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Brendan Schaub breaks down/makes picks for UFC 316 Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2 and talks Maycee Barber pulling out of her fight with Erin Blanchfield minutes before their fight, big John McCarthy's accusations that Jon Jones committed a "sexual act" on an MMA commissioner in front of him, BJ Penn getting arrested 3 times in 6 days, Cory Sandhagen apparently making 2 million dollars in a month on OnlyFans, Jon Anik leaking Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov fighting in October, Jon Jones turning down his own money offer to the UFC to fight Tom Aspinall and much more.Shopify - https://shopify.com/schaubDraftKings - Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code SCHAUBSHOWProgressive - https://www.progressive.com/Sure Shot - https://sureshot.com/ Use code Brendan for 10% OFFSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After taking Monday off in observance of Memorial Day, Jim and Matt dive right into Wednesday's episode of UFC Unfiltered with two returning guests: 4th-ranked flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield and middleweight finisher Zachary Reese. Erin reflects on bouncing back from her first UFC loss to Manon Fiorot, shares how she's grown more comfortable in five-round bouts, and breaks down her matchup this Saturday against fellow contender Maycee Barber — a fight with major title implications. Later, Jim and Matt offer their picks for the UFC Fight Night card before welcoming Zachary Reese, who talks about life in small-town Shiner, Texas, his plans to deliver another first-round finish, and why Dusko Todorovic is the perfect dance partner for a crowd-pleasing scrap.
Michael Bisping and Paul Felder discuss all the biggest news in combat sports including Merab comitting to his UFC 316 title fight despite another gruesome injury, Jon Anik claiming that Belal vs Shavkat is up next, Nate Diaz getting kicked off his reality show with Jon Jones and more before talking to some incredible guests, Khalil Rountree joins first to talk about his upcoming main event with Jamahal Hill, what he makes of the uncertainty at the top of his division and more, then Rico Verhoeven joins the show to talk working on a movie with Bisping, the locals who tried to pick a fight with a pack of pro fighters, his legendary kickboxing career and more, then finally Merab Dvalishvili joins the show to talk about his unwillingness to pull out of a fight no matter what, still putting his body at risk less than 2 weeks out from the fight, how he's staying motivated to train for an opponent he beat once already and so much more! #Bisping #RicoVerhoeven #MerabDvalishvili Support Our Sponsors Mint Mobile - https://www.mintmobile.com/bym Click the link to get 3 months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month. Beam - https://shopbeam.com/BELIEVE use code BELIEVE for up to 40% off Follow the show on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/BYMPod Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3drq6ps Follow the hosts on social: Michael Bisping Twitter https://twitter.com/bisping Michael Bisping Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikebisping/ Michael Bisping YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDrG2_1TcVkXKXXsD6Kjwig Paul Felder Twitter: https://twitter.com/felderpaul Paul Felder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felderpaul/ Paul Felder YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ironlungfelder Follow the guests on social: Merab Dvalishvili Twitter: https://twitter.com/MerabDvalishvil Merab Dvalishvili Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynamitedan808/ Khalil Rountree Twitter: https://x.com/khalilrountree Khalil Rountree Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalilrountree/ Rico Verhoeven Twitter: https://x.com/RicoVerhoeven Rico Verhoeven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricoverhoeven/ Follow the team on social: Brian MacKay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmackayisright Brian MacKay Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmackayisright Mike Harrington Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMHarrington Mike Harrington Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themharrington Mike Harrington YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themharrington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell are back to talk about the upcoming Bantamweight title matchup between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 on June 7 in New Jersey. Also, the guys take a look at the upcoming schedule including Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov that Jon Anik revealed will take place in October. Plus, the guys ask the question: Who are the five most powerful people in all of combat sports? Stay locked in with MK on a Tuesday edition of the program!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's a jiu-jitsu kind of show today! Matt and his jiu-jitsu buddy Jimmy welcome a pair of elite grapplers for their first-ever appearances on UFC Unfiltered in Ffion Davies and William Tackett. Set to headline next Thursday's UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11, Ffion shares her journey into submission grappling and what it means to ink an exclusive deal with the UFC. With her Australian rival Adele Fornarino looking to even the score after a 2022 loss, Ffion breaks down her mindset heading into their rematch. Later, William Tackett joins the show to talk about growing up in a family that eats, sleeps, and breathes jiu-jitsu — and how that led to marrying a fellow grappler. He previews his upcoming clash with 18-year-old phenom Achilles Rocha and reflects on life, love, and grappling under pressure.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by two familiar friends of the show: lightweight Jared Gordon and women's bantamweight champion Julianna Peña. Fresh off a decisive first-round stoppage win, Jared breaks down the finish and reflects on how his recovery journey has strengthened his mindset inside the cage. After revealing he's now a proud girl dad to a 4-month-old daughter, Jared gets a laugh out of Matt's hilarious (and slightly scathing) story about a young YouTuber who kicked off their interview by asking Matt what it's like to be the same height as a kid — prompting Matt to jokingly offer up his daughter for a grappling match with the young content creator. Shortly after, Jim and Matt's interview with Julianna Peña kicks off with some sparks, as she joins mid-sentence — just as the guys are in the middle of complimenting her, saying she's not getting the respect she deserves ahead of UFC 316. Once they clear up the misunderstanding, the conversation shifts into an engaging breakdown of her matchup with Kayla Harrison. Julianna talks about being an underdog throughout her career, staying focused through the noise, and how she's preparing for Kayla's unique skill set. Plus, she weighs in on the looming possibility of a high-stakes trilogy with Amanda Nunes.
Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters slated for action at this Saturday's UFC APEX card. They kick off the show reacting to the just-announced, stacked UFC 317 lineup. Next, Cuban featherweight Yadier Del Valle drops in to share how watching old UFC VHS tapes in Cuba inspired his martial arts journey. He talks about earning his UFC shot on Dana White's Contender Series and previews his debut matchup against Connor Matthews. Later, featherweight veteran Julian Erosa joins the show to explain why he took a quick turnaround just 35 days after his most recent first-round finish. Now in his third UFC stint, Erosa reflects on his mindset shift and prepares for a showdown with Melquizael Costa—a clash of fighters riding three-fight win streaks. Finally, Jim and Matt close out the episode with their picks for Saturday's UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales.
With UFC 315 in the books, Jim Norton is joined by by guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis for an episode of UFC Unfiltered that invites Aiemann Zahabi and Reinier de Ridder on as guest callers. Up first is Zahabi — who calls in just days removed from his impressive unanimous decision win over legend Jose Aldo in Montreal. Aiemann shares how the last-minute weight change affected his mindset, what it meant to perform in front of Canadian fans, and how guidance from GSP has shaped him into the surging fighter he is today riding a six-fight win streak. Jim and Ben dish out some more takeaways from UFC 315 before bringing Reinier de Ridder on for a chat. The Dutch middleweight discusses the role of punishing body work in his statement win over Bo Nickal before explaining why he's confident heading into his next fight — a quick turnaround against Robert Whittaker in July's main event in Abu Dhabi.
Jim Norton and Matt Serra get you ready for UFC with a pair of fighters from this Saturday's card joining the show. First up is undefeated light heavyweight prospect Navajo Stirling, making his UFC Unfiltered debut. Stirling shares how his journey from warehouse work to the UFC took shape, and what it's been like sharpening his game at City Kickboxing alongside some of the best in the world as he prepares for a fight against Ivan Erslan on Saturday's prelims. Between interviews, Jim and Matt offer their takes and make a few predictions for UFC 315. Then, 9th-ranked flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius returns to the show to preview her pivotal bout against former champion Jessica Andrade. Jasmine opens up about her current four-fight win streak, representing Niagara Top Team, and what a win in Montreal would mean for her continued climb up the rankings.
Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered sees Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off a Monday full of fight talk with bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen and featherweight standout Yair Rodriguez. First up, Sandhagen joins the show just days removed from his dominant second-round TKO over Deiveson Figueiredo. He breaks down his performance, shares what clicked in the cage, and explains why he's ready to step in as a title challenger following June's Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley rematch. Between interviews, Jim and Matt react to the weekend's biggest upset: Bo Nickal suffering his first professional loss at the hands of Reinier de Ridder. The guys break down what went wrong and what could be next for the highly touted prospect. Later, Yair Rodriguez stops by to reflect on his rebound win over Patricio Pitbull and to lay out his vision for the featherweight division. Focused more on avenging his loss to Alexander Volkanovski than chasing a grudge match with Diego Lopes, Yair also gives his take on the evolution of his training partner Belal Muhammad, who defends his welterweight title this weekend at UFC 315. To wrap up the show, Jim and Matt dish out shoutouts to the standout performances from UFC Des Moines and look ahead to a stacked week of MMA action.
Miesha Tate and Bo Nickal drop in for a stacked Wednesday edition of UFC Unfiltered — with UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin joining midway through to take the reins on Bo's interview. Miesha opens up about what it's like balancing motherhood with life in the Octagon during her second UFC stint after stepping away from the sport for nearly five years. She breaks down her upcoming fight against fellow longtime vet Yana Santos and reflects on what keeps her motivated after nearly two decades in MMA. Then it's Bo Nickal time, and Forrest Griffin couldn't resist hopping on to steer the conversation. Bo shares what he learned from going the distance for the first time in his career against Paul Craig, his take on Reinier de Ridder's ground game, and how he feels his skillset has developed since his amateur MMA debut. Forrest sticks around through the end of the show to hear Jim and Matt's picks for UFC Fight Night: Des Moines — chiming in on matchups as an observer without predictions of his own.
On today's episode of UFC Unfilfered, Jim and Matt are joined by two victorious bantamweights with very different but equally compelling stories. When Gutierrez hops on, Matt heaps praise on the veteran's poised jiu-jitsu in in this past Saturday's split decision win over John Castaneda in Kansas City. Having fought through a broken hand, Chris outlines a timetable for his subsequent return after banking two straight wins. In between interviews, Jim and Matt debate whether a victory over Carlos Prates puts Ian Machado Garry in prime position for a No. 1 contender fight against Sean Brady. Finally, undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker makes his first-ever appearance on the show fresh off a viral one-punch KO in his UFC debut. Malcolm reflects on the moment he earned a $50k bonus and what it would mean for the Augusta, Georgia native to fight on this June's upcoming Atlanta card headlined by Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley.
Jim and Matt are back with a stacked midweek episode featuring two UFC vets and one of Hollywood's finest behind the camera. First up, Danish welterweight Nicolas Dalby makes his UFC Unfiltered debut to reflect on his razor-thin split decision loss, the secret to staying fight-ready at 40, and his thoughts heading into a striker's showdown with Randy Brown. Next, Gavin O'Connor — the acclaimed director behind The Accountant and Warrior — joins in a pre-recorded chat ahead of this Friday's theatrical release of The Accountant 2. Gavin and Matt swap Long Island stories before diving into how he fell in love with MMA and what makes fight storytelling so cinematic. Wrapping things up is Matt Schnell, back from a brief retirement and ready to go this Saturday. Schnell revisits his legendary comeback win over Sumudaerji and explains his motivation to return to the Octagon after previously laying down his gloves in his most recent loss to Cody Durden. With matchmaking on his post-career radar, Schnell also shares his take on the perfect sendoff for fellow Louisianan Dustin Poirier. Plus: Jim and Matt give their picks for this weekend's UFC Fight Night in Kansas City!
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters representing different eras of Brazilian greatness. First, surging featherweight Jean Silva drops in for his Unfiltered debut to discuss his standing as a 145-pound title contender after beginning his unblemished 5-0 UFC tenure with each win coming via stoppage. Silva reflects on his statement victory over Bryce Mitchell, how Muay Thai turned his life around, and why he channels an alter ego called “Lord Assassin” every time he fights. Later, UFC legend Amanda Nunes returns for her 14th appearance on the show. Nearly two years removed from retiring on top with a win over Irene Aldana, the soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer opens up about life outside the Octagon, balancing family and fitness, and what it would mean to dust off her gloves for a title shot against the winner of UFC 316's co-main event between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison.
Jim and Matt welcome a pair of first-time callers from California as featherweight newcomer Aaron Pico and welterweight veteran Daniel Rodriguez join the show. To kick things off, the highly-touted Pico discusses his wrestling and boxing roots, early career setbacks, and how the weight of his family's historic name shapes the fighter—and man—he is today. Jim and Matt also throw on their matchmaking hats to help fantasy-book his long-awaited UFC debut. Later, D-Rod checks in to talk about snapping a losing streak with a gritty win over Alex Morono, and why his May 3rd showdown with Santiago Ponzinibbio has Fight of the Night written all over it. He also shares stories from his tough upbringing in L.A. and breaks down how he's preparing for this high-stakes clash in Des Moines.
Jim and Matt ride the momentum of Saturday's UFC 314 featherweight fireworks into this Monday edition of UFC Unfiltered with two intriguing 145-pound guest callers rounding out the episode. First, Lerone Murphy makes his UFC Unfiltered debut just one week after extending his unbeaten record with a statement win over Josh Emmett. The former soccer phenom opens up about how surviving a near-fatal shooting changed the trajectory of his life, ultimately leading him to MMA — and now, an eight-fight win streak. Later, fan favorite Dan Ige calls in to reflect on his walk-off KO of Sean Woodson, respond to the online debate about the stoppage, and share where his head's at as he eyes a big second half of 2025. Plus, don't miss Matt and Jim's breakdown of all the key moments from UFC 314—Paddy Pimblett's huge finish, Jean Silva's fifth straight stoppage, and Volkanovski making history with a title-winning bounce-back performance.
THE LEGEND JON ANIK!Tim "Red Hawk" Welch is joined by the VOICE of the UFC Jon Anik! The boys talk Suga Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili 2, Anik's rise to the UFC broadcast booth, advice for aspiring commentators, Jon's morning and night routine and more!⚡️Check out PrizePicks! Sign up with code "TIMBO" to play $5 and WIN $50 INSTANTLY Click here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/TIMBO♠️ Check out Spade! Use Code: TIMBOSPADE10 FOR 10% OFF!!https://www.amazon.com/stores/SPADE/page/91C86242-444D-487E-9D63-3FBB1503187F?ref_=ast_bln
Today's UFC Unfiltered episode peels back the layers of UFC 314 with two guests from Saturday's card in light heavyweight Dominick Reyes and lightweight Chase Hooper. Joining first is Reyes — whose eighth time on the show gets the veteran to reflect on his resurgence after snapping a four-fight skid with back-to-back wins. Dominick discusses the stakes of this Saturday's matchup against Nikita Krylov before chopping it up with Matt and Jim about how being family-oriented keeps him grounded. Later, rising lightweight Chase Hooper checks in — and the baby-faced 25-year-old explains how his “dad strength” has been the key to unlocking the power fueling his current four-fight winning streak. Coming off a win over Clay Guida, Hooper discusses what he's expecting from yet another veteran in Jim Miller. Finally, Matt and Jim look at Miami's stacked lineup of fights before picking winners up and down the UFC 314 card.
It's a featherweight double feature on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered as Jim and Matt welcome Brian “T-City” Ortega and Pat Sabatini! Returning for his tenth appearance, Ortega shows off his new-look hair style after donating his famous long locks before discussing how being called out by a victorious Lerone Murphy fits into Brian's options at both 145 and 155 pounds. Stick around as Ortega weighs in on this Saturday's UFC 314 main event by reflecting on his two fights against Diego Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski. The guys then chop it up about this past weekend's fights before inviting Philly's own Pat Sabatini on the show to discuss what powered his completely dominant performance on the ground in his win over Joanderson Brito.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Matt and Jim welcome first-time guest Brad Tavares and returning favorite Ode' Osbourne ahead of their bouts at UFC Vegas. Jim gets Brad to break down his upcoming matchup against Gerald Meerschaert before discussing the journey that has taken a kid from Hawaii to a record-breaking career. Ode' sheds light on how he approaches his role as a veteran tasked with fighting an undefeated newcomer like Luis Gurule. Plus, don't miss as Jim and Matt react to Dana's Tuesday night announcements of the Merab vs. O'Malley rematch at UFC 316 and the Kansas City main event shakeup with welterweights Carlos Prates and Ian Machado Garry.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, lightweight up-and-comer MarQuel Mederos joins the show first to break down his dominant win over Austin Hubbard in Mexico City. The guys dive into how MarQuel's past shaped his fighting mindset, his shift from FactoryX to MMA Lab, and why staying in the gym year-round beats a traditional fight camp. Later in the show, women's strawweight contender Loopy Godinez returns for her fourth appearance following a much-needed win over Julia Polastri. Loopy talks about what it means to get back on track after two tough losses before joining Matt in a lighthearted, brutally honest assessment of the stomach issues that sparked a viral moment with her corner during the fight. Between interviews, Jim and Matt weigh in on Brandon Moreno's bounce-back performance, Raul Rosas Jr.'s rapid rise, and all the standout moments from UFC Mexico City!
Two fighters from this Saturday's card in Mexico City join Jim and Matt on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered! Matt saves his best “Chiwiwis” entrance for rising bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr., who opens up about the small changes in his diet and how sharpening his boxing with Canelo's coach, Eddy Reynoso, has reignited his mission to break Jon Jones' record as the UFC's youngest champion. After making their fight picks, Jim and Matt welcome Australian flyweight Steve Erceg. He previews his main event clash with Brandon Moreno and drops a brutally honest take on which celebrity lookalike he gets compared to the most.
Jon Anik is BACK on Submission Radio to react to all the biggest MMA news! From Leon Edwards' loss, if we see Jones/Aspinall, who will Topuria fight, Cain Velasquez, Belal/JDM, UFC 314, can Alex Volkanovski do it again AND much more! Don't forget to sign up to Jon's app which takes you behind the scenes and gives you a chance for exclusive content: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Download the Saily app and use the code [submission] or go to https://Saily.com/submission to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! Don't forget to use code "SUBMISSION" at https://Manscaped.com for 20% AND FREE SHIPPING (Plus you're helping the show) IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL: http://bit.ly/2arsrDN
From 'Play Tessie' (subscribe here): Gordo, Sammy, and Pat have a chat with UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik about his origins growing up in Boston and his first memories of watching the Red Sox. Jon also details how he was affected by the pre-championship Sox moments like Bill Buckner and Aaron Boone. Then, Jon explains who on the Red Sox would fare the best in the octagon and which legendary fight resonates with him the most. And, days before Opening Day, Jon shares his thoughts on what he expects from the Sox this season with some UFC fans added to the team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jim and Matt are joined by victorious welterweight contender Sean Brady and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo for this Monday edition of UFC Unfiltered! Joining first is Brady — and Matt praises the Philly native's high-level jiu-jitsu as the guys break down what Brady did to successfully outclass Leon Edwards in this past Saturday's UFC London main event. Motivated by the idea of avenging his loss to Belal Muhammad, Sean unpacks the welterweight landscape before wrapping up his interview by sharing his thoughts on teammate Joe Pyfer's upcoming clash with Kelvin Gastelum in Mexico City. Jim and Matt share their reactions to Carlos Ulberg's rise, Kevin Holland's return to form, and Molly McCann's retirement after UFC London before inviting Henry Cejudo on to the program. The former Olympic gold medalist gets candid on his current standing in the bantamweight division after a tough stretch before outlining his plans for what's next in his UFC career.
London is calling, and Matt Serra and Jim Norton invite a pair of fighters from this Saturday's card in England to preview some of the action! First, bantamweight prospect Nathan Fletcher stops by to discuss his journey from The Ultimate Fighter 32 to the UFC. He reflects on his experience in the TUF house, recovering from a brutal leg injury, and making his UFC debut. Plus, he previews his upcoming fight against Caolán Loughran (a rematch from their amateur days) before sharing his thoughts on his teammate Paddy Pimblett's UFC 314 co-main event against Michael Chandler. Then, fan-favorite Kevin Holland joins the show to talk about his return to welterweight as he prepares to face Gunnar Nelson. Holland discusses Nelson's dangerous submission game, their vastly different activity levels, and how he's approaching this matchup after fighting three straight at middleweight. Before wrapping up, the guys preview UFC London, debating whether Leon Edwards can bounce back from his title loss or if Sean Brady is primed for the biggest win of his career.
On Episode 3,550, the guys previewed this weekend's UFC card and had two guests, UFC commentator Jon Anik & XFC headliner and prospect Kenny Cross. They also went over the news hits.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Matt Serra and Jim Norton are joined by two exciting fighters fresh off major wins! First, undefeated Irish boxing sensation Callum Walsh (13-0, 11 KOs) stops by to talk about his statement-making first-round KO on St. Patrick's Day weekend. As if his rising stardom wasn't already clear, fans on the street interrupt his interview just to get a moment with him — proving he's quickly becoming one of boxing's must-watch prospects. After outlining his goals inside the ring, the Freddie Roach protégé iterates his desire to step into the Octagon one day. Then, Da'Mon Blackshear joins the show fresh off a submission victory over Cody Gibson. When he breaks down his second-round Kimura finish, Matt (aka the “Kimura Savage”) can't contain his excitement! A BJJ black belt himself, Blackshear uses his Unfiltered debut to introduce himself to listeners as a surfing fighter ready to take on any challengers in the UFC's bantamweight top-15. Plus, Jim and Matt recap the action from this past Saturday's explosive card filled with NINE stoppages.
On today's episode, Arman Tsarukyan is dismissing Paddy Pimblett, but I'll tell you why it's really a compliment in disguise. Then, Jon Anik suggested says Justin Gaethje should be next in line for Islam Makhache ... is he right? Plus, Rafael Fiziev wants to move to 145 lbs., and I'll tell you why history shows that move wouldn't do him any favors. Plus, Magomed Ankalaev has finally done something that's impressed me. And to close the show, an absolutely wild story coming from B.J. Penn, who alleges a woman is falsely claiming to be his mother.To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.CHAPTERS:Paddy Pimblett's potential (00:00)Makhachev vs. Gaethje? (4:15)Fiziev to featherweight? (8:43)Ankalaev on the Pereira rematch (16:25)B.J. Penn story (21:21)
Jim returns alongside Matt for an episode of UFC Unfiltered that welcomes two fighters from Saturday's main and co-main events in welterweight striker Chidi Njokuani and middleweight contender Marvin Vettori. Stopping by first is Njokuani, who discusses his career resurgence at 170 pounds and the sacrifices he's made to make the weight cut with the help of the UFC P.I. Chidi also shares how his brother and former UFC fighter Anthony Njokuani has shaped his fighting style. Then, top-10 middleweight contender Marvin Vettori breaks down the hilarious backstory that resulted in him signing up for a rematch against Roman Dolidze. The Italian veteran discusses his return from a string of injuries and how a second win over Dolidze can put him right into the mix in a stacked division. Finally, Jim and Matt wrap up the show with three picks from this Saturday's card — with Matt finding himself just 5.5 points away from Jim's lead in their head-to-head standings.
Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered brings the dynamic duo of Matt Serra and Ray Longo together for an engaging chat with surging lightweight Ignacio Bahamondes mixed in with a recap of UFC 313! Matt and Ray unpack their main takeaways from Saturday's card before bringing Bahamondes in for his first appearance on the pod! The guys quickly learn about how Ignacio's family ties to Kenpo Karate guided him on his journey from his native Chile to the UFC. He then reflects on his current three-fight winning streak and how working alongside teammate Belal Muhammad has helped his personal and athletic growth.
Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered takes a unique look at fight week through two different lenses, as Curtis Blaydes prepares for his featured prelim bout at UFC 313 while Caio Borralho steps into a coaching role, cornering his Fighting Nerds teammate Mauricio Ruffy on the main card. Blaydes talks about his upcoming fight against UFC debutant Rizvan Kuniev, admitting he had to Google his opponent when the matchup was announced. He shares his thoughts on Kuniev's background, what he expects from him, and whether he feels like he's in a no-win situation fighting a newcomer. While Borralho isn't fighting this weekend, the Fighting Nerds captain heaps praise on Mauricio Ruffy and explains how he's locked into his role as a cornerman for his 28-year-old teammate's upcoming battle against King Green. Plus, Borralho reflects on his own recent success, including his 16-fight win streak, his grappling win over Brendan Allen, and his recent callout of middleweight legend Robert Whittaker. Finally, Jim and Matt wrap up the show with three of their own predictions for this Saturday's UFC 313 card.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated featherweight Hyder Amil! Eager to showcase what he's picked up since his loss to Khamzat Chimaev, Whittaker identifies the specific highly-ranked middleweight veteran that he'd like to fight next. Don't miss as Bobby Knuckles discusses the 180º turn in his relationship with Israel Adesanya before ultimately breaking down what he thinks of this weekend's Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev main event at UFC 313. Then, Hyder Amil joins the show fresh off his hard-fought win over William Gomis. He shares the incredible story of battling through multiple injuries during training camp, how his journey from the Philippines to the U.S. shaped his mentality, and what it's like being coached by MMA legend Gilbert Melendez. As the show shifts to recapping this past Saturday's card, Matt wraps up the show by patting himself on the back for a perfect 3-0 showing in his fight picks — enough to erase 12.5 points off Jimmy's early lead in their year-long, head-to-head battle.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt welcome in fighters from this Saturday's main and co-main events as middleweight Cody Brundage and flyweight contender Manel Kape join the show! Joining first is Brundage, who reflects on what he learned about himself after fighting six times in a 14-month span. The guys get Cody to discusses the stakes of Saturday's crossroads fight against a former training partner in Julian Marquez before our two bald co-hosts get their middleweight guest to wax poetic about his successful hair transplant. In between guests, Jim and Matt discuss what Dan Hooker's injury withdrawal means for UFC 313's PPV co-main event. When the guys invite Manel Kape on to the show, the ever-confident flyweight known as “Starboy” breaks down his five-round main event vs. Asu Almabayev before explaining how his unique skillset is why he doesn't get too caught up with watching film on how his opponents look against other fighters. Finally, Jim looks to extend his surprising lead in the 2025 fight pick standings as he and Matt wrap up the episode with predictions for this Saturday's card.
Fresh off the UFC's return to Seattle, Jim and Matt are back with an action-packed episode that talks to two of Saturday's biggest winners. First up, bantamweight veteran Rob Font returns for his ninth appearance to break down his latest fight, his switch to Tristar Gym, and what's next after handing the previously unbeaten Jean Matsumoto his first-ever loss as a professional. Then, Modestas Bukauskas joins the show for the first time, fresh off a statement-making KO to kick off the Seattle card. The surging light heavyweight talks about what he learned from his first stint in the UFC and how his second go-around has shaped him into the improved fighter he is today. Don't miss as the guys recap UFC Seattle's biggest moments—including Cejudo's third straight loss and Anthony Hernandez's scintillating win over Brendan Allen.
UFC Unfiltered welcomes back bantamweight brawler Ricky Simon and featherweight veteran Andre Fili ahead of UFC's long-awaited return to Seattle! Simon breaks down his matchup with Javid Basharat and talks about shaking off a tough losing streak in front of a home crowd before discussing his approach to preserving his body with cryotherapy and his at-home sauna. In between interviews, Jim and Matt take a look at this Saturday's UFC Seattle card before making some picks of their own. Finally, Fili calls in to reflect on his UFC journey and discuss how the expectant father feels more grounded as he approaches his 12th year with the promotion and a fight in his home state against Melquizael Costa.
Fresh off UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues, Jim and Matt break down all the biggest moments from Saturday's card, including Jared Cannonier's comeback TKO win over Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues. Then, surging featherweight Youssef Zalal joins the show fresh off his dominant unanimous decision victory over 10th-ranked Calvin Kattar to discuss how he successfully thwarted his opponent's game plan. With seven straight wins to his name, Youssef examines his place in the division before detailing what his spirited training sessions with Justin Gaethje taught him about himself. Later, middleweight knockout artist Edmen Shahbazyan stops by after his electrifying first-round KO win. He opens up about the $50K performance bonus, his move to Xtreme Couture, and how fatherhood has given him new motivation. Plus, Edmen reveals his plans for a busy 2025 and the former foe that he's eyeing next.
With Jim Norton out for the day, John Morgan fills in for his 10th appearance as a UFC Unfiltered co-host for an episode that features Angela Hill and Kelvin Gastelum calling in separately. Joining first is Hill, who discusses her mindset three days ahead of her fight against Ketlen Souza. The 40-year-old veteran puts on her MMA analyst hat by unpacking Zhang Weili's dominant UFC 312 title defense and stating whether it was impressive enough to warrant calling her the UFC's pound-for-pound #1 female fighter. Then, Kelvin Gastelum calls in days removed from the announcement that his five-round war with Israel Adesanya would be immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing. The TUF 17 winner reflects on his relationship with Chael Sonnen after discussing his upcoming fight and divulging his weight class plans for the foreseeable future.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt break down all the action from UFC 312 and welcome two explosive guests to the show! First, light heavyweight Johnny Walker joins to give an update on his recovery after an injury forced him out of UFC 311. Now settled into his new home in Las Vegas, Walker reflects on his incredible time training in Ireland as he explains the logistical factors behind his move to Xtreme Couture. Looking to get back into contention, Walker discuses his optimistic outlook for his career moving forward. Fresh off his big win at UFC Saudi Arabia, Michael “Venom” Page stops by to discuss his impressive debut at middleweight, the possibility of future fights at both 170 and 185, and his acting ambitions. Plus, the guys dive into the dominant performances from both Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili from atop this past Saturday's UFC 312 PPV card.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and NFL great Gerald McCoy call in to catch up with Jim and Matt ahead of UFC 312. After briefly contemplating amputation (yes, seriously) to deal with an infected pinky toe, Belal Muhammad details his battle with a severe bone infection that forced him out of his first-ever title defense at UFC 310. Now eyeing a return after Ramadan in May, the champ opens up about how fasting and hydration challenges push his mental game to new levels. Later, six-time NFL Pro Bowler and UFC diehard Gerald McCoy joins from media row at Super Bowl LIX to talk all things UFC 312. From breaking down the rematch between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis to making his own bold prediction for Saturday's flyweight title fight, Gerald holds his ground—even as Jim and Matt aren't seeing eye to eye with him on his co-main event prediction. The guys wrap up the show with more UFC 312 picks and a look ahead at what's next in the MMA landscape.
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra catch up with Roman Dolidze following a chat with first-time caller Jase Macalpine. A jiu-jitsu purple belt himself, the Australian filmmaker-turned-podcast host sets the scene for his diehard UFC fandom by shedding light on the sneaky rivalry implications for a UFC 312 bout that features Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria in opposing corners. As Jim and Matt foray into a recap of this past Saturday's UFC Saudi Arabia card, the guys weigh out some options for Israel Adesanya's next move. Finally, Roman Dolidze returns to Unfiltered to discuss his mindset going into his March 15th rematch vs. Marvin Vettori at the UFC APEX.
Today's UFC Unfiltered episode brings the heat from the lightweight and light heavyweight divisions as Matt and Jim are joined by Grant Dawson and Jan Błachowicz! Fresh off his UFC 311 victory just 11 days ago, 15th-ranked lightweight Grant Dawson checks in to discuss his 3-fight win streak, what it means to be back in the rankings, and which names above him he's got his eye on. Plus, the American Top Team standout doesn't hold back as he drops a BOLD callout of a fan-favorite in the stacked 155-pound division. Then, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz returns to the show ahead of his March 22nd showdown with Carlos Ulberg at UFC London. After nearly 20 months away due to shoulder injuries, Jan talks about his surgical recoveries, how he's adjusted training at 42 years old, and whether he feels overlooked in the title picture. He also weighs in on the massive Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev fight at UFC 313 — a matchup between two men he's already shared the cage with. To close things out, Matt and Jim dive into the UFC Saudi Arabia card, breaking down the biggest matchups and making their picks for Saturday's action!
On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt are joined by Coach Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture before catching up with the one and only Chael Sonnen. With just 12 days until UFC 312, Coach Nicksick explains that he is flying to Australia with an “And NEW, Times TWO” mentality for both Sean Strickland and Tatiana Suarez ahead of their respective title shots atop the PPV card in Sydney. With hopes of bringing both belts back to Xtreme Couture, Eric discusses the importance of avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to coaching and cornering fighters. Then, Chael Sonnen makes his highly-anticipated return to the show after three years since his last Unfiltered appearance. After Chael takes a stroll down memory lane with Jim, Matt gets a full-fledged lesson in Trash Talking 101 before having the “American Gangster” wrap things up with his thoughts on coaching against Daniel Cormier in the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Join Nick Lamagna on The A Game Podcast with our guest Kenny Florian, investor, entrepreneur, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. UFC veteran and co-host of the Anik and Florian Podcast! He is a broadcaster, commentator who went from being a standout soccer player at Boston College when Royce Gracie combined with a near death experience in Brazil changed his direction from team sports to combat sports and the legend of "Ken-Flo," began. He reached the highest levels of the sport fighting in the UFC and becoming a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 and went on to fight for the title 3x and currently is only 1 of 2 fighters to battle in 4 different weight classes. He went from cutting people with elbows to using his voice to cut promos using his intellect breaking down fights entertaining articulation for multiple fight organizations, sports channels and even Battle Bots! You can find him twice a week on the wildly popular Anik and Florian Podcast with broadcast legend Jon Anik. He not only earned his black belt in Jiu jitsu but he used his work ethic and curiosity to earn his black belt investing and found a love and appreciation for cryptocurrency obtaining wealth the Bitcoin. He can be found teaching tactical and weapons training as well as BJJ to law enforcement at A&R Tactics in North Carolina as well as Florian Martial Arts in Brookline, Massachusetts! The man that called Conor McGregor's first fight brings the heat in this episode you won't want to miss even if you are not a fight fan! Topics for this episode include: ✅ How to change your life in five years ✅ Life principles everyone needs to practice to be successful ✅ How to get more opportunities to make money ✅ Why Bitcoin can change more than just your finances ✅ The importance of not identifying who you are with what you do ✅ How to find value in mistakes and failures + More See the show notes to connect with all things Kenny! Connect with Kenny: www.kennyflorian.com Kenny Florian on Facebook Kenny Florian on Instagram Kenny Florian on Twitter Kenny Florian on Youtube Kenny Florian on LinkedIn www.florianmartialartscenter.com Connect with Anik and Florian Podcast: www.anikflorianpodcast.com Anik and Florian podcast on Instagram Anik and Florian Podcast on Twitter Anik and Florian Podcast on Facebook Connect with A+R Tactics: www.ar-tactics.com A & R Tactics on Facebook A & R Tactics on Twitter A & R Tactics on Instagram A & R Tactics on Youtube A & R Tactics on TikTok --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers
A pair of dynamic strikers in the UFC lightweight division call into today's show as French rising star Farès Ziam and the ever-exciting Terrance McKinney gear up for their respective fights in Saudi Arabia next week. While Jim Norton may have missed the last two shows, our beloved co-host simply CAN'T miss when it comes to fight predictions. As such, the episode begins with a quick humble brag from Jimmy, who nailed his UFC 311 picks and is now 12-0 dating back to the end of 2024. Ziam shares insights on his upcoming clash with Mike Davis in Saudi Arabia, his impressive four-fight win streak, and the influence of his family's extensive combat sports background.. Jim and Matt wrap up the show by congratulating McKinney on becoming a father for a second time before the veteran lightweight discusses how switching gyms has changed his preparation ahead of his next challenge in Saudi Arabia.
The champ is here! Today's episode features UFC bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili joining Matt Serra and guest co-host Ray Longo for a de facto Serra-Longo victory after UFC 311. The guys begin the show with a brief discussion on Islam Makhachev's successful title defense against a late replacement in Renato Moicano. When Merab calls in, the guys celebrate his thrilling title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov and discuss how it could affect his plans for 2025. Merab reflects on his high-energy crowd interactions and shares insights on potential matchups with Sean O'Malley and Petr Yan among others. Ray and Matt cap off the show by dissecting this past Saturday night's biggest moments from the UFC 311 main card on down to the prelims.
With UFC 311 just days away, today's episode of UFC Unfiltered involves longtime friend of the show John Morgan filling in for Jim Norton on a show that features two fighters from the card calling into the program in Jiří Procházka and Payton Talbott. Joining first is Procházka, who discusses how training in Japan has helped him get back to basics ahead of his high-stakes scrap against Jamahal Hill in Saturday's de facto light heavyweight title eliminator. The former 205-pound champion clarifies his stance on a potential move to 185 pounds as he breaks down his major points of emphasis following a knockout loss against Alex Pereira in his last outing inside the octagon. In between interviews, Matt Serra and John Morgan take a look at some of Jim Norton's picks before chiming in with some UFC 311 predictions of their own. When Payton Talbott calls in, the guys get the rising bantamweight to share his mindset going into his fight against Raoni Barcelos. Impressed by Talbott's confidence in a Spanish-language interview with the UFC, John Morgan gets the unbeaten prospect to explain how testing the limits of his abilities sharpens his ability to succeed in and out of competition.
Jim Norton and Matt Serra link up with a pair of Brazilian winners from this past Saturday's card on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered. Jim basks in the glory of his perfect 4-0 start to 2025 before inviting Thiago Moises onto the show. After discussing the ramifications of his win on Saturday over Trey Ogden, the Brazilian lightweight looks back on his fight against Islam Makhachev to make a prediction for this weekend's rematch between Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event. Between interviews, Jim and Matt break down Mackenzie Dern's dominant performance before finding themselves on opposite ends of a debate surrounding Roman Kopylov's controversial stoppage win over Chris Curtis. Finally, Cesar Almeida joins for the first time to talk about his explosive first-round KO win, transitioning from a decorated kickboxing career to MMA, and his ambitions for 2025.
On today's episode, Santiago Ponzinibbio joins the show to share his remarkable journey in MMA.The fighting pride of Argentina reflects on his early days training in Vale Tudo and how moving to Brazil and immersing himself in a new culture shaped him into the fighter he is today.A member of the UFC's Spanish-language broadcast team, the welterweight veteran reflects on his seven-fight win streak and how he has overcome adversity ahead of his upcoming fight against Carlston Harris on this Saturday's UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 card at the UFC APEX.Eager to start over with a blank slate, Jim wraps up the show by getting Matt to exchange a few picks from this Saturday's card.
Happy New Year! For the first Unfiltered episode of 2025, Jim Norton and Matt Serra catch up with a UFC Hall of Famer in Joanna Jędrzejczyk before inviting Detroit Lions rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany to talk about his MMA fandom ahead of the NFL playoffs. Calling in live from a vacation in Oman, the former women's strawweight champion discusses how 2024 found her embarking on a whirlwind of new adventures. Now performing standup alongside some of Poland's best comics, Joanna candidly compares the thrill of telling jokes on stage in her native tongue to the feeling of stepping into the Octagon for a fight. Then, Detroit Lions rookie Christian Mahogany joins the show to talk about his team's recent win that clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed. A passionate UFC fan himself, Christian reflects on his wrestling background and how it helps him on the football field as an offensive lineman.