247 Combat Sports Podcast

Ep.130 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and Tony Gravely

"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm simply saying it'll be worth it." Almost anything good and worthwhile will take time and effort. It's the former that most people don't want to deal with. The latter isn't far behind either. Tony Gravely is about to come into something good. He has put in both the time and the effort and he understands it's not a given, but you better be a world-beater to stop him ...... and even then ........ MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke, along with Gravely, took another ride on the big Red vs Blue Corner Series train and talked about the huge opportunity that will unfold on Tuesday for Week 8 of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. It's the result of so many things and so many people all mixed together for the Tech MMA & Fitness Academy fighter. We've talked before about what the UFC and Dana White are looking for in the octagon. Gravely most definitely has what it takes and there's a huge community of support waiting to see him on the big stage. Tuesday night isn't the first step for Tony, but rather the path leading to one of many stops on the way to the top. Hear for yourself why you should get on board with Jim and Luke and follow this Gravely Train headed to Vegas. The download button is waiting.

Ep.129 Contender In Waiting, Hugh Pulley

"It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of high maturity, to rise to the level of self-criticism." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.  There is no one harder on critique than yourself, but it's what you do with that evaluation that matters. Hugh Pulley has learned the values of examining himself and his fight game. Winning 2 of his last 3 bouts and signed to a 3-fight deal with Legacy Fighting Alliance, the payoff is evident but his goal is not complete. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke spoke with the Gracie Tampa South fighter about his most recent fight, the new contract and where it all should lead to. LFA is a feeder, of sorts, for the UFC and Pulley, as well as his management team, Synergy Fighter Management, have set their sights on Dana White and turning his head towards "The Predator". It seems to be just a matter of time at this point before he gets the call. Hugh Pulley has a plan. Listen in to this episode to hear it.

Ep.128 Brawl In The Burgh and Khama Worthy

Almost all fighters are gunning for the one at the top, all eyes on the prize. But when you're at the top, for most, the view is different, as all eyes are now on you. You've become the prize, the trophy strapped to your waist. It can change a fighters prep or even their fight performance. For "The Deathstar" Khama Worthy, not so much. He says it's still just another fight. The stakes may be higher, a bigger crowd, more media attention, but in the end ..... it's still the same hours in the gym, sacrificing family time and still just another fight. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke spoke with the champ and Pittsburgh native about his upcoming fight, which will be his first title defense, occurring on July 27th in the main event of Brawl In The Burgh for the rapidly ascending promotion 247 Fighting Championships. The promotion, itself, has quickly built a large fan following, thanks in no small part to Worthy, who favors the 'fighter first, middle and last' attitude coming from the entire 247FC staff. Worthy owns and trains at The Academy: Pittsburgh MMA & Fitness, where his students get to see the product of hard work, perseverance and commitment he puts in every day. He's the 155 lb. champ but, to Khama, nothing has changed. At the end of the day, if you signed the contract to fight, he'll fight you. "It doesn't matter who you are", he says. "Anyone, even someone's grandmother." Over the river and through the woods is not necessary, though, this time. Instead, you can listen in right here to get the whole story! 

Ep.127 The Green Corner and Cheyenne Hall

Bad medicine ...... Nobody wants it or ever really asks for it. So what's a person to do when it's right there in front of you? If you ask Cheyenne Hall, she's going to make sure that, if you're standing across the cage from her, you'll receive the right amount, plus a little more. The train keeps rolling from town to town and The Green Corner Series made a timely stop in Morgantown, West Virginia. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke sat down with Cheyenne, who trains out of Ground Zero Fighting Systems in Morgantown, to talk about her upcoming fight on the July 27th card, Brawl In The Burgh, put on by 247 Fighting Championships. With the women's MMA game rapidly progressing, Hall says she's hitting her stride at the right time and will put it on display for all to see at Printscape Arena. And with an amateur record of 1-1, she'll tell you she's got some time before turning pro to fine tune and perfect her bad medicine. Will there be a doctor in the house on July 27th? ......... asking for a friend. Listen in to this episode to find out!

Ep.126 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and Billy Quarantillo

A second coming of sorts. Maybe not what he'd refer to it as, but Billy Quarantillo has made the journey down the road that leads to the UFC. It didn't work out exactly how he envisioned when he was cast on The Ultimate Fighter ....... but he has another shot at the goal. The big train headed down the tracks and Red vs Blue Corner Series pulled into Tampa, Florida where MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke talked with Billy to find out why this time will be different. With a record of 11-2 as a pro, and carrying a 4-fight win streak into the UFC's new Apex Center, confidence in his fight game and strategy has never been higher. His camp and training partners at Gracie Tampa South can attest to the change, having felt it first hand and watched him lay the ground work for his students to follow. But Quarantillo is smart enough to know that you need to be a gamer, that no contract will ever be awarded because you're a good guy that practices hard. Dana wants to see killers, the ones that don't stop the assault on the opponent until their will has been broken. Quarantillo says he's just that type of guy. First fight of the night, Billy says he wants to set the example for the rest to follow ...... and he's setting the bar high. The Contender Series Week 5 can't get here soon enough. Listen in now to hear the whole story.

