MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour - Episode 195

Episode Date: August 25, 2014

Featuring Lyoto Machida, Carlos Condit, Eddie Alvarez, Wallid Ismail, Jon Anik, and Kyra Gracie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hello again, everyone. Ariel Hawani here with you for the next three-plus hours as we talk mixed martial arts coming off. One of the most important weekends for the UFC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, kicking off Fox Sports 1 on Saturday. And to say they hit a grand slam, would be an understatement. When you consider the fact that this was a new network, when you consider the fact that by Wednesday morning,

there wasn't a deal to have Fox Sports One on DirecTV, Dish network, Time Warner Cable. People couldn't even DVR this thing until around Thursday. The MMA fans, as we have come to learn, the most loyal fans in sports. They found the UFC on Fox Sports One, and they stuck around averaging 1.7 million viewers, beating out all the other UFC on FX's main cards the last year and a half.

A tremendous night for the UFC, a tremendous night for Fox Sports. We'll be talking about it so great that things turned out the way they did on Saturday. I think it's just a home run for the sport for the UFC and, of course, for Fox. And we are being brought to by the good people at Fox Sports One once again. Last week, heading into the debut. This week, of course, we'll be talking about it. And the ramifications coming out of it. And of course, we want to thank them for sponsoring the show for the second time.

And Fox Sports 1 now officially launched. The show that I'm on, UFC Tonight, is actually on Fox Sports 2 tomorrow at 11 p.m. Eastern. But then on September 11th, it debuts at 7 p.m. Eastern on a Wednesday. And that really cements the Wednesday block, the UFC Fight Night Wednesday block on Fox Sports 1. But there's a ton of UFC stuff coming. coming up this week, next week, of course, next Wednesday it's UFC Fight Night 27, Carlos Condit versus Martin Capman 2, and then on Saturday, you got UFC, the following Saturday, UFC 164, so plenty to get to. And if you don't have Fox Sports 1 by now watching Fox Sports

Live and a bunch of their other new shows that are coming out, the crowd goes wild, which is the Regis Philbin show, definitely check it out, Time Warner Cable, that's what I know, 774, Direct TV, 219, those are the channels. So who's joining us today? Well, in the back, we're being joined by the usual suspects. Actually, Will is not here. We traded Will for Nick. And we also have Buzz Kill Brendan, who, by the way, I like to say that Bus Kill is always in the back, but he's kind of gone big time on us. He's not often in the back. This time, he's actually in the back. So good to have him back with us. And of course, Mike, New York, Rick, he'll be hearing from New York Rick throughout the show. And in the third hour, we want to hear from you. Hit us up using the hashtag the MMA hour.

Hit us up on Twitter. Leave questions in the comments below about anything that happened on Saturday. The Bad Guy returning that epic promo after the Shogunha Submission by Chail Sunnan, Travis Brown knocking off Alastair O'Reem's head. Matt Brown, where did he come from? Uriah Fabers, comeback win. So much to discuss John Howard, Michael Johnson. Anything you want to talk about, future fights, let's get to it. Now, in the second hour, 245, we'll be drawing. joined by Lyotamachita. He's very much in the news. Is he fighting Nick Diaz? Is he

fighting Vitor Belfort? What about Chal Sann? We'll hear from the Dragon at 245. One of our favorite guests in the sport, one of our favorite characters in the sport, Valid Ishmael will be stopping by. He is the head of jungle fight. They have their 56th show

on Saturday. He's also a manager to many UFC stars. He was there on Saturday with Yuri Alcantara. He was also very present in the corner of one Eric Silva. Valid Ishmael, there is only one. And we look forward to his debut on the MMA hour.

At around 2 o'clock, we'll be hearing from Kira Gracie, the niece of Henzo Gracie, the kind of princess of the Gracie family, BJA Black Belt. Will she finally make her MMA debut in the future? We'll find out. Carlos Condit, he'll be stopping by at around 145 to talk about his rematch against Barn Catman at UFN. 27 in Indianapolis. That's next Wednesday.

And then Eddie Alvarez, returning to Bellow. Bellator. He meets Michael Chandler, November 2nd, Belator pay-per-view. That's the co-main event. Big news last week. Coming out of Bellator, we'll talk to Eddie about resigning after that long saga with Bellator. Looking forward to that. But first, let us go to the phone lines and welcome in a man who makes his return to the MMA hour for the first time in almost two years. Last time he was on our show, we were an AOL property in our old old studio, like three studios ago, alongside Kurt Pellegrino, now all of a sudden, he is the man in the U.S. Not even all of a sudden. It's been like this for the last two years, calling the action on Saturday on Fox Sports

One, great broadcaster, great friend. John Anick is joining us right now. On line number one. John, how are you? I am doing well, my man. Always a pleasure to talk to you on or off the air. And nice to be back in Vegas. You know, I was in New Hampshire before the Boston show, so on the row with my two daughters

for about 10 days. So it's good to be home. And what a weekend, obviously, it was. Yeah, and we're going to talk about it, but I have to say, I don't know if you know this. I was in the back, you know, they kind of put me in this kind of rat hole in the back. I don't really, you know, show my face anywhere during the fight. I don't even get to walk into the arena. I don't know if you know this, but my cameraman, backstage on Saturday, claims to be, or to have been your professor at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting way back when.

Did you know this? Did you know he was there? You know, I ran into John Upton for the first time in, I guess, 11 years when I was in broadcasting school. So I actually ran into him just after I finished makeup before the show. And he was really my favorite professor that I had at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, and we really clicked right away. So very cool to see him in the building, and obviously we've both been doing our different things for the last decade or so.

But I had no idea he was working with you, so that's pretty cool as well. He told me that he's been doing this, obviously, a long time, you know, as a teacher at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, he said maybe once or twice in all his years of doing this, has someone sent him a hand-written note thanking him for everything that he has taught them, you're one of those guys, a true mensch, as we like to say. That's amazing. You actually sent him a hand-in-note.

I don't even remember having sent him that note, but he really struck a chord with me early on, and he really helped me. And, you know, I actually went back and taught at the Connecticut School broadcasting for about two years, and I, for one reason or another, never even crossed his path. So it was good to see him Saturday night, and it's nice to hear him say those things. I certainly think as highly, if not more highly. Well, it was nice to see because he was telling me about you as a student. I was asking a lot of questions, and then there you were just a few feet away in the arena,

in your hometown, calling this monumental card for the UFC for Fox Sports. You got the call, and I'm wondering, did it feel like, you know, UFC on Fuel TV 6? Did it feel like UFC on FX 1? Deep down, did this feel a little more special? Well, it certainly felt more special to me, and, you know, I try not to put any real pressure on myself because not unlike a fighter, as you well-known broadcasting, you're really only as good as your last broadcast, and now my focus is on Indianapolis and Bella Horizont, but for me having the show in Boston and given that it was the Fox Sports One launch, I felt more

pressure than I did UFC 155 when I got the chance to do my first pay-per-view. Part of the reason was, you know, I got that call on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and I really didn't have a lot of time to think about it. It was all about preparation, and I, you know, I took that opportunity on three or four days notice. But, you know, there were just a lot of eyeballs on this, you know, not the least of which was Rupert Murdoch, of course, and just a lot of people were paying attention to what we were doing. From a traffic standpoint on the show,

there were a lot of different elements. We're doing a lot more live now as opposed to the taped voiceovers. So, you know, it's just a lot different than it was on FX or Fuel TV or pay-per-view. So I was glad that we were able to get through it with, you know, a minimal amount of hitches. And it's just, it was an amazing night, obviously, the fighters deserve all the credit, just a great showcase for our sport, you know?

Do you know for a fact that Rupert Murdoch was watching on Saturday? Yes, I do. I mean, I can't promise you he watched all 13 fights, but yes, he did catch some of our broadcast, and he certainly was locked into Fox Sports Live. So I think that's pretty cool, you know? That is very cool. Why? I didn't even think

that, I guess it's a big deal for the Fox family to launch a network, so I guess it makes sense that he'd be watching. That is very cool. So you mentioned the preparation and how you had a lot of time prepare for this one. You didn't have that same luxury going into UFC 155. I get the sense from listening to your broadcast, from knowing you, from seeing your tweets leading up to the fights, that you really prepare a lot. For someone that doesn't really understand what goes into all of this, they think you just sit down and talk for seven hours. Let's say you have a fight card this Saturday.

How many weeks, days in advance are you preparing for it? And what are you doing to prepare for those calls? Well, you know, a lot of it depends on the calendar. Like right now, I've done very little for Bella Horizont because I was focusing on Boston and then Indianapolis. So when I have three fights in less than three weeks, as I do right now, it makes it harder to do as much as you would do for a show that maybe has a three-week gap. But it's pretty exhaustive. And, you know, unlike doing desk stuff in the studio, I feel like there are never really enough hours when it comes to play-by-play preparation. And even though maybe I will only use 30% of my notes or 30% of my notes, or 30% of, I feel like,

of the things that I prepare. If the fight card all of a sudden got delayed five hours because of a blackout in the arena, I could make use of that time. I mean, there's always another interview you can watch or article you can read or fight footage that you can track, you know? So there's just so much you can do from a play-by-place standpoint. And as you know, I grew up in Boston. It was always football, baseball, basketball, and to a lesser extent hockey.

But, you know, mixed martial arts when I started covering it in 2007, was very much outside of my comfort zone. So there has definitely been a learning curve for me, and I still don't consider myself an MMA expert. So for me, this is very challenging, and that's why I took this job, and I love this job, because it is a little bit outside of my comfort zone. But, you know, I would say that the three big things I do are watch film. You know, I watch every single fighter's previous fight in the UFC. Read articles.

I read every single fight preview on all of the major websites I can get my hand on, and I try to watch as many interviews in the weeks leading up. watching the MMA hour from this last week, of course, and just consuming as much content as humanly possible because you never know when you can come across a nugget. I remember just this Saturday morning as I was just doing my final preparations. I read an article on Mike Pyle when he talked about playing PlayStation against Matt Brown, and that was a nugget. I don't even know if I was able to work it into the domestic broadcast.

I know they heard it internationally, but you never know when you might get that nugget that you can use. So it is exhaustive, and, you know, I just feel like my anxiety is really much more in the preparation than the performance. You know, once I get to the arena, I feel like the work's done. It's just time to have fun and perform. You're approaching your two-year anniversary with the UFC. They introduced you to the world at UFC 137. I remember that the New York, New York, and there you were upstaging one Nick Diaz.

He was very upset about it. I could see it on his face. Two years in. I'm kidding. Two years in, are you happy with the move from E. to the UFC? I'm thrilled, man. You know, I mean, the only thing that's hard for me is the international travel, as you

well know, most of my shows are outside of North America. And with a two-year-old daughter and another that's three-month-old, it just is very difficult. But other than that, man, no complaints, you know, and you do get conditioned to the international travel and flying hundreds of thousands of miles a year. And I love it. I couldn't be happier. You know, part of the reason I left the SPM week was because I wasn't getting enough of the live events and the play-by-play, you know, I did get to do some boxing for them.

I got to do a couple college football games before I left, but I really feel like I thrive, you know, as humbly as I can say that, doing the live events. And for me, mostly at ESPN, my schedule was 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the studio, five nights a week. And that just wasn't for me. I enjoy experiencing the crowd and the fans. And to me, there's not a better live event in all of sports than the UFC. So it's everything I thought it would be in more.

You know, I feel like they're asking a lot of me, which I like, you know, I'm emceeing and Wayans. and, you know, calling fights and press conferences here and there. There's a lot of different things, Ultimate Insider, that they're asking me to do. And, you know, just trying to knock it out one by one and keep them happy. You know, as I say to a lot of people, they can terminate me without cause at any time. And I take it very seriously. I know that after any show, it could be my last.

And that's not really, you know, I don't say that just to say it. I really do take it seriously. You are not doing the Ultimate Fighter anymore. Do you miss that? Yeah, you know, that's the most fun I've ever had in broadcasting doing the ultimate fight. fighters live season. We all had watched that show for so many years, and I just thought it sort of needed a kick in the ass, so to speak, and the fact that the fights were live, I just thought it was exactly what the show needed. There are a lot of issues financially and

otherwise with doing that show live every week's, and I think that's ultimately why they made the decision to return to the tape format, but, man, if they were to call my number again to do it live, I certainly would be ready. I just thought it was so cool every Friday night for three months to have a live fight in addition to some of the tape content and the reality stuff that has come to define the show. So absolutely loved it. I still have a warm place in my heart for that entire cast. Love seeing James Vic obviously get a win this past weekend. And I hope it gets back to the live format. I understand logistically there are a lot of issues. It's certainly a huge challenge from a production standpoint, but I hope we can get back to it at some point.

I feel like you guys don't get enough credit for this. I do this show once a week, and it's around three hours, and honestly, by the end, I'm very tired. You guys are calling fights, and what is it? It's lasting like, what, six, seven hours, something like that, and you're talking constantly, and there's so much that you can't prepare for. You're actually calling the action. By the end of that, come Saturday, and I couldn't believe it. I saw you at the Post-Fy press conference, and, like, the first thing you're talking to me

about is the Red Sox. It's like you just, you know, went out to lunch, and here you are walking in the park. Aren't you exhausted after doing that for six, seven hours? Yeah, you know, there's definitely a rush after the show. and it takes me a while to come down. But it really is like doing back-to-back Super Bowls or back-to-back football games or even three or four college basketball games in a row.

And you really do have to pace yourself so that you have energy come the co-main event and the main event. What a lot of people in the United States don't realize is that when you're in commercial break, we're still going internationally when all the fighters are walking to the octagon, we're still going.

So I've worked a lot with my twin brother who majored in musical theater on breathing correctly and trying to use my doctor. diaphragm, I'm still a work in progress when it comes to that, but you really do have to pace yourself. And, you know, it's not like I can go to the bathroom seven times during the fights either, so it's not like I'm hydrating as much as I should be, you know. So there are a lot of different things that you deal with, and you just try to drink tea sparingly

and coat your throat with honey and everything else. But, yeah, it's a grind man. You know, I mean, that I think has been the biggest adjustment for me coming from ESPN is just going through this gauntlet seven hours of live fights. But it's amazing, you know, and we root for finishes. You know, I mean, when I'm calling fights, I root for finishes, no doubt about it. You know, we did in Macau. I think we started the night with seven or eight straight decisions,

and that beat us up pretty good. So needless to say, we were happy with the way things went down in Boston. So on Saturday you work with Joe Rogan. Often you're working with your good pal, Kenny Florian. Is there a difference? I mean, when you know, okay, I'm working with Rogan as opposed to Florin or vice versa, is there a difference in your approach to calling the fights? You know, not necessarily in my approach, I think because both of them are Brazilian jiu-jitsu experts,

and that really is each of their foremost forte. You know, I know that when the fight hits the canvas, you know, they really want me laying out, which in television means to shut the hell up and let those guys handle a lot of the ground action. You know, Joe cracks me up, man. You know, I think there's definitely a comedic value to his approach to anything he does, including calling M.M.A. fights. And it was interesting, just an aside, he said his stand-up comedy really makes everything else he does in broadcasting easier because he sees that as his biggest challenge. And I was saying

to him that, you know, everything I do in broadcasting makes calling the live fights a little bit easier because the live fights are my biggest challenge. But Kenny and I go way back, obviously, you know, he was at my wedding. I still consider him one of my dearest friends. And so there's chemistry that I think has been developed over, you know, hundreds, maybe thousands of shows. And for Joe and I, you know, I do think in a lot of broadcast teams, there is sort of an instant chemistry, and if it's not there, you'll know pretty quickly, and I do feel like we got off on the right foot at UFC 155. The real challenge for me, I think, in working with Joe, was the fact that we'd only worked together one time, and for these fights, I had about a 10-week layoff, at least in terms of

calling the live fights. You know, in a perfect world, you would never have more than three or four weeks between shows, but just circumstantially the way the events fell, I went from June 8 to August 17th without calling fight. So that was really my big focus and challenge was to make sure that I was staying sharp. But it's great working with someone like Joe. I grew up watching the guy not to age him or anything, but he's just such a dynamic presence. And, you know, and he's very good to it giving me feedback on not only, you know, on my post-fight interviews, but ways to make his job easier. And he's very willing to offer up that feedback. And, you know, it was nice to hear, you know, after the fact that he really had a good time again. So hopefully,

we will get the opportunity to do it again, but of course excited to call the fights with Ken Flo in 10 days or so in Indianapolis. A lot of people like to compare Dana White to Vince McMahon, and one of the things that a lot of WWE broadcasters say about working for Vince is that he's in your ear the entire time, and sometimes it's overbearing. Is Dana that way? Do you hear from him during the broadcast? Yeah, you know, I wouldn't call him overbearing, but certainly if there are things

happening during the fight, if he wants, you know, more or less energy at a given time, or he didn't like something that you said. He will get that message to us through Craig Borsari, who is my boss, and an excellent executive vice president for the company. You know, I feel like when Dana isn't at the shows, you know, there have been a couple shows in Brazil that he's been unable to attend for one reason or another, then I feel like maybe I'll hear from him a little bit more because he's really watching with a fine-tooth comb,

and he is watching every minute of the broadcast from home, whereas when he's on location, he has a lot of different people pulling him in a lot of different directions. You know, I remember one time I called him DW on the air, and he didn't like that very much, so you can be sure I won't do that again. But he really is a wonderful guy to work with, and I like the fact that I always know where I stand, you know, and I feel like he's very consistent in his approach, not only with his feedback, but the way that feedback gets delivered. You know, they don't do it in a condescending way, and they're just looking to improve the broadcast, and promotionally, we're all looking to put our best foot forward.

