How Ed Soares Built the Pipeline to the UFC | Coffeez
5/15/202645 min
In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, Joe sits down with Ed Soares, President of Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) and one of the most respected figures in mixed martial arts.
Ed has spent decades inside the fight game, from managing some of the biggest names in MMA to helping build the next generation of world-class fighters through LFA.
Known for his work with legends like Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and José Aldo, Ed has played a major role in shaping the careers of athletes who changed the sport forever.
This conversation goes beyond the cage. Joe and Ed talk about loyalty, fighter development, the business side of MMA, what separates real champions from talented fighters, and how LFA continues to serve as one of the strongest pipelines to the UFC.
If you love combat sports, entrepreneurship, leadership, or the mindset behind elite performers, this episode gives you a rare look at the people building the future of MMA.
Hosted by Joseph Shalaby
Coffeez for Closers Podcast
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsEd Soares· Guest0:00
The LFA is the number one developmental organization in the world. That's, that's like, that's not even me saying it. Uh, it's not- That's a fact ... it's, uh, it's a fact. I mean- It's a fact ... Google it. You know what I mean?
Joseph Shalaby· Host0:10
Yeah.
Ed Soares· Guest0:10
You could Google it. You could ask ChatGPT, you could ask Gemini, they'll tell you we're the number one developmental organization.
Joseph Shalaby· Host0:16
Welcome to another episode of Coffees. Today you guys are in for a very special guest. I'm sitting down with the founder and CEO of Legacy Fighting Alliance, an ally of the UFC and a breeding ground for 27% of all of the current UFC champions. They are breeding the best of the best of the best, and their fight teams are incredible. Please welcome the founder and CEO of Legacy Fighting Alliance, Ed Soares. Thanks, Ed, for jumping on the show.
Ed Soares· Guest0:50
Oh man, my pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Joseph Shalaby· Host0:52
Coming in fr- hot from Redondo Beach, I appreciate, uh, you coming in. Um, it's an absolute pr- pl- pleasure. I myself am a big fighting fan, fan of yours, fan of what you're doing, and a fan of what you're doing, uh, to really elevate the fight game, so you know, God bless. Uh, b- I like to start every show off the same way I start with all my guests, and what's your, what's your morning routine, Ed?
Ed Soares· Guest1:14
You know, I, I wake up. Uh, it depends on the day. I don't, I don't have like a, a set routine every day. Um, I just wake up, um, grab a coffee at, uh, downstairs, and then I kinda