Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports

Amy Kaplan
  • 4.7 (3)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Monthly

Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports is hosted by veteran MMA reporter, Amy Kaplan. Each episode features true crime stories which involve combat sports.

Episodes

  1. 10/05/2025

    Episode 6: Karl Roberson, Raja Jackson & Masha Slamovich

    In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we step inside three shocking stories from the fight world. Former UFC fighter Karl Roberson finds himself on the wrong side of the law, independent wrestler Raja Jackson faces serious criminal accusations, and rising star Masha Slamovich becomes entangled in controversy outside the ring. From fame to infamy, these cases reveal the darker undercurrent running through combat sports.    SOURCES:  https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/36225638/former-ufc-fighter-karl-roberson-arrested-200k-heist https://www.foxnews.com/sports/victim-ex-ufc-fighter-karl-robersons-alleged-burglary-childhood-friend-army-vet-feel-betrayed https://x.com/deathsamuraiszn/status/1970505200193704318 https://www.vice.com/en/article/tnas-masha-slamovich-releases-statement-following-abuse-accusations/  ​​https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/raja-jackson-son-ex-ufc-champ-quinton-jackson-appears-assault-wrestler-rcna226903 https://www.diva-dirt.com/masha-slamovich-removed-from-victory-road-event-amid-internal-investigation/ https://x.com/full_send_mma/status/1974644952195018763 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mma/article-15163381/Fighter-Conor-McGregor-bare-knuckle-event-spotted-wearing-ANKLE-MONITOR-amid-legal-issues.html

    21 min

  2. 08/16/2025

    Episode 5: Joe Son

    In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we dive into the disturbing crimes of Joe Son — a former actor best known for his role in Austin Powers and a former mixed martial artist who once stepped into the UFC Octagon. Behind the Hollywood appearances and fight career was a dark and violent past that would eventually come to light in shocking fashion. This true crime story uncovers the rise and fall of Joe Son, and the harrowing reality of the victim left in his wake.   Sources:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXvi68HKE0Q   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vu4zl1G5Q https://web.archive.org/web/20180820075421/http://orangecountyda.org/civica/press/display.asp?layout=2&Entry=2524   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdLSWs9XRSY   https://www.foxnews.com/story/austin-powers-actor-charged-in-unsolved-gang-rape   https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joseph-hyungmin-son-austi_n_1005902

    23 min

  3. 07/24/2025

    Episode 4: Mike Tyson's Connection to a Serial Killer

    Before Dale Hausner became known as one-half of the “Serial Shooters” who terrorized Phoenix with a deadly summer-long killing spree, he did something almost unthinkable — he sat across from Mike Tyson with a microphone in hand and asked him about boxing. In this episode, Amy Kaplan unpacks the disturbing true story of how a serial killer posed as a sports journalist to get close to one of the most iconic fighters in history. Just days after their eerie encounter, Tyson’s gym was surrounded by SWAT, and the former champ was shown a photo of the man he’d unknowingly welcomed into his inner circle. Who was Dale Hausner before the headlines—and how did he end up face-to-face with Iron Mike?  This is Shadowboxing. Where fight culture meets true crime. SOURCES:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0BofPug6HLw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7x1YuKZFC0 https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/15-years-later-former-phoenix-police-detective-describes-serial-shooters/75-a2d4cfc3-a58e-4725-814f-cf21696dd235 https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Dale_Hausner_and_Samuel_Dieteman https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-arizona-serialshooter-idUSBRE95I1QW20130619/?feedName=OutloudFeed&feedType=RSS https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuxqGtkv0S2/ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dale-hausner-samuel-dieteman-did-103035288.html

    17 min

  4. 07/17/2025

    Episode 3: Tim Kennedy

    In episode 3 of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, I address how a former UFC fighter and former Green Beret found himself at the center of a stolen‑valor scandal. I'll explain where the claims stem from, what could happen if Kennedy is found guilty, and why this is such a big deal to the MMA and military communities.    SOURCES:  SOURCES:  https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/ufc-vet-tim-kennedy-reportedly-under-investigation-after-admitting-to-lying-about-military-service-record-181117808.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kennedy_(fighter) https://x.com/TimKennedyMMA/status/1942787440722248111 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/10/tim-kennedy-green-beret-and-army-hype-man-under-investigation-lying-about-combat-valor.html https://americanwarriorshow.libsyn.com/tim-kennedy-special-operations-warriorprofessional-fighter https://www.instagram.com/p/DEgl2Ljx44i/

    19 min

  5. 07/11/2025

    Episode 2: Mylik Birdsong plus UPDATE on Jon Jones

    In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we explore the tragic story of Mylik Birdsong — a promising young boxer whose dreams were derailed by a deadly act of violence. What led to the fatal shooting outside of his mother's Los Angeles home? And will his killers ever be brought to justice? We also bring you the latest developments in the ongoing legal saga of former UFC champion Jon Jones.    SOURCES:  https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/7/10/24465374/jon-jones-hit-new-charge-duplicate-charge-related-car-accident-in-february-attorney-files-to-dismiss https://people.com/welterweight-boxing-champion-mylik-birdsong-dies-los-angeles-drive-by-shooting-8720799 https://ktla.com/news/local-news/shooting-leaves-pro-boxer-dead-in-south-los-angeles/ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275214546/mylik-birdsong

    12 min

  6. 07/05/2025

    Episode 1: Jon Jones

    In the premiere episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we dive into the chaotic, controversial, and captivating life of former UFC champion Jon "Bones" Jones. Once hailed as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jones' meteoric rise was shadowed by a string of legal troubles, failed drug tests, and personal demons that nearly derailed his life. From hit-and-run incidents and DUI arrests to doping scandals and ducking accusations, this episode unpacks the timeline of Jones' out-of-the-cage controversies—and asks the question: Can we still call Jon Jones the GOAT?   SOURCES:    https://www.tmz.com/2012/05/19/jon-jones-ufc-arrested-dui/ https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12129597/ufc-light-heavyweight-champion-jon-jones-enters-drug-treatment-facility https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2321386-jon-jones-enters-drug-treatment-facility-following-positive-test https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12775177/ufc-champion-jon-jones-facing-felony-charge-alleged-hit-run https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/10/23/ufc-reinstates-ex-champ-jon-jones/82379024007/ https://www.foxsports.com/stories/ufc/jon-jones-settles-court-case-over-drag-racing-charges https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/23/sport/ufc-jon-jones-assault-charges https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/28958316/ufc-jon-jones-arrested-alleged-dwi-negligent-use-firearm https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/32299727/ufc-star-jon-jones-was-emotional-roller-coaster-domestic-violence-related-arrest https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/jon-jones-felony-arrest-details-daughter-asked-for-police-to-be-called-after-jones-allegedly-assaulted-fiance https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-champion-jon-jones-charged-with-two-misdemeanors-related-to-incident-with-drug-testing-agent/ https://www.abqjournal.com/sports/article_2bd78914-e533-4711-b153-0169eb9a3500.html https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/breaking-news/article/jon-jones-facing-new-criminal-charge-over-fleeing-scene-of-car-crash-as-he-announces-retirement-023934848.html

    28 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports is hosted by veteran MMA reporter, Amy Kaplan. Each episode features true crime stories which involve combat sports.

Information