MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour - Episode 248

Episode Date: September 22, 2014

Featuring Jon Anik, Demetrious Johnson, Michael Chandler, Rich Franklin, Marc Ratner, John Kavanagh, Artem Lobov, Stefan Struve, and Mark Hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On this Monday, September 22nd, 2014. Hello again, everyone. I'm Ariel Hawani inside our New York City studio. Hope you had a great weekend. It was a very interesting one in the world of mixed martial arts. You know, it started off. I remember doing the MMA beat in this studio. We actually do the beat in this studio.

Different configuration. and I was talking to Chuck Mindenhall and Jeff Wagenheim and Mark Romondi, and I was telling them, you know, it's kind of a dull week. Nothing really exciting has happened. I don't mean exciting, any newsworthy, nothing really big, and maybe I've been spoiled because the last few months in MMA just seems like every single day there's some huge news that breaks and it's complete chaos. And then Friday, Friday afternoon, to be exact, in the span of an hour or so,

really, in the span of around 60 minutes, all hell broke loose. It was unbelievable. I can't recall a time, and this wasn't the good kind of news, I just can't recall a time that this much news and kind of earth-shattering news broke at around the same time. First, we had Tiago Silva released by the UFC after new evidence came out.

Then we had Anthony Johnson suspended indefinitely by the UFC after some evidence came out. And then just moments later, Vandrelea Silva retires suddenly, suddenly puts out a video, a 13-minute video, very critical of the UFC, just days before his case will be heard in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission once again, and that's it.

And then, of course, we had, on Friday night, Melvin Manhoff knocking out, Doug Marshall, I saw some people accusing Bellator and Manhoff and Marshall of throwing a fight. I mean, how many times have we seen knockouts like that before? That was not a thrown fight, in my opinion. You hit that sweet spot.

Equilibrium is all messed up. It's happened many times before, and I just hate that talk. Perhaps I'm naive, but that's not my thing. And then, of course, early Saturday morning, Mark Hunt knocks out Roy Nelson for just the second time in his career. First time in the UFC, a classic Mark Hunt-K-O walk-off, or a walk-off, I should call it. And it was just amazing. I mean, this is a guy, Roy Nelson, who has taken big shots from the heaviest hitters in UFC. history and to see him go down like that. Rick Flair-style faceplant in the second round was simply

amazing. And of course, the Mark Hunt story continues to unfold. One of the great stories in all of sports. He's such a unique character. He's 40 years old now. The only unfortunate part of that story was the referee kind of messed it up. Bumped into Hunt. You don't bump into the KFC King when when he's walking off? Come on. Of course, some other great performances that night, Miles jury or that morning here in the States, Miles jury defeating Takenori Gomi. Yoshihiro Sexiyama Akiyama picking up his first UFC win since UFC 100. It's been five years. Had lost four in a row. Defeated Amir Sadala, Misha Tate defeating Rinne Kai. So a good card in Japan, and now it all leads to UFC 178, one of the most anticipated fight cards in recent memory,

in my opinion, the most stacked, and I hate that word. I hate it. And I'm probably going to use it a bunch of times. I hate it, but it's true. The best part about UFC 178 is every single fight, really from the prelims on, is interesting. There's an interesting storyline there. There's something to sink your teeth in. There's a fascinating aspect of it all, from comebacks to high stakes, titles, et cetera, even the main event. It's not the most exciting main event. It's not the most anticipated main event, but it's still interesting to me. Of course, it would have been all that much better had Jones and Cormier remained on the card, but hey, still great nonetheless. I'll be there on Thursday, and I want to mention right off the top a

Happy New Year to all the Jewish listeners, viewers out there. Kind of feel pretty horrible about myself that I'll be in Las Vegas instead of celebrating Rosh Hashanah with my family. I've actually promised myself to never do that again, but this was a big one. I feel bad, but I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year, a sweet New Year as well. That kicks off on Wednesday night. A great holiday. So, who's joining us today. All right, we got a lot to get to. At around 4.15, we're going to be joined by Mark Hunt himself. It'll be 6.15 a.m. on Tuesday morning in Sydney, Australia. Mark Hunt will join us to talk about that big win, and what's next for him? At around 345 or so, we'll take your questions and comments.

As always, hit us up using the hashtag the MMA hour. Leave a question comment in the comments section below. There's a lot to get to. We'll sink our teeth into Vanderlai, Tiago Silva, Anthony Johnson and all that stuff, probably in that section. Around 325, we'll go inside the vault. This is a fun one. Actually, it has been requested several times since we started this. So it's a fun one that I think a lot of people enjoy if you haven't seen it before. 305 will talk to Stefan Struve, who was announced last week that he'll be returning to action on December 13th against Alistair Overeem, the Battle of Holland in Phoenix. UFC on Fox 13. Looking forward to that and looking forward to talking to Stefan, of course, he couldn't fight at UFC 175 just minutes before

his fight against Matt Mat Matrione pulled out. So we'll talk to him about all that. 245, we're going to be joined by SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanaugh. Also, Artim LeBov, who is with him in Las Vegas right now. Of course, they are preparing for the Connor McGregor fight. And Artim trying to get that Denisiever fight in Sweden. Kavanaugh, of course, a friend of the show, if you will, looking forward to talking to him and Artem about the McGregor fight in their efforts to get that Sieber fight in Sweden. 245, excuse me, 225. We'll talk to Mark Hunt, Mark Hunt, I said that already, Mark Ratner. He is the UFC's VP of Regulatory Affairs. He'll come on to talk about a whole bunch of interesting

stuff. Looking forward to talking to Mark, one of my favorite people in the MMA, even though he did not take my ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. 205, we'll talk to Rich Franklin about his new role as vice president of 1FC and where his current fighting career stands. At 1.4,000, 45, we'll talk to Michael Chandler, the contender in the Belator lightweight division. Curious to get his take on Eddie Alvarez's UFC debut this weekend. And 125, we're going to talk to Demetrius Johnson, the UFC flyweight champion about his next title defense against Chris Carioso this Saturday at UFC 178. But first, let us get to our first guest of the day.

This man will be at UFC 178. I'll be working with him. Always great to work with this man. He is one of the voices of the UFC, also the host. of Ultimate Insider on Fox Sports One. He is the one, the only, John Annik. John, how are you? Oh, I'm doing well, man. This is the ideal place for me to kick off this monumental flight week, obviously. So always good to shout with you, my man. Thanks for having me on.

Thank you, and a happy Rush Ashana to you, too. To you as well, yeah, I figured you had to start this week, you know, the holiday week with a fellow Jew, right? I tried to squeeze in as many Jews as possible in the show, so I got you, Mark Ratner, myself, were slowly but surely taken over. All right, a lot to get to. I want to start with Mark Hunt. You've called some of his fights. You weren't in Japan, but I'm sure you saw what happened there early Saturday morning at the Saitama Super Arena,

knocking out Roy Nelson in classic Mark Hunt fashion. I love his post-fight interviews. You've been on the receiving end of them many of times, and it's all very Mark Hunt. And now I'm wondering, you know, where does he go from here? Because we talked about this on the MMA beat. You know, there aren't that many contenders after Fabrice O'Roodume at heavyweight. And I kind of think that one more win for Mark Hunt, and he should. should get that elusive title shot. Do you agree?

I do, you know, and I just thought this was just another perfect moment on what has just been an unbelievable storyline. You know, he is the walk-off king. I thought mentally coming in, I didn't know exactly where he was, and leading up to this fight, obviously we remember the tweets about potentially being released. You just didn't know where his head was at, and obviously it's not like he's 25 years old, so you never know if it could be the last time we see Mark I. I know he said he wants to honor his UFC contract, which still has a handful of fights on it. But I'll be honest with you. I was sort of leaning towards the slight underdog Roy Nelson just because I didn't feel like Marconn was going to be able to finish Roy necessarily.

And I felt like Roy mentally was in a better place. But Marcon turns back the clock once again. And, you know, I know a lot of people are campaigning for a fight with Andrei Arlobsky because the calendar theoretically would align. But I would agree with you. I mean, one more win against the guy ideally in the top five. And I think you can make a case for Mar-Cont. And, man, a guy who was just so maligned, a guy who, as you well know, the UFC was sort of reluctant to even have on the roster. And here he is smack dab in the middle of heavyweight contention.

So a great story, obviously, a great night in Japan. And, you know, we as post-fight interviewers, we try very hard to hold on to the mic, but there are a few guys where I think you relinquish the microphone for, you know, Connor McGregor would be one of them, and I certainly think if Marcant wants that microphone, you'll let your hand go, you know. I like the JDS versus Miochich fight that's been booked for December 13th, the UFC on Fox 13, the main event. I like it on paper, but now I kind of feel like it makes no sense

because if JDS beats Miochich, you're left with JDS as the number one contender, once again, Miotich is on a role. I know you're a fan of his. I kind of feel like Miochich versus Hunt would make all the sense in the world for that number one contender spot. Do you agree? Yeah, I guess I just feel like Stipe Miotich in agreeing to fight Fabio Maldonado with virtually no upside in that fight,

he was probably verbally guaranteed that he would get that fight with Junior Nos Santos. From Miochich's standpoint, that's the fight he wants, and that is the fight that he thinks is going to propel him to a potential title shot. So at least from, you know, a team Miochich standpoint, I can understand why the JDS fight is making sense.

But, hey, you know, I think from a division standpoint, the Mark Hunt victory is better than the Roy Nelson victory, because I just think there are more options for them. But you're right, you know, you got Gabe Gonzaga fight. fighting Matt Mitrione, a winner-loser matchup there, which I think was a little bit strange. But that's certainly going to be a moving night in the heavyweight division, December 13 in Phoenix. It's kind of a mess.

It's one of those interesting times at heavyweight because you have, you know, Mark Hunt lost to JDS. Right. Overreams fighting Struv, Struve beat Miochich. There's all kinds of confusion there. I mean, if Nelson would have won and then Verdun would have won, Verdun beat him. It's one of those things, like it reminds me of light heavyweight a couple years ago, where one guy beat the other guy but lost to the other guy, et cetera, et cetera. So we'll see what happens there.

At least I think that there are some interesting options now with Hunt winning, and we'll see what happens on November 15th as well. I know you are a big fan of The Ultimate Fighter Live. It's near and dear to your heart, and you try to bring it up as many times as you can when you're working a show, and I don't blame you, you were a big part of that show. And Miles' jury to me is such a fascinating story, because this is a guy, you look at him.

All of a sudden, he's won six in a row. He has, you know, solid wins finishes over big names, He's undefeated, and yet, you know, people talk about Habib Nirmagamadeov, deserving a shot, and other people, why doesn't Miles Jerry, like, if Miles Jury, or if Conner-Megregor had the resume that jury had, jury would have had maybe two title shots already. Why don't people talk about Miles Jury enough? Well, you know, this fight I know it was on UFC Fight Pass, but I think it's performances like this and finishes like this that are what are going to propel Miles Jury.

You know, he was coming in off back-to-back decision victories, I believe, so you've got to start finishing guys. You know, I thought it was interesting back on the Ultimate Fighter Live. Dominic Cruz was obviously very familiar with Miles Jury, acutely aware of everything that he brought to the table. And yet he wasn't his first pick, you know. I don't even know if he was his second pick. So I think there really has been a constant evolution with Miles Jury. And I think that privately, if you talk to Dominic Cruz or Eric Elfiero, maybe they even think that he has exceeded expectations. You know, the thing is, is there's a great humility to Miles Jury.

And he has tried very hard to be a better self-promoter. and his management team is always trying to get him out there. It's not necessarily what comes naturally to him, but he is trying to live up to that end of the bargain, if you will, because you know from a fighting standpoint he has it. I mean, this is an elite lightweight. I think we saw shades of that on the Ultimate Fighter Live, and certainly he is just rifling through this UFC lightweight division.

So, yeah, I think he's a guy who eventually is going to fight his way into a title fight, but you just have to finish guys. You know, Joe Silva always tells us the UFC roster, there are more than 540 fighters, more than 100 of them fight at 155 pounds. So you really need to take every fight as an opportunity to not just win, but to make people want to see you. And performances like that, I think, are going to make people want to see Miles Jury, you know.

If Nirmagamatov has a speedy recovery and is able to come back in the early part of 2015, I hate the flip-flop, but I kind of feel like that's the fight that makes the most sense for the No more contender spot. I mean, why should Namar Mado get a shot? He's doing some great trash talking now, and he's getting his name out there. but you look at their six fights in the UFC, and you can make the case that jury's wins are more impressive. Yeah, no doubt about it. I just think Nirmago Medob is going to be chasing bigger names.

And that's, as you know, in your discussions with Joe Sylvan, Sean Shelby, if you start calling guys out and it makes sense to them, they're probably going to make that fight. So I just would be surprised if Nirmago met up would ever go on the offensive trying to call out a guy in Miles jury who's below him in the rankings. So I think, you know, on paper it certainly makes sense. potentially maybe you pluck off one of two future title contenders, but I just think Nirmago Medov is going to be chasing bigger names,

whether it's Sorony or Alvarez or, you know, somebody entrenched in that top five. Well, jury should call out, Habib, that's what he should do in my opinion. Well, no, and I've talked to Miles about it off the air several times that, you know, don't be afraid to step out of your skin a little bit and not that you're looking past talking origami, but have a name on the tip of your tongue that you want to fight, so if that question comes your way, you're ready to try to control your own destiny. Too few of these guys don't do what the Black Beast Derek Lewis does,

and I know it sort of worked against him and losing them at Mitrione, but if you call out an opponent in the Octagon or post-fight with Ariel Hawani, it makes sense. The promotional make the fight. Yes, and they've told us that they want you to do this. Like, they don't get upset, and yet I don't understand when people seem afraid to call someone out, or they don't want to disrespect the UFC or something. It baffles me on. Even Mitrione, I have a lot of respect for Mitchon.

Last week when he was talking to me about Arlovskys, He's like, I don't want to call him out, quote, unquote. I don't want to disrespect him. Who cares? It's the fight game. They want you to do this. And he didn't get the fight, but more often than not, they'll actually listen, especially if both guys agree to the fight, at least in the public forum. Now, speaking of that, after her win on Saturday morning, Sarah McMahon called out Misha Tate, right?

She went to Twitter. She did what you had to do, at least if you're not there. And Misha Tate replied and said, yeah, let's do the fight. Do you like this fight? I do like it. I think it makes sense for both. women right at this time, and I just love when fighters, again, do what Sarah McMahon did. And, you know, what I don't like is when fighters call out somebody who's either well below them

in the rankings, which they think stylistically, it's a winnable fight, you know, call out somebody above you at the very least or close to you, a fight that can propel you where you want to go. And I think this makes a lot of sense. You know, I still feel like the jury is still out on Misha Tate. You know, I don't think we can classify her as a lead. I know she's had some shining seminal moments, but I just, I feel like the McMahon test is a perfect one for her right now, because if she is really going to be, you know, classified as elite, let's see what she can do against Sarah McMahon, who I think is still developing fighter in certain realms of mixed martial arts in her own right.

I would expect McMahon probably be, you know, a two-to-one favorite. I think the fight makes a ton of sense, and, you know, maybe that's a fight that lands in Phoenix or at the very least, you know, they'll share the octagon before the years out. Especially because both have lost to Ronda Rousey, so you're not eliminating a contender there. I want to talk about the news that happened on Friday. Tiago Silva, Anthony Johnson, of course, this kind of stuff. I mean, very much in the news these days with the NFL, you know, in the spotlight because of what happened with Ray Rice and other players, did the UFC get it right this time?

By releasing Tiago Silva and suspending Anthony Johnson indefinitely, do you believe the organization got it right? Yeah, you know, I understand why the organization was criticized for bringing Tiago Silva back into the fold and doing so, so quickly. you know, Tiago Silva is one of my all-time favorites, but I just didn't think there was any great rush to bring him back just because the case had been thrown out of court or the story had advanced, you know, I thought there was maybe some time to do a little bit more digging, a little more fact-checking before you ultimately made that announcement, but I do give the brass a lot of credit for reacting swiftly when the story changed and advanced in that point in time and to release Tiago Silva, who I don't believe will make it back to the UFC, which is

unfortunately, maybe the end of the line for him, but I think it was the right move by the UFC. And again, it comes to information with Anthony Rumbled Johnson. You know, at this point, I think the indefinite suspension is the way to go until there is more information. But I'm telling you, we are going to look back at this time in professional sports and maybe just these several weeks, but maybe the half decade or so with domestic violence and assault domestically.

And just I think across the board, we're going to think that societal. we have been too lenient. So to me, just like when it comes to fighter safety, I always err on the side of a premature stoppage. I err on the side of more punishment than less. I think we have a tendency to be too lenient. We always want to give guys the benefit of the doubt,

whereas I think there are a lot of men who just, I mean, dude, I could have 15 beers. I would never lay my hand on a woman. I don't know how more bluntly I can put it. You know, that's just not something. I could be hammered, and there's just nothing that would get me to put my hands on a woman in any of,

way in any setting, you know? Sometimes the UFC is criticized for reacting, you know, too quickly or harshly. Sometimes they're criticized for not reacting enough. I'd like to see more indefinite suspensions. All right, this guy's not going to be a part of the roster for now until we figure things out

and then we'll decide what to do with him. I thought they did a great job with the Anthony Johnson case and reacting very quickly. Kudos to Bloody Elbows Brent Brookhouse for breaking that news. Van der Leis Silva is a very interesting one because you you feel for the guy. You know, anytime someone is kind of airing out their grievances and they're

clearly in a tough spot in their career and they're getting up there in age, you feel for someone, especially someone who's given us such great moments. But the timing, I think, is very interesting, especially with, you know, the Nevada Athletic Commission looking at his case tomorrow, and this has been somewhat of a saga. The Chal's son and Vitorre Belfort's situation cleared up. Vandrele continues to roll along. Do you think this is really the end of Vandrele-Silver, or was this some kind of, you know, power play, if you will, because he knew what was coming on Tuesday. Yeah, I think it was a power play. You know, I do think at a lot of respects, it screams guilt to make this video announcement at this point in time.

I wouldn't put a pass Vanderlaid to, you know, let two or three years elapse and then try to come back for some sort of super fight. You know, I was actually surprised after he knocked out Brian Stan. I had an hour ride at the airport with him in Tokyo at just how clear-headed he was at that point in time and how articulate he was. You know, you hear so much about fighters being punched drunk or shot when you don't have that one-on-one interaction with them. And maybe you see sound bites here or there or you take people's word for it. You know, I thought it was a very introspective hour car ride. I learned a lot about the man and sort of left thinking, you know what, maybe this guy does have some fight left. But this is just sort of a disappointing way for it all to come to an end.

You know, I think we were all a little bit emotionally charged watching his video. I've certainly tugged on my heartstrings a little bit. but to me, the timing is certainly shady, to say the least. So I'll never forget being in attendance at the UFC 137 press conference before that fight. There were some great characters on that card, BJ Penn, Nick Diaz, the main event, of course. And we were outside. We're at New York, New York, and U.S. President Dana White comes out and says he has a big announcement to make. He's going to bring out a big star, a star in the making.

Got big news to reveal it to all of you, and he brings out John Anick. formerly of ESPN says this is going to be one of the voices of the UFC going forward as they kick off this new era with Fox and whatnot. This is going to be one of our leading men. And it has been three years. Unbelievable, it's been three years since then. So I got to ask you during this run, because I know you signed a three-year deal, right? Yes. What was the greatest moment?

What was the moment you sitting cage side, you calling a fight saying, wow, I can't believe. This is just the moment that sticks out. Thus far, I know the journey is not over, and we'll get to that in a second. but first three years, what's the moment that sticks out? Other than that press conference, of course. I do have to say, and I'm a broken record when it comes to this, but doing the ultimate fighter live was the most fun I've ever had in television. But I guess I would say the moment was that Mark Hunt Bigfoot Silva fight in Brisbane last December,

and I think not unlike your recent experience in Dublin, you sort of have this moment in the middle of the night or the fight, and you say, you know, I wonder what the rest of the sports world is doing right now, and they're not watching this or experiencing this live in person, And that's the way Kenny Florin and I felt when we were calling that Hunt Bigfoot fight was just like, man, I hope these casual MMA fans are finding their way to a television right now, or in your instance, being able to experience the electricity in Dublin. There are just so many moments like that in the UFC. And you and I talk a lot off the air about how, you know, fight past show in Brazil, your first fight of the night. If you just look at that fight singularly as one opportunity for two fighters, you and I can get as excited for that individual sporting event as almost any other.

mainstream sport here in America. And for me, I get excited for every single fight, first to last, of the 13. But, yeah, I think that moment stood out for me. And then what Matt Brown did in Cincinnati, I know it's not maybe getting love for fight of the year here in 2014, but that first round was, you know, mixed martial arts at its finest. And ultimately what, you know, it was moments like that that I was hoping for when I took this job.

And thankfully, we've been pretty lucky with our cards and our main events on Fox Sports one. Surprised you didn't say kicking off Fox Sports One in Boston in your neck of the woods. You know, that was a big moment for sure and getting the chance to, you know, work for Joe with Joe Rogan for a second time was obviously great. I think I was, that was really the most anxious I've been in three years. You know, I was, I think I was more nervous for that Boston show and that network debut than I was for the first fight that I called in Nashville when we did that one on

FX, Melvin Glarden, Jim Miller. I was really amped up for that Boston show, obviously, my hometown. guess for me i mean i get my answer sort of comes back to that it's about the fight and as great as that night was in boston to me ultimately it is about the fights and as great as that moment was for chel sown and in that main event or for connor mcgregor john howard upset in uriah hall to me when i'm asked that question always comes back to the fighters in the fights you know so that contract is rapidly expiring what are you going to do are you sticking around i'm sticking around you know i've signed an extension with the ufcc hopefully they'll sign and mail it back to me here

pretty soon. But, you know, anyone who knows me knows that this is the job that I've wanted for a long time. And, you know, it's the bottom line, Ariel, I'm not a lifelong martial artist, you know, but that doesn't change, that this is my greatest passion, that this is my favorite sport, and that this is what I want to do with my life. And, you know, I feel like I've tried to play to my strength. I've tried to take feedback from the fans and obviously from Dana White and and my boss, Craig Borsori, whom I obviously think very highly of. And I'm thankful, yeah, to be a, be a beyond for another few years here and uh... you know continue to to try to improve but you know i'd i'd left the s p.n honestly hoping to do this job for

twenty twenty five years and uh... i guess you know signing an extension here is is a big moment for me and uh... you know hopefully it's you know the second of many contracts with the u s a well mazzlatov on that is this a rickdi petro contract is a twenty-year deal or or is it short in that one no this is not a christ valor uh... ten-year thirty five million dollar deal either but uh... no it's a longer term you know it's a longer term you know it's a certainly longer than i've been two years which i think is sometimes can be a standard

contract in the broadcasting world and uh... you know it'll be pretty much a similar role you know i'll probably do twenty to twenty two live events per year uh... i imagine ultimate insider uh... will continue to be part of it in some capacity and you know i continue to campaign for them to bring the ultimate fighter back to a lot format but it doesn't look like that's going to happen well again very happy obviously uh... i was hoping that this would be the case i think you do a fantastic job on ultimate insider and everything else you do of course calling the fight or

you will be working at UFC 178 this weekend, not calling the fights, but, you know, doing the Fox Sports One pre-imposed show, all that stuff. This car, to me, I mean, it just has it all. I mean, from a storyline perspective, and I know some hate when I use that word, but gosh, from Dominic Cruz's return to Katzen Gano's return to the people's main event, of all people's main event between Connor McGregor and Dustin Porier and, of course, Eddie Alvarez's debut and Demetrius returning once again. I mean, there's just so much here.

And, of course, Tim Kennedy and Y'all Romero, I could go on and on, and on, and even the prelims have some great fights as well. But you've got to give me one. Give me one fight that sticks out the most of this entire card that you're really looking forward to. Well, it's Yoel Romero as a my favorite against Tim Kennedy. Just because, again, I think this is co-main event on a pay-per-view worthy, and that's just the fight to me.

I just think has the biggest ramifications other than the title fight. I mean, certainly Soroni Alvarez, another pickam fight is high stakes. But to me, you know, if Tim Kennedy, a guy who I thought would be a major champion of an MMA promotion. He's got to have this one. He's the underdog on paper. So that's the fight that jumps off the page. Really excited, obviously, for our guy, Dominic Cruz, you know,

to come back for the first time in three years. As you know, you never try to get too close to these guys, but both of us have, you know, gotten pretty close to Dominic and, you know, just excited for him to have that moment. And I know you're going to talk to Demetrius Johnson here shortly. The one thing I always say about these underdogs, like Chris Cariasso, if you're plus 900, you know, I remember when Rashad Emmons was fighting John Jones, If you're up against it, I think you need to stop short of committing a foul.

Do something, whether it's dirty or otherwise, to change the complexion of the fight. And I look for Chris Carrioso to try to do something early to get Demetrius Johnson off of his game. And if that means you kick him in the groin or an inadvertent head, but you have to do something to change the complex when you're a plus 900 underdog. And this is Chris Cariaco's moment. I hope he does something to take advantage of it. Wow, that is fascinating. I love that question, asking people that question leading up to this fight because everyone has a different answer

and everyone has a very good case for why they're picking that fight. So it's one of those rare fight cards in this day and age where you can really go down the line, five, six, seven fights and say this is the best fight on the card and you're right. So it's a great time to be an MMA fan. Looking forward to this fight card very much, looking forward to seeing you. Maybe we'll have some apples and honey over there in Las Vegas, Nevada. Congratulations once again on the new deal. And thanks as always for joining us, John. Appreciate it. My pleasure, man. Look forward to celebrating the Jewish New Year with you here. And I won't call it the Fight Capital, but look forward to having that in Vegas. All right, there he is. John Anick, the voice of the UFC, one of the voices of the UFC telling us that he has signed a new deal with the promotion that is great news. Certainly deserves it.

He does a fantastic job. Really love his calls and looking forward to working with him this weekend in Las Vegas. All right. As he mentioned, Demetrius Johnson will be in action, the most active UFC champion out there. and he is, of course, fighting Chris Carrioso, a big fight for him. A huge underdog Chris Carrioso is, so we'll see what happens on Saturday. Wanted to talk to Mighty Mouse about the fight and a whole lot more, so he is back on the show right here and now joining us via the phone.

