3 Best MMA Podcasts to Listen to | Easily Explained
Mixed Martial Arts is a loner sport due to there being no team, but rather individual fighters.
Keeping up with what is going on with every single fighter in every different organization, can quickly become overwhelming.
Luckily, there are a few really good MMA podcasts that can quickly catch you up.
In this page, we will explain what the best MMA podcasts are, why they're good, and how they're different from one another.
Table of Contents
1. The MMA Hour
The MMA hour is by far and away the best MMA podcast currently available.
It is hosted by Ariel Helwani, who has covered the sport during MMA's early 'primal' days decades ago, and still covers the sport today.
One of the unique aspects of this podcast is that Helwani originally actually hosted this early in his career, but then went on to join the bigger networks (FOX, ESPN) which naturally paused the show for several years.
However, Helwani would then become a Free Agent when he left ESPN, and part of his new ventures includes hosting the MMA Hour once again.
Helwani hosts the MMA hour twice a week, on every Monday and Wednesday.
The show is split up into different sections, that normally begins with Helwani recapping the main stories that have occurred over the weekend, and eventually transitions into interviewing guests.
The MMA Hour has guests on every episode, and these guests are mainly Professional MMA fighters, but frequently also feature Promoters, Boxers, WWE Superstars, Executives and MMA Agents/Managers.
The show will feature established and popular fighters such as Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz and Israel Adesanya.
But it will also feature up and coming MMA fighters who the world may not know just yet.
You can listen to the MMA hour on Spotify, YouTube and iTunes.
The show will then cover the best odds for MMA fights coming up (due to their partnership with Draft Kings), and then will finish with Helwani answering questions from fans that were submitted on his Substack.
Duration of the show is typically around 3 hours.
2. The Joe Rogan Experience
The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the most popular podcasts in the world, but is a different style than the MMA Hour.
It is hosted by Joe Rogan who has been with the company for 25 years, is an active UFC Commentator, and a huge MMA fan himself.
Joe Rogan will typically bring in one guest in person per show, whereas the MMA hour will feature multiple guests (and most dial in virtually).
This allows listeners to experience a very in-depth conversation that covers every type of conversation (rather than mostly focused on MMA).
Many of the best MMA fighters have gone on the Joe Rogan podcast including George St-Pierre, Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
Additionally, Rogan will host 'Fight Companion' episodes for a more laid back environment.
In these episodes, he'll bring in his friends and they'll watch the MMA event occurring while having friendly conversations (rather than an interview).
Duration of the show is typically around 2 hours.
My favorite episode is when he brought in George St-Pierre as a guest.
3. Believe You Me
Believe You Me is hosted by former UFC Champion and active UFC commentator, Michael Bisping, as well as another UFC veteran in Anthony Smith.
Both hosts are able to bring in a daily element that the other two podcasts can't, insight from a fighter's perspective on situations.
Michael Bisping famously had one of the longest roads to winning the UFC title ever, and even lost an eye on the way.
Anthony Smith is known for his toughness and durability, but is also a very good speaker who can articulate tough topics in a way that any regular MMA fans can understand.
One thing that I can't forget to mention is how much Bisping was known for his trash talk during his fight career.
After his retirement Bisping still brings in that element of trash talk into the podcast, but much more toned down and enjoyable (early in his fighting career it was tough to listen to at times).
Believe You Me is a much shorter listen than the previously mentioned podcasts, but is still a solid listen.
They'll feature mostly MMA fighters on their show, virtually.
Duration of the show is typically over 1 hour.
