MORNING KOMBAT WITH LUKE THOMAS AND BRIAN CAMPBELL

The guys are back together in studio to discuss who will headline International Fight Week with everything in flux. Plus Dakota Ditcheva speaks out on PFL frustration, Jake Paul announces June 28 return vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and more!

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Luke Thomas is joined by Long Island Luke in a special mailbag episode to answer your questions! The duo also give a quick lookahead at the upcoming UFC schedule including Garry vs. Prates as well as Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

On today’s show, the fellas recap all things UFC 314, including Volk reclaiming the featherweight title, Paddy big brothering Chandler and Jean Silva’s dominant win over Bryce Mitchell.

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Luke and BC are joined by friend of the show Jed Meshew to break down EVERYTHING about UFC 314. In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes clash with the vacant featherweight title on the line. The co-main event features Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett in a lightweight showdown. Can Chandler rebound from back-to-back losses and take down Paddy "The Baddy?" Plus Yair Rodríguez takes on Patrício Pitbull and much more!

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

Top of the week MK is here, and we’ve got a loaded show. The fellas discuss this past weekend’s UFC Vegas 105 results, including Lerone Murphy’s uninspiring decision and Torrez Finney’s split-decision win. They also look ahead to the biggest storylines with UFC 314. On the boxing end, Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson’s comments against Turki Alalshikh have us wondering whether we’re seeing an end to boxing’s reliance upon Riyadh Season. We’ll also discuss Tim Tszyu’s big return and a Boots-Stanionis unification.

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

On today’s show, the guys react to the UFC 316 announcement, including the controversial Merab-OMalley rematch, Ian Garry accepting UFC KC main event on late notice vs Carlos Prates, UFC Apex Preview and the kickoff of the 2025 PFL season.

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Luke and BC are back in studio, breaking down all the action from UFC Mexico and beyond. Brandon Moreno secured a unanimous decision win over Steve Erceg, but did he do enough to leap Manel Kape or Kai Kara-France in the title picture? Was fast-tracking Erceg a mistake for his development? With five finishes on the card, which performance will have the biggest impact on the division? Kyoji Horiguchi is relinquishing his Rizin title to return to the UFC. What does this move mean for the flyweight division and for Rizin’s future? In boxing, Bob Arum has hinted that Top Rank could work with PBC to challenge the growing influence of Turki Al-Shakh and TKO. Could this shift reshape the sport? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

The guys are back to kick off your weekend with the latest episode of Morning Kombat. First up, Luke and BC break down UFC Mexico and what’s at stake for both Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg in the main event. They also preview the rest of the exciting card. Next, they react to the news that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison. However, due to time served, he will spend less than two years behind bars. Plus, Alex Pereira confirms a rumor on The Ariel Helwani Show that when he fought Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, he was dealing with a broken hand and the norovirus. How much did these factors contribute to his loss, and what can we expect next time he steps in the octagon? Lastly, Ilia Topuria has a new nickname! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

MK returns to break down all the latest from the combat sports world. At UFC London, Sean Brady made a statement by dominating Leon Edwards and securing a submission victory. He won the first three rounds on all judges' scorecards before stuffing Edwards' desperation takedown and finishing the fight. Was this a sign of Brady’s evolution into an elite contender, or is Edwards continuing his decline from the title picture? They also take a closer look at the state of the welterweight division and what this result means for the future of 170 pounds. Over in ONE Championship, Rodtang delivered a brutal KO against Takeru in their flyweight kickboxing superfight. Plus, the guys pay tribute to the legendary George Foreman following his passing over the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

Different time, same MK. Luke and BC take you into the weekend the way only they can. First, they break down the big UFC London card, where Leon Edwards faces Sean Brady in a high-stakes main event, and Jan Blachowicz battles Carlos Ulberg in the co-main. Can Edwards defend home turf, or is an upset on the horizon? Next, they react to reports that Jon Jones wants a six-month camp before facing Tom Aspinall. Is this a sign the fight might actually happen, or just another delay? Finally, the guys discuss Ryan Garcia’s candid interview on @RingChampsPodcast where he opened up about his difficult 2024 and what’s next for him in boxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

