Today on the podcast, we'll discuss Dana White's various beefs with Francis Ngannou and Arman Tsarukyan, how Merab can (maybe) beat Yan in the third fight and much more.
This is episode 282 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
Petr Yan became the UFC bantamweight champion of the world by defeating Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) in the main event from Las Vegas, Nevada. He achieved this victory and the status as a two-time champion (three if we count interim titles) by turning in one of the most dialed in and inspired performances in UFC championship history. As you’ll hear me talk about in this episode, his march back to the title was as improbable as it was impressive.
We discuss the significance of Yan’s performance, the tragedy of the co-main event, Payton Talbott’s breakthrough moment and much more.
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On this week's episode of The Luke Thomas Live Chat, we discuss UFC 323, the Ali Act hearing on Capitol Hill plus whether complaints about UFC's early matchmaking in 2026 is a function of TKO meddling.
This is episode 281.
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On today's episode of The Luke Thomas Live Chat, we'll examine Topuria vs. Tsarukyan, the UFC in 2026, what to do with the women's side of the sport and more.
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At UFC Qatar, Arman Tsarukyan didn’t merely batter and submit Dan Hooker in the main event, he showed a vastly improved depth and well-roundness of skill. It was so impressive, in fact, that I just don’t see how any fight can be next for UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria other than Tsarukyan.
In my UFC Qatar post-fight show, I discuss Tsarukyan’s best-ever UFC performance, what I’m vexed by Ian Garry’s game, the UFC return of Kyoji Horiguchi and so much more.
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Today on the podcast, we'll discuss what went wrong for Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev, the role of Craig Jones plus much more.
This is episode 279 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
At UFC 322, Islam Makhachev easily surpassed Jack Della Maddalena to become the new UFC welterweight champion. Did he surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov in the process? We discuss that and more on this post-fight show.
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Today on the live chat, we go over the latest in terms of what we know about the UFC's betting scandal plus we look ahead to UFC 322 and much more.
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Today on the live chat, we discuss why the Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane rematch might be really good despite all of the present controversy. We also get into why fighters quitting is not the black mark some imagine it to be.
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At UFC 321, Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane ended in a draw. For an event that was supposed to be about heavyweight turning the page, the division ended up just as stuck as before.
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On today's episode, we preview UFC 321 plus I respond to some of the most insane controversy I got roped into this week.
This is episode 275 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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On today's podcast, we explore why the California commission unanimously supported TKO's Ali Act bill, whether Merab's 2025 is the best year any MMA fighter has ever had, what Holloway-Oliveira 2 might look like.
This is episode 274 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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Today on the live chat, we discuss whether Alex Pereira is a tough fight for Jon Jones now. We also get into whether Merab Dvalishvili is already Fighter of the Year, the Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy and more.
This is episode 273 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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Alex Pereira is the UFC light heavyweight champion again. His win over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 was the shortest and easiest of Pereira’s entire MMA career, marking yet another incredible achievement in a career full of them.
Additionally, Merab Dvalishvili’s claim on being the best bantamweight in MMA history is becoming undeniable after a near-stoppage and otherwise controlling performance over Cory Sandhagen.
Oh, and Jiri Prochazka scored maybe the comeback of the year.
We discuss all of this and more in our UFC 320 Post-Fight Show.
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Today on the podcast, we look ahead to UFC 320 as well as the PFL's Nurmagomedov-Hughes 2 main event. We'll also delve into the controversy from the Riyadh Comedy Festival and Bill Burr plus more.
This is episode 272 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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On this week's live chat, we discuss the lameness of the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis press conferences, the logistical challenges of UFC White House, the valence of political violence and much more.
This is episode 271 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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On this week's episode, we consider Terence Crawford's future, the FCC-forced suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, whether the Fighting Nerds can level up and more.
This is episode 270 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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Terence Crawford made boxing history last night in becoming undisputed in a third weight class by beating Canelo Alvarez in the Netflix-broadcast main event. Luke Thomas reacts and contextualizes all of the storylines.
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Today on the podcast, we look ahead to Terence Crawford's challenges against Canelo Alvarez, Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva in the Noche UFC main event plus more reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk.
This is episode 269 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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Today on the podcast, we'll examine whether Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev is the MMA equivalent of Canelo vs. Crawford and much more.
This is episode 268 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.
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