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 own 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 color commentator Daniel Cormier and ESPN’s Ariel Helwani join forces for their own 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 on a regular basis.
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 story-teller.
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 big stories of the week 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 out in the real world, and that comes across in their good-natured relationship on the mic. Both men are articulate and bring a level of polish to their analysis and interviews that ensures 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 bring a mix of light-hearted discussion, interviews, and the chance to phone in and air your own views.
Comments: MMA Junkie Radio’s shows generally revolves around their guests, and being that it’s broadcast from Las Vegas, one of the mecca’s of mixed martial arts, that gives them access to many of the top names in the sport on a regular basis. The relaxed atmosphere in the studio often brings out the best in the guests, and they really 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 mmafighting 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 channeling more of his energies into the Morning Kombat show. A man who’s opinion is highly respected in the MMA world, Thomas discusses a myriad of MMA related topics in painstaking detail, while Campbell’s less serious outlook at times 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 prior to Dana White headhunting him to appear alongside one of the UFC’s most charasmatic 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, which 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 color commentator demonstrating his uniquely long-form interview format focusing on MMA fighter’s, coaches and analysts, while the Fight Companion podcasts run alongside occasional live UFC events and is 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 it’s enormous popularity we’ve left it on in the hope that it will see a return to a more regular schedule over the course of 2021.
Closing Thoughts
So there you have it. Bare in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of every podcast that is currently available on the net, so if there’s a podcast you think is worthy of attention then feel free to mention it in the comments section below which already has some good alternative suggestions.