The Co-Main Event MMA Podcast

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

Only one word to describe episode 26 of the Co-Main Event Podcast: Gargantuan. With UFC: Macau (Macau!) now nothing but a memory and UFC 154 waiting in the wings next weekend, Ben and Chad have plenty to talk about, and not even Ben’s lingering (and Chad-induced) cold can stop them. Oh, and you didn’t think your dudes would let the week where the plug is finally, mercifully pulled on the old bag of bones that is Strikeforce and not comment on it, did you? If you did, you’ll be sorely disappointed. As time allows, they also discuss the politics of wearing jeans and work boots to a UFC weigh-in, waking up at 7 a.m. to watch some “fun” fights and how much Georges St Pierre is making from endorsement deals. Hint: It’s a lot. Plus, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Seriously a gargantuan show, you guys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 25 really makes the guys rethink the relatively free reign they’ve been giving Sir Nigel Longstock over MasterTweet Theatre, as things get weirder than ever between the CME and the world’s leading theatricalist. That awkwardness notwithstanding, Ben and Chad dispense with Stephan Bonnar’s positive test for steroids in the wake of UFC 153 and wonder what (if anything) can be done to clean up this sport. With UFC: Macau pending this weekend and the inaugural World Series of Fighting card in the books from last weekend, they look ahead to one more “fun fight” and analyze the slew of mismatches we’ve only just seen. Chad fights through the common cold and Ben finally comes clean about what his wife said to Jon Jones at last year’s World MMA Awards. All that, plus Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So this week the Co-Main Event Podcast put five rounds in the books in just shy of one hour, four minutes. Kind of makes you wonder why Ben and Chad can’t typically complete three rounds in under 1:15, huh? In any case, episode 24 sees your dudes take on the big issues, like whether or not there will be an actual “series” in the World Series of Fighting, the measure of Gina Carano’s true fighting spirit and if it’s possible to mobilize the CME voting bloc in order to win Ben the coveted “Best MMA Journalist” prize at this year’s World MMA Awards. Plus, Chad details the plot of a speculative novel he’d like to write about Tank Abbott while Ben opens up about his wish to chronicle the life of Wanderlei Silva. Did we mention the championship rounds? Oh yeah, this one is going five, brother. You know, just so there is no confusion in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two things were conclusively proven while recording this week’s Co-Main Event Podcast. One, Chad can’t remember past episodes of the CME for shit. Two, don’t even try to talk to Ben about PEDs if you want to get the show done in an hour. Aside from revealing those little peccadilloes, during episode 23 the guys talk about Jon Jones entering into yet another “fun fight” against Chael Sonnen, break down a fairly drug-centric week of MMA news and wonder aloud how the sport will remember Matt Hughes now that he’s all but announced his retirement. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Oh, and be sure you listen to the full hour and 10 minutes, since Ben gets worried at one point that you’ll get confused and shut off the podcast when it’s only the end of round two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big news, people: This was probably the best single week for listener mail in Co-Main Event Podcast history, so Ben and Chad respond with a slightly expanded LM segment and by sprinkling some of your comments throughout the rest of the show. Somehow, you guys are forcing them to take your input seriously. The nerve of you people. In more traditional podcast news, your dudes also discuss Anderson Silva making mock of Stephan Bonnar in the UFC 153 main event, the chance (or lack thereof) we ever see Silva mix it up with Jon Jones and how the hell anyone can ever trust Strikeforce again. Oh, and the expression “guaranteed puss” gets used at some point. So that’s another first. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. We’re just sayin, you’ll be sorry if you miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, Ben and Chad were on pace to wrap up episode 21 of the Co-Main Event Podcast in near record time this week. Then, they started talking about Ben’s trip to Kansas City to take in the third installment of Invicta Fighting Championships and suddenly, 17-minutes later, it was time to start Just Sayin’ Stuff. Those, as they say, are the breaks. While Fowlkes was in KC, Dundas was in Minneapolis for UFC on FX 5 and you’ll find a full report from each locale in this episode. The guys talk about Jeremy Stephens and Dennis Hallman each getting bounced from their scheduled fights at the 11th hour and try to glean some meaning from Bigfoot Silva’s upset win over Travis Browne. Plus, MasterTweet Theatre, tips for a well-rounded fight fan and (again) Just Sayin’ Stuff. Oh, you’ll also find out the resolution to last week’s cliffhanger of whether Chad tuned in to Invicta. (Hint: He totally did.