Podcasts about Sambo

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome back veteran middleweight-turned-welterweight Chris “Action Man” Curtis for his sixth appearance on the show. Energized by no longer having to concede size disadvantages to larger opponents like Roman Kopylov, the 37-year-old Curtis explains why now was the right time to return to 170 pounds. He opens up about uprooting his family to Thailand to live and train overseas ahead of Saturday's pivotal fight with Max Griffin — a durable opponent who hasn't been stopped in nearly a decade. Later, Steve Garcia joins us fresh off a four-mile treadmill run to talk about his co-main event showdown with Calvin Kattar at UFC Nashville. Fully aware of the urgency surrounding Kattar's four-fight skid, Garcia shares his focused mindset and how he's sharpening his game at Jackson Wink as he aims to steal the show and crack the featherweight rankings. Plus, Jim and Matt preview and predict the UFC Nashville main card, including the Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira main event before spotlighting a few other matchups fans shouldn't sleep on.

Jim and Matt celebrate 900 episodes of UFC Unfiltered with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and surging featherweight Chepe Mariscal. Having perfectly predicted Pantoja's third-round rear-naked choke, Matt heaps praise on the champ — who reflects on his growth at American Top Team as the guys discuss what Joshua Van brings to the table as his next challenger. Fresh off a move from Colorado to Vegas to be closer to the UFC Performance Institute, Mariscal joins in the second half to talk about living the dream he first had as a 9-year-old sneaking into an MMA event. Motivated by his three-month-old baby girl, Chepe shares what might be next as he looks to extend his 8-fight win streak and 5-0 UFC run.

Matt Serra and guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis hold it down on today's UFC Unfiltered, starting with MMA media veteran RJ Clifford. The guys bring RJ on to unpack Ilia Topuria's three-fight run to superstardom before analyzing what it might take for someone to beat the promotion's newest two-division champion. Clifford also dishes on Pantoja's dominance and whether Joshua Van has the formula to dethrone the Brazilian flyweight king. Later, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett joins to address rumors about a matchup with Justin Gaethje in August and speaks candidly about the history of his rivalry with Topuria. He walks through the lightweight Top 10 to explain why he's worthy of the next title shot, then reiterates he's ready to take on whoever if the promotion decides he needs one more win. Matt wraps up the interview with some girl-dad advice to Paddy the…Daddy — who is now a father of twin daughters himself. With no fights this weekend, Ben and Matt close things out with some laughs to send the Unfiltered Army into the Fourth of July weekend with a smile.

UFC 317 delivered in a big way with highlight-reel finishes, breakout performances, and a star-making moment for Ilia Topuria — and guest co-host Kevin Iole is on the mic with Matt Serra (while Jim Norton is out) to break it all down. The episode kicks off with featherweight knockout artist Jose Miguel Delgado, fresh off a 26-second finish of Hyder Amil. The Arizona native talks about training with elite teammates at MMA Lab and explains why he's calling his shot for a clash with William Gomis at September's Noche UFC card. Matt and Kevin then react to Topuria's viral knockout of Charles Oliveira and what it means for the future of the lightweight division. Later, undefeated welterweight Jacobe Smith joins the show to break down his submission win over veteran Niko Price — the first of his career. The 29-year-old reflects on his All-American wrestling days at Oklahoma State and how Coach Sayif Saud has helped mold him into a complete mixed martial artist. To close it out, the guys share their biggest takeaways from UFC 317 — including Beneil Dariush's bounce-back win and the record-setting flyweight war between Joshua Van and Brandon Royval before Kevin reflects on officially retiring from writing after an extraordinary 46-year run covering combat sports.

Jim and Matt gear up for UFC 317 with a pair of lightweight contenders from Saturday's card joining the show. First, Beneil Dariush returns for his 12th Unfiltered appearance to reflect on his 18-month layoff and the road back after a tough 2023. He opens up about how fatherhood and a reset in training helped center him, and why the Moicano matchup feels like the right fight at the right time. In between guests, Matt reveals what might be the greatest honor of his post-fighting life — leaving Jim to question whether anything in his own career can even come close (sarcasm may or may not be involved). Then, fan-favorite Terrance McKinney stops by to talk about life after recently getting married, evolving under new coaches at Fusion X-Cel, and what a win over Viacheslav Borschev could mean for his momentum. He also shares thoughts on teammate Phil Rowe and how he's balancing his trademark explosiveness with a new focus on patience. Finally, the guys break down the UFC 317 main card, headlined by a can't-miss title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, and lock in their predictions for the weekend.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by this past Saturday's biggest winner in Nazim Sadykhov and heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane in the wake of Jon Jones' retirement. Fresh off his acting debut in the new Netflix film K.O., Gane reflects on the surreal experience of being a movie star — and how choreographed fight scenes compare to the real violence of the Octagon. He also weighs in on Jon Jones' legacy and what the future holds for Ciryl now that Tom Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion. Jim and Matt begin to unpack the action from this past Saturday's UFC Fight Night card before the fighting pride of Azerbaijan himself, Nazim Sadykhov calls in to reflect on the surreal feeling of winning in front of a roaring hometown crowd in Baku.

Jim and Matt start today's show two hours earlier than usual to accomodate two exciting guests fighting on this Saturday's UFC Azerbaijan card: heavyweight Mohammed Usman and women's bantamweight Melissa Mullins. Looking to bookend a second straight win from an Usman brother following Kamaru's victorious main event in Atlanta, younger brother Mohammed Usman talks about how he draws inspiration from his legendary brother's success ahead of an explosive matchup against Hamdy Abdelwahab. Mohammed also sheds light on the Hall-of-Fame guidance he's receiving from Rashad Evans — who is now in charge of leading his corner. Melissa uses her first time on the show to discuss her journey into the world of professional martial arts. Mullins sets the table for her upcoming rematch with Daria Zhelezniakova by breaking down what she respects from her veteran opponent in Saturday's second go-around. Finally, Jim and Matt wrap things up with a pair of fight picks each from the UFC Azerbaijan card headlined by Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.

A yayin da guguwar siyasa ke kaɗawa a Jamhuriyar Kamaru, alamu na nuni da cewa jiga-jigan jam'iyyu da suka daɗe suna ƙawance da jam'iyyar MPRC  mai mulkin ƙasar za su yi wata tafiya ta daban saɓanin ta shugaba Paul Biya ba. Bisa ga dukkannin alamu, ƙusoshin ƴan siyasa daga arewacin Kamaru da suka shafe shekaru a tafiyar kuma ke riƙe da manyan makamai irin su Isa Ciroma Bakari da Bello Buba Maigari sun fara tunanin yin watsi da tafiyar shugaba Biya, kamar yadda ake raɗe-raɗi. Akan haka ne Michael Kuduson ya tattauna da Jaloud Sambo, shugaban ƴaƴan jam'iyyar adawa ta MPSC da ke zaune a ƙasashen waje.......

Jim Norton and Matt Serra open today's UFC Unfiltered with a full breakdown of UFC Atlanta, starting with Kamaru Usman's bounce-back win over Joaquin Buckley and what it means for the future of a stacked welterweight division. Plus, Jim and Matt debate Rodolfo Bellato's controversial no contest against Paul Craig and whether the backlash heading his way is fair. Plus, they spotlight strong performances from Malcolm Wellmaker, Edmen Shahbazyan, and others. Then, Rose Namajunas joins the show to reflect on her win over Miranda Maverick and the personal dynamic of facing a former teammate. She also shares her thoughts on the idea of rematches vs. flyweights she lost to before ultimately assessing who she thinks realistically could be next and ideal for her. Toward the end of the interview, Rose's husband and coach Pat Barry hops on to talk about how they unwind after a fight — with gardening, good food, and catching up on their favorite shows.

Longtime friend of the show Phoenix Carnevale reprises her esteemed guest co-host duties in Matt Serra's absence, joining Jim Norton for an episode that features two fighters from this Saturday's UFC Atlanta card: welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley and light heavyweight veteran Paul Craig. The show opens with Jim and Phoenix reacting to UFC 316 — including Sean O'Malley's response to his loss to Merab — before Joaquin calls in mid-track workout to discuss his mindset ahead of his main event clash against Kamaru Usman. Later, Paul Craig reflects on his rocky run at middleweight, what he learned about himself through after going through more demanding weight cuts, and how he's channeling those lessons ahead of his 20th UFC appearance and a return to light heavyweight in Saturday's featured prelim bout against Rodolfo Bellato. While Jim and Phoenix don't make any predictions of their own, the two set the table for UFC Atlanta by previewing some of this Saturday's dynamic matchups.

Jim Norton and guest co-host Din Thomas are joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten for a lively recap of UFC 316. Din gives props to Bas for his unique insight into both the streetfighting mindset and high-level martial arts, setting the stage for Bas to break down what stood out most on the card — including how Joshua Van reminds him of a young Max Holloway. Bas has so much fun he sticks around when UFC bantamweight champ Kayla Harrison calls in. She reflects on her Olympic roots, the emotions behind her recent victory, and whether a showdown with Amanda Nunes might be on the horizon.

It's Matt Serra's 51st birthday — and what better way to celebrate than with a few surprise guests? Matt correctly guesses Din Thomas as part one of his birthday surprise — but it's the unexpected call from bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili that really makes his day. Merab joins ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Sean O'Malley at UFC 316 in Newark. Din sticks around to co-host with Jim and Matt, as the guys share plenty of laughs before welcoming welterweight Ramiz Brahimaj. Fresh off a 1st-round submission win, Brahimaj opens up about his mindset heading into the fight and what's next for him in the division. Later, the crew breaks down the highlights from last weekend's card and weighs in on how Erin Blanchfield's scratched bout with Maycee Barber could affect the title picture for Valentina Shevchenko.

After taking Monday off in observance of Memorial Day, Jim and Matt dive right into Wednesday's episode of UFC Unfiltered with two returning guests: 4th-ranked flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield and middleweight finisher Zachary Reese. Erin reflects on bouncing back from her first UFC loss to Manon Fiorot, shares how she's grown more comfortable in five-round bouts, and breaks down her matchup this Saturday against fellow contender Maycee Barber — a fight with major title implications. Later, Jim and Matt offer their picks for the UFC Fight Night card before welcoming Zachary Reese, who talks about life in small-town Shiner, Texas, his plans to deliver another first-round finish, and why Dusko Todorovic is the perfect dance partner for a crowd-pleasing scrap.

All-Ireland winners James Skehill and Paul Murphy joined Will O'Callaghan to review the last round of group games in the Munster and Leinster Hurling Championships. Cork bounced back from their Limerick loss to defeat Waterford and reach a first Munster final since 2018, while the Deise's miserable round-robin record continued. Galway's first away Championship victory at Dublin saw them set up. a Leinster decider with Kilkenny, but how confident is Skehill about them beating the Cats?Antrim dropped to the McDonagh Cup, they'll be replaced by either Laois or Kildare in next year's Leinster Championship.

It's a jiu-jitsu kind of show today! Matt and his jiu-jitsu buddy Jimmy welcome a pair of elite grapplers for their first-ever appearances on UFC Unfiltered in Ffion Davies and William Tackett. Set to headline next Thursday's UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11, Ffion shares her journey into submission grappling and what it means to ink an exclusive deal with the UFC. With her Australian rival Adele Fornarino looking to even the score after a 2022 loss, Ffion breaks down her mindset heading into their rematch. Later, William Tackett joins the show to talk about growing up in a family that eats, sleeps, and breathes jiu-jitsu — and how that led to marrying a fellow grappler. He previews his upcoming clash with 18-year-old phenom Achilles Rocha and reflects on life, love, and grappling under pressure.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by two familiar friends of the show: lightweight Jared Gordon and women's bantamweight champion Julianna Peña. Fresh off a decisive first-round stoppage win, Jared breaks down the finish and reflects on how his recovery journey has strengthened his mindset inside the cage. After revealing he's now a proud girl dad to a 4-month-old daughter, Jared gets a laugh out of Matt's hilarious (and slightly scathing) story about a young YouTuber who kicked off their interview by asking Matt what it's like to be the same height as a kid — prompting Matt to jokingly offer up his daughter for a grappling match with the young content creator. Shortly after, Jim and Matt's interview with Julianna Peña kicks off with some sparks, as she joins mid-sentence — just as the guys are in the middle of complimenting her, saying she's not getting the respect she deserves ahead of UFC 316. Once they clear up the misunderstanding, the conversation shifts into an engaging breakdown of her matchup with Kayla Harrison. Julianna talks about being an underdog throughout her career, staying focused through the noise, and how she's preparing for Kayla's unique skill set. Plus, she weighs in on the looming possibility of a high-stakes trilogy with Amanda Nunes.

Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters slated for action at this Saturday's UFC APEX card. They kick off the show reacting to the just-announced, stacked UFC 317 lineup. Next, Cuban featherweight Yadier Del Valle drops in to share how watching old UFC VHS tapes in Cuba inspired his martial arts journey. He talks about earning his UFC shot on Dana White's Contender Series and previews his debut matchup against Connor Matthews. Later, featherweight veteran Julian Erosa joins the show to explain why he took a quick turnaround just 35 days after his most recent first-round finish. Now in his third UFC stint, Erosa reflects on his mindset shift and prepares for a showdown with Melquizael Costa—a clash of fighters riding three-fight win streaks. Finally, Jim and Matt close out the episode with their picks for Saturday's UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales.

With UFC 315 in the books, Jim Norton is joined by by guest co-host Ben “The Bane” Davis for an episode of UFC Unfiltered that invites Aiemann Zahabi and Reinier de Ridder on as guest callers. Up first is Zahabi — who calls in just days removed from his impressive unanimous decision win over legend Jose Aldo in Montreal. Aiemann shares how the last-minute weight change affected his mindset, what it meant to perform in front of Canadian fans, and how guidance from GSP has shaped him into the surging fighter he is today riding a six-fight win streak. Jim and Ben dish out some more takeaways from UFC 315 before bringing Reinier de Ridder on for a chat. The Dutch middleweight discusses the role of punishing body work in his statement win over Bo Nickal before explaining why he's confident heading into his next fight — a quick turnaround against Robert Whittaker in July's main event in Abu Dhabi.

Jim Norton and Matt Serra get you ready for UFC with a pair of fighters from this Saturday's card joining the show. First up is undefeated light heavyweight prospect Navajo Stirling, making his UFC Unfiltered debut. Stirling shares how his journey from warehouse work to the UFC took shape, and what it's been like sharpening his game at City Kickboxing alongside some of the best in the world as he prepares for a fight against Ivan Erslan on Saturday's prelims. Between interviews, Jim and Matt offer their takes and make a few predictions for UFC 315. Then, 9th-ranked flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius returns to the show to preview her pivotal bout against former champion Jessica Andrade. Jasmine opens up about her current four-fight win streak, representing Niagara Top Team, and what a win in Montreal would mean for her continued climb up the rankings.

Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered sees Jim Norton and Matt Serra kick off a Monday full of fight talk with bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen and featherweight standout Yair Rodriguez. First up, Sandhagen joins the show just days removed from his dominant second-round TKO over Deiveson Figueiredo. He breaks down his performance, shares what clicked in the cage, and explains why he's ready to step in as a title challenger following June's Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley rematch. Between interviews, Jim and Matt react to the weekend's biggest upset: Bo Nickal suffering his first professional loss at the hands of Reinier de Ridder. The guys break down what went wrong and what could be next for the highly touted prospect. Later, Yair Rodriguez stops by to reflect on his rebound win over Patricio Pitbull and to lay out his vision for the featherweight division. Focused more on avenging his loss to Alexander Volkanovski than chasing a grudge match with Diego Lopes, Yair also gives his take on the evolution of his training partner Belal Muhammad, who defends his welterweight title this weekend at UFC 315. To wrap up the show, Jim and Matt dish out shoutouts to the standout performances from UFC Des Moines and look ahead to a stacked week of MMA action.

Miesha Tate and Bo Nickal drop in for a stacked Wednesday edition of UFC Unfiltered — with UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin joining midway through to take the reins on Bo's interview. Miesha opens up about what it's like balancing motherhood with life in the Octagon during her second UFC stint after stepping away from the sport for nearly five years. She breaks down her upcoming fight against fellow longtime vet Yana Santos and reflects on what keeps her motivated after nearly two decades in MMA. Then it's Bo Nickal time, and Forrest Griffin couldn't resist hopping on to steer the conversation. Bo shares what he learned from going the distance for the first time in his career against Paul Craig, his take on Reinier de Ridder's ground game, and how he feels his skillset has developed since his amateur MMA debut. Forrest sticks around through the end of the show to hear Jim and Matt's picks for UFC Fight Night: Des Moines — chiming in on matchups as an observer without predictions of his own.

On today's episode of UFC Unfilfered, Jim and Matt are joined by two victorious bantamweights with very different but equally compelling stories. When Gutierrez hops on, Matt heaps praise on the veteran's poised jiu-jitsu in in this past Saturday's split decision win over John Castaneda in Kansas City. Having fought through a broken hand, Chris outlines a timetable for his subsequent return after banking two straight wins. In between interviews, Jim and Matt debate whether a victory over Carlos Prates puts Ian Machado Garry in prime position for a No. 1 contender fight against Sean Brady. Finally, undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker makes his first-ever appearance on the show fresh off a viral one-punch KO in his UFC debut. Malcolm reflects on the moment he earned a $50k bonus and what it would mean for the Augusta, Georgia native to fight on this June's upcoming Atlanta card headlined by Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley.

Jim and Matt are back with a stacked midweek episode featuring two UFC vets and one of Hollywood's finest behind the camera. First up, Danish welterweight Nicolas Dalby makes his UFC Unfiltered debut to reflect on his razor-thin split decision loss, the secret to staying fight-ready at 40, and his thoughts heading into a striker's showdown with Randy Brown. Next, Gavin O'Connor — the acclaimed director behind The Accountant and Warrior — joins in a pre-recorded chat ahead of this Friday's theatrical release of The Accountant 2. Gavin and Matt swap Long Island stories before diving into how he fell in love with MMA and what makes fight storytelling so cinematic. Wrapping things up is Matt Schnell, back from a brief retirement and ready to go this Saturday. Schnell revisits his legendary comeback win over Sumudaerji and explains his motivation to return to the Octagon after previously laying down his gloves in his most recent loss to Cody Durden. With matchmaking on his post-career radar, Schnell also shares his take on the perfect sendoff for fellow Louisianan Dustin Poirier. Plus: Jim and Matt give their picks for this weekend's UFC Fight Night in Kansas City!

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt are joined by two fighters representing different eras of Brazilian greatness. First, surging featherweight Jean Silva drops in for his Unfiltered debut to discuss his standing as a 145-pound title contender after beginning his unblemished 5-0 UFC tenure with each win coming via stoppage. Silva reflects on his statement victory over Bryce Mitchell, how Muay Thai turned his life around, and why he channels an alter ego called “Lord Assassin” every time he fights. Later, UFC legend Amanda Nunes returns for her 14th appearance on the show. Nearly two years removed from retiring on top with a win over Irene Aldana, the soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer opens up about life outside the Octagon, balancing family and fitness, and what it would mean to dust off her gloves for a title shot against the winner of UFC 316's co-main event between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison.

