Fight Capital

Ryan Rapaport interviews James Caricato, the content lead at @PlaymakerHQ discussing his journey in content creation, the growth of Playmaker under Better Collective, and the impact of athlete-driven storytelling in combat sports. They explore the importance of community building, authenticity in branding, and strategies for monetizing personal brands. James shares valuable insights for aspiring c...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Peter Miller, founder of Condition Nutrition, about the importance of personalized nutrition for combat sports athletes. Peter shares his journey into the field, discusses common misconceptions about weight cutting, and emphasizes the need for individualized nutrition plans. He highlights the significance of body composition assessments and the ongoing education required f...

Ryan Rapaport interviews Mindset Mike, a world-class mindset coach with a background in wrestling and the FBI. They discuss the influence of wrestling on mental toughness, lessons learned from the FBI, and the mindset shifts necessary for athletes to achieve success with his Unfair Advantage Mindset system. Mike shares insights on overcoming mental roadblocks, the differences in training youth ver...

In this episode of Fight Capital, host Ryan Rapaport interviews professional MMA fighter Arturo "Makako" Vergara, who shares his journey from Chile to becoming a rising star in  @KarateCombat  . They discuss the impact of Arturo's viral knockout, the challenges of securing sponsorships, and the importance of personal branding in combat sports. Arturo emphasizes his desire to represen...

In this episode of Fight Capital, Ryan Rapaport interviews Dan Tramontozzi, founder of Pin Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer research through the wrestling community. Dan shares his personal journey of starting Pin Cancer after his mother's cancer diagnosis, the challenges he faced in growing the organization, and the marketing strategies that hav...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Brandon Harris, founder of Playmaker HQ , discussing the evolution of the company, its acquisition by Better Collective, and the strategies employed to create compelling sports content. Brandon shares insights on the importance of authentic storytelling, building relationships with athletes, and adapting to the changing landscape of sports media. He e...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Desiree Wodicker and Gastón Bolaños, two successful combat sports athletes, about their experiences in building their brands and finding success both inside and outside the ring. They discuss the importance of staying authentic to their martial arts roots while appealing to broader audiences, strategies for securing sponsorships, and the challenges of...

Gustavo Firmino, Vice President of Fighter Operations at PFL MENA, discusses the growth of MMA in the Middle East and the strategies PFL MENA is implementing to discover and nurture new fighters in the region. He highlights the talent pool in the Middle East and the focus on signing both established fighters and promising prospects. Firmino also talks about the challenges of organizing events and...

Carlo Alcala, a talent manager at 3Point0 Labs, discusses his journey in talent management and the impact of his work in sports and entertainment marketing. He emphasizes the importance of creativity and thinking outside the box to build brand partnerships. Carlo also highlights the integration of fashion and design in combat sports and the potential for high-class brands to collaborate with athle...

Jakub Kazsuba, the undefeated PFL Europe lightweight champion, discusses his journey in combat sports, his upcoming title defense, and the challenges of balancing a full-time job as an auditor with his fighting career. He talks about the importance of having a backup plan and financial planning for fighters. Jakub also shares his experience with securing sponsors and the difficulties of finding sp...

Dr. Andrea Verburg Hill, a certified ringside physician, discusses her focus on concussion awareness and CTE prevention in combat sports. Her personal journey, including the loss of her husband, has shaped her dedication to athlete safety and mental health. The Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) works to educate and support fighters while advocating for their health. The most pressing safety...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Tanera Nathan, an Australian commentator, emcee, and content creator in the combat sports industry. Tanera shares his journey into the commentary space and his experiences with @EternalMMA . They discuss the growth opportunities for Australian MMA, the importance of grassroots development, and the power of social media in building personal brands and...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Randy Faehnrich, the head of content at 3Point0 Labs and co-host of the Verse Us with Eric Nicksick podcast. They discuss Randy's journey in the combat sports industry, the importance of social media and digital presence for athletes, and the future of sports and entertainment integration. Randy shares insights from his experience working with UFC...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Jarno Errens, a rising star in the UFC. Jarno shares his journey from judo to motocross to kickboxing and eventually to MMA. He talks about his motivation to prove himself and his high drive to succeed. Jarno emphasizes the importance of mental preparation and working with a mental coach. He also discusses his goal to surpass other famous fighters in...

Skylar Grote, an Olympic hopeful and wrestler, discusses her journey in the sport and the challenges she faces as a female athlete. She talks about training at the Olympic Training Center and the importance of balance in her life. Skylar also shares her insights on brand management and sponsorships in wrestling, as well as the growth of women's wrestling and the need for more support and oppor...

Gerald Ng, former CEO of World Lethwei Championship, discusses the promotion of Lethwei, a combat sport from Myanmar, and its international expansion. Ng shares the vision of showcasing the local culture through Lethwei and the success of scaling the sport to a global audience. He also talks about the plans to restart the World Lethwei Championship through a crowdfunding campaign and fan ownership...

Ian McCall, retired MMA champion and founder of Athletes Journey Home, discusses the use of psychedelics in healing and his research on traumatic brain injuries. He emphasizes the importance of holistic mind and body therapy for athletes and the need to embrace the healing side of psychedelics. Ian shares success stories of athletes who have benefited from ayahuasca ceremonies and highlights the p...

Kru Dam Sitmonchai is a legendary Muay Thai trainer and former fighter with over 40 years of experience. He joined Ryan Rapaport at the Fight Capital Podcast to discuss Kru Dam's journey in Muay Thai, the evolution of Sitmonchai Gym, the balance between traditional Muay Thai and innovation, the importance of international partnerships and sponsorships, the qualities Kru Dam looks for in fighte...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Sean Madden, a dedicated striking coach training world-class MMA and Muay Thai athletes based in Denver, Colorado at  @EastonTC  . They discuss Sean's journey from studying finance to becoming a Muay Thai coach, the impactful lessons he learned from training under Dwayne "Bang" Ludwig, and the key elements he emphasizes in training both...

Julio Cesar Fuentes is a highly accomplished aquatics instructor who specializes in high-performance aquatic conditioning for combat sports athletes. He has been working with UFC fighters and other athletes incorporating dynamic movement, hypoxic training, and VO2 max optimization into their training routines. Julio's approach focuses on complementing traditional training methods while minimiz...

James Hagler, a renowned boxing promoter and entrepreneur, discusses his upbringing with his father, the legendary boxer "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler, and how it shaped his career. He emphasizes the importance of promoting fighters and giving them exposure, as well as the need for fighters to promote themselves in today's social media age. Hagler also shares his ideas for improving the...

Daria Albers is a renowned striking and mental performance coach, who also fought as a professional kickboxer. She joined Fight Capital to discuss her journey and the importance of mental resilience in combat sports. She emphasizes the need for mindfulness and attention training to enhance performance and overcome mental barriers. Daria shares a success story of working with MMA legend Mamed Khali...

Coach Eric Albarracin, also known as "Captain Americas", discusses his role in the Broadstreet Global Empire and their vision to support MMA fighters from around the world. The private equity firm Broadstreet Global aims to provide opportunities and guidance to fighters who often struggle financially. Albarracin emphasizes the importance of personal branding and marketing for athletes to...

Gerard Burns is a rising star in the world of MMA, hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He joined Fight Capital to discuss his recent victory and signing with Brave Combat Federation.  @bravemmaf  . He shares his mindset leading up to fights and his goal of becoming the first-ever Brave CF Flyweight World Champion. Gerard talks about his gym, Fight Academy Ireland, and the growth he has witness...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Victor Demesmin Jr., the managing partner at Demesmin and Dover Law Firm and the founder of AI Sports Agency. They discuss Victor's background in competitive sports and law, the unique challenges of representing athletes, the importance of community involvement, and the future aspirations of AI Sports Agency. Takeaways ⇒ Victor Demesmin Jr.'s...