Tag: Punch-Out

JNPO: My UFC flame is burning out, AEW frustrations, drunk driving rant

Posted on by Josh Nason

This is about as close to a therapy session as you’ll hear on Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.

For the better part of two years, I have found my interest and love for the UFC (and MMA in general) dying out after falling in love with it back in 2005.

I learned last week someone else is having the same issue: MMA and wrestling writer/author Jonathan Snowden who did this fantastic column as he comes to grips with what is happening to his fandom which dates further back than mine does.

We talk about the ESPN era and comparisons to the WWE/NBCUniversal/Fox deals, the loss of transcendent crossover stars like the Lesnars, McGregors and Rouseys, the death of the fun fights, and why the influx of Dagestan/Chechnya/Russian fighters isn’t as fun as when the Brazilians took over years ago.

We then wrap up talking about our shared frustrations about AEW today compared to three years ago and some new project Jonathan is working on including an unauthorized Dusty Rhodes biography.

Click below to listen and join us in our therapy session, followed by an unplanned solo rant about Jeff Hardy, drunk driving and Tony Khan’s Busted Open appearance Wednesday.

  • 2:10: catching up, new projects (Dusty Rhodes book)
  • 14:00: UFC therapy session
  • 46:00 – 1:08: AEW frustrations
  • 1:09 – end: A rant on Jeff Hardy, Jey Uso & Tony Khan’s Busted Open appearance

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JNPO: Cody Rhodes leaves AEW breaking news audio with Andrew Zarian

Posted on by Josh Nason

On a new (and free) Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, Mat Men co-host and wrestling insider Andrew Zarian joins me on a breaking news edition of the podcast to talk about Cody and Brandi Rhodes leaving AEW.

Just click below to listen. As always, this show is free.

We talk about the announcement, what Andrew heard and when he knew something was going down, the speculation as to what happened, what this means for the second season of Rhodes to the Top, and if this means Rhodes is definitely returning to WWE as many assume.

We also talked about what a Rhodes signing would mean for WWE and if recent big-name returns (and speculated returns) have awakened a sleeping giant in terms of taking it to AEW.

Also, considering Rhodes hasn’t been complimentary of WWE since leaving, how would that play out?

You can hear Andrew every week on Mat Men, We’re Live Pal, and the Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live on this very website.

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JNPO: Let’s talk about comic book movies and TV

Posted on by Josh Nason

The following is a free show. Just click the ‘Right Click Save As’ to listen.

On a new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, I wanted/needed to divert from the world of pro wrestling and MMA for a week and focus on another passion of mine instead: comic book movies/TV and the culture as a whole.

I enlisted past guest and comic book aficionado Rich Stambolian from Mat Men and the new Film Class Zeros podcast to geek out for over an hour.

After explaining our backgrounds with comics and what got us into them to begin with, we recap everything that was released in 2021 from Marvel, DC and others on both the small screen and the big screen.

Then, we look ahead to the 2022 slate of movies and TV shows and what we’re looking forward to the most. 

Spider Man: No Way Home? We talk about it. The Suicide Squad? Yep, here. Gushing over John Cena’s The Peacemaker? We checked that box too.

Just click below to listen and nerd out with us for a while. 

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JNPO: Alec Price is ready for your attention & competition

Posted on by Josh Nason

This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

Nearly a year ago, I introduced you to Christian Casanova, a standout in the Northeastern U.S. indie scene that was improving night in and night out and seemed to be on the cusp of a big opportunity. Four months later, he was signed by WWE and is now the NXT North American Champion as Carmelo Hayes.

Now, I’d like to introduce you to another potential breakout from the same region in “The Prize” Alec Price, a lean and brash young talent who has been on the run of his young career for promotions like Beyond Wrestling and Limitless Wrestling with matches against Josh Alexander, Eddie Edwards, Lee Moriarty, Daniel Garcia, JD Drake, Anthony Greene, Jake Something, Chris Dickinson and others.

