Episode 580 Delivers NEW Partnership, Mighty Mouse, Dominick Cruz & ALL the UFC 324 Chaos

By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas

WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas faithful! BUCKLE UP because after a six-week hiatus that felt like six YEARS, Jon Anik and Kenny Florian are BACK with the most loaded podcast episode of 2026. I’m talking Year 11. I’m talking a MASSIVE new partnership with All The Smoke Productions. I’m talking Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson dropping wisdom bombs. I’m talking UFC Hall of Famer Dominick Cruz getting emotional. And YES—I’m talking about that ABSOLUTE BANGER between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett that kicked off the Paramount Plus era at UFC 324!

Listen, if you’re not subscribed to The Anik & Florian Podcast yet, what are you even doing with your life? Episode 580 is a MASTERCLASS in what makes MMA podcasting great. Let’s break it down, Fight Bananas style. — (Use code “ONEMORESLEEP” for discount on all merchandise on Jon Anik’s website)

🎙️ ALL THE SMOKE PRODUCTIONS: THE NEW POWER MOVE

Jon Anik wasn’t playing around when he said they’re “absolutely elated” to align with All The Smoke Productions. This isn’t just a partnership—this is a STATEMENT. After a decade of grinding independently, the Anik & Florian show has linked up with one of the biggest names in sports media, and you can FEEL the energy shift immediately.

The production value? ELEVATED. The guest access? UNMATCHED. The content? About to get even MORE fire than it already was. When Anik says this is “a new dawn” for the podcast, he means it. We’re talking Year 11 with a STACKED lineup right out of the gate.

📺 WATCH THE FULL EPISODE:

The Anik & Florian Podcast Episode 580 on YouTube

🥊 GAETHJE vs Pimblett: THE FIGHT THAT STARTED IT ALL

Let’s talk about the ELEPHANT in the octagon, Justin Gaethje just became the youngest interim lightweight champion in UFC history at 37 years old. Yeah, you read that right. THIRTY-SEVEN. The man they call “The Highlight” went out there against Paddy Pimblett in the first Paramount Plus main event and delivered EXACTLY what this sport needed.

Kenny Florian nailed it when he said: “Both guys delivered. They weren’t fighting to protect something—they were going for it.” And goddamn if that isn’t the perfect summary. This wasn’t a calculated chess match. This was VIOLENCE. This was what happens when two warriors decide that glory matters more than safety.

Now, here’s the thing though, and Anik brought this up PERFECTLY, there’s been some criticism. Josh Barnett said the technique looked like “prelim” level. Matt Brown wasn’t impressed. But you know what? For a brand NEW audience on Paramount Plus, this fight was EXACTLY what the doctor ordered. Action. Heart. Toughness. Gaethje’s heavyweight hands meeting Pimblett’s Liverpool chin over and over again. That’s MARKETING, baby!

Paddy Pimblett gained a TON of fans in defeat. The man refused to go down. He kept fighting back. And while his game plan (or lack thereof) was questionable, more on that in a second, his toughness was NEVER in question. The thesis statement “Scousers don’t get knocked out” held up. Barely. But it held up.

🐭 DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON: THE GOAT SPEAKS

Okay guys, if you’re not following Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson on YouTube, you’re missing OUT. The man is a CONTENT MACHINE. But hearing him break down the Gaethje-Pimblett fight? THAT’S why he’s on every Mount Rushmore.

DJ didn’t hold back: “Paddy shot, Justin Gaethje had him in a head and arm. He goes to his back and starts hitting him. It’s like, you should have locked in a seatbelt, stuffed him back, went to knee ride and then start pounding him.”

THAT’S the difference between GOOD fighters and GREAT fighters. DJ sees the fight within the fight. He’s watching Pimblett’s corner yelling “You need to shoot! Commit on a single leg!” and he’s thinking: Gaethje hasn’t submitted anybody since 2012. The blueprint is RIGHT THERE. Takedown, control, submission. Instead? Pimblett decided to stand and bang with one of the most dangerous strikers in UFC history.

When DJ talks about Matt Hume telling him “You’re not that good” in the gym? THAT’S how champions are built. That’s the humility and honest coaching that separates the contenders from the champions. Ego kills careers. Honest feedback builds legacies.

And can we talk about DJ’s current life for a second? Homeschooling his kids, running a FIRE YouTube channel, dropping manga projects, launching an electrolyte line, training Jiu-Jitsu with Mikey Musumeci… The man is THRIVING in retirement. He’s living proof that fighters CAN have a life after fighting—and it can be BETTER than their fighting career if they plan it right.

NEW LOOK, SAME CREW ! @Jon_Anik & @kennyflorian recap #ufc324 with @MightyMouse LIVE

THE @AnikFlorianPod powered by @ats_fight https://t.co/916bL45Uui pic.twitter.com/6UAfXPyeHG

— Anik & Florian Podcast (@AnikFlorianPod) January 26, 2026

🏆 Dominick CRUZ: HALL OF FAME EMOTIONS

NOT TODAY TEARS… NOT TODAY! That was Dominick Cruz’s mantra going into his UFC Hall of Fame announcement at UFC 324. The man was DETERMINED not to cry on live television. And you know what? He held it together. BARELY.

But hearing Dom talk about the experience on the podcast? You can tell it hit different. “It was almost so overwhelming the tears couldn’t even come out,” he said. “You’re just like, what the hell is going on? This is crazy.” When you think about everything Cruz has been through—the injuries, the comebacks, the wars with Faber and Dillashaw and Cody—getting that Hall of Fame moment is EARNED.

And can we please talk about DJ’s emotional award acceptance that they pulled up? Watching Mighty Mouse completely LOSE IT trying to thank Matt Hume and his family was BEAUTIFUL. That’s REAL. That’s what this sport is about—the relationships, the sacrifices, the journey. 

Dom’s right though—the actual Hall of Fame induction ceremony is going to hit even HARDER. When he’s standing there with his family, giving that speech, looking back at a career that redefined what it means to be a bantamweight champion? Yeah, the waterworks are coming. And we’re ALL going to be crying with him.

🎤 CHRIS WEIDMAN: THE ALL-AMERICAN ON THE DESK

Let’s give it up for Chris Weidman making his Paramount Plus analyst debut! The former UFC middleweight champ brought that PROFESSIONAL energy to the desk alongside Michael Bisping and Dominick Cruz, and let me tell you—Ray Longo wasn’t exaggerating when he called Weidman “intelligent.”

Weidman’s breakdown of the Gaethje-Pimblett fight was SPOT-ON. He recognized the awkwardness of Pimblett’s style, questioned the game plan (“Why are we not trying to wrestle?”), and gave Gaethje credit for making the smart adjustment—NOT throwing leg kicks early to avoid getting taken down. That’s the kind of insight that separates former fighters who can analyze from former fighters who can ANALYZE.

Plus, the banter with Ray Longo? GOLD. These guys have spent so much time together that their chemistry translates PERFECTLY to broadcast. When Longo started roasting Weidman’s old fight preparations (“I’d turn the TV on. That’s all I needed to know. When he was on a roll… nobody was touching him”), you could feel that authentic coach-fighter relationship.

LEGENDS on LEGENDS today as @chrisweidman joins the @raylongomma minute with @Jon_Anik and @kennyflorian with @ats_fight powering the debut! https://t.co/vAif8rLtWi pic.twitter.com/bQnRTXUW4h

— Anik & Florian Podcast (@AnikFlorianPod) January 26, 2026

🎯 THE RAY LONGO MINUTE: ABSOLUTE CHAOS

The ceremonial cigar. The “would you rathers.” The absolute SHADE thrown at fighters. The Ray Longo Minute is BACK and it’s better than ever. This week, Anik came prepared with CUSTOM would-you-rather questions instead of pulling them from the internet, and Ray actually engaged!

Hot yoga in a Speedo vs. singing Whitney Houston at karaoke three times? Ray’s taking Whitney. Finding $1,000 on the ground but hurting your back vs. not finding the money? Ray’s leaving the cash. That’s WISDOM right there. When you get to a certain age, avoiding injury trumps EVERYTHING.

