The main even of UFC 221 was fascinating. Luke Rockhold showed off some much improved boxing, but Yoel Romero stifled the former champion’s work with a brilliant strategy and yet another vicious knockout in the third round (his eighth of that description). Connor and Pat break it down in detail, before covering the other highlights of a very entertaining pay-per-view, including Curtis Blaydes’ impressive win in the co-main event, Jake Matthews finally putting the pieces together on the undercard, and the electrifying UFC debut of Israel Adesanya.

After that, a preview of next week’s main event, Donald Cerrone vs Yancy Medeiros, plus a quick look at a compelling matchup between Francisco Trinaldo and the surging James Vick.

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And if your appetite for spicy fight analysis and banter just can’t be sated, you would do well to check out our Patreon. Halfway through January, and we’ve already got two new bonus shows for you. Bloody Elbow’s own Phil Mackenzie returned for another episode of The Underdogs, where we talk about journeymen and unsung pugs. This time, the focus is on John Makdessi, whose blending of efficient boxing with tricky Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate heralded a new era of MMA striking. There is also our 2017 year-end awards, which we persist in calling the Handies. No grown-ups allowed.

You can hear both bonus episodes via the Heavy Hands Patreon, where $3 a month gets you access to all of our bonus content. If you’d like a preview first, you can check out a teaser of our awards show, here, and you can also listen to the episode one of The Underdogs in its entirety, for free, right here.