MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour - Episode 268

Episode Date: February 9, 2015

Featuring Georges St-Pierre, Anthony Johnson, Tim Kennedy, Eddie Alvarez, Brandon Thatch, Mauro Ranallo, and George Lockhart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hello again, everyone. I'm Ariel Hawani inside our New York City studio. And for the third straight Monday, Mother Nature is trying to screw up our show. But guess what? For the third straight Monday, we are here. We are powering through. And we have a lot to discuss, my friends, because this time last week, we were in a very good mood.

It was a very celebratory edition of the MMA hour. We were very excited about what transpired just 48 hours prior in Las Vegas, Anderson Silva coming back from that leg injury. 13 months later, same arena, defeating Nick Diaz. It was a fun fight. I called it one of the most entertaining first rounds ever. There was emotion, crying, great press conference afterwards.

It was just, it was one of those moments that reminds you why you love this sport so much, why you spend so much time and effort, worrying, contemplating, breaking down, thinking about this sport. One of those moments that makes us love sports in general that gives us a reason to step outside our daily lives, look up to these people, look forward to these moments,

really get inspired, an escape valve, if you will. One of the most beautiful moments in the history of sport, in my opinion. And then it all came crashing down Tuesday night. By now you know Tuesday night, it was announced that Anderson Silva had tested positive for not one but two PDs in an out-of-competition test that took place on January 9th, January 9th, almost a month before UFC 183. We still don't know the results of the second out-of-competition test he took on January 19th.

We know that Nick Diaz failed his post-fight drug test right after the fight. That was a hearing analysis. That was for marijuana. And that really isn't the story right now. It's that the greatest of all time in many people's eyes now is under a lot of scrutiny. And it's supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. But guess what? Athletes, stars, fighters, everyone.

They're part of a fraternity. and their brothers, their frat brothers, have ruined it for them. So we've heard this before. I'm innocent. I didn't take anything. This is a mistake. We've heard it from the best to the best. They've got to court.

They fought it to the highest degree. And then it came out that they were liars. Then it came out that they were cheaters. So in this world that we live in, these sports world, you're guilty until proven innocent. And that's the way people are viewing Anderson Silver right now. He's put out a small statement. Nothing else. There's going to be a commission hearing on February 17th in Nevada.

He will get a temporary suspension. The result of the fight has not been overturned just yet. He'll get a temporary suspension. And then March, April, there'll be a disciplinary hearing. And that's when we'll find out what happens, Anderson Silva. Is this the end? It's funny. At the end of last week's show, I was kind of scratching my head.

I said to myself, why did I end the show this way? If you don't recall, this is what I said at the end, end, end of last week's show. Very quick. Here we go. Congratulations. Silva, you are back. What is next? We shall see. We'll talk about it all next week. Until that, I say, peace. I said that we were going to talk about what is next for him next week. And then I was thinking to myself a minute later, we're not going to know what's next for him a week later.

That's really weird. Why did I say that? Was it going to be a GSP fight? Was it going to be something else? A Widman fight. Now here we are. A week later, how much can change in a week? We're talking about Anderson Silva testing positive for two PDs in an out-of-competition drug test. There is so much to discuss when it comes to this story. John Fitch, of course, also testing positive. That came out on Friday. A very disheartening week for MMA fans. We still love the sport.

The sport will live on. I know two things. And it really has nothing to do with Anderson Silva. One, the sport will live on. It may take a hit, a PR. are hit, but we will move on. The sport will not die. We have come too far. Number two, it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better, in my opinion. That is my opinion on the PED problem in MMA, and make no mistake about it, it is a problem. So what are we talking about

on today's show? At around 345, we're going to take your questions and comments. I know you have a lot that you want to ask, weigh in on, discuss. So let's hear it. How about this? At 330, GSP, who a lot of people are saying is now the new goat, is the man who called it all when he walked away. He's done some interviews over the last week or so. GSP will be joining us at 3.30. George St. Pierre, the man who has walked away, and the man who I said on the MMA beat

that I don't want to see ever fight again. Last week on this show I said, I want to see him fight Anderson. At this point, stay away, George. That's my opinion. We'll see what he says. George St. Pierre joining us. at 3.305. We're going to be joined by Anthony Johnson, of course, the number one contender

in the UFC light heavyweight division, big win over Gustafson less than a month ago. 245, we're going to talk to Jorge Masvedal, who's fighting ally Quinta, and he's not a happy camper. That fight taking place April 4th in Fairfax, Virginia. 225, we're going to talk to Eddie Alvarez. Remember last week on this show, Gilbert Melendez asked for Eddie Alvarez in Mexico in June. What does Eddie have to say about this? We haven't heard from him. in a bit. 205, we're going to talk to Brandon Thatch, who main events this Saturday night's show

in Broomfield, Colorado, against Benson Henderson. Benson making his UFC Walterweight debut. Great fight. Big fan of Brandon Thatch, his style. This is a guy who is very much a player at 170, but hasn't fought since November of 2013. Shoulder injury, toe injury.

We'll hear from him at 205. 145. 145, we're going to talk to George Lockhart, a fighter, but also most known for his work as a nutritionist, has worked with the likes of John Jones, Warren McDonald, Kenny Floreen, Dustin Porre, and now Chris Cyborg, as she prepares for a Charmaine tweet, February 27th in Invicta. He has a lot to discuss, a name you don't hear a lot from, but just as accomplished as anyone in the sport in that space.

125, we're going to talk to Tim Kennedy, what's next for him. I'm sure he will weigh in on the Anderson Silva News as well. First, let us go to the phone lines. And, you know, when this Anderson-Silvin News broke last week, and I was digesting it, I was thinking about it. I was thinking, you know, I wish I can hear from this man because when I was coming up, he had a radio show called Fight Network Radio. Then it became the MMA show, and it was on every day. To me, it was a must listen every single day. It was a great recap of yesterday's news, breaking news, all that stuff.

And we don't have that outlet. So I said, I must speak to this man on my show. on Monday and find out because he is the voice of the people. He is the voice of reason. He has seen and done it all. He, in my opinion, is the most prolific voice in combat sports today. The only man that could do boxing,

M.MA, kickboxing, pro wrestling, Muay Thai, whatever it is, Morro Nalo can call it. And he joins us right now via the phone. Morrow, how are you? Well, that intro almost saved you from a tongue lashing that you're about to receive here on this

family day in Canada. I'm joining my wonderful titan of Twitter, the brother from another mother from Montreal, me in Vancouver. I'm like, this is going to be amazing to be on the five year-in-a-row MMA journalist of the year's show to reminisce about our wonderful families and the memories and the memories and making me that, you know,

the more famous Canadian on your show today, and then you're going upstage me and book a guy by the name of GSP. Well done, Mr. Helwani. well done. Thank you, Morrow. But honestly, I need to hear from you. I need to hear what you make of all of this because you love MMA as much as all of us. You've been there, you've done it, you've called Pride, you've called Invicta, you've called Strike Force, LidexC, the list goes on and on now. You are killing it. You've essentially moved on and that, in a way, kind of makes me sad, but also makes me very proud of you. I see you on Friday. You're doing pro wrestling on one channel. You're doing kickboxing on another channel. You're about to call, hopefully, the Mayweather Packial fight. You have moved on and maybe it's for the the best. But what do you make of our sport right now? What is going on here? Anderson Silva, John Fitch, these names that we never thought would ever be linked to this stuff.

What does this mean from him? May I want to know what your reaction was when you heard the Anderson Silva news? I was saddened. I was questfallen. I was shocked in the sense that it was Anderson Silva, who many people believed to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, definitely the greatest fighter to ever enter the octagon

with his accomplishments and the fact that you know, here he is coming back from what could have been a career-ending injury and not wanting to go out on that note and inspiring and motivating a lot of people with the videos and the fact that he is a hero to so many people in Brazil. It was very depressing, and I reached out to you, Ariel. I reached out to a few other friends. And then all of a sudden it dawned on me that it really is becoming more and more microcosm of our society as well, though, where the pressure, is put on. Every one of us, every day has the struggle,

and not to, by any stretch of the imagination, defend what Anderson-Silver did. It truly is a bigger issue. It speaks to what is going on within the sport and in a lot of sports regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the pressure to deliver knowing there's only a short window of opportunity to make real big money. And let's face it, becoming a star in any right,

is very difficult. But when it's a legend of the sport like Anderson Silva, it really makes me, you know, reassess everything I love about this sport because it is a dirty sport. There's no way around it. And combat sports is plagued with a performance-enhancing drug problem. And yet there are solutions. And I've been talking to Margaret Goodman, who represents VADA,

and I've been talking to Dr. Johnny Benjamin and, you know, monitoring what's going on on Twitter. And, you know, Margaret Goodman, And with FATA, the independent, you know, testing organization says that it's only $3,250 average per fighter right now in the UFC roster per year. That would be the cost to do all the testing, including the CIR, the blood testing, all the HGH, everything, randomly per year, a $3,250 investment per fighter. Don't you think it behooves the ultimate fighting championship and maybe all organizations to do that? that's going to be the cost of business in this new era, Ariel. Six days after this news comes out, do you view Anderson Silva differently,

or do you believe innocent until proven guilty? I said at the top of the show, because of what's happened with Lance Armstrong and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and so many others in and out of combat sports, it's no longer innocent until proven guilty, because we've heard and seen it all from all these athletes, and more often than not, they are guilty at the end of the day. So how do you view Anderson-Silver now, even though we must say, innocent until proven guilty, right?

Yeah, you're right. I mean, until the evidence, the second, the B sample is tested, he gets his hearing, although there, you know, in itself is an issue. I'm sure we can talk about as well with the commissions and everything else that is going on. But no, Anderson Silver right now

is in that purgatory, in that area of where, yeah, innocent until proven guilty. But unfortunately, man, when you look again, everything being hindsight and you want to believe That's the thing. That's what attracts us, I believe, or attracted me to the sport in the first place, was just this journey, what these athletes is incredible human beings put themselves through mind, body, soul, and the sacrifices they make for something that they have a choice, obviously to do, but it's the ultimate test for them. It's to find their truth. We hear, especially, you know, the incredible job you do, Ariel, and I've seen a bigger rise in the quality of MMA journalism over the past few months.

And unfortunately, it's been because of these, you know, what really are ineffable issues and ones that I'm so glad that we are finally addressing, but it needs to go further. And for Anderson-Silver right now, as much as, yeah, I think this will tarnish his legacy, how will it be in five years, ten years from now, though, if this is the tipping board, if this is the guy that, you know, really forms a catalyst for the UFC and the commissions to really go to the, to the extent that they need to go to.

And when I've talked to people like Margaret Goodman, and I'm not here just to endorse spotted, there's a B.A. But I'm saying it's there. It's money. And let's face it, maybe this is all at the end of the day. The reason we don't find out about pre-fight drug tests until after the fight or certain people are, you know, handled certain ways.

And it's all about the bottom line. It's all about money. But there's a real danger here of this sport going down a path that, you know, It may not be able to return from, and I say that because I love it. I want this sport to prevent. The most amazing and nicest people I've ever come across, the most fascinating human beings I've ever come across, are involved in mixed martial arts, but come on, let's get our heads out of the sand.

And even spreading it forward to boxing, I had Bernard Hopkins on my show last year when I was doing the podcast, and he told me right on the air that he would take 50 million Golden Boy and go and help clean up, you know, the sport of boxing. and yet nothing really has been done yet. So it's enough talking. It's time to act, and it's time to really do its job and clean up this sport because, you know, it's been said, and I don't want to continue to be on the soapbox, but I'll say this. I don't want to be case side when someone gets killed because of someone hopped up on steroids.

Sorry. I couldn't agree more. I'm wondering, how do you feel about Nevada right now? because on the one hand, they're doing more out-of-competition testing than anyone, and yes, the UFC is paying for a lot of this, but they are going out there and doing it,

and they are always at the forefront of all combat sports-related issues. But on the other hand, once again, it feels like they kind of fumbled the ball at the goal line. You do out-a-competition testing, but it comes out-of-the-fighted-competition test. You know, we saw what happened with John Jones. That was somewhat of a fumble.

It's like, we're happy these results are coming out, but when they come out afterwards, it kind of defeats the purpose, right? Oh, I mean, this is what I will say about the Las Vegas Commission and the Nevada Commission, I should say, and commissions in general, obviously they exist to look after the welfare of the fighters. I am one of those people who feel that they should not be involved in the drug testing to begin with because of the fact that, yeah, they have all these, you know, they are funded by the events.

They are, most commissions across the country are underfunded, so they, You know, it just raises too many questions, Ariel, about the credibility and validity. And I can't, you know, I'm not going to accuse anyone until we have any form of evidence. But what I'm saying, it's almost too close for comfort. So why even put that burden on yourself when, again, and I will keep saying it, there are organizations like VADA, USAGA, look at George St. Peoria, you'll get into it with him when he's on the show. He's used Bada in the past. So if the guy who right now, I think, is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the sport in the wake,

of what happened Anderson Silva, and of course, what we will soon find out. I mean, if you don't want to listen to to George St. Pierre, who are you going to listen to? You know what I mean? He's your superstar. And for me, that also raised many question marks why the UFC would not, you know, try to work with a guy like George St. Pierre more for the benefit of their sport. And in the future, their bottom line aerial. A lot of people can say, well, they have to run all these shows. And so, you know, we've seen an M.A. Junkie, I think, was the one reported 31% out of the

got a competition test. We're working. I mean, that's amazing. That's 300. That batting average makes you a multimillionaire in the major league. So why would you get rid of it, Eric? And the timing of Dana's comment about, well, we're getting out of the random testing because we screwed up the con lead, I think, well, in the wake of what we're seeing right now,

you know, yeah, you did. And so I'm just wondering why we continue to shoot ourselves in the proverbial foot because there was an opportunity right now to just clean up the sport. And let's celebrate what was the month of January. I cannot believe we're not talking about Connor McGregor's breakup performance. We're not talking about Daniel Cormi and John Jones and what happened inside the cage

or everything else that's going on in the sport. And this is why, yeah, I get fired up because it's time for the bullshit to stop. Morrill, let me ask you this. It may sound like a crazy question, but I'm very curious to hear your take on this, because you for a very long time were known as the voice of pride. and people are very romantic when speaking about pride. Pride never died, the great fights, the great era that was, you know, the pride era back, you know, what, seven or eight years ago in Japan. And let's be honest. I mean, a lot of people have come out and said, you know, it was kind of, you know, the Wild West over there. No drug testing guys, you know, once they came over to the U.S. performed a lot differently once there was drug testing. And it wasn't even at the level that it is today. We're just talking about fight night testing. And I sometimes wonder if fans would just prefer

no drug testing and just see these these superhuman athletes go out there and fight go toe to toe and let's just sit back and watch it all and have a good time, have some pizza and beer, and then go about our way. How do you feel about it? Because you were part of those great fights, and now you probably know a lot more about what was going on than you did

back then. Would you prefer it just be like the Pride Days, or do you like it now with these tests and now our heroes kind of falling by the wayside? Did you plant a bug in Frank Shamrock's place last night, sir? No, no, why? I have the exact same conversation. Wow.

How about that? Weird, like a very well-done. And it's funny because obviously, yeah, we talk about the genesis of the sport and in Japan, of course. And again, people will say, well, just answer the question. Don't know for the fence. I know for a fact that all I did was go over, call the fight. I've seen contract. I think Anthony Neway posted one, too, where, you know, there would be no steroid testing.

Ariel, all you have to deep and see is the metamorphous or the transatlant. modification, if you will, of certain athletes who competed in Japan and then in North America, but you're right at the time. And this is, I would rather see, to answer your question, there have to be rules. They have to be on an even playing field. And I think that steroids should be banned. Do I think that there would be certain elements of pride that would be maybe de-romanticized, as you say?

Maybe I still think pride in itself from the production values to the stories, to the, to the And yes, I'm pretty sure some of them were on steroids. But the fact is, now we're here. We're in 2015. Let's learn. Let's try to not repeat history. Let's try to create a brand new future. And I'm not that naive to think that it's going to happen overnight or that they will ever

win. The cat and mouse game of technology will always dictate that, you know, everyone wants the easy way out, Ariel. There's a reason that, you know, I'm doing what I'm doing now and I'm very, very busy, but I could be doing a lot more, but I know that, no, I need to look after myself, and that's where the pressure on these athletes, these fighters, who, let's face it, for the most part, aren't making a lot of money and are really in a business in which the window of opportunity closes rather quickly. I can't even, I don't condone, but how can you blame the fact that we are seeing what we're seeing

in terms of the way the landscape is? And I think, again, the biggest deterrent is to lose your job. It's kind of ironic now that Anderson Silver's the guy, who in October told MMA junkie guy, you know, if you take steroids, no more fights. Well, you know, until we find out more of what, we'll see, you know, how its future is. And I want to believe he didn't. I wish. I want to believe this.

But it's two of them, Ariel, not one. And, you know, the third member of the camp, even though two of them were training in Brazil to test positive for the, you know what I mean? It's, it's ugly. It's really ugly. It's deja vu all over again for Nick Diaz. I'm very curious to hear what you have to say about him. Third time testing positive for marijuana. We know that this guy has a medical marijuana license in the state of California, and the science is a little murky. We don't know exactly when he smoked. If he's able to do so in California and it stays in his system when he enters Nevada, should he be penalized for this? And I'm afraid at this point, you know, we saw him come all the way back. He took a two-year hiatus. I'm afraid that this will drive Nick Diaz out of the state. I'm afraid that this will drive Nick Diaz out of the state. I'm afraid that this will drive Nick Diaz out of the state. sport.

And maybe that's for the best. This is a guy who says he doesn't like fighting. You know, he just, this is all he knows, and that's why he's coming back, et cetera, et cetera. How do you feel about Nick Diaz testing positive again? And do you think this is it for him? I am not shocked in the least by Nick Diaz testing positive. In fact, I, you know, the death attacks is the D.S.

The H.C. level. And then it's not something he hides, very old. Right. Or in fact, he might flout. It might be, you know, another of his middle finger version to authority and then to the, to whatever it is that. he has his issues with, but I will say this much about Nick Diaz and having called, you know, many of his fights and just followed his career throughout one of the most compelling characters.

And when you, any area you've had the opportunity on many occasions, when you get him in an environment in which it is controlled. And what I mean by that is where there aren't a lot of distractions, because I truly believe that, yes, he does have attention, deficit hyperactivity disorder, and needs the medicinal marijuana. And I think, as we are seeing in our society, society, the stigma becoming more and more de-sigmatized for that, but still he plotted the rules. He broke the rules. So, yeah, I don't think he should fight again. And really, what does he have left to prove?

He's accomplished everything. I think in many ways, even though he's an amazing athlete and does the triathlons, and, you know, I think more intelligent in terms of what we think he doesn't know that, you know, he really does is the fact that he could have done so much more if he may be, yeah, you know, wasn't the bad boy, even though he doesn't want to be the bad boy. Why does he have to smoke knowing this could be the opportunity of a lifetime? And let's face it, he showed more kicking in the fight against Silva. Although going in, I thought Silva would beat him because of the size and experience and, you know, the higher level.

But I was very impressed with Diaz in terms of the least trying to make it compelling and dramatic throughout. And while it wasn't the best fight I've ever seen, again, it's when I'll remember because of the ingredients. And of course, now the follow. Here's the biggest question of the mall, the one I'm dying to ask you. On May 2nd, 2015, will the pride of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, Moro-Ranalo, Morito Rinalo, the bipolar rock and roller, will he be announcing the most anticipated boxing match of all time? You know what? At this point, I don't know if I will be doing the play-by-play for the pay-per-view portion, and truthfully and honestly, I think, I know the group that I put together. and yeah, of course, it would be a dream to do it, but Jim Lampley is more than earned that right.

Hall of Famer who was called, you know, some of the biggest fights for many years, and, of course, our Al Bernstein. You know me, Ariel. I would put myself right at the bottom in terms of experience and everything else. But at that, at the same time, just like you know in WWW, man,

if you get the ball, you've got to run with it. And so I think in some way, shape, or form, both stations, both networks, if the fight comes to fruition, will air a broadcast. Maybe I don't know. I'm not part of the negotiations, but I'll be there one way or another. If I'm not calling it, you know, I'm going to be Rinside

because it's a fight that's been six years in the gestation period long overdue, and it has to be made soon because, you know, it's just, it has to be. Otherwise, what's the point of even continuing to talk about it? I mean, it's amazing how much we continue to discuss a fight that, yeah, you hear it one day it's done, the next day no. So I'm just going to wait on the sidelines and see what happens. In all honesty, one of the most impressive things that you've ever done in your career, in my opinion, was go to the third man role, while Gus Johnson, who obviously doesn't have your resume as far as combat sports are concerned,

came in there and was put in some big fights. You did your thing. You didn't complain publicly. You handled it like a pro, so I know you will handle this situation like a pro. I hope that you will be calling it. I just want to know, based on how you're talking, do you have some insight? I mean, let's break some news here. Is the fight going to happen on May 2nd?

Oh, I wish, you know me, I would give it to you. I really have no idea. And it's, I mean, you read what you read. You hear what you hear, and it's, you know, it's there. It's out there. Everything now is out. I wish I had some more insight from my own, you know, psyche in terms of, you know, just preparing and everything else.

Like, you want to, you know, I'm one of those guys. And as you know now, really in a unique position where I'm doing different sports and trying to, you know, keep my finger on the pulse of each and still have a life. And, in fact, just getting ready to go hiking, doing the Central California activity with Frank Chamrock here in a minute. Nice. But I do hope it happens regardless if I'm involved or not. Like I say, I think we will be in one way or another. But I'm just enjoying, buddy.

I guess I could quickly, and I know you've got to go to New Japan pro wrestling stuff. Friday nights at 9 o'clock Eastern Pacific on Access. I just want to say quickly, in 30 years, years. of doing this, and then I started in professional wrestling. I never thought I would get the opportunity to do what I've been asked to do by the fine folks at Access TV in calling the best professional wrestling on the planet and really taking me back to what it was like when I first started with Pride Fighting Championships. But I just want to thank everybody.