We talk about what hooked him on the game, being trusted by promoters with big names in featured matches, how he hopes to raise his profile, intergender wrestling, and plenty more. 

He’s going to get his shot sooner than later, so get the info on what you should know about this 23-year-old now. 

After that, I talk about my night covering both AEW Dynamite and Rampage in Boston, the ridiculousness of “Attendance-gate” and why it’s futile to try to determine how many people are leaving an arena during a match.

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JNPO: Botter, Brock, Boise, Bellator and BBQ

Posted on by Josh Nason

As you probably noticed in the headline, the latest Josh Nason’s Punch-Out is sponsored by the letter B this week. 

Our guest is Jeremy Botter of Bleacher Report who still kept his appearance despite England losing in the World Cup semifinals. On the docket for yours truly and the former Texas Wrestling Alliance junior heavyweight champion:

– After some discusson on BBQ, we kick off with a discussion on Brock Lesnar’s intended return to UFC and his angle with new UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 226 this past Saturday.

– We discuss Jeremy’s recent conversations with Cormier and how he was tipped off to the Lesnar fight and the possible date/location before the Cormier-Stipe Miocic fight even happened.

– What’s the ideal exit plan for Cormier and will he ever return to light heavyweight?

– We also hit on The Monday Afternoon Wars and whether there’s too much content on Mondays now with Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show and the slightly revamped MMA Hour with Luke Thomas. 

After that, I preview this Saturday’s UFC Boise show and Bellator’s double-shot weekend.

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JNPO: A most peculiar 36 hours in the MMA world

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: The Sun

From Friday morning through Saturday night, MMA fans had no shortage of news and results to keep them going into the next week and beyond. From new fights, drug test failures, big announcements, and great fights, it was quite a 36 hour (or so) stretch.

Helping yours truly sift through it all is former Bellator MMA matchmaker and Five Ounces of Pain co-founder Sam Caplan. 

We begin on Friday, November 10th with the MMA Junkie story of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament that will finally see a new champion crowned. Sam and I discuss potential matchups and the very interesting tournament field.

We transition to the McGregor Attacks! part of the show with how the UFC lightweight champion made himself the focus of our attention for a run-in during a taped Bellator MMA show in Dublin, Ireland. 

From there, we discuss the latest USADA test failure flag for Anderson Silva and whether surprise fill-in Michael Bisping should have got the call given what happened at UFC 217.

We finish up with the news of Max Holloway vs. Jose Aldo II in Detroit and some thoughts on a very fun and bloody night at UFC Norfolk, headlined by Dustin Poirier vs. Anthony Pettis and Matt Brown’s elbow of doom.

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Josh Nason’s Punch-Out: MMA Year In Review (July-September)

Posted on by Josh Nason

The three-month stretch between July-September 2016 was the biggest in UFC history from a news perspective, a busines perspective, and the massive implications on the sport of MMA. 

Josh and special guest Dave Doyle of MMAFighting.com review Q3 of 2016 in full on the latest Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.

Some of the points of discussion include:

– UFC 200 and the drama surrounding Jon Jones being removed from the show, the new main event, Anderson Silva’s return, Brock Lesnar’s subsequent USADA failure, and that damn gold mat

– The rumors that led to truth about the UFC being sold for $4+ billion to WME-IMG

– The Conor McGregor/Nate Diaz rematch at UFC 202 and everything surrounding the outcome

– Key departures from the UFC including Joe Silva

– UFC’s debut at Madison Square Garden taking shape and how the main event of McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez was made

– The MMA/UFC debut of CM Punk​​​​​​

– Chael Sonnen signing with Bellator​​​​​​…and more!

Click below to listen:

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JNPO: UFC 207 preview with MMAjunkie.com’s Dann Stupp

Posted on by Josh Nason

With UFC ready to close out a most eventful year this Friday, we needed a great guest to help unpack the giant suitcase of topics that is UFC 207. Helping Josh Nason with those duties on the 58th edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out is MMAjunkie.com editor and past guest Dann Stupp.

