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In this episode, I start with the challenges of being a broadcaster (or journalist) and walking the line of opinion vs. information.  The two roles are at odds, so finding that balance can be tricky, especially given the climate on social media (and throw in that it's an election year if you get political... it's a powder keg).

I also get into what it's like to call long fight cards and the challenges that go with it after the UFC got through a 15-fight card to cap off a month on Fight Island.

Then, a quick thought on Khamzat Chimaev and his quick rise as a UFC newcomer and the main event between Darren Till and Robert Whittaker.

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Eryk Anders interview with UFC announcer Brendan Fitzgerald | Fitz Nation Podcast

UFC veteran Eryk Anders joins Brendan Fitzgerald to talk about his journey to becoming an MMA fighter and getting to the UFC.  Anders grew up in a military family, moving often throughout his childhood and living in all parts of the world.

In this chat, he talks about the grind of earning a college football scholarship at Alabama, finding jiu jitsu and martial arts after college, and becoming an MMA fighter. 

He's getting ready for another UFC appearance at UFC Fight Night in November against Roman Dolidze.

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What can you say about Michael Bisping?  Many things... from his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a UFC Champion... to his one-of-a-kind personality as a fan favorite since his days on The Ultimate Fighter... to becoming more than just a fighter, but a big part of the UFC broadcast team over the years and a fight game figure that so many fans want to hear from, meet, take a picture with and talk to.

His story is like a Hollywood script, so they are making a documentary about him.  He also wrote a great book called "Quitters Never Win" and he continues to evolve and has become a sought after actor.

For his book, CLICK HERE.

Look for his podcast "Believe You Me" anywhere you listen to podcasts and on YouTube.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW MICHAEL BISPING:
Twitter: @bisping
Instagram:  @mikebisping

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Fitz chats with UFC middleweight Brendan Allen.  "All In" talks about his upbringing in a military family, settling in Louisiana and finding a love for martial arts.

Allen is 7-2 in the UFC since arriving through an impressive win on Dana White's Contender Series back in 2019.  He has finished most of his victories, including an impressive W over Kevin Holland in his UFC debut.

Allen will fight Krystof Jotko on October 1st at the UFC Apex.

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Heidi Androl is a UFC reporter, interviewing fighters, coaches and UFC president Dana White on UFC broadcasts.  While she has enjoyed a successful career in broadcasting there's a lot more to the story of how she became a sports reporter!  Originally from rural Michigan, Heidi found her way to California, lived on a boat, sold helicopter parts for big money, was a contestant on The Apprentice and then found her way to sports reporting.

Look for Heidi on UFC broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN+! 

Aspiring broadcasters can also look for her helpful course on https://heidiandrol.com

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FOLLOW HEIDI ANDROL:
Twitter: @HeidiAndrol
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Fitz Nation is back with some fight talk as Fitz chats about his weekend at UFC Austin, Arman Tsarukyan's impressive performance in the main event, the mental clarity shown by fighters that Fitz talked to during fight week, and how Ian Garry has already won before his fight at UFC 296.

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Fitz catches up with UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush to talk about his upbringing in Iran, moving to to the United States as a kid, always being a fighter and how he's had to work really hard to be the nice guy people think of him as.

Be sure to check him out this week at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi as he takes on Mateusz Gamrot in a big match-up!

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Drew Dober fights Terrance McKinney this week at UFC Vegas 50.

He is a veteran contender in the lightweight division and has spent time inside the top 15.  This interview is from March of 2021, just before he fought Islam Makhachev.  He lost that bout and then fought Brad Riddell in a Fight of the Night match-up later in 2021.  

Now, he looks to turn things around and get back on track, something he has done before in the UFC and tells about in this episode.

New episodes of Fitz Nation will be returning in the coming weeks!

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Chris Daukaus is the new UFC heavyweight contender on the block.  He sits at #10 after his recent KO win over Aleksei Oleinik.  He is also a Philadelphia police officer and has been for the last ten years, but that's about the change.  The goal from the beginning was to be a full-time fighter, and once he hits 10 years in just a few months, he will make the leap.

We talk about why his mom is listed as his hero on his UFC bio, what it's been like to make this journey with his brother Kyle, who is a UFC middleweight, and what advice he has for anyone who wants to pursue something.

We talk about his favorite book Relentless by Tim S. Grover, which you can check out here.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW CHRIS DAUKAUS:
Twitter: @ChrisDaukausMMA
Instagram:  @chris_daukaus

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Paul Felder is a top 10 contender in the UFC lightweight division who also works as part of our UFC broadcast team as an analyst.  Felder's career really started to take off in 2017.  He notched three wins that year, all by TKO, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in two of them.  That's also the year he started commentating on Dana White's Contender Series, and later that year for UFC broadcasts.

Felder is a good buddy of mine as we started working for the UFC in a broadcast role at the same time.  We were paired together for that first season of DWCS and our first full UFC broadcast was together in December of 2017 at UFC Fresno.  In this episode, Fitz talks to Felder about his up and down 2020, which saw him fight in his first two UFC main events and also contemplate retirement.  But heading into 2021, he's more ready than ever to keep thrilling fans in big fights.

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Paul Felder
Twitter: @felderpaul
Instagram: @felderpaul

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On this episode, Fitz starts with a theme that he's noticed everywhere this past week:  Wins are on the resume, but it's the losses in our lives that truly make us who we are.

Fitz also recalls participating in a hot dog eating contest in Wyoming on the 4th of July back in the day.

Then, it's on to listener submissions for fantasy UFC venues as we get ready for Fight Island.

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Paul Felder
Twitter: @felderpaul
Instagram: @felderpaul

Fitz hangs out in Boston with his broadcast partner and UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder.

Paul is enjoying another solid year in the UFC's stacked lightweight division, including wins over James Vick and Edson Barboza.  As of this episode, he sits at #6 in the rankings and is poised for a big fight in his next outing.

Fans have also gotten to know Paul more over the last couple years with his work as a commentator on UFC broadcasts.  He helped launch Dana White's Contender Series in 2017, when he was paired with Fitz.  The two became fast friends and carried their broadcasting relationship to this episode of Fitz & A Fighter!

Subscribe to the podcast and follow Brendan on Twitter and Instagram @BrendanFitzTV.

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Al Iaquinta
Twitter: @ALIAQUINTA
Instagram: @aliaquinta

After taking a couple weeks off, Fitz & A Fighter is back in a big way as Brendan sits down with UFC lightweight contender Al Iaquinta.

After getting to the UFC by winning his way to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Live, Iaquinta has knocked off big names like Kevin Lee, Jorge Masvidal, Ross Pearson and Diego Sanchez.

But his career took a giant step forward at UFC 223 in Brooklyn.  He was on the bus that was attacked by Conor McGregor and was sitting right in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov. After a chaotic weigh-in day, forcing Max Holloway out of the title fight, Iaquinta ended up fighting for the UFC Lightweight Championship on just a day's notice instead of his original match-up against Paul Felder.

Hear all about that experience and much more on this episode!

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Fitz is back to talk about the three big reasons we love the UFC:
1. Action
2. Characters
3. Stories

He then goes over how all of these apply to UFC 296 and the many storylines coming up on Saturday, how he wants Colby Covington to change, his potential fight of the year nobody is talking about and more!

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Ever wondered what's going on inside a fighter's mind leading up to a match? Offering an introspective look into the emotional and mental struggles fighters face, our conversation with UFC star Vicente Luque does just that. We unravel Luque's recent UFC 294 victory and how high expectations can have profound emotional impacts. We also delve into the reactions of other fighters like Kamaru Usman and the ripple effect of Alexander Volkanovski's comments about needing a fight.

Navigating through losses in the ring requires an immense amount of self-belief and resilience. Luque shares his journey of personal growth and how his move to Florida to train with top-level fighters has been a game-changer. We discuss the significance of confidence, the influences of other fighters on his career, and how he is gearing up for his upcoming bout with Ian Garry. This episode also takes a peek at the evolution of techniques in MMA, discussing the dynamics of training and the decision-making process involved in fighting a teammate.

Life outside the ring is equally vital; it's not just about setting high goals, but also appreciating the smaller wins in life. Luque talks about the importance of having a respectful and positive attitude even in the face of adversity, and how setting limitless goals can sometimes be a recipe for unhappiness. We explore how family support and faith can provide a strong foundation. So, for an episode packed with inspiration, wisdom, and some MMA insights, buckle up and join our enlightening chat with Vicente Luque.

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Fitz is joined by a trio of young UFC stars at UFC X in Las Vegas!

Maycee Barber, Billy Quarantillo and Adrian Yanez have all been guests on Fitz Nation, so it was great to catch up with them in this format.

I sincerely hold these three in the highest regard in terms of their skill and potential as champions and great stars of the sport.

Maycee is coming off a huge win over Amanda Ribas in Jacksonville.  Billy Quarantillo is looking to bounce back at UFC Nashville in August when he takes on Damon Jackson.  Adrian Yanez last fought in April and looks to return later this summer.

Enjoy this fun chat with some of my favorites!

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Fitz catches up with good friend Gianni "The Greek" to talk about the wild world of sports betting.  Gianni is a Philly native who started booking bets before he got out of high school and just continued down the same path.

He eventually found his way to Las Vegas where he was known as "Vegas Runner" and worked with major betting syndicates for decades.

Now, while continuing in the pro sports betting world, he has also joined UFC Fight Pass as a betting analyst for UFC On The Line, giving fans the sharpest takes and letting them in on UFC picks for the biggest events.

Catch Gianni on his podcast with Nick Kalikas "The Gambler's Perspective" on UFC Fight Pass Podcast Central.

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Fitz Nation is back with new UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer!

Joe is the first guest in Fitz Nation history that is a fighter yet to make his UFC debut.  He had a major moment on Dana White's Contender Series in July when he scored a KO win and brought big time energy during and after the fight in his interview.

That was put on hyperdrive when he was the only fighter that night to earn a UFC contract and Dana White came with the message of "BE JOE PYFER!" to send a message as to what he's looking for in the UFC.

Joe has a very compelling story of a disconnect with his family, and he is candid about his abuse growing up and trying to mentally come to terms with what makes him happy, healthy and connected.

Enjoy the show!

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Cody Stamann is fresh off a recent win vs. Eddie Wineland at UFC Austin and chats with Brendan Fitzgerald about his life and career on Fitz Nation.  Hear Cody's journey from his blue-collar background in Michigan, finding combat sports and diving deep into MMA.

Stamann has had a solid UFC run so far and looks to keep building momentum after his big win!

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I spend Friday at UFC X in Las Vegas, the UFC's gigantic fan expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of my day, I sat down at the UFC social media booth with Kevin Holland.  As always, he was great to chat with.  Hope you enjoy!

The video version is available on my YouTube channel.

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Fitz is back with UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett.   The veteran from Sacramento is ready for his main event vs. Calvin Kattar in a high stakes match-up at UFC Austin later this month.

In this episode, Emmett discusses his upbringing with a single mom and older brother that dealt with addiction, how he found wrestling and what got him to pursue being a fighter in the UFC.

