Jared Shaw returns to the MMA History Podcast for his fourth and most revealing appearance yet, pulling back the curtain on the spectacular rise and sudden collapse of Elite XC. As the promotion’s Vice President during its groundbreaking CBS era, Shaw was at the center of the Kimbo Slice versus Seth Petruzelli fight that many still blame for sinking the company overnight.

In this unfiltered conversation with Mike Davis and Joey Venti, he sets the record straight on the real reasons behind the fall, the internal power struggles, the fight-fixing rumors, and the fighters who could have built an empire.From the Cyborg debut that stole the show to the Gina Carano era, the frantic final months, and the untold stories of what happened when the lights went out, Shaw delivers raw insight into one of MMA’s most controversial chapters and the golden opportunities the sport lost forever. This is the definitive inside account of how close Elite XC came to challenging the UFC—and why it all ended so abruptly.0:00 MMA history podcast intro 0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction0:52 interview start 0:54 boxing memorabilia 6:19 passion for scouting talent early 7:49 concerns going into “Unfinished business” event 16:16 issues with manger Mark Dion 17:55 negotiations with KJ Noons 20:28 treating fighters and teammates fair21:23 speaking to the press for EliteXC25:42 Cris Cyborg vs Shayna Baszler 31:30 early womens MMA compared to today’s 32:36 Shayna Baszler going to WWE33:17 Jake Shields vs Nick Thompson 36:03 Nick Diaz vs Thomas Denny 40:06 Robbie Lawler vs Scott smith 40:30 SEC filing needed $3.8M to keep doors open 43:13 boxing promoters going extinct 45:50 MMA and boxing pay scales 48:24 Chuck Champion announces $1M in funding 49:50 Announced a partnership with Affliction 51:32 experience with Todd Beard 52:38 EliteXC Heat event55:45 Ken Shamrock and Kimbo slice weigh ins 58:04 phone call about Ken Shamrock injury 1:00:37 realizing Ken Shamrock did not want to fight 1:03:14 offering Seth Petruzelli fight with Kimbo slice 1:05:23 Seth Petruzelli false claims of fight fixing 1:06:59 Ken shamrock upset at Jared Shaws reaction 1:09:15 offering extra money to Kimbo Slice 1:11:39 Benji Radach vs Ninja Rua 1:12:19 Gina Carano vs Kelly Kobold1:12:33 Andrei Arlovski vs Roy Nelson 1:13:00 Jake Shields vs Paul Daley1:13:55 Kimbo Slice vs Seth Petruzelli announcement 1:15:41 issues during Kimbo Slice walk out 1:17:53 viewership for EliteXC Heat 1:20:17 allegedly attacking Dan Freeman 1:21:18 Frank Shamrock asking for Kimbo Slice fight 1:25:13 reaction to Kimbo Slice loss 1:26:00 aftermath from EliteXC heat event 1:27:39 Seth Petruzelli infamous radio interview 1:28:22 thoughts on TJ Thompson1:31:18 being told not to acknowledge negative press 1:33:18 issues with manager Kim Couture1:38:44 Scouting EliteXC ring girls 1:40:19 Kim Courure vs Alexis Dufresne1:42:14 realizing EliteXC is finished 1:42:42 announcing the closing of EliteXC1:44:18 bids for buying StrikeForce 1:45:30 EliteXC being the last true competitor to UFC 1:49:03 MVP vs UFC 1:52:17 interview wrap up 1:54:19 outroFollow the MMA History Team on Instagram: MMA Detective Mike Davis @mikedavis632 Co Host Joey Venti @aj_ventitreRecords Keeper- Andrew Mendoza @ambidexstressSocial Media Manager Andy Campbell @martial_mindset_Thumbnails Julio Macedo @juliosemacentoInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support

In this episode of the MMA History Podcast, MMA Detective Mike Davis and Joey Venti sit down with retired UFC heavyweight Sean “Big Sexy” McCorkle for one of the wildest, funniest, and most honest interviews in the show’s history.From selling appliances for crazy money to becoming a viral internet troll on The Underground Forum, Sean holds nothing back. He breaks down his infamous first-day submission of Marcelo Montero, his early barn-burner fights at the 8 Second Saloon, training with Tom Erickson and Dave Herman, and the legendary Matt Hughes book review that took over the internet.You’ll hear the full story behind his UFC debut armbar victory over Mark Hunt, the chaotic co-main event with 7-foot Stephan Struve, the insane puppy-breeding saga, the meth-head home invasion, and why he walked away from millions to chase fights. Plus, silver investments gone wrong, back surgery horror stories, and the real reason the UFC never knew what to do with him.This is classic MMA History Podcast gold: raw, hilarious, and packed with never-before-heard stories from one of the most entertaining big men to ever step in the Octagon.0:00 MMA history podcast intro 0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction0:53 interview start 0:58 plugs/ promotions2:11 women breaking into puppy mill 5:12 losing money on buying silver 6:01 beginnings in MMA 6:52 scammed by Marcello Monteiro 14:05 choosing to train with James Clingerman 17:57 Chris Lytle’s unorthodox fight style20:51 refusing to train in the Gi 22:20 Sean McCorkle vs Steve Paulson24:11 picking the Nickname “The Hater”25:09 training with Tom Erickson30:42 training partner Dave Herman 34:16 Sean McCorkle vs Jason Johnson34:35 Sean McCorkle vs Robert Hogan37:27 Sean McCorkle vs Justin Wade38:41 Sean McCorkle vs Jeremy Norton41:48 joining the underground forums 46:29 Sean McCorkle vs James Ferguson46:43 notorious Matt Hughes book review 52:45 taking 2 years off for back surgery53:28 going through a major divorce 56:47 Jason Guida vs Alex Trujillo controversy59:30 Primetime Fighting Championship losing money 1:02:40 confronted by Jason Guida and Alex Trujillo 1:05:35 finding an arch nemesis on the underground1:06:57 terminally ill grandmother promo 1:13:22 interactions with Brett Rogers 1:14:43 thoughts on Bruce Buffer 1:17:49 thoughts on Dominick Cruz1:19:08 Johnathon Ivey’s fight résumé1:20:01 Sean McCorkle vs Bobby Favors1:22:08 getting a call from the UFC1:25:41 fighting Mark Hunt in UFC debut1:27:43 submitting Mark Hunt1:29:10 renegotiations with the UFC 1:31:56 having to cut weight for fight 1:34:49 receiving celebrity status after UFC victory1:36:11 Sean McCorkle vs Stephan Struve1:42:13 receiving text from Joe Silva 1:44:22 pay for UFC 3 video game 1:48:27 pay for UFC trading cards 1:50:00 getting released from the UFC 1:50:37 taking steroids during fight career 1:52:24 fat burner medication story 1:57:49 Bob Sapp early peptide knowledge 2:00:11 2nd half of career 2:02:11 interview wrap up 2:03:36 outro/ closing thoughtsFollow the MMA History Team on Instagram: MMA Detective Mike Davis @mikedavis632 Co Host Joey Venti @aj_ventitreRecords Keeper- Andrew Mendoza @ambidexstressSocial Media Manager Andy Campbell @martial_mindset_Thumbnails Julio Macedo @juliosemacentoInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 #MMA #UFC #NHB #MixedMartialArts #MMADetective #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #MMAPodcast #fightpodcast Thank You for your support

MMA Detective Mike Davis and co-host Joey Venti sit down once again with early MMA legend and the original Huntington Beach Bad Boy, David "Tank" Abbott. This is Tank's third appearance on the show, delivering his signature no-holds-barred perspective on the raw, untamed early days of mixed martial arts.In this wide-ranging conversation, Tank addresses viral social media moments including his legendary 600-pound bench press (spotted by former UFC executive David Isaacs) and his story of a young, angry Strickland trying to fight him in a bar, only for Tank to take the kid under his wing for the night. He also shares candid recollections from his UFC run, WCW transition, training with John Marsh, fights against Frank Mir, Kimo Leopoldo, and Wesley "Cabbage" Correira, plus his thoughts on the creation of the light heavyweight division, backstage politics, and the evolution of the sport.Straight from one of MMA's most polarizing and entertaining pioneers, this episode is packed with firsthand history, strong opinions, and stories you won't hear anywhere else. If you want the unfiltered truth about the men who built mixed martial arts, this is essential listening.The MMA History Podcast is dedicated to preserving the sport's rich heritage through in-depth interviews and obsessive research. Hundreds of episodes, thousands of hours of documentation—all conducted by the most dedicated mind in the business.Subscribe for more early MMA stories direct from the fighters who lived them.0:00 MMA history podcast intro 0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 0:49 interview start 1:36 600 LB bench press video 3:10 Sean Strickland trying to fight Tank Abbott5:11 called and alcoholic by John McCarthy7:35 thoughts on the Vitor Belfort9:54 how Tito Ortiz made it to the UFC12:28 fighters pretending to be tough guys14:58 talking Authority figures with John McCarthy18:57 Dana White managing Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell21:15 Tito Ortiz selling merchandise at high school gyms 23:46 Dana White introducing weight classes26:26 Tito Ortiz responsible for 205lb weight class 27:53 Tito Ortiz avoiding fight with Babalu31:13 thoughts after wrestling career 32:53 trolled by a bouncer 37:28 Paul Herrera accused of stealing cigars 40:59 leaked Paul Herrera instructionals 44:48 Paul Herrera vs Kazushi Sakuraba49:58 why TUF was a success 52:46 Tank Abbott vs Frank Mir 58:18 career downfall after Frank Mir fight 1:01:17 Dana White related to Frank Mir rumors 1:01:43 training with Phil Baroni1:03:11 Tito Ortiz almost hit by a bus 1:04:37 not invited to Tito Ortiz’s wedding 1:07:24 1:08:30 Tito Ortiz working at Spanky’s adult book store 1:10:07 false reels about Tank Abbott 1:12:15 Tank Abbott vs Kimo Leopoldo1:14:08 flying to Costa Rica after fight 1:20:00 interactions with Wes simms 1:22:21 connecting with John Marsh 1:26:06 Tank Abbott vs Cabbage 1:38:08 denied UFC return 1:42:50 UFC HOF fights that are snubbed 1:45:17 different phases of the UFC 1:47:34 UFC milking fans out of their money 1:51:23 relationship with Ken Shamrock 1:52:19 Paula Romero 1:54:24 Tank Abbott vs Cabbage rematch 1:59:03 fights at after parties 2:01:36 Tank Abbott Book series2:03:35 Ranger Scott 2:04:33 Mark Kerr in the UFC HOF 2:05:16 Tank Abbott movie 2:09:26 Tito Ortiz and Kevin Randleman story 2:12:36 Tank Abbott and Tito Ortiz incompatibility2:14:25 John McCarthy shoving Tedd Williams 2:17:00 John McCarthy on food fighting show 2:17:37 Walter Fox 2:18:45 interview wrap up/outroApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 #MMA #UFC #NHB #MixedMartialArts #MMADetective #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #MMAPodcast #fightpodcast Thank You for your support