Featured Stories
I've written a lot of stories over the past 25 years. Some of them are stinkers. But the stories below? They're the ones I like the best.
The Barbarian and The Bear
On UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and his good friend, the genocidal Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.
Honoring Our Commitment: Caring For Our Nation's Veterans
I worked with the Beto for America campaign on drafting a policy-forward vision to dramatically change-and dramatically improve--the way we take care of veterans.
Grief, Loss and Learning to Cope
On handling the worst part of living.
I knew it when I walked in the room. She had no idea who I was.
“This is your grandson, Jeremy,” PawPaw said. He was sitting next to her hospital bed, his wood and bone cane nestled between his legs. He was leaning in her direction, the same way he’d been leaning her direction for sixty years.
My grandmother was having surgery for a broken hip the next morning. She’d fallen earlier in the week, and things were getting worse. They’d been getting worse for
I knew it when I walked in the room. She had no idea who I was.
“This is your grandson, Jeremy,” PawPaw said. He was sitting next to her hospital bed, his wood and bone cane nestled between his legs. He was leaning in her direction, the same way he’d been leaning her direction for sixty years.
My grandmother was having surgery for a broken hip the next morning. She’d fallen earlier in the week, and things were getting worse. They’d been getting worse for
This Is An MMA Love Story
A profile of UFC champion Amanda Nunes and her partner Nina Ansaroff.
Derrick Lewis Doesn't Care What You Think
Houstonian Derrick Lewis might be the funniest man in mixed martial arts. He's certainly one of the scariest.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Brought His Best vs. Conor McGregor; Then We Saw His Worst
Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Conor McGregor on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 229.
"He bludgeoned him" is probably a more accurate way to describe it. It went precisely how most of the sport's followers predicted it would go: If McGregor could not keep his back off the canvas, he was in big trouble. You know, like every other Khabib fight.
And it was like every other Khabib fight, right up to the part where it became unlike any other UFC fight in the history of the sport.
After three rou
"He bludgeoned him" is probably a more accurate way to describe it. It went precisely how most of the sport's followers predicted it would go: If McGregor could not keep his back off the canvas, he was in big trouble. You know, like every other Khabib fight.
And it was like every other Khabib fight, right up to the part where it became unlike any other UFC fight in the history of the sport.
After three rou
Back from the Brink of Death
In the summer of 2017, Dustin Ventimiglia was nearly crushed to death by a forklift. He was in a coma. A year later? He's fighting again. My profile of an incredible young man and his mind-boggling determination.
In The Shadow of The Greatest
I have profiled Daniel Cormier perhaps more than any other fighter. Now, in 2018, he can see the ending of his career in sight, and he's taking stock of all he has accomplished.
C.M. Punk is Still Fighting
A profile of the former pro wrestler as he prepares for his second fight in the UFC.
The Philosophy of Thug Rose
Everyone wanted Rose Namajunas to be Ronda Rousey. That's never going to happen. A profile of the UFC's most unique and philosophical champion.
Always a Prizefighter
Miguel Torres was the first great bantamweight MMA fighter, but then everything fell apart. I went to Indiana to profile a man who loves martial arts, but hates the industry.
The Secret That Led Conor McGregor to Fame, Fortune and Floyd Mayweather
When Conor McGregor read The Secret, it changed his life. I dove deep into that book and traced the history of the Law of Attraction back to its roots centuries ago.
There Will Be Blood
A profile of Robbie Lawler, the man who Dana White once signed as a birthday present for himself.
The UFC Has Lost its Soul
In this piece for Whizzered, I reflect on the days when the UFC was a lot more fun, and try to figure out where everything went wrong.
Changed
On life in the Iraq War and how it forever changed not only who I was, but what I believed.
My First Protest
Our Muslim neighbors gathered at the state Capitol to pray. We decided to help protect them.
The Smartest Fighter on Earth
A profile of one of the deepest thinkers in combat sports on the eve of his return from yet another injury.
The Legend of 'Irish' Joe Duffy
There was a time when Joe Duffy was best known as the last man to beat Conor McGregor. I profiled the man who is so much more than just that.
The Cost: MMA's Injury Epidemic and How the UFC Is Seeking to Fix It
The dreaded injury bug might be the worst nightmare for MMA fans. A few years ago, the UFC wanted to do something about it. I take you inside their efforts to build a new cutting-edge training facility that hopes to benefit athletes for years to come.
A Man in Full
A profile of Nick Newell, a congenital amputee and mixed martial artist.
Is Sage Northcutt the Future of the UFC?
Sage Northcutt and I are from the same small town. We went to the same high school. We know a lot of the same people. But his career path is just a tad different than mine.
Savior of the Pygmies
Justin Wren is a fighter, but his life's work is much more important. A profile of a man devoted to improving the lives of others.
Touching Monuments
On America's capital, the history on display there and the way it makes you feel both nostalgic and sad.
The Ghosts of Gettysburg
A trip to Gettysburg for a wedding led me to a remarkable moment of introspection, so I wrote about it.
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