Cageside with John Morgan Grind City Media

UFC welterweight Vicente Luque was just as surprised as everyone else when he was offered a fight with Nick Diaz, but the two will now meet in a five-round affair at a UFC Fight Night event on Saturday, Aug. 3 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

With the booking official, “The Silent Assassin” spoke to Grind City Media’s John Morgan about how the fight came together, what he’s expecting in facing the longtime superstar, and more.

Timecodes
0:00 – Introduction
0:57 – How did this fight come together?
1:58 – Does the five-round matchup favor either man?
3:45 – The challenges of fighting in Abu Dhabi
6:13 – How do you prepare for this version of Nick Diaz?
9:14 – Fun fight aside, how important is a win?
11:10 – Is Nate Diaz still a potential future target?

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan break down an incredibly entertaining UFC 302 headliner between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier, as well as what might come next for the two stars. Is Makhachev the rightful pound-for-pound king right now, or Dana White right when he says that honor belongs to Jon Jones? There was some oddity with Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa in the cage and on the scorecards, but did Strickland do enough to get a title fight? Finally, there was supposed to be a press conference on Monday for UFC 303, but it was postponed. Is there reason for concern that Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler won’t happen?

Timecodes
0:00 – Introduction
1:54 – UFC 302 prelims shoutout: Bassil Hafez vs. Mickey Gall
4:02 – Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier was pure theater
9:18 – Makhachev’s power on display at UFC 302
15:40 – Is Makhachev being judged on a different scale?
20:56 – Dustin Poirier does not need to retire – but here is why he might
26:57 – Is Makhachev or Jon Jones the pound-for-pound king right now?
32:00 – One fight makes perfect sense for Poirier: Justin Gaethje
37:16 – What to make of Paulo Costa?
45:09 – Did Sean Strickland guarantee himself a title shot next?
51:45 – Is there any defense for that 49-46 card for Costa?
57:38 – Are you worried Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler doesn’t happen?

Dominance MMA CEO Ali Abdelaziz spoke to Grind City Media’s John Morgan for the latest “Cageside 1 on 1” to help preview Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, including the role Khabib Nurmagomedov played in the preparation, as well as the shared legacy of the longtime teammates.Is Makhachev truly “the greatest fighter living in combat sports right now”?Additionally, Abdelaziz gave numerous updates on his roster of athletes – including Belal Muhammad ahead of his clash with Leon Edwards at UFC 304, Kamaru Usman as he looks to return from injury, top flyweight contenders Manel Kape and Amir Albazi,  and massive claims involving Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes – as well as adding some added background on an explosive post he recently made on X.

Timecodes
0:00 – Introduction
2:41 – Islam Makhachev immune to emotional plays from Dustin Poirier
4:17 – Makhachev beats Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Leon Edwards, Dricus du Plessis
7:30 – Belal Muhammad “might be arrested” at UFC 304
9:16 – Kamaru Usman on the mend, should fight at welterweight
10:33 – Manel Kape, Amir Albazi next big names at flyweight
11:36 – Kayla Harrison turned down by Raquel Pennington, Aljamain Sterling
13:32 – Harrison made Amanda Nunes cry in training, would beat her ass in fight
16:18 – Promoters: Don’t hold fighters hostage
19:32 – UFC 302 predictions

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan take a deep dive, breaking down the main event and co-main event of UFC 302. Can Dustin Poirier drag Islam Makhachev into deep water? how does Makhachev match up on the feet? In the co-main, will Paulo Costa empty the tank early and try to steamroll Sean Strickland, or will Strickland’s Philly shell wear down his massive opponent?  Ronda Rousey makes some bold claims – is she right? All this and more ...


0:00 – Introduction
1:17 – What the betting odds say about Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier
5:35 – The real keys to victory for “The Diamond”
14:29 – What the champ needs to do to keep his belt at UFC 302
22:52 – Sean Strickland a heavy favorite over Paulo Costa – should he be?
31:15 – Costa’s best path to victory
36:18 - Taking a look at other key fights at UFC 302
38:13 – Will we ever see Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall?
42:45 – Is Ronda Rousey right?
56:16 – A change in plans for UFC 302

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at this past weekend of UFC and Bellator action. How hard is being a judge? Well, the guys walk through a couple “what if” situations.  Belal Muhammad finally gets his shot for UFC gold at UFC 304, with a co-main event of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blades. Would the UFC ever force Jon Jones’ hand to fight Aspinall? All this and more ...

0:00 – Introduction
2:55 – Lerone Murphy dominant in UFC Fight Night 241 win over Edson Barboza
7:02 – Are more rules needed following the “boob punch” on Saturday?
13:32 – Did the judges get it right in Patchy Mix vs. Magomed Magomdov?
16:21 – The challenge of serving as an MMA judge
29:13 – Looking ahead to Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302
37:23 – Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa destined to steal the show?
42:28 – Belal Muhammad gets his shot at Leon Edwards at UFC 304
44:48 – Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes also set for England
49:57 – Can Aspinall break up Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
57:41 – FURY Professional Grappling 10, and Eric’s finally outnumbered at home

0:00 – Introduction
1:05 – “We’re in the same conversations as any top combat sport organization out there”
4:44 – Conor McGregor now has a “significant amount of equity” in BKFC
8:10 – McGregor remains close with UFC, not ruling out BKFC fight
10:50 – Don’t be surprised to see Feldman at UFC 303
11:23 – “Platinum” Mike Perry moving needle, wants money over a belt
14:43 – Previewing Friday’s BKFC Fight Night in Omaha, Nebraska
15:49 – TV deal, epic event in Italy on 2024 checklist