Paul Buntuello BEFORE the UFC episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 23, 2026 · 2H 27M

Paul Buntuello BEFORE the UFC

from MMA History Podcast · host MMA Detective Mike Davis, Joey Venti

Send a textPaul Buentello BEFORE the UFC 50 Fight Club Member Paul Buentello started his journey fighting for Steve Nelson in the very tough and rugged Amarillo Texas MMA scene. Buentello dives into what it was like fighting absolute legends in Evan Tanner, Gan McGee and Bobby Hoffman prior to getting his opportunity within the UFC. This is a feel good story featuring a guy that is hard not to like 0:00 MMA history podcast intro  0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 0:52 interview start 1:00 reffing fights 4:38 training taekwondo early on 5:48 training partner Cedric Marks 7:38 Ultimate Athlete 2 riot 9:36 guarding the pain inc booth 14:11 stiffed on payment for Kerry Schall fight19:22 USWF 8 man tournament 24:56 Paul Buentello vs Dan Severn 28:43 competing in tough man contest 33:57 Lenard Garcia coming out of USWF 34:33 Paul Buentello vs Larry Parker 39:00 training with Sven Bean 40:36 Paul Buentello vs Todd Broadaway42:40 Heath Herring current life 44:49 getting mistaken for Babalu 47:08 losing to a WWE wrestler 48:44 Paul Buentello vs Jimmy Westfall51:50 forcing hands into smaller MMA gloves 53:36 Paul Buentello vs Bobby Hoffman 55:18 UFC current crowd compared to previous 57:58 self managing early career 59:09 driving 27 hours to IFC event with daughter 1:02:39 Paul Buentello vs Rocky Batastini1:04:08 Paul Buentello vs Gan McGee 1:05:29 Paul Buentello vs Rico Rodriguez Wet & Wild1:10:39 leaving to California to Train MMA 1:12:38 training with Cain Velazquez 1:13:25 Cameron Earle story 1:17:54 Paul Buentello vs Roger Neff 1:19:57 Paul Buentello vs Mike Kyle 1:23:48 KOTC contract 1:25:20 journey to get to the UFC1:27:13 training for Gary Marshall1:30:49 experience with Bob Cook 1:31:45 thoughts on Frank Shamrock 1:34:18 meeting Andy Anderson 1:39:48 training partners at AKA 1:42:22 cancelled bout with Forrest Griffin 1:42:57 Bobby Hoffman protected KOTC 1:45:29 Paul Buentello vs Andy Montana 1:46:21 Paul Buentello vs Lloyd Marshbanks 1:48:59 mentally not prepared for first UFC fight1:50:32 getting into the UFC 1:52:27 relationship with Joe Silva 1:53:05 refusing to use PEDs 1:54:35 traveling the world to fight 1:57:01 paying dues to fight 1:58:58 Bob Cook gym stories 2:03:07 interview wrap up 2:06:37 outro/ closing thoughtsPlease follow our channels on Follow the MMA History Team on Instagram: MMA Detective Mike Davis @mikedavis632 Co Host Joey Venti @aj_ventitreRecords Keeper-  Andrew Mendoza @ambidexstressSocial Media Manager Andy Campbell  @martial_mindset_Thumbnails Julio Macedo  @juliosemacentoInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 #MMA #UFC #NHB #MixedMartialArts #MMADetective #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #MMAPodcast #fightpodcast Thank You for your supportSupport the show

