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MMA History PodcastAuthor: MMA Detective Mike Davis, Joey Venti
MMA History Podcasts brings you a different episode every week hearing stories directly from the people involved. MMA Det Mike Davis and Herb Deans Dog Sitter Joey Venti being you incredibly researched subjects that will give you information that will even surprise even the smartest of MMA fans. Please leave us a review on iTunes and a comment on Spotify Language: en-us Genres: News, Sports, Sports News, Wrestling Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Tedd Williams MMA & Gladiator Challenge
Episode 318
Monday, 2 March, 2026
Send a textTedd Williams MMA & Gladiator Challenge Tedd Williams is a UFC veteran, grappling pioneer a national AAU Sambo champion, Gene LeBell black belt, and 7-1 pro fighter and one of the longest tenured promoters in the country. Tedd Williams shares stories from the sport's raw early days: training with Bas Rutten, his UFC 24 main-event elbow KO over Steve Judson, co-founding King of the Cage, launching Gladiator Challenge, and building the regional scene that helped launch fighters like Urijah Faber and Charles Bennett.A deep dive into MMA's Wild West era straight from one of its true architects. 0:00 MMA history podcast intro 0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 0:50 interview start 1:40 learning Sambo early on 3:36 training with Gene LeBell 5:15 training with John Perretti 6:37 interactions with John Lewis 7:28 starting friendship with Oleg Taktarov8:29 using sambo to become a better wrestler 9:26 starting Victorville Jets program 11:33 Universal above ground fighting 14:10 Antonio McKee vs John Smith 15:27 Antonio McKee gun story 17:15 owning half of KOTC at the beginning 21:09 meeting Terry Trebilcock22:39 using same venue for KOTC and Gladiator Challenge 25:24 hosting Gladiator Challenge in Colorado 26:41 Tedd Williams vs Robert Burnell 28:06 Empire fighting 29:10 Bas Rutten invitational 30:14 training Bas Rutten 33:00 Tedd Williams vs Joseph Marquez 34:46 Tedd Williams vs Travis Fulton37:30 experience with Jamie Levine 38:29 Tedd Williams vs Joe Campanella 40:25 Holiday Fight Party 47:20 Phillip Miller split from the UFC50:45 Phillip Miller vs James Zikic 52:07 Lee Murray and Tito Ortiz street fight 54:26 letter to get into ADCC 200056:46 training with Rowdy Roddy Piper57:44 Tedd Williams vs Steve Judson 1:02:08 false UFC fighter resumes 1:03:13 Tedd Williams fight camp exposed 1:05:17 cancelled bout with Andre Roberts1:06:27 friendship with Cal Worsham 1:09:37 dealing with Dan Severn 1:10:30 cross training bjj and wrestling 1:11:02 KOTC purchased by EliteXC 1:19:43 Tedd Williams vs Bill Parker 1:21:39 dealings with Bob Shamrock 1:23:01 Tony Galindo 1:23:41 Ken Shamrock backstage fight with Mark Hall 1:24:15 attending regional shows 1:25:25 pushing Tito Ortiz out of cage 1:30:05 KOTC Wet ‘N’ Wild 1:34:43 selling Gladiator challenge video library 1:37:16 KOTC losing money 1:38:07 experience with Charles Bennett 1:41:58 Charles Bennett changing name to Felony 1:43:03 sued by Terry Trebilcock1:46:43 Gladiator Challenge, KOTC buyouts 1:50:27 relationship with Chris Cordero 1:52:36 Experience with Rafiel Torre 1:55:49 Gerald Strebendt 1:56:34 interview wrap up 1:59:55 outro/ closing thoughtsPlease follow our channels on Follow 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 - $mikedavis1231VenmSupport the show












