247 Combat Sports Podcast

Ep.120 UFC 239 Recap and Look Ahead

Dana White loves the finish. He got plenty of that, and in spectacular fashion, with UFC 239. Jon Jones had his hands full with Thiago Santos and won by split decision, but he's still making the case for best fighter to ever enter the UFC octagon. Amanda Nunes is making things difficult for matchmakers and finding someone who can pose a significant challenge, having ko'd her opponent, Holly Holm, to successfully defend her belt. And Jorge Masvidal made a strong case for a title shot with the fastest ever, record setting, 5-second knockout of Ben Askren. Is Jon Jones really a changed man? Did Amanda Nunes establish herself as the women's all-time champ and pound-for-pound queen? And is it time for Luke Rockhold to hang up the gloves? MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke cover all this and more in this episode. Listen in for the rest of the coverage.

Ep.119 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and Joe Solecki

The Red vs Blue train made another stop ..... this time in Las Vegas. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke caught up with Joe Solecki just 48 hours before his main event clash in Week 3 of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Solecki goes where the work is, which has meant, up to this point, traveling up and down the east coast to hone his craft and prove his worth inside the mma cage. Fighting out of Salty Dog Jiu Jitsu in North Carolina, he will tell you, for him, the road well traveled will lead to Vegas and a UFC contract. Listen in to get more from this road warrior.

Ep.118 UFC 239 Preview, Predictions & The Lock

UFC 239 features two title fights and each champ is a big favorite. But we all know that anything can happen in MMA. Holly Holms has proven she can fight the perfect fight .... as a big underdog .... and take home the belt. Thiago Santos is getting his first shot at a title and enters the main event as a huge underdog as well. His opponent, Jon Jones, is one of the best to ever step inside the octagon, regardless of weight class. Likewise, Amanda Nunes is approaching that category. But can Holly have two perfect fights in her career? Is there anything less than perfect for her that would get the job done? Santos has explosive power and patience. But he's at a disadvantage in size, skill and big stage experience. So .... how does Santos walk out of the cage with the belt? And Jorge Masvidal vs Ben Askren is not a snoozer fight either. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke break down these 3 fights and who gets their hand raised. You also get another lock pick from this card. And you might be surprised what the lock is. Listen in to find out how it should all go down.

Ep.117 Mike Wilkins & Stout Fights Pro Grappling Tournament

Every city has plenty of favorites and for Pittsburgh, Mike Wilkins is one of those hometown favorites. Wilkins is 9-4 as an mma pro and has fought for Gladiators Of The Cage, CFFC and Bellator. He's competed in plenty of bjj tournaments, but this was his 1st pro grappling event, put on by Stout Fights. Featured in the main event of a submission only tournament, Wilkins and his opponent kept the crowd on the edge of their seats for the entire match as it went to sudden death. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke give you the story behind the scenes ...... but you're going to have to listen in here to find out how the match ended.

Ep.116 Dana White's Contender Series, Red vs Blue and "Jesse" James Wallace

"My fallback is everything." As an mma fighter, there are no tricks up your sleeve. So, when your back is to the wall, what do you do? "Jesse" James Wallace will tell you he has the answer. If you're in the cage with him, he's going to see to it that you're on the receiving end of that answer. With a record of 9-2, all of his wins have come by way of a stoppage. It may be time to sit up and take notice. American Top Team certainly did. Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series is back in action on ESPN+ with Season 3 and featured in the main event for Week 3, Wallace will step inside the UFC Octagon for the 1st time, seeking a contract with the organization. We told you Wallace locked up all of his wins by finishing his opponents. He wants "to be known as a finisher." Dana likes finishers. Sounds like a good fit to us. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke like the finish, too! Listen in to get the rest of the story.

Ep.115 CFFC Flyweight Champ Sean Santella

Most MMA fighters feel like they're world beaters. Some are pretty close, but the reality is most are not. But what do you do when no one wants to fight you ...... because you probably really are a world beater? MMA's flyweight division(125lbs.) has a few "kings", so to speak. "Mighty Mouse" Demetrius Johnson and Henry Cejudo are world-class flyweights. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke caught up with Sean Santella who, just as your favorite podcast crew feels, believes he is deserving of that very monicker, but just hasn't received the big stage chance and recognition. Santella has won and defended titles 13 times for multiple promotions. He's already proven his worth on the regional circuit. Sean breaks down his most recent title fight and gives us an inside look at what it's like to be a fighter and a coach ....... and which one wears on the nerves more. Listen in to get the whole story. Click the link Dana. You already know his name.

Ep.114 UFC 238 Recap & Look Ahead

UFC 238 lived up to it's billing for the three big draws on the main card. In the co-main, Valentina Shevchenko had a highlight reel ko by kick of Jessica Eye. In the main event, Henry Cejudo scored a 3rd round TKO of Marlon Moraes to capture the Bantamweight belt and join Conor McGregor as the only two fighters to simultaneously hold belts in 2 different divisions. And in the "fans main event", Tony Ferguson defeated Donald Cerrone with a TKO by Doctor Stoppage at the end of round 2. MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke recap these three fights, as well as discuss another fighter who fought on the undercard, and why you should start to pay attention to her fights. Listen in now to get the scoop.

Ep.113 UFC 238 Breakdown, Predictions & The Lock

UFC 238 breakdown, predictions and a lock pick for you in this episode of MMA FanCast. A long, awaited firefight will finally happen when Tony Ferguson faces Donald Cerrone at UFC 238 ...... and it's not even the Co-Main Event. In the co-main, Jessica Eye gets her 1st shot at a UFC title when she takes on "The Bullet" Valentina Shevchinko, who will be defending the Women's Flyweight Belt for the first time. The main event pits Henry Cejudo against Marlon Moraes for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Belt. Cejudo seeks to become the UFC's second fighter in history to simultaneously hold 2 belts in two separate weight classes. Just an FYI ...... the last UFC fighter to hold belts simultaneously in 2 weight classes went a little off his rocker. Just sayin' .... MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke breakdown the top three fights, give you predictions and Luke gives you a lock on one of the fights. Listen in to hear the talk.

Ep.112 Johnny Pipewrench, MMA and The Road To Recovery

Most of us are familiar with the catch phrase "Life imitating art." But what happens when life imitates mma? It's easy to get cut, bleed, take a few shots to the head and gut and all before a round is over. Sometimes we feel like tapping out too because it's more than we can handle or get out of at the moment. Live to fight another day. MMA FanCast's Jim and Lukespoke with John DiPatri, better known as Johnny Pipewrench, He's someone who knows what it's like when life imitates mma. He has the scars to prove it.

An infection after one of his mma bouts landed him in the hospital for a week, which led to a fight he didn't want, nor was he ready for. But he's an mma fighter, so he should've been able to handle it, right? Opiate addiction doesn't care how "tough" you are. It'll bring you to your knees and worse. Johnny tells us what it was like at the darkest time of his life and how he made it back. He runs How to stop doing heroin on Facebook and has been there for, and will continue to be there for, anyone fighting this addiction. Listen in for the rest of his story.

Ep.111 247 FC Snapshot, Upcoming fights, Ryan Middleton

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to put on a combat sports event. Fans file into the arena wanting to see their favorite fighter, most without a care or clue about what it takes to fold open a seat for them. They're ready to take in the action, all the while, the hustle and bustle is still happening back stage to get the show moving and running without a hitch. So, what's it like when you're still doing the daily grind and running a promotion "on the side" too? Well, MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke caught up with Ryan Middleton to get the scoop. For those in the know, it's every bit the daily 9-5 grind and lines get blurred. There's nothing "on the side" anymore. It's just hustle. Listen in to hear the whole story.