Best Ben and Jose Podcasts (2025)

Jim and Matt are back with a midweek edition of UFC Unfiltered featuring two top contenders with massive fights on the horizon. First, bantamweight standout Cory Sandhagen stops by ahead of his second shot at the 135-pound title to preview his clash with Merab Dvalishvili. Cory breaks down Merab’s relentless style, and reflects on his growth in the…

1
Bruce Smith Reads Mary Ruefle 40:40

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8d ago40:40

40:40

Bruce Smith joins Kevin Young to read “Open Letter To My Ancestors” by Mary Ruefle, and his own poem “The Game.” Smith, the author of eight poetry collections, including the forthcoming “Hungry Ghost,” has received awards from the Academy of American Poets and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, in addition to fellowships from the Guggenheim …

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Brendan Allen on short-notice scrap vs. RDR, Manel Kape talks Royval showdown, UFC Perth recap 53:49

8d ago53:49

53:49

Jim and Matt return with a stacked Monday episode of UFC Unfiltered. Middleweight contender Brendan Allen joins the show to preview his short-notice showdown with Reinier de Ridder in Vancouver, explain why he’s confident he’ll score a knockout by Round 3, and weigh in on the wide-open middleweight title picture. Then, flyweight contender Manel Kap…

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Mario Bautista eyes 9-fight win streak, Mateusz Gamrot on Oliveira matchup, UFC Perth picks 53:01

14d ago53:01

53:01

Matt Serra and Jim Norton return for a midweek edition of UFC Unfiltered with a pair of No. 8–ranked contenders, bantamweight Mario Bautista and lightweight Mateusz Gamrot, as both men prepare to embrace the road-dog role against fan favorites. Bautista joins the show to reflect on his eight-fight winning streak and preview next month’s bantamweigh…

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Youssef Zalal talks Josh Emmett matchup, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani on DWCS win, guest co-host Din Thomas 1:06:29

16d ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Din Thomas jumps in as guest co-host alongside Matt Serra for a jam-packed Monday edition of UFC Unfiltered! First up, 9th-ranked featherweight Youssef Zalal stops by ahead his UFC 320 showdown with Josh Emmett. Riding a four-fight UFC winning streak, Youssef shares stories from his long-awaited trip back to Morocco before shifting his focus to his…

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Aljamain Sterling on Ortega win & 145-lb. title path, Aly Mac talks next weekend’s UFC Perth card 56:12

21d ago56:12

56:12

Matt brings the heat with a brand new microphone as he teams up with guest co-host John Morgan for a midweek edition of UFC Unfiltered! Nearly a month removed from his UFC Shanghai win over Brian Ortega, Aljamain Sterling returns to the show to discuss Ortega’s weight-cut struggles, his recent back-and-forth with Lerone Murphy, and what’s next in h…

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Alden Coria on UFC debut win, Teddy Atlas talks Bud Crawford & newfound MMA appreciation, Noche UFC recap 1:16:05

23d ago1:16:05

1:16:05

Guest co-host RJ Clifford joins Jim and Matt for a packed Monday show after a huge week for fight fans! Flyweight Alden Coria kicks things off by discussing his journey from preparing for a Contender Series shot to making a successful short-notice UFC debut at Noche UFC. He also shares how training alongside Joshua Van at 4oz Fight Club has elevate…

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Rob Font, Tatiana Suarez, Noche UFC predictions 54:08

27d ago54:08

54:08

Matt Serra and Jim Norton look ahead to this Saturday’s Noche UFC card in San Antonio with two fighters set to compete: Rob Font and Tatiana Suarez. First up, bantamweight veteran Rob Font joins the show to discuss preparing for yet another short-notice opponent change and how training in Texas with Gordon Ryan has sharpened his ground game. He als…

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Modestas Bukauskas on successful 2nd UFC stint, Kevin Iole talks UFC Paris & Canelo-Crawford 1:10:44

29d ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Jim Norton and Matt Serra return for another episode of UFC Unfiltered! Fresh off his biggest career win in Paris, light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas reflects on his successful second stint and the father-son dynamics in play for both he and training partner Tom Aspinall. Later, retired combat sports journalist Kevin Iole joins to recap UFC Paris…

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Donte Johnson on Contract-Securing KO at DWCS, Jon Anik on UFC Paris & Canelo-Crawford 54:11

1M ago54:11

54:11

Jim and Matt return from the Labor Day break with recent Dana White’s Contender Series standout Donte Johnson and the great Jon Anik for today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered. Fresh off a short-notice first-round knockout that secured his UFC contract, Johnson reflects on his rapid rise. Noticeably slimmer than the 297-pound collegiate defensive linema…

1
Sean Brady, Benoît Saint Denis, guest co-host Din Thomas 57:03

1M ago57:03

57:03

On today’s UFC Unfiltered, the one and only Din Thomas fills in for Matt Serra for an episode with Jim Norton that invites welterweight contender Sean Brady and French lightweight Benoît Saint Denis on as guests. Frustrated by two fight dates falling through, Brady outlines two specific opponents he’s ready to fight on a minute’s notice — preferabl…

1
Brad Tavares, Charles Johnson & UFC Shanghai reactions 57:14

1M ago57:14

57:14

On today’s UFC Unfiltered, Matt Serra and Jim Norton welcome middleweight veteran Brad Tavares and flyweight contender Charles Johnson. Two weeks out from UFC Paris, Tavares explains how he’s keeping his 37-year-old body primed to break his tie with Michael Bisping for the most middleweight wins in UFC history. Fresh off a $50K bonus knockout in Sh…

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Anthony Hernandez & Caio Borralho talk middleweight pecking order 53:49

2M ago53:49

53:49

Matt Serra and Jim Norton welcome top middleweight contenders Anthony Hernandez and Caio Borralho to discuss the 185-pound title picture after Khamzat Chimaev’s win. Hernandez recaps his submission victory over Roman Dolidze, previews his recently announced UFC Vancouver bout vs. Reinier de Ridder, and shares a laugh with Matt about their mutual ap…

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Inspiring Quadruple Amputee – Tom Nash 54:26

2M ago54:26

54:26

Quadruple amputee, Tom Nash, is one of the funniest and most inspirational people we’ve met. So it was an absolute delight to welcome him as our guest on this episode of The One Way Ticket Show. In our conversation, Tom shares how he lost all four of his limbs after a devastating brush with a deadly disease over twenty years ago. Coming as close to…

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UFC 319 debrief, taking victory laps w/ Drakkar Klose & Loopy Godinez 48:03

2M ago48:03

48:03

Matt and Jim unpack the action of UFC 319 on an episode of UFC Unfiltered that invites two victorious fighters from the card in Drakkar Klose and Loopy Godinez. Joining first is Klose, and the lightweight calls in to discuss the keys to his unanimous decision win over a tricky veteran like Edson Barboza. Drakkar touches on the memory of his decease…

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Garrett Hongo Reads Charles Wright 42:04

2M ago42:04

42:04

Garrett Hongo joins Kevin Young to read “T’ang Notebook” by Charles Wright, and his own poem “On Emptiness.” Garrett Hongo is the author of several books of poetry and nonfiction, including “Ocean of Clouds” and “The Perfect Sound: A Memoir in Stereo.” He's received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts,…

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Guest co-host Forrest Griffin talks UFC 319 w/ Geoff Neal & Chase Hooper 54:53

2M ago54:53

54:53

There is no replacing Matt Serra. But when the champ can’t make the show, it’s never a bad idea to get another champ to fill in — and that’s exactly what today’s Unfiltered episode delivers with Forrest Griffin talking UFC 319 w/ guest callers Geoff Neal and Chase Hooper. First up, 11th-ranked welterweight Geoff Neal reflects on his inspiring journ…

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Dricus Du Plessis talks Chimaev matchup, Elijah Smith discusses viral slam KO, UFC 319 picks! 1:00:35

2M ago1:00:35

1:00:35

On today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered, we break down the massive Paramount + TKO deal — a jaw-dropping 7-year, $7.7 BILLION U.S. rights agreement starting in 2026. First, Jim and Matt catch up with middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis — gearing up for his fourth straight title fight and third defense. Dricus weighs in on Saturday’s epic UFC 319 t…

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Andre Fili, Roman Dolidze, UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Hernandez picks 52:11

2M ago52:11

52:11

With a fight card to look forward to, Jim and Matt invite a pair of all-action veterans on to the show in Andre Fili and Roman Dolidze. A longtime friend of the show, Andre Fili returns to UFC Unfiltered for the first time as a father in one of his most thoughtful interviews yet. He talks about the life changes since welcoming his son Valor, how fa…

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Douglas Murray on Democracies, Death Cults & Elizabethan England 53:54

2M ago53:54

53:54

Douglas Murray is a journalist and bestselling author of 8 books, including: On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization (2025); The War on the West (2022); The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity(2019); and The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity, Islam (2018). He has been a contributor to The Spectato…

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Austin Bashi talks first UFC win, Jimmy Drago on overcoming obstacles ahead of DWCS shot 53:26

2M ago53:26

53:26

Today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered delivers a powerful mix of rising talent and personal triumph as Jim and Matt welcome UFC featherweight prospect Austin Bashi and DWCS hopeful Jimmy Drago. First up is Bashi, fresh off his first UFC victory — a slick first-round submission over John Yannis. He reflects on bouncing back from his debut loss, chasing …

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Neil Magny & Elizeu Zaleski discuss welterweight crossroads bout w/ guest co-host RJ Clifford 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

RJ Clifford jumps in as a guest co-host for one of those rare UFC Unfiltered episodes where we talk to a pair of fighters days away from fighting each other. Neil Magny drops in to reflect on his 35th UFC bout and what it means to fight another seasoned vet. Then later, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos makes his Unfiltered debut with the help of a transla…

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Matt-stradamus strikes again w/ PERFECT Abu Dhabi picks! Davey Grant & Andrew Tackett join the show 52:06

2M ago52:06

52:06

Jim and Matt kick off the show recapping Saturday’s UFC card in Abu Dhabi, where “Matt-stradamus” Serra stays red hot with another perfect night of picks. They react to Reinier de Ridder’s razor-close win over Robert Whittaker, Petr Yan’s bounce-back performance, and Steven Nguyen’s record-setting knockdown spree before welcoming back Davey Grant t…

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Mateusz Gamrot, Jared Cannonier, Abu Dhabi fight picks! 1:00:04

3M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

It’s a loaded Wednesday on UFC Unfiltered as Jim and Matt welcome two top-10 UFC contenders and gear up for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card in Abu Dhabi! First, 7th-ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot joins the show just two months after his dominant win over Ludovit Klein. The American Top Team standout reflects on teammate Dustin Poirier’s recent r…

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Sasha Debevec-McKenney Reads Gabrielle Calvocoressi 38:47

3M ago38:47

38:47

Sasha Debevec-McKenney joins Kevin Young to read “Hammond B3 Organ Cistern,” by Gabrielle Calvocoressi, and her own poem “Kaepernick.” Debevec-McKenney is the author of the new poetry collection “Joy Is My Middle Name.” She was a Jay C. and Ruth Halls Poetry Fellow at the University of Wisconsin, and a creative-writing fellow at Emory University. H…

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Coach Mike Brown on Poirier’s farewell, Alan Jouban puts a bow on UFC 318 w/ Jim & Matt 58:26

3M ago58:26

58:26

An event as wholesome as Dustin Poirier’s farewell fight deserves a show just as impactful — so Jim and Matt bring in two people who know “The Diamond” better than most to help unpack all the emotion and action of UFC 318. First, American Top Team head coach Mike Brown shares what it was like cornering Dustin for the final time, reflecting on their…

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Michael Johnson, Jimmy Crute, UFC 318 picks 45:52

3M ago45:52

45:52

Jim and Matt are back on UFC Unfiltered with veteran guests Michael Johnson and Jimmy Crute ahead of UFC 318. Michael discusses his resurgence at 39, including a new mindset, stem cell treatments in Cancun, and how he’s embracing the gatekeeper role while aiming for one last title push. Matt, fresh off his own stem cell therapy, is especially curio…

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NBA player Pete Nance, Tuco Tokkos, UFC Nashville recap 57:06

3M ago57:06

57:06

On today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt are joined by NBA forward Pete Nance and UK-born light heavyweight Tuco Tokkos. Maximizing his Summer League experience in Las Vegas, Nance calls in from the UFC P.I. to discuss his family’s NBA lineage and how attending a UFC event in Newark accelerated his growing fascination with the sport. Betw…

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Chris Curtis, Steve Garcia, UFC Nashville picks 44:13

3M ago44:13

44:13

On today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome back veteran middleweight-turned-welterweight Chris “Action Man” Curtis for his sixth appearance on the show. Energized by no longer having to concede size disadvantages to larger opponents like Roman Kopylov, the 37-year-old Curtis explains why now was the right time to return…

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Ep. #900: Alexandre Pantoja discusses title reign, Chepe Mariscal talks 8-fight win streak & Vegas move 56:02

3M ago56:02

56:02

Jim and Matt celebrate 900 episodes of UFC Unfiltered with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and surging featherweight Chepe Mariscal. Having perfectly predicted Pantoja’s third-round rear-naked choke, Matt heaps praise on the champ — who reflects on his growth at American Top Team as the guys discuss what Joshua Van brings to the table as his n…

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RJ Clifford on Topuria’s stardom, Paddy Pimblett talks title stakes w/ guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis 57:37

3M ago57:37

57:37

Matt Serra and guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis hold it down on today’s UFC Unfiltered, starting with MMA media veteran RJ Clifford. The guys bring RJ on to unpack Ilia Topuria’s three-fight run to superstardom before analyzing what it might take for someone to beat the promotion’s newest two-division champion. Clifford also dishes on Pantoja’s d…

1
Matt Serra & Kevin Iole recap UFC 317 w/ big winners Jose Miguel Delgado & Jacobe Smith 1:08:54

3M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

UFC 317 delivered in a big way with highlight-reel finishes, breakout performances, and a star-making moment for Ilia Topuria — and guest co-host Kevin Iole is on the mic with Matt Serra (while Jim Norton is out) to break it all down. The episode kicks off with featherweight knockout artist Jose Miguel Delgado, fresh off a 26-second finish of Hyder…

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Beneil Dariush, Terrance McKinney, UFC 317 picks 1:00:35

3M ago1:00:35

1:00:35

Jim and Matt gear up for UFC 317 with a pair of lightweight contenders from Saturday’s card joining the show. First, Beneil Dariush returns for his 12th Unfiltered appearance to reflect on his 18-month layoff and the road back after a tough 2023. He opens up about how fatherhood and a reset in training helped center him, and why the Moicano matchup…

1
Megan Fernandes Reads Hala Alyan 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Megan Fernandes joins Kevin Young to read “Half-Life in Exile,” by Hala Alyan, and her own poem “On Your Departure to California.” Fernandes’s books include “I Do Everything I’m Told” and “Good Boys.” Her poems have been published widely, and she’s received fellowships from the Yaddo Foundation, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and the Hawthornden …

1
Ciryl Gane talks acting & fighting future after Jones’ retirement, Nazim Sadykhov on Baku homecoming 54:40

4M ago54:40

54:40

On today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by this past Saturday’s biggest winner in Nazim Sadykhov and heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane in the wake of Jon Jones’ retirement. Fresh off his acting debut in the new Netflix film K.O., Gane reflects on the surreal experience of being a movie star — and how choreographed …

1
Mohammed Usman, Melissa Mullins, UFC Azerbaijan picks 52:28

4M ago52:28

52:28

Jim and Matt start today's show two hours earlier than usual to accomodate two exciting guests fighting on this Saturday's UFC Azerbaijan card: heavyweight Mohammed Usman and women's bantamweight Melissa Mullins. Looking to bookend a second straight win from an Usman brother following Kamaru's victorious main event in Atlanta, younger brother Moham…

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Unpacking Usman’s bounceback win at UFC Atlanta, Rose Namajunas & Pat Barry join the show 57:44

4M ago57:44

57:44

Jim Norton and Matt Serra open today’s UFC Unfiltered with a full breakdown of UFC Atlanta, starting with Kamaru Usman’s bounce-back win over Joaquin Buckley and what it means for the future of a stacked welterweight division. Plus, Jim and Matt debate Rodolfo Bellato’s controversial no contest against Paul Craig and whether the backlash heading hi…

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Joaquin Buckley, Paul Craig, guest co-host Phoenix Carnevale 58:59

4M ago58:59

58:59

Longtime friend of the show Phoenix Carnevale reprises her esteemed guest co-host duties in Matt Serra’s absence, joining Jim Norton for an episode that features two fighters from this Saturday’s UFC Atlanta card: welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley and light heavyweight veteran Paul Craig. The show opens with Jim and Phoenix reacting to UFC 316…

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Recapping UFC 316 w/ Bas Rutten, Kayla Harrison's victory lap, guest co-host Din Thomas 1:07:17

4M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Jim Norton and guest co-host Din Thomas are joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten for a lively recap of UFC 316. Din gives props to Bas for his unique insight into both the streetfighting mindset and high-level martial arts, setting the stage for Bas to break down what stood out most on the card — including how Joshua Van reminds him of a young Max Hollo…

