Stitch Duran Explains Why He Stopped Nate Diaz vs Perry | Stories from Tyson, Klitschko & the UFC

Stitch Duran Explains Why He Stopped Nate Diaz vs Perry | Stories from Tyson, Klitschko & the UFC

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingInWithTravisHartman?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ In this episode, legendary cutman Jacob 'Stitch' Duran sits down with Travis for one of the most honest and fascinating conversations in combat sports. Stitch breaks down the REAL reason he stopped Nate Diaz’s fight against Mike Perry, explaining the severity of the cuts, the dangerous blood loss, and why protecting fighters always comes first. From working world title fights with Jaime Munguia and the Klitschko brothers to spending 15 years inside the UFC with Dana White, Stitch shares unbelievable behind-the-scenes stories from boxing and MMA history. He explains the science of being a great cutman, reveals lessons learned from legends like Mike Tyson, Andre Ward, and Vladimir Klitschko, and opens up about why he walked away from the UFC during the Reebok era. The conversation also dives deep into fighter pay, the harsh realities retired fighters face, the business side of boxing, and Stitch’s powerful documentary projects exposing some of the darkest truths in combat sports. Topics include: 🥊 Why Stitch stopped Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry 🥊 UFC behind-the-scenes stories & Dana White fallout 🥊 Working with the Klitschko brothers, Andre Ward & boxing legends 🥊 The truth about fighter pay & retired fighters 🥊 Cutman techniques most fans don’t understand 🥊 Mike Tyson, Ronda Rousey & wild fight stories 🥊 Stitch’s “Boxer’s Nightmare” documentary plans If you love boxing, MMA, UFC, BKFC, or combat sports history, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 00:00 – Intro 00:45 – Stitch’s insane month: Munguia, BKFC, concerts & nonstop travel 02:00 – Working the Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry Netflix fight 03:10 – Why Stitch stopped the fight after Round 2 05:45 – Nate Diaz’s reaction after the stoppage 07:00 – “Fighters need someone to protect them from themselves” 08:20 – Toughest cuts Stitch has ever handled 09:45 – Vladimir Klitschko cut story & saving the fight 12:00 – Andre Dirrell and protecting fighters long-term 13:40 – How Stitch uses percentages & probabilities in fights 14:50 – Difference between a good and great cutman 16:10 – The adrenaline chloride lesson most cutmen get wrong 18:00 – Mike Tyson accidentally answering the question wrong 19:10 – Why Stitch believes in educating fighters 20:30 – “Boxers Nightmare” documentary & preserving boxing history 22:40 – Fighter pensions, healthcare & revenue sharing 24:40 – Adrian Broner, punch-drunk syndrome & boxing neglect 26:20 – Livingston Bramble heartbreak story 27:40 – Travis reflects on his father protecting him in fights 29:00 – John Scully stopping a locker room altercation 30:20 – Fighters chasing dreams while barely making money 31:30 – Mentally toughest fighters Stitch has worked with 32:45 – Frank Mir quote: “When Stitch walks in, it’s time to fight” 33:40 – How Dana White originally hired Stitch for the UFC 35:20 – Reebok controversy & why Stitch left the UFC 37:45 – Going viral after the UFC exit 38:40 – Dana White blocking Travis on Twitter 40:10 – Dana White entering boxing with Zuffa 41:30 – Why Stitch refused to work Shane Mosley Jr.’s Zuffa fight 42:30 – UFC fighter pay vs other major sports 43:50 – Fighters losing individuality in uniform promotions 45:00 – Champion that impressed Stitch most: Andre Ward 46:15 – Carl Froch memories & Travis fighting on the undercard 47:10 – Stitch’s upbringing, Air Force days & small-town roots 48:20 – “From the Fields to the Garden” documentary 49:15 – Craziest fight week story ever: Klitschko vs Joshua 50:20 – “You could call me son” emotional Klitschko moment 51:00 – Rapid fire questions 51:50 – Biggest lesson boxing taught Stitch 52:15 – Final thoughts on protecting Nate Diaz & closing remarks #Boxing #UFC #NateDiaz #MikePerry #StitchDuran #MMA #CombatSports #DanaWhite #BKFC #BoxingPodcast

THE #1 MIDDLEWEIGHT IN TEAM BOXING LEAGUE | Jeovanny Estela Interview

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingInWithTravisHartman?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ Jeovanny Estela returns to the podcast after another huge run in Team Boxing League — now ranked the #1 middleweight in the entire league. 🥊🔥 In this episode, Jeovanny breaks down:• His comeback to pro boxing and recent stoppage win• The controversial knockdown vs. Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis• What it’s like fighting elite-level talent in Team Boxing League• The mentality needed to survive in boxing at the highest level• His long-term goal of becoming a world champion at 154 lbs• Team Miami Assassins’ undefeated run• Why boxing is exploding worldwide right now We also dive into rapid-fire questions, favorite fighters, hardest punchers, Michael Jordan vs. LeBron, Terrence Crawford, Canelo, life sacrifices for boxing, and some hilarious off-the-rails moments at the end of the show 😂 Jeovanny talks openly about the pressure of competing every week, the importance of family, and why Team Boxing League is changing the future of boxing. If you love boxing, combat sports, mindset, grit, and behind-the-scenes fighter stories — this episode is for you. 🎙️ Featuring:🥊 Jeovanny “El Rayo” Estela🏆 #1 Middleweight in Team Boxing League📈 15-2 Professional Record Like, comment, and subscribe for more fighter interviews and combat sports conversations. #Boxing #TeamBoxingLeague #JeovannyEstela #TerrenceCrawford

Pro Tennis to Roland Garros | Irina Falconi Hartman on Mindset & Motherhood

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingInWithTravisHartman?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ Former professional tennis player, Pan American Games gold medalist, former World No. 62, Georgia Tech All-American, and now tennis commentator heading to Roland Garros — Irina Falconi Hartman joins the podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into her journey from starting tennis at just 4 years old to becoming the highest-ranked Ecuadorian-born female tennis player of all time. We talk about the grind of professional tennis, the financial realities behind the sport, life on tour, mental toughness, motherhood, and what it takes to compete at the highest level. Irina shares stories from the US Open on Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning gold at the Pan American Games, battling self-doubt, proving critics wrong, and transitioning into a successful broadcasting career with Tennis Channel and the US Open. We also compare the mental side of tennis and boxing, discuss raising strong kids, work ethic, and even get into sourdough bread and rapid-fire questions at the end. This one is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, elite athlete mindset, and plenty of husband-wife banter. 🔥 Topics Covered: * Pro tennis life behind the scenes * US Open + Arthur Ashe Stadium story * Winning Pan Am Games Gold * Roland Garros commentary opportunity * Mental toughness in tennis vs boxing * Parenting, discipline & hard work * Transition from athlete to broadcaster * Rapid fire tennis questions Subscribe for more conversations with athletes, entrepreneurs, and high performers. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro + “I’m not shaking your hand either” 00:42 Introducing Irina Falconi Hartman 02:10 Heading to Roland Garros as a commentator 04:12 Starting tennis at 4 years old 05:35 When she realized she was special in tennis 08:15 Georgia Tech, All-American & No. 1 in the country 10:05 Motivation: proving doubters wrong 13:10 Bogota title story + crazy traffic before semifinals 17:30 Life on pro tour: hardest part of tennis 19:45 Financial reality of professional tennis 24:20 Travel life vs loneliness on tour 27:10 Boxing advice: “At least you’re not getting punched in the face” 31:40 Biggest tennis match: Arthur Ashe Stadium at US Open 38:15 Pan American Games Gold Medal moment 40:10 Tennis vs boxing: the mental battle 45:30 Learning how to lose every week 49:20 Mental toughness & raising resilient kids 54:15 Parenting, discipline & hard work 58:30 Biggest boxing regrets + short-notice fights 1:06:15 Fighting Terence Crawford, Keith Thurman & chasing greatness 1:13:40 No regrets, faith, and becoming better every day 1:17:20 How commentating started 1:23:15 Getting the US Open commentary job 1:27:10 Why kindness and networking matter 1:31:40 WTA Board + serving with Serena Williams 1:35:00 Preparing for Roland Garros commentary 1:40:15 Breaking tennis down for casual fans 1:45:10 Sourdough bread debate 1:48:00 Rapid Fire Finish 1:51:20 Final thoughts + outro #Tennis #RolandGarros #MentalToughness #WTA #TennisChannel #AthleteMindset #Boxing

Alex Nicholson Predicts Yoel Romero Knockout | No Fear Before May 1 Fight

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingInWithTravisHartman?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ Days before stepping into the ring with Yoel Romero in Miami, Alex Nicholson joins the podcast for one of his realest interviews yet. From manifesting the fight with Romero to overcoming major injuries, brutal setbacks, broken jaws, car crashes, and career-defining moments—Alex opens up about everything that shaped him into the fighter he is today. We talk about fear, faith, fighting legends, social media, speaking the truth, bare knuckle wars, and why he believes this fight ends with a knockout. Alex doesn’t hold back on anything—calling out overrated fighters, talking about his lowest moments mentally, and explaining why heart matters more than talent or discipline. This is one of the rawest combat sports conversations yet. 🔥 Topics Include: -Fighting Yoel Romero on May 1 -Manifestation and mindset before big fights -Recovering from devastating injuries -Broken jaw fight story -Surviving a major car crash -Social media vs real life -Boxer vs MMA fighter in a street fight -Underrated and overrated fighters -Why heart matters most   Subscribe for more real conversations with fighters, athletes, and champions. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Alex Nicholson on fighting Yoel Romero 0:35 – Why he said yes to Yoel Romero 1:45 – The fight that fell apart in the Dominican Republic 3:20 – “I knew instantly… I’m fighting Yoel Romero” 4:15 – Manifestation, faith, and calling the fight before it happened 5:20 – Why most fighters avoid Yoel Romero 6:25 – Is Yoel still dangerous at 47? 7:40 – What Alex does better than Romero: Speed 8:35 – Prediction: How the fight ends 9:45 – Fighting in Miami and embracing the underdog role 10:30 – What fans misunderstand most about Alex 12:00 – Social media, fake personas, and speaking your mind 13:20 – Truth, honesty, and standing on conviction 14:40 – Craziest fight story: Broken jaw and still got the knockout 16:50 – Lowest mental point: Devastating knee injury 18:45 – Recovery, rehab, and the comeback to face Yoel 20:00 – What version of Alex shows up now 21:40 – Fighting in front of your girl hits different 23:10 – Hardest he’s ever been hit: Horrific car crash story 25:30 – Family roots, being Sicilian, and grandma wisdom 26:30 – Boxer vs MMA fighter in a real fight 28:00 – Prime Mike Tyson vs Francis Ngannou street fight 29:00 – Underrated fighter / Overrated fighter 29:45 – Calling Yoel Romero overrated 30:15 – Who’s next after Yoel? Francis Ngannou? 31:10 – Rapid fire questions 32:10 – Funeral question: What do you want to be remembered for? 34:00 – Love, second chances, and almost dying 35:15 – “You’re a fighter, how do you spread love?” 36:20 – What matters most: Talent, discipline, or heart? 37:10 – Final thoughts and May 1 fight in Miami #AlexNicholson #YoelRomero #MMA #BareKnuckle #CombatSports #Boxing #JorgeMasvidal #Podcast #FightNight #FighterMindset

How Jim Davis Built a Billion Dollar Company | Faith, Family & Success

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingInWithTravisHartman?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ How do you build a billion dollar company from the ground up? In this powerful episode of Weighing In with Travis Hartman, Travis sits down with Jim Davis, founder of Jr. Davis Construction, to talk about faith, leadership, sacrifice, family, and what it really takes to build a massive business empire. From humble beginnings to creating one of the most successful construction companies in America, Jim shares the mindset, discipline, and lessons that helped him rise to the top. This conversation goes far beyond business — it’s about becoming the kind of person success can trust. If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, or anyone chasing greatness… this episode is for you. **0:00 – Intro + Who is Jim Davis?** Host introduces guest, billion-dollar company story, personal connection **2:15 – First Hunting Story (Turkey + Deer at Ranch)** Fun storytelling, builds personality and chemistry **6:30 – Early Life & First Job After High School** Working for a developer, immediate work after graduation **9:45 – Starting the Company (1985 Leap of Faith)** Leaving a stable job, wife pregnant, going all in **13:30 – Why He Took the Risk** Confidence, faith, seeing others succeed, spiritual calling **17:30 – The VERY Beginning (Equipment + $40K Loan)** Old equipment, bank rejection, dad co-signs loan **22:00 – Grinding Years (Side Hustles + No Money)** Fixing cars at night, hauling garbage, doing anything to survive **28:00 – “White Knuckle” First 5 Years** Uncertainty, hustle, no vacations, constant pressure **33:30 – Did You Ever Think You’d Fail?** Faith mindset, never considering quitting **38:00 – The Cost of Success (Family Sacrifice)** Kids on job sites, long hours, family involvement **44:30 – Travis Shares His Boxing Journey** Parallel story: sacrifice, parents, grind, setbacks **52:00 – Leadership Philosophy (Leading from the Front)** Why he shows up early, culture, respect, presence **56:30 – Faith, Gratitude & Perspective** Prayer, humility, “turtle on a fence post” analogy **1:01:30 – Building a Billion-Dollar Company = People** Hiring smart people, team culture, employees as family **1:05:30 – Passing the Company to His Son (Legacy in Motion)** Son becoming president, generational transition **1:09:00 – What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?** Caring about people, relationships, impact **1:12:30 – Advice: Use Your Gifts & Go All In** Full throttle mindset, purpose, trial-and-error approach **1:15:30 – Final Question: What Keeps You Going?** “Quitting isn’t a solution” + battle mentality **1:17:30 – Outro + Wrap Up** 👍 Like the video 📲 Subscribe to Weighing In with Travis Hartman 🔔 Turn notifications on for future episodes #JimDavis #Entrepreneur #Success #Leadership #Motivation #BusinessPodcast #TravisHartman #Construction #Faith #Mindset