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In this first episode of our Cage Rage series, the MMA History Podcast sits down with co-founder Andy Geer for a rare, in-depth look at the promotion that changed UK MMA forever.
From running their very first event in a local leisure centre to landing a television deal by their second show, Andy reveals how they built a global brand on a shoestring budget. Discover the rise of British legends like Michael Bisping, Brad Pickett, and the notorious Lee Murray, who fought his final MMA bout for Cage Rage before his infamous high-profile bank heists.
Learn how Cage Rage took a Brazilian fighter with a spotty Pride record in Anderson Silva and, in just two appearances, delivered the future UFC GOAT to the world. Andy shares wild stories from events 1 through 9, including bringing in international talent, chaotic early fights, Royce Gracie refereeing, political pushback, venue battles, and the raw, unfiltered energy of the early 2000s UK MMA scene.
He discusses starting Cage Rage with zero experience, landing Sky TV and building an international audience, the Anderson Silva versus Lee Murray weigh-in chaos, Michael Bisping’s early arrogance and rise, along with key figures like Jeremy Bailey, Mark Epstein, Paul Jenkins and more, plus the crazy backstage culture and growth pains that shaped the promotion.
A must-watch for any MMA fan interested in the golden era of European MMA, UK pioneers, and the wild history behind one of the most influential promotions outside the UFC.
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In part two of the Cage Rage Chronicles, promoter Andy Geer reveals how the UK promotion went from regional shows to an international powerhouse that attracted Anderson Silva, Melvin Manhoef, and the biggest names in early 2000s MMA.
Mike Davis and Joey Venti continue the deep dive into Cage Rage’s explosive rise, the business decisions that built a global brand with almost no TV money, Pride FC crossovers, and the wild behind-the-scenes stories that defined British MMA history.
Andy Geer discusses the UFC 38 Lee Murray vs Tito Ortiz street fight fallout, the impact of The Ultimate Fighter (plus his own early reality show treatment idea), upgrading production with Stephen Quadros “The Fight Professor,” Paul Daley’s early wars, sponsoring UK talents like Brad Pickett and Paul Daley to American Top Team, Anderson Silva’s run including his reverse elbow prediction, Pride FC fighter exchanges and rule changes (head stomps & soccer kicks), the Wolf Slayer gym drama involving Michael Bisping, Dana White and Pride executives ringside together, major sponsorship deals including $100k+ betting money on the mat, stacked cards at Wembley, Vitor Belfort backstage moments, and the launch of their contender series.
This is the pivotal rise period that helped put European MMA on the map — essential for fans of early UFC, Pride FC, and the gritty business of promoting in the pre-TV boom era.