MMA Fighting - The A-Side Live Chat w/ Roxanne Modafferi

Episode Date: April 29, 2020

Some include her win previous over over Maycee Barber at UFC 246, the state of the UFC’s 125-pound division, her most anticipated fights for the rest of 2020,  life in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, things to do in Tokyo, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Ooh, the music's back. New music. Are we live? Are we live, Casey? Yeah. We are live. Wow, look at that.

Hello, everyone. Jose Youngster at M.AFundi.com here with another Wednesday edition of the A-side live chat. I know we're bringing you three episodes a week during this pandemic quarantine times. And of course, we always have a guest of honor every single week. And I am excited for this one because she's, She is by far one of our most requested guests. I've asked many of many fans who they like to see on.

She is either one, if not the top requested names. I've been tweeted a lot. When are you going to get this fighter on? When is she going to come on the show? And she is here for a Wednesday edition. Roxanne Matafari has joined Pizzi and Casey and I on the Aisat Live chat. Now, before we get into the fan questions, Roxie, I have to ask you, how has quarantine life been for you during this pandemic?

Hi. Thanks for having me. I'm really honored that fans request me. That's really cool. Quarantine has been super like emotional roller coaster up and down. Like I'm training in my one of my coaches garages right now. So it's not super bad. Like it sucks like I my team. I feel like I'm in Thailand getting a camp. You know, it's so bizarre. Like everything is so bizarre and not training with my best friend, Serena. Training is, I don't know. And I'm training like three times a week with my physical trainer.

And at first I was training with him. And then it was like, wait, we all have to wear masks. So then like he's standing six feet away from me. And I'm pulling the sled in his backyard because the gyms are closed. So I'm like running up and down his street behind his house with the sled, throwing stuff. So, you know, he says that I'm getting stronger because I'm not over training. you know I'm like just doing his conditioning so I'm getting stronger I just I just hit two maxes on my deadlifts you know like the first week of quarantine I you know I I beat my

personal record and then a few days later I beat my next personal record by 20 pounds whoa cool so I'm feeling pretty good I want to train with the team and this all sucks but it's very bizarre very bizarre and I can't really post about anything because I get socially shamed for leaving my apartment. I'm like, oh, boy, I'm hanging out with my, you know, one training partner, and everyone's like, that's not six feet. I have to be a good example, you know, because Vegas is different than New York. I don't want to be telling people to go out and train with everybody, like, please we're masking the grocery store. Please limit your, you know, exposure. So it's like, people are mean to me about that. I start posting, like 70% of what I'm doing, so I don't want to get socially shamed on

online. So that's how quarantine's been for me. Roxy, you are absolutely shredded ahead of your last fight. Now, if you're even getting stronger, that must be like huge. Yeah, I mean, it was notable, right? I can remember even said it to you in the

pre-voy. I was like, you look ridiculously ripped at the moment. So I mean, you're going to be even stronger now next time? My walk-around weight has gone up, you know, so I'm trying to like, it's getting up, you know, harder and harder to cut weight, you know, because my walker is going up, but, you know, I can still do it. But, yeah, thank you.

I'm excited to get even stronger to defeat my ex-opponents. Quality. Quality. Casey, what's your personal record? And just in what? What are we talking about? Doing the 40, you're like deadlift? What are we done?

Let's talk dead list. What's your personal record? Like a million. You don't have to share the number. I didn't share my number. One million. One million. Over 9,000.

Yeah, overnight that's what I was hoping Casey would say. We're a modest, sorry. But of course, as everyone knows, this is not our podcast. This is the fans podcast. You can ask any question you want. Roxy is here. I'm sure you have a lot of questions for her. For whatever reason, you might have questions for us,

even though we have an actual professional fighter here to answer your question. So without further ado, Casey, what is our first question from our lovely listeners? From Sean Denny at Denny Rance, hashtag the A-side. The UFC embraced more of a Japanese production style for weigh-ins and entrances. Would it noticeably improve the product or would it just, well, would it still just be about the fight? We've talked about this a lot on the show on our loves, our affinity for the entrances, the ramps, the pyrotechnics, everything we see from the pride and rising days, even when Tyson Fury fought down to Huala, they had those epic entrances. So, Roxanne, I'll ask you this. Are you a fan of the, quote, Japanese production style, as Sean says in this tweet, or do you like the basic, just walk out to the outstagon and fight?

No, yeah, I totally agree that the more interesting and entertaining it is, the better production it is, right? So it's kind of a bummer that, you know, people can't do, fighters can't do more with their walkouts and weigh-ins, you know? Very limited. I'm very grateful I'm allowed to wear the wigs, you know. I actually just asked one of the staff if I could wear a Reebok pink bra just because it has Reebok on it. And they're like, no, no, you have to wear the UFC provides stuff. It's like, all right. But I still think that since we're fighting in Reebok, that's fine. You know, we should be able to, you know, wear whatever we want for walkouts and way.

And so I think that would be better. But, you know. Has any, have you had any other ideas next by the UFC? I know Ben Rothwell's always wanted to walk out with his road. and they've always nixed it. I know Dominic Gray has wanted to walk out with a Kobe Bryant jersey and the UFC nixed it because none of them were Reebok. They weren't just weren't Reebok. And of course, we always see the fighters with tape over their Nike sneakers and their Adidas sneakers.

Have you had any ideas nixed by the UFC before walking out? The pink bra. Some other things. But, you know, I'm allowed to show my individuality with the wig. So that's good. But, you know, it's my job. I don't get me money. So I'm going to, you know, happily proceed because I love the UFC and I'm happy to be in the organization.

I think from like a consumer point of view, like when you're when you're watching these shows, I think the more uniqueness of Florida can bring to the table, like Roxy always does with the wigs. It's better for building their brands. And essentially a sole trader is not employees. I think they need to be given a bit of space to. to show the world what they're all about. So just on the Reebok thing, that's one thing that really kind of, I think it's like it's such a different era from before Reebok, obviously,

because people could put their personalities out there through their attire more. You know, you could learn something about them from what they were wearing and stuff. And that's kind of a thing of the past. So I'm always from more unique. We just learned like style better. I was going to say, I'm sure Izzy's following like skyrocketed after that entrance in Australia. Yeah, it was amazing. And look at the amount of shit he took for that, Roxy.

Like, I mean, it doesn't matter if you're doing the most badass shit in the world. They're still going to find a way to take a few shots at you. So, I mean, that's just the nature of beast. Oh, I can believe it. Most memorable entries you can remember for anyone on the panel. For me? For anyone. Miller is walking out with those dancing girls and the prize.

That is the correct answer. That is what I was hoping. to be the number one of all time. Like, come on. Was that a dream? I don't know if I was there. No. I remember, no, it was for a Strike Force card,

actually. I think you fought, you fought the same card of Jason. I mean, what was it? I was just, I thought it was a real. I did fight on the same card. Was it Chicago?

You fought? Yeah, Fedor versus Brent Rogers. Oh, wow. Wow. Well, now was the dancing girl. One else pride. He had Japanese girls.

Yeah, but he brought, he brought, he brought, uh, He brought him out for Strike Force, too. Oh, we did? Yeah. You know, and I remember that, Roxy, because I was with Jason shooting some behind the scene stuff. And you had your autographed book with you. And you had all the fighters signed.

Wow. Yeah, and I thought it was the most adorable thing because you were on the card. But yet you were like, oh, my God, Fader or Jason. I think it was so cute. Yeah, I get that book to my webmaster. I wanted to add that he did that entrance yet for both Strikeforce and Dream. But yeah, I think King Moes had a lot of big ones. Big fan of Ryzen.

I was a big fan of Michael Venom Page when he fought on the Tokyo show that Casey was at. Came out with the Okotsky robe. That was a fun one. Right. I know. I was very jealous of how well he pulled that up. He came out with the dagger in his mouth too. Pizzi, is that?

What's your most memorable entrance? I think just probably a bit from an Irish point of view the McGregor entrance of Schneide O'Connor was really epic I mean

people people like were crying in the crowd I turned around and half of Ireland was there and like I seen 45 year old men crying like just weeping openly like surrounded by their friends

I was like wow this is some shit's going down here boys but um the another great entrance and I every time I watch it I love it is a Patty Pimler from Cage Warriors coming out to Little,

what's the name of the song? I don't know, it's a dance song. It's like a Tiesto song and he comes out to it, but he was coming out to this like with 10,000 people in Liverpool just looking their minds.

But you can see people brought their kids in the crowd. He was such an icon there. And every time he kind of comes out to that. He even managed to make it dramatic when there was no crowd at that last Cage Warrior's show. He came out to it. There was no one in the crowd,

but you could just feel this buzz through the live feed. So that's definitely among my favorites. Well, hopefully he's in the, go ahead. Oh, I forgot my most memorable entrance. Just last year when I was in Hawaii and Elima Mali walked out with all her families and friends. And they did like, I'm not sure what it's called, but no traditional dance. And just watching the crowd cry and Elima crying.

And then she went out and won her five. It was awesome. Yeah, I'll plug on your video that you did for a little. Lima because that is still one of the most emotional videos I've ever seen in my entire life, the backstage footage of that. But Casey, next question. Thank you, Sean, for one of your lovely questions again. From at the seaside, top three female bouts you're looking forward to and want to see by the end of 2020.

So, Roxanne, I will start with you. Top three, I'll say potential female bouts you are looking forward to the most. And some that maybe might not happen, but you'd like to see by 2020, end of 2020. me versus Lauren Murphy would be great. Ooh. Called me out and then I think we were supposed to fight and then it was like in the middle of the quarantine and she was like, no, so I don't know, it's fine.

But sometimes soon, let's fight, you know. Next will be Jojo and Valentina. My team is the title. I'm really looking forward to that one. You know, Jojo's going to shock the world. I hate that like. She can be able to shock the world. Oh, we have to get to shock the world by beating Macy Barber.

Okay, that's nice. Thanks. Anyway, that fight's going to be great. Those are two that came in mind. Me and then Jojo. Yeah. Anyone, all the girls, I always pay attention. Pizzi Ani, any, you're looking forward to?

Yeah, well, top of my list was Jojo and Chevy, you know, that we're all buzzing for. Jojo and Shevchenko in Europe, we can't, we can't wait. And I mean, when you look at, you look at, I think Jojo challenges Shevchenko in a very different way than anyone she's fought before. She's a fantastic striker. And she's come on so much, thanks to Roxanne

with the grappling, right? Like, I mean, she's always saying how much she's, grateful for you guys, kind of teaching her a lot about the ground game. And I think, on the John, it's really flourished, as we've seen. But as well as that, I'd love to see maybe Tatiana Suarez back in the mix,

maybe against, maybe against Joanna. That would be a tremendous fight. And I'd love to see, this is one that's a bit, Leslie Smith v. Chenade Kavanaugh, again, that was a brilliant fight on Bellator. It was in Houston, I believe,

very controversial. It was basically a continental divide on Utah, who won, but it was a brilliant fight. I mean, Jesus, it was a great strike in match I'd love to see that again in Dublin, if you don't mind. Casey, you're a big fan of the Amanda Nunes, Phileas Spencer, right?

Yeah, I really want, yeah, I'm really bummed that that fight isn't happening anytime soon. Oh, yeah, I want to see that one too. Yeah, I think, I think Spencer is just a very tough matchup for Amanda Nunes, especially at 145. So I'm just, I want to see it. I really want to see eventually I want to see Zhang, Wiley Zang versus Rose Nom of Eunice. if Rose can get passed on Drog. I know Rose is going through her situation right now, but hopefully, you know,

she gets back into competition soon when she's ready. And another match I would love to see. You know what? I really want to see if I want to see Roxy versus Valentina. Yeah, I just, I know Valentina's got busy. She's busy of Jojo right now, but I think Roxy, the storyline. I think Roxy's just, I mean, she's right there.

I mean, I think she's at the prime of her career right now. And I think after the barber win, after she already beat the other Shevchenko's sister, I think the storyline's right there. And I just think it's a great matchup for both of them. So those are three lady fights I want to see soon. That barber fight, though, I mean, we should talk about that most definitely. I can never, I can't remember a buzz being like that in the media room. That was, that was insane, right?

We're all gotten around watching. Not even just the media room. And if you look at our YouTube and numbers, outside of the main event, Roxanne did the most video views that entire week in pre-fight interviews and post-fight interviews. So it wasn't even just the media. The fans were invested in that fight as well. But the actual fight was incredible to watch. You know, it was, have you watched it back, Roxanne? Like, I mean, can you feel that energy when you watch it back?

Man, I was like, I can't friggin' past her half guard. like for half the fight. So, and that's where I'm good. So I'm like, all right, I got some good positions. I elbowed her a bunch. It was awesome. Man, I got to find a better way to pass your half guard. And everyone was like,

that's the best fight of your life. Cool. So, I mean, my perception of the fight, I think is different than a lot of people is because I'm so critical of myself. But, no, like, I really think I was able to show some, you know, more power in my punches, you know, in my strikes.

You know, I've been working on that a lot. you know um with my coaches at syndicate john wood also a j matthews um and my strength and listener lorenzo publica like they've all been working together and i've been doing different things and man i feel like i've reached a new level and like a new stride kind of so a man like i didn't even get to do half the striking that i wanted to do i have so much plans so that's why i'm like man i i hope the ufc offers me a fight kind of soonish you know that i can you know have a decent camp and get in there and like show what i can do you know because i i now and also you know i you know I've been working with Neil Melanson a little bit on different ways to pass the half guard.

So, so. Lauren's going to have to, you know, if she is indeed my next opponent. Like I never seem to fight people I think I'm going to fight. Like, right? I thought I was going to fight Lauren first. And then as I was waiting at the bout agreement, they're like, oh, just kidding. Here's Macy Barber. It's like, oh, okay.

Whoever. So in Roxanne, when you, when you rewatched that fight versus Macy, you saw the problems in the half guard, were there technical errors that you saw? from your side or it's just, um, barber just being just super defensive and just, um, just, just really not letting you move. People don't give her enough credit for her ground game.

You know, I saw people trashing her online, but she's pretty good. Like I was trying to, you know, when I was in half guard, I was trying to use my shoulder pressure to turn her face in the other direction and turn her hips in the other direction so I could mount. But she was properly like shirphing her hips,

you know, and making herself turn so I couldn't pass. And then she was tying up my hand so I couldn't punch her. And then she bridged and rolled me over from Mount, which is like the most basic mount escape because I left my hand too close. And then when I went to take her back, she kicked her leg free so I lost a hook. Like she did a good job of foiling my stuff. So she's no like slouch on the ground. So I mean, I also did a good job.

I was dumb in it there. But, you know, I want to give her a little credit as well. I think that's a fight that will inevitably have to happen again at some point. I just think like with all the drama of I think years down the line. Like I'm not talking next fight or whatever. I can imagine that that's going to be. There will be a huge appetite for that if it is. If Macy can get back to where, you know, where she was, essentially,

I think there will definitely be an appetite for a rematch. I'll leave it there. So, Roxy, are you in the camp? We've had Anthony Smith on this show and he said he is, every time he watches his fights back, he thinks he is the worst fighter on the UFC roster. Even when he knocked out Shogun, he's like, I suck at fighting so much because he knows the mistakes going through his head.

And he knows what's going on. in his head during specific moments. Are you in that same camp? No. You have to know, I give myself credit for what I've done. And then I'm the kind of fighter who, like, people say, well, okay, back up. People say you learn more from a loss and from a win, but I kind of disagree. Like, I always watch the fight and even if I've won the fight, I ask my coach is like,

hey, how could I have done better? Oh, there's the spot because I've done something better and then they teach me something. So, you know, I analyze everything and always just try to make. make improvements on everything. So, yeah. Always learning. We had Corey Sandhagen on it. He said he was his own favorite fighter. So good mix. Andre Feely said the same thing. He goes, I love watching my fights, man, especially when I get, I don't like watching myself, Luke, but I'll watch my highlights.

He'll go to bed watching his highlight. So both camps exist on the A side. But Casey, next question. I got to my prop. I actually have a question, Proxie right now, because we talked, she mentioned a little bit, how you wanted to, you want to show your hands off a little more. I remember interviewing, you a few years ago, and you talked about, you were very excited by getting your first TKO. You hadn't gotten yet at that time, but I think at the very next fight, you wind up getting a TKO with elbows on the ground. You were very excited about that. What, do you have another,

like, do you wish to get a straight up knockout with your hands at some point? Is that like a, is that a goal now? Because I know at the beginning of your career, you made, you're all like, Jiu-Jit-J-J-J-J-Z-J-Zu, but you're a different fighter now. This is correct. I would like a hit them, they fall down unconscious, knockout. That's my next goal. Whoa. Just a one-shot kill?

Just, p-f. I don't want on my record, keep K-O. Well, that would be fine, but I would like K-O on the record, you know? That's my goal. That would be cool. At least once. Then I can go back to trying to j-jitsu them. but.

Roxy, everyone loves you. Like, you're such a positive person in this space. Like, you're, you're famous for it. I was just wondering, like, I'm sure you've been asked this a million times, but what is the most amount of trash you've ever talked to someone? Like, was there ever a point where you were up in someone's face, given it sucks? And you're like, well, this isn't like me at all. I just, I just drifted out of the Roxy positivity for a second.

Have you ever had a moment like that? Um, well, when I was on Ariel Halani show, I told him that I, that, um, Macy was good at blocking punches with her face. That was probably, yeah. Probably the darkest that I've gone on there. I was just wondering, I had to ask. I'm sorry. I know you always asked.

I'm trying, man. I'm trying to be a little more like, you know, I don't know. No, it would just be you. It's great. Okay. Well, hey, actually, before the fight, I was like, I need to make her bleed a little bit to get to the end. And then, I mean,

that's a little bit of a little bit of an understatement after that fight yeah holy shit that's a fight case the next question from our love thank you at the seaside for another lovely question oh so this individual and i wrote his name down because I'll show up it's coat de cote del fuego on twitter he's dm's me this many many times and uh I feel we should answer this time now that pete C is on and Roxanne. Hi, Jose, what's your favorite manga? Saludos from Halisico Mexico, Mexico. So, Roxanne, I'll start with you. What is your favorite manga? I don't read a lot of manga. I mostly

watch anime. However, Angel Sanctuary. Tengio is, uh-huh, because it wasn't made into an anime, and it was very unique where, like, this boy fell in love with his sister, and it turns out he's reincarnated angel and it was very weird and they went to heaven and hell and like that's probably why you've never heard of it. It's probably super controversial but it was really great actually there's an OAB. So that was my favorite manga. It was super deep and emotional and like wow it was really good. Angel Sanctuary. My favorite anime are you know Nautito One Piece and Dragon Ballsy. Yeah. I mean check out Angel Sanctuary. There's an OAB. I'm 100% going to check that out. I have to.

now. Like, if it's, if, if you're, I have one hundred percent checking out. Petey, I think I know your answer. What's your favorite manga? I've read two volumes of Akira. The first one is my favorite. But I like the second one too, because we got to meet Akira finally. But I mean, it could be three, four, five and six by the end of the week, you know, they could all be up there in the mix. Or yeah, I've only read one. It's very good. And you know how to read them. And you know how to read them now. It was only a six month process, but we got there in the end. For some backstory for people who haven't seen the video, Pizzi has the collector's edition of the Akita box set,

which reads right to left as the majority of manga's do. There is a my volume is behind me. Read left to right though. So Pizzi was very confused why the story didn't make any sense because he started on the last page. So he was reading left to right. And he's like, I've read this a thousand times. Like, who are these people and why does it make no sense?

So we had the video I was actually waiting to interview I had to bring it to Las Vegas I had to bring it across the world So he can show me To show us because I had to show him how to read it And I was actually in line waiting to interview you And the video was out on Twitter somewhere

Where he's like look at my book And he's like let's start on the first page And I was like this is the last page sir And then he flipped it over So the whole ordeal is caught on camera If you haven't watched you can go make fun of pizza But now he knows how to read it So congratulations pizza

But the funny thing was I got really worried when Jose was like, oh, wait, wait, wait, we'll tell Roxy when she comes out and I was like, no, no, don't shame me. I'm just like the two of them. It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay. I understand. That's funny. Casey, do you like any manga? No, no. I respect the art form, but I'm just not a, I have, not, not, not, manga's not my thing. Well, to answer this individual's question,

because he's, D-ended to be so many times. I have three, It's Akira. It changes frequently, depending on my mood. Akita, Nosika and the Valley of the Wing, which is also made into a movie. It is a Jibli movie by Miyazaki,

but it was a manga first. I highly recommend it. And then if you are not into fantasy or sci-fire or anything, cross-game is a phenomenal show about a high school baseball team in Tokyo. So I cannot recommend that enough. It is eight volumes. It's sitting behind me. 10 out of 10, one of the best comic books I've ever read in terms of character development.

Yes, it might sound weird, but high school baseball and Tokyo, cross game. Check it out. All right. Thank you for the question. So we should go cross game next may be, Jose? It is not even remotely close to Akita whatsoever, but I thoroughly enjoy it. All right, we're going to go to the YouTube comments,

and we've got one of our frequent commenters, Ice King, right here. Oops, let me move in so you can see it. There we go. Ice King on YouTube. If Roxanne was a UFC splinter, who would her UFC,

Donatel, Michael, Angela, Leonardo, and Raphael B. So I think this is asking if you are master splinter from the Teen Angel and Ninja Turtles, who would be your four pupils?

Me? Yeah. If I were Flintzant, if you were a splinter. Oh, honestly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came out before I became a tomboy

I was still watching my little ponies so I can't answer that question I'm sorry I'm not that familiar no worries tomboy yet sorry sorry Ice King no answer for you sorry

all right hold on let me find another question let's see it here we go from Frankfurt another long time comment on YouTube what are the top three must things to do in Tokyo.

Now, I am unique, and I'm the only one on this panel who has never been to Tokyo. So for the three other members on this panel, what are three things someone has to do the first time they go to Tokyo? Go to Asaksa, which is an awesome place with big shrines and lots of places to buy food and little trinkets. There's a samurai museum in Shinjuku, Kabuku, Kavicho, which is super small, but it's savage. And they have a guy who, like, a sword demonstration, and they let them.

us do it to and I volunteered and I had to hold a sword and he showed me how to look oh it's so cool and finally Tokyo Tower yeah P-C do you agree you look like you're deep in thought right now oh man I did someone with shit over there it was unbelievable um I mean I you gotta go to the the golden guy and drink around there that's unbelievable that's a weird that's a really interesting experience the bars are all like six seats in the morning or whatever. And that's brilliant. We went during cherry blossom season.

And we can't remember the place we went to, to see them. But we went through a load of parks. And we spent a whole day doing it. And that was amazing. That was beautiful. And after that, it's just a load of food. And I think the best thing to do with Tokyo is just walk around and get lost

because you're going to have a good time no matter where you go. You know, it's just, it's an unbelievable place. Like I was just saying to the guys before he came on, Roxy, all I'm thinking about was going back there. Like, I can't think about anything else. I'm just like, I just need to go back there as soon as possible. So that's what I'm dreaming about as soon as this whole thing ends, just getting back to Tokyo.

Casey, you've been many a time too. You've been a lot for fights as well. So, but three things I have to do first time we go to Tokyo before that Roxy go. Well, for, oh, real quick then, if you're an MMA fan, save up a couple thousand bucks, go there for, when now it's going to be rising. but go there for the big New Year show. See your big show at Tokyo Dome.

It's just an amazing experience. Just to be in the arena to see Japanese fans and see the walkout, see just the event from beginning, opening ceremonies to the last fight. Just save it a little money, go see a show at the Tokyo Dome. And I think Pizzi said it right. After that, just eat food and walk around the city. It's just a great place.

Right? When you say, right, just being good. there is enough. And then you'll find things that you like. Just enjoy the city. And just and don't and don't be a rude American jerk. Just make us look good. The people are amazing, aren't they? Like, I mean, that's the best thing about it. Everywhere you go, me and Elaine just kept on making loads of Japanese friends everywhere we went. We'd go into Wombard and leave with four people. It was always the way, man. It's just incredible. And well, do some karaoke in Japan.

Oh yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I hate karaoke and I actually enjoyed going to the box. Yeah. Yeah. Top of the list. Well, it is 1030. I know Roxanne was short on time or limited on time this week. So I cannot thank you enough for stopping by the podcast. Again, I know our listeners have been absolutely clamoring for you to be on the show. I know they're really excited. We've had more questions come in than ever before. I hope we narrowed them down to a few. I believe that, what are you holding up, Casey? Oh, there you go. Happy Warrior fan.

Autographed. Autographed. Oh, there you go. Keep that. But anyway, of course, Roxanne, as the guest of honor, before we let you sign off, is there anything you'd like to say or plug or the floor is yours for whatever promo you want to cut? Thanks for having me, guys. On my website, Roxanne Modifery.com.

I'm selling my books, my memoirs book, and my how do we posit? book so check it out if you feel like it well thank you so much raxson we'd love to have you on when this quarantine is over or even before then i know our fans would love it too but uh stay safe out there and thanks again so much for joining us thanks for having me thanks all right your legend roxy cheers all right she's still there oh she gone thanks again oh no he's gone all right that was a blast always i always enjoy yes she is by far the like i as soon as we got jared can in here uh I got many a tweet asking when Roxanne was going to be on.

I think they just wanted her to hear her talk about anime and Japanese culture and everything. So always have to talk to her. But we also, I'm sure we have a lot more questions. Yeah, we do. Let's. I saw somebody, I saw somebody slag in my hair and you're dead, Roy. It's a mess. Well, I'm going to keep it going until the end of this.

No, my hair is looking at one. It's in that, it's in that point where it's still really short, but it's not buzzed. I look terrible. I take that over my shit any day to week. From longtime commenter Esther Lynn. Peezy looking a little bit like Eddie Hearn. Oh my God. He's a lot better looking than I am, but I appreciate that.

I'm into Scruffy PC. That's what I was saying. Beautiful quarantine beard you have going on. Oh, man. If you smell me, you wouldn't be able to say the same thing, man. Oh my God. The dog smells bad at me at the moment. For those of you just listening to this,

because I know we have a lot of people that only listen on our podcast number, go watch the YouTube video. Then you can see Pt's glorious quarantine. From at Cam Kelly, at Cam Kelly gang on Twitter, at hashtag the A side, if you were in charge of launching a new tough season, what changes slash additions would you make and or what coaches,

fighters, et cetera, would you want on? We've had this conversation a few times. I know Casey's had some ideas. Pizzi, what are your ideas

to revamp top if they ever bring it back? You know, I actually, I thought like Contender Series was going to be the revamp of the ultimate fighter. And the one thing

that's kind of frustrating, I guess, for European fans is like we want to see that people get a shot, you know, over there. If you remember, Brendan, Lucknain was one of the only guys, he's one of the few guys who got a chance. And the buzz over here was crazy, man. It was insane. I was actually

at that contender series fight. Not only the buzz there, but that was right after the tour of the Apex. That was the launching. I believe he was one of the first fights in the new Apex building. And there was like a little press conference with Paul Feldar and I think it was Fitzgerald, Brandon Fitzgerald, who were they were saying, which fight are you most looking forward to? And I cannot remember the name off the time I had of Brandon Locknain's opponent. Both of them picked that fight

because whoever was winning that fight was going to go to the UFC. That was before the fight happened. And guess what? I know. They guess what happened? He's not in the UFC. The Celtic fro. Thank you so much, Angie. That's what I call it. I love it. Yeah, I just feel like

when you've got a promotion like H-JOR, he's nearly produced 100,000. for you, why wouldn't there be some type of cross promotional contender series there? You know, like you wouldn't even need to fly people out. You wouldn't need to do anything. They have the stuff set up there. So just do it. Like let them have a contender series night.

You know, you could get Dana via satellite or, you know, Mick Maynard or Sean Shelby to kind of do something like that. I think it would, it would inject a lot of energy into the scene over here, to be honest, something like that. Because already when you're watching Cage where his title fights, you're like, well, the person who wins this is likely going to the U.F. So why not just, you know, use that platform to its advantage and do a European series going to think? This is a question.

You've said many a time that Cage Warriors is like what you call it, like that white knuckle promotion where you win, you go through hell to get the title and then you go to the UFC. Would adding a contender series take away from that? Because like now there might be an easier path to the UFC rather than just going through hell. I mean, yeah, I mean, the thing is, I think for a long time the USC should be doing more business with cagewires anyway. I mean, I feel like, especially now that Bellator have come into this market and they have a lot more money to play with. I mean, they're signing up a lot of the great talents in the UK and Irish region. So, you know, it's impossible for like a grassroots promotion to compete with a Bellator. So I think the USC should be injecting some cash into Cage Warriors so they can keep fighters there for longer or so they can.

can, you know, just compete with getting some names across. And not that they're doing a bad job. They're still a great promotion, still very, very interesting. But I do feel like that is one of the things that is very difficult for them to compete with, just the salary, just the wage in general that the guys are picking up for fighting with Bellator as opposed to cage warriors. Casey, I know you've had a few ideas in the past. For those of you, for those of our listeners who don't know your ideas, what are some of your ideas? what are some of your ideas to revamp the Ultimate Fighter if they do bring it back?

You know, I always have like ideas. Like, oh, you should do this, do that. But like, the longer we get away from Ultimate Fighter, the idea of just quarantining fighters in a house before there was quarantining. I just, I actually think it's kind of, it's just, it's unnecessary. It's been done. the whole putting fighters in a house that part you know where you can't do no phones no outside tv or whatever and just no throw some liquor in the house and see what happens i just think that's just been just extremely played out unless you take out the alcohol and now that

weed is legal in nevada i don't know maybe uh i don't know tough tough 420 season might be an idea we don't want to fight dana well i love that guy come right let's just hang out um yeah other than tough 420 um i want i don't like if if they do bring it back uh i want to see uh instead of like i want to see a matchmaking style similar to how k1 did it or how bellatory did their grand prix i want a crazy

selection process where like they have a life size bracket up in front of them and like they draw ping pong number one go stand like the day you want to fight and then someone draws ping pong number two they can fight that guy or they can choose another day i want an epic present selection process i don't want just like coach saying uh we're going to select so and so to fight so and so like i want the fighters to have the choice of where and who they want to fight i want a crazy selection process with ping pong balls because i loved k1 that was when you saw like the overeem batahari like rivalry where they go up on stage with the giant bracket behind them.

Like, I want to see that drama. Or like Pitbull when all of a sudden he's like, I want to fight in March and I want to fight this guy. Like there was some drama to. And that that made it so much more interesting. I want to see a crazy selection process. I don't want to just coaches picking their fighters and who they fight. I agree with, I agree with Casey's like in the way that the thing has played out.

I thought it was played out by season five, nearly. You know, like I was like, I don't, like, I want to watch the fights. Don't get me wrong. but just the house dynamic and stuff I was like I'm done with this shit like I mean we know what's gonna happen there's one loose cannon he's gonna go fucking crazy

blah blah you know that's some of them brought me back like because like the tough 20 that's the one where they had the straw weights that one I watched that season just because like I've been watching the straw weights for so long outside the UFC now that they're all in the same house it was like a who's who

of like women's veteran MMA the live season I watched with when John Anick was a lot more involved. I watched that whole season because it was live. So there are ways that caught me back. But the format itself is played out, as you all said. Yeah, I just think the idea of, like,

because we're not watching the best fighter. We're watching who's the best fighter, but also a good roommate. You know? Like, all right. Yeah, it's like, yeah, it's like, yeah, it's like, and like, it's just weird. And the house and just,

and even going to make to the house, whole just a weight cutting issue was always big problems too. Actually, that's one reason. I mean, Carla Sparza is a great fighter, but Carter Sparza is the fact that she's really an atom weight, an atom weight fighting at straw weight. So her in the house was just a perfect, it was a perfect fit for her fighting style and her weight cut because she fights in a style that can, she can grind out fighters, not take any damage. It's only two rounds and not have big weight cut. So the tough format was just incredibly advantageous for someone like Carlos Sparza. And, um, and I just think that's not the way, like, it's not the way to find out who the best

fighter is. It's to find, it's the way to find out who the best roommate fighter is. So, well, that was, there's been a lot of fighters that will win and then drop down immediately. Like I know, didn't shoe face win as a light heavyweight? Like, he's another grinding fighter who didn't cut weight in the house in tough Brazil. And then he won or, and then he won. And then he's the way.

The women's 45 season. I think every fighter dropped down to 135 Migan Anderson was very upset about that. They put together this whole season of find new 145 pound talent, and then the winner immediately drops down to 135. And half the women in there were already 35 in general. Like, Macy, what's her name? How does her name? Macy Chasen? Macy Chasin, yeah.

She was a 45er before. We just didn't know she was cutting down, but there were other fighters in there who had only fought at 35, who were just on the show strictly because they were just trying to get that opportunity. So I just thought that was, it just Even Roxy, she was on tough twice The first time she was on, she was 1.35. And then she came back for the 125 pound season Because back then that was the only way you could get into the OC was being 135 or 115 or there was no 125 pound division.

Yeah, that's what, I think Ash Daly, she was on the straw weight season. So that was a big season in Ireland. A lot of people are watching it. And, you know, she was like, she's a big, big strawweight, Jesus Christ. And to be making that weight so many times, like I mean she'll tell you herself I mean the damage she did to her buddy

and that that season was incredible you know Garamey Cruz wanted to add that Shoe Face won tough Brazil as a heavyweight and then drop down I believe he's like a middleweight now so like again yeah yeah like you so

a lot of you see like even Mike Bisbin won a heavyweight Rashad Evan's a heavyweight too yeah exactly so the formula was there to not cut weight win and then drop back down didn't Manny Manning Gambierin won he competed at 155

And then, like, later on, his career, he left the Eucan go fight at 145 in WEC because he was a natural 145. So the formula is there. At the seaside again, do you think Artem Lobov will have any MMA fights in the near future, hashtag the A side? Now, Pete, you and I chatted with Artem in Las Vegas in January. But since then, have you had any conversations with that camp, or do you have any idea if young Artim Lobov will have, I call him young, Aramobob. That's one of a joke for the Twitter trolls who can call him the goat or young or up-and-coming prospect, Arnavobov. Do you have any idea if we'll see him back inside the page anytime soon?

Yeah, we had him on Eurobash a few weeks back. It was great to have him on. But three weeks ago, I think. I mean, the situation items in now is like he's just, he's ready to fight across any discipline. But it's got to be for the right amount of money. And I think, you know, that makes business sense for him. Look at the amount of the traction he brought to a bare knuckle FC. I think it's undoubtable that, you know, he definitely has a huge name value.

Even when Bellator, we're talking about a featherweight tournament, Artenham was a free agent. And he was one of the, he was one of the big names that was kind of brought up to be involved. And even when he was on Eurobash three weeks ago, he was saying like he was right on the verge of signing for Bellator. but bare and uncle just kind of came in with a crazy offer at the time.

So I think if the right offers made, Artham is certainly interested in fighting MMA again. And, you know, as far as I know,

he has a few options on the table as well because KSW were very interested in him recently as well. And there is a number of storylines there with Arten

because in his younger years, he used to just go anywhere. This is way before the OEC. You just go anywhere in the world if someone was looking for a fight and somehow, very early on his career, he ended up as the number one featherweight

and lightweight in Poland just from going over and fighting dudes on short notice. So I think there's some definite options there for him in KSSW. I think it's a great move for them as a brand. Artham's going to pull a lot of new eyes on them. And look, Belator is still there. Belator needs to continue to make compelling matchups for this European series.

And Artem is one of the biggest names out there available to them. So I think he certainly will have MMA in the future. I don't know how near. It depends on if these boxing contracts and these barrennuckle contracts come in a bit heavier than the MMA ones. I spoke with Martin Lewandowski in last July, so almost a year ago. And he was talking about he wanted to hold a KSW event in Chicago because you wanted to kind of test the U.S. market and there's a big Polish scene in Chicago.

You got to imagine having any like Artim Lobov when you kind of break around into the United States would benefit. him tremendously. I also know he wanted to do like Phil de Frees versus Ryan Bader cross-promotion possibly on Chicago card too because Bader's fought in the Chicago area before. So they're making the right moves at KSW and if they want to break around the US, you'd have to match an art zone would be, could play a big factor into that. Absolutely, man. I hope I hope the money is right and I hope um i actually hope artem signs with bellator considering that belator has an amazingly good featherweight division i think it's the best i think it's the best division they have and comparable

to the ufc's featherweight division i think those guys are that good and throw artem in there i don't think i don't think i don't think i don't think ardom's going to be a top guy but he's always going to be an action fighter he's you always want to watch his fight to win or lose you just know you can get an exciting fight and you could also inject a lot into the 155 division too if you want to like do you like throw him in there against like both pit bull brothers 145 and 155 have him fight chanlon but imagine benson henderson versus rm lobob just two drastically different styles in terms of aesthetics and fighting style it's just fun the fight i don't want to see the secret fight i want to see and i don't want to see it right yet but i want to see within the next year and a half i want to see

Aaron Pico versus Arden Loboff. Oh, my God. Holy shit. Well, you see, that's the value for me. The high action fight and that's just going to... Let's see if Pico fights, you know, in a non-smart way and just a dumb way, it just wants to brawl because that's how you can get in trouble of Artem, obviously, because, like, someone...

I want to see Pico's power against Artem's chin, you know, so sorry, PC. But, yeah, but no, I think that you're dead right, and that's the exact kind of matchup to Belator. should be looking at for him because his value is in the fact that he can, through his fighting art him, he's going to create a lot of stars. You know, there looks a patchy mix, a fight like Aaron Pico, any of these guys kind of elevates them to a new level, provided they win, of course. But I mean, I think that's where the value is.

It's worth paying money to a guy who's going to create several stars for you through fighting him. And I really believe he does have that kind of power. Make it happen, Bellator. I wanted him in the Grand Prix. We joked about the winner of the Grand Prix You should just, not for the championship The winner of the Grand Prix fights Artham, that is your prize

So many interesting fights you can make with him Like, I mean, when Artem starts talking about dudes, you're interested He was even saying, talking about like, oh, on short notice, Let me fight MVP for a million And it's like, it's just so interesting. I know, I know it's crazy, but it's still interesting, you know, it's still interesting that he's throwing it out there. You got to appreciate it.

I love it. I love it. Has Artham has he been finished of strikes or has he even finished recently? at all. Am I forgetting? Was Jason Knight not finished? No? Was that not? No, no. MMA.

In MMA. I know he got finished. No, man, I can't. I mean, I'm sure. Yeah, I think he's been submitted by Saul Rogers back in the day. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I just, yeah, I just can't.

I have no image in my head of Artim being finished. Really. So I guess. He has been, he was finished by Mike, Wilkinson in 2011. Steel hook, was it? No, it was TKO. Yeah.

He's been, he's lost, that's his only TKO loss ever, 2011 of Mike Wilkinson, and he's been submitted twice. And this is, yeah, this is all in M.A. So, but not in almost 10 years, he hasn't been finished. You know, you know, you know, if I actually looks a little, his performance actually looks a little better is when he, um, lost to Ryan Hall in the, uh, tough finale. Yeah. The fact that he survived, like, Ryan, remember Ryan, Ryan,

Hall was just on his back for basically 14 minutes. Unbelievable. And Ryan Hall really never got him close. He had him in control, but he never really got him within that last inch. And I think, looking back on it, I don't know what Arden has in him that he has that just amazing survival spirit. That's just, I'm a big fan of Arndham Loboff. I don't care if he's the best or not the best, however you feel.

But I always love just fighting style. I love his attitude, and I think he's a guy that's really good for the sport. Nice, super nice guy to talk to him. When we interviewed him, our first failed interview with him when a fan punched my microphone out of the camera, he was being mobbed by fans in the casino. And there were so many fans that when we interviewed him, a fan literally punched the mic adapter out, and we lost that interview forever. So that's just such a show you all podcasts.

It was such a great interview as well. Like, people were going fucking crazy. Oh, man. I caught, like, when someone punched it, I had to catch it out of the air. It popped out. I had to snatch it out of the air, so it wouldn't fall into the ether of fans on that casino floor. But, yeah, popular cat that week. Yeah.

I can remember when Royne Hall beat and we all thought it was a bad omen and Connor was going to lose the alo. Like, oh, no. From at Susanna Fights on Twitter, which is the best fighter t-shirt design you've ever seen? I think the correct answer. there is one correct answer and it is one of the two korean zombie shirts that is my opinion i tell you is he's one with the artist um his name i forget his name he's brilliant and oh yes yes i know you probably the one first the one for melbourne that we were at was it was really cool really really cool and the old dethrone shorts were really unique with the conar boxing um stick man they were they were

they were real cool just very very noticeable like you'll see and you know what it is straight away so I thought that was pretty cool as well. Do you know, I always wanted to get them affliction t-shirts with the septic pit bulls on them and all. And I'm so happy I was broke my whole life because I never could get one. And they look horrendous now. But at the time I was like, man,

if I got one of these things, I would look the shit. But glad I didn't get one. Was it Adam Nelson, Gorilla the Bear that did that shirt? Izzy's had a couple of shirts done. The official UFC one was done by a artist, who are really talented artist

called, name Jean Galang. Yes, yes, that's the one. Yeah. Izzy actually has a couple of shirts. The official Reebok one is by John Galang. Google him, guys.

He's really good. He's amazing. But then Izzy has his own shirt, a non-rebar one, done by another artist. I don't know his name, but it's also very well done. But it's also funny.

It's funny, just that question, I just happened to tweet earlier how I missed. Oh, I saw it. I thought that's why this question came from. Oh, maybe that's where it's where it came from. Yeah, because I actually pulled up a couple of photos. Where are they?

Just because I was looking them up right now. There we go. So this is just a random old- That's the perfect shit I was after, yeah. That's all I wanted that stuff. Look at that thing. That's what is that? A rib cage, a heart.

Is the Echo shirt? He needs the pit bull for the trifecta. Affliction always gave us pit bulls, some warrior scene, and maybe like, Wasn't there always a dumb cross with like bedazzles on it? Yes. Yes. The shirt looks so heavy. Like physically heavy.

Like so what Pimp Jesus is right. Right there. Look at that. Look at that Anthony Johnson. That looks terrible Anthony Johnson. That's a terrible shirt. Oh, if you're wondering why he has his eye covered up, that was after he was fighting the UFC at once at Walter Waite, he had just received an eye poke.

And it was from a no contest. I don't know. Kevin Burns, I think. Remember? I cannot remember. Yeah. But this started the whole trend of if you poke Anthony Johnson and I, he will murder you next time. So when they had the rematch.

Yes, he decapitated. He decapitated that guy. And then, of course, when he fought when he moved up to like heavyweight and he fought Alexander Gustav in Sweden, and he remember he got eye poked. And as soon as you recovered from it. Within seconds. Yeah, within seconds, he murdered the man. Yeah.

So yeah, but there's your shirt you're looking for. In terms of uniqueness, I remember I can't remember which fight it was. It might have been one of the great manned fights or the Benson Hedon's fight. Frankie Edgar had won that it looks like like an element symbol from a, what do you call it, the periodic table? And it said like FD. That one, I wouldn't wear it because my name's not Frankie Edgar. But in terms of like uniqueness, that at the time, because this was in the middle of that era that Casey just talked about, where every shirt looked terrible. that one stood out to me

just because it was a unique shirt and the Korean zombie was close the classic Jesus didn't top as well they were great back in the day I was a big fan of Don't Be Scared homie the shirt that Nick Diaz put out someone gifted me one nice

oh man so many good shirts I think I think we're due for a full-on documentary on that era what's the name for that It's just the Silver Star, Affliction, Foil, bedazzle. The Affliction era. The affliction era.

I'm sure Esther has a million photos. They were so expensive. They were all so terrible. No, they were amazing. There was a shop in Dublin City Center that was getting them in. Like before Connor was in the UFC, this is probably 2010, 2009. And there was that much of an appetite for them that you'd go into the shop and they'd be sold out every week.

I can remember I thought I did my brother a great favor boy buying him this Fadar, a million ankle fucking Affliction D-shirt, and it was horrible. But he had to wear it like on the 26th of December to make me feel good about myself, and then I never saw it again. And I was like, what happened to that cool shirt I got you? And he was like, oh, I don't know. I like those shirts because it showed me my friends that I didn't want to hang out with anymore. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

No. The crazy de shirt. We're talking about bad fashion. But in Japan, that trend never really carried over. And when the late Kid Yamoda fought in the UFC, he had his own fashion line, I think, and part of the crazy bee. I don't know if it's just his camp, but he always had amazing outfits. He had, his shirt ruled. His shirts were so good.

Like, those are shirts I would wear, like, outside of, like, even if I wasn't a fight fan, like, I would see that shirt and I would like that shirt. Yeah, but. You've got lovely. The logos is really nice. It's a handsome man. Kigabono. All right.

That's a... Oh, you know what? Actually, one big regret I have. So I've been working in MMA 15 years. Don't have one tap out shirt. Not one. That's a regret? Oh, yeah.

Of course. I have nothing. I have no tap out shirts. Just even to wear ironically. Just nothing. Oh, yeah. If someone gives you a tapout shirt right now, what would you do it?

Do with it? Wear it straight away. Frame it. All right, from Sean Denny at Denny Rance again on Twitter. Haside the A side. Josei, which is your favorite title fight from below? Connor v. Aldo v. Conor. All of these are put in the champion second.

Stop it. Stop it. I get it. Lawler v. McDonald, Wiley v. Yawna, Rampage v. Griffin, Anderson Silva, v. Sunning. I think he's put them all backwards to piss you off because he made a concern the effort to change them all there. I think he just wanted to piss you up.

Sonnum was the champ though. Sonnen was the champ though. And I'm pretty sure wasn't Forrest Griffin. No, Forrest Griffin beat Rampage. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, Lawler McDonald is the best fight of those. No, that's cool.

Well, in terms of just crate, because I was there and that was an epic card. Like, Wiley Yoanna was epic. Connor Aldo was 13 seconds. I mean, I'm sure that's historic for across the pond. Rampage versus Forrest Griffin, I vividly remember watching on my TV and like yelling at the, at the can. And I don't know which Anderson's son versus Chal's son in the shirt.

I mean, a shirt fight you're talking about. That's tough. I think it's easy. I think it's not a lot of way. If that's like in terms of like violence, probably that. But I like this, I can remember exactly where I was. was for all five of these fights and I'm at different points in my life and for all five of them. So it's just interesting. It's actually interesting to look at that list and remember.

I'll probably say Lawler McDonald's is because that was an insane night. That was just an insane night to be at. I was also covered in beer by the end of that fight because I was, that's when they sat medium the auxiliary seating. So people all around me were Irish fans waiting for the fight after and I was absolutely drenched in things being thrown in the air. But the thing about that fight for me that was very important, and I guess it's, you know, the Irish mainstream media at the time where basically saying they never got behind MMA, they thought it was bullshit. And they were kind of saying that this is all basically like the WWE, it's all choreographed.

And to have that fight happen before the Connor fight was like a religious experience for a lot of people watching in Ireland because they were like, holy shit. like how stupid do you look saying that this is choreograph when both these guys have poured their life out all over the fucking canvas for you so I think it's an important fight for that regard and just the drama of that fight was incredible

I can remember I asked a brilliant journalist from the best in Ireland there Ken Early I text him he was sitting across from me on press row as are watching it and I texted him I said well what do you think of that Ken because he was basically there for the McGregor fight to cover for the Irish Times and he sent me back he said

this is like a religious experience. So I always just remember that. And I think it's incredible. I go for Woyle and Yohanna after that, though. That, yeah, that would probably be number two for me. I was about 10 feet away from that fight happening in front of me. And as soon as that fight in, and I was like, that's probably the fight of the year.

And then lo and behold, that was one of the last events we ever had. So it is the fight. They have to stop doing it after that. Yeah. Yeah, for me, for me, Wiley versus Ioanna was my favorite title fight from this with a close second being Loller McDonald. It's 1A1B. It's one A1B. It depends on what's what you mean by favorite in terms of the actual fight. Those are the two. But like I have good memories of watching Rampage for as grim because that was before that was just a fan like I convinced my dad to buy the pay-per-view and everything. So I was like screaming at it. So like I have good memories of that in terms of actual fight. It's McDonald or Loller McDonald Wiley Yowna. terms of the actual fight.

Cool, cool. All right. What is this question? Oh, big question. The role of MMA media. During my time of watching and following MMA, I have seen a lot of arguments between the MMA media and fire slash managers. And then this person asked Roxanna a question.

She's no longer here, so we'll skip that part. If there is a difference in thought, where do you think the difference of thought about if there is a difference in thought, where do you think the difference of thought about the role of the media in the MMA world comes from? Is it as simple as the fighter is only looking out for his own and how he or she is portrayed or is it something completely different? This is a very oddly worded question from Steve S.DW. So, Pizzi, I'll start with you. What is the question? What is the role?

Yeah, I don't quite know. It's worded very strangely. He also asked Roxanne, like, what do you consider the role of the media in the NBA world for the rest as media in the MMA world? What do you consider to be your role? So, Pizzi, what is your role in the grand scheme of MMA? But just like to gather information and get it to the people who want to consume the information. I mean, that's the whole game, right? I mean, trying help people who can't get their message out there.

And sometimes we have to say things because the furtors don't want to say the things because it ends up in a complicated situation. And then, of course, making sure that lots of events get cancelled. Of course, that's one of our primary roles, of course. But yeah, I don't really understand. I think a lot of confusion about the MMA media comes from. There's loads of people, vocal people involved on MMA social media. And I think they get confused a lot with people who are media members. and I think that's a bit of an issue, but other than that, I think that's our job.

I don't really know what else to say. I think it's fairly self-explanatory, right? Casey, what's the weatherman do? Tell us what the weather's going to be. Casey, what is your role in the grand scheme of MMA? And I want to be joking and just go, oh, but we're here to stop the fights from happening. We're here to make sure no one does, no what MMAs anymore, you know? It's like, no, it's like.

I was like, oh, I've dedicated most of my professional life to MMA. Now it's time to make sure that ends. So, no, it's just to tell, just to tell stories in the most honest way we can. And yeah, there's always going to be, it seems so much worse in the last four years or so, where people just don't understand the role of media, of journalism. And a lot of times, yeah, it does overlap. It feels like promotion for the UFC or Bellator.

But it's not. It's like when we're covering way-ins, we're not promoting that event. We're actually covering those way-ins because this is a big sporting event. It's important. People care about it. That's why we are covering it.

We're not there to promote the event. The UFC's there to promote their own event, but we are there to cover it to document it. So like if, like take, for example, for like way-ins, if there say no fans show up, the UFC on their production, they won't show the crowd.

They make sure they won't do it because they don't want to give that impression. But as media members, we don't care. If there's no crowd there, we'll show there's no crowd there. If there's 10,000 people for those way ins, we'll show that there's 10,000 people for those way ins. So that's what we're there.

We're just here to tell the story of how it is. And sometimes that crosses over promotion where it's the same storyline as the UFC is trying to sell, Sometimes it's a different path. So, yeah. Does that make sense, Pisi? I'm just here to be unbiased and report facts. I don't think some people realize the lengths we've gone to over the years.

I'm not to say we're heroes or anything like that, but I do you get the feeling that people think that we hate M.A and stuff like this. They don't, like, I spend probably hundreds of thousands going over and just trying to cover the sport. and went down on my way to get the first news articles in the Irish press about this. So to help people to kind of see it as a real sport and stuff like that. I mean, most, most media members have stories like that. Like, a lot of people were making no money for a very long time before they start making money in this.

It's like, it's not a, it's not a thing people are doing for financial gain necessarily. It's like a passion project that you hope turns into something good, you know. So I think that's one thing that a lot of people have oursways. They think we don't we don't love MMA. We fucking love MMA. We love all the people in MMA as well. And I think we're always trying to do, yeah, we're always trying to do our best anyway. And we also try and to me the best part of being a journalist is that hopefully we get the opportunity to tell stories for the fans out there that just aren't being told.

That's all. The stories like when a Victor first came around, I was at the first. for eight or nine invictor cards because I thought it was such an important important moment for the sport as like we need to be there and like that was in that like when I talked no I talked to our bosses I was like hey guys can we please get me out there this is an important thing and even though there's only like 500 people in that crowd not no not 15,000 people but I feel this is an important event for mixed martial arts and as storytellers we need to be we need to be there

So that's part of the job as a journalist. Well, said, and I think that's a good way. Unless we have any more questions. I do want to point out two things from our own staff. Damon Martin says the best M.A. T. shirt was Jen's Pulver's Punchout, where we had like the mock puncher, like Mike Tyson punchout, but it was a picture of her. Cool. Gens Polver.

And then Garame Cruz wanted to point out that best shirt or Khabib shirt was before he fought Tiago Tavares in Sao. when it said if sombo is easy it would just be called Jiu-Jitsu so those are two shirts that was good that was very good those are two shirts our staff wanted to point out

and go ahead can I just can I just I just I have this is my worst t-shirt in modern MMA um here it comes

I was just so disgusted by the design of this oh yeah before uh Reebok that was after the horoguchi fight that was the horoguchi fight right what the hell is that

It was Tommy. So we won a contest or something, and everyone had like Tommy something or all their Bud Light Living. And that was also like, like, it was weird because it was like white with baby blue and Demetrius Johnson who's wearing the shirt right now. I also had like really white trunks and the shirt was like too big for him. It was not the best color combination or even just that this individual's face plastered across Demetrius Johnson's chest.

It was an it was an odd time. That t-shirt is essentially made for one person, though, yeah? Yeah. Like, he has a thousand fucking t-shirts in his sitting room. Still that guy. This is around when you would see like dip your car.com on like every single shirt. Remember that? Dude wipes.

Dude wipes. Also, Molly McCann on Twitter, at Meatball, Molly says, I miss the horns. I assume she missed, I assume it's the air phone. All right. Got again. One. That one's for Molly. We got to get Molly back on.

She was fucking savage. She was, I can't like, she, the, the story of her beating up that sex trafficker at the 24-hour subway, I saw so many people run with that story. Not just in May, like a, like that was a Yahoo News based off this. She's big stories for days, man. Like, I get you, you get her on here every day or the week and she'd have a different story every time. Man, Molly is, man, she's salt to the earth, but she has put herself in some crazy situations over the years. All of the days of work, as she said. She's a superhero.

Any other questions? Casey, I know we've run a little over time, but no more question. I'm rolling the outro music now. The outro music is playing for Jose. That's PC. That's Casey. We're still in quarantine. Finally, this is on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, so on and so forth.

We'll see you on Friday. We're out. Thank you, happy warrior. Thank you, happy warrior. Thanks, Roxy, a legend. network.