Demetrius, how are you? So good, Aaron. Thanks for having me on again. I appreciate it. You know, were you listening to John right there? Did you hear that? Yeah, man. What was that?

He sounds like he's telling him his money under Cariaco. He wants him to kick me in the nuts. What's up with that? I know. right? What's that all about? Do you think guys actually go into fights thinking that way? Do you think Carrie also should do that? I have no idea.

You know, it's possible, you know? I mean, people going there, I remember one of my coaches telling me that, you know, he watched a boxing match and this guy was losing, and he was gasping. He literally hit the guy in the balls and got, like, you know, a one-minute break and he recovered, and he ended up winning the fight that way because, you know, he recovered. So, I mean, anything could happen.

It's mixed martial arts, you know, that's why he kept your stuff at all time. Well, if you get nailed in the balls early in the fight, you can blame one man for that, all right? Just remember where you heard it first. Fascinating breakdown from John. I did not expect that out of him, so we'll see if Chris tries to take that advice. You know, right off the bat, Demetrius, I have to wish you a happy anniversary. Do you know what today is?

Yes. Today is the day I won my belt in Toronto. Two years ago today, September 22nd, 2012, our good friends at MMA History today on Twitter have reminded us of this. So it's been two years, and now here you are just a few days away from defending the title. Once again, what's the biggest change in your life since you became champion? Of course, you know, you have the belt, you've got to travel with it, and you're a whole lot more popular. But what's the biggest change as far as the things that we don't see?

I would say the popularity, you know, I think, you know, a lot of people, you know, out there and the fans in the media think a lot of people, you know, don't know who I am or appreciate my skill set. But there's a lot of people, you know, in Seattle itself and around the world. You know, the first time I went to California, reached me, Santa Monica, and I was coming back home. You know, I felt like P&Z was taking for doing because he was just flashing his camera. I mean, I was like, what are you doing? And he goes, oh, I'm just taking pictures.

You're one of my favorite fighters. I was like, you just wait at the airport, wait for people to come and you take pictures town. He goes, yeah, that's what I do for a living. I was like, weirdo. I'll say that's probably the biggest one. other than that, you know, I have my wife and my son, and that's about it. Yeah, and I love seeing them featured on the Countdown show,

which I thought they did a great job with all the fights, and your son getting some of that spotlight as well. You know, it's funny that you're fighting on this card in the main event, and Dominic Cruz is returning because you're his last opponent. He fought you around three years ago in Washington, D.C. on a versus card. That's how long ago it was, and then, of course, since then he's been, you know, mired with injuries and has had to take a very long road back to the UFC, of course, now you're a flyway champion back then. You fought him for the

Bantamweight title, and of course you lost that fight. That was your last loss. Do you ever think, you know, and say, like, if the UFC never brought in the flyweight division, if they never introduced this division, all of this that's happening to me now, champion and everything that comes with it might not have happened. Like, you would have been in one of those weird spots where you were just too small for the division. Do you ever think that how that one decision changed a whole lot for you in particular? Yeah, you know, I really don't figure it that way in retrospect just because, you know, the 1.5-pound division did happen.

You know, after I lost in Dom, you know, I was getting ready to, you know, fight Eddie Weillen and, you know, get back on a high horse and ride it back into battle. So, but, you know, I'm blessed that it did happen. And who knows what the future would have held have always said at 135. Maybe I would have been championed. Maybe I would have, you know, 0 and 3 after that fight and be out of the UFC. So, I mean, thousands of things could happen for me. So I'm happy where I'm mad, and I always watch, you know,

when they promote Donald Dider-Cruist fight, always showing him suplexing me, and me and my big old hematoma, I face, I'm like, damn, that was a good fight. He's a big boy. Do you think you would have eventually gone in the title at 135? You know, it's hard to say. There's a lot of great athletes at 135.

You know, especially me three years ago, you know, That's when Michael McDonald was on the scene. He was on fire. Hinder Braille was still on the scene. So it's possible. I remember somebody said that, you know, Tia Dolshol wasn't even in the UFC at that point. So this shows, you know, how far the sports come in three years itself.

So who knows? Not to look past Carrioso, but I remember when you beat Benavides, your coach, Matt Hume, and the rest of your team were saying, you know, we want big fights, we want super fights. and of course that would be, you know, moving up to fight the 135-pound champion. Now it's Dillashon. I think that would be pretty fascinating stuff. Is that still on your radar or do you think since then, you know, the last nine months or so,

enough contenders have emerged to where you think that staying at 125 for the foreseeable future would make sense? Well, that's obviously in the future, you know, at the same time, you know, like I always tell you, each time we talk about super fights, it's always got to make sense, you know. If it's like, hey, we want you to fight at 135 or superfight, we're going to pay you. exactly the same or not you're going to fight $1.25. And I'm like, it doesn't make sense. You know, at the end of the day, you know, I'm an athlete and the competitor. And if I really want to test my skills against, you know, QDOTRA, I'm pretty sure he, he,

I can't ask him, hey, can I come down in a spar with you, to see how well I do against you. And, you know, I'm sure he'll allow me to do that and meet him from spar and have a good sparring session and train together for a little bit. But I'm pretty sure, you know, just like Daniel White said, you know, to get your right of favor and Dede, those are all the fight, you know. I'm pretty sure it won't cost the million dollars, but it's going to cost a lot of money. So that's more alliance, you know, we're talking about.

Each time they talk about super fights with John Jones and GSP or Anasilla, you know, it's a moneymaker fight. You know, the Big Diaz and Ams Silva, you know, that could be a big moneymaker fight for both those guys. So that's more the lines, you know, our coach to talk about. But for me, I'm just focused on, you know, who the UFC gives me and my progression as an athlete and a fighter and staying healthy. I got a bone to pick with you, though.

because the last time we had you on the show was back in July, and we were talking about what's next and contenders and whatnot, and I don't think Chris Cariass's name came up, and then a day later, a day later, a day later, the news is broken. And I have to think that this was at least in the works, or at least on your radar. So did you withhold information from us? Because if so, not cool.

I'm just going to say that, not cool. I was a little hurt when the news came out. I thought that you were kind of playing us. So what I mean by that? Like, I remember when we talked about that. So I'm never the fighter, you know, who calls out and calls people out. Like, it was hilarious. Like, I was on Twitter, I think it was this morning or last night.

I remember Hector Lambert asked Matt Brown. Like, hey, are you okay to fight? You know, how about us? And I'm like, why are you, like, what the hell is that all? Like, what is that about, you know? I mean, it's cool. You know, that's probably when they go about picking their fights and getting their self-matched stuff. That's fantastic.

But for me, you know, it's all about the U.S.C. calls me and says, hey, this is your fight. I remember a while the back, you know, a lot of people were saying, oh, this is your next opponent. You know, you should be fighting this guy because he deserves it. And I was like, that's fine what you guys think. But then day, it's not what you guys think or what I think. It's what the U.S.C. and U.S.C. thinks, Joe Silva and Sean Shelby. So when they called me and they told me that, it was in the works, but it wasn't a set in stone. If I would have said, hey, you know, I'm going to be like, Chris Farii off.

The next year you know, it comes out that I'm not fighting him, and it's like, why even open my mouth to begin with. So I kind of knew that he was on the, it was in the works, but it wasn't 100% sure, so I want to open my mouth. When you first got that call that it was in the works, now, let's be honest, were you surprised? Because I was surprised. I mean, he was not on that radar.

He was not talked about as a top contender. No one thought, and it kind of goes in line with the fact that, you know, the UFC just didn't promote him that way. He was kind of buried on undercards. You know, they didn't make a big deal to let you know that he was fighting leading up to his fights. I mean, he was just kind of a guy right now moving up the ranks at 125. You know, he had put together some wins, but he wasn't one of those names that we had talked about. And let's even forget about the guys that you fought already that I know, you know, sometimes you get annoyed when we keep bringing up the same names.

But when you heard that they were thinking about Carrioso versus you for the next title fight, what was your reaction? Sounds good. That's it. That's it. like I said. You didn't think like, wow, I didn't expect that. No, because at the same time, you look at the landscape of the Floyd Division, he's the only guy who has a three-fight, he's on a three-fighter, West Street, you know,

and you look at his record, and then USC, he's seven and three. It's a better record than E. McCall has. I mean, he McAul has ranked higher than him. So it's all about, you know, one, name recognition, you know, two, who the guy fought, and then three, it's just about who the U.S. you want to promote. You know, at the same time, like, I went up and I asked Sean Shelby, I shared a question. I was like, oh, Sean Shelby. I'm a little irritated right now, and bear with me.

Tell me why did, then I love all these guys who fight. I was like, so there was a fight card where Edson Barboza and Donald Serrani was on the main card, and Raphael Dosanos, and Kibib were on the undercarb. And I was like, I'm pretty sure Dosanos beat up Donald Serrani, and Kibib is undefeated fighters, 22 and O, 6 and L in the UFC now, Why is that on the undercard when, you know, Rafael Dosanos has a win over Donald O'Saroni? I was like, just be honest with me.

Like, I'm not, you know, talking crap. I just want to know the truth fact. And he goes, dude, it's a popularity thing. I was like, see, that's not right. Like, you know, at the end of the day, I know it's a business, but this guy beat this guy. He should be above this guy on the main card because eventually he should be on a better path to the title

than this guy's if you lost, you know. Yeah. When you do the map, so that's where I get kind of, you know, I don't look at that because I won it. Once again, I have no control who the U.S. you promote, who the U.S. you put from the card. But right there, you know, that just showed you that it's a popularity contest, which is totally fine. Just come out and say, hey, guys, it's a popularity contest. If you beat this guy, he's so popular than you, you know, he's going to be hiring a card. So just, just, you know, just for you guys know that.

How do you think you're doing in that contest? You know, I'm not sure, man. You know, if it was a, I don't know if I'll make Palm King or. I have no idea, to be honest with you. Do you feel the love, though? Because, you know, look, I'll be honest here. There's a lot of talk, and a lot of it comes from me, too. I say that, you know, this is one of those rare occasions where the fights leading up to the main event

might be more anticipated than the main event itself. It doesn't happen often, but I think it takes two to tango, and I think Chris hasn't done enough to sell the fight, hasn't done enough to sell himself. You're the champ, and I think that in itself kind of sells itself, if you know what I'm saying? but as a contender, you can't just show up. I mean, Sarah McMahon did not do a good job of this as well when she fought Ronda Rousey. So do you feel like this is one of those occasions

where, you know, maybe not being the most popular guy kind of hurts you? No, not at all, because that's not what I'm striving for. I'm not trying to be the most popular guy in the UFC by running my mouth and cell of fights. You know, I'm trying to be the most known fighter for my skill set and how I fight. You know, I mean, you always talk off-air

about, you know, how I think about fights, and you tell me like, dude, you should, you should, you should talk. That's how you should be talking right now. You should tell people this stuff. And I'm like, but the same time, Ariel, I don't need to go out and tell the people my skill set. Like, just tune in and watch and then you enjoy it, you know. At Chris Cuyapso, he doesn't need to talk to his way into hyping this fight up.

Like, I'm pretty sure, you know, Chris Cuyahop, he's going to come well-prepared for this fight. He's going to be in shape just like everybody else was when they came to fight me. But at the end of the night, you know, when they get in there and they feel my speed, my pressure, my clinch, my wrestling, my pressure, my destination is to never give up. That's what breaks people and be like, damn. You know, I came in shape. I came with everything.

You know, I fought the strongest guys in his division, the most powerful guys in this division, and I'm ready to go out Saturday night and prove I'm number one in the world. I'm looking at the odds right now. You're a minus 1,200. He's a plus 9-71. Do you agree with those? Do you think he's that big of an underdog? It sounds like you're ready to go gamble.

that's what that sounds like. No, I'm just looking at them because Anik brought him up. So I was like, wow, really? That high? And it's even higher. And, you know, with the whole, you know, un-gogun and all that stuff, it doesn't mean anything. I mean, I just, actually people looking at a piece of paper saying, well, technically, you know, even shots should win this fight.

So there's still a whole bunch of numbers on him and still less numbers on him, and hopefully we can make a lot of money off with gambling. You know, at the end of the day, anything can happen in this martial arts. I can go out there and come out there and be totally flat, but it cannot be my night. Or I get sick. Who knows? Don't make waste. Anything can happen.

So, you know, when it comes to the odds and all that stuff and the underdog, I try not pay any attention to it because, one, I'm not a gambler. And, too, it doesn't bother me. I try to make sure each time I go out there, every time I step in the out of the gun that I'm on, like, I feel good. You know, my footwork's on point. My striking's good. My wrestling, my timing. Everything's on point. That way, all that stuff doesn't matter.

Now, if I was a gambler, the school and a gambler situation, I was like, damn, man, I got a lot of money, this one, a little bit. So that's, I mean, I guess the way you can look at it. Did you watch the countdown show? I did. Man, he was taking some shots at you, right? He doesn't seem all that. I know what's that, man?

Better striker, you're grappling his week. I mean, he was just breaking you down. Right, I know. They didn't get the champ, no love. No love. What do you think? That pissed you off? I thought it was.

no, no, I thought it was hilarious. I was like, dude, you know, like, one of my training partners says I give my opponents way more respect than I should. Yes, I agree, I agree. And, you know what, that's probably a good thing by me because it makes me train just that much harder, just because I believe my opponents are the best in the world when it comes to fighting, and I want to prepare it like I'm fighting the best guy in the division. So, you know, when he says my girlfriend's weak and all that stuff, and I can be like, I'm pretty sure you got tapped out by the guy I arm barred.

So this is what I'm talking about. Why don't you say more of that? Respond him. Don't just take it. You know, it's totally fine, you know, because at the end of the day, we have to get an afternoon. We've got to fight each other.

And that's the beautiful thing about the sport. You can run your mouth and take shots all you want. You know, and if I talk crap and run my mouth, you know, it's not, I'm stating facts instead of fucking trash, you know, to where I'm not all about that. You know, like I said, I gave him all the respect in the world

and come fighting night. I'm pretty sure he's going to be prepared in shape, ready to go. I'm sure this is going to be a tough fight. I'm not expected the steam roll of Tariaso. Just because Matt made up a good point, he goes, the longer you're champion, the hardest is going to be to beat people up. And I was like, well, elaborate. And he goes, well, everybody's going to know what you're going to try to do to him.

Like, one, they're going to try to avoid you. Two, they're going to back up and try to counter you. So you got to make sure you got to minimize your window of their opportunity to capitalize on hurting you or knocking you out. And when it goes that way, he's going to take his time and relax and try to set things up. I'm trying to get to people and get him in my quench, get in my wrestling, get my striking off. You know, you watch my fight Ollie Boggitina up. He backed up the whole entire time, and I have to come and get him.

So I'm pretty sure this fight, Chris is going to back up the whole time. If he doesn't, that's fantastic. That way I can get my rhythm going just that much faster and get my hands on him. Was this a less than ideal training camp for you because you fought in mid-June and then the fight originally was supposed to take place in August at UFC 177 and then as you're approaching that date, they change it and move it to UFC 178. So I'm sure, you know, you're trying to peak and you're coming back, you know, back-to-back training camp so you might be a little tired. And then you have to take your foot off the gas and wait another month. I mean, was it was a little hectic or annoying this training camp? Yeah, I was, you know, because I was, I mean, when it came, uh,

You know, close to the fight time. I remember I just got on a great training session in the morning, and I was starting to get off the weights and be more fight-specific and everything's feeling good. Weight was good. And then you get the phone call. And John was like, dude, got to move your fight. And I was like, why?

And, you know, he goes, well, if, you know, if you don't know in 15 minutes, then I'll call him and explain you. And I saw the headlines that John Joe got injured. So it's a little more frustrated just because that just shows you how much control I have. I have no. The only control I have is, you know, be ready on fight dating and go out there and shine and win my fight. So it's frustrating just because, you know, I'm beating my body up for six weeks straight. And then, like, hey, get off a gas pedal and, you know, take, you know, a week off and then get back on a gas pedal again for another six weeks.

So it is frustrating. A lot of people out there don't understand, like, get rid of our fights is what damages people's bodies. What beats the athlete's body is up, it's not the fighting itself. Fighting with 25 minutes, that's fantastic. Like, easy. No problem. But fighting, getting ready for a fight over and over the mental preparation, the mental of barine, you know, it's hard.

And you know, that's why I told me that. I was like, dude, I think after this fight, I'm done for the rest of the year. Like, I don't, I have no interest. I have no, not one interest in my bone where it's like, I can't wait to fight a new year. Like, I'm like, after this fight, I'm done. I'm going to take the rest of the year off. And I'm going to fight hopefully January and February. That's where my heart's at right now.

Do you feel like you've hit a wall? No, no, no, no. It's not a wall. It's just that, you know, back-to-back training camp, you know, I'm just ready to go out there and fight, regardless how this fight goes or that I win or lose. I'm just going to rest of the year off, you know, from competing, not training, but competing.

So what's the difference there? I'm not going to go and take three months off in the gym. I'm just not going to worry about, you know, getting that fight. If they're going to spike in January, you know, 31st, Perfect. Sounds good. They're like, hey, we want you to fight, you know, December 31st. Now, let's think about this.

I am not, you know, there's other champions out there who can step up and fight, do all that stuff, you know. And who knows, that could change after this fight. I go out there and get a quick knockout and take them off. I mean, you know what? We want to get one more in. I mean, anything can change. So that's just what my heart is right now.

Okay, last question. I know you're a big fan of mixed martial arts. You're one of those guys who keeps your finger on the pulse, and you appreciate the sport and whatnot. This is a very fun fight card. So removing your fight from this discussion, which fight? And it's going to be a weird one because you can't really enjoy the card because you're fighting last. But which fight on the card do you find most interesting?

The Conover Breger. The people's main event, of course. The reason why is because I really truly appreciate Connum Brigger's style. Fascinating to hear you say that. Yes, his fighting style and the way he talks. Interesting. The reason why, because it reminds me of a young Mike Tyson, a young Muhammad Ali, the way he talks.

And I don't look at him and I don't see him talking trash. I look at him and I see him talking what he sees where he's like, dude, like, I'm way faster. I move way better than you do. You're slow. I'm going to hit you hard, which I believe all these things that he says are true. You know, like I believe that his fighting style is good. He understands fighting.

And not taking anything with Dustin employees. Test employee is a huge test. And I can appreciate somebody who can talk that stuff, and, you know, he'll go in there and he'll back it up. And then the curious thing will be like, what if he loses, you know? They have so much hype behind Connor McGregor, and if you lose this, then, you know, I was like, well, we had a good run. Connor that mouth, it was good, and let's shoot you got to say. So I'm more intrigued by that fight because I think that fight has a lot more stakes going into it

because it's like, one, you know, I'm pretty sure Connor wins it, then he can be fighting Cubs, old man Swanson, he calls it. Cubs Watson next and then who knows, you'd be fighting Chadm Mendes or Josie Alco for the title after they go to fight. So we'll see. Can't wait for it. Best of luck, of course, on Saturday. forward to seeing you out there in Las Vegas.

And thanks, as always for the time. Appreciate it, Demetius. No, worry, though. You have a good night, and thank you all right for tuning in. All right, there he is. The UFC Flyway Champion, Demetrius Mighty Mouse Johnson returns to action this Saturday headlining UFC 178 against Chris Carrioso. All right, let's move along. Speaking of champions, this man was a former lightweight champion in Bell Tor.

He faces Will Brooks for that belt once again on November 15th. It's on Spike TV. It's a much anticipated card, of course, headline. by Stefan Bonner versus Tito Ortiz. We'll talk to him about all of that and a whole lot more. Of course, I'm talking about Michael Chandler, who joins us right now on the phone. Michael, how are you?

Doing good, man. Thanks for having me on your show. Thank you very much for joining us. So I want to talk to you about a lot, but first I want to start with this weekend because at least I think right now, anytime people think about Eddie Alvarez, they think of you. And in fact, Spike TV just announced

that they will be replaying your fights this weekend. And it's somewhat of an interesting move going head to head with the UFC 117. of an EA pay-per-view. I'm wondering, what do you think, sitting back, given your history with him, and you were supposed to have that third fight, it was very much anticipated, and it's not going to happen, at least for now. What do you think in the days leading up to Eddie Alvarez's UFC debut? Are you rooting for the guy to succeed? You want to see him fail? How are you feeling about this? Because you're so closely linked?

You know, I never want to see anybody fail. You know, I think life is all about choices and hard work and making the right decisions. And I think Eddie's one of those guys who works hard and he's uh you know i watched the uh the countdown yesterday and he talked about how he tried to put himself in the best situation possible all these years leading up to this his opportunity to fight in the ufc and that's what uh that's what he's doing now you know so i i never want anybody i never wish anybody um any harm and you know quite frankly i'm i'm rooting for the guy you know he's i know this is something that you know i don't know him personally me and him have had our our history and we beat the heck out of each other twice uh

And I think that's part of it. You know, whenever you, I can't have any more respect for anybody in this game more than I do for Eddie Alvarez because of what we have done together in the cage and what the fans have got to enjoy from us fighting in the cage. So I'm rooting for him. You know, I know this is something that he's wanted. And I think all that in Mossie that he had towards Bellator was the old Bellator. And, you know, I'm excited about the new Bellator. And, you know, this is his time to kind of put all that behind us. and go on and kind of see what he's made out of.

Are you a little disappointed, though, that you won't get that third fight against him, at least for now? You know, I wouldn't say disappointed. Maybe a little bit disappointed, I guess, but it's mainly just, you know, it's the way the cards played out. It's the way that cookie crumbled, and, you know, it was unfortunate because we were scheduled to fight, and he had to pull out because of an injury, and I know the kind of competitor Eddie is. I know that it wasn't a small situation. It was something, you know, concussion symptoms and all that kind of stuff that wanted him to have to pull out of that fight. So I don't hold it against him.

But it definitely would have been great to kind of cap off the trilogy and go out there and solidify myself again as one top light of the world by beating him two out of three times. But it's just the way things happen, you know. I've said many times on this show you're one of the classiest guys in MMA, and I respect that. that a whole lot. And you sent out a tweet to Eddie when he signed with the UFC finally a month or so ago. And I thought that that's just another example of the kind of guy

that you are. Why did you feel like you needed to do that? You know, I don't know. It's one of those things where life isn't that serious, you know, in this sport, there's so much ego and there's so much there's so much animosity. And, you know, I'm not going to sit here and say

I don't get worked up now and then and have you know, get mad at certain people or mad at certain situations. But, you know, this sport really should be looked at like, man, it's a bunch of men who put their lives, put their bodies on the line to try to feed their families and put money in the bank and sit on the table. And, you know, like I said, at the end of the day, Eddie is one of those guys where he fights for his family, and that's it.

You know, he fights for his wife, his three kids. You got another one on the way. You know, you just see the guy and you know what he's fighting for. And I got a lot of respect for that. And I know that by him making that decision to jump over to the UFC, that's what he wanted and what was the best situation for his family. So I just looked at it like that. And it's like, hey, man, you know, best of luck.

Because, you know, at the end of the day, I think he's a tough guy. I've felt his power. I felt his speed. And I know he's one of the top lightweights in the world. So, you know, go over there and, you know, fight some guys. And I think Cowboys Dronie is a perfect guy to introduce yourself to the UFC with. So here's the big question. Do you think he wins on Saturday?

What's your pick? I do. I think Cowboys Saroni is on a role. I think Cowboys Sroni is dangerous as heck, finishing his last four fights. And his fourth fight this is his fourth fight this year. Yeah. And, yeah, you know, and he's a dangerous guy. And Eddie has been known to get rocked in a couple of his fights.

So I think if Eddie continues to stick and move, uses his speed, his footwork, and his crisp boxing and combinations, I think he can go out there and kind of put together a great three-round dominant decision, barring, you know, he doesn't eat one of our cowboys, you know, head kicks or one of those things, because Cowboys definitely powerful and definitely technical. So it's definitely an interesting fight. I'll be watching, but I'm hoping that he comes on top. Okay, so your next fight is November 15th. It's a rematch against Will Brooks.

It has come out recently that, you know, you weren't all that close to 100% when you fought them the first time. How injured were you in that fight? Yeah, I mean, it was a bad situation. It wasn't, it was a tough situation because it was just, we all know that we all need a great training camp. We all need, you know, eight weeks, 10 weeks, however long we decided to train to get ourselves in shape to put ourselves in the best situation possible. And I just didn't have that, you know. I think I come from that tough wrestling mindset where, you know, if I don't have a bone sticking out of my arm or leg or if I don't get an MRI and see something completely torn and I can't walk to the cage, you know, I'm going to go out there and fight. And that was a decision that I made.

You know, I had some big time, one bar back issues and that kind of stuff. And pretty much it was debilitating. And I had just a really, really bad training camp. I probably only trained about a week out of eight weeks for that fight. but I was able to, I was able to, you know, finish training camp and go out there and know that I wasn't 100% got some shots, knelt myself up, went out there and hoped for the best, and it was Bellator's first pay-per-view, and, you know, they weren't by any means, you know, putting pressure on me or anything, and it was just something that I wanted to do.

I had to do. I had people tell me I probably should pull out of the fight, but I made a decision, and I stuck with it. And here I am, and I'm just blessed to be able to get the rematch, go out there, I'm feeling 100% and go out there November 15th in my backyard of San Diego and get this belt back and then continue to solidify myself in this division. Here's what I'm wondering. Once Eddie pulled out, why didn't you pull out?

That was a perfect out for you. Yeah, it was. But it was, but it wasn't. You know, pulling out of a fight is pulling out of a fight. And, you know, looking back, it might not have been the right decision. You know, I talked to my coaches and that kind of stuff, but we were still, I truly believed that I was going to go out there and beat Will Brooks under the circumstances that I had, and that's why I made the decision, and I did.

And looking back, it might not have been the best decision, but I've learned from it, and I truly believe I'm a better man, a better fighter, and a better competitor because of these, these situations that I've been put in, and I'm just ready to go out there and fight again. What do you think? You think you were 50%, 60%, it's hard to put a number, but how hurt were you? Yeah, it's hard to put a number. And it wasn't, that was the thing is it wasn't necessarily, I mean, in the training, the seven weeks leading up to the fight, I felt a lot of pain and a lot of discomfort. When you're in the fight, you don't feel the pain, you don't feel a discomfort.

What you feel is the lack of preparation. What you feel is the lack of cardio. What you feel is that crazy, almost panic situation where you're like, holy cow, that was the first round. I can't feel my arms. I can't feel my legs. My lungs are about the burst. And, coach, what the heck are we?

going to do the next 20 minutes of this fight. And that's kind of, that's what it was. So I can't necessarily put a percentage on it. And it wasn't like I was in a crazy amount of pain during the fight. I was in some pain, but not, you know, adrenaline takes over and it's a powerful drug. It feels to me like Will Brooks has a gigantic chip on his shoulder. And, you know, he has said quite a bit about you, calling you fake and whatnot. Do you hear this stuff and does it bother you?

Yeah, he's weird, man. I don't know. I don't know why he has a chip on his shoulder. I don't know what is going on there. But, you know, different people are motivated by different things. We all know that in life and sport and business, whatever. I just think he's got a lot to say for no reason, I guess, you know. He just talks and talks and talks, and I try to just talk when I do interviews

and I try out to say too much bad about people. But, you know, that's the way he handles his life, his career. So I can't really say much about it. I noticed that you don't respond when he sends you these tweets. He went on a bit of a tweet rampage recently. And you were, I should know you were getting married at the time, which his timing was not great. And I want to wish you and your wife, a congratulations on that.

Are you ever tempted once you see it to say, like, man, what's going on here? because it seems like it's coming in one direction. Yeah, kind of, but that is the thing. I mean, I think it is coming in one direction. It's, you focus on telling me the things that you're going to do, and I'm going to focus on implementing the things in training, and then implement them in the fight. You know, it's just, we're just in two different situations,

two different frames of mind, I guess. You know, he wants to hop on Twitter and go on these huge rants and go on these shoes rants directed at me, tagging me, and he's done that kind of stuff before, where he's like, he'll tag me in something, and he'll say something, and then I'll, then I used to respond, and he'd be like, well, what are you talking about, man? Why are you getting into this? And I'm like, well, if you didn't want me to see the tweet, you wouldn't have put

at Mike Chandler, MMA, and, I mean, unless you're just that, you know, oblivious to how Twitter works, you have to put someone, you have to put someone's name in there with the app sign for it to go and show up on my mentions. But, you know, it is one side, and he can focus on, you know, tricking himself into believing that he's got all these, he's got these things that he knows how to beat me and he knows he's seen my weakness and he's seen this and he's seen that. But he hasn't seen or felt even close to half of what I'm going to bring to the cage on November 15th. And that's what I rest in. And that's why I can sleep easy at night and wake through in the morning with a smile on my face and just get to train and do what I love. and he's obviously fighting for, I don't know what he's fighting for,

but I know what he's fighting for, but I know what my reasons are, and I'm blessed to be able to do what I do. What do you make of the decision to not put this fight in the main event and put Bonner and Ortiz in the main event? You know, it's a decision that Bellator made, and I, you know, Bellator has been in the headlines a lot over the years for certain things and some bad things, but man, I truly believe now, now is the time that Bellator is turning the corner and with Coker taking over and

Kevin Kay and Spike getting more involved in the actual production and the actual decisions of the show. You know, it's an exciting time and, you know, they made their decision and of course I could sit here and I could throw out some tweets and go on a rant or sit here and complain to to my wife or complain to my coaches and that kind of stuff, why I wish I was the main event, but it's not going to do any good, you know. the fans have done that enough. Trust me, I've gotten enough.

I've gotten enough mentions on Twitter and that kind of stuff. You know, I should be the real main event, and the same thing was true for the last fight. You know, with Rampage and Moe, I got a lot with the same thing. But at the end of the day, you're a fighter, you show up and fight. You know, you shut your mouth and you show up and fight, and that's what I do. What did you think when you saw that whole, you know, mask thing and all that happening in the cage a couple weeks ago?

That was weird, too, you know. And as you said earlier, too, I was actually my rehearsal. commercial dinner right before my wedding. So I found out via Twitter and all that kind of stuff when my fight got announced and whatnot. But, you know, it was different. You know, Bonner said some things to Tito and brought up his ex. And we all know when you bring up his ex, it's definitely a touchy subject because other guys have done it. And there's been some bad blood, and I think Bonner knew that.

And that's kind of what has happened. and, you know, it's definitely an interesting fight to me. You know, they are two large men who know how to fight, and they're going to get after it on November 15th, so I hope everybody shows up, and I hope it's going to be just a huge show out here in San Diego and focused on my fight and get my belt back. Yeah, and that's great for you because you train out of there.

Okay, two more things. Number one, are you happy about this? I mean, I know, you know, Bjorn seemed to treat you well, and he promoted you well. Were you sad to see him go, or are you happy to see Scott and his team come over. And interestingly enough, you once fought for Strike Force, and so I'm sure you know

Scott and Rich Chow and those guys who are now in charge. So what are your feelings about the new regime? Yeah, you know, I said it before, it was bittersweet. You know, I signed with Bellator in 2010-ish, early 2010. And, you know, it's where

I really started my career after, you know, I fought with Strike Force those two fights. And I had actually never talked to Scott Coker. I had talked to Rich. But, you know, I was real good friends with Tyrone Woodley back then, and Tyrone got me on a couple of those cards, and that's how I got to be on those Strike Force cards. And Tyrant always spoke so highly to Scott.

And whenever he took over, it was a bittersweet thing, you know, because I had a really great relationship with Tim Danaher. So I was definitely sad to see him go. And Bjorn, too. You know, he built a great organization from the ground up in 2008, And, you know, it was bittersweet, but, you know, Spike and Viacom, they made that decision. And I stayed behind them 100%. Viacom knows what they're doing.

They wouldn't be, you know, one of the biggest companies in the world if they didn't know what they were doing. And I'm just, I'm excited to be a part of it. I'm excited that they use me a lot and they believe in me. And, you know, I had a great meeting with Scott Coker as soon as he signed on board. And he's got some great ideas and some great plans for the same. future and I'm definitely part of them. And I'm excited to be behind them and just go out there and fight. You know, I'm the kind of guy right now. I'm in a very humbling situation where I'm going to fight losing streak. It's just time for me to go out there and improve to the world

and show the world how hard I've been working and where I stand. And that's, so that's what I'm focused on. And I just want to, you know, kind of put a stamp on the next stage of my career number 15. Okay, and finally, this past weekend, a big one for your team alliance with Miles Jury picking up a great win, and he continues to look very impressive in the UFC, but it doesn't get any bigger than maybe the face of the team, Dominic Cruz returning after a three-year hiatus. He returns this Saturday at UFC 178. I know you're in there with him. You see him. You know him. You know him well. Can you give us some insight? Do you feel like he is back to 100 percent? Are you a little concerned? You worry. Ring Russ. I mean, three years is a very long time.

How are you feeling before his fight? Yeah, ring rest is, you know, three years is a long time. But, man, nobody, you know, you can see the way, you can see Dominic fight, and you can watch these interviews, and you can watch these little videos that get put out, but you don't really get the true sense of what kind of guy Dominic is, both mentally and physically, unless you get the opportunity to train with him. And I do get that every single day, you know, and to be able to be a friend whenever he needed it,

And now to be a training partner, now that he's back, you know, it's been a great stage in my life, honestly. You know, I don't wish what he has had to go through on anyone, but I know that it's made him a stronger man. And I know it's helped me and it's helped a lot of other guys out. You know, there's been other times where we're Dominic's helping with practice. And there's that feeling that, holy cow, man, this guy lives for this sport. This guy loves this sport. and this guy truly wants to be a champion, and he wasn't able to do that the last three years.

And it's really kind of up the guy's games. You know, it's made guys realize, man, you know, Dominic wants this so bad and he can't do it because of, you know, an injury. You know, I've got to take every single opportunity to get better. I've got to approach every single practice, I guess, my last, and just really soak up everything that is great and wonderful about this sport and about this career. and that's really, that's what he has done.

And, man, he's hungry. He's motivated. I just saw him this morning. I'm going back in the gym now. And, man, he's, he's a new kind of beast, and he's hungry, and he still wants to be and still believe that he's going to be that Banffoweight champion again. So he's got a lot of fights left in his future, and I'm excited to train right by his side throughout it all. Great stuff.

Thank you so much for the time, Michael. Again, congratulations on the nuptials. Good luck in training for November 15th. Always, always great to have you on the show. show, can't wait for that fight, and appreciate the time as always. Absolutely, man. Appreciate it, and I'll talk to you soon. All right, there he is.

One of the best in the business, Michael Chandler, top contender in the Belator, Lightweight Division. Now, you know, I was thinking about this when I mentioned that I think Michael Chandler is very classy and, you know, always has the right thing to say, but there are some people who say it and you don't believe what they're saying, you know, they don't come across as authentic. In my opinion, he comes across as very authentic, and I started to think that this was kind of a theme of this show.

because you have John Anick, who I have a lot of respect for, and I would almost describe the very same way. Demetrius Johnson, who is, in my opinion, one of the very best in the UFC pound for pound and also a great champion in and out of the cage. Chandler, you know what I think of him. And when you think about class in MMA, the name, I think, at the top of many people's list is Rich Franklin. This is a guy who, back when the UFC was trying to get on people's radars,

they were using Rich Franklin to be an ambassador for the sport because he is so well-lawed. liked and so well spoken and, you know, just has, has a great way about him in and out of the cage. And now, interestingly enough, he may not be as active as he once was, but being used in a similar light with the Upstart 1FC promotion over in Asia and have been trying to get him on the show for quite some time to talk about this in this new chapter in his career. Very excited that the legend of MMA, Rich Franklin, the former UFC middleweight champion, is joining us right now on the MMA hour. Rich, how are you? Hey, I'm great, Ariel. Thanks for the introduction.

I'm not sure I should talk after that because I'll probably do myself in justice. Well, it is my pleasure, and I mean it, and I'm very happy to have you on the show. First off, congratulations on the new gig. I want to talk to you about how this all came about, because, you know, there was a time where you were saying that you still had one fight left. At least you thought so. And that, you know, we'll get to that in a second, but this is a very interesting position with, like I said, an organization.

over in Asia that's doing a lot of things and they have some momentum now. How did this all come about? Well, I taught a seminar down in Singapore several years ago and developed some relationships with some people that have MMA schools down there. And on one of my trips down to Singapore, I met some people that were running the 1FC. And there was a mention about offering me a position with the company at that point in time. And it was kind of one of those like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I had been with the UFC from day one of my career,

so I never really thought that I wouldn't be with them at any point in time. But my career, like the tail end of it is approaching ever so closely, and you start really thinking about what you need to do with your next phase of life as far as career-wise. And so things started to materialize as a realistic job offer. And so when they offered me a job, I basically sat down with the, on the Brinzo over at the UFC and had a discussion with them about a possible job opportunity with the UFC because they had told me that they would, you know, they would always have some sort of position for me.

But at the time, there wasn't really anything available and I didn't want them to create some sort of position just to put me on payroll. That's not my style, not what I'm about. I like to be a crucial link in the chain, so to speak. And so after talking with them, they basically, when I told them that I had the job offer, they said it sounds like a really good opportunity and you should look into it. And so I took the job on FC. And so how would you describe your job description? What do they want you to do over there?

Man, I'll see, Ariel. If we had this discussion three months ago, I would have given you a different answer than I'm giving you today. And if we do another interview several months from now, it might be a different answer from that. but they use me a little bit. One F.C.'s growing in Asia, and they have a lot of momentum behind them, and it's a great organization. It's a young organization. Everybody is energetic. They're very goal-oriented.

They have a vision, and they work diligently to accomplish this task. But some of the stuff that we're doing with, with one of us, she is the same kind of things that we were doing with with MMA in the States, say, 15 years ago when I first came onto the scene. a lot of interviews explaining what M&A is about and stuff like that. So I do a considerable amount of PR work for them. I contribute to Yahoo Sports, and I'm going to become a contributor to FHM over in Asia on behalf of 1FC. I do, like I said, I do the PR, and then they're incorporating me a little bit into the broadcast and stuff like that,

and I do some other miscellaneous things with social media. Aside from that, they have some various operations that they've kind of plugged me into within the organization. And they rely heavily on the fact that I have a lot of experience being around the MMO game for years. And so, you know, I have input on just various aspects of the business and stuff like that. And so right now they just kind of, they place me where they need. Are you going to move to Asia full-time? It's not my plan to move to Asia was not my intention.

So the way things are shaping up is that it looks like I travel down there for one show, and then I end up staying until the next show. At least that's what I did for the last show, because Victor Cui, the president of the organization, had some business to do in New York, but there were some press conferences that needed to be conducted in both the Philippines and Malaysia because we have upcoming shows there this year. So while he was in New York,

I actually went to both the Philippines and Malaysia to conduct the press conferences and each of those places. So it's not my intention to move to Asia. I'm a never-say-never kind of guy, but no, that's not on the radar for me. I'll bounce back and forth between the states and there. The promotion is very Asia-centric, and correct me from wrong, I don't think that you speak, you know, Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic, they were in the Middle East. I know they were in Abu Dhabi. So is it hard for an English-speaking face of an organization to get the message across when you're over there?

No, not really. Actually, I'll tell you, I was surprised just traveling. And here's the tricky part about this scenario is that one of C is of Singapore. They're Singaporean-based. They're out of Singapore, which is an English-speaking nation. That's the first language in Singapore. And the second language is whatever the native tongue is parents is. but every place we go is a different place.

We did a show in Dubai recently, and then we had a show in Cambodia, and then the next show is in Kuala and Poor, Malaysia. So each place that we go is a different language. So me, best in time into learning, say, Mandarin, for example, would not necessarily do me any good because that's only applicable when I'm in China or Taiwan, and there are other applications as well. but you face these, you face that in every country that we go to. So they do a lot of, most of the work that they do is conduct it as English as the first language

because you go various places and everybody has their own language, but English is kind of the commonality for business. And plus they do, all their shows are done in English broadcast. So all the broadcasts work that they do that they incorporate me into is all done in English as well. One of the interesting aspects, in my opinion, of the organization, organization is that they have adopted the pride rules. So things like soccer kicks and knees to a down opponent, things like that, you know, they're all legal. How do you feel about that? Since you're a UFC guy and those things are illegal over there. And, you know, soccer

kicked, we've seen them, you know, very recently. They're very effective, but maybe at first glance, it's very brutal. How do you feel about it? Listen, it's not exactly the pride rules. I think in pride, if I'm not mistaken, you're actually allowed to stomp to the state. But you're not allowed to do that. And the rule set that they've adopted is called the global rule set. And it was an adjustment for me because my entire career has been operated under the unified rules. And, of course, I've had these debates with my friends and stuff about how much it would change the nature of MMA if you're actually allowed to knee a down the opponent to the head or something like that when you stuff a shot or whatnot. I saw, the first show that I attended was in Singapore, and I saw an actual down-de-pon ticket kicked in the head.

And when I witnessed it, you know, at first, I mean it was shocking because I just hadn't seen that in so many years. But when I sit and think about it, really getting kicked, I've seen guys that have been kicked standing on their feet and just clean, knocked out to the point where their body stiffens up. and it's really not much different when you're getting kicked on the ground. The difference is you just have to really pay attention to your head placement and where you're doing things. So, yeah, I mean, it's an adjustment, but it does tend to make the fights a little more exciting. You know, it's interesting. In my opinion, Ben Asgren is the face of the organization,

probably the most popular, well-known fighter, and it's interesting because he is not of Asian descent, yet he is always in the news. He does a great job of promoting a business. himself and the brand, especially as of late. And I joked with UFC President Dana White at UFC 177 that maybe you can help bridge the gap between the UFC and Ben Ascran. A lot of people want to see him in the UFC because he's a top 10 guy and undefeated and very dominant. What's your take on Ben Asking right now? As far as, you know, how he goes about selling himself

and kind of the issues that he has with Dana White and how vocal he is about him. And would you try to bridge that gap or would you prefer that he stays in one FC? Well, listen, either way the gap gets bridged, it wouldn't matter. I think that for Ben, him fighting under the global rule set is probably more advantageous for him. Ben has a great top game. He knows how to control people and keep them on the ground. And that, the ability to knee an opponent in the head or kick an opponent in the head, which I've not seen Ben actually kick somebody in the head, but being able to,

to control him from a cross-out type position and still land knees and stuff like that makes his game more effective. So I think that if that gap was going to be bridged, the best way for that to happen is to do that under the global rule set anyway for Ben, honestly. Do you think, though, that he's going about his career the right way by picking these fights

with, you know, arguably the most powerful man in the sport? Yeah, but, you know, listen, to each his own. I'm not the kind of person. Listen, I'm the kind of guy. I have a job. Ariel, you know me. I have a job, and I'm paid to do a job, and I do my job. I don't talk trash about the people that I'm fighting.

I don't talk trash about the people that are representing the organization or anything like that. I just don't have bad things that say about people because my decisions are mine. But there are different athletes, and different athletes represent themselves a different way. When I was sitting on Holt, I heard you talking about. Tito and Stefan, for example. And Tito is a perfect example of somebody who was constantly bludding heads with Dana White, and just is a very outspoken individual. And that works and has worked well for him.

So, yeah, I believe that if Ben is, if this is Ben's character and he's staying true to who he is, then it works. If not, and he's putting on this facade and trash talking and all that kind of stuff, then no, it won't work for him. The UFC was just in Japan, and there's a huge lack of MMA over there, right? I mean, back in the day, Japan was the epicenter of mixed martial arts, K1 and pride, and it slowly fizzled, and, you know, there was Dream and Sangoku, but now there's pretty much nothing, and OnefC has never been there.

Are there plans to go there? Japan's on the radar. I don't know if that's going to happen in 2015. I'm not sure, but it's definitely on the radar of places to go. And just, I mean, that's one of the challenges that one-FC, and not only is one-fee building their organization, but they're also building an infrastructure of MMA with, with, they work very closely with various other smaller shows all throughout Asia and different gyms that they're tied to to help the Gulf fighters and stuff like that. One of the things, one of the other things I do for them is that when we go into a new territory or a region or something like that, myself and Matthew, who has coached me for years,

he and I will oftentimes end up at schools and basically teach him in ours to do fighter development, different stuff like that. You know, I'm wondering what's your take on the current state of MMA because it's a very interesting time with the UFC, obviously putting on more shows than ever, and then you have BELTER coming up, and 1FC is really the only successful,

at least right now, or the organization that is continuously running events at least here in the United States, people are paying attention to over there and, for the most part, Asia. Do you think it would be a mistake, given all the MMA that is going on these days in North America, for one FC to ever consider coming here? Should they just stay as far away from North America as possible? I don't know if I would consider that a mistake. And I don't know for expansion once they, listen, we,

One of C has a very strong hold on Asia right now. And I've sat down in discussions with the powers it be, and we've had talks about that. And basically, just capturing Asia alone, when it hits its full potential, 1SC could triple the size of any organization in the world just in the capturing of Asia by the mere population, just that population alone. So that is the primary goal, is Asia at this point in time. At some point in time, they may want to put a show on in the States, but, you know, first things first, we just recently signed a 10-fight deal with China,

and we're doing a show at the end of October on the 31st and mainland China. It'll be the first show, first major out, the first major promotion that's, you know, not Chinese performance, promotion to be done in mainland China. And we're doing at the Olympic stadium there in Beijing. Wow, that is huge. And I know the UFC has tried to get there as well. You guys

beating them to the punch. So congratulations on that. What does all of this mean for your MMA career? Your fighting career. I know you said that you wanted to have one more fight, but that was kind of before this came to the table for you. So do you still want to fight again? Yeah. Listen, my

fight career and my career with one of a year separate, I'm obviously I'm a contracted fighter with UFC. And there's no question from you about this, but obviously if I fight again, it would have to be with UFC. But I get questions all the time about, you know, am I fighting for one FC? Am I going to fight for them? And I can't. I'm a contracted with UFC.

And listen, Ariel, there are days. I still train almost, I train basically daily still. And I don't let myself fall out of shape, you know, from my reputation, what kind of work ethic I have. And that stuff just doesn't go away. So, you know, I'm constantly doing the things I need to do. And, yeah, there are days where I wake up and I'm very hungry to fight. But I have a job here, and I just spent three and a half weeks out of the country, and juggling things is going to become ever so difficult for me.

So if it's something that I'm going to do, I really need to make that decision. I'm coming up on two years out of the cage enacted. And, you know, you just had that made a comment to Michael Chandler about three, you know, three years out of the cage and the ring rust and all that kind of stuff. So don't think that these factors that I think about that they're not in the back of my head somewhere. But in theory, yeah, I would love to take my last fight. Do you think there's a chance, though, that you may never fight again, that you might come to a point, you know, all right, I'm 40 now, you're 39, but you're about to be 40 and say, you know,

all right, that ship has sailed? Is that possible? Yeah, listen, it's possible. I don't look back and I don't have. have regrets or anything that are unfinished business or feel like I need to. I've never felt like the kind of person that needed to avenge a loss because I can avenge a loss if I want to, but it never re-races that loss anyway, so it's still there. So I'm satisfied with the things that I've accomplished in my career. And if I were never able to fight again, I would be okay.

I'm fortunate in the sense that mentally I'm capable of moving on to a new thing. in my life and not like hanging on to something when I physically am not capable of hanging on any. So I believe that my body is physically good enough to run another fight camp, and it's not a couple more fight camps if I wanted to. But I am at that point where it's like, if I do one more fight, that definitely will be my last fight. I would not be the kind of fighter that would announce retirement and then decide a year

later to come out of retirement. It's just right now it's a matter of finding the time and making sure that taking a final fight is not, does not supersede the fact that what I'm doing now is setting me up for, for the future. Do you have a deadline in place? Like, you have to decide by this time? Yeah, I will have to decide before the end of the year, for sure. Okay.

And what are you leaning towards? I juggle. Honestly, I juggle. If you ask me one day, I'm like, let's do this. And if you ask me the next day, I'm like, oh, yeah, yeah, maybe. Do you have a dream scenario? Like, if this opportunity presented itself, that would, entice you to get back in there?

No, not really. I just, honestly, I just think of some sort of epic battle. I look at, like, my fights against, like, Van der Leigh, for example, both of them. They were great fights, very entertaining. The kind of fight that had you on the edge of your seat, you know? And that's what I would look for as some sort of matchup like that, something that the fans would want to see, and I would just want to go out, go out in style, so to speak.

It's funny. You mentioned Vandalee. He just retired on Friday. you know, amid a lot of controversy, and who knows if this is really the end, but it sounds like, at least for now it is, what were your thoughts when you saw that? Are we talking about the fact that he retired or the comments that you made? Let's go with the comments. I figured you'd take more controversy now. Since you gave me the opening.

Yes, since I gave you the opening. Well, if I didn't give you the opening, it was going to come after that. When you look at that era of fighters, my era. of the Vanderleys, the Randi's, the Dan Henderson, the Matt Hughes is like, we are a dying breed. And, you know, if I fight again, I'm kind of like the last of the Mohicans, so to speak. And so I wasn't shocked to see Vanderlay retire. Looking at the comments that he made about the UFC and all that kind of stuff,

it's unfortunate when I read comments like that because a guy like Van der Leigh didn't have very many negative things to say about the UFC during his career. So it just looks like he's leaving and he's bitter. But as an athlete, that's what happens as an athlete. You can talk to athletes in any sport, any organization, and there are pressures. There are pressures to play a game of football when you have an injured ankle, pressures to take a fight when you're not 100%. and it's part of the game.

Does it suck that that's part of the game? Yeah, but it's just that's the life of an athlete. So it's one of those things that you have to deal with. With the good of this job also comes to bad. Two last things that we appreciate the time very much. What is the status of your juice business? Zeeland, you launched that not that long ago. How's it going?

So that's a great question. I sold my cafe and I was working on that. Yeah, I had a call with my business partner before I had jumped on on this call. And basically, you know, the cafe was doing what it was doing. It wasn't open that long, but when I was offered this position with one, I see I really started looking at the amount of time I was going to be able to spend there and all that kind of stuff. And my business partner and I would, we've come up with this idea for increasing shelf life

on cold press bottle juices. And so he's working on that aspect of the business with all the lot of, of testing for our juices and stuff like that now. And when we started looking at the cafe and the fact that I wasn't going to be around because I was kind of the backbone of the paperwork of that thing and whatnot, we really started thinking about what the repercussions of me spending time overseas, plus my training schedule and whatnot is a factor in that as well. And it just didn't make sense.

So we basically decided to sell the cafe. And in the meantime, we're taking our juice recipes, and then we're going to be pursuing this idea that we have. And if it works out, we have a big idea on our hand. And if not, then it was a gamble. Wow. All right, that's interesting. Good luck with that.

That's interesting detour to where, you know, I remember just launched not that long ago. One last thing, you mentioned Matt Hume. His latest, you know, champion and project, Demetrius Johnson is in action this weekend at UFC 178. And I'm curious if, you know, he's not listening and he doesn't need any of our advice. I mean, he does his thing and he's successful as a fighter. but he's in an interesting spot because, you know, as a paperview draw, he hasn't connected with the fans. And he has his own way. And you could try to talk to him about it all you want. He just has his own way. He's not going to talk trash. He's not going to go out and call people out and whatnot. What is your take on Demetrius and the way you see fans react to him? Because he is so dominant. He is so good. And at the end of the day, you say, if you can't appreciate this, then what do you appreciate as an MMA fan? Do you just like talking? Do you just like brawls and trash talking and all that stuff? If you can't get behind a guy like that, then what?

we have to sort of question, you know, where your interest really lie. Do you ever look at a guy like him and say, wow, you know, it's just amazing to me that people haven't gravitated towards him or do you get it? Yeah, no, I do think that. Listen, Ariel, I never had much trash talk to say during my career. That was my whole philosophy, much the same like Demetrius. And I've known Demetrius for years. I used to train with him a little bit when I spent some time off at AMC.

