Waiting outside hotels, driving between cities, checking every possible spot where fighters, coaches, or UFC staff might show up — you name it, I’m there for it. That’s how I ended up meeting Brad Tate, one of the UFC’s most recognizable cutmen and perhaps one of the nicest, funniest people in the sports world.

Going up to anyone of significance gets the heart going. Your anxiety spikes, your hands get clammy, and we all know the feeling. But when I went up to Cutman Tate for a picture, I was welcomed with an instant icebreaker as he sprayed my hands and glasses with hand sanitizer to make sure I had no germs.

Following a few hilarious one-liners, Tate asked me my name, how old I was, and so on, before pulling out a chair for me to sit down with him and his team. I explained how I was an MMA journalist, and kindly, Tate responded with an offer to read one of my previous articles.

From here in the story, I could flaunt and say that Cutman Brad Tate praised my article and told me we should connect. Though when he offered me an “exclusive,” I’m not sure I really understood what I was getting into. And I’ve got to say, saying “yes” was one of the best decisions of my young writing career.

Urging me to bring out my phone to take notes, Tate began his story of Kai Kamaka and his wife, Amberlynn, who were sitting right across the table from us.

Out of respect for both my own integrity and the Kamakas, I won’t be vividly describing the hysterical story that followed, but there were some hard-hitting takeaways I was able to understand by the end of our interaction.

Talking about Kai’s return to the UFC after being released, Brad Tate was tearing up with emotion about the Hawaii native. Kai and Amberlynn met in intermediate school, falling in love at a young age. The two now have five children together.

Tate went on to explain how Kamaka’s desire to chase his dream again affected everything in the sweethearts’ lives, going from consistent show/win money in the PFL to grinding it out under Tuff-N-Uff just for a chance to get back to the big show.

Throughout four fights on the regional scene, Amberlynn stayed in Kai’s corner no matter what, doing everything from being a mother to bringing the family around while doing Uber Eats for additional income.

The two were finally rewarded when Kai received the call from the UFC to fight on short notice against Dakota Hope, scheduled for April 4, Amberlynn’s birthday. Brian Butler, Kamaka’s manager, posted the news via Instagram on March 30, paired with a touching video of Kai waking up his daughter Kawena to share his accomplishment:

 

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A post shared by Brian Butler-Au (@suckerpunchent)

As many already know, Kai went on to produce one of the best fights of the year on just three days’ notice, earning a split decision victory over a top prospect. Truly, the stuff of storybooks.

Sitting there listening to Tate, Kai, Amberlynn, and Brian, you could feel the connection and love they have for each other. There was a sense of family throughout the story, with words bouncing around and jokes flowing.

Though perhaps the funniest moment of Brad Tate’s stay in New Jersey wasn’t even when I had the opportunity to talk to him. Rather, it was when I was leaving the press conference in Newark. Walking to my car, there was a massive — and I mean massive — crowd surrounding someone outside of the Prudential Center.

Of course, I had to check it out. Maybe it’s a fighter, right?

Nope.

It was Cutman Brad Tate getting absolutely mobbed for pictures.

So I laughed, went to my car, drove home, and eventually found myself opening Instagram to a priceless video on my feed:

 

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A post shared by Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka)

Too funny. Both Kai Kamaka and Johnny Eblen getting curved by the fans to see Cutman Tate.

In all seriousness, it was truly an honor to sit down with Brad Tate, Kai Kamaka, Brian Butler, and Amberlynn Kamaka. What could have been a simple picture with a fan turned into one of the biggest opportunities of my writing career, and more importantly, a reminder of why I fell in love with covering this sport in the first place.

Behind every fight, every walkout, every win, and every viral moment, there are real people, real families, and real stories worth telling. And sometimes, all it takes to find one is asking for a picture with the most famous cutman in the world.

The post Brad Tate: The Most Famous Cutman in the World appeared first on Cageside Press.