Josh and Dann talked for 45 minutes with highlights including:

– Dann’s thoughts on the year that was

– Ronda Rousey’s media blackout this week and how it’s affecting her, the sport, and the way in which sites like MMAJunkie cover the show

– Rousey’s prospects against the champion Amanda Nunes

– The expectations for Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt and how Garbrandt could pull off the upset

– The situation behind Cain Velasquez getting pulled off the show

– The overlooked greatness that should be John Lineker vs. TJ Dillashaw

– What happened to Johny Hendricks?

Click below to stream or right click to download:

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Josh Nason’s Punch-Out: MMA Year In Review (January-March)

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: MMAFighting.com

In the most newsworthy and eventful year in MMA history coming to a close, it’s time to begin the MMA year in review process one quarter at a time. 

A year that featured Conor McGregor climbing to new heights, Brock Lesnar returning, Jon Jones doing Jon Jones things, and the near year-long absence of Ronda Rousey, things kicked off strong in the first three months with a Fight of the Year candidate, a big Bellator free agent signee, and one of the biggest events in the sport’s history coming together in less than two weeks.

Helping Josh Nason assess January-March is fellow site writer and MMADraws.com founder Paul Fontaine.

Among the topics:

– The Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit classic at UFC 195

– CM Punk’s first opponent is found

– Conor McGregor’s quest for two titles hits a roadblock, but runs into a financial mountain that was UFC 196

– The return of Dominick Cruz to bantamweight glory in thrilling fashion

– Benson Henderson, Alistair Overeem, and Matt Mitrione testing free agency

– Ronda Rousey admitting she contemplated suicide after losing to Holly Holm

– The 50 car pileup that was Bellator’s Kimbo Slice/Dada 5000 and Royce Gracie/Ken Shamrock III double main event

– Michael Bisping facing and beating Anderson Silva

– The awesomeness of UFC 196 

– MMA’s run to legalization in New York State reaches its conclusion

– A date for Cris Cyborg’s UFC debut…and plenty more!

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JNPO: Conor, Nate, bottles & UFC 202 with MMA Payout’s Jason Cruz

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Zuffa/Getty

After a few weeks searching Parts Unknown and finding some stranger things, site editor and writer Josh Nason is back with the latest edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out with the topic of UFC 202 on the table.

Joining Josh on this journey is longtime MMA business writer for MMA Payout, Jason Cruz!

On this hour-long edition of the show, Josh and Jason hit up a slew of topics including:

– Jason’s legal background and how he found his way to Payout

– The UFC 202 press conference madness that happened Wednesday and the ramifications for both guys

– Whether that made Jason more interested in the fight or not

– The stakes for both Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz with a win or loss

– Other 202 fights the guys are interested in

– Thoughts on part 1 of the CM Punk documentary series

– Thoughts on the recent new pro-union group and how it affects the other groups

– And much more!

Click below to listen or right click to save the mp3. RSS subscribers can access shows here.

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JNPO: SI.com’s Justin Barrasso on WWE’s big week, Ronda Rousey & ECW

Posted on by Josh Nason

With one of WWE’s most important weeks upon us, Josh Nason’s Punch-Out turns to the squared circle for its 45th episode, recruiting SI.com wrestling writer Justin Barrasso to help set the stage for what’s ahead.

In their hour-long conversation, Josh & Justin went over the following and more:

– The WWE Draft & whether people’s disappointment was a bit too much

– The positives of not bringing up Samoa Joe & Nakamura right now

– What WWE needs to do in order to get this brand split off right

– The fear of what WWE would do if Matt Hardy was to come back

– How he started writing for SI.com’s Extra Mustard section

– The mess that is the UFC women’s bantamweight division and what both guys would do next

– A few good minutes on Ronda Rousey brought on by talk about…The Sandman?!?

– The state of former ECW talent all these years later

Click below to listen now or right-click to download:

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JNPO: Jack Encarnacao on new UFC owners, UFC 200 reaction & WWE CWC

Posted on by Josh Nason

Photo: Boston Herald

On the 44th edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, Josh brings back his very first guest on JNPO: Jack Encarnacao of Sherdog and The Lapsed Fan! 

On this one hour and 20 minute edition of the show, Josh and Jack went #deep on some of the big UFC topics of the week:

– Discussion about Monday’s UFC sale and Jacks’ thoughts on how the new owners can make an impact

– What this means for Dana White

– Predictions for how the UFC will look like five years from now

– Reaction to what we saw from Saturday’s UFC 200 including winners and losers

– A revelation on how Jack choose to evaluate MMA events

– One of the key elements into why Brock Lesnar continues to be such an in-demand star

– Some talk about UFC Fight NIght: South Dakota

– Jack’s thoughts on the upcoming WWE Cruiserweight Classic…and more!

Subscribers can click below to listen or right click to download:

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JNPO: MMA Fighting’s Dave Doyle & UFC Fight Week’s 10 most intriguing fighters

Posted on by Josh Nason

36 fights. 72 fighters. Three shows. Lots of punches.

That’s what we’re looking at as International Fight Week kicks into full swing Thursday night as the first of three UFC shows in Las Vegas happens, headlined by lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos defending the belt against Eddie Alvarez on UFC Fight Pass. After Friday night’s TUF Finale show on FS1, the big one is upon us: UFC 200 — arguably the greatest card that has ever been assembled…on paper, anyway.

But with all of those fights and fighters, surely some stand out more than others, right? That’s why Josh brought in special guest Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting to help him preview the week in a slightly different way.

Both Josh and Dave jotted down 10 fighters competing over the next three days that they are most interested in seeing how this week plays out for. While there was a little bit of crossover, both guys had distinct picks and rationale for why they’re so intriguing to them. There’s a few names you might expect (Brock, Cain), but many that you might not expect.

Click below to listen to a special 45-minute conversation that will get you ready for all three UFC events!

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JNPO: FloSports.com’s Jeremy Botter reveals new details on UFC sale

Posted on by Josh Nason

On the newest Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, we dive deep into the big news of the week: the sale of the UFC. And who better to help us wade through the murky waters than one of the captains of the story: FloSports.com managing editor Jeremy Botter!

Botter helped break the news on this story, standing by sources that tell him the UFC has indeed been sold to a group led by WME-IMG, headed by Ari Emanuel.

Some of the details the guys talked about:

– What happened at the recent infamous dinner meeting that made the bidding process moot

– What happened at the UFC offices on Wednesday

– What the UFC told him and what influences helped him navigate the waters

– Who this group is and when they came together

– Why this group wanted to buy the UFC

– When the announcement could be made

– And much more!

Enjoy this 30-minute conversation about one of the hottest topics in MMA right now by clicking below:

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JNPO: UFC’s Jon Anik on UFC 199, Kimbo, Ariel Helwani & Brock

Posted on by Josh Nason

Get a chance to catch your breath yet this week? From news to results to death and everything in between, the MMA faithful had enough to fill their cups and then some in the last seven days.

Helping host Josh Nason make sense of it all is UFC play-by-play man, studio host, and Anik & Florian podcast co-host Jon Anik!

Josh and Jon discussed the divergent paths of Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson from UFC 100 to UFC 199, the somewhat buried story of Urijah Faber possibly retiring, the public reverence for the passing of Kimbo Slice and Muhammad Ali this week, thoughts on the return of Brock Lesnar and his chances against Mark Hunt, a little on Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II, and even a question about his friend and former co-worker Ariel Helwani.

Listen to all that and more in the 41st episode of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.

Show notes: Here is John Pollock’s MMA week in review discussed in the show’s closing.

>>>Click below to listen or right click to download:

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