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.

Stay tuned for Episode 6.3 where I talk about baseball and Episode 6.4 where I talk about UFC. Episode 6.1 was about college football.

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?
• Are sports shows focused on clicks instead of analysis?

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

• What went wrong for C.J. Stroud vs Patriots?
• 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?

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.

NFL, MLB, and UFC later this week!

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?
• Did officiating affect the Indiana Miami game?
• Was targeting missed in the national championship?
• Refs keeping flags in pockets explained

ESPN and Disney

• Did ESPN ignore Indiana all season?
• Was Miami overrated?
• Did money really decide this championship?
• Was this the greatest college football story ever?
• Did officiating keep the game close?
• Why is everyone mad at ESPN?

National Championship / Indiana Story

• How did Indiana win the national championship?
• Indiana Hoosiers national championship recap
• 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?

Welcome back to SPR Sports News. This episode is a full breakdown of a wild sports weekend, starting with a chaotic opening round of the NFL playoffs where most games came down to the final drive. I walk through what actually decided those games, where coaching mattered, and where teams flat-out beat themselves. There’s a deep dive into the Jaguars–Bills game, the Bears’ latest comeback, the Texans’ dominant defensive performance, and why some playoff teams are leaning way too hard on quarterbacks instead of playing smart football.

On the college side, we’re down to one game left. I break down the College Football Playoff semifinals, including Ole Miss–Miami and the controversial final play, why the pass interference debate misses the bigger picture, and why “keeping the flag in your pocket” late in games is a bad philosophy. I also cover Indiana’s demolition of Oregon and what to expect in the national championship, including matchups, spreads, and how this game could actually play out.

There’s also a quick but important MLB segment, covering two major moves: the Yankees backing off Cody Bellinger and the Cubs landing Alex Bregman, plus what it says about big-market teams refusing to spend like big-market teams.

To close it out, I start the early breakdown of UFC 324, hitting the main card, storylines, and early thoughts on Gaethje vs. Pimblett, O’Malley vs. Song Yadong, Derrick Lewis, and more, with a deeper fight-by-fight preview coming next week.

College Football / CFP

• Was that Ole Miss vs Miami play pass interference?
• Did the refs cost Ole Miss the game?
• Indiana vs Miami national championship preview
• Is Indiana the best team in college football?

NFL Playoffs

• Why did the Jaguars stop running the ball vs the Bills?
• Did Josh Allen outplay Trevor Lawrence?
• How did the Bears come back again in the playoffs?
• What went wrong with the Eagles offense?

Predictions / Betting

• NFL Divisional Round predictions and picks
• Which NFL teams are most likely to reach the Super Bowl?
• Best upset picks for NFL playoffs this week

MLB

• Why did the Yankees back off Cody Bellinger?
• Did the Cubs overpay Alex Bregman?

UFC

• Can Paddy Pimblett beat Justin Gaethje?
• Is Justin Gaethje too old to win at UFC 324?
• Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong who wins?

1:20 Ole Miss vs Miami breakdown

2:30 Was that final play pass interference?

3:40 Why refs shouldn’t “swallow the whistle”

6:40 Indiana dominates Oregon

7:20 National Championship (Indiana vs Miami)

10:20 Jaguars vs Bills coaching disaster

14:00 Bears pull off another comeback

17:20 Rams barely survive Panthers

20:00 49ers vs Eagles playoff rivalry

22:05 Chargers vs Patriots (Herbert debate)

23:20 Texans defense

27:25 Divisional Round predictions

28:40 Bills vs Broncos

30:10 Texans vs Patriots

32:05 Seahawks vs 49ers

34:05 Rams vs Bears

35:50 Yankees back off Cody Bellinger

37:40 Cubs sign Alex Bregman

42:30 UFC 324 preview

43:05 Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett

49:25 O’Malley vs Song Yadong

52:10 Derrick Lewis chaos fight

This episode is about results, not reputation. I break down the college football playoff games, what actually happened on the field, and why some teams advanced while others got exposed. Conference bias, bad assumptions, and lazy narratives get tested against matchups, game flow, and coaching decisions—not brand names.

I start with the college playoffs, going game by game through Indiana, Oregon, Miami, Ole Miss, and the teams that didn’t live up to the hype. We look at why certain “power” programs fell short, how defensive lines and quarterback decisions decided games, and why some wins look a lot different once you strip away the final score.

From there, the focus shifts to the NFL. I break down the most important games from the final week, including playoff clinchers, rivalry matchups, and games that exposed real strengths and real flaws. Seattle’s surge, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore, late-game execution, coaching decisions, and how defenses—not highlights—are shaping this postseason.

The episode ends with a full NFL playoff bracket done live. Every matchup, every pick, and the reasoning behind it—no edits, no walking it back. Some picks follow logic, some follow momentum, and some follow matchup problems that aren’t obvious on the surface.

If you want analysis that values context over noise and performance over reputation, this episode delivers exactly that.

BEST EPISODE YET!!!!!!!!!!

Approximate Time Stamps

00:00 Intro & Episode Focus

02:00 College Football Playoff Overview

05:30 Who Deserved to Make the CFP

10:30 SEC Bias, Alabama, and Reputation vs Results

16:30 Indiana, Oregon, Miami, and Playoff Reality 22:30 Ole Miss vs Georgia Breakdown

26:30 Live NFL Playoff Bracket Begins

30:40 NFC Bracket & Seeding

Logic 36:00 AFC Bracket Breakdown

41:40 Steelers vs Ravens Sunday Night Football

47:30 Seahawks, Defense, and Late-Season Momentum

53:30 Super Bowl Path Logic & Risk Picks

59:00 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Questions that I answer in the podcast:

Who deserved to make the College Football Playoff this season?

Is the SEC still the best conference in college football?

Why Alabama didn’t belong in the playoff conversation

How Indiana became the most complete team left in the CFP

What Miami’s defensive line does better than everyone else

Why Ole Miss vs Georgia exposed bad offensive play-calling

Why final scores lie about how close games really were

Which coaching decisions mattered most in the CFP games

Are Big Ten teams overtaking the SEC in college football?

What separates elite playoff defenses from average ones

Who are the real contenders heading into the NFL playoffs?

Why Seattle looks like the most complete NFL team right now

How defense and game management win playoff games

Which NFL teams are overrated based on record alone

Why quarterback efficiency matters more than highlight plays

How matchup problems decide playoff games

What makes a smart playoff bracket versus a blind pick

Which teams are peaking at the right time in January

Big games. Bigger opinions. No filter. On this episode of the SPR Sports News Podcast, Sean Ryan breaks down the College Football Playoff, massive NFL Week 18 chaos, playoff predictions, and why Ohio State is still the team to beat. From Derrick Henry carrying the Ravens to free-agent madness in MLB, this is real sports talk—no hot takes for clicks, just honest breakdowns and bold calls. Stick around to the end for a question YOU get to answer.

“Hand Derrick Henry the ball until the defense breaks—or you deserve to lose.”

“Ohio State is the team to beat. I don’t like them—but I’m not lying to you.”

About the NFL: “This isn’t a playoff race. It’s survival.”

“If someone’s offering you $250 million, you don’t ‘wait’—you sign.”

🎙️ Podcast Questions That I Answer

College Football

1. Is Ohio State clearly the best team in college football, or is Vegas overvaluing them?
2. Which College Football Playoff game is most likely to produce an upset?
3. Does experience matter more than talent in the CFP, and which team benefits most from that?
4. Is Georgia vs Ole Miss closer to a coin flip than the odds suggest?
5. Would Texas Tech advancing actually be better for college football as a whole?

NFL – Playoff Chaos

1. Which NFC South team deserves to make the playoffs—even if the record is ugly?
2. Is Sam Darnold playing the biggest game of his career against San Francisco?
3. If Seattle wins the NFC, are they the clear Super Bowl favorite?
4. Is San Francisco’s defense being overrated due to injuries and reputation?
5. Who benefits most from getting the NFC’s No. 1 seed this year?

Ravens vs Steelers

1. Is Derrick Henry the single most important non-QB player in the NFL right now?
2. Can the Ravens win if they don’t give Henry 30+ carries?
3. Is this truly Aaron Rodgers’ last meaningful NFL game?
4. Do the Ravens overthink themselves in big moments?

AFC Picture

1. Are the Patriots legit Super Bowl contenders or schedule merchants?
2. Which AFC team is the biggest fraud heading into the playoffs?
3. Is Josh Allen being asked to do too much for the Bills?
4. If the Ravens sneak in, are they the most dangerous lower seed?

MLB & Sports Business

1. Why are Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker still unsigned?
2. Is MLB hurting itself with how slow and quiet free agency has become?
3. Are front offices more to blame than players for stalled signings?

Fan Question (End of Episode)

1. What are YOU looking forward to most in sports in 2026—and what do you want to see change?

#NFL #MLB #collegefootball #sports

This episode of the SPR Sports Podcast is pure sports chaos—in the best way possible. If you love hot takes, playoff drama, brutal honesty, and that feeling like you’re arguing sports with your friend at the bar at midnight, this is the episode you don’t skip.

Sean Ryan breaks down a massive weekend across college football, the NFL, and MLB, and nothing is off-limits. It starts with the college football playoff controversy—Alabama reminding everyone why they’re Alabama, storming back from 17 down and reigniting the debate about bias, rankings, and whether the playoff should be about the best teams or just participation trophies. Sean doesn’t hold back on JMU, Tulane, or the current system, arguing that if you want a seat at the table, you need to play real competition. Expect strong opinions, Notre Dame frustration, and a call for the playoff format to stop rewarding weak schedules.

From there, the podcast shifts into the NFL madness, highlighted by what Sean calls one of the games of the year: Seahawks vs. Rams. A wild overtime comeback, controversial calls, historic stat lines, and a punt return that flipped the entire game on its head—this breakdown alone is worth the listen. You’ll hear why Seattle suddenly controls the NFC, how the Rams fell from the one seed to the sixth in a single night, and why Matthew Stafford’s performance somehow still ended in a loss despite video-game numbers.

The episode also dives deep into Green Bay’s growing injury nightmare, Chicago’s rise, and just how brutal the NFC playoff picture has become. Every seed feels unstable, every matchup feels dangerous, and Sean walks through why the final weeks of the season are going to completely reshuffle everything.

On the AFC side, the chaos continues. Who’s actually the best team? Broncos? Patriots? Jaguars? Sean breaks down New England’s resilience, Jacksonville’s statement win, questionable coaching decisions (yes, Derrick Henry comes up), and why the AFC feels wide open despite the records. There’s praise, criticism, and plenty of “what are we doing?” moments for coaches across the league.

The episode wraps with MLB frustration, as the Yankees miss out on Japanese star Munetaka Murakami. Sean goes off on Brian Cashman, analytics ruining baseball, and why fundamentals and the human element still matter more than spreadsheets.

This podcast isn’t polished corporate sports talk—it’s raw, opinionated, and passionate. If you want honest reactions, bold takes, and real conversations about what just happened and what it actually means, this is the episode to listen to.

• Who actually controls the NFC playoff race right now?

• Did Alabama prove they belonged in the College Football Playoff despite being a three-loss team?
• Were teams like JMU and Tulane ever truly playoff-caliber, or is the current system rewarding participation trophies over the best teams?
• Was Seahawks vs. Rams the game of the year, and how did it completely reshape the NFC playoff picture?
• How did the Rams lose a game where Matthew Stafford threw for 457 yards and Puka Nacua went nuclear—and what does that say about football chaos?
• Are the Packers still a real playoff threat after injuries, turnovers, and losing control of the NFC North?
• Who is the best team in the AFC right now, and why is it so hard to trust any single contender?
• Why did the Yankees miss out on Munetaka Murakami, where is Brian Cashman, and are analytics ruining baseball’s human element?

This is not your safe sports podcast. This is SPR Sports News.

In the very first episode, Sean Ryan kicks the door down and asks the questions everyone else is afraid to touch.

Is the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty officially dead? Patrick Mahomes is out. Travis Kelce might be done. And for the first time in years, the league isn’t afraid of Kansas City anymore.

Why is the NFL destroying its own stars? ACLs. Achilles. Season-ending injuries everywhere. Turf fields, greedy owners, and a game that’s faster and more violent than ever — something is broken, and Sean isn’t sugarcoating it.

Who actually owns the UFC right now? Because Dana White’s matchmaking suddenly looks a lot less about merit — and a lot more about Paramount-friendly violence. Paddy Pimblett. Justin Gaethje. Volk. Diego Lopez. Are the best fighters getting title shots… or just the loudest ones?

And if you’re a New York fan, Brace yourself! The Yankees — the most historic franchise in baseball — are standing still while everyone else loads up. No big moves. No urgency. No excuses left.

From the NFL playoff chaos… To the UFC’s first-ever offseason… To calling out billion-dollar owners, lazy narratives, and fake contenders —

SPR Sports News doesn’t play nice.

This isn’t hot takes for clicks. This is long-form, no-filter, sports reality.

If you’re tired of safe opinions, If you’re tired of media protecting leagues and executives, If you want someone who’ll say exactly what you’re thinking —

This podcast is for you.

🎙️ SPR Sports News Episode 1 — Out now. No scripts. No favors. No bullshit.

#sportsfans #sportsnews #ufc #mlb #nfl

NFL

• Is Patrick Mahomes out for the season?
• Is this the end of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty?
• Will Travis Kelce retire after this season?
• Why are there so many ACL and Achilles injuries in the NFL right now?
• Are turf fields causing more NFL injuries?
• Why do star quarterbacks keep getting injured?
• Can the Seattle Seahawks make a deep playoff run with Sam Darnold?
• Did Green Bay lose Super Bowl contention after Micah Parsons’ injury?
• Are NFL players faster and stronger than ever — and is that a problem?

UFC

• Why is the UFC taking a long offseason break?
• Has Dana White been influenced by Paramount?
• Why did Paddy Pimblett jump the rankings without fighting?
• Does Arman Tsarukyan deserve a title shot?
• Is UFC matchmaking about money or merit now?
• Who should be the real number one contender at lightweight?
• What is wrong with UFC rankings right now?
• Is welterweight about to become the best division in the UFC?

MLB

• Why aren’t the New York Yankees making any moves?
• Are the Yankees trying to stay under the luxury tax?
• Did the Yankees miss their chance after losing Juan Soto?
• Who should the Yankees trade for right now?
• Are the Dodgers officially the best team in baseball?
• Why are the Yankees falling behind other MLB teams?
• Is New York baseball in trouble?