Podcasts about contender series

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Paris: Imavov vs Borralho.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for Dana White's Contender Series 2025 Week 4. THIS PATREON IS FOR THE FIGHT LINK DATABASE, NOT MY PICKS/BETS/WRITE UPS.

Daar zijn we weer! Aflevering 2 van BDK Talents watch. 5 gevechten, 5 finishes, 4 first round finishes. Wat een avond bij de talenten van Dana White's Contender Series. Buiten de Kooi levert jou de MMA previews en reviews van Nederland. Op zoek naar Nederlandse MMA content, volg Buiten de Kooi op de socials! Like, subscribe en drop die 5 sterren op spotify!YT: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@buitendekooi ⁠⁠IG: www.instagram.com/buitendekooiTikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@UCTLy5wrugZswxF0_AU0o6sQ

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.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for Dana White's Contender Series 2025 Week 3. THIS PATREON IS FOR THE FIGHT LINK DATABASE, NOT MY PICKS/BETS/WRITE UPS.

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.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for PFL 2025 World Tournament 10.

This week we meet "The Nightmare" whose dreams are about to come true as she gets her shot at a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series on September 9th! Don't miss this London, England star from the amazing team at GB Top Team as she talks to us about Big Mac's, Beating People Up, and PG Tips! It's all the stuff we love!Plus, UFC Veteran Bryan "BamBam" Barberena breaks down why the $7.7Billion deal is likely not going to change anything, and where we should really be HOPING we see an impact! You won't hear this anywhere else!!!Now sit back and enjoy.Also, you'd look way cooler wearing our shirt. Go buy it.https://millions.co/fight-in-sight/merchFIGHT IN SIGHT IG: https://www.instagram.com/fightinsightpodcast/FIGHT IN SIGHT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ZW2w0va-VWeep_JtlhAjQ#ufc #DWCS #danawhite #london #england #strawweight #paramountplus #money #mmapodcast

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.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Shanghai: Walker vs Zhang.

Contender Series Week 2 Parlay Pick Prediction, Tuesday 8/19/25 by Alessandro Rodriguez.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for Dana White's Contender Series 2025 Week 2. THIS PATREON IS FOR THE FIGHT LINK DATABASE, NOT MY PICKS/BETS/WRITE UPS.

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.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for PFL 2025 World Tournament 9.

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!

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev.

On this week's TTP, we're breaking down the fights from the monumental UFC 319 card this weekend. Plus, we're chatting with a couple of Contender Series hopefuls - Jack Congdon and Mandel Nallo. TIME STAMPS: Jack Congdon Interview - 1:58 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC 319 - 18:16 Mandel Nallo Interview - 24:30 CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR eatshroombar.com Promo Code: TURTLE

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for Dana White's Contender Series 2025 Week 1. THIS PATREON IS FOR THE FIGHT LINK DATABASE, NOT MY PICKS/BETS/WRITE UPS.

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!

We're Back For Dana White's Contender Series 2025! We Kick Off The Season With Picks and Predictions For Week 1!Don't Forget To Leave a Review Wherever You Can! Thank You For All The Support!

MMA fighter Jimmy Drago joins The Zac Clark Show just weeks before stepping into the cage for the biggest fight of his life — a shot at a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series.But before the cage came chaos: By 19, Jimmy had survived eight overdoses, been revived by Narcan four times, fought in underground clubs in Hunts Point, and lost his father –  a decorated 9/11 hero – to addiction after 21 years sober. Through it all, his mother never gave up on him.In this raw and powerful conversation, Jimmy shares his journey from shooting dope in a Bronx trap house to fighting in front of 50 Cent… from despair to discipline… from near-death to chasing a dream few would believe possible.Jimmy Drago lives the word fighter. But beyond the cage, beyond the shot at a UFC contract, his life begins and ends with sobriety – a commitment to staying sober and helping others do the same. If you've ever doubted the possibility of radical transformation, this one will change your mind.Episode highlights:Growing up in Yonkers as the oldest of three, son of a firefighter and a mother battling her own recoveryLosing his father to addiction — and the last time he ever saw himFrom promising high school football player to full-blown heroin addictionUnderground fights in the Bronx during active addictionSurviving 8 overdoses and finding recoveryDiscovering MMA and the purpose it gave himWhy helping others is his greatest victoryWatch Jimmy fight for his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series August 12 on ESPN+. For more information on how to stream, click below:https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/3b9a50f1-caad-4250-918f-b15d884b6608Today's episode is sponsored by NewForm: the first app for recovery and mental wellbeing. Find thousands of live events, powerful tools to track your growth, and a community that truly understands your journey. To find NewForm, click here or download the App: https://www.newform.org/Connect with Zachttps://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclarkIf you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:(914) 588-6564releaserecovery.com@releaserecovery