Ep.125 The Green Corner and Jonas Rubiano

Age, no matter what they tell you, is never just a number or a relative term. And it is never a pure indicator of your strength, machismo or intelligence. However, with age and experience, for the smart ones, comes maturity and wisdom. And if you surround yourself with the right people, you can begin to cultivate a raw talent. The Green Corner Series train pulled into the Burgh for a layover and MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke had the chance to talk with Jonas Rubiano. What some may have considered unbridled aggression, Rubiano would, too often for his liking as he recalls, find himself in an unsanctioned bout always near a brew house. But through his wife Jaymie's prodding, he got involved with Stout Training Center in Pittsburgh to tame his street skills and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Every fighter has a story that draws him or her into the fight game. Listen in to hear Rubiano's.

Ep.124 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and Armando "La Lumbre" Villarreal

Another town, another fighter, another story ...... it sounds kind of dull. But Big Train Red vs Blue Series is far from dull and this trip took us to Waco, Texas as MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke met with another fighter for Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Armando "La Lumbre" Villarreal will step into the UFC octagon on Tuesday for Week 4 and seeks to leave Las Vegas with a contract in hand. Villarreal daily puts in long hours before he even gets to Blitz Sport USA to sharpen his skills as an mma fighter. His story is similar to many others in the combat sports community, with having a career away from the gym and cage. But one aspect that clearly separates him from the pack, though, are his elite skills, not to mention his relentless drive and passion for the sport. We all have dreams that sometimes come to an early demise by our own doing. Villarreal has been down that road and he's been burned before. It's a lesson he's determined not to repeat. Listen in to this episode to get closer to the fire.

Ep.123 The Green Corner and Meghan Williams

"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses -- behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before you dance under the lights." You have to start somewhere, there's always a beginning and a price to pay. Rook, newbie, green ...... they all mean the same. A lack of experience ..... but not a lack of effort or hard work. In the first of our new Green Corner Series, which will feature amateur fighters or early stage pros, we talked with Meghan Williams, an amateur mma fighter from Pittsburgh, as she talked about putting in that work and learning the ropes of the fight game. Meghan is a BJJ Blue Belt out of Stout Training/Team Renzo Gracie Pittsburgh and also trains Muay Thai under Will Morrill. July 27th, she will test herself again in an atomweight fight at 247 Fighting Championships Brawl In The Burgh and looks to leave the cage with a statement victory and propel her into the beginning of her pro mma career. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke have the rest of the story for you. Listen in to get the scoop.

 

 

 

Ep.122 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and Stephen "The Predator" Regman

The Red vs. Blue Series train rolled into New Jersey looking to find another killer. Dana White's Contender Series for Week 3 was a smash hit and all winners were awarded contracts for dominant "killer" performances. Dana says he's looking for killers. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke think there's at least one of those for Week 4 in Stephen Regman. Nicknamed "The Predator" ..... how could you not be. And fighting out of Killer B Combat Sports, well, it all seems to be a good fit. Regman will tell you it's his time to prove just that. A well seasoned mma veteran who knows how to get the job done and keep his eye on the prize, The Predator will lay it on the line in the main event for Week 4. On a four fight winning streak ...... with all victories by way of KO/TKO ..... and knowing what the MMA FanCast crew likes to see in the cage ...... well, we're just glad to be on the outside looking in. And if you click the link, you can listen in.

Ep.121 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and Lance "The Tornado" Lawrence

The train known as Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series keeps rolling along. Forecasted for Week 4 is in the main event is a tornado. Lance "The Tornado" Lawrence, that is. In another edition of our Contender Series, Red vs Blue, MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke had a chat with Lance as he preps for a chance to earn a UFC contract. Many in the fight game will tell you that 'records are made for DJs'. And Lawrence echoes that same sentiment, albeit, with a perfect 5-0 record, saying he's felt the sting and anguish that comes with losing, having been down that road in BJJ and grappling tournaments. But for The Tornado, Week 4's opportunity isn't just about adding another win, but advancing on the path he believes that leads to a UFC contract and beyond. Listen in to hear what keeps him motivated.