Sat, 8 January 2022
Hey MMA Mad fans!! Please check out the latest episode from my television podcast with Disorderly Media and be sure to subscribe!! Enjoy!! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disorderly-podcast/id1373079323
Nick is back with his Top 10 TV Shows of 2021! We've got some old favorites, but most of his picks are in their first or second season. Have a listen and jump right into a great new show. https://www.thedisorderly.com/ Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DisorderlyEnt Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/DisorderlyMedia |
Thu, 22 April 2021
UFC 261 is set for this Saturday in front of a FULL CROWD featuring three title fights. Kamaru Usman squares off with Jorge Masvidal for the second time with the welterweight belt on the line. Rose Namajunas attempts to take her Strawweight title back from the reining champion Weili Zhang. And Valentina Shevchenko looks to continue her dominance over challenger Jessica Andrade. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 16 July 2020
We have our third fight in one week as Fight Island marches on. We've had some great fights, some controversies, a few snoozers. But at the end of the day, I'm just grateful we have fights at all. Enjoy! |
Fri, 19 June 2020
What's it like to run an MMA promotion during a global pandemic? Let's just say that it's not without its challenges. But Pat Sullivan and the team over at CES MMA are making the best of it. Enjoy! |
Thu, 11 June 2020
Brandon Royval had a great UFC debut against Tim Elliot a couple weeks back. Fight of the Night and a submission win over a seasoned vet, placing him on just outside of the top-ten flyweights, currently ranked #11. He came by the show to discuss what he could've done better, the thrill of finally being a full time fighter and more. Enjoy! |
Thu, 4 June 2020
UFC 250 is coming our way this weekend as the MMA world trudges on, featuring a fight between champ-champ Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer for the UFC Women's Flyweight belt. Enjoy! Killer Mike’s Speech – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSWasOhArfM Conan O’Brein featuring Van Jones – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62opaXeyWZY Token CEO featuring Trill Withers and Willie Colon – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/token-ceo/id1503065691 Michigan Sheriff Joins Demonstrators – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjcX-UApWpw Brandon Newman’s Blog - https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/2510007/no-justice-no-peace
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Mon, 11 May 2020
UFC 249 was unbelievable and we've got two more cards coming up this week. We were joined by Cortney Casey who is fighting on the May 16th card, as well. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 6 May 2020
MMA is back and I'm extremely excited. Life without live sports has been bleak, to say the least. But UFC 249 marks the return of MMA and the card is absolutely stacked. I'm breaking it all down. Everything. Enjoy! |
Thu, 13 February 2020
Breaking down all six fights on the main card, along with predictions for who wins and who to bet on. This is your flash preview of all things Rio Rancho. Main Card and Prelims are on ESPN+. Also, subscribe to The BattleHawks Podcast. Trust me, you won't regret it: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wR9jkngYcDT5sjkSrdrSt https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-battlehawks-podcast/id1498633805 Twitter: @battlehawkspod |
Wed, 29 January 2020
Long overdue, we finally had fellow New England MMA media member, Mike Heck on the podcast. It's about time. This was a good one. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 23 January 2020
Jason and Daniel from the Ratings Pending Podcast joined me to recap UFC 246 and one heck of a performance by Conor McGregor. The king is back!! Enjoy! |
Mon, 6 January 2020
It's been a wild journey since we started this podcast back in 2014. So many great guests and experiences over the years. What better time to reflect on things than the start of a new decade? Happy 2020 everybody! Thank you to all the listeners who helped make this thing possible. And here's to the 2030 review being bigger and better. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 2 January 2020
Knockout of the Year, Submission of the Year, Fight of the Year, Fighter of the Year and Event of the Year. The picks are in. Robbie Fox and I had just finished discussing HBO's Watchmen for The Disorderly, so he weighed in on UFC 245 as well. |
Thu, 5 December 2019
I dug up the infamous Overeem interview form 2014 and re-mastered it... but I included the old, original audio as well. This is essentially a tech episode for all you podcast nerds out there. Oh and Overeem fights this weekend on ESPN. |
Wed, 27 November 2019
This week, James Lynch joined me to break down all things MMA media. And we do a way too early prediction for UFC 245 as well as the upcoming ESPN card. |
Wed, 20 November 2019
This week, I had the pleasure of talking with Francis Ellis, formerly of Barstool Sports and currently the host of Oops, a podcast about bad decisions and the aftermath of such. You can check out his stand up special, "Bad Guy" on Barstool Gold right now. And you should. Enjoy!! |
Tue, 15 October 2019
I'm all by my lonesome this week. I look back at Joanna vs. Waterson, preview UFC Boston and take a way too early look at UFC 244 set for November 2nd. A #CMGPodcast Enjoy!! |
Thu, 10 October 2019
This week, Keri-Anne Taylor Melendez joined us to discuss her big win at #Bellator229. She's still undefeated in MMA and looks better with every fight. Then, Cortney Casey returned to help me break down this weekend's main event between Joanna Jedrzeczyk and Michelle Waterson. Enjoy!! #CMGPodcast |
Tue, 1 October 2019
Alfie Davis joined us before his upcoming fight at Bellator 235. Plus, Nick discusses UFC 243 and some recent fight announcements. |
Wed, 28 August 2019
Podcast favorite Cortney Casey joined the show to talk about this weekend's Strawweight title fight between Weili Zhang and Jessica Andrade. Plus, her upcoming fight, change of camp and more. A #CMGPodcast Enjoy!! |
Wed, 21 August 2019
James Lynch joined me this week to reflect on his experience covering UFC 241. We also dove into the start of football and hockey season and, of course, MMA Media as a whole. Powered by Pulse Cellular A #CMGPodcast |
Tue, 13 August 2019
No intro, no after show... just a full-fledged conversation about podcasting, media, MMA and, of course, UFC 241. This was a good one. A #CMGPodcast Enjoy! |
Wed, 7 August 2019
Matteo Urella is one of my favorite people in the world. We talked for over an hour and it went in a bunch of different directions; all great. A #CMGPodcast Enjoy!! |
Thu, 25 July 2019
My Fenway Fodder co-host, Raven Connell, joins me to preview UFC 240 and talk about some recent MMA storylines. Plus, Monica returns to the show for a brand new Outside The Bubble and offers her unique take on Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar. A #CMGPodcast |
Tue, 16 July 2019
Smilin' Sam Alvey is one of the happiest and nicest people in all of MMA. He's also a proven knockout artist with 18 fights in the UFC and a whole slew of big names on his resume. Sam fights this Saturday in San Antonio on ESPN. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 10 July 2019
Liz Carmouche joins us for an update on her now-official title fight with Valentina Shevchenko. I also rant about how much I hate Dana White's Contender Series and recap UFC 239/look ahead to this weekend's Fight Night Sacramento. Enjoy!! A #CMGPodcast |
Wed, 26 June 2019
I took a trip down to Fighting Arts Academy in West Haven to sit down with Justin Sumter ahead of his next fight. Justin is preparing for his return to Dana White's Contender Series, hoping to score a contract to the UFC. A #CMGPodcast Enjoy!! |
Tue, 18 June 2019
We've got a double feature for you this week! First, we were joined by Liz Carmouche - the first women to ever enter the Octagon and the first mixed martial artist to compete in New York City. She fights again on July 20th and could be one win away from a shot at the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship. Next, we were joined by Calvin Kattar just days after his huge win against Ricardo Lamas. Calvin is now ranked as a top ten featherweight in the UFC and the future is looking bright. Enjoy!! A #CMGPodcast |
Thu, 13 June 2019
After nearly three years since her last appearance, UFC Bantamweight Raquel Pennington returns to the show. We dive into her recent struggles outside the cage and how they've translated to her recent skid. Rocky is fighting July 20th on ESPN. Playing co-host this week, I'm joined by the newest member of MMAFighting.com, old friend of the show Damon Martin. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 6 June 2019
One of my co-hosts from the Fenway Fodder Podcast joined me to break down UFC 238. Raven Connell makes his MMA Mad debut and it was a fun one. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 29 May 2019
Old friend of the show James Lynch joins us to discuss his new position with The Score and all the latest in greatest in the wild world of MMA media. We even touched on some Stanley Cup Playoffs talk at the end. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 23 May 2019
This week, we were joined again by old friend of the show and Mount Rushmore guest Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. We started off with a very candid conversation about his recent loss and his first time being knocked out, then continued to break down the Welterweight division and some upcoming matchups. Finally, of course, we wrapped with some comic book talk, discussing Avengers: End Game, Spiderman: Far From Home and the new HBO Watchmen series. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 16 May 2019
UFC 237 was pure madness and who better to join us than fellow UFC Strawweight and Mount Rushmore guest Cortney Casey. Truly one of our favorites here at MMA Mad and this week was no different. She also happens to be teammates with Jared Cannonier, who knocked out the great Anderson Silva in the co-main event to a chorus of boos. Enjoy!! |
Fri, 10 May 2019
Longtime friend of the show, Bryan Lacey, returns to discuss the new and improved One Punch Podcast, now under the BT Sport umbrella. We get into UFC 237, Game of Thrones, and everything in between. Enjoy!! Presented by #CMGPodcasts |
Wed, 24 April 2019
This was a fun one! I traveled to FAA CT in West Haven to interview my old friend Nick Newell ahead of his fight at CES 56. Doubled up with Dan Dubuque who is headlining that event as he fights for the CES Featherweight Championship. Dan cross-trains at FAA and it was great having him and Nick on at the same time. Then I completed the Connecticut trifecta with MMAFighting.com's Chuck Mindenhall - the best longform writer in MMA. Enjoy! Presented by #CMGPodcasts |
Thu, 18 April 2019
My good friend Monica rejoined the show to help me break down the two amazing UFC 236 interim title fights and preview the upcoming UFC 237 title fight between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade. Plus, some housekeeping and news about our collaboration with Clovercrest Media. #CMGPodcasts Enjoy!! |
Wed, 10 April 2019
The MMA Mad Podcast is back and better than ever! Backed by the good folks at Clovercrest Media, we're joined by featherweight Matt Bessette, one of the longest tenured guests on our show. Plus, Nick breaks down the two title fights from UFC 236 and gives his reaction to the TJ Dillashaw suspension. |
Mon, 1 April 2019
We're back! After an 8 month hiatus, the MMA Mad Podcast has returned under the umbrella of Clovercrest Media Group. The first official episode is coming next week so rate, review, subscribe!! Happy to be back guys. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 9 August 2018
I spent way too much time talking about the podcast in this episode to reiterate it all here. So I'll sum it up like this: MMA Mad and the MMA Mad Podcast were a joy to work on. It was a passion project that Dale Jordan and I built from scratch. We poured our hearts into this thing for the better part of five years and created a product we were extremely proud of. I want to thank Dale first and foremost for giving me such an amazing platform to host this show. I want to thank the guests, the listeners, the friends and family who supported me and the co-hosts that have come and gone. I especially want to thank the Mount Rushmore guests - Matt Bessette, Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson, Cortney Casey & David St. Martin - as well as my perennial co-host and star of Outside The Bubble - Monica. I've learned a lot from this experience. It's already opened a few doors and I'm sure those opportunities will lead to even more opportunity. I'm in this for life. I hope you enjoy this final episode and continue to follow my work. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 19 July 2018
Connecticut's own Justin Sumter called into the show to discuss his upcoming fight on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender. We also discuss Nick Newell, the return of Brock Lesnar and some upcoming fights. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 19 July 2018
Connecticut's own Justin Sumter called into the show to discuss his upcoming fight on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender. We also discuss Nick Newell, the return of Brock Lesnar and some upcoming fights. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 11 July 2018
Podcast favorite James Lynch returned to the show to talk international fight week, the recent moves by Luke Thomas & Ariel Helwani, and more. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 4 July 2018
Monica came by the new apartment for the inaugural Outside The Bubble road show. She gave her picks for Saturday's title fights as well as the Matt Bessette fight on Friday. And we wrapped things up with a hearty round of Would You Rather, getting us one step closer to understanding how Monica's mind works. |
Thu, 21 June 2018
I had UFC Featherweight, Mount Rushmore podcast guest, and good friend Matt Bessette over the house to record a little conversation on my front porch. We got mic stands knocked over by dogs, we stopped in the middle to take a picture, there were winds and cars and slamming doors in the background. It was perfect. Matt fights on Friday, July 6th as part of the TUF 27 Finale card. Make sure you tune in for that and all the other great fights that weekend. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 14 June 2018
We kick things off with a brand new Outside The Bubble. Nick and Monica make their World Cup picks and discuss the Official 2018 World Cup song featuring Will Smith. We're then rejoined by Robbie Fox of Barstool Sports. We discuss everything from CM Punk and Greg Hardy to Conor McGregor and Nick Newell. Plus, as always, the inner workings of Barstool HQ. Finally, I did some commentary on the Chris Curtis fight for Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender. Watch along and hear my live reaction to his highlight reel knockout. DON'T RETIRE CHRIS!! Enjoy!! |
Wed, 6 June 2018
We caught up with Jose "Shorty" Torres after his UFC debut in Utica. We talked about his fight week experience, his crazy weight-cut on nine days notice, and the wild finish that led to his first victory inside the Octagon. Mount Rushmore guest Cortney Casey rejoined the show to talk about the latest in her career and all the crazy headlines in the world of MMA. We break down the UFC 225 main card, fight-by-fight, and dive into the big strawweight matchup between Claudia Gadelha and Carla Esparza this weekend. Finally - if you're a masochist - you can listen to my live reaction from the quick Jimmie Rivera knockout. Needless to say, as a long time friend of the show, I was disappointed in the result. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 31 May 2018
It's a short week, so we've got a short episode for you. But don't, worry... it's still star-studded with one half of the main event from this weekend's UFC Utica. Be sure to catch Jimmie Rivera as he fights for a #1 contender spot. Tons of beef in this one, should be fun. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 23 May 2018
I sat down with longtime friend of the podcast Andreas Georgiou to discuss UFC Liverpool and Bellator 200 in London. Andreas is one of the best talents in the world of MMA journalism and certainly a qualified source to cover a couple massive UK MMA cards. I apologize for the brief hiatus and we'll be back with some more great episodes soon. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 25 April 2018
Didn't realize until I was typing the title but we just hit a milestone. 150 episodes. Crazy. I love this show and I love all the people I've got to know through it. Bryan Lacey is absolutely one of those people. Enjoy this fun conversation between a couple of friends who love MMA and podcasting. I had a blast recording it. |
Thu, 19 April 2018
Shaun Al-Shatti (mmafighting.com) returns to the show to discuss some headlines, recap the fight week experience at UFC Glendale, and preview this weekend's card in Atlantic City, NJ. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 12 April 2018
Took a little road trip to Brooklyn to meet up with long-time podcast guest and good friend/colleague James Lynch. It was great to finally record a live one with him and there was plenty to talk about after a wild UFC 223 fight week. Enjoy!! |
Sat, 7 April 2018
Justin Sumter makes his first solo appearance. Give this man a fight! Plus Kevin Quinn rejoins the podcast for a brand new Coast To Coast. We get into the McGregor incident, the chaos surrounding the UFC 223 main event, and some gambling talk. Enjoy!! |
Fri, 30 March 2018
Podcast favorite Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson returns to the show for another great appearance. We talk Mario Kart, Fortnight, something called PUBG and super hero movies. We even get into some MMA and his upcoming main event fight against Darren Till in Liverpool. Jack Shore is one of the hottest prospects out of the UK right now. He was already 7-0 before facing UFC veteran Vaughan Lee in his bantamweight debut. Now he's 8-0 with a slew of finishes and his eyes on the Cage Warriors bantamweight title. Next stop: UFC. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 14 March 2018
This one was a long-time coming. UFC Featherweight Matt Bessette has been a Mount Rushmore guest of the MMA Mad Podcast for years now. He and his wife, Ashley Bessette, have become friends of mine over the years. Schedules are always tough, but we finally found time to get together for an in-person podcast. We sat down for an hour long conversation, marking Ashley's podcast debut. She was great. Matt is always great. You guys will definitely enjoy this one. |
Thu, 8 March 2018
This week, I took a trip down to West Haven, CT to meet up with Nick Newell on the Monday before his highly-anticipated return to the cage. We were joined by Justin Sumter on the mic and about 20 of his students watching along... MMA Mad's first live performance (maybe?). Nick fights in the main event of LFA 35 this Friday, March 9th and you can catch the action on AXS TV. We were treated to a brand new Outside The Bubble with my roommate Monica, who breaks down Rose vs. Joanna and Khabib vs. Tony. We also watched the new Gunnar Nelson "Beat It" music video. Monica thinks a summer country song should be next for the Icelandic gym. Finally, as a favor to Monica for talking soooo much MMA with me, we did a full Bachelor recap in the outro. Feel free to shut it off after the Nick Newell interview. Also feel free to listen to it and pretend like you didn't. This episode was a lot of fun to put together. Enjoy!! |
Tue, 27 February 2018
This week, we welcomed back one of our favorites in Robbie Fox. He's exploded in popularity since we first spoke, carving out his niche at Barstool and working his ass off to get to the top. Very talented in multiple different lanes, Robbie is always a great guest. Sirius XM show coming in the near future, without question. This week, we got into Rough N Rowdy, Podcasting, Barstool's latest drama and MMA's latest headlines. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 22 February 2018
Podcast favorite Cortney Casey returns to the show for a another great conversation. We got into her upcoming fight with Michelle Waterson and a bunch of other stuff (as always). Make sure you watch her take on The Karate Hottie in her home state of Arizona on April 14th (UFC on FOX 29). Enjoy the episode and subscribe to the podcast!! |
Wed, 14 February 2018
Podcast favorite Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson returned to the show for his best interview yet. We went over an hour completely off the cuff, getting into podcasting, MMA and life. These are the type of interviews I dreamed about when I started doing this show, and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did. Huge thanks to the legend. |
Wed, 7 February 2018
I've done many a Disorderly Podcast with Damon Martin but never had him on MMA Mad. Well that simply had to change. A veteran MMA reporter for over a decade, Damon writes for UFC.com and runs NerdcoreMovement.com. We dive into his long history covering MMA, his reason for starting an entertainment site on the side, and plenty of headlines from around the world of combat sports. This was a fun one, enjoy! Go to the "Shop" tab on MMA Mad to visit our store. Use the promo code "MAD" at checkout for 20% off all orders. Shirts, Mugs, Buy, Buy, Buy!! |
Wed, 24 January 2018
A little New England celebration to follow up on an amazing UFC 220 in Boston. Dinis "Sweetbread" Paiva sandwiches (get it?) an interview with Calvin Kattar. Kattar scored a huge knockout for his second consecutive UFC win, this time in front of the hometown TD Garden crowd. Sweetbread is readying himself for a CES fight on the Friday of Super Bowl weekend. Lots happening in the Northeast right now. Happy to be a small part of it. Enjoy!! |
Tue, 16 January 2018
I drove up to Worcester to talk to Matteo Urella about his plethora of hilarious twitter beefs, working press at UFC 220, and the long-awaited UFC debut of our mutual friend Matt Bessette. |
Thu, 28 December 2017
Hope you all had a great 2017. Look forward to seeing you all in 2018. Enjoy this celebratory PartyCast w/three of my dearest friends. |
Wed, 20 December 2017
This week, we're joined by Andre Soukhamthath and Marc Diakiese right before the holidays. One is coming off a huge win, one is looking for a huge win and both are great recurring guests. Enjoy!! |
Fri, 15 December 2017
Apologies for the late release, but this one was a great one! James Lynch is one of my closest friends in this business and truly one of the best people I know. We always have great conversations, but this was a true marathon of topics. Podcasting, comedy, MMA (obviously)... we riff on it all. Seriously, I stand by the quality of all my episodes (at least recently haha) but this one stands out. Rate, review, subscribe and most importantly... Enjoy!! |
Thu, 7 December 2017
I discuss the announcement of Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou and the launch of our new YouTube series "MMA Mad Unfiltered" It may be December, but it's never too late for a little Halloween special. Nate joins me to break down his top Halloween movies and TV Shows. In the After Show, I recommend five of my favorite podcasts for your listening pleasure. Listen to the shows that I listen to. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 29 November 2017
This was a good one guys. Worth the wait. I drove up to Worcester, Massachusetts to do a little podcasting with my good friend Matteo Urella. We got into UFC 218, trash talking in MMA, my work with TheDisorderly.com and more. Plus, a little bonus guest appearance from Matteo's daughter; our first baby guest. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 16 November 2017
New episode for your listening pleasure!! Jimmie Rivera just received some unfortunate news with the Dominick Cruz cancellation. We got into that, UFC 217 and more. Louis Smolka is always a great guest. Unfiltered doesn't begin to describe it. And shoutout to KFC Radio on hitting the big 300 episode milestone. One of my favorite podcasts, check it out!! Enjoy!! |
Fri, 10 November 2017
Really fun episode this week!! First, Robbie Fox (Barstool Sports) stops by to talk UFC 217 and Barstool HQ goings-on. He's quickly become one of the site's rising stars and it's always good to catch up with him. Then, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson joins us to discuss his win over Jorge Masvidal, the drama with Darren Till and a whole bunch of comic book stuff. Plus, Monica talks Rose Namajunas, favorite holiday traditions and more on a brand new Outside The Bubble. She hops on the intro and outro, as well. Stick around to the very end for a little bonus OTB. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 1 November 2017
This is your officially unofficial UFC 217 preview show. Cortney Casey is sandwiched between an intro/outro Coast-To-Coast combo. We start by discussion some big headlines outside of MMA, then finish with a bunch of UFC topics. Cortney Casey looks forward to her UFC 218 bout against Felice Herrig and helps me break down every fight on the UFC 217 main card. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 26 October 2017
Rate, review subscribe!! Mount Rushmore podcast guest David St. Martin joins me for an epic conversation about his new website TheDisorderly.com. Basically, he scours the internet for any and all intriguing stories from the world of sports and entertainment, then compiles it into one easy-to-read daily post. In this episode, we got into his plans for the site and the vulnerability that comes with putting yourself out there, creatively. We also discussed the rise of Barstool Sports, power-hungry redditors, nerdy Halloween parties and more. One of the best DSM appearances to date and that's saying something. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 18 October 2017
Friend of the show James Lynch is now a full-time freelance MMA journalist and I couldn't be happier for him. One of the nicest guys in the business and a GREAT podcast guest. Oh and Wonderboy was supposed to be on. We recorded. It was a fantastic interview. But it didn't record. Sorry guys. Wonderboy is doing great by the way... in case you were wondering. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 4 October 2017
I took a trip down to Underdog MMA in Hartford to interview podcast favorite Matt Bessette and his head coach Russell Leak. We got into anything and everything both inside MMA and far outside the cage. Truly one of my favorite episodes of all time. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 27 September 2017
Ken Rodriguez has been in the podcasting game for a long time. Like... a REALLY long time. Starting back in 2008, he's gone through the ups and downs of this wild and crazy medium, ultimately arriving at MMA Dude Bro, his ironically named intellectual take on MMA podcasting. Ken and I have crossed paths on social media for years now and it was great to finally have him on the show. If you like the MMA Mad Podcast, you'll like MMA Dude Bro and vice versa. Today, we talked podcasting, got into some MMA headlines/discussion of upcoming fights, and more. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 21 September 2017
Another week, another technical difficulty. After recording a fantastic interview with the streaking Anthony Smith, I discovered that one half of said recording was lost. In other words, you could basically only hear me talking to the wind for 45 minutes. Devastating to say the least. My apologies to Anthony Smith (who was a great guest!!) but we hope to have him on again. Lucky for you guys, podcast favorite Bryan Lacey stepped in to save the day, joining me on the intro and the after show, totaling over an hour of unfiltered, unadulterated fun. Seriously guys, this was a really great appearance. As if that wasn't enough, we threw an interview with Scott Askham in the middle. Scott is one half of this weekend's ACB main event vs. bitter rival Luke Barnatt. Should be a great fight so don't miss it! I'm particularly proud of my topical outro song so please stick around to listen. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 14 September 2017
This was a fun return back to America. My dad and I took a little trip to Fighting Arts Academy in West Haven, CT to catch up with the newly un-retired Nick Newell and one of the most accomplished members of his fight team, Justin Sumter. Justin fights for CES in October and Nick is planning a 2018 return to action. Make sure you catch them both. I had a lot of fun doing this episode. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Brought to you by Paul's Pizza in Vernon. |
Thu, 31 August 2017
I'm currently uploading this from an AirBnB in Valencia, about halfway through my Spanish expedition. We've tackled Madrid y Avila and Ibiza is awaiting our arrival. But if you think that's going to stop me from uploading a podcast this week, you are sadly mistaken. First, a little Outside The Bubble w/Monica to discuss Mighty Mouse, Matt Hughes and more. Then, I'm joined by my friend Ben, and later Nico, Guillermo and Alyssa to discuss La Tomatina, Real Madrid vs. Valencia, and the differences between Spanish and American culture. Really cool episode, check it out!! |
Tue, 22 August 2017
We took the podcast setup on a little road trip to Providence. Well... part of the podcast setup anyway. Your faithful host forgot to bring the cables that connected the microphones to the recorder, so we were forced to record on my iPhone. *Sorry for the lesser audio quality* The conversation was great though!! Perfect PartyCast, bouncing from topic to topic with two of my best friends and top bantamweight prospect Dinis Paiva - better known as "Sweetbread" to fans. We talked a little McGregor Mayweather but the rest was all over the place in the best possible way. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 17 August 2017
We're coming back strong after a little break and you won't be disappointed in the results. First, I take a trip down to Jimmie Rivera's gym in NYC to discuss everything from UFC Long Island to a possible title shot in the near-future. It was a really cool space, you guys should check it out! Then, my friend Matteo Urella returns for a conversation about all things MMA and podcasting. He's been one of my biggest creative influences for years and the first guest to ever tackle the long-form conversational style on this show. For those unfamiliar, you will love him. Everyone else already knows what's up. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 3 August 2017
This was not a good episode... It was a GREAT episode. Two of our favorite and most frequent guests join me for truly amazing conversations. And I don't say that lightly. First, Cortney Casey joined me to talk about the whole Texas Athletic Commision fiasco. We also got deep into the importance of exciting fights and the effects of a concussion, recap the events of UFC 214, and much more. With a hot dog and slice of pizza in tow, Cortney delivered an awesome podcast appearance from the parking lot of a Costco. Then, my absolute favorite interview with Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. His podcast appearances are well into the double digits now and none come close to the depth of this one. Nearly an hour of exploring the mentality of a truly elite mixed martial artist. Seriously guys, this one is a MUST LISTEN. Finally, shout out to Kevin (Coast To Coast) for giving me three hours of his time, only to have the recording malfunction after the fact. It was a great appearance. Next one will be better. Enjoy!! |
Mon, 24 July 2017
The always inspirational Justin Wren returned to the podcast to talk Fight for the Forgotten and the new Dig Deeper campaign. For the month of July, if you donate $75 dollars, you will receive a limited edition Dig Deeper t-shirt, though any and all donations are welcome. Head over to water4.org/digdeeper for more details. R.I.P. to Chester Bennington. Hybrid Theory was the first CD I ever owned and serves as a milestone on my journey as a music fan. This one really hit me on a personal level. |
Wed, 19 July 2017
This week, Andre Soukhamthath talks twitter beef with Charlamagne Tha God, catching bad headlines, and his upcoming fight with Alejandro Perez in Mexico City. Then, 2-0 prospect Fabian Edwards makes his podcast debut to discuss his fighting future. Finally, old friend of the show Andreas Georgiou returns to share his experience at the London stop of the Mayweather vs. McGregor press tour. Plus a whole bunch more. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 13 July 2017
Steve Rizner - my dad - joins in on this week's intro to preview Matt Bessette's debut for Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender series, followed by a brief recap by yours truly in the After Show. Then, James Lynch calls into the show to discuss the most recent drama between Ariel Helwani and the UFC and recap his experience at international fight week in Vegas. Always a great conversation when James is on. Enjoy the show!! |
Wed, 5 July 2017
Great episode this week!! Matt Bessette came by the studio just one week prior to his fight for Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender series. We got into Mayweather vs. McGregor, the power of obsession, and much more. Kevin (Coast To Coast) and Monica (Outside The Bubble) were also in-studio, helping to round out our first ever PartyCast. Need more of these. I know you'll enjoy. |
Tue, 27 June 2017
Jeff Haddad joins me in studio to talk podcasting, Matt Bessette, and much much more. One of my favorite podcasts I've ever done, I know you'll enjoy this one. Give it a listen!! |
Tue, 20 June 2017
Two great conversations with a pair of podcast favorites. First, Bryan Lacey drops by to discuss his brand new boxing/MMA crossover show with fellow comedian Christian O'Connell, called "Ultimate Couch Fans". Bryan's always a ton of fun to talk to and lots of laughs were had along the way. Then, Tony Martin joins us ahead of his June 24th fight against rival Johnny Case. These two are not the biggest fan of one another, and that could mean fireworks on Saturday night. We also split off into some discussion about fighter pay the possibility of a fighter's union. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 15 June 2017
Well it looks like Matt Bessette is finally getting his opportunity to compete in front of Dana White. Long overdue and a bit confusing, I break down the full situation in the intro. Then, we take another trip into the magical world of DSM land. David Saint Martin is and always will be a Mount Rushmore podcast guests and this week's stories live up to the hype. He's got stories about fighting mobbed up Russians in coffee shops to getting busted by the police for stealing your own car. Oh and we dove into McGregor vs. Mayweather and the drama between Mighty Mouse and the UFC, as well. Enjoy!! |
Sat, 3 June 2017
Special Saturday edition for you guys, but it was definitely worth the wait!! OTB, TV Talk, and an exclusive interview with Jack Shore. Nate sits in on an Outside The Bubble w/Monica. We get into Gus's proposal and a a subway hoola hoop dance off. Then, Monica gives her super official prediction for Aldo vs. Holloway. Jack Shore comes by the show to discuss his fighting future and a number of other story lines from the UFC and more. Solid interview, we'll happily have him back in the future. Finally, Nate joins me for some TV Talk on the eve of The Leftovers series finale. We bounce around, as always, but it was a fun conversation all around. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 24 May 2017
Welcome back to another episode of your favorite MMA podcast. RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE!! This week, we have the return of Wonderboy and the debut of Lewis Long. Wonderboy is impatiently recovering from knee surgery while examining the welterweight division from a outside perspective. We got into a bunch of different topics and caught up on all the interesting goings-on from around the UFC. Lewis "The Foot" Long is - as you can probably tell from the nickname - an amusing individual. He's also a streaking welterweight and natural finisher who is looking to transfer from Cage Warriors to the UFC. We welcomed him to the show for the first time to discuss that and more. In this week's after show, I lay out my theory for the end of The Leftovers (only two episodes left!!). Don't worry, I give plenty of warning before I start into it, so there's really no chance of accidental spoilers. Enjoy!! ** Apologies for the poor sound quality throughout this episode. I need to figure out what's up with my recorder lately. Nothing too bad, it's all audible. |
Wed, 17 May 2017
Solid episode with some of our favorite recurring guests. Big things on the horizon for all. Cortney Casey picked up a big win at UFC 211 and was nice enough to return to the show just days after the victory. We dove into her relationship with MMA media and got her take on Joanna's most recent defense. Is this her first appearance since UFC 211?! I don't know, I didn't check. But she's a podcast favorite and this was another solid appearance. Jimmie Rivera just lined up his next big fight. Following his decisive win over Urijah Faber (and nineteen other fighters before him), Rivera has drawn fellow top-prospect Thomas Almeida for a July 22nd date in Long Island, NY. Better yet, it's on "Big FOX" and that means more exposure for one of the best bantamweights on the planet. My friend Nate returned to the show to discuss some of the latest TV talk. The focus is The Leftovers, but we touch on Fargo, Seinfeld and much, much more. Enjoy!! |
Tue, 9 May 2017
This week's episode starts with the return of Robbie Fox (or the debut of Octagon Bob). Jason Knight comes by the show ahead of his UFC 211 fight with Chas Skelly and Jose "Shorty" Torres drops in to discuss self-promotion and waiting for a UFC call-up. Plus, a little bonus Outside The Bubble where Monica gives her picks for this weekend's title fights. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 3 May 2017
Now that I've upgraded my setup, I've really wanted to take the podcast on the road for some in-person interviews. Well this week's show was the first crack at it. Matt Bessette and Jeff Haddad are two of my best friends in this industry. Staples of the Connecticut MMA scene, they opened up their own gym, called "Ascension Athletics," and have been steadily building up their clientele and reputation ever since. On January 1st, they moved to a brand new location and it was here that we recorded the podcast you're about to listen to. This was an extremely eclectic conversation ranging from lack of women in the STEM fields to the viewing of horrific videos and what they can teach us about humanity and life. Of course, there was some MMA talk as well, but this one felt a lot more like a Rogan podcast and I couldn't be happier about that. *Note: Matt's original opponent for CES 44 (Jeremy Spoon) pulled out of the fight just hours before we recorded this podcast. As a result, I avoided the topic of CES 44 all together. He has now found a replacement opponent in Rey Trujillo, so all is well. But in case you were wondering, that's why we didn't talk about his fight. Enjoy!! Website: http://www.mmamad.com/ |
Wed, 26 April 2017
A couple of podcast favorites join us for a fantastic new episode. Stick around until the end for a very special announcement about next week's episode. First up: Cortney Casey. Set to fight in the Fight Pass headliner slot at UFC 211, Cortney caught up with us to discuss a variety of topics around the world of MMA. She's always a great guest, and this time was no different. Then, my friend Kevin joins me for a brand new Coast To Coast. We hit on some news and notes from around the world of sports, talked a little MMA, and plenty of inside conversations that may or may not translate with the average listener. But hey, thanks for listening anyway. Enjoy!! |
Thu, 20 April 2017
Super dense content episode with a pair of great guests. This one has something for the MMA fan and the TV enthusiast alike. I am both. First, Shaun Al-Shatti talks all things MMA - UFC on FOX, upcoming cards, MMA media and headlines galore. Fun and informative. Hooray!! Then, Nate helps me break down the Season 3 Premier of TV's bets drama, The Leftovers. If you haven't caught up... you may want to skip this interview. Also... catch up. Like now... Enjoy!! |
Fri, 14 April 2017
Nick Rizner breaks down the top three fights for UFC on FOX 24, providing some background and giving predictions for the following fights: Demetrious Johnson (c) vs. Wilson Reis Get all your event coverage over at http://www.mmamad.com/ and follow us on twitter @mmamadofficial & @nickriznermma. Enjoy the fights!! |
Wed, 12 April 2017
Short episode this week but a good one nonetheless!! Monica returns with another fantastic OTB. We get into some Danish & O'Neill and George Dillman. We discuss DC towel gate, as well as a preview of this weekend's UFC on FOX. Finally, Monica gives her official pick for Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson and pitches a Rickie Fowler podcast appearance. Lots of fun! Enjoy!! |
Wed, 5 April 2017
Great pair of interviews for you this week. Two of our favorites return to the show for some great, albeit scattered conversation on a variety of topics. David Saint Martin is disgruntled as ever and we love him for it. This interview has it all: rants about pro wrestling and Colorado hipsters, a wild story about a Thai gangster, absolutely no MMA. It's a must-listen for sure. Then, Luis Felix comes on to reflect on his dominant win at CES 42 as well as some of the bigger story lines from the UFC. We also touch on his work with autism and the story of Dorian Murray. A few laughs, a few emotional parts, this was a good one. In the After Show, Nick gives his take on the retirement of Tony Romo and gets into some TV talk, including his early review of "13 Reasons Why" on Netflix. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 29 March 2017
This was a good one. James Lynch is an MMA journalist for Sportsnet, MMA Oddsbreaker and FloCombat. He hosts the Parting Shot Podcast and holds the (unofficial) record for most interviews ever conducted in a single week. I did very little research to verify that record, but he does a lot of interviews, so I'm running with it. He's also one of my favorite people in this business. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a fantastic conversation that ranges from Stanley Cup Playoffs and click-bait media to Big Little Lies and The Sopranos. Enjoy!! |
Wed, 22 March 2017
Solid pair of interviews featuring some talk about the GGG fight and UFC 210. Matteo Urella shares an epic story of his relationship with writing and GGG. Everything came full circle this weekend at Madison Square Garden and it was as poetic as you'd expect from one of the best writers in combat sports. At long last, Desmond Green is finally making his UFC debut. And the Rochester native is doing it just one hour from his hometown in Buffalo, NY. UFC 210 is set for April 8th and Desmond vs. Josh Everette could very well steal the show. In this week's after show, we get into March Madness, the return of Dave Chappelle, and the official re-launch of our Instagram (@mmamadofficial) and our Snapchat (mma_mad). Enjoy!! |
Wed, 15 March 2017
UFC London is coming your way this weekend and we've got a full breakdown of the action. First, we sat down with Andreas Georgiou of MMA Plus. He's an old friend of the show and one of the foremost experts on UK MMA. We spoke about his upcoming video project, the stand out fights at UFC London and more. Then, one half of the main event, #4 ranked Jimi Manuwa makes his podcast debut. He's set to take on Corey Anderson this weekend, with hopes of moving one step closer to a shot at the light heavyweight championship. Finally, my friend Nate Zielinski joins us for a little podcasting 101. After launching his own podcast for Ticket Liquidator, he's looking for advice on how to best move forward and improve the quality of his show. I'm certainly no expert, but I did my best to help out. Plus we've even got a little Monica action on the transition. This was a fun one!! Enjoy. |
Wed, 8 March 2017
Wow. 100 episodes. Over 140 hours of content over the past three years. This thing has come a long way since its humble beginnings and the guests in this episode are the people to thank. (00:04:46) Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson made his podcast debut back in episode 28. This appearance was his tenth, officially making him the first to hit double digits. If there was an MMA Mad MVP, it'd be hard to argue against Wonderboy. The guy is a legend. (00:18:33) If it wasn't for David St. Martin's inclusion of the MMA Mad Podcast on the MMA Fighting Morning Report, we may not be doing this right now. That was the single biggest boost we received both in traffic and notoriety. Who would've thought that DSM would make for such a great guest as well. The lovable grouch. (00:51:47) Cortney Casey was the first female fighter we ever had on the podcast, but she's become way more than a crucial milestone. One of the most entertaining and frequently requested guest in our arsenal, Cortney is always honest and always entertaining, as a result. Truly one of the best guests we have. (01:05:02) Barstool Sports finally has an designated MMA contributor and the guy is brilliant. Insightful blogs, hilarious videos, a well-rounded set of technical production skills, Robbie Fox is going to be a star at Barstool and Barstool has long been my biggest inspiration to chase my dreams. Thrilled to have him as a part of this episode. (01:22:10) Nick Newell is one of my favorite people on the planet. There's the amazing career and the inspirational backstory, sure. But above all, he's one of the most kind and genuine people you'll ever come across in this business. He was my first ever one-on-one interview, as well. He'll always have a place in the history of this show. (01:34:01) Matt Bessette and Jeff Haddad are my best friends in MMA. Far beyond a simple interviewer - interviewee relationship, these guys are always a ton of fun to be around. Jeff is one of the most driven and motivational people I know and Matt is the embodiment of martial arts culture. Respect, honor and discipline. GET MATT TO THE UFC!!! Shout out to Ashley and Michelle. (1:47:32) Chuck Mindenhall is, for my money, the best writer in sports media. His ability to captivate with his storytelling while pouring his own personality and voice into his work is unparalleled. I've looked up to him on so many different levels, so to have him as a contact and guide through this crazy buiness has been an honor. Truly. (02:03:25) Outside The Bubble was the first recurring segment we ever featured on this podcast and with it, a star was born. In all seriousness, Monica has meant a great deal to this show both on the mic and behind the scenes. She's been unbelievably supportive through an endless stream of skype conversations and marathon editing sessions. And she's electric content every time you put a mic in her hand. Can't thank her enough. And I can't thank all of you enough either. This show has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Many more to come. - Nick |