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The journey from fighter to coach often reveals the deepest insights about combat sports. Billy Freedson, standing at just 5'5", began his martial arts journey with what he calls "Napoleon syndrome" – a chip on his shoulder and a readiness to fight that eventually transformed into a sophisticated understanding of striking, grappling, and the intricate dance between them.

Billy's expertise spans multiple disciplines: Muay Thai, K-1 kickboxing, wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu, and even Filipino knife fighting. This comprehensive background has made him a valued coach at Cleveland's Upgraded Industries, where he's helped shape numerous fighters including Tony "The Latin Assassin" – a wrestling specialist whose striking has evolved from "brutish" and forward-charging to technical and angle-focused under Billy's guidance.

What makes Billy's perspective particularly valuable is his willingness to acknowledge the hard lessons of his own fighting career. From backyard brawls to a knockout loss against future UFC champion Cody Garbrandt, Billy understands the painful education that combat sports provide. After going 3-0 at 135 pounds, his fighting career ended with a difficult weight cut that drained his performance – experience that now informs his coaching approach.

The podcast explores fascinating aspects of the fight game: how wrestlers can use striking to set up takedowns, why women fighters often underestimate their own power, what six weeks of training in Thailand taught Billy about authentic Muay Thai, and even a candid assessment of Jake Paul's boxing skills ("high level amateur"). Throughout these topics runs a consistent thread – Billy's dedication to building Cleveland's combat sports community through collaborative training rather than gym rivalry.

Whether you're a dedicated martial artist or simply curious about the strategic depth behind MMA, this conversation offers a window into the technical, physical and psychological elements that separate good fighters from great ones. Follow Upgraded Industries on social media to learn about their all-female sparring day on May 4th and their regular training schedule featuring classes six days a week.

• Training and working with Tony "The Latin Assassin" to transform his striking from "brutish" to technical
• Teaching wrestlers to use striking effectively to set up takedowns
• Competing against UFC champion Cody Garbrandt and learning valuable lessons from early losses
• Backyard fighting parties that evolved into formal training and amateur competition
• Going 3-0 at 135 pounds before a difficult weight cut ended his fighting career
• Women fighters often underestimate their power when striking against male training partners
• Cross-training in multiple disciplines including Muay Thai, wrestling, judo, and Filipino knife fighting
• Recently spending six weeks training in Thailand to bring new techniques back to his fighters
• Jake Paul's boxing skills assessed as "high level amateur" with good power but looping punches
• Cleveland's combat sports community growing stronger through collaborative training

Upgraded Industries hosts classes in jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, and Muay Thai six days a week. They're welcoming new fighters and offering an all-female sparring day on May 4th - check their Instagram for details.

All music brought to you by former guest of the show Speedo

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