MMA Fighting - Fighter vs. Writer: Joanna Jedrzejczyk Talks For the First Time Since Retiring; Jorge Masvidal Blasts Conor McGregor for Avoiding Fight With Him

Episode Date: July 5, 2022

In her first interview since announcing her retirement at UFC 275, Joanna Jedrzejczyk joins The Fighter vs. The Writer to discuss what led to her decision to call it a career following a rematch against Zhang Weili. Jedrzejczyk will detail what ultimately made her want to retire in that moment, what she plans to do next and if there’s any chance she will compete again. The former strawweight champion will also discuss a potential entry into the UFC Hall of Fame and what that would mean for her legacy. Also on the show this week, Jorge Masvidal stops by to talk about the growth of his promotion IKON FC as the prepares to take a show to Georgia for the first time in August. Masvidal also takes direct aim at Conor McGregor, who he believes is ducking him for what could be one of the biggest fights in the history of the UFC. Masvidal will also respond to call outs from Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards while discussing how soon he might be able to return to the octagon. 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

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I'm your host, as always, Damon Martin. And today I am back for a special holiday edition of the show with a couple of interviews that dropped on video last week, but not on the podcast. And since they're both pretty big interviews, I figured why not do it here? As well as the fact that, beyond the holiday last week with UFC 276, a lot of things got lost in the mix.

One of which, of course, is my first interview, which was with the great Yawanna-Jech in her first interview after announcing her retirement from mixed martial arts at UFC 275 following her fight and rematch with Zhang Wei Li. I was the first to have a chance to talk with Yohanna about her decision, what led to that decision, her future, the chance of her going in the UFC Hall of Fame, and so much more. So if you haven't had a chance to check out the video, here is the podcast. podcast version of my conversation with the newly retired and I believe future UFC Hall of Famer, Yohanna Yonjacheck.

She is the greatest straw weight in the history of the sport, and I am always happy to speak to the great Yohanna Yonjajek. Yonah, how are you? Hey, Damon. I'm actually, I'm good, happy preparing for my next trip. Keep on busy as always, so far so good. but I still need to get, I still need to get to the retirement feeling, you know. Yeah, I saw you, I saw you took a nice vacation after the fight,

so it was good to just relax and kind of just, you know, step away for a minute, just, you know, enjoy a beach and not think about fighting for a little bit. Oh, yeah, actually, I haven't had a time to think about what happened three weeks ago. And that's the thing. But I feel like I will need to see. and think about everything, about my legacy in general. But, yeah, I had so much fun. You know, last few months were pretty busy and tough for me physically and mentally.

But, yeah, it was good to take some time off after the fight. I had a blast in Thailand. I was supposed to go to Bali, but I ended up going to Thailand, and it was so much fun. Yeah, absolutely. So let me backtrack you on. Of course, we talked before the fight. You know, I know you spent months preparing, and you put so much of yourself into your fights. And of course, afterwards, as we all know, you announced your retirement from the sport.

Can I ask, like, going into the fight, was there a thought in the back of your head that retirement, you know, was coming? Can you kind of give me a sense of how it came about? Like, was it in the moment you just decided? Was it something you had thought about going into the fight? Like, can you kind of give me an idea, like how that happened? Man, I'm not going to lie. like I was going to win, you know, and I was in my best shape ever. But like I said, so many weeks before the fight and even a few days before the fight during media that anything can happen and it happened, you know,

and it happened to me that I went down. But before the fight, like during the camp, I had this moment that I was thinking about it, you know. I was thinking about that if something happened, I would retire and it happened. But of course, I was ready and motivated to win the fight and continue doing this. I just sign a new daily day you see good money, good exposure and everything. But, you know, it happened.

It just happened. Yeah. It was momentum. It was momentum because of what happened in the fight. If I lost on points, I could, like, sit and think about. But I don't want to waste my health. And I, I, that's the thing. That is the main thing, you know, that I don't want to keep on losing myself because of what I'm doing, you know.

You know what I mean. Well, you told us. You know, I feel great. I feel great. Nothing happened to me. Thanks God. somehow it's hard, you know, it's hard. Well, you've told me that, I mean, going out of the first fight with Zhang, you know, how much damage you take.

And you said, you know, the damage you put on your body in a fight, not to mention what you do during a training camp, takes a lot out of you. And your health is what's most important, right? Like, that has to matter because you have to live far beyond fighting, right? You can't, you know, you can't do so much damage you can't live a normal life after fighting. So I know health has been a big part. And I imagine that's a big part in walking away on your own time. terms, right? Like walking away when you want to walk away because we've heard these, I'm sure you've heard these stories, fighters, all the time. I want to walk away. I don't want the sport to retire me.

I don't want to walk away because I just can't do it anymore. Yeah, that's the, that's the thing. I always wanted to retire it on my rules. And I know, I know, I don't want to be this, you know, like this gatekeeper, you say, yeah? I don't want to be this legend who is going to fight forever and forever and get beat up, you know. That's the. thing and I accept where I am at, you know, what my age is, you know. The craziest thing about it is that it was the best camp in my life and I was in the best shape ever, strong physically, mentally, stronger physically mentally than before. And that's the craziest thing because I'm still having so much love for this sport.

And I don't want to live, but somehow I have to take care. of myself, you know, and because of I'm a woman, it's different with the guys. Of course, no one, nobody deserves, like, concussions, but it's kind of tough sport. We pick this sport.

We chose to be, you know, I chose to be a fighter and we have to pay the price, but sometimes you have to, you have to be smart enough to say enough, you know, to protect yourself for the future and that's the thing you know it's hard i'm still digesting my decision but isn't easy you know yeah no absolutely i'm happy yeah can i can i ask i think from what you

said like if you had a chance especially at this level you know especially at this level because i was always competing with the best i was always competing at the highest level and and that's the problem no there is no easy fights in the e-fc but i feel like i i'm always always very into, you know, and some people, they loved my stirdowns and the way I was before the fights and in the fights, but I'm very into everything I do in my life. And fighting was one of these things, you know, I was always 100% into physically and mentally and emotionally as well. And, yeah, that's the thing. Yeah. Did you, I think you said, I just would make sure, have you had a chance to actually go back and rewatch the fight? No, no.

Not yet. Not yet. I don't have to do it and I have to do by then. Is it one of those crazy things? Because I actually spoke to Matt Brown. I'm sure you know Matt, you know, Matt, you know, from the UFC. And he had kind of walked me through the fight itself. And he said it was one of those kind of crazy.

