Today on the podcast, we'll preview UFC 270: Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane. We'll talk about that pay-per-view plus buying UFC ppvs as a media member. We'll also get into mechanical doping, Giga Chikadze's rebound potential after his UFC Fight Night loss to Calvin Kattar, Conor McGregor's next move, how Jon Jones features into the weekend's fights, the champion's clause in UFC contracts, refereeing and corner work in the sport and much more.

This is episode 101 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC 270 Preview, Major MMA Losses, Doping, Giga Chikadze Rebound

Today on the podcast, we'll touch on the current crisis in the Ukraine and what it might mean for combat sports. We'll also get into the authenticity of the beef between UFC welterweights Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. Plus we'll talk the latest body cam footage of Jon Jones's most recent arrest, Morning Kombat goals, who could beat Israel Adesanya and much more.

This is episode 104 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Ukraine Crisis, Covington-Masvidal Beef, Jon Jones Body Cam

Today on the podcast, we'll preview UFC 272: Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington. We'll discuss this fight plus the others on the card including Rafael dos Anjos vs. Renato Moicano and Bryce Mitchell vs. Edson Barboza. We'll also discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, what this means for Russian fighters like Islam Makhachev or Petr Yan, dealing with a family member's suicide, what's next for Cain Velasquez after being arrested for attempted murder and much more.

This is episode 105 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC 272, Cain Velasquez, Russian Fighters, Mainstream Media | Ep. 105

Today on the podcast, we'll discuss everything from UFC 273 including the three top bouts: Alexander Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie, Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns. We'll discuss viewer questions around these subjects and many others.

Live Chat: Burns-Chimaev, Aljo-Yan 2, Volkanovski-Korean Zombie and More

Today on the podcast, we'll go over the controversial scoring in the Aljamain Sterling fight with Petr Yan from UFC 273. We'll also forecast a bout between Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington, discuss a potential Jose Aldo title shot and much more.

This is episode 111 of the Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Yan-Sterling Scoring, Chimaev-Colby, Aldo Title Shot

Today on the podcast, we'll preview UFC 274's Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chandler bout, what's going on with Nate Diaz and how a third fight with Conor McGregor might go (if it does), what effect Petr Yan not having his normal coaches at UFC 273 might've had on his performance against Aljamain Sterling, what to expect from boxing's Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte and much more.

This is episode 112 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Ferguson-Chandler, McGregor-Diaz 3, Yan's Coaches, Fury-Whyte

Today on the podcast, we'll revisit some of the storylines coming out of UFC 274 such as the reason for Charles Oliveira's transformation, Rose Namajunas's corner work with Pat Barry and Trevor Wittman plus some of Justin Gaethje's known weaknesses. We'll also discuss fighters using therapeutic use exemptions, UFC fight cards being watered down, the lack of respect shown to knocked out fighters, Dana White's take on Rose vs. Carla Esparza 2 and much more.

This is episode 115 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Oliveira's Transformation, Namajunas Corner, Gaethje's Weaknesses

Today on the podcast, we'll discuss and begin to preview UFC 275: Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka. We'll also talk Dustin Poirier potentially fighting Colby Covington, what plans UFC might have for Conor McGregor, whether a meaningful comparison can be made between Tony Ferguson and Tyron Woodley and much more.

This is episode 116 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Poirier-Covington, Ferguson-Woodley Comparisons, UFC vs. McGregor

Today on the podcast, we'll discuss the tragic Ulvade situation plus preview UFC 276: Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier. We'll also talk UFC 277's potential buyrate, casual vs. hardcore mixed martial arts (MMA) fandom, the effect of travel on work plus more.

Live Chat: Uvalde Tragedy, UFC 276 Preview, UFC 277, MMA Fandom, Travel

Today on the podcast, we'll preview UFC 275: Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka. We'll also discuss the other bouts on that card including Valentina Shevchenko vs. Taila Santos and Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Other topics we'll address including 'sportswashing', most visible now in golf with scandals around money from Saudi Arabia, the legacy of Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor, the winter World Cup in Qatar, whether Ciryl Gane can win the heavyweight title, mixed martial arts (MMA)'s scoring system and more.

This is episode 119 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC 275 Preview, Sportswashing, Is MMA a Sport?

Today on the podcast, we'll talk about the booking of UFC 280, which includes Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley. We'll also preview this weekend's UFC London card, discuss the possibility of Nate Diaz boxing Jake Paul and much more.

This is episode 125 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Sean O'Malley-Petr Yan, UFC 280, Diaz-Paul, UFC London

On today's podcast, we'll examine what makes the striking of Charles Oliveira so formidable, how Brock Lesnar would do if he were competing in modern mixed martial arts (MMA) or UFC competitions, why fighters from Dagestan, Russia and more. We'll also look ahead to the UFC's Fight Night card this weekend and more.

This is episode 127 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Charles Oliveira's Striking, Brock Lesnar, Dagestani Fighters

On today's podcast, we'll discuss Paddy Pimblett's being called out and who might prove an appropriate adversary. We'll look ahead to UFC 278's main event between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards and how their striking might compare. We'll also talk the new 'Prey' movie, Dominick Cruz's take on the value of MMA managers and much more.

This is episode 128 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Paddy Pimblett Callout, Usman's Striking, Prey Movie, Managers

On today's podcast, we'll discuss the Paddy Pimblett fallout after UFC 282, how judging has gone for the UFC in 2022, Elon Musk's alleged free speech motivations about purchasing Twitter, the future of Ilia Topuria and much more.

This is episode 142 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Paddy Pimblett Fallout, UFC Judging in 2022, Ilia Topuria

On today's podcast, we'll discuss UFC President Dana White's future after being caught hitting his wife on camera, UFC Fight Night: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Sean Strickland, the weird start to the year in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2023 and more.

This is episode 144 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Dana White's Future, UFC Vegas 67, MMA's Bad 2023 Start4

On today's podcast, we'll examine the possibility of UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira  moving to light heavyweight to fight champion Jamahal Hill, Anthony Smith and others. We'll also talk about Colby Covington's future and if Khamzat Chimaev or Gilbert Burns is in it. We'll also get into the latest of the fighter pay debate and much more.

This is episode 146 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC Turning Point, Fighter Pay, Role of MMA Managers

In today's episode of the LT Live Chat, we speak with UFC bantamweight Adrian Yañez about his upcoming fight with Rob Font, getting props from Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski, the retirement of Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290, incorporating boxing into his striking game and much more.

The questions were provided by the fans and viewers.

Adrian Yañez Live Chat Interview With Luke Thomas

Today on the podcast, we'll examine what adjustments Islam Makhachev can make if he rematches Alexander Volkanovski, how Volkanovski might do at lightweight on a sustained run, Dan Hookers IV accusations and more.

This is episode 148 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Islam Makhachev Adjustments, Volk at 155, Dan Hooker and IVs

On today's podcast, we'll lean into UFC 285, Jon Jones's weight gain, where Francis Ngannou stands in all of this, Ciryl Gane's takedown defense and much more.

This is episode 150 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Jon Jones-Ciryl Gane, UFC 285, Francis Ngannou

Today on the podcast, we'll reflect on Sean O'Malley's title-winning performance against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292, how the fighters' class-action lawsuit could affect the UFC and much more.

This is episode 168 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC 292 Reaction, UFC Lawsuit and Industry Changes

MMA Fighting Senior Luke Thomas discusses the ongoing beef between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, Jones' injury and the delay of UFC 178, whether Gina Carano will go to Bellator, the manhunt for War Machine, a recap of Metamoris 4 and more.

Live Chat  Jon Jones - Daniel Cormier Beef, War Machine, Gina Carano, Metamoris 4 & More

Luke Thomas discusses Ilia Topuria rocketing to stardom, Canelo Alvarez leaving PBC, UFC 300 not getting Israel Adesanya vs Dricus Du Plessis, Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia and so much more.

This is episode 193 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Ilia Topuria's Rise, UFC 300, Haney-Garcia and More

Today on the podcast, it's a UFC 300 extravaganza. We're talking Gaethje-Holloway, Tsarukyan-Oliveira, the state of the MMA industry and more.

This is episode 198 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Max-Gaethje, UFC 300, MK and More

We discussed UFC 307 announcements, UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya, vacation highlights, discuss Tim Walz's military service record and more.

This is episode 215 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

LIVE CHAT: UFC 307 announcements, UFC 305, Tim Walz

At UFC 305, Dricus du Plessis faced off with Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title. Kai-Kara France battled Steve Erceg in the co-main event, Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker went tooth and nail, Tai Tuivasa disappointed against Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Carlos Prates impressed against Jiangliang Li.

This is the official UFC 305 results and watchalong show with Luke Thomas.

UFC 305 Post-Fight Show: DDP Subs Izzy

I interviewed B-Team coach Dima Murovanni, who just coached finalists and winners for ADCC 2024 and Craig Jones Invitational.

After the success (and some setbacks) B-Team experienced at these tournaments, I decided to learn more about him and how his coaching is helping change one of the biggest teams in professional grappling.

We discuss Nicky Rodriguez's $1 million win, Jay Rodriguez's ADCC silver medal, the competitive fire of Owen Jones, Nicky Ryan's injury, B-Team's rivalry with New Wave, collegiate wrestlers going into jiu-jitsu instead of MMA and much more.

Ever Heard of Dima Murovanni? An Interview With B-Team's Coach

Luke Thomas examines the fallout from CJI vs ADCC, Ilia Topuria noting the BMF title with Max Holloway at UFC 308 is not on the line, UFC 305's results and the ascension of Dricus du Plessis plus so much more.

This is episode 216 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

USE CODE LT15 for 15% sitewide at tooletries.com.

Live Chat: Is UFC Monopoly Actually Good?

