On this episode of @ChampandtheTramp, the guys are joined by longtime friend and former MMA fighter Jamal Patterson for a raw and hilarious deep dive into the fight game, street fights, and what it takes to make it. They share wild stories from the early MMA days, breaking down everything from smelly opponents and UFC nerves to the struggles of balancing fight careers with real life. The guys get real about the harsh truths of chasing fighting dreams, alternative careers, and what it means to “make it” in the sport today. With a perfect mix of laughter, insight, and brutal honesty—this is one you don’t want to miss.Chapters:00:00:00 – Intro and Disclaimer00:00:13 – Carnivor Lean Meal00:01:05 – Kicking off the episode with Jamal Patterson00:02:05 – Jamal reflects on the podcast's growth and chemistry00:06:45 – Loyalty and real friendships in fight teams00:08:00 – The infamous “smelly opponent” fight story00:11:00 – The early Jersey MMA scene and wild promotion memories00:15:20 – Conditioning over muscles: what really wins fights00:17:30 – The mindset of champions and why some fighters burn out00:20:00 – What happens when your whole identity is fighting00:23:30 – The Wolf of Wall Street and dream alternative careers00:27:40 – Parenting, purpose, and finding meaning after fighting00:32:30 – Classic Frankie injury story: the knee check mix-up00:36:15 – IFL, GFL, and why fight leagues struggle to survive00:41:20 – Why the UFC succeeded where others failed00:45:15 – The evolution of MMA stars: from Hughes to Conor to Pereira00:50:10 – Why Robbie Lawler is a real-life action figure00:53:45 – What jiu-jitsu really teaches—and how it evolves fighters00:58:40 – The five martial arts that actually work01:02:15 – Jamal’s message to parents thinking about jiu-jitsu for kids01:05:45 – Life skills kids carry forever through combat sports01:08:30 – The psychology behind fighters dealing with loss01:12:15 – Volkanovski’s mental toughness vs. parenting perspective01:17:00 – What martial arts truly matter in 2024?01:20:30 – Can you still make it in MMA without jiu-jitsu?01:25:00 – Best fighters with minimal jiu-jitsu skills01:30:45 – The opioid/fentanyl crisis and addiction in the fight world01:33:00 – Final thoughts: Jamal plugs All-Star Martial Arts & message to parentsFollow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/champandthetrampTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@champandthetrampFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/champandthetrampDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about combat sports, politics, and everything in between!