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Continual education is such a powerful way to both improve our brain function and advance our lives towards where we really want it to go. That’s why I’m hoping the clips we’ll explore today will resonate with you in some way and provide some insights that will encourage you to take action on achieving your dreams and goals.  The fighters and coaches we are going to be hearing from each have some unique lesson that can be translated from the ring into the real world. We hear from top-tier MMA coaches John Danaher and Trevor Wittman, along with UFC fighter Geoff Neil and Heavyweight Boxing great Lennox Lewis to learn their approach to combat sports success.  Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: John Danaher Geoff Neil Lennox Lewis Trevor Wittman Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon

With time being a very real factor in a fighter's career trajectory, training with a team that has the experience and level of training partners required to prepare you for facing the world’s elite is a major asset. One of the most important factors to the success of a team is the style of leadership employed by the coaches and particularly the head coach. What are the most effective leadership styles when it comes to coaching combat sports athletes and how much does the team dynamic really play a part in the overall success of a fighter? Today we’re going to break down clips from fighters and coaches to learn how they have formed strong bonds within their teams that allow them to flourish on fight night. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Duke Roufus Duane Ludwig Bryce Mitchell Max Holloway Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

How hard are you willing to work to get the things you want in life? Contrary to our instincts, it is the hard work and the willingness to rise above the pack that will allow us to truly thrive and live a life of accomplishment and contribution. Today we’re going to examine the concept of that famous quote from film producer Samuel Goldwyn: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” As we examine clips from current and former MMA fighters, we will explore not only working hard but working smart as well and focusing on the things that matter the most when it comes to producing results. When you have a goal in sight, it’s best to keep in mind that hard work pays off. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Dennis Bermudez Anthony Pettis Randy Couture Dominick Cruz Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

UFC 249 featured two incredible title fights: Dominick Cruz vs Henry Cejudo and Justin Gaethje vs Tony Ferguson. We break down the action and take a look at where the winners and losers go from here. Intro Music by Snyker Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Finally, the UFC is back in action this upcoming Saturday May 9 for UFC 249. Fight fans have been foaming at the mouth in anticipation for an event and this card is stacked from top to bottom. We break down the four fighters in the co-main and main event and I offer my predictions on who will walk away with those shiny gold belts. Listen as we examine clips from Henry Cejudo, Dominick Cruz, Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje and try to determine who will fall and who will emerge victorious in this landmark UFC event that will take place in an empty arena due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Intro Music by Snyker Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Mixed Martial Arts is moving forward at an unprecedented rate for such a young sport. Fighters and trainers have evolved their game and we are always seeing the new and improved phase of martial artists emerge as a result. Evolution and improvement can come about in many areas, some which may not seem as obvious as others but are nonetheless vital pieces to the overall puzzle of high-level performance.  Do you find yourself becoming stagnant in certain areas of your life that you’d like to improve? Are there skills that you know you need to develop but find yourself falling short when it comes time to put the work in? Perhaps a mindset shift is just what you need and the fighters we’re examining today all have a unique take on the concept of adjusting your game to reach new levels of self-improvement. If you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards. It’s all about playing the Evolution Game on Fight IQ. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Royce Gracie Dan Severn Michael Chiesa Dan Hardy Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Do you find yourself doubting your decisions and your efforts towards success in life? Are you someone who looks for the reasons why NOT to do something before taking stock of the potential benefits it could bring? Today we’re examining fighters who have paid the price for doubting themselves and who refocused, adjusted their mentality and moved forward to victory. We break down clips from Boxing legend 'Smokin' Joe Frazier and MMA pioneers Guy Mezger, Forrest Griffin and Brian Stann to hear how they manage to quell self-doubt and inspire themselves with confidence. When the pressure is as high as the stakes and you need to perform at your best, you have to believe in yourself without question. We’re going to explore some mental tools that can help you erase your doubts on this episode. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Joe Frazier Guy Mezger Brian Stann Forrest Griffin Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Today we’re talking all about keeping a positive mind and a positive attitude in the face of adversity, perhaps a fitting topic given the worldwide pandemic we are currently experiencing. Instead of buy into the panic and fear mongering, why don’t we instead seek to understand and appreciate each other more so we can ultimately make the world a better place? Are you someone who sees the glass half empty or are you always trying to find the good in any situation, no matter how grim it may seem? The fighters we’re examining today are all known for their positive mindsets and their desire to change not only their own lives, but the lives of others for the better. As the world descends into chaos all around us, there is certainly a light of hope in the darkness of despair. It’s all about keeping a positive mind on Fight IQ. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Rose Namajunas Justin Gaethje Stephen Thompson Vitor Belfort Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

At the start of MMA’s development, it was a sport fraught with danger and cloaked in mystery. Men were entering into the cage under a rule set that made the risk of severe and permanent injury very real. Combatants learned quickly and in very brutal fashion, which martial arts and combat styles actually won fights when the rules barely existed.   On today's episode, we break down clips from key figures who were there when No Holds Barred was in it's early stages, before it became the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Hear insights from old school veterans Mark Coleman, Don Frye and Pat Miletech, along with referee 'Big' John McCarthy and learn about the unique psychology of early MMA fighters. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: John McCarthy Mark Coleman Don Frye Pat Miletich Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Tony Ferguson is one of the most dynamic and fascinating MMA fighters alive today, both in regards to his style in the octagon and his outspoken and often cryptic personality. A man of many mysteries who sometimes seems to speak in riddles, some call him crazy but to me he is just a misunderstood genius whom history will look back on as one of the all-time greats in the ranks of the UFC. Ferguson has had a turbulent ride to get where he is today but he remains positive and uses the obstacles in his way as tools to propel him to the next level of mastery in the art of war. On this episode, we explore his unique psychology and mental approach to the fight game to learn lessons that will serve us in our own battles. Outro Music by Snyker Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

"Anything you work towards, there are always obstacles in the way and that's when you either quit or continue on. That's when I say just continue on, overcome that obstacle and move to your goal because you never know which is the last obstacle that's going to try to stop you." - Chuck Norris, speaking on the life lessons learned from practicing martial arts. Martial arts training should be viewed as a gift. It gives us the capability to improve both our mental and physical health, strengthen our immune system and build a skill set that allows us to better cope with dangerous situations that may arise in our lives. The benefits of martial arts training are so numerous that the ability to defend yourself is just one small piece of the puzzle. With this in mind, there really is no reason not to begin and start changing your life for the better.  On today's episode we breakdown clips from film star Chuck Norris, former UFC Welterweight and Middleweight champion Georges St. Pierre, his trainer Firas Zahabi and one of the greatest tacticians in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, Greg Jackson, to hear reasons why it's important for all of us to engage in physical training.  Intro Music by Fesliyan Studios Outro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Chuck Norris Georges St. Pierre Firas Zahabi Greg Jackson Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

"I really wanted to die, I wanted a date with the death man." These are the words of Heavyweight Boxing champion Tyson Fury. Mental health issues are surrounded by stigma and are a topic that many find difficult to openly discuss, yet we all experience them to some degree or another. Almost no one will go through life without entering a period of depression, anxiety or addiction.    We have to make a constant effort to look after our mental health and open up about our problems to those who could lend a helping hand. On this episode of Fight IQ, we breakdown clips from Shane Young, Jeremy Stephens, Robert Whittaker and Tyson Fury, fighters who have had very intense mental health struggles and learn that the greatest adversary in our lives is the enemy within. Intro Music by Fesliyan Studios Outro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Tyson Fury Robert Whittaker Jeremy Stephens Shane Young Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

“Doubt is removed by action so if you’re not working, that’s where the doubt seeps in.” - Conor McGregor When we go all in on something, it makes us feel better about ourselves and so gives us a massive boost to confidence. It fills us with a sense of purpose that elevates our mood and makes us less prone to anxiety and stress. It makes us feel like we are on a path that matters, the right path for us. What is your reason for pursuing your passion and are you truly dedicated and committed to it? Today we’re going to hear from fighters about the things that motivate them to step inside the ring time and time again and give it their all. Some fight for money, some fight for fame and some fight for the love of the game. Whatever your reason, if you want to succeed over the long run, you’ve got to be all in. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Mike Tyson Michael Chandler Clay Guida Conor McGregor Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Israel Adesanya rose through the ranks in the UFC like a meteor crashing to the earth and remained active enough that, in only 2 years time, he was able to dethrone Robert Whitaker to capture the UFC Middleweight title of the world. Israel is never afraid to speak up and let you know just how great he is, but at the same time he possesses a level of humility and self-awareness that I believe are key to the massive success he has been able to generate in the sport of mixed martial arts.  At the top of the game and in his athletic prime at only 30 years of age, Israel is set to be one of the biggest superstars in the history of the UFC. On this episode of Fight IQ, I’m going to lay out a psychological blueprint provided to us by Adesanya that shows us not only how he was able to tear through the competition and capture the Middleweight crown, but also shows us how we can use his mentality to generate massive success in our own lives. Intro Music by Tuku Iho Living Legacy Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Too many combat sports athletes end up ‘going out on their shields’ and finishing careers after sustaining multiple unnecessary injuries and concussions all because they just wanted one more shot at the dopamine-boosting feeling of victory. Today we’re going to examine the psychology of retirement in combat sports to try and determine when it is best to walk away from something you used to love, to pursue a greater purpose. We’ll hear from fighters who left their sport behind and hear their reasoning behind it. Sometimes, the circumstances of life can bring about change when we least expect it.  We break down clips from former UFC fighters Chael Sonnen, Krzysztof Soszynski and Rashad Evans to learn why they decided to call it quits and why it ended up being the best choice for their careers and lives over the long run. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Chael Sonnen Krzysztof Soszynski Rashad Evans Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

How much does religious faith play a role in performance and success in combat sports and why is it that so many fighters have a deep conviction and belief in God? On today’s episode of the Fight IQ podcast, we seek to answer that question and delve into the principles of religion to find lessons we can also apply to our own lives, regardless of whether we are believers, atheists, agnostics or refuse to have any label when it comes to spirituality. There are a lot of fighters who praise God as their first order of business in a post-fight interview. Fans and media have conflicting views on this topic, with some believing that religion is better left outside of the ring and others seeing it as a freedom of speech that is well within a fighter’s right to exercise. What we will focus on is just how putting God first can help athletes achieve victory and remain consistent in high-level performance trough out their careers. Join me as we take a journey into the minds of Faith Based Fighters. Intro Music by Hildegard Von Bingen Outro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Muhammad Ali  Rory Macdonald Jon Jones Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

UFC Light Heavyweight contender Dominick 'The Devastator' Reyes impressed many this past Saturday at UFC 247 when he went the distance with champion Jon Jones in a highly competitive fight that most fans and media thought he should have won. Having flown under the radar for much of his UFC career, he truly got a chance to shine and show the MMA world what he was made of that night and so it is only fitting that we delve into the midset of a fighter many are calling the uncrowned king.  From dreams of competing in professional football that fell flat and left him in a serious state of depression to realizing his potential as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter, we hear from Dominick Reyes through interviews over the course of his career to learn how he rose through the ranks and got his shot at the world title. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: MMA Saved My Life  I've Been Training for Jon Since the Start I Won That Fight Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

In the realm of Mixed Martial Arts, there are fighters who approach the game from a purely athletic and competitive standpoint and then there are those fighters who are a little more, shall we say, vicious than most. These fighters have a killer instinct both inside the cage and outside of it and I believe this mentality gives them an edge when applied to their sport in the correct way. How can we learn from this single-minded and determined approach to inflicting violence on an opponent and apply it to our own endeavors? It may seem like an extreme mindset but there are certain advantages that we can extract from a dog-eat-dog style of psychology. We break down clips from old school UFC legend Tank Abbott, as well as lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and welterweight contender Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal to find out how a killer instinct can lead us to victory. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Tank Abbott Khabib Nurmagomedov Jorge Masvidal Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Do the best combat sports athletes in the world feel fear when they step into the ring? Absolutely, the difference between them and the rest of us is how they deal with and process that fear.  On this episode of the Fight IQ podcast, we delve into the minds of the world's best fighters in the moments leading up to a fight. How do they deal with the stress and anxiety of a huge bout in a way that increases their ability to perform? We analyze clips from Boxing legend 'Iron' Mike Tyson, UFC Fighter Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone and one of the top MMA coaches in the game, Firas Zahabi, to uncover the fears that lurk in a fighter's mind and how they rise above that fear to conquer their opponents.  Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Mike Tyson Donald Cerrone Firas Zahabi Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative

Injuries incurred, both during training and in a bout itself, can prove devastating to the career of a combat sports athlete. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may force a fighter out of competition for extended periods of time or in the worst case scenario, end their career altogether.  In this episode, we take a look at three MMA fighters whose injuries had a major impact on their trajectory and how they dealt with them to move forward and thrive or to begin a new chapter in their lives.  We break down clips from former UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, current UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and former ONE Championship and Bellator champion Ben Askren to find out what it takes to overcome debilitating injuries and perform at the highest level in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Intro Music by Snyker Clips used in this episode: Dominick Cruz Kamaru Usman Ben Askren Contact: info@fightiqpodcast.com Support Fight IQ on Patreon Brought to you by Hi-Kick Creative