MK is back to kick off your week with all the latest in MMA! Luke and BC break down this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, where Roman Dolidze avenged his loss to Marvin Vettori with a hard-fought decision win. Dolidze is now calling for Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker next—has he done enough to earn that shot? In broadcasting news, could the UFC be heading to Netflix? A New York Post reporter claims that not only is the UFC likely to sign with the streaming giant, but that their relationship with ESPN might be on shaky ground. With reports of ESPN refusing to air UFC events on linear TV and PPV buys allegedly down, is there real smoke to this fire? And if so, does it even matter? Plus, we take a quick look ahead to UFC London! What has us most intrigued about the Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady showdown? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

It might be a low-key weekend in combat sports, but you know the guys never take a round off! On this episode of Morning Kombat, we start with a full preview of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, where Marvin Vettori faces Roman Dolidze in a highly anticipated rematch. Can Dolidze even the score, or will Vettori secure another win? Then, it's all about the DONKS! On Monday, we asked fans if our criticism of recent UFC champions and PPV events was fair or overblown. The guys react to the best responses and debate whether the sport is delivering at the highest level. And of course, we wrap things up with another wild round of fan submissions—you won’t want to miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

Fresh off UFC 313, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell are back in NYC to break down all the action. Magomed Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira to capture the Light Heavyweight title despite going 0-11 on takedown attempts. Given Pereira's recent reign of terror, how surprising was Ankalaev’s ability to pressure, control the pace, and use angles and technique to neutralize one of the sport’s most dangerous strikers? In the co-main event, Justin Gaethje relied on veteran guile to outwork Rafael Fiziev in their rematch and keep his place in the title picture. At 36, and coming off a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway, Gaethje proved that he’s still an elite lightweight. Were the whispers of his decline premature, and does he have one more title run in him? Looking at the bigger picture, does Dana White have a star problem? With more champions being labeled as “boring,” is the UFC facing a marketability issue? Plus, the guys dive into all the latest boxing news from the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

Get ready for more analysis, predictions, and plenty of shots in this week’s episode of Pregame Preview! Luke, BC, and Chuck Mindenhall return to break down everything you need to know about UFC 313. This week’s main event features Alex Pereira defending his Light Heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev. Can Pereira continue his historic run, or will Ankalaev take that final step to becoming a champion? The action doesn’t stop there—Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev in what promises to be an explosive lightweight contender bout. Can this be the fight of the year contender? Luke, BC, and Chuck also dive deep into the entire card, breaking down the matchups from the prelims all the way to the main event.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

Bringing the heat like we always do! On today’s Morning Kombat, Luke and BC break down everything you need to know about the Gervonta "Tank" Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight on PBC on Prime PPV and this weekend’s UFC Apex card. First up, in boxing, Tank Davis barely escaped with a majority draw against Lamont Roach, and there was plenty of controversy surrounding the fight. The guys talk about the ‘knockdown’ that wasn’t called and whether Roach got robbed of what should’ve been his victory. Plus, was this just a one-off for Tank, or is he losing his competitive fire? Then, we move to UFC Apex, where Manel Kape took a big step toward a flyweight title shot, but his third-round TKO win over Asu Almabayev had more than its fair share of eye poke drama. What did we really learn from Kape’s performance, and can we separate it from the eye poke issues that seemed to play a part in his win? And in future fight news, we’ve got a massive Cinco de Mayo weekend ahead, with three straight days of big boxing events. Luke and BC react to the newly announced Turki card live from Times Square on May 3rd and give their thoughts on what could be a crazy weekend for boxing fans. Don't miss out on all the drama and the breakdown of what’s coming next in both sports! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

MK Fridays is always a vibe and this week is no different. Luke and BC bring you into the weekend like only they can!  Beginning by reacting to the latest UFC announcements, including Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. Then it is time to preview the weekend. As they look ahead to Saturdays big boxing card in Brooklyn as Tank Davis returns to face Lamont Roach. Plus, they break down this weekends UFC apex card and react to referee Jason Herzog's admission to Henry Cejudo.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

MK Monday live from Manhatten. Luke and BC are back to recap a wild weekend of combat sports.  They start in boxing with a recap of the "Fight Card of the Century". In the main event, Dmitry Bivol gained revenge with a MD12 win over Artur Beterbiev in their undisputed title rematch. With the score now tied 1-1, is a trilogy fight a must-make next or should Benavidez get his shot? Plus, they break down the full action across the card and debate whether it lived up to the hype. In MMA, Luke and BC take a look at the results of UFC Seattle. Beginning with the main event which had a ton of drama as an ilegal eye poke on Henry Cejudo leads to Song Yadong's technical decision win. Was this handled corrected by referee Jason Herzog and what does the future of each fighter look like.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