This week we sit down with MMA Prospect Shimon Smortritsky. What's it like competing on the Regional and International Scene and Contender Series. Coach Bryan is available for Clinics worldwide. Email: levelupgrappling@gmail.com

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.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Vegas 109: Dolidze vs Hernandez.

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.

Jim and Matt kick off the show recapping Saturday's UFC card in Abu Dhabi, where “Matt-stradamus” Serra stays red hot with another perfect night of picks. They react to Reinier de Ridder's razor-close win over Robert Whittaker, Petr Yan's bounce-back performance, and Steven Nguyen's record-setting knockdown spree before welcoming back Davey Grant to discuss his gritty win over Da'Mon Blackshear and what's fueling his late-career surge. Finally, inaugural UFC BJJ welterweight champ Andrew Tackett joins ahead of his first title defense this Thursday. The middle Tackett brother reflects on growing up in a grappling-obsessed family and shares why his aggressive style makes him a fan-friendly champion for a UFC BJJ ruleset already designed to deliver action.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs Park.

On this edition of TTP, we're breaking down the recently shifted UFC Vegas 108 card. Plus, we're chatting with a pair of Contender Series hopefuls. TIME STAMPS: Damon WIlson Interview - 1:55 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Vegas 108 - 17:26 Ty Miller Interview - 25:32 And check out our sponsor: eatshroombar.com Promo Code: TURTLE

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

It's a loaded Wednesday on UFC Unfiltered as Jim and Matt welcome two top-10 UFC contenders and gear up for Saturday's UFC Fight Night card in Abu Dhabi! First, 7th-ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot joins the show just two months after his dominant win over Ludovit Klein. The American Top Team standout reflects on teammate Dustin Poirier's recent retirement before unpacking his place in the stacked lightweight division's current logjam at the top. Then, 7th-ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier jumps on to preview his August 16th bout with Michael “Venom” Page. Fresh off a 4th-round KO over "RoboCop" that snapped a 2-fight skid, Cannonier compares MVP's style to prior opponents before ultimately putting on his analyst hat with a pick in this Saturday's Whittaker vs. de Ridder main event. The guys wrap things up with three fight picks of their own for Saturday's early-start Fight Night in Abu Dhabi.

On this week's TTP, we're breaking down a UFC Abu Dhabi card that is sure to deliver. Plus, we're talking with Damian Pinas, who is on the first episode of Contender Series this year, and Gabi McComb, who fights at LFA 213 this weekend. TIME STAMPS: Damian Pinas Interview - 2:02 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Abu Dhabi - 15:07 Gabi McComb Interview - 21:00

An event as wholesome as Dustin Poirier's farewell fight deserves a show just as impactful — so Jim and Matt bring in two people who know “The Diamond” better than most to help unpack all the emotion and action of UFC 318. First, American Top Team head coach Mike Brown shares what it was like cornering Dustin for the final time, reflecting on their journey together from shared fight cards to title runs — and what made Saturday night in New Orleans so unforgettable despite the loss to Max Holloway. Between interviews, Jim and Matt talk through some of their predictions before Lafayette's own Alan Jouban hops on to put a bow on UFC 318. Jouban offers his perspective on the crowd, atmosphere, and standout performances throughout the card. It's a full-circle episode that wraps up UFC 318 the right way.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Abu Dhabi: Whittaker vs de Ridder.

