Full conversation: 12 minutes
Dylan McGrath and Chaz Bryant framed Team of the Year as the most meaningful award in the Fight For It ecosystem, emphasizing that a gym’s culture, fan support, and collective effort matter just as much as wins and losses. Chaz stressed that he and Dylan did not coordinate their picks, keeping the awards rooted in independent observation rather than consensus. For Dylan, the decision came down to consistency, presence, and the feeling a team brings into the building. He ultimately selected Modern Warrior MMA, praising head coach Keith Richardson’s steady leadership and the deep coaching bench around him — from wrestling to corner management — which produced fighters who were always prepared, composed, and dangerous regardless of record.
Chaz, meanwhile, chose Gym-O for its global reach and elite level of competition, highlighting how the team consistently tests itself against the highest-level opposition outside the region. He pointed to world-level credentials, standout athletes like Said Al-Hammami, and the sheer density of talent inside the room as reasons Gym-O stood out. While Gym-O may not always bring the largest local crowd, Chaz valued their willingness to travel, represent the Carolinas on major stages, and compete against the toughest schedules available. Together, the conversation showed two different visions of excellence: Dylan’s focus on gym culture and event presence, and Chaz’s emphasis on competitive ambition and international impact — both honoring what it means to be a true fight team in today’s Fight For It landscape.