In this episode of Salty's Fight Talk we sat down with Darren “D-Day” Whitney, a current BKFC fighter with a storied background in combat sports, specifically MMA. We discussed Darren's journey from a troubled youth growing up in Maine to flourishing as a professional fighter in Texas, his experiences in bare-knuckle fighting, and the personal growth he has achieved through overcoming challenges.

Our conversation highlights the importance of self-belief, healing, resilience, and the unique appeal of bare-knuckle fighting as a sport and challenge. Darren shares insights into his training, the mental aspects of fighting, and his aspirations for the future.

About Darren ‘D-Day’ Whitney:

Darren “D-Day” Whitney got his start in MMA competing across regional circuits, earning a reputation for toughness and submission work in promotions such as Fury FC before transitioning into the bare-knuckle world. In that shift, he joined BKFC and made his debut in June 2025, facing Rodney Hinton in a welterweight bout.

On October 18, 2025, Whitney returns to the Squared Circle at BKFC Fight Night: Horseshoe Hammond Casino in Hammond, Indiana, where he’s slated to face Adam Brady on the main card. With one BKFC bout already under his belt, Whitney enters this matchup looking to reset his trajectory and make a statement in his second bare-knuckle outing.

Follow Darren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dday6mma

In this episode of Salty's Fight Talk, host Brad Banyas fills in for ‘The Big Sexy’ and interviews amateur MMA fighter Sydney 'High Tech' Hlebik, who shares her unique journey into martial arts, her training regimen, and the mindset required for success in the sport.

Sydney discusses her transition from soccer to wrestling in high school, her passion for striking, and the importance of mental preparation in mixed-marital arts. She emphasizes the significance of personality in fighting and how it can impact an athlete's success. Sydney also talks about her future plans, the support she needs, and encourages young athletes to pursue their dreams without fear of failure.

About Sydney Hlebik:

Sydney Hlebik is a 22‑year‑old female amateur MMA fighter hailing from Texas, competing in the flyweight division (125 lb/56.7 kg). Fighting out of Fortis MMA academy, she made her amateur debut at Tap or Scrap 12 in Victoria, Texas, on August 1, 2025, against Krystal Miller. Klebik impressively scored a first‑round TKO victory just 1 minute and 17 seconds into the bout, securing her first official win.

Beyond her early success inside the cage, Sydney Hlebik has quickly gained attention as a promising prospect in the women’s amateur ranks. Ranked among the top 500 active female fighters in the U.S. pound-for-pound and now demanding attention within the Texas regional scene, she represents the new wave of talent emerging from Fortis MMA. With a strong foundation in striking and the backing of a respected gym, Hlebik’s combination of youth, skill, and momentum suggests she is only beginning to make her mark in the sport.

Sydney Hlebik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydney.hlebik/?hl=en

Video Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sydney Hlebik

02:45 Sydney's Journey into Martial Arts

05:32 Training Regimen and Fighting Style

08:22 Making the Leap to Full-Time Training

11:25 Mindset and Mental Preparation

14:06 The Importance of Personality in Fighting

16:51 Experiences Sparring with Professionals

19:55 Future Plans and Support for Sydney

22:45 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

#martialarts #mma #combatsports #mmatraining #ufc #fighterinterview

In this episode, we sat down with Justyn Martinez, a passionate bare knuckle fighter and devoted father. Justyn shares his journey from high school wrestling to his transition into MMA and then bare knuckle fighting, highlighting the thrill and intensity of the new sport.

Martinez discusses his upcoming fight against ‘Rambo’ Russo at BKFC 78 in Hollywood, FL, his training regimen, and the importance of setting a standard as a father. Justyn also expresses his aspirations for the future of bare knuckle fighting and his desire to mentor young fighters coming up in the ranks. The conversation touches on many aspects related to bare knuckle fighting such as the evolving landscape of combat sports and the unique opportunities presented to fighters by the BKFC.

Video Chapters

00:00 Justyn's Journey into Fighting

04:04 The Thrill of Bare Knuckle Fighting

07:01 Upcoming BKFC Fight and Preparation

09:58 Life Outside the Squared Circle

12:27 Future Aspirations in Combat Sports

15:56 The Evolution of Bare Knuckle Fighting

18:50 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

About Justyn Martinez:

Justyn Martinez is an American bare-knuckle fighter competing in the Flyweight division of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Standing at 5'2" with a 64.5-inch reach, Martinez hails from Wichita, Kansas, and is known for his relentless fighting style and resilience in the Squared Circle.

Before embarking on his combat sports journey, Martinez served in the U.S. Army Airborne Division. Outside the ring, he's a dedicated “girl dad” and works as a dog handler/trainer, reflecting his passion for animals. His military background and personal commitments have instilled in him a disciplined and tenacious approach to fighting.

Martinez began his combat sports career in amateur MMA in 2018. He later transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing, making his professional debut with BKFC. Martinez's BKFC record stands at 2 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no contest.

He secured his first promotional victory on January 18, 2025, with a 65-second TKO over Alex "Prince" Gutierrez at BKFC Fight Night: Pechanga. He followed this with another first-round TKO against Zay "Zaybomination" Garcia on February 28, 2025, at BKFC Fight Night: Albuquerque.

Martinez is scheduled to face Matt "Rambo" Russo on July 12, 2025, at BKFC 78 in Hollywood, Florida.

#fighter #bkfc #mma #sports #fighter #sports #bareknuckle #boxer #mmatraining