MMA Fighting - Eurobash: Episode 81 (w/ Paul Felder, Fabian Edwards)

Episode Date: May 5, 2020

On this episode of Eurobash, Paul Felder (12:00) returns to the show to discuss covering UFC 249 remotely, his fighting future and opportunities to leapfrog international contenders in light of global travel restrictions. Fabian Edwards (49:00) also call in to give his thoughts on Douglas Lima getting a middleweight title fight, his proximity to a title shot and his ongoing beef with London Shootfighters. As always, Petesy Carroll and Niall McGrath discuss the latest headlines in MMA.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Is it sunny on the south or do you is getting little rain clouds over there? How are you getting on? We're good. We're not as miserable as you lot. So, yeah, we tend to get the better weather here. It's beautiful, man. That's true, to be honest. Yeah, it's a crack in day.

It's like someone's playing a joke on us with all this good weather. But I guess it is good. At least we can go out. side and stay within our 2K or whatever the hell it is. At least get a bit of sunshine, oh, McGraw. Yeah, the sun is spitting the rocks and burning my face as well.

I was out there for an hour earlier on. I'm a wee bit red-peatty, to say, the least, I have to confess. So we're not used to this sort of sun, you know. But it's all good, brother. Yeah, I've got me freckles multiplying. I don't know if you're the freckly kind, but Jesus Christ, I'd be out there for about half an hour, and then I'm just fucking covered in the things like scabies.

I'm all right. One or two, but nothing, nothing like you, I wouldn't imagine. Nothing on my scale. I went there, do you know what's piss me off? This is how much of a fucking agro prick I am. I'm getting annoyed with people being out when I'm outside. I'm like, why is there so many fucking people outside? Like all the time.

Try to take the dog for a walk down the canal yesterday, and I swear to God it was like a fucking concert was going on. So it lasted about two seconds there and I turned around and fucking went home. Very upset. There is still a lot of people disobeying the government's guidelines on there. It's disappointing to say the least. I got annoyed as well, to be honest. There was a lot of people out today.

It was floating around. There was people in their gardens and then over in the coffee shop sort of standing outside, not really social distancing. So there's definitely been a little bit of, what would you say, a regression in the progress that we thought we were making. It's unfortunate. Idiots. Yes.

However, the fights are back this week, no, my grah. Oh, yeah. Buzon. Fight week. Well, we hope they will be. At they are. It's been an unpublished. All time for the sport, but we think it is actually going to happen this weekend.

USC 249 going down in Jacksonville, Florida. We'll get on to more of that in a few minutes. Let's just break down the few headlines we do have from MMA this week. Marvin Vittori v. Carl Robertson is set for May 13th. Christoph Jocko v. Eric Anders, Sefer May 16th. Leon Edwards, Darren Till and Jimmy Manoa have set up a coalition to combat knife crime in the UK. Till v. Whitaker has basically been verbally agreed by both parties, but at a catchweight. Dana Hoyd doubts we will see Habib V. Tony in 2020.

And UFC, Kazakhstan has officially been scrapped. We knew it probably wasn't going to go down, but it is official now. It is not happening on June 6th, of course. Piotr-Jan and Marlon Marlorese were set to top that card. Anything shocking there to you, Noel McGrath? I think it is great that after his appearance on the episode last week, Leon, double down really on what he said to us about the knife situation in Birmingham and has began this cross county kind of coalition with Till in Liverpool and Jimmy Manow in London.

Very good to see that. Yeah, fair place. And the lads are using their platform and this time to obviously try and get that at the forefront as well as COVID-19. As Leon said, last week there was a number of stabbings and even in one day in Birmingham. And it's sort of going on across the UK and the major cities, Liverpool, Birmingham, London, where the lads are from. and Darren it's obviously, you know, very close to home for him, him being stabbed and he was 16, 17 in that nightclub. So a great thing, I think, from the lads to do.

And sort of puts other news back into the headlines. And, you know, I think that's what's been sort of needed. Like, you know, it's all being COVID-19. And these problems still go on, even in a time where we're all supposed to be isolating, which is great to see. Fair play to the lads, well done. To be honest, you kind of were on this Habib v. Tony thing since this initial since we initially found out it wasn't going to happen at 249

the fifth time of asking you kind of said you were kind of doing the mats as to when people would be available as to when Habib would be finished Ramadan ready to fight you you kind of knew that Habib v Tony wasn't going to happen in 2020 you were fairly confident that as soon as 249 fell apart right yeah listen it's not made I don't know we're going to be seen any time soon and uh as I ever at this stage

yeah I reckon you know I think the UFC are going to go ahead and, you know, book Connor McGregor, possibly against the winner Saturday night's fighting. You know, Habib, obviously, Aramadam, being where he is at the moment in Dagestan, you know, flights, visas. It's just not happening

anytime soon. And I think, you know, we look at the UFC with the team with Fight Island, obviously having it for international fighters based outside of the US. We've had no sort of words again yet and what's going on there. Any sort of definite confirmation from Dana. He keeps telling us it's there, but we're yet to have any sort of

Ireland is real evidence. So if you're looking at any sort of international shows, man, they're not happening and that's sort of effectively reals out Habib from where he is at the moment in competing and obviously with Ramadan and all that happening, as he said, previously he won't fight during this period. So it does set up something for the winner Saturday night, potentially against Mr. McGregor, I think, in July summer. It's like, you know, it's obviously very good for the fighters.

The fighters are excited to be competing. A lot of fans very excited for the fight. fights. How are your excitement levels? I am on today. I woke up and I was going shit. We've, we've fights on Saturday. It looks like it as we're going to talk about in a few minutes, obviously the things that are going on in the US and the state of Florida and the, you know, ringsides physicians have sort of, you know, ease their stance on on the fights going ahead. So that points to everything that we're actually going to get some fights this weekend. And yeah, listen, I'm not going to lie. I am excited. Like, why wouldn't we be? We cover this

sport. We haven't had it for two and a half, three months. it's a long time for us having five cards literally twice three times a fucking week and we're back to that on Saturday night so I'm not going to lie you know I know there's obviously huge risks going ahead with this card still but you know the government have given it the all clear there in Florida Mr. DeSantis Governor DeSantis has said it's okay to go ahead the Sanctus so listen this not I'm going to get behind it I'm going to be you know the media stuff this week as well the UFC are online for the first time ever so so so Why not? Why not? I'm excited. How are you? Are you excited? You must be. You have to be. No?

Yeah. I mean, I'm excited. Like, I'm excited, but it does kind of have the feel of a, like a disaster movie like Armageddon. But I mean, it's good. Like, I mean, we did get some good signs. We had an article on MMI fighting this week basically from the, from the ringside physicians who were came out against the idea of events happening. You know, when Dana was trying to put them on April, but it seems they've kind of softened their approach here. Their statement is as follows. The Association of Rings Soyuz physicians recognize that the circumstances regarding COVID-19 pandemic are continually changing and evolving. As stay-at-home orders are relaxed, athletic commissions and combat sports governing bodies are looking to restart operations. Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19, precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmissions.

Many athletic commissions are organized. and promoters are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events including athletes, their teams, commission personnel and support staff. So I guess it does seem like it is it is safer now

to do it when they initially were going to do it. But, you know, they're still under their fire in this morning, Monday morning's morning report from Jed Meshew. We're seeing Bob Arham still pretty pissed off the idea of this going ahead. He was saying,

I think the behavior of people in sports we should be following are Adam Silver of the NBA, Roger Goodell of the NFL, people who are proceeding cautiously and safety, not people are acting like cowboys. For example, the UFC wanted to do this fight in California, and they were prevented by Governor Newsom

and by Senator Feinstein going to ESPN and having Dana pulled a plug. It turned out that one of the fighters, in fact, tested positive afterwards for coronavirus. You know, if we get something like that on one of Dana shows, and God forbid there's a serious incident of spreading the disease. It doesn't do well for anybody who's involved with sports.

Interesting in love also featured there. Oscar Delahoya seems to be commending Dana, even though they've had that long publicized beef. So I wonder how that resolved itself. But very interesting stuff there. I mean, do you think, are you more comfortable with it happening now than, say, April last month, a few weeks ago when they were trying to do with this initially?

