The Fight Library

E342 - Why I’m Not As Confident In Topuria And Pereira As Everyone Else

Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira are seen as shoo ins for the UFC White House card this weekend. Two statement wins, both would be further on the path of superstardom. But Blaine Henry doesn’t think it’s so cut and dry. There are x-factors and paths to victory for both Justin Gaethje and Ciryl Gane that could turn what’s expected from the White House upside down!Special shoutout to our sponsor and recording location for this episode, Loft18! A Louisiana sports bar and grill, Loft18 is one of the best places to watch fights in Baton Rouge and Metairie, Louisiana. Come say hello and let’s watch some fights together!Visit their website: www.loft18.comChapters:0:00 Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje8:15 Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane🎞️Check out Fight Finders, my docuseries! Episode 008 is out now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx7TZlIVGhDZ_TpnOtVEVSXmkpr_ViExz&si=J8DZ9G6a-RvTaMOv🥊 Boxing channel: Youtube.com/@UCFN50W4bPM2xdW78XLyv2fQ 📰 Newsletter: fightlibrary.substack.comIlia Topuria is probably the biggest star in the UFC right now. Huge both in the states and internationally, the two weight champion is looking for a fourth victim that will be in the UFC hall of fame. But Justin Gaethje is not one to count out. A veteran of many tough fights, Justin Gaethje has some things to make Ilia Topuria pause at UFC White House. While I do think Ilia Topuria is (rightfully) the favorite, don’t act surprised if Justin Gaethje manages to make this a dog fight as he always does.Alex Pereira is also going for history: a third belt in the UFC. While this is only an interim belt, the fact that he’s in this position is incredible already. But Ciryl Gane is the exact type of matchup that could give Alex Pereira a hard time. Ciryl Gane is large, nimble, and smart as a fighter. Watching Artem Vakhitov and Magomed Ankalaev beat Alex Pereira shows us there are paths to victory against the most dangerous Brazilian to ever live. Will Ciryl Gane finally be able to get out of this funk and beat Alex Pereira?#mmapodcast #ufcpodcast #ufcwhitehouse #iliatopuria #alexpereira

E341 - Belal Muhammad Stopped Being Belal Muhammad

Belal Muhammad suffered his third straight loss against Gabriel Bonfim. We now have to ask what's changed about Belal Muhammad to make him go from championship fighter to what we saw at UFC Vegas 118. Check out Fight Finders, my docuseries! Episode 008 is out now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx7TZlIVGhDZ_TpnOtVEVSXmkpr_ViExz&si=J8DZ9G6a-RvTaMOv 🥊 Boxing channel: Youtube.com/@UCFN50W4bPM2xdW78XLyv2fQ 📰 Newsletter: fightlibrary.substack.com Belal Muhammad is a cautionary tale of what not to become. Once avoided for the complexity of his style, Belal Muhammad has become the very thing he was the answer to. A mile wide and an inch deep, Muhammad struggled to get anything going against Gabriel Bonfim that mattered.

E340 - Song Yadong is still stuck

Song Yadong is still stuck. Despite beating Deiveson Figueiredo, he's still in the same position he was in before this fight. The win at UFC Macau has him stuck at five still, Song Yadong kept his position. Having lost to four of the top five, he's not quite ready for another shot at the top of the division yet.🎞️Check out Fight Finders, my docuseries! Episode 008 is out now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx7TZlIVGhDZ_TpnOtVEVSXmkpr_ViExz&si=J8DZ9G6a-RvTaMOv🥊 Boxing channel: Youtube.com/@UCFN50W4bPM2xdW78XLyv2fQ 📰 Newsletter: fightlibrary.substack.com#ufcpodcast #mmapodcast #ufcmacau

E339 - MVP Made The UFC Flinch

We learned a lot about where the UFC sees themselves when it comes to MVP MMA. Usually opting not to respond, the UFC announced the return of Conor McGregor ahead of the main card on MVP MMA. Chapters:0:00 MVP MMA vs UFC explained9:04 Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano reaction14:21 Arnold Allen vs Melquizael Costa reaction17:34 UFC Vegas 117 full card reaction🎞️Check out Fight Finders, my docuseries! Episode 008 is out now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx7TZlIVGhDZ_TpnOtVEVSXmkpr_ViExz&si=J8DZ9G6a-RvTaMOv🥊 Boxing channel: Youtube.com/@UCFN50W4bPM2xdW78XLyv2fQ 📰 Newsletter: fightlibrary.substack.comMVP and the UFC have a newborn rivalry. MVP is doing things a bit different from the past "competitors" the UFC's seen. It isn't volume driven, it's event driven. It's a spectacle. Jake Paul and company announced themselves before the world on Netflix as a major player in the MMA world with just one event. The UFC's response spoke volumes. Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano were the main events of MVP MMA 1. But the fight only lasted 17 seconds. Gina Carano showed impeccably bad defense and when the rubber met the road, she couldn't even defend a simple arm bar. Ronda Rousey, as she always did, got in, got out, and got paid.We would be remiss if we also didn't talk about Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa. Arnold Allen lit up Melquizael Costa and put him out to pasture. The five round decision saw Arnold Allen put himself in the right spot for a title contention. A couple wins out, he could be just on the verge of that with a breakout win.#mmapodcast #ufcpodcast #mvpmma1

E338 - MVP MMA Might Have The Formula To Challenge The UFC

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are fighting on Netflix this weekend but the bigger story is MVP MMA vs UFC. Will there finally be actual competition?Today's site sponsor is BRQ, a local Baton Rouge restaurant. Featuring the best in BBQ and seafood, BRQ is a must stop for anyone visiting the Baton Rouge area. Visit their website: https://www.brqrestaurant.com 🎞️Check out Fight Finders, my docuseries! Episode 008 is out now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx7TZlIVGhDZ_TpnOtVEVSXmkpr_ViExz&si=J8DZ9G6a-RvTaMOv🥊 Boxing channel: Youtube.com/@UCFN50W4bPM2xdW78XLyv2fQ 📰 Newsletter: fightlibrary.substack.comYes, Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey is a big deal. But in the grand scheme of things, the fight is small in comparison to what is really at stake. MVP MMA is attempting to put on a massive event that is worthy of a quality MMA show. But with Netflix and MVP teaming up, things really could be different. Pride was once the competition to the UFC once upon a time. Now with TKO ownership, competition seems impossible. But with the backing of Netflix and the Jake Paul money/marketing machine, things could get interesting. MVP MMA needs to know that they potentially have lightning in a bottle here. #ufcpodcast #mmapodcast #rondarousey