Ep 247 Paul Jones Career Deep Dive Paul Jones started his career in Steve Nelson’s United Shoot Wrestling Federation. Heath Herring, Evan Tanner and Ali Elias are a few of the names that he worked out with on his way to fighting in the UFC. Paul’s career has some of the most stringent MMA experts debating exactly how good he was.; an alternate Olympic wrestler and a world champion Sambo player it comes with no surprise that he has dominant wins over Erik Paulson, Heath Herring ...

Ep 246 Joe Pardo Gracie Academy TorranceJoe Pardo started at the Gracie Academy Torrance 1 week after UFC 1 aired. Joe Pardo was featured on the Gracie in Action tapes taking on all challengers those that doubted the Gracie system. Joe takes us through his fight career and all of the political back room dealings that have never been addressed Ep 246 Joe Pardo Gracie Academy Torrance0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 Joey Venti’s guest introduction0:44 interview start 1:00 first day at t...

Ep 245 John Perretti Extreme Fighting 3 John Perretti joins us once again in order to continue to document the incredibly important Extreme Fighting Battlecade events. John Perretti is the foundation of which “Modern” MMA is built on top of; his Extreme Fighting Battlecade events are the blue prints for which grew the understanding of the sport. This is a fun one Ep 245 John Perretti Extreme Fighting Battlecade 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:55 intervie...

Ep 244 Miletich Fighting Systems Championship Years - Jeremy Horn Pat Miletich, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver and Tim Sylvia captured the UFC championship belts while all working out at the Miletich Fighting System in Davenport Iowa. Jeremy Horn was the architect and master planner behind the work that went into this incredible moment in mixed martial arts. Jeremy Horn and the MMA set Mike Davis discuss this historic championship run while also examining the science that went ...

Ep 243 Court McGee Addiction Before the UFC Court McGee has a story that can compete with Ian Heinisch when it comes to their activities prior to fighting in the UFC. Court McGee shares with us aspects of his life and career BEFORE he got to the UFC. Ep 243 Court McGee Addiction Before the UFC 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:32 interview start 0:40 early life/ battle with addiction4:21 experimenting with drinking 6:54 getting prescribed Oxycodone af...

Ep 242 Gary Marino MMA PioneerGary Marino's journey into the world of MMA started at UFC 7, having gained noteriety as both a manager and a matchmaker there isbt a job within the sport that Marino has not excelled at.IFL team owner, Jon Jones manager and the first person to bring Kimbo Slice into the cage; Gary Marino's career is a wild ride0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:31 interview start 0:48 early beginnings in MMA4:04 being on administrative side of early UFC 6:09 ...

Ep 241 John Dixson Career Deep DiveJohn Dixson comes to us from Mississippi and is a veteran of international No Holds Barred competitions. John Dixson has fought some incredible names, Carlos Barreto, Igor Vovchancyn, Andrei Arlovski, Remco Pardoel and Jeremy Horn to name a few.John Dixson fought in the "Outlaw Era" of Mixed Martial Arts and is one of the few Americans that had intimate dealings with mafia goops from 4 different countries. This is a wild listen, I suggest that you sit back a...

Ep 240 Sam Hoger TUF 1 Deep Dive Sam Hoger was a participant on one of the most important moments within the history of the UFC. The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 brought the UFC from spectacle to mainstream sport. Sam Hoger takes us through his journey to get on the TUF show as well as the process of the first ever Ultimate Fighter TV show. Sam Hoger is full of stories in this historic interview. Ep 240 Sam Hoger TUF 1 Deep Dive 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest ...

Ep 239 Extreme Fighting Batlecade 2 - Donald ZuckermanDonald Zuckerman & John Perretti came together to create the Extreme Fighting Battlecade series; although they only had 4 events, what they put together can be described as the beginning of the sports “Modern Era”. Donald Zuckerman and John Perretti discuss an event that had its participants arrested and international scrutiny of the sport as a whole. This is a must listen for the hardcore history fans. Ep 239 Extreme Fi...

Ep 238 John Lober Career Deep Dive John Lober is one of the sports biggest mysteries; his body of work isnt lengthy, but the fighters that he competed against are considered to be some of the world’s best. When researching John and speaking to his contemporaries, the stories of both inside and out of the cage were always intense and often times difficult to believe. John Lober comes to us and gives us a raw look into a man that many today both still fear and respect.&nbsp...

Ep 237 Valentijn Overeem Early Career Deep Dive Valentijn Overeem is a 50 fight club member that started his career in the mid 90’s. Valentijn takes us through the early Dutch MMA/Kickboxing scene with some incredible stories while at the same time diving into some career highs. Interviews like this are exactly the reason we love the early Dutch scene Ep 237 Valentijn Overeem Early Career Deep Dive Ep 237 Valentijn Overeem Early Career Deep Dive Valentijn Overeem...

Ep 236 Pete Drago Sell Career Deep Dive Pete Sell started his career at the famous Serra Longo gym in New York. We discuss the Phil Baroni rivalry, Matt Serra beating George St Pierre as well as what it was like participating in the east coast underground fight scene. Ep 236 Pete Drago Sell Career Deep Dive 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:34 interview start 1:48 dropping out of college to pursue fight career 3:18 guest security on the Jerry Spr...

