The Co-main Event Podcast

Episode 64 marks another early arrival for the Co-Main Event Podcast, this one recorded and put in the can just as news broke that Jason “Mayhem” Miller had allegedly been arrested for domestic violence. So, that’s about typical as it concerns breaking news constantly occurring just as the podcast is finished. Fortunately, there was more than enough preexisting MMA news to fill this episode as Ben and Chad laid it down on Sunday afternoon. Topics discussed here include the pending debut of Fox Sports 1, the returns of both Chael Sonnen and Alistair Overeem and Ronda Rousey’s recent claims she’ll only fight for another couple of years before transitioning to career No. 2 (or wait, career No. 3? Eh, who’s counting?). In the middle, the guys mix in some talk about last Saturday’s World Series of Fighting 4 card, which included promotional owner Ray Sefo losing to Dave Huckaba, Lew Polley badly missing weight and Tyrone Spong getting his second professional MMA win. All that plus AYFKM, Tips for the Well-Roun

One of the many things that makes hosting the Co-Main Event Podcast so fun is that to date Ben and Chad have never encountered a week where they had to be all, “Well, just a bunch of boring, normal, sane stuff happened.” This week was obviously no exception, with Bellator announcing that Tito Ortiz and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would headline its first ever pay-per-view effort on Nov. 2. The guys could probably do a whole show on that topic alone, not to mention Chan Sung Jung’s shoulder vibrating apart during his title match against Jose Aldo or the MMA community at large crying foul about Phil Davis eking out a victory over Lyoto Machida. All of this is a nice way of saying episode 63 clocks in at around 1 hour, 12 minutes. Hope that’s not a problem. There is also some AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and MasterTweet Theatre on there as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online voting did not go as planned last week during the quest to find a winner in the Co-Main Event Podcast music contest. Nobody’s fault, really (except maybe the dudes who wrote up the rules for the contest itself) but in the end Ben and Chad had no choice but to declare the thing a draw. Thing is, though, that could well turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as now the CME has two dope new themes to choose from during the next month or so before going back to the beloved original theme. Anyway, to get the details, you’re going to have to listen to the show. You’ll want to do that anyway, as this week the guys break down the stark contrast between the final two fights on last Saturday’s UFC on Fox broadcast, look ahead to Jose Aldo’s title defense against Chan Sung Jung (that’s the Korean Zombie, you guys) at UFC 163 and wonder when the UFC’s gonna break the news to us that it’s moving its operation to Brazil on a full-time basis. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad c

Don’t mind telling you, Universe, there are a lot of unknowns on this weekend’s UFC of FOX 8 card, which means the Co-Main Event Podcast had its work cut out for itself during episode 61. Witness Ben and Chad trying to sort out whether the legend of Rory MacDonald is more hype than substance, if Jake Ellenberger can make a run at the 170-pound title before it’s too late and just who the hell is this John Moraga dude everybody keeps saying is fighting for the flyweight title. Your dudes pick over this show like a couple of grizzled lab techs at a crime scene, all the while looking for answers about why Dana White would shout at the hapless people from SI Now, why anybody would think reanimating “bare knuckle boxing” was a good idea and why Joe Riggs would tell those stories about other fighters’ bathing suit areas. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank God for Anthony Pettis, Brian Stann and Anderson Silva, as those three gentlemen provided a significant lift to episode 60 of the Co-Main Event Podcast during what otherwise may have been a fairly slow news week. First Pettis poured gas on the conspiracy fire as he slid safely into a lightweight title bout against Benson Henderson at UFC 164 after T.J. Grant pulled out with a concussion suffered during Brazilian Jiu-Jits training. Wait. Concussion during BJJ? The fuck? Grant must’ve been coming off the top rope or something. Anyway, then Stann pulled off potentially the most reasonable and responsible retirement in our sport’s history just a day or two before Anderson Silva announced that he [was] back and had agreed to fight Chris Weidman at UFC 168 in December. Suffice it to say, all this stuff made Ben’s and Chad’s jobs as your humble co-hosts a walk in the park. Meanwhile, the MMA world breathed a collective sigh of relief as former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia emerged from hiding this week t

Don’t know if you guys heard, but UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (who has long been regarded as pretty good at fighting) lost the title to Chris Weidman this weekend at UFC 162. It was sort of an upset and that makes episode 59 of the Co-Main Event Podcast a pretty big one. Ben and Chad take a fairly indepth look at the fight itself, including the many machinations of public opinion in the wake of Weidman’s second round victory. They also contemplate the future of the 185-pound division and exactly how much of the UFC’s future planning went up in smoke at the moment the challenger landed that left hook to the champion’s jaw. In middleweight news of another kind, the guys also wonder about the future of longtime fan favorite Chris Leben, whose career appeared on thin ice after his own loss to Andrew Craig. All that, plus the return of Sir Nigel Longstock and MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With America set to turn 237 years old this week (or 229 years young, for you Treaty of Paris types) the Co-Main Event Podcast celebrated the only way it knows how: By recording the show early so Ben and Chad could spend the rest of the week standing around shirtless at barbecues drinking beer and shouting stuff like “Oh yeah? Let me tell YOU something …,” at people they only sort of know. So, yay America. With UFC 162 coming up on Saturday, it goes without saying that the guys have serious MMA business to attend to as well. This week’s topics include Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva as the most talked about UFC main event in some time, that awesome behind-the-scenes video of War MMA that we all watched and numerous past and present fighters criticizing the UFC’s pay scale. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. It’s nearly Independence Day, which means Sir Nigel Longstock has retreated to Mother England to stew on the shame of it all, but we hope he’ll return next week to shock and disturb us with his

Ben and Chad pull a fast one on the CME Universe this week, calling an audible and opting to do an All Questions Answered installment of the podcast for Episode 57. Turns out it was a pretty slow news week in the MMA world and rather than spend an entire round (or two) talking about Nick Diaz’s fledgling War MMA promotion the guys decided it would be better to hear from you, the listener. You didn’t disappoint, either, you little rascals, serving up a full slate of questions that have the hour, eight minutes flying by in a blink. A bunch of topics are addressed, including Anderson Silva’s fitness as GOAT, Chris Weidman’s chances at UFC 162, PEDs (sorry), a new scoring system for MMA and how the world will remember the sport’s recent spate of retirees. All that, plus Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan, AYFKM and Just Sayin Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One thing to be said for episode 56 of the Co-Main Event Podcast: Everybody was sober for the recording. We think. Hard to tell sometimes with Ben Fowlkes, you know? Anyway, with the decision-heavy UFC 161 still weighing considerably on their minds this week, Ben and Chad take up Rashad Evans’ victory over Dan Henderson, Roy Nelson’s lackluster loss to Stipe (Stipe!) Miocic and Steve Mazzagatti once again getting the raspberry after letting Josh Burkman choke Jon Fitch unconscious at WSOF 3. So, good for World Series of Fighting for actually getting a full round of the podcast devoted to its product this week. Focus on the positives. All that, plus AYFKM, listener mail and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, the Co-Main Event Podcast will never do that again. At least, we hope not. The CME unveils its Unofficial Drinking Game this week with Ben, Chad and Sir Nigel spending the hour trying to drink up the Internet beer they were bequeathed by listener Claire Hammond. Was it a “success”? Perhaps if you consider the podcast essentially devolving into 74 minutes of Just Sayin’ Stuff then, yeah, it was a huge success. On the docket for episode 55 are Fabricio Werdum’s big win over Roddy Nog from last weekend’s UFC on FuelTV event, former UFC stars like Jon Fitch and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson making news and a “preview” of sorts of next week’s UFC 161. The guys would love to tell you how it went, but they’re not sure they “remember” the “whole thing.” We’re pretty sure there is some AYFKM, MasterTweet Theatre and Just Sayin’ Stuff, though. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The groovy, spaced-out beach vibe that accompanies episode 54 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is due largely to the show’s featured music, which comes to us from a CME listener’s surf rock band called – get this – The Testostertones. If you close your eyes, it’ll be almost like you’re right there with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as they have the time of their lives during that crazy summer of ’65. Except, you know, that Ben and Chad are there harshing everybody’s mellows by talking about MMA the whole time. This week the dudes take on the game of mixed martial musical chairs going on over the UFC 161 card, the sudden insertion of Miesha Tate (and the other half of Caratate) opposite Ronda Rousey on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter” and the overall newsworthiness of this weekend’s UFC on FuelTV 10 event.  Plus, Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 53 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is so chock full of heavyweight goodness that it barely slips in under the 265-pound weight limit. With UFC 160 still lingering on all our palates like a fine wine, Ben and Chad talk about the prospect of Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III, the fates of Bigfoot Silva and Mark Hunt, the reintroduction of Josh Barnett to the division as well as Roy Nelson’s intentions to fight Stipe Miocic. With time remaining, they also take a good look at the performance of New Lightweight Superstar T.J. Grant, the emergence of Alexander Emelianenko’s beard and the bloodbath that was Jeremy Stephens-Estevan Payan. Plus, MasterTweet Theatre, Just Sayin’ Stuff and AYFKM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not going to lie to you, episode 52 of the Co-Main Event Podcast contains a lot of talk about testosterone replacement therapy. But you knew that already, right? After Vitor Belfort knocked out Luke Rockhold with an amazing spinning kick on Saturday at UFC on FX 8 and the internets exploded with TRT-induced vitriol, it didn’t take a genius to figure out the dominant topic of the week. Ben and Chad do their duty, strapping up and hurling themselves headlong into the sludge, taking on such questions as: How will the UFC handle Belfort’s supposed No. 1 contender status? Does the Young Dinosaur deserve more/less/equal criticism as other TRT-tastic dudes like Chael Sonnen and Dan Henderson? And what can CME fans do to help? When the testosterone talk subsides, they also discuss Cain Velasquez’s upcoming UFC 160 fight against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva as well as Mark Hunt’s scrap with Junior dos Santos. All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and listener mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad

So it turns out some a-hole has been impersonating Ben Fowlkes on the internets, huh? The introduction to episode 51 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is highlighted by Ben and Chad discussing the story of his reverse catfishing, which caused quite a stir over at MMAJunkie.com and the UG early this week. Some of the burning questions that emerged from the ordeal: Just who is lame enough to do this? What could their incredibly lousy motives be? And why on earth would anyone who is not already Ben Fowlkes want to be Ben Fowlkes? There are no easy answers. Once your dudes get around to the actual MMA talk, the upcoming UFC on FX 8 card takes center stage. Specifically, Ben and Chad break down the main event pitting Vitor Belfort against Luke Rockhold as well as the octagon debut of “Jacare” Souza. In the time left over, they squeeze in some talk of the “phantom agent” who allegedly offered Leonard Garcia a contract with Bellator this week and wonder aloud if it might be the same sorry son of a bitch who is also imp

All in all, it was kind of an awkward week for the Co-Main Event Podcast to ring in episode No. 50. Caught in the doldrums between major MMA events and without much really juicy news to sink their toothless grins into, Ben and Chad were left to fend largely for themselves. The result? Well, at least they do something they’ve never done before. You gotta give them credit for that … right? … right? Anyway, you’re familiar with those weirdo, two-round “exhibition” bouts the fighters do on “The Ultimate Fighter” that don’t end up counting on their professional records?  This is kind of like that. The guys embark on an expanded installment of listener mail (and, seriously, thank God for you people) before chopping it up on the topics of Eddie Alvarez’s ongoing legal battle against Bellator and the fact that some of the sport’s most improbable superfights have floated back to the front and center of our collective consciousness. All that, plus AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

