MMA Fighting - Eurobash: Episode 52 (w/ Philip De Fries, Cal Ellenor)

Episode Date: September 10, 2019

On the latest episode of Eurobash, Philip De Fries (17:00) spoke about his willingness to take on Bellator's heavyweight champion Ryan Bader ahead of his KSW 50 title defense. Cal Ellenor (50:00) also joins the show to discuss his pivotal bantamweight clash with James Gallagher at Bellator Dublin. Hosts Petesy Carroll and Niall McGrath breakdown the latest European headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Support for this show comes from the Audible Original, the downloaded two, ghosts in the machine. The Earth only has a few days left. Rosco Cudullian and the rest of the Phoenix colony have to re-upload their minds into the quantum computer, but a new threat has arisen that could destroy their stored consciousness forever. Listen to Oscar winner Brendan Fraser reprised his role as Rosco Cudulian in this follow-up to the Audible Original Blockbuster. The Downloaded, it's a thought-provoking sci-fi journey where identity, memory, and morality collide. Robert J. Sawyer does it again with this much-anticipated sequel that leaves you asking, What are you willing to lose to save the ones you love?

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Noel McGrath. How are you, baby? Abu Dhabi do. I'm good, man. I'm good. I'm not as tired as you but I actually am pretty tired myself. It was a it was a slog of a weekend of fights but an incredible weekend of mixed martial arts from Europe all the way across the United States to Abu Dhabi.

It was great but I know I feel your pain I see you. You look like shit but I did miss you and I was very jealous that you were over there during five weeks Great job, by the way, I have to say your coverage was absolutely fantabulous. Brilliant stuff. Best going on the ground there, definitely. But, you know, a lot of that is because of Casey and Esther, I can't say enough good things about it.

And that's the first time I've ever worked with them before. These are legitimate, oh, geez, legitimate great. And to be working with them was unbelievable experience for me, probably one of the great experiences I've ever had in my career. Second to only being on the ground with now I'm a ground five week. Of course. Look, I'm so tired. I didn't want to even do anything today but what type of man would I be

if I didn't come on to our loyal bashers the number ones my my my writer die I needed to do it and then it had to be done look over there was incredible Noel and we don't really we're not going to do this usual strucker with the breaking news

I was so busy and stuff but over there I don't like I was saying to you earlier just when I came in I don't know if it translated or whatever over here but that reception was genuinely spellbinding he got over there and I think Habib's performance was out of this world. Like, I mean, the difference I saw,

he was forcing Porreier to fight in every single situation. I felt like against McGregor, McGregor did a great job of not having to fight, not making himself Torre by fighting, but Habib didn't give Dustin the option. He was wrangling his neck.

He was all over him. Like, it was like he didn't give him a second. Like, he was, Porriere was forced to defend submissions, forcing to defend takedowns. It was just a really exhausting fight. My God. Yeah, I think we're a little bit different

though here on our opinion. this. And, you know, I do agree with you. It was a phenomenal, you know, start from Habib, and he was all over him. But did Dustin maybe not show up a little bit? That's maybe the way I felt that he, you know, did he fall under the spotlights a bit and not do what maybe he wanted to do? That seemed to be what he was saying as well, maybe to some regard in the post-by press conference.

I think you're fighting, Habib, you're going to get taken down in the first two rounds. And it's just, I think the fact that on the ground, Habib was able to transition to brilliant positions very well because Dustin was scrambling instead of McGregor just kind of sat there and said, listen, right, I'm going to be down here. I'm not going to make the situation worse for myself, whereas Dustin was trying to get back up, and then he was giving up his back,

and that's when the choking attempts were coming. You know, I could see what he was trying to do, but hindsight is 20-20, as he said himself, in the post-fight press comments. I think Parier is a class act. One of the best... I agree, yeah. One of the best fires in that division.

Like, I'd be interested to see Parier and McGregor now, and, like, you know, I would be probably favorite Parier in that matchup right now, to be honest, but absolutely. absolutely unbelievable. Habib is a bona fide superstar. To see the people move to him the way the Irish people did in 2014 and McGregor, like people were getting emotional. He was just walking out.

I mean, it felt like he's really amplified MMA in that part of the world. And I guess that was the intention with this whole event. But by God, man, they brought 16 t-shirts with me over there. And every one of them smells like absolute debt. I was putting my socks in like bags so they wouldn't stink up my room.

It was, it was revolting, man. Like, I mean, everybody was like disgusting how are you keeping the smell out of your room it was it was did the call in there what's he call it the the feckin the feckel for the for the rodent oh i just got in i got in this morning and i just said here where's the washing machine poured everything into it man it was absolutely disgusting that was like me when i was in a Vegas for may mac it was the same temperatures like hitting 40 it's disgusting man it's just it's just drawer that's what sheheen was saying sheen i spent a lot of time over there was great to be over there with

him he he's from arizona so that's a very very he's like it's dry heat there this is disgusting sweating moist wet heat and it was fucking unlivable man it really was Paul Felder in the Comain event yeah man

he looked incredible what did you think of that now there was there was a lot of talk after the fight and I just want to say one thing before I want to get your take off I did have the first for Edson Barbosa by you know I think it was a clear 10 9 round for me to Edson

the second right in my terms of watching the fight, when I was watching the fight here, I had a 10-9 for Edson in the second. And the only reason why I had that 10-9 was me not actually giving my scorecard. It was the way I perceived that judges be scoring. Because Paul was landing so many elbows off his back, we know that judges often don't pick up on what the guys do

from off his back. And Paul was sensational off his back in that round. But you got to look at the judges and officials that was there. It was, this is a fantastic thing for European MMA. Mark Goddard, it was Dave Ledaby, Ben Cardledge, and Mark Colette. Like, I mean, the guys who came from our scene are now the main guys in the U.S. And honestly, I was looking at Mark Goddard in there. And just before that main event started, I was like, he's probably the best referee in the world the moment.

I mean, everybody's so inconsistent and he is just there. And I was like, holy shit, our guys, our officials are the best in the world. Like, they are some of the best in the world. These Cage Warriors officials basically starting there. And that's why I think, you know, you'd be looking at. at it going, maybe the judges won't notice this. They did notice that. Of course they did. Like, that's what they look out for it.

That's why I was very happy in the end that the round was scored for him, but I didn't think it was going to go that way. It was very close. I feel like, I feel like immediately when it was read out, I could understand where Barbosa was coming from. But then more a thing about it, it was like, every round was pretty close. It was. Great fight. Jesus Christ, the pace they put on for three rounds was, it was insane. And the guy tweeted after as well, like, Tating, you know, we keep talking about it.

Man, that's a five-round fight. if you ever want to see a five rounder. It would have been fabulous to see that five rounds. And I think maybe the longer it was getting Edson was slowing down. Paul really came into what I felt in the third round. Landed some really good shots. Rocked him twice. He sort of, you know,

the exchange are wild. They were mental, man. Like, I mean, I commend both of the guys. Like, I mean, I don't understand why, you know, Guillermo put out an article yesterday and Edson's appealing that decision. But I can understand why he feels that way. It's that close.

Every round was so close. It was, yeah. And it was obviously, you know, when he walked off and I think, you know, Paul was good enough to saying the mic, you know, clap him out and stuff. What about that post fight? Like, he was, uh, that's an emotional guy. That was incredible.

Like, people understand with Paul and, you know, it is. It's literally a three-month weight cut for Paul. He has to starve himself to make 155 pounds. It's crazy, dude. I was speaking to Paul just after the way in because at the open workouts, he didn't drop a beat of sweat. And I got worried. I was like, oh, yeah.

But he actually explained it to me then. He goes, I was already that low. Because that's why. He was talking about you, of course. He was saying he needs to get over to us for a while. Yeah, and I see he's going to come over for a few drinks. But I'm going to set him up an itinerary of where to go in Ireland because I think he's going to do a...

Connemara is of an area. I've always been saying to the lads to go. We should get him into... I said he really liked the idea of going to a Gwalgar region where nobody can speak. Yeah, that'd be really cool. Yeah, yeah. So, look, Islam Makashep was impressive.

Another reception was fucking crazy. He got some reception, man. Ever since Wednesday, he was like, walking out and even it surprised him. On Wednesday he walked out to the open workouts and he was kind of angry. I feel like probably the wake-up was annoying him. And someone, someone just shouted at him like

inshallah or whatever. And he, you just see his whole face browing up and he's like, holy shit, this is, this is going to be big for me, you know? And look, he was bringing against Davy Ramos. Davy Ramos and established grapple. Tough dude, Davy Ramos as well, giving props for hanging in there. And look, that's a question we wanted to see answered. Can he do it against these guys?

I still think we need to see more. I think we need to see more from him. Oh, yeah, yeah. No, I agree. I agree. But, yeah, I mean, what about Merbeck? Tice him off? Yeah.

