In this special UFC 279 reaction episode, Chael talks about: The X's and O's of the main event and the emotional inner conflict Chael had watching Nate Diaz fight Tony Ferguson (00:44) What the future holds in store for Ferguson after yet another loss (15:28) Khamzat Chimaev's dominant win over Kevin Holland (22:32) Chimaev's post-fight interview and whether he's succeeding at creating a strong villain persona (30:23) Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: https...
Sep 11, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast *This episode was published prior to Friday's weigh-in drama and the announcement of the new card.One day before UFC 279 goes down in Las Vegas, Chael discusses: Nate Diaz's new fight promotion, Real Fight, Inc. (00:52) If Khamzat Chimaev is making the right move in portraying himself as a villain (14:23) What to expect from new-look Tony Ferguson at welterweight against Li Jingliang (36:56) What if Diaz actually does the unthinkable tomorrow night? (47:20) Plus, a Kevin Holland story (26:21) an...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's loaded episode, Chael discusses: A video of a heated exchange between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa at the UFC Performance Institute this week (00:50) Ciryl Gane's gutsy win over Tai Tuivasa (8:37) and where Gane fits into the heavyweight title picture (18:57) A peculiar position for Robert Whittaker following his masterclass showing over Marvin Vettori this past weekend (29:33) Kamaru Usman's way of handling his stunning UFC 278 loss to Leon Edwards (37:44) Chael's takeaways from t...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael talks about: Chael's belief that Leon Edwards cheated against Kamaru Usman at UFC 278, and why he stands by his case despite criticism from Dana White (00:50) A different Charles Oliveira as UFC 280 draws closer (14:12) Why we should be heaping praise upon Jake Paul for trying to fight Anderson Silva in the ring (26:19) What's at stake for Saturday's UFC Paris heavyweight main event between Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa (37:22) Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my c...
Sep 02, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael discusses: The vacant December PPV and if the headliner will be Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic vs. Jones (00:42) If Leon Edwards' fifth-round knockout of Kamaru Usman is the best head-kick in UFC history (10:56) Why Edwards reminds Chael of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (20:35) Colby Covington's place in the welterweight title conversation (29:00) Tonight's ONE Championship title fight between Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson (38:28) P...
Aug 26, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast A few days after watching Leon Edwards shock the world with a fifth-round head-kick knockout of former pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman at UFC 278, Chael discusses: Edwards' inspiring comeback in the final minute of the fight, and why this could actually be a GOOD thing for Kamaru Usman's legacy (00:49) What the welterweight title picture will look like in the coming months (12:58) Luke Rockhold's gutsy performance in the co-main event and why Rockhold shouldn't retire (25:17) A promise Dana Wh...
Aug 24, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast One day before the highly anticipated UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, UT, Chael discusses: What Kamaru Usman really means when he talks about fighting at light heavyweight and boxing Canelo Alvarez (00:52) Luke Rockhold's bold press conference comments and if Paulo Costa will successfully make 185 lbs. (14:46) If tomorrow night could be the last time we see Jose Aldo when he takes on the streaking Merab Dvalishvili (26:26) What's on the line between Rockhold and Costa (33:32) How Usman-Edwards 2 will...
Aug 19, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following another great UFC Fight Night and days before a deep UFC 278 card, Chael talks about: Marlon Vera's fourth-round knockout of Dominick Cruz, why Vera is a star in the making, and what he should do in the coming months (00:50) Why Paddy Pimblett needs to stop gaining so much weight after his fights (11:10) If Andrew Tate makes sense as Jake Paul's next boxing opponent (21:05) Luke Rockhold's career path following this weekend's bout with Paulo Costa (29:17) Kamaru Usman saying he's chasi...
Aug 17, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In another jam-packed episode, one of the foremost thinkers in all of MMA talks about: Bo Nickal's potential and what he means to the wrestling community (00:42) If Kamaru Usman talking about boxing and competing in other divisions is distracting him ahead his fight with Leon Edwards next week (12:02) Cesar Gracie's thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nathan Diaz at UFC 279 (20:16) Whether Suga' Sean O'Malley is guaranteed a title shot if he defeats Petr Yan at UFC 280 (30:15) Tomorrow's UFC bantamw...
Aug 12, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael discusses: Jake Paul agreeing to pay the boxers who were slated to fight on the canceled August 6 MSG card (00:43) If Islam Makhachev truly deserves the title shot at UFC 280 (12:13) Why Jorge Masvidal should volunteer to be the backup fighter at UFC 279 (21:11) What's on the line this Saturday between Marlon Vera and Dominick Cruz in San Diego (28:41) If we should expect to see Jon Jones fight in 2022 (37:50) Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a...
Aug 10, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a wide-ranging episode, Chael discusses: The making of Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler for UFC 281 in New York, and what will be on the line (00:36) Comparisons between Khamzat Chimaev and the early days of Conor McGregor's career (18:07) If Israel Adesanya needs Alex Pereira more than ever (27:22) Tom Aspinall injury updates and how the UFC should book Paddy Pimblett from here on out (37:11) Presented by: Dave Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: https...
Aug 05, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast With UFC 277 now in the rearview mirror, Chael discusses: If Amanda Nunes should face Valentina Shevchenko or Julianna Pena for her bantamweight title defense (00:35) Why Deiveson Figueiredo should move up to 135 lbs. (12:39) The boxing community's puzzling defense of Hasim Rahman Jr. (21:59) An underwhelming UFC 279 main card (35:27) Presented by: Dave Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: https://www.shopify.com* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a ...
Aug 03, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this special Sunday UFC 277 reaction show, Chael discusses: Amanda Nunes defeating Julianna Pena in a brutal five-round beatdown (00:42) Brandon Moreno's impressive win over Kai Kara-France and his laughable post-fight interaction with flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (10:10) Magomed Ankalaev's win over Anthony Smith and what Ankalaev must do to put himself in the light heavyweight title shot conversation (15:54) Plus, Chael gives his immediate thoughts on the canceled Aug. 6 bout betwe...
Jul 31, 2022•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chael discusses the week in MMA story lines and also gives a preview of UFC 277, discussing topics like: Who Paddy Pimblett should fight next (00:49) Charles Oliveira's message to those who doubt him against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 (14:02) Comments made by Khamzat Chimaev in an interview with Ariel Helwani (25:43) A breakdown of tomorrow's light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Anthony Smith (34:52) Official predictions for Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France and Julianna Pena (41...
Jul 29, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast After UFC London and just days before UFC 277, Chael discusses: Tom Aspinall's tough injury and where the heavyweight division goes from here (00:48) Why Chael thinks Paddy Pimblett has what it takes to be a UFC champion (14:46) Alexander Volkanovski volunteering to be the backup fighter for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 (24:17) Rumors of a fight between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler (33:02) Saturday's women's bantamweight title rematch between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nu...
Jul 27, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a wild weekend and a barrage of MMA news, Chael discusses: The booking of Nate Diaz and Khamzat Chimaev in September for UFC 279 (00:42) What the bantamweight division will look like in the coming months (9:20) Why all of you are wrong about Ortega vs. Rodriguez (18:02) Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title in October (27:25) John Kavanagh's praise of Conor McGregor (36:03) Why Elon Musk does NOT have to buy Twitter (42:02) No show this Friday! In the meanti...
Jul 20, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael talks about: The hype that's quickly building around Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira (00:42) Kamaru Usman's insistence on fighting at light heavyweight (15:44) What's at stake for tomorrow's ABC main event between Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez (26:08) The UFCs evolution during the Dana White era (38:16) Presented by: Dave Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: https://www.shopify.com* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a gre...
Jul 15, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael discusses: Nate Diaz's gripping interview with Ariel Helwani yesterday (00:42) If Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor would be bigger than the 2017 boxing fight between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather (7:30) Rafael Fiziev's weekend win over Rafael dos Anjos and consequent callout of Justin Gaethje (17:35) Why the fans are being hypocritical in their criticism of Israel Adesanya (27:30) Advice to the light heavyweights (39:04) Presented by: Dave Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify a...
Jul 13, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's show, Chael discusses: The feud between Israel Adesanya and actor Chris Pratt (00:42) Why we should cut Sean Strickland some slack (7:25) Sean O'Malley calling out Henry Cejudo (23:35) Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev in Saturday's UFC main event (29:09) What's a bigger heavyweight fight: Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones, or Jones vs. Stipe Miocic? (35:22) Presented by: BiOptimizersGo towww.magbreakthrough.com/chael and use CHAEL at checkout to get 10% off and free shipping Our Sponsor...
Jul 08, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a few days of reflecting on UFC 276, Chael discusses the following on today's podcast: What we really learned about Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira on Saturday night (00:43) Khamzat Chimaev's callout of Pereira and what this means for Chimaev's next fight (9:35) Why time is of the essence for Alexander Volkanovski (18:38) How Sean O'Malley will move forward after Saturday's no-contest (29:39) The holdup in booking Stipe Miocic vs. Jon Jones (37:30) Presented by: BiOptimizersGo to www.magb...
Jul 06, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Immediately after the end of UFC 276, Chael gives you his instant reaction to a great night of fights. He discusses: Why we should be appreciating Israel Adesanya instead of criticizing him (00:42) Alex Pereira's quick work of Sean Strickland, which now sets the stage for an unprecedented title fight with Adesanya (9:38) Alexander Volkanovski's textbook win and what this victory and his post-fight interview mean for his double champ dreams (20:00) Sean O'Malley's no-contest ruling and where The ...
Jul 03, 2022•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast One day before the culmination of International Fight Week at UFC 276, Chael gets you set for the big event by discussing: Why Chael is such a big fan of the matchup between Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier (00:48) Why Adesanya's head coach, Eugene Bareman, deserves more praise than we give him (8:24) The fight that is flying most under the radar this weekend (16:04) Plus, official predictions for Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O'Malley (23:44), Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 3 (29:44), and Ad...
Jul 01, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we inch closer to a jam-packed UFC 276, Chael discusses: How the middleweight division will look after Saturday night (18:15) Surprising betting odds for Adesanya vs. Cannonier (27:40) If it's possible that both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway could move up to 155 lbs. following this fight (36:17) Whether Volkanovski's recent activity will help or hurt him, and if Holloway's recent layoff will help or hurt him (45:30) Plus, Francis Ngannou releases a statement (9:12) and welterweight h...
Jun 29, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In an episode filled with stories about some of the sports biggest stars, Chael discusses: Cowboy Cerrone's new UFC 276 opponent, Jim Miller (00:42) If Alexander Volkanovski should move up to 155 lbs. and immediately fight for a title (5:50) A new side of Robert Whittaker (14:32) Kevin Holland's callout of Nate Diaz and whether that fight makes sense (28:51) A changing of the guard among the upper echelon of UFC stars (43:13) And more. Presented by: Factor Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and us...
Jun 24, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael talks about: Kattar vs. Emmett reaction (00:40) The cursed Donald Cerrone - Joe Lauzon fight (6:24) If Israel Adesanya is looking past Jared Cannonier for their upcoming UFC 276 title bout (22:58) Sean O'Malley's career roadmap (30:49) The latest with Jake Paul and Nate Diaz (36:58) And more. Presented by: Factor Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: https://www.shopify.com* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: htt...
Jun 22, 2022•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode of the podcast, Chael discusses: If Jiri Prochazka can defend the light heavyweight belt multiple times, and whether it's good or bad for the UFC if he does (00:42) Ali Abdelaziz's comments about Kamaru Usman having the potential to win the light heavyweight belt in the future (10:16) Charles Oliveira's desire to fight Conor McGregor (29:53) Tomorrow night's UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Emmett (40:22) And more. Presented by: Bioptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough Go to www.magbrea...
Jun 17, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In an episode full of major MMA headlines, Chael discusses the following: Why the next few days are critical for Glover Teixeira (00:43) Rumors that the winner of Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 276 will get a middleweight title shot (10:39) The official booking of Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards for August at UFC 278 (19:32) Reports that Conor McGregor will return from injury in 2023 (27:12) Comments from Dana White about Amanda Nunes' drop-off in motivation (34:48) The only person Ronda ...
Jun 15, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this special Sunday UFC 275 reaction show, Chael discusses: Jiri Prochazka's unexpected submission victory over Glover Teixeira in the waning seconds of the fight (00:41) Who should get the next light heavyweight title shot? (6:37) Why the judges didn't score in favor of Taila Santos against Valentina Shevchenko (10:17) Joanna Jedrzejczyk's retirement and her lasting impact on the sport of MMA (23:19) Our Sponsors:* Check out Shopify and use my code chael for a great deal: https://www.shopify...
Jun 12, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's show, Chael talks about: A July heavyweight fight that's flying under the radar (00:50) Whether damage inflicted or control time is more important in scoring (13:20) Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2 and why it deserves more hype (24:05) If Taila Santos stands a chance against flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko (30:05) Glover Teixeira's chances of pulling the upset against favorite Jiri Prochazka (39:05) Presented by: DraftKingsIf you or someone you know has a gambling problem, c...
Jun 10, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chael returns from the weekend to discuss some of the biggest news in MMA, like: Bo Nickal's IKON FC win and what it means for the wrestling phenom's future (00:48) The newly announced August main event between Marlon Vera and Dominick Cruz (12:03) Mike Tyson's advice to Conor McGregor about how the Irishman should handle his career when he returns from injury (20:10) The formula for beating Valentina Shevchenko (32:41) Saturday's UFC 275 light heavyweight title fight between Glover Teixeira and...
Jun 08, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