Ep235 Jeff Curran BEFORE the UFC Jeff Curran is one of Pedro Sauer’s first black belts and his journey into the world of Mixed Martial Arts started BEFORE the first UFC. Jeff Curran is a coach, promoter and most importantly a fighter. Jeff brings us through various points in his early career that help the listeners understand why the words “locker room respect” is synonymous with his name. This is part 1 of a many part series featuring a true pioneer within the sport ...

Ep 234 Ben Rothwell BEFORE the IFL Ben Rothwell has made a name for himself fighting against someof the worlds toughest competitors.Rothwells path to the UFC started when he was in high school, the stories uncovered on Ben’s journey to the top is an incredible listen. Ep 234 Ben Rothwell BEFORE the IFL 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:36 interview start 0:42 plugs/ promotions 6:23 Ben Rothwell vs Rico Rodriguez9:27 Ben Rothwell vs Nick Bartlett13:27 lying ...

Ep 233 Aung La Nsang Road to OneFCAung La Nsang journey started with a student visa to travel to the United States from Myanmar.Aung La Nsang path to becoming a world champion is the most unique that we have ever covered. This is a great listen Ep 233 Aung La Nsang Road to OneFC0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 Joey Venti’s guest introduction0:40 interview start 1:02 early life 2:40 training Lethwei growing up 6:00 coming to the United States to study agriculture7:40 connectin...

Ep 232 Remco Pardoel Career Deep Dive Remco Pardoel made his UFC debut at the 2nd event in the companies history. Remco Pardoel is a true pioneer of the sport; Cornered by the notorious Gerard Gordeau & Freek Hamaker, Pardoel gives us an excellent look into the Dutch underworld and its players while traveling the world fighting all comers. This is a special interview and a great addition to our collection of Dutch fighters from a time in history that can never be repeated. ...

Ep 231 Todd Margolis Jiu Jitsu Pioneer Todd Margolis journey into the world of Jiu Jitsu started after a need to compete when his wrestling career ended. Todd Margolis path had him compete against some of the sport’s biggest names; Igor Gracie, Rafael Lovato, David & Marcos Avon just to name a few. Todd’s career is one of the more difficult projects that we have taken on and we are glad to have finally recorded it. Ep 231 Todd Margolis Jiu Jitsu Pioneer 0:00 Lytes...

Ep 230 Johnathon Ivey Life of a Journeyman Johnathon Ivey is a lockeroom staple that has fought a whos who within the sport of MMA. We discuss some of his notable opponents as well as his roll in saving main events on the regional scene and navigating through some of the shadiest promoters in the business. Ivey is someone that carries a lot of respect within the closed doors of the locker room and this episode shows us why that is. Ep 230 Johnathon Ivey Life of a Journeyma...

Ep 229 Luke Cummo Career Deep Dive Luke Cummo made a name for himself on The Ultimate Fighter season 2. The Matt Serra & Ray Longo fighter went into the house as a huge underdog and would up in the finals. We track Luke’s career and dig into his journey to becoming the pioneer class of the ultimate fighter. Ep 229 Luke Cummo Career Deep Dive 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:35 interview start 1:33 plugs promotions/ dealing with brain injury 5:47 e...

Ep 228 John Perretti Extreme Fighting 1 John Perretti is largely attributed as coining the phrase “Mixed Martial Arts”. In this episode we dive into his first event Extreme Fighting Battlecade. John Perretti is joined by Igor Zinoviev and we recall an event that we consider to be the start of the “Modern Era” of Mixed Martial Arts. This episode is full of gems and highlights why we love John a perretti as a guest. Ep 228 John Perretti Extreme Fighting 1 SPECIAL SHOUT...

Ep 227 Sergio Batarelli IVT 1996-98Sergio Batarelli was a world champion kick boxer that transitioned to being one of the pioneers of the No Holds Barred era. Sergio Batarelli’s International Vale Tudo Championship was made famous for its 30 minute round and very few rules. Sergio is a legend within our sport and is a foundational father of the term No Holds Barred. 0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 guest introduction0:59 interview start 1:25 getting involved in fighting 3:10 ...

Ep 226 David Loiseau Career Deep Dive David Loiseau is one of the founding members of Tri Star gym. David Loiseau was surrounded by greatness with teamates like Ivan Menjivar, Georges St Pierre & Patrick Cote. Denis Kang lined up the interview and joins us for a very special look at the beginnings of a career that fought some of the worlds greatest athletes. Ep 226 David Loiseau Career Deep Dive0:00 Lytes out intro0:19 Joey Venti’s guest introduction0:45 intervie...

Miguel Torres WEC & UFC Years Miguel Torres career started prior to the 135# weight division existing within the UFC. A true pioneer of the lighter weight classes Miguel Torres takes us on his journey from being in the top 3 P4P in the world to his unceremonious exit from the UFC. This episode is unscripted and raw and it features someone that belongs in everyone’s Hall of Fame Miguel TorresSpecial Thank You to Ralph García for piecing this one together. Miguel Torres WEC &...

Ep 224 Darrick Minner Fall From Glory Darrick Minner is a Midwest standout from Nebraska City that fought 50x prior to making his UFC debut. We track Darrick Minner’s journey through his stint in the UFC which ended when fought Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. What would seem as just a set back in Minner’s fight career quickly turned into a media firestorm with lots of accusations and beliefs that had the entire world talking about. NOTHING was censored or asked to be taken out of t...