MMA Fighting - Eurobash: Episode 49 (w/ Paul Felder)

Episode Date: August 20, 2019

On the latest episode of Eurobash, Paul Felder (14:00) discusses his upcoming rematch with Edson Barboza, which will act as the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi. Hosts Peter Carroll and Niall McGrath discuss the latest European MMA headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Downloaded 2, Ghosts in the Machine. Available now, only from Audible. Hello again, everybody. I hope you all enjoyed the fantastic fights last weekend. They were a joy to behold. We're back with episode 49. of Yorobash. Just me and Noel McGrath,

as usual, laying down those sweet tracks. What's up? What a weekend of fights, man. You beat me 2-1, actually, because that was it. We had a 3 V3 head-on. That's right.

And Diaz was my only saviour on the night. Yeah. And I really wasn't confident about that. Yeah. Listen, I don't, listen, I'm not going to break your balls over last weekend because it was close. There was so many bloody tight matchups,

obviously. Brilliant. We're going to chat about them later on. But, man, I really enjoyed it. I was, it sort of felt like, six, seven years ago. I was that feeling to the card. I was really excited.

I didn't even go out on Saturday night. Normally I would and I'd come in and watch them drunk, but I didn't. It was like every fight you were like, oh, like that felt like the main event. And here's another one. And here's another one. It was really good. Let's take a look at these headlines. Steve Amy Oitchich claims the heavyweight crown.

It's coming back to Europe. Thank you on behalf of Croatia. Brilliant. Nate Diaz, Trump and then returning. Sorry, we've claimed him after his Irish dancing. Oh, that's correct. Yeah, so he's one of Irish as well, and Duke Rufus as well, after brand the Ireland football top.

We have loads. We've come away. And we have on our interview this week, Noel got permission to call Paul Felder an Irishman, so that's all we ever needed. Moving back to headlines. Nate Diaz, Trump and his return over Anthony Pettis. He calls for Jorge Mazvedal.

Paolo Costa claims a prominent place in the U.S. Middleweight title race with a narrow win, it has to be said, over Y'all Romero, but a win nonetheless. Just looking at the fights that have been announced this week, just earlier today Amanda Nunes V. Germain de Randami has been booked for December 14th. Stefan Struve

is out of retirement. He faces Ben Rotwell in Washington, December, on the same card. Alistair Overeign returns against Walt Harris. He'll be the main event that night, as will Walt Harris, of course. Interesting on this, we'll get to it in a minute. Darren Till to Middleweight. He has hinted again,

he likes the hints, just a week after being on with us, it seems he has his mind set on Gaslam at MSG. Alberto Salditch will take on Patrick Kinkle, a KSW 50, a very solid opponent brought in for Robocop there. And Loran Murphy signs for the UFC. Foyz-Zubaira took hook off at Abu Dhabi, UFC 242. Now, a little bit of talk here talking points-wise.

We had a big thing, big story about Connor McGregor last week. There's been a huge amount of reaction to this. I've seen people boycotting proper 12. and I saw True Jordy who was one of his great kind of evangelists over the years really coming out strong against Connor for those of you who haven't seen

that there was a video released of Connor by TMZ and it appears to show Connor striking an elderly gentleman in the Marble Arch in April so how do you feel about this one well yeah it's a bit of the same old same old pizzi it's you know there's so many things

happening over the last year what 18 months with Connor and it's just you know we've seen it with john jones we've seen this whole dynamic europe pan out before and there's only sort of one real end and you know you know what's he gonna what's he gonna do when um you know he's return to the cage and things like this are happening and how much money is it going to take as dana white said on the gym rome show i don't know if you listen to that pete but they were sort of interesting comments and i think dana's pretty pissed off with the whole situation and but you know since then in fairness he's put the head down but he does have to hold himself accountable for

these sort of things. It's not a good look again for the sport or for Irish mixed martial arts. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. And it's just like, when is it going to stop? You know, like, we're all waiting for like this kind of stuff for Connor to turn the corner as it was. And, you know, I saw you know, Kabeep and

Magamadoff talking about this and a lot of people talking about this. Like, it's just supplying his adversaries with so much as you're saying, when he comes back to action, there's going to be a laundry list of things that people can hit him with, right? Like, what's been happening? Like, it's even interesting enough, Dana said the whole Winston in Brooklyn, UFC 223 cost them millions.

Yeah. So, you know, you'd imagine some of the fighters there got settlement payments that haven't obviously been disclosed, settled out of court. So, very interesting. And, you know, not a good look again, you know, as I said, to you, they're all fair. If you haven't seen this instance, you know, it's been all over the internet. TMZ broke at the video. You know, it's been on the Irish radio as well.

They always just pick up the negatives. But he's becoming more prominently known for this kind of outlandish behavior than he was as a champion nearly. Like, you know. But we, we know this. Like, he's not as popular

as he once was. Not by any. No, but like, look at the reaction to that. That's the worst I've seen. I mean, I saw,

there's a video that all the publications are putting out today of some pub in America. Yeah. Pouring out, like a crate of proper 12 song on our video

from Glasgow or something. But the one I saw that really kind of stuck out to me as True Jordy because he's, he's been very strong kind of True Jordy's a big, huge podcast over there in the UK.

And he came out very, strongly against him like I mean and and the amount of backup he was getting in his comments and stuff like I didn't see many people disagreeing with him and all how can you how can you oh no it's it's awful yeah no it's it's it's absolutely disgraceful and I think um the guard I have said that they're investigating an incident that happened in April in the Marble Arch around 2.30 around the time that was displayed on the screen but no arrests of him made yet etc so um I saw another story with the with

the victim of this something to do with the victim of this in the mirror where they were saying he's a 50 year old man I saw it down Dana White saying that he was 14. I didn't really like Dana White coming out and saying like, oh, people get punching the head all the time in Ireland, you know? Yeah, no, it's not. And there was a few other stupid comments. They're just playing into stupid or stereotypes, you know?

Yeah, exactly. There's another one there I saw from a prominent mixed martial arts journalist. It was very disrespectful as well. And it was sort of like, oh, you know, people in Ireland look like that. You know, he's probably only 30. And he's just like, shut your mouth. What, like, have you ever been here? Clearly not.

Just ridiculous comments, you know? Yeah, I didn't see that myself. But how whenever. moving on from that I was just going to say this to you with everything that happened at the weekend there has been some very prominent European fighters displaced as far as I'm concerned

and we knew Jack was on a couple of weeks ago Jack Hermanson he was saying you know obviously the best result for him last weekend would have been Yall Romero winning because Romero has had two fights with Whitaker at this stage you know it probably would have played

into his hands a bit better looking for that title shot the fallback for not getting a toilet shot was supposedly Gaslim on MSG but now Taylor's call for that like Yeah I feel like Hermanson's kind of come away At a loose end because He's obviously taking that fight against Canaanere

It's not a fight that's going to push him any further than he is He's taking that And now I don't think he's going to be rewarded If he gets a win you know I agree with you yeah And I think for terms of Darren Thiel I think it's a terrible fight for Darren I don't like that fight one bit for Darren I don't like.

I think, you know, in terms of Darren and what he should have done, you know, changing away class, you know, you want to go in there and ease your way in. You don't want to go in and fight a guy like Kelvin Gassam, who's being down at 117. Play to your Royal Hall or someone, like, you know. Exactly. Someone who's, you know, probably outside the top 10. And in your wheelhouse, you know, he's striking, get a striking guy. Gasselm is a savage.

You don't want to arrest or a savage like him who's literally challenged for the interim title against Israel Adesania. Took the best shots Adesania had. Exactly. So I'm not sure where Darren, I hope the UFC may be offered Darren. I think the UFC would be rubbing their hands together on that. That's the problem. Compared to what Hermanson v. Gastilum or something like that, I think they think Till v. Gaslam was huge. Well, I think the UFC should learn their lesson from what happens to Darren's Hill at 170 pounds.

