Episode 653: UFC at the White House? Wow, LAME!

Episode 653: UFC at the White House? Wow, LAME!

Author: Chad Dundas and Ben Fowlkes July 9, 2025 Duration: 1:09:35
The doddering old man who also happens to be the most powerful person in the world made an offhand comment over the 4th of July weekend that he’d like to do some UFC fights at the White House. He wants 20,000 people there. He says Dana’s gonna take care of it. And look, we’d be inclined to dismiss this as the rumblings of a crazy old grandpa who might sit next to you on the bus except, well, the scariest part of this whole fever dream is how utterly POSSIBLE it all actually seems. So … I guess we’ll see? Look, though, you know what strikes us most about the potential of having MMA fights at the White House? How fucking LAME that is. Remember when this sport used to feel cool? It used to feel underground? A little renegade? Well, that’s over now. That’s dead and gone. Suddenly, it feels like we’ve gone a little TOO mainstream. You know who loves this idea, though? Jon Jones. Soon as this MFer found out there might be a party he’s not invited to, he jumped back in the testing pool. SMDH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no shortage of opinions in mixed martial arts, but there’s a distinct difference between hot takes and informed conversation built on years of watching fights from press row. That’s what you’ll find each week on The Co-Main Event MMA Podcast. Hosts Chad Dundas and Ben Fowlkes, both veteran journalists who have covered the sport for more than a decade, break down the latest news without the filter of corporate hype or predictable fanboy reactions. Their discussions feel like the post-event analysis you’d have with the most knowledgeable person you know-if that person also had a sharp sense of humor and a healthy skepticism for the industry’s usual narratives. This isn’t a scripted recap show; it’s an irreverent, meandering, and deeply insightful dialogue that covers everything from the UFC and Bellator to the broader landscape of combat sports. You’ll hear them debate fight outcomes, analyze promotional politics, and question the week’s biggest stories with a perspective that only comes from having seen it all before. The chemistry between Dundas and Fowlkes turns each episode into a compelling conversation, making this podcast a staple for fans who prefer substance over shouting. It’s the kind of listen that doesn’t just tell you what happened, but makes you think about why it matters.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Co-Main Event MMA Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 679: Volkanovski is just too good [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:32
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CME Live Chat: UFC 324 reactions and whatnot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 678: Mike Goldberg voice: “Here … we … go!” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:49
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Episode 677: Are we ready for Paddy Pimblett, UFC champion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:18
Just about 10 days before UFC 324, and oddsmakers still see Paddy Pimblett as a bit more than a 2-to-1 favorite to win the interim lightweight title over Justin Gaethje. I mean, damn. Does that seem right to you guys? Ho…
Episode 676: New year, new UFC? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:56
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Episode 675: Smell ya later, 2025! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:01
The Year of Our Lord 2025 was a weird one in MMA. Complete dogshit for the heavyweight division, obviously. You started the year with Dana White swearing up and down that he was going to get Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall do…
Episode 674: Petr Yan was perfect at UFC 323 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:20
Petr Yan showed up looking shockingly prepared for everything Merab Dvalishvili had planned on Saturday at UFC 323. Yan had the takedown defense. Yan had the stifling striking game. Yan worked the head and the body as we…
Episode 673: The UFC’s Paramount+ Era will begin … weirdly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:59
CBS gave Dana White a grand stage over the weekend, letting him announce the first fight bookings of the Paramount+ Era during halftime of the Thanksgiving Day NFL game between the Cowboys and Chiefs. Perhaps that was a…
Episode 672: Arman Tsarukyan forces the issue with Ilia Topuria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:43
Prior to Arman Tsarukyan’s win over Dan Hooker on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Qatar, we figured Tsarukyan was still on the outside looking in at the lightweight title picture. He’s long come off as a fairly nondescrip…
Episode 671: Islam Makhachev left JDM with no plan B [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:17
Yeah, so, Islam Makhachev is your new UFC welterweight champion. Not a huge surprise, considering the former lightweight titlist was a solid favorite to dethrone Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 over the weekend. What we…