Send a text

MMA Docu Series

Dive into the incredible story of Marco Ruas, the barefoot Brazilian who stepped into the UFC octagon before the sport even had a name. Often called the forgotten pioneer, Ruas arrived at UFC 7 in 1995 with a revolutionary well-rounded game—blending Muay Thai devastation, judo throws, jiu-jitsu mastery, and luta livre grappling—that shattered the era of pure specialists. Watch as he dismantles opponents like Larry Cureton with early heel hooks, outstrikes Remco Pardoel, and methodically chops down the massive Paul Varelans with those legendary low kicks that echoed through the arena.

We explore his gritty Rio origins, training under legends like Oswaldo Alves and Luis Alves, his vale tudo roots, the rivalry with the Gracies that never fully materialized, his dominant UFC 7 tournament win that proved versatility was the future, later battles against names like Oleg Taktarov and Maurice Smith, and the heartbreaking what-if matchup with Don Frye that fans still debate. Beyond the cage, Ruas's lasting impact shines through as a coach—he mentored Pedro Rizzo, whose devastating leg kicks carried Ruas's influence forward to shape fighters like Jose Aldo.
If you're into MMA history, early UFC pioneers, or the evolution from vale tudo to modern mixed martial arts, this mini documentary uncovers why Ruas was truly ahead of his time—the first complete fighter who forced the sport to evolve.

Hit play now and discover the man who mastered MMA before it even existed. If you love deep dives into MMA's roots, subscribe to the channel for more untold stories from the early days of the UFC and beyond—new episodes drop regularly!

00:00 - Introduction
00:10 - Marco Ruas: The Forgotten Father of Modern MMA
01:53 - Marco Ruas as a Neighborhood Legend
02:21 - Early Life & Martial Arts Training in Rio
03:39 - Public Challenge to the Gracie Family
04:48 - Birth of Ruas Vale Tudo
05:38 - The Devastating Power of Ruas’ Leg Kicks
05:56 - UFC 7: One-Night Heavyweight Tournament Debut
06:38 - Quarterfinal vs Larry Cureton (Heel Hook)
07:12 - Semifinal vs Remco Pardoel (Striking & Grappling)
07:42 - Final vs Paul Varelans (Leg Kick Masterclass)
08:36 - Aftermath: How Ruas Changed the Game
09:24 - Later Career Fights & Transition Out of UFC
10:00 - Mentorship, Pedro Rizzo & Jose Aldo
11:43 - Brutal Training Stories & Seminar Pain
11:56 - Legacy & Reflection
12:06 - The Fight That Never Happened vs Don Frye

Support the show

Send a text

Paul Buentello BEFORE the UFC

50 Fight Club Member Paul Buentello started his journey fighting for Steve Nelson in the very tough and rugged Amarillo Texas MMA scene.

Buentello dives into what it was like fighting absolute legends in Evan Tanner, Gan McGee and Bobby Hoffman prior to getting his opportunity within the UFC.

This is a feel good story featuring a guy that is hard not to like

0:00 MMA history podcast intro
0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction
0:52 interview start
1:00 reffing fights
4:38 training taekwondo early on
5:48 training partner Cedric Marks
7:38 Ultimate Athlete 2 riot
9:36 guarding the pain inc booth
14:11 stiffed on payment for Kerry Schall fight
19:22 USWF 8 man tournament
24:56 Paul Buentello vs Dan Severn
28:43 competing in tough man contest
33:57 Lenard Garcia coming out of USWF
34:33 Paul Buentello vs Larry Parker
39:00 training with Sven Bean
40:36 Paul Buentello vs Todd Broadaway
42:40 Heath Herring current life
44:49 getting mistaken for Babalu
47:08 losing to a WWE wrestler
48:44 Paul Buentello vs Jimmy Westfall
51:50 forcing hands into smaller MMA gloves
53:36 Paul Buentello vs Bobby Hoffman
55:18 UFC current crowd compared to previous
57:58 self managing early career
59:09 driving 27 hours to IFC event with daughter
1:02:39 Paul Buentello vs Rocky Batastini
1:04:08 Paul Buentello vs Gan McGee
1:05:29 Paul Buentello vs Rico Rodriguez Wet & Wild
1:10:39 leaving to California to Train MMA
1:12:38 training with Cain Velazquez
1:13:25 Cameron Earle story
1:17:54 Paul Buentello vs Roger Neff
1:19:57 Paul Buentello vs Mike Kyle
1:23:48 KOTC contract
1:25:20 journey to get to the UFC
1:27:13 training for Gary Marshall
1:30:49 experience with Bob Cook
1:31:45 thoughts on Frank Shamrock
1:34:18 meeting Andy Anderson
1:39:48 training partners at AKA
1:42:22 cancelled bout with Forrest Griffin
1:42:57 Bobby Hoffman protected KOTC
1:45:29 Paul Buentello vs Andy Montana
1:46:21 Paul Buentello vs Lloyd Marshbanks
1:48:59 mentally not prepared for first UFC fight
1:50:32 getting into the UFC
1:52:27 relationship with Joe Silva
1:53:05 refusing to use PEDs
1:54:35 traveling the world to fight
1:57:01 paying dues to fight
1:58:58 Bob Cook gym stories
2:03:07 interview wrap up
2:06:37 outro/ closing thoughts

Please follow our channels on

Follow the MMA History Team on Instagram:
MMA Detective Mike Davis @mikedavis632
Co Host Joey Venti @aj_ventitre
Records Keeper- Andrew Mendoza @ambidexstress
Social Media Manager Andy Campbell @martial_mindset_
Thumbnails Julio Macedo @juliosemacento

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g

Apple Podcast
MMA History Podcast

YouTube
https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J

Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632
Cash App - $mikedavis1231
Venmo - Mike-Davis-63
ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052

#MMA #UFC #NHB #MixedMartialArts #MMADetective #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #MMAPodcast #fightpodcast

Thank You for your support

Support the show

Send a text

Ep 316 EliteXC Internal Chaos & CBS - Jared Shaw

Jared Shaw joins the MMA History Podcast, delivering the 3rd episode of our multi episode Elite XC series.

Shaw breaks down the CBS primetime peak numbers (6.51 million viewers for Kimbo vs.
James Thompson).
The start of what is considered the “gold rush” of WMMA - Gina Carano's pivotal win over Caitlyn Young ;, Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith stealing the show, Nick Diaz's "Don't be scared, homie" moment, & the internal power struggles within the company.

On the controversial side… Gary Shaw’s unceremonious departure, gaming the stock market… this episode is insane

If you think that this episode is wild… just wait for the 4th drop when everything implodes.

0:00 MMA history podcast intro
0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction
0:49 interview start
0:52 having a meeting with CBS
4:55 Gary Shaw not having a Wikipedia
9:36 John Perretti erased from Wikipedia
12:39 campaign to bad mouth Jared Shaw
17:16 EliteXC street certified event
21:35 funding StrikeForce event Frank Shamrock vs Cung Le
25:16 Nick Diaz at StrikeForce event
26:20 Nick Diaz Marijuana Suspension
30:06 experience with Larry Hazard
31:51 Drew Fickett behaving during event
32:19 Tiki Ghosn appearing on event
33:22 ShoXC series
35:15 Trying to Oust Gary Shaw
40:27 EliteXC Primetime
41:27 Kimbo Slice vs James Thompson
48:22 Brett Rogers vs Jon Murphy
50:15 Phil Baroni vs Joey Villasenor
51:23 Gina Carano vs Kaitlin Young
55:45 Robbie Lawler vs Scott Smith
58:44 EliteXC events holding up to current day
1:00:57 Refferee Dan Miragliotta
1:04:03 importance of a good Refferee
1:07:46 Gary Shaw parting from EliteXC
1:10:42 ShoXC in Hawaii
1:11:23 “Don’t be scared homie” viral comment
1:12:44 Jared Shaw not attending Hawaii event
1:19:17 trusting Ariel Helwani
1:21:16 KJ Noons contract negotiation
1:32:41 interview wrap up
1:41:05 outro/ closing thoughts

Please follow our channels on

Follow the MMA History Team on Instagram:
MMA Detective Mike Davis @mikedavis632
Co Host Joey Venti @aj_ventitre
Records Keeper- Andrew Mendoza @ambidexstress
Social Media Manager Andy Campbell @martial_mindset_
Thumbnails Julio Macedo @juliosemacento

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qr

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8g

Apple Podcast
MMA History Podcast

YouTube
https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_J

Outro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-power

Mike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632
Cash App - $mikedavis1231
Venmo - Mike-Davis-63
ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052

#MMA #UFC #NHB #MixedMartialArts #MMADetective #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #MMAPodcast #fightpodcast

Thank You for your support

Support the show