Fight Capital

In this episode of Fight Capital, host Ryan Rapaport sits down with Mike Di Donato, COO of Skill Trades College of Canada, to explore the unlikely but powerful connection between combat sports and vocational training. Mike shares how STC’s groundbreaking partnership with the UFC is reshaping perceptions around skilled trades and helping young professionals—especially women—break into traditionally...

Join host Ryan Rapaport in this action-packed episode featuring rising MMA star Sean “The Winter Soldier” Magnus. From his wrestling roots in Alaska to dominating the amateur circuit with a 5-0 record, Sean shares his journey to 10th Planet Austin, training under elite coaches, and working at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership. He breaks down his transition from wrestling to MMA, the challenges of weig...

Join host Ryan Rapaport in this electrifying episode featuring Karate Combat Bantamweight Champion Arturo “Makako” Vergara. Hear how his relentless work ethic, journey from Chile, and training insights (including his time at the UFC Performance Institute) have forged a true champion mindset. Plus, get inspired by his drive to uplift Latin American fighters and immigrants. In just over 13 minutes,...

In this episode of Fight Capital, Ryan Rapaport sits down with Harley Hermanson, an MMA fighter and Web3 innovator competing in the  @KarateCombat  Influencer Fight Club (IFC). Harley shares how he went from training alongside his kids to securing a first-round TKO and becoming one of IFC’s rising stars. Beyond fighting, he’s using blockchain technology to create real-world impact through Fight fo...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Eric Peña, a performance nutrition coach specializing in combat sports. They discuss Eric's journey into nutrition, the importance of tailored nutrition plans for athletes, safe weight cutting strategies, hydration's role in performance, and the challenges of running a nutrition coaching business. Eric emphasizes the need for understanding individual athlete deman...

In this episode of Fight Capital, Ryan Rapaport sits down with Tim Malik, CEO and co-founder of Combat IQ, the AI-powered analytics company revolutionizing fight data. Coming from a background in pro football scouting, Tim saw a massive gap in combat sports analytics and set out to bring NFL and NBA-style data insights to MMA and boxing. Now, Combat IQ is powering real-time stats for the UFC and l...

In this episode of Fight Capital, Ryan Rapaport sits down with Luis Melendez, an undefeated Karate Combat fighter with a background in Taekwondo and Karate from Puerto Rico. Luis shares his journey from balancing a full-time career as an electrical engineer to becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the pit. We discuss his viral moments, the business of being a fighter, and how  @KarateComba...

In this powerful conversation, Ryan Rapaport sits down with Shahzaib Rind, the first Pakistani world champion hailing from @KarateCombat . From his early days training in Wushu Sandha to making history on the global stage, Shahzaib shares his inspiring journey, the pressure of carrying a nation’s hopes, and his relentless mindset heading into his title defense at KC 52. He also dives into his move...

In this episode of Fight Capital, host Ryan Rapaport interviews Edgars "The Bear Slayer'" Skrivers, a seasoned professional athlete and founder of Skrivers MMA. They discuss Edgars' journey in combat sports, the influence of traditional martial arts, the role of faith in his life, and the integration of physiotherapy into his training. Edgars shares insights into his training cam...

In this inspiring conversation, Ryan Rapaport sits down with UFC athlete Ode' Osbourne to explore his incredible journey from college wrestling to MMA stardom. Ode' shares how his immigrant background, the mentorship of his first coach, and his passion for teaching have shaped his career. From stepping up on short notice in the UFC to leveraging LinkedIn as a platform for networking and growth, Od...

In this engaging conversation, Ryan Rapaport and Brandon Gallagher look into the world of MMA training, content creation, and the importance of sustainability in fitness. Brandon shares his experiences as a strength and conditioning coach for elite athletes, discussing the unique challenges and rewards of balancing travel with maintaining top-tier training programs. The discussion also highlights...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Felipe Bunes, a rising UFC fighter training with the renowned Pitbull Brothers team, ahead of his fight at the Apex this Saturday. Felipe discusses the impact of training at one of the world’s top academies, representing Brazil in MMA and Jiu-Jitsu, and his strategies for managing his career, finances, and mental preparation. Follow Felipe Bunes on Instagram @felipinhobune...

Ryan Rapaport breaks down the ultimate guide to landing brand sponsorships in 2025 for combat sports athletes, managers, and teams. In this episode of Fight Capital, Ryan dives into the evolution of sponsorships in combat sports, the importance of authenticity, and the strategies athletes can use to build partnerships that go beyond just logos on shorts. Takeaways ・ Sponsorships are shifting towa...

In a special New Year's Eve episode, Ryan Rapaport sits down with Charlie Quinn, a rising figure in the MMA sports media and betting worlds, to dive into his bold transition from journalist to fighter, his explosive move to Las Vegas, and his plans to dominate in 2025. From selling out arenas as a New York native to carving out a lane in MMA betting, Charlie’s journey is a testament to resilience,...

Ryan Rapaport sits down with Jose "Shorty" Torres, a trailblazer in MMA and a two-time world champion at Brave, to discuss his inspiring journey, his commitment to mentoring young athletes through the Team Shorty Foundation, and his upcoming fight at RIZIN's 10th Anniversary card. From his roots in Chicago to competing on the global stage, Shorty's story is one of resilience, giving back, and maki...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Ian Butler, a former Bellator fighter, grappler, and founder of Silverback Wrestling Club, discussing his journey from humble beginnings in St. Louis to building a national wrestling brand. Ian shares insights on scaling a business while maintaining core values, securing sponsorships, and creating opportunities for underprivileged kids, as well as his plans for internation...

Ryan Rapaport sits down with "Captain Americas" Eric Albarracin, one of MMA's most dynamic coaches, to discuss his adventures with Broad Street Global, regenerative stem cell therapy  @bioxcellerator  and the future of MMA fashion. Eric shares stories of his travels, coaching elite fighters like Patricio Pitbull, and his vision for elevating MMA's image through partnerships with brands like Philip...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Jade "The Princess" Jorand, a rising MMA fighter from France, discussing her journey in combat sports, the growth of MMA in France, the challenges female athletes face, and her transition to Karate Combat. Jade shares insights on training, sponsorship difficulties, and offers advice for young athletes looking to build their careers internationally. Follow Jade on Instagram...

In this engaging conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Dylan Rush of Rush MMA, a rising MMA journalist and storyteller. Dylan shares his journey into MMA journalism, the importance of building authentic relationships within the sport, and the challenges he faces in balancing passion with the realities of the business. He discusses his collaboration with Henry Cejudo and ‪@Pound4PoundwithKamaruHen...

In this episode of Fight Capital, host Ryan Rapaport interviews Raine Cruz, a pioneering ring announcer known as Ringside Raine. Raine shares her journey from being a WWE fan to winning a TikTok contest that led her to announce at SummerSlam. She discusses her transition into the world of ring announcing, the challenges she faced as a female in a male-dominated industry, and her experience with Up...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Paul Guarino, founder of PG Sports, who shares his journey in sports management and content creation while living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Paul discusses the evolution of his agency, the importance of personal connections with athletes, and the challenges he faces in the sports business. He emphasizes resilience, the significance of network...

Ryan Rapaport interviews John "The Machine" Davis, the reigning  @powerslap  middleweight champion. They discuss John's journey into the sport of slap fighting, the business potential for athletes and promoters, and the strategies John employs to monetize his success and build his personal brand. The conversation also touches on the challenges of gaining exposure from a small town, the importance...

For Episode #100 Ryan Rapaport speaks with Eliot Marshall, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, former UFC athlete, and co-owner of the successful Easton Training Center gyms. They discuss Eliot's journey from fighter to successful business owner, the importance of creating systems for success in martial arts, and the launch of the Academy Growth Hub and Easton Online, a resource for gym owners. Elio...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Matt Whitteker, co-founder of MILLIONS.co , a platform revolutionizing athlete and creator engagement. They discuss Matt's journey from owning a boxing gym to building a billion-dollar company, the innovative features of MILLIONS, and the impact of collaborations with figures like Bruce Buffer. Matt shares insights on philanthropy, the importance of storytelling in content...

Ryan Rapaport speaks with Cindy "Panda" Hernandez about the critical role of recovery in combat sports. They discuss Cindy's journey into the recovery space, the importance of personalized care for athletes, and the various techniques and modalities she employs to enhance recovery. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about recovery, the evolving role of recovery teams in combat s...