Tag: JNPO

JNPO: The 2020 MMA year in review show, pt. 2

Posted on by Josh Nason

As we hurtle toward the end of a pretty terrible 2020, let’s not forget that the sport and spectacle that is MMA gave us plenty to look back on, both good and bad. 

In this second installment of a four part series, I am joined by Figure Four Online/Fight Game Media writer and podcaster Paul Fontaine to sift through the last 12 months, one quarter a time.

After working through January through March, Paul and I arrive at April, May and June, aka the UFC’s strange new reality in attempting to put on shows in a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

Our discussion includes:

  • The UFC’s aborted attempt at running events at Tachi Palace in Lemoore, CA, that got California governor Gavin Newsom involved
  • The cancellation and revival of UFC 249 which resulted in one of the most entertaining main cards of the year
  • The birth of Fight Island and the accidental birth of the name
  • Florida being Florida, the Jacksonville era and what happened when Jacare Souza tested positive
  • Teeth falling out, a referee accused of smelling like booze and cigarettes, and Jon Jones being Jon Jones.

All that and more awaits your click and listen below:

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JNPO: The 2020 MMA year in review show, pt. 1

Posted on by Josh Nason

Even though 2020 is a year to forget, there was still plenty in MMA that is worth looking back on — some good, some bad, and some that still leaves us scratching our heads.

In the first of a four part series, I am joined by Figure Four Online/Fight Game Media writer and podcaster Paul Fontaine to sift through the last 12 months, one quarter a time.

We kick off with January, February, and March — the calm before the pandemic storm that was to come.

Here’s some of the many headlines we talked about:

  • The return of Conor McGregor
  • The Joanna Jedrzejczyk-Weili Zheng strawweight title classic that left Joanna Champion looking like an alien
  • The controversial Jon Jones light heavyweight title decision over Dominick Reyes and the scorn heaped on the Texas State Athletic Commission for a bad night at UFC 247
  • The UFC stubbornly running an empty arena show in Brazil as the pandemic began its deadly rise in the Americas
  • The 100% batshit crazy March when the UFC was insisting on running shows as the world shut down around them

Join Paul and I for the first of four by clicking below.

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JNPO: The state of MMA in 2020, Yoel Romero, can Impact be trusted?

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Cooper Neill / ESPN

Despite the pandemic, the UFC has kept on rolling with show after show after show but have also had to deal with a slew of main event changes the last five weeks. 

On this week’s Punch-Out, MMA Fighting video producer and on-screen talent Casey Leydon and I talk about the state of MMA as we end the year and whether the sport is still interesting to new fans with all of the changes at the top of the card.

We also talk about Casey’s background, the changes at MMAF the past year, how the sport is still struggling with COVID-19, some Dave Meltzer stories, and even some of what we’re liking on TV these days.

Then, I opine for a few minutes on whether Impact Wrestling can be trusted with this AEW angle that is set to kick off in earnest this week as well as some thoughts on Yoel Romero and the UFC parting ways.

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JNPO: Christian Casanova is ready for his big moment

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Harry Aaron/Christian Casanova

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For the first time since July, Josh Nason’s Punch-Out has returned and with good reason: an interview with someone I think is going to be a name wrestling fans will become very familiar with soon: Christian Casanova.

The Massachusetts native has already made a name for himself working for Northeast Wrestling, Beyond Wrestling, GCW, and Limitless Wrestling against the likes of August Grey, ACH, Flip Gordon, Myron Reed, and more. To me and others, he is on the doorstep of getting a big opportunity to impress larger audiences. It’s only a matter of time and the right opportunity.

In this 30 minute talk, we discuss his background, the decision making process when presented with those big opportunities, what he’s learned during the pandemic and the year that has been 2020, and plenty more.

After the interview, I address the dastardly Rocky Romero’s highly inflammatory comments toward me on Tuesday’s Wrestling Observer Live.

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JNPO: The return of Tough Talk’s Oliver Copp

Posted on by Josh Nason

Years ago, there was a podcast on this here website that covered both MMA and pro wrestling and ran for 100 episodes before closing up shop in February 2014. It was called Tough Talk.

For the first time on my podcast, I welcome one of the co-hosts of that show for a wide-ranging conversation: the one and only Oliver Copp, a veteran of 25 years of broadcasting and media work for UFC, WWE, AEW, and more like the TNM Tournament Edition wrestling sim game.

In this hour-long chat, we talked about his time with the UFC and the transition from Zuffa to WME-IMG, his January 2019 departure, the changes he’s seen in Dana White over the years, and Jorge Masvidal finding himself in Saturday’s UFC 251 main event despite having financial disputes with White just last month.

We talked how he and co-host Mike Sawyer created Tough Talk, how it came to be on the website, and why it ended. (For those that are fans of Big Mike, he and I are working out a date for his debut in the next few weeks.)

From a novice standpoint, I asked about wrestling simulator, the TNM Tournament Edition, how someone can start playing if they are a newbie, and how current day wrestlers are getting ideas for their matches from it.

We wrap up with talking about his German broadcasting job filling in on AEW Dynamite and how it has reinvigorated his love of wrestling.

Click below to listen now:

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JNPO: Dana White’s unexpected ESPN adversary

Posted on by Josh Nason

UFC president Dana White generally despises the media, but has found himself a fairly soft landing spot on ESPN programming. An exception was this past week when he appeared on First Take to officially announce the location of Fight Island. 

What happened after that was unexpected to say the least courtesy of former NFL player turned media personality Domonique Foxworth.

On this new JNPO, MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn returns to the show to discuss the appearance and how the UFC president refuses to budge from his key lines when it comes to paying fighters more money.

Also on the docket:

  • The loaded up UFC 251 card kicking off the Fight Island era of UFC
  • Is Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier III for the right to be called the best UFC heavyweight of all time and could we see a double retirement?
  • Do we really think Conor McGregor is retiring?
  • Some UFC 250 leftovers as the bantamweight division just keeps getting deeper

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JNPO: Can political leanings and wrestling co-exist?

Posted on by Josh Nason

This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

In an era where politics seemingly dominates every form of culture and conversation, the past several weeks have seen that go fult tilt due to civil unrest in the U.S. and worldwide. To no surprise, the pro wrestling industry isn’t immune due to a recent tweet by Jaxson Ryker and conservative leaning t-shirts worn by the Undertaker sparking more discussion and outrage.

While this isn’t a regular political podcast by any means, I asked Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net to join me to help talk through whether politics and wrestling can co-exist in today’s social media era and whether wrestlers will think about protecting their brand over sharing their true feelings. (For those assuming we take a side, this is about as middle of the road as possible.)

We also talk about some other topics of the week including:

  • Jason’s question to Paul Levesque about whether WWE is doing COVID-19 testing
  • Whether he likes the cinematic match era and an idea that could give closure to fans of a certain Rattlesnake
  • How “The Greatest Match Ever” tag is unfair to Edge and Randy Orton going into Sunday’s WWE Backlash
  • The impact of MLW’s streaming deal with DAZN

Click below to listen and check out their spring sale where you can get a month for just 50 cents.

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JNPO: The world of CBS Sports/Showtime’s Brian Campbell

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time in two years, Brian Campbell of CBS Sports & Showtime returns to Josh Nason’s Punch-Out with a lot to talk about.

Since we last talked, Brian and co-host Luke Thomas launched Morning Kombat, a live YouTube show that has expanded out into watch-alongs and a new show that Brian revealed exclusively on the podcast. He also continues to put in the work with CBS Sports as the host of the State of Combat MMA/boxing podcasts with Rashad Evans, Rafe Bartholomew, Brent Brookhouse, and other guests.

A few topics:

  • We caught up about how Kombat came to be and his relationship with Luke on and off air. 
  • The reveal of a new show coming to Showtime Extreme.
  • Dana White’s announcement that they are moving ahead with a May 9th show in an unknown location.
  • Whether Florida’s essential business change of heart will mean boxing is coming to the Sunshine State
  • Whether Nevada is going to be next on the essential business combat sports train
  • An early read on the WWE talent cuts (we recorded right when all hell started breaking loose Wednesday)
  • I also give a few thoughts on the passing of Howard Finkel including how he influenced me in my brief run as a ring announcer.

Enjoy this talk with one of the nicest guys in the media game and one of the fastest risers.

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JNPO: Spectrum News 13’s Jon Alba on the Florida/WWE situation

Posted on by Josh Nason

Despite all pro sports sitting on the sidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic, pro wrestling and UFC have continued to push forward and now have Florida fully on board as a willing partner.

But how did sports become an essential business and so quickly? Spectrum News 13 of central Florida did an investigative report and on this new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, one of the team members involved — sports reporter and broadcaster Jon Alba — joins the show to discuss the story.

We talk about what triggered their look into Governor DeSantis’ updated executive order, why it affects more than just WWE, and the timeline in which a financial investment by a super PAC headed up by Linda McMahon may have played a significant role.

I also ask the question: why Florida?

We also chat about Jon’s side wrestling podcast project, Living The Gimmick.

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JNPO: The idiot’s guide to why UFC is taking a break

Posted on by Josh Nason

Last week was a dizzying one in the UFC world as we went from a full UFC 249 card being announced on Monday, complete with a new main event, to the organization being put on promotional hiatus Thursday night.

In between, we learned about a not-so-secret location in California and a private island that is being tricked out in order to host fighters’ training camps and events featuring international fighters.

Strange? Yes.

I called upon MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle to help me sift through the last seven days and to understand why it’s so difficult for fans to simply accept what is happening in the world and how things got so ugly on social media so quick. (Spoiler: it’s not the media’s fault UFC 249 got canceled. It’s the coronavirus pandemic.)

Dave also dropped a gem near the end of the show when he revealed he was backstage in Revere, MA, the night of the Mass Transit Incident detailed in the recent Vice Dark Side of the Ring documentary. We discuss what happened and how he almost got New Jack on the record first about what happened.

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JNPO: The combat sports coronavirus era has arrived

Posted on by Josh Nason

This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

On Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, old friend and co-founder of The Lapsed FanJack Encarnacao returns to have a chat about WWE’s decision about holding WrestleMania in an empty gym, the UFC looking at an Indian reservation to hold an event before a U.S. government mandate shut it down, how AEW is managing to somehow avoid criticism despite their plan to keep running weekly shows, and the lack of communication around event cancellations and postponements.

We kicked off the discussion with an interesting Jack take on how our social distancing could be the future of pro sports and life in general.

We hit upon how MMA media and fans quickly changed their tune when the prospect of Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington was dangled out there, how that proves the UFC will be fine on the other end of this thing, and the sad reality that fighters and wrestlers needed to risk their health to earn some money.

We then wrapped up with a quick chat on Rob Gronkowski’s WWE prospects and what episode of The Lapsed Fan newbies should check out.

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JNPO: Inside the demented evolution of Danhausen

Posted on by Josh Nason

Editor’s Note: This is a free podcast. Just click the red button below to listen.

Image courtesy of Basil Mahmud

For hundreds of past and present indie wrestlers, there comes a point when they need to do something new with their character. Either it’s become stale for the fans, themselves, or a combination of both. Bookings come less and less, motivation drops, and the reason they got into the business to begin with is hard to find.

For Donovan Danhausen, that came in 2018, roughly three years after he started in the business. Admittedly a generic, tattooed/bearded wrestler, he needed a spark for himself and his character. From there began the creation of Danhausen, a campy, fun, horror movie-esque character that blends a lot of pop culture threads together. 

Needless to say, but it worked. He finds himself in demand around the U.S., including dates with Ring of Honor. He and fellow indie sensation Warhorse are putting on Warhausen’s WrestleVania during WrestleMania weekend in Tampa, and he’s booked at a ton of shows through Mania week.

In this interview, you will learn about the evolution of the Danhausen character, the inspirations, working for ROH, his approach to Patreon, haunted houses, what fans can expect from WrestleVania, how quickly he can paint his face, and more. 

Just click below to listen:

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JNPO: 2019 MMA year in review, pt. 4

Posted on by Josh Nason

In the finale of the 2019 MMA year in review series, Josh Nason and guest Paul Fontaine run through the final three months of 2019. 

A taste of what we cover:

  • Israel Adesanya’s UFC middleweight title unification win and whether it was the start of something big for the company
  • An eventful UFC Boston show that featured a new light heavyweight title contender, a great co-main event, and InhalerGate
  • A fantastic UFC return to Madison Square Garden headlined by a BMF title fight…that ended in a doctor’s stoppage
  • The bizarre Nick Diaz/Ariel Helwani interview
  • The official announcement for the return of Conor McGregor
  • Colby Covington finally got a UFC title shot and came away with a hashtag instead
  • Max Holloway’s long UFC featherweight title reign ended
  • Rory MacDonald loses his Bellator welterweight title and then surprisingly signs with the PFL
  • Some surprising UFC releases…and more.

Click the big red button below to listen.

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JNPO: 2019 MMA year in review, pt. 3

Posted on by Josh Nason

Editor’s Note: This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

Our four-part journey through the 2019 MMA year begins to wind down with Paul Fontaine and I sifting through July through September.

On the docket for part 3:

  • The Jorge Masvidal knockout that changed everything, Nate Diaz’s successful return, and the creation of the BMF title
  • Colby Covington takes another step toward a UFC title shot backed some of the most well-known (and infamous) players in U.S. politics
  • Stipe Miocic regains his UFC heavyweight title, setting up a trilogy fight with Daniel Cormier
  • The UFC finally gets their Chinese champion…so now what?
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov returns after nearly a year and looks as dominant as ever
  • Cyborg Santos fights for the last time for the UFC and signs with Bellator
  • Knockouts, knockouts, and more knockouts

If you missed what we did so far, here are parts one and two.

Click the big red button to listen.

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JNPO: 2019 MMA year in review, pt. 2

Posted on by Josh Nason

Editor’s Note: This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

Our four-part journey through the 2019 MMA year continues with Paul Fontaine and I sifting through April, May, and June. 

On the docket for part 2:

  • On a pay-per-view headliend by two interim title fights, both delivered like “real” title fights as Israel Adesanya-Kelvin Gastelum and Max Holloway-Dustin Poirier provided a literal UFC 1-2 punch
  • Rory MacDonald won a fight and then questioned if being a religious man meant he didn’t have the will to hurt people anymore…then fought less than two months later
  • Henry Cejudo and Patricio Pitbull both became two-division champions in hard-hitting fashion
  • The increasingly rapid decline of B.J. Penn
  • A controversy over whether spiking someone’s head into the mat is legal
  • Sage Northcutt got his face crushed in his ONE debut
  • Big fights were made, guys got hurt, cards existed, and Dana White had his share of head-scratching decisions

If you missed episode one, here you go.

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