The Co-Main Event MMA Podcast

The dreaded Patreon Power Rankings take over the CME proper for the first time ever! Plus ... uh ... what's going on with Ben's face? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zabit Magomedsharipov edged Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC: Moscow on Saturday night, but not without a bit of intrigue. Magomedsharipov seemed to be fading down the stretch of their three-round main event, while Kattar appeared to just be coming on. So, what if it had been five rounds? We discuss that, Volkov vs. Hardy and Jacare Souza's impending move to 205. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, we spent part of UFC 244 at Buffalo Wild Wings eating the special one-night-only BMF wings. It didn't go that great for us. We talk about that, plus Jorge Masvidal being crowned the BMF king, Nate Diaz getting stopped on cuts and Darren Till getting an important, if not exactly thrilling, win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben returns from England and we attempt to catch up on everything we missed while he was gone. As usual, it was a lot: Nate's "atypical" drug test. Maia vs. Askren. Greg Hardy. Dom Reyes. Douglas Lima. Yair and Jeremy. It's all happening right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joanna Jędrzejczyk is back and maybe (?) better than ever, but is she "back" enough to coast into an immediate title shot against Zhang Weili? Plus, what to make of Kron Gracie at this point, is "Horizontal Niko Price" one of the most destructive forces in the universe and shouldn't we all be about done with Conor McGregor at this point? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about Israel Adesanya's second round knockout over Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 to unify the middleweight championship. Where do both the new champ and the old go from here? And, damn it, we really gotta start thinking about going to Tampa already next weekend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben got up early for us on what was his Thursday morning and Chad's Wednesday afternoon. We catch up with him about what it's like to be on the ground in Australia for UFC 243 and answer some listener mail questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Ben traveling to Australia to cover UFC 243 for The Athletic, there won't be a normal CME this Monday. We hope to be able to deliver a long-distance podcast for you later in the week, depending on his schedule and whether the internet with cooperate with us. For now, please accept this latest episode of the CME Movie Club to keep you entertained. If you like it and want to hear more like it, head over to our Patreon page and sign up: https://www.patreon.com/comainevent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens' main event fight from UFC: Mexico City ending in a no-contest after just 15 seconds. Due to Ben's travel schedule, we also look ahead to UFC 243's Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya and try to preview a loaded weekend of MMA action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss Justin Gaethje's first-round TKO victory over Donald Cerrone and his ensuing call-out of the winner of a championship fight that hasn't even been booked yet. In addition to that, we look at Tristan Connelly's surprise win over Michel Pereira and then turn our attention to UFC: Mexico City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Khabib Nurmagomedov tapped-out Dustin Poirier at UFC 242, we all have to give it up for the guy. He remains one of MMA's more complex and polarizing figures, but he's really good at this stuff. We discuss that, plus what one listener refers to as "some real Bellator-ass shit" and Cerrone vs. Gaethje is this weekend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss Khabib Nurmagomedov's and Dustin Poirier's bout to unify the UFC lightweight title this weekend in Abu Dhabi, plus what Zhang Weili's strawweight title win over Jessica Andrade means for the UFC and why you -- yes, you -- should watch the Bellator featherweight grand prix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss Conor McGregor's apology and the MMA world's appetite to see him return to the cage, Matt Mitrione's loss via mouthpiece distraction at Bellator 225 and look ahead to UFC on ESPN+ 15. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of Stipe Miocic reclaiming the title from Daniel Cormier at UFC 241, we talk about what's next for the heavyweight division. We also marvel at the return of Nate Diaz and discuss Paulo Costa and Yoel Romero getting weird. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss Mike Perry's terrible broken nose (and his reaction) after his fight with Vicente Luque, the return of Nate Diaz and what Daniel Cormier is going to have to do to beat Stipe Miocic a second time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about Colby Covington’s suffocating victory over Robbie Lawler and how important Covington’s odious schtick has been to getting him where he is today. Plus, Cris Cyborg’s “production team” undercuts our goodwill for her and the UFC heads to Uruguay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about Max Holloway's impressive decision win over Frankie Edgar at UFC 240, where Cris Cyborg might land next and try not to get our hopes up for possible schadenfreude from Covington vs. Lawler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about Leon Edwards' unanimous decision win over Rafael dos Anjos from UFC on ESPN 4 and what it's going to take "Rocky" to break through in the minds of MMA fans. Plus, UFC 240 goes down Saturday in Edmonton and -- sigh -- Jon Jones is in trouble again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes it seems like Germaine de Randamie is forever shrouded in controversy. Even her 16-second TKO win over Aspen Ladd Saturday at UFC Fight Night 155 likely won't be good enough to make her a No. 1 contender, owing to outcry over an early stoppage. In addition to that, we talk about Urijah Faber's surprise win over Ricky Simon and look ahead to UFC on ESPN 4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss all things UFC 239, including: Jon Jones' lack of urgency against an injured Thiago Santos, Amanda Nunes pulling a Holly Holm on Holly Holm, Jorge Masvidal becoming a "breakout" star after 16 years and 47 fights and much, much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Francis Ngannou dusted Junior dos Santos in 71 seconds at UFC on ESPN 3, is he a little bit of takedown defense away from being a transformative figure in the heavyweight division? Plus, we look at UFC 239's dueling title fights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look at Chan Sung Jung's big win over Renato Moicano, investigate the buyers' remorse of the people who tuned in to see Artem Lobov vs. Paul Malignaggi at BKFC 6 and look forward to the heavyweight banger at UFC on ESPN 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss Rory MacDonald advancing to the final of the Bellator welterweight grand prix, Chael Sonnen calling it a career all over again and Fedor Emelianenko announcing his "farewell tour." Wait, is that a thing? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A full slate of UFC 238 recap, including Cejudo's shocking come-from-behind men's bantamweight title win and Donald Cerrone losing a fight by blowing his nose. Plus, Bellator 222 is a snapshot of everything Scott Coker loves, for better and worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad talk about their decisions to join The Athletic as senior writers. Plus, Lusty Gusty calls it quits, Cowboy and El Cucuy prepare to throw down and Henry Cejudo attempts to become the champ champ champ champ champ champ champ ... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take listener questions about the UFC release of Justin Willis and Elias Theodorou, which fights we're looking forward to at UFC 238 and which items we'd choose for an MMA time capsule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rafael dos Anjos and Kevin Lee journeyed to hell and back in the main event of UFC: Rochester. Or, at least, RDA made it back. Lee didn't sound like he was so sure in his post-fight comments. That, plus Felicia Spencer's win over Megan Anderson and Sage Northcutt's painful OneFC debut on this week's show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rose Namajunas was piecing-up Jessica Andrade until the new champ knocked her out cold with a slam. What does that say for the future of both fighters in the 115-pound division? Plus, it was a crazy weekend in MMA and we discuss all of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Cerrone ages like a fine wine against Al Iaquinta, the way forward at lightweight seems as straight forward as ever (though is it ever easy?) and Jessica Andrade opens as a slight favorite over champion Rose Namajunas at Saturday's UFC 237. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad discuss Jack Hermansson crashing the middleweight title picture with his surprising victory over Jacare Souza, the newly gentle-of-spirit Rory MacDonald retaining his Bellator welterweight title after a majority draw with Jon Fitch--maybe not GREAT for the ongoing tournament, you guys--and this weekend's upcoming UFC card from Ottawa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Bellator 220 airing on DAZN and UFC: Jacare vs. Hermansson airing ... somewhere, it shapes up as a big weekend for hardcore MMA fans. Also, in no great surprise to anyone--including, it seemed, Aleksei Oleinik--Alistair Overeem got a big win in St. Petersburg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad discuss UFC 236's stellar interim title fights, including what should rightfully happen next for Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum. In addition to that, they look at a number of Classic Dana Moments from the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad talk UFC 236's two interim title fights--Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier and Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya. In addition to that, they talk about Bareknuckle FC successfully setting up its own version of a superfight. CME Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/comainevent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miocic only to almost immediately ink this deal to fight Thiago Santos? Well, that's just mean spirited. Also, Justin Gaethje knows who he is, One FC Championship apparently does not and Conor McGregor is ... well, things aren't great for him right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Thompson was winning right up until he lost. Anthony Pettis was losing right up until he won. Big Pretty talked big but fought ugly. Plus, Gaethje vs. Barboza seems destined to be a certain kind of fight on ESPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jorge Masvidal serves Darren Till AND Leon Edwards some tasty vittles at UFC Fight Night 147. Plus, Anthony Pettis moves up to welterweight ... and, wait, UFC pay-per-views are available exclusively where now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Junior dos Santos defeats Derrick Lewis after Lewis allegedly shows up at UFC Fight Night 146 with a serious knee injury. Then, dos Santos says anybody but Brock Lesnar should fight next for the heavyweight title. So, let's just say there is a lot of talk about--and that doesn't even include next week's Fight Night 147. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Jon Jones saying he's just now getting comfortable feeling like a UFC fighter (lol, wut?!?), we discuss the outlook for the rest of Bones' 2019 in the wake of his victory over Anthony Smith. Plus, a welterweight title fight that was a nightmare for one guy and a dream for the other. Oh, and say one thing for Ben Askren's UFC debut: It was not boring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about what the heck is happening at lightweight, where Dustin Poirier went from tweeting a middle finger emoji to landing in a 155-pound interim title fight. Also, a look ahead to UFC 235, the ACTUAL welterweight and light heavyweight titles are on the line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Francis Ngannou knock Cain Velasquez out with the shortest uppercut ever seen by man? Did Velasquez's knee spontaneously self-destruct? Is Mirko CroCop back? Have Matt Mitrione and Sergei Kharitonov made amends? On this AQC episode of the CME, the heavyweight division is back to its old tricks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WHAT happened to Robert Whittaker just before UFC 234? And how did Kelvin Gastelum play it? And did how we feel about Adesanya vs. Silva have mostly to do with our own fears? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A free sample of Ben and Chad's new podcast "Road Agents" which will be available to top-tier patrons at the CME's Patreon page. Like what you hear? Go sign up: https://patreon.com/comainevent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jose Aldo and Marlon Moraes each got big wins at UFC Fight Night 144. Plus, your dudes to UFC 234's Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum and Anderson Silva vs. Isreal Adesanya. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Bader becomes the Bellator champ champ with his quick and easy victory over Fedor Emelianenko in the heavyweight grand prix final. Did Scotty Cokes and Co. just hit a towering home run? Plus, what to look for at UFC on ESPN+ 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad break down the action from UFC on ESPN+1, as instructed by the huge amounts of listener mail they received. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The UFC's broadcast deal with ESPN is upon us, so Ben and Chad break down Henry Cejudo vs. TJ Dillashaw, talk about how a streaming-only product will affect fans and then nod to Nate Diaz jumping into the Conor-Khabib feud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After holiday break, Ben and Chad are back like Francis Ngannou after knocking out Curtis Blaydes. On this episode: UFC 232 wrap-up plus UFC 235 goes from the outhouse to the penthouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ICYMI, the CME put out a Christmas Spectacular last year about this time. Here it is again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chad and Ben discuss the divergent directions of Frank Mir and Lyoto Machida, then look ahead to UFC 232's dueling title fights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Chad breakdown the two title fights from UFC 231 and ask what happens next at men's featherweight and women's flyweight. Plus, with the UFC's deal with Fox about to end, what did we learn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices