It's the Strange Wolves lockdown special!

The fight companion special that nobody asked for!

Unusual times bring an usual podcast, fully remote via Zoom for the first time ever.

Vinny is absent this month due to technical difficulties (he finds technology difficult).

He's replaced by Barry, simply because he can work the internet.

Bringing the sum total experience of one podcast episode, and having basically watched no MMA in three years, this may have proven a poor choice.

Marcus has carefully curated / randomly chosen some fights available to watch for free on YouTube.

You can watch along here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL16F8DC4DDAF20703

John, Chris, Tom, Marcus and Not Vinny bring you riveting commentary and insight into such classics as:

Gomi vs Diaz

Frye vs Takayama (a masterclass in mutual brain damage)

Aldo vs Brown

Asian child 1 vs Asian child 2

And a whole host of other fighters you forget existed (Keith Jardine), barely recognise (Sean O'Connell) or have never heard of (Geronimo Dos Santos).

Topics of conversation include: John's seasonally appropriate t-shirt, Chris' disregard for the #realheroes (his brother Eric), PFL's innovations (wife cam).

For tattoo fans, there's also a deep critiquing of arguably the worst tattoo in MMA.

Look, you have literally nowhere else to go, you might as well give it a watch / listen.

It's the Strange Wolves Janu-February 2020 podcast - the first ever Election Special!

"Who likes politics?" is about as in-depth as that gets.

Marcus makes some admissions about his web browsing activities that will definitely require him to not just clear his cache, but burn down the house containing the hard drive.

Topics covered/regurgitated this month are either a homage to the greatest hits of the podcast, or show real contempt for the listener.

You decide!

For example:

1) Tom covers a top 5 so memorable that he forgot he had done it before.

2) John talks about Josh Barnett's love of Black Metal (again)

3) Vinny pushes up a half-baked conspiracy, then claims to be "just asking questions" (that's kind of every time though)

The campaign to get Eric Flynn, Irish MMA superstar, and brother of on-again off-again podcast member Chris, starts here.

Was the McGregor vs Cerrone scrap a staged fight, choreographed in advance by the UFC?

No.

That doesn't have to stop the wild, unsubstantiated rumours though.

Could Vinny and John beat armed guards in a fight?

Yes, apparently.

Probably best not to test that theory, boys.

The movie review this month is "Death on Ninja Mountain (Battle of the 3 Skulls), but sure, you've all seen that a dozen times.

The episode ends with a bold prediction that this will be the best write-up ever.

Not even close lads, I absolutely phoned it in.

Merry Chris-"Low T"-mas!

Fifth choice podcaster Chris Flynn comes off the bench to join Marcus, Vinny and Tom for a Christmas special at Fat Tony's (https://fattonyslifestyle.com/) for the second episode running.

In John's absence, you'd expect less (no?) talk about black metal, but weirdly, there's at least as much as ever.

Chris gives away his mother's Christmas present, assuming she's a regular listener (and why wouldn't she be?). Enjoy your dinner voucher, Mrs. F.

Tom's top six concerns the greatest upsets in MMA history.

There's a few upsets in the list itself, given that they were won by heavy favourites.

Marcus details his recent gig, really abusing his podcast platform to plug his music.

Hustling hustler Ollie Mannion drops by for an impromptu interview / haircut to promote his new gym, Hustle fitness, and possibly the recent Jennifer Lopez film, Hustlers (available now to stream, probably).

There's some discussion of the upcoming (at time of recording) UFC show, which seems a bit foolish, given they got most of the predictions wrong before anyone got to hear the podcast.

This month's movie review is Raw Force, which frankly sounds like they made it up to test if people were still listening. Nice try, lads.

Finally, on a seasonal notes, Chris reveals the content of his naughty and nice lists.

The first ever live recording of the Strange Wolves podcast comes to you from Fat Tony's Barbershop and Café ( https://fattonyslifestyle.com/ )

If you think this means the guys have sold out their principles, you're wrong. They never had any principles.

John and Vinny ask some questions that are maybe not in the best interests of a regional MMA podcast from Galway, that lasts for two hours.

1) Has everyone lost interest in MMA?

2) Who's got time to spend hours on all this extra MMA related content?

The public setting allows for the first ever guest slot on the show, with Naomi dropping in to answer questions with more grace than they deserved.

Tom's top 5 concerns the best (?) drug cheats in MMA.

Another guest / Tony's employee teaches John and Vinny what a boomerang is, and then there's an extended discussion of everyone's lingering injuries.

Middle-aged Martial Arts?

Which MMA fighter would you like to go for a pint with?

Marcus would rather go thirsty than drink with Frank Mir.

An hour and a half in, Vinny want to "change the subject slightly", and the talk about some MMA.

Make of that what you will.

The movie review this month is John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China.

It's a goddamn classic, and I won't hear a word against it, Marcus.

Vinny, John and Marcus are joined by former podcast regular, Chris "Low T" Flynn, after a lengthy absence.

Marcus' open song goes to a lot of places it probably shouldn't, but ends with a touching tale of a love that can never be.

A quick foray into ASMR take a very sudden left turn into depravity.

Vinny's double-life is exposed. Obviously he denies it, but he would, wouldn't he?

Listeners questions lead to a segue about Hulk Hogan and Bubba the Love Sponge.

Chris does his best not to break down while discussing the rumours of his chemical deficiencies.

There are support groups, Chris.

The Top 3 this month seems simple enough: top 3 favourite fighters for each member of the podcast.

John answer with an entire organisation, Chris wanders off talking about UFC 1, Vinny brings up Yoel Romero's recent court case victory.

Somehow they eventually only give two answers each, making it either a top 2 or a top 8, but definitely not a top 3.

Maybe it's Chris' influence, but there seems to be an awful lot of Mixed Martial Arts chat this month, which you could argue makes sense for an MMA podcast. I guess.

UFC, One FC, Bellator all get a mention.

Seriously, there's a good hour in the middle that's pretty much all MMA. Well, MMA and steroids.

You wouldn't get this carry-on with Tom "Baby Daddy" Hogan.

Paddy Holohan's recently election win gets things back off topic, as a tenuous link to the Maria Bailey swing insurance scandal.

John's own political past is dredged up, showing us the great leader / fearsome dictator the country lost with his retirement from public office.

There's more MMA talk after that, in an unprecedented podcast event. I mean, surely this will never catch on?

It doesn't last long, turning into a music discussion, ranging from AC/DC to Kendrick Lamar.

Enjoyment of rap is split along generational lines: Marcus and Chris (20s) are fans, John and Vinny (60s?) are not.

Black Metal is for everyone though.

Somehow after all that, there's room for a review of early 80s non-classic 'The Octagon' starring Chuck Norris.

Sounds shite, to be honest.

Marcus reckons he could take the Rock in a fight. Can someone out there make that happen?

Vinny finishes thing off with a rap that proves that maybe occasionally editing stuff out might be a good thing.

Orange.

The world's favourite* podcast is back.

If you're looking for the latest news on animal husbandry, battle jackets, and occasionally MMA, you've come to the right place.

Marcus opens up with accusations about basically everyone names Silva, which either means "war" or "forest", depending on how far you listen.

Everyone now has their own microphone, instead of huddling around one, and it means the audio, if not the content, is a lot more coherent.

Not for the first time, the guys discuss the TV show Friends, at a level of detail that surely nobody asked for. I mean there's a UFC connection there, but it's tenuous at best.

John takes over Top 5 duties this month, and puts the boot into what he considers "bullshit martial arts".

Keep it Krav, folks.

He also coins the phrase "right side of the con", and proceeds to flog it to death.

He also coins another phrase, and flogs that pretty furiously too.

Listeners questions, or attempted questions in the form of statements, are given the respect they so obviously deserve.

If you want your questions answered next time, post them on the Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/strangewolvesmmagalway/

Marcus' ex-housemate James get a shout-out he may not have wanted.

James, for right of reply, see the above Instagram link.

Tom reveals how Vinny opened his eyes / crushed his dreams as a callow youth.

There's a bit of fighting talking in there as a nod to the supposed theme of the podcast.

In this month's movie review, No Retreat, No Surrender (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089695/) goes under the critical microscope. Not sure what it has to do with chicken murder, but somehow it segues into that very quickly.

In the regular "Coaches Corner" section, the guys attempt to answer the question "coaching.", which seems a little open-ended, and also not a question.

And finally, if you have a bad joke, don't bother telling it, because Marcus has already heard it.

See you next time!

*among chicken-keepers who have been to China.

The Strange Wolves MMA is back with a mammoth new episode.

Seriously, this thing is Joe Rogan length.

Now, with 50% less Black Metal by popular demand.

This month's episode is unofficially brought to you in association with K-Fit, Athenry's greatest MMA and fitness gym. Probably.

https://www.facebook.com/K-FIT-Fitness-Dojo-2118288294883801/

Marcus pens a touching tribute to GSP on his retirement.

Tom Hogan, returning from his vow of silence, has possibly his most coherent top 5 yet, chronicling the best MMA fights that happened outside the cage.

John answers listeners questions. Which MMA fighter could he defeat? At anything.

He also has a go at internet outrage, ironically while getting outraged on the internet.

There's an extended rant about drug testing in MMA, and how positive tests are swept under the carpet.

There's something in there about the Ben Askren vs Robbie Lawler fight, but you're not really here for fight analysis, are you?

In the travel segment of the show, the guys recommend Estonia as a destination, I think.

Somehow, after all that, there's room for a review of 80s martial arts classic(?) Gymkata.

Jesus Christ, that was long.

Remember the Strange Wolves podcast? No? Well, it's back.

Vinny, John, Marcus sink their teeth into the MMA issues of the day, plus anything else vaugely related that crosses their minds.

Never in the history of human civilization has the phrase "hot piss" been used as often as the first 5 minutes of this episode.

The mute ghost of Tom Hogan presents a more serious top 3 that usual: The Greatest of All Time!

Does hot piss disqualify a fighter from the list?

Does a fighter need to have been successful in more than one decision to qualify?

Was BJ Penn really a cocksmith?

These questions and more are posed.

They also discuss the best gyms in the game at present.

Has AKA sorted out their injury issues, or do they still train on solid concrete?

John controversially attacks the 125 pound men's division.

"They make me uncomfortable".

When Randy Newman sang "Short people got no reason to live", it was a metaphor for racism, John.

Are elves short, or do they just have pointy ears?

Listeners should let Vinny know on any of the many social media platforms that he's not on.

Was Ben Askren born a woman? No. That's that settled then.

Marcus discusses Ryan Bader vs Fedor.

What's next for Bader, and more importantly, who cares?

Look, it's late and I have to work tomorrow.

Just listen to it yourselves.

Stay tuned for the next episode in one to six months!

Strange Wolves podcast October 2018.

In an act of Spannungsbogen, like leaving your shorts on when your balls is hot, The Strange Wolves Podcast left us two months between episodes, but now it's finally here.

Vinny, John, Marcus and Tom are back to discuss an eclectic mix of topics.

For a podcast nominally about mixed martial arts, this month's episode covers a lot of topics including: conspiracy theories, cult membership, Dune and who the hell knows what else.

The top 3 (recent) conspiracy theories in MMA include some unexpected breaking news about Mighty Mouse and Ben Askren.

John explains flat-earth theory, and how Nasa patrols the ice wall surrounding the disc-shaped planet, and Vinny counters with a conspiracy theory about conspiracy theories. There's also something in there about a secret, super-antibiotic.

Honestly, it was kind of hard to follow.

After introducing themselves to the listeners, a good half hour in, the guys get around to discussing the Khabib - McGregor fight.

Marcus has his media blackout ruined by an unruly relative.

On the fight itself, did McGregor get his game plan wrong?

Vinny and Marcus have some advice for John on how to start a successful cult.

This month's movie review is the seminal Irish martial arts movie 'Fatal Deviation', very much one of a kind, featuring as it does a 35 year old reform school student taking on gangsters in Trim.

Who, if any, of the podcast team consider themselves jiu-jitsu players and why (not)? Is BJJ starting to have some of the trappings of traditional martial arts? How did BJ Penn ear his name?!

There's some brief discussion of Mister Men characters, for some reason, and the remake of 'The King and I', for equally opaque reasons.

Things finally fizzle out with one of one of John's weaker jokes, and a catchphrase that we can only hope does not catch on.

For the first time in 398 days, the Strange Wolves podcast is back!

Long, long, after you had forgotten this was even a thing, Vinny, Marcus, John and Tom return to the podcast studio.

It's like they were never away, because they level of utter nonsense is a high as it ever was.

After a quick recap of the previous year, Vinny's Top Three casts a cynical eye of the most delusional people in MMA.

Obviously, the biggest upcoming event this year is MMA is the return of Conor McGregor in a huge fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Expect the usual in-depth analysis / bold predictions.

John discussing the new Karate Kid spin-on series 'Kobra Kai', well the first couple of free episodes anyway. Cheapskate.

Ah, I stopped listening at that point, because who has 2 hours and 20 minutes on a Sunday night to listen to 4 lads in Galway talking shite about things peripherally related to MMA?

Oh you do? Cool.

Anyway, enjoy!