On this episode, we’re joined by Evan Ortiz, the man headlining the WCK Muay Thai card in Westminster on April 25th. Evan is stepping into a high-stakes, full-rules Title Fight, and his opponent is someone very familiar to the show: Moe’s close friend and teammate, Drew Castrejon.

While the stakes are high, the California Sober Podcast is a safe space for all warriors. Evan sits down with Moe to discuss how his journey through the sport has led him to this massive moment. We trace his roots back to the infamous Double Dose Muay Thai under Bryan Dobler, his time with Cody Sessions and Squirrel Muay Thai at Xfit Combat Sports, and the evolution that led him to start his own team, Emperor Muay Thai.

Evan’s mission for April 25th isn't just about a belt; it’s about showing his students at Empire that through hard work and heart, anyone can step into the bright lights.

But there’s more to Evan than just the ring. In a touching and vulnerable moment, Evan shares his deep passion for animals. He tells a heartbreaking story about the neglect he has witnessed through his work and shares his ultimate dream: opening a Muay Thai gym and a pet sanctuary side-by-side. Moe even pitches the idea of "Muay Thai for Pets" under one roof!

Tune in to hear from a fighter who is truly fighting for more than just himself.

Evans Socials

ig

Evan

https://www.instagram.com/ergonomicevan/

Empire Muay Thai https://www.instagram.com/emperorsmuaythai/

What an absolute rollercoaster of a night at UFC . From a Light heavyweight title changing hands in the most improbable way to an emotional retirement for a WEC pioneer, this card delivered!

In this video, I’m breaking down the entire main card:

• The Main Event: How Carlos Ulberg defied the odds, winning the belt on a blown-out knee against the samurai, Jiri Prochazka.

• The Legend’s Farewell: Cub Swanson finishes his 30-win career with a cinematic KO that left the whole arena in tears.

• The Technical Masterclass: Why Vicente Luque’s Muay Thai looked sharper than ever and how Paulo Costa used a "kick-heavy" strategy to break an undefeated prospect.

• The Grit: Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes go to absolute war in a "Fight of the Night" contender.

• #CarlosUlberg #JiriProchazka #CubSwanson #RetirementFight #AndNew #UpsetOfTheYear #HeavyweightChampion #Legend #WECNeverDies #KO #FightHighlights

On this episode, we’re joined by two hungry up-and-comers from the OC fight scene, Isaac Romero and Santino Josenonaca. These boys are currently grinding at Fight Strong San Clemente, sharpening their skills under the watchful eye of a true pioneer of the lighter divisions, UFC veteran Ian "Uncle Creepy" McCall.With their WCK Muay Thai debuts fast approaching on April 25th, Isaac and Santino pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to prepare for battle. We dive deep into the daily discipline required to compete at a high level and the unique advantage of having a coach like Ian—someone who has reached the pinnacle of the sport in the UFC’s flyweight and bantamweight divisions—guiding their path.But it’s not all highlight reels and hand-raises. We get into the raw reality of being a young fighter in 2026. From the financial struggles and the grueling commute to the gym life, to the mental pressure of living up to the expectations of a legendary coach, these two show us the grit behind the glamour.Whether you're a hardcore combat sports fan or just love a story about the hustle, this episode is a masterclass in dedication.

Socials

Santino IG-https://www.instagram.com/santinojosenonaca/

Isaac IG-https://www.instagram.com/isaac.rom808/
WCK MUAY THAI: APRIL 25THDon't miss Isaac and Santino making their debut in the ring!#IsaacRomero #SantinoJosenonaca #IanMcCall #UncleCreepy #FightStrongSanClemente #WCK #MuayThai #MMA #Flyweight #Bantamweight #TheGrind #FighterLife #CaliforniaSoberPodcast #Moe #SanClemente #CombatSports #Prospects

