247 Combat Sports Podcast

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.

Ep.110 UFC 237 Recap, Legacies & The Mental Side Of The Fight Game

UFC 237 wrapped up with a new champion in Jessica Andrade when she defeated Rose Namajunas by KO(slam). But we had three sure fire hall of famers on the card in Jose Aldo, BJ Penn and Anderson Silva. Their best days behind them, MMA FanCast shares their opinions on legends hanging on, how it affects the UFC and in what ways. Jim & Luke also get into the mental aspect of mma and how fighters handle the stress that comes with a combat sports career, especially when you're at the top. 

Ep.109 Tony Gravely puts Bantamweights on Notice! USADA suspensions and Ring Rust!

"I was already the champ. Winning the belt was just to prove to the fans what I already knew." You know when you have what it takes. Your actions say it better than any words could. Tony Gravely is that kind of mma athlete. Having successfully defended his CES Bantamweight title for the 2nd time, Tony chats with MMA FanCast's Jim and Luke to discuss where he goes next, how he got there, and what it will take to stay at the top, regardless of the promotion. Tony is today's rare athlete who's humble, respectful of the sport, and goes about his business, crafting and refining his skills, and putting it on display in the cage for all to see. The Bantamweight division has been put on notice and Gravely tells us when they'll get served some "humble" pie. He knows when you've had enough ....  Listen in to hear the whole story.

Ep.108 The 247 Experience, Behind The Scenes MMA

The MMA FanCast crew discuss their personal experiences being a part of a live mma event as 247 Fighting Championships officially began a new era of mma in Western Pennsylvania. Jim and Luke give you a close-up and in-depth peak into what it's like to work an event as part of the set up crew, play-by-play, color commentating and Event Operations. Want to experience mma the same way they did? Listen in to get the details. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter for more info. And you can subscribe, rate and review MMA FanCast on iTunes, Podbean and Google Music. 

Ep.107 Post 247 FC's Steeltown Throwdown 1, Goss Recap

"You've seen me fail, but you haven't seen my sacrifice." What does it take to become a pro mma fighter? What does it take to put on an mma show? Jim and Luke catch up with Ethan Goss to talk about his last fight, the inaugural event for 247 Fighting Championships. Find out what other extreme sports Goss has done and how Luke could be his coach. Listen in for the story .....