Mma Dude Bro Podcast

Serena ‘The Southpaw Outlaw’ DeJesus is the current women’s bantamweight amateur champion of the Las Vegas promotion Tuf-N-Uff. She trains out of Syndicate MMA along side such names as Jamie Moyle, Jessica-Rose Clark & Roxanne Modaferri. During our conversation, Serena shares with us: how her mom gave her some nervous moments the day they both met Cyborg Justino, how she went from being an online fan to real-life BFF with teammate Roxanne Modaferri, her desire to be a role model for others living with the challenges that come with being autistic ….and more. PLUS: Dave & Ken look back on Bellator 181, UFC Fight Night Glasgow, the MayMac Tour, SnoopCast & MORE. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

MMA veteran & current Bellator middleweight, John Salter faces Kendall 'Da Spyda' Grove this weekend in Thackerville, OK as part of Bellator 181. During our conversation, John shares with us: the myriad of injuries he overcame after his Bellator debut, what former Bellator champion he was scheduled to face twice only to have both fall through, his newfound success in the world of real estate, the irony of fighting an individual he's been a fan of since TUF season 3...and more. PLUS: Ken welcomes Mike Sawyer back to the show. Mike was a former doorman at many of Vegas's infamous 'social lounges' & the former owner of Las Vegas Nutrition. He & UFC German commentator Oliver Copp previously hosted the popular Tough Talk MMA podcast. Mike helps us recap the TUF 25 finale & UFC 213 while revisiting personal memories/ stories of himself with Chuck Liddell, Phil Baroni, Roy Nelson & more. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

This weekend in Las Vegas, TUF Nations winner & Pert Plus® spokesman, Elias Theodorou  takes on fellow TUF alum Brad Tavares as part of the Ultimate Fighter season 25 finale. During our conversation, Elias shares with us: how he’s been able to parlay his camera-ready looks into a wide array of entrepreneurial opportunities outside the cage, how he physically measures up against his upcoming opponent, how he’s managed to convince his parents that he (in fact) has a ‘real job’, how he handles the admiration he receives from female fans & fighters alike….and more. PLUS: Dave & Ken talk UFC OKC, New Japan Pro Wrestling, TUF 25, the rebirth of Felice Herrig and generally travel down the rabbit hole of combat sports related potpourri. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Ken & new co-host Dave Lee recap Bellator 180/Bellator NYC. In doing so, they meander into a wide range of topics including (but not limited to): Cody Rhodes' winning the Ring of Honor world title, why TUF 25 may be one of the best seasons in recent memory, whether the new Netflix series 'Glow' is any good, surviving the Rochester stop of the Dancing with the Stars road tour, the greatness of Mauro Ranallo & MORE. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

The UFC's John Gooden, along with former world title challenger Dan 'The Outlaw' Hardy, is a part of one of the most talented & ridiculously underrated broadcast teams in MMA...serving as both hosts to many of the company's international fight cards, as well as programs like ‘Inside The Octagon’. During our conversation, John shares with us: why he's put aside concerns about everyone liking him, why the sport of MMA has yet to be fully embraced by the mainstream UK, how his conversion to veganism shook up his personal life, how his years of training in various combat sports has influenced his broadcasting work & more... PLUS: Ken & new co-host Dave Lee recap UFC 211. They talk Stipe, Joanna-Violence, ‘Knee-Gate’, Maia...ALL of it! Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Coming off an impressive victory in one of the most spectacular fights in WMMA this year, St. Louis police officer Ashley ‘Smashley’ Cummins has put the atomweight division of Invicta FC officially on notice. During our conversation, Ashley discusses: the competitive hardships she faced en route to finding a new home at 105 pounds, the difference between what the media chooses to cover about police work & what actually happens day to day, how the community of Ferguson has gradually changed for the better since the days of the highly publicized riots, the injury that almost ended her fighting career, her memories of a fallen co-worker…& more. PLUS: Ken & Mike Simpson, M.D. (from the History Channel series 'Hunting Hitler' & the Sheepdog Response podcast ) talk about UFC Nashville, North Korea, fighters at risk for CTE injuries, Trump, Mike's friendship with Tim Kennedy...& more ALSO (If that's not enough): Eric Hultgren (from the Way of the Warrior  & Incredible Hultpodcasts) stops by

Lead MMA writer for Bleacher Report.com & co-host of the Co-Main Event podcast, Chad Dundas released his debut novel, the historical fiction piece, ‘Champion of the World’ to rave critical reviews in 2016. During our conversation, Chad discusses: how his hometown of Missoula serves as the arts & cultural haven of Western Montana, how growing up as a pro wrestling fan influenced his eventual interest in MMA, how some of the real-life athletes from MMA informed the development of his book’s main characters, the continuing efforts to establish an official MMA Writers Association & more… PLUS, Ken welcomes Mike Sawyer from Tough Talk MMA & Wrestling Observer.com. Mike shares with us his own unique (front-row media credentialed) perspective on UFC 210 from Buffalo. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Mauro Ranallo's current status with WWE & the upcoming Bellator debut of Mike's old friend Wanderlei Silva. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Rochester, NY native & former Titan FC featherweight champion, Desmond ‘The Predator’ Green makes his long-awaited octagon debut at this weekend’s UFC 210 in Buffalo. During our conversation, Desmond discusses: splitting his training time between Henri Hooft’s Combat Club & the Blackzillians, how he picks his walkout music, his choice for favorite post-fight guilty pleasure food, the importance of tape review & more. PLUS,  Frank and Ken recap Bellator 175 and do an old-fashioned news potpourri. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

A wrestler from the age of 7, UFC welterweight Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington went on to become a NCAA Division I All-American & a two-time Pac-10 conference champion. During our conversation, Colby discusses with us: why he feels he should be the one to welcome former 155 lb. champ Rafael Dos Anjos to welterweight, what fighters on the UFC roster he feels have been ducking him, why he felt the need to set Joe Rogan straight after his win at UFC 202, his friendship with teammate Jorge Masvidal, his experience with both PRP & Ozone injection therapies for his injured knee, giving names like Robbie Lawler & Tyron Woodley all they can handle in sparring & more. PLUS,  Frank and Ken recap Invicta FC 22, as well as look back on UFC Fight Night London and the main events from WSOF 35. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

This episode, Frank and Ken break down the main card of UFC Fight Night Fortaleza (Gastelum vs. Vitor). The winners, the losers, the inappropriate twerkers, ALL of it. ALSO: One of the big winners from that card, flyweight Ray Borg, opens up to us about: his view on how he matches up with the rest of the division, his unique grappling style, the importance of being a positive role model, his love of archery and his weakness...for sweetness — as we look back on our conversation with him from August 2016. ​ Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro! 

This episode, Frank and Ken try to make sense of the disappointing Woodley - Thompson main event from UFC 209, and the demise of the more anticipated co-main between El Cucuy and Khabib. They also recap the rest of PPV, as well as the main card of Bellator 174.  ALSO: One of the big winners from Bellator 174, heavyweight Justin Wren opens up to us about: being bullied as a child, his drug addiction as an upstart pro fighter, reconciling his connection to faith and his personal redemption in opening his heart to the people of the Mbuti Pygmy tribe, as we look back on our phenomenal conversation with him from November 2015. ​ Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro! 

Bellator MMA lightweight, Adam 'The Bomb' Piccolotti was originally scheduled to face Brent Primus on the main card of Bellator 172, until a late occurring injury forced him out of the event. Fortunately, we were able to catch up with Adam before this injury and during our conversation we touched on a variety of subjects including: the reality involving reports of dangerous training practices at American Kickboxing Academy, the musicality of martial arts, the one man he would absolutely never fight, the grueling education of grappling with teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov and his staunch advocacy for rights of rescue dogs. PLUS: Frank and Ken look back on UFC Fight Night Halifax, as well as Bellator 172. They'll also try to find out what Dracula, Tom Arnold and Fred Flintstone could possibly have in common. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

YouTube entrepreneur & professional striking coach, Shane Fazen is recognizable to many MMA fans as the guy who nervously tries to get between Bellator fighters Josh Thompson & Bobby Lashley as they prepare to battle over the same plate of nachos in the ubiquitous commercial for Dave & Busters. Turns out, there’s many layers to this modern-day self-made success story. During our conservation, Shane opens up about: his background growing up on the mean streets of Philadelphia, the surreal experience surrounding his first professional muay thai fight in Thailand, the practical application for a product called ‘Gorilla Snot’, the art of pea cocking  and much, much more. PLUS: Frank & Ken look back at Bellator 170. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!  

