In this episode of It’s Not About The Fight, Ross Cameron is joined by one of the most influential figures in UK mixed martial arts — Carl Prince, founder and head coach of Manchester Top Team.

From humble beginnings and a casual interest in martial arts to becoming a coach and promoter at the forefront of the UK MMA scene, Carl shares his powerful story and hard-earned insights into what it takes to succeed in the fight game.

We go deep into the evolution of MMA in the UK, from the early days to the emergence of professional-level gyms like Manchester Top Team. Carl breaks down the challenges of gym ownership, the critical role of community, and why sparring, media training, and mindset are as important as any technique.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• The origins and growth of UK MMA
• Building a world-class fight team with local roots
• Creating a culture of discipline, respect, and development
• The role of youth development in MMA
• Why sparring must be smart, not savage
• How to protect your fighters and still push them
• Managing the amateur-to-pro journey
• The importance of media training in the modern fight game
• Leadership, consistency, and removing negative influences
• Advice for new coaches and team leaders

💬 "Your chin’s got an expiry date."
💬 "We want to be the Manchester City of MMA."

Whether you're a coach, athlete, gym owner, or martial arts fan, this episode offers raw, valuable insight from someone who’s shaping the next generation of fighters.

🔗 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform.

💥 Follow Ross Cameron and the It’s Not About The Fight podcast for weekly conversations with the world’s leading martial artists, coaches, and thinkers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Carl Prince and His Journey

02:21 The Evolution of MMA in the UK

04:58 The Culture of Manchester Top Team

08:51 Building a Supportive Community in MMA

12:26 Training Philosophy and Sparring Practices

20:07 Identifying and Developing Young Talent

23:45 The Importance of Media Training in MMA

28:45 Mindset and Coaching Philosophy

31:01 Challenges of Gym Ownership

33:48 Community Engagement and Impact

35:17 Building a Strong Local Fight Community

38:19 Advice for Aspiring Coaches

42:57 Future Aspirations and Fighter Development

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Welcome to another episode of It’s Not About The Fight, where we explore the people, stories, and values behind the world’s most dedicated martial artists.

In this episode, we’re honoured to be joined by Angie Parr and Jesse James Parr—two integral members of the legendary Parr family, whose impact on Australian and global combat sports is undeniable.

🥊 Angie Parr, a seasoned Muay Thai world champion and co-owner of Boonchu Gym, opens up about her entry into martial arts at age 17. What started as a quest for self-defense turned into a lifelong journey of purpose, passion, and world-class fighting. Angie talks candidly about the challenges she faced as a female fighter in the early days, balancing motherhood and professional fighting, and what continues to drive her today as a mentor and gym leader.

🥋 Jesse James Parr, son of Angie and legendary fighter John Wayne Parr, reflects on growing up in one of the most respected fight gyms in the world. From holding pads as a toddler to competing in Jiu Jitsu and chasing his own MMA dreams, Jesse shares how living in a combat sports household shaped his mindset, discipline, and identity. He also discusses his training philosophy, the lessons he’s learned from his parents, and how he’s carving his own path in the fight world.

🎯 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• What motivated Angie Parr to take up martial arts and the hurdles she overcame
• Jesse’s experience being raised in the Boonchu Gym environment
• The Parr family's approach to training, discipline, and mental strength
• How Angie and Jesse manage the balance between family and fighting
• Jesse’s vision for the future in BJJ, MMA, and beyond
• Insights into the culture and values that define Boonchu Gym and the Parr legacy

🎤 Whether you're an aspiring fighter, coach, parent, or fan of martial arts, this episode delivers a rare inside look into the values, lifestyle, and training culture of one of the most influential families in combat sports.

📲 Follow Our Guests:

• Jesse James Parr
  Instagram: @JessieJamesParr
  TikTok: @JohnWayneParrsSon
• Angie Parr
  Instagram: @AngelaParr

🎧 Listen to “It’s Not About The Fight” on all major platforms.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that go beyond the ring and into the heart of martial arts.

📌 Hashtags:
#CombatSports #MartialArts #ParrFamily #AngieParr #JesseJamesParr #MuayThai #BJJ #MMA #BoonchuGym #FightcrossPodcast #ItsNotAboutTheFight #AustralianMartialArts #NextGenFighter #WomenInCombatSports #MartialArtsLegacy #GymLife

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In this powerful episode of the Ross Cameron Podcast, we sit down with one of the true pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA—Master Ricardo Liborio, co-founder of American Top Team. Liborio opens up about his decades-long journey through martial arts, the cultural evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the deeper meaning of training, community, and mentorship.

Together with Ross Cameron, they explore what it really takes to build champions—not just on the mats, but in life. From the emotional challenges of competition to the science of modern training, this conversation is packed with life lessons, coaching insights, and real talk about how martial arts can shape the next generation.

💬 Topics Covered:

• The cultural shift in martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Mentorship and youth development through martial arts
• Emotional support for competitors
• Old-school vs. new-school training philosophies
• The importance of fundamentals and discipline
• Teaching kids and the joy of watching them grow
• Life after fighting and giving back to the community
• Martial arts as a business and a calling

✅ Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or lifelong martial artist, this episode is a must-watch.

🔗 Subscribe for more interviews with the world’s top martial artists and coaches.

📌 CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Journey of Martial Arts
03:36 Cultural Evolution in Martial Arts
06:17 The Role of Community in Martial Arts
09:16 Adapting to Age in Martial Arts
12:13 Training Philosophy: Old School vs. New School
15:03 The Science of Training
17:57 The Importance of Fundamentals
20:53 Emotional Preparation in Competition
23:35 Lessons from Losses
26:22 The Privilege of Teaching Martial Arts
32:30 Ownership Mindset in Business
35:25 The Importance of Community
38:30 Learning Through Experience
41:47 Youth in Combat Sports
44:41 Life After Fighting
47:38 The Role of Education
50:25 Impact of Teaching Kids
53:54 The Value of Relationships
57:21 Reflections on Life and Success

🎯 Hashtags & Keywords:
#RicardoLiborio #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MartialArtsPodcast #RossCameron #AmericanTopTeam #BJJCommunity #Mentorship #LifeLessons #YouthDevelopment #MartialArtsLife #EmotionalSupport #Discipline #CoachingPhilosophy #BJJTraining #MartialArtsBusiness

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