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Co-Main Event Podcast reaches another milestone this week, as episode No. 20 drops like Bob Sapp after a CroCop left hand. By which we mean, it gets hit, takes a second to think things over and then curls up on the mat in tears. With one heavyweight main event in the books (Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic) and one on deck for this weekend (Travis Browne vs. Bigfoot Silva) Ben and Chad take a gander at the state of the 265-pound division at large, discuss the prospects of last Saturday’s big winners and attempt to parse out the future of the UFC’s international expansion plans. Not to mention, a good deal of talk about both Gunnars Nelson as well as the first ever cliffhanger ending in the history of the CME. All that, plus a supersized installment of listener mail, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Here comes the boom, you guys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, if this isn’t the longest CME Podcast yet, it’s got to be damned close. Ben and Chad kill 72-plus minutes discussing this week’s plethora of MMA-related news. Among the personalities your dudes put under their co-microscope this time around are Jon Jones, Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping, Demetrious Johnson, those weirdoes who booed the flyweight title fight, Showtime executives, Kevin James, Josh Koscheck and “Ghetto Man” Joe Charles. In response to pitched public outcry – mostly, we assume, from members of the Longstock family -- Sir Nigel returns to MC the most competitive round of MasterTweet Theatre ever. Plus, listener mail, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. So, you know, can see how things got out of hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So here it is in all its glory. Episode 18 of the Co-Main Event Podcast may hit the airwaves 24 hours (or so) later than usual because Ben had to go party in California all weekend, but here it is nonetheless. On this week’s installment, your co-hosts puzzle over Anderson Silva’s UFC 153 main event fight against Stephan Bonnar, break down the a couple of the forgotten fights coming our way this weekend at UFC 152 and discuss the politics behind the UFC buying Jon Jones a Bentley. Among other things, Ben and Chad talk about what it means to be a dairy commodities trader and how only 947,000 people could tune in to a show – any show, really – that at least in theory airs on nationwide TV. All that plus Just Sayin’ Stuff and AYFKM. Hey, better late than never, right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad feel pretty confident that the Co-Main Event is the first podcast in history to name check Scott Coker, Paul McCartney and Marcus Aurelius in a single episode. Not to brag, but that gives you at least some idea as to the breadth of topics taken on during week 17. Thanks in large part to Chad’s daughter making a very timely first appearance on planet earth last week, the dudes were able to crank this episode out as scheduled and the results are scintillating. Amid a discussion of whether Brock Lesnar belongs in the UFC (or any) hall of fame, if a win for Vitor Belfort would be the best thing to happen to UFC 152 and if anything can save “The Ultimate Fighter” at this point, everybody learned some valuable lessons. Well, except Sir Nigel Longstock, but theatricalists are known for their mulishness. Listen to it. You might enjoy it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Co-Main Event Podcast had to strike while the iron was hot this week, and by that terrible cliché we mean “hot” as in before Chad’s wife up and started giving birth. As a result, episode 16 comes to you a day early, bringing with it an hour and 10 minutes of talk about the odds and ends of MMA news that broke during a week that should’ve culminated in UFC 151. In that event's stead, Ben and Chad break down the “controversy” surrounding Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski fighting to a no contest at OneFC, Georges St. Pierre announcing his comeback from a knee injury and Frankie Edgar finally decamping for the featherweight division. Along the way, your dudes discuss their ideal MMA broadcast teams, hem and haw about the legacy of Chuck Liddell and try to remember Lorenz Larkin’s name. It comes to them. Eventually. If you stick around long enough you might even get to hear about where everybody lost his virginity. God, we wish we were kidding about that last part. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know what you’re thinking: If only you could find a couple dudes willing to spend another hour of everyone’s lives talking about a UFC 151 card that will never happen, right? Good news, wishful thinker, this week the Co-Main Event Podcast devotes damn near an entire episode to – English nerd buzzword alert! – deconstructing this very topic. Along the way Ben and Chad analyze Jon Jones’ inexplicable decision to refuse a short notice bout with Chael P. Sonnen, expound on why Bones still isn’t to blame for the cancelation of the entire fight card and wonder aloud how/why in the wake of this madness matchmakers could just keep hitting the middleweight piñata until Vitor Belfort dropped out like so much candy. Plus, the return of Sir Nigel Longstock and Master Tweet Theatre as well as Just Sayin’ Stuff. Not going to lie, episode 15 is a blockbuster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week of buildup and anticipation the CME presents its first ever listener controlled episode. You asked the questions, so Ben and Chad endeavor to answer them. Well, some of them. As many of them as possible. Turns out, the tagline “All Questions Answered” doesn’t really fit after all, since the dudes received way, way too many questions this week to give voice to all of them. A better moniker would have been “Some Questions Answered” or more specifically “Approximately 40 Percent of Questions Answered.” Anyhoo, it’s the podcast’s fastest-paced and most lively episode yet as the guys jump from topic to topic like Ric Flair when he’s had one too many vodka cranberry at the Holiday Inn bar after the show. Next week, the CME returns to normal to preview UFC 151. This week, we put ourselves in your hands, dear listener ... and this is what happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 13 of the Co-Main Event Podcast starts like a house of fire and slowly devolves into finger-pointing, as Chad calls Ben on his latent sexism and Ben responds by accusing Chad of subtle xenophobia. In the baseless and childish nature of both, these claims do not necessarily differentiate this rendition of the CME from any other, except that it could be more fun. In addition to the mudslinging, Ben discusses his decision this week to leave one job for another and the guys recap UFC 150 while looking forward to the coming weekend’s Strikeforce show. Amid all the confusion, they also found time to make another exciting announcement about a groundbreaking innovation for next week’s show. Seriously, listen to it; you’ll be glad you did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Important things to know about this week’s CME Podcast: First, Chad busts out his Don Frye impression. Second, Ben wonders what it would take to get Lyoto Machida and Shogun Rua to show up to a bench press competition at the Missoula YMCA. Third, one of your humble co-hosts – and he shall remain nameless for now – totally goes after the teenage girl who represented Saudi Arabia in Olympic judo this week. Oh yeah, your dudes also break down UFC on Fox 4, discuss the utter weirdness of the UFC’s four-man race for the next 205-pound title shot and look ahead to Saturday’s UFC 150. Plus, Tips for the well-rounded fight fan, AYKFM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It would frankly be difficult to imagine a more comprehensive hour – fine, hour and 10 minutes – of mixed martial arts talk than this week’s Co-Main Event Podcast. During the time allotted for episode 11, Ben and Chad discuss Frank Mir journeying across the aisle to fight Daniel Cormier in Strikeforce, Nick Diaz coming out of “retirement” to “respectfully” request a fight with Anderson Silva and whether or not the UFC is just messing with us about the winner of Shogun Rua vs. Brandon Vera getting the next light heavyweight title shot. On top of that, the results of the first ever CME White Elephant Essay Contest are announced, Sir Nigel Longstock returns for MasterTweet Theatre and by the end the guys end up Just Saying Stuff. What are you waiting for? Jump on it. [Ed. Note: What’s that you say? You detect some irregularities in sound quality, especially during round two? Yeah, look, at least one of the CME’s microphones appears to be going the way of the dodo bird and it caused no end of problems this week. Never fear though, intrepid listener, as just moments ago the guys ordered a replacement. Should be all squared away by the next show. We hope.] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Sir Nigel Longstock still missing – and last heard from somewhere in the wilds of Iowa – Ben and Chad go it alone this week as the Co-Main Event Podcast officially hits doubled digits. Without the crutch of MasterTweet Theatre to fall back on, the guys have no choice but to “unpack” (to use a particularly galling word common in academia) and discuss the many stinging disappointments of UFC 149. From Renan Barao celebrating like he won the Super Bowl when he captured the interim bantamweight title to Urijah Faber dropping his fifth straight championship fight to a convoluted analogy about the UFC running a car lot where all the cars cost the same – it’s all in here. Plus, the origin story of the CME White Elephant Essay Contest grand prize, tips for a well-rounded fight fan and just saying stuff. Seriously, you’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sandwiched as it is between last week’s UFC and Strikeforce events and this weekend’s UFC 149, there is no shortage of topics for the Co-Main co-hosts to break down during episode nine. This week, Ben and Chad seek the truth about Chris Weidman’s fitness as Anderson Silva’s next opponent, what Nate