He also discusses his mindset as a fighter and one who is so clear on his mission to be a UFC champion. 

He has never been closer, as he sits in the top 10 with a huge match-up on the horizon.


SHOW NOTES
0:00 - Intro
1:44 - Josh’s thoughts on the fight several weeks out 
2:44 - Josh’s reflection on tribulations of the game and how he understands it’s his time now despite being 37
4:43 - Josh offers his thoughts on what it will take to beat Volk 
6:47 - Talks about upbringing 
8:50 - Connection with Dad
12:25 - Breaks down his usage of the term “tough” to describe childhood
14:35 - Explains his brother was murdered several years ago 
15:25 - Why he fights
16:14 - Why Wrestling Clicked
20:05 - Talking about his school, which was almost 80% athletes
22:30 - How life changed going down a COMBAT sport as opposed to a regular sport 
25:15 - Why Josh likes wrestling despite the grueling nature of the sport
27:25 - Reflection on his mindset before he realized athletic success 
31:30 - Josh’s love for competition 
34:03 - Josh admitting he doesn’t “like to fight” 
37:40 - Viewing MMA as a job versus athletic endeavor 
41:15 - Why Josh chose to pursue fighting 
43:30 - What advice would Josh tell a younger version of himself 

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Fitz chats with UFC bantamweight Davey Grant.

Grant has really had a nice run of exciting fights since 2020, returning after a long injury layoff to score a 3rd round KO at the first event on Fight Island.

In his last two fights, he's gone toe to toe with Chito Vera (now a title contender) and Adrian Yanez.

At 36, he says he still has a lot of fight left!

Head to UFC Fight Pass for the full interviews of Fitz Nation

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Before new episodes come back at you in the next few weeks, thought I would repost this episode from 1 year ago with Chris Daukaus.

He fights this week in the main event at UFC Columbus.  This is an evergreen interview about his life and career, going from 300-pounds to becoming an MMA fighter that balanced training and serving as a Philadelphia police officer.

Chris and his brother Kyle are on the roster of UFC fighters that are brothers.  

Thanks for checking out Fitz Nation!

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Devonte Smith is a rising lightweight contender in the UFC.  He is 3-1 since joining the UFC in 2018 with all 3 wins coming by knockout.

From Cleveland, Devonte has had to ride the rollercoaster of life's ups and downs, coming from a big family and draws inspiration from his mother to always make things work.

Devonte talks with Fitz about his early years and being a martial arts fan, his early career when he stopped fighting to work and help buy a house for his family, and much more!

He has a fight coming up on October 2nd vs. Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Fight Night on ESPN+.

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Santiago Ponzinibbio is a welterweight in the UFC and one of the sport's most aggressive fighters.  He recently returned to the win column after a lengthy absence due to injury which included an infection that threatened his entire career.

From Argentina, Ponzinibbio's story is a wild ride that started with a 30-hour bus trip to Brazil, where he lived in a tent just to try to start training MMA and start becoming a fighter.  He found himself on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil and made his way to the UFC, climbing the rankings to the top 10.  He's knocking on the door of the top 10 again as he looks to build a case for a title shot.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO:
Twitter: @SPonzinibbioMMA
Instagram:  @sponzinibbiomma

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Belal Muhammad is a UFC welterweight who is coming off his first main event in the UFC.  It ended with a sour taste after Belal was poked in the eye by Leon Edwards, leading to a No Contest.  But Belal is undeterred by the misfortune and ready to keep climbing as a UFC contender to watch! 

A devout Muslim, proud of his Palestinian heritage, a comedic personality and a really good fighter, get the story of where Belal is from and what has gotten him to compete among the best.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW BELAL MUHAMMAD:
Twitter: @bullyb170
Instagram:  @bullyb170

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Grant Dawson is a UFC lightweight contender who has yet to lose during his time in the UFC.  After growing up on a farm, being home-schooled until junior high school, and then wrestling in a small Nebraska town of under 2,000 people, Grant set his sights on UFC greatness.

Grant talks about his small town upbringing, finding mixed martial arts, and the journey it has taken him on to be where he is today.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW GRANT DAWSON:
Twitter: @dawsongrant20y1
Instagram:  @grantdawsonkgd

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Angela Hill is a UFC strawweight contender and has established herself as one of the sport's busiest fighters and friendliest personalities.  It might be surprising to hear she grew up shy and not into sports, but after taking up Muay Thai with her husband Adam in their 20s, she immediately was drawn to combat.  She was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter, which led to several UFC appearances before being cut, winning and defending an Invicta FC championship, and returning to where she belongs as one of the UFC's best. 

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Angela Hill
Twitter: @AngieOverkill
Instagram: @angieoverkill

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Hey folks... just wanted to upload a quick thank you and goodbye (in this format).

The most valuable resource we all have is time.  Time makes us decide what to do with it... and right now, I have other things more important.  As a veteran broadcaster, I love working on high quality productions, and while I'm proud I gave this a go as a solo project, it's not up to the level that I am used to.  It was becoming a chore... so rather than dread it or do it in a way I wasn't proud of, it's on to other things.

Will still be busy with the UFC and on my social media channels!  Thank you again for the feedback and support.  

- B. Fitz

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After the UFC returned home to Las Vegas and a Fight Night at the Apex, I pull back the curtain with some behind the scenes stories of how the broadcast went, including the wild last minute cancellation of the Trevin Giles - Kevin Holland fight.

I also talk about Derek Brunson's big performance and what might be next for him and Edmen Shahbazyan.

Then... more Q&A: Was Felder really keeping track of nut shots?  Who is the best dressed UFC commentator?  and more!

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Rob Font
Twitter: @RobSFont
Instagram: @rob_font

Fitz catches up with Rob Font while he was in Las Vegas to rehab a knee injury at the UFC Performance Institute.

Hear about Rob's growing up overseas in a military family, eventually settling in Florida, and discovering MMA while delivering pizzas.

Years later, he is a ranked UFC bantamweight contender who has notched some big wins during his time with the MMA leader.

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Eric Nicksick
Twitter: @Eric_XCMMA
Instagram: @eric_xcmma

After some jiu jitsu at Xtreme Couture, Fitz hangs out with MMA coach and gym manager Eric Nicksick.

Eric is a Vegas original and tells stories about what Vegas was like in the 80s, his relationship with his father and his dad (two different people), and how his football career eventually led him to MMA.

Subscribe to the podcast and follow Fitz on Twitter and Instagram @BrendanFitzTV.

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Uriah Hall
Twitter: @UriahHallMMA
Instagram: @uriahhall

Uriah Hall is a UFC middleweight contender.

Hear about Uriah's early life in Jamaica and living in poverty, his move to New York as a teenager and finding martial arts to set him on a new path.

Always a deep thinker, Uriah gets into what he struggles with as a professional MMA fighter and how martial arts changed him.

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Jared Gordon
Twitter: @JFlashGordonMMA
Instagram: @jaredflashgordon

Fitz catches up with UFC lightweight Jared Gordon.

Jared is a recovering addict who has used his UFC platform to help others struggling with drugs and alcohol.  He is incredibly open about his journey, starting with being the victim of a sexual assault when he was just 9-years-old.

In his early teenage years, a massive fire in New York City destroyed his father's business, losing the family millions of dollars and causing their lives to be completely turned upside down.

It was then that Jared got heavily involved in drugs.  Incredibly, he also took up MMA and had a natural gift after boxing and wrestling while in school.

His amazing journey will have you dropping your jaw for the entire episode.

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Joe Benavidez
Twitter: @JoeJitsu
Instagram: @joejitsu

Fitz sits down with UFC veteran flyweight Joe Benavidez.

Joe has competed at the top of the fight game for a long time and is still right at the top.  His journey has been quite a ride from his early years in Texas to growing up in Las Cruces, New Mexico as one of three boys with a single mom.

His love of competition but lack of size led him to being a standout wrestler.  But during his teenage years, he also battled drugs and alcohol.  After getting sober, he found a passion for mixed martial arts and became a contender in short order.  
Now, years later, he is still a top contender in the UFC.

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On this episode, Fitz welcomes producer and jiu jitsu purple belt Spencer Shackel to the show.  The guys recap Thanksgiving weekend and then look ahead to a massive fight night at UFC Austin.  What's at stake for Beneil Dariush in this week's main event vs. Arman Tsarukyan?  Is Bobby Green the next Jorge Masvidal break through fighting star?  Fitz also tells a couple of fun Jalin Turner stories as he steps in for the co-main event on short notice.

The guys then talk about the fluidity of the middleweight division with many top 10 contenders not having fights booked and what match-ups they want to see in early 2024 

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Eric Nicksick is the head coach of UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and was named co-coach of the year by MMA Junkie in 2020 (along with Tyson Chartier).  A standout high school football player, he thought his athletic future was in college football and eventually the pros.  But after that didn't pan out, he found MMA and hasn't looked back. 

His ability and commitment is clear in the relationship with the fighters he coaches, like Ngannou, Dan Ige, Paul Felder, Aljamain Sterling and many, many more!


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👉🏻 FOLLOW ERIC NICKSICK:
Twitter: @Eric_XCMMA
Instagram:  @eric_xcmma

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Ricky Turcios is coming off his win at UFC Fight Night in August, a victory which crowned him winner of The Ultimate Fighter.

A veteran of season 1 of Dana White's Contender Series, Turcios was the standout personality on the The Return of the Ultimate Fighter for his positive attitude and the amazing fights he delivered.

He ultimately earned a win over Brady Hiestand to win the tournament.

CONNECT WITH RICKY
📱 Twitter - https://twitter.com/rickyhadouken
📸 Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/rickyturcios

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On this episode, I recap UFC 251 on Fight Island and explain why it reminded me of New Year's Eve.

I also give a shoutout to our UFC make-up artist Suzy Friton who is fighting cancer and tell just one story of why she is so special and why we miss having her at our events!  You can help her fight here: Suzy Friton Survival Fund

I then tell the story of my 1-0 record in street fights and why I'm torn for the upcoming fight between Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige.

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At the halfway point of 2020, Fitz gives his take on the current UFC Fight of the Year after the amazing main event between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker.  He also goes into the example Poirier provides not just for fans but for other fighters on how they can make the most of their platform.

Fitz also gives props to Julian Erosa after the biggest win of his career, takes listener questions and explains why he's gotta toughen up and get positive amidst a stressful year.

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This is part 2 of Andre Fili's interview on Fitz Nation.  Check out the previous episode for part 1.

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Twitter: @touchyfili
Instagram:  @touchyfili

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Hello again fight fans of Fitz Nation!

Here is part 2 of the Best of 2021 (so far).

In this episode:

Drew Dober on what clicked to lead him to contention
Gerald Meerschaert on what everyone needs to know to succeed
Michael Chiesa on the value of losing
Gilbert Burns recalling watching Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington
Chris Daukaus on being the only person in charge of achieving your goals
Santiago Ponzinibbio's crazy journey to Brazil to start his MMA career

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Michael Chiesa
Twitter: @MikeMav22
Instagram: @mikemav22

We all know Michael Chiesa as a UFC contender, previously in the lightweight division and now in the welterweight division.  We know him as a standout grappler and winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Live to get into the UFC.

But what we didn't know until now is his tumultuous childhood and journey to becoming a fighter.  He pays homage to his grandfather, who died tragically and suddenly.  He talks about the relationship he had with his mother, and why he needed to make a change to his living situation just before he turned 16.  And, he talks about the relationship he had with his father and the heartbreak of losing him while he was in Las Vegas for The Ultimate Fighter.

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Fitz takes questions through his Instagram and Twitter feed to help shed some light on what it's like to be a sports broadcaster and what aspiring sports announcers can do to reach a higher level.

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On this episode, I catch up with Gilbert Burns across the world in Singapore!

This was my first trip overseas with the UFC in 3 years after a lot of heavy foreign travel pre-pandemic.  We had a legendary main event with Max Holloway scoring a huge KO win and The Korean Zombie dropping the gloves in retirement.

I caught up with top welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns before heading to the arena on Saturday to talk about what's next for him, what he's learned about world travels and what he's focused on right now.

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John Morgan is the lead UFC reporter for MMAJunkie.com.  He was awarded the MMA Journalist of the Year award back in 2009 and is nominated basically every year.  Fans know him for seemingly always asking the first question to Dana White at UFC press conferences, and for his noticeable blue polo shirt on press row next to the Octagon.

We talk about the Return to Fight Island and what will be a 5-week stay for him, why he started covering MMA after a successful career in the restaurant business and all that goes with covering MMA and the UFC.

Follow John below and always check out MMAJunkie.com for the latest in MMA news.

John Morgan
Twitter: @MMAjunkieJohn
Instagram: @johnmorganmma

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Joe Lauzon
Twitter: @JoeLauzon
Instagram: @joelauzon

Brendan catches up with Massachusetts native Joe Lauzon.

Joe has been a UFC staple for a long time, racking up 26 UFC fights and 16 post fight bonuses.  He talks about what got him into fighting in the first place, the early days of regional MMA in Boston, carrying a full college course load while starting his pro career and a lot more.

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Fitz is joined by the future UFC Hall of Famer and former champ Frankie Edgar.

Edgar held a UFC title in the lightweight division.  He then moved down to featherweight, where he competed in multiple title fights and has ultimately spent the last stage of his career as a bantamweight.

Edgar recalls the early days of his MMA career, how coming up short during his wrestling career fueled his drive as a pro fighter, advice to young fighters and athletes and more.

Thanks for checking out the show!

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In this episode, I start by paying tribute to Joe Benavidez.  It looks like his goal of winning a UFC title will go unfulfilled, but he will be remembered as a great fighter and better person.

I also have to give props where it's due to our new UFC Flyweight Champ Deiveson Figueiredo, who improved to 19-1 with an emphatic victory on Fight Island.

Then, I realized we just hit the 3-year-anniversary of my first Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series show back on July 18, 2017... the night that introduced Sean O'Malley on his road to being a UFC star.

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Bryan Barberena
Twitter: @bryan_barberena
Instagram: @bryan_barberena

Bryan Barberena is a UFC welterweight known for all-action fights and heavy hands.  In this episode, he begins by talking about a medical issue he has been dealing with and how he will get it fixed.

He also talks about his upbringing in California and Arizona, meeting his wife in high school and turning down college football scholarships to pursue MMA.

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With the project going solo, we enter a new era.  It is now the Brendan Fitz Podcast.

I grabbed a mic and rambled for 50 minutes about quitting on the stool, Curtis Blaydes, the great co-main event between Josh Emmett and Shane Burgos, the current Fight of the Year, some listener questions, and tributes to both my dad on Father's Day and my late mother on her birthday.

Thanks for listening!

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Jason and Randy Sklar (aka The Sklar Brothers) chat with UFC announcer Brendan Fitzgerald on Fitz Nation about their upcoming show 'The Nosebleeds' on UFC Fight Pass.

They also go into their careers as a unique brand of twin brother comedians, and how they transitioned to be known as comedians for sports fans with their hit show Cheap Seats.

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Cody Brundage is a UFC middleweight prospect who has won back to back fights, most recently an emphatic 1st round stoppage of Tresean Gore at the UFC Apex.

In this interview, Fitz and Cody dive into what it's like dealing with the nerves that come along with a fight, his journey as a privileged kid to wanting to prove himself as a fighter.  They also discuss the condition of Cody's daughter Kingsley and learning what real adversity is.

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Hey folks!  Decided to pull together a few memorable clips from the first half of this year.  I believe the show has found a groove and I'm proud to have a solid foundation of what I want the style of these interviews to be.

I hope that together, we can learn from the great athletes, coaches and people connected to the UFC in what has helped them achieve and what they're hoping for next.

In this episode:
Kevin Holland on the unique relationship with his parents.
Marlon "Chito" Vera on the benefits of being an immigrant.
Dominick Cruz on what allowed him to succeed in the fight game.
Michael Bisping on why he got into acting.

Will release a part 2 later this week!  

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Fitz Nation is back with friend of the show and MMA coach Sayif Saud!

Sayif has become a good friend of mine over the years and I always love talking about life with him.  He's the kind of guy that will always leave you feeling better, more motivated, more perceptive, or whatever you happen to need with what you're going through.  It's why I always look to get him back on the show when there's a big-picture topic I am looking to discuss.

We talk about the wonderful and very simple book Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday.  It's a short and easy read, but can do wonders for centering yourself and getting to work on what's most important in a world that is so focused on chasing down distractions.

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Often times, fighters have life journeys filled with struggle and adversity.  It's part of what it takes to have the mentality one needs to do what they do.

Ian Heinisch is one of the best examples of a life journey that has twists and turns, ups and downs, and also shows that despite achieving success, the road does not end with an accomplishment.  It just opens a new door.

From getting involved with drugs, then dealing and trafficking them, then being arrested and serving hard time, Ian certainly battled his demons.  He eventually fought his way to the UFC to compete with the best fighters in the world.  

Now, he is fighting another battle to get healthy as he tries to compete in combat sports again and really wants to make his UFC return in 2024.

His relentless pursuit of great things is to be admired by all and a great way to kick off 2024!

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UFC flyweight Ode Osbourne joins Fitz to talk about his humble upbringing in Jamaica and why paying it forward to underprivileged youth is such an important thing for him. 

Osbourne found his way to combat sports through wrestling. He hosts a podcast called Wah Gwaan which features inside stories with many UFC fighters.  Enjoy the episode! 

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Fitz is joined by his new friend Gav Pratt! 

Gav is the head strength and conditioning coach at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. He has a long resume as a top level trainer, previously serving as the strength and conditioning coach at the UFC PI in Shanghai, China. 

Prior to that, he worked with the Chinese National Surfing team and other Olympic athletes in China. 

For your own strength program designed by Gav himself, check out his website www.gcpfitness.com.au!

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Jon Anik joins the show before he hops on the call for UFC 284 to discuss finding his sports broadcast career, voicing opinions publicly, what it was like being an identical twin, changes in being the top UFC voice, how he built career skills, and the challenges of a UFC broadcast.

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Fitz launches 2023 with a whole new outlook on Fitz Nation.

He details changes to the format of the show, going beyond just 1-on-1 interviews with newsmakers in the UFC.

On this and future episodes, you can expect segments like Q&A, fight previews for upcoming events, recurring guests, shorter interviews and much more.  The possibilities are endless!

Of course, Fitz Nation is streaming on UFC Fight Pass, and some of the new segments will be more video-focused.  The audio version of the show will share the best segments that work in your earbuds.

It's an exciting time and I think UFC fans will love some of this new content!  Happy New Year!

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UFC veteran Lando Vannata joins Fitz Nation!  We had a wide-ranging chat about his journey from BMX racer to combat sports enthusiast to UFC action fighter!

Included on the show:

• Lando’s gaming rig (passion for car racing, adrenaline of a race vs. the rush of fighting)
• Cancelling fight with Andre Fili (tumultuous fight camp, expected return date)
• Being mentally stronger than ever (battling depression early in UFC career, panic attacks, working with a mental coach, always improving)
• Normal upbringing traveling around the U.S. (loving BMX racing, huge influence of his father, becoming obsessed with UFC after seeing Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett on VHS)   “Ever since I saw that fight, I was like, “Yep. That’s what I want to do with my life.”
• Why he was drawn to fighting (being the smallest brother, journey through wrestling in high school)
• Expectations of fighting vs. reality (the value of putting all your energy into one place)       “I thought I was going to retire by the time I was 30. Now, I just have the mindset of breadth over depth.”
• Advice to his younger self now that he’s 30
• Balancing his goals with growing older (mindfulness, belief in oneself, sports psychology and mental coaching).   “I think the best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to have deep-seated confidence.”

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Fitz chats with UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen.

Sandhagen is one of the most exciting bantamweight fighters in the world.  He also has a very unique mindset in how he thinks of himself and the place in the world.

He talks a lot about the art or martial arts being the most important part.  To Sandhagen, there are two prongs to being a pro fighter:  1) Having a lot of clout and 2) being really, really good.  

He's putting all his eggs in the being good basket and so far it's worked out for him!  I think you'll love this episode of Fitz Nation!

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It was time to get back on the mic.  The global pandemic has made it so that face-to-face interviews with fighters is not in the cards right now.  But I wanted to podcast and so here I go.

I asked for questions on Twitter and Instagram... thanks for the response!  Wound me up to give some answers and tell some stories.  Enjoy and there will be more to come!

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UFC welterweight contender Mike Malott talks about his journey to MMA's highest level and the gratitude he has for the journey, his family and community of coaches that have helped him get there.

 Malott is off another 1st round win, something he has done in ALL of his pro victories!  He is scheduled to fight Adam Fugitt at UFC 289 in Vancouver, Canada in June.

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Get up close and personal with Dricus, the South African sensation shaking up the world of mixed martial arts. 

Dricus lays bare the electrifying rush he experiences in the moments leading up to a fight and reflects on his celebrated clash with Robert Whitaker, a fight that gripped the world and catapulted South African mixed martial arts into the limelight. He also shares about the burden of self-imposed expectations and the unwavering belief he harbors in his own potential. A foot injury that forced him to decline a fight offer also crops up.

Delve deeper into Dracis's future fight plans and the navigational challenges he faces within the labyrinth of mixed martial arts. We unravel the intricate balance between personal dreams and the demanding needs of the promotion. Hear how Dricus manages to embrace tough decisions while keeping his passion aflame. His readiness to take on grueling fights and his relentless pursuit of the UFC world champion title also form a crucial part of our conversation.

Finally, we talk about the possibilities of Israel Adesanya's rematch with Strickland and the factors that could sway the balance. Dana White's surprise at the suggestion of a rematch piques my interest and the implications for the sport. 

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Brandon Moreno is ready to challenge for the UFC Flyweight title!  He has earned his stripes as a contender in the UFC after fun fights and some great wins since he appeared on The Ultimate Fighter.

Proudly representing Mexico, he looks to be the first Mexican born, raised and trained in Mexico to win a UFC title.

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Brandon Moreno
Twitter: @theassassinbaby
Instagram: @theassassinbaby

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Fitz Nation is back with new episodes as Brendan Fitzgerald speaks with UFC welterweight Vicente Luque.

Luque is currently ranked 4th in the UFC's welterweight division.  This Saturday, he will fight 5th ranked Belal Muhammad in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Luque vs. Muhammad.

In this episode, Fitz talks to Vicente about his roots in New Jersey, but growing up in Brazil after his parents divorced.  They talk about how he found himself getting into fights in school, and why Vicente said it was fun!

His MMA career started with inconsistent results, but it's those early career losses he attributes to his overall success since joining the UFC.

To watch the show, check it out on UFC Fight Pass!

You can also watch clips of the podcast on Brendan's YouTube channel.

Be sure to connect with Fitz on social media:

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While in Bristol, Connecticut to cover UFC 284 at ESPN headquarters, Fitz catches up with light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith.

Smith has an upcoming main event vs. Johnny Walker in May, a fight that has been talked about for awhile as a potential match-up that appears to finally be coming together.

They also talk about career longevity for fighters, how Smith has generated headlines through his work in media and more!

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Bryan "Pooh Bear" Battle is a UFC middleweight and winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 29 in 2021.

In this episode, Brendan Fitzgerald and Bryan Battle discuss his unique upbringing in North Carolina, being home schooled through high school and finding martial arts in his early 20s.

➡️  Battle also talks about how he chooses to prove those who support him right instead of focusing on the haters and proving them wrong.
 
He has his 2nd UFC appearance coming up at UFC Fight Night on February 5th when he takes on fellow TUF castmate Tresean Gore.

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Here is part 1 of my interview with Billy Quarantillo!

UFC featherweight Billy Quarantillo is coming off his fight vs. Gabriel Benitez in which he not only won, but also scored a Fight of the Night bonus at UFC Fight Night on July 17.  

Quarantillo is an all-action fighter who has also delivered wins over Spike Carlyle and Kyle Nelson and he's also fought top prospect Gavin Tucker.

Billy Quarantillo once appeared on The Ultimate Fighter.  After that wasn't his ticket to the UFC, he racked up more MMA wins to get a spot on Dana White's Contender Series.  A win over Kamuela Kirk ultimately got him his UFC contract.

He is now focused on climbing the UFC rankings and becoming a UFC champion!

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Here is part 2 of my interview with Billy Quarantillo!

UFC featherweight Billy Quarantillo is coming off his fight vs. Gabriel Benitez in which he not only won, but also scored a Fight of the Night bonus at UFC Fight Night on July 17.  

Quarantillo is an all-action fighter who has also delivered wins over Spike Carlyle and Kyle Nelson and he's also fought top prospect Gavin Tucker.

Billy Quarantillo once appeared on The Ultimate Fighter.  After that wasn't his ticket to the UFC, he racked up more MMA wins to get a spot on Dana White's Contender Series.  A win over Kamuela Kirk ultimately got him his UFC contract.

He is now focused on climbing the UFC rankings and becoming a UFC champion!

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Dustin Jacoby is a light heavyweight in the UFC.  He is unbeaten in his second UFC stint, which started in 2020.  Before that, he was a GLORY kickboxer and also fought in the UFC 10 years ago.  He talks about his athletic journey, from being a highly touted football and basketball player only to see a knee injury derail his career, turning him toward mixed martial arts.

Dustin gets back in the Octagon later this summer on August 28th.

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Twitter: @thehanyakdj
Instagram:  @thehanyakdj

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Megan Olivi is one of the most experienced and prominent members of the UFC broadcast team, starting to cover the UFC and MMA about 10 years ago.  She has done major interviews over the years with UFC president Dana White, as well as some of the biggest stars like Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor and many more.  She is also married to UFC title challenger Joe Benavidez.

On this episode, hear why Megan was such a big sports fan growing up, but why it took a push for her to get into sports broadcasting from others.  We also talk about big moments in her career, what it takes to be good at her job and her favorite thing about being a UFC reporter.

Find Megan's podcast with her husband Joe  CLICK HERE

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👉🏻 FOLLOW MEGAN OLIVI:
Twitter: @MeganOlivi
Instagram:  @meganolivi

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Often times, we focus on the future and the many things we want to accomplish.

But what if we shifted to what we can do right now?  And were only focused on the singular step or goal that would take us in the direction we want to go?

That's where Pat Sabatini finds himself... 5-1 in the UFC and obviously with aspirations to take it all the way.  But the single goal is to get into the rankings.  After all, you can't be the champ or among the greats if you never crack the rankings.

And to get there?  Sometimes less is more.  We talk about his back story a bit, the discipline he is trying to employ, and the over-training in the past that he is constantly trying to get a handle on so he can be his best.

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Charles Rosa has been a steady customer in the UFC featherweight division for nearly 10 years.  The Boston native has produced memorable fights, like when he fought Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City to a Fight of the Night bonus.  He also produced a Fight of the Night vs. Shane Burgos, and an incredible return to action after a neck injury with a submission win over Manny Bermudez in October of 2019 in his home city of Boston.

Rosa has a recent win over Justin Jaynes and he takes on Damon Jackson coming up on October 9, 2021 at UFC Fight Night on ESPN+.   

Charles' charity CHUCKY'S FIGHT:  http://www.chuckysfight.com

CONNECT WITH CHARLES
📱 Twitter - https://twitter.com/CharlesRosaMMA
📸 Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/charlesrosamma

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UFC featherweight veteran Andre Fili joins Brendan Fitzgerald on the newest episode of Fitz Nation.

Fili is coming off a disappoining 'no contest' result in his last fight, where he was showing arguably the best form of his career before an eye poke.  He has been in the UFC a long time and really has come a long way since coming from a broken home in Washington state.

He has grown into a leader at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento and has much to be proud of, but of course, his focus is on the future and winning a UFC championship.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO:
Twitter: @touchyfili
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James Krause is a UFC welterweight, MMA coach, entrepreneur, real estate mogul and stock trader.  His hustle is undeniable in both his fighting style inside the Octagon, and business pursuits outside of it.  Krause has been on a tear recently, winning 7 of his last 8 fights in the UFC, with the lone loss when he made headlines by stepping up to fight Trevin Giles at middleweight on a day's notice and earning Fight of the Night.  In this episode, Fitz and Krause talk about success habits, playing the right game in life and a lot more!

For James' previous appearance on the show, LISTEN HERE.

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FOLLOW JAMES KRAUSE:
Twitter: @TheJamesKrause
Instagram: @thejameskrause

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Kevin Holland is a UFC middleweight contender coming off a big year in 2020.  "Trailblazer" went 5-0 from May to December, putting himself in the top 10 and setting him up for his first UFC main event vs. Derek Brunson.  Always a trash-talker, Holland discusses his upbringing and unique relationship with his parents, finding martial arts and why he needed it, and becoming the fighter and person he is today.

Look for Kevin headlining UFC Fight Night on March 20th!

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Twitter: @Trailblaze2top
Instagram: @trailblaze2top

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On this episode, I sit down with my good friend and MMA head coach Sayif Saud.

Sayif was on episode 3 of this podcast way back in May of 2019 and has regularly appeared.  I clicked with him right away because of his ability to connect and not be afraid to talk about real life stuff.

He is an incredible leader and coach for his gym Fortis MMA and any athlete he takes under his wing.

We talk briefly about Brandon Moreno's recent epic fight at UFC 290 for the flyweight title.  We then shift to finding the right life perspective including embracing the long journey it takes to success and the fact that once you "arrive", you should still always look for something to learn and grow at.

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Marlon "Chito" Vera is a UFC bantamweight contender and proudly represents his native Ecuador.  In this episode, he talks about what life was like growing up in Ecuador, discovering mixed martial arts, and ultimately chasing it as a career.

He also talks about going all in, taking risks and appreciating what you have... things that everyone can take from!

The Book of 5 Rings: https://amzn.to/3bVbPDA

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Twitter: @ChitoVeraUFC
Instagram:  @chitoveraufc

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Laura Sanko is a UFC broadcaster who works as the backstage reporter for UFC broadcasts and has served as the reporter for every episode of Dana White's Contender Series through the first four seasons. 

While many reporters in the sideline role come from a broadcasting background, Laura was in the world of MMA long before considering TV work as a possibility.  In this episode, Fitz and Laura chat about working on Dana White's Contender Series and get into her journey into MMA, leading her to be a member of the UFC broadcast team.

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Laura Sanko
Twitter: @Laura_Sanko
Instagram: @laura_sanko

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Mickey Gall is coming off a win over Jordan Williams at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw (UFC Vegas 32).

Gall got back into the win column with a rear naked choke submission in the first round.

In this interview, Brendan Fitzgerald and Mickey Gall discuss his upbringing in New Jersey, the quick start to his UFC career, which included wins over CM Punk and Sage Northcutt, as well as his recent mindset and growth as he continues his career.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW MICKEY GALL:
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Fitz catches up with the UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber to talk about how he built his own dream job:  By hustling and trying to build an MMA career, a clothing line, a gym, a team, and more.

Faber has an accomplished career in the UFC and MMA, but he also has been just as impressive on the business side of it.  And here's his secret: it was never about money.  It was about hustling to keep his career in his passion and not some "normal job".

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The show is back!  I just could not stay away from the podcast game.  I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about why I wanted to start a podcast originally and what I get out of it.  I truly missed the long form interviews with fighters, coaches and others in this UFC world.  What started as Fitz & A Fighter then turned into my solo project the Brendan Fitz Podcast.  Well, I've combined the two ideas.  The Brendan Fitz Podcast is back, but with the focus being back on interviews with guests.  I'm really excited to get back on this project and it was good to check in with my friend and MMA coach Tyson Chartier.

We talk about what Fight Island was like for him and his team when Calvin Kattar was in Abu Dhabi for a main event back in July, how he got into martial arts in the first place, and his chance meeting with Dana White to ultimately steer him toward MMA and the UFC.

Follow Tyson below and there's also a link for New England Cartel march if you want to support their team.

Tyson Chartier
Twitter: @TysonChartier
Instagram: @tyson_chartier
New England Cartel march: https://teespring.com/stores/new-england-cartel

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Anthony Rocco Martin
Twitter: @TonyRoccoMartin
Instagram: @anthonyroccomartin

After taking November off, Fitz & A Fighter is back.

On the eve of UFC 245 in Las Vegas, Fitz pays a visit to Rocco's hotel room to get the full story of the fighter many know as Tony Martin.

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Email the show!  Ask me a question:  brendanfitztv@gmail.com

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In this episode, I decide to go with a Q & A format and base it on the question I get asked the most from UFC fans, and the questions I tend to ask fighters most.

The question I get the most:  How did you get your job with the UFC?

I answer in two parts:
1) My career journey through the world of broadcasting
2) How someone who wants the job I have can get started on their own path to maybe calling UFC fights one day.

I then go into topics about figuring out the intersection of social media use and overall performance... and what I have learned recently about discipline.

