MMA Fighting - Between the Links: Episode 2 | Conor McGregor 'Retires' Again, Fighters vs. Dana White

Episode Date: June 9, 2020

Check out episode 2 of MMA Fighting's Between the Links. This week, host Mike Heck curates the matchup between defending champion Jose Youngs and, the man he called out after his victory, Damon Martin. This week, the panel debate the meaning behind Conor McGregor's latest retirement announcement. They also answer the question of who is the most likely, and least likely, to return to the octagon first: McGregor, Jon Jones, or Jorge Masvidal, plus the three stars of UFC 250, and the criticism of the UFC's event coming up this Saturday headlined by Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs Follow Damon Martin: @DamonMartin   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. All right, welcome to a brand new edition of Between the Links on MMAfighting.com. My name is Mike Heck. I am the host, maybe curator would be the better term, as we are back with some new topics and a fresh matchup this week, because if you listen to the debut show last week, the champion called his shot and we are making it happen on BTL. So let us introduce the combatants first.

Our challenger, he is familiar with the concept because he's been a part of it before and early. earlier iterations. He is undefeated as well from MMAfighting.com. Damon Martin. Damon, how are you, sir? I am good. I'm good. Good to be back and ready to defend my crown. I don't like that challenger title. It doesn't sound right to me. Well, I mean, this is the new iteration, so you can become the champion after this week, but you have to first defeat the reigning defending champ coming off his decision win over Alex K. Lee, the man who laid down the gauntland. He's back from Las Vegas after covering UFC 250. Jose Youngs. How are you, sir?

Well, it wasn't a decision. Like, it was a beatdown. It was the cold, as Robbie Lolle would say, it was the culmination of a beatdown. I get you gave him the pity 10-9 somewhere in the middle, but let's be honest. It was 10-8 across the board in terms of me and A.K. Lee, like, give him one, give him the middle round.

It's like, just to save face so you don't have someone like, just run gauntlet on someone. I've seen around the horn of ESPN. Everyone, you always get that random. Like, hey, you don't have a point. Here's one, so you don't go out with zero points. But just call it for what. it is. And I did call out Damon, not because I am 100% confident I can beat him, but two

undefeated people. You want to challenge yourself against the best. I would rather not have another easy day, so I don't want to rematch A.K. Lee. I would rather go up against someone who can give me a challenge, and that is Damon Maherne. Wow, what an introduction that was. The big battle right now is not Jose versus Damon, but there's a fly that snuck into Command Center 2.0. That's actually A.K. Lee. You can just say for what it is. Okay, get out of here. Go back to Canada.

But let's get right into this thing. Of course, the big stories in MMA have nothing to do with events or fighter versus fighter. It's fighter versus the UFC. And last week, we started off the show discussing John Jones and his battle with the UFC in Dana White. Now we've heard from Jorge Mazadol. He's putting his cards on the table with the UFC in Dana White, asking for his release if he can't get what he wants. We're going to get more into things with those two. gentleman in a moment. But on Saturday night,

Connor McGregor, the biggest star in the sport, he took to Twitter after UFC 250 and announced his retirement for the third time. Immediately, guys, this was met with eye rolls by most people, but questions from others. Like for me, I thought, is this related at all

to what's going on with Jones and Mazadol? Who really knows? We got Dana's take. Connor gave his take to ESPN, but it was just so abrupt that we haven't really had a chance to really digest it all. So, Damon, let me start with you. You won the blind draw. How did you react to Connor retiring? And secondly, what is he trying to accomplish here?

Well, my initial reaction was not again because we've been here before. It wasn't the first time. This is actually the third time Connor has retired. So that was my initial reaction. After that, I thought, well, here's more of the money problems. You know, John Jones has a money problem. Jorge Maddo has a money problem. Henry Stahudo had a money problem. Maybe this is Connor. He came out and later said that, no, it wasn't a money thing as much as it was an issue of competition, which I don't know, seems kind of bizarre. I mean, it feels like there's plenty of guys who have called for Connor and wanted to fight him, but apparently not he's not interested in anybody. Maybe Connor just felt like he was out of the conversation because everybody else was talking about John and Jorge. I don't know, but I don't believe Connor's done.

I think this is, you know, this is more negotiating tactics. Maybe it's not for more money. maybe it is just for the opponent he really wants for an opponent he hopes to get. But I think we will definitely see Connor Bernader back. But I think he was out of the conversation. And Connor doesn't like being out of the conversation. Jose, what do you think? Do you think it's more of Connor just wanting that shine back upon him with everything else going on?

Or is there something more of us? I think it's definitely that plays a factor. I mean, I know you remember. Remember the 2007 World Series? They were like two outs to go. And you remember when that was like Alasart Regis decided? that was the perfect time to announce he was opting out of his contract. And like baseball friends are like, really, dude, like two out in the season in the World Series.

And this is what you're pulling right now. It's that. UFC 250 was the, and like when did he announce it, like right at the end of the card? Like took all the shine away from the fighters and put it on himself. I'm not calling himself, which it was a calculated move. Like Dana White's about to be up there. The eyes are on the UFC. Connor McGregor is the most famous fighter that's ever lived.

So, of course, he's going to take advantage of the opportunity to do public, quote, public negotiations. I'm with Damon. I don't think he's gone whatsoever. I think this is a combination of contract, a lack of opponent that he wants, which is so bizarre to me, because he had the opportunity to fight Justin Gage in January or even before that. And he chose Don Soroni. Justin Gage got the interim title fight. And now he's complaining that he's not fighting Justin when he had the opportunity to do so already.

It's also, I think, a little bit plays a fact. I don't know if enough people are talking about is if Connor fought in the summer or even in the fall, it's not going to be in front of anyone. And that's a lot of money that the UFC would be leaving on the table if there's no gate for Connor McGregor. Also, Conner's entrances are so important. Like, they play, it's like the mystique about him, like him walking out in the sea of fans with the fog machine and everything. The lack of fans is definitely going to play a factor. And if that's why when Dana was like, well, if you want to retire, like, go ahead this and that.

Like, part of me is like, well, thank God, because now I don't have to book him in an empty arena. Like, Connor can come back when fans are allowed. So I think it's a little bit of a combination of all of that. But again, I'm with Damon. Connor's not retired. This is the third time he's pulled this and it's not stuck yet. Jose, since you were in Vegas, I want to follow up because you were part of both Dana White scrums. He was on fire in both of those.

but the Saturday scrum after 250, he was on like a whole another level. Like we've seen him fired up before, but he was just on a different level on Saturday night. And Dana was like you talked about, I guess he was indifferent, sort of chalked it up to, well, the world is crazy.

