Joaquin Santos P.S MMA interview on RAF 14

The Joaquin Santos P.S MMA interview began with a RAF 14 trip that produced footage of the Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis confrontation, even though Santos had no media access. Santos also told P.S MMA how a grappling round with Alexei Pergande ended in a tap and why he disagrees with Cage Side Convos about the value of attending UFC events.

What did Joaquin Santos say about RAF 14 and the Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis brawl?

Joaquin Santos said he went to RAF 14 without media access, filmed the confrontation involving Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis, and followed Tsarukyan’s group after security directed them out of the press conference. He stayed at the venue afterward, gathering more content and spending time in the fan zone.

Filming the confrontation

Santos had sought media access to the Real American Freestyle event but did not receive it. He went anyway. Describing that decision, he put his approach plainly:

I took the risk. I took the risk, dude

He said he filmed the confrontation and then followed the group into the hallway and down several escalators. Among the people he encountered was Khamzat Chimaev. Santos showed Chimaev something on his phone related to Tsarukyan; he recalled Chimaev looking serious at first and smiling after Santos put the phone down. Santos also remembered Pat Downey speaking animatedly to Chimaev while people in the group watched a replay.

The press conference and fan zone

At the press conference, Santos caught a Pablo pouch that Danis threw toward people who had raised their hands. He said others complimented the catch, though he had hoped someone had recorded it. Later, Santos returned to the press conference floor, where he saw Jordan Burroughs and other wrestlers doing interviews. He remained for the fan zone and got a poster signed.

What did Joaquin Santos say about friendships in the MMA creator community?

Joaquin Santos said he understands why creators consider the risks to sponsorships and collaborations when deciding whom to associate with. His own preference is to support a genuine friend rather than end a friendship for a business opportunity. He also said friendship does not require agreement on every issue.

Santos distinguished between keeping a friend and endorsing everything that person says. Discussing controversial figures in MMA, he argued that people can disagree, talk through those differences and still look out for one another. He said he does not believe someone becomes identical to their friends simply by spending time with them.

He has also distanced himself from people in the creator community. In those cases, Santos said, he would rather stop talking to someone than make a public attack video. He criticized creators who post about another person’s controversy without first speaking to that person directly, and questioned whether viral videos made during a quiet stretch of the UFC calendar reflected genuine concern.

Which UFC events has Joaquin Santos attended, and why does he keep going?

Joaquin Santos said UFC 300 was the first UFC event he attended. He later went to UFC 311 and UFC 313, along with other cards, wrestling events and combat-sports shows. His account of those trips centered as much on meeting fans and fighters around the venues as on watching the bouts themselves.

From UFC 300 to other combat-sports events

Santos wanted to attend several events in 2024 but said timing and ticket prices ruled some out, including the event at the Sphere. He went to UFC 311 in Los Angeles after wanting to see its scheduled matchups and return to the city. A friend invited him to UFC 313. He also described trips to RAF 14, UFC BJJ events, WrestleMania and Mr. Olympia.

Some of his most memorable encounters happened outside an arena seat. Santos described Fountainbleau Las Vegas as a place where he has met numerous fighters and creators. He said he still visits hotels and other gathering spots to meet people even when he does not attend the event itself.

How did Joaquin Santos’s grappling round with Alexei Pergande end?

Joaquin Santos said Alexei Pergande took him down during a Full Violence grappling session and caught him in a guillotine. Santos tried to escape but tapped when he felt close to passing out. He had initially attempted a takedown of his own, then was surprised when Pergande responded with a backflip.

The session invited people with little jiu-jitsu experience to see how long they could last against Pergande. Santos said he entered wearing Khamzat Chimaev shorts, which prompted others to encourage him to shoot for a takedown. After Pergande’s backflip, Santos said the exchange moved to the ground, where Pergande eventually secured the guillotine.

Santos was impressed by several other participants. Although they were described as white belts, he thought some looked more experienced and noted that wrestling or no-gi training could explain the difference. He singled out a participant near the end of the lineup who resisted Pergande for a sustained stretch. At the time Santos discussed the session, he was still waiting for Full Violence to release its video.

Why did Joaquin Santos disagree with Cage Side Convos about attending UFC events?

Joaquin Santos disagreed with Cage Side Convos’ advice against paying for a distant or expensive seat at a UFC event. Santos said he respects the creator, but his own experiences in different parts of arenas have convinced him that the atmosphere and the chance to meet other MMA fans make the trip worthwhile.

The value of a seat and a conversation

Santos said he has watched events from high seats, middle sections and closer to the floor. He does not think a seat far from the action necessarily means a bad night. For fans who do not know many other MMA followers at home, he said, an arena can also be a place to find people with the same interests.

He linked several of his friendships to attending events. His trips have also led to encounters with fighters at hotels, casinos and on the Las Vegas Strip, sometimes without paying anything for those meetings. Santos acknowledged that he watches some fight nights at home, but rejected the idea that watching from home offers him the same experience as going out to an event.

What did Joaquin Santos say about his Muay Thai training?

Joaquin Santos said his movement in sparring draws on a Muay Thai base: he stays on the balls of his feet rather than keeping his heels planted. He has not competed in Muay Thai, but called entering a competition a goal he would like to pursue.

When asked whether being flat-footed is a flaw in MMA, Santos answered by describing his own habits instead of making a rule for every fighter. He said he keeps his heels up when he practices and spars, giving himself a bouncier stance. He contrasted that approach with the more planted movement he associates with boxing.

Who is Joaquin Santos?

Joaquin Santos is a combat-sports creator based in Vegas. He makes content about combat sports and describes himself as “Uncancellable.”