MMA Fighting - Eurobash: Episode 69 (w/ Valentina Shevchenko, Leah McCourt, Nathaniel Wood, Ross Houston)

Episode Date: February 11, 2020

On this week's Eurobash, UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (9:30) discusses her next move following her emphatic win over Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 247. Leah McCourt (47:00) relives being thrust into a historic Bellator Dublin main event due to an injury to James Gallagher. Nathaniel Wood (1:03:30) sheds light on his year on the sidelines and his intention to break the bantamweight top 10 with a win over John Dodson in Rio Rancho. New free agent Ross Houston (1:17:00) gives his take on his split from Cage Warriors and his future. Petesy Carroll and Niall McGrath look at the latest headlines in European MMA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, we are back again. After a weekend, married by judging decisions, we are back to the Eurobash duo. It's me and Noel McGrath, as always, live in your ears and in your minds. How are you, Norman? Worst intro ever.

Listen, mate. On a good, man. Listen, my back is killing me from carrying you, but thank you anyway, all right? All right, you're welcome. You're welcome. That's not a very positive manner to start the show off. You're the one criticising my fantastic intros.

Terrible intro. just like to get the ball rolling so we can get down to the business. Fair enough. Fair enough. You know, I don't like this. Oh, and it's a lovely windy day here in Dublin, that kind of show. Fuck off. Nobody cares. Yeah, so we had great coverage all week at USC 247, our fantastic team, Esther, Casey, Jose. Who's Jose?

Alex making our debut on camera, fair play. Alex, a legend. Cool, Alex, as you know, in our circles. We have a new government in Ireland on the way, apparently, after our general election. Mad L weekend full of that. Did you vote? Yeah, yeah, I did. I did as well, yeah.

It's mad. It's a mad scene, isn't it? Yeah, I'm worried about the future of our country, if I'm being honest, mate. I'm not going to lie about that. Well, to be honest with you, I've never been secure about the future of our country, so it's just a different kind of dynamic. Let's see how this ball gets rolling, I suppose. Nothing's going to change.

It never does. Apart from, we might not be here anymore. We might leave the country. But yeah, a bit of a madel weekend, all right. Let's get on with the latest news because we've got a huge, huge list of guests again. For the first time ever, we have an active UFC champion on the show. We have Valentina Shevchenko, fresh off our title defence against Caitlin Chukagin, an absolute masterclass again. Is that the first?

That's the first active champion. We've had a few champions on, but never someone holding the belt. Is that true? That surprises me. I know, it does because we always have amazing guests, yeah, I know. It's hard to believe. but I'm afraid it's true. We also have Nathaniel Wood, who was taking on John Dodson.

After 11 months on the sideline, he's coming back and fighting the toughest assignment of his life in Rio Rancho. You hear from Nathaniel later, he believes a win over John Dodson will unlock the top 10 for him. And it's hard to argue against that after Peter Yan and guys had their careers absolutely leap. I don't know, how would you say the careers took flame once they bet John Dodson. propelled. Propelred is the word I was definitely looking for. Liam McCourt will be on as well to speak about her historic main event at Bellator, Dublin,

following the injury of James Galaher. And of course, we will be joined by Ross Houston as well, who last week it was revealed that he has been released by Cage Warriors and has vacated that welterweight title. Reese McKee will now fight for that welterweight title on May 16th in Belfast. Even though I've gone through most of the headlines already now, I should probably do it again. A back injury is forced.

just Cal Erdoganer out of his main event about with Carl Eleanor. What I'm hearing is that fight could be earmarked for a co-main event in a Bellator, London later on this year. Liam McCart v. Judith Ruiz now moved to the main event. The first time a huge promotion like this has had a female main event in Ireland, so a very big deal for Leah. Richard Coily's also been out of the card. He'll take on George Hardwick. Coily, of course, coming back from that loss against MVP. Richie Smullen has a new opponent. He'll now take on Albert Diaz. He was initially meant to fight Ranjit Barrier.

Dylan Logan also has a new opponent. He'll take on Callum Murray. Tom Merns has been ruled out at that fight. From what I'm hearing, and I saw an interview with Tom actually with UK MMA and Katie Hunter where he said. Bellator asked him basically to get a GP to sign off on a making Federer, which is pretty impossible, I'd imagine this part of the world. But you can imagine that he's not too happy about that. But that is the way the cookie crumbles, unfortunately. It's going to be very hard for anything other than a medical practitioner to sign off on that. As we said, Ross Houston has vacated, and the Toiland has been released from Cage Warriors. Reese McKin now fights for the title in Belfast and May.

Another one here, Noel, interesting. RCC hosting a Road to PFL event in Russia on Feb 22nd. It's part of their European, or global expansions, would I say. so the winner will go through and fighting the PFL which is quite interesting but that's all the headlines I thought we should talk about last week because

we were hoping to have a bit of news on the podcast last week weren't we yeah we did go oh Jesus a mad news when you got up and it obviously played out that way I think we were pretty confident but we don't do anything without fully getting shit over the line Yeah we tried Jesus Christ

We really did try to get it but yeah it's unfortunate James having to pull out, but a huge story, and then a whole avalanche of stories that day. We should have just done it for the crack and just see what happened, but we don't do that. Yeah,

and then I wouldn't have slept all night, but I'm not able to text you. Do you think it's... No, I'm not able for that shit. Yeah, listen, it's unfortunate, man. It really is. We were looking forward to that fight. It was a really good test,

I think, for James, for both guys, for Cal as well, obviously, you know, putting together some really big wins, and obviously it fed out before. So really disappointing for both guys. and Leah steps up now, yeah, for Bellator. Absolutely.

We're going to talk about that a bit later because we have four guests this week. We're going to do the talking points after the first interview, but we're definitely going to get back to that. What about Ross Houston? We kind of saw this coming, right? Like, it seemed like he didn't really, he was out of favor with Cage Warriors, or he certainly didn't seem happy based on his social media. I think it's good to just get this done.

Get a deal with it. That's always the best way. We saw Robert Whiteford when he was at ACB, how long that truck, you know, went on for, you know, dragged out for like three, four, five even longer months, but yeah, it's good to get this out of the way. It's good for Ross. It's good for Cage Warriors. It's unfortunate. I think it all

stems back. Originally, when Ross came out after he wasn't allowed compete in the grappling tournament, and it's, I mean, Sarah Grapes ever since then, and obviously they've cut a deal or something's happened there. And everything seems like, I mean, they're all telling me it was an amical separation, so I mean, well,

Reese McKee is going to be happy about it anyway, isn't he? He's delighted. I know, you've been speaking to him. I've been speaking to him. You know, This is what Reese has dreamt about in stage one of his progression of his career to go towards the UFC. He's turned down Bellator contracts. So he's told us. And this is what Reese wants. So that is, you know, obviously, what, 99 fighters, I think now have gone on, 96 fighters.

Sorry, 95. It's just because Morgan Sharrier last week was like, I will be 96. Okay, sorry, I'm getting confused here, right? But it is, you know, that's an incredible record that Cage worries have had in relationship, you know, in terms of the relationship with the UFC. in producing fighters for the UFC. So you know, you get that title and you're well on the path with the Sean Shelby and Graham, Graham Maynard, Mick Maynard having their eyes on you. So it's a huge opportunity for Reese.

Yeah, it also adds a lot to these Irish shows that Cage Royers are doing. That's one thing. A lot of people are like, oh, if Reese wins in May, he's off to the UFC. Look, Cage Warrior is going to need him for those shows as well. Like, this is going to be a huge storyline now for these cards over the next year. Over 2020, it's going to be about Reese and that title. if he managed security in May. And yeah, by the end of the year, I'd expect him.

If he's still holding onto that belt, he'll be signing with the big boys. Oh, 100% man. Look at the guy. He's the complete package as well, I think, in terms of marketing. He's got lovely hair. Not as nice as mine, but yeah, decent hair. He's a great guy. He's good with the media.

He knows how to deal with the media. He knows the right things to say. And obviously backs it up with that touch of death. So McKee is on path for the big show. No, indeed, no doubt, Pety. Without further ado, let's get on with the first interview of today. It's a great privilege for us to have Valentina Shepchenko on the show. What a legend.

I think she's one of the best fighters in the world at the moment. My colleague Jed Meshew had an article out this morning. Lodinger is the most dominant champion in the UFC. And I agree with it, to be honest. When you think about where Valentina is and what she's doing to these contenders, she's absolutely in a class of her own. And in a class of her own on the microphone and on the phone as well as you will hear, she's an absolute diamond.

A pleasure to have her on. We'll be back in about 15 minutes to get on to these talking points. And thanks again to Valentina. And now we are joined with the UFC Flyway Champion and one of the greatest fighters in the world at the moment, who just recorded in our title defence against Caitlin Chukhagen. It is none other than the bullet herself. Valentina Shevchenko.

And what an honor it is to be joined by you, Valentina. How happy are you with this victory in Houston? Texas. Hello, Peter. Yes, it was good night for me. It was good, like, in general, everything, training camp preparation. And, of course, after the victory, it's like, a happiness that you feel. And it's amazing that doesn't matter how, like, injured you are or not if you get the

victory, it's everything that really matter. Were you carrying injuries into this fight or were you very fit? Very small one, you know, it's like even doesn't count. No, very small. Right, right. How do you celebrate a win like this? You go in, you perform so amazingly. How do you celebrate something like this?

I like to celebrate it with my friends, with my family. and I don't like the big celebration. I very like to spend time in the probably like go to eat something, go with my family to the nature, just to take a moment and appreciate the moment, appreciate everything that was and going to be. And I really love to spend my time in very, like quiet and like nature, go to the lake. This is for me the best, the best celebration.