It’s another massive Friday MK episode, and Luke and BC break down all the major UFC announcements this week! First up, they react to Ilia Topuria vacating the 145 title to move up to 155—does this set up a potential showdown with Islam Makhachev? Plus, UFC 314 just got stacked with Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes and Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event. The guys share their excitement and give their initial thoughts on what’s shaping up to be a loaded card! In boxing, Artur Beterbiev faces Dmitry Bivol in their highly anticipated rematch this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Why isn’t there as much buzz for this fight compared to their first? Luke and BC also discuss major changes to the undercard after several fighters pulled out last minute. Lastly, UFC is back in Seattle this weekend with a thrilling main event between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong. Luke and BC preview the entire card and give their predictions for what should be an exciting night of action! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

MK. Monday. Lets go! This weekend on MORNING KOMBAT, Luke and BC recap the UFC Fight night event. In the main event, Jared Cannonier rallies back from hell to finish Gregory Rodrigues. What does this mean for a 40-yr old Cannonier?   Plus, in boxing Keyshawn Davis put on his star-making performance. After his 4th-round demolition of WBO lightweight champion Denis Berinchyk in what was Davis' 13th pro fight, how big of a future superstar does "The Businessman" appear to be? Davis will join the guys to discuss it all.   Also in boxing, the guys react to the WBA proposal for the return of 15-round boxing title fights.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

In this week's Friday MK, Luke and BC dive deep into the latest combat sports news heading into the weekend. Fresh off Sean Strickland's loss at UFC 312, his coach Eric Nicksick opened up on Ariel Helwani's show about the fighter’s performance—leading to some shocking comments. Did Nicksick go too far with his public assessment of Strickland's loss? Plus, UFC Fight Night is set to heat up with Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues in the main event. The guys break down the stakes and what’s on the line for both fighters. And in boxing news, Top Rank is leaving ESPN, shaking up the future of U.S. boxing. What does this mean for the sport? Does it mark the end of ESPN’s involvement in boxing? The guys discusse. what comes next for Top Rank and the future of boxing broadcasting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

MK is back to recap a HUGE weekend of combat sports and sports in general.  Starting in MMA, Luke and BC recap UFC 312 which was live from Australia. In the main event, Dricus du Plessis breaks nose of Sean Strickland, pitches near shutout in middleweight title rematch. Was this more about Sean Strickland not doing what he said. he would or DDP continuing to get better?  PLus, the guys were SO wrong about the co-main event, as Weili Zhang dominates Tatiana Suarez in every aspect of wide decision win to defend strawweight title. Is it time to start calling Weili the 115-pound GOAT?  In boxing, Canelo spurned Jake Paul at the last second to accept a 4 fight deal with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh season.Canelo aligning with Turki good for the sport, American boxing and/or the Mexican star's legacy? Who were the winners and losers of a wild 24 hours in the boxing business?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Another UFC PPC event means ANOTHER Pregame Preview. Luke and BC are joined by 'The Man In The Hat' Chuck Mindenhall to break down EVERYTHING about UFC 312. In the main event, Middleweight Champion and hometown hero Dricus Du Plessis looks to prove his 2024 win over Sean Strickland wasn't a fluke as he defends his title in a highly anticipated rematch against the #1 contender. The guys go deep into this epic showdown, analyzing all angles. In the co-main event, Women's Strawweight Champion Weili Zhang faces off against Tatiana Suarez in a fight that could shake up the division. Luke, BC, and Chuck give you the full breakdown on this battle, plus a preview of the rest of the card. Don't miss out on this complete UFC 312 pregame preview — get ready for all the action with expert analysis and insights! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 7 February 2025

Luke and BC are back with another episode of Morning Kombat, recapping a thrilling weekend of combat sports action. In MMA, UFC Riyadh delivered a shocker as Nassourdine Imavov stunned Israel Adesanya with a TKO in Round 2. With just one win in his last five fights and three stoppage losses since 2022, is it time for the 35-year-old Adesanya to consider walking away from MMA? On the undercard, Michael "Venom" Page dominated Shara "Bullet" Magomedov in a one-sided decision victory. In boxing, the guys break down David Benavidez’s hard-fought win over David Morrell in an exciting PBC on Prime main event. After 12 action-packed rounds, Benavidez earned a shot at the undisputed light heavyweight title, setting up a potential clash with the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol II. What does his performance mean for his chances against either champion? Plus, Stephen Fulton and Isaac Cruz both picked up impressive victories on the undercard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Luke and BC return with another episode of MORNING KOMBAT to preview a big weekend of combat sports!  They start with full previews of UFC Riyadh where Israel Adesanya takes on Nassourdine Imavov and the huge boxing matchup between David Benavidez and David Morrell.  Plus, they react to Bryce Mitchell shocking podcast comments and Dana Whites reaction to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2025