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Fitz welcomes UFC veteran and MMA coach Din Thomas to the studio to talk about living a sober lifestyle.

Both Fitz and Din were all about having a few drinks and enjoying a good time for years, but both went sober starting in 2020.

Din talks about realizing he was drinking too much, the shift in mindset, the enjoyment of having no “crutch” with alcohol, and also why he quit as head coach at American Top Team.

Catch Din on his podcast "The Lover and the Fighter" on UFC Fight Pass Podcast Central!

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From the impact of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok on entertainment, to UFC 295 speculation and retirement contemplation, we've got it all covered. We are breaking down the John Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight and discussing if it could be the biggest heavyweight fight in combat sports history. We're also exploring the implications of potential retirements and the transformation of the heavyweight division in the UFC. 

Lastly, we're zooming out to look at the global growth of UFC, the Performance Institute, and the potential of new markets like India. And for a bit of nostalgia, we take a walk down memory lane, reminiscing about the early days of MMA and how it's evolved to become a global phenomenon. 

So join us in this intriguing conversation and let's talk combat sports, media, and what lies ahead for UFC.

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Mike Moor, better known as "Mindset Mike," is a mental coach for combat sports athletes, including fighters in the UFC.

I thought since a lot of my conversations with fighters have gone down a path of personal development and mindset traits that have allowed them to reach the sport's top level, it would be interesting to talk to someone who helps get them there.  

This is part 1 of my interview with Mike and I think anyone interested in the realm of the mindset of world-class athletes will enjoy! 

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In this episode, Fitz catches up with Fortis MMA head coach Sayif Saud to talk about Ryan Spann's upcoming main event vs. Nikita Krylov.  They also talk about the heavyweight debut of Jon Jones as UFC 285 approaches.

Then, Jeff Novitzky joins the show to clear up the situation regarding Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 and the rules surrounding UFC fighter IV use.  They also discuss more USADA matters as the quest to keep the sport clean is always evolving.

Finally, Fitz caught up with Erin Blanchfield the day before her main event vs. Jessica Andrade to chat about the new spotlight on her career and all things New Jersey!

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Fitz chats with UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson as he gets ready to make his first walk as a UFC bantamweight in October.

Cub has had a decorated career as a pro fighter and is one of the originals when it comes to transitioning from the WEC to the UFC.  He has fought all the big names of his era and continues to challenge top prospects and veterans as he winds down his career.

Swanson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the summer of 2022 in the Fight Wing for his epic bout vs. Doo Ho Choi in 2016 (which happens to be one of my favorite fights of all time).

Cub will fight Jonathan Martinez at the UFC Apex on October 15th.

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Brandon Royval is the UFC's newest contender in the flyweight division.  He burst onto the scene in May with a submission win over Tim Elliott, followed by another submission win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 253.  He won a Fight of the Night bonus in each of his first two fights!

We talk about the whirlwind ride over the last four months and his journey to finding martial arts and joining the UFC.

Follow Brandon below and look out for him as he jumps right back in the Octagon in November against Brandon Moreno.

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Brandon Royval
Twitter: @brandonroyval
Instagram: @broyval

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As promised, here are the 2020 Fitzy Awards.

A couple years ago at the end of 2018, I reflected on my new job of traveling the globe and calling fights.  As the MMA world started giving out their year-end superlatives, I thought about my unique experience in relation to calling the fights and also experiencing many different places and cultures I would otherwise not get to experience.

I jotted down my "best of" from the fights I called to the things I ate and places I stayed.

For the last two years, I put out the results on my social media channels, but this year, I thought a podcast dedicated to it might be a fun way to recap the year.

Happy New Year and looking forward to making more great memories in 2021!

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Welcome to another episode of Fitz Nation as I sit down with Brazil's Caio Borralho!

Caio takes us through his evolution as a Fighting Nerd, revealing how he transformed his fear of confrontation into a badge of honor.  With raw honesty, he discusses the importance of maintaining his authentic self amidst the glamour and brutality of MMA. This is a captivating insight into the mind of a fighter who views pressure not as a burden, but as a privilege. 

In the final segment, Kyo delves into a less violent battle - the daunting journey of fatherhood and how his faith played a major role in navigating the uncertainties of becoming a father. He also shares his profound appreciation for Sao Paulo, a city that has given him so much and instilled in him a hardworking attitude. As he passionately discusses his ambition to become a world champion in the next five years, you can't help but feel inspired by this Fighting Nerd's cerebral approach to MMA. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, making it an absolute must for any MMA enthusiast wanting to understand the sport beyond the cage!

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Yancy Medeiros
Twitter: @ymedeiros
Instagram: @yancymedeiros

While on vacation in Hawaii, I was so pumped to hit up Yancy Medeiros to see if he wanted to be an early guest on my upcoming podcast.  He was game and it was so much fun to connect with him.

I first met Yancy when I called his main event bout vs. Cowboy Cerrone in February of 2018.  It's impossible not to like the guy... he has even made habit of handing out Hawaiian chocolates to media members during fight week.

In this episode, Yancy tells great stories of what makes him the entertainer, martial artist and human being he is today, including his native Hawaii and perpetuating the aloha spirit... His mom's old-school style, his father's troubles that led them to get Yancy into martial arts... The transition from karate to high school wrestling... Getting fat and the turning point that led him to MMA... His first pro fight and the early days of being an entertainer... Meeting Nick and Nate Diaz and how they changed his outlook on his career... His biggest moments in the UFC and what it's like to have your senses "knocked loose"... Building his brand and spreading his message... What he sees for his future in fighting and beyond.

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Forrest Griffin
Twitter: @ForrestGriffin
Instagram: @ForrestGriffin

Welcome to my new podcast!  I have been interested in hosting an interview-style show for a few years now... it started when I actually learned the principles of interviewing from a man named John Sawatzky while working at ESPN.  Now, with me position at the UFC and my access to fighters, I thought it was the perfect time to get going.

I'm excited to launch the show with a UFC legend.  I sat down with Forrest Griffin at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas.  In addition to being a former UFC champion and hall-of-famer, he's a really nice guy and always fun to run into at UFC headquarters.  I thought he would make the perfect guest to help launch the show.  

We talk about his upbringing in Augusta, GA... what he learned when he started getting in fights as a kid... going to college and discovering different combat sports... his time in law enforcement and ultimately quitting his job to pursue MMA on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter... becoming a UFC champion, and also losing the belt... the challenge of dealing with the abrupt end to his career... and life now as he continues to help fighters and keep the UFC as the top MMA promotion in the world.

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Calvin Kattar is a top-10 featherweight contender in the UFC and fights Max Holloway in the main event on January 16th on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi to help the UFC kick off 2021!  After two big wins in 2020, Kattar is positioned for a run at the title in '21.

For Calvin's previous appearance on the show, go here.

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Calvin Kattar
Twitter: @CalvinKattar
Instagram: @calvinkattar

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Paul Felder is a good buddy of mine from our time together as UFC commentators.  We started working for the UFC at the same time on season 1 of Dana White's Contender Series back in 2017.

Felder blossomed as a fighter during the latter stages of his career, reaching the top 10 of the lightweight division in 2019 and 2020.

In this episode, he discusses why triathlon gripped him as he was done fighting as he embraces challenges that most won't tackle.  He also looks back on his fighting career and breaks down the finer parts of acting and what he hopes to accomplish next!

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On the newest episode of Fitz Nation, Fitz is joined by veteran MMA bookmaker and pro bettor Nick Kalikas. Nick is a former sport karate world champion who competed in martial arts. After his competition days were over, he had a chance to work as a bookmaker in Costa Rica for a sports book and create odds for UFC and MMA fights.

Catch Nick as a main betting analyst on "UFC On The Line" and his podcast "The Gambler's Perspective" with Gianni the Greek.  Both are on UFC Fight Pass!

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Brendan Fitzgerald chats with UFC veteran and featherweight contender Alex Caceres.

Caceres is a recognizable character to fight fans with his free-flowing style and of course the trademark hairstyle.

He has been on a long journey in the UFC and is still going strong as he is about to turn 34 years old.

Full episodes of Fitz Nation are now exclusively on UFC Fight Pass

Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
1:30 - Veganism (Influenced by documentary forks over knives, wearing a Vegan strong shirt)
4:30 - Life Update
5:00 - Pinched his sciatic nerve
5:15 - Rolling a blunt
6:00 - What was Alex’s earlier life like?
7:10 - Father was a drug dealer
7:40 - Molested when he was a child
8:30 - Body dysmorphia
10:10 - Run in with police officers
12:00 - Afro-Cuban and Afro-Dominican, Completely Latino
12:20 - What Formed Alex
15:00 - Alex’s belief in the Martial Arts lifestyle
16:15 - Anything is an art
17:04 - The Non-Physical World
18:00 - The Flaws of the Education System
20:25 - Doesn’t Have Expectations of Himself
22:22 - What It Means To Live With Expectations
24:00 - When Did Alex Think MMA Was A Career
26:04 - How MMA Was The Perfect Path
27:46 - Alex Smiling during the Fights
30:00 - Alex’s TUF Experience
31:20 - Biggest Lessons He’s Learned in MMA
33:45 - Alex’s Is Afraid to Shine Bright
35:30 - Alex Doesn’t Watch Tape
37:00 - The Magic Of Not Giving a Fuck
38:55 - Managing the Small Things
39:30 - Alex’s UFC Career
41:50 - What Alex Wants To Achieve

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It's a big week for Chris Daukaus who makes his light heavyweight debut in the Octagon.

I always enjoy talking with Chris because he's just a laid back, fun guy who can really bring it.  He is definitely that underdog type of fighter that have emerged from Philadelphia before, but he surprised a lot of people with his rise in the UFC's heavyweight division.

Now, he begins anew after a losing skid but at 205 pounds.  We always connect when discussing the passion for self improvement and what it takes to put focus on what you really want while letting distractions fall away.

But, there's also the micro-analyzing that can be harmful.  It's about finding that line... that flow state where you're challenging yourself but not driving yourself crazy.

Hope you enjoy this episode!

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Fitz is joined by UFC middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis, who fights at UFC 290 this week in Las Vegas.

Dricus is unbeaten in the UFC and finds himself in another massive fight vs. former champion Robert Whittaker.  With a win, Du Plessis is basically a lock to challenge Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title in his next fight and could come as soon as September.
 
Du Plessis is an all-action fighter who has finished 4 of his 5 UFC wins, including a big win in Las Vegas over Derek Brunson his last time out.

In this episode, we talk about the feeling he gets when it's time to fight, the habits that have made him a championship contender, and chasing the near impossible task of being known as the greatest of all time.

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Fitz is joined by UFC lightweight Evan Elder, who makes his 3rd appearance in the Octagon in July.

Evan is coming off a Fight of the Night result vs. Nazim Sadykov, one which he technically lost after it was stopped because of a cut over his right eye.  Elder was up 2-0 on all judges' scorecards, so he is looking to return for a big win.

He has a great story of chasing his dream to be a pro fighter, from moving out to Stockton, California to join the Diaz brothers' gym, to now calling Kill Cliff FC in Florida home with some other great UFC contenders.

He has a great level of maturity for someone who's just 26-years-old and is enjoying the journey every step of the way!

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Fitz welcomes UFC featherweight Billy Quarantillo to the show to talk about his success as a fighter and how it took a lot of small steps to achieve huge results!

Not a standout athlete in high school, Quarantillo put his all into making UFC dreams a reality. He tributes a lot of his success to his coach and mentor Matt Arroyo and a book he recommended called "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy.

Billy has a huge fight coming up vs. Edson Barboza at #UFCKansasCity in the co-main event!

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Renato Moicano is back in the UFC lightweight rankings after his huge win at UFC 281 in New York City over Brad Riddell.  His first round submission was impressive and then he added to the moment by one of the most energizing and memorable post-fight interviews of 2022 with Joe Rogan.

Moicano has been a pro fighter since 2010, quitting law school in his home city of Brasilia to pursue MMA full time.  At both featherweight and lightweight in the UFC, he has been in fights with some of the biggest names, like Rafael dos Anjos, Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, Cub Swanson, The Korean Zombie and others.


Included in this episode:

• how new popularity has changed Renato’s life (the value of learning to speak English) 
• upbringing in Brasilia (his father’s strong work ethic, growing up in an upper middle class family)
• deciding to become a fighter instead of going to law school
• what drew him to fighting (street-fighting uncles, getting in his first fight at six years old, story of his first pro fight)
• the feeling of freedom in fighting (how his third fight propelled him)
• keeping his passion and joy despite the pressure
• reflecting on big moments in his career (Jeremy Stephens fight, losses, Brad Riddell win)
• developing his public persona (speaking in third-person, being called “Mohawk”, having a healthy relationship with money)

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Chris Curtis chats with Brendan Fitzgerald on the Fitz Nation Podcast.

Curtis broke into the UFC in late 2021 with a huge win over Phil Hawes.  He then went on to finish Brendan Allen shortly after.
Recently, he earned a win over Rodolfo Vieira at the UFC Apex and takes a quick turnaround and huge opportunity to take on Jack Hermansson at UFC London!

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In this episode, Fitz chats with UFC light heavyweight veteran Khalil Rountree.

Khalil has been in the UFC for years now after appearing on The Ultimate Fighter to get his shot with the promotion.

But what makes his story so impressive is about how he grew up.  After his father was murdered when he was 2 years old, Rountree developed into an introvert who saw the world as a dark place.  He got bullied in school and never had a sports background.

As a teenager, he started letting himself go and eventually weighed 300 pounds.  There were times when he contemplated suicide before his brother ultimately got him into MMA after he watched The Ultimate Fighter.

Hope you love the episode!  Leave a review, subscribe and connect with me on social media @BrendanFitzTV!

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Julian Erosa is a featherweight in the UFC and coming off back-to-back stoppage wins.  It's been quite a road back to the UFC for Erosa.  At one point, he was a castmate on The Ultimate Fighter.  After an initial stint in the UFC, going 1-1, he was released.

He returned to fight on Dana White's Contender Series in 2018.  Despite a highlight reel win, he wasn't awarded a contract that night.  He did eventually make it back to the UFC, but circumstances weren't the best and the results weren't there.

Now, he's put together the best form of his career and looks to continue the upward trend!

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👉🏻 FOLLOW JULIAN EROSA:
Twitter: @juicyj_erosa
Instagram:  @Julian_erosa

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Alan Jouban just recently retired after being a UFC welterweight contender for the last 10 years.  Just fighting in the UFC was quite an accomplishment, as he had no training or experience in martial arts until well into his 20s.

Alan talks about his upbringing in Lafayette, Louisiana, trying to find a passion and then discovering martial arts.  Fight fans will continue to see him on UFC broadcasts as he has joined our team as a desk analyst on UFC pre and post-fight coverage.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW ALAN JOUBAN:
Twitter: @AlanJouban
Instagram:  @alanjouban

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Julian Marquez is a UFC middleweight fresh off a big win at UFC 258 on February 13, '21.  The return to the Octagon marked his first fight since July of 2018 after suffering a major shoulder injury.  A proud Cuban-American, Julian talks about his upbringing in Kansas City and the support his family provided for Cuban immigrants.  We also discuss why he was drawn to combat sports and becoming an MMA fighter.  Oh, and we talk about his call out of Miley Cyrus that generated headlines after his big win!

It's great to have him healthy and back fighting in the UFC again!

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👉🏻 FOLLOW JULIAN MARQUEZ:
Twitter: @JMarquezMMA
Instagram: @jmarquezmma

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Sayif Saud
Twitter: @sayif_saud
Instagram: @sayifsaud

Fitz and Sayif chat about what it takes to be the best you can be, whether it's trying to be a UFC champion or whatever is important to you.

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Brad Tavares is a top-15 middleweight contender and UFC veteran.  He returned to action at UFC 257 on Fight Island after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury.  Fully healthy and with much more to accomplish in fighting, he's excited to see regular action going forward as he looks to climb back up the rankings.

Fitz and Brad chat about growing up in Hawaii, always being a fighter, why he loved his time on The Ultimate Fighter and much more!

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Twitter: @BradTavares
Instagram: @bradtavares808

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Drew Dober is a UFC lightweight contender and always delivers a fun performance to watch.  Originally from Nebraska, Dober opens up and talks about the change he made in his life to move toward positivity and chasing his dream of being a UFC fighter.

He has won 6 of his last 7 fights as he readies for a big fight at UFC 259!

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Twitter: @DrewDober
Instagram:  @drewdober

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Michael Chiesa is a UFC welterweight contender.  His recent main event win over Neil Magny has made him the 6th-ranked contender as he mounts a run for a UFC championship.  Chiesa has been a mainstay on the UFC roster and a popular fighter with fans after he won season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter.  In this episode, Fitz and Chiesa take a detailed look at his UFC career.

For Chiesa's previous appearance on the show listen to it here:  https://fitznation.buzzsprout.com/286419/1583092-12-michael-chiesa

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Twitter: @MikeMav22
Instagram: @mikemav22

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Gilbert Burns is a UFC welterweight contender who will headline UFC in February.  "Durinho" was in the lightweight division of the UFC for a handful of years, but has given himself a title shot after moving up to welterweight and reeling off four straight wins.  A decorated jiu jitsu blackbelt, the former world BJJ champion talks about his humble beginnings outside of Rio de Janeiro, chasing greatness in the world of Brazilian jiu jitsu, and turning his focus to being a UFC champion.

Look for Gilbert as he tries to realize that UFC championship when he takes on Kamaru Usman on February 13th!

Gilbert's YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoc1WnhIaUigd9mrvImo80w

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Twitter:  @GilbertDurinho
Instagram:  @gilbert_burns

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Do you ever wonder about the controversies and dynamics behind the UFC’s drug testing program? Join us for an in-depth discussion as we get real about the UFC's recent split with USADA, potential changes to the UFC's drug testing policy, and how this major shift could impact the future of the sport.

Our conversation doesn't stop at drug testing. We also talk about some highly anticipated matches in UFC 294.   Alexander Volkanovski's rematch with Islam Makachev and the immense pressure Kamaru Usman might be feeling against Khamzat Chimaev is covered! 

As we wrap up, we draw our focus to current trends in UFC. Whether you're a hardcore MMA fan or a casual observer, this engaging conversation pulls back the curtain on the world of UFC. Tune in for an episode that is as unpredictable and thrilling as the sport itself!

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UFC flyweight Cody Durden joins Fitz Nation!  Cody is fresh off back to back wins in 2022 and talks about his journey as a standout high school wrestler who had to leave multiple college scholarship offers on the table to put fatherhood first.  Despite life getting in the way, his dream of becoming a world-class combat athlete remained.  His dedication to being an MMA fighter while working a full time job and helping provide for his family paid off with his entry into the UFC in 2020.  He is a flyweight to watch as he tries to climb the ranks!

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What happens when an army veteran, psychologist, and author steps onto the mat? Join us as we unpack an intriguing conversation with Daniel Joseph about his exciting journey, exploring the intersection of military service, mental health, and martial arts. From the thrills of UFC to the grit of Jiu-Jitsu, we delve into his unique insights and how these powerful combat sports played a significant role in his life and the lives of those around him.

Have you ever wondered how the primal call to serve draws men into the military? Daniel shares his perspective on this intriguing aspect, pointing out the transformative power of service and the lessons he learned during challenging times. We analyzed the complex psychological effects of war on soldiers and linked how the discipline and control learned in martial arts could serve as a healing tool. We explored how leadership, self-reflection, and martial arts can foster healthier relationships and organizations.

Finally, we cut through the noise of our instant-gratification society, to explore the benefits of minimalism, humility, and calmness. Daniel shared his wisdom on how these qualities, which he learned from military leaders and martial arts, can act as a counterforce to the constant pressures of modern life. Join us for this deep dive into a fascinating world of grit, resilience, and personal growth. Don't miss out on this unique blend of life lessons, martial arts, and mental health discussion.

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Max Griffin is a UFC veteran of 10 fights coming off his biggest win, a TKO victory over Ramiz Brahimaj that produced a gruesome ear injury that went viral. 

While he's been getting attention because of that, there is, of course, a lot more to his story.  He was into martial arts as a kid before suddenly giving it up at the age of 13.  Years later, he had an epiphany in which he realized he needed to be a pro fighter and be the best in the world.  After weighing in as high as 237 pounds after working at a pizza restaurant, he has changed his life and won his way to the UFC.  Follow Max on social media below and lookout for him in the Octagon in 2021 and beyond!

Here is the water video Max was referencing in the show:  https://www.gaia.com/share/ckh6vkn8n001a0io2aaw69bhd?rfd=rR54yS&language%5B%5D=en

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Max Griffin
Twitter: @maxpaingriffin
Instagram: @maxpaingriffin

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Fitz strings together a few interviews during fight week at UFC Vegas 67.

Included on the show:

Veteran MMA coach Sayif Saud on UFC 283, coaching Brandon Moreno and the focus for his team at Fortis MMA after winning 2022 Gym of the Year from MMA Junkie.

Heidi Androl on celebrating firsts in 2023 and what her journey has been like covering MMA since 2009.

Harrison Green, who joined the UFC social media team at 20-years-old, on the bullet points to grow your following and what the UFC does well on social media.

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Sean Brady is a UFC welterweight contender currently ranked #9 in the division and coming off a big win over fellow contender Michael Chiesa.

In this episode, Brendan Fitzgerald and Sean Brady talk about his early life in Philadelphia and how he never really found his true passion growing up until he signed up for martial arts as a teenager.  He was battling low self esteem because he didn't know what he wanted to pursue after high school, but once he found martial arts, he put everything into it.

➡️  Brady talks about why living the lifestyle of a martial artist is most important to him and that fighting in the UFC octagon is just a part of what it takes to reach what he's chasing.
 
With his record sitting at 15-0 including 5 UFC wins, whatever he's done so far is clearly working!

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Gerald Meerschaert is a veteran UFC middleweight and always delivers on fight night!  His most recent win over Bartosz Fabinski in April came by submission in the first round, making him the all-time leader in UFC middleweight submission victories.