Marquardt’s Strikeforce welterweight championship victory means for his career and whether or not the makeshift UFC 149 card is the most underwhelming pay-per-view since … well, since UFC 147. With one week left to submit your entry to the CME’s White Elephant Essay Contest, the boys also talk up some late additions to the prize pack, one of which may be the greatest piece of MMA-related memorabilia of all time. Pics of that coming soon. Plus, the return of MasterTweet Theatre, Just Sayin’ Stuff and AYFKM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in its illustrious history the Co-Main Event Podcast goes to the championship rounds this week. No, it is not just some crazy dream, Ben and Chad really did need five full periods to hash out the results of last weekend’s UFC 148 and look ahead to this week’s UFC on FuelTV and Strikeforce offerings. Did Anderson Silva cheat? Will Chael Sonnen retire? Have we truly seen the last of Tito Ortiz? Find out all that, plus hear their musings on Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy. As if that wasn’t enough, the homies also divulge some more information about the CME’s first ever White Elephant Essay Contest, which you will be able to read about in great detail on this website later today. So, yeah, buckle up. What? Oh, the different logo? Why, that’s the fine work of podcast listener Erik Ebeling, who sent along a number of alternate looks for the CME this week. Episode eight was already so big, we couldn’t help but break one out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With UFC 148 looming on Saturday and the CME podcast’s first ever listener contest set to debut next week, Ben and Chad put one hour, 10 minutes in the books for episode seven. Go ahead, complain all you want about the violation of one of their solemn vows, but you know what? Totally worth it for a week this big. During a supersized Ep7 your dudes discuss the world according to Chael Sonnen, whether or not it’s BS that Tito Ortiz is about to be enshrined in the UFC’s BS Hall of Fame and what to make of the idea that professional fighters ought to “go out on their shields” (as well the promoters who subtly imply they like it that way). Plus, listener mail, tips for the well rounded fight fan and MasterTweet Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode six, Ben and Chad discuss the true failings of Clay Guida’s game plan against Gray Maynard at UFC on FX 4, break down how the recently retired Fedor Emelianenko will be remembered in MMA history (to the extent “MMA history” even exists) and debate the meaning of Saturday night’s UFC 147 main event. Plus, Sir Nigel Longstock and another installment of MasterTweet Theater, which seeks to answer that age old question: Is there a wombat at the Portland zoo? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At least one host of the Co-Main Event podcast thinks this Friday's UFC on FX 4 card is like a bowl of cheese balls left on the bar at a Hell's Kicthen tavern. The other suggests video of a tiger fighting a chimpanzee could outsell UFC 147 on pay-per-view. Which is which? Who said what? Does it really matter any more? Listen to episode five to try to sort out all that, plus which UFC fighter is like the girl you call late at night when you feel like you need some company. Plus, listener mail, tips for a well-rounded fight fan and another installment of MasterTweet Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which pro MMA fighter emailed Ben and Chad a picture of his cat playing Yahtzee this week? You’ll have to listen to episode four of the Co-Main Event Podcast to find out. As if that wasn’t enough, your dudes break down the relative successes and failures of UFC on FX 3, offer up unverified hypotheses about the company’s never-ending injury woes and discuss the politics of the UFC president putting Shogun Rua’s business in the street. Also, listener mail and MasterTweet Theatre! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad discuss the revelation of Frank Mir's testosterone replacement therapy exemption, the chaotic state of the welterweight division and why nobody (even people allegedly getting paid for it) watched TUF 15. (Ed. Note: Ben was having some trouble with is microphone, but it mostly subsides at the start of round one. Sorry for the trouble, peeps.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to avoid a sophomore slump, Ben and Chad examine what UFC 146 means for the careers of Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir, Jason "Mayhem" Miller's Octagon collapse and whether anyone should care about the arrest of Arianny Celeste. Plus, a slew of new features to the podcast such as listener mail, MasterTweet Theatre and Just Sayin' Stuff. Did your question make it to air? Guess you'll have to listen to find out, now won't you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad talk up (or talk down) UFC 146, Nick Diaz and Chael Sonnen's dueling appearances before the Nevada State Athletic Commission and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones crashing his Bentley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices