The Co-Main Event MMA Podcast

Lot of ground to cover during this week’s Co-Main Event Podcast. With Tito Ortiz’s “unexpected” neck injury forcing Bellator to scramble to re-book Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez on free TV last Friday, you might’ve thought this CME would double as a eulogy for the dearly departed fight promotion. Not so fast however, as episode 75 finds Ben and Chad discussing whether Bellator’s revamped free card actually puts it in a better position than its terrible PPV one. Aside from that, there’s Lyoto Machida’s big win over Mark Munoz to consider, and then some rampant speculation as to if the “Machida Era” is back on at middleweight. In between, they discuss Chad’s new job and benefit from cameo appearances from dudes like Mayehm Miller and Melvin Guillard, not to mention a few Gracies. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s always a joy to record the Co-Main Event Podcast, but some weeks? Some weeks are just superior to others. Take this week, for example, when in the aftermath of the excellent UFC 166 and in advance of Saturday’s UFN 30, Ben and Chad probably could’ve done two, maybe three shows. They will not do this. Don’t get any ideas. That said, episode 74 just rolls out like a fine, velvety wine. From the awesome performances by Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Melendez to the slightly troubling ones by Junior dos Santos and Diego Sanchez, this week’s MMA news was begging for it. And the boys oblige. With the time left over, they toss some preview talk about Mark Munoz vs. Lyoto Machida at you just for fun. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one of the biggest fight cards of the year on tap, Ben and Chad turn nearly their full attention to UFC 166 during this week’s Co-Main Event Podcast. And we only say nearly after yet another weird display from Rousimar Palhares at last weekend’s Fight Night card led to his UFC ouster and called for a fair amount of discussion on episode 73. Never fear though, gentle listener, you’ll get an earful about the third pending bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, as well as Diego Sanchez’s chances in a lightweight tiff against Gilbert Melendez. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some personal news kicks off episode 72 of the Co-Main Event Podcast, with Chad explaining to inquiring MMA minds everywhere why he chose to leave his position at ESPN.com on Monday. Will he take Ben’s advice and join the Crips? Guess you’ll have to listen to the show to know for sure. In any case, the touchy-feely stuff gets dispensed with quickly and then the guys dive right into discussing Wednesday's UFC main event between Jake Shields and Demian Maia. From there they segue into conversations about Ben Rothwell’s nine-month suspension for TRT-related shenanigans (or mistakes, or what have you) and the five-year anniversary of the final EliteXC event, as viewed through the lens of Chuck Mindenhall’s brilliant retrospective over on MMA Fighting.com. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plenty of news and notes to discuss this week on the Co-Main Event Podcast and not all of it jolly. On Episode 71, Ben and Chad spend the bulk of the time sorting out happenings that range from unsavory to simply unsatisfying. There is Yushin Okami’s recent release from the UFC to consider, along with news that the rematch we all expected/wanted between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson isn’t going to happen as quickly as it first appeared. The biggest bummer of all, though, is the death of a Brazilian flyweight last Thursday just prior to the weigh-ins for a Shooto event in Rio. All that stuff gets discussed in more or less excruciating detail, as does Sir Nigel Longstock’s current illness, which the world’s leading theatricalist blames on Ben’s baby daughter. All that, plus AYFKM, MasterTweet Theatre and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was so much awesomeness to go around in Jon Jones’ UFC 165 win over Alexander Gustafsson that Ben and Chad thought something special was in order for episode 70 of the Co-Main Event Podcast. Unfortunately, they were both too tired to think about it for long, so in the end they just decided to commit all three rounds to that one fight. Don’t fret, the guys still find some time to discuss the fortunes of Renan “The Monster” Barao, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Brendan Schaub. That one fight, though, that was a doozy. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t know if you heard amid all the boxing chatter last week, but there’s a pretty cool mixed-fighting show this Saturday night too, as UFC 165 emanates from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. This week the Co-Main Event Podcast reckons on whether Alexander Gustafsson really will turn out to be the stiffest test of Jon Jones’ career at said event, or if everyone is just excited for this fight because they’re both so tall. In addition, there is last week’s announcement that B.J. Penn is back (and headed to 145 pounds?!?!) to consider, though who is to say how seriously? Oh, and also, the boxing match. Seemed like a lot of people watched it, and a lot of MMA people even took the opportunity to say nice things about the sweet (albeit elderly) science. So … uh … what’s with all the high profile boxing people continuing to talk shit about MMA? Ben and Chad will discuss. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just because there is no major MMA show this week doesn't mean the Co-Main Event Podcast won't have more than enough fight-related BS to BS about during episode 68. For starters, Ben and Chad chop it up over Georges St. Pierre and Johny Hendricks bickering about who exactly is (or is not) going to conduct the independent drug testing for their UFC 167 fight and who is (or is not) going to pay for it. In addition, there’s this new season of The Ultimate Fighter. which debuted to slumping ratings amid a short spate of slumping UFC ratings on Fox Sports 1. Also, Bellator opened its Fall season with an entertaining scrap for the middleweight title. Not that you would notice in the middle of that company’s ongoing PR nightmare. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first Co-Main Event Podcast of the Anthony Pettis Era went down in style, with custom-made suits and Corn Nuts for everybody. Nah, not really. Since episode 67 was recorded on Labor Day, Ben and Chad did this one in board shorts and trucker hats, with a couple of Olympias coozie’d-up at the ready. Fine, that’s not exactly true either, but it is a verifiable fact that Chad’s daughter screamed and cried throughout the whole show, so if you can hear what sounds like a raccoon trying to free itself from a spring-loaded leg trap in the background, that’s just her. Seriously, no animals were harmed during the recording of this podcast, unless you count reason and good taste as living, breathing things. The guys break down Pettis’ win over Benson Henderson at UFC 164, talk about Frank Mir’s odd first person account of his knockout loss to Josh Barnett and preview Wednesday’s Fight Night 28 card. At least, the fights with people they’ve heard of before. All that, plus AYFKM, Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two shows, one week? Two shows, one week. As the UFC prepares to double dip with the revival of its old Wednesday evening time slot for Fight Night 27 and Saturday’s UFC 164, the Co-Main Event Podcast is along for the ride. During episode lucky number 66, Ben and Chad discuss Benson Henderson finally getting his shot at a rematch against Anthony Pettis, Josh Barnett making his long-awaited return to the Octagon (while opponent Frank Mir and Ben Rothwell will reportedly be using TRT) and a second Fox Sports 1 card that looks like a real kick in the pants. Plus, find out which upcoming main event Chad had no idea was being contested at light heavyweight. Seriously, why they do that? But that’s not all! Thrill to the adventures of AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and MasterTweet Theatre as well, gentle listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consider it yet another significant hurdle cleared by the UFC on Saturday, as the organization’s Fight Night 26 show ferried Fox Sports 1 into the world with the violent, crowd-pleasing stuff of promoters’ dreams. As the fog of war dissipates, the Co-Main Event Podcast swoops in to sort through the particulars. So, Chael Sonnen got a big light heavyweight win just in time to drop back to middleweight, huh? And you say Alistair Overeem is looking more fireable than ever after his knockout loss to Travis Browne, is that it, old sport? And FS1’s ratings seem to be a smashing success? Yes, well, Ben and Chad will be the judge of that, as they break down all these topics and more during the next seventy minutes or so. Plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 64 marks another early arrival for the Co-Main Event Podcast, this one recorded and put in the can just as news broke that Jason “Mayhem” Miller had allegedly been arrested for domestic violence. So, that’s about typical as it concerns breaking news constantly occurring just as the podcast is finished. Fortunately, there was more than enough preexisting MMA news to fill this episode as Ben and Chad laid it down on Sunday afternoon. Topics discussed here include the pending debut of Fox Sports 1, the returns of both Chael Sonnen and Alistair Overeem and Ronda Rousey’s recent claims she’ll only fight for another couple of years before transitioning to career No. 2 (or wait, career No. 3? Eh, who’s counting?). In the middle, the guys mix in some talk about last Saturday’s World Series of Fighting 4 card, which included promotional owner Ray Sefo losing to Dave Huckaba, Lew Polley badly missing weight and Tyrone Spong getting his second professional MMA win. All that plus AYFKM, Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the many things that makes hosting the Co-Main Event Podcast so fun is that to date Ben and Chad have never encountered a week where they had to be all, “Well, just a bunch of boring, normal, sane stuff happened.” This week was obviously no exception, with Bellator announcing that Tito Ortiz and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would headline its first ever pay-per-view effort on Nov. 2. The guys could probably do a whole show on that topic alone, not to mention Chan Sung Jung’s shoulder vibrating apart during his title match against Jose Aldo or the MMA community at large crying foul about Phil Davis eking out a victory over Lyoto Machida. All of this is a nice way of saying episode 63 clocks in at around 1 hour, 12 minutes. Hope that’s not a problem. There is also some AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and MasterTweet Theatre on there as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online voting did not go as planned last week during the quest to find a winner in the Co-Main Event Podcast music contest. Nobody’s fault, really (except maybe the dudes who wrote up the rules for the contest itself) but in the end Ben and Chad had no choice but to declare the thing a draw. Thing is, though, that could well turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as now the CME has two dope new themes to choose from during the next month or so before going back to the beloved original theme. Anyway, to get the details, you’re going to have to listen to the show. You’ll want to do that anyway, as this week the guys break down the stark contrast between the final two fights on last Saturday’s UFC on Fox broadcast, look ahead to Jose Aldo’s title defense against Chan Sung Jung (that’s the Korean Zombie, you guys) at UFC 163 and wonder when the UFC’s gonna break the news to us that it’s moving its operation to Brazil on a full-time basis. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t mind telling you, Universe, there are a lot of unknowns on this weekend’s UFC of FOX 8 card, which means the Co-Main Event Podcast had its work cut out for itself during episode 61. Witness Ben and Chad trying to sort out whether the legend of Rory MacDonald is more hype than substance, if Jake Ellenberger can make a run at the 170-pound title before it’s too late and just who the hell is this John Moraga dude everybody keeps saying is fighting for the flyweight title. Your dudes pick over this show like a couple of grizzled lab techs at a crime scene, all the while looking for answers about why Dana White would shout at the hapless people from SI Now, why anybody would think reanimating “bare knuckle boxing” was a good idea and why Joe Riggs would tell those stories about other fighters’ bathing suit areas. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank God for Anthony Pettis, Brian Stann and Anderson Silva, as those three gentlemen provided a significant lift to episode 60 of the Co-Main Event Podcast during what otherwise may have been a fairly slow news week. First Pettis poured gas on the conspiracy fire as he slid safely into a lightweight title bout against Benson Henderson at UFC 164 after T.J. Grant pulled out with a concussion suffered during Brazilian Jiu-Jits training. Wait. Concussion during BJJ? The fuck? Grant must’ve been coming off the top rope or something. Anyway, then Stann pulled off potentially the most reasonable and responsible retirement in our sport’s history just a day or two before Anderson Silva announced that he [was] back and had agreed to fight Chris Weidman at UFC 168 in December. Suffice it to say, all this stuff made Ben’s and Chad’s jobs as your humble co-hosts a walk in the park. Meanwhile, the MMA world breathed a collective sigh of relief as former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia emerged from hiding this week to offer proof of life and to let everybody know he still has cell phone service. You didn’t think Big Tim would get through this week without making an appearance in AYFKM did you? Yeah no, he does not. All that, plus Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t know if you guys heard, but UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (who has long been regarded as pretty good at fighting) lost the title to Chris Weidman this weekend at UFC 162. It was sort of an upset and that makes episode 59 of the Co-Main Event Podcast a pretty big one. Ben and Chad take a fairly indepth look at the fight itself, including the many machinations of public opinion in the wake of Weidman’s second round victory. They also contemplate the future of the 185-pound division and exactly how much of the UFC’s future planning went up in smoke at the moment the challenger landed that left hook to the champion’s jaw. In middleweight news of another kind, the guys also wonder about the future of longtime fan favorite Chris Leben, whose career appeared on thin ice after his own loss to Andrew Craig. All that, plus the return of Sir Nigel Longstock and MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With America set to turn 237 years old this week (or 229 years young, for you Treaty of Paris types) the Co-Main Event Podcast celebrated the only way it knows how: By recording the show early so Ben and Chad could spend the rest of the week standing around shirtless at barbecues drinking beer and shouting stuff like “Oh yeah? Let me tell YOU something …,” at people they only sort of know. So, yay America. With UFC 162 coming up on Saturday, it goes without saying that the guys have serious MMA business to attend to as well. This week’s topics include Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva as the most talked about UFC main event in some time, that awesome behind-the-scenes video of War MMA that we all watched and numerous past and present fighters criticizing the UFC’s pay scale. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. It’s nearly Independence Day, which means Sir Nigel Longstock has retreated to Mother England to stew on the shame of it all, but we hope he’ll return next week to shock and disturb us with his Michael Bisping impression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad pull a fast one on the CME Universe this week, calling an audible and opting to do an All Questions Answered installment of the podcast for Episode 57. Turns out it was a pretty slow news week in the MMA world and rather than spend an entire round (or two) talking about Nick Diaz’s fledgling War MMA promotion the guys decided it would be better to hear from you, the listener. You didn’t disappoint, either, you little rascals, serving up a full slate of questions that have the hour, eight minutes flying by in a blink. A bunch of topics are addressed, including Anderson Silva’s fitness as GOAT, Chris Weidman’s chances at UFC 162, PEDs (sorry), a new scoring system for MMA and how the world will remember the sport’s recent spate of retirees. All that, plus Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan, AYFKM and Just Sayin Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One thing to be said for episode 56 of the Co-Main Event Podcast: Everybody was sober for the recording. We think. Hard to tell sometimes with Ben Fowlkes, you know? Anyway, with the decision-heavy UFC 161 still weighing considerably on their minds this week, Ben and Chad take up Rashad Evans’ victory over Dan Henderson, Roy Nelson’s lackluster loss to Stipe (Stipe!) Miocic and Steve Mazzagatti once again getting the raspberry after letting Josh Burkman choke Jon Fitch unconscious at WSOF 3. So, good for World Series of Fighting for actually getting a full round of the podcast devoted to its product this week. Focus on the positives. All that, plus AYFKM, listener mail and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, the Co-Main Event Podcast will never do that again. At least, we hope not. The CME unveils its Unofficial Drinking Game this week with Ben, Chad and Sir Nigel spending the hour trying to drink up the Internet beer they were bequeathed by listener Claire Hammond. Was it a “success”? Perhaps if you consider the podcast essentially devolving into 74 minutes of Just Sayin’ Stuff then, yeah, it was a huge success. On the docket for episode 55 are Fabricio Werdum’s big win over Roddy Nog from last weekend’s UFC on FuelTV event, former UFC stars like Jon Fitch and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson making news and a “preview” of sorts of next week’s UFC 161. The guys would love to tell you how it went, but they’re not sure they “remember” the “whole thing.” We’re pretty sure there is some AYFKM, MasterTweet Theatre and Just Sayin’ Stuff, though. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The groovy, spaced-out beach vibe that accompanies episode 54 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is due largely to the show’s featured music, which comes to us from a CME listener’s surf rock band called – get this – The Testostertones. If you close your eyes, it’ll be almost like you’re right there with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as they have the time of their lives during that crazy summer of ’65. Except, you know, that Ben and Chad are there harshing everybody’s mellows by talking about MMA the whole time. This week the dudes take on the game of mixed martial musical chairs going on over the UFC 161 card, the sudden insertion of Miesha Tate (and the other half of Caratate) opposite Ronda Rousey on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter” and the overall newsworthiness of this weekend’s UFC on FuelTV 10 event. Plus, Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 53 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is so chock full of heavyweight goodness that it barely slips in under the 265-pound weight limit. With UFC 160 still lingering on all our palates like a fine wine, Ben and Chad talk about the prospect of Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III, the fates of Bigfoot Silva and Mark Hunt, the reintroduction of Josh Barnett to the division as well as Roy Nelson’s intentions to fight Stipe Miocic. With time remaining, they also take a good look at the performance of New Lightweight Superstar T.J. Grant, the emergence of Alexander Emelianenko’s beard and the bloodbath that was Jeremy Stephens-Estevan Payan. Plus, MasterTweet Theatre, Just Sayin’ Stuff and AYFKM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not going to lie to you, episode 52 of the Co-Main Event Podcast contains a lot of talk about testosterone replacement therapy. But you knew that already, right? After Vitor Belfort knocked out Luke Rockhold with an amazing spinning kick on Saturday at UFC on FX 8 and the internets exploded with TRT-induced vitriol, it didn’t take a genius to figure out the dominant topic of the week. Ben and Chad do their duty, strapping up and hurling themselves headlong into the sludge, taking on such questions as: How will the UFC handle Belfort’s supposed No. 1 contender status? Does the Young Dinosaur deserve more/less/equal criticism as other TRT-tastic dudes like Chael Sonnen and Dan Henderson? And what can CME fans do to help? When the testosterone talk subsides, they also discuss Cain Velasquez’s upcoming UFC 160 fight against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva as well as Mark Hunt’s scrap with Junior dos Santos. All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and listener mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So it turns out some a-hole has been impersonating Ben Fowlkes on the internets, huh? The introduction to episode 51 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is highlighted by Ben and Chad discussing the story of his reverse catfishing, which caused quite a stir over at MMAJunkie.com and the UG early this week. Some of the burning questions that emerged from the ordeal: Just who is lame enough to do this? What could their incredibly lousy motives be? And why on earth would anyone who is not already Ben Fowlkes want to be Ben Fowlkes? There are no easy answers. Once your dudes get around to the actual MMA talk, the upcoming UFC on FX 8 card takes center stage. Specifically, Ben and Chad break down the main event pitting Vitor Belfort against Luke Rockhold as well as the octagon debut of “Jacare” Souza. In the time left over, they squeeze in some talk of the “phantom agent” who allegedly offered Leonard Garcia a contract with Bellator this week and wonder aloud if it might be the same sorry son of a bitch who is also impersonating Ben. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All in all, it was kind of an awkward week for the Co-Main Event Podcast to ring in episode No. 50. Caught in the doldrums between major MMA events and without much really juicy news to sink their toothless grins into, Ben and Chad were left to fend largely for themselves. The result? Well, at least they do something they’ve never done before. You gotta give them credit for that … right? … right? Anyway, you’re familiar with those weirdo, two-round “exhibition” bouts the fighters do on “The Ultimate Fighter” that don’t end up counting on their professional records? This is kind of like that. The guys embark on an expanded installment of listener mail (and, seriously, thank God for you people) before chopping it up on the topics of Eddie Alvarez’s ongoing legal battle against Bellator and the fact that some of the sport’s most improbable superfights have floated back to the front and center of our collective consciousness. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though she does not appear on episode 49 of the Co-Main Event Podcast, the real star of this week’s show may be Ben’s wife, as both he and Chad borrowed her jokes for the broadcast. And really, what can you do in the wake of an event as weird as UFC 159 besides laugh? From Jon Jones’ broken toe, to Chael Sonnen’s near miss at becoming light heavyweight champ, to the gouged eyes and splintered thumbs, the guys break it all down, including where both Jones and Sonnen should go from here and what the powers that be in the UFC must’ve done to the MMA gods to deserve such a screwy show. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With less than a week to go before UFC 159 and just a few days removed from UFC on Fox 7, episode 48 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is strictly concerned with the big issues: Did Benson Henderson really beat Gilbert Melendez on Saturday night? Really? Did Daniel Cormier really fail to entertain you during his victory over Frank Mir? Really? And are you really gonna shell out the big bucks to watch Jon Jones beat up Chael Sonnen this weekend … Really? It’s a busy week in the world of mixed martial arts, so in addition to these topics Ben and Chad have a lot to get off their chests, including discussing the politics of asking someone to marry you on national television, why Strikeforce fighters seem to be doing such an awesome job in the UFC and how the hell some dude who teaches at a Cesar Gracie-affiliated school got himself assigned to judge Bendo-Melendez. All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and the long awaited return of Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan (TFTWRFF?). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If we see your eyes brimming with tears as you listen to this week’s episode of the Co-Main Event Podcast, we’re just going to assume Ben and Chad said something that affected you on a deeply personal basis, and not that your eyes are watering from listening to the hoarse rasp of Ben’s injured voice. Sadly, the poor kid isn’t quite 100 percent for this taping, telling us he got stuck in a “choke” at “jiu-jitsu” or some other obviously made up story. You’ve got to hand it to him for saddling-up and croaking his way through 66 minutes, though. On the heels of the TUF 17 live finale and in advance of the UFC on FOX 7 this weekend the guys break down the surprising performances we saw from Cat Zingano and Uriah Hall and look forward to Gilbert Melendez finally getting his chance to prove he belongs among the elite lightweights in MMA. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Due to some technical difficulties it took two full tries to get episode 46 in the books, but Ben and Chad persevered, took it one round at a time and, God willing, they came out on top. You might notice this installment of the Co-Main Event Podcast sounds particularly smooth, as if the guys had just completed a dress rehearsal only hours beforehand. Either that, or it’ll seem like they’re just going through the motions. Nevertheless, this episode sees copious discussion of the Alexander Gustafsson injury situation, Gegard Mousasi’s good fortune and Ilir Latifi’s man on the street build. In addition to that, the guys break down Cris “Cyborg” Santos’ return to the cage after a 15 month absence and whether or not these “Ultimate Fighter” live finale cards are really necessary. If you listen closely, you just might hear some AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 45 of the Co-Main Event Podcast was recorded mere moments before the Wanderlei Silva-Gegard Mousasi April Fool’s Day internet rumor bonanza took the MMA news world by storm, or else you better believe Ben and Chad would’ve had something to say about it. As it stands your dudes had to be content with discussing the previous rumors, about Alexander Gustafsson damn near getting his whole head chopped off while training for UFC on Fuel 9 and the resulting cut putting his scheduled fight with Mousasi in the lurch. Curse them for thinking that’d be as crazy as it got. This cool 70 minutes of mixed martial arts talk also includes discussion of Georges St. Pierre going Hollywood (literally this time) in order to play Batroc the Leaper (Batroc the Leaper!) in the next Captain America movie and the return of Chris “Cyborg” Santos at Friday’s Invicta 5 card. In addition to that, there’s some Just Sayin’ Stuff and some AYFKM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ugh. Yeah, so the Co-Main Event Podcast lost a bet. Because of the unbelievable drubbing Ben’s and Chad’s beloved University of Montana Grizzlies took at the hands of Ariel Helwani’s hated Syracuse Orange last week in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the CME has a slightly different soundtrack for this episode. Really, your humble co-hosts have no one to blame but themselves. They should’ve known better, taking an underdog No. 13 seed straight up against Jim Boeheim’s longstanding basketball juggernaut. The end results were not pretty. Not pretty at all. But, because The Co-Main Event Podcast Always Pays Its Debts, the guys had no choice but to adopt Helwani’s terrible yet oddly infectious theme music this week. Next week all will be back to normal, you know, barring any further riverboat gambling. For the second (or maybe third?) time in its history, the CME delivers an All Questions Considered episode this week. That means all listener mail questions all the time until the show runs out of gas. Plus, Sir Nigel Longstock drops by for some very special good times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 43 of the Co-Main Event Podcast finds Ben and Chad just trying to wrap their arms around all the awesome happenings of UFC 158 and hug it all so, so tight. Maybe all the excitement goes to their heads, as at one point Ben relates the story of being locked out of his hotel by a “manifestation” in the streets of Montreal and at another, Chad tries out his new Johny Hendricks impression. Once they get down to brass tacks, the guys talk up the not-so-dark, not-so-scary appearance of Georges St. Pierre’s dark place, the (possible) end of the strange saga of Nick Diaz (his retirement, his demands of a rematch, his dreams of a fight with Anderson Silva and, oh yeah, his taxes) as well as the notion that Hendricks might well be the guy to finally wrench the title from St. Pierre’s pampered-up, manicured