Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The BEST In MMA Media


When the average MMA fan is trodding around the ole Internets, where does one turn for the best and most accurate information?What actual writers/journalists does one trust in the MMA world of keyboard warriors? What websites have valuable information and insight and are not the myriad of common blogs that debate which MMA fighter is the toughest if they didn't do that stupid rasslin' shit?
Lucky for you our insatiable MMA fan, we have all the answers. The best writers! The best podcasts! Simply, the best around. "Nothing's gonna ever keep you down. You're the best, around. Nothing's gonna ever keep you down!" Alright, enough with the Karate Kid theme songs. On to the educators.

JOSH GROSS
The bearded bespectacled journalist is one of the absolute best. The guy just "gets it." Gross has no time for shenanigans instead writing the best columns while also piloting the Gross Point Blank Podcast. GPB  is the most underrated of the MMA podcasts but its also the best clocking in at around the hour mark. Josh is also smart enough not to allow calls from the average MMA fan that are generally silly and not thought out. If this isn't enough, Gross adds fellow respected journalists to the show including Franklin McNeil and Brett Okamoto. All the big stars of the day, the best journalists, and the man that helped build Sherdog. Dana White has a specific grudge against Gross and to this day denies him credentials to cover UFC events in person. Even so, Josh continues to be the best MMA expert in the game.
ARIEL HELWANI
As the mariachi band plays, we are invited into the world of Ariel Helwani and the MMA Hour. Easily the #1 MMA podcast in the world with only the biggest stars in packed shows that can stretch 3 to 4 hours. The Canadian has won MMA Journalist of the Year multiple times and is the go to guy at MMA Fighting.com and when MMA is on Fox Sports. The Howard Cosell of MMA is your connect to all the big news of the MMA day.
BEN FOWLKES
The USA Today columnist is also co-host of the Co-Main Event Podcast. Proudly based in the wasteland of Montana, Ben came up in the sport through MMA Fighting.com, Cage Potato, and Sports Illustrated. Fowlkes is now one of the most articulate and intelligent pundits in the game and the podcast he and bestie Chad Dundas created almost on a lark, has become wildly successful. Known for their quick sarcastic whit, the duo refuses to take calls from the annoying keyboard warriors, and doesn't waste time on fighters promoting their specific agendas. Its a solid hour of the best MMA entertainment.
LUKE THOMAS
The senior editor at SB Nation hosts his own radio show on Sirius XM. Many have seen Thomas co-host MMA Uncensored Live on Spike TV and was formerly the editor-in-chief at Bloody Elbow. Luke covers combat sports. That includes MMA, professional boxing, NCAA Wrestling, and anything else that has a fighting pulse. Mr. Thomas has been doing this a long time and knows the business. Follow the guy's work and you will only learn.
NATE WILCOX
Better known as "Kid" Nate, the Bloody Elbow do it all man is well versed in the game and the gift of gab. The guy who sounds just like Urijah Faber but looks like MC Chris, has gained recent notoriety for his Bathrobe Review on www.bloodyelbow.com. The guy is always funny and tells it like it is.
JORDAN BREEN
The "Mastermind" is a living encyclopedia of MMA knowledge who lives at Sherdog. The problem, is that he knows it. Breen can break down any fight or fighter in an intelligent and thought provoking manner. Good luck trying to get a word in edgewise on the Sherdog Roundtables that pick and prognosticate the top MMA events, or if you call in to his podcast Cheap Seats. Breen co-hosts the bi-weekly podcast with Greg Savage. That is not a good thing as Savage has little of importance to add other that irritating comments about fantasy baseball. Jordan is the Matt Pinfield of MMA who is too arrogant and tends to focus on the negative aspects of our world which seems to be the biggest criticism of  the Sherdog gang. Still, if there's a fight on Tuesday in Mozambique, Breen knows the combatants and has seen them fight.
BRETT OKAMOTO
Brett has worked with the Las Vegas Sun newspaper and Sports Illustrated before his current home at ESPN. Brett is frequently asked onto sports shows like SportsNation!, and was heralded as a young writer long before he even attended college. This man can make the pen, or more accurately, the keys dance and you actually learn something.
BEST MMA WEBSITES
Bloody Elbow.com
Sherdog.com
MMA Junkie.com
MMA.tv
MMA Weekly.com
Middle Easy.com
MMA Playground.com
Tapology.com
Cage Potato.com
MMA Mania.com
5 Ounces of Pain.com
Best Fight Odds.com
Fight Metric.com
MMA Decisions.com
and of course, MMAFO @ www.mmafightopinion.blogspot.com
BEST MMA PODCASTS
The Mixed Martial Arts Hour
The C0-Main Event Podcast
ESPN Gross Point Blank
The Sherdog Roundtable
Cheap Seats

"You wanted the best, well now you've got it." Just don't forget your lil' friends at MMAFO when you are on the worldwide web. Or that printed stuff people used to ogle.

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