This is the final episode if "Inside the Hexagon," and, unlike Strikeforce, we're going out with a bang! Phil and Josh tick through the biggest highlights in the promotion's run, including selling out the Shark Tank with over 18K fans, Cung Le

Strikeforce/UFC/Bellator vet Ryan Couture on entering MMA as the son of "The Natural," fighting on the final Strikeforce card, and what he learned from his win over K.J. Noons

Mar 21st, 2022 35m 13s

It's our next-to-last episode, and we're closing out our fighter interviews with an intriguing chat with former Strikeforce competitor and current Xtreme Couture CEO Ryan Couture! Ryan talks about what it was like getting into MMA as the son of

"Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine" - January 13, 2013...the curtain closes on Strikeforce

Mar 14th, 2022 1h 12m

It's the end of Strikeforce! On this week's episode, we cover the final promotional event, as a card rumored to contain four title fights gets whittled down to one, as Nate "The Great" Marquardt closes things out with the welterweight title on

"Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman" - August 18, 2012...Rousey proves she's Strikeforce's biggest star

Mar 7th, 2022 1h 16m

Ronda Rousey gets "Rowdy" for the final time in Strikeforce on this week's episode, proving to Dana White and the MMA world once and for all that women should get their shot inside the Octagon! We also see Jacare close out his Strikeforce caree

Nate "The Great" Marquardt, former Strikeforce welterweight champ, on his vicious KO of Tyron Woodley that won him the belt, and more

Feb 28th, 2022 42m 22s

On this week's episode, the penultimate Strikeforce welterweight champion, Nate "The Great" Marquardt, joins Phil to discuss making his 170-lb. debut inside the hexagon against Tyron Woodley. Nate talks about moving down in weight, returning to

"Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy" - July 14, 2012...can Luke Rockhold get gritty and defend his title against decorated military hero Tim Kennedy? Who will be Strikeforce's new welterweight kingpin?

Feb 21st, 2022 1h 7m

It's GI Joe vs. the surfer dude as Tim Kennedy takes Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold to deep waters on this week's episode! In addition, former UFC middleweight title challenger Nate "The Great" Marquardt makes his Strikeforce and

Who won the 3rd fight? Former Strikeforce lightweight champions Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson come together to discuss their trilogy, what it meant to them, and whether we'll ever see them collide again!

Feb 14th, 2022 48m 58s

In what may be the best episode in the history of this podcast, Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson join Phil to dive in deep on their unforgettable trilogy of fights, breaking down their mindset fight by fight, and the two legends argue over who

"Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier" - May 19, 2012...Daniel Cormier shocks the MMA world and captures the heavyweight grand prix title in a true "Rocky" moment!

Feb 7th, 2022 1h 3m

Daniel Cormier is remembered today as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, but back in 2012, he was still a relative unknown upstart looking to make his mark. However, after dispatching viable heavyweight contenders in Jeff Monson and

"Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey" - March 3, 2012...Ronda Rousey arrives! The judo queen stakes her claim as an MMA superstar and forces the powers at be to pay attention!

Jan 31st, 2022 35m

It's time for "Tate vs. Rousey," as the Strikeforce women's bantamweight title is on the line in the first high profile women's MMA grudge match! "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey faces Miesha Tate for the belt in the main event, and these two ladies are re

The King is here! Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Mo Lawal discusses his run inside the hexagon, his love of pro wrestling, and more!

Jan 24th, 2022 25m 54s

King Mo joins Phil on this week's episode, and it's a slobberknocker of a chat, as we dive into Mo's formative years in amateur wrestling, how he almost went into pro wrestling rather than MMA, and so much more! Mo delves into winning the Strik

"Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine" - January 7, 2012...Luke Rockhold proves he'd legit while King Mo destroys both his opponent and his reputation

Jan 18th, 2022 47m 10s

Happy MLK Day! Phil is down (with COVID) but not out, as he and Josh get the band back together to discuss..."Rockhold vs. Jardine"! On the card, Robbie Lawler gets "Ruthless" once again, while Tyron Woodley stakes his claim to a shot at vacant

"Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal" - December 17, 2011...Gilbert Melendez proves he's one of the best in the world, while Cris Cyborg falls from grace

Jan 10th, 2022 44m 10s

On this week's episode, we delve into "Melendez vs. Masvidal"! This is a momentous time for Strikeforce, as the promotion renews its deal with Showtime, but also loses a marquee weight class and is forced to reduce its number of events. Despite

Merry Christmas! On this week's episode, we break down the 12 of Christmas, Strikeforce-style!

Dec 27th, 2021 39m 21s

Christmas is now in our rear-view mirror, and we hope you got all you wanted this year! For our latest episode, Phil & Josh break down the 12 gifts Strikeforce gave us during the promotion's run, including the resurgence of Frank Shamrock, the

"Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov" - September 10, 2011...Daniel Cormier punches Bigfoot and his ticket to the grand prix finals, announcing his arrival in the process!

Dec 20th, 2021 1h 1m

DC shows he's a force to be reckoned with on this week's episode! We see the finals of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix come to fruition as Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett advance, and both do it in style. In addition, we have a new Strik

Two former MMA writers delve into what it was like to cover MMA during Strikeforce's heyday, Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate, Scott Coker, what's wrong with MMA journalism today, and more!

Dec 13th, 2021 54m 14s

We're changing things up a bit this week, as Josh steps in for Phil (who's on vacation) and chats with good friend and well-respected former MMA journalist Erik Fontanez! Formerly with Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, and Gracie Mag, while mostl

Who were the best female fighters in Strikeforce history? Is it Ronda Rousey or Cris Cyborg at the top of the list? Where does Miesha Tate?

Dec 6th, 2021 31m 23s

This week, Josh and I are breaking down the top five female fighters in Strikeforce history! While there isn't a sizable list of fighters that competed in the women's divisions, the ones that did tended to make a big impact...not just on the pr

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson" - July 30, 2011...the Fedor era ends for Strikeforce as "The Last Emperor" leaves it all inside the hexagon

Nov 29th, 2021 1h 11m

It's truly the end of an era as Fedor competes for the final time under the Strikeforce banner, facing Dan Henderson in a highly-anticipated iteration of USA vs. Russia. The bout ends in controversy, leaving questions that were never answered.

The biggest moments in Strikeforce history*...Shamrock, Diaz, Cung, Carano, Cyborg, and so much more

Nov 22nd, 2021 25m

On this week's episode, we're running through the biggest moments in Strikeforce history...so far. As of this episode, we're in June of 2011...what are the biggest moments that have taken place? We have Shamrock-Gracie, Shamrock-Baroni, Shamroc

"Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum" - June 18, 2011...the heavyweight grand prix continues as DC makes a statement!

Nov 15th, 2021 39m 35s

On this week's episode it's the 2nd leg of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix, as we see some big men look to brutalize each other! "The Gravedigger" looks to neutralize "The Python," Daniel Cormier takes a big step up in competition agains

"Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley" - April 9, 2011...it's the end of an era as Zuffa buys Strikeforce!

Nov 8th, 2021 42m 17s

The MMA landscape is forever altered as the news is revealed that Strikeforce has been acquired by Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC! But, hey, we've still got a fight to put on, and Nick Diaz will lay his welterweight title on the line agai

Longtime MMAJunkie Reporter John Morgan checks in to break down Zuffa's 2011 purchase of Strikeforce, what it means for the fighters and the sport as a whole, and how it still resonates today

Nov 1st, 2021 38m 6s

Strikeforce experienced many big moments, but few were bigger than when the promotion was purchased by the UFC's then-parent company, Zuffa! Former MMA Journalist of the Year John Morgan joins us to discuss why the purchase came about, how it a

Former Strikeforce star Tim Kennedy joins the show to discuss his run inside the hexagon (and why he misses it), his strategic win over Melvin Manhoef, his philosophy, and more!

Oct 25th, 2021 29m 21s

It's been over a year in the making, but we finally came to the right time to have the one and only Tim Kennedy on "Inside the Hexagon"! We go over what got him started in MMA, his early run in the sport, climbing the ranks in Strikeforce, and

"Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson" - March 5, 2011...Hendo captures Strikeforce gold while Tim Kennedy makes a statement!

Oct 18th, 2021 58m 8s

Dan Henderson is truly one of MMA's legends, and on March 5, 2011, "Hendo" proved it once again when he vanquished the bigger Brazilian champion, Feijao Cavalcante, to win the Strikeforce light heavyweight championship. It was a signature KO br

Former Strikeforce matchmaker Rich Chou discusses working with Scott Coker, booking some of the promotion's biggest fights, going from Wimp 2 Warrior, and more!

Oct 11th, 2021 58m 13s

Rich Chou has done it all in the sport of MMA. A Scott Coker protégé, he oversaw the booking of so many big fights in Rumble on the Rock, EliteXC, Strikeforce, and Bellator. On this week's show, Chou discusses his formative years, including his

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva" - February 12, 2011..."The Last Emperor" returns as the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix commences!

Oct 4th, 2021 1h 3m

We're back from our short break, and on this week's episode we're discussing the kickoff of 2011's Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament! At the inaugural event, there are three alternate bouts, with all three fights ending in first rou