Cageside with John Morgan

Grind City Media
  • 0.0 (0)
  • WRESTLING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Cageside with John Morgan is a weekly video podcast that will breakdown and preview everything in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, including hard hitting interviews by some of the biggest stars in the sport. John Morgan is an award winning journalist and is widely regarded as the best MMA insider in the world.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    UFC, PFL, CFFC and LFA made for a great weekend of MMA; UFC Houston preview

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at UFC Fight Night from the Meta Apex, where Mario Bautista shined bright over Vinicius Oliveira. The PFL was in Dubai, and Usman Nurmagomedov retained his lightweight world title. Where does Usman sit in the overall lightweight MMA rankings? Looking ahead two weeks to Sean Strickland vs. Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez.  All this and more ... 0:00 – CFFC 150 review 6:25 – LFA provides Eric with an MMA first 10:01 – Mario Bautista shines in breakout win over Vinicius Oliveira 17:37 – Meta Apex expansion makes it a must-visit venue 23:44 – Where does Usman Nurmagomedov stand after PFL Dubai win? 30:43 – Andrei Arlovski claims BKFC title with win over Ben Rothwell 33:38 – What to expect with Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez 38:54 – Other key notes at UFC Houston 45:14 – UFC BJJ, Zuffa Boxing, Power Slap, and more

    54 min

  2. 2 FEB

    Alexander Volkanovski cruises to win at UFC 325, but is he the featherweight GOAT?

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan recap an incredible performance from Alexander Volkanovski in his rematch with Diego Lopes at UFC 325. Jon Anik labeled Volkanovski the featherweight GOAT, but is he right? The guys also recap the rest of the card, take a look at the UFC’s return to The Meta Apex this Saturday, talk the future of the PFL, preview CFFC 150, and more. 0:00 – Alexander Volkanovski not slowing down at 37 years old 10:41 – Benoit Saint Denis steps up against a puzzling Dan Hooker 17:55 – Where does Arman Tsarukyan fit in the lightweight picture 21:21 – The Mauricio Ruffy hype train is starting back up 24:18 – What’s next for Tai Tuivasa? 27:06 – Is Alexander Volkanovski the GOAT? 38:56 – Recounting the glory days of WEC 43:08 - John Martin and the future of PFL 47:42 – The UFC returns to the remodeled Meta Apex 54:08 – CFFC 150 preview

    1h 1m

  3. 28 JAN

    PFL CEO John Martin previews “the most important year in the company’s history”

    Professional Fighters League CEO John Martin spoke with Grind City Media’s John Morgan. With five months at the helm of the organization Martin outlined several key changes and labeled 2026 the most important year in the history of the mixed martial arts promotion, which hosts its first event of the new year on Saturday, February 7, live on the ESPN App. Martin talked about recent personnel changes at the company, the importance of an additional fundraising round, a new deal with Fox, the implementation of fighter rankings, and much more – including the possibility of a Cris Cyborg vs. Dakota Ditcheva superfight later in the year. 0:00 – Departure of Donn Davis, Pete Murray, Ray Sefo and more 2:55 – Role of Knighthead Capital and 885 Capital as longterm partners 3:53 – Fox broadcast deal in Mexico and Central America 5:14 – Status of adding more international leagues 7:29 – Partnering with Combat Registry to provide PFL rankings 9:15 – Previewing PFL Dubai on February 7 12:24 – Dakota Ditcheva update 14:00 – Checking in on Francis Ngannou 14:35 – “This is the most important year in the company’s history”

    16 min

  4. 26 JAN

    UFC 324 recap: Justin Gaethje batters an incredibly game Paddy Pimblett

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at the start of the Paramount+ Era, where Justin Gaethje battered Paddy Pimblett in a five-round epic battle. “Suga” Sean O’Malley gets back on track and calls for a title shot vs. Petr Yan. Looking ahead to UFC 325 from Australia with Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes II. All this and more ... 0:00 – Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett kick off the Paramount+ Era in style 8:06 – Pimblett proves he belongs even in defeat 16:16 – Will Ilia Topuria be forced to wait for the White House in June? 18:19 – What did we learn about Sean O’Malley against Song Yadong 26:23 – Derrick Lewis looks flat against new contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta 28:33 – Dana White struggles to hide his frustrations with Tom Aspinall 29:48 – Where does Jean Silva fit in the featherweight division? 31:16 – Why is Diego Lopes getting a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski? 35:11 – What’s at stake in Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy? 40:15 – The people’s main event: Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis 44:36 – Changes that Paramount+ needs to make moving forward 52:00 – Introducing Zach Underwood, recapping Eric’s historic stunt at The O2 London, get well wishes for Mark Smith, and more

    1h 2m

  5. 12 JAN

    Real American Freestyle steals the weekend; UFC 324's most intriguing matchup

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan discuss the excitement surrounding Real American Freestyle and what the future holds for them. Colby Covington and Luke Rockhold team up to bully Bo Nickel. Looking ahead to UFC 324 and why you shouldn’t count out the GOAT, Amanda Nunes. All this and more ... 0:00 – Eric talks life on the road in Europe 4:45 – Celebrating the Ferguson Invitational and a grand gesture from Alan Belcher 7:39 – Real American Freestyle takes the spotlight, but can it survive? 20:50 – Could the UFC end up supporting RAF? 29:05 – UFC 324's most intriguing matchup: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes 44:18 – Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Alex Pereira vs. Khamzat Chimaev, and more 50:02 – Paramount gives Mackenzie Dern and Brian Ortega the Hollywood treatment 53:23 – Prepare for Zuffa Boxing 54:14 – The future of MMA on ESPN

    1h 1m

  6. 5 JAN

    UFC in 2026 preview; Does Tom Aspinall’s surgery demand an interim title?

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look ahead at what the UFC’s scheduled in 2026 might look like. What should the UFC do with the heavyweight division, and would it be crazy to add an interim tag to the Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta fight at UFC 324? All this and more ... 0:00 – Paramount’s immediate impact on the UFC 6:23 – Tom Aspinall and the UFC’s current heavyweight disaster 18:14 – Is the runway now clear for Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira? 23:00 – Final predictions: Who’s fighting for the heavyweight title? 28:14 – Looking ahead to the two title fights at UFC 324 36:34 – Soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent – should they be legal? 48:42 – Previewing the big moments of 2026 55:02 – Final thoughts on Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul

    1 hr

  7. 15/12/2025

    Ilia Topuria statement breakdown; Manel Kape might skip the line after UFC on ESPN 73

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan recap UFC on ESPN 73, where Manel Kape may have very well earned himself a title shot with a first-round finish of Brandon Royval. Additionally, the two react to Ilia Topuria’s strongly worded statement, where he revealed he’s battling attempts at extortion. Plus, a preview of Saturday’s CFFC 149 event, as well as some discussion on the PFL’s potential future on ESPN. All this and more ... 0:00 – The end of the ESPN era, Eric’s near miss, and Manel Kape’s emphatic win 7:05 – Kevin Vallejos arrives at UFC on ESPN 73, and the future of the UFC Apex 10:21 – Breaking down Ilia Topuria’s claims of extortion and what it means to the UFC 25:27 – Topuria appears to have lengthy battle ahead; will UFC lightweights benefit? 38:33 – Looking to the launch of the Paramount era 41:49 – CFFC 149 preview 46:31 – PFL primed for big 2026 50:01 – Dana White vs. Francis Ngannou

    56 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    UFC 323 recap: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili, is Umar Nurmagomedov next?

    On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at a spectacular card from start to finish at UFC 323, where Petr Yan captured the title vs. Merab Dvalishvili. Joshua Van wins via unfortunate injury to Alexandre Pantoja.  What’s next for both new champions, and what is next in the new Paramount era of the UFC? All this and more ...0:00 – Eric McMahon’s guidance proved true, even if his prediction did not 4:15 – Petr Yan was absolutely dominant over Merab Dvalishvili 17:38 – Will Umar Nurmagomedov get the next shot at Yan? 24:56 – Did Donald Trump really say nine title fights will be at the White House? 27:43 – Joshua Van wins in unfortunate fashion – but a win is a win 33:26 – Is Tatsuro Taira next, and was his stoppage win justified? 36:39 – Derrick Lewis and Waldo Cortes-Acosta have epic faceoff 38:16 – Henry Cejudo retires as one of the greatest combat sports athletes of all time 47:31 – Manuel Torres stamps himself as a name to remember 51:29 – Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape, CFFC 149 and CFFC BJJ 16

    1h 2m
See All (196)

Trailer

About

Cageside with John Morgan is a weekly video podcast that will breakdown and preview everything in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, including hard hitting interviews by some of the biggest stars in the sport. John Morgan is an award winning journalist and is widely regarded as the best MMA insider in the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Grind City Media
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Grind City Media
  • Show Website
    Cageside with John Morgan