This week on the SPR Sports News Podcast, Sean Ryan breaks down a surprisingly loaded fight card headlined by Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez. What looks like a “slow sports week” on the surface actually turns into a deep dive into stylistic matchups, betting angles, divisional implications, and the controversy surrounding Strickland’s ongoing war of words ahead of the main event.

Sean walks through key prelim fights, including Julianna Miller vs. Carly Judice, Jordan Leavitt vs. Yadier DelValle, and Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Daniel Soriano, highlighting prospects, short-notice replacements, and which underdogs are worth a real look. On the main card, he breaks down Michel Pereira’s cardio questions against Zachary Reese, Geoff Neal’s pressure-heavy boxing vs. Uros Medic, and whether Dan Ige can once again derail a rising contender.

The main event discussion goes deeper than X’s and O’s. Sean addresses the public backlash over Strickland’s comments, the role of Paramount in censorship debates, and why combat sports operate under a different code than mainstream leagues. He explains why Anthony Hernandez’s grappling could be the most legitimate threat Strickland has faced at middleweight in years—and why this might be the fight where talk finally catches up to consequences.

Outside the Octagon, the show touches on major storylines from the Winter Olympics, including the shocking collapse of the “Quad God” in the finals and injury updates on Lindsey Vonn. In baseball, spring training begins, the World Baseball Classic approaches, and Sean reacts to bold comments from Bryce Harper about hitting in front of Aaron Judge. He also weighs in on fighting in MLB, intentional plunking, and how analytics have changed the game’s edge.

To close it out, Sean gives an unfiltered take on the current state of the NBA—from declining ratings to foul culture, tanking, and why regular season basketball doesn’t hit like it used to. He explains why a Nuggets vs. OKC Finals feels inevitable and why the Eastern Conference might not be ready.

No fake hype. Just breakdowns, context, and straight opinions.

Questions Answered in This Episode:

• Can Anthony Hernandez’s grappling finally expose Sean Strickland’s middleweight defense?
• Is Sean Strickland’s controversy actually bad for the UFC—or part of the fight business?
• Who are the best betting underdogs on this UFC Fight Night card?
• Does Geoff Neal’s strength of schedule give him the edge over Uros Medic?
• Why is Michel Pereira dangerous early but vulnerable late?
• What happened to the “Quad God” at the Winter Olympics finals?
• Is Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic career officially over after her latest surgeries?
• Could Bryce Harper have a career-defining World Baseball Classic batting in front of Aaron Judge?
• Should MLB bring back fighting to stop intentional hit-by-pitches?
• Why are NBA ratings declining despite massive revenue growth?
• Is tanking and foul culture hurting the NBA regular season?
• Are the Denver Nuggets or OKC the real favorites to win the NBA title?
• Why might Anthony Hernandez be the best stylistic matchup for Khamzat Chimaev at 185?

Typically, episodes come out on Tuesday but with moving, I have been slow to produce and upload the episodes. In March, we should return to our normal Tuesday schedule.

Episode 9: From Bust to Champion – The Most Unlikely Story

In Episode 9 of SPR Sports News, Sean Ryan breaks down one of the most fascinating championship arcs in recent memory—how the Seattle Seahawks dominated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl and how Sam Darnold completed the ultimate redemption story.

For three quarters, this game was a defensive war. Seattle built a 12–0 lead off field goals, suffocating pressure, and a simple but brutal defensive plan: blitz the rookies and force mistakes. Drake Maye was sacked six times and turned the ball over three times, including a strip sack and a pick-six that broke the game open. The final stat line may look respectable, but Sean explains why context matters—and why “garbage time” production doesn’t tell the real story.

On the other side, Kenneth Walker III delivered a Super Bowl MVP performance with 135 rushing yards, controlling tempo and closing the door. Sean also revisits the MVP debate involving Matthew Stafford and why strength of schedule must matter in these conversations.

