MMA Fighting - The A-Side Live Chat: UFC on ESPN 10 fallout, UFC ‘Fight Island,’ Amanda Nunes’ future, more

Episode Date: June 17, 2020

For this episode, José Youngs is joined by Alex Savas to react to some of the top stories in MMA. Some of the topics may include: Fallout from UFC on ESPN 10; Cynthia Calvillo’s decision win over Jessica Eye, future of the women’s flyweight division; and Eye’s second straight weigh-in fiasco; “Fight Island” updates, Amanda Nunes’ recent retirement talk, UFC on ESPN 11 preview, Curtis Blaydes vs. Alexander Volkov, and more.  Follow José Youngs: @JoseYoungs Follow Alex Savas: @AlexSavas Follow E. Casey Leydon: @ekc 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. We're live, pal. We're live, pal. What's up, everyone? Jose Youngst here with MFAiding.com here for another Wednesday edition of the A-side. Joining us this week, well, joining us last week was, of course, Aunt Walk and Kristen King. Very positive feedback from the two I knew they would kill it. I didn't know everyone would enjoy it that much.

So they will be back, for those of you asking, where's Christian and where's Aunt? they will be back in a future episode for sure. But for this week, we brought back our normal Wednesday, our new normal Wednesday co-host, Alex Sav is joining us from the beautiful and sunny and I'm sure much less hot California. Alex, how's life? Oh, life is good. I actually is good. Lise. What you know about my life? Hey man, I'm just saying. And the other voice you're hearing is, of course, Casey, who was also in a much less hot Los Angeles, Englewood, which is up to good, not up to no good. Yeah.

Yeah, the whole no good thing. That's, yeah, also lies. It is, it is a cool 71 degrees in Englewood, California today. Let's see how hot it is in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It's probably death. It is 91 with a high of 102. It's just an ass. And on next month, next month, next.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, we get a nice balmy 111. Ooh, crispy. I love that. I walk to, there's a DMV down the street for me and I had to go to the DMV yesterday. I think I lost five pounds walking up, up, walking there, standing in line and walking back. It was one of the worst days I could spend my off days I've ever experienced. That's why life is easier when it was hot out because you're just burning calories all day long. I don't want to burn calories though. I'm already like skinny enough. I need to do the opposite. Okay, shut up.

Hey, Jose, you need to apologize to Matt Evans for your audio difficulties. That's why we were late. Wow, only three minutes late. Sorry, Matt Evans. Put an extra tea in your last in your first name and then I'll respond to you. Yeah. Get a real first name, Matt. Anyway, this is, of course, the A-Side Live Chat.

So this is not our podcast. This is your all podcast. You can leave a comment on the site. You can go on Twitter. We're getting a lot more comments on the site. I've noticed. So that's great. Or we can, of course, stick to our normal respond to the

the tweet or use hashtag the A-side on Twitter or actually most of you probably listen to this after the fact. So ask a question next week. If you just listen to this show on Spotify, Stitcher, all those Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, ask a question next time. Don't just listen. Participate. But Casey, what is our next question?

Apple Stitcher or other things. Et cetera. It's a very, it's been a week, man. Oh, wait. All right. That's the first question. From Joshua Sia at Slayer underscore Tip. There's a whole lot of talk about MMA goat,

WMMA goat, so women's MMA Goat and all that. But how about commentator goat, current and past? So Alex, I'll start with you. Who is the greatest commentator of all time? In my personal opinion,

I'm a Paul Felder fan. I love when Paul Felder's on. I think there's something to be said. I know, okay, look, I haven't been watching since UFC 1. Okay, I don't think that that's like a secret. So I am more of a modern fan. I am the modern era UFC fan.

And I like Paul Felder. I think he's just, well, one, I think he's a great person. So when I hear somebody commentating who is a great person, I know that they're coming from a good place and they're not going to say anything that's, like, rude. Like I think Joe Rogan sometimes can be, like, rude, even though he doesn't mean to me. So he's obviously out of the running. And obviously Paul Felder still being an active UFC fighter. I know DC is as well.

But it offers a lot of different insight that I like to hear, you know, like talking about his teammates, talking about what's actually going on. He's got a lot more that other commentators can't really offer. I do find his insight into camps and everything a little more interested in the Daniel Coromery, mostly because lately Daniel Cornery has been fighting at heavyweight. So when Paul Felder is talking about, like, missing weight or dieting and this and that, his comments hold a little more water than someone fighting. at heavyweight. That doesn't nearly have to cut as much. Or is even Paul Felder trying to even

fight his way to the title. So yes, I do like Paul Felder quite a bit, but Casey, who is your goat? I have my personal opinion, but I'll let you answer first. Well, okay, I guess we're talking color commentary right now because, oh, that's my, you know, your big pet pee is when people switch up the names between the A side and B side on fight cards. Like when people say, when people confuse play by play with the color commentator, it really annoys me. but um okay i just want to say paul felder did a wonderful job this on that on last week's uh was uh jessica i uc on the sb and nes bn 10 yeah cavio card when uh most notably in the andre feely fight what was this andre feely's opponent's name again uh charles jordane drudan air jordan get it um

when jordang was throwing those um kicks and um feely kept blocking him paul Falter said something really interesting. He said, oh, those are going to cause lots of damage to Phile's arm. You know, you can see the redness. But then Paul Felder also added, but you know what? I'm not taking those kicks. I don't know. I actually don't, until I talk to Andre after the fight, but like, but for my outsider, I'm going those kicks to her and they will affect him. I don't know. And I really enjoyed the fact that Paul Felder said, I don't know. And that's something I really miss with Joe Rogan never does. If Joe, if a leg kicks, if a leg kicks, if a leg Lange and Joe Rogan thinks it's hurt, think it hurts the fighter, he would just ride that narrative

for the next six months. Not just months. Like, he's every single fight Tyron Woodley's in. He's like, oh, he's tired. It's the third round. He's like, he's tired. I'm like, why? I just said it once and it's stuck with him.

Yeah, like we haven't seen that, that, the quote unquote, tired, Tyron Woodley, you know, since like the Strike Force days. That's like an owner. Like, that's like the man of Nunez gases out. after a round and a half. That's an old narrative too. These fighters have developed and they're different fighters

and just, oh my God, like, I just think of, when Joe Rogan was doing the cyborg, Felicia Spencer fight, and like, that was just, like, just ruined to,

yeah, but back to my favorite commentate, MMA commentator ever, Mara Rinala. Yeah, that was going to be my answer too. Mara Rola.

Well, any combat sport, any combat sport of professional wrestling, if you put Mara Nalo in there, It is one of the few times I would much rather watch it through the broadcast and be there live. His enthusiasm for everything happening can make it the biggest deal in the world. Like, I know not a lot of our fans watch professional wrestling, but I like, someone had like the commentator camera. So just had a video on him. And if you know professional wrestling, if you're not on the screen, you're usually looking down at a monitor and doing commentating from that.

But Morrow watches the whole thing and like stands up. And even though he's not on camera, he's still flailing his hands in the air and going berserk. So, uh, moro Nala to me is what every commentator should strive to be or any play by play commentator, whatever you want to call it. Maro is the go. Whether it's boxing, MMA or professional wrestling or kickboxing. Oh yeah. Yes. Um, yeah, um, Maro Nala.

Um, I think I love, I love Dominic Cruz. I love Domit Cruz. I love Domit. I like Dominic Cruz. because the fact that he is kind of an asshole and I actually kind of appreciate that. I like when who was it, Corey Sanhagen or they were talking, he was commentating

Corey Sanhagen's fight and someone was like oh he miles his fight off you Dominic he goes yeah a little bit I guess I don't really see it but if that's the narrative we're running with so like he like he just throws shade at fighters without actually just calling them out.

Esther Lynn makes a good point Excalibur is so great but I haven't watched a PWG show through the commentating with the commenting on and so long that I can't I can't put him at the top of the list for wrestling

considering my the last time I watched it was probably back when El Generica and Kevin Steen were wrestling but that is another conversation for another time Rogan for me Rogan used to be like when Rogan would

breakdown grappling very well. But I feel like he's gone off of that a lot. Like he just shows up with no prep. Yeah, that's how I feel too. Yeah. He's getting paid a lot to be there. Yeah, I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't want to shit on Rogan obviously because he is a very talented commentator. Hold on. Alex, who's this in behind you? This is the most ridiculous cat you'll ever meet. Her name's Hela. And if you're in the Marvel, you know that Hela is a disaster of a human and that's exactly what she is. There you go. Anyway, what were you saying?

Ella, a little professional. Wow. I got so photogenic. That's hilarious. Jesus. No, I just want to say, I think you said that mentioned, mentioned it briefly about Rogan. What Rogan, what I think Rogan did amazingly well was he sold grappling and wrestling

to the, just bleed fans. And when two guys are just going on the cage for like five minutes, or not five minutes, you know, it feels like five minutes. But he was able to convey how much actually technique and athleticism and just strategy is going into the, just two guys just squeezing each other. Which for, you know, when you watch it with people who don't, who've never seen the sport, like, hey, get up. Stop making love. You know, Rogan's explaining, no, they're actually not making love. what they're trying to do is they're trying to get risk control.

You know, and, you know, in Rogan talk, you make it very exciting. And, you know, and that was, that's what Rogan did. I guess especially during like, you know, the 50s, UFC 50s and 60s, 70s when the sport was really growing. He really sold that. He knew it a cell boring grappling. Yeah. There's a very back when, I can't remember if it was, it was Bruce Buffer or Dana or someone was doing like a vlog and they showed Joe Rogan like breaking down it was like when

they had to fill time so like Joe Rogan was talking about like a previous fight and he was talking about grappling and like whoever he was I think it was back when Mike Goldberg mark gober was just like just stood back and let just Rogan talk for five minutes on grappling I like that Joe Rogan this current Joe Rogan gets on my nerves a little bit. Pauli Malinaghi is a very good boxing commentator too for this person who's at in the YouTube comments I wish I wish Max Kellerman knew a little bit more about MMA So he could. I am,

I think Max Kellerman has gotten a lot worse lately. Oh yes. Okay. Like his, like, what, you know how we always hear?

Like, he's winning the Octagon control. And then like, like, what even is that? Max Kellerman's thing is, like, when Triple G fought Canello,

he's like, he's like, like, Triple G is outlanding, but Conello is winning the story of the fight. I'm like, that doesn't mean anything.

He's killing him. Triple G is punching him more. I don't care about your, I get you work for HBO and that's what you're trying to push, but the story of the fight is nothing. So Max Cullerman is super knowledgeable about the history and fighting, but I do not like his commentating lately. I think he's really trying to push HBO, well, back then the HBO narrative and Golden Boy and stuff like that. Who do you feel, and this wasn't the question, but who do you feel does the best post-fight in ring or in cage interview? I think the answer, it's different for like the fans watching versus like the fighters, because I think, I think the fighters really like talking to Joe Rogan.

I agree. And I think that he gets better answers out of them because they're just like stoked to meet him. For like the lesser known fighters. I wonder if that's because if you're talking to Rogan, that means you won. You know, it's almost like that. It's like, it's like... Well, it's like when Hotfiela Sunsaw won and after like his 11th U.S.C. fight, he's like, this is the first time I've ever talking to Joe Rogan.

Because he's fought on fight nights or prelims or his fight words of decision. so they just rushed them out of the octagon. So I think it's, I agree with Alex. The lesser known fighters, I think it's, I think for most of them, it's probably Rogan because they all probably listen to his podcast, like when they're not training. Or they remember, or like when Makwanamri Kani won. He's like, I remember watching on Fear Factor. This is a big deal to me.

So I agree. Probably Rogan. They want to make an impression on him because Rogan can skyrocket people to fame. So there's something at stake there. I do enjoy when, Alex, Alex, is that okay? I see you're getting no, is it? I don't know what the hell she's doing. I hear noises.

I see you're distracted. You're like, I'm going to investigate all my cables later because she does tend to chop. But I do like when commentators, personally I like when there's one, like when DC or Felder or not, like those two do a lot of the interviews, when they interview someone in their own weight class

or someone that just fought their teammate, like when Dan Hooker called out Paul fell to just right to his face during the press the i love it but you also get that really awkward moment when curtis blades is interviewed by dc after you just beat justin willis his ass is just and jesus he's uh teammate and dc's not overly enthused about it and curtis blades i think did not max did not capitalize on the fact that he was being interviewed by his teammate jimmy smith someone says what do you think about jimmy smith i like jimmy smith a ton i like him at the desk the best i I like him at being on desk a lot.

Like when they kick it to the desk and he can like moderate, like, cop fights and stuff. I really like that. I enjoy Bisbing at the desk more than I enjoy him. Actually, it has the color commentator. That's fair. But, um, I like the combination of DC and Michael Bisming on commentating because they,

they try to throw shade at each other with inside jokes. Like, if you remember, was it one of the Jacksonville cars? Not the paper you, but one of the other ones. But, uh, Michael Bisbyn kept calling DC just. Dan and it was so funny to me or he just goes shut up Mike so they were Mike and Dan it was so I couldn't just stop laughing

yes Rogan is the color best color and Marro's the best play by play I think Maro is the best everything but that's just me but we've talked a lot about this conversation I'll let the fans discuss it in the YouTube what's our next question? Next question

wow on do do do do do wow from I Q O F2. I don't Is that, I don't even know what that means. Anyone else let down by fight island? And island

is in quotes. Definitions very broadly, apparently. This has to be the sorriest excuse for an island I have ever seen. Yeah, it's shit, but they dug a canal around the edge of the beach. I could chuck a tennis ball to the other side. I think you need a

minimum of 25 miles from the nearest landmass. I had visions of skull islands surrounded by earcloths. skeletons of wrecked ships. Hell, it's not even Gilligan's Island. Fear, why is, you're moving this in front of the question. Yeah, I know. I'm just annoying you.

Fear not, disciples of crudest violence. I can't even read what the rest of this says. Because Casey's blocking the rest. But anyway, fear not Disables of Gratuitous Violence. IQ is on the case. I will deliver the island that

that we all came to expect and fully deserve. I promise. I also the promise delivered the match the matchups that never were it's time well he asked his further question at the very beginning no the only question in here is the title and the rest of it is just him saying how disappointed it is so alice i'll start with you are you disappointed with fight island i know because realistically i mean what did you think this was going to be just some random island floating in the middle of the pacific how logistically would that work there's no infrastructure so you already knew it had to be somewhere with an existing infrastructure

it technically is an island I do think the U.S. shot themselves on the foot because when you call a fight island what do you think people are going to think of I don't think it's disappointing I think Abu Dhabi is a hell of a destination

you know like people would love to go there I agree there's also I'm not disappointed I'm just like it makes sense yeah talked about this before when someone was like

are you surprised it was Abu Dhabi and I was like no this should have been the first thing I thought of and I'm more disappointed that I didn't think of that sooner Casey are you disappointed to fight island It's called Yaws Island, but more like no island.

All right, dad. Next question. Skull Island would be cool, though. It's not, man. It's not. That's like calling that an island is like calling, you know, those offshore casinos that are like just one foot away from in the river. It's just like, if you've seen those casinos, right? They're just like, yeah, it's like you step one foot over and it's like, I'm, I'm,

I'm offshore. It's stupid. Sell some T-shirts. Good for you guys. Yeah. Get it? No Island. Oh, I got it. Okay. Just checking. Can you explain it to some of the slower listeners? From Zakukege on the site. I knew we were going to get these questions.

Joe Silva, what do you guys make of all these stories coming out about Joe Silva on how bad he treated some of the fighters? I personally, well, I'll set the scene. For those of you who aren't aware, hashtag Joe Silva's stories, I think, is the hashtag going around. Joe Silva is the former and longtime matchmaker of the UFC who retired from the business back when the UFC was sold to WMEIMG. I think he even pocketed a cool $20 million and rode off into the sunset. Now it's, of course, Sean Shelby and McMaster are doing his duties. but since lately a lot of fighters are coming out with how mistreated they were back when Joe Silva was still in the game. So I personally was not surprised because I thought all of this was common knowledge about how Joe Silva did a lot of his negotiations and contract signings and holding fighters back if they turned down fights.

I think I've watched enough interviews and read enough articles. about this. So I thought it was common knowledge, but I guess it wasn't. So Casey, I'm going to start with you this time because you've interacted with Joe Silva in the past. Were you surprised by these stories? And what are your thoughts? I'm surprised it took this long for a fighter. Right. I thought people already knew. And I want to say this, like, I'm not a good person talking about Joe Silva because I, you know, we talked a lot, we talked a lot of fighters, a lot of people off the record and stuff. So, like, I've known Joe for a long time. And Joe is, I don't want to reveal anything just because I, just, that was so, like, personally

from Joe to Joe about me. But I've had many dinners of Joe Silva and everything. And bottom line is, I'm very happy he retired. I'm happy he cashed in. I'm happy he left the sport. I'm happy he's just, he's out of it. He's out of the game now. And it was, I don't, in the, in the, in the.

like the 10 years, you know, working the sport where I knew him. I would see him on, you know, I'll probably have dinner from, you know, a couple times a year at least, you know, different events. And I definitely sense gradually through the events has more event, the sport game, the sport got bigger, bigger, UFCs got bigger and bigger. There was more money in the sport. I felt like he just became just kind of just an happier person. And he seems like it. He seems like He was just over it after a while. Yeah, just over it. And it sucked because he, without a doubt, when he got into this, he loved MMA.

He loved UFC. He loved martial arts. And when it became a job, when it became, you know, just everything in his life, took a toll. And, yeah. Yeah, it's, I think I've, I think all of us in the media, everyone, We all kind of have those days, you know, where it kind of like just everything in this sport. Other days like, man, this fight so awesome. I love this, you know, so.

But for Joe, I mean, add that, then add, you know, millions of dollars. And you know, real quick about Joe Silva. People, I remember Joe Silva telling me this. This is my one Joe Silva story. He always said, like, fans come up to him. He goes, man, you have the coolest job in the world. He has the coolest job in the world because you get to go. Man, you can fight this guy.

You can fight this guy. guy and Joe Silva told me he's like, no, I have the worst job in the world because I have to take these heroes of yours and go, hey, you know what? You're not good enough. Your dream's over. Go get a job. Go get a, you know, go be an accountant now. Go back to college. You're not good enough. And yeah. And when I, when I realized that, like, he cuts God, he cuts, he cuts, he ends dreams way more than he kind of starts dreams for guys and stuff. So like, it's, it's not a matchmaker is a very, um, It's a very double-edged sword if you want to be, Owen. It's a tough position. It's exhausting. The one conversation I've had with Joe Silva was, I think he was wearing, like, some sports shirt. Like, it wasn't an MMA

shirt. And I, like, commentated out. He goes, he goes, I don't know. Someone, this was just, I'm in a pile, and I wore it, and I go, well, do you even like that team? He goes, I don't even know. I don't watch anything but MMA. I don't even listen to music anymore. I don't watch movies. I'm like, that sounds miserable.

Like, he only consumes M.M.A. not movies, not TV, not books, not music. His sole job was his MMA, but I digress. Alex, were you surprised by any of these stories? You are, as admitted, you haven't watched since UFC won, so I'm sure, I don't know if you remember the Joe Silva days or Joe Silva, but were you surprised these stories came out? I'm never surprised when people speak out against those in power.

You know, I think that this just becomes kind of a pattern of behavior. When people get in control and they have that power over people, they tend to abuse it. My question was like, Casey, how long have you known him? And was he always that way? or did you notice sort of a trend towards that? Oh, no, it was a trend towards that for sure. Like, I mean, luckily, I mean, I never had to do business. Like, when we had dinner, it was just talking as fans, talking, you know, like, I rarely, I didn't, I rarely, I rarely, I tried to stay away from asking, hey, why did you book this fight?

Why did you book this fight? We just kind of talked about the sport in general. We tried to kind of keep it not about work specifically. But, yeah, but toward the end, like, it was just like, man, he was just angry. He's just angry. And, yeah. I've seen, but again, like, to answer the question, like, I think it's fighters like John Fitch and Gray Maynard and, like, I can't remember all of the fighters off the top of my head

that are speaking out about Eddie Alvarez had a very fascinating story. I thought how his interaction with these fighters is pretty common knowledge, but maybe there have been so many new fans lately and Joe Silva's been out of the sport long enough that they just aren't aware. But, like, I remember, like, Michael McDonald had that real long, like, interview where he was like, I haven't fought in so long. So I started to do like carpentry work just to make some sort of money. And he realized he made more money doing carpentry than fighting and then him and I can't

remember who it was. But it's, it didn't surprise me whatsoever. But I guess he's been out of the game long enough that people either don't know or forget. There's definitely a pattern too in the UFC. I shouldn't say the UFC in life in general of like being afraid of, you know, retaliation if you speak out. and we've seen it happen in the UFC, we've seen it happen elsewhere. So I think a lot of those fighters definitely keep those stories to themselves.

I'm sure that there are more from active fighters still and they just don't want to come home. Oh, yeah. I'm sure. Like we're talking about a lot of fighters being unhappy with pain now. Like imagine back then pre-ESPM, pre-Rebok, pre-Ribok, pre-all-that where they're getting probably paid even less. But at the time it was like, I think who did, um, Nate, God, I can't.

can't remember his name. It's going to bother me. But he fought on the ultimate fighter. He got knocked out by Rich Franklin. What was his name? Nate. Nate Quarry? Nate Quarry. Yeah, of course, Nate Rock Quir. I'm stupid. I think I got like 20 and 20, something crazy like that for a title fight. But that's because at the time, that's what they could pay him. And like now he would not make that. But imagine fighters then looking at what fires are complaining about now. I think who was it? Someone said they got like two and, I got offered like two and two or five and five for a late notice fight.

It's crazy. UFC has come a long way, but it's still fighters are making enough. Yeah. Anyway, I hope that answers your all question. I hope that answers everyone's question. But Joe Silva, who was the little guy's name of Game of Thrones? Joffrey. No, no, no, not Joffrey.

The Peter Dinglish character. What's his name? Tyrion. Tyrion. Tyrion. Joe Silva was very Tyrion. Like, he was. He was.

You know that meme of Leonardo Caprio, like pointing at the screen, like drinking? That's been really popular lately. Someone's sweet. It's like live footage of Joe Silva seeing Joffrey on the screen. He's like, that's me. No, but Joffrey was stupid, though. Tyrion was the genius that everyone was, Tyrion was, because Joe Silva was very smart. He's a very smart little man.

And like, we're like, we're like, he was like, what to the point? point was, like, he would go, oh, people make fun of my height. It's like, okay, I'm short. And, like, it's, because, like, he owned it. So, like, oh, I can't make fun of him because he's short anymore. Damn it. So, like, it was, there was, wasn't he really, he was upset that Dana re-signed Tank Abbott, right?

That's the story. There was, there was, there was, probably a thousand stories like that were, yeah. Like the Sage North Dakota contracts that were Sage got a ton of money before we've been fighting. He's like, great. Now everyone's going to talk about wanting more money, like, it's stuff like that. Anyway, I hope that answered your questions at Kook, okay? Casey, what's our next question?

Oh, just because I'm tired of seeing this question in the comments, and this guy's very persistent, which I admire. We're going to go to the YouTube comments. From Ollie, what do you make of the Wyman v. Akhmannov and the Ramayor v. Hall, some good fights of 185. Predictions for both of them. Random for both of them. I like both of the fights,

Wydenman was supposed to fight Jack Hermanson. I really liked that fight, so I was hoping they would rebook that. And then Romero versus Uriah Hall, I feel that's a little out of nowhere, but I'm happy Uriah Hall gets another big name opponent because these two biggest fights he was going to, like, two of his biggest fights he was supposed to have in his career, where Anderson Silva and Jacques, Re Soza on these really, not just, like, those were big cards.

Like, Uriah Hall was supposed to fight Jacqueray on UFC 249 in Jacksonville, the first pay-per-view back, and he was supposed to fight Anderson Silva on that. massive, I think it was what, U.S.C. 198 or 197, I can't remember the exact number, was that giant card in the stadium in Brazil, and both of them fell out like the day or two before the event. So I'm happy he's getting a big name opponent. Alex, I'll start with you. What do you think of these two matchups in the Middle-Aid division? The wide-man fight doesn't, it doesn't really strike anything with me. It just doesn't ignite

any emotion for me. You all remember when you're in Royale, I do favor that that matchup. Um, let me see here. Sorry, my cat's like scratching everything. Go to Casey real quick. Casey, your thoughts on these two middle-light fights. Oh, no. Let me cut it off. Let me get her off.

The wide man, um, how do you say the opponent's name? It's one of the things I've read, but I've never said that left. Aramadov. Do you think that's a fight that ever gets made in a non-pandemic era? Yeah. You think so? Yeah, because Wyman is at the point where he can't turn down fights. Like, he just needs to fight.

So, Akhminov is ranked 11, and Wyatman's not in the rankings at all at middleweight. It's just a unique one. Well, like, who would it, like going down, Wydomit, like Israel Adasanya and Costa are going to be matched up in the future. Whitaker is fighting Till. Canaaner's hurt. Yule Romero is supposedly fighting Hall. That's what the Hermanson fight. I wanted him to book.

He's sitting at 6. Wybin already beat Gasolm. Brunson's matched up with Shabazzian. The next thing up is Omari Akhmadov. Like, literally went down the list. The only other fighter that doesn't have a fight is Hermanson. I was hoping that fight would happen. I would have given Wyman like a true tune-up fight if we're going to do like,

because he needs a tune-up fight. It's just, it's just, why-min needs one. I mean, he's been like, who did he fight at 205 when he went to 205? Dominic Gray. They got deaded. Yeah, how unfair is that? Like, you know, it's like, like, You send guys up to a higher weight class

and they have to fight even tougher guy, you know, ranking-wise. I wish why it was someone, because, yeah, because that guy is super good and no one knows him. You know, what people know. Who would you give him? Someone, you know, someone like I would have a hard time

looking up and go, who is that guy? I was like, oh, he's 0 and 2 in the UFC. He fought in two random fight night prelims that I completely forgot about. But I actually watched. Why did mention the fight? Someone like that, I feel like. The only ones below him are Brad Tavares, Ian Heinrich, Marvin, Tori, and Shoefish.

I'm talking off the list. Whatever list you're looking at, like off that list. That's who Wademan should be fine. Like, guys, like, you've actually watched him fight three or four times, but you just can't remember their name because they probably lost, you know, three of those fights. I can't, like, one of those guys. How about Tim Bosch?

Is he still fighting? As far as I know. Why I'm in Tim Bosch? I would like to see that. Whether Tim Bosch is going back to middleway is another story. But sure. Yeah. Yeah, and the Romero Hall fight, that fight kind of rules.

Actually, fun fact, Tim Boas just lost to Mario Ivanov in his last fight. I'm pretty sure, Timbo's retired. But, yeah. Or like, yeah. But the Romero Hall fight, yeah, cool fight. But that fight could be absolutely awful. and absolutely awful but it could be awful for 14 minutes and 50 seconds

but that last 10 seconds of craziness might be worth it. I think that's one of those fights. I'm trying to look up like all these names I'm trying to come up with like Ian Heinz just got hurt so he pulled out of his schedule's fight was supposed to be this weekend right?

So he's not fighting and then Hermanson was the only other one I think unless you want to give him Vittori who's coming off that big win. He's obviously in the headlines. He fought on the co-made event. So I don't hate the fight, but whatever. It's a weird fight.

Anyway, but about your eye haul in Romero, Casey. We didn't even talk about that one. Oh, no, I said it. It said it rules. Oh, yeah. That fight rules. Alex, you heard me talk about it. I did, yeah.

Okay. Let's keep Romero active. I like a nice... Because otherwise he disappears for a while. I'm like, what the hell? What's going on with Romero? Sure. Wait.

You know... I want to know who Hermanson's fighting next. Like. Or what Jared Kennedy comes back. You know who Wyman should fight someone like Wellington Termin? Yeah, that's a name. Yeah. He exists.

He's a middle white in the UFC. He lost to Carl Robeson last year. You know, like that's who I think Wyatman should be fighting. Like, he should be fighting. That is a name. Roman Coppulov. All right. That is the name that exists.

These are contracts that the UFC has. you know but yeah that that's that's that's that's that's that's the that's why i think white man should be fighting i'm i'm i'm i'm not respect to roman coppeloff is he still gonna you say how's he doing how's he doing what oh how about uh christoph jacques he just won too far up too far i'm talking about i'm talking he's not ranked jacques he's not ranked he's on he's he's like 20th i said whyman needs to fight a guy that you've actually watched fight multiple times ago i don't know who he is No, I've heard of Air Ganders.

I'm talking about... Why I mean you're fighting a guy I have never heard of. But I've actually literally interviewed him. Gerald Mirchart. Way too up. No. Kevin Holland. Wyman versus the guy Mirchott bought,

win. I wouldn't mind that. Your own win? Yeah. Sure. Why not? Eric Spiceley's up there too. Anyway.

Romero Hall all kind of rules. like that fight. Does anyone not like that fight? I love that fight. Yeah. I'm gonna put this on the screen because I know,

no one ever actually no one ever actually says these things out loud, but Casey makes a good point from Frank Ferdtter. Frankfurter? That's the kind of people that agree with Casey. That's definitely a real account.

People with names based off of food. Whatever. You guys are doing. Anyway. haters. Jerks. I hate everyone. I hate everyone.

I'm angry than Joe Silver right now. Everyone saw, what did someone call me? Like, why is Jose so grumpy? I'm like, why am I grumpy? I'm just doing the waiting show. Everyone kept saying I was grumpy that morning and I didn't understand it. Anyway, sports from at Sportsweek, MMA. Will there be another virtual media day today?

And if so, what time? Well, probably tomorrow. I'm sitting in recording this on Wednesday. I don't think there's been a media day on a Wednesday at all. Also, do you know if Lyman Good is undergoing any extra testing this week? I've seen news reports saying that it can stay in your system. The small amounts, maybe pica cramps. No.

I wondered how it might play out. Well, media day tomorrow probably. I will not be there. This is the first fight card I've missed since the Brazilian card, which is the last right when the pandemic hit, and I've been to all the Jacksonville and Vegas cards then. So I'm missing this one. I don't know off the top of my head if Laman's going to undergoing any extra testing.

I guarantee you he's probably not being allowed to be around. He's not going to be allowed to mingle with his fellow fighters in the hotel room. I think that's what happened with Neil Magny. Neil Magny went and shook hands with someone that had been, had a false positive, and they saw it and they almost pulled him from the card before the false positive came back. So I guarantee you Lyman Good is just going to be around his coaches and in his hotel room. He had it what in April? That was like early on.

That's like two months ago. I think they're going to, yeah, they're going to test them like anyone else. But obviously, hey, make sure they don't skip this test. But, yeah, I think it's going to be right. There you guys. The few times I've been in the, well, not the few times. Like, I've been at the fighter hotel, which is just a holiday end around the corner from the apex. I have not seen anyone at all going there.

I see like the hotel staff and the medical people doing the test. I've not seen any fighters or coaches or PR people at all. and a few times I went, wow, my screen is really crooked for whatever for some reason, whatever. Fight weeks are lonely now. I was talking with Oscar Willis of the Mac Life, and we were like, we were sitting in that hotel because it's literally just the most basic holiday inn, and all of the fighters and people have to stay there. I'm like, imagine if Connor fought this week, and he has to stay at this holiday inn.

Or imagine if Dave Diaz and Connor had to stay in this holiday in all week. No way. So for the pay-per-view, the fighters just stayed at a hot, they didn't get, like, they didn't book a fancy hotel in? No, the holiday inn is literally about a two-minute drive from the apex. If you have to drive, might as well drive 15 minutes. He's like, get him a nice hotel, guys. Come on, Dana. Is Dana staying there?

Come on, man. Dana, I don't know. Dana White is like, I don't want to shit on them, but like when I asked them if they had to quarantine at the fight island. He goes, I don't want to shit on the hotel or staying at because they're doing a good job, but we're not staying at the holiday. Holiday Inn Express on Fight Island. I was like, ooh, shade. Anyway, anyway. It was also like, I don't want to put.

What's going on with him, man? There was no breakfast. No continental breakfast? I also don't want to put her on blast. And I also don't know her name, but like they had the convenience store at the holiday in. And like when we have to get our test or COVID test on Saturday morning, we have to,

we are then quarantined like from this most recent. We had to stay at that hotel from 6.45 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. just in our room. And there's like, they say you have to bring your own food and buy your own internet. And I don't know who was. One of the media members, like, can I buy like a bag of chips and a monster at the convenience store? And she was like, yeah, sure. And then she like, he like went to go pay and like she didn't have any money or, and since our names were on the rooms, it couldn't be tied to the room. She's just like, I guess just take it. Just took it. He just took the, the snacks that just left. That's, that's how it was.

this past. It was very bizarre. But anyway, next question. You couldn't pay me to steal Monster Energy drink. Yeah, you're not wrong. Like, here's here's five bucks, Casey. You drink this, like, no. What if it was

a bag of... I just ruined my sponsorship deal with Monster. I'm done. Yeah, but you got that soiled money. Yeah. We got... Are you going to say anything important? Jose, did you have anything important to say? Not anymore.

All right. We got some questions for cool Alex. Hold on. Too small. Alex, who do you choose to win the Holly Holm and Irené-Al-Done fight? I love this question. I'm saying a fan. Yeah, this is a really good fight.

I don't know. I like to think that Holly takes it. but I don't know there's always the but Aldonnell looks really good lately and I think I don't know I don't really want to pick this one because I don't like watching either of these women lose so I'm not going to pick it I'm just going to defy the question

I can't believe it's moving around too much I can't read it sorry I can't believe that's the fight that got made because I think Irrenaudane Adanae was next in line for the title shot of Bannon Wing. After she just destroyed Ketland-Vietta. Like that, she just decapitated her. Also, if you take away that split, if one judge gives her that fight against Raquel Pennington

because she lost a split, she's riding, what, a six-seven fight win streak in the U.C. Banquet division? I thought she beat Chiquet. I thought, I thought she beat Chiquan, and I thought she beat Raquel. Yeah, I forget about that. That Chukagin fight was a split, too.

She could be on like a nine-fight win streak, and then we're not even having, like, she's already fought for the title. Yeah. But she lost Leslie Smith for sure. I think that was her. That was her debut fighting in the UFC. Yeah, that was great bad.

Yeah. Was that in Sacramento? Is that the fans and Waters? I thought it was Denver. Whatever. I was there. I think that was the Fans and Waterson card. That was the Fox card in December.

Remember, who would have thought that when the UFC signed Grasso and Aldana? It would be Aldana who would be in the really, this close to it. I mean, she could get a shot right now and no wonder what Bink and I. Rene Aldana is my mom's favorite fighter. Oh, I remember you're saying that after the last fight. She loves

her as Mexican fighters. Man. She's also gorgeous. Yes, she is. I'm not I'm going to keep a focus on fighting skills. Man, I'm not denying what you're saying, though. I loved her when we interviewed

her last fight in December when I asked her about how comfortable it was speaking, like if she was like now she's comfortable speaking English. She gave a really, she was like I was so scared to speak English for the longest time because she was just, she didn't know if she was good at it. And now she's finally comfortable. Like she talked about how she would do interviews and she knew when they would ask her question, she knew how to answer, but she was just too scared to answer. Yeah. I thought that was super fascinating. Yeah. But now she's comfortable. My arena Arena-A-Donna's story is Invictive.

Time? She showed up late? Yeah. You can tell it. All right. So Casey and everyone were doing like this, was it like production before the fight for like all the media stuff? Photos.

Like photos and videos and what have you. And they were waiting on one fighter and then they could go home and she was really late. And it turned out to be this newcomer René Aldane, who showed up late and Casey had this misconception. Like, oh, this fighter is showing up late. But she showed up and she was so apologetic. was really sick.

Yeah. Yeah. So we, that's the story, so we basically, because I was with Esther, we had to put the photo set up and everything. That takes like,

you know, an hour to set up, hour to tear down. So like, and by the time it's like 10 o'clock. And she was late only because her flights. It wasn't because like she was just, yeah,

yeah, her flights were late. So we should have been done like at 6 p.m., but we're there until 10 p.m. just sitting in room and like, God damn. We didn't know who she was. Like,

just canceled this fight. We don't, like, and she walked in. and she was just so nice and everything. And I was like, I was like, oh, it was a pleasure waiting for you, Miss Aldana. Like immediately I just like switch like, oh. And then like, oh my God, if you ever get a chance to watch her hit Mitz,

really Aldana hitting Mitz is like just so freaking, oh, she's vicious. Like, like, she cracks. She cracks. Like, oh. So like when I got to see when she finally knocked out Viera, I was like, oh, that's. That's the woman I see hitting Mids. Right there. That's that punch.

So, you know what? With this whole Nunes retirement thing, I know everyone's going to go, oh, interim belts, interim belts, but man, I am not, I know it's Holly Home. I am not against Home Aldana for interim belt on some random fight night card. In August? I don't care. Yeah, I don't hate it. I love that fight for Iran, because if she wins, like, Holly's one of those fighters.

Like, you beat hot. Like Holly's in that weird situation where she she's not going to fight for a title anytime soon. So why do this fight? Right. That's what I'm saying. Maybe René just wants to stay active. Like she just doesn't want to wait, especially with this retirement talk. I get it.

I say more people know Holly Holman's than Amanda Nunes for the casualized. Absolutely. That's easy. Yeah. So this is the biggest. It's like when Rox, I asked Roxanne Montefari. It's fighting Macy Barber the biggest thing outside of fighting for the title right now. and like Roxanne gave that like every fight is important but like in the back of my mind I'm like

macy's probably the biggest name outside of the champion right now yeah um yeah and with nunez she's gonna be out for a while regardless like almost at the end of the year even if she doesn't retire she's gonna be out for like six months and yeah i mean i get irina irina needs to take a fight but like this fight just doesn't make sense from a matchmaking perspective to me but whatever here we are like i love the fight it's martial arts match but anyway do we have another question for Alex, you said? La la la la la la la. Hold on.

Ooh, yeah, we have one more question. Hold on. That's a good question. Hold on. Let me get you. Do, do, do, do. From, again, drunk savage, it looks like his handle, his photo, his photo is a bottle at Jameson.

Says, Jose is grumpy because he knows his mustache will never be on Casey's level. First of all, you have no punctuation. You forgot the accident in my name, and your name is a drunk savage. So that answers all of your questions, Casey. This man clearly is not in the right state of mind. Next one. Rude. I'm just putting insults right now.

Jackson Rounds. Jose Not So Young. Again, spelled my name wrong. You spelled your first name Jackson wrong. Who uses an X? And it looks like your bio is a mouse. So this person's not even a human being. Again, not in the right state of mind.

Next question. This is actually a question for you, Jose. It's not MMA related, but I think people want to know. Jose, what's the riots like out there from Sean Moody? There's no riots in Phoenix lately. It's been very peaceful since those first couple of nights. But it was, the first few nights got pretty hairy, especially on my street right outside my window. There was tear gas and smoke and people.

and cops just sprinting around my street. And there were helicopters zipping around it overhead. And outside my apartment right here, there's like five or six palm trees. There was maybe 20 to 30 people sitting under the palm trees to hide from the helicopters. That was the first night. So that was a couple weeks ago. It was pretty wild outside for a minute. But Laley, it's been super, super peaceful.

And they're just marching down the streets towards the stake. They do a circle. They start downtown and they do a loop. and then they hit the city hall and the state capitol and then they loop back before curfew. It's also, again, like in the hundreds, so people don't want to stay out nearly as much with the mask of no water. But it's been no riots lately, mostly peaceful protests. And Englewood has been very calm. Just lots of people, like little people, just people on the corners, you know, holding their, you know, Black Lives Matter signs.

And we saw like a little, we were walking our dog the other day. And we saw like a family, I think a Hispanic family just in front of the apartment. complex, holding up signs on our street. It's super cute. There's a lot of houses around me that have Black Lives Matter in the windows or like sprayed on their cars and stuff like that. So it's the movement's still going strong. It's just much also Arizona is in a bad state right now in terms of the coronavirus. We're in a state of like a state of panic. I think like after the first week of reopening, we we have like a spike of like 48 percent.

And then the last test, the last results came out. And the spike is now up to an increase of like a hundred and thirty percent. So I think people want to protest, but now they're terrified because they don't want to be around that many people. So Arizona is not great right now. Nope. Well, I don't know. I listen to Brendan Shaw, Ben, I don't know. Oh, okay.

Just saying. You got your opinion. I mean, I'm just everyone, no. I don't know why your opinion is better than someone else's opinion. Yeah, I guess not. same, bro. I mean, Brennan Shob and Brian Callen apparently did seven sold-out shows down the street from me. You could have

fooled me because I didn't see anyone down there. Suzanne says, I love Monster Energy. Well, hey, Casey, we found her. All right, this is another question from Sandy Fam again. Who do you all predict to be the 135 and 145 champ when Amanda retires? I'm choosing

GDR for 135 and the 145 is going to get cut. Alex, I'll start with you. Women's Divisions. Who do you think reigns Supreme of 135 and 145 if Amanda Nunes retires? If they keep the 145, then I don't know. I just can't imagine that happening if Amanda retires because unless they're going to do some serious recruiting, like it's just, it's just going to disappear. But if they keep it, I think Felicia Spencer obviously would be the frontrunner there.

At Bantamway, I don't know, now that we've just been hyping up Aldana, I could definitely see that. I think she, I think she beats Durandamay. so but I feel like that would be a great contender fight right there I never thought about it but I really want I wish they had made that fight I know it doesn't make any sense but that fight freaking rules GDR and Aldana it makes even less sense than the Hollyholm fight considering GDR's coming off that loss to Amanda Nunes but that fight

in terms of just a fight I I love that fight I think the 35 division will either be if Amanda retires it's either going to be Asman Ladd or Aldana, I think. Who's Aspen Ladd fighting next? Is she scheduled? I thought. I thought so. Do the Google.

I thought Holly Holmes should have fought in Aspen Lad when they announced the Aldane fight. I was very surprised. I thought she, because they were supposed to fight before. Right, yeah, I was going to say. Sarah McMahon. Oh, next week. Yeah. Okay, I guess, yeah, it's such a weird thing, man.

Like, if they did like a real interim belt for Nunes, because she's going to be gone for a while, who knows how long, I would like, if, I wish they held off on the home Aldana booking. And if Ladd B's McMahon, do Ladd-Aldana for the interim. That makes a lot of sense. I don't want them fighting each other if it's not for the belt, because they're two. I agree. I agree with Alex, though.

it's hard to 45 is done. 1.45 would have to be done. Unless, like, Megan Anderson goes out there and wins and just, like, goes on a tirade and, like, brings eyeball.

But, like, who else could she fight after that? Right, exactly. You know where they're missing now? Katzangano. She could fight a 135 and 45. That'd be a good rematch. Cassingano versus Megan. That was the sliced eyeball fight.

Yeah. Yeah, 100%. Like, and she has a win over Manan Nunes. I don't understand that cut. I really don't. I was shocked by that. Yeah, they're missing her. People like Zengano.

She was always a fan favorite, too. That home from Uriel Landeros on the site. I have no idea what profile is I at. I don't worry about it. That home versus, that home versus Aldana fight is hard to pick, man. Got to go with my roots and go for Aldana. But home is such a great space in my list of fighters.

Yeah, it's a tough fight. That's a lot. I don't know who I favor it at them. moment. I'm sure I'll have a better answer the closer we get to the fight. Holly did not look good against Pennington. I forgot they fought again. Yeah, that was on the counterfeit card. And then Dana was just rinsing that fight and Holly Holm was standing right behind me. And I was like, and she was like, her arms were like folded and I was like, oh, this is awkward because she, Dana White clearly did not see her in the back. Yeah. Even after that fight, everyone was calling for Holly

home to retire. And I'm like, I know. I know. So if she loses this one, everyone's going to be like, She's so washed up. Just caught. Whatever. People be dumb. Right. I can make sure there's no bad words in here. Sandy fam, again,

Aldana's not ready for Amanda. I wouldn't be mad if she was giving a title shot if she beat Holly. If she's going to stand up with Holly, she's not going to win. I'm calling it here. Ah, okay, okay. Like, I can't imagine Aldana Holly does, there's going to be much grappling.

at all, but it's amazing, you never know. Oh, don't say that, don't say that. All right. Don't say you know. Yes, yes. All right, all right. Let's go to our actual question questions. Hold on. Here we go.

Max's immediate rematch from Trumbo on the site. If Max loses to Volcanowski again is he basically forced him to live to lightweight, how do you like his chances at lightweight? What concerns me, given his history, is that part of his style at Featherweight has been ability to absorb damage. And as we saw with the Porreier fight,

the damage of Lightweight is much more significant. Does it move up to Lightweight shorten his career? Getting punch in the face shortens your career. Yeah, anytime, I don't care what weight class you're in is going to shorten your career. I think the weight cut will probably, it might counterbalance. Like, he doesn't have to cut nearly as much,

so maybe he feels healthier. Also, let's not forget, it's not like he bulked up to lightweight. Against Porreier, to me, he just looked like a featherweight that just didn't cut to 145. Porre himself said, after he moved up to lightweight, it took him a fighter to even feel like a lightweight

because he had to, like, get bigger. Even Mazudal, when his first fighting against Cesar Fahara, he just looked like a soft lightweight that stopped cutting and just fought at 170. So I feel like if Max bulked up and got bigger and wasn't that 145 body fighting a lightweight, he could be a completely different Max Holloway. But I don't know.

Alex, what are your thoughts? I don't think that if he loses to Volkanowski, that that weren't any, like we said a few weeks ago, I don't think that warrants any significant career change, you know, I don't think we have to go back up to lightweight. You can't if you want. Like, that's, it's his, it's his career. It's his career at the end of the day. But yeah, I agree. I don't say forced is the word to use. Casey?

If Max loses? Yeah, Max goes 0 and 2 against the champ. Does he force him to move out to lightweight? No. Why would he do that? he can't if he wants he can't you go to watch away if he wants

I mean no so oh no Max needs retire because he may be the second best

feather weight you know like what like what that's ridiculous it's like imagine any other job in the world

like I don't know you know you're in your manager at Office Depot or whatever and like oh no

you're just the second best manager get out of here retire you're like if if Steve and D.C. retire

and Francis and Gano wins the championship, that means Curtis Blades has to retire. Sorry, Curtis. Sorry, Curtis. That's the rules.

I read it on Twitter. Yeah, you're done, bro. You're done, bro. Anyway, yeah, I, again, but that fight hasn't even happened yet, the Balkanowski Hall. For all we know, Holloway wins and we get an epic trilogy. Man, I'm trying, I can't find it. Remember, like, the little trim when everyone was doing the little, uh, putting lady faces and all the men, all the guy fighters?

Yeah, it's still happening. Yeah. Dude, Max Holloway as a lady as Maxine Holloway. I'm just saying, kind of cute. All right. Bolognazki as a lady? No, no, no, no, no. Maxine Holloway?

What a very bizarre podcast this is turned into. Talking about cage fighting. This is the weird part. We're talking about men getting as skinny as possible, then putting men in a cage, half-necked, and women. And women. men, men and women, getting skinny as possible and throwing a bag of money in a cage, all right, fight for our entertainment. And then when they don't kill each other within 15 minutes, we go boring.

Right. Yeah. This is a weird sport. What a silly sport? Oh, but you know what? If Max, we don't know how Max's weight cuts really are. We have no idea. We just don't know.

And if Max can cut the 45 healthy, sure, there's lots of fun fights still. If the UFC and Max Phil, there's more money, more opportunities if he goes to 55. I mean, remember, when he fought Dustin Poirier. That was a super competitive fight, super competitive. Go ahead. He's super competitive fight.

So regardless, and we know Dustin Poiray is at worst, a top five, top three lightweight. So what? So Max Holloway is, at worst a top 10 lightweight in the UFC dude that is an amazing accomplishment just being a top

you know just being top 10 in the 55 division UFC is like yeah but short his career will definitely shorten his career though because he will get punched harder at that point if I ruled it just happened to be the second best fight on the card what a bummer what a bummer

all right do do do do do who do you guys guys think we'll be on the cover of UFC 4 hashtag the A side from at KKD underscore 131. Oh man. Alex, do you play video games? No. I don't either. But I guess you don't need to play video games.

I think Amanda. Maybe Amanda and Kabeeb can they do two people? They can do two people. Yeah, because they did they did Rhonda and Connor. Connor's been on like the last like two or three. All right. Just put them on this one too. Why not?

Yeah, why not? Habib's a good one Stylebender's a good one Amanda's a good one Unless they wanted I think they should do Like Madden did the Alenic

I think Olinic would look good On the cover Alexia Olinic Yeah yeah I think I'll buy it No no I just want I just want him on the weight

On the scale in his jeans That's what I want to see It's been obviously When he fights in his jeans I think they should do Regional covers like Madden did for a while or the NBA where like if you buy

if you bought NBA Live or NBA 2K whatever in France for the longest time but always a Tony Parker or if you buy it in Spain it would have power of salt like like Canada should probably just have GSP like Mexico could have like Jaire or Alexa Grasso like China could have Wiley

the Australia scene could have style bender like it should be that but I have no idea I like your Habib and Amanda idea quite a bit Yeah. Trow them on there. No, no, I think, I think Habib, yeah.

I mean, I just don't see Amanda U.S.C. putting someone like... Putting someone like... Amanda, because, like, someone they've never really promoted. He's like, Dana White just said, you know what, we should start promoting the 45 division for women. Yeah. You mean to tell me, but didn't you see on Dana's appearance on the Schmo zone that Dana put Amanda on his Mount Rushmore of MMA? Okay. It was hoist Gracie, Amanda Nunes, what was it, John Jones, and then a tie between Forrest and Chuck. Interesting.

So no GSB, keep in mind. No Anderson Silva. No Connor, which I was surprised he didn't say Connor. I don't think he should be on there, but I was like, Dan's going to make Connor the George Washington. Of course. Wait, so who's his Mount Rushmore again? Say it again? Hoyce Gracie, Amanda Nunes, John Jones, and then I believe it was Forrest and Chuck Lidl were like tied. That's weird, that's weird,

because you're obviously putting Royce up there for... Hoise. Royce, Gracie. You're putting Hoyce up there because more just, not because he was like the best fighter, it's more just because kind of when he came to the sport. It's the OG. You put him for the OG reasons.

So for that reason, like, you tell me, if you put just OGs up there, like, I don't know, I will, I know it's controversial, but I will put Ronda over Amanda. I would too. Yeah. I 100% would put Ronda on. Yeah, I mean, if you just don't know like, oh, geez, really people would just catapult. Like, people. It took the sports the next level as far as popularity. Because, like, the Mount Rushmore I don't view as, like, the greatest fighters, like, the most important.

Right. That's how I do it. So I would 100% put Ronda on it. So it should be, like, Connor four times. Yeah. Connor three times and then just Dana White. Connor three times and then Joe Silva. Yeah, that'd be true.

There you know. Anyway, do we have any more questions? I know we started two minutes late. We can go two minutes longer. Do you believe in the curse, though? Is she talking about the UFC curse? Yeah, the cover curse. Or are you talking about the body armor curse, which exists in MMA?

Yeah. What's the cover curse? So in Madden, the Madden curse is the for years, whoever was on the cover of Madden, something terrible would happen to them, either either health-wise or career-wise the next year. So like Sean Alexander, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb, Dante Colpepper, Mike Vic, Troy Pal Maloo, Brett Farv, like all these fight like these NFL superstars, would get cursed the next year. Like, they would get hurt or have the worst year of their career.

And then it got to the point where, like, LaDalen Collinson, who at one point in time was the best football player on Planet Earth said, no. I do not want to be on the cover. Like, oh, although Vince Young in there, too, he was on the cover. So he said no. And then they tried to reverse the curse by putting Brett Favre on the cover when he retired. But then he decided to come out of retirement and play for the Jets, and he had, like, the worst year. So the Madden curse exists, 100%. And they tried to reverse it again by putting two people on it with Troy Palomalo and Larry Fitzgerald.

And then like Troy Paul, something happened with Troy Paul Mala. I can't remember. So it 100% exists. But there's only been two U.S. What, two or three UFC games and Conner's been on all of them. So I think he's doing okay. The only game that I play is EA MMA with Fador and Randy Couture. There you go.

You know what? We haven't. Apparently there are fights this weekend. that's true have you all touched on the fights this weekend from just my two cents excellent excellent

we have it and get the avatar bro actually instead of going starting with the top I'll say Alex which point are you most excited for on this card because I actually think this fight card is awesome I love this I love this card I need to look I need to look at the card

it's understandable Casey I'll start with you then What fight are you most looking forward to? I'm very much looking forward to Roxanne Modifari versus Lauren Murphy because that card is obnoxiously low in the card. I hate it. That's so low in the card. But Roxy could, I personally think Roxy should have got a title fight over Jojo Codewood because you can sell the storyline more. But obviously if Roxy wins, she should get a title shot.

I don't think Murphy is a... I don't think Murphy's in line for a title shot, but definitely Roxy. Oh, Tisha Torres says is Brian Van Buren. I fucking love that. I love that fight. She's a monster. She's so good.

Lady's so good. And Ben, Tisha Tora is that, like, ooh, she just... She's only lost to, like, she's only lost to champions or former champions. And then she lost to Mirroa Rodriguez, who a lot of people considered to be a future title contender. Yeah.

So, yeah, if you beat Tisha Tore, you're basically you're ready for a title shot she has one of my favorite nicknames in the UFC who Tisha Tiny Tornado I love that it's so cute and Rocky's fighting on the same card too have they done that before

oh that's a good point I forgot about it I had not even thought about that interesting no I don't I don't know yeah I'm very high in Roosevelt Roberts and I love I love prospect versus vet vet matchups he's he was facing Jim Miller

Raquel Marino it's a fight Let's talk about Josh Eminem and Shane Burgos Because someone's dying In that fight That fight freaking rules Like Shane Burgos is one of those fighters

That New York guy So I heard about him a lot In the Northeast And then when he was matched up With Calvin Cater U.S. 220 in Boston It was the last fight

Because people were talking about That fight car was top of you Because that had Stipe versus Francis And Corme versus Ozdemair were the main and comane and then everyone said the rest of the fight card was boring. The fight before the title fights was Shane Burgos and Calvin Cater and I was like, this fight could be a future headliner of like a fight night or both of these guys could fight for titles down the line. And these got both of those guys have proven to just be stellar fighters that just happened to fight really early in their career.

So I am super excited for Josh Zem and Shane Burgos. that is a like when I look at fights I'm like I bet my kek just drools over this fight and that is the fight that I picked and I'm probably right yeah big fan this is a big Chicago card we got the Lal Curtis Clay Guida he's from Chicago right oh yeah Clay Guida Bobby Green part two because the first time they were supposed to fight on that Chicago card then Bobby Green fell out and this is when you and I both worked a fan side it and Clay Guida was not happy with Bobby Green You kind of went off on him for a little bit. Because when he signed the fights who fight Bobby Green, Clay Goody goes, when I signed to fight Bobby Green, I knew I wasn't going to fight Bobby Green. And that's exactly what happened. So I'm glad they're finally going to run this one.

Alex, have you been watching those Roosevelt Roberts interviews that Mike Heck has been shooting? Are you asking me if I've been doing my job? A little bit. We watched him through him. We watched my interviews. Man, I love Roosevelt Roberts, man. Like when he starts really getting pumped up and like, oh, man,

when he, him talking about the backstage stuff with Brock, what's the guy he beat, he just beat Brock Weber? Brock Weaver. Brick Waiver. Backstage. Yeah, that man, when that man loosens up and it kind of just isn't really afraid of the media, no, the fans are going to say, he just kind of goes. Man, like, I like him a lot.

What's tattooed on his chest? Get that money, about that money, something crazy like that? And then he has the Illuminati eye, like right in the center. I think someone asked about it. He just said, I thought it looked cool. I was like, yeah, me. I was like, is that the Illuminati thing on your chest? Because if you have a weird tattoo, I'm going to ask you about it.

Like, Devin Clark has, like, his weird ox thing on his chest is like a Native American god. Like in Niagara, what is this creature on your chest? And he's like, oh, and he like went hard into it. I was like, whoa, this guy's about that. Real quick, main event predictions, though. This is the big time main event. Can you see all start with you? Curtis Blades or Alexander Volkov heavyweights Volkov going Volkov small cage I think it's going to help him and I'm going

Volkov I think it's going to be um I just but I actually I don't like this fight that much but I do like the fact that it's in that tiny cage with and the fence is only like maybe like Simon's six feet high so like those guys like Volkov is going to tower over it so that should be what six nine something like that yeah I think he's like yeah six 30 or something yeah I think that. So the octagon is not only smaller diameter, but it's also shorter. Yeah. Interesting. Alex, I have a feeling I know who you're going to pick

Curtis Blades are out of the... Chicago. Sidia soup. See, soup. Anyway, yeah, I gotta go Curtis Blades. The only people he's lost to are named Francis Ghaner Lely. And he the first fight, do you remember

their first fight, Casey? Who? Francis Gondon and Curtis Blades. Yeah, I remember it was in Orlando. Nope It wasn't another Or was it Was it?

It was not It was in Croatia Curtis Curtis Blades and who Francis and Gano That was the rematch Right The first time they fought

Was in Croatia The second time they fought was in China Really? Yes Who did Curtis Blades Oh okay No I remember saying Okay

Oh whatever That was his first ever Fight in the UFC Was against France and Gano It was a doctor stoppage And it was a doctor stoppage And

And then he got just, and then he went on that tear and then he got knocked out in like 40 seconds in China, super early in the morning over here on the West Coast, the left coast. And then he's only one cent. So he's only lost for Francis and gone in the UFC. I think he has like a draw or what was it the, or no contest or something like that. I can't remember which card it was. But yeah, so I have to favor Curtis Blades. But as long as Francis is sitting there, like they're not going to run that back at third time. But yeah, I have to gear with Alex.

Curtis Blades is probably going to. to win. What? Who's Volkov lost to? Derek Lewis. Oh, a bad decision of Czech Congo. That was a very bad decision. Yeah. That was a very bad decision. I never saw Tony Johnson. His Tony Johnson. I didn't

see that one, but it's a split. So it seems like he's been held. That's how, well, Derek Lewis, obviously, you know, that was, we all remember that fight. That was a Derek Lewis special, but. Yeah, he was about 10 seconds away from getting a title shot. Yeah. And then he fought Greg Hardy to a decision in Moscow.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, but it was a... Super last second. A workman-like performance. Yes. Yes. It was not a close fight. No.

Was so ever. People were like, Greg Hardy fought to Volkov to a decision. I'm like, yeah, Volkov was preparing for Junior Dos Santos for five rounds and then got given Greg Hardy and bumped to three rounds. Of course he's not, his playbook's going to go out the window. So, yeah, but that was not a close fight. whatsoever but uh i think it's alice and i think curtis blades casey thinks volkov uh but i think you know what but one thing i don't know about volkov i don't know about how is training is he

training in russia like how do they get i have no idea yeah i wonder about the uh the flight over and uh did he come over in time to get uh adapted to the Vegas weather and stuff so things i don't know but i'm assuming both guys are fighting 100% of their full potential but uh yeah actually i didn't account to travel and the thing of the holiday. I very much want to watch if Blades wins, I have no idea who he fights next. I was hoping he fight Derek Lewis, but Derek Lewis has got matched

up with Alexi Olinic. I still selfishly want to watch Volkov an over-me throw-down because their first fight was scrapped. I love that fight. I fucking love that fight. But who knows? There's a lot of fun fights at heavyweight. But is that all our questions, Casey, right? We went over a little time. Yeah, we got... There was a couple

of Jessica Eye questions in there. I can't find it anymore. Okay. And no Mazur-Dahl questions, I was very surprised. We've got a lot of Mazur-Dahl questions lately. But anyway, that is all the time we've had on this episode of the A side. Casey, are we coming back on Friday? Yeah, we'll be coming. We'll go live pretty much right as soon as the official way-ins are done.

Yes. I will not be in Las Vegas this weekend. So many people have asked me if I'm making the trip up again. I will not be in Vegas this week. But for now, Alex, the floor is yours for everyone to say before we sign off this week. Oh my God. You know, I know that this question is coming, and I always forget. I know. That's why I always ask you first. Pass. Pass. Casey, well, you have art up now finally, right? Was that stuff? Yeah, no. This was on its way last week or two weeks ago, so it is here.

Starting to feel like a home. Now that the stores are open, I can go get the things I need to have an apartment. There you go. Casey, what do you got to say? Not much. Just moving along. Fights are happening. People are punching each other. Writers complaining about money. Dana's calling us whips. Yeah, same shit. Same old, same old. I'm going to use my time to say,

rest in peace, Danny O'Neill, one of the greatest and most influential comic book writers who have ever lived, passed away during the official Wayans at USC 10, and that threw my day into all sorts of haywire.

That's why he was grumpy. No, that was the week before I was drunk. Oh. I was sad. Oh, man. I'm playing like nice, I beat music, too. It's all good.

It doesn't really. Let's celebrate his life. Celebrate his life. Danny O'Neill wrote Green Lantern, Green Arrow, which is one of the most progressive comic books I have ever read in my entire life from the point where he really pushed racism, drugs, death, religion, environmentalism to the forefront of comic books. This one I'm reading right now, this one on my shirt, this panel,

is the greatest panel in comic book history outside of Gwen Stacy Dead. is a black man in New York. He's asking why Green Lantern doesn't help black people, but he protects aliens. He's like, you protect purple skins and blue skins and all that, but why don't you help black skinned people? And Green Lantern's like, I don't have an answer for you. And then that makes it. So Green Lantern gives up 50% of his power to help the fellow man.

So he's a very grounded column. So if you haven't met it, go read it. Also, Bucky, who is the. Robin, not Speedy, who is the Robin to Green Lantern, his sidekick, is found out to be a heroin addict, which it is bananas. It is one of the greatest covers and stories I've ever read. So rest in peace, Danny O'Neill, one of the most progressive comic writer's of all time. But enough sad time.

I'm Jose. That's Alex. That's Casey. We'll see you on Friday. Alex, do you want to do it again? I'm in. All right. Alice is going to be here again.

So two back-to-back episodes with Alex. We'll see you on Friday. We're out. Oh, and Esther Lin says, your camera's crooked. Fix it. I know. I'll fix you next time. He's going to dance.

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.