MMA Fighting - Fighter vs. Writer: Curtis Blaydes Predicts Miocic vs. Jones; Deiveson Figueiredo Out To Prove He’s The Real Flyweight Champ

Episode Date: July 12, 2022

On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Curtis Blaydes returns to the show to preview his upcoming fight against Tom Aspinall at UFC London. Of course, Blaydes is stepping into enemy territory by facing Aspinall in his home country but he explains why there was no hesitation accepting that fight when it was offered to him. Blaydes will also address the constant uncertainty haunting the heavyweight division with reigning champion Francis Ngannou injured and the expected arrival of Jon Jones as well as former title holder Stipe Miocic still at the top of the rankings. Blaydes will also give his thoughts on a potential fight between Jones and Miocic and why he believes the former two-time heavyweight champion will get the job done. Also on the show this week for the first time, UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo joins the podcast to update his health and when he expects to return to action as well as his thoughts on Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France, his new management team and his new training camp. All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify Read More: MMA Fighting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

The Downloaded 2. Ghosts in the Machine. Available now, only from Audible. Support for this show comes from the Audible original The Downloaded 2. Ghosts in the Machine. The Earth only has a few days left. Rosco Cudullian and the rest of the Phoenix colony have to re-upload their minds into the quantum computer, but a new threat has arisen that could destroy their stored consciousness forever. Listen to Oscar winner Brendan Fraser reprised his role as Rosco Cudulian in this follow-up to the Audible original blockbuster,

the downloaded. It's a thought-provoking sci-fi journey where identity, memory, and morality collide. Robert J. Sawyer does it again with this much-anticipated sequel that leaves you asking, what are you willing to lose to save the ones you love? The downloaded two, Ghosts in the Machine. Available now, only from Audible. Welcome back to the Fighter versus the Writer. I'm your host, as always, Damon Martin.

And this week we have a very good show ahead. We're actually going to be talking to one of the people who will headline the upcoming UFC London card. heavyweight contender himself Curtis Blades. But for the first time ever, I'm very excited for this. We're actually going to welcome in a UFC champion I've never had on the show before. And to be honest, actually, this is the first time. I've interviewed him one-on-one. I've interviewed him at press conferences and conference calls and things like that.

But I've actually never had a chance to sit down and talk to this guy one-on-one. He is UFC flyweight champion Deveson Figurato. Of course, he has a big fight coming up. Excuse me, the flyweight division has a big fight coming up at UFC 277 when the interim champion will be crowned in the fight between Brandon Moreno and Kai Kar, France. But ahead of that, let's talk to the man who actually holds the flyweight title, who is dealing with some injuries right now and looking to come back, hopefully by the end of the year.

Catch up with him, find out his change in training camps, his change in management teams, and what he's looking to do with the UFC as a bit of a fresh start. So with that being said, he is the reigning and defending UFC flyweight champion of the world. And let's be clear, he's the real flyweight champion of the world. Devison, Figurato, Devison, thank you so much for taking the time for me today. I appreciate it.

DeVison, Figuero, thank you for you to have separated this time to be with me. You're a very champion. Let's come back. It's okay, brother. For me, a pleasure to be here with

today, today, about about everything that has been happening in my life. It's a pleasure to be here. You're talking to you, talking about everything good is happening in my life right now. Absolutely. Devinson, let me ask first about how you're feeling.

I know you had some hand injuries, you know, dealing with that kind of stuff coming off your win in January. I know you're back in training a little bit. How are you feeling? How you're you're feeling? How you're saying? I know. I know what you're in January and in the hand? How is your arm?

How is this treatment and how is you are, how you're, how you're seeing? Exactly. I was hurt two two months before the the right and in the fight masquered on the left. But now I now I'm there 90%

I'm going to take to the for the for the defense of the centuron I stayed 100% to defend my central. So right before, two weeks before my fight

in January, I got injured on my right hand. And during the fight, I got engine on my left hand. So I'm feeling 90% right now, but I believe that by the end of the year, I'll be 100% of course, for sure. Yeah. Now you're out in Vegas right now, training?

You're in Vegas training? Exactly. I'm in Vegas training. Tomating the knowledge of all, you know, what the LCPIA is a very good post, I'm trying to. In fact, I'm a lot of cold-a-kete,

a water Kemp, my water free, and I'm in physiotherapy and be in my

lesions. Yes, I'm here in Vegas having fun taking care of myself here at the UFCPI.

I can train, I can do physiotherapy, I do sona. I'm having fun. Yeah. Now, your hands are your

biggest weapons, so I imagine you have to be careful in terms of making sure you give yourself enough time to heal up

before you fight again. Is that, Is that why you're saying, you know, end of the year, you want to make sure your hands are 100% before you fight again? As your hands are your most of the major arms. I have certain. I think you want to really be prepared 100% for this fight on the final of the year. No, no, no, I'm sure of the doubt. I want to be 100%.

And I'm going to be someone who will be able to get to take my stifurial. I'll be prepared to defend it with a song and much honor. Yes. 100% yes I want to be 100% by the end of the year so I'm taking care of myself so I'll be ready I'll be ready by December yeah so now obviously Devison we know what's been going on right now in the division we have this interim title fight coming up in July which I don't I don't agree with I don't agree with the interim title being introduced but can you kind of give me a sense of where you're at right now I know you just signed with the new manager working with your I favor you know, of course you're healing up right now, but kind of give me a sense of where you're at right now in terms of when you come back and how things are going right now with you in the UFC.

So, I know, we know that we're a we're having the centauron interino that's now in 30th of July. I don't concordes with this, with this centuron interino. How is you sent? I know that you also knew that you also took to a new empresario.