Though she does not appear on episode 49 of the Co-Main Event Podcast, the real star of this week’s show may be Ben’s wife, as both he and Chad borrowed her jokes for the broadcast. And really, what can you do in the wake of an event as weird as UFC 159 besides laugh? From Jon Jones’ broken toe, to Chael Sonnen’s near miss at becoming light heavyweight champ, to the gouged eyes and splintered thumbs, the guys break it all down, including where both Jones and Sonnen should go from here and what the powers that be in the UFC must’ve done to the MMA gods to deserve such a screwy show.  All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With less than a week to go before UFC 159 and just a few days removed from UFC on Fox 7, episode 48 of the Co-Main Event Podcast is strictly concerned with the big issues: Did Benson Henderson really beat Gilbert Melendez on Saturday night? Really? Did Daniel Cormier really fail to entertain you during his victory over Frank Mir? Really? And are you really gonna shell out the big bucks to watch Jon Jones beat up Chael Sonnen this weekend … Really? It’s a busy week in the world of mixed martial arts, so in addition to these topics Ben and Chad have a lot to get off their chests, including discussing the politics of asking someone to marry you on national television, why Strikeforce fighters seem to be doing such an awesome job in the UFC and how the hell some dude who teaches at a Cesar Gracie-affiliated school got himself assigned to judge Bendo-Melendez.   All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and the long awaited return of Tips for the Well-Rounded Fight Fan (TFTWRFF?). Learn more about your ad choices

If we see your eyes brimming with tears as you listen to this week’s episode of the Co-Main Event Podcast, we’re just going to assume Ben and Chad said something that affected you on a deeply personal basis, and not that your eyes are watering from listening to the hoarse rasp of Ben’s injured voice. Sadly, the poor kid isn’t quite 100 percent for this taping, telling us he got stuck in a “choke” at “jiu-jitsu” or some other obviously made up story. You’ve got to hand it to him for saddling-up and croaking his way through 66 minutes, though. On the heels of the TUF 17 live finale and in advance of the UFC on FOX 7 this weekend the guys break down the surprising performances we saw from Cat Zingano and Uriah Hall and look forward to Gilbert Melendez finally getting his chance to prove he belongs among the elite lightweights in MMA. All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM Just Sayin’ Stuff.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Due to some technical difficulties it took two full tries to get episode 46 in the books, but Ben and Chad persevered, took it one round at a time and, God willing, they came out on top. You might notice this installment of the Co-Main Event Podcast sounds particularly smooth, as if the guys had just completed a dress rehearsal only hours beforehand. Either that, or it’ll seem like they’re just going through the motions. Nevertheless, this episode sees copious discussion of the Alexander Gustafsson injury situation, Gegard Mousasi’s good fortune and Ilir Latifi’s man on the street build. In addition to that, the guys break down Cris “Cyborg” Santos’ return to the cage after a 15 month absence and whether or not these “Ultimate Fighter” live finale cards are really necessary. If you listen closely, you just might hear some AYFKM and Just Sayin’ Stuff, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 45 of the Co-Main Event Podcast was recorded mere moments before the Wanderlei Silva-Gegard Mousasi April Fool’s Day internet rumor bonanza took the MMA news world by storm, or else you better believe Ben and Chad would’ve had something to say about it. As it stands your dudes had to be content with discussing the previous rumors, about Alexander Gustafsson damn near getting his whole head chopped off while training for UFC on Fuel 9 and the resulting cut putting his scheduled fight with Mousasi in the lurch. Curse them for thinking that’d be as crazy as it got. This cool 70 minutes of mixed martial arts talk also includes discussion of Georges St. Pierre going Hollywood (literally this time) in order to play Batroc the Leaper (Batroc the Leaper!) in the next Captain America movie and the return of Chris “Cyborg” Santos at Friday’s Invicta 5 card. In addition to that, there’s some Just Sayin’ Stuff and some AYFKM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices