MMA History Podcast

MMA Detective Mike Davis, Joey Venti
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  • Sports News
  • Updated Biweekly

MMA Det Mike Davis and Herb Dean’s Dog Sitter Joey Venti being you incredibly researched subjects that will give you information that will  surprise the hardest of OG’s  From the No Holds Barred to the Modern Era and everything in between: from choir boys to felon’s we interview everyone   Please leave us a review on iTunes and a comment on Spotify 

  1. 6d ago

    Egan Inoue: My WAR with the 1st Family of Jiu Jitsu

    Egan Inoue sits down with the MMA History Podcast and opens a Hawaiian career that ran from racquetball world titles straight into the chaos of the early fight scene. Younger brother of Enson Inoue, he talks training with Rickson Gracie before the UFC existed, learning jiu-jitsu from Enson, and a Space Needle street fight that finally pulled him in. His pro debut came at Lumax Cup: Tournament of J ’95 on October 13, 1995. Armbars over Alexander Otsuka and Akihiro Gono put him in the final, where Tsuyoshi Kosaka stopped the run. From there he covers a 1996 Shooto win over Gordon Dehdman, a Lumax Cup loss to Sanae Kikuta, a Rings disqualification against Masayuki Naruse, and a Pride 5 TKO of Minoru Toyonaga. Inoue is widely credited as the first non-Brazilian IBJJF world champion, blue belt in 1996 and purple belt in 1997. He also breaks down the footlock game that got him booed in Brazil. The Relson Gracie feud started on the mats and never really cooled off. Opening Grappling Unlimited in Honolulu, and his ties to kickboxer Dennis Alexio, poured fuel on it. The bad blood spilled into a Hawaii Pan American, a ban from the Florida Pan Ams, and a hired opponent at SuperBrawl 12 on June 1, 1999: Marcelo Dantas, known as Tigre. He also talks weekends at the gym with a young BJ Penn. At ADCC 1999 he submitted Robbie Kilpatrick, outpointed Renzo Gracie, and dropped the bronze match to Ricardo Libório. Mike Davis and Joey Venty keep the tape rolling! 0:00 start 0:29 MMA History Podcast intro 1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 1:16 interview start 1:40 first time hearing about MMA 2:15 meeting Royce Gracie 4:11 joining Enson Inoue in learning Jiu jitsu 5:40 Enson Inoue Jiu jitsu on the street 9:28 learning bjj from brother 10:57 landing triangle choke on Relson Gracie 12:52 training with Rickson Gracie 15:39 Lumax Cup 8 man tournament 17:51 Egan Inoue vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka 19:39 pay for 8 man tournament 20:59 pay for racquetball tournaments 21:39 first non Brazilian bjj world champion 22:34 learning how to do foot locks 23:26 rule changes due to leg submissions 24:50 dragged out of arena in Brazil 27:16 Egan Inoue vs Gordon Dehdman 27:34 Egan Inoue vs Yasunobu vs Matsuo 29:25 recognizing the Yakuzas involvement 31:49 Egan Inoue vs Masayuki Naruse 36:10 training with Dennis Alexio 37:47 Jiu jitsu coaches 38:09 rolling with Rickson Gracie 40:34 getting into fight at bjj tournament 43:10 experience at the Pan Ams 48:20 receiving restraining order from Relson Gracie 50:05 Carlos Gracie Jr asking for apology 52:01 Egan Inoue vs Mauricio Silva 53:00 challenged by Saulo Ribeiro 54:56 false claims from Relson Gracie 55:57 BJ Penn theory 58:10 connecting with John Lewis and Andre Pederneiras 59:20 receiving black belt from John Lewis 1:01:24 falling out with bjj figures 1:03:23 invited to the ADCC 1:04:26 Egan Inoue vs Robbie Kilpatrick 1:05:13 Egan Inoue vs Renzo Gracie 1:08:48 Issue with Ryan Gracie 1:10:55 Egan Inoue vs Karimula Barkalaev 1:12:36 Egan Inoue vs Ricardo Liborio 1:13:18 Ricardo Liborio compared to Rickson Gracie 1:14:51 Enson Inoue vs Mario Sperry 1:15:53 opening Grappling Unlimited 1:17:04 not having Enson Inoue during fight camps 1:17:39 Enson Inoue vs Mark Kerr (Cancelled Bout) 1:18:03 Egan Inoue vs Marcelo Dantas 1:21:22 rule meeting for Marcelo Dantas fight 1:23:23 Marcelo Dantas issues with training partners 1:25:02 Egan Inoue vs Marcelo Dantas continued 1:33:14 Career highlights 1:34:30 beating Enson Inoue in racquetball 1:35:01 interview wrap up 1:35:31 outro/ closing thoughts Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

    Egan Inoue: My WAR with the 1st Family of Jiu Jitsu

  2. Sep 28

    Pete Rodley: Building UCC, Booking GSP & The Wild Birth of Canadian MMA

    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 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank you for your support. #MMAHistory #CanadianMMA #GeorgesStPierre #UCC

    Pete Rodley: Building UCC, Booking GSP & The Wild Birth of Canadian MMA

  3. Sep 21

    Andy Geer: The Fall of Cage Rage

    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

    Andy Geer: The Fall of Cage Rage

  4. Sep 14

    Mac Danzig’s Last UFC Run, Training Knockouts & Walking Out “Not For Sale” - feat. Gray Maynard

    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 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support #MMAHistory #MacDanzig #GrayMaynard #UFC

  5. Sep 7

    Matt Grice: UFC Fight of the Night Vet Who Survived Two Car Wrecks and a Coma

    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 https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support #MMAHistory #UFC #Wrestling #Oklahoma

    Matt Grice: UFC Fight of the Night Vet Who Survived Two Car Wrecks and a Coma

  6. Aug 31

    Anthony “Mad Dog” Macias: I Weighed 160lbs at UFC 4 and Padded the Scale to Face Dan Severn

    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 https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g Apple Podcast MMA History Podcast YouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231 Venmo - Mike-Davis-63 ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support MMAHistory #UFC #PrideFC #noholdsbarred

  7. Aug 24

    Kimo Leopoldo: I Nearly Beat Royce Gracie & Joe Son stories

    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

    Kimo Leopoldo: I Nearly Beat Royce Gracie & Joe Son stories

  8. Aug 17

    John Perretti: My UFC Years – Matchmaking, Rules Changes & The Real Dark Era Story

    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

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About

MMA Det Mike Davis and Herb Dean’s Dog Sitter Joey Venti being you incredibly researched subjects that will give you information that will  surprise the hardest of OG’s  From the No Holds Barred to the Modern Era and everything in between: from choir boys to felon’s we interview everyone   Please leave us a review on iTunes and a comment on Spotify 

Information

  • Creator
    MMA Detective Mike Davis, Joey Venti
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    369
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MMA Detective Mike Davis, Joey Venti
  • Show Website
    MMA History Podcast

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