Luke and BC are back to recap all the news from this weekend and look ahead to some great events. Starting with PFL Dubai, Usman Nurmagomedov edges Paul Hughes in instant classic. Was Usman-Hughes the best fight in PFL history? Plus, in BKFC, Conor McGregor calls out Jeremy Stephens following Stephens TKO of Eddie Alvarez. From selling a Philadelphia combat sports record of 17,762 seats in a sold-out Wells Fargo Center to having Conor McGregor call for a faceoff with main event winner Jeremy Stephens after an exciting night of fights full of household, ex-UFC names, did BKFC just prove -- in an odd way -- that it's currently the No. 2 MMA promotion in the world behind UFC? Staying in MMA, the guys react to the very odd GFL draft. Looking ahead now, Luke and BC discuss the storylines for UFC Riyadh where Israel Adesanya takes on Nassourdine Imavov. They also discuss the storylines ahead of the huge boxing match between David Benavidez and David Morrell.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Not a HUGE weekend in combat sports but we got you covered non-the-less. Luke and BC start by previewing this weekends PFL Dubai card, headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov. Plus, The GFL draft today. The guys do a wuick mock draft themselves, picking 20 names from the list of over 400 to make up their squad. They also take a quick look ahead at BKFC Philly headlined by Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens. In boxing, they react to Naoya Inoue KO win that took place this morning and react to the Ring Magazine's announced card which has Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero and Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

Monday after a massive UFC card. No better place to be go than MORNING KOMBAT! Luke and BC are back to break down all the action from a massive night.  Starting in the main event, Islam Makhachev finishes late replacement Renato Moicano with ease. Is now the time for Makhachev to move up to 170 pounds? Ilia Topuria tweets he could finish Makhachev right now: Is that the best fight UFC can make in terms of the combined talent in one bout? In the best fight of the night, Merab Dvalishvili outlasts Umar Nurmagomedov in a wild co-main event. Is Merab truly a P4P level fighter or is he just simply too relentless for anyone who can't finish him first? In other big fights, Jiri Prochazka TKOs Jamahal Hill by improving to 5-0 in the UFC with 5 finishes against anyone not named Alex Pereira, is it fair to call Prochazka the second best light heavyweight in the company? Plus, the guys react to the UFC 313 card that was announced. With an Alex Pereira-Magomed Ankalaev light heavyweight title bout in the main event and a key lightweight contender bout with Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker in the co-main, Luke and BC grade the card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

Donks, the day is FINALLY here! Pregame Preview is BACK, and Luke and BC are joined by Jed Meshew to break down EVERYTHING about UFC 311. In the main event, Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Renato Moicano. Can Moicano pull off the upset and dethrone one of the best fighters in the world right now? But the action doesn’t stop there! The crew also previews the rest of the card, including an all-action brawl between Jiri Prochazka and Jahmal Hill. Join the guys as they crack open some drinks and preview this stacked card in a way only they can! This episode is presented by @Cuervoofficial ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2025

The boys are back in the studio for an all-UFC edition of Morning Kombat! Luke and BC break down all the action from UFC Vegas 101, where Mackenzie Dern dominated Amanda Ribas with a submission victory in the first UFC main event of the year. Is Dern finally ready for a shot at the title? Plus, the guys discuss Chris Curtis’ controversial loss to Roman Kopylov—was the referee stoppage a bad call? Looking ahead, Luke and BC kick off their two-part preview of UFC 311, one of the biggest cards of the year. Stay tuned for the full breakdown later this week! And finally, the guys react to the reports that Leon Edwards will headline UFC London in March against Jack Della Maddalena. What’s at stake for both fighters, and how do these two match up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025

It’s MK Friday, and Luke & BC are ready to kick off your weekend with all the latest in combat sports!  This week, the guys dive into a preview of the exciting UFC Fight Night card, headlined by a rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. Who's got the edge in this crucial women's strawweight bout?  Plus, big news from the UFC as Henry Cejudo is set to headline the promotion's return to Seattle against Song Yadong on February 22! What does this mean for both fighters’ futures in the division? Switching gears to boxing, Luke & BC react to a New York Times report that TKO and Saudi Arabia are teaming up to launch a boxing prospect league! What does this mean for the future of the sport?  Finally, undefeated Aussie cruiserweight Jai Opetaia continues to impress, moving to 27-0 with another dominant victory. What’s his ceiling? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

MK is back in the studio for the first time in 2025! BC and Luke kick things off by looking back at their 2024 combat sports predictions and grading how well they did. From boxing to MMA, did they get it right? Then, the guys shift gears and break down the biggest fights to watch in both boxing and MMA for 2025. Which matchups need to happen, and which ones will define the year ahead? Plus, big news—Devin Haney teases a return to the ring this March! Who could he face next, and who do Luke and BC want to see him fight? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2025

Happy New Year, Donks! 2025 is finally here, and MORNNG KOMBAT is back to kick off what promises to be an unforgettable year in combat sports. Join Luke and BC as they dive into their MMA predictions for the year ahead, discussing the biggest matchups, storylines, and moments to watch in both MMA and boxing. From rising stars to epic showdowns, they break down what’s next for the world of combat sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 January 2025

2024 was a groundbreaking year in combat sports, filled with unforgettable moments that will be talked about for years to come. From the rise of new UFC legends to some of the most epic boxing matchups in recent memory, we witnessed it all. In this special year-end episode, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell (BC) reflect on the biggest highlights, including Max Holloway's jaw-dropping knockout of Justin Gaethje, which not only stunned fans but also solidified Holloway’s place in UFC history. They also dive into Alex Pereira’s incredible journey and how he cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant fighters of the year. On the boxing side, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk went head-to-head not once, but twice, delivering two of the most highly anticipated heavyweight bouts in recent memory. Luke and BC also dish out their year-end awards and rankings, breaking down the fighters, performances, and moments that defined this historic year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

Welcome Back, Donks! We hope all of you had an amazing holiday season! MK is back and ready to keep the good times rollin'. In this special holiday mailbag episode, Luke and Brian are joined by top UFC Flyweight contender Brandon Royval to dive deep into the world of MMA and discuss the current state of the Flyweight division.  But that's not all! The guys are also doing a LIVE Q&A to answer all your burning questions. Whether it’s MMA-related or anything else on your mind, no topic is off-limits! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

The week of Christmas is here, but MK doesn't stop. Luke and BC are live to recap the historical heavyweight rematch that went down between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. In another tightly contested battle, Usyk once again scored the decision victory. What were the key differences between the rematch and the first fight? How impressive was Usyk in being even more clear cut this time around? Talking about the victor, Usyk secured a 2012 Olympic gold medal, cleaned out cruiserweight and now heavyweight while remaining undefeated. It's time to ask where does he rank all-time among all heavyweights and even all boxers? Plus, the guys react to a small batch of UFC news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2024

MK Friday is back and its the only place you need to go to preview this weekend's massive boxing fight as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury hit the ring for their highly anticipated rematch after Usyk beat Fury in May,  Luke and BC break down everything you need to know ahead of this legacy defining showdown. Plus, the guys react to Conor McGregor announcing he is facing Logan Paul in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2024

The final studio show of the year is here as MORNING KOMBAT has you covered for all things combat sports. Starting in MMA, Luke and BC recap UFC Tampa where Joaquin Buckley stops Colby Covington on cuts, calls out Kamaru Usman. Buckley became just the 2nd fighter (joining Kamaru Usman) to stop Covington via KO/TKO. Now riding a 6-fight win streak since cutting down to 170 pounds, with victories over Luque, Wonderboy and Colby, is it time to take Newmansa seriously as a title contender?  Plus, Dana White "100 percent" guarantees Jones-Aspinall happens in 2025. Even though we have heard nothing but mixed messages from Jones at every turn regarding Aspinall, his track record (save for UFC 151) does speak for itself. Who should we trust more about this topic at the moment: Jon or Dana?  Moving to boxing, we have a massive card as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury hit the ring for their highly anticipated rematch after Usyk beat Fury in May, We all know what happened in the first fight and we all know what's at stake on Saturday, but what's the biggest storyline or area of focus for tentering this rematch?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2024

No where better to go after a huge UFC card then right here for MORNING KOMBAT! Luke and BC are back in studio to break down all the big results from the weekend. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja submitted a feisty, but overmatched Kai Asakura in the second round of Saturday's main event. If he can't get a Demetrious Johnson fight, what should be next for him? Is Pantoja the second-best flyweight of all time?  Plus, in a huge co-main event, Shavkat Rakhmonov earned the decision win over Ian Garry, but is it fair to say Garry's stock might've risen more than Rakhmonov's? They also react to the rest of the important results across the full card, including a win for Ciryl Gane, and a prelim loss for Aljamain Sterling.  Looking ahead, UFC 312 was announced and the guys react to the news that Sean Strickland is going to rematch Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 312 in Australia. Was Khamzat Chimaev snubbed? While, Tatiana Suarez will face Zhang Weili in the co-main event for the women's flyweight title. Suarez had two fights cancelled in the UFC and is now moving into a title shot. Is that fair? Finally, Maycee Barber joins the show to update the guys on her return to the cage! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024

Get ready for an action-packed MK Friday show as we gear up for UFC 310 tomorrow! On today’s episode, Luke and BC break down the key matchups, offering their final predictions for the highly anticipated main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura for the Flyweight title, as well as the co-main event featuring Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry in a massive #1 contenders fight in the welterweight division. The guys also dive deep into the rest of the UFC 310 card and give us a sneak peek at the newly announced UFC 311. In PFL news, Patchy Mix and Patricio Pitbull are both asking for their release — what does this mean for the league’s future? And finally, we wrap things up with the latest updates from the world of boxing, including news, fights, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2024

MK is BACK and we hope all our loyal donks had a wonderful holiday weekend! The guys return to recap the 2024 PFL Championship. It seems like Dakota Ditcheva was the biggest winner from Saturday's PFL event. The guys rank her among all flyweights worldwide. Plus, they put on their presidential hats, sharing the 3 changes they would make for PFL in 2025.  In the UFC, Luke and BC set the stage for this upcoming weekends UFC 310 PPV event. They debate what the most underappreciated storyline heading into the last UFC pay-per-view of the year is and what fight they are most excited for. Finally, in boxing, Tank Davis vs. Lamont Roach moved to Brooklyn on March 1. Is this any kind of improvement? Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz fell apart. Is Boots ducking? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2024

Hope all you loyal donks had an amazing Thanksgiving! 🦃 We're back with a special Black Friday mailbag episode, and Luke and BC are here to hit all the important news and notes from the world of combat sports.  The guys dive deep into this weekend's PFL World Championships LIVE from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Get the inside scoop on the biggest matchups of the night, the fighters to watch, and what to expect from this high-stakes event!  Next, Luke and BC react to the rumors of an epic boxing super card happening in Riyadh this February. Will we see Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 headline the event and Daniel Dubois' return to the ring?  Finally, the guys discuss the fallout from Conor McGregor's trial results, including his major loss of sponsorships and the impact this could have on his career moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 November 2024

A slow weekend in the world of combat sports, but it doesn't mean MK takes days off. On this episode of MORNING KOMBAT, Luke and BC start by recapping a fun UFC Macau event. In the main event, Petr Yan reclaims elite status with a thrilling five-round win over Deiveson Figueiredo. After 4 losses in previous 6 bouts, the 31-year-old Yan looked completely reborn. Was this performance strong enough for UFC brass to consider Yan leapfrogging Umar Nurmagomedov for next shot at Merab Dvalishvilli's title? On the undercard, Yan Xiaonan was absolutely dominant in cooling off a not-ready-for-primetime Tabatha Ricci in Saturday's co-main event. Was this performance more about Yan reclaiming her elite, title-contending status or Tabatha Ricci proving she's not ready for primetime in what amounted to a step-up fight?  In non-fight news, Conor McGregor's civil trial ended with the MMA start being 'found liable of rape'. How much do you expect the fallout of this trial to affect both McGregor's behavior and his reputation/brand power moving forward? The guys react to the news . Finally, Bellator fighters call out PFL's handling of 2024. What does it mean? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

