PODCAST

Grappling Hour

Raf Esparza

A show hosted by Verbal Tap"s Raf Esparza, featuring a mix of athlete interviews, on-site coverage, and commentary.

sports comedy interviews

All Episodes

01:07:00

GRAPPLING HOUR with Adrian Segovia

Grappling Hour ·

2025/10/29

Lights Out Xtreme Fighting stand out, Adrian Segovia, dropped by MAMMA this week to do an interview with me. You’ll hear all about our impromptu 30-minute roll (spoiler: he kept things intense even just days after his last fight!) and the hilarious beef I thought we had before realizing he actually beat up my buddy Jake years ago! Adrian opened up about his journey: starting jiu jitsu as a hyperactive nine-year-old, competing relentlessly, and eventually taking a break from grappling before

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01:1616

GRAPPLING HOUR with Byron Valle

Grappling Hour ·

2025/10/21

I got the chance sit down in person with UNF champ Byron Valle. We talk about everything from childhood fights in bounce houses to starting Muay Thai at 18. Byron opens up about how his roots and family, especially his late grandfather, have motivated him to stay on a positive path and inspire others, making fighting not just a career but a responsibility for his community. In this conversation, you’ll hear us dive deep into what it really means to be “the little guy” standing up for others, what

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01:37:07

GRAPPLING HOUR with Nathan Hawthorne

Grappling Hour ·

2025/10/20

Nate shares his journey from being a childhood pro wrestling superfan (complete with homemade matches, sibling rivalries, ER visits, and decked-out living rooms), to competing in MMA, kickboxing, jiu jitsu, and even teaching striking at 10th Planet Beaumont.The two dive into grappling for MMA, the importance of wrestling skills, and how sibling powerbombs almost set the stage for a fighter’s life. Nathan talks growing up in a wrestling-obsessed family, how injuries shaped his toughness, and what

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00:59:46

GRAPPLING HOUR with Dylan Morales

Grappling Hour ·

2024/11/13

In our latest episode, we sit down with Sparstar MMA champ Dylan Morales. Dive into Dylan's unique journey, where his love for mathematics meets the art of grappling. Learn about his training techniques, his aspirations beyond the cage, and how he balances his athletic career with academic goals. And be sure to catch him this Saturday, November 16th back at the ‪@SparStarMMA‬ cage. My good friend John Evans and I will be on the call and I'll be interviewing folks in the cage after their fights. See

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01:01:30

GRAPPLING HOUR wtih Dory Aoun

Grappling Hour ·

2024/10/29

Dory Aoun made an amazing comeback at the PGF qualifiers. One of his early matches ended in controversy, but he managed to fight his way through the consolidation bracket to secure a spot in the highly anticipated seventh season of the PGF. We're stoked to share that he pulled it off. In this episode, we'll hear about his approach to competition, his passion for mentoring the next generation of grapplers, and what he has in store for Season 7 of the PGF in Vegas.——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over

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BULLPEN COURT: WHAT IS THE BEST HALLOWEEN CANDY?...

Grappling Hour ·

2024/10/28

As Halloween approaches, the age-old question arises: Which candy reigns supreme? In our latest episode, we dive into a spirited debate between Snickers and Sour Patch Kids. On a recent episode of THE BULLPEN, our hosts KEVIN SHERRILL and TIM FREEMAN passionately argue their cases, bringing humor and insights to this sweet discussion. Whether you're a fan of chocolate's rich embrace or the tangy kick of sour candy, this episode is a delightful treat. Tune in for a fun and engaging exploration of

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