And if they go along that line, they will match them up differently. But in terms of what Darren brings to the table and what Gasolam brings to the table, you know, very two very different styles. but I just don't like it. I just think, you know, what we've seen from Gastlam, he's going to be able to handle a fighter like Darren Till. Yeah, I just really hope the UFC don't do it. I really don't. I don't want to see it.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. Also, it's not just Armandson. As we know, Leon Edwards was, it looked as though they were going to make that Masadal fight, but it's gone. I'm sorry, it's... It is gone. Like, when someone like Nate Diaz shows up, like one of the biggest superstars in the sport,

and he calls out your guy and the guy's rubbing his hands together Dana White says that the press conference later yeah we want to make that fight Leon is shit out of look unfortunately Leon's probably watching going like what what have I got to do here man because it's just not fucking happening

he might as well just go back and start all over again and fight the guys he's already fought because it's I just feel sorry you're to do like because UFC are not going to back down from that now once Nate Diaz you know has put his finger in the potter whatever you want to say

I don't know me and my sort of sayings I'm talking shite off but once Diaz comes I start saying that like there's no way they're not going to

not look at that fight that is like two gangsters and you know Diaz already he already sold it East Coast gangster versus West Coast he ain't no West Coast shit

all that it's going to happen it's definitely going to happen I think we're looking at in November and MSG so what a what a fight to look forward to in fairness I also

I also believe that another prominent European has been displaced as well, Peter Yan. The reports there just two days ago, Eri Lohani, was discussing that they were looking at Al Jermaine Sterling versus Frankie Edgar

from 135 title. It's still in the preliminary stages of being agreed, and we've also seen Euraya Faber calling for fights with Edgar or Sterling. Is Peter Yang going to be left at a loose end here? Probably, I'd imagine. I'd like it. If you ask me,

Faber v. Edgar, Aljo v. Jan. That's the way to go with that. I think the problem with Peter Jan is the English though as well. I think that's, we've seen that over the years. The UFC don't push guys who can't speak English. He is blowing the shit out of everyone on Twitter today. I'm being honest now. Like we didn't see Habib get a push until he learned English.

You know, we didn't see in Gano really till he learned English as well. His English was very, very poor when he first started off. And obviously in the UFC and now he's, you know, his English is fine. But, you know, that's a reason for me. The USC don't seem to push guys who can't speak English. yeah you probably have a point there all right but I do I do think Jan is working on that aspect

of his game it's tough to see him at such a loose end though because he is quite an entertaining man let's be honest he is like the interviews he's done with you have been class but I think I think Aljo genuinely wants to fight Jan I think he would prefer a title

eliminator fight with Jan rather than take on one of Edgar or Faber you know Aljo's one of those guys you like Darren Hill you know he'll fight anyone he really will he'll never back down he's established to go Yeah, so, listen, much respect to him.

I don't like the Peter Yan fight for him, but yeah, you know, he's obviously sort of being there, done that to a certain level. He's never made the breakthrough to the tops of the three or four, but that's a quality fight. I have one more thing for you, and this wasn't exactly news, but I just thought it was very interesting. Aaron Chalmers tweeted about the possibility of Bellator European turtles. Now, this is something we talked about a long time ago.

if they are bringing things to Europe, if it's going to be restricted to Europe, which it largely has been, apart from the two top fights usually in every card. I think one of the big problems with these Bellator cards is finding purpose in the fights. Like, what are these guys fighting for?

So I think the belts would obviously add a clear, concise goal to it. I don't think it's as cut and dry as that, but I certainly won't be against it, I have to say. I'm not mad, I think, you know. But we've lost European titles because of Bama's gone. And Bama champions, you know, had a lineage there to the bigger shows.

Yeah, well, you know, if they're willing to admit that it's a regional promotion, that'll do that. That's sort of the way. I think it would help with Sky Sports, Channel 5, all of this stuff, if they had European Bells. Good well do. Good well do. I'm not mad for it.

But I think maybe, you know, even if Bellator put up sort of a ranking system in place or something like that, it might conquer that. Listen, I don't know. I know. That is the thing. I was thinking about that today when I was writing this down as a talk about, I was like, imagine another bunch of messed up ranking. markings like I just can't.

Yeah, no, I can't deal with that anymore either, but that's what else do you do? But yeah, I don't know if I want belts, you know, there's enough belts, I think really, you know, I always go back to boxing when I look at box and how messy it is, like you could have literally 30 to 40 belts in one way class, across box. And I just don't want to see MMA go that way, if you know what I mean, but I think, you know, how do you define, maybe you are right, how do you define a purpose of what these guys are going for or what they should be fighting for if there's nothing really good. going to propel them up the ladder here if they're fighting on European cards.

Yeah, that's all that was really far for me, like was just, it adds, it adds something. It adds, like, a storyline to all these events, which I think they have been missing, to be honest. But, look, now let's get on with our featured interview of the week. Noel caught up with all talking brawls alum and co-main eventor for UFC 242, Mr. Paul Felder, who will be having a rematch with Edson Barbosa, a former teammate of his. Really looking forward to see that fight. It's a really, really good one for the Abu Dhabi card.

So we're going to talk to Paul, and we'll be back in about 20 minutes. I believe our next guest. It's his first time on our Eurovast show here. And we are going to lay claim to him because he's been on with me and off over the years and different other shows. And his nickname is the Irish Dragon. It is Mr. Paul Felder.

Paul, do you mind if we claim you? Is that okay? Because we've literally feck all active fighters in the UFC. you guys can claim all you want as long as I get to go over there and drink with you guys and hang on and get treated well then I have no problems with that whatsoever I think I'm going to be making a trip soon after this after this long long long journey to Abu Dhabi I'll be due for a trip over there to hang out with you guys man for sure definitely my man definitely all right Paul listen you said it there Abu Dhabi it goes down in just over two weeks time I'm very much looking forward to this rematch that you have against Edson Barbos. So first of all, I want to ask you, right?

We've spoken about this. I think you've made it pretty clear that that was one you wanted to get back. You used to train with Edson. What is the tall process in taking a rematch? Is it a little bit different to other matches and accepting them? Yeah, I think it's totally different, you know? And this case in particular is unique onto itself

because not only have I fought him, went 15 minutes, three rounds with him, But like you said, I've trained with him. I've been in the training room, wrestled with and grappled with him, sparring him many, many, many times. But it was years ago at this point. We both moved on. We're both at different training camps, very different points in our career and our lives.

So, you know, the thought process and the memory of an MMA fighter is pretty short, man. Like, I've trained with so many guys over the years. I don't really, I don't have a lasting impression of, like, oh, remember that round back in 2015? 15 when he caught you with that body kick or that leg kick. Like, that's not where my mind's out. I'm not like, you know, there's no positive or negative thoughts that I have. I just know and respect how good editing is.

And I think that's what brings the best out of me in this training camp. And I fought him, and he beat me. He beat me in my first loss in my professional career. So it's one that we've talked about it before. I'm very excited and very hungry to get it back. And nervous, very, it's all good nerves, though. it's a fight that excites me and excited me the first time. Do you feel as though maybe since that first fight?

I did. I watched back the first fight today. And it's actually remarkable just to see the evolution, particularly in your game, that you were so maybe one-dimensional in that fight in terms of, you know, it was really very much on your feet, just strike. And there was no clinch work against the cage. Very little of it anyway, I saw on that fight. Do you feel as though you're just a totally, completely different fighter?

from what you were back then compared to what you are and I wonder Duke Rufus. The only thing that I think remains the same is my toughness and my durability. I think that's what I had

and what got me through that fight with him. And my base skills were there. You know, I've always been a powerful guy and a pretty decent striker. But like you said, since working with Duke, and even working with my team

in throughout the years, that's even gotten better. Daniel Gracie has brought in new coaches, this guy John that I work with back in Philly. He's really good and working on my boxing when I'm there, keeping my hands really sharp in between these training camps with Duke. And then obviously when I'm out here in Milwaukee, man, Duke's a mastermind, breaks things down really well. And like you said, just adding more clinch, more takedowns, working with my jiu-jitsu coaches out here. You know, both my Daniels, Daniel Gracie and

Philly, Danielsendale here in Milwaukee, just so well around it, so much more communication. I was so violent and aggressive when I first thought him and that's all I was just fall and pressure. We spoke about this. Yeah. There's been the same before, you know, it was just get in there and scrap. And now it's that same mentality, that same toughness. Calculates.

A bit more, you know, versatility. You know, Edson's obviously moved on from Mark Henry's camp when you guys used to spar after you fought a. against them. You sparred for quite a long time when you were up with Mark. Do you think it's a good thing, possibly that he's left Mark's gym now, because you told me that Mark had everything

that you recorded on tape every minute of the sparring that you did with Edson Barbouse. Is it good that he's down in ATT now in terms of planning for this match? You know, I've thought about that even more. It might have only helped me that he would have stayed because they would be looking at game planning for

somebody else. It wouldn't even be like game planning Paul Felder. It would be like game planning for Kabidt. It's not me at all anymore. So if they were basing it off the sparring that I had at Nick Catoons Gym back then, they'd be basing it on

a much lower level fighter. Definitely. But the guys at ATT are smart. Yeah. Did you... Do you think this fight, you know, I look at this fight and, as I said, I watched it back again today. You know, You talked about it, Derry. I remember the fight against him, obviously, Charles Oliverer, when you defended so versatile.

