On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," Phil and Josh discuss one of the biggest events in Strikeforce history, "Shamrock vs. Baroni," which took place in San Jose, California on June 22, 2007. The simmering feud between Frank Shamrock and Phil Baroni would finally come to a head, and with the vacant Strikeforce middleweight title on the line, it was to be an all-out barnburner. We discuss the pro wrestling-style build-up, a forced partnership with EliteXC, Frank training and fighting with a torn-up knee, brutal KOs, failed drug tests, fighters getting arrested...you don't want to miss this show! 

All our links can be found here: https://podfollow.com/inside-the-hexagon/view. Download and subscribe, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Also, please don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Sources: Sherdog, Tapology, MMAWeekly.com 

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," we chat with the first-ever Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, Bobby Southworth! Known for his very memorable time on the very first season on The Ultimate Fighter, Southworth was part of a cast that included Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Mike Swick, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koschek, Chris Leben, Kenny Florian, and others. The former champ delves into launching the BJJ program at American Kickboxing Academy, his ill-fated Strikeforce bout with James "The Sandman" Irvin (where the cage door flew open during the fight), his title win over Vernon "Tiger" White, his time on TUF, and more. 

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," Phil and Josh discuss "Triple Threat," which took place in San Jose, California on December 8, 2006. Strikeforce's fourth event showcased three title bouts, including a main event of UFC vets Bobby Southworth and Vernon "Tiger" White locking horns forth the inaugural Strikeforce light heavyweight title. Also fighting on the card would be Cung Le, Josh Thomson, and Gina Carano.  

We discuss all this on this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon!"

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Sources: Sherdog, Tapology, MMAWeekly.com 

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," we chat with American Kickboxing Academy founder and world class trainer Javier Mendez! We delve into his longstanding friendship with Scott Coker, training Frank Shamrock, the early days of Strikeforce, getting Cung Le ready for a title shot, Cain Velasquez, and much more! 

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," Phil and Josh discuss "Tank vs. Buentello," which took place in Fresno, California on October 7, 2006. Strikeforce's third event featured a main event of "The Headhunter" Paul Buentello clashing with UFC legend Tank Abbott in a fight sure to end in a knockout (it did). Also on the card, Josh "The Punk" Thomson took on Duane "Bang" Ludwig, and "Live Wire" Jason Von Flue, the man who made the "Von Flue choke" popular (but didn't invent it), made his Strikeforce debut. 

Also, future UFC heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez made his MMA debut! 

We discuss all this, as well as the Strikeforce debut of "Cabbage" Correira that never happened, on this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon."

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Sources: Sherdog, Tapology, MMAWeekly.com 

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," we chat with former WEC lightweight champion and two-time Strikeforce lightweight champion "El Nino" Gilbert Melendez. One of the cornerstones of the promotion, Melendez discusses his formative years in MMA, his relationship with Jake Shields, winning the WEC belt, the first two Strikeforce events, his title win over Clay Guida, and more. 

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Sources: MMA Weekly, MMA Junkie, Tapology

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," Phil and Josh cover Strikeforce's sophomore event effort, "Revenge." This event was originally supposed to feature Kevin "The Monster" Randleman taking on Vitor Belfort in the main event, but medical issues took out the former UFC heavyweight kingpin. Instead, Alistair Overeem battled Belfort in a rematch of a previous Pride FC bout. Also on the card, Gilbert Melendez faced Clay Guida for the Strikeforce lightweight championship, and Cung Le looked to vanquish another for from his kickboxing days in experienced fighter Brian Warren. 

And who could forget one of MMA's most unlucky moments, which came when Bobby Southworth and James "The Sandman" Irvin crashed through an unsecured cage door just seconds into their fight! 

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Sources: Sherdog, Tapology

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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On this week's episode of "Inside the Hexagon," we chat with Strikeforce Founder/CEO and current Bellator President Scott Coker. The man responsible for "Shamrock vs. Gracie" discusses putting the event together, the long road it took to get MMA legalized in California, and what his original plans for the main event were (hint: it involved a Japanese legend). In addition, Coker discusses transitioning from kickboxing, the indomitable Frank Shamrock, how Cowboy Cerrone saved Strikeforce, the rise of Cung Le, and much more.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support.

Sources: MMA Weekly, MMA Junkie, Sherdog

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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March 10, 2006...that's where it all began. On that date, the first-ever sanctioned MMA event in California history took place as future Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez established himself as the fighter to watch in the 155 lb. division, Cung Le made his MMA debut, Clay Guida won his only major MMA championship to date, and Frank Shamrock defended the family name against Cesar Gracie. With over 18,000 screaming fans in attendance, Strikeforce arrived on the national MMA scene with a bang.

It was only the beginning.

In the first episode of "Inside the Hexagon," host/producer Phil Lanides, along with co-host Josh Molina, walks through the backstory, lead-up, fights, and the aftermath that made up "Shamrock vs. Gracie."

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter...@InsidetheHexagonPod. Don't forget to rate and review! We appreciate your support!

Sources: MMA Weekly, The-Oratory.com, Tapology.com

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for our theme song: www.josephmcdade.com

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