How is you feel? with this this centuron interino? Well, it's something that in the

initial I also don't agree, because I had said a three months of a lot,

but decided I don't put a lot and now I just me rest

to be to be the champion and we're in a lot to do the

unification to the unification I'm I'm I'm focused in me

in the moment I I'm a new manager, thanks a God. I'm very very happy with Ryan Faber,

a other guy who I found people good and I just had a good enough. And for me it's been

a great satisfaction to be working with him to work with NUUU. Well, thank God

I changed the manager. I love you, you are your Faber. I'm very happy to work with

them, with him. I know Faber for a long time. So, and about the fights,

I'm, I'm okay with that, you know, even though three months after my fight, they decide to do this intern's belt, so

I'm okay with that. I'll be ready I'm the champ. I'll be ready by December. How much of a difference has it made for you working with your eye? I know this is new. You just started working with your eye recently, but how much of a difference? Like, do you

feel like this is almost like a fresh start for you in terms of a new manager, You know, and things like that. It's a great difference. Now, what is it going to work with Faber? What this means for you? What is it again to you? With the Uriy of Faber being your manager,

your employer, your employer. With a certain, this is the liberty that I feel to be able to say things good without to make or notchew and then

I'm very happy to work with Ryan Faber because I'm a guy of a man a man a man

a man and I also am this man I want to show my essence

I want to show I'm I'm happy to work with Faber because

he's a pure guy he leaves me you know I have so much freedom to say whatever I

want, you know, but I'm not. So I don't have anybody saying that I, the things that I have to say to hurt somebody with words. I don't want to, I don't want to hurt any more people with my words, no. And I have a good relationship with Faber. Yeah. And I know, I know Yariah has a great relation with the UFC as well. And, you know, ultimately, you know, you're a UFC champion. You want to fight with the UFC, and I imagine that's, you know, the big part here is you want, you know, you want to return and you want to defend your title. Yeah, of course, and we know, we're going to have an excellent relationship with the UFC. And he will be important for, for that, for you know, to defend your citron and

maintain the citron with you. Yeah. So, the UFC is a company that I love to work, is, all the sonny, of, of a, of is to do the company, and today, I'm going to this privilege to proposition

a great show when I'm doing my last year. And now, all is going so coming and I'm

working with Ryan Fabi. He is very very good in the organization and I have the

certain that he will get a better for me for me, you know, for that

I can continue doing this show for much long time in the is that so? Well, I love UFC. I love, I love, I love to work with UFC. And I'm pretty sure that

Faber is the only one who can, um, taking care of me inside of the UFC, you know, so when I keep giving you guys the show, you know, putting a show for you guys, you know, I'm, I'm happy. You said that, you know, you're in a place now where you feel like you don't need to, you know, to hurt people with your words and maybe somebody is trying to push you to hurt people with your words. Do you feel like you're in a better place right now, Devesant, in terms of your happiness, in terms

of your satisfaction with your career, with your management, all those kind of things, because that matters. Yeah, one thing that important is that you say that you don't care more to make more chocker anyone with those words, that now you want to show really who you are,

and it's exactly that's what important. It's that. Exactly. We have a trust to do to make a to make a lot

to make something more more than you don't need to find out to find out of a point to beery

someone. I don't this guy I want just I'm just to show

to the public the amateurs the M.M.A. And to be able to do a show

to do what I more say to do better than the Octave. Well, you know that there is a lot of trash talk in the business, but I feel that I don't need to do to be part of this. You know, I want to be myself. I want to show who I am, truly. Now, I know that, you know, I know you're not the biggest fan of Brandon Moreno,

but can I ask your opinion of the fight with Brandon and Kai Kar-Franz? Because I assume you're going to fight the winner. Can I ask your opinion on that? So I want your opinion. I know you're not a great fan of Moreno, but certainly the bestor of Moreno with the Aikara France will fight with you. I want to know of your opinion.

Well, what is it that the public is trying? We have to go in what the public wants. But I think that the Kajara France will surprise the Moreno in this battle. And we'll be able to propostal in a grand show. I wonder what my fans want. So, and also, I want to fight the Kikara-France. Kikara-France has been on a good run lately.

Have you been impressed by him? Well, the Kikara-France has been demonstrated there that he's at the front. You're impressed with him, with the things that have happened? Well, I really I'm impressed

with the last he was against the Oscarov and Oscarov is a guy

a carov is a far off he's got he's got the carov very impressed with him a girl

that we don't do 100 for him and I'll be prepared I'm gonna

be prepared I'm gonna be And he can have to have certain that he will find out of Paraguay. And this is a game to be able. Well, I was very impressed about

about Caricariff's performance against Ascarov. Ascarov is a tough guy, tough fighter. So I'll be well prepared. I'll be skinny. I'll be on my way. So I'm ready. I'll be ready. I know you've talked about, you know, potentially

fighting and bansome weight in the future. and you have fought a Bantamway before, but how is your body feeling right now? I know you're not going to fight tomorrow, but are you happy being a flyweight? Do you feel like you will always, do you feel like flyweight is still ultimately your division right now? You mentioned,

that possibly should be able to the category of the same, you're saying, you're happy, you're happy with your category? You, how many of the time I think you, you would still in your category. Ah, really I'm really I'm happy with a category

and still have much line to keep out in the category. I think that I think I'm in the three years more, I

continue in the category, doing many shows in these three years to the public. Well, the five-way

division, it's my division. I believe that I still can stay in this division for three more years. So I'm

happy with my division. I'm happy with the flyway division, yes. Is there any chance you'll be in Dallas to watch the title fight, or are you just going to be watching from home? There's some chance to you're going to be in Dallas for the

for the Luton of Interim, or you will assist you to come? With a sure, I'll be in Dallas. I'll see the Lutal There, personally, I'll be sat down to front there and show them that the donno of the centuron

are sitting at the chair of the head. Well, of course I'll be there. I have to be there. I'll be sitting right in front of the octagon and they're going to be

watching the king right in front of them. I love it. I love it. Do you look at this as more of a number one contenders fight than an interim title fight in your mind? Like the winner is really fighting for a chance to fight you, right? That's kind of how it works.

Can you repeat again, please? Yeah. Like, do you look at this fight more of like a number one contenders fight? Like Kai Kar-France and Brandon Moreno are fighting for the chance to fight you? You think really this fight between the Moreno and the Cara-France is a lot to really, to be a really, to be you as a champion? You think that this would be a, would be a lot?

It would be a really, really not. My last one, between two guys to the champion, would be the Pantoja versus Breedo Moreno. But they're called Kaukaa France for him. Infin, Kaukehara France is a guy that really, what I said,

surprised in the last the last one. And now, we'll see the champion, the champion of the Teterino to fight with him for the champion. I was expecting Moreno versus Pantaja.

And car car afrancy was surprised he surprised me so um i am the champion i am the champion yeah absolutely absolutely i know that listen i know that you know that you know when you're when you're in the ufc you know your relationship with the ufc can change and evolve but would you say you're happy being a ufc champion you're happy being a ufc fighter you're happy you know where you're at in terms of your relationship with the ufc uh you know You're here in the UFC, you're next to the FEC, you're coming up,

come here, how is your relation? You're, you're are happy with the F.C.? You're feeling in doing the organization?

You're happy in doing part of the FEC? As I said, I love to work for the FEC, I love to look out

in the UFC and proposition to show to the public, and I have certain, the FECC me brought

with my arm, and this our a partnership will continue a long, long, long a time. Well, I love, as I said before, I love the UFC. And I love the partnership that I have with UFC. The UFC embraced me and then I embraced the UFC.

And I truly believe that my, our partnership is going to be lifetime. Now, Deveson, I know you said you're training in Las Vegas right now. And I know you've trained in Arizona different places. Are you going to stay in Las Vegas, you know, training into December? Are you maybe going to go out to Sacramento and work a team Alvabelle? Like, where are you going to be training at as you make your comeback? I see that you're training in Vegas. You're starting in Arizona.

Where you're going to, de facto, training? Talk a little about your trainings. Who you're going to be representing today? Well, my last camp was in April. but I need to go to Brazil because my family.

My family still don't have documents to travel to get to my family my family made in San Paulo

in chutebox the chutebox me abracos it was a great, an academy, I could take a

recognition of the train of their to be part of the team of for me to be to be

my family to do what I want to find, there's there's much lenea

to come and I hope that one day to to bring my family with me here to South America? Well, yeah, my last camp was, I was training at

Fight Ready in Arizona, but after my fight, I had to go back to Brazil. I had to spend time with my family because, unfortunately, they don't have the visa, the UFC visa, to stay here with me in the U.S. So, but now, I found another team. I belong now to a shooter box under Diego, Lima so I feel very welcome welcome there they're like a family for me now I'm very happy

to represent them right now yeah do you feel like overall Davidson you know now that you are working with your I you've got a new team at shoot a box do you feel like this is just a good fresh start for you Davidson you you're you're talking you're talking about a new recommence you're traveling with Faber and traveling with shooter box you uh you sense that now is a in the first of your life? I'm in in full of certainty,

I'm sure, I'm sure I'm saying, there are many things good,

that are being in my life, and I am doing this now, taking

the knowledge of this now, and just thank you to thank

God, I'm to say, I'm thank you for to be living this

at time. Well, 100% positive. It is a it is a new start it is i'm happy i thank god that put my hands up and uh i thank him every day you know it is it is a new new new beginning it is a fresh start yeah well devison uh i think we're all looking forward to you coming back in december and defending your belt you are the

best flyweight in the ufc without a doubt no matter who has that title after july and uh you know stay resting stay healthy and uh we all look forward to you coming back in to Well, Davidson, a pleasure to talk with you. Mawl I can't expect to be you to fight in December. No, it's going to fight for this centauron interino. You are the champion. Right. I can't expect to be able to

be able to be able to be able to be able to be decancing, see could, and even more. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all right. Thank you for sure. I'll be in December, I'll be 100%, more macro, for that I can defend my

Cintral, full of new techniques and now train not in the shoot box. Well, thank you so much for your words. Guys, be ready because in December

I'll be back 100% representing shooter box. I'm going to put some show for you guys with the new techniques. Be ready to see another Davidson.

I love it. Davidson, Obergato, thank you so much for the time. I really do appreciate it. Thank you so much Welcome and Sylve

Talk to you soon I'll talk to you soon I'll talk with you in brief Okay Bye bye bye I hope so Bye bye Want to say a big thank you Of course the UFC flyweight champion

Devison Figuero for joining me on the show First time chatting with him That was an honor and a pleasure Definitely appreciate him Taking the time Also good to get an update on him Looking like December for his return to action and he believes it's going to be Kai Kar-France

who's going to come out victorious. Definitely possible. Kai Kar-France has looked incredible in his last couple of fights. Big win over Asker-A-A-Skeroff in his last outing here at UFC Columbus in my town. So looking forward to that one, and it's going to be a good one. I'm really interested to see how that fight plays out. I'm not a big fan of that interim title.

If you can tell from the interview, I'm not a big fan of interim titles being introduced while a champion has just defended the belt in January and he's planning to be back by the end of December. not even a year out, but that's just the business of the business of MMA, or I guess more importantly, business of UFC. If Francis and Ghana can win a title in March and an interim title could be introduced three months later, I guess anything is possible in this day and age. And I will say, no problem with guys making more money, because I have to assume that Kai Kar, France,

and Brandon Marino are both going to get a pay bump. They're going to get more money from Venom and their sponsorship kick. In that regard, I'm all for it. Go out and make your money. Got no problem with that. Don't really understand the idea of introducing an interim title at this point. But it is what it is. Ultimately, it's a glorified number one contenders fight.

And in that case, again, maybe come December when Deveson is ready to go again, and both guys are fighting with the title already around the waste, then hopefully both guys are getting pay-per-view points and getting the bump in the pay in terms of the venom money and all those kind of things. So again, in that regard, they're both getting paid more, hand out the interim titles. I think we all know how this goes in this day and age of the business. With that being said, prior to UFC 277, which will have Deveson Figuero and his eyes glued on the co-main event in that fight, let's talk about a man, let's talk to a man who will headline the upcoming UFC London card,

stepping into enemy territory against Tom Aspinall in the main event. Curtis Blades is always fun to have on the show, always a real thing. really enjoyable interview and one of the most upfront and honest and brutally honest guys you'll talk to in this business. He has been kind of a guy on the fringe of title contention several times, and now it looks like once again he should be right there knocking on the door of a title fight, but as it is, he's stepping into enemy territory, fighting a guy like Tom Aspinall, while we're still awaiting word on what's going on with John Jones, Steepin Miochich, and of course the champion

himself, Francis Ngano, still dealing with his knee injury and not expected to be back before the end of the year early 2023. Got to feel for a guy like Curtis, but you also got to respect a guy like Curtis, willing to step up, step into enemy territory, and fight a guy on his home turf that doesn't necessarily do as much for Curtis as a win would do for Tom Aspinall.

So with that being said, let's talk to one of the top heavyweights in the sport right now, Curtis Blades. Black Friday is here at IKEA and the clock is ticking on savings you won't want to miss. Join IKEA family for free today. and unlock deals on everything from holiday must-haves to cozy at-home essentials, all the little and big things you need to make this season shine.

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Canada Life has flexible plans for companies of all sizes, so it's easy to find a solution that works for you. Visit canadalif.com slash employee benefits to learn more, Canada Life, insurance, investments, advice. Welcome back to the show. I am always happy to be joined by my next guest. He is one of the top heavyweight fighters in the world, and he got quite rave reviews for his last appearance. on the podcast. So I'll give him a heads up on that one as well. He returns to action July 23rd in the main event at UFC London against Tom Aspinall. Always a pleasure to speak to Curtis Blades.

Curtis, how are you? I'm good, man. How are you? I'm fantastic, man. Appreciate you taking the time as always. Of course, had you on to co-host the show last time. I don't know if you heard, but we got quite a good reaction, man. I feel like you got to get back on here and do this more often now.

Honestly, I'm surprised. I didn't think I had that much. I didn't think people enjoyed me that much. That's good to know, though. It is. You did a good job, and we appreciate you coming back. Of course, now, Curtis, of course, at your last fight with Chris Dacus in Columbus

in my town in Columbus, Ohio, scored a big knockout coming out of that. We're really sure what was next, and then it ends up being Tom Aspinall in London. So can you kind of give me an idea, like how this came together? Was it just as easy as them saying, hey, do you want to fight there?

Because I'd heard rumors maybe it was going to be tied to Ivasa, heard a couple other things. So kind of break down, like, how this thing came together? Well, for me, on the end, it was just, I knew options were limited. It had to be either Aspinall, Al-Anne, or Tuy Vasa. And, yeah, it's just like you, it just reached out. It was like, do you want to fight Aspinall? Obviously, I said yes.

I didn't care where the venue was, but then they said to England. I've always wanted to go to England. So just an excuse to go to England and make some money. Yeah. Was there ever talk of that, too, if I also fight, because I heard rumors that maybe they were trying to put that together and it didn't happen.

If there was any discussion, it didn't reach me. So with this fight, again, in London, we got to be honest. A lot of guys wouldn't do this. You know, you're stepping in his backyard. You're stepping into what is considered enemy territory. You deal with the crowd, things like that. And I know you've always embraced it. You don't seem to be afraid of going anywhere.

but did you kind of, did you like the idea of going to England for this one in terms of, you know, fighting him in his town and his, in his country?

Yeah, I mean, I said, honestly, it doesn't matter. Once you get in the octagon, you touch hands, you can't hear what the crowd is saying.

I've fought in Australia. I fought Hunt. I don't know what the Aussies were to stand. They were probably staying a bunch of stuff. I don't know because it's white noise.

And I have, fought in Chicago when I fought Alastair. I don't know what anyone in Chicago was saying. It was white noise. So it really doesn't. The venue doesn't add it to me at all. Yeah. Now, Curtis, you know this and you don't need me to tell you this, but I'm going to

say it anyways, you are a rare breed because we talked the last time we had you on the show, you know, the uncertainty that going on in the heavyway division. And a lot of people would complain and say, man, I'm tired of the title being held up, you know, what's going on? Why am I not part of the interim title fight? you go on and go on. Now, you obviously have a case to make for all those things, but you are stepping up and taking a fight that we got to be honest.

A lot of other heavyweights wouldn't take. He's a guy lower in the rankings. He's not as established as you. He hasn't fought the same level of competition as you throughout his career. Again, stepping into his hometown, all these kind of things that a lot of guys wouldn't do. Do you feel like that just is part of what makes you different than the average or a lot of the other heavy weights?

Because you're doing what some guys just would not do. I mean, I guess how did you bring it up? I mean, I never really thought about it. I just, I haven't really, I don't think I've ever turned down a fight. I get an opponent. I'm like, okay. Like, and with the UFC, turning down fights isn't a good idea. It's just that that starts to put you in a bad light.

So I never, that ought to ever even cross my mind. And, yeah, I don't care about, I just wanted the top guy. Like I said earlier, I knew it had to be the Aspinol, gone or Tuvaasa. I would have been happy with either one. I would have gone back to Australia to fight Tuva. I would have gone to France to fight gone. It doesn't matter. People who think the venue actually has a factor on the outcome of the fight.

I don't know what to tell you, but besides, I think you're wrong. I don't think it matters at all. It's who's going to be able to implement their game plans first and the most effectively. And that doesn't have anything to do with the venue to me. Yeah. Well, you're also a college wrestler and guys and girls who have not been around college wrestling. When you go into a rival gym, when you go into a rival state school or whatever, that gets nasty. Like, people don't understand, like, you've been there before.

Like, that's a whole other kind of atmosphere, right? Right. Yeah. Yeah, and I like it. I like, I like to, that's the preparedness in me. I like to close somewhere else and eat and eat the person that everyone wants to win. I get a rush out of that. Yeah. And I like to, that's one of the few perks that being in the UFC besides the money is exploring other places that I would. wouldn't, I wouldn't be exploring if I wouldn't, weren't in the UFC. Like, I don't think I would have ever visited a Asian if I didn't, if I weren't, wasn't in the UFC. I like that.

I like exploring other places. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. To that point, you mentioned, you know, turning down fights is probably never a good idea. You're certainly not the first person to say that. And I'm, you definitely won't be the last. I know in the past, Curtis, and we've talked about this, you know, in terms of your, your place in the UFC in terms of contracts, money, things like that.

I know it sounds like I'm playing therapist right now, but are you happy right now with where you're at in terms of the UFC with your contract and everything? Because, again, you're a guy who keeps stepping up when they need it. When they needed a main event in Columbus after the other one fell out, you stepped up. They need a main event in London against the guy from London or a guy from England, I should say. You stepped up. Like, are you happy with where you're at right now in terms of with the promotion with the UFC?

Yeah. The money is good. I'm getting any events. I'm getting exposure. It helps with sponsorships. It helps with building my brand in the eyes on me. I like the main event. Onus, extra, it's 25,000.

