Cageside with John Morgan

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Founder and President David Feldman spoke with Grind City Media’s John Morgan to lay out the plans for the organization’s new partnership with DAZN, preview the promotion’s upcoming blockbuster event in Spain, discuss Conor McGregor’s role in bringing an entire concert as an after-party, tease a year-end spectacular in Philadelphia, and much more. 0:00 – Taking “...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at the spectacle that was “UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC” at Sphere Las Vegas. Merab Dvalishvili dominates “Suga” Sean O’Malley en route to a unanimous decision victory. Valentina Shevchenko leaves no doubt of who is the queen of the flyweight division. Diego Lopes gets his signature victory to date, dispatching Brian Ortega. What’s next...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at “Bellator Champions Series: San Diego” from this past weekend and wonder where Usman Nurmagomedov would fit in amongst the best in the UFC lightweight division before recapping UFC Fight Night 242, and Sean Brady’s big win. Then, it’s UFC 306 fight week! Can Sean O’Malley use his footwork and reach to keep “The Machine,” Merab Dvalishvili,...

UFC CEO and President Dana White spoke to Grind City Media’s John Morgan ahead of Riyadh Season Noche UFC, formerly known as “UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili,” where the promotion is planning a one-of-a-kind event at the technological marvel known as Sphere Las Vegas. White discusses the challenge of not only producing the event in the building, but also for an ESPN+ pay-per-view audience. He al...

Combat sports legend and the UFC’s original BMF champion Jorge Masvidal spoke with Grind City Media’s John Morgan about his July boxing match with Nate Diaz, his planned return to the UFC and ideas of potential matchups, some big matchup possibilities for his training partners at American Top Team, and much more. 0:00 – “I know the judges got it wrong” against Nate Diaz 2:38 – Masvidal pleads the...

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison previewed her upcoming appearance at UFC 307 with Grind City Media’s John Morgan. While Harrison is scheduled to face No. 2-ranked contender Ketlen Vieira at the event – which takes place October 5 in Salt Lake City – she is willing to step in against women’s bantamweight champ Raquel Pennington or former titleholder Julianna...

With 10 years in the UFC, top-ranked welterweight contender Gilbert Burns knows the end of his career looms large on the horizon, but that doesn’t mean his title aspirations have lowered one bit. Ahead of his September 7 headliner with Sean Brady, “Durinho” spoke to Grind City Media’s John Morgan to preview the matchup, talk the UFC welterweight title picture, his time left in the sport, and more....

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan recap an incredible performance from Caio Borralho in his convincing win over Jared Cannonier, as well as noting a few other amazing performances at UFC on ESPN 62. Additionally, in a rare off-week for the UFC, the guys look ahead to the most anticipated matchups of the promotion’s upcoming schedule, including Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC...

On this episode Eric McMahon and John Morgan take a deep dive into an amazing championship fight at UFC 305 between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya. Does “DDP” get the credit he deserves? Does he really get as tired as he looks, and what does the future hold for both him and Adesanya? A judge is removed from his duties after a crazy 30-27 scorecard. Should more commissions hold judges accoun...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan break down one of the most anticipated grudge matches in recent memory, with the main event of this week’s UFC 305 featuring middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis vs. former titleholder Israel Adesanya in Perth, Australia. Additionally, the guys take a quick look at the rest of the card, including a heavyweight banger between Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho R...

Memphis’ own Kevin Pease joins Grind City Media’s John Morgan following a victory in his Professional Fighters League debut. “Sweet Peas” earned a hard-fought decision win over Nick Meck at 2024 PFL 7 on August 2, and the four-time CFFC veteran recaps his big-show debut, overcoming adversity along the way, and what comes next for the undefeated welterweight prospect. 0:00 – Introduction 0:31 – Fro...

