Interviews – Fight Matrix

Interview with Julio Silvestre Ataide Duarte, BJJ Coach & Mentor

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Julio Silvestre Ataide Duarte has over 20 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and is a 3rd-degree black belt in BJJ from GFTeam school. For decades, he has devoted himself not only to improving his skills, but also to promoting Jiu-Jitsu as a tool for social transformation. Being a martial artist has taken Julio and his family around the globe. They currently reside in the United Arab Emirates. The cool thing is that Julio and his family all train in BJJ. He has taught many people the art of the sport, ranging from the military to being a coach at elite gyms.

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Heather

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

South Africa’s ‘born fighter’ Hulme sets sights on becoming a household name abroad

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Oleg

This article was originally published on https://www.flashscore.com/

Hulme has already made an impact on the European scene

Europe’s OKTAGON MMA has been growing steadily to become one of the big players in the global combat sports market, and is therefore becoming a target for fighters from all over the globe. As a result fans have become accustomed to frequent appearances from new faces, but few have made as good an impression in their first outing in the cage as Mark Hulme. The fighter from South Africa revealed more about himself in an interview with Flashscore News…

Hulme became a sensation in OKTAGON literally overnight. He made his debut at the number 67 tournament in Trinec and showed that he is a force to be reckoned with in the Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid. Six years older than Andreas Michailidis of Greece, he finished off Michailidis in just 2:20 of the first round via submission.

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Charles Oliviera Predicts UFC 317 Clash With Ilia Topuria Won’t Last Long

Posted on May 28, 2025 by A. J. Riot

Brazilian UFC star Charles Oliveira takes on Ilia Topuria in the big fight at UFC 317 on June 28th in Nevada, and the 35-year-old, who saw off Michael Chandler last November to secure his 35th win, believes he’ll make light work of his unbeaten Georgian-Spanish opponent.

It’s now 17 years since the former undisputed Lightweight champion made his UFC debut in Sao Paulo, and he will hope that he can take care of a fighter seven years his junior.

UFC fans who want to bet on this fight, or indeed any of the other bouts on the undercard, can make the most of the key info here that helps bettors identify the best sportsbook app to use for their wager, thereby helping to maximize any potential payout.

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Interview with the President of Ukraine’s MMA Real Fight Promotion, Vitaliy Vovk

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Vitaliy Vovk is a Ukrainian MMA promoter, President and founder of Ukraine’s leading MMA organization, Real Fight Promotion (RFP). Vovk has over 40 years of experience in combat sports, and has competed in amateur boxing and trained in kickboxing. He has a background in law enforcement; however, ultimately he found his calling as an MMA promoter, referee and judge. Since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, RFP has held 11 events which helped support various charities in Ukraine. In 2025, Vovk and the RFP are looking to continue to hold events, advancing the MMA scene in Ukraine and worldwide.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Interview with Pillow Fighting Championships Promoter, Thomas Elferis

Posted on May 11, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Thomas C. Elferis has quite a vision for Pillow Fight Championship (PFC). He is a superb promoter, athlete, and father. All of the work that Thomas does would not be possible without the founder of PFC, Steve Williams, a well-known telecommunications pioneer. PFC was established in 2021 and has made its way through seven countries already. This is quite impressive! My perception of Pillow Fight has completely changed after learning exactly what it entails. There might be potential to be a crossover combat sport as well.

Thomas is a man of many talents; he has played ice hockey, trained in boxing, and competed in one-wall handball. He is also actively involved in dog rescue, and is a dedicated parent. Read on to learn more about his latest venture.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

The Story of Feiga Bowick, LMSW, CDP, and How Kickboxing Changed Her Life

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Feiga Bowick, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner) is an avid Kickboxer; she does it for a hobby, not professionally. She has made an enormous impact on many people within the human service and healthcare industries. She has assisted many in the Metropolitan Detroit Community, in various ways. Such as helping individuals obtain much needed services. With a strong background in geriatric medical social work, clinical practice and a deep commitment to advocacy, Feiga works to connect individuals with the vital resources and support needed. Her work is purpose driven, rooted in empathy, and guided by her belief in the power of human connection and community. Without Feiga’s assistance, many of these people would not be able to obtain the services necessary for a good quality of life.

Mrs. Bowick is the type of person who would do almost anything in her power to help others out. She is a good resource, in a wide variety of areas. After all, she is a genuine person who cares deeply about the well-being of others, and is a social worker by profession. Read more about Feiga Bowick in her interview:

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

FightMatrix Exclusive Interview with Professional Boxer – Melody Popravak

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Melody Popravak is a professional boxer fighting out of Atlanta, GA. She holds a professional record of 2-2-1, with one win by the way of knockout. She is signed with Eruption Boxing and managed by Gwen Legge. Melody is ranked #6 welterweight in the US and #41 in the world by BoxRec. Though she started boxing later in life, Melody is looking forward to continued success in the ring and making her debut at welterweight, after starting out her career as a middleweight. She also hopes to build her own business in boxing, once her fighting career is over.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Exclusive FightMatrix Interview with Nigerian Triagon Boxing Promoter, Olumide Oyedapo

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Olumide Oyedapo is making a significant impact on the boxing community in Nigeria. He has a new organization called the Ikuuku Triagon Boxing Promotion. He is working diligently to help boxers aged 30 – 40 years old with his new organization. Olumide has a heart of gold; I am certain of this.

Since Olumide has experience as a boxer and has helped develop boxers in the past, he is a great asset to the boxing industry. He told me essentially, boxing has helped to shape who he is today.

He was raised in a close-knit family, where his parents instilled the importance of respect, discipline, and of course family. When you read more about Olumide, you will understand what type of person he is. Additionally, it’s evident that he puts his all in his work and everything that he does.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Interview with Martin Stark, Founder of World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC)

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Martin Stark is an author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, LinkedIn expert, and founder and CEO of the World Gay Boxing Championships. Over the past few years, he had worked hard to overcome the stigmas and homophobia that is prevalent in the boxing industry, and combat sports in general. Stark has organized two successful WGBC events, one in Sydney Australia and an exhibition event in Chicago, and is looking to grow his promotion in North America. Martin is an advocate for the gay athletes and the LGBTQ+ community, and is making a tremendous impact on people’s lives.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Exclusive Interview with Jiujitsu Martial Artist and World Champion, Muhammad Ammar

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Muhammad Ammar is a very talented and seasoned martial artist. He holds black belts in Judo as well as Jujitsu. He has competed worldwide and received numerous medals for his accomplishments. Presently, he is retired from active competition and has dedicated his time to coaching, refereeing, and mentoring up-and-coming Jujitsu practitioners in Pakistan and beyond.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Interview with Hailey Pennington, Professional Boxer and Entrepreneur

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Hailey Pennington (2-0-0, 2KOs) is a professional boxer and has accomplished quite a bit with hard work and discipline. Currently, she has several business ventures, besides boxing. For instance she owns her gym, is a trainer/coach, as well as a promoter. I am certain that she is likely a mentor to others. Especially, with being young and having many business endeavors. Hailey is a wonderful person for the younger generation to look up to. She has a proven track record with success. Hailey is thriving as a woman, in the combat sports industry in 2025.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Exclusive Interview with Jiu-Jitsu Coach and Competitor, George Libarian

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Heather

George Libarian at the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship (JJIF) in Crete, Greece

Introduction

George Libarian was born in Canada and raised in Southeast Michigan, USA. His family immigrated from the Middle East. At the age of six, his passion for martial arts began. This would become a life journey. Currently, George is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach at the Cavalo Martial Arts Academy in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. He is an active competitor in the Master’s divisions of JJIF and IBJJF, and plans to compete in the ADCC in the near future.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Exclusive Interview with Professional Boxer Shauna O’Keeffe

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Ireland has its very own beautiful and talented rising star, who happens to be an excellent professional boxer by the name of Shauna O’Keeffe (5-0, 3 KOs). She is ranked # 1 in the women’s lightweight division for her country, and #17 in the world. It has been incredible to watch her passion come out when she fights. She seems like a well composed and focused athlete. Following Shauna’s impeccable progress and writing about it along the way, has really encouraged me in wanting to write and learn more about boxing. She is an inspiration to an abundance of other women in the sports industry and beyond. Shauna O’Keeffe is a remarkable woman and a bad-ass fighter. Let’s take a deeper look into her life.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Exclusive Interview with 2024 FightMatrix Rookie of the Year, Thomas Gantt

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Oleg

Introduction

[#302 WW] Thomas Gantt (9-0, 1 NC) is a 31-year old professional MMA athelete, fighting out of North Carolina. He is also the recipient of the 2024 FightMatrix.com rookie of the year award. The primary reason for Gantt claiming this award is his incredible schedule in his first year as a pro. He has fought in nine professional bouts in 2024, winning eight of them, and receiving one No Contest due to an unintentional knee to the head of a downed opponent. Including his three amateur fights in the same year before beginning his pro career, Gantt has fought a total of twelve times in a calendar year. He has already fought and won once in 2025, and we are only 6 days into the year! Keep reading to learn more about Tommy Gantt and his journey.

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Exclusive Interview with Professional Boxer, Piero Valdivieso

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Heather

Introduction

Piero Valdivieso is a Peruvian professional boxer, who fights out of Miami, FL, USA. He is ranked as the #1 Super Featherweight and #3 Pound-for-Pound in Peru and #365 in the world by Boxrec.com. Weighing approximately 130 lbs, he is twenty-four years old and holds a record of 7-0 with 5 knockouts. His boxing manager is Gwen Legge from California, USA. She owns Eruption Boxing and MMA Management Company. Mr Valdivieso began to box at the age of 14 years old. Keep Reading

Heather