And that's the whole thing. Like, I have, when you're a champion, like Demetrius has 25 minutes of scheduled time that he's just going to flat out punch somebody in the face. And I think about this. I think, like, it's amazing how the appetite for, if you want to call violence or whatever, is just never quenched for a person because you think, like, 25 minutes, I'm going to watch somebody just punch somebody or two people punch each other in the face. And I should be happy with that. But for whatever reason, we as a society are drawn to things like the little scuffle that Daniel Cormiere and John Jones got into at the way in. And then suddenly, when something like that happens, your interest gets peaked as if the two of them getting into a fight before the scheduled fight that they're going to have is going to make the scheduled fight any better. Did you think that both athletes were only going to come to the fight at 90% and now suddenly it's like, oh, you know what?

I wasn't going to train that hard. but now I'm really motivated because I'm mad at this guy. It really doesn't change anything, but for whatever reason there's this dynamic within our society that we're like, oh, man, I got to see this. This is going to be good. If anything else, if anything, those scuffles and all that stuff before the fight, they just creates a worse fight because then people come in possibly emotionally charged

and they're throwing haymakers and their technique kind of goes out the window and they're not just thinking as clearly or performing as cleanly as they would the other route. So, you know, everybody's different. I see a guy like Demetrius, and the reason why I got into this sport, before I even started thinking about the UFC and started thinking about winning a title and all that kind of stuff was for the purity of the sport. I loved training martial arts. I love the pursuit of excellence. I would go into, when I was training traditional karate, I would go into the dojo and I would work like two moves of Akata for like hours and hours and ridiculous amounts of time. I was the first guy on the karate deck and the last guy off all the time.

And it was that work ethic that earned me a title. But that's what my motivation was about. And being mixed in the sport for so long, you get involved in the business aspect of it, that you begin to lose that appreciation or that love or that passion from sports because it all becomes like, you know, I need to win this fight so that my contract is this and that and you have all these other worries. And being out of not having a fight now for. a couple years.

This really brought me back around full circle to training and truly, truly appreciating martial arts just for the simple fact that I can pursue excellence again in martial arts. Like, I just want to make myself better just to be better, not to make myself better because I have to beat this next opponent. And I think that because Demetrius is not going to talk smack or anything about an upcoming opponent, that he thinks the same way. I'm going to go in the gym and I'm going to worry about me. I'm going to make myself better.

and I'm going to perform on fight night and everything else will take care of itself. And I think that as long as he can maintain that kind of focus, that he'll continue being successful in the cage. Now, whether or not the fans will ever connect with him, I don't know, because like I said, we have an appetite for destruction as a society. Thank you very much, Rich.

Really appreciate it. Good luck with 1FC. Good luck with the new Juice Venture. And also good luck as you make that decision whether or not to fight again. Early, happy birthday to you as well. we appreciate the time. Always great to talk to you

and I hope to talk to you soon. Yeah, for sure. And I apologize now just because it took us forever to line this interview up. I know that we had a lot of problems. But thanks for having me on, man, and I'll love to do it again.

All right, my pleasure. There he is. Rich Franklin stopping by a legend, a future Hall of Famer, no doubt, former UFC middleweight champion. Okay, hey, let's keep this class train moving along. One of my very favorites in the sport

of MMA, a man who I actually called out in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, unfortunately respond to the challenge still i i think so highly of this man one of my very favorites really i every time i see this man on fight week at any kind of venue it uh brightens my day a true gent uh... a mensch if you will and a man who has seen it all in the world of combat sports the ufc's VP of regulatory affairs mr mark ratner joins us right now mark how are you

hi ero very very good uh... happy uh... first of all happy new year coming up so i want to give that to you before we start and uh... what a great interview with rich I thought that was wonderful. Thank you very much. And Shana Tova, to you and your family as well. You know, as I mentioned, you've seen and done it all on combat sports. I'm wondering, we begin this week, UFC 178, one of those. You know, these days in MMA, there are a lot of events,

and some of them all kind of bleed into each other, but this feels like an event. This feels like a big deal. What does Mark Ratner feel on a Monday before one of these? Do you still get the juices flowing? Do you still get excited for these events? Especially this week. This is, there's a lot of fun fights.

I just saw Connor running through here on Friday. He was, he was so excited. And I'm certainly looking forward to seeing Eddie Alvarez fight a cowboy. And then, you know, with Mighty Mouse and Carrie also. So it's a fun, fun card. But what really is intriguing to say is finally Dominic Cruz is coming back, and he's going to be the, I guess, the last fight on the prelims. Yes.

It's really something to say. So, no, I'm excited for this. and I'm working on Mexico City at the same time and Sweden, but yeah, this is a big week for us. Also, interesting, we talk about comebacks, Dominic coming back, Katzenegano coming back. This marks the Nevada return of arguably the greatest ref of all time, Big John McCarthy. He had been, you know, involving some issues with Nevada, but with this new regime, they brought him back. What are your thoughts? Do you think this was long overdue? Yeah, John is certainly one of the best referees in the world and has been,

And I'm glad to see him working. It's going to be a good card. I haven't seen the assignments who's working what fight, but you'll certainly see him. Both he and Herber on this card and a couple other referees. Now, this is good, and it's great for the sport. Does this mean we will now see John, you know, a ref, more events that are taking place overseas

where the UFC acts as the governing body, the commission, if you will, because, you know, we haven't seen him in the, those situations. And I know the UFSI always likes to try to go, you know, with Nevada. And if there's an issue there, they won't try to, you know, across Nevada, so to speak. So does this mean that we might see him pop up in Macau, Japan, et cetera? Certainly he'll be in that possibility. My goal, when we're in Europe and self-regulating is to use more English referees. Now, we were in Japan last weekend. I had a German referee in there. I had some

Australians and some English guys, and I used a couple of Americans judges. I'm trying to spread it around, but certainly there's a possibility that John can be in a foreign fight, yes. Would you prefer to never have to do that, to never have to act as the commission in your dream world, would you rather all of these countries, these cities across the entire world would have their own commissions in place who are able to do this on your own so that you take all that responsibility away from the UFC? Yes. Our goal is, it certainly is not to self-regulate, but our other goal is to really grow the

sport. So until we're able to do that, we'll keep self-regulating, but yes, I think it's really hard to have an arm's length as I'm still a promoter, but I can do all this stuff. We can self-regulate if we have to, but no, that's just. The long-range goal is to not do that. How do you, you know, it's 2014, 2015, rapidly approaching. What's your take on the current pool of talent that you have to work with as far as referees and judges are concerned? Do you feel like, you know, there are young men and women coming up that are talented enough to,

and educated enough to referee these big-time events? It's not, you know, this is not the minor leagues. This is not the NBDL. This is the major leagues, the Super Bowl of mixed martial arts, the UFC. And sometimes I feel like we see people. in there who do not deserve to be in there or don't have the credentials or don't seem to have the experience or the confidence to be in there. How do you feel about the crop of talent that you have to deal with right now?

Well, I really agree with that. Now, when I self-regulate, I have a great idea of who's working and who we bring in. But when we go to some of these smaller commissions, they want to have their guys work, too, and I can't demand that they don't use their guys. So every once in while, you'll see some people you don't recognize. I have them. notes on every card for the last eight years on who I've seen. And if a guy doesn't do a good job, if we're in the state of Maine, or we're at Foxwoods, where they have commissions or wherever we might be, and somebody didn't do good or somebody did real good, I have notes on him. And then I can speak from having watched him and say to the commission, you know, that official was really good,

or he didn't do a good job, and we would prefer not to see him if possible. But I think we are growing the pool, though. It is a little funny, though, right? Because, you know, I always use this example. When the NBA went to Oklahoma City for the first time, that didn't mean that the local OKC referees get a shot at the big time. So why is it that when the UFC goes to a place for the first time, that some local guy who has no experience, let's say it's the UFC's first time there,

they've never done a UFC event, they've never done even a Bellator event. They get to be in there with the best in the world. It makes no sense, right? Well, we've never had a guy making his debut doing that. Not debut, but has never, you know what I mean, never done a UFC event. No, no, that's very true. Unlike the NBA or the NFL or the MLB, they don't have state control. There is no, if you come to Nevada and have the NBA, where they bring their own officials.

Same thing in the USA basketball. They'll never use local people. local, but I do get to run the clock, which is another story. So they do use local clock people. But, no, if we didn't have, if we had one overriding state or national association, we could probably do that. But when you have 45 different athletic commissions who all want to be involved, it makes it a little bit tougher.

Prior to September 5th, it had been a long time since the UFC ran on an Indian reservation. and you were back at Foxwoods, and it's unique because, you know, they have their own commission, and then down the road at Mohegan, they have their own commission. What was it like working with the Foxwoods crew? It was very interesting. They have some of their own rules that we had to make sure they understood that the unified rules are the rules we go by. Just as one example, they had a super heavyweight division that started at 245,

And they said if a guy weighed over 245, he'd be a super heavy weight, and you could not fight a guy under 245. So I had to say, look, there is no such rule as that. And then we talked it over, and they didn't go with that. But overall, it was a great experience, and it was a fun night there, and I really enjoyed being with them. And we know the president of the hotel very well. He's a Las Vegas for many, many years here.

So it turned out to be a good event. An interesting news story over the last few weeks was, of course, when Dana White decided to remove one of the judges in Macau. And then afterwards, almost as shocking was that he came out and said, my bad, I shouldn't have done that. I don't have the jurisdiction to do that. How big of a no-no was that? And what was, if there was one, that conversation like with Dana to remind him that he cannot do that? Well, it's an impossibility to ever do, and he'll never do it again. And it's the fan in him.

He is so passionate about the sport when he feels there's a wrong. He wants to correct it. It so happens he didn't get all the information and the correct information. So this won't happen again, but it is a complete no-no. I've been in college games refereeing football where I've had a coach telling me, well, if I could get rid of you right now, I would. Well, they can't do that in the NFL. They can't do that in the NBA.

What happens? though if you get enough bad bad marks on your name you don't get rehired all these all these contracts in all the major sports are year to year so uh there's always always a way to get rid of a bad official

but not during the event that judge Howard Hughes the judge in question will he ever work a UFC event again absolutely uh he was scheduled to work in Sweden though uh he won't be able to do it there there are some other I think he had some other things going with him,

but yeah, the next time we come to Europe or somewhere, sure. He was confused, or the communication was confused. It wasn't Howard Hughes in the second fight that had the wrong score. Right. So he was unjustly maligned in the press, but he's fine, and he's a solid judge. He's probably worked 30 UFC events. Now, can you explain to people why that is such a big deal?

because at the end of the day, the UFC, is acting as the regulating body. Dana White is the president of the UFC. Why can't he do something like that? It undermines the whole regulatory process. If a judge is judging and is so worried about that the promoter or the owner or something's going to say something, you can't have that. It's just the wrong message to send. And as I said, it won't happen again.

I love Dana's passion, though. and if I would have been there, I would have certainly talked to the judge and say, look, you've got to be better than the next fight. And then maybe not used them again, but that wasn't the case. And I was in Tulsa, and these things happened. But very, very rare. And I don't remember ever happening in any other sport and it won't happen to game. You recently told ESPN.com that the UFC will be, or ZUFI, I should say,

the parent company of the UFC will be implementing a random out-of-competition drug testing, program later this year. Now, where do we stand? And I know you've, you know, as a company, have been interviewing some independent bodies, and you're going to pick one at the end of the day, and they're going to run with this thing, and I think it's great for the sport. Have you picked one? Have you decided which company you will work with? No, I've had some proposals from different ones. I've had some in-person or telephonic talks and one in-person meeting. We're still in the process. One of the hold-ups will be the actual, if a fighter test positive, the arbitration process,

how it will be dealt with in every state. We have to make sure that if somebody is suspended, that all states will honor it, which they should, and foreign countries also. So there are some logistics, but we are going to do something. I'm very confident. It may not be by the first year, but it will be right after that, but we are in the process and everybody here is bought into it, so we're going to do something. It's just a question of when. So can you break it down? I mean, the UFC is going to pay X amount of dollars to

some kind of independent body to run with this and they'll have nothing to do with it afterwards? That's correct. How much money has been set aside for this? Well, I can't get quite into that, but we all like to get paid that kind of money. And let's say, you know, it happens next year. It's around April or so. It's UFC, I don't know, 196. Will the entire card be randomly drug tested leading up to the card, or will there be just a few fights,

maybe just the main event that's zeroed in on? Well, that'll be up to the drug testing company that we select, and they will randomly test, and it's all out of competition. And just so everybody knows, out of competition testing is for performance-enhancing, drugs. So we're not talking about illegal street drugs. We're only talking about performance enhancing. And if somebody had smoked dope in February and he's fighting in April, it's not relevant to what we're talking about. And this means also you zero in on at a competition.

Even if you don't have a fight book, but you're under contract, you can still be tested, right? That is correct. You know, an issue has come up recently with Vanderley-Silva, and it will be addressed tomorrow at the next Nevada Athletic Commission hearing where, you know, he was asked to take a random drug test. He essentially ran away from the test. And now his lawyer is saying that, look, he was not a licensed fighter. And it says in the statute that Nevada only has jurisdiction over licensed fighters. And they say, well, you know, you were being promoted. And it's not quite that cut and dry. It's not quite that black and white. Of course, you are a former, you know, Nevada Athletic Commission executive director. So where do you stand on this one? Do you think

Vanderleigh has a strong case here because he wasn't, in fact, licensed to fight in Nevada just yet, even though he was being promoted for July 5th? Or, once again, Nevada, who did this with Vitor Belford, do they have a stronger case because he was being promoted and everyone knew that it was essentially a formality that he would be fighting in just a few weeks? Well, first of all, there's never an excuse to run away from a drug test. And to the commission itself, that's an admission that something's wrong, that there's some guilt involved. So technically there's some questions here, and it could go to a higher court.

But on this new drug testing policy, we'll have something in their contract saying that this could happen or will happen. But no, I was very disappointed. That Vanderlade didn't take the test, and I know he's retired now, and it will come up tomorrow. And what a zoo is going to be tomorrow because you're going to have, at the meeting, you're going to have Floyd there, as well as John Jones, as well as Cormié, and the ghost of, of Vanderley. Yes, and it will be aired live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 1130 Eastern Time. So do you side would Nevada here, even though he wasn't licensed?

You can't run away from a test? That's my feeling, exactly. You can't just do that. It just looks so guilty, and he can say it in understanding English. You can understand English. It's good enough to do these interviews. Do you think John Jones and Daniel Cormier should be punished for their brawl? I believe they'll be fine tomorrow.

I don't know. I haven't talked to the commission, but in my history with the commission, we've had some of those and find them. It's the, God forbid. Usually it happens as a way in, very seldom at a press conference like that. What kind of fine? Oh, go ahead. Sorry.

No, I mean, at a way and it's even worse, but this was a couple months out and it happened. They can find anywhere from a dollar to $250,000. I just don't know what they'll find them, but I think it'll be certainly in a five-figure range and could be mid-five figures. I don't know. I think it'll be interesting to see.

Back to the drug issue. Do you think that there is, in fact, a drug issue in MMA right now that needs to be rectified? I think that this year-round testing, and other competition is very important. Unlike baseball, if you're taking a performance-enhancing drug and hit the ball further, that's a big advantage. But in fighting, whether it's boxing or an MMA,

and you're chemically stronger, and you win a fight that you may not have and hurt somebody and test positive, that could be a criminal offense as well as losing the fight or becoming a no contest. So I'm all for out of competition testing. I want a level playing field, and I believe in it with all my heart. How concerned are you with the state of weight cutting? And we've seen some issues as of late, most notably Henne Barrow.

Does this need to be looked at? And what guys are doing, you know, there are some states like North Carolina where you have to weigh in twice. And, you know, thank God there have not been any disasters in the UFC. And no one has seriously hurt themselves. But, you know, with the way guys are cutting weight and how much they are cutting weight, something could happen. So how big of a concern is this right now? It's a major concern. First of all, we lost a big fight out of it, so that's a big concern.

But what I see, and when we first have a fight signed, and so they all know six weeks, seven weeks out, for the most part, well, the fight, like on Saturday night is our fight here in Las Vegas. All the fighters will be here tomorrow. As soon as they get here, we weigh him, and we say to them, hey, you've got to lose eight pounds or 10 pounds. And we get a listing. And always consider me when I see somebody's 15, 16 pounds over on Tuesday. I know these guys have a wrestling mentality. They know how to cut weight.

But I think that you are playing with something you shouldn't, and I'm hoping for that day that we do have something more enforced that they can't come in that heavy. But it's usually on Tuesday when we first know. Do you think that will come? Is that something that is seriously being discussed? Yes, very much so. To lose a fight or have guys in weak and condition

it's certainly not a good way to go. Two last things, and this has been great. Thank you so much for the time. You know, back at Foxwoods, this was talked about a lot. The UFC used the smaller cage, and there's data that shows that the smaller cage usually leads to finishes and exciting fights. We saw two heavyweight fights in the smaller cage.

and they didn't last very long at all. What's your take on smaller cage versus larger cage? Should the UFC go to the smaller cage? Because, again, the data shows that the fights usually end up in exciting fashion and usually finishes, or are you okay with the larger one, which I believe will be used this weekend in Nevada? Larger one will be used. The only reason we've been using a smaller cage

it's in these nightclubs or show rooms, and you don't have room for a bigger cage. So if you have a fight here in Las Vegas at the hard rock or the palms, you'll probably see the smaller cage. But this weekend for sure, you know, if guys want to swing, you know, just like Mark Hunt last weekend, I really don't know how big that. I think that is a big cage. And Roy and him with big heavy weights, they had no problem hitting each other. Should the fighters know in advance, though, what size the cage will be?

Well, I would say if they know they're fighting in a nightclub, that should be a pretty good hint. But if they have a question, all they have to do is ask. But sometimes I believe in Tulsa, pretty big arena, and that was the smaller cage, right? I believe it was, and only because we probably had two fights that night, and maybe the bigger cage was in Ireland or wherever it were. Okay. I believe it was in Macau. Or Macau. Remember, the now infamous...

It's very hard for me to where we are, except I know I'm in Las Vegas this week, and... and then Halifax is coming in Sweden and next week. Right. And finally, any update on the glove situation? There had been some talk of improving the gloves to lead to less eye pokes. Is a new glove coming? Century is our manufacturer, and they've made a couple prototypes that not exactly right. You've got to be able to use your fingers still, but we don't want the fingers to be straight.

We're trying to have a curve, but it's more of a process than I thought. So they are working on it, and then we will, once we get the prototype that we think it's right, then we'll send it around a couple gyms and let the fighters try it. Okay. Well, looking forward to that, and do you think that will happen in the near future, or are you still some several months out? I haven't seen Century here for about a month. I think that we might have a prototype, maybe October, November, not that far out way.

And once we think it's right, then we'll, like I said, we'll test it. out real thoroughly. Mark, thank you so much for the time. I really appreciate it. I know I've been hounding you for the last few weeks to get on the show. I'm very inquisitive, and I wonder about these things. I stay up all night, worried about them. So I appreciate you.

And I want to make it very sure. I was willing to do the whole thing. Get wet, have people pour water on me for ALS, with Bruce Buffer. I had it all figured out, but Bruce didn't want to do it that day, right under the Paul Bunyan statue right there. but it didn't work out. I don't blame you.

I have a bone to pick with Bruce. I defend him a donation. Yeah, well, I appreciate that. It was very nice of you. I have a bone to pick with Bruce. I'll take it up with him when I see him in Las Vegas. Always a pleasure and an honor to have you on again. Happy New Year to you and yours, and we'll see you in Las Vegas.

Okay, so long. There he is. Mark Ratner. Great insight there into the world of regulatory affairs for the UFC. All right. We're talking about Las Vegas, the eyes of the MMA world, squarely on Las Vegas this weekend. It's UFC 117.

and in my opinion, as you probably know, I got some questions about this. People asking me, what is the people's main event at UFC 178? Are you kidding me? It all started with one man, one man from Dublin, Ireland. Prior to his fight against Marcus Brimidge, just what, a year and a half or so ago, that was the first ever people's main event. Connor McGregor versus Marcus Brimidge was how this whole thing started. It's not quite the main event, but it's what the people are talking about. And I do believe that even the numbers, would would show this, even the countdown views right now, just like 12 hours since they've been posted, are very much in favor for the Connor McGregor, Dustin Porier, fight.

Everyone's looking forward to it, including myself. And we're going to talk about it now and then some with a couple of people who know Connor McGregor very well. We'll go to the magic of Skype right here. Here we have Artem Labov, who is nicknamed, I believe, the prospect killer and the Russian machine, something of that nature. at least this nickname is starting to gain some steam. And he's joining us now, the Russian hammer.

There it is. He's joining us right now from Las Vegas. And you've been with Connor and you're a sparring partner of Connors, and you are there helping him get ready for UFC 178. So, Artem, I want to thank you for joining us right now on the show. Thanks for having me, Ariel, and it's nice to be here. Well, you have been in the news a little bit because you're trying to get into the UFC. And so we'll get to Connor in a second.

but there's an interesting video that was posted, not that long ago, of your coach, John Kavanaugh, who I believe is somewhere in the vicinity there. You guys are in a hot tub. You're living the life over there in Las Vegas, and John is trying to make the case for you to step up on short notice to replace Robert Whiteford against Dennis Seaver in Sweden,

says that you deserve a shot. You've won six of seven as a featherweight, and it's time for you to get a shot in the UFC. What's the status? Are you going to get that call from the UFC? Well, as of now, I haven't heard anything from them. I'm obviously trying to get the fight for a number of reasons. I mean, this is how I got my nickname, the Prospect Killer.

I fought when I only had a second fight, I fought one of the best featherweights in the UK on four days' notice, and I beat him. And no one expected me to win that time, but I managed to pull the win, and that's how I got my nickname. So this is a very similar situation. it's something that I've done many times in the past step in on short notice and come in there and just steal the show

so that's why I want to get this fight I obviously know Dennis Siverr is a very good fighter but I think I'm the perfect opponent for him in this situation there isn't that many people you know stepping up there's so what's up Ariel how are you John look at you living the life over there the pool there just threw on the gown I'm about to call the bullet get some breakfast so I'll be back in a moment.

Thank you. Appreciate it. It's a hard life out here. Yeah, I can tell. So you were saying before he interrupted you. Yeah, so that's what I'm saying, that, you know, I'm always ready to fight. You know, I'm a hard fight for anyone. I believe I can give a hard fight to anybody.

And I think I can beat Dennis Siever. Whether I will get the chance or not to prove that, I'm not sure, but I would love that so much, you know. So is there something about Dennis that makes you want this fight, or do you just want to get into the UFC? Well, first of all, Dennis, they were already fought an SBG fighter, and he lost. It was Arnie Isaacson. This was a long time ago, but I would like to remind him once again what it's like to face an SBG fighter. So that's one of the reasons. And then again, this is one of those that I love being part of, one of those fights that I love being part of, you know,

last minute, no one expects me to win. No one is giving me a chance, and I come in and I prove them wrong. I've done it many times before, and I just want to do it again. You know, your nickname is a great one, the prospect killer. I mean, that is brilliant stuff. And, you know, on paper, you're going out there. You're trying to pick a fight, and the UFC typically loves that. And especially, you know, the Irish fighters these days, the fans really get behind you guys

and things like this have happened before, most notably recently with Neil Siri. But then you look at your record, and according to Sherdog, it's 10 and 10. And I inquired about the status of this fight and your prospects of getting the fight. And the response that I was given was, well, he's 10 and 10. It's a tough sell. What do you say to those people who say that you're just a 500 fighter? What do I say to them is that? Into the deep end of MMA from the start, you know, I've only been fighting a professional for three and a half years,

and I managed to get 21 fights in that short period of time. I have fought all of the best European guys out there. If some guy is not on my record, that's because he was scared to fight me. Because I sure as hell has called him out. I've asked for everybody. If you look at the UK top 10 fighters, they're all on my record. I thought everybody in the case. There is no one there left for me to fight outside the UFC.

So do you think you'll get the fight? I don't know, Ariel. I hope so. I hope that I get a chance to prove that. you know and talking about records what about mark hunt what about Matt Brown look at their records when they you know started fighting in the UFC and look at the careers they've had and some water and you bring up a very good point a strong point there and so i'm curious to see if the UFC actually comes calling because no one right now is actually going out there and asking for this fight of course

they have their list of guys and they have their names and oh there he is once again john kavanaugh how are you Do you want to weigh in on this, John? Yeah, as well as that, like, of everybody, Connor's always brought Artem with him for his fights for the warm-up. And I guarantee you, if we could get video of the warm-up, because all Connor does for warm-up is fight. He doesn't hit pads, he doesn't move around, he does fights. And him and Artim have five-fives before every fight he has in the warm-up room.

And that's always the tougher part. We're always joking saying, Artum's always jealous of his opponent because his opponent usually gets about a minute. and then he's panned out, whereas Per Arthamere has to go five-fives of him, and he's able to take it, and he's able to have a back and forward. So honestly, to fight someone like the German midget is going to be almost arrested from the steroid midget as Connor is a nickname. I think he looks more like, you know, that guy in 300 and he can't make it into the Spartans? Why do you like this fight so much, John?

Why do I? Yeah. I think the styles match up well. He's got those spinning kicks, and he's more of a striker than a grappler. And Artem is known for his unusual striking style, which bizarrely came from his ballroom dancing days. That's actually a fact. That's not a joke.

Before Artim did martial arts, he was a professional ballroom dancer. So he's got an unusual sense of balance and movement. He stands both feet parallel, hands by his hips, and just relies on his head movement, and on his fox trot to get out of the way, which he does very well. So I can just see him standing in the middle of cage with that stance, beckoning in the German and making him miss and putting in his own shots.

And you ask around the European circuit, there's really one name that'll come to the top that's willing to fire anybody. And he said, is that a couple of losses where he's been held down by 55ers? He's six and one in his last seven contests against featherweights, two of those big knockouts over, two of the highest ranked Europeans, Martin Svensson and Andrew Fisher, two big wins. Who else is out there screaming for this fight? Not a whole lot of people.

He's had a full training camp because he's being Connor's number one, sparring partner for this. What else can I say? He's ready. Let's do it. I like the ballroom dancing fact. I think that's maybe another nickname he should now employ. I mean, the original, the true twinkle toes.

They used to call Frank Trigg that, but it seems like it would apply to him a whole lot more. So, John, you are there in Las Vegas. In fact, I saw some pictures of you taking selfies alongside Connor and Dana White as you guys were watching the fights in Japan. So, you know, you have their ear. Can't you get the fight made? What are they saying to you? Yeah, we're put it this way. We're attacking on all fronts.

Connors with Uncle Frank and Bigel. I'm hassling Shelby. Artem's on here. harassing you like we're we're we're it's a multifaceted attack and um you know let's see i think shelby's back today from tokyo he was over there i was harassing him but there was i guess the time zones and godzilla attacks going on or whatever he wasn't really replying to me but i think he's back in Vegas now so we're going to after this we're jumping in a jumping in our limo getting her driver to bring us over to zuffa offices we have some placards ready we're going to be we're going to be

standing outside screaming at Shelby. So, yeah, we're just doing what we can. We're just doing what we can to get this fight. I believe Artem out of, you know, of a lot of top fighters, but I believe he deserves it. He's the next one that deserves to be in there after the army that I've already put

in. Just what he's done over the last while. I know a lot of times in the European circuit guys don't get the recognition, whereas in America you can be three and one and get into the UFC. Artem's had over 20 professional fights. out of his last seven featherweight contests for the MMA nerds out there that were trying to correct me

fed away contests he's six and one and um you know let's do this he's ready i love and tell me something errol yes yes yes you obviously watched the fight mar kunt versus roy nelson right yes yes yes mark hunt was what nine and eight did you care about his record while that fight was happening no you didn't you were just being entertained you were like wow this fight is amazing and nobody cared about his record. You know, this is entertainment business. At the end of the day, once that KH store closes, it's all about entertaining the fans.

And when I fight, I have even 90-year-old grandma's jumping off their feet. I get 100% where you're coming from. Although it's a tough comparison to make because Hunt did win the K-1 Grand Prix and he had fought, you know, Fador and whatnot. So we knew about him. We knew about his resume. You are not as well-known here in the United States. What about Matt Brown then?

Sure, sure. No, I get what you're trying to say. When Matt Brown got in, he was like 7 and 6. No, I totally get what you're trying to say. It's sometimes more, and the UFC has said this before. You know, it's not always whether or not you win fights. It's how you fight and what kind of excitement you bring to the table. So I get what you're trying to say.

You've been helping Connor prepare for this huge fight. I know he's not there right now, right? He's not hiding in or trying on suits. No, no. He's in L.A., I believe, no, doing his media tour or something. Right. So what has it been like? Because it's been a quick turnaround for him.

How prepared is he for this fight? Oh, trust me when I tell you. I used to be good looking before I met Polona, right? Then I started sparring this guy, like, and this is how I turned out. Yeah, he seems ready. I mean, I've been there for him for a lot of his camps. I mean, even before he got into the UFC, you know, the Dave Hill fight, you know, all the fights on the European circuit.

And then I was there with him in Sweden for the bringing. image fight, you've seen how that, you know, happened. So, yeah, and he's just getting better and better every day. So he's on a whole new level now. Oh, and there he is. John, you know, it's interesting that you come up now because I wanted to ask you, you guys have come such a long way. I mean, you know, people are asking me, wow, you know, the SBG team in Dublin. I was there. I still glow about that event. You went undefeated and you were very much in focus all week long, and it turned out great for you. Now here you are in white robes and sweets in Las Vegas. I mean, is all this getting to you guys? Are you going Hollywood on us?

in the gym it's the same like when we when we when we when we go to the gym nothing changes although the gym we're using over here is very pretty sweet as well but that aside when we step on the mat's glove up it's you know there nothing has changed for that if anything this just makes has made me and all the guys and especially the guys that haven't got in yet just a little bit hungar because to see what's they see what they're close to achieving and close to getting also. So, yeah, it's a good life, but we know what it was that got us here, and that was the easy part as far as I'm concerned. Now the hard part is staying here. But as for the Dustin fight, I'm particularly excited about this one. I don't think Connor showed himself in the Brando

fight for a bunch of reasons. Brando is a difficult guy to look good against because he's always charging forward and he's wild and emotion, whereas I think Dustin's a bit more men. measured and that's going to be a great canvas for for connor to paint his latest masterpiece and people will people will know after that fight just what he's capable of i think but what were you unhappy with in that fight i mean he finished him in a matter of minutes what can you actually say was a negative uh we literally like um that evening i went home early connor went home early and we were just WhatsApp, you know, like a message each other online. Yeah.

And we had essays back and forward about all the mistakes in that fight. There was just, it was kind of hurried and there was some uncomfortable exchanges that I wasn't happy with. There was shots a little bit short and it was just, it was a bunch of things in that fight that I know wasn't him. And no, in credit to him, it was, you know, did the knee surgery, a year out. You know, it was all these, all these little factors that came together. But that's all done now. No excuses. This one, that's like the warm-up. I actually think Dustin was the tougher, or excuse me, Brando is the tougher contest style-wise, but he was the warm-up. Now Dustin is going to be the exclamation point on why he deserves that title shot.

And, you know, there's no denying that this is a big deal. It's pay-per-view. He's very much in focus. It's a bigger fight, a bigger opponent. How is he dealing with all of it? I mean, on paper, you know, we see the guy is, you know, he's so confident and he continues to get more and more confident. His interviews are very entertaining. He's dressing better than ever. But, I mean, you get the sense ever that all of this is getting to him at all? not not not not a single given that's a little it's a little gift him and good he have it's just nothing nothing gets them or some of other guys might get not that it's nervous because

I I am I compare it with it's almost like asking a musician oh you're singing on Saturday night to 10,000 fans are you nervous? No one asks as a musician are you nervous about getting on stage and singing? That's the whole point. That's the whole point of, you know,

their whole life has been leading up to putting on a performance and being admired and people like listening to them sing. So, you know, a musician doesn't get nervous about getting up on stage on Saturday night and my guys don't get nervous about getting up stage on Saturday night. Someone who might get over-excited, you know, as they're kind of learning their trade. But for Connor, like I say, he's about to put on a concert.

How long have you guys been there for? Oh, in Vegas? Yeah. Almost two months now, is it? Two months? I'm just kidding. No, I'm kidding. We'll be here about all and all, about three weeks by the time.

Not long enough anyway, yeah, yeah, yeah. You're getting used to it. Have you seen the room? Well, I saw some of the pictures. Yeah, it looks fantastic. And why are you getting this kind of treatment? I mean, and they're sending him out to Brazil. Are the UFC favoring Connor too much?

I'm going to answer that question. All right, fair enough. Favoriteism. Yeah. Okay, well, how about this? You're over there for around three weeks. You've got Artham there with you, so you're keeping close tabs on him. But what about Gunny?

What about Calpendrit? You know, what about Patty Houlihan? What about these fighters who aren't there with you? Do you feel like they're getting the preparation? Because they're all fighting very soon as well. Yeah, yeah, yeah. See, this is something we've been doing. on the European circuit before we came to, you know, America.

Like, it was every weekend I had guys on various shows around Ireland or the UK or whatever. So we have a very slick machine in place that, you know, it's able to continue without, I don't have to be, you know, it's not just about me. It's we had, like, for example, Patty Hulahan has Ashling Daly. She's probably one of the most experienced M&A martial artists in all of Europe. forget about being female. So she's working with Patty for that. Cahill and Gunny continue training and sparring together up until last week. So, you know, that's a pretty good to-sum.

And the likes of Chris Fields and these guys watching the sessions. And, you know, obviously I'm in Sweden, Ashling Daly, and, well, it was supposed to be Artem going to Halifax with Patty, but we're hoping that he'll be joining me to Sweden to take on the German. and get another name in there, another guy in there, totally different style to anybody, anybody's ever seen. Just check him out on YouTube. Look at this bizarre style.

I sit there in the corner. I have no idea what's going to happen next. So I know nobody else does. I have a feeling he's going to get this contest, and it's going to be fantastic. Yeah, it's a very interesting time for you, of course, this Saturday and then October 4th, as you mentioned, two fighters in Sweden, one in Halifax.

Artem, what's your prediction for Saturday? How do you see it unfolding? Connor versus Dustin? Yeah. Well, it's 100% going to be first round K.O. Wow. Now, we have our own bets, obviously. Ian Aron has a day against each other, what shot is going to be.

Because Conner has, you know, his arsenal has improved. You know, he's added so many things to his arsenal right now. So it's really hard to predict what it's going to be. But it's going to be something spectacular. I know he wants it to be something spectacular. and usually whenever Cona wants something, it happens, as you've seen over the past few years. So what about you? What do you think? How do you think that's going to go? Well, you know, I'm going to take a couple of days to think about it, you know, because I want to see them in person.

I want to size them up. How about that? How about that answer? Ariel on the Fentilani. That's your flight name. Hey, John, I'm a little worried. I got to say I'm a little worried as far as you are concerned, because since he made it into the UFC, Connor, you know, the Brimwich fight, and of course, Max Holloway and then Diego Brando, he has appeared on this show before every one of those fights. And yet, perhaps Mr. Hollywood is too big for this little show now because we could not get him. Is this a bad sign? He really wanted to be part of this conversation, but he got dragged over to L.A. He's doing a couple of TV shows there today to promote the fight because, let's be honest on the car there's one fight that's being talked about more than any other so

they're obviously you know they want him to bump up those numbers like he does but yeah no he was he was he was um he wasn't too happy that he was going to miss his conversation it would have been it would have been kind of funny for him to be part of it but we don't believe in superstitious we don't have a smelly jock strap that we always have to wear around like that we it's just it's just a fight at the end of the day and he he's the 21st century soldier with a rifle a mile away and Dustin standing in a field with a two-by-four with a rusty nail sticking over. It's a mismatch and you'll see that on Saturday. We'll come back on next Monday, the three of us, because we'll be in this room again and me and Artem will say who got the call right on the finish

and hopefully we're announcing Artem's on the card as well. Well, you are now on the record, so if he does in fact win, I do expect that to happen and remind him, when he gets to the top, Don't forget to send the elevator back down. You know, us little people were not big time TV, but we were there when. Artem, one last thing. You want to say anything to the people? Perhaps Sean Shelby, I know he's a big fan of this show. He watches it all the time.

Anything you want to say to them as far as why you should be on this card in just a couple weeks in Sweden? Oh shit, John, I forgot the blueberries. That's a very good job, Artem. Yes, that's a nod to the first ever Connor interview. Yeah, well, all I want to say is that I'm not. there to entertain the fans. It's an entertainment business. If they have me on the card, I'm going to have Sweden on their feet. You know, everybody's going to be talking about that fight. And that's

going to be the people's main event. Just like Conner stole the show there, first time in Sweden, I'm going to do the same thing there. So give me a shot and see what I can do. I love it. You're going to see something that you've never seen before, 100%. Well, I sincerely hope you get the fight. You've done a great job of getting your name out there, both you and your coach, John Kavanaugh. So I hope you do get the fight in just, you know, what is it, like 12 days from now. Pretty cool that you're calling them out and asking to step up on such short notice. So good luck in that endeavor and good luck to you and the team this Saturday against Dustin Porre.

I hope to see you out there in Las Vegas. Thanks so much, Ariel. All right. Thank you, John, as well. I don't mean to interrupt. Oh, okay, there he is. Thank you, John. Thank you very much, Arrell.

Thanks for having us on again. All right. All right, all the best to you guys this Saturday. We'll see you out there. Cheers. There they are. John Kavanaugh and Artem. LeBov checking in from Las Vegas, a big weekend coming up for the SBG team. This weekend, of course,

against Dustin Porier. And then October 4th, they have Gunner Nelson versus Rick Storing the main event called Pendret also fighting on that card in Sweden. And then our good pal, Patty Houlehan, making his Canadian debut in Halifax. He'll be cornered by Ashling Daly of Tough 20. So interesting times for them. Good luck to Arden trying to get that fight. All right. Let's move along. very interested and excited to talk to our next guest. He is facing Alistair Overeem on December 13th, Fox UFC Saturday, the 13th edition of that installment, and it's taking place in Phoenix, Arizona,

but it's interesting. It's two Dutch fighters going toe to toe. It's Alistair Overeign versus Stefan Struve in a very intriguing heavyweight fight, and we're talking to Steven Struve right now here on the MMA hour. Stefan, how are you? I'm doing great. Thank you. How are you, Arler?

I'm doing great. And it's great to hear from you, and thank you very much for taking the time. All right, before we get to the fight, of course, we have to talk about UFC 175, because there was a lot of intrigue, a lot of excitement about your return to the cage after your heart issues. And then just moments before your fight against Matt Mitrione, we got the word that you could not fight, that you had apparently fainted backstage. Can you tell us, because I haven't seen a lot of interviews from you since then, can you tell us exactly what happened?

No, it's correct. This is actually the first time I'm doing an interview again since that fight. You know, we took a lot of time to really take a good look at what exactly happened. And I think we figured most of it out, if not all. So it started when we were still in the hotel room, I started to feel a little dizzy and not well. And, you know, it took me a little bit to get over that. And then I ate something. We went down. I felt better. we actually went to the doctor from the UC, Dr. Davis, and we told them they checked me, and everything was good, all the functions were good, so it had nothing to do with my heart.

So we went into the locker room, started the warm-up, everything went well, and I went into the bathroom, and I was just walking back and forward, and then, you know, the tension just became more and more out of nowhere. It's just incredibly something I've never experienced. And I just fell over, fell onto a bucket of ice against the wall. And I just didn't know what happened, you know. And, of course, the first thing I thought was, you know, my heart because I went through so much with my heart.

And of course, when that happened, my heart started pounding like crazy. I lost control of my breathing. And when the U.C. then came in and told me that, you know, they canceled a fight. They couldn't let me fight like that. Of course, you know, it got. even worse. So it, um, yeah, it really sucked that day. And, um, you know, we took a good look at everything that happened. And yeah, I think we figured it all out. And I can't rate to, to fight

December 13. Really close, um, close this, um, this book full of bad things happening to me. So what exactly did happen? You said you took a look at it and you understand what happened. So what happened to you? Yeah, well, of course, when it first happened, I was really ashamed. I, I didn't know what happened. I didn't know what to make of it. Then the next day, my team, actually the night after my team, when I sit down to, you know, talk about everything that happened, they came across a couple of people. They knew from Ireland, and one of them told him that he was using the same medication as me. Then he told us that he had to stop with it because he got into depression because of it. The medication was.

messing with his hat big time, especially when something stressful would come up. You know, he was getting very emotional, mood swings and all that. And then the next day I hear a similar story from one of my teammates who knows someone also used to fight in MLA and Ireland, who is also using that same medication or used to use that medication. And he told him a while back that, you know, I should be very careful with that medication because he had some serious trouble with it too. So, you know, then I started to, you know, look back at the last year since I, you know, used the medication.

I really, you know, looking back, saw a lot of things that, you know, looked like they, you know, could have been caused by the medication. And there's just like four or five side effects that I know of now that I had from the medication. I wasn't aware of at that moment. because the medication was doing what it was supposed to do. It was fixing the problem. The leakage became less and less in my heart, my heart strong. I was feeling better physically.

But mentally, it did something with me that, you know, I didn't pay attention to. What did it do? All the side effects I had, the mood swings. I had a dry cough for about five or six months. and when something stressful would come up like a stress test with my heart, I would go to the hospital, and the week before I would just be sick and bad. You know, my stomach would be incredibly painful,

like someone was squeezing my intestines, and all that is just gone after I stopped with a medication. But, you know, the thing that happened in the fight is that the stress you normally have just got multiplied by, you know, well, it's hard to say how many times. But, you know, I couldn't deal with it. And it was something I've never experienced. I was always able to, you know, control those emotions. Before the fight, control the stress.

And, you know, it's a stressful job. But I was always able to do it. And, you know, my record is proved that. But it was uncontrollable that night. I just – and it came out of nowhere. I thought I had it under control. And then it came back and my body just froze. And I fell over.

And luckily, I was able to kind of catch myself on that back of ice because else I would have planted my face against the wall. So that was the only thing I was quite happy with that night. What's the name of this medication? List in April. And the week I came back from the U.S. a couple days after my flight, I switched medication. And it is listed as a side effect,

but it doesn't show up with a lot of people. But then again, there's not a lot of people that have a stressful job or, you know, the amount of stress with their job I have, you know. And then, of course, you know, a lot of things happened in my life before that. And then all that together led to what happened. So, you know, we took a good look at that. And, you know, the medication was one step. I'm also working with an awesome mental coach, not only for me, but also is assigned to the

UFC and the fans that I'm really doing everything I can to come back and make this successful. So you're not taking this medication anymore, right? No, the day I heard of it, I wanted to stop with it, but, you know, it is important that I take it for my blood pressure. Right. There's an awful lot of different medication to control your blood pressure and to control the problem I have. The only thing is there's a lot of other stuff in all the kind of different pills to make it a pill. and I was just over-sensitive to some of the ingredients of the pill that I used to take. And with the medication I'm taking right now, I just feel a lot better.

I have a lot more joy in life. I was really, I lost a lot of joy in life, too, which is really not feeling like doing anything a lot of things. Or going somewhere, you know, looking forward to doing something and going somewhere, and just, you know, my mood would completely change when I would, you know, drive over in the car. It was crazy for training, for instance. So, yeah, I'm happy I got rid of that. And I really hope that, you know, this is the last of it. And I really plan this is the last week.

I've been training really hard. I'm in shape, and I can't wait to put down a show December 13th. So you don't feel like you're short-changing your body. Of course, you want to fight and, you know, you want to continue your career. but by not taking this, you're not putting yourself at risk at all? Well, I'm taking medication. Yeah, but this particular one, like, was this the best one? Was this the best one?

And for some reason, you had these side effects? Like, are you still, you know, treating your body correctly and dealing with the blood pressure and all that in the best way possible by not taking the medication? You're not short-changing your body in any way? Oh, yeah, no. I actually went to see my doctor in Holland about four weeks ago, and my heart's drunk even more with three millimeters, and it doesn't seem like a lot, but for your heart it is,

and the leakage has now gotten to a point where if it goes down even more, you only see trails of the leakage, you know? So it is going really good. This was just the first medication they described when they found the problem, and there's a whole bunch of different ones. If someone doesn't feel good with this one, they'll try the next. But because I didn't tell them, you know, about the side effects, but I had no idea the side effects would cost by the medication, you know.

And our doctors... It was something really important to find out. Yeah, absolutely. I'm wondering, our doctor is 100% certain that this, you know, that it was the medication and what happened to you before the fight had nothing to do with your heart? Well, you know, your heart cannot... you know, cause something like that out of nowhere, then there needs to be, you know,

there needs to be something wrong with your heart in a way that it stops or that, you know, the blood flow to your head stops, but it wasn't that, you know, it was the medication messing up my head and, you know, my head messing up my body, so. And it had absolutely nothing to do with, with the doctor from the UFC and from the State Commission immediately came in and checked all my vitals. everything was good, you know, my heart weight was a little high, and of course, you know, I lost control of my breathing because, you know, it scared me that I just, you know, dropped down like that, but, you know, immediately when I heard about the medication,

I felt a lot better, and it made a lot more sense for me what happened, you know, so. Dana White posted a video blog not that long ago, and they showed some behind-the-scenes stuff, and they focused on what happened backstage, and obviously you were very upset, and you were quite emotional. I was devastated. Can you take us back to that moment? How did you deal with it? I mean, did you think at that moment

that your career was done? How were you reacting? Because it's very rare, especially a guy like yourself, a giant in a way, to see you, you know, crying. That was the thing I was thinking. You know, I didn't know what was going on.

I wasn't able to really think about it the way I've done right now. The only thing I thought was, I just dropped down, you know. I was out with a heart issue. Nobody's going to, you know, want me to fight again. And no matter what, I think this is it.

You know, I'm not ever going to fight again. After all, I've been to, and after fighting so to get to a point where I'm at right now and, you know, really be in the top of the world. I want to showcase my skills. You know, I don't want this to end right now because of something like this, something you cannot control, you know. Yeah, I didn't know what to think. So I was really, you know, devastated and emotional.

And also, you know, even more emotional because of the medication. that can, you know, really cause strength in the motions. So it was just a really bad experience, but also something I really learned from. And, you know, I'm hoping to use it, you know, to my strength in the future. It's rare as human beings to experience something like that and then relive it several weeks later

and the world gets to see it as well, you know, on the internet. What was it like for you to watch that again? You know For me it's no secret For me I got nothing died You know People you know You know reached out

Were really supportive of me And you know They really want to see me back And I really appreciate it All the all the You know all the nice messages So You know

I wish it would have never happened But I cannot do anything to change it You know So Was it tough to see yourself like that? Was it tough to watch it? I've been through tougher times, you know? Yeah.

I was there when it happened. You know, my dad passed away several months before that. I was diagnosed with a heart condition, told that my career was over. So, you know, I've been through a couple of hard things, you know. So, you know, it's not fun to see yourself like that. I'd rather see myself running circles in the cage after knocking someone out. or getting a submission of the night bonus, but, you know, I plan to get that on December 13th.

One of the nice moments in watching that, for me at least, was seeing the way Matt, you know, came over to and was obviously very understanding. And it was just really, I mean, you guys are just about to go fight each other and punch each other in the face. And, you know, Matt has been sometimes criticized not being mature and saying the wrong thing, but I thought that was a really cool moment.

I don't even know if you recognized it in the moment because you were so distraught. But what was it like to see that? your opponent coming over there to console you. No, it was great. He came to my old hotel room after, too, when I calmed down a little bit, and we talked about it, you know, we agreed that, you know, if all goes well and you get this under control and it's safe and blah, blah, blah,

and, you know, we'll get the fight at some point, you know. And, you know, you understood your heart is an important thing in your body. And at that point, we didn't know about the medication. He was really respectful. and, you know, I never really have had anything bad to say about him. You know, I've never really had a bad experience with him. So, no, he's a great dude, man. He handled it with, you know, the best possible way.

You seem very excited for December 13th, and you seem to be in a good place. But I'm wondering if in the back of your mind you're a bit dreading fight night or at least before fight night comes, you know, being in the locker room and all that, just to get over that hump because it has been a long time for you now this happened at UFC 175, like, do you feel like you might be a little more anxious right before the fight because you've experienced all this? Well, maybe, possibly, but the only way to find out is to fight, right?

Yeah, yeah. So you have no reservations or anything like that. No reservations or anything like that. Nothing's holding you back. No. You know, the moment I heard of the medication, you know, that really meant for me that there was nothing I could have done to stop it, you know, knowing that it could cause something like that.

I felt really good leading up to the fight during fight week, especially after weigh-ins. I felt amazing. I couldn't wait for the fight to happen. And then just out of nowhere on fight, I started feeling like that, and then it happened, you know, what can I do about it, you know? There's nothing you can do about it. It's like you take a long drop or, you know, you go to a party, you take some sort pill. You know, I've never done that, but I've seen it happen with people, and now I really

understand what happens, so. Yeah. How long did it take for you to snap out of it and start focusing on the next fight? Because I'm sure for some time, you know, you were obviously very down after what happened there. So how long did it take for you to start focusing on the future? You know, it took a couple weeks to really refocus and really get an appetite to go back to the gym, of course. What I said, I felt really ashamed at first, of course, you know, everybody's looking forward to watching a fight,

and then something like that happens. But when I heard about the medication, that took a lot of the stress away, and then, you know, I started to focus on the future. We started to have conversations with the U.S.C, and everything was starting to look better and better. And, of course, you know,

I switched the medication the week after a fight, and I started feeling better and better immediately. It's just something you put in your body that makes you feel that way. You cannot do anything to stop it. It's just messing with your head. And, you know, it is what it is. So I'm really happy with fun of course. It's a scary thing to think about, too.

You know, it's chemicals you put in your body, and that costs something like that to happen. So scary, scary stuff. This over-ring fight is a very interesting one for many, many reasons. What was your reaction when you got the call that he was your next opponent? My manager contacted me in the morning and told me that Dana gave him a call and let's connect after training.

So I immediately got really excited, hoping for good news. And, you know, the only thing I wanted to hear is you got an opponent. I don't care who it is. They can give me whoever, whenever, you know, I'm ready to fight. I'm ready to put down a fight

and step in that cage with the attitude you guys seen in the past. When, you know, I don't care who it is. he's going down December 13. Do you have a history with Alster? You both are from Holland. Do you know each other at all? Have you ever trained together?

Yeah, well, he reached out in the period when all the bad things happened to me in my life too, you know, multiple times. So we met each other a couple times in Holland, but not a lot. We've never trained together. A couple of my old teammates actually fought him. before he got into the UFC in Strike Force and all that

a whole bunch of years ago. But we don't really know each other that well, you know. For Holland, there's only two heavyweights in the UFC that are Dutch. So for Holland, it sucks that those two heavyweights are going to fight each other. You know, the good news is that, you know, someone from Holland is going to win the fight December 13th. Yeah, well, I'm wondering, were you kind of, were you a little bummed that this was the first?

that you were getting. Very excited to be back, very anxious to get back in there and happy. But of all people, Alster, did you think that? Well, the only reason I was bummed was, you know, what I just told you. Yeah. You know, he's Dutch, I'm Dutch. That's the only thing. But for the rest, you know, it's competition. And in competition, you compete. And in our competition, you punch each other in the face. So, you know, it is what it is. What's your take on what he's been going through? You know, he just lost to Ben Rothwell

and a lot of people would say that his UFC career has not gone as planned. He's been knocked out, of course, by Travis Brown and Bigfoot Silva as of late, had that one dominant win over Frank Mear, but he's lost three of four, and again, there were high expectations, and it just hasn't worked out that way, and some might even say that this is do or die for him. Like there was some talk of maybe the UFC parting ways with him after the Rothwell fight. Are you surprised with how he's been fighting as of late?

surprised you know the competition the level of competition in the UFC is just really I yeah I said that to my friends and two people who asked me

before he got into the UFC and said he's going to absolutely dominate and he's going to be champ for years he's going to annihilate everybody I told them you just wait and see how high the level of competition in the UFC is you really you know underestimate that he was beating everybody outside of the

you see, but if you go through his record and also in the K-1, if you really take a look at when he won and who he won against, then I'm actually not that impressed. Who did he really win against in the period where people were saying that he might be the number one every win in the world?

Yeah, he beat for Bishire Doom, but was that impressive? I didn't think so. Yeah, he won the K-1, but he won the first round against a mediocre fighter. Then he beat Gokon-Saki who had a broken arm. Then he beat Peter Arts, who was pissing blood. after his fight with semi-shield. You know, if you take a really good look at it,

it's not all that impressive. You know, he was winning in the impression fashion, but not against the best guys in the world, not in the UFC where the best talent is, and it always has been. So do you think he's overrated? Overrated? No, he's got skills.

When you let him fight his fight, when you let him come forward, when you let him pressure you, he may be the best guy in the world, but I won't let that happen, so. Do you think he has a weak chin? I think that's really, you know, an easy thing to say in a heavyweight division. You know, with guys that hit that hard with such small gloves.

The best example is this weekend, I think. Everybody was pretty surprised when Mark Hahn knocked out Roy Nelson with just one punch, you know? Yeah. Of course, there's guys that seem impossible to knock out, but actually can be knocked out, you know, Mark Hunt himself has been knocked out too. With chin, I'm not sure. I just think that if you get punched in the face by a 280-pound guy, then if you stay in your feet, you're doing a good job.

But with shit, I don't know. We're around two and a half months away, but when you think about the fight now, how do you see it unfolding? Unfolding. Well, what I just said, you know, when you let him pressure you, when you let him come forward and let him do his thing, then he's one of the best fighters. world. That's not going to happen. I'm going to pressure him. I'm going to put him up against the fence,

and, you know, I'm going to take him out from there. I'm going to pressure him. I'm going to hurt him, and I'm going to make him quit. That's how it's going to go. You know, it's interesting because you have not fought since March of 2013, but as we've been talking about as of late, the heavyweight division is wide open. After Verdume, there's no clear-cut number one contender. I think that given what he has done as of late, if Steepamey Ochoich gets by Junior Dos Santos on that same card on December 13th, he may be the number one

contender, but if you look at your record, you beat Steep Amiochich in very impressive fashion. So do you kind of think that a win over Overeem and maybe one more, and you're right back in there in the title picture despite the fact that you've been out for a long time? Oh yeah, for sure. You know, and the things people only look at

the period I've been through and forget about the period I had before. Look at the fight with Mark Hart. That's what people are doing right now, but they forget that I was pretty damn sick, you know, before the fight. I didn't know my heart condition. I was fighting with a pretty heavy flu and a jetluck in my body. I couldn't get out of my system, and I didn't know why, but now I do. And if you look at the fight, I gave him.

I nearly beat him. I think if you look back, I had full mount twice. Normally when I get full mount, I win the fight right there, but I couldn't. The feeling I had when I was in Fullmont the first time I was pounding away. I saw her being stepping in and take a closer look and then my arms just stopped. Do you know that feeling when you wake up at night and you've been sleeping on your arm and you cannot move your arm? Yeah, yeah. That's the way it felt.

That's the way it felt. That's my entire body just shut down. You know, if you look at the third round with Mark Hahn, my body just, I had trouble just standing up right, you know. So people forget about, you know, the streak I had before. people forget about the fact that I'm only 26. You know, people, if you look at the heavyweight rankings right now, every heavyweight in the top 10 is over 30, in the top 15 is over 30.

I'm the only one well under 30, you know, and I'm coming. You know, I still plan to be champ in the coming years. So, and, you know, I just need to run through, you know, a fellow Dutchman on December 13. And, yeah, if you look at steep in meos, I agree. If he wins, I see him fighting king or who are doing whoever is going to win the fight, you know, and I see him as the next contender. I beat him. And, you know, that just shows that I could be there, too. If all the bad things didn't happen to me, I really believe that I would

be read right, you know, right up there. By the way, a listener, Eric Wollaniuk reminds me that Alastair Overeem has only been submitted once in his MMA career. There's officially two, but from a, you know, from a submission, a jiu-jitsu move, so to speak. He was submitted via Kimura. For sure, we're doing. Exactly. Back in May of 2006, is this something that you're maybe looking to get? Is this a feather that you want in your cap?

Oh, it would be good for sure. But, you know, whatever pops up in the fight, wherever I see the opening and finish the fight, that's one of my specialities, just finish the fight. when I get the chance to do it. And it will be awesome to submit it for sure. But, you know, I actually saw some things online that, you know, really motivated me. They say that I don't really have the power that our other heavyweeds do.

So they weren't sure if I would be able to put them to sleep. So I'm motivated to prove those people wrong and show that, you know, I think I already did that in the past. but there's some serious power in my face. So you're reading the critics, the haters? No, not all, you know, but now and then you, you know, when you, you know, like me, I take care of them on Twitter. Okay. Take care of my on Facebook.

So now and then you read something, you know, and I stay away from most of it because, you know, a lot of it is just, you know, not useful to read, and you just get tired reading all that. But now and then you read something, you're like, okay, it's time to plan an uppercut on someone's shit. Well, Stefan, I think I speak for everyone. So happy to hear that you're okay. So happy to hear that you'll be fighting again. This is a fantastic matchup, a really fun card that they're putting together on December 13th. Three very important heavyweight fights, your fight, Matt Mat Matreone versus Gabriel Gonzaga,

and also Junior Dos Santos versus Steppe Miochich. So good luck in the fight, good luck in training. And best of luck to you and your family, and of course, I hope everything goes well, and that we do get to see the best Stefan Strouve on December 13th against Overeign. I promise. I wouldn't stop in that cage show. I promise it's going to be an awesome performance. Thanks for having me on the show, Ayo.

All right, always a pleasure. There he is the skyscraper returning to action on December 13th in Phoenix, Arizona. That is going to be a fun weekend for the UFC, because on December 12th, It hasn't been officially announced yet they did ask for the date, and all signs point to it. December 12th on a Friday will be the Ultimate Fighter 20 finale, I believe in Las Vegas, and then Fox UFC Saturday, number 13, in Phoenix the next night. So who knows? Maybe we'll go to both of those.

That'll be fun. Of course, next up is UFC 178. We do have one more interview to go, but that's in a bit. In around 30 minutes or so, we're going to be joined by Mark Hunt, the aforementioned. Super Samoan, the aforementioned KFC King, and how did we forget to not mention that it was going to be the KFC King versus the Burger King this past Saturday in Saitama? A great win for Mark Hunt. He's waking up early to join us. Hopefully he doesn't sleep through it. I don't blame him if he does. But he'll be joining us, or at least scheduled to join us, in around 30 minutes. For now, let us go inside the vault. And I thought of this one for two reasons. It had been requested several times over the last couple of weeks since we've been doing this.

this, and the man in question was just booked to have a fight on December 20th. Remember when Michael Bisping defeated Kung Lee? I actually went on Twitter and said the fights that make the most sense next are Michael Bisping versus Luke Rockhold and Liota Machita versus CB Dalway. Lo and behold, as he usually does, Joe Silva ended up booking both of those. It got a little dicey for a second when they were flirting with the idea of Machita versus Rockhold, but then cooler heads prevailed and they went with Rockhold v. Bisping and Dalloway versus Machita. In case you missed it, it's going to be Dahloway versus Machita on December 20th in Brazil. So I thought about this interview.

When it comes to Machita interviews for me, this one really stands out. It was UFC 113. We were in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and it had just come to light that Liotto Machita enjoys drinking his urine every morning when he wakes up. His own urine. Peas in a cup, drinks it, and he feels like this is beneficial to him. Well, his father, Shenzhou Machita, was apparently the brains behind this operation, and a very unique guy and had been, you know, talked about a lot on the countdown shows and whatnot leading up to Machita's fights. Well, Leota Machita going into UFC 113 was the UFC light heavyweight champion. He last defeated Maricio Shogun Huah, UFC 104, in a very controversial fight, a fight that a

lot of people thought Shogun won. So the UFC made an immediate rematch, and they put it in Montreal, of all places. So it's May 5th, 2010, just days before UFC 113. Everyone very much looking forward to this rematch between Shogun and Machita. And at the end of the media day, at the Marriott in Montreal, I happen to see Machita's father, Shenzhou, and I also see Ed Sores. So I ask Ed, do you think it would be possible if we could do an interview with Shinsou, about this practice of drinking your own urine in the morning? Ed said, well, I'll ask him. And Shinsu said yes. I didn't expect what happened to actually happen, but it took a very interesting turn, a very memorable turn, and it's one that I'll never forget.

So here it is. Me interviewing Leonardo Machita's father, Shenzhou Machita, as well as Ed Soros, who is acting as Shenzhou's translator in this interview on May 5th of 2010. Ariel Hawania, UFC 113 in Montreal with Liotta Machita's father, Yoshizu Machita, and of course, Lioto's manager and translator, Ed Suarez. And I just wanted to ask, there are obviously a lot of talk about the sort of training regiment of drinking your urine before. Why do you do that and what are the benefits to your body in doing that? For me, it's like a food. Because the day that comes,

the day that's all the food. The reason why is because it actually is a health reason. And what happens is when you eat and all the food that you eat and you digest, not all of it comes out. But when you drink your urine in the morning, it helps flush your system out. So it basically cleans your system every day

when you drink your urine. And did Michita do this every day leading up to this fight? Was he drinking his urine? Yeah, I mean, the reason why Lioro did drink his urine every day up until, you know, for this fight. But, you know, the reason he started really drinking his urine was about probably two or three years ago. He had this cough. He would take medicine, take medicine. He wouldn't get rid of it.

And he asked his dad, what should I do? And he said, hey, drink your urine. That's what's going to keep you healthy. And that's what exactly what he did. He drank the urine and within a few days, a few weeks, his cough went away and didn't have that problem anymore. Does he drink his urine every morning? It's a... It was a research of Brazilian, like a, like, you know, like, you know, sometimes when you take a vaccine for a disease, you know, you're taking it of the same of what you're trying to fight against.

And since the urine comes out of your body, then you drink it again, it's almost serves like a vaccine. It sounds like you're just as interested in this as I am. I see your facial expression. You're very much into it. Do you do it? I've never tried it. My partner's tried it, and he's tried to make me try drinking it. And I, you know, there was a time where they were talking about it, and I was like, you know what, I'm going to try it.

I'm going to try it. And I even went in urine in a cup, and then it was hot. And then my partner said, hey, it's better to drink it when it's cold. I let it get cold, and I looked at it, and I just couldn't bear to do it. I couldn't bear to do it. But I am interested in it. it's amazing to me. I just, I just haven't had the guts to do it yet. Tell you what, if Machita wins on Saturday, give us a promise right here. You'll do it.

You gotta go. You go three and a month. You have to drink the urine. You know what? If Machita wins, I'll try my urine. I'll drink it. All right. Nice. Okay. Final question. What does it taste like? The ghost, there's what, the ghost of the urine? A day that, as sometimes is salgated A day that's

Dioce Depends that you It depends That you go It's a day A lot of A lot of Olinia of

today I'm clean Limpra Why? I don't I don't I didn't I didn't

Fiscied Not feree Not so So my It's all All the day of May Two cups

Tomey I'm So I'm So I'm Two Oh He said that, you know, it just depends. Sometimes it's sweet, sometimes it's salty, it really depends on what you eat.

He says, as a matter of fact, this morning, my urine was very clean. And I asked him why, and he says, I'm not sure, but it was very clean. So I drank two cups today. Wow. That is great to hear. Next time I'd like to try it. Tempo of the Japanese, all people took. He says, during the war in Japan, all the Japanese,

these soldiers would drink their urine to help them immune themselves from whatever they were trying to fight on. There wasn't medicine back then, so that was their only form of medicine. Next time we cross pass, I want you to show me the proper way to do it, okay? He said, he says it's the first, pretty much is the first urine of the day. Dizze, what, you do? What, you do? What, you do? What, do you do?

If you want, I'll do it right now and drink something. Really? He'll follow you. Oh, wait, really? Right here? Okay. Here we go. Is he really going to do it?

All right. He says he's really going to do it. Okay, okay. Well, wait. He's going to do it. We're waiting. Mr. Machita is urinating in a cup right now, and he will do it for us. And we appreciate that.

Thank you, Ed. No problem. This is your partner, right? Yeah, why don't you come in? And you've tried it, right? Yeah, he's trying. Don't be shy. Don't be shy.

He's too shy. You've tried. I just want to know what it tastes like. What does it taste like to you? It all depends what you have eaten the night before. You know, like sometimes if you have a little bit of this, you know, like salt, you know, of course it tastes salty, you know. It all depends. But, you know, it's just a matter of a habit, you know?

Like I, right now, I mean, these days I drink right off the fountain, you know, before I have to be cold. Now. Do it every morning as well? Yes. Every morning. Yeah, yeah, every morning. You got to get on this, Ed. Yeah.

All the champions are doing, your partner is doing it. Okay, here he is. He's back with a full cup. Cheers. Cheers, cheers. Tell us. There he goes. And he's gulping in one shot.

I want to see it all in one shot. This is incredible stuff. Oh, and he's filled... Your thoughts, Ed. That was a large cup. A large serving. Now he's going to just watch it down. He's going to wash it out with some water.

He's enjoying himself. And there you have it. Mr. Machita, drinking his urine on a Wednesday afternoon in Montreal. You get it here. Speechless. On Fan House. There it is. Thank you very much.

How was it? Good? All right. Thank you very much. Good luck. Wow. So there you have it. I'll never forget that one.

A bizarre scene in Montreal, but a lot of respect to Shinso and everyone involved for doing that on the spot, urinating and then drinking the urine and showing the benefits of it. And then if you notice, at one point he kind of touched me on the shoulder. I was like, oh my gosh, I'm a huge germophobe, so it kind of rattled me a little bit. But that is one that I'll never forget. What a bizarre moment that was, but a very entertaining one and an unforgettable one. And it did not help Leodomachita, though, because just days later, he would go on to lose the light heavyweight title to Shogun Hua. He was knocked out in just three minutes.

and 35 seconds. In fact, one of these days, I'll show you another interview that is not related to Machita and Shogun, but very much related to that fight, one that I'll never forget as well. So a lot more to come. Hope you're enjoying them. And again, thank you to Shinto for that, because, wow, drinking your urine on the spot. And actually, as George said right off the fountain, is pretty amazing stuff. I've yet to try it myself. All right, let's move along. We're switching things up. I said in around 30 minutes we're going to be joined by Mark Hunt. I lied. We're actually going to be joined by him

now via the magic of Skype. It is 5.56am in Sydney. And Mark Hunt is an unbelievable person because this guy no matter the time is willing to come on this show, his favorite show, to join us. This time to we live an unbelievable knockout in Japan. Mark, good morning to you. Thank you so much for joining us.

Good morning. Hi. I'm doing great. How are you? You're still in bed. Yeah, me and my wife and my daughter. Oh my gosh. They must hate me. They must hate me. Good morning. Are they mad at me? Morning. Oh, good morning. No, it's up anyways, too, you know. It's my favorite show, of course, so you know, gotta be up. You know, that reminds me of my bed. Now we have four people. We have me and my two sons.

So it's always very crowded in the bed in the morning, right? we normally have our dogs as well with us but it's not enough room for them anymore there's too many kids the dogs have been bumped so again thank you very much we really appreciate it congratulations on the win did you honestly did you expect to be able to knock this man out this guy has only been knocked out once never in the ufc and what a KO that was an upper cut clean and you walked away did you really expect that uh yeah i can knock anybody out really you know because you know that's the way i feel about it. Of course, I've got to feel like I'm the best fighter in the road. I probably wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. So, you know, so I've got to really feel like that's all the time.

So, you know, that's what it is. When you landed that punch, did you know right away? I mean, obviously, moments later, seconds later, you walked away. But could you tell when you landed it that he was done? Yeah, I could feel that he was done. I was like, I don't think anyone would have got up from that one. I mean, I felt the same sort of feeling a few other times with hitting people and you can't really recover from that from all those punches I think it was a good shot man it was I'm a little annoyed

I'm a little annoyed at the referee he kind of screwed it up did you notice that he bumped into you and made you trip yeah well I think I went the wrong way I said it went the other way and said it that way no actually he pushed me over the lady guy bullied me over

to you know it wasn't my fault yeah he really perfect you know perfect good moment So I was like, damn it, why'd you have to ruin it for? No. Just a joke.

Do you think Roy Nelson fought you the right way? I don't know. I mean, I did, I mean, I was prepared for anything, really. You know, I did feel bad about poking and growing the eye. You know, that was a pretty good eye poke. I felt really bad about that. But, you know, I was accidental. But, you know, I mean, I was ready for anything for that fight.

You know, I prepared well. The weight cut wasn't that good, but, you know, we prepared well for that fight. It was good. It was good. Let's talk about the weight, because as you know, there was some reports that you were 19 pounds overweight, that you were in jeopardy of missing weight, yet you told me that you were okay. Afterwards, as you just said right now, you said it was tough. So were those reports true that you were 19 pounds over in less than 24 hours? No, they weren't true.

You know, probably about 9 or 8, but I wasn't in any trouble. all, you know, I just had to, you know, I was water loading, you know, water loading and it was only two days instead of the last time I was there was four days. So, you know, I told you the truth. I wasn't lying about that. I was no, of course I was going to make weight. You know, I would, there's no way in the world that I would make weight. It's my job to be on target and, you know, I'm a professional. I've got to be on weight all the time, so there's no excuses for that. do you think maybe your time off

go ahead so you know it's not like I'm a small guy that's got like those water they got no fat on them you know I mean those guys that do it real hard and I got I got no excuse you know because I've got a lot of extra weight anyway so you know do you think that your layoff contributed to this that you know

because you hadn't fought since December it was a little tougher well at this other camp at 153 kilos that's because I was eating too much chocolate and KFC and hanging out with the kids, you know. But, you know, I did start that came heavy and, you know, Alex and all the guys we worked really hard to get the weight down. Did a lot of zoo training, that's all we ever did. And, you know, I made weight.

So, like I said, I wasn't going to not make weight. It's not like, you know, I've got not that much weight on me, you know. So, you know, I had to do it anyway, so it was all good. What is it about Japan that always leads to memorable moments for you? Is there something in the air there? Do you feel more comfortable there? the people, the way they treat you. What is it about that place for you?

I've been in Japan like 80 times. You know, I don't mind fighting anywhere in the world. I just love Japan fighting in front of the Japanese people. You know, I've been there like a lot of, I've built most of my career. You know, the only guy I've been to win the K-1 outside of Europe over there. And they're fighting in pride and dream. That's some of the biggest organizations on the planet. You know, now it's a headline for UFC.

It's, you know, pretty amazing for my country on the fighter. You know, it's great for me to be able to spread the gospel, you know. That's great. Afterwards, you said that you want to fight in Sydney. That event is November 8th and Sydney, November 7th here in the United States. There aren't a lot of good options out there for you, but since you put it out there, I'm wondering, has anyone contacted you from the UFC about fighting on that card? Well, no, I was contacting me, but, you know, I was thinking of Josh Barnett for you.

When I was taken about Josh Barnett is, you know, he's one up. above me and number five. So, you know, maybe Dana's listening. Maybe he could put me and him on that show on Sydney, you know? I love rematches, man. I've never lost to rematch. You know, Barnett, you, my friend, me and you've got a date. That's the one that you like, Barnett.

I love that. Well, he's number five in the world, you know. So, you know, I want to fight guys in the top ten. And, you know, I mean, I like to fight and get closer to that title shop because that's all I'm interested. And, you know, my purpose is to try to fight for the world. title and Biden it's above me so you know he's no one's fighting he's fighting no one so then if you're watching you know why don't you put him and me together in that show oh and by the way

Dana watches this show religiously i mean he doesn't miss an episode a minute of it so he's probably watching him there you go boss me and by and sydney how about that one well you did fight him once as you mentioned in july 2006 you lost that fight is this a fight that you've been wanting for a long time or is it just the circumstances as you mentioned he's right above you in the rankings. Well, not only. I love rematches, and I've never lost a rematch ever. And it's always something a fighter's got to do.

You know, always rematches losses. And Bionette was one of my six losses, you know, coming into EOC. And a rematch is always good for me, any rematch that I've lost to. So like I said before, I've never lost a rematch. And he's above me and number five. And all that, I don't even know how those ratings work. That's one of those things, so. So to be clear, though, no one, since you've mentioned this that you want to fight on that card has talked to you about any plans or anything like that, they haven't reached out to you.

Well, the only person's contact me is a text man, so that's about all. And me. And you know what, Mr. Texan, I aren't answering your phone. Call me some other time. If you can't get on that card, for whatever reason, if it's too soon, is that the fight you want next, regardless of. regardless? Well, I like the top five guy, you know? If it's not the title shot, I'll give me a top five guy.

You know, whether it would be, if it's not in Sydney, give me something in the same and I'd like to, you know what I mean? Bynard is, right now he's got no one to take in it, but, you know, I mean, if, um, yeah, I mean, if Bynest the next, the next fight, it would be great for me. He's above me. Right. And I have to rematch with him and then get closer to that title shot, you know? I mean, all the fighters, when I shot at the title, of course, because, you know,

that's what we're here for. You know, that's why we're here. You know, I got to say, I'm not just saying it because you're here. I truly believe that what you, considering what you've done as of late, considering your resume and even your age to a degree in your popularity, one more win should get you a title shot. I think you've done enough and I think it's a good time to do that. And you've got to strike while the iron is hot,

especially considering the fact that there aren't a lot of contenders in the heavyweight division, clear-cut contenders after Verdoom. Do you believe that one more win should, should warrant you a title shot? Yes. Of course. I think, you know,

I think on the cuts to try to get a title shot, I just need a top five guy. You know, I had their shot last time against JDS and he knocked me off. You know, but, you know, I'm there back there again. I just need one more fight.

A top five guy, and then I can get back a title shot. So I really feel that I'm close to getting a title shot. So, you know, maybe a top five guy or JDS rematch or, you know, by net. So I'm on a top five.

five and then if I can win then I can get a total shot. So that's the way I think, too. Honestly, are you a little surprised by all this? I know you're a very humble guy, but you're 40 years old and what you're doing in the UFC. It's one of the great sports stories out there right now, regardless of the sport. I mean, to do what you're doing knocking guys out and this comeback after they essentially did not want you and you tried to convince them to take your contract and all that stuff,

it's pretty shocking stuff. Did you expect any of this to happen, really? Look, man, I didn't even expect to be a per person. professional fighter. You know, this is all, the only reason why I'm not the father-siller's because of Jesus Christ, that's the only reason I believe. There's no other reason why I'm fighting at this, at the top level, and doing what I'm doing on my age. Not only just this sport, but this is my second sport, you know. 23 years of fighting someone that didn't want to ever fight ever.

Did you even know about it and, you know, get spotted outside of nightclub, fights to wins the world title in K-O-1, moves on to the best, biggest organizations of the planet. You know, and now it's fighting in another big. organization in UFC and nearly at the top to get a title shot so you only God can put that in someone's life you know so that's the only feeling I have about that and that's what I truly

believe so you know I mean it's not it's not Mark Hunt at all it's it's it's my god's chef and what God want to be doing my life you've had a lot of great moments absolutely you've had a lot of great moments and a lot of great runs but is this the most fun that you've ever had? Yeah because

it's it's not about money or anything of it anymore It's about being able to do what I do, you know, as a professional fighter and I love what I do, what I do. You know, I mean, I mean, it's kind of a funny thing to say, but, you know, I feel I've found what my purpose in life, you know, God's purpose for my life is. And that's all that really matters to me anymore, at all, ever. And you feel like that purpose is to fight? Yeah, that's purpose is to spread his gospel. Okay.

And that's all the people watching these shows and this show and saying, wow. How does this old guy do this? Well, it's not this old guy that's doing this. It's the power of Jesus. This was doing it for me. You weren't all... I mean, like I said, I'm still doing what I'm supposed to be doing. So, yeah.

And you weren't always this religious. When did this happen? How did it happen? Well, I've only just, you know, like, I've made many mistakes in my life, you know, and I think the change started coming from inside of three or four years ago. I mean, I've always believed in something bigger, higher, you know? and, you know, the wonderful, a lot of things changed, you know, as a kid growing up with nothing, and now, you know, getting everything,

and then being humbled again by God, so, you know, boy, you better come correct. You know, I'm the boss here. Hey, hey, you're the boss. I had the boss, you're the boss, so, you know, I feel this in my heart, and I feel what I'm doing is right. You know, whether I won or lost, it didn't really matter to me, you know. I mean, so long as I'm still spreading the gospel throughout the world, the people that don't get to hear the name of Jesus Christ get to hear it from me.

And that's all that's all, even. How many more years do you want to do this for? Have you thought of that? Well, I'll do this as long as God wants me to do this. You know, I mean, when he says to me, it's time for your finished boy. That's it could be how long, you know, I don't know. I have no clue. Who do you think wins between Kane and Verdume?

Go ahead. You know, my wife, used to me, you know, Mark, as soon as you start dribbling, you're going in. And I said, what? You go out in the what in the hospital? Get stuff, lady. No. He's a funny lady, this one. Have you thought about what you'll do once your career is over?

I don't really care. At the end of the day, for me, none of us have promised tomorrow anyway. So, you know, I mean, we could finish talking to you and go outside, I get running by bus. It doesn't really matter to me, you know. I mean, all one knows is what I just have to live in this moment here. Because when that door opens for the next part of my life, you know, I have to go and live in that moment.

So, you know, right now I'm just enjoying this moment. where I'm at today because I can never come back to this moment when God opens the next door in my life. And I know you recently signed the new deal. Are you happy now? Well, like I said, it's not only been about money. I just couldn't do what I was doing before and what I was getting before. So I, you know, I mean, you have to push to get what you, to get by these days. I mean, money rules are playing, you know? Yeah. And it ain't about money for me anymore, so, you know? Stuff the money.

Hey, by the way, who's your pick for Doom or Kane? Well, I like both fighters. I mean, Kane's, you know, Kane's the top dogs. So at the moment, I mean, I like to, we have to be Kane. I mean, I mean, of course, for Bruce's because he's one of the pride fighters as well. But still, you know, I mean, it's a hard ass. They're both top fighters. So, you know, who knows, I have to sit on the fence again on that one.

I'm sitting on the fence. Kane is, you know, he's the king right now at heavyweight. You feel like you match up well with him. Well, I feel like I have matched up with anybody. I can beat anyone in this division, you know? I can be in a... That's how I feel about this, you know, I've got to feel like this. This is why I'm still here doing what I'm doing.

But I feel like this way, why would I still be in this freaking in this business for, you know? I feel like I'm the best. You know, I want to match with the best. So, of course, I can beat him. I can beat anybody. You didn't know I could beat anybody. I didn't know I could beat anybody. I didn't know.

I was waiting for that. Your Instagrams are just unbelievable. I wake up in the morning here, and I just see like 10 straight Instagram videos from Mark Hunt. They all put a smile on my face. I don't understand half the words you're saying in the Instagrams. You're saying sometimes that you're mean, and you didn't know about this and that,

but they all crack me up. Mean is like a kiwi term for like something being really cool. Yeah, when you see something that's really cool, you go, oh, that's mean, mean, because you don't know about mean. just some slang from our ways of the world. So, you know, yeah. But hey, man, it's all the Instagram followers and the Twitter's, and that man might have picked up heaps since the fight.

So, you know, thanks for following Mark Hunt. It's great. You do a great job on social media. Okay, so last thing, I'll let you get back to your family. What should we say to the Army of Doom? Do we need to make another rally for Mark Hunt? Do you really want to get on that Sydney card? Is it more just about the opponent than the card?

What's the message out there to the troops? because I know they're listening very intently right now. Well, for me, I need to get a top five opponent, you know, and if it's in Sydney, yeah, of course. I mean, if it gets me close to the title shot, man, it's rally. But I just, I want to get someone, you know, in the top five, and that's been my next fight, or if it's not that, get a title shot, so, you know. If it's Sydney, then let it be, you know.

I mean, I like to get fighting straight away if possible, so, you know. Yeah. All right. There it is. Mark, I can't thank you enough. And thank you very much to your lovely wife. And I believe, is that your daughter there? Thank you so much.

That's nice. Macy. Oh, that's so cute. What an angel. Oh, wow. You don't have a car on. Look at those cheeks. I just want to squeeze them.

No, I see that for you. Okay. No, I was talking about your cheeks. No, I'm kidding. I'll like you to get to you for you. Mark, thank you so much. Thanks, yeah, much love to everyone. I'll talk to you a bit later.

All right, thank you. And congratulations on the win. Oh, cheers. Thanks very much. See you later. Bye. Mark Hunt. What a guy.

So appreciative. The man wakes up at 5.30 in the morning in Sydney to join us on a Tuesday morning alongside his wife and lovely baby. I mean, what more can you say about the Super Simone, the KFC King? That was mean. That was mean right there from Mark Hunt. It means a lot to me. And you know, all those people who say Mark Hunt is not a good interview. How about that? The mermaid and the king, we just have a connection. You have to understand that. You can't go at him like everyone else. You have to get where he's coming from. I love that Josh Barnett idea. Josh Barnett needs to come back to the UFC. It is time. It is high time. And I know he's coming off a loss. But that fight makes a lot of sense in my opinion because it gets Barnett right back in there. And it gets Hunt that big top. five fight that he's looking for and there's really no one else that makes a lot of sense everyone's booked what do you think of that in york rick um sorry about that i was attending to something technical

if i if i heard correctly you were talking about what i think about josh barnett versus mark hunt yes do you like that idea i love that fight um and it'll be a really i feel like there's a lot of people who at this point are are on the mark hunt train they're loving what he's doing but they're not necessarily convinced that this is a step toward contention. He hasn't really faced a guy with a wrestling background, and I think that this would be an important fight. If he can get past Josh Barnett with the streak he's been on with the lone loss to Junior Dos Santos,

which was a slug, not that it wasn't a fight that Junior controlled, but it was a slug fest, and not many people can get into a slug fest with Junior Dos Santos and come out the other end. if he can get past Barnett, I think that that will be enough to prove to everybody that this is something legitimate and it's time to see him fight for a title. Yeah, they got a strike now. This story is just too good.

And when you look at the heavyweight division after Verdume, you know, again, Miochich, I think that is the fight that makes most sense, Miotich versus Hunt. Anik brings up a good point. JDS is a big fight. He was supposed to get it in May. Let's keep it. They need a Fox Main event. again, as we've talked about on this show, timing is everything. But in a perfect world,

Miochich number four and Hunt number six, of course Travis Brown fighting Brendan Schaub on, excuse me, December 6th, and he just lost of Radoom. So he's certainly in the mix as well. You can't take anything away from him, but the time is now for Mark Hunt. You've got to strike. Sometimes, again, timing is everything and he is 40 years old, and what a sellable fighter, right? I mean, he may not be the best always in interviews. He may not be the most loquacious one, but just show those knockouts. I mean, he's got one walk-off KO after the next. Never in a boring fight.

And what a story. You know, if there are outlets out there that don't know the Mark Hunt story, they can get behind this. So I hope he gets one more fight, and then if he wins that one, he gets a title shot. And of course, for Doom beating Kane, especially in a close fight, could change all of that, and there could be an immediate rematch. But this is just us opining right now. For now, let's take some questions. Let's do it.

One thing I feel obligated to point out is that we've had a few vault videos now. Maybe a handful. What have we done? Maybe five, four, something in that range. And two of them were related to directly or indirectly to pee-p. As I'm drinking, is this yellow or orange? I don't know, but as I'm drinking something like- That looks pretty orange, thankfully.

That looks sort of, yeah. What do you think? Maybe it's on the mind, I don't know. It is weird. It's weird. House Tastes My Pee, and then the Machita one. People like urine. People like urine.

But you choose these clips, so is you. I do choose them. But I have been listening to the people. And it's funny. It's funny when you get requests for these videos because they could just go on YouTube to rewatch them. It's not like I'm playing an old clip that is not available anywhere, but maybe they're like the...

Yeah, you explain it. You give the insight into what was going on. Yeah, but I, yeah, Yeah, you're right. You're right. I think we've done more than five. Actually, no. Maybe you're right. I think it's somewhere in that range. I don't know often. Five, six. I wonder if I've done any others about urine. None come to mind. I have asked that question, the urine drinking question a lot, but none that comes to mind. I could be wrong, though. All right, let's get into it from the website.

Yes. Connor McGregor, if Connor beats Porrier this weekend, is the UFC going to rush him into a title shot against Aldo Mendez winner? or will they make them go through Frankie Aguirre or Cubs Swanson? I think they'll give him one more. You know, way back when all this really started to ramp up before the Dublin fight, I was told that the blueprint was if he gets by Cole Miller at the time, he'll fight Porrier and then probably one more.

I did hear last week that they are sending him to UFC 179 in Brazil, but that's, you know, that's just maybe a byproduct of how good of a sales. Ailsman he is. Remember, Cub Swanson was in Dublin, and they're not fighting each other. So I wouldn't read too much into that, but there is something to read into it, but not too much. I don't know if it'll be next. I think it will be tough to leapfrog Cub Swanson, especially if Cub gets that Frankie Edgar fight and beats Frankie Edgar, which could be happening sooner rather than later. I still expect him to get one more fight. So his prediction of being champion by the end of the year might not come true, but hey, crazier things have happened.

People have gotten injured. Who knows? But right now, I would say he probably needs one more win if he wins on Saturday, especially impressively. Our next question, what are your thoughts on Vanderlays Silva's retirement and his campaign against the USC? I have a lot of respect for Vanderlea Silva.

He's right here on our desk. He's one of the most exciting fighters in MMA history. He's always been very nice. He always, quote, quote, brings it. You know what you're going to get from a Vanderley fight. I can't recall the last time he was in a boring fight. It's unfortunate to see what has happened to him, especially coming off one of his better UFC wins against Brian Stan. You thought maybe he'd have a resurgence and could be a real contender in the UFC,

but I can't look away from the timing for him to come out with this just days before his case is going to be heard in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission, and he did run away from a drug test, licensed or not, the timing seems a little peculiarly. It seems to me like the Chale Sunnan situation. Let's retire before we have to face the music and hopefully that softens the blow. But we've learned from Nevada that they don't really care whether or not you're retired or not. So they're not really going to pay attention to this. Now, he does bring up some points that you do have to look at. I mean, these are points that have been brought up before and you saw some fighters react to them. Most notably, John Fitch, who has said some of this stuff before, and

you don't want to look away, because at the end of the day, these are the reasons why we care about this sport and cover this sport and do shows like this. It's the fighters. At the end of the day, if not for them, there would be none of this. And when someone brings up these points, you have to be sensitive to them. You have to pay attention to them. But then you can't help but look at the timing of it all. You know, if Vanillae Silva would have said this three months after the stand fight, you know, and none of this was going on, the commission stuff and everything else, man, then you'd be, I think it would have a greater impact. But I feel like almost a lot of people have just ignored the video. I mean, of course, it's out there. But you've seen a lot of fans,

I don't see that outrage. I don't see that, you know, those questions coming up as much as if it would happen, you know, a few months after the stand fight. It's been really cool to see the fighter stand by them, in particular some of them who are on the outs with the UFC, like Rampage Jackson or Mayhem Miller or Tito Ortiz. And, you know, and you know, you know, you do hear this stuff come up, as I believe Rich Franklin said earlier, when guys are on the outs. So, you know, who knows what the real story is? Who knows what goes on behind the scenes? But right now we know the facts. And the facts are that he did run away from that drug test. Initially, when they brought this up in front of Nevada, they never mentioned that he was licensed or not.

They talked about the fact that he wanted to talk to his lawyer, that he didn't understand that he was taking a diuretic. They never brought up that argument. They only brought it up after the fact. and it's being addressed tomorrow in Nevada, 1130 on fight pass, Eastern time. You don't, you know, you can't ignore all of that. So I hope this isn't the end for Vanderlade because it seemed like he had some fight left in him and he's coming off a very nice win. You don't want to see someone like that retire on these terms. And I do feel for him because he's done a lot and he's never failed the test before,

but I can't ignore the timing. And I think the timing is a big part of all of this. What does it do to his legacy? Or what is his legacy at this point? You know, I think at the end of the day, time heals all wounds and we've seen things happen. Because look, he didn't fail a test, but running away is to a degree in an admission of guilt.

But you see guys who leave sport under bad circumstances, you know, Pete Rose and, you know, most notably recently. Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez and Roger Clemens. And I do believe that over time people forgive and they forget and whatnot. I think this is an easier one to forgive and forget because there is no failure there and you could stand by the not licensed fighter and all that. There is an argument to be made even though I think that if he was 100% kosher,

why not just take the test? What are you afraid of? So I think time will heal the wounds and people will remember the fights and pride, the great fights with Bant, excuse me, Rampage Jackson. and, of course, when he got into the UFC, Chocoladale, et cetera, et cetera. So I think people will remember that. Interestingly enough, my good friend over at FightMetric,

Michael Carroll, gave me some Van der LeSilva's stats, which I think would be appropriate to read right now. This is what he told me. Vanarly Silver's career in the UFC was a bit of a topsy-turvy. So below our two lists, one for his accomplishments in Pride alone, and one for how his Pride UFC career stacks up with the Pride

UFCWC strike force competitors. Where we can reasonably argue the most important MMA has been fought, I do agree with that. Now here are his pride records, all right? Fourth most fight time, four hours, 39 minutes and 43 seconds. Most wins in Pride history, 22. Most KOs and TKO wins.

15. Most knockdowns, 18. Most significant strikes, 720. Most total strikes, 2,199. Third most total strikes in a Pride fight 290 versus Dan Henderson at Pride 12. Banderle only fought in six Pride middleweight title fights, but his championship reign lasted 1,940 days to put this into perspective.

It ranks right behind George St. Pierre's second UFC title run of 2038 days and Anderson Silva's UFC title run of 2458 days as the longest in major MMA history. Now, here are his Pride, UFC, WC, and Strike Force combined records. second most fight time six hours 41 minutes 41 seconds number one by the way is Dan Henderson

was 7 hours 17 minutes and 36 seconds most wins 27 most KO and TKO wins 19 most knockdowns 27 second place just has 18 and finally most total strikes

2,750 that is Hall of Fame stuff undoubtedly Hall of Fame so again at the end of the day I think this will be what people will remember him for, but it's unfortunate to see it end this way. And you hope that he's not kind of a race from all of this

because he's leaving on bad terms, right? You hope he gets the UFC Hall of Fame bid and he's still part of the family and all that stuff. If this, in fact, is the end, you don't want to see him, you know, just kind of be forgotten. Our next question, I'm just going to ask this because it's kind of lengthy, and the English is slightly awkward.

So I think it may be from one of our international viewers. Jack 888. So what are your feelings on Tiago Silva being released after being brought back? I think it's 100%, 1,000% the right call. Again, on this show, I did not agree with them resigning him for two simple reasons. A, he was not acquitted. The charges were thrown out. The key witness was being uncooperative and had fled the country,

which happens a lot in domestic violence cases. and B, he was out. He was out until at least February or so, probably even longer. What was the rush to re-sign him on the day the charges were dropped, or at least made public that they were dropped? Actually, it was, in fact, the day the charges were dropped. What was the rush? And, of course, the timing wasn't great.

With everything that's going on in the NFL, that's besides the point, because the UFC should worry about itself and not about what's going on the NFL NBA and it will be all that stuff. But the timing was not good. And this is one of those times where they're probably thankful that they aren't quite as mainstream as they would like to be because they received no heat for this, at least outside of the MMA bubble.

But I thought it was a case where maybe you should just wait a little bit to see if anything else comes out. You know, look at what happened with Ray Rice. Something happened. And then they didn't have the footage. The footage comes out. And then, of course, it looks way worse. Well, they did have the footage. Well, but that's another.

Who? Oh, okay. The NFL did have the footage. Yeah, yeah. You're right. You're right. But you know what I'm saying. And now here, we have a.

a situation where Tiago Silva's wife post these videos of him cocking a gun, of him apparently under some kind of influence, of them arguing for sure and threats being made. Now, we should say, you know, no hands were placed on his wife or ex-wife now and no punches were thrown. We didn't see any actual evidence of abuse either before or after the fact, but this was pretty damning evidence. And once this came out, kudos to the UFC, they acted swiftly and they released him, but it should never have come to this, in my opinion, because this was inevitable. This was going to come out at some point, and again, he was not acquitted, charges were dropped, and look, this is a guy who has had some issues in the past, failed drug tests and whatnot.

Was it really all that necessary? Was it worth it? The answer is no, and they made the right call after the fact by releasing him. I'm not so sure that this was a foregone conclusion that this stuff was going to come out, to be honest. I mean, the wife disappeared. Who knows if we would ever hear from her again. And then now, you know, the videos might have disappeared with her. And, you know, the last we would have heard was Tiago Silva having the charges dropped. So I don't know. I mean, I don't.

You know, perhaps coming on this show and saying that it wasn't true and all that stuff, you know, really pissed off his ex-wife. And it led to her to do this. And again, you know, it's a sensitive subject and it's personal. and involves family, and it's obviously very emotional, and you don't know what triggers what, and it's all kind of very uncomfortable, right? So you don't know what her motives are and what went on behind the scenes and how bad it got, et cetera. Who knows?

We just know what's been out there. Who knows what hasn't been reported or, you know, discussed as far as the witnesses or the led victims and the police are concerned. But based on what is out there and what is being, you know, shown to us and what their police report says and what happened in February, it just, to me, there was just, there was no room in the UFC for that. And especially given what he had done in the past, I mean, this was strike three.

You know what I mean? If we're going to go by that alone, this was strike three. You spend 30 days in jail, you're accused of this stuff. Charges were dropped. I don't think the UFC should have acted so quickly, and they learned their lesson, and I think they made the right call now. Our friend Ashley Doherty asked about tough 20. I'm personally loving this season.

The notable names make it. a must watch every week for me. Do you think it's bad the UFC is using sex appeal more than the unique concept of women fighting to advertise this season? You know, I don't know if it's the UFC, by the way. I mean, I see the women doing it. And, of course, they're editing a lot. And they could show certain things.

Yes. I just want to jump in here. I think what he's referring to is, and, you know, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in the comment section or on Twitter, but I think he's referring to the promos and the promo materials that are sent out. By the way, how are you certain that Ashley is a guy, not a girl? Because he's had that picture. Oh, I see the picture. It's cut off here.

For the longest time, so I don't know. I mean, it could be, if it is a female, it could be her boyfriend. It could be somebody she knows. But I just have gone under the assumption this whole time that Ashley was the person in that picture. No, Ashley is a common male name, particularly overseas. I don't see the picture. It's a little bit cut off. So, fair enough.

I have no problem with the ads. I know they were made out to be. some kind of big deal. I mean, it's just a marketing tool and they're fine. I mean, first of all, A, the women don't seem to mind. In fact, some of them seem to really like it. And I was not offended. I mean, it's a little different. It's a different season. And they're trying to let you know that. So I really had no problem. I do feel a little bit weird about, you know, hanging the underwear on the sign and the like the questions that they were, they were promoting for this week about, you know, which coach would you want to sleep with? I think it's on the women to show that they are

real fighters, that they are mature, that they do belong there, that they, you know, are real stars and, you know, they're, they're, they're, they're, if I was them, I would have said, okay, we're going to come on here and I know there are people who doubt us, I know there are people who aren't fans of Women's M.A. or maybe not fans of the Straw White Division, they don't think we're ready for this. We're going to prove to them that we have been ready for this moment and we will, we will act in a more professional manner than the other 19 seasons, that we're going to, you know, outshine the guys. We're going to one-up them. And we're not going to hang

under it. It's just silliness to me. It's not offensive. It's not, you know, sexist. It's not... It's just silliness. And I don't think it paints them in the best light. I mean, it's like, I don't want to see that. And I don't think anyone wants to see that. It's just... This kind of reality, as far as reality TV shows

are concerned, it's outdated. We don't want to see this anymore. This has been going on for far too long. It's, you know, why shows like, I think, like the real world and road rules and The Bachelor and all that. I don't think they're as popular. I might be wrong. Maybe I just don't watch them, but they don't feel as popular. They don't feel like they're as talked about. So why do this? And I kind of wish that they didn't show this because I just don't think that

it presents them in the best light and the most professional light. So I don't know. It kind of bums me out, but I kind of put the onus more on the females for doing this. They're the ones that did and I think they should have collectively come in and you're going to have your squabbles and it's tense and there's alcohol involved. I get that. But I don't love seeing that this soon and focused on this much. It just kind of turns me off. How do you feel about the season as a whole? Well, I like it because I like the, I like the fighters. I know the fighters for the most part, not personally, but I know of them and we've seen them. And again, we're emotionally invested in these fighters. And there's a title at stake. And that obviously raises the stakes. I love the

bracket. I love that you already know who's fighting who in the first round. all that stuff. And, you know, thus far, I think the fights have been okay. I don't think they've been fantastic. They've been fun. And I've, I've been, you know, interested enough to watch them in their entirety. And there's only been two episodes. I know that. So I've been intrigued. I've been interested. I've, I've tuned in. I just, as the season goes along, I'm concerned that this is going to get, you know, worse and worse. And I don't want to use the word worse, but just, it's not of interest to me. And I know some people like you, you know, we've, we've argued about this, about the reality and the drama. But again, I want to make clear, I love, like, the stuff

they did in episode one, tells who these people are, what their motivations are, the backstory. If there's a rivalry, I'm cool with all that. I love that stuff. I eat it up. This other stuff is nonsense. This is just time filler. And it's fair, but it doesn't make me more interested in these women at all. That's fair, but you can only do that intro story one time. There's not enough content to fill an entire show with backstory. They've already done it. Not every time, but there are different things involved. Look, they're filming these people 24 hours a day, you know, for six or so weeks.

Stuff is going to happen. And maybe there are people who are interested in this, but does that nonsense, does that do anyone any good? I'm sure, I mean, I don't know, I don't know. But a weirdos. As I've always said about Tough, I don't really watch it for that. I watch the fights, and that's pretty much it. This season, I've actually been watching the full episodes.

But, I mean, the alternative is what? More training footage? Well, that's, again, they have to fill the time. They have to. It's a bigger discussion about Tough, right? I mean, the setting and the format, it's become a little bit stale. So, yes, they're not working with a lot. But I would have liked to see, all I'm saying is I would have like to see the women come in

with a conscious decision on their part to not go this route. That's fair. And thus far, it's been a little bit disappointing to see. Just announced today. And I don't want to paint all of them with that brush because there are certainly a lot of them who have not been doing this. And maybe it's unfortunate that that kind of stuff overshadows it all.

And this question was brought up, so it made me think of it. But there are tons that I can think of. I mean, even like, you know, I think Ashling Daly. I mean, I haven't seen her do any of that stuff. So, you know, there are tons who have not done it, so they deserve to be mentioned as well. This was just announced this morning. Thoughts on Cyborg's Bantamweight debut in December. Yeah, this has been talked about for quite some time, but the UFC officially announced it,

which is interesting because they are just the broadcast home of Invicta, and they say they have no ties to the organization outside of that, that Fight Pass broadcast Invicta, but they took the time to promote it and tag Chris Cyborg. I mean, they're certainly, it's like they're dipping their toe in the line, the water. And this seems like it's an introduction to her eventual UFC debut if she is successful in making that weight and in winning that fight. So, by the way, nothing pisses me off more than when someone in the MMA world calls me during my show. You may not watch a show, but at least have the presence of mine to know that this show typically runs from one to five. Are we going to

put somebody on blast? No, but nothing. F and pisses me off more than that. I mean, how disrespectful is that. That makes me not want to call you back for many, many weeks. Just letting you know. Please do not call me between one to five, unless it's very important. And if so, you should probably text me and not call me, right? I mean, right? Am I right? It's disrespectful. Hey, it's your world. I'm living in it. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Anyway, so it feels like they're dipping their toe in the water. It's obviously the right call. There's no future for her at 145. There are no big fights. Maybe Bellator is out there, but she wants that Ron to fight. We want that Ron to fight. of what the UFC says, they want the Ronda fight.

So this is the right move to make. To be fair, I mean, this is still an Invicta fighter, and this is still an Invicta fight. This was announced for Invicta 10. Yes, but this is down-the-line conversation. Certainly, I mean... Invicta would very willingly give her up to the UFC if they come calling. 100%. You think they're going to stand in the way of that?

I mean, I work with Invicta, so I don't know. They're not going to stand in the way of it. No, no, no, but let's be honest. They took an entire division from Invicta. it's in their best interest to be on board with the UFC. They're not going to stay. And by the way, I believe Shannon Knapp wants to see that fight. You know what I mean?

I think it's in the best interest of women's MMA for that fight to happen. It only raises women's MMA. She doesn't have an opponent. And let's see who they match her up against if it's someone credible or whatnot. But it's one of those situations where, yeah, Invicta will lose out on Chris Cyborg, but in the long run, it just helps Invicta. A, for not standing in the way. and B, I just think it puts women's MMA even more so on the map.

So why stop it from happening? I think if she makes that cut successfully and wins that fight, I would see no reason why she shouldn't be in the UFC. And then if she's not in the UFC, then it's just crazy, in my opinion. That's the fight that needs to happen. That's the number. That's one of the – I mean, you talk about fights that need to happen regardless of the division. That's like top five, in my opinion, that are there in the ether that aren't happening

for whatever reason, that need to happen. All right, let's move on to Twitter. How disappointed were you with Miles Jury's post-fight speech? Great win again, but didn't call anyone out. I was okay with it because I was just in awe. It only hit me right then and there. Of course, we know Miles Jury. We have covered his fights.

I've been there. We've talked to him all that stuff. But I was still processing the fact that this guy is really under the radar. I mean, criminally under the radar. Let's look at his six UFC wins. He improved the 10-0 when he defeated Chris Saunders via submission. First round, guillotine choke. He then beat Michael Johnson via unanimous decision.

And think about how good Michael Johnson has looked as of late at UFC 155. Improved the 12-0 when he knocked out Ramsey Nidgum in very impressive fashion back at UFC on Fox, Henderson, versus Melendez. He then defeated Mike Ritchie via split decision in September of 2000. 2013, which was not the most exciting fight and probably his least exciting of this run, dominated Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision, and then TKOs Takenori Gomi. That's a pretty impressive list, and that's a nice, you know, that's a nice ascension up the lightweight ladder, arguably more impressive than Habib's six wins in the UFC. He has the same UFC record as Hebib ties him for the longest UFC lightweight winning streak. Why isn't this guy being

talked about as a number one contender. Now, I do agree that you might need... Well, yes, but I'm getting to that and gets to this question. Now, he probably needs one more win against the top five guy of all that stuff, maybe Chbibb, who knows, but it just proves... We talk about Conne McGregor, who's 3-0 in the UFC, and look what we talk about as far as he's concerned, and some other fighters out there. When you make some noise, you call people out, good things happen.

And the answer, in my opinion, to why he doesn't get the attention is because of post-fighting interviews like that. Be who you want, act how you want, but you can't complain afterwards. I'm not saying he is, but I'm just saying you can't complain afterwards when you don't get that attention or don't get talked about in title shots because you're not doing your part. Sometimes crazy things happen like Chris Carrioso getting a title shot. That's more a product of a division being rather shallow. But Miles Jury, if he had half the mouth and half the bravado that Connor had, I guarantee you, I guarantee you he'd already be talking about title shots. He He'd be in that discussion is what I mean.

I agree with you to an extent. That's definitely part of it. You can't deny it at this point. I mean, it's been proven over and over. But I think even before Habib Narmanga Madov started becoming his character who called people out and was very vocal, his hype was still larger and still more present

than Miles juries, and I think it comes down to style. While Miles is a super talented fighter, and I've always thought he was very, very good, his style isn't as fan-friendly as Kabib's. It's just, you know, that's the difference in that streak is Kabib is going in there and suplexing guys 20 times in one fight and then moving on to the next victim and doing the same thing.

Whereas Miles Jury is definitely controlling and dominating fights, but in a much less aesthetically pleasing way. He's, you know, using sound fundamentals and great boxing and great grappling. He's proven he's super well-rounded. It reminds me a bit of maybe Michael Bisping in the way that he's super well-rounded, but you can't go out there and expect him to put on, you know, a fireworks performance every time he steps in the cage.

But he will continue to climb the ranks because of how good he is as a mixed martial artist. Whereas Cal B, he's going to go in there and dump guys on their heads over and over until he completely breaks them, which is something that I think fans are. a little more inclined to to pay attention to. Because he has more finishes than Habib. It's the style. It's not necessarily finish or no finish. Miles Jury can finish a fight.

He can also win a very dominant decision, but it's about the style points. I think the biggest difference between the two is that Habib talks a great game now. But even before that, there was a different level of height. I mean, look, he fought Hafeld Dosanos on the prelims of the Fox card, and there wasn't that much outrage. I think if he'd come back now

and that same fight presented itself, there would be outrage. I think he's had a better job of selling himself and people now care about him. And Jerry just kind of shows up, doesn't do much. I mean, I've tried to get him on the show and I was told, though, he's busy that day. And that's fine, you're busy that day.

But if you're not going out of your way to sell yourself, then it's hard for the people to get behind you. I think that's what's taking him to the next level, Kabib, that is. But before that, there was still a much bigger contingent, behind him than has ever been there for Miles Jury. And my theory is it's a style thing. Talking will not hurt that, obviously.

But I don't think that that's the main difference. I think that it's a style thing. Well, I look at the rankings now, and right now he's nine. Perhaps it's Bobby Green? You know? I like that fight. No, I got love for Bobby Green. Maybe it's DeSanjos.

That would make a lot of sense too, especially if Nirmaga Madoff is out for a while. Maybe it's DeSanos. We'll see. If Saroni wins, I could see it being Dosangos. I think he deserves a big step. Here's our next one. This may have been answered earlier.

Who can Mark Hunt face if he wants to fight in Sydney? I think it should be against Arlowski thoughts. Well, I don't think Mark Hunt is going to get that fight in Sydney. I think it's too soon. I mean, think about it. Sydney is November 7th, September 22nd. We've got eight days left in September. then 31 days, so that's 39, and then 40, I mean, it's enough time, obviously, for Mark, because he's ready,

but I don't know if that card needs another big fight like that, especially since it's a fight pass card. You know, it has already Michael Bispeng versus Luke Rockhold, so I don't know if it's going to happen, especially now that they need big names, and Mark is certainly a big name. and of course if it's Arlofsky or Barnett, I don't know if it's going to be a, you know, a co-main event, if you will. So I can see him fighting relatively soon. I just don't know if it's going to be that soon. I like the Barnett idea.

I don't know if Barnett is going to be willing to step up this soon or even if he wants to fight again. He's been on the show a bunch of times. You know where he's at right now. It doesn't seem like he's in all that much of a rush, but who knows? And I kind of got excited about the prospects of Barnett versus Bigfoot because they've been going back and forth.

so who knows. Arlofsky makes a lot of sense, although he might be out for a while. Last I checked, they think he might have a broken wrist, but it's banged up. He was banged up going into that fight, so he might need some time off. There are other names out there,

but no one that really makes sense that is above Mark Hunt. The rest, Verdoom has a fight, Dosandos has a fight, Brown has a fight, Neuchich has a fight, Barnett, you know about him, and then it's Mark Hunt,

and the below him is Arlofsky, Roy Nelson, Bigfoot, Silva, Ben Rothwell. Rothwell would be the only one else out there, but don't forget, they fought back at, what was it, UFC 135, I believe, mile high. Remember that one where they were both huffing and puffing? No one wants to see that again. I'm sure it will be a better fight now, especially if it's on in Denver,

but I don't know if we really care to see that one again. So, yeah, to me, it's either Barnett or Arlofsky, if they want to book a fight relatively soon, and Arlofsky might be out, Barnett might be out, and I don't know, all this means that Mark Hunt might have to wait a little bit. Our next question, what are your thoughts on the Anthony Johnson situation? I believe the second part of this question is, did it happen a long time ago? I'm not sure.

Yeah. What Anthony Johnson is being accused of did happen back in 2002, excuse me, 2012, and there was an incident in 2009. Now, this did happen, but it has come to light as of late, and it is obviously worth addressing. People have criticized the UFC for not addressing these things in people's past, and they have, to a degree. They did it with Will Chope, probably most famously as of late, but there are other cases that they didn't really address, at least publicly. And I think they got it right this time. You know, let's not forget, they're suspending him indefinitely, which basically means that they're going to look at

this case, they're going to investigate it, they're going to gather the facts, and then decide if this is someone that we want to be in business with. They're not suspending him by taking money out of his pocket. He doesn't have a fight coming up tomorrow. He doesn't have a game to play tomorrow, so he's not being fine monetarily. He might be on the sidelines for a little bit, but let's not forget as well. He was only being talked about for a fight in around January or so. I doubt it's going to take them that long to gather the facts. So how much is he actually being punished? Well, I I appreciate the maybe the public move, if you will, of saying we're suspending this guy and we're recognizing the fact that what he's being accused of, regardless of when it happened, is something

that is very serious and something that we're sensitive to. So right away, this came out a couple hours later, we're going to act. We're not going to cut him. We're not going to overreact and then have to clean up the mess afterwards. We're going to suspend him. And I think they should do that more often. Something like this happens and they learn about it. Suspend him. Talk to the guy, you know, regardless of what you think about the Will Chope situation, you would have like to see them, and we criticize them for this. No one even called him. No one asked to speak to his family. Let's find out everything we could find out, suspend him, put him on the sidelines, and then decide. I think this is one of the best reactions to one of these cases they've had

in a very long time. It might show that, you know, some guys are a little less expendable than others. Anthony Johnson, very close to a title shot, rather big name, has a history in the UFC. Maybe they want to give them the benefit of the doubt, whatever. But this is the way they should react to all these cases. When something comes out, suspend the guy indefinitely, fight or no fight coming up, and coming up, and then do your due diligence and find out if this is something you want to actually react to. Punish the guy, find him, cut him, whatever. So I love it. I think that they did the right thing, and let's see what the truth is. Let's see what comes out of it. You know, it's, again, one of these situations that is very much in the news these days, and it's somewhat of a

He said, she said situation because he's claiming that it's not true and all that. There's a police report. There are details. Buddyelvo.com has them. Check them out if you want to read them. This is the right way to handle them, in my opinion. Do you agree? I do agree.

And I think, you know, if they had used this same kind of thing in the Tiago Silva situation, you know, we wouldn't be talking about the missteps there. It's best to handle it in an appropriate manner immediately. Do your investigation and then, you know, make the judgment based on that. without making a reaction that you can't come back from and then having to reverse it and then having to reverse that, it's a mess. And I think that this was handled properly. Our next question, what card was the first time you started assigning people's main events? Now, you said earlier in the show that it was the Marcus Brimage Connor McGregor fight. Is that correct? That is correct. I obviously was very interested in that fight. That was the card that was headlined by Gaguer Moussel. Vossey versus Alexander Gustafson originally.

And then, of course, Gusifson withdrew from the fight on just days' notice. In comes Mr. FightPass himself, Ilita Tifi, who has turned out to be quite the fighter, by the way. But I was really interested in that fight. Back then, it was a Fuel TV card,

and it was before Fight Pass. So McGregor versus Brimidge was on the Facebook prelims, and I just thought, this is the real main event. This is what the people want to see. And he has this sort of thing with the people and they get behind them, the Irish people. And we've talked about it a lot. And that's why I think his story is so interesting.

So I dubbed it the people's main event. And actually it gained some steam. People liked it. And now I like when they asked me in case I forget what the people's main event is. And I've had people like this man right here. Now we go to the next question. Oh, my God. What is the people's main event this weekend?

Okay, let me tell you something. Unless he truly goes Hollywood on us, and it is true, I did try. I got some people saying they were disappointed that Connor wasn't on the show. And I will see him on Thursday at the Media Day, so hopefully we get a few minutes. I did try to get him on, but I was told they were too busy or whatever, which I think might be a bad omen. I mean, it's been good to him thus far at this show. Anyway, and I'm not hoping for that.

I'm just saying, I'm very superstitious. Unlike John Kavanaugh, I am incredibly superstitious. Connor, unless he totally goes heel in Hollywood on us, he will always be the people's main event, because this is where the idea came from. And there's no doubt of my mind that McGregor v. Pori. I mean, did you see the countdown show? I did not. It's very good.

I've heard that, but I did not see it. And people were saying that it got top billing, but they've done this before where they've worked their way up the card. I did time it, and they got a few more minutes. So McGregor Porier was first, then Seroni Alvarez, then Carrioso versus Johnson, but McGregor Porier got the most amount of minutes,

but just a couple. They did a great job. It got me really excited for the fight, and it just reaffirmed, if I needed that confirmation that this is without a doubt the people's main event. It might be the people's main event of all people's main event. Sometimes the people's main event is the main event, like Saturday in Japan. But in this case, it's not even a question.

It's McGregor-Porye. Does that make Cowboy and Alvarez the People's Co-Main event? It's one of those rare cases where the People's Co-Main event is, in fact, the actual co-main event. And by the way, in case you were wondering, this is a real co-main event. But my God, you can pick Cruise Rural. versus Mizugaki, you could pick Zengano versus Nunes. You could pick Kennedy versus Romero. I mean, any one of those fights is a legit people's co-main event. But without a doubt, just to say one more

time, Gregor Porier has me giddy. I mean, I got to say, it's Russia Shana on Wednesday, and it will take a lot for me to miss that. I actually feel incredibly guilty and really bad about not going home. I've only been home once in the past year. Don't cry for me. I'm not trying to get some sympathy here, but I do miss my home. That is Montreal. all. He'll always be my home and my wife and kids are going and I feel incredibly guilty about it. Now, Roshana doesn't fall on UFC 178, but there was all the pre-fight stuff and whatnot. And honestly, I don't know if I'd do the same thing twice. I don't know if I would miss out on all of that, even though it hasn't happened yet. I don't know if I'd make that decision. All that being said,

I'm probably doing it because it's such a big card and because McGregor-Poria is on that card, and I think it's a huge fight. To me, I'm not trying to take anything away from the other fights, but if you ask me what is the fight that I'm most looking forward to, it's McGregor Porier. That was up there with Jones, D.C. I love the dynamic between both of them. I love the storyline. I love everything about it.

That was it for the questions. By the way, I wanted to say this last week. I hinted at this. I wanted to say why I was also very excited for UFC 178. I ask everyone who watches this show, tunes in before, you know, when it's either live or after the fact, to check out the way-in show on Friday, I believe it's at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Fox Sports 1, because little old me will be hosting it.

That's right, actually hosting it. I will be in the main chair over there. And this is very exciting for me because I haven't hosted one of these before. And the reason for this is Joe Rogan will be hosting his comedy shows that he does before the fights in Toronto this coming Friday. because if you recall, UFC 178 was supposed to be in Toronto, so he had already booked it, couldn't cancel it. So they're having John Anick host the Wayans in Vegas, and I'm going to host The Wayans show, forget what I'm saying.

But what makes this very interesting is that, A, Rogan will be back for the fight, so don't worry. And once the Wayans are done, Annick's going to come in the host chair, replace me, and I'm going to go do the interviews backstage. And joining me on the quote-unquote set will be Brian. Stan, Rashad Evans, and making his analyst's debut our boy Chris Wyman. Whoa. How about that? Now, did you get that done as the host?

Did you put in for your boy to be on that? Is Connor McGregor going to, before he weighs in, pop up there? No, that would be nice. But no, I did not have anything to do that. But two New Yorkers, me and adopted New Yorker, him in a lot. Real New York? Yes, the pride of Baldwin, New York will be there. will be representing the tri-state area.

But how about this? I'm going to be hosting. Does this make you want to watch the show even more? I haven't been able. I honestly have not watched the last like million way-in shows. Well, that's nice. But I will watch this one now because of this. How about that?

I'm very excited and I hope everyone watches because we can show the good folks over at Fox that Halwani equals ratings. I mean, for whatever reason, they've been reluctant to give me the baton. but I think it's time that we prove to them that the Hulwanda be nation is ready for this. So please vote via your eyeballs and let them know, let the suits know, that it is time for help.

Look, I could do the hosting, I could do the interviews. I am very versatile. So just let me do my thing. Give us a time. And by the way, isn't it interesting that I'm one of the biggest fight cards of the year?

Of course, there were some circumstances involved, but they say, all right, we want that man. We want that man to lead us. We want that man to take us to the promised line. Cut the full promo. What's the date? What's the time? Where can we watch it?

Friday? Well, I hope I'm right. But let's just, I know it's Friday. I know it's Fox Sports 1, and I'm pretty damn sure. Let's just look it up because it would be horrible if I got this wrong. Chal Suna would be so disappointed right now. Yeah. Wayans.

U.S. 178. Wayans. Here we go. Here we go. Oh, man. my internet just crapped out my computer just froze

this is a horrible sign being the superstitious guy that I am I'm actually thinking about withdrawing my name from the host duty you cannot what is this you know when you have a Mac

and the wheel just keeps turning my thing is frozen my entire computer this is a horrendous sign you know how I'm going to be worrying about this for the next five days now

I got a force quit this is just you see why'd you have to ask me to give the promo. I was doing well. I'm trying to help you out. I'm trying to get the people to tune in. By the way, Anthony, here you go. What's Anthony? People wanted to see the shirt. It's a pretty sweet shirt. What is it? Pride One poster shirt. Whoa. I didn't notice that. There it is. Who made that? No mas. No mass. Find folks in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

They're in Williamsburg? Oh, yeah, they are. Okay, here it is. I've got an email that says 7 p.m. Eastern. You got an email? Oh, I've got a email. About what? 7 p.m. Eastern. Somebody responding to... That quickly? You're kidding. Somebody's very good out there.

I don't believe you. In any event, I do believe it is 7 p.m. Wait, wait, wait. What happened to it? Oh, there it is. Doors open at 1 o'clock. Yep. 178.

Way in 4 p.m. By the way, at 2 p.m. Pacific, there will be a UFC 181 press conference. with Wydman, Belfort, Melendez, and Pettis, but then at 7, and I hope they actually stream this, because they're probably going to be expecting monstrous numbers, little old Halwani will be hosting.

How about that? From the mean streets of Town of Mount Royal and Montreal, Quebec, Canada, all the way to Fox Sports 1 live, it's big. I'm pretty excited. Well, congratulations. How about the fact that they're replacing me midway? Like, do they not really think I could do the whole show or what? Do they not know that I've been just talking for the last four hours

with essentially no break? Oh, they're giving you a test run. You can't get it all at once. Makes me a little nervous. Don't congratulate me just yet. Let's see how it actually happens. And thus far, we've kind of stumbled out of the gate with this. I mean, you don't even know when it's on. You don't even know when the camera's about to be on. You don't know when the lights are on. You've got to perform. I know. But you'll do good, and we'll all watch.

Yes. Thank you. There's one other thing I wanted to say about 178, but I forget. Let's go to the odds before we go. Oh, I wanted to tell you this. Well, don't look at the odds because I've been looking at the odds for months on this one. Okay. How about this? This comes from UFC Face Swap. Did you read this?

Darko Milichichich. You hear about this? What happened? Darko Milichich, the center who is infamously picked second overall by the Detroit Pistons in the loaded 2003 NBA draft. This, according to Slam magazine, by the way, is apparently done with hoops at the age of 29. And according to NBA Serbia, the big fella is entering the world. of kickboxing in his home country.

I love it. That's incredible. Let me click on this link. And so he was asking me, oh, the link is in Serbian? I hope I said that right. Oh, you can go to an SB Nation.com. Oh, how about that plug?

Why don't you tell me this? It's on SB Nation? Yeah, it's in the Lookit session. Well, I'm sorry. I hate when that happens. So it goes. Look it. I don't see Lookit.

I see B-W-1. I see a vine of Andy Reid. I see Dwayne Wade. I see Mississippi State. Where's look at? I don't see anything. I got to, come on. Use Google. What's wrong with you? Google.

Here we go. Yeah, if you club look at, it takes you all the way. Oh, it's a humorous. Satire? A bit. It's saying how his skills or lack thereof will translate into the... Well, what do you think? As Mr. Kickboxing himself...

I... Isn't he super tall? Like, how tall is Darko? He's seven feet, no? 7-1, 7-1, something like that. He's 7-1. I'd love to know what his history is. What's his history in kickboxing?

Has he done it before? I think Gloria should sign him right now. No, stop. Why not? Put him on an undercard. Who cares? Stream it online, spike.com. You wouldn't watch that?

I would watch that. Who wouldn't watch that? I was there when he was drafted. In between LeBron James and Carmel. Carmelo boxes. Why don't we bring in Carmelo versus Darko? Have you seen Carmelo Box, though? No. I've seen it. I haven't. It's not great. Oh, okay.

Those big guys, it's hard for them to be very fluid. But this is fascinating stuff. So, I look to Darko. Yes, odds. Let's hit some real fights. The odds are out for, I believe it's the top six fights. Yes, top six fights. Cruz Mizugaki. I think these will be easy. I think you'll be able to. By the way, I think this, I've thought of this, I think this card is impossible to predict.

I mean, every fight is a toss-up. Yeah. No, these fights are not all toss-ups. Who knows what to expect from Cruz? I mean, on paper, as far as what they've done thus far, obviously, I pick Cruz, but who knows what to expect? That's a fair point. That's a fair point. Because of outside circumstances, there are, that's fair.

Cruz? Yes, big favorite. Four to one favorite. Wow. Mizugaki plus 325. You agree with that? As you said, that's impossible. Right.

Because Cruz has been off so long. you don't know, I don't know how to make heads or tails of that. A healthy dominant cruise would be six to one, seven to one favorite here. But that's why I'm surprised that he's that big of a favorite. Certainly, there will be people who will have reservations, but if you're picking this fight, you have to pick Dominic Cruz. I would not bet on Dominic Cruz in this spot, no matter what the odds were just because I don't know how he's going to look when he comes back.

Next fight. Zingano Nunes. Again, what to exceed you. expect from Kat. Who knows? I'll still pick her, though. She's a favorite, moderate favorite. Minas 2.75, Nunes plus 2.35. By the way, when I say picker, I don't mean picker to win. I don't really... I know what you mean. Picker's a favorite. Yeah, yeah. Oh, that's correct. As I said, a little over 2 to 1, which makes sense.

Our next one. Yole Romero and Tim Kennedy. You're saying this is an easy one? I guess Kennedy, because he's the bigger name. but who the hell knows? Romero is the favorite. Oh, wow. Minus 145, Kennedy plus 125. Super close. It's a close fight.

I think I'd have to lean Kennedy on this one. I just... You're saying legit pick. Yeah, legit pick. I picked Romero against Tavares, even though I was concerned that Romero doesn't use his wrestling enough. And then in the fight with Tavares, he used it a lot more than he has in the past.

But Kennedy seems to be... a better game planner and I think he'll use his wrestling better than Romero will be able to use his. Now obviously avoiding the bombs that Romero throws is a factor but I think Kennedy should be able

to get this one done. So that might be an underdog to look at. Next one. People's main event. Connor McGregor Dustin Poillier. These odds makers, they like to ride the hype train so I'm going to go with Connor. That's correct. Big favorite. Minus 265.

Can we go on the record right now? As big a favorite as Kat Zengano. I want to go on the record with your pick on this one because you've been very critical, almost disrespectful of Connor McGregor. And you are, you've come out. This is no secret. You're a big Dustin guy.

Yep, no secret there. So what's your pick? I want to hear it right now. It's the only one I care about what's your pick. Dustin Poillier is my pick for this. How? That's interesting. It could be a submission in a scramble.

I think there's an opportunity for Dustin to possibly, you know, lock in a dars choke or something there, not to underrate Connor McGregor's grappling, which is there's, you can't criticize his grappling to this point. But I think that Dustin is one of those guys who catches tricky submissions. So it could be sub. More than likely, man, I'm picking Dustin and at greater than two to one, I feel like that has to be the play. You have to be dogged pass in this bet. But his chin does worry me. He's been clipped before and by lesser boxers than Connor McGregor, who has fantastic

striking. Don't hedge right now. I'm not hedging. I think that there is a lot of value on Dustin Poitier in this fight, but I do think that Connor McGregor is, the hype is for real, the guy is legit, and he could very easily win this fight. Nope. Dustin Poyet is the pick, not wavering on it at all.

At greater than 2 to 1, it's a no-brainer. But Conner's legit. So for all the people who are backing him, I don't... I hope the Irish lads out there are listening to this. Dustin. I'm picking Dustin. Wow. Our next fight, Donald Seroni, minus...

Whoops. Well, it could be. And by the way, I was going to pick Soroni. It's actually an even fight. Totally even. minus 110. Holy moly. Even money.

Wow. Do you agree with that? This is in the in the Cruz Mizugaki area because I don't know how Eddie Alvarez is going to translate. Certainly I know I'm much more confident in placing him in a matchup in the lightweight division than I am placing cruise after the injuries because that's just much more murky. It's much harder to analyze. I would have thought Soroni would have been a favorite. let me see if he opened as a favorite. He did.

He opened as a favorite and climbed as high as minus 150. And Alvarez opened at plus 110, which makes sense to me. I would have thought Soroni would be the favorite just because, you know, Eddie's coming over. But this is a close fight, and this is going to be a really good gauge of where Eddie Alvarez is. If he wins this, he's a contender.

If he doesn't, we'll see what happens. I love that he's wearing that shirt, underground king they're actually selling that shirt that's a great moniker for him and uh very excited and of course i know the main event sure but how big oh did we talked about it said it right you said the number like plus 971 right well yeah but i mean that that that'll vary by where you're looking but he's he's a nine to one underdog at the at the lines that i've been using and do you agree with that demetrius is minus i mean when it climbs over a certain number you it's it's like impossible like the difference between plus 900 and plus a thousand, you know, how do I analyze that?

Right. Honestly. There's, when it comes to how much you're going to bet, that mathematics comes into play. But determining whether he's a nine or a 10 to one dog, it's kind of an exercise and futility. But certainly Demetrius Johnson deserves to be a heavy favorite, and I don't see, I don't see Carriaso getting it done. But, you know, I didn't see Dillishaw getting it done. And there have been many other examples like that. Can we just talk about the straight man, John Anick, calling for illegal maneuvers? That was interesting.

I have to say, that was interesting. Who expected that? I did not expect that. I've also, I should have told you to mention this to him. During the broadcast, what fight card was Trinaldo on? Last week. No way. Francisco Trinaldo?

I'm pretty sure it was last week. Not last week, like two weekends ago. He was a Tzlovsky card. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So during that, he told an anecdote where he said that he was on his couch with his brother. Yes. And he was watching Francisco Trinaldo's UFC debut. And he proclaimed that that man will be the next UFC champion.

And I was just like, what? Now, he's not one for hyperbole. Like, I don't think he's a liar. But what's interesting to me is he's so, like, in tune with the betting odds. He's such a, like, he's such a sharp kind of guy. that I was just like, what a weird, like, it's such a weird anecdote. And I was wondering about that. I should have, I should have asked you to ask him.

I will ask him this weekend. But, yeah, I thought that was interesting. And I'm surprised he said it on TV because if, you know, if he's not going to be a future champ, you just forget about it. Don't say it. And nobody will ever know the difference. But I found that one really interesting. That is it in terms of the odds.

Those are the ones that are out. Okay. Rest of the card before we go, very much anticipated. Mani Gamburian making his Bantamweight debut against Cody Gibson. This is, in fact, his bantamweight debut, right? Remember, he was on this show not that long ago asking for a fight against Brian Carraway, but I just wanted to make sure, yep, Banderweight.

Kevin Lee versus John Tuck, those two fights 7 p.m. Eastern Time on UFC Fight Pass. Brian Eversall versus John Howard kicks off the Fox Sports 1. Prelims Patrick Cote versus Wonderboy Thompson. an awesome fight. Also on Fox Sports 1, and then James Krauss versus Jorge Mazvedal, and then Dominic Cruz versus Mizugaki, Nunes Zengano, Romero, Kennedy, Porier, McGregor, Alvarez, Soroni, Carrioso versus Johnson. Another busy weekend in the world of mixed martial arts. Titan FC is back on Friday. Jason Brill's versus Vinnie Magaliyash, the biggest troll in MMA, as I call him, for the Titan title over there. And speaking of,

title fights. Alexander Schlomenko is back in action for Bellator, Belator 126. Also a fight that I'm very much looking forward to, Marcyne Held, versus Patricki Pippel. I always enjoy watching Marcyne Held. So that's Belator on Friday, and Legacy is back as well. So it's always very busy, but in my opinion, it's all about UFC 178. It's this Saturday, and we'll be there beginning Thursday for the usual fight week coverage. Cannot wait and don't forget about the Wayans. I'll try to do a special hello for you guys for the MMAR audience. The heart, it's been done.

Maybe I'll do a little scratch of the nose. How about that? A little scratch of the nose at one point for the MMAR audience. And then you all tell me when you see it, so I know that you are watching because I need you there with me. All right, you can hit my music as we wrap up a four hour and approximately 12-minute episode of the MMA hour. This was a fun one.

I really enjoyed this one. Not to say that I don't enjoy all of them, but I enjoyed this one very much. This was a fun one. Good characters. A lot of class, right? And I'm not talking about John Kavanaugh's white robe, which was classy in its own right, but, you know.

I want to thank John Anick, and I want to congratulate him on his new UFC deal. Great stuff out of him. Looking forward to watching. and working with him on Friday and Saturday for UFC 178 coverage on Fox Sports One. Best of luck to Demetrius Johnson as he faces Chris Carrioso, the most active UFC champion out there. Great stuff out of him, as always. I really think he's coming into his own as an interview, and he's not forcing it.

He's just an interesting guy. Like, get over, you know, the buy rates and the ratings and all that nonsense. He's a very interesting guy and to a degree of very refreshing athlete in today's sports world. These are the guys that we should be celebrating, especially in this day and age. Great family man. Speaking of which, best of luck to Michael Chandler as he faces Will Brooks on November 15th. That fight card, by the way, just added to it, Tom the Blast versus King Molo. 205, what am I saying, 205?

It's been a long show. Rich Franklin, thank you very much to him. Best of luck to him. I was starting the show all over again in his role of 1-FC. Thank you very much to Mark Ratner, Shana Toba, to him. Thank you very much to John Kavanaugh, and good luck to Arden Lobov, getting that fight.

Thank you to Stefan Strew. Welcome back, and thanks so much to Mark Hunt for waking up early. I really appreciate it. We'll see you next week. Until then, I say, Pace. Amadia.

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