Do you, I mean, after a performance like that, do you feel that was a special one? Because it seems every fight you show us a new side to you. This was a very dynamic performance. Is it something like, do you get more proud of some fights compared to the other? Do you feel especially proud about this performance because it was utterly dominant? You know, I think that fighters, they cannot say while they are active and while they're like continues their professional career fights. They cannot say things like that that they can say, okay, this is my best performance or whatever. I think when you are done already with something and you are like doing something new in your life, you can take look back and say, okay, this is what I think or this is what's the best moment. But right now, it's like no time to think about this.

It's still many things going to come in the future. I hope so. And every time, of course, I'm like in my train. Iranians everywhere. I try to make myself better version of me than I was yesterday. And this is my priority number one. How does it feel when everybody is beginning to talk about you as the most dominant champion in the UFC? I mean, do you care about these accolades that people say about you? It just seems that you are so far ahead of everyone in the division. Do you take that as a compliment? Do you believe that or how do you feel about it? For me it means first of all I appreciate it a lot because

you know I started martial arts very young age five years old and now I training for I do all this things I fight I train in for 26 years already so all my life I spent doing this kind of stuff and of course after all this year full detail education, training, and everything that I spent, of course, it's feeling great that these like recognitions that like people, they are speaking. But in the other, like, from other side, it put on me more responsibility to keep the same work. And I'm just like this kind of person. I was like growing up with this mindset because of my family, because of my coach, Pavel Fidot of his every time, was saying, it's no time to stop. Never. Before you are like breathing,

before you're living, it's every time you have to move forward. And if it's at this point, people like thinking about me like this, it's meaning for me I have to keep forward. and it's not time to think, okay, it's enough, I did everything, now I have to enjoy. No, it's never. It's, for me, it's like, I have to work double right now. Well, you're such an amazing representation of the sport, such a great role model, you're such a martial artist. I was wondering, you know, I've seen the crazy celebrations that happen in Kyrgyzstan when you win. but what has the impact been like in the country, like from your success? Because I'm from Ireland and it went from nobody knowing what martial arts, mixed martial arts was,

to everybody knowing when Connor McGregor came along. Is it like that in your country? I would say, so for example, in my country, it was every time the sport number one, it was martial arts. It was like all kind of wrestling, boxing, and all like, I proud that in my country, sport number one is martial arts.

And even like when there is a competition of soccer and another competition of martial arts in like professional fights, the arena is going to be fullest of fans and people in martial arts competitions. Wow. Amazing. That's why in Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia, people love UFC.

They're watching it all the time. They speak about the UFC. So it's like it's the big. It's a huge over there. So that's why everyone is very like paying a lot of attention to see every, every news and know everyone. and every fighters from UC. Wow, that's incredible.

It's incredible. And do you find more women getting involved in the sport because of your success? We see it over here as well. When we have dominant European fighters, females, we see more females going to the gym. Do you think you inspired many women to get involved in martial arts, or was there already many women involved in martial arts where you're from? I know, I really hope so. I really hope that there is like each day more goals starting to practice and to train.

And even if some of them don't think and or like not considering their life being a professional athletes, I would love to see more goals just practicing martial arts. Because from one side it's give like if we're speaking about the physical condition, It's put you in a good shape. It's doing sports, put you in the good mood as well. What is more the important thing for like feel the life, happy life and live enjoying, living, enjoying the life. And from like other side, it gives self-confidence. It's make you secure in yourself.

So you are not that like person who is afraid of everything, what they are going to. think about me, what they're going to like do it or something like that stuff. You are just over than this. You are higher. You are just knows that everything that you are doing it's for yourself to enjoy it, to enjoy your life. And I hope not only girls, but every day would be more everyone. All people will do martial arts practicing and love the sports the same way is I love. Amazing. One of the things that fascinates me about you is that, okay, you're the UFC champion, you're

dominant, you're completely out on your own and your division, but you're also your own manager. How did that happen? That's really an amazing thing for me to see because even when I see fighters maybe four fights into the professional career, the first thing they do is get a manager, but here you are at the very top of the sport and you're managing yourself. How did this happen? Yes, it was backwards. I had a manager first and then I went as a self-manager.

Now it's about like a little over than one year as a self-manager. And it works good for me because I feel that I felt that I can do it and I can do it like both things together. it's not affecting me at all. It doesn't take like what people are afraid. Oh, I will start to do these things and it will take out, take out like time from my trainings or whatever. No, I can do this both. I can spend time on training, quality training.

I can spend time on doing things like in my professional business stuff. And of course, it's you have to think about it. it. You have to put more efforts in this. You have to understand what you are doing. But isn't it the things that make you smarter? I think so.

Every time in my life, I wanted to like be how I express this. Be able to resolve everything that I can to understand how things are working.

for not being like, you know, when this little dogs, little cats, little cats, they are just burning, they are still like cannot see anything. And they don't know nothing. So I don't want to be that stuff. No, I want to understand everything. I want to be smart, clever, and good athlete at the same time. You know, a lot of people are considering your next opponent. I saw you at the post-flight press conference speak about Joe.

You spoke about Jennifer Maya and Roxanne, I believe. I know you just recently did an interview with Ariel Hawani, my good friend, and you said that Jojo is probably going to be next. Is that a fight that excites you? Every fight excite me. Every fight, yes. And I say that Jojo, she's every time giving her best in the fight. So she's fighting until the end. and she's trying like two dozen matter.

I didn't watch a lot of her fights yet. I watched only fight against Caitlin, but at that moment I was focusing more on Caitlin than sure. But she did great. She was like fighting until the end and trying to flip the fight like toward her side. And I consider it's like the same, very good opponent. And so I hope soon I will have a date and an opponent name.

So I probably could do my sister is going to fight in April 25th against Cynthia Calvillo. And like anyway, yes, it's a very very good fight. I think it's going to be a good one. And I will help in her in her training camp. I will do the same things like training with her doing all the same. stuff. So if it would be somewhere the date close to her fight, probably as we have already tradition one week after her fight. Yes, yes. It seems so. Yes, go ahead. Yeah. No, I would say so it would be amazing. Yeah. Does it feel like I feel like a lot of people ask you about Wiley Zhang and things

like this. Do you feel like it's nearly disrespectful for the other fighters in your division that people are constantly trying to put you against a champion at strawweight or a champion at Bantamweight? Because it seems to come up an awful lot, right? I think it's a normal thing that people want to see that kind of fight because it became very popular about the super fight. And I think it's nature, people's nature, to create this. kind of interest of whatever. Yes, yes. So it's, you don't feel as though it's sliding your division.

It's just something that people will always think about. Of course. Of course. It's nothing disrespectful to the fighters in flyweight division. They just, like, it would be anyway. It would be the same things. Does it matter who would be in my weight class? They would create the same question.

the same interest. I think it's normal, normal scene. How did it feel to have Hallie Berry there? I know you did this film bruised with Hallie, but I mean, she's one of the biggest stars in the whole world. And she looked like she is so excited to see you. She looked so happy after you got victory. You must be really good friends. Oh yes. I'm so happy that she came. It was like one of the biggest motivation for me and she came before the fight she went to the hour like changing room when I was warming up she said like all best wishes she like was amazing and yes definitely it was one of the reason why I felt I have to finish the fight sooner is she a good fighter you've taught her how to fight right for on the film how good is she

fighting now. Oh, you know, she's very good. For this filming, she was preparing and she was training more than three years doing Muay Thai, MMA boxing, every kind of martial arts. And she's actually, I can say from the professional point of view, she is in excellent shape. She's in good form. And yes, she is fighter now. Yes, she's actress and a fighter. I have two more questions for you, Valentina, and thank you so much. This is a great honor for us. First question is, did Henry Zahudo vacate the belt because he was afraid of you? You know, I didn't think about this, but now it makes sense.

It does. Now I see the reason why. I think you might have choked him too hard that time. That time. Yeah, probably, probably. And one more. We are a European show. And of course, there was a very famous Shevchenko from Ukraine, a football player, Andrei Shevchenko. And because of this, we always just thought of you as a European. And you've mentioned earlier that Kyrgyzstan is actually in Asia. But we were wondering, could we bring you on as an honorary team member of Team Europe? Because we would love a champion on our team like you. It would be a huge honor for me. Oh my God, amazing. I can't believe this is happening. I cannot believe this is happening.

This is amazing. That is the best news I've had all week. Thank you again for getting on to speak to us. And congratulations on another amazing performance. I cannot wait to see your next fight. Whoever it's against whatever weight division, you're one of the greatest fighters in the world. And it was an absolute pleasure to speak to you. you. Thank you so much, Peter. Have a great time and enjoys everything.

Enjoyes the life. You too, Valentina. Thank you so much. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. And what a pleasure it was to speak to Valentina and Chevchenko. Of course. And where should we go now? But to look at UFC 247, and what better place to start then, Shevchenko's latest masterclass against Caitlin Chukhagen. She bet the breaks off that girl. Yeah, I think it was. pretty much as we predicted last week. You know, what can you do?

It's a fighter. Like, it's just... She's a beast, man. Those, you know, the switch kicks, the question mark kicks. There was all sorts going on. Do you know what I find most impressive about her, her composure in the pocket? She just literally, just... Little sly head movements, tiny little movements that completely open up our opponent.

