Against the Cage: A New York Post Sports Podcast

Sean Strickland came away with yet another massive title upset to regain the UFC middleweight belt against Khamzat Chimaev on Saturday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ilia Topuria revealed he is still eyeing a superfight against Islam Makhachev in his future. The UFC Lightweight Champion spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana about the star-studded event on June 14th, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ciryl Gane says he's not one to judge UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall for his lengthy recovery of an eye injury he sustained during their fight back in October. In an exclusive interview with The Post's Scott Fontana, the former interim champion and spoke about his upcoming fight at the White House against Alex Pereira on June 14th, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Gaethje spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana about his upcoming fight against Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight championship at the White House on June 14th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former UFC Light Heavyweight and Middleweight champion Alex 'Poatan' Pereira spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana ahead of the UFC's historic White House event next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Suga" Sean O'Malley is just over a month away from walking into the UFC Octagon on the grounds of the White House on June 14th. The MMA superstar exclusively spoke with California Post Sports' Ryan Kostecka to preview his pivotal fight against Aiemann Zahabi, what it means to have been chosen to compete at the one of one event, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Della Maddalena's fast rise to the Welterweight throne has left us with a lot of questions coming into UFC Perth. Will a surging contender in Carlos Prates take his place -- or can the Australian defend his ranking in the elite at 170? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it down on Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The summer is wide open as far as numbered events go for the UFC. With UFC 329 during International Fight Week and UFC 330 still in need of title fights and blockbuster bouts, Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh predict the biggest fights we could see. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UFC's Chief Content Officer Craig Borsari exclusively spoke with The Post's Jake Aryeh about the behind the scenes of UFC Freedom 250. Borsari revealed what fans at home can expect from the spectacle, more about the walkouts from fighters during the event, and of course: what might happen if it rains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Ulberg’s defeat of Jiří Procházka at UFC 327 on Saturday night was one of the wildest rollercoasters of a round that fans have witnessed in quite some time. Ulberg defeated a seemingly hesitant yet reckless Procházka after blowing out his knee mid-fight. In the aftermath both fighters are left with two very different sides of the story as to what occurred in the octagon. So, did Jiří Procházka really show mercy to Carlos Ulberg, and is that what cost him a UFC title? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it all down on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jiří Procházka is back yet again to try and regain the UFC light heavyweight strap, but this time it won’t be against Alex Pereira. Procházka will take on surging contender Carlos Ulberg in what has serious potential to be a barnburner of a fight in Miami at UFC 327 — but will this be Jiri’s last chance at UFC gold? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it down. Next assignment: Jorge Masvidal vs. Toby Imada (Bellator 5, 2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odIvGlFfFmI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel Adesanya is now on a 4-fight losing streak after being TKO’d by Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle, leading fans, fighters, and analysts alike to question whether or not the former champion should hang up the gloves once and for all. Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, aren’t so convinced, though. Tune in as the trio breaks it all down on this week’s episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week there was massive news in combat sports. The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, an amendment to the crucial legislation that protects the interests of fighters, has passed the house. To help break it down, Scott Fontana and Jake Aryeh brought in anti-trust expert and combat sports business expert John Nash to help understand what could change should the legislation pass the senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Integrity is on the line at UFC London when Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy face-off in a high-stakes featherweight bout on Saturday night. Not only does the fight have massive consequences for the 145 pound weight class, but it could be a pivotal moment for the UFC as a whole. Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it all down on this week’s episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronda Rousey’s presser with MVP this week included a plethora of critique’s on the UFC and Dana White — but it was distinctly different than what we typically see. Rousey, perhaps still the biggest name in women’s MMA, didnt hide her disappointment with the promotion and how it has changed, but is she right? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it down, as well as all the latest developments in MMA including Charles Oliveira’s dominant win over Max Holloway at UFC 326, all the new drama with Jon Jones, and more.Fight assignment: The Gina Carano ExperienceFight 1: https://youtu.be/Ny8FLIuK_-4?si=hbwXj7tSb4UpOJz5Fight 2: https://youtu.be/kdWTDQR2EVk?si=94nGu5Is_DF3hSVGThe rest: (https://ufcfightpass.com/watchlists/35395078908?owner=MTMwMTUzOHxkY2UudWZj) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The UFC White House event has officially been announced to be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, with five other bouts on the card announced as well. Scott Fontana and Jake Aryeh give their instant reactions to the much anticipated announcement on this emergency episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The UFC’s heavyweight division is in more drama than it has in ages. Undisputed champion Tom Aspinall announced that he has signed with Dana White’s sworn enemy as of late, Eddie Hearn, in a move that could very well burn whatever bridges they had left. This comes just one week after light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira announced he would be vacating his title in a presumable move up to heavyweight. Pereira is now tied to rumors of fighting Jon Jones or Ciryl Gane at the White House event that’s soon to be announced any day now. Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s so much to dissect this week in the world of MMA. Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano might be one of the most polarizing fight announcements in recent memory, and former UFC champion Sean Strickland takes on surging contender Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in a pivotal middleweight matchup. Scott Fontana and Erich Richter break it all down on this week’s episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PFL’s new CEO John Martin spoke exclusively with The Post’s Scott Fontana about his new role. Martin discussed his goals and priorities of the company such as their looming media rights deal, securing fighters like Usman Nurmagomedov, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez spoke with The Post’s Scott Fontana about his upcoming fight with Sean Strickland at UFC Houston this coming Saturday. Hernandez isn’t backing down from his air of confidence, claiming that he’s “going to torture” the former champion with his skillset in the Octagon. The middleweight contender also addressed Strickland’s off-color social media post’s about himself, as well as his championship aspirations on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn’t love a good rankings debate? With the UFC rankings increasingly raising eyebrows to the die hard combat sports fans, we here at New York Post Sports are proud to announce our own worldwide MMA rankings system. Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh also break down all the latest combat sports news including Mario Bautista and Usman Nurmagomedov’s big wins over the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With UFC 325 in the books, its time to finally sink our teeth into the promotion’s new broadcast deal with Paramount+. The second show of 2026 promised to have notable improvements from UFC 324, just one week earlier, but did it deliver? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh also break down Volkanovski’s decisive victory over Diego Lopes for a second time, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a pair of packed back-to-back weekends of UFC numbered events, there’s a LOT to talk about. UFC 324 saw the hype train of Paddy Pimblett halt it’s surge, Justin Gaethje is back on a win-streak, and Sean O’Malley keeps himself afloat in the bantamweight title discussion. This weekend, at UFC 325, Alexander Volkanovski looks to repeat history and defeat Diego Lopes once again as the pair are set to rematch in Volk’s home territory of Australia. Join Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh as they break it all down on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diego Lopes is set to rematch two-time UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325, a fight booking that surprised many fans. While Lopes stressed that he respects both Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev, he posited that their lack of exciting fights (save for a certain spinning elbow) didn't help either of their cases for a title shot. The Mexican & Brazilian star also spoke about his rematch with Volkanovski, and the landscape of the featherweight division in this exclusive interview with Erich Richter on Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of UFC 324, Paddy Pimblett hasn’t faced anyone currently ranked in the UFC’s lightweight top 10. This weekend, that changes when he faces Justin Gaethje, who has been a mainstay at the top of 155 for the better part of a decade. So is the surging scouser ready for a step up in competition? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it down and more on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett joined The Post's Scott Fontana to preview his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje ahead of UFC 324, in a bout that will headline the UFC's first event of 2026, as well as their landmark deal with Paramount Plus. Pimblett spoke about their matchup, what he expects after a win against Gaethje, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Gaethje says while there's no animosity towards Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 324 next Saturday, it's a different story with some fans. "The animosity comes from all the doubters, you know. It's crazy how fickle these fans are, and how quick they forget who I am and what I do," the former interim lightweight champion told The Post's Scott Fontana. Gaethje also broke down his matchup with the surging scouser, the lightweight landscape, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UFC's lead play-by-play commentator Jon Anik joined Against the Cage to talk everything UFC 324 and 325, including Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje and the heartbreaking news of Kayla Harrison's neck injury. He also shed some light on what to expect at the UFC White House card, and gave some of his 2026 predictions. Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh also break down the latest news of the week, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to our inaugural annual MMA awards! 2025 is nearly all but set in stone as far as MMA is concerned -- and with that it’s time to dish out some trophies. Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh talk the biggest moments of of the past 365 days, in and outside the UFC. See who we chose as the fighter of the year, the best knockout, submission, and more on this special edition of Against the Cage. See you in 2026! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With UFC's last event until its broadcasting deal with ESPN ends in January, the era of UFC on ESPN is effectively over. Scott Fontana and Erich Richter evaluate what worked, what didn't, and what's left to be desired for what's next int he UFC's upcoming deal with Paramount on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Petr Yan’s performance on Saturday night has left fans stunned after he dominated Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. The now 2-time champion came in as a sizable underdog into his title challenge, likely due to the pair’s first encounter, in which he himself was dominated by Dvalishvili. So what did fans miss? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it down on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian spoke exclusively with The Post's Erich Richter to preview Jake Paul's toughest test in boxing yet, former world champion Anthony Joshua. Bidarian also spoke about the promotion's efforts to grow women's boxing, and gave his thoughts on the controversial changes being proposed to the Ali Act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Royval is ready to remind people who he is when he faces off with Manel Kape on Saturday night. The supremely entertaining flyweight spoke exlusively with The Post's Scott Fontana ahead of his bout on December 13th, in which he vowed to "beat the s--t" out of his opponent. Royval also spoke about the recent high profile pair of fights in his division at #ufc323 this past weekend, his title aspirations, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merab Dvalishvili is setting out to conquer an achievement that no UFC champion has before: defending a title four times within a calendar year. Can the 135 pound champion beat Petr Yan once again at UFC 323, and cement himself in the history books? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it all down, and more, on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merab Dvalishvili spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana ahead of his rematch against Petr Yan at UFC 323 this weekend. The Bantamweight Champion spoke about his upcoming title defense, what makes this fight different from the pair's first encounter, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Arman Tsarukyan came away with an impressive submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, the lightweight division and it’s champion Ilia Topuria are left at a crossroads. Should the UFC elect to start 2026 off with a bang by giving the title shot to Paddy Pimblett? Or let the ever impressive Armenian Arman Tsarukyan finally reclaim his title shot? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it all down on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexandre Pantoja spoke exclusively with The Post’s Erich Richter about why he’s taking his upcoming fight with Joshua Van as serious as any fight he’s ever had before. Ahead of his upcoming defense at UFC 323, the flyweight champion spoke about the matchup, as well as his aspirations to fight teammate Kyoji Horiguchi, who is coming off of a statement win in his UFC return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Van is coming into his UFC 323 title challenge against Alexandre Pantoja with an already impressive 2025, at just 24 years of age. The up and coming flyweight spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana about his championship fight next Saturday, and why he's prepared for anything when the Octagon closes behind him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Islam Makhachev and the UFC welterweight division just entered a whole new era on Saturday at UFC 322. The night at Madison Square Garden saw three matchups at 170 completely shake up the title picture as a whole, as Islam Makhachev, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales came away with impressive wins. The welterweight shakeup continues this weekend in UFC Qatar, and Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh break it all down on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fatima Kline's win at UFC 322 was special in more ways than one for her. Not only was she able to fight in her home state of New York, in Madison Square Garden, no less, but she was also able to compete alongside her friend and training partner, Erin Blanchfield. Fatima spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana about the 'once in a lifetime' night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a turbulent 2025, Arman Tsarukyan is finally set to get back into the octagon against Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar this weekend. The #1 lightweight contender spoke about his upcoming matchup, the health of his back ahead of his weight cut, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Hooker spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana -- injury free this time, from what we could tell -- to talk about his upcoming fight with Arman Tsarukyan in Doha, Qatar. The UFC lightweight spoke about his recovery from his previous hand injury, how the feud began with Tsarukyan, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UFC 322 being headlined by two superfights is nothing to scoff at, but did the promotion miss out on a golden opportunity? With Islam Makhachev relinquishing his lightweight title to move up and challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight strap, and Zhang Weili doing the same to vie for flyweight gold, do the two title fights still feel like champion vs champion? Scott Fontana, Erich Richter, and Jake Aryeh talk it all on this week’s episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UFC Welterweight Champion of the world Jack Della Maddalena stopped by The Post to chat with our very own Scott Fontana about his upcoming title defense against former 155 champ, Islam Makhachev. The welterweight king spoke about his crowd pleasing performance against Belal Muhammed, his upcoming matchup at Madison Square Garden next weekend, and more on this episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What should have been the biggest story of Saturday night’s UFC Apex card would have been David Onama getting defeated by Steve Garcia, however the card ended up being marred with controversy in a few ways. Most notably by far are the serious allegations regarding fight fixing and a betting scandal amid Isaac Dulgarian’s performance. After the betting line moved drastically against the favorite just hours before he lost in embarrassing fashion, the MMA world has been sent into a frenzy. Here’s everything you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The heavyweight division has been cast once again into a state of uncertainty following the main event of UFC 321, which culminated in a brutal eye poke of Tom Aspinall by challenger Ciryl Gane — and resulted in a no-contest. As Aspinall’s health is to be determined, could Jon Jones and Alex Pereira be the fight to save the division? Jake Aryeh and Scott Fontana break it all down, and more, on this week’s episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Blanchfield and Fatima Kline are ready to fight on the biggest UFC card of the year together at UFC 322, right in their backyard at Madison Square Garden. The two teammates spoke exclusively with The Post's Scott Fontana about how they became friends and training partners, each of their upcoming fights, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ciryl Gane faces a tall task in defeating UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall on Saturday night. Aspinall has never seen the 10th minute of a professional fight, and presents a very high competency in the grappling department, something that Gane has struggled with in his past two title challenges. But if the fight drags on, who will it benefit? Can Ciryl Gane survive Aspinall’s attacks early on, and take him into deep waters? Jake Aryeh and Scott Fontana break it all down on this week’s episode of Against the Cage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran combat sports journalists and die-hard MMA fans Scott Fontana and Erich Richter along with producer Jake Aryeh talk the biggest news in Mixed Martial Arts and exclusively interview some of the most notable athletes across UFC, boxing, and everything in between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 15 months away from the Octagon, Tom Aspinall is finally set to fulfill his dream of competing as the UFC heavyweight champion on October 25th. Aspinall spoke about the hidden 'advantage' he found from his time away from competition, how he plans to be active as champion, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices