The Raine Check

Amateur boxer Valeria “Lala” Chavez joins The Raine Check to talk about her promising future in boxing ahead of her next fight in Deming, New Mexico, on October 10. In this episode, Valeria shares: 🔥 What it means to represent Rio Rancho, New Mexico, in the world of boxing 🔥 How grateful she is for her accomplishments in boxing 🔥 Her mindset around the hard work and “suffering” that comes with...

Former professional MMA fighter Keenan “El Bello” Lewis joins The Raine Check to talk about his recent retirement from professional MMA, his final fight at UNF 35, and his new chapter as the owner of Saekson Santa Clarita, a Muay Thai gym in Santa Clarita, California. In this episode, Keenan shares:🔥 What led him to retire from professional MMA🔥 His gratitude for his coaches, sponsors, and every...

9th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red belt and martial arts legend Grand Master Rigan Machado joins The Raine Check! Rigan shares his experience conducting a Jiu-Jitsu seminar for the Philippine National Police, training with the Gracie family, learning from Jiu-Jitsu pioneers who became his mentors, and founding Mach5 Union to help grow the sport. In this episode, we talk about: 🥋 Rigan's trip to t...

🇵🇭 This episode is conducted entirely in Tagalog. In this special Tagalog episode of The Raine Check , I checked in with Filipino boxing trainer Marvin Somodio to talk about his incredible journey in boxing. Marvin shares what it was like to spend years as Manny Pacquiao's longtime training partner, becoming the first Filipino trainer inducted into the U.S. National Boxing Hall of Fame, and the li...

Combat sports commentator and analyst Ron "The Yacman" Yacovetti joins The Raine Check ! In this episode, Ron shares: 🔥 How he earned the nickname "The Yacman" 🔥 His journey as a combat sports commentator and the art of telling a fighter's story 🔥 How his experiences—including stand-up comedy—helped shape his career as an interviewer and broadcaster 🔥 His new combat spo...

4th Degree Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Instructor Larry Shealy joins The Raine Check! In this episode, Professor Larry discusses: 🔥 Being a 4th Degree Rigan Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Instructor 🔥 The Rickson Gracie seminar that inspired him to begin his Jiu-Jitsu journey 🔥 How he overcame a cardiac arrest during one of his Jiu-Jitsu classes 🔥 How his faith gave hi...

Professional boxer Jadalie Medeiros joins The Raine Check after her victory at the inaugural Knockout Queen in Coachella, California. 🥊 In this episode, Jadalie shares: 🔥 What it meant to finally make her U.S. professional boxing debut 🔥 Representing her Filipino and Puerto Rican heritage inside the ring 🔥 What she learned from training alongside boxing legend Manny Pacquiao 🔥 Her undefeated...

Professional boxer Joey "The Bootyman" Abudy joins The Raine Check after his recent victory at Gallerie de la Fightbook. 🥊 In this episode, Joey shares: 🔥 How he broke his hand during a fight and still managed to earn the victory 🔥 The opponent he'd most like to face in a rematch 🔥 The story behind his unique nickname, "The Bootyman" 🔥 The mindset and toughness require...

UNDEFEATED professional boxer Sammy Contreras joins The Raine Check after his recent victory at Gallerie de la Fightbook. 🥊 In this episode, Sammy shares: 🔥 Meeting the legendary Bob Arum and signing with Top Rank Boxing 🔥 How breaking his father's brand-new plasma TV unexpectedly led him into boxing 🔥 The lessons he learned from his father and manager, Sam Contreras Sr. 🔥 His journey as an u...

Undefeated Filipino MMA prospect Eros Baluyot joins The Raine Check ahead of his Road to UFC Season 5 bout during UFC Fight Week in Macau. Eros breaks down his journey from elite grappler to MMA contender—and why his ultimate goal is to become the “Pacquiao of MMA” for the Philippines. In this episode, we cover: 🔥 His mindset heading into Road to UFC vs. Takeru Uchida🔥 Representing the Philippin...

UFC veteran and UNF Featherweight Champion Albert Morales joins The Raine Check ahead of his fight at MVP MMA 1. He discusses: 🔥 Fighting out of Los Angeles and representing Up Next Fighting 🔥 Honoring his late father and the motivation behind this next bout 🔥 His mindset going into MVP MMA 1 and what fans can expect from “The Belizean Warrior” A raw MMA interview covering fight preparation, le...

Veteran MMA commentator Todd Keneley joins The Raine Check to break down his career behind the mic and his experience across combat sports. In this episode, Todd shares: How he prepares for calling MMA fight nights His background in professional wrestling and working with Hulk Hogan The key differences between calling wrestling matches and MMA fights If you’re a fan of MMA commentary, combat sport...

Muay Thai enthusiast Don Mowery joins The Raine Check to share his experience training at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand. In this episode, Don talks about: His time at one of the world’s most well-known Muay Thai gyms Why he decided to start training Muay Thai in his 50s Meeting fighters like Fabricio Andrade and Vero Nika The people and moments that made the trip unforgettable If you’re a fan of Mua...

Blake “The Snake” DeCourcy checks in on The Raine Check after his KO win at UNF 32. In this episode, Blake talks about: - His first fight experience with Up Next Fighting - Why he dedicated his victory to his teammate David Rivera - The story behind his JD’s Wingz & Thingz tattoo If you’re a fan of MMA interviews and behind-the-scenes fight stories, this episode dives into the mindset and mome...

The NEW Unified UNF Welterweight Champion, Tommy Aaron, joins The Raine Check after his HUGE win at UNF 32! 🏆 After unifying his Interim Welterweight title with the official UNF Welterweight belt, Tommy breaks down the moment, his mindset inside the cage, and what this victory means for his career. In this episode, “The Spaniard” talks about: 🔥 His battle with Albert Tadevosyan 🔥 Training under...

Undefeated, world-ranked boxer Chelsey “Mae Mae” Anderson checks in on The Raine Check . Chelsey shares how proud she is to showcase her talent as a female boxer, her inspiring journey of being sober since 2013, and how she uses her platform to help others find their purpose. Watch other episodes, get exclusive merchandise, and book Raine Cruz (aka Ringside Raine) for interviews, brand promotions,...

Angelica Reyes — a fearless and feisty MMA cage supervisor and athletic official — joins The Raine Check during Women’s History Month! Angelica checks in on The Raine Check to talk about her role as an official with the California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization (CAMO) and the California State Athletic Commission. She shares how combat sports became a family event for her, her husband, and...

Gianni “Kriptonita” Vazquez made his UFC debut at the first-ever UFC Fight Night on Paramount+, stepping into the Octagon on just two days’ notice — and in a different weight class. The Mexican Warrior joins The Raine Check to break down the experience, the short-notice call, and what it meant to prove he belongs inside the UFC. Hear Gianni’s insights on fighter mindset, training, and the journey...

Veteran combat sports analyst Jonathan King checks in on The Raine Check before sitting cageside as a commentator for UNF 32. Jon shares how he got his start in the broadcast industry, his dream matchups in combat sports, and the pros and cons of calling fights from cageside. From the adrenaline of fight night to the unexpected realities of sitting just feet away from the action—including the infa...

WBA Continental Champion Vlad “Super Bad” Panin joins Raine Cruz on The Raine Check following his recent first-round knockout victory at UNF 29. Panin breaks down his knockout power, the origin of his “Super Bad” nickname, and what it meant to capture his first-ever professional title. Watch other episodes, get exclusive merchandise, and book Raine Cruz aka Ringside Raine for interviews, brand pro...

The winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33, Joseph Morales, joins Raine Cruz on The Raine Check for an in-depth interview about his UFC comeback, his journey as a fighter, and what he’s thankful for this Thanksgiving. After a short run in his first UFC contract, Bopo fought his way back into the UFC Octagon. Be inspired as Joseph shares his powerful story of redemption and resilience in the UFC....

Former pro basketball player turned #MMA fighter #NikolaKacperska checks in on The Raine Check to discuss her upcoming fight at #LFA 223 on November 21st at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY, her #PolishPower as an athlete, and her journey from the basketball court to the MMA cage. 🎧 Watch other episodes, get exclusive merchandise, and book Raine Cruz (aka #RingsideRaine) fo...

Up Next Fighting's Byron "The Trophy" Valle checks in on #TheRaineCheck before his upcoming #professionaldebut at UNF 28 on October 11th at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA. Byron shares his excitement of fulfilling his dream of becoming a #professionalfighter, vacating his #UNF title to go pro, and talks about the proudest moment of his amateur career. Watch other episodes, get ex...

The #UNF Flyweight Champion Gianni "Kriptonita" Vazquez checks in on #TheRaineCheck before his upcoming title defense against Narek Avagyan at UNF 28 on October 11th at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA. The Champ talks about his #Mexican heritage, his passion for fighting inside the cage, and how he used to fight in court as a lawyer in Mexico. Watch other episodes, get exclusive merchandise, an...

"Double Barrel" #DarylWestphal checks in on #TheRaineCheck before his #UNF Rising Stars Bantamweight bout at UNF 27 against Stephan Kilim on August 30th in Woodland Hills, CA. Daryl talks about how he got into the world of #mixedmartialarts, his #heavymetal background, and his epic battle against #SethColeman at UNF 21. Watch other episodes, get exclusive merchandise, and book #RaineCruz aka #Ring...