It's one of those crazy things you did everything right and then you just got caught. Like I know I'm not trying to take anything away from Zhang and her performance because she did an incredible job. But he said, you did everything right in that moment. She just caught you. Like that's literally what. happened. Is that just the brutal, that's just the brutal nature of the sport, though, right? Like, it's just that one moment and it just happened. It is. And this thing, and I'm glad you, we are talking about because this is what

makes me think about fighting more, you know, because I got cut and this sport is brutal and beautiful in the same time. But I didn't see. And you know what's funny? This knockout felt like one of the cartoons knockout, you know, when you are like out, but you're still, still processing. And that was the funny thing, because when I was going down, down, down, I was like, kind of sober, but when I saw the highlight, I was not sober, you know what I'm here. I was out, but the funny thing is like, okay, you were knocked out, like, fall, like, go down. That's the funniest thing. But then I was like, I had this in my word, what happened?

What happened? What happened? You know? How? So, and I got cut, you know? That's the, that's the thing. This is what I mean, you know? Like, yeah, yeah, I got cut. I didn't see this punch. I couldn't see because I cut the ankle. I switched the position and she came with the back fist, you know, or spinning elbow or whatever. Yeah, yeah. I don't know, they want. It's hard. It's hard. No, I totally understand. And because in that moment, you know, we hear, you know, I mean, it's so hard to process in that moment, you know, what you're going through it in the aftermath, you know, announcing your retirement. Because in that moment, even I was shocked. Like, I know you said to me many times, you know, you know you have a future outside of the sport. You have businesses. You want to start a family.

You have all these things going on. But even in that moment, I was still kind of surprised. I was like just because I know what a warrior you are. I know, like, how much you love the sport, how much you put into the sport. Yeah, even this morning I met my friend, my best friend. I haven't seen her for a while because of I was outside Poland. And I was telling her these stories. And that's the craziest thing, you know, because I was really planning to fight more often,

to be back to fighting more often as I used to. Maybe not as I used to, but more often, at least twice a year. but because of the way I felt and I said that at the beginning of this interview you know and it was surprising what happened to all of us to me and to all of us but like I said there is the other side of this sport who fighters know only about

is the is the health side you know that is the thing yeah absolutely I know on a I know on a cross this line, you know, in my life and be like, and have these concussions or some health problems, issues. Okay, I can make more money.

I can get more exposure, but I can't buy health, you know. I can't, I will, I will be not able to to buy extra health like in the game, you know, extra life, you know, that's the thing. Yeah, no, absolutely. I mean, you can't. And I can't go easy, you know. I can't go easy. If I go, I go 100%. Yeah, 100% I think 120% is Yonah, I don't think you go 100%.

I think you go 120%. But you can't you can't put a value on your health, right? Like they can't say, well, you know, here's a million dollars. Well, that's still not worth, you know, years from now when you're dealing with health issues or brain health. I mean, these are things you have to think about. There's no value for that, right?

Like, there's no value you can put on that. You have to take care of your body. Yeah. And I'm meeting more and more, you know. We just get in order. We are just getting older and I see all of my friends, teammates, fighters. And it's just scary, you know. It's just scary as hell, you know.

Yeah. We can get all this damage, you know. Yeah. You are kind of a rare instance in this sport, Yowana, where you have a lot of things going on outside of fighting. We talked during the time when you were off, you know, all the things you're doing in Poland, the endorsements, all the different businesses you're running, all the different things you're doing that, you know, a way for fighting.

But I also know how much you love fighting. But I have to ask the question because, you know, I do know how much you love fighting. I do know how much you love training and working with fighters, things like that. Are you solid in this decision? Will there be a comeback for Yawanna? Can you solid say, you know, realistically you are done and that's it? You know, your fighting careers behind you. you'll still be involved with fighting, but fighting itself is done.

It is. For now it is. It's hard. I feel like the conversation isn't as fun as always with you because you are my favorite. But, you know, I don't know. I always promise myself if I leave the sport, I will leave it forever, you know. And it's hard, but, you know, like, but sometimes I wake up. And in the morning, I'm like, no, I would love to be back.

Why to, why am I doing this, you know? That's a hard part. For now, I'm done. I'm very happy. I'm flying to Vegas tomorrow. I hope I will sit and talk to Dana and then Lambert as well. I'm really looking forward to see all of them and sit and talk to them and maybe talk about it.

the future a little bit. That's the thing. Yeah. I feel that I need to stick to my decision. I need to stick to my decision because there is so many things which are making me going more into this sport and even keep on fighting. But like I said, health is the most important. Absolutely.

I'm not having any issues. Like I'm hiding something. I'm not having any issues, you know. I have to, I have to do some cities. or MRI scan one more time after the fight just for myself to check because I want to be 100% sure that I'm good because lately I'm having lots of headache

but maybe there's still a bruise, you know, and that's the thing. But these things make me think about that I made the right decision. Yeah. Yeah. I know that you do have, Amelia, you said something at the post-fight press conference.

You said you had bought an apartment, and you said you never even actually stay there because you're so busy. You never even. But that's like, like, in a weird, like, I'm weirdly happy for you, Your Honor, because I know how much you put of yourself into fighting again. I always bring up, of course, when I came down to American Top Team. Like, I know how much you, like, just a day off. Like, it's kind of great. Like, just a day off. Like, being able to relax a little bit.

Like, I'm actually happy for you that you can actually do that because you do have, beyond fighting, you do have a million. things going on. But is it nice just to relax for a minute, just to actually have a day off? The last six months, I spent maybe eight or ten nights in my house. I moved to this house two years ago. And this year I spent 10 nights on me.

So I'm happy to be here, falling sleep and waking up in my bed. And yeah, I do, I'm trying to be smart with my money, invest my money in real estate but yeah there are places I've never seen there there's this nice apartment at the Baltic Sea area I I slept two nights only that's the craziest thing so I really want to sit and like like be with myself and realize like really physically realize how much I approach you know how big my legacy is because of you see you know because I'm not going to like they

They have changed my life. Yeah. You probably heard, or maybe you did, and I don't know, but, you know, somebody asked Dana White about, you know, you're going into the Hall of Fame. And he said, yeah, of course you're going in the Hall of Fame at some point. You've done so much and you mentioned your legacy is so big. I'm curious because I hear different things. I know, you know, talking to Daniel Cormier, who's going in the Hall of Fame this weekend, he's, it does. It means a lot to him, the work he put in and to be appreciated like that.

Like, I know it means a lot. Can I imagine that, Will. I mean, like when that moment comes, it will be a moment of pride for you when you do go into UFC Hall of Fame. I will be crying because I will realize that I'm old, man. You know, I remember my USC debut. And that time I was like, wow, this guy is a legend. Chuck Liddell.

There was a time they compare me to Chuck Lidl that he was the Iceman and I was the Ice Woman. And it was so funny, you know. And I was meeting all these legends. And I was like, yeah, I want to be like them one day, you know. and it's happening. But yeah, but yeah, it's so nice, you know, I can't believe because I always say this, you know, maybe I'm grown women now, but I always feel like this JJ from the hood who just started,

you know, who just started or who is just starting. And that's the thing. But it will mean the word to me if I will become the HAL of, the EFC Hall of Famer, you know. Yeah. That's great because I know that there's so many athletes, so many fighters in the UFC, but the Hall of Fame League or War or Wall is very short, you know, very short. Yeah. So it will be an honor. Yeah. You, I mean, you know in some way the impact you've had on the sport and the impact you've had on other fighters. Maybe you heard right after her fight, you know, Carolina Kovulkevich said that if it wasn't for you, you know, she may not be fighting.

now. You know, when you invited her to come to American Top Team and train with you and she basically pays you credit for that. And I know Post-Fi you mentioned, of course, I know you have an incredible team around you, Jennifer Goldstein, who's one of the best managers in the entire sport, but you mentioned maybe getting into MMA management, maybe getting into

that side of the sport. Is that something that does interest you getting into the business side of the sport, you know, for yourself? Very much. Very much. I'm very grateful and thankful for all of the people I've met in my life, personal life and fighting, fighting life and like business life.

And I took so many lessons. I had very good, lots of bad and good experiences. But I want to be one of these managers who is going to take care of an athlete, you know, of the fighter, because of they should be always up front, you know. the managers should think about the fighters as first priority, but very often it's a business, you know,

and this is what I hate about it. So definitely I will try to do another studies or some seminars, get some lessons, get some advises, and I would love to be a manager in the future. Yeah. I mentioned, of course,

your legacy also extends into your home country in Poland. I'm sure you've seen, of course, one of your teammates, you just saw Matush Gamrott get a big win this past weekend. You look at Jan Blahovic. You look at all the people. Like, when you did retire, like, that was all the fighters came out from Poland. Of all the people paying tribute to you, and it's been a lot. Like, how much does it mean the legacy you built of Polish MMA? Because you have become the face of Polish MMA and we've seen now, you know, again, Jan Blahovic becomes a champion. Matus Gamron may be a champion. Like, you were, you were kind of the trendsetter with that for your home country. that means a lot to you. Oh, yeah, I'm just very happy.

I'm not the pioneer of NMA in Poland, but definitely I was working really hard to put Polish MMA on the map worldwide. I mean, and I'm very happy. You know what's the funniest thing that people, like all the people I meet, I see on the streets, they are like stopping by, like shaking my hand. they go crazy and they're like, wow, tons of respect for what you have done. And I get more attention even now than I was getting before, you know. And this is kind of nice.

And it's surprising at the same time, you know, because somehow when I was competing, maybe they were shy or I don't know. But now there are like more open-minded, you know, and they're like, well, we've been watching, we watch your fight, we watch your like, we watch the press conference, everything you have. said at the press conference or after the fight your post-fite speech and they're like, wow, tons of respect, tons of respect. But I don't know why they giving me all this credit for what I said after the fight.

I don't understand this. Of course, I'm very happy and I'm very thankful. But somehow, like, I mean, I think that everything I approach, like, I mean, the wings, the belt, the title defenses should be more valuable. Yeah. How you say it? Yeah, that's right.

Yeah, that's right. Yeah. But somehow, I don't know. I don't know. Well, you, but it's nice. But it's nice. You said something after the fight that, you know,

makes me, like, realize what kind of person you are because somebody asked you, like, your favorite moment of your career, favorite thing you did. And you could have said, you know, winning the title, defending the title, a knockout when you knocked out Jessica Peney

or whatever, the thing you could have done. You said the thing you were most proud of was that you kept going. You know, there was a moment when you said, I could have walked away. I wasn't making money. I wasn't getting fights and I could have just gave up and just walked away from the sport. And I kept going. And you kind of said, you know, the motivation to other people is don't give up. You know, keep going. That's what you are proud of stuff. I think that defines you, Yowana, not that you need my accolades, but I think that's what defines you is that, you know, when you think about the career, all the things you've done, all the achievements you've had in your

career, that's what you were proud of stuff. And I love that about it. you because you could have said, oh, he's winning the belt or it was beating this fighter, winning this fighter, whatever it was, fighting in front of, you know, 70,000 people, whatever it was in Australia, whatever it was. But you said that the proudest moments you kept going, and that's inspirational because there's a lot of people who are going to look at that and say, yeah, I can do it. I can keep doing whatever it is, whether it's fighting or otherwise, but you keep going. That's a big statement.

I think that I feel, I know that I was the chosen one, you know, and, But yeah, I was just, I'm still the same changing from the hood. That's the thing, you know. That's the thing. For me, it's still somehow normal, you know, but I'm very proud of myself that I didn't give up. And I never give up, you know. And that's a good thing. And I want people to know and realize that everything is up to them, you know,

and they can change their lives. Sometimes it takes time, but they can do it. I could do, I can do it, they can do it, we all can do it, you know. And it's just easy. Very often we, we look for some special people, et cetera, et cetera, motivation. But it's all here, you know, and how much you want to be alive. That's the thing. Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

Now, I know you mentioned, you know, when we talk, we always have fun talk and we have good interviews. Of course, we're talking. Here's the thing. I know we're talking about retirement for you, you want to be like, you know, weird way like I'm happy for you. I'm happy because I know you have a millionaire things you want to do. So I'm going to bring it one thing I know you want to do. Good to hear, you know. That's good to hear that there are people who are like,

who are like, who know, who knows that who really JJ is, you know, that I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm just a woman, not a girl anymore, you know, with, with so many things going on, so many hobbies, passions, you know, things. I want to be dedicated, you know, and I want to do it. That's the good thing. Thank you so much. Yeah. So now here's my question, Yohanna.

We know Yonah the fighter, Yonna, the businesswoman. When are we going to see Yonah the race car driver? Because you said when fighting is done, you're going to start racing more. So are we going to start seeing you want to racing more? That's a good thing because actually, after I will be back from Vegas next week, I have a meeting with my racing team. So I will try to try to do some training, more training in July

and maybe I will do my another race very soon next month or into months and I'm really thinking very seriously about going into motorsport and I just can't wait, you know, and I'm very happy that my sponsors, they don't have to leave me because I feel like Of course, I will stick into the sport forever, but I feel like I will give them another

possibilities to go together as in family, you know, to go big with the endorsement. And that's a good thing. And I'm very happy about it, you know, to build my brand and keep on extending the brand. But I can't wait, man. I can't wait to drive these fast cars and go nuts. Like I used in the cage. Absolutely. It's crazy because I was joking earlier.

I said, you know, is it going to be nice just to have a day off? Here's the thing, Yohan, I know you well enough to know. There's not really a day off. You still have a million things going on and you're busier than ever. So while fighting maybe, you know, done with you in terms of actually fighting, you're still going to be incredibly busy. You have a million things going on. So you're still going to be just as busy as ever.

And I'm sure you're excited starting businesses and doing the different things you're going to be doing. Yeah, you know, like two months ago, I opened my lab's supplement company and actually that's the, it's my child and I really want to put more energy into because I have an amazing business partners and it's my brand. People think that it's another sponsor. No, it's my brand and I really need to pay more attention to keep on extending this brand, bringing outside Poland as well bring it out of

Poland outside Poland but I'm you know I just can't lay it and it's my new motivation to do even more you know to work really hard like I used to work on the mat you know or in the gym yeah but there's

more and more things finally I got the I got the I got the final paperwork because I open my foundation but I can go all in right now because I have all the

all the all the paper work done so I'm good I can't wait to to help these young kids and teenagers Oh great Can you tell me a little bit more about the foundation? Yeah so I was thinking about

since I remember but finally my foundation JJ Stars Foundation is registered and I want to help young kids and teenagers, not only fighters, but talented kids who are talented, who wants to work hard, who are dedicated, but sometimes they don't have a chance to go outside,

you know, what I mean, go further, look at the big picture, and I want to teach them all of this. and I want to show them that they can do it, that they can go from nothing to something, not from zero to zero, but from nothing to something. Because I was training in the garage of my parents after two years of training,

after I left my first gym because the coach was stealing money from us, you know? So in that time I could say, okay, it's enough, you know? It's just stupid. It's just silly that you keep on training in the garage. But that time, I knew that I was going to do, big things, you know, and I want to help these kids. And this is what I have said so many times. It doesn't matter what your skin color is, what your religion is, gender. And you can go big,

you know, but you need to work hard. And I want to donate some money to the foundation. I want to do so many. I want to motivate these kids, make them more active and teach them about more about health, healthy lifestyle and maybe even donate some monthly money to support them, you know, to support their careers,

support young athletes, musicians, kids with artistic talent, how you say, like, artistic talents? Yeah, yeah. Artistic talents and all of these types, you know, because

it doesn't matter if you want to be an athlete, a successful athlete or a physician or a singer or painter. You have to be disciplined. You have to work hard. And you have to believe in yourself. It's awesome first. So I want to help them. Absolutely.

And again, you're still going to be around fighting. I know you're never going to be not around fighting. You mentioned getting into management. Of course, you were an incredible ambassador to the sport. I'm sure you're going to continue to do that. I'm sure you're still going to come over and visit your team over to American Top. team, Mikey Brown, all those guys. So you're still very much going to be involved with the sport,

even if you're not fighting. You've got a million things going on in the fight business as well. Oh, definitely. You know, it's sad that after a few years I had to leave American top team, but definitely I will be, I will be back because then Lambert is like father to me, you know, he's, he's amazing, you know. He doesn't have to do all of. He is doing for us, all of us.

And he's, he's just amazing. Richie, Primo, all of the coaches, but definitely I have left so many friends, teammates in the gym and definitely I feel like I will be back there, you know, to help them, prepare. I will try to support them as much as I can because they are my family. Yeah, absolutely. Yoha, I know you said at the start, you know, you really haven't had a chance to sit back and like think about how big your legacy is, but let me tell you, is someone who is covered your career and I would say

gotten to know you over the years I think what you've done in this sport is incredible you are a pioneer you are a legend you are a Hall of Famer you're amazing and here's the thing you want I told your manager this right after the fight I said you're retired from fighting but you're not getting rid of me I'm sorry

you're not getting rid of me I'm sorry I'm very happy I'm very happy and I really feel like you know this conversation is hard to me because I have so much love to you and I always love talking to you and you deliver the true you deliver like nice topics and you deliver the truth to people you know you show them who we really are outside the octagon outside the cage and I really love it about you and but yeah yeah but it's it's very emotional for me it's hard you know even sometimes I feel like I can't I can't speak properly

because yeah, yeah, but definitely I'm waiting to, I'm looking forward to talk to you even more. Yeah, well, I look forward to talking to you about the race. I'm excited for this race car thing. I want to see the racing, Yonah, so I'm very excited for that for the future and everything else you have going on. I know you're going to be busier than ever, and I always appreciated that you've given me the time over the years. And like I said, unfortunately, you're stuck with me. I'm not going to, you're not getting rid of me. but thank you so much for the time

Yowna I really do appreciate it unfortunately we will have people out there but I'm not going to be there but yeah we will I would give you a big hug man but I will see you I will see you around so

you will see me I promise it's a nod to talk to you again and and guys I love you all and it's hard I still have to digest I'm not sad you know I'm very happy very happy to be back to family.

You know who is the happiest person? Because of I'm retired, my mom. She's super happy. Because, yeah, it's so funny. And I'm happy. And everyone is like when like people meet me or family members or our friends, they are like, congrats, how are you feeling? And then I'm happy, I'm happy.

She's the happiest person in the world right now, you know, that helps me. lovely daughter retired from this brutal, brutal sport, you know. But I'm always going to be a child for my mom, you know, even I'm taking care of them sometimes. But yeah, she's the happiest person. But guys, believe in yourself and I will be around. I love you. I love you all.

I can't wait to see you at the International Fight Week and all the EFSI events. Absolutely. Yohanna, thank you, as always for the time. I can't wait to speak to you again in the future safe travels over to Las Vegas. And as I said, we will speak again soon, I'm sure. I will put lots of cameras into my car on my car. So I will share the videos with you and you will see me competing but in the racing car as a driver. I can't wait.

I can't wait, Yohanna. We'll talk soon, okay? Bye. Bye. Bye-bye. Love you. Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

A big thank you, of course, to the legend. and Yawanna and Jacek, I am truly honored that she gave me her first interview after deciding to call it a career. Look forward to whatever she has else going on in the world. Of course, we talked about race car driving. She, of course, was at International Fight Week last week at UFCX, signing autographs, taking photos and making an appearance at the event. I'm quite sure we're going to see a lot of her. She also mentioned, of course, moving into the management side of business. A few people, I would imagine, know this sport better than someone like Yawanna.

So look forward to whatever she has going on in the future. Our second interview of the day is an interview that I dropped a matter of days ago again on video. This is the first version on podcast. And that is with Jorge Mazadol, who of course is one of the busiest guys in the sport beyond his own fight career. He's now a promoter with his own couple of promotions, GameBright FC and Icon FC. And Icon FC is going to be going to Georgia for the first time in August. So we talk about his plans to debut in Georgia, but also, of course, catching up with Jorge, about what's next with him.

We talk Connor McGregor. We talk Gilbert Burns. We talk Leon Edwards. We talk a lot of stuff. So enjoy this interview with Jorge Gamebred Mazvedal. He is the first and only ever UFC BMF champion. He's also the man who will bring Icon FC to Savannah George on August 5th, turning into a promoter too, man, on top of everything else. Jorge, GameBred, Mazvedal.

Jorge, how are you? Very good, my brother. How are you doing? I am fantastic. Thank you for taking it. time to chat with me. Of course, I just mentioned you're bringing your promotion icon FC to Savannah, Georgia.

Coming up on August 5th. How did Georgia become a destination? Was this something you always had in your mind? How did this one happen? This one, not what we wanted to do shows in Georgia's like our sister state, but one thing led to another. We were looking for venues

and we found some great venues in Savannah, Georgia. We started doing more research. People here are red-blooded there You know, they want to see fights. They want that action, you know, so we did a little bit more research. We put some failures out there, and we're like, man, this market's going to be great. And so far up to date, we're like 40% sold out on the tables already.

We're moving great. You know, it's looking good for us. Yeah. How has promoter live been for you, Jorge? I mean, I know you wear a lot of hats. You know, you're a fighter, of course. You know, first and foremost, you're a father. You're, you know, you've been around the sport forever, training partner, coach, all these different things you do.

but how is promoter? How do you enjoy being a promoter? Shout to the American top team because we crushed it last night on Bellator. And I was more of a teammate in that aspect. But yeah, I've worn all the hats and fighting, maybe except actually be a cut, man. Other than that, I've worn every other hat.

You know, I love it. I love to fight. Since I got into fighting, I always thought, not in the initial stage, but after some time, and I was like, man, I would like to have a promotion to treat fighters a certain way. Take some of these things out,

add some of these things in there. and keep it going and, you know, the opportunity came. I partnered up with some great partners to run these events, and I was like, I'm going to do it. I'm going to do a full blast, just like fighting. I'm going to put everything that I got into it. I'm going to take out a lot of the things that I don't like. I didn't like personally as a fighter having to go through.

And try to make it as easy as possible for these guys, get them as much exposure and pay them, you know, as much as we possibly can at that stage. It's funny. I talked to some of the guys who fought for Habib over in Eagle, and they say that, you know, fighting for a fighter is a different feeling than just fighting for a promoter. Now, it's not to take away what the UFC has done, Dana White guys like that, but they say

fighting for a fighter is different because you know what they go through, whether we're talking about the weight cut, the travel, the fight week stuff, media, whatever it is. Like, they say it's a different feeling fighting for a fighter. Have you kind of experienced that well as a promoter? Like, it's a different role having a fighter as your promoter versus just some business guy. One million percent, like these guys know I lived it. day and night. I only got here because of these. I didn't get here because I was great at posting pictures on Twitter and things like that. I got here because of these. So these guys know when I

tell them, hey, before you go out there, go get your 15 seconds of fame if you want. You know, it's there for you to take. You snatched somebody stole away. People are talking about it on Monday morning. You're on the paper. Dean Martin's interview and the ball just keeps rolling and bowling and bowling and you just never know, guys. So when they hear like these words for me, they know like, man, this guy really lived it. It just came from street fighting to where he's at now. So it's not, um, it's not rocket signs to them, you know? And I love it because a lot of the guys will come up to me. I'm like, man, I know you're going to be watching. I'm going to put on the show. I'm going to be the face of this promotion. And I love the hearing. And it's just that fighter to fighter energy,

you know, it's fucking amazing. Yeah, absolutely. To that point, I mean, you are scouting, you know, and bringing in guys who are going to be the next big thing. Of course, your last card, everyone was talking about Bo Nickel. I know that's a guy, you know, very well. I've interviewed Boa. I actually interviewed him before that fight. phenomenal prospect. How fun is it for that part of it? Like scouting these prospects, bringing you guys in to fight on the card who could be the next, you know, the next

Jorge Mazadol, you know, potentially. That's very fun. You know, we have a very close-nitch team that we've been in the space of MMA for a while. It's like five of us, four of us, that have kind of grown up together me and fighting them as managers,

promoters, all types of things. So we sit together and we start to go through tape and, you know, Dean Martin says he likes someone. and so on Massford. I was like, I don't really like this guy. And then the other guy's like, yeah, I really like this guy. And then we bring him on the show and then it's like who was right, who was wrong. So it's definitely amazing.

It's kind of like a fantasy football league, but of great fighters that are making a great saber. The scouting of the talent, it's fun, you know, it's like a bunch of us sitting together. Just like, hey, I like this guy, like that guy, if we're not together or something, we're just sending videos to each other. Hey, check out this knockout. Hey, check out this guy. What he said in an interview? What do you think?

You know, so the process is very organic. and it's what I love to do the most in the world. It's fighting and watching fights. So it comes pretty natural. Yeah, I know from watching your interview you did a little while back with Ariel where you talked about like, you know, some people who do businesses, you're just a figurehead. You're just there to sell because, you know, you're the name.

But in your case, you said you put your hands in everything from the matchmaking to picking the fighters to promoting. You are like a full-on promoter in this event. Has that been enjoyable? Have you learned, you know, can in your own role because you've been doing a lot of different things. For my understanding at ICON FC, you do a lot of different things. Like, you're not just there to be to face the organization. You're doing the matchmaking. You're doing the pick and the fighters. You're helping promote the event. Like, it's a lot of hats you're wearing

inside the promotion. Oh, definitely right here. We're in Savannah, Georgia, and all day long, I'll just be promoting. I'm going to go to the event. Have, like, another five, six interviews. I already did like three radio stations here in Savannah. I'm going to go some local channels now, so it's constantly, you know, you're working. I could just sit back and collect the check and just, hey, you guys put my name on it, but then I wouldn't want my name on it. You get what I'm saying, because if the fights are shitty, if you don't like the fights, Dean, and the fights are lacklust, or we see that the card is completely one-sided,

and it's not the type of fights that you want to see. I'm not going to want to be a part of that, you know? So it's very easy. You guys want me a part of this? I have to have a lot of saying it, you know. It's not that I pick every single fight from the prelims on, but every fight in the main, every fight in the main card,

I have something to do with it that it gets brought to me. What do you think about so-and-so versus so-and-so, hey, how about this for the co-main event and the main event? And all of that, I have a good amount of input in every single fight, you know, as well as bringing in sponsors, being able to help guys out. That's something that I try to do a lot, just because one, I'm a fighter. I know that, hey, I can go fight. So-and-show, show, and make X, Y, Z, or I can go fighting so-and-show, make X, X, Y,

plus some sponsorships, they're going to come over here. on top that we're sending a lot of guys at an alarming rate to the big leagues guys are just signing up and we're still scouting every day looking for the country's best talent but it gets easier when they're just sending me the tape sending me the videos sending me the record saying hey i would love the fight with you i saw the last fight card i see with those guys are right now how do i get involved in icon and that is like it's just a snowball effect now right now i got some of the best guys in the country just coming at us wanting to fight for me absolutely now i know you have a lot of prospects i mentioned but i saw in this card you're also

going to be booking joe shilling a lot of people of course know Joe Schilling, a legend of the sport, kickboxing legend, just all around legend. How did that happen? How did Joe Schilling end up here? Well, initially, we won Joe Schilling the fight for GameBid F, FC, Barrenuckle, but believe it or not,

like six months later, we had to give up on that dream because nobody wants to fight Joe Schilling, Barronaq. It wasn't anything, and the price tag that people, you know, the ones that kind of considered the fight Joe Schilling, Barronocoe was unfeasible. It wasn't something that we could do, or want to do, it wouldn't be a good business plan.

So we kept talking to Joe and we're like, hey, how about, you know, gloved, you know, it might be easy to find your fight. Wrong. Still very hard to fight Joe, fight, man. We've had four guys drop out. We had two guys that had official bouts signed. Things happen, they dropped out. So if any of the fighters out there are hearing this and you'd like to fight Joe Schilling, you know,

give I kind of a shout. Yeah, I mean, talk about an opportunity. Listen, we know it's not an easy fight by any stretch of imagination, but still, what an opportunity, right? Joe Schilling's a huge name. Like, that would be a great opportunity. Like, take your shot. I know you're a guy who never turned down fights. Like, that's what you got to.

You got to take those risks, right? Like, you got to fight a gym. If you want to build a name, fight a guy like Joe Schilling. Besides, I'm going to do myself a disfavor, but, you know, in this announcement, I'm about to make. But find a guy like Joe Schilling, it's not like you had one of these wrestlers that took you down and laid on you for three rounds and 15 minutes. You talk to crap. now you find Joe Schilling, your legs are going to be very short. You're probably not going to be able to walk too well in the next day.

I might have a broken eye or some broken jaw or something. So it's not easy to match to make these guys. But it's a fight game, man. There'll be somebody out there to be like, yeah, they'll hear this right now and be like, yeah, I could fight Joe. Let's go. Yeah. Let me ask real quick. I mentioned I don't want to take the attention away from the Savannah card,

but I mentioned, of course, Bo Nicol on the last card, huge knockout. Bo might be the best prospect in the sport right now. I mean, period. Like, he may be the best prospect in mixed martial arts right now. Will you have Bo back in a future show? Is there a plan to have it back on Icon FC? If I could have Bo fighting at all of the icons of Cs. Oh, brain, but Bo is a special case.

Guys like Bo don't come out often. I don't think we're going to be able to hold on to both for much longer. It's called up to the big leagues, you know. Just a matter of time. I know there's some things in place already for some organizations. everybody's been tossing numbers at him since he's gone pro. So it's really up to Bo. You know, me personally, if I could get him for another 10 fights,

I'd love that, you know. But chances are we won't be seeing Bo, maybe one more in Icon, two more an icon, and then he's off, man. And to think that it's only one and no as a pro, that's a really crazy part. It's just one fight as a pro. Yeah, and I know, obviously,

you've worked with him in American Top Team, so you know how good this kid is. I mean, this kid's a phenom. I mean, I want to say I was when, When Beau's first days of MMA were on the mat, I was there with him, you know, grappling with him, you know, working a little bit of striking. And, I mean, the grappling is just the side of this world, man. That his style, too, because he, you know, a lot of collegiate guys are very good at taking guys down and controlling. But, you know, when you get like the number one in the country versus the number two, you always don't see that disparity or that man handling with number one or get number two and take him down, hold him down, pin him.

Bo was that guy in wrestling, you know, has the most pins at his weight class. Season after season, I think he led the country in pins as well. So it just shows, like, his work weight and his nutrition, not a guy that fades in overtime either. So I really think he's going to be hell, man, for a lot of guys at 185. It's going to be the type of guy that he took you down once, and that's all she wrote. You know, he might either submit you or just that whole round you lost because you're not getting away from this guy, you know. Mix him with the hands that he's starting to develop because the kid has natural power. I worked on with him a lot.

From all the wrestling, I guess, man, he's just like this dense, fucking little white gorilla. He hits it hurts, it hurts. You know, so, I mean, Bo's a problem. I've been talking about Boe for a while. The last guy that I was prophesizing since an amateur just became a war champion yesterday, Johnny Ebelin and Belator.

I was telling everybody about Johnny Ebelin since his amateur days. I was sending you keep your eye in the sky. Keep trying to be a war champion. Luck is definitely a factor in being a world champion. So I don't ever like to just look at somebody Be like that guy's gonna be a war champion But I do know the qualities that it takes To be a world champion

The type of speed, power, mindset, things like that, you know I'm telling you, Bo could definitely be a world champion And maybe two weight classes as well, I think. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, you mentioned Johnny Eble And I saw Mike Brown's post about him Where he told him, you know, quit your job, come live on my couch And become a full-time fighter And now here he is a freaking champion, you know, 10-5, 11 fights in

It's pretty crazy, that kid's got all kinds of talent And I agree. I think Bo Nichols got that kind of talent. I'm super high on him. I think he has got a very, very bright future ahead of him. Very, very bright future. Doesn't get tired. It has crazy power. And truly a student of the game. I pull ball aside. He has like no ego. Like, hey, man, try this, try that. He's like, let me try it. And like, right away, no ego. And I see why he's gotten so far because he's not the type of guy that's like, I, 30-time national champion. I know everything. Even in the sport of wrestling, he knows he knows. He doesn't know everything there is to know. You know, so it's amazing. I'm going to get to see his journey from amateur. I've been watching both since his collegiate days all the way now to pro, you know, and wherever else he goes. Yeah, absolutely. Jorge, I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about yourself.

Another guy. We got a heavyweight also that we sent to the UFC, Hamdi, 4-0-0-5-0-4-0-0-4-0-knockouts, also a GameBrit promotions guy. He fought in GFC, game bread fighting promotions, fight an icon, standout. He's an Egyptian national greco champion that doesn't like to wrestle. Has natural powers knocking everybody out. And he's off to the UFC, man. His contract signed, so that's another killer that was sent off. Another big prospect, you know, that's what kind of sucks with these guys.

I make these big prospects, and then I got to put them loose, you know. Yeah, but there's got to be a lot of pride there, right? Like bring him up and see him succeed and then, you know, watch them succeed in the UFC. you're fighting right alongside them. Like, that's pretty amazing. That definitely, definitely. It's amazing, you know, and now I'm going to be watching

Bowen Humdi with a microscope, you know, as they go through the whole career in the UFC and just to be like, wow, fucking, that's amazing. I've been, you know, witness to that whole journey. Yeah, absolutely. Jorge, I'd be remiss, but I didn't ask about yourself. Of course, everyone is very excited about when you're going to fight again.

I know there's been lots of talk. I know you mentioned, you know, when you're hoping to come back, looking at some potential matchups, out there. I know I'm not going to say that you've signed anything right now, but like where are we at right now? Because I know everyone's buddless and I'm not going to lie to you. You know as well as I do. Everyone's buzzed

about the Connor fight. Everyone wants the counterfeit. Does Connor want to fight? That's the problem, right? Like that... No, Connor doesn't want to fight. If he did, he'd post something, he'd say something. Probably just insult my mom or some relative of mine or my nation where I come from, you know, say something like

that, but he won't say anything about a fight or fight date. So the, the Connor thing is like, he just wants it to like, I just hope it goes away because he really doesn't want to fight. He doesn't mention, doesn't say anything. Obviously, it's maybe the biggest pay-per-view fight in history. As far as he goes, I think we'd shatter all numbers, all previous records, but Scott, for some reason, doesn't entertain him.

You know, money doesn't entertain him, though, when he makes him want to get out of his bed. I think the only thing that makes him want to get out of his bed is cocaine, and that's okay. Every man has a free will. You can do whatever you want, but don't say you're fighting, and then they'll take cheap shots at me, too, You know, especially the things that he'd be saying, talking about my legal problems and this and that.

Like, you're fucking pussy. We could do a man to man in the cage and just wants him for all figure it out and get paid a handsome reward while doing it. So that this individual doesn't want to do it, let you know. He knows what's going to happen. Yeah, it's such a big fight. And it's one of those things where you're kind of like, how would you not be interested? Like, I get it from the fight aspect. Like, of course, the danger of fighting Jorge Mazinol is there.

We know that. But, I mean, payday-wise, I don't know. that there's a bigger fight. Like, listen, I like, I understand the rivalry with Nate Diaz, but that's just not the same fight it was six years ago. You and you and Connor at this point in your career, that's a

monstrous fight. Like, that would be a huge pay-per-view. But again, like you said, maybe the risk is not worth the reward of the money. I don't know. And it's also the branding, the style of fight that I'm, I'm not going to take him down and hold him down. I'm going to get in his face, I'm going to break his jaw,

and that's not going to look good for his brain. Connor got beat up on the feet. Connor got out stroka. He doesn't sit well with him or his team. But if it did, you'd shortly hear him say something back to this or something, you know, because everybody's going to be sending in this interview. What is he going to do? Yeah.

Did you hear the rumor that they were talking about maybe him doing the rematch with Floyd? Did you hear this rumor? No, I didn't hear this rumor. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know if it's true or not. I heard the rumor because he posted something on Instagram. Like, I accept and there was this rumor. I was like, do we really need to see that again?

Like again, really? Do we need to see that again? Listen, I'm never going to fall anymore for making money. I promise you. Like, if he wants to go make money, you know? But making money, like, are people going to want to see Floyd and Connor again? People are going to shut out $85 to see that, especially now with inflation on the crazy shit going in the country?

I think they're about to save it for the gas pump. Yeah, I agree. Now, with the Connor fight, now, that's just a massive fight. We all know. It's the fight that the entire world would tune in to watch. But I know another guy that has mentioned your name, very respectful. and I did an interview with him a couple weeks ago, could not have said nicer things about you

in terms of wanting to fight as Gilbert Burns. You know, it's kind of like the complete polar opposite of Connor. Gilbert has been praising you. And he said, I'll sign the contract, no takedowns. Let's go. Let's have a fun fight. Does Gilbert interest you? No, no, no.

I don't want Gilbert to sign no contract. There's no taketons. Do your game, my brother. Do what's got in here. I know he's a world champion in BJJ. I'm trying to work on my grappling over to get a better. So do everything that God has allowed. you to do and bless you to do. Definitely a fight that interests me. Before the counterfight

came up, that's someone that called me out and I was like, man, this is a guy that comes to fight. Not the whole world doesn't know him, but they will because, man, he comes to fight. He's going to try to choke you out, knock you out, and just has a good, good style. I like to fight once some of these liberal issues that I got going on kind of, you know, then I'm setting a date. That's another reason why we're not setting dates right now because they just got to figure out some things, you know, and then we'll lock it in, you know? Yeah. Do you think we'll see you back before the end of the year? That is my goal is definitely to be back before the end of the year.

So we've got to put all the ducks in a row, make sure everything is correct. Some things you're like slightly out of my hand, so I can't say 100% I'll be competing this year. But if it's up to me, 100% of competing this year. Yeah. Now, I know you already mentioned somebody in another interview, so we'll make you rehash what you said. Of course, you heard Leon Edwards say, if he becomes champion, he wants to defend the title against you. Of course you're going to take that fight. Why wouldn't you take that fight?

That's, you know, a no-brainer. But can I ask your opinion? Do you see Leon beating Kamar Usman? That's the better question. Like, I know you would take the Leon Edwards fight, but do you actually see him beating Kamar Usman? I don't tell you truth. I think with the, you know, it's a fight. Anything could happen.

There's no thousand percent winning for anybody. I believe in the sport. I don't care even if they're undefeated. It's just a matter of time in a way. I think that Oussman wins more times than Leon wins if they were to fight five times. He's a little bit more complete. And I think at the end of it, just to wrestling, it'll come down to the wrestling, really, to tell you the truth.

I think on the feet, Leon's a little bit more polished, maybe better set up, more variety of attacks. But what Ousman is wrestling, I think he'll keep Leon honest to where he won't open up how to it. I usually win a lot of guys. I see Usman. Yeah. They always say styles make fights.

And I mean this with the utmost respect. Like you and Nate Diaz, I love Nate. Naccio, been around the sport, all these kind of things. I think you will always be a bad matchup for Nate Diaz. I don't care what Nate Diaz does between now and Infinity. You'll never be a good matchup for him. And I kind of think the same thing about Leon. I like Leon.

I know a lot of people dislike Leon. I like Leon. Stylistically, though, I think you're a bad matchup. for him and I think that's going to be a bad matchup, whether it's now, today, tomorrow, next week, next month. Like, I feel like I would still like to see that fight, but I feel like you're always going to be kind of a bad matchup for Leon Edwards. Yeah, I think naturally I'm just faster than him.

I know I'm smaller than him. I have more power. We find a lot of common opponents and he couldn't do anything to him, but, you know, give him a split decision. You know, I put those same guys in stretches. So, you know, I do very well with the strikers that everybody knows. It's like those high-end wrestlers, those guys that they've wrestled since they're seven years old. They could take me out of my comfort zone, put me on my back, and not allow me to use all my tools where I have some problems, you know.

Leon's not that guy. He doesn't have that next-level wrestling or endurance. I don't, I don't see him. I know he takes a lot of guys down, but the caliber of takedowns and the opponents that he does it to, it's not me, you know. So I don't see his grappling being a problem for me. And the striking, I welcome it. Let's find out. Let's go.

Yeah, I know you get. I know you talk a lot about working on your wrestling and grappling. You probably don't remember this, Jorge, but a few years ago, I was down at American Top Team. I was doing some stuff with Yawanna-Jechek, and I was at a grappling session during the pro day. And I saw you grapple with Shoeface, Antonio Carlos Jr. It was a full grapple. And that was a fun grappling session. Like, there was no, like, he, and, to be clear, shoe-face is a huge guy.

Like, he's a monstrous guy. So people like to give you grief for, like, grappling and wrestling. But you actually have very legit grappling and wrestling. Listen, there's no fault in that. You know what I'm saying? I saw you grapple, one of the best grapplers in the world. And it was fun. Like, you guys were scrambling.

You guys were scrapping. It was a lot of fun. So I know you're working on it, but I'm just saying, like, it's not like, you know, it's this huge detriment. You've got those skills, you know, again, I'm just saying. Not you need me to defend you, but I'm just saying. And it's not like I started doing this, like, a fighter two ago. I've always worked on my grappling because I've always known,

God bless me with hands, reflexes, and. just natural endurance for striking. For wrestling, since the first day I got on the mat until today, I've always known I don't have those same gifts and abilities in wrestling. So I've always put more time in wrestling. Because I know if a guy takes me off my feet, I can't use my God-givant tools for more. So I've always put in tremendous amount of work with good grapplers,

like, shoe face, which is the PFL tool 5 champ, you know. Down at the gym, guys like bone nickel that's bigger than me, it's just it's not even competitive with me. Whenever there's a great grappling in the ATT, and we get them by the tons, you know. We got Gamrat right now coming up to fight Armand for the main event. And Gamera, it's a heavy wrestler. Guess who was helping him out for this fight camp?

Me, you know, I was working out with Johnny Ebbling a lot. Temei Gaygar and Musassi, Johnny was just using his style that he was going to use in a fight. Punch, punch, get to a takedown, slam him on your head, keep punching, you know. So I'm constantly in the grappling. I actually grapple maybe 60, 70 percent of my gym time is. spent just grappling, whether it be offense or defense, just to get better at there. So it's one of those things that's a work in progress. Absolutely.

Well, I know you're always busy, Jorge. And, of course, with the, you've also got some grappling stuff coming up. You've got a grappling team coming up, don't you? That's coming up, too, right? Yeah, speaking of Bo, he's one of my grapplers. So is Enrique Coco, Miami, Florida native guy. I grew up with this kid, man. He is phenomenal grappler submissions from everywhere.

like man this dude's special with the submission so I'm looking forward to seeing PJA barts is also on our team and we've got one more guy but it's just name is slipping me right now is it is it Craig Jones is that the one I'm gonna get you get mad at me Craig Craig yeah Craig Jones man I got these four killers um just gonna stick them loose on the world bow nickel and Craig Jones are the same team that's kind of scary worry like that's a little that's a little terrifying for the grapplers out there those two are nasty and um I think since the last time that people saw just both straight grappling to now, they might find him obviously still going to have the powerhouse takedowns,

outscramble anybody in the durs through the roof. But he has, without saying too much, he has added some pretty damn good submissions to his arsenal where he's just been drilling them day, night, night and day, and then I go with him, I'm like, well, you're not the same guy you were seven, eight months ago, you know? And obviously, if we're talking about position, elite versus, like, like, both have the best position.

Like they're just going to end up on top more times or not. You know, they're going to be able to outscramble, everybody, get on top. Now it's him learning that top game, how to not get caught while navigating through the guard and then continue to apply that pressure. So I think Bow's going to make some heads turn again at the grappling event. Yeah, absolutely. Well, Jorge, we all look forward to you fighting again. As the guy has covered your career going back many, many, many years, I always look forward

to you fighting. That being said, I'm glad you got all these other things going on because you're never not busy. You've got all the promotion things you're doing. You got Icon FC coming up in August. You got the grappling thing coming up in a matter of days. Whether you're fighting or not, we're always going to be watching. I guess that's the most important part, right? We're always going to be paying attention to whatever Jorge Maswithal does.

Thank you, my brother. August 5th, you're about to see the nation's best throwdown, and we're going to find out who's going to be the next guy to go on and get world titles, break faces and stuff. So I love this sport, and this sport loves me. You know, it's like we're yin and yang in this sport. The sport is me and I'm the sport, you know? I love it. Jorge, thank you again for the time. I really do appreciate it.

Look forward to the card on August 5th, and we'll talk again soon, okay? Thank you, brother. Always a pleasure, man. Have a good one. A big thank you again to Jorge Mazvedal. Of course, also a big thank you to his American top team teammate. Yonanahue and J-check for being on the show. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled program next week with a regular show with guests and everything like that. Also, to kind of give you guys a heads up later in July, there will be a two-week gap without fighter versus rider. I'm actually taking a vacation.

for the first time in about three years. Pretty excited about that. Going to Sandy Eagle Comic-Con for about a week, and I'm going to be off for a couple weeks from work. So stay tuned. That will be at the end of July. But for now, we'll get back to our regularly scheduled program next week with a regular episode of Fighter versus Rider,

breaking things down, and talking to fighters leading into a couple more big events coming up. Of course, Ortega versus Rodriguez is coming up, the show on ABC, and, of course, the UFC London card, and we will have Curtis Blades back as a co-host for one of those episodes to preview his fight coming up with Tom Aspinall. So make sure you're tuning in for both of those episodes coming up in the very near future. A big thank you once again to Jorge Mazdaal. A big thank you again to Yuanian and Jay Check for the interviews. I definitely

appreciate that. And we will see you guys next week with another edition of the Fighter versus the Rider. Thanks so much for tuning in. We'll see you then.