Kimo Leopoldo joins the MMA History Podcast to recount the raw early days of the sport, from his Huntington Beach roots and Christian transformation to the unforgettable moment he carried a full-sized cross into the Octagon and pushed Royce Gracie harder than almost anyone at UFC 3. The legendary fighter breaks down the chaotic tournament draw, the street-fight intensity of that classic bout, his contentious partnership with Joe Son, the fallout that followed, and the cascade of high-stakes battles that followed across K-1, Pride, and the UFC.
Kimo opens up about training with Matt Hume and Joe Moreira, the Sakuraba and Takayama wars in Japan, the brutal nine-minute war with Paul Varelans, the Huntington Beach showdown with Tank Abbott, and the controversial Bob Sapp kickboxing match in Las Vegas.
0:00 start
0:28 MMA History Podcast intro
1:01 Joey Venti’s guest introductions
1:12 interview start
1:45 attending elementary with John Lewis
3:12 introduction to combat sports
3:42 getting introduced to Christ by Joe Son
5:10 High School wrestling career
5:51 moving to California
6:12 bouncing at Club Rubber
7:54 watching UFC 1
9:10 Joe Son pushing UFC debut for Kimo Leopoldo
9:47 Joe Son challenging Royce Gracie
10:15 Paul Herrera street fight with Joe Son
10:49 learning Jiu Jitsu from Randy Ziegler
12:24 fight with Gracie’s in Hotel lobby (rumor)
13:09 UFC 3 name drawing for tournament
15:43 UFC 3 promo “fighting for Christ”
16:48 carrying cross on back during walkout
18:17 unaware of Joe Sons street activities
19:45 Joe Sons acting career
20:12 training prior to UFC debut
21:25 dealings with Bob Meyrowitz and Art Davie
21:49 feelings before fighting Royce Gracie
23:49 Kimo Leopoldo vs Royce Gracie
27:06 Royce Gracie towel throw
29:00 interactions with the Gracie’s after fight
29:45 reason for alternates to have fights
30:47 apology letter to the Gracie’s (rumor)
32:20 wore out from walking out with heavy cross
34:00 negotiations to fight in Japan
34:32 Kimo Leopoldo vs Pat Smith
36:36 making $500 to fight Royce Gracie
38:54 training at J Sect
39:32 Joe Son vs Keith Hackney
41:55 Kimo Leopoldo vs Masaaki Satake
43:34 connecting with Matt Hume
43:53 incorrectly listed rematch with Pat Smith
44:44 training with Carl Franks
45:12 training partners at AMC
46:39 issues with Allan Goes
47:58 Royce Gracie blue belt narrative
51:29 parting ways with Joe Son
52:28 managed by father Dennis Leopoldo
53:36 negotiations for UFC 8
54:40 conflict backstage at UFC 8
56:11 Tank Abbotts reputation on the streets
56:47 bouncer Richard Alvarez
58:27 John Lober
59:54 Eddie Ruiz
1:00:37 Tiki Ghosn
1:01:03 early involvement training Tito Ortiz (rumor)
1:01:45 crew members
1:02:26 fallout with Matt Hume after Ken shamrock fight
1:05:18 training with Joe Moreira
1:07:34 releasing instructional with Joe Moreira
1:09:09 Kimo Leopoldo vs Kazushi Sakuraba
1:13:59 Kimo Leopoldo vs Yoshihiro Takayama
1:16:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bam Bam Bigelow
1:20:01 dealings with the Yakuza
1:22:10 interactions with Gerard Gordeau
1:23:29 Kimo Leopoldo vs Paul Varelans
1:29:18 NHB era not getting the respect
1:29:53 Kimo Leopoldo vs Brian Johnston
1:31:30 negotiations with Pride FC
1:32:16 Kimo Leopoldo vs Dan Severn
1:34:41 Rickson Gracie vs Nobuhiko Takada
1:35:29 falling out with the UFC after Pride Debut
1:36:44 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tsuyoshi Kosaka
1:37:59 cancelled bout with Gary Goodridge
1:38:57 no showing event
1:40:05 Joe Son vs Yusuke Imamura
1:41:37 current feelings about Joe Son
1:45:08 Kimo Leopoldo trading cards
1:46:45 Raul Ries
1:47:02 Joe Son vs Joe Moreira
1:48:34 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tim Lajcik
1:49:32 cancelled bout with Bas Rutten
1:51:47 running into Tank Abbott at a bar
1:54:08 Kimo Leopoldo vs Tank Abbott
1:57:20 Kimo Leopoldo vs Bob Sapp
2:05:54 conversations after Bob Sapp fight
2:07:30 interview wrap up
2:09:20 outro/ closing thoughts
