MMA History Podcast

Kimo Leopoldo: I Nearly Beat Royce Gracie & Joe Son stories

Kimo Leopoldo joins the MMA History Podcast to recount the raw early days of the sport, from his Huntington Beach roots and Christian transformation to the unforgettable moment he carried a full-sized cross into the Octagon and pushed Royce Gracie harder than almost anyone at UFC 3. The legendary fighter breaks down the chaotic tournament draw, the street-fight intensity of that classic bout, his contentious partnership with Joe Son, the fallout that followed, and the cascade of high-stakes battles that followed across K-1, Pride, and the UFC.Kimo opens up about training with Matt Hume and Joe Moreira, the Sakuraba and Takayama wars in Japan, the brutal nine-minute war with Paul Varelans, the Huntington Beach showdown with Tank Abbott, and the controversial Bob Sapp kickboxing match in Las Vegas.0:00 start0:28 MMA History Podcast intro 1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introductions1:12 interview start 1:45 attending elementary with John Lewis 3:12 introduction to combat sports 3:42 getting introduced to Christ by Joe Son 5:10 High School wrestling career 5:51 moving to California 6:12 bouncing at Club Rubber 7:54 watching UFC 19:10 Joe Son pushing UFC debut for Kimo Leopoldo 9:47 Joe Son challenging Royce Gracie 10:15 Paul Herrera street fight with Joe Son10:49 learning Jiu Jitsu from Randy Ziegler12:24 fight with Gracie’s in Hotel lobby (rumor) 13:09 UFC 3 name drawing for tournament15:43 UFC 3 promo “fighting for Christ”16:48 carrying cross on back during walkout 18:17 unaware of Joe Sons street activities19:45 Joe Sons acting career 20:12 training prior to UFC debut 21:25 dealings with Bob Meyrowitz and Art Davie 21:49 feelings before fighting Royce Gracie23:49 Kimo Leopoldo vs Royce Gracie 27:06 Royce Gracie towel throw 29:00 interactions with the Gracie’s after fight 29:45 reason for alternates to have fights30:47 apology letter to the Gracie’s (rumor) 32:20 wore out from walking out with heavy cross 34:00 negotiations to fight in Japan34:32 Kimo Leopoldo vs Pat Smith 36:36 making $500 to fight Royce Gracie 38:54 training at J Sect 39:32 Joe Son vs Keith Hackney 41:55 Kimo Leopoldo vs Masaaki Satake43:34 connecting with Matt Hume 43:53 incorrectly listed rematch with Pat Smith44:44 training with Carl Franks 45:12 training partners at AMC46:39 issues with Allan Goes47:58 Royce Gracie blue belt narrative51:29 parting ways with Joe Son 52:28 managed by father Dennis Leopoldo 53:36 negotiations for UFC 854:40 conflict backstage at UFC 856:11 Tank Abbotts reputation on the streets56:47 bouncer Richard Alvarez 58:27 John Lober 59:54 Eddie Ruiz 1:00:37 Tiki Ghosn1:01:03 early involvement training Tito Ortiz (rumor)1:01:45 crew members 1:02:26 fallout with Matt Hume after Ken shamrock fight 1:05:18 training with Joe Moreira1:07:34 releasing instructional with Joe Moreira 1:09:09 Kimo Leopoldo vs Kazushi Sakuraba1:13:59 Kimo Leopoldo vs Yoshihiro Takayama1:16:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bam Bam Bigelow1:20:01 dealings with the Yakuza 1:22:10 interactions with Gerard Gordeau1:23:29 Kimo Leopoldo vs Paul Varelans1:29:18 NHB era not getting the respect 1:29:53 Kimo Leopoldo vs Brian Johnston 1:31:30 negotiations with Pride FC1:32:16 Kimo Leopoldo vs Dan Severn1:34:41 Rickson Gracie vs Nobuhiko Takada1:35:29 falling out with the UFC after Pride Debut 1:36:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka1:37:59 cancelled bout with Gary Goodridge 1:38:57 no showing event 1:40:05 Joe Son vs Yusuke Imamura 1:41:37 current feelings about Joe Son 1:45:08 Kimo Leopoldo trading cards 1:46:45 Raul Ries1:47:02 Joe Son vs Joe Moreira 1:48:34 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tim Lajcik1:49:32 cancelled bout with Bas Rutten1:51:47 running into Tank Abbott at a bar 1:54:08 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tank Abbott1:57:20 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bob Sapp2:05:54 conversations after Bob Sapp fight2:07:30 interview wrap up 2:09:20 outro/ closing thoughts

John Perretti: My UFC Years – Matchmaking, Rules Changes & The Real Dark Era Story

John Perretti returns to the MMA History Podcast to detail his transition from Extreme Fighting to the UFC and the turbulent early years that followed. The Gene LeBell black belt and key architect of modern MMA discusses the rapid call from the UFC just days after Battlecade closed, the challenges of matchmaking under Japanese financing, and the fight to implement gloves, weight classes, and rounds into a spectacle-driven promotion.From the controversial UFC Japan card and suspected works to booking future stars like Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson and Carlos Newton, Perretti recounts hostile environments, referee tensions, and the moment five-minute rounds and the ten-point must system finally arrived at UFC 21. Unfiltered stories from one of the key figures who lived it.0:00 start0:22 MMA History intro 0:54 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 1:09 interview start 1:11 plugs/ promotions 2:55 Art Davey and Bob Meyrowitz issues 3:55 finding out some fights were works in UFC Japan 6:58 Dealings with Mr Karoke9:09 UFC Japan Card 10:21 Vitor Belfort vs Joe Charles 12:49 cornered by John McCarthy and Jeff Blatnick16:00 Tank Abbott pulling out of tournament 17:36 bringing Frank Shamrock to the UFC18:24 Frank Shamrock vs Igor Zinoviev21:12 UFC Salary21:41 170lb 4 man tournament 24:34 Mikey Burnett and Eugenio Tadeu size different 26:00 Jerry Bohlander vs Kevin Jackson 27:22 tension with other UFC staff 29:29 interactions with Joe Silva 29:40 UFC promotion commission 30:53 Chuck Liddell vs Noe Hernandez 32:16 Andre Roberts vs Harry Moskowitz33:42 Dan Henderson vs Allan Goes33:57 Carlos Newton vs Bob Gilstrap34:28 Mike Van Arsdale vs Joe Pardo 35:02 Tank Abbott vs Hugo Duarte35:39 Dan Henderson vs Carlos Newton 36:46 prize for winning 4 man tournament 38:45 Pete Williams airport story39:56 Randy Couture cancelled bout with Mark Coleman 41:21 Pete Williams vs Mark Coleman 45:57 Frank Shamrock vs Jeremy Horn 47:34 promoter Sergio Batarelli49:57 Tank Abbott vs Pedro Rizzo51:53 talks about Royce Gracie 53:47 Bas Rutten Pedro Rizzo fight announcement 55:47 Rickson Gracie pushback58:14 offering Rigan Machado fight in “The Contenders”59:16 Jiu jitsu not favored in Extreme Fighting 1:01:48 dealings with Carlson Gracie 1:03:06 kicked out of the Machado academy 1:04:45 Tito Ortiz showing up to UFC Brazil1:07:58 Frank Shamrock vs John Lober 1:10:46 Vitor Belfort vs Wanderlei Silva 1:11:42 Ebenezer Braga vs Jeremy Horn1:12:50 Pat Miletich vs Mikey Burnett1:15:12 Pete Williams vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka1:16:40 UFC 18 fight card 1:18:20 Bas Rutten hype for UFC1:20:28 dealings with Steve Nelson 1:21:00 Pedro Rizzo vs Mark Coleman 1:21:42 Tito Ortiz vs Jerry Bohlander 1:23:13 Bas Rutten vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka1:24:52 John Perretti attending talk shows 1:26:16 UFC 19 fight card 1:28:12 dealings with Bob Shamrock 1:28:36 feelings about Gary Goodridge 1:29:28 Vitor Belfort pulls out of fight with Guy Mezger1:31:13 Tito Ortiz double bird to Guy Mezger’s corner 1:31:48 announcing Tito Ortiz vs Evan Tanner1:32:47 Bas Rutten vs Kevin Randleman 1:33:49 thoughts on Eddie Goldman1:37:11 Pedro Rizzo Withdraws from Bas Rutten fight 1:37:33 Mark Laimon1:39:08 Ron Waterman vs Chris Condo1:40:08 LaVerne Clark vs Fabiano Iha 1:41:32 Marcelo Mello vs David Roberts 1:42:17 Wanderlei Silva vs Tony Patarra1:44:18 Pedro Rizzo vs Tra Telligman1:45:57 UFC 21 debut of 5 minute rounds1:47:10 10 point must scoring system 1:48:08 John Perretti not receiving any credit 1:49:49 UFC 21 fight card 1:51:20 Paul Jones vs Flavio Moura 1:51:39 Pat Miletich vs Andre Pederneiras1:52:46 Maurice Smith vs Marco Ruas 1:54:20 Frank Shamrock Vs Tito Ortiz announcement 1:55:30 receiving a standing ovation 1:56:48 interview wrap up/ outro

