247 Combat Sports Podcast

Ep. 143 Fadi Shuman, 247 FC Brawl in the Burgh 3

Fadi Shuman (3-1) talks about his upcoming fight against Jeromy Mitchell (2-0) on March 14th at Brawl in the Burgh 3 for 247 Fighting Championships. 

Ep. 142 Andre Petroski AOW Middleweight Champ

AOW Pro Middleweight Andre Petroski talks his recent title defense. 

Ep. 141 Dylan Harnish, 247 FC Brawl in the Burgh 3

Dylan Harnish (2-0) talks about his upcoming fight for 247 FC on March 14th at Printscape Arena.

Ep. 140 John De Jesus, 247 FC Title Defense

"We go out there, we do our thing ....... and it just elevates our team." Lots to gather from that one simple statement. When you watch an mma event, most viewers just take in the spectacle of a one on one fight. Behind the scenes, though, there's so much more than the two fighters inside the cage and John De Jesus is proof that success is not done alone. Coming off 2 consecutive KO/TKO victories, MMA FanCast caught up with the 247 Fighting Championships featherweight champ to talk about what's next.  De Jesus, who trains at The Academy: Martial Arts and Fitness in Pittsburgh, will make his first title defense on March 14th at Printscape Arena for Brawl In The Burgh 3. His teammates push him at every practice, only drawing the line when it's time to go home. It's one of the reasons why he talks about "we" and "team". Listen in now for the rest of the reasons.

Ep. 139 Enter Sandman and Thomas Powell

Happy New Year (a little late, but we got it in there) to all you mma fans. We took a break over the holidays and are ready to bring you more of the behind-the-scenes stories you love about the mma world. The MMA FanCast locomotive was tuned up, inside and out, during the break and she sparkled down the tracks as Jim and Luke headed across PA to chat with Thomas Powell. Not a long trip and certainly not a "sleepy" one either. But that didn't keep us from meeting The Sandman, as Powell is known inside the mma cage. Having won 3 of his 4 professional victories by way of KO/TKO and all of his amateur wins by the same nature, the new moniker seems fitting. Powell won his most recent bout at Ring Of Combat 70 in November, having now won 4 of 6 and improved his pro record to (4-4). The Sandman says his time is now and, though his mma career is young, he's elevated his fight game to a new level ready for the big time. Listen in to hear how he got there ........ but don't sleep on this one, 'cause the Sandman just might get you.

Ep. 138 John de Jesus, Featherweight Champion, Brawl in the Burgh 2

"I'm going for that number one spot and that's where I belong." Confidence is not lacking in John de Jesus. He says everything is coming together and now is his time to shine. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke sat down with the newest 247 Fighting Championships title holder to get some after action review of his title fight at Brawl in the Burgh 2. De Jesus secured the belt with a finish midway through the 2nd round. His latest victory moved the featherweight champ to (7-3) in his last 10 bouts and it's the second 247 Fighting Championships title, this year, brought home by a fighter out of The Academy: Pittsburgh MMA & Fitness. The first one was by current UFC fighter, Khama Worthy, owner of the mma school. De Jesus says he's not done, and this is just the beginning of a long line of number one's he is looking to accomplish. Confidence can do that for you. Listen in to hear where the champ plans to go.

Ep. 137 Chase Boyde, 247 Fighting Championships, Brawl in the Burgh 2

Respect is sometimes difficult to receive or giveaway. Loosely, it means having a high regard for one's abilities, actions or achievements. When you give it, chances are, that person is on the receiving end of it, as well. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke took a short trip this time, traveling to Monaca, PA, home of Armezzani Jiu Jitsu Academy, to talk with Chase Boyde, who understands what respect is. Boyde will be fighting for the inaugural 247 Fighting Championships Amateur Welterweight belt at Brawl in the Burgh 2, stepping into the cage with a 4-0 record. He's very aware the opponent across the mat is well qualified to be where he's at, opposite of Boyde and battling for the same belt. And that's the exact type of opponent he wants, someone who has the abilities to keep him from his goal. He can respect that. It's a big part of what drives him and helps with the motivation. Youngsters looking up to him as their teacher, coach and friend is another driving factor. The crew at MMA FanCast can respect that. You should, too, by listening to his story.

Ep. 136 Trenton Zdarko, 247 Fighting Championships, Brawl in the Burgh 2

247 Fighting Championships latest event, Brawl in the Burgh 2, features nearly a dozen Western PA fighters on the November 16th card. Trenton Zdarko, who trains at The Mat Factory, is one of them. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke talked with Zdarko about his upcoming battle, where he will be entering the cage as a professional for the 2nd time. Zdarko finished his amateur career with a record of 5-2 and won his pro debut, as well. All but one of his wins have come by way of stoppage in the 1st round. It's part of his game plan to get the finish and, by most accounts, it appears to be working out well for the wrestler-turned-mma athlete. He's well aware that anything can happen inside the cage, but Zdarko says he stays focused on the plan to get the desired results. He has a plan for his next fight, too. Listen in to hear what it is.

Ep. 135 Yuri Villefort, 247 Fighting Championships, Brawl in the Burgh 2

November 16th marks the third event for 247 Fighting Championships when Brawl in the Burgh 2 takes place at Printscape Arena in Canonsburg, PA. A dozen fighters from the Western Pennsylvania area will be on the card, supported by plenty of friends and family. Much of that support is from the mma community, where fighters will tell you the bond they develop with training partners, coaches and team mates is as strong as a family bond. One of the fighters making the trip in, from Florida, for his bout is Yuri Villefort, But MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke would caution you to call him an outsider. Villefort, who trains at Fight Sports Miami, will be fighting in the co-main event. He has strong ties to Pittsburgh, having been here several times to visit family and friends and to teach and train at Indio Dojo, an mma school in the Pittsburgh area owned and run by his brother, Danillo Villefort. He understands what drives Pittsburghers and his blue collar, gritty and grinding fight style is a perfect match for what they want to see. He'll have plenty of friends and family in the crowd to see him in action and wants to make the most of his time with them. Though Villefort says he's not overlooking his opponent, he has a plan to get on with the night and his family. Click the link to hear what it is.

Ep. 134 Ethan Goss, 247 Fighting Championships Title Bout

It's that time of the year again. The hustle and bustle of the holiday seasons, spending time with family and friends and eating way too much. For Ethan Goss, the hustle and bustle never ends. Punch the time clock in and out, head to the gym and hone the skills. Repeat 5 to 6 times a week and you get the life of a regional circuit mma fighter. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke headed down the tracks to Altoona to catch up with Goss, who fights for 247 Fighting Championships Brawl in the Burgh 2 on November 16th. For The Wolverine, it will be his 1st time headlining a card, as he fights for the inaugural 247 FC Featherweight Title. He'll be supported by plenty of family & friends making the trip, as well as the Pittsburgh crowd, who have taken to his blue-collar, nose-to-the-grindstone fighting style, where he's long been a fan favorite. As for the eating part, Goss says he's planning to eat a meal fit for a king after he's crowned the featherweight champ and strapped with belt. It all sounds like a good time to the crew at MMA FanCast. Listen in now to see why.