Garrett Williams doesn’t need to fight but he’s choosing to step back into the cage one final time. Ahead of his retirement bout at UNF 35, Garrett joins the Fight Family Podcast to talk about balancing a successful career with the grind of fight camp, why this last fight matters, and the mentality it takes to compete when the stakes are personal.

He also shares stories from his journey through wrestling and MMA, the coaches and teammates who shaped him, his love for the spectacle of fighting, and the unforgettable story of how he met his wife in a gym. This is a conversation about competition, purpose, taking risks, and leaving with no regrets.

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Chapters:

00:00 Why Garrett Williams is fighting one last time

01:00 Balancing a career, life, and fight camp

02:45 The coach’s message that lit a fire

05:00 Inside the CMMA team culture

08:00 UFC controversy and what makes a true fighter

13:00 Why great coaches matter

15:00 Amateur experience, losses, and the road to the UFC

18:45 Garrett’s UFC dream and health setback

22:00 The next generation of MMA prospects

27:40 Breaking down Garrett’s final opponent, Khalil Pierce

29:00 Why this fight could become a war

37:30 The business of MMA and competing promotions

41:00 The biggest fights in the UFC right now

47:45 Building hype for the final fight

49:00 Studying Khalil Pierce and fight strategy

52:00 The mindset of fighting—and making the crowd roar

56:30 Building UNF from a family passion for MMA

59:00 What regional promotions owe their fighters

01:03:00 The struggle behind a fighter’s career

01:07:30 Why Garrett had to take one final fight

01:08:00 How Garrett met his wife through MMA

01:11:00 Final thoughts

Before he faces Artur Arutyunyan for the UNF Flyweight Championship in the BIGGEST FIGHT of #UNF35, “Too Smooth” Royce Butler joins the Fight Family Podcast to talk about the balance between being a father AND a fighter!

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00:00 Intro

00:10 Why Royce Butler vs. Arthur is a huge fight

02:42 Royce reflects on taking two short-notice fights

05:43 Training to beat UFC-level competition

06:14 From garage boxing to professional MMA

08:50 Building drift cars—and learning through YouTube

10:07 Raising three kids while chasing the fight dream

13:35 Full-time job, family, and elite-level MMA

14:49 “I’m not motivated—I’m disciplined”

16:28 Tough parenting, discipline, and raising resilient kids

18:50 PFL/MVP merger: what it means for fighters

21:05 Why a UFC contract would change everything

22:18 Royce’s game plan for Arthur

26:03 Is Arthur Royce’s toughest test yet?

28:18 Royce breaks down his first pro loss

29:43 His wife, family, and support system

34:36 Paintball rivalry—and why it’s fight cardio

38:54 Royce’s walkout song and fight-night nerves

40:34 AI predicts Royce Butler vs. Arthur

42:16 The biggest fight on the UNF card

47:41 What Royce would buy with his first UFC paycheck

49:00 Growing food, eating clean, and family goals

53:40 Royce’s UFC dream matchup

56:25 Why martial arts matters for kids

58:21 Self-defense, confidence, and handling bullies

01:01:37 Why Royce chose homeschooling for his children

01:04:29 Royce talks drifting, paintball, and life outside MMA

01:06:05 Message to Arthur before their fight

01:07:14 Why this fight could lead to the UFC

Keenan Lewis steps back into the cage on August 29! Before his fight with Carlos Elizarraraz, he sat down with Kris and Ryan Buckner to discuss being a gym owner, making a living as a fighter, the MMA game, and more!

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:18 Meet Keenan Lewis | From UNF Day One to Today

03:35 Becoming a Gym Owner | Saekson Muay Thai

07:30 The Family Behind Saekson Muay Thai

15:23 Training, Social Media & Constant Improvement

16:40 From Self-Doubt to Professional Fighter

18:20 Opening the Santa Clarita Saekson Muay Thai Gym

19:00 The Fight That Changed Everything

21:25 Lessons From the Biggest War of His Career

25:02 Carlos Fight Preview

27:44 Why MMA Is the Hardest Sport

29:55 Discipline, Consistency & Time

32:00 Building a Loyal Fan Base

37:46 McGregor vs. Holloway Breakdown

43:29 "Drink Your Best" Story 😂

44:40 Coaching While Still Fighting

47:28 Fear, Nerves & Fight Psychology

50:48 Losing Doesn't Define You

51:46 Can You Let Your Coach Down?

55:21 Arthur Arutyunyan vs. Royce Butler Preview

01:01:57 Missing Weight & Learning the Hard Way

01:03:24 Final Message to the Fans

01:04:44 Outro

Jaheed Parker came on the Fight Family Podcast to discuss his controversial title win from #UNF33, as well as the aftermath to the fight!

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro & Conor McGregor’s Comeback

4:32 Is Conor McGregor the MMA GOAT?

6:59 Who Is the Next Conor McGregor?

8:31 UFC Lightweight Title-Shot Debate

12:02 Jaheed Parker vs. Sevak Hakobyan II

15:31 Why Jaheed Accepted the Rematch

17:32 Rivalry, Pressure & Social Media Talk

19:30 Jaheed’s Three-Belt Ambitions

23:06 Breaking Down the First Fight

25:28 Jaheed’s Future Opponents & Career Plans

31:24 The Viral Fight Clip Controversy

33:53 How Jaheed Got Into MMA

34:26 The Mindset and Pressure of Fighting

36:38 Coaches, Basketball & Life Outside the Cage

38:48 Jaheed’s Ultimate Fighting Goal

40:31 The Business Behind Fight Promotion

42:21 The Worst Advice Jaheed Has Received

44:09 Jaheed’s Toughest Sparring Partner

46:55 Israel Adesanya’s Future

50:40 AI Predictions & Dream UFC Matchups

54:08 Breaking Down the August 29 Main Event

59:05 Could the Winner Reach the UFC?

1:01:15 The Pressure of Chasing a UFC Dream

1:08:02 Posting Fighters’ Wins and Losses Online

1:11:01 Life After Fighting & Finding Your Identity

1:14:24 Jaheed’s Message to Sevak Hakobyan

UNF 34 is TOMORROW, and we’re previewing the fights and hearing from the fighters on this week’s episode of the Fight Family Podcast!

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00:00 - UNF 34 Card Breakdown Begins

01:36 - Geoffrey Mellor on Why Blake Decourcy Took It Personally

02:10 - Geoffrey Mellor Breaks Down His Fight with Blake Decourcy

05:12 - Geoffrey Mellor Explains His Unbreakable Mindset

06:56 - Natalie Schlesinger vs. Ana Flores Preview

10:58 - Zhora Sahakyan vs. Holt Felkins Interim Title Breakdown

13:15 - Is Zhora Sahakyan Ready for the UFC?

16:32 - Geoffrey Mellor Final Message to Fans

17:05 - Holt Felkins Joins the Show

18:29 - Holt Reflects on Beating Byron Valle

20:12 - Fighting for the Interim Bantamweight Title

22:06 - Holt's Keys to Victory

22:34 - Blake Decourcy vs. Geoffrey Mellor Prediction

24:59 - Waiting for the Main Event

26:17 - Sped Breaks Down Pargev Khachatryan vs. Enrique Marte

30:30 - Asher Tessler vs. Marcus Aquino

31:23 - Rafayel Ktikyan vs. Brendan Farnsworth

34:56 - Tyler Miller vs. Dylan Morales

37:05 - Eduard Zohrabyan's Future

38:11 - Main Event Preview: Zhora Sahakyan vs. Holt Falcons

41:47 - Hamzeh Trad Joins the Show

42:03 - Hamzeh Trad Predicts a Knockout

43:07 - Rafayel Ktikyan vs. Brendan Farnsworth

44:39 - Blake Decourcy vs. Geoffrey Mellor

45:26 - Is Zhora Sahakyan UFC Ready?

46:29 - Hamzeh Trad's Message to His Opponent

48:59 - Final Thoughts on UNF 34

Ana Flores appears this week on the Fight Family Podcast to preview her upcoming fight against Natalie Schlesinger at #UNF34!

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chapters

00:00 - Introduction

00:51 - Ana Flores’ Journey Into Muay Thai

02:00 - Preparing for Her MMA Debut

04:12 - Balancing Fight Camp and Motherhood

07:53 - Studying Her Opponent

09:59 - Why This Could Be Fight of the Night

11:37 - Ana Reacts to Her Opponent’s Comments

13:47 - Fighting With Respect Instead of Emotion

15:38 - Chasing Competition After College Sports

16:09 - Managing Fight Night Nerves

17:48 - Breaking Down the Game Plan

20:03 - Women’s MMA and Ronda Rousey’s Return

23:23 - Constantly Evolving as a Fighter

27:08 - Raising Kids in a Martial Arts Family

32:28 - Favorite Knockout and Biggest Wins

35:53 - Ana’s Message to Her Opponent

38:54 - UNF’s Future and Muay Thai Expansion

42:35 - What’s Next After Her MMA Debut

45:21 - AI Rankings, McGregor & MMA’s Growth

50:19 - Life Outside the Cage

52:46 - Fighter Pay and UFC Dreams

55:13 - Final Thoughts

Natalie Schlesinger is training her "ass off" for her #UNF Debut at UNF 34!

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:00:25 Preparing for UNF and Training at CMMA

00:01:49 Why CMMA Pushes Fighters to Another Level

00:03:53 What Fans Can Expect Inside the Cage

00:05:03 Leaving New Jersey for California

00:09:05 How Chad George Changed Her Mindset

00:13:15 Training with Victor Henry and Top Talent

00:16:25 How Natalie Fell in Love with MMA

00:18:24 Winning Over Her Family’s Support

00:20:34 Breaking Down Her Upcoming Opponent

00:22:25 The Game Plan for Fight Night

00:23:37 Representing Women’s MMA at UNF

00:26:01 Can an Untrained Man Beat a Pro Female Fighter?

00:27:39 Why MMA Keeps Evolving

00:30:46 Learning from Tatsuro Taira

00:33:19 Fixing MMA Judging

00:40:20 Training with UFC Veterans

00:41:49 Her Prediction for July 18

00:43:09 Staying Calm Under the Bright Lights

00:44:44 McGregor vs Holloway and Modern Trash Talk

00:51:03 Why She’s Excited to Fight for UNF

00:51:39 A Message for Her Opponent

Pargev Khachatrian and Enrique Marte step into the cage against one another at #UNF34. They joined Kris and Ryan on the Fight Family Podcast to talk about their upcoming fight, and the Flyweight Division as a whole!

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

06:33 Preparing for Every Fight, Not Just One Opponent

10:21 “You Don’t Have to Hate Someone to Fight Them”

13:54 Why He Loves Testing Himself Against the Best

16:30 The Reality of MMA Weight Cuts

17:24 23 Fights Later: The Biggest Lessons Learned

21:57 Fighting in Enemy Territory Every Time

24:58 Thoughts on the UFC White House Card

34:23 Could AI Replace UFC Rankings?

39:16 Conor McGregor or Max Holloway?

43:14 Why Nothing Compares to Fighting in Front of a Crowd

45:08 Is Trash Talk Actually Necessary?

47:28 Living in a Van While Chasing the UFC Dream

53:06 The Ultimate Goal, One Fight at a Time

Aram Grigorian and Artur Tsakanian of Olymp Fight Club join Kris and Ryan Buckner this week on The Fight Family Podcast!

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Karen Darabedyan, the legendary founder of KD MMA, joins Kris and Ryan Buckner on this week's episode of the Fight Family Podcast!

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:33 Guest Humility: Not a Legend Yet

02:35 The Journey - Starting Martial Arts at Age 5

04:19 From Fighter to Coach: Opening the Gym

06:32 Building Top Talent in California

07:29 Spotlight on Art: The Next UFC Star

10:42 Artur Arutyunyan UFC Path & Team Support

13:08 Current State of MMA & Fighter Opportunities

14:47 The Power of Social Media for Fighters

16:09 The Kids Program & Gym Family Culture

19:42 Spotlight on Pargev Khachatryan: The Hardest Worker

21:43 Spotlight on Hamzeh Trad: Talent & Resilience

29:17 Mental Toughness & Fighter Mindset

35:56 Hamzeh's Upcoming Fight & Camp

43:38 Still Training? Jujitsu Passion

49:48 Gym Goals

51:24 Mental Health, Motivation & Building Better People