Clinch Chronicles Podcast
Episode 32
The Blueprint of Hustle
with Mitchell Chamale
Combat Night CEO · Recorded at Rey's Cuban Cafe
"Promoters were evil… no one was looking out for you. I wanted to take every bad experience we had and figure out what we'd want if we were fighting."
— Mitchell Chamale
In this episode
Mitchell Chamale, the mind behind Combat Night, joins the table to discuss the "Blueprint of Hustle" that built Florida's MMA scene. A professional fighter who once stepped into the One FC ring on 24 hours' notice, Mitchell has spent the last 14 years evolving from a local competitor to a promotion powerhouse.
In this episode, we talk about the reality of the fight business: the trial and error of launching a brand with Josh Samman, the logistical chaos of running events during the 2020 lockdowns, and why fighter branding is the only real way to get paid in a game that doesn't always play fair.
Show notes & highlights
Key topics and discussions
Side Hustles: Mitchell breaks down how he used side-hustles, from flipping Craigslist cars to reselling bodybuilding supplements, to fund the early days of Combat Night.
Florida Roots: A look at his start as a high school wrestler and how a random transition into college cheerleading provided a gymnastic foundation for his MMA career.
Combat Night Origins: Insights into the first event in Tallahassee and building a business from a car-ride conversation with the late Josh Samman.
The Pro Experience: Reflections on his 24-hour notice call-up to One FC in Singapore and the reality of fighting in major international promotions.
Fighter Branding: Discussion on the importance of weigh-in "bits" and why building a personal brand is more important for a paycheck than a winning record.
Featured segment · The Pandemic Pioneers
Jacksonville 2020: A look at how Combat Night became the only live sporting event in the world during the March 2020 lockdowns, beating the UFC to the punch.
Logistical Nightmare: Mitchell shares what it was like managing fire marshals with clickers and rotating fighters through separate rooms to stay under the 50-person limit.
About the restaurant
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Restaurant photo
Rey's Cuban Cafe
Tucked away in Casselberry, Rey's Cuban Cafe is a local underdog story in its own right. After a family from Cuba took over a spot with failing reviews, they transformed it into a neighborhood institution through pure hospitality and authentic, home-cooked staples. Whether it's the massive tripletas or the garlic-loaded shrimp, the food is as heavy-hitting as the conversation, proving why Mitchell has been a regular here for over a decade.
Episode extras
Clips and shorts from the episode.
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