In his first interview since returning to the U.S. after a surprise trip to Abu Dhabi, new UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad discusses his UFC 304 win over Leon Edwards, his experience on UFC on ABC 7, taking the loang road to the UFC title, his pursuit of Georges St-Pierre’s longstanding records, and much more, while speaking with Grind City Media’s John Morgan. 0:00 – “I’m still Belal. Yo...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and JohnMorgan look back at UFC on ABC 7 from Abu Dhabi, where Umar Nurmagomedov cemented his spot as the next in line for the bantamweight title after an impressive all-around performance against Cory Sandhagen. The legend Tony Ferguson retires – or did he? Mackenzie Dern looks impressive in yet another win – is she now more than just a jiu-jitsu fighter? Looking for...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan discuss the aftermath of UFC 304. Belal Muhammad is now UFC welterweight champion after scoring a unanimous decision over Leon Edwards, but who will he face in his first defense – and is Dana White happy to have a new titleholder? Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall is an absolute star in the making and has a very simple request for Jon Jones. Will it be answered?...

UFC welterweight Danny “LeftHand2God” Barlow took a break from a friend’s wedding to speak with Grind City Media’s John Morgan about his UFC debut, recovering from a broken arm, returning to action at UFC on ESPN 61 on Aug. 10 in Las Vegas, Uros Medic withdrawing from the matchup, and much more – including why he’s always quick to shout out his hometown of Memphis and so proud to represent his com...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at Jake Paul’s sixth-round TKO victory over Mike Perry and discuss why everyone should stop hating on “The Problem Child” and start giving him a little bit of credit. Looking forward to Saturday’s UFC 304 headliner between champion Leon Edwards and challenger Belal Muhammad. Does this fight have fireworks or dud written all over it? Can Curti...

UFC middleweight Abdul Razak Alhassan nearly scored a spectacular first-round finish at UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver, but referee Dan Miragliotta ultimately declared the matchup with Cody Brundage to be a no contest after a few strikes were deemed to have landed illegally to the back of the head. Alhassan recounts the action with Grind City Media’s John Morgan, discusses his hopes for resolution and a...

BKFC superstar and 15-time UFC veteran “Platinum” Mike Perry faces infamous YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the main event of “Fear No Man” on Saturday, July 20, live on DAZN pay-per-view from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Ahead of that matchup, Perry joined Grind City Media’s John Morgan to preview the matchup, which Perry believes he will be ending in violent fashion. 0:00 – “I’m here for t...

Dan Ige was one half of the co-main event of UFC 303, but that hardly tells the full story of how he stepped into a fight with Diego Lopes on just a few hours’ notice. Ige talks to Grind City Media’s John Morgan about the experience, which started on a massage table and ended him receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. Featuring a cameo from former UFC middleweigh...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at an absolutely chaotic UFC 303. Alex Pereira once again walks away with a vicious KO victory and sets himself up for a heavyweight run. Could Jon Jones be in his future, perhaps as soon as November at Madison Square Garden? Diego Lopes and Dan Ige should just get BMF belts right now after doing most fighters simply wouldn’t. Ian Garry shows...

As an Irishman, Ian Machado Garry grew up idolizing countryman Conor McGregor, so the chance to share the main card at UFC 303 with the former two-division champion felt like a dream come true. Unfortunately, injury forced McGregor out of the contest, but Garry will still appear opposite Michael “Venom” Page. It’s a key matchup at 170 pounds, but the No. 7-ranked Garry believes he is simply the te...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan look back at a masterful performance by Robert Whittaker and an overall good show at UFC on ABC 6. Conor McGregor goes viral – but not in a UFC cage – when he attends an event with rival promotion Bellator in Ireland. Meanwhile, Dana White responds without responding in Saudi Arabia. We offer a UFC 303 breakdown and what fights we are looking forward t...

No. 10-ranked UFC lightweight Renato Moicano believes it might be time for Michael Chandler to move on from Conor McGregor or risk a very unfortunate outcome – though “Money” admits it’s probably not an easy decision to make. Check out the full conversation with Grind City Media’s John Morgan after the two worked alongside each other to broadcast CFFC 132 and CFFC Muay Thai 2 this past weekend. 0:...

On this episode, Eric McMahon and John Morgan unpack a busy week in massive cancellations on major upcoming UFC events. Khamzat Chimaev is out, and on just nine days’ notice, Robert Whittaker takes on the 15-1 Ikram Aliskerov at UFC on ABC 6 in Saudi Arabia. Conor McGregor is injured, and now the main event for UFC 303 is the rematch of Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka, with a co-main event of Bria...

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 lo...