Send a textPaul Buentello BEFORE the UFC 50 Fight Club Member Paul Buentello started his journey fighting for Steve Nelson in the very tough and rugged Amarillo Texas MMA scene. Buentello dives into what it was like fighting absolute legends in Evan Tanner, Gan McGee and Bobby Hoffman prior to getting his opportunity within the UFC. This is a feel good story featuring a guy that is hard not to like 0:00 MMA history podcast intro  0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 0:52 interview start 1:00 reffing fights 4:38 training taekwondo early on 5:48 training partner Cedric Marks 7:38 Ultimate Athlete 2 riot 9:36 guarding the pain inc booth 14:11 stiffed on payment for Kerry Schall fight19:22 USWF 8 man tournament 24:56 Paul Buentello vs Dan Severn 28:43 competing in tough man contest 33:57 Lenard Garcia coming out of USWF 34:33 Paul Buentello vs Larry Parker 39:00 training with Sven Bean 40:36 Paul Buentello vs Todd Broadaway42:40 Heath Herring current life 44:49 getting mistaken for Babalu 47:08 losing to a WWE wrestler 48:44 Paul Buentello vs Jimmy Westfall51:50 forcing hands into smaller MMA gloves 53:36 Paul Buentello vs Bobby Hoffman 55:18 UFC current crowd compared to previous 57:58 self managing early career 59:09 driving 27 hours to IFC event with daughter 1:02:39 Paul Buentello vs Rocky Batastini1:04:08 Paul Buentello vs Gan McGee 1:05:29 Paul Buentello vs Rico Rodriguez Wet & Wild1:10:39 leaving to California to Train MMA 1:12:38 training with Cain Velazquez 1:13:25 Cameron Earle story 1:17:54 Paul Buentello vs Roger Neff 1:19:57 Paul Buentello vs Mike Kyle 1:23:48 KOTC contract 1:25:20 journey to get to the UFC1:27:13 training for Gary Marshall1:30:49 experience with Bob Cook 1:31:45 thoughts on Frank Shamrock 1:34:18 meeting Andy Anderson 1:39:48 training partners at AKA 1:42:22 cancelled bout with Forrest Griffin 1:42:57 Bobby Hoffman protected KOTC 1:45:29 Paul Buentello vs Andy Montana 1:46:21 Paul Buentello vs Lloyd Marshbanks 1:48:59 mentally not prepared for first UFC fight1:50:32 getting into the UFC 1:52:27 relationship with Joe Silva 1:53:05 refusing to use PEDs 1:54:35 traveling the world to fight 1:57:01 paying dues to fight 1:58:58 Bob Cook gym stories 2:03:07 interview wrap up 2:06:37 outro/ closing thoughtsPlease follow our channels on Follow the MMA History Team on Instagram: MMA Detective Mike Davis @mikedavis632 Co Host Joey Venti @aj_ventitreRecords Keeper-  Andrew Mendoza @ambidexstressSocial Media Manager Andy Campbell  @martial_mindset_Thumbnails Julio Macedo  @juliosemacentoInstagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: [email protected] / ph#: 773-491-5052 #MMA #UFC #NHB #MixedMartialArts #MMADetective #MikeDavis #MMAHistory #OldSchoolMMA #MMAPodcast #fightpodcast Thank You for your supportSupport the show

NOW PLAYING

Paul Buntuello BEFORE the UFC

0:00 2:27:00

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit Undeniable w/ Braxton Curtis Braxton Curtis The official Podcast of Braxton Curtis.A Father, Husband, and Business Owner just trying to figure it all out. Explicit Bitcoin Gateway Lea meakin Welcome to Bitcoin Gateway, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of Bitcoin, hosted by Lea Meakin. This show is for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the complex world of cryptocurrencies and wants a simple, straightforward explanation. Each episode, we’ll break down the basics of Bitcoin, explore its history, and discuss its potential impact on the future of finance. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to expand your knowledge, Bitcoin Gateway is here to help you understand Bitcoin, one episode at a time. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of MMA History Podcast?

This episode is 2 hours and 27 minutes long.

When was this MMA History Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on February 23, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Send a textPaul Buentello BEFORE the UFC 50 Fight Club Member Paul Buentello started his journey fighting for Steve Nelson in the very tough and rugged Amarillo Texas MMA scene. Buentello dives into what it was like fighting absolute legends in Evan...

Can I download this MMA History Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!