The feedback I've received has been surreal, and it's more than humbling and overwhelming because all of this is taking place in a period of my life area where, again, every day is that professional struggle. So the fact that I am now doing what I'm doing, I want to just tell everybody out there who is going through any kind of mental health crisis. If you are depressed, if you are down and just need someone to talk to, there is help out there with NAMI. I've always given on my email address at Morrow at Morrowraurello.com, and I just want everybody to keep up a good fight. Because if I can win this thing, everybody can. Like I said at the top, we miss you here on this side of the fence.

But I'm so happy that the rest of the world is now seeing how good. of a broad how great, how excellent of a broadcaster you are, in my opinion, the most prolific voice in the history of combat sports. I don't just say that because you're here. No one can do what you do. And just hearing you weigh in and that passion, it takes me back to the old Fight Network radio days with John Pollock. I hope you will return to the podcast world at some point, but for now you are a very busy man. You're doing tremendous work. I love watching it from afar every time you're on the air. Thank you so much for joining us tomorrow. And will we see you at Invicta? Are you there in a couple weeks? Yes, I will be

calling InVictor with Julie Ketty on February 27th, and no coincidence, of course, that it's the night before, Ross Rossi and Katzengano. So I'm very much looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the media support. What is an amazing product, as you know, man, and Victor fighting championship,

Shannon Nap, Julie, the women, they always bring it, and again, it's grassroots. We're watching something grow, and it's without growing pains, but it's so it's so enjoyable to be a part of this journey. And Ariel, thank you so much for everything that you do. Congratulations on your continued success. And I'm glad we're brothers, brother. Thank you, Morrow. Talk to you soon. Take care.

There is. Morrow Rinaloa. There is only one Morrow Rinaloa. Great stuff. And I wanted to hear that passion. I miss that passion. And I wanted to hear him weigh in on the Anderson Silva situation. Let's move along now. Let's welcome in a man who competes in the same division as Anderson Silva. He has a lot going on in his life, but I want to hear from him as well. Let's go to the Skype machine and welcome in Tim Kennedy right now with a tremendous piece of facial hair. Look at that. Look at that mustache. Look at that beard. It's unbelievable. What is the inspiration behind this, Tim? You know, you take a cosmopolitan man, you stick him in the wild. Every by day, he becomes a little bit more feral. But then you take a guy like me that's already completely insane and then put him in the wild.

This is the outcome. How far are we going with this? I don't know until I can braid this I think Viking comes out in a couple of weeks and I want to have a lot of similar facial hair with some of those murdering pillaging, raping, psychopaths Fair enough, yes I support this cause of yours

So I want to talk to you about Anderson Silva Because when this news came out I started to think about the people Who have been very outspoken About PED usage in MMA And the problem that PEDs are in MMA And you were one of the first first people that came to mind. You've been very outspoken about this. You have you have pulled no

punches. What was your reaction when you found out that the supposed greatest of all time had allegedly tested positive for two PDs? Indifference. No amount of surprise whatsoever. It was almost just like, eh. Yeah. And that's a problem, right? Yeah, a huge problem. I've been saying it all along, you know, and every time, I think last week we had like three more main event, like super fight type guys, all test positive. So yeah, complete lack of surprise here. I'll put you on the spot here. I'm just wondering, you've been around this sport for a long time.

In your opinion, what percentage of the fighters out there? Pro fighters, big time fighters are on something? I don't know, 60 to 70%. Wow, I thought you were going to go higher, to be honest. you know i've always been like around a 75% guy but um looking at i'll call them anomalies or or the minorities you know there there are enough true martial artists that are still in the sport that i think that number is going to continue to go up unless the UFC changes things but um because guys like myself and leurramachita uh like the old school guys that still care about

the sport and martial arts that we're going away. That generation's leaving, and now the younger athlete is coming in, and the athlete is one abusing dude. So what would you like to see the UFC do? Random testing. In camp, after camp, after fights, before fights. Every time, every time you do a random test, you catch a guy. Right.

I mean, maybe not every time, 95% of the time. If that's not an indication of a problem where every time you do, or nearly every time you do a random test, the guy comes up positive, like you have to change something. If you go down fight camp by fight camp and look at, you know, there's problems in regions, like countries, obviously, there's guys that at specific fight camps they're using a lot more than others. there's habitual users that will test positive two, three, four times in a career. I don't know. You have to start testing randomly. And once you start testing everybody frequently, the expense, the economics of it is going to go down. And then the use is going to go down.

The last time I spoke to you via text before booking you on this show, you sort of implied that you weren't sure when you will fight again. Is that accurate? Yeah, totally still accurate. Does this have anything to do with it? I mean, at this point, given your age and what you've been through in your career in and out of fighting, do you say to yourself, I don't want to go in there and fight a guy? We're not, you know, shooting hoops here. We're not playing pitch and catch.

I don't want to go in there and fight a guy in a cage who may be on a concoction of different PEDs. I think you kind of just called me old, but yes. The, absolutely. Yeah, the, my, my, I'm just, disappointed in the sport in a lot of different ways not only the rampant drug use um you know guys cheating judging things that have existed you know i've been in the sport for third i've been a professional in a sport for 13 years i've been a martial artist for 25 28 years um not nothing's changed you know

people still you know i have my boss dana after my fight saying like oh my god this is horrible you know i haven't seen this in boxing for forever and then another dude test is possible He's like, we're going to change things. Lorenzo comes out and says, we're going to change things. And then nothing changes. So the lip service is disheartening. And I don't want to be part of that. Additionally, you know, like I need my brain.

This sport does not compensate enough for me to be damaged for the rest of my life, not to make, you know, not to be able to have a real career for the last 40 years of my life. So, yeah, unless there's some crazy opportunity. you know like Joe Silva calls and says you know Vita Belfort tested positive I'm like again no surprise and somebody needs to step in for for Veter against Chris I'm like all right you know maybe but even that I'd have to seriously consider it

so would you consider yourself retired right now? No I'm never I'm still training 15, 18 times a week in between the times that I'm at the range and shooting you know but I'm still passionate about the sport. I'm still a warrior in every sense of the word. I'm still always going to train.

I'm still always going to consider myself a fighter. But I just have no interest or passion to do anything. Ties, ladies just called me out. I was like, I like that guy. He's a good fighter. Right, moving on. Like it had no emotional significance to me. I was like, whatever.

So do you even tell the UFC this? Do you tell the UFC, unless you're calling me, me for some gigantic fight, title of whatever, as you just mentioned, don't even bother. I'm on the sidelines. No. What would happen?

I told you. You're my friend. Well, I appreciate that. But if Joe Silva calls you today and says, Taoslides, we want you to fight him. What do you say to that? I'm bored. I make more money doing real work.

Right. Like what? What do you do outside of fighting these days? I'm still obviously doing a lot of stuff with special forces. I'm a government contractor, so I'd go and do government contracting things. A lot of hot spots in the world right now with ISIS and North Africa. So I got a lot of work.

When did you start feeling this way? Was it after the Romero fight, before the Romero fight, before another fight in the UFC? When did you start feeling that your love for the sport was going away? So I have a conflict. I'm not, my love for the sport hasn't going, isn't going away. Just disappointed in the sport. Yep. So I don't know how to explain these mixed emotions where I'm like,

every dude in my weight class is testing positive. Everybody's cheating. Judging still sucks. Ruffing still sucks. Like one of my favorite refs in the world, John McCarthy just gets owned by a couple of, you know, like corners that used him. Every, like, but then on the flip side, I still love being a fighter. I still love fighting.

I still love training. I still love competing. So I don't know. I don't know. The genesis of this feeling has been gradually building over the past, I don't know, 18 months. Okay. Did the Romero situation, Stoolgate, as some have called it, we all know what happened at this point. You were on the show just 48 hours later. Did that, you know, steal the deal for you?

Was that the straw that broke the camel's back? I mean, that was just a bizarre situation all around. No, I don't think there was like any single incident. incident that finally was like, oh, man, I've, I'm over it. It's just been this continual bombardment of disappointment in the sport. Why didn't you explore, and correct me if I'm wrong here, why didn't you explore the possibility of appealing that loss? Okay, a little bit was on me. You know, first and foremost, I left the fight. I left the fight, after I thought I had won.

You know, at the end of the second round, I was just like, ah, yeah, I'm pointing at Dana. You know, like, I thought the fight was over. Right. You know, talk about a huge mistake. That's on me. Yes, John messed up. Yes, the corners cheated.

Yes, Romero cheated. Yes, they all knew what they were doing, and it was completely against the rules every single which way. But first and foremost, I have to look at myself as an athlete, and I messed up, you know. I should have stayed there. have been cerebral enough to be cognitive, cognitively aware that this fight could still be going on. I don't know.

So you kind of checked out. Yeah, when there's still blame on my own shoulders, am I going to go to the athletic commission, you know, and say, hey, these guys cheated. They did, but in fact, I still should have been the one that finished him. What if they come to you with a rematch? No, doesn't do it for you? No. You know, going back to what you said earlier, good friend of yours, Brian Stan, since he has retired, and he's actually said some of the same things that you've said here today as well.

He's tried, you know, he's had meetings with Lorenzo Fertita. He's tried to push this as much as he can. Are you interested if you don't fight again? Are you interested in trying to clean up the sport and doing what you can as a former or your current UFC fighter or whatever you want to call yourself, going out there, front lines, if you will, pardon the pun, but going out there and trying to clean it up. Yeah, I think that speaks

very clearly to what I said. I'm torn. I still love the sport, but I'm very disappointed in it. So if I have the opportunity to contribute to something that I love, the sport, and see it change for the better, where maybe, I can't tell you how many emails, texts and fan interactions I get right now where like, man, I'm over the sport, I'm so disappointed,

or I can't believe this happened yet again. Aren't they ever going to do anything? You've been saying it all along. I can't even respond to these people because I'm like, yeah, I know, man. I've been saying it. So the sport is hurting from this stuff. And unless something changes, the sport is going to continue to have damage done to both its reputation and its attraction.

Honestly, are you afraid that we just had more Rinaloa on the show before you, and he was saying that he was afraid that there will be a disaster, just a horrible accident. And then could you imagine if something happens where there's a horrible accident? It's a very dangerous sport. And thank God, as far as the UFC is concerned, no one has ever been seriously injured.

But could you imagine if that happens and then it comes out afterwards that the guy was on some kind of PED? I mean, I don't even know what would happen to the sport. Do you think of these things as well? Yeah, absolutely. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't happened yet. You know, if you look at the number of

athletes that are using and then, you know, like some of the fantastic finishes. It doesn't even have to be a traumatic, horrible injury. It could just be a knockout. And then the guy comes in test positive. That in itself, like that guy just got a serious amount of damage done to his brain by a dude that is using steroids. You know, we're not putting balls in holes. We're not playing golf.

We're not playing basketball. We're not, you know, trying to hit balls out of a park. We're hitting each other in the head. And then we have guys that are using enabolic steroids and testosterone and HGH, you know, that are getting sponsored by companies that almost exclusively use or make and manufacture hormones.

So, yeah, there's a crazy problem. And the inevitable is going to happen where somebody's going to get seriously injured and the person that caused that is going to test positive and then the sport is. Yeah. Around a decade ago, Congress got involved with baseball, and that's when baseball really started to clean up its act.

Would you like to see that happen with MMA, or do you feel like, let's be honest, Congress has more important things to deal with? Congress does have more important things to deal with, but they suck, and they're not doing anything anyways. A bunch of rich, old white dudes. So, I don't know. I don't even want to talk about Congress.

They suck. Okay. So you don't want to see the government. I mean, obviously the commission is involved. but, you know, UFC is paying for all of that and it gets a little tricky then. You know, they go out there and they do the test, but then the test results come out, you know, after the fight. So it doesn't... What do you mean by tricky?

So when you say the athletic, we have the athletic mission, which is a government branch of the government that's supposed to be protecting the athletes. But then they're doing what with the UFC and getting what percentage of the gates? Yeah. I'm sorry. Is that what you mean by tricky? Yeah, essentially. To me, that's called corruption. but you can call it tricky if you want.

You feel the commissions in particular in Nevada is corrupt? Absolutely. Why? We just lined out chronologically. So you have people that are testing positive to drugs. John Jones, Nick Diaz, and then the test results come out. Do we lose them? Darn it.

Leads are paid, which actually isn't that much. Sorry, we cut you off. Can you go back to the John Jones, Nick Diaz part? Because your answer got cut off your, your, your, your, your, your, your, picture froze i don't want to miss that i i was the coincidence of these guys's tests coming back the day after the athletic commissions are making millions and millions and millions of dollars off of these fights and then their test results come out the day after stop it now we're just being silly um like how how ignorant and stupid do you think we um or just to say no you can still fight

not a big deal we shouldn't have even tested you anyways um and we're still going to make millions of dollars off of this, and then you're going to check into rehab for eight hours. Right. Yeah. No, we're just being silly, and now they're just insulting us. John Jones, a teammate of yours. So it's interesting to hear you speak about him like this and his situation. Have you...

Drugs are bad people. Don't use them. Right. Have you talked to him about it? No, I haven't talked to him. Have you changed your stance on him? He's still one of the most talented athletes ever. He makes a lot of horrible decisions.

And I hope this isn't a trend. He's made some in the past. And he could be the best ever. And the only person that's going to get in the way of that is himself. And he seems to seemingly he keeps doing that. I still love him dearly. I still would be there for him anytime he needs something. But, you know, he's not going to ask for it.

And any time somebody shows him tough love, you know, he's like, I don't need this. I can find somebody that will give me anything I want. Do you still care to train with them? Yeah. How much blame goes to the coaches, in your opinion? Do you think the coaches are the ones pushing the fighters to do this, or are a lot of the fighters doing it on their own?

And sometimes behind their coaches back. Both. You know, Greg, I can't speak to a lot of coaches. I can speak that I see camps that have tested positive more often than others. do I still have you? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, we got you. Okay, I saw it freeze. And then, like Greg, my coach, you know, that he would, if he heard of somebody using something in the gym, he would flip out and kick them out of the gym.

He's never, you know, encouraged, endorsed, and he asks, you know, like, are you and people, he's had guys in his camp that have tested positive. So, you know, does that mean that Greg is supposed to like hang out with John Jones for three weeks during fight camp at night to make sure he doesn't snort some coke? No, that's crazy. You know, is he going to follow all of his little Russians around on the weekends and check what's in their buddy's fanny packs to make sure they're not, you know, having hypodernic needles in there to hit him with some oil-based antabolic steroids? No. But I think Greg is a great example of somebody that goes over the top to make sure that, or, try to ensure that his athletes are clean. Has anyone ever come up to you?

Hey, Tim, I know you're kind of on the cusp of a title shot, your contender. I got something that will take you to the next level. Has that ever happened? Oh, yeah. All the time. Someone that you respect and were shocked by, yes. Wow. This happens in the locker room or something.

Yeah, or you know, you get done with the training. You go out to grab a bite to eat before your next training session. I'm like, man, you're like, how's recovery going? And it looks like you're hurting today. It's Thursday. And I got something that within a couple of weeks, you'd feel so much better. Your recovery would be faster. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Right. You know, yeah. Both coming from guys I, like, have respected and I consider them my friends. You know, at that point, that was our point of departure where I was like, sorry, bro, you're like, we can never hang out again. Wow. I want nothing to do with you. I've been a professional athlete for 13 years. I've probably on a quarterly or monthly basis been approached to use performance enhancing drugs my entire career.

And in those 13 years, there are times where I was deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. And if you can imagine this, steroids are actually like almost needed for some guys over there. You know, we're doing eight, nine, ten hits a night. you're up for like special forces guys are a little bit older they're you know late 30s early 40s um and they're physically just the expectation of what's required to them is so demanding that like these guys are hurting and like just to stay alive just so they don't get blown up like they're trying to find ways to help with recovery so even over there it's it's been tempting you know but like as god is my witness you know like never have i ever you

or even thought about using. It's been tempting. I'm not going to lie. Whereas like, God, I hurt. I wish I could just make this easier on myself. And I know this will help because steroids, they work. They work. That's why they use them.

They make you're bigger, you're faster, you're stronger. But never will I and never have I. Bravo. Two last quick things. Do you think it gets worse before it gets better in MMA? Yeah. I think you hit the nail in the head there when you said something catastrophic is going to happen.

and that catastrophic thing. Like, how bad is it that we just had a main event where both the athletes in the main event tested positive? That's pretty catastrophic. But now we're like, some talk shows, you know, people are talking about it. Now, I'm talking about like something horrible, or maybe even something gone wrong, where a bad drug is used

and something happens to the athlete before the fight. And now his kidneys are failing and his liver is failing. And God, guess what? That happens when you use steroids. It's going to get worse before it gets better. One last thing, and it's a from left field question, but I'm very curious to hear your take on this.

Of course, we know about your history and your background, you know, fighting overseas for this country, and you are a hero, an American hero. How should I feel about the Brian Williams situation? Brian Williams is a role model of mine. I tape that show every night. I truly love watching that guy. And I don't know how to feel because it's, on the one hand, I'm like, oh, it was a little

white lie on the other hand. I know a lot of people like yourself have been there, done that, and you might not appreciate someone embellishing a story like that. So 99% of my audience probably doesn't care about this. But just because I have you on, I'm dying to ask, how do you feel about that situation? Man, you, I'm not defending Brian Williams. And I have, you know, like, I will never say, like, I have a DD214. It's a summary of the things that you've done in the military.

And when I go and talk to a new employer, I pretty much hand them my DD-214. I'm like, look, this is what I've done. So I don't even need to speak to it. Like, you don't need war stories from me. But if you walk into like a VFW or, you know, a VA hospital, like where a lot of like old veterans are, you're going to get like, I caught a fish one time

and it was this big. the equivalent of the military stories when I was deployed this time or no shit there I was and insert a kind of exaggerated story it happens fairly frequently so I'm not going to throw stones at the guy

it was immature it was honestly kind of pathetic he's done some remarkable amazing things and for him to feel the need to do that maybe it's just like a moment of insecurity and he was, I don't know why, but it wasn't necessary. He's done some fantastic things. He's a great broadcaster, but yeah, it was pretty weak.

All right. I thought you'd say that. Will you ever fight again right now? Go on the record. What do you think? Do I think I'll ever fight again? Will you ever fight again? I don't know.

Leaning towards now? It has to be something special. Fidor comes out of retirement, and I fight him at a catchmate of a hundred, Kilos. Okay. All right. We'll work on that. I'd be down for that. Well, it's disappointing because we need more people like you in this sport, Tim. Always speaking the truth. And, you know, you never know these days. You find out Anderson Silva might be on something. You never know who's telling the truth. I want to believe, and I do believe sitting here that you are telling us the truth because you are a man of great morals and conviction.

So I appreciate it. I could be lying. Well, I hope not. And that would blow my mind if you're lying. That's the only way you can know for sure. That's true. Somebody walked through my door. I didn't know they were coming. I was like, oh, man, who are you? Yeah. Oh, you have an athletic commission.

Okay, you can have my blood. It has to be blood, not urine, blood. All right. Thank you for the time, Tim. All the best soon. We'll talk to you soon. Yep, absolutely. Anytime.

There he is. Tim Kennedy stopping by dropping some knowledge. Great stuff from him. Let's move along now. Let's welcome in a man who I spoke about on the top of the show. George Lockhart is a name you may not have heard of, but you have assured. surely heard of the fighters he has worked with, and you have also seen his work in front of you.

You have seen the fruits of his labor in front of you, a man who may be behind the scenes, but does tremendous work for a lot of the biggest names in this sport, and he joins us right now via the phone. George, how are you? Good. How are you doing, Ariel? I'm doing great. Thank you for joining us.

So, I mean, we could call you a lot of things. You are a former Marine. You are a fighter. You fought not that long ago. You are a nutritionist, you're a trainer. What else are you? I'm a gym owner. I was one of my specialties.

I'm a father, Christian. So I got a plethora of things that I like to claim and try to live up to. So you work closely with some of the biggest names in the sport. Off top my head, John Jones, Kenny Floreen, Roy McDonald, Dustin Poirier. You're currently working with Chris Cyborg. We will get to her in a second. but as someone who works with these guys and girls and you're there every day, you're in the gym, you're in the locker room, how big, and we've been talking about this all show long,

how big of a problem is the PED problem in MMA? I think it's huge, you know, and I think a lot of people have a misunderstanding when it comes to PDs. You know, it's a tough sport, you know, a lot of people think it's all about, you know, aesthetics and, you know, like, some people are like, wow, you know, I can't believe that guy he's on steroids, but he looks like he's on steroids. Recovery is such a huge aspect to the sport. When you're doing two and three days and you're getting punched and kicked and doing all these things, recovery is imperative.

And, you know, one of the reasons I got into this and one of the reasons that I'm so passionate about nutrition is because there was no way, as a fighter, I could possibly hang without proper nutrition, without that proper recovery. You know, me and Brian Stan, we go way back, and that was one of the biggest things. You know, that's one thing I loved about him. You know, it's one thing we never had to worry about with him was PDDs. And he's like, George, you know, what do I need to do for recovery? And, you know, I said, you know, your nutrition has got to be on point.

I think a lot of people just don't understand how to do it properly and how much it can affect their lives and their training. So you're working with Chris Cyborg in preparation for, her fight on February 27th against Charmaine Tweet for the Invicta 145-pound title. Is this your first time working with her? Yes, sir. Yes. We just started working together a couple weeks ago.

How did that relationship come about? There is actually, Brian Stan talked to our manager. You know, it's a pretty tight-nage group. He was looking around for somebody. Just kind of take a look at her nutrition to see if we can improve on some things. And I got a hold of her manager. and we've been working it out ever since. And, of course, she does have a history with PDU.

She did fail a drug test while in Strike Force. Did you have any reservations about working with her? No, no. You know, it's one of the things that, you know, in the sport, there's a dark side. I'm not judging anybody. But it's very clear that it's not happening anymore. You know, anybody that I work with, that's something that I'm very passionate about, that, you know, like I said,

I keep bringing him up. He's a dear friend, but Brian, you know, it's a big, big thing in the sport. You know, the big reason that he got out of the sport, you know. And it is an unfair advantage. And, you know, people can get hurt because of the power and the things that they can come about from the PEDs. So anybody I work with, yes, that's very important that they don't do that.