Quite a story considering he grew up on a horse farm, found his way to music school and had plans to be a music teacher (he played alto saxophone).

Hear the funny story about others fighting (in the band room) that got him to chase MMA full-time and what he's learned about what it takes to achieve.

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👉🏻 FOLLOW GERALD MEERSCHAERT:
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Head coach and gym manager of Xtreme Couture MMA Eric Nicksick joins Fitz to talk about how he reinvented himself and career.
 
Once a highly recruited football player, personal errors led to the end of his college football career.  Nicksick talks about how he blamed others instead of being accountable for his own actions.
 
A legal issue in his past led to him not being able to join the Las Vegas Fire Department, and he was left at a crossroads.  He needed to change his attitude and find a new path.
 
That's when he went from just training at Xtreme Couture to taking on a manager and then coaching role despite never having competed in MMA.

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Welcome back to Fitz Nation!   My special guest is none other than the one-and-only Bryce Mitchell. This episode reveals Bryce's life from being a small-town boy to being on the cusp of a significant fight against Dan Ige. 

Bryce's life outside the octagon is just as fascinating. At the age of 21, he started a farm and expanded it to 16 acres, a testament to his dedication and commitment. On our chat, Bryce discusses the importance of self-sustainability and the rebellious spirit it represents.

Moving on to the crossroads of Bryce's fighting career and his faith, prepare to be inspired as Bryce opens about his unwavering passion for the sport and his mission in mixed martial arts. The faith he holds in God is unshakeable and plays a significant role in his fighting career, even if his prayer warrior mother disapproves. Hear all about his respect for Dan Ige and the love for Hawaii.  This episode is a testament to Bryce's strength, determination, and faith... can't wait for you to listen!

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Fitz is back with good friend Laura Sanko to chat about her upcoming gig as part of the UFC commentary team at UFC Vegas 68 with John Gooden and Michael Bisping.

Laura has been a part of the UFC broadcast team for years, but primarily serving in the reporting role on UFC Fight Nights and then helping to launch Dana White's Contender Series.

What's surprising to many is finding out that Laura did not come up the ranks as a sports TV reporter, but in the MMA world.  She fought one professional fight (she won) before becoming pregnant and retiring from competition.

But, she has continued to train through the years while growing her broadcasting career.  Being an analyst on a UFC broadcast has been a goal of hers for a long time and now she has that chance!

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I sat down with UFC commentator John Gooden, a man whose life was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. From the thrill of Fight Island to visa issues and reduced work, John invites us into his world to share his personal journey rising the ranks as an MMA commentator. John's story is a testament to resilience, perseverance and a good, old-fashioned bet on himself.

John's career has been one of transitions... from a plush job in London to a modest position at the BBC, he found himself drawn to martial arts and the world of MMA and UFC. In our candid conversation, John reveals how this passion steered his career trajectory, and the sacrifices he made to seize the international opportunities he always yearned for. His journey, though filled with trials, has instilled in him a unique perspective on life, pressure, and privilege.

As we delve into John's world, we also explore the themes of personal growth and gratitude. He shares how books like "Four Thousand Weeks" and "Die With Zero" have influenced his outlook and the importance of staying connected to the community. Despite the harsh criticisms and high stakes in the demanding world of UFC, John underlines the importance of hard work, kindness, and the pursuit of passion. Join us as we delve into the story of a man who gambled on his dreams and reaped the rewards of his courage.

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Dominick Cruz is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the greatest, bantamweight fighters in MMA history.  He won and defended the WEC championship before becoming the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion.

The injuries he has had to deal with over the course of his career makes his journey even more impressive, as do his humble beginnings.

In this episode, we talk about how his background shaped him, his mindset of what made him achieve and the most important thing he focuses on to keep growing.

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Adrian Yanez is a UFC bantamweight prospect after winning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series.  He became a name to watch with a blistering knockout win on the Contender Series, and has followed it up with two more KO wins in the Octagon. 

His relationship with his late father Andres and promise to make it to the UFC has been a storyline fans have come to follow.  We talk extensively about that relationship, what got him into martial arts, and what he ultimately wants to do with his platform.

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Fitz chats with UFC welterweight Alex Morono.

Morono has an interesting back story as a person who was never an athlete growing up. 
While he was always active, it was never in an organized activity.  After his mom signed him up at a local boxing gym, he fell in love with combat sports.  Boxing then led to jiu jitsu which eventually got him taking fights.

Once setting a goal for fighting 20 times in the UFC, Morono says he now wants 20 wins in the UFC.  As a 16-time UFC veteran, he's on his way.  Enjoy this episode!

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Jalin Turner is the latest UFC contender to join Fitz Nation after his big win over Brad Riddell in Las Vegas.  Turner not only has an impressive win streak that's propelled him to the top 15, but he has also finished his opponents at a dizzying rate, making him a prospect to watch at 155 pounds.

In this interview, Turner talks about humble beginnings as a kid in San Bernardino, California, not having his father as part of his life, always having an interest in animals and wildlife, discovering a love for combat sports and stopping at nothing to be a fighter.

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Fitz chats with UFC featherweight Charles Jourdain, who is coming off a big win vs. Andre Ewell at UFC Fight Night on 12/18.

Jourdain is about to sign a new contract with the UFC and is one of the most exciting featherweight prospects in the promotion.  His signature win came against Doo Ho Choi in 2019, but he has thrilled fight fans with each performance and hopes to deliver more in 2022 and beyond.

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Dan Ige chats with UFC announcer Brendan Fitzgerald about becoming a dad as a fighter, mental approach, what he learned from Khabib Nurmagomedov, his future as an MMA manager and much more.

Ige is coming off a main event appearance in the UFC over the summer against The Korean Zombie.

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"Hurricane" Shane Burgos is a UFC featherweight contender out of New York.

In this episode, Brendan Fitzgerald and Shane Burgos discuss Burgos' recent win over Billy Quarantillo and the feeling of getting back to the win column in the UFC.  They also discuss Shane's beginnings in martial arts and how he battled scoliosis and back surgery as a teenager to become a UFC fighter when doctors told him he would not be able to train again.

➡️ As Burgos describes, as soon as he saw the UFC on TV through watching The Ultimate Fighter, he was hooked as a fan.  He and a friend tried it for themselves at a local gym and he's never had more fun than when training martial arts.
 
Check out this interview to see how Burgos combined his passion for martial arts with a solid work ethic to become a top competitor in the UFC.

He also talks about dealing with whatever hand you're dealt, figuring out what you want, and going after what you love... things that everyone can take from!

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Bryce Mitchell (aka Thug Nasty) is a UFC featherweight contender currently ranked #11 in the division and is scheduled to fight Edson Barboza at UFC 272 on March 5th.

In this episode, Bryce talks about his roots in Arkansas.  He was raised by a single mom and his grandparents and has never met his father.  From a young age, he loved competition but was a little rough for team sports like basketball.  He was not the most talented, but he has always been the most fearless among his friends and was drawn to martial arts.  After getting into MMA to learn how to defend himself should he find trouble, he instead loved training, competing and avoiding bad situations altogether.

Mitchell talks about his life in martial arts, being aware that coming from the country leads people to believe he's not smart, his distrust for the government, and his faith in God.  We hit a wide-ranging variety of topics and it made for a memorable interview.

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Adam Hunter is a stand-up comedian who is well known by UFC fans.  He also was a decorated prep school wrestler and then wrestled very briefly in college.  After his college experience and wrestling career didn't go according to plan, he found comedy and here he is all these years later still making it happen.

Follow Adam below and look for his comedy special on UFC Fight Pass and a lot more fun projects he's working on for 2021!

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Adam Hunter
Twitter: @AdamComedian & @MMARoasted
Instagram: @adamcomedian

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Mickey Gall is coming off a win over Jordan Williams at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw (UFC Vegas 32).

Gall got back into the win column with a rear naked choke submission in the first round.

In this interview, Brendan Fitzgerald and Mickey Gall discuss his upbringing in New Jersey, the quick start to his UFC career, which included wins over CM Punk and Sage Northcutt, as well as his recent mindset and growth as he continues his career.

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Eliot Marshall is a former UFC heavyweight and veteran MMA coach.  He was the long time head coach of Elevation Fight Team in Denver before abruptly wanting to stop coaching MMA fighters as a team.  He talks about the regrets he has in how he handled stepping away from the team, but more importantly, his upbringing as a mixed race kid in New Jersey that was ostracized by his peers and community.

He found a connection in martial arts as a kid and took it all the way to competing in the UFC.  He is especially known for having great jiu jitsu and discusses the benefits that martial arts can bring to everyone.

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Marc Montoya joins Fitz to talk about his recent battle with kidney cancer and how it put things in perspective for how he lives and coaches his team at Factory X. 

Montoya is a respected MMA coach who owns Factory X Muay Thai in Denver, CO that has seen a major surge in UFC athletes over the last 6 years.  He helped Anthony Smith become a contender at light heavyweight and has a stable of strong UFC fighters like Dustin Jacoby, Jonathan Martinez, Chris Gutierrez and more.

There are great lessons in this episode about how to think and act like a champion no matter what you are chasing in life!

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Dan Ige
Twitter: @Dynamitedan808
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On my way to UFC Greenville, I had to knock out this episode for UFC featherweight Dan Ige before his fight this weekend.

My dad was in town this past weekend to help celebrate Father's Day.  As we sat at the airport in Las Vegas, he gives a brief recap on his first live MMA experience at Dana White's Contender Series at the UFC Apex.

As for Dan Ige, he is on a tear, winning his last three fights with two of those wins coming in the first round.  He started fighting in Hawaii and decided to move to Las Vegas to fight full time and give himself the best chance at fighting in the UFC.

Now, he works for Dominance MMA in addition to being a UFC featherweight contender.  He is a prospect to keep an eye on and as nice a guy as there is.

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UFC bantamweight Randy Costa chats with UFC announcer Brendan Fitzgerald about his unlikely rise to being in the UFC.  Costa participated in martial arts but never thought of himself as a fighter.  As a tribute to his friend, Devin Carrier, who tragically died in a car accident, he took a pro fight and found success.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Costa has two UFC knockouts and fights Tony Kelley at UFC 269 this weekend!

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UFC contender Calvin Kattar joins Fitz to talk about his head down mentality and how embracing the process has allowed him to climb the ranks in mixed martial arts.

 Kattar also talks about his recovery from a recent knee injury he suffered vs. Arnold Allen and when we may next see him head in the Octagon.

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Calvin Kattar
Twitter: @CalvinKattar
Instagram: @calvinkattar

In episode 8, Brendan catches up with fellow Massachusetts native and UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar.

Calvin talks about his days growing up in a big family, getting into wrestling in high school and why he always wished he could just punch someone in the face during those matches.

Later, after discovering MMA, he was hooked after winning his first pro fight.  He talks about managing the early days as a pro, getting into the promotion side of the business in New England, and after several years off, deciding to jump back into competing.

