Dylan James Bowker

Albert Onolunose discusses his NABO title, Bowmont Boxing Club, and representing Western Canada as a top ten international Middleweight

I caught up with Albert Onolunose ahead of his rematch with Francis Lafreniere for the NABO Middleweight title on June 29th in Laval, Quebec. On Bowks Talking Bouts #94, we talked about:
 
The narrative that the last fight was an upset for Albert and the (possible) respective strategies of both heading into this rematch, Bowmont Boxing Club's excellence and how it helps put great Calgary pugilists on the map, recent forays into Montreal and his thoughts on journeying outside his regular competitive stomping grounds of Alberta, using the intense boos of the Quebec crowd to strength his championship resolve, getting top ten/ fifteen rankings by numerous boxing bodies and his goals after capturing the NABO title, wanting to assert himself as the best Middleweight in Canada even more so, spending time away from the ring for years and shaking some rust off upon the return, falling into some legal trouble for a period and overcoming those hard times to regain what he had prior, jamming reggae on the way to the ring to maintain a relaxed mind, and more!

Jon and Sal discuss issues with Rikishi, Johnny Devine's harsh criticisms, and Iron Sheik being on shrooms in Oshawa

This BTB installment was a reunion episode as I welcomed Jon and Sal onto the show..... Bowks Talking Bouts #93.
 
We discussed Triple H taking on more of a leadership role in things, crowds trying to get themselves over with chants nowadays, MMA and pro wrestling overlap nowadays, the perception that certain modern workers aren't striving to be that upper echelon star, workers being ignored in spite of getting over with the audience, the All In show and the indie scene in wrestling overall, what the future could hold for CM Punk, Lucha Underground and NJPW, House of Hardcore, Spenny (Kenny vs Spenny) getting beat up by Rhyno, trippy run-ins with Rikishi and Johnny Devine, Iron Sheik getting high on shrooms in Oshawa, chicanery from Honky Tonk Man, and more!

Alejandra Lara talks about vying for a Bellator title at 23 years of age, training at Roufusport, and the Women's MMA Flyweight class

On this BTB installment, I was happy to speak with Alejandra Lara ahead of her title bid against Flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in the main event of Bellator 201 on June 29th...…..(Bowks Talking Bouts #92)
 
We talked about being in a main event title fight at 23 years of age, Alejandra training with Alexa Grasso and other name talent in the past at Roufusport (2:33), her teammates being family and the support of Columbia (3:53), not being stoked that she didn't get a name key put up in her last fight and the benefits of surprising people with your skills (6:29), doing commentary work for Empire MMA and how commentating benefits her own fighting (7:52), working full time as a physical trainer and the functional strength Alejandra gets from aerial silks, acrobatics, etc (8:44), Lara's thoughts on the 125lb women's division in Bellator and who she would like to compete against (10:51), and more!

Liberty Music: Dave Weckerman

I had a great time speaking with Dave Weckerman of Yung Wu/ The Feelies.
 
We discussed influential artists from growing up, his recent re-issue project through Record Store Day, taking part in various side projects which usually involved the same cast of characters, preferring occasional local shows to steadily touring, living the log cabin life with a rotary phone, journeying through Canada, having a map of the Great White North on his bedroom wall, the enjoyment of playing to unfamiliar crowds, and more!
 

Jerin Valel discusses the learning curve for MMA judging, the musicality of grappling sequences, and advice for prospective MMA referees

Bowks Talking Bouts #91 showcased a super artistic/ insightful talk with well regarded MMA referee/ judge/ analyst Jerin Valel. We got into several topics throughout. 
 
 
 
We talked about how he got into mixed-martial arts despite initially finding it barbaric, why Jerin gravitated towards becoming an MMA referee (5:35), Jerin's experiences as a pro fighter and how it informs his efforts as an MMA ref (9:05), the evolution of MMA judges becoming more aware of how to score grappling exchanges (13:10), the international travel associated with his job (17:45), Jerin's XFFC experience deducting points on low blows and the culture of MMA refs admonishing fighters without penalizing them (19:32), Jerin's best advice for any prospective mixed-martial arts referees (29:30), the musicality of jiu-jitsu and how the undulating movements between grapplers creates it's own underlying rhythm/ groove/ music (32:10), and more!

Robbie Peralta discusses fighting Juan Archuleta at Bellator 201, the benefits of Cannabis for an MMA fighter, and his love for old school hip hop

I spoke with UFC vet Robbie Peralta on Bowks Talking Bouts #90 ahead of his fight with Juan Archuleta at Bellator 201 going June 29th.
 
 
We discussed debuting with Bellator, recently overcoming a four fight losing skid (3:14), cross training with Tristar in the past and his training heading into Bellator 201 (4:07), what his future goals are in MMA after spending over a decade in the sport already (4:54), maintaining a full time job to provide for his family while also being a professional athlete (5:53), the benefits of cannabis to Robbie's efforts and cannabinoid viewpoints in mixed-martial arts (7:30), his love for old school hip hop and how he trains to rap oftentimes (10:21), and more!

Saad Awad talks about using CBD products for recovery, his Bellator 201 fight with Ryan Couture, and the possibility of a 165lb weight class within MMA

On Bowks Talking Bouts #89, I welcomed back veteran MMA competitor Saad Awad to the program ahead of his Bellator 201 bout against Ryan Couture on June 29th.
 
 
 
We discussed overcoming a recent injury to get back to action, using CBD products for recuperative measures after hard sparring/ fights (1:56), finally feeling the love from Bellator in terms of promotional focus on his fights (3:15), his desire to compete for Bellator's Lightweight title (4:29), moves to establish 165lbs as a weight class and his wrestling prep ahead of fighting Couture (5:52), the big keys for Saad to get a W in his bout with Ryan Couture (8:49), his desire to compete against Roger Huerta and other opponents he would like to test his skills against in the future (10:24), his stance on people missing weight as a fighter who often takes catchweights/ jumps between classes (12:26), Anthony Bourdain passing away and his impact in the martial arts world (16:26), music he loves training to plus so much more!

Liberty Music: Dean Ween

I was ecstatic to have Dean Ween on the program. I got a lot of great insights from the longtime ax-man for Ween. 
 
We talked about his recent record "rock2", what's in his guitar rig, how finding the perfect gear is like finding the end of the internet, taking part in a Noisey segment with one of his childhood buddies, how there's only two modes, both of us playing guitar "the wrong way", Dean's signature guitar model, testing out new material in a live setting, coming up with zany song titles/ lyrics, the importance of having multiple projects on-the-go, chilling with Skrillex, and more!