On today’s episode, I discuss: Intro (00:00) Jon Jones pulling out of UFC 295 (00:55) What to do with the UFC heavyweight division (14:58) The fallout of the Johnny Walker vs. Magomed Ankalaev fight (33:42) Khamzat Chimaev and the middleweights who refuse to fight him (46:02) Who Islam Makhachev’s next opponent should be (58:51) Why Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou is the biggest mismatch in combat sports history (1:09:36) My take on Francis Ngannou’s tough luck story (1:20:12) Big thanks to our s...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, I discuss: Intro (00:00) Why Johnny Walker beat Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294 (01:00) Kamaru Usman's very impressive performance against Khamzat Chimaev (15:04) Why Usman deserves a rematch with Chimaev (28:12) Islam Makhachev's plea to fight Colby Covington at 170 lbs. (36:31) Why I have zero interest in Charles Oliveira getting another title shot (45:30) Big thanks to our sponsors - NordVPN - get a 30 day risk-free trial at https://nordvpn.com/chaelsonnen Vessi - go to vessi....
Oct 24, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this UFC 294 preview show, I get into the Kamaru Usman video, some animosity between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, and you'll also hear from Mike Perry, Kamaru Usman, and Khamzat Chimaev!TOPICS: Intro (00:00) My impromptu interview with Mike Perry (00:55) Jiri Prochazka's criticism of UFC 295 opponent Alex Pereira (08:46) Why Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker is a big mismatch (14:24) Did Kamaru Usman actually hear something pop? (23:38) My ESPN interview with Usman and Khamzat ...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Between Misfits Boxing, another UFC Apex event, and the crazy UFC 294 shuffle, it's been a wild few days in combat sports! Here's what I discuss on today's show: Intro (00:00) Is Jake Paul vs. KSI the fight to make? (01:00) The most compelling part of Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 (09:08) How Kamaru Usman landed a short-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev (21:24) Israel Adesanya's decision to take a break from MMA (42:14) And more!Big thanks to our faithful sponsor: DraftKin...
Oct 17, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Apologies for the delay! On today's episode, I get into the following (0:00): Why I'm not surprised Charles Oliveira pulled out of the UFC 294 main event (00:29) How Islam Makhachev just beat ... Ilia Topuria? (5:52) Why I love the booking of Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev (12:30) My problem with USADA's scathing statement about the UFC (20:37) Why Conor McGregor is the winner in the USADA drama (29:58) Big thanks to this episode’s sponsor - Momentous Sleep Pack - visit www.livemomentous.com &...
Oct 13, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Back from a weekend trip to San Diego for Bellator 300, I discuss the following on today's episode: Why Bobby Green and Dan Hooker should fight for the next BMF title (00:48) Conor McGregor has allegedly submitted his USADA paperwork, but what does that actually mean? (9:25) An unexpected backup fighter selection for next week's UFC 294 main event between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira (19:45) Dillon Danis has showed up to England! But I've hardly seen any training footage, which gives me ...
Oct 10, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast I'm off in San Diego this week, but don't think that I forgot about you! On today's episode, I discuss the following: Some unfair circumstances Charles Oliveira has been dealt ... again (00:52) Joe Rogan's assertion that Alexander Volkanovski is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world (10:01) Why Michael Chandler looks more desperate with each passing day (17:00) Dillon Danis and how a win over Logan Paul could open up a world of opportunities (33:12) Plus, I tell tales about Sean Strickl...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast I'm fired up on today's episode! Today, I discuss: Why I agree with Tristan Tate in thinking that Nina Agdal's lawsuit against Dillon Danis is a terrible idea (00:53) Conor McGregor's (dumb) belief that he'll fight in December of this year (8:42) My idea for who Kamaru Usman should fight next (20:43) How Joe Rogan plans to take kickboxing mainstream (27:34) And because you enjoyed my recent take on the BTK killer, I close by bringing you some unparalleled insights into the death of infamous Amer...
Oct 03, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast *This episode contains reference to sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised.With so much drama going on outside of the cage, I talk about the following on today's episode: The latest in separate court cases involving former UFC stars Mark Hunt and Cain Velasquez (00:56) Why I believe Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson makes so much sense for each guy, and why I'm confident Ferguson can beat Paddy (19:39) Joe Rogan's belief that Conor McGregor can come back even stronger, and why I find it ...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, I discuss: Mateusz Gamrot defeating Rafael Fiziev and his consequent callout of Charles Oliveira (00:58) Why I think it's wrong to count out Tony Ferguson against the undisciplined Paddy Pimblett (5:56) Why I'm surprised Ian Garry accepted a fight with Vicente Luque (12:28) Colby Covington's callout of lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, and why I applaud him for it (28:47) What Marlon Vera doesn't know about USADA (36:28) Plus, I talk about the UFC middleweight title picture ...
