Press ESC to close

Sam Alvey: From Band Nerd to MMA Pro – An Inspiring Journey


On the premiere episode of the Overdogs Podcast, co-host Sam “Smile’n” Alvey shared a riveting and inspiring narrative of his journey from an unexpected beginning to becoming a top-ranked middleweight in the UFC.  Sam’s story is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the transformative power of passion.

Sam Alvey Winning Highlights

Hailing from a background as a band nerd and a semi-professional trumpet player, Sam’s trajectory into the world of combat sports was unconventional, to say the least. His initial foray into Pancrase, a form of MMA that excluded face-hitting, marked the genesis of his combat sports adventure. Despite the defeat in the final round, Sam’s determination was unshaken, and he eventually secured victories in subsequent tournaments.

Photo Source: Sam Alvey/Instagram

However, it wasn’t until his impressive performance in the ‘King of the Cage’ tournament, where he knocked out three opponents in one night, that Sam seriously considered pursuing a career in professional fighting. Supported by his wife’s encouragement, he moved to Temecula, California, to train with Dan Henderson, further propelling his career into the professional realm.

Photo Source: Sky Sports

Sam Alvey’s Top 5 MMA Greats and UFC Analysis on Over Dogs Podcast

In the enthralling debut of the Over Dogs Podcast, co-host Sam Alvey, a seasoned UFC veteran, unveiled his personal selection of the top 5 MMA greatest fighters. This episode segment provided an insight into Sam’s profound understanding of the sport and its legendary figures. His list, featuring formidable names like Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre), khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib), José Aldo, Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA), and, Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) and  Fedor Emelianenko sparked a spirited discussion amongst the hosts.

Photo Source: MMA Fighting

Sam Alvey’s Top 5 MMA G.O.A.T. List:

1- GSP

2- Khabib

3- Jose Aldo

4- Max Holloway

5- Stipe/Fedor

Sam’s expertise and analytical prowess were further showcased when he delved into the analysis of Jon Jones’ triumphant return to the octagon after a three-year hiatus. Breaking down Jones’ victory over Ciryl Gane, Sam’s keen observations shed light on the intricacies of the sport, adding a layer of depth to the podcast.

Furthermore, Sam and the hosts engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the prevalent issue of performance-enhancing substances in MMA, highlighting the importance of a clean and fair playing field.

For those seeking to immerse themselves in Sam Alvey’s insightful commentary and analysis and to discover more about his top 5 MMA GOATs, the complete episode is available at https://OverDogsPodcast.com or watch it down below.


About Kanpai Media:

Kanpai Media is the world’s leading multimedia platform out of web3 specializing in best and premium story-first content across combat sports, culture, digital collectibles, & various aspects of the Kanpai Pandas ethos through unique show formats, live broadcasts, digital platforms, audio content, and live event experiences.