Jim and Matt are back on UFC Unfiltered with veteran guests Michael Johnson and Jimmy Crute ahead of UFC 318.Michael discusses his resurgence at 39, including a new mindset, stem cell treatments in Cancun, and how he's embracing the gatekeeper role while aiming for one last title push. Matt, fresh off his own stem cell therapy, is especially curious about the impact ahead of Michael's fight with Daniel Zellhuber.Later, Aussie light heavyweight Jimmy Crute joins the show — and Matt immediately crowns him a fellow Kimura Savage. Crute opens up about bouncing back from a five-fight winless streak, adjusting to the New Orleans time zone, and what to expect in his bout against veteran Marcin Prachnio.Jim and Matt wrap with their UFC 318 picks — including the BMF title trilogy between Holloway and Poirier, and other must-watch matchups.

UFC 318 might have the hallmarks of a solid PPV—four ranked fights and 10 ranked fighters—but when you get to the alternative stats, that's when the whole thing falls apart. Fifteen fighters are coming off losses! And a 16th went to a draw. Fifteen fighters hail from the Contender Series. This seems an unacceptable sendoff for the Diamond, even if it is happening in his back yard.We have a genuinely great trilogy match between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway. Max looks better than ever against recent competition (unless your name is Ilia Topuria), and Dustin has been alternating wins and losses for the last several years, but sniping the up and coming competition along the way. While Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov seems like a fun fight, it just doesn't seem like a proper co-main event, considering how Costa has looked in his last couple outings. Now, let's take a look at all the fights from the main card and the alternative stats.UFC 318 Main Card* Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 155 lbs* Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov 185 lbs* Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez 170 lbs* Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull 145 lbs* Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber 155 lbsUFC 318 Alternative Facts* Ranked Fights: 4* Ranked Fighters: 10* Fighters coming off losses: 15 + 1 draw* Contender Series Alumni: 15* TUF Alumni: 3* Road to UFC Alumni: 0* Debuting Fighters: 2Don't forget to check out the bonus section for a great review of the UFC Nashville card. Since Zane was out last weekend, he didn't have a chance to watch the card, so no bonus content for this episode. Make sure to tune in immediately after this Saturday's fights for breakdowns and analysis on our 6th Round Post-Fight Show. Thank you for reading this article and listening to the podcast. Please consider subscribing to The MMA Vivisection & 6th Round Post-fight Show podcast Substack to enjoy our premium content. Your paid subscriptions are keeping hope alive that we can continue on with our shows. If you haven't already, please pledge with a paid subscription today. If you have, please share this post far and wide.Thanks for reading MMA Vivisection & 6th Round! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt are joined by NBA forward Pete Nance and UK-born light heavyweight Tuco Tokkos. Maximizing his Summer League experience in Las Vegas, Nance calls in from the UFC P.I. to discuss his family's NBA lineage and how attending a UFC event in Newark accelerated his growing fascination with the sport. Between interviews, the guys react to UFC Nashville — including Derrick Lewis' 35-second KO and whether “The Black Beast” could be closing in on one last title run. Later, Tuco Tokkos hops on for his first-ever Unfiltered appearance following his gutsy win over Junior Tafa. Battling through a shoulder injury in Round 1, Tuco discusses the payoff of his second-round submission — and the light heavyweight's chemistry with Matt keeps the UFC Hall of Famer laughing the entire way.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC 311: Holloway vs Poirier 3.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome back veteran middleweight-turned-welterweight Chris “Action Man” Curtis for his sixth appearance on the show. Energized by no longer having to concede size disadvantages to larger opponents like Roman Kopylov, the 37-year-old Curtis explains why now was the right time to return to 170 pounds. He opens up about uprooting his family to Thailand to live and train overseas ahead of Saturday's pivotal fight with Max Griffin — a durable opponent who hasn't been stopped in nearly a decade. Later, Steve Garcia joins us fresh off a four-mile treadmill run to talk about his co-main event showdown with Calvin Kattar at UFC Nashville. Fully aware of the urgency surrounding Kattar's four-fight skid, Garcia shares his focused mindset and how he's sharpening his game at Jackson Wink as he aims to steal the show and crack the featherweight rankings. Plus, Jim and Matt preview and predict the UFC Nashville main card, including the Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira main event before spotlighting a few other matchups fans shouldn't sleep on.

Jim and Matt celebrate 900 episodes of UFC Unfiltered with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and surging featherweight Chepe Mariscal. Having perfectly predicted Pantoja's third-round rear-naked choke, Matt heaps praise on the champ — who reflects on his growth at American Top Team as the guys discuss what Joshua Van brings to the table as his next challenger. Fresh off a move from Colorado to Vegas to be closer to the UFC Performance Institute, Mariscal joins in the second half to talk about living the dream he first had as a 9-year-old sneaking into an MMA event. Motivated by his three-month-old baby girl, Chepe shares what might be next as he looks to extend his 8-fight win streak and 5-0 UFC run.

MMALOTN is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Nashville: Lewis vs Teixeira. THIS PATREON IS FOR THE FIGHT LINK DATABASE, NOT MY PICKS/BETS/WRITE UPS.

It's a holiday weekend in Las Vegas, but John Morgan and Cold Coffee are always working, as they talk CFFC, Dana White's Contender Series, PFL, UFC pound-for-pound discussion, and more.

Matt Serra and guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis hold it down on today's UFC Unfiltered, starting with MMA media veteran RJ Clifford. The guys bring RJ on to unpack Ilia Topuria's three-fight run to superstardom before analyzing what it might take for someone to beat the promotion's newest two-division champion. Clifford also dishes on Pantoja's dominance and whether Joshua Van has the formula to dethrone the Brazilian flyweight king. Later, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett joins to address rumors about a matchup with Justin Gaethje in August and speaks candidly about the history of his rivalry with Topuria. He walks through the lightweight Top 10 to explain why he's worthy of the next title shot, then reiterates he's ready to take on whoever if the promotion decides he needs one more win. Matt wraps up the interview with some girl-dad advice to Paddy the…Daddy — who is now a father of twin daughters himself. With no fights this weekend, Ben and Matt close things out with some laughs to send the Unfiltered Army into the Fourth of July weekend with a smile.

UFC 317 delivered in a big way with highlight-reel finishes, breakout performances, and a star-making moment for Ilia Topuria — and guest co-host Kevin Iole is on the mic with Matt Serra (while Jim Norton is out) to break it all down. The episode kicks off with featherweight knockout artist Jose Miguel Delgado, fresh off a 26-second finish of Hyder Amil. The Arizona native talks about training with elite teammates at MMA Lab and explains why he's calling his shot for a clash with William Gomis at September's Noche UFC card. Matt and Kevin then react to Topuria's viral knockout of Charles Oliveira and what it means for the future of the lightweight division. Later, undefeated welterweight Jacobe Smith joins the show to break down his submission win over veteran Niko Price — the first of his career. The 29-year-old reflects on his All-American wrestling days at Oklahoma State and how Coach Sayif Saud has helped mold him into a complete mixed martial artist. To close it out, the guys share their biggest takeaways from UFC 317 — including Beneil Dariush's bounce-back win and the record-setting flyweight war between Joshua Van and Brandon Royval before Kevin reflects on officially retiring from writing after an extraordinary 46-year run covering combat sports.

Jim and Matt gear up for UFC 317 with a pair of lightweight contenders from Saturday's card joining the show. First, Beneil Dariush returns for his 12th Unfiltered appearance to reflect on his 18-month layoff and the road back after a tough 2023. He opens up about how fatherhood and a reset in training helped center him, and why the Moicano matchup feels like the right fight at the right time. In between guests, Matt reveals what might be the greatest honor of his post-fighting life — leaving Jim to question whether anything in his own career can even come close (sarcasm may or may not be involved). Then, fan-favorite Terrance McKinney stops by to talk about life after recently getting married, evolving under new coaches at Fusion X-Cel, and what a win over Viacheslav Borschev could mean for his momentum. He also shares thoughts on teammate Phil Rowe and how he's balancing his trademark explosiveness with a new focus on patience. Finally, the guys break down the UFC 317 main card, headlined by a can't-miss title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, and lock in their predictions for the weekend.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by this past Saturday's biggest winner in Nazim Sadykhov and heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane in the wake of Jon Jones' retirement. Fresh off his acting debut in the new Netflix film K.O., Gane reflects on the surreal experience of being a movie star — and how choreographed fight scenes compare to the real violence of the Octagon. He also weighs in on Jon Jones' legacy and what the future holds for Ciryl now that Tom Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion. Jim and Matt begin to unpack the action from this past Saturday's UFC Fight Night card before the fighting pride of Azerbaijan himself, Nazim Sadykhov calls in to reflect on the surreal feeling of winning in front of a roaring hometown crowd in Baku.

