UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra

Cub Swanson, Paulo Costa, UFC 327 picks w/ guest co-host Michael Chiesa

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

Michael Chiesa explains why he retired on a four-fight win streak despite fans urging him to continue.

The episode begins with Jim Norton welcoming guest co-host Michael Chiesa, filling in for Matt Serra. Chiesa discusses his recent retirement after a knockout win, emphasizing he left on a high note for legacy reasons, not financial ones, and is transitioning to UFC commentary and analysis. The conversation shifts to Cub Swanson, who is preparing for his final UFC fight against Nate Landwehr. Swanson shares his emotional journey, including the influence of his late mentor Commie, which inspired him to mentor young fighters through his gym, Bloodline. He details his coaching approach, which involves collaborative game-planning with his team and unique sparring rules like no hand wraps to control intensity. Swanson also reflects on his WEC career, memorable training stories, and the evolution of MMA. Paulo Costa then joins to discuss his move to light heavyweight to fight Mirza Khanov, explaining it was a strategic opportunity, not a weight-cut issue, and teases his upcoming secret juice product launch. The hosts and Chiesa analyze UFC 327 fights, including the main event between Yuri Prohaska and Carlos Alberg, debating Prohaska's chaotic style versus Alberg's discipline. They also preview Curtis Blades vs. Josh Hokut, with Chiesa sharing a personal story of wrestling Hokut years ago. Other fights discussed include Aaron Pico vs. Patricio Pitbull and Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown. The episode concludes with fight picks and a plug for UFC 327 broadcast details.

As heard by us

Chiesa gives UFC Unfiltered a lived-in angle, strongest when fight talk moves from pressure to the corner and the backyard.

With Michael Chiesa filling Matt Serra's co-host seat, UFC Unfiltered gets a slightly different charge. The best parts stay close to what Chiesa knows firsthand: water loading, the pull to get back in the gym after a fight, and the uneasy way a coach's fear can slip into late…

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Why you'd press play

You get Michael Chiesa filling Matt's chair, talking retirement relief, water-loading misery, coaching stress, and UFC 327 broadcast logistics.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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