I think that heat in there really affected some guys and he was one of them. Yeah, I just like... Don Madge right at the start and broken knuckle as well. Yeah, and it was a very different performance from Don, I think he fought on his limitations

and obviously he wasn't very happy with performance. The heat was obviously you were there, it was a massive factor. It's incredible. Like, I mean, and the first women's fight, Sarah Mores and Liana Jajawa, I was very hot in Jejoe, but one thing Esther said to me, Esther Lin's obviously Cage-Soy for the whole event

and probably have seen more fights than anyone in the game at this stage, Kate, so she kind of said to me, like, Leanne's probably a very good fighter, but when I looked at Maras and Jejobe beside each other, she said, Jojo could be a straw weight. She could literally compete at straw weight. Sarah Maras is a gritty, great fighter as well. She's tough, man, she's tough.

She's hilarious, man. She was so funny all week. She had too much cheese cakes. What about Lorraine Murphy? Yeah. Yeah, draw. It comes out, nobody comes out, tells his story. I think he was a bit reluctant to tell Nick Pee.

He was, Nick Pee and Fight Discibles were the first to get it. I think it was on BT's part about him being shot in the face. And then he had, of course, tell the story all day. Yeah, yeah. Because, but to go in there and get a draw against Tokugov, who this event was really prime for as well is absolutely unbelievable. I'm really, really glad that he came away with something because stepping in to face a guy in your debut, who was well known, who's big in that part of the world.

I think he did brilliantly. He's sort of Brendan, Lockmanand, sort of Stude, prodigate, is that the way it's working there? Like, Brendan's done a lot of, sort of being a bit of a mentor to him. Yeah, and he'd be a good friend of Donald Cruz's as well. Murphy would, like, and I haven't seen it yet, but everyone keeps telling me about Kane Moose's in his corner

switching out, like in the last round, before the last round, he's meant to go mental, and I can't wait to watch it. Kane's a nut job, that fella. Yeah, he's a legend, but great knockouts from Asatar and Salakov. I knew Salachov was going to... Savage, that was. he just hasn't had a good matchup

like a striking matchup where he could show them skills and I knew an ordinary and Talib was going to stand with him so I think that was very good but yeah we're kind of running through this card a bit I know but you know and everyone's saying

MMA fighting's dead what about those numbers bitches we are there ain't nothing dead we're still alive you worked your house did you get a point anywhere by the way I don't drink I don't drink no

no way I'm a professional when I'm away no comment my ears he got in there you so. Listen, but it's one of those cards, Pizzi,

where I think you're just gonna, it's one of the ones to highlight the highlight the year. Yeah. You're gonna remember just the,

just the whole buzzer ends here all week and, like Casey, Casey's been to do 130 pay per views and he turned around to me to me and he goes, I'm just really glad

I was here for that. You know, I was just really glad to see. Well, that's why, like, I said to you all week. I was texting you all week rage and I'm fucking,

I was literally. You knew, yeah, you knew something big of I sat here for three fucking days, really, just with a grump on my face where you're sitting now

and it was texting you pictures and be gone, I'm pissed off. Yeah, I got about seven selfies a day. Oh, you're missing nothing, Noel, and then I go to his Instagram and he's there. But, um, you know, look, we were talking about this before we went down. We need to, we need to hammer it down.

It's got to be Tony. It's got to be done. Listen, I'm, you know, I've been a big advocate for Tony Furze and getting the title shut about two years ago and he still hasn't got one. It's, it's bullshit, man. It has to happen now, now or never.

Forget the McGregory. rematch talk, it's bollocks. Hey, hey, have you ever seen a more negative reaction? I mean, I know it got lots of traction, but he got slammed. He got slammed. And, you know, I think if that fight was happening again, what I saw from Habib Dior and I, and what we saw of

McGregor the last time out, like, the thing about the first fight is, there was mystery there. Habib was probably expecting the McGregor who fought Alvarez. Now he's been in there with him. I think based on what I saw Habib do to Porre and how much better he looked there, I think it would last very, I think in my last two rounds.

The question now is, right, and this is the interesting thing in terms of Connor McGregor. And, you know, let's just say Habib and Ferguson is going to happen in December. You know, what way do we look at it in terms of, you know, get... How can they do, Habe and Tony in December, though, like, on the Amanda Nunes card? Like, which one? Well, I think there's a spot on the 14th to December, a little bit earlier. That's the New Nescard, the 14 one, yeah. Well, we don't have to put, you know, Maine Co.

I don't know, right? But that's what Tony Ferguson wants. That's what he said today. He's come out and said he wants. December cards. Three months turnaround? Yeah. I know.

In a perfect world, yeah. But I mean, Habib's a bound to fight zero percent now. I'd say he got a lot of money there. Like a lot of money. Like, what's the point for him rushing back for three months? For what is essentially the toughest fight he can possibly have. Yeah.

No, you're right. Yeah. Maybe they might put out, you know, a little bit longer. But in terms of, you know, we've gauchy and cowboy this weekend. And then we saw the shit in line with Gaichi and McGregor. You know, where is McGregor in this division? Now, I don't know who he fights. He needs to do something.

And here's the other thing that nobody's factoring. And people are like... Paul Feldor? Is it something like that? What do you do? I don't know. But like the thing is everybody once again is suddenly expecting McGreg... Like people who are talking about him seem to be expecting McGregor Alvarez again and you're just like, he just broke his left hand. He broke his biggest weapon. It's broken. Yeah. So do you think that's going to be even better now for some reason? Absolutely not like, I mean, that's a serious injury. He's not, he's not the same age he was at the top of his career when he's explosive when he's relying on athleticism. You can't rely on your

athleticism after 30. You really can't. I know, I agree. Yeah. I'm the exception. But of course. Of course. I mean, stop rubbing it in my face all the time. But I agree with you. I'm just intrigued. Now, you know, just, you sort of forgot after Justin Gates, he came out with those tweets and those Instagram posts as well, you know, shitting on Connor McGregor that he was fighting cowboy this weekend.

Well, look, McGregor needs to, um, needs to fight. He's becoming irrelevant apart from these tweets. And you saw how, you saw how slammed he was. Like, he got absolutely slammed. Like, we were going through as the reactions to it. And it took me about five minutes to find a positive one. It was crazy. I just quoted the tweet and said, Jesus, because it's just not happening.

Yeah. And, you know, interesting, John Kavanaugh did actually tweet. I know if so he replied to when Ariel's comments when the news of obviously Jorge Mazz with Al and Nate Diaz was confirmed that, see you there, a winky face. So I don't know what that means. Does John even know what that means? Probably not.

But, um, it was just interesting. Yeah. Well, maybe, who knows? What about that, though? before we get to the interview. Diazma Asbal. It's unimportant to European M.I.

I don't like the belting. Oh, look, get the fuck out of here. I hate it. I hate it, man. It's ridiculous. Okay. The thing is, right, I'm surrounded by Casey,

Shaheen, all these guys, Esther, who've been around the sport for a long, long time. And they just think it's fun and blah, blah, blah. But they are not, like, but we have to, we're wearing

a different pair of gloves with this, right? Because the sport is in a different place in this part of the world. And I was like, that will just be used as ammunition against us. Like, oh, this is a, like, are we going to have a bad, I know, Dana, I'm actually quite happy that Dana said,

we're not going to have a division here because that would just be absolutely wild. But the fact that we're making this belt, and look, that's fine if the sport was in a serious place over here. We've seen boxing deal with the Mayan belt. We've seen boxing have the money belt. That's fine if it was a legitimate sport and everybody knew it was.

It's bullocks. Still isn't here. And that's what was about to go around for it. Yeah, I agree. And who was the, who was the, that said to me, I believe it was Oscar Willis of the Maclife. He said to me, it's two of the only guys, the least gimmicky guys in the UFC. The two just too natural, just captivating dudes, Jorge Masvedal, and you're going to make it a gimmick.

And I don't, look, I'm not fond of it. Maybe if the sport was in a different place over here, I'd like it, but I just don't like it. Well, that's the rant I was about to go on, so we just cleared it from you there. Okay, but, well, look, we get on with the first interview of the day. No. It's the KSW heavyweight champion, Phil the Frills. who will put his title on the line against Luis Enrique this weekend in London. Got some really good stuff from Phil about fighting potential fights at Ryan Bader and Matt

Mitreone if Bellator were to do stuff with KSW. And he also even shed further light on his kind of his issues with anxiety and alcoholism and stuff like that. So we'll get on to Phil and we'll be back to you guys in about 15 minutes. Always a pleasure to speak to one of the Eurobash favorites. And now we are joined by one of the stars of Eurobash, Amanda. that everybody always wants to hear from. It is KSW heavyweight champion Phil de Freese

who takes on Luis Enrique at KSW 50 this weekend. In the main event, of course. Phil, you were in Amsterdam on your way over to the event, I believe. How are you? And tell me where you're coming from, first of all. Oh, I'm great. I've just been over to Poland to do some press and stuff. I've just go back from the medical on Saturday,

I know, so I'm like double jet lag. I got a bad flight last night and everything. So I'm feeling a bit down. but I'm feeling good for the fight. A few days off, I'll be ready to go. Yeah, I saw you were over in ATT, right? Like, is this more time that you've spent an ATT ahead of a fight previously? It seemed like you had a big presence over there.

Maybe I have it wrong, but it seems like this is a big commitment you made to that camp ahead of this one. Yeah, I mean, I always go for five weeks, over five weeks again. But it's been a tough five weeks, you know. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, of course we know that you were initially meant to fight Grabowski. I can remember when I spoke to you. initially about that, you were quite excited about it. Was that a bit of a blow?

Did you fear that they wouldn't be able to replace him ahead of this one at all? No, I'm pretty confident in the ability to rematch fighters. You know, they have a small card. Each fight's in Portland, you know. So it was like four weeks out when I wound up found out, and Lewis took him on three weeks out, you know? So I thought they'd match it, you know? I thought they'd get somebody.

You know, Luis, like, I mean, how happy are you that he's stepped up? I mean, I think he shocked a lot of people with his debut against Michael in his first one. Were you surprised by that as well? Oh, yeah, he was a huge underdog. You know, I thought he was going to get stuffed, you know? But, like, he took advantage, like, And Ombachshack's got on a bit of a gas tank problem,

you know, very, very dangerous fighter. But at the second, he cast out, you know, but I don't think Lewis is far behind him, you know, so we'll see how his gas lasts on Saturday. I mean, what does it mean for you now, Phil? Like, headlining these events, it feels really big. The momentum you've picked up in Teas,

was absolutely unbelievable. Are these special events for you? Because they seem like they're getting more and more special. You're getting more and more hype every time one of these things comes around. Yeah, I mean, my band's definitely growing out here. You know, I got a lot more more interviews and a lot more questions and the interviews, a lot more band response, you know. So it's good, you know, and they're building me well.

You know, the promotion for this one was excellent. So I can't compare, you know, we'll see how it goes on Saturday, you know. Is it a new kind of pressure when you're coming home when defending the title, does it feel different than when it's in Poland? Nah, you know, when I'm in there, I couldn't care less where it is, you know what I mean? That door's locked.

Might as well be on the moon, you know, I couldn't care less. But I mean, it's, uh, nah, I couldn't care less where it is, you know? I mean, it's weird, right? Because we know your story, how you fought back from adversity and you find yourself on top of the game in Europe.

Like, I mean, was there ever a time where you thought maybe these headline spots, these huge events, you know, they weren't in your, in your future. I know, I know you had some anxiety issues and stuff like that. Like, I mean, it feels like you've, you've really climbed to the top of the mountain now. Was there ever a time where you're like, this, this won't happen for me? Oh, well, like, like, I said, the period when I lost a couple of fights and I lost to, like, you know, like, a little bit of politics. It was meant to be kind of, like, a step-over-up

guy from me. And I kind of hit the bottle for, like, six months. I was, like, pretty much alcoholics, you know, he's just not really, you know, like, I'm like, I'm a drug addict, and I would, like, totally friends, you know, saying, oh, I could have been this, I could have been that. Because in the gym, I always performed, you know. I was kicking people's ass in the gym. They were like, top, top you and see contenders, you know? So I thought, why aren't you doing this when you fight, you know?

So I honestly thought when I was totally done, then when my girlfriend got pregnant, I thought, you know, there's something wrong way you hear, so I got the anxiety sorted. And I thought, you know what, there's just cash out here for you, feel, you know, you've got to go out and try and make some good, good life your family, you know? So, you know, but there was a piece of it.

when I thought, this is done, you know. I thought I'm done with this. I hate it, you know. But luckily, I kind of switched about on, you know. That's incredible. So you were, like, I mean, you said there you were hitting the bottle pretty hard. Did you find that all? Oh, like, I was still working full time during the day.

And for about six months, I would get, like, a bottle of wine, like six cans or, like, half a bottle of whiskey every night. My mate, like, got no greed, you know. And I had the queues every now, but it definitely made me 10 times worse. So, like, I was, like, drinking, head. heavily every night then I'm amazed for that fight so I would get up in the morning

I would brush my teeth go do the rounds with them, help them get ready for their fight then brush my teeth against so I didn't speak a drink and go to work like luckily Boston I didn't realize

how hard I was hit and get home about 5 o'clock hit the bottle again you know good times but like at the time it was like helping the issues of the depression

the anxiety but in reality was making this 10 times worse you know we kind of spiraled down but honestly like a month after it happened when I started when I got the treatment that I'd stopped drinking and I was back at the gym and stuff.

I was like, was I an alcoholic for a bit there? I was definitely an alcoholic for quite a while there? Was it just that you were functioning so well? Like the way you were saying, you were brushing your teeth? I'd say you could be around people because you're such a big guy as well. I'd say you're well able to handle drink as well. Were you kind of one of these guys that was just a functioning kind of alcoholic and nobody would have really known?

Oh, well, like, funnily enough, but like, my day job, my work, like I'm a drug, drugs and drugs and alcohol counsellor, you know, that's what I do for me living, you know. And the people I was working with didn't have any idea I was doing, you know, but it was definitely bad times, it definitely, like, made my head a lot worse, but, I don't know, so I don't know, just one of those things, you know,

kind of, just something to do, hit the bottle, isn't it, you know? I'm glad that was my lock bottom, you know, and I've come back from it. Are you still doing that now? Are you still a councillor now, or is it just full-time fighting now? I've had two children now, and, in England, you can transfer the maternity leave over, so I've been off for like two and a half years and only been back for three months.

But I'm back to work the Monday after the fight. I've got to be shift for two days a week. But I like to work, you know. I like to work. I like the security of it. I like money going in my bank account every month. You know, it's a great job, you know. They're like really, really, really good company to work for.

They look after you and stuff, you know. But I mean, the company, they offer you, like, if you have mental health issues, they pay for, like, 10 sessions to go see a counselor. So when I kind of got the medication, then they are, they paid for the city of, like, 10 sessions. I know, that's got me a lot, you know. I really love working for them. That experience will probably help you in your job, though, right?

The fact that you can put yourself in these people's shoes. Like, you were there yourself. Like, that would only make you better at the job as far as I'm concerned. Oh, I mean, I like it's a... I love the job. you get a lot of satisfaction dealing with these people, you know, a lot of them have, like,

I mean, a lot of them, like you would say, all these people are scumbags, you know, but you haven't got a chance to be a scumbag when you've had the, when you've had the, people have had,

you know, like, that's how they've learned to survive, you know? Like, so you've got to kind of put yourself out there and help these people, you know,

and they can turn it around, you know, like that. Yeah, I mean, I always see that, it seems to me, like, when you're at home and you're not training you're with your kids,

you seem to love spending time with your kids and they just seem to worship you. And what... Oh, yeah. It's all about the kids now, all about the kids, everything I do, really. What do they think you do for a living? Like, do they understand that you're the champion? Do they understand that you are a badass, essentially?

Do they know what you do for a living? Nah, one of them is almost three. I think, I don't know, maybe she gets a drift of it, but I kind of like to keep it set. But I mean, I wouldn't have many events or anything, you know? I don't know. I don't know. would be like, I don't know, but I'll tell them, you know.

Sometimes I put my interviews, I like, oh, my dad's on the television and stuff, I like it, you know, but I'll tell them one day, but I don't think I'd get them heavily involved, but I definitely wouldn't push them to get involved in the sport, but if they wanted to, it would not be great, you know? Can you ever imagine bringing them to see you fight? Would you like that? Do you ever see that on TV? Like, sometimes, you know, you see Daniel Carmier bringing his kids,

or is that something, as you said, you'd like to keep separate? No, I don't think I'd like them there. you know, I'll worry about them, you know. I wouldn't be worrying about fighting the guy, I'd be worrying about their feelings and, like, I'd like, don't like it and stuff, I would stress about it, you know, so... Well, I mean, uh, like,

when they're all's enough to go by themselves, I'll be longer, you know, but I could watch the telly and stuff, but I wouldn't, like, bring them in, I'll get them in the cage or anything, you know, if that's not for me that. But I mean, it's great other people do, you know, but I, I'm, yeah, not for me. It's incredible.

Like, every time we speak to you, I feel like I learn something new about you, that makes it even more exceptional when you consider where you are now. Like, are you proud of yourself? Like, you should be. Like, I really feel like you should. Like, are you proud of where you've basically come from rock bottom to the champion of the world?

It's insane. Yeah, I mean, like, it's great that there is to help out there and stuff, you know? If it wasn't for the doctor and stuff, I wouldn't have turned this round, you know? And, like, a lot of, like, the campaign of a mental health, I didn't even, like, I don't even realize I had a mental health problem. I thought I was just, this was me. I was this person. I didn't even know what anxiety was until, like, campaigns and stuff, I educated with me.

But, yeah, I'm proud of myself. like just it's like it's made me a better father you know like i like i like i told you about how i'm like go and check the door like 20 times and stuff and like worrying about like leaving the dog out of home coming home i was like pretty much like quite quite insane person like now that like i'm a better dad but i'm not totally insane you know yeah and like did you feel like was the anxiety a separate thing to the alcoholism do you think like i mean was that two different things you had to deal with separately or was it all just one big complex situation I definitely drank to help with the anxiety.

When I was drunk, I didn't really feel anxious. You know, you kind of feel a little bit merry and stuff. I enjoy being drunk on the night and just in the morning when you feel like crap, you know, like during the day, then it's horrible, you know, but like I definitely drank because of the alcohol. I definitely think I would probably depressed for a while or two. You know, I think it's obvious that KSW will probably try to attempt

to make the Grabowski fight again if this goes according to plan and you come away with your handraised from KSW 50. But a lot of people seem to be talking about Bellator and KSW. And I honestly think that, you know, Czech Congo and Ryan Bader just fought to a no contest last weekend. But I feel like a fight between KSW champion Phil DeFries and Belator, heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, would be way bigger than anything they can really put on. And I know that isn't the fight that's ahead of you now. But I mean, would something like that appeal to you?

And we know that Bellator are putting on shows in Europe now. We know that they're trying to make a big imprint here. Like if something was to land on your desk like that, would that really appeal to you? Because I feel like you're in the best form of your life. And I don't think Bader has a challenger of your kind of cloth out there for him to challenge at the moment, you know? Oh, yeah, I would be sort of 100% in yesterday. Neither that old lies, you know. But, I mean, there's a lot of congs of it, you know, I think like what Bellator will do with lies

and they do like a champion versus champion fight. So I think they'll have to get Baylor to the fight for the K. your belt, then me challenged that belt straight afterwards. So I don't know the logistics but I'll be definitely up for cross-promotion fights. I mean admit my own called me out, you know, he said he'd like to fight me again, you know, a few weeks ago

before he got beat off of, Karakinov. So I've definitely definitely been messing cross-promotion fights, you know. Do you think they realize how different you are now because it just looks like a different guy in there? I mean, you're just, you're kind of breezing through these guys. It's really exceptional to

watch. Like, Narkoon's one of the best prospects, like he was considered one of the best prospects in Europe and you just breathed through him. It didn't even seem like, you know, it was all that difficult for you? I've been like, like I said, like years ago in the gym, I was fighting people like this and I was performing fantastically, you know? So I knew

it was in his. So, yeah, I'm definitely on a low, you know, I'm definitely in a low. And, you know, just finally, just tell me about Luis, like, how do you feel like you stack up against him? Like, I feel like you're going to have a big size advantage again here.

Yeah, I think I'm about 20, I'm quite, I'm heavy at the moment. I'm not heavier than my last fight. I really took care of my nutrition a bit better this camp and kind of ate. I wasn't eating the last time. I'm like, too well-looked after Holmes. I've been like making sure I was getting fed. But I don't think he likes, I don't think he likes sliding really much at all. I think he's in a rush to get grappling.

And I also think I'm a better grappling than him, and I think he's conditionally better, you know. He's definitely a good fight, he's not to be slept on. But I think really, I'll definitely get the job done within the distance. You know, sometimes I feel like, you know, you first reemerged, I felt like maybe people were looking at you, like, that's all Phil de Freeze. Do you feel like, you know,

fighters now have a newfound respect for you? They realize that you are one of the best heavyweights in the world? Yeah, I mean, like, my rankins increased fantastically, you know, like, I mean, like, I used to hate it, you could tell I never used to like it, you know? I don't know, I honestly, I didn't know, probably tear

pressure or something. But, like, my record dictates it, my lankan dictated to my attitude, you know, and like, even interviews and stuff, I can talk and have a bit of a crack now, You're brilliant. You're one of the best interviews in the world, man. It's incredible. I genuinely mean that from the first time I talk to you, I've been, every time I speak to you, I'm blown away by what you tell me. Honestly, you're a real open book, you know? Yeah, I might like, they've got to tell the truth, you know, the best policy, isn't it? I think that's why people relate to you as well, though, because not only are you doing so well in the cage, you're just this really relatable person, right? You're not trying to be someone that you aren't. Well, there's no point. I might lie, it's like, cringe you when you say, like, like, people who put me.

on the Conno McGregor laugh and stuff, you know. You've got to be yourself, you know, to be true to yourself in life. You're still like a tip, don't you? So we're not going to see you in a three-piece suit anytime soon, selling a bottle of whiskey now or anything like that? Whiskey. I haven't even tried it yet, so it's good. No comment.

I do like whiskey actually. I do like about whiskey, but I don't know. I think I don't know what this kind of thing, you know. I don't know if he's a good dude or not. I don't know that I've had to enjoy him getting money off me if he wasn't a good dude, you know. That's very true. That's very true.

Just finally, Phil, you know, when you look at this card, it's absolutely stacked. There's four title fights on it. Is there anyone there? Like, I'm a huge Roberto Solich fan. I love watching him fight, but is there anyone else on this card

that's really sticking out to you that you're really looking forward to? I mean, I always love to watch Norman fight, you know? He's great. And I like Drickis as well. Drickis will be good at middle. Like, maybe he's a good party. He's back, right?

Between him and Scott, you know? But, I mean, they almost had Soldick versus Sendex, you know, they were going to try and match it up, you know, I think, but it didn't come to fruition. That would have been insane. Yeah, they're trying to work on that, you know, but, yeah, Solnick's always going to watch.

I think you'll beat this kid, you know. That's a good sign, though, right? Because I did hear about that as well. They were trying to do daily and Saltit. So, I mean, that is a good sign in terms of you if they want to put you against a Mitrione or a Bader. Like, that looks good, right? That there is a relationship there.

There's something to build on. Oh, I mean, it's great It's got to get everything working for everybody You know Because like nobody like I think it would have to be like a tramp versus tramp things Like what if what if like

I mean I honestly think Soldick would beat daily I do think you would beat them What if he came over and worn that he had the belts Then you left with those like Decreased the stock of KSW Same with the other way around You know

So I don't know It must be a lot of moving past To get something like this working You know But I'm up for it You know We'll do it you know well that's all i got for you phil i can't wait to see your fight again again watching how

your career is turned around and how you've become one of the great heavyweights in the world is absolutely amazing and um i hope the success continues my friend and i i can't wait to see this me too thank you my girlfriend my girlfriend wants a new house you know so that's to keep continuing all right phil all the best mate i hope the flight is easy and um the fight week goes well great my thanks certainly i'd love you speaking man okay i'll sleep you later bye bye bye i never get tired of talking to fill the phrase man what an interesting guy what a great ambassador for the sport and how he's turned his life around man it's like a it's like a tyson fury nearly man it's unbelievable the more i talked to him about how low he was in them points the more impressed i am with him man

what a what a resurgence that man has had in his career now i have not been able to catch up with any of the fights right so i moved out my apartment the day before i went to abu dhabi because we're trying to save up for a mortgage or whatever i get back to my my parents house today to year-long mortgage quest, which should be painful. And the internet doesn't work in the house. Can't watch cage wires. Can't watch Bellator. You can imagine, Noel.

I have a short fuse a lot of the time. Yeah, you were grumpy, grumpy, peaty today, and I don't name you. After two days of not sleeping and getting back to that, I was pretty bad. It was probably a bad introduction to Peter back into the family home, we'll say. But what can you do? But lucky enough, Aaron Oyle-Magraal loves him some of M. he loves him some MMA and he's got our backs.

I don't fucking love it today because I watched too much it was a fucking slog I watched Cage Warriors and Friday night you know some fantastic car I can't say enough good things

about the cage warriors we'll get to that now in a second and Bella Tour then today and obviously you went to and the five chat exactly Jesus car man yeah it was

it was a heavy weekend of work for both of us but in different time zones and in different ways I guess but tell me first of all. How did it look? Did it feel good? Brilliant. Right from the get-go. Really impressive production, again, from BT Sport and Cage Warriors and what

they did. It looked great. Great advertisement from the sport. And, you know, the guys in commentary as well, Argo, buddy. Brad Wharton. Brilliant night, man. Unbelievable. I heard he was, like, particularly amazing. He was so on point, as he always is. Josh and him are just two animals, man. They really are. But I heard, like, the amount of praise I was seeing on line. for them. I was like, this is great, man. They deserve that, you know? Those guys have...

I'd love to see Brad in the UFC someday. Just on the mic. And I've said this for a long time. On ber, leave a... Brilliant. Just a passion comes through. The knowledge, the Panish. Absolutely fantastic. And I think the card actually, to be honest, Jamana, it's surpassed my expectations. I was dying to watch it. That's why I'm so pissed off. I was dying when I was watching it, with a hangover. So I was badly hung over. But I'll tell you what, man, right from the get-go. And listen, we didn't even predict that Pizzi. No, Carreuth came out of nowhere. It was just crazy.

The power that kid has in his hands, man. Insane. A lot of people were telling me, though, I was sleeping on him because I thought that was a tough first round draw against. Scott Malone. And then he just plants him up. And I was like, I was just there, what?

Is this it? And then that little beautiful rats tail he has, it was just like... What was Kovacevic and Reed like? Was that a good fight? Yeah, listen, man, all the fights were really, really good. The Kovisavich and Malone would have been my front row. I mean, sorry, Reed,

Milan would have no right there. And the thing obviously about Cartwright's win is, because it came after like, what, 40 seconds or something, it was really, really early on in the fight. 49 seconds. Covachevich Reed obviously went to distance. That was an immediate advantage for Cartwright

because he literally was like two shots and the fight was fecking over. I can't believe I haven't seen this. It was so good, so impressive from Cartwright. The guy just looks like a stone cold killer and the guy's in SBG Manchester. Actually, John Tragger was texting me during the fight and he was gone,

Saul Rogers was telling him about this guy going into it, how good he is, watch out for him and stuff like that. And man, the guy went in and in the final, like, it was just obviously the main event, even. I'll talk about the other fights in a second. I'm pissed off, this and you did it again. Just did it again. And you were just like, this guy was making his,

Cage Wars debut. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I can't unplug one of their biggest shows of the year. It's a fucking rags to riches story, fairytale story. Watch out for that right hand, man. I'm telling you. Can I ask you about another day?

debut because it was Mr. Paul Hughes. I'm so glad to see him in Cage Wars. He wanted to be in Cage Warriors for so long. So bad. And I believe it was a resounding debut. Tell me about him. Unbelievable. And I tell you what. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. The thing I was most impressed about it. And I said to see you off air a few minutes ago, I said, the kicks that Paul took in the early stages of that round, obviously he got the finish in the first round. But he took a lot of really hard leg kicks that sort of put him off guard. But he's, adjusted so well he brought the fight to where he was comfortable

bit of dirty boxing up against the cage grappling up against the cage and he took him down because he knew he was in trouble against the bigger guy in the feet. So well around it isn't he? So clever, great fight IQ and got the choke. A debut I'll tell you what. A good time to make a debut as a bantam weight

with that situation going on but why was he fighting 164 kilos? I mean, sorry, 164 pounds. It was obviously a late addition to the card so that's why the weight class. That's incredible. 30 pounds heavier

than his fight, wait, like, that's what I mean. And to go out and do that and to adjust as well and use the IQ, as I was saying,

he realized straight away, this guy's, you know, a lot bigger on the feet, is going to give me problems. Took it to where he thought he could win the fight. Excellent IQ from him.

What about my boy? Cage warriors, just say, if people hadn't heard, they sign him to a five fight contract directly after that fight. And let's talk about Ian Gary, the man.

Brilliant. Everybody's talking about in Irish. Brilliant. Absolutely. I saw to finish. All right. Incredible.

but I was dying to watch the fight and I just couldn't and it was a good one from him again yeah really good performance he got like a good smack in the nose at the start he did he did like he was taking a few digs in that round but really this is Tom Merns he's going on against

this fellas I mean sorry not Tom Arns you got a Segliarro yeah but Seggley was tough dude man the guy was no mug you know this guy gave me and Gary a few hard shots as well a few hard leg kicks yeah a little bit of a test and then ultimately ultimately got that question mark kick. It sort of grazed off the side of his chin.

And then he followed in with a knee, I think sort of just missed the knee. But you could tell straight away, people were saying it was a bad stoppage. I didn't think it was a bad stoppage. It was a perfect stoppage. It was a really good stoppage. His corner were going insane.

I was like, lads, come on. Your fighter's on the ground. He's curled up. He's not fighting back. Fights over. Really good stoppage. And I'm really, really just happy with Cage Warriors and especially what Graham Boylan said afterwards as well

that we're going to rebuild. mixed martial art scene in Ireland. It was a definite statement from Boylan. And he said, Reese McKee's going to be on the card. Gary, he said, Hughes is going to be on it. He said McCalligan's going to be on it. All their top. James Webb?

Yeah, well, James Webb. You'd imagine so, wouldn't you? Yeah. But, you know, any in Gary's corner as well, royalty, you know, you have Cage Warriors' legends there in Carl Pendrett and, you know, Chris Fields. Savage. And James Webb was there in his corner as well,

so. It didn't go well. to see. I'm just seeing it didn't go well for Craig White. No. Absolutely insane performance from Louise Glessman. He's very good man. That's a tough fight. That's worked with Marco Madsen who we'd on the show last week or the week before

I think it was. Unbelievable stuff for him. That was like three months ago we had him on. Was it three months? There you go. M.MA has just got my head done in. I was thinking of Mads-Bernel. Sorry, my bad. He was talking about Mads Brunel. He's trained with all these guys and he's just looked so well-rounded.

a time there to happen. The wrestling, man. It's just the wrestling. It's just like, what is going on there? What are they feeding these kids? But Craig White would be very disappointed in his performance again. It didn't last too long to fight either. And, you know, it was a verbal submission as well, Pee-T.

So, disappointing one for Craig. Clisman does look to shit, though. I have to say, I'm very, very excited to see what's next for him. John McCulligan and Medi Ben Lactar, man. I saw the last round of it. Is Joe ever in an unexciting fight? Ever? He's a savage.

an animal. Man, that guy, I was texting him on Sunday. But many been like there as an animal too, man. Oh, he's like, both these guys are savages. It was fair in the end.

Joe will feel as though it got away and I was texting. Just the last round, yeah. The last round, he got his nose, bust open. Like, that's what I was looking. I was like,

that's always, it changes your gas tank. It changes everything once that happens. You know what I mean? The resolve from Joe McCallgan to hang in there, he was getting absolutely pummeled

at one point. Yeah. And to hang in there and stay in just shows you what a tough, tough, tough, gutsy, you know, posh,

resolute, posh, fat-headed contender, Joe McCauagan is, man. It's all about the curls, man.

It was impressive. If you have curls, you're tough. I think it was one of those weekend, just in general, the weekend of mixed martial arts, it was one of those ones

where there was a lot of feel-good stories, and I think Joe's is one of them as well to hang on in there and get a draw. After, you know, being so good in the first two rounds, it was,

it was brilliant. Don't stop believing. Don't stop believing. Hold on to those girls. But really good fight and I am interested to see as well, obviously, what Joe said after the fight, if that's going to come to fruition, you know, calling out. Patty Pimlet again. Look, make the fight.

He's wanted him for ages. Boy, I will say, I don't want Patty rushing back. I really don't want him rushing back. His hand is in a bad way. Yeah, it is in a bad way. Like, he was very honest for me ahead of that submission thing. Like, I mean, he seems, I think it's only 20-20 before we see Patty at least. Yeah, I think so.

you know from what you've said to me and you know Patty did I tweeted out and Patty can retweet so that there is a bit of heat there already and there's been heat for a while people make out that Patty is in game man he's one of the game as motherfuckers in the game he's just being very unfortunate

he's fought injured like so injured like where his team are like stop and he just won't yeah listen I can understand my Joe's you know oh yeah like that's part of the game I would love that fight

I would love that fight yeah I've said it for a long time but you Jack Cartwright as he said he went on to win the main event against Kovacevich. What a story. But listen, listen, man. Last two guys who held that title went to the UFC.

Do you think he looks like a contender? Like he got, he good. Well, I think because he makes it short work with him. You don't know what? It's actually pretty hard to gauge because he went in and just bond. You need someone to give my hard time. Yeah, you need someone to give him a hard time and see what is, you know, if he can come back through adversity and stuff like that.

But like, on first looks, holy fuck, we've got a guy who's writing the fast path to the UFC. Listening to you talk about this is making me. even more angry about not seeing it. You've really solidly. Oh, I've tried. I've tried. Anyone who hasn't, I know, yeah, I know.

But anyone who hasn't watched it, do go check that back out and you have to five passes. It was phenomenal. Like, the guys are on that card, like, I've covered them pretty, like a long, long time.

All these guys are Gary and Joe and, yeah, piss me off, not be able to see it, man. It would fucking upset me. So I was on to, like, as I said, I was on, I was on to Joe the next day, and he's, he's game to go down and fighting cork

and, you know, Reese McKee. I was on to Reese as well. Reese was asking me for live updates. He couldn't fucking get the card up. So I was doing commentary to Reese and on Joe's fight and a couple of other fights. So yeah, listen, you know,

hopefully everything goes off. We said this couple of weeks ago. Without a hitch for Cage Warriors. I'd be down on Cork. I hate Cork. I hate people from Munster. I love Cork. But shut up, Pizzi.

Get out of my house. It's a savage city, man. Do you really not like Cork? I hate people from Munster. Oh, yeah, because they're a rugby. Yeah. I'm only messing. No, no, listen.

I like Cork. It's a savage city, man. But yeah, no, I'm very much looking forward to that. And I think it will be amazing to see Cage Warriors put on a badly needed show there and for all go off without a hitch. So unbelievable night from Cage Warriors. Super pumped after it. Did it help the weekend nicely?

Jesus. Let's have a look at the Belder. Will you stop? Let's look at the Belder 2-26 card. There was some huge wins for the Europeans in that Better Way tournament. I only saw the finishes. But holy shit, man. Adam Barrage is an animal

He is an absolute savage Pedro Carvalio is a savage Oh my God man We're going to take that tournament It's coming home to Europe I feel it I tell you what man I wouldn't Bet past Pedro Carvalio after that performance He's so well-rounded man he's so good

So good even early on he was switching up his stances And he was thrown knees and body He landed one massive body kick in Cecilia Cecilia did take him down twice in the first round But looks so comfortable off his back And obviously in that's the second round then got the face crank in on Sam

Cecilia for the victory. Yeah, Sam, as we said, was a little bit reckless, but that's what you're going to get and it is that pressure that's a test. It's a unique test. It is a test.

Sam's a bloody good fighter man. But Pedro was very cool, calm, calculated, and ultimately he got the job done. This guy is, this guy is going places, dude. You weren't happy with that main event? Absolutely garbage.

You know, Czech Congo, come on. He's five years past his cell by day. Ryan Bader, it looked like he sort of grabbed his nose and it was the upper cut actually about 10 seconds beforehand that did the damage on his eye as far as I was concerned so I'm not sure why Mike Beltran jumped in for me it should have been to stop the fight

because it looked like he punched him then the eye obviously swole up about 10 seconds later the eyes started closing and then checkpointed towards his eye and that was ultimately the way he viewed it ended in a fucking no contest clearly his eye was injured but again you know

I'm not for these main events when you guys like what we've seen on the undercard there light it up let's get KSW champfield of freeze

in there against Brayder next if he gets through of course Luis Enrique because look he's clearing out his division on KSW Bayter's obviously clearing out his division if he's fighting Czech Congo come on

like also just want to note that on the undercard Ashley Grimshaw's over the loss to John Cheshire did not see him bad get elbowed up stitched across the top of his eye underneath there and he's quite a handsome man

oh he's not handsome anymore mate oh yeah was it was it was nasty that the stitches yeah i saw the the stitch job today fuck really bad really bad well look we get on with our second interview of today yeah i think we have to mention just just obviously adam barrage as you said unbelieve performance stopping pack oh yeah sorry i only referenced that for the for the first time um in pat turns long and illustrious career. This guy is a fucking savage as well. Another flying name, man. How would he keep whacking this on people?

That's like turred and bellator and four fights. It's unbelievable. Skinned him on the side of the head, sort of got him to the temple, fell to the ground and just the really impressive thing about that. For me, again, was for such a young guy to not like literally rush in.

He picked his shots really well on the ground, got the stoppage, unbelievable performance. And we have to say, Emmanuel Sanchez as well, it was really, really good against Tyman and Claxton. Overcame a bit of adversity in the first round. really comfortable again off his back

got in a triangle choke at the end of second round to advance also in the tournament I really enjoyed the feather away Daniel Strauss didn't get the win didn't and I looked like a shoulder it could be popped out again I think it could be actually in relation to the motorcycle insid they were saying on the broadcast so

tough one for Daniel Strauss you know nothing but respect for Strauss nothing but respect for a guy who's literally to learn to walk again incredible competitor and at least but listen I just hope he uh I hope everything's all right for him and his his injuries. Yeah, well, let's get on with this, the second interview of the day. It is the Bellator 227 main event fighter.

He will be taking on James Gala. It is Carl Eleanor. And great to speak to this guy. And great to see him doing so many media rounds in Ireland here. He's Indian Ireland, yeah. Oh, he was doing everything. He was virgin media. He was talking to everyone.

So, look, great to see this guy getting his name out there, making this event, like trying to forcing the narrative against James Galley. He certainly is. And, you know, after speaking to him, you can feel how confident he is. can feel he wants that big upset and I'm looking forward to even more after talking to him. So we'll talk to Carl now and we're back in about 10 minutes. And now we are joined by the man who is coming to Dublin to take out one of the prodigal sons of MMA in this country. He's in Ireland today doing the media rounds and I've been lucky enough to snare a few minutes with him.

It's Mr. Carl Eleanor, Carl Pacino, as he's known in the business. How are you, sir? And how is today going for you? Today is going awesome, mate Yeah, I'm great Got some really good training At East Coast last night Me and Ellis Younger just came out of here

And just lapping it up, mate It's awesome Met some cool, great With the age Seeing the arena where I'm about the fight It's everything's going great You were out in East Coast Jiu-Jitsu at Darrell Connell

Where are you? How was the reception there? Was anyone trying to cut you or anything like that Trying to throw a few slow your elbows into here or anything? Funny enough, I've got to cut out to me eye

last night from another but nah that was an accident it's only a small thing it was there now obviously my grappling coach Ellis at North East

Jigua else young guy he's affiliated with East Coast so we'll come out here to train sometimes I was out here a few weeks back

and then back out here now and then back out here fight week getting the train with Dara and stuff so it's awesome yeah the reception's great like obviously

all the lads there super cool and some killers on the match you know so it's a really good training so it's always good to come back out here and train

yes they're really putting on the international map, it has to be said, a great bunch of lads there in Monkstown. But I suppose we have bigger things to talk about here, Carl, because you are taking on one of the most polarising figures in mixed martial arts, James Gallowher, at the end of this month in the three arena. Now, I saw a video you did with my great friends, Raptors, MMA, and it's fantastic.

I saw you speaking about the fact that you're coming onto Irish soil, and you're really embracing that. Like, I mean, even before this fight was booked, I was saying it should be booked. I thought your win over Nathan Grayson was a fight that showed everyone how elite you are. And now we're finally here. But how good was it initially to get that call and say, you've got this fight, Cal? It was great, you know, it's finally just, I feel like I'm finally, people are starting to realize that I'm to be taking seriously. You know, I feel like in the past, like, people have mentioned me and, you know, kind of disregarding me skillsets because it's not really watching much of my footage or seeing many.

me fights but I feel like finally like it's getting to the point now where people actually are taking notice and thinking like actually you know what like this kid is good you know like obviously you can see like all around I think I bring good attributes you know I feel like me striking is good my wrestling school my girlfriend's good and I feel like as far as like hard goes I feel like you know I feel like I'm tough as old boots and people say that and I've got no quitting is and that's why I feel like now people are starting to finally get behind us and build us up a bit you know because I feel like people are starting to realize like I'm actually a good fighter and I'm actually a good fighter and And so it's regards as like the fight coming,

I kind of always seen it happening, but I kind of always at the same time thought that it would maybe give James easier fight. Whereas now I feel like, yeah, I'm getting the recognition I deserve. And it's the sensible fight to make, as you said yourself. You know, realistically, I know I've got two lost summary right up, but I only have one really,

and it's the same as James, he's nine and one, and both finishing fights in Belletor. So it was the perfect domestic fight to make, you know, in Europe, in Delatow Europe, you know what I mean? It's the fight that made sense, so it's great to finally see that the views ahead and did it, you know, and put this fight together, I feel like it's going to be an amazing one. And we're both kind of like to do similar stuff and we're both gaming, you know, and we're both targeted up and stuff like that.

So it's going to be fantastic fighting. It's going to be a great event to be fighting on, and especially main event, and I can't wait to just dare even get it done now. It's all I'm thinking about, you know? Yes, yes, absolutely. And I mean, when I think about you, you know, as an opponent and, you know, I think about the fact that you've been over there in South Africa. Look, I mean, you are no strange to going into people's backyards, right? I mean, this is a thing that you've kind of built your career on.

Yeah, that's it. Like, fighting in these hostile environments, I just feel it brings out the best in me. Like, I feel like these are the fights I want to be involved in, you know? I feel like it's about being out of your comfort zone, like fighting's wild anyway. So what's, you know, like, what's more crazy than going to? having a full-on fist fight with someone. So it's like, it doesn't matter where it is, you know. Like, this is what I live for.

And these memorable nights in these crazy environments is what I want my career to be based on. I'm just trying to fight the best people in the most hostile environments ever and just build a legacy on that. And they're coming to Dublin now and it's going to be sold out and stuff like that and walking out and seeing that pretty much everybody there's wanting me to lose. It's just going to make it's want to win even more.

So it's just like, and I've got zero pressure on my shoulders here because a lot of people who don't even know what I am or column as a bum or column as a journeyman I haven't got a clue like if you keep the time to watch one of me fights you'll see I'm far from it and you'll see that

I've got zero quitting it and that's why I just feel like there's no pressure on me at all everyone's expecting him to win anyway so I'm just going to come here and have a dog fight room and I just definitely see myself winning it and putting them away

so it's going to be a memorable night for me for sure one that I'll remember forever you know you mentioned that there and that's something that I don't really hear it from people who know the sport people who are involved in the sport but certainly, you know, the Twitter trolls kind of came out when this fight was announced,

like, oh, call as a can. Now, we know that's far from the truth. And most of the coaches, most of the fighters in the game, no, that's not the truth. But how is that? Like, I mean, it's a whole new level, right? I mean, you're over in Ireland doing all these TV spots. You're getting trolls coming at you probably

in a more serious volume than ever. Is it a new kind of thing? Like, is it a bit of a weird feeling? No, it's kind of, it comes to the territory. You know, like I feel like it's what you've got to expect. Like if you put yourself out there, the more you get promoted, the more people don't want to see it. You know, like, you see people doing good things,

and there's always going to be bitter, sour little people who couldn't dream of actually putting it all on the line themselves. So when they see people actually doing it, they kind of, they hate it, you know, they hate people doing well. People who have got these own insecurities and their own problems in life, just want to shut other people down who's trying to make somebody themselves. So still be expected. Like their comments don't bother me in the slightest.

fact I actually, I actually like enjoy them getting them because it just means that I'm doing something right. And it's building, you know, like it builds my name even more. Like the more people who see in my bum and that, the more, the more to even less pressure on me. And the more that when I do go there and fighting people see how, how much of a rough fight I do bring, then they're going to see, like, it's just going to promote me even more. So let them think and let them see what they want, you know. Like, they didn't all see that, but when the fight's done, they'll see. I can't really, I'm not really bothered about it in the sight.

It's all it's doing is just fueling my fight. I want to make it's want to win even more. So I just can't wait. It's just every even fight now. It's a big one. As far as I'm concerned, like, I mean, the level of attention, James' name alone brings to a fight. You know, do you see this as the one that's going to put you on the map internationally

is basically what I'm trying to ask? Like I feel like Ricky Bandeas got a huge shot after he beat James and he handed him his first career loss. but as you kind of said in the Raptors documentary this one's even sweeter right because you get to go into Dublin that would be a huge international story

if this was to happen right? Yeah definitely like he completely like just completely misread the way I was saying that and he James has put that out there as if I'm accepting defeat by being real and seeing that in a two-horse race one can win and one can lose

but that's the way it is it's fighting you know like it happens I'm not I'm not coming here to lose at all. In my thing, I was just saying, like, at the end of the day, I'm winning regardless just because I'm here, look, I'm main eventing a huge card with some superstars on. That's what I meant by that. But if he thinks I'm coming here to lose,

then let him think that's, you know what I mean? It's going to make him be even more, you know, not even training the way he should be. Like, let him think that. Let him think I'm going to be an easy fight, and it makes my job on the night even easier. But, yeah, definitely that's it. Like, if I win this fight,

like, it's going to propel my career at levels that, like, that I've never known you know and it's where I believe I should be anyway so that's that's why I've always wanted this fight that's why I've called them out for so long and message that at all and the matchmakers and stuff like

I continuously just all the time since me Nathan Grayson fight because I know stylistically like I can bring trouble to James and I definitely think I can't beat him so it's like why wouldn't I want that fight you know the chance to elevate my career like that after just one fight at the end of the

it's just three five minute rounds like who cares I'll fight anybody any ban on the planet. It's just a fight at the end of the year and I definitely see myself winning it so why wouldn't I want to take that chance and how sweet would it be to beat them here? Like I'm going to be walking out there

or a sore let the rain end or a full thing of people who's wanting me to lose there. It's like if I'll win there, that's 15,000 people who know I am into me and that's not without the live stream or whatever or live on television and stuff like I talk to massive, massive, massive, like Korea, massive move.

Yeah, huge move of my career in the right direction so why wouldn't I want that? You know what I've dreamed about my whole life? So I'm just coming here and I'm coming to win. So I can't wait. Does it make it easier when a lot of people don't like this guy? I mean, you've mentioned it there yourself. You and him are kind of having a back and forth at the moment.

Does that make it even better for you? The fact that, you know, there is a bit of bad blood here going into this fight. And will that make it sweeter again? Yeah, definitely. Especially someone who's, like, as you know yourself, like I'm always a respectful kind of fight, you know, I've never really got much to really say

in regards of, like, disrespect and anyone like that, but at the same time, like, James disrespects me, saying like, this, that and the other, and he's disregarding his skill set. So, yeah, it's definitely going to be even sweeter to get to go in there and put him away, especially, you know, like, at the end of the day, like people have problems with world colleagues.

That's what James is at the end of the days with work colleagues. It's just amazing for me that I can get to go in there and punch him in the head, you know, so it's like, it's fantastic. and it's going to be fun you know to the buildup the whole buildup is going to be fun and it's just going to be one of them things

that I remember forever so like you know what I mean I'm just buzzing first just finally Cal like how do you see this one finishing like I'm sure you like a lot of fighters you know visualize how a fight can happen visualize the bad spots

visualize the good spots what do you think is the most likely way this kind of goes this fight I just say me bringing a disgust and fight a James one that he's not kind of enjoy at all when he realizes that I'm not going to quit that's when he's going to break. Whether it comes by a knockout or submission, it's going to come,

but I just don't say going the distance. I do say me putting them away in one of them's fashions, you know, I don't say this going at the end at all. I feel like I will either bang him out or I'll catch his neck or something and choke them. And either way I'll be happy, like, regardless, I'm just coming to win. I'm not coming for any decisions. I've had decisions to go against me before when I've won in someone's backyard. I'm not letting that happen here, so it'll be killed.

and I just say me putting them away, mate. Cal, I am even more excited about this fight after speaking to you. I've never heard someone describe something as they're going to put on a disgusting display, but that's made me very excited, I must say, my friend. I'm looking forward to seeing you in Dublin. I can't wait for the fight, and thank you so much for getting onto us and having a word. Thanks for your time, mate. I really appreciate it, brother. Thank you.

We'll talk again in a couple of weeks time, my friend. And thank you very much to Carl Eleanor. I'm really, really looking forward to that fight. What a name. Yeah, it's a really cool name, man. It sounds like a movie star or something. It's not quite an 11th of Niall McGrath, but it's not, it's not normal Graham. Yeah.

I have a shit name. Peter Carroll is just so bogg standard. It's like John Smith. Yeah, it really is. It could be like, I don't know. A librarian. Peter Carroll. Librarian.

Jesus Christ. The local copper. The man of books that have gone missing if you're a librarian. You sell the back of a van. You're dying. The flight. It's those airplanes. They're disgusting.

Oh, man. Tell you, they're around you. The man, I was sitting beside two women on the way home and they just, they need to go to the bathroom

every 10 seconds. Oh, nothing worse. The last one, like, she's leaving. And she's like, 20 minutes left on the flight. She's like,

ha, this is the last time, I promise. Well, you've done it 16 times over the last eight hours. So, I mean. Nothing worse. Oh, I was ready to kill. She should have kicked her.

I think a pent, I had all this pent up braid. Shut, I kicked her. I got all this pent-up rage, but I didn't do anything with it. Then I got home and I couldn't watch Cage Warriors and I had a full-blown meltdown. I was, I'll tell you what happened. I was similar as that before. I just rang you and shouted on the phone for like three minutes and hung up, I think.

I was coming back from Vegas. I think was Maymac and there was this guy kept standing up behind me. And, you know, putting the hand in the seat on three seats. Oh, I hate that. Right. And I actually, right, I went. Yeah, you're speaking Italian. And this is like after, no, good two errors of me, literally, as you said, you're about knocking off and you got welcome up.

It's so fucking annoying. When you're absolutely shoo. after like probably hour's sleep in two days and I just went how do you fucking stop could you please stop

fucking me and he was like I'll like just fucking sit there get your hand off my seat and went nuts he said what did he say in Italians are you

he was like yeah la but chill al lo I don't know what he said and I was just go sit down mate I'll fucking end this

right here right now and it could have got messy but I just I did you leave your seat alone then? I'm getting angry

even thank you did you did you leave your seat alone after that well then then job done so it's fine

um Right, I guess we look at the UFC card first. Monstrous main event. Do you feel like Justin Gaichie is kind of, he feels like if he wins this fight, he could potentially be on that McGregor? Yeah, what I think he is. Conner's running out options here.

Yeah, that's, as we said, a few minutes ago on the show, and there is very lack of options from Mr. McGregor. And, you know, potentially the winner of this fight is probably going to fight Connor, in my opinion, because, you know, you're real-knout Ferguson.

You know, Mazbidal, Ruvreda, Diaz. Unless you're going to look back, someone further down the life. Habib, like, I mean, yeah, Ferguson and Habib has to happen, but I did get some feelings that, like, in that press comments, like, Dana White wasn't, like, he was leaving a little caveat at the end, like, if Tony accepts it. That's what annoys me. Like, I tweeted out of it as well, and, like, I don't know, fuck this shit. You're not, you're not going after the money fight again here. This has already

been a black mark in the sport, as far as I'm concerned with Tony Ferguson, not getting a fight. A lot of people agree with it. A lot of people agree with you. It's a pace take, man. And, you know, to a certain extent, we haven't mentioned his name today, but, Colby Covington, the same thing sort of seems to be happening with Usman. Apparently, Usman was a big part of the negotiations that fight not coming through from what you believe. Usman was a guest fire in Abu Dhabi. Yeah, that's what we were told. Yeah, that's what we were told. It wasn't officially by the UFC, didn't tell us around, but that's what we were told. That was the line, yeah, that's the word around. And then Caldby, I think Calby said to Ariel today on Ariel's show that there's been a little bit of a falling out, he believes,

between Usman and Ali Abdel Aziz as agent. I don't know how much you're going to read into that for what Calby says, but it's another an interesting little bit of narrative going into this I feel but you know Colby does have to be that like I don't want Colby to turn into the Tony Ferguson of the lightweight division where we see the Weatherway Division should I say and have this prolonged period of time where he's not

going to get a title shot so right well I mean so Soroni and Gaetius who do you feel will come out with that one I think you have to look at Gaichi here in this one it's just the fore pressure how good his leg kicks are he matches up excellent take down the fence he's a really good wrestler obviously as well and there's too many areas there

that he's going to trouble cowboy and I think especially you know the kickboxing range as well with those leg kicks as well it's not going to be as much of an issue for him even if he has to stay at range for certain periods of the fight he can get inside he can box

and he can do a lot of damage and that's been always been a problem for for cowboy Seroni you know when he's on the on the back foot and guys breathing down on him so I will favour Justin Gatchett he's going to get the finish Peter Carl's really falling asleep here I can't believe that I literally dozed it

am that boring fucking no it's nothing to do with you I'm joking, I know, I know. But I do really, really fancy Justin Gagey to win this one. Nikita Kroyloff is back. I love this guy. He got back to winning ways after a bad start. But Glover Tachere is no easy out, man.

No easy out there. Yeah, I'm, yeah, it's one of those fights. Like I felt like Kroyloff when he was going to come back and he fought Yan, I was like, oh, this is a big way to make a statement. It just didn't happen. Jan is criminally underrated though, but. Yeah. That fight apparently fell out with John Jones as well in negotiations for that one.

That was meant they were looking at MSG for that. Yes, they were in. indeed so that's not happening apparently and um listen yeah it's one of those fights grand it's a decent fight it's a good fight you know two gaykeepers they're never going to be world champions let's have a look down then for more europeans um top duffy's first fight in four years looking for seen him back um misha serkenoff from um lafia right yeah lapia latfia yeah canadian laugh yeah okay it's lafia mate um He's going in against Jimmy Crout.

Yeah, who we saw taking on Paul Craig before. I think that's a tough match for Crout to be honest. But if he got the win there, it'd be huge. Marson Tabura also takes on Augustus Akoi. See any other Europeans there? Marvin Vittori, of course, against Andrew Sanchez. Marvin Vittori looked very good in his fight back after that with Sadaband. He did, yeah.

I think he's very underrated too, to be honest. He fought Stoylbender very well. He did, indeed. That's all the Europeans on that card. So let's take a look at KSW 50. I love this card. Of course I do. Four title fights.

I mean, KSW madness. Absolutely savage. Phil de Frees and Luis Enrique. I mean, Phil beats Louis, which I feel he will. Like, basically does the Grabowski fight there

and then he's going to have to start going back to the guys has already been. Yeah. So if he does this. Ryzen, get involved. Reison or Bellator something, man. Like the guy is in a new vein. He is absolutely looking savage now. And he has this new confidence, a new mindset.

Really can't wait for it. Solich and Kinkle. That's a competitive fight, but I still feel as though Salich is just an animal. He's a fucking beast, man. Yeah. And then Norman Park. Yeah, but there's Thomas Narkoon as well for the 205 title against Macyala. And yeah, Norman Park, man.

If he got that belt on. That's a big one. Imagine him other shit. He's going to talk to gamer if he wins this man. He's going to be straight onto the camera. Oh, yeah. And Jesus Christ, that would be a great. fight like. Yeah and I think we need to get

a definitive climax of this trilogy between the two and I think it'd be great if Norman did win that. I think the fact that Marison Marcik usually fights at 45 I feel like Norman it's not the type of guy you want to be coming up in white to fight because Norman's huge man. Norman's like an Irish

Kabib he can just like when you're up against the cage against him and he's just such a nightmare to deal with isn't he? He's just relentless man and this could be a big one for him man really really big one I think it is and Damien Janikowski if he don't know, he's a famous wrestler over there, and he has fought the hardest fights. Like, I mean, he's been top and, like, fighting top of the food chain.

That's what KSW do. You're not getting an easy fight there. You are going straight to the lions, mate, and whatever happens, happens. It's not like Balletor, yeah. Yeah, that's basically what I'm trying to say. Jason Radcliffe on the card as well, you know, but I'm really interested. This is actually quite a thing to watch here. Drickus du Placis is moving up to, I know he's fought a middleweight.

He's won the middleweight toilet. EFC, but if he gets a win here, Drikas, that's a huge fight for Scott Ascombe. That would be a great fight for Scott Ascom, man, because Drickas is a savage. Like, I mean, we're talking about Don Madge and how brilliant he's going to be for South Africa. Drickus is another guy, he was a huge in South Africa.

Yeah, there's definitely the names are coming through from South Africa, and I think it's great to see. And there is, it's like an invasion. Shaheen told me, Shahi told me, you know, interesting stat there while we were over there. And he was talking about Don Madge. He did a great feature on Don Madge for the athletic

talking about his modeling career and stuff. which Don Madge hates, speaking about by the way, hates it. Yeah, now, Don's one,

he's like sort of, he's reluctantly handsome. Yeah, he's reluctantly handsome. He sort of wears the nail polish in the hands at times of the dark stuff and,

but, man, he is, and he is a phenomenal story behind him. He lives in Thailand for like three years and he actually fought to eat. That's how broke the guy was. Crazy story.

But he had like 100 fights when he lost four. Yeah. As a foreigner going to Thailand, that's insane. And if anyone has never seen his fights in the UFC, there's two that he actually lost to Leon Minor,

I think it is. They were just, that's how I got on the Don Madge bandwagon long, long time ago. Oh, check them out. Brilliant, brilliant fights to watch. So guys,

I think they're on YouTube, so you get them up there. It's also the return of Catherine Costigan. Yeah, Catherine, yeah, yeah, she's back after. The alpha female.

God, I couldn't tell you the last time Catherine fought. It's a long, long time. She obviously had, you know, spinal fusion surgery and things like that going on, but it's a long, long time since

to be seen Catherine in there. Put Limerick on the map, yo. That's it. And it's great to see her back, but, you know, that time out, you know, two and a half years, what she's going to be like, you know,

that next year of age. Yeah, so it's going to be a tough one I feel for Catherine, but you have to admire her, her resilience and desire to get back in there. Oh, absolutely, man. She's a testament. She's done great things down there and pancreasian, MMA and Limerick for,

the development of, especially female, mixed martial arts and the young girl she has down there. It's amazing what she's done. So I wish her the best. I think it's what, I think it was Cage Warriors. Is that right, Cage Wars 81? won the last time she fought. Yeah, so a long, long time ago,

but looking forward to seeing that one as well. I'll be tuning this weekend. It's a right card. Right, can I go to bed now? I am dying. You can. I have to go and drop the car at Elaine's house and then walk back to my house,

which is... Where's Reggie, but I? He's in Alliance. Oh, God. No, I'm getting them back tomorrow. It's joint custody, man. It's joint custody. But I am dying.

What are you going to do with me? Your other adopted son. You're going to come and sleep in the bed with me. You're going to be to my new cuddle partner. but I'm hanging on by a thread here, lads. All right. Thanks for to Noel McGrath for basically pulling me through this episode this week. He dragged me.

Great week of work, Psy. Fair play to you, buddy. Oh, man, but, like, it's all Casey and Esther, man. They are absolute, I can't tell you. Like, I mean, anyone could have done my job this week. I'm not even, I'm not even messing. You could have went in and done the exactly the same thing. It's just, they're just unbelievable.

Yeah, they're fantastic. Obviously, you know, we know them years. Like, they're OGs, like, and, I was so nervous, man. Because I was like, what if I'm just shit, like, and I just haven't found out yet, because they're going to know. They've worked with all the best, and they're just going to know really quick. And the confidence they gave me, not like, they weren't like, you know,

oh, you're amazing any of this, but they just, they had, you could tell they were like, you can do it, like, you know. I think, yeah, it's very important when you people around you, you're confident in them and you know how good their product's going to be. So, yeah, always, I was like nervous. Yeah, it was unbelievable. Like, you don't, like, Casey is like, um, before you interview someone he might just say to you like oh it be funny if you asked them

and every time i did it it was like the biggest hitter like he said to me and like the paul fell the thing he goes he goes he says to me he goes maybe just ask him if he thinks like other commentators are shitty sometimes and that's what i asked them at the end and it was like the funniest part of the whole interview he's like joe rogan but uh look it was an absolute pleasure i'm just destroyed and i need to go back and sleep for three days and somehow get internet working in my house so uh yeah Bator. I actually

really fell asleep there. I know you literally did. I did one of them things them jumpy things.

They're the worst of the jumpy things. They're the having a day of them I just but listen bitches

lots on this weekend check them out Pitchie's falling asleep KSW with UFC Gagey

versus Cowboy which is going to be a cracker I'm not going to be staying up late to watch it this weekend

because I'm too much MMA Pete's not going to be watching it because we're going to

bullshit our way through next Monday so go fuck yourselves wrap it up there Pete thanks so much everybody I love you here's big kiss