Vice Season 1 Episode 8 Fighting Chances

In Vice season 1 episode 8 titled Fighting Chances, the show explores the world of amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and their journey to make it to the big leagues. Host Shane Smith travels to Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city that has become a hotbed for MMA training, to get an inside look at the sport and the fighters who sacrifice everything in order to pursue their dreams.

Smith meets with several fighters, including Cody East, a promising heavyweight fighter who has had a troubled past and has recently been released from prison. East opens up about his struggles and how MMA has given him a second chance at life. Smith also talks to Holly Holm, a former boxing champion turned MMA fighter who has risen to fame in recent years. Holm talks about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated sport and the importance of working hard and staying focused.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken behind the scenes of the training and preparation that goes into an MMA fight. They witness the fighters grueling workouts, strict diets and intense mental and physical training. They also see the emotional toll that comes with the sport, as fighters deal with injuries, setbacks and the pressure to succeed.

One of the most impactful parts of the episode is when Smith interviews the mother of a fighter named Brandon "The Beast" Medina, who tragically died in a fight. She talks about the devastation of losing a son to the sport and the need for stricter safety regulations.

Overall, Fighting Chances is a powerful episode that humanizes the often-misunderstood world of MMA and sheds light on the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming a professional fighter. It also touches on the risks and dangers associated with the sport and raises important questions about the need for better safety measures.