I don't know. No, probably not. I just think it's more credible now because the governor has given it to go ahead. But I don't think the circumstances have changed an awful lot. In terms of what the UFC are doing, you know, obviously that report that you said came out and we've seen what the ringside physicians have said. It seems as though the UFC are going to do testing this week. So, you know, I think that's going to put people's minds at a little bit of rest going into this. But no, like I'm very, man, I'm very, very sort of 50-50 on this still.

I'm obviously excited, but should it really be going ahead? I don't know. You know, I don't know. I really, I still can't make my mind up on this. I've been beating myself up this for the last two and a half months, even when the original card was cancelled a month ago. But, you know, if these things are in place, you know, why not? You know, will more people not stay at home and watch the pay-per-view?

And, you know, I don't know. I find it hard. we'll talk about the the information we have on testing, etc. when we come back after our first interview. But yeah, like basically all the noises you're making

just remind me that MMA journalists are the wimpiest and weakest people covering the hardest and strongest sport. That's how I think of doing how they're saying. A lot of them are. Listen, listen, right? I'm actually, I'm more edging towards, yeah,

listen, let's go ahead. If all these things, things are in place, you know, it might put a smile on people's faces, you know, I'm going to be happy watching the fights on Saturday night. They'll take them away from the, from the troubles of what are going on. You can get out a picture of a big happy face on you while you're watching them? Yeah, big smile, man. Of course I will, yeah.

Definitely well. But, like, that's what I'm saying. Like, you know, it's, it's one of those ones where, you know, you can either look about sides. And it is, it's hard to really sort of go on either side. It probably shouldn't be happening, but then, you know, let's not be too hypocritical. and we're going to be enjoying the fights on Saturday night. So let's get to a Pizzi.

First interview of the day is with Mr. Paul Felder who commentates this weekend at UFC 249. Sorry, he doesn't commentate. He's on color analyst duty from at home in Philly. He'll explain all that. What's next for him? And lots, lots more. He got a new dog as well, which is pretty cool.

So check out the interview with Paul. We'll be back to talk about this weekend's UFC 249 card. Always a pleasure to welcome on. He's on color analyst duties from at home, I believe. this weekend for UFC 249. It is, as always, a pleasure to have on the Irish Dragon, Paul

Feller. Paul, first of all, I think the question everyone wants to know is, what have you been eating over this period of time? Well, there was quite a time there where it was getting really bad. I've still had moments of debauchery, as I like to call it, but all in all,

I've been trying to clean up the diet, get in much better shape, I'm running a lot, I'm doing the spin bike, I'm, I've got a very, very, very small group of guys that I've been starting to slowly get some pad sessions in and some work. But we're trying to limit the donuts over here now. Obviously, it's tough times for everyone, Paul. But how's everyone being?

How's the family? Is everyone well? Is everyone safe? Yeah. Yeah. So far, you know, fingers crossed, knock on wood. But so far, you know, I'm here with Christine and Ashton, we've got the dog. My mom as well.

my brothers are both well. My brother John is still working full-time. Wow. Because he worked for the, for SEPTA, the public transportation, and he works on the rails and, like, down on the subways. So he's been working. My brother's been working from home,

and my mom's been working from home. So everybody's been, you know, bored. Everybody's bored, but everybody's safe. There's a new arrival in the household as well. I just saw off air there a moment ago, big Rodney. Tell the guys about Rodney. I

the last few weeks I really started to want a dog you know I'm traveling a lot and I didn't know how I was going to handle it but I was like I've got such a good support

around me with people that'll have him and my mom and my brother's Christine and everybody so I was like I'm not too worried about so we went and we just looked at some rescue places around

we looked at some we were looking at bulldogs and things like that and it just didn't work out that way we went to this rescue spot and this poor guy was sitting there just scars

on his face, needed a home, and he's massive. I didn't plan on getting a giant 86-pound pit bull, but he's just such a sweetheart. He doesn't realize how big he is, and he just hit me with the sad eyes, Nile, right when we were about to walk out. At first, I wasn't going to get him because he was too big, and he wasn't being super friendly. He was kind of being skittish and standoffish, and I was like, well, I'm not going to get this guy if he's not, you know, coming up to me and giving me kisses.

And then I started thinking, Stu's locked in a cage. doesn't know what's happening so similar to you on fighting out hey locked it locked in the cage exactly so i felt i felt for the man so i i scooped him up paul i got to ask obviously you've you've come out and you've said a lot of things since we last spoke as well you know you're getting that itch again how is the health how are the injuries how's everything injuries are good man as far as anything that's that came from the fight that's all cleared up my my eye my orbital bones are all healed up my calf obviously a few weeks later we'll field up, but just some, some soreness from getting back into training harder.

That's about it. But as far as my desire, man, I did about eight to ten rounds of hardcore MMA stuff today with one guy. I won't say who. I won't say where. I won't say any of that kind of stuff. It's like a little secret meetings because people are, you know, I don't want to get anybody out of it.

But I'm working. I'm working. I think by end of summer I'd be really good to go. So you're totally excited to get back in there and throw down again. you've dispelled the retirement talk and obviously you were thinking about that at the time, the emotions were high. Is it very much focused back getting in the octagon now

or is it going to take that special moment or fight? It's still going to take a good fight. I'm not saying it's got to be the number two guy or the number three guy, but it's got to be somebody in the top 10 around there that's exciting. You know, it's something that I feel like can catapult both of our careers.

Whoever that person is too, you know what I mean? If they can jump over me and get ahead, then great. But that's what makes good fights is it's got to be two guys that are still competitive to get back towards the top of the division. And there's quite a few guys out there, you know. And with the whole quarantine and travel bans, if the UFC can get going next week, this weekend, then we get the ball rolling. Dana White's get these fight going.

We get fight island going, which he says is a real thing. Then there's a real possibility that I truly could skip the line. You know what I mean? This is that crazy shit that I was telling you about. Yeah. Where you ever know, look at Dominic Cruz, who's fighting Henry Suhudo now. You know, these are opportunities that really took place because some guys weren't training, because guys can't get into the country.

It limits the amount of people, but good for him for being ready and taking the opportunity. And I kind of expect something similar to happen for me where, you know, July, August comes around and they need, you know, big fights on a pay-per-view or potentially a main event for one of these smaller shows at the apex. I would love to headline a show out of the apex with no crowd, as long as it's a great fight,

and I might be able to skip up into that top five over a lot of guys because, and I'm saying, it's kind of cheating, but shit, I don't care. My bank account's not going to know what's cheating and what's not cheating.

So if I get a big fight because of this stuff, then that excites me, you know what I mean? Yeah, no, it's very much that case because, you know, if we look here, I don't think there's going to be any European cards soon. It looks like Dublin's going to be canceled, which is obviously a big shame for us here. Yeah, don't even speak to me.

I think we did a couple of texts when, you know, the government here announced to... When he sent me that stuff, I was like, oh, man. Even if I wasn't fighting on it, you know I was going to be working. I was pumped. Yeah. Well, listen, fingers crossed. Something might change between now and then, but it's obviously unlikely. But as you said, like a lot of the guys in the lightweight division at the top of division,

you've Connor, you have Habib, they're about European. They're both going to be stuck here for the foreseeable future. It's going to be hard to get visas. all that sort of thing. You said this leapfrogs you. So you feel by the next month or two you want to get in there back again and make that push, obviously leapfrogging it guys. You could even potentially be looking at a fight between one of these two guys at the top of division next Saturday.

Who knows? Who knows? Who knows? That's what's crazy. And I'm not saying that it's necessarily how it should go, right? Sorry, I can't figure out you. You know, and it shouldn't be right. Like, you know, hookers should be fighting Fourier.

Yeah. And so and so should be fighting, so and so. But that might just not happen. And I'm not going to say no to a fight just because so-and-so can't get out of a country. I'm going to take that, you know, any of these fights. And there's going to be a loser this Saturday between Justin and Tony. And one of them is going to need a fight to jump right back into that spotlight to get a fight. And, you know, that's a fight that we talked about forever ago, right?

That it could work out that, you know, I end up getting one of these fights. between Tony or or Justin or Dustin. It's like those are the names I want to be getting into the mix with, you know, for sure. I'm not fat shaming you, Paul, but how is the weight at the moment? Because you're a guy, we've often talked about it, you know? We've often talked about it. You know, it takes, it's a process for you to get down. The beard is making me look fat.

