The Winners Circle

The Winners Circle - Episode 25

In this episode of The Winners Circle, hosts Eugene Plowden and Isaiah "Zeke" Gatherings dive deep into the culture and history of martial arts, moving beyond standard sports commentary to share personal influences and heated cinematic debates. From the streets of Detroit to the silver screen, this episode explores what it truly means to be a martial artist.🕒 Key Segments & Timestamps * [02:37 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=157]] Mount Rushmore of Influential Martial Artists: * Zeke lists Bruce Lee, Michael Jai White, Jackie Chan, and Donnie Yen, explaining how cinema gave him courage as a youth in Detroit [04:06 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=246]]. * Eugene honors his father (who started the family's Taekwondo legacy) and his uncle (a prolific tournament champion), alongside Bruce Lee and Royce Gracie [15:58 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=958]]. * [25:12 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=1512]] The UFC & Style vs. Style: A breakdown of how the early UFC changed the world, with a debate on the entertainment value of specialists versus well-rounded fighters like Georges St-Pierre [29:32 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=1772]]. * [40:59 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=2459]] Mount Rushmore of Martial Arts Movies: * Zeke’s picks: No Retreat, No Surrender, Drunken Master, Chinese Connection, and Wheels on Meals [41:19 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=2479]]. * Eugene’s picks: The Last Dragon, The Karate Kid, Best of the Best, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [49:23 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=2963]]. * [51:13 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=3073]] The Great "Last Dragon" Debate: Zeke presents a controversial take on Bruce Leroy, arguing that Leroy wasn't a victim but actually prompted the conflict by wearing a kung fu uniform to the movies [52:43 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=3163]]. * [58:05 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbziwwpya_s&t=3485]] The "Karate Kid" & Cobra Kai: A discussion on whether Cobra Kai was actually a "bad" dojo and the systematic "targeting" of Sensei John Kreese by Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi [

The Winners Circle episode 23

The Winners Circle: UFC 324 Recap, Training Drills, and Fight AnalysisJoin hosts Eugene Plowen and Isaiah "Zeke" Gatherings in this episode of The Winners Circle on the Martial Arts InterNetwork. This week, the duo dives deep into the fallout of UFC 324, debates the fairness of five-round non-title fights, and shares technical training insights.In this episode: * The Debate on Five-Round Fights: Isaiah shares his strong opinions on why forcing fighters into five-round main events without a title on the line is unfair and taxing on the athletes [03:41 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=221]]. * Compensating the Fans: A discussion on "load management" in combat sports and how organizations should better compensate fans when major headliners pull out of cards last minute [16:31 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=991]]. * UFC 324 Results & Analysis: * Jean Silva vs. Arnold Allen: Breaking down Silva's emotional win and that "video game move" [28:48 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=1728]]. * Natalya Silva vs. Rose Namajunas: Why the judges might have got it right despite the controversy [31:43 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=1903]]. * Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis: Analyzing the speed variable and whether Lewis was nursing an injury [40:07 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=2407]]. * Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje: Discussion on Paddy's performance and the importance of not fighting in your opponent's "wheelhouse" [45:16 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=2716]]. * Professor's Perspective: A technical breakdown of the "Double Jab" combination. Learn the "1-1-2-hook-uppercut-kick" sequence designed to break down a defender by changing levels and finishing with a strike from the rear leg [56:51 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=3411]]. * UFC 325 Predictions: Early picks for Volkanovski vs. Lopez and Dan Hooker's upcoming bout [51:01 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLe0Y02Iuk&t=3061]]. Follow Martial Arts InterNetwork: Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Patreon for more combat sports coverage!

The Winners Circle Episode 22

Episode Highlights UFC & Streaming Deals [11:34]: The hosts discuss the official transition of the UFC to Paramount and what this means for the future of UFC Fight Pass. They delve into how the accessibility of MMA content has changed the sport's value and the quality of modern fight productions compared to the "golden era" (2005–2010). UFC 324 Predictions [25:31]: Eugene and Isaiah break down the upcoming fight card, providing detailed analysis and personal picks for key matchups: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: A debate on wrestling vs. striking mentalities. Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong: Discussion on O'Malley’s length and defensive wrestling. Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta: Analyzing heavyweight power and cardio. Rose Namajunas vs. Natália Silva: Thoughts on championship experience. The "Professor’s Perspective" on One-Steps [51:59]: A deep dive into traditional martial arts training. The hosts debate whether one-step sparring is still relevant in 2026. They discuss the difference between choreographed, "antiquated" traditions and using random, unscripted drills to build realistic reaction times for actual combat.

The Winners Circle Episode 21

Eugene and Isaiah

The Winners Circle - Episode 19

Welcome to The Winners Circle, Episode 19! Join your hosts Eugene Plowden and Isaiah Gathings as they dive into the world of Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and other combat sports. In this episode, the hosts discuss: The Struggle of Martial Arts Academies in Cold Weather [06:18]: Eugene and Isaiah share personal stories and discuss the financial and logistical challenges that winter, cold temperatures, and snowstorms pose for martial arts school owners, including dealing with low class attendance, heating costs, and deciding when to cancel classes. Online Training: Fad or the Future of Martial Arts? [21:26]: A deep dive into whether online training platforms (Zoom classes, pre-recorded instructionals, and future VR/AI technology) can ever truly replace the in-person experience, especially for advanced students and grappling arts. Why Are Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners So Opinionated About Other Academies? [45:15]: The hosts explore the culture of gatekeeping and scrutiny over belt ranks and lineage within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, comparing it to the traditional martial arts world. Professor's Perspective - Flow Sequence: Americana Escape to Eating Choke [59:06]: A detailed breakdown of a two-move combination for BJJ: escaping the Americana/Paintbrush arm lock and immediately flowing into the Eating Choke to pass the guard, emphasizing the need for quick, back-to-back transitions to prevent the opponent from recovering. Catch new episodes of The Winners Circle every Monday as part of the Martial Arts InterNetwork!