Sep 26, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a flurry of fight announcements made by UFC President Dana White on Wednesday night, I discuss the following on today's episode: Leon Edwards and Colby Covington landing the coveted December PPV spot over the likes of superstars Sean O'Malley and Conor McGregor (00:53) The booking of Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira as the co-main event at UFC 295, and why this fight seems fishy to me (8:17) Israel Adesanya breaking his silence to say that he wants a "fun" fight next. What could that possib...
Sep 22, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a wildly successful night in Las Vegas for UFC Noche, I'm here today to talk to you about the following: Why I believe Valentina Shevchenko beat Alexa Grasso five rounds to zero, but also how I don't totally disagree with the controversial 10-8 score from judge Mike Bell (00:59) How The Bullet and Grasso can convince the UFC to give them a trilogy fight (11:10) Unfair criticism of Israel Adesanya, my unsolicited advice to Sean Strickland regarding his next matchup, and the only thing the n...
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast There's so much drama going on in this week! But don't worry, Uncle Chael is here to make sense of it all. On today's episode, I discuss: Claims that Israel Adesanya is a has-been and was never even that special in the first place (6:00) My response to Dricus Du Plessis, who had some mean things to say to me earlier this week (12:56) The middleweight title picture and all of the guys who could make a good case for fighting Sean Strickland for the belt (22:35) Who I believe the middleweight GOAT ...
Sep 15, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast After one of the most historic upsets in UFC history, I discuss the following on today's episode: Sean Strickland's incredible performance at UFC 293, Israel Adesanya's uncharacteristic showing, and whether I believe Izzy deserves an immediate title fight (00:55) Alexander Volkov's massive win over Tai Tuivasa and how the Russian might fare in a suddenly interesting heavyweight division (20:43) I know Sean O'Malley's next opponent! (32:56) And of course ... I give you a little history lesson on ...
Sep 12, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast UFC 293 is here and there's also a bunch more going on in MMA. On today's episode, I discuss: The restraining order placed against Dillon Danis by Logan Paul's fiancee and why it reminds me of the time I was in Russia with Matt Lindland ... and is the fight now in jeopardy? (1:00) The Nelk Boys vs. Andrew Schultz (13:36) Sean O'Malley's next fight and why it doesn't even matter who the opponent is (38:03) The UFC 293 press conference and my biggest takeaways from it (47:08) Why Dricus Du Plessis...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast After another thrilling card in Paris, I'm here to react to the action and I'm also going to give you a little sneak peek into Saturday's upcoming UFC 293. Here's what to expect on today's episode: Ciryl Gane performed beautifully on the cage, but terribly on the microphone (00:58) The first time I ever met Sean Strickland and whether I ever thought a kid like that would make it to a UFC title fight (21:22) If Israel Adesanya wins on Saturday, will he call out Dricus Du Plessis or the winner of ...
Sep 05, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast I'm all fired up on today's show. Here's what I discuss: Khabib Nurmagomedov's top 15 pound-for-pound rankings of all time and the two major issues I have with his list (00:58) Dustin Poirier's cryptic tweet about his next fight ... so naturally I give him a phone call mid-show (14:47) Dana White's criticism of Merab Dvalishvili and why I believe Merab needs my help ASAP (30:45) Henry Cejudo's claim that Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O'Malley "only" did 350,000 PPV buys and what we should make of t...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast After an emotional weekend in combat sports, I discuss the following on today's episode: Max Holloway's win over The Korean Zombie and what's next for the former UFC featherweight champion (00:45) Ilia Topuria saying he'll tap out Alexander Volkanovski and why I think that's a dumb thing to say (18:29) Why I commend Conor McGregor for a tweet he put out this weekend about the Michael Chandler fight (28:16) How UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya reminds me of boxing legend Jack Johnson (36...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast In another wide-ranging episode, I talk about: How Suga' Sean O'Malley now holds all the cards in the UFC bantamweight division (00:53) Why there's only two guys who make sense for Ian Machado Garry in his next fight (10:12) Conor McGregor's crazy 24 hours (22:06) The mayhem that broke out at the Logan Paul - Dillon Danis press conference in London and why it has me excited for the fight (35:37) Why I believe Alexander Volkanovski is the most feared man in UFC history (48:23) And um ... why are ...
Aug 25, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In my special UFC 292 reaction episode, I discuss the following after a WILD weekend in Boston for ol' Uncle Chael: Why I think new UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley has just transformed MMA as we know it (00:56) Aljamain Sterling's post-fight comments and the thing he said that no one else is picking up on (7:33) Whether Ian Machado Garry is the good guy or the bad guy (15:29) Why I believe Chris Weidman should be holding his head up high today despite the tough loss to Brad Tavares (26:1...
Aug 22, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast I'm a busy man in Boston but of course I wasn't gonna leave you hanging! On today's UFC 292 preview podcast, I discuss the following: The real reason why Marlon Vera finds himself on the card tomorrow night (1:11) Why I feel that no matter what happens in the main event, both Aljamain Sterling and Sean O'Malley will be fighting for titles in their next fights (9:02) What to expect in Chris Weidman's big return fight (23:15) Ian Machado Garry's claim that he's carrying UFC 292 and how I feel the ...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast After another newsworthy weekend of combat sports and just before UFC 292, Chael discusses the following on today's episode: Why Chael doesn't disagree with Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson's handling of the Michel Pereira weight miss fiasco at UFC 291 (00:58) Whether Dricus Du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev presents a tougher test for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (12:33) Conor McGregor's ambitious roadmap for his next three fights and whether Chael thinks he'll follow through with this pla...
Aug 15, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael discusses: How Dricus Du Plessis can get himself back into the middleweight title conversation after this week's official booking of Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney next month (00:51) Derrick Lewis' decision to re-sign with the UFC and why Chael loves everything Lewis has done in the past month (19:24) Chael's idea for who Nate Diaz should fight if he decides to return to the UFC (25:34) Dana White doubling down on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Cha...
Aug 11, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Back from a weekend in Dallas for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, Chael discusses the following on today's episode: Paul vs. Diaz and what Chael's biggest takeaway from the weekend was (00:56) Twitter wars exchanged between Paul and Conor McGregor and what Paul's no-sell of McGregor means for the Irishman, plus Chael gives McGregor some slack (15:07) Cory Sandhagen's incredible performance over Rob Font in Nashville and why Chael wants to take back his past criticism of the top bantamweight contender (...
Aug 08, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode, Chael previews a wild weekend in combat sports. But first, he gets into some more UFC 291 fallout and the uncertainty around the middleweight and light heavyweight title pictures. He discusses: Jorge Masvidal's $100,000 bet on Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 and Chael's displeasure with the current state of the BMF belt (00:47) Why Chael is upset with Justin Gaethje after he tweeted at Conor McGregor (10:51) and why Chael isn't convinced McGregor will ever fight again (20:15) Some ...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Back after a crazy weekend in Salt Lake City, Chael discusses the following on today's UFC 291 reaction episode: What to do with BMF champion Justin Gaethje following his head-kick win over Dustin Poirier (1:02) Why Chael thinks Jan Blachowicz beat Alex Pereira but nonetheless ... Pereira finds himself in the midst of a historic UFC run (7:56) Derrick Lewis' nearly perfect outing that now has him set to field some lucrative offers in free agency (16:53) Why, despite a dominant win over Michael C...
Aug 01, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Right before heading off to Salt Lake City to cover UFC 291 for ESPN, Chael sits down to get into all of the latest MMA news, as well as this weekend's must-see card. On today's episode, he talks about: Michael Bisping's high praise of Tom Aspinall and Chael's take on how the British star can get to the UFC heavyweight title (00:58) Why the world's (supposedly) most dangerous man -- Jon Jones -- is a coward on social media (9:20) The official booking of Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev and why Ch...
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast UFC 291 fight week is upon us! On today's episode, Chael discusses: The impressive return of Tom Aspinall and how he's perfectly set up his path to the heavyweight title (00:58) Jon Jones' response to Aspinall's win and whether Chael thinks the heavyweight champion is afraid to face the likes of Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich (12:18) Dricus Du Plessis pulling out of the Israel Adesanya title fight and whether Sean Strickland is the right guy to step in his place (19:27) Paul Craig's callout of Bo...
Jul 25, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode, Chael discusses: How Israel Adesanya has already won against Dricus Du Plessis (00:22) Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev, and the mystery of why the Brazilian finally signed the contract (13:33) Dana White’s announcement of Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira, and whether Do Bronx actually wants that fight (23:22) Why Chael believes Tom Aspinall might be the future of the UFC heavyweight division (31:58) Paddy Pimblett’s bizarre nutrition regimen (39:17) And much more! Our Spon...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this loaded Friday episode, Chael discusses the following: Francis Ngannou's huge win in securing a boxing fight with Tyson Fury, but also why Chael doesn't feel this fight is a real sporting event (00:56) Why Fury should be ashamed of himself for taking this fight (19:04) Why Chael believes Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis could be one of the best fights of the year (39:03) Chael's advice to rising superstar Bo Nickal (58:01) Alexander Volkanovski's dismissing of top featherweight conte...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
