MMA History Podcast

Pete Rodley was co-owner and vice president of Universal Combat Challenge, the Montreal promotion that helped launch sanctioned Canadian MMA and gave early platforms to Georges St-Pierre, David Loiseau, Ivan Menjivar, Mark Hominick and Patrick Côté.

In this MMA History Podcast interview he traces his path from a traditional karate family and godson of UFC 3’s Harold Howard through IFC work on the reserves, the Combat List era, and the first UCC cards with Stéphane Patry.

Rodley covers the last-minute UCC 1 main-event scramble after Kimo Leopoldo pulled out, Elvis Sinosic versus Dave Beneteau, Wagnney Fabiano, Sean Sherk against Claudionor Fontinelle, the rain-out show, GSP’s debut against Menjivar, Full Contact Fighter ranking UCC among the world’s biggest promotions, and why he walked away before later returning with Freedom Fight.

A detailed look at the names and chaos that built MMA north of the border.

Subscribe to the MMA History Podcast for interviews and stories from the people who lived the early days of mixed martial arts.

0:00 start

0:29 MMA History Podcast intro

1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introduction

1:20 interview start

1:31 beginnings in MMA

4:24 meeting Harold Howard

8:00 attending IFC events

9:10 Battlecade Extreme Fighting 2

9:47 introduction to promoting

10:43 legalities for Battlecade Extreme Fighting 2

12:54 the Bikers in Canada

15:45 partnership with IVC and Sergio Batarelli

17:03 meeting Stephane Patry

21:00 issues with Stephane Patry

22:25 dealings during UCC

25:22 UCC 1 original main event

28:50 Kimo Leopoldo vs Elvis Sinosic cancelled bout

32:00 negotiations with Tom Erickson

34:28 Dave Beneteau

35:33 giving Elvis Sinosic options

42:48 UCC 1 fight card

43:53 experience with Shawn Tompkins

46:16 losing money due to rain

48:49 fighter pay at UCC events

50:03 Claudionor Fontenelle crimes

52:47 title bouts on UCC 2

53:11 UCC 3 fight card

54:00 Jay Winger vs Richard Nancoo

55:56 working with other Canadian Promoters

59:14 experience with Angelo Exarhakos

1:02:12 Renzo Gracie’s influence on Ottawa

1:04:09 Claudionor Fontenelle vs Donald Ouimet

1:06:52 Claudionor Fontenelle vs Sean Sherk

1:07:11 UCC 4 highlights

1:08:16 fallout with Stephane Patry

1:15:23 false rumor of Stephane Patry

1:19:01 finding out Stephane Patry was ill

1:20:03 Claudionor Fontenelle vs Sean Sherk continued

1:21:18 Full contact fighter 3rd place ranking

1:22:03 understanding how to market

1:25:45 UCC 7 highlights

1:26:33 Sean Pierson current career

1:30:35 Gsp vs Ivan Menjivar

1:32:14 taking a swing at Andy Anderson

1:32:53 Kevin Rosier vs Brad Gabriel

1:37:18 UCC 8

1:38:05 Jason Black vs Ivan Menjivar

1:38:49 Tony Fryklund vs Jonathan Goulet

1:39:51 Michael Depasquale Jr

1:41:46 UFC 3 Harold Howard training

1:43:28 Harold Howard vs Royce Gracie

1:48:35 telling Harold Howard to back of Mark Hall fight

1:49:24 John Anderson

1:49:53 wedding video incident

1:51:06 Sean Alvarez vs Mike Radnov

1:51:45 Mark Hominick vs Richard Nancoo

1:52:10 Ivan Menjivar vs Jeff Curran

1:52:29 Drew McFredies vs Claude Patrick

1:54:11 calling it quits with UCC

1:58:21 Joe Doerksen vs Denis Kang

2:00:52 reason for fall out with Stephane Patry

2:02:14 dealings with David Lee

2:03:20 Freedom fight vs TUF

2:05:25 attempted robbery

2:09:24 regrets from the UCC

2:12:48 interview wrap up/outro

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MMA History Podcast

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Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632

Cash App - $mikedavis1231

Venmo - Mike-Davis-63

ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052

Thank you for your support.

#MMAHistory #CanadianMMA #GeorgesStPierre #UCC

In this episode of the MMA History Podcast, Cage Rage co-founder Andy Geer returns to cover the promotion’s final chapter. Elite XC and parent company ProElite arrived with cash and television promises, American names poured in, and a run of Wembley Arena cards mixed British regulars with imported stars before the brand collapsed after ProElite failed in 2008.

Geer talks through Kimo Leopoldo’s British debut at Cage Rage 18, where the Pride and UFC veteran lost by guillotine to Dave Legeno, and addresses the talk that followed that fight. He also tells the Cage Rage 21 story in full: Bob Sapp was booked, recorded promos and did the usual cage walk, then pulled out midweek after claiming threats tied to his earlier walkout in Holland; Tank Abbott took the main event on a few days’ notice, flew in, drank the night before, promised a short burst of chaos, and was stopped by Gary Turner.

Also discussed are the UFC dispute over the eight-sided cage and the phrase “ultimate fighting,” the deal Geer says was worth ten million dollars with four million paid in cash, Sky Sports live television, last-minute replacements, and the budget cuts and culture clash that followed the sale.

Cage Rage shut its doors but left a lasting mark on European MMA.

Subscribe for more first-hand interviews with the people who built the sport.

0:00 start

0:37 MMA History Podcast Intro

1:10 Joey Venti’s guest introductions

1:21 interview start

1:34 brawl at the mall 2

3:12 Dan Hardy trained by the Shaolin monks

4:00 Robbie Olivier vs Brad Pickett

5:34 Alexandru Lungu vs Mark Buchanan

6:23 experience with Kimo Leopoldo

9:17 Kimo Leopoldo vs Dave Legeno

10:18 Cabbage Corrreira mugged on the street

15:21 Butterbean in MMA

17:23 Jason Barrett

19:27 cage rage 20 fight card

19:53 Mark Kerr hotel story

22:20 Anderson Silva detained at customs

23:13 Bob Sapp at Cage Rage

27:27 Dan Severn vs Dave Legeno

28:25 copyright issues with the UFC

34:50 broadcasted live on Sky Sports

36:08 Cage Rage 21 highlights

36:53 Tom Watson vs Xavier Pokam

38:21 Murilo Rua vs Alex Reid

38:38 Cyborg Santos vs James Zikic

40:07 Vitor Belfort mental issues

41:29 choosing Wembley stadium as a home

44:06 Mario Sperry vs Lee Hasdell

46:00 Butterbean helping market Cage Rage

48:03 agreement with EliteXC

54:28 $10 million offer to sell Cage Rage

59:47 legal proceedings with the UFC

1:03:34 Jeremy Lappin

1:04:18 Chris Brennen affiliation program

1:05:09 Gary Turner vs Julius Francis

1:06:57 Paul Daley F word controversy

1:08:04 Sky TV dropping Cage Rage

1:12:27 OJ Borg

1:14:16 communications with Jared Shaw

1:15:09 dealing with Phil Baroni

1:17:00 Mark Epstein vs Tom Watson

1:18:01 Drew Fickett vs Mark Weir

1:18:24 Robert Berry vs Ken Shamrock

1:23:46 Andy Geer leaving Cage Rage

1:30:42 false rumors about Andy Geer

1:32:54 EliteXC planning events outside of London

1:34:02 Manchester Combat sports market

1:34:52 how swing bouts worked in Cage Rage

1:37:21 finding out Cage Rage was finished

1:42:48 silent partner in Cage Rage

1:43:55 Terry Trebilcock after Cage Rage

1:47:22 having to a judge at a Cage Rage event

1:50:08 interview wrap up

1:52:06 outro/ closing thoughts

#MMAHistory #CageRage #EliteXC

This week on the MMA History Podcast we close the book on Friend of the Show Mac Danzig’s UFC career. Title challenger Gray Maynard also joins Mike Davis and Joey Venti to walk through Danzig’s final run against Takanori Gomi, Melvin Guillard and Joe Lauzon, the camps at AKA and Extreme Couture, the grind of training while raising a young daughter, the Joe Silva relationship, the sponsorship machine, and the decision to walk out one last time with “Not For Sale” on his shorts.

Gray also talks Primed Combat in Michigan and life after the octagon. Mac looks back on the knockouts in camp, the Rico Chiapparelli chapter, and the six-hour nasal surgery that followed his final fight.

Support the Rafiel Torre documentary: a $10 donation gets you the window sticker and yellow card. Link in the description.

0:00 start

0:34 MMA History Podcast intro

1:07 Joey Venti’s guest introduction

1:24 interview start

1:26 Gray Maynard current life/ plugs

3:06 Mac Danzig plugs/ promotions

5:46 Mac Danzig meeting Gray Maynard

7:16 relationship with Shawn Tompkins

9:40 leaving Vegas for California

12:00 reaction to Jim Miller UFC longevity

13:29 Mac Danzig’s relationship with Joe Silva

15:30 Gray Maynard’s relationship with Joe Silva

18:09 Mac Danzig vs Takanori Gomi

24:16 Gray Maynard training at AKA

32:21 issues with Bob Cook as a coach

34:07 Mac Danzig vs Takanori Gomi (continued)

36:50 wanting to advance training at AKA

40:35 destroying nose during fight career

43:08 ADHD and sleep apnea

46:42 Mac Danzig vs Melvin Guillard

55:04 training with Rico Chiapparelli

56:52 struggles going into Melvin Guillard fight

1:02:21 issues with finding a coach

1:05:34 going back to Rico Chiapparelli

1:08:00 hesitation during Melvin Guillard fight

1:11:42 Mevin Guillards conditioning for fight

1:16:26 Hand Speed and placement

1:17:51 Mac Danzig vs Joe Lauzon

1:23:16 Joe Lauzon requesting Gray Maynard

1:25:09 choosing not to have sponsors for fight

1:33:38 Cody McKenzie basketball shorts controversy

1:36:24 issues with Training mask

1:38:28 dealing with injury during Joe Lauzon fight

1:42:29 coaches giving fighter speeches

1:46:34 Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard 2

1:49:30 receiving nose surgery

1:54:25 interview wrap up

1:54:46 outro/ closing thoughts

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MMA History Podcast

YouTube

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Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632

Cash App - $mikedavis1231

Venmo - Mike-Davis-63

ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052

Thank You for your support

#MMAHistory #MacDanzig #GrayMaynard #UFC

Matt “The Real One” Grice was supposed to be unbreakable. A four-time Oklahoma state wrestling champion at Harrah High School, three-time Outstanding Wrestler, and the most recruited wrestler in his weight class, a car wreck threw him through a windshield and stole the college career everyone saw coming. He clawed his way back, made it to the UFC, earned Fight of the Night honors against Jason Black and Dennis Bermudez, then a second crash in Shawnee shattered his skull and ended his fighting career.

Most men would have stayed down. Grice didn’t. He rebuilt his life as an Oklahoma City police officer, coach, and gym owner.

On episode 347 of the MMA History Podcast, Matt Grice sits down with Mike Davis and Joey Venti to recount his legendary high school career, the wreck that cost him his years at Oklahoma, the promise he kept to his parents before his first fight, his UFC run, the 2013 accident that put him in a coma, and how he came back to coach the next generation at American Elite MMA.

0:00 start

0:44 MMA History Podcast intro

1:16 Joey Venti’s guest introductions

1:31 interview start

1:47 current life/ career

2:23 4 time state champ in Oklahoma

4:12 recruiting process for wrestling

7:30 getting hurt in a car crash

8:54 wrestling while injured

11:47 taking a season off wrestling

13:05 meeting MMA coach Jason Merrill

14:46 competing in BJJ after 1 day or practice

17:57 taking first amateur fight

19:32 relationship with Ron Tripp

20:16 Mikey Burnett

20:51 training with Anthony Macias

21:45 Matt Grice vs Matt Grey

23:17 choosing to do MMA over wrestling

24:10 being a ticket seller

24:41 Matt Grice vs Marco Adamballi

24:58 Matt Grice vs Rocky Long

26:35 taking 3 fights in 2 months

27:17 Matt Grice vs Shervin Alavi

28:31 Matt Grice vs Joe Davis

29:22 Matt Grice vs Lee King

29:43 manager Greg Stewart

30:55 Matt Grice vs Dan Marks

33:46 offered to be on TUF

35:40 Matt Grice vs Clint Kerley

36:52 flying out to Manchester for UFC debut

37:54 UFC 70 card

38:34 Matt Grice vs Terry Etim

39:20 taking training seriously

41:00 how traveling affects a fighters lungs

42:13 Matt Grice vs Jason Black

45:00 accepted into the police academy

50:22 work day as a police officer

53:51 Matt Grice vs Matt Veach

57:00 Matt Grice vs Shannon Gugerty

58:42 training at shape fitness

1:00:47 getting cut from the UFC

1:02:20 having a supportive wife

1:04:08 current coaches at gym

1:06:03 Matt Grice vs Dave Gardner

1:07:57 earning 3 straight finishes

1:09:09 Matt Grice vs Ricardo Lamas

1:09:51 experience training at Top Notch

1:12:05 connecting with Tom Vanghn

1:12:55 2 cancelled bouts in the UFC

1:13:26 Matt Grice vs Leonard Garcia

1:15:19 Matt Grice vs Dennis Bermudez

1:17:06 crashed into at a red light

1:20:59 ending up in a coma after accident

1:28:40 choosing not to take medications

1:30:06 Matt Grice day April 4th

1:33:32 life after accident

1:35:25 outro/ closing thoughts

Instagram

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MMA History Podcast

YouTube

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Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632

Cash App - $mikedavis1231

Venmo - Mike-Davis-63

ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052

Thank You for your support

#MMAHistory #UFC #Wrestling #Oklahoma

Anthony “Mad Dog” Macias finally sits down with the MMA History Podcast after years of pursuit. At UFC 4 he was billed at 190 pounds, weighed closer to 160, and drew Dan Severn in the tournament. He went on to win multiple eight-man tournaments in Oklahoma and the IFC, then met Kazushi Sakuraba at Pride 7. Macias tells the unfiltered story of the headbutt era, promoter Buddy Albin, the controversial nine-second UFC 6 meeting with Oleg Taktarov, and the early fights that never made official records. He also discusses two decades as an Oklahoma referee and raising sons who now compete.

The only podcast dedicated 100% to preserving mixed martial arts history through interviews with the men who lived it.

0:00 start

0:46 MMA History Podcast intro

1:19 Joey Venti’s guest introduction

1:35 interview start

2:38 current life/ career

3:17 fighting during the headbutt era

5:11 announced as a state champ wrestler

6:04 introduction to submission grappling

6:41 thoughts on promoter Buddy Albin

10:40 Anthony Macias sons MMA career

11:02 lying about weight on UFC application

11:44 Buddy Albins relationship with the UFC

12:39 UFC 4 name draw for matches

14:01 Anthony Macias vs Dan Severn

17:12 Anthony Macias vs Oleg Taktarov

18:22 early training partners

18:48 working for Andy Anderson

19:50 refusing to joining the Lions Den

20:37 cornering Oleg Taktarov

22:34 Oleg Taktarov vs Dan Severn

23:03 Anthony Macias vs He-Man Gibson

25:27 alternate bout at UFC 6

26:19 full contact fighter interview

27:17 rough childhood growing up

28:18 working out with Ron Tripp

28:41 conversations backstage at UFC 6

30:28 relationship with Buddy Albin after UFC

30:52 thoughts on Tank Abbott

32:22 Ken Shamrock vs Oleg Taktarov

35:01 Underestimating Vladimir Matyushenko

36:27 OFFF 8 man tournament

38:35 Anthony Macias vs John Dixson

39:36 Anthony Macias vs Jason Nicholsen

40:29 IFC Ukraine event

43:35 IFC 2 8 man tournament

45:12 payment for 8 man tournaments

46:11 Anthony Macias vs Brian Gassaway

47:55 fighting over 20 bouts in 1 year

49:00 meeting John Perretti

49:50 Anthony Macias vs Allan Goes

51:29 thoughts on Andy Anderson/ stories

56:27 Oleg Taktarov vs Renzo Gracie

1:00:42 having grit and durability as a fighter

1:02:19 tearing hamstring during fight

1:03:43 Anthony Macias vs Frank Trigg

1:05:08 Anthony Macias vs Wes Gassaway

1:05:29 rematch with Vladimir Matyushenko

1:06:57 Anthony Macias vs Cedric Marks

1:08:47 taking a 2 year break

1:09:35 Anthony Macias vs Kazushi Sakuraba

1:12:13 experience in Japan

1:12:42 relationship with Steve Nelson

1:13:34 Anthony Macias vs Tony Ross

1:13:59 relationship with Paul Smith

1:15:07 C3 struggles staying in business

1:16:07 Anthony Macias vs Jesse Jones

1:16:31 Anthony Macias vs Eiji Mitsuoka

1:17:15 Anthony Macias vs Chad Cook

1:18:00 FFC promotion

1:19:27 Anthony Macias vs Josh Neer

1:21:07 Combat Corner program

1:21:54 Anthony Macias vs Kevin Gittemeir

1:22:28 issues with Rafael Lovato

1:23:24 turned away from Jean Jacques Machado

1:24:50 Gene LeBell

1:25:02 Anthony Macias vs Shonie Carter

1:26:34 having an underrated career

1:27:26 C3 and their limitations

1:28:28 Evan Tanner

1:29:16 receiving different black belts

1:30:14 dealings with Bob Shamrock

1:31:01 future plans for Neko Macias

1:34:36 Mikey Burnett

1:34:47 receiving the name Mad Dog

1:35:03 interview wrap up

1:35:55 outro/ closing thoughts

Instagram

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Apple Podcast

MMA History Podcast

YouTube

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Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632

Cash App - $mikedavis1231

Venmo - Mike-Davis-63

ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052

Thank You for your support

MMAHistory #UFC #PrideFC #noholdsbarred

Kimo Leopoldo joins the MMA History Podcast to recount the raw early days of the sport, from his Huntington Beach roots and Christian transformation to the unforgettable moment he carried a full-sized cross into the Octagon and pushed Royce Gracie harder than almost anyone at UFC 3. The legendary fighter breaks down the chaotic tournament draw, the street-fight intensity of that classic bout, his contentious partnership with Joe Son, the fallout that followed, and the cascade of high-stakes battles that followed across K-1, Pride, and the UFC.

Kimo opens up about training with Matt Hume and Joe Moreira, the Sakuraba and Takayama wars in Japan, the brutal nine-minute war with Paul Varelans, the Huntington Beach showdown with Tank Abbott, and the controversial Bob Sapp kickboxing match in Las Vegas.

0:00 start

0:28 MMA History Podcast intro

1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introductions

1:12 interview start

1:45 attending elementary with John Lewis

3:12 introduction to combat sports

3:42 getting introduced to Christ by Joe Son

5:10 High School wrestling career

5:51 moving to California

6:12 bouncing at Club Rubber

7:54 watching UFC 1

9:10 Joe Son pushing UFC debut for Kimo Leopoldo

9:47 Joe Son challenging Royce Gracie

10:15 Paul Herrera street fight with Joe Son

10:49 learning Jiu Jitsu from Randy Ziegler

12:24 fight with Gracie’s in Hotel lobby (rumor)

13:09 UFC 3 name drawing for tournament

15:43 UFC 3 promo “fighting for Christ”

16:48 carrying cross on back during walkout

18:17 unaware of Joe Sons street activities

19:45 Joe Sons acting career

20:12 training prior to UFC debut

21:25 dealings with Bob Meyrowitz and Art Davie

21:49 feelings before fighting Royce Gracie

23:49 Kimo Leopoldo vs Royce Gracie

27:06 Royce Gracie towel throw

29:00 interactions with the Gracie’s after fight

29:45 reason for alternates to have fights

30:47 apology letter to the Gracie’s (rumor)

32:20 wore out from walking out with heavy cross

34:00 negotiations to fight in Japan

34:32 Kimo Leopoldo vs Pat Smith

36:36 making $500 to fight Royce Gracie

38:54 training at J Sect

39:32 Joe Son vs Keith Hackney

41:55 Kimo Leopoldo vs Masaaki Satake

43:34 connecting with Matt Hume

43:53 incorrectly listed rematch with Pat Smith

44:44 training with Carl Franks

45:12 training partners at AMC

46:39 issues with Allan Goes

47:58 Royce Gracie blue belt narrative

51:29 parting ways with Joe Son

52:28 managed by father Dennis Leopoldo

53:36 negotiations for UFC 8

54:40 conflict backstage at UFC 8

56:11 Tank Abbotts reputation on the streets

56:47 bouncer Richard Alvarez

58:27 John Lober

59:54 Eddie Ruiz

1:00:37 Tiki Ghosn

1:01:03 early involvement training Tito Ortiz (rumor)

1:01:45 crew members

1:02:26 fallout with Matt Hume after Ken shamrock fight

1:05:18 training with Joe Moreira

1:07:34 releasing instructional with Joe Moreira

1:09:09 Kimo Leopoldo vs Kazushi Sakuraba

1:13:59 Kimo Leopoldo vs Yoshihiro Takayama

1:16:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bam Bam Bigelow

1:20:01 dealings with the Yakuza

1:22:10 interactions with Gerard Gordeau

1:23:29 Kimo Leopoldo vs Paul Varelans

1:29:18 NHB era not getting the respect

1:29:53 Kimo Leopoldo vs Brian Johnston

1:31:30 negotiations with Pride FC

1:32:16 Kimo Leopoldo vs Dan Severn

1:34:41 Rickson Gracie vs Nobuhiko Takada

1:35:29 falling out with the UFC after Pride Debut

1:36:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka

1:37:59 cancelled bout with Gary Goodridge

1:38:57 no showing event

1:40:05 Joe Son vs Yusuke Imamura

1:41:37 current feelings about Joe Son

1:45:08 Kimo Leopoldo trading cards

1:46:45 Raul Ries

1:47:02 Joe Son vs Joe Moreira

1:48:34 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tim Lajcik

1:49:32 cancelled bout with Bas Rutten

1:51:47 running into Tank Abbott at a bar

1:54:08 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tank Abbott

1:57:20 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bob Sapp

2:05:54 conversations after Bob Sapp fight

2:07:30 interview wrap up

2:09:20 outro/ closing thoughts

John Perretti returns to the MMA History Podcast to detail his transition from Extreme Fighting to the UFC and the turbulent early years that followed. The Gene LeBell black belt and key architect of modern MMA discusses the rapid call from the UFC just days after Battlecade closed, the challenges of matchmaking under Japanese financing, and the fight to implement gloves, weight classes, and rounds into a spectacle-driven promotion.

From the controversial UFC Japan card and suspected works to booking future stars like Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson and Carlos Newton, Perretti recounts hostile environments, referee tensions, and the moment five-minute rounds and the ten-point must system finally arrived at UFC 21. Unfiltered stories from one of the key figures who lived it.

0:00 start

0:22 MMA History intro

0:54 Joey Venti’s guest introductions

1:09 interview start

1:11 plugs/ promotions

2:55 Art Davey and Bob Meyrowitz issues

3:55 finding out some fights were works in UFC Japan

6:58 Dealings with Mr Karoke

9:09 UFC Japan Card

10:21 Vitor Belfort vs Joe Charles

12:49 cornered by John McCarthy and Jeff Blatnick

16:00 Tank Abbott pulling out of tournament

17:36 bringing Frank Shamrock to the UFC

18:24 Frank Shamrock vs Igor Zinoviev

21:12 UFC Salary

21:41 170lb 4 man tournament

24:34 Mikey Burnett and Eugenio Tadeu size different

26:00 Jerry Bohlander vs Kevin Jackson

27:22 tension with other UFC staff

29:29 interactions with Joe Silva

29:40 UFC promotion commission

30:53 Chuck Liddell vs Noe Hernandez

32:16 Andre Roberts vs Harry Moskowitz

33:42 Dan Henderson vs Allan Goes

33:57 Carlos Newton vs Bob Gilstrap

34:28 Mike Van Arsdale vs Joe Pardo

35:02 Tank Abbott vs Hugo Duarte

35:39 Dan Henderson vs Carlos Newton

36:46 prize for winning 4 man tournament

38:45 Pete Williams airport story

39:56 Randy Couture cancelled bout with Mark Coleman

41:21 Pete Williams vs Mark Coleman

45:57 Frank Shamrock vs Jeremy Horn

47:34 promoter Sergio Batarelli

49:57 Tank Abbott vs Pedro Rizzo

51:53 talks about Royce Gracie

53:47 Bas Rutten Pedro Rizzo fight announcement

55:47 Rickson Gracie pushback

58:14 offering Rigan Machado fight in “The Contenders”

59:16 Jiu jitsu not favored in Extreme Fighting

1:01:48 dealings with Carlson Gracie

1:03:06 kicked out of the Machado academy

1:04:45 Tito Ortiz showing up to UFC Brazil

1:07:58 Frank Shamrock vs John Lober

1:10:46 Vitor Belfort vs Wanderlei Silva

1:11:42 Ebenezer Braga vs Jeremy Horn

1:12:50 Pat Miletich vs Mikey Burnett

1:15:12 Pete Williams vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka

1:16:40 UFC 18 fight card

1:18:20 Bas Rutten hype for UFC

1:20:28 dealings with Steve Nelson

1:21:00 Pedro Rizzo vs Mark Coleman

1:21:42 Tito Ortiz vs Jerry Bohlander

1:23:13 Bas Rutten vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka

1:24:52 John Perretti attending talk shows

1:26:16 UFC 19 fight card

1:28:12 dealings with Bob Shamrock

1:28:36 feelings about Gary Goodridge

1:29:28 Vitor Belfort pulls out of fight with Guy Mezger

1:31:13 Tito Ortiz double bird to Guy Mezger’s corner

1:31:48 announcing Tito Ortiz vs Evan Tanner

1:32:47 Bas Rutten vs Kevin Randleman

1:33:49 thoughts on Eddie Goldman

1:37:11 Pedro Rizzo Withdraws from Bas Rutten fight

1:37:33 Mark Laimon

1:39:08 Ron Waterman vs Chris Condo

1:40:08 LaVerne Clark vs Fabiano Iha

1:41:32 Marcelo Mello vs David Roberts

1:42:17 Wanderlei Silva vs Tony Patarra

1:44:18 Pedro Rizzo vs Tra Telligman

1:45:57 UFC 21 debut of 5 minute rounds

1:47:10 10 point must scoring system

1:48:08 John Perretti not receiving any credit

1:49:49 UFC 21 fight card

1:51:20 Paul Jones vs Flavio Moura

1:51:39 Pat Miletich vs Andre Pederneiras

1:52:46 Maurice Smith vs Marco Ruas

1:54:20 Frank Shamrock Vs Tito Ortiz announcement

1:55:30 receiving a standing ovation

1:56:48 interview wrap up/ outro

Tyrone Roberts joins the MMA History Podcast for a deep dive into the earliest days of Midwest MMA. A Meskwaki First Nation pioneer and one of only three tribal members to compete in the UFC, Roberts recounts his path from high school wrestling state champion to Extreme Challenge standout under Monty Cox and Pat Miletich. He shares stories of tournament nights, Hook and Shoot bouts, a Rings King of Kings appearance in Japan, and his UFC 26 fight against David Dodd, alongside decades of work as a referee across boxing, MMA, and Muay Thai. From the Iowa fight scene of the late 1990s to coaching women’s wrestling today, this conversation captures the grit and longevity of a true pioneer still giving back to the sport.

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0:00 start

0:31 MMA History Podcast intro

1:03 guest introduction

1:19 interview start

1:29 current career

2:08 1 of 3 to compete in UFC from Meswaki tribe

5:01 Tyrone Roberts vs Rick Graveson

5:38 memories of Extreme Challenge

6:23 Tyrone Roberts vs Joe Leggett

7:25 training with Pat Miletich

9:36 thoughts on Nick Tarpeins

10:02 Reffing fights

10:18 training with Joe Slick

11:02 convincing Andre Roberts to come train

12:54 Ultimate Enticer tournament

13:47 conversations with Monte Cox

14:49 fights that aren’t on record

15:51 prize money for winning tournament

17:23 high school wrestling career

18:49 getting hand raised in the UFC

19:12 Tyrone Roberts vs Todd Frederickson

19:55 Tyrone Roberts vs Adrian Serrano

21:17 sobriety during fight career

22:10 reffing in the BKFC

24:44 fighting 2 4 man tournaments in two days

26:56 struggles with alcohol addiction

28:48 Tyrone Roberts vs Brian Dunn

31:09 wearing a shirt during fights

32:38 Tyrone Roberts vs Wesley Bockert

35:17 Tyrone Roberts vs Jonathan Ivey

37:37 Tyrone Roberts vs David Dodd

39:29 experience with Jamie Levine

40:24 relationship with Joe Slick

42:35 daughter’s college wrestling career

43:45 friendship with Andre Roberts

44:55 conversations with John Perretti

46:13 Tyrone Roberts vs Ricardo Fyeet

47:52 experience in Japan

48:58 getting the call for the UFC

49:49 Tyrone Roberts vs David Dodd 2

50:51 interactions with Bobby Hoffman

52:38 Big Papa Schnake

53:04 Travis Fulton

53:29 Cornering Andre Roberts

54:14 dealings with Brad Kohler

55:15 thoughts on Brian Robinson

55:53 Jason Mayhem Miller

56:14 training with Drew McFedries

57:01 training with Jeremy Horn

57:26 Amaury Bitetti

59:02 canceled bout with Chris Haseman

59:20 reason for never returning to UFC

59:52 Tyrone Roberts vs Sam Adkins

1:00:30 Tyrone Roberts vs Josh Stamp

1:01:30 interview wrap up/outro

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#MMAHistory #TyroneRoberts #EarlyMMA #UFC

Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman went from junior-high Spanish teacher and college wrestler to Pros vs. Joes champion and UFC fighter. In this episode of the MMA History Podcast, hosts Joey Venti and Mike Davis sit down with Brenneman for an uplifting deep dive into one of the more unlikely paths in mixed martial arts.Brenneman shares how boredom with teaching led him to answer a flyer for Pros vs. Joes, win the competition, and chase competition further into MMA. He recounts early amateur and pro fights in the Northeast, training alongside future stars like Eddie Alvarez, Frankie Edgar, and Chris Liguori, the eye-socket injury that nearly derailed him, and the grind of balancing grad school, local cards, and constant travel between gyms. The conversation builds to his short-notice UFC co-main-event victory over a surging Rick Story—a real-life Rocky moment Dana White himself highlighted—before the career-defining collision with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.Now a professional speaker who brings lessons of resilience, perseverance, and choices to schools, businesses, and prisons, Brenneman reflects on the mentors, the grind, and the mindset that carried a regular guy from the classroom to the Octagon.Fellow historians, this is one of the more positive and inspiring stories we’ve told. Let us know what you think in the comments.

