MMA Fighting - HOAM | Reaction To Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev At UFC 280, Dana White's Response To Nate Diaz

Episode Date: July 19, 2022

Islam Makhachev will get his opportunity to fight for the vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira in Abu Dhabi at October's UFC 280 event. What will that mean for Oliveira should he get another big win in the 155-pound division? On an-all new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck reacts to the matchmaking and if a Conor McGregor fight is in play for Oliveira with a victory over the surging protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov. In addition, listeners ask questions about Yair Rodriguez's win over Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC Long Island, Alexander Volkanovski's potential move up to 155 to fight for a second title, what could help boost the UFC 278 and UFC 279 fight cards, who Frankie Edgar could face in his final fight in November at UFC 281, and much more. You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Available now, only from Audible. The Vox Media Podcast Network. Buddy, it is Tuesday, July 19th, 2020, and it is indeed a heck of a morning live on the enemy fighting Twitter spaces. and shortly thereafter on the MMA fighting podcasting network, I am Mike Heck. Hope you all had a great weekend. Hope you're having a great start to the week.

It's going to be a very busy one in the world of combat sports. MMA, we have the return of Bellator this Friday in beautiful Tacoma, Washington. Main event, a big one in the Bellator welterweight division between the former champion Douglas Lima and the Surgeoning, contender in Jackson. It's actually a pretty strong card. It should be a good watch from start to finish. Really like the Bellator card, a lot of prospects, a lot of big matchups, some names you

would recognize, a little bit of everything on this Bellator card. UFC's back in London on Saturday. You know, that's going to be fun. You know, the London crowd's going to be up for this thing from start to finish. The main event, local hero Tommy Aspinall, looking to maybe get himself into a title fight of some kind when he takes on the always tough, always dangerous Curtis razor blades. That card is solid as well.

We were coming off of UFC Long Island, which was a really fun card. The ending to that one, maybe not so much. But, yeah, your Rodriguez gets a victory over Brian Ortega. This is not the way anybody drew it up. It's not the way that Brian Ortega certainly wanted it to happen. Probably not the way Yaiyar Rodriguez wanted it to happen. The fans, the UFC,

pretty much everybody involved. But it is what it is. We don't take anything away from Yaya Rodriguez. It's just a freak thing that happened. And now the whole talk is, what do we do at 145 pounds? What do we do? We heard from Yair.

We heard from Dana White. We've heard from Alexander Volkovsky. the MMA hour yesterday. Even Volcanovsky is on board for an interim title fight. Let's just do that. Let the division sort itself out. Maybe Vulcan go up to 155 and challenge for that title. The more I think about it, the more I don't love that idea.

But if they do it, I'm certainly going to watch. I do feel like Volcanovsky is pound for pound, the best fighter in the world as of right now. Who knows what happens on August 20th when Kamar Rusman fights Leon Edwards. If Rusman wins, probably inches his way back into that number one spot. But who knows? 145 is fun. It's loaded. It's deep.

And it's kind of a mess at the top. And I feel like this is not the only division where that is the case. 155 also is kind of like that. But hopefully we have, at least we'll have some answers. We'll have a champion at least come October because it was officially announced that Charles Oliva is heading to Abu Dhabi to fight Islai. on Mokachev for the vacant lightweight title. So a lot going on.

A lot going on. And I'm here to talk about it with all of you. I see a lot of people lined up. We're going to get to the calls in a minute. But before you do that, I just want to say something real quick. I feel like I've done a pretty good job of spreading the love of trying to get everybody in. Yes, there are certain shows where we have just a lot of people who want to come in and give their thoughts on stuff. and I only have a certain amount of time to do the show.

Okay, I have like an hour, maybe I can go a little bit longer, but for the most part, I'm doing this in the middle of a shift. So I have to do this, get it edited, get it produced, get it on the podcast network, and then I have to go back and do other things that I have to do. Like for today, I have articles to write. I have interviews to do with fighters. So I can only spend so much time on here. I would love to do the show for four hours.

That would be the best. I would love to do that. I just cannot do that. So if you are in line and I can't get to you, please don't take it personally. It is not you. It's me. I feel like I'm breaking up with my first girlfriend when I say that. But seriously, that's what it is.

Like I can only take so many at a time. And sometimes the order, at least on the screen, gets shuffled up a little bit. So sometimes, like, I don't even see it until the very end. So please bear with me. Please don't be insulted if I don't choose you. it's not a personal thing. It's just the way that it works out sometimes. All right?

I feel like I'm pretty fair and try to get everybody in. So I'm going to do the same thing here. All right. And we're going to start off with my man, Tristan Gordette, who I didn't get to on Friday, but we're going to get to him right now.

Tristan, how are you? Hey, Mike. How's everything? What's up, buddy? Nothing much. Went to the Long Island Card. It was a great experience. Just, you know,

problem with the end and everything like that. I mean, all the cards was great. The match, Schnell fight was absolutely. phenomenal against Osumadarages. There's the thing is about, I didn't even know, I think, I found out, Sumadarji came in with an injury with an ACL injury. Because I noticed, when I was there, I was like, why does he have knee sleeves on? I'm like, oh, that's not good.

That's not a good sign because I remember the last time I remember that happening was Frances of Gano. So I'm like, oh, okay, yeah, that kind of, that's not good. So I think Sumadji announced that I think he's going to have to have an ACL surgery. So he's going to be out for a while as far. And then, again, the Misha Tate versus Lauren Murphy, Misha looked slow in there. Like, I mean, it was, I was watching it from there,

and I'm like, yeah, something's not right. I mean, I don't know, Lauren Murphy was just piecing her up the whole entire time. I liked how Murphy fought that fight. She in and out, piece her up. And then, you know, she called out for the now, Manel and Faro versus Caitlin Chakigan. It was cool to see Caitlin Chakigan there.

watching the fights live. Al Jermaine came through as well. And then I think Aaron Blanchfield was there watching the fights as well too. So that was just overall pretty good experience, pretty great card. You know, just sucked at a Ritega, you know, pop the shoulder.

I mean, yeah, I'm not gonna lie. Yeah, he'll look quick on the feet, which was awesome. He was throwing some great combinations, kicks and everything. So that was, it was just overall a great experience going to my first. fight night cards. I thought that was great

and everything. Moving forward, as far as Volcanovsky is concerned, I just don't like, I don't like that, I don't like him. You know, I understand he has ambitions, he wants to challenge himself to move up to lightweight, but I just, I don't want to see that. I want him, listen, heal up, get ready, you know, hopefully they'll make the interim fight with Yair and Emmett, and then, you know, just wait and then

have that fight, you know, because, listen, I think, do you think, do you think, because I think either if Charles Olivera or Islam, either, either, or I think they're going to turn him down because I think if Charles fights wins the belt, I think he's going to sit and wait for the Connor. I really do. I think he's going to turn both down and be like, no, I'm fighting Connor. and then if Islam wins I think he because and also I don't know

I'm hearing this this is a rumor this is not confirmed nothing like that MMA fighting has not confirmed it or anything but what I'm hearing there's a rumor that in the words possibly there could be Dustin Porier versus Benio Dereux

so I'm hearing that but I obviously it's probably not I don't know it's probably maybe made up or something, but I was just throwing that out there. I don't know, but we'll see. But I think Islam probably most likely would want to be a Neil Darrya's title shot, the first shot, because that guy's on the win streak

and those two should have been able to fight. He kind of owes it to him. So I just want your thoughts on that whole thing. And thanks for everything, Mike. Didn't want to take out too much of your time. Just, you know, just had to get my thoughts out there. Thanks, Mike. Thanks, buddy.

Yeah, I don't know. I mean, we'll see what happens at 155. Like, I felt, I felt after Olavera be Justin Gaci, I actually felt like Volcanovsky had a real good chance to get that fight. But now seeing how this all played out and seeing that it's happening in Abu Dhabi, and I've been saying this for a while, if I'm O'Ovara, the only way I'm taking that flight in Abu Dhabi is if Connor is next. If I'm getting the red panty night.

Otherwise, why would you go? there. Why would you go to enemy territory? Again, especially when there's a card in Brazil that's coming up a couple months later, especially when there's a card at MSG, which that fight could have easily headlined, it would have been a very big deal at MSG. So you have to think that Connor is at least in the discussion here, that, all right, dude, like, you really want the Connor fight, you have to go to Abu Dhabi and fight this guy. And this is one of those things where Oliver getting supremely overlooked. Again, it's crazy.