1
Joshua Van, Khaos Williams, UFC 316 picks 50:29

4M ago50:29

50:29

With UFC 316 just days away, Matt and Jim welcome two fighters making their second appearances on Unfiltered: rising flyweight Joshua Van and heavy-hitting welterweight Khaos Williams. Kicking things off, Matt finally gets to meet 23-year-old prospect Joshua Van after missing his debut episode — and wastes no time bonding over Bruce Lee movies befo…

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Merab & Din Thomas crash Matt’s 51st bday episode, Ramiz Brahimaj talks 1st-RD submission win 1:01:30

4M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

It’s Matt Serra’s 51st birthday — and what better way to celebrate than with a few surprise guests? Matt correctly guesses Din Thomas as part one of his birthday surprise — but it’s the unexpected call from bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili that really makes his day. Merab joins ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Sean O’Malley at…

1
Erin Blanchfield, Zachary Reese, UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber picks 45:11

4M ago45:11

45:11

After taking Monday off in observance of Memorial Day, Jim and Matt dive right into Wednesday’s episode of UFC Unfiltered with two returning guests: 4th-ranked flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield and middleweight finisher Zachary Reese. Erin reflects on bouncing back from her first UFC loss to Manon Fiorot, shares how she’s grown more comfortable …

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Rolling into UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11 w/ Ffion Davies & William Tackett 1:00:42

5M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

It’s a jiu-jitsu kind of show today! Matt and his jiu-jitsu buddy Jimmy welcome a pair of elite grapplers for their first-ever appearances on UFC Unfiltered in Ffion Davies and William Tackett. Set to headline next Thursday’s UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11, Ffion shares her journey into submission grappling and what it means to ink an exclusive dea…

1
Erika Meitner Reads Philip Levine 36:27

5M ago36:27

36:27

Erika Meitner joins Kevin Young to read “What Work Is,” by Philip Levine, and her own poem “To Gather Together.” Meitner’s books include “Useful Junk” and “Holy Moly Carry Me,” which won the 2018 National Jewish Book Award in Poetry. She is currently a Mandel Institute Cultural Leadership Program Fellow, and she’s the director of the M.F.A. program…

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Jared Gordon’s big win, Julianna Peña talks doubters, Matt vs. YouTuber? 47:11

5M ago47:11

47:11

On today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by two familiar friends of the show: lightweight Jared Gordon and women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Peña. Fresh off a decisive first-round stoppage win, Jared breaks down the finish and reflects on how his recovery journey has strengthened his mindset inside the cage. A…

1
Yadier Del Valle, Julian Erosa, unpacking UFC 317 announcement 57:18

5M ago57:18

57:18

Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters slated for action at this Saturday’s UFC APEX card. They kick off the show reacting to the just-announced, stacked UFC 317 lineup. Next, Cuban featherweight Yadier Del Valle drops in to share how watching old UFC VHS tapes in Cuba inspired his martial arts journey. He talks about earning his UFC shot on Dana …

1
Aiemann Zahabi, Reinier de Ridder, UFC 315 recap w/ guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis 46:19

5M ago46:19

46:19

With UFC 315 in the books, Jim Norton is joined by by guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis for an episode of UFC Unfiltered that invites Aiemann Zahabi and Reinier de Ridder on as guest callers. Up first is Zahabi — who calls in just days removed from his impressive unanimous decision win over legend Jose Aldo in Montreal. Aiemann shares how the last…

1
Navajo Stirling, Jasmine Jasudavicius, UFC 315 picks 51:50

5M ago51:50

51:50

Jim Norton and Matt Serra get you ready for UFC with a pair of fighters from this Saturday’s card joining the show. First up is undefeated light heavyweight prospect Navajo Stirling, making his UFC Unfiltered debut. Stirling shares how his journey from warehouse work to the UFC took shape, and what it’s been like sharpening his game at City Kickbox…

1
Cory Sandhagen, Yair Rodriguez, UFC Des Moines recap 51:32

5M ago51:32

51:32

Today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered sees Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off a Monday full of fight talk with bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen and featherweight standout Yair Rodriguez. First up, Sandhagen joins the show just days removed from his dominant second-round TKO over Deiveson Figueiredo. He breaks down his performance, shares what clic…

Ben And Jose Podcasts