Dr Mike Israetel is a sports physiologist, Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, now former bodybuilder, YouTube personality and proprietor of Renaissance Periodization. In this conversation, he and I discuss why MMA training is catabolic, Jon Jones being an example of good MMA training protocol, how many fighters are actually using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), whether I should get on TRT and so much more.

Mike Israetel Dishes on PED Use in MMA

Dana White sparring with the media over Jon Jones, theories on how to beat Dricus du Plessis, expectations for UFC Noche (UFC 306) at the Sphere and so much more.

This is episode 217 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Who Can Defeat Dricus du Plessis?

We review the strange relationship between Dana White and Jon Jones, discuss our expectations for UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, talk about what Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga might be like and so much more.

This is episode 218 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Dana White-Jon Jones and Sphere Expectations

We'll preview UFC 306 and the main event between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. We'll talk about the card's good and bad and what we make of being at the Sphere. We'll also delve into boxing's Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga, the troubles ONE Championship is having and much more.

This is episode 119 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC 306 Expectations, Debate Reax

The UFC's first (and only?) show in the Sphere is over. Did it live up to the hype? Also, Merab Dvalishvili easily bested Sean O'Malley as did Valentina Shevchenko over Alexa Grasso. But how did they do it and were the fights even entertaining?

This is the UFC 306/Noche UFC Post-Fight Show.

UFC 306 Post-Fight Show: The Sphere...Delivers? Merab, Valentina Are Champs

Today on the program, we discuss UFC President Dana White getting involved in boxing, whether Chris Weidman was ever any good, the future of bantamweight and much more.

This is episode 220 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Dana White Moves Into Boxing

UFC 194: Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor is booked, but we're still waiting on Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg to materialize. Josh Thomson has left UFC for Bellator, Anderson Silva claims he needs sex drugs to the Nevada Athletic Commission, more Reebok pay fallout and more. This is the Promotional Malpractice Live Chat.

Live Chat: Jose Aldo Vs. Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey Vs. Cris Cyborg Talk, Josh Thomson To Bellator

At UFC 207, Ronda Rousey will return to the UFC and mixed martial arts (MMA) when she faces women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. We'll discuss that fight, the event and why Rousey might be entering a media black out. Plus, we'll discuss Cris 'Cyborg' Justino's recent run in with USADA, where MMA is headed in 2017 and more. This is the Promotional Malpractice Live Chat with Luke Thomas.

Live Chat: UFC 207, Ronda Rousey & The Media, Cyborg & USADA, MMA In 2017

On today's podcast, we'll look back at the big fights from UFC Atlantic City, including Kevin Lee's win over Edson Barboza and Frankie Edgar's victory against Cub Swanson. We'll also look at Bellator 198's Frank Mir vs. Fedor Emelianenko as well as what's at stake for that organization. We'll likely also discuss Leslie Smith's battle against the UFC and more. This is the Promotional Malpractice Live Chat.

Live Chat: UFC Atlantic City Review, Bellator 198 Preview And More

At UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Dustin Poirier in the third round to retain his UFC lightweight championship. Paul Felder scored a controversial decision over Edson Barboza, Islam Makhachev defeated Davi Ramos, Curtis Blaydes ran through Shamil Abdurakhimov and Carlos Diego Ferreira defeated Mairbek Taisumov and so much more. What do the main event results mean for Conor McGregor or Tony Ferguson? We'll get to this and all of the other results on my UFC 242 post-fight special.

UFC 242 Results: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier | Post-Fight Special

On today's podcast, we'll preview Darren Till vs. Robert Whittaker, discuss the range of possibilities for Sean O'Malley if he gets passed Marlon Vera, good and bad MMA stereotypes, fighters outside of the UFC who could do well inside of it, how Alexander Gustafsson will do at heavyweight against Fabricio Werdum, the renamed Washington Football Team and much more.

This is episode 43 of The Luke Thomas Live Chat.

Live Chat: Till-Whittaker, Sean O'Malley's Next Steps, MMA Stereotypes

At UFC Vegas 17, Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson and Jose Aldo secured wins against Geoff Neal and Marlon 'Chito' Vera in their welterweight main and bantamweight co-main event bouts, respectively, on the last show in 2020 for the UFC. We'll talk about what they did to win plus Greg Hardy's lackluster performance, Marlon Moraes's slump, some preliminary card results, your Big Takeaways and much more.

This is episode 4 of The Sunday Digest.

Sunday Digest: UFC Vegas 17. the Wonderboy & Aldo Show

Luke Thomas is a leading voice and analyst in the sport of MMA whose work routinely crosses media platforms. He currently serves as the host of SiriusXM's The Luke Thomas Show on channel 156. He is also a former editor and podcaster at MMA Fighting, where he hosted the Monday Morning Analyst and Promotional Malpractice Live Chat podcasts as well as studio shows such as The MMA Beat and The MMA Hour. Thomas helped create the co-branded USA Today/SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings. His written work has appeared in the Washington Post, Salon, ESPN and dozens of newspapers across the country.

Popular tracks by Luke Thomas Live Chat and Podcasts