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

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#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

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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

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Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632

Cash App - $mikedavis1231

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ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / 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

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Cash App - $mikedavis1231

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#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

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Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

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Cash App - $mikedavis1231

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ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052

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#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

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MMA History Podcast

YouTube

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Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632

Cash App - $mikedavis1231

Venmo - Mike-Davis-63

ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / 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