A low key weekend on tap for combat sports, but there is some action in the UFC! On MORNING KOMBAT, Luke and BC preview this weekends UFC fight night card from Macau. In the main event, Petr Yan fights Deiveson Figueiredo. Is it for #1 contender status/title shot?   Plus, the aftermath of Paul vs. Tyson continues. The fight apparently caused such a bump in Netflix's stock price in a single day that it added $20 billion in market value. Was this fight good for boxing. How do we account for the massive conspiracy theories of this fight still going on social media and elsewhere?  Also, is Jon Jones pound-for-pound no. 1 right now and David Benavidez vs. David Morrell heated up this week. How much can a bout like this boost PBC's fortunes? After Paul-Tyson, will the public pay attention to something like this?  The guys will also be joined by Kade Ruotolo of ONE Championshio at noon ET! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2024

What a wild weekend it was and MK is here to break it all down for you. BC and Luke are back in studio and kick-off the show by talking all things UFC 309. In the main event, Jon Jones made a dominant return from injury/layoff to retire Stipe Miocic via TKO3. In just his 2nd fight in 5 years and first in 18 months following surgery, Jones looked like a complete heavyweight threat. In what ways did BONY's destruction of Miocic add to his already GOAT-plated legacy?   After his destruction of Stipe, Jon Jones said he wants "f**k you money" to fight Tom Aspinall, but still prefers theAlex Pereira fight. From all of the fight week rherotic to Jones' post-fight reaction, do you now believe he will fight Tom Aspinall next and that the UFC pay him handsomely enough to accept it? In the co-main event, Charles Oliveira held off a furious Michael Chandler rally to secure possible title shot. At 35, how much of a threat does Charles Oliveira still appear to be in terms of regaining the UFC lightweight title?   Moving on to UFC 310, Luke and Brian react to the new card announcement, following Belal Muhammad's withdrawal and UFC's late replacements. And of course, we can't forget the boxing fight of the year as Jake Paul outpointed Mike Tyson in pointless, record-breaking Netflix main event. While it's easy for everyone to ask, in hindsight, "what did you expect" from a YouTuber and a 58-year-old, how much of a stain was it for boxing given the 65 million households watching globally that Tyson-Paul turned out to be nothing more than a scripted exhibition between friends? Given the controversy of Taylor-Serrano rematch, is there a market for a trilogy fight?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2024

What’s up, DONKS?! The Friday before one of the biggest combat sports weekends of the year is finally here, and that means it’s time for another must-watch episode of Morning Kombat! Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell are back to break down two of the most anticipated events in both boxing and MMA, setting the stage for a Saturday night of explosive fights.  In this episode, the guys are joined by former two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter, as they give their final predictions and analysis for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, boxing’s most talked-about showdown of the year. With Jake Paul continuing to make waves in the sport, and the legendary Mike Tyson returning to the ring, this is shaping up to be a massive night for boxing. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will also square off in a highly anticipated, history-making rematch. The trio dives deep into the dynamics of both the Paul vs. Tyson fight and the Taylor vs. Serrano rematch.  Then, Luke and Brian shift gears to preview UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, a colossal matchup in the world of mixed martial arts. Jon Jones, the controversial yet undeniably talented former light heavyweight champion, defends his title against the heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic. Both fighters have everything on the line—Jones looking to cement his legacy in the heavyweight division, and Miocic aiming to reclaim his crown as the true king of the heavyweights. Plus, there’s an absolute war brewing in the co-main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler. Luke and Brian give their expert breakdown on what to expect, the potential path to a Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 November 2024

A huge fight week is underway with two massive events in boxing and the UFC, and you won’t want to miss this episode of Morning Kombat! Luke and Brian kick things off by recapping this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, where Carlos Prates scored a stunning knockout win over Neil Magny in the main event—his fourth KO of the year. With this victory, does Prates now solidify himself as a legitimate contender? Next, they dive into the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, the biggest combat sports showdown of the week. What’s Jake Paul’s ultimate goal in boxing, and what would a win over Tyson do for his career? Despite Tyson being the betting underdog, how real are his chances of victory? And what happens to Paul if Tyson pulls off the upset? Will this event boost boxing or tarnish its reputation? The discussion then shifts to UFC 309, where Jon Jones faces Stipe Miocic in a legacy-defining fight. If both fighters retire afterward, what does their legacy look like? Should the winner of the co-main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler —or even the loser—face Max Holloway for the BMF belt next? Plus, how will the ongoing talk of Jones potentially ducking Miocic impact the fight? Finally, Luke and Brian wrap up the episode with a quick recap of ONE 169, as well as big wins from Jaron Ennis and Bam Rodriguez in boxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024

Welcome to Friday MK, where Luke and Brian bring you the best reactions, in-depth breakdowns, and expert predictions on all things combat sports! In today’s episode, we’re previewing a packed weekend of fights, including UFC Apex, ONE Championship, and a star-studded boxing weekend. Plus, we dive deep into the ongoing Conor McGregor civil trial and Dana White’s comments on UFC's business ties with politics in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.  The UFC Apex card is headlined by a high-stakes welterweight battle between veteran Neil Magny and rising star Carlos Prates. Will Magny, the underdog, continue to defy expectations, or will Prates make a statement in his second UFC outing? We also break down the Reiner de Ridder vs. Gerald Meerschaert middleweight clash, with de Ridder making his long-awaited return to 185 pounds after a six-year hiatus. ONE Championship 169 brings the heavyweight fireworks with Anatoly Malykhin facing off against the explosive Reug Reug. But the drama doesn't stop there—Rodtang, the Muay Thai sensation, missed weight for his flyweight bout and was forced to vacate his title, adding extra chaos to the card.  It’s a monster weekend for boxing fans with multiple big cards across the globe, as rising stars Keyshawn Davis and Jaron Ennis headline separate cards.   Lastly, the guys provide the latest developments in the Conor McGregor civil trial and discuss the legal ramifications for McGregor as it continues. They also react to the Donald Trump winning the US Election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2024

On the latest episode of Morning Kombat, the guys recap a busy weekend of UFC News. First, at UFC Edmonton, Brandon Moreno looked fully rejuvenated in a one-sided win over Amir Albazi. Did he prove he's all the way back and if so, does this mean he gets dibs on the next flyweight title shot? Erin Blanchfield earned the decision win over Rose Namajunas, but did she really impress in the process? Plus, in other UFC News, Max Holloway released a video where he declared his future fights will be at lightweight instead of featherweight. To what extent is this the right call? Also, do we like the Ian Garry-Joaquin Buckley UFC Tampa headliner? If so, does the winner become the top contender behind Shavkat Rakhmonov? Moving to UFC 309, if Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is fun and exciting, does that mean putting Tom Aspinall on timeout all this time was justified? And, we're less than 2 weeks out from Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, what chance are we giving Tyson to win and what would it even mean if he did? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

Big news out of UFC means a stacked MK Friday. Luke and BC react to the news that Belal Muhammad is OUT of UFC 310 (Dec. 7) with a bone infection in his foot. Does it make more sense for UFC to keep Shavkat Rahkmanov on card in an interim welterweight title bout? Plus, once again Alex Pereira is offering to bail out the UFC. The company has reached out to him and Magomed Ankalaev about being the replacement headliner. Should Pereira make fourth appearance (and win) to close out 2024, how does that change FOY and P4P debate? Also, the fellas preview this weekends UFC Edmonton event and share their thoughts on the latest comments from DPP who reveals he would rather fight Khamzat Chimaev then Sean Strickland next. Is DDP-Chimaev the perfect main event for UFC to debut in Africa? Do you feel Chimaev or Strickland has a better shot at taking DDP's title? Lastly, the guys are joined by Rich Franklin, VP of ONE Championship, at noon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 November 2024

What a weekend! The guys are back in studio to recap a historic UFC 308 event that lived up to it's hype. First, Luke and BC react to Ilia Topuria's stunning KO of Max Holloway. We already knew Topuria had the potential to be great. But after becoming the first man to knock down and knock out future Hall of Famer (and fellow P4Per) Max Holloway, does the MMA world owe Luke Thomas an apology after the results of UFC 308? Max Holloway fought his balls off in defeat, gave Topuria issues in first 2 rounds (despite judges barely rewarding him for his efforts). Who should be next for Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway? Does this lock up Fighter of the Year for Topuria? And would it be wrong for Ilia to receive P4P No. 1 votes after his last two performances?  In the co-main Khamzat Chimaev silenced critics, restored hype by breaking Robert Whittaker's jaw in Round 1. Although he entered as the No. 13-ranked middleweight, was Chimaev's dominant performance over a former champion and living legend like Whittaker enough to justify UFC to allow him to skip past even Sean Strickland for the next shot at DDP's 185-pound title. Plus, the guys discuss the Magomed Ankalaev, Shara Bullet & the rest of UFC 308 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2024