Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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UFC veteran Lando Vannata joins Fitz Nation! We had a wide-ranging chat about his journey from BMX racer to combat sports enthusiast to UFC action fighter!
Included on the show:

• Lando’s gaming rig (passion for car racing, adrenaline of a race vs. the rush of fighting)
• Cancelling fight with Andre Fili (tumultuous fight camp, expected return date)
• Being mentally stronger than ever (battling depression early in UFC career, panic attacks, working with a mental coach, always improving)
• Normal upbringing traveling around the U.S. (loving BMX racing, huge influence of his father, becoming obsessed with UFC after seeing Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett on VHS) “Ever since I saw that fight, I was like, “Yep. That’s what I want to do with my life.”
• Why he was drawn to fighting (being the smallest brother, journey through wrestling in high school)
• Expectations of fighting vs. reality (the value of putting all your energy into one place) “I thought I was going to retire by the time I was 30. Now, I just have the mindset of breadth over depth.”
• Advice to his younger self now that he’s 30
• Balancing his goals with growing older (mindfulness, belief in oneself, sports psychology and mental coaching). “I think the best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to have deep-seated confidence.”

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Welcome to another episode of Fitz Nation as I sit down with Brazil's Caio Borralho!
Caio takes us through his evolution as a Fighting Nerd, revealing how he transformed his fear of confrontation into a badge of honor. With raw honesty, he discusses the importance of maintaining his authentic self amidst the glamour and brutality of MMA. This is a captivating insight into the mind of a fighter who views pressure not as a burden, but as a privilege.
In the final segment, Kyo delves into a less violent battle - the daunting journey of fatherhood and how his faith played a major role in navigating the uncertainties of becoming a father. He also shares his profound appreciation for Sao Paulo, a city that has given him so much and instilled in him a hardworking attitude. As he passionately discusses his ambition to become a world champion in the next five years, you can't help but feel inspired by this Fighting Nerd's cerebral approach to MMA. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, making it an absolute must for any MMA enthusiast wanting to understand the sport beyond the cage!

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Get up close and personal with Dricus, the South African sensation shaking up the world of mixed martial arts.
Dricus lays bare the electrifying rush he experiences in the moments leading up to a fight and reflects on his celebrated clash with Robert Whitaker, a fight that gripped the world and catapulted South African mixed martial arts into the limelight. He also shares about the burden of self-imposed expectations and the unwavering belief he harbors in his own potential. A foot injury that forced him to decline a fight offer also crops up.
Delve deeper into Dracis's future fight plans and the navigational challenges he faces within the labyrinth of mixed martial arts. We unravel the intricate balance between personal dreams and the demanding needs of the promotion. Hear how Dricus manages to embrace tough decisions while keeping his passion aflame. His readiness to take on grueling fights and his relentless pursuit of the UFC world champion title also form a crucial part of our conversation.
Finally, we talk about the possibilities of Israel Adesanya's rematch with Strickland and the factors that could sway the balance. Dana White's surprise at the suggestion of a rematch piques my interest and the implications for the sport.

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Full episodes of Fitz Nation are exclusively on UFC Fight Pass
Fitz is back with UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett. The veteran from Sacramento is ready for his main event vs. Calvin Kattar in a high stakes match-up at UFC Austin later this month.
In this episode, Emmett discusses his upbringing with a single mom and older brother that dealt with addiction, how he found wrestling and what got him to pursue being a fighter in the UFC.
He also discusses his mindset as a fighter and one who is so clear on his mission to be a UFC champion.
He has never been closer, as he sits in the top 10 with a huge match-up on the horizon.
SHOW NOTES
0:00 - Intro
1:44 - Josh’s thoughts on the fight several weeks out
2:44 - Josh’s reflection on tribulations of the game and how he understands it’s his time now despite being 37
4:43 - Josh offers his thoughts on what it will take to beat Volk
6:47 - Talks about upbringing
8:50 - Connection with Dad
12:25 - Breaks down his usage of the term “tough” to describe childhood
14:35 - Explains his brother was murdered several years ago
15:25 - Why he fights
16:14 - Why Wrestling Clicked
20:05 - Talking about his school, which was almost 80% athletes
22:30 - How life changed going down a COMBAT sport as opposed to a regular sport
25:15 - Why Josh likes wrestling despite the grueling nature of the sport
27:25 - Reflection on his mindset before he realized athletic success
31:30 - Josh’s love for competition
34:03 - Josh admitting he doesn’t “like to fight”
37:40 - Viewing MMA as a job versus athletic endeavor
41:15 - Why Josh chose to pursue fighting
43:30 - What advice would Josh tell a younger version of himself

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Drew Dober fights Terrance McKinney this week at UFC Vegas 50.
He is a veteran contender in the lightweight division and has spent time inside the top 15. This interview is from March of 2021, just before he fought Islam Makhachev. He lost that bout and then fought Brad Riddell in a Fight of the Night match-up later in 2021.
Now, he looks to turn things around and get back on track, something he has done before in the UFC and tells about in this episode.
New episodes of Fitz Nation will be returning in the coming weeks!

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