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Joe Brammer, known as The South Side Strangler, joins the MMA History Podcast to recount his journey from a chubby son of a preacher man in Des Moines, Iowa, to a Midwest submission specialist who ground out a path to the UFC. He details the raw early 2000s Iowa scene built around Toad Holler bar fights and promotions like Midwest Cage Championships, sharing stories of training and fighting alongside Josh Neer, Houston Alexander, and Jeremy Stevens in an era of minimal oversight, high fight volume, and wild characters. Brammer walks through his early pro bouts, including a lights-out moment during an XKK Trials fight, his guillotine choke win over Michael Johnson that helped launch his UFC run, and his Octagon appearances against Mark Bocek and Aaron Riley after short-notice call-ups and brutal weight cuts. He also covers training stints with Ivan Salaverry in Seattle, time at Throwdown Training Center in San Diego around fighters like Dean Lister and Jocko Willink, plus the injuries and close calls that shaped his career before he returned home to run gyms in Waukee and Ankeny, Iowa. This episode captures the unique, under-the-radar Midwest pipeline that produced far more UFC talent than its size suggested. 0:00 start 0:27 MMA History Podcast intro 0:59 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:19 interview start 1:24 staying off of social media 3:19 plugs/ promotions 3:52 fighters coming out of Iowa 7:00 starting off with Jeet Kune Do 8:34 fighting at Toad Hollar 11:53 experience with promoter Chad Mason 14:40 becoming friends with Josh Neer 19:45 UFC mismatching fighters 21:16 experience with XKK promoters Nick and Jeff 22:22 lights shut off during fight with Joe Germain 26:09 the end of XKK 26:49 XKK Trials fight card 28:40 Joe Brammer vs Cody Geertz 29:31 MCC creating an app 32:40 thoughts on Jeremy Stephens 35:55 moving out of Iowa 37:44 reason for fighting once a year 38:34 breaking Jaw cutting weight 42:54 Chad Masons reputation 44:10 Josh Neer vs Houston Alexander 46:22 Joe Brammer vs Allen Hernandez 47:07 Joe Brammer vs Alonzo Martinez 47:55 Alonzo Martinez travel story 50:01 100 fight club members 51:40 Brandon Quigley taking 2 KOs in 2 nights 53:48 MMA organizations not following rules 57:11 dealings with Travis Fulton 58:18 training with Chris David 59:16 training with Ted Worthington 1:00:28 Bryan Bresler 1:01:16 experience with a Combat Doctor 1:03:08 Joe Brammer vs Michael Johnson 1:05:38 manager Monty Cox 1:06:11 Manager Ivan Salaverry 1:07:38 sparring with Josh Barnett 1:08:25 Terra LaRosa 1:08:58 Matt Hume 1:09:34 Maurice Smith career highlights 1:11:03 Joe Brammer vs Chris Mickle 1:18:46 receiving a call from the UFC 1:20:06 training at Throwdown 1:20:58 working with Rudy Silva 1:23:43 Rudy Silva stories 1:24:44 experience with Brandon Vera 1:27:31 Jocko Willink 1:29:08 Timmy Ford 1:29:25 training partners in San Diego 1:30:44 not joining Miletich fighting systems 1:31:28 Drew McFedries 1:34:11 Joe Brammer vs Mark Bocek 1:38:23 Houston Alexander vs Kimbo Slice 1:39:07 Eric Paulson 1:39:18 cornering Jeremy Stephens 1:41:56 Joe Brammer vs Aaron Riley 1:42:53 going 0-2 in the UFC 1:43:04 dealing with injuries 1:45:06 Tomasz Drwal 1:45:36 Victor Moreno 1:46:05 Interview wrap up/ outro NEW MMA History Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mmahistorypodclips Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank you for your support. #MMAHistory #JoeBrammer #IowaMMA #UFCLightweight

The MMA History Podcast welcomes Ant Evans for his third appearance in episode 352. The former head of UFC media relations for the UK and continental Europe revisits 2010 as Zuffa’s international expansion accelerated. Evans covers the UK fighter wave led by Michael Bisping and Dan Hardy, the “cursed” UFC 108 card with multiple major pullouts including Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort, and the office culture of the early Las Vegas years. He details Chael Sonnen’s Ric Flair-inspired belt stunt, press access battles of the era, and landmark shows such as the sold-out UFC 110 Australian debut with Cain Velasquez, Jon Jones’ first main event against Brandon Vera, Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy at UFC 111 (including Hardy’s storage-unit training camp), UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi with Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia and Frankie Edgar’s upset of B.J. Penn, Randy Couture’s submission of James Toney at UFC 118, and Brock Lesnar’s comeback win over Shane Carwin at UFC 116. The conversation contrasts the lean, record-breaking Zuffa period with the later corporate era while teasing a Cro Cop Canada story for the next instalment. 0:00 start 0:37 MMA History Podcast Intro 1:08 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:21 interview start 1:24 head of PR in the UK for the UFC 3:48 UFC 108 disaster 6:43 Joe Silva issues with Gerald Harris 7:27 UFC 109 helping Chael Sonnen with bad guy image 12:17 interactions with Doug Crosby 13:34 Chael Sonnen Dark side of the cage 15:24 Joey Venti’s studio set up 16:59 camaraderie in the UFC 19:18 the UFC original US office 20:36 2 UFC employees fighting 30:14 UFC hiring Karen Bell 31:45 UFC limiting access to the press 34:43 Sherdogs relationship with pride FC 37:10 getting media coverage for the UFC 40:13 issues with modern coverage on UFC 44:07 reporters receiving bad seating 46:33 importance of having reporters at events 47:59 Teddy Atlas and Max Kellerman 50:54 UFC 110 Australia 55:10 Mark Hunt legal issue with the UFC 58:41 Jon Jones vs Brandon Vera 1:03:04 UFC 111 GSP vs Dan Hardy 1:11:16 UFC 112 Ariel Helwani reporting 1:16:49 Ariel Helwani refusing pay from the UFC 1:21:13 Anderson Silva vs Damian Maia controversy 1:26:13 UFC 112 card 1:26:27 Frankie Edgar fight shorts controversy 1:29:55 UFC 113 card 1:30:22 Paul Daley sucker punching Josh Koscheck 1:31:10 Mike Russow vs Todd Duffee 1:32:12 Chuck Liddell condom story 1:35:05 UFC 116 1:39:36 Kendall Grove comments about TUF 1:41:04 UFC 117 1:41:25 James Toney vs Randy Couture 1:45:52 IRS issues with James Toney 1:47:55 Dana Whites personality behind the scenes 1:50:59 UFC in 2010 1:54:03 interview wrap up 1:55:19 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank you for your support. #MMAHistory #UFC2010 #AntEvans #MichaelBisping

