MMA Fighting - Eurobash: Episode 43 (w/ Arnold Allen, Gunnar Nelson, Will Fleury)

Episode Date: July 9, 2019

On the latest episode of Eurobash, Arnold Allen (14:00) shares his thoughts on banking the biggest win of career, Gunnar Nelson (36:00) discusses his upcoming UFC Copenhagen bout against Thiago Alves and Will Fleury (1:10:00) preview his Bellator 224 bout with Antonio Jones. Hosts Peter Carroll and Niall McGrath look at the latest European MMA headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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I'm with Noel McGrath as usual. How are you, my love? Good, yeah. I am a little bit tired after the weekends. Mad weekend of fights, obviously international fight week UFC 239, crazy card.

Unbelievable. It was buzzing. It was absolutely buzzing on Saturday. I wasn't going to buy it, but I bought it. Oh, well, they got your hookline and sinker. Yeah, well,

speaking of UFC 239, let's look at these headlines. John Jones and Amanda Nunes retain their UFC crowns. Also, announced earlier in the week, James Galaher v. Cal Eleanor to headline

UFC Dublin, Carl Eleanor, of course, coming off the back of that win over former Cage Warriors champion, Nathan Grayson. I think that's a good test. That's a fight I was asking for a long time ago. It was. I saw that. Pretty much matched to all car. But, yeah, let's take a look at some of the other fights that I got confirmed later for that.

Peter Quilly v. Ryan Scope. Lee Chadwick v. Carl Moore. Franz Malambo v. Dominique Wooding. Philip Mulpitter gets his debut against Keith McCabe, who's coming off that short-notice loss against Buffando. Richie Smullen takes on Sean Tobin, a man who was matched to fight James Galaher a long time ago. Dylan Logan fights Adam Gustap,

who lost to Smullen in the last Bellethor, Dublin, and Constantine Gunsaref fights Ian Cochlin. I think there's a few more fights that are going to be made soon. But what do you think of that card so far, I guess, based on this. I see a lot of people, when I announced it,

I really like Quealy Scope or like Chadwick Moore or like Malambo-Wudding, and I like the main event. but I see a lot of people saying like this is a Obama card this is 100% Obama card with a Bellator sticker stuck on it Yeah Probably is yeah

That's not beat around the bush But the one thing is the matchmaking's a lot better Than it was for the last card In Dublin I think a lot of the fights are Considered to be more competitive Absolutely Absolutely yeah

So To be very quickly he had a tough fight On the first card And he has a tough fight again But I think in general across the card Like if you look at some of those bouts Galaher Eleanor's definitely a bigger name

Than the last guy Graham that James fought, but obviously James is coming off as first professional loss. You can't understand that to a certain extent. And we know, obviously, we can't announce it yet, but we know some more of the fights that are probably going to be announced in the next little weeks, and they are a lot more competitive.

Maybe even one tomorrow. Yeah, okay, there we go. But, yeah. We're not going to tell yous. But yeah, don't want to be a asslapped again. But yeah, moving on, we'll come back to that in a second. Yohanna and J-check meets Michelle Waterson, October 12 in San Francisco.

Amazing. What a fight, man. on that is potential to be female fight of the year it's absolutely like one of those masterclass fights that we're going to see of unbelievable technique from both ladies i'm so excited about i gotta say like initial thoughts on this i feel like joanna has it i just like i think so yeah but man does bloody michel wallace and have great speech he's really good all round so underrated with her ground game as well it's gonna be a chess match for three rounds i really think it is definitely five rounder is it oh yeah it's five rounders my event's

I love that. I think that's even better that it's a five-rounder and I'm totally buzzed for that. Can't Waterson keep that pace for 20-5 minutes? Exactly. Yeah,

I think it could be a decision but it's going to be an entertaining one. It's going to be an entertaining one. Without question, man. It's one of the female fights of the year to watch and I'm totally pumped for that one. Also announced Phil DeFries

will take on Damien Grabowski in the headline act of KSW 50. That will be a third a third title defence for the freeze if he managed to do it. Obviously saw Grabowski get back to winning ways on the last KSW card.

I like that fight. makes a lot of sense. Two U.S. veterans going at it. And DeFrize, his march to taking over, Poland continues. He's taking out all the Polish monsters they're front in front of him now. So let's see what he gets on with Grabowski. Also, actually, a note on that, Martin Lewandowski did an

interview with the fantastic Casey Lloyden and Esther Lynn and Jose Young's, well, the International Football Week was going down, and he confirmed that Roberto Solich will also be on that card. So that's a big, big card that's headed for London. Another bit that isn't quite over the line I was speaking to

some managers, et cetera. This one is being targeted for the Copenhagen main event, but nothing is confirmed as of yet. Jack Hermanson v. Jared Kennanier. You know, Hermanson wanted Gastilum, but I suppose the thing about Jack is

he was always going to fight in that card. He was never, like, he wants a fight on the Denmark card without a doubt. So I'd say that's what the case was. Look, you can't get Gasselam. Will you fight, Canaaner? That is not an easy fight. Winner that fight is getting a tile shot. That's not an easy fight though.

It's not an easy fight. It is. you know, we've seen Canaan here, obviously, coming off that win against Anderson Silva, you know, regardless of what way you want to look at it, he still stopped Anderson Silva. Yeah. In Brazil, went over there, whacked away at his legs, blew out his knee. Listen, that guy has put

a run together, and I think, if you look at what Hermanson's done in his last number of fights as well, putting away Susa last time out, this is a guy who's in prime condition and, you know, probably reaching the prime of his career. And to obviously do that against Shakurat's dominant fashion over the

five rounds, which it was, it was, it was a very, very straightforward victory in terms of, you know, when we went to judge a scorecard, everyone knew the result. For him to be fighting here and possibly headlining a card here as well, it's very, very sensible from the UFC in terms of marketing, what they're going to do. If he gets a big win, he has that rousing reception in Scandinavia. trajectory here in Europe and then onto the US or wherever it may be Australia for a big, big title fight. I think it's very sensible for the UFC if that does get over the line to be a main event. Absolutely. Also, Sean Sheehan's ears.

will be turning red at the sound of this, but it looks like Alexander Gustafson is having second thoughts about his retirement. I saw an interview with MMA Nietz, our homies over there. Not blatantly saying, I'm coming back, but definitely getting that itchy feet. Also announced today,

well, Mamet announced it himself. Mamad Khaledov is considering a return. You know, I have a feeling that KSW are going to do a big stadium show next year and it's a name like that. That's really going to sell out in Poland, isn't it? Yeah, you know, Gustafsson, you're going to go like, you know, where to come back to, that would stay.

That would stick to his word kind of with that situation. I don't, I don't, I don't judge him very far. Yeah, yeah, yeah, obviously no one's being confirmed, but, you know, 2.05 is it work going back there from, you know, would he consider going to, you know, to, uh, heavyweight, like, because I don't see an awful lot of options. I don't see the sense of him going to heavyweight. He's not a big man. But I don't really see the sense of him going back because he's a long, long, long way

away from a title shot, you know, I just find it very, very odd. I want to see him completely depleting himself. Yeah. Middleweight, please. I mean, imagine. Imagine, yeah, but no, listen, I'd stay retarded if I was him. Yeah, yeah. Right, so I guess the big thing from a European perspective this weekend was the fact that this fight was on pay-per-view.

It was about 2295 for Irish customers, I believe. A mess. And, you know, I see a lot of people, though. The one thing that is kind of annoying me about it, I see people going, like, oh, we've got to ask Dana White about this. He doesn't own the rights to that. It's BT Sport. That's who made this decision. There's no two ways about it.

They tried to do with boxing as well. I saw Kevin Byrne, a very good boxing journalist right back to Sean Sheehan's tweet about this. Sean's basically saying they're going to decide on what we're going to do with this, buy the numbers that buy it. I completely agree. And Kevin kind of said they did this to us in terms of boxing, and if you give them an inch, they'll take them all. So I do feel like it's BT Sports.

Also, Chisanga Malata did an interview with David Shaw from the UFC about it. He's blatantly saying, look, we've given them the rights. They buy the rights for this So they can do whatever the hell they want with it That's the way it goes unfortunately But Noel had a bit of an ordeal Trying to tune on that bad boy in Yeah, I came in on Thursday night

And then obviously I am sorry Thursday now What am I talking about? Saturday night after work Got home about 10 o'clock, half ten Went to buy the pay-per-view On the clicker on the channel Normally you just hit it The clicker, the bangor I call it

That's what other people called their Mickey by the way. I call that Mickey as well right but it doesn't matter so anyway I went in line it said to tell me

how to go online to buy it so I went to air sport and then I had to buy it through BT and then referred back to air

put in your details whatever you pay for the pull out your card you pay for it there and then and says whatever you can only

watch it in one your boxes right you've your SkyEQ main box downstairs and you've a mini box it's not available to watch in a mini box

which is and then obviously the preempts prelims were on, BT Sport, free, the UFC five-pass prelims, and the regular prelims were on. So I went downstairs then for the main card and wouldn't work for like a half an hour. So I missed a whole first fight. So you would, just to clarify, you had bought this a lot in advance.

Oh, 10 o'clock in the evening. Oh, come on. Yeah. And so I went downstairs and it didn't literally come on until after Diego Sanchez fight against Michael Keesa. Like, what the fuck? And, you know, I went online. trying to look for some help air sports helpline is shut there's no number to ring because it's too late and there's no one on their so there's no one on their social media so like i'm glad they're

putting the bodies behind this project you know i did yeah it's just a mess like you know what i mean like total mess i should be getting my money back for that because i missed the the fight but you only wanted to see diego sanchise yeah that was it i was my whole purpose of off of cheney and i interviewed arreale um but no it was very very frustrating and i actually tweeted about it and a guy i can't remember who was now forgive me if you're listening in and i haven't forgot your name tweet me, rat my head for not giving you homage. But basically he was saying the same.

He missed like half, three quarters of the cart. A lot from cork said that. It was cork. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, like, that's what you're sort of dealing with it. If that's going to happen, you know, you're putting out a product

and you can't even get it right in the first go. People are going up in arms about, I think I put a poll on Saturday Pizzi. And there's 1,100 votes. I think 97% said they weren't buying it, or 93% said they weren't buying it. 7% said they were. Like, that's pretty fucking crazy.

Like, that's where I'd put the stats on that. about 100 people probably want it. I wouldn't be surprised. I wouldn't be surprised. But then you have, like, you know, there was a number of things as well. In terms of, you know, some of BT sports, you know, online coverage as well.

I found a couple of people jumping into interviews and stuff. I'm not going to name my names. You can see it there online. You know, pretty bad stuff altogether. It wasn't too impressed with that, seeing that. But yeah, just a bit of a mess. And I think it's something maybe they'll try you for the 242 card.

and I think maybe after that they'll go like fuck this it's not working because I don't think it is going to work the pay-per-view has never worked man on this side of the pond unless you've already paid for it that's the problem you're paying the subscription it's 3 a.m.

Most people are watching these ones when they come back from the booze or like I agree yeah and I guarantee it probably a lot more of those 97%, 93% probably did come back from the pub and said fuck it I'll just you know I'll buy it rang up and they probably didn't even get it

because they fell asleep and stuff Yeah, but, you know, it is. It's annoying, and I don't think it's something that is going to be here by the end of the year. I'd be very surprised if they continued on. PT sports have taken a huge knock from it. Like, I mean, I'm looking at their social media. Every post they put up, it's just being in on date with... But their coverage is crap, though.

Like, you know, only the programming they do, it's, it's boring. It's very generic. It's not something that is aimed towards the hardcore fan. Their online stuff isn't great either. I think they need a total... We've been saying it's for God knows how long four years now. they need a total overhaul on what they're doing.

They need to be pushing original programming if they're going to do a pay-per-view around it. I think it makes it much more appealing if they want to set it to a European market,

get a European team there, a proper team who know what they're talking about and push this towards their fans. Have a European spin on these pay-per-views instead of the shite we've to put up

with trying to actually access the fucking paper views. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, a bit of an ordeal to say the least. But let's get on to our first interview today. It's one of the big winners.

Rant one over, sorry. Rant one down. It's one down. big winners from UFC 239. It's Arnold, Alan. What a fantastic

performance he put together against Gilbert Melendez. Like, I don't think, I think Arnold's flown under the radar. I said this to him before the fight even.

He's 6 and O in the UFC now. That's the second longest streak in the division. Yeah, McGregor, Aldo. Yeah, it's mental. He didn't beat either of those.

What are you saying? No, I'm turning in terms to run. But, no, amazing for him, you know, really good. I think it was a calculated performance.

I'd still like to see a little bit more, but when you're putting away, guys like Gil Melendez in such fashion. On that big stage, pressure was obviously on him a lot, went out and did it, you know, a really good performance, in my opinion. A 25-year-old kid introducing Gilbert Melendez at the Federalweight Division. Yeah. Like, I don't, I never looked at this, like, was he disappointed with the performance, though? He seemed to be a little bit. No. No. He seemed like,

he said, like, he hasn't really watched it in depth. Like, I thought it was amazing, to be honest. Like, he overwhelmed him. Like, you know, bell to bell. There was never a moment in the fight where I was like, oh, here comes Gil. Definitely. Definitely. He absolutely. He batted him and he took him down. I mean, I think this guy has a huge future. And when that UFC London card comes around in March, man, if he has another win and he's on a seven-fight win street going in there, he could go back home main.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Depending on what's there, you know. So great to speak to Arnold. He had just had a very disappointing breakfast in Denny's. I'm sad to report. But we got over it and we got to it in the end. Thanks so much to Arnold. We'll be back in about 10 minutes.

And now I'm joined by Arnold Allen, who was all the way in Las Vegas. he's just gorged himself on a big buffet breakfast, I imagine. But this man is now 6 and 0 in the UFC coming off the most impressive performance of his career against former Strike Force lightweight champion and legend, really, Gilbert Melendez. He now has the second longest streak,

tied second in the featherweight division. And Arnold, finally, how are you feeling, man? That was absolutely unbelievable. Yeah, I'm feeling all right. I just had Denny's. It was pretty disappointing. So I'm a little... I'm a little bit of stuff about that, but I mean, it's all right.

What did you get? What did you have? It was like French toasts grand slam or something with a pancakes on the side. Oh, no. It was horrible. No hash browns. I usually like the hash browns when I'm in Vegas. I stick the hash browns and bacon.

No, I don't like the hash browns. I don't like the way they do it. I like the old ones we have back there. Well, there we have it. Here are the highs and lows of the life of an MMA fighter. Biggest win of his career and then terrible breakfast the next morning. I'm very sorry to hear that's happened. Oh, it's definitely.

So, man, like, have you got a chance to watch this back? Like, I mean, it feels almost funny to me because we were talking about how low-key are, how the 5-0 is going to float on the radar, and that's really the way you wanted it. But after that performance, I saw a huge outpouring of emotion on Twitter for you. A lot of people getting behind you, just 25 years of age, to do something like that against Melendez. It's pretty stunning to me. Have you been able to watch it? yeah i watched it back this morning i didn't really well i didn't really watch it properly i kind

just watch bits but i want to uh i want to have a proper like analyze it but um yeah i'm always critiquing myself and i watch it back so i don't really enjoy it what for you is the most impressive thing about that like i mean i think people will say straight away your dynamic striking was a joy to behold like i mean catching them on the end of your left hand the beautiful shots of the liver but i mean was there anything in there for you that impressed you the most about what you were able to do with him? No, I was happy to score a takedown to sort of, you know, show up and wrestle with the big boys and stuff.

Yeah, I was happy with that. Striking was pretty much kind of what I expected. You know, we know the way he fights his little heavy on his feet, sort of throws wild, so I knew he'd be a bit slow. Yeah, so there's everything I expected there. But yeah, I was happy to score the takedown. Yeah, yeah. I saw you approach Gilbert at the end of the fight,

and I mean, you're a good. it's always very respectful to your opponents, but I knew this one was particularly special because we talked about beforehand, this is without doubt, the biggest name you've ever faced. A legend, as I said. What did you say to Gilbert afterwards? I just said it.

He's like an honor and a share of occasion. He's a legend. Yeah. Yeah. He is a legend. He is indeed, man. And do you feel what I'm talking about when I say this big,

the kind of outpouring of praise, et cetera, Do you feel that this is even bigger on the back of this win than it has been for your five previous wins in the UFC? Yeah, definitely. Everything, especially UFC-wise or fight-wise, everything over this side of the pond is a lot bigger in it. There's no more eyes on it. Back home, it's big, but it's not quite the same just yet. Yeah, and I mean, do you feel like after being over there and fighting in the US, given that you do spend time in Troy Star and Canada, does this suit you better?

Like, is it a bit of a runaround when you have to go back? to Europe and stuff? No, I was right. Last time I fought in London, I just went home for a bit. I went home for a couple of days to check dinner. It was nice going to hang out with my family and the, hang out with the dog. I saw everywhere was familiar, you know,

I knew all the places to eat. It was a bit harder trying to find someone to eat before. Everybody seems to be like covered in cheese and stuff, you know? It would be fine if you weren't fighting, right? It's just with the whole fight there. It makes it complicated. Yeah, exactly, exactly. When you're looking at all the places you can't eat,

there's not really anywhere you could go. I was speaking to your coach, Jack Mason, and I was obviously, I'm looking at the corner there last night. I see your dad, Faraz and Jack. How does that work? Like, I mean, I know, like, I mean, I know you spend a lot of time in Canada, but Jack is still, obviously, very involved still.

How does that work with Faraz and him and your dad, everything? How does it come together? Yeah, we have a great relationship to me. Jack still, Jack does a huge role in my career. like if it wasn't film these fights wouldn't get put together that's for sure he takes care of most of the stuff and uh yeah he's a huge help but um yeah you know fras goes in as a head coach he's the mastermind he comes to the plan and uh yeah

we stick to the plan and my dad uh he runs the fan the towel fan it sounds like it's a good organization everything everyone has their own job and everyone's happy enough it seems like there is a great mood in the corner though yeah yeah it works good No, it's all good. It works well. I'm a bit surprised that you didn't get a bonus, I'm going to be completely honest, because, you know, seeing this kind of, like, even though you have been in there for a long time, but to do that, like, is a breakout performance as far as I'm concerned. Were you a bit disappointed that they didn't throw a check your way?

I wasn't surprised after a couple of knockouts and stuff, and usually there's always one on the main card or something. The main card get more attention, don't they? Yeah. But, yeah, I don't know. Maybe get a little small one. did you see um did you see the masvidal koh that's obviously taken most of it did you go out and watch the fights after yours did you manage to see a lot no we literally we literally watched that fight in the

back in the changing room and uh then we we headed out but that was that was scary so everyone was silent backstage yeah yeah that was scary it is indeed um you know when i speak in the jack earlier um we were kind of talking about very briefly don't this was not an in-depth conversation anyway. I was just kind of saying, you know, what's next? Like, this looks like it's going to open you up into the rankings. And as we know, things happen very fast. Once you're in there, there's more likelihood of you getting ranked opponents and stuff like this. Like, I mean, first of all, when would you like to get back in there, Arnold? Because I know you've said to me before that, you know, you'd never plan to be this inactive. You wanted to fight a lot more. When IDD for you would be a good time to get back in? Yeah. Yeah, end of the year. I'm not really...

got a few little injuries and stuff, but nothing. I've got my hands a bit fat, my shin's a bit swollen. I don't think there's anything that I'm going to be too sore for too long. But, yeah, or end of the year or something would be nice. Sorry, go ahead. Go ahead, man.

Jack's always sort of telling me that I don't need a rush. He's always confirming I'm 25 and I don't have to rush, just take my time and keep getting better. So I just listen to him. Yeah, and I agree with him completely, but I feel like after a performance like that there's going to be so much appetite

from the fans trying to push it. Come on, we want to see this, we want to see that. It's going to be a whole new deal, right? Yeah, for sure, for sure. But is there any of them, when you look at these rankings, like I mean, you're looking at names like Lamas that I dare towards in the 10 to 15 rankings.

Like that's another big test of experience. Would someone like that appeal to you at the moment, having got such an impressive display against Gil, would, like someone like Lamass, who's more, more experience in the featherweight division having fought for a title. Would that kind of fight appeal to you? Or am I trying to put words in your mouth here, do you think?

No, for sure. If that's, I like the fight. So wherever I'm told to do. That's what I do. If Farias and Jack are happy with that. And, you know, I'm good. And as we spoke about before this, Arnold, like, this is going to make, like, I mean, this win now, you six and O as a featherweight, you were such a huge win over such a huge name.

If this momentum continues, as we said before this fight, this is going to lead to a massive, massive fight in London, right? Like, you must be looking, like, you're nearly guaranteed main card. I mean, it could be up as far as co-main or main, right, if this keeps going. Yeah. I don't know. I always get overlooking, whatever. It's, I end up on the premium. I think it's going to talk much shit.

I don't post a whole lot about fighting on my social media, really. But, yeah, you know, guys, you post about the Instagram stories there. that's like going on, don't he too? It's not really me. I've actually, I went on and looked at your Jeep. It's an impressive piece of machinery, man. Snorkel on the side and everything. My God.

You're right there. Yeah, I need some of those. Rust and away. That you must be do some serious off-road on that thing, do you? Because it's kidded out for it. Yeah. Yeah, it's fun. It's fun.

You're kind of like action, man, aren't you? Yeah. You know what, I actually that, my way, stuff. I work around the stuff. I was trying to do it around the camp, I was trying to fix bits on it, and I was out in the bloody rain for the fit parts that were sparring and shit.

Sounds amazing. Like, I mean, just, just find the animal. Are you, is there any part of you that's surprised by yourself here, or was this something that you guys knew you were a cape? Well, it was only a matter of time before we saw a performance like this where you completely dominate a household name, let's be honest. Yeah. No, I wasn't surprised.

I kind of like always known. and have that sort of ability to do it, but I just kind of haven't rise to the cage in it. I always felt like having that tough taste, having that big name across the cage, it's going to bring out the best of me in. And yeah, it did. So I was happy with it.

Well, listen, man, you're an absolute gentleman for getting on to speak to me. I hope you find yourself a way better breakfast for tomorrow. I think you should go for, like, something simple, like steak and eggs, you know what I mean? Don't mess around, just get something that they won't mess up for you. I think that's the way to go, man. They can't mess out, surely.

Well, report back. Let me know if they do so we can get on Twitter and lambast them. Thanks very much, man. Congratulations. You enjoy your celebrations. And great to hear from Arnie. As I said, big fight probably. Ireland, Allen.

We've claimed them. Orlando. Yeah. Yeah, great win for him. Let's take a closer look at this card. One thing that's annoying me, once again, Dan Ooy comes out and he says something crazy afterwards, that he didn't. Did he say he had Jones win?

every round or something like that? He basically said in a tweet, or he said in an interview of Brett Otto Komodo from ESPN that anyone who watched that fight and didn't score to John Jones should never watch a mixed martial arts fight again. I scored to John Jones,

but I knew it was very close. Like I knew it was really close. Like my friend that was watching me, he thought Santos might have edged it, you know? Originally I scored to Santos. I've watched it back about three times the fight and you can see, you can go, you know, John's, Jones probably had the more output

in the fight. I could easy score for Jones as well I've no gripes at all whatsoever but Dana White's talking through his cacks if he believes you know he can't keep doing this stuff

where his his sentiment doesn't reverberate with the fan base at all and like I didn't like the fact that the booze that were going down I thought that was a great fight to watch you could see the leg going on to Diego early

that was a subplot you know what it was though it was a big fight Las Vegas crowd casual fans in there a lot of them on the tickets I think the cheapest tickets for them night with 350 bucks so that probably says something to you um yeah a lot of celebrities in

the crowd as well so i thought dal dambils area with two girls never heard him he didn't want to take uh tiago down and i felt like he had a huge advantage if it did go to the ground but he was kind of saying i felt like that would have been a defeat he's setting up so he's setting challenges inside challenges in these fights so it's not like we're not going in and going to watch him bull he's trying to prove things to himself i feel in the fight it probably doesn't result in the most spectacular thing in the world is it wise probably not You know? No, it is.

I think... No, but is it wise to restrict yourself to a certain skill set against an opponent. No, I don't think he did that. That's what he said he did. Like, where did he take him down?

Where's the grappling? Yeah, that is true. He doesn't do a awful lot of grappling. He does a brilliant grappling. Not these days, does he? But, I mean, he's brilliant wrestler. Yeah, I know he is. That's where...

Do we see enough of it, though? No, in that fight, not at all. And he says after the fight, I could have wrestled, but I thought that would be a defeat in itself if I thought it would have lost. That's hard to say that. But yeah, if you look at the fight

and I think what he was trying to do in terms of his standout was march forward and control the octagon and a lot of the time you could see the leg kicks were hampering them and they didn't seem to have a second plan for what to do with those leg kicks

and I think he's the first time I'm really affected by that and something that people often talk about like oh I'm going to attack his legs look at the skinny legs it's the first person I've ever seen actually doing it. Properly due to him but he'd no answers for it which I found strange for Jones

because he got battered and battered time after time with that leg and he was still trying to come forward like a smack of it was a it was a good fight i liked it i think tago santa santa sands deserves a hell a lot more credit thing he's a high quality championship fight amanda nunez the greatest female fighter of all timesly we don't even need to say anything else about it just fantastic amazing amazing woman incredible um street jesus horre madem azvedal where look i hate to say it well hands up in the air maybe he was right not to fight leon edwards because would he get that kind of back and

forth and lead up to the fight that kind of heat and then to put him away that quickly i mean he's got all the juice right now I mean, when you look at the videos coming out at his event, look at the amount of traction he's getting, it couldn't have possibly got that from a Leon Edwards Nate Diaz's the second coming. That's what I sort of...

Kind of feels like that after Beck Conner, right? It does, doesn't it? And you know, that's a fight that could very well happen end the line if they want to make big bucks. He's going to get that title fight. He's too much, he's got too much traction. I think so, yeah. There's no way to E. In this day and age where everything is based on traction.

The only reason why Leon Edwards fight wasn't made was because of a lack of traction I felt, and they felt he'd bring to the table. I think we're looking at, I think we're looking at Kermar Usman and Jorge Mazel off from Madison Square Garden in November. That's the way I'm looking at it. And, you know, interesting as well.

You know, he's seemed to back up what Calby said to me last week that they're both willing to throw down. I could see the happening potentially after. Yeah. And that man, again, that's another, that's going to be some negotiation. For two guys, you know, to really sort of levitate them into this sort of, multi-million dollar fight.

I could see it being that way. If they sold that right, and they're two bloody smart guys as well in terms of market themselves, what we've seen especially from Horgain the last few months, we know Calby can do it. Man, you know,

to have that whole angle, best friends, former training partners, you know, going to war and... Yeah, it will sell. It's just phenomenal. Man, I looked at some of the names

the Yellow Wight Division. Holy fucking God. Best Division of Marshall. It's probably as good, if not better than the Lightweight Division now at the moment. I like, I like 35 as well, to be honest. Yeah, definitely.

him. But Jan Blackwood's Shots the World. He called it. He didn't shock you? No, I thought a lot of people were under estimating him. And I interviewed him on Thursday. And I tweeted out after a fight. But he goes to me, every time I visualised this fight, it's me finish with me left hand in the second round.

Yeah. Damn. It was damn. Yeah, it was unbelievable. And, you know, I feel like Jan, that's the biggest win of his career. Hans, damn. But it's interesting because he's coming off a loss to Santos. Yeah.

And now he's going into this, what did I do with him now? He's after really upsetting the Apple cart. I'm sure they were thinking about, oh, we can do this with Rock Hope. We can build towards Jones and Rockhold. Interesting comments from Dane afterwards. He says he wants Luke Rockhold to retire. Oh, he was shocked by that. Yeah, I was shocked as well.

I was shocked, man. He wasn't like him very much. Yeah, there's always been a bit of heat, I think, between the two of them. But, yeah, Rockhold has looked very, very distinctly averaged in his last number of fights. Since baseball, you just, something missing, man. But, but can I just say, he wasn't even goaded into that question

he just went for it. There wasn't even like, what do you think of Luke Rockhol's future? He was like, retire. He took a question about someone else retiring

and he basically, probably Diego and he spun it into Luke Rockhol's to retire or something like that. Yeah, it's an odd one, isn't it?

Obviously with Henry Hooft now as well and, you know, maybe he was better off at, you know, AKA, I don't know. It just seems to, it really hasn't worked out.

I think maybe the way he would have wanted it to, but, you know, should he retire? I mean that's up for him to the side. I don't think many people are like, oh, definitely retired.

Yeah. This guy has to call it a day. But he has. I will say one thing. There's been a massive decline in his performance. Oh, yeah. That's fair enough, right? Like, I mean, you can definitely understand that line of thought on it,

but I just thought it was a bit crazy. Oh, yeah. Like, his losses at middleware, like to yell Romero and obviously, just before we move on, just going back to, you know, the welterweight situation. Fair play to Ben Ascran as well took it like a champ on the chin. Yeah, I heard him on Ariel on the way open.

And, you know, there was a lot of people shitting on him as well. And I thought it's not cool to see that when a guy gets so body knocked out. It's also the nature of the beast. It is. Like, if you go out and you stick your finger in someone's chest and you talk that big talk,

you've got to be ready for the other side of it. Yeah, of course. And we've seen it time and time again. I mean, James Galaher, Connor McGregor. Yeah, someone interesting enough, someone commented on my Facebook page and this was a disgrace and shouting in his face afterwards

and stuff like that. And I was like, well, well mate you're obviously a casual or something tuning in and saying that sort of shit it's part of the fight game it's the way it works these guys are you know um obviously you know aesthetically it looked quite violent i know but look he used that situation to elevate himself he's in the post for he's in the post for his own business conference saying it's not sportsmanship it's not he's not he shouldn't pat him on the back for it but he's this is a narrative that he's controlling now 100% they agree he you could tell there was venom between these two guys it was just shaking it's just shay making hands afterwards that wouldn't go with the whole this man's real the street jesus thing you know like his videos as i keep saying it's marketing viral after viral after viral and he's just being himself i feel honestly like i feel like he's being like a you know hyperbolic version of himself but certainly you get the impression that's the kind of guy who i'm as what all is and that's why people are getting behind him like it's not but but i but someone i don't think people understand that you know

the casual onlooker that it's part of their it's part of adrenaline you know obviously during a fight when they get someone out there's obviously a big high and then he's obviously trying to keep up this act for the well not an act

I don't think it's an act he wants to keep up this for the marketing campaign but that's pretty much it yeah yeah absolutely as we said as we said earlier Arnold Allen

great win or guilt Melendez Marlon Vera defeats Hernandez Marlon Vera looked great man really knows he's really nice

a joke in the second round I want to see that fight with Nathaniel Wood and Claudia Godalee gets a decision over on the market it's not the most spectacular win of all times it was a very very letargic fight very hesitant

I felt with both ladies but listen fair play to Cody Goddaia she came out and said afterwards you know she's working with Mark Henry now and she's just emm lamenting a lot of new um she's probably going to understand the codes he was out in the corner what's your main seven five five one claudea five five one two nine two nine

Bronx your dong song is he a teenager is he not a teenager he's 21 but he's amazing and uh I've been That donfellas hard. Your dong is hard. Yeah. Oh no. And we had three defeats for Europe on the undercard.

I mean, the Facebook prelims. Shabasian looked pretty goddamn good against Jack Marshman. Unbelievable. He steamroll them. And that's a very difficult thing to do against someone like Marshman. Marshman has been in some fucking wars back and forth. And this guy came out off the fucking front foot and just butcher Jack Marshman. That is a tough dude.

I'm a believer now to Edmund Chabazian. Yeah, absolutely. The Edmund, he's reliant that flame. He is, isn't he? Tart Verdean, yeah. Ishmael Nardief, the Austrian Wonderboy, did not have a... Like, I mean, he looks very dangerous when he's standing. There's no doubt about it.

He looked tired, though, man, he gassed. I felt. Chance Rand Counter is a really... He's a dogged, dogged man, isn't he? He really is, yeah. Really impressed with that guy. Yeah, definitely. And Julia Ville.

Massive underdog as well. Yeah, yeah, of course. Mass of biggest on the card, I think. and Panny got off to a... Not got off, she's already fond of the O.C., but a decision lost to Julia Aveila there. And I didn't disagree with those judges.

I didn't. Right, so that's everything from 2.39, I guess. I guess the biggest story, though, coming out of it has to be Mazzvedal, right? Yeah, man. Two fights, he's back and he's in the title picture. It's pretty unbelievable. Stole the line, right? Two starches, like, starched, darn till,

starch Ben Asper. But that's what he's needed in his career. And somewhere he's found this from... In the rainforest. And the fact they... practiced that for so long and that knee and we saw the videos obviously with Mike Brown put up absolutely just unbelievable to go out and actually translate that over it's something like you'd seen a movie you couldn't write that shit and obviously Kobe Covington actually said it to me last

week because I predicted T for T he's going to hit him with a knee man when he's shooting in going to knock him out brilliant brilliant stuff and yeah listen to the whole persona around him now the image you know he's been very vocal with the media this guy is an absolute superstar and I think we're going to see a lot lot more for him as well did you notice there were using my interview from London. I did. I was about to say that to you. So you interrupted me on something. Who do I invoice at the UFC for that?

They've done it to me a few times as well. I've never had one of these things. Have you not? No. They put me on the two kinds. Talking brawls, I remember that. Talking brawls on the before 206 and I was on for off the ball before the last fight against Habib.

They'll clip their bastards. Why don't they pay us for this? I'll take 25,000. Yeah. Grand, I'll do, I'll do the same for the two days. I don't want that coming out of a BT pay-per-view pool. It's actually, it's actually. They are actually technically breaking the law

showing someone's footage. They did credit us. They did credit us. They haven't still copyright theft. You're not allowed to do it without permission. Right. Well, look, we're going to get on with the next interview. It's Gunnar Nelson, an Irish legend,

an Icelandic legend, and a European legend. He's obviously fighting Tiago Alves, the first fight announcing that Copenhagen card. A lot of people excited about it. I got his take on that and his take on Masved al-Ascrian. We'll be back shortly. We love his loads. Talk to you soon.

and I am now joined by as promised the great Gunner Nelson Gunner how are you my friend great to hear from you again I'm very good very good to hear from me as well I gotta ask you Gunner the last time I spoke to you was in London

and obviously the fight didn't go your way that night a very close fight with Leon Edwards you know I know you posted afterwards and you were talking about lessons learned but what have you taken from that fight now a few months down the line what do you take from you? that?

You know, there were some strategic mistakes, I feel, I don't in that fight, and I should have pushed, I should have pushed more, you know, I had plenty of energy in the third round, and I just feel like I was waiting a bit too much, and he was kind of waiting

as well, but he kind of got a head of points. There's a few few like for an example in the first round where I was kind of waiting he was on top of me

against the cage who were kind of half down and I'm waiting for him to go for my back or go for the necker and stuff and which is when I'm going to make my move to get him to throw him over

and I left a lot of openings he was kind of picking on me with these shots that were doing absolutely nothing there and I was just kind of leaving a few openings

but he just wouldn't take it I think he just played it smart and he yeah he's a pretty strategic player who who likes to

you know he wins a lot of fights on points I guess and you know he just he fought a good fight there and my lesson was mainly if I am to take it to one is that I should have

I should have pushed him more but you're one of the elite welterweights in that division, do you feel as though Leon is a guy that can go up there in challenge? Like, I understand what you're saying about the kind of point style of fighting. A lot of people criticize him for that, but having been in there and which are experienced with him, you know, do you feel like he can go the whole way here,

or do you think he's going to struggle at the top? I don't know. I don't know how he deals with different energies, but he's very good, and I think he could. You know, there's a lot of, you know, good guys that, like, there's been a lot of champions that play, you know, the point game and more more playing points than actual finishers, you know, but yeah, we'll see, we'll see. There was huge excitement on the announcement for your next fight against Tiago Alves. It was the first fight announced for this Copenhagen card, and I know that a lot of people are

very excited in Scandinavia about this. How happy are you with this? Of course, when I think about this, match up, but I think, you know, Tiago Alva was fighting for titles nearly four or five years before you got into the UFC. What is your take on this guy, a legend many people see him as? Yeah, he's somebody who's well known, so it's a good fight,

you know, I think, I'm excited to fight and, yeah, he's a little pit bull in it. Yes. And he's been around for a long time. I don't know if he's probably, is he ranked? Or is he, he's not ranked? He's not ranked at the moment,

but he's been up there at the very top. Obviously, he fought GSP for the total. I think that was at UFC 100, you know. He disappeared a little bit after Usada, I think. Is that, do you have any suspicions in that regard? Yes, I do. Is, yeah, a lot of, a lot of, sorry, go ahead. Yeah, I don't know.

Usada has done a great job in the UFC, and I'm really happy how things have gone. on, you know, you see, you see a big difference in a lot of fighters after they came in. And obviously, there's still guys doing something, and they're getting popped here and there, and probably some are getting away with it, you know, I don't know. But at least it's, you know, it's making them scared now. And it's, they can't take as much or take the same things or whatever they're doing, you know, it's affecting it, you know what I mean?

I love that. When you fight a guy, like you've been such an advocate for clean fighting your whole life, you know? Like, I mean, I'm talking even before the UFC, you would talk about this at length. When you come up against a guy with Alvese, who you are suspicious of in that regard, does that give you more of an impetus when you're going into fight a guy like that? Does it give you something extra to be fighting for, or is it something you just put to the back of your mind? Yeah, it's not really something I think of a problem anyway, when it's time to fight a guy. fight and stuff.

You know, it is what it is. And I'll just go out and feel the energy and deal with the energy that comes. But it's definitely a factor. It is a huge factor. And I don't like that guys who are doing it. But they do. And they do at the top of level as well. T.J. Dillard sure got caught for some stuff.

EPO, I think he was. Yeah. Lance Armstrong here. like yeah so like guys are getting popped and and and it's of course it's a factor now i don't really think about it too much you know i have my views on it but there's nothing i can do about it really you know if if if a guy that i'm fighting is going to take some stuff and maybe he gets away with it maybe not but all i got to do is just think about what i'm going to do and and you know there's point really you know they they should take care of that usada should take care of all that and

and i'm just going to let them and not really paying attention of it but it's for example when khala for you man my king yeah yeah he you got popped afterwards and i thought it was great what they did was give uh kahaal the his bonus and all that's got to feel good for kahaal as well knowing that you're fighting this guy was on steroids and stuff and he still bat him and and and he came through and stuff that's got to feel good you know but I just don't understand how like some of these guys they probably say to think that everybody's doing it right that's why they do it and but not everybody is doing it and and then you're fighting some guy and you're you're on the gear and he's not and you lose or

even if you win like does it feel the same I can't imagine so I guess you kind of have to make peace with it in some way like what you're saying there they probably think that everybody's doing it but if there's one man I know that isn't who I'd swear over the Bible

it would be you gonna I know how passionate you are about clean sport yeah yeah I'm if I if I need steroids to keep doing what I'm doing I'm not going to compete anymore.

I'm going to stop competing and then I'll fucking do my steroids to be able to train or whatever. But I don't just, I can't see myself ever doing it, you know? Not, I'm just, I'm a little scared of it as well. I'll be scared of my hell, but I don't know what it does to you.

You hear all these stories about, you know, the organs or whatever, it kind of fucks you up and stuff. And then when I'm older, kind of burned a lot of energy, just, you know, burn my life energy taking steroids. I'm going to too fast. I don't know.

It's just not me. I'll just stay away from me and, you know, do my way. Absolutely. You know, I was wondering, I don't know if you've caught this story, but Nicholas Dalby had an insane bloodbath of a fight in the main event of Cage Warriors 106. and this guy has basically, he has geared his whole life to being on this Copenhagen card,

the one where you're fighting Tiago Alves. And, you know, people, a lot of people have got behind him since the fight. It was judged in no contest, so he didn't really get the closure he wanted, obviously to unify the cage warriors, belts and go again. But, you know, as a fellow Scandinavian, would you like to see Dalby on that card?

Do you feel he deserves that? Yeah, I definitely think he deserves a shot to come back on that car. And it makes sense, man. in his hometown and he's been on a rip now he's been doing really well absolutely and he seems like a different man you know he was going through some shit for a while and then it kind of messed him up a bit and then but he's coming back now and he's training hard and he's looking good and he's doing well and i mean this was a crazy fight there he had and i don't know i think he should uh he should

get another show for sure and it would mean a lot to the danish fans right if they're going to a market for the first time. To have a guy that's so well known in the country, it makes sense for the UFC, right? Those. I wanted to ask you about a fight that took place this weekend. You probably know which one I'm talking about, Jorge Mazvedal v. Ben Ascran.

These are two guys, you know, around that London fight, I felt you were in close proximity to both of those guys, to be honest. I know that you've been chasing a fight with Masvedal for a long time. But, I mean, what was your reaction to that? Did that shock you? It certainly shocked me. Well, yeah, I think he shocked everyone. Three seconds, five seconds or something.

But that's the fighting game. It was a beautiful name. Is it? It's probably, probably feels weird for an Oscar. I mean, he probably remembered to remember as he was walking in and he doesn't remember anymore of that night. You know what I mean? Like, that was basically.

not a fight, you know. He didn't get the chance to actually fight him and just got taken out like split second. Yeah, it was crazy. It was crazy. And like, is there any way, like, I mean, Masvedal's a guy that's been on the scene for a long, long time. My God, that man has been fighting for a long, long time. Like, I mean, is there anything you can take from that late surge? Like, he's, he's a two wins, two big wins, and now he's knocking on the door of a title fight. Like, I mean, do you take anything away from that, that career? trajectory. Like I know you might not know Jorge personally, but does

that kind of affect a fighter when he sees that kind of guy making such a big statement with just pretty much two fights? I don't know. Yeah, I mean, I haven't really thought about it too much, to be honest with you, but he's been doing good

for himself lately. He had a nice fight against Till, and that was a big, big knockout. they was talking about it and it's what first time tail has been knocked out is it yeah yeah that was his yeah second loss the first time he was being knocked out i think it was a pretty bad one yeah so that that's a big one and and and and till is you know the great striker so that's a big one and now i'm you know you i know you wanted that fight with till as well i was kind of lucky in that fight against

Bobby Lala. I think you could probably agree on that. I mean, he had to survive some shit, and then he got that choke, and then it wasn't really on, and, you know, referee thought that Robbie was out,

but he wasn't out. And I don't know. I think he got an easy one out there, and he did not look good when he stood up there after a few crackers from Robbie, and I don't know, he looked,

look quite slow. Yes, he has. Is that like, I mean, I can remember when Ben first signed, a lot of people were talking about your grappling versus his grappling. Like, I mean, does that match up appeal to you at all? I know it's not really the right time to be talking about given that Ascran's just lost, but down the line, I mean, Ascran says he will continue to fight. He appeared on Ariel O'Anne's show earlier today, but I was wondering, like, would that

appeal to you ever a fight with Ascran or is that not really on your radar at the moment? Yeah, of course. Yeah, I think it's a very exciting matchup And I'd love I'd love to fight Aspen at some point He's a great fighter And he's a good rapper And he has his own style

And I think he'd be very interesting Yeah, I do as well Like what do you think of Like how much do you rate Is grappling in MMA I know like obviously he's a fantastic wrestler A absolute brilliant He's done really well in MMA

He's I think he's striking Definitely needs A bit of a brush up but on the grappling department, he's very good. He's good at keeping guys down and then kind of beating on them and wearing them out and stuff. I don't think he has my submission skills,

but he's much more decorated in wrestling. Always, I never competed in wrestling, so he's a decorated wrestler, and he's really good in that area, and I think he'd be interesting. And just finally, Gunny, and thanks so much for your time today. You know, there was all that excitement, as I said, having a legend like Tiago Alvese for you in Copenhagen.

Just one of the comments I saw often enough was that Alves has passed it, that Gunny's going to go through him. Like, is that an unhealthy way for you to look at this fight? Like, do you have to prepare for the Tiago Alves that was getting ready to fight GSP in 2009? Like, do you prepare for the best possible version of Tiago Alves when you're getting ready for these fights? Yeah, of course, yeah I'll be

I'll be expecting him to come out You know Be ready to be fit To be strong and good You know I always expect that From the guys that I'm fighting You expect

The very best from them And you deal with that And if he doesn't show up Feeling good Then that's that But I expect him to do Gunner, you're an absolute gentleman Thank you so much for your time today

I can't wait to see you in Copenhagen again I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be my first time What should I do in Denmark? What would you recommend? I don't know, streaking Did you say streaking? Do you mean get my clothes off

and run through the streets? The What's it called? The walking street The main walking street is the only place I know there and I always always go there.

It's like the kind of center. Other than that, I don't really, I've been there a few times. I'm not really done anything, so I wouldn't be... Well, look, I'll make sure I walk up the main street.

That's a brilliant recommendation, Gunner. Thank you so much. It's a cozy place. Brilliant. Cozy place. That's what I like. I like coziness. But Gunner, you're an absolute

gentlemen I really can't wait to see you back in there and thank you for giving me so much time today all thanks a lot all the best my friend bye bye and what an action-packed interview from our very own Gunnar Nelson lots to say there about Tiago Alves that I didn't see coming to be honest

before but fair play to him I never I will never criticize a man for speaking his mind and on a man who speaks his mind let's welcome back in Norma Grah how are you sir I'm good, yeah, enjoy that one. Interesting from Gunner is always putting

Tiago Alves on the rack. That's it. And literally trunks downs him. That's great. I like a bit of that. Yeah, oh, come on. Nothing wrong with it, man. But you can tell, like, there was no strategy there.

Like, you know, this is just, this is how he feels. That's the moment. He does. He shoots the breeze, you know, and got a lot more comfortable with the media over the last number of years as well. And really good stuff. I think we had to understand them a bit more, to be honest as well. I think we're all kind of running at him

hoping. Everyone was going like he was made out to be, as you said before, this freak. And he's not, he's just a normal, chilled out, lovely guy. He's such a nice guy. And I think fatherhood as well, obviously, sort of brings a little bit of calmness

sometimes for the first couple of years anyway until they hit the terrible twos, and then boom, they're all fucking, they're mental and their kids driving them mad. But yeah, definitely. Yeah, no, he's a great lad. He's a great lad. And of course, we're approaching that five-year anniversary

for the UFC Dublin show that he referenced there with the Mike King. 19th of July, isn't that? Yeah. might have something special out there. Oh, look, he's dropping some fucking... Some hinters as well. So, yeah, let's take a look at this weekend's action, starting on Friday night with Bellator 224,

which should be available to you on Sky Sports, y'all. Julia Budd and Olga Rubin for the 45 title in the main event, we're not going to run through the whole card, though, because we have got some Europeans on this bad boy. SBGERS. Yes, a trio of SBGERS. I've got to say, this is the toughest fight of Schneider Cabin's life going in against the last.

Leslie Smith, Leslie, a battle-hardened veteran who's been in there with some of the best fighters in the world. She's an animal, man. And Shnade is an animal too,

but you look at the experience differential there, you look at the opponents, Leslie's fought. Is this a big ask for Shnade? Yeah, I think it's a huge, huge ask, especially obviously, you know, I think she lost three of her last four fights. Yeah, something like that.

I think Leslie was on a two-fight winning streak when she left the UFC, when our contract ran out expired. Well, it wasn't that, if you remember, she was meant to fight Aspen Ladd, and then something happened that weekend, and then they were just like, let's just terminate your contract.

Yeah. They don't like Project Spearhead, and she is heavily involved with them. Yeah, exactly, they didn't like that. But listen, Leslie Smith, we know her skills, you know, very good in the feet, great in the ground.

And just tough as an old boot. Jesus. Yeah, tough as nails. And I just, I worry for Sheenade in this fight, really good stand. Of course, we've seen Shane's box. boxing, but, you know, I think Leslie might be a little bit too crafty for her here. And it's an interesting moment what Bellator doing here. It's like it's sort of shit or get off the pot maybe

for Chenade. And because of, um, obviously losing three of her last four fights, Leslie Smith's on a two-fight win streak. It's sort of, you know, if Leslie wins, it elevates her up. And if if, sheenade wins, this is it. On the flip side. It's, you know, a massive risk-reward fight for her. One thing I will say to you about this, and this applies to Kiefer and Will Flurry, who will be hearing from later on as well. These fights are going to be very important in terms of what happens in Dublin. I mean, if people come away from these fights with a bad injury, it's out of the question. You're not going to be fighting in September, you know?

Yeah, and I think, you know, for Kiefer, obviously, you know. We'll just say Kiefer's fighting, Jonathan, Gary, I go use 13, 11 and 2. I think he has a mixed record in Bell Torteen. He's like 2 and 2, but he's scattered, you know, like he's fought here and there. You know, on paper you're looking at it straight away. And as I say, often with Kiefer, when they match him, they're nearly giving them this situation where you've got to win well

to have people really impressed and that's a tough situation to be putting a prospect in every time I think Yeah no I agree with you And say if it was another guy that was six and all you'd be like well this could be a very close fight You know Yeah like the thing we have to ask again now

Is you know are they planning something big for Kiefer Going out in the line because he's he's had fights where we've You know we're expecting him to win this fight Every fight he's had on paper his last number of fights Especially in the Bellator banner We've expected them to win and he's won I think that's a hard thing to do to a prospect. I really do because it's this constant pressure

where you have to not only win but be impressive when you're putting them against guys like that. Well, yeah, well, you should be, you know, rightly so. Yeah, yeah, but it's tough as well. This guy's fought 25 times and Kievers fought six, you know? Yeah, no, I get what you mean. Yeah, maybe it's a test, you know,

Bellator with a certain guys, they do push them slowly and, you know, I've nothing wrong. No problem wrong with that, but I think if he wins this and wins this in impressive fashion, we're going to have to look at something, obviously, as you said there, if he stays injury-free, we're going to have to look at something big for the Dublin card because

you know how long can this go on? He's a popular guy, you know. Huge. I think you put on social with Kiefer, you do. Massive traction. So, you know, a big win in the States. I think it's sensible from Kiefer as well, you know, marketing-wise he said, you know, he wanted to fight in the States. He's calling for a 160-pound division as well.

Obviously, you think it's a little bit too soon in his careers. He's 165 in this one, though, you know? Yeah, it is interesting that they're doing that. So, yeah, I think it's a good ploy to go over and fight there and get his brand out there and his name out there in the US market, an oppressive win. You know, it's set up something nicely maybe for Dublin, as you said.

Yeah, and Will Flurry takes on Antonio Doomsday Jones, a man who lost his job boys on the contender series. You know, seven and two, a tough fight for Will, he was five and one. And again, you know, I feel like Will got a massive pop off of that Dublin event.

Like I feel like when you were talking about someone like Kiefer, he was always a well-known commodity. A lot of people were going there that night to see Kiefer fight. Whereas Will came in. and a lot of people are going, who's that crazy guy with the goddamn wall the handlebar mustache?

And Mattress Mick floating around him as well I was actually said to Will a little attraction. But when I think about that event that's the first thing that pops into my head. Him and Mattress Mick.

I do. I was Starstroke man. Yeah, no, but I think as well for Will you have to understand Will is a very sensible lot in terms of actually reaching out to the media.

He wants to do things. He wants to engage with me. I think that's very important. He's very aware of his brand. Very aware. As we always say, a lot of guys aren't aware of their brand and how to treat us as journalists

and guys who cover this sport. Will has that down to a tea and a fine art. He's reaching out to people. He's trying to make things happen. And I think that's very important. And let's be honest. You know, his last fight, he was very impressive in his last fight. You know, a step-up in opponent. I think this is again another step-up

an opponent. So Will is going about this the right way. And I asked Will about that. I said a lot of the criticism in terms of how SBG are being matched is the fact that a lot of people don't feel like they're getting challenges, but you can't say that about Will. I put a tweet up about that about the Belter Card, Will liked it. And you can't say that about Will, because

there's been a solid step up on his opponents the whole time. Even after he lost, he fought a better level opponent. He's an interesting cat, man. Like, I mean, oh yeah. Born in South Africa, isn't he? He's born in Tipperary, no? I think he's born, I think his family.

He moved to South Dublin, though, when he was very young. Yeah. So, like... School up the road down there, Wesley College. He managed to avoid all the traps of South Dublin, like the ones that you fell right into. the huddlems around here. But he's a really interesting guy. I don't know if you listen to Patty Hillen's podcast with him.

It's recent. It's really good, man. It's a longer form interview where a lot more can be said and stuff like that. Now, don't get me wrong, he gave me a great interview. But just a really, really complex dude, lots going on. And I've always found him really interesting. You know, like, always have. I feel like this could be a big one.

If he gets this done against Doomsday, it should be a big fight for him in Dublin. but I guess with middleweight it's tough you know you don't have as many guys floating around that you're automatically like when you think of Belator middleways are going Fabian Edwards you know what I mean like it yeah you know it's a crazy situation you really are and listen

that could be something out of the line as well don't write that offer like maybe even Dublin absolutely you know like I mean I think people would be interested in that but um yeah three big fights for the SBGers over there a big knife for them without a doubt

and I believe there is one other European yet Elena Caliandoah. Is that Greece? Yeah. How do you pronounce that name? Caliandau? Hang on. That is a weird one.

It's only 20 years of age and 7 and 2. That is quite a good role. Alina Calando. Calondio. There you go. Pronounced perfectly by Noel. She's also in action at 125 against Bruno Ellen. And Olga Rubin in the main event

represents Israel against Julia Budd. Israel. Why do you? Israel is in Europe? No, no, no, no. They're into Eurovision now. Yeah, there's some things like they're in UEFA and stuff like that, but they're technically Asia as far as them over.

Well, there you go, cut her from the record. Let the record show that Alga is not representing Eurobash. She fought in Dublin here. They seem to be giving Alga a big, big push. Yeah, yeah, they are. Yeah, she did look good. But, yeah, Julia Budd as well, you know, that's a good, high-calibre fight. It's a big step up, all right?

Yeah, definitely. Yeah, so, I mean... Are you, you know, when we look at this and, you know, is it a good thing, do you feel these lads fighting overseas and you know getting a bit of brand exposure in the u.s i know shenade has already but for keifer and well i think it is it's something you know and they're both good shit talkers as well good experience for them you know they're good in the mic if they get big wins and jump out in the mic and say something you know they're memorable cats they do it them are you know even shenade is like when shenade is on song she's she's really really impressive but i just think

that's a very tough fight but again as you say risk reward she ends up coming away with her handraised huge huge um we've got a few europeans in action on a saturday night i believe is it's sorry tonight? Yeah, UFSI card, yeah, it is. Yeah, Big El Card there, and it's top by Germain de Randami of Holland, of course. I like this fight, like, I mean, it is interesting.

Like, I remember there's a lot of controversy around it, like, is this good enough to be a main event of a card? It might not be, but certainly interesting with Aspen Lad, undefeated against Durandami, who's been a spoiler in our career before, you know? What way do you see that going? Like, I feel like they've got big advantages

in their weak areas, you know, like obviously you're going to be looking at Germanda Randomi has way better striking an Aspen Ladd, but Aspen Ladd is like a blanket one she's on top of you, you know? Aspen Ladd is your prime example. She's like a Rory MacDonald type specimen of the women's division in terms of that she is your complete all-round mixed martial arts. She trains martial arts.

She's one of that younger generation that have come through like that, learned tricks from everywhere. She's a jack of all trades, and she's a really good stand-up as well, man, but obviously known Germain de Randami and our kickboxing background absolutely fantastic fighter on a four-fight win streak I believe it is as well

so like you know former UFC featherweight champion got stripped never actually lost the title in combat so it is it's a tough one for Aspen Laugh but it's maybe a little bit like Derek Conrad Aspen Lad is this good she's this young

we've seen her Invicta she's come through you know flying colours in her first few UFC fights she was obviously supposed to fight Holly Home that fight fell out so she's been put into this event against oh Jesus

Germanda Rendami So I feel this one Is another one a little bit like that From the UFC's point of view Where they're going Right If Germina Ramamie wins this fight She's five straight

Maybe let's have a little look At her in Nunes Potentially And then if Aspen Lad wins We've a young up-and-coming lady here Who's proven She can take out the big guns In the division

And a really really big name In Germain de Randami And she's like Going to get this push up towards That sort of level have starred him as well. So I think it opens up options for the UFC as well, definitely. Yeah, definitely.

Your Royal Faber makes his returning the combate event. That's a tough fight for your eye on, man. Yeah. Ricky Simone's class. I don't really see the point in him coming back. I don't. I just don't. It's just a hunger, man.

Somebody's just can't step away. And I think even when you're- He's been away for a long time, you know? That's what I can't really get over. And he seems to be like, you know, a big part in a lot of young guys' careers, like your dong song that we mentioned earlier. Like, he's in his corner. you know, even Sage and Orchok, guys like this.

And now he's coming back. It's like, do you need to do this, man? You know what I mean? That's the way I'm looking at it anyway. He doesn't at all. But he's one of these guys, man, that I just don't think. I think he's so obviously involved in the sport from a day-to-day basis with the likes of the guys you said, Cody Garberant as well.

So he's like, I may as well be fighting. No, generally, that's what I was literally made to say. I might as well be fighting. And it's very hard to step away from that, the competitive edge. Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, that's what he is. But listen, man, I don't like this fight from either. I think, you know, Ricky Simone's a guy that I've seen when he was in this time, but I think Titan FC as well.

And I think there's Ronnie Yaya, he's coming off a win against, is that correct? I'll just check that now. Yes, Rani Yaha at UFC 2, 3, 4 in Melbourne. So yeah, this guy, this guy's, is he, you lost a fight? He's lost one fight, you know, on, I think, eight-fight win streak or something like that. Certainly not a gimmie. I am most interested in Josh MFV, Mirosad, Beck, that's your own, Bosnia, the fighting pride of Bosnia. A lot of a fighter, yeah.

obviously he's back to action now he had to pull out a pivotal fight there earlier this year and we were talking to him beforehand what fight was that he was he had a big fight who meersad and he had to pull out of it Anato Moikano oh yeah yeah yeah yeah that was last year that was in December of last year

holy shit and like you've said this before about Mirasad that's his one thing it's like he's injured a lot and it's from that wrestling you know when you've been wrestling your whole life your body's in that He's a dogged wrestler man. The guy's a beast, but yeah, that's really been the frustrating thing for Mirosad, Beckett.

He's only had one loss, that crazy fight with Elkinsley. Yeah, that was the only fight, and he was dominating that fight up until that point. And listen, Elkins just pulled that fight out of the bloody bag to win that. You know, this is, you know, if you look at his record and you look at the lack of fights that he's had over this period of time in the promotion,

there's been real no level of consistency getting three, four fights in a year. I think last year was probably his best year where he's got two in and it's the first time he's got in two since the Paul Redmond fight which is quite a long way back

as far as I'm aware. Yeah. 2015. 2013, sorry. 15. Was it 15? Was it all right. Okay.

So yeah, like that's fucking crazy man. And you want to make a portion of the division or the Federalweight division you need to be fighting more often than that. But that's a good, man. To fight Josh Emmett,

that's a big name. Yeah, no, yeah, it is. And Josh Emma obviously got back to winning ways after that devastating knockout he suffered to Jeremy Stevens. He knocked out Johnson. It's a pivotal thing. fight for that

division I feel. Massively and I think you know you've a contender emerging here and more likely

at the moment in the division the way it's gone we obviously have the fight between Frankie Edgar and Max Holloway but this one is

the winner of this man you know they're they're not far off maybe one more fight away probably from getting a title shut so there's a lot

on the line here that's I think a lot for back ditch as well Marvin Vatari will be back in action for the first time since that Usada suspension you'll remember

Marvin was on the show a while ago speaking us about that he was one of those foreign names that basically, who sat us struck from the record, basically to say like these guys have been tainted, massive stumbling block in his career for such a young man from Italy, of course, but no jokes, straight up, he's in there against Caesar Ferrar on the way back. So that is, that is a big, big fight for him too. And I feel like, you know, Marvin, Marvin did well against Adisania. A lot of people forget that. Like, I mean, I still see Italian reporters going, don't at me, Marvin Vittori Bet Israel Adesania. Like it was a very

close fight. Well, like people... Probably gave him the best go next to Calvin Gasolm, you know? No, easily, yeah, he's about to say that to you. In terms of that fight, you know, there was a lot of people there was a bit of a backlash towards Israel Adasania after that fight. It's amazing to see how far he's come. It is. It really

is crazy. It's only the second point in the UFC, I believe. Yeah, it was and he was, obviously you know, we thought, you know, give the guy a break. He was, he took, you know, got a victory over a tough guy like Mark and Vittori and obviously not his best performance in the world but like Martin hung in there actually Marvin. Marvin sorry, Marvin.

Starvin Marvin. He's definitely not starving man, he is henched that man. But looking through the card here, Juliana Penna versus Nico Montana. Very interesting. Nico Returning Cheevo is one of four names as well. That's a huge fight man in that division of that. What about Ryan Hall against Darren Elkins? Ryan Hall who fights once

in it every five years. But Darren Elkins and Ryan Hall is on the undercard of this? Yeah. What? It doesn't really matter because they're both in the same channel. Nothing really matters. That is a really high level fight and it's a good fight. You know, it's good to see that Ryan's going to get some... That's two fights in a year.

Is that right? Did he fight BJ Payne this year? Holy God. Calm down, Ryan. Jesus, yeah. He didn't fight from 2016 before that. So listen, no, Ryan's obviously an excellent elite level jujitsu guy and you'd have to sort of favor him in this one, I think. Yeah, you definitely have to do.

Like, man, if he can pull off that shit, like, you know, just get a... anyone to the ground you're in fucking deep trouble with this guy and listen darn elkins is a beast of a man but um when when ryan um takes to the ground he might be breaking your legs he might be able to get back up and i think that could be possibly the outcome on saturday night i'd say he's probably watched a lot of my footage from back in the day probably the floating seals you too um it's obvious when you see on it we're getting that bringing that back by the way yeah i'm gonna start marking for him we're gonna we're gonna put shit up you have me battered by fucking somebody i'm gonna sell it to everyone and then we're gonna what's gonna happen is they're gonna gonna want to do a show it's

going to be like fucking Cobra Kai if you've watched something of that on the YouTube I'd highly recommend to put it away

its class. I've ever said you've seen that yeah? Brilliant. That's deadly. Real cheesy. Oh,

cheesy is brilliant. But the Cradic kid was a nasty piece of work. Well, what's his name? The cradic kid, the original guy.

What's his name? Danny La Rousseau. Yes. Right. Well, let's move on to the fucking brain. Let's move on

to the third interview of the day. It's the man I told you about already. It's Will Flurry. Great to speak to to Will. is this is your bash debut actually is it?

Oh my God. Too long we've been waiting on that man. Great to speak to him. He's a great lad and I'm looking forward to seeing him fight this weekend. One of three SBG fighters that goes to Thackerville looking for a win. So we'll speak to Will and we'll be back in about 15 to Talk Some Brown. And now we are finally joined by the raw bastard himself.

Will fucking Flurry, one of the greatest ring names in all of the sport. Will, how are you, my friend? I'm good. Very good, boss. That sounds like a very low beat good to me. You're usually pumped up full of it. Is it just all the travel that's ahead of you? You're taking off tomorrow, right?

I am indeed, yeah, tomorrow morning at 10 past 7. So I'll be in the airport for about half four. It should be lovely. No, like, I'm calm and ready to kill, basically. Like, you know, calm and kind of at peace with the fact that we're going to war now. So just trying to chill out a little bit. I've been very excited now the last week or so since this is all. been announced and going to been building up.

It's obviously a huge opportunity out of me, so pumped, but trying to keep myself pretty chill for now. Yes, and of course, you're going to be taking on Antonio Jones in Tackerville on Freud at that Beltaire 2-2-4 card. And yeah, just as you said there, Will, this kind of came about quite late. I mean, we got to know about it quite close to the fight date. Have you just been, were you told basically prepared for this date and you had a full camp, but was just the opponent that came later? It was kind of vague information. So first off, I was told you might get London.

And I started preparing for London. And then it was, if we don't get you on London, you might get a pull-out slot. If there's a pull-out, you're our first guy. And then it became, look, July 12th, you're definitely on that. And they had an opponent. Then they didn't have an opponent. So even the Americans pitch out on Will Fleury.

Yeah, and then this guy only got confirmed two, three weeks ago. So it's a 190 catch weight for him instead of a 185 because he's a fat fuck, obviously, and can't make the weight. But, yeah, like, it's only been confirmed and solidified in the last two and a half weeks, but it's been on the cards for about 10 weeks. Correct me if I'm wrong, Will. Is this your US debut? Because I know you've fought all over the place, but is this the first time you're going to be competing on U.S. solar, I'm mistaken? Yeah, first time in America, man.

And it's big to me. I know I've been in a few places, like I've been now inside Africa and Jordan and whatever, but like America is different. It's special, like, you know, and I feel like it's a huge opportunity for me now. Yeah, it's this catch weight. I just noticed, obviously you're not speaking about your opponent in glowing terms there. Is that annoying? I was there for your last fight in Dublin when your opponent missed weight, and you were pissed off.

Like, I mean, there was a bit of a back and forth in the hall. You were talking to the media there. At least this fat gun said he's going to come in as a fat fuck. That sort of prior warning is there. Yeah. You know, he doesn't have me starving myself and showing up like, oh, no, I'm five miles over or whatever. I don't mind. Look, it's grand.

It just means I can eat a little bit better for the last two weeks. Yeah, yeah. So it's not that much of an ordeal once you know in advance. No, like, look, at least he gave us head heads up this time. That's grand. Absolutely. Now, I've got to say. I want to you taking the business out and call him a fat guy on.

Like, look, you know. he's a half decent fighter. He can show up and he can do his damage, like, and he's got to be respected, like. Right, right, right. I've got to say, Will, there was some complaints, right, about how the SPG fighters are being matched,

but definitely not towards you. When you look at the fights you've taken on since you've signed for Bellator, these are really good opponents. They've got good records. I mean, do you feel as though that's warranted what people are saying about some of your teammates

that maybe they aren't getting the big tests compared to you anyway? But man, look, all I can do is beat the crap out of whoever's in front to me. And I want to be the best, you know, in my division. And you don't get to that point without beating high quality guys. So every time I'm asked, like, what do you want? I'm like, get me the best guy you can get me. And that is the genuine fucking answer.

A lot of people are out there saying, oh, I want to fight this guy. I don't refuse anybody. I genuinely don't. I want like high level competition. I want to get in against best guys, see what I can do against them. I believe I'm fucking extremely good at this. I've proved to myself, you know, plenty of times that I am extremely good at this. So give me the chance to show that.

I want the chance to show that on my big stage. And this is the opportunity I have now next Friday. So it's about, I suppose, you know, me just focusing on me and smash them what's in front of me every time. Yeah, and I've got to say, most people might know Antonio, just from his appearance on Dana White's Tuesdays, I contender series. That would have been his most prominent appearance internationally so far.

But what have you learned about this guy on such short notice? Do you even, do you spend a lot of time on that when this is kind of dropped on you at the 11th day? Yeah, I've had a good look at them. It's generally speaking to the last two, three weeks I do my major research anyway because up to that point, you don't know if this guy's going to show up. I've had more guys not show up than I have show up. So like, it's kind of pointless doing research on somebody eight weeks out and then, boom, it's a totally different guy on the day.

And that, like, I didn't look at the first guy, the Simone guy that I got offered until like a week before he pulled out. So I was doing a week of kind of drilling and researching him. Then this guy, Antonio came on board and I was like, okay, this guy's probably going to show up. He's taking a shorter notice. He's not going to take a short notice and pull out.

So I've had a good look often, yeah. And like he was Fury FC champion. He's legit. He's got a big overhand and he's got a half decent of that. But like, look, I've been training for nine years, man. I'm a quality martial artist and I want to get in there and prove that. So I'm going to pick Antonio apart to make a show. but like the one thing that i'm thinking about here as you go into this is what happens with the dublin card september 27th you had a huge performance last time we had that brilliant moment

what mattress mick backstage i love that no but it was great you know it's just which one of those things it sticks in my head as soon as i think about that card i think about you two guys backstage and um you know a lot of people are getting behind you is there a worry that like you know you can pick up a knock here and maybe not compete on that september 27 card i mean it is quite close right yeah and look I'm not God I don't dictate these things are you sure

yeah close enough but I'm getting there Viti I'm getting there give me some time alright I've got Jesus status right now I'm waiting for the God character to arrive look at us blaspheming on the podcast

this is fantastic but basically look it's a risk I'm willing to take and like I think you have to get out and you have to try and like be active as active as you can. I don't want to fight twice here.

Like, and if say something terrible does, let's say I fucking smash Antonio and break my hand off him and, you know, I can't fight in Dublin. I'd still rather have done it this way than not taking my chances, man. This is the game we're in. Like, you know, there's risk involved in everything we do, you know. So get in there and keep risking, keep putting your balls in the line and keep going for it. Like, and that's what I'm doing. So like, man, like, I just feel like something special's going on in my head at the moment where I'm just like, I'm up for everything. I feel like every challenge is one I can smash.

So let's get Antonio in front of me. Let's see what I can do with them. And then afterwards, I'll have a few names in my mind. And hopefully we'll get them over to Dublin. Yeah, and I got to respect that attitude will completely. And, yeah, I was just thinking about that. Like, this could pay off a lot as well. If you go over there and get a viral stoppage or you have a performance that gains a lot of.

attraction that that can parallel into an even bigger matchup in Dublin obviously is that the way you're thinking about it? Yeah, look, I think there is a recognition out there that if you're looking for legit fighters Wilfler is your guy like and even like you look at the reaction of the crowd in Dublin that night.

I was pretty overwhelmed by it like it was great it was fucking, you know, like they're putting me like fifth fight on the prelims and you're kind of thinking, oh they must think I'm a fucking bum or something and then you come out and you get this like you know you get a huge reception off the crowd, you go and you beat probably the most legit fighter or like the most legit opponent that anybody had on that card and you beat him like that so i'm like i'm expecting to be a little bit higher up the card and to be honest man even if i'm not just put somebody legit in front me and watch me smash him again and watch me keep doing that and then we'll see where i am like yes yes and as you said the dublin crowd was something i only uh learned about you recently was was the fact you went to school in south dublin right i heard you want to patty

Hulins, No Shame podcast. And for any of you guys that are interested in Will or Irish Ferders, you've got to check this episode out. Amazing to hear you speaking in that kind of open environment, Will. It seems like mentally you're switched on on a completely different level. Now, when I hear about the way you think and the way you look at this game, I have to say, it was really impressed and there's a really original way to look at things, I have to say. Is that something new? Is that something new? No, I don't think so. I've been like this for a long time, man and like again character is not a fixed thing you know you you work for who you are every day a week but like i think by overcoming adversity on a regular basis you kind of develop a level of

like i don't know just great and character you know there's something deeper in there and you kind of know fundamentally what you are and how you react to things um and over the last kind of five years i suppose i've just been oh look if i get the chance i will smash the chance and the one really disappointing thing I suppose was Rome because Rome was my big chance and I let that fucking slip away from me by having a shit attitude on the night and by just being a little bit complacent

like honestly I feel like I've been a world beater for about five six years it's on me to get out and prove that now I have the opportunity again I obviously smashed that opportunity in Dublin that was fantastic but still I let it slip once I really really don't want to let that slip again

and I feel like this time around I am a little bit more I suppose vicious isn't the word really but like there's definitely an awareness like I'd never known what it felt like to be the guy which her head hung old the morning after whereas now I know what that feeling is and I never ever want to be there again

so there's kind of an awareness of what the reality of this game can be and I think that's going to just you know make me that little bit more primal on the night and that like I've carried that attitude from fear into fights as in the fear has made me that primal guy

that night in Rome I just felt like I you're a better fighter you're going to get in and smash this guy regardless and there wasn't that level of like you need to get rid of this guy because he could fuck you whereas now look Antonio Jones is a legit threat

I know this guy could be getting the better of me on that night but I'm not going to fucking let that happen man I've worked way too hard to let that happen so yeah like look the mentality towards fighting it's something that'll develop over time by putting yourself in tough situations

and getting your asswooked a few times. Like I was open in London Shook, get my asswuck for years. Like, and I think it did me the world of good, to be honest, like, because you go through sparring sessions.

Like, like, we wouldn't even know what they were sparring over there. Sometimes, like, you just get called off the mats and you're in the cage with MVP. Jeez.

And you're surviving as best you can. Like, um, but I do, like, I really think, like, I can thank those guys enough for that stuff.

Even though at the time, I was like, what the fuck am I doing? Like, um, It just gives you a kind of a level of self-respect and a level of mental hardness that I feel like now I can reap the awards for that. And I have a long time left in this game, man. Look, Bellator provided the platform first, and I think it's fantastic.

Like, we're going to get to fight in Dublin again this year, hopefully twice next year as well. I'm hoping to get a fight in December as well. This whole thing feels like a massive opportunity now. And I'm the guy to take that opportunity. do you think you might as talk to patty about this but um i was kind of thinking like the fact that you are kind of pulled out of your environment and thrown into south dublin the craziest place in the world as a north

i have to say that but um you know when you go over there i mean do you find that that allowed you to kind of relish being uncomfortable like you're you're able to thrive in those kind of environments because it's been happening to you since you're so young yeah and look i've lived in i think it's 38 different houses in the last 10 years. Yeah. So like, I've had a bit of...

Yeah, it is. Mental. Like, I go on Amazon to buy something and the amount of suggestive addresses it come up to some taste list. So, like, I've never really had a settled environment. I've given up a lot of things in my life

to follow, like, this passion of mine and pursue this sport and, you know, embrace challenge. And at times, like, it's been pretty grim. Like, you know, I've been in tough situations financially and I've been in tough situations, like, emotionally as well, with things I've had, like, I've had to leave a girlfriend in London five years ago as well to pursue all this. And, you know, it's been, it's been a mad journey. But, like, I think, yeah, having that sort of, like, even, like, non-fighting-based adversity is really good for your character in a way because you constantly have to assess, like, look, this is what you want out of this?

Is it worth that much to you? and then be logical about that as well and say like, okay, why am I pursuing this so much? But I've always felt like, look, you're a better man for doing all of this. You're a better man for trying to get in and embrace that challenge. You've played another guy across skate, you know. And I was doing this when it was 200 quids

or 300 quid been offered. Like, so now I'm just delighted that it's proper money and I can, you know, I can pay money, like my rent and my Gaff and I can, you know, I can be like, okay, I'll be here for the next six months. I'll be here for the next eight months. but you know it's still like

it's fresh in my memory all of that stuff man and it's not too far from where I'm happening again if you don't like if I let this slip you might be straight back to that sort of crap and I don't want to be there again man so yeah like I suppose it's it's real like it's raw this whole thing and that's why I'm the raw bastard that's an amazing story man it really is it feels like

you're like an onion the more we peel back these layers will the more we learn what a metaphor for me by the way I think everybody has a character, like, as in, you know, there's a reason why anybody's involved in this sport. And it's in general, like, you don't get here by being normal, like, and the situations that occur to make anyone a fighter are probably pretty interesting. And I think most guys are, like, it's how comfortably I will reveal in that stuff. And, like, well, I don't want to get too deep into my personal life and all the shit that's happening. I've probably even just got a bit too fucking mad being, like, I've gone over the girl over in London, like, and she might even listen to this. and then I talk with a fuck and she might text me or whatever.

I'm loving it. Yeah, like it's just, I suppose, yeah, be, like, be comfortable what you are and be comfortable with yourself, I suppose. Absolutely. I got one, one final one for you, Will. Like, I mean, you know, you said there, it seems to me that you're a guy that has a clear roadmap in his head. Like, you're talking about these dates. I want to fight in December. We're going to have what fight in. I want to fight in double. I want to fight in double. I want to fight in Dublin two times next year. Are you thinking about a certain person? Do you have a name on the tip of your tongue that you would like to call for that hometown card? I do indeed, but I'll save that for Friday night.

Really? Yeah. Do you think it's going to be one that resonates with the fan base anyway? I think people will be excited about it. I hope so. Now look, this is the thing. It depends how I smash Antonio. And I have a couple of options in my own mind anyway.

So if you submit them, it's going to be one. guy. If you knock him out, it's going to be another guy. This is very interesting. Kind of. I've never heard of this before. Yeah, yeah. Like I think it's just like the story works better in different ways then. So look, I'll tell you all about it afterwards. That's brilliant, man. I'm looking forward to this. Now, that's even a, it's a new level of intrigue again. But that, that's great, Will. And best look to you, Kiefer and Sheneid,

who are all fighting on that card. And absolutely pleasure to speak to you, my friend. Cheers, man. Thanks, thanks, well. All the best. Bye-bye. And we are back. What a week of interviews. What another brilliant show we have. Unbelievable.

We're just the best ever. Thanks very much to Will Flurry. Very entertaining guy, man. As I said, totally enjoyed that. I could have talked to him for an hour more. What did he say after them? I'm the best fucking middle. Yeah.

And the intensity of the facial hair really speaks to me in those moments. Because I couldn't grow a piece that fucking beautiful. It's, uh, there's no. patches in that shit. Listen, I caught, mate, so I'm not gonna... You couldn't grow one as strong as well. Oh, you can see bits here. Mace.

There's no way you could grow something like that. Look at me. This is like that part here. This is like two weeks. You've weak around the end of the moustaches. You're a bit weak with that. But, um, look, I'll just have a high, high opinion when it comes to facial hair. And, but yeah, well, that's the end of the show.

Noel. Can I just pull you up on something you said while we weren't recording that kind of stuck out to me? This is the second time. in a number of weeks that you have referenced Love Island when you're speaking to me. What in the name of God are you watching that show for? Why am I watching it? He hasn't even thought it out of this until now.

I haven't, no. You've got me off guard here. Should we don't, listen? When do we ever really talk about shit, bar fights? In the last segment of Eurobash every week. That is, so I didn't think you'd throw the old L.I. at me. Yeah, I mean, like, I told me, missus it. I told the line, I was like,

Noil watches Love Island. It's fucking crap and it's good TV It's just interesting I'll probably watch it for Lucy alone She's I think listen I don't know who any of these people are Lucy is just unbelievably hot Broke?

No Oh sorry What are you talking about? Oh yeah sorry So if anyone wants to get this sort of vibe going That like I'm looking for a few dates For weddings that are coming up So you can just bang it out there

If Lucy gets fucked out of Love Island She can come to a wedding with me And we'll hook that up So someone gets that tweet I'm too shy to put it out there But someone wants to tag Lucy in it And make you go viral Cool

I'm all day for that shit. We can all do that. There's no problem with that. Work away, do it, please. But, yeah, I just had to bring that up to you. I was a bit shocked by that. You know, would you say that watching Love Island goes hand in hand with being on Tinder? Like, it's kind of like one of these things. He talks some shit. I think your type of barrel is an Instagram model.

We need this shit in video. Like, if you see you're a smoking fucking crane in the corner of there. Love fucking, loves putting a stik in the out pot to stir. He's definitely, his type is Instagram model. that's what I'd say Noel's type is. Yeah. Is that fair enough? I'm not going to lie.

Yeah. You're probably you are right. Shoot high. Like I am right, your standard. Instagram mail model. I'm your like third division Sunday league fucking team. And as I've always said, and people, this is an original Lion McGrath line. What happens in the FA Cup the odd time, Peter?

You get a cup shock. So I'm one of those guys that I could be like, you know, bat, FC football club. And you might get the odd shock against a football. We all, we're all cheering for you. Against Premier League opposition, the likes of Huddersfield or something like that. So, yeah. I love it.

It does happen. I love that. It does happen. That's brilliant. I never thought about it that way. I'm a cup shocker. That's what I said. I've always,

I've had one or two in there. He has a, he's going to have a shock. He's like, what? Amazing. That happened, yeah. But,

yeah. Yeah. Like, is Tyson Furries but are going to win it? He's very handsome. Well, they're sort of, it's a good-looking lad.

He is. You'd have a dope. I haven't watched it He's not the sharpest tail in the box But I saw a picture of him A lion showed me a picture of him half naked And I was like well Looks a bit like myself

Listen you're definitely watching the show If Elaine's watching the show No she hasn't She doesn't watch it She watches it when I do the show On Mondays That's when she watches it Yeah I wouldn't say Elaine

I'd be a man fucking love Ireland I think if I wasn't on the scene Like I think in an alternate universe Where you and Elaine are going out With each other years I're watching it every night It's trash TV Like it's rubbish

It's just But Elaine watches Elaine watches like The Kardashians To turn her brain off It's like She's not even watching the TV You know what I am.

I'll tell you what they do. Their fucking camera work is absolutely fabulous. Is it? I watch it and I'm going, well, how do you do? See, that's what he's doing. We study in the game.

But that's what I do. Even when I watch the TV, I thought you just avoid this. I did an interview with Paul Redmond last week. And my fucking, the sound isn't atrocious by any means, but the same wasn't great off the Zoom. There's a crack in the side of my Zoom.

Do you want to get me up to do a sound for you next time? Yeah, well, but it's been really annoying me. And I just don't have the money to buy a feckin' new because they're 500 quid. But it's just, it really annoyed me. It was grand light. But, you know, I actually watch TV.

Like, that's the weird thing. I'll be watching, and go, that camera shut the shit. I'd think like that, which is mad. And I wouldn't have taught like that years ago. I don't have a high braille for that kind of stuff. But it's just weird. But no, I watched the,

I watched Saldi for the camera angle, speaking. Well, that makes sense. It makes sense. Yeah, so. How was your weekend? Speaking of the mic, please. Oh, yeah, it's good. Just working all the time, as usual.

I had a busy weekend. Saturday night. Saturday was tough. Every day is busy. There's no days off. Yeah, Saturday was tough. It's that kind of world. But, um...

Yeah, that thing coming out with Paul seems, so... Yeah, looking forward to that, man. Yeah, it was 30 minutes. Just, we sort of went through everything, like, as in terms of, you know, his career and then obviously talked about Dublin and stuff like that. And, you know, typical Paul Humble is always, you know, oh, I don't know about the... People want to see this going to the main card.

And I think it's very important that he gets the recognition now. Because, let's be honest, if Paul 33, 34, like, he is, he's getting to the... Well, do you know what, Belton need to learn from the criticisms of the force card. Like, it's not that hard. and look I think they have from what you've said these fighters are being matched in more competitive bouts

I think I agree with that much straight away so I do maybe they are they are going to put Reds are rightfully on the internet can I bring up something and I was just something that happened on Saturday

in terms of having a little bit of chat on Twitter with a couple of people and you know in terms of the Irish scene you know what are we to do here in terms of there's one show that's coming here the whole time and it really is getting to a point now

you know with Paul Hughes who'd nine pullouts can't get a fight actually you know he Titan FC actually offered him a fight as far as I'm aware and there was something obviously I don't think the money was right or whatever in some situations but Paul has to look to go over to the US

the guy's 2 and O you know what what's going on here Petecy that's the scene the scene has been kind of hindered by the amount of the restrictions that are put in place there's restrictions on everything it's very expensive to put an event there and I think something that

underlines that is the fact that John Kavana is putting on an event in Manchester in October It said it like this is the guy, this is the head of Emma. And a lot of people are annoyed about that. Like I got a lot of phone calls that week. It didn't even register with me really until people start calling me about it. You know, you'd have to pick John's brain about that. You know, haven't spoke to him about it.

But look, I've said this many, many times. We wanted to report on this. Several blockages are putting our way. It's very hard to sell a publication on this idea, given the lack of back and forth we were given the first time around. And look, they want that coverage, but very hard to cover this property now, giving me time away from it. Well, we're about it getting the money then to put on these shows. They've bought them to spit of money.

They've, they've Viacom there, you know what I mean? You know, would the UFC not take a, you know, a hit and do it? Or, you know, the other sort of bigger shows? Well, I think they were going to do it last year, but they didn't realize the situation was going down. And then when they went to bucket, they were kind of like, well, this is going to take a lot more logistically than we thought of. We could just go to Liverpool. And that made perfect sense of the time with Aaron. Hill.

So, I mean, like, that's going to be an hindrance to promotions coming here. Like, I can remember KSW had some issues when they came over here. Like, they were, they spent a lot of money putting on an event here. And then, you know, there was several late notice pullouts and stuff like that. Cage Warriors card was demolished. Yeah. It's just, it's very tough. And it isn't what it used to be.

Like, this is the main thing I always say about it. We have those legendary nights in Irish MMA. And, you know, that was, that was kind of the end work of years and years of hard work on our regional scene. But the regional scene that created Neil Sirie, Connor McGregor, Colb Hendred, Potty Hewlin, Chris Fields, Ashing Daily, Ryan, Ron Roddy,

all these guys and many, many more of them, that scene isn't there anymore. And that's a big problem. And that's a big problem for kids who are starting off on the sport over here. Something needs to be addressed there. There needs to be regional events put on. You know, when Cole and Patty

and everything happened with the UFC, people think they just showed up in the UFC that day and then they were legends. Yeah, of course. They'd been building their brand for years and years and years on this scene. And we were all there with them, which made it so magical. And there was fan base there that had been there from their early fights, that this was a big moment for them. It's going to be very hard to create that kind of magic again over here.

Credit the Bellator, they're putting on the most events over here. Cage Legacy do regional events. But it's not nearly on the same level. I used to not have any weekend off away from travel, basically. Or you used to be going all over the place, trying to watch these fights. So, yeah, it's not the same. It's definitely nowhere near the same. And it's a tougher environment now for our fledgling pros,

who really got a leg up from that UFC Dublin show five years ago where everybody wanted Irish fighters. And now it's getting tougher and tougher for us to produce them with our original scene. I don't understand why it's going down particularly. I know that the medical restrictions that are in place aren't helping the situation. But at the same time when it's national news and there's court hearings about a guy who suffered a death in an MMA fight, there are always going to be ramifications too, that unfortunately. Yeah, and the one thing that I want to chime in there is you said it, you know,

it's so hard trying to get information out of anyone. It seems to be far coming with it now, but unfortunately the publications aren't there anymore, you know? Yeah, but, you know, they're not reaching out and I think something needs to be done. Maybe even, you know, going to, you know, IMAF and seeing the situation, their relationship is what IMA is, is it going in the right direction? I don't know. I'm very worried about it.

They're definitely backing each other. Yeah, yeah, of course. They're basically the same thing. Yeah. But it would just be interesting to see because you know, you just get the feeling that everything's sort of aimed towards, you know, Bellator with John Kavana and that, you know,

there's nothing else really happening outside. And that's the real worrying thing that maybe he's just gone, you know, I'm focused on Belator because they're putting on fights on a regular basis here and nothing else outside that really matters to him. So that's my worry. And I don't really know where we go from here because, you know, we need the likes of Cage Warriors back.

We need KSW here on a regular basis with the Polish community. We were there in the three arena, six, seven thousand Polish people in Dublin. It was a sellout. Yeah, we need these other events like brave. We need them in the Republic to keep this scene and thriving. Like it's very, very sad when you see you got like Paul Hughes.

It's like 22 having to go off to the States and fight. Like crazy shit, man, crazy. Yeah, 100% 100% all of that stuff and more. Yeah, okay. Wish we had more info on it. I'm actually going to get Andy on one of the days so we can speak about it. But that's all she wrote, guys. That's everything.

I have to... Paul Pogue can fucking sling his hook as well. Caredes head to Australia to go to the preseason He'd fight with Jesse Lingard apparently today in Australia Pay good money to watch that Yeah

Wonder if it was a flying knee I don't think it was only flying knees But it was a bit of a portion And show of him But I hope Jesse told him to go schling It's hook and fuck off Jesus Right

That's not a nice way to end the show I'm sorry Look Look, just let's get behind Noel Going on a date With his girl from Love Island Lucy

To do it Yeah He'll He'll yeah He might go out She likes that surfer look. I actually have that surfer look today. I don't know the hat on. I do. Yeah.

The trim body as well. I swear to God, I look like I need to. I tell you what I need. I need to go on a fucking diet, man. I have never been this fat. I sat at eating six points of Guinness last month in a burger. And I was just like, ah. Pints of Guinness. That's fucking. Yeah. Well, let's, it's called soup.

You technically eat soup. So, yeah, I ate the Guinness. I'm glad to hear you drinking is intact. A nice burger. And I had a great sleep after a chronic weekend of mixed martial arts. Listen, let's stop. I know we've got to go. I know we've got to go. love his loads keep your ears on us and we will keep our mouths on your ears

shh Jesus Love his loads lads kisses