Verbal Sparring is a weekly MMA podcast covering the biggest news, fight announcements, previews, and recaps from the world of mixed martial arts.
Tune in every Monday and Friday for:
• Reactions to the latest MMA news and fight announcements
• Deep dives into upcoming UFC and PFL fight cards
• Recaps and analysis of the most meaningful results from each event
• Discussions on rankings, matchmaking, and the future of MMA
Whether you’re a hardcore fight fan or just getting into the sport, Verbal Sparring is the place for passionate MMA discussion every week!
UFC 333 Preview: Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev, Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili 3 & a STACKED Fight Card!
UFC 333 is absolutely STACKED, featuring two massive championship fights and six additional ranked matchups with major implications across multiple divisions!
In this full-length episode of Verbal Sparring MMA, I'm breaking down all eight ranked matchups, discussing the biggest storylines, championship stakes, and what makes this one of the most intriguing UFC cards of 2026.
First up, Alexander Volkanovski looks to continue his second reign as featherweight champion when he takes on undefeated contender Movsar Evloev. I discuss Volkanovski's legendary career, Evloev's impressive road to a title shot, and how their styles match up in this fascinating championship fight. Can Volkanovski continue building his legacy, or is Evloev ready to usher in a new era at featherweight?
Next, Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet for a THIRD time with the bantamweight championship on the line! With their rivalry tied 1-1, I revisit their previous two meetings, Merab's incredible winning streak and 2025 campaign, and Yan's journey back to UFC gold. Who will finally settle the score and prove they're the better fighter?
Finally, I break down six additional ranked matchups on this loaded card:
Lone'er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev
Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita
Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev
Abus Magomedov vs Cam Rowston
From established veterans and former title challengers to dangerous undefeated prospects, UFC 333 has no shortage of compelling storylines and high-stakes matchups.
Who leaves UFC 333 with championship gold? Which rising contender makes the biggest statement? And will this stacked card deliver on its potential?
All that and more in this complete UFC 333 preview!
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If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a rating. New episodes covering UFC, PFL, fight announcements, rankings, matchmaking, and MMA news are released every week!
Subscribe to the Verbal Sparring YouTube channel HERE (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDp00qgWkMwfKTn8HbrXQAw)
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/verbalsparmma)
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12 Oct 2026
Brendan Allen's Title Shot Case Is Growing! | UFC Vegas 122 Recap
Brendan Allen extended his winning streak to FOUR straight with a dramatic fifth-round submission victory over Christian Leroy Duncan! After a back-and-forth battle, Allen found a way to get the finish and further solidify his position among the middleweight elite. I break down the fight, what impressed me most, and who Allen should face next as he continues his climb toward title contention.Plus, I discuss two important results in the women's divisions:🥊 Loopy Godinez – Successfully defends her top-10 strawweight ranking against Ketlen Souza. What's next for Godinez as she looks to climb closer to title contention?🥊 Alice Pereira – The 20-year-old prospect delivers another stoppage victory, this time against Daria Zhelezniakova, to break into the women's bantamweight top 15! Just how high is Pereira's ceiling?UFC Vegas 122 provided plenty of action throughout the card. I give shoutouts to every fighter who earned a stoppage victory and discuss some of the biggest takeaways from the event!Who should Brendan Allen fight next? How far can Alice Pereira climb in the bantamweight division? And what was your favorite finish of the night?Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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Time Stamps:
(0:00) - Brendan Allen vs Christian Leroy Duncan recap
(4:53) - The rest of UFC Vegas 122
Loopy Godinez defeats Ketlen Souza
Alice Pereira defeats Daria Zhelezniakova
Other notable fights/performances
(11:56) - Outro
. .
If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a rating. New episodes covering UFC, PFL, fight announcements, rankings, matchmaking, and MMA news are released every week!
Subscribe to the Verbal Sparring YouTube channel HERE (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDp00qgWkMwfKTn8HbrXQAw)
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/verbalsparmma)
Follow the show on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@verbalsparmma)
Follow the show on X (https://x.com/verbalsparmma)
. .
Thanks for listening!
9 Oct 2026
Brendan Allen vs Christian Leroy Duncan: Who Takes the Next Step? | UFC Vegas 122 Breakdown
UFC Vegas 122 is here, and the middleweight division takes center stage as #4-ranked Brendan Allen faces surging contender Christian Leroy Duncan in a high-stakes main event!Can Christian Leroy Duncan continue his rise through the middleweight rankings and prove he belongs among the division's elite? Or will Brendan Allen defend his position and take another step toward title contention? I break down the stakes, storylines, keys to victory, and X's and O's of this intriguing matchup.Plus, two important fights in the women's divisions:Loopy Godinez vs. Ketlen Souza – Godinez puts her top-10 strawweight ranking on the line against an unranked Souza looking to make a statement and break into the rankings.Daria Zhelezniakova vs. Alice Pereira – Newly ranked #15 Zhelezniakova welcomes 20-year-old prospect Alice Pereira in a fascinating bantamweight matchup.Who walks away victorious at UFC Vegas 122? Which fighters have the most to gain, and what could these results mean for their respective divisions?Drop your predictions in the comments!
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Time Stamps:
(0:00) - Brendan Allen vs Christian Leroy Duncan preview
(5:31) - The rest of UFC Vegas 122
Loopy Godinez vs Ketlen Souza
Daria Zhelezniakova vs Alice Pereira
Other notable fights/fighters to watch out for
(10:29) - Outro
. .
If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a rating. New episodes covering UFC, PFL, fight announcements, rankings, matchmaking, and MMA news are released every week!
Subscribe to the Verbal Sparring YouTube channel HERE (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDp00qgWkMwfKTn8HbrXQAw)
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/verbalsparmma)
Follow the show on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@verbalsparmma)
Follow the show on X (https://x.com/verbalsparmma)
. .
Thanks for listening!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
762,601
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 81 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
99
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
71
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