BJPenn.com’s FIST-ta-CUFF Radio Episode 202: Ben Askren, Shawn Bunch, Mike Kogan, & AJ Matthews

While you wait for this weeks episode to air on Sunday, get caught up on last Sundays episode below. You won’t be disappointed.

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This week the show is kicking off the show is a man who could have arguably the best wrestling in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Our first guest is undefeated in his MMA career, has defended his championship belt 4 times and is 9-0 under the Bellator banner. “Funky” Ben Askren is opening up the show and we have plenty to talk about. Ben is a two time Division 1 collegiate champ out of the University of Missouri. Ben finished his collegiate career with an 87 match win streak. Ben has won some very prestigious awards on the Mat and is only the second person ever to win the Dan Hodge Trophy twice. Ben is third on the all-time NCAA Division I pins list. I told you he could have the best wrestling in MMA. We will talk to Ben about his decision to enter MMA, being able to rely on his wrestling and how it has gotten him to this point, working with the guys at RoufuSport, and his goals for the remainder of his career, and so much more. If Ben Askren is in the house it’s gonna get Funky. Follow Ben on Twitter @BenAskren

When it comes to world-class wrestlers Bellator has A “Bunch,” I don’t mean a bunch as in a number I mean a “Bunch” as in Shawn “Bunch The Great” Bunch. Shawn isn’t the typical Wrestler who came to MMA after their time on the mat was over, this has been a part of the plan for a very long time. Shawn about made the crossover to MMA back in 2009, but decided to try and make one more run at the Olympics. Shawn was a two-time All-American while in college at Edinboro. He won the U.S. nationals, Bunch also earned gold at the Pan-Ams and was a two-time world team member. He was also a two-time Olympic alternate. We will talk to Shawn about coming out of one of the toughest wrestling schools in the nation, when he knew MMA was a part of the big picture, his friendship with King Mo, being signed to Bellator, and his goals inside of Bellator and the sport. Shawn is currently 2-0 inside of the sport and the Bellator Cage, we will discuss his next fight, and jumping into deep waters and signing with Bellator right out of the gate. Get ready for the man who brings Punches in Bunches, and follow Shawn on Twitter @BunchTheGreat

Our next guest is a man who represents some of the biggest names in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. If you have ever seen Roy Nelson, King Mo, or Jason High fight well it’s because of Mike Kogan. Mike is one of the sports top managers and the list of his clients could go on and on. We could have easily filled a full hour with Mike about his insight into the game but we only have him for a single segment. We will discuss with Mike about working with so many of the sports top names and also working with some of the sports up and comers. Mike works with numerous different promotions with his clients and we are looking forward to talking about how it is different working with various promotions. Mike is going to be a great guest and I hope you are all ready for a great interview to kick off hour number two. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeKogan

AJ Matthews is back this week and even though we saw AJ lose his fight on last weeks episode we still have plenty of Fight Master to watch and discuss. We will talk to AJ about the shoulder injury, dealing with being injured while on the show, and the things we didn’t get to talk about last week like; getting ready for a fight with a new team, how he handled the weight cut leading up to his fight, and of course the nerves leading up to actually walking into the cage. AJ will give us a great insight as to how the day of the fight actually occurs and walk us through a first hand account of being on the show and stepping into the cage. We will also talk with AJ about this weeks episode of the show and have AJ give us his thoughts on the fight. Get ready for an interview that will show you a true insider look of Bellator’s Fight Master and make sure to follow AJ on Twitter @AJ_MMA

The show starts at 7:30 PM PST 10:30 PM EST and Phone lines are open all show (347) 633-9597 and we love to have listeners voice your thoughts and get in your questions. Follow us on twitter @FISTtaCUFFRadio (Anton) @FISTtaCUFF (Drew) and @ProMMANowDenny (Denny) and follow the site @BJPennDotCom. You can also follow us on Instagram @FISTtaCUFF (Anton) @FISTtaCUFFRadio (Drew) and @ProMMANowDenny.