“Funny fact, Dustin was the first high-level athlete I had the pleasure to work with since I made the switch from fighting to coaching… and the first fight we had together was Anthony Pettis. I was still active, so we did a lot of sparring for that fight and mitt work. So this week is pretty special.” – Thiago “Pit Bull” Alves

Pit Bull is one of the most feared strikers MMA has ever seen. He holds notable wins over Matt Hughes, Karo Parisyan, and Josh Koscheck, as well as challenging Georges St-Pierre for the title in 2009. Coach Alves knows this game better than most. Someone with that résumé and passion for the sport can only complement Dustin’s already defined skill set. We spoke on some adjustments between now and the last encounter.

“I think right now, at this stage of their lives, they’ve already accomplished so much in the sport, you know? Being champions in two different weight classes. I think it’s going to be even better! We’ve prepared ourselves for the best Max Holloway possible. (Max) moving up to 55 gives you extra juice, rejuvenation, and excitement. We factor everything in. But Dustin’s a dog, always been a true fighter. Things are bad, he puts his chin down and keeps swinging. But we made it more strategic.”

Max and Dustin are no strangers to slugfests, which is why we find this bout for the BMF title. Being their third fight with each other, they are no strangers to each other either. When fighters find themselves in this situation, it’s best to make sure their own game is tight instead of focusing on holes in their opponent’s. Strategy is important to create the offense appropriate for winning rounds and getting the knockout.

Poirier has been with American Top Team for 13 years. We spoke on his first impression when joining the powerhouse.

“Solid dude, very respectful. Wanted to learn, and he knew he was a new guy in an established gym, and he knew what we had to offer. Look at him right now. I always say at American Top Team, you either fit in right away or you don’t… A lot of guys come and go, but Dustin stayed with us. He trusts the work, and look where he is right now. One of the most accomplished lightweights in UFC history.”

Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 318 will be an instant classic—two fighters who are fan favorites for what they do both in and out of competition. Emotions will be high not only for them, but for everyone engaged. We get a wonderful way to send off a special career as The Diamond rides off into the sunset. Don’t blink!

For the full interview with Thiago Alves see “Din Thomas FightCourt” on Youtube.

The post Thiago Alves Breaks Down Dustin Poirier’s UFC 318 Retirement Fight, Legacy appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Saturday night, they got a firsthand look at the humble individual who is grateful for her position as a world-class athlete holding the coveted title. The one thing I take away from Kayla, both from seeing her at American Top Team (ATT) and post-fight, is that she genuinely wants everyone to win. We are all aware of the charitable work she does (more discussed below with a link), as well as her relationship with her children, but let’s take another peek at why she is great for the sport.

Kayla Signs with the UFC

UFC fans can be insular. They rarely support fighters coming from outside the organization and tend to paint them as a “big bad wolf.” Kayla got caught up in this theme, and she handled it gracefully. She stayed true to herself, didn’t pivot from her competitive demeanor, and stayed humble in the process. In the age of athletes developing personas in MMA to brand themselves, her genuine nature is a breath of fresh air and a shining example of why she is a role model for kids and young adults.

How She Handled Winning the Belt

Immediately after winning the championship belt, she sought out her opponent to share a moment of prayer and well wishes moving forward. As with any big fight, there was a public display of trash talk. This is to be expected with training and microphones constantly in your face while the endorphins are flowing. The embrace was a great show of sportsmanship and respect, as well as calling Amanda Nunes to the cage to give her due before they enter hand-to-hand combat. This is the martial arts we grew up on, and it’s nice to see it’s still alive as Kayla and others like her work to pass it on.

Kayla Harrison as a teammate at American Top Team

Harrison came to ATT as I was transitioning from my fighting career to coaching full-time. She would spar with several of my amateurs, and this was when I learned what an exceptional teammate she was. Often in these situations, big-name fighters would use the juniors as a body for training and forget about them. Kayla was very supportive of their career growth and them as a person. She was always checking in to see how they were doing, when they were competing again, with interest in attending or if they needed a corner. This would light up their day. Personally, as a coach, it leveled up the whole room knowing the athletes had that kind of support from such an accomplished individual. It puts a real positive vibe in the training room and supports the culture. I need to thank her for that.

