Level Change Podcast

Since Victor is on vacation on the beautiful sands of the Dominican Republic, I decided I needed to pull out all the stops. We have our brother from another timeline, Mookie Alexander, now of The Soap Box Score (and still SBNation), joining me to break down select fights from UFC 318. Why only select fights? Because this card is a travesty. Dustin Poirier’s swan song deserved a better card than this, but beggars can’t be choosers, so we’re only breaking down the handful of contests that matter.In our second segment, Tim Bissell of Sumo Stomp...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comDog’s breakfast is on the menu in Nashville, because the UFC clearly doesn’t care about quality when it comes to shoveling out content above all else. So while there are some fun fighters, some of these matchups aren’t great. But we did have a bit of fun talking about it, as well as Jon Jones thirsting for likability in retirement, as well as Conor McGr…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comFirst off, you should watch Murderbot. It’s good. So good. Secondly, our very own pal Mookie Alexander is back! We discuss Jon Jones’ retirement, what his legacy is, and how fickle the combat sports gods can be. Then we delve into UFC 317 with its two title fights along with some of the better matchups on the card.Also, we take a bit of time to discuss …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comFrom Chappell Roan to a bunch of TV talk, we parse this week’s UFC Atlanta Fight Night event headlined by welterweight dynamo Joaquin Buckley and former champ Kamaru Usman.How’s the card? Not bad! Not great, either. It’s a nice little action card, after all. Not much in the way of divisional relevance here, and sometimes, that’s fine. We explore goofy w…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comDamn, a whole lot of stuff has been happening. Francis Ngannou might actually be angling for a UFC return? And Jon Jones got something sassy to say about it? And would you believe Greg Hardy got arrested again?We then look ahead to the joys of UFC 316, because there’s some real joys to be found here. Unfortunately, Ariane Lipski didn’t make weight due t…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comThe Natsu Basho ended ended a few days ago, so we decided that in light of the terrible, miserable UFC card this week, we would treat our listeners to a thorough review of all the action with our awesome friend, Tim Bissell of Sumo Stomp. Tim takes us through all the best moments of the tournament, including critiques of the winner’s performances, how t…

FREE EPISODE!! FREE EPISODE!!No fights this week, kids. But that’s good! We get a chance to change the pace for a bit and catch up with Stephie’s adventures on the road and talk a bunch of movie and TV stuff. After the niceties of it all, we delve into the odd timing for Ilia Topuria to split from his gym to make a new home for himself in Madrid. We also address the recent fracas in Russia involving Nate Diaz, and end it with what in the world is going on with Jon Jones. Is h...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comUFC 315 kicks off from Montreal this week, and it’s a good card! It really is! But the hype? It’s just not there. There’s multiple factors as to why, and it’s a shame. It doesn’t have to be that way. And that’s why we’re here to tell you why you should be invested. Jose Aldo is on a card with two title fights, and Charles Radtke fights Mike Malott in a …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comWell, this is an odd predicament. Stephie isn’t feeling this card too much, Victor is kinda liking the vibe. Where does this lead? I dunno, we just break down the card and address how some of the old-timers are being fed into the woodchipper here. Also, Victor’s forays into aging and mortality continue in new and terrifying ways. Stephie mocks him merci…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comOK, this is a mixed bag. But it’s a fun mixed bag! Well, kinda. See, we’ve got some great matchups, some clear squashes, and some odd bits and ends from fighters that have gotten very little exposure. Should you be excited? Maybe?We break down most of it and grapple with the upcoming retirement fight of one Dustin Poirier being on the horizon. But at le…

Hey, kids! No UFC event this weekend. We do have PFL and some other shows, but more than anything we focus on what was (as predicted) a very good event, the ramifications from it, and the interminable glazing of a fascist fan club masquerading as a government.But don’t worry, we also touched on Jake Paul looking to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., as well as the announcement of Kevin Holland vs Vicente Luque. Also, Paddy Pimblett being a gentleman. It’s nice, and we like nice. We sincerely hope you enjoy listening and that...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comWhat a difference a week makes. From a drab and ho-hum card last week to a card that has some of the best and most exciting matchmaking we’ve seen in what feels like eons? This is the kind of card that reminds you of the good old days where you’d consistently get some consistently elite quality.Featherweight gold currently has no owner now that Ilia Top…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comAwful. This upcoming UFC event is utterly awful, full stop. Great main event, though. We manage to talk about why it’s so bad but also celebrate the life of the great Val Kilmer and all the joy he brought us.But! We manage to discuss the latest on Conor McGregor’s antics and aspirations, plus a quick word on Cain Velasquez and his possible future predic…

The Haru Basho ended yesterday and we already have a thorough review of all the action with our awesome friend, Tim Bissell of Sumo Stomp. Tim takes us through all the highs and lows of the tournament, including critiques of the winner’s performances, how the other wrestlers did and why our lone yokozuna pulled out of the basho. Tim also has a great contest running, so make sure you subscribe to his site to be entered into the drawing.Today’s episode is free, but we would love it if you could subscribe. This will give you...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comFormer welterweight champ takes on tough Philly talent Sean Brady in a lovely little card that starts midday for those of us on the East Coast, stateside. There’s a lot to love on this one with compelling matches that cater largely to the local crowd, but in a good way!Also, Conor McGregor is running for president of Ireland. Or at least that’s what he’…

Hope you all got the fun you hoped for last week, because this one’s a dog’s breakfast of an event. Yes, even for an Apex card. Not much excitement here, as we’ve disowned Waldo. But Jeremy Stephens is coming back? Oh, and the potential BKFC drama is leaving us with a ton of questions. Enjoy the weekend and don’t forget to shake your fist at Mick Maynard.UFC Vegas 104 Main Card* Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 185 lbs* Elizeu Zaleski vs. Chidi Njokuani 170 lbs* Alexander Hernandez vs. Kurt Holobaug...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comNot much to complain about this one here, kids. Alex Pereira aims to continue his dominant run as light heavyweight champion against a very eager Magomed Ankalaev in a great main event. Justin Gaethje may not get the fight he wanted against Dan Hooker, but instead gets a very good replacement in Rafael Fiziev in what is sure to be a great rematch, regar…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comGotta keep it real with you, chief - this card is ugly. There’s a few bright spots, but the Apex is clearly not where you’re gonna get the best or most thrilling events. Manel Kape (20-7) faces surging fellow flyweight Asu Almabayev (21-2) in a decent main event between #6 (Kape) against #8 (Almabayev). Is it a title contender? No, but it should be fun.…

It’s a nice little weekend for slams and submissions in Seattle, and the UFC graces the city with a decent Fight Night card that does exactly what it’s supposed to in building up developing talent and advancing divisions. For that, we get former champ Henry Cejudo vs Song Yadong in a rather nice main event. And it’s a shame that this one was plagued with injuries and cancellations. There’s still some great meat on this bone, regardless. And that’s a good thing, considering how things can go in this game. We also co...

No nice way to say this: this weekend’s PPV is not good. No bueno. Just a lot of filler with a deluge of local talent and two title fights. At least the co-main is guaranteed to be something for the more dedicated fans. The rest? Lotta not-great matchups and a fair amount of talent that may not really be ready for the big time. Also, bad news from outside of the sport itself. You like being propagandized and condescended to? Good, because media row is about to be gone from the UFC and replaced with a bu...