It's crazy. How many times people keep sleeping on Charles Olivero? Like, what else does this man have to do? It's insane. Opened as a pretty sizable dog. I think Machachev opened as like a minus 255 favorite. I think some money has come in on Oliver since then. But man, Oliver, like, what else is this guy have to do to get some respect around here?

It's crazy. It's crazy. The other thing you mentioned was the Porreux B'Neil thing. This was Benile's manager doing interviews and trying to put something out into the universe that from all accounts is not wholly accurate. In fact, Dustin Porriere went to Twitter and said fake news yesterday. So I just don't think like that fight for Dustin right now doesn't make a whole lot of sense. when he could fight Chandler or could fight Diaz or I don't think the Diaz fight happens

I'm sure we'll probably hear about that the back and forth between Dana and Diaz continuing on but if I'm Poria like where's this is the benefit of fighting Benile right now there's just really none like I feel like Dustin's not really in the title conversation at least right now maybe if Machachev wins that changes

but I mean it's just not a it's just not a great fight for Dustin. I think Dustin's smart enough to realize that. Now, if that's what's offered and that's the only thing available to Dustin, then maybe he takes it. But Dustin, his team, Mike Brown has said a few times, like he wants to see Pori

go up to 170 and just have fun fights. Like, what else does Dustin need to do at this point? So I hate that fight for Dustin. It's a good fight for Benile. But if I'm Benile, I'm just, I'm getting in shape. I'm staying ready for October. because if something happens between either Olivera or Makachev, something happens and they can't make it, who's the first guy that's getting a phone call?

It's got to be Benil Darius, especially if it's Olivera that gets hurt. Because Dana White continues to say the fight he wants is Mokachev versus Daryush. So if I'm Darius, I'm not entertaining any other fight right now. I'm just hanging out until October. That phone rings. I'm answering and I'm getting ready. preparing the fight in October. Now, if it happens great, if it doesn't,

not a big deal. Then you fight maybe an MSG or you fight in December. But yeah. And then with the UFC Long Island card, a lot of, Lauren Murphy, great win. I thought you looked great.

I couldn't believe the amount of people who were just like, Misha's just going to run Lauren Murphy over and go fight Valentina. I don't bet on MMA. I don't place these bets. However, if I were to place one single bet on that card,

I would have put the house on Lauren Murphy at dog money. Because I just, I knew that was going to happen. I just knew like a lot of people like, well, Misha's coming down from 35. She's going to be way bigger. No, no, she's not. Lauren was a 35 or two. She's a vink strong woman. She was a 35er as well.

And I said once they face off, you're going to see that Lord is maybe even bigger than Misha Tate. And it showed Misha couldn't win any of the grappling exchanges. Lauren Eusha strength to keep the fight where she wanted to go. She beat Misha Tate up. And now Lauren is going to, as she says, go to Paris. John Anick breaking some news on the broadcast that Androja's out and Chukagin's back in. And here we go. Full circle for Manafioro.

And I know that ESPN came out yesterday. It was Brett Akamoto, as a matter of fact. It's out there for the world to see you, said that Caitlin Chukagin said that she was never offered. and she never agreed to fight Manifioro on that Paris car, no contracts were ever signed, despite reports saying otherwise. I could assure you that maybe that's not the case, but according to people I talk to within the UFC, that fight was happening in September.

Now, the UFC has been known to do this, where they just put fights out there, maybe they offer them, maybe it hasn't been accepted, and then you say, okay, it's happening. because if you looked on the UFC website before Jessica Androge's image was on there. So there you go.

But a lot to impact from Laga and I'm sure we'll get to a lot of that in a moment. Let's get to Navin or Navin. Hello, sir. Are you there? Make sure you're on mute. Hello. Unmute.

Hello. Hey, we got you. What's up, buddy? I'm going to hold you. Good. So actually my concern was regarding Darren Till. I heard that he's cornering Curtis this week. Is it actually true?

The action man Curtis? I don't know. Chris Curtis certainly says that it's happening. So I would guess Darren is going to be in the building. So yeah. And when Darren's in the United States, as you saw when Hamzaa Shamiap is getting ready to fight Gilbert Burns, they both trained at Extreme Couture. Chris Curtis trains at Extreme Couture

so Chris knows Darren Till very well So I would say there's a strong possibility That's the case But I guess we won't really know until Maybe Friday or Saturday When we see Chris Curtis come out and fight And if Darren's going to be in this corner Is Comsett also cornering Hermanson

Is Hamzat cornering Hermanson? I don't think so Maybe I don't know Good question Anything else I am No, that's actually a good situation. We need to check what they do. Yeah, I mean, that'd be pretty hilarious, right?

We got Till and Shamiyaf on opposite corners. That'd be nuts. I would say Shemai F would probably corner Curtis before, but I don't know if we'll see Shemayev in London. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't know. We'll see. When I got a great deal on a great gift at winners, I started wondering, could I get fabulous gifts for everyone on a

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our Black Friday offers won't last. Shop now at IKEA.ca.ca. Black Friday. IKEA, bring home to life. Let's go to Four Corner Sports. What's up, buddy? Good. And I agree with the first.

Four quarter, you're going to have to hop back in, man. You're breaking up like crazy. Try again. I'll get you right up to the front. Let's get Australian talk in here. Are you there, sir? Yeah, good-day, Mike. Thanks for all your good analysis, as always.

Love it, mate. Jake Paul is an interesting guy, so we're looking forward to that fight. But what about the ultimate Australian card? If we were going to put together an ultimate card to take place here later on the year in Australia, hopefully it could include Volcanovsky, Taitoivasa, Kai Kara France, Robert Whitaker, add a few more names to that, mate, and tell me some good fights we could have, and obviously the world would tune in. Yeah, man, I think the USC has to go there.

I think they have to go there. I think Adasania probably headlines that card. Volcanovsky probably fights on that card. I know he wants to fight for the 155-fond title on that card. If all of Averr wins, I don't think he has any interest in traveling to Australia to fight Volcanovsky, unless he gets the Conner fight first.

I don't know. I feel like a lot of these are just got to wait and see before I could start pairing these cards together. Whitaker, I mean, Wittaker's already got a fight in Paris. We have to see how that fight with Martin Vittori pans out. Maybe do like Robert Whitaker versus Sean Strickland. That would be kind of, Whitaker would be so over in that situation,

especially with a lot of things that he has said about Adasania in the past, including recently where he called him the B word. Jake Matthews would have to be on that card, one would assume. Jamie Malarkey would probably be on that card against somebody who can swing them things. So, yeah, we just loaded up with town. Jack Delamette. Alana would probably be on the car. I mean, there's just so many,

there's so many fun options we could do there. We just load it up with local talent and get after it. Sprinkle in the occasional thing, but I mean, you got, you got multiple guys who hold titles, so you could definitely do it. You could sell at a big stadium. So, yeah.

But Jake Matthews should probably be on that card. That guy's stock has rose tremendously since UFC 275. And I can't wait to see who that guy fights next. Let's go to, Peter or Peotter, what's going on, my man? Hey, how's it going today? Good. What's up? So I'm just going to bring it back to the New York card.

Obviously, the main event didn't go fully as planned. It was looking like we were in for a great fight up until Ortega popped his shoulder. But I saw an interesting take by Chal Stone, and I just want to get your opinion on it. It was ruled like the TKL, right? but he was, his arm was in danger of the arm bar from the bottom attack from, yeah, year. But it looked like he was trying to just yank it out instead of properly, you know, going to technique and doing what he, I'm sure he's trained for. And then, you know, when he gets out, that's when his shoulder popped.

And Chale said, you know, that's not the proper way to get out. and ultimately he was holding onto that arm and he tried yanking it and then he popped his shoulder. So technically it could be ruled a submission and that is a clear win by Yair. I think it's a interesting take. I just wanted to see what your thoughts were on that. Yeah, I mean, it could be,

but I think it's just the way that it was because I think, I don't know like how the rules are written, but I'm trying to look back at certain situations. where we're in that boat, but maybe the rules have changed since that. But if it's not like, like a submission is, I mean, if a guy falls asleep or whatever, could be, but most of, most of all, it's a tap or it's a verbal submission. I just think of the situation. No one really knew what was happening.

No one really knew, like, how the arm snapped. It's just kind of a split second thing. So, I mean, either way, it's a stoppage win. It could have been a submission, just the way that it went down. But I guess the big point that I'll make is, and I've gone back and I've watched it and I've watched how the fight ended a few different times from a few different angles.

At first I was like, well, we didn't really learn much. Yai'er probably shouldn't get a title fight. And then the more I sort of watched it and dove into it, the more I realized that the logistics of it look really strong for Yai Yer Rodriguez. Like really, really strong. Like he was, I'm not going to say, say he was like completely the reason why, but at least the logistics look good where

Yaiyar contributed to the shoulder for sure. So the more I've seen it, the more I realized that Yair, I gave him credit for the win anyways, but the more so that I watch it and the more I've seen it, especially the finish, is that Yair was the guy that was leading the dance, so to speak, in that moment. And he should get more credit for the win. He should get more credit for the finish. And a lot of people didn't really want to give him that at first. And maybe I didn't give him enough credit early on, but I give him a little bit more now. So I don't know if I still don't think he's going to get Volkadovsky next because I think Volkinovsky needs to heal up. And I think Volkinovsky is, I actually agree with him. Like no one has really, as much as I give you,

I air credit for the win, like no one is, there is no unequivocal number one contender at 145. And that's something that Volkadovsky continues to call for and is wanted for a long time. He just wants somebody to like set themselves apart, be the guy. And we don't really have that. So whether you do an interim

title or you just, or you don't do an interim title, Emmett Yai is the fight to make. That's it. Like just do that. I know some people are on the side of, well, you can't just throw interim titles out there. It's dumb, especially in

Volcanovsky just defended the title earlier in this same month. And I understand that. And then there's the other side that's like, well, what's the issue with the interim title? Everybody, there's a title, there's more money involved. Why would anybody complain? The correct answer is you don't need the interim title. Just pay them more. Just act like it's an interim title.

Just treat the fighters like it's an interim title fight. But you don't need to actually put an interim title on the line. because if you're Volcanovsky, and he's signed off on this, but still, like, there's people up there who feel like it's a little disrespectful to the guy to put an interim title on the line. I don't really care either way. I'm in the camp of however they get more money, get them more money. If you got to do interim title, whatever.

But I understand why other people are like, all right, we're back to this. We're just going to throw interim titles out there like we're Oprah Winfrey and everybody gets an interim title fight. It's a glorified number one contender fight. We're just putting a belt and more money on the line. So I get why some people complain, but I feel like there's more important things to complain about in the world

that whether or not an interim title fight is on the line. All right, let's try this again with four-corner sports. There we go. I think we're better now. Yeah, Mike, sorry. First. And that's why it was like breaking up. But I wanted to ask you,

you think Misham also just underestimated lowering and she was just more focused on like, the Valentina fight and other fights. I also wanted to ask, did Misha sign the four-fight contract when she returned back to the UFC? If so, this would be the third fight, and what's the likelihood you believe

that she might retire? I remember you guys were talking about early about Al-Land Volcanos going up to lightweight to challenge for the lightweight title. I don't like that idea, just because I agree with Jed Mishu. If he wants to go up, I mean, he might as well just relinquish the title,

He didn't clean out the division. He's only fought Korean zombie of Holloway three times. Ortega, I would like to see him fight somebody else. And who else do you think from the featherweight division can sneak their way into a potential interim title fight? I just feel like the UFC as a promotion doesn't want to offer Josh Emmett an interim title or a potential title fight with Volcanowski. so who out of the five-of-way contenders might have a possibility of sneaking their way in so late. All right, thanks, Mike, and have a good one.

Thanks, buddy. The Misha thing, I know. I don't think she overlooked Lauren. I just think she was trying to plant seeds to sell another fight. And that's a narrative we hear an awful lot. And I forget when we talked about this. I don't know if it was on BTL or was on one of the preview shows

or something like that. There's certain narratives in the sport that we'd like to get rid of. and one of them is, you know, because we're talking about a title fight, it means we're overlooking the opponent that we're facing. I don't think that was the case at all. I think maybe Misha's just trying to pump herself up a little bit. It just kind of set the tone. Like, I think Misha's well aware, and she seems very happy being a fighter right now,

much happier than she was when she retired the first time. I think she just wanted the challenge for herself. And it was no secret that as soon as this fight was booked, That's what everybody thought was going to happen. Like Misha beat Lauren Murphy, she was fighting for the title. Not because of merit and not because she's quote unquote deserved it. Because we don't say that word anymore, especially when it comes to the UFC, because it just doesn't make sense to use. There's no deserves.

There's no deserves. It's what can make the most money, what draws the most eyeballs. And out of all the fights at 125 right now for Valentina Shepchenko, Misha Tate is the one that could get more eyeballs on it. Misha's a star. She's a former champion. She's got the nostalgia feeling to get the old fans back. She's got new fans. She's got fans outside of the sport from being on Big Brother.

She's got the global audience because of her worship. She is the one that draws the most interest. Not because, not really from a stylistic perspective, but Misha's a star. And that fight could have, that fight could have been like an ABC main event. that fight could have been a made event of a pay-per-view, honestly, with Misha. Now, is it going to do a million pay-view buy? Probably not. But it would have done okay by itself.

It's not an automatic co-made event. But Valentina against pretty much anybody else is a co-made event. Can't headline a pay-per-view with Valentina versus Caitlin Chukagan, too, or Valentina versus Man and Fiore. Like, you just can't. You just can't do it. So I don't think there's an overlooking at all. And I do understand the lightweight argument,

especially with where the divisions are right now. It would make a lot of sense for Volcanovsky if he wants to go to 55 to just relinquish the belt. But at the same token, there's two things you have to keep in mind. One, he's going to be a big underdog against either Oliverer and Mockachev, especially Mokachev, Oliver as well. And if he loses and he relinquishes the title, yeah, it's cool that you bet it all on yourself,

and it's a cool story, right? It's a cool story. But at the same token, Volcanovsky's still the best featherweight in the world, and he should have the opportunity to do that. And Volcanovsky is very confident that if he does win a second title, that he can go up and down and defend both. That's been one of the big issues in Volcanovsky

that he's had with the promotion, is that I want to fight as often as possible. I want to fight every two to three months. Now, I know he broke his hand, broke his thumb, so he's going to be out for a little while. But the second that guy is ready to come back, he's going to want to come back. So, yeah, it's a tough spot right now. 45 is just really interesting.

And to answer your other question, if anybody else could sneak in, maybe Arnold Allen, just because he's on a streak right now. But I just don't know. I don't think anybody can really jump in front of Emmett or Yai, you right now. I don't think Emmett was the guy anyways.

I would, I'd still give it to Yai. Got to the point where it's Volkanowski versus what. I would still give it to him. I over Josh Emmett. And I know Josh may not like to hear that, but it's just the way that it is. The logistics of Yair's win, even though it was like a freak ending,

it just is more significant in my eyes than Josh eking out a split decision against Calvin Cater and a fight. A lot of people thought he lost. So, I don't know, just have those two fight it out. Then we have a clear cut number one contender and we can go from there.

I do agree with Chad on one thing. He hasn't cleaned out this division, and we got some killers on the way up of Loya, Teporia, maybe throw Bryce Mitchell into that conversation, and some other guys at 145 as well. Folks are going to have time being plenty busy at 145 if he chooses to stay there. Let's go to Keyboard Warrior.

What's up? Mike, how are you doing? Heck of a morning from Ontario, Canada. I can keep this under 60 seconds. man you're a sensible reporter and I absolutely respect your take so tell me this the champion has a name and his name is charles olivera why is this guy accepting a fight in abu dhabi mike that's my question for today and then number uh one b is i was just watching uh ufc 202 can someone explain to me why connor was wearing the blue gloves when he was the champion

and diaz was wearing the red gloves i i don't know i haven't been watching ufc for long enough and I tried to do some research and I couldn't find the answer. Happy birthday, AK, and have a great heck of a morning, Mikey. Thanks, buddy. The 202 thing, I mean, it wasn't a title fight. So he was the featherweight champion,

fighting at 170 and basically just like a, just a super main event type of fight. So that's probably why. Diaz had won the first fight. So that's probably how they did it. The second thing, we've already touched on it. I think that one, he probably got paid a couple extra bucks, I'm sure, just smart. His team's smart.

They know how much this relationship between the UFC and hashtag Visit Abu Dhabi and the tourism over there. They know how valuable this relationship is. And I'm sure if they were just like, hey, here's just a normal fight offer to fight is on Mockachev. Oliver is like, no, no, not doing that. They probably bargains. They probably got some more money. They probably wanted to make sure he's getting the pay-per-view points despite not being the champion.

And I said this a couple weeks ago, and I've been saying and being the drum ever since, if this fight gets announced in Abu Dhabi, which it obviously has, there is no way that a conversation has not already happened between Oliver's team and the UFC, that if Olivera does them this favor, and gives him this main event for the local area, for those fans,

that with a win, Connor is the guy. Because that's the fight Oliver wants. He wants the Connor fight. He wants his red panty night. He feels like he deserved it. And if he beats his on Makachep and wins his 12 fight in a row, give him the frigging Connor fight. Just give it to him.

He'll probably wash Connor quickly. And then you can turn him back around to fight whoever, Volcanowski or Darius or whatever. So Mokachev's going to be a ginormous favor against Connor. But at the same token, like, it's interesting because every fight we've seen from Olivera in this run, like since the Chandler fight, he's been in some serious danger in all of these fights. He's been hurt. He's been rocked and all of them.

So there's that story of what if Connor rocks him? Is it the same thing? And now Connor is like a freaking light heavyweight right now. He's just a giant human being who put on like 40 pounds of muscle since he shattered his leg. It's still going to be a very big deal. It's still going to draw on paper for you. It's still going to do a million buys. Oliver makes his money.

Everybody makes their money. It's still a big deal. So that's what I think. I think Conner's on the table for Olivera. I think this is the UFC's way of saying, hey, if you want the Conner fight, you scratch our back, we'll scratch yours. You go to Abu Dhabi and fight this Mokachev guy. If you get that belt back, you beat that guy, you stop his win streak, then you can fight Connor. Let's go to Brian Cashman.

What's up, buddy? Oh, what's up? I didn't even notice I was on. Heck of a morning. You're on. You too. So I like that we were right on par with our picks for Autno. That was nice.

The Dustin Jacoby, Shane Bergos won. We were right on par with that. But I want to talk about some Massachusetts MMA. So I'm from the same town as Mani Bermudas and slippery Peter Barrett But I was wondering Do you know much about Joe G and Eddie? Do you think he'll get another chance at the UFC? And do you think Austin is more likely to get the pay-per-view

Or that September 17th card? That's all I got. And heck of a morning to you, Mike. Thanks, buddy. As far as Boston going to host a UFC card, I don't know. They're not getting the September 10th. 10th card because that's going to be in Las Vegas.

I know that for a fact. So that's what's happening there. Maybe September 17th. I don't know. Let me just look real quick at the TD Garden schedule. I know it's not going to be September 10th because they booked something on that date. Kid Cuddy is performing September 10th. And September 17th, Roxy Music.

There's something there, September 17th. So it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I will tell you that that San Diego card that's headlined by Dominic Cruz and Marlon Vera, that was supposed to be at the Garden in Boston. I don't know what changed. Maybe it was just the main event. They wanted to localize it and get two California guys on the card, especially for Cruz, it makes more sense having a fight in San Diego than it does in Boston,

even though there's a story there. For Cruz, that's where he came back and won the title against T.J. Dillishaw. that's a very significant city in the career of Dominic Cruz. But, I mean, it's way better having that flight in San Diego. So I don't know when they're going to come to Boston. I don't think they're coming to Boston until next year at this point. So sorry to burst your bubble there. And then for Joe, I don't know, man.

Let me check out what's going on with him. Joe, like I like Joe a lot. Like he's a, he's a really nice guy. The guy's trying. Like, he is trying. Cotton, and I'm saying that, like, and I like Joe. I've met Joe a few times. Joe has had a very interesting career.

Like, he made into the finals, the ultimate fighter. The fight with Mike Trisano was not one. We're going to go back and watch anytime soon. Then he fights Josh Harvey to a draw. Then the weird ending in the Connor Berry fight. then he loses his next fight, goes and wins a couple, and then he gets these opportunities, right? They were going to have him fight Patty.

Remember that? He had the opportunity to go fight Patty Pimbledit in November of 2019. Now, I understand this is on short notice, and he had to cut a lot of weight. But he missed weight. It didn't end up fighting. That stuff adds up. It adds up.

Then they gave two shots on LFA. He lost both of those fights. since then he's come back and he's won a few in a row, but he's had some issues on the scale. He's had some other stuff. So, I mean, I'll say never say never, but I mean, he's going to have to, he's going to have to do something like really crazy. He's going to have to beat somebody like really, really good.

Darius Estelle, I like Jacob Bond, like a 500 fighter. The last guy who he fought, what? earlier this month, it was the same day as the, uh, as 276. Guys like, he was like 9 and 20 or something like that. So, I mean, I think Joe's got the right attitude. I just don't know, man. Like, I feel like if it was going to happen, it was going to happen a while ago. But, I mean, he's 27.

I don't know. It would be cool for him to get there. But what's he going to do with the opportunity? I mean, he's had chances. Like they've given him, he has had chances to earn that spot. And for one reason or another, it just hasn't happened. So I'm rooting for him. I'm rooting for Joe, but I don't know.

Matchmakers are pretty petty and it's got to take a minute. Let's go to Eric. Eric C.M. Punk Clark. What up, Eric? Good. How are you? So what do you think is going to be next to Tony Ferguson? next for Tony Ferguson good question

I have no idea I have no clue I would I would hope for the sake like if they I would hope the UFC is looking at the ultimate fighter and looking at how this season is played out

and how literally nobody's talking about it which by the way I don't know anything about the ultimate fighter the only thing I know about the ultimate fighter is that my man AK has covered it as well as anybody could possibly cover it.

He has made me interested at least in reading the articles of what has happened with the ultimate fighter. So maybe just do the Ferguson Habib thing and try to like revive that show somehow. Like I feel like that's a real thing. Like that could happen. As far as fighting goes, let me look at the rankings right now.

I just like the Conner fight actually makes perfect sense. like it makes perfect sense just do Connor versus Tony other than that like I just don't want to see him really fight a lot of these guys maybe do RDA like the RDA rematch maybe like I don't think he's going to fight Gillespie he's not going to fight Jalen Turner he's not going to fight Sirukion he's not going to fight Gamrod

he's not going to find any of these guys I don't know like I have no idea maybe Dustin maybe that's the Nate fight do Nate versus Ferguson at 170? I don't know, man. Like, it's so tough. Tough. Oh, yeah. Emacachev beats

Olivera, do Ferguson versus Connor. I'm fine with that. Let's go to Kfei 47. What's up, Kfei? What's up, Mike? So my question or actually comment has to do with what you just said. I don't think Connor's fighting anybody except for the winner or the winner of Islam and Charles.

I think that's what the UFC is going to do. And I want to wish Alexander Cayley a happy birthday. And you guys have a great day. Thank you. The Connor thing's kind of tricky because they also have to realize, like from all accounts, He's only got two fights left on his deal. And their hope, if all works out well, is that he gets the Diaz. Like, they do that Diaz fight before Diaz rides off into the sunset, which Nate doesn't want that fight.

And now there's all these different reports. I know Ariel's talked about it that DS's contract runs out in October. So maybe just Diaz just rides it out or maybe they get him a fight. But Diaz clearly is smart about this and is not going to fight. Connor. Why would he? Why would he fight Connor? Like it's a, it's big business for the UFC. Yes, he'll get a nice paycheck. Yes, Connor will get a nice paycheck, but Connor always gets nice paychecks. But Nate would get a much bigger paycheck if they just booked the fighting, promoted it by themselves. And I think that's something that Nate's thinking about. I'm sure

that's something Connor's thinking about as well. When he looks into his fighting future and his financial future and what could be the biggest money fights he can make and how he can maximize this before his career comes to an end. If I'm Connor, I want nothing to do with his on Makhachev. That's just a brutal matchup for him. It's terrible. I understand like the UFC would try to build that up because we saw how he did the Connor Habib thing got.

But let me just say as like a fan, as somebody who covers the sport and is a guy who wants people to go to our website and check out our stuff, Connor versus Machachev would be a huge deal. But as a fan, I don't want to see it because it's just going to be ugly. It's just all going to be ugly. We're going to go back to that build before with Habib and Connor and how ugly that all got. Some of the things that were said on both sides, mostly from Connor.

And then we're going to have Ali in there doing his thing, saying his stuff. Like, I don't want any of that. Like, I don't want any of that. If it's just those two guys doing media, we keep everybody else away, maybe, but still, like, I just, I don't know if I'm ready for that ugliness, honestly. And I hate the matchup, too. Like, Connor's just going to get tackled and smushed, and there's nothing fun about that. Jed made a great, like, Jed's been the guy that says the fight to make and always has been is Connor versus Justin Gaichie, because that would just be the, the craziest fight ever.

Because you could say what you want about Connor, but Connor goes out there and is, Connor's never, ever boring. Connor gets after it. Connor goes to try to get you out of there as quickly as possible, as Justin Gachy likes to do as well. So put those two dudes together.

There's no chance that fight's boring. It might be the most crazy fight we've ever seen because it's two guys who just want to get in, get out, shortest amount of time. And that's how Connor fights. Love him or hate him. The guy is never in a boring fight.

He might lose. He might just get after it in the first round. If he can't put you away, he might just kind of fall apart. But he wins big and he loses big. Gage is the same way. So I don't know what they're going to do with Connor, but I'm excited to see him fight anybody at this point because the dude brings it. Like you could talk about his skill set or whatever.

Maybe he needs to leave SBG, but Connor is just going to go out there, and he's going to get her get got. And that's it. Zeke, and we'll go to Mikey. I see, we're going to try to get to everybody that's in line right now. Zeke, what's up, man? Mike. Sorry, Mike.

I'm sorry. I know last time I spotted out the first time this time I took a second, but I'm here. I'll be short and sweet. We're here. Let's go Frankie Edgar back in the news. Let's matchmate for my guy. There's nothing that gets me more am to watch Frankie Edgar fight.

as the local jersey guy. Shout out A. Kay Lee. I know he's thinking the same thing as me. However, we're kind of scared. Like, who are we going to fight? I love the Dominic Cruz fight because, you know, I don't think Dominic Cruz really presents much knockout-wise. I think, God forbid, if it goes wrong for Pranky,

he would just get pointed to death. So let's go. I'm silently rooting for that. Or, like, somehow Ronnie Yaya gets up. If that doesn't happen, then how can we peacefully send my dude off into the sunset, hopefully in Madison Square? guard. Secondly, something we just talked about, which I think was mentioned this weekend,

Kobe Coventon looking to fight at any weight but well-through-weight at the moment, or maybe he did mention well-thru-weight. I think that was more of a ploy to kind of get that Dustin fight, which he's looking for. I can talk about Kobe for days, obviously, and one of my favorite fighters, too. Is that, if I had the Maddie Fentil, it would obviously be Kobe versus Humsop, but I don't. Do you think that Dustin-Covey fight is what the UFC is looking for? Obviously, now that it seems that uh... Bineal Dereyush is all smoked, which honestly, I think you had the nail on the

head with that. That makes no sense for Dustin to go out there and get ragged all by Banyl for a couple rounds to make Bineal's title contention a little bit more golden dashed polished, you know what I mean? I think Bineal is a shoe in for if not a top five than a number one contender fight soon.

I think he should just sit down and wait for Abu Dhabi. And I'm going to leave with something that somebody just came in with. Those opening lines for Abu Dhabi are crazy. The champion has a name. His name is Charles Oliver. I think he's going to play off of his back a little bit. I don't think that's going to, you know, particularly scare Islam

Islam because all the Islam wants to do is smash. But we have seen Islam get knocked out. So maybe Charles has a little something fancy for him on the feet. So, yeah, comments on Kobe Dustin, maybe matchmake for my dude Frankie because Frankie is a champion in my book right now in any division. You know what I mean? I know that's crazy. And, of course, I'm biased.

But yeah, and that's where we're at. Thank you, Mike, for everything you do. that's how the heck of the morning. Thanks, man. Yeah, the Frankie one's interesting. I know Cody Stamen kind of raised his hand for that. I don't mind that idea. I don't know.

I don't know. I don't know what you do. I like the Cruz idea. Like, that'd be my first choice. But Cruz is fighting Mario and Vera. I just don't know if Cruz. Cruz is going to get beat up in that fight. Like, even if he wins, he's going to have,

he's going to take a beating to get there. because Vera is just Verre may not throw a ton but when he lands it means something and it marks up your face. Just ask Rob Fawn about Marlon about Marlon Verre. You can hit Marlon Verre a thousand times

and ain't going to do anything to the man and then he just needs to hit you once or twice and you're going to feel that shit. So yeah, I don't know if we can turn Cruz around that quickly. I'd love to see it. That's been the fight I've wanted since Frankie dropped to 135.

Like I know a lot of people want to see Cruz Aldo and I still think we have time to see that, but just give me Cruz, Edgar. That's the one. That's the fight. I just don't know if we can get there by Madison Square Garden. But you want to do Stamen, fine. Even Ricky Simone, fine.

How about your Rai of favor? Let's just do, how about, how about we do Edgar Faber? You know what I mean? Like, I know there's whatever. Like, why not? I think favor would come back for that one. Just do it. A nice little veteran fight.

Maybe we can call it the last fight for both guys. I know he wants to do the Cub Swanson fight, like a WEC thing, but I don't know, something like that. I don't want to see Frankie in there with, I don't know, we have to be very careful with this. But also, like, we have to understand that. Like, it's not like Frankie's just getting, like, the knockout against Vera was a rough one, especially that photo that was captured. But Frankie, like, made a good account of himself in that fight. Like, at worst, he was, it was a one-one heading into the third.

like Frankie's a problem for a lot of these guys. Like he's very tricky on the feet. The wrestling's great. But when you get front kicked in the face with full force, like that's going to knock anybody out. So we'll see what happens. I hope he gets to fight on that card. And hopefully he gets to fight somebody fun,

that somebody he wants to fight. All right. Let's go to Mikey. What's that, Mikey? Good area. All right. Okay, let me just rattle these off for Frankie, Edgar. outside of Donny Cruz's option 1A, how about Sehudo if he's up for it, and Cody Garbrandt.

As for Tony Ferguson, go the 170 and fight wonder boy. And I heard you talking about Valentina headlining over anybody because nobody's a draw. Listen, Alex Perez and Figaro made evented over her once like last year, or was in 2020, and there was no way in hell that should have ever happened. If you're going to book Valentina against a nobody, build her a strong under card. I don't want to hear these cases anymore. should be main eventing over most people. Anyways, that'll be all for me, guys.

Have a good morning. Thanks, Mikey. Yeah, I mean, there's a lot of things we can do here. Let me, where are we, where are we? Let me go look this up real quick. Figure 8-O, Perez, UFC 255. Was that like, I'm trying to think if that was like the fight. Oh, you know why?

Because there's going to be Figy versus Cody Garbrand. That's why. They were going to do that fight for that card. And then Garbrain got hurt and Alex Perez came in. And Perez was supposed to fight Brandon Moreno. And then all the craziness happened. They moved Perez to the title fight. Brandon Moreno ended up fighting Brandon Royval.

That's why. It wasn't the plan to put Alex Perez in that fight. It just kind of happened that way. That's just how it worked out because Cody got hurt. They were going to give Cody the title shot. And that would have drew better for sure. But the Frankie Edgar mystery. continues on. We'll see who ends up fighting.

He just needs to be on that car no matter what. Booio! So I'm not sure if y'all have talked about this, but how do you feel about fighters celebrating when their opponent got injured? I understand for Yai'i or even like Tyrod Woodley when he fought Condi, like the technique was done. There's a reason why Yai'i had held Brian's arm, you know, in that position. position and there's a consequence if he pulls it out he's in a mess up his arm right and then tyron

woodley kicked conda in a certain area that that injured him but like for example if they over celebrate like i remember yorgon de castro when he when he beat junior de santos and ego fc is like come on like you had nothing to do with the the injury of junior and he and yorgan was losing at that so what do you think about fighters when they like celebrate or over celebrate when when they injure an opponent i mean I get why the logistics of it don't always look great. I think the Oregon one is probably the prime example. But Yorker also apologized for it.

He also understood the logistics himself. Listen, you're in a cage fighting a person. That's a scary-ass thing. If I got locked in a cage with anybody, I'd be like, uh-oh, I get a fight. And no matter how, like just the fact that I survived the ordeal is enough for me to be like, woohoo. Like,

I did it. Like, I'm okay. I didn't get hurt. And if I won, like, I get it, man.

It's just, logistically, it doesn't look great, but at the same token, like, you're locked in a cage with another human being. You survived it.

You didn't get really hurt. You won. I think it's more of the, okay, I survived it more than anything. And it's just like a natural reaction to celebrate. And sometimes it's,

sometimes it doesn't look good sometimes it's you know like a brawl and sometimes like Matt Chanel in Sumedherjee where you just have like the most chaotic round you've ever seen and you survived just a ton of adversity and such an ordeal and all that danger

and you came on the other side and you won you put the guy to sleep like something primal about that you know what I mean so I don't have a big deal like the Yorgian thing like I get it even at the time I was like, eh, I think we,

but then like kind of thinking about it, like, what if I was York into Castro and I was locked in the cage another human being? And I didn't get really hurt. Like, I think I'd react in a similar fashion. And then I'd realize, like, down the road be like, what am I celebrating about?

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Allison After Nexium from CBC's Uncover is available now on Spotify. Let's go to Siviram. Don't worry, heed. I see you. We'll get you. We'll probably close it to you, my man. Siveram, are you there? Good morning, sir. Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you and all the people in the course. I want to talk about the, you know, 145 on 155 division.

So first, let me talk me, talk about the Charles Oliver and Islam. So why do I'm a big fan of charles, man. Maybe my opinion could be biased towards the charles. So I do think that Charles always going to be underdog anyone he fought with anyone. It could be unranked opponent. Always Charles will be underestimated by all these people. I never get it why people underestimate. Every time Charles fought with anyone, it could be a number one contender,

it could be any, you know, in top 15 fighter. And I think nothing disrespect towards the Islam. It could be end up between Charles Salavera versus a power failure fight like that. Islam always finds with his left job and goes for the double leg take down. So I do think there is a respect towards the Islam from my side. So that's about the 155 division. And goes back to the 145 division, man. I had all your people conversations.

The Volcano... Alexander Volkanowski... Oh no. Oh, no. Yeah, why does Volkanersky be getting more confident, you know... Sorry for the issue. So, Volkanowski has to be... Vulcanus has to be in Stain, fight the division. I don't...

clear the 1.45 division because there's a Josh Emmett there and Harry Rodriguez is there. Severam, you're the man. I'm going to try to answer that. You kept breaking up on me. But yeah, I get, I'm with you on the olivera thing, man. Like, continued disrespect to that, man. It's crazy. I'm not surprised that he's the underdog in this fight. I don't think he'd be the underdog against, like, McGregor. I think that, I think Islam's honestly the last guy he'd be the dog against at this point. after that win over Justin Gagey, I just think a lot of people are just super high on Islam right now and they feel like he could be the guy.

And I know Jed Mishu has said that he feels he's already the number one lightweight. That remains to be seen. I also understand why some people are like, why is Islam getting the title fight when he doesn't have a top five win? I get that. I get it. Which is why like when Dustin Porey is like, I want to fight somebody.

Like someone actually, it was a caller who brought it up on. this show. It was like, why doesn't Islam just fight Dustin? Like, go fight him in July, and then you get your top five win, and then you can go fight for the belt, and no one can complain anymore. I liked that idea. That was a good idea.

But didn't need to. Here we are. And we'll see what happens. I can't wait to see that fight. That is a fascinating fight. We're going to see if Islam is as good as everybody seems to think he is, and if he is indeed the best lightweight in the world. Let's go to James. Hey, good morning, Mike. Hey, all this Frankie Eggers talk.

I think I know what to do with him, but this fight will 100% never happen. Because correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Edgar has not fought at 155 since the second Ben Henderson fight. But why don't just, let's have like a Legends fight. Let's do Tony Ferguson and Frankie Eggers. Like I said, I know that will never happen. And if you were in an octagon with someone else at MMA fighting, who would you pick and why? I would like to see you and your best buddy, Alexander Kay Lee. I can see you guys just throwing like WWE punches until the crowd catches on and starts booing you guys.

And you guys just go to the center and just sing the Friends Forever song until the 25 minutes is up. Like always, Mike, man, thank you for everything that you do and have a heck of the morning. yeah i ain't fighting a k i can't fight an okay if and if that is booked if we have to do it i'm like i like we talked about before it'd be like kevin nash versus hulk hogan on nitro be the finger poke of doom i'm dropping a k's dropping the leg on me and i'm i'm taking the pinfall that's it that's it 100% edgar i'm not really sure i mean i i had some people actually suggest that idea maybe you do Ferguson. I don't hate it.

I don't hate it, but Edgar hasn't fought a 55 in a while. Ferguson is going to be the much bigger man. So it's literally, whatever Frankie wants. Frankie wants to fight Ferguson at 155, do it. If he wants to fight at 145, do it. 35, do it. It doesn't matter. Whatever he wants, like whatever weight class he wants,

we'll find somebody. Frankie is a pretty realistic guy too. So just give him the man what he wants. Let him have his swan song. an MSG and love to see him go all with a win. That'd just be really cool. Let's go to Jay. Jay, Ani, Ahmad,

maybe we'll try to get to Alex and then Naheed, you're going to close us out. Jay, what's up? Jay? Oh, no, Jay. Sorry, buddy. Ani. What's up?

Are you there? Hello? I had you. Try again. Are you there? Oh, man. All right? Amad

Good morning Good morning Mike Good are you I am well So So bear with me here So October

Charles Olivera Dusts Islam He calls out Khabib Khabi turns down the fight Right Now at that point Can we stop with the goat nonsense Can we stop

comparing Habib to You know Anderson Selveh and GSP. And, you know, I'm sure he's going to say, Mommy won't let me play and all that. Can we just stop with that? Let me know.

Thank you. Damn. Amad bringing the heat. Listen, we're not, I'm not going to sit there. And the reason he'll be retired is the reason he retired. I will never question that.

That's just, it's a family thing. And that's why I feel he's never going to come back. I just don't think he's going to come back. I don't know, man. Like, I've been saying for a while that it is not an egregious thing to say to put Olivera and Habib in the same sentence as far as the best lightweights of all time. I don't think Oliver is quite there yet. But, I mean, there's BJ.

I think what happened at the end of BJ's career just kind of, it's almost impossible to, like, put him above Habib. Like, it's just really tough. It's really hard to do that. It's really tough. So I would put Habib up there right now. But if you can, like, if all of Avera goes out there, if all of their beats Islam Machachev, the way everybody views Islam Machchyev.

And by the way, for all the people who out there that have said, like the Jed mischus of the world, and I know Jed wouldn't do this, but for all the people out there who say that Islam Makach is the best lightweight in the world. Now, you're saying right now, this guy is going to run over. Charles Olivera, that the betting lines are justified, all that stuff. If Charles Olivera goes out there and beats his on Machachev, and then you come out and say, well, guess he wasn't the best lightweight in the world, I'm going to call you out and make you look foolish. Don't do that.

You can't just change course based on one fight. Double down on that. Double down on it. Okay? If that's your opinion, he's the best in the world. I don't want any excuses. I don't want to hear it. I don't want it.

No excuses. He's your guy. You back your guy. You stick with him. That's it. I'm a Red Sox fan. They got the shit kicked out of them by the New York Yankees all weekend long. I'm not going to be all of a sudden be like, well, I guess, no, Chris Sale got injured and this happened and that happened.

And this guy got hurt. And, you know, they're starting pitchings on the DL. No, you got your ass kicked. That's it. That's it. You got slapped. 14 to 1 in your home ball. Park, you lost.

There are no excuses. That's it. So cut that out. I don't want to hear it. But the other thing is, if he beats Mockachev, who I think is, I'm very high on this guy,

if you add Mockachev to this resume, yes, he's not undefeated. Yes, he had a tough start to his UFC run. Yes, he had the loss to Paul Felner. Yes, he lost a lot of fights early in his UFC career. But if he beats Mockachev and wins his UFC, 12 fight in a row. If we compared the last 12 fights of Charles Olivera to the last 12 fights of Habib Narvigna,

Adolfo, Oliver's resume is way better. And it's, you cannot make, you cannot argue with that. You can't. You can't. Oliver's 12 fight run, his title reign thus far compared to Habib's is better, better. So it is not egregious to make that comparison to have that conversation. Now, A.K. my best friend has been beating the strumming. for a long time since

Habib retired. Literally like the day after and on to the next one. Said that if there's one guy who can bring and it is Charles Olivera. Keep this run on when he starts trying to get to the record books

and all that stuff. If he beats Makachchev, then Habib comes back. I don't think it's going to happen but AK believes it and I'm back on my best friend here. But I like, it's just some confidence Oliver. Dusting. He's going to go out there

dust is off. Hey, Mike, can you hear me? Hey, what's up, man? What's up? Yep. Okay, so I stumbled across something really interesting on YouTube, and I was watching Dan Hardy's, like, vlogs interviews that he does with fighters,

and he had one recently with Muhammad Makayev. And during this interview, he basically alluded that once he becomes champion, he's most likely going to retire due to his religion and how there's kind of, like, the thing that fighting is sort of forbidden

and so he was explaining how once he becomes more and more successful winning fights, he's going to actually want to retire and leave away from the sport. So I don't know if any reporters or anyone like gone on to that, but I just want to get your first opinion on that. And my next thing is

UFC London's coming up and what probability percentage wise do you give Jordan Levitt actually finishing Patty and twerking off him in front of all the UK fans? Thanks, Mike. Oh, man. Have a hick of a morning, man.

The Baha'iap thing's interesting. I did not know about that. So I'll have to go check out that interview with Dan Hardy, which would, if that's true, and I mean, that would just crush my predictions of Maham Baha'amahia being a two-division champion. So maybe by the time he gets to the flyaway title, maybe the UFC will do him a favor and be like,

hey, stick around for one more and go fight for the 35-pound title. This fight between him and Charles Johnson on Saturday is going to be absolutely insane. Charles Johnson is not in boring fights ever So that should be a banger I'm very this is a good card This London card's gonna be a lot of fun I'm not gonna be able to watch it live But I'm looking forward to at least watching

Hopefully I get to watch Like the last three or four fights Chances Jordan Levitt finishes Patty And then twerks on him There's a chance I favor Patty Just because I think he's got more ways to win I think his striking is better than Jordan's.

But if this thing gets to the ground, Jordan's ground game is up to par with Paddy's. Patty's the bigger man. So that would be like by one cause for pause here. But I can see what, whoa, excuse me. Let's drop my phone. Let me see what the betting lines are for that fight right now. Because I know they're real interesting at first.

I haven't seen the updated line. Where are we at? Patty Pellon minus 255. There is some value on Jordan Levin as a plus 215 dog. Jordan's not going to get rattled by the moment. He's not. Him fighting in London, he loves that shit. He loves it.

He's not going to get rattled by it at all. Nothing Patty Pimbleau is going to do is going to rattle Jordan Levin. Nothing. He can talk all the trash he wants. He can start a fight with him in the hotel lobby. And George is going to be like, all right, man. I'm going to go read 15. books before I fight you and submit you.

Like, he doesn't care. That stuff affects him at all. So that's what makes this fight interesting, too, is the mental warfare. Because Patty likes to get guys rattled. And he ain't going to rattle Jordan Levin. Nobody rattles this guy. You can't. He is who he is.

He is comfortable in his own skin. He doesn't care what anybody has to say about him. So I think Levin's a dog is live at plus 2.15. Do I favor Patty to win this fight? Sure. But if I were to, if someone was like, hey, Mike, here's 20. you have to bet on one of these guys at a money line. I'm putting on Jordan

easy. It's doggar pass for sure. I'm not I'm not laying that kind of chalk on Patty Pimblit against Jordan Levin. I'm not laying that kind of chalk on Patty Pimblit against anybody ranked around the same place as Jordan Levin right now. I'm not.

I'm absolutely not. So I think it's going to go to the cards though. I don't think anybody's finishing anybody in this fight. All right. rips and picks and then Ahid. That's it. Ani, you're up.

Do we have you? Yes, perfect. That, you know, it's the university Wi-Fi. It sucks. Anyway, thank you, Mike. Thank you for having me on for the second time in the role. So we have passed the halfway mark of the year, right? And we have already witnessed each and every division's champion defend their title or, you know, starting from strawweight all the way to, I mean, of course, not the heavyweight title.

Yes, heavy rate as well. But, you know, so now we have to see, you know, the recycling of the divisions. Do you know if there are any more title fights booked for 278 and what's going on with Sterling and Dilleshaw for 279? Yeah, that's all I have. Thank you. Okay. Any title fights booked for 278? No.

I don't know what they're going to do with that car. That car needs help. That car needs help. 279. We got Sterling and Dillishaw. I doubt that headlines. I would say they're probably going to hope that Jones-Stepey headlines that card. But, I mean, we're getting close.

I mean, we're knocking on the door of August right now. And, I mean, that's, that fight card is like two months, like less than two months away. So I don't know what they're going to do. I don't know. but if you get if you could somehow get Nate on that card then I think it's okay I think you could headline with that as long as you have like a good buffer

but I don't know I don't know and then someone mentioned about Colby too I'll reach out to Colby and check in it's been a while I've kind of wanted to leave him alone since March I haven't really checked in with him since but I'll check in

but I mean if they can get Colby on one of those cards, then against Dustin or whoever, then yeah. I don't know, but as far as title fights go, the only one I think would have a chance of getting

on the September card is the interim heavyweight title fight with Jones and Steepa, but I think they'd probably be looking at MSG for that one. I don't know. We're running out of time, though. All right, rips and picks. Are you there? Yeah, what's up, Mike? Can you hear me?

Yes, sir. Hey, keep it short. So one thing I've just been seeing is it feels like in the lightweight division, they just want to just keep matching up all of the contenders that all of us know and love in terms of like a gaichi, a Dustin, you know, still talking about what they're going to do with Connor. Obviously, we have Olivera fight and soon. We still have Michael Chandler in the mix. You know, when are they going to start mixing in some of the newer contenders in sense of like Fiziv, Gamrot?

You know, it just feels like the newer contend. contenders that are coming up don't really have any like the lights camera action Hollywood that all these bigger stars have um i mean just kind of like your thoughts if you think they're going to mix them in soon if you feel like you know they're going to make a match up like a dustin versus zever you know they're just going to make like a dustin versus justin and just keep playing the same cards thank you sir um i think i think i think in gaichi is there's a strong possibility that fight happens because time frame wise they're both both just had some no surgeries like literally right around the same time you probably saw the social graphic on

m a fighting social channels of physique with the nose engage you with the nose and they're both wearing the band-aids and stuff and physique saying hey battle the nose surgeries essentially um i know physique thinks he can come back november december so i think i think that fight can happen i think it's a very good chance that fight happens gamrots i think is going to have a tougher time finding a fight, just because the name's not that great. I think Fizzi probably has a little more momentum to him right now than either of those guys. But Gamrod, I think, Gamrock Gillespie seems like a fine fight. Maybe do that at MSG.

Gillespie's just got to fight somebody, and I feel like he's just going to have to fight Gamrod. Sirukion is just a monster. And, I mean, I don't know who's going to fight that guy, but he's probably going to fight RDA next or something like that unless RDA can somehow get himself the Connor fight i don't know and then porre is just i think pori has just kind of been maybe they do the chandler fight although i don't i don't really care that much about that fight but i could see them maybe trying to do pori covington i think pori is just kind of in fun fight mode at this point i don't know they do but I'm very high on this new wave of 55ers

because I mentioned three of them. We got Jalen Turner. Isba Gulov's another guy. I mean, there's 55 is just ridiculous right now. It's so good. It's just so damn. And we're not even mentioned like Claudio Plias and some of these other guys coming out.

I mean, 55's your dog. It's her don't. All right. No pressure. No pressure, A heed. I know I know those ringer folks. They ban you. They censor you, Ahid.

No censorship here, baby. Let's go. Let's go. The whole of M.M. I forget Riga M&A, it's hackable morning with a nicer host that doesn't kick me off. But like, anyway, so, Mike, I've got so much, like, on my mind. So first I'll talk about Dana. Dana is hilarious.

Like, I mean, this guy's so mean and cruel, but it's like, it's so hilarious to the point. The post-like press conference, what happened? I don't know if you. it's been mentioned here, that line where he's, um, said, uh, he's like, oh, we're offering Nate Diaz three fights a year. And then he's like, it's obvious. And if I don't, I have to pay you and I haven't been paying him. So like he's doing that thing where he's in like basically insinuating that Nate is turning down fights. And all the reporter is doing is finishing his sentence like, so he's turning down fights then. And data gets so defensive. It's the crazy. I've never seen anything like it. Like,

I get what you're talking, like you have to be a bit careful with the media. I've seen tons of outlets. Like, they'll take the quote. Like, hell, M.M.A. Even M.MA fighting the Maclife, MMA junkie. I've seen tons of do it. Like, they'll take certain parts of the quote. And I get it.

So you want to be a bit shaky with the media. But like, when you're insinuating this exact thing that the report is asking you, and then you get super defensive. It's the wildest thing I've ever seen. You know Dane is hiding. something, but I don't want to talk about Nate too much. I want to talk about Sue Madaghi, because he had this great fight against Matt Schnell, but apparently he went into the fight with an injury. And apparently, because he went into the fight with an injury, he's not covered.

Like the UFC won't cover their health care costs. And I actually don't care too much about these politics, whether they get paid on it. I just, it just feels too much. But with regards to this, it's interesting, like how should the UFC I feel the U.S. you should cover like injuries outside of fights. You know, Dana talks about independent contractors, but then he doesn't let people work in other jobs because it's like acting. You know, acting people do freelance, but they work different projects as long as they can maintain their time.

You know, like, and I want you to talk about this, Mike, before you saw fighters jump from promotion to promotion where they were fighting in the UFC, then they fall in other promotions. and it wasn't a problem. So why is it so restricted now? But something Molly McCann said is about to pay, you know, she said, what other company flies you out to hotels

and builds an institute for you, performance institute? And that's true as well. And Dana has, it's Dana's company, to be fair, like he can do what he wants with it. You can leave. But at the same time, you know,

so that's something. I want to talk about Oliver and Markachiev as well, the matchup. But yeah, it's like I just want that first about the contracts. And what you think is actually happening there, like how dodgy are these contracts? Because remember, Mike, 205, Eddie Alvarez was given two contracts with Habib and Connor. So like, just with that whole contract, restrictive this. But I want to talk about Oliver and Marketer, if that's okay. But quickly with regards to contracts.

Yeah, man. A lot to unpack from a man of heat. There's no doubt about it. Defensive Dana White. Yeah, that was, that was hilarious. Because Dana actually seemed like in a really good mood the whole time. You're smiling. I'm back from vacation.

All this stuff. And it was good to see him back. Good to see him smiling a little bit. And then the reporter just asked a simple question. Obviously, we're not paying them. I mean, you literally, like, any reporter who didn't. Like, is just not good at their job. And that guy was very good at his job.

So he's turning down fights. And then it became, I'm not going to do this bullshit with you. Blah, blah, blah, blah. And got all heated. I thought it was just hilarious. The Sumidary did you think, I don't know. I think they'll end up covering it. I don't know if like, I know the injury was put out there.

I think my man, Nolan King was the first person to put that information out there. You know, maybe it happened on fight week. Maybe it was something that happens on the mats, like during fight week or something. If that's the case, then the UFC will have to cover that. So, I don't know. I think they'll figure that part of it out. And I don't know. The contract thing, again, I've said this a million times.

I want the fighters to make more money. We're going to sit here until we'll blue in the face for the rest of our careers, talking about how fighters are going to deserve more money and they deserve to be paid more. But at the same token, I've said this before, and I'll say it again, the reason why this is is happening is because the fighters, they let these windows of opportunity just pass them by. They didn't ban together. They didn't ban together. And that's why you cannot compare MMA and the UFC to any of these other sports.

Well, on the NBA, they get 50% of the revenue. You want to know why? Because the players banded together and fought for that. They bonded together and fought for that. The fighters did not. and they have had plenty of opportunities to do so, such as when the company sold for $4.2 billion, like that was the perfect time to do it.

This is the time where the fire is like, holy shit, 4.2 billion with a B, with a B? And some of these other, like, some of these groups came together with like just the most random grouping of people coming together. Bjorn Remney? Like, what the hell? And then they all just fizzled out.

You want to know why? Because the fighters are afraid. The fighters are afraid. They're afraid to get caught. They're afraid that the UFC was going to find out. They're afraid they're going to lose their jobs. I get it. I get it.

I get it. It's scary. It's scary. There's not a lot of money in fighting. There's not. There just isn't. So when you get to the UFC and you have the opportunity, And the UFC treats this like the old WWE model.

If you, it's, WWE now, it's publicly traded company. They have all these like big money deals. The wrestlers get more money. They cut costs in other ways. Maybe the roster isn't as loaded as it should be or has been in the past. But like in the 80s,

when the WWF is doing their thing, Vince said, we don't offer you, we're not going to offer you millions of dollars right away, but we're going to offer you an opportunity to make that. So you get a cut of this. cut of this, the bigger the star, you become, the more money you can make. And that's how the UFC kind of does their business.

And until these fighters come together and say, well, I don't like the way you do business. We want more of this money. You're making a billion dollars of year with, you know, a lot of it has to do with this ESPN deal. We're not going to fight until we get a bigger piece of the pie. And they won't do it. They won't do it. So it stinks, man. And the UFC knows this.

They know this. And I don't like, it sucks for the fighters, but like as somebody who would run the business that they're running and making the amount of money that they're making and having success that they're having, why change a thing? Why change a thing if no one's going to stop you from doing it? No one's going to challenge you.

And you need like, you need everybody on board. You need everybody. You can't just have like... And that's the thing. Like when Adasania says these things, and Ngano says these things, we wanted to be a trickle-down effect. Adasania wants a trickle-down effect for everybody.

What has happened since? Nothing. Nothing. I don't blame Adasani for that. There's 700 goddamn fighters in the roster. What do you expect? You need all of them to come together. You need all of them to come together.

AK knows this. Listen to it. Like, we're part of, we're part of a union at MFAA. We're part of the Vox Media conglomerate. And we have a union. And we were very close to striking. We were like 36 hours away from striking. Scared the shit out of me.

Never been a part of a union. Never been a part of a strike. Never been a part of anything like that. But we were prepared. We're prepared to walk away. if we had to to get what was right. Not just for me, not just for him, not just for our families,

but for everybody. For the ones that don't even work for us yet. We wanted them that when they come in, they're making money. They're making a good wage. You're making a fair wage. And no one, like, that's what it was all about.

And it's scary thing. It's a scary thing when you put yourself out there like that. It's a scary thing when you're basically, like what if we had gone on strike? What if we had gone on strike? We would still be on strike. Like, we're not making any money. Like, we're making nothing.

We'd be making nothing until a deal was put into place. It scares the hell out of you, especially with the way prices are now. Like, you can't even fill your gas tank unless it costs you like a hundred. Like, it's just ridiculous. Gas is over $4 a gallon. Groceries are super expensive. My wife the other day bought three apples at the grocery store. Three for $10.

Three apples for $10? That is ridiculous. It's a scary thing. But until that day comes where everybody just comes together and is willing to walk away, nothing's going to change, friends. I'm sorry. Nothing's going to change. And I have a feeling that a decade from now, unless this Aliak passes, which, as you've seen,

if you go to Bloody Elbow, Tim Bissell does a great job writing about how much money the UFC is put into making sure that doesn't happen. unless that passes in the 10 years from now what I'm about to celebrate my 50th birthday hosting this program we're going to be having the same conversation my friends all right I've got to get out of here I've gone way longer that I was supposed to

but I appreciate you all Ah heed way to close the show we'll be back again on Thursday 10 a.m. Eastern we will do it again get a busy week ahead of us UFC London Bellator going down I believe we're going to be on site for the Bellator card

Stephen Morocco will be on site for the Bellator card. But we're getting out of here. Thank you very much. Lots to talk about. I'm sure this week will be a busy one in the news cycle as well. And when it happens, we will talk about it right here on heck of a morning, which I wish to all of you. Thank you for listening. Have a great rest of the day.

Have a heck of a morning. Love you guys. Fox Media Podcast Network.