I recall one time, one of my fighters that had trained with her lost because he was outwrestled in a fight. When Kayla found out, she was less than pleased that he didn’t call her to get extra training for the event. She was vehement that he would get hold of her next time he fought a similar opponent. I could instantly see his spirits were lifted, his body language changed, and he was ready to get back on the horse in training. There is nothing better for an amateur or prospect than to have a fighter you are aspiring to be like have your back like that.

Kayla Harrison is great for the UFC. She’s counter to the brash characteristics of what we’re used to seeing and has a positive influence on fans. Recent stars may exhibit behavior that parents may want their kids to shy away from, but now they have Kayla to take from. As someone who’s had conversation with her in and out of training, I’m happy for both her and Mixed Martial Arts that she is carrying the torch. Her fight with Amanda Nunes is going to be one for the ages, and I am glad they set the tone the way they did after UFC 316. And that face-off!!!

Fearless Foundation

Kayla Harrison “Fearless Foundation” is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing and supporting survivors of child sexual abuse. For my information and to donate to the cause, please click the link below

https://www.fearlessfoundation.org/

The post Kayla Harrison Is More Than a Champion: She’s a Role Model appeared first on Cageside Press.

Known through the lens of the camera as a man full of swag and knockout power, I can personally vouch that there was much more to Kimbo than what we saw on TV and YouTube. He was an outstanding training partner, teammate, and friend. The anniversary of his passing always reminds me of a conversation with him that will stick with me for the rest of my life, and I take every opportunity to share it.

Kimbo Enters ATT

The introduction of Kimbo to American Top Team came as expected—a publicized challenge laid out by an ATT mainstay (see the second volume of Keith D. Mills’s book on American Top Team for more details). But after that, everyone got to work. Kimbo handled the adaptation to MMA training like a champ and quickly proved to be a great teammate.

Kimbo In Training

Traditionally, when an older fighter with specific strengths transitions to MMA, they tend to stick with their strengths and only work outside of them when convenient. Kimbo was different. He couldn’t get enough martial arts knowledge. I truly believe I saw him working on the ground with Ricardo Liborio, Mike Brown, or Malachy Friedman more often than I saw him with a pair of gloves on.

I remember one time he showed up and his grappling drill session got canceled. Instead of heading out, he jumped into strength and conditioning—even though he didn’t have any socks or shoes with him. As comical as the situation was, it’s a great example of his mindset toward training: always open, always working to improve in every area.

It’s inevitable for fighters to lose their composure—things can get heated during training. Everyone has a bad day at work from time to time (I’ve had several and was to blame for a few scuffles during sparring). But I can’t remember a single time when Kimbo had a bad day. He was always respectful in training, never tried to hurt anyone, and remained open to learning from everyone—no matter their level of experience. He was also quick to help anyone in need.

The Man Behind the Legend

There’s a specific situation where he helped me that I’ll never forget. I had just moved down to Florida and was hustling to make ends meet while trying to train full-time and pursue a career in MMA. One of my jobs was teaching the kids’ wrestling class, and his son, Bam-Bam, was one of my wrestlers. Kimbo would always come to watch. I remember one time he showed up and gave me a handshake with money in it.

I said, “Man, you really don’t have to do that. This is my job, and Bam-Bam is a good kid.”

Kimbo replied with something that has stuck with me ever since:

“Oh no, my brother, don’t even mention it. And besides, if we don’t help each other, who will?”

I like to believe I was always the type of person who helps others when I can—but I guess I’ll never know for sure. Because now, every time I see someone who could use a break, I immediately think of what Kimbo Slice said to me that day after wrestling practice—and I act. With any luck, that person will one day be in a position to lend a helping hand themselves.

Kimbo was a great teammate—there isn’t anyone from American Top Team who would tell you otherwise. I had the privilege of calling him a friend, and I learned that there was so much more behind the Miami street fighter. That’s why whenever someone brings up Kimbo Slice, I’m proud to say I met the man behind the legend.

The post Remembering Kimbo Slice: The Man Behind the Legend appeared first on Cageside Press.

Dawson (17-1-1) started his professional career with Glory MMA in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, under the eyes of James Krause. The 28-year-old fought 19 times with Glory MMA, six of those inside the UFC.

However, all great things must come to an end because when Dawson makes the walk to the octagon this weekend at UFC Vegas 53, he will have a new fight camp and new coaches.

In February, Dawson left Glory MMA and moved to Florida to train with American Top Team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZxlo_hp_v1/

In a recent interview with Cageside Press, Dawson explained the move.

“I was at Glory for eight years. And it was eight years of the same faces and the same training schedule, in the same building and the same facility. It just, it kind of burns you out. Seeing the same everything every single day. And it’s not that they weren’t great training partners and great, great coaches, and great friends. It’s just the same thing; every single day can burn you out. I was hoping vacations would get rid of that; I was hoping a little time off would get rid of that. And it just it never did,” Dawson said. “After going to a draw in my last fight, it was kind of the eye-opener that I really needed to make these changes now, not later. And I did. We checked out ATT, we loved it, and me, my fiance, and my best friend all moved up here. We’re part of the ATT army now.”

Leaving after being coached by the same person for eight years will bring up some emotions with it, and for Dawson, the hardest part of the moving camps is not seeing his old head coach every day.

“My head coach back at Glory MMA was James Krause. And he was also one of my best friends. Somebody that I really, really look up to still. Somebody that I was able to really confide in and know always had my back. And, you know, I do think that we are still friends and that our relationship would be fine. But it’s not the same,” Dawson said. “You know, we don’t talk every day. I don’t see him every day. I think not seeing him every day is one of the hardest things and then not having him in my corner because he’s a very, very good cornerman and a very, very good coach. That’ll be one of the hardest things, and then just not seeing my friends that I’ve made over eight years. It’s rough, but the hardest decisions in life are often the best ones.”

In his last outing, Dawson fought to a draw with Ricky Glenn— something he never in his wildest dreams thought would happen. And because of that, he knew he had to make a change. “KGD” felt like if he couldn’t beat Glenn, then how could he become a UFC champion? That, he said, is his ultimate goal.

“When they read draw, it was instantly one of those things of like, where do I go from here? If I’m not good enough to beat Ricky Glenn? And that’s nothing against Ricky Glenn. I do think he’s a very good fighter. But if I’m not good enough to beat Ricky Glenn, how am I going to become a world champion someday? And it was like, I need to make changes,” Dawson said. “I was kind of lying to myself to where I thought I can make some changes and maybe stay at glory. And I think as time went on and just the way I was feeling, it wasn’t going away. I think it was the nail in the coffin.”

Some fighters prosper when they switch fight camps, and Dawson knows he will.

Watch the rest of our interview with Grant Dawson above. Dawson vs. Jared Gordon goes down at UFC Vegas 53 this Saturday, April 30, on ESPN.

The post UFC Vegas 53: Grant Dawson Reveals Reason for Glory MMA Exit appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I’m excited,” Gravely said with a smile, speaking to Cageside Press ahead of the fight. “I had the original opponent, got changed but I was pretty confident they’d [UFC] find someone. There is a ton of people at bantamweight. I try not to alter what I do to an opponent, I’m working on what I’m good at,” Gravely continued. “If I’m really good at what I do, it doesn’t matter what you put in front of me.”

Gravely has now trained for over half a year, closing in on a full year, at American Top Team in Coconut Creek Florida. The 29-year old Virginian is ready to showcase more of himself, and what he has been working on. His opponent, Birchak, recently caught up with MyMMANews and shared his thoughts on Gravely. In short, Birchak underscored Gravely’s submission defeats.

We gave Gravely the chance to respond. “My response is, that’s what everyone says,” Gravely told us in regards to Birchak’s comments. “I can’t tell you how many times, every fight I go into it is the same thing. I hope he believes that confidence, because I want the best Anthony Birchak. I like the match-up, he’s a grappler, I don’t think we are going to back up,” Gravely continued. “I’ve fought a lot of grapplers, I know he’s tough and I’m not underestimating him, but I’ve fought tougher opponents and train with tougher opponents every single day.”

Although he has been finding success in the bantamweight division, Gravely teased to Cageside Press that he may move down in weight after this upcoming fight. Claiming it as a possibility, but not a promise.

“I’m thinking about dropping down to 125,” Gravely said. “Not positive yet. I’m not a very big bantamweight. I walk around 145-146, 150 is as high as it’ll get. That is the average flyweight size,” Gravely continued. “I might test the waters, see how my body feels. If I’m able to perform the same, I might make that drop.”

Watch our full interview with UFC Vegas 24 (UFC on ESPN 22) bantamweight Tony Gravely above!

The post UFC Vegas 24: Tony Gravely Teases 125 Drop, Wants To Take Birchak to Deep Waters appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sabah Homasi was victorious at Bellator 243, his third win in a row. Fighting fellow former UFC vet in Curtis Millender, Homasi dominated in a technical bout. While during media day Homasi stated he wanted to ‘bring his head home on a spike’, he may have impressed even more with a three round genius game plan against the speedy Millender.

“I felt confident, I f*cking dominated every round,” Homasi said of the decision. “This is mixed martial arts, not kickboxing. If you are expecting someone to come in and stand and strike with you, you’re in the wrong f*cking sport,” Homasi continued. “If you don’t utilize all your tools then what the f*ck you fighting MMA for?”

Homasi had some intense fight IQ in his corner on Friday night at Bellator 243. His head coach, and head coach of American Top Team, Mike Brown. He also had good friend and training partner Dustin Poirier belting out what to watch for and what transitions were needed to steer clear of submission attempts.

“Super helpful, we put the reps in over and over again to the point where I was doing it in my sleep,” Homasi told media outlets including Cageside Press. “But that’s what you gotta do, do it over and over again until your doing it in your f*cking sleep.”

Sabah Homasi is of Lebanese background, and with the recent tragedy that occurred in the country, Homasi is going to donate to Poirier’s “Good Fight Foundation” to help in any way he can.

“This was for all the people in Lebanon,” Homasi stated. “My family is safe, I’m sorry for all the people whose loved ones are effected by it. Dustin Poirier has the Good Fight Foundation, so I’ll auction of my fight kit and take those donations to send over to Lebanon,” Homasi graciously stated. “It’s the best I can do right now, just to give back to the community.”

As for who is next for Homasi, who is now on a three fight win streak, it’s the man he has been scheduled to fight twice now, “Semtex.” Paul Daley. That’s Homasi’s pick.

“I want Paul Daley, bring that ninja turtle over here as soon as his border opens up,” Homasi told the media. “I want him, I want anyone in the top 10 to climb up this ladder.”

The post Bellator 243: Sabah Homasi Donating Fight Kit for Lebanon Tragedy, Wants “Ninja Turtle Paul Daley” Next appeared first on Cageside Press.

Randy Costa is a name MMA fans around Massachusetts have known for a while. Training under the legendary Joe Lauzon, Costa (5-1) not only has the head-kick knockouts but the personality to boot. Now two fights into his UFC contract, Costa is ready to get back into the famed octagon to continue his winning ways.

“UFC has an opponent, we have begun talks,” Costa told Cageside Press recently. “I love the fight. It’ll be an exciting fight. I’m not going to say the opponent because I don’t want to jinx this at all.”

It isn’t surprising Costa isn’t looking to jinx anything. His UFC Columbus fight was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That fight had Costa set to face Martin Day back in March. In these preliminary talks, the UFC is eyeing a late August, early September date for this bantamweight showdown.

Costa wasn’t entirely surprised that the Day fight fell through. “I went through a whole camp and I kind of knew it would be cancelled, had a feeling. Going through a whole camp didn’t bother me, I like getting my a** beat,” Costa laughed. Still, it was a lot of work for it not to pay off in the end. “The dieting, the weight cut — that’s a lot of hard work without the reward.”

One of the most important pieces of Costa’s career has been the photo he always carries with him, the photo of his late best friend, Devin Carrier. For those who have not seen Costa at weigh-ins, or post fight in the octagon, he always has a photo of his best friend. Even in his debut loss in the UFC, Brandon Davis held the photo post-fight.

“I swear to you, I never would have taken another fight if it wasn’t for Devin Carrier,” Costa told Cageside Press. “Before he passed away I gave him my word I’d continue. If he was still alive I wouldn’t be a fighter. This is all for him, everything I do in the UFC is for him. That photo will always be on me.”

Costa is absolutely making Carrier and his family proud in this process and will continue to do so as Costa continues to live his dream in the UFC. The Taunton, Mass. native has been training at American Top Team in Florida for this camp while Lauzon’s MMA is closed in Massachusetts.

“Everyone is super welcoming, I didn’t know if I’d be treated as an outsider to start, but super welcoming,” he told us. “I’m in a great spot right now with ATT. Actually did five rounds with [Bellator’s] Ricky Bandejas this morning.”

Costa is coming off of an impressive TKO victory over Boston Salmon at the TD Garden in January. Currently at 5-1, two fights into the UFC, the promising bantamweight is ready to  taste victory in the cage again. Catch the full interview in the link above.

The post UFC: Randy Costa Hints at Late Summer Return: “I love the fight, I’ll just say it’ll be an exciting one” appeared first on Cageside Press.

Today’s generation of MMA fans most likely know Din Thomas from Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight, or the new Fight Pass show, Tuesday Night Contender. However, before Thomas was an extremely likable MMA personality, he was an incredible fighter in his own right.

The grappling ace made his debut in June of 2001 against BJ Penn. Ironically enough, Penn is still fighting and had a bout with Dennis Siver just two days after this interview took place.

“I wish he would retire”

“I wish [Penn] wasn’t [still fighting] honestly. What surprises me is that so many guys don’t develop any other skills in life while they fight.”

He offered one final piece of advice for Penn: “I wish he would retire. BJ is one of the best to ever do it. At some point he is tarnishing his legacy, he continues to go out there and embarrass himself.”

Din Thomas returned to MMA two years after a three-fight win streak in smaller promotions, including a win over former UFC competitor Dustin Pague. He split the final two fights of his career, but the victory was overturned to a no contest. Regardless, Thomas did not hang around too long like many fighters tend to do nowadays.

“In your head, you still think you can do it, but you can’t, it doesn’t last forever. I feel bad, there are so many fighters that can’t let go of the dream and they are holding on to something that’s just not there anymore.”

Something that has really helped the MMA pioneer in his post-fight life has been training young up and coming athletes at American Top Team.

“I will say this, I really learned the finer nuances of mixed martial arts when I started coaching full time. I still get the challenge of putting together game plans and making people better, it’s very difficult because fighters are the most hard-headed childish human beings on the planet.”

“I don’t see how Conor can be competitive in this fight”

Lately, in the world of MMA, you can’t go anywhere or read anything without hearing about the Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather fight. Be that as it may, when talking to one of the sport’s biggest personalities you have to delve into his thoughts on the crossover fight of the century.

“I love what McGregor has done. Coming from nothing in a short amount of time and leveraging himself into the position he is in to fight Floyd. I don’t see how Conor can be competitive in this fight at all, we have professional boxers at the gym and they don’t spar with the MMA guys for a reason, that reason is that they are just way better.”

He ended the McGregor talk with a sobering truth, “We’re talking about a guy who is 49-0. I’m not 49-0 in anything ever in my life, McGregor isn’t even undefeated in his own sport.”

As mentioned, you can catch Din Thomas on the UFC Fight Pass original series Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight.

The post A Conversation with ATT Coach Din Thomas appeared first on Cageside Press.