What the Heck, Episode 15: Stephen Thompson, Leon Edwards, Modestas Bukauskas and Grant Dawson

On this week’s episode of What the Heck, Mike Heck speaks with the last fighter to defeat Jorge Masvidal, UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson (6:43). “Wonderboy” discusses the unanimous decision win at UFC 217 in November 2017, what he took away from the bout with “Gamebred,” his thoughts on Masvidal’s attempt to capture the 170-pound title against Kamaru Usman this Saturday at UFC 251, and what it will mean if he is successful in doing so.

No. 4 ranked UFC welterweight Leon Edwards (27:40) explains what life has been like since his scheduled main event with Tyron Woodley was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, getting the call to fight Usman in the main event of UFC 251 and, ultimately, having to turn it down, how he sees the fight between Usman and Masvidal going down, what he wants next if he can’t get a title shot, and more.

Former Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion Modestas Bukauskas (49:56) discusses his UFC debut on “Fight Island” July 15, being one of the rare fighters to be outright signed to the promotion without a short notice fight attached to it, when he was originally supposed to make his first octagon appearance, and his plans to make a statement.

Finally, UFC featherweight Grant Dawson previews his July 18 150-pound catchweight fight with Nad Narimani, talks teammates Jason Witt and Sean Woodson competing at UFC on ESPN 12 under unique circumstances, competing internationally for the first time in his career, why he thinks Nate Landwehr “is terrible,” his specific career goals, and how he plans to take a step towards them against an exciting fighter next weekend.

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