grasp. All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and Listener Mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two exciting developments for episode 42 of the Co-Main Event Podcast: 1) The debut of the show’s new logo! and 2) Listener generated music! Both are part of Ben’s and Chad’s ongoing mission to make the CME better and more listener friendly during the two zero one three. Anyhoo, aside from the new accoutrements this episode itself is as you might expect: The guys relive last week’s epic UFC 158 prefight conference call between Nick Diaz and Georges St. Pierre (and those other dudes who just had to stay on the line and observe the madness), talk up the two other extremely meaningful welterweight fights on this Saturday’s pay-per-view card and discuss the topsy-turvy week in the lives of Mark Hunt and Junior dos Santos. All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and Listener Mail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 41 of the Co-Main Event Podcast comes on the heels of last Saturday’s unpredictable UFC on Fuel TV 8 card from Saitama Super Arena and leaves Ben and Chad with no shortage of things to discuss. From Wanderlei Silva’s upset win over Brian Stann (and what it portends for both their futures) to Mark Hunt’s jaw-breaking KO of Stefan Struve (seen at right) to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre saying he’s going to unleash his dark place against Nick Diaz, the guys leave no stoned unturned. Get it? Stoned? As in, some talk of Matt Riddle’s recent ouster from the UFC on grounds of continued marijuana use also makes the cut on this week’s show. You didn’t think a guy was going to get released from the UFC for his love of lechuga de muerta and Ben wasn’t going to have some shit to say about it, did you? All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM (which seems to be spreading to listener mail, btw) and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episodically speaking, the Co-Main Event podcast turns 40 this week, amid the rush that was Saturday night’s UFC 157 and the advance jitters of next weekend’s show at Saitama Super Arena. Ben and Chad celebrate accordingly, talking up Ronda Rousey’s first round armbar victory over Liz Carmouche (and what it might mean for the overall future of women’s MMA), the stinkfest Lyoto Machida and Dan Henderson forced us to suffer through and the sudden gnashing of teeth over the UFC’s release of Jon Fitch (which was pretty much the most classic response ever from the collected MMA industry). The guys also talk about Brendan Schaub’s lackluster victory over Lavar “Big” Johnson, the relative ins and outs of Johnson penile nickname and how awesome it was when Kenny Robertson tapped Brock Jardine with a DIY submission hold. Oh yeah, and Chad sends a special fuck you out to the hapless clowns in the South Dakota state government. At the risk of repeating ourselves, allow the CME to say it again: Fuck you, clowns. All that, plus Just Sayin’ Stuff, AYFKM and – like we always do about this time – listener mail. (Listener mail!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another week, another increasingly jury-rigged episode of the Co-Main Event Podcast somehow finds its way into the light. This week, Ben and Chad had to resort to using the world’s oldest known computer and some free software in order to get this thing out but, damn it, here it is. Imagine Sir Nigel furiously turning a crank to keep the power on while the guys yelled into a series of increasingly large tubes and you can pretty much picture what this week’s recording session was like. Any irregularities in sound you may experience are obviously the result of this process. Same goes for the few new musical surprises headed your way during this episode. Cheesus willing, by next week Chad’s computer will be safely back in his possession and recording will resume as normal. As for now, you’ll have to accept this week’s discussions of Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche, Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida and Dana White’s sudden about face on the issue of testosterone replacement therapy with our compliments and apologies. Seriously, it’s a miracle this shit worked at all. Anyhoo, another round of MasterTweet Theatre, Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan and Just Sayin’ Stuff are included, for good measure. So take that, haters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And so, here it is, the long-awaited episode 38 of the Co-Main Event Podcast, aka CME: The Lost Tapes. The guys got thrown for a loop this week as first the unexpected death of Chad’s computer, then Ben’s family commitments set the podcast back a full two days. Forced into a DefCon One-type scenario, they resorted to booking some time at their pal Nate’s downtown studio to record this ish and – ta-da! – this is the result. On this week’s show, your dudes talk about the performances of Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche on the first episode of their UFC: Primetime infomercial, whether Renan Barao is STILL a MONSTER and why the people involved in Bellator’s “FightMaster” (FIGHTMASTER!) either should or shouldn’t be fearing for their futures. Look, it’s a miracle you’re getting this thing at all, so … you’re welcome. Now, what the shit are Ben and Chad gonna do about next Monday? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the Co-Main Event Podcast puts a temporary hold on one of its solemn vows in order to discuss the recent kerfuffle caused by the release of the UFC’s first official rankings. Seriously, though, people, don’t get comfortable thinking this talk of rankings will persist. If the guys had their way, all MMA rankings would come with a disclaimer that said something like: WARNING! THESE ARE REALLY NOT WORTH TALKING ABOUT! As the podcast turns its eye toward more relevant happenings, Ben and Chad discuss the futures of Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar after their killer bout from Saturday’s UFC 156, marvel at Alistair Overeem’s hubris catching up with him in such a violent way and note how awesome it is that Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva keeps winning these fights The Powers That Be obviously want him to lose. Let’s see, what else? Oh, right, things get dicey for a moment when it seems like Ben is going to insist we all sit down to watch his high school football highlight tape. Also, Chad gives out his secret formula for Winning At Keno Every Time. ‘Nuff said? ’Nuff said. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 36 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is more sprint than marathon. This week Ben and Chad hit the ground running after the unadulterated awesomeness that was Saturday night’s UFC on FOX 6 card and they never look back. The guys discuss Demetrious Johnson’s transgressions during his successful title defense against John Dodson, contemplate the legacy of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and try to hash out the futures of two lightweights seemingly headed in different directions (namely, Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis). In addition, Chad finally comes clean about that one time NFL washout Ryan Leaf paid him $100 for his half-empty Bud Light. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Production of the Co-Main Event Podcast moved into the icy basement of Castle Fowlkes during the last two weeks, so if you detect any audio irregularities in episode 35 it may be just be the sound of Ben’s and Chad’s teeth rattling as they struggle to stay alive in the arctic temperatures. On this installment of the show, your co-hosts discuss Vitor Belfort’s upset of Michael Bisping, preview the coming week’s UFC on Fox card and talk about whether or not Bellator established any real momentum with its debut show on Spike last week. Along the way, Jesus is praised (you the men, Jesus) Michael Chandler’s future projected (it’s bright) and the guys drop some spoilers about the upcoming meeting between Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson (don’t tell anyone but, they’re flyweights). All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As you certainly know by now, the birth of Ben’s daughter (Willa Jane Fowlkes, who is adorable, by the way) on Monday threw this week’s Co-Main Event schedule into chaos. Just when you thought they’d leave you hanging, though, your dudes got together late Tuesday night to record an impromptu episode of the CME. Maybe they just couldn’t let the opportunity to comment on the end of Strikeforce, the future of SF fighters and the beginning of the Bellator-on-Spike era pass them by. Maybe they just had nothing better to do. Anyway, Ben and Chad obviously laid this track down prior to the UFC releasing the official roster of Strikeforce combatants who’d be making the move to the Octagon (No Barnett, dudes? Really?) but most of the content remains fresh, nonetheless. So yeah, it’s Wednesday and here you go: An hour and 15 minutes of Co-Main Event goodness. Now that everybody has had their babies and gone on their family trips, maybe we can all get back to our regularly scheduled programming. Not to jinx it or anything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The logo for the first meeting of the Co-Main Event Podcast book club really sets the tone, don’t you think? Racy, exciting, a little bit dangerous. The truth is, the whole thing is kind of a blur. What we know for sure is that Ben, Chad and Sir Nigel spent an hour and change breaking down “Bar Brawler,” the debut novel from David Lee “Tank” Abbott and the first volume of the purported “Befor [sic] There Were Rules” trilogy. After all that time, did the guys come any closer to understanding the nature of the work? To ferreting out the intent of one of the more enigmatic pieces of “fiction” to cross their desks in some time? Probably not. What did happen, though, was a good deal of pre-tuning and a whole lot of fun. Frankly, this episode was all about you, as this was without a doubt the strongest showing ever from the CME Universe. The listener contributions to this show were flat-fuckin’-outstanding, so kudos to you. Ben and Chad provide their theories, Sir Nigel performs some dramatic readings (both from this text and others) and the guys play a Brawler-inspired game dubbed “Begging for It or Not Begging for It?” Final verdict: Was Tank’s book bad? Of course it was, but nobody could’ve anticipated the surprising and wonderful ways it would prove to be bad. Next time, if there is a next time, the CME pledges to pick a better book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Co-Main Event Podcast may well have dodged another baby bullet this week, as Ben’s wife still had not gone into labor as he and Chad recorded episode 33. Unless Mr. and Mrs. Fowlkes’ kiddo is petulantly late, it appears as if the first round of CME offspring were kind enough not to disrupt the podcast schedule. On this installment, the guys reminisce a bit about Strikeforce prior to the zombie promotion’s final show this weekend, talk about the debacle that was InvictaFC’s first try at an internet pay-per-view and discuss the even bigger catastrophe that appears to be Eddie Alvarez’s current contract situation with Bellator. Numerous sirens are consumed, jokes are cracked and no one will ever be the same again. Plus Just Sayin’ Stuff and the return of Sir Nigel Longstock for another round of MasterTweet Theatre. Don’t forget: On 1/9/13 the first ever episode of the Co-Main Event Book Club is also set to drop. There’s still time to finish up Tank Abbott’s “Bar Brawler” before Ben, Chad and Sir Nigel spend a painstaking, probably overly thorough and half-drunken hour discussing it. Check back Wednesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through the magic of tape delay the Co-Main Event Podcast’s first installment of 2013 is also the last episode of 2012, as the guys got together bright