Egan Inoue sits down with the MMA History Podcast and opens a Hawaiian career that ran from racquetball world titles straight into the chaos of the early fight scene. Younger brother of Enson Inoue, he talks training with Rickson Gracie before the UFC existed, learning jiu-jitsu from Enson, and a Space Needle street fight that finally pulled him in. His pro debut came at Lumax Cup: Tournament of J ’95 on October 13, 1995. Armbars over Alexander Otsuka and Akihiro Gono put him in the final, where Tsuyoshi Kosaka stopped the run. From there he covers a 1996 Shooto win over Gordon Dehdman, a Lumax Cup loss to Sanae Kikuta, a Rings disqualification against Masayuki Naruse, and a Pride 5 TKO of Minoru Toyonaga. Inoue is widely credited as the first non-Brazilian IBJJF world champion, blue belt in 1996 and purple belt in 1997. He also breaks down the footlock game that got him booed in Brazil. The Relson Gracie feud started on the mats and never really cooled off. Opening Grappling Unlimited in Honolulu, and his ties to kickboxer Dennis Alexio, poured fuel on it. The bad blood spilled into a Hawaii Pan American, a ban from the Florida Pan Ams, and a hired opponent at SuperBrawl 12 on June 1, 1999: Marcelo Dantas, known as Tigre. He also talks weekends at the gym with a young BJ Penn. At ADCC 1999 he submitted Robbie Kilpatrick, outpointed Renzo Gracie, and dropped the bronze match to Ricardo Libório. Mike Davis and Joey Venty keep the tape rolling! 0:00 start 0:29 MMA History Podcast intro 1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:16 interview start 1:40 first time hearing about MMA 2:15 meeting Royce Gracie 4:11 joining Enson Inoue in learning Jiu jitsu 5:40 Enson Inoue Jiu jitsu on the street 9:28 learning bjj from brother 10:57 landing triangle choke on Relson Gracie 12:52 training with Rickson Gracie 15:39 Lumax Cup 8 man tournament 17:51 Egan Inoue vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka 19:39 pay for 8 man tournament 20:59 pay for racquetball tournaments 21:39 first non Brazilian bjj world champion 22:34 learning how to do foot locks 23:26 rule changes due to leg submissions 24:50 dragged out of arena in Brazil 27:16 Egan Inoue vs Gordon Dehdman 27:34 Egan Inoue vs Yasunobu vs Matsuo 29:25 recognizing the Yakuzas involvement 31:49 Egan Inoue vs Masayuki Naruse 36:10 training with Dennis Alexio 37:47 Jiu jitsu coaches 38:09 rolling with Rickson Gracie 40:34 getting into fight at bjj tournament 43:10 experience at the Pan Ams 48:20 receiving restraining order from Relson Gracie 50:05 Carlos Gracie Jr asking for apology 52:01 Egan Inoue vs Mauricio Silva 53:00 challenged by Saulo Ribeiro 54:56 false claims from Relson Gracie 55:57 BJ Penn theory 58:10 connecting with John Lewis and Andre Pederneiras 59:20 receiving black belt from John Lewis 1:01:24 falling out with bjj figures 1:03:23 invited to the ADCC 1:04:26 Egan Inoue vs Robbie Kilpatrick 1:05:13 Egan Inoue vs Renzo Gracie 1:08:48 Issue with Ryan Gracie 1:10:55 Egan Inoue vs Karimula Barkalaev 1:12:36 Egan Inoue vs Ricardo Liborio 1:13:18 Ricardo Liborio compared to Rickson Gracie 1:14:51 Enson Inoue vs Mario Sperry 1:15:53 opening Grappling Unlimited 1:17:04 not having Enson Inoue during fight camps 1:17:39 Enson Inoue vs Mark Kerr (Cancelled Bout) 1:18:03 Egan Inoue vs Marcelo Dantas 1:21:22 rule meeting for Marcelo Dantas fight 1:23:23 Marcelo Dantas issues with training partners 1:25:02 Egan Inoue vs Marcelo Dantas continued 1:33:14 Career highlights 1:34:30 beating Enson Inoue in racquetball 1:35:01 interview wrap up 1:35:31 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Pete Rodley was co-owner and vice president of Universal Combat Challenge, the Montreal promotion that helped launch sanctioned Canadian MMA and gave early platforms to Georges St-Pierre, David Loiseau, Ivan Menjivar, Mark Hominick and Patrick Côté. In this MMA History Podcast interview he traces his path from a traditional karate family and godson of UFC 3’s Harold Howard through IFC work on the reserves, the Combat List era, and the first UCC cards with Stéphane Patry. Rodley covers the last-minute UCC 1 main-event scramble after Kimo Leopoldo pulled out, Elvis Sinosic versus Dave Beneteau, Wagnney Fabiano, Sean Sherk against Claudionor Fontinelle, the rain-out show, GSP’s debut against Menjivar, Full Contact Fighter ranking UCC among the world’s biggest promotions, and why he walked away before later returning with Freedom Fight. A detailed look at the names and chaos that built MMA north of the border. Subscribe to the MMA History Podcast for interviews and stories from the people who lived the early days of mixed martial arts. 0:00 start 0:29 MMA History Podcast intro 1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:20 interview start 1:31 beginnings in MMA 4:24 meeting Harold Howard 8:00 attending IFC events 9:10 Battlecade Extreme Fighting 2 9:47 introduction to promoting 10:43 legalities for Battlecade Extreme Fighting 2 12:54 the Bikers in Canada 15:45 partnership with IVC and Sergio Batarelli 17:03 meeting Stephane Patry 21:00 issues with Stephane Patry 22:25 dealings during UCC 25:22 UCC 1 original main event 28:50 Kimo Leopoldo vs Elvis Sinosic cancelled bout 32:00 negotiations with Tom Erickson 34:28 Dave Beneteau 35:33 giving Elvis Sinosic options 42:48 UCC 1 fight card 43:53 experience with Shawn Tompkins 46:16 losing money due to rain 48:49 fighter