Fitz and a Fighter

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UFC flyweight Cody Durden joins Fitz Nation!  Cody is fresh off back to back wins in 2022 and talks about his journey as a standout high school wrestler who had to leave multiple college scholarship offers on the table to put fatherhood first.  Despite life getting in the way, his dream of becoming a world-class combat athlete remained.  His dedication to being an MMA fighter while working a full time job and helping provide for his family paid off with his entry into the UFC in 2020.  He is a flyweight to watch as he tries to climb the ranks!

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UFC veteran Lando Vannata joins Fitz Nation!  We had a wide-ranging chat about his journey from BMX racer to combat sports enthusiast to UFC action fighter!

Included on the show:

• Lando’s gaming rig (passion for car racing, adrenaline of a race vs. the rush of fighting)
• Cancelling fight with Andre Fili (tumultuous fight camp, expected return date)
• Being mentally stronger than ever (battling depression early in UFC career, panic attacks, working with a mental coach, always improving)
• Normal upbringing traveling around the U.S. (loving BMX racing, huge influence of his father, becoming obsessed with UFC after seeing Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett on VHS)   “Ever since I saw that fight, I was like, “Yep. That’s what I want to do with my life.”
• Why he was drawn to fighting (being the smallest brother, journey through wrestling in high school)
• Expectations of fighting vs. reality (the value of putting all your energy into one place)       “I thought I was going to retire by the time I was 30. Now, I just have the mindset of breadth over depth.”
• Advice to his younger self now that he’s 30
• Balancing his goals with growing older (mindfulness, belief in oneself, sports psychology and mental coaching).   “I think the best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to have deep-seated confidence.”

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Fitz is joined by the future UFC Hall of Famer and former champ Frankie Edgar.

Edgar held a UFC title in the lightweight division.  He then moved down to featherweight, where he competed in multiple title fights and has ultimately spent the last stage of his career as a bantamweight.

Edgar recalls the early days of his MMA career, how coming up short during his wrestling career fueled his drive as a pro fighter, advice to young fighters and athletes and more.

Thanks for checking out the show!

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Fitz catches up with UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush to talk about his upbringing in Iran, moving to to the United States as a kid, always being a fighter and how he's had to work really hard to be the nice guy people think of him as.

Be sure to check him out this week at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi as he takes on Mateusz Gamrot in a big match-up!

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Fitz chats with UFC welterweight Alex Morono.

Morono has an interesting back story as a person who was never an athlete growing up. 
While he was always active, it was never in an organized activity.  After his mom signed him up at a local boxing gym, he fell in love with combat sports.  Boxing then led to jiu jitsu which eventually got him taking fights.

Once setting a goal for fighting 20 times in the UFC, Morono says he now wants 20 wins in the UFC.  As a 16-time UFC veteran, he's on his way.  Enjoy this episode!

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Fitz chats with UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson as he gets ready to make his first walk as a UFC bantamweight in October.

Cub has had a decorated career as a pro fighter and is one of the originals when it comes to transitioning from the WEC to the UFC.  He has fought all the big names of his era and continues to challenge top prospects and veterans as he winds down his career.

Swanson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the summer of 2022 in the Fight Wing for his epic bout vs. Doo Ho Choi in 2016 (which happens to be one of my favorite fights of all time).

Cub will fight Jonathan Martinez at the UFC Apex on October 15th.

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Fitz chats with UFC middleweight Brendan Allen.  "All In" talks about his upbringing in a military family, settling in Louisiana and finding a love for martial arts.

Allen is 7-2 in the UFC since arriving through an impressive win on Dana White's Contender Series back in 2019.  He has finished most of his victories, including an impressive W over Kevin Holland in his UFC debut.

Allen will fight Krystof Jotko on October 1st at the UFC Apex.

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Fitz Nation is back with new UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer!

Joe is the first guest in Fitz Nation history that is a fighter yet to make his UFC debut.  He had a major moment on Dana White's Contender Series in July when he scored a KO win and brought big time energy during and after the fight in his interview.

That was put on hyperdrive when he was the only fighter that night to earn a UFC contract and Dana White came with the message of "BE JOE PYFER!" to send a message as to what he's looking for in the UFC.

Joe has a very compelling story of a disconnect with his family, and he is candid about his abuse growing up and trying to mentally come to terms with what makes him happy, healthy and connected.

Enjoy the show!

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Fitz chats with UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen.

Sandhagen is one of the most exciting bantamweight fighters in the world.  He also has a very unique mindset in how he thinks of himself and the place in the world.

He talks a lot about the art or martial arts being the most important part.  To Sandhagen, there are two prongs to being a pro fighter:  1) Having a lot of clout and 2) being really, really good.  

He's putting all his eggs in the being good basket and so far it's worked out for him!  I think you'll love this episode of Fitz Nation!

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Jalin Turner is the latest UFC contender to join Fitz Nation after his big win over Brad Riddell in Las Vegas.  Turner not only has an impressive win streak that's propelled him to the top 15, but he has also finished his opponents at a dizzying rate, making him a prospect to watch at 155 pounds.

In this interview, Turner talks about humble beginnings as a kid in San Bernardino, California, not having his father as part of his life, always having an interest in animals and wildlife, discovering a love for combat sports and stopping at nothing to be a fighter.

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