Emma Brown
CEO of Dato Analytics
EP 32
Feb 28, 2022
A Journey from the Mean Streets to the Global Stage
From a forgotten warehouse to a world stage, Tony Russo defied odds to create BFC - a revolution in MMA. When passion meets grit, the best rise.
1
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Early Days: Building Dreams in a Run-Down Warehouse
In 2007, a businessman and fighter named Tony "The Bull" Russo turned a neglected warehouse into a haven for aspiring fighters. His vision? To transform raw talent into winning spirits, and in doing so, he poured his life and soul into this gym.
Fighting the Sharks: Standing Up to the Loan Sharks
Success didn't come without its downsides. The flourishing gym began to attract unwanted attention - loan sharks. They wanted a piece of Tony's vision and the profits it was generating. But Tony Russo was not a man to roll over easily.
A New Beginning: Moving to Austin, Texas
Instead of surrendering his dream to the sharks, Russo chose to relocate to Austin, Texas. It was here that he laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Best Fighting Champion - the BFC.
The Vision: More Than Just a Federation
The BFC wasn't just another fighting federation to Russo. It was a revolution. His vision was to prioritize the fighters, the art, and the passion of the sport over the lure of easy profits.
Overcoming Skepticism: Convincing the Investors
After moving to Austin, Russo faced a new challenge - winning over potential investors. Many were skeptical, believing boxing's dominance in the fight industry was unshakeable. However, Russo remained confident in his vision. He saw MMA as more than just wrestling; it was strategy, discipline, and technique that pushed the human body to its limits.
Taking a Bet: The Birth of BFC
Despite the skepticism, Russo was adamant. He saw a hunger in the crowds, a thirst for something raw, real, and unfiltered. He was convinced that MMA could fill that void and offer something boxing couldn't. This belief and unwavering conviction marked the birth of BFC.
The road from a run-down warehouse to the global stage was far from easy. Yet, Tony Russo's story serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a vision that defies convention. As we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for BFC, one thing remains clear: In the BFC, only the best rise.
Business
EP 32
Feb 28, 2022
A Journey from the Mean Streets to the Global Stage
From a forgotten warehouse to a world stage, Tony Russo defied odds to create BFC - a revolution in MMA. When passion meets grit, the best rise.
1
00:00
00:00
Early Days: Building Dreams in a Run-Down Warehouse
In 2007, a businessman and fighter named Tony "The Bull" Russo turned a neglected warehouse into a haven for aspiring fighters. His vision? To transform raw talent into winning spirits, and in doing so, he poured his life and soul into this gym.
Fighting the Sharks: Standing Up to the Loan Sharks
Success didn't come without its downsides. The flourishing gym began to attract unwanted attention - loan sharks. They wanted a piece of Tony's vision and the profits it was generating. But Tony Russo was not a man to roll over easily.
A New Beginning: Moving to Austin, Texas
Instead of surrendering his dream to the sharks, Russo chose to relocate to Austin, Texas. It was here that he laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Best Fighting Champion - the BFC.
The Vision: More Than Just a Federation
The BFC wasn't just another fighting federation to Russo. It was a revolution. His vision was to prioritize the fighters, the art, and the passion of the sport over the lure of easy profits.
Overcoming Skepticism: Convincing the Investors
After moving to Austin, Russo faced a new challenge - winning over potential investors. Many were skeptical, believing boxing's dominance in the fight industry was unshakeable. However, Russo remained confident in his vision. He saw MMA as more than just wrestling; it was strategy, discipline, and technique that pushed the human body to its limits.
Taking a Bet: The Birth of BFC
Despite the skepticism, Russo was adamant. He saw a hunger in the crowds, a thirst for something raw, real, and unfiltered. He was convinced that MMA could fill that void and offer something boxing couldn't. This belief and unwavering conviction marked the birth of BFC.
The road from a run-down warehouse to the global stage was far from easy. Yet, Tony Russo's story serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a vision that defies convention. As we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for BFC, one thing remains clear: In the BFC, only the best rise.
Business
EP 32
Feb 28, 2022
A Journey from the Mean Streets to the Global Stage
From a forgotten warehouse to a world stage, Tony Russo defied odds to create BFC - a revolution in MMA. When passion meets grit, the best rise.
1
00:00
00:00
Early Days: Building Dreams in a Run-Down Warehouse
In 2007, a businessman and fighter named Tony "The Bull" Russo turned a neglected warehouse into a haven for aspiring fighters. His vision? To transform raw talent into winning spirits, and in doing so, he poured his life and soul into this gym.
Fighting the Sharks: Standing Up to the Loan Sharks
Success didn't come without its downsides. The flourishing gym began to attract unwanted attention - loan sharks. They wanted a piece of Tony's vision and the profits it was generating. But Tony Russo was not a man to roll over easily.
A New Beginning: Moving to Austin, Texas
Instead of surrendering his dream to the sharks, Russo chose to relocate to Austin, Texas. It was here that he laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Best Fighting Champion - the BFC.
The Vision: More Than Just a Federation
The BFC wasn't just another fighting federation to Russo. It was a revolution. His vision was to prioritize the fighters, the art, and the passion of the sport over the lure of easy profits.
Overcoming Skepticism: Convincing the Investors
After moving to Austin, Russo faced a new challenge - winning over potential investors. Many were skeptical, believing boxing's dominance in the fight industry was unshakeable. However, Russo remained confident in his vision. He saw MMA as more than just wrestling; it was strategy, discipline, and technique that pushed the human body to its limits.
Taking a Bet: The Birth of BFC
Despite the skepticism, Russo was adamant. He saw a hunger in the crowds, a thirst for something raw, real, and unfiltered. He was convinced that MMA could fill that void and offer something boxing couldn't. This belief and unwavering conviction marked the birth of BFC.
The road from a run-down warehouse to the global stage was far from easy. Yet, Tony Russo's story serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a vision that defies convention. As we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for BFC, one thing remains clear: In the BFC, only the best rise.
Business
EP 32
Feb 28, 2022
A Journey from the Mean Streets to the Global Stage
From a forgotten warehouse to a world stage, Tony Russo defied odds to create BFC - a revolution in MMA. When passion meets grit, the best rise.
1
00:00
00:00
Early Days: Building Dreams in a Run-Down Warehouse
In 2007, a businessman and fighter named Tony "The Bull" Russo turned a neglected warehouse into a haven for aspiring fighters. His vision? To transform raw talent into winning spirits, and in doing so, he poured his life and soul into this gym.
Fighting the Sharks: Standing Up to the Loan Sharks
Success didn't come without its downsides. The flourishing gym began to attract unwanted attention - loan sharks. They wanted a piece of Tony's vision and the profits it was generating. But Tony Russo was not a man to roll over easily.
A New Beginning: Moving to Austin, Texas
Instead of surrendering his dream to the sharks, Russo chose to relocate to Austin, Texas. It was here that he laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Best Fighting Champion - the BFC.
The Vision: More Than Just a Federation
The BFC wasn't just another fighting federation to Russo. It was a revolution. His vision was to prioritize the fighters, the art, and the passion of the sport over the lure of easy profits.
Overcoming Skepticism: Convincing the Investors
After moving to Austin, Russo faced a new challenge - winning over potential investors. Many were skeptical, believing boxing's dominance in the fight industry was unshakeable. However, Russo remained confident in his vision. He saw MMA as more than just wrestling; it was strategy, discipline, and technique that pushed the human body to its limits.
Taking a Bet: The Birth of BFC
Despite the skepticism, Russo was adamant. He saw a hunger in the crowds, a thirst for something raw, real, and unfiltered. He was convinced that MMA could fill that void and offer something boxing couldn't. This belief and unwavering conviction marked the birth of BFC.
The road from a run-down warehouse to the global stage was far from easy. Yet, Tony Russo's story serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a vision that defies convention. As we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for BFC, one thing remains clear: In the BFC, only the best rise.
Business