If that was the case, then I wouldn't be working with it. Do you have a conversation with your fighter before? I mean, I don't want to just. pin it all on cyborg here, but that's, you know, that's the new client of yours, but you have a conversation, look, you need to know everything that's going on, you need to know who they're talking to, what they're putting in their body, because at the end of the day, if a fight happens and you work with that fighter, and then after the fact it comes out that, you know, they failed the test. I mean, that's on you as well. You may have not known a single

thing about it, but that's your reputation that gets hit, right? Absolutely, absolutely. You're absolutely right when it comes to talking, you know, with With the fighters, you know, a lot of people just like well, nutrition, and with some people, you tell them what to eat, how to eat and what to eat, you know, I want to eat. But, you know, when working personally with a fighter, I need to know everything about it. It's got to be a trust, a bomb in there because there's so much psychology that goes along with it as well. They just got to be, okay, man, I'm going to do what you tell me to do,

and I'm going to have 100% faith. And on my side, if they are taking PDs, the nutrition is kind of like a shot in the dark. It really is. They'll be needing more calories. And it's funny, when you get down to the science, you can tell right away. You're like, okay, man, you're on something. You know what I mean? Because they're not getting the macronutrientutrients that they need.

Has it ever happened? I'm not asking you to name names, but has it ever happened where midway through the camp, you realize that something is off here and you call the fighter out and it comes out that they were doing something behind your back? Yes, yes, absolutely. And what do you do at that point? You tell him, you know, like, I just need you to be, you know, completely honest with me. Like I said, I don't judge, you know what I mean?

Like, I've been blessed, you know, being in the military, I've never had to provide for my family through fighting. You know what I'm saying? And with that being said, like you said, my reputation's on the line. And because of my family, I can't work with somebody that's doing that. But I'm not going to be like, well, so-and-so is doing X, Y, and Z. But I can't do my job unless I know 100% of facts. So when I hear that you're working with Cyborg, I mean, this fight is at 145. She's had a pretty easy time making 145.

I know she's been out for quite some time, but is this the beginning of her move down to 135? Because, you know, we've heard recently that the UFC is interested in her, that there have been talks. Lorenza Fertita has talked to ESPN.com about this, and that's the fight. I mean, this fight is taking place the day before, the night before the Ronnerousy fight in Los Angeles. Are you working with her not really so much for this fight, but for the eventual move down to 135? No, right now I'm working for this fight, you know, specifically for this fight. I'm finding out how her body, you know, works, how it functions. You know, I came out here and actually met her for the very first time,

kind of see her structure, how she's built her training. And, you know, when it comes down to it, man, I can, you know, the question is, you know, can she make $1.35? You know, I can make anybody hit any weight. You know, the question isn't, can I hit the weight? It's how they perform when they do. And, you know, right now that's not a big thought in the mind. Like I said, right now the tweet fight is the only thing that I'm thinking about.

If the camp ever came to me and said, hey, we want to look at 135. It will be beneficial to me that I have worked with her before to do that. So you've been working with her. You said two weeks, right? Yes, sir. How much did she weigh when you started this camp with her? I believe she was in the high 60s. Did you say 50s or 60s?

60s. So do you think it would be a problem to get down to 135 and still compete like we know Cyborg can compete? You know, just starting to work with her, I can't tell that. You know, working with her a little bit more, I think that it'll definitely shed some light because one of the things that Cyborg is so, you know, she's known for it, is being explosive, being powerful. and one thing that would have to happen would be, you know, maybe we'd have to restructure kind of like the muscle and, you know, what muscle we'd hold on to when the muscle would have to let go if it ever came down the pipe. You know, last week on this show, we had Mike Dolce on talking about Kevin Gaslam and John Lineker, and, you know, as you know, I was saying at the beginning of this interview that you may not be the, quote, quote, household name that Dolce is, and there are a lot of factors for that.

I mean, he's linked with the UFC fit, and we've seen him with a lot of high-profile athletes. But do you ever sit back and say, you know, why don't I get this kind of attention? Why don't I get this press? I mean, he's been on my show five, six times. It's your first time on the show. Why don't I get that kind of respect in the MMA community? Does that bother you? And do you ever sit back and try to wonder the reasons for that?

No, not at all. You know, one thing that I'm a nutrition nerd, anybody that talked to me, don't know that. And it's funny because a lot of my buddies that got out of the military were not really self-promoting people. And I think that's one thing. Dolce is very good. He's a very good marketer. I give him props for that, man. He's very charismatic.

He's a good talker. And everything that he's gotten all that publicity, he's earned it. And, you know, that's something that I'm trying to get out because, you know, my whole purpose behind my company is to help as many fighters as possible. You know, that's what we created a system that we can mass produce. You know, like we work with hundreds of fighters at the same time just because they're on the system. You know what I mean? So now I've got to get something I've got to get good at. I've got to get better at marketing and get my name out there.

Is that company FitnessVT? Yes, sir, yes. What is FitnessVT? FitnessVT is something that, you know, I worked on, you know, while I was in the Marine Corps, It's an actual program that we give the fighters. It is very, very, very specific to each individual person. For instance, if somebody wakes up at 6 or somebody wakes up at 7, they get a different nutrition plan every single day.

If they work out at 10 o'clock versus 11 o'clock, they have a different nutrition program, it tells you what to eat, when to eat, how much of it to eat based on your goals. If you're trying to gain weight, lose weight, if you're trying to cut weight, be a specific weight. And the cool thing is there's so many algorithms that it finds out, what foods work with your body. And then based on that, it'll change macronutrients around. It might increase some.

It might decrease them. And the point thing is, like, a lot of people don't realize how much science went in. So we balance, you know, macronutrients, you know, how much calcium magnesium. So a fighter can have that pop or have his muscles relax. You know, too much calcium, the muscles will contract and they'll pop. but they'll get tired. You need an equal amount of magnesium. Infamation for fighters,

omega-3 versus omega-6. We got perfect ratios in there. You know, it's not just for fighters. It's, you know, health. You know, health is primary one of the three-legged skills we talk about performance, aesthetics, and health. So, you know, it's cool because, like I said,

we work with hundreds of fighters at the same time. And I think that's the difference between us, and Mike, we have a totally different, I guess, marketing plan. You know, he works with, I think, five people at a time, and what we're able to do is mass-produced that and work with hundreds. Do you work with any non-MMA fighters? Yeah, absolutely. You know, I worked with the Ohio State wrestling team there for a man.

They sent me down to the dual nationals, and I got to work with the wrestling team. I also work with non-athletes, you know, business people that are like, hey, man, I need to lose weight. That's one of my biggest passions. I love it. You know, going over nutrition, one of the biggest things I'm actually writing a couple of books right now. One of them is the Wake-up Bible and the other ones with psychology of nutrition.

And with a lot of people, they don't realize it's habits. You know, the word diet means food you eat in a habitual way. And we have to create these habits. But what we try to do is we try to fight the struggle instead of removing the struggle. So over the past couple of years, I'm trying to show what I learned in the Marine Corps, the mentality that I learned in the Marine Corps and trying to implement that with the everyday person. So I feel like every pro-athlet, high-level athlete,

needs the proper nutrition. I mean, if you're going to play in the NBA, if you're going to be one of the best of the best in the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, etc, you need to treat your body. I've heard you say this, you know, like a Lamborghini. You can't put crap in that body. You have to do things the right way. But in fighting, unlike all these other sports and sports leagues,

I mean, you actually have to cut weight. You have to make a certain weight before your fight, and that is a struggle in a problem. itself. Do you feel like most fighters, let's just say in the UFC, because it is the NFL of MMA, have no clue what they're doing and are harming their bodies before the actual

fights? Yes, I, 100%. And it was shocking when I first started. How badly, you know, or how old school this sport has grown so much. I mean, it is like the techniques, the striking, the ground,

everything has evolved so much. But the weight cut practices are still primitive. And, you know, and it's like that in most weight sports, like, wrestling, still, like, I was shocked. I'm like, wow, I can't, I can't believe people still do this. It's just like they put the, they put the sweats on, they put the, they run into the song, or they just keep running until, until they hit weight or don't hit weight, you know. I think that people need to be educated on this. And a lot of people, they go back to, you know, nutritionists and and dietitians, but there's no school for weight cutting.

If you go to anybody, they will say, you know, any nutritionist or dietitian, it goes again, it's just not everything that they're taught. It's a totally new science. And I think we got to get it out there. So, you know, last week we saw John Lineker and Kelvin Gaslum Miss Weight. You know, this is not news. This happens all the time in the sport.

It's a part of the sport. But I'm wondering, you know, and when we've seen some pretty tragic things happen outside of the UFC, Thankfully, I mean, you don't want to see it happen to anyone anywhere, but, you know, that's, that's where all the attention is. And part of me kind of feels like the same way a ref is provided, you know, to officiate a contest, and there are, you know, judges, and there are people outside who are, you know, cleaning up the fight or putting the Vaseline on all that stuff as they enter the cage, should someone like yourself, a trained professional be provided maybe by the promoter or by the commission to help these fighters cut the way? because that to me, it's not so much. I mean, it is a strategy and it's part of the fight. It's the fight before the fight.

But this is, I mean, I feel like these guys and women are harming their bodies, and something might happen here. I mean, we've heard guys collapsing, being sent to the hospital and then fighting the next day. It makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable. Do you think that your services, because let's be honest, some of these young guys, they can't afford, you know, someone like yourself. That's just the nature of the sport. Should you be provided by either the commission or the promoter?

You know, I would love that. You know, there's so many things that are coming out about, you know, brain injuries over the course of a career, you know. And there haven't been a lot of studies that are being doing on this wake and it's still, you know, it's still new in this sport. You know, like what happens down the road, you know, what are the effects that this will have later on in life? And I seriously, like, the things that some of these guys are doing to make weight, I have a feeling out, it's cutting years off of their career, is cutting years off of their. life. You know, when you're talking about price, you know, we, you know, I'm not marketing here or anything, but like, even the, we built the system for everybody so amateurs can do it. I mean, the amount that we charge on there, it's like 350 bucks for an entire weight cut,

man. Wow. Yeah, man, and it's, it's, you're, you're taking care of, you know, if you want personally work with me in nutrition, it's $99 a month, and for basic, it's $17. bucks. So if you are an amateur and you're not willing to put that kind of money on the, on the table, there's, you know, um, you shouldn't be doing this. There's some problems there. Yeah. I had no idea it was, it was that cheap. So if they go to fitnessvt.com, and again, I'm not here to, you know, I get no cut in this. Um, I just don't want to see guys missing. I don't want to see guys go to the hospital. You know, it's kind of a downtime right now after such a great month for, for the sport with what happened to Anderson

and Silva and this news that continues to come out, I don't want to see it happen anymore. So fitnessvt.com, that's where anyone from the greatest fighter in the world to Joe Schmo can go to learn and contact you, right? Yes, sir, man, that's it, boss. All right, well. I said we can mess do it, man. I wish you all the best with Cyborg. You're doing great work.

Guys like Brian Stan, who I have the utmost respect for. I mean, you can't have more respect, in my opinion, for an individual like I have for that guy. When he vouches for you and says that you're the man, then you're the man, you are the man in my book. So thank you so much for coming on the show. And all the best with Cyborg and all your clients and your company. And we'll talk to you soon. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it, boss. You take that. My pleasure. There he is. George Lockhart stopping by FitnessVT.com is the website. I had no idea. It was that cheap, to be honest with you. That is pretty amazing stuff.

Really no excuse at that point. All right. Let's move along. The UFC is back this Saturday in Broomfield, Colorado. It went from Matt Brown versus Tariq Safedine, main event, to Brandon Thatch versus Stephen Thompson, to Brandon Thatch versus Benson Henderson. Benson Henderson once again,

making his Walterweight debut, a fascinating, fascinating main event, five days away, and it's great because we got two Colorado guys fighting in Colorado. One continues to train in Colorado. That is Brandon Thatch, and he joins us right now on the phone.

Brandon, how are you? Hey, what's up, buddy. Great to have you on the show. What was your reaction when you got the call that you were fighting former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at 170 pounds. How did you react to that? I was just very grateful that he stepped up to the plate and that I still had a fight. You know, anytime there's injuries, you know, it's something that that happens in the sport and it sucks.

And sometimes the fights get scratched completely. And I was just, I was just very grateful that I had such a veteran, you know, a veteran opponent that that stepped up. and I'm excited to fight at home, and to be a main event is just another added bonus. And I'm just very grateful and I'm excited. I had a long layoff. I'm just excited to get back in there and show the people I got, especially at home. You know, it's crazy. I gather that you're excited.

I think you said that word seven times in that answer. So I feel like you're excited about this. Is that accurate? Just a little bit. Any reservations, though? I mean, let's be honest, this is Benton Henderson. It's a former champion, WC, UFC. see, this is a very tough guy.

Did you have any reservations? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, but that's something that I feel for every one of my opponents. If you're not, you know, a little bit nervous before a fight, you know, something's wrong. You're taking your opponent slightly. And, you know, when I'm, when I got into the sport, I wanted to see how far I can go and what level I'm at, you know, and, you know, you don't get into the sport to kind of coast and just kind of beat in mediocre levels.

And Benson's a former champion, and I want to see where I compare, the sport. So did they call you right away and say Stephen Thompson is out, Benson is in, or was there a moment there two weeks before your fight where you thought you might not get an opponent? There was a few different opponents that they were offering and kind of just telling me to kind of keep open. And I would have fought my mother at that point. It doesn't matter who I want to, I just needed to fight. And luckily they got me an opponent. And I was just, very excited. So 2013 was an amazing year for you.

You had a win in RFA. Then you went 2-0 in the UFC and really were one of the big breakout stars of the year. I'd say you and Connor McGregor and you, you know, you had some super impressive performances, two first round finishes. Everyone was very excited about you. And then, of course, 2014, not as great because of the injuries. First, the shoulder injury and then the gruesome toe injury. Do you feel like you've lost a bit of momentum?

Like, do you feel like some people have forgotten about you? and all that buzz that you generated in your first year in the UFC has essentially gone away at this point? I mean, if that's the case, that's the case. It's not something that I worry about. It's honestly not something I really thought about. Injuries are something that happens in the sport, and unfortunately I couldn't control when they happen

and how they happen. It's just something that happened, and apparently this is a context sport, and who knew? Yeah. But I'm not too concerned over the hype. I've driven, you know, usually my actions will carry a lot longer than the words, you know, and I'm going to continue to fight in an impressive manner. Whether I win or lose, you're going to love to watch me fight.

And I think, you know, once I fight this weekend, you know, people will definitely remember me. So since becoming a pro, you've never had a layoff like this before. Are you anxious to get back in there? I mean, do you feel like this is your debut all over again, especially at home? I definitely don't think it's my I feel like it's a debut I've you know I've trained I train with some of the best in the world

and I continue to get better and it's not I'm very mentally strong so I don't think this will this will hurt me at all what's the buzz like at home their guy is in the main event against Benson now what's the buzz like

it's crazy here Colorado is literally going to be on fire when I fight and I'm very blessed with the fans and the friends and family that I have and they don't support me whether I go fight in Japan or wherever wherever I go I'm going to have my friends family and fans and being able to fight at home is just unreal it's going to be you're going to be able to feel the energy in that building so I said we got two Colorado guys fighting in the main event but of course Benson no longer trains there

he lives in Arizona trains at the lab do you feel like you're I mean you're the Colorado guy like he left but you stay true to your roots you got 303 your Twitter handle and all that. You always talk about Colorado. Do you feel like they will favor you because you're still there? 100%. That's my house. And you fought there before, right?

The First Bank Center? Absolutely. That's my old stomping grounds. I've fought there many times. And like I said, he's coming into my house. Did you tell the UFC when this came out that you wanted to be on that card or did they know right away? I'm not sure if they knew right away, but it's definitely something that my manager reached out to the UFC and told them that.

that, you know, I would really love to be there, and I think they saw an opportunity to kind of promote me and get that show a little bit more buzz than usual. But the UFC doesn't, you know, the UFC is the greatest organization in the world, and it doesn't really need, you know, it doesn't really need promotion, but I think they definitely saw an opportunity in putting me on the card.

So you were supposed to return in August, and you suffered a compound fracture in your big toe, correct? I was the one right next to it was the... Right next. Yeah. The pointer. I don't even know. What's the name of that toe?

Do you know? I don't know who's pulling me with their toes, but yeah, that's the one. How did this happen? A compound fracture? Does that mean the bone was sticking out of your toe? Yeah, it definitely came out of the skin. I don't know if you've ever, like, you skin your knuckle or, like, skin your knee and have the skin kind of pulled back, but I thought it was, like, just skin.

I thought it was, like, rolled back skin, and then I touched it, and it was definitely hard, and I was like, oh, that's not as, you know, I was just like, man, that's a lot worse than I had expected. And I was just bummed, man. I just came off an injury, and I was coming back. I was feeling really good. I was about two weeks out. I was literally two weeks out from a fight with me in.

And I was feeling good, feeling great, and unfortunately, you know, accidents happen. How did it happen? I was spawning with a training partner, and I kicked him in the head, and it was, unfortunately, no shin, and it was all toe. Wow. And how much pain was it? How much, how did you feel? It didn't really hurt.

It just kind of, it just kind of felt like dead. Like, I just couldn't really feel it. And I could, you know, obviously couldn't move or anything like that. And, you know, as time went on, it was very painful in the surgery with a pin all the way through the bone. That was pretty gruesome. And, you know, it just sucks, man. Anytime you have to take time off, it's terrible. You know, I felt like a border collie stuck in a kennel.

Like, I was just sitting on the couch doing nothing, you know. And unfortunately, you, you know, you. can't really do anything, but let it heal. And I'm being told the official name, the second toe or the long toe, just for the records. A long toe. Yes. The long toe is a pain in the butt.

Are you an MMA fan? And I ask that because I'm wondering, did you sit back on your couch as you were rehabbing your second injury of this past year and say, man, this is killing me? I want to get in there. I want to show people that I'm a contender, that I'm better than these guys at 170. Did you do that to yourself?

Absolutely. anytime you have a long layover, it's rough on the mind, and it's something that, you know, you try to keep the wheels from turning as much as possible. But, you know, I try to try to, you know, make the best of my time, but it's depressing. And it was rough sitting around. So did you get an opportunity to do a little more of that poe that you do to release some of that energy? You are famous for this fire spinning, which I find to be very crazy, by the way. I spin a little bit, but I didn't get a chance while I was super injured to kind of get to do it because I spin around and I kind of have to be on my feet.

So I didn't do a lot of, I didn't really do a lot of anything. But, yeah, poiting is something that I have as released just for fun and kind of zone out and going to my house and not worry about anything. We're showing you do this right now. It's a clip taken off your YouTube page. It frightens me for you. I'm scared for you when I see this. Have you ever had a bad accident with this thing?

No, I mean, the worst, the worst that's happened is some burnt eyelashes and some burnt hair. That's crazy. Burnt eyelashes. That means you're close to your eye. Yeah, well, I mean, it gets hot. Who introduced you to this? Just my friends that I met, you know, going out downtown and in the club scene. And nothing serious has ever happened, honestly.

No, no, no, nothing to me or my friends. I mean, we spun for hours on end, and, you know, I've had the fire department come by, you know, that people say there's fire going on, and then the fire department drive at the siren, see that we're controlled and everything's all good, and they just drive away. Why is it called Poi? I don't know. That's just what the name is. Have you ever considered coming out to a fight doing this stuff?

I actually did, did a long time ago, and it was when I wasn't very good either, So I was way, way more nervous about spinning fire in front of people than the fight. So I actually scratched that idea after I did it just because, you know, I was worried about the wrong thing at the wrong, you know, at the wrong time. I was worried about, you know, catching myself on fire in front of people versus versus the fight. So that definitely won't happen again. But what about now? You're a pro in your main event, hometown?

Why not do it now? Yeah, I don't know. I don't think the USC would allow that, especially with all the kerosene and the, you know, And it was something that I didn't ask the fight commission. I just pretty much did it. And, you know, it's one of those things where I didn't ask for permission. I just, you know, beg for, what is it? Beg for forgiveness or something like that.

I don't know. I just did it. Didn't ask. You know, you're a pretty big guy. How's that weight cut on you? Oh, the weight cut's fine, man. And I just kind of listening to a little bit before. And, you know, these bad weight cuts and these guys that are missing the weight cuts,

it's from lack of discipline. You know, you know what you have to weigh. You know in advance. And unless, you know, you're getting the call a couple, like two weeks in advance, there's no excuse for missing weight. You know, if you don't think you can make weight, then you need to go to a different weight class. You know, and it's one of those things where if you don't have the right people to help you out,

then, you know, it's lack of discipline, and it shows disrespect to everybody involved in the sport. You know, if you can't make weight, you should. shouldn't be in that weight class. And if you don't have the discipline to not eat right and, you know, just, you know, stick to your diet, then something's wrong, you know, and you're not taking the sport serious. But it's a job and it's something that you get paid to do and fighters need to look at it as a profession, you know, it's your job. Speaking of which, I mean, we've been talking all show long about Anderson Silva, the PED

problem in MMA. In your opinion, how big of a problem is it? I think it's a big problem, especially for guys like us that are all natural and take it serious. It's cheating. Bottom line is it's cheating. And unfortunately, you know, it's going to be a problem until, you know, the testing gets more serious and they stick with it. And I think the out of competition tests or something that need to be put in the place is, you know, a little bit more than they have been. and I don't know

It's sad You know, it's sad that That Anderson's legacy Might be a little tarnished Because, you know Because of this fight, you know And I think it's one of those things That if he was even going to come back

You know And he did it like this Why not he should have just not even come back You know It's sad And I'm a still as a fan, you know Do you think guys like you You say you're clean

You and far between right now? No, there's There are guys out there You know, there are a bunch of us out there and, you know, but at the same time, there are a ton of guys that are using, and unfortunately, there's a lot of pressure on the sport, and you want to be the best, and these guys think that has the answer, but I think, I also think that the performance enhancers aren't exactly,

you know, the best thing for the sport, you know, these guys will take this stuff and they get all pumped up with blood, or they put on tons of muscle, and then they can, they don't have the cardio to support the muscle, and it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, you know, it's hidden myth. I think I don't, I don't always think that it's an advantage. Before I let you go, and it's great having you on the show, especially before such a big fight, one story that I hope is told on the broadcast somewhere before your fight on Saturday is the story of your father. Your father is a martial arts legend in the Denver area, Clarence Thatch. And when you were eight years old, Hoyst Gracie and his team came to your gym to prepare for UFC 1.

And he came to your father's gym, excuse me, to prepare on UFC 1. Now, here you are, as a 29-year-old main eventing in the Denver area. And I'm sure your father couldn't be proud. I mean, that's a pretty amazing thing. What does he have to say about all this? Did he ever in a million years think that the little Brandon Thatch, who was there when Hoyce and the team came to train at the gym, just to get a sweat on before UFC won?

Did he ever think that you would make it to this point, main eventing a show in that same area? I mean, it wasn't even, it was just barely getting started, obviously, with the first one. And it's very cool to be part of, you know, history of the sport and and my dad never really wanted me to be a fighter but at the same time if he if i was going to be a fighter he he made sure that to prepare me and and get me ready to the best of my ability and uh it's just an honor to to say that i you know that we're we're a part

of such big history and and he's just blown away by how far i've come and he's just very proud of me and i i he's still my hero and it's just pretty cool there's nothing i could say but it's It's awesome. It's a great feeling to know that we're a part of that. Will he be there on Saturday? He will be there. Will he be in your corner? I'm not sure if he'll be.

He doesn't do well. His blood pressure doesn't do well in the corner. So I'm sure he'll be watching, but I don't think he'll be in the corner. Do you recall as an eight-year-old seeing those guys come in and thinking, wow, this is pretty cool stuff? I mean, we didn't even know what MMA was. It wasn't even a term.

But do you recall being taken aback by what they were doing there? I was blown away by it. I remember vividly watching. the first couple of U.S. season, and I was, I was a little boy, man, and I was, I saw some of the, you know, the first couple fights, and I was actually kind of scared of him. You know, I saw Pat Smith destroy that dude's orbital bone with elbows, and I saw, you know, it was, they didn't exactly clean up the blood like they used to or they, they do now, and I remember being like, whoa, this is intense and kind of brutal, and as I grew up, you know, I would kind of, you know, appreciate, I can appreciate, I appreciate, I can appreciate, I appreciate the sport aspect about it and I think

that the rules that they implemented made it a lot safer but I remember thinking that that was the

brutal and the most brutal thing ever. Why didn't your dad compete in the UFC

ever? Was he ever offered? I don't think he was ever offered. He would be a perfect guy

for those early days, right? I know he did some NHB some NHB tournaments and then he ended up getting into

a motorcycle accident and his body just kind of didn't react the same way. He played some, I think it's either semi-pro or pro football in the Canadian leagues. And that kind of took his toll. So he's pretty run down at that point.

Okay, final question for you. You have one of the great streaks in MMA right now. Ten straight first round finishes. Does that continue on Saturday? If it does, it does. It's not something I look to, you know, it's not something I've ever looked to have. You know, it's something that I've capitalized on and the opportunities kind of fall, and I'm very good at capitalizing and taking those opportunities when they come.

But it's not something I look for, and it's not something that I try to force. And if it comes, it comes. If it goes five rounds, it'll go five rounds. But to be accurate, you do feel more pressure about that streak than you do actually going out there and fighting, right? I mean, because everyone asks you about it. I heard you say that in an interview. Is that fair? Yeah, I mean, there's pressure.

I think there's pressure no matter what, you know, and if you look at it as negative pressure, it's negative pressure. But I feel like all the pressure that I'm under right now is just gets good pressure. And, you know, I just want to put on a good performance. And if I win, I win, if I lose, that sucks. But as long as I put on my best performance or, you know, my best performance and the people remember my fight. And, you know, I know that I left it all out there. and from some ring to ring, the bell, the bell. And I'm good, man.

I don't feel any pressure. Awesome. Well, it is so great to see you back. We really missed you in 2014. What a great start, and I'm looking forward to seeing you continue your journey on Saturday against Benson Henderson. A fascinating fight. It airs live on Fox Sports One this Saturday night from the First Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

Colorado Zone. Brandon Thatch returns to action. Great stuff, Brandon. Thank you so much for the time, and we'll talk to you soon. Good luck. Thank you. I'll talk to you soon. All right.

There he is. Brandon Thatch, great stuff. I mean, do you remember those last two fights? This little thing keeps falling. A tremendous start to his UFC run. He finished Justin Edwards in a minute 23. That was back in August of 2013 in Indianapolis. I recall being there.

And then finishing Paul Tiago. Remember that knee to the body? Ouch. Two minutes, 10 seconds in Brazil. Remember the name Brandon Thatch. People very high on him. I don't know what in your group. is talking about. That is a sneaky good card on Saturday. Benson, Henderson, Brandon Thatch,

Max Holloway versus Cole Miller, Kiichi Kunimoto versus Neil Magni, who had a tremendous 2014, Daniel Kelly versus Patrick Walsh, Michael Prazeres versus Kevin Lee, and Ray Borg versus the Pride of Nova Scotia, Chris Kalatus. That's the main card on Fox Sports One. Great weekend coming up, by the way, in May. We will get to that later on in the show, but for now, let us go back to the phone lines and welcome in the former Belator Lightweight Champion. Good friend of the show, old friend of the show, Eddie Alvarez. Eddie, how are you? I'm excellent, man. Old friend of the show.

How about that? You don't agree? I agree. I agree. I feel like we've had some good moments together on the show. I know. I'm old. Yeah, well, no, I didn't mean that. I just meant that, you know, you've had some moments. And by the way, speaking of moments, way back when, I don't know if you remember this,

but we were doing this show in an old studio, a very old studio, a very old studio. We had Scott Coker on, and you crashed the show to try to get a fight with Gilbert Melendez. Do you remember that? Yes, I do.

What a moment that was. You were in Belator. He was the Strike Force president pre-ZUFI, I believe. Yeah, man. Bjorn at the time was trying to push for that, and Gilbert was saying some stuff.

So, yeah, that was interesting. And, of course, it never happened. But how about this? We come full circle last week, on the show. Gilbert Melendez is on, and he calls you out. I want to play you a quick clip and then get you to respond, right? Yeah. Here it is. Gilbert Melendez talking about Eddie Alvarez last week on this very program. You know, I believe I was calling Eddie Alvarez out first. You know, again, you know, I called him out because I thought he was one of the best guys.

And initially I called him out, you know, back in the day, thinking that strike force and Ballarat could have made it happen. I mean, this is years ago. Yeah. And, you know, and I think He took it a little bit as an insult because he thought it wasn't even possible. You know, why even calling me out? It's not even possible. You know, stop saying my name, you know. And then, you know, it just kept going first full circle. And then he's calling me out.

And, you know, he put some nasty tweets about me here. And, you know, I never really fazed me. But, you know, let's just put it this way, man. It's just, you know, two guys that probably are similar fighting styles, you know, would be a good recipe for a badass MMA fight. So, you know, all that stuff aside, you know, it's not really personal. I really don't care how he feels. I really don't care much about him, but I do respect him as a fighter.

And, you know, I'd like to share the octagon with him. Finally, I'd like to share it and just, you know, figure out who's a better fighter. I really don't care how he feels. I really don't care for him as a fighter, but I do respect him as a fighter. Some strong words there, I thought, from Gilbert Melendez. What was your response? Yeah, I think I kind of feel the same. I don't know about animosity.

I never really felt whatever. I just felt. He's the type of guy who, like, let me see. How can I say it? You know, it didn't surprise me. Wasn't he talking about fighting McGregor the other day? Hmm. I don't know if I saw that one.

He said, yeah, he, he likes to, you know, I'm not necessarily this guy now that's, like in the headlines and everything like that. but he's the guy that if you're making the headlines and you're doing well, he likes to like, he likes to say he wants to fight you so he can also be in the headline. And like the tweet I put out was like, I thought he was like a high school cheerleader, always trying to like suck off the quarterback. Wow, when did you do that?

It was a while back and I really felt that way. He just, if he's not making the headlines, you know, he'll say he wants to fight the guy who is. So he always would talk about me. You know, I just lost, but, you know, when I was on a streak and doing well, he would always, you know, whenever I would do well right away, you know, Gilbert wants to fight.

I didn't do so well. Oh, I think he lost this step. I don't want to fight him right now. You know, like I don't know. I don't know about this guy. But there's nothing to figure out. I think I understand who's the better fight. and I'm excited to go out there and show people who is.

So hopefully, you know, this fight is made and we can get it done. So has anything happened between last week when he was on the show talking about you until today? Have the UFC called you or your management team? Is this fight going to happen? I hope so. I hope so. I don't think anything was made yet, but I think it's just him saying that he wants to fight me. And, you know, I agree.

I agree. So there's nothing for me to sign. I agree. You know, you don't even, my words, you know, as good as gold. I'm good with the fight. He wants to do it in Mexico and June. Yeah. I definitely don't want to wait that long. So I just, you know, asked him politely if we can move it up. I definitely don't want to wait until June to fight. That's a long way out for me. You have no problem with Mexico as a venue. You just don't want to wait until June, right? Yeah, no. No, no. I have no. I have no. I have no. problem back because of anew, I just don't want to wait that long to fight. Um, you know,

it's already been long. I had some, you know, unfortunate things go on and I just, I definitely need to fight again. I want to get back in the cage. So you were supposed to fight in mid-January against Donald Serroney. That was a fight that, excuse me, against Benson Henderson. Donald Serroney was one to replace you on two weeks notice. That was in Boston, a fight that a lot of people were very much looking forward to. And then you had to pull out like two weeks later. What exactly happen? Yeah, I, you know, I've been sort of distant from Twitter and things like that. Yeah.

And I never really got to, I never said on it. I never really formally apologized to Ben. If there's anybody really to apologize to it, to Ben Henderson. And if you happen to hear this, I apologize. But I just, you know, on top of getting sick at a very, on time, I was dealing. I just had a newborn. I had a daughter. And my daughter, like, didn't come home from the hospital.

So, like, we had her. But she was in the NICU for, like, a long period of time. Wow. Almost throughout the whole training camp. So I was, I just kind of got my head wrapped around that I was going to make this work, that I was going to just do what I had to do to make this work with my, with my, dealing with what my family. and my newborn was going through.

And it just came to a point where the fight was not really as important as what was going on in my life. So I tried to do it, and I thought I could do it. And it just bubbled up to a point where it was some things took priorities. Very little things in my life take priority over fighting. This was one of them. And I, you know, I apologize to Dana White, and everybody was looking forward. to it and Ben Henderson as well and runs over Tito, but very rarely does this ever happen

where, you know, I make my problems, the promotions, or the guy I'm playing their problems, but this was, no, I won't share in detail, but this was, you know, pick my word for it, it was something that was a little more important than fighting at the time. Yeah, I don't think anyone would fall to you for that. 100% think you made the right choice just based on what you're saying. If you don't mind me asking, is she okay now?

your daughter? Yeah, we did. She still has a lot of, you know, follow-up stuff to do. And it's a main reason where, you know, I'm headed back to Philadelphia because one of the best hospitals in the country is in Philadelphia. So it's important that we're there, so, you know, already can get taken care of the way needs to get taken care of. So you're moving back to Philadelphia?

Is that what you're saying? Yeah. Um, my, me, my wife and kids are moving back to the home we came in, but I'm still, you know, I'm going to do what I know, what I did before where I, um, where I come here for my training camps and, uh, you know, where I'm going to do it that way because, uh, it's important that she, we get, we get there, we get over there. I get back to Philadelphia. I recall one of the reasons why you wanted to move to Florida was because you didn't want to be away from your family. So you're still okay with that, though? like you wouldn't just train in Philadelphia so you don't have to make that commute all the time? I think we, over the past two years, we, you know, me and my wife had a number

talks having coffee in the morning and discussing what situation is better for the both of us, better for the kids, better for my career, you know, everything in general. And I, you know, I have the coolest fucking wife in the world. And I think we both agree that, you know, she's just like, look, everything, you know, her, the kids, you know, they need their support system, their family. You know, I feel like I sort of took that, you know, we're out here in Florida and there's not really too many, too many people to hang with and things like that. You know, we don't have our cousins, friends, siblings, aunts, uncles, everything like that. And we're a real big family people.

So it's important to get the kids back home and get them around. the people that love them, the people they love, and then I can come out here on my own and just fully sort of concentrate on fighting. And I think we made an agreement that we were going to come out here and try this, and we did. And now, you know, I think it works better the way I was doing it, so we're going to do it that way.

And I know you said June is a little too far away, but when do you feel like you will be ready to get into a camp and kind of resume your career now? I'm training. I'm training. I'm training. I'm getting ready for a fight. So, you know, ideally I would like April.

You know, hopefully sometime April at the latest May. But I'm training now. We have a lot of guys fighting down here. Mike Johnson's fighting. Gilbert Burns is fighting. Abel is going to be fighting, you know, in a couple months. All the lightweights down here are going to be fighting soon. So we're in the gym really going after it.

You know, I recall, you know, we had you on the show after the UFC debut, excuse me, where obviously it didn't go your way. But man, this, I mean, without going into too much detail, this kind of, you know, this puts everything into perspective, right? I mean, a loss in your UFC debut means nothing to the family stuff and all that. Has it changed the way you think about your career and how you deal with stuff? No, no, not at all. You know, anybody who knows me who's, you know, I'm a family, you know, I'm a dad first,

and then I had just happened to fight. That's how I, you know, that's how I make my living. But, you know, I'm a family guy first. This is the most important to me is that my wife, my kids, and everybody's happy. And when we're all, when everybody's happy and everybody's clicking, I'm unbeatable. You know, I truly feel that way. So just need to get back to everybody being happy, everybody being safe. You know, having a newborn, you never know what's going to happen.

And I took a shot. I assumed that everything would be okay because, you know, I had three boys already. And I never get what an issue like this before. And, you know, life happens, you know. Sure. You can't predict what goes on. so did you even watch that benson fight in boston the benson

oh yeah yeah yeah i did yeah i did what did you think like while you were watching it did you did you think yourself man i could be that i could have been that guy i mean that's you know obviously if everything went well you'd be in there that were you were you put i i don't want to say that hindsight 20 20 you know i look i i i some fan was twittering me and heckle me and telling me who i can be and who i can't be and like i

I say the same thing there. I assume that I can beat anyone until they sort of prove me otherwise. And even then, I come up with a really good excuse on why I lost. So that's just sort of how I am. That's my mind. I don't think, I really truly feel on my best days, I beat the best in the world. And in my mind, I'm number one in the world.

And even when I do happen to get beat, I know that I can do better or I just come up with a really good excuse on why I lost. That's all. So if UFC says to you, you can have the pick of the litter. Are you going with Gilbert? Is that the fight you want next? Absolutely. I mean, I just, I would have entered Gilbert. You know, he's my, I talked about him before Soroni, before anyone.

You know, if, you know, even I feel like if they were like a title shot, I would say, let me fight Gilbert first. I really don't care. Why? Why is it such a desire of yours to fight him? I just think it's been too long. Yeah. It's been too long. It's been too controversial.

And I don't know, you know, I don't know what this guy's going to do. I don't know. What do you mean? You try to go to Bellator and then, you know, he has to. He had a, I think he had an opportunity to go into a dream tournament, you know, and I went in the, I got into the dream tournament, so I didn't get to fight him there. And then there was a strike force thing where I didn't get to fight him. And then, you know, Bellator was trying to suck me in. Belator was saying that he was signing, you know.

Yeah. Gover signing, so you should stay, you know? And I'm like, you know, a part of me was like, oh, yeah, I'm not, I should stay. at least I'll get this fight. And I'm like, what do you, you know? So finally, you know, if this is really going to happen, you know, then let's make it happen. Let's let's finish this thing, you know,

where everybody tired of talking about it for years and years, let's finish it. So was a part of you almost surprised that he was the one kind of campaigning given those things that happened in the past? No, I just think the fight makes sense now. Okay. I lost. He lost. I lost.

And, you know, I don't, I don't know where he's going to go from here. He had two, what, two shots of the title. Yeah. And he wasn't able to get the title. I just think the fight makes sense now. But, you know, I beat this guy every time out with everything in me. I mean, I don't know how he feels about his fight skills. The things that he's good at in his style, I'm better at.

I hit harder. I'm stronger. I'm, you know, I feel like I'm faster. I just, I just, I really want to hit this guy. Wow. I'm excited about it. I'm excited about it, too, and the fight hasn't even been made yet. I hope that someone in the UFC is paying attention to this.

And you know how I feel about that Underground King moniker? I feel like this is the battle of the Underground Kings. The guys who were kind of ignored for a long time, outside of the UFC. This is the one that will settle at all. You know what I'm saying? That title should be on the line in this fight. I'll do it.

All right. We'll put it on the line. Awesome. I'm good with it. You want to make a trophy and put that on it? I'll agree. Let me get to work on that. The Underground King.

I want a belt, to be honest with you. I want the unofficial Underground King belt to be on the line because I think it's very apropos. I hope that someone is listening. I hope the fight gets made. More importantly than any of that, Eddie, I wish the best your family. I hope everything turns out okay. Sorry to hear that you were going through some stuff, but I truly, sincerely, wish the best to you and your family.

I know how much of a family man you are and how much family means to you. So I just wanted to say that at the end of the interview. It's all good, man. And like I said, I've been pretty distant from any social networks, anything I've got. There's a lot of things I like to share, and there's also things that I don't like to share. and, you know, it's something personal to my fans or anything like that. I just, that's all, you know, I'm still, I'm getting through everything I need to get through, and, you know, getting myself set up to where I can, you know, get out there and put on a ridiculous fight just like always.

All right, well, all the best to you guys, and, again, I hope this fight gets made. If it does, good luck to you. Thanks. I see you. All right. Thank you very much, Eddie Alvarez, for joining us. really hope that that fight gets made, and obviously I hope that everything goes well with his family.

That by a thousand times is the most important thing in the world. Let me give Mr. New York, I gave him the wrong number for Horace-Mazvedel. You know, it's hard getting all these numbers out there. Here we go. Here it is. Should I give it out over the air? Would that be stupid? Yes.

Just one second. Of course, it was announced right after this show on Monday. of last week that Jorge Mazvedal would be fighting ally Quinta, who just defeated Joe Lozahn. At UFC 183, that fight will be the co-main event of the UFC Fight Night Fairfax, Virginia show on April 4th, Afternoon Show, which is kind of fun. And it has been an interesting road for Mr. Masvidal. He, of course, defeated Darren Cruikshank back in July.

I was supposed to fight Bobby Green in September. They moved that one around. He fought James Krause. was supposed to fight Norman Park in January, had to pull out of that fight due to an injury. Then they booked the Bobby Green fight for a third time for the April 4th show, UFC Fight Night 63, as the internets are calling it.

And then Green got injured. So they put in Benson Henderson, which was an interesting fight. And then, of course, Benson Henderson took the Brandon Thatch fight. So now Jorge Mazvedal is fighting ally Quinta. That card, of course, Headlined by Ricardo Lamas versus Chad Mendez.

And as I said, the main card is taking place at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Oh, what the hell? I'm such a moron. God darn it. I'm a moron. I try to give it. Why do I have him the wrong number? That's my mistake.

We should have him any second now. I apologize for the delay. After Horne Mazvedal, we're going to be joined by another Florida guy, Anthony Johnson. We don't know when that John. John's fight will happen just yet. Maybe he can break some news for us. And then after Anthony Johnson, we're going to be joined by the man. A lot of people are calling these days the greatest of all time.

Some called him that before the Anderson-Silvin News, but I think some others have bumped them up the ranks. Arguably, one of the most famous Canadian athletes of all time, George Rush St. Pierre, will be joining us at around 3.30 p.m. Eastern Time. And then after that, we'll take your questions and comments. before saying goodbye for another week. Do we have Mr. Mazvedal? Did I give you the right number?

Did I screw it? Oh, come on. What? Wait, do we have him? New York Creek telling me the ringback thing says Jorge is not taking calls right now. Mako deppo. All right, well, he will work on that.

I'm pretty sure I gave you the right number this time, by the way. This is always fun. It was flowing up until this point. All right, well, let me weigh in on this week because I was telling you guys that I thought This week is a very interesting one in the world of MMA. I love what World Series of Fighting is doing. All their shows should be on a Thursday.

What? He just texted me he's ready. This is riveting, isn't it? He just told me, I said, are you ready? And he wrote back, been ready. He doesn't get ready. He stays ready. That's Jorge Mazzvedal. Anyway, World Series of Fighting.

They have a show on Thursday, which I think is a great idea for them because there'll be no competition. There'll be no one getting in the way. They have it all to themselves. And I like the fact that they are showcasing one of their bright young stars. I can't. Fat fingers.

He gave him the wrong number. Mara Marius is defending his WSOF Bantamway title on Thursday night. It's on NBCSN. He's fighting Josh Hill, undefeated Canadian. I love that. A little Thursday night at MMA, especially with no NFL going on. Very smart. Also, Cody McKenzie's retirement lasted all but two weeks.

Was it two weeks? Two months. He's back. He's fighting on the main card as well. Then on Friday, we have Bellator. They're back with a fight that they wanted to make for the Belator middleweight title, but then Alexander Schlumiko lost, and they didn't want to give Melvin Manhofe a middleweight title shot, so they gave him Joe Schilling, and of course, Joe Schilling knocked him out.

Joe Schilling returning to the win column on Friday with a win at glory. But the main event on Friday for Bell Tour at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, Melvin Manhoff versus Alexander Schlomenko. Pat Curran also on the card, Julia Budd, making her Bell Tour debut, Chris Honeycutt as well, fighting on the card. So it's a nice little card for Beltor. It's not quite a Challenger show, but, you know, they have their big shows, their four big shows, and then they have the smaller shows.

And then on Saturday, the UFC is back. So the top three North American promotions all have shows, and none of the other. of them are coinciding with each other. It's perfect. Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night. I went through the main card for the Saturday night UFC show. Nick Lentz fighting on the undercard. Ephrain Escadero returning. A very good fight at 125 also on the prelims. Tim Elliott

versus Zach McCovsky. There's also a legacy. What the heck? I'm going to call right now. He's texting me as we speak. See what this is. my fat fingers ruining everything. Okay, it's ringing, it's ringing. I'm sorry. It says the person you called has a voice box that has not been connected. I just called and it went to VM.

Maybe he's just messing with me. I don't know. Okay, let's figure it out. For now, let's go inside the vault. How about that? I want to go and look back at the very first interview I ever did with Benson Henderson. This was right before UFC 100. Benson Henderson was about to fight for the interim title against Donald Serroney,

and it was going to be at an event in September in Youngstown, Ohio. The event never took place, and they pushed it to October in San Antonio. First time I saw Benson in person, first ever interview ever did with the guy, and of course he's back in action making his welterweight debut in the UFC this Saturday against Brandon Thatch. I thought it would be fun to look back at that interview right before UFC 100, July of 2009. my very first interview with the great Benson Henderson as he prepared for his WEC interim title fight. Here it is. Ariel Halwani for Versus.com being joined by W.E.C. lightweight star Ben Henderson and Ben September 2nd,

Youngstown, Ohio. You were getting a shot at the interim WEC title going up against Donald Soroni. How excited are you for this one? I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of stoked. It's going to be a great fight. Donald's a good guy, and I'm just excited to get the chance, you know, to always get an opportunity to. showcase my skills so I'm really excited. Now obviously it's unfortunate that Jamie Varner couldn't defend his title. Were you surprised that you got the call? Once they figured out that okay now we need to do an interim title were you surprised were you surprised? Well I'm not gonna lie I was a little bit surprised. There's a lot

of good fighters at 155 for the WC you know and so when I guess when they picked me and they gave me the call and my manager gave me the call I was a little bit surprised yeah to be honest. Yeah because I remember talking to you before your Shane Roller fight and you were just and I was asking you about you know getting a title fight and you're like man people don't know who I am yet you know I just need to make my name people know who you are clearly people are watching and they're about to find out very soon yeah um yeah just like i said earlier you know I was still relatively unknown um going into this title fight still not not a lot of people who know who I am you know Donald Serroney is a lot more popular a lot more well

known but um you know all things change with time so we'll see and what about fighting in a five round title fight in the main event I mean what kind of what kind of different training or What kind of stuff do you have to do in your mind to say, okay, this is not a three-round fight. I got to be ready for those extra two rounds. And plus, you know, you've got to wait until the last fight. There's a lot of different elements involved in this one. Yeah, there is. A lot of it is your cardio, just getting your cardio up, getting ready for five rounds,

being physically prepared. Your cardio-wise, being mentally prepared to go five rounds to go through a war. Donald's last fight, he showed, not his last fight, but his fight against Jamie Warner, he showed that for five rounds, he will be there at the end of the fight. You know, he's going to keep pushing, pushing the pace, keep attacking. He has an aggressive style. So just being mentally prepared, physically prepared, you know, to go five rounds and to go through a war.

What do you think is Donald Sony's biggest weakness? I'm not too sure. He has a pretty complete game, you know. A lot of guys, because he's such a good kickboxer because he's so known for his striking, a lot of guys forget about his striking game or his juditsu game. But mostly the majority of his wins are by submission, actually. So me and my camp, we're going to make sure.

sure we don't forget, like a lot of his other opponents, that he has some good jiu-tze, you know. And you guys are quite friendly. I'm not going to say you're the best of friends, but you guys have a, you know, good relationship. Is that tough for you to fight a guy that you sort of mutually respect? Yeah, I want to say tough. It will suck a little bit. Like, we are friends. We both kind of came up in Denver together, started fighting right around the same time, and I watched him fight. He watched him in my fights and whatnot. So, yeah, I do consider my buddy. Will it suck to fight him? him, it will suck. I'm not really looking forward to it. But then again, we're both professionals. We both know that, hey, once that cage door closes, it's, you know, all bets are off.

Time to dance, you know. There's been some intense trash talking between him and Jamie Varner. I'm guessing we're not going to see the same thing out of you coming up for this fight. No, probably not. Not much of a trash talker. Not really my style. But, no, between Jamie and Donald, actually, I consider Jamie a friend too. He's helped me get ready for some of my fights. I helped him get ready for some of his title defenses against Marcus Hicks and some other guys. So, yeah, it's unfortunate that they came to a disagreement and whatnot.

But I would love to see them fight again. I would love to see that rematch in a three-round fight. It might not be your style, but I got to say one thing about your style. Your hair, man. Amazing. But what's the secret there? It's incredible. I guess it's just genetics. I hop out the shower, shake my head, and I walk out the door. No products in there?

No. That's incredible. Well done. Thanks. All right, well, it all goes down September 2nd. W.E.C. 43, I believe it is. In Youngstown, Ohio, Benson, going up against Donald Soroni for the interim WEC lightweight title.

Best of luck to you, Benson. Thanks a lot, man. I appreciate it. All right, how about that? Oldschool versus.com. I have a couple of those left on my personal YouTube page, but I don't have a lot of them. In fact, my very first Dana White interview was for Versus.com. I wish I still had that one. That was at UFC 97. I think I've told that story before.

I was at a THQ event, part of UFC 97, Anderson Silva versus Talis-Lytis, or as they call him now, Talish-Latish. And I was waiting in a very big line to interview Dana White. I get to the front of the line. I'm about to interview Dana White for the very first time. This is my big break. This is the top of the mountain. and my mic breaks. No joke, my mic breaks. And he couldn't have been cooler about the whole situation. He said, I will stay here

until you get a new mic. So I run around the bell center. I look for a new mic. I can't find a new mic. So I actually get into my cameraman's car with the cameraman. I wasn't working with Casey at the time. And we drive to a nearby

audio visual store. We buy a new mic. And some way, somehow, we come back to the bell center. and now there are a ton of fans there. It's getting a lot more crowded. And Dana is still there waiting for us. And I say that story a lot because, and I remember that story, and I'll never forget that story, because you can say what you want about the UFC and about Dana White, and certainly there are a lot of things that you can critique. But for me personally, especially

early on, he could not have been more gracious with his time and more inviting and, you know, just cooler about the whole situation, because who the hell was I? I mean, for him to wait there It was pretty darn cool. I'll never forget that. That was in April of, I guess, 2009. I was a young buck. And he waited around, and that's something I'll definitely never forget. The first interview I ever did for a fan house with Dana was,

I think that was UFC 98. Prior to UFC 98 at the New York Stock Exchange when the video game came out, whatever that video game was, did an interview there, and then UFC 104 was the first event that we ever did a pre-fight interview for. So that's the history of my interviews with Dana White. And, of course, we cannot find Mr. Mazzvedal, even though he was texting with me.

I know he had a heart out at 3 o'clock. You know, when was the last time, by the way? I know some people are having some fun here, but when was the last time we had someone no-show us? Does this mean that we bring back the banning, the suspension? I think the last person to ever get a ban was Brendan Chubb. Is that accurate? I think it was Shab, but I don't think this deserves a banning. Why?

I think there's a technical thing going on here. I don't know about that. I mean, I keep calling on my cell phone. Yeah. I think there's some kind of weird setting that he made it. No, but I'm not hearing that thing you're hearing. So maybe, you know, you know what I think it is? I think you can let other numbers slide, and then you can say to the rest, do not disturb.

So I actually really appreciate the gesture. He probably made my number the one that gets. through. Yeah, it gets true. Your number is not getting through. He probably thinks that I'm calling from my number, but when I'm texting him and telling him this, he's not responding. And then we have Al-Iquinta, who, as I mentioned at UFC 183 is probably the biggest celebrity fan of this show. He writes to me, he was obviously tuning in to listen to Jorge Mazvedal. He says, what is this amateur hour? And Jorge Mazvedal not too happy with this fight booking. And then I said to, I said to Al, I said, okay, you call in. And he said, and he said,

I wish I could. I have a signorita Foti. Oh, I wish I could. I have Senora Foti coming soon for Tudor. Let's hurry this up. One of the great things that I discovered last week, one of the bright spots, two bright spots last week. One, the Daniel Cormier all about that cake video. I've watched that thing a million times. Two, discovering that ally Quinta has a Spanish Twitter feed. That whole Siniita thing he was talking about at the Post-Fi press conference, it's actually true. The guy is learning how to speak Spanish. He continues to learn, and he actually interacts with people in Spanish via this Twitter feed. When the UFC on Español Twitter account first broke the news that Mazvedal was going to fight Ally Quinta, they linked to the

Al-Iquinta Spanish Twitter feed, and it's hilarious. I'm not much of a Spanish-Spanic speaker, but I know, you know, I know a thing or two, and the, uh, the conversations, if you will, are amazing. Al-Iquinto, really coming into his own as a personality. I gave him the shot, but hey, yes. How is the Spanish on that feet? It's pretty hilarious. Is it Blumbito-esque or is it? I don't know what that means. Blumbito? The Spanish Michael Bloomberg, uh, Twitter account? I've never even heard of such a thing, but is that real? You know how Mike, no, no, it's not real. you know how Michael Bloomberg likes to get his Spanish out there, and some would say it's questionable.

Yes, yes, yes, yes. The authenticity is a little questionable. There's a Twitter feed dedicated to that level of Spanish. Ali Quta actually tweets in Spanish, and he had a tutor, and that's why he couldn't come on the show. But it is time for Anthony Johnson, so let's give him a call. And if we can't get Mazvedal this week, maybe sometime in the future, although the people are weighing in and saying that we should ban Mazvedal,

so I don't know what to do. I disagree. All right. In the meantime, updating you on the Anderson Silva story, according to Mark Romandy of MMAfighting.com, Anderson Silva's second out-of-competition drug test has come back clean. Silva didn't have any banned substances in his system in tests taken on January 19th. MMAfighting.com obtained the records from the Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday. The UFC 183 headliner passed an HGH kit and a regular.

examination on that date. So that is good news. What else does Mr. Remundi have to say? Whoops. So that was the big question, of course. January 9th, Anderson Silva, testing positive for anabolic steroid metabolites in a drug screening on January 9th, Drostanolone and Androstain, were found in his system. Both substances, obviously banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, aka Wada, and now on February 17th, a lot of people getting confused about two things. They think that Anderson is going to get some kind of big punishment, suspension, fine, et cetera on February 17th, that's not going to happen. He's only going to get a temporary suspension.

It's kind of a formality, really. But then after the due process, the investigation, etc., then he will face a disciplinary hearing. and that's going to take place in either March or April. We don't know yet. The Nevada Athletic Commission, they book their hearings one at a time. So they'll wait until the February 17th hearing to actually happen, and then they'll book the next one.

And then there are reports that the flight has already been changed to a no contest. That is not going to happen as well. That is not probably going to happen on February 17th either. That is going to happen if it happens at the disciplinary hearing. So they might change it to a no contest, they might suspend them, they might find them, we don't know. And of course, Nick Diaz is on the agenda as well. We don't know what's going to happen. But we're not going to get a lot of answers as far as the fate of Anderson Silva is concerned on February 17th.

That's in eight days, of course. And I can guarantee you a lot of people are going to be tune in, tune in, tune in, fight passes, streaming and all that stuff. You're going to be disappointed. unless they change course, but that is coming from the Nevada Athletic Commission themselves. Unless they decide they need to expedite this thing. I don't know why they would. Anderson Silva came out with a statement saying that he is going to fight it. He's not going to say much, but he didn't come out and say, yes, you caught me.

You know, I'll take my punishment and move on. That's not what happened. And then, of course, late Friday, M.M.A junkie reporting that John Fitch failed a pre-fight drug test prior to his World Series of fighting bout against Hussimar Paul Harris. A lot of depressing things happening these days in the world of MMA, perhaps the highlight of January 2015, one of the most interesting months in recent memory was what transpired January 24th in Stockholm, Sweden. In fact, it happened really January 25th in the early morning over there. Anthony Johnson traveled all the way to Sweden and knocked out their golden boy. Alexander Gustafin in the first round.

Now, of course, he is the number one contender. We have Anthony Johnson on the line right now to talk about that and a whole lot more. Anthony, how are you? What's up, man? How are you? I'm great. Thank you for joining us. So what we are, I think we're like two and a half weeks removed from that fight.

Does it still feel surreal? Are you still on a high on it all or have you come down? I haven't been on the high at all. Wow. Yeah, to me it's just another fight as part of the game. It's my job. And, you know, that's what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to just go out there and fight.

And then out there, you know, what the results may be from my life. last fight, I got to worry about the next fight then. So this is like, you know, I'm just taking out in stride. It's really not like, you know, I'm not letting it get to my head, I should say. Would the old Anthony react differently? Oh, hell yeah. The old Anthony would still be partying. Yeah, still be partying.

So you really didn't have a moment to go nuts. You didn't have a moment to celebrate in Sweden. You were just like, all right, well, on to the next one, the title shot. That's it? I mean, yeah. know, I think my moment of celebration was whenever I was in the cage and I was hugging my coaches, you know what I mean, and that was it. That was all for me. Did you stick around in Europe a little longer?

No, I don't know. I left like a day after, whatever. I think I left Monday. Wow. That's amazing to me. It's too cold. That is true. That is true. It was cold over there. You're living in Florida now. And then when you got home, there was no big celebration. Even with family, friends, none of that. Yeah, I mean, I saw my friends and stuff like that, but it wasn't a party.

It wasn't anything like that. I mean, I went to the bar or whatever and had like a few drinks and, you know, things like that, but nothing crazy. No, no party, no big bit together. Is a reason for that because you just expected this to happen? So when you expect something to happen, what's the point in celebrating? No, I just, that's just me. My friends know I'm real low-key.

Like, after every fight I'll usually meet, you know, a small group of friends, and we go, like, to a sports bar here called Duffy's, and we just kick back, have a good time, talk about the fight, talk about whatever I missed during the week I was gone, and that's it, you know, have some drinks and eat a little food, and that's all. If when you win the belt in a few months, do you think that will be different? I don't think so. I said, dude, I want to keep everything the way it's been going.

Yeah. Nice, calm and relaxed, you know what I mean, and kick back. So I'm not much of a guy who celebrates a victory or anything like that. I just kind of, you know, taking a strive and, like, focus on whatever's next. That moment in Sweden was surreal because I've never seen 26,000 people just go from super, super loud and excited to just kind of depressed, to be honest with you. It was very strange. Did you kind of feel conflicted about it?

I mean, what you said afterwards really did. I mean, we've talked about it a lot about your maturation, your growth as a person and a fighter, but even what you were saying about Alex and confronting him and comforting him, I should say, was pretty amazing to watch. Did you kind of feel bad for him in that moment? I did because, I mean, we all know what the deal was before the fight.

You know, he was supposed to have his title shot, and then he got injured, and then John and D.C. had their beef going on, so they let, you know, that fight continue, even though one of those who got hurt DC I think DC got hurt you know and Alex should have had his title shot back then you know it should have been Alex fighting instead of DC but that's you know this is USC this is that business so they do they did what they had to do is no Zufa and um you know it just seemed like he'd been through hell and back to get his rematch it for title

and he just he just didn't get his opportunity again you know and I mean I felt bad for him you know I'm saying. So when he was crying, I think to me, that's what was going through my head. I was like, damn, he just, his dreams just got shot to hell. Have you ever... Sorry, go ahead. I just felt bad about it. Did you ever feel like that about an opponent after beating him?

No, he's the only guy ever felt like bad for. Wow. That's amazing. Did you say anything to him in private that we didn't see? No, I just, I don't remember seeing him after. I saw him whenever we went back to the hotel, and

I told him, you know, thank you for the opportunity. But, you know, he was already in a funk already, and I think he was with his family. So, you know, two seconds in him out. You know, it wasn't anything crazy. And it's interesting that you say opportunity because, I mean, let's be honest, he could have said no, right? He could have said, I just want to wait for my title shot, right? He could have said no, but I think at the same time you'll see, you know, if you don't fight, that means you just don't fight, you don't get paid.

and I'm sure to show you need to get paid. Right. And what were the people saying to you? Like, when you were walking back, what was the crowd like? Because for me, it just seemed like they were stunned. Like, they'd even know how to react, especially because they stayed up that late.

It was like 4 a.m. at the time. Actually, no. Yeah, it was around 4 a.m. by the time the fight was over. Were people yelling at you? Were they saying anything to you? What was that like? I don't remember anything. I just, I was still kind of, you know,

I guess, focused on what just happened. And kind of in shock. the way it happened and how fast happened, I should say. All I knew is whenever I got past the crowd and I got in, like, you know, the tunnel or whatever, I just started running. I was going to run to the locker room and just get out of the area, but they stopped me to do whole medicals and stuff like that sign-out.

They did that checkup on me, but I was too much in the zone. I just, I don't remember anything when I was, like, walking back to the back. Is it because you had too much adrenaline? I mean, the fight was pretty short. You needed to release some of that? Yeah, I guess. I guess that's what you want to say. Well, because, you know, these days, I mean, I hope, you know, forgive me for asking,

when we hear about people running and drug tests and stuff, I don't want to think what you would, you know, what someone might mistake you for saying there. You get what I'm trying to say? No, I don't because I was just in the zone. I don't see how I could come up for a drug test or anything like that. that I had nothing to be, you know, drug tests before. I was cleaning, you know what I'm saying?

That's why I wanted to almost clear that up, because you know how people can get crazy about those things. People are going to say something no matter what. Sure. I've been told, I've been told I was on steroids and all kinds of stuff, because people say I shouldn't hit that hard. You know, I'm like, yeah, you're absolutely retarded if you think that. But, you know, it is what it is.

Would the haters come out of the woodwork after that one? not really I feel like you got a lot of respect I feel like you got a lot of respect after that one I did get a lot of respect I definitely had you know the Americans and whatnot they definitely you know

showed me a ton of love but I was surprised at how many Swedish people showed me love you know what I'm saying like they they reached out to me on Instagram Facebook Twitter all of it man I'm just like you know I'm a big Alex fan but you know you are

class act, thank you, you know, you got a fan out of me, and, you know, things like that. So that was pretty awesome to hear. What was going through your mind? I thought the fight went too long. I thought they should have stopped it earlier. I thought they gave him a little too much leeway because it was probably, you know, in his home country and all that. What's going through your mind when you're just wailing on him?

And at least to me, it's clear that he's out and it should be stopped. Is that a weird situation for you? Are you in the zone and you don't even think of that? I don't think of it. You know, to me, I mean, he wasn't laid out flat, you know, And so to me, he was still there. You never know. If I would have let him up, he could have been all right

and then try to knock me out. Probably knock me out, you know what I'm saying? So all I know is just keep going into the rest, stop me. You know, there was that one. I'm sure you've been asked about this in private and whatnot. There's a clip where it seems like you... There you go. So what was it?

Was it your shoulder? Because one angle looks like it's your shoulder. Yeah, and no, he did. I don't remember touching him at all. I don't remember a headburn. or anything at all. I heard his corner say throw the front push kick, and I heard it, and I was ready for it whenever he did it.

I just didn't think it was going to be at that moment, but I was expecting it. And when he did it, I didn't even get a fresh hit on him. You know what I'm saying? I kind of hit him on the jawline and the neck at the same time. And I don't remember a headbread. I mean, I could have, but I doubt it. I really doubt it.

He even said he didn't feel a head butt. But from the angle, I can see where her. A lot of people would say it was a headbutt. You know, if you look at it from the top, it doesn't look like a headbutt, but if you look at it from the side that I was on, it looks like a headbutt. You know what I mean? It just, whatever angle you look at, it just really depends. But I don't remember headbutting the guy.

And if I did, I apologize about it, you know what I mean? Because everybody knows I'm not a dirty fighter. Yeah, well, he also said to me in the post-fight interview that he didn't think it was a headbutt as well. so just wanted to clear that up. You said that you were anticipating the push kick, but you didn't expect it at that point. Why? You know, usually, you know, after you tag up or whatever,

you kind of bounce around a little bit. Right. You know, get to a groove back, but he wasted no time through that front push kick, and I just capitalize on it. Do you think he was a little off, like maybe there was too much going on too much pressure on him? Well, pressure.

from the fans, a pressure from me. Well, perhaps both, but just because he was the guy, I mean, even Rashad Evans was on our... He had a ton of pressure on the show. Nobody in the world can say they don't have any pressure

when you got the whole country looking at you, you know what I'm saying? And I'm sure he had a ton of pressure and he still, he still, you know, a beast because he was doing his thing, he's still doing good, you know what I'm saying? He didn't seem like he wasn't focused. You know, we had your teammate,

Rashad Evans on the show last week, and he said that he thought Alexander was buying into his zone hype. Like, he was acting like he was the champion after the Jones fight. Did you feel that way going into it? Well, I didn't feel it that way, but then, you know, whatever I had, you know, I guess you want to say call him out, I don't feel like I called him out, you know. But whenever actually, you know, we could fight, he was like, what did he say, get a few more fights or something like that?

And one of his interviews or his reply. I'm like, dude, you're not, you didn't win the title, so don't, I talk like, you know, you're that guy, you know what I'm saying? You might have had a great fight against John Jones, you didn't win, so don't talk like you're the champ because you're not. That's the way I felt about it, you know, so he could have, he could have been feeling his own hype. I have no idea. Hopefully he wasn't feeling his own hype. So speaking of John, you're the number one contender, you're fighting John Jones next. Have they told you when this is happening?

Not yet. Is it looking like Memorial Day weekend? Not sure. Not sure. They said May, so I'm just waiting for them to tell me when. Are you cool with that? I mean, were there any bumps and bruises coming out of the fight? No, I didn't.

I went into the fight with no injuries. I came out with no injuries. That's a good fight. That's a good camp and a good fight. Also, Rashad said he thinks you knock out Jones within two rounds. Do you agree? I don't know, man. I never predict when I'll knock out something.

or if I knock somebody out, I kind of just fight and whatever happens, happens. You know, I'm going to go out and do my best regardless. A lot of people are saying that you're a fresh matchup for John. He's never fought anyone like you, a young guy with incredible punching power, and we know what you can do, obviously, on your feet and your takedown defense, your wrestling, et cetera. Would you agree with that assessment? He's fought the best of the best.

In my opinion, he's fought the greatest lineup of fighters in the history of the sport at a very young age. But would you say that he has never fought anyone like you? I don't know, man. He's fought, like you say, the best of the best. I don't think he's fought anybody with knockout power like I have. But he's fought so many different styles. I don't know, man.

He's faced it all already, so we'll see. How do you feel about John Jones? Polarizing figure in our sport? What do you think of him? Man, he's a champ. He's crazy. The athlete, obviously, hell, what else am I supposed to feel? I don't have anything against the guy.

Nothing. So, yeah, because, you know, some people do have something. You know, Dan Henderson said on this show a while back, he thought he was fake, you know, the issue with Rashad, all that. You have no personal animosity towards him. Well, whatever he had with Rashad was with Rashad, it wasn't with me. Yeah, you know what I'm saying? Dan Henderson got his own opinion for whatever, you know what I'm saying?

That's his own opinion. Dan Henderson wanted to get in a business like that. Go ahead. He can be one of the gossip girls if you wants to, you know what I'm saying? and that's not my thing. Right. So just to be clear, you have no personal beef.

This is just a sporting competition against the best. This is what we sign up to do. This is what we all love to do. I'm just having fun with it. Do you think he is the best in the world, pound for pound number one? Of course.

Of course. He's by far a poundful time. Do you think he's the best of all time? He is the best of all time as far as light heavy weight. What about all time, all time? You can make that case. All time, all time. you know, I don't know who's best of all time, all time, you know? Because when you go there, I mean, John could be best of all time, all time.

JSP could be best of all time. To me, you know, Jose Aldo could be one of the best of all time, you know. So a couple of guys that can be one of the best of all time, even Mighty Mouse, you know what I'm saying? Even though these smaller guys don't get enough recognition like they should, you know, there's a lot of guys out there that can be considered one of the best of all times. they just don't get the recognition that they deserve. You didn't mention Anderson. If I asked you that question a week ago, would you have mentioned Anderson?

Yeah, I'm talking about guys that are like champions and stuff like that. You know what I'm saying? You know, yeah, Anderson, for sure, is going to always be one of the great. So what happened to him last week doesn't change your opinion on him? No. So is it wrong for us to feel differently like his legacy has been tarnished or anything like that? You just look at that as... I mean, it is what it is.

You know what I'm saying? I still think he's a crazy athlete. And, I mean, to me, he's not the same as it used to be ever since, ever since, you know, he's been knocked out and got his leg broke. But, and you can't deny what the man is dead for the sport and, you know, things like that. He's dead, the unthinkable. So, of course, he's one of the great. But to me, whatever he did, he didn't kill nobody.

He didn't rape nobody, nothing like that. You know what I'm saying? So he just, whatever, took a supplement just to, you know, keep his body. intact, you know, that doesn't make him a less of an athlete. I mean, he did so much before, and this one thing shouldn't punish the man. How much will you rely on Rashad leading up

to this fight? Will he be a bigger part of your camp than usual, or is he always a big part of your camp? Rashad is a good, you know, good, good, uh, it keeps me motivated, you know what I'm saying? I look at the things he's, he's accomplishing this sport

and, you know, I look up to him that way. But, um, he's, he's definitely going to be a big, a big part of, part of my camp. But, you know, at the end of the day, I still rely on my coaches and my team, so everybody's going to play an important part in my camp. Your turnaround is one of the greatest in the sports history. Do you recall the moment where you thought this was possible as a light heavyweight coming up from Welch to wait, that this was possible? Because let's be honest, when you started, you didn't know what was going to happen

when you're moving up to 205. I mean, no one knows you hope and dream of things, but was there a moment where you were like, all right, I'm onto something here, and I'm a force to be reckoned with at 205? No, never. I don't think that way about myself. I'm confident about myself, but I don't try to put myself up on that type of ladder. You know what I'm saying? I just do my best.

Like I said, I do my best, and whatever the results are going to be is what they're going to be. So as long as I do my best, I don't care. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. It's amazing. All right, final question for you.

Are you the kind of guy that studies your opponent a lot, and will you be doing that for John Jones or more so, because the guy's got so many tricks I mean, he does things that we never see out of his opponents. Are you the kind of guy that will really study that stuff to be prepared for the fight whenever it does happen? Yeah, I'll study them, but I'm not going to, like, dedicate my time 100% to studying the man.

You know what I'm saying? I've got to make my stuff his own point, just as much as his stuff is on point. So I'm going to keep doing my thing, you know. Nothing is broke while trying to fix it. I've said it 100 times before. I'm happy with what I do, and it might, it's simple, it's just regular, regular punches, regular kicks.

It just comes probably at weird angles and I'm with a lot of power and speed. There's no, no magic to what I do. I just, when I do it, I do it 100%. Do you think he has a questionable chin? Are you looking forward to testing that? I'm going to try and test everything for sure. Yeah. But I don't know.

He's been hit, man. You know, like he said, he has. He's faced the best of the best, so we'll see. we'll definitely see, you know, I'll hit him for sure, and he'll hit me too. So both of us are going to test each other and see what we have to offer it. What do you think about that kick to the knee that he does?

I mean, it's part of the sport. You know what I'm saying? It's part of the game. If you're not ready for it, then I'm sorry for you. So you have no problem with it. You use your weapons, man. Yeah. And, and...

That's like saying, what do you think about that elbow? Hell, the elbow is dangerous. You know what I'm saying? Sure. So it can end a lot of things, that elbow. So you just got to be ready for whatever. At this level that we're at now, we shouldn't be worried about anything. We should be ready for it all.

Yep. Well said. A biggest weakness in his game? Does anything come to mind? No. Nothing. No, no, no. No.

All right. Well, I can't wait for it. Good luck to you, Anthony. I'm sure I'll talk to you beforehand, but really appreciate the time. And again, congratulations on the win over Alexander Gustafson. Tremendous stuff. Thank you. Thank you, brother. All right, there he is. Anthony Rumble Johnson, the number one contender in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division.

A confident man heading into the John Jones fight. I cannot wait for that one. That's going to be a lot of fun. Just got an email from Francisco Aguilar, the chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission, sending me an email about the January 19th out-of-competition test for Anderson Silva. Most interesting about it, we just told you earlier, that no prohibited substance or prohibited methods or metabolites, found in a system. But most interesting is the fact that the report date, February 2nd, and that is a day before the January 9th test came out. What does that mean? I'm not quite sure. But why did the January 19th test come a day before the January 9th one? This document is upside down, so I can't read it right now. But good to hear that it was all good on January 19th. All right, let us move along. Let us go to our final guest of the day. So honored, so excited,

that this man is joining us, made some time out of what is a very busy schedule to come on this show. Can't wait to talk to him, so let's get right into it. Of course, I'm talking about arguably the greatest of all time, and a man who a lot of people right now believe is the greatest of all time because of what happened last week. I'm talking about the former UFC Walterway champion. George Rush St. Pierre. George, how are you? Hi, Ariel.

How are you? Good. It is great to have you on the show, George, and I appreciate it. I know you were traveling today, so thank you very much for the time. I got to ask you I thought of you I even reached out to you last week at around this time

when I was saying that I want to see George St. Pierre Freight Anderson-Silvin-Nex that's the only fight I want to see for both them. Of course, then on Tuesday we find out what happened to Anderson. What was your reaction

when you initially heard that news? Yeah, it's really unfortunate, you know, and I feel bad, you know, for everything, you know, even for Anderson, you know, I don't feel I don't elevate myself

when people are getting dragged down by something like this. You know, that's not what I want. And some people, I heard some comment they're like, oh, you might be happy because what you said that is, I'm not. I mean, nobody should be happy about that. You know, it's sad, and it's unfortunate.

And, yeah, like I said, I don't elevate myself when stuff like that happened. And I think for me, it doesn't change the fact. I think Anderson is still the best of a pound in the world of all time. It's just unfortunate, you know, that for the reputation and everything for it. And also is health, you know, this has happened. So you say you feel bad for Anderson, but why do you feel bad?

Why not feel bad for Nick Diaz? Yeah, it's so bad Anderson, Nick Diaz. I mean, it didn't really surprise on nobody, I think, you know. People knew he used by Ruan. He probably has a license maybe in La Finsgeles, I believe. I think it's legal in California at some place. So I don't think the MMA community is as much surprised. So to hear Nick Diaz, Marijuana,

and the Anderson Performance Anniversary Drug story. But I say that because Nick Diaz fought against the guy who tested positive a month before the fight. That's why I say feel bad. something could have happened. Who knows, right? No, no, no, it's true. No, if you see it in those terms, yes, it's true. I always consider performance and things like a weapon, you know,

and you shouldn't be allowed to fight with this. You know, it's... And, yeah, I think the fight should not have happened, you know, but unfortunately it did, but nobody got hurt, you know, so it's a good thing. You know, your longtime coach and friend, Farah Zhaabee, spoke to La Press recently, and he compared Anderson-Silva's situation to Lance Armstrong. Do you think that's a little too harsh?

No, I know. Listen, I don't like talking about Anderson and these things. I don't like to, like I said, when someone make a mistake and someone is down, I don't like to hit someone when he's down. You know, I don't think there's a good thing to do, you know. I just wish, you know, I just wish others would not have done that. And, you know, I don't have any comments about the individual. You know, what I always wanted, I always said that I wanted to help changing the system,

not, you know, the individual, you know. I think it's just the tip of the iceberg to tell you the truth. I believe there's a lot of guys that are going to get cut. Wow. A lot of a fighter in MMA, you know, knows that it's a big problem. You know, the guy that knows MMA well, and they are in the competition circle, they know it's a big problem, you know, even if they don't want to admit. And it's only the take off the iceberg, you know.

It's a big problem. They need to find a way to deal with it. And it's a big problem everywhere, you know. It's not only certain places or certain teams everywhere, you know. Trainer, like Ferris, I heard Ferris said, you know, we don't control what guys do, you know. And sometimes they say, oh, none of my guys use PEDs, we don't know. Like for us, like just for us and twice, if someone got caught, for example, in Montreal, it doesn't mean the whole team is dirty.

Like, if someone got cut in the black house, doesn't mean the whole team is dirty. You know, it's up to any, every individual to make their own decision. And, for example, I can speak from what I know. Ferrat string the guys in Montreal, and he's very, he counts openly against performance-enhancing drug. But if someone after the hour of training the fight to inject himself a substance, like, Ferrat, he can't do anything about it.

It's on his fault, you know, it's out of his control, you know what I mean? So every individual is responsible of his own act. So if you feel like it's only going to get worse, and you called this when you walked away from the sport in November, but you never actually retired. Why even leave that door open? Why do you want to be a part of any of this? Why not just say goodbye to the sport?

I left the door open because I knew it was a big problem. One of the reasons why I left was that, you know, I was bothering me. I knew I knew for a long time, you know, and it was bothering me, bothering me more and more and more and more. Yeah, it's not a secret. People act like a secret. It's not a secret.

that nobody. You know, people know it's a big problem, you know. And the combat sport, especially mixed martiality, is probably one of the worst part because we don't have any guideline. It's not tested, you know. And it's not like a race or a game. You put your life in jeopardy every time you step into the academy. You know, it's a fighting sport, a full-contact sport.

They need to do something. They need to find a solution for the safety of the competitor. But sometimes I'm wondering if the safety, if the safety of the competitor are more important and then the financial reason, you know? So something should be done for this matter. So did this change your stance on your future after hearing about Anderson?

Did you say, okay, now I'm officially done? It's not Anderson or anybody. I want to talk about it. I know I'm not surprised to hear that a lot of guys got busted. I'm not surprised, and it's going to be a other name coming up. That's what you guys don't understand. If they keep doing the right testing, it's going to be other guys coming up, you know.

And I'm not a rat. I don't want to say any name, but I wanted to change a system. And what it shows now is just that we got a big problem, you know, and they need to do something with it, you know. And my desire is to make real good anti-doping testing by an independent and competent agency that would scare the competitor for using performance and enhancing drug. I don't wish nobody got caught with performance and enhancing drug. I wish people just don't use it.

And the one that want to use it, they're afraid of using it because they know they're going to get cut if they do, so they don't use it, and the sport get cleaned up. There's a lot of cleanup to do in the sport. And, you know, it's only the beginning. But to be clear, what does this mean for you? Does this make you not want to come back? Have you changed your stance at all?

Listen, I'm not going to lie. You know, I'm busy with everything. I work on another project. For sure, I watch the fight sometime, and I feel the age, you know. The more and more I watch the fight, the more I feel the age, you know. I took time of competition because I was also burned out of all the pressure and all the expectation and everything. I needed to find a way out to keep my...

mental stability, so speak. And yeah, I'm not going to lie, you know, the more times go by, you know, I feel more itch and itch, you know, and now I had my knee surgery, my knee fill almost 100% now.

And I'm even doing, I'm even able to perform some stuff, some movement that I can do now that I was not able to do before, so I, it doesn't mean, I even made a progression in that department. So, no, I'm not going to lie.

Every time I see the fight, I tune in for a big UFC fight, I feel excited, you know. But I don't know what's going to happen to me. I don't say that I'm making a comeback, but I think right now the sport needs to get clean up and not interesting to compete if the sport is not clean. That's why that's one of my major concern. Dana White told me that he called you to ask you to fight in Montreal on April 25th.

Is that accurate? And what was your response to him when he asked you? He told me to fight in Montreal, and he also texted me to say if I wasn't trusting, of fighting under some silver right before the thing came up, you know? And I said, I said, no, my answer was negative. And then the whole thing came up and everything,

and it was bad, you know? If I fight with Anders, so what I haven't trusted me, because the old had Swarres said something in the media, and they make people talk, you know? So you were somewhat interested, but just not at that point or not interested, period? I always leave. I never said never, you know, but now I'm, now and now is not that time for me.

You know, I'm not interested right now. The way that everything goes, I'm not interested right now. You know, I'm busy with other stuff too. And I took a break, you know, to, now I'm very happy. We talk about, you know, people talk about about the Adnetic Commission. Yeah, of course, it's not where it's. should be right now as it is, but I think they make a lot of progress, you know, and their attempt to cleaning up the sport,

but I think it's a lot of room for improvement, and right now it's not where I believe it should be. I wanted to ask you about that next. They tested him on January 9th, and the results came out after the fight. So how do you feel about the commission right now? They're doing it. They're doing the out-of-competition testing that you asked for, but if the results come out after, it doesn't really, help all that much, right?

Yeah, but if, you know, it's money runs the world, money runs the world. So it's a, imagine that tons of promotion and how much money, they would have been lost, you know, and if ever, they would have discovered before

and, you know, who knows? Like, I don't know. I mean, people know, and people are not stupid. They know how the world works, you know, and I'm sure there's a way that they can deal with this, you know, to make it better, to make the situation better. Some have said that they want to see a zero-tolerance policy in the UFC.

If you fail for something big, some kind of steroid, you should be cut. Do you think that's too extreme? I agree. It should be. I don't know if it should be cut, but I don't know for this, but it should be more severe for sure 100%. Because they found out now that the, the had a new study made. If you do steroid once, you have your muscle memory, you know. So you have an advantage for the rest of your life, you know. So you have performance steroids, so that's mean you're going to get all the lifetime advantage, you know, to that.

That's what a recent study has shown, you know, but I don't think they should be banned for the rest of their life, you know. Sometimes I let the benefit of the doubt. who knows, they might, you know, who knows, like maybe they had a bad medication or something, you know, I don't know, you know. So you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think it's not all black or all white, you know, sometimes it's a career a little bit, you know. But it should definitely be more severe. George, you recall the time when you felt strongly for the first time that this is a major problem and this will drive you out of the sport. Because, you know, early in your career you weren't talking about this stuff, but it's,

team towards the end of your UFC run, you started to take a hard stance on it. Do you remember the turning point for you as far as PDs are concerned? Yes, it's a long time ago that I wanted to do it, especially in my last fight when I wanted to do Zadur. You know, the independent, when I wanted to do an independent, antedoping drug tested. and my opponent and the U.S.C. refused, and they didn't want to support me and this.

Like, I found out that it was something very shady and very bizarre. So I was very angry. But it started way before that, but that's what gives me the fine that, yeah, man, I need to get out of it. I don't need this shit anymore, you know. When Dana White and Lorenzo Fertita came to visit you in Montreal, did you talk to them about what they're doing? and how they're going to clean up the sport. Did you voice your concerns to them face to face?

They knew exactly. They pulled me after the fight with John Drix after the press conference. And that's the first thing we talk about that was this. I'm not going to see what I said in my own word because they're on radio and I can't say. But I was talking, I was very angry and that's why I talked about it immediately after the press conference when they put me aside, you know. I was angry.

And, you know, I never did that to create, to give UFC problem. I don't want to give UFC problem. I want to elevate the UFC. You know, I'm part of the UFC. The UFC is me. It's made. They made me who I am. I'm part of the UFC.

I always wanted to elevate the sport, elevate the brand of UFC. And I believe if they have to do a better end-end-doping tests by an independent organization, I think it should be UFC that start building, not Bellator or on that. their organization. I think UFC is the most prestigious one. I think they're the one that should take their stand and go forward with this. Not not another organization doing it

before them because it's going to make them look bad. But when you met with them a year later and all that happened with Vanderlea, Sylvan, Vitor Belford, and Chale's son, and the list goes on and on, what did you say to them then? A year after meeting them after that Hendricks fight? I didn't say anything

because I'm not surprised of... I'm surprised at the end of but I'm not surprised of all the big name and numbers that comes out. I knew it before is a big problem. And I'm, like I said, the tip of the iceberg is going to be other name coming out in the next there, maybe the next month, weeks or a month. It's not a new thing, you know. If they really do the real test, how it's supposed to be, it's going to be like this, you

know, and the only way to deal with it is to do the tested by an independent organization that is used to deal with it, that is competent. so it's going to scare people from using performance and anything direct. And is it fair to say until that happens, you won't ever consider fighting again? I'm sorry, what do you say? And is it fair to say until that happens, independent testing, you won't consider returning? I will, for me, in a condition for me to return, if I want to return, it's mandatory. I need my fight be tested by a...

an organization that is independent and competent, like, do better or I don't know if there is other one. Like, I need to be done like this. Otherwise, I'm not coming back. I'm not interesting to be tested like this now. Okay. My final question. I don't need real. You know, I don't need it.

I have a, you know, I'm wealthy, which is even more important. I'm wealthy, I'm healthy, and I don't need to put my life in risk. And I don't need it. I like the competition. I love my sports, but consider the risk, the positive and risk, the plus and force, and how do you say plus and plus and minus, yeah. It's not worth it for me. George, my final question for you, and I can't thank you enough.

If I ever come back, something bad happened or whatever, he can destroy my brand, which is bad for me. So it's more, there is more cons than pros than prone for me. Absolutely. And I think a lot of people would dream of having an exit like you did on top as champion. Here's my final question for you, George. And again, thank you so much for the time. Since this news came out last week, I've heard so many people say, George St. Pierre is the pound for pound best now. I now believe what he was saying.

Look at what he said when he left. Everything he has said has come true. And I'm wondering now, I mean, you have almost this halo over your head. And that's why I said on Thursday on my other show that I don't want to see you come back anymore for what you just said. Your brand doesn't need it. You don't have to risk anything anymore. What do you say to the fan who might be sitting back and saying, I don't know what to believe in?

Anderson Silva, really, PDs, all these guys testing positive, you're saying more, what do you say to the fan who has sort of lost hope in these MMA heroes? Tell them what they should feel. They should not lost hope. And another thing, I don't consider myself, like you said, the best spouse. I do not. Because when someone, like I said, someone got dragged down by something, it doesn't, I don't consider that it doesn't elevate me.

And I don't want to think like that. I've never been like this. I've never been someone who drag people down, try to push people down to elevate himself, and that's how I am. I think I'm there in some sort of ways. It could be the best, the best alpha pound in the world. A lot of other guys, you know,

it's something that is very, very hard. but what I say is this the MMA doesn't change their MMA hero it's just

the testing needs to be done and they need to acknowledge it's a big problem they need to acknowledge it that thing

you know and hopefully like in an idealistic world we're not going to see more of the heroes

falling again but unfortunately with the system it is right now I think it might happen. Some other guy got some other big name got dropped if they don't deal with it, you know. They need to implant a system that will scare people using performance and hunting drugs

and it will clean up their sport, you know. And once this is done, you know, and it's done, maybe I'll, you know, if I still feel the itch and everything, you know, maybe, maybe, if I feel like it, maybe I'll come back, you know. But now, with the situation, right now, I'm not ready to make a comeback right off. Well, George, I think I speak for everyone. We miss you, but we commend you. You have said this for a long time now since you left in November of 2013. We appreciate the time very much.

I can't thank you enough. And hopefully we'll see you around in Montreal when the UFC returns there. If you don't want to be around, I understand, but it would be great to see you. I will be around. I'm a big fan of the sport. I support the UFC. I just want to elevate the UFC, and I've always been there to elevate it.

I'm a UFC guy, you know, and I consider myself a UFC, a UFC fighter. It's unfortunate, and, you know, sometimes you have a, you have this disagreement. You know, I have maybe disagreement the way they're, maybe the UFC run thing, but doesn't mean I'm against the UFC. I'm for the UFC, you know,

and if I can do anything to make it better, to elevate their sport, you know, I always going to try to do it. Thank you, George. All the best to you. Really appreciate it. Thanks. Bye. There he is. Arguably the greatest of all time,

George St. Pierre. And isn't it funny? Isn't it funny that when George St. Pierre was competing in MMA, we heard it all, right? Boring, decision, decision, decision, interviews weren't great.

He didn't love talking to the media. Now look at them. Now look at the way the fans view this man. look at how they feel about George St. Pierre. He called his shot. He said, I'm not sticking around here anymore. I can't do it. And that's why I feel like he has a halo over his head right now. He is sitting on the sidelines, doing other things, doing movies, doing all kinds of things, leaving as champion. That is something every single fighter dreams of and most can't do,

including Anderson Silva. It's very hard to leave as champion, especially when you're not even close 40. It's very hard to do that. We've seen it in boxing with very few Floyd Mayweather could do it. Lennox Lewis certainly did it, perhaps the most high profile one as of late in boxing. You know, we've seen guys like Chris Lytle do it, but I mean to leave as champion and then to call what was about to happen in the sport. Pretty amazing. And when you consider how few states do out of competition testing, when you consider how successful out of competition testing is, when states like Nevada do it. For what, one fight? Think about what we're dealing with here.

Think about the amount of fights that go on. Is there out of competition testing in Colorado this weekend? Anderson Silva didn't have out of competition testing for that Nevada, those two Nevada fights against Chris Wyden. Was there out of competition testing in Sweden? Was there out of competition testing in Massachusetts? Think about how successful out of competition testing is. And the times in the past where guys have failed,

fight night tests. I love MMA, and I'm not going to sit here and say this is a BS sport, a Bush League sport. I love the sport more than any right now. This is not just my job. I love the sport. I don't want to see it go down. I don't want to see you guys get hurt. I don't want to see you guys collapse because of weight cutting. There's a lot to be excited about an MMA. But there's also a lot that we can't turn our back on, and I'm happy and elated that guys like George St. Pierre, guys who can make a difference are speaking up. And I hope that it resonates. We'll see what happens. It took Congress getting involved in baseball.

Is that needed? And I do believe, by the way, that the commission in Nevada has good intentions. I truly believe that. I have talked to these guys. I believe that. But it feels like once you get to that goal line, they can't quite get over and score that touchdown

in an orderly fashion. You can't have a out-of-competition pre-fight test come out after the fight. that just leads to too many questions. That just leads to too many issues. I think all this is good. I still believe it might get worse before it gets better, but I think we're on the right track here. Things are happening. You can sense it. You can sense it changing. You just worry about, look, this isn't a guy throwing a baseball. These are two guys punching each other with very little padding, kicking, kneeing, elbowing. You don't want to see anything happen because you know they will all come

out of the woodwork. You know people who have never watched the sport, who have never talked to an athlete, who have never talked to a promoter, a commissioner, they never talk to anyone, will write their columns, they'll write everything, they will all come out of the woodwork, and they will try to take this sport down. And the sport is only 20-something years old, but it deserves to be around, and it will be around, and it's not going anywhere, in my opinion, and it's come too far at this point to let people take it down, but you know they will come out of the woodwork and try to take it down. So hopefully this is the, I mean, if Anderson Silva, the greatest of all time in many people's eyes, testing positive, allegedly, if that is not a big enough warning sign, what is?

Few people can have that kind of impact. So let's see what happens, that disciplinary hearing, and then hopefully that will open up a lot of people's eyes. Let's hope. All right. That is it for our questions to our guests. Now let's go to the questions from you. do it. Where's Jorge Mazzvedal at?

That's a good question. But I think you're right about, you know, what happened there with the phone. Oh, yes. I thought you were going to say you think I'm right about the BAT problem. That is the real mystery, my friends. What the hell happened to Horey Mazzvedal's phone? And by the way, let's weigh in. Is the suspension in order?

I'm vetoing it, but ultimately. Why? Some kind of Mazvedal apologists? Yes. Now, I think he had good intentions, like you're saying about the commission. mission. I think he wasn't aware that there was a block or something like that, and he was trying to make it happen via text, but we just couldn't do it. All right. Well, we got 35 minutes left in the program, so let us get to it. But yes, I veto, although I know the fans are bloodthirsty,

because we haven't had one in a while. By the way, can we just talk about George St. Pierre right now? I mean, this guy. Incredible. Now, I'll say this. Yes, please say it. You know, there's going to be a lot of people saying George St. Pierre is speaking truth to power. He's the man, you know, he's doing this. Had he said this stuff when he was fighting... Well, he did say before... He did say before the Hendricks fight. That's the one...

Absolutely. This is not a drum he was beating all along. And I asked him about that, right? That's why I wanted to know what was the turning point. 100%. Let's not forget about BJ Penn, right? Yes. Prime time.

Exactly. I looked at that BJ Penn footage. Remember I was working. working on that prime show, and they didn't show a lot of stuff. Trust me on this. He was walking around, I don't remember what aired, he was walking around with all kinds of T-shirts and messages, and you can guess what the insinuation is at Jorge Imazvedal. Let's see.

Let's see. Answered on the air. Wait, you didn't say hello. No dice. What do you mean? How do you know? Was it pizza? What was it?

You know, today's National Pizza Day. Man, are you as engrossed by this Iggy Azalea and, Papa John's thing as I am. No, but I did hear about it. Apparently a guy delivered a pizza and then gave the number to his brother, and now the guy's texting her, right? The brother? Yes, but she's, you know, reaching out to Papa John's via social media being like,

what are you guys going to do about it? And so far, all they've done is make jokes. What? Papa John's making light? Yeah, I think they, like, use one of her song titles in it or something, and then Dejorno gets in on it. They're like, delivery. Shouldn't have done that.

But I'd like to know how you didn't know that that was my. Masvedal because... Oh, that's a good line from Dejorno. Yeah, that is great lot. I just got it, by the way. Because the person on the other line hung up the phone. That's how. Maybe it was Mosvidal.

We'll see if he calls back. If you're listening, Jorge, call back. There's nothing I can do to reach out to him. We've established that. His phone is shut. All right, let's get into the questions. Hopefully he'll call us during this. Anderson's legacy.

Oh, wait. Before we go on to that, what I was saying, GSP, you know, it would have been great if he was saying this while he was fighting, you know, earlier than just the last fight. But, you know, progress is progress. So hopefully, you know, he's still a big enough name and people still care enough about him as a figure in MMA that this will cause some change.

Spoken like a true BJ Penn fan. Yeah, well, you know, BJ's been beating the drum forever. And it's very timely that, you know, we'll have a question about semi-related to BJ Penn. How much do you think Anderson's recent failure? will have on his overall legacy. Do you think it's possible the failure will cause people to question his previous wins?

Also, you mentioned last week that if the GSP fight didn't come together, which looks unlikely, you would like to see Anderson walk away? Is this still the case, or do you feel that there's more of a reason for him to return now to redeem himself after the failed drug test?

I don't know how I feel about the second part of the question. I have mixed feelings. Yes, redeem. But also, I mean, if he can't do it, he can't do it. You know, I'd like to think that this was a one-time thing, but also, I mean, his last two fights, I have to go back and ask every single athletic commission that oversaw one of his fights in the UFC. What is it like? Somewhere between...

In the 20 range. I think it's just a little bit less. But whatever. You get my point from Ohio to, you know, Nevada back in the day, to, you know, he fought in Abu Dhabi, he fought in Montreal. He fought all over the place. was there at a competition testing? I mean, honestly, I'd be surprised. Let's just call it like it is.

Sure. You didn't hear about it back then. But you want to think it's a one-time thing, so I don't know. And look, after the fact, the guy came back from something, you know, unbelievable. I mean, to come back 13 months later, not to play basketball,

but to get into an MMA fight is pretty incredible. And it was surreal a week ago. It's more understandable, I guess you could say now. So I don't know how I feel about the comeback. As far as the first question, question is concerned. I do think it hurts his legacy, but I wonder how the rest of the people feel out there because honestly, I mean, look, Hoyst Gracie tested positive. Do people bring it up now? Not really. I think in MMA we have short-term memories and we choose to remember the good times.

And I 100% expect him to be in the Hall of Fame regardless of what happens here, the UFC Hall of Fame. And I think that when we, in 10, 15 years, when we talk about Anderson, we will talk about the Forrest Griffin fight. We will talk about the Chal Sundan fights. We'll talk about all these fights. And this will be a footnote, but I don't know if it has the same kind of stain in our sport as it does in other sports when guys test positive.

And I think that's a problem. The reaction to this news has been fascinating from the mainstream media and also the fans. The fans feel numb to it, which is incredibly disappointing. And the media doesn't even, I mean, they're not really even covering it. I mean, we're covering it.

Media is covering in. It's being mentioned here or there. But this isn't Wayne Gretzky testing positive. This isn't Michael, Jordan testing positive. This isn't Walter Payton testing positive. This is our equivalent to those guys. And yet, I feel like people almost expected at this point, like George was saying. And that's disheartening as well. So I feel like people were more shocked and more outrage and more hyped over the John Jones news because cocaine is maybe a sexier drug and they want to catch John Jones in the act

and they want to confirm their suspicions about him. But with Anderson or Mr. X, John Fitch, that's just a blip on the radar. No big deal. Let's move on to the fights. And that's, that's disappointing. Hang on. I never had this many calls in the middle of our show ever. And now I just saw Eric shake his head, so I guess not. Let us probably move on. But yeah, you know, the legacy thing is a tough one. We'll only really be able to answer that question in a year or two. Yes? Not Mr. Mosvidal. Okay. Now it just feels like, I mean, like now we're talking about, him too much at this point. Yeah.

Okay. Stay away, George, is the title of this question. Should George stay away because he has accomplished everything? Or are people telling him to stay away in case he tarnishes his legacy like Anderson Sova, which implies he's a cheater who hasn't gotten caught? Look, the thing is, I'm not saying that, by the way. But the thing is like, yeah, George versus Robbie Lawler? Great.

Do I need to see that? Am I dying to see that? You know, am I feeling like my life as an MMA reporter and fan is incompletes? plead if I don't see George St. Pierre versus Robby Luller, no. I said on this show last week, the only fight I want to see for both men is Anderson versus GSP. If this news is in fact true, I don't want to see it anymore. For GSP's sake, and also for Andy, I mean, there's just a stain on it now, you know? I don't want to see it. It's not the same. Everything has changed. I've long said, I don't think GSP is coming back ever, and I don't necessarily need to see him back ever.

I did say I would have liked to see Anderson versus other fighters. I had no problem with, you know, him continuing to fight. But now at this point, I feel like we're kind of just past it. He has his legacy. It's set. It's unfortunate that this is what happened. And if neither of them fought again, I don't think, you know, I'd be too heartbroken over it. Let me ask you.

Has his legacy change in your eyes? Certainly. If anybody says it hasn't, they're lying to themselves. That said, I don't think the impact is as great as most people. would like it to be for someone who's a cheater. In MMA, it's like, eh, oh, hum, let's move on to the next fight. Yeah. I mean, it's weird. It's because it was a first time thing. It was the last fight of his career. There's many reasons and many excuses people can make for it. And it just, it minimizes the impact of it. I'll say this though. You know, let's say Anderson Silva had been clean this entire time and just decided for this fight. He needed it to come back from injury to make, you know, to get this performance.

against Nick Diaz and that was it. I hope I don't get caught. This is the one time. It's probably pretty silly to assume that. Just because he has this legacy that he's already built up. Risking it all, putting it all on the line for this one fight seems pretty silly. So in my opinion, it casts shadows over everything he's done and it should. But I can't, you know, you can't say somebody's guilty without proof.

and I don't you know nobody has proof of Anderson cheating before this it just it's just unfortunate because somebody who to this point has remained out of you know this conversation and made it this far if he retired before that Nick Diaz fight he never would have gotten caught he would have been the best ever and that would have been the end of the story that would have been the ending for Anderson Silva and this is you know what happened it's just really unfortunate and I have a hard time believing that it was just a one-time thing. But, you know, that's pure speculation on my point. I'm not casting any aspersions on Anderson-Silva.

He's been tested before. Maybe not random out of competition or anything like that. But he has been tested. He's passed every single test. But it just seems... You can't... It seems silly to have put it all on the line for one fight. Yeah.

And he cast his whole legacy for this one fight, trying to get away with it. And I think most people would agree at this point that if you're not doing out of competition testing, It doesn't really... It's not the same. Yeah. It doesn't have the same effect.

And good for GSP for saying, I'm not coming back unless my stipulation of, you know, independent testing is met. Good for him. I, you know, I can't commend him enough for his stance on that. Yeah. Our next question. The $6 million question.

This is regarding... I don't think they get into it. This is regarding the undisclosed, you know, a salary figure for Anderson Silva. Does this figure sound more accurate to what these UFC top stars are getting paid? I know Dave Schiott. speaking on behalf of the UFC denied it, but let's be realistic here. Silva and other top stars, such as Ronda, GSP, Jones, etc.,

are making more close to that figure than the disclosed amounts we see. Should the UFC just release the real figures these top stars make, such as all other mainstream sports, it seems this kind of attitude only makes the UFC look shady and does not do them any favors. Well, I may have misread the tweet from Dave Schaller. By the way, it's spelled S-H-O-L-L-E-R. but I believe that he was referring to the reports that the UFC was withholding Anderson Silva's purse.

Now, the number that came out with $6 million, and all I'll say to that is, which I believe is what I've said on this show regarding Fighter Pay, until we actually know for a fact how much these guys are making, you can't really weigh in on it because more often than not, they're not making. I will say this about that main event. I know for a fact that at least one of the men involved in the main event, event did not make what was reported, made way more than that. I will say that. Yeah. I mean, you can weigh in on the fact that I don't think this will ever change as far, you know, based on

current circumstances. It doesn't benefit the UFC. Unless they go public, exactly. It doesn't benefit them because then you have Mr. X saying, wait a second. Exactly. Ninth ranked Mr. Y is making this, you know, and look what happened when Eddie Alvarez's salary came out, leaked out, or Hector Lombards. People have tried to use that. to their advantage. This thing would change drastically. It would change drastically. So it's in the UFC's best interest to do that.

Yep. And also they give out these bonuses. You never know what you're going to get. You don't know. So all I'll say is when these articles come out about the disclosed pay, and I say this every time. I've said this before. Do not get all riled up over them because more often than not,

especially the top guys, they are making way more. Name your favorite fighter. He's making more than what is being disclosed. And there's a simple reason for that. They don't want to happen what we just laid out. So I don't know if the question was really, did Anderson really make $6 million or did they withhold the money? The question is both. Did he really make six?

And should they be disclosing the six, does it benefit them in any way? And the answer is no. It never does. Yeah. DNA can be tested and identified in less than three days. So this person wants your thoughts on why we should believe the NSA and the UFC that they can't get a drug test done in less than three weeks. Well, Ariel Smellwani with this guy. No, I mean, what are you talking about?

Look, I have, I spoke to Dr. Daniel Eichner, who is the head of the laboratory in Utah, who tested Anderson Silva. And you'll never believe it. I did the whole interview with him, and then my recorder never recorded. And it was the most annoying thing in the world that ever happened to me. And, in fact, I tried to call him back afterwards, and he refused to pick up. Not refused, but I just couldn't get him. I called him maybe a million times right after. finding out that it didn't record, and he didn't pick up, and then, of course, he spoke to a whole bunch of people,

and by then it was kind of old news. But I do recall what he said to me, and he claims that they don't even see a name. When they're testing these samples, they don't see a name. There's just a number. So he couldn't even speak to the Anderson-Silver thing. Now, you want to roll your eyes at that? That's fine. I feel like it is on the commission to say, look, we have a fight coming up, an event coming up on January 31st. It is February 9th or 10th, whatever. need this back in a week? And that's what, you know, Bob Bennett, the executive director in the Nevada Athletic Commission is saying, we need this back no longer than a week. That's what should have been said from the beginning. How is that even left up to interpretation? How is that even left, you know, kind of in the air? Obviously, you need it back before the fight, and obviously you need it back sooner or sooner or later, because, of course, if something happens, you want to give the promoter the

benefit of the doubt to try to change up the event, right? You don't want to leave them, you know, with their pants down at the 11th hour, I get that. That's all part of the relationship. But how do you not put a rush on it? How do you not say you need this back in a week? So I believe, look, there are conspiracy theories and all that. I'm going to choose to believe that these people are telling me the truth.

And that they're incompetent then. Well, they say that, you know, it took three weeks. Or he said, I'm not going to apologize for trying to be as certain as possible about our results. Now, that leads you to believe that they got this result and said, we need to be triple sure that this is in fact true, right? That Anderson-Silva test positive. Do you really not know who's involved? Do you really not know who's blood and urine this is? I don't know about all that. But I think at the end of the day,

Nevada, when they send out these samples, when they are collected, they need to make sure this comes back ASAP. And don't just say, all right, guys, whenever you're ready, oh, it came after the fight. That just makes them look bad. And honestly, it's kind of a waste of money. Let me be quadruple. Let me be quadruple. Let me be quintuple, sure. Let me just wait till, you know, four months later. At a certain point is ridiculous. It needs to come out before the fight. There's no excuse for it. It's either you're incompetent or you're cheat or you're hiding it. Those are the only two answers. So they can say, you know, the people involved can say whatever they want, but it's not coming out before the fight, somebody messed up. Of course. Yeah, that's what I mean. Fumbling it at the goal line. Testing, testing Vitor Belfort before he's licensed, that's a fumble.

Yeah. Testing Van der Leis Silva or trying to test. him before he's licensed, now there's a potential loophole there. That's a fumble. Testing John Jones by mistake and then coming out with it, that's kind of weird. You know, it's like these intentions are all great. This is what we need more of this. But there's always like something. It's never just, this guy tested positive. It's a week before the fight. And now let's see where the chips are going to fall. No, it's always like this whole big unraveling of a mess of a situation. Wow, this is a long question. Yeah. But it's very relevant to what we're just

talking about. Dana White has always seemed determined to be more hands-off when it comes to regulating fighters than the commissioners of other sports are with their athletes. This is probably due to a combination of personal beliefs based on what I can find and infer about Dana's political inclinations and practical or logistical implications such as avoiding lawsuits and or fighter unionizing efforts. However, with the profound impact that things such as drug test failures, weight-cutting issues and injuries have had on recent and future events, and therefore the earning potential of the organization. Here's the real question at this point.

Is it time for the UFC to take a more aggressive approach on these matters? Should they make stronger efforts toward more drug testing with the results timed in a way that actually matters, along with the rules, regulations, and protocols regarding weight cutting, avoiding injuries and training, and other things that affect the profitability and growth of the sport? That's kind of what I was asking George Lockhart about. Yes.

This is, see, this is my stance on this. I get why they can only do so much because, you know, imagine all these crazy, you know, judge of scorecards, and then people say, well, there's corruption. I get that. But I remember way back in the day, a Dana White scrum, I said to him, I'll never forget this. I said, look, isn't there too much at stake? At the end of the day, this is your company.

This is your reputation. And a lot of people, to be honest, think that the UFC hires these people. Why don't you just take matters into your own hands? And I know that will take a lot of moving and shaking. I know that will change the foundation of the sport. and there's a lot that goes into it, especially with the government involved. But why not try to change the system? And much like, I use this example, I know you've heard it before,

when the NBA comes to Oklahoma City for the first time, they don't just hire the local Oklahoma City referees to come ref the games. There's an NBA referee association, et cetera, et cetera. Why can't the UFC be like that? They consider themselves the NFL. Why can't it be like that? And I remember people in that scrum looking at me like I was a total idiot. And I remember people saying on Twitter,

that you're a total idiot for asking that question. You don't understand the fight game. And I sit here today and ask the same question. Why can't they take matters into their own hands? They do it overseas. And I know it's probably a little tricky, but why can't there be an organization in place that is completely independent from the UFC

that the UFC kind of helps form, but it's like the UFC Referees Association and the UFC Testing Association and all that. Why can't that happen? I don't know. Why can't it happen? Why should we sit with our hands in our pockets to say, well, it's on the government.

It's their fault. They're the ones hiring these guys. Why? It hasn't worked out negatively for the UFC yet. It hasn't? Well, so let's assume they take it into their own hands. Then that fight's probably off. And they do a competent job.

Then that fight probably gets scrapped. John Jones possibly gets scrapped. Yeah, that's the problem. So taking it into their own hands, might not benefit them. Well, but now, and by the way, they did pay for that test. So they're indirectly...

Yeah, but they could probably chase down those results. There's many different things that could be done that would maybe make those fights not happen. There's always going to be issues that arise. But if you put something like, if you put in a guy who has, you know, a great reputation that we believe is morally on point, point like a Mark Ratner and he leads the charge, I think a lot of people would feel more comfortable

with that than these Rinky-Din commissions. And I'm not calling Nevada Rinky-Dick, by the way, I think they are doing the best that they can at this point. Let's not forget, there's not a lot of money involved. I think that's the other issue. You know, A, these people don't get paid a lot of money, the actual commissioners, and B, there's not a lot of money. That's why they have to rely on the UFC to do this. Then it falls on the actual governments. It falls on the Nevada governor to give them a bigger budget, to give them more to play with, to let them do more. But is that going to happen in Louisiana? Is that going to happen in Illinois? Is that going to happen in Iowa? No. And this sport is prevalent in all those places and more. So that's the problem. It's such a mess. And we could

sit here and talk about it and cry and say that this is horrible for the sport, blah, blah, blah, blah. I guarantee you nothing really dramatic is going to happen that will change the entire sport. Maybe the UFC will do it, but not the entire sport. It is impossible to police the sport like that? There's the only the only way to enact change is to increase the penalties. At this point, after seeing how many times these things have been bungled, that's the only solution I can see that would change anything. Well, I think the biggest solution is more out of competition testing.

Yes, but that part, you know, that part of it has many moving pieces. The fact that should the UFC be involved or should they not, can the commissions competently execute this? The only way to change anything is if you get caught, the penalty. need to be much harsher. That will, because that will enact change at the level of the fighters.

That will enact change in possibly preventing fighters from doing this in the first place and not having to rely on the testing procedures being executed properly. Which should be done anyway.

Obviously, I'm not saying, you know, we should continue with this process of, you know, not getting the fight results, the test results before the event. But by making harsher and stiffer penalties, certainly there will be guys

to get caught, but it will decrease that number because you don't want to face that possible that possible punishment. And now I don't know what that punishment may be. Permanent ban, I don't know what it is, but there needs to be a harsher penalty. And that's where the change will come is from the fighters. And by the way, let it be known and let it be said. I saw a lot of people in MMA kind of LOL at this past week's news. And I see more and more people kind of throw their hands up. We are not going anywhere. New York Rick and I are going to stay here until this sport officially is put six feet under the ground and that will not happen under my watch. So we are not going anywhere. So while everyone may be throwing up their hands, everyone giving up on this sport, we are not giving up

on the sport. M.M.A.R. cares. Not just the M.M.A.R. We personally care. Yes, I do care about this sport a lot. So we're not going to give up on it. So you may feel like others are, but not here. Not under my watch. Maybe we can No, I was going to say Maybe we take over the drug test handling Well, that's not going crazy Thoughts, here's what I was talking about earlier

Thoughts on John Fitch testing for HGH How about the new trend of fighters being anti-doping? Wait a second, who said HGH? I don't think that's accurate. Okay, okay. What is this? Right, we're getting inaccurate questions now. This is the only person to ask about Fitch

So we'll have to roll with that. All right. The question is more general. How about the new trend of fighters being anti-doping all their careers, and then later getting popped for the very thing they spoke against. This is two in a row. Helsova was quoted just last year, speaking against PEDs. Isn't the hypocrisy getting a little ridiculous?

Well, again, this one comes out. I like to give guys the benefit of the doubt, but, you know, California is a tremendous commission. They did the CIR test. I mean, there's a lot of issues there. John Fitch, another one of those guys who was rather outspoken, and BJ Penn had a lot of, tweet. What did he say? Hot dogs and beer? Yeah. But then it's a little weird, and I saw some people say this. Like, where was B.J.'s tweet about Anderson Silva? And I know he didn't fight Anderson Silva, but I don't like how

sometimes we pick and choose who we're going to go after it. Like, we go after Cyborg, but, you know, we don't go after others. You know, I brought this up to Connor McGregor. But that's not really the question. On that, though, that's fair enough. I mean, BJ fought this guy. That's the difference. Yeah, yeah. That is the difference. Fine, fine, fine, but you know how BJ and Nancy. Sure. Sure. No, I'm not arguing against you.

That one was a surprise. I thought, you know. This one shocked me. That was the surprise. But again, what did it really mean? I mean, come Friday night, everyone was talking about something else. Glory. Wow.

It was a good show, wasn't it? It was fantastic. Except what about that main event? I mean, I know these things happened. Oh, it was a bit of the disappointment. No, no. It was just a disappointment. Oh, yeah, it's disappointing, but it was a hell of a first round.

I felt like I need to see it again. Hell yeah. I need to see it. Oh, okay. I thought you were going to. say no, but it was a good show. We'll talk about it later. Let's focus on this.

All right, right. I understand this feeling, this sentiment. It's a little weird when these guys are... Of course. That's why people are numb to it. You know, if all of a sudden, Tim Kennedy, who is, you know, the guy right now... Who would blow your mind?

Tim Kennedy would blow my mind. Yeah. You know who would blow my mind? Like a Wydeeman. BJ Penn. If he all of a sudden came back, that would... My head would explode.

Honestly, that wouldn't blow my mind because that would be like hoist. You know what I mean? there's some you know like when you're older things get different like with emerson hoist was never the the anti-pd guy bjepen for as long as we can remember is the this guy's on steroids this guy's doing that if bj pen if it came back or there was some kind of retroactive test that came out and they said b j pen tested positive or something might first of all it would hurt my heart

as a fan but my head would just come off yeah i feel you there's very few of them Let's just say that, though. There's very few guys who would surprise me anymore. Which is kind of depressing as well. It's just so prevalent, and the testing hasn't been there. That's the thing, because people have been able to get away with it for so long. There's not, there's, people haven't had to adapt or haven't adapted yet. Chale and Vanderlait, the WWE.

Should the WWE try to pick these guys up, potential brawl for all match? I'm not familiar with that. Winner fights Butterbean at WrestleMania. I do know Butterbean. On a serious note, I think Sondon would be a good addition to the roster. If they could find a role for him, Silva would be better off in Japan. Well, I was told that there is no truth to this. And I was also told more to that last point that, and this was reported by my colleague Dave Meltzer,

which I helped a little bit in that story, that they are talking about Phil Barone versus Van der Le Silva at the IGF show, which is Inoki Genome Phelts, Federation in Japan, end of this month, with Mark Coleman in Philbroni's Corner. So it's a Team Hammer House versus Shoot a Box old school pride matchup, which, you know, is fine. It's fun, whatever. But I didn't see anything out there on the show. I think what one person suggested to me was that Vanderlea kind of views WWE. And actually someone else confirmed this to me from Brazil that, like, they call wrestling

pro wrestling, WWE, like we called Phoenix. It's like UFC. MMA is UFC. So he may have gotten a little bit confused there, but I would expect to see that happen before anything with Chale and WWE happens. I don't know if the WWE, like Triple H and those guys,

they've talked openly how they don't really get this. They don't like it. They're not fans of it. I don't see them trying to recreate a feud under their umbrella. Yeah, but you could say the same thing about I wouldn't necessarily have thought CM Punk would come over to the UFC. There's always a chain, you know, if they... There is, but that one's a little different because

the UFC has always been receptive to the WB guys, the opposite with them. You know, they've... I don't know about always. I mean, Brock was the... Brock. Look what that did. Yeah, but that was an experiment the first time. But it worked.

It worked. But an MMA, a UFC guy has never gone. Cheil could be the guy. Ken Chammrock did, actually. There you go. Yeah. Now, okay, let's... What is a brawl for all?

Okay, brawl for all was a tournament. I believe off the top of my head, WrestleMania 14. I could be wrong. Someone will correct me. There was a tournament. tournament where they actually had real boxing matches. Oh my God, this would be amazing. Oh, yeah, it happened.

If you go on the network, I'm sure you can find it over the internet. So they would basically be really fighting. It was the wrestlers competing in these boxing matches. And the winner, and it was real, but it was real. What? Yes, Bart Gunn made it to the finals. And the winner, the prize, was a match against Butterbean at WrestleMania. So they had this tournament on Monday Night Raw with all kinds of characters.

It was a total mess. and then the finale, the championship, if you will, was... Maybe they're more receptive than it than you think. And what do you think happened? Butterbean knocked the guy out. Yeah. He killed them. Because Butterbean is a real boxer.

It was kind of a joke, and I do believe that they said... Nobody got hurt, right? Like badly. But I do believe they said that's it for the real stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. How about this quick breaking news, courtesy of UFC.com? Wow. How about this? This is actually quite shocking. All of a sudden, my internet not working. Oh, come on. Really? What is it? Well, okay, here's it. Here it is. Here it is. Breaking News, courtesy of UFC.com. It's always good to check Twitter in the middle of the show.

The Nevada Athletic Commission requests Anderson Silva's step down as coach of Tough Brazil 4. Oh, wow. The UFC announced today that Brazilian legend, Rodrigo Big Noggaara, will join the cast of the Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, the organization's signature television reality series as coach following the departure of UFC middleweight Anderson Silva, the New Athletic Commission, which regulates the Ultimate Fighter Series exhibition fights film in Las Vegas, requested that Silva ceased participation in the series as a result of his temporary suspension following the recently announced preliminary results of his January 9th pre-fight drug test for UFC 183. The UFC and Global, the show's Brazilian broadcaster,

respect the commission's decision, which will allow Silva to focus his attention on the matter before the commission, Anderson Silva, has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador to the sport. The mixed martial arts and the UFC will continue to support him as this process unfolds. The series which began filming in Las Vegas on Monday, February 2nd, originally featured Silva and former champion Shogun Huah. Huo will continue on as coach of Team Shogun versus the newly formed Team Nogarra, which will also include Big Nog's twin brother, Hosgerio Little Nog Noggera, which makes this whole situation, and at all courtesy of UFC.com, just tweeted now by the UFC News Twitter account. this is a mess of a situation because as you know, the Nogeras and Anderson Silva very much linked and very close to one another.

And when Dana White announced last week that Anderson, and again, as I said on the MA beat, let's be honest, tough Brazil, not the biggest priority for us, but it's a huge draw in Brazil and it's a big deal for Globo. And a lot of people, including myself, were surprised because I thought that was an easy way to kind of make an example of the situation. They kept them on. now Nevada asking for him to be removed from the show. Crazy. The dominoes continued to fall for Anderson Silva. The answer is good, though. This is the right call.

This is the right move. Especially because this is going to air in four or five months, and we may know his fate, and then it will be really weird. Yes, this is the right move. And by the way, for reality show purposes, I want to know how he found out. I mean, if that's going to air on the show, those first two episodes are going to be must-see TV,

even in Portuguese. Okay. Here's a question about Glory. Yes. How do you think the most elite heavyweight fighters in the UFC? Let's say the top five would do in the realm of kickboxing. The striking that I saw in the main event of Glory 19 didn't impress me half as much as heavyweight striking in the UFC thoughts. Wow.

Shots fired. I can't go with this. So why do you ask? Why do you bring it up? To talk about glory. Well, I mean, this is negative. Yeah, but the answer to the question, thoughts, I think you are insane. Striking, let's see striking.

Okay, what do we got? Kane, JDS, Verdume, Miotich, Mark Hunt, would you say that's the top five? Something like that, right? Yeah. How do they rank with the Rico Verhuvans of the world? I think they, you know, guys, though, different sports. I don't like comparing.

Hunts a kickboxer. I mean, yes, but I'm talking about like when I think of Kane Velasca's striker and it's different sports. It's, the answer is it would not do well, just as if, So you're saying, you're saying, if Mark Hunt, excuse me, if Kane Velasquez or Fabrice or Doom, enter Glory and compete against Rico Verhoeven, who, by the way, correct me from wrong, lost very recently, right? Yes, he did. Do they win? No, they do not.

They get smoked? In a kickboxing match under Glory rules, they get absolutely dominated. Just the same way. Okay. You have to imagine if one of the kickboxers came over to MMA, it wouldn't be as easy for them to adapt to the ground game. It's just, it's different. It's a different sport. And the technicality is completely different.

I don't like comparing. It's like comparing MMA to boxing. Yeah. Boxing to kickboxing. You can't do it. Different sports. It's tough. Yeah.

I was very impressed. I thought that was a hell of a fight. I was expecting it to be a little slow, more slow to start. I thought Rico had him rocked. Rico had him rocked in the first and got too excited. You got a little sloppy there. Let's be honest. They got into a brawl and I'm, you know, I'm surprised nobody went down.

It was, it was, it wasn't sloppy. It was more of a brawl than a technical fight. I think if he would have stayed poised. Yeah, he could have put himself in a bad position there. Arrow is very dangerous. But I thought it was a hell of a fight until the unfortunate injury. Okay. What else?

What else? Quickly. Yes. Benson versus Ariel Hawani. Yes. They sent a video of Benson playing basketball. Now he says, what are the odds? Could you give us an odds maker video with Ariel shooting some hoops?

I will not be giving you an odds maker video without shooting some hoops. But I did see the video of Benson. Can I see it? We can't play it from here. It's tough. One to ten. Okay, okay, okay, okay. I got to say it.

On a scale of Rick Brunson to Michael Jordan, where does he go? He's in the middle somewhere. That doesn't really tell me much. Well, it's hard to say because it seemed like he was shooting around in like a muscle farm gym, I think it was. Oh, yes. He was fading away on every shot, and he was, it seemed like he wasn't like really trying to give his. best effort. That said, he put up a few airballs there. Wow. Was he shoeless? He was wearing no shoes. He was wearing no shoes and he was shooting fadeaways. So I have to, you know, give him a little

bit of a leniency in terms of migrating of him. But I'll say this. I liked your chances after seeing that video more than I did before seeing him. You doubted me. You had your your doubts, your concerns. Now I still have some, it's going to be tough. I think Benson's defense is going to be pretty good. I think his cardio will be the biggest thing. His ability to probably stay in front of you when you're trying to drive is going to be tough. He's going to bump and grind. He's going to have great lateral movement.

He's going to have good lateral movement. But make no mistake about it. I will bury him where he stands. Yeah, I think so. A little bit, but he's got that hair. The hair. My face. He's going to tie it back.

I'll be posting up. Yeah, but we're going to go for a rebound, boxing him out. It's going to get all greasy in my face. You've seen that hair. He'll let it flow. You're going to have to shoot over the top, I think. You're going to have to shoot over him. because he's going to be, he's going to be hounding you.

You don't know me in a one-on-one setting. I'm a different player. I'm a different player. I do not. I am relentless. Well, you're relentless in a five-on-five setting. Yeah, but it's different. Elbows are out. I mean, I'll do whatever it takes.

I'll do the old John Stockton and hit and like step on your socks. I'll do anything. You climbed closer to even after me seeing the video. Wow. I think you're still the underdog, though. Okay. Okay. Now finally we get an honest assessment.

Well, I saw the video. I saw the evidence. You know what, you know what this game will be called? you know, like the old school UFC, like shootout or resolution. It will be Benson Henderson versus Ariel Hawani, colon, by any means necessary. I like it. I like the name rather than, you know, by any means. The number.

MMA beat after making New York Rick pay his dues to get a chance on the MMA beat and putting a celebrity fan on the MMA beat in one Skylar Aston. This person compares it to CM Punk. He says, CM Punk is a celebrity. And I'm the Ben Ascred. Okay, can I tell you what disappoints me? They're saying more New York Rick on the MMAB, which I can't argue with. Okay, I just want to say to this.

First of all, I think Skyler got a lot of street cred. People really respect his opinion now. They may have been a little iffy about him on this show, but I think he held his own, had some great points, and I really enjoyed having him on the show. But you see these comments, and you don't come out and say the truth, which I've called you out on in the past. You were invited to be on that show. So you let this perpetuate, you let this fester, and you don't actually come out and say, hey, wait a second, guys, I actually was invited first when I found out, look, the team is always going to be me, Luke, Jeff, and Chuck. When one of them can't go, you know you're number one. And I did invite you, and you didn't say anything.

And I think that's BS. I think you like seeing these comments and you bring them up on the show, but you don't tell the people, wait a second, guys, with all due respect, I was asked, I couldn't make it, I was out of town. Why don't you say that? Why can't you be truthful? I don't remember. I didn't get that call. Are you being honest right now? That is bull.

There was like a... Maybe I had the Mazvedal answering thing on. I just didn't... I don't remember that. I remember Skylar Aston getting my spot, and I'm coming for him. I'm the best MMA beat panelists in the world, and I'm coming for it.

All right. And I can't believe you let him on. He may have trumped you, by the way. Unbelievable. By the way, I may throw his brother in there before you as well. Now, I... The point still remains that I had to grind to get there. You essentially, as Dana White told me, hey, go get some more fights and then come to the big leagues.

And then all of a sudden, Skylar Aston gets to be on the show without putting in the work. What challenges did he win? Let me tell you something. Have you seen pitch perfect? Have you seen his performance? That gives you carte blanche around these parts. I respect the man's talent. No doubt about it.

He's a good friend, as Stephen A. Smith would say. We've had many dinners together. He is the significant other of the greatest actress of our time. And her name is? Anna Kemp. There you go. Look at that. When you score that, you get carte blanche around these parts.

Scarler Aston is... Rolling out the red carpet, I see. Yes, yes. We are star effers around here, all right? I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. I'm coming for that spot. All right, let's quickly do these Twitter ones.

Yes, yes, we've got to go. Everyone's going to get very mad at us for going too long. Let's rifle through them in a minute. Here we go. Ten seconds each. What do we got? Okay. We addressed this a little bit. Is having local state athletic commissions overseeing pre-fight drug tests a financial conflict of interest?

No, it's conflict of interest if the UFC is paying for these tests, but we don't have a budget, so they have to pay. So that's why it's kind of hard to throw the baby out with the bathwater here. There is no solution. The ultimate, perfect, number one solution would be independent, VATA, something like that, commission. having enough money to pay for these tests. Until that time comes, I'd rather the UFC help out, but that's when there's a conflict of interest. Yeah, there's no best answer,

but let's not, you know, let perfect get in the way of progress. If results stand, how unjust will it be of Diaz gets a longer suspension than Silva, even after the appeal process? I mean, that's, you know, that's the law. Three strikes, that's tough. I mean, and I know a lot of people are saying, well, wait a second, the UFC's okay with cocaine, and it's all situations aren't created. equal. I don't like comparing them.

But, I mean, guess what? Get ready for it. It's probably going to happen. Unless somehow Nick Diaz is able to convince them that he was, you know, perfectly able to do this and didn't break any rules, this is Anderson's first offense. And this is Nick's third in Nevada. So get ready to be outraged. And I know I'm going to hear it. Well, here's the thing. I actually heard you guys talking about this.

It doesn't make it right. But those are the rules. I heard you guys talking about this on the MMA beat. And how about we just changed the rules? Well, yeah. And by the way, they've been known to do it. They took out TRT in like a five-minute conversation. Change it. Done. Maybe. Maybe it will happen. That would be nice. That would be nice. Because this is silly. This is just silly. The DS thing is weird. And I'm no weed smoker. I don't do it. I don't like it. I kind of wish no one would do it. But hey, if it works for you, great. I think it's weird. The guy who has a license in California. I don't know when, in fact, this happened gets in trouble for this. I don't think it's right. It's silly. You should have a marijuana exemption. like TRD. Absolutely.

Yeah. It's not a performance enhancer. Right. And that's true. And that too. Do you think this recent news will affect or change anything in regards to the regulation in New York? I can see them finding issue. No.

Sheldon Silver is gone. The new guy in charge is a fan. Has sponsored the bill. I think 2015 will be a good year in that regard. If not 2016. But the time is now, my friends, because it's January. Oh, God. What the time is now?

It's February. So we have a lot of time. We haven't until June to get this done. And these are individuals. on their own accord. This is not MMA. This is, you know, the sport didn't have any bad news. It doesn't reflect well.

It doesn't reflect well. Yes. The reason why there is no MMA in New York is because of the UFC is because of the issue. So when things happen in the UFC, it affects. Sure, but objectively, from the outside. Yeah. This is not a, this is not a stain on the sport. This is unfortunate for the people involved. Never say never, but I don't think it will.

What do you think of WSOF having an event on Thursday? will you pay any attention to it? Absolutely. Marlon Marais's fights. Must see TV. I watch. I like Josh Hill as a contender, an opponent. The rest of the card is a little thin, but that's the way those cards are these days.

Thursday night, what else are you going to watch? I love it. I love that Bell Towers on Friday. UFC on Saturday. They should always be like that. Why go against each other? Have the night for yourself. Love it.

I think they should do all their events on a Thursday. There you go. I like it as well. If Aldo beats McGregor and Pettis beats Raphaelos, excuse me, Raphael dos Anjos. Do you think we see Pettis versus Aldo? No.

No? No? No. I think there are too many guys at 155. Habib Mugamato just tweeted that he's 100% cleared. I want to see him do a little more work. We'll see. If he's 100% cleared, look out, future champ right there. Yeah, and I don't want to see it yet.

And now lastly, shout out to our guy. Wow, I said our guy. Our guy guy, guy, guy, yes. Guy Smalley. He sent us a book. Let me grab that right here. And inside. It's great.

Very talented. He does humorous illustrations of, you know, different fighters. Yeah, he does great stuff. And he's done some art for the show as well that he's graciously donated. His Twitter account is at Cartoon Logos. He sent this to us just out of the blue. It was a great present. A very high-quality book, by the way.

Oh, yeah, the book is amazing. And it's a nice look back at MMA history because he has all these sort of topical cartoons. Yeah, I was looking through it. There's a lot of stuff that's pretty relevant and pretty recent in history. And his website is cartoonlogos.biz and his Twitter, as Ariel mentioned,

is at Cartoon Logos. Check them out. Good dude, great artist. And we appreciate him sending that our way. That's it. That is it. Thank you to Guy. Thank you to all of you.

Alex, you can hit my music. Went a little over time, but I did that because Jorge Mazzvedal. cheated us out of an interview. I don't know what happened there. Still haven't heard from him. Perhaps we'll touch base closer to the fight. But guess what?

I think we had a lot to chew on on this show. I think we had a lot going on. And quite frankly, from Morrow to Tim, I mean, that was intense stuff. I really enjoyed it. And George St. Pierre coming on on short notice was tremendous as well. I can't thank him enough.

So I want to thank all of you for stopping by. By the way, the MMA beat is back this week as well, so let's see what happens between now and Thursday, live at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. If I have my way, New York Creek will not be on the show. I want to thank Moranalo for joining us. Great to hear him again. Check him out.

New Japan Pro Wrestling, Glory, Invicta, Showtime boxing. The man is all over the place these days. Great to hear from him once again. Tim Kennedy, tremendous stuff. Sounds a lot like GSP, to be honest. All the best to him. All the best to George Lockhart, his business,

and good luck with Cyborg Justino, February 27th in Los Angeles. That is going to be a fun weekend, my friends. She defends her invictive title. Brandon Thatch, good luck to him. Fox Sports won this Saturday night against Benson Henderson. What a fight that is. Holy moly, that is fun stuff. Loved his thoughts on MMA as well.

Eddie Alvarez, all the best to him and his family. All the best to Anthony Johnson. And once again, thank you so much to The Legend. St. Pierre for stopping by. If you missed anything, iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, all the good stuff. We'll see you next week. Until this in peace. I'm out of here.

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I'm Nilai Patel, editor-in-chief The Verge, and Decoder is my show about big ideas and other problems. We've talked a lot about generative AI on the show lately, which is a very big idea that is causing quite a few problems. And one thing we keep hearing about over and over again is that generative AI is causing a lot of problems in schools. There are a lot of people out there, including many of the listeners of this show who email us, we're worried about the obvious problem, students using chat GPT to cheat on assignments. But when our team went and poked at the story, they found that the issues in education with AI

go a lot deeper, to the very philosophy of education itself. If this technology becomes more ubiquitous, we'll have courses created by AI, graded by AI, with submissions from students, absolutely generated by AI. So it begs the question, what are we even doing here in higher ed? This episode is presented by Salesforce.