Fight Capital

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Jess Isaacson, a pioneering cut woman in combat sports. Jess shares her journey from being a Muay Thai enthusiast to becoming a cut woman. She emphasizes the importance of providing the same standard of care to grassroots MMA promotions as professional leagues. Jess also discusses the impact of her A-level certification and her involvement with the In...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Mike Polvere, the visionary behind Cage Titans, a premier fighting promotion in the Northeast. Mike shares his personal experiences as a fighter and how it influenced his approach to promoting fights. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, transparency, and providing a platform that nurtures talent. Mike also discusses the factors that have contribu...

Coach Manny Ramirez discusses his journey in Muay Thai and his role as a coach at Fusion Xcel Training Center. He shares his early interest in Muay Thai and how it shaped his approach as a coach. Coach Manny also talks about the challenges of establishing and growing a program, as well as the evolution of Muay Thai in combat sports. He highlights the influence of Sitmonchai Gym on his training phi...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Sam Brett, the Athlete Relations Manager for Brave Combat Federation. They discuss various topics related to combat sports and the management of athletes. Sam shares proud moments and success stories, including the achievement of Nkosi Ndebele becoming the world champion at 135 pounds. They also talk about Brave's expansion into Europe and the par...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Xander Simms, a Web3 brand strategist and founder of Fightopia and Digital Storytellers Inc., about the intersection of AI, immersive technology, and combat sports. They discuss the potential of Web3 and augmented reality (AR) to transform fan experiences in combat sports, create new revenue streams for fighters and promoters, and enhance storytelling...

Tracey Lesetar-Smith, the principal and CEO of TLSK Advisory, shares her journey in the sports and entertainment industry, particularly in combat sports. She discusses her transition from politics to law and her passion for martial arts. Tracey also highlights the importance of stewardship and commitment in her role as the first woman general counsel in MMA. She shares her experiences in promoting...

Andrea Sagi, founder of Fight Clubbing, discusses the growth and success of the promotion in Italy and its impact on combat sports culture. He shares the challenges and successes of integrating MMA and kickboxing into Italian sports culture, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and social battles against violence. Sagi also discusses the partnership with DAZN and how it has expanded Fight Cl...

In this episode, host Ryan Rapaport interviews Zain Bando a young and dynamic freelance journalist with a passion for sports journalism. Zain shares his experiences in 2023 and how they shaped his vision for his career. He also discusses his journey as a journalist with cerebral palsy and the challenges he has overcome. Zain talks about the opportunities and challenges in freelance journalism, par...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews "Ajarn" Scott Howard, the owner of Disciple MMA Academy, about his journey into Muay Thai and his role as an instructor. They discuss the importance of learning the hard truth of martial arts, training first responders and law enforcement, and the growth of bare knuckle boxing. Scott shares his insights on being a gym owner and the responsib...

Jacob Lee shares his experience of winning the Timex UFC 296 Ultimate Fan Experience and provides insights into the behind-the-scenes activities and interactions with UFC fighters and legends. He highlights the tour of the UFC Performance Institute, the Q&A session with UFC legends, and the excitement of attending the weigh-ins. Jacob also discusses the Timex gift box and the memorable moments...

In this conversation, Ryan Rapaport interviews Stanislav Grosu, a bare knuckle boxer from Moldova who fights in 175 pound weight division for @BKFC . They discuss various aspects of Stanislav's career and his transition from MMA to bare-knuckle fighting. Stanislav shares his motivation for joining BKFC and his desire to fight the champion. He also talks about balancing his family, work, traini...

In this conversation, Nick Hailer, the marketing director for  @CageTitans  discusses the strategies and challenges of promoting regional MMA events. He highlights the importance of building a genuine human connection with fans and fighters, telling their stories, and creating a community around the promotion. Nick also emphasizes the value of regional MMA shows in providing a unique and immersive...

David Feldman, the founder and president of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship ( @BKFC  ), discusses the journey and growth of BKFC as a globally recognized combat sports entity. He shares insights into the challenges and milestones faced in establishing bare-knuckle fighting in the US. Feldman also discusses the strategies for growth, including international expansion and grassroots approaches. T...

Edan Wolk, co-founder of VEGAIN, discusses the brand's journey and its alignment with combat sports and sports performance. The conversation highlights the benefits of vegan diets for athletes and the changing perceptions of veganism in the sports industry. Wolk emphasizes the importance of community and inclusivity in VEGAIN's approach and discusses the criteria for brand partnerships. Th...

Connor "The Controller" Matthews is a retired Air Force Combat Controller and now a rising star in the UFC. Transitioning from a distinguished career in special forces to making waves in the world of mixed martial arts, Connor shares his unique and inspiring journey with Fight Capital. In this episode, Connor delves into his experiences in the Air Force, where he honed skills that have c...

Reggie “Black Dragon” Northrup is a two-sport athlete known not just for his prowess in the MMA ring but also for his dynamic career in professional football. Reggie dominated the gridiron at Florida State and is now in the XFL doing the same. He has taken those skills into the cage with his 2-0 professional record, and he’s fighting in Karate Combat Kick Back 1 on January 26th. We talked about hi...

Tyson Chartier is a coach, manager, and mastermind behind the hard-nosed team at New England Cartel. He grew from his time as a professional fighter to becoming a top-tier coach who has been instrumental in shaping the careers of UFC standouts like Rob Font and Calvin Kattar, plus recent Contender Series Winner Connor Matthews. Known for his no-BS style and approach to coaching, Tyson balances an...

Craig "Danger" Duncan is a man who has transitioned from his professional boxing career to coaching some of the best combat sports talents in the game today. Athletes like Mike Perry, Alex Nicholson, Val Woodburn, Ryan Maine, and more come to Craig to see how they can take their game to the next level. As a successful former pro boxer, Craig brings a wealth of experience and passion to h...

Ammari Diedrick is a dynamic and versatile athlete known for his formidable skills in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts. His journey in the combat sports world is marked by significant achievements, including a triumphant win in the Road to Glory tournament, where he showcased his exceptional ability to compete above his natural weight class. Now he fights for one of the leading MMA organizat...

Brandon Gallagher is a championship strength and conditioning coach and founder of BG Performance. Brandon's personal journey started with overcoming his own health challenges to training UFC champions like Amanda Nunes and future stars like Ian Garry and Ariane Lipski. Listen in as we discover his unique, holistic approach and how he is revolutionizing MMA athlete training. This episode cover...

Nick Chapman is the dynamic CEO behind Bare Knuck Fighting Championship Asia. Nick's story is all about commitment, having worn many hats in the combat sports world — from athlete to referee, gym owner to promoter. What sets Nick apart is his leadership at BKFC Asia and his knack for driving business growth with cutting-edge tactics. I'm thrilled to dive into the world of combat sports bus...

Curt Pyke is the Freelance Director, Producer, Videographer, Editor, and creative force behind Curly Top. Curt specializes in documentary, branded content, promotional editing, and particularly sports content. He's renowned for his work with high-profile clients like  @TNTSports  ,  @ufc  ,  @Cage_Warriors  and The Future Group Co. Today, we'll delve into his journey in the combat sports w...

Gustavo Firmino is a seasoned expert in the fight sports business and has a rich background in event organization and talent management. He’s played pivotal roles at BRAVE CF and Blockasset, and now in his own MMA talent agency, he brings a wealth of knowledge and unique insights into the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts. Follow Gustavo on Instagram @gustavogfirmino Connect with Gustavo fr...

Richard Ho is the visionary head coach and owner of H20 MMA in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His early exposure to the world of MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu ignited a fiery journey of becoming a formidable competitor and respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. He is shaping the future of fighters with his extensive knowledge and experience and recently saw PFL Champion Olivier Aubin Mercier to his se...

Khai Wu, a Taiwanese-American MMA athlete, has significantly impacted the growth of Taiwan's MMA scene and has gained prominence as the lead trainer for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. His journey in martial arts, which started as a way to overcome bullying, has led him to global stages in the Professional Fighters League, highlighting his role in shaping the future of MMA in Asia and beyond. Khai&#...