This episode, Lee sits down with Tony "The Axe Man" Stephenson, the man behind the world’s fastest knockout in Total Kombat history — a viral finish that’s been viewed over 9 million times across social media.
Tony shares the story behind his spectacular knockout, the mindset that drove him to bounce back from controversial losses, and how years of Tatami kickboxing and Olympic Taekwondo shaped his unique striking style.
From building a custom Total Kombat-style oval in his garden to earning praise from legends like Michael “Venom” Page, Tony dives deep into how technique, mindset, and creativity forged his viral moment.
You’ll also hear powerful reflections on:
Turning disappointment into motivation 💪
The grind of amateur martial arts and what it teaches kids
Competing for GB Taekwondo and lessons from Olympic-level training
The balance between fighting, family, and fatherhood
His future goals — and plans for even more knockouts at Total Kombat
This is a story of humility, mastery, and redemption — from one of the most exciting strikers to ever step into the oval.
The Elite Podcast is a brand-new show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.
Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.
00:00 Viral KO cold open (9M+ views)
01:09 Welcome + TKO2 context
02:12 Background: light-contact kickboxing & Taekwondo
04:42 The Oval ramp—why it traps fighters
06:34 KO breakdown: side kick → axe kick → finish
09:10 Training on a home-built Oval
11:16 MVP ovation & Fighter of the Night
16:35 From Bantry to confidence (overcoming a stammer)
18:59 Tatami grind: resilience & mat time
24:44 Olympic path, Jiu-Jitsu & “Axe Man” origin
29:24 TKO1 controversy → mindset & redemption
34:44 Goals for 2026 + shoutouts, then sign-off
Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leematthewsofficial/
▶︎ Website - www.leematthe

The Elite Podcast is a brand-new show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.
Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.
Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leematthewsofficial/
▶︎ Lee’s Book - https://shorturl.at/fyGI7
Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web - http://www.liverpoolpodcaststudios.com
▶︎ Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/liverpoolpodcaststudios
▶︎ LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/liverpool-podcast-studios