The episode then shifts to UFC storylines, including injury updates on Tom Aspinall, interim title possibilities around Jon Jones, and a breakout performance from Mario Bautista. Sean debates what’s next at bantamweight and why merit should outweigh name value.

From there, it’s a quick but electric dive into the Winter Olympics—highlighting dominant figure skating performances and heartbreaking injuries—before closing with MLB momentum, including arbitration drama surrounding Tarik Skubal and major pitching moves involving Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez.

As always, Sean calls out hypocrisy, separates narrative from reality, and looks ahead to what next season could bring across the NFL, UFC, and MLB.

Questions Answered in This Episode

• How did the Seattle Seahawks shut down the Patriots in the Super Bowl?
• Did Drake Maye struggle because of injuries or defensive pressure?
• Is Sam Darnold’s redemption one of the best QB turnarounds ever?
• Should strength of schedule factor into the NFL MVP debate?
• Who should fight for the UFC bantamweight interim title?
• What’s next for Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones?
• Was Mario Bautista’s performance elite-level championship material?
• Which MLB team has the best pitching rotation heading into the season?
• Did the Tigers make the right call with Tarik Skubal’s arbitration?

Timestamps

0:00 – 30:29 | NFL Super Bowl Breakdown Seattle vs. New England analysis, Kenneth Walker MVP case, Drake Maye evaluation, Sam Darnold redemption arc, MVP debate, NFC vs AFC outlook, young QB class discussion, and early 2025 Super Bowl predictions.

30:29 – 40:37 | UFC Discussion Tom Aspinall eye surgery update, Jon Jones title uncertainty, interim belt scenarios, Mario Bautista’s statement win, bantamweight rankings debate.

40:37 – 44:04 | Winter Olympics Highlights Dominant figure skating performances, incredible endurance feats, and major injury storylines.

44:04 – 48:00 | MLB News & Outlook Tarik Skubal arbitration, Tigers pitching upgrades with Verlander and Valdez, early division outlook.

48:00 – 48:27 | Closing Thoughts Season recap, what’s next for SPR Sports News, and preview of next week’s MLB division predictions.

New episodes drop every Tuesday.

(I was late on this one. I am in the middle of moving. It's taking a while to pack and unpack everything. I am as slow as Lindsey Vonn right now.)

This is "Season 9. Episode 1"

Some of these episodes get split up, so I separate them by seasons.

This is SPR Sports News!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, FOLLOW, LIKE, LOVE, COMMENT, SHARE, REPOST, STORY, TAG....

The Super Bowl is finally here, and for once it’s not the matchup anyone had penciled in back in August. I break down Seahawks vs Patriots without forcing a narrative — who actually has the pressure, why Sam Darnold’s run is real whether people like it or not, and what Drake Maye has to do if New England wants a shot. I talk spread vs reality, why special teams still decide championships, and why this game could either be a classic or fall apart fast.

From there, I get into UFC 325, starting with the prelims and working all the way through Alexander Volkanovski reminding everyone that experience still matters. Volk doesn’t have the knockout power anymore, but his footwork, speed, and fight IQ are still elite. Benoit Saint-Denis makes adjustments mid-fight, Dan Hooker takes another brutal loss, and I get into the uncomfortable conversation about when wars start doing more harm than good.

I also break down Roofie vs Fiziev, Tai Tuivasa’s conditioning issues, questionable judging in Australia, and what the heavyweight division actually looks like right now. Then I close with matchmaking ideas, a full UFC Fight Night preview, and why Shavkat Rahmonov being removed from the rankings while Colby Covington stays is complete nonsense.

No manufactured drama — just what actually happened, what matters, and what’s next.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro & what’s covered (Super Bowl + UFC 325)

01:15 Super Bowl overview & why viewership may dip

03:30 Sam Darnold’s career turnaround

06:30 Seahawks season context & why this run is real

09:30 Patriots defense & Drake Maye’s postseason play

12:30 Special teams, turnovers & how teams actually win Super Bowls

15:40 Pressure comparison: Seahawks vs Patriots

18:30 Spread talk, matchup reality & game prediction

22:00 Best Super Bowl storylines & what you want to see

24:20 Transition to UFC 32525:10 Early prelims thoughts & judging issues

28:00 Tai Tuivasa vs Teixeira & heavyweight rant

31:20 Roofie vs Fiziev breakdown34:20 Benoit Saint-Denis vs Dan Hooker & retirement talk

38:20 Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes – old Volk still winning

41:30 Post-fight matchmaking & quick UFC Fight Night picks

44:30 Shavkat Rahmonov / Colby Covington rankings rant

45:40 Wrap-up & sign-off

Questions Answered

• Can Sam Darnold really win a Super Bowl?
• Which team has more pressure: Seahawks or Patriots?
• Why are special teams still deciding NFL championships?
• Did Alexander Volkanovski prove he’s still elite?
• Should Dan Hooker retire after UFC 325?
• What went wrong for Rafael Fiziev?
• Is the UFC heavyweight division broken?
• Who should Benoit Saint-Denis fight next?
• Why was Shavkat Rahmonov removed from the rankings?
• Does Colby Covington still belong in the UFC top 15?

They’re back. Somehow… the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl. AGAIN. New England punches its ticket for Super Bowl #12, setting up a throwback matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, and we break down exactly how it happened, why people are mad about it, and why none of that actually matters.

This episode kicks off with college football chaos, as the Playoff Committee drops new rules that immediately light the internet on fire — including automatic bids, Notre Dame favoritism, and the SEC taking a real hit in perception. If you’re tired of the same tired narratives, this conversation goes where most shows won’t.

From there, it’s straight into the AFC and NFC Championship Games. Patriots vs Broncos in brutal weather, missed kicks, and a game that felt over before it ever really opened up. Then one of the best NFC title games we’ve seen all year, as the Seahawks outlast the Rams in a rivalry that delivered every single time. Sam Darnold’s story, Stafford’s MVP case, and why Seattle might be the most battle-tested team in football right now.

And then… UFC is officially back. UFC 324 delivered violence, controversy, weird judging debates, breakout performances, and some brutally honest takes — including Gaethje vs Pimblett, O’Malley’s next move, heavyweight madness, and what actually mattered on a chaotic card.

The episode wraps with a full UFC 325 preview, including Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2, who’s being fed to the wolves, who’s getting pushed, and why this card feels very different from UFC 324.

NFL, college football, UFC — Just real breakdowns, real opinions, and calling things exactly how they are.

🔍 Questions Answered in This Episode

• How did the Patriots win the AFC Championship despite brutal weather and limited offense?

• Why do people keep saying New England had a “cupcake” path — and is it fair?

• Did the Broncos cost themselves the game with key fourth-down decisions?

• What made the Seahawks vs Rams NFC Championship one of the best games of the season?

• Is Sam Darnold playing at an MVP level heading into the Super Bowl?

• Who really deserves the NFL MVP?

• Did the College Football Playoff Committee get it right with the new rules?

• Why does Notre Dame keep getting special treatment?

• Was UFC 324 actually a success on Paramount+?

• Did Sean O’Malley clearly beat Song Yadong?

• Is Paddy Pimblett overrated after the Gaethje fight?

• Who wins Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2 at UFC 325?

• Is this potentially the end of Alexander Volkanovski’s career?

⏱️ Episode 7 Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Championship weekend, UFC is back

01:10 – College Football Playoff rule changes explained

06:30 – Notre Dame automatic bid & SEC backlash

12:40 – Recruiting shifts, NIL impact & conference power changes

17:45 – AFC Championship: Patriots vs Broncos breakdown

22:30 – Weather impact, missed kicks & Denver’s key mistakes

26:40 – Drake Maye playoff performance & Patriots criticism

30:30 – NFC Championship: Seahawks vs Rams instant classic

35:45 – Sam Darnold’s run & why Seattle earned this

40:40 – Stafford vs Drake Maye MVP debate

44:30 – Pro Bowl controversy & league optics

47:30 – UFC 324 recap begins

49:40 – Main card reactions (O’Malley, Gaethje, heavyweights)

53:20 – UFC on Paramount+ reaction & ratings

55:10 – UFC 325 preview: Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2

57:20 – Final thoughts & episode wrap-up

In this segment, I shift to Major League Baseball and break down two moves that say a lot about where the league is right now — and where some teams are completely dropping the ball. I start with the Yankees backing off Cody Bellinger and why Scott Boras negotiations continue to hurt his own clients as much as they help them. We talk contract expectations, market reality, and why Bellinger’s asking price doesn’t line up with what he actually is as a player at this stage of his career.

From there, I get into the Cubs landing Alex Bregman and why, despite the massive price tag, it actually makes sense for Chicago. We talk roster construction, elite defense, fit at Wrigley, and why the Cubs might be one of the most quietly well-built teams in baseball heading into the season.

I also hit on a bigger issue that keeps popping up: why teams like the Yankees and Red Sox are suddenly acting like small-market franchises in a sport with no salary cap. If you’re one of the richest organizations in sports history, there’s no excuse for constantly pulling back when it’s time to spend. Meanwhile, other teams are putting their money where their mouth is and building real contenders.

No hot-take nonsense — just context, roster logic, and honest frustration with how MLB’s biggest brands are handling business.

Timestamp

0:00 MLB offseason thoughts begin

0:30 Yankees backing off Cody Bellinger

1:40 Scott Boras contract problems

2:40 Why Bellinger’s asking price doesn’t make sense

3:30 Cubs sign Alex Bregman

4:30 Why the move actually works for Chicago

5:20 Big-market teams refusing to spend

6:00 Final MLB thoughts

Questions that I answer

Why did the Yankees back off Cody Bellinger?

Is Scott Boras hurting his own clients?

Did the Cubs overpay for Alex Bregman?

Does Alex Bregman fit at Wrigley Field?

Are the Yankees and Red Sox acting like small-market teams?

Why do MLB teams refuse to spend without a salary cap?

Are the Cubs built better than the Brewers, Mets, and Phillies?

Who’s actually building a contender the right way in MLB?

Episode 6 Segments

6.1 - College Football - National Championship Game!! A Beautiful End to a Fairy Tale Story

6.2 - NFL - Sloppiest NFL Divisional Round Ever Ryan Clark Needs to Stop

6.3 - UFC - UFC 324! Finally MMA Is Back!!!

6.4 - MLB - Have the Dodgers ruined MLB???

UFC is finally back, and it’s been a long six weeks. In this episode, I break down UFC 324 from top to bottom, starting with the early prelims and working all the way to the interim title fight. I go through the matchups that actually matter, the fights worth paying attention to, and which ones feel like guaranteed chaos.

On the prelims, I highlight sneaky fun fights like Ricky Turcios vs Cameron Smotherman, why Michael Johnson is always dangerous as an underdog, and why Ateba Gautier might be one of the scariest prospects in the sport right now. I also break down Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo and why that fight likely comes down to whether Figueiredo can land early.

On the main card, I get into Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva, Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas, and why flyweight just isn’t Rose’s division anymore. We also get into one of the most entertaining heavyweight matchups possible with Derrick Lewis vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta — two guys who sell fights better than almost anyone in the division.

Finally, I give full predictions for Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong and the interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, including how Paddy actually wins if this fight hits the ground. No fake hype, no narrative pushing — just real breakdowns, matchup logic, and honest picks.

🥊 UFC 324 Segment – Chapter Timestamps (starts at 0:00)

0:00 UFC is finally back (ESPN → Paramount, long break)

0:45 Prelims overview & fights to watch

1:20 Ty Miller vs Adam Fugitt

1:55 Ricky Turcios vs Cameron Smotherman (high pace)

2:45 Josh Hockett vs Denzel Freeman (early KO talk)

3:25 Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez

4:40 Alex Perez vs Charles Johnson

5:45 Krylov vs Bukauskas (which version shows up?)

6:50 Ateba Gautier vs Andre (lock of the card)

8:30 Umar Nurmagomedov vs Figueiredo preview

9:50 Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva

10:45 Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas

11:30 Derrick Lewis vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta

12:10 O’Malley vs Song Yadong

12:40 Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett pick

13:00 Final UFC thoughts

Questions that I answer

Is UFC 324 worth watching?

Who should you watch on the UFC 324 prelims?

Is Ateba Gautier the scariest prospect in UFC?

Can Umar Nurmagomedov lose before a title shot?

Is Rose Namajunas done at flyweight?

Who wins Derrick Lewis vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta?

Does Sean O’Malley lose to Song Yadong?

Can Paddy Pimblett actually beat Justin Gaethje?

Is Gaethje past his prime?

What’s the best bet on UFC 324?

Episode 6 Segments

6.1 - College Football - National Championship Game!! A Beautiful End to a Fairy Tale Story

6.2 - NFL - Sloppiest NFL Divisional Round Ever Ryan Clark Needs to Stop

6.3 - UFC - UFC 324! Finally MMA Is Back!!!

6.4 - MLB - Have the Dodgers ruined MLB???

Episode 6.2 of the SPR Sports News Podcast shifts fully into the NFL — and it’s not pretty. Sean Ryan breaks down what may have been the sloppiest Divisional Round weekend in recent memory, filled with brutal quarterback play, nonstop turnovers, coaching failures, and media narratives that completely missed the point.

The episode opens with an unfiltered rant on ESPN, Ryan Clark, and the Mike Tomlin situation in Pittsburgh. Sean pushes back on race-baiting narratives, questions how ESPN chooses which stories to amplify, and explains why sports coverage should be about performance — not manufactured controversy.

From there, it’s all football. Bills vs Broncos turns into a turnover disaster as Josh Allen melts down, Bo Nix outplays a former MVP, and Buffalo implodes despite a strong defensive effort. Sean breaks down why the Bills lost this game themselves — and why Bo Nix deserves far more credit than he’s getting.

The Patriots-Texans game is even uglier. C.J. Stroud delivers one of the worst postseason quarterback performances in recent history, wasting a dominant Houston defense with interceptions, fumbles, and poor decision-making. Sean explains why this loss falls squarely on the quarterback — and why coaching failed to step in.

Seattle’s blowout of San Francisco stands out as the cleanest game of the weekend, with dominant defense, elite special teams, and a blueprint for how championships are actually won. The episode closes with Bears vs Rams, Caleb Williams’ rollercoaster performance, weather impacts, and why turnovers once again decided everything.

No excuses. No narratives. Just calling bad football bad football — and giving credit where it’s earned.

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – ESPN narratives, Ryan Clark & bad media takes

06:30 – Why ESPN keeps missing the real football story

11:45 – Bills vs Broncos: sloppy playoff football

17:00 – Josh Allen vs Bo Nix: chaos vs efficiency

22:30 – Patriots vs Texans: turnovers ruin the game

27:30 – Seahawks vs 49ers: how clean football wins

31:45 – Final thoughts on the Divisional Round

ESPN / Media

• Why did Mike Tomlin leave the Steelers?
• Is ESPN race baiting for ratings?
• Ryan Clark Mike Tomlin controversy explained
• Why does ESPN push bad narratives?

Bills vs Broncos

• What happened to Josh Allen vs Broncos?
• Josh Allen playoff turnovers breakdown
• How did Bo Nix beat the Bills?
• Why did the Bills lose to the Broncos?
• Is Josh Allen a playoff choker?