pay at UCC events 50:03 Claudionor Fontenelle crimes 52:47 title bouts on UCC 2 53:11 UCC 3 fight card 54:00 Jay Winger vs Richard Nancoo 55:56 working with other Canadian Promoters 59:14 experience with Angelo Exarhakos 1:02:12 Renzo Gracie’s influence on Ottawa 1:04:09 Claudionor Fontenelle vs Donald Ouimet 1:06:52 Claudionor Fontenelle vs Sean Sherk 1:07:11 UCC 4 highlights 1:08:16 fallout with Stephane Patry 1:15:23 false rumor of Stephane Patry 1:19:01 finding out Stephane Patry was ill 1:20:03 Claudionor Fontenelle vs Sean Sherk continued 1:21:18 Full contact fighter 3rd place ranking 1:22:03 understanding how to market 1:25:45 UCC 7 highlights 1:26:33 Sean Pierson current career 1:30:35 Gsp vs Ivan Menjivar 1:32:14 taking a swing at Andy Anderson 1:32:53 Kevin Rosier vs Brad Gabriel 1:37:18 UCC 8 1:38:05 Jason Black vs Ivan Menjivar 1:38:49 Tony Fryklund vs Jonathan Goulet 1:39:51 Michael Depasquale Jr 1:41:46 UFC 3 Harold Howard training 1:43:28 Harold Howard vs Royce Gracie 1:48:35 telling Harold Howard to back of Mark Hall fight 1:49:24 John Anderson 1:49:53 wedding video incident 1:51:06 Sean Alvarez vs Mike Radnov 1:51:45 Mark Hominick vs Richard Nancoo 1:52:10 Ivan Menjivar vs Jeff Curran 1:52:29 Drew McFredies vs Claude Patrick 1:54:11 calling it quits with UCC 1:58:21 Joe Doerksen vs Denis Kang 2:00:52 reason for fall out with Stephane Patry 2:02:14 dealings with David Lee 2:03:20 Freedom fight vs TUF 2:05:25 attempted robbery 2:09:24 regrets from the UCC 2:12:48 interview wrap up/outro Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank you for your support. #MMAHistory #CanadianMMA #GeorgesStPierre #UCC

In this episode of the MMA History Podcast, Cage Rage co-founder Andy Geer returns to cover the promotion’s final chapter. Elite XC and parent company ProElite arrived with cash and television promises, American names poured in, and a run of Wembley Arena cards mixed British regulars with imported stars before the brand collapsed after ProElite failed in 2008. Geer talks through Kimo Leopoldo’s British debut at Cage Rage 18, where the Pride and UFC veteran lost by guillotine to Dave Legeno, and addresses the talk that followed that fight. He also tells the Cage Rage 21 story in full: Bob Sapp was booked, recorded promos and did the usual cage walk, then pulled out midweek after claiming threats tied to his earlier walkout in Holland; Tank Abbott took the main event on a few days’ notice, flew in, drank the night before, promised a short burst of chaos, and was stopped by Gary Turner. Also discussed are the UFC dispute over the eight-sided cage and the phrase “ultimate fighting,” the deal Geer says was worth ten million dollars with four million paid in cash, Sky Sports live television, last-minute replacements, and the budget cuts and culture clash that followed the sale. Cage Rage shut its doors but left a lasting mark on European MMA. Subscribe for more first-hand interviews with the people who built the sport. 0:00 start 0:37 MMA History Podcast Intro 1:10 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 1:21 interview start 1:34 brawl at the mall 2 3:12 Dan Hardy trained by the Shaolin monks 4:00 Robbie Olivier vs Brad Pickett 5:34 Alexandru Lungu vs Mark Buchanan 6:23 experience with Kimo Leopoldo 9:17 Kimo Leopoldo vs Dave Legeno 10:18 Cabbage Corrreira mugged on the street 15:21 Butterbean in MMA 17:23 Jason Barrett 19:27 cage rage 20 fight card 19:53 Mark Kerr hotel story 22:20 Anderson Silva detained at customs 23:13 Bob Sapp at Cage Rage 27:27 Dan Severn vs Dave Legeno 28:25 copyright issues with the UFC 34:50 broadcasted live on Sky Sports 36:08 Cage Rage 21 highlights 36:53 Tom Watson vs Xavier Pokam 38:21 Murilo Rua vs Alex Reid 38:38 Cyborg Santos vs James Zikic 40:07 Vitor Belfort mental issues 41:29 choosing Wembley stadium as a home 44:06 Mario Sperry vs Lee Hasdell 46:00 Butterbean helping market Cage Rage 48:03 agreement with EliteXC 54:28 $10 million offer to sell Cage Rage 59:47 legal proceedings with the UFC 1:03:34 Jeremy Lappin 1:04:18 Chris Brennen affiliation program 1:05:09 Gary Turner vs Julius Francis 1:06:57 Paul Daley F word controversy 1:08:04 Sky TV dropping Cage Rage 1:12:27 OJ Borg 1:14:16 communications with Jared Shaw 1:15:09 dealing with Phil Baroni 1:17:00 Mark Epstein vs Tom Watson 1:18:01 Drew Fickett vs Mark Weir 1:18:24 Robert Berry vs Ken Shamrock 1:23:46 Andy Geer leaving Cage Rage 1:30:42 false rumors about Andy Geer 1:32:54 EliteXC planning events outside of London 1:34:02 Manchester Combat sports market 1:34:52 how swing bouts worked in Cage Rage 1:37:21 finding out Cage Rage was finished 1:42:48 silent partner in Cage Rage 1:43:55 Terry Trebilcock after Cage Rage 1:47:22 having to a judge at a Cage Rage event 1:50:08 interview wrap up 1:52:06 outro/ closing thoughts #MMAHistory #CageRage #EliteXC

This week on the MMA History Podcast we close the book on Friend of the Show Mac Danzig’s UFC career. Title challenger Gray Maynard also joins Mike Davis and Joey Venti to walk through Danzig’s final run against Takanori Gomi, Melvin Guillard and Joe Lauzon, the camps at AKA and Extreme Couture, the grind of training while raising a young daughter, the Joe Silva relationship, the sponsorship machine, and the decision to walk out one last time with “Not For Sale” on his shorts. Gray also talks Primed Combat in Michigan and life after the octagon. Mac looks back on the knockouts in camp, the Rico Chiapparelli chapter, and the six-hour nasal surgery that followed his final fight. Support the Rafiel Torre documentary: a $10 donation gets you the window sticker and yellow card. Link in the description. 0:00 start 0:34 MMA History Podcast intro 1:07 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:24 interview start 1:26 Gray Maynard current life/ plugs 3:06 Mac Danzig plugs/ promotions 5:46 Mac Danzig meeting Gray Maynard 7:16 relationship with Shawn Tompkins 9:40 leaving Vegas for California 12:00 reaction to Jim Miller UFC longevity 13:29 Mac Danzig’s relationship with Joe Silva 15:30 Gray Maynard’s relationship with Joe Silva 18:09 Mac Danzig vs Takanori Gomi 24:16 Gray Maynard training at AKA 32:21 issues with Bob Cook as a coach 34:07 Mac Danzig vs Takanori Gomi (continued) 36:50 wanting to advance training at AKA 40:35 destroying nose during fight career 43:08 ADHD and sleep apnea 46:42 Mac Danzig vs Melvin Guillard 55:04 training with Rico Chiapparelli 56:52 struggles going into Melvin Guillard fight 1:02:21 issues with finding a coach 1:05:34 going back to Rico Chiapparelli 1:08:00 hesitation during Melvin Guillard fight 1:11:42 Mevin Guillards conditioning for fight 1:16:26 Hand Speed and placement 1:17:51 Mac Danzig vs Joe Lauzon 1:23:16 Joe Lauzon requesting Gray Maynard 1:25:09 choosing not to have sponsors for fight 1:33:38 Cody McKenzie basketball shorts controversy 1:36:24 issues with Training mask 1:38:28 dealing with injury during Joe Lauzon fight 1:42:29 coaches giving fighter speeches 1:46:34 Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard 2 1:49:30 receiving nose surgery 1:54:25 interview wrap up 1:54:46 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support #MMAHistory #MacDanzig #GrayMaynard #UFC

Matt “The Real One” Grice was supposed to be unbreakable. A four-time Oklahoma state wrestling champion at Harrah High School, three-time Outstanding Wrestler, and the most recruited wrestler in his weight class, a car wreck threw him through a windshield and stole the college career everyone saw coming. He clawed his way back, made it to the UFC, earned Fight of the Night honors against Jason Black and Dennis Bermudez, then a second crash in Shawnee shattered his skull and ended his fighting career. Most men would have stayed down. Grice didn’t. He rebuilt his life as an Oklahoma City police officer, coach, and gym owner. On episode 347 of the MMA History Podcast, Matt Grice sits down with Mike Davis and Joey Venti to recount his legendary high school career, the wreck that cost him his years at Oklahoma, the promise he kept to his parents before his first fight, his UFC run, the 2013 accident that put him in a coma, and how he came back to coach the next generation at American Elite MMA. 0:00 start 0:44 MMA History Podcast intro 1:16 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 1:31 interview start 1:47 current life/ career 2:23 4 time state champ in Oklahoma 4:12 recruiting process for wrestling 7:30 getting hurt in a car crash 8:54 wrestling while injured 11:47 taking a season off wrestling 13:05 meeting MMA coach Jason Merrill 14:46 competing in BJJ after 1 day or practice 17:57 taking first amateur fight 19:32 relationship with Ron Tripp 20:16 Mikey Burnett 20:51 training with Anthony Macias 21:45 Matt Grice vs Matt Grey 23:17 choosing to do MMA over wrestling 24:10 being a ticket seller 24:41 Matt Grice vs Marco Adamballi 24:58 Matt Grice vs Rocky Long 26:35 taking 3 fights in 2 months 27:17 Matt Grice vs Shervin Alavi 28:31 Matt Grice vs Joe Davis 29:22 Matt Grice vs Lee King 29:43 manager Greg Stewart 30:55 Matt Grice vs Dan Marks 33:46 offered to be on TUF 35:40 Matt Grice vs Clint Kerley 36:52 flying out to Manchester for UFC debut 37:54 UFC 70 card 38:34 Matt Grice vs Terry Etim 39:20 taking training seriously 41:00 how traveling affects a fighters lungs 42:13 Matt Grice vs Jason Black 45:00 accepted into the police academy 50:22 work day as a police officer 53:51 Matt Grice vs Matt Veach 57:00 Matt Grice vs Shannon Gugerty 58:42 training at shape fitness 1:00:47 getting cut from the UFC 1:02:20 having a supportive wife 1:04:08 current coaches at gym 1:06:03 Matt Grice vs Dave Gardner 1:07:57 earning 3 straight finishes 1:09:09 Matt Grice vs Ricardo Lamas 1:09:51 experience training at Top Notch 1:12:05 connecting with Tom Vanghn 1:12:55 2 cancelled bouts in the UFC 1:13:26 Matt Grice vs Leonard Garcia 1:15:19 Matt Grice vs Dennis Bermudez 1:17:06 crashed into at a red light 1:20:59 ending up in a coma after accident 1:28:40 choosing not to take medications 1:30:06 Matt Grice day April 4th 1:33:32 life after accident 1:35:25 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support #MMAHistory #UFC #Wrestling #Oklahoma

Anthony “Mad Dog” Macias finally sits down with the MMA History Podcast after years of pursuit. At UFC 4 he was billed at 190 pounds, weighed closer to 160, and drew Dan Severn in the tournament. He went on to win multiple eight-man tournaments in Oklahoma and the IFC, then met Kazushi Sakuraba at Pride 7. Macias tells the unfiltered story of the headbutt era, promoter Buddy Albin, the controversial nine-second UFC 6 meeting with Oleg Taktarov, and the early fights that never made official records. He also discusses two decades as an Oklahoma referee and raising sons who now compete. The only podcast dedicated 100% to preserving mixed martial arts history through interviews with the men who lived it. 0:00 start 0:46 MMA History Podcast intro 1:19 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:35 interview start 2:38 current life/ career 3:17 fighting during the headbutt era 5:11 announced as a state champ wrestler 6:04 introduction to submission grappling 6:41 thoughts on promoter Buddy Albin 10:40 Anthony Macias sons MMA career 11:02 lying about weight on UFC application 11:44 Buddy Albins relationship with the UFC 12:39 UFC 4 name draw for matches 14:01 Anthony Macias vs Dan Severn 17:12 Anthony Macias vs Oleg Taktarov 18:22 early training partners 18:48 working for Andy Anderson 19:50 refusing to joining the Lions Den 20:37 cornering Oleg Taktarov 22:34 Oleg Taktarov vs Dan Severn 23:03 Anthony Macias vs He-Man Gibson 25:27 alternate bout at UFC 6 26:19 full contact fighter interview 27:17 rough childhood growing up 28:18 working out with Ron Tripp 28:41 conversations backstage at UFC 6 30:28 relationship with Buddy Albin after UFC 30:52 thoughts on Tank Abbott 32:22 Ken Shamrock vs Oleg Taktarov 35:01 Underestimating Vladimir Matyushenko 36:27 OFFF 8 man tournament 38:35 Anthony Macias vs John Dixson 39:36 Anthony Macias vs Jason Nicholsen 40:29 IFC Ukraine event 43:35 IFC 2 8 man tournament 45:12 payment for 8 man tournaments 46:11 Anthony Macias vs Brian Gassaway 47:55 fighting over 20 bouts in 1 year 49:00 meeting John Perretti 49:50 Anthony Macias vs Allan Goes 51:29 thoughts on Andy Anderson/ stories 56:27 Oleg Taktarov vs Renzo Gracie 1:00:42 having grit and durability as a fighter 1:02:19 tearing hamstring during fight 1:03:43 Anthony Macias vs Frank Trigg 1:05:08 Anthony Macias vs Wes Gassaway 1:05:29 rematch with Vladimir Matyushenko 1:06:57 Anthony Macias vs Cedric Marks 1:08:47 taking a 2 year break 1:09:35 Anthony Macias vs Kazushi Sakuraba 1:12:13 experience in Japan 1:12:42 relationship with Steve Nelson 1:13:34 Anthony Macias vs Tony Ross 1:13:59 relationship with Paul Smith 1:15:07 C3 struggles staying in business 1:16:07 Anthony Macias vs Jesse Jones 1:16:31 Anthony Macias vs Eiji Mitsuoka 1:17:15 Anthony Macias vs Chad Cook 1:18:00 FFC promotion 1:19:27 Anthony Macias vs Josh Neer 1:21:07 Combat Corner program 1:21:54 Anthony Macias vs Kevin Gittemeir 1:22:28 issues with Rafael Lovato 1:23:24 turned away from Jean Jacques Machado 1:24:50 Gene LeBell 1:25:02 Anthony Macias vs Shonie Carter 1:26:34 having an underrated career 1:27:26 C3 and their limitations 1:28:28 Evan Tanner 1:29:16 receiving different black belts 1:30:14 dealings with Bob Shamrock 1:31:01 future plans for Neko Macias 1:34:36 Mikey Burnett 1:34:47 receiving the name Mad Dog 1:35:03 interview wrap up 1:35:55 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support MMAHistory #UFC #PrideFC #noholdsbarred

Kimo Leopoldo joins the MMA History Podcast to recount the raw early days of the sport, from his Huntington Beach roots and Christian transformation to the unforgettable moment he carried a full-sized cross into the Octagon and pushed Royce Gracie harder than almost anyone at UFC 3. The legendary fighter breaks down the chaotic tournament draw, the street-fight intensity of that classic bout, his contentious partnership with Joe Son, the fallout that followed, and the cascade of high-stakes battles that followed across K-1, Pride, and the UFC. Kimo opens up about training with Matt Hume and Joe Moreira, the Sakuraba and Takayama wars in Japan, the brutal nine-minute war with Paul Varelans, the Huntington Beach showdown with Tank Abbott, and the controversial Bob Sapp kickboxing match in Las Vegas. 0:00 start 0:28 MMA History Podcast intro 1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 1:12 interview start 1:45 attending elementary with John Lewis 3:12 introduction to combat sports 3:42 getting introduced to Christ by Joe Son 5:10 High School wrestling career 5:51 moving to California 6:12 bouncing at Club Rubber 7:54 watching UFC 1 9:10 Joe Son pushing UFC debut for Kimo Leopoldo 9:47 Joe Son challenging Royce Gracie 10:15 Paul Herrera street fight with Joe Son 10:49 learning Jiu Jitsu from Randy Ziegler 12:24 fight with Gracie’s in Hotel lobby (rumor) 13:09 UFC 3 name drawing for tournament 15:43 UFC 3 promo “fighting for Christ” 16:48 carrying cross on back during walkout 18:17 unaware of Joe Sons street activities 19:45 Joe Sons acting career 20:12 training prior to UFC debut 21:25 dealings with Bob Meyrowitz and Art Davie 21:49 feelings before fighting Royce Gracie 23:49 Kimo Leopoldo vs Royce Gracie 27:06 Royce Gracie towel throw 29:00 interactions with the Gracie’s after fight 29:45 reason for alternates to have fights 30:47 apology letter to the Gracie’s (rumor) 32:20 wore out from walking out with heavy cross 34:00 negotiations to fight in Japan 34:32 Kimo Leopoldo vs Pat Smith 36:36 making $500 to fight Royce Gracie 38:54 training at J Sect 39:32 Joe Son vs Keith Hackney 41:55 Kimo Leopoldo vs Masaaki Satake 43:34 connecting with Matt Hume 43:53 incorrectly listed rematch with Pat Smith 44:44 training with Carl Franks 45:12 training partners at AMC 46:39 issues with Allan Goes 47:58 Royce Gracie blue belt narrative 51:29 parting ways with Joe Son 52:28 managed by father Dennis Leopoldo 53:36 negotiations for UFC 8 54:40 conflict backstage at UFC 8 56:11 Tank Abbotts reputation on the streets 56:47 bouncer Richard Alvarez 58:27 John Lober 59:54 Eddie Ruiz 1:00:37 Tiki Ghosn 1:01:03 early involvement training Tito Ortiz (rumor) 1:01:45 crew members 1:02:26 fallout with Matt Hume after Ken shamrock fight 1:05:18 training with Joe Moreira 1:07:34 releasing instructional with Joe Moreira 1:09:09 Kimo Leopoldo vs Kazushi Sakuraba 1:13:59 Kimo Leopoldo vs Yoshihiro Takayama 1:16:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bam Bam Bigelow 1:20:01 dealings with the Yakuza 1:22:10 interactions with Gerard Gordeau 1:23:29 Kimo Leopoldo vs Paul Varelans 1:29:18 NHB era not getting the respect 1:29:53 Kimo Leopoldo vs Brian Johnston 1:31:30 negotiations with Pride FC 1:32:16 Kimo Leopoldo vs Dan Severn 1:34:41 Rickson Gracie vs Nobuhiko Takada 1:35:29 falling out with the UFC after Pride Debut 1:36:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka 1:37:59 cancelled bout with Gary Goodridge 1:38:57 no showing event 1:40:05 Joe Son vs Yusuke Imamura 1:41:37 current feelings about Joe Son 1:45:08 Kimo Leopoldo trading cards 1:46:45 Raul Ries 1:47:02 Joe Son vs Joe Moreira 1:48:34 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tim Lajcik 1:49:32 cancelled bout with Bas Rutten 1:51:47 running into Tank Abbott at a bar 1:54:08 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tank Abbott 1:57:20 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bob Sapp 2:05:54 conversations after Bob Sapp fight 2:07:30 interview wrap up 2:09:20 outro/ closing thoughts

John Perretti returns to the MMA History Podcast to detail his transition from Extreme Fighting to the UFC and the turbulent early years that followed. The Gene LeBell black belt and key architect of modern MMA discusses the rapid call from the UFC just days after Battlecade closed, the challenges of matchmaking under Japanese financing, and the fight to implement gloves, weight classes, and rounds into a spectacle-driven promotion. From the controversial UFC Japan card and suspected works to booking future stars like Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson and Carlos Newton, Perretti recounts hostile environments, referee tensions, and the moment five-minute rounds and the ten-point must system finally arrived at UFC 21. Unfiltered stories from one of the key figures who lived it. 0:00 start 0:22 MMA History intro 0:54 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 1:09 interview start 1:11 plugs/ promotions 2:55 Art Davey and Bob Meyrowitz issues 3:55 finding out some fights were works in UFC Japan 6:58 Dealings with Mr Karoke 9:09 UFC Japan Card 10:21 Vitor Belfort vs Joe Charles 12:49 cornered by John McCarthy and Jeff Blatnick 16:00 Tank Abbott pulling out of tournament 17:36 bringing Frank Shamrock to the UFC 18:24 Frank Shamrock vs Igor Zinoviev 21:12 UFC Salary 21:41 170lb 4 man tournament 24:34 Mikey Burnett and Eugenio Tadeu size different 26:00 Jerry Bohlander vs Kevin Jackson 27:22 tension with other UFC staff 29:29 interactions with Joe Silva 29:40 UFC promotion commission 30:53 Chuck Liddell vs Noe Hernandez 32:16 Andre Roberts vs Harry Moskowitz 33:42 Dan Henderson vs Allan Goes 33:57 Carlos Newton vs Bob Gilstrap 34:28 Mike Van Arsdale vs Joe Pardo 35:02 Tank Abbott vs Hugo Duarte 35:39 Dan Henderson vs Carlos Newton 36:46 prize for winning 4 man tournament 38:45 Pete Williams airport story 39:56 Randy Couture cancelled bout with Mark Coleman 41:21 Pete Williams vs Mark Coleman 45:57 Frank Shamrock vs Jeremy Horn 47:34 promoter Sergio Batarelli 49:57 Tank Abbott vs Pedro Rizzo 51:53 talks about Royce Gracie 53:47 Bas Rutten Pedro Rizzo fight announcement 55:47 Rickson Gracie pushback 58:14 offering Rigan Machado fight in “The Contenders” 59:16 Jiu jitsu not favored in Extreme Fighting 1:01:48 dealings with Carlson Gracie 1:03:06 kicked out of the Machado academy 1:04:45 Tito Ortiz showing up to UFC Brazil 1:07:58 Frank Shamrock vs John Lober 1:10:46 Vitor Belfort vs Wanderlei Silva 1:11:42 Ebenezer Braga vs Jeremy Horn 1:12:50 Pat Miletich vs Mikey Burnett 1:15:12 Pete Williams vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka 1:16:40 UFC 18 fight card 1:18:20 Bas Rutten hype for UFC 1:20:28 dealings with Steve Nelson 1:21:00 Pedro Rizzo vs Mark Coleman 1:21:42 Tito Ortiz vs Jerry Bohlander 1:23:13 Bas Rutten vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka 1:24:52 John Perretti attending talk shows 1:26:16 UFC 19 fight card 1:28:12 dealings with Bob Shamrock 1:28:36 feelings about Gary Goodridge 1:29:28 Vitor Belfort pulls out of fight with Guy Mezger 1:31:13 Tito Ortiz double bird to Guy Mezger’s corner 1:31:48 announcing Tito Ortiz vs Evan Tanner 1:32:47 Bas Rutten vs Kevin Randleman 1:33:49 thoughts on Eddie Goldman 1:37:11 Pedro Rizzo Withdraws from Bas Rutten fight 1:37:33 Mark Laimon 1:39:08 Ron Waterman vs Chris Condo 1:40:08 LaVerne Clark vs Fabiano Iha 1:41:32 Marcelo Mello vs David Roberts 1:42:17 Wanderlei Silva vs Tony Patarra 1:44:18 Pedro Rizzo vs Tra Telligman 1:45:57 UFC 21 debut of 5 minute rounds 1:47:10 10 point must scoring system 1:48:08 John Perretti not receiving any credit 1:49:49 UFC 21 fight card 1:51:20 Paul Jones vs Flavio Moura 1:51:39 Pat Miletich vs Andre Pederneiras 1:52:46 Maurice Smith vs Marco Ruas 1:54:20 Frank Shamrock Vs Tito Ortiz announcement 1:55:30 receiving a standing ovation 1:56:48 interview wrap up/ outro

Tyrone Roberts joins the MMA History Podcast for a deep dive into the earliest days of Midwest MMA. A Meskwaki First Nation pioneer and one of only three tribal members to compete in the UFC, Roberts recounts his path from high school wrestling state champion to Extreme Challenge standout under Monty Cox and Pat Miletich. He shares stories of tournament nights, Hook and Shoot bouts, a Rings King of Kings appearance in Japan, and his UFC 26 fight against David Dodd, alongside decades of work as a referee across boxing, MMA, and Muay Thai. From the Iowa fight scene of the late 1990s to coaching women’s wrestling today, this conversation captures the grit and longevity of a true pioneer still giving back to the sport. Subscribe for more interviews preserving the real history of mixed martial arts. 0:00 start 0:31 MMA History Podcast intro 1:03 guest introduction 1:19 interview start 1:29 current career 2:08 1 of 3 to compete in UFC from Meswaki tribe 5:01 Tyrone Roberts vs Rick Graveson 5:38 memories of Extreme Challenge 6:23 Tyrone Roberts vs Joe Leggett 7:25 training with Pat Miletich 9:36 thoughts on Nick Tarpeins 10:02 Reffing fights 10:18 training with Joe Slick 11:02 convincing Andre Roberts to come train 12:54 Ultimate Enticer tournament 13:47 conversations with Monte Cox 14:49 fights that aren’t on record 15:51 prize money for winning tournament 17:23 high school wrestling career 18:49 getting hand raised in the UFC 19:12 Tyrone Roberts vs Todd Frederickson 19:55 Tyrone Roberts vs Adrian Serrano 21:17 sobriety during fight career 22:10 reffing in the BKFC 24:44 fighting 2 4 man tournaments in two days 26:56 struggles with alcohol addiction 28:48 Tyrone Roberts vs Brian Dunn 31:09 wearing a shirt during fights 32:38 Tyrone Roberts vs Wesley Bockert 35:17 Tyrone Roberts vs Jonathan Ivey 37:37 Tyrone Roberts vs David Dodd 39:29 experience with Jamie Levine 40:24 relationship with Joe Slick 42:35 daughter’s college wrestling career 43:45 friendship with Andre Roberts 44:55 conversations with John Perretti 46:13 Tyrone Roberts vs Ricardo Fyeet 47:52 experience in Japan 48:58 getting the call for the UFC 49:49 Tyrone Roberts vs David Dodd 2 50:51 interactions with Bobby Hoffman 52:38 Big Papa Schnake 53:04 Travis Fulton 53:29 Cornering Andre Roberts 54:14 dealings with Brad Kohler 55:15 thoughts on Brian Robinson 55:53 Jason Mayhem Miller 56:14 training with Drew McFedries 57:01 training with Jeremy Horn 57:26 Amaury Bitetti 59:02 canceled bout with Chris Haseman 59:20 reason for never returning to UFC 59:52 Tyrone Roberts vs Sam Adkins 1:00:30 Tyrone Roberts vs Josh Stamp 1:01:30 interview wrap up/outro Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support #MMAHistory #TyroneRoberts #EarlyMMA #UFC

Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman went from junior-high Spanish teacher and college wrestler to Pros vs. Joes champion and UFC fighter. In this episode of the MMA History Podcast, hosts Joey Venti and Mike Davis sit down with Brenneman for an uplifting deep dive into one of the more unlikely paths in mixed martial arts.Brenneman shares how boredom with teaching led him to answer a flyer for Pros vs. Joes, win the competition, and chase competition further into MMA. He recounts early amateur and pro fights in the Northeast, training alongside future stars like Eddie Alvarez, Frankie Edgar, and Chris Liguori, the eye-socket injury that nearly derailed him, and the grind of balancing grad school, local cards, and constant travel between gyms. The conversation builds to his short-notice UFC co-main-event victory over a surging Rick Story—a real-life Rocky moment Dana White himself highlighted—before the career-defining collision with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.Now a professional speaker who brings lessons of resilience, perseverance, and choices to schools, businesses, and prisons, Brenneman reflects on the mentors, the grind, and the mindset that carried a regular guy from the classroom to the Octagon.Fellow historians, this is one of the more positive and inspiring stories we’ve told. Let us know what you think in the comments. 0:00 start 0:49 MMA History podcast intro 1:22 Joey Venti’s guest introductions  1:35 interview start  1:40 current life  3:21 different Spanish accents  7:31 participant on Pros vs Joes  11:15 promoting IAVA 12:43 Tattoo Sponsor  14:33 Charlie Brenneman vs Kellen Hughes 17:26 keeping opponents pinned down  20:18 reaching out to fighters for training  22:27 taking inspiration from Matt Brown 23:46 Charlie Brenneman vs Marcello Olivera 25:11 allegedly paid to kick people in the nuts  25:36 temporarily blinded from head kick 29:09 defeating black belt Marcello Olivera  29:55 keeping a low profile on fight career 32:24 training with Corey Bleaken  32:55 rolling with Adlan Amagov  36:15 Charlie Brenneman vs Jordan Damon 39:31 Charlie Brenneman vs Joseph Aviles  41:01 Charlie Brenneman vs Mark Berrocal 43:05 ROC 17 fight card  44:59 Charlie Brenneman vs Drew Puzon 47:38 sparring with Eddie Alvarez and Frankie Edgar  49:24 Kurt Pellegrino  50:11 relationship with Mike Constantino  52:31 feeling discourage after sparring accident  54:56 Charlie Brenneman vs John Howard 57:02 training with Jim Miller  59:37 Amanda Nunes and Jamie Varner 1:00:32 Charlie Brenneman vs Yanish Dimitry 1:05:31 Charlie Brenneman vs Edward O’Daniel 1:06:17 experience fighting at IWFC 1:07:05 Charlie Brenneman vs Mitch Whitesel  1:08:19 conversations with the UFC 1:08:57 jobs during early fight career 1:09:09 Charlie Brenneman vs Phillip Wyman  1:09:45 receiving a call from the UFC 1:10:16 Charlie Brenneman vs Jason High  1:11:19 connecting with Brands for sponsorships  1:12:06 Charlie Brenneman vs Johnny Hendricks 1:15:49 Charlie Brenneman vs Rick Story  1:20:46 driving 150 miles a day to train  1:21:17 training partners in New York  1:22:50 defeating Rick Story on short notice  1:25:15 Charlie Brenneman vs Anthony Rumble Johnson  1:25:56 interview wrap up  1:27:29 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support #MMAHistory #UFC #CharlieBrenneman #MMAPodcast

This week on the MMA History Podcast episode 341, hosts Joey Venti and the MMA Detective Mike Davis sit down with two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Hollywood stuntman and actor Frank Trigg for a raw, unfiltered look at the chaotic early days of mixed martial arts. Trigg shares how he coached a talented high school wrestler named Kid Yamamoto in Phoenix before the Japanese star became a Pride FC standout, the real reasons Yamamoto was deported, and the explosive behind-the-scenes fallout from the infamous Rickson Gracie versus Rico Chiapparelli showdown that got Chiapparelli uninvited from major grappling circles. From his time with Real American Wrestling alongside the likes of Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, the first Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament against Renzo Gracie, early Japan promotions including Vale Tudo Japan against Jean Jacques Machado, Pride Bushido commentating, and the cutthroat realities of 1990s fight money and worked matches, Trigg delivers stories and details few others have ever heard. You think you know Frank Trigg? Think again. Subscribe to the MMA History Podcast for more exclusive interviews preserving the true history of the sport. 