0:00 start

0:49 MMA History podcast intro

1:22 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 

1:35 interview start 

1:40 current life 

3:21 different Spanish accents 

7:31 participant on Pros vs Joes 

11:15 promoting IAVA

12:43 Tattoo Sponsor 

14:33 Charlie Brenneman vs Kellen Hughes

17:26 keeping opponents pinned down 

20:18 reaching out to fighters for training 

22:27 taking inspiration from Matt Brown

23:46 Charlie Brenneman vs Marcello Olivera

25:11 allegedly paid to kick people in the nuts 

25:36 temporarily blinded from head kick

29:09 defeating black belt Marcello Olivera 

29:55 keeping a low profile on fight career

32:24 training with Corey Bleaken 

32:55 rolling with Adlan Amagov 

36:15 Charlie Brenneman vs Jordan Damon

39:31 Charlie Brenneman vs Joseph Aviles 

41:01 Charlie Brenneman vs Mark Berrocal

43:05 ROC 17 fight card 

44:59 Charlie Brenneman vs Drew Puzon

47:38 sparring with Eddie Alvarez and Frankie Edgar 

49:24 Kurt Pellegrino 

50:11 relationship with Mike Constantino 

52:31 feeling discourage after sparring accident 

54:56 Charlie Brenneman vs John Howard

57:02 training with Jim Miller 

59:37 Amanda Nunes and Jamie Varner

1:00:32 Charlie Brenneman vs Yanish Dimitry

1:05:31 Charlie Brenneman vs Edward O’Daniel

1:06:17 experience fighting at IWFC

1:07:05 Charlie Brenneman vs Mitch Whitesel 

1:08:19 conversations with the UFC

1:08:57 jobs during early fight career

1:09:09 Charlie Brenneman vs Phillip Wyman 

1:09:45 receiving a call from the UFC

1:10:16 Charlie Brenneman vs Jason High 

1:11:19 connecting with Brands for sponsorships 

1:12:06 Charlie Brenneman vs Johnny Hendricks

1:15:49 Charlie Brenneman vs Rick Story 

1:20:46 driving 150 miles a day to train 

1:21:17 training partners in New York 

1:22:50 defeating Rick Story on short notice 

1:25:15 Charlie Brenneman vs Anthony Rumble Johnson 

1:25:56 interview wrap up 

1:27:29 outro/ closing thoughts

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Thank You for your support

#MMAHistory #UFC #CharlieBrenneman #MMAPodcast

This week on the MMA History Podcast episode 341, hosts Joey Venti and the MMA Detective Mike Davis sit down with two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Hollywood stuntman and actor Frank Trigg for a raw, unfiltered look at the chaotic early days of mixed martial arts. Trigg shares how he coached a talented high school wrestler named Kid Yamamoto in Phoenix before the Japanese star became a Pride FC standout, the real reasons Yamamoto was deported, and the explosive behind-the-scenes fallout from the infamous Rickson Gracie versus Rico Chiapparelli showdown that got Chiapparelli uninvited from major grappling circles. From his time with Real American Wrestling alongside the likes of Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, the first Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament against Renzo Gracie, early Japan promotions including Vale Tudo Japan against Jean Jacques Machado, Pride Bushido commentating, and the cutthroat realities of 1990s fight money and worked matches, Trigg delivers stories and details few others have ever heard. You think you know Frank Trigg? Think again. Subscribe to the MMA History Podcast for more exclusive interviews preserving the true history of the sport.

0:00 start

0:30 MMA History Podcast intro

1:02 Joey Venti’s guest introduction

1:20 interview start

1:44 training at RAW

2:51 Reality super fighting tournament

4:50 Rico Chiapparelli forced to leave Renzo Gracie’s gym 9:40 wrestlers banned from early ADCC

11:26 high school state titles

12:57 transferring to Phoenix College

13:30 experience living with Homer Moore

15:39 coaching Kid Yamamoto

17:43 manager Rich Hamilton

18:54 training with Townsend Saunders

19:59 interactions with Ron Tripp

20:16 meeting Pat Burris

23:45 Frank Trigg vs Bill Simpson

24:36 meeting the Lions Den

27:35 thoughts on Oklahoma wrestling

29:32 Paulo Filho Pride Bushido incident

33:50 Frank Trigg vs Dan Gilbert

34:49 Frank Trigg vs Ali Elias

35:53 receiving invite to ADCC

37:24 Frank Trigg vs Renzo Gracie (ADCC)

39:13 Gracie losses being erased

41:20 Rickson Gracie asking for large payment

44:01 training with Lyota Machida

46:12 Mark Shultz worked fight

48:42 experience with Antonio Inoki

51:31 gambling problems in combat sports

53:18 IFC cancelled event

55:50 Andy Foster building a cage with chicken wire

58:18 Frank Trigg vs Marcelo Aguiar

59:28 Frank Trigg vs Jean Jacques Machado

1:01:49 fighting in different promotions

1:03:05 Pride FC Tax evasion

1:04:24 UFC screwed over buying Pride FC

1:07:53 reason for leaving commentary job

1:11:28 reffing from a fighters perspective

1:14:34 Frank Trigg vs Fabiano Iha

1:18:10 Dan Henderson and Rico Chiapparelli’s friendship 1:18:55 dealings with promoter Jamie Levine

1:24:23 leaving wrestling to become a fighter

1:29:29 experience with Ryan Bennett

1:32:23 Ryan Bennett’s departure from UFC

1:35:09 leaking Red Devil fight deal with the UFC

1:36:54 reason for Matt Hughes rivalry

1:38:14 Frank Trigg vs Hayato Sakurai

1:39:59 Plugs/ promotions

1:41:27 interview wrap up

1:43:43 outro/ closing thoughts

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#MMAHistoryPodcast #FrankTrigg #EarlyMMA #UFC