In this raw, unfiltered episode, we sit down with IE-based fighter Rafael "Bam Bam" Rivera. Bam Bam’s journey is a masterclass in survival—from growing up in poverty and following his father’s footsteps into addiction and prison, to finding sobriety, religion, and a second chance through MMA.We dive into the chaos of his past, the moment he vowed to fight after being gifted an MMA hoodie in a sober living home, and the insane grind he puts in today, driving from San Bernardino to the OC to train at 10th Planet Chino Hills and Classic Fight Team.But this isn't just a story about fighting. Bam Bam breaks the "gangster" mold completely, opening up about his love for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. He proves that you can be a hardened warrior and a nerd at the same time, showing us the true complexity of a man who refused to let his past define his future.Don't miss this story of redemption, grit, and the relentless pursuit of a better life.#RafaelRivera #BamBam #CaliforniaSoberPodcast #Moe #Sobriety #10thPlanet #ClassicFightTeam #MMA #Redemption #SanBernardino #StarWars #LordOfTheRings #FightLife #Recovery#UFC #MMA #CombatSports #FightNight #MixedMartial Arts #MartialArts #Fighting #Octagon #FightLife

Main Event: The Upset of the Year — Joe Pyfer vs. Israel AdesanyaNobody saw this coming. Joe "Bodybagz" Pyfer (17-3) walked into Seattle as a massive underdog and finished the legend Israel Adesanya (24-6) in the second round. Izzy looked sharp early with his feints and leg kicks, but the momentum shifted when Pyfer landed a stinging left hook. Pyfer displayed elite fight IQ by transitioning to a body lock, dumping Izzy to the canvas, and flattening him out for a TKO finish at 4:18 of Round 2. While Pyfer catapults into the Top 5, Izzy faces his fourth straight loss but remains defiant about his future.Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso Silences Maycee BarberAlexa Grasso (17-5-1) returned to form in the most violent way possible. She caught Maycee Barber (15-3) with a brutal two-punch counter combo that knocked her out on her feet. In a scary sequence, Grasso jumped on the back to sink a rear-naked choke while Barber was already unconscious. It was a "lifeless" moment in the Octagon that had the medical staff rushing in immediately. Grasso is officially back in the title conversation.The Legend's Exit: Michael Chiesa vs. Niko PriceThis was a storybook ending for a PNW hero. While both Michael Chiesa (15-7) and Niko Price (9-8) were rumored to be on their "last dance," only Chiesa got to shine. In front of his hometown crowd, Chiesa needed just 63 seconds to secure a rear-naked choke and announce his retirement inside the Octagon. It was the perfect exit for a TUF champion.The Rest of the Wild CardRicky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez: This bantamweight war ended in a highly questionable Majority Draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28). Yanez’s elite boxing seemed to carry the first two rounds, but a late knockdown by Yanez in the third led two judges to score it 10-8, resulting in the draw that had the crowd and social media in an uproar.Yousri Belgaroui vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik: The Glory veteran proved his striking is on another level. After a back-and-forth battle, Belgaroui finished the undefeated prospect with a devastating knee in the third round.Tyrell Fortune vs. Marcin Tybura: One of the strangest moments in UFC history. Bruce Buffer initially announced Tybura as the winner due to a scoring mix-up. Tyrell had already walked out of the cage before being brought back in to have his hand correctly raised for a Unanimous Decision win in his debut.+1Lerryan Douglas vs. Julian Erosa: Douglas made a massive statement in his debut, using savage calf kicks to compromise Erosa's movement before ending the night with a left hook KO in Round 1.Lance Gibson Jr. vs. Chase Hooper: Gibson Jr. shocked the Seattle fans by starching the local favorite Hooper with a tight elbow in close, finishing the prospect in under three minutes.#UFCSeattle #JoePyfer #IsraelAdesanya #AlexaGrasso #MayceeBarber #MichaelChiesa #MMA #FightBreakdown #CaliforniaSoberPodcast #Moe #UpsetOfTheYear #Boxing #Wrestling #TheMiracle #O2Arena Navajo Stirling vs. Bruno Lopes: Stirling remains undefeated (9-0) after a lopsided beating. Referee Keith Peterson faced criticism for letting it go too long as Stirling unloaded nearly 60 strikes on a defenseless Lopes before finally waving it off in Round 2.

In this episode, we sit down with a rising force in the Southern California combat sports scene: Jose Gonzalez, better known in the gym and the ring as "Miklo." Miklo is a true hybrid athlete, balancing the technical precision of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the devastating power of Muay Thai. Fighting out of Hardworx (The Circle) under the guidance of the highly respected Coach Hung Vu, Miklo has been on an absolute tear lately. After a dominant run that earned him his first Muay Thai championship belt, he’s proving that his upward trajectory is no fluke—it’s the result of a relentless work ethic and the culture built within his team.We dive deep into Miklo’s story to explore the unique environment of training in "The Circle" and the massive impact Coach Hung Vu has had on his development as a fighter. Miklo breaks down the hybrid grind of balancing a high-level BJJ ground game with championship-level striking and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he prepares his mind and body for the pressures of center-ring. With a massive return to the WCK stage scheduled for April 25th, we discuss the intensity of this current camp, his championship mindset, and exactly what the fans can expect when the bell rings. Whether you're a fellow fighter or a dedicated fan of the local scene, Miklo’s journey is a masterclass in what happens when talent meets consistent hard work.

Miklos ig

https://www.instagram.com/miik_loww/#JoseGonzalez #Miklo #Hardworx #TheCircle #HungVu #MuayThai #BJJ #WCK #April25 #CaliforniaSoberPodcast #Moe #FightCamp #Striking #Grappling #ChampionMindset #SoCalFightScene

The O2 Arena was absolutely electric for UFC London: Evloev vs. Murphy, and we are breaking down every major moment, from the controversial main event to the absolute wars on the prelims.The Main Event: Movsar Evloev (20-0) vs. Lerone Murphy (17-1-1)Did the judges get this one wrong? We dive deep into the math. Lerone Murphy put on a technical masterclass in the first three rounds, using elite footwork and a snapping right hand to keep Movsar Evloev from finding his rhythm. Despite Evloev being deducted a point in Round 4 for repeated low blows, he managed to pull off a Majority Decision. We discuss Murphy’s mid-fight hip injury and whether his dominant early work should have secured him the win despite Evloev’s relentless 5th-round pressure.Santa Ana Stand Up! Danny Silva KOBig shout out to Danny "Puma" Silva (10-2)! Coming out of Santa Ana, CA, and representing Cub Swanson’s camp, Danny showed why he’s one of the slickest strikers in the division. He made the undefeated Kurtis Campbell look amateur on the feet before finishing him with a savage cross in the 2nd round. Santa Ana pride was on full display tonight!Full Card Highlights:Luke Riley (12-0): The hype is real. Riley showed a granite chin and high-level adjustments to stay undefeated against Michael Aswell Jr.Fight of the Night: Mason Jones vs. Axl Sola was a blood-and-guts war. Sola is a cultured savage, but Mason Jones is a different breed of dog.Heavyweight Chaos: Brando Pericic and Iwo Baraniewski (8-0, 8 KOs) are officially the future of the big boys.The Drama: We break down the post-fight "backhand" incident between Shem Rock and Abdul Kareem.upport the Show & Connect:Follow on Instagram: @CaliforniaSoberPodcastListen on Spotify/Apple: California Sober Podcast#UFCLondon #LeroneMurphy #MovsarEvloev #DannySilva #SantaAna #MMA #UFC #FightBreakdown #CaliforniaSoberPodcast #Moe #Boxing #LukeRiley #MVP #CombatSports #O2Arena

In this episode, we welcome back a powerhouse from the LBC, Justin Padilla, for his first formal sit-down interview. The history between Justin and Moe goes back to Justin’s incredible Muay Thai debut for WCK during the Thai/Khmer New Year celebration. That night, Justin put the world on notice with a spectacular knockout, and Moe was there to capture the immediate aftermath. Now, they reconnect to dive deeper into Justin's journey and his unique training pedigree.Justin fights out of Long Beach Khmer Kickboxing, one of the oldest and most respected martial arts institutions in California. Established in 1987 by the legendary Oum Ry, this gym is a cornerstone of the community and one of the few places in the country dedicated to the art of Kun Khmer (Cambodian Kickboxing). While it shares the "Art of Eight Limbs" foundation with Muay Thai, we discuss the subtle but violent differences that set Kun Khmer apart—from the aggressive rhythm to the surgical use of elbows and specialized kicking techniques.Justin is back on the show to promote his highly anticipated return to the ring for WCK on April 25. We talk about his camp, the evolution of his style since that viral debut, and what it means to represent one of the most historic gyms in the West.#JustinPadilla #KunKhmer #LongBeachKhmerKickboxing #WCK #MuayThai #Kickboxing #LBC #OumRy #ThaiNew Year #KhmerNewYear #CombatSports #CaliforniaSoberPodcast #Moe #FightNews #SurgicalStriking #LongBeachSports justins socialshttps://www.instagram.com/yaboiipadilla/Long Beach Kickboxinghttps://www.instagram.com/lbkhmerkickboxing/

Yo, what is up everybody! It’s Moe on the California Sober Podcast, and we are back to break down one of the wildest, messiest, and most emotional nights in MMA history. UFC 326 just went down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and between the BMF title fight and the literal "vomit and nut shots" disaster, we have a LOT to talk about.Whether you're here for the technical breakdown or just the chaos, grab your water, stay disciplined, and let's dive into the results. The Emotional Debut: Alberto Montes vs. Ricky TurciosWe start with Alberto Montes (11-1). Man, this kid hasn't seen his parents in 9 years, and it showed in the fighter meetings. Out of Goat Shed with President Awesome, he faced the gladiator Ricky Turcios (13-5). Ricky was circling like a TKD fighter, but Montes stayed calm. In Round 2, Ricky shot, Montes sprawled, and locked up a Savage Anaconda Choke at 0:40. Ricky went to sleep, and Montes put the division on notice. The "Nut Shot" Disaster: Garbrandt vs. Xiao LongFormer champ Cody Garbrandt (17-7) vs. Xiao Long (27-10) was the weirdest fight I've ever seen. Xiao Long's left kicks were money, but then the third round turned into a tragedy. THREE nut shots in one round. The second one was so bad Cody started throwing up into a bucket—and Paramount missed the shot! Herb Dean took two points, and Cody ran away for the win (28-27). Is it time for Cody to be cut, or was he just a victim of circumstance? The BMF Coronation: Oliveira vs. Holloway 2In the main event, Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira (36-11) proved there are levels. He didn't play Max Holloway's (27-8) game. He wrestled, he controlled, and he suffocated Max for 25 minutes. Max is a warrior, but Charles is your NEW BMF CHAMPION—the first to ever hold an undisputed belt and the BMF title. Also In This Episode:Robocop’s Revenge: Gregory Rodrigues (#13, 18-6) flatlines Brunno Ferreira (#15, 15-2) after a stance-switching mistake.The "Uncs" Battle: Drew Dober (28-15) puts Michael Johnson (25-19) out cold with a brutal left hand.The Dagestani Meta: Raul Rosas Jr. (11-1) grinds out a decision over Rob Font (22-9).#CaliforniaSoberPodcast #UFC326 #CharlesOliveira #MaxHolloway #CodyGarbrandt #AlbertoMontes #BMF #UFCVegas #MMA #Knockout #BJJ #UFCResults #BMFChampion #DoBronxs #Blessed #FightBreakdown #MMAAnalysis #GoatShed #PresidentAwesome #UFCResults #CombatSportsPodcast #FightReaction#FightBreakdown

On this episode, Moe sits down with veteran fighter Yadir Perez to talk about the Elbow Fighting League (EFL)—the most violent new evolution in combat sports.Forget boxing or grappling. The EFL is "Boxing with Elbows." Yadir will be one of the first to step into the ring at the debut LA event to prove why the elbow is the "mother of all strikes." He breaks down the 12-6 rules and the "modern gladiator" mindset needed when points don't matter—only who's left standing.But the real story is Yadir’s life outside the cage. He gets raw about falling off the "straight path" and a period where he questioned his Christian faith. Yadir shares how he found his way back to Christ and why he now treats every day as both a struggle and an opportunity—a constant grind to stay disciplined and walk with purpose.#californiasoberpodcast #YadirPerez #EFL #ElbowFightingLeague #ElbowBoxing #BoxingWithElbows #DefiantFightAcademy #DonQuixoteLA #StrikingOnly #MuayThai #MMA #CombatSports #BrutalFights #Knockouts #ModernGladiator #CombatAthlete #ChristianAthlete #FaithAndFighting #Testimony #WalkWithGod #TheStraightPath #DailyGrind #OvercomingStruggles #FaithJourney