In this special episode of Locked In, we sit down with two pioneers of Philadelphia’s MMA scene—Stephen Haigh, founder of the legendary Fight Factory, and DJ Ricky Lee, one of the gym’s original coaches. Stephen has trained some of the toughest fighters to come out of Philly and was the one who introduced me to Joey Pyfer at the Factory.
We dive into the origins of the Fight Factory, what the early days of mixed martial arts were like, and how Stephen and Ricky got their start in combat sports. This episode is a tribute to the gym that shaped us and the people who laid the foundation for Philly’s MMA legacy. Joe and I couldn’t be more grateful to be original members of the Factory, and we’re excited to share these stories with you.