Jim and Matt welcome a pair of first-time callers from California as featherweight newcomer Aaron Pico and welterweight veteran Daniel Rodriguez join the show. To kick things off, the highly-touted Pico discusses his wrestling and boxing roots, early career setbacks, and how the weight of his family's historic name shapes the fighter—and man—he is today. Jim and Matt also throw on their matchmaking hats to help fantasy-book his long-awaited UFC debut. Later, D-Rod checks in to talk about snapping a losing streak with a gritty win over Alex Morono, and why his May 3rd showdown with Santiago Ponzinibbio has Fight of the Night written all over it. He also shares stories from his tough upbringing in L.A. and breaks down how he's preparing for this high-stakes clash in Des Moines.

Jim and Matt ride the momentum of Saturday's UFC 314 featherweight fireworks into this Monday edition of UFC Unfiltered with two intriguing 145-pound guest callers rounding out the episode. First, Lerone Murphy makes his UFC Unfiltered debut just one week after extending his unbeaten record with a statement win over Josh Emmett. The former soccer phenom opens up about how surviving a near-fatal shooting changed the trajectory of his life, ultimately leading him to MMA — and now, an eight-fight win streak. Later, fan favorite Dan Ige calls in to reflect on his walk-off KO of Sean Woodson, respond to the online debate about the stoppage, and share where his head's at as he eyes a big second half of 2025. Plus, don't miss Matt and Jim's breakdown of all the key moments from UFC 314—Paddy Pimblett's huge finish, Jean Silva's fifth straight stoppage, and Volkanovski making history with a title-winning bounce-back performance.

Today's UFC Unfiltered episode peels back the layers of UFC 314 with two guests from Saturday's card in light heavyweight Dominick Reyes and lightweight Chase Hooper. Joining first is Reyes — whose eighth time on the show gets the veteran to reflect on his resurgence after snapping a four-fight skid with back-to-back wins. Dominick discusses the stakes of this Saturday's matchup against Nikita Krylov before chopping it up with Matt and Jim about how being family-oriented keeps him grounded. Later, rising lightweight Chase Hooper checks in — and the baby-faced 25-year-old explains how his “dad strength” has been the key to unlocking the power fueling his current four-fight winning streak. Coming off a win over Clay Guida, Hooper discusses what he's expecting from yet another veteran in Jim Miller. Finally, Matt and Jim look at Miami's stacked lineup of fights before picking winners up and down the UFC 314 card.

It's a featherweight double feature on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered as Jim and Matt welcome Brian “T-City” Ortega and Pat Sabatini! Returning for his tenth appearance, Ortega shows off his new-look hair style after donating his famous long locks before discussing how being called out by a victorious Lerone Murphy fits into Brian's options at both 145 and 155 pounds. Stick around as Ortega weighs in on this Saturday's UFC 314 main event by reflecting on his two fights against Diego Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski. The guys then chop it up about this past weekend's fights before inviting Philly's own Pat Sabatini on the show to discuss what powered his completely dominant performance on the ground in his win over Joanderson Brito.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Matt and Jim welcome first-time guest Brad Tavares and returning favorite Ode' Osbourne ahead of their bouts at UFC Vegas. Jim gets Brad to break down his upcoming matchup against Gerald Meerschaert before discussing the journey that has taken a kid from Hawaii to a record-breaking career. Ode' sheds light on how he approaches his role as a veteran tasked with fighting an undefeated newcomer like Luis Gurule. Plus, don't miss as Jim and Matt react to Dana's Tuesday night announcements of the Merab vs. O'Malley rematch at UFC 316 and the Kansas City main event shakeup with welterweights Carlos Prates and Ian Machado Garry.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, lightweight up-and-comer MarQuel Mederos joins the show first to break down his dominant win over Austin Hubbard in Mexico City. The guys dive into how MarQuel's past shaped his fighting mindset, his shift from FactoryX to MMA Lab, and why staying in the gym year-round beats a traditional fight camp. Later in the show, women's strawweight contender Loopy Godinez returns for her fourth appearance following a much-needed win over Julia Polastri. Loopy talks about what it means to get back on track after two tough losses before joining Matt in a lighthearted, brutally honest assessment of the stomach issues that sparked a viral moment with her corner during the fight. Between interviews, Jim and Matt weigh in on Brandon Moreno's bounce-back performance, Raul Rosas Jr.'s rapid rise, and all the standout moments from UFC Mexico City!

 "Survive first, win later. The goal is to stay in the fight."  "Martial arts training can be the crucible for developing life skills beyond fighting—mental toughness, social intelligence, and adaptability."  "If your goal is longevity, your #1 priority should be injury prevention."  "You can't define someone else's success—choose your own path in martial arts and life."  -Stephan Kesting Welcome to the Black Belt Podcast, where we explore the art, philosophy, and evolution of martial arts beyond just technique—diving deep into its impact on mindset, adaptability, and real-world application. I'm your host, Harinder Singh, and today's guest is none other than Stephan Kesting—a Canadian martial artist, educator, and author renowned for his contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and other martial arts. Holding a fourth-degree black belt in BJJ, he has dedicated over 40 years to martial arts training, including disciplines such as Combat Submission Wrestling, Kajukenbo Karate, and various forms of Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts. His extensive background also encompasses studies in Judo, Sambo, Kung Fu, Capoeira, and Muay Thai. Stephan is the founder of GrappleArts.com and brings a broad perspective on martial arts effectiveness across different contexts—from sport to street to survival. In addition to being a world-class instructor, Stephan has a background in outdoor survival training, having completed an unassisted 42-day solo canoe trip covering 1,000 miles through seven river and lake systems, without seeing another human for 21 days. 

Two fighters from this Saturday's card in Mexico City join Jim and Matt on today's episode of UFC Unfiltered! Matt saves his best “Chiwiwis” entrance for rising bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr., who opens up about the small changes in his diet and how sharpening his boxing with Canelo's coach, Eddy Reynoso, has reignited his mission to break Jon Jones' record as the UFC's youngest champion. After making their fight picks, Jim and Matt welcome Australian flyweight Steve Erceg. He previews his main event clash with Brandon Moreno and drops a brutally honest take on which celebrity lookalike he gets compared to the most.

Today's guest, Vlad Koulikov, began his martial arts journey at the renowned Sambo 70 academy, one of the most prestigious training institutions in the world. His early success in competition includes earning gold and silver medals in two All-Soviet Cups. After moving to the U.S., Vlad continued to make his mark, medaling in three U.S. ... Vlad Koulikov – Sambo Fusion – Ep212

Jim and Matt are joined by victorious welterweight contender Sean Brady and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo for this Monday edition of UFC Unfiltered! Joining first is Brady — and Matt praises the Philly native's high-level jiu-jitsu as the guys break down what Brady did to successfully outclass Leon Edwards in this past Saturday's UFC London main event. Motivated by the idea of avenging his loss to Belal Muhammad, Sean unpacks the welterweight landscape before wrapping up his interview by sharing his thoughts on teammate Joe Pyfer's upcoming clash with Kelvin Gastelum in Mexico City. Jim and Matt share their reactions to Carlos Ulberg's rise, Kevin Holland's return to form, and Molly McCann's retirement after UFC London before inviting Henry Cejudo on to the program. The former Olympic gold medalist gets candid on his current standing in the bantamweight division after a tough stretch before outlining his plans for what's next in his UFC career.

London is calling, and Matt Serra and Jim Norton invite a pair of fighters from this Saturday's card in England to preview some of the action! First, bantamweight prospect Nathan Fletcher stops by to discuss his journey from The Ultimate Fighter 32 to the UFC. He reflects on his experience in the TUF house, recovering from a brutal leg injury, and making his UFC debut. Plus, he previews his upcoming fight against Caolán Loughran (a rematch from their amateur days) before sharing his thoughts on his teammate Paddy Pimblett's UFC 314 co-main event against Michael Chandler. Then, fan-favorite Kevin Holland joins the show to talk about his return to welterweight as he prepares to face Gunnar Nelson. Holland discusses Nelson's dangerous submission game, their vastly different activity levels, and how he's approaching this matchup after fighting three straight at middleweight. Before wrapping up, the guys preview UFC London, debating whether Leon Edwards can bounce back from his title loss or if Sean Brady is primed for the biggest win of his career.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Matt Serra and Jim Norton are joined by two exciting fighters fresh off major wins! First, undefeated Irish boxing sensation Callum Walsh (13-0, 11 KOs) stops by to talk about his statement-making first-round KO on St. Patrick's Day weekend. As if his rising stardom wasn't already clear, fans on the street interrupt his interview just to get a moment with him — proving he's quickly becoming one of boxing's must-watch prospects. After outlining his goals inside the ring, the Freddie Roach protégé iterates his desire to step into the Octagon one day. Then, Da'Mon Blackshear joins the show fresh off a submission victory over Cody Gibson. When he breaks down his second-round Kimura finish, Matt (aka the “Kimura Savage”) can't contain his excitement! A BJJ black belt himself, Blackshear uses his Unfiltered debut to introduce himself to listeners as a surfing fighter ready to take on any challengers in the UFC's bantamweight top-15. Plus, Jim and Matt recap the action from this past Saturday's explosive card filled with NINE stoppages.

Jim returns alongside Matt for an episode of UFC Unfiltered that welcomes two fighters from Saturday's main and co-main events in welterweight striker Chidi Njokuani and middleweight contender Marvin Vettori. Stopping by first is Njokuani, who discusses his career resurgence at 170 pounds and the sacrifices he's made to make the weight cut with the help of the UFC P.I. Chidi also shares how his brother and former UFC fighter Anthony Njokuani has shaped his fighting style. Then, top-10 middleweight contender Marvin Vettori breaks down the hilarious backstory that resulted in him signing up for a rematch against Roman Dolidze. The Italian veteran discusses his return from a string of injuries and how a second win over Dolidze can put him right into the mix in a stacked division. Finally, Jim and Matt wrap up the show with three picks from this Saturday's card — with Matt finding himself just 5.5 points away from Jim's lead in their head-to-head standings.

Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered brings the dynamic duo of Matt Serra and Ray Longo together for an engaging chat with surging lightweight Ignacio Bahamondes mixed in with a recap of UFC 313! Matt and Ray unpack their main takeaways from Saturday's card before bringing Bahamondes in for his first appearance on the pod! The guys quickly learn about how Ignacio's family ties to Kenpo Karate guided him on his journey from his native Chile to the UFC. He then reflects on his current three-fight winning streak and how working alongside teammate Belal Muhammad has helped his personal and athletic growth.

Today's episode of UFC Unfiltered takes a unique look at fight week through two different lenses, as Curtis Blaydes prepares for his featured prelim bout at UFC 313 while Caio Borralho steps into a coaching role, cornering his Fighting Nerds teammate Mauricio Ruffy on the main card. Blaydes talks about his upcoming fight against UFC debutant Rizvan Kuniev, admitting he had to Google his opponent when the matchup was announced. He shares his thoughts on Kuniev's background, what he expects from him, and whether he feels like he's in a no-win situation fighting a newcomer. While Borralho isn't fighting this weekend, the Fighting Nerds captain heaps praise on Mauricio Ruffy and explains how he's locked into his role as a cornerman for his 28-year-old teammate's upcoming battle against King Green. Plus, Borralho reflects on his own recent success, including his 16-fight win streak, his grappling win over Brendan Allen, and his recent callout of middleweight legend Robert Whittaker. Finally, Jim and Matt wrap up the show with three of their own predictions for this Saturday's UFC 313 card.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated featherweight Hyder Amil! Eager to showcase what he's picked up since his loss to Khamzat Chimaev, Whittaker identifies the specific highly-ranked middleweight veteran that he'd like to fight next. Don't miss as Bobby Knuckles discusses the 180º turn in his relationship with Israel Adesanya before ultimately breaking down what he thinks of this weekend's Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev main event at UFC 313. Then, Hyder Amil joins the show fresh off his hard-fought win over William Gomis. He shares the incredible story of battling through multiple injuries during training camp, how his journey from the Philippines to the U.S. shaped his mentality, and what it's like being coached by MMA legend Gilbert Melendez. As the show shifts to recapping this past Saturday's card, Matt wraps up the show by patting himself on the back for a perfect 3-0 showing in his fight picks — enough to erase 12.5 points off Jimmy's early lead in their year-long, head-to-head battle.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt welcome in fighters from this Saturday's main and co-main events as middleweight Cody Brundage and flyweight contender Manel Kape join the show! Joining first is Brundage, who reflects on what he learned about himself after fighting six times in a 14-month span. The guys get Cody to discusses the stakes of Saturday's crossroads fight against a former training partner in Julian Marquez before our two bald co-hosts get their middleweight guest to wax poetic about his successful hair transplant. In between guests, Jim and Matt discuss what Dan Hooker's injury withdrawal means for UFC 313's PPV co-main event. When the guys invite Manel Kape on to the show, the ever-confident flyweight known as “Starboy” breaks down his five-round main event vs. Asu Almabayev before explaining how his unique skillset is why he doesn't get too caught up with watching film on how his opponents look against other fighters. Finally, Jim looks to extend his surprising lead in the 2025 fight pick standings as he and Matt wrap up the episode with predictions for this Saturday's card.

Fresh off the UFC's return to Seattle, Jim and Matt are back with an action-packed episode that talks to two of Saturday's biggest winners. First up, bantamweight veteran Rob Font returns for his ninth appearance to break down his latest fight, his switch to Tristar Gym, and what's next after handing the previously unbeaten Jean Matsumoto his first-ever loss as a professional. Then, Modestas Bukauskas joins the show for the first time, fresh off a statement-making KO to kick off the Seattle card. The surging light heavyweight talks about what he learned from his first stint in the UFC and how his second go-around has shaped him into the improved fighter he is today. Don't miss as the guys recap UFC Seattle's biggest moments—including Cejudo's third straight loss and Anthony Hernandez's scintillating win over Brendan Allen.

UFC Unfiltered welcomes back bantamweight brawler Ricky Simon and featherweight veteran Andre Fili ahead of UFC's long-awaited return to Seattle! Simon breaks down his matchup with Javid Basharat and talks about shaking off a tough losing streak in front of a home crowd before discussing his approach to preserving his body with cryotherapy and his at-home sauna. In between interviews, Jim and Matt take a look at this Saturday's UFC Seattle card before making some picks of their own. Finally, Fili calls in to reflect on his UFC journey and discuss how the expectant father feels more grounded as he approaches his 12th year with the promotion and a fight in his home state against Melquizael Costa.

Fresh off UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues, Jim and Matt break down all the biggest moments from Saturday's card, including Jared Cannonier's comeback TKO win over Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues. Then, surging featherweight Youssef Zalal joins the show fresh off his dominant unanimous decision victory over 10th-ranked Calvin Kattar to discuss how he successfully thwarted his opponent's game plan. With seven straight wins to his name, Youssef examines his place in the division before detailing what his spirited training sessions with Justin Gaethje taught him about himself. Later, middleweight knockout artist Edmen Shahbazyan stops by after his electrifying first-round KO win. He opens up about the $50K performance bonus, his move to Xtreme Couture, and how fatherhood has given him new motivation. Plus, Edmen reveals his plans for a busy 2025 and the former foe that he's eyeing next.

With Jim Norton out for the day, John Morgan fills in for his 10th appearance as a UFC Unfiltered co-host for an episode that features Angela Hill and Kelvin Gastelum calling in separately. Joining first is Hill, who discusses her mindset three days ahead of her fight against Ketlen Souza. The 40-year-old veteran puts on her MMA analyst hat by unpacking Zhang Weili's dominant UFC 312 title defense and stating whether it was impressive enough to warrant calling her the UFC's pound-for-pound #1 female fighter. Then, Kelvin Gastelum calls in days removed from the announcement that his five-round war with Israel Adesanya would be immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing. The TUF 17 winner reflects on his relationship with Chael Sonnen after discussing his upcoming fight and divulging his weight class plans for the foreseeable future.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt break down all the action from UFC 312 and welcome two explosive guests to the show! First, light heavyweight Johnny Walker joins to give an update on his recovery after an injury forced him out of UFC 311. Now settled into his new home in Las Vegas, Walker reflects on his incredible time training in Ireland as he explains the logistical factors behind his move to Xtreme Couture. Looking to get back into contention, Walker discuses his optimistic outlook for his career moving forward. Fresh off his big win at UFC Saudi Arabia, Michael “Venom” Page stops by to discuss his impressive debut at middleweight, the possibility of future fights at both 170 and 185, and his acting ambitions. Plus, the guys dive into the dominant performances from both Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili from atop this past Saturday's UFC 312 PPV card.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and NFL great Gerald McCoy call in to catch up with Jim and Matt ahead of UFC 312. After briefly contemplating amputation (yes, seriously) to deal with an infected pinky toe, Belal Muhammad details his battle with a severe bone infection that forced him out of his first-ever title defense at UFC 310. Now eyeing a return after Ramadan in May, the champ opens up about how fasting and hydration challenges push his mental game to new levels. Later, six-time NFL Pro Bowler and UFC diehard Gerald McCoy joins from media row at Super Bowl LIX to talk all things UFC 312. From breaking down the rematch between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis to making his own bold prediction for Saturday's flyweight title fight, Gerald holds his ground—even as Jim and Matt aren't seeing eye to eye with him on his co-main event prediction. The guys wrap up the show with more UFC 312 picks and a look ahead at what's next in the MMA landscape.

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim Norton and Matt Serra catch up with Roman Dolidze following a chat with first-time caller Jase Macalpine. A jiu-jitsu purple belt himself, the Australian filmmaker-turned-podcast host sets the scene for his diehard UFC fandom by shedding light on the sneaky rivalry implications for a UFC 312 bout that features Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria in opposing corners. As Jim and Matt foray into a recap of this past Saturday's UFC Saudi Arabia card, the guys weigh out some options for Israel Adesanya's next move. Finally, Roman Dolidze returns to Unfiltered to discuss his mindset going into his March 15th rematch vs. Marvin Vettori at the UFC APEX.

Today's UFC Unfiltered episode brings the heat from the lightweight and light heavyweight divisions as Matt and Jim are joined by Grant Dawson and Jan Błachowicz! Fresh off his UFC 311 victory just 11 days ago, 15th-ranked lightweight Grant Dawson checks in to discuss his 3-fight win streak, what it means to be back in the rankings, and which names above him he's got his eye on. Plus, the American Top Team standout doesn't hold back as he drops a BOLD callout of a fan-favorite in the stacked 155-pound division. Then, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz returns to the show ahead of his March 22nd showdown with Carlos Ulberg at UFC London. After nearly 20 months away due to shoulder injuries, Jan talks about his surgical recoveries, how he's adjusted training at 42 years old, and whether he feels overlooked in the title picture. He also weighs in on the massive Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev fight at UFC 313 — a matchup between two men he's already shared the cage with. To close things out, Matt and Jim dive into the UFC Saudi Arabia card, breaking down the biggest matchups and making their picks for Saturday's action!

On today's episode of UFC Unfiltered, Jim and Matt are joined by Coach Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture before catching up with the one and only Chael Sonnen. With just 12 days until UFC 312, Coach Nicksick explains that he is flying to Australia with an “And NEW, Times TWO” mentality for both Sean Strickland and Tatiana Suarez ahead of their respective title shots atop the PPV card in Sydney. With hopes of bringing both belts back to Xtreme Couture, Eric discusses the importance of avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to coaching and cornering fighters. Then, Chael Sonnen makes his highly-anticipated return to the show after three years since his last Unfiltered appearance. After Chael takes a stroll down memory lane with Jim, Matt gets a full-fledged lesson in Trash Talking 101 before having the “American Gangster” wrap things up with his thoughts on coaching against Daniel Cormier in the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.