and early on New Year’s Eve Day to crank this puppy out. As the calendar turns, Ben and Chad are still flying high on the rush that was UFC 155 … at least, you know, the last two fights of it. During episode 32 the dudes talk at length about Cain Velasquez reclaiming the UFC heavyweight title from Junior dos Santos, Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon totally saving the day after the first few fights of the UFC 155 PPV stunk the joint up and Dana White’s most substantive discussion of performance enhancing drugs in recent memory. They also dole out some suggested new year’s resolutions for a few members of the MMA community, talk about how much of the best action of UFC 155 came from the cornermen and discuss whether or not Ben’s jiu jitsu gi has a stash pocket for his weed. You know, normal stuff. All that, plus AYFKM, listener mail and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not even Christmas can stop the Co-Main Event express, as America’s favorite mixed martial arts podcast thunders straight through the holiday season with episode 31. In the lead up to this weekend’s UFC 155 card, Ben and Chad discuss the coming do-over between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, the return of Chris Leben to the Octagon and take a long lens look at how much things have changed since the end of 2011. Your dudes won’t lie to you, CME Universe, it’s been a tough year for the UFC and MMA in general. Will 2013 be any different? Only one way to find out. During this last real episode of 2012 (Ep. 32 drops on Jan 1, you see) the guys also discuss Roy Nelson’s desire to go at least two more rounds with JDS, the politics of having Tito Ortiz as your manager and what it might be like to do a bunch of blow with MMA referee Kim Winslow. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff, uploaded while visions of sugar plums danced through your heads and whatnot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After so angering the CME Universe last week by choosing to go out of town with his family, Chad hopes to make amends by heading straight from the airport to Co-Main Event Studios to record episode 30. Once everyone is present and accounted for, he and Ben have a lot of ground to cover, so much in fact that this week only five rounds will do. On the docket for the latest installment of the CME are last week’s dueling TUF finales, Benson Henderson’s win over Nate Diaz (not to mention Toothpick-gate), the quizzical lineup for UFC 158 and whether or not doing three shows in 10 days is a good or bad thing for the world’s largest MMA promoter. Somewhere along the way, the guys wonder aloud who will coach TUF: India and Chad confesses that he spent much of Friday worrying about a specific UFC fighter’s brain. Oh, and Ben finds a way to bring up oral sex. Again. Also, turns out Co-Main Event Studios is no Universal Studios. Just sayin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First the bad news, kids: There will be no Co-Main Event Podcast next week, since Chad will screw everyone by being out of town. Now that we’ve all processed our grief from that little disappointment, however, we may celebrate the life of this week’s episode of the CME. And what a life it is. Installment No. 29 sees Ben admit that his wife’s pregnancy (and resulting lack of drink) has really made her go over the top in the Christmas decorations department. Meanwhile, Chad does his best to put the jinx on the entirety of the upcoming UFC on Fox 5 card. The guys break down Benson Henderson’s lightweight title defense against Nate Diaz, puzzle over the legacy of BJ Penn and try to figure out whether it’ll be Alexander Gustafsson or Shogun Rua (Rua!) who ends up getting screwed when Jon Jones fights Chael Sonnen instead. All that, plus listener mail, MasterTweet Theatre and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Seriously, you better get two weeks’ worth of enjoyment out of this before the lean times cometh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exciting times, you guys, as this week the Co-Main Event Podcast makes arguably the most electrifying announcement since the advent of the White Elephant Essay Contest. What is it, exactly? Well, you’ll have to listen to episode 28 to find out. You know what people are constantly saying about the CME, though: That it’s easily the most innovative MMA podcast recorded in Montana in a guy’s living room at a consistent monthly financial loss? Well, the show has outdone itself this time. Anyway, aside from that mind-blowing revelation, Ben and Chad discuss Strikeforce champions dropping like flies prior to the organization’s last scheduled show, UFC bantamweight Nick Denis pulling the plug on his MMA career in order to save himself from further brain trauma and the sport’s ongoing battle for the hearts and minds of the “casual fan.” All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Download it now, or you’ll be completely lost at your next Williamsburg cocktail party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where to even begin with episode 27 of the Co-Main Event Podcast? After a week filled to the brim with MMA action, Ben and Chad have no shortage of topics to discuss: From Georges St. Pierre showing no ill effects from a blown ACL or 18 months away from the cage in dispatching Carlos Condit at UFC 154, to Anderson Silva proclaiming he’s “here for fight” with the newly returned welterweight champion, to Ronda Rousey officially becoming the only fighter in the UFC’s 135 pound women's division, it’s pretty much on. Oh yeah, plus some idiot college basketball analyst busted out a couple of 2001’s best anti-MMA jokes on his Twitter, so you know that wasn’t going to escape their notice. Not to mention, Sir Nigel Longstock drops by to dispel some internet rumors during another thrilling installment of MasterTweet Theatre. All that, plus listener mail, Tips for the Well Rounded Fight Fan and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices