In this powerful episode of Champ and the Tramp, Roger Mathews and Frankie Edgar sit down with Kurt and Mike, two fathers, entrepreneurs, and family men facing stage four cancer.

Kurt shares how what began as a stomach ache led to the discovery of a tumor in his colon and cancer that had spread to his liver. Mike recounts an even more staggering diagnosis—85 lesions throughout his body, including advanced melanoma that had reached his brain and cerebral fluid. After being given an extremely poor prognosis, his search for options eventually took him to Germany for T-cell therapy.

The conversation explores their experiences with conventional and emerging treatments, seeking multiple medical opinions, clinical trials, personalised approaches, insurance and treatment accessibility, and the importance of being proactive when facing a life-changing diagnosis.

But more than anything, this is a conversation about hope.

Kurt and Mike open up about their wives and families standing beside them, finding faith through their darkest moments, continuing to work and live while undergoing treatment, and turning their experiences into an effort to help others searching for answers.

Their message is simple: a diagnosis is not a sentence. Keep fighting, keep asking questions, and never lose hope.

The experiences and treatments discussed in this episode reflect the guests' personal experiences and opinions and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding medical decisions.

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CHAPTERS-

00:00 Episode Trailer

02:30 Giveaway & Intro

03:48 Meet Kurt & Mike: Battling Stage Four Cancer

04:53 Kurt's Shocking Colon Cancer Diagnosis

07:50 Mike's Symptoms & Months of Misdiagnosis

09:19 85 Lesions & an Extremely Rare Cancer Battle

10:41 Searching for Treatment in Germany

12:36 Turning Survival Into a Mission to Help Others

14:02 Finding the Right Doctors & Exploring Different Options

14:55 Using Sound Waves to Target Liver Tumors

16:38 Raising Awareness & Finding Hope After Diagnosis

18:38 Targeted Therapies, Chemo & T-Cells

20:32 Looking Beyond the Standard Treatment Path

21:44 What's Behind Rising Cancer Concerns?

23:37 Lifestyle, Genetics & Cancer

25:33 Kurt's Treatment Progress & the Power of Hope

28:39 Why Every Patient's Treatment Can Be Different

29:25 FDA Approval, Clinical Trials & the Right to Try

30:42 Looking Overseas for Treatment Options

32:53 The Accessibility Problem in Cancer Care

35:25 “Cancer Can Happen to Anybody”

37:02 The Wives & Families Behind the Fight

38:01 Finding Faith Through Cancer

39:36 Turning “Why Me?” Into a Mission

40:48 Kurt's Incredible Treatment Progress

41:42 Living Life With a Colostomy

42:17 Diet, Fasting & Lifestyle Changes

45:13 Stem Cells & Alternative Health Approaches

46:55 Breathwork, Wim Hof & Ice Baths

51:00 Sauna, Cold Plunges & Red Light Therapy

52:48 Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

53:43 Helping Others Find Cancer Resources

55:17 Why Getting Multiple Medical Opinions Matters

56:49 Why Men Ignore Warning Signs

59:32 COVID, Health Choices & Personal Autonomy

1:00:25 Losing a Wall Street Career & Reinventing Yourself

1:01:47 Building Businesses While Battling Cancer

1:03:58 Making Treatment Accessible to Everyone

1:05:01 Insurance & the Cost of Treatment

1:07:52 Cancer Research & Finding More Options

1:09:10 “A Diagnosis Is Not a Sentence”

1:11:37 Using Research & AI to Find Clinical Trials

1:13:23 Time Is the Most Precious Commodity

1:15:08 How Cancer Changes Your Perspective on Life

1:16:51 Final Thoughts & A Message to Their Families

What happens when you mix movie buffs, terrible accents, UFC veterans, and hilarious stories? This episode has it all.The crew kicks things off by playing "Quote This", a fast-paced movie quote party game where everyone has to act out or read iconic movie lines using different accents, voices, and physical challenges. From Rocky, Predator, Titanic, The Breakfast Club, Pulp Fiction, The Hunger Games, and more, the laughs don't stop.After the game, the conversation shifts to combat sports, as the hosts discuss Clay Guida's legendary energy, recent wrestling matches, respect between competitors, and where trash talk crosses the line. They also dive into family vacations, wildlife in Maine, fishing, tubing, bears, moose, strange foods from around the world, sharks along the East Coast, and plenty of unforgettable stories.If you enjoy combat sports, comedy, movies, and off-the-rails conversations, this episode is for you.👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it💬 Tell us which movie quote you would have guessed first!🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Champ and the Tramp.Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!Chapters00:00 Intro Trailer02:07 Giveaway & Podcast Intro03:26 Introducing the "Quote This" Movie Game04:42 How the Game Works06:26 The Movie Quote Challenge Begins12:07 Chaos, Accents & Classic Movie Quotes22:56 Favorite Movies, Impressions & Trivia Battles36:35 Final Thoughts on the Game36:53 Clay Guida's Incredible Energy & MMA Stories39:09 Fighting, Wrestling & Career Reflections40:21 Breaking Down Recent Wrestling Matches42:25 Trash Talk: Where Should Fighters Draw the Line?45:03 Family Vacation Stories from Maine47:26 Bears, Moose & Wildlife Encounters48:33 The Best Wild Game Meat to Eat49:38 Weirdest Foods We've Ever Tried52:56 Sharks, Stingrays & Ocean Stories55:22 Animal Encounters & Fishing Adventures59:24 More Wild Vacation & Outdoor Stories1:02:19 Wrapping Up the Conversation

You get one of the funniest and most honest episodes yet.

Roger Mathews and Frankie Edgar dive into the realities of business ownership, learning from expensive mistakes, and why choosing the right business partner matters more than the business itself. Frankie opens up about owning UFC gyms, what he would do differently today, and how failure shaped his career outside the Octagon.

The conversation shifts into parenting, youth wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and why kids need to embrace failure while adults avoid it at all costs. Frankie also breaks down the brutal reality of wrestling weight cuts, Fargo Nationals, nutrition, and what competitors go through before stepping on the mat.

Of course, it wouldn't be Champ & The Tramp without hilarious stories—from college fights and food poisoning disasters to motorcycle road rage, unforgettable drinking stories, and debates about the greatest women in MMA history before wrapping up with UFC fight picks.

If you enjoy honest conversations, behind-the-scenes MMA stories, parenting, business lessons, and plenty of laughs, this episode is for you.

👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it.

💬 Let us know your favorite story from this episode.

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.

#MMA #FrankieEdgar #RogerMathews #UFC #Wrestling #JiuJitsu #Business #Podcast #CombatSports

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Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!

00:00 Trailer

02:18 Intro & Giveaway

03:37 Business Partnerships & Costly Mistakes

07:38 Why Failure Makes You Better

09:28 Parenting Through Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu

11:48 Fargo Nationals & Wrestling Weight Cuts

14:18 Weight Cutting, Hydration & Competition Nutrition

15:33 College Drinking Stories & Weight-Cut Horror Stories

16:23 The Food Poisoning Disaster Story

19:18 College Fights & Wild Party Memories

21:18 Why Adults Stop Making Crazy Memories

22:18 Motorcycle Road Rage Story

26:18 Business, Family & Life Lessons

28:48 The Mount Rushmore of Women's MMA

31:03 The Greatest Female Fighters Ever

33:48 Social Media, Internet Culture & Comedy

37:08 UFC Card Predictions & Fight Picks

42:18 Final Thoughts

On this episode of Champ and The Tramp, Roger Mathews and Frankie Edgar are back for another unfiltered conversation covering everything from nature, animals, culture, and the biggest debates happening today.The guys kick things off talking about the Strawberry Moon, old beliefs around full moons, wildlife, hunting, fishing, sharks, orcas, and why some animals struggle in captivity.The conversation then turns into a deeper discussion about controversial films, censorship, immigration, multiculturalism, American values, Europe’s future, free speech, and whether societies can maintain their identity while adapting to change.From hilarious arguments to serious debates, Roger and Frankie bring their honest perspectives, personal experiences, and classic back-and-forth energy.Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes every week.Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!Chapters00:00 Trailer01:40 Disclaimer01:53 Carnivore Giveaway02:59 Strawberry Moon & Full Moon Theories04:54 Do Full Moons Affect People?05:42 Can We Trust Statistics & Polling?06:55 Endangered Animals & Hunting Debate07:48 Bears, Parasites & Eating Wild Meat09:10 Sushi, Oysters & Seafood Risks09:46 Growing Up Clamming & Fishing Stories10:54 Shark Fishing From The Beach11:42 Why Great White Sharks Can’t Survive Captivity12:07 Orcas, SeaWorld & Animal Intelligence15:35 The Movie Banned In Germany16:05 Citizen Vigilante & Europe’s Migrant Debate17:40 Does Multiculturalism Work?18:58 American Values & Assimilation21:40 Heated Debate On Freedom23:09 Borders, Europe & Immigration24:24 Propaganda, Politics & Division29:40 Crime, Punishment & Society34:45 Old Stories & Growing Up Different39:40 Changing Rules In Fighting44:41 MMA Legends & Wrestling Dominance49:42 Greatest Fighters & Different Eras53:40 Movies That Predicted The Future55:54 Final Thoughts

Combat veteran and world-record disabled powerlifter Derick Carver joins Roger Mathews and Frankie Edgar for one of the most thought-provoking conversations yet.

Derrick shares the story of why he joined the military after 9/11, how growing up without strong role models shaped his life, and the lessons he learned serving in Afghanistan. From overcoming failure to finding purpose, he explains why "choosing your hard" changed everything.

The conversation dives into masculinity, fatherhood, discipline, physical fitness, military service, patriotism, and what it really means to be an American. Derrick also gives his perspective on Bryce Mitchell's comments about "politician's wars," discusses following orders in the military, the COVID vaccine mandate, and where he believes the line should be drawn between duty and personal conviction.

Whether you agree or disagree, this episode is packed with honest opinions, personal stories, and meaningful discussion about service, sacrifice, freedom, and the challenges facing modern society.

Topics Covered:

Derick Carver's Afghanistan deployment

Why did he join the military after 9/11

Life after combat and powerlifting

The "Choose Your Hard" mindset

Fatherhood and raising strong children

Masculinity in modern America

Bryce Mitchell's comments on war

Military life and following orders

COVID vaccine mandates in the military

Patriotism, freedom, and American values

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with athletes, veterans, comedians, and influential guests.

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Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!

0:00:00 Trailer

0:03:12 Disclaimer

0:03:25 Carnivor

0:04:31 Meeting Derick & the Road Trip Days

0:10:27 How He Got Into the Military

0:19:47 The Three F's Every Man Needs

0:21:45 Bryce Mitchell & Fighting a Politician's War

0:28:06 Looking to the Government to Save You

0:38:18 Gaza, War & Civilian Casualties

0:46:18 Israel, Europe & Cultural Warfare

0:53:29 Why He's a Christian Nationalist

0:56:17 Tucker, Putin & Russia

0:59:25 Borders & Who Actually Assimilates

1:09:04 The Day He Got Hit

1:10:41 75 Meters From Opening a School

1:13:50 Hammering a Titanium Rod Into His Femur

1:21:56 Doing It All Again

1:27:02 The Ex-Wife Got Married & Co-Parenting

1:34:16 Millennial Dads Are Saving the World

1:35:42 The Feminism Breakdown

1:46:29 Wisdom From a Dying Kid

1:47:56 The Quadruple Amputee Who Did a Bodybuilding Show

1:52:31 Dustin Poirier's Plane Incident

1:54:23 When Your Whole Identity Gets Ripped Away

1:58:19 The COVID Reckoning

2:06:33 War With China Is Already Here

2:13:58 Defund the Universities

2:18:52 Wrapping It Up

UFC Freedom 250, parenting, life lessons, and unforgettable stories—this episode of The Champ and The Tramp has it all.Roger Mathews and Frankie Edgar kick things off by discussing the tragic loss of a young wrestler, leading to a heartfelt conversation about how quickly life can change. From e-bike safety and raising kids in today's world to personal stories of loss, survival, and resilience, the episode delivers some powerful perspectives on family, responsibility, and appreciating every moment.The conversation also shifts to the highly anticipated UFC Freedom 250 card, with the hosts breaking down potential matchups, sharing predictions, discussing the White House event buzz, and talking about what this historic moment could mean for the sport of MMA.Whether you're a fight fan, a parent, or someone who appreciates real conversations, this episode is packed with laughs, emotion, and thought-provoking discussion.🥊 In This Episode:UFC Freedom 250 discussion and predictionsThe White House UFC event debateThe tragic loss of a young wrestlerE-bike safety and parenting challengesTeaching kids responsibility and risk managementPersonal stories of loss, survival, and recoveryWhy life should never be taken for grantedFrankie Edgar and Roger Mathews' candid perspectives on family and MMA💬 Let us know in the comments:What are your thoughts on UFC Freedom 250? And how much freedom should kids have when it comes to activities like e-bikes and dirt bikes?👍 Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes of The Champ and The Tramp.Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!0:00 Trailer2:18 Disclaimer2:31 Carnivor3:47 Life Is Fragile13:37 The Ones We Lost32:35 UFC at the White House33:26 Gaethje's Comeback35:35 The Three Minute Break36:54 Retire on Top38:04 Conor vs Holloway Is Next40:53 Back of the Head Controversy43:44 The O'Malley Salute46:12 Lawler and the Bulldog Choke47:05 Tim Sylvia's Snapped Arm48:19 The GOAT Debate49:26 White House Card Takeaways51:11 The Comment That Crossed the Line53:24 What Did Trump Think57:04 Famous vs Infamous58:35 Where Sayings Come From1:01:44 Roger's Maine Trip1:07:02 Frankie Spits a Verse

Roger Mathews and Frankie Edgar are back with another entertaining episode of The Champ and The Tramp! The guys talk about surviving a brutal Northeast winter, why summer at the Jersey Shore hits differently, beach life, boating, motorcycles, parenting, and raising adventurous kids in today's world. They also share hilarious stories, including a wild beach brawl involving Roger's sister Renee and a youth soccer tournament gone wrong.Later, the conversation shifts to current events, the Austin Metcalf case, social media outrage, media narratives, and the growing debate surrounding the upcoming UFC White House card. Roger and Frankie break down some of the biggest fights on the card, including Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira's matchup, Bo Nickal's return, Michael Chandler's future, and Sean O'Malley's path back to title contention.From parenting philosophies and outdoor adventures to UFC predictions and White House fight-night controversy, this episode delivers laughs, strong opinions, and plenty of unfiltered conversation.👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for more episodes of The Champ and The Tramp!Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!0:00 Disclaimer0:13 Carnivor0:42 Summertime's Here1:18 Loving Summer After a Brutal Winter5:35 Renee's Beach Brawl8:49 Bikes, Boats & Being Outdoors11:24 Let Your Kids Do Dangerous Things13:54 Parents Who Parent Other People's Kids15:19 Crabbing & Island Heights17:13 Grayson's Dirt Bike Crash19:24 The Austin Metcalf Case21:31 White House Card Drama26:44 Pastrana's White House Backflip28:34 The Claw29:36 Thunder Calls the Game32:26 Running the Whole Fight Card43:05 The Netanyahu Walkout Talk45:53 Politics, Sports & NBA Riots48:17 The Crash Documentary52:52 The Michael Jackson Doc56:34 Track Days & Wall Stadium1:00:08 Who'd Actually Win in a Fight

Frankie breaks down his experience competing at RAF and what it was really like stepping onto the mat against one of the world's best grapplers, Merab Dvalishvili.From the atmosphere feeling like a UFC fight week to meeting legends like Kurt Angle and Jon Jones, Frankie shares the highs, the lessons learned, and why he has zero regrets about taking the challenge. He discusses what surprised him most about Merab's wrestling style, the key moments that decided the match, and why he believes he can come back even better with more experience.The conversation also dives into some of the most memorable moments from the event, including the viral nose-ring controversy, reactions from fellow fighters, and the star-studded lineup that made RAF such a unique experience.Was Merab's awkward style the difference-maker? Could Frankie do better in a rematch? And what was it like sharing the event with some of the biggest names in combat sports?

Chapters:

0:00 Disclaimer

0:13 Carnivor

1:19 What's In A Name

4:35 Chris And The Matt Brown Upset

5:16 The RAF Wrestling Debut

9:58 Meeting Kurt Angle And John Jones

13:48 Ben Askren Back From Death's Door

16:29 Fighting For Money Or Pride

18:28 The Jose Canseco Offer

19:58 The White House Card

24:06 The Influencer Fighter Era

24:45 Tattooed Singer Goes Bare Knuckle

27:00 Grit Money Can't Buy

28:49 OnlyFans And Shock Culture

30:39 The Crash Documentary

32:17 Avatar And Real Sci Fi

33:59 Disney's Dark History

35:39 The Cancun Monster

40:31 The Strip Mall Story

46:10 Caitlin Clark Talk

48:30 The Cut Off Debate

50:25 Marriage Kids And IVF

52:19 Cereal On The Ceiling

53:15 The Instagram Illusion

Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!

Welcome back to another episode of Champ and The Tramp! This one goes everywhere — from parenting and phones to AI conspiracies, movies, sports, wrestling, and some wild entertainment debates.Frankie Edgar and Roger Mathews dive into whether smartphones are changing the next generation, strange theories surrounding presidents and history, the evolution of AI, and some fun movie discussions. The guys also break down the latest MVP card, Netflix numbers, Colby Covington stepping into wrestling, and Frankie opens up about the losses that hit him the hardest during his fighting career.Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!00:00:00 Trailer00:01:40 Disclaimer00:01:53 Carnivor00:02:22 Did We Ruin Our Kids With Phones00:17:31 AI In The 60s And The Y Files00:20:19 Presidents And The Royal Bloodline00:21:36 Who Towed The Moon Here00:26:08 If You Made A Movie00:28:49 What Counts As An Action Movie00:35:25 Elliot Page Playing Achilles00:38:03 Breaking Down The MVP Card00:42:55 The Netflix Numbers Game00:45:00 Colby Covington Goes Wrestling00:51:11 Frankie On The Losses That Hurt

On this episode of @champandthetramp, the guys talk UFC 318 fallout — Sean Brady dominating Buckley, the Strickland-Hazmat scale controversy, Ryan Cafaro's wild comeback in Japan, and the Van vs. Tesoro war that had Frankie second-guessing the stoppage. Frankie breaks down his upcoming wrestling match with Merab Dvalishvili, why he said yes, and how he's training different this camp. Then it gets unhinged — rapid fire questions, chimpanzee vs. Pereira, Biggie vs. Jon Jones, plastic in your fruit, and the hardest Roger ever got cracked at a bar. Real, raw, no filter.Chapters:00:00 Disclaimer00:13 Carnivor01:48 UFC 318 Recap03:28 Sabatini & Sean Brady Dominate Buckley05:09 Van vs. Tesoro War06:13 Ryan Cafaro's Japan Comeback08:12 Hazmat vs. Strickland Breakdown12:14 The Scale Controversy14:26 Was Brady's Fight Fixed?15:32 Frankie vs. Merab Wrestling Match18:21 Has Frankie Ever Ducked a Fight?20:22 Strickland's Trash Talk Game23:22 Masculinity in America Today24:28 Plastic in Your Fruit26:30 Buying Half a Cow & Hunting Talk30:31 Frankie's RAF Wrestling Prep31:08 When Does The Student Become The Teacher?33:21 Rapid Fire Questions35:31 Biggie vs. Jon Jones37:12 Vegan or No Sex For A Year39:11 Best Athletes Of All Time50:39 Loyalty in Sports vs. Country55:59 Roger Gets Cracked at the Surf ClubFollow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!