To make a long story short, Chris' old CPU crapped out on him, so he had to make due with what he got. In this case, put on 2 interviews from 6+ months ago and reveal the progress on those involved (the interviewees in this case being Reality of Wrestling star Josiah Jean & Combate Global Fighter Carlos Puente Jr.) and put out an interview with Former UFC Fighter & Houston Fight Media Maven Mike "The Truth" Jackson (his 3rd time talking with him, 2nd on this show) about his upcoming fight with UFC Legend & Right Wing Bootlicker Pat Miletich coming up on Oct. 14th. Mike's fight with Miletich will be shown worldwide on CagedAggression.tv iPPV. Go there for more info.

Follow Josiah Jean's progress on his Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Check out Carlos over on Instagram: @StayUpCarlos

Feel free to check out Mike’s Social Media Handles:

J. Christian Gary (Facebook)

Songs used: Z-Ro - "Roll 1 Deep" (Instrumental) at the beginning, Z-Ro - "I'm So Houston" at the end.

We don't do this normally, but after just doing the Review of RIZIN LANDMARK 5 & Preview for RIZIN 42 a week ago, we had to drop back & do another episode the following week to talk about RIZIN 42! Our own "Chillmeister" Chris Gary returns with JayWolf & Tsar Boris to talk about the 13 Fight Card from the Tri-Main Event to Opening Bout and all the goings-on in-between from it. This includes the fact that the two winners of the Double Main Event will square off to crown the 5th RIZIN Bantamweight Champion This Summer. Also, the trio goes over the signing of BJJ Standout Igor "FatNinja" Tanabe Guimarães, RIZIN's "production issues" when it comes to International Broadcasts, the exciting entrance of Ren "YA MAN" Sugiyama, previewing RIZIN 43 on June 24th & much more!

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Even though the fights are done doesn't mean they can't be watched again. If you wanna check out the events without having to pay a lot to see them, check out the FITE TV RIZIN Bundle (courtesy of Integrated Sports). If your order the PPVs through that bundle, you'll save half off the price you'd get for both shows. ($30 instead of $60; Event not available in Russia, Brazil or Japan; see the link for more details.) Also, if you're thinking of getting the event as a new FITE Member, be sure to use Chris' code to get a $10 Credit to enjoy events on FITE!

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0:00 Intro (+ Eiichi Saeki’s ⁠“Judgement”⁠)

2:17:54 Outro (+ Smoke DZA & Dwayne Swayze's new track "Full Circle")

First off, Feliz Cinco de Mayo! We hope y'all are enjoying this festive holiday responsibly. Secondly, with RIZIN LANDMARK 5 now in the rear-view mirror, RIZIN 42 less than 24 hours away & his usual co-host (Andrew Benjamin of the WeAreRIZIN Podcast) deciding that THIS weekend was the right time to be in Japan, our own "Chillmeister" J. Christian Gary decided that there needed to be a void filled in the coverage wagon. So, he hopped onto the RIZIN FF Fans Discord Server, got notorious Grand Prix Lover JayWolf on the horn as his fellow BOTI (Born on The [Galveston] Island) Boy Tsar Boris stumbled in before recording time & make something out of nothing. Hence, this episode reviews that happenings that went down at RIZIN LANDMARK 5 on April 29th & previews the big fights that'll happen at RIZIN 42 later today/tomorrow.

It's a new year (2023) & despite the fact that it's now nearly 4 months into the year, we felt it was only right to kick this year off with a mega episode of Focus Fights Audio. In this episode, we'll be speaking with WrestleRave Champion Aaron Mercer as he was preparing for his Title Defense vs. Dragon Gate Star Big R Shimizu (interview was done on Jan. 9th), heavy hitting RIZIN & BKFC Flyweight Slugger John "The Magician" Dodson prior to his fight vs. Jarod Grant (recorded on Jan. 17th), RIZIN & Shooto Bantamweight Competitor Mamoru Uoi "FULLSWING" with help from DEEP Fighter & Fight Trainer Zac Buscape (interview was done on Mar. 3rd) and Pro Wrestler/Comedian Dan Barry before his Bloodsport 9 Commentary Gig with Lenny Leonard (recorded on Mar. 20th).

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How to contact the interviewees:

Aaron Mercer: @RealAaronMercer (Twitter & Instagram), Personal Facebook Page, Facebook Fan Page, @aaronmercer375 (YouTube)

John Dodson: @JohnDodsonMMA (Twitter & Instagram), Facebook Fan Page, Linktree Page

Mamoru Uoi "FULLSWING": @zurutherapyfish (Twitter & Instagram)

Zac Buscape: @buscapemma (Instagram)

Dan Barry: @thedanbarry (Twitter & Instagram)

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0:00 Disclaimer + Content Warning

1:04 "In Memoriam" Tribute to & 10 Bell Salute for Jay Briscoe, Jerry Jarrett & Paul Wein + a Message about 1980s Pro Wrestling Legend Rick "Black Bart" Harris

3:16 Playing of "Tomadoi Twilight" by Tazumi Toyoshima, Intro & Run Down

6:46 WrestleRave Champion "The Blood of Texas" Aaron Mercer

49:58 Plugging Mercer's recent match vs. "BIG BOSS" Big R Shimizu + putting over his next match vs. "The Renaissance Woman" Hyan Olvera

51:52 RIZIN & BKFC Flyweight John "The Magician" Dodson (w/Intro from “Mr. Live Worldwide” Jeff Houston)

1:33:18 Thoughts on a certain ex-Child Star from the 1990s & 2000s wanting to get into MMA + a plug for Dodson's next fight

1:34:24 RIZIN Bantamweight Mamoru Uoi "FULLSWING" & DEEP Featherweight Zac Buscape

2:23:42 Retrospect on "FULLSWING" prepping for his next fight, who Buscape hooked Chris onto & a shout-out to Ana Bana Nebo from Indonesia

2:24:57 Josh Barnett's "Bloodsport 9" Commentator, Wrestler & Comedian Dan Barry

2:54:24 Running down last minute changes to "Bloodsport 9" & plugging "The Collective on FITE+"

2:55:47 Outro, plugging Focus Fights' upcoming projects (& misspelling Fraymous' name) & giving his thoughts on the Brian Barefield aka "BigSargeSportz" vs. KBME Houston SportsTalk790 AM situation + the playing of "Ps & Qs" by LE$ (with an Alternative Intro via Mai Yamane's "Tasogare")

With RIZIN 39 just hours away, the Superior Ruleset beckons with more exciting action to behold. Prior to the event, our own “Chillmeister” Chris Gary spoke with 3 fighters who compete at that event: Hirotaka Nakada (vs. Takahiro Ashida), Trent Girdham (vs. Genji Umeno) & Boyd Allen (vs. Yusuke Yachi) as each of them will hope to bring some exciting action to the Marine Messe Arena at Fukuoka Convention Center on Oct. 23rd. 

Coverage for that show kicks off at 1:00 AM Easter/10:00 PM Pacific on FITE TV & the FITE App. And if you order the $30 Bundle, you’ll not only get RIZIN 39, but RIZIN LANDMARK 4 on Nov. 6th also.

Still, we hope you’ll enjoy this episode as a preview to RIZIN 39.

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Hirotaka Nakada (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

Trent Girdham (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

Boyd Allen (Facebook & Instagram)

Follow our links on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/focusfights

And reach out to Chris Gary as well: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, CashApp

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0:00 Disclaimer/Content Warning

1:05 Intro (+ a mix of Tomoyasu Hotei’s “Death or Fight” & ”Here We Go” by AEW Music Director Mikey Rukus & #OMGItsAmp)

3:26 Intro, Future Outlook for the RIZIN Fighting Federation + Show Run Down

7:22 Hirotaka “The Rich” Nakada

58:14 Chris Gary gives a shout-out to Fight Fan Ana Nebo of Indonesia

59:14 Trent “Niño Loco” Girdham

1:31:07 “Sneaky” Boyd Allen

2:13:59 Chris Gary has an editor’s note moment and remembers a former World Champion.

2:15:05 RIZIN 39 Run Down

2:19:35 RIZIN 39/RIZIN LANDMARK 4 Plug & run down of ways to order & watch the show

2:21:19 A Preview of the ”We Are RIZIN” Podcast Interview with UFC & RIZIN Alum Anthony “El Toro” Birchak before his final fight on Nov. 4th at “Freedom Fight Night 3”

2:30:02 Outro, Plugs, Final Words & the Instrumental of ”Here We Go”

With this taking place 3 weeks ago and prior to the release of the most recent episode of this podcast, we couldn’t pass this one up.

Combat Sports Icon Antonio Kanji Inoki passed away due to natural causes on Oct. 1st at the age of 79 & on this special edition of this podcast, we do not want to focus on how Inoki died or even of his numerous accomplishments in Combat Sports. Instead, we want to focus on the one fight that he had that helped set the lexicon for today’s era of Combat Sports: his 15-Round Draw with “The G.O.A.T.” Muhammad Ali (with “Judo” Gene LeBell as the Special Guest Referee) from 1976.

Our own “Chillmeister” Chris Gary will be taking a deep dive with help from Andrew Benjamin of the “We Are RIZIN” Podcast & esteemed Combat Sports Writer Josh Gross as the overall impact of that fight is discussed. 

Josh is the author of “Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment.” You can get it on Amazon or wherever books are (still) sold: https://www.amazon.com/Ali-vs-Inoki-Forgotten-Entertainment/dp/1942952198

If you’re listening to this episode on Spotify or Anchor, there is a question we wanted to ask: “What will you miss about Antonio Inoki & how will you remember his impact?” There’s no right or wrong answer to that question. We just want to know your thoughts about this Combat Sports Icon passing away & how you’ll reminisce about him. 

(Photo of Ali x Inoki courtesy of @CatchWrestlingU on Twitter by way of Getty Images.)

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0:00 Disclaimer 

1:04 Monologue + 10 Bell Salute 

7:45 Musical Intro (George Benson’s “I Always Knew I Had It In Me (Version 2)” + Antonio Inoki’s Entrance Theme “Honō No Fighter (Part 1)”) 

11:04 Special Interview (co-hosted alongside Andrew Benjamin of the “We Are RIZIN” Podcast) with esteemed MMA Media Member Josh Gross 

56:45 Musical Outro (“Honō No Fighter (Part 1)” + Inoki’s “1, 2, 3, DA!” Saying)

The summer has come & gone and the fall is now dawning on us all. With that, our own “Chillmeister” Chris Gary hosts this jam-packed edition of Focus Fights Audio that just happens to be so big that it’s our 3rd 2-Parter.

For starters, we honor the memory of Canadian MMA Pioneer Elias “The Spartan“ Theodorou with a traditional 10 bell salute & tribute. 

Then, to kick off Part 1, Chris speaks with Battlefield Fight League Cage Announcer Ryan Ventura on his humble beginnings growing up in Western Canada and becoming a hot commodity in the fight world. They also previewed BFL 74 set to take place Oct. 12th on the UFC FIGHT PASS from Vancouver, BC, CAN.

Then, in an interview from the summer months, Chris spoke with media maven Raheel Ramzanali about his journey from the Radio Dial to pumping up crowds at XFL Games & cageside commentary for the Houston-Based FURY Fighting Championships.

(This Episode was done BEFORE the passing of Antonio Inoki, hence the tribute to Theodorou.)

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To see more of what the BFL & FURY FC has to offer, sign up for the UFC FIGHT PASS: https://www.ufcfightpass.com/

And don’t forget to check them out on Social Media:

Battlefield Fight League (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)

FURY FC/Garcia Promotions (FURY FC’s Facebook, Garcia Promotions’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) 

Check out Ryan’s links. Oh, and Raheel’s pages: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, his blog.

Check our links out, too & support Chris Gary as well: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, CashApp

Also, support Elias Theodorou’s GoFundMe Campaign as a way to give back to The Theodorou Foundation & Higher Access: https://www.gofundme.com/f/elias-theodorou

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0:00 Disclaimer 

1:04 Tribute to Elias “The Spartan” Theodorou (+ 10 Bell Salute) 

4:38 Bruce Buffer Intro of Theodorou (+ Avicii’s “The Nights”) 

6:44 Intro & Run-Down 

9:20 Ryan Christian Ventura (Cage Announcer of the Battlefield Fight League) 

1:10:57 Raheel Ramzanali (Lead Commentator of FURY Fighting Championships/Former Houston Sports Radio Host) 

2:09:57 Bridge to Part 2/Side B (+ C-Note’s “Hold It Down”)

Due to a policy on one of these platforms that states that you can't upload a 4+ Hour Long Podcast Episode, this episode was split in half.

In the 2nd Part of this 2 Part RIZIN Fighting Federation-Based episode of Focus Fights Audio, our own "Chillmeister" J. Christian Gary spoke with 3 of the competitors who will be competing at RIZIN 37 on July 31st.

First, he’ll be speaking with outlandish competitor Felipe Zina Masoni aka “KING HUNTER” (9-4 w/5 SUBs & 2 KOs) as he returns from a 3 year hiatus to fight 2nd Generation Athlete Kota Miura. It wasn’t what Chris really expected, but something was made out of this. (Kinda.)

Then, Chris will speak with Recent RIZIN Lightweight Title Challenger Johnny “Hollywood“ Case (27-8-1 w/19 KOs & 4 SUBs in MMA; 3-0 w/3 KOs in Boxing) as he not only details his upcoming fight vs. Koji Takeda (& his tan game), but also about his boxing career, his life away from the fight game & his thoughts since losing to Roberto Satoshi de Souza back on NYE 2021.

And finally, Chris will speak with PAWFC Strawweight Champion Laura Fontoura (7-0 w/5 SUBs) before her Main Event fight with Seika Izawa as well as her career & life outside of competition so far (keep in mind, she’s only 21 years old) and with her agent Lucas Lutkus on his thoughts of Laura’s future success and who might follow Laura into RIZIN’s Superior Ruleset down the line.

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Felipe Zina Masoni aka “KING HUNTER” (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

Johnny “Hollywood“ Case (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

Laura Fontoura (Instagram)

Lucas Lutkus (Instagram, Brazilian Fight Series, ALL IN Sports Management)

Also, check out all of what we got HERE.

Check out what the RIZIN Fighting Federation has in store HERE.

And be sure to follow & show support to Chris Gary as well. (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, CashApp)

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0:00 Intro (+ Eiichi Saeki’s “Judgement”)

1:40 Felipe Zina Masoni aka “KING HUNTER”

25:50 Johnny “Hollywood” Case

1:20:55 Laura Fontoura & Lucas Lutkus

2:08:18 Chris runs down the RIZIN 37 Fight Card

2:14:13 Outro, plugs, Nobuhiko Takada’s “DETAGOYA” Yell & Eiichi Saeki’s “Theme of RIZIN” w/Lenne Hardt’s “WE ARE RIZIN” shrill.

Due to a policy on one of these platforms that states that you can't upload a 4+ Hour Long Podcast Episode, this episode had to be split in half. In Part 1 of this 2 Part RIZIN Fighting Federation-Based episode of Focus Fights Audio, our own "Chillmeister" J. Christian Gary spoke with LFA Veteran and "proud nerd" Andrew Tenneson as well as 2 Fight UFC Veteran Luiz "Besouro" Dutra Jr. 

While both of whom have not fought in a while & represent big name fight gyms (Tenneson [8-1 w/5 KOs & 2 SUB], representing Jackson-Winklejohn, hasn’t fought since May 10th, 2019; Besouro [13-7-1 w/5 KOs & 2 SUB], represents Renovação Fight Team despite having last fought in Oct. 2017), they are hoping that their next respective opportunities to compete are in RIZIN.

In addition to speaking with both Andrew (along his WeAreRIZIN Podcast Co-Pilot Andrew Benjamin) & Luiz, Chris also puts over some other fighters that want to see their futures potentially play out in RIZIN’s Superior Ruleset & how to let those in charge know to make it happen.

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Be sure to follow both of these fighters on Social Media:

Andrew Tenneson (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter)

Luiz “Besouro“ Dutra Jr. (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter)

Also, check out all of what we got: https://linktr.ee/focusfights

And be sure to follow & show support to Chris Gary as well. (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, CashApp)

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0:00 Disclaimer/Content Warning

1:07 Intro (+ a mix of Tomoyasu Hotei’s “Death or Fight” & “Tops Drop” by Fat Pat)

8:10 Andrew Tenneson (via the WeAreRIZIN Podcast)

1:16:52 Luiz “Besouro“ Dutra Jr.

1:49:48 Outro including ways to contact the powers that be in RIZIN to get their attention on fighters wanting to fight for them (+ the song that Andrew Tenneson wants to have as his RIZIN Entrance Theme [Hitomi Shimatani’s “Destiny”])

In this full blown, wrestling-only edition of Focus Fights Audio, our “Chillmeister” Chris Gary spoke to someone representing a faction of people/army of one called “The 8th Day” (not to be confused with Indie Wrestler Saieve Al Sabah) in a very enthralling, yet intriguing interview. In addition to that, Chris also speaks with Texas Indie Wrestling Manager Johnny Blade of Undisputed Pro Wrestling, Kiefer “Startek” Bartek of New Texas Pro Wrestling & Jaime Martinez of LOKO Wrestling and previews shows that the latter 3 interviewees will be a part of.

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If you want to follow more of The 8th Day, check out their Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or Call Them (1-281-868-4898).

Don’t forget to check out Undisputed Pro Wrestling (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and their next show.

Be sure to follow NTPW (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok) on Social Media

As well as Jaime (Facebook) & LOKO Wrestling (Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, their shop, their Official “Unofficial“ website) on Social Media

And, don’t forget to follow Chris Gary (Facebook x Instagram) & send him money (if you enjoyed what you heard)

And if you wanna check us out, here’s our calling card: https://linktr.ee/focusfights

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0:00 Disclaimer 

1:11 Intro (+ Hikaru Utada’s “Exodus 04” Instrumental) 

3:30 The 8th Day (not to be confused with Saieve Al Sabah) 

34:45 Johnny Blade of Undisputed Pro Wrestling 

1:01:00 Previewing UPW’s “Fight Fire With Fire” 

1:02:50 Kiefer Bartek of New Texas Pro Wrestling 

2:10:28 Monologue for Kiefer Bartek since Last Summer 

2:12:37 Jaime “The Smark” Martinez of LOKO Wrestling 

2:31:06 Putting Over the NTPW & LOKO Events (in the style of Excalibur or Mattress Mack) 

2:36:16 Outro (+ Dwayne Swayze x Great Black Century’s “Heaven’s Gate”)