The Fight Cave

Matt is joined by 2 of the athletes he manages, Andre Harrison and Randy Brown. Andre is an undefeated Featherweight (17-0), who fights for PFL (Professional Fighters League).  Randy is a Welterweight who fights for the UFC.  These two guys are great friends and equally great training partners.  They comment on each other as a fighter, as well as what they think of themselves.  Matt asks about their work ethic, character, goals, training, and everything in between.  

Randy and Andre joke back and forth, and give a taste of what a day in the life really is. Andre talks about his mental grit and meditation practices.  

They then analyze the fighters to compete this weekend at UFC 218: Holloway VS Aldo.  They take their picks and explain why you should look out for some of these fighters.

Matt closes the convo with TFC 5 with some new questions!

Matt and Kyle start the show up with a recap from UFC Sydney, including the prefight drama where not only a punch was thrown, but also a boomerang in Australian fashion! Fight News covers the upcoming bouts for UFC 219 including Cyborg's opponent.  He also reports on an arrest of a UFC fighter.

Then Aljamain joins us in studio before his training at Renzo Gracie's. Matt asks him about his current weight cut for his upcoming fight against Marlon Moraes on 12/9/17 at UFC Fight Night 123.  Aljamain talks fighting styles, his camp at LAW MMA, and training partners including Merab who was on Ep 55 and will be making his UFC debut on the same card.  Aljamain decodes the whole 135 division and what fights may play out, and where he stands in the equation.

Matt asks about Aljamain's other businesses including his clothing line, and he describes his other ventures outside of MMA. Sterling talks about how he got into MMA, his family, coaching high schoolers and fighters.  Finally, Aljamain answers The Fight Cave 5!

Matt opens up with Kyle to comment on the fights from UFC Fight Night 120: Dustin Poirier VS Anthony Pettis. They talk about the finishes, the ref, and each of the fights on the main card to the prelims. Then Kyle gives Fight News announcing upcoming fights (Gian Villante, Jose Aldo, etc) and shakeups including the fights of Frankie Edgar and Anderson Silva.  

Then Matt calls up Eddie Gordon, recent Best Selling Author from his book, Forever Truckin'.  Eddie won The Ultimate Fighter Season 19: Team Edgar VS Team Penn, and talks about his road to MMA.  He explains his book, training, being a role model, and the MMA world.  They also talk about upcoming fights for Aljamain sterling and Jimmie Rivera, as well as the recent win GSP had over Bisping and where Woodley fits in.  Matt also asks Eddie The Fight Cave 5.

Eddie worked as a finance director and then a sales consultant before pursuing MMA.He started training for MMA after running into his old high school friend Chris Weidman, who is the former UFC Middleweight champion.

*Special congrats to Matt on earning his black belt in BJJ!

Matt calls up Kyle for an exciting breakdown of what some are saying is the best UFC card, UFC 217. They talk about #TeamEverlast athlete & TFC Guest, Randy Brown's UD win against Mickey Gall. Kyle and Matt go back and forth on each of the fights, talking about the highlights and what's to come for the fighters.

Then, Merab Dvalishvili comes in to studio with his cornerman, Zuka Mtchedlishvili. They talk about his MMA career, his home country, Georgia, and how ready he is for UFC Fresno!

Dvalishvili (7-2) is a native of the country of Georgia, but he now trains at the Serra BJJ Academy in Huntington, N.Y. He's been a standout in the Ring of Combat promotion and he brings a six-fight win streak into his UFC debut.

In Dvalishvili's most recent contest, he needed just 15 seconds to knock out Raufeon Stots with a spinning backfist! 

Matt sits down with Jennifer Dugwen to talk about her life in combat sports and her upcoming bout this Saturday 11/11.  Matt asks how she got into boxing and more recently into MMA. She talks about fighting in different weight classes due to the slow development of women's divisions. 

Jen represented the Federated States of Micronesia in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. She trains out of Brooklyn, New York and  won gold in the female lightweight division at the 2015 Pacific Games held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. She also competed in the 2016 Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier held in Qian'an China, and recently has her first full muay thai fight. She is also a mother and fights Saturday 11/11/17 at Aggressive Combat Championships.

After his recent TKO win at UFC Fight Night 118, Brian "BOOM" Kelleher gets on the phone with Matt Culley.  Brian is a Featherweight from NY, and this was his third fight in the UFC.  Matt asks about his previous loss against Marlon Vera at UFC Long Island, and Brian describes that feeling after losing in his backyard, and how his training camp went to prepare for Fight Night 118 in Poland. He explains what he likes about floating and how it helped him for this fight. He talks about his next possible fight, plans for the future, and what he thinks of TJ Dillashaw VS Cody Garbrandt.  Matt asks him the Fight Cave 5.

Then, it's time for Fight News with Kyle.  Kyle covers what endeavors the UFC is looking to take on next, 5 Round fights, and a winner take all contract. He talks about some big losses including Heather Hardy's and Donald Cerrone's. They talk about the likes of Demian Maia VS Colby Covington and former guest, Jared Gordon against Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night: Brunson VS Machida.

Matt has an exclusive, eye opening conversation with UFC fighter, Gregor Gillespie, inside The Fight Cave, taped at the Everlast studio. Gregor talks about his recent win by submission, his beast training partner Andre Harrison, and improved striking thanks to Keith Trimble at Bellmore Kickboxing.

Gregor explains his addictive personality, and dives into his elite wrestling career where he was 130-1 in high school.  He shares how he became sober after years of substance abuse while wrestling in high school and college, and what the pivotal moment in his life was. He talks about the lows he endured, how he got to MMA, and how he lives his life now to have the success he is having. 

Matt asks Gregor what's in store for the future, and Gregor gives him a 5 year projection before The Fight Cave 5 and some inspiration advice from Gregor.

After the successful Rise Submission Invitational 2 event, champions Jason Rau and Nick Ronan come in to talk about their matches.  Both came from training at Renzo Gracie's in Manhattan and have their belts under Matt Serra BJJ. These guys dish all about grappling: the popularity of tournaments, the evolution of heel hooks, Gary Tonon, John Danaher, and their favorite techniques.  

Sergio calls in to talk about his match against UFC's #7 Bantamweight: Aljamain Sterling, as well as the great production of Rise 2.

Fight News with Kyle covers fight announcements for Aljo and Edson Barboza, recaps Rise 2, and what's next for Gary Tonon.

Matt hosts a roundtable talk about weight cutting with Fight Shape Tony Ricci, NYS Kickboxing Champion & Glory fighter Jennie Nedell, & 3x European Kickboxing Champion Daria Anne Albers.  Daria shares what her team was like for 12 years, the horrible condition she has been in before a fight to make weight, and the difference fighting in different divisions.  Daria is now a coach, having gone back to school for psychology to learn the connection between her mind and body to understand what she went through. Tony explains the differences of weight cuts for both genders, to which Jennie and Daria speak to as they are currently on Tony's program.  Jennie fights on Friday at Combat at the Capitale in NYC. She explains from her perspective weight cut differences for men and women.

Fight News with Kyle talks about Mark Hunter's CTE damage, the results from UFC 216 with D. Johnson & Ferguson, and the newest grappling match to occur at Rise Submission Invitational II with Aljamain Sterling VS Sergio DaSilva.

Matt welcomes Jimmie Rivera back to The Fight Cave to talk about his upcoming fight against Dominick Cruz at UFC 219 on 12/30/17! Jimmie sheds light on this fight and why he makes the most sense to fight Cruz. Matt asks Jimmie about training with Tiger Schulmans, and Jimmie explains his long time ties to the gym and the one he is currently running in Manhattan.  He gives a good insight into the business side of MMA and the work that goes into running your own business. He talks about principles and lessons he learned from MMA and Tiger Schulmans, and attributes his success to both.  Jimmie will be inducted to the NJ Hall of Fame on 12/1/17! Matt closes with a new set of questions for The Fight Cave 5 including Jimmie's best moment in MMA!