0:00 start 0:30 MMA History Podcast intro 1:02 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:20 interview start 1:44 training at RAW 2:51 Reality super fighting tournament 4:50 Rico Chiapparelli forced to leave Renzo Gracie’s gym 9:40 wrestlers banned from early ADCC 11:26 high school state titles 12:57 transferring to Phoenix College 13:30 experience living with Homer Moore 15:39 coaching Kid Yamamoto 17:43 manager Rich Hamilton 18:54 training with Townsend Saunders 19:59 interactions with Ron Tripp 20:16 meeting Pat Burris 23:45 Frank Trigg vs Bill Simpson 24:36 meeting the Lions Den 27:35 thoughts on Oklahoma wrestling 29:32 Paulo Filho Pride Bushido incident 33:50 Frank Trigg vs Dan Gilbert 34:49 Frank Trigg vs Ali Elias 35:53 receiving invite to ADCC 37:24 Frank Trigg vs Renzo Gracie (ADCC) 39:13 Gracie losses being erased 41:20 Rickson Gracie asking for large payment 44:01 training with Lyota Machida 46:12 Mark Shultz worked fight 48:42 experience with Antonio Inoki 51:31 gambling problems in combat sports 53:18 IFC cancelled event 55:50 Andy Foster building a cage with chicken wire 58:18 Frank Trigg vs Marcelo Aguiar 59:28 Frank Trigg vs Jean Jacques Machado 1:01:49 fighting in different promotions 1:03:05 Pride FC Tax evasion 1:04:24 UFC screwed over buying Pride FC 1:07:53 reason for leaving commentary job 1:11:28 reffing from a fighters perspective 1:14:34 Frank Trigg vs Fabiano Iha 1:18:10 Dan Henderson and Rico Chiapparelli’s friendship 1:18:55 dealings with promoter Jamie Levine 1:24:23 leaving wrestling to become a fighter 1:29:29 experience with Ryan Bennett 1:32:23 Ryan Bennett’s departure from UFC 1:35:09 leaking Red Devil fight deal with the UFC 1:36:54 reason for Matt Hughes rivalry 1:38:14 Frank Trigg vs Hayato Sakurai 1:39:59 Plugs/ promotions 1:41:27 interview wrap up 1:43:43 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#MMAHistoryPodcast #FrankTrigg #EarlyMMA #UFC

Isaac Vallie-Flagg: From Street Fights & Jackson’s Gym to UFC, Strikeforce & Sobriety | MMA History Podcast #340Fellow historians, this is one that should never have happened. Isaac Vallie-Flagg had no wrestling pedigree, no karate or boxing background—just a tough kid from Michigan who liked to fight. He moved to Albuquerque, trained under Tate Fletcher and Alberto Crane, then walked into the golden era of Jackson’s MMA and somehow made it all the way to Strikeforce and the UFC.In this raw, unfiltered episode, Isaac sits down with the MMA Detective Mike Davis and Joey Venti and lays out the full story. He talks about the early street-fight days and the punk-rock New Mexico scene, then describes what it was like training as the perpetual nail alongside Nate Marquardt, Mike Van Arsdale, Melvin Guillard, Leonard Garcia, Cub Swanson, Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, Cowboy Cerrone and the rest of the Jackson-Wink murderer’s row. He recounts the chaotic Dominican Republic card where the entire lineup got stiffed, his Strikeforce debut against Brian Melancon (the hardest hitter he ever faced), the career-defining win over Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante, the legendary Yves Edwards fight, and going to war with Takanori Gomi while deep in opiate withdrawal and cutting weight at the same time. Isaac is brutally honest about the physical and mental hell of kicking opioids while making weight for UFC fights, the difference between a hard partier and a true addict, and what recovery has taught him about grace, trauma, and becoming a better man. This is not a prison interview—it’s a hard-earned happy ending from a fighter who refused to quit.If you’ve ever wondered what the real “punk rock days” of MMA looked and felt like inside one of the greatest gyms of all time, this episode delivers.Like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews and deep dives into the men who built this sport. Drop your thoughts below—especially if Isaac’s story hits home.The only podcast dedicated 100% to the preservation of mixed martial arts history.Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#MMAHistoryPodcast #IsaacVallieFlagg #UFC #JacksonsMMA

From surviving one of the darkest childhoods imaginable to becoming one of the most feared knockout artists in the UFC, this is the remarkable and unflinching life story of Drew McFedries. In Episode #339 of the MMA History Podcast, MMA Detective Mike Davis and Joey Venti sit down with former UFC middleweight contender Drew McFedries for one of the most powerful and honest interviews in the show’s history. Drew opens up about growing up in a home destroyed by addiction and prostitution, where drug dealers and violent strangers constantly came through the house. As a young boy he became the protector for his younger brother and two little sisters, learning early that if he could not fight, the people he loved would pay the price. He discusses his mother’s murder, being stabbed himself, and how every statistic suggested his life should have ended in prison, addiction, or an early grave.Instead, Drew walked into a gym and transformed into a devastating striker. The conversation explores his early days at the legendary Miletich Fighting Systems, the brutal sparring sessions, training alongside Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler, and his rapid rise through Midwest tournaments. He shares stories from his first fights, the Lee Murray bout with no formal training, his battle with Crohn’s disease that sidelined him for nearly a year, and his UFC debut on just 17 days notice against Alessio Sakara. Drew also reflects on key moments with fighters like Nate Quarry, Claude Patrick, Steve Dao, Tim Sylvia in his corner, and the unique challenges strikers faced in getting booked.Beyond the cage, this episode delves into deeper themes of survival, making different choices than the environment around him, family trauma, fatherhood considerations, and finding peace later in life through fishing, biking, and quiet reflection.This is far more than a typical fighter interview — it is a raw masterclass in resilience, personal accountability, and turning darkness into drive.Guest: Drew McFedriesEpisode: #339Fellow historians, welcome back to the only podcast 100 percent dedicated to preserving mixed martial arts history.Like and subscribe for more in-depth MMA stories direct from the fighters who lived them. Drop your thoughts in the comments. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#DrewMcFedries #MMAHistory #UFC #MiletichFightingSystems