On this episode of @ChampandtheTramp, the guys are joined by longtime friend and former MMA fighter Jamal Patterson for a raw and hilarious deep dive into the fight game, street fights, and what it takes to make it. They share wild stories from the early MMA days, breaking down everything from smelly opponents and UFC nerves to the struggles of balancing fight careers with real life. The guys get real about the harsh truths of chasing fighting dreams, alternative careers, and what it means to “make it” in the sport today. With a perfect mix of laughter, insight, and brutal honesty—this is one you don’t want to miss.

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Intro and Disclaimer

00:00:13 – Carnivor Lean Meal

00:01:05 – Kicking off the episode with Jamal Patterson

00:02:05 – Jamal reflects on the podcast's growth and chemistry

00:06:45 – Loyalty and real friendships in fight teams

00:08:00 – The infamous “smelly opponent” fight story

00:11:00 – The early Jersey MMA scene and wild promotion memories

00:15:20 – Conditioning over muscles: what really wins fights

00:17:30 – The mindset of champions and why some fighters burn out

00:20:00 – What happens when your whole identity is fighting

00:23:30 – The Wolf of Wall Street and dream alternative careers

00:27:40 – Parenting, purpose, and finding meaning after fighting

00:32:30 – Classic Frankie injury story: the knee check mix-up

00:36:15 – IFL, GFL, and why fight leagues struggle to survive

00:41:20 – Why the UFC succeeded where others failed

00:45:15 – The evolution of MMA stars: from Hughes to Conor to Pereira

00:50:10 – Why Robbie Lawler is a real-life action figure

00:53:45 – What jiu-jitsu really teaches—and how it evolves fighters

00:58:40 – The five martial arts that actually work

01:02:15 – Jamal’s message to parents thinking about jiu-jitsu for kids

01:05:45 – Life skills kids carry forever through combat sports

01:08:30 – The psychology behind fighters dealing with loss

01:12:15 – Volkanovski’s mental toughness vs. parenting perspective

01:17:00 – What martial arts truly matter in 2024?

01:20:30 – Can you still make it in MMA without jiu-jitsu?

01:25:00 – Best fighters with minimal jiu-jitsu skills

01:30:45 – The opioid/fentanyl crisis and addiction in the fight world

01:33:00 – Final thoughts: Jamal plugs All-Star Martial Arts & message to parents

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