Chris Droege is 2-0 as a professional after scoring a second-round TKO over Gabriel Tabet at Samourai MMA 21 in Montreal, and he joins 4oz to Freedom to break down the victory.Droege discusses fighting in enemy territory, why he felt the stoppage may have come later than necessary, executing his coaches' game plan, and how his wrestling and extensive amateur experience have prepared him for his professional career.We also talk about what comes next, including potential grappling matches and another MMA fight before the end of the year.Then we get into one of the more unique sponsorships you'll see in regional MMA: Tropidelic. Chris explains how his friendship with the band developed, how they became a sponsor, attending Everwild with the group, and the phone call he received from James on fight day.Plus, Chris talks music, his favorite Tropidelic songs, post-fight food, his faith, and the grit, honesty and gratitude that he believes define him.FOLLOW CHRIS DROEGE:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_grit/FOLLOW 4OZ TO FREEDOM:Website: https://4oztofreedom.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4oztofreedompod/X/Twitter: https://x.com/4oztofreedompodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/4oztofreedomSubscribe to 4oz to Freedom for more MMA interviews, regional MMA coverage, fight news and original content.#MMA #ChrisDroege #SamouraiMMA #Tropidelic #MMANews

Former LFA and CFFC lightweight champion Robert “Contact” Watley joins 4oz to Freedom ahead of his lightweight bout against Gino “The Ghost Assassin” van Steenis at PFL Tampa on August 22, 2026.

Watley explains why facing a dangerous knockout artist has injected new energy into his preparation and brought something out of him that he wondered if he still had.

After suffering a 34-second knockout loss to Dakota Bush, Watley reflects on where he forced the action, the importance of respecting the natural flow of a fight and the work he has done to restore his movement after dealing with foot injuries.

He also discusses his comeback finishes against Morquez Forest and Mads Burnell, why Forest remains the hardest puncher he has faced and his interest in eventually getting some “getback” against Bush.

Plus, Watley talks about returning to meditation and scripture, fighting one day before his 37th birthday and the family, coaches and teammates supporting his career.

PFL Tampa takes place August 22 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:51 Fighting one day before his 37th birthday
1:43 Mental, physical and spiritual preparation
3:05 Preparing for Gino van Steenis
5:20 Championship experience and restoring his movement
7:01 What went wrong against Dakota Bush
7:38 “The fight is like a dance”
8:01 Comeback finishes against Forest and Burnell
9:17 Is Morquez Forest still the hardest puncher?
11:08 Forest vs. Bush and wanting “a little getback”
12:15 The strange world of MMA matchmaking
13:18 Faith, family, coaches and sponsors
14:27 Final thoughts on PFL Tampa

Dakota “Buckshot” Bush joins 4oz to Freedom ahead of his lightweight bout against Morquez “Black Clover” Forest at PFL Tampa on August 22, 2026.

Coming off a 34-second knockout of Robert Watley in his PFL debut and riding an eight-fight winning streak, Dakota explains how repeatedly drilling the same sequence led to his spectacular finish in Pittsburgh.

Dakota also discusses preparing for a late opponent change, why Forest’s short-notice opportunity makes him dangerous, and his belief that fans will soon see him headlining PFL cards and facing ranked opponents.

He opens up about his family leaving a comfortable life in Missouri so he could pursue his dream at American Top Team, the sacrifices they have made together, and why having his wife and children with him during fight week provides even more motivation.

Plus, Dakota breaks down his post-fight Oreo collection, the flavors he is most excited to try, and the approximately 20,000-calorie Sunday he has planned for after the fight.

PFL Tampa takes place August 22 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Cold open
0:16 Introduction and fight-week mindset
1:07 Reflecting on the 34-second Robert Watley knockout
2:18 Building an eight-fight winning streak
3:15 Preparing for Morquez Forest on short notice
5:21 Breaking down the matchup with Forest
6:42 Big-stage experience and headlining PFL cards
7:56 Family sacrifices and moving to Florida
9:42 PFL rankings and potential next opponents
11:04 Post-fight Oreos and a 20,000-calorie Sunday
13:32 Sponsors, American Top Team and his family motivation
15:04 Final message ahead of PFL Tampa

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Does Dakota Bush extend his winning streak to nine, or will Morquez Forest earn the victory in his PFL debut? Leave your prediction below and subscribe to 4oz to Freedom for more PFL interviews and coverage.

#PFLTampa #DakotaBush #PFLMMA

Brandon Lewis joins 4oz to Freedom ahead of his PFL debut against former PFL Europe champion Lewis McGrillen at PFL Charlotte on August 7, 2026.After his original opponent, Sean Mora, withdrew, Brandon was matched with McGrillen, who is making a quick return to the cage. Brandon explains why he plans to steal McGrillen’s spotlight, why he does not believe his opponent has had enough time to correct the mistakes exposed in his last fight, and what fans can expect when Brandon “flips the switch.”Brandon also discusses his move to Syndicate MMA, training alongside Merab Dvalishvili, overcoming back surgery and career setbacks, and who he is outside the cage.PFL Charlotte takes place August 7 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Cold open0:12 Introduction and birthday wishes0:55 Lewis McGrillen replaces Sean Mora2:48 How the PFL opportunity came together5:04 Moving to Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas7:06 Training alongside Merab Dvalishvili8:40 Planning to steal McGrillen’s spotlight11:08 McGrillen’s quick turnaround and recent loss12:08 Back surgery, setbacks and career expectations13:21 PFL rankings and taking it one fight at a time14:28 How Brandon’s MMA training has evolved15:53 Gaming, anime and life outside the cage17:43 Brandon’s Bloodsport-inspired walkout song18:03 Celebrating his birthday during fight week18:42 What fans can expect at PFL Charlotte19:59 Family, sponsors and growing his social following21:05 Final message and nickname discussionFOLLOW BRANDON LEWIS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonlewismma/X: https://x.com/BrandonLewisMMAFOLLOW 4OZ TO FREEDOM:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4oztofreedom/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4oztofreedompod/X: https://x.com/4oztofreedompod/Who wins this bantamweight matchup? Leave your prediction below and subscribe to 4oz to Freedom for more PFL interviews and coverage.#PFLCharlotte #BrandonLewis #PFL

Step inside the cage with Jamelle “The Beast” Jones as he prepares for his return to the PFL stage at UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY, facing off against undefeated Russian standout Khabib Nabiev on July 31st. In this exclusive interview, Jamelle opens up about the relentless drive it takes to come back after setbacks, balancing fight camp and fatherhood, and what he learned through years of grinding in regional MMA—and on the big stage.

Hear Jamelle break down the mentality that’s powering this comeback, the challenges of juggling family life and elite training, and his mindset shift dropping back to light heavyweight. He shares what motivates him in and out of the gym, the musical energy that fuels his workouts, and why he’s hunting for the KO—not just a win—when the cage door shuts. Plus, Jamelle talks fight IQ, legacy, and what being a true OG in the sport really means.

From goal setting with his son to betting on himself every round, Jamelle brings heart, realism, and brutal honesty you won’t find on the fight poster. Don’t miss his prediction for how he’ll make a statement on July 31st.

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#PFL #MMA #JamelleJones #KhabibNabiev #RegionalMMA #MMAInterview #FighterStories

Jeremiah Humphrey joins 4oz to Freedom ahead of his fight at Wyoming Fight 4 to talk about his rise through the regional MMA scene, balancing fatherhood with fighting, and the grind of chasing a UFC dream.

In this episode, Jeremiah discusses:

• Training alongside names like Neil Magny and Corey Sandhagen
• Developing a fan-friendly fighting style while sharpening his striking
• Preparing for a unique matchup against BKFC veteran Braeden Tovey
• The transition from working in restaurant kitchens to pursuing MMA full time
• The mentality needed to survive the regional circuit and build a future through fighting

Jeremiah also reflects on the importance of family, the lessons he’s learned from his team, and how a random jiu jitsu class after moving across the country helped launch his MMA journey.

If you’re a fan of regional MMA, rising prospects, or hearing the real stories behind the fighters, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Jeremiah Humphrey:
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#MMA #RegionalMMA #WyomingFight4 #JeremiahHumphrey #4ozToFreedom

On this episode of 4oz to Freedom, we sit down with undefeated featherweight prospect Alexei Pergande just one week after his impressive unanimous decision win over UFC veteran Julio Arce at PFL Pittsburgh.