Your defense was against him in, you know, numerous precarious positions. You know, he's an ATT. He's an underrated ground game as well. Obviously, it's going to start out in the feet, and I do expect long spells of this fight being on the feet. But I can see this fight being maybe a little bit more up against the cage and maybe even once or twice on the deck. MMA fight does a lot of places that the fight could end up on the mat, too, knockdowns. somebody could catch a kick, stumble, and fall. So, yeah, I do see this time around being a lot more well-rounded of a fight.

And not necessarily because one or the other is going to make it necessarily a wrestling match. But I think just that both of our games have evolved over this many years, and that's been four years. So, you know, I would expect to kind of be a MMA fight, but I expect to be just as exciting. We both hit hard as, you know, we both have the ability to take each other with an elbow, a knee, it's a dangerous which makes for an exciting and I think that's the reason we got putting a lot that we're at on

the part over there. Yeah, definitely one of the biggest fight cards of the year. Definitely with the biggest paper view drawn the UFC at the moment outside of Connor McGregor is Habib Normaga Madov is obviously main event but Paul I want to ask you something and again I've mentioned for the third time in this interview

but I did watch back to fight today and it's something you alluded to in the past that that nutshot you know it was a horrific shot but in all seriousness did that have a significant sort of negative impact on the rest

of the fight for you because it was a severe severe shot to the groin yeah well listen I'm not going to blame that on why I've lost that would just be you know you could I guess if I wanted to

find a way up it certainly didn't help it that's for sure I was I feel like I had pretty good momentum in that round And then I took that shot. I didn't take a lot of time to recover just because that's how it is when we're in there. We're not a lot of pressure. And there's the crowd. There's the talking to you the whole time.

Opponents just standing on the side of the octagon. So there's a lot of things pushing on just continued the match. And I did that. And yeah, I'm sure it negatively affected me for sure. That had me to my stomach for a little while there. I was peeing blood out of the plate. Shit. It wasn't good.

And I hope that doesn't happen again. Yeah, yeah. No, listen, it's, it's tough even watching that. Leg kicks. You know, I've seen you in the gym. I've obviously seen you fight. We know how good. I think we looked at the last fight against James Vic.

It was something you used exceptionally well. We're the leg kicks. You've always been particularly good at throwing leg kicks and, you know, spaining attacks. You said to me that you're as good of a leg kicker as, Edson Barbosa is now you've improved so much in that area of your game. Do you still think that way? Is that how you feel about Edson's

leg kicks and your leg kicks? Yeah, 100%. I mean, I'm in the gym day in and day out with guys that have been working with Duke Rufus their entire career. Anthony Pettis, Sergio Pettis, Gerald Merr-Sharp, Al-Mohamah, Muhammad. The list goes on. You know, Jared Gordon,

these guys are all getting better and better at leg kicks every single day. And guys you've never even heard of that are in there. This kid, JP, St. Louis, so I've been working with a lot for this fight. Have you ever seen him fight in RFA or LFA or one of the regional promotions? He's a brick house this kid. He's got a switch kick that's, you know, could knock down a goddamn tree.

Getting inside and beating him up is like, you know, penetrating an army. And that's why I've been sparring with every single day. And Belaw's getting ready for the same date. Belaw's got fantastic movement like Edson where he moves away. hard to hit. He's elusive. So the guys I'm working with are top tier. I mean, Edson's got his own particular set of skills, though, that is unique to itself. His speed is second to none. So even when you have good switch kickers, they're not, you know, not many people in the world, I think, are quite as fast with that kick as he is. But when it comes to leg kicks

and pound for pound and the meat on my bones on my legs when it meets yours, yeah, I'm not afraid to go shin to shin to shin with anybody in this division. do you have to be more um you know we've obviously seen you and you got injured from actually a spinning attack against mike perry when you broke your arm in that first rank do you have to be a bit more calculated with your spinning attacks because like man i looked at that fight today and this is the fifth time i've mentioned that now but the amount of spinning attacks from yourself anne edson was absolutely you know it was ridiculous immense do you have to be more maybe aware now especially after that injury against mike perry is there a little bit more calculation yeah i in that first fight with him, I'm coming off the big win against Danny Castillo. So I'm a spinning machine in that fight. I'm thinking that I can just knock everybody out with every time I spin around. And then the Mike Perry fight, that was just unfortunate for me and my arm. You know, he's got a hard head.

I mean, you just saw the dude's nose get pushed to the other side all the way around his head and he still didn't give up. So, yeah, my spins won't be as reckless. I'm not saying I'm not going to do it. It's my instincts. A lot of the times, it's a good counter. But I won't be out there spinning like I did in the first fight. I'll be much more composed and looking for cleaner damage and just, you know, spinning and praying.

Are you more aware now, obviously, you know, the injuries we've talked about that you've had, obviously that arm, you know, you had the nasty laceration, your eye against Francisco, Trinaldo and Brazil. And I think you cracked a bone above your eye as well. and then obviously the lung injury. You talked a little bit of it for a while about maybe even packing in mixed martial arts. There was a lot of sort of comments your way after that injury with the lung against James Vic. But is there maybe a little bit more reserves

about putting yourself in the line of fire? No. Taking so much damage effectively. No, no. If you're going to go in there, you've got to go in there 100%, right? The second you start really going in there and fighting with second-guessing or caution

or what, you know, I want to win, but I don't want to really hurt myself. It's when you get knocked out. So I haven't been sparring like that. I won't be fighting like that. If that starts creeping in and I start feeling that in sparring or feeling that in a fight, even if I win it or lose it, if I feel that I'm worried about really hurting myself while I'm in there or getting hurt, that's when I'll be, that's when I'll know I'll be done.

But I haven't really thought about the long, I don't, it's not something I think. think about it being hit with so many body shots in this camp it's not it's not something i'm worried about um were you close to yeah i mean you know you talked about it for but were you close to actually you know reassessing things in terms of your career after after that injury i was just so upset after that one you know because i get it was the the biggest win against the highest rank guy i've had so far i got exactly what i want and i got the number 10 guy i beat the number 10 guy i had a good call out. I felt everything on the mic was good. Everything was great. I just was a little sore. And then it's like, no, you collapse your freaking lung. And I was like, oh, my God. You know, and spending a week in the hospital, it's like, I can't even win these things and, uh, and just go home and, and get right to it. It's stupid things like that preventing me from stringing fights together. And, you know, I go out of people's minds again and then have to come back and everybody's just kind of doing the same thing. Oh, you should just commentate or, And I feel like I've got to reprove myself over and over again.

That's the only thing that's getting really frustrating for me is reestablishing myself. Even though I'm ranked, I've got to keep reestablishing myself. It's like, no, I don't just talk on TV. You know, I've fought some of the best guys in the world. I've been in the UFC come October five years. Wow. Five years in this sport against some of the best dudes out there. And, yeah, I've had some big injuries because of the way I fight.

I lay it out there. and yeah if another week in the hospital comes from this one then uh you know we'll talk in the hospital afterwards and we'll we'll assess where it's out from there but if i got a number if i got that number seven next to my name i'll probably say the same thing i did when i was in the hospital in phoenix it's like well we'll just keep going until until there's until that number's not next to my name or until i keep getting else then then i'll hang it up but if i'm winning i'll take the friggin' injuries because I can eat ice cream in the hospital. It's no big deal.

We've spoken all fair about this. You know, keeping the aggression to a certain extent under taps, because I know, you know, we've talked about it before, you've a nickname that's zero to 100 sometimes that your temper gets the better you in fights. This must be a particularly sort of pivotal moment. In my opinion of this fight that's upcoming, that you must keep that under check.

And what have you done to keep that under check with Duke in this fight? Well, I mean, on the pads, I can tell you, he's trying to hit me nonstop. He's got shing guards on. He's punching me in the face, the tie pads, smacking me, kicking me in the body, and just making me wade through the storm and keep calm. Seaman sparring. He's right there.

Calm, calm. As soon as he sees me getting fired up, he knows he'll be yelling that in this fight. I can guarantee you that. Can I just say a real quick? We might have certain codes for it, but... Has that been a major problem in your career? The fact that, you know, you get hit and you just want to just go out and swing, and does actually a lot of the technique go out the window when that happens?

Yeah, it has in the past, but one of the things I think we're getting really good at for this fight is taking that rage or that anger and aggression and trying to put technique behind it. And it's just like, just get even. Don't get mad, get even. If you get you, it's okay. get him back, stay on him. I'm going to get hit.

The guy's good. He's been in the top 10, the top five for most of his career. So I've sparred him. I know how skilled he is. But I know what he's not good at as well. And no way he fades and nowhere he breaks. But I know the pressure's got to be a little more on him.

He already won't. You know what I mean? He beat me once. Why can't he beat me again? you know the cars were all in his favor in the gym it was mark henry coaching edson against me i was the guy coming in to to help out and never really got you know fully immersed into that camp partially because of that reason that edson was his guy all these other guys were mark's guy so i never really got brought on board so it was always kind of you know second-hand advice when i was

there nick coteone was my coach he was always helping me out he was always giving me me advice, but nothing against Nick. I love that guy. He's fantastic coach, but he comes from a different background that I do. He comes from a grappling and a wrestling background. So even when he's giving me advice, it's always learned advice from Nick, you know what I mean?

Whereas now I've got a Muay kickboxing champion and K-1 champion and you know, his brother was a champion in Duke. So his first instincts are what's that? He's being there doing nothing. Yeah, exactly. So it's just a different, a different voice in my corner this time that I think will,

well, help. And who knows, who knows the hell is going to happen? I always say that in these things, right? I don't know. I'm just, I know I'm doing everything that I possibly can in this camp to, uh, to come out on top. And, um, like I said, we'll assess where we're at when the fight's over. Where does a win put you, Paul? What's that?

Where does a win? What does a win do you in this fight? I think the win, the win puts me, puts me, puts me, me at number seven. I think a win gives me that spot that he's at right now and gives me the rights to fight the top five. You know, if I win, that's four or five fights in a row at lightweight. If you don't count the loss at 170.

And, you know, and top guys. And, you know, I've made call-outs that I'm not getting. And guys are trying to fight up. and that's their right. You know, the Justin Gachis and the ally Quintas, even though Alice apparently fighting down now, I don't know what the hell that's all about,

but, you know, it gives me a chance that, hey, if Hooker wins that fight, maybe that fight does happen. Maybe it happens for a much higher ranking on the card. Yeah,

well, it was supposed to happen at UFC 223. Yeah, yeah, that's a great fight. And I like that fight. So, you know,

hookers called me out before, and very respectfully, and the kids got skills. And if he's out like Quinta, maybe I'll be calling him out. Who knows? Or I'll be calling Al out. It depends on who wins or who wins the cowboy and the Justin fight. That one's really interesting for me because obviously Cowboy is a friend of mine and somebody that really kind of raised me up through the early part of my career.

So hopefully I don't want to fight him. So I've got to try to finangle around that. So maybe if he wins, get the loser of that fight, or if he loses, get the one. winner of that fight. So yeah, there's a lot of things, a lot of options out there, I think, if I win, Tony's still out there looking for a fight. Crazy good division, man. We know how strong, you know, the Laiway Division is. The best division of mixed martial arts barrenone, in my opinion. There's just so many fights that are actually happening at the moment because, you know, the division was on a logjam

for a while, but I think it's fantastic to see things motor again at the top of the division in my opinion. But listen, listen, what's the walkout song, Paul? What are you going to You're going to play in Abie Zabby. You're a man for mixing up your walkout songs lately. Yeah, I like to mix it up. And it usually has to do with what's going on in my mind. You know, it doesn't really have to do with my style. A lot of people I tell people, I think I'm going to walk out to this song.

And they're like, ah, that's not your style. I'm like, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It has to do with what gets me in the right mindset. And I got a pretty, it's not funny, but it's funny to me. And it's for my mom again. possibly. So you'll have to wait and see Mr. Nile. Ah, Jesus, Paul, you're...

I'm not going to see. But listen, you're one of us now. Anyway, you're on your debut on Eurobash. You have to represent Ireland because we're, as we said, you know, we're short and active UFC fighters at the moment. Paul Felder, it's always a pleasure, man. What did you want me to come out to? You too, right? He wanted me to come out to the last fight. Sunday, bloody Sunday. That's what I said to you.

Yeah, that's right. You would love that, wouldn't you? All right, my man, listen, always a pleasure to talk to you. I appreciate you taking the time out to stop by with us again today. and today I'm looking forward to the fight, obviously, in just over two weeks time. Appreciate it, my friend. Thanks, brother. And we are back.

Great to hear from Paul Felder. Love that fight. Can't wait for it. It's very tasty. Are you going across or no? I don't know yet. Undoubtful, unless someone wants to pay me me me, sort me out, hook me up.

Right, so you're not going. I don't think so. I don't think so. I'm not sure yet. I'd love to be gone. I love her being too Dhabi-dabby, but it doesn't look like at the moment. But we'll see. We'll see.

You never know. Right. Well, let's get back to you. UFC 241 in Anaheim. First of all, it really did deliver, didn't it? I mean, a lot of times we have these huge cards are massively stacked and it just

doesn't come together on the night. This absolutely did. The preemms weren't great now. Like, there was seven or eight decisions. But that's usually a good sign for a man, that's what I went. I actually even thought that. I went, once there's been so many decisions here. Like seven out of eight and more decisions. I think even used, or not was it, Yusuf's why was the first finish?

Maybe, no, maybe something earlier. I'll have a look in a second, but it was, It was quality, man. Those top three fights were just unbelievable, but every single one of them, Romero and Costa was just, oh, mouthwatering. Best first round of the year, definitely. Is that the last we see of DC?

I feel like there's three options on the table for him. One is a trilogy fight with John Jones. One is a trilogy fight with Steve Amy Ojidge, and then, obviously, if somehow came to fruition, Brock Lesnar, or does Steve Ami Ojich get the Brock Lesnar sweepstakes now if he comes back? Listen, I don't think Steve A is going to really be into the Brock Lesnar fight. I think it'd be more interesting to the John Jones fight.

That'll be savage. We've said it for a long, long time. You know, the winner of, you know, potentially this fight would probably face John Jones in the next 12 months or before the end of the year, maybe to start in next year. I think it is coming. I think the UFC should strike while the iron's hot and do that fight for Steve M. E. Ochich. I don't like the Ingano fight yet. But the question, is it the last we see at DZ? Yeah, I think so.

I think, you know, when his coach is calling for it, you know, I spoke to Javier, he said he wanted D.C. to retire after this fight or the potential Brock Lesnar fight that was all rumored to happen last July. He said it on Fight Week that he wanted D.C. to retire, after the fight regardless of the report. And when your coach is saying something like that, you know, you should probably take his advice. I think, you know, maybe the coach, obviously Javier works for so many years, knows him better than anyone.

And, you know, even D.C. saying that at the end, when you're having those doubts in your mind, it's time to call it a day, in my opinion. Yeah, I don't know. You're shaking your head, Pizzi. I don't know. I just don't know if it's that cut in joy. A lot of people seem to say, like, oh, D.C. is the kind of

guy that will know when to do it, but if one thing has been proven countless times in MMA, it's that none of them have a clue when to fucking call it a day. So. Yeah, the fighters don't. Yeah. I mean, I agree. I totally agree with you. I think it's too. Like, I mean, I can remember Gustafson, I was certain that was the first time anyone's going to stand by this and then, of course, he's already out there saying, you know, he's 50% thinking about coming back now. Yeah, I think, you know, if there's anyone that's going to know you, it's your coach. And Javier's been saying for like literally seven or eight months now, so listen I don't know it's obviously up to DC um you know in terms of the fight itself um you know very

surprised after the first round why didn't stick to those tactics it was sort of baffling to me um it's just a lot of energies to wrestle the guy like stepey to the ground look i mean i know if you've taken down a person once um you know it doesn't necessarily mean you can take them down for the whole fight you know like it's like and you could see like the pace dc was putting on steepe early on was tremendous you know and i feel like if he wanted a fight the way he was with that pace, a couple of failed takedowns would have destroyed it and he would have been in the situation

he was in the fourth round a lot sooner. Yeah, you know, definitely. But, you know, another thing I think we have to mention in terms of the fight itself, Steve M. E. Ocichich and how he recognised that shot was open. Lovely, wasn't it?

That adjustment was magic. It's just, you're just going on like, this guy doesn't get enough credit at all, I don't think. And I think looking at that and what he did in that four rounds because he knew he was obviously in trouble, lost those first three rounds.

It took a lot of damage for Steephead. And a complete new look. Like a complete new look. Like he changed a fight. As soon as he landed at the first time, I was like, oh, shit. Went after. And by the fourth you felt it was. As soon as he hit the first one, you're like, this is completely different now.

This is so different now. And when he hit the fourth one, he just kept going. And he actually, like, I haven't watched the fights back since. But watching it in real time live, I came to, I think 12 shots to the kidney. So he just went after. Yeah. It was pretty relentless. It was a lot.

And it was brilliant. Absolutely fantastic. And to be fair to him. Great fight IQ and I think he did it against the Gano as well. So, you know, very intelligent fought. And for me, there's been a lot of debate about the greatest heavyweight in UFC history. Yeah, well, I don't think you can't debate that now. But one thing I will say as well, I think he was before he even hit that body shot,

I think he had a very strong round in the third compared to his first two. Like, I had an argument for the third round. But fort round was unbelievable. Yeah, look, if anyone deserves a big fight, a big John Jones fight, something like that, it's probably steep. you know he's uh he's always very uh he's full of full of the joys of life after those big wins and i love saying him like that you know when he comes out to the press conference he's smiling and stuff you're like such a likable guy when he's like that and then in his other press stuff he's just like no

yeah no yeah he's just he's just not a guy who enjoys the cameras and stuff but hard to believe with that suit though right yeah it is but yeah what a suits lovely three piece but listen um great guy you know you know they often say you know dc's obviously at a real rough ride and, you know, he's come through his life and lots of adversity. But, you know, so steep, man, he's a firefighter as well. And maybe he doesn't get the credit he deserves at times. You're not think he gets the credit he deserves, though? No, not at all.

That's been he's being smart. But listen, he should now, and I really want to see him get his just desserts. And I think that John Jones fight is brilliant. And even John Jones putting out that tweet, man, it's setting it up already. You know, John's thinking about it. John wouldn't have said anything if he didn't want that. And I think John knows now that there's not an awful lot of. for him at light heavyweight. It's the fight to make

and the UFC will strike will earn it's hot. Inganu, the one thing about the Angano fight is when you've beaten them in such a one-sided fashion, you know, you can understand if Stebe goes, like, why do you want me to do that again? Yeah, and I saw people saying, you know, in terms of DC, you know, give him an immediate rematch. No, why should

Steve-Pase? You know, he didn't give John, he didn't give Steve A in a really rematch. He fought before that, so you started going like, no, it's up to Steve-Bay now, Steve-Bek and should take to John, John, Downs five. Definitely up to Steve, and I think he should. I really do. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. I was just wondering because I know this is something you talked about an awful lot in the lead-up to it, and I was something I was very conscious of during the fight.

I saw my good man, Alexander K. Lee, talking about it as well. The hands were out there, aren't they? I mean, there was a couple of pokes going on there. And I can see, right, I can see where it happened when you're using this kind of pushing down the hands and then trying a punch. And I think he was towards the end, after he was warned, he was doing a good job of putting that, pushing the hands down and then closing his fist. But for the first few rounds, it was just out there. Yeah, I felt like it was definitely prevalent. When Steve Abe was trying to land, he was sort of catching his hand and putting it out. It also, you know, it does look dirty to me because it's so obvious that he's doing it. And I thought the referee, you know, maybe even

could have pointed out a little bit earlier because I actually did tweet about it as well during the fight. So you need to watch this. It was a big, big factor in the first fight. Because that's a real. You can't have your hand like that. You can't. Like it's not what is the function of his hand being like that. You cannot point your fingers towards the opponent. The referee probably should have warned him a little bit earlier. But, you know, Steve, I did get a couple of eyepokes during the fight.

One of it wasn't picked up on as well. And I was like, oh, no. Yeah. It would have been tragic if it ended like that. But listen, phenomenal performance. And, yeah, let's do the John Jones fight while we can, I think. And, yeah, I think in Ganoos, the fight maybe once more before he gets one. Maybe in this case.

definitely when it's steepy coming out though, Victor, I agree which is probably likely. One fear I have is, with all this Diaz and Masvidal talk, they say to Diaz afterwards, you know, do you want some time off? I don't want time off, but I'm not eager either, so they have to make it happen.

Now, the UFC have butted heads with Diaz in the past, but if they don't recognize, they have to put some special situations in place to make this man feel important at this stage, someone needs to slap them. Because he is huge, he's box office, he proved that all fight week. We knew he would.

We said it ahead of it. He comes out with this massive performance. It was huge. His work was unbelievable. I heard some people saying, oh, he looked a bit off the pace. He looked better than ever to me. I've never seen him switch stances the way he did.

I never saw an intelligent game plan in place. The way that one was, it was unbelievable intelligent game plan, draining Anthony Peders up against the fence and just plowing him with shots. It was a classic Diaz's signature performance. Did you hear what he did beforehand? He literally trained so hard in the, back that it was he translated to that he was going to the third round of the fight when he got in the cage so yeah so very interesting yeah because we know we usually start so when i said to you

last week he's gonna lose the first round as soon as he won that first round i was like anthony pettis is up shits creek without a paddle here and she see i know obviously an excuse for pettis but broken foot was the shint a head moment it was the shint of the leg yeah the shint of the leg was that's that's an idea is defending himself that's fantastic yeah no that's i'm saying it was it was brilliant and listen, it never really looked in doubt. Maybe. Pettis was so close on two head kicks. Like, oh my God.

I'll tell you, he was close getting a choking as well. He slipped off in the last minute. He was not close on that guillotine. He wasn't his body. He had his back and he slipped off from the top. I don't think he was close to any submission. I thought it was, I thought he completely, like, Diaz completely dominated him on the ground. Yeah, it was a complete domination.

Like, I mean, the closest bit I thought he had to any success was holding on to a guillotine that Diaz dealt with easily. I mean, I thought that was his best. moment's success. Even the grappling scrambles, Diaz always ended up on his back.

Even when Pez had his back, somehow Diaz would get to his back. It was brilliant. I can't believe he came back that well. Yeah,

no, I was very surprised the level of performance. I thought the three years would have played into it didn't at all. Yeah. Fabulous.

But the question I had, sorry, sorry, I keep on getting away from this, but, you know, Diaz saying he's not

eager, but he's also not going to want any time off. He's ready to fight Masvidal. Will the UFC fuck this up or will they actually

make it happen. Fuck it up. Do you think so, yeah? No, no, no. I think from what Dana said, and I think Dana might have finally admitted it, that he knows Nate Diaz. He's a needle mover.

Listen, the kid is, I think we've known it for a long, long time. The UFC are very stubborn in their approach to these things and making new needle movers, Dana White calls them. But yeah, listen, man, if they can't make a fight with him

and Horgan Maswell, they're on ass, there's something wrong with them. Listen, I think, you know, I said it for a long time, I do feel sorry for Leon Edwards, but when Nate Diaz comes back, it's a different ball game. Oh, it is. Of course it is.

And listen, they have to do it. There's been talked between both of them. Just make it fucking happen, guys. There's big fights there. And, you know, we don't know McGregor's status as well. They need draws. They need people like this. Well, do you not think it's a massive indicator?

When Diaz knows, of course, that Connor McGregor is the biggest money fight you can get, when he doesn't even say his name. Yeah. Or he said that the post-foy, someone put it to him. Would you fight, Conner? He's like, unrightly to fight anyone that's willing to fight me. Yeah. Like, but he definitely.

definitely didn't put Connor as proud of plays as he did against Johnson that all those years ago. Yeah. Yeah, no. I think he's right to just move on with his life. Yeah, because Connor doesn't seem to be in a stable situation at the moment, you know? Yeah, well, that's my point. Sorry, that was always about I was about to say. Yeah, there's so much unknown about what Connor's going to do at the moment because we haven't heard from him. And we know he's been training in a wee bit. And so, like, how are you supposed to make a fight? How are you supposed to commit to a fight when we don't know what's going on with you? And he's there. He's willing to go. We know Horgay Matt. as a lot's willing to go. So listen, make it happen

straight while the iron's hot. And fairness to the UFC in situations like this in the last two years with all the super fights and we've seen fights that probably 10 years ago we wouldn't have seen.

They wouldn't have made these fights. They've struck when the iron's hot and I think this is a massive opportunity for them to even do it in November. December, let's say end the year show is perfect. Probably end a year show but imagine this in MSG with, you know, Calby Covton there

and Camar Usman as well. You know, sign me up for that shit because I'll be buying it. surely we can't look past Perlow Costa now for the next championship fight like I mean Y'all Romero's hell on earth and regardless of...

I think there's something wrong with Yol the fight I was texting you journey and... I know yeah but it was very hard to see what you thought was wrong because I've seen Yol Fite like that so many times I've just never seen a guy like Costa so bulky and stuff being able to

hang in there for it like I mean I know he lost the last round there's no doubt about it but I mean he gave as good as he got and I felt there was an argument from the second. He definitely won the first. Yoll has an argument the second. He won the tour, but I wasn't going like, oh, this is a robbery. I saw some people

kind of crack it on like that. There's no way to it was a robbery. I had it 29, 28 for Costa. Same. For Costa. Yeah. And I like, I think I was pretty clear. I'm watching it. I wasn't drunk. I was watching it very sort of closely. But no, I thought Romero looked like he was hurt on his feet. He was just sort of all

over the place. And he looked like. Pella Costa's fucking hit me. That is true. Yeah. But it looked like he was like, I don't know. He looked like he was looking to the right sometimes and he was thrown and he was sort of missing. It was like as if he double vision or some. I don't know. I really don't know. But listen, Costa, what can you say about the guy, man? Took so much punishment. And to overcome that adversity, even in the last round, you're on fucking hell, this guy is. I can't believe it. Throw him up there. He's next. 100% for me, I think Costa. Well, bar there being like some kind of draw or something or one of the greatest fights of all time between Whitaker and Stirlbander, which is probably a possibility. Very, very good possibility. and I enjoyed their press conference as well

it was during the week there I think it was the same night as the fights I'll be heading over that one I can't wait Sidique Yusuf What a man Yes I'd love to bring you Sidique Yusuf I mean we don't need any more

Kind of litmus test for this guy Gabriel Benitez has looked absolutely unbelievable lately Mowgli and you know to knock him out a knockout artist of his caliber You could feel a coming though Oh my god you just

Well I thought one of them was going definitely Like just Yusuf man The guys are kill man I love that. I can't believe. Gabriel cracked him a couple of times though. Like I mean, I thought he had him in trouble a couple of times. I mean, I'd say it was harder he's ever been hit in his life. Yousup because Mowgli's no joke, man. Yeah, a savage. Unbelievable. The last minute of the first round to do that, this guy's going to be big

business. And of course, you've got to think about Stoylbender, about Ouzman, all these Nigerian savages coming out of the mix. If they're going to do it, now is the time. Yeah, you listen, I think, you know, I've said this for a while. You've guys like Don Madge as well. We're up and coming. We talked about his fiping off the 242 car there a few minutes ago as well, unfortunately against Maga Mad Moustiav. But I think South Africa would be the place to

host an event if they were going to do one down there on continental Africa. Just logistically I might make a bit more sense. Logistically, you know, obviously they have the arenas there. Infrastructure is good. They've had MMA there for a long time. The UFC. Denon Joberg there, Cape Town.

That would be the place to do it. So I'd love to see the UFC take that delve and go down there. And I think it's something that has to be on Dana White's radar now at the moment. Derek Brunson looked really good against Ian Hynish, especially after that head kick straight away to open the fight. Dominic Cruz. Dominic Cruz.

Dominic Cruz. Highish ran out of gas really easy. I concern me. I think he tried to load up in the first round and he was like shit. Yeah. Because Brunson's left hand was unreal. Like, throughout the rest of the fight, I thought he was moving better than ever. As you say, he credits the win to Dominic Cruz

who told him to invest in a head coach ahead of the fight. I couldn't believe that. I was like, what? Yeah, you probably need one of those, Derek, you know? Yeah. You might, you know, a UFC fighter and all. But really impressed. Yeah, very good.

One of the best performances in the UFC in my opinion. Because, I mean, Hynish is going into steal everything there. A man who did steal everything is cama, worthy, unbelievable finish. That, Jesus Christ, that left hook. That was lovely. It was worthy of a performance of the night bonus. No pun intended. Yes.

Pun intended. Corrie Sandhagen and Raphael. Lesson said with some chess match. Really, really good fight. Really, really good fight. I really enjoyed that. Dracar Klaus, great to see him. Celebrate the birth of his child with a big win there.

I know he had a kid this year, or just at the end of the last year. So I'm sure he's very happy with that, getting back to winning ways. And we said, we didn't think he had a chance, but Casey Kenny gets to win our Mani Rebuttes. Don't ever listen to us. Everybody's obsessed with Hannah Seifers. Is that our second name? Seifers, yeah. Seifers, sorry.

and her demeanor and stuff. Did you see this? Like it's just taken off. She apparently hates being interviewed and that's... I didn't watch a real. Alluring thing for them. Jody Eskabel broke her arm

in the first round. Yeah, I saw a tweet about that. Jesus. So, listen, yeah, I didn't see it. So I'm not going to comment on something I didn't see or watch. So what was the issue? Well, I just don't think she's...

She doesn't hate them. I just think she's an anxious kind of person. I've seen her before. Yeah, yeah. I think she's actually grown a huge fan base based on the fact that she's... She hates being interviewed. I've seen her before.

Stepe Miochich, utilize this woman's techniques. Train her up Steve. Yeah. Kion Ho Kang got a split decision win over Brandon Davis and Sabrina Mazzo got a unanimous decision win over Shana Dobson. Will that card be beaten this year

in terms of... Fights. Talking points as well. I mean, like, it's... It's so many have come out of it. Like, I mean, it's not just about the performances. It's about people in the crowd. But what's happening next as well?

Like, what's happening next there? you know, Nate Diaz, so many quotables that, I can remember, like the story's coming out, what he said about Covington,

what he said about Conor, what he said about Mazabal, what he said about coming back, like, it's huge, Stepe and DC situation, what's next there? Will D.C.

Retour? Will Stepe want to fight Jones? Who's next for Stepe? And right back down to the... It was, there was a huge amount of talking points, and it's only good for the sport in the UFC when,

when you've a guy like Nate Diaz is in there that's putting, eyes, mainstream eyes as well, especially back in the sport. And listen, we saw the traction, and Dana said it was doing very well, and I hope it knocked it out of the park, because we want to see cards like this, a boost the profile of the sport even further.

And, you know, I don't think it'll be beaten because, like, as you said there, like, I watched Everton back the next day. Normally I wouldn't bother anymore, you don't even put certain parts. Yeah, I know. But you watched Everton back because it was Nate Diaz and there was, oh, what's he saying about Colby? What's he saying about,

you know, Mazvedal? What did Azvedal say about him. And there was fascinating chunks coming out all week. And, you know, we had Tony Ferguson in the crowd as well. And, you know, not much said about Tony. I don't know if he did an interview. I didn't see one with him. But, you know, Tony's obviously right up there for banging on the door for a title shot,

in my opinion, he should be next. And then you have Colby Coventon in the crowd wrecking the place, which was, it was. Dana White said he had to go over and tell him to stop misbehaving at some point, which is hilarious. He was there with our good pal, Alex Corpusiero. I saw him. I text in the minute I saw him like, get your face off my TV, you big chunky gift.

He looks like he's leaned out of it, doesn't he? He was like Alex was training down in ATT. He was actually considering doing a fight at one point. You know, Alex is a great guy, fantastic Ruby player. He's a bastard as well. Yeah, he's, we've had a few drinks over the, over the years and, you know, great guy,

but nearly as strong as Noel McGrath. Nearly, not quite as good as scrumager either, remember that. Yes, of course. And, but Cobby, you know, what a man. And I think he's loving that hate, you know, the booze or mental for him. He just, people doing this.

I don't understand it. And I'll keep saying it. Like, guys, come on. He's pulling the fucking piss out he is. And I think maybe we can see it more over here because we're not obviously ruled by Donald Trump and things like that. But we find it more amusing. I think people on this side of the pond find him or get that he's actually doing what he's doing on purpose.

And I think the Americans find it harder to maybe justify or maybe some of them are a little more gullible. I don't know, man. I find it amusing. It's just too close to all over. a lot of people there. It is. Yeah. In the struggle,

like it's going to affect them, I guess. But one thing I will say is as big as Colby v. Usman could potentially be. It's not going to be anywhere

near as big as Diazum as Albaal. No. That's the title fight. It's the title fight for the baddest that man on the fucking planet. Maybe it could be if they book it now,

give them the nice two months to build towards it and allow that motherfucker to sizzle. They'll need three. But this is hitting on huge political things in America.

Oh yeah. Massive. Yeah. You know, Camer Uzman as an immigrant, Colby Covington as the president's mate. I mean, it's... You know, best mates, apparently, that haven't talked on the phone for a year.

I don't know what that was about from Masbado, because Colby was telling me two weeks ago, that they, you know, my best friend in the world, man. Well, if I don't see my best friend for a year, he's still my best friend, to be honest. Yeah. Is he? Yeah.

Well, if he was your best friend, you'd probably be talking to a lot more than that. Sometimes, you know, you're busy, you know? Yeah, you are busy, but you're that kind of person. person though, you know, so if he doesn't want something, he won't ring you, there you go. That's Peter Carroll for you. Well, why else would I be ringing you? Ask you how you are.

Give a fuck. There you go. He said it not me. But no, listen, they could. Noel has never rang me to ask me how I am, by the way. Of course, that's absolutely. Sorry, excuse me very much. You texted me on Saturday.

You're at a wedding and I said, listen, go away, man, enjoy your wedding. Don't be texting me. That's what I said to you. That's a nice thing to text. And I always texting, no, just like, how are you know, you're going fuck off you, you fat drunk. that's what you're saying to me. I wasn't saying that. But listen, you're dead right, Pizzi.

If they do promote this correctly, they're onto an absolutely bloody winner with that one. Because it's huge cultural ramifications. Not even including that. Obviously that as well, that's huge. But that's where you get the broader fan base involved. Of course you do. And then you have, obviously, the whole best friends fighting and all this shit's going to come out. Oh, beyond that.

Again, the storylines. That's it. It's just they're coming from left and right. It is, if they do it. If they get it right, it's a bloody game changer. And I think we could be in for a massive, massive few months with Nate Diaz, as well. So many options.

But let's just hope the UFC play this right. Don't fuck it up like to have so many in the past and let him. But he's going to go. Like from his point of view, from what I took from what he said the other night was, he's only going to fight guys that are going to fucking stand there and bang with him. And guys that he feels. That will put on a good fight. We'll put on a good fight.

And he feels are worthy of being in there with him. And I think that's totally fair. that's the kind of way the UFC has gone in the last two years. Belts don't mean a whole lot anymore. Yes, just moving on to Rise 18. Didn't watch it, mate. I was in bed. Yeah, everybody was unfortunately, but a huge event

with Kioji Haraguchi finally being derailed, but it wasn't a non-title fight against Kai Asakura. Saw the knockout, though, was nasty, man. Yeah, well this kid Asakura, there's two brothers I get most of my intel on this while the events are going down. I've been looking for something on the Asakura

brother, some kind of big article something like you know a big concise this is what they're all about but there doesn't seem to be unavailable in english but these guys have kind of generated like a cult like following they have both a big huge youtube accounts but they're um they're like they fought their way up in an organization called the outsider it was pretty much like bikers would come in and take on for it and stuff like that but here's this kid i think he's only 25 goes in and stops horiguchi but he doesn't win the title and so obviously that's going to be set up again but does that knock bellator does that knock Ryzen, like, I mean, when they haven't put the title on the line,

this guy's Bellator and Reisen's Bantamway champion, and this kid comes in and stops him in basically a minute. I mean... 100% with us. It's pretty crazy. Yeah, it's mad, and you're going, well, probably signed this dude up. Probably should have put the title on the line, right? Like, I mean... I don't understand these stupid. And this guy's a huge... This guy is a huge deal in Japan, this Kaya Sakura guy. Like, he's not like some just random guy they put him to fight against. Like, this guy was thought of, um, as one of the best

prospects in Japan as far as I was concerned. So just mad. Yeah, I don't know what the game plan is sometimes. You know, obviously, I would imagine they'd have to consult with Bellator before putting on. Well, they could put the Rising title on. It's their title. Yeah, and they probably should have done that because it sort of doesn't... It doesn't reflect good about promotions, the lack of thought that's been put behind

that either. And I think, you know, when we look at Bellator, a lot of their sort of title situations that we talked about earlier on, there isn't an awful lot of thought put behind a lot of what they're doing in order, maybe to, promote fighters or to really sort of have a meaning to the divisions they're fighting in. And that's another sign of it to me if you're not, if you're putting like two belts on the line and some guys coming in and starching your champion. You're not putting on two belts on the line.

Yeah, you're not putting two belts on the line. It says to me that, you know, what are these guys fighting for? Again, in the in the Coma in event, Hamasaki was considered one of the best out of my fire in the world, really, took on. the rocket this toy prospect she beats her great submission first round arm bar but no title on the line again

like I mean I see people and they're probably right in that Japanese MMA doesn't get coverage but these people who are calling for coverage should be the people who are putting out the coverage if there's a gap in the market like that and you know the information that the rest of the media don't go and do it like

I would really like an explainer like and I see my good man I said hey seriously high always talking about this but like I get most of my information off that guy while the cards are going on just what he's tweeting about there's the gap in the market we all want some more japanese mma coverage so why don't you do it even in explaining or before these events to get the lay of land why aren't titles being put on the line who is this guy as a kore like I mean I'm a European correspondent it's very hard for me to wrap my head around what's going on in Asia as well

you know you know they're often you know when those fights are they can paste as you said there like they should probably translate it better in English and have some crossover promotion because they're not going to pick up a big audience here if they're not promoting. Especially if you don't give us the storylines.

Tell us what's going on. What's it all about? Manil Cape, he's a grey fighter. My God. I think he's from Angola but his flag on topology is Portuguese so we can rep them as one of our own. Well that's

what Portugal and Angola have sort of an old sort of England, Ireland situation? That sort of thing going on. Right, well, we'll take him as one of ours because he's very good. The language is Portuguese.

Yeah, he's got a great first round knockout over to Kaye Mizzugaki. And this is the guy I was saying, like, if they wanted to do a Bellator crossover, you know, get Galaher and this guy. This guy knows how to sell a fight. He's explosive. He has skills. He is a great striker.

Galaher is a great submission specialist. I think that would be a fantastic fight. And really I feel like Bellator and Reison need to come together and put on a gigantic event together Because what did you say two seconds ago? Exactly. We'd have the crossover We'd have fighters in there with the storylines

Etcetera it would be brilliant And like you know We just need to know more about Reisen It's very difficult You can't consume a product without being invested And how you get invested in it Is by seeing these fighter stories and things like that That's when we look at DC

We saw the piece that Ariel did with ESPN You know people tuning in for the first time, maybe a casual MMA fan mightn't have known that about D.C. People become invested in them. That's what happens. They need to do it. Yeah, absolutely.

That was a great night of fights. I just wish they wouldn't, on a night like that, like to have the UFC card finishing at our time 6am and then Ryzen just beginning, that's big ass for fans. We're after soaking up all your emotional juices

with these huge fights. But you know, the thing about Ryzen is, Ryzen maybe don't realize they're maybe in the spotlight as much as they are They would like to be over this side of the pond. Hugely in the spotlight, I believe, especially with someone like Hartleyuchi, but then that goes and happens here.

But again, if someone had, if any publication had a wrote a story about Koy Asakura, it would have went straight after it because everyone when looking at to find out who the guy is. I still want to know more about him. There's a lot there. I thought you're flinting Japanese after your week in Tokyo, no. It's just a try to WhatsApp.

I didn't right back. Get with it. but look that guy is a big story someone's got to tell it there is no way he's built up I'm gonna go look now after this there's no way he built up the following

he did by just simply being a guy who's good at fighting Japan like I reckon I should start a YouTube channel to Japan to have a million subscribers in a week like they watch people eating food and stuff it's mental I do as well in fairness but I can't really quit

no but like literally sitting there eating food and they're off Savage yeah Paul Felder that's what he does but yeah I was very cruel I need to stop doing that

I do that to a lot of fighters now I send the pictures and their food and they're cutting weight, it's terrible. Absolutely brutal. I was sending him a picture of my Guinness the other night. He started to be eating an orange or something. I'd say he loved that. He didn't. But listen, I do think it would be great to see them

you know, sort of kick on and do something with Bellator because, you know, look, like, what are where have Bellator being the last five weeks? Nowhere. They've been heard to be seen, mate. We're back this weekend or we're about to talk about that. Yeah, but like, do we, like, that's what I mean. Like, Bellator aren't. again, you know, putting something out there

that people are really that interesting. That's always been a big struggle with Bellator. I'm more interested in the Dublin card here than anything Bellator I've put on this here. Yeah. And it shouldn't be like that. It's not an action-packed weekend this weekend in the MMA has to be said.

UFC are taking a break, but Bellator 2-25 will take pride of place and look at Noel there. He's so excited about it. Noel, it's going down in the Webster Bank arena in Connecticut. Oh, well. Yeah.

it's a great spot. Matt Mitreone will rematch against Sergei Sharatanoff. Their first fight, of course, ended in a no contest. So interesting to see here, Mitrione. I think this might be his first fight since he lost

a beta. Am I right there? I might be wrong. You are right, I think. I am. Oh my God. No, Sheratonov was. All right, sorry.

Oh, Jesus. There you go. Yeah. I found it hard to get invested in this. Just straight off the top. I'm not going to lie. What about Vitaly Minnakov and Javier Ayala.

Yeah. Two veteran companions there. Yeah. Minnikov, he lost that last way and basically Czech Congo has taken the title shot because of it. So, I mean, Belator must have had the man in good stead before that. David Rickles in there as well, the caveman, I see. Yes, yes, against unbeaten Ukrainian Yaroslav Amosov, who will be representing Europe this weekend.

We don't have a whole lot of Europe. peens on this card. Nick Newell's making his debut. Nick Newell is making his debut against a man who was graced his shores, Mr. Corey Browning. Indeed. Yeah, so... Listen, I do, I hope it goes well for Nick. Very likable guy. Tim Johnson, is this a Belator debut? The mustache. It must be, yeah.

Oh, wow. What a man. Now, he's lost to Czech Congo already, unfortunately. All right, has he? Czech Congo actually finished him. Unbelievable. There is a good few names in this. It's just scattered very wildly. Like, I mean, Nick Newell, Corey Browning, that will be a watchable fight. Rickles and Amossov be a watchable fight. Coma and Maine are interesting enough, but you see that

Mike Kimball, who is working with Tom Egan. He's got them a big viral knockout in his debut. I believe he got a decision in his last fight. He's an interesting guy to watch. Also, as Ricky Bandejas on it, the man who Kio James Galaher, of course. He was straight out of Forrest and into the fire there in his last two fights.

They gave him one Arculeta. Mix. who is like a top prospect of Bantam White, Fetterway and 55, and he lost him by decision. Like that's a, that's a good fetter on his cap to go to distance with Arculetta. But Patrick Mix and his debut looked sensational. Though that back take was unbelievable, I mean. Savage.

So I really like to watch Ricky. I think he was a blue chip prospect. So that will be interesting to watch. Austin Vanderford as well, Mr. Van Zantas, as Ariel calls him. We'll take on Joseph Creer. Yeah, it's solid enough. It's been buried, I think, with the UFC on, and, you know, Bellator having out a card

and, what, five weeks or something like that. So, yeah, listen. A long old card as well. There's a 16-odd fights there. Yeah. It's just, someone just questioned, Bellator's promotional tactics and what they're doing, really,

to get the fight cards out there because I'm not really invested in this fight card to manage. Yeah, I mean, like, with so much Europeans on there, to get always towards Skui Sports, they aren't really utilizing that roster they now, are they? Not at all. what's fight sticking out to you there

to be honest you I love watching as you said earlier on ricky bandages really good fighter to watch obviously suffer those two losses I'm very intrigued to see how nick newel does on his debut against corey browning the guy who's obviously been on danay white's contender series

and we know him obviously been from his time in w s oaf i think he fought gaichi is that correct and then lost to just and then retired for a bit um you know really sort of interesting intriguing character obviously is disability. So that's a guy you want to get behind and I think this emphasis there for people to get

behind him and he always sort of has had a lot of great support so it does help it work out for him that's a good fight. Fanderford's on a nice time as well like that's a good time for us to tune in like I mean and it is a guy a guy with a decent record he's up there against six-fight win streak. And you're looking, you're just you just want to see how good

this kid's going to be and I'm interested to see it and you know he's obviously had a couple of I think you grappled Jake Shields there during the summer and lost that but a guy who seems no mean for he lives in a grapple match

yeah of course unbelievable but he's a guy who seems to really want to learn his trade and he's going to have out it the right way and he's an interesting prospect to watch out for so yeah I'll be you know eyes on that one definitely as well right let's get to Browntown now did you watch the All-Illand final

I did my dad some Kilkenny oh is he yeah I can't imagine he was happy with that sending off for those of you don't know the All-Iland Hornling final was this weekend It's a fantastic Gourri sport, the fastest sport in the world. Tipperary now champions, it was

our Sean Sheehan's Limerick who weren't up for the challenge this year. Tankdod, they didn't win it. Anyway, everyone hates them. Let's be honest. He didn't stop cheering him until that trophy went into someone else's hands. I actually had my hands in the trophy there.

Did you? Yeah. That's what ruined it for Tipperary for Kilkenny. But there was a sending off earlier in the game and that kind of basically ruined the whole thing. What was your dad's reaction to that sending off? he was cursing effing and blind there.

So listen, I couldn't really care less about the Hurling. I'm not a bad game. Just wish it was a better game. Just wish it was a better game. It was usually great games. Definitely the red card changed the directory of the game. So that was disappointing. But, you know, shit happens.

They built a, they were six points up in the first half to Kenny. So it was a mad turnaround, but it was very comfortable in the ends. But I don't think that's about it. We just wanted to send out our love to Jollah Sanda, famed. Twitter. Talking to the microphone there, please. He is a famous Twitter of MMA. He's great. And he is

one of these guys that we rely heavily on. And he has been unfortunately removed from Twitter due to some images or video he shared from the Ryzen event at the weekend. But as we said, you guys have no imprint over here. These are the

people who are actually giving you an imprint here. Like I mean Jollah Sanda, you can get them now on Jollah Sanda the one that's j-o-l-a-s-s-a-n-d-a-1 make sure you give him a follow this is a guy that really really deserves your support and um lucky enough he's nearly up to two and a half thousand of of uh monday night now so hopefully it will continue to grow because uh it's not great with like these guys um they put in so much work they dedicate so many hours every weekend to watching the sport to getting us to the clips to get to to really stimulating the fan base and it's it's shit when you see this

kind of thing happen and Compos has done a great job this weekend of this just over the last day or so of getting the word out and getting people to follow him so hopefully he will build his following back up I know he will eventually because he does great work but um yeah I think I think the the promotions need to recognize how much these guys do for them how prominent they make their promotion in this part of the world and really they should see them as an asset instead of a hindrance that's pretty much my only word on that one I totally agree and we talked about this obviously a little bit earlier on on the show and you know the lack of

sort of stories and information that we get we rely heavily you certainly rely heavily on guys like him and Caposa and so yeah go and support the dude definitely oh he was at a wedding again last weekend it's wedding season is over for me but congratulations

to Alan Nolan and Lorraine Lorraine Nolan now fantastic very plush I thought it was so plush I thought like I thought I was going to see you popping out behind a bush somewhere. Cliff at the Lions in Selbridge, there. Never heard of it.

Yeah, too up our brow for you, my friend. Oh, I was lovely. Beautiful, beautiful day now, to be fair. That's tough. Congratulations, commiseration, should I say. It's, they take the toll. It's like getting hit by a train or something going to a wedding. They just get absolutely mumbled.

And the next day, just picking up the pieces. What happened? It's a tough one, isn't it? I was pretty wrecked there after my wedding, the weekend before last. You got married? No. Jesus, who'd have? have me.

I would have me. I would. Jesus Christ. Every week there's some innuendo or something put out there. But yeah, it was a, it was a good weekend. To be honest, I was really drained yesterday

after the fights. Emotionally drained? Emotionally and physically as well. I actually, I don't even even had anything yesterday. It was just like, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Manchester, you know, I just lost as we were recording this.

They drew. It felt like a loss. It felt like a loss. Just your reaction as well gave us that kind of losing vibe here. Happy with that one? No, listen, it'll probably be a good point come the end of the season.

Point gained on last year. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, it's what we didn't even get a point in both the games, so gone to Malen, you get a points. No, I mean, Feethees, I think Wolves could be an outside shop for top four. Yeah, I was just telling you that that was my own show

there beforehand. Bit of a controversial one, but I don't like this whole penalty taking, Malaw or this indecisiveness and who's going to take the spot kick. Paul Pogba was involved again. that's been the brunt of your or the last year or so. Are you upset with that particularly?

Well, I don't know the whole situation, but Paul does drive me mad. I think if you don't want to play for the team, get out of there, get rid of him. I think Alexis Sanchez is on his way out, but it looks of it as well to Inter Milan. So, yeah, you need to rid clubs and sides and people don't want to be here.

Trim the fat, my son. But I'm dying for a pint for some reason tonight. Let's go and get sourced. Thank you very much, everybody. We love you loads. We'll be back again next weekend. week even. Week.

Yeah, with episode 50, another fantastic milestone for the Eurobatch duo. It is, I think so. It feels like there's, it feels to be more. Yeah. That shows you how much

we love doing this, guys. No, no, but no, but I'm just saying, you've obviously, you know, podcasts together for, for fucking God knows how long now,

five years, it must be, so yeah, no, it is a long time. Yes, and hopefully we're back with our two guests

line up next week. We had a bit of an issue this week, but we will rectify that. next week. Thank you very much. Love is loads. Give me a kiss, I know. The reluctant kiss with you.