Patriots vs Texans

• Worst quarterback playoff performances ever
• How many turnovers did the Texans have?
• Did C.J. Stroud cost Houston the game?
• Why didn’t the Texans bench Stroud?

Seahawks vs 49ers

• How did Seahawks dominate the 49ers?
• Are the Seahawks Super Bowl favorites?

Bears vs Rams

• Caleb Williams playoff performance analysis
• Bears vs Rams cold weather game breakdown
• Did turnovers cost the Bears the game?
• Is Caleb Williams already a top QB?

Episode 6 Segments

6.1 - College Football - National Championship Game!! A Beautiful End to a Fairy Tale Story

6.2 - NFL - Sloppiest NFL Divisional Round Ever Ryan Clark Needs to Stop

6.3 - UFC - UFC 324! Finally MMA Is Back!!!

6.4 - MLB - Have the Dodgers ruined MLB???

The college football season ends with a national championship that feels impossible on paper and unforgettable on the field. In Episode 6.1 of the SPR Sports News Podcast, Sean Ryan breaks down Indiana’s perfect 16–0 season and national title — one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college football history.

Indiana, a program with more losses than any team ever, goes from decades of failure to Heisman winner, Coach of the Year, and a championship. Sean dives into the NIL and payroll numbers to shut down the “they bought it” narrative, comparing Indiana directly to Miami, Ohio State, Texas, and Notre Dame — and why the numbers tell a very different story than the headlines.

The championship game itself gets a full breakdown, including Mendoza’s iconic fourth-and-five run, Indiana’s wide receivers making NFL-level plays, Miami’s strong rushing attack, and the officiating decisions that shaped the flow of the game. Sean explains why the lack of flags mattered and how it kept the game closer than it probably should have been.

This episode also turns into a deeper conversation about ESPN, Disney, and modern sports media. Sean goes off on ESPN’s coverage of the College Football Playoff, the constant push for big-market programs like Miami, and how Indiana’s historic season was largely ignored until it became unavoidable. That criticism extends to ESPN’s decision to repeatedly spotlight a pornstar during the national championship broadcast — raising questions about ratings, money, and where the line should be when a Disney-owned network is broadcasting to kids.

Celebration, frustration, analysis, and ranting all rolled into one episode.

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – National Championship intro & why this story is different

02:10 – Indiana’s history & rise under Coach Cignetti

06:05 – NIL & payroll numbers: debunking the “bought title” claim

10:45 – Miami vs Indiana: postseason context & rivalry angles

14:30 – Mendoza’s 4th-and-5 touchdown run

17:05 – Indiana’s receivers & big-time plays

20:15 – Officiating decisions & no-flag approach

22:45 – ESPN, Disney & the broadcast controversy

25:30 – Closing thoughts on Indiana’s championship run

Indiana vs Miami Game Breakdown

• Indiana vs Miami national championship breakdown
• How did Indiana beat Miami?
• What happened in the Indiana Miami championship game?

Officiating & Game Flow

• Were the refs bad in the national championship game?
• Why were there no pass interference calls?
• Was targeting missed in the national championship?
• Refs keeping flags in pockets explained

ESPN and Disney

• Did ESPN ignore Indiana all season?
• Did money really decide this championship?
• Was this the greatest college football story ever?

Indiana Story

• How did Indiana win the national championship?
• Was Indiana’s season the greatest turnaround in college football?
• How bad was Indiana football before this championship?
• Who is Coach Cignetti and how did he change Indiana football?

Episode 6 Segments

6.1 - College Football - National Championship Game!! A Beautiful End to a Fairy Tale Story

6.2 - NFL - Sloppiest NFL Divisional Round Ever Ryan Clark Needs to Stop

6.3 - UFC - UFC 324! Finally MMA Is Back!!!

6.4 - MLB - Have the Dodgers ruined MLB???