Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports

Episode 6: Karl Roberson, Raja Jackson & Masha Slamovich

In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we step inside three shocking stories from the fight world. Former UFC fighter Karl Roberson finds himself on the wrong side of the law, independent wrestler Raja Jackson faces serious criminal accusations, and rising star Masha Slamovich becomes entangled in controversy outside the ring. From fame to infamy, these cases reveal the darker undercurrent running through combat sports.    SOURCES:  https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/36225638/former-ufc-fighter-karl-roberson-arrested-200k-heist [https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/36225638/former-ufc-fighter-karl-roberson-arrested-200k-heist] https://www.foxnews.com/sports/victim-ex-ufc-fighter-karl-robersons-alleged-burglary-childhood-friend-army-vet-feel-betrayed [https://www.foxnews.com/sports/victim-ex-ufc-fighter-karl-robersons-alleged-burglary-childhood-friend-army-vet-feel-betrayed] https://x.com/deathsamuraiszn/status/1970505200193704318 [https://x.com/deathsamuraiszn/status/1970505200193704318] https://www.vice.com/en/article/tnas-masha-slamovich-releases-statement-following-abuse-accusations/  https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/raja-jackson-son-ex-ufc-champ-quinton-jackson-appears-assault-wrestler-rcna226903 [https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/raja-jackson-son-ex-ufc-champ-quinton-jackson-appears-assault-wrestler-rcna226903] https://www.diva-dirt.com/masha-slamovich-removed-from-victory-road-event-amid-internal-investigation/ [https://www.diva-dirt.com/masha-slamovich-removed-from-victory-road-event-amid-internal-investigation/] https://x.com/full_send_mma/status/1974644952195018763 [https://x.com/full_send_mma/status/1974644952195018763] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mma/article-15163381/Fighter-Conor-McGregor-bare-knuckle-event-spotted-wearing-ANKLE-MONITOR-amid-legal-issues.html

Episode 5: Joe Son

In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we dive into the disturbing crimes of Joe Son — a former actor best known for his role in Austin Powers and a former mixed martial artist who once stepped into the UFC Octagon. Behind the Hollywood appearances and fight career was a dark and violent past that would eventually come to light in shocking fashion. This true crime story uncovers the rise and fall of Joe Son, and the harrowing reality of the victim left in his wake.   Sources:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXvi68HKE0Q [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXvi68HKE0Q]   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vu4zl1G5Q [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vu4zl1G5Q] https://web.archive.org/web/20180820075421/http://orangecountyda.org/civica/press/display.asp?layout=2&Entry=2524   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdLSWs9XRSY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdLSWs9XRSY]   https://www.foxnews.com/story/austin-powers-actor-charged-in-unsolved-gang-rape [https://www.foxnews.com/story/austin-powers-actor-charged-in-unsolved-gang-rape]   https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joseph-hyungmin-son-austi_n_1005902

Episode 4: Mike Tyson's Connection to a Serial Killer

Before Dale Hausner became known as one-half of the “Serial Shooters” who terrorized Phoenix with a deadly summer-long killing spree, he did something almost unthinkable — he sat across from Mike Tyson with a microphone in hand and asked him about boxing. In this episode, Amy Kaplan unpacks the disturbing true story of how a serial killer posed as a sports journalist to get close to one of the most iconic fighters in history. Just days after their eerie encounter, Tyson’s gym was surrounded by SWAT, and the former champ was shown a photo of the man he’d unknowingly welcomed into his inner circle. Who was Dale Hausner before the headlines—and how did he end up face-to-face with Iron Mike?  This is Shadowboxing. Where fight culture meets true crime. SOURCES:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0BofPug6HLw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0BofPug6HLw] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7x1YuKZFC0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7x1YuKZFC0] https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/15-years-later-former-phoenix-police-detective-describes-serial-shooters/75-a2d4cfc3-a58e-4725-814f-cf21696dd235 [https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/15-years-later-former-phoenix-police-detective-describes-serial-shooters/75-a2d4cfc3-a58e-4725-814f-cf21696dd235] https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Dale_Hausner_and_Samuel_Dieteman [https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Dale_Hausner_and_Samuel_Dieteman] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-arizona-serialshooter-idUSBRE95I1QW20130619/?feedName=OutloudFeed&feedType=RSS [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-arizona-serialshooter-idUSBRE95I1QW20130619/?feedName=OutloudFeed&feedType=RSS] https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuxqGtkv0S2/ [https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuxqGtkv0S2/] https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dale-hausner-samuel-dieteman-did-103035288.html

Episode 3: Tim Kennedy

In episode 3 of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, I address how a former UFC fighter and former Green Beret found himself at the center of a stolen‑valor scandal. I'll explain where the claims stem from, what could happen if Kennedy is found guilty, and why this is such a big deal to the MMA and military communities.    SOURCES:  SOURCES:  https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/ufc-vet-tim-kennedy-reportedly-under-investigation-after-admitting-to-lying-about-military-service-record-181117808.html [https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/ufc-vet-tim-kennedy-reportedly-under-investigation-after-admitting-to-lying-about-military-service-record-181117808.html] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kennedy_(fighter) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kennedy_(fighter)] https://x.com/TimKennedyMMA/status/1942787440722248111 [https://x.com/TimKennedyMMA/status/1942787440722248111] https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/10/tim-kennedy-green-beret-and-army-hype-man-under-investigation-lying-about-combat-valor.html [https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/10/tim-kennedy-green-beret-and-army-hype-man-under-investigation-lying-about-combat-valor.html] https://americanwarriorshow.libsyn.com/tim-kennedy-special-operations-warriorprofessional-fighter https://www.instagram.com/p/DEgl2Ljx44i/

Episode 2: Mylik Birdsong plus UPDATE on Jon Jones

In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we explore the tragic story of Mylik Birdsong — a promising young boxer whose dreams were derailed by a deadly act of violence. What led to the fatal shooting outside of his mother's Los Angeles home? And will his killers ever be brought to justice? We also bring you the latest developments in the ongoing legal saga of former UFC champion Jon Jones.    SOURCES:  https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/7/10/24465374/jon-jones-hit-new-charge-duplicate-charge-related-car-accident-in-february-attorney-files-to-dismiss https://people.com/welterweight-boxing-champion-mylik-birdsong-dies-los-angeles-drive-by-shooting-8720799 [https://people.com/welterweight-boxing-champion-mylik-birdsong-dies-los-angeles-drive-by-shooting-8720799] https://ktla.com/news/local-news/shooting-leaves-pro-boxer-dead-in-south-los-angeles/ [https://ktla.com/news/local-news/shooting-leaves-pro-boxer-dead-in-south-los-angeles/] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275214546/mylik-birdsong