JRE MMA Show #37 with Mark DellaGrotte
NaN minutesEpisode #37
Joe sits down with Mark DellaGrotte, former Muay Thai champion in Thailand and owner and operator of the Sityodtong USA Branch in Somerville, MA.
Watch the full episode of JRE MMA Show #37 with Mark DellaGrotte.
Episode Timestamps
Marc de la grotte and Inside Banter
- Discussion about leaked conversation before Aldo vs. Connor fight
- Reflection on comments made in private and released publicly
- Expressing happiness for Jose Aldo's victory and relationships in UFC
Liver Shots in Fighting
- Exploration of liver shots in fights and their impact
- Examples of fighters reacting to liver shots
- Discussion of mental strength and reaction to body shots
Journey to Thailand: Connecting with Opponents and Finding a New Spiritual Home
- After an unfamiliar experience of befriending an opponent during a fight in Thailand, the speaker shares how he felt homesick upon returning to the US despite having family and friends.
- The speaker describes the deep connection and sense of belonging he felt in Thailand, contrasting it with the aggression and impatience he encountered in Boston.
- Reflecting on the peaceful and positive atmosphere in Thailand, the speaker recalls a memorable incident involving road rage upon his return to Boston.
Boston vs. San Francisco: Differences in Attitude and Culture
- Sharing insights into the contrasting personalities of people in Boston and San Francisco, the speaker highlights the resilience and directness of Bostonians.
- Commenting on the unique humor and work ethic instilled by the Boston environment, the speaker contrasts it with the laid-back attitude in San Francisco.
- The speaker delves into the tech-centric and left-leaning culture of San Francisco, pointing out specific speech patterns and behaviors observed in the area.
Muay Thai: The Impact of Leg Kicks and Revelation in Combat Sports
- Realization of the effectiveness of leg kicks in combat sports.
- Transition from traditional martial arts to Muay Thai for better defense.
- Experiences with renowned fighters like Peter Arts and Pedro in Thailand.
The Controversy and Strategy behind Calf Kicks in MMA
- Discussion on the impact and controversy surrounding calf kicks in MMA.
- Focus on correct blocking techniques and potential risks.
- Insight into the evolution of techniques like the 'Robert Whitaker kick' and strategical approaches in combat sports.
Lee Murray Vs. Anderson Silva: The Gangster Turned Fighter
- Rich expected to dominate Lee Murray, but Anderson Silva proved to be on a different level in UFC
- Lee Murray, a former gangster, transitioned into a professional fighter and fought Silva
- Murray's criminal past and unconventional background brought a unique dynamic to his fighting career
Lee Murray's Notorious Lifestyle and Infamous Legality
- Lee Murray's lavish lifestyle, including fleeing with stolen money to Morocco, captured attention
- Murray's involvement in a large-scale robbery remains one of the UK's biggest criminal events
- His intricate artwork depicting pivotal UFC moments and peculiar decisions reflected his erratic behavior
Mighty Mouse: The Rise to Greatness
- Mighty Mouse, initially faced struggles balancing his career with a full-time job, resulting in setbacks like the Ian McCall fight.
- Under the mentorship of Matt Hume, Mighty Mouse transformed by dedicating himself to MMA full-time.
- Known for his unique fighting approach of moving directly towards opponents, cutting angles, and avoiding counters, Mighty Mouse gained notoriety for finishing opponents, exemplified by the Joseph Benavidez fight.
Strategic Approach vs. Brawling: Anderson Silva's Psych tactics
- Trainers emphasizing retreat fighting to gain positional advantage, contrasting the vulnerability of reckless attacks.
- Analyzing strategies used against Anderson Silva: e.g., Patrick Cote's defensive approach which led to taking Silva past the third round and a unique psychological encounter at weigh-ins.
- Insight into Anderson Silva's unique in-fight behaviors such as urging opponents to stand up and unusual tactics like backing into the fence.
Fight Analysis: Anderson vs. Cote
- Anderson displayed a relaxed approach during the fight
- Cote had a tough end due to a knee injury
- Discussion on various injuries in MMA fighters like meniscus issues and surgeries
Importance of Muscle Strengthening and Decompression in MMA Training
- Discussion on the importance of strengthening and decompressing lower back and neck muscles
- Use of specialized equipment like reverse hyper to prevent and rehabilitate injuries
- Personal experiences and anecdotes related to neck and back injuries in combat sports
Training in Thailand and the Risk of Infections
- Observations about unhygienic practices in Thai gyms
- Discussion on immunity to ringworm and staff infections
- Experience at the Ultimate Fighter show coaching Season 4
Dealing with Staff Infections and Hygiene in Combat Sports
- Addressing staff infection incidents in a UFC production setting
- The importance of cleaning gym equipment and maintaining hygiene
- Discussion on the use of antibiotics and impacts on athletes
Kevin Randleman Falling Incident and Early Days of UFC
- Kevin Randleman, a fighter, fell and hit his head on pipes backstage before a UFC main event
- Discussion about the early days of UFC, UFC 12 in Dothan, Alabama
- Mention of key figures like Bob Myerwitz, Dana White, and Tony Blower in the UFC history
UFC Acquisition and Prince Training in Abu Dhabi
- Zuffa buying UFC for two million dollars and later selling for four billion
- Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White's journey in managing the UFC financially
- Training experience in Abu Dhabi with Prince Taranun focusing on Jiu Jitsu more than Muay Thai
Discussion on Yuki Kondo and Hensel Gracie
- Yuki Kondo described as a vicious striker, though 50 years old
- Hensel Gracie admired for his jiu-jitsu skills and inspirational personality
- Mention of a potential master's league in Japan and rehabilitation of careers in 1FC
Exploration of Brandon Vera's Transition to Heavyweight
- Discussion on Brandon Vera's transformation from a light heavyweight to a heavyweight
- Focus on his physical change and training history
- Reference to his dispute with Rob Kaman and training with various camps
Abraham Lincoln's Rejection of Elephants and the Myth of the Red Ghost
- Lincoln rejects the king of Siam's offer of elephants during the 1862 Civil War
- The existence of camels in the West and the legend of the Red Ghost, a mythical 30 feet tall animal mistaken for a camel
- Impact of steam power and trains as a replacement for heavy animal power
Encounter with a Civil War Cannon and Discussion on Thai Spicy Food
- Discussion on a picture showing a Civil War cannon and machine gun on top of an elephant
- Experiences with elephants and tigers and the practice of walking elephants in the streets of Padilla
- Conversation about Thai spicy food and a humorous anecdote regarding a friend's reaction to spicy food leading to a hospital visit
Exploring the World of Rats
- Discussions about the fear of rats and their role in the ecosystem
- Description of rat terriers tearing apart rats in a documentary
- Comparison of different types of rats, especially Boston rats
Contemplating Winter and Relocating to Vegas
- Dislike for New England winters, preference for Colorado
- Consideration of relocating to Vegas due to its attractions
- Observations on the pros and cons of living in Vegas
Judges' Incompetence and Pay Scale Discussion
- Three judges discussed lack of competency due to minimal training
- Concerns raised about the current pay scale for fighters
- Call for updates in the MMA system to address flaws
Physical Toll and Trauma in MMA
- Anecdotes shared about fighters experiencing severe physical consequences
- Discussion about impact of head trauma on fighters' health
- Debate on sparring intensity and its effect on fighters' long-term well-being