If he doesn't want to fight, he doesn't have to, and you know how I feel about people saying they want to retire. Is he deep down like, like you said, do you really feel like he's, oh, now we don't have to worry about a gate? Or is he like, I can't believe this is happening. This is crazy.

this is the last thing we need right now? Well, I don't know if the thought of this is the last thing we need right now has ever crossed Dana White's mind. Dana White has seen his like, I don't even, I'm not even going to try to comprehend what goes through that man's mind. He himself said like in the thing is like, take like there's so many issues that go into holding an event. Now multiply that by a million and that's where we're at right now.

Like I think Dana's like I have bigger things to worry about right now than another. Connor McGregor retirement. Like, yeah, he would be, quote, losing the biggest star he's ever had. But I think Dana's with us. Like, all right, you've done this before and you came back. So maybe it's one less thing to worry about trying to find Connor a fight. Or maybe he can talk to that. I don't know.

I have no idea. Again, I'm not going to try and comprehend what goes through Dana White's mind. But Dana White has also done a phenomenal job. When I say phenomenal, like I don't like it, but he's done this thing. We've all seen it. where someone will ask a question, and then Dana will just dance around it with, like, agitateness. Like, someone's like,

Jorge Miserol said that we're only getting 18%. And then Dana-Wa just completely ignores it and just goes on this tangent. Or I was like, hey, Amanda Nunes said that she thought she had the coronavirus. And before I could even get the question out, he was like, everyone thinks they have the coronavirus. Then he goes on this tangent. So Dana-Roy is doing a real good job of being like,

you're asking an important question, and then you're shaking some keys over here that you all of a sudden you have to look at the keys and you just completely forget the question at hand. So I'm not even going to, like, I'm not surprised at Dana White's answer, if that was the question. Damien, what do you think? Is he a richer, more powerful man rolling his eyes like myself when Connor retired? Or deep down, was he freaking out a little bit?

No, I don't think Dana was freaking out at all because, again, we've been here before. Connor has said, I'm retiring before. Thanks for the cheese. See you later. And then whatever it was, two weeks later, he booked a fight. You know, Connor, Connor's not stupid. Connor knows exactly what he's doing. Connor does everything very calculated.

I mean, Connor, anytime Connor puts something out on Twitter, it's for a purpose. And that's what this was. It was done with a purpose of doing it right at the end of an event. As Jose said, right at the tail end of the main event, you know, knowing that there's going to be a post-fight press conference and Dana's going to be talking and everyone's going to be asking him questions. This was all calculated. So I think Dana, you know, has come to realize that with Connor.

and I think he's kind of come to understand how Connor works. And, you know, Connor isn't like John Jones, where John Jones is going on Twitter. And yes, John Jones at one point said you can release me or, you know, maybe I just won't fight again. But I don't think anyone even took that serious, not that John couldn't do it. But he was just being angry. And John has continued to be angry these past few days. But Connor, his trigger for some reason is to say I'm retiring. I don't know why.

I don't know why that's his trigger. but he just keeps saying I'm retiring. But after the third time, I think we've all kind of learned, you know, he's the boy who cried wolf. And I don't think anyone believes it. So I don't think Dana is sweating it. I think Dana is just coming to realize that he's got a lot of people, as he said on Saturday night, gunning for him.

It doesn't look good in the public eye, that's for sure. But I think Connor retiring and then coming out later and saying it's because of the competition is probably better for Dana because at least then he doesn't have to answer 18% of the revenue being paid to the fight. He doesn't have to answer, you know, John Jones saying they've been ripping me off for my entire career. So I think in a weird way, he actually prefers what Connor did. That's a great point, now that you think of it, very close round, but the point is going to go to the champ as we move to our next topic. We basically have the same answer too, just rephrase different ways of looking at it.

But I think Jose's key analogy, I think put it over the top for me. But now we have to try to like essentially bring all these elements together somehow because, you know, And just to give my take on it, I think we're all in agreement that Connor's going to fight again. But which leads you to this question, because as of now, we have three of the biggest stars in the sport who don't seem like they're getting back in the cage anytime soon with McGregor and Jones and Mazadol. And like both of these gentlemen talked about, McGregor says it's because there's no interesting fights. Jones and Mazadol are fighting a different fight, a fight that every sport has had to deal with at different points throughout, you know, the entirety of it. Jose, let's start with you. of these three gentlemen,

Connor McGregor, John Jones, and Jorge Mazadol, who is the most likely to be the first one back competing in the Octagon and who is the least likely and why? Ideally, and like,

just if you don't know anything about the sport, just the way you laid it out, like two people arguing about money, one person arguing about competition, the competition one would probably be the most logical. But again,

I don't think Connor's going to fight again until fans are allowed back in. So that's, I think he's the least likely. Because we don't, Connor can fight whenever he wants, and it's going to be the biggest story in the world. Like, Mazural and Jones need to keep fighting in order to stay relevant. Like, yes, Jorge Mazel has never been more relevant in the sport than he is right now. But if he doesn't fight, like, if he can't take a two years of sabbatical like Connor, then come back and be still be the biggest star in the world and captivate audiences, same as John Jones.

John Jones can't go away for two years and then come back and all of a sudden do a million pay for you buys. Connor can. So I think Connor and the UFC know that. So if Connor's going to, quote, retire and then fight the winner of Habib Justin or Tony in 2021, that would make a lot more sense. I think it's going to be Mazu, though, simply because John Jones and Dana, like we said last week, it's round five between those two. This is nothing new. Like, John and Dana's relationship has soured so much that it wouldn't surprise me if John took a lot of time off to figure this out. He also seems to be much more involved in this movement in these protests going on.

We've seen him on the streets of Albuquerque. So his situation might be a little more, he might be preoccupied with bigger things in the world than fighting. Rightfully so, I think he's saved, like, not saved face, but this is like he could do really, he could do a lot of good for his image if he's on the front lines in this Black Lives Matter movement that he's so invested in.

Madhudal is doing this thing where he's going on the Dan Levitard show, like every other week and try and it's like I'll train you when you fight Dana and then Dana's feeding into it plus the wealthy weight division is so much more there's so much more competition in that weight class than in then in the light heavyweight that I think Dana can book other fights that could get Masudal back in there I so if I'm gonna have like if he goes well fine Gilbert Burns will fight and then maybe that will lower Mazu doll asking price a little more so I'm going to say Mazu doll just but that's based off of process by elimination rather than I think he wants to fight. So Damon, Jose's going with from most likely

to least likely, Mazadol, Jones, McGregor. What's your list? Well, so once again, we're going to be given the same answer with different takes, but I agree that it's going to be Mazadol, Jones, and Connor, but for slightly different reasons, Mazadol, I agree. Listen, it comes down to opportunity, and the reality is Mazadol just became a household name. the last year. I mean, we got to be honest about that. He's been around forever, and he's a phenomenal fighter. I said years ago, I thought he's one of the most underrated

guys in the sport, but he really didn't hit stardom until he went out there and flatline Ben Ashgren in five seconds, and then you had the Nate Diaz fight for the BMF title. He wasn't that household name. He wasn't a headliner at that point. He wasn't like a guy you put on pay-per-view and think you're going to get a lot of buys.

An opportunity for him will fade away because, you know, he doesn't have that long-term name value. He doesn't have a title right now. Yes, he's a BNF champion, but as you said, Kamar Uspin goes out there and fights Gilbert, then his title fight goes away. He goes out there and fights Leon Edwards. That goes away. So there's only a couple of options for Mazzadol to have a really big fight right now. And it's probably going to be Ustman. He could still probably get a lot of shine off of an Edwards fight because of that rivalry from the past. And Connor, but again, Conner's in this

mix. He's not going to get Connor. I don't think he's going to get Connor. Or the Nate rematch, We all know what Nate in terms of negotiations go. So Matt McDonald's odds are more limited. And Jones, I think, eventually will come around. Because remember, this whole thing with Jones started because he was going to heavyweight. It wasn't because he didn't defend his light heavyweight title or because he didn't have challengers. It's because he teased a fight with Francis and Gano. And when he went to the UFC and said, let's make it happen.

And they didn't want to cater to his financial demands. That's where this whole thing exploded. So at some point, Jones, just to play out his contract and say, I'm going to come back and I'm going to fight Dominic Reyes again or I'm going to come back and fight Jan Blahovic again and not make as much money because this is the contract I agree to. So I think eventually cooler heads will prevail there as well. And also, don't forget, Jones and Mazvidal have the same manager. They're managed by first round management, Malki and Abe Kawa. So they have the same management team. So there's a good chance if one comes to terms, the other Domino falls right behind it.

Conner's issue isn't money, or at least publicly, he's not saying it's money. But I think his is, as Jose said, it's the crowd. I think that's one. I think Dana holding him back for the crowd and holding him back. Dana said last week the best thing for Connor was sitting and waiting for Gaichi or Kabee. He's not even trying to cash it on Connor right now. So obviously, Connor's got, you know, he can wait all the time in the world. He actually fought back in January.

Mazadol, you know, the time ticking away on his relevance, he goes away with. when he doesn't have a big match or if he doesn't have a fight. So I agree it's going to end up being George Mazadol. It's going to be Jones and it's going to be Connor, but for slightly different reasons than just all financial. All right. Well, let's add some wrinkles to this, Damon. What percentage do you give that all three guys will fight in 2020?

All three guys fighting in 2020, man. Right now I say 25% because I'm, think Conner's the X factor. I think we will see Mazdaal fight this year. I think there's a good chance to see Jones fight this year, but I don't know about Connor because without crowds, and if Habib and Gage, you'd go out there and put on it, I mean, no one walks into a fight with Justin Gagee and walks out the same again. Even if Habib wins that fight, I don't think he's going to walk out the same again, so I don't think he would fight again in November or December. So, even if Connor got that title fight, I don't think it would be until January or February anyways.

Jose, you higher or lower than 25%. I'll say 10%. But again, Connor, if Connor doesn't fight for the next five years, it wouldn't surprise me. But if all of a sudden tomorrow, Daniel's like, yeah, Connor wants to fight in a month,

that also wouldn't surprise me. Connor's one of those few fighters where he can call his shots of when he wants to fight. If he goes, I want to fight the number 15 guy on the world tomorrow. Like, would it make sense? No, but it wouldn't surprise me

because he can call his shots. Yeah, I'll say about 10% I think being man, like, Damon makes a good point with the same manager with Mazurl and Jones. And I think Mazuradal will fight first, but I'll say 10%, but I say that with a lot of questions in the air. I think Connor will probably fight. Well, I remember when he called for like, this will be my season. And then like that went out the window for a multitude of reasons, like a pandemic, the protests and this interim fight that happened. So, yeah, I'll say 10%.

I think Connell will fight again in the first quarter of 2021. I do want to add one more thing to this because one of the things I saw in social media, especially with the McGregor thing, was, you know, we're going to be seeing a lot more of this. Like, this is the beginning of the fighters unionizing and forming an association. And we've been hearing about this forever. And I still don't believe it's ever going to happen at this point. But when we're recapping, maybe not, let's take the association and the unionizing out of it completely.

but when we're recapping, like the biggest stories of 2020, Jose, we'll start with you. Do you think we're going to be talking about a litany of UFC rostered fighters speaking out against the UFC because some of the top guys have? Or do you think it sort of ends where we're at right now with the Mazadol's and the Joneses and nobody else is ready to do that? It's never going to go away. People have been complaining about their pay for the UFC forever. I mean, even Randy Couta was like, release me for my contract. I want to go fight Fador.

That wasn't even money. And that was like you wanted a super crossover fight and the UFC wouldn't do it. So it's always going to be prevalent. Everyone wants more money and the UFC's not willing to pay that much money, especially when boxing comes back and you see all these guys pulling in like $30 million for a fight. As soon as they announce fightpersis, all the UFC fighters are like, oh, like, look at that. Like they're making $30 million. And I'm getting like a 16th of that.

Like it's always going to be there. And it's fighters like, do you remember when Nate was trying to hold out for more money for like a second or third Connor McGregor fight? And then he put Donald Sterone on blast for accepting any fight because he goes, you're the reason we're not getting paid what we should because you're willing to fight whenever. Like I like Donald Serroney as a fighter. Like I like how I like that attitude. But it's, it's, Nate's not wrong. Like look at Gilbert Burns. Like Gilbert Burns will fight anyone anytime anywhere.

if Masvidal is trying to get this big contract situation out and then Danny can just turn around and be like Gilbert you want to fight for the title I'll give you an eighth of what of what Mazre doll is fighting Gilbert's like yeah I'll fight anyone I'll fight anyone to middleweight middle weight to lightweight I'll fight anyone so like it's it's that's a reason fighters will never unionize and it's it again it's this will never start

it's not going to end like throw Henry Suhudo in there this is like Henry's Huda retired because he wanted the big money to and even Sugar Sharma was like, I want to get paid what I'm worth, because he's still on that contender series contract. And he's grossly, like, he's grossly passed that. Like, it was similar to when Roy Nelson was like, had like six fights in the UFC, and he was still on his ultimate fighter contract that he won. So this will never, ever go away as long as the UFC's not willing to pay fighters what

their boxing is making. Damon, this is pretty typical, like we talked about. But do you feel like, especially now when we're in such a chaotic, world that this might be the year with that, you know, to use your analogy, that more of these dominoes start to fall here. No, because ultimately, what Jose said is absolutely right. And it's something we've said privately in our group chat the other day is that, you know, as soon as the whole Mazwithal thing came out, Gilbert Burns dropped his tweet and said, I'll take the fight, I'll take it right now. That's why. There's always going to be somebody willing to take it and not

necessarily cared that they're not getting two or three million dollars. The only way this really changes, and I agree also there's not going to be a union, it's just never going to happen in MMA, because, again, there's always going to be a guy willing to fight when another guy won't. The only thing this entire story, the only thing that will ever really change it is if John Jones actually walks away for good, because John Jones, in my opinion, is the greatest fighter of all time, if he really does walk away and retire, which again, I don't believe he's going to, and Connor McGregor walks away and retires and said, I'm really am done, and this actually sticks. Then it's a bigger story. Then Domino's could begin falling because you've now lost the

greatest fighter of all time and the biggest most marketable fighter of all time in one fell swoop. The reality is though I don't think either of them are done. I think John will come back and I think if John gets a new deal and gets paid closer to what he thinks he's worth, then he's going to say good things and I feel like I'm getting paid more what I'm worth and he'll fight and we'll move on. Connor will come back. He'll fight the winner Habib Gates here. Maybe they do the deal. he has trilogy or something, and then that goes away. So these are all short-term problems that will go away as long as these guys all come back and fight.

And Mazvedal, and I'm not insulting Mazvedo. Mazmizondal is phenomenal. Mazmuel is a veteran. Mazvindal deserves everything he's getting in terms of race right now, but he doesn't have a title and he doesn't have that kind of long-term star power to where if he walks away, the sport kind of falls apart. So unfortunately, he's kind of the guy on the outside looking in. But Jones and Connor, if they both actually retire,

walk away done and they don't come back, then we're talking about more stuff, but they're not. I don't think either one of them are done, and they're going to come back, and then all this just kind of goes away until the next unsatisfied guy raises a stink, and then that goes away.

It's like I'll add something, like when Israel Adasania was on the rise up, a lot of what I heard is, yeah, he's really popular now, but just wait until he gets in a fight with Dana. Like it just seems like you get these big, deal like Uber prospects. And in the back of my mind, I'm like, just wait until like, it started when, when Israel Asana had headlined against Anderson Silva, when they were supposed to be the co-main

event before Whitaker and Gaslam fell out. And he's like, where did all those paper viewpoints go? And I'm just like, oh, it's starting. He's starting to ask about his money. Like, this is where it begins. And now Sugar Shaw and same thing. It's never going to go away. Like, say Connor and Jones retires, that will be a massive story.

But then you have all this new wave of prospects that come up and become. champions, they're just going to ask the same questions these guys are asking. So it's never going to stop. People were saying, like, throughout all this thing, you know, how dare you not mention Henry Suhudo in this? And I understand that argument for sure. But the reason I didn't really lump Sehudo into this cluster is because I didn't buy any of it. Like, I understand that he might feel like he's underpaid and he's a guy on the rise. But I'd say he's become like more of a stock that you can buy because it's a future stock buy. I wouldn't say Henry Sehout is like a must watch, must buy pay-per-view seller.

So that's why I really didn't like lump him into this equation. And he's already come out and said that Alex Volcanowski can get him right back into the octagon. So that's, that was another reason too. Go ahead. The Sehudo thing, the Sehudo thing, two things about that. One, when he retired, and I talked to his coach, Captain Eric, a few days after that, and he said he thinks he's serious. And I, there is a part of me that believes Henry is more serious about retirement than

obviously a guy like Connor is, but because Henry is a guy who he did. He won the gold medal, youngest American at the time, and he walked away. Now, he did eventually try to come back, but he pretty much said, I'm done. I'm going to walk away from wrestling and I'm done. And I believe he could be done right now. He wants to start a family, you know, he kind of did his thing. He wanted to be the greatest combat, sports athlete, whatever of all time. But as you mentioned, Mike, the problem that Henry has versus Connor versus Horace,

versus Jones is that he's not that draw. And unfortunately, Henry didn't stick around long enough or didn't have the kind of marquee fights to where people are saying, man, I can't wait to see Henry Sehudo fight. And unfortunately, he doesn't have that drawing power. When you don't have that drawing power, a lot of your leverage just goes away.

And the timing of that whole thing was crazy because right when I feel he was turning the corner, he retires, like after the cruise win. I feel like people were buying it a little bit more. The timing of that is just unbelievable. But with that being said, the point goes to our challenger, Damon Maher, and we even things up going in a round three. Moving head to our next question, let's talk some fights.

Let's talk with people who are actually fighting right now. UFC 250 is in the books. Amanda Nunes successfully defends her women's featherweight title. And I'll preface this again for those who are not paying attention to what we say. She became the first fighter in UFC history that has held two separate titles and two different weight classes at the same time. to successfully defend both of those titles. So we've seen it in other ways, multiple fighters,

being champions and multiple divisions and having successful title defense. But no one has done it at the same time. Amanda Nunes did. But there have been, she looked great. Bandaumait Division was on fire. It was a great fight card from start to finish, in my opinion. There were a lot of great performances as well,

and that's where we're going to spotlight here. Damon, we're going to start with you, a la the NHL. Who are your three stars from UFC 250? Well, I'm going to go, you know, As much as I appreciate and admire what Amanda Nunes is doing, and I don't want to feel like I'm taking away from her because her accomplishments have been amazing,

but I don't think anyone outside of one person in our group picks actually thought that she was going to lose. So it's hard to just heat more praise on Amanda when you kind of expected her to go out and do what she did. So my three stars from U.S.D. 250, I'm going to start with Al Jemine Sterling. I'm going to go to Cody Garbrandt, and I'm going to go to Sugar Sean O'Malley, the three bantameterates, because they all shined great that night. Al Jemann Stirling proved, A, he is the best bantamweight contender in the world right now.

And B, he also proved that the UFC is making a colossally bad decision by putting Jose Aldo in there against Peter Jan when you've got a guy in Al Jameen Sterling, who is now the clear-cut number one guy that now that Henderson Huda is gone. and Marlon Marius is kind of to the side right now. Marlon Marius, you could argue, is the number one guy outside of Suu, but he's not in this argument right now. Sterling should be in that title fight, and the UFC blew it by not putting him in there. And then Cody Garbrand, man, talking about a guy against you, back against the wall,

three losses in a row, three knockouts in a row. He went from the future of the Bantamway Division to a guy people were saying had no chin, he was done. 28 years old, and people were saying he's done. He had to come out. have a big performance. And he had a tough opponent to do that against because Hafeel of Sunsau is a perennial contender, but I don't think anyone's going to argue that Hopiola Sunsau is the most exciting guy in history of the sport. And he went out there and

absolutely flatlined him in the second round, one of the craziest knockouts in recent memory at Bantanway, where we typically don't see a ton of those kind of highlight real knockouts. But we did see one earlier in the night with Sugar Shaw and Amalley when he went out there and took on our very real opponent. Eddie Weinland is a tough veteran, and to sleep him the way he did with that knockout, and then the walk-off was just unbelievable. So to me, it was a Bantamweight showcase from start to finish.

We saw a new contender emerge. We saw a former champion return, and we saw maybe the future of the division all in one night. So are you ranking Aljo 1, Cody 2, O'Malley 3? Yep, I'm going to go Aljo 1, Cody 2, I'm going to go Amali 3. Jose, what's yours? Well, if you were going to ask me who I thought Dane was going to pick, we're not even Daman.

Anyone on planet Earth, it would probably be those three. So I prepared outside of those three. I knew. I knew that's why Dane was going to pick. I'm not going to rank these by any means because it's hard to rank where, why I'm picking them because no one is more important. But I'll start near the top of the higher up on the card. Ian Hinesh was on a two-fight losing streak.

We all know. You lose three in a row in the UFC. You're probably not going to be in the UFC. on your next fight. Ian Heinrich, I interviewed him at UFC 241, before he was going to fight Derek Brunson, and he was talking like, I'm going to beat Derek Brunson, and then I'm going to fight Jacques and then I'm going to fight Jackeray, and then I'm going to fight Kelvin Gasselm,

and then I'm going to get a tell shot. Obviously, didn't work out for him. He changes camps, then the pandemic hits, and then he has to move back to Colorado. Doesn't get to go to his old gym because it's awkward. It goes out there, he was a plus 850. It was plus 850 for Ian Hinesh to get a first round finish.

And he goes out there and just tears through Gerald Mirschar, who was coming off one of the biggest wins of a career and Duran win, has some of them, has what, like 20 plus submissions in his career, best saxonist in M. So I think we're all in agreement that Joe Mershart's stock had not really been higher than it really is now. And I know it's like there are levels to that like stock, but Gerald Mershart was at least people knew who he was. And he and Hinesh saved his job, got someone a lot of money, and then had one of the lines of the night where he goes, quarantine is nothing for me i'm used to being locked up because he was of course in a foreign jail for two and a half years so sage's career great line got someone a boatload of money um and then

this is why i'm not on these right now cody's stamen that the mental fortitude of that man what is is something else like goes out there takes a fight like a week after his younger brother passes away uh fights brian kellher and then as soon as the fights over he just like in a world where were trying like Israel as a signist says it's the best like let's abolish like toxic masculinity Cody Stamen just was not afraid to cry professional fighter in there crying over the past like the passing of his brother none of all of us would have been in that same boat and Cody Stain was like I tried to be the tough guy like the no BS go on their hand on my business and leave and he just couldn't and Brian Caller gave him a hug and he just broke down and then again line at one of the lines in the

night he's like someone asked him like who do you want to see next and this and that he goes man I got to go home and go to a funeral right now like I'm not thinking of another fight and I'm just like god like all this talk of money and unions and titles like it just puts it into perspective like as a fighter like Cody stamen one of the biggest wins of his career and he just goes you know what it's not important right now I got to go to a funeral and that I was like man like what is even what matters in this world outside of family and he lost that and then for the the third slot it's I'm going to group these together. together because of not for their performances, but Devin Clark and Alcassas, two African-American fighters using their platform that they have to push a movement that they are behind. Of course, Devin Clark, we didn't get to talk to him after because his eye blew up. I'm pretty sure he broke his oracle during the introductions, gets down on one knee and raised his fist to support the Black Lives Matter movement. And then, of course, Auxaer is walking out to This Is America.

And he was so transparent all week for the racism that he's felt throughout his life. And he even had a quote where it was like, we can't start begging people that are coming into our neighborhood and beating us over the heads to change. We have to be the ones to change. I have to be a voice. So I'm not putting those two together in terms of their performances because both of their performances are drastically different. But the fact that they use their platform to talk about a movement that is really captivating the world outside of fighting, those two. So those three performances really stick out in my mind. mind outside of the obvious ones that Damon mentioned.

And let me, if I could real quick, let me just throw in there. And a phenomenal point, Jose, I want to throw in. Let's also mention Al Jermaine Sterling, who mentioned that. You know, he talked about it. I asked that question on the media day. And he talked about, you know, using his platform for that and using his platform to speak out and felt like it was important for him to, you know, take that opportunity to speak about Black Lives Matter and police brutality and things like that.

So I want to give a shout out to Al Jameen because he did as well. He didn't afterwards. Obviously, you know, I'm not going to. to fault him for that. But I think it was important. Well, he did actually to move. Yeah, I asked him. I asked him straight up, like, will you be at the protest? He goes, yep. And he's like, and then he went really into it. And then he made some excellent points. Even Alex Casares, someone like, we asked Sterling and Casares, like, does the UFC do a good job promoting minorities? Like, just straight up. And they both gave a little, they didn't really answer it straight up, but they just

kind of like, Alpsaras like, that is a whole other conversation. He's like, I know who they want to push when I see them and I know who I am and even Alice Casares I mean Alton McSirley goes I don't really look at it as black versus white but like you kind of tell there was something back there because he kind of brought it up in the past with the one he was like why is the State of Drug Cup making more money than me

so yeah I think and even like Devin Clark was on like the front page of like CNN and Yahoo just for the fact that he kneeled so when's the last time Major Alice talks about Devin Clark outside of MMA the circle like never and I say that because Devin Clark is a great fighter and he put on a good performer

It's a gritty performance, but we're talking about him using his platform, not his actual fight. So shout out to all those guys using their platform the right way. I'm not even standing. I'm just telling you, Mike, give him the point because that was a great point because I can't even. When you look at the bigger picture outside of fighting, that is the bigger picture. And it really is. And what those guys did, you're absolutely 100%, man. That was huge.

What Al Jermaine did speaking out was huge. you know, it's so nice to have this distraction for fighting. I love it, you know. It was nice to kind of wander away from everything going on in the world for a few hours. But, you know, as somebody who, you know, who's watching this unfold and seen, I actually just drove into downtown Columbus over the weekend and saw everything going on down there. And, man, I'm just, you know, I'm proud people are standing up and I was happy to see those guys do it. And, yeah, it's bigger than the sport.

And I just, I applaud them for doing what they did. And you can tell a lot of them are relieved to finally be able to talk about it because I was going through a lot of their social medias. A lot of them, actually almost all of them, were not talking about it before the fight because they were in camp. As soon as camp's over, they know what's important. And that's exactly where their mind goes. So it was interesting to see the relief in their face that they can finally express what they want now that they're not in camp. Sure. I agree.

Well, well said, Jose, you are going to get the point. And a shout out to Devin Clark's dad, who was the best corner of him. I knew you were going to bring that up. I was waiting for that one. He would make my top three stars list, no doubt about it, just for his corner work and how motivating he is. But I agree. I mean, obviously, performance-wise, I agree with Damon,

the Banimates Shine. I would have Cody Garbrand as my number one. Not taking anything away from Sterling, because that was an incredible win, or O'Malley's knockout because that was impressive as well. But, you know, what Cody did to bounce back against a really hard guy to bounce back against, the way he approached the fight,

You still got some hurdles, you know, he got it, especially in that second round, the dog almost came out of him, but he was able to kind of keep it together. That the Garbrand 2.0 story has become one of the more fascinating stories to watch, in my opinion, to see if you can keep this train moving forward. But, again, lots of great performances, lots of great messages sent throughout the night. So well said, Jose, you get the point as we head to our final question of regulation. We look ahead to UFC Fight Night, I versus Calvio, and what is it, UFC on ESPN 10? Is that what we're going with here? Something like that. So regardless, Jessica I versus Cynthia Calvio is the main event.

And listen, I am well aware that this is not the flashiest main event of all time. And a lot of people have their reasoning for disagreeing with it. And that's totally fine. But I don't think this card from top to bottom is that bad. Like, we were talking about it off air a little bit. Also, let's keep in mind that UFC 250 was not looked at in a very positive light for a long time. and it turned out to be a great card. So I like to go in positively thinking about all these cards,

but it leads me to the question, Jose Youngs. Dana White has said this many times. We're in the middle of a pandemic. The UFC's trying to put fights on. It's crazy. It's effing bananas. If you try to walk in my shoes, you wouldn't know what to do with it.

With that in mind and everything else going on in the world and what Dana says, is the criticism of the UFC and this fight card and other fight cards like 250, is it fair? Are people being too hard on them? Or is this completely justifiable? in your opinion. Well, I don't know what's fair

and what's not fair because people can have their own opinions however they want because like as much as people decry the man of Benavitai in Calviel, like they had like there's you know, like there's people out there that are massive just guy fans or massive Cynthia Calviel fans. So for them,

they're probably, they're loving this. I mean, who was a Count Chukakin who's in this white class who out of all of us, like we're just journalists and fans there, an actual fighter in this white class. who is just fought a no more contender or just fought for a title and it's still technically like the highest ranked female is like I love it

it brings eyes to the weight class so it's not in terms of like they both coming off a missed weight Cynthia Calvio hasn't fought a flyway in the UFC just guy didn't have the most stellar performance in her last fight but a win is a win Cynthia Covey was also coming off a draw let's not forget that so I I get it people might be upset, but I know there's people out there that want to watch the fight. And what do you want these two women to do? Say no.

He's like, no, I don't want a headline a card. Like, that's ridiculous. Like, like in the grand scheme of things, I would have liked seeing Sterling Sanhagen in that main event,

but they just showed like they don't need five rounds. And I think Sterling winning on a massive card like UFC 250, actually is more beneficial for him than headlining a card that not as many people are going to watch. So, I don't know. I don't really care that it's the main event. It doesn't bother me. I get people will be bothered, but if fighters don't care,

then I don't really see why I should be upset. Damon, what do you think? Well, I mean, in terms of tension and excitement, is there going to be as much, you know, exciting? I think this I mean Got it now

Oh Sorry This is This is the truck On the opening At the first Damon Damon

You have to crawl out of that tin can you're in This is the truck taking Are you inside a microwave right now What Damon Martin Do we lose them? Can you know? Try again.

I can't hear him at all. Can you talk, Damon? Yep, can you hear me? There we go. There we go. All right. Sorry, Mike. Set him up one more time.

All right. Damon, defend your answer. Well, I mean, listen, is Jess Guy versus Cynthia Cavillo the most exciting main event in the history of the sport? Absolutely not. But here's the thing. You know, these divisions, these lesser talked about divisions, they're never going to get a chance to shine if these fights don't get, marque spots like this. I mean, I remember when I think it was Caitlin Chukagy was fighting Jojo Calderwood and they were the opening fight of the early prelims. And I think that's the fight

that got Caitlin the title shot. And then she goes on and fights Valentina Shichinko, who is the one, you know, quote unquote, marketable fighter in this division because obviously Valencia Chichinko is a complete badass. But I just don't know how you're ever going to get a chance for these divisions to shine if you never give them a chance to have these kind of omens. I mean, I know of the ratings aren't probably going to be great on this card. I know the attention being paid isn't going to be anywhere near UFC 250 or, you know, Dustoporier and Dan Hooker or, you know, whatever fights are coming up in July. But, you know, it's the fight card. And there are other interesting fights on here. I mean, I'm actually really looking forward to the Marvin Vittory,

Carl Roberson fight after the rivalry, those two have built after the last fight got strapped. So, you know, listen, we kind of get spoiled a little bit in MMA where we have these great cards in the UFC where we always expect a big main event or a marquee main event. But the reality is, you know, you remember the old UFC on fuel cards or UFC on versus cards or look at a lot of Bellator cards out there. They're not always these cards where it's over. And you're just like, man, we just found out a new number one contender. Oh, man, we just found, you know, the next great star or whatever.

Listen, this isn't the greatest main event in the world, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable. It doesn't mean we won't see some fun fights. and it won't mean that maybe Cynthia Calvillo comes out and gets a win. And right away, we actually have a new challenger for Valentina Chichinka or, you know, just guy goes out there and beats another top rank fighter and continues her climb back to Valentina Chichinko. This division, the Flyway Division is never going to get a chance to get people interested outside Valentina if they don't have fights like this where they are getting a headline or a co-headline spot. So, Damon.

Hold on. I will like to add Call on Chukagin and beat Jennifer Maya. after Calderwood to get the title shot. There you go. But that was the opening fight. That was the opening fight of the early prelons, right? Like, that was the opening. The Calderwood Chukagin, yeah, that was 238.

That was real early. And then she got offered the fight against Valentina, turned it down to get married. Valentina fought Karmoucheon instead. Count Chukagin fought Jennifer I and then fought, then basically reclaimed her number one contender spot. Yeah. Jennifer Meyer.

Yeah, but those fights are, like I said, those fights were buried. And that's your thing. People always complain when they're buried. They're like, I can't believe, like, what was it last week? Tim Elliott. Wasn't he on the prelims last week? Everyone's like, I can't believe they're on the prelands.

I'm on the house is happening. I can't believe this is on the prelim, but then when they get a marquee spot, why is this the main event? Oh, my God, this is terrible. I agree with that. Damon, what are you grading this card as a whole? If you could put a letter grade on it as it looks on paper right now, what are you grading it? Oh, man, why are you doing me like this?

I'm making you defend your answer. I mean, am I lying and saying it's better than a C-minus card on paper? Probably not. And that's not a knock on the main event necessarily as much as it's just there's not a lot of name value beyond a couple of fights on this card and that hurts it. But again, and I don't want to sound like the Dana White promoter, but, you know, sometimes you judge a card by the aftermath and there are some potentially fun fights on here. They're just not name value. And so that immediately makes it like a C-minus or a D card on paper. But, you know, here's a chance for Calvio and I and all these other, you know, Vittorian Roberson.

There's a chance for them to shine and prove us all wrong. Exactly. Jose, what's your grade? C-minus seems fine. It's like, again, like, for all we know, this could just be a bunch of knockouts. And we're like, wow, that was the craziest fight card I've ever seen. But like, so name, just off name value, I think what? Who's the most famous fighter on this card?

Andre Feeley, probably, just because he's in a movie. He has that tie to your eye of favor. And then I caught, like, Andre Feeleys probably on his famous fighter on this card, C-minus. But again, like, who cares if there's big names on it? How, like, what, UFC 169? I was that. That had a bunch of big fights on that card, and that was, like, what, 10 of 12 or boring decisions? So it doesn't matter what names are.

I want to see how the fights play out first because we can do. about what is it we had we had we have we have UFC the UFC card that was titled UFC knockout with everyone on there there wasn't one knockout on the entire card so you can't forget how things are going to play name value name value doesn't always produce winning fights we got to be honest let's also like we can all probably agree of that if there were still fans allowed and there wasn't a pandemic I can't imagine just a guy sitting Calvia would be headlining a card in like Portland Oregon if the fans are

if the fans are going to be in there. This is a this is a UFC apex card that you can tune in if you want. You don't even have to pay for it. Just watch it if you want. Don't watch it if you don't want. Like at the end, like you're not selling you buy you're buying a ticket but anyway. Yeah and that's the other that's the other thing about the complaints. You know, you're not

required to watch every fight card. I mean, we do. We obviously as journalists, we watch every fight card. I mean, I've watched man, I've watched a lot of bad fight cards over the years and a lot of bad. fight cards and I'm not going to name names which promotions they came from but I've watched a lot of bad fight cards over the year so you're not obligated no one's telling you you're

forced and they're not asking you to pay 59 99 or 65 dollars or whatever for this card I mean yeah if you have cable technically you're paying for ESPN or if you pay five bucks a month for you know I've been paying seven bucks a month for Disney plus for the last whatever like nine months and I have the only thing I've watched on there is the mandolian and that ended like you know seven months ago. So I'm still paying for Disney Plus, and I'm getting nothing out of it right now. You know not watching Gargoyles?

Like any other true-blooded American? I am not. I am not. But that's what I'm saying. Like, I'm paying for Disney Plus, and I haven't logged into that thing. I love Disney Plus. If I want to watch a Star Wars movie,

I'll go there. But yeah, I'm paying for that, and I haven't watched anything since the Mandalorian ended. Well, the point goes to Damon because he wasted all this money on Disney Plus without watching anything. but we're tied after four rounds. It's two to two, and that means we're going to head to the, what are we going to call it?

We'll call it the knocko round. It's M&A after all. One question, one argument decides the winner. The truck will have the final decision to take the weight off of me because I don't want it. But here it is. Jose, you are the champion. With that comes some spoils. Are you kicking off or receiving?

Oh, kicking off from New England. There you go. Damon, here's the question, because I heard, in your voice, how excited you are for this card on Saturday night, because there are some pretty good matchups on here. So the question I have for you, and it's hard to predict the future, what's the fight of the night on UFC Vegas Baby Vegas? That is an interesting question. You know, honestly, the one I'm really looking forward to, just because of the bad blood at the end of the day, is I'm really looking forward to Marvin Vittori and Carl Roberson. Now, again,

two guys who dislike each other and there's a lot of bad blood there, especially after what happened when their last fight got canceled, doesn't always, again, produce a great fight. There could be a lot of posturing in a fight like that because neither guy wants to give an inch. But Marvin Vittori is a very underrated middleweight, and he's a very fun guy to watch. And I think Carl Roberson is one of those guys

who has that big knockout ability, has shown some ground talent as well. So, I mean, just based on that, I'm going to have to go with that as my fight of the night when I'm probably looking most forward to, so I would put that to top of the list. But I'm also looking forward to seeing, you know, Kevin Aguilar's back on this card.

Obviously, you mentioned Andre Fili is on this card. That's a fun fight. Jordan S. another from Ruggieroos is a fun fight. But if I got to pick one, I'm going with the bad blood between Vittoria and Roberson. Jose, what is your fight of the night for UFC on ESPN 10? Yes, yes.

For a fight of the night? What's your fight of the night? I mean, money would probably be Andre Feeley, because I can't even remember. remember a bad fight he's in. Like, even fights that, like, he pulls off decisions there, at least they're, they're fun fights to watch. I mean, even the fight against Miles Jury might not have, like, people, doesn't

stick that in your mind, but, like, I remember, like, I watched, look at the photos of Esther Lynn, and, like, everyone is, like, just, like, people throwing and then, like, a trail of blood, like, like, in the air following their fists, or, or even it's, like, I think a super underrated fight that happens that not enough people talk about was Phileas fight against Max Holloway. I think UFC 172. I love that fight. Andre Feeley said last year that he wanted to be champion and then he lost and now he's

on, and then we had him on the A side promoting his movie and he's like, it has a whole new lease on life. He wants to get back in there immediately, especially the 145 so the champion can't fight. It's similar to what Paul Felder, I think. Did he tell was it you that he said that too where he's like American-based fighters can really like

skip the line maybe because they can fight more often with the champion being in Australia these featherweight fights be more important than ever before. So if I'm looking at a fight, if I'm going to put money on it, it'll be Andre Feely because he's never in a really boring fight. Espinosa del Aros is fun if you like to be grappling because they both have what? Most of their own by submission.

Selfishly, I love watching Hannah Seifers fights just because I always want to interview her because she's just the best interview in the world, even though she says like five words total. So I'll say my money is going to have to be on Philly, simply because I can't remember a fight where the post-fight photos aren't either bloody or him like jumping into the crowd at sheer jubilation.

So I'll say the Andrei-Feeley, the Andrevely fight. And I'll throw one more sleeper to give it out on the Breilin's Ryan Benoit and Tyson NAM. Yeah, that's a really funny too. I mean, there's a like, even, the Mareb-Ra-Borg fight is like, that's a good fight,

but I think Mareb's just going to toss him around. Like, I don't think that's going to be a back-and-forth war. So there are going to be a lot of, have good performances, but if we're talking about just like a good fight, the Feeley Charles Jordan fight, and then like, I like Julia, Julia Vila, like, I'm really interested in that fight and the Charles Rosa fight. I'm really interested in that fight, but I don't think they're going to be fight of the nights.

I think they're going to be good performances. So the Feeley fight is the one. And then, like, Roardson-Vittory, I think someone's just going to go to bed in, like, the first round. Someone's turning into a human format. So I don't know if that's going to be a good fight as much as someone. someone's dying in that fight real quick. See, we're selling the card for you.

How about that? It's a main event. Yeah, none of them in the coat. Feeley Jardin's a great fight. I love the Rosa Aguilar fight, though. That's a good one. Even a couple of newcomers with nothing to lose, really, with Anthony Ivy and Christian Aguilera.

That should be a lot of fun. Ivy's finished, man. I'm excited for the Christian. I've watched Crucenaenaena. I've watched Crucine Aguilera's fights live on, like, the LFA scene, so much. Because he fights in the Arizona cards a lot, and it's always like, if I win this fight,

I'm going to the UFC, and then he always comes up just short. So, like, those fights, like the Aguilar fight and the Mirab fight and everything, they're going to, like, even the Julia Vila fight, like, they're going to be good fights. They're not going to be wars.

I think it's going to be, like, quick finishes or, like, grind him out wars to save people's jobs or pick up their first wins, or even just pure domination. or so I don't think, so if I'm looking at like a good fight, it's the Andre Feeley Feeley Jardine. Jardine's a good one. There's a lot of, there's a lot of good fights on this card. Ivy Aguilera is an interesting one.

And if I'm a Rob Bilalish-Willi, I'm making this fight competitive because I think he's going to have a hard time finding guys to fight him. He's probably going to be in the top 15. But with that said, we got to go to the truck. We got to go to the voice behind the scenes. And if you could hear this voice as the show is being recorded, you would be dying right now. But he is the band of the people, and he is the man with the second best mustache in MMA media. Mr. Casey Lydden, Mr. Truck. Sir, who gets the final point and the title?

Well, today's winner is because there were less technical difficulties with him. And I've now pulled my hair out, and now my scalp looks just like you, Mike. Our winner today is Mr. Jose Young's. Wow, and still. So between the links champion, if you guys even realized how long this episode is taken to pick together. I hope people that watch this know how much effort

we put it to this. We're approaching our number three right now, people. I should be more upset that I just lost it in a way. I'm just like, let him have it. You know, it's if you get the second second note at this point? You've been in this grueling. and grind them out, fight for four and a half rounds. You're just like, I'm tired, just choke me out.

But honestly he started talking when he came back. And he almost started breaking up again. I was like, you cannot do this to me right now. You cannot do this to me. But with that, Jose, before this whole system crashes, 30 seconds to talk about whatever is you want to talk about, good, bad, and different in the world of me, the floor is yours. Man, I'm going to reiterate what I said when we were talking about stars of the night.

I am just so happy to see people using their platform. So yes, everyone wants more money. Everyone and all this union talk and fighters coming together. But the fact of the matter is what's going on in the world right now is so much more important. And yes, the UFC is the only sport in town right now. And they do give us some sort of distraction. But fighters like Devin Clark, Alex Sarez and Alzerman Sturang, using what the platform they have to push a movement that they are not only behind, but are living day to day. like kudos to you guys

for for understanding that there are bigger things going on on the world and that is truly what is what matters right now so I'll say that normally I like to throw a lot of shade at the people that have lost and called people out and this and that but Damon has gone through

enough grief right now with his technical issues and like I said they're more important things going on the world so so I don't have a call out because I don't know who else can even give me a challenge so you find you find the opponent and they can they can go oh and one on this iteration of between the links. Wow, it's like John Cena as the U.S. champion, open callout. Who wants it? I love it.

Well done. Well said, Jose. Congratulations to you. Vali and effort. Great performance from Damon Martin and we're done. The matchups are going to continue. There's a lot of members of the MMA media, I will say, Jose, that want it on this and not just from MMA fighting, but beyond to MMA fighting and we're going to try to get a bunch of names and different faces on this program. But a big thank you to Casey Lydden in the truck. Don't pull out all of that hair and keep the mustache right where it is. Big thank you to Esther Lynn behind the scenes. She's kind of the calming voice as all of this craziness is going down.

But for Jose Youngs and Damon Martin, I am Mike Keck. Thank you all for watching and listening. We'll see you back here next week on Between the Links. Good night, everybody. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.