Gross Point Blank » Podcast

Jose Aldo (left) poses with Dana White and Conor McGregor in the buildup to UFC 189. (Sherdog.com) An abridged version of Gross Point Blank hit all the big news in the MMA world as it was on Wednesday. No guests this week, so Josh Gross and TJ DeSantis chat for half an hour on Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s impressive 115-lb. UFC title defense in Berlin over Jessica Penne; the fallout from Kimbo Slice’s stoppage of Ken Shamrock; reports that Jose Aldo is out of his July 11 contest with Conor McGregor; options for the UFC to keep McGregor on the card; and this weekend’s fights, including an interesting middleweight contest between Lyoto Machida and Yoel Romero.

Fabricio Werdum enjoys himself after defeating Cain Velasquez. (Sherdog.com) Fabricio Werdum’s third round submission over Cain Velasquez on Saturday in Mexico City cemented his status among the most decorated heavyweight champions in MMA history. For the past eight years Rafael Cordeiro has orchestrated Werdum’s progression from a jiu-jitsu and submission grappling king to an MMA killer. The Brazilian trainer, a product of the Chute Boxe lineage, spoke about his perspective from the corner while Werdum survived an early rush from Velasquez to survive and thrive. MMA in New York has been part of a battle since the state banned the UFC in 1997. Reporter and New York MMA advocate Jim Genia joined GPB to discuss the latest news, which indicates the state will legalize the sport by the end of this week.

Gilbert Melendez (right) speaks to Joe Rogan ahead of his loss to Anthony Pettis last December. (Sherdog.com) Lightweight contender Gilbert Melendez hopped on Gross Point Blank Wednesday to speak about his UFC co-main event fight this Saturday in Mexico City against Eddie Alvarez. Melendez spoke about the long-awaited matchup, his rare dislike for an opponent, and the opportunity to fight in front of Mexican fans for the first time. Cutman, trainer, manager Juanito Ibarra joined the show after settling a lawsuit filed in 2009 against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz following claims that Ibarra was a thief who mismanaged Jackson. Ortiz and Jackson issued statements in May when the dispute was settled. Ibarra spoke for the first time about the past and future, and his calling advocating for fighters’ rights. We also breakdown UFC 188, which features Melendez-Alvarez and a heavyweight title fight pitting Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum.

Mark Kerr takes abuse from Kazuyuki Fujita in his first official loss, May 1, 2000. (Sherdog.com) On a banner day in mixed martial arts, Gross Point Blank reflects on the UFC’s important new anti-doping policy. Joined in studio by filmmaker Bobby Razak, GPB also focused on SI.com’s long-form article and short film on Mark “The Smashing Machine” Kerr. The soft-spoken retired fighter joined GPB to recount stories, respond to accusations, and share what’s new in his life as he fights to pick himself up off the canvas and stay sober. Finally, Razak’s latest  film, “Fallen Soldier,” will be released June 9 on Vimeo. The potent subject matter follows the tragic tale of former middleweight champion boxer Gerald McClellan and the aftermath of a horrifying fight in London against Nigel Benn that left him blind and incapable of fending for himself. Lisa McLellan, Gerald’s sister, has taken care of her sibling for the past 20 years and is prominently featured in the film. She joined the show to discuss “G Man” and the life they lead today.

Mark Munoz makes weight for his final fight in Manila. (Sherdog.com) Following what many feel might be the best UFC event over the past few years, Gross Point Blank returns to analyze Daniel Cormier’s stoppage of Anthony Johnson, Chris Weidman’s championship-retaining effort against Vitor Belfort, and an incredible tussle between Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne. Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter was in Las Vegas for the Memorial Day weekend card and shared his thoughts on UFC 187. Retired middleweight Mark Munoz reflected on his career two weeks after officially proclaiming his fighting days were done. World Series of Fighting executive Ali Abdel-Aziz discussed the state of the game and the latest happenings with the Las Vegas based promotional company.

Chris Weidman (left) defends the UFC middleweight title Saturday against Vitor Belfort. (Sherdog.com) Gross Point Blank returned Friday ahead of UFC 187 in Las Vegas. MMAJunkie’s John Morgan joined GPB from the MGM Grand to preview the latest UFC pay-per-view, which is headlined by title fights in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Frank Shamrock, a pioneer of the weight class, discussed many topics, including news that Zuffa would induct Jeff Blatnik into its Hall of Fame. Combat sports and pro wrestling broadcaster Mauro Ranallo discussed his experiences en route to becoming one of the top announcers in the game.

Photo: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao mega-bucks contest broke all sorts of records on pay-per-view and the box office. What it did not do was offer an exciting display of boxing. We delve into the aftermath of the fight with Undisputed Champions Network‘s Steve Kim. The longtime boxing scribe reacted to the contest, the embarrassing media flap involving reporters’ access, and the future of boxing in Al Haymon’s world. GPB host Josh Gross riffs on the fight and dives into Wednesday’s news of the money breakdown for Reebok’s deal to put uniforms in the UFC.

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson makes weight ahead of his title defense at UFC 186. (Sherdog.com) UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson joined Gross Point Blank to discuss his sixth successful title defense Saturday night in Montreal. “Mighty Mouse” finished Japan’s Kyoji Horiguchi with one second remaining in the fight, establishing a record that can never be broken. Johnson also shared his thoughts on the fate of fallen UFC champion Jon Jones. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto chatted about the news surrounding Jon Jones’ hit-and-run accident Sunday in Albuquerque. The UFC subsequently stripped Jones of his light heavyweight title belt, the result of a serious of out-of-the-cage embarrassments that have followed Jones since he emerged as the consensus No. 1 fighter in the sport.

Ray Longo (right) poses with former UFC champion Matt Serra and middleweight Ed Gordon. (Sherdog.com) Ahead of an intriguing UFC card on FOX, trainer Ray Longo and Sherdog.com’s Jordan Breen joined GPB to help dissect the event at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Longo, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman’s trainer, shared his thoughts on the three men potentially next in line at 185 pounds — Luke Rockhold, Lyoto Machida and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. Rockhold and Machida meet in Saturday’s main event, while Souza faces late replacement Chris Camozzi. Longo also spoke about Al Iaquinta and why judge Doug Crosby should never be assigned to score fights involving the Long Island, N.Y., trainer’s fighters. Breen, considered one of the smartest analysts in MMA, talked about what intrigues him about the sport these days, including a long dissection of the upcoming UFC event in Newark.

Diego Sanchez wrestles against Kenny Florian at the 185-lb. TUF 1 finale. Thursday, April 9, marks the tenth anniversary of “The Ultimate Fighter” finale, a night remembered for putting mixed martial arts on the map. The latest Gross Point Blank reflects on the heralded event in Las Vegas, and the legacy it left. TUF 1 finalist Kenny Florian reminisced about the first season, when no one knew anything, even if the production would make TV. TUF winner six years after the show debuted, Tony Ferguson talked about the impact it had on his MMA career. And reporter Chuck Mindenhall discussed his recent long form on TUF 1 outcast Jason Thacker.