As the sport of Mixed Martial Arts continues to grow, so does the number of podcasts that are covering it.

While that’s undoubtedly a good thing, the fact that pretty much anybody can start one up means that the quality can vary dramatically between them.

To help you sort out the wheat from the chaff, I’ve listened to as many MMA podcasts as I could lay my hands on and whittled them down to 10 that I think are worth checking out.

Here’s our list of the best MMA podcasts

1. THE CO-MAIN EVENT PODCAST

Where Can I Find It: Co-Main Event Podcast

When Is it Broadcast: Monday’s

How Long is it: 1hr+

Description: USA Today’s Ben Fowlkes and ESPN’s Chad Dundas chew over the big topics in MMA with a side-helping of sharp wit and humor.

Comments: In 2021 it’s tough to compete in the MMA podcast space alongside all the high-profile fighters who now have their shows, but long-time friends and veteran journalists of the sport Ben Fowlkes and Chad Dundas, still manage to stand out from the crowd thanks to their natural chemistry together with a great sense of humor and sharp wit, which makes this show a pleasure to listen to.

Also, if you can’t get enough of the duo then you could always join the 1000+ people who subscribe to their Patreon page, where you’ll find additional shows every week.

2. THE DC And Helwani Show

Where Can I Find It: espn.com

When Is It Broadcast: Once A Week

How Long Is It: 1hr

Description: Retired two-division UFC champion turned colour commentator Daniel Cormier and ESPN’s Ariel Helwani join forces for their podcast.

Comments: This show is touted as being ESPN’s fastest growing podcast and it’s not hard to see why, as DC is one of the UFC’s most beloved former champion’s while Helwani recently won ‘MMA Journalist Of The Year’ for 2020 and in addition to being a natural on the mic, is also a true ‘insider’ who is known for breaking big news regularly.

3. YOU’RE WELCOME!

Where Can I Find It: http://podcastone.com/chaelsonnen

When Is It Broadcast: Once A Week

How Long Is It: 1hr+

Description: Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen gives his own unique take on the latest MMA news.

Comments:  If you’ve been missing the man from the mean streets of West Linn, Oregon since he retired from the sport, then this is the way to get your fix.  As you might expect, Sonnen, who also serves as an MMA analyst for ESPN these days, brings bags of personality to his show and isn’t afraid to speak his mind, while he’s also a great storyteller.

4. BELIEVE YOU ME

Where Can I Find It: GaS Digital Network

When Is It Broadcast: Monday’s

How Long Is It:  1hr+

Description: Retired UFC middleweight champion and current UFC color commentator Michael Bisping’s weekly podcast offering his unique take on the sport’s biggest talking points.

Comments:  Bisping has proven to be a jack-of-all-trades outside of the Octagon, whether it’s been acting, color commentating or serving as an analyst, and given that he’s never been shy to speak his mind and always has plenty to say, podcasting has proven to be a natural fit for him too.

5. ANIK AND FLORIAN PODCAST

Where Can I Find It: YouTube

When Is It Broadcast: Once A Week

How Long Is It: 1hr

Description: The UFC’s lead commentator, Jon Anik, and retired fighter turned analyst Kenny Florian discuss the week’s big stories together with high-profile interviews with the stars of the sport.

Comments:  You’re in safe hands with Anik and Florian here, who are also friends in the real world, and that comes across in their good-natured relationship on the mic.  Both men are articulate and bring polish to their analysis and interviews, ensuring this podcast stands up with the best.

6. MMA JUNKIE RADIO

Where Can I Find It: MMA Junkie Website

When Is It Broadcast: Monday – Friday

How Long Is It: 2 hours

Description: One of the longest-running and hardest-working shows in the game, this one goes out five times a week with Gorgeous George, John Morgan and Goze, bringing a mix of light-hearted discussion, interviews, and the chance to phone in and air your views.

Comments: MMA Junkie Radio’s shows generally revolve around their guests, and being that it’s broadcast from Las Vegas, one of the meccas of mixed martial arts, that gives them access to many of the top names in the sport regularly. The relaxed atmosphere in the studio often brings out the best in the guests, and they excel when they invite a fighter to hang out for the entire show.

7. MORNING KOMBAT

Where Can I Find It:  sho.com

When is It Broadcast: Several Times A Week

How Long is It: 1-2hrs

Description:  CBS Sports / Showtime brings together one of MMA’s most prominent analysts, Luke Thomas, alongside long-time MMA writer Brian Campbell.

Comments: Fans of the now defunct MMA Beat show from MMA Fighting will feel at home here as Thomas was a mainstay there, while Campbell also appeared on it numerous times.

Thomas previously found success with his ‘Promotional Malpractice’ podcast and popular YouTube channel but is currently channelling more of his energies into the Morning Kombat show.  A man whose opinion is highly respected in the MMA world, Thomas discusses many MMA-related topics in painstaking detail. At the same time, Campbell’s less severe outlook helps lighten the mood.

8. UFC UNFILTERED

Where Can I Find It: ufc.com

When Is It Broadcast: Tuesdays & Thursdays

How Long Is It: 60–90mins

Description:  The UFC’s own official podcast featuring comedian Jim Norton and retired UFC star Matt Serra.

Comments:  A long-term member of the Opie & Anthony radio show, Norton already had bags of experience in broadcasting before Dana White headhunted him to appear alongside one of the UFC’s most charismatic personalities in Serra on the UFC’s official podcast.

It’s a light-hearted show, and as you’d expect, given the official UFC stamp, they get access to the biggest UFC stars and even occasional visits from the head honcho himself, Dana White.

9. SUBMISSION RADIO

Where Can I Find It:  YouTube

When Is it Broadcast: Weekly

How Long Is It: 2-3hrs

Description: Australia’s biggest MMA podcast has also become one of the most globally recognised shows covering the sport.

Comments: Part of Submission Radio hosts Kacper Rosolowski and Denis Shkuratov’s success has been down to their ability to get big-name stars of the sport on the show and then deliver entertaining interviews that have often proven to be a reliable source of breaking news.  As such, it’s become a must-listen podcast for many fans, with over 175,000 currently subscribed to their YouTube channel.

10. JOE ROGAN MMA SHOW / FIGHT COMPANION

Where Can I Find It: Spotify

When Is It Broadcast:  Infrequently.

How Long Is It: 2-3hrs+

Description:  Joe Rogan’s MMA Show sees the UFC’s lead colour commentator demonstrating his uniquely long-form interview format focusing on MMA fighters, coaches and analysts, while the Fight Companion podcasts run alongside occasional live UFC events and are essentially Rogan and a bunch of his mates shooting the breeze while watching the fights.

Comments:  Rogan has been a major force in driving the popularity of the entire podcasting space over the last decade, as demonstrated by the fact that Spotify paid him a staggering $100 million to obtain exclusive rights to his shows starting in 2020.

The catch is that since the deal was struck, his MMA Show podcast has been airing much less frequently than before, while there hasn’t been a ‘Fight Companion show for months.  With that in mind, we almost took this off the list, but given its enormous popularity, we’ve left it on in the hope that it will see a return to a more regular schedule throughout 2024.

Closing Thoughts

So there you have it. Bear in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of every podcast currently available on the net, so if there’s a podcast you think is worthy of attention, feel free to mention it in the comments section below, which already has some good alternative suggestions.