The Co-main Event Podcast

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