But the REAL gold was Longo’s fight analysis. He called Gaethje “out of control” and “fighting like a lunatic,” but acknowledged that’s EXACTLY what makes him special. “Listen, that’s what people pay for,” Ray said. And he’s not wrong. Gaethje’s NEVER going to be the most technical fighter, but he’s going to give you a SHOW. Every. Single. Time.

The concern about Gaethje’s speech and future against Toporia? That’s REAL. Longo’s not just analyzing—he’s CARING. “I do worry about Gaethje a little bit. I think he’s starting to slur his words a little bit.” When your coach is publicly expressing concern, you LISTEN. The Toporia fight terrifies me for Justin, and Ray laid out exactly why.

💎 OTHER GEMS FROM EPISODE 580

• Alex Perez Talks Weight Cut Struggles: The flyweight contender got HONEST about missing weight against Charles Johnson, breaking out with SHINGLES two weeks before the fight, and why taking back-to-back camps was a mistake. That’s the kind of transparency we need more of in this sport.
• Sean O’Malley’s Maturity: Kenny’s breakdown of Suga’s performance against Song Yadong highlighted something CRUCIAL—O’Malley went into Round 3 like he was down 0-2 and needed the finish. That mindset shift? That’s championship DNA developing in real time.
• Jean Silva’s Emotions: The Brazilian featherweight who cries more than Jon Anik (Anik’s words, not mine!) bounced back from his first UFC loss with a STATEMENT win over Arnold Allen. Ray Longo’s concern about his emotions affecting his performance is valid, but man, you can’t deny the TALENT.
• RJ Clifford’s Burst Fade: Shoutout to the MMA analyst showing up FRESH for the podcast. “If Gaethje wins, this is cool. If he loses, you may not ask me back.” Brother, you’re 40 years old rocking a burst fade and looking GOOD. Respect!

👀 LOOKING AHEAD: UFC 325 & BEYOND

This weekend brings us UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopez 2 in Sydney, and the guys DELIVERED their predictions. Ian Parker (THE DUCK!) is back for Place Your Bets, dropping $1,000 on Quillan Salkilld inside the distance, $500 on Teixeira by knockout, $1,500 on Rafael Fiziev, and $500 on Diego Lopez.

Kenny went with a SAFE parlay—Teixeira and Salkilld for $1,000, plus $1,000 straight on Fiziev, and $1,000 on Volkanovski. The split on the main event is INTERESTING. Can Diego Lopez make the necessary adjustments, or does Volkanovski’s championship experience prove too much again?

Anik’s headed to Australia for the event, and you KNOW next Monday’s episode is going to be LOADED with behind-the-scenes insights. The Anik & Florian Podcast is back to weekly episodes, and with All The Smoke Productions behind them, the sky’s the limit.

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🔥 THE BOTTOM LINE

Episode 580 of The Anik & Florian Podcast is ESSENTIAL viewing for any MMA fan. Whether you’re here for the UFC 324 breakdown, the Mighty Mouse wisdom, the Dominick Cruz emotions, or just the pure entertainment value of watching some of the best minds in MMA talk shop—this episode has EVERYTHING.

Jon Anik and Kenny Florian have built something SPECIAL over 11 years and 580 episodes. And with All The Smoke Productions now backing them? We’re about to enter a GOLDEN ERA of MMA podcasting.

Here’s the thing though, if you’re not subscribed yet, what are you waiting for? The Anik & Florian Podcast is appointment listening. Every Monday at 11 AM Eastern. Mark your calendars. Set your alarms. Tell your boss you’ve got a “meeting.” Whatever it takes.

Because in a sport that moves as fast as MMA, you need voices you can TRUST. You need analysis that goes DEEPER. You need entertainment that keeps you ENGAGED. And goddamn if The Anik & Florian Podcast doesn’t deliver all three.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO… LET’S GO! Year 11 is here, and it’s going to be SPECIAL.

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📺 WATCH THE EPISODE:

https://youtube.com/live/4SSnl3nTGXs?feature=share

🐦 FOLLOW CODY MERROW:

Twitter/X: @cody_merrow

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