Advertise on podcast: Cageside with John Morgan

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan preview UFC 323, where Merab Dvalishvili defends his title vs. Petr Yan, and Alexandre Pantoja defends against the upstart Joshua Van. Looking forward to the new Paramount+ deal and the blockbuster card that Dana White announced. Tom Aspinall puts out a medical statement – but was it really necessary? All this and more ...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at UFC Fight Night from Qatar, where Arman Tsarukyan and Ian Machado Garry both made claims of why they each should be next in line for a title in their respective divisions. Also, what are the guys thankful for in the past year of working in MMA? All this and more ... 0:00 – Statements made at the top of UFC Qatar1:54 – Ian Machado Garry is undeniable 6:47 – Belal Muhammad kept it close, despite 30-27 scores 11:13 – Does Garry get the next crack at Islam Makhachev? 16:53 – What the heck happened with Garry and Khamzat Chimaev? 20:36 – Arman Tsarukyan dominates Dan Hooker 23:57 – Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett? 32:10 – Volkan Oezdemir, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and UFC Qater’s other big stars 38:26 – MMA Thanksgiving, with Eric and John 49:43 – Is Conor McGregor really coming back now?

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at UFC 322 from Madison Square Garden, where Islam Makhachev dominates Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight championship. What’s next for the new champ, and how much does the upcoming fight between Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry play into his plans? What’s next for Valentina Shevchenko, and could a future date with Kayla Harrison be on the horizon? All this and more ...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan preview the massive UFC 322 card at Madison Square Garden, where Jack Della Maddalena defends his welterweight title against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Will the added weight hurt or help Makhachev, and where could this fight be won or lost?  What are some potential “Fight of the Night” bouts on this card, and what is the Underground Main Event? All this and more ... 0:00 – Was the Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown stoppage handled correctly? 4:20 – Understanding the challenges officials face 8:21 – Breaking down Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev 17:16 – The influence of Khabib Nurmagomedov 33:43 – Legit women’s superfight on tap with Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili 39:39 – Breaking down the rest of a stacked UFC 322 lineup, including Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales, Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal 53:59 – Weekend preview, and looking ahead to 2026

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan unpack everything that unfolded at UFC Fight Night 263, where Steve Garcia shined, but the big story centered around Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Ante Delija. Eric had a front row seat for it all and details the process. The guys also look ahead two weeks to a massive UFC 322 lineup at Madison Square Garden. All that, and more ... 0:00 – Steve Garcia absolute dominates David Onama 5:03 – Outlining a bizarre sequence of events with Cortes-Acosta vs. Delija 7:45 – Mark Smith, Herb Dean got it right – here’s why 15:31 – John McCarthy’y checklist looms large again 18:51 – Eric’s added airtime, and the post-fight briefings 32:30 – Looking ahead to UFC 322 and Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev 38:23 – CFFC well represented at UFC 322 40:39 – Weekend preview, including CFFC 148

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan recap a disappointing finish to UFC 321. What to do now about the UFC heavyweight division, and when can a Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane rematch get booked? Jon Jones and Alex Pereira agree to fight at the White House via a back-and-forth on X. Will the UFC agree? All this and more ... 0:00 – Jon Jones is the big winner after UFC 321 5:25 – Did Tom Aspinall simply quit after being poked in the eye? 12:40 – The UFC’s heavyweight division is not in a good place 20:23 – Are new gloves the answer to the eye poke issue? 21:58 – Mackenzie Dern is a world champion 24:36 – Tom Aspinall wants to box? 33:38 – Is Conor McGregor really making a comeback? 37:58 – Usman Nurmagomedov to UFC, and the state of the PFL 44:17 – What will ESPN’s coverage of UFC look like next year? 47:25 – Eric puts his foot down when it comes to streaming services 52:36 – Looking at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 263

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at UFC Vancouver, where Brendan Allen left Reinier de Ridder on the stool heading into round 5. What is next for both men? Referee Dan Miragliotta in a little bit of controversy, but how should it all really have played out? UFC 321 is this weekend. Can Ciryl Gane take Tom Aspinall into the later rounds? All this and more ... 0:00 – Did Dan Miragliotta screw up in Kyle Nelson vs. Matt Frevola? 10:25 – How should Mike Malott vs. Kevin Holland have been handled? 26:04 – Brendan Allen is exactly who we thought he was 37:32 – Will Ciryl Gane be able to take Tom Aspinall into deep waters? 49:44 – Breaking down Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenze Dern 54:58 – Will Jon Jones play a role at UFC 321?

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan break down everything that happened at UFC 320 and what it means moving forward. Will Alex Pereira fight Jon Jones at the White House? Will Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg meet for a vacant light heavyweight title. Plus, who else shined bright at T-Mobile Arena. Meanwhile, Eric might need to relocate to Las Vegas – Power Slap last week, Dana White’s Contender Series this week!! All this and more ... 0:00 – Eric believes Power Slap may be the greatest spectator sport around 9:49 – Alex Pereira absolutely dominates at UFC 320 20:50 – Will “Poatan” face Jon Jones next? 30:05 – Would Conor McGregor accept a co-main event at the White House? 33:18 – Merab Dvalishvili outguns a game Cory Sandhagen 38:05 – Jiri Prochazka is crazy in the best possible way – but what about Carlos Ulberg? 43:33 – Joe Pyfer, Ateba Gautier take big steps forward 48:59 – Previewing UFC Rio and Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot 53:10 – Looking ahead to Dana White’s Contender Series, CFFC 147, and more