Beyond The Fight

Even though a month late to publish, Ernest Cayo of Beyond the Fence came on to talk about his podcast, how he got into combat sports and his view of where MMA is headed for the future concluding with the importance of ending racism and how he is leading the cause for education and eradication of it. Follow Ernest on IG ernestleecayo & his podcast page beyondthefencepodcast

Sensei J.J. Nowlan came on to talk about his sports roots from hockey to going into Shotokan and then finding his niche in Kyokushin discussing his fave MMA fighters and how Kyokushinkan is the leader in Kyokushin bringing new philosophies and practices to make the art modern. One of the most awesome people I have met and spoken to. Connect with Sensei J.J on IG JJkaratebiker and FB J.J. Nowlan

Nick “The Inevitable” De Santis in K1 came on to talk about his hockey journey before finding MMA through kickboxing and his goals for the long term in combat sports to become a complete fighter. Sandro makes his record third appearance as Nick’s coach and talks about how Nick is being molded into a striker under his tutelage. To connect with Nick he is on IG inevitable_mma and sandro is sandro.ferr

One of Brazil’s brightest MMA coaches Andre Benkei comes on to talk about his Kyokushin roots, philosophy in making strong complete MMA fighters and his goal to build MMA gyms in Pakistan and West Coast USA. To connect with Andre his handles are andrebenkei on IG & Twitter, Andre Benkei on FB.

UFC summer season preview. Breakdown of the 3 title fights upcoming on July 11 on Fight Island to division statuses and breakdowns.

After being on hiatus, Drew gives an update of the show and where it is headed next.

Adam Caplan came on to talk about the return of the UFC and his thoughts on the Saturday card with everything from top to bottom. Adam also discussed the recent tirade Conor went on Twitter taking shots at past opponents and what the future holds for the sport’s biggest draw. Connect with Adam on IG at adamcaplan13

Regular guest Adam Caplan & new guest Michael Cohen friends of BTF host Andrew came on to give a no nonsense, unbiased breakdown of the upcoming UFC 249 card Saturday as MMA is back in action.

2005 middleweight Kyokushin champion, TUF 21 competitor, WSOF mixed martial artist Sensei Andrews Nakahara came on to talk about how he became champion in Kyokushin Karate transitioning to MMA fighting in Dream to competing on Ultimate Fighter 21 Blackzilians vs Top Team and what he hopes to leave as his legacy in martial arts. To connect with Naka on twitter IG is nakahara_mma, Facebook Andrews Nakahara and his school’s page is acedmianakahara.

Sensei and middle school teacher Bob Buchanan came on to talk about how his darkest moment in life led to making a lifestyle change taking up Kyokushin while teaching science in middle school. Bob discussed his history in Ring Wars and brought up the idea of having USA vs. Canada in Kyokushin. To connect with Sensei Bob he is on Facebook as Bob Buchanan, IG senseibob and his dojo webpage www.forgedojo.com

Chucky “The Energiza Bunny” Mady an Isshinryu Karate practitioner, full contact champion and professional mixed martial artist came on to talk about his style of full contact Karate and his journey in life as a teacher, professional fighter and competitive karetka. Epic discussion on dominating Kyokushin tournaments to philosophy of his karate. To connect with Chucky he is on Facebook Chucky Mady, IG energizamady and teammady519

Smash Global founder/promoter Steve Orosco came on to discuss how he began his MMA promotion Smash Global where he started out in wrestling moving into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA before finding his idea to launch his own mma promotion Smash Global which has been endorsed and supported by celebs and pro fighters current and retired. To connect with Steve his Facebook & IG is Steveorosco and smashglobal

Andrea “KGB” Lee current UFC women’s flyweight top 10 contender came on to talk about her journey in MMA beginning with Kyokushin Karate/boxing while moving from Texas to Louisiana. The conversation evolved to her career discussing her goals for the future in flyweight, fighting on the same card as Jon Jones. Andrea discusses what she’d do if she wasn’t a professional fighter being in fitness and nutrition and why it is important everyone exercise during the chaos of the COVID 19 Pandemic as she posts daily exercises we can all do in our spare time. To connect with Andrea on all platforms it is @andreakgblee.

Shihan Moji from Halifax Dojo comes on to discuss the obstacles he experienced growing up in Iran doing kung fu before discovering Kyokushin while working in Japan to have a chance meeting with Sosai Oyama and training under Kancho Royama. Moji highlights his move to Canada and how he built his school from the ground up and his philosophy of building a strong community as his legacy to leave. To connect with Shihan Moji his school’s website is hfxdojo.com and his Instagram page is hfxdojo

Score MMA Chief Editor and fellow Canuck James Lynch came on to talk about his love for MMA how he got into it with his journey becoming the quality journalist he is today. James spoke about recent UFCs and Bellators discussing the Middleweight Division history to what makes a good content creator in MMA concluding with hockey talk and vintage video games. To connect with James on all platforms he is available on Instagram Lynchonsports and Twitter LynchOnSports, Youtube channel TheScoreMMA and Facebook James Lynch.

Registered Nurse Educator Sabrina Primiano comes on to talk about fitness and nursing. In one of the most eye opening and educational conversations Sabrina speaks about the importance of health and fitness to destress during chaotic times. Sab also gave her opinion on UFC 248 and why she likes certain fighters concluding why old friendships are the best. To connect with Sab she is on IG power_uptraining

Renshi Shihan, USA Chairman, International Secretary of Kyokushin-kan Tom Callahan comes on to talk about his roots in martial arts with Kyokushin how the way of Budo is key to understanding the philosophy of Kyokushin. Tom separated sport from art, the importance of katas and technique concluding what the responsibilities of Shihan entail being president of Kyokushin in America. To connect with Tom for Kyokushin his webpage is tomcallahan.com Tom Callahan on FB and his page World Budo Arts Boulder, IG tomcallahan_ and world_budo_arts with a Youtube channel Shihan Tom Callahan

Physical Education teacher, former lightweight champion and Kyokushin Sensei Mikhail Zimerman comes on to talk about growing up in Russia to moving between Israel, Australia, Europe and Canada while training and becoming the best lightweight competitor to talking about teaching, how Kyokushin can improve and why everyone should do physical activities. To connect with Mikhail he is on Facebook Mikhail Zimerman.

Russo Dojo’s lightweight fighters Peter and Dino Ronco joined the podcast to talk about their Kyokushin journey under Sensei Junior Russo with the experiences they had learning to become the martial artists they are from seminars, Sunday Funday with Justin Mancini, competing at home and abroad under Royama’s Kyokushinkan and their hope for the future of Kyokushin. To connect with the Roncos on social media: Peter is ronco_3100 and Peter Ronco on FB, Dino is dino_ronco IG and Dino Ronco on Fb

Scott Heaney creator of Martial Way Blog comes on to talk about his martial arts journey in Taekwondo to Kenpo Karate before landing on Kyokushin style. Scott broke down how he started Martial Way Blog trying to give Kyokushin a voice in Ontario and abroad to discussing MMA news and plans for the future in Kyokushin with CKMA with Sensei Steve Fogarasi. To connect with Scott on all platforms go to the-martial-way.com where he has his content on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Vince Michaud, Quebec’s heavyweight champion comes on to talk about his path in Kyokushin fighting full contact since 2011 in Ring Wars to dominating Gold Cup and fighting abroad in Ukraine and China finishing second place internationally for Canada in China. Vince broke down his teaching philosophy why he is passionate to help make others from all walks of life better people and putting his interests into the kickboxing circuit to dominate. To connect with Vince on IG is vince_kyokushin and Vincent Michaud on Facebook.

Hardknocks 365/Combat Club up and coming mixed martial artist Mike “Cut the Cheque” Lee comes on to talk about training in Florida one of MMA’s hottest training states with BJJ on the rise, Hardknocks 365 vs. American Top Team. Mike talks about his training under Brazilian MMA legend Gesias Cavalcante. Mike discusses his goal to become a complete mixed-martial artist getting that call to go professional coming to Montreal to train at Tristar MMA concluding with MMA news of Usman vs. Masvidal to the recent Fury vs. Wilder match in boxing. To connect with Mike on IG: mike_leaves and contact Hardknocks 365Management or Combat Club management with his email i_mike_09@live.com

Master Ray Thompson from Upstate Karate and his sons Evan “The Titan” Thompson and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson come on to talk about their journey in martial arts. Ray spoke of his journey experimenting with multiple disciplines, philosophy and legacy he aims to leave. Evan spoke about his fight career, retiring to focus on his family building a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legacy with Master Carlos Machado. Stephen talks about his training, his sibling rivalry that helped make him become the martial artist/man he is through his upbringing and his past win at UFC 244. An AMAZING conversation to be heard. To connect with all on all platforms: Ray Thompson is raythompson on IG and UpstateKarateSC on Twitter, Evan Thompson is thetitanmma on Twitter and IG, Stephen’s platforms are wonderboyboymma on IG, Twitter and his Youtube channel Stephen Wonderboy Thompson. The school’s page Upstate_karate on IG and their merchandise Pitch black PitchBlackFS on Twitter and teampitchblack on IG

Sensei Russo of Russo Dojo comes back on to talk with his wife Sempai Stefania and special guest Sempai Sergei aka Cuba. The group discusses the new location of the dojo, the current state of Kyokushin, finding your passion going after it to talking about the legacy Sensei Russo and his wife plan to leave behind. To connect with all the guests on IG russodojo stefaniadibuono senseirusso and sergueimoskovski on Facebook Junior Russo Stefania Di Buono and Serguei moskovski

Kyokushin Karate OG Justin Mancini comes on the show to talk about his journey in Kyokushin Karate to training in other martial arts. Justin spoke about what it is like to train with pro fighters in MMA to the importance of community in martial arts. To connect with Justin on IG his IG is Justin_mancini_ and his wife Melissa’s dance company MJdancecompany while FB is Justin (Melissa) Mancini

The first Russian comes on the show. Drew’s former training partner in Kyokushin Karate comes on to talk about Russia’s role in Kyokushin since the fall of communism. Arty also talks about the similarities and differences i. Kyokushin vs. Muay Thai which he is currently in. Arty and Drew also gave shoutouts to Russo Dojo and Sempai Cuba. A politically incorrect and unfiltered podcast for all who love/practice Kyokushin. To connect with Arty on IG is Yamashka23

Ryan Warner from Wrestling Changed My Life comes on to talk about wrestling the most gruelling, challenging and rewarding martial art with its life values it teaches. Ryan passionately educates Drew on why NCAA wrestling is one of the most entertaining college sports to follow, Olympic tryouts,Dan Gable one of the GOATs of American Wrestling and some MMA talk. Ryan and Drew touched upon the importance of FloSports and Rofkin helping deliver more content on wrestling. An enlightening conversation on the most important base to have in MMA. To connect with Ryan his instagram is WrestlingChangedMyLife, Twitter ryan_n_warner and his website wrestlingchangedmylife.com

Corinne Laframboise the inaugural female professional fighter comes talking about her martial arts journey. Corinne spoke about her beginnings in gymnastics to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu leading her to compete in IBJJF, Abu Dabi worlds, Pan-Am games to her first professional fight in Germany and competing in Canada’s regional TKO professional circuit to fighting in Abu Dabi under the UAE Warriors promotion with the goal of competing in UFC’s flyweight division. The biggest takeaway was on the symposium of brain health she did and the importance of understanding concussions. To connect with Corinne on social media IG corinne_laframboise FB Corinne Laframboise with her personal website coming soon!

One FC featherweight contender Thanh Le comes on to talk about his upbringing in Taekwondo starting grappling after watching an MMA match leading him to go pro for his love of martial arts. Thanh discusses competing for Asia’s largest MMA promotion after trying out for UFC with discussion on UFC 247 that happened this past weekend. Thanh talks about the legacy he’s building concluding we all have the potential within to achieve what we love putting the work in as he learned from his father and his tireless work ethic. To connect with Thanh on all platforms IG, Twitter is Thanhlemma

Today, new fitness/martial arts gym Punch 360 owners Matthew Rusniak, Xavier “Breadman” Aloui and Josh Goldman (in spirit) came on with returnee Sandro Ferrante to talk about Punch 360 and the importance of planning your long term future with the window you have in fighting and importance of the saying “Health is Wealth”. To connect with all the guys Sandro on IG is sandro.ferr matt is mattrusniak, xavier is breadmanmma and Josh Goldman is coachbudwell

Adam Caplan returns to preview UFC 247 giving his breakdown of Jones vs. Reyes and the co-main of Shevchenko vs. Chookagian. Adam and Andy also talk about the future for Jon moving up in weight should he beat Reyes and the options to build on his legacy. To connect with adam on IG is adamcaplan13 and Adam Caplan on FB

Jessie Albanese, one of the first female striking coaches in Montreal’s combat sports scene comes on to talk about her love of martial arts, her passion to coach and help people from all walks of life find fulfillment and success in martial arts. To connect with Jessie for coaching her IG is jessiealb, FB jessie albanese and Twitter jessie albanese

Season 2 kicks off with a bang. Emilio Greco host of Two and a Half Fighters podcast, fight commentator and kickboxing coach at KickFit comes to talk MMA news, his fave fighters and how martial arts can be the cure to what people need as an outlet concluding with why it is so important to do what you love in life. To connect with Emilio on IG is millzgrecz and twoandahalffighters

This is an episode thanking the guests who took their time to come on the show and build it up. Season 2 coming in 2020!

Another bonus episode before year’s end. Pascal Guzzo from Tristar MMA a Taekwondo second dan blackbelt came on with his friend and business partner Youcef Ben Becher a fellow martial artist in kickboxing to talk about Be The Change their business and their journeys and life lessons learned in martial arts. To connect with Pascal and Youcef their IGs are thegoatsshepherd guzzo_pascal and their business pages justbtc and btcproduction

Kyokushin Karate Sensei Steve Fogarasi of Contact Kicks came on to talk about his journey in Kyokushin Karate growing up in Romania during the end of communism becoming a national team member coming to North America and realizing his dream of opening his school in Vaughn Ontario finding his why to teach martial arts. To connect with Sensei Fogarasi on all platforms Youtube, Twitter, Instagram is ContactKick and ContactKicks Martial Arts on Facebook.

Sensei Junior Russo, one of Canada’s youngest senseis in Kyokushin Karate comes on the show to talk about his path on becoming a martial artist in Kyokushin, his philosophies on teaching and coaching kumites (tournaments) to what it is like owning a dojo while maintaining a full time job. To connect with Sensei russo his Instagram is senseirusso and russodojo.

Kyokushin Karate original and Tristar MMA coach Sandro Ferrante comes on BTF to talk about his fighting history as a Kyokushin Karate practitioner to coaching MMA greats Vitor Belfort, Georges St Pierre and his philosophies as a coach. To connect with Sandro his IG is sandro.ferr and FB is Sandro Ferr.

The biggest guest, former and inaugural welterweight UFC champion, founder of the first true MMA gym Miletich Fighting Systems and UFC Hall of Fame member Pat “Croatian Sensation” Miletich comes on to talk about his career as champion in the Wild West Era of MMA to vintage Robbie Lawler stories, owning a gym and his philosophies to his days as a club bouncer. Pat has a geopolitical podcast Conspiracy Farm available on Itunes and other podcast platforms. To connect with Pat his Twitter is @patmiletich and Ig is PJMiletich

Sandro Ferr one of the two striking coaches from Tristar MMA comes on talk about Kyokushin Karate, his time as a practitioner and competitor, kickboxing and coaching amateur-professional fighters with his experiences and philosophies with his time coaching and working with MMA pioneers David L’Oiseau, GSP and Vitor Belfort. To connect with Sandro his IG is sandro.ferr

Pejman Hedayati Tristar MMA’s kickboxing coach comes on to talk about his journey from coming to Canada from Iran becoming one of Tristar’s coaches. PJ highlights the psychology of fighting, what got him into kickboxing, his passion to teach and his dream MMA matchup. To connect with PJ on social media his Instagram is hyrbid.fight and his Facebook page Pejman Hedayati

Paul Domenick makes his return to give his recap of UFC 241. Paul and Andrew talk about Stipe as the greatest HW in UFC history. Nate Diaz’s return, win and options for the future with a renaissance of East Coast grit making a comeback in MMA concluding with Paul’s dream matchup for Stipe Miocic. To connect with Paul on IG and Twitter look up PaulDomenick on both platforms.

Adam Caplan makes his return fired up with Andrew. The two discuss the past UFC 241 event on Saturday. Adam and Andrew discussed Nate Diaz’s return, Paulo Costa besting Romero in a middleweight slugfest to Stipe Miocic usurping Daniel “DC” Cormier in one of the best competitive matches in heavyweight history to date with Adam suggesting the showman era of MMA is done and the dawn of anti-heroes in MMA has come and here to stay. To connect with Adam Caplan on IG follow his page adamcaplan13

The first guest Paul Domenick helps and introduces us to Dominic Tabita a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The episode had minor connection issues but Dom and Andrew persevered having a great rhythm to talk about 1. Dom’s rise as a BJJ practitioner 2. BJJ terminology for beginners 3. Competitions and finally the upcoming UFC 241 and UFC Newark the week before. To connect with Dominic find him on Instagram at teflondom_bjj

The second pro guest Jon Fitch former UFC contender, WSOF champion and current Bellator MMA contender comes on to talk about his fighting career highs+lows and wild moments. Jon talks about the monopoly of the MMA business, his recent auto bio of his early career in Failing Upward Death by Ego during the Wild West Era of MMA leading into mental health/depression with the tools he used to overcome and conquer concluding with current MMA and his dream match ups. To connect with Jon Fitch: Twitter @jonfitchdotnet Instagram: jonfitchsmash Youtube: OfficialJonFitch his book Failing Forward Death by Ego is available on Amazon

The first professional guest comes on Beyond The Fight! David Moon is the inaugural professional on the show as a pro Mixed Martial Artist who comes on to talk about his life story, a path of darkness to discovering and redeeming himself through Islam while rediscovering combat sports finding his “Why”. The discussion expands into his fight Grand Prix in India as he builds his fighter portfolio to get onto the big promotions. One of the most enlightening discussions had about ruts and importance discipline in martial arts can have helping anyone turn their lives and circumstances around. To connect with David Moon his Instagram is DavidMoonMMA

Andrew’s childhood friend Adam Caplan comes on to talk about boxing, MMA and Muay Thai. The show was two parts since Anchor only allows for one hour. Adam works as a strength and boxing coach at AC boxing and fitness. The key points from today were: 1. Adam’s interest in combat sports 2. Intro to boxing 3. Importance of a good coach-client relationship 4. Adam’s Muay Thai journey and lastly MMA talk.

The first interview has arrived! The inaugural guest on BTF is Paul Domenick a BJJ practitioner who practices stoicism discussing his history of combat sports and MMA news. The key points: 1. Paul’s history with boxing and BJJ. 2. What BJJ teaches us through training. 3. UFC 239 recap and UFC 240, 241

The last of the history. The biggest years in MMA from 2008-2015. Mergers with smaller promotions, TV Deals and rise of more stars.

After a turbulent 2003-04, 2005 is the lighting in the bottle with TUF (Ultimate Fighter) and rise of modern stars.

The third part of the history goes into depth of SEG’s last days owning the UFC. Zuffa Group coming in to buy the promotion and rebranding, reforming the sport with growing pains.