I think for me, the big challenge was just having worked for a network to now work for the promoter because there is a little bit of a different methodology when it comes to the approach of a broadcast. And that was really a big challenge for me. You know, at ESPN, I think I had certain censorship, but I also had certain freedom. And it's just a little bit different when you work for the promoter. You know, we really want to cast a positive light on these fighters. And that is, you know, one of my big areas of focus every time I call live fights. but Dana's great, and, you know, I just feel very embraced by the entire team.

You know, as I said at that press conference, you know, this is a well-oil machine. I'm just trying to not get in the way, and that really is, you know, what I'm trying to do, my man. Do you like watching, listening to yourself after, you know, Saturday night, you called the whole bunch of fights six or so hours? Will you sit down on a Monday or Tuesday and re-watch the entire thing, or are you the kind of guy that doesn't like to do that? Well, I don't like to do it, but it's definitely an inconvenient truth of the gig. And, you know, there are really only two ways, I think, to get better. Repetitions and then to watch yourself back on tape. You know, I have an identical twin brother, so I hear my own voice all the time every time I talk to him.

And we talk five times a day. So, you know, when I watch fights, I'm almost – it sounds to me like it's my twin brother. Maybe my twin brother on steroids a little bit, but it always doesn't sound like me. It sounds like him. But, no, I don't like to do it because we are our biggest critics, as you know, and watching your stuff back. I know you'll beat yourself up when other people think it's completely. flawless. So it's not something I like to do, but it really is something you have to do. And

especially, you know, when I was getting ready to work with Joe Rogan here for a second time, I had to go back and watch UFC 155 just to see maybe areas when I stepped on him where I could have laid out and areas where I could have made the broadcast better. So yes, it's something that I do, but I do it reluctantly. I really don't. I'm sort of an introvert, man. You know, I don't love the spotlight. I really don't. And I, you know, maybe some people on Twitter would disagree with that, but it really is a little bit uncomfortable for me, and it's something that even you and I had had conversations back in 2008 that I need to learn to embrace.

But I'm very much an introvert more than an extrovert, and being in the spotlight a little bit forces me to sort of get out there, but it's not the most comfortable role for me. Again, not just saying this because you're on the phone right now, but I say to anyone, I think you do an incredible job, and you're right. I mean, sometimes we, anyone does this, not just people who work in media,

I feel like you know, you critique yourself more so than what people might notice. Right now, as we stand here today, what's the biggest thing you'd like to improve as far as your game as a broadcaster? Well, I think being a little bit more relaxed with the post-fight interviews, it's challenging as the play-by-play guy because your traffic copping the entire broadcast to race into the octagon, get the post-fight interview done, and then get back, do your Metro PCS move of the fight and then throw it to break. So I want to make sure that I'm as relaxed and organic as possible while doing those post-a-concone. post-fight interviews, but I would also say stylistically, Joe Rogan and I have a very different approach to those as well. You know, he continues his analysis, and again, he's been doing it for many, many years. That's definitely an area of focus for me and something that I am constantly trying to

improve upon. And those are heavily scrutinized as well. You know, you never want to be the guy that follows the guy. You know, I really, you know, feel for the guy who follows Vin Scully on those L.A. Dodgers broadcast. I feel for the guy who becomes the next host of the M.M.A. hour, and I feel for the guy who follows Joe Rogan doing post-fight interviews, because he is as universally beloved as anyone in this space, and you're not going to win over most of his

fan base, and I realize that. But he gave me some good feedback in terms of sort of controlling my body and being relaxed, and hopefully you see some of those improvements in Indy in a few days. Well, I've got to tell you, my mom is loving this interview right now. She keeps texting me how much she loves that John Anick. So you have a fan in my mother. Also, she's a fan of Ultimate Insider, which is very exciting that it's moving to Fox Sports One. I was actually talking to the producers of the show, telling them that I think it's about time. That show gets

the attention. It deserves. It's a beautifully shot show. The piece on Connor McGregor this past week. Just great stuff, and I'm happy that your show is moving over to Fox Sports One. One last thing before we let you go, I know you're an avid gambler. What do we like tonight? I always like to hear your insights. There anything interesting on the

sports calendar? Well, I haven't looked at the Major League Baseball for tonight, but I will say the Buffalo Bills over six and a half wins right now is plus 1 15. So I know you don't gamble anywhere where your heart exists, but I think there's a lot of value on the Buffalo bills going over six and a half wins this year. So as far as the NFL season, win totals,

I will most definitely be playing your Buffalo bills. No way. You texted me on Friday. You're all high on E.J. Manuel. I come back to the hotel. He's injured. He has surgery. I know.

I know. I didn't realize he was injured when I sent to that text. But I still like the bills over. and best to luck to your bills. I appreciate your mother saying that. She's got to get her grandson some modeling gigs, but I know that's a discussion. You definitely don't want to have.

Look forward, by the way, Connor McGregor and Phil Davis will be in studio with us in LA on Wednesday for Ultimate Insiders. So plenty more to be heard from from the notorious one. And so give me the run-down because UFC tonight only moves to Fox Sports 1 on September 11th.

When is the next airing and where of Ultimate Insider? As far as I know, it's going to be Sunday night, maybe 5.30 Eastern, but I still am not, I still haven't been told with finality that we have a consistent time slot every Sunday at 530. So I will try to tweet as best I can as to when we're going to land, but at least you know where we're going to land. It'll be Fox Sports 1 and excited to sit down with Connor and Phil, obviously, in a few days. If you want the latest lines on the WNBA, Major League Baseball, MLS, follow him on Twitter. Also some good MMA knowledge as well.

John underscore Annick. I feel we could talk for an hour. I love talking about this stuff. broadcasting. We didn't really get into the fights, but we have run out of time. So your good pal, Eddie Alvarez, coming up next. Great stuff, John. Congratulations on an amazing, amazing show on Saturday. I know everyone's very happy at the UFC about the ratings, but I thought you did a great job, and I know it was very important to you,

being back home in Boston, that arena with a couple of those banners over your head. But, hey, 2013 playoffs, we got you in the first round. Oh, I watched your MMAFinding.com preview with Dave, Doyle. I saw that little veiled shot after he mentioned the 23 banners. But thank you very much for having me, and I look forward to seeing me in the sports book here in Vegas in November. Thank you, John. Appreciate it.

There he is. Thanks, Phil. The voice of the UFC, John Anick, did a masterful job on Saturday night in his hometown, a great card, UFC Fight Night 26. One of the best cards of the year. One of the best cards in a very long time. And some people joked when Dana White said, oh, this is the best free card in UFC history.

honestly I mean A, the card felt like it just kept going on and on and on It was like, oh, this fight's next This fights next? This fights next? Matt Brown's next? Uriy Faber's next? Travis Brown? After Travis Brown, I was exhausted. And then Chal Sondon comes out and submits Shogunhoa with a guitin in the first round.

And then the post-fight interview was fantastic. Channeling his inner Razor Ramon. It was just a great night. And then to top it all off the ratings. So great stuff there. about Fox Sports One. Let us pause now for a little word from our good friends at Fox Sports One, and then on the flip, we'll be joined by Mr. Eddie Alvarez. Here at Fox Sports Live, we talk sports. We want to talk sports to you.

We have the technology to bring you sports news and highlights of sports. In that order or in reverse. We can show you sports news. We can talk about sports news. We can talk and show sports news at the same time. We're here to change the game by literally showing you the game. Fox Sports One, check them out on Twitter. Twitter.com slash Fox Sports One. We will talk a lot more about them in the third hour. Okay, let's go to the, do we have them on Skype?

Yeah, I think we do have them on Skype. Let's go to the Skype machine and welcome in Mr. Eddie Alvarez. Is he there? Okay. This is great. This is what happens when Buzzcoe comes back to the show. Technical difficulties galore. but Eric is telling me we do have him.

Is he on the phone? We're just trying to get his camera working. Okay, let's just do audio. Okay. Let's just do it. Can you hear me? Eddie, are you there? No, he's not there.

It's Monday back there. For me, it's Friday. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to talk to Eddie Alvres. If you saw last week, he re-signed with Belator. They came to a settlement. He is fighting Michael Chandler. The rematch is on.

It's going down. November 2nd. Bellator pay-per-view. Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. And it is the co-mate event of the Tidor-Atees versus Rampage Jackson. But let's be honest. I mean, you talk about the people's main event. That is the people's main event. That's the fight that everyone wants to see as far as Belator is concerned. And also King Mo Llewal versus Emmanuel Newton 2 is taking place for the interim title, which is a little strange, unless something very serious happened to Attilae. Timing kind of interesting. But it is for the interim title.

the Bellator Lightweight title will be on the line when Eddie Alvarez meets Michael Chandler. Eddie, are you there? Yes, I'm here. Ariel, what's up, buddy? Oh, hey, what's up? A little echoy there. I'm guessing you're talking to us via your computer, right? Yeah, sorry, I couldn't get no video so you guys can't see my handsome face.

Well, I wanted to see your handsome face because I wanted to see just how happy you are to be fighting again. Congratulations on the new deal. Oh, thank you, man. How did it come about? Tell us the timeline here. you guys really start talking and then when did you decide that it's time to end this and come back to fighting well we we've been trying to settle since the beginning of this thing just you know none of the meetings we had have been have really went anywhere you know i drew a line in the sand

they drew a line in the sand and we were sort of buttoned heads um just recently i got to speak to a guy named tim danahar from belator and um tim was uh tim tim tim was uh tim tim was Tim wanted to compromise. He wanted to fight just as bad as I did. And we sat down. He listened to what I have to say. I listened to what he have to say, and we were able to come to an agreement.

And Bell Tour was able to put a deal on the table that was fair enough to get me back in November and get a shot at that title. Are you happy with the way things turned out? Yeah. I, you know, we, we settled, but the thing is, you know, in every relationship, there's good, there's bad, there's ugly. And people get a little caught up. You know, I got a little caught up.

I got a little emotional. And they don't want to take a side. But really, both sides needed to compromise. We both need to sit down and really listen to each other and each other's needs. And we were able to do that. and, you know, they put a deal on a table. It was, you know, it was fair enough. I'm happy.

I'm ready to get back in there. And I wish you had a video. I have my Belltor belt with me. Really? Yeah, I dusted off that old thing. And I figured if I'm going to be champion again, I might as well wear it around a little bit. Wow. You're actually wearing the Belltor belt right now?

Yeah. Well, I have it right by me. I'm not wearing it. Is this the same deal that you were initially offered? The same deal that I was, no, no, it's not the same deal. There's some differences. I can't get into the details and the structure of the deal. It's just not what I agreed to.

But it's fair to say I'm happy enough, you know, happy enough to get working. You know, more than anything, just fight Mike Chandler again. I had a shitty night. And I think it's, you know, when you're champion, it's okay to have a shitty night, but it's also important to redeem yourself. And I'm lucky enough. I'm very grateful that I get a chance to redeem myself because sometimes you don't. And you guys seen, I lost the one out of the lightweight besides Michael Chandler,

and that was Shinyeoki. And you see, you guys seen what I was able to do when I came. back, you've seen I was able to focus and fight after that loss, and you're going to see it again. Can you comment on how long the deal is for? No, that would be details of the deal, Ariel. I can't, I'm sorry. But have you settled your differences, to put it that way, with Bjorn Rebney? Because, you know, here's my take on the situation.

and I heard from some people at Beltaire that I guess they weren't happy with me. But my take was, look, I can't forget all that happened the last eight months. Things were said. This wasn't a figment of my imagination. So I'm wondering now, today, August 19th, are you and Bjorn okay? Well, are we okay? I don't know. It's Bjorn that.

It is what it is. Look, we're in business together. I don't agree with everything, you know. that's done and he don't agree with everything that's done. So we're sort of button heads. That's the nature of this business. Like when you're at the end of a contract, you know, that's sort of the way things go.

And I don't know what more can be said, you know. Someone's got to get their way, right? Someone has to get their way. And something, somebody needs a compromise. So, you know, that's what, it's not important what, you know, what happened in the past, it's not important. What's important is that me and my channel get the flight again and put a fight on

that the fans want to see, that the media wants to see, and more important, put a fight on that I want to be in. So that's what we should be focusing on. You know, it was so interesting. This news came out Tuesday, and then there you were with your good friend, Michael Johnson, who looked fantastic, by the way, on Saturday.

Congratulations to you and the team on his performance. And at the way... How great, say it again, how great did Michael Johnson look at it? Because none of the media... No, you're right. All you guys are hating, because I didn't hear a thing about Michael Johnson. You're 100% right. We completely walked into Boston and silenced the whole lot of them,

whether it was 10 or 15. I don't know how many it was, but we silenced the whole crowd, and it was such an underdog. He did something great that night, and it wasn't even talked about. No, you're right. He wasn't given credit going into the fight, perhaps, due to the fact that he was on the losing streak. He was fighting Joe in his hometown, all that stuff. But you're right.

He looked amazing, probably, in my opinion, the best he's ever looked, including the ultimate fighter. But what was interesting was, at the way-ins, you had a little chat with Dana White. And then on Saturday night, he told us that you were waiting for him because he wanted to talk to you. What did you talk to Dana about? He said what? Is that not true? I wasn't waiting for Dana White. He said that you were hanging out and he was going to have a little chat with you after the fight.

I was with Michael Johnson in my locker room. Okay. I walked by Dana. Me and Dana didn't agree to any sort of... I walked by Dana. I wasn't waiting for Dana. I love Dana. He's a good guy.

I wasn't waiting for Dana. I was with Michael Johnson waiting for the post-fight press conference. But did you talk to him after the fights? Uh, no, we did never, no, we never got the chat. What did you say to each? I saw you actually talking to each other at the Wayans. What did you say to each other then? Um, at the, oh, at the way ends?

There was like a brief little, hey, how's it going type of thing, right? Yeah, yeah. I said, hey, how's it going, man? He said, oh, congratulations. I'm glad to see you back fighting again. That's what it said, verbatim. Wow, that's juicy stuff. I love it.

I don't know how juicy it is. Okay, so was there ever a point, though, because we were very concerned for you, for your career, because we were hearing that the trial would only start September 2014. Was there a point where you were like, you know what, let's just figure this out, because I'm not going to sit around. Maybe I do want to go fight elsewhere, maybe not, but at the end of the day, I need to make money for my family. You were talking about having to give up property. Were you legitimately worried that you may be out for like two years when it's all said and done?

Yeah, yeah. I mean, that was my biggest concern. But the minute I sold, I had an investment property that I bought that it actually did really well for me. I made money off and I plan on never, never selling it and just hold on to it and be able to, you know, maybe pay for my kids to college. It was a good investment. But I had to sell it. And the minute I sold that, my intentions were sell it, make the move the full. Florida and train for a world championship title fight.

I wasn't, my management never told me what was going on whether we were out, you know, whether we were going to get a fight, not get a fight. Nothing was set in stone. But they were my intentions. That was in my mind. It was to sell my house, get to Florida and begin to train for a world title fight. And everything happened exactly the way I thought about. it in my mind and I'm glad it did. By the end of this year, I'll fight the best fight you

have ever seen. My first fight against Mike Chandler, I might have had the worst first round I've ever fought in my whole life and I still almost came back and won the fight. So I'm a way more focused person. I look at Mike Chandler as a dangerous opponent now, which in the first fight, I really didn't. And when I see my opponents like that, when I look at them as dangerous and a threat to me, they're the guys that I do the best against. They're the guys that I put away and I put them away fast. So to me, this is a completely different fight.

Mike Chandler can think what he wants. He could think he had the best of me and he could think he took my best shots in the third. That's complete bullshit. He didn't take my best shots. November 2nd he'll take my best shots and we'll see if he is able to get out of even the first. You know, this is fascinating stuff because this fight is two and a half months from now.

It sounds like it's going down in two days. I feel the fire coming out of you, how amped up you are. It feels like you have a major chip on your shoulder. And obviously, Michael, in the last year or so, and, you know, to his credit, I mean, he deserves a lot of this. He is doing great stuff as champion in Belator. He has been kind of pushed as the face of Belator. Is this Eddie versus Mike slash Bell Tour?

Do you feel like you're going in there to not only beat him, avenge that loss, but to also, you know, take down their poster boy? I don't know how I see it, you know? Every fight is always a battle within myself. It never has nothing to do with any of my opponents. And I'll have to do with Mike Chandler. It don't have to do with a tricky pit bull, a hook. You don't have to do with any of these guys.

It's always a battle with myself. and to put myself in a really good place and a really good position to go out there and perform at the highest level possible. And I am in that position. I'm in that position right now. So two months from now, I can't imagine where we're going to be at. So, you know, I'm just excited that, you know, the timing, it's perfect timing, and I couldn't be happier that it's a title fight against someone that I actually want to fight. because you don't always get the fights against the guys that you want to get after. And so this one will be special.

I called this the people's main event. You know, Belator took some flack for the Rampage Tito fight, but no one is complaining about this. This is the best fight Belator can't put on by far. How do you feel about being the co-main event to Rampage versus Tito? Do you think you should be the main event? No, no. I mean, what does it matter?

second, third, fourth? A fight's a fight. What does it matter? Fans give that sort of thing too much power. Like, who cares where we're fighting? Who cares who it's for? Who cares what number order it's in?

Who cares? Who gives a shit? It's a fight. You want to see the fight or you don't want to see the fight? It's that simple. It does mean something when you're the main event. And it feels like when the promotion puts you as the main event, I think, they consider that the big fight on the card. I mean, that's why the prelim fight is not in the main event and vice versa.

So I was just wondering if you were bothered by that, but apparently not. No, we're the main event. You know, but in my eyes, it's the main event. And do you feel like, okay, you win the Bellator championship? Because, you know, I know you don't want to talk about the deal, but I put some terms out there that you obviously can't comment on. you're the Belator champion, you may have to stick around. Are you going to be okay with that? Whatever's fair, man.

I'm okay and I'm easy to work with if everything's fair playing field. And everybody can be given a fair shake. I'm okay with that. As long as everything's fair. It can't be completely one-sided. I'm not, you know, I don't feel that that's no fair. I can't play like that. So, yeah, I'm okay with that as long as everything's fair.

Have you had your eye on Mike? The last couple of fights, I mean, he finished his opponent, David Rickles, in a matter of seconds, just a couple of weeks ago. Have you had your eye on him and you think he is better today than when you fought him a couple years ago? Yeah, yeah, he's got to be. You know, there's, you know, he's, he's, my, Mike Chandler is a champion. And, you know, regardless of who he's fighting, he's going to grow, and they'll do most of his growing in the gym, you know, when he's, when he's, uh, training for each opponent, he'll grow more and more.

But, you know, I'm really not concerned with, you know, what, what adjustments he made, how good he's gotten. That's, that doesn't, I know what I'm capable of. And, uh, I, I, I especially know what I'm capable of when I, when I go and fight a guy. And I feel that, that anxiety, I feel that fear. I feel that guy poses a threat and a danger to me. I've only lost against guys who I felt that they didn't pose enough of a threat to me. I lost to Aoki.

I lost to Nick Thompson way back in my career. And I lost to Mike Chandler. And I remember going in the ring with all three of these guys and not seeing. The common denominator was I didn't see these guys as enough of a threat. So I wasn't able to have that heightened sense of awareness and be as focused as I should have been. And when I see a guy as a serious threat that he has knockout ability and, you know, he's able to, you know, fight at the top of his game, they're the guys I put away, man. You guys seen it. I see Naoki as a threat.

I put them away in a minute. Patricki Pippel knocks everyone out. He knocks them out viciously. I put them away and lessen around. And the list goes on and on. I can sit here and rattle off a bunch of names of guys who are serious, serious threats to me, who nobody thought I'd win against. And I put them away.

Not only did I win, but I put them away quickly. Eddie, congratulations on the New Deal. Very happy that you'll be back. Can't wait for this fight, November 2nd, Paperview, Long Beach Arena, Eddie Alvarez versus Michael Chandler 2. Two years ago, they had arguably the best fight of the year. I'm expecting nothing less this time around.

Good luck to you, Eddie. I'm sure we'll talk to you before then, and can't wait for it. Really, really happy for you. Hey, guys, thank you for everything. And tune in to see me get my hand raised. It'll be a good story. And if you don't believe me, just watch.

I can't wait for the CM Punk moment when you take the belt and run into the crowd. Thanks Eddie. Appreciate it. All right, guys. There he is. Eddie Alvarez. Perhaps the future Bellator lightweight champion. Remember that? What was it?

Two summers ago, CM Punk wins the championship and runs into the crowd as the outsider. Will we see that on November 2nd? We shall see. Okay, let's move along. UFN. 27. UFC Fight Night 27 is coming up very shortly. It's, what is it, August 28th, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it's on Fox Sports One.

The headlining act is Martin Ketman versus Carlos Condit 2. They had a great fight a few years back. They rematch next Wednesday. We have Carlos on the line right now. Carlos, how are you? I'm doing well, Ariel. How are you doing, man? I'm doing great.

Did I just wake you up, Carlos? No, sir. Well, it's good to have you on the show. Okay, good. It's good to have you on the show. I'm looking forward to this fight. It was a great fight a few years back. Do you remember what it was like going into that fight?

That was your UFC debut. You were the WC champion, and a lot of people were really interested. Whenever we have a champion coming into the UFC, we want to see how he stacks with the best in the UFC. Did you feel more nervous going into that fight than you have in your last few fights now that you're a UFC vet? No, not necessarily. I feel, first time around, you know, I felt like there's a lot of hype,

and it's kind of my fight to lose. this time around I'm on a completely different place mentally I'm I train really really hard I'm prepared to get in there and you know fight from bell to bell

and that fight I kind of just the first fight I I cruise a little bit too much and I don't know I wasn't real focused I would say why is that because usually in your UFC debut you're Uber focused

Were you too high on yourself? Were you believing your own hype? Yeah, probably. You know, I was a few years ago. I was a few years younger and more immature. And yeah, a lot of, you know, at that point in my career, I had, talent had gotten me a long way. You know, I worked hard, you know, in intervals.

Oh, Carlos disappeared. That's a bad sound. All right, we're going to get him back. Carlos Condit there, being very honest, saying that he was high on himself back when he fought Martin Camman. That was a great fight. That was also a UFC fight night. Way back when, in his UFC debut, his UFC Fight Night 18, just tell me my ear when he's back

in April of 2009. And he made his UFC debut and lost to Martin Camden. But it was a split decision and it was a very close fight. And since then, I mean, you know, he went on that amazing run, won a bunch in a row, six in a row, and then eventually he met up with George St. Pierre and Johnny Hendricks. And currently in a two-fight losing streak. But interesting to hear him say that, yes, he is a lot older now. Yes, he's a lot wiser.

He's a UFC veteran as opposed to the guy making his UFC debut and going into the UFC from W.C. And beyond, he was on a very impressive winning streak. so it okay Carlos are you there I am I'm back okay welcome back so you were saying you're just a lot more wiser now and maybe not

making those same silly mistakes that a young buck would make in his UFC debut right yeah I think with experience you know a lot of things are learned first in the first fight I you know like going into that third round I felt like I had won the first two and that I could just cruise

through the last round and get the decision. And that was a really hard lesson of learning. I lost my UFC debut. You know, Martin put it into my win streak. So that was definitely something that I've learned from. And yeah, so anyway, that fight's behind us and really, really looking forward to next Wednesday. It was somewhat of a controversial fight.

Some people still think you won. Have you watched the fight since then, you know, recently leading up to this fight? And do you think you legitimately won? Yeah, I've been watching it just, you know, doing homework as well as Martin's other fights, but yeah, definitely that one is pretty relevant. You know what? Yeah, I think I want to fight.

It was really close. I think he keyedged me out in a lot of the scrambles and was able to take top position, take top control, and that's why I think he got the judge's nod. but I definitely did more damage. And, yeah, I won the fight, but I could see it was very, very close. It's interesting to hear you talk about your mental state going into that fight as opposed to this fight, but also kind of an interesting storyline going into this fight, is that you are riding a two-fight losing streak,

and it's amazing how quickly things can change in the world of UFC. Do you feel pressure? I mean, to be a loser in your last three in a row, is something obviously that I know you don't want to face. Do you feel pressure to break that losing streak now? Yeah, I do. I mean, I'm not letting it affect me or take up too much space in my brain. But, yeah, I mean, definitely in the back of my mind.

Have you watched the Hendricks fight? Do you think you won that one? I haven't. I watched it, I think, right after the fight. I haven't watched it much since. No, I mean, like, that was another one that was really, really close. You know, he was able to land, you know,

land a lot of takedowns. And it depends on your judging criteria. You know, in a fight, if that was a street fight, I won the fight. But, you know, it's a mixed martial arts competition, you know, 10 point must system and, you know, that whole deal. So under the current, under the current judging criteria, you know, I probably, as a judge,

I probably would have given it to him. But, you know, whatever. You know, it's neither here nor there. I have a big fight coming up. You know, looking forward to avenging this loss. And then, you know, after I take care of business next week, you know, we'll talk about Johnny Hendricks and, you know, possibly a rematch and, you know, going at it again.

Are you hoping he beats GSP because that fight was probably closer than your GSP fight and there's a better chance of you getting the rematch with Johnny over the GSP fight? Yeah, yeah, that thought has definitely crossed my mind. You know, you're one of those guys who, it feels like you've been around forever, yet you're still in your 20s, right? You're 29. Have you thought about how much longer you want to do this for? Yeah, of course. You know, this last July, you know, marked 11 years that I've been competing professionally mixed martial arts.

I'm, you know, I feel like I have another title run in me for sure. you know, and, you know, we'll see where we go from there. I still love it, you know. It's still my passion, so, you know, my heart's still in it. And, you know, we'll reevaluate down the road. But for now, you know, I'm 100%. I was reading your UFC bio, and it says that your heroes are Tyler Sanchez and Tim Mullins. And then I googled those names, and I don't know who those people are.

Who are those people? Is that a joke? A couple of my friends It was just kind of a goof They're two of my best friends That are like family Like brothers to me But they're not

Yeah, it's just a goof Oh, okay Because you know, I was Googling And some people with those names Came up one kid Like a transgender kid Is named Tyler Sanchez And I thought maybe that was your hero

And I couldn't really understand it So, okay, it's not the kid You're saying No, no, not that one in particular But you know what? Whatever. Maybe we'll go with that. We are up against the clock, so I'll ask you this final question and let you go,

and we appreciate the time very much. If there's one thing you can do differently in the fight that you didn't do when you fought him a few years back, and not talking about the mental side, the actual physical part of the fight, what is the one thing you need to do this time around as opposed to the last time that you didn't do? I need to keep the pressure on Martin, but I also need to win in the scramble situation. you know, in the first fight, I was too content with going my back and fighting off my back. And, you know, that lost me to fight. You know, it's lost me fights in fights after that.

So, you know, I need to win these crambles, and I need to, you know, just keep the pressure on them. All right. Looking forward to a UFN. 27, Carlos Conn v. Martin Katman. Carlos, my mother, has been sitting on the edge of her chair listening to this. She's been looking forward to this interview all week long, so you just made her day, just being on the show. Awesome, man. Thank you, Carlos.

Appreciate it. We'll see you in Indianapolis. Good luck. All right. Take care. There he is. Carlos Condit. A short appearance by Carlos Condit.

He had to change things around and could only join us for a few minutes, but good to have him on the show and very interesting stuff out of him, talking about the mental side of the game and how he was different coming into this fight as coming into the original fight in his UFC debut as WC champion.

It wasn't an official unification about it, anything like that. Kampin, of course, wasn't the UFC champion, but now coming off the two straight losses, amazing how things can change. I mean, this time last year, Carlos Condit is the number one contender about to fight GSP. Year later, he's on a two-fight losing streak.

But I don't feel like Carlos Condit's stock has dropped at all. I don't feel like he is viewed in any lesser light than he was a year ago, as he was gunning for the championship. In fact, I feel like his stock has almost gone up after his performance against George St. Pierre and dropping George and just never quitting and coming at him full force.

And even the Johnny Hendrix fight, which was close, and I think, and he admitted it, I mean, if you're scoring an MMA fight, I think Johnny Hendrix did deserve to win that fight. It's been like four million since then, but off the top of my head, I do believe that I did not have a problem with it, still very, very aggressive, never quit.

I don't remember what the fight of the night was at UFC 158, but certainly I do remember that being one of the better fights on the card. So here he is, about to fight Martin Catman. It's a Wednesday night card. It's on Fox Sports One. It's in Indianapolis. And, of course, I will be there. And I'm very excited about this because when we were in Indianapolis for UFC 119,

I remember that was one of the best American crowds I have ever seen. It was the Conceco Fieldhouse back then. Now it's known as the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. And I remember them being, I mean, maybe it was because local hero, Sean McCorkel, was jerking the curtain against Mark Hunt, if you recall, and he submitted him in a matter of seconds. I remember that arena was maybe 85% full, maybe even more. It was unbelievable.

And then they popped. It was a great pop. The pop was massive when McCormer. article submitted Mark Hunt. And they really came out early. It's going to be interesting, though, because this card, while it's still kind of the summer, although I think a lot of kids are going back to school and, you know, work ramping up, this card kicks off at 5 o'clock Eastern on a Wednesday.

So I'm curious to see if the crowd will come as early as it did back at UFC 119 a couple years ago. The main event, of course, is Carlos Condon Martin Campman, co-main event, Donald Serroney versus Hafeel Dosanos. And then there was supposed to be Sarah McMahon versus Sarah Kaufman. Unfortunately, recently Sarah McMahon had to pull out due to personal reasons.

And the UFC was trying to find someone to face Sarah Kaufman on short notice. But a tough task because, A, Sarah Kaufman, of course, considered to be one of the best bantam weights in women's MMA. I don't think a lot of people are going to want to step up on short notice

to fight her. still the talent pool or at least the roster isn't the deepest right now in the UFC. And you have to remember a lot of the bantam weights who are good, who are prospects, who could be signed on short notice to fight someone like Sarah Kaufman. A lot of them are going to be on the ultimate fighter. So a lot of people were tied up. And unfortunately for Sarah Kaufman, can you imagine, you know, 10 days out from your UFC debut, your long-awaited UFC debut, they can't find you an opponent.

So she will not be on the card. Calvin Gaslam will be making his welterweight debut against Brian Melanson, Robert Whitaker versus Court McGee, Robert McDaniel versus Brad Tavares. That's the main card. I'm assuming another fight will be bumped up now that Kaufman v. McMahon is on the shelf.

But we will break that one down next week because that's taking place, not this Wednesday, next Wednesday, August 28th. So we'll give you the picks and whatnot. And Mama knows, speaking of which, She went three in three this week, or last weekend. She was very upset because she started off very slowly. O.N. 2, Michael Johnson and John Howard spoiled her first two fights.

But then got back to it and ended up, what was it, four, no, three and one losing the Overeem fight. And to her credit, she was going back and forth on the Overeign Brown fight as well as the Hall-Hawood fight. But at the end of the day, I mean, that's what it is. So 8 and 1 going into this card, 3 and 3. So what is that, 11 and 4? Still very good, still better than New York Rick ever did. So not bad. Not bad at all.

All right, let's go to the Skype machine and welcome in. Very excited to welcome in our next guest. Been wanting to have her on the show for a very long time. And finally, I actually saw her at UFC 163, and that re-sparked my desire to get her on the show. I called her earlier the princess of the Gracie family. Gracie family, obviously, the most famous family in mixed martial arts history and jiu-jitsu history,

black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the niece of the famous Henzhou Gracie and many others. She is, of course, Kira Gracie. There she is. Kira, how are you? Hi, Ariel. Nice being here with you. It's a pleasure for me.

Thank you so much for joining us. So when I saw you at UFC, 63 in Rio just a couple weeks ago, you were telling me that you're doing some TV work now over there, doing some MMA commentary. What exactly are you doing in Brazil now? Exactly. I'm working for sport TV. It's like the main sports channel here in Brazil. And I'm commenting all the UFC shows. Wow, all of them. When did this start? It started like beginning of this year. And it's a great, great opportunity.

for me, you know, and it's being like pretty awesome job. I'm doing what I love to do, you know, and I've been, I grew up watching MMA and it's a pretty fun job right now. Obviously, your main focus throughout your upbringing has been Jiu-Jitsu, but are you comfortable with critiquing the other points of mixed martial arts, you know, the striking and everything involved with that? Yeah, as I feel very comfortable because besides Jiu-Jitsu, I've been training like some boxing in Muay Thai and I'm studying more the stand-up game so I can be more comfortable commenting. But for sure, it's better for me if the fight goes to the ground. I feel more comfortable and it's more exciting for me too. So you mentioned that you've been studying boxing, Muay, all that stuff. In the last couple of years or so, we have been teased that you may, you may not, be making your MMA debut.

A lot of people very interested to see you make the crossover to mix martial arts. There was some talk you were talking to Strike Force and all this stuff. Where do we stand right now? Will you actually fight an MMA in the foreseeable future? Yeah, people, a lot of people ask me about MMA, you know. It's something that I've been training some boxing with Cloud Coyalo here in Brazil. I've been to some MMA camps in New York with Henzel. But I always had my focus in jiu-jitsu competitions and been competing my whole life.

So MMA, it might happen, but it might not happen. And now things are growing here for me on TV. So I'm not sure, you know. And in any ways, I'll be in the UFC. in or it's fighting or it's comedy. Oh, really? So do you think that the TV opportunity lessened your chances of making your MA debut?

Now that you're busy with this, you don't really need to actually fight? Yeah, for sure, if the TV grows more and more, the way I'm expecting to it, to it's going to be even harder for me to join MMA, you know, because I'm getting busier and busier with the TV. And also, like, for MMA, the main thing is, like, when you have something, like, already I've built, I achieve everything that I wanted in Jiu-Jitsu,

you know, all the tournaments and everything that I always dream about it. And MMA would be more for, like, a new challenge for me. But let's see how it's going to be. So have you closed the door on your MMA aspirations? Right now, you're not even thinking about it? No, I've been training, you know, training boxing and training like No Gear a lot, especially because I'm competing in the next Abu Dhabi in October in China. So it helps me a lot with the MMA training.

But TV is getting more attention for me right now. I'm putting more attention on TV than to MMA. So you're still actively competing in Jiu-Git-W. When was the last time you competed in a tournament? Yes, I competed last year for the World Championship, but I won the last Abu Dhabi, so I'm already in for the next tournament. I've been out for a year already, not competing in Jiu-Jitsu because I had some injuries, had to take care of it, and the TV things, you know, started like, kept me busy with that. but I'll be back in the next Abu Dhabi. Forgive me for not knowing this, but when you compete in Abu Dhabi, do you get paid anything?

No, just if you win. Just if you win. Wow. So that's the bad thing, no? So I won the last one, so I got paid. What is the prize? Is that made public? Yeah, it's 10,000. So the amount that you're competing, and spending time training for these events.

I mean, can you live comfortably off of just being a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner at this point in 2013? Yeah, it's very hard still, you know. It's very hard to get sponsors and the money that we get paid is not enough. You know, we have to train at least for three months. And then I cannot give any seminars, you know. I have to be kind of out of teaching. So it's very hard, you know What is your earliest memory of Jiu-Jitsu?

Obviously, growing up with your family with a long history in the sport, when do you first remember that this was something that was being talked about, that people were telling you about teaching you, etc. I grew up in a house with Hanzo Half and Hyen together. So, you know, Jiu Jitsu was everything for me here.

Like, I grew up watching them on the tournaments. I grew up like training with them. We always had a mat on our house. So I was just like playing around, you know, just learning some things. So Jidtsis is part of my life. Like since I don't know everything that I

know is because of Jiu Jitsu. I've been learning since I started walking. So was there ever a point where you weren't interested and they told you you have to do this or were you always interested in at least from what you remember? No, you know, it was something like for me because I was a

little girl playing around, they were like, oh, Kira, you shouldn't do this, you know. This is not for a girl, you know, and it's going to be very hard for you to make money with Jiu-Jitsu. People wouldn't respect a girl, you know, can't keep the grace name. So then I was like shocked because I thought they would support me, you know. But then there was something that kept me motivated. I always thought like, hey, I'm going to going to prove they're wrong. So then I started training hard. I started achieving my goals.

And then they became my bigger supporters. And when you were training, when you were climbing the ranks, were you training with more females or males? Males. At the time, like, I was the only female in my gym. Wow. Yeah. But usually I like train with males.

I never had like a really tough female partners to train with. I was like to train with males and all they are stronger. They have the strength. And then when I go to tournaments, I don't feel the strength of the girls as much. Oh, wow, that must be a huge advantage. But now with the rise of women's MMA and people like Ronda Rousey, Jiu-Jitsu, arm bars, all that stuff, do you notice that more women are interested in this? For sure, you know, and I think MMA is something, it's getting more,

it's getting more and more women involved because it's very hard for women. And I think for everybody that wants to make money with sports, with a judo, jujitsu, it's very hard to get sponsors, to get paid on a tournament. And MMA is getting huge, so people can have the money. So it's a lot of girls, like from Muay Thai, like getting involved into MMA right now. What do you think of Ronda Rousey and in particular her ground ground ground. game. Yeah, I think such a great work and style on their own watch.

I'm watching her years and she does it very, very well. You're a fan of hers? Yes, for sure. Now, when you see the UFC having a women's division and people like Ronda Rousey essentially becoming like the face of the UFC, does that spark a little more interest in maybe trying to fight in MMA? because two years ago this wasn't this wasn't on the table yes for sure allowed with the with the UFC opening like the doors for the women you know you get more excited about it because

you know that's what everybody wants it like to to people to recognize their work and then when you were in the UFC people see you and know and it's awesome and I think right now like more and more girls are getting involved into MMA because of that. And I think in the new future, they're going to open more divisions, more weight classes, and it's going to be great. What is the sentiment in the family now? Because the last time a Gracie family member won in the UFC was mid-90s when Hoyce won, some have come in, Hollis Gracie and very recently against...

Yes, Hajjar Grace, against Tim Kennedy. They've lost. So what is the sentiment now? Are they trying to groom someone to come in there? And when is this a problem? Is this something that you guys talk about? When my family developed UFC was to prove that Jiu-Jitsu was the most efficient martial arts and was to show Jiu-Gytsu to the world, you know?

Right now, of course, we want to have a new champion, but the rules are different. You have to really be focused on that. Like we have Roger. Roger is such a good jih Tjitsu athlete, you know, but he's been growing up, like he grew up with all his energy on jih Tornments. And MMA is very, very different. You have to adapt to the rules. You have to be very explosive. You have to be ready for 15 minutes battle.

So for sure, we want to have more fighters to be in MMA. So I hope in the new future we have new faces coming up. Are you surprised by how popular MMA has become in Brazil? I mean, it feels like the last couple of years it's exploded over there. It's crazy here in Brazil. Like everywhere you go, like everyone is talking about. about how MMA is nice. And the girls, they talk about the fight,

they talk about the fighters, you know, everywhere. It's crazy. Like, I remember before when I grew up, I was the only one, like, watching the videos. I remember I used to have, like, the VHS from Pride. And I used to watch at my house. But now, like, everywhere I go. Like, I want to make, I go to the place to make my nail. The other girls are talking about, hey, who's?

do you think it's going to win, you know, this guy or that guy. So it's awesome. What is it like growing up with Henzo Gracie? No, Hanzo is such a nice guy, like we all know, but he, like, growing up with him was such a pleasure for me. And growing up in the Gracie family was great because I always had all my idols inside of my family. So Hansel is my master. He gave me my black belt. You know, supported me through my career and I just I just have a just I was blessed with us you know to grow up with hands of half and high in the same house so I grew up really in jiu-jitsu since I've born I saw an interview with you where you said like some of your other family members they

yell and things like that to try to teach you but he's always calling you princess and trying to be very sweet and nice to you right yes it's funny because like everywhere I'm like Every time that I'm fighting, like, let's say, he's on my corner, he's always like, hey, he doesn't go like, oh, put the hand here, you know, do that. And he was like, hey, little princess, just remember, the hand is on the right side, you know. Like, it's so funny. Like, I watch the videos, right? Like, sometimes here, like, old videos that I have, and we can always hear his voice, like, saying, hey, little princess, hey, kidina, like, little cure, you know. So he always had some sweet things to say before the move, you know.

Right, right. When you were in school, when you were in high school and growing up, what's it like going to school as a girl with the Gracie last name as far as your relationship with other girls and also the boys? Like the Gracie name is very famous in Brazil. Like, sis, I'm a little kid. People were like, oh, you're greasy, you know? Like, don't kick my ass, please.

You know, if you come in front of the line. was nice. The girls, like, when I was a teenager, they think it was weird for me to do Jiu-Jitsu because none of the girls were, like, doing... It was hard to find a girl that did some fighting sports, you know? So it was kind of like, hey, she does Jiu-Gitsen. For the boys, they were afraid of my uncles,

so they wouldn't talk to me. So I was... kind of fun. It was good. Was that hard for you because people were intimidated, I would imagine? Yeah, for sure. Like the boys that were really intimidated about me. And I always had like a lot of,

the family is huge. So I always had like a lot of cousins, you know. So that was pretty much on my age. So the boys, they wouldn't even talk to me. And speaking of your family, they're involved with the Metamoros group, right? Actually, I have my black belt right here

on my desk. You can't see it. But they, they present me with my black belt says my name on it it's a very proud thing for me i i did a lot to earn it um i'm wondering have they approached you about competing in one of their cards yes yes i've been talking to them you know it's going to be i think i really like the rules um like the no no points just submissions you know i think it's great for jihitsu and uh because sometimes in uh in the tournaments people stall a lot you know they win by one advantage and you know metamore is is something that can happen.

You know, I've been talking to them and it would be great to fight. What's cool about Meta Morris is that you see some, you know,

Jiu-Jitsu stars against maybe some famous people from MMA, like you saw Brendan Shob in the last one. Is there anyone in particular that you

would love to compete against? Is there someone that comes to mind like a dream match for you? Yeah, if I can, I fought with

an MMA girl like Alex Davis in the Jiu-Too Xpo. and it was a great experience, you know, and if I can fight with another MMA star, like Ronda Rouse or Liz Karmouche or one of those girls, it would be great. Have they talked about that?

You versus Ronda Rousey would be huge. Yeah, it would be great, you know. That would be great. And we haven't talked about any girl in particular. We just talk about, like, maybe fighting the next events, you know. But it would be great. fight brother. Do you think you would ever get that opportunity? Is this something you're going to try to push for? No, I'm waiting for the event to find who they want me to fight. I can find any girl

in my division, no problem. How many more years do you want to compete for? I'm a 28 years old right now, so I think I can go to like 30, 32, you know. Still have a couple of years left. But when I have babies, you're married. Yes, of course. Everyone does. Now, I follow you on Twitter, of course, Twitter.com slash Kira Gracie, and often you are tweeting about the Gracie Adventure Camp.

What is that? Exactly. It's like a Gracie family meeting. Right now, like we have people are living all over the world. We have Roger living in London. Hansel lives in New York. I live in Brazil. He lives in Miami.

So every year we get together for a week. and we spend some time with our family. We train jiu-suitzoo, we exchange some techniques. And now we welcome the students, so they can be part of the Gracie family outside of the Mets as well. So we train, we have fun, we have sightseeing, you know, a lot of things. So it's the third year we're doing this, and it's a huge success, and we have a lot of fun.

So if you guys want to check it out, it's a Gracie Adventure Camp. dot com. Do you eat a lot of assayi on these trips? Because I've become obsessed with assayi. When I was there in Rio a couple weeks ago, I had it six times in 72 hours. Is this something that has served at the Gracie Adventure Camp? Yes, for sure. We're going to have a lot of assayi fruits and coconut fruit, everything. You should join us, area. Wow, wow. Well, that's all I need to know. Forget about the Jiu-Jitsu. I'll just come for the assayi. That's great. So it's Gracie Adventure Camp.com. That's how you can learn more about it.

Kira, thank you so much. Really great having you on the show. And I hope maybe one day we'll see you fighting MMA. I think that'll be a great story. But I understand your plate is full right now. Continued success to you. Good luck with the TV stuff. And we'll be watching you in Abu Dhabi in a few months.

The Abu Dhabi tournament, of course, in China. Yes, thank you, Ariel. It was a great pleasure being here with you guys. And see you in the next UFC event. All right. There she is. Kira Gracie joining us via Skype, via Brazil. That's awesome.

Great to have her on the show. show. You can follow her on Twitter.com slash Kira Gracie, the princess of the Gracie family. In a minute, we will be joined by the one and only, the inimitable. The often imitated, never duplicated, Valid Ishmael. He'll be stopping by Valid Ishmael. You may know him, if you're just kind of a casual UFC fan.

You may know him as the guy from the Eric Silva interviews. He was, as I mentioned earlier, with Uri Al-Kantara earlier. On Saturday, he was with him in Boston against Uriah Faber. You may know him as that guy, but this is a man who has a lot more to him. He is the promoter, the founder of Jungle Fight. They have another event coming up on Saturday. We'll talk to him about that. He is also, in many ways, a jiu-jitsu legend, a fighting legend out of Brazil.

This is a guy who has had actual many run-ins with the Gracie family. Valid Ismail and Hayen Gracie, the late Hayen Gracie, was a feud back in the day, competed Hoyst Gracie, defeated Hoyst Gracie in a Jujitsu match. This is a guy who is somewhat notorious in the world of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, many stories about him. All you have to do is a quick Google search about Valid Ishmael, and you'll see some pretty amazing stories about Vali Tshmail. Valid. Like I said, quite the character. And I saw him in Boston. I was actually at the gym in the hotel and he was there. And he's so charismatic. He's so passionate about the world of mixed martial arts. And then it kind of hit me. We need to have this guy on the show. And he has a card coming up. Jungle Fight 56. Jungle Fight. And you look back at the history of Jungle Fight, which has been around since 2003. I mean, even looking at the first jungle fight, I was looking at this card yesterday. The very first jungle fight,

Jacques-Rae Sousa was in the main event. He actually lost. Cyborg Santos fought. Liotto Machita fought Stefan Bonner. And Liotto defeated Stefan via first round TKO, Dr. Stoppage. Fabrice Verdume fought Gabriel Gizaga. Verduem won via TKO. Justin McCulley was on the card.

I mean, you look at the history of jungle fight. This man, he put on some great shows. And he is continuing to do that. And he's probably the most successful this is probably a question for Guillermo Cruz, but the most successful kind of local organization in Brazil, also working with the government over there. So the man is doing good stuff,

and this is before the boom of mixed martial arts in Brazil. This is before it got really popular following the Anderson-Silva-Vitor-Belford fight. Just a couple of years ago, UFC 134, the UFC returned to Brazil after many, many years away, over a decade away. And he was doing it before it was cool. It was kind of the dark days of MMA.

I was talking to Marcelo Alonzo, who I called the godfather of Brazilian journalism, Brazilian MMA journalism. And he was telling me about this crazy story about how back then Lutalevre was on television in Brazil in the 90s. but then it was like some strange story and I don't have it right. I don't remember it right now

but it was like one of the Gracie family members was started to date the head of Global which is like the big Fox the major network over there. It's like a media giant over there. He started to like date his wife and as a result

they pulled it and they said never again no Gracie's on TV no MMA on TV all this stuff. Crazy story maybe uh maybe Valid could shed some light for us. But first, let's go to the Skype machine and welcome in it. So excited to have this man on the show. Valid, how are you, my friend? Wonderful, man, wonderful. Just come back from Brazil, from UFC. And let me hear work, work for the next jungle fight live on ESPN, the deport is on August 24, 9 p.m. East time.

Oh, I can't wait. I'm going to talk to you about that in a second, but first let's talk about Boston. What happened with Yuri? It looked so good to start off what happened. I'm going to tell you, this guy make a miracle, you know what I mean? This guy is training Berlin to Parah. He trained the north of the country. You understand?

Yes. And he was wearing, you know what I mean? But Ryan Faber made what he's supposed to do. You know what I mean? Put it down and keep the fight, but almost, almost,

he really finished him in the first round, but almost not count. You understand? And I am favorite one, congratulate him. And now Yuri going to make a camp in the United States. Oh, okay. Part of this loss, we worked with three major courts to see which one he's going to be trained, he and his brother. Because if he need evolution, he's wrestling.

You know what I mean? the weak, only weak, not a weak part, because even he put the Iron Fabor in the beginning down, but he is yes, his weak part is a wrestling. And this he needs to improve and the tactic, you know what I mean? He's very aggressive guy. He's not a tactic guy. But he gave a good show.

I think the most important, he gave the good show and it was very important for UFC. I think the show was amazing. I think this show in Boston was amazing I believe it's going to get the biggest rating of MMA history in the United States I hope that Well Valid by the way I want to see your wonderful face

You don't have to put your face so low to the computer Yes I want to see that smile there We can hear you just fine Okay okay you see I'm excited to talk to you Ariel you see I know I'm from the guys from the north The guy from the United States From the Canada

Wow yes make me happy. Why do you keep saying from the north? What does that mean when you're from the north of Brazil? They're not from Brazil. When we need the hassle, it's like the guy, I don't know how to say,

call Kaboko. You know, in the long time ago, there's a big predage here from the guys come from the north. Say like the guys is like a Kaipir. I don't know how to translate this. It's like the guy really, no the guy

have like really from the small series how call in the United States oh yeah you know like not so much like a small town boy like are you saying like a redneck type of thing no redneck no not redneck like a like a small town guy

yeah like a small town guy okay you're from there too are you from there to the north yeah I phone Amazon I found the Amazon state I'm born in the Amazon state. I come to Rio to train with Carson Grates on 84, like it will the beginner of MMA,

like Balitudo at the time, not the beginning, but few people know that. On 84, 83 was the last year ahead, MMA in Brazil, valitude, no who's born in Brazil. And I came to Rio in 84, 84, and the 91 I was Brown Belt, I challenged

the Luta Libre guys. And we have a big fight on TV in Brazil in 91. And this brings back Valitude, like no Rusbao to Brazil. It's really interesting. Like I have

in the time 22 or 23 years old and I challenged the Lutalibu guys. And you have a have a big fight. Three guys from Jiu-Jitsu was me, Murillo, Bustamante, and Fabio Guggeo

against three guys from Luta Libre. Was Eugenio Tadeo and two another guys I forgot the name. And we beat all the three guys. And it was like a beginner of the coming back of Valitude to Brazil. After about

seven years, don't have a fight. I go to newspaper. I went to newspaper and he challenged the guys and it was wonderful. Isn't it true? Go ahead. Go ahead. This was the beginning of the really MMA back in Brazil

and the few people know I start to bring back. Like I tell my history in the sport is big. I tell you something. I never did nothing besides fight. All my life 100% was

involved in fight business. Even when I sleep in the gym. When I have 14 years old, Carson Grace is like my second father on the time. Let me sleep on the gym, clean the gym. You know what I mean? Like really work in the gym because this is I stay in his side all my life to the day he's died. I always honor his name. I was loyal to him because I believe in the sport of MMA, in the mixed martial art,

still have place for loyalty and gratitude. These neb, if you see the guy is not loyal or don't have gratitude, this guy is not a good character. You mentioned the sort of return of MMA in Brazil in the early 90s, that event you talked about, but is it not true that it kind of disappeared for a while because it was this issue with the head of Global and his wife and one of the Gracie family members,

and then he swore to never put it on TV. Is that not true? No, I think it's not. Okay. The first time, I think now I'm sure it's not. Okay. I know the real what happened. Okay.

It was much more complicated to that. But, you know, I'm another guy today. You know what I mean? I have a big appreciation for the another side of the family. I'm going to talk about that. But not worse that. This is the first time in my life I heard that. Believe me.

If I not heard, it's not true. Because nobody who work in this sport, no things about the sport more than me, because I just do that. I live in the gym. I'm not the guy outside. You know what I mean? I tell the people, I not count history, you know what I'm not.

I'm not a storyteller. How's it? Yeah, yeah, yeah, historian. I thought they're a storyteller. You know what I mean? I make, I part and I make part of MMA history. Absolutely. You're a big part of it.

In Brazil and even you compete in pride and whatnot. You had a big rivalry with the Gracie family. What's your relationship like with the Gracie family now? The war. Kira was in the radio station or she's going to be? No, she just came on. You can ask. Kiera told me to

Marcel Alonis, the bigger reporter here. The godfather. She told him, I grew up, look Valid like a devil. And now I have a great relationship with the another side with the family. I have

a great relationship with Renzo, with all the family. Because one thing the other side of the family, I always say. You know Valid, talk, a lot of things. He fought. He makes us crazy, but he always was loyal to my uncle.

And, you know, men appreciate loyalty. If even your enemy has a good character and is a loyalty to his master, and even when Renzo said that, but it always was loyalty even the day my uncle died. And this is a priceless. And I believe this is a priceless. LARTY is still have a place in the MMA. So Jungle Fight, it comes out in 2003.

You started it. It's still going very strong. Why did you think that this was something that could work in Brazil? When, let's be honest, back then, MMA wasn't as popular as it is today. So why then? And how has it remained successful all these years? Oh, man. This is my life.

I born. I born in MMA. You understand? I bring it back to Brazil in 9. make the research in the internet. I think before the 9-1 was 8-4, the last MMA show had here.

You understand? Like, my life is dedicated to MMA. No, MMA who created was UFC. My life is created to the fight business. You understand?

I talked about MMA because the people know MMA. But the name on the time was no rules bar. Yes, no holds bar. NHB. Yeah, NHB. And I'm glad the Fertita's brother and the Dunn White made what made to the sport right now,

because now is the sport. I really believe, I truly believe, if Dunn White and Fertita brothers not work, not by UFC, not work with the UFC, not put a lot of money, a few people know, These guys put almost $50 million. Sucking in the UFC $50 million before start to see a dollar back. And this is a price less. You know, always you tease me.

You tease me, you tell me, oh, you go, always you give a prop for a tonne wide. Yes, you need to give, too. Because if you're not going to be in the radio station right now. You're even not going to work. MMA. I think maybe

not exist because box commission on the time was so strong when I finished I was in the UFC

we're going to do the show in Niagara Falls and we need move to another city I think for New Orleans on the time

I'm not to remember a long time ago you understand I think it was Burma I think it was Alabama yes it was Alabama yes Alabama

you understand yeah I was there if not Petita Broad done why, I think the UFC is gone, you understand? I'm

glad. I was going to still give you a prop. You need to do too, Arif. I agree. We need to give him... I have said it. If it wasn't for them, there would be no MMMA, we wouldn't have this job. So tell me about jungle fight. Where did the idea come to do this organization, and

how have you remained successful? The idea was with Inoki, the time he was a director producer of pride and how is he like environment

until 2003 you know from Amazon I told him hey let's go do and show I always

have a mind business you understand always always always and I

the funny part I met him in the airplane and I talked to him he started to represent me one of his

company to represent me in Japan. And when I have 34 years old, gonna do 25, 35, 35, I told him, hey, let's go do one event in Brazil called Jungle Fight to bring the world attention for the Amazon rainforest. He loved the idea in the highway, he brings the press. We gave a big press and you did a big show.

A big show in the Amazon was a big success. And keep my side, the jungle fight, one, two and three. And he had some problem with his partner in Japan. Don't want to he stay with my side. And he left jungle fight, say, hey, you keep the jungle fight, you do it. And they keep doing it. You know what I mean? Few people believe I move forward because on the time I was,

I still valid a fighter, you know what I mean? like a really little bit crazy and you know but he taught me a lot in Aoki taught me a lot how to do business how to work with everybody not to have

a team because the promoter cannot have a team because the big Prague I don't know how the big disease in Brazil right now what spread is the courts have a show have the show just to make cartel,

just to make Sherrod, like just to make a cartel. I'm going to ask, and Sherdog not put this, the record, if the court, if the court is the president of the show, if the court choose the fighters, the opponent for his student, cannot count the record. You know what I mean?

Because this is a biggest joke, it's a joke. this can kill our sport is the trainer choose the opponent for his student this is a joke this is my big fight in Brazil right now the trainer

cannot have a show the trainer cannot choose the fighters for his student so let me ask you Valid I mean you know we see a lot of these guys come to the UFC 30 in 1, 32.

A lot of guys, you know, probably the most famous gym is Novuniao. I mean, is that what they're doing there? Is that what you're telling me? There's no doubt about. He's the, I don't talk about, he's a great coach. Great coach. He's a great coach. Andre Pettaneras.

Yeah, Ander Pediners is a great goal. I like him. He was the Carson Grace team. Right. But even I tell him, don't do that because it's bad for the sport. It's bad for the sport. It's good for you, for your team. But it's bad for this sport.

But the good part is Sean and Joe Silver know it. You know what I mean? Know it. Even Sean told him, oh, some guy sent me 30 old. I say, hey, the guy fighting, I don't know the name the guy. But if you saw Joe, if the guy fight in the tournament of his coat, not count. This is a joke. And he laughed.

He said, but he did you too much. I said, this is true. This is true. You know what I mean? he need really have a fight where he really can show what is coming, you know what I mean? Sure.

He can show he's really good. In jungle fight have this aspect. You know what I mean? Jungle fight, you know, the fight asking me, who are going to fight? I say, hey, the guy has two arms and two legs. Be prepared. Be prepared for anyone. Under the coach, call me,

oh, but he doesn't want my fight, fight in your show. Who are he going to fight? they say, hey, you know, don't ask him this question. Tell him to be prepared. And the coach, just send me the guys. It's a really prepare. You understand? Sure.

If not prepared, it's going to lose. Because beside UFC, I have no doubt about, I have the best fighters in the world. A real mind league. Because UFC just have one World Cup. We have a World Cup. We have a World Cup of MMA. and jungle fights like a Latin America cop. Let me ask you, Valida.

I mean, lately UFC's putting on a lot of events there in Brazil. Is that hurting you? And also, to that degree, they're taking a lot of your fighters. Does that hurt your organization? I love it. You believe me. You love it. I'm the minor league. I'm the minor league.

You want to be the minor league. You don't want to compete. It's just stupid you want to compete with UFC. You know what I mean? I saw one guy like, You know what I mean? Forget about. Why compete?

Just have one World Cup. But if they're putting on so many events there, does it make it less likely that people are going to buy tickets to your shows? You're kidding. He made the sport. UFC made the sport. Actually, I go to TV, tell him, you know, when the invest in UFC had much more return,

that invest in soccer. The soccer World Cup is going to be billions and billion dollars going to spend. You know what I mean? And the UFC bring more attention from the United States that soccer. Because nobody likes soccer in the United States, but everybody wants to America's come to Brazil

to visit Brazil. Who brings more attention? I have no doubt about the UFC bringing more attention to Brazil. This I tell everybody here. I am the biggest support. Even UFC don't need my support. But I love UFC like, you know, when I was there, I see Yuri fight, you know what I mean? This is a priceless.

I tell people, you like soccer? Go watch UFC. Go watch jungle fight. You're never going to watch soccer again. You know, when the soccer player gets tired, ask you for the, for the coach, hey please substitution yeah

in UFC you cannot ask him for substitution you need to be ready it's a war you go to

basketball the guy get tired they called oh time out time out this is a joke

the real sport no time out you need to be a warriors to do is an NBA

is UFC because UFC is the World Cup cannot hurt he just give benefit

Why? Because show the world is a real sport. It's the best sport in the world. And we will be... UFC, no doubt, is world to be the biggest sport in the world. I have no doubt about it. I'm curious to see how many people you imagine. Fox 1 go to more than 23 million houses.

It's the dream come through. You know, in Brazil, we have our dream come through. In Brazil, UFC get 14 points, 14 points in more than 20 million houses. The people say, oh, UFC going slow in Brazil. Not UFC is big to every, any time. One show before, the last show was 10 points. Last show was 14 points. And I told Dan White

he need to come to Brazil because Dan White, his personality, his love for the sport is still doing great, he still make the difference. But let's go talk about, you know,

I love so much, UFC, I'm going to talk about the UFC. Let me ask you, when they sign people from Jungle Fight, you then manage them? Like, what's your relationship

with these guys? Because I see you with Yuri, Eric Silva. How does that work? Very easy. Every guy. come to jungle fight. And stand back.

I want to see your beautiful face. I see your head now. Yes, there you are. Every guy for jungle fight. Yeah. Signed to jungle fight for two years. Okay. Okay.

Every fight, every fight I have the same, like, treatment. When the guy to get the title, I give monthly support for the guy. Because I know when the guy get the title he really waited to go to UFC you understand? Yeah

the big title, the major title you understand? And this I have a company work with me manage the guys because I support the guys monthly payment but before the guy be the champion

have no support but even when the guys is champion now UFC is too full. I have so many people on UFC. So many fighters, the guy is still defend his title in UFC. If UFC need him, Judge Joe asking me, he go to UFC. It's like a trial, you understand? It's not

like, it's not in the paper, but in the world. And Joe Silvan Sean say, hey, I know the best guys in UFC. Because I know the tough guys you can see I'm gonna name it the only lost Jose Aldo has was in jungle fight the last show Renambarang Barang did in Brazil was jungle fight

Fabricio Verdun started in jungle fight Jacare started jungle fight man name it Machida right Machita was there Matured his first fight was against Staffa Bonner Yeah

Steph Abona was the finalist for I think he's got all the credit to be held a fan. Because his fight in the in the final for the reality show was very important for the sport. You understand? And he comes from jungle fighting, he fought in jungle fight. No doubt I have the credibility to have the best fighters in the world. not fight, not sign with UFC. And when the guy's the champion of the jungle fight,

is a really the champion. He's not a champion to be my student. He's not champion to be my friend. He's champion because he deserves. You understand? It's a tough. You know, even I have one problem today. I have one guy who is really good.

But if the guy don't have a strong spirit, he cannot fight in jungle. fight. What happened? Valid, what happened with John Linneker?

Joe Linneke, what happened? He was the champion. Yeah. I support him. Yeah. You know? When he won,

when he won, I call him, tell him, hey, how much he, he worked in the port. Like, you know,

the guy cared the things to put in the ship, how called that? Oh, yeah, I know what you mean. Work in the ship. Sure. work in the port to put the things in the ship.

I say, how much you make per month? In the time, he says 700 hills. I say, now you don't need work more in the port. You understand? You are going to pay you per month because you want the jungle fight title. For sure, you are good. And you're going to make. And he stopped to work in the shop in the port.

But in the time, he's going to fight. I think it was New Jersey. I thought it was to be able to go with him. And his coat had a problem with the visa. Just walk, arrive two days before the fight. You understand? Yeah. And the day of the fight.

And he stayed one week. And the guy worked with me, the Bebel, tell one guy there was a manager, please help Valid take care of Lennox in the States. Yeah. Yeah. Alex Davis, right? Yes. And this guy talked to Linick.

and after that link to stay with him. You understand? But it is why it is. But I'm glad he's doing great in UFC. You understand? I don't be poor. You know what I mean? The only things I love it,

the people don't understand. I put money in the game because I love the game. I love to go to UFC. I go to UFC. I was crazy, man. I see house pack. I know 93 million going to watch.

the show, it's like the dream come true, you know what I mean? You're happy. I'm going to come back to talk about the UFC. But let me tell you. Sure. This is what happened. I have the best guys who are going to see jungle

fight on ESPN Deportes. If you, even you don't speak Spanish. Yeah. Get ESPN Deportes because you're going to see a warriors. You're not going to see the guy holding each other. I tell

the guy, if you walk back, You know, the last two shows, the guy get out, the guy won by point, I go for him the time he walked out of the case, you far. Wow. You don't fight like a lion. You fight to one by point. The guys fight one by point, not fighting jungle fight. Fight is a show.

You don't want to give a show, go home. Wow. Or fight for another organization. Fight for a cult organization. You understand? Because now is a big thing in Brazil. It's the cult to do the show inside the gym and share dog, put in share dog.

This is the biggest mistake. Valid, you know, this interview, the passion coming out and some of the things that you're saying is one of my favorite interviews in the history of the show. You're one of a kind. As I said earlier, you're often imitated, never duplicated. And it reminds me of a famous other interview in our show's history.

I just want to play you a little clip and get your thoughts on this, okay? I'm going to kick your ass. I'm going to see you again. Here we go. Here's the clip. B'li, what do you think about this? The people, the people see him fight.

The people see him give the heart, the mind, the blood. He's going to shoot the blood in his opponent eye. You understand? Everywhere you look, left, right, he's covered in blood. his feel he's still ready for this he's ready to do well in MMA

MMA he is the big sport in the world Eric Silver show this you understand it's all thanks to Danah White without him we have nothing Danah what for you I would kill my son Fahara

Okay okay What was that? Take our pre-bag What was that? You're not going to be a reporter MMA report if you're not Dana White and the Lorenza and Frank What do you think about that? Do you like that?

Who not give the prop for these guys Not deserve being the sport What do you think about that? Do you think he did No, what do you think about the imitation? Do you think it was good or no? It was the past.

This motherfucker is good. This motherfucker is good. Oh, wow. On the time, I don't know if I want to kick his ass or laugh a lot. I think it's a big compliment. I think it's a big that he would choose to imitate you. I'm joking. I'm joking.

Oh, wow. A lot. That was one of... It was nice. The people, man, the people everybody talk to me, say, Man, he's doing the same. Actually, if you close the eyes and say, is me to talk to that?

Because he almost said everything What I say Yeah Because it's true Let me tell I'm not a bullshit Right I'm born in this sport

You know I'm the time I go to the street In Brazil In Brazil Not in the United States In Brazil I say hey I do

No Husbal Oh it's a pro wrestling It's not a pro wrestling It's a fight It's a real world It's not a fake I hate Pro wrestling at the time

Really Yeah it's fake When people compare When people compare know who's bar to a pro wrestling. I was crazy. You understand? When they see the sport going,

what I really believe is going to be, for sure I'm going to give a prop to who deserve. And I work my heart off. On Sunday, I make my card for September show because I'm going to do jungle fight on August 24. Yeah. Live on ESPN, Deportes, 9 p.m. East Time.

The next show is going to be September 7, live on ESPN. On ESPN. The next one's going to be September 14, live on ESPN deportees. Few people knows.

You know, I don't know which show was. Have another minor league in the state was in Fox Time. Fox Latin. And we was in ESPN. in the post. We beat this American League.

Wow. Talked to Big League in the ratings. I have this on the papers. This Latin, this American League did 0.17. We did 0.49. Was it Bellator? Bellator? You want to say?

Yeah, I don't want to talk about. Oh, okay, okay. Sorry, sorry. I thought you didn't remember. Okay, you don't like Bellator. No, I'm not, don't like. I like Bellator. He do an okay job for the minor league.

The guy raised money, you know what I mean? Sure. He'll do the MMA show. It's good for him. But, you know what I mean? He loved to call like, oh, it's a big league, all this, this, and that. I like Bellato. It's good for give job for the minor league.

My fight is just fighting. If it's going to be a minor league, it's staying jungle fight. Not go for another minor league. the minor league. Valid, you were talking... His small league is staying in jungle fight.

You were to, you know, I feel like I could talk to you for three hours. I enjoyed so much, but you were mentioning that your first show,

you had this guy who fought Stefan Bonner. He made his MMA debut, Lioto Machita, right? We have Lioto Machita on the phone right now. Do you want to say

hello to him? The dragon. Hey, Viotto Matida. Hey, Kaboko. Hi. Rahim. He's on the phone.

You hear him? Yes, I'm here. You hear him, Alid. Come on, Lioto. Now speak English. I remember in Lyot, first I arrived in the States.

Liotto. How did you go in Lyot, Matilda? Yeah. When I was first time here, I met Valid in LA. He helped me a lot. Wow. This is very nice. I'm going to tell, this guy deserves everything good in his life.

Because no one. This guy's a whole model, man. The time he arrived in Los Angeles, he don't want to come to vacation. He's not going to Los Angeles to go to party. This guy is just training. You know what I mean? He lives in the gym in Japan.

You know what I mean? Like a samurai. I think his squad has created him, raising him to be a really a fighter. He's a family. He's a family guy. grow up to be the best MMA fighter. And he was

he's going to be again. I believe very much. And come from Jungle Fight. Yes. This is the best part, Leo. Yeah, for sure, for sure. Okay, Valid, we thank you very much. We're going to talk to Lyoto now. Thank you so much. We're going to watch Jungle Fight 56 this Saturday, 9 p.m. ESPN Deportes. We're going to have you on every week. We loved having you on, Valid.

Best of luck to you. Thank you. Thank you. Bye, bye, bye. Thank you. Thank you, Balej. Bye. Okay, Liotto. Thank you very much for joining us. We appreciate it. By the way, what was it like fighting on that first show, Jungle Fight? Do you remember? Against Stefan Bonner? Yeah. My first fighting in Brazil was against Stephen Bonner in Jungle Fight.

Do you remember? Do you think that the organization would be around for 10 years? It's pretty amazing, right? Yes. amazing because 10 years for organization is very difficult. We know a lot of a lot of things to do, many events.

Then congratulations to my leader by you because he's a great guy, he's a great finish. And it used to a great fight to him. So before we talk about your future, I just want to ask you, are you over the loss of Phil Davis or are you still

bothered? You still think you deserve to win that fight? Yeah. I've lost that fight against two days, but I'm not convincing that fight because I think it's not fair. It wasn't fair for me. And I would like to do another fight. So you still want to rematch him because now there's a lot of talk. Let's go through the list.

First, last week, you said you wanted to fight Vitor Belford. Then it came out that Dana White was considering Nick Diaz. Then on Saturday you said you wanted to fight Chale Sunnan. Who do you want to fight next? So I just want to do a big fight, you know. Bill Ford is the first name in the list because he's a great name. He's a great opponent. I have all respect for him.

But I think Bill Ford is a perfect opponent for me in this time. But he hasn't accepted that fight. Dan, now I told that about Nick Dia. Nick Diaz is a great opponent, too. but, you know, I just waited for the UFC. Then last Saturday I saw the fight

Chogun against the Sonny and I saw the Greek opportunity to fight against Sonny too because Sonny's a great name is a big name in the round of the road then I think I can beat him

and he's talking bad about me back in the day. Right. Which do you prefer, Sunnan or Belfort? Hey, either one. There you are. No problem for me. I can fight with both.

If this fight is going to happen in Brazil, I prefer to fight against Vito Belfort, because Dito is a great name, a big name in Brazil, too. Then by the fight, the fight is going to be around the world. You can fight whoever. Is it true that you're very, you're upset at Vitor Belford because at UFC 152 he wore a T-shirt that in Portuguese said essentially your son doesn't walk away from a fight and you thought that that was an insult. Is that true?

Yeah, it's true, but that timing I supposed to fight against John's but I didn't have time enough to preparation. Then I said I couldn't fight. then people fall said about that then now my turn my turn I can say for him I can say for him the same words because now I have a I did a challenge

I challenge him then he avoids his fight he said no I don't know why but he has to follow what he said that's right do you feel like he's going to accept it or do you know that he actually did turn down the fight

I don't know I don't know. Really, I don't know. But everybody has your own reason for accept or not accept the fight. I respect him. I just say Vitt before because that's what I told you. He's a big name in the Brazil and around the world. I think he's a greater point for me in this time.

But I don't know. It doesn't matter for me. What's the reason? He has no accept this fight. But, hey, the loss. life is going on. Right. Will your next fight be at 185 or 205?

Hey, man. I can, you know, I'm not too heavy for my class. Then I can fight 185-2. And I can fight in both class. Then if that's how I keep me in 185, I can fight. Even if that fight is going to be tomorrow. So, so, so Vitor Belfort. Would you rather a light heavyweight or middleweight?

Maybe middleweight is a good idea because if I beat any middleweight, hey, I can consider a next competitor. Maybe who knows? But what if your friend Anderson Silva is the champion? Hey, but I don't know the features belong to God, to God. Right. A lot. Yeah, but...

Yeah, yeah. But Anderson, he's not a champion anymore, but he has a big challenge at the end of the year against Whiteham again. I believe in Anderson, but, you know, each fight has a special moment, special time. And nobody knows. But I think also can become champion. So the next time we see you fight, Lioto, are you going to fight differently? Because in your last two fights, you know, obviously you've been kind of the same throughout your career, but you've been criticized. And in this last fight, you know, some said that if you were a little more aggressive, you would have won. And the Henderson fight you were criticized as well.

Are you going to fight more aggressively so that you can win these fights if they go the distance to the judges? Yeah, I promise my next fight. I'll put in my best performance. I try. Hey, but the last fight I try all the time, I was looking for David inside the octagon, but he ran away all the time. He just walking circle and tried to take me down

at the end of the round, you know? But I was looking for the fight, but he's wrestling. I don't know what happened. He just landed me, but no hit me. He landed a lot, but no hit me anytime, you know. But the next time, I was looking for the fight all the time, and I just want a next chance.

Do you feel pressure now going into this next fight because your last two fights were somewhat controversial? So, hey, I'm 35 years old. I'm very veteran fights. I have a lot of fights in my Korea. I'm used to, I'm used to, with oppression, you know, I'm using. Then I don't think about that. I just, I just put in my focus in my office. on it.

But I know. I have you changed some tank, I know, and I'll try it. Are you going to still work with Melvin Manhoff? You worked with him prior to the Dan Henderson fight, but I didn't see him in your corner for the Phil Davis fight. Yeah, because I just had a short time with Melvin Mayoff. He's a great feature in those many things,

but maybe next time. Next time, I'll train him all time with him. I spend this, but we don't know yet because Melv Mae Offey, he lives in Amsterdam, sometimes it's very difficult to find him. You know, recently a video came out and made very big news. Did you, in fact, drink the urine of a female TV host in Brazil? Was that hers? Because the way I saw it was it was yours, but people are saying that it was hers that you drank.

What exactly happened? Sorry, sorry, can you repeat? Did you drink the... What's that? Go slow, yeah. Okay, go slow. Did you drink the urine of a female of a woman TV host in Brazil? There's videos online of you drinking.

Is that true? No, it's not true. It's just wasn't joking. But everybody asking about that for me. But, no, just for show, just for TV. but I never did it. I just drink my own urine. Your own, you still do that?

I know, I was very concerned. I didn't think your wife would like that. Did you, do you still drink your own urine every morning? Yeah. Every morning. Sometimes, no, my daddy, my father, he does every morning. But I'm just a couple times, you know. Sometimes I do, sometimes I stop.

But my father is very, restrict with me. Yeah. When was the last time you did it? Sorry? When was the last time you drank your own urine? Maybe one month ago. Oh, okay.

Do you suggest I do it? Should I try it? Should I try it? Should I try it? You suggest everyone does it at least once in their life? Yeah, yeah. You have to, no? You have it too. Okay, final thing.

Last question, Liotto. What is your message for Vitor Belfort? He's listening right now. I know it. He called me yesterday. What is your message for him? No, I don't have any message for him. I just challenge him.

But, you know, he has his own reason if he's not accepted that fight. But I respect his opinion. But I just would like to fight with him. I just want to try to put my technique against his technique, you know, and do a great show in Brazil. or around them the rules. It doesn't matter for me. But I don't have any net. Okay. That's good enough for me.

Thank you so much, Liotto. It's great having you on the show. We appreciate it. Thank you, my friend. Thank you. I appreciate you. There he is. Liotr Machita stopping by. How about that English? Improving greatly. In Brazil, at UFC 163, they were giving out head and shoulders, what are they, bottles with his picture on it. Big star over in Brazil. And as you heard from Valid, it's a big sport over there.

It's a big deal. I like the idea of Leoto versus Vitor. At this point, Leoto Vitor, Chale versus Vandrele, might as well do it. Although Chale versus Vitor at this point would be massive, but I just feel like that's what Chale wants. It's in his heart. There's that rivalry there. I mean, it would be a shame at this point not to give the people,

Chale versus Vandale. So you have two matchups right there. Make it happen. I know Lioto is coming off a loss, but in many people's eyes, it was a win, and there aren't many options for Vitor. Gagar Musasi is out there banging the drum, and certainly an option,

but I have a feeling they won Vitor to fight before Gagar would be ready around December or January. So I feel like those two matchups are just layups. People like both of them make them happen. So that does it for our interviews this week. Now let's answer some questions. Do we have some questions to answer? We do.

Before we get to the questions, I hear... Speakers just went down. Okay. Just to recap Saturday nights, unfortunately, my mother went three and three. Not a horrible show. I mean, she didn't dip below 500. So what did I say she was? She was 11 and 114.

How did you do? I mean, because I heard you actually put legitimate money on the line. In terms of my own bets, I made some money. I bet on Uriah. Faber Chal Sondon as an underdog, which still baffles my mind. I'm not sure what people were seeing in the lead-up to the fight that changed the line so drastically from Sondon being the favorite all the way to as much as plus 140 at five dimes. I'm not sure what they saw in that time that made the line swing that much. But I was definitely happy about it because I got him

at a great price. And I also bet on John Howard. Wow, look at you. The big upset of the night. Well, I mean, he was the biggest underdog. And last week, I actually explained that. We actually have a clip, in fact. Oh, my gosh.

You actually have a clip because, you know, can we, can we keep that up? I was actually not going to, I was actually going to refute your claim of. Oh, were you? Yes, you actually have the clip. Okay, let's go to the clip. Let's go to the videotape, the video evidence.

And then this is the most interesting one. one to me. Yoriah Hall, once again, a huge favorite. Minus 515 for a guy who just lost his UFC debut over John Howard at plus 375. I might even go so far as to say I would take Howard outright. Wow. But I would definitely jump all over him at plus 375. Jariah Hall has shown that he's an adept striker.

Absolutely. He's a highlight real waiting to happen. But John Howard, you know, isn't just some dude off the street. this guy's had some battles in the UFC. And I think he's got the, first of all, I don't think he's going to stand with Uriah Hall as long as he seemed to indicate in the interview. I think he might go for takedowns,

he might try and mix it up. Sure, he's going to stand for a certain amount of time and throw some bombs at him, but I think he might mix in the grappling a little bit. And I might favor Howard. Look at you. There it is. Look at you actually going out into the archives

and picking up your own clip there. There it is. Why did you feel the need to do that? For the haters? Well, you just said yourself, you were about to dispute it. So it's a good thing I did. Wow. Would you say that's the greatest pick you've ever made?

No, not even close. I honestly thought that that was a relatively easy line to pick. Now, I'm not saying it's easy to pick Howard over Uriah Hall at Even Money, even though that might be where I'm leaning. but at 375, I think I said at the time, it's a no-brainer. Uriah Hall hasn't shown anything that makes me think that he's worthy of that big a line and Howard's tough enough to be in there. So no, probably not my best pick.

I mean, during the RPI, I picked George Rup to defeat Brian Bowles by TKO that paid 8 to 1 or something like that. So that was a pretty good one. That was a good one. I forgot about that one. But Mama Halwani, she did good. I mean, look, she's very upset. She's three and three, so now, well, she was three and three, so now she's 11 and 4. But the good news is there are two events next week.

Anything for you? Maybe you'll bet on jungle fight. Who knows? I don't see any lines out, but I'm always keeping an eye out so how I can get myself back on track. I mean, maybe you should call Valid about, you know, the minor league. weeks. He can give you an opportunity. You could also give me some inside tips. Yeah, for sure. So there we go. I would love to talk to them just any time. It's a, it's a relatively quiet weekend in the world of mixed martial arts. Nothing really going on this weekend. So everyone has a chance to regroup. But next week,

actually, beginning next Wednesday, it's a full week. We have, what, three, three UFCs in seven days. There's that card in Indianapolis. Then there's UFC 164 in Milwaukee. And then the following Wednesday, The first night of Rush Ashana, by the way. So shame on the UFC for doing that. It's the Bella Horizanch show, headlined by Ryan Bader versus Glover-Teshara. And now, before we get to the questions, I couldn't help but notice you're wearing an unusually tight t-shirt today.

Is this your way of showing off your new physique? I disagree that this is unusually tight. I mean, it's a... The sleeve is short. The sleeve is short. I mean, I'm not saying it looks bad. I'm just saying this is not something you would have worn a year ago. Well, I couldn't fit into this shirt a year ago.

I've had this in my closet for a while. It's actually my favorite shirt. Is it really? Is it old? It's really old. At one point I weighed maybe 140 pounds. I got really, really skinny. But I bought this shirt, and they only had it in a size small, even though I wanted a medium.

And I haven't been able to fit back into it, but it's my favorite shirt, and now I'm back in it. That's a size small. It's a small. When's the last time you wore that? Years ago. Four, five years ago. That's the, that's the, uh, the ad for UFC fit slash Dolshidae. This is it right here.

Ten years ago, I wore this shirt. Now here I am. Ten years later. Looking as spelt as ever. I mean, I saw that thing. I almost, I almost fainted when I saw you. So tight. Too kind.

So tight. I don't know about that, but, uh, it's pretty tight. It's great to be able to wear it again. Well, thank you. You're almost done. It's one week left. I can't believe it. Friday is the last day, I believe.

And then on Saturday, I have like the final results. Wait a second. This Friday? Yeah. This is it? This is the home stretch, baby. Wait a second. So that means next week we're going to see the before after?

Oh yeah. Holy moly, moly, really? Wow. Really? I remember sometimes. Is it really this soon? Yeah. Somewhere around the middle, I was saying that, you know, the results weren't that noticeable,

like in terms of pictures. Sure. It's a big. change. Honestly, did you skip a couple days here and there? No. You really didn't. It's amazing.

I was really, really good about it and really strict on the diet too. Wow. Because if you're going to do something, do it right. I'm going to keep it up to the extent that I definitely am more conscious about what I'm eating. And when I'm home, I'm not going to be, you know, ordering food or anything like that. I'm going to cook myself the same meals I've been cooking throughout this because they taste great. And there's no reason not to eat. healthy if you can.

But let's say I go out with friends or something like that. There will be times where I'm like, oh, I can't eat that. I can't eat that. Maybe, you know, when I go out with friends, I'll have a dinner out with them at a restaurant I probably wouldn't have gone to before. But in terms of everyday maintenance, I'm going to be eating the same things I was eating. It's a lifestyle change, and it really worked for me. When you look that good in those T-shirts, those...

Oh, God. Is that small or extra small? It's pretty tight. It's medium. It's medium. No, no, no, it's small. It looks great. Congratulations.

Well, let's see next week. Yep. So you have the picture and then you're going to... I got it. Wow, look at this. I'm very excited. That's our big draw for next week. No guess, no nothing.

It's just talking about that. Do we have some questions? We do. We have quite a few questions today. Oh, my gosh. So let's start with the website. Fighter introductions. What are your thoughts on the USC putting the Vegas fight odds on fighters during the introductions?

Do you think they would rather use fight odds than using the media's power rankings? Well, actually, there are two questions. to answer here. Does someone else ask about Dana's beef with the rankings? Or can I address that here? You can address that. Okay, first of all, I love the odds. I love the fact. I don't know if you guys saw the pre-fight show on Fox Sports One, which I made a few cameos in. I thought they had a whole segment about gambling. They had an actual gambling expert from the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas talking about this and the lines and all that stuff. It was very

reminiscent. They probably took that idea from this very show. but, you know, they're allowed to. It's my pleasure. I think it's great. It's just another way to differentiate themselves from the conventional sports, another way to differentiate themselves from ESPN, you know, the other leader, the current leader in sports TV programming. I think it's brilliant. And let's stop pretending like people don't look at this stuff, that people don't talk about this stuff. You're allowed to do it in some places. You're not allowed in other places. you're always a lot to talk about it. So I think it's great. And it just, it's another way of telling you who's the star, who's the underdog, all that stuff. I do love the rankings as well. I think I've

said it on this show. I think those numbers next to the name serve a big purpose on television. And this was a Fox idea. It's a way of telling people, if you don't know who they are, this is three versus four. This is eight versus six, et cetera. Now, Dana's issue with the rankings is there's an obvious issue there that needs to be addressed. Chale Sunnan is not the number eight middleweight in the world. That's the craziest thing. The issue is that, A, this has opened up to too many people. The people who are voting, a lot of them, aren't quote-unquote MMA experts.

And the thing is, you can pretty much pick from anywhere. So people are, what's happening with Chale, his last two fights now were at light heavyweight. So when people are ranking or thinking about Chale, they're going to light heavyweight. but some are still picking him at middleweight. So then when you work out the averages, he drops down to eight. It makes no sense.

There needs to be a committee of maybe 20 people, 15 people, from all different aspects of MMA, and they pick the rankings. It can't just be open to everyone. It won't work because then things like Chale Sun and be ranked eight or nine at middleweight would happen when he's being like four guys above him. So it's silly.

I get where he's coming from, but he needs to understand that the actual ranking, the system behind it is very much flawed. To answer the original question, love the odds on the graphics. Our next question, what's next for the notorious one? Coke Porier seems like the best option, as both are coming off losses, but any other fight that would make sense for Connemagrager.

I guess he's asking you if there's another fight outside of those. First off, let's find out about his knee. Let's see how injured it is and how long he'll be out for. He says he wants to fight in Las Vegas. Las Vegas, as he said. UFC 168. Originally, I thought Coke Poirier, but I got the sense that's not really in the cards. I got the sense from talking to people that there was interest in Diego Brandao versus

Connor McGregor. Someone with a ground game, Jiu-Jitsu, and Brando certainly fits that bill. Although Brando thinks he may have broken his hand in the first round of his fight on Saturday. Excuse me. So who knows if he'll be ready. But I think we're going to see someone in the Brandau sort of territory and Coke Poir might be the next fight, if you know what I'm saying. Does anyone ask about his performance?

No. Should we address it quickly here? Yeah. Talk about it. What did you think about it? I mean, I thought it was totally fine. Sure, he didn't finish him, but A, he got injured in the middle of the fight, and he showed the ground game.

It wasn't as flashy as the beginning, but I don't think that was – I know he called it a loss, but that wasn't a step back for him. It wasn't as flashy as the first one, but it was still a very solid performance against a solid guy at 145. I mean, in the first round, his hands looked great, and then throughout the rest of the fight, his grappling looked, you know, serviceable. He was able to completely control Max Holloway. And before this fight, the talk was, oh, this is a great fight now. Max Holloway is really going to test him, blah, blah, blah, whereas Andy Ogle wasn't getting that same respect. And then when he completely dominates him, you don't.

don't kind of hear that anymore. Max Holloway's tough. He beat a tough guy, completely controlled the fight, and he did it while being injured. I have no problem with his performance. I thought he looked, you know, sharp. Obviously, it's not up to his standard, but nothing to be disappointed about with that one. By the way, the audio expert, Buzz Kill is back there, and now I'm being told the audio disappeared on the stream. Just got flooded on Twitter. Isn't the show supposed to be extra buttoned up when Buzz Kill is back there? What's the deal? Audio is back. Is it back? I don't hear anything, although maybe I'm a little delayed.

I mean, really? He's a little rusty, isn't he? Anything you want to say for yourself? Ivory Tower. Anything you want to say? Is there anything you want to say about your reputation? Oh, now they're saying it's back. I guess that's a no comment.

Sorry about that, guys. Oh, there he is. You know, an old case of the elbow hitting the mouse. Is that really what happened? Sorry to say. No way. Put all these. safeguards in place, but the physical proximity of the mouse to my elbow.

Get out of here. I don't believe you. Is that really what happened? It's true. Your elbow hit the mouse and then it turned off the audio of the entire show? Yeah, it muted the sound going to the encoder for the stream. Jeez, Louise. That's unbelievable.

Sorry. No, no, it's okay, really. We still love you. All right, let's move along. Next question. regarding Carlos Condit. If he has a good performance next week on FS1 against Martin Campman,

how far away is Condit from getting back in the title mix? Who would you like to see him face next? I don't know if he's right back in there because George St. Pierre did beat him rather convincingly. He did have that moment there. I believe it was in the third round when he dropped him. But there are some guys. There's a line forming,

and it probably starts with, you know, McDonald and Robbie Lawler. And then, of course, there's Damien Maya. and how about Matt Brown looking so good. I kind of wish that they'd do Matt Brown versus Damien Maia next. I really think that would make a lot of sense. But yeah, I think for Condit, his best bet is probably Johnny Hendrix. But even if Johnny Hendrix wins, you know GSP's going to get a rematch.

So I still think he's at least three, four, five fights away from another title shot. Question about Alistair Overeem. Seems like Alistair is not only looking like a different person physically, in parentheses, shrinking, but also the way he carries himself is different. Do you think he ever regains his swag without PEDs? I mean, that's kind of, that's, I mean, now we're going to accuse him of PDs, and I don't think that's necessarily fair. I mean, he had the one issue part of the Dos Santos fight.

You can address what is there on paper, and that's, he does look different than he did. back in the day. But that being said, he did drop Travis Brown, and he did have him in trouble. Unfortunately, for him, the tables returned. Although he did nail an illegal knee that was not called somehow. I don't know how this wasn't called. Yamasaki was there watching it. And, in my opinion, it nailed flush. I don't know how that was not called. The Overeem dilemma is a very interesting one. I really think that he's going to get another chance. I think in this day and age, with Bellator out there and maybe some other options, I think the UFC will keep him for one more

fight and see if he can rejuvenate himself. But I think one of the things about Overeme is, look at what he's doing. I mean, he brought in Mike, Mike Passenier from Mike's gym. He doesn't really seem integrated in the Black Sillians team, kind of a lone wolf. I mean, is he making the right calls, is he surrounding himself with the right people? Often, there's something to be said for that. You look at guys who, look at what Shogun's brother told our own Guillermo Cruz today. Ninja Hu is saying that Shogun's not surrounding himself with the right people. Is that happening? I mean, Mike's not a yes man, but something seems off there. And he's obviously not as dominant and not as confident as he was a few years back. There's also the glory option, which I think would be

a layup for Glory, if he did leave the UFC, they should sign him immediately. But I think he'll get one more chance in the UFC. Next question. Are people underrating Travis Brown? He's now 6-1-1 in the UFC what wins over Overeem, Struve, and Gonzaga. In addition, his only loss is by an injury, TKO, to the former number one contender Bigfoot. He's a top five heavyweight in my eyes, but it seems all the attention is now eyes on how Overeem isn't good rather than Travis Brown being good. You claim that I see. said he is getting the attention he deserves last week.

But honestly, I kind of black out at this point in the show. I don't remember that. I feel like I said that Brown doesn't get the respect he deserves. Incorrect. Because he knocked out Stefan Strove amazingly at UFC 130 with the Superman punch. And then everyone continues to rank Struve above him. It's very bizarre. He doesn't get the risk.

He's 15-1-1. He's being the guys, as this man mentioned. He does deserve more. I want to seem to fight for doom. I feel like, Verdume definitely deserves the next title shot, but because the title fight is happening October 19th, he hasn't fought very actively over the last couple of years.

Verdume versus Brown, I think, makes a lot of sense. Fresh matchup. And you look at the fights that he's had recently, Bignog, Mike Russel, Nelson. I mean, good fights, but look at those fights. Overeem's Drew Gonzaga. Those are good wins as well. And not in that order.

So I think Brown deserves A, a lot more respect. I don't think he gets it. I was even looking at Sher Dog's ratings today, rankings today, and he's way down there. He's ridiculous. This is crazy to me. What?

Last week, I swear on everything. All right, forget about that. I was drumming the Travis Brown. Really? I've always been bothered by the fact that he doesn't get enough respect. Yeah. Do you have the clip ready for this show? No, I don't have the clip on this one, but I do agree with you.

He's super tough. and his one loss was one where he had a freak injury. Right. I'm looking at Sherdog's rankings right now. They have him ranked ninth. Above him is Josh Barnett, Bignog, Frank Meir, and then Bigfoot's, you know, you got to give Bigfoot the props because he did beat him. And then there's Cormier and Verdum and all those guys.

I don't know about that. I don't know about the Barnett's. Certainly, I don't know about Bignog. When's last time Bignog beat a top 10 guy? Was Brendan Schopp top 10 at U.S.C. with 134? If so, that was two years ago. It's time to give him his... his respect.

Our final... And also, respect for that beard. Yeah, that was pretty impressive. Our final question from the website, the viewership for the launch of Fox Sports One was great. For the future events, do you see the viewership rising, maybe reaching an average of 2 million plus?

Absolutely. Like I said, Fox Sports One is quickly, and Fox Sports, they are realizing the power of the UFC. And this is the... Look, MMA fans are the most loyal fans out there. As far as the sport goes, they really, think about what they had to do on Saturday.

They had to go out of their way, and it sounds so simple, but do you know how many tweets I was getting? And that's just a small sample size. How many tweets I was getting from people? Where's Fox Sports One? How do I find it? What channels it on here? They went out of their way.

They found it the first day for the network, 1.7 million viewers, an average. We'll find out the official ratings tomorrow. Huge for the network, huge for the UFC, and absolutely, you know, and also it was a great card. and it also proves that when you promote things, when you get out there and you don't just let events happen and just sit there, look what happens in return. Great card, great promotion, great ratings. Often, UFC has so many events so close together that some of them get lost in the shuffle and they suffer as a result from a pay-per-view buy, ratings perspective, and also from a card depth perspective. Well, they loaded the deck here and they promoted the hell out of it, and people found it.

And if they continue to do that, I don't see why they can't get more than 2 million viewers. We're about to go to the Twitter questions, but before we do that, we've got a lot of questions. I just wanted to ask it rather than showing it on screen. What is in your bottle? People are interested, and they're saying it's a tribute to Leoto Machita is what they're saying. Actually, it was more of a tribute to Dana White because people always ask him what's in his, vitamin water bottle. Did you know that he gets not custom, but like this

special vitamin water because his vitamin water is a glass bottle with the silver top, but then there's some purpleness or pinkness. What does that mean? Like what is the custom vitamin water? It's a custom bottle. I don't know. There's nothing really different about the actual vitamin water, but I believe he mixes it with pediolite. I think. Oh, that's good. Good

electrolytes in that. Something like that. Yeah. Anyway, My concoction this week is water mixed with airborne. I don't know if you know this, but I'm very much under the weather this week. In fact, when I woke up Saturday morning on arguably one of the biggest nights of my career because it was the launch of Fox Sports One, I was on the pre-fight show, all that jazz. I had no voice. I couldn't swallow. I was very much under the weather, so I've been drinking this stuff.

I don't really know if it works, but it has vitamin C and things of that nature in it. So that's what it is. Well, we thank you for powering through it. Yeah. Fighting through it. Yeah. Anything for you guys. Here's our first question from the Twitter.

Kevin Thang. Oh, yeah. With so many fighters calling out Chalasanaan, rank these four fights in order of interest to you. Vitor, Vandrle, Liotto, and Davis. Okay. Chalcedon versus Vandr. Chalan versus Vitor, Chalcunan versus Liotto, Chalcun and versus Davis. Easy.

Easy. I just want to see the Vanderlea fight. I want to see those stare-downs. I want to see all the talk back and forth. It's just, it might not make total sense from, eh, that's kind of makes sense. He lost the last two. Chalena versus Vanderlei has to happen.

It would be a travesty if it didn't. Now, we both feel that way. But which fight with, what misses how one you want to see? Son in Vanderlei, son in Belfort, or son in Machita. And how about my man Christian with the, with the avatar?

Yeah. So I did see this earlier. And wait a second, Mr. Rick claimed that there was no hashtag on this, but yet there is a hashtag. Found it. Don't worry about it. So I saw this earlier. And how about this? I asked my mother, and she gave me a good breakdown.

She thinks that Vitor versus Chale is the bigger fight. Yes, there's some fireworks behind Band-Rale and Chale, but she thinks the bigger fight is Vitor versus Chale. So how about that? I can agree with that in certain sense. Sure, they're bigger names. Vanderle is not as huge a name in terms of relevancy anymore. He's still, you know, his fans are unbelievable, but in terms of relevancy right now, Vitor is obviously a bigger name.

And I got to say, I mean, just the fact that I sent an email to my mother asking her, which fight does she think is bigger? Vitorre versus Chale or Chale versus Vanderlea was quite the thrill. Something I never thought I'd do. Our next question. If Chale beat Belford at 185, would he get the middleweight shot, or will Dana need him to win more?

I just want to answer someone on Twitter asking me if this is a supreme NY shirt that I'm wearing. It is. And if you know them, wow, this guy actually started his Twitter to ask me this question. That's incredible. Somebody noted that you're not wearing plaid.

Well, you know, I've got to switch it up. All right. And someone told me that we have to pronounce this man's name correctly. leads, huntah lar. I got the pronunciation. Okay.

Here's what Chale said on UFC tonight a couple weeks ago. If he fights Vitor, he wants him to put his number one contendership on the line. Now, this is not pro wrestling. You can't exactly do that. But he wants Vitor to then acknowledge if he lost to Chale

that he is no longer the number one contender. So that's what he wants. There you go. If he beats Vitor, it's going to be hard. It really is. Think about people just eat out of Chale's hen. After that promo on Saturday, calling Joe Rogan the middle-aged comedian,

everything he said, boy, until I met you, I didn't know they stack crap that high, all that stuff. It was brilliant, and people just get very excited. What a difference, a few. I thought this was must-win for Chale.

I really did. And I know I said there was more pressure on Shogun last week, but I changed my mind leading into the fight. You know why? Because Chale Southern has so much going on around him, with the TV stuff and all that. You can't come back to TV.

You can't keep analyzing and critiquing and being who he is on a three-fight losing streak. Some of the luster is taken away. Now he's harder than ever. Everyone's asking to fight him. It's big. You need to keep winning and you need to keep doing so

in a fashion like that and who would have thought he would have done it like that. So if he wins against someone like Vitor in impressive fashion, I can assure you that many people will be asking for another Chal Sond and title run. It's reminding me a little bit of Uriah Faber in the sense that everybody else he looks pretty great against and then, you know, he gets the title shot and it doesn't always go so great.

Even though he did look good against Anderson-Sov in the first fight, he just can't quite get it done there. Does someone ask about Faber? Because I think Faber should fight Michael McDonald. Well, that might have been the question, actually. Well, you can still talk about it. Our next question, where does Shogun go from here? That's a very good question. I'd love to see Shogun make a run at 185. If you haven't read the article, the interview that the Beast, Guillermo Cruz, once again on fire as we start the week, did with Ninja Whoa, who's running a gas station now, apparently. If you haven't read it, do yourself favor and read it. And it's a classic case. He's saying his brother that Shogun is surrounding himself with the wrong people. And they touch on 185. But I just looking at Shogun, I'd love to say, see him try to go down to 185. I think it would benefit him. Maybe it would hurt him too much.

Maybe he doesn't have what it takes. But I don't think the UFC should cut him. You know, he's losing to, you know, Gustafsson. He's losing to Chelsun. He is five and six, I believe, in his UFC career. So that's not great. He's had some close ones here and there. Of course, the first Machita fight comes to mind. But if you ask me, off top of my head, there's nothing really there. At 205, make a run on 185. See if you can do it. Revitalize your career. Here's not a question, but Sean Sheehan, our buddy, says,

Hey, New York, Rick, early MMA hour question. Is this the best prediction ever? So I saw this. What does it say? Imagine if Brown caoed ovarie with a front kick to the face. Now, my first sort of thought when I saw this was, it says August 18th, but then I remembered he's in Ireland, 301. You do the math.

He probably sent that around the time the fight was happening, because I believe Ireland is five hours ahead of us. So that was around 10. And then if you look at the responses, people are saying, I'd love to see that. Oh, and then someone wrote, WTF, you were right. So it probably happened because the person who says, I'd love to see that was 60 minutes,

and then, see, I'm trying to figure out if he did in fact send this. Could he have Photoshopped it? Could he have changed the time? I don't think Sean's that kind of guy. Did you see his predictions video last week? He was getting his haircut. He was getting his haircut in the kitchen, it looked like. It was amazing.

He's a character. Is that the best prediction ever? I don't know. I mean... No, it's not. But it is a good one. And it's not even so much a prediction as, imagine if.

Right. I mean, he kind of called it. How about that avatar there? It's unbelievable. Let's click on it. Let's see it. I look at it all the time. Can we see it?

can't zoom in on it. No, you can actually click it. Yeah, there we go. Look at that thing. What is that? He's in a frame? Television? I'm not even sure.

You got to follow this guy on Twitter and Instagram. He has the most amazing pictures. Every day he looks completely different. He's a chameleon. Jean Chien, famous. All right. Next question is from Scott Lagman. Do you think Brown versus Bigfoot 2 and Overim versus Hunt 2 are the matches to make in the heavyweight division?

Well, no, I don't really think. I think Brown versus Bigfoot 2. I don't really want to see that. I know he lost to him, but I want to see Brown kind of move on, and I think he should fight Verduim with the number one contender spot on the line. Hunt versus Overim 2 is interesting. A lot of people brought this up, and yeah, absolutely. I think that would be fun.

Both guys coming off losses, Overim coming off two straight losses. You know it's going to go down in that fight. Standing and banging, as they say, and I'm 100% down with that. I'd like to see over him get another chance. I think he deserves it. And it hasn't worked out, but think about the two losses. Looked very good in the Bigfoot fight, the early portion of it, and then obviously faltered. And here as well, look good.

So let's see. Let's see if he gets the right people around him, the right kind of training. And I think the hunt fight actually makes sense from a rankings perspective. And it also makes sense from, you know, just a stylistic's perspective. I also think another fight that makes sense for him is Big Nog. I think that would be a lot of fun to see. I like that fight. I like both of those fights, in fact.

Which do you like more? Overim versus Hunt, because that would be fireworks. And I'd probably lean toward Hunt at this point. Really? Wow. That's interesting. Yeah, I mean, hunts just looked better recently. If you asked me a decade ago, it would have been a different answer probably. Well, a decade ago. Actually, maybe a decade ago.

No, that's too long. maybe three years ago. Three years ago. Oh, yeah. Yeah, three years ago, you're right. Overim was in quite a peak. Three years ago, Mark Hunt was getting submitted by Sean McCorkal. Man.

Yeah. Next question, you've already answered this. How do you feel about Brown versus Redoom for the number one contendership? Totally. I think Brown is ready for one. Totally. What can Brown do for you? Our next question.

What do you think about a Faber versus McDonald's? Donald fight in SAC or dirty Stockton, both Cali guys. I don't know about Stockton, but it seems like they have Sacramento on the to-do list. They haven't been there in a while. It's been a good place for them to go. Obviously, favor is a big draw there. I love that fight. You think about it, they both lost a brow.

They both look great on Saturday. The Band of Point Division kind of in a holding pattern right now. I think the fight makes total sense. And they both acknowledge it makes sense. I love it. Next question. What's next for Matt Brown? Maybe the winner of Campman Condit or Robbie Lawler?

So Robbie Lawler is going to fight Roy McDonald. This is a very interesting one. I really think Brown versus Damien Maia would make a lot of sense. But as you know, Damien Maia is going to fight Jake Shields, probably in October. It's tough. I was thinking who's out there? Because, yeah, I guess Condit Camden can work. But then what if, let's say Condit wins.

A lot needs to happen, but let's say Condit wins, and then he beats, I think it's fine. I still think it's weird because Brown has won six in a row, yet for some reason people don't consider him a number one contender because he hasn't fought a top five guy, so he needs that. Is Tarek Safedian a top five guy? I don't think so. Josh Kostech's out there, but he's coming off a couple losses too.

I think he's just in a weird spot right now where, you know, the Mayas, the McDonald's, the Lawlers, they're booked. So he may have to fight someone who's not quite top five, but maybe top 10 and then get the top five guy. And so I think he's probably two, maybe three wins away from getting a title shot. So Condi Katman winner, I think makes sense. It would be a fun fight either guy. I think Safedin makes sense. And then there's Kosteck out there as well.

If I remember correctly in terms of the official rankings, Kosteck's like 10 and Safedine's 9 or something like that. Yeah, I'm looking at it now. Kosteck's 10, Loller 9, Saffedine, 8. And then, of course, there's always Mr. Diaz. That'd be an interesting one. That'd be a fun one. Next question. Could putting the mic in front of Matt Brown

propel him to a title shot to beat GSP's ass grabbed attention? So here's something I didn't realize. It seems like it was a big deal for Matt Brown to talk to Joe Rogan after the fight. It seems like his last few fights. I know the last one he was kind of standing around, but I guess they've been ignoring him,

and not on purpose. it's always a TV thing. You know, they time out the shows and they have to cut the fat, so to speak, when they feel like the show's going along. So he finally got on the mic, and he said some great stuff. I mean, he's a very charismatic guy,

a different kind of charismatic guy, kind of a straight shooter, has a very fun delivery, but, you know, he's very serious and kind of no nonsense. It was actually funny because we do those two interviews, one for Fox and one for MMA fighting.

The Fox one, he swore a bunch of times. And then the internet one, he didn't swear at all. It was very funny. But anyway, yeah, that was great. That's something he said about GSP was great. He needs a top 10 guy next,

and then a top five guy, and then I think he's right there. And he's six in a row. That's very hard to do, no matter what division you're in. I'm remembering what's his name, George Sardropolis. He put together a nice winning streak

where none of the guys were, you know, that highly ranked and then when he did get that next step it kind of fell apart. Joe Lozahn. Yeah. It's kind of the same thing. Yeah. Are you saying he's going to falter in his next fight? No. I'm not saying that. Browns look very, I'm just saying the situation right now

is similar where he couldn't you know, get that bigger name opponent. And also it also feels like every time Mike Pyle loses this whole, you know, he's tough in the gym, the toughest in the gym. But let's not forget, Mike Pyle had won his last three in a row all in the first round. He'd look great.

So that Mike Pyle that's beating up guys, that's a gym killer, kind of went away that label. Like, he had realized his potential. And for him to do that that quickly, what he did to Pyle, is pretty amazing. Definitely agree there. Our next question. What Dana White saying that Yerai Hall is not a fighter, do you think he sticks around for one more fight or gets cut?

I think he sticks around. I think he's a fighter, obviously. I mean, I think what he was implying was mentally he needs to fix some things. And there were signs there. I mean, remember in the ultimate fighter, that first knockout, the crazy knockout, he was so concerned about his opponent, which is a nice thing. It says he's a good guy, but maybe fighters don't or shouldn't think that way. Who knows? I think he gets another chance.

I think he needs to go all the way down and work himself up. Again, you know, here's a guy who was part of Tiger Shillman's for a very long time and then moves out west after the ultimate fighter disappointment and goes in trains with rain, which is a great team. team, but changes everything drastically. Who knows how his life was after the show, you know, the transition and all that stuff. In this day and age, I don't think the UFC is going to just cut a guy like that and let someone else pick him up.

It doesn't make sense. So I think he gets another chance. He's too big of a prospect. I think if he loses his next one, then he'll probably get cut. Our next question, I loved UFC fight night on Saturday, but I was a little disappointed in Joe Lozon.

Was that an adrenaline dump or what? He looked off. You know, I saw him on Facebook. He posted a picture of how he looked after the fight. Pretty gruesome. Offered no excuses. Had a great camp. Said he felt good.

It's funny. I think I was talking about, I said this in an interview with ESPN, New Hampshire, on Friday. And I was saying, it was like when he fought Gabe Rudigar, UFC 118 in Boston, it was like he was Super Mario and he just ate that star. And he had all this power, this extra power. he was throwing him around. It was amazing. The crowd went insane.

And here, it just never felt like he got into it. I was very surprised that he boxed with Johnson for so long, hardly went to his ground game. I don't know what the official stats are, but I can't imagine he shot more than three times and certainly not towards the end of the fight. Johnson looked fantastic. Let's not take anything away from him.

The way he was so crisp on his feet, very active. I mean, he just seemed like a guy who was on a minute. like the Michael Johnson that was on the ultimate fighter that we thought could turn into this major star in the 155 pound division. And Lozon just never could get going. And maybe it was because Johnson came out stronger than he thought he was going to come out. Who knows? I don't think the crowd was what, you know, made Joe Lozon look that way. I don't think he, you know, buckled under the pressure.

Sometimes you have off nights. Who knows? You wake up, you're off. You're warming up, you're off. I was not expecting that. I'll be honest. but maybe all the talk about the bonuses and all that got him focused on other things, who knows,

but my takeaway from the fight was, A, Johnson looked amazing, the best he's ever looked, and B, why didn't Joe Lozan try to go to the ground more? Definitely agree. I was just saying, I was watching Ultimate Insider

on Sunday yesterday, and he was talking about how Johnson can't hang with him on the ground, his jiu-suitzoo can hang. I mean, he never even tried it. Yeah, Johnson's weakness has short, to be his defensive wrestling, his ground game. People have been able to, well, offensively he's a good wrestler, but people have been able to take him down and control him.

So you probably would have wanted to see more of that from Joe Lozahn. But Johnson looked incredible. And usually when he is putting it all together and working his own offense, he's a very dangerous fighter. So, you know, got to give credit to him rather than just saying, you know, Lozon looked like this or Lozon look like that. Lozon was 0 for 4 in the takedown department. Johnson, two for two.

Yep. According to fight metric. Our next question, what did you think of the numerous 10-8 rounds given out this weekend? Some of them were a little weird. There was one, was it the Johnson fight against Lowe's On? Yeah, 30-25. Holy moly. You know, I like the fact that they're giving...

I met some of the guys from the Massachusetts Commission. I met some of them, and they were great. They really seemed like they knew what they were talking about, and they studied jiu-jitsu, they trained, and they knew all aspects of the game. And I didn't mind it. I'm not sure if there were two 10-8s in that round. Maybe the first round was a 10-8.

But, you know, beat him up. There was nothing coming back the other way. So it didn't bother me, but it seemed, I mean, the problem is it's so inconsistent. It's completely inconsistent. I mean, how often do you see a 10-8 in that case? 1% of the time? in boxing you know

oh this is clear dropped them 108 obvious 107 as we've said many times like a unicorn you'll never see that so it's just very inconsistent what's the rhyme or reason for it it was cool to see but

well I think that the one judge gave them out in multiple fights so it was consistent in that aspect that they were analyzing the fight the same way and handing out 108s in multiple fights rather than just that one So the consistency I think was there in that aspect

But across the board you don't really see 10-8s for rounds like that Although maybe the first you could argue Because he definitely was close to putting Lowe's on away I'd like to see more 10-8s so I thought it was good I'd love to see them too and I don't mind seeing 10-10s Definitely agree there as well Yeah Our next question

Does the high-fiving hugging and over-the-top admiration for each other during a fight drive you as nuts as it does. Dana White and I. I think it's weird. I think it's weird. I mean, do that after the fight. I don't even get it. I'm kind of crazy when I play sports as New York Rick has learned. And as I told you guys recently, and I'm very competitive and I don't understand how you could be on a stage like that competing in front of all those people and hugging and high five. What does that even mean? Let's that. to put on a show. What does that even mean? I don't understand it.

When Rampage and Tito are saying that we're going to put on a show, what does that even mean? I want to beat this guy up. I want the fight to last a second. I want to knock him out and go home. What does that mean? Makes no sense. Our final question. Not a question. Yes, a question, but do you think this would happen

if Jail was the referee at 168? That's incredible. If you're only listening to this, this is Sean Michaels, Brett Hart and the sharpshooter and Sean Michaels has him this is obviously from 1997 Survivors, which I was at.

I was there. The Bell Center in Montreal. It was actually the Molson Center back then and Chale Center with a massive smile on his face is the Earl Hebner the referee in the picture and he's calling for the bell

and yeah, that was awesome. That's a great Photoshop right there. do I think that would happen? I love how stoic Chris Wybman is, not even smiling. I love how stoic Anderson's over it. That's true. He's in a submission and he's just laying in there like, what up?

Well, Anderson's like, I knew this was going to happen. I told you guys this was going to happen if you made Chell the referee. That's what he's saying to the camera. Can you imagine of Keith Kaiser? Who would do a better job reffing? Honestly, let's say Chell said he would, you know, call it down the middle. Yep. And by the way, there's no reason to believe he wouldn't.

Sure. But we know he has his biases, right? I mean... But who would do a better job? That Chale or Kim Winslow? Well, no doubt about it, Chale. If somebody has to break up the fight, Chale's going to be in there. Chale is obviously, you know, more aware of when a fight needs to be stopped. Sure. There's no doubt in my mind that Chale will be a great referee.

And I also think he's very intelligent and he would be... It would be in his best interest to be objective, and I don't think that would be a problem. But he's obviously not going to get that assignment, even if he was roughing at that time. Yeah, it's not happening. Although they make such funny decisions over there in Nevada, the fight capital of the world,

then maybe they will do it, although I doubt it. Would they put him on the posters? Special guest referee. Oh, my gosh. That would be a little pro wrestling. with him with the referee shirt cut off, his arms folded. So that's it, no more questions? That's it.

All right, I want to, my good friends over at Fight Metric, I mentioned them earlier, they always hooked me up with great stats. But my voice is on its last likes here. But I want to just mention a couple, and then I'll post them tomorrow in their entirety over at MMAfighting.com. Here's an interesting one. UFC Fight Night 26 was just the third modern era event

to feature three fights ending in under a minute each. The other is UFC 84. Carwin over Welsh, Wellish in 44 seconds, Yoshita over Copenhagen, aka War Machine in 56 seconds, and Silva over Jardine in 36 seconds. And UFC Fight Night 13, Johnson over Spear, Orelia over Roberts, and Irvin versus Alexander. Speaking of Houston Alexander, he's fighting Vladimir Matyshenko in Belator. How about that?

And let me give you one more. How about this one? about Stephen Siler, since he felt no respect going into his fight against Mike Brown. Stephen Siler provided the night with its next quick finish knocking out. Former W.C. Featherweight champion Mike Brown just 50 seconds. The quick finish ties Josh Crispy's knockout at WC 35 for a fifth fastest ever in UFC slash WC featherweight history. And finally, speaking of former WC fighters, Michael McDonald continues to stake his claim

as the Bantamweight Division's premier power puncher. McDonald's scored two knockdowns of Brad Pickett in the first round of their bout on Saturday night. McDonald now has six total knockdowns in UFC slash WC competition, tying Eddie Weinland for most in the division's history. So there you have it. I'll post the rest of those on Tuesday. Thank you very much to the good folks at Fight Metric for the stats. As always, they do great work.

And, you know, what was it? Last week, Phil Davis was a little critical of the Fight Metric guys. And I think, you know, a good point was made afterwards. If you look at the way Fightmetric actually breaks down the stats and provides the stats, it's very different sometimes than the way people digest the stats and regurgitate the stats. You know, when he was talking about takedowns and whatnot, just look at the way they actually break it down and then listen sometimes the way it's fed back to us on the broadcast and things like that. Sometimes it's not the most accurate way.

Do they have work to be done? Is there work to be done? Can it be a little more precise? Absolutely. Stats can always be that way. And the fact that they're even trying to, you know, keep MMA stats and monitor them is a great step in the right direction. But, you know, there are certain things when you talk about punches lined in, things like that.

And sometimes it's different because ground and pound is different than on the feet and things. There's many different ways that you can break down. But the point is, I think they do a great job and they help us out greatly. And I just wanted to note that. So, anyway, you can... You can hit my music. Once I say any wow, I think that means to go to sleep. Hot with the music there, right off the top.

Blazing in my ear. A great show, and I want to thank, once again, the good people over at Fox Sports One for sponsoring this week's show. Great rating on Saturday. UFC Fight Night 26, 1.7 million viewers. The average. 1.7. We should know more about the ratings tomorrow, but amazing stuff. Congratulations to everyone involved.

And we want to thank them very much for sponsoring this show, and you can follow them on Twitter.com slash Fox Sports One, also Fox Sports Live, 11 p.m. Eastern time. Great show with my fellow Canadians and UFC tonight moving there September 11th. But next, this week's show, the next episode is tomorrow night, 11 p.m. Eastern on Fox Sports 2, which was fuel. I want to thank John Anne, great stuff out of him.

Always love hearing from other broadcasters and seeing how much more prepared and professional they are than me. Eddie Alvarez, thank you very much to him. And congratulations on the New Deal and stealing that Bell Tour title back home. Carlos Condé, good luck to him at UFN 27, August 28th. Kira Gracie. It was great having her on the show.

Good luck to her and her Gracie Camp Adventure that she does with her family. Valid Ishmael, what can we say about him? Unbelievable stuff. Check out Jungle Fight 56 this Saturday, ESPN, the port desk. And Leona Machita, thank you so much, for stopping by. Good luck getting that Vitor Belford fight. We will be back next week.

If you missed any portion of the show, check it out. iTunes Stitcher. Until then, we say to be peace. So, Maria. Defenders and cybersecurity are always there when we need them. They should get a parade every time they block a novel threats and have streets, sandwiches,

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