That's nice. And I was had, like, I think almost, yeah, but I've had like maybe 15 or 16 fights in the UFC. This would be my. six main event. I think that shows the UFC believes I'm good enough

to be a headliner. Eventually, maybe one day I'll be able to headline a pay-per-view. Absolutely, absolutely. And again, guys in main events, you know, you don't get these by accident and you definitely don't get them multiple times by accident. I mean, again, they're selling the entire card around you

and your name and what you bring to the card. So it says a lot, right? Like, there's faith putting you in those moments. And they're not going to, just give you that opportunity just because. Like you've got to earn those opportunities, especially multiple times. Like it's one thing to get one.

But like you said, this is six. I mean, that's a pretty big deal. Yeah. I just, I was watching Rob Fonk versus Crito Vera.

That was his first main event. He's been in the UFC for longer than me. I think he's been a talk guy for longer than me also. And he had to wait like, eight years ago it is first main events. So I'm like, I think I'm doing pretty good. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.

I know you talked about building your brand. Can I ask you real quick? I know we were actually, I'd actually reached out about getting you on last week, and I know you were actually traveling back from New York City. You did a gal out there. Do you mind if I ask you about that? Because I know you love using your platform for doing things,

different, doing things. And I wanted to ask you about that because I just thought it was an amazing day. I want to let you tell the story, but if you could talk about that, please. Well, yeah. After my fight, I had seen, I was reading the comments. I didn't do that. I don't know.

But I was reading them. And I was seeing a lot of people were saying like, oh, Blades, his speech is real slurred. It sounds like he has CTE. And I've been hearing that for years. I was just like, man, okay, I'm going to speak on it one time. I don't have CTE. I have the speech impediment. It doesn't have anything to do with it.

combat sports I've had in my whole life. I made a whole post about it on all my media platforms, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook. And I guess after that, this organization called SAY, I think I have a

brochure right here, let me get it right. Yeah. Oh, it's say the stuttering association for the young, they reached out to me, or they reached out to my management,

and they were like, hey, we saw your post, we think it's really awesome that you're speaking out for the community. Honestly, I'd never really thought about me being a part of a community. I've always just been like, it's me. I stutter. I mean, my dad stutter is also, but to me and him.

and yeah, they reached out. They just wanted me to go out there and just see what they're about. And I thought it was really dope. I got to talk with the youth. They're a bunch of teenagers in, like, early, like, 18 to 21-year-olds. And it was just awesome hearing their stories, hearing their own experiences that mirror my experiences. And hearing, like, hearing their doubts.

being able to tell them, like, you don't have to worry about that. Like, it's not going to be an issue. You're going to be able to do whatever you want to do. If you want to be a doctor, you want to be a teacher, whatever aspirations that you have, your speech impediment, is not going to be what holds you back. So, and I look forward to working with them again, maybe on out another fundraiser, or they have these little camps

where they bring in people like me, and we just talk and get to, to know each other and just build a community. And I want to do my best, use my platform to spread the word because obviously they've been around for 24 years, and I'm 31. I'm just not hearing about it. So I'm sure there's a lot of people who don't have a speech impediment

who haven't heard of this organization, and I just want to bring more eyes onto it. Yeah, that's amazing. That's so amazing. I saw your post on Instagram a couple days ago with your kid, and you were like, this is the real reason I do it. You know, this is the reason I do it for my family, things like that. But to be a role model, I mean, you don't necessarily step into the octagon thinking I'm going to be a role model, right? Like, you don't go into thinking I'm influenced.

But it's important, right? Because representation matters in all facets of life, whether we're talking about movies, TV, music, whatever it is. And I think that's so huge. And not that you need me to tell you that, but I just think that's amazing because, again, you're going to inspire a kid out there. who's dealing with the same thing. It's just, oh, look, look, look, this is one of the best heavyweight fighters in the world. Look where he's at.

Look what I can do. Like, that's an inspiring thing. And, again, I know you didn't sign up for that, but I think it's amazing you're doing that. Yeah, it wasn't my goal when I got into this. It was just I wanted to make some good money, but it's a nice perk. It's a nice, I'm happy I can use my platform

to really, really help people that are like me. And, like, just, I know how it feels. I know exactly what the thinking. I know the fears they have. I know it can be scary to do public speaking, like interviews, like things like this. A decade ago, I really don't want to do this. But the more you do it, the more you force yourself to step out of where you're comfortable. That's where growth happens.

It happens when you're uncomfortable. and I've been uncomfortable a lot over these last eight, nine years. There's been a lot of growth also, and I just, I want them to see that, and I want them to see that you don't have to, you don't have to worry. That's the biggest thing. I was one of the things I always, I worried about it. I used to want to be a history teacher, but then I thought about, man, high schools, assholes, and they're going to, I'm going to stutter, I'm going to s up this word or whatever,

I'm going to lose the whole classroom. I let my speech impediment, like, push me away from something I really wanted to do. But then I ended up doing this all the part of the guy I was playing. But, yeah, I want them to not do what I did, walk away from things you want to do because of your impediment. Yeah, no, that's amazing. And I really do mean this. When I had you on the co-host a podcast a few months ago back, I think it was January, I got great reaction.

I was like, man, Curtis is great. Like, that was a great talk between you two. So, again, like I said, now you're stuck. You've got to come back as often as you can. I'm sorry. You're just stuck with it. I apologize. You're just not getting away.

I'm sorry. It's all good. I don't mind it no more. With that being said, you know, talking about, you know, going back to this fight, and before I move on to other things, let me ask you this. Because I know you're not a guy who sits there and pays attention to what your opponent say about you or what anyone says about you really. You've kind of tuned that out.

And I agree with you. if you never read the comments. That's the worst thing you can do in life. But that being said, Tom did an interview on the MMA hour recently, and he had absolutely nothing but glowing things to say about you. I know that it doesn't matter whether it's good or bad to you, but he said, listen, Curtis is the toughest possible matchup for me in this division. That's why I embrace it.

You know, he's an incredible fighter, incredible wrestler, incredible everything. Again, nothing but glowing compliments. Again, I know it doesn't matter because you fought guys who tried to trash talking. I know you fought guys that really don't say anything. But does it at least matter a little bit in terms of getting that respect from your peers, getting respect from the guy you're about to fight that? He doesn't feel the need to tear you down. He's saying, listen, this is the toughest guy in this division for me, and I know that, and I respect him for that. I think that says a lot about his character that he speaks to, you know, he's about to fight you.

And he's like, listen, this is the toughest matchup I can have. A lot of guys, yeah, I respect that. A lot of guys, I feel like they talk smack because they're scared or the word and they don't want to, like, They want to, like, project this, like, confidence. But when you are confident, which is, it sounds like Aspinall is confident, I expect that. Like, there's no need for you. I've never done that because I've always been confident. I don't feel the need to talk smack because I got to say,

I like to fight guys that are legit. Well, no, I didn't say that to you. I was another interview. They were asking me, like, do you like to fight high-ranked guys or guys? is it easy. I'm like, I always prefer the higher rank guys. I want to be able to brag about a victory. And to be Aspinall, as a bragable victory, I respect him.

I think he's extremely explosive. He's got the hands. He's already shown. He's got the jiu-tizu. And I think he's probably either the second or third best, like, not wrestler, but the grappler I've gone against besides Olenick and maybe Alistair. So I put them up there with those guys. And yeah, just mutual respect.

That's what I want. That's all I want. You don't have to go over the top and like give me extra extra praise. I just, I don't feel the need. I don't think me or my opponents should have to stoop down to like talking smack. I get it. it gets the fans hyped up. They should be hyped up regardless.

It's going to be a hell of a fight. Yeah, I totally agree. I totally agree. You know, your last fight, when I talked to you afterwards in Columbus, you got a big knockout, and you went out there with the purpose of like, I'm going to show different things I can do. And you outstruck a guy who was known as a striker. You outstruck him and knocked him out.

It was a really impressive fight. Now, this time, I'm not going to actually give way your game plan, of course, but you're going against the guy who is known for grappling. Now, it's not to say he doesn't have knockout power because he has knockouts, of course in the UFC, but he, as you mentioned, he's more well known for his grappling. Look what he did to Volkov, a guy you fought, and I know you had a battle with for five rounds. There's always something to prove in every fight, whether you're fighting a grappler or strike or whatever. But in this particular world, if it goes early, do you look forward to the moment of actually,

if you do get into a grappling exchange with this guy to prove? Because I think it's been well-proven, Curtis, you're the best wrestler in the heavyweight division. That's really not up for debate, I don't think. But again, grappling, you know, doing jiu-jitsu. I know you post a lot of videos where you always do jiu-jitsu, things like that. Like, if that part of the game happens, do you look forward to that? Because a lot of people are saying, man, Tom Aspinall might be the best grappler in the heavyweight division right now. And I'm like, hold on.

There's this guy named Curtis Blaze out there. And I think people will forget. So, like, do you always take that as like a challenge? I mean, I don't feel like I need to prove anything. I feel like my stats. They do that for me. Like, you don't just get 50. 59 takedowns if you're not extremely talented at wrestling, I think I am.

But it is always good to, like, you know, to test yourself. And this will be a test, and that's I look forward to that. I look forward to showing the world that I'm not just taking down bones. I can take down guys who are skilled also. And I do believe he's skilled, but I also believe I'll be able to take him down. what I want to. Yeah, and we all know your ground and pound game. You know, grappling is one thing, ground and pounds another.

And I think you have some of those vicious ground and pound in the division. We've seen it in the Alistair fight. We've seen another fights as well. And I think that, you know, it's the old, what is it, the old Matt Hughes thing? You're, you know, when you're a black belt, you get punched. You go down to brown bell. You get punched again. You're a verbal bell.

And I think I think you like to punch guys out of their belt status in grappling. Yeah, that's my game plan. I mean, obviously, if the pass is there, can get from half guard to side control, I will. But I don't, I'm just hanging out in half guards and just eating you up because that's, it's a win. A win's a win. I'm not in it for style points.

They don't, I mean, potentially they pay you extra, but honestly, I mean, the biggest thing is just in the win bonus. So however I got to do that, if it is a submission, if it is brown in town, I'm happy either way. I just want the W. Yeah. Now, Curtis, you said in a different interview, I think it was with my buddy James Lynch, you were talking about, you know, coming out of this fight, even with a win here, you're like, I think you said something. I don't want to misquote you, something to the effect of, you know, you don't even believe a win here will probably get you a title shot because

there's so much uncertainty right now with Francis deganu injured. We're not sure it's gone on his contract. Of course, they're talking about making John Jones and Stipe later this year in September. Again, we don't know if it's going to happen, but it looks like it's going to happen. I'm not going to ask you to repeat yourself again in terms of the mentality where you said this in January and you said it in your post fight with Chris Doc is that you know you don't get lost into details in terms of you don't allow yourself to sit there and just get totally frustrated about the picture of heavyweight because you're a guy again who's taking this fight when a lot of other guys wouldn't you're legitimately the number

you know number one contender you should be in an interim title fight but you're not sitting there complaining I understand probably in the back of your head you're like hey I don't know why I'm not in this but how do you deal with like how do you compartmentalize that because we've seen it a million. times where guys should get it. I mean, absolutely deserve the shot, deserve to get better opportunities, but they don't, and it does distract them. They get lost in that.

They say, man, I'm so, you know, I'm so angry. I didn't get the title shot, or I didn't get this fight with this guy. And then they go in the fight and you see it's completely taking them out of their mentality. How do you compartmentalize that? Because I can tell you, hey, Curtis, I think you should be in that interim title fight. I think you should be in a heavyweight title fight sooner rather than later. But my words are, you know, I'm paying you a compliment. But again, you still have to hear it.

So how do you compartmentalize that going into a fight and not allowing the outside stuff to bother you? I just, I don't know. It's just ever really any issue. Maybe it's the wrestling background. I'm used to going to a tournament at 8 a.m. and you don't know what your seat is going to be. You might be the number one seat, the number five seat,

number 16 seat. and eventually you hope to be in the finals. And if it's like four rounds, eventually you're going to have to go against a good guy. That's how I think about this is just one extra long tournament. And eventually, along the way, you're going to have to fight good guys. I've ever understood why, like, especially in boxing people, avoid tough fights. Because eventually, if you want to be the best, you're going to be the best, you're going to, all your opponents are going to be tough.

Like, I'm in top five. I've been in the top five since 2018. Everyone's going to be tough. There are no easy fights here. So it's just, it's what I expect. I expect Aspinall. And then after this, I expect the winner of Louis Vossi versus Khan. And then after that, I expect,

most likely the interim title against either the winner of Stipe v. John, Jones. And then after that, I expect to probably have to defend. I just, I, maybe it's because I'm a pessimist. I don't expect it to be easy. I expect it to, to be hard. Anything worth having, it's going to be hard. And getting the title is worth having. So I just expect it to be a long, hard road. And this is just a part of that road. Yeah, absolutely. We talked back in January and we kind of joke, you know, we always talk about the lay of the land of heavyweight. We kind of joked about John Jones almost like, you know, we shouldn't really talk about him until he actually has a fight scheduled because he's been out for over two years.

Now, again, nothing is scheduled, but all signs are pointing towards September with him and Steepie. Now, again, not a done deal, not signed, all those kind of things. Let's put that into consideration. We're talking about this. But you're a guy, you actually, and again, it's been years, but you did train with Stepe back in the day, and you know Stepe very well, and I know you have a lot of respect for Stepe.

John Jones arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time coming up to a different division. I know you've given a little bit of this, but I got to ask you Curtis. Like, what do you think of that matchup? And because a lot of people are counting Steve A out already. I think that's a big mistake. I just, I don't understand how you can count out

what the greatest heavyweights of all time against the guy who's never fought a heavyweight, never had heavyweight power, you know, in a real fight hit him. And again, I think John is incredible. It's nothing against John Jones. But it is a different animal. We've heard this time and time again. OSP came up and said,

man, those heavyweights hit freaking hard. You see the other guys say it. Like, it's a whole other animal when you go to heavywage. So are people just counting out Stebebe because of respect to John Jones? I don't know. What is it? It just feels like people are saying Stebebe doesn't have a chance, and I think that's ridiculous.

I feel like when you say people, do you mean like casuals? Do you mean like the educated MMA fans? I think educated MMA fans understand this fight is legitimate up. pick them. It could go either way. Because you're right, John, he hasn't shown that one-punch knockout power what he has shown is he's extremely creative. Like he'll hit you with elbows, knees, heaps, all types of stuff. And even on the ground, he's, he's aggressive. Like, he's looking for submissions. He's looking to drop elbows. So he brings a lot to the table, but the biggest thing doesn't have that power.

I think that's always the equalizer. I think Steve-Haid, I would pick Steve-Head to win this, just because he's pinning five-round heavyweight fights multiple times, and he's shown one-punch power when he talked out Fabricio, when he talked out Alistair. I know that wasn't one punch,

but there was one punch that set up the finish. So he's already shown he has that. And he has the wrestling, he has the conditioning. I just believe he's a smart enough fighter. He'll be able to figure out John after two or three rounds, and he'll start to land. And his punches are going to hurt more than the punches of John Jones. That's just what I think.

But honestly, it can go either way because who knows, what of John Jones comes out and takes down steepe and then he's the guy on top we haven't seen steepay on bottom well I guess we have against EC but the dimensions of TC versus John Jones are different so he's a different guy I think it's going to be interesting I would like I said I would pick steep but I wouldn't be shocked if he lost either it's like yeah yeah I agree with you I think what what concerns me most well not concerns me what like makes it most interesting to me is that john in his last few fights with tago with dominic reyes he's got he's gotten hit and you know dominion gray has tagged him pretty hard and you know and again and that was a real worrisome

moment i actually thought dominic won that fight again absolutely nothing against john actually scored but you you hit john like that stepe hits john like that it's a hard time to believe that he's going you know what i mean yeah and i've i've i've sparse I would perform ultimate times. He does hit hard, but it ain't like getting hit by heavyweight. It ain't the same. Yeah. Is there an argument, you know, we talk about like Tom Aspin, I'll page you the compliment

saying he thinks you are the toughest possible matchup for him in this division. And I agree. I think you're a tough matchup for anybody. And I think you are a nightmare matchup for a lot of heavyweights. Would Steve A be one of the most intriguing fights just because of that aspect, the wrestler? Because you haven't really fought. Like, again, I'm not saying you're calling him out.

I want to make that, you know, assumption. But like, to me, that's one of the most. fascinating fights we can see in this division because you're wrestling and his wrestling, your power and his power. I think that's a really intriguing matcher, but I do hope we see it one day. I think stylistically

we're the most similar. Like, he's a smart technical boxer who uses his footwork. That's what I like. That's what I strive to do. And this is one thing that he does that I'm looking to

add into my game. He doesn't force the taked. I was like, sometimes I just force. I just have it in my head. We're going to the ground. He allows the takedown to happen organically so they're smoother and it doesn't take as much energy. Me, I don't mind spending the energy because I think it's worth it. Once I get on top, that's when I get to rest.

But that's just something I've always liked to, I've been focusing on like implementing, like not telegraphing the take. takedowns are being so intentional about it, just allowing it to happen. That's something I've always admired about his game. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. Real quick, before I get you out of there, last time we talked in January, you made a prediction at that time. We talked about the Nganoo situation, and you said that,

you believe that the EOC should let him go do his thing with Tyson, and ultimately, you know, come back. And here we sit, you know, six months later, basically, still kind of in the same situation. He just had knee surgery. He's going to be out until 2023, and they're talking about doing this special rules fight, at Tyson Fury, which, again, you and I said the same thing.

Go make your money. You know, go get your money. If you're getting paid $30 million, trust me. For $30 million, Curtis, I would fight you. The fight would last four seconds. I would fight. It would be over in four seconds, as long as it would take you to charge against the octagon and kill me,

but I would take $30 million to do it. So I'm all for that. But again, I don't know that anything's changed, so I don't want to make you feel like you have to give a different answer. But do you feel like we're still in the same situation? Like, ultimately, in God, I think ultimately, and Ghana will return.

I just think ultimately long-term the UFC is where he's going to end up, but I think they got to come to some kind of an agreement. And I don't think there's a problem with him doing the Tyson Fury, especially now that it's a mixed, it's not even a boxing match. Yeah. If it's a mixed rules fight,

like he can use MMA gloves, that's a much different fight. I mean, I don't think it matters regardless. Even if he goes out there and gets knocked out, that's a totally different sport. That's like if I did a pro-jitsu, and I should not go out there and get submitted.

in the first, like 25 seconds. What does that mean? Because when you put MMA gloves on, it's a different sport. So I don't think the outcome of the fight should even be a factor and determine if he can do it or not.

I think he should be allowed to do it. I think he should be allowed to come back into the UFC because it allowed Connor McGregor to do it. Once you did it for McGregor, you set a precedent. You open hand doors, boxing you can't blame other MMA fighters who a lot of guys follow McGregor like the methodology of let me talk smack and let me be extra boisterous and it works and so I just I don't think

McGregor he should be allowed to do something that other guys who've also earned the opportunity because it's not just like in Ghana was just a dude he he's had the belt he's had a lot of highlight knockouts I think he's earned. I think it helps the sport. Just like it did with McGregor, you bring a lot more eyes onto an MMA guy who's in a different sport for one night.

You bring those eyes up to him. Then he come back into the UFC, and he brings all those eyes with him. I think it only helps this work. Yeah, I agree. Can I imagine for like $30 million, you would gladly lace up the boxing gloves? I would fight Anthony Joshua right now.

or a million bucks. I don't care. The outcome doesn't even add to me. Obviously, I want to win. I'll do my best. But if he wins, like, I don't care. I don't care. I don't have, I think that's going back to what you were asking me early about how do I block out everything.

I don't have any ego. That's the big. A lot of guys that let the egos get so big. And then they start feeling like, I deserve this. I deserve it. I don't have any ego. I don't feel like I should be handed anything. I don't mind earning the things I get.

Yeah, absolutely. Before I let you go out, I got to tell you, I did steal one of your things. I forgot to tell you this. You might have seen it on Twitter. At your post-white press conference, when we talked in Columbus, you had said that, you know,

you thought Chris Dawkins should get under light heavyweight. You said, just because you weigh 240 pounds, doesn't mean you're a heavyweight. And I stole that line, and I used it on Connor McGregor, and he got mad at me about that. I don't know if he saw that. Like, he responded.

He was not happy. I said, I used your quote, and I said, just because Conan McGregor He's 170 pounds doesn't mean he's a welterweight. And he did not like hearing that. But I said, but it's true. I love Connor. I think Connor is one of the most talented guys in the world.

I just don't think he's like when I see him matched up with like an Oosman or what I just don't think he's a welterweight. He's an incredible lightweight, incredible featherweight. One of the best guys in the world. Absolutely. No doubt about it. But again, that's like saying, you know, listen, I think Israel Adasania is pound for pound for the best guy is no sport.

How would he do it heavyweight? I don't think it would go well. That's not a knock on Israel out of Sonia. That's just the logistics. You know what I mean? But Connor did not like hearing that, but I used your quote. And I have to say, I have to give you credit. I did use your quote for that.

I mean, there's a reason there's weight classes. Like, there's a reason. I think if McGregor pumped up to Walter Waite, yeah, there's probably a few guys on the bottom end of the top 10. And he could maybe beat, but he's not beating Usman. I don't even think he beats my homie, you know, Magny. I don't think he beats him. because he doesn't have the cardio to go like that with bigger guys.

That's one of the things that makes Neil so special is he is a legitimate to it, but he has the conditioning of a bad to weight. Yeah, absolutely. It's funny. You said I interviewed Neil a couple weeks ago, and we were talking about his willingness to just fight whoever they throw at him, never says no to fights, never backs down. Is it something you guys are putting in the water in Colorado or what's going on out there because you guys have that same mentality?

I think it's just a vibe. That's one of the reasons I really, I like the team aspect here. Like a lot of other have teams, but I think here at elevation is a real team aspect. And it's a vibe. Everyone here is super real.

We don't have no assholes. We don't have people that are like all about me, me, me. It's me, Neil, Drew Dover, H.E. Corey. San Hagen, we're all like the same personality. We just want to be archer artists. We don't hog smack.

We just want to win fights and grow. Absolutely. Well, Curtis, it is always a pleasure to catch up with you. I said, I don't know how much you enjoy doing the interviews, but I tell you're stuck now because I think you're one of the best interviews in the game, and I always love talking to you, and I appreciate taking the time. Have a good training camp. Safe travels out to England.

I'm sure we'll chat afterwards, but thank you, as always, for the time. I really do appreciate it. No problem, man. I'll let you know. You're one of the few interviewers I do. Actually, I enjoy interviews with you and with Lynch. You're one of the few. It's a very small, minute group.

Well, I appreciate being on that list, Curtis. I really do, man. We'll talk soon, okay? All right, so you have a good death. You too. Bye-bye. A big thank you once again to Curtis Blas. for coming on the show. One of the most fun interviews, I always enjoy talking to him.

He's always got such a wonderful, honest and realistic perspective when it comes to his division, the heavyweight division, as well as his own career. And you got to respect a guy who is willing to step into enemy territory for a fight that means far more in terms of rankings to Tom Aspinall than necessarily what it does to Curtis Blades, considering where he's at versus Tom Aspinall. We hear all the time the unfortunate side of the rankings, guys or girls who don't want to fight people ranked below. them because it doesn't do as much. And while I do understand that, sometimes you have to fight those fights. And we don't get a fight like Curtis Blaze versus Tom Aspinall, unless Curtis Blaze is willing to throw caution to the wind, fly halfway around the world, go to England, fight Tom Aspinall

on his home turf in a hostile environment. You got to love a guy who's willing to do that. So, very much looking forward to that. We will not be here next week. I will be on vacation for the first time in about three years. I'm going to be headed out to San Diego Comic-Con for a week, so very excited to be out there for that. So stay tuned to my Twitter and Instagram and Facebook. If you're following me on any of those social media platforms, I'll be posting plenty of photos from San Diego Comic-Con return for the first time in three years, so very much excited about that. And a big thank you for the time off as well. So looking forward to a break. We will be back on UFC 277 Fight Week. We're going to welcome back to the show Joe Lozon, who's going to join me

and help me preview some of the key storylines going on at that event, including the main event between Giuliana Pena and Amanda Nunes, as well as the interim flyweight title fight between Brandon Marino and Kai Kar, France. A big thank you to everyone that tunes in each and every week to this show. Make sure you check us on all of your favorite podcast platforms, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and, of course, over on MMAFighting.com. We will see you guys in two weeks when the fighter versus the rider returns. Thanks so much for tuning in, and we'll see you then.