This week on Mat Matters, we dive deep into one of the most emotional and explosive weeks in combat sports!

José Aldo takes his final walkout in Rio de Janeiro — a true end of an era for “The King of Rio.”
Charles Oliveira, now nicknamed “The Predator,” roars back with a statement victory that reignites his title hopes.
MMA referee Mike Beltran is hospitalized — the MMA world sends love and respect.
ONE Championship shakes the grappling world announcing Marcelo Garcia vs. Lachlan Giles, a once-in-a-lifetime matchup for Jiu-Jitsu fans.
And finally, UFC 323 is officially announced — featuring Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili II and Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg (Van) — two fights that could reshape their divisions.

Tune in as we discuss legacy, evolution, and the warrior spirit behind every fight.

Chapters

00:00 The Legacy of Jose Aldo

11:08 Health Challenges in Combat Sports

15:26 Charles Liberum's Impressive Performance

21:40 Analyzing Recent Fights and Title Contention

24:05 Potential Matchups: Holloway vs. Oliveira

25:40 The BMF Title: A Path for Oliveira

27:48 Marcelo Garcia vs. Lachlan Giles: A Dream Matchup

32:23 The Legacy of Marcelo Garcia

33:11 Merab Dvalishvili's Relentless Energy

35:46 Injury Resilience in High-Pressure Fights

37:59 Upcoming Fights: Pantoja vs. Van

40:28 From Uber to UFC: The Journey of Fighters

42:34 The Rise and Fall of Champions

44:33 The Cringe Factor: Winning vs. Losing

48:16 The Evolution of Fighters and Their Strategies

52:50 The Future of UFC Broadcasting

58:32 Closing Thoughts and Reflections