With an 8-0 pro record and a reputation for bloody, action-packed fights, Pergande reflects on his rapid rise as a homegrown PFL talent, training at Kill Cliff FC, and how competing under the PFL spotlight has shaped his mentality.

We break down his latest performance, talk about a possible move to lightweight, and dive into how his social media presence is growing his fanbase while showing a different side of life as a fighter. Pergande also shares his thoughts on the future of PFL and what’s next in his career.

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#PFLPittsburgh #MMAProspects

Jakub Kaszuba just moved his record to a perfect 16-0 after a massive win at PFL Pittsburgh. In this exclusive interview, the two-time PFL Europe champion breaks down his high-stakes performance against Natan Schulte and reveals what is next for him as he climbs the lightweight rankings.

Jakub dives into the details of his recent trip to Pittsburgh, where he enjoyed the local Polish influence before getting down to business in the cage. He opens up about surviving a dangerously deep guillotine choke in the first round and how he managed to turn the tide against a veteran opponent who had been away for three years. We also get the inside scoop on the slight wardrobe malfunction that happened in his fight.

As the new #6-ranked lightweight, 'The Auditor' discusses potential future matchups against names like Alfie Davis and Archie Colgan. He also shares his perspective on representing Poland while building his career in the United States, the importance of the Polish-American fan base, and his thoughts on the current state of the PFL. Whether it is discussing fight camp recovery or the possibility of sporting both the Polish and American flags in his next outing, Jakub provides a candid look at the life of an undefeated rising star.

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#PFLPittsburgh

Get an inside look at the rise of "The Magic Man," Kyle Boller, as he prepares to make his Cage Titans debut at one of the sport’s most iconic venues—Fenway Park! In this episode of 4oz to Freedom, Kyle Boller sits down with host Zac Coffman to break down his journey from humble beginnings training in a garage to sharing mats with legends like Alex Pereira and Glover Teixeira. Learn how Kyle sharpened his celebrated striking game, why surrounding himself with elite talent has been a game-changer, and what it means to represent his team on such a historic stage.Kyle opens up about the mindset needed to succeed in MMA, the lessons learned training under world-class coaches, and what fuels his confidence entering every fight. Whether you’re a die-hard fight fan or new to the Cage Titans scene, there’s plenty to take away from this behind-the-scenes conversation.Be sure to follow Kyle at:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle.boller/Twitter: https://x.com/kyleboller1Be sure to subscribe to our channel to get all of the latest content.Connect with 4oz to Freedom on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4oztofreedomTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/4oztofreedompodInstagram: https://instagram.com/4oztofreedompod#CageTitans #CTRevolution

Step into the cage with Hilarie Rose as she returns to action at Cage Titans Revolution—fighting at the iconic MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park. The inaugural Cage Titans Women’s Strawweight Champion and 2025 Fighter of the Year opens up about the electric atmosphere of fighting at Fenway, the mindset shift that fueled her 4-fight win streak, and how she’s navigating the unpredictable world of regional MMA.From overcoming injuries and opponent changes to embracing her role as a pioneer for women’s MMA in New England, Hilarie Rose shares her experiences, preparation, and championship mentality ahead of her bout with Silvania Monteiro; which has since been cancelled with a new opponent to be named shortly. Plus, find out how commentary work has sharpened her fight IQ, why making 105 lbs was a game-changer, and what she’s targeting for Contender Series in 2026.Whether you’re a die-hard Cage Titans fan or new to the scene, get an exclusive look at a fighter determined to make history in Boston. Don’t miss Hilarie Rose’s journey as she lights up one of New England’s biggest MMA stages.Be sure to follow Hilarie at:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilarierosemma/Be sure to subscribe to our channel to get all of the latest content.Connect with 4oz to Freedom on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4oztofreedomTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/4oztofreedompodInstagram: https://instagram.com/4oztofreedompodCHAPTERS:01:41 - Hilarie describes the surreal feeling of fighting at Fenway Park06:09 - Why opponents keep dodging title fights and the reality of fight cancellations09:47 - The mindset change behind her 4-fight win streak and her take on mental prep13:27 - Commentary insights—viewing fights from a new angle15:27 - Making 105 lbs and the challenge of finding atomweight competition17:43 - Her goals for 2026 and getting back on Contender Series20:34 - Shoutouts to coaches, teammates, and sponsors#CageTitans #CTRevolution