Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

"It's just a fist fight for 7 minutes": Tommy Gantt on Wrestling to the UFC

July 1, 2026·33 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

NC State All-American Tommy Gantt left wrestling for one amateur fight and never looked back. Now an undefeated UFC lightweight training with Daniel Cormier, he breaks down what actually transfers from the mat to the cage, plus the Pat Popolizio speech that still drives him.Guest: Tommy Gantt, 2016 ACC champion and NCAA All-American at NC State, former Wolfpack assistant coach, undefeated UFC lightweightTopics: wrestling-to-MMA transition, the cardio and length edge, building fight IQ, why MMA coaching lags wrestling, Pat Popolizio and NC State's rise, the mindset switchChampionship Fundraising Challenge - Raise your first $500 in 2 weeks or your money back: athletorlive.com/product/championship-fundraising-challenge

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