10 Thanasis Petrakis UFC/NBA Videographer Artwork

Shoot Wisely the content creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi

Shoot Wisely podcast host Amir Ebrahimi has over 20 years of experience in production and has traveled the world as a documentarian covering a wide range of projects including the 2016 Olympics in Rio, social issues for the health ministry of Ethiopia, extensive global and national coverage of the NBA on and off the court, and documenting Cambodian orphanages to name a few. Host Amir Ebrahimi talks to guests about their process of creation and the road that led them to create for a living. The Shoot Wisely Podcast will have a heavy focus on photographers and videographers/DP's but will be open to inspiring creators such as artists, writers, designers, editors, etc. The main aim of the show is to talk to creates about their journey and process of creating to inspire people to create and shoot wisely. The show will have a very loose format but will touch on the who, what, where, and why. With a small portion of the conversation dedicated to the tools each creator utilizes. Thank you and please leave a review and share.

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Shoot Wisely the content creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi

10 Thanasis Petrakis UFC/NBA Videographer

February 23, 2026 • Amir Ebrahimi

0:00 | 1:21:53

Episode 10 — Thanasis Petrakis, UFC/NBA Videographer

In Episode 10 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with videographer Thanasis Petrakis to talk about capturing some of the most iconic moments in modern sports history.

Thanasis shares what it was like being behind the lens during the explosive clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship — one of the most intense nights the sport has ever seen. We discuss the pressure of filming in high-stakes environments where chaos can erupt at any second, and the responsibility of documenting history as it unfolds in real time.

We also dive into classic NBA moments he’s captured, including Kevin Durant’s legendary run at Rucker Park in New York City — a cultural proving ground for basketball greatness. From courtside access to off-court storytelling, Thanasis breaks down how he anticipates moments before they happen and positions himself to preserve them forever.

This episode is about timing, instinct, and the art of staying ready when history decides to show up.

In This Episode

Filming the Khabib vs. McGregor showdown
Working inside the UFC at peak intensity
Capturing Kevin Durant’s Rucker Park run
NBA moments on and off the court
Anticipation and positioning as a videographer
The pressure of documenting live, unscripted history
Balancing artistry with speed in sports media

About the Guest

Thanasis Petrakis is a sports videographer known for capturing defining moments in both MMA and professional basketball. His work blends cinematic storytelling with documentary precision, preserving high-stakes competition and cultural milestones as they happen.