Jim and Matt start today's show two hours earlier than usual to accomodate two exciting guests fighting on this Saturday's UFC Azerbaijan card: heavyweight Mohammed Usman and women's bantamweight Melissa Mullins. Looking to bookend a second straight win from an Usman brother following Kamaru's victorious main event in Atlanta, younger brother Mohammed Usman talks about how he draws inspiration from his legendary brother's success ahead of an explosive matchup against Hamdy Abdelwahab. Mohammed also sheds light on the Hall-of-Fame guidance he's receiving from Rashad Evans — who is now in charge of leading his corner. Melissa uses her first time on the show to discuss her journey into the world of professional martial arts. Mullins sets the table for her upcoming rematch with Daria Zhelezniakova by breaking down what she respects from her veteran opponent in Saturday's second go-around. Finally, Jim and Matt wrap things up with a pair of fight picks each from the UFC Azerbaijan card headlined by Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra open today's UFC Unfiltered with a full breakdown of UFC Atlanta, starting with Kamaru Usman's bounce-back win over Joaquin Buckley and what it means for the future of a stacked welterweight division. Plus, Jim and Matt debate Rodolfo Bellato's controversial no contest against Paul Craig and whether the backlash heading his way is fair. Plus, they spotlight strong performances from Malcolm Wellmaker, Edmen Shahbazyan, and others. Then, Rose Namajunas joins the show to reflect on her win over Miranda Maverick and the personal dynamic of facing a former teammate. She also shares her thoughts on the idea of rematches vs. flyweights she lost to before ultimately assessing who she thinks realistically could be next and ideal for her. Toward the end of the interview, Rose's husband and coach Pat Barry hops on to talk about how they unwind after a fight — with gardening, good food, and catching up on their favorite shows.

Longtime friend of the show Phoenix Carnevale reprises her esteemed guest co-host duties in Matt Serra's absence, joining Jim Norton for an episode that features two fighters from this Saturday's UFC Atlanta card: welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley and light heavyweight veteran Paul Craig. The show opens with Jim and Phoenix reacting to UFC 316 — including Sean O'Malley's response to his loss to Merab — before Joaquin calls in mid-track workout to discuss his mindset ahead of his main event clash against Kamaru Usman. Later, Paul Craig reflects on his rocky run at middleweight, what he learned about himself through after going through more demanding weight cuts, and how he's channeling those lessons ahead of his 20th UFC appearance and a return to light heavyweight in Saturday's featured prelim bout against Rodolfo Bellato. While Jim and Phoenix don't make any predictions of their own, the two set the table for UFC Atlanta by previewing some of this Saturday's dynamic matchups.

Jim Norton and guest co-host Din Thomas are joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten for a lively recap of UFC 316. Din gives props to Bas for his unique insight into both the streetfighting mindset and high-level martial arts, setting the stage for Bas to break down what stood out most on the card — including how Joshua Van reminds him of a young Max Holloway. Bas has so much fun he sticks around when UFC bantamweight champ Kayla Harrison calls in. She reflects on her Olympic roots, the emotions behind her recent victory, and whether a showdown with Amanda Nunes might be on the horizon.

It's Matt Serra's 51st birthday — and what better way to celebrate than with a few surprise guests? Matt correctly guesses Din Thomas as part one of his birthday surprise — but it's the unexpected call from bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili that really makes his day. Merab joins ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Sean O'Malley at UFC 316 in Newark. Din sticks around to co-host with Jim and Matt, as the guys share plenty of laughs before welcoming welterweight Ramiz Brahimaj. Fresh off a 1st-round submission win, Brahimaj opens up about his mindset heading into the fight and what's next for him in the division. Later, the crew breaks down the highlights from last weekend's card and weighs in on how Erin Blanchfield's scratched bout with Maycee Barber could affect the title picture for Valentina Shevchenko.