Video: What the Heck, Episode 40: Michael Chiesa, Anthony Pettis, Jon Anik and James Krause

On this week’s episode of What the Heck, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa (6:36) to preview his upcoming main event matchup with Neil Magny at UFC Fight Island 8 on Jan. 20, discuss how the fight got bumped up after Khamzat Chimaev was scratched from the originally scheduled headliner with Leon Edwards, why he thought he might have lost the fight with Magny altogether once that news came out, how he sees the fight playing out, and also talks the other main events on the trip to Abu Dhabi.

UFC announcer Jon Anik (30:23) returns to put a bow on 2020 and look ahead to the promotion’s triple header on Fight Island beginning with UFC Fight Island 7 headlined by Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar and culminating with the rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, talks Khabib Nurmagomedov’s future, Dana White’s relationship with the MMA media, and gives his thoughts on the criticism Joe Rogan has received.

Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis (57:30) discusses his decision to sign with the PFL, what it was like to sign a new contract after such a long tenure between the WEC and the UFC, the importance of working with a sports psychologist and having a new mindset towards the fight game, thoughts on two-time lightweight season champion Natan Schulte, and wanting to become the face of the promotion.

Finally, UFC welterweight James Krause (1:23:38) gives his side on why the promotion decided not to book the fight between he and Joaquin Buckley, talks whether or not he’s still interested in that matchup, Diego Sanchez calling him out via direct message on Instagram, thoughts on Sanchez’s coach Joshua Fabia, preparing Megan Anderson for her title fight against Amanda Nunes, and more.

Check out the video above, or the audio-only podcast can be found below, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Stitcher.