Tyrone Roberts: Meskwaki UFC Pioneer on Extreme Challenge, Miletich Gym & Early MMA Days

Tyrone Roberts joins the MMA History Podcast for a deep dive into the earliest days of Midwest MMA. A Meskwaki First Nation pioneer and one of only three tribal members to compete in the UFC, Roberts recounts his path from high school wrestling state champion to Extreme Challenge standout under Monty Cox and Pat Miletich. He shares stories of tournament nights, Hook and Shoot bouts, a Rings King of Kings appearance in Japan, and his UFC 26 fight against David Dodd, alongside decades of work as a referee across boxing, MMA, and Muay Thai. From the Iowa fight scene of the late 1990s to coaching women’s wrestling today, this conversation captures the grit and longevity of a true pioneer still giving back to the sport.Subscribe for more interviews preserving the real history of mixed martial arts.0:00 start 0:31 MMA History Podcast intro 1:03 guest introduction 1:19 interview start 1:29 current career 2:08 1 of 3 to compete in UFC from Meswaki tribe 5:01 Tyrone Roberts vs Rick Graveson5:38 memories of Extreme Challenge 6:23 Tyrone Roberts vs Joe Leggett7:25 training with Pat Miletich9:36 thoughts on Nick Tarpeins10:02 Reffing fights 10:18 training with Joe Slick 11:02 convincing Andre Roberts to come train12:54 Ultimate Enticer tournament 13:47 conversations with Monte Cox14:49 fights that aren’t on record 15:51 prize money for winning tournament17:23 high school wrestling career 18:49 getting hand raised in the UFC19:12 Tyrone Roberts vs Todd Frederickson19:55 Tyrone Roberts vs Adrian Serrano 21:17 sobriety during fight career 22:10 reffing in the BKFC24:44 fighting 2 4 man tournaments in two days26:56 struggles with alcohol addiction28:48 Tyrone Roberts vs Brian Dunn31:09 wearing a shirt during fights 32:38 Tyrone Roberts vs Wesley Bockert35:17 Tyrone Roberts vs Jonathan Ivey37:37 Tyrone Roberts vs David Dodd39:29 experience with Jamie Levine 40:24 relationship with Joe Slick 42:35 daughter’s college wrestling career43:45 friendship with Andre Roberts 44:55 conversations with John Perretti46:13 Tyrone Roberts vs Ricardo Fyeet47:52 experience in Japan 48:58 getting the call for the UFC49:49 Tyrone Roberts vs David Dodd 250:51 interactions with Bobby Hoffman52:38 Big Papa Schnake53:04 Travis Fulton53:29 Cornering Andre Roberts 54:14 dealings with Brad Kohler 55:15 thoughts on Brian Robinson55:53 Jason Mayhem Miller56:14 training with Drew McFedries57:01 training with Jeremy Horn 57:26 Amaury Bitetti59:02 canceled bout with Chris Haseman59:20 reason for never returning to UFC59:52 Tyrone Roberts vs Sam Adkins 1:00:30 Tyrone Roberts vs Josh Stamp 1:01:30 interview wrap up/outroInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#MMAHistory #TyroneRoberts #EarlyMMA #UFC

Charlie Brenneman: From Spanish Teacher to UFC Co-Main Event in One of MMA’s Craziest Journeys

Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman went from junior-high Spanish teacher and college wrestler to Pros vs. Joes champion and UFC fighter. In this episode of the MMA History Podcast, hosts Joey Venti and Mike Davis sit down with Brenneman for an uplifting deep dive into one of the more unlikely paths in mixed martial arts.Brenneman shares how boredom with teaching led him to answer a flyer for Pros vs. Joes, win the competition, and chase competition further into MMA. He recounts early amateur and pro fights in the Northeast, training alongside future stars like Eddie Alvarez, Frankie Edgar, and Chris Liguori, the eye-socket injury that nearly derailed him, and the grind of balancing grad school, local cards, and constant travel between gyms. The conversation builds to his short-notice UFC co-main-event victory over a surging Rick Story—a real-life Rocky moment Dana White himself highlighted—before the career-defining collision with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.Now a professional speaker who brings lessons of resilience, perseverance, and choices to schools, businesses, and prisons, Brenneman reflects on the mentors, the grind, and the mindset that carried a regular guy from the classroom to the Octagon.Fellow historians, this is one of the more positive and inspiring stories we’ve told. Let us know what you think in the comments.0:00 start0:49 MMA History podcast intro1:22 Joey Venti’s guest introductions 1:35 interview start 1:40 current life 3:21 different Spanish accents 7:31 participant on Pros vs Joes 11:15 promoting IAVA12:43 Tattoo Sponsor 14:33 Charlie Brenneman vs Kellen Hughes17:26 keeping opponents pinned down 20:18 reaching out to fighters for training 22:27 taking inspiration from Matt Brown23:46 Charlie Brenneman vs Marcello Olivera25:11 allegedly paid to kick people in the nuts 25:36 temporarily blinded from head kick29:09 defeating black belt Marcello Olivera 29:55 keeping a low profile on fight career32:24 training with Corey Bleaken 32:55 rolling with Adlan Amagov 36:15 Charlie Brenneman vs Jordan Damon39:31 Charlie Brenneman vs Joseph Aviles 41:01 Charlie Brenneman vs Mark Berrocal43:05 ROC 17 fight card 44:59 Charlie Brenneman vs Drew Puzon47:38 sparring with Eddie Alvarez and Frankie Edgar 49:24 Kurt Pellegrino 50:11 relationship with Mike Constantino 52:31 feeling discourage after sparring accident 54:56 Charlie Brenneman vs John Howard57:02 training with Jim Miller 59:37 Amanda Nunes and Jamie Varner1:00:32 Charlie Brenneman vs Yanish Dimitry1:05:31 Charlie Brenneman vs Edward O’Daniel1:06:17 experience fighting at IWFC1:07:05 Charlie Brenneman vs Mitch Whitesel 1:08:19 conversations with the UFC1:08:57 jobs during early fight career1:09:09 Charlie Brenneman vs Phillip Wyman 1:09:45 receiving a call from the UFC1:10:16 Charlie Brenneman vs Jason High 1:11:19 connecting with Brands for sponsorships 1:12:06 Charlie Brenneman vs Johnny Hendricks1:15:49 Charlie Brenneman vs Rick Story 1:20:46 driving 150 miles a day to train 1:21:17 training partners in New York 1:22:50 defeating Rick Story on short notice 1:25:15 Charlie Brenneman vs Anthony Rumble Johnson 1:25:56 interview wrap up 1:27:29 outro/ closing thoughtsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052Thank You for your support#MMAHistory #UFC #CharlieBrenneman #MMAPodcast

Frank Trigg Before the UFC | MMA History Podcast #341

This week on the MMA History Podcast episode 341, hosts Joey Venti and the MMA Detective Mike Davis sit down with two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Hollywood stuntman and actor Frank Trigg for a raw, unfiltered look at the chaotic early days of mixed martial arts. Trigg shares how he coached a talented high school wrestler named Kid Yamamoto in Phoenix before the Japanese star became a Pride FC standout, the real reasons Yamamoto was deported, and the explosive behind-the-scenes fallout from the infamous Rickson Gracie versus Rico Chiapparelli showdown that got Chiapparelli uninvited from major grappling circles. From his time with Real American Wrestling alongside the likes of Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, the first Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament against Renzo Gracie, early Japan promotions including Vale Tudo Japan against Jean Jacques Machado, Pride Bushido commentating, and the cutthroat realities of 1990s fight money and worked matches, Trigg delivers stories and details few others have ever heard. You think you know Frank Trigg? Think again. Subscribe to the MMA History Podcast for more exclusive interviews preserving the true history of the sport.0:00 start 0:30 MMA History Podcast intro1:02 Joey Venti’s guest introduction1:20 interview start1:44 training at RAW2:51 Reality super fighting tournament4:50 Rico Chiapparelli forced to leave Renzo Gracie’s gym 9:40 wrestlers banned from early ADCC11:26 high school state titles12:57 transferring to Phoenix College13:30 experience living with Homer Moore15:39 coaching Kid Yamamoto17:43 manager Rich Hamilton 18:54 training with Townsend Saunders19:59 interactions with Ron Tripp 20:16 meeting Pat Burris 23:45 Frank Trigg vs Bill Simpson24:36 meeting the Lions Den 27:35 thoughts on Oklahoma wrestling29:32 Paulo Filho Pride Bushido incident 33:50 Frank Trigg vs Dan Gilbert 34:49 Frank Trigg vs Ali Elias 35:53 receiving invite to ADCC 37:24 Frank Trigg vs Renzo Gracie (ADCC)39:13 Gracie losses being erased 41:20 Rickson Gracie asking for large payment 44:01 training with Lyota Machida 46:12 Mark Shultz worked fight 48:42 experience with Antonio Inoki51:31 gambling problems in combat sports53:18 IFC cancelled event 55:50 Andy Foster building a cage with chicken wire 58:18 Frank Trigg vs Marcelo Aguiar59:28 Frank Trigg vs Jean Jacques Machado1:01:49 fighting in different promotions1:03:05 Pride FC Tax evasion 1:04:24 UFC screwed over buying Pride FC1:07:53 reason for leaving commentary job1:11:28 reffing from a fighters perspective1:14:34 Frank Trigg vs Fabiano Iha 1:18:10 Dan Henderson and Rico Chiapparelli’s friendship 1:18:55 dealings with promoter Jamie Levine 1:24:23 leaving wrestling to become a fighter 1:29:29 experience with Ryan Bennett1:32:23 Ryan Bennett’s departure from UFC1:35:09 leaking Red Devil fight deal with the UFC1:36:54 reason for Matt Hughes rivalry1:38:14 Frank Trigg vs Hayato Sakurai1:39:59 Plugs/ promotions1:41:27 interview wrap up 1:43:43 outro/ closing thoughtsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#MMAHistoryPodcast #FrankTrigg #EarlyMMA #UFC