Fighter vs. Writer: Alan Jouban Reacts to Merab Dvalishvili Dethroning Sean O’Malley and the ‘Conor McGregor Curse’

2025 is official here! 2024 was a big year in MMA, with over 40 UFC events and dozens of other big-time combat sports action taking place over the past 52 weeks, but now it's time to turn the page and look ahead to 2025. And what better way to do that than with No Bets Barred making its return?! Host Jed Meshew is joined by MMA Fighting's Mike Heck to review 2024 from a gambling perspective, check out how Jed's futures bets did (spoiler alert, not bad!), and hand out the illustrious No Bets Barred Fighter of the Year award. Then it's on to new business and Jed and Mike give their predictions for who will be UFC champion in each of the 11 weight classes at the end of 2025. Tune in for episode 112 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With 2024 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport. In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2024 was going to bring. Topics include Jon Jones' activity and the future of the UFC heavyweight championship, the PFL's potential success after acquiring Bellator, if Paddy Pimblett would end the year as a ranked lightweight in the UFC, Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul's MMA debut, the UFC's antitrust lawsuit impact, UFC champions in each division, bold predictions for the year, and more. In addition, we will need you help for part two: Our 2025 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Thursday, Jan. 2 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the third annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they grade the UFC for their 2024 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year. Additionally, the duo do the same for PFL, ONE Championship, BKFC, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, other ideas to bring into 2025, and what could be the breakout promotion in the space for the upcoming year. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at 2024, celebrating the biggest highs, breakout stars, and most unbelievable moments from one of the UFC and MMA's craziest years.  Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the year-end edition of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown and Damon Martin give their picks for the 2024 Fighter of the Year and start looking ahead at some of the biggest storylines in 2025. Will Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones actually happen? Will Conor McGregor fight in 2025? What happens to the PFL and a new upstart organization like the GFL? All this and much more on our special edition of The Fighter vs. The Writer to close out the year Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices