JRE MMA Show #177 - Protect Ya Neck

Rallo began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rickson Gracie Rep Mark Finley in May of 1998. After two weeks of BJJ training Finley asked Rallo if he would like to fight MMA. All fighters who wanted to represent Rickson needed Rickson’s permission to fight as a pro.

Matt Serra is a retired American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who notably defeated Matt Hughes to win the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2007, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. He later became a coach on The Ultimate Fighter and now runs a successful martial arts academy on Long Island while working as a UFC commentator and analyst. Serra remains an influential figure in MMA, known for his technical grappling skills and his role in mentoring the next generation of fighters.

Din Thomas (born September 28, 1976) is an American retired mixed martial artist, UFC color commentator, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Thomas began his professional MMA career in 1998 and competed until 2013, compiling an overall record of 26 wins, 9 losses, and 1 no contest across promotions including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His victories included seven knockouts or technical knockouts, fifteen submissions, and four decisions, with standout submission wins over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver and fellow contenders Rich Clementi, Matt Serra, and Jeremy Stephens, as well as a decision against Clay Guida. Thomas gained prominence in the UFC through his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback in 2005, where he reached the semifinals before losing to eventual winner Joe Stevenson, and he fought in notable events such as UFC 33, UFC 41, and UFC Fight Night 11. A third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ricardo Liborio, Thomas has long emphasized grappling in his fighting style and coaching, training at American Top Team in Florida after relocating there as a youth. Following his retirement from competition, he transitioned into broadcasting and mentorship, serving as a UFC analyst for ESPN since 2019 and hosting shows on SiriusXM's Fight Nation channel, where he provides expert commentary on MMA events and fighter development. In recent years, Thomas has expanded into film, making his directorial debut with the upcoming feature Flowers , set for release in 2026, while continuing to coach fighters at American Top Team and co-hosting the podcast Fight Court . Din Thomas was born on September 28, 1976, in Wilmington, Delaware . He spent the first 12 years of his life in Delaware before moving with his family to Port St. Lucie, Florida , where he completed his formative years. Growing up, Thomas showed little initial interest in organized sports, instead gravitating toward street life and occasional trouble, which shaped his early worldview. As a smaller-statured youth , Thomas faced frequent challenges from peers on the streets, prompting him to seek ways to defend himself and avoid physical confrontations. These experiences instilled a practical motivation for learning combat skills, marking a shift away from unstructured street activities toward structured training. During his senior year of high school, Thomas encountered significant legal troubles after assaulting his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend, resulting in a battery arrest and weekend prison sentences throughout the year. These early hardships, combined with his exposure to urban environments in both Delaware and Florida , influenced his resilience and eventual pivot to martial arts as a constructive outlet. Din Thomas first encountered martial arts in his late teens while living in Port St. Lucie, Florida , where family relocation at age 12 had brought him from Wilmington, Delaware . He discovered concepts of jiu-jitsu while serving his weekend jail sentence for the battery charge. After participating in football during high school, Thomas sought a path to build physical and mental toughness amid personal challenges. This experience motivated him to enroll in a local karate dojo, Dragon Karate, marking his initial structured training and instilling early discipline in striking techniques. Transitioning from his interests, Thomas gravitated toward striking disciplines to enhance his combat versatility. He immersed himself in karate fundamentals before expanding into kickboxing under renowned trainer Mike Bell, a world kickboxing champion from 1980 to 1991, which sharpened his stand-up skills and power generation. Although specific achievements in karate are not widely documented, this phase laid the groundwork for his hybrid fighting style, emphasizing precision and aggression in exchanges.