The biggest moment of his career to date came in January of 2018, when he beat Shane Burgos by TKO in the 3rd round, earning him a Fight of the Night bonus in his home city.

After a first round KO of Ricardo Lamas, he has his sights on the top of the UFC's featherweight division.

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Sayif Saud
Twitter: @sayif_saud
Instagram: @sayifsaud

Sayif Saud is the head coach and owner of Fortis MMA in Dallas, Texas.  It is a gym that has really come on strong in the past couple years, putting a lot of fighters in the UFC.

Sayif is a lifetime practitioner of martial arts as his father opened a karate school in 1976, which he still runs today.  Sayif was a judo national champion as a kid, and continued to compete in martial arts until he became a pro MMA fighter.

Listen to the interview to find out why his career was cut short and why he believes it was for the best, his coaching philosophy, and the goals he has for his Fortis MMA team in the coming years.

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Jessica-Rose Clark
Twitter: @MissJessyJess
Instagram: @missjessyjess

Episode 4 features UFC bantamweight Jessica-Rose Clark.

In this episode, Jessica-Rose, or as many know her "Jessy Jess", reveals her childhood of constant travel, living on her own as a teenager and what the word "family" means to her.

She then describes her first experience fighting and why it gripped her, which led later to her move to the United States to embark on her career.

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Yair Rodriguez
Twitter: @panteraufc
Instagram: @panteraufc

Quite simply, Yair Rodriguez is one of the UFC's most exciting fighters.  In this episode, he talks about his humble beginnings on a ranch in rural Mexico, finding martial arts, and pursuing a career.

His journey includes emotional stories of getting the call to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, the knockout of the year in 2018 vs. The Korean Zombie, and the recent saga with Jeremy Stephens.

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Ricky Simon
Twitter: @RickySimonUFC
Instagram: @rickysimonufc

It's great to see UFC fighters all over the world, and this episode takes place in the great city of Auckland, New Zealand.

Ricky Simon is a UFC bantamweight prospect.  After a couple impressive wins in his first two fights, Simon found himself quickly in the top 15 rankings.

Some setbacks forced him out of the rankings, but he has proven to be an exciting fighter with every outing, including two Fight of the Night bonuses in the UFC.

Hear about his journey as a wrestler growing up in the Pacific Northwest, a chance on Dana White's Contender Series and his UFC career so far.

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I'm back after another UFC broadcast to recap the night that saw plenty of great fights and Derrick Lewis become the UFC's all-time leader in knockouts by a heavyweight.  Shoutouts to other great finishes by Andrew Sanchez, Gavin Tucker, Kevin Holland and Beneil Dariush.

But I decided to go more in-depth on the fight week experience these days at the Apex and how different it is to be doing these shows and sleeping my own bed all week and after the show.  It's quite different and like many things, comes with good and bad but you make the best of it and learn new things along the way.

I also get a little more life perspective with each passing birthday and that's no different as I approach 38 years old.

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Alex Perez is a UFC flyweight contender and will next fight for the 125-pound title at UFC 255 in November.  At first, he was a boxing fan, but after his older brother experienced success wrestling, it became the family sport.  After his high school career ended, he still wanted to compete and found mixed martial arts.  He was busy on the regional circuit in California and expected to be in the UFC sooner than his arrival in 2017, but the long road prepared him well for a run at a championship. 

We talk about what got him into MMA, why he almost retired and worked at a cheese factory, and what he thought about after getting the UFC title shot.

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Alex Perez
Twitter: @alexperezMMA
Instagram: @alexperezmma

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James Krause
Twitter: @TheJamesKrause
Instagram: @thejameskrause

On the eve of UFC 246 in Las Vegas, Fitz catches up with UFC welterweight James Krause.

Riding quite the winning streak, Krause gets into his time growing up in the Kansas City area, discovering MMA, and finding a mentor to lead him down a successful path.

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Casey Kenney is a UFC bantamweight is having quite a year in 2020, winning his last 3 in a row, including two fights in less than a month on Fight Island in October. 

Always an athlete, combat sports drew his interest like no other.  He was a judo national champion as a kid and started wrestling at a young age, but after he was bit by the MMA bug, he left a college wrestling scholarship on the table and wanted to pursue being a fighter above all else.  Despite some disagreement from his father, all is good now and it's hard to argue with his results thus far.

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Casey Kenney
Twitter: @CKMMA135
Instagram: @ckmma135

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Anthony Smith is a UFC Light Heavyweight contender who fought for a world title vs. Jon Jones in 2019.  "Lionheart" is as tough as they come, and is now up to 50 pro fights!  After being a middleweight for the first part of his UFC career, he has blossomed after moving up to 205-pounds.  It started with 1st round knockouts of Rashad Evans and Shogun Rua.  He also notched submission wins over Volkan Oezdemir and Alexander Gustaffson.

We go back to his roots in Nebraska and why he loves the simple life, growing up and being lost after dropping out of high school, and the fateful trip to a Subway when he saw a flyer for a fight in Omaha.

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Anthony Smith
Twitter: @lionheartasmith
Instagram: @lionheartasmith

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Robbie Fox is a blogger at Barstool Sports and the host of the podcast "My Mom's Basement."  He wanted nothing more than to work for Barstool Sports as a young teenager and he made it happen right out of high school.  He frequently interviews Dana White and has interacted with Conor McGregor after he appeared outside the courthouse in support of McGregor in New York City. 

We talk about what got him into Barstool Sports, why he became such a big UFC fan, his interactions with Dana White and Conor McGregor and a whole lot more.

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Robbie Fox
Twitter: @RobbieBarstool
Instagram: @thatrobbiefox

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Check out the full interview only on UFC FIGHT PASS.

On this episode of Fitz Nation, Brendan Fitzgerald chats with UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber.  

Barber has packed a lot of life experience into her first 23 years.  She was just 20 years old when appearing on Dana White's Contender Series in 2018, getting a big win and earning a UFC contract.

She has been thought of as a bright star and eventual championship challenger, but things didn't go according to plan in her goal to be the youngest ever UFC champion.  

As always, the ups and downs of life come with valuable lessons, which she discusses on this episode.

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Here's another repost of an old episode that is relevant this week!  Yair Rodriguez is back in a main event at UFC Long Island this Saturday, so I thought I'd post our chat from February of 2020.

This was one of the last shows I did with an in-person guest (as I did for all of the first 23 or so episodes).  

After talking with Yair that day, I realized how great it would be to have video of the show as well for use on YouTube (and now UFC Fight Pass).  Watching him go through his memories and feeling the emotions made for such a compelling conversation.

I'm a huge fan of Yair's for the fighter that he is and the mindset that he has.  I thought those who didn't listen to it back then still might find it a great listen.

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Marc Montoya
Twitter: @coachMMontoya
Instagram: @coachmarcmontoya 

Marc is the owner and head coach of Factory X Muay Thai in Denver, Colorado.  He has helped UFC fighters make moves over the last couple of years, including Anthony Smith, who challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight title in March 2019.

His roster also includes Dana White's Contender Series alums Ian Heinisch, Devonte Smith and Maycee Barber among others.

From humble beginnings in downtown Denver, he has emerged as one of the better coaches and cornermen in the UFC.

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Frank Camacho has fought at both lightweight and welterweight in the UFC.  No matter where or when he fights, it's proven to be exciting as evidenced by his 3 straight Fight of the Night bonuses to start his UFC career.

A native of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, he talks about his island upbringing, why he became a fighter instead of a golfer and what it means beyond the money to get a UFC bonus.

He's set to get back in action next week at UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona against Matt Frevola.

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Twitter: @FranktheCrank55
Instagram:  @frankthecrank

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Walt Harris
Twitter: @thebigticket205
Instagram: @thebigticket205

UFC heavyweight Walt Harris has had a big 2019 with two knockout wins, both in less than a minute.  It's led to him getting his 1st UFC main event this December against Alistair Overeem.

In this episode, Fitz and Walt chat about his upbringing in Alabama and how he always thought he'd be in the NBA.  After playing college basketball, he went to several NBA tryouts.  But basketball didn't work out, leading him to mixed martial arts.

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Jessica Eye
Twitter: @jessicaevileye
Instagram: @jessicaevileye

Fitz caught up with UFC flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye at the UFC PI in Las Vegas to chat about her recent title fight with Valentina Shevchenko and much more.

Jessica is from Cleveland, Ohio and has quite a back story.  Her family life growing up was anything but normal, but through it all, she has fought her way to the highest level of MMA and has no plans of going away any time soon!

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Clayton Guida is a UFC lightweight who's been a professional competitor since 2003.

He also competed for Strikeforce, becoming the inaugural Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, WEC, and King of the Cage among other promotions.

UFC fans know Guida for his long hair and high energy.  He attributes his aggressive attack to his days as a high school and college wrestler, but you may be surprised to find out that he didn't exactly achieve high accolades during his high school wrestling days.

In this interview, Fitz and Guida chat about his midwest upbringing in Illinois, how he found MMA at a rural gentlemen's club, and his longevity in the UFC.

Check out Gillz and Thrillz with Guida, his new business taking people out fishing and to big sporting events.

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UFC 326, the BMF belt debate, and the shocking announcement of a possible UFC fight card at the White House — Fitz & Weidman break it all down.

On this episode of The Fitz & Weidman Show, Brendan Fitzgerald and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman break down the biggest headlines in the fight world.

We dive into the developing storylines around UFC 326, debate the meaning and legitimacy of the BMF belt, and react to the stunning announcement of a potential UFC event at the White House.

What does the BMF title really represent in today’s UFC? What were their reactions to the White House card being announced? 

Fitz and Weidman bring their unique perspectives from inside the broadcast booth and inside the Octagon to unpack it all.

Topics in this episode:
• UFC 326 storylines
• The future of the BMF belt
• Reaction to the White House UFC event announcement
• What makes a “BMF” in today’s MMA
• Behind-the-scenes insight from the fight game

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UFC announcer Brendan Fitzgerald chats with UFC veteran and The Ultimate Fighter winner Court McGee on Fitz Nation.

Court McGee is a UFC welterweight veteran who is off back-to-back wins including a victory over Ramiz Brahimaj in early 2022.

In this episode, Brendan Fitzgerald and Court McGee discuss his well-known battle with addiction and how he has remained sober for the last 16 years.  Raised in what many would consider "normal" surroundings for an American kid, McGee started getting into drugs and alcohol as a young teenager.  He spiraled to being a heavy addict with multiple recoveries and relapses and legal trouble along the way.  After truly getting sober, he was cast on season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter and went on to win that season of the show.

McGee talks about his life in martial arts and combat sports, using his history with addiction as a platform to help others, and what his journey to overcome means in believing and connecting with a higher power.  We dig deep on his incredible story in this interview.

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Mike Moor, better known as "Mindset Mike," is a mental coach for combat sports athletes, including fighters in the UFC.

I thought since a lot of my conversations with fighters have gone down a path of personal development and mindset traits that have allowed them to reach the sport's top level, it would be interesting to talk to someone who helps get them there.  

This is part 2 of my interview with Mike and I think anyone interested in the realm of the mindset of world-class athletes will enjoy! 

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