The opponents are like... They're not even the same realm as far as I'm concerned. Like, I mean, like, I think the... world of Jojo Collarwood, but still, after seeing what Shevchenko's been doing to the Floydway Division, it's very, like, I mean, it's impossible to pick against her, right? Yeah, no, impossible to pick against her. And I think, you know, we often mention, you know, how calm champions look when they come out to the Octagon. Dude, you wouldn't even know she's, do you think she's going

for breakfast or something? Like, it's crazy how, as you said, when she's in the pocket there, how cool, calm, calculated. And listen, once she had Caitlin down the ground there, we saw, I think it was the, the end of the second round. Oh, sorry. And when she dropped that elbow. That was just vicious. That's sort of to open her up and that really,

I think you could see in the second round them when Hayton went to her corner that she was breathing heavy and going, Jesus man, do I really want to be in here

and then ultimately she got into the cruis of fix and listen, fine stoppage, I've no problem. Now where to go there, me. It would have just got worse

and a good stoppage from the referee and I think obviously with the night that was in it as well, Peter, with all the controversy with the commission and stuff, a bit of kudos there

goes to the referee for stopping it at that point because it would have just got a lot worse and a lot nastier for Caitlin Chikagan. I look back at USC 196, we're about there for McGregor and Diaz and when she fought Amanda Nunez the first time. And I mean, the ground was where Nunez dominated the fight.

But you look at Shavchenko now, obviously coming from a toy background, a person who's had multiple world titles as a toy fighter. She looks like she's been rapping her whole life. Amazing, just so comfortable. So little, tiny little details everywhere. It's just, she's a serious, serious talent and she's going.

nowhere. But it just shows the mindset and the champion that she is that she's gone back and worked on that because she wasn't obviously as coming from a number of fights ago. But she looks as capable there as she does a defeat now. It's incredible. It's actually incredible. Amazing athlete. And listen, I think Joe asked her after what she's going to do next. And, you know, I think they put anyone up against her and listen, nine times out of ten, if not ten times out of ten, you're picking Valentina to win it. Absolutely. Let's just take a quick look through to Europeans that are in action on the night and we'll come back and have a look at Jones.

Mirosad Bechtich loses a split decision to Dan Egey. Mirsat again didn't come out hot. Yeah, this is pretty much exactly how you called it, to be fair. Yeah, no, it's just disappointing because he was eating way too much damage. He got him in a choke at one point in the second round, I think it was. Beautiful groundwork in the second round. I mean, he came back into it and I was like, Jesus, this is his now. But I thought the commentary team did a great job of reminding us that Iga does drop off.

in the second round and he was on fire again in round three. Yeah and it was just annoying with Bierzak because you just love to see him just go get guys up against the cage, grapple them, just you know use your rest and use what you're strong on top like and when he was standing with with Ege

he was just taking shots he was getting he got to start picked off you know in our first round he looked incredible though I mean his hands are insane I mean Jesus like beating him Mirasad to the punch with his jab and stuff like I mean that's pretty impressive stuff like No, he was really good. Listen, props to Zanaigay.

You know, excellent performance. I'm just disappointed with Miris. I think he's a lot of injuries as well. But in love at last few, as we've talked about his inactivity. I don't know. It's hard for him to get a momentum now, isn't it? It is, it is. Illar Latifie didn't have a successful return to heavyweight against Derek Lewis.

Believe it was his heavyweight debut in the U.S. Yeah, was it? 245 pounds. Just shows him that guy cuts. Look, hard fight. Derek Lewis is fighting a home, but as I said to you, I expected the decision here. and Iler pushed him pretty close, like, I mean, you know, I thought Lewis won the fight, don't get me wrong. I saw some people complaining about why didn't I win?

Like, I mean, I thought it was fairly in Lewis's favour there. But, you know, definitely stuff to build on, right? Like, when he gets the fight down, he's very dominant in the top position again, but that single-leg pick he was trying to use against Lewis, he was just too tall. He couldn't get a pivot off him. He's just a tree trunk is Lewis. He's a big dude, man. And, yeah, it's just... What about Illars?

Like, Edson of his big, big shot? as well man he's a tough dude man he's a very tough dude but it's just like a fire hydrant as there a sense yeah yeah but you just go

you go realistically how far is you gonna go in the heavyweight division that's you know that's just the realistic fact for a failure you know

yeah absolutely that was all the Europeans that were in action on the night but we have to talk about some of the controversies around the commission um

on the night um you know a lot of people felt they were ill prepared they were did not get the right judges in as Dominic Cruz um

spoke a lot about. These are boxing judges for the most part. Joe Solis was in for the most amount of backlash in the night. I believe it was the first time he had judged a fight since 2017. In particular, his 3027 scorecard for Andre Ull and his... 49, 46. For Jones, where things that really kind of flashed up in a lot of people. Even like the commission, the computer crashed at the end of the Ewell-Martinez fight.

There was some controversy surrounding also Andrea Lee's fight as well with Lauren Murphy. So it wasn't just the one robbery we're talking about, even though that seems to be the main event that a lot of people are talking about. There was a lot, you know, layers upon layers of just issues. I'm not going to say robberies, but I'm going to say just issues. Yeah, I don't do robberies. I think it was really on the judge of scorecards and the discrepancy on the core cards, score cards across the board was the main sort of puzzling thing. Like how do you get in a 49, 46 in that fight? And listen, I think the third rounds, we can talk about it was the round where you can see it scored either way.

Listen, I had Reyes winning in the first three. Jones comfortably the second. Same. Sorry, the fourth and the fifth. So you're scoring Jones, Reyes, the first three. Definitely the first two. And he's scoring it. Like, how is he getting that? I really don't understand who he was getting that scorecard.

Do you call it a robbery? No. I don't do it. No, because I think the third round, you can go and go, oh, shit, look at it again. Oh, fuck, I can make a case for Jones taking that rounds. Like, definitely. Like it's not clear cut in anyway.

But the first two rounds and the last two rounds are definitely clear cut. Like there's no way I think they could have gone either way in my opinion. Yeah, I mean, would you be reluctant if you were a coach and you were a fighter who was scaling the ranks and suddenly they're handed a title shot in Houston, Texas. What do you say? No, well, listen, the UFC, if this is another issue that hasn't probably been brought up, why are the UFC keeping big fights back to Dallas under that commission when they've had issues in the past? has been this similar problem in the past with UFC events that have been in the state of Texas and it just sort of baffles me that the UFC keep going back to this market

until they're happy with the commission. You know, obviously the rulings as well, the old rules, you know, the 10-8 rounds, it has to be, you know, a much wider mark or a much more clear 10-8 rounds than the new rules that have been brought in. So it's across the board, it's just a fucking mess. And I don't know, understand why they're giving themselves these headaches

because it's not going to reflect good in the UFC either when there's things like this keep happening, you know? Yeah, and I mean, it's hampering people's careers. You know, it's very tough. Yeah, I feel like it just, in this day and age, it's just not good enough to have people not understanding the judging criteria. You talked about it earlier on in terms of boxing and MMA judges, I think it was, you know. We have dedicated MMA judges here.

How are you going to tell me the biggest, is it the biggest state in the U.S., Texas? Yeah. They can't find some judges. It's absolutely ridiculous. I feel like the media have been able to educate themselves in Europe based on the judges. Like we have a great outlet there with Ben Cartledge. Anytime we don't understand something, we get on the phone and we understand it. But it feels like people just aren't doing that anymore.

Like in Houston, like, I mean, it just feels like people are so ill-informed or misinformed. And, you know, there's a lot of people going home there. They probably feel like they should have had a, you know, they should have had a better crack of it from the judges on the night. And I don't think that's a good way to have it. the pinnacle of the sport. I think if the scorecards are different, we're not probably talking about this,

if they're closer and you can see, you know, obviously if there's one round in it in both fights or in, in all cases, there was like the James Krause fight as well, one of the first rounds. Like,

like, fair enough of it, if, you know, it happens once in a blue moon, but, you know, on one score card, but like grand.

But it's happening four times in one night, that score cards that are totally perplexing everyone across the board and it's mental and I think the UFC are really going to have to take a stance with this commission now and I know they've come out with a statement this evening

do you want to read it up there they've basically come out, I'll give you the bottom line they've basically come out and said we know everyone across the board media fans have had their say it's obviously very subjective your opinion on how fights are scored they look to constantly improve

no they don't That's what they're trying to do, yeah. But all I'm saying is, right, if this happened in Dublin, I'd be fucking embarrassed. Yeah. As an Irish man, I'd be like, this is a joke. Yeah, it is. It's... And it wouldn't happen in Ireland because we have people who understand the rules here, understand the skill set.

I mean, understand the criteria. Yeah, no, it is. And you look at, you know, we talk to guys like Ben Cartilage. If you said there, we've had them on, you know, our shows over the years we've done together. And it's been... It's just sort of fascinating to get his insight on it compared to what we have. It's invaluable. You never understand things fully, like, until you're talking to a guy who's been there,

you know, who actually has lived these situations. Like, even if you know it was Rogan the other night was going mental about Andrea Lee and saying the judge wasn't looking at the fights, Dave clarified that the monitors were there. But Ben was saying that immediately, like, pretty much straight away. I was like, oh, that's what that is and moved on. Like, you know, it's... But to Rogan's credit, when there is a shitstorm going on

and you can see all these decisions coming in why would you have any faith in them that he is watching the fight? You know, you start to wonder, I'm sure, in his situation, like, what the hell is going on here? That is true, yeah. And, you know, there could easily be in a TV at his feet.

Was there? I don't know if that was confirmed or not. I don't know. I don't know either, but... But, I mean, Ben has recently refereed UFC fights and he knows that there's one there, so I'd say there probably was like. Yeah, well, Rogan, you know,

he does spout his mouth. quite a lot in his stuff. And I thought, you know, like, yeah, no, I think, you know what I mean. You know, he says stuff maybe off the cuff that he shouldn't say at times. And I think that was the case, you know, even, you know, after the Andre O'ul fight, before the scores were even read out. And he was probably right in one of the scorecards again. But, you know, Dominic Cruz more or less said, I think this was exact quote.

I don't think they know what they're telling half the time anyways. You know, it's just a little bit, oh, come on, guys. when you have two guys that agree so much on this point, I don't think, you know, I think we could be a little bit more on maybe looking at the stats and seeing why, you know, why did he score this round that way or why did he look at it instead of just Boat Green

and slamming on the judges because you're not going to get anywhere. Yeah, just for a Ben Cartledge. That's it, no, 100%. That's what they should do. But basically, I'll just read the rest of the statement if we want to have a look. Claims have been made that a judge

was not paying attention to the fight and was looking down at the floor as we just referred to. one of the advances the UFC's made in the past several years has been to provide small video monitors below the floor level of the octagon for each judge to look more closely and monitor the matches. So that's just in relation to what we were saying there. So just starting it out. Absolutely. Let's have a chat about Leah getting the main event. A lot of talk about this. There's a lot of, to be honest, like it is a big talking point for the scene here. I mean,

everybody was talking about this. And it wasn't, I didn't feel it was like complete criticism. I saw a lot of people getting behind Leah as well when it was brought up. Obviously, we did see a lot of people saying, you know, we think Paul Redmond should be the main event. His fight with Georgie Carcanion is definitely the, these guys have a far bigger legacy. They have done a lot more things in the sport than say Leah and Judith. But for me, we keep on looking at this from a meritocracy point of view. Like, we keep on looking at this as a like Paul has earned a spot which he has so he should be the headline fight but they have never ever built a card around um you know merit as in the top fight has never been like oh this one's

going to have huge implications on the division this one is the guys who have been tried and tested the hardest and that's where they're in the main event they're always trying to transcend the sport every time and james gathers a guy every time you're going to put them on the top there you need transcends the little mma bubble here in europe and it goes across to the u.s and i think they're thinking behind putting Leah there is this historic main event. It looks like this is a story that can hit a lot more casual people and like, you know, a lot of female interest as well outside of this. And I think that's what they've gone for instead of, you know, going against everything that

they have been doing in the past and putting reds are at the top of the card. I just don't think they're ever going to give that guy the crack he deserves, you know? Yeah, I agree with you. With that way with Paul, it just doesn't seem as though they even like Paul that time. I can not like Paul. I can understand it. I don't even ask it. Listen, but, no, I understand what you're saying, Peter, at the end of the day.

But, right, we can go back to Bellator, what they've done in the past as well in terms of main events and in terms of fighters. But, right, a lot of the problem we've said over the years, just in general with Bellator, even before they sort of even conquered and sort of came in with this European series was the slow build of fighters, right? Yeah. I think they've run out of options in this card. And that's why, you know, they've gone to Leia, a girl who's obviously dealt with the media. More so obviously up in Northern Ireland. She's been on UTV, on BBC.

A lot of the mainstream out of serve covered her. And that's a big thing as well. Like she is bringing in media attention that otherwise would not be there. Of course. And that's why I think they've done it. I don't agree with it. You know, I'd love to see Leah, as I tweeted out last week,

I'd like to see Leah get some more fights behind her. And I'd just be a slower bill, like what Bellator have traditionally done in the past. And I think why they're doing this is because of that reason the media puts more eyes and folks. focus on the fight. And casual interest. But in terms of longevity for Leah, it's a lot of pressure and a short space of time upon her. And I just don't like it. I think, you know, if Bellator heads had better, more of a backup plan on the European cards here, as we've talked about, that we'd have

other options to be able to put on the top of the card. Yeah. Well, look, it's, it's, again, like, this is a huge opportunity for Leah. I feel like... And obviously, she's not going to turn it down. Do you not a mean absolutely not and as she shouldn't as well um but this is this is all on bellator now like as you you've made relevant points there lea a couple of weeks out from this event is now thrust into the main event spot where she has far more media obligations even even far more than she's used to even though she's always done a lot she'll have far more media obligations which is less time for cutting weight and i mean this is all stuff that they have put on her and they need to make sure that you know everything is sorted out for lea this week because it is a

big step up. There's absolutely no doubt about it. And there's also the experience factor in that main event. We're going to see the likes of Redmond in there beforehand, Bungard and Primus, and then we're going to go to Leah. So there's pressure on her to perform in a new way. She's always got pressure to perform, but perform with the spot. How you handle it, man? In the main how you handle it? Yeah, so I think Belator, you know, this is going to, this is going to be on there, on them at the end of the day. Like if it doesn't work out, I'm not going to blame Leah for it. I mean, she's just coming in and having any other fight, you know what I mean? As far as she was concerned, and now everything's been torn upside down.

But it's a very different approach to what they normally do. And it's, it smells to me from their point of view, maybe a little bit. I don't mean to be disrespectful, like a little bit of we've no options left and we sort of have to do this. I think there was options. Like, honestly, like, I mean. Well, Paul and Georgie, but as we said, we knew. We knew Paul. Primus and Bungard?

Former world champion. You know what I mean? There is options there. I really feel like there's method here. But I think in terms of the market, it was always going to be a person that's probably from this island and that's going to headline the card here

and that's obviously what they've done in the past. So, yeah, listen, I just as I said before, I said it for weeks, we've said it for weeks that we'd like a little bit more steel behind these cards. And, you know, in fairness,

to Bellator, we did have that with, you know, in terms of a fight that's going to mean something with, you know, Peter Creeley and Premis, obviously that fell out and it was Bungar that stepped in, but I think we need sort of more

of those fights going forward in the cards here. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I definitely wouldn't disagree with you there. But it is a huge moment for Leah McCart. There's absolutely no doubt about it. And we got to have a chat with Leah about this moment. And it is a big deal for her.

And I mean, as I said to her, you know, what would this have meant to you when you were starting out with your career to see a woman at the top of one of these big cards that comes to Ireland? And, you know, she said she couldn't even believe it. So if you told me two weeks ago that this was going to happen, I couldn't believe it, you know? And she's saying she always had Ash and Katrin Costigan there. and she hopes this will again pave the way

for a whole new generation of Irish women and I really hope it does. I have confidence in her because she has been in the spotlight for a long time that she can do this, that she can't pull it off. Beltaire asking an awful lot of her. Massive, yeah, totally. That's the reality of situation.

But an absolute pleasure to speak to Leah ahead of the biggest week of her career without a doubt. And thanks to Dan Appalas for starting out for us as always. I love you, Dan. Legend. But let's get on to Leah here. And she did, gave us about 15 minutes here and we'll be back afterwards to look ahead to this UFC Rio Rancho card. It is a pleasure to be joined by the new main event, the new headline act for Bellator Dublin, Miss Leah McCart.

She's known as the course I like to call her mainstream because of all the media attention she's coveted since day one. But oh my God, Leah, what a huge moment for you. How good did it feel to get that phone call? And how did it happen? How did you find out? it's pretty surreal it's been emotional and emotional wake just you know my journey I've been on

but it was kind of funny on Monday I heard a training that James potentially was injured and I was going to oh and fuck I was like I'm going to get in I was like I better I'll cancel those cars and I'll get someone in and then for a joke I was driving home from Dublin and for a joke I text James and was like

Jude, main event idea and I sent him the goat emoji and I was like what about Arta him? I was like, he'll not be signed to any emotion, he's the man, everybody loves him and Jude the text back then no and then he goes, Leah McCourt and I went, ha ha ha in a heart beat

and he goes, exactly and I said I said Jude this is going to be a main event performance just say the word of stun and he never replied and I obviously just would laugh at off like thinking that was just a joke

and I came back up the road. I was sitting in the saw that just doing recovery before I taught my ladies' class and Jude said message me was, well, you better perform then? Wow. Because the last message was, this is a main event performance.

And then Mike Coogan messes me from L.N was like, Yogi there. And I was like, oh my God, I was like, I just had a feeling, never going to ask me. And he was like, I said, Mike, don't be text me unless you ask me to meet an event. And he was like, you are? and I was like, send them a voice

and then it's like screaming in the sauna and then the people of own this sauna came running there and they thought something that happened to me. No, it's okay. And then like, it was just buzzing. I had to like run out of the sauna they're going to teach my ladies class and it was just surreal.

Yeah. So there was absolutely no hesitation. You were just like, yeah, let's do this. Like, I mean, was there ever a party? Do you have to talk to Ruddy? Do you talk to Molly? Anyone like that? Or were you just like, I know I can do this immediately?

like at the end of the day nothing has changed I'm going to despite the same girl on the same night on the same card in the same place it's just you know obviously a bit of a bigger platform and you know

my focus is always going to be on my performance and do what all this media is done and all the rest of it I know what work I put in my team know what I do every day every single second of every day to bring it the best version of myself.

So that's always my goal and my focus. So yeah, I'm just out, of course, like, straight away. And then I met his door and Molly, and I think Molly had a heart attack and almost just like as clear as Elizabeth. Like, oh, brilliant, your time to turn. Amazing. It's, like, for me, when I'm thinking about this and the historical nature of it, the fact that you were the first female to main event of this magnitude in Ireland, you know, I'm thinking

about, you know, as you're coming up, course you would grapple for many years, but I mean, I'm sure it was a big thing for you to look at the likes of Ashing Daily, even Catherine Costigan, while you were making your initial steps in the sport, and I'm just thinking about, like, what would it, what would have it meant to a, to a young Liam McCart who's just getting into Emma to see a woman being main event of a card of this magnitude? That surely would have been a huge motivational and tool or very inspirational for you as a younger fighter. I definitely would never have believed it

if you had a told me that even this time last year I would never have believed it or this time last week it's just it is very surreal and it's just testing how how Bellator do their own things and they walk their own past and they're you set themselves apart giving me this opportunity

given a female so young in their career this opportunity to shine and yeah definitely like Catherine and Ashley are just pioneers with Irish MMA and you know like they paved the way in front of me and I'm just coming up and hopefully going to encourage more females to believe himself and just keep pursuing whatever they want.

Yes. What was Isabella's reaction, if I can ask, your daughter? Isabella, I was like, well, what's that? What's my event? Isabella, I'm going to be, like, on the show, the last one on, and she goes, oh, right, okay. I just went back to talking about her dog. There's something like she's very unfeased by everything.

Have you had any contact with James? The James reach out to wish you best to look. Obviously, you know, he has had to pull out. It's very unfortunate. You know, James, James is a huge name. Obviously, in Oursa MMA. Have you heard anything from James? Yeah, you know, James is a good friend of mine,

and he's always been so supportive, and I would get some training them with him. And, you know, he said, he'd go and grab this opportunity and make noise. And, obviously, I was just got it as anybody to hear this place calls off. like James is a superstar and he's either gentleman or he has been so it is disappointed he's not going to be here or he's not going to be performing on the night but everything happens for

reason and it's just nice to kind of step in and hold a sports time until he's back yeah absolutely absolutely but i mean it's it's obvious right that for me that you have huge star potential bellator have seen that since day one as i said at the top of the show you have kind of done more mainstream media than any other fighter on this card. So I'm sure it played into it a lot, the fact that they know that Leah can handle this media pressure. She has been in the spotlight for a very, very long time. And that's a big part of this, right?

Like, is it daunting at all for you, thinking about the extended media schedule and, you know, the spotlight of the main event as such? Does that kind of come in, does that, is that daunting at all? No, not really, but honest. you know, like that isn't, no. As I said, I just focus on my performance and winning and showing my skill set. And like, do I just feel like I haven't showed any of my potential yet?

And that's all I ever cared about. Like, I come out after sight in bad form and bad me because I know I've made mistakes or dumb thing wrong like drives me and see and puts my head away. So, like, doing the media and stuff like that, like I don't mind doing that. Like, do you know what I mean? part of the job

I think there's so much more to be in a professional fire than getting in the occasion fighting. You have to put a lot of work in outside. You have to do the ring, like be somebody that somebody wants to watch and engaging with behaviour, like the fight fans and the media and get them interested

and get them talking about the car. That's do a massive part if there wasn't, the fans, the media, these shows wouldn't happen and we wouldn't be getting paid and we wouldn't be getting these platforms. You have to show they've lost yourself in all areas. Yeah, I mean, does it bother you at all? Like, and I mean, I haven't seen, like, a huge amount of this online.

There was some, like, the fact that people are going, oh, this guy should be the main event. Like, or this person or this person. I mean, it's always going to happen, right? Like, this stuff is, it's always, like a big news moment like that. It's going to get some differing opinions. But, I mean, does it, do you, do you let it bother you or just look past it straight away? Like, I mean, even the people that they're mentioning, like, even Paul Redmond and stuff, I know you guys are good friends.

I can imagine that they're all kind of, you know, giving you a, patting the back for getting this moment and having this main event. Yeah, of course, all the guys are so supportive. You know, like most of us, we've all fought in the amateur shows together. We've all thought in the halls in the IMAPs coming up and I were fighting,

you know, on a show like this in Ireland and celebrating us all. And so we thought about one person, you know, there could be anybody at the top of the card at the end of the day. There's going to be 14 unbelievable fights in that night. And it's not just, you know, one person. We all put the show together and it's just do I think it's positive

anybody to say something negative like I just like I survive myself with successful people they're the only people I listen to listen to their opinions I listen to you know like O'Nroddy and Molly have got such a good successful team around me

you know somebody in social media that I don't know it's not achieved you know like what we have done it's definitely nothing I ever look into or listen to you know no matter who who was how I'm in the car they would have been backlash and should have been there, what she's doing them.

It's just thinking it's a moment to be celebrated in a moment that everybody should kind of cut behind as it is. There's going to be a strength. Absolutely, absolutely. You know, and like the thing is, right, look at the reaction this has caused, right? Like, I mean, who else could have been put into this main event and had so many people talking? Who had Cyborg was talking to Jerry McCarthy of K.O. Media? Did you see that?

That's incredible. He's like, this is amazing. Like, I mean, that, that is crazy, right? That's Cyborg big in you up. Jerry's a man, I know. Like, look at Cyborg last like good. Yes. She never left their life.

Like, unbelievable. I mean, even our names are in the James Fentons. It's a bit unbelievable than me, but yeah, it's exciting. Is that like, I mean, is there any kind of thing, like, when you become a main event fighter in this situation and you're in that division? Like, I mean, do you feel as though a win, you know, they will be talking about Leah versus Cyborg and stuff like that, or do you feel as though you still want to have a few more fights before you get into that conversation?

I obviously I've been very down you know had a long career so far and if you look at my record I'm ready to begin in my career yes when that day comes over that to my future like I will be ready for that

and that is like ultimate goal ultimate like in female MMA she is the greatest woman of all time she did her performances in her fight she's and she'll say lift better than she's ever looked at me yeah incredible she was incredible unbelievable.

Just even like being in the same conversation as a privilege, like for me, obviously. Yes. She's a legend. Absolutely. I couldn't agree more with you. But I have one more question, Leah, because there is nobody I know of yet coming out the zombie now without Peter Quili. And I saw you teasing this on Twitter. You didn't specifically say, I'm – well, you did, actually.

You said, I'm taking that song now. No, I said – go ahead. I think, I think, Sean has said that my devastating news, and I was just like lightning this. subject I'm like dibs and zombie but no I'm not walking like a zombie. Oh, are you going to keep us guessing? Can you reveal or are you going to keep it as a surprise for the night? It's going to be one to watch. It will be unbelievable. It sounds amazing. Well, look, you used to, I can't wait to see this fight. It's a huge

moment for you. And I really believe a win here, if you're talking the way you're talking as in this will be a main event performance, I believe that pushes your star into a completely different stratosphere. So congratulations. I will speak to you on Fight Week and Leah, thank you so much for joining us. I really appreciate it. No worries. Thank you so much. There is plenty of European action this weekend in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, our very own, Europe's own. Jan Blackovich taking on Corey Anderson. With the winner, probably unlikely to take on John Jones next after Dominic Reyes's fight recently, wouldn't you say?

Yeah. It doesn't feel like... I mean, this fight felt like it was going to definitely get the next number one contender. Well, I think we both sort of felt Corey probably should have got us. Yeah. But I think Corey's going to be waiting a while. Yeah. Corrie's not going to be showing up to any John Jones public meeting greets anyway.

Any time, any time, see on the ones. Or Jan. No. But it's tough because it's really kind of taking the meaning away from this fight. Do you know what I mean? Because everyone just wants to see Reyes and Jones do again because it's such a close fight, right? Like, I mean, it's really, it's kind of taking the juice out of this one for me. Yeah, I still want to see.

Oh, he still want to see it, but I don't, like, the implications have. Yeah, I've changed, but I still want to see Jones forget light heavyweight and go up to heavyweight. What do you think about the car crash waiting to happen that is Diego Sanchez and Michael Pereira in the comment event? Like, I don't have much to say, really, too honest. You're a big Diego Sanchez fan, aren't you? Listen, man, I love the guy. He's been great for the sport, but I know we had a recent resurgence that we've sort of talked about. and then obviously lost to Michael Kiesa.

But, you know, come on. What? Like, do you want to see him in there either? No. No, you don't. I do. You don't. Can't wait.

Yeah, I'm not interested really at all in that fight. You're going to turn it off for that one? No, I won't turn it off, but it just makes me sort of uncomfortable, man. It does. Like a stone in one shoe? Yeah. Or like some food in your mouth and you need a two-pick like you did earlier on. I still need that.

That was wrecking me head. Elsewhere, we have a Mara-Roy. Romero, Borella, trying to get back to winning ways. Two and two in the UFC so far. She's against Montana De La Rosa in a floy way bout there. And of course, we have Nathaniel Wood against John Dodson on the prelims. What is wrong with you people? Why do you even think about this shit?

That should be main card all day long. That's a ridiculously high-level fight. It is. It's class. It's unbelievable. What are we saying? What's Nathaniel at the mountain? 9th, 10th, 11th, somewhere along those lines?

in terms of rankings in the UFC. I don't know. He hasn't fought for a year, so I don't know if he's... Has he gone into the rankings? I think he's in the rankings. Are you just spouting nonsense? No, I'm not.

No, not at all. I think he is in the rankings. John Dodson's obviously a guy who's fought for fucking flyaway titles. Now this is a bantamweight, but what a test, you know, win here for Nathaniel Wood is you're right up looking at the top few. Nathaniel Wood, not on the rankings.

John Dodson is number 13, though. So, I mean, he's going to be knocking on the door after this, you'd imagine. Marilyn Vera is sitting at 14 in there. a man who Nathaniel has been requesting for quite a long time. Yeah, that's interesting. But do you, like, I mean, we're going to hear from Nathaniel in a few minutes. We had a great shout with him there.

He's been in Rio Rancho for a week or so already. Do you feel as though this can be the one that catapults him into those big fights? This is already a big fight, let's be honest. Will this be the kind of fight that will allow him to get a fight against Vera? Yeah. To get these fights against, I can even remember he suggested Cody Garbrand once maybe. those fights would be absolutely ridiculous I don't have to watch this shit out of that

yeah 100% like John Dodson as I said there is a guy who's done it all yeah he's you know he's done it all you know maybe he's not on the best form and he's dropped like four of his last six fights obviously Peter Jan went to the distance with Peter Jan and Jimmy Rivera

like there are two fucking bloody animals Jimmy Rivera and obviously Peter Yan he's going to be a world champion and probably in the next two years at some points but like that's what I mean like when you're beating you're getting a go over a guy like this.

That's going to fucking blast you right up there into contention in this division. He'll jump up to top five if he wins this fight. Well, maybe not top five. He's after a finish because Dodson's never been finished. He's like, if I finish him, they have to give me a top ten. I agree. Oh yeah, 100%.

If he finished him, yeah, without doubt. But the problem with getting Dodson, man, he's just like a little fucking flee in there. He's just so... He's so... He's so hard to get after. So hard to catch. As he said, he's never been finished.

obviously reasons why because you can't get after the fucker. He's like that annoying kid in school and I think we've seen that in the gym with him and John Jones always feckling out and Andrea Arlovesque as well. So yeah, listen, a win over him and a finish over him

would be an absolute bloody statement from Nathaniel Wooden. Listen, from we've seen from Nathaniel and what we know the ability he has I would not be surprised because he's that good and he's that young and a year out as well man. How much has he improved

from that feck and ear this guy? I can't wait to see it, man. just looking at the card here anything else that jumps out to you from me straight away yancey madeiros and landauvinata easily that's a war someone's getting finished there it's going to be one of those fights where we're looking at a fight of the night two lads bloody and beaten after three rounds of absolutely knocking 10 shades of shit out of each other it's one of those fights and also i like uh you know jim miller a guy who's you know getting on a little bit as well and you know i love jim always enjoyed his fights that's a really really good scrap against

Scott Hulspan, who's never in really a bad fight, always an exciting fights. And that's one of those fights like Madeiraos and Lano Vanada, that could be two guys standing there absolutely out in their feet at the end of the fight. So they're definitely the other fights, I think we should watch out for and you know, Macy Chaston as well against Niko Montana, two ladies who did very, very

well in that ultimate fighter. You mean former flyway champion? Former Flyway champion Nico Montana. Well, you're roomy little bit there. I was going to ask you, are you looking forward to the former world champion? That's why it on the card hoping that you wouldn't realize. But you ruined that for me.

So let's get on to Nathaniel Wood. Well, that's what I am. I'm a rude person. Prick. Nathania Wood, a pleasure to speak to Nathaniel. I can't wait to see him back in there, man. I can't believe it's been fucking 11 months since we've seen last. That's crazy.

Is that London? Yeah, it must be. Yeah, he must be. Yeah, the UFC. Jesus Christ. I'm fucking out. But look, he has the juice now. I was even asked him about this, like, Katie Hunter did an interview with Sean O'Meater.

He's talking away about a... you know, Nathaniel, Nathaniel thinks he doesn't want any of that, to be honest. I'm saying, look, there's a lot ahead of this guy. I'm actually pissed off. He's not in the London car, to be honest. I've said it enough.

I'm trying not to say it again, but I do say it in this interview. I apologize. Here's Nathaniel Wood. We'll see his in about 15. And once again, we are joined by the former Cage Warriors Bantamweight champion,

currently 3 in the UFC. And making his return, would you believe? I cannot believe this. that after nearly 11 months on the sideline. It is Nathaniel Wood, the prospect himself. Nathaniel, how are you, sir? It's been a long time. I'm very good, mate. Thank you.

Yeah, it's been a long time, but I'm buzzing to get back in there. Obviously, this week sucks a little bit, as always, with the weight cut and stuff, but, mate, I'm buzzing. You know, I'm getting to go against John Dodson, who's, you know, I don't even need to introduce him. Yes. And, you know, this I feel like my fight to put my name on the map. Has it been a difficult year?

Like a guy like you, I know how intensely you train, how much you have put your whole life towards this career. I mean, for you to be out for a whole, like nearly a whole year, has that been a trying time for you? It has been tough. Obviously, after my last part, I went travelling with my missus. I went away with her for six weeks, which was nice. You know, I feel like I needed a little bit of time off, a little break.

Even though every day I was pretty much thinking about training. training. You know, it was nice to just switch off. I came back, felt amazing, you know, I got in shape, I was looking for a fight, and then got injured, you know, obviously broke my arm and stuff, which put me out, and that was a real pain in the ass, you know, being kind of forced to not train. You know, I literally, a week after I was in the gym with my cast and I was just working head movement and my leg kicks and jabs and basically anything that I could do, because I'm just, you know, in a way I'm addicted to training. But that forcing me out of training in a way has kind of, you know,

it's made me realize how much I actually love the sport. And it's given me that little, another little kickstart, if you know what I mean, to appreciate what I've actually got. So, you know, training for this fight has been enjoyable. It's been a grind as well, but I've enjoyed every minute. And, you know, come Saturday night, I'm going to get to show that. Yeah. And I mean, I know you've gone.

out early, right? Like, you've been in Rio Rancho for a while now, or at least in the US for a while now. Is that just to get yourself acclimatized? Yeah, mate, obviously, this fight's at high altitude. He lives here, so, you know, I don't want him having that advantage. So, you know, I'm invested in an altitude machine back at home. So I just wanted to start getting used to it. I've come out here now a little bit earlier to acclimatized. And, you know, I'm feeling good. I'm feeling great. I feel like I've got used to it. The first couple days, a little bit, I think, you know, you kind of feel like you got a bit of a dry, dry throat. The out of the two, the first couple days was, I felt like it was a little bit dry,

but, you know, now I'm feeling switched on and ready to go. And I mean, have the New Mexican people been good to you, or do you feel like people are spitting in your burgers over there? Tell us how that feels. Hard, mate, obviously no burgers for me, unfortunately, but, no, the people over here have been amazing, man. I feel like they're on my side. You know, I haven't met loads of people out here,

but all the Uber drivers that I've been having everyone at the hotel. You know, I'd like to think they're on my side. They're really nice people out here. So, you know, if they want to boo me in the crowd, so be it. If they want to cheer me, great. But, you know, regardless, I'm going to be bringing my end game. You see, you have been that guy. You've been the hometown hero so many times.

I can't even count how many times we've seen you in London getting that rock of support. And, you know, you've been on the other side of the coin, certainly. But, I mean, is there anything that can be? prepare you for that do you feel like you know going out in front of a crowd in alba korgie where this guy i mean sorry in new mexico where this guy is is well known and a well-known commodity from the region um if i'm honest it doesn't bother me um if they boo it will be an atmosphere so regardless of whether they're cheers they're there or booed there it's an atmosphere in there um i get the tunnel vision you know so come come come finally it's only going to be me and john

dodson they're going to go at it so it doesn't matter what the crowd do for me you know I'm still going to turn up as the same fighter as I always do. It's just nice, obviously, to get some cheers. And if I don't get cheers going into the fight, you know, I believe that I'll have them cheering me at the end of it. Yeah, I mean, a guy like Dodson, as you said, the start of the show, everybody knows this guy. He's been there, thereabouts, he's fought for titles.

And look, we've seen guys take huge leaps in their career after going in there and being successful against him. What do you feel like this does for you, Nathaniel? Like, I mean, you know the game better than anyone. Well, this is huge for me. Obviously, I only want to fight guys that have something for me to gain from. Obviously, I could sit there and fight just nobody's. It's not really going to push my career anywhere.

So, you know, I want to be in there with the best in the world. Prove my worth. You know, I believe that I'm one of the best in the world. So, you know, obviously, going against Dodson, that's great. He's ranked higher than me. He's got a better CV than me. So, you know, if I can beat him, then where does that put me? if I can finish him, you know, I believe that I can, I can fight anyone there is in that top

10 because he's never been finished. He's been in there with the best, you know, he's lost to the best, but no one's actually put him out. So if I can go in there, knock him out, or whether it be a submission or TKO, then, you know, I think that I'm not far off a title shot. You know, by the way you said that, I feel like you are quite confident that you can get a stoppage at the weekend. Yeah, I may, I'm always, I train hard.

I train with, I believe, the best people I could possibly be training within the UK. And I know that MMA, a lot of it comes down to who turns up on the night. You know, it can kind of be a flip of a coin. So, you know, I go in there, I enjoy it. I don't really have a game plan as much. But, you know, out of my 16 wins, I've got 14 finishes. So I'm always going in there confident that I'm going to get the finish. I was wondering if you saw a recent interview on MMA UK with Katie Hunter.

it was Sean O'Malley and he was, you know, very respectfully he was speaking about you and he was kind of saying you are on his radar and he thinks it's inevitable that you two guys fight in the future. I'm just asking because obviously you said, you know, you want to fight guys with big names. O'Malley's a guy

who came into the UFC similarly to you with a huge name from the US, you of course from Europe and the UK. Does that make sense to you in the future? Does that, is that an appealing fight for you? For me, it's an appealing fight in the sense he's obviously got a big following. But, you know, nothing but respect to the guy.

I'm not going to bad mouth him or anything like that. But just me talking facts, he's not on my level. You know, I'm supposed to be in the top 10 now, I believe. Obviously, I've been out for a year. So I think if I wasn't out for a year, that I'd be close to a title shot now. But so be it, shit happens. He's fighting the guy that I beat almost a year ago.

So it'll be interesting to see how he. gets on but you know i can just tell from the interview he doesn't want to fight me um you know i'm not bothered i'm not i'm not calling him out or anything uh but you know he was obviously saying to katie oh no we're both we're both prospects it makes sense to build us up and yeah if you look at it like that but from a fighter's perspective i just i fight anyone who the ufc give me you know i want the top the guys that are ranked above me but if sean shirleby come up to me and said i want you to fight a guy who's ranked a lot below you so be it i fight whoever the ufc give me i'll never and name down.

So yeah, you know, I 100% don't think, I know that he does not want to fight me. You know, he's just, he obviously got asked the question and, you know, he wanted to come up with an excuse as far as I'm concerned. Right, right. I know if there was one fight that everybody was, like, really getting behind for you, it was obviously the cheat over air fight. You've, you've gone out and you've said, just send me the contract, I'll sign it. I know you have gone out of your weight.

Another guy that doesn't want to fight me. I mean, what is the story? I'm going to fight me. What is the story what I'm calling with Brett Johns now? I'm like, no, that's the wrong guy. That's what I'm saying. I said the other day that in my eyes, he's calling out everyone but me. You know, he's trying to get anyone he can.

He said the other day to Andre Youor, I think on Twitter, I saw that he would give him a rematch. Why? Why would you give Andre You a rematch? Do you know what I mean? He said, he spoke all this shit about me. And, you know, to me, he just thought a guy that I formed over a year ago who I'd smash in the distance.

and, you know, to me, Andre Uel was getting him in the first. Yes. So, yeah, you know, now he's calling out Brett Johns. Why are you calling out Brett Johns? You know, I've said that I'm getting him to the fight. I said to you know, I'm game to fight on the London card. And, you know, I don't obviously know if the UFC would have it, but why not come to London and be a potentially on the main card or co-made event or something?

And, you know, with me coming off a fight with John Dodson, that makes sense. But, you know, I guess he doesn't want it. It must be, like, I knew he didn't even want to ask. you that because I mean I nearly ask you to you every time and it's like at this stage you've said everything you possibly can to make it happen right like you know it's it's like yeah man it comes down to fight it yes um you brought up there as well nataniel like i cannot wait for you to fight on a ufc london card i mean you are so synonymous with london to me i think of you nearly immediately when i think of london and it feels like like you've mentioned it there that you would fight him

there but like i mean they've booked you so close to that card is it it feels like there's no way in blue hell that you can make a fight on that card but if it could happen would you do it oh 100% if provided i come out with no as i call them winners injuries um i'm gonna get on the mic and i'm gonna say dana please put me on that london card um you know i'd rather not fight five weeks after a fight usually but for london mate 100% you know i could come out i keep my weight low i'll already be fit as anything. So it's not hard to just maintain that. You know, I'd rather that and be fighting again five weeks after than them saying nine weeks after, you know, because I'll come out and I want to eat a bit and binge, then I put a bit of weight on and I have to juggle around,

whereas, you know, five weeks after, I'll come out, I'll carry on as exactly how I've been doing for the past 10 weeks. And, yeah, you know, get to get to fight in my hometown again, which is always a dream. is it hard for you like when you're not on that card and you have to watch it like you know I'm sure it's like you know what the hell you know like because as I said you're one of the the most up and coming guys from England like everybody's talking about you around Europe never mind in the UK does it hurt when they're doing a hometown card and you're not on it it is a bit frustrating you know um but I'm not I'm not too upset by it you know obviously I know

UFC have got a match people John Dodson I'm fighting in he's hometown you know if they put everyone in their hometown, I guess there would never be many fights getting matched. So, you know, so be it, the UFC want me fighting Dodson in his hometown. I'll do that. But, you know, I'd like to still fight on that London card. And fingers crossed, if I get a good win this week and no injuries, you know, they'll give it to me. Finally, Nataniel, you know, we talked about the stoppage, etc. earlier on.

Is there one thing in your head that keeps playing out how this fight will go with you and Dodson? Yeah, I feel like usually he's a runner, but I feel like with him being in his hometown, you know, he's going to get, I'm confident, he's going to come forward and try and give it to me, which I think I'm just going to catch him. You know, I'm kind of going in my head of a second round TKO. But if I can get it done in one, then perfect. And we're not going to be seeing Nathaniel Ward, the submission specialist this weekend, you reckon? It's going to be the vintage puncher. I'd like to think the knockout, but, you know, after a couple minutes, you might be diving for a takedown.

So, you know, if a submission's there, 100% I'll take it. I'd like to get a 50G bonus again. Yeah, because I'm running out of money. Nathaniel, thanks so much, man. You're a gentleman. I can't wait to see you back in there, mate. Oh, you're welcome and appreciate the call, mate, as always. All the best, sir.

Cheers, mate. Speak you soon. And from one former cage warriors champion to another. We caught up at Ross Houston ahead of a huge week of headlines for him following his release from Cage Warriors and the vacation of his Cage Warriors' Welterweight title. It seems Ross is a flush with options, which we'd probably expect from any kind of Cage Warriors champion that becomes a free agent, but undefeated, his last fight was winning a fights of the year.

I'd say it's a pretty good time to be Ross Houston. Let's have a word with Ross. We'll be back again about 10 minutes or so. Love his lows. And now I'm joined by one of the first. the most talked about fighters in all of Europe, a former Cage Warriors champion, Ross Houston, who recently was released by the promotion

and has vacated his title. He is one of the most talked about free agents in international MMA at the moment, Ross. How are you, first of all? It's been a long, long time. All the way since June of last year, I believe, when you fought Nicholas Dalby is the last time I talked to you.

So it's a pleasure to speak to you again, my friend. Yes, problem. I'm good to speak to you as well. I'm feeling good. I'm free. and you know I feel a bit about the future man got some big things planned

that reaction was crazy man like I mean I expected you to get a big reaction with an announcement like that but even that bowled me over like I mean it felt like everybody was completely switched on to that story that surprised you yeah to be honest I knew it would be a bit of a buildup

because obviously I was being quite vague with my answers when people were asking what was next to me you know so I couldn't really go into it too much people were kind of scratching ahead maybe wondering why I hadn't thought in a while so yeah it was a bit of weight

of my shoulders to be honest to get it out in the open and I'm glad and I'm just feeling optimistic about the future and yeah I'm just glad to be able to tell the fans you know that what's happening and that we're moving forward things because

obviously these guys have supported me since the start and throughout my career so I want to replay them with some more good scraps or anything. Amazing. Can you explain to us what happened, what prompted your decision to leave Cage Warriors? Like a lot of people felt as though if you won one more fight, you'd be straight into the UFC.

Was there a reason that you decide to leave at this point or decide to part ways with the promotion? Not really. You know, I'd like to go into more details, Peter, but I'm just going to have to stick by the a statement made by my manager you know we came to a mutual agreement and left on I think it was amicable terms so yeah man we're moving forward

and you know I'm just going to concentrate on the future and every people I have in the past and I'm feeling better than ever man I'm more hungry than ever so bring on these top world away from the whole planet let's go yes I understand that there has been NDAs signed there to sort of legally

Ross can't get into that as far as I know but speaking about the future because there is a huge future ahead of you here. And as your manager, Kedu said in his statement, when this announcement first came out, he said there was already three potential suitors trying to get your signature. Has anything been signed, sealed and delivered yet, Russ? I mean, or are we still in the negotiation period? Are you still hearing all these offers pouring through?

And is it still just three people or is there even more now? I think there might be more, to be honest. Yeah, it's a cool feeling. You know what? You know, it's cool because obviously all those years back I started, MMA, just as a bit of a hobby and all that. It's just kind of over the fights. Each fight that's got over the years,

it's kind of spiraled and it's got bigger and bigger. And now I'm like, you know, I'm hearing these promotions that are after me, man. You know, we've got big promotions in America, in Asia, and Europe and all that after us, man. the hitman's going in and you get some of the big targets on us right is that is that what this is about for you like are you going to try and establish yourself as an international mainstay like you know um even as we saw brendanl recently going across and fighting for pfl i'm not saying you're going to sign for the pfl or

anything but is that what you're trying to do like basically put yourself on on the international map so to speak yeah definitely definitely i think like um i uh I want you guys always like to be setting a challenge myself, setting new goals,

you know, I'm not content of where I am at the moment. You know, obviously you've got this world title under my belt

and now I'm looking at the next track tuning and looking at some massive promotions and I've got my eyes set on these titles, you know,

I want to feel like I've established myself in my eyes in the best world away in Europe just fine and I'm looking to you looking at these big names

on the internet, national scene and that's the guys that I want man I don't want to kind of just be a you know a mid-tier fighter you know getting paid a bit of money I want to be known as the top top international well away out there you know and you know bit by bit all um and scalp by scalp I'll make my way up there yes it's definitely uh you know it's definitely I'm I'm always just like striving to get to that next level you know I'm not content with where I'm right now and there's going to be bigger and better things to come. I'm in my prime.

I'm hungry. I'm motivated. I've got a fire in my belly again. And I'm just ready to go. When I think about Black Panther sports, I immediately think of Aaron Chalmers. I think of Fabian Edwards, two huge names,

maybe the two biggest names that have come along with this Bellator European series. I know that isn't all of what Black Panther does. I know they have many relationships across many different promotions but it always just seemed to me that the relationship with Bellator was a very strong one

could that suggest that that could be the next port of call for you or are the options still very open the options are open yeah I'm not I'm not I haven't made my mind

if I've got anything to be honest I am it's just gonna it will just I'll just kind of like I said consider what the opponents the opponents that have been offered to me

and they're kind of like stage that they're able to put me on, you know, so it's not, it's not a financial decision, you know, I'm looking to be put on the main events against the big names and show, show what I'm capable of, and, you know, I like take gambles and all that, you know, I would quite happily take fights like some of the biggest names on the planet, you know, if someone offered me, you should talk about Bellator, if someone offered me, like, I don't know, have I got offered, like they you know someone like MVP a big name

and I take that fine heartbeat and I know I'd smash them you know because I'm not a taxi driver or a milk one you know so if that name got to give it to me and I'd take it you know even if Douglas Lima giving them to me

you know I've got two types of people kind of like save your training in the gym and I don't know for our you know say bloody Floyd Mayover walks in the gym I mean there's two types of people

one type of person would kind of avoid training or spine with that person because they don't want to get exposed, you know. It's kind of like when you've got these phony black belts in Shih Tzu. Right. And they don't roll over anyone

because you don't want to get exposed. But then you've got these hungry people who try to, you know, roll or compete with these top people, you know, because it's kind of like, I want to test myself, I want to see where I'm at.

I want to test my character, you know, and that's exactly the same person. I want these big names. I'm not scared of anyone and I'm confident in my skills and my mindset. So I'm,

I'm literally looking for the biggest names that can be given to me. And whether people think, you know, he's got no chance to get this. That guy, man, I don't care, man, because I know I'm going to beat him. And that's all that matters, as you know, because it's just me against his other person on the cage. Man, you are making me so excited about a fight with you and MVP. I don't want to get too excited because we don't know where your next port of call is. But my word, that would be amazing, my friend. You know, that name gets put to me, man, we can make that happen.

We can make that happen, you know. I've got a world title under my belt, you know, so you can, all these people, you know, saying that you can't beat legitimate opponents, there's a chance, my, and they're against me, man. If it's the right offer and the right deal, and, you know, we've got the right kind of contracts, you know. Like I said, I think we might have got any of your mom. We've got several offers, and, you know, I like the Asian scene as well, man.

You know, one FC are doing cloud. things over there and it seems so fresh you know and they've heard nothing but good things about the promotion looking after the fighters and uh you know so far i've loved my experiences so far and i've got a far places like you know cardiff and yupon i've made lots of things uh and liverpool and londom but it'd be quite cool fight every nays so i'm getting hot yeah a bit of sunshine whilst i'm getting hit in the head um i was wondering how did you feel about um you know shortly after the announcement of your release Cage Warriors released

they put out a press release saying that Reese McKee would fight for your old title in Belfast. Do you think that's a good choice? Do you think Reza, Rees deserves a shot at that title? Yeah, I think so. I think Reesonke and Adam Proctor, I'm not sure I don't know if it's been launched yet, but I can see that fight happening. I think there's two top guys

just now. And they're both cool guys. So, half you for Reese, to be honest You know, I bump in the drum a few times I spoke to him a few times He's a cool dude man And he's young man, that dude's a beast And he's not a bright future

As is Adam Proctor as well, you know He's a, I've trained him about him, he's an absolute savage as well So them two guys have got Bright futures and I don't know what's happening And that's, who Reese is fighting But, you know, I wish them guys The best, you know, I've got,

I've got no other bad feelings about my past. I've had some good experiences in my past promotions and they put me in the platform I am today so that's not forward. A final one, Ross, and I'm very interesting. I'm very excited to see how this develops

and where you go, but I'm just wondering because of Cage Warriors' relationship with the UFC and so many fighters have gone directly from Cage Warriors to UFC, if you get to the end of your career and you have never fought in the UFC, do you think you will regret this decision of leaving Cage Warriors at this time?

You know what, no, I've made my decision when they were fighting the UFC at some point, you know, I'm just, I mean, I'm just taking a different route, you know, I think fighting is fighting at the end of the day, whether a fight, you know, in ABC or KFC, man, as long as I've beaten these good guys and continue to beat these good guys, man,

the big promotions I've got a notice you know so I'll continue to scout out the biggest names and take out

the biggest scalps and I can only play the cards in the dealt to be honest Pete so the UFC offer wasn't there

for me and you know I've made my decision and I'm working so now you know I'm a

I'm a normal guy you know and I just want to keep active and like I said my main decision is looking to fight

these bigger names so I fought Dalby my last fight so I want to fight a bigger name of Dalby or at least I'm par

you know and work from them so you know I would there would be a bit of resentment

not resentment that's wrong word I would be a bit of regret I'm not not that a bit of regret if I

didn't do a SCE but I'm living my life man and say whatever I'll deal things as they come

you know you only live on just have some fun man to let's go absolutely man thank you so much for doing this ross I'm buzzing for you I can't wait to see what's next I really like that MVP fight that was a very good pitch you made just there so hopefully Scott cocker

one of the lads is listening to this and they can put that together for us yeah man for sure I'm ready and I think I think I'd do that guy well let's change that and now I do that guy man Ross thank you so much I will speak to you soon and I await the news with baited Brett, my friend.

Perfect, brother. Right, yeah, you have a good one. All the best point. Bye, wait. Well, great to hear from Ross Houston there. I have a feeling we're going to be hearing about something for him very, very soon by the way he's talking. I want that MVP fight, man. Yeah?

Well, I mean, like, he's right. You know, everyone's like, oh, this guy fights nobody. Russ was going to be signed, like, he was on the verge of, you know, knocking on the door to UFC. If his first fight, out of Cage Warriors is against M. MVP in London, that is huge.

That is absolutely a massive, massive fight for him. Yeah, Bellator, I'd be surprised if they did that. Yeah, I mean, they'd be just, yeah, because they'd be getting rid of one of the draws nearly immediately if they were to sign him. You're full of beans, Noel. No, I know.

I am. It's getting late, but, no, yeah, it's going to be interesting what Houston does. Yeah, like, that's probably the obvious move. We'll be to go to Bellator fighting championships. Especially with his management. Exactly. Baby and Aaron,

you know, a lot of other guys as well signed there. They have good links. I just don't like that fight straight off the bat. And I admire what he wants to do, go in there and have those big fights.

But in terms of what Bellator do and what we've traditionally seen them do, you know, Michael Venom Page is a good example of that, you know, get a good bill behind you before they start eventually testing you out against them, you know,

high level opposition and guys that would be a good matchup for the fans. Do you know what I want? I tell you what I want. What I really really want. Soigga, Siga. Roberto Saldich v. Ross Houston. Yeah, I think that's exactly sort of similar sort of billing as MVP

that we're not going to see a file like that because... Why, when you see, KSW will throw you in the fucking blend As soon as you're saying, yeah, I just don't think he's going to go to KSW. I'd be surprised if he does. He said it's a possibility. Yeah, I'd say Bellator is probably the most realistic possibility. Yeah, I think it probably... I don't know.

Like, I mean, there's a few whispers going around that there's a... one Asian promotion Yeah, one championship What, sorry, you? I was saying there's one Asian promotion. Oh, right, okay, sorry. I didn't mention any.

Oh, okay, don't be throwing that out there. But how was your week anyway? Yeah, busy, like, yeah, I didn't get, I didn't step to the, for the fight, first time in a long time I haven't stayed up. I fell asleep, toward the John Jones fight. No, I actually went to bed because I was up early. I was up early on Sunday.

I was in late. I was knackard. And it was a choir weekends. I had a couple of points on Friday. literally like four nothing worked in all weekend then i got home late last night and um watched the fights then so lovely jubly yeah it was a shit weekends i'm not gonna lie to you it wasn't great now i'm dying for a few points i went down to scurries uh to my cousin tom's 21st happy birthday tom great to see all the family down there down there yeah i guess i don't know no up i don't know

but um yeah knackard after all these interviews jesus i am dying from yeah we've had a busy day the pair of us gone back and forths us just two o'clock today uh earlier even. So yeah, listen to all that was good. Ireland won the rugby. Amazing performance. Yeah.

That was insane. So we're going for a trip. We're going for the triple crown against the English. Why did they make up names of things that aren't actually things? They are.

Did they have a trophy for a triple crown? Yeah, yeah. But why is that a thing within a thing? Because it's fought out between the wouldn't that be funny

like halfway through the Premier League against a trophy like and they were like, well they do that and like Brazil and stuff like that. You're the midway champions.

Well, they do that in Brazil and stuff. Rugby. is an awful sport. It's not an awful sport. It's a ridiculous game. Nah, it's not. For wealthy clowns.

It was... On steroids. Drugby. Jesus Christ, that's very deflamatory. Well, there you are. But no, it was good weekends. I'm looking forward to just getting drunk. I don't know when.

That's how we've got the... I'm not going to tonight now, but fucking hell, look at my mouth. It's like, it's watering for a point of Guinness. You probably hear it in my voice. Ireland's fucked as well, by the way. the country's nothing's going to change

it's probably going to be war again I don't know it's just Jesus well there you go that's a southside Dublin man view on Sinn Féin having a No it's not something to do with Sinn Féin just to say the country

No you know what's going to happen to war I'm going to take over the country There's going to be a military coup from Niallemagra A one man band Right We've definitely had enough podcasting for today But we're going insane

Yeah We'll see us next week If we can keep this four guests Stuff up we'll try but it's fucking, it's draining us. We've a good guest line up for next week. Go on. I have to go.

I'm going to fall asleep in this chair. Love his loads. Thanks to our lovely guests. Valentina Shavchenko. European, Dublin's. Liam McCourt, Ross Houston and Nathaniel Ward. We love his loads. It's not for casuals.

Don't be a fucking casual. Go home, Carl.