Don't be deceived. Don't be deceased. It's all beard. There's just skin and bone under there. That's what I say, mate. Relaxed. relaxed muscle, we call it. Yeah, I'm heavy as fuck.

I'm not going to lie to you. If they called me and said, oh, shit, May 16th, we need you to fight at 170. I'd say, well, that is not even going to happen at 170. We could fight it in middleweight, and I can make that happen. But as far as the summertime, I'm running again. It's getting nice here on the East Coast. I ran yesterday. I ran eight miles, and it was beautiful out.

I've been doing a lot of the biking, and I'm starting to get back into my MMA training. and I think we're just all going to be limited. Yeah, of course. As far as I can't, I think we've got to just really try to figure out what can we do. And I'm not really hard for dieting yet. If I was hard for dieting,

my weight with the workload that I'm doing would be significant. I just got to get in a calorie deficit, which I'm not really fully doing yet. I've got to ask you that as well. You know, obviously with Duke not being around, you're not being able to travel down there. I know you've guys in Philly and stuff.

Have you been doing a lot of working out in your backyard, have you been, you know, as you said, you were out with a couple of guys, you don't want to name, that's fair enough. But, you know, the day-to-day sort of thing, maybe a couple of weeks ago, you know, what have you been doing? Just hitting pads out in the backyard, and what's been in that process? So a lot of pads, and I did do a few backyard sessions literally where my guy that holds pads, Ryan, would come over and we did it. And my mom has a big backyard. So we didn't even go in her house. We just went and I knew there was a big open patch of grass that we could hit the pads.

And it was nice out. And like I said, when the weather is nice, I've been going for long, long runs. I took a few weeks off from the long runs because I was destroying my feet running too much. But yeah, long runs, pad sessions, and intense pad sessions. When I get on the pads with my boy, I've been going at it. And, yeah, some limited MMA training with very, very, very, very small groups. And by small, I mean, you know, one guy. but when we get it in we get it in and we do you know 10 to 12 rounds

hour hour and a half two hour sessions because I might not get another MMA workout for a couple days I've been still getting my lifts in and plenty of cardio but it's not ideal it's not what I would want for a full training camp if I was going to book a fight I'm still going to Duke's and it's very limited there too you know he can't really yeah I mean he's not open just like anybody else isn't technically open but once I'm out there, I can at least find the guys.

I'm probably going to be getting some kind of testing done this coming next weekend. Okay. So I don't know where I stand on this whole situation, whether it's an antibody test or a COVID test. I'll know. And unfortunately, if I freaking show up and have it, I'm not working. I'd be a waste of a trip. I'm supposed to be going to Florida and working. So hopefully I get there, I'm negative.

And I know, okay, I just got to stay negative for the rest of my life. You know, easy to do. definitely listen I got to ask you about that as well you know obviously with the fight card happening this weekend you've mentioned it there

you know guys not working with their coaches Cowboy did an interview with ESPN he said you know he thinks a lot of the fights are going to end early what effect do you feel as a fighter not working with your coach

in a day to day basis these guys are going to have on Saturday night problems in terms of even longevity going to distance implementing that game plan is it going to hinder the fights massively yeah I think it will

I think we will see things be a lot different. And I agree with Cowboy there, where you might see people get slugged out a little bit more because certain people might show up just to make a paycheck. You know what I mean? They might want to just fight. But I don't see that as, there's no reason people should just be gassing out

because if anything, all these people have been able to do is cardio, right? There's no reason if you're in decent weather, you shouldn't just be running your face off. And you can make sure you're in shape. but I think people, you know, are just going to kind of slug it out a little more because, you know, it's like, screw it. I haven't had the craziest camp. I might as well go out there and put on a show.

And I hope that's what everybody does, right? Because everybody watching this, this is an opportunity. Nobody has had live sports for months. Yeah. So these people can go out and make a statement, man. People can, the face and the rankings and the stars of the UFC can really change throughout this. quarantine in the next month or so. Obviously being close to Cowboying, close to Showtime, Pettus, your teammate, split loyalties

this weekend for you. Have you spoken to Duke about what he's been able to do with Showtime? Obviously, you're in the loop there. Has it been much work with the guys or what's gone down? Yeah, I know Anthony's getting work in, but I don't know exactly with who, but I know that him and Duke at least, I think, have been able to get in some work. But again, I don't really know. know that Duke's healthy and well, and I've been talking to him at least every week or so,

checking in with those guys. But I just asked him, I was like, you know, towards the summer, if I have to book a camp, can I still come and live at the fighter house? And he said, yeah. So that's all I know. I know that the house is still there for me. And he basically said, we'll figure out something. And, you know, kind of like we see a lot of these fighters doing, making sure everybody's safe, maybe get it to, I'll even, I'll even pay for the antibody test for people that I know that I'll be training with come fight time so that we can stay in a small group, if it's out in in uh in milwaukee where even if i have to bring a few guys to live at that fighter house with me and and just keep it keep it small but just get the work in where you can how do you

feel paul about the whole situation obviously you know this card was you know fell off a number of weeks ago how do you feel as a fighter and as you know a commentator a guy that's going to have to go to these events obviously the government have more or less cleared it now in florida and we saw today that marty remandie put out a report in the spn that the ufc are going to have co-execs. testing for the fighters. You mentioned not as well. So that seems to be a line. Are you comfortable now, you know, going to these events, traveling to these events? I mean, I'm nervous, of course. Just like anybody's got to travel through this is going to be a little nervous. I haven't been to an airport since Vegas since the last pay-per-view that I worked. And that was kind of right as it started

to become a thing. You know, you started really hearing about it swarming through the U.S., but it still wasn't like, ah, we're not going to have to shut down. Like, that's ridiculous. And now, you know, it's been, what, six weeks, seven weeks that we've been shut down here, I think. And so, yeah, nervous, but also I know I'm nervous for the test because it's miserable, but I'm also really excited to know that I don't have this goddamn thing, you know, or know that I do have it and I'm asymptomatic and they've got to shut my ass down for 14 days, which really sucks because if I go out there,

and I test positive they're going to lock me up in my hotel room for 14 days. Yeah, man. I heard as you... They can't send me back to the airport, right? I mean, I've got to quarantine myself there. I mean, it's 14 days I'm going to not be home with my family either.

Well, that's a regular occurrence when you go to events anyway, Paul. You might as well get used to it. You never get straight back home. Oh, man. Yeah, now I might have to quarantine when I get back. Just live in my room. Have to have people drop. you know, Christine and everybody in Ashley

dropped food outside of my room. I got to ask you before we wrap up, I do appreciate the time, man. I noticed you were on, I think UFC unfiltered with Matt Serra, and I actually texted you this the other day, and I'm not sure, I think it's Tom Norton is the co-host, but basically,

you know, there's obviously been that talk of you and Al, you've mentioned it before, there's always been beef, you're supposed to fight before. What was that dynamic like being on with Matt Serra, obviously him being, you know, Al's coach? Well, Norton, I know he's just messing with Matt because he knows he's his coach. I think he's just trying to get him uncomfortable.

But I've talked to Sarah about it so many times, man. He really genuinely does seem to like me as a person. And it's mutual. I think he's a great guy and a great coach. And I've seen Al at other fights. And me and him haven't said a bad word to each other, you know what I mean? I think there's a lot of respect there. I think we're very much cut from the same.

cloth and that we're just we're tough guys we're we're not always you know we don't always come out on top of when we're in there you're you know you've been in there with the two of us and uh on any given day we can be the best guy in that division it's just uh but yeah if if that's who i got to slug it out with i'll he's i've told you he's a guy i would definitely fight i like that but um tony dustin justin hooker um he'll be And Connor, that's about it. Fair enough. I think we watch any of them.

A couple more before I let you go, Paul. Obviously, you're working from at home this weekend. I can see the SPN, you know, symbols and logos in the background. How different is that now working from at home? I know there's a camera set up ready for you to go. It's going to be a totally different dynamic. Does that intimidate you? How do you feel about working from at home?

Because obviously, you know, I know, Internet can obviously be an absolute nightmare at times. Yeah, of course. we're going to find out. I've done enough Zoom interviews and things like that from inside of this house already, like without all the actual setup and things have gone okay. So I'm hoping my internet holds up and I've got my lighting rigs over here. I've got my tripods and they sent me an iPad with a Zoom lens. And we just set it all up.

And then tomorrow we're going to, they're sending me like a dome for the lights to spread out more evenly. I got my suits up here on the bed ready to go get dry cleaned, and I'm interesting. You know, the only thing tough for me is at least when I'm working the show at the show, you're at work, you show up, you put your suit on, you get a little powder, you're ready to go. This is going to be in my own living room. There's beer down in my fridge. There's tequila down.

In between shows, I get to go and watch the main card. I'm going to want to go have a cocktail, and I can't do that. You know, I've got to stay clean. It's over. that's the only thing that's like man I'm definitely going to have some pizza downstairs ready to go in between fights so I can have some pizza

watch the fights and then you stay in my suit and jump on camera when I need to it's a phenomenal fight card I know you're not allowed to give fight picks but you know what fight stands out for you is it is it just oh you are okay you're allowed to fight picks for this and okay right I am doing we'll have a

quick shot of the Co-Main and Maine Dominic coming back he's the king of you know he's dispelled any sort of talker, myth that that is ring rust. Obviously with that performance against T.J. Dilloshaw when he came back

after two, three years out to win the title, has he enough to come back again and take the title from Henry Sejado? I'm calling it now. I'm calling the upset, and I think Dominic Cruz is going to walk out of the chance.

I agree with you. Is that just because he's the collie gears on the desk? It's not. It's really not, because me and John Annaick have talked a lot about it and in private too.

I just think he's just awkward enough. I think he's big. He's strong. He seems to be in really good shape. I'm watching this guy train. He's doing this swim stuff. Dom's one of those guys, man. He really never stops.

He's another guy similar to Tony Ferguson where I feel like they would thrive in this situation purely because of their mental side of things. He's not going to let this quarantine and having one training partner. He's going to do pool. He's going to do sprints. He's going to make sure his cardio is on point. and it seems to have enough training partners and coaches working with them where I don't think he's missed all that much of a beat

and I know he's been healthy enough for a long enough time where he's been really focusing on getting in shape since we worked together forever ago. I can remember talking about it. Man, I can't wait for that fight. I'm absolutely just so excited about seeing Dominic Cruz back in there, one of the all-time greats in my opinion in the Bantamweight Division. 100%.

I've got to ask you, you know, and I think this is, you know, I don't like saying this. I never like saying, you know, I favour a fighter, I want a fighter to win. But I think it'll be a crying shame if Tony Ferguson lost his fight because it sort of dispels any sort of wishes or a future potential meeting with Habib Dan. The fight, I think the MMA world has wanted to see. But I feel this is one of those sort of scenarios, the story with him cutting weight a couple of weeks ago with that. I just think Justin Gage might do something here.

You know, might be able to get in the pocket and land something against Tony. what's your feeling with this fight it's a big big risk and there's not a lot of reward here for Tony Ferguson yeah I think it is a big risk but I think there's plenty of reward for you going in there with the circumstances that Tony is under and

performing and beating a guy the caliber of Gaii if you go in there and you beat him then the only problem with that is okay then the next fight is obviously got to be Khabi again and we've just had this COVID-19 stuff happened because

of that fight. What's going to be next if they get scheduled to fight again? The world's going to explode. For the sake of the human race, I hope that, you know, maybe that fight shouldn't happen. But I think I like both those guys, man, but I just

like Justin's power in the way he gets inside and throws those hooks. I like the way he chops the legs. I like his toughness. I like his wrestling defense. And he's got wrestling offense. He just doesn't give a shit to show it. That's very true. I really feel like if you wanted to take any opponent he's had yet so far to the ground and ground upon them, he could have.

He's just like, nah. So I see an upset. I don't know who's the favorite in that. Tony's the favorite. Tony's slight favorite, yeah. Slite favorite, yeah, I am. Paul, one more. I'm on the fence with this one, but I'm picking Gathe.

Okay. One more if you on that, the way cut that Tony proceeded to go ahead and do, regardless that he'd no opponent three weeks ago. How much will that play into effect? come Saturday night. Will that hinder Tony coming into this fight week? I don't think so. Because I don't know how much Tony... I know he posted that he was still the night before.

I think he was still eight pounds, 10 pounds over. Yeah, eight, seven, eight, I think it was. That's standard, man. You know, I wake up and do that on the way and day. If it's a late way and if it's an early way and I'm doing most of that tonight before. But that's... He could have bounced back from that.

pretty fat day. You know, he's a, he's a pretty skinny guy. I don't think, there's some people out there that if they told me they were cutting the weight anyway, I'd be like, you're an idiot because you're going to really, really damage yourself. You know, I've mentioned it in one of my other interviews. Maybe me and John did the Instagram live that, you know, for me, I wouldn't be able to do that. And I had people coming at me calling me mentally weak and all that.

I'm like, you idiots, it has nothing to do with being mentally weak. It has to do it 25 pounds or so that it would be for me versus, you know, maybe seven to eight for somebody else. It's like I'm not doing that. It's not, you know, not because I'm not mentally tough. It's just I'm not going to wreck my body to do it all over again in three weeks. That's just. It's Tony Ferguson, mom.

We'll let him away with it. And that's him, right? And that works for him. And I see what he's doing and he's trying to get into the corner's head. And I respect it. But I'm just saying it can't be done by everybody. So you've got to consider how much weight is being cut. Totally agree.

We know what the MMA found. But hey, he's a G, man. Like, I can't say it enough. I have nothing against Tony Ferguson. I think he's a savage. He's an absolute savage. And listen, I can't wait for that fight. Paul, I'm looking forward to seeing you get back in there as well.

And listen, say hello to all your family and everyone stay safe there in Philadelphia. Paul, I do appreciate the time, man. And listen, hopefully we'll have that point in September. I know it's unlikely. How are you doing without proper pints right now? Is this driving you crazy or what? I'll tell you what. And a lot of people don't believe me.

I've never drank as little in. in my life because I am a pub pint man. I'm not a can point man. You want a real proper forward pint. The most amount of drink alcohol I've had in one evening and one sitting is four small cans. You know we have the big cans here.

I'm talking like the Coca-Cola size cans. Four of them and I haven't drank in two weeks and that's me. I'm a changed man. I haven't eaten red meat in two months either. All right. Look at you. Changed man, Paul. It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable.

But I tell you what, I'd murder, absolutely murder, a cold, extra cold point of Guinness straight from a tap. I'm good right now, too. I'm actually kind of thirsty, and that sounds... Listen, man, it's going to be a while before we get it back. It's going to be... They're talking about September, October, before the pubs open, they'll be the last open. So I'm struggling, but listen, listen, as long as we're all safe, I don't give a shit, that's the main thing, you know? Yeah, right.

Of course. Yeah, of course. and you know man whether it's a six months three months a year from now everybody is going to appreciate things just so much more right imagine when you're finally cleared and you're with your boys and you get that fine it's going to be it's going to be something special i've been saying that for a while and you know we've been saying on the show quite a lot that once this ends you're going to appreciate things a lot more and you're going to have the best pace up of your life yeah paul Any message before the fans, as you said there in terms of COVID-19,

aren't they should do before we let you go? Yeah, just, you know, everybody, God, please do your best. Stay safe. Stay in here and, you know, stay clean, stay hand washed. And for the fighters out there, man, just keep working that freaking cardio and fighters fight. If the UFC calls you and you want this opportunity, stay safe, take it. And to all the fans, man, we are underway. I'm getting all the emails.

I am set up. This shit is happening. the UFC and Dana White, we are going to be the first sports back on TV and people are going to have something to watch and I'm willing to fly to Florida to do it. So tune in, buy that pay-per-view, let's go, let's get this world back in order.

I agree. Paul, always a pleasure to speak to. I do appreciate the time, my friend. Thanks, brother. Big thanks to Paul for stopping by. He was busy there. Earlier on, I was catching up with him. ESPN were setting up in his living room, but fair play to Paul for coming on.

But, Roy, let's have a look at the information. great article on ESPN Monday morning from the great Mark Ramondi. A lot of information in here about the testing. Well, more information than I've seen anywhere else. Most here's just quoting the article now, it is called, let me tell you, inside the challenges of holding a major sporting event during the coronavirus pandemic. And it's a very thorough, thorough piece. Raymondi's put out here. Let me just find the parts that we're looking for. There will be several restrictions and a whole new set of protocols in Jacksonville. An email sent the teams last week, the USC cautioned that things will be different from our typical fight week. Shocker.

Most fighters will arrive by playing Tuesday or Wednesday, except for those who live close enough to drive. Normally, fighters arrive Tuesday and have media obligations from then until Thursday evening. That won't be the case this week. When fighters on their corner, people get to the hotel, they will go through mandatory medical screen. and tests according to the U.S.C's email. Most teams expect the FOIAs and Corners to be tested for COVID-19, as indicated in the email,

the UFC Performance Institute sent to the athletes. Sources confirmed to ESPN that the USC will administer both the diagnostic swap coronavirus test, as well as the antibody test. Once the fighters and corner, people go through the medical checkpoint, they will meet with UFC staff members who will inform them of procedures for the rest of the week.

The fighters and corners will be given credentials to be warned at all times in the hotel. sources said they will be excuse me sources said they will be asked to not mingle in large groups and try to self-isolate within reason until their COVID-19 test results come back

per the email every day a fighter and team member is on a hotel property here or she will be required to return for additional medical screening that will include temperature checks and questions about potential coronavirus symptoms sources said the host hotel is no longer taking reservations for the week

teams of them told they will be given individual workout room in which to train and cut weight during the week. Per the email, the rooms will be equipped with mats, mat sanitizer, and a personal sonnet to assist in weight cutting. The hotel's room service will be open 24 hours and there is a market on site, the email said. Troy Feisty's meal sponsor will provide food for the athletes who want it.

Meals will be dropped in front of four-door hotel room doors at scheduled times. The USC Performance Institute will have staff on site to help with nutrition, weight cuts and physical therapy. the physical therapy will be available for performance related manners and only for fighters on the card for the ufc email thorn d ufc's third party supplement company will have products on hand as well at the hotel accord to uc email housekeepers will be equipped with hospital grade sanatories and personal protective equipment official way-ins take place friday morning as usual and ufc as told um fighters might have scheduled times to hit the scale to limit the number of people in the room at the same time and having scheduled times for

Wayans was the plan for the council Tachi show too. So yes, that is a lot more information than we got from Dana Hoyt in that Kevin Ioli interview. It's fair to say, Noel. Yeah, I think he's clearly obviously just been working on the finer details right up until

this week, it seems. You know, I think obviously... What I'm saying. You know, it probably would have made more sense if they came in and got the testing maybe, you know, this, you know, earlier on this week, instead of waiting until fight week, because

realistically in this situation we could have some guys testing positive if they're coming in and we don't know what they've been doing or who they've been in contact with so that's going to be the interesting thing for me and it is good obviously that they have testing in place

once the athletes arrive but I'm just surprised it wasn't done a little bit sooner on the UFC's part but obviously a very costly process renting out a hotel and the testing but athlete safety first Pizzi and it seems like the UFC will be the first sport back.

We feared the Taino Vo wouldn't get us that extra feathering as cap because the German Bundesliga was due to return on May 9th the soccer league there. But that's been nixed by the government now. It turns out that in their screening, 10 people between the Bundesliga and the second division in the German league

were found to have tested positive, of 10 people. So, yeah, I guess the fact that these tests have come back like this probably didn't want to rush into anything. Is that way you're kind of saying, you know, maybe we should have done the tests earlier in case everyone's popping up on the island and they find out then. And it's already too late if they're all together, right? Yeah, I think that's going to be the major problem.

You know, you could have someone literally passed it on in a day and it mightn't show up. Just things like that. It's good to have it obviously in place. but you're looking, I think, two players from FC Cologne at the weekend where tested positive for coronavirus, which Cologne are obviously a Bundesliga club, and if that's going ahead this weekend, they're obviously going to have problems,

but I know the German clubs have been testing quite rigorously. But still, at the end of the day, it's coming down to the government there, the German Prime Minister Angela Merkel, is meeting with the Bundesliga on, I think, just the sixth of this month, so that's what, two days' time. So that's going to be interested in what they do. The clubs want to get back.

the fans don't want to, it's going to be behind, more or less behind closed doors. And I think 322 people are going to be allowed in attendance. But yeah, you know, I think the reason why I'm okay with the UFC in Florida, to a certain extent, is because of the government actually going ahead and they see these protocols were in place. So there's a little bit of a difference there, I think. But I think it's only a matter of time before other sporting organizations like the Bundes League are back because all the clubs are calling for it to come back. I think the Premier League's a different set of situations.

But I think they're just all sort of waiting on government clearance, really. Yeah, you mentioned it there. It's something I wanted to bring up. The fans being up in arms about this. I heard this, Ken Early speaking about this on second captains last week. Very, very different situations I feel with the soccer, even covering soccer and the fandom of soccer, the amount of information the lads had, that was available to the media

about the Bundes League coming back. Like, I mean, rigorous, rigorous like detail in terms of how the training sessions will go, how the athletes will shower after training. Unbelievable amount of the detail. And of course, then the fans being up in arms,

not wanting the sport to return, even though, of course, they probably miss it a lot. Very different than the situation with MMA, right? I mean, it just kind of shows me the glaring difference, between mainstream sport and MMA. I think the difference with the Bundes League and soccer in Germany is, you know,

the fans, I think bar two of the Bundesliga clubs own the football clubs. I think it's, if I'm not mistaken, it's Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are the only two clubs that are owned by corporations and they're not very well, Leit in the German League. So I think the fans have more

of a connection with the players and the club and they're often invited in to see how things are done with the ticketing and the prices, all this kind of thing. It's very different to the Premier League and other sort of organizations around the world. So that's possibly why I think they've more of, you know, they don't want to see their players damage. They don't want to see negative things happen to their club. And it's a very, very sort of different environment in terms of fans, standing sort of other fans around the world. It's a little bit like Spain, but probably

a more hardcore elements, but it's a family sort of events. You see a lot of families going to games in Germany. But yeah, it's very different. Obviously, the UFC's a multi-billion dollar corporation and Dana just want to give anything away and yeah like he should have been more transparent to respect of the fighters for the fighter's safety to let them make decisions we saw Amanda Nunes pull out and to be honest to Pizzi I wouldn't be surprised if a few guys you know get to the hotel this week and go shit man I don't know do I like what's going on here I'm not too comfortable with it and end up pulling out I wouldn't be surprised that would be yeah that would be crazy right um I guess it's just funny to me like when

I hear that the fans are up in arms about them coming back and then I'm on Twitter looking at these fans anytime anyone kind of expresses any concern about it they're like hey this is fucking cage fighting man it doesn't make a difference you wouldn't watch it if you cared about the fighters

well being man it's fucking cage fight dude yeah fuck off I mean Jesus Christ there's a lot of plonkers talking shite you know if the government are giving it the green light that's basically what you base it on in my opinion and the government are given the green light in Florida you know Mr. DeSantis

is happy with it. Saint-a-sanctus. Yeah, it looks from what we have in terms of information. You know, Mark's pieces you've referenced there. What the ringside physicians have said, it does seem to be in a better place. I think they're happy with the procedures the UFC have taken. So as long as the governments are okay with it, I'm okay with it, to be honest you.

More so than I'm not okay with it. It's very, very tough, as we've talked about earlier on. but there's two very different terms. I think it's very hard to compare the Bundesliga with the UFC in terms of fans wanting it back. Oh, it is. It's very, very different set of fans, as we well know. And, you know, I think the fans in Germany

have more of a vested interest, as I said, in the clubs and things like that than the fans do within the ultimate fighting championships. I think they should open the whole thing to like that Team America music. America. Fuck yeah. I wouldn't be surprised. I wouldn't be surprised, but like, listen, at the end of the fucking day, it's going ahead now.

And, you know, you see, you know, even here in Ireland, man, you know, it's very divided. It's very strange feelings. We had the GAA guys going on and talking about, we want Gaelic football back here and then, you know, it gives something people to look forward to obviously play it behind closed doors.

Any of other guys, no, we shouldn't play it. we, you know, it's totally unsafe, all these, but at least the UFC, we have to give them credit for that. They've, they've come out with this today to Mark Ramondi and told us that there is going to be testing on place. And listen, if it's in structure, it's good. I don't think they told them that. That seems like he did a lot of reporting, like, investigative reporting to get that information. And Mark, listen, Mark's, you know, very credible guy and most of the information Mark Mark ever puts out is excellent. So I go along with what Mark's putting out, and I'm sure Dana will definitely have something to say about that this week,

blowing his own trumpet that he's put every procedure in place to make it really safe for the fighters. So I'm sure we'll hear a lot more of that now, maybe even this evening if he comes out and says something. Fuck yeah. Let's get on with our second interview of the day. We spoke to his brother last week,

Mr. Leon Edwards, and this week we're speaking to Fabian Edwards, a man who had mapped out a 2020 that would see him contend the you, the, excuse me, the Belletorn, by the way, Tyler. Jesus. very interesting to pick his mind

on different things including how we could possibly be a heavyweight by the next time we see him fighting but great to speak to Fabian as always one of your favorites of course so we'll speak to Fabian and we'll be back in about 15 minutes

for more fantastic conversational topics he's back one of the most hype prospects in European MMA and with a man who has his eyes on the world scene when all this stuff gets back to normal over coronavirus.

Mr. Fabian Edwards, who was due to take on Kostlovenstina's in London. Fabian, how are you, my friend? I'm very well, mate. I'm very well. How are you doing yourself? Good, yeah, just really bored, to be honest. But missing the fights, like everybody else, I guess.

How are you? I'm doing great, to be honest. I've said, I've put up a poster every day. I said training camp is like isolation about training camp. you know so it's nothing new to me to be honest i'm enjoying it it's um it's interesting right because that cost lovan steamy's fight is one we've been talking about for a long time you said that would have kind of that would have finished off the european kind of contenders and you wanted to go on to the world seeing them is that still the fight you think bellator want to make before they want to

put you into that championship mix yeah i think that's definitely um the fight that bellator is going to take you know, he called, he called for it, I called for it. So it's a fight that the fans, the fans, when I was announced, the fans are happy as well. So that's definitely a fight that I'll be protesting to make happen after the lockdown. Are you impressed with that guy? Not really. Not really, but Bellator seems to be.

So, because they seem to be, I need to go in there and show him that, nah, he's not on the levels. So, yeah, that's it to be on. honest. I am like obviously that was booked for that 16th of May card but there was a few whispers I was getting before it was announced that they were looking at Amsterdam for that car was that ever something you heard about like I mean you and costlow floating in Amsterdam was that ever a possibility yeah that was um that was mentioned that was mentioned um I think even that and somewhere else was uh but mehack would mention but um obviously they decided to go back to London

I lost some good memories in London So yeah Is that still Like I mean I was there in London When you took on Mike Shipman And the energy Between you guys and London shoot

Was huge Obviously it nearly came to blows At the weighing and stuff And that went crazy And just the atmosphere in the arena When you guys were fighting Was insane There was shit going on all over the place

Is that still there? Like is that still a beef Like were you guys on London shoot Do you feel? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's not like for the gimmick. I don't like the kid. I mean, normally when I fight someone,

afterwards, if I see them, I shake their hands after the fight or like, try like, like, well, no, no, no, there's nothing like that with me and him, man. I don't like the kid. You got a face that I want to punch every time I see it. So I just don't like him at all. So, yeah, still that feud.

Oh, you can remember I asked you, like it was nearly straight after it. And I went crazy on MMA fighting at the time. When I was kind of saying, what about you and MVP? Because there was this little face off you guys had just after that way in. And I know your manager Kay was involved in stuff. Is that a fight that would ever appeal to you? It's just such a big name and MVP.

I know he competes at Welterweight. But if he was willing to come up, do you think that would be a good fight for you? I feel like, I was saying to the guy's not lying. I feel like I've got the style to beat him. Not in the way of Lima, because the Lima fight, I don't even look at that fight and think, yeah, the knockout was good,

but he never technically took him out, you know, like he was a stupid get-up from MVP. Yeah, it was a good time in L'KIP, but the get-up was silly, but I feel like me and he matches up well. You know, I don't just go charge it into shots, so he wouldn't be able to counter me. as well as he countered other people.

So that's definitely a fight that I'll be interested in. It better towards to make that. Would you be able to go below middleweight? Like you're such a big deal with you? Let me stop you there. Don't even finish the question. Not a chance. What's the way like at the moment?

Because I heard you're talking about heavyweight and stuff like this. I didn't want to mention it now. I'm about, fuck it. I'm the heaviest. ever been to be honest but it's weird because it's the fittest i've ever been as well i've been running three miles in like 21 minutes something i've never done that in camp before well so it's a weird it's a weird one i'm carrying i'm carrying a lot of weight but i'm running faster i'm lifting heavier and like things are good so it's a bit weird so yeah that's going up i'll definitely

i'll definitely got interesting going up do you have your eyes on anyone when you consider going up like I mean, is there more, is there an appealing matchup there for you? Or is just the situation you're in at the moment, has you feeling like that? Just the situation I'm in. You know, I'm, I'll train with light and heavy weights. When I fought Chadwick, he was, he was practically, he came in. You know what I mean? He was fucking basically a light heavyweight.

So I won't have fought a light heavyweight. I train with some big guys, tall guys. And I handled myself well, you know, so that's definitely a possibility for me. that I capture the, um, the middleweight title. I mean, is, obviously the middleweight title, there was a fight book there as well. That was Lima v. Musassi. What did you think of that fight? Is that, is that, is that a, is that a statement to where the middleweight division is here, the crying out for contenders, do you feel? Or do you feel like Lima and Musassi is just a great super fight to make at any

stage? I feel like it's a great fight to make, you know, um, me personally, I disagree with, with Lima getting the title shot. I feel like, I feel like they should have started a tournament. You know, they should have started a tournament and stick Lehmer in it. If he wants to compete as a midway and fight for the world title, should stick him in there. We have three other midways and see how the match is up, you know?

So I think that would have been the best for the division, to be honest, to wipe out all the competition and get, like, a good champion. We've seen it in the UFC before when guys win multiple belts. It kind of howls up a division. Is that your fear here? that like you, I mean, you were, you feel like you're, you're just on the verge of breaking into that type of mix. And if Lima's the welterweight and the middleweight champion, that could delay the process, right?

Yeah, no, definitely could. You definitely could, you know. And he knows if he's just looking to capture the title and then give it up or if he's, if he's looking to capture and, like, defend it. You know, we don't know what his plans are. But it's a matchup that he can win. It's not a tough match. It's not a super tough matchup for him.

You know, um, Missassi is not like a, a matchup. massive middleweight. So strength wise, I don't think would be a lot of difference between the both of them when it matched up in strength. Do you have a favor anyone there? Like when you look at the contest, do you think there's a clear winner there or how do you feel? I don't think it's a clear winner. I think it's, I think about even fight, if I'm honest. You know, the both, they're both like very flat pointed. Pop of me. They got clean technique, but I don't see.

anyone like having the bet of anyone in any department i think i think it'll be a five-round fine if it happens wow it's it's interesting right because i can remember i spoke to you about the title mix before and you were like yeah i definitely i feel like i will be a world champion but i want to get the right money when i do fight for that title is that still how you see it and are you on the contract right now that you'd be happy to fight for a world title on? I'm on the contract now that I'm happy to fight all the, um, all the opponents that I'm going to be fighting now, the likes of like, um, Cristello, because obviously, like I said, Bellito holds him, um, a high level, uh, um, and likes like Massasi.

So the contract that I'm on, like, I'm happy to fight these guys on that contract. And if I'm, if I'm going to fight for a board title, I'm happy for them to try. extra extra feet on top you know is that how this usually

works yeah that few extra um k put on top of it just for the toilet shot is that how you

expected to work oh that's how you should work you know what I mean that's like it so invilater listening

they better have that ready for me when it's when it's time they better have that ready you know Scott Koker

is definitely listening he's a huge fan of the show of course but um I wanted to ask you about this whole

the episode with your brother and UFC London. Like we felt like he was very hard done by the fact he even had to come out and make a statement. Days later, they cancelled the event. Tyron Woodley now talking about every other fighter in the division. How do you feel about this?

I mean, it must annoy you to see this kind of like this felt like the one that was going to put your bro over. Everyone in Europe was really excited about it. I mean, he went from being booed on the way out to fight Gunner Nelson to being a real kind of national hero in the lead up to this London fight.

And then, of course, it doesn't happen. It's terrible for the UK fans and the European fans in general. But how do you feel about the situation? Like, it's a shitty situation. Obviously, it's one of those ones where it was taken out, like, out of my brother's hand. So it couldn't really dwell on it that much. But now the fact now that Woodley is trying his best not to make the fire happen again. And it just, that to me just speaks, that to me that speaks, you know what I mean?

Like, he just shows that he doesn't really want to fight. You know, I don't know if the US will make it. Or can do his whole, then made that fight again or give him another big fight in the life of, like, Kobe or somebody. Hey, come on. Got the kids. Yes, yeah, it's tough. It feels like the whole fact that, you. You guys are in the UK, you can't get to the US.

That seems to be a big issue at the moment, right? With the UFC doing everything in Florida at the moment and then moving to Foyd Island. I guess the hope is that the international fighters will be able to go to Foyd Island. Who would you like to see him fight if it's not Tyrant? Like I said, the likes of a Kobe, you know what I mean? Kobe, even though a big fight I would get my brother where he needs to get to, which is that title shot. Who else?

I can't really think of, no one else. But otherwise, don't be fighting for the sake of that's fighting when you're only one fight away from a total shot. Yeah, it's true. It's a very, very delicate situation, I'm sure. I also wanted to ask you about Leon, Darren Till, and Jimmy Manow are coming out and kind of, it seems like they're beginning the process

of trying to speak to politicians about knife crime in their respective areas, Birmingham, of course, where you guys are from, Till in Liverpool, and then Jimmy in London. and is this something you're going to look to help out with it if you can Fabian and is this something that's closed to home for you guys Oh yeah, they're close to home Unfortunately like a kid lost his life last week I know the few with a few more stabbings you know

On the video we're just going around on social media I've got friends at work with they work in school with clubs or like these youth groups So I reached out to them they reach out to me And um we just said after the last lockdown, we're all going to get together and try to see what we can do of the platform that we've got. They try to see what awareness we can, like, we can bring to the table and what we can do. So after this is finished, it's definitely something.

Me, my brother and other people are looking to what I'm going to involving. Is it your goal to kind of just, you know, Leon spoke about it last week on the show. He was saying, you know, we found our different part. We found a way out of this and we want to show people that they can find a part. as well. Is that what you guys are hoping to become ambassadors for? Yeah, that basically. That's what it is. You know, there's no one better to listen to them than someone that's like, like, I've been through it, you know. So we've been through it. We've came at the other side.

We found out, we found what we're passionate about. It's not necessarily, oh, you have to escape that life and start fighting. It's just whatever you feel like you're passionate about. Or is someone ain't passionate about something trying to, Let them find what they're passionate about, you know what I mean? We can invest the time into that rather than into the streets. Absolutely, man. Absolutely. When do you expect to get back to action? I know that's a horrible question to ask you.

Have you heard any whispers? Has anyone been in touch? Have Belator given you any hints? I think it's, I think, I had a word. And they were saying, obviously, The US is starting to close, you're going to close those events now. I think that's going to try to start, well, that's in the US, around July or so. Whereas in the UK, we don't really know in the UK yet because we can't have a gathering more than 10.

We can't have a gathering of no one at the moment. It's rough. It's rough for us over here, so we can't really do for call. But I feel like we don't really know. As soon as the bands are lifted and stuff like that, then they'll probably be looking to make shows. But I heard September. That's what I heard, the latest September.

So, yeah, anything before that I'll be happy with. You'd be ready to call out Rowan Bader, by September by the sounds of things. Ain't it? I'd be fucking huge by then. Fuck like, I mean, I'm being the heavyweight. Fuck like everywhere. See it.

Has there been any food that you, you've particularly been craving since this happened. Like, I'm eating pizza to beat the band and put on about Tree Stone. Is there anything that you've been getting stuck into while you know you don't have any fights lined up? No, so for me personally, it's not the food, like, it's not the meal. It's the snacks, you know what I mean? Yeah. I'm a snacker.

So I just snack on the sweets and there's chocolate and this cake. I just snack, you know what I mean? I eat good. I don't even eat that bad. I just eat a lot of food. from sweet. So, well,

I rang my, um, nutritionist today and I was like, mate, I need help. I'm like, I need help.

The weight's too much. I've got a dad bad bod now. Fuck you. You need to talk me out. And he's like, you know what I mean? So he's sending, he's sending me a plan over later on.

And I hope to get back down to be a fucking middleweight. Fingers crossed. We had a big future up middleweight before this shit started, baby. I refuse to be ruined by Corona. Right, man. That's great speaking to you.

I can't wait to see you back in there. And thanks so much for joining us, especially on a bank holiday, man. I really appreciate it. No, thank you. All the best, man. Stay safe. Thank you so much to Fabian Edwards.

We look forward to see him back in action. And listen, I'd watch the shit out of that, man, the MVP. I would watch the shit out of it. I doubt MVP wants to move up to middleweight to face him. But my God, that would be. be a hell of a compelling fight for Mr. Venom page. Yeah, and another test. He needs tests.

He's only had one in his career, so let's be honest, man. I don't think Michael can go back to fighting Journeymen effectively anymore. I think he has to go with the best brass they have in Bellator, and that is, obviously, Fabian Edwards is right up there, and who wouldn't watch that fight whenever Bellator get back? It's going to be a while, and interesting as well. Bellator putting on it. Did you see that? They're airing some old shows

on Saturday night. Yeah, on SkySports. Yeah, same time as the UFC. Going head to head with the only life sport in the world, which is the UFC. That should be an interesting one. Questionable, again, from Bellator

and their TV strategy, it's just absolutely bizarre, man. I don't think they'll ever learn at this, this rate. We've been taught to make this for two, two odd years. I'd imagine that was Sky Sports. And I think, to be honest,

I think it's a positive thing, that Sky Sports seem to be making a show out of it. Like, at least they're doing a kind of a, you know, I remember, whatever it was. UFC Reloaded used to be on one of the shows somewhere. I can't remember who it, Bravo or whatever the hell it was. Yeah, I remember. So it's good. I mean, it's, I don't, I don't think many MFA fans are going to be watching Belator

instead of USC too far annoying, but I still think it's a positive sign. Yeah. For Bellator and Swiss sports. I suppose there sounds, they're showing something like, you know, we can't be complaining the whole time but it's it is questionable like when they leave to Sunday night more people will tune We could absolutely be complaining the whole time

Me and you and oil Yeah well we could about that's very Their TV's deal has been a fucking disaster Let's just be honest about it It has No but But the thing was right Wasn't that deal meant to be up in February

Is this a sign that it's It's on again like they've Maybe it's we can't get any information about this TV deal It's been very, very shady all along. So who knows? Who knows? It could be a week-to-week thing. We don't even know, man.

Because there's been little information available from Dave. Yes, I'm wondering. Have you seen Donald Soroni's interview with ESPN with Brett Okamoto? Of course, he's fighting this weekend against Anthony Pettis, or at least scheduled to fight Anthony Pettus this weekend. Just wanted to ask you, did you hear what he had to say about the McGregor? I did. the fight where basically he said he didn't really show up.

Is that a surprise to you based on how much shit Stephen A. Smith took for basically saying exactly the same thing? No, it's not a surprise to me with Cowboy. You know, Cowboy has been in this position before where this has happened to him. He's come out and said exactly the same thing. He didn't want to be there. He didn't enjoy the bright lights on certain occasions and certain nights. And he did the same thing against Ordea.

I was in the arena that night. in Florida when that fight went down when he got absolutely starched in the first round as well I think it was a minute into the first round in that occasion and then same thing obviously happened with Connor McGregor. So no, I wasn't surprised

and when Donald's thinking like that man you question whether he should be still you know in there. In my opinion he's lost I think what is it? Seven of his last 11 fights now at this point and he even said that in the interview about you know this might be my

last fight or maybe won after this and when he's in a situation like that and he doesn't want to show up and he's his doubts two days before, as he said during the fight. He said, what else he says? He didn't want to, didn't, he woke up that morning felt as though he just didn't want to be there.

He didn't want to be in the octagon when Connor was walking out. Well, what are you doing in the sport, man, if this is a reoccurring team? I don't understand his thinking, there's logic at all at times. And that interview sort of solidified my thoughts on Donald Serroney,

whether he should really be competing again because it's a very, very dangerous place if you don't want to be there. and that's what I talk from that. I think it's worrying, man, to be honest, when a fighter's coming out and saying, it's not the first time you said that either, you know? Yeah, well, look, I credit him for how candid he was,

but, you know, based on what he said, I can tell you, that's exactly how I felt when I was up in the rafters watching that with Jim Edwards. And I was like, Jesus, you know, Soroni isn't as easy as people think he is, But then as soon as McGregor and him were both in the octagon, I said, this is going to be quick. Connor's going to eat him alive.

Just the way they looked. Yeah. When you're looking down, the body language, the kind of the vibe they were given off. And I think I said, I was straight away. I was like, this isn't, this is going to be very quick. Yeah, I think I was texting me a few hours before and, you know, I even noticed the walkout. You know, I looked, so I watched the walk out. And I was like, nah, this is, this is going to be early.

This is, this isn't going along. It's like, you can tell almost. you get the vibes, the body language, as you said, man. Yeah, well,

McGregor's a smaller man than Soroni, but when I looked at them in the octagon, it felt like he was 10 times the size of him. Do you know what I mean? Like,

like he's physically smaller than Soroni, but the, um, the vibe they were given off, the atmosphere surrounding them, McGregor looked 10 times as big. It felt,

and it's just, the writing was on the wall, I think before the first bell rang. Um, I think Stephen A. Smith deserves a few apologies, to be honest. He won't be getting,

I do. He won't be getting them, though. The job is to say, is to speak your mind and he did that. And everyone ragging the shit out of him over it. And then a couple of months later, Soroni basically says, yeah, that's exactly how it was, how I was feeling what he said. Now, he didn't say, didn't reference Stephen A, of course. But I mean, it's crazy, man. This, the ravenous fan base, it's unbelievable.

But, yeah, I suppose that's all we got for this week. No, only the two guests this week. yeah two good guests two excellent guests so what do you moan about stop mowing peter it's great it's barn holly weekend people are hard to guess

they're all out in the piss you know what I mean as we wish we were I have not a beer in two weeks there you go I could say the same mate two weeks in three days you have a few last night did you

your door board you yeah it was proper adored as well it was oh god three three. All right them are they

are they two layer balls where the boomers all right oh no yeah the three of them

and yeah not a fan of the old cider instant heartburn no no not my cup of team man

only Guinness man I'm missing me Guinness I tell you I had a pizza last night and a few fresh chilies

and stuff on it and oh Jesus this morning wasn't tasty the old gut was was wrapped. Halipinos.

All sorts of spices on a spicy delight. The trap door was well and truly open this morning. Slurry pit. Jesus Christ. I had about six points there yesterday. And I'd finish an all by about 9 o'clock. I started drinking water. And then I went down running this morning thinking that it was going to be grand.

I was trying to get me 5K and I hit four, four and a half. but everybody just said nah fuck this mate she's it's four and a half more than i'd ever fucking do nah she's fair play it's you i wouldn't be yeah we're still we're getting out about three or four times a week now aligns my fitness guru at the moment so uh yeah it's going it's going well it's keeping me fucking busy and uh i'll have plenty of time for that in the in the coming months anyway

but um yeah anything else no just who you got this began i'm interested in your main event selection Oh shit, yeah, we better have a quick sweep through the card. Will we? We do a quick power pick. Power pick. Come on to fuck. We'll do it. We'll do it before we go. Come on. Let's do it. Pull up the card there and all. We haven't had many fights in a while.

It's the first card we've had in a long time, Pety. So we might as well fucking give the lads a bit of a breakdown. All right, will I start? I just watch fans fighting among themselves on Twitter now just to get my enjoyment. It's great. It's gray crack. Just just log on. Go on. Let's take it. Fight by fight. Start with the main event there.

Or Joe, we start with the, start with the, start with the, prelims. The prelims, yeah, go on, go on.

Quick, one more answers. All right, Ryan Span, Sam Avi. Span. Ovi. Rosa Mitchell. That's a good fight,

actually. Mitchell. I'll go Mitchell as well. Luke A. Luque Price. Louke. I'm gone Louke as well. I have to.

Susa or Hall. Jacaray or Hall. Jackaray, got to be. I think Jackeray. As far as a Waterson, that's a good scrap I'm on Michelle

Fordum Alexi Olinick Olnick for the upset Oh Do you think he submits him? Yeah Of course he does That's all you ever does

He'll go down And he'll take him down for the crack A fucking wild joke He pulls out with art All the time He will That's really insane Um

Qatar and Stevens I'm going Jeremy Stevens I'm going cater Sorry I skipped about two Fines there We've got cowboy and pets I think we know who you're fucking picking

in this one after the last segment Oh yeah Of course I'm going on Eddie Pettus I'm going to pet us all day I think he's going to do it again A few liver kicks And he'll take Soroni out

In the first couple of rounds Hardy and Di Castro De Castro Yeah I think so as well Listen I'll give Greg Hardy credit A lot of people haven't I think he's improved an awful lot, but yeah, I think it to castro.

He has, definitely. Inganu, Rosenstrike. Oh, man, I feel like Rosenstruck can get the upside here, but I'm going for a big franny. Big fran with a vicious K.O., and he'll welcome. Zardino Rosenstruck properly to the heavyweight division. Henry versus Dominic Cruz, Peter. Oh, my God. That's such a good fight, man.

I'm more excited. I am now, yeah. Exactly, definitely. I'm going cruise fuck it yeah I go cruise as well I think the master as we said of you know dispelling that ring rust theory

after his performance against T.J. Dillishaw absolutely phenomenal motherfucker and I'd like to see Henry beating I'm not going to like because he does my head in with all this shy talk I don't accept that from you because you're so fucking high and Colby commenting on his great trash talk and then Henry gets

shot on for God's saying because it's just cringe man it's it's super cringe right it's just wanting to fight wanting to fight girls and so I'm calling himself Triple C

get the fuck out of here man I don't think he really wants to fight girls mate he probably does fucking a limping okay

Tony Ferguson and JJ who you got T Fergs yeah I got I actually hope for the well-being of the sport that it's fair

yeah so do I no listen I do I generally hope I don't often say that but you know you have to feel for for tony at times um gaichi though man sits in the pocket you know with tony it's a man it's so dangerous it's so fucking dangerous what they're doing here he's a fucking he's an opposite it's like putting someone in the blender putting them in there with just i'm really interested to see though and i think you know maybe you know what cowboy said as well man

just quickly before we get out of here you know he said that you know guys training and stuff you know are they going to be able to get outside one or two rounds are we going to see a lot of knockouts in here because they've been training probably in their backguard and hitting pods and they're not going to be training but with mass different sparring partners and stuff it's going to be really interesting I think on Saturday night to see how the

you know the card actually pans out if the fights go along I don't think they're going to go along a lot of these explosive let's um what's your most likely leading headline coming out of the event Sunday morning oh god I don't even think about it I can see I can see it but I don't to say it

I don't know what I'm intrigued I need to know what it is Gaichi upsets the upsets the apple cart I don't want to see that headline I don't know why I just I feel like

I do I can just How many times have we seen this right Where we've seen someone go through This complete change In public perception Like Tony Ferguson is beloved now More than he ever has been If he wins this fight

He is you know, it's going to be huge for him. Yeah. It just feels very M.MA for this to be taken away. Like Leon Edwards retiring Woodley being taken away

was very M.A. The man worked his whole life to get to this moment and you and yonk. Yeah. You know, we're going to wake up on Sunday morning

and we're not going to have TF and Khabib on the table anymore. Stop. Tony's going to win. It is. It's one of those things. Listen,

we'll just have to wait and see it. and I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it. We're going to be grazed as well with the media shit online this week, first time ever. It should be a fun buildup.

Yeah, I haven't heard much about that. I probably won't do there. But yeah, sure. We'll see you guys next week to discuss two more cards, which would be happening. And yeah, I hope you enjoy the fights. I know you've been dying for them

and I hope everything goes down very safely and soundly for all our fighters. And the UFC staff and everyone else involved. lovely to speak to you as always any parting remarks on grab um we'll probably be sick of

MMA again by this time next week so uh I better not say it was about to say there yeah good luck love you as all peace enjoy the weather be good love you as mouac big kisses

see you soon