Since his installation as Bellator MMA's play-by-play commentator, accomplished mainstream sportscaster Sean Grande has endured a full immersion into the enthralling and often quirky universe of professional mixed martial arts. During our conversation, Sean spoke candidly with us on a number of topics including: the backlash he received from MMA fans regarding his replacing of Sean Wheelock, the irrefutable connection between MMA & pro wrestling, the UFC broadcast habit that he feels 'can't sound any dumber' & MUCH MORE… PLUS: Frank & Ken look back at UFC Fight Night Phoenix & Invicta FC 21. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Bellator MMA featherweight ‘Insane’ Georgi Karakhanyan faces fellow contender Emmanuel Sanchez on January 21 at Bellator 170. During our conversation, Georgi talks about: his decision to stay at 145 despite previous plans of going up to lightweight, the bizarre situations he was exposed to growing up in Russia, his love of juicing (not the kind you think), his awkward relationship with former opponent Bubba Jenkins, how he overcame the darkest period of his career & MORE… PLUS: Frank & Ken look back at UFC 206, Bellator 168 & UFC Albany. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

WBC Super Bantamweight & International Female Featherweight Champion, Heather ‘The Heat’ Hardy makes her MMA debut on January 14 as part of Invicta FC 21, when she faces Brieta Carpenter. During our conversation, Heather discusses her experience working with Louis CK on his FX TV show, the weight that she voluntarily carries for the sport of women’s boxing, the sobering transition of training for a full MMA camp & the special relationship in her life that makes it all possible. PLUS: Frank & Ken look back on the TUF 24 Finale, Bellator 166 & 167, as well as some of the wacky MMA-related events of the week. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Bellator MMA bantamweight contender ‘Baby’ Joe Taimanglo is set to compete in an anticipated rematch of one of 2016’s biggest upsets, when he again faces Darrion Caldwell on December 3 in Thackerville, OK. During our conversation, Baby Joe reveals some of the post-fight controversy surrounding the title implications of the first match-up, the changes he made for the rematch due to having a longer camp, the upside of being perceived as an perennial underdog & the expectations of potentially being the first athlete from Guam to be an MMA world champion. ​PLUS: Frank & Ken look back on the 2 title fights from Invicta FC 20, the main card of Bellator 165, as well as highlights from UFC Belfast & UFC Sao Paulo. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

MMA official Robert Hinds has presided over events for major promotions like Invicta FC, Bellator MMA, UFC & more, as both a judge & referee. During our conversation, Rob gives his take on how he scored the UFC 205 co-main between Tyron Woodley & Steven Thompson, the new rules taking effect in 2017 regarding eye pokes & grounded opponents, the pro & cons of scoring rounds as 10-8, the push for new rules regarding 12 to 6 elbows & the possible use of instant replay in the near future. ​PLUS: Frank & Ken discuss all the fallout from UFC 205, as well as Douglas Lima regaining his welterweight world title at Bellator 164. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Comedian Jayson Thibault is the co-host of the #1 sports-comedy podcast, Punch Drunk Sports, alongside fellow comics (and MMA fanatics) Sam Tripoli & Ari Shaffir. He’s also a researcher at DirectTV’s NFL RedZone channel. During our conversation, Jayson shares his thoughts on: being raised by lesbian parents in conservative Indiana, being a part of comedy’s premier dojo (LA’s Comedy Store), his concerns about the new UFC ownership, Michael Bisping’s calculated title run, his budding bromance with newcomer Mickey Gall & much more! PLUS: Frank & Ken discuss Nick Diaz’s recent appearance in Rochester (as well as Frank’s attempt at getting him to do the show). They also look back on Phil Davis’ big title win at Bellator 163, Tony Ferguson’s win over RDA at UFC Mexico, share their main card picks for UFC 205 and much more. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!

Lightweight sensation Kevin ‘Motown Phenom’ Lee has a pivotal bout coming up, on the undercard of UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, against Dagestani standout Magomed Mustafaev. Kevin has also earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining & outspoken UFC fighters to follow on social media. During our conversation, he’s at no loss for words when asked his opinion on fighters ranging from Al Iaquinta, Will Brooks, Conor McGregor, CM Punk & Amanda Nunes. PLUS: Frank & Ken look back at Bellator 162, give credit where it's due to UFC's new owners, try to make sense of the upcoming Gegard Mousasi - Uriah Hall rematch, ​examine GSP's recent legal bluff and bid farewell/good riddance to former NAC commissioner Pat Lundvall. Hashtag, MMA Dude Bro!