Stipe Miocic has waited over a year since losing the UFC heavyweight title to Daniel Cormier for his rematch. On Saturday night in Anaheim at UFC 241, he finally gets the fight he—and the MMA world—have been waiting for. News-Herald sports editor Mark Podolski, who covered Miocic’s loss to Cormier last July and has been in contact with the former champion this week, joins the show to discuss whether Miocic made the right decision to wait out Cormier instead of accepting another opponent, the injury that has kept Cormier out of the octagon since November, and the stakes for Saturday’s championship bout. Podolski also goes into Miocic’s refusal to engage in the antics that have made other UFC stars more marketable, as well as the former champ’s feelings on Brock Lesnar.
Plus: A quick primer on the upcoming high school football season, which will be the final campaign in the decorated career of longtime Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno.
Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from Getty Images | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin
It’s been a busy 10 days since The Nail guys have convened to record a pod. Stipe Miocic successfully defended his UFC heavyweight title and already has another opponent lined up for July. WWE put on a surprisingly great Royal Rumble pay-per-view headlined by the first women’s Rumble match (and Ronda Rousey!). The Cavs have gone to hell and back, and are finally starting to show signs of life—although for reasons both on and off the court, Isaiah Thomas’ future looks as murky as ever. And finally—FINALLY—the Indians announced Chief Wahoo is going away (well, sort of). As they have every step of the way with their embattled logo, the Indians continue to take the hardest road possible in moving on. The guys cover that and more in a busy, wide-ranging edition of The Nail.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is defending his title against Francis Ngannou on Saturday night, and News-Herald sports editor Mark Podolski is in Boston to cover the fight. Podolski has known Miocic since the champ was a wrestler for Eastlake North High School and a placekicker for the school’s football team, and he has followed Miocic closely throughout his MMA career. In his latest appearance on The Nail, Podolski shares stories from Miocic’s high school years, sets the scene at UFC’s media day on Thursday, previews the fight as Miocic tries to become the first UFC heavyweight champ to reach three successful title defenses, and gives a rundown on the red-hot, trash talkin’ challenger Ngannou. ... Plus: WWE Raw will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Monday night. The guys relive memories of WWE’s flagship show, including the time Tom went down to the then-Gund Arena, and was left standing outside without a ticket as a historic episode got underway.
The NFL season is here, and the guys try their level best to get excited about the Browns. Is the team tanking? (Depends on how you define "tanking.") Is there anything to look forward to this year? (Actually, yes!) What will constitute a successful season? (It’s a pretty low bar.) ... PLUS: Quick thoughts on UFC 203 in Cleveland and college football's opening weekend.
Dropped a big leg, hit ’em with a steel chair, threw them through the Barber Shop window…Take your pick of wrestling metaphors. Kevin Durant made a shocking heel turn this week by walking away from the Thunder to join the Warriors. The guys dive into NBA free agency with the fallout of the most surprising move in six years, as well as its implications for the Cavs and the rest of the league. … Plus: From memes and custom championship belts to T-shirts and locker room beer baths, WWE has developed an unlikely crossover appeal with mainstream pro sports and Sports Illustrated’s oral history of ‘American Gladiators.’
