-week mentality has brought out his best performances since moving up to 155 pounds. Having seen many of UFC 319's fighters up close in his role at the UFC Performance Institute, Forrest offers sharp analysis for a comprehensive breakdown of the sneaky-good matchups that round out Saturday's stacked card.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, we break down the massive Paramount + TKO deal — a jaw-dropping 7-year, $7.7 BILLION U.S. rights agreement starting in 2026. First, Jim and Matt catch up with middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis — gearing up for his fourth straight title fight and third defense. Dricus weighs in on Saturday's epic UFC 319 title showdown against Khamzat Chimaev and shares whether he thinks his unique style is finally getting the respect it deserves. Next, the guys chat with viral slam KO artist Elijah Smith. Now $50K richer after sending a message to the bantamweight division, the 22-year-old talks about his journey from football to MMA. In the back half of the interview, Elijah's ex-UFC fighter dad joins in to share his perspective as Elijah's trainer and mentor. Listen in as the guys break down the wild action from last weekend's UFC Fight Night and make their picks for Saturday's UFC 319 card!

With a fight card to look forward to, Jim and Matt invite a pair of all-action veterans on to the show in Andre Fili and Roman Dolidze. A longtime friend of the show, Andre Fili returns to UFC Unfiltered for the first time as a father in one of his most thoughtful interviews yet. He talks about the life changes since welcoming his son Valor, how fatherhood has shifted his mindset inside and outside the cage, and his upcoming matchup with Christian Rodriguez. Then, Roman Dolidze joins ahead of his middleweight main event against Anthony Hernandez. He talks about rebounding from back-to-back losses to a strong win streak, what's at stake this weekend, and what it is about the Georgian UFC fighters that keeps them so driven. Stick around as Matt and Jim make their picks for Saturday's UFC Fight Night card!

Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered delivers a powerful mix of rising talent and personal triumph as Jim and Matt welcome UFC featherweight prospect Austin Bashi and DWCS hopeful Jimmy Drago. First up is Bashi, fresh off his first UFC victory — a slick first-round submission over John Yannis. He reflects on bouncing back from his debut loss, chasing a dream he's had since childhood, and what it was like mimicking Alexander Volkanovski in Diego Lopes' camp. Between guests, Jim and Matt break down highlights from UFC Fight Night: Taira vs. Park — including standout performances from Tatsuro Taira, Chris Duncan, Esteban Ribovics, and more. Then, Jimmy Drago joins ahead of his Dana White's Contender Series debut on August 12th. The Yonkers native shares his incredible story — from losing his father, a 9/11 first responder, to battling addiction and surviving eight overdoses. With sobriety, discipline, and grit, Drago turned a goal of just winning one pro fight into a legitimate UFC dream — and he's one win away from making it real when he faces Ty Miller on the first DWCS card of 2025.

RJ Clifford jumps in as a guest co-host for one of those rare UFC Unfiltered episodes where we talk to a pair of fighters days away from fighting each other. Neil Magny drops in to reflect on his 35th UFC bout and what it means to fight another seasoned vet. Then later, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos makes his Unfiltered debut with the help of a translator to discuss his mindset heading into the matchup and how he plans to overcome Magny's reach. Between interviews, Jim, Matt, and RJ dive into the recently announced light heavyweight headliner between Dominick Reyes and Carlos Ulberg in Perth. Could it be a #1 contender fight? Reyes is chasing his fourth straight win, while Ulberg looks to solidify his case as the next title challenger after Ankalaev vs. Pereira II.

Joe Pyfer, born in Vineland, New Jersey, is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Middleweight division, nicknamed "Bodybagz" for his devastating knockout power.  Raised in a challenging environment marked by abuse and homelessness, Pyfer began training in martial arts at age four, starting with jiu-jitsu and judo, and later wrestling in high school. Turning pro in 2018, he captured the Art of War and ROC middleweight titles before earning a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 with a second-round TKO.  With a record of 14-3, including nine knockouts and three submissions, Pyfer has delivered highlight-reel finishes in the Octagon, earning Performance of the Night bonuses for wins over Alen Amedovski, Abdul Razak Alhassan, and Marc-André Barriault. His latest victory came via unanimous decision against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 316 in June 2025. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://americanfinancing.net/srs NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://tryarmra.com/srs https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://shawnlikesgold.com https://ketone.com/srs Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order https://lumen.me/srs https://masachips.com/srs – USE CODE SRS https://patriotmobile.com/srs https://rocketmoney.com/srs https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS https://USCCA.com/srs https://ziprecruiter.com/srs https://betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. https://drinkhoist.com – USE CODE SRS Joe Pyfer Links: IG - https://www.instagram.com/joepyfer UFC Profile - https://www.ufc.com/athlete/joe-pyfer  Journey to the UFC: Joe Pyfer debuts on Daily Wire+ July 25th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices