MMA Fighting - Eurobash: Episode 60 (w/ Tom King, Paul Craig)

Episode Date: November 12, 2019

On the latest episode of Eurobash, Team KF head coach Tom King (16:00) discusses a big night for his team at Cage Warriors 110 and sheds light on what led to him parting ways with SBG and John Kavanagh. After calling for the fight on his last appearance on the show, Paul Craig (1:08:00) stops by to discuss his Sao Paulo showdown with legendary Brazilian, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Petesy Carroll and Niall McGrath break down the latest news in European MMA. 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 Cudulian 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 reprise 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? The Downloaded 2, Ghosts in the Machine. Available now, only from Audible. Support for this show comes from the Audible original, The Downloaded 2, 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?

The downloaded two, ghosts in the machine. Available now, only from Audible. Welcome back, it's episode 60 of Eurobash, and we are on Dublin South Soir, at Clement and Pico. I'm joined, as always, by the lovely Noel McGra. And we have a hell of a lot of them made to get true, including Cage Warriors 110, UFC, Moscow, KSW 51

several other things and we have a whole inside MMA beef to talk about we have an update from Emma at some point we've also got to talk about Patty Hulins, tremendous book launch and I press record this one

oh thanks very much thanks very much that's very important I try to point out halfway through the first segment of this that we were not actually recording it Noel looked at me look at 50 heads shaked it off kept going but look it only was 20 minutes of our time

who cares how are you Noel I believe last night you were woken up a lot because you thought a burglar or essentially somebody with ill intent was just doing knickknacks on your door. My fucking doorbell was going off all night, all day yesterday and Saturday, like at random times, like half four, half five this morning. So hence that's why I didn't push the button there to start because my brain's a bit wet this morning because I've had about an hour's kit. It wouldn't last a second on the night's out. But the thing is we actually think it was maybe a technical fault at the end of the day, which is quite... I'm imagining your neighbour is watching you smashing through.

fucking gait with a golf club in your hand in your pants screaming at five o'clock in the morning and they're like Noel, Noel's a troubled young man is. I'd imagine so. I'd imagine so. But yeah, listen, what are we kind of mixed martial arts, Psy? How was Kenny Cork? Amazing. It was like the old days all over again to see the regional scene really thriving like that, to see an atmosphere like there is in Cork. The Cork fans are amazing. Also to see Reese McKee, John McCulligan, in Gary John Mitchell, this next crop of potential UFC talent. It's an excitement that we needed.

It's something that we've been missing, we've been yearning for it. I feel like people don't even know what regional LMA is in Ireland anymore because they think that all these shows need to be in the tree arena. That's the way it is. A bit gritty, a bit dirty.

That's the way I like it. And seeing real fights, real fights, like, you know, real stakes. Like, you know, I think if I had one criticism in the Bellator, which I've talked about a lot, it's that the events, there's no continuation

from events. You just live and die on one night. Here's a few fights. It doesn't mean anything as you said to earlier on. Yeah, you don't know what they're fighting for essentially, but with Cage Warriors, you always know what they're fighting for.

They're fighting for that goal belt so they can go to the UFC, and it's always about building them up there. And only, as we saw this year so far, I think four or five may be signed, only a few ever go through. And that's what makes it really interesting. And that's why I really liked it.

It did even on the broadcast, you know, watching at home, it felt it was something special, but it's happening. You know, you're Ian Gary, you had to, you know, Reeves, you Joe McCull, and three big wins, you know, Irish guys all over the place, littered there and the pro seeing guys who were able to get fights. And it did.

It felt special. It felt small. It felt intimate. And it felt like the old days, as I said to you, back in the Helix. And a very, very special night. I think it's hugely important. The Cage Warriors are back in this market because it gives guys that aren't affiliated or signed to Bellator an option to get a pro fight.

Massively crucial for Ireland. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And that was brilliant. I'm really am pumped. I'm very, very excited. Let's go on with the latest news because we're going to be talking about this anyway. Gersino Rosenstruck replaces Walt Harris.

He's on a fight over him in D.C. This month, Danilo Belwardo, Azamatt and Morsakhanoff, all cut from the UFC. Darren Till opens up as fifth in the middleweight rankings. Robert Whitaker has declared interest in facing Liverpool and in London. Anton Rackage is the first KSW Bantamweight champion. Tim Barnett replaces Tom Green. He'll face Acon Wanless at Bellator London.

Alessandro Botto replaces Moyles Price. He's going to take on Alfie Davis at London. James Haskell. a man who said he will have a professional dedication to MMA just two months ago has been leaked and will be a cast member on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here It doesn't really seem professionally dedicated to me With that kind of stuff

But Graham Boylan also announced three dates in Ireland for next year May 16th and September 26th in Belfast And July 25th in Cork So that is all our bleeding headlines But great stuff to see Cajor is using the momentum created in Cork And to push out those three events we already see the stars that are McKee McCulligan and obviously Gary John Mitchell down in Cork

it feels very exciting and the fact that they released this event it kind of keeps that momentum going right? Of course man we talk about it in mixed martial arts inside the cage and I think it's just as crucial outside of the cage at times to keep that momentum going for promotions the eyes around them now here and to kick on in 2020 with three massive shows like that is an absolute no-brainer and it's great that they're back as I said and producing more stars and I believe it's only a couple of fights away

before we see Mr. Reese McKee possibly in the UFC if he does go on and get that title shot against Ross Houston, which he's already called for us. So I think it's a no-brainer for Belfast to headline Reese McKee, him to sit out and maybe wait on May

till that card, more eyes on him and more eyes on Cage Warriors, no-brainer. Yeah, we're going to be talking about Cage Warriors a lot more in the second part of the show where we break down what happened the week before,

but it really was a home run. Like, I mean, I can't think, Like, I'd never thought that it would be, like, I thought it would be big, but I didn't think it was on me that big. I mean, the traction that has online. Online traction was insane. Unbelievable, man. Like, from Reese, especially, I noticed that went up. It's just like Reese's this aura about, and we've talked about it before.

It's sort of like what Connor had maybe back early in the day to a certain sense. He says something like Darren Taylor, and he generally is trying to believe him. He is this sort of presence about him and, you know, that performance. First and foremost, I feel, at Reese. It's unbelievable, man. And he looks like a middleweight, to be honest, you know, as well. We were talking about that, I think, in a couple of years. I wouldn't be even surprised if he went to 185.

The guy is just massive. But, yeah, momentum is there with cagewares, as I said. But, man, look, you even know the online traction as you just said there. It was crazy for all the lads in the night. It was a real excitement of buzz. And maybe because there hasn't been a cage warrior's card in two years. You know, the starvation of that sort of intimate atmosphere and stuff really got people excited. And I was totally buzzing after that fight card, man.

It's, like, it feels like the old days, like when we were going around to these events I'm going to, like, if fans, media guys, whatever, like, you need to get on this because it's the most exciting parts of the whole thing, like watching these guys going with them all the way through until they get to that stage. It's unbelievable. And this has happened in Ireland now, really, really amazing. Even when I was, like, looking around, I was like, this feels so much like the old time. Unfortunately, you weren't there.

I know that's the feeling there. Nobody really was there that we, you know, that we made that a first descent to the UFC, which Sean was at, like, I remember I had to call Pendred and Chey Mills fight back in the day, but it's mad seeing four. people from severe and am i there and you know what i mean like that used to be the old crew was crazy uh you know great to great to see and the two sheans um and parrick far in there it's great man and just a real buzz in the place and um it's been a long time since that kind of excitement's been on this yeah yeah no listen i won't be missing the next one you you better back your bottom dollar

whatever that's saying is uh not a hope but uh just couldn't make it out for this one but yeah no listen it came across in the broadcast you could see i think when reese won as well he ran over to one of his mates in the crowd it's that sort of thing you know going over and hug your boys but uh great nice and um you know i'm very excited for 2020 with cage wars yeah we had a lot of shit going on which i think actually helped the did it appraising the car yeah i mean let's just start let me just do this chronologically um patty hoolahan released his book hooligan uh last week he was on the show of course um it's it's been huge right have you seen the amount of books going out people talking about the books etc it's incredible traction he has as well yeah unreal man everyone's

been covering it, he's been all over, every sort of broadcaster or broadcaster here in this country. And, you know, we saw, obviously, Tom put out some of the quotes from the book. And, you know, it really has taken a new life in terms of the interest. And I think he was on with the great Pat Kenny as well there. And, you know, just everywhere. It shows you wouldn't expect to see Paddy on. He's been on. And fair play to him. I'm very much looking forward to reading. I know you've read it and it seems like a fascinating read. It's brilliant. No, it's amazing. Like it's everyone that's reading and saying the same thing. Like it's like something, you can't believe it.

Like it's outrageous. Like it's really, really good. But obviously, Patty made some comments about John. This is something that was hinted off for a long time. Since he was elected at South Dublin County Council, we spoke to him on the show. We released the article on MMAFighton.com. Off the ball also had an article out about this situation.

This stirs up a lot of kind of interest among the fans and stuff because Patty was so synonymous with SBGs. assent. Yeah. And then Team KF's Tom King, John's first Irish black belt,

comes out and starts describing the process by which he left SBG and became Team KF. It got really, really, like, he went in detail about and put out a time frame

of what happened. And obviously then we saw Ashting Daly, another person's synonymous with the SBG banner coming out and saying, you know, she felt marginalised there.

Then Joey Breslin came out and he said, obviously Joey trains with Patty already, but I mean, Joey would have been a huge part of their jiu-jitsu team, et cetera, and for him to come out and talk like that.

It's pretty crazy, right, seeing this mass exodus nearly, even though it's already happened. Yeah, it's not surprising, though. I think, you know, it's sort of been, you know, potty spoke about it in his podcast a couple of months ago with Tom King on the No Shame podcast. They basically had a relationship breakdown with John Kavana, the two of them.

Remember when he was on our show and he said that too, yeah? Yeah. Yeah. I'm just saying, you know, he confirmed it back then. so it's really not surprising for me. I think there's been a lot of rumblings maybe that some people aren't aware of in the public eye that we've heard about

and they've really just come to the surface and theoretically the shit has hit the fan and that's why they're sort of going off on each other. But listen, it is business related it seems so people can fall out through that and I just think it's a sad fact of life and the way stuff happens but not good to see really that the Irish scene

has sort of become a little bit fractured because of this, yes? Well, yeah, yeah, you're really. right. Like it is fractured, but it's better that it's out there. I feel like everybody knew this was happening and it's like the elephant in the room every time. It's like just say that you guys have parted

it with whatever, you know what I mean? You know, we're going to have Tom on the show Tom King to speak about this. He gave us his time. Very grateful for that. We did reach out to John for a comment, but in fairness John just kind of said, like this is a personal thing. It's a business issue and that's fair enough. John did give me an update as far as

Emma is concerned because after Cage Warriors 110, Graham Boyland kind of suggested that he wouldn't work with Emma because John is the president of the body and he said you know that's a conflict of interest John is a promoter with Euro fight night he's close toys of Bellator he's had beef with grain boiling online let's be honest like jute that air affiliations with cage warriors and Bellator so I can understand where he's coming from but in a lot of heat there but John kind of said like look the reason why Emma weren't a cage warriors first of all and where at the UFC and Bellator is because the UFC and

Bellator offered them to shadow them to see how it's selling it. regulates. So that would have been a learning experience for Emma. Cage Warriors, unsurprising, did not afford them the same invitation. You're not all surprised by that, I imagine, Noel. No, not at all. I think, you know, Graham has said to you a few minutes. You know, Graham, you know, he's put a lot of eyes in this event as well. You know, he says what he wants to say. He goes out, puts it on the line. And, you know, he doesn't hold back.

And, you know, he is right. And I think, you know, as the lines you have there from John Petey, which you'll tell the guys about it now in a second, or I can relate a lot to what Graham Boyland saying and I agree with a lot of Graham but it was the same yeah basically um John kind of said look once the safety criteria is being met and you know cage warriors have blaze a trail for safe m-ma in fairness to them over the years so I mean there was never going to be any doubt about them that's right reaching that so I mean he said once that's being being respected and adhered to there's no reason for us to get involved ever like the only reason where we're at those events in

the past is because we were invited and as far as the conflict of interest John kind of agreed with with Graham was like yeah no that that will be a problem you know so course of will and he said you know when the sport gets recognition as in when

I'm becomes the regulator they have regulatory power when they get government approval they don't have that yet but when they do he said he'd be willing to step down as Emma president

and I feel that's quite admirable because like I mean he's doing all the like I mean I know Dean O Wade is one of the hardest working in that

in that whole body but like I mean for John to stay at the helmet until it's pushed through until they get any kind of power and then to step down

I think you can't you can't argue it you can't argue it you can't argue it I have to say You know, the only thing I'm frustrated with Pete and I said is to you is that, why couldn't we got this update three or four months ago? We've been waiting a long time for some updates.

I'm waiting a long, long time for it. You know, it's great that it finally come out. We're great. We're getting that kind of information. But why isn't this being filtered back to us on a more regular basis where we don't have to keep harping on about it for literally months? It's very, very frustrating. I mean, the fact that...

Fair play to John for coming out and saying it. John got on the phone, he spoke to me about it. And that's what I was kind of saying to him when I was speaking to it was like, you know, when you speak about this, it makes a lot more sense. Like, I mean... Of course. You calm down a lot of hysteria. Of course.

You just make it be a bit more transparent. I'm not speaking about John. But yeah, definitely Emma. That's what we need. And it is. It's good that he's come out and giving you words and lines on it because it's very much needed. And it puts our minds to rest for a little bit of time until we have a few more questions. Well, when Emma, I can go, yeah, all right.

This is what's that. Oh, and also, Emma will be getting ready. They say, John said they are ready to actually to propose this to Sport, Ireland. They're going to have to go through Oymack, which is controversial itself. Because Oymack once described MMA as pornographic dog fighting. sure it is. I don't disagree. But yeah, so that's going to be an interesting saga in itself, which I'm sure will take some time.

But it's crucial, man. It's, you know, it's crucial we get this put through and we get this resolved because it's only going to benefit the future the sport in this country. So we need it. Of course, the biggest story in Ireland, apart from Cage Warriors last week, was Tom King's beef with John Kavana. And I did ask John to speak, and he won't, as I said earlier. And that's fine. You've got to respect that. But Tom did go through things in depth with us.

And of course, he spoke about the great win for Ian Garry and Omran on Kage Warriors 110. And look forward to James Webb's title defence in November, later this month, should I say, against Natoyos Frederick. Really can't thank Tom enough. What a coming out party it's been for Team KF over this last week. They are doing tremendous things. Without doubt, the most talked about Jim coming out of Ireland at the moment, new gym. And, yeah, it kind of reminds me of Renegade, who Natoyos Frederick, represents in the UK.

What about your gym? My gym? Yeah. Oh look, flying seals or whatever you call them. I'm keeping that under wraps for a long time. It's a conflict of interest. It's a conflict of interest.

But look, here's Tom anyway. It was great to see Tom, Chris, Ash, all the KF lads in Cork. And thanks so much to Tom for his time. Hopefully this clears up a lot of stuff people I've been asking about. And we'll see you again soon. And now I am joined by Tom King,

who had a huge night tonight. Team KF, two victories. And really, one of the most talked about people in Ireland at the moment, one of the most talked about fighters in Ireland in Gary with a huge win again. It felt like a bit of a coming out party for you guys tonight. You know what I mean? Like I feel like this was an event on home soil, and you've got all this talent that now when in the Cage Warriors ranks.

Does I feel like that for you as well? This is nearly like the new crop of future UFC talent in Ireland. Oh, absolutely. You know, the fact that it's the first Cage Warriors show back in Ireland in a number of years. and just the performance the guys put on. You know, he had an Amaran. Amaran, that's his pro debut.

The kid's only 19. I know he looks about 35, but he's only 19. You know, and he looked like a season pro. You know, he won every second of the fight. He took control. You know, he did all the stuff that Chris had worked on with him and the grappling exchanges. He won all the grappling exchanges.

All the classes he's done with me kind of paying off. And then you had Ian. I mean, you know, you know, you know, aside from the reception he got, which was unbelievable. You know, and he got caught with a shot early, was able to weather the storm and, you know, absolutely dominate the guy on the grounds, you know. I've actually lost my voice a little bit,

and screaming in celebration, you know, the fact he finished the rear naked choke, you know, but he blew the roof off to Neptune, you know. Yeah, yeah, and it's like, um, with Ian as well, I don't know if you agree with this, but I felt as though obviously he did that interview with Sean Sheehan, it caught a lot of heat with the Bellator thing. It kind of changes things in a way because it was just a fight before that happened.

And then it was all this expectation then, I felt. It was a new level of expectation because, of course, Ian said what he said about Bellator, all these Bellator fighters are shooting back at them. And you know, they're at home hoping for this guy's downfall, right? Does that change things, do you feel as a coach, like when a guy's preparing for a fight? And it's not so much the physical sort of things, but I guess the mental side of things, Do you feel like that does make it different? It could make a difference, but not to someone like Ian, he has that side of his mind under control.

And you can see it. He probably doesn't suffer from, he suffers from nerves like everyone does, but not to the same degree some other people do. And I don't think that weighed on his mind at all. And if you look at what he said, you know, what he said was you go to Bellator route for money and you go to Cage Warriors route as a slow build to get to the UFC and that's true and everyone who came out against them were saying

well look I'm earning an X amount of money more than you that's kind of his point you know so what he said was was pretty pretty factual I think maybe it heard a couple of people but you know that's the truth you go to Bellator to make money and absolutely fair play to everybody doing that

you know that's a great show the guys are making a few quid and that's brilliant but Cage Warriors is the best it's the best show in Europe for the sport of MMA. It's not about spectacle, it's about sport, it's about building the athletes up and getting those young athletes to the UFC. We've missed

a half a generation of fighters getting to the UFC. Where was the last wave? The last wave is 2014. It's 2019 now. Where was the next wave of fighters? We've missed a wave of fighters. These guys are 21, they would have been way too young three, four years ago.

This wave of fighters, we've missed half a wave of getting MMA fighters to the UFC. Who have you got left there now? We've got Connor left there and we've got Joe and they're part of the old guard

where are the new guys? Why haven't the new guys come through? You have a new wave now though the fact that Cage Warriors have returned you have Ian Garry, you've reached their winning as well, spectacular win, brilliant, delighted for that team,

great team, very respectful team and this is the new wave. This is the new wave. Those guys you see, you're going to see them in the UFC and I firmly believe that. I remember when you guys started SPG swords as it was then. Straight away, Chris and you were kind of telling me,

we need to recapture the atmosphere that we had when we had all those guys marching towards the UFC when Cage Contender was here and it felt as though everyone was just right on the cusp. And there was this amazing energy. The golden arrow version of MMA it probably was around that time. Do you feel like it can be done again? Because for a long time, I felt it couldn't. I just couldn't see, as you said, there was no path. there anymore. I didn't feel as though we had that conveyor belt of talent going towards

the UFC and now seeing the guys there tonight and even some of the guys that weren't in the card like Paul Hugh is of course and I know you guys have a lot of fledgling pros there like Taka and other guys like this Adam Shelley that people are very excited about. Andy Ryan is Adam Darby and all these guys. Do you feel like this could be a second-doorish invasion? That's how Graham Boylan put it to me last week. It is. I mean you taught you wouldn't see it again. You're seeing a happening. This is what happens. The guys don't suddenly appear on the UFC overnight. You know, when we were in the long mile,

there was there's a slow build there. What happened was guys start winning Irish titles, start winning amateur titles, start winning Irish titles, Irish pro titles, then European titles, signed by Cage Warriors, and they used that to build towards the UFC. That's what happened before.

And the systems that were in place then, we've put them back in to Team KF, and we've improved them. We've improved it with our experience, our successes and failures in the past. And the team we have now, you know, the first, the original invasion, the Golden Age, if you want to say,

it was some pool of people, you know, he had Connor and Chris and Ash and Cahill and Roddy and all the rest of them. But this is a much deeper pool. You know, we have these guys here. We've Ian, we've James. You know, we have Armouran there. We have a wave coming behind them.

And we've a wave coming behind them. And we've a wave coming behind them. We've a wave coming behind them. You know, we've got kids with huge potential all the way, you know, back to 16 who are training in this, you know. So, so you are going to see it and you're not going to miss half a generation. You're going to get this, we're going to have the second Irish invasion. And then we're going to continue that. We're going to roll it forward.

And it's not just us. It is the likes of Rodney and Andy Ryan as well who's standing beside us. And I think once it starts, you know, it's not going to be spectacular at first. you're going to have one or two guys will sign and then one or two more. And then the replacements will be there as guys retire. Other younger fighters will take their place. And that's the way it should be. And it's the way it should have been.

And I think we are headed in that direction. Yeah. And I think the fact that that wasn't there is why this is so exciting. You know, we had that break and then we can see it. I think that adds to an awful lot. But I got to ask because, you know, you made a lot of headlines yourself in the lead up to this fight. it seemed to be Patty Hulen's book was a real

catalyst for not only you but a lot of people coming out and explaining where the relationships kind of broke down with John Kavana. You were very to the point you gave even a timeline as to how this happened and you initially shared

just an excerpt from Patty's book. He was referring to a time when you guys were all brought in and asked for 5,000 euro for your affiliation fee for SBG. You know, I know you and John are so, we're so close.

How, how, why was it this week that, that you felt like, you know, I have enough it is, I need to tell my story, so to speak. It's simply down to the fact that Paddy's book came out. It's a fabulous book. Anyone who hasn't read it, go out, buy it, it's brilliant.

I mean, I saw it there in Eastons, I think it was in the number one position, and it was there besides some random Irish rugby player's book. I'm not going to name them. I can't. It's Jamie Heeslip. I get to another Twitter storm. But, you know, Jamie Heeslip, you know, no disrespect to him. Came from a very good background, comfortable background.

He had to work hard, but his book probably should have been titled. It's fairly straightforward, lads. You know, you have the talent. You're going to make it, you know. Paddy's was, you know, his story. It's wild, you know. You know, feral kids on horses and, you know, the absolute abandonment of an area in Jobstown.

Five-year-olds walking themselves home from the hospital. Five-year-olds walking themselves home from the hospitals. I mean, you have kids who have no one to help them with their homework, you know? Go to school, don't go to school, it's up to you. You know, and now, Patty is, he's a bit of a wild lad. He brought a horse home to live in the backyard, but he was the first kid in his family to get a leave-in-search, you know? And not, you put that aside. We didn't know any of this stuff, you know, beforehand, because he didn't talk about it.

and then to go on and do what he did, you know, in the UFC and then his coaching role and then the fact he's owning, running his own gym and he's a politician now, a successful politician. And absolutely amazing stories. If you're going to buy a book, don't buy the random rugby book. Buy Paddy's book. It's one of the best books I've read in years.

But there was a paragraph in that that detailed a meeting that we were called to. And it, obviously, Paddy has a long story to tell I'm not the centre star in Paddy's, life it's a paragraph and it says the meeting happened the five grand fee was requested and tom king was there okay so people are under the assumption a lot of people not everyone that i as a the second highest black belt in ireland i think the second highest spg black belt in europe would have been on the same side of the table as john and people would labor under that impression that's in the book

the book was released that week so i put that out to explain exactly what happened and that I wasn't sitting on the same side of the table as John. I was sitting on the same side of the table as Paddy. And it was to put that into context. And really all I did was put a number of cold, hard facts out there. What happened? Who was there? Who said what?

Put them in. It was about four tweets. Took about 10 minutes. Bung them all together so people could read it in context. And that was it. And the storm, if you want to call it a storm, a few people have called it a storm. that's what are people sharing and that's people are digesting facts and they're making up their own minds about it that that's nothing to do with me the facts are the facts this is the truth that's what happened you know I have witnesses I have the you know messages in writing all the rest of it there's a dozen people in that room no one has come out to contradict me so the facts of the facts so really I don't see I do see where the controversy is but I don't see why anyone would have ill will towards some in doing that. And in fact, the

messages I've got and the wave of support I've got have showed me bar one or two responses that, you know, that's the case. People, the truth is the truth and that's it. I guess like, I mean, knowing everybody in Ireland who's trained jujitsu

or who has had, even a passing interest in M.A. will know that you're one of the first guys under John, you know, you're a very big deal in that SBG run as well. And it's like was this a gradual kind of a distancing between you and John or like were you guys pretty close and then this situation happened where you're brought to this meeting you're asked to bring a solicitor

as you pointed out online and this situation happens is that just completely out of blue like I mean up until that point are you kind of like well we're close we're good friends if he had something to put to me like this he definitely say it to me in person rather than this kind of solicitor situation in a meeting and you're basically told this is how much you owe us to carry that SBG name a name that you've helped to build an oil on the course um yeah i mean that's what the case was that myself and john were i mean he was my coach i was the first person he trained from white belt to black belt and he was a friend of mine and a lot of times we wouldn't go a day without you know messages normally about training not always uh back and forth between us and um obviously i had

set up a branch of the SPG and swords. It's on the other side of the city. But we still had John over for seminars. He was down for, you know, two seminars in our gym, packed out, got on great with him. Always had a laugh with him when I met him at fights. You know, a good relationship as far as I was concerned. Nothing had changed. And then bang out of the blue, a message appears on a group social media,

which is for the SBG coaches and the association, that we would. were to go to a meeting on two days that it was compulsory that we attended that um are we should bring our solicitors and that uh john was too busy to answer any questions and not to ring him and that was it that's how we found out so i think you know for anyone who's maybe upset or for anyone who's in um spiggy and the circle and the waggings the the wagons that's what happened so we that's how i was i was notified at the meeting so if they're in that situation just read what I posted up how would they feel you know what did you know would they agree that that's a a good way to treat someone else and and a couple of

other people have said oh there's an attack on our team this this kind of i'm not attacking spig i absolutely have the utmost respect for the the guys coaching there and especially the fighters the competitors the people training there those people were my teammates you know i coached an awful lot of those people. There's people, I think there's one or two negative comments that came out, people who are in my classes. I, you know, wish them the very best in their career, the very best in their training. I hope they do well. You know, those in Bellator, I hope you win a Bellator belt. I hope you win a stackload of cash, enough to retire on, the very best to you. But this is what happened. I was a coach in, you know, of longstanding. It's not just me as well.

you know there was me there was chris there was patty in that room and a number of other people anyone who hasn't kind of spoken publicly i'm not going to i'm not going to name them it's up to them if they want to put their name forward or not they were all in that room and they were treated the same way so it's not just me you know it's not just me and it you know it obviously it does annoy me that we were put in that that situation i see it as a you know it's a betrayal of of what we did in SBG and what we helped build. You know, between us, you know, I had taught classes for free since 2006. You know, I was teaching classes in 2006.

Up to 2012, I was paying full membership there. So I was paying membership, and I was teaching classes. You know, it's costing me $150 quid a month in tolls to get across. John moved to Iceland for three months. I taught all his classes, you know. Most of the time when he's away in the UFC, who do people think we're teaching the classes? And again, not just me.

It's me, Patty, Chris was taking. classes you know and the other coaches in in the in the in the room the ones who were who came up through that system we're doing that as well and we were treated as if we were you know blowings that we were buying into a franchise you know I was there when the team was based in a school hall and he used to put the matto every you know every night and put them away in the even you know that's that's where we come from so and again that's just the facts you know So if people want to look at the facts and think a certain way, I can't control that, but the facts are the facts.

Were you surprised by the amount of people who, not just you and you're kind of saying, you were reading Paddy's excerpt from the book, you kind of wanted to make sure it went down historically as you wanted to go out, like, I mean, what side of the table you were on, etc. But, I mean, Ashting Daly comes out and she says how marginalised you feel a legend. like the first world champion, Ireland ever produced in MMA, a person who would have been synonymous with John, then Joey Breslin, like, when a nicer guy you couldn't meet, I've never heard Joey say a bad word

about someone in my life. I know the guy, probably a decade. Both of these people come out and they seem to attach themselves to your side of the situation and kind of diss themselves from John. Were you surprised to see that so many people, kind of, this wave of, you know,

people coming forward, all stemming from Patty's book, Were you surprised to see that? No. No, I wasn't surprised. I think when Paddy had the bravery to write the book that he did, and again, we're talking about one paragraph in Paddy's book. Paddy's book is a very brave piece of work from start to finish,

and there's a lot more in his book, stuff about his personal life, stuff about the upbringing, this paragraph is particular. But there's other stuff. I mean, in terms of the SBG thing, this paragraph, is not, let's say, the worst to happen. Not the most damning probably thing about John that said in the book either. No, absolutely, not far from it.

And again, I don't really want to go into the other stuff because that involves Paddy and John directly. So I leave that up to people to read the book. They can decide, and if John wants to respond, he can respond. We'll have to park that. But from what I've said, it's very mild compared to what else is in the book.

And again, I did. as you said, I wanted to set the record straight and say exactly what my place was in that meeting because Paddy didn't have the space or the editors decided to take it out, whatever happened. The context of where I sat in that situation wasn't put there and I think it is there now, whatever else it is there now. I mean, I don't know if you want to answer this, but do you feel as though we could see more people coming forward or is that just, is that simply, you know, Is that too suggestive to even kind of say at this point? I don't know. And again, it's up to people to the side.

And, you know, there's obviously, there's a dozen people in that room. Some of those people had affiliates who were paying from the start. Some were kind of new people who brought in. And that's fair enough. Of the old guard who were in that room, that's up to them to decide whether they speak out or not. I'm certainly not going to speak on their behalf. Are they going to come out? I would have no idea.

I know that there were a lot of conversations. behind, let's say, we won't say behind closed doors. There's been conversations between people in that room in private. And there's a lot more that have, there's a lot more people there who haven't come out who would be very vocal in those conversations. So not everyone has come out. Will everyone come out publicly?

I don't know. Some people may not want to, for whatever reason. And that's fine. And all those people in the room from, again, the affiliates who were new, who were not part of the old SBG, to the people who have come out, to the people who haven't come out. I'm cool with all those people. You know, they shouldn't have been put in that situation, I don't think. So I've no problem whether someone comes out or doesn't come out is not my concern. I think possibly there could be more.

There definitely are more people out there who would be, let's say, sitting on the same side of the table as me. so there's a lot more there you know it was noted by me a lot of a lot of media members um i was one of them that uh the spig didn't really note james's middleweight title win which was considered by us a huge thing because it was uh you know a cage warriors title this is where we were the last time when we started getting all these ufc guys going and we saw like fighters other spig fighters um probably congratulate for like you know lesser things in terms of the hierarchy of the sport than the Cage Warriors title. It was a few weeks after that, I believe, that the team KF split was announced.

I always wondered, was that like a straw that broke the camel's back at all? Like the fact that, like, we clearly aren't getting the same support as other branches of this team. Was there any idea like that? I mean, did it just get petty at the end? Like here, we have to leave. Well, there's been no pettiness involved, certainly not from us. James James was the

you know there's only been three teams in Ireland I think there's John's original team there's Andy Ryans on ourselves who have had a Cage Warriors champion it's a huge deal you know it's a huge thing where you guys going before when he's got that champion it was like something crazy

it was like one year two year just short of two years yeah just short to two years so yeah an incredible achievement for the team and it was done under the SPG banner whatever it happened before it was done under the SBG banner

and yeah nothing was shared, nothing was said about it but we knew that was going to happen because at that meeting, part of the 5 grand package was the use of social media platforms which translated into if you do not pay us this 5 grand we're not sharing your tweets

so we knew that was going to happen we hadn't paid the fee so our tweets weren't going to be shared and I think on the same day there was someone had won a local grappling competition and that was shared because they paid the fee and that was as simple as that so we knew that was going to happen

in terms of the name changed that was more coincidence of time I mean if it was up to Chris Chris would have changed the name not quite from the start but probably maybe six months into it and it was me who held them back because well I'm

you know in terms of Chris is the head MMA coach you know a lot and a lot of people have no idea into the work he put in to get the results across the line tonight they've no idea they've no idea the personal sacrifice he makes from time away to his family he does what I've never seen any other coaches do.

I'm not going to go into everything as well because he's a lot of secrets in the bag, but he does amazing things with the team. He'll be coming down at crazy hours on his own to give them the one-on-one time that they need. He's put a lot of these systems in place. As far as an MMA coach, I think in time he'll be recognized as the best in the world.

But he would have been gone after six months. I held him back. I was part of, you know, he's the head MMA coach I'm the head Brazilian jihad coach or at the

martial art side of stuff I'd be the head coach and I know I held it back because I was part of a tradition with SBG

I was a black belt with them and that kept I was loyal to that system and I kept to it and as far as I'm concerned that the loyalty

wasn't very well repaid and when that happened then the train was set in motion takes a long time for a name change we obviously

had a professional graphic designer happens to be my seat sister Joan. Shout out to Joan. Amazing logo went down very well. So, so took her time to design it. Took time to come up with the name. And that coincided, um, just to, to, to fall just shortly after James had fought. But it wasn't really related to that. That wasn't the last straw that broke the camel, camels back. We were told that we hadn't paid for the social media platform. So

the tweets weren't going to go out. So we knew that. So that seems crazy. Like when we're talking about like a social media situation right like was that was that a weird one for you um i know you've you're a you're a big you know social media celebrity now but this is a quite a recent thing for you i mean you must have found it hard to get your head around that kind of pricing on such a thing i'm 41 i still don't understand the thing like i you know i thought with this i was just putting out a few bullet points there just to clear it up a few things um but you know is it disappointing like i mean you know look all right i've fallen out with friends before it's horrible but like 15 years, like it January doesn't happen, right?

Like when someone's been around for that long, it's hard to get rid of them, so to speak. And this has happened now. Like, I mean, I'm sure you're past there, disappointed or upset, but I mean, it must have been for a while where you were like, you know, is this the way this is going to go? For me, going into that meeting, I thought it landed on a different planet, you know,

and I still can't get my head around where this came from. You know, to be clear, it wasn't just John in the room. You had Matt Thornton and then you had Travis Davison. but to sit a group of fairly well some of us fairly cynical kind of guys who've been through

the mail down and we were giving a video presentation it was like they were selling like a time share or something it was do you know that cheesy American video and we like Lobo Gym in out of dodgeball like when Ben Siller is

advertising his gym kind of thing yeah absolutely yeah it was like you know an American coach going how great SBG is and a big smile and a thumbs up to the camera and then some student I'm going lads I was here when this was in a school hall like why you show me why you show me this you know I know where you're showing me to me but you're showing it to the wrong to the wrong person so for me like I thought walked through a door to a different

dimension I didn't know what was going like I didn't know what was going on I still I'm scratching my head it was a two-day meeting now this the debate that I tried myself not to go on a rant, but they were talking about business, we're business experience, we're business savvy. Like, I was coaching, I worked in business,

you know, as a video games buyer, I worked for HMV and ExtraVion for years. And before that, I ran stores for them. I've been in business for years, you know, for,

since the age of 18, I've gone to hundreds, if not thousands of meetings. I've never gone to a meeting where someone is looking for something for you and they don't offer you a cup of tea or coffee. I've never, the lack of respect. And we were told then, go out, get yourself some lunch. Didn't even provide

lunch, right? And come back when you're ready. I'm going, lads, I'm going to get lunch. I'm going to buy Chris lunch. And I'm not coming back. How does that sound? So that was a two-day meeting. I was only there for half a day. And, you know, did I find a strange? I found it absolutely bizarre and I still do. And like, I mean, now, I know this is going on quite long. I'm very sorry about that, but I feel like, you know, a lot of people want to know what's going on here. But, I mean, you must feel as though, you know, making that name change, going out on your own. The success you've had in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu this year is astronomical. The success of the MMA team has been astronomical.

It must feel like a great move in hindsight, one of the best things you've done, based on this, the way it's taken off since you've done it. I think it's a blessing in disguise. You know, we're delighted with the, we're delighted. with the name change and I think if this happened it may have not have been something that that we would have done you know we were accused why I was directly accused by the the brother of the the SBG vice president Ricky Davison he said I was a loser focusing on winners our our team has a 90% success rate a 90% win rate in MMA I don't remember ever seen a team with that you know and that's not coincidence it's the systems that we put in place in the team that we've built

my own win rate I was directly called a loser my own win rate is 90%. You know I've 14 medals this year I've won 8 gold decent not bad I've won 8 gold medals

like I've more I've more medals than the SBG hierarchy combined you know and then yet people associate with them turn around and call me a loser I mean they don't compete you know they put them quotes from Marcus Aurelius

he was a guy who was on the front line I'm on the front line you're not in the front line So don't turn around and accuse me of that. You know, the name, but I said the name change. We're absolutely delighted with it. If this hadn't happened, we probably wouldn't have done it. We probably would have remained in SBG.

We're Team KF now. This is almost feels like a coming out party. You know, the performance that the guys put on, you know, and then this is on the back of win after win after win. And it's only going to build from here. So we're delighted. Our team is delighted. the messages of support that we've got,

I think the goodwill that we've generated with anyone who isn't an SBG. And again, that's not me, that's just me putting out facts is amazing. How we get, how well we get on with other teams. I've already organized three or four cross-training days with other teams. We've an open door policy.

We don't charge a drop-in rate. We always have people from different teams dropping in and training. and we were down ourselves, down in T-45 Jiu-Jitsu. They opened the door. They stayed late. They let us in. We had a few roles.

James did his rounds, did his padwork. Brilliant. That's what we're about, you know. And for the SBG guys out there, I got no ill will against the fighters, the team, the coaches. That should be clear. Like, if I met John at the fight tomorrow, I'd shake his hand. I'd shake Matt's hand.

They mightn't shake mine, but, you know, as far as I'm concerned, there's no ill will. me putting out the truth of what happened to put something into context so people wouldn't get the wrong impression. The storm that's built up is that's not me. I'm not sharing it. I'm not telling people how to think. That's down to people to interpret the information that they have. So this has happened. It'll die down. We'll move on. Fully independent team. And our guys are going in one direction of going up. And guys are going to the UFC from our team. Multiple guys are going to end up there. We're going to be a very well-known team around the world.

Our jihitsu team is going to continue to develop, give us the results. And then the guys who don't compete are going to continue to train, you know, enjoy the team. We have a massive amount of people down from the gym here supporting a massive amount. You're going to hear of Ian Sowe himself and then there's even more. Yeah, the hotel is filled with Team KF members. I don't remember that happening in a long time. You know, our team is buzzing. The jihitsu class, they're. The last variety, there's 40 people on the mats. And that's the fourth class of the day.

You know, so, so, you know, everything that has happened. I'd rather it didn't happen. You know, I do feel a sense of betrayal over what happened. But it is a blessing in the skies for us because it led directly to the creation. Not off Team KF. We wear that team before. But the name, you know, having that name as our own is a big deal. And that probably, probably are possible.

wouldn't have come without this and that, you know, that's a blessing. Just finally, obviously James is that big rematch coming up in London against Natoyas he feels like he's just there and thereabouts, that UFC thing, you know, do you expect him to go to the

USC in, say, 2020? Is that realistic? I think absolutely it is. I think if he puts on a performance against Nathias, which you will, I think you're going to see a very, very strong performance. It was a in my view,

a questionable decision draw the last time, I think James clearly won that fight. He's going to put it beyond a shadow of a doubt this time. He's a man he's a man on a mission for this one. I think this is going to put him

on the road to the UFC for next year without doubt. And from what I've seen just finally in Gary fighting in Ireland today, that's going to go down very well when it eventually happens in Dublin. And I think without a shout, of a doubt.

Team KF are going to be a huge part of that show in Dublin when it comes back again. We're probably looking at a guy that will be the face of Cage Warriors in a few years to come. I even spoke to Graham Boyland today. He compared him to the likes of Patty Pimler and Liverpool, Jack Shaw and Wales. He thinks right now Risa and Ian together could probably bring that kind of atmospheres to show themselves. But is it safe to say that James is the guy you're looking at as the first one from KF to get

to the UFC? see is, is Ian the second one going to be 2021? He's talking about having five fights next year, getting the 8-0 and then just going straight in. What's your plan? What do you see it like? Would you, would you prefer him to remain cautious and take his time with this thing?

Or do you think 2021 could be a realistic thing with him? I don't think trying to get Ian to be cautious would work. I don't think he's that kind of of personality. And we're certainly not going to try and shoehorn something like that on him.

I think you're right. I think James will be the first fighter from Team KF in the UFC and that will possibly or probably most likely be next year and Ian will follow I would imagine the year after probably late 2021 I'm not I can't tell the future

but that seems to be the projection that he's on I mean you look at him there today his performance and the reception he got you know he's I think he's destined to be to be something special in the game and he is on that trajectory

he's on that course. We would very much expect him to be to be the second one after James. We've done 30 minutes, Tom. I've taken way too much out of your celebrations. Is there anything that I haven't touched on that you'd like to share or do you think we've put a nice bow on it there? No, I mean, that covers everything. But to finish, if there's anyone there from any associations, any affiliates or groups who feel they're pushed around by a large association, I'm there and I'm not the only one. There's plenty of black belt coaches in Ireland who are like that.

I'm there to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I'll offer you support. I'll offer you training with a second degree black belt. I'll give you advice and I won't charge you for retweets. So if there are anyone out there, send me a message and we'll take it from there, you know. Social media sensation Tom King. Thank you so much, sir.

Thanks, Pizzi. Cheers. Thank you so much to Tom King. That was a truly, truly great amount of time he gave me And this is also in the tick of it when the celebrations are going down afterwards, and I take Tom away from everybody. Robbing him from his points. I'm going to talk to you. What a nightmare.

I couldn't think of anything worse. He's greedy, really, really appreciate it. I don't know if I'd be so well. No, you wouldn't. No, absolutely not. No. But, yeah, so, look, that's what happened there. There's a bit more info on the situation.

So let's move on and talk about what happened last week. We've already talked about Cage worries a bit, but I can't stop singing its praises is absolutely unbelievable Noel real excitement, real stakes really regional the next generation of UFC fighters

or cage warriors you know do we have anything else to say about this I mean let's talk about the performances I guess Reese McKee against Hacken Foss death as he's known Hagen Foss yeah I think they should get that to Reese

after that you've talked about the touch of death and evident the man you know straight out very tactical through that job and it was game over. Unbelievable. Yeah, absolutely. It just shows you the power. And it was very interesting as well

your interview with him afterwards. I didn't even realize Rees was left-handed. Just crazy. Yeah, absolutely crazy. So listen, the guys go in places. I think we've said it for a long, long time. We've known it. And, you know, why not, as I said earlier on,

do that title shot with him and Ross Houston? I think it's right. Well, the Iron's hot for Cage Wars as well. There's a lot of talk going to be around Reece, going into that fight. do do it. I'll tell you. Houston and Dalby, you know,

there's a lot of stakes in the line there. I think it could fast track one of them towards the UFC. I just feel like Houston was asked to fight Dalby in Denmark at one point and he wouldn't. There's issues with him as well. I'd be told about the Pal Harrah stuff as well last week. So, you know, is everything sitting right there? You know, I mean, sorry, Graham spoke about this afterwards.

And I understand, same as thing as you said. Like a champion can't really be competing in another promotion, basically. Even though it's not MMA, it's risking his health. And, you know, I don't know. Like, Will Houston take that fight? Is Reese next in line? Is another question? Like, I mean, there's a lot of good guys there at Welterway in, in, in, in, in, in,

Of course there is. But the thing I, I sort of think when you're saying that is. Like, I think he's ready to fight for the title. Yeah, because if you look at what he's done a lot with, I know it's a lot different at Welterway, but when you've a guy that has that star power behind, him and the interest behind him fast-track him. Why not? And I think he's ready for it. Like, it's not as if he's had two or three pro fights. Yeah, so he's been the champion Obama. Yeah, and he's fought like he's, you know, he did he fight in Obama. Terry Brazer, he's a bloody

feck and welterweight. Do you know what I mean? Like, so do it. Like, look how good he looked at 170. Yeah, he did look really impressive. And, you know, whatever happens, whatever it is like, it's going to be huge. Yeah, it's going to be eyes. Like, I mean, even the beef there with Alex Lohrae, I think that's a style match. Yeah, that's an other one. Yeah, that's incredible. And Alex sells fights as well. I like talks a lot of brown and it's good brain. and he creates interest, do you know what I mean? It's a good, brown. You know, I'm up for that as well, like either or, and I think Reese's...

It was so important that all these guys won out of your night. Like, I was saying this before the event, Jesus, if one of these lads, it takes a lot of showing off, and they all come away with first round knockouts, McKee McCalligan, Gary. Yeah, I think he liked a lot was on the line for Joe, and I give him Joe a little bit of credit here. Joe was very beaten up before that fight.

He wasn't even said it to me, you know, Ben Lactor. He hadn't fully recovered from that. That's, like, two savage strikers fighting each other, like him and bet. Yeah. many Benelach there unbelievable fight. Cage Warriors' fight of the year

so far for me and that fight to go out and take a short notice opponent's coming all the way and out from Cedar it's a risk for him as well people weren't even saying that and he dealt with a fantastic

and fair play to Joe was a lot on the line for Joe and Joe's right up there as well man. He's saying all the right things as well like I mean look just on paper right if they're doing an event on Belfast

imagine Reese McKevee v. Alex Lahoree Joe McCallgan v. Paddy Pimbley come on man, that's insane. I don't think I think they do Joe, Patty as a headline somewhere else though.

I would imagine. Well, maybe Rees's comment in then. Because Patty is the biggest name in Cadeware is too. Why not spread it out a little bit? I love Joe actually speaking after the fight the way he called out Patty.

Like it was like, look, I'm not disrespecting the guy. I think he's a savage. He just wants to fight. We want to fight the best guy. You know, is that too much to ask?

Yeah, there's nothing wrong. I feel like Joe, the way he sells fights and Patty the way he sells fights, that would be insane. Brilliant. That'd be mental. Joe said after a fight, like this is the fight to make in 2020.

I completely agree with him. It'd be mental. Make it. Like, there's no reason why they should not make that fight. Or is it going to be bigger in Liverpool? Because Patty's such a huge name there. I mean, there's a lot. I want to ask you this question.

And maybe it might be a bit controversial. And I don't really give a crap because, you know, we're paid to say our views. And, you know, is Patty potentially not interested in this fight? Does he look at this as too much for a risk? Well, I think it's just hard from him because he's going to be fighting Donovan Desma in two weeks. So it's hard for him to be like,

Oh yeah, okay, after this one, I'll do that one. And the fact that, like, the last time he's on the show, Paddy has a lot of injuries. Like, he doesn't know how his buddies is going out there. So I respect the fact that he has a fight lined up. I respect the fact that the star making power that he has within Cage Warriors. Like, Sarum back fights Paddy. Yeah, he's off to the UFC.

Like, people, when they be Paddy, Pym, you go to the UFC pretty much. Yeah, no, no, I agree. I agree. And Nad Narmani is another example. Yeah. And Patty, like, for Joe and Patty, like, I don't understand. I think a lot of it will rest with Paddy, rest with Paddy what he wants to do.

But we've got to factor in as well. Like, Graham said after the fight, like that's a hard fight for us to make. Both of those guys are in intensity, fight management. Yeah, and I think if Graham's looking at it from his point of view and intensity fight management point of view,

he's going to want both them to go to the UFC. It makes more money for everyone. So you're slowing down, wearing them, basically, it's the bottom dollar, man. And it is the bottom dollar, literally. But McCall got crushed Robbie Scott, man. Amazing performance.

He devastated him, like, and he just looked at it. so fresh afterwards you know unbelievable what I didn't like this slogan what about Brad what about Brad Warren

did he say fat Joe yeah he did he did he got one fat show he goes basically if this got around three Joe's gonna let me call me fat Joe

so he got a fat show thank you Brad and Josh you legend how dare he call me an effing scum bag afterwards what a dirt bike does he think you're from Blanchett down all of a sudden or something

no I did listen I did give him a lot of grief all we said he had like several fat Joe's songs I'll show you like I was literally sending him the fatchet, like, I'll really even play if he's here if he's on.

Sorry, no, no. But I did send him the actual instrumental version. I thought the lyrics were a little bit. So I gave him the instrumental and gave him a few options, but he said he'd do it. So he actually bottled it. Like, he said 100% I do it. Joe cracked it on. Joe cracked it dawn. He did. He bottled it on. Jesus. What about this, Gary lad?

Like, he's in Cork and it's like Ian Gary Fever in the fucking arena. Unbelievable. And look, he came true his versy there as well. Like, Figlack, Perk played to him. Cracks him early. Ian kind of told me afterwards it looked more wobbly than it was because he was looking backwards No he said like

It looked less wobbly Because I was like you got wobbled there And he's like no he didn't And I was like alright Wonderful performance You know the thing and I said Probably again We look at this fight

To his last opponent Where he was able to make In Cage adjustments at the time And that's what is probably more impressive To me that he can adjust his game Under Adversity And he did that again The guy is so much

chore as well when you hear him speak afterwards. He knows the fight game. He's polished, man. He's polished, yeah. That's the word he used. He's going to get better and better. I think he's only 21 years of age. To have that IQ, like to get hit, like, with a good shot and then take the fight down immediately. And even the way his leg, his leg, the way it kind of

went behind, Figelac's leg, as he was applying the rear neck of choke. Lovely little details there. He seems to have it all. Like, there's no, there's no part of him where you're like, oh, yeah, he's going to struggle there. He doesn't struggle with anything. And then he hears him on the mic afterwards as well, and it's the complete total package of what a mixed martial arts would be. He's going around talking to every fan there at Cage Warriors.

He's giving everyone his time. This fella's going to be a superstar. He keeps going on the way he is. There's no doubt about it. And I feel like if they do... I hope he's on the way he's... Oh! I feel like if they do a Dublin show at the end of 2020, that would be huge for him.

It would be mental for him. Yeah, listen. Get Adam Darby from Royno, make him go pro as well. Get him out there. James Sheehan and all these lads. Mental. What they need to do with him is give him two more fights, before maybe June next year, two or three more fights.

I'd like to see him take a little bit of time off now to Christmas, two after Christmas and then potentially look at a common event. Once a fight five, yeah. For Dublin. Why not? John Mitchell, sensational performance in his pro debut against a very, very tough Eric Nolan. And Paul Redmond speaking after it, like, you know, it feels like Eric could make fed away.

I think I spoke to Eric myself afterwards. Boy, he's such a dangerous for her. He's all the hallmarks of Team Royne of those beautiful little hooks to the body, left hook drops John Mitchell earlier on. This lad known for his striking prowess, Eric dropping him. Unbelievable. Was Andy there?

He wasn't. Andy or Red weren't there? Oh. I did see Keith McCabe and... The butcher. Deermodeau Bookley, so it was great to see those lads. But yeah, that's pretty much it.

On the Cage Warriors, Nathan Fletcher started off the main car with a rear-naked choke win. Unfortunately for Jack McGorry, he's so well followed down there, didn't get the win. Decky McAleaning gets his first cage warriors win, which is great.

And Cole Manning, I'm Ron Chaband from Team KF there and Patrick Lehan I just want to mention as well Insane knockout he got there Huge upper cut I believe Andy Stevens Put out the tweet But a brilliant event all and all

And I'm very excited I'm a bit jaded And when things like this happen It changes everything right It does We have a whole new thing to look forward to it It does It's great and it's put as we said earlier on

Momentum is key in mixed martial arts And it's going to give Cage Words a lot of momentum And I think everyone's excited And I listen How do Irish guys in the year I disagree with you. I liked a little bit of time off that they're not going back here. I think it starts the market. People put more eyes on them when they eventually come back,

builds it up a little bit more. And, you know, I'm not too forced that it's made. You know what I mean? Yeah, well, I'd say, yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. But I think maybe Reese McKeem would take it off. But I mean, I'm not giving out. I mean, it's just one slight detail. Ideally, if it was in March, it would be fantastic.

Yeah, yeah. Of course. Tell me about USC in Moscow, because it was like being in a vacuum of cage warriors, man. Nobody was talking with the UFC. there was some really good performances I think a lot of decisions on the night but I think the ones to take away from I don't know if you saw that front kick from Magamette and Kaleev against Dalshah Lum Jiam Bula

I was really looking forward to that one Snap and I missed it honestly unbelievable go back and look that out that was an unbelievable front kick from him Danny Roberts as well man we talked about it last week right a lot of Russians put the start on that main guy there was main and co-man there was and Kabeb's husband as well in the first round

Connor McGregor had a number of tweets about that during the night he was over the moon Oh, deadly. He never does that. But I have to give a shit of Danny Roberts. We talked about it last week. Really good boxing clinic from Danny Roberts there. Unbelievable left hook. I put out an article about...

Beforehand, kind of saying, like, if I fought the Pereira again at knock him out, I really feel like that's a huge possibility. And there are people in the comments. Oh, what are you doing? Have you seen this fellow knockout people? Have you seen his Encamp knockout? Have you seen the shit he's done? we've seen him trading with Mike. Rewind.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The broadcast and watch it last week. Unbelievable, unbelievable, sleeping shot from Danny Roberts. And what about Davey Grant making his every five year of porn appearances? Davey's a great guy. I love the guy. SPG, Manchester, lad. And he's a good dude.

And I was glad to see him. He's a lot of injuries, man, Davy, over the years. And I'm just glad to see him back with a good win there. Hopefully you can keep that momentum going to into March, there in London. And we'll get two or three and four fights in the year. That's what he needs. That's what he wants. I don't think Dave is going to be happy with his career until he fights one of the top bantam weights in the UFC.

And people forget he beat Marilyn Barrett. It's just about getting momentum. We say it again. We use it every week. It is that word. And that's what Davey needs in 2020. Is that not the wrong way around? No, Penny won.

All right. Okay. Yeah. That's a good win there for Panny. I didn't see any of the Brelims. I'm not going to lie to it. All right. Sorry, man.

And David Sawata would have much need a win against Abukar, as you said there. earlier. Zawada was on a two-fight skid before that one. My man, Roman Coppuloff. My prospects to watching Twainighton out there. Robertson took him down. Roberson's a beast, like that's a hard fucking first fight, man. Jesus Christ. Are you upset? I'm crying a little bit. You are a little bit, aren't you? Tell me about Greg Hardy and the Comain, if you can.

I want to just mention Ed Herman first as well. Sure, he was bad. We said it last week. The dude is tough as fucking nails. He just went for three rounds, solid, solid, solid, relentless, relentless stuff. An interesting to note Ed Herman said afterwards, he said he doesn't know where his MMA career goes. him here. He's had a lot injuries he feels beaten up. He just feels tired. I'm understandable, man.

The guy's always in a war and again. He's been fighting since the First World War or something. He's class. He's brilliant. I love watching the guy fight. Greg Hardy, listen to me. I know, you know, I will listen to him. I've changed my mind so many times about Greg. I actually... He's a big fan. I thought he made noticeable improvements from his first to a second fight. You didn't.

Then I shatt in him after what he did with the inhaler because it was the second one last week. And in fairness to him, man, he did fucking well. He did, you know, he uses it leticism. He hurt his heart hand actually in the first as well. Did you get the inhaler out all that I said? No, he didn't. I was, I was waiting for something to happen.

Nothing happened. I thought I don't know what was going to happen. It was something mental. Oh, you poke him on purpose or something. But listen, didn't happen, thankfully. Volkov clearly won the fight. But listen, man, Greg Hardy, you know, he was in there. He didn't look out of his depth. You know what I mean? Don't be just smart.

Did he or no? Not really, no. And it was really impressive. Was Alexander just being very conservative? I was noticeable that he hurt his hand as well in the first? I mean, did you, like was Volkov being conservative? him again somewhere was he not really no he was trying to get off him but he's a quick dude man even from the get-go he went

he's a he went he went to do he just his eletitism is obviously one of his key facets and man the dude can hit as well but he obviously heard his hand the first took away weapon he was crying and all afterwards I actually felt a little bit sorry for him

what yeah he did he was crying he was so disappointed with his performance and that was crying Greg Hardy he was so disappointed he was so disappointed with his performance and maybe that says a lot about man I don't think he's as bad as people are making out to be in terms as a fighter.

Okay, all right. I'm not saying he's a good person. Once we have that clear up. That's definitely clear. I heard everybody was complaining that this wasn't a five-round-round-line event. Ah, listen, I'm not that fussed about it. I think actually Calvin Katar probably would have won. I heard it was very close, yeah?

Zabit didn't do five, I'm convinced because I don't think he's the gas tank to do. I was very concerned about his gas tank, man. He started noticeably fading after midway through the second rounds. in that fight and it was close no i did have it to for for as a beat but i think that's possibly one of the reasons why you know it was obviously you know supposed to be a different main event um but i think maybe there's issues there with the gas time that's a big worry going into 2020 and you know he's going to be looking for a title shot next year i still don't think he gets max holloway calvin cater like tough fight tough too man the guy can

throw bombs as well like how about chris fish goal got calvin his debut and it's horrible There you go. But listen, it was a great technical five. Very, very good stuff. But, yeah, I'd just be a little bit concerned about Sabe. He just looked like he really did tire midway to that second, going into the third. I had to watch KSW 51 this morning. It was good.

It was very good, yeah. Marius Pugianowski, main event, win over Erko Young. Kind of like Moscow under respect that a lot of the Balcon guys didn't do very well. Just say Moscow. Moscow. Boris Mankowski, but Vaso Bokosavich in the Kahn event. Obviously, Vaso was there five years ago. It comes back.

Massive fanfare being in that neck of the woods. He's from Montenegro, I believe, and Mankowski choked him out beautifully. Anton Rackich, a big win for that, Neck of the Woods. Croatian becomes the first bantamweight champion with a win over Damien Stasiak. Stasiak actually really started very well in that fight. Alexander Illich suffered defeat to Cesare Kessich. That would have been one of the fights that a lot of people would have been looking forward to over there. So that's a bit of a disappointment for Alexander.

I'm sure. Oh, yeah, yeah. Daniel Torres as well beat Philippe Pedge. That would have been disappointing as well, unfortunately, for the crowd. But it looked like a tremendous event. I think I saw 11,000 people in attendance for an event in Zagreb. Their first trip there, I think it's really, really good. And imagine if they had Solich on that card, man.

It would have been out of this world. I'd say they could sell twice that, maybe, with that going on the card. Definitely. Also, just wanted a note about Octagon there selling 20,000 tickets. Unbelievable. The Czech Republic, I believe. but it's right yeah really amazing things and don't really know an awful lot about the fighters i'm not going to lie i'm not going to pretend i do we were only notified by one of our listeners

who's from the chair republic emil cordon and um you know it's obviously not very well promoted on social because all you it's obviously huge there though right huge there which is amazing and i think it's great for the scene there but i'd like to know a little bit more about it and must see if we can pull up that fight anywhere online yeah i think they sent us a link to it i just look lads there was way too many fights on yeah of course But brilliant. It's great to see for sure, but I'm not going to sell there some wolf tickets about how I think this guy needs to work on his cardio or some bullshit because I don't know what was going on. We have big Paul Craig with us this week who got the fight that he called for on Eurobash a few months ago.

He is fighting Shogun Huah at UFC Sao Paulo this weekend. So we are going to talk to Paul Craig and we were back about 10 minutes to look at what is to come this weekend in this never-ending wheel of events after events after events. Thank you. Yeah man it's crazy because like Shogun is one of those guys that It immediately makes me think of when I was first getting into the sport My brother was getting me into the sport And he had all these highlight videos of Shogun

Who was just you know a young kid basically from Shootbox Who was in pride at the time And you know he always has that kind of mythological Kind of thing about him where he's one of these He's kind of old school but he's also present But um How did this come about right? Because it is quite short notice And I know you wanted it but this fight

When did you first hear about it that it could be a possibility? So one of my friends had messaged me saying, did you see Shogun who has a point pulled out, which was Sam Alvey? So then we had sent the message to the UFC and the UFC had said, listen, we'll put it to him and we'll see if he's interested in taking the fight. Both myself and my coach had this conversation,

you know, why would they not take a fight? That's what we kept saying each other. Why would they not take a fight? He's Shogun Whoer. He is the Co-Meary event. He needs a fight, and I'm a favourable opponent for him. He could get somebody in that division

who's an absolute stud, or he can get somebody like me, who's... Maybe I'm underselling myself here, but who's not as studish, if you will, as other guys there so I was like

he'll definitely take it and then on Monday that Shogun was going to accept the fight we had received the contract and before I'd even signed the contract the fight was already released

and somebody got a hold of it and then I don't know I don't know how it happened but I'd went into the gym and had came back out and there was my fight

and everybody knew about it. That's amazing, man. It's amazing. And I'm wondering, like, you know, what does he mean to you? I mean, do you have the same kind of thing when you were getting into MMA that you were, you know, watching those old school Shogun Rua highlight reels? Or was it just one of those guys that you know was in that legendary pack?

Does I have any personal meaning for you? Or is it just in the broad sense of things he's a legend of the sport? So I'm relatively new to the sport. I'd only really picking the sport up like seven, seven and a half years ago. Like, my whole MMA career has lasted about seven, eight years at the most. That's crazy.

And he was one of these guys who... And he was one of these guys who I knew about, and I was interested in watching him. I like his style. And I had always said, like, if I ever got to fight him, he'd be the guy I'd like to fight. I think stylistically matching me up with him

is a really, really favorable fight for myself as well. so it's honestly moving into the gym when we'd actually find the contract and I could barely have part of the excitement I felt like a schoolboy I felt like a school child

and waking up on Christmas morning and getting this present that's amazing what do you say to people who kind of like I saw this a bit like our own Galeh Kruz put out the story that this fight was happening he's our Brazilian correspondent

and I saw people in the comments saying like, oh, it looks like Paul Craig's getting his opportunity against the ghost of Shogun Hua. And I'm like, this guy just knocked out Tyson Pedro. Like, I mean, what do you guys want? I mean, did you hear a lot of that? The opinion that he's on the slide?

Does that take away from this when that's the opinion of some of the fans out there? You know, he's still a very dangerous fight. Regardless of his age, regardless of how he turns up to a fight now, he's still this dangerous fighter who has

what we're talking like let's say 15 years plus of experience of fighting high level opponents so for anybody to say that he's not got it is why don't you step in an octagon wheel and see how long they last

you know what I'm saying like when somebody's like ah he's no got it anywhere like all right just then you come and jump in there and see how you do against him so he's an experienced opponent he's um he's he's probably not the same athleticism-wise as he was

back in the day. His body shape's changed, but that's to be expected, but if you've got the skill, like he does, you never lose that. It's like when you watch football players like Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes and you see them and they're still playing, like, you know, low-level football, and they've still got the vision.

They can still see it. They might not have their legs to physically do it where they used to, but they can still play football at a high level. form is, what is it, form is temporary classes permanent, isn't that what they say, Paul? Yep, that is. And he's got the class. And I know I'm coming across here as being a spam boy and being like, but I'm going to need to put on a performance.

I'm going to need to, I really want to win. That's like, every time I set in the Octagon, I want to win and I want to win in the most easiest way possible. And for me, that is grappling. but you can't really my striking has improved so much for a fast-peed fighting in Bama to now where I'm at. So who knows how this fight goes?

It's like is it daunting going over to face a Brazilian in Brazil because of the you know a lot of people say it's very difficult to fight over there due to the hostility in the crowd and as you said like this isn't just any Brazilian you're facing right like this is a legend of the sport a pride champion a USC champion you know

is that daunting in some going away? I think it gives me that a wee bit of a spark. I quite like that. I like going to the Lions Den and going in days then and having a wee steal, you know, stealing that victory from them. That's what I'm looking to do.

I've always been, I always go travel to another country for a fight. I've been very, very lucky in my UFC can't fight twice in the, UK, every other fight's been out with and it's been in the US, Mexico, Australia. I get to travel about and for me that's a bonus that comes to this job. Yeah, absolutely. The one thing I know is about this fight and I'm very, I'm really happy to say it is the fact that they have given you like a notable, like one of a big name in the UFC, a guy who's

already established there because I got it had a feeling like they just felt like they were lying you up with all these under. defeated prospects one after another, one after another. And I mean, I was kind of like, well, when's he going to get this big opportunity? And when you said show going, I think it was six months ago when you're on the show, I was like, yeah, that's perfect.

Like, I mean, is that mean a lot to you as well that instead of maybe taking on an unknown guy where you're bringing all the name value to a fight, you're taking on the legend this time? He's the guy who's known so well all around the world. Does that feel good? It does feel good. you know, as you're saying,

I have always been, like, the gatekeeper for the USC. If you can beat Paul Craig he deserves to be in the UFC. If Paul Craig beats you, then there's a good chance of getting kicked out of the UFC. And now, I've sort of paid my dues, you know. That's eight fights I've had in the UFC. Two contracts. Now moving into my

third contract, first fight, and I get an opportunity like this. And both myself and Brian, my coach spoke about this, and they were like, that's an opportunity. We can't pass this up. looking at myself and Sheldon Huron's path we're both in different paths if he wins or you're loses

he goes in a different direction through the way I go if I win or if I was and the only opportunity that I believe that I would get to fight at him is if I take it last minute and it turned up at the right time I come off that camp

uninjured from Mexico City which was a bonus no injuries did a really good fight camp with regards to the cardio output. It was through the roof. It flipped in that auction tent with just increased my red blood cells that made me have more oxygen. I felt amazing. It'd come back

and then this opportunity. And I just went straight back into the gym. I never ever see out a camp when I'm not fighting. I never ever just decide to go, oh, you know what, I'm going to have 10 big Macs and 5 pizzas and just drink loads of beer. That's not my lifestyle. My lifestyle is, I thought I love this. I've not got a long

shelf life in this world. I don't believe. I'm 31, I'll be 32 next month, and I don't believe that I see myself fighting or taking the damage that I'm taking just now in my later life. I can't justify it. I'm not

an idiot, and I know the damage, and I know what it can do to you later on in life, so I want to get as many fights as I possible can. This would be, if you look at a full year, I said this would be my fifth fight, So starting for Australia at the end of the last year. Okay, now, five again in November.

Five fights, so. Yeah, it's pretty amazing, man. It's a very active streak you're on for sure. Like, and, you know, I just get the feeling that, you know, people kind of ham it up, you know, before you fight, like, I feel like nearly every fight you've had, people are going, oh, if he loses this one, and you're like, he's even in the U.S. or else, you know,

like, he has a pretty even record here, guys. You know, I feel like nearly every fight you have, people are kind of talking like that and sometimes it's just not accurate. Do you get that sense? Is there a constant insecurity for you or is that just people talking? Do you just say, all right, leave them to that. I'll get on with my business. No, I kind of believe that.

You know, in sports about entertainment. As much as I've about the martial arts is entertainment. You need to have an entertaining factor in this. You could be the best fight on the world and with no ring presence or no charisma. smart and you'll not do well in this sport you need to have something and I just feel like if you're not performing, you're not

entertaining the fans then there's an opportunity for the bosses to just say, listen we'll see you later you look at guys who have been released you had was it in Mickey the Silver who had joined about the same time as me, the heavyweight in Mickey and he was released as well

you had guys like it's not recently was it Walt Harris who couldn't arrange a contract and then obviously it was out. For me, I want to fight the UFC. That's what I want to do as a job. And I need to put on performances

and I think sometimes that it opens me up because I need people that have that win. And I can understand why people look at me and say, well, Paul Luzzi's, this is him, he's gone, this is his last fight, this is his last contract, blah, blah, blah. And I like that. That's dark it gives me that.

I actually give me that. against the wall and I need to perform. And this is what this is going to give me. Two-week fight camp going into the Lionsden and fighting against this legend, I feel like, right, I am the underdog. I need to rise above the occasion and get this done. They show people that I can actually fight. I deserve to be the UFC. I've just got one final question. That's all great stuff, Paul. Thank you so much again. But I've just got one final question about your meeting with Brett Hart. You look so happy in that picture, man. Can you tell us about your meeting with the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be?

I was just about to say that. He took what out of my mouth, you know? I felt like a wee boy. Because I grew up with a bigger brother, and we used to watch the wrestling. And I always wanted to be a fighter. I look to this guy, and he was the biggest, but he was the best. And his charisma, everyone went along, was amazing. And getting to meet him, and him getting to sign.

I felt like a bit of a child going up with a funco pop It's like a plastic figure And he was away signing it Honestly I'm six foot four And I'm sitting next day I was all chuff with myself

Both me and myself And my partner went And we were both Brett Hart fans It was just an amazing And then he starts telling his stories And he's not as sharp as he once was But you know what His story and his life is rich

It's amazing just to hear him And obviously he didn't talk about The Montreal Screwjob Because he's like He's sick I'm talking about that. I'd say everybody asked him that. Yeah, straight away, I'd say it's the first question

out of everyone's mouth at those Q&A's. Well, that's exactly. And the sort of compil was like, okay, guys, he's not taking any questions on the Montfield screen with your job, so don't bother asking. And one of the guys are up here and he asks this question,

and he's like, so, but he wants it in such a way when he's like, so when you sort of reformed the Heart Foundation and then all that stuff happened. Can you tell me about all that stuff? off the hand.

And he's like, you want to hear about the screw jab, I told you, and he's like, eh, yeah, yeah, and he's like,

I'm not going to do it. So he's like, everybody wants to hear it, but he must be sick of just talking about that. But for me, this, like,

I love a sport so much because it gives me an opportunity to meet these guys and I've talked to these guys about MMA, and, like,

last year I got to meet JR, who's a massive MMA fan. I got to meet Chris Jericho, who is and he's like, I just don't get it. I just don't get it.

And I'm like, well, it's like, it's like what you do only is real. And he's like, I know, but I just don't get it. And like, for me, getting to meet, like, getting to meet, my idols, like guys as a teenager and younger, as a child,

that I grew up watching, I get, I'm meeting them. Like, I got the opportunity to meet Biffy Clyro as well and, like, explore my mind and insight. Like, I'm, like, screaming. Like, this inner child I find this one. Paul, Paul, Paul, you get to meet this guy. And outside

I'm trying to make cool. But don't get me wrong, I'm sweating. Like, I've done five rounds with Brett Hart. I'm just constantly sweating, we nervous. But this sport, it just gives you so much. It takes so much from me. It takes so much time. And, like, time I should be spend

him with my family. And I can't because, for instance, last night, it's, there's fireworks displays that I couldn't take my kids to I miss out and check of treating with my kids because I've got to give this camp, my all. Absolutely, man. It's incredible.

Well, that's a great story about you and Brett Hart. I'd better let some other media members talk to you because I know you're on a bit of a shift there in terms of media, but a pleasure to speak to you and all the best to you, Brian, and the Scottish hit squad in Brazil, my friend. It's a huge fight and I'm glad that you're finally getting one. Thank you very much, my friend.

Hopefully I'll speak to you after the fight and I'll be like, hey. Getting deck as always. That sounds good, man. I look forward to it. I look forward to it. I'll talk to you soon, Paul. Bye, man.

I'll see you. Bye, bye. Have a good weekend. I'll see you later. You too, man. And thank you very much to Big Paul Craig, who I'm sure is being buoyed by his meeting with Brett Heardt.

Has you still teach? A couple of months ago. Amazing. No, no, he stepped away from that couple of years ago. You keep a current, don't you, McGra? It's just not a very bad question to ask, is it? What do you rest?

Let's have a look at that card, though. I mean, two big European interests in the main and co-main with Jan Belhovic taking on Honaldo Soza, Mr. Jackaray, as we call him, in this neck of the woods. 205, how do you think Jackeray is going to get on there? Do you feel like he can be a perennial title contender? No. Hasn't look well for, like, Chris Boydman, Luke Rockhold, who've all tried to do this recently. The older nuts.

They're struggling. They are. No, it is. I think, you know, Jack Array has not impressed me in his last number of bouts, and I think maybe he is on a downward trajectory, I can never say it from, trajectory in his career. And beautiful synergy here. And I think, yeah, it is.

You know, it is Blackovich's fight there to win. He's been on a row recently. And I can't look past him. And I don't really, I don't think a lot of people. I think, you know, if you look at the odds, it's going to be very much in Blahovic's favor because I know it's in Brazil, but I don't really care. I think that guy's overcome enough adversity

to go out there and get a result against Jacaray. and I do fancy him, I do, because I've been very impressed with some of his performances recently. That's a good point, actually, because, I mean, if you think about the amount of people that were already booking Luke Rockall v. John Jones

before Blahovitch even fought him. Like, I mean, they were writing him off, right? Like, so it's... Don't write him off, man. No, no. He has a left hook for you. Don't write him off. He's a tough deal, and he can go,

you know, and he's durable as well. Like, you know, he's not one of those guys that, you know, he gets tapped and he goes down. Like, look at what he did to feck and Chris Wybin, and as you said there, The guy has a lot of tools and his repets work and I just think Jacare is a fading force and I think it's going to be very evident on Saturday night

I think Blahovic is going to do this I'm very very confident he is Paul Craig gets to call up to fight Mauriceo ruah as we spoke to him about just there a huge huge opportunity for Paul Craig A legend in Brazil like It's a massive fight And it's just a tough one to read here

Because like Paul man You know again in his last fight pulling it out of the bag But we've sort of well I've question pulse, maybe cardio in a number of his bouts where he's sort of faded a little bit going in after the first round even and I think But he's so many third round finishes

It's hard to even say, right? It's mad, yeah. It's bizarre. It seems to come to life right at the death when it needs it the most And that's a great thing to have in your locker To know you're able to do that But last time now we made quick work of Anishis obviously That's right, but like Shogun like What are we going to see from Shogun? You never know what you're going to see from

anymore, you know, it's so erratic He hasn't been the same fighter for the last three or four years. It's Paul Craig's fight probably to lose. Is that a fair comment to say? I don't think it is, is it? I don't know. It's hardly, because it is a big step up, man.

Because as Paul said in the interview, look, he's going from fighting these debut in pros to fighting this legend of the game. They have an opponent they both face in Tyson Pedro. Obviously, Shogun still putting Tyson away in his last fight there last December. But it's been a long time we saw him. I mean, the last one I saw him fight live was against Anthony Smith and Hamburg. but I mean a year is a long time

when you're hit 37 years of age, right? Yeah, I don't know what we really expect to see from money more and I'm not sure we're going to see a very, very good version of Shogun who. And listen, I think the interesting thing here is Paul Craig going into Brazil as well. That's going to be an interesting

dynamic to see if he can adjust and, you know, the Brazilian crowds are lethal guys especially when you're fighting a guy like Shogun or Jacques Aray. It's going to be tough for those guys, but I am. I'm going to favour Paul Craig here. Yeah, well, It would be quite a win.

I'm looking forward to watching that one. Charles Oliver also on this car. That's a bang and fight. I know he's not a European man, but what a run he's on. I mean, five wins. What does a win against Jared Gordon do for him, though? You know, like, I mean... Yeah, you're right.

Jared Gordon's coming off two losses. You know, one sort of big knockout. Their reason, he lost quite badly. So I actually would have liked seeing Jared Gordon take a little bit more time off. Because, so he's coming off a win. It was the bad knockout. It was against Jackie and Silva. and the one before that against Diego Ferreira.

But yeah, I'm not sure really what it does. Jared's a very good fighter, you know, rough, tough, and really good stand-up. Obviously, coming out of roof of sport as well. But, yeah, you'd have to fancy Olivera here, man. The guy has serious skills. I think you're just getting better and better and better the whole time.

I think ever since that Paul Felder fight, we've seen so much evolution in his game, his stand-up, is Mai Tai, how good he is in the deck. The guy's insane. But, again, you're coming back to it. What does it really do from? I don't know. I just think it keeps him there.

I think he needs a bigger opponent, that's a... Yeah, I think he does as well. And I think maybe because it's a Brazilian card, he just wanted to get a fight in. And he has been quite focal about it as well, saying he wants higher level opponents. The ghost of Hannan Burrell's on this card. Jesus.

There he is. I didn't even realize. There we go. There's a lot of good fights, but let's keep it your playing. Of course. Arian Lipski, the former KSW champion has been having a hard time of it in the UFC.

It's actually quite shocking to me. It is shocking. And this is a make-it-or-break-fight, I feel, for Ariani. underperformed I think on both her outings look very very and I think we mentioned this

on both her fights against Caller what Armacan nerves seem to be very very evidence Maldi mop the floor whatever in the last one Yeah

like that's mop the floor but nerves did she just looked very very edgy coming into those fights and I noticed that I thought it was quite evident it's going to be interesting so we know what she can do

we've seen her in KSW it's just a matter of I think maybe a home crowd as well might suit her I know she's obviously Brazilian Polish but I think the home crowd here could be a big big advantage for maybe set her down

calm her down and I'm expecting a big performance I really am Well I think if she doesn't win this one It's over it's curtain so Yeah she has to it It's pretty important Let's take a look at this Belator 2-3-4 card In Israel

Linton Vassell UK Heavyweight even is in the main event against Sergei Karatanov That's a very tough fight for Linton There's absolutely no doubt about that Karatanov is a great heavyweight, probably one of the best heavyweights in the world. It doesn't really get the credit he deserves as far as I'm

concerned. He seems to fight every week as well. Yeah, I mean, he comes into this on a six-fight win streak. He's coming off the win against Matt Mitreone. He's bet Roy Nelson, he's bet Joey Beltran. I mean, I don't fancy Linton, yeah. Linton's... Even though Linton does carry a wallop, I feel like Sergei's is a bridge too far. Shanaid Kavanaugh on the card

against Olga Rubin. That's flown underneath the radar. Yeah. Yeah, that's a good fight. Obviously, Alga fought here in Dublin a number of months ago and it's a big, big one. Obviously, five-fired a title already, like, Olga, so. I wonder if She's all right. Obviously, she suffered a couple of injuries after her last fight against Leslie Smith.

I would have maybe seen her taking a little bit more time off. But yeah, I think it's a big, big night for She said. She talked about that Leslie Smith rematch. It obviously never came to fruition, but it is. It's a big, big one out for Shanee Kavan as well. She should call for that fight if she gets to win. That would be huge. Definitely.

Austin Vanderford and Mr. Van Zant is also on that card. and about 75 lads from Israel. So enjoy them prelims. That should be fun. Also going down this week is brave because obviously the world championships is being held in Bahrain this week and a big event for Brave there

with Jose Torres defending his flyweight title against Marcel Oder at the top of the card. Also involved as I broke a few weeks ago is Ryan Curtis v. Amir al-Bazi. But on the prelims, what? That picture of Ryan is beautiful. His hair looks great. He's always, he's a very good-looking man.

What about the one? 135 meeting between Dean Garnett and Rani Sada. That's like second from the bottom. It's crazy, man. Please tell me this isn't the bout order because it's ridiculous if it is. That should be Kau-Maint events. Dean Garnet and Rani Sada is an incredibly

high level of a way. That's a banger. That's a banger. That's a bonger. Can we re-shuffle this for you? Right. Keep Jose where he is. Yeah, Grant. Then put Dean Garnett v. Rana and Kaumean event.

Then put, keep Felipe Silva and Gorham there maybe. But then I want to see Ron Curtis v. Amir al-Bazi. Yeah. Who do I send my invoice to? Prince of Bahrain You got a good invoice out of him 50 million minutes

Yeah there you go But yeah I mean I mean Jesus that's pretty much It's actually not a bad card I'm going to try and watch it Hopefully I'll get a word with Ryan Before he heads off But big best look to the Irish fighters

Definitely yeah At the world's in Bahrain this week right Is it the world? It's the world, it's the world Yeah, it's a big week on Obviously a big strong bucket of fighters there. So yeah, I'm very much looking forward to seeing what other future stars we can produce from this.

And obviously Andy and all the lads there and him had doing a great job of getting the team together and getting prepared. I think Paddy Euland's gone over to coach because he was at that Cage Warriors event and he literally watches two Amateurs for you and then I think he was home to get a plane to Bahrain so pretty incredible. That's it, yeah. So, you know, best of luck to these

these up-and-coming future stars of mixed martial arts. I wonder if he's booked a date at the Eastons in Bahrain to plug his book. I'd say so. Yeah, that goes without saying. He's probably invited to the Prince's castle or whatever they do there. Charging $50 million for a book, right? I wouldn't be going to any Prince's Castle in Bahrain, but anyway.

All right. Don't think, just for the record, we don't know if Patty is either. Yeah, we don't have. We're just totally waffling shit here. So when are we going to get a definitive answer to Doorbell Gate? Are you going to stay in the trees? Follow my social media. I'll give an update later on.

There was a bit of interest last night. what are people doing a half four in the morning bloody tweeting me back? Yeah, so, no, yeah, I'll give an update later on, but yeah, I'm sort of, it's a bit embarrassing really because I was so angry and then I thought it was someone I was swinging the golf club, my nine arm was getting wrapped off the bloody wall out the front,

and then I think it might have been a technical thought, so that's quite embarrassing for me, but listen, fuck it, shit happens. These things happen. Yeah, these things happen in MMA. They do. I'm looking forward to this weekend because we've loads more men to watch. I hate it.

I can't wait until I'm a celebrity gets me out of here start so I can keep tabs on the one of the... That's just... The hottest new signings in the M.A. That's crazy, man. I think that's just... It's just bizarre that they're going to sign a guy and then... Like, somebody at you from the M.A. fans' reaction to this.

Me pointing out that he did say he was professionally dedicated to M.M.A. All this professional dedication. And everyone's like, yeah, it's good thing. It's going to drive up his money. That isn't... Imagine he was playing. football and this is what we're saying. Oh sorry lads he's actually going to go and do a reality TV show for a while. It's ridiculous.

I can understand it to a certain extent but it does take away his real commitment to his martial arts. The whole illusion that he was doing this for passion and etc. Bellator love this kind of thing and they haven't been very successful with it. Well Aaron Chalmers is a huge successful. Yeah but you know in general a lot of the stuff they've done hasn't been very successful in getting eyes back to their broadcast I would imagine

So I think that is really what Bellator need to do And I think they need to come up with some new more tactics And make better fights And maybe You know, as we have with Cage Warriors I'm saying with Cage Warriors There's something, there's a greater goal I think that's what Bellator need to establish

Yeah, I've said that, make European tiles And they're like, we don't want to make the main tiles I'm actually coming around to it now I'd love, well, I mean, what are we fighting for at the end of it? It's just getting very stale Yeah, but yeah, what about Toys and Fury and Tarantail training as well? Yeah, yeah, I stuck a picture up with that there today

And Steve M. E.O. She's coming out and deleting his tweet and all that. What was that? He said, be careful what you wish for. Cleveland's finest, man. I mean, right, when he said this in the interview, I'm like, all right, this is just a bit of crack. Fair play to him.

We've said to Darren against. We'll hopefully get him on in six months. All right. But when I saw the initial interview about Tyson, I was like, right, he's just having a bit of crack. Like, no matter what you want to say, if he's gone and having a session with Darren Till, it does add something to that storyline.

You know what I mean? Do I think it's going to happen? No. I think it's going to happen? No. I think it's more realistic of happening than maybe some of the other stuff we've seen in the past. Clearly, Dana's coming out and saying as well that, you know, oh, what's he doing coming to MMA? I love the guy, but he'll get handed.

Yeah, that's Dana fucking trying to get him out of. Yeah, well, they're owned by a PR company now, so I mean. But listen, you know, there's been worse going. He's coming over, and a lot of, like, MMA in the heavyweight division does stay in the feet. So you never know, man. Greg Hardy. You never know. Yeah, well, there you go.

Give him Greg, Greg, give him Greg, give him Greg, give him Greg, like, poke his eyes. out or something. I can't wait till Darren Till comes out and tells us that he's going to beat Steepay if they fight etc. That's going to be magic. That's going to be amazing. That's the quote that we're going to get on this show. He's moving a heavyweight. That's the only question now. Darren, Will Toys and Fury

beat Stepe Amiochish when they fight in the UFC? Yo Romero was mentioned as well. I thought you seem to be smacking that out in his Instagram during the weekend Darren Till. So he wanted to fight yo. Yeah, but sure. Israel and y'all are fighting now? Yeah. What I'm saying? That's Darren was just calling for it.

I don't know. I'd prefer the funny lines where he was like, oh, I'm shitting myself about it. Oh, that ain't fucking out. But no, listen, that's going to be interesting as well when we hear from Darren if we ever do again because he's such a, he even admits it, he's a nightmare to get that whole lovely.

Yeah, he is indeed, but look, I'm very tired. I need to go. Yeah, and he's got a bed for an hour. So we'll see his next week. Thank you very much. And let us know what you think about our cafe backdrop. Ended it a bit better. It's a bit miserable.

You fucking ended up. All right, okay. We'll catch us all next week. Sorry for a grumpy pizza. leaveys and love you wow what an ending yeah Peter Carl

no I'm a grad is good luck good night you're so good at this just for the end of you look man bye bye