MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour - Episode 432

Episode Date: April 30, 2018

Ariel Helwani speaks to Dillon Danis (00:10:53), Frankie Edgar (00:32:03), Derrick Lewis (00:50:02), Kenny Florian (01:10:56), Nick Newell (01:34:33) in studio, John Gotti III (02:30:22), Chad Mendes (02:52:12), Jake Shields (03:12:49), Greg La Rosa (03:34:14), and NewYorkRic for The MMA [After] Hour featuring Ric's Picks (04:19:01) and the answers to your questions (04:47:49). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The meeting will begin when passenger Fisher is done celebrating. 19 plus Ontario only. Please play responsibly concerned by your gambling or that if someone close, you call 18665330 or visit Comex Ontario.ca. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. It's the mixed martial arts hour with The mixed martial arts hour back in your life on this Monday, April 30th, 2018. Hello again, everyone.

I'm Ariel Hawani back inside our New York City studio. What a great day it is, my friends. It's a very exciting day for me personally. six years ago today on a Monday no less April 30th, 2012 at around this time. It was around like 1230 p.m. Eastern time. I became a father for the first time. One of the happiest days of my life. Thankfully, I have, and my wife as well, we've been able to experience this two more times.

But the first one is always very special. My son Oliver was born on April 30th, 2012 in New York City. It was an amazing day. We were supposed to have a show that day. And in fact, it was supposed to be the day that Ben Folks was unbanned. Remember, we banned him because he failed to show up, which in hindsight is very strange, that a member of the MMA fighting team failed to show up for a scheduled interview. Like, I expect that from a fighter.

You know, he's forgetful. But he actually felt to show up. So I banned him for something like 10 weeks. And his triumphant return was supposed to be on April 30th. New York Rick even made a video, the I'm Coming Home video, in honor of this big day. And it never actually happened because my wife went into labor early Monday morning. And then she gave birth to our son. I remember her being in the hospital room, contractions, the breathing, all that stuff and more.

And I remember focusing on CNN. It was on in the room. There was a TV on the wall. And they had announced that the new Freedom Tower, was going to be 1776 feet tall, that they were going to put that little thing at the top of it and it was going to be 1776 in honor of the year that, you know, the United States was born.

And I'll never forget saying, wow, this is a pretty cool day. And surely thereafter, my son was born. So yesterday we had a big party. As you know, I like to go all out. And I'm here doing the show, but I'm very proud and very happy to be a father of three. and I'll never forget this day six years ago. So happy birthday to my son Oliver. He's certainly not watching this,

but maybe one day he'll watch it and see that his old man gave him a shout-out. Now, as far as this weekend, an MMA is concerned, it was a great weekend, I thought. Belator was on display, Belator 198 in Illinois, Rosemont, Illinois,

Allstate Arena, the world-famous All-State Arena, hosted many a great combat sports event. And I thought that this event was a home run for Bellator. Now, a lot of people will say, hey, a lot of squash matches. This seemed like, you know, Maple Leaf Wrestling,

circa 1989. And maybe that's the case. But guess what? When you're number two, when you're trying desperately to create draws and stars, sometimes you need some squash matches. And by the way, sometimes those squash matches don't end up going the way you want them to go.

This isn't pro wrestling. We saw that with Aaron Pico, not that long ago at MSG. So they could book all the squash matches, that they want, sometimes they don't go that way. They went that way on Saturday. And I thought it was a fantastic card for them. There was buzz in the air.

Of course, the best news of all, if I'm Bellator, I'm happy about this. Fyodor Emilienenko defeats Frank Mir in a frenetic fight. I don't care how Fador looks at this point. I don't care how many losses he's at in the last, you know, five, six years. Whenever he fights, the heart beats a little quick. quicker. There's a little more anticipation. It's a little nerve-wracking because the pace is just to the extreme. And no different on Saturday. He got tagged. He was able to regroup. Ends up T-K-Oing

Frank Meir in the first 48 seconds with a short left. It was actually a scene that we've seen Fador Fador-Milliannecow on the receiving end of, but this time he wins. And it sets up now Fyodor Amelianco versus Chales-Sunnan in round two of the Belator tournament. and they're targeting the East Coast. They wanted to be in New York City, maybe in the fall. And if I'm them, I put the semis on the same night. You put Fjorda versus Chale. You put Matt Maitrean versus the winner of Bader and King Moe,

and all of a sudden this thing has some life. That's the fight that they wanted. That was the best fight they could put on. By the way, I wouldn't be surprised if that's their biggest gate in the history of Belator. That's a big time fight, and I'm all for it. I'm in. I'm excited. The buildup to Fador fights are usually.

mundane. It's usually filled with respect. It's usually filled with a lot of accolades and platitudes and things like that. This time it's going to be different. You got a taste of it on Saturday when Chale walked in there. And that's why the tournament format works because people know what's next right away. Now, it's getting a little drawn out here. But hopefully after the last fight in May, which is Bader King Moe, the thing will really pick up steam. That was the best possible scenario. You had Emmanuel Sanchez looking great against Sam, Cecilia, yelling at the top of his lungs, feels like you've got something there with him. And then you had just a slew. And of course, he won via arm triangle.

But then you had all, I mean, if you were a BJJ fan, that was the card for you. Hapel Lovato Jr. or Rafael Lovato Jr., winning via Arm Bar. You had Dylan Danis in a fantastic debut. All the hype, built it up. He seems like a star. He wins via toehold. And of course, Neiman Gracie winning via Arm Triangle as well. decisive wins, dominant wins, and they're really building something. So I feel like that was a great

night for Beltor. We'll talk about that card from all angles. We'll see if it's truly a home run, of course, after the ratings come out today, we presume if it ends up being another 200,000 viewer show, I mean, now we've got a real problem on our hands. I suspect that won't be the case. The gate was number two in the history of the company. I suspect it will do well. But as far as the action went, the winners went, as far as what it sets up, this was a home run show for Beltor. And that's not often the case for them. All right. What are we talking about today?

Who are we talking to? 445 MMA After Hour. 425 Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s longtime security guard, Greg Larosa, will be joining us. He was very, very present during the buildup to Mayweather, McGregner. Gregor. There were some insults thrown his way and his partner's way. But also he was in the news recently because he was actually shot in the leg. We talked about it at the end of one of our shows a couple weeks ago. Get some insight from him on this. Big M.MA fan. Maybe talk to him about Mayweather flirting with MMA. And so I've wanted to have him on the show for a while.

He really hooked me up when we did that interview with Floyd at Girl Collection a couple days before the fight. So I own one. It'll be fun to catch up with him. That's Greg La Rosa at 425. At 405, we'll talk to Jake Shields about the launch of PFL. He kind of feels like the face of the organization right now. He's the most recognizable face. He's the longest tenured MMA fighter on the roster, I think, off the top of my head. I'd be shocked if there was someone who's been around longer than him. So we'll catch up with Jake Shields. It's been a while since he's been on the program. How about Chad Mendez? We haven't talked to Chad Mendez in over two years. His USADA suspension is up in June. He's itching to make a comeback.

we'll check in with Chad Mendez at 345 at 325. John Gotti the 3rd, the grandson of the infamous New York City mobster, John Gotti Sr., the son of John Gotti Jr., another somewhat infamous New York City mobster. He is an MMA fighter. He is 1-0. He returns to the cage for CES on May 4th. That's later on this week, Friday, to be exact. He is built like a brick house.

And what an interesting guy this is. Don Gotti the 3rd. If you're not familiar with the Gotti family, the dapper Don, the Teflon Don. And this is his grandson. Crazy. He'll join us at 325. 2.25. Nick Newell will be in studio.

We'll talk to him about his meeting with the UFC last week and specifically Dana White. We'll talk to him about agreeing to appear on the contender series later on this summer. This is his clearest path to the UFC. I love the move for him. He'll be in studio in his first interview since that news came out late last week to talk about it all. 205, our old friend, Kenny Florian, will be on, talk about some mechanics. exciting things that he has going on in his life. So I'm looking forward to catching up with Kenneth.

145. Derek Lewis will come on to talk about UFC 226 and, of course, his much-anticipated battle against Francis and Ganu. And at 125, we'll talk to Frankie Edgar. Kind of my mistake. Last week, we didn't talk a whole lot about Frankie's win over Cub Swanson, and it deserved a lot more attention. Of course, we had a stack show. He'll be on at 125 to talk about that and everything that he's been through over the past

month. But first, let us go to the phone lines and talk to our very first guest of the day. He made a massive amount of headlines on Saturday. One could argue more so than anyone on the card. He is the man who single-handedly carried Bellator 198. He was the star of the show. They did a post-fight interview with him in the cage, then one of the locker room. Never seen that before. He is El Jephe himself, Pablo himself, Dylan Danis. Now, want to know as a pro mixed martial artist. He joins us on the phone. Originally he was supposed to be in studio. with Skype. Now it's phone. Guy wins one fight and all of a sudden he's a diva.

Unbelievable. Dylan, are you there? Yeah, I mean, I have the Skype working if you want to connect it. I mean, it would be nice to see you. I'm not going to lie. The escape's working either. All they have to do is call me. Eric, you got that? Can you call Dylan? I know he's one and know now. I know he's a big shot. I know

he's a big deal, but it would be nice to see his face. That's all I'm saying. I mean, here's a guy who, as I said, carried the card, is responsible for the number two gate in the history of the promotion, wins on Saturday in his much-anticipated mixed martial arts debut. He wins via toehold in the first round. Yes, Scott rocked a couple times, but, you know, that's neither here nor there. Maybe he wanted to show us that he had the chin, but in the end he wins in very impressive fashion. And I do believe we have him via the magic of Skype.

Let's go to the Skype machine and say hello to Dill, Dennis. There he is. Hey, Dylan. How are you? I can't hear you good. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Can you hear me now? Mr. Dannis, Are you there? You can't hear me. Yeah. How are you? Cool. Doing good, man.

Feeling great. Congratulations. I appreciate it, man. Thank you. I mean, I could. Go ahead. It feels awesome to do what I said. To do what I said was going to do and now it's done and I'll just shut up a lot of the

haters. So I feel great. What's the biggest difference between, you know, this Dylan, Danes and the one we spoke to a month ago. Now that you have the win under your belt, do you feel like a different person? How has life changed for you? I know I don't feel like a different person because I knew it was going to happen you know I really believed in my heart that I was the best and I knew what my jih Tzu

could burn to MMA so I feel exactly the same I've been saying this since the beginning that my jih Tzu no one's seen what I can do in MMA or my style like it's no one's going to be able to handle it so I really believe that in my heart and when you truly believe something then you know it does nothing change it so I believe in something called the evil eye. And I feel like there's a lot of evil eyes on you. I feel like a lot of people are rooting for your demise. They're rooting for you not to succeed. Do you feel that

as well? Do you feel like you're battling that as you embark on your MMA career? Yeah, but I just see like jealousness and stuff. You know, a lot of these guys like Michael Chandler have been asking, they're trying to respond or they're trying to call me out because, you know, they're trying to get their name out there. Like, they're

basically have no media. They're kind of just like on the, I don't know, they're kind of like nobody. So when they call my name out, they get a bunch of articles and they do all these things and everybody's kind of like, oh yeah, man, you get them or some shit. So I think they're just doing that to get their name out there. You know, I don't think they actually don't like me or anything. So I think deep down, you know, they're all probably, you know, they want to be me and stuff. So it's, I actually don't mind it. You know, at end of the day, nothing is personal. This is all business. So you've competed on many big stages before in

Jiu-Jitsu. So you're, you're no stranger to, you know, building to something, training to something, and then having to perform on a stage. But can you compare? how it felt in the cage, the buildup to your first pro-MMA fight in the locker room, weight cut, leading up to it. Did you feel a little different, more nervous, more anxious? How would you compare? Yeah, it was different, you know, but I adapted in the moment. You know, it is kind of the same as you did so, you know, you're in the back.

You're kind of getting warmed up, but it is a different feeling. But, you know, I just, in my head, I wanted to embrace everything. So I just embraced all my feelings and everything. And I got at one point, it felt like I wasn't even nervous. at all right before I walked out. I knew this is what I was here to do. And I knew that no way is someone taking away my dream. You know, like, Marcel told me this one time before it tore me. He said, like, you know, it's all on you. If you want this, it's in your hands. Like you, you, like no one could take it from you. So that's how I felt when I went out there. I said there's

no way this man's taking this for me. And I went out there smiling. I felt great. I handled the weight cut great. I did everything like a professional. Interesting to hear you quote your mentor, Marcelo Garcia in that you were thinking of him. I'm wondering, did he reach out to you before or after? No, I didn't get anything. Nothing. Man, I thought this would be the thing to bring you guys back together. Yeah, if you was, I mean, that kind of just shows, you know, what he's about, but, you know, yeah, I don't know.

It's crazy, right? He's a grown man. He can't text me or something. Like, I've been with him since I was a kid and stuff. But, you know, at the end of the day, like, it doesn't bother me at all. It's not like I'm thinking about it, but, you know, whatever. whatever. Okay. By the way, why was the fight at 175 and not 170? Yeah, because the guy bought 185 his whole career, and he never made 170 before.

So I was like, you know, I was just giving him five pounds and then he doesn't have to miss weight, you know? Okay. You could have made 170, though? Yeah, 100%. I felt great. I was even, to make 175 wasn't even that bad. I could have done easy. One thing I also noticed was you kind of sprinted. to the cage, you weren't wearing, you know, a shirt, a hat, many sponsors. You were actually shirtless as you walked out, which isn't something that we often see. Why was that? I don't know.

I had a sponsor shirt on, and then they were like, oh, just take your shirt off. And I took it off and they're like, oh, you can't put it back on. And then the commissioner was like, you can't, he can't. And then they were like, go, go, go, go walk. So I just walked out there. And then I was like, fuck it. Like, I was like in the moment, you know, and I just like threw it down. But yeah, I did actually have a sponsor shirt.

But I don't know, someone was like, don't know, you can't wear it out there. And then like the commission came. They're like, yeah, he can. And then they were like, just go walk. And I wasn't going to like throw it on. So I just walked out there, you know? Okay. Was your sponsor mad that you weren't wearing it on TV?

I haven't heard anything yet. I mean, probably. Why don't you give him a shout out now? Who was your sponsor? Oh, I forget to name that one print. Or maybe you don't want to. I have the brand, but it's just, it's a, because it's more of like a logo brand. I got to remember it.

But I'll get it. I'll remember it by the end of the show. Okay, fair enough. And you could text me and I'll mention it on the air. And then when you ran into the cage, I felt like you were pumped up. Like, you had a lot of energy. You weren't, I don't know if it was nervous energy or if you were just trying to, but it felt like, I almost thought that you were going to like run up all the way up to Kyle as you walked into the cage. Like you were really, if, I don't know if that, go ahead.

I was going to say, I don't know if it was on camera, but like we were going out of the cage. You know, like I was flipping them off and we were kind of getting into it. So it was actually really fun. You know, I lived for this kind of stuff. that that's fun for me you know like getting in there i was so i was happy you know i like i felt i felt like everything that i said now it's time to show what i could really do like all this other stuff is kind of bullshit at the end of the day now this is what really matters you know like all this other stuff is yeah it's just just shit at the end the day you know like when you get

in there and you go out it that's like the best stuff so i was actually like happy you know you see guys that walk out they're like they look they don't want to be there they look like they're scared or they're like I don't want to do this I would game out like a hundred percent happy with let's go motherfucker now we'd see what you know what you go you enjoy that more than a jih Tutsu match yeah man it was weird like when I had when I had close guard I was like holy crap I'll elbow this guy in the head you know like yeah yeah they're not going to get arrested for it or something like this is illegal like smashing elbows into his eye socket so yeah it was fun it was like you know like we do that stuff but it's just not sanctioned yes so it

Is it fair to say that after this first experience, you're done with Jiu-Jitsu? We'll see. I love J-J-J-Suh, that's my passion. But this is doing J-J-Jitsu at the end of the day. It's just in a different aspect, you know? But I do love J-J-J-Tu, and we'll see. Maybe I'll still do the world. I don't know.

I just like to stay active. Like, I don't know, I like to be doing, always being active. What's going through your mind early on when you go for the takedown and he stuffs it? And then it seemed like he tagged you a couple times. Did you start to get nervous? You know, in my head, leading up to this fight, I watched a lot of jiu-suitzs guys and why they failed. Even more so it's because they weren't calm. They panic.

All of a sudden, they missed one take down. The crowd starts coming in, and then they get that feeling in their stomach, and then all of a sudden, these guys hitting them. So I studied jihitsu guys fighting over and over and over again, and I knew the key to this fight was to be calm. So if you miss a shot, it's not a big deal. Stand back up, you know? And in my head, Connor hit me. way harder than that, way more times of that in the gym, so I was like, this is nothing, you know?

I was going to keep walking forward. Like, I could take it. He didn't rock you at all with those two shots? No, not at all. You know, it's weird, like, the crowd would it kind of went crazy. And I was like, was that that bad? I was like, I didn't feel like. Wow.

So you're actually talking to yourself in the middle of the fight. Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, this is just another day for me. Honestly, like, I don't, it's not like anything that crazy. everybody puts it out to be like, I don't know. For me, I've been a martial artist since I was a kid, so I'm just having fun in there. A samurai, I think you referred to yourself as. Yeah, exactly.

Once you got him to the ground. And that's the difference between me and that guy, you know? That's what makes me feel 100% confident because I was in there willing to die and he wasn't. So that's where I was confident. Because when it going gets tough, I was going to be in there and I was going to go to the death. A lot of people say that, but you didn't really, like, you weren't really willing to die, right? No, in the sense, yeah. I mean, this is my goal.

This is my dream. Like, this is all I have. Like, I mean, I'm not going in there to die, but I'm saying, like, this is going to, you're going to put me out cold or you know what I mean? Like, we're going, I'm just, it's more of a mindset. You know what I mean? You're going to have to kill me. You're going to put me face down before I'm getting out of there. That's the mindset I have.

I'm not going in there. Like, okay, this is where I want to die today. Yeah. Once you've gone up to the ground, did you feel like, okay, I can pretty much do whatever I want here. You know, it's just a matter of how I want to end this. Yeah, in a way, yeah, 100%.

I knew that with my jihadza, but you never know when M.M.A. man, like, the referee can stand it up. Anything could happen, you know what I mean? He could have been oiled up or something like that. He could slip out or something. So, you know, yeah, MMA Jijid Jishu, it was more about connection and stuff like that,

but I knew once he got to the ground, it's over, even my guard. I've been saying this, like, even way before I fought, I said, like, my jiu-jitsu is just on another level. Like, MMMA guys haven't seen it. So if I get a hold of you, pulling guard anywhere, you know, I can finish the fight from any position. You went, it seemed that initially you went for the knee bar,

and then, of course, you ended up with the toe hold. Was that, like, in your mind going into this fight, did you say this is how I want to win, or is it just something that presented itself? I had the armbore, but then I was like, you know, everybody kind of does the arm bar, so I was going to get this nice leg-lough finish or something. but, yeah, no, I was just kind of flowing in there.

You know, my game was very flowing. I don't force things. You know, he was a short stocky guy. And I was like, oh, you know, I mean, the arm bar is kind of feeling like it's a little bit tough. So then I was going to just go to his leg, you know. And so my game has always been. I'm attacking limbs from everywhere. And that's why, like, before this fight, I put up a post and I said, like,

mixed martial arts has a scene relentless attacks like this. Because I'm going from one submission to another submission. And they, they've been practicing, just defending one, you know? So they're, by the end of the. But at the end of my transitions are lost, you know, and then all the sudden they're tapping. So once you, once you submit them and you realize that whole thing just lasted a minute 38, you kind of feel like, man, after all this time, like I wish I went, you know, five minutes, like I want to do more here?

Like, did you feel like you got it out of your system or was it too short? No, you know, I've been in this game for a long time. I've seen guys, you know, they take a lot of damage in the career. And I don't want to be that guy, you know, I want to get in, I want to get out. so I don't want to be taking shots and stuff and the more of the fight goes on, that means that you have a chance of taking shots. And, you know, I see a lot of guys

that, you know, get bad damage and stuff like that. And I don't want to be one of those guys. What were the Bellator officials saying to you? I mean, it seemed like Scott Coker couldn't hide his smile. It seems like they're infatuated with you. They really feel like they have something with you. What were they saying backstage? I feel like they finally got their golden boy, you know?

So I 100% feel like that. And I'm willing to do it. You know, I feel like I can do something. something here, you know, I feel like I have all the the recipe to be different, you know, and I've been saying that, like, it's all the things I said, like, I really do feel like, you know, no one's seen the way, like, my

fighting style was so different. Everybody was like someone, everybody had kind of like a feeling about you know, from, so I just feel like I'm different in every aspect, and I feel like Belta recognizes that, and they feel like they finally have their golden boy. The experience being with them on Fight Week, you know, I know you've been with Connor

as he prepared for a fight, and you never fought for another organization, but was it first class? Did you feel like you were treated well? Did you enjoy the experience of fighting for Scott Coker and Bellator? Yeah, 100%. They take care of you really well. Yeah, I never done like a, I never been in other fights.

But this was awesome. You know, it was A class. And they treated me like everything I needed, all that stuff. So yeah, it was 100% perfect. What was it like having someone like John Kavanaugh in your corner who has now been in, you know, the biggest fights of all time in MMA? Did you feel like having him there? Did it help you calm down?

Did he offer you? It didn't seem like you needed the confidence going in, but any words of wisdom leading up to the fight in the closing hours? Yeah, man, he was perfect to have because he's seeing about probably 500 people go about before a fight and stuff. So any feelings you have, he just even, like, say something to him. He's like, he's been there so many times, you know? So, yeah, he was awesome having the corner, you know,

and he's seen when I've gone through to get to this fight, you know, he's seeing everything. So it was a good feeling just being there with him. happy that he was there for the journey because you know he's seen everything that's gone into this when the training camp that just meant the mental side of stuff you know I lived with him for a couple months and stuff so yeah it was really cool being there you know and it was like really

emotional after it was just all happy happy thought and stuff that was really cool I saw the Instagram post but I'm wondering if Connor called you before or after yeah we talked before yeah we talked before and after man he's he's he's the man he's he always has my back so I'm really happy to have him as a friend, a mentor, a role model. You know, he's, people don't understand, man.

He has his people's back. And I'm really happy to call him a friend. Like you had his back, seeing you there at the Brooklyn Courthouse, bailing him out. That was pretty cool. I must admit that warm my heart. That was pretty cool. You stayed there all day. You were there for like nine hours waiting for him.

And I don't know how much before I saw you for nine hours. And I'm sure he appreciated that as well. But how did you even get, could you tell us how you even got contacted to do that? or is that something that you just volunteered yourself? No, I mean, yeah, they needed someone. Yeah, I can't really talk about how it happened, but that's just how it is, man. Like, I didn't even think twice about that

because that's my brother, you know, and I knew he would have done the same thing for me. And like you said, you know, that, yeah, we just have each other's back and that's just how it goes, you know? It's called loyalty, and it's just, yeah, it's cool, man. It's a really cool relationship.

I saw on Kavanaugh's Instagram that you're, your post-flight vehicle, the stretch Hummer. It looked like it was like 200 feet long that thing. Where did you guys go with that car? We went to get pizza because I hadn't ate pizza in so long and that's my favorite, you know? For this camp, Ariel, I took it so serious, man. I did like nine weeks of eating healthy training,

so I didn't get to have pizza for a while, so I was so happy to go get some pizza, and then we went out to the club. But I had a lot of my friends and family with me, so that was like the only vehicle to fit us all. It was like a huge hummer, but it looked cool and everything. There was like lights in the inside. It was really cool, man.

And it was just madness. There was like people waiting outside the hotel with like pictures of me from like my brown belt days. And like pictures I haven't even seen before in jihitsu. Yeah, it's just all, it's all changing so fast, but it's really cool. What did your mom? I know you're very close with your mom. What did she say? Was she there?

Yeah, she was there. She was so happy, man. You know, my mom has always had my back since I was a kid. So like to have that moment with her where it's just like I did it. You know what I mean? It was really cool, man. And then you don't get those feelings again, you know? Yeah, yeah, the first one.

I mean, it's special for it to go that way is just, it's an amazing thing. As I said, they interviewed you in the cage, and then they interviewed in the locker room right after, which is something that we don't often see. That's when you drop the Ben Ascgren Little Nugget. Is this something that's really possible? Yeah, and I did that show after with Jake Laser and Chile. That was the first guest ever on that show.

And they did one before my fight during the fight. during the fight, after the fight, and then again, after the fight. That was like my whole week, though, Ariel. That was the whole week, which is interviewing and doing media. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that did media for this. Like, I'm not joking.

I don't know who was. Like, I didn't see anybody else. Like, I did one with Frank Mirr, and then after that I was about myself the whole day. And I don't think, like, the media wanted anybody else. So when you say, like, I was carrying this, you're not saying that in jest. You really feel like you carry the whole promotion.

Well, if you look at it, It's the second biggest show ever in Beltaire history. And Fader's fought like, what, three times in Belator, maybe twice. So, you know, like, it wasn't just Fador fighting that brought all these numbers. And then Joe Rogan, Chob, and Eddie, they did their first fight campaign ever on a Belator. I wonder why, you know, so it's just, I don't know. I don't think it's all coincidence. I've been saying that, and I did all the media for this fight and everything.

So I really do feel like I had this on my back. When I went into that fight, you know, people are like, oh, you beat this guy. But, like, you know, a lot went into this stuff, you know, like people don't don't see all the hours and stuff, media and all this stuff that goes into it. So, yeah, it was very special. And you're talking about Ben Ascran, right? Yeah, why, why him? Why'd you mention him? Because I feel like I am the one to beat his undefeated record, you know, it would be, I think, a ground fight, and it would be an easy submission for me. He does not like leg attacks. I know his game very well, you know, and I feel like he would be scared to go to the ground me. So I believe

it would be an easy fight. Do you think it's possible? Is there a real possibility of this happening? Well, you know, he responded. So I'm wondering why he responded. I'm pretty sure he's not responding just to anybody. You know, he knows that once he responds to me, his name's going to be all over the place.

Probably the most media he's ever got. How soon do you want to come back? How soon do you want to fight again? I want to fight again, but I want to, yeah, I want to fight maybe I was thinking it would be cool of like Fador and Chale fight, maybe on the co-mate event or something like that. That would be big time. And maybe we could bring into New York or something.

That would be awesome. Maybe like MSG or because that's a big fight. That would probably be a paper view. So maybe MSG or even at Barclays and do it in my hometown or, you know, that would be cool. Well, not my hometown, but where I live now. Sure, sure. That would be awesome, that.

That makes all the sense in the world. So there were four straight submissions, right? You, Lovato, Sanchez, Neiman Gracie. Now, objectively, if you could tell us as an expert, which one was most impressive? I have to say mine. I mean, I believe so. I pulled guard in an MMA fight, and, you know, I was attacking submissions from the get-go. Like, you know, so I feel like my submission was the best.

But, you know, every time I see a submission like that, I can't hate. You know, that's awesome. That brings my martial art up. So I was very happy to see all the submissions, man. And that one standing triangle was fucking awesome. Like, you know, he was looking at the camera and everything. You know, I don't hate all that stuff. That's all awesome.

You know, I was happy for that guy, you know, I think he deserves a title fight. Emmanuel Sanchez's name, right? That's right, yep. Yeah, he's a very nice dude, and I seen him quite a couple of times now. I like his style, and I feel like he definitely deserves the title fight. You know, he's been grinding and stuff like that. So, you know, I never hate on anybody, and I was happy to see all the submissions like that. You know, even the Votto, you know, that's just bringing our sport up.

So, yeah, I was very happy to see all this. Any run-ins with Gracie? I know, man. You know, they talk a lot of big game, and then in person, the nicest dudes in the room. So, yeah, nothing like that. Okay. All right. Well, it was a good weekend, right? I wanted to welcome you for a play, though. You know, actually, as I said, at the top of the show,

was my son's sixth birthday. Today, in fact, we had the birthday party yesterday morning, so, you know, I can't miss that. You'll understand one day. You probably have a couple kids. I know, I told you. Okay, you take it. You brought him to the biggest, you know, MMA debut of all time. You've got to remember that for the rest of his life. You would have been so happy, you know?

Let me tell you something. You make your debut in New York, your second pro fight. I'll be there. How about that? Okay. And you got to bring your son, too or no. Are you watching MMA or not? Yeah, I'll bring them. No problem. That would be cool, man. That'll make me happy. All right. I appreciate that. That means a lot. And yeah, anytime you want to come in studio and bless us with your presence,

you know, don't go diva on us now, now that you're one and oh, okay? I'm still in Chicago. If I was in New York, I would have been there. Trust me. I know. It's actually very close from my house. It's cool, man. It's cool to be on your show and stuff like that, especially being a kid watching you, you know, MMA funding. It's a cool experience. Thank you, Dylan. I'm really happy. for you. Keep proving the haters wrong. Keep proving the doubters wrong. Keep doing your thing. It's a lot of fun

to watch you now debut in MMA and do your thing. So, congrats on the win, enjoy it, and I'm looking forward to the next one. Thanks for doing this as well before you head out. Thanks, Ariel. I appreciate you having me on and all the nice words. I mean, it's about me. Awesome. Thank you very much. There he is. Dylan Dennis now want to know as a professional in MMA.

What a debut. They definitely have something with them. We'll see what they do next with them. Okay. Let's move along to our next guest. Big weekend for him last weekend in Atlantic City. finally getting another chance to fight in his home state of New Jersey. What a show it was against Cub Swanson, the rematch. It was emotional at times. But most importantly, he got the W.

We have been bothering Frankie Edgar so much over the last few months. I honestly feel bad for having him on again, but I can't help the fact that he's constantly in the news. So let's talk to him one more time. Let's go to the phone lines and say hello to Frankie Edgar. Frankie, are you there? Ariel, what's up, man? How sick are you of talking to me at this point?

I think it's like the 10th time you're on in the last few months. but it's all very worthy, right? It's always a lot of, like, stuff going on in your life. I guess I guess I'm kind of hot right now, man, you know? I don't know what it is, but, no, it's always good talking to you, Ariel. How you doing? I'm doing very well. I'm very happy for you.

I know a lot of people question your decision to come so soon and, you know, to return after the Ortega fight, and I know you addressed it very well on this show, but could you tell us now after the fact, at any point did you doubt your decision? did the nayser like did it seep in at all? Did you say like, you know what?

Maybe this is a little too soon. Did you just not feel like yourself at any point leading up to the fight? You know, not really. You know, there's always doubt. I mean, no matter what. You know, I never doubt of myself that I'd make it there or didn't want to change my mind.

But there's always doubts. I mean, that kind of what motivates me at least, you know, knowing that those doubts can be real. You know, I've been in a situation where they became very real. So, you know, those doubts are always going to be there. what was that training camp like for you? Like, did you feel like you couldn't go?

Because I even recall, correct me if I'm wrong, you mentioned on the show, you talked about sparring, but then you went on Twitter and clarified it because maybe some people were questioning your decision to spar so much. Did you feel like you had to do less because you were coming off your first knockout? I just wanted to be smart about it, you know?

I just wanted to also, you know, I had the suspension. I was just honoring the suspension and being smart about it. But yeah, no, I mean, you know, once I was cleared to go, I felt fine, you know, and probably was good for me anyway. It's always interesting to see how a fighter responds to their first knockout in the first, like, two, three minutes of the fight.

Did you feel like you kind of had to get over that hump? Like, were you thinking about it at all? Were you a little gun shy? I don't know if I said it was gun shy. You know, I mean, just the fact that I don't want to lose makes you a little more attentive, I think, at times. But, you know, I just, I wasn't worried about it too much. you know, I felt confident in my training. And like I said, I called a knockout, but I wasn't knocked out.

You know, I got, I got rocked. I never went even halfway out. You know, I definitely got rocked good, though. That's about it. Do you feel like it worked to your advantage, the fact that you fought this guy already, 25 minutes, wasn't that long ago? If you're going to come back relatively soon, might as well come back against the guy that you, A, beat and you, you know, you beat him not that long ago.

So he's somewhat familiar, right? Did you feel like it felt a little bit like deja vu for? for you in there? I mean, you know, the fight went totally different, obviously, but, you know, I mean, it was definitely a good situation, you know. They mentioned comes to me, and I do, I do have the win over him. You know, he's still number top five in the world, so why not, you know, run it back? So you say that it went differently.

Obviously, it was a shorter fight, but did you feel like his game plan in this fight was better than the first time, or, you know, does it cancel each other out? How would you compare him this time compared to the first time? I think the first time he went more, you know, went after it. You know, he stepped in on his punches a little bit more, you know, sat down a little bit more. You know, this time I felt like I had to, you know, he wasn't engaging as much, you know. He wasn't looking for that one, you know, big punch, you know, I think in the first fight, he was looked for that, you know, several times.

Huh. And why do you think that is? Do you have any idea? I don't know, maybe he's just worried about the take down, you know. You know, we don't commit your punches. You kind of become a little bit harder to take down. So, you know, he did a great job of that. overall, how would you assess your performance?

I mean, you got the win. You seemed a little bit, you know, critical of it. Is that fair to say? Yeah, I'm always critical of my performances, you know, usually. I was upset. I'm upset. You know, whatever. I mean, if I couldn't get to take down, I got to beat them on my feet,

and I was able to do that. You know, I think a lot of the reasons why I couldn't get the takedown is also the reasons why I was able to beat them on the feet, you know? And the fact that I kind of always look for takedowns too in the middle of a fight, kind of keep guys guessing. was there any part of you that said let's just get the w here we don't need to make it flashy we don't need to have a highlight finish let's just get back on track i mean i mean i mean i mean i mean i definitely i was looking for for the take down i knew that worked last fight but this time you know i had to keep my range make sure uh you know i stayed in and out and didn't stay in front of them too long so i think we accomplished that you know of course i'm going to be critical always 11 years since you last fought in your home state and it obviously meant a lot to you

and you even said on the show last time that you know that's a big reason why you wanted to come back does it feel different when you're fighting at home and you know it's one thing to fight in Newark it's another to fight in Atlantic City which is way closer to Tom's River do you feel a little more nervous in those fights when you're fighting so close to home

you know it just felt like I was fighting in AC my first you know five fights in my career you know I see it like everybody in the crowd I knew I felt like, you know, running up, you know, you try to not focus on aiming at a crowd. You know, I'm not one of those guys. I try to kind of just focus on what I'm about to do. And I couldn't help.

Like, damn, I know him. I know him. I know him. I know him. Like, personally, no, I'm not just knowing what they are, you know. So that was definitely a little, a little different, you know, than my previous fights. And it was cool. I, every day I thought it would be, man, be honest with you.

The way the crowd was responding. Good performance. My kids were there. First time they were there. You know, that's something I'm going to remember forever. Yeah, that was really interesting And it was beautiful to see, especially in the victory How did you come to that decision with your wife

To allow them to come to the fight for the first time? You know, they're bugging me My daughter stay home, my boys You know, they're bugging me They want to go, they want to go I'm like, I kind of play it by you I'm like, fuck it, let's go, let's do it And I got to have my one son up on the open workouts

It was cool, you know, who knows when I'm going to be coming It's been 11 years since I've been in Jersey So They didn't want to pass this opportunity up and especially fighting in front of them, did you find yourself thinking about that? Like, man, I can't slip on a banana peel here. My kids are in attendance.

I mean, I think about when they're home anyway. Okay. I guess a little extra maybe because they were in the crowd, but, like I said, last time I talked, you know, my second son, he'll tell me what I did wrong and tell me him, you know, tell me what's not going good. So, yeah, I definitely think of that. Yeah, and you even referenced that in the post-fight interview

that you hope your son doesn't get on you too badly for your performance. So what did he say to you when you saw him afterwards? Yeah, he said a good job. He was pumped, you know, he got to walk back from the cage of the thing. You know, he felt like him and my older son for a child, they felt like, you know, I see some pictures of them. They're cheesy and like they're celebrities. It's so funny, man.

So no critical pointers afterwards. It was all positive. It was all good. Yeah, I think he, you know, he's kind of feeling the, feeling the love, you know, so it was all good. What a thrill it must have been to do those post-fight photos with them in the back and to go through that whole circuit that you have to go through after you win a fight. That must have been so much fun. Yeah, that was awesome, man.

It was everything I thought it would be, you know, and now my now I'm never, my kids never, like, yeah, we're coming to the next one. But I don't know. If it ain't Jersey, I don't know. They're tough to deal. My kids are animals to let you know. So I literally, it's like, I have to have, my boys that kind of help me corral them a little bit. But I was yelling, I felt like I was yelling them in the past two days, you know.

before the face before a fight just constantly out of all time. So, but it all turned out all right. By the way, those early ring of combat fights, were those also at Boardwalk Hall? No, the reality fighting. I fought reality fighting once, I believe, at Ford Walk Hall. Okay. But ran combat as a tropical camera. Did it seem familiar at all?

Like, did you feel like you were walking into a time warp? Like, holy crap, this 15 years ago, I was, you know, starting my career in this, in the same arena. Did you, did you recognize? anything? You know, actually, when I fought in Boardwalk Hall, they have a different room. It was like the auditorium or another, a different room. It wasn't the big stage. So I never got to compete there. And, you know, I've said this before,

too, that state's, New Jersey state tournament, the high school state tournament, is there every year. I think since the 90s. And in my two years, in 99, 2000, when I wrestled in the states, the place was getting renovated. So I never got to wrestle on that big stage. So that was, that was another plus, the fact they get to run it back there.

unfortunately you announced a couple weeks before the fight that your dad had passed away and again as I said to you I'm really sorry to hear that I know how close you were with him did you consider not fighting as a result of your dad's passing because it was so close to the fight

you don't know I kind of made my mind up you know my father he got diagnosed the cancer and Thanksgiving you know and who was told you know not the best news but you never really know what to expect

so, you know, it kind of happened pretty fast, but, you know, I kind of knew what was what could have happened, you know, and I made that decision to stay fighting. And if you don't mind me asking, what kind of cancer was it? Esophagus cancer, you know, my dad smoked for most of his life, you know, maybe not the last 10 years of his life, but for most of his life smoked. So I think that got him, you know. Was it something because you had the fight, you kind of were able to fight? focus, but now that the fight's over and the buzz has gone and everything, that the reality is sinking in, is it harder to deal with almost

now after the fight than it was immediately? You know, I mean, this is the first loss, like a big loss I've had in my life, so it's all kind of new to me, to be honestly, and definitely a fight, you know, kind of got my mind off, but, you know, I had, you know, my, I mean, I was driving down to Maryland for

for about two weeks, you know, I was training the morning, drive to Maryland, a couple hours, hang out, drive back, you know, train again. did that for a couple weeks. And my dad passed had, you know, the week and the funeral. So all that definitely keeps your mind off of things, you know, but like you said, you know,

you got the buzz of the fight and tried to help soften that blow. But, you know, it's just something you got to get, just it's going to take time to get over, you know. That's where he lived? He lived in Maryland. He was living in Maryland, yeah. He was living in Maryland, and he had a house here in Jersey. He was kind of flipping time.

He worked in Maryland. Okay. And he was obviously very present at your fight. What was it like to go through the fight without him being there? Well, no, yeah, yeah. The stepfather, that's what most people know that come to my fight. That's my stepfather that comes to the fights. My real father's when it passed. He's been to a couple fights, you know, but yeah, he doesn't come to all of them.

Okay, I apologize for that. Sorry. Yeah, no, no, no, no. But, again, very nice words afterwards, and I can't imagine fighting, you know, through that, and especially, you know, that soon. So, again, my condolences to you and your family, now you're back in this situation, Frankie,

where it seems to me like the UFC should do you a solid and you should fight the winner of Ortega versus Holloway. Do you think that that's what's going to happen? I know that's what you want, but you feel like, let's just forget about what happened in March,

we're back in the same spot. Yeah, I'm down with that, Ariel, man. You know, I mean, I still think I'm the guy, you know? Yeah. I risk that shot. You know, maybe I shouldn't have, like people said, but I'm going to do it every single time. I still believe I can win.

in that fight, you know. I was doing well in that fight. Obviously, I got caught, and we're taking it did a good job of, you know, finishing. But, yeah, I want the winner, man. I think I deserve it. I'm number three. You know, we'll see what happens, man. We'll see what happens.

Did they say anything to you afterwards? Any sort of insight into what they're going to do? No, nothing yet. Nothing yet. We'll see. You know, maybe if there's talks of what will happen, I don't know. I think I'm the guy.

Especially you think I'm the guy too, don't you? I think you're the guy, man. I really do. I really feel like they owe you this one. You've been screwed around with before and you come back. I kind of feel like you helped out that card. I mean, we'd have to look at the numbers, but I can't imagine you didn't help out with ticket sales to come back so soon.

It felt like you were the main event. With all due respect to Lee and Barbosa. And there's no, like, who's the top guy at 145 now other than you? Like, who deserves it? I don't see anyone else. At the moment, some guys who are, you know, threatening, but you're in that spot. And plus, on top of it, great story both ways.

You finally get that shot against Max after two fights falling through, or you get the rematch against Ortega, and the first fight was very entertaining. I mean, I feel like you can't go wrong. Yeah, I agree, man. You know, everybody's got to work out the right way, I guess. But, you know, I did my part last Saturday. I'm glad that's why I jumped in quick,

because I want to be back, knock on his door. And, you know, here I am, knock on his door. I think I'm the guy. Now, I know I asked you this last time, but just curious, are you hoping Max wins so you finally get that shot, or do you want revenge against Brian Ortega? Man, I don't know. I don't care.

I don't care. Either one would be great. You know, as long as we get that title on the line, I'm all in. But, yeah, of course, I'd like a chance at Ortega, but, I mean, if Max wins, you know, Max shows that, you know, he's the man and I want to go beat the man. I kind of feel like your chances are multiplied if Max wins, because it's the fresh

matchup and everyone wanted to see that fight already twice, I kind of feel like you're a shoe in if he wins. Yeah, I think that makes more sense, but you don't know. You never know, right? I mean, I'm always game, so that helps. By the way, have you

seen your coach Mark Henry over the last couple days? Yes, yes, I have. Did he happen to say how depressed he was, staying up all night about the Buffalo bills and their draft big? You've been texting. I mean, my wife thinks that like we're having an affair. We're texting so much,

him and I commiserating together. Did he happen to mention this to you? Oh, yeah. I was texting with him the whole time, probably between him, you know, he's texting you. He's texting me. I'm not a big football guy, you know,

so I definitely had to see. I mean, I kind of knew what happened, so I had to poke the bear a little bit. Oh. That's not cool. He was so sad, man. Holy spokes. Then he put me on a group chat with his son Pino,

and we're trying to make him feel better to cheer him up. He calls me on the, on FaceTime, and I'm trying to cheer him up. Man, he's really devastated. Next time you see him, if you see him today, give him a hugs. I feel like he's really down in the dumps. You're a Bill's fan too, right?

Yes, yes, but I was keeping it together. I had some perspective here. He thought the sky was falling. I know, I know. It's tough. It's not being a Bill's fan. I'll tell you. It is.

It is. But anyhow, I'm really happy for you guys. Congrats on proving everyone, including myself wrong, and congrats on the victory. Not to say that I thought you were going to lose this fight, but I had, you know, I was a little worried about the quick turnaround. I'm not going to lie, I'm not going to sugarcoat it.

I know you get mad at me sometimes. You're putting out that pole and all that stuff, but you shut me and everyone else up. How could, if there's one person that could do it, it's you. And we'll never make the mistake again of doubting you. That's it. It kills me, man. I'm going to stop following, you journalists, I think. No.

I see the shit, the week of my fight drives me nuts. You know, I see something else like, oh, they did someone did like some research and said the people that come back within a certain amount of time, only like 15% win. I'm like, dude, what the fuck? I don't want to see that right now.

Come on, guys are killing me. I know, I saw that on ESPN.com. That was Fightnomics. He did a whole breakdown of it. Do you saw that? Yeah.

Well, I'm in the fucking top 13 or whatever it is, baby. I'll take it. Why do you go on Twitter before your fight? That just seems like a recipe for bad news. I try not to. I try not.

I try to just do it. I use Twitter like a newspaper. Like, I'm just looking at some of the news and stuff. But I try to do fight stuff. I try to skim through it, but sometimes can't help it, man. And that one slipped through the cracks and you saw it. You must have been super pissed.

Or maybe motivated. Oh, damn. Yeah, a little both. Maybe both. I'll take it. Right. I got it done. Don't trust the media, Frankie.

That's my number one piece of advice for you. You proved us wrong. Well done. Congratulations. Yes, please tell me. No, I'll tell you what. That's fucking some good advice. You should get it.

Except for us over at Army fighting. Thanks as always. Unless something crazy happens over the next couple months, I will not bother you. I promise. I really truly feel guilty about bothering you. But we'll see what happens. I can't promise. No problem. No problem. Ariel, it's a pleasure, man. Talk to you soon. There he is. The one and only Frankie Edgar. He proved all the doubters wrong. All of you. He saw your articles. He saw your tweets. He saw your negative remarks. He knows you didn't believe in him. And he told you all to shove it where the sun don't shine. Frankie Edgar. How about that? What a win. Less than two months removed from his loss to Brian Ortega comes back, does the damn thing. Now right back where he was a couple of months ago, number one contender in the 145 pound division. Who else is there? You tell me. Have him sitting cage side in July. Let's do it. Winner of Ortega Holloway. You know who else is fighting in July? July 7th, to be exact, UFC 226. Is there a more anticipated fight on the UFC's calendar? I kid you not than Francis Nganu versus Derek Lewis.

When I first reported that news a couple of weeks ago, my Twitter damn near exploded. I almost had to shut the whole damn thing off. People were freaking out. I have never seen a fight get announced where it's 100% unanimous praise for it. No, like, ah, maybe he should fight this person. Maybe he should take some time off.

It was 100% unanimous praise for that fight. Derek Lewis, Francis and Gano, a year and a half in the making. Let us talk to the Black Beast himself. Another guy who I bother quite a bit, but he's always kind enough to come on the show. He joins us now via The Magic of Skype. And there he is. Derek Lewis.

How are you, Derek? All right, man. I'm okay. How are you doing? I'm doing great. It's good to have you on. You know, last time you're on, it was late February.

I said, I won't bother you for a couple months. So here I am. Is it too soon? Frank, yeah. You be lying like, ma'am. You just told Frankia. And I was like, man, he told me the same thing.

It's true. Well, I do feel bad. I really do feel bad that I ask you guys to come on, but you're always so nice. is two and a half months or two months or so, was this enough time or did you feel like it was too soon? No, it's good. It was good.

Okay. By the way, congrats to the Rockets. Big win yesterday over my jazz. Yeah, I appreciate it. Yeah. Trash, jazz. Trash. I'm a big jazz.

It was total BS that they win a game on Friday night. It was a very emotional game, you know, and they get what, a day and a half to fly to Houston and prepare for that? The NBA screwed them on that one. They needed at least a couple days off, in my opinion. opinion. They didn't matter, man. They were still going to get the ass warm.

That's true. That's true. They trash, man. They don't got nobody over there. What? Have you heard of Spider-Mitchell, Donovan Mitchell, my man, the MVP of the 2019 season?

Yeah, so what? It's the playoff and everything totally different. But he's been doing good, though, but he can't do it alone, just like Hardin can't do it alone in Houston. Do you think, really, do you honestly think Rockets Warriors, you think that they win?

Yeah. I believe so. We win in game six. We probably like six. Wow. Okay. Well, you heard it here first on the record, Derek Lewis. Derek, let's talk about this fight.

This is very exciting. Did you notice the same thing? Like I said, usually there's someone who's complaining of this fight like unanimous. The internet exploded. Everyone just losing their mind over the idea of you two in a cage together fighting. Did you notice that as well? Not really. You know, everybody always, no matter what I post anyway on my Instagram,

no matter what I post, they'll talk about, man, you should fight Francis. I think you and Francis would be a good fight. You know, it doesn't matter. Everybody's saying that's for years, and I've been saying the same thing, too. It will be a good fight. Ultimately, are you surprised?

He said yes. We knew where you stood, but even when he came on my show not that long ago, he's talking Brock, he's talking this guy, that guy. Are you surprised the fight actually got done in the end? No, I'm not surprised. Eventually, I knew it was going to get done, you know. even though he took long enough to respond to the contract that they gave.

Because they sent the contract out to him a week after my last fight. Because I told him, yeah, I would like to fight him. And so I guess they say he'd been out of town or what he had to respond. And so that's whenever he responded. I guess it was last week or two weeks ago whenever they made the news. Were you getting worried that he was dragging his feet? No, then I told them, don't even worry about it, then give me all Fabricio. We said, old Fabricio ass whooping anyway.

Yeah, but this is way better, right? You wanted this? Yeah, it's way better. Yeah, it's good. But even though, you know, we're going to sell paper reviews, we're not going to get piece of the pie, don't. So that's why I don't like about it. Yeah, that's a good point. You know, I saw you mentioned that last week as well.

I think it was the junkie. You feel like, and this is something UFC never does, they don't give non-champions pay-per-view points, but there's no doubt people are buying this pay-per-view to see you guys fight. You deserve a piece of that pie. I believe so, too. But I think that you're giving Francis the piece of the pie, you know, I believe so. Real? There ain't no way.

There's got to be a negotiation reason why he didn't respond to the contract that they tried to give him to fight me. You know, I guess that's what they was going back and forward. And I guess he got what he wanted. Wow. I'm sure that's what he is. You know, if I was in his position, number one fighter, you know, I don't got nothing to lose to fighting a guy that's ranked number six.

You know, I could just really sit back and wait for the heavyweight title, you know, but, you know, I'm sure he felt like that he got them way he won him, and he got to ask him for anything right now. You know, he's number one guy in the world. So you think Francis Nganoean, non-champion, is getting a piece of UFC 226,

pay-per-view points? I believe so. Wow. Did you ask them this, or is this just your opinion? No, that's my opinion. That's how I feel, you know, because that's something I would do, you know, but I wouldn't be a jerk about it. You know, but I feel like that's the type of guy he is.

Yeah. What do you mean, jerk about it? You think he was being a jerk about it? I'm sure he was. You can talk to the guy before. You know how he is. I think he's lovely. I know you want to punch him in his face, too.

You want to punch him in his face. I got them for you. I got them. No way. So why didn't you ask for a piece of the pie? I did. Oh. You know, but, you know, it is what it is.

What'd they say when you asked? Get the fuck on. It's your black ass on. I'll call my phone tomorrow. Who said that? McMaynard? Nah, I'm bullshit. They ain't say nothing.

It's all good. But, you know, what I know. what I noticed, though. Where your ring at, man? What's going on? My ring? My ring? Yeah. Yeah, where your ring at? Who asks me these questions?

No, you asked me questions. Time for me to ask you questions. What's going on? You're okay? You're okay? I want to talk about your one. This is the best. This is the best. This is the best. Look, my whole life, I've never worn jewelry. Never. Jory. Nothing here.

No watch. No nothing. My wife is in the jewelry business. Yeah, I know. Isn't that crazy? Nothing. My wife is in the jewelry business. So the first week that we were married, I was like, look, I've never had anything on me, ever. Never had a necklace, nothing.

I don't know if I can handle this. It's like, it feels like a weight on my, I don't know. I have OCD. I have a problem where I have to touch things twice. I have to get a nice little feel for it. I don't know if you know what it's like to live with it, but it's a sickness. It's a disease. One week, I couldn't do it anymore.

And by the way, who says I have to wear a ring? Like, for what? Why do I have to tell people what I do? I don't have to wear anything on my body that says I'm a dad or that I'm Jewish. Why do I have to tell people I'm married? Why is it your business or anyone's business? I think the ring thing is outdated. It's antiquated.

It's archaic. And I want nothing to do with it. So you know what? I'm proud not to wear a ring. What do I have to do it? I'm happily married man. What do I need to wear a ring for? So how long you've been sleeping on the couch?

My wife's not like that. She's very supportive. Very, very supportive. How long? When did you notice that I didn't wear a ring? I mean, this is an amazing. The last, no, the last time we did an interview, you had a ring on, I believe. Never.

You didn't? That's fake money. No, you had a ring, man. Go to the tape. She made me feel good about it. I got to wear my ring. You know, I forget about it. I have it on.

Does your wife get mad? Yes, she gets mad. Oh, man, I feel bad for you. You need that trust. Yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you, man. Thank you. She doesn't trust you.

Is she back there? Why are you looking back at you? She just left. She just left my house. Okay. Oh, that's your house. I thought you were at the gym. No, back the house.

Okay. How's the hand feeling, by the way? The hand is good. I don't know if you can really see it. Oh, I see something. Yeah. The bump right there? Yeah, it really ain't.

The doctor said they ain't grow back right. And he said it should be good, though. I say I shouldn't have no pain or no problems with it come July. Do you feel pain right now? No, I don't feel anything at all. Okay, so you're clear to whatever. I'm punching, jacking off, whatever, and it's nothing.

So it should be good to go, July. Okay, okay. But are you cleared? 100%. Try to be professional, man. Stop all that lab. Try to be professional. You're the worst.

Oh, my God. But you are clear to punch. No problems, or you have to wait a bit? I'll go back to the doctor next week to get clear. Okay, okay. But I've been punching anyway, so everything has been good. How long, honestly, how long do you think this fight lasts? Like, what do you think the line should be at?

Round and a half? Yeah, probably round and a half. Most likely, yeah. You take the under? Two minute more. Whoa. Really? The two-minute park around the second round.

Oh, okay. All right. You're taking the over, actually. No, you're taking the under. Just barely the under. Yeah. Wow. Wow.

I'm just visualizing the whole thing. I just can't imagine both of you. Like, I feel like this is a dream fight. It's crazy. It's crazy. Yeah, it's crazy. You know, I felt the same way whenever I fought on Big Country, you know, because, you know,

seeing big country, fight everybody, knock everybody out. There's like a dream come true when you're going to finally fought him. You know, it's going to feel almost the same way fighting Francis, you know. A guy like him beating everybody, knocking everybody out,

and finally facing him, you know. I just live for that type of rush, that thrill, you know, because I fight guys. I don't call anybody out that I know I can easily beat. You know, I like to fight tough fights. You know, I believe the tough fights.

You know, I believe the tough fights. then bring out the better fight in myself. And the beauty is you don't have to practice wrestling at all. Like, there's no chance he's going to shoot on you in this fight. Well, you never know, but it's 100% no chance that I'm going to try to shoot on him. So I don't know how to do it out if they have to save my life. Is there a chance that there's an actual kick thrown, or is it just straight punches? From who?

Either of you. I mean, you've been known to throw a couple kicks, but do you think either of you throw any kicks in this fight? Well, we never know. Probably, it might happen. Okay. You know, it's amazing. That's not the first thing I'm trying to do, though. The amazing thing is, and let's just call it like we see it, in history of the UFC,

there haven't been many, you know, black person versus black person heavyweight fights. This is a rarity in its own right. Do you feel like that's, do you feel like people want to see you guys fight? You've referenced this in the past. You really feel like that's a real thing that people just want to, like, how is the community? Who are they going to root for? They're going to root for you? They can root for him?

What do you think? This is a big deal in the progression of the sport. No, I believe so. You know, America liked a black-on-black crime, you know, especially him being originally from Africa, you know, and me being from America and, you know, the history of it. You know, basically, you know, his people is really the traitors, you know. They suckered my people that came to America.

They suckers in for jewelry and gold and all that, so they sold us to the world. white man. Wow. This is heavy. Yeah. So it's deep. It's way, it's going way back.

So it's a lot of animosity in his fight. Is that the case? Is that why you feel the way you do about him? Because you feel like his people. No, but I don't give a damn, man. That would be a great. Imagine that promo if you talk about this, what you're going to do to him in the cage is in reference and in retaliation for what

happened hundreds of years ago. could you imagine? Yeah. Like Kuntikinti getting his foot chopped off when he came over and all this and running from the slaves. You know, it's a lot of history behind this fight, man. Do you feel like they put you on the 226 card

as backup in case something happened to Miotich in D.C.? You never know, maybe so. Or maybe they were just trying to sell the fight even more, you know, just the paper view numbers need to go up. Do you feel like the winner of this fight is going to fight the winner of Miyuch, D.C.? I believe so. It makes the most sense. You know, really, Stipe really beat just by everybody in top five anyway,

so it wouldn't really make sense for them to get the next shot, you know, besides me or Francis, because, you know, he's the number one contender, but everyone else is really not even worthy enough to fight Steepe. game. What if you win impressively on July 7th? Like you knock them out in the first minute

and let's just say Stepe wins and all of a sudden Brock Lesnar just kind of walks in there and they give him the title shop

won't you be pissed? Well, you know everything really is about money so they really just caring about who's going to sell the most tickets

and to make them the most money you know but if Brock Lesson come in and step in that's fine. I don't care. Wouldn't care?

No, I really wouldn't care Because Um Beating On Francis Really Really not gonna really do too much for me anyways Because

The guy got to where he's at right now Oh look Overing Overe doesn't have a chin Before Olauski Alowski doesn't have a chin You know Fight somebody that's tough

You know Fight a Mark Hunt Somebody like that That's real tough So I don't fight these old That's already On the downside of their career You think that you will not be elevated

If you win this fight? Not as much as I think I should Huh Because he's overhyped Yeah, I believe so Do you think the UFC wants him to win? I don't think so You think they want you to win?

You know, I couldn't really say too much you know, I believe they would feel like that I'm really more well-rounded than he is. You know, you know, he can't really be a champion and be one-dimensional. You know, I believe you really have to be well-rounded. You know, just never know who's going to face next, you know, whenever you're doing the title. So all the guys that's in the top five, really, they're well-rounded guys. They're not one-dimensional. Are you going to be paying attention to where he's training?

if he's back at the PI, the entire training camp, do you feel like that's a, you know, a red flag? No, it really don't matter because, just about everyone I fought, you know, they did train it all over the world. They pay guys to come in and train them and this and that. And me, I just probably only train like 30 minutes, 45 minutes a day,

eating McDonald's and shit like that, and I'm still beating these guys. That's on true, though. You want us to believe it. That's not true. You don't have to believe it or not. You can look at my body and tell. I ain't been eating no down,

no healthy shit. You know that. When's the last time you had McDonald's? I had it two days ago. What'd you get from there? Two muffins, two breakfast biscuits. That's it? Yeah.

Because you're in fight camp. Just because I don't really eat breakfast. What would you get if you're going for lunch or dinner? From McDonald's or from anyone? No, from McDonald's. Three double cheeseburger, small fry, you know, a Diet Coke. Easy ice. Three double cheeseburgers, so that's six patties?

Yeah. Yeah, about this small, man. I know. Is that your favorite fast food place? No, my favorite fast food place is Carl Jr., slim chicken. Yeah, I really just Carl Jr. I like Waterburger, too. Oh, they have Carl's Jr. in Houston? Yeah.

Okay. What was the last time you had that? I don't know. Been a while. Okay. By the way, you know what's bad? I don't really eat healthy like I suppose you, but I've been trying. The shit holler, man. Everything cheap. Yeah. thing that's around here is real cheap and easy to get all the expensive shit that he's supposed to be eating like salads and all that is more expensive.

Does your wife try to cook, you know, healthy stuff for you so that you get in better shape? Yeah, she do, you know, but I don't be liking it. Right. I don't blame you. By the way, one last thing about this fight that I love, the underlying, you know, storyline, it's you being the big Trump guy that you are against. him being anti-Trump, there's a big thing playing out there, too. It's amazing. No, man, I'm not a big Trump guy. I'm not, I just sold you, like, before the election, I just, he would just make me laugh. I like, the stuff he was saying would just make me laugh. But then he's getting more racist towards the end, you know, so that's like, you know,

most of the, just about most of the Republicans anyway, they really don't want nothing to do to this guy anyway because he's more embarrassing for them anyways. Yeah. I mean, I just thought that you would want to defend his honor against Ingan, who spoke up against him. Fuck that. Yeah, he on his own. All right. I'm out. By the way, last thing.

Fador versus Mere, did you watch that? I've seen the highlight. Pretty cool, right? Pretty fun? Fadour reminds me of myself, you know, the way he fights, like, his fighting style and stuff like that. And the way he hold his hands and the way he throw his punches and stuff. And how aggressive he is, he reminds me. me and myself whenever I seen it.

Who do you have? Chale or Fador? I got it on Fador. Chale, we're going to try to wrestle the whole time. Well, I got to tell you, I am so excited for this fight. Not Chale and Fader. We'll deal with that later, but you versus Francis, this is very exciting stuff. What a nice little placement. Too good to be true, huh?

What's up? Too good to be true. Hopefully, you know, we'll stay healthy, you know, have one of the best training camps. I wish nothing but the best for him. Hopefully he stays healthy, you know, come prepare more than he did hit his last fight. You know, and I'll be ready too, you know, because I don't want no excuses. Wow, the fact that you just said too good to be true just kind of rained on my parade a little bit.

I feel like now, I feel like now it might not happen. It's going to happen, man. I promise it's going to happen. All right, yes. You don't have to work out. On my end, on my end, I promise I'm going to stay healthy as possible. even if I had the missed couple of days of not training and so I can heal my wounds.

I'll be ready. Great to hear. Thank you, Derek. Always a pleasure. Good luck in training. Stay healthy and we'll see you in July. I won't bother you until then, okay? Yeah, we'll see.

All right. Thank you, man. There he is, the Black Beast himself. Derek Lewis, always a pleasure to talk to him. What a fun guy he is, you know, calling me out. It's amazing. Saying that I don't wear a wedding ring. Unbelievable.

Anyway, there he is. Derek Lewis. Great stuff from him. July 7th. It all goes down in Las Vegas. T-Mobile Arena. UFC 226. Too good to be true.

That's what they should label it as. Francis Engano versus Derek Lewis. Too good to be true. July 7th, UFC 226. All right. Let us move along. How fun is this? It's been a while since we talked to my old friend,

my old broadcast colleague, Kenny Florian. You know him. He's on FS1, doing a great job UFC tonight. and of course he's on the desk often, pre and post fight shows, but he's got a lot of other exciting things going on.

Let's go to The Magic of Skype and say hello to Kenneth, who is standing by. There he is, Kenny Florian. How about, you know, it just warms my heart. A familiar face,

a familiar smile. It's just great. It's great to talk to you again. We don't talk often enough. Yes. How am I supposed to go after? How am I supposed to go after? I know.

It's amazing. Get me up for failure, you're on. No, well, look, I'm just happy you're on. You're so busy. You're doing your own podcast trying to squeeze me in here. I mean, I got like five minutes with you. I have to go through a PR guy, some Hollywood guy to get to you. It's amazing. Last week, we had Al Jermaine on. He's doing interview with you and Anick while we have Chris Wydenman on. I could hear the thing going on at the same time. I mean, I feel like we're almost competitors at this point. I know. That's not right. I mean, they got to sort it out over there. They got to get organized. I didn't know what was going on

because they're like, what is all that commotion? He was talking to Chris and, yeah, I well. How is the podcast going? I know you're not on to talk about the podcast, but how is it going? Yeah, no, it's going. It's going great, man. It's been fun. Obviously, any time, Anna and I are able to talk fights for longer than like 30 second increments. It's great.

And we have a lot of talk about. And we try to get into the nitty gritty of the fights and what's going to happen. And it's, as you know, it's a great format because you have so much more time. I'm on television. You only have like 15 to 20 seconds to break down a fight. You don't have a whole lot anyway. So with the podcast, I feel like I'm able to get most of what I want out. And now you're well past 100 episodes, right?

Yes. Yeah, crazy to think. I think we're right around like 140, maybe, 150, something like that. That's notable. Like around 50, 60 is notable because once you pass that threshold, now you're a thing. Like a lot of podcasts like happen and people get excited and they die after like 25. now it's a thing. Like now if you go away, it's a thing.

Like you are a consistent part of people's lives. You can't go away that easily at least. So, you know, kudos to you guys for sticking with it. Because I know early on it's probably tough. You've got different schedules, flying this and that. It's not easy to coordinate. No, not at all, man. Especially, you know, for Anik, he's flying all over the place.

He has to fly back to Florida and do it out of his home and, you know, catching a flight and not sleeping. He takes a lot of red eyes right after the flight. So, yeah, it's especially tiring for him, I'm sure. And I'm not trying to bury the lead here, but just a couple of things. You opened up a new, we haven't talked in a while, a new jiu-jitsu, Jim, right? A new, a new, a new, what would I call it? A martial arts studio.

What would you call it? What was the official name? Yeah, it's a Brazilian jih Tjitsu, gym. So it's called Maraki Brazilian jihitsu. I opened up this place with my business partner, Jason Hunt, who's a high-level black belt in judo and jihitsu. and yeah, we opened it up, I guess, officially in August. And it's been going great, man. Like the community has been amazing.

You know, all of our students have been awesome. And it's just been fun, man. It's been something I've been wanting to do for a long time. And I have one obviously in Boston, but I've been really missing teaching. I've been feeling that call to teach and see people's lives change. And it's fun, man. It's been really cool. By the way, why didn't you call it Florian martial arts?

I guess I was looking for a different brand. We kind of went with a whole different kind of brand. Yeah, sorry, my baby girl over here is calling me. Yeah, so I just been, you know, wanted to go with a different brand. It's kind of a different kind of gym. I've always liked the word Maraki, which means to do something with love and passion, part of your soul. and yeah, and it's just been going great. And since I'm opening up with someone who's not my brother,

you know, we decided to go with the different brand as well. And Maraki is Portuguese? Maraki is actually a Greek word, believe it or not. Oh, okay, okay. No affiliation with the Greek language, but other than that, I came across the word and thought it was cool. I like it. I like it a lot, and I like the meaning.

I was actually, the next thing I was going to ask you about was being a dad, fatherhood. And I see it's a thing that's happening in your life right now. What is going on? What is happening right now with your daughter? Why do you keep standing up? I love this. This is great. I have the little play thing above her little docketot. So she's

hanging out and has her pacifier and she's kind of I'm kind of moving the little toys above her head. You're literally staring at her right now. Kind of. Kind of. Yeah. I can see.

She's right in front of me, yes. Wow. And do you feel like this is a tease? Like, is she trying to get you to pick her up? I don't know. She was earlier. She was getting a little fussy earlier. I think she's a little, probably due for a nap.

But, uh... Look at you. Yeah, man. You know, it's fun. It's fun. It's been cool to be able to hang out and just, like, look at her. You know, I'm sure, like, when you had, you know, your kids, it's like, you just want to stare at them.

So it's been really cool. Now, are you alone right now? Are you on dad duty, right? Like, is your wife not home? I am. I'm on dad doing you right now. Yeah, my wife went to go wash the dog and she'll be back. Oh my gosh. Are you freaking out or is this common? I was freaking out a little bit. She was a little fussy before your call. I'm like,

oh, come on. Come on. Come on, true. Don't start crying while they call. Like, I'm on my own, man. You got to help me out. It's the best. And how old is she? She is 11 weeks old. 11 weeks old. Oh my god, this is great. This is the best. I tell, I say to my wife sometimes, like, I can't wait to tell my kids. Like, I remember there was one story I broke while giving them a bath, and I was freaking out. I was trying to get it. And they're like two little, you know, rug rats naked in the bath fighting with each other. I can't wait to tell them in 10 years. I'm freaking out about breaking a story while I'm giving you guys a bath. You're peeing in the

bath, and things like that's like, these are the things that you live for. Like, when they're off the college, you're going to be, you know, reminiscing about these days. This is the greatest. You've got to embrace it. Absolutely. Absolutely, man. It's fun. Okay, now that I've beat around the bushes, you're here to promote the brand new season of Battlebots. It's back. Yes. I know, I know. I'm excited, man.

We're going to turn you into a fan, by the way. I told you before, man. Yeah, no, it's been, it's been great, man. I wasn't sure if it was going to come back. It was on ABC for the first two seasons. Obviously, it was a reboot of the show that was on Comedy Central and, like, the late 90s, early 2000s. And I came back to ABC. It was really popular.

People loved it. And I don't know. It seemed like ABC couldn't really find a home for it, even though it was doing well. I think they kind of just wanted to do other stuff. And I think it's on the perfect network now. It's on the Discovery Channel. And it will also be on the Science Channel as well. So I'm excited, man.

We're done filming the season. It was a whirlwind, amazing fights. really interesting bot builders and I'm hoping for a really good season. So 20 episodes, it starts May 11th. I was just going to say that. It starts Friday, May 11th at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific

on Discovery Channel and Wednesday, May 16th at 9 p.m. on Science Channel. So is it every Friday premieres? Yes, yes. Okay. And I know there's actually some long-time battlebot fans. You say you're going to turn me into a battlebot fan. There's some longtime battlebot fans

who work on the show in the control room, and they were telling me about the old days on Comedy Central, but you call it straight, right? Like, you're treating this like a real sporting event? Yeah, I mean, a little, if there's something funny that happens, we, of course, bring it to light. And by that, I mean, me and my broadcasting partner,

Chris Rose, who's phenomenal. Yeah, I mean, we have fun with it. Don't get me wrong. But we do. We want to treat these guys, you know, kind of like a race guard driver in a way because the stuff that they have to do, Ariel is amazing.

You know, every season, they're kind of bringing new technology to the table and the amount of hours that they put into this is astonishing. And the money, I mean, a lot of these bots, when you include labor and all that stuff, you're looking like a $100,000 dollar box.

That's like 250 pounds. So it gets up there. So a lot of hours, a lot of money involved, and it's impressive when you see these guys are working like day in and day out in the pits trying to get these bots ready for the next fight. So it's kind of like the early tournament days of the eight-man tournaments. It's like if you're injured, you can't really go on and be that effective at the next fight. So they have to do a lot of pit work to get these robots up and ready.

And it's legit, right? It's not scripted. It's like you don't know who's going to win. These are actual fights. Correct, correct. So some awesome fights this season. You'll see upsets. You'll see favorites smash other bots.

I'm really excited for people to see it. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. And are they competing multiple times in the same night? Yes. Yeah. In some instances, yes. Some bot builders had a chance to kind of come back the next day and fight. But yeah, some of these bot builders are going two or three times in one night.

And how many people per team? How many men and women are focused on one bot? Sometimes they'll be like two or three, and sometimes there'll be like eight people on a team. So those that have more people on the team are able to put the bot back together a lot quicker. So it's definitely an advantage to have more people on the team. This is amazing.

This is like that BBC interview when the kids walked in, except your daughter can't walk, is great. It's awesome. That was the first thing I thought. of, dude. Yes. Like, yeah, she's, she's, she's, she's, she's trying to steal my interview over here. It's all good.

This is my time. Come on. This is my time. Unfortunately for us, we're not the BBC and no one's really watching, so you don't really have to worry about this. I don't believe that. You have a good following. And notice that you said good, not great.

I noticed that, by the way. I get very sensitive. Great. Great following. Yes. And so, so you, so you taped it all, right? So it's like a tournament? Yes.

Is it like a, is it like a bracket? There was like, yeah, so it started out kind of like a fight night. So we have different fights kind of that we really wanted to see. So like kind of the, because of the tournament format, you don't always get the fights that you want. Obviously, you know that from MMA, you know, like things don't always pan out the way we want. So I thought it was a smart setup that they did in the beginning where they put together these fights that everyone wanted to see, like kind of like the big names. There's a Brazilian team that's amazing. Oh, yeah.

Tombstone for those for those battlebots watchers. It's, you know, he's kind of one of the big favorite. So we get some of these big fights together. And then later on in the season, we do the tournament. By the way, how do you get a gig like this? Like, how did you, like, were you a battlebot guy back in the day? It's a good question. I got a call one day from someone.

I don't know how they got my number, but they asked me about if I'd be, be interested in what I knew about BattleBots and I knew about it, thankfully. And, you know, I'm into technology. I like cars and things like that. So it's kind of, kind of a similar thing. And, you know, went through the interview process and it was late in the game. And I was like, well, you know, they reached out to me. I was like the last guy that reached out to. And who knows what was going to happen. I didn't think I was going to get the job. And and I ended up getting the job and had a blast and worked really well with Chris Rose. And thankfully, they've continued to bring me back, man. And it's, I've just,

It's cool. I've genuinely become a battlebots fan. Wow. I watched the show. I thought it was a lot of fun, but I really wasn't that educated on it. And it's season after season. I know more about it, know more about the Bob Builders and more impressed every time. Did someone put you like through a part of the putt, a crash course? Did you have to learn about, you know, the technology and what happens when they break and things like that?

It's not just like calling a fight for you, right? It's not second nature. It's intense. man. So literally, they give me a packet that's probably that thick every season. Wow. This year, I think we had 58 bot builders. So that means it's just, it's like a fight, right? So I have to research 58 teams, 58 robots, what it does, how it does it, you know, strategies, techniques, you know, the different kinds of weapons that they can put on the bots.

So I have to like study all this stuff. So, yeah, it's a lot of work. It's a lot of work, but it's fun. And how many days did you film it for? You said 20 straight days? So we did it. So it was 20 episodes. I think we did 20 episodes in just a couple weeks.

So it was a grunt, man. Intense. Yeah, that's intense. You got a legend with you. Chris Rose from back in the Best Damn Sports Show days. I remember him. He's great. Yes, yes.

He is. He's awesome, man. Funny guy, too. So we have a fun time. Like when there is something funny that happens or something, you know, We definitely pointed out. Are you doing Telestrade or stuff too? Are you breaking it down?

No, we don't. Not to that level. We definitely give our opinions on what we think is going to happen and try to break it down the best that we can. And we do some replay stuff, but not to that level of Telestrade or anything like that. By the way, like the average fight, how long does it last? So each fight is three minutes long. Each fight is three minutes long. some fights end after like seven seconds, you know, some go the distance.

And they have judges decision. They have three judges who will give a decision based on the damage, control. And very similar to mixed martial arts, you have some controversial decisions every once in a while. I love it. I'm in. May 11th, 8 p.m., Discovery Channel, May 16th, 9 p.m. On Science Channel, what's the difference between the May 11th episode and the May 16th episode on science? It's just a replay.

So it's just a replay. You know, it was, they started showing replays on the Science Channel, and that's really the reason they brought it back is the response was so good, watching the replays of the first two seasons that, you know, Discovery and Science Channel wanted to have it back. So that was awesome. Okay. By the way, and I don't mean to pry, but this is a very interesting time in the world of MMA

from a TV standpoint. How are you feeling? What's it like with the TV news and everything like that? you're a big part of what Fox does, UFC Tonight, all that stuff. Is it weird? Are you feeling anxious? Do you feel good? What could you tell us?

Yeah, you know, I'm not sure what to think about the whole thing. You know, I think, listen, I hope that whatever it is, that it brings more viewership to mixed martial arts. I hope that, you know, it's something that is going to benefit the fighters, the organization, and we'll see what happens. The latest I heard is that they were going to kind of split the fights between ESPN and Fox. And we'll see what happened. I personally haven't heard that much of like what they're actually going to do. But just kind of waiting, man, and seeing what happens.

Do you miss doing the color? I know you're doing more of the dust these days. Do you miss your color? Yeah, no, I do. I really do. I miss it. I mean, there's nothing like watching. watching a fight, Cape side, and calling the fight and calling the action and getting a chance

to break things down and talk about some of the more technical aspects and strategy that's going on during the fight. That's something I really enjoy doing. I haven't been able to do it in a while. But, you know, I think, you know, who knows? Who knows what the future will hold? Yes. I think they should use you more if you're asking me, but no one asks me.

So I appreciate it. My two cents means nothing. By the way, how awkward was it to sit next to Cormier and Gustavson a couple weeks ago? No one makes it more awkward than Colbya. It was so awkward. I mean, even Ariel, like what, and what they didn't show, like, off camera. Oh, yes. It's not even an act.

Like, D.C.'s not even doing this to, like, hyperbo fight. He made it awkward as soon as, as soon as Gustafson walked in the room, D.C.'s like, oh, you look like you're a heavyweight now. You're looking fat. You can't beat me. And, I mean, it was funny, man. DC's, D.C.'s a trip, as you know. You had to be a.

mediator. Last thing before I let you go, how about this? Some breaking news. July 6th on FS1, they just announced the UFC did that it is going to be in the main event, Brad Tavares against Israel, Adasania in a middle-white fight, the tough finale main event. I feel like this is a little too soon for Israel. What do you think? This is a tough fight.

Listen, as far as having a fight on the feet, Israel has the capability of beating anyone in the world in his weight class. Brad Tabaris does hit hard, however, he's very big for the weight class. He has a lot of experience. He's a guy who can mix things in with takedowns. For me, for Israel to be that world-class fighter, he certainly has the striking game. I think it comes down to him really improving his wrestling and his jit-su. And if he's able to do that, you know, we could have a future champion over there.

But I think you're right. I think even that fight against Vittori was kind of a test to, Barras is certainly a step up above Vitori. So that's going to be an interesting fight. And both guys are good guys, man. Of all the fights that have been announced, you know, leading up to the summer and a little bit after the summer, which fight are you most interested in?

Which are you most looking forward to? Well, geez, I guess on a personal level, of course, the Stipe Mietchich fight is pretty fascinating. I'm really curious to see, first of all, how DC competes again at heavyweight and how steep deals with the wrestling game of DC. I think that that's just a fascinating fight and always nervous for my friend anytime he fights.

And I think the one that's also kind of intriguing is the Darren Till and Wonderboy fight. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, I think that Darren Till is massive for the weight class. I think he's a tremendous striker, but I don't think he's faced anyone like Wonderboy. And I think he's one of the most difficult guys to prepare for. So listen, if he goes out there and beats Wonderboy and finishes him like he says he can,

we definitely have more than a star in that division. Okay, last thing, people don't might not, they might not realize this, but you are like the George St. Pierre whisperer. Whenever you say something about George, it's always spot on, you somehow have this direct link to the guy. Does he fight again? And if so, against two? Yeah, I think George will most like.

fight. I think he's going to fight in some kind of super fight scenario. I don't know if it's going to be against the champion necessarily in division, but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some kind of non-title

fight that's going to be big. And why not? I think, again, if there's one guy who deserves it, it's George St. Pierre. He's a guy who's obviously proven time and time again to be a big pay-per-view star. And I think there's a lot of fun

fights you can make as well. What's your pick? What's your pick? Yeah. Who's the guy? Who's the guy he fights? Who would he fight? I think someone like a Habib Nirmagamatov would be interesting.

Okay. But a non-title fight. Yeah. I mean, again, yeah. I don't know if they'd meet in a catch weight, something like that. But another person, of course, would be a Cona McGregor. I mean, I think that, no matter how you look at it,

those are the two, you know, biggest names in the sport, you have the biggest name of, you know, a past generation against the current biggest name, Karam McGregor, and I think that'd be a mega fight. Kenny, congratulations on fatherhood. First and foremost, congratulations

on the continued success of the podcast, on all the great work that you're doing. And, of course, Battlebots returning, as I said, May 11th, 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on Discovery. And then the replay, as he said, Wednesday, May 16th, 9 p.m. on Science Channel, it is a return of Battlebots, Kenny Flore and their color analyst. I'm looking forward to it. I'm a believer. I will watch on May 16th. What else do I have to

excuse me, May 11th, I will watch because I have nothing else to do on a Friday night. There's no fights going on. Why the hell not? One day, we're going to get you as a sideline reporter. Oh, that'd be nice. I'd be nice. I'd be nice. I'd be nice. I don't know. I'd be nice. I don't believe that. I I don't believe that. It would be nice. But listen, man, I also, I apologize for my daughter making a run. No. No. I loved it. Trust me. She added a lot to this interview. Are you kidding me? By the way, my son, six years old today. I remember on UC tonight, they put that picture. Wow. Zeus put the picture of my face over the baby that week when my son was born. Yeah, six years today.

Six years old. Wow. Look at your memory. Look at your memory. Yep. Six years old. Yep. That is unbelievable. Wow. Well, congratulations. That's awesome, man. Thank you. I appreciate it. And congrats you. And of course, congrats on the opening of the BJJ gym as well. I see that it's beautiful. Leah is always there. Leah Mondia, our common friend. Yeah, yes, that's right. It's a beautiful thing. So one day I'll go there as well. Great to catch up. Like I said, go back to your daughter. Thanks for doing this. Thank you so much. Take care of you. We'll talk to you soon. There he is. The one and only Kenny Floreen, one of the best in the business. There's very few like him. A real Mench, a personal favorite of my mother's who's texting me right now. And speaking of techs, engage industries. That's the brand that Dylan Dennis forgot to shout out. Engage Industries.

All right. So there you go. Thank you to his team at Paradigm for letting me know about that. Okay. Thank you to Kenny, May 11th, 8 p.m. Discovery, May 16th, 9 p.m. Science Channel, the return of battlebots. He's a big part of that. If you want to support him, check out the show.

All right, let's move along. Big story last week. Gigantic story. We've been talking about this story for years. now. Will Nick Newell finally get a shot in the UFC? What does he have to do? Who does he need to talk to? Will the dominoes fall his way, right? Well, last week, actually a week ago today, I do believe he was in Las Vegas. He met with UFC President Dana White. Two days later, they come out, they tell ESPN initially, they say, look, we're going to give him a shot. It's going to be on Contender Series. Wins that fight,

we presume he gets to go to the UFC. He has not talked to anyone about all of this until now. He is kind enough to come in from Connecticut, took some time out of his busy schedule to join us in studio. I'm very excited about this. He was on the show once before, but now he is back with some massive news. There he is the notorious one himself. Nick Newell is here. Let's get a chair for him. Thank you very much, Joe. Nick, how are you, my man? Good, man. Happy birthday to your son. Thank you. That's very kind of you. Thank you. I appreciate that. Well, this is very exciting because you've been on the show a lot, but never under these circumstances. So I know it's a track for you to come out here. So thank you much for doing it. Yeah, it's about an hour. Okay. About an hour, but... Thank you. I have some free time before I have

to get back and get to training. Okay, great. Well, I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Wow. Okay. I actually want to start at the beginning here. So it was a week ago today, right? You were in Vegas. I saw the picture of U.N. Ali headquarters. Had you ever been there before? No, that was my first time to be in Vegas. I mean, I'm in East Coast. So unless I have a reason to go out there, I don't really go out there, but I had a good, a good reason. First time in Vegas, period. No, no, no. Okay. I've been to Vegas 10 times. All right, right. But first time I'm at the UFC office.

Yeah, at the UFC. Just knowing what you do and what the UFC means to you, just being at the office, what was that like initially? It was cool. I mean, the facility is beautiful and fantastic, you know, but just being in the office wasn't enough for me. I want the opportunity to actually fight in the Octagon, and that's what I was there for.

So I was there on business, you know, I was a little more laser focused than I was like, oh, my God. Okay. But it was a beautiful. facility, a great place to train. Good time, you know. And this was more like, it was almost like a job interview, right? Like, you kind of had to go in there and say the right things and do the right things.

You and Ali, because I saw the picture of you guys together. Was it just you two in the meeting? Yeah, I was just, from your side. Yeah, Ali and I and, of course, Dana. Yeah. Did you guys, you, did you, did you, the night before, did you game plan? Did you talk about who's going to say what? How are you going to do it?

Or did you kind of wing it? I mean, Ali always has like a general plan of, of things he'd like to do and points, but we mostly didn't prepare too much. He's like, he just wanted me to speak for my heart. That's what he told me. He said, just say how you feel, say what you think you're capable of,

and what you can do and why you belong, and I think we'll make it happen, and that's what we did. You go in there, that's the first time you've actually met Dana White, right? One time. One time before that, I tried out for the ultimate fighter at 170 pounds.

Okay. The one that Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos coached on. And I made it through the tryouts. So I tapped the guy out with the umplata at the tryouts. And then I did the striking and I went to the interview. And he was there when I did the grappling and striking. And I shook, hey, nice to meet you. But we never had a conversation or anything other than that.

And then they ended up not choosing me for the show. So this was the second time. Okay. And that was just like, hello, how are you? not more than like a 10 second conversation. So when you, you're in his office, right last week? No, there was something wrong with the kitchen. So his office smelled.

So we met in like the, it's called the war room. Okay. So I was peeking at all the matchups there thinking about. What do you got? I can't tell you. Did you see anything that you were like, holy? Really? Oh my gosh.

I'm not at liberty to say. I don't want to get you in trouble. But that's amazing. That means he trusts you. He puts you in the war room. He's not afraid of you going out and leaking fights. I think that's a good sign right off the bat. Yeah, there we go.

How long is this meeting? Probably 20 minutes, maybe half an hour. Really? Yeah, maybe half an hour. How does it start? Like, what do you do? Because you both know why you're there, right? You both know what you want.

So, like, how does it actually start? I'm fascinated by this. I wish you guys would have filmed it. Well, when I first walked in, I thought he was going to be like, oh, this guy again, because, you know, you got all the people hounding him. Like, Wednesday's going to fight. Wednesday's going to fight. What are you going to say?

And like obviously anything, anything that he says, like, either gets, like, one way or the other. People nowadays are so one way or the other. So, you know, like, everyone brings up that thing from TMZ years ago when they're like, what do you think about him fighting? He's like, oh, it's hard enough. Like, the guy was just eating dinner. They're like, he said you would never fight in the UFC. And the way I saw that is he didn't ever say I would never fight in the UFC.

He just was, like, having dinner. And he's like, oh, I don't know, get away from me. You know? And people take it one way or the other. but I knew that I would bring my point across. I knew that I knew what I had to say, and he was very receptive, and he listened, and obviously we discussed the issues that it might have and the backlash, and he just wanted to make sure that I was ready, and I'm ready.

And, you know, I have to do the contender series first, but I don't mind taking the long road or the hard road. I've been doing that my whole life, so it's not a big deal for me. if I have to win one more, if I have to win five more, it's as long as I have a clear path. That's all I asked for was a clear path to get there. And I have an opportunity to do that. So that's what I'm happy about. So in this discussion, are you leading the dance?

Are you the one who's kind of like saying, okay, this is what I want, I'm here to do this? And then is he like kind of interviewing you, like peppering you with questions? What do you do if this happens? If you get this backlash, is he talking about fight scenarios to you? How is he handling it? It was just a little bit of both. Him, Ali, and I, and we just went through, we went over a few things. You know, obviously, you know, there's always concerns, and there's always going to be people that have things to say about me, whether I win or lose.

When I win, it's never good enough. You know, when I lose, I should have never been fighting. But these are the same people that are going to say, just looking for excuses to say anything about anyone. For every one person you have that says, oh, I don't want to see that guy fight, his arms grows. or something mean, you know, like, oh, he's not a good. You have 100 people that want to see it, you know. And one thing that I do is I bring in a different audience. You know, I bring in, I have a lot of people that could care less about MMA

that just want to see me fight for my story and stuff like that. So that's good, you know, that's a draw right there. And, you know, obviously there's issues with, oh, what will happen if you lose? But, you know, the truth is. And I've heard you talk about it. And Luke, and if I lose, I lose. You know, I'm a human being. It's a fair fight.

I've trained. I'm good. I'm at this level. So all I want is my chance. And I know that I can win. I'm confident that I can win. I mean, I wrestle in college. I'm a black belt and jiu-jitsu.

And my footwork when I do striking is some of the best around. So it's hard to deny that I'm good enough. You know, it's just getting the opportunity. So I basically told them how much it meant to me and, you know, that I'm ready. and this is what we agreed upon. And I'm very grateful that he gave me the opportunity. He was very nice to me, very kind, and I look forward to fighting on a contender series

and then making my debut in the Octagon. Did you feel like he was honest with you? Was he saying all, you know, he's been the one who's, I guess, resisted to the idea of, and maybe the matchmakers as well. But at the end of the day, if he says something, it goes, right? In the UFC, did you feel like he put all the cards on the table, but he was actually being, you know, up front, honest, okay, this is how I feel,

these are my concerns, these are the reasons why I feel like you haven't been here or didn't get on tough. Did you feel like it was an honest conversation? He was super honest and, and, you know, I don't get offended by things that people say, you know, but he didn't even come close to saying anything that, like, that I would be like, oh, you know, like, but, you know, it was just an honest conversation of what I'd have to do and what I have to prove and the concerns and stuff like that. And obviously, Ali manages a lot of fighters and he's seen a lot of things and he's seen me train. And, you know, he vouched for me. He put, you know, all his cards on the table and, you know, he's got a lot of guys and he's out there shooting for me. So I appreciate that as well.

And Dana and I, we just talked. And then I was like, oh, I didn't hear anything back because he said the next day. Oh, he told you when you left, you'd hear back the next day. Yeah, the next day. Okay. But then when there were a bunch of other reporters in there, and when he leaked that he talked to me to one of the reporters, then I was like, okay, I had a good feeling. So I got off the plane in Connecticut, and I had like some text messages,

and then it was to call him. So we talked on the phone and he told me I'm in the contender series. Okay, wait a second. We're jumping over a lot of things here. I like to build up to it. This is a great moment. So when you're in the meeting with him, the initial meeting, is he actually asking you about fight things?

What if you get kicked in the head? Is he going there or is he just talking about like big picture stuff? Yeah, well, the getting kicked in the head thing, first off, is like the dumbest thing. I know it is the dumbest thing, but I'm wondering if he is even going there. And no, he didn't say anything about getting kicked in the head because I think he realized, you know, he's watched a lot of fights. So he knows I could just go like this and block a head kick. And my feet are in the right spot. I block a head kick.

You know, obviously if I ever get kicked in the head, then people are going to come out. of nowhere saying, oh, I told you so. But the truth is, I can get kicking the head just like anyone else. Yes. It's just that, you know, if I lose, I think that people are going to give him a hard time. You know, and it's like, does he really want to deal with this? Sure. So I think he realized that I'm UFC level.

I'm world class. It's just that he wanted to see how passionate and serious I was taking it. Okay. Before he just gave me this opportunity if my heart wasn't in it, you know, because the skills there because he's gonna get he's gonna catch slack no matter what you know if you don't sign me it's like how come you didn't give this guy a chance i never would be the first i would never be a person that's like oh you're prejudiced you know like because that's stupid because i know that's not how he is but like um you know if i lose people are going to give him give him a hard

time but the thing is that if i were to lose um people would be like oh my god you know this and that and then an event would happen the next week and people will forget completely about it Just like they forget about everything the week after it happens. Anything that I do when I go out there and fight, I have to live with for the rest of my life. I have to live with the people constantly tweeting me, you know, showing pictures, talking crap about me, making jokes, you know. I'm the one that has to live with that my whole life. So I wouldn't do this if I wasn't ready because I know what the backlash is. I know the backlash I'm going to get.

And the UFC is not going to get the same treatment that I'm going to get. This is going to be something that I have to do. with my whole life. So if I wasn't ready, I wouldn't do it. I know 100% that I'm ready, and that's why I'm doing it. Do you feel like you're more ready now than you were when you tried out for tough? A hundred percent. I was still very green then. Would it have been a mistake to get in then? No, I think I would have done really well. I really do think I would have done really well. I would have probably done the 145 pound season. I was smaller than I could have probably made 145, but I'm kind of decent size, 55 pound or not the biggest, not the smallest.

but I appreciate all the things that happen in my life. My life is fantastic outside of fighting. So I don't need... Fighting doesn't make or break my life. It's just a part of my life that I love and enjoy. And, you know, I'm ready to do it at the highest level. I've been doing this 17 years I've been training. And 17 years, some people train, oh, I have a fight,

or, oh, I got this going on. I'm going to do this instead. I only done martial arts. and that's all I focused on for 17 years straight, six days a week. I take one day off a week like a normal person. But you know, this has been my life. Boom, boom, always learning, always learning. Even if I'm going to have a fight on, I'm trying to get better.

I'm watching fights. I'm studying. And this is my life for 17 years. So it doesn't matter if I only have one hand. If I've been doing it for 17 years nonstop, working as hard as I do, you're going to be good at something. and now I'm more ready than ever. I know you are a hot topic in the world of MAA. I also know that you're a hot topic within the walls of Zuffa.

Did he mention, oh, you know, there's some team Newell people, there's some, you know, not so much, like did he mention, because he, at the end of the day, is the judge and jury here. Did he talk about having to hear it from different sides? No, I mean, he didn't tell me who's forward. Maybe not who, but that, you know, it's a polarizing topic. Yeah, obviously, you know, there's always going to be people. that are worried about what people will say and then people that just don't care. One person that I know always went to bat for me was McMainer. He's been someone that's been a big advocate

for me fighting and getting my chance and testing myself. So I appreciate, you know, I don't know what he said or what he did, but I just know that he's always supported me and had my back. So I appreciate that. And I appreciate everyone finally coming together and deciding this is the right thing to do. Okay. So how do you end it? How does the conversation end? last Monday. He just says, all right, give me a few days. I'll get back to you. Smart man. That's it. He said, yeah, I'm going to talk with my people and I'll have an answer by tomorrow.

Did you feel good? That moment? I felt confident because, you know, it wasn't like he was talking, get this guy out of here. What a waste of my time. He was legitimately listening to me and hearing how I felt. I thought it was a actually great conversation. Obviously, after there was something, I was like, oh, damn, I should have said that. You know, but.

What was it? What I just said about anything that happens there. I was thinking in my mind, that's a great line. Yeah, I didn't say that to him. It's passionate. I didn't say it to him. I was like, oh, man, I should have said that. But it is what it is.

And then you went to train at the PI. Yeah, yeah. I viewed that as a good sign as well, that they were cool with you sticking around and training. How did that come about? Did you just ask or? No, I just knew some people that are in the UFC. Okay.

And they put me down as their guest training with them. Oh, okay. I didn't know that you could do that. So people who are outside of the UFC could just come if you're a guest of someone. Well, no, no, no, no, no. You have to be there specifically with. Oh, I got you. It's hard.

It's very hard to get in. But someone there wanted me for training. Gotcha. So I helped out. Okay. And what did you think of it? I thought it was, I thought it was a beautiful facility. Yeah. Impressive, right?

Yeah. Yeah. So then you're there for two days. You actually get on a plane to go back home to Connecticut without hearing from him. Yeah. Were you bummed? No, I had an early flight. I was, you know, I got a coffee and I got on the phone. I mean, I got on the plane and I was like, hopefully I hear something when I land.

Okay. And then as soon as I landed, because it's a long flight. Yeah. So you land and then it had already been out there? Or did the news break or is he was looking to speak to you? Dana was. No, no, no, the news didn't break. Okay.

So he called me and talked to me. And what was that like? It was cool. I was like on a shuttle going to my car off the airport. So I was like, yes, yeah, thank you. It was super quick. Yeah, I kept it because I didn't want to like be weird because there's all these people looking at me. Okay, okay, okay.

But also, it was good. And then I was like, oh, I can't tell anyone really because they probably want to break it. So I called my wife, and then obviously I call my family and my coaches, and I was like, don't tell anyone. And then by the time I got home, my phone was like... Exploded? Yeah, and I was like, oh, they've already released it. Yeah. Did you get emotional?

No, not yet, because, you know, the thing is, I like that I have the clear path. That's what I wanted. But I want to make that walk, and I want to win in the UFC. Just getting there is not enough. and I'm not even there yet. I still have to win on the contender series and I have to do so impressively. So, you know, I still have my work cut out for me.

When I get that win in there, that will be a different story. I can't tell you how I feel. Yeah. I can't tell you how I react, you know, but what I do know is that I've always been focused and just getting there is not enough. Winning is everything because I've, well,

I've lost so many times in my life with wrestling and competing in other things that it means so much more to me to the value of hard work. I went from a kid that lost his first 17 wrestling matches. And then

during the summer, I was like, oh, I still like wrestling. I wasn't okay with being bad. And I just trained, train, train, train. And then I started beating everyone. Then I set state records, you know, in wrestling. I won 53 matches my senior year. Wow. And I won... That was a record.

Yeah, that was a record. I think it's since been broken, but I had it. I tied it. Wow. And, you know, I've never been afraid of a challenge. When I was in college, I wrestled in college. I won matches. I used to bump up all the time because my coach knew that.

I didn't care. I won matches at 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, and 197. Whoa. Because I would, I just, I just, I'm just a competitive guy, and I like the challenge. and the challenge of fighting in the UFC is something that I set my goals on, or my eyes on a long time ago. And I know that I'm going to make it happen because I know I appreciate the value of hard work coming from that guy that was 0-1-17 to a 14-1 pro fighter that won a world title

and a challenge for another, you know. So I know victory, I know defeat, and I appreciate the value of hard work. So I'm going to make this happen. So that year when you went for 17, you didn't win one. No, no, no, no, I ended up, I was 103 pounds. Okay. So, 103 pounds. How old were you?

I was 14. Okay. So I went, I ended up winning two matches. So I went two and 22, but I was actually 8 and 22 because I got six four-fits. Because they didn't have anyone that small. Oh, really? So my official record was 8 and 22, but my real record was 2 and 22. And you were not deterred.

No, I kind of, it made me. me mad that I was like that I was you know not that good so my next year I went um I went I think 24 and 12 okay you know my next year because I worked yeah big difference and then my senior year I was like 53 and and 8 and I probably could have had the record if I didn't bump up to to face tougher guys you know you know I mean like you never had it as a 14 year old you never went home crying Like, man, I can't win. 17 in a row. That has to do something to your confidence, no?

Did nothing? No, I was not. No. Trust me, I cried a lot. Oh, okay. Wow. I just did it alone. Okay.

So, like, and your family, they didn't tell you, like, maybe you should try something else. Maybe this is for you? No, no, no, no. My family has always been supportive of me, and they've always been super tough on, like, learn the hard way. Sometimes you got to learn the hard way. So, you know, I appreciate that. They didn't coddle you. No, I've never.

been coddle. They never been like, oh, you only have one hand. You shouldn't do this. Like, go do it. Go get hurt. Try things. Be a boy. Go play in the mud. Get in a, you know, if you're getting into a fight, you get into a fight type attitude. And it kind of paid off for me. When you met on Monday, did he ever throw out the idea, you know, maybe I'll have you on Contender Series or when he offered you that on Wednesday, was that the first you had heard of that idea? No, no, no, it was something that was in... It was in disgust.

Yeah. Okay. Now, see, once the news came out, I think everyone was happy for you, but then it became a debate, should you be on Contender Series? Are you above the Contender Series? Should you be in the UFC? You've done enough. You've been around long enough.

Were you initially bummed that you couldn't get right in? Like so many... Like, if you're Joe Schmoe with a, what is it, 17 and 1 record? 14 and 1. 14 and 1. You're probably getting in. you know, how did you take the news? Yeah, I mean, especially considering the people that I beat, you know, my, you know, the records of the guys I beat, I see a lot of guys get in beating guys with not as good records.

What's the combined record? Do you remember off top of your head of your opponents? It was a lot. Yeah. It was like, yeah, 70, they had like a 70% win percentage. So, like, say my average opponent is like 7 and 3 or something. Yeah, yeah. You know? So.

it's whatever. If I have to fight to get in there, I look at what it did for someone like Sean O'Malley to build his star power, and I think that I can kind of make that happen too. I bring a lot of viewers to think people pay attention to me when I fight

so I can bring people into this new show. And you know, I just want to get into the UFC. And if they want to use me for this to build this show, then I'll do it. You know, it's not my company, it's their vision, so they can do whatever they want in regards to that.

Do I think I belong in the UFC now? If they gave me the option to do either or, which one would I take? Obviously, I just go straight in. But if I have to do this, that's fine. That's fine. It doesn't matter to me. And the opponent doesn't matter to me,

and nothing matters to me in regards to that. The only thing that matters is that I have a path to get to where I want to go, and that's fine. It's no more fighting on a random card for a random organization and now I have to make noise. They're hitching their wagging to you. You know that they're interested. You know that they're interested in doing business. You just have to perform now. That's the way you're taking it. Absolutely. Have you been told that if you win this fight that you'll get in? Like it's one and you're in? I'd imagine that the chances are are pretty high. Okay. You know.

Have you been explicitly told that? No, I haven't. I haven't been told. anything. But I know that if I if I win and I win impressively, probably especially if I get the finish, which I've been known to do, 11 out of 14 fights, first round, that I can, that I will get the call. I'm confident. And when I fight and when I finish fights is usually

something crazy or something impressive or you know, I've had a few good showing. So I'm confident that I'm that bonus guy. You know, I'm the guy that when I get there, I'm going to win a lot of bonuses because I go out there to actually fight. I go out to win, and some people fight to not lose. But to me, I'm doing this. I have so many things in my life I can do and so many things that I'm good at if I put my mind to it.

Fighting is something I enjoy. So I love winning. I work so hard, and I will give everything I have to get that win. But I don't feel any pressure. I don't feel the weight of what will people think, what will people say if it doesn't happen. So I can go out there and compete up my best and have fun doing it.

Did you always have that mindset or did you have to get over that? Like not feeling that. Because it feels like everyone feels that pressure on your behalf. Everyone brings it up like, oh, what happens of this? I believe you 100% when you say that. Were you always that way or did you have to develop that? Definitely developed it. Like early in your career, did you feel that way?

No, I felt a lot of pressure. So my first amateur fight, I felt like a lot of pressure. I was like, man, you know, not a lot of people are out here doing this. Like, I'm doing it. And there was a kickboxer, Baxter Humby that I looked up to, and he was a world champion kickboxer. And I still look up to him. He's awesome, you know, and I met with him before.

And I could see this guy's kind of like relaxed, kind of carefree, you know, but I still didn't have that. I was like, fired up, you know. And I lost a decision in my first amateur fight. and then I was like, whatever, I don't even care, you know, it's fine. My life is still good outside of it, you know, all the people, you just look at when you fight, all the people that you, that are your teammates or that you root for, when they lose, if they go out and they give it, they're all, you don't care, you know, you're like,

it's still the same person. And this attitude has allowed me to become a better fighter and to become a world-class fighter. And I'm in there to win, you know, but I just don't feel, and I just, don't. I don't feel any pressure because I have a good life outside of fighting. So this is just like building on top of the, this is like, I keep putting cherries on the Sunday. And I'm ready to show that what I'm capable of. I didn't work 17 years to go out here and get my ass kicked. It's just, I just don't see it happening. I don't. And I'm realistic that people are dangerous and there's always dangers when you fight.

But from a strategic standpoint and a technique standpoint, I always try to stay one step ahead. Do you know who you're fighting yet? No idea. Do you know what date? No idea. Probably in the summer, right? Because that's when it returns.

Yeah, summer's day. That's what you're shooting for? Yeah. Do you start to train at this point or do you kind of wait for the opponent and then you go full steam ahead? Come on. What did I just tell you? Yeah, you're always.

I'm always training. I'm always training. Yeah, I'm always training. Okay. There's obviously things. that I have to change when I have a fight camp. I say my diet. My diet is that I eat the same things.

It's just when I have a fight, I don't eat them on bread. So I like sandwiches. So I'll switch over to salads when I have a fight camp coming up. And obviously, if something's bothering me and I have something like, oh, like I'm sore today,

I'll take a day off, take a day off every once in a while. You know, when I have a fight camp, I push through it. So it's good. And will it be 155? 155. Yeah.

amazing about this is that you walked away from the sport. You came back. You had the victory recently. But this, you know, like, you were done, right? You walked away. You were moving on. You were happy. You got married. You have the gym. I would imagine this was the single reason why you came back. You didn't come back with all due respect to LFA or PFL or any of these organizations. You didn't come back to fight for them. You wanted to realize this dream. This was the reason why you came back. And it took you one fight to get in this position with that path. Right? Yeah. Yeah. It's great. Is it amazing? Yeah, yeah.

I know you can't celebrate, but now you have something in your hands. You have something that you've never had before. You have the meeting. You have the okay. You have that if you win, you're in. You know what I mean? Like it just feels like you took that break and obviously this doesn't happen if you take the break. Now you come back.

You have one victory, which was so important, right? Because if that fight goes haywire, you probably aren't meeting with Dana. Yeah, this happens. So I don't know. Maybe that reset and that perspective and taking that time off. allowed the clouds to open up. It's just, I don't know, it's just funny because you wanted it so bad the first run,

it just seems weird that the little break and then the one fight back opened things up for you. Maybe I'm not verbalizing that correctly, but it's fine, it was fine. I spent the time taking, taking, still improving my technique. It's not like I stopped.

No, I know, I know you weren't eating potato chips. Yeah. Every once in a while, but, you know, I took this time and my coaches, I love my coaches for this reason. They would never tell me, Nick, you should come back, you should fight again, because they only want me to do it if I really want to do it.

And I had one of my friends who's in the UFC now, a fighter Matt Bissette, he would always send me messages. Like, Nick, just come back, just fight again, come on, come on, fight again. And he'd like messaged me like literally all the time. And I was like, man, I got some other stuff going on. Like, I'm still working hard, getting better. And then I finally decided, not because of him, just because of me, that I wanted to fight again.

And then when I went to my coach, it's like, hey, guys, I want a fight again. They were like, yes. You know, they were pumped up because they wouldn't tell me, but they wanted me. They wanted me to say it and to know that I'm ready. And I'm at a different level than I was when I left. I'm better. Because when you have a fight, you're just worried about getting in shape. When you don't have a fight, that's when you make your most improvements.

So I spent like two years just getting better and just improving the things that I thought were wrong and the things I wanted to fix and focusing, organizing my life. outside of fighting so when I'm done I have something to fall back on which is my gym in west haven in Connecticut if anyone wants to check it out fighting arts academy ct yes and uh and everything's good there you know I have I have a great crew of guys there I have one guy that's knocking on the door of the the big show as well this guy Justin Sumpter he's a middleweight scary man okay very very very talented very very talented and uh you know things are just going fantastic for me in that right.

So I was like, you know what? I got to fight again. And I got to show my students and everyone. And I got to do it for me as well. You've always said the right things about this, even up until this point. And like I said, now it feels like you almost control your own destiny. When you're 85, if you never got this opportunity to control your own destiny again, I know you're not in, but you can now, it feels like you have the joystick and you could do,

do you feel like you would have regretted it, not flying to Vegas, not. not getting that sit down because it even seemed like, you know, back in the initial run, you were at peace, you know, K-Sara-Sera, you wanted to get to the UFC, but you weren't going to blow your brains out if it never happened. Do you feel like in 80 years you would have regretted it if you never did everything in your power to at least control your own destiny? Yeah, I wouldn't have regret it if I never got in. But at least did everything you could. Yeah, the past year or so, I've been like, I'm not doing everything I could to make this happen.

You know, I was thinking to myself, like, I got to do this again. I got to start again. I still have it, and I'm better than I was before, and I'm better than these guys that are out there making names for themselves winning. And whether anyone else that's watching or listening believes it or not, it doesn't matter because I believe it, my team believes it,

and people that have been in the business and seen fighting and no fighting believe it. So I had to do it for myself, you know, and I'm glad that I did. Did you have an epiphany, or was it like a gradual thing where you said I need to do whatever I can? It wasn't like I just like woke up one day.

Okay. I was like, wow, I can't do this. You know, I always missed it. I missed it as soon as I left, but I was, I was frustrated. Yeah. And it was, it seemed like the cards were against me then, you know, and I had a little, I had a moment where I got overwhelmed. And one thing I always pride myself on is being very mentally strong, like next level

mentally strong. And I felt mentally weak at this moment. And I felt defiant. defeated, you know. Was that the Gachee fight? No, no, no, no, no. After? Yeah, after that.

What did you feel overwhelmed about? I was just kind of just run down between injuries and little things like that. So I knew I needed to take some time to kind of focus on myself and my life. And I was worried about what would my life be if I got hurt and stuff like that. So I need to set up everything outside of that. And I have that. So I'm like doing amazing right now. my life is like awesome.

Like totally, obviously everything's not perfect, but everything is in line now for me to make a run in the O.C. What is it like when, because I know you're on social media and I know you talk about this, like even when this news come out, you have people weighing in and saying what you can and can't do and what it's going to look like. What does that like to constantly,

do you read your mentions at this point? Because I know you get support, but I'm sure some of the things you get are completely assidying. Like people that their lives do not change one, iota based on your success or failure, and yet they are so passionate about why you can't do something. And they've never lived in your shoes. They never walked in your shoes.

They have no idea. And yet they have such strong opinions on why you can't do this. What does that like to read it? Yeah, I mean, at this point, it makes me laugh. At first, like, I used to get mad. I used to be like, why are they saying this? Like, don't they understand? Like, you know, now I laugh.

Like, a lot of it's funny to me. but those that say it can't be done shouldn't interrupt the person doing it is certainly something that I've heard somewhere, I don't know who said it, but I live by it, you know? And it's funny. It's gotten

to the point where people like make things up about me. They're like, he's only fought guys with horrible records, losing records, and I'm like, do you even look? People are like, oh, he can't grapple. He only has one hand. It's like, I'm one of the best grapplers out there. It's like, you're being silly right now.

Why do you think people are so defensive when it comes to this? It's hard to understand people. It almost exposes insecurities about themselves when they say that you can't. And I could see it. And you know that that's, to me, the biggest crime in all of this. I mentioned it last week. If you get, like, every single person, look at that guy. That guy's Anderson Silva.

He got caught. No one said it was because of that. Of course, he was clowning around that day. But every single guy, Ronda Rousey here, she got caught, right? but if you get caught, if you get a teep to the face like Vitor Belfort did, if you get a spinning, people be like, oh, it's because, but it had nothing to do with it. And that to me is the thing that bothers me the most, you've done enough to prove yourself, you've done enough that you can hang in there. They say, can he be top five guys? Well, all the other guys that they're signing every day,

can Israel Adasania be top five guys? We don't know. We're going to find out, maybe. Why can't we find out with you? Why does it have to go from getting signed all the way to beating a top five guy? That's the thing I don't understand. Yeah, people... It drives me nuts. To me, what I'm doing is not that crazy. To someone that has a winning mindset and is a competitor, overcoming the obstacles and going past things isn't that crazy of an idea.

To me, I don't think that my road is any harder than anyone else's. You never heard me say, look at me, I only have one hand, look at what I'm doing, and you should pay attention to me. I worked harder than everyone else. All I said was that I work hard. Yeah. I didn't say I worked hard. than anyone else.

And I didn't say that my journey is harder than anyone else. And I feel like I have fans because people can relate to me because they're going through something. They're going through problems of their own. And they're like, wow. Like if this guy can do it, I can do it. Because mine's visual. You can see it.

You can't see a lot of things that people go through. But other people deal with their problems different. They can't do something and they look at someone that's doing it and they get mad and they get angry because they can never fathom doing what I do. or doing something that someone successful went out of their way so much to make it happen. And I think that's why people act the way they do and say things about me. Like people that just go off on me. And it's like, don't you like, what's, I want to ask them.

Like, I want to be like, hey, are you okay? Like, what's wrong with your life? Like, what makes you not like me so much? Like, are you okay? You know? And it doesn't really make me that. mad and I know that people get caught and people lose because I lost you know um and my one fight that I lost people would say oh no one's going to watch him fight again after he loses

and and guess what like my next fight when I fought after I fought uh I won everyone left and they were begging them to come back come back and watch the the main event come back and and we have a really good main event but the people they came to see me you know and because they know that that I always come to fight and I put on a show and I feel like people can relate to me and and not because I have one hand but it's because they look and they see my struggle I literally wear it on my sleeve or lack thereof and people can relate that because everyone has something going on in their life that they have to overcome that's tough and and and they really have to battle with every single day you know it's just that you can see mine yeah for a few years now I was calling you

Mr. Must see TV because I am transfixed. I'm mesmerized when I'm watching you because you are accomplishing something, A, that I can ever fathom. That's fight in a cage. Like I can't even dream of doing that. The thought of me going in a cage, someone locking a door to me is just unfathomable. I do not possess that in my body. And then to do it as you are doing it, it's like the greatest theater in the world.

And it's not just doing it. You're succeeding. And you're not just succeeding and squeaking by. You're winning more often than not in the first round. So I can't imagine why a promoter wouldn't want to be in business with you And I think it's a great idea To put you on Contender Series

Because look, let's be honest Dana White is personally invested in the Contender Series If they put you in the UFC They're going to put you on the fight past prelims On some fight night in Idaho And no one's watching that And he's not even in attendance

But now he is attaching his name to you And you know that when he gets excited about something And look, if he sees the dollar sign He's getting more excited Let's be honest, he's a promoter That's not a bad thing That's his job. He's a businessman.

He wants you have something that he wants and he has something that you want. He has the UFC dream and he has a show that he wants you to help prop up, right? So it feels like it's a nice little partnership going on here. That's the way I view it. I know it's not UFC just yet, but I kind of feel like this is a nice little compromise. And I don't think it's an indictment on your talent or your record or your skill that they didn't put you in the UFC because anyone who says that doesn't understand what the contender series means to the, UFC right now and to Dana White. This is the heir apparent to tough. Tough most likely is going

away. This is their next thing. And he wants this to succeed. Now he just got a guy who's headlined the show on NBC on that thing. It's not just the play. It's a little weird. I must say that Greg Hardy's on the thing. And it's like one of these things is not like the other. That to me is a little freaky. But I understand why he's putting Greg Hardy on there as well. Right. So I wouldn't take it as an insult. I know you're not. But I would just say that to other people who are being insulted on your behalf that there's there's a method to the madness in my opinion um i mentioned this to you when you were on the show uh two times ago and i'm wondering if you saw now chiquim griffin got drafted oh yes you see that now you know right isn't that amazing did you see that clip when they called them no i didn't i feel

like a bad i feel like a bad uh one-handed community supporter it's just a beautiful thing because uh the the the seahawks called them and pete carroll the head coach was on the phone and you you don't see him, but you hear him, you hear his voice. And he kept saying, I can't breathe. I can't breathe. And he was obviously crying. And it was just a beautiful thing. And for this to happen, like two days remove of you getting this nice piece of news. I know it's not the NFL, you know, in your world. That's amazing. I feel like there's, there's just you, you know, you, him, you're proving to people that if you put your mind to something, you know, there's, there's no excuses. Anything can be done. I just thought it was nice. The timing was incredible. Definitely. I've been following

that guy. Isn't it remarkable to see what he does? Yeah, and I was like, oh, he can, like, I was trying to think about how I'm going to start bench pressing, because I do other stuff. I use like a towel and resistance with my trainer. Okay. And I have other ways that I figured

out how to do that, and obviously, we're in a little different, his arm's a little bit longer than mine, so it matches up a little bit better. Okay. But definitely impressed by what he does and just the attitude, you know, don't take no for an answer and keep fighting for what you believe in, and he's impressed. and I obviously root for him.

Yeah. You know, so I don't know. I guess I'm a Seahawks fan now. Hell yeah, I would be too. Because of that. So it's awesome. And I hope that guy keeps going up the ranks and makes the big bucks. You know, I don't pay attention to that world as much as our world.

But I don't, you know, I would argue that football is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous than fighting. You know, like with the constant head trauma and you're running into people. And like, no one bats an eye at him. You know what I mean? He's in a pretty damn physical sport as well, right? Yeah, yeah. So he's getting the benefit of the doubt. I feel like, I don't know, I feel like you deserve it as well.

I saw an amazing clip of him. He was on an ESPN show called Get Up and they were in the green room and there was a young girl there who also was a congenital amputee. And she asked him, what did you use to tell people when you were a kid? And she was with his dad and he said that a shark bit off his arm and she says, that's what I tell people. Now, did you used to say that as well? Is that something that? No, I saw Aladdin when I was a kid. Okay. And I said, I got caught stealing.

Oh, is that what happens in Atlanta? I forgot. Didn't he try to chop off his arm in Aladdin? And he's like, ooh, too slow when he takes off. That's right. You really told people that? Well, yeah, of course I did. Did they believe it? They're like, whoa.

And they don't even see that I have, like, little fingers. They must say you're a badass. That's good for street cred. With the chicks? Obviously, I don't need street cred. Right, that's right. It was just amazing to see them both use the same excuse. Yeah, I know a lot of people use that one.

The shark one? Yeah, yeah. I feel like I've asked you this before and maybe I, or maybe I haven't, but have you ever done motivational speaking? Like just what you were saying before about, you know, going out and putting your mind to think, like, have you ever, have you ever done that? Well, I mean, a large scale. Whenever, whenever I have a chance, if I'm not busy.

Yeah. If I go and I speak to kids, every year they have an event in Boston. I don't miss it any year. And it's a lot of the same people. It's called Helping Hands. Okay. And I've done that every year and I go speak to kids. And I've flown out to multiple places and done multiple things.

And I've worked with a lot of organizations. You know, one of them sponsors me. It's called Lucky Finn. They sponsor me. And then, but I'll help out any. way I can. So no matter what it is, if it's helping kids, I try to do what I can. Another organization hit me up about coming out and I really want to, but I think I might conflict with my schedule with the fight. So I kind of got to figure out when I fight first before I can do that, but I always

kind of go out of my way because when I was a kid, I met Jim Abbott. Yes. And when you're growing up, like when I was growing up, their computers weren't like they were. now. A lot of the time, parents reach out to me all the time, and I message them back when I can. Sometimes it's like after my fight or after like this thing, I get so many messages that someone would come through the cracks,

but back then there was nothing like that. You couldn't email people. You gotta send a letter, and my grandparents took me and I met Jim Abbott and it changed my life. I was like, this is the guy. Wow. You know, like, this guy is like doing it. You know, this is like me. This guy's like me. I never saw anyone or met anyone like me until I met him. And after I met him, I didn't meet anyone like me till maybe I was,

I don't know, like 24, 25. Wow. Where? Or actually, no, I met with Baxter when I was 21. And then after that, I didn't meet like anyone like me for years until I got invited to this event in Boston. And now I go every year. Okay. So it kind of changed my life. So I'm like, why would I not do that for someone else? Because you never know. And I don't care if they want to be a fighter. I don't care what they want to do. It's like everyone has different goals, you know.

Obviously, Jim Abbott played baseball. I don't play baseball. I played baseball because of Jim Abbott. Really? Strictly because of him? Yeah, I was like, this guy's awesome. I got to do this. How old were you when you met him?

Young. I was like maybe five years old. Oh, really? And how did your grandparents introduce you? It was like a Yankee fan day they took me to. Wow. And then obviously one day, yeah, I was there at a game. He came out of the dugout and said hi to me, the bullpen.

You know, so it was... Do you have a conversation with him? I mean, what am I going to say? I'm five years old. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you recall actually interacting with him or saying something to you? I kind of like vaguely. Like, I don't remember the things he said.

I just remember that. I met him, and it met a lot to me. And then years later, after my WSOF debut, he sent me a message, and we met up and we had dinner. Oh, really? Yeah, and my friend came that had a camera and he recorded like an interview for like the mentality. So if you look up, Nicknwell Jim Abbott on YouTube, you can find it. Wow. Yeah, you can find a video of us like just kind of.

He reached out to you. Yeah, he reached out to me. And did he remember that he? No, no. Did you tell him the story? Yeah, of course. That's amazing. And it's like, here's the thing.

If you're, if you're me and him, you know, like now you can't remember absolutely every single person that you meet that has. one hand and it's a little easier for me now because of social media. So, like, you know, people constantly message me and stuff. I'll be like, oh, it's this person again. Yeah. You know, like, oh, very cool. Thank you. But then it was like you're always on the road.

You're coming and going and all these people random because he was like the only guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then he threw a no-hitter. Remember that? Yeah, I think this was after the no-hitter. Okay, when you met him? Yeah. Oh, wow.

So it was that long ago, huh? Jeez. you were young how old are you I'm 32 32 I'm wondering did he reach out to you did he hear about this news

I think he gave me a tweet I think I got a tweet damn Jim Evan I think I got a tweet legend it was another guy like you just couldn't help but watch him

because what he was doing was just was just so inspiring and then when he threw the no-hitter I remember that I remember that vividly do you have people that have been following you for a long time

that now I've reached out to and saying like go get him you're going to do you know do you know are there just fans that continue to support you? Oh, I remember my hard course. Yeah, I remember. There are some. Yeah, you know, obviously, there's a lot of people that support me now and anyone that supports me, no matter when you come along, if you support me, I thank you and I appreciate it because if you didn't have fans, then there would be no, there would be no sport. If there were no fans,

you wouldn't be sitting here, I wouldn't be sitting here, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing because the fans pay for athletes to do, and they take their hard-earned money that they work all day doing whatever it is they do at work, and they spend it to watch you do what you do. So I appreciate any fan that comes along. But I do remember the ones that were following me when I was even on the local circuit.

Day oneers, as they say, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So if, and I don't forget that. So, like, if someone was by me then, you know, they're still by me now. I'm still friends with them. I still talk with them. I don't, you know, like, oh, no, if I fight, I get to be in the U.S.C. I'm not the type of guy.

First off, I have to win this fight. Sure. So I haven't really done anything yet except get the opportunity. But I appreciate people that appreciate me and give me a chance because it's something that I fought so hard for is to get this chance. And the people that believe in me and back me up made it possible, no matter what level. it's at, no matter how low or high of a level or how much influence you have, every little bit of influence, every tweet, every Facebook post, Instagram post, whatever, any video that anyone has ever said supporting me, I appreciate. And I do pay attention to a lot of stuff, you know.

I don't take things personally if it's bad, but the good stuff, I do, I do take the good stuff personally because it makes me feel good about myself that these people see the things that I've always believed and and even at moments when I've doubted myself I've had people that believe in me and say these things so it's good and I do remember the people that have always been by me I appreciate how level-headed you are about all this because I feel like the one thing that's maybe annoying to you is maybe people saying congratulations and you're like there's nothing to congratulate I haven't realized my dream right yeah I have probably the most that you have to keep correcting people about that?

Yeah. Like me? No, no, no, it's cool. I'm trying to celebrate it. No, because you believe in me. Because you believe in me, and you've always believed in me, and you had me on your show early on, and I can tell, and the things you said, you haven't had to say those things about me, you know, and you and you and Luke and everyone in this whole, you know, the

MMA fighting has my back, and because you realize, you've seen. real fighters and you've seen what people are capable of and you know who's real and who's fake. And you guys know that I'm the real deal. So it's, uh, it means a lot to me because it's like when people start talking about little things now, they're saying about how my foot works good or how I'm good at this or that. And it's like, I've known this. I'm glad that people are realizing it. I don't need the pat on the back, but it certainly, it certainly feels good to have people

coming along and kind of seeing the things that my coaches and I have known for years. At this point, any concerns that any commission won't license you? Because I remember that being a thing a couple years ago. Yeah, that was just something, people, people, you know, people. But the commissions, no... Nevada, I'm assuming this fight will be in Nevada, right? Yeah, I've already been licensed in Nevada. Yeah, you're good.

Yeah. And you don't think any commission will bat an eye here. I mean, I guess I could just go fight somewhere else. There's a lot of commissions. I've done, I've been licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, California, Nevada, did I say Tennessee? I fought in Canada, you know,

so I don't see what the big, why wouldn't you license me? Sure. You know, I'm good, I wear a glove, I don't ask for any special rules, and with this arm I just hit with the elbow. Yeah, like anyone else. Yeah, just like anyone else. So, I mean, you know, people say, oh, you shouldn't hit with a small arm. Like, okay, then, like, I guess, like, no elbows.

Right. You know, like, all I'm doing is elbow and just like anyone else. I did not watch a single episode of Contender Series last year. It was kind of in the midst of the whole Maywe and the McGregor thing. And there was just a lot going on. And at times, I feel like there's too much MMA on TV. I don't care what I'm doing. I will be watching.

Whenever that date is, you don't need to hear it from me or anyone else. else, but everyone is very proud of you that you didn't give up on your dream. There's a lesson to be learned here. And I think everyone who's been following you for a long time knows that you should have been in the UFC a long time ago. It's cool. Like you said, you've been waiting. It's going to be a great moment. And of course, you have to win the fight and anything can happen in a fight, but I do wish you the best. We don't root for people here. We're not supposed to, you know, but I am a human being and I have no problem saying that I'm rooting for your success. I want you to, you know, go out there and do your thing and screw the hater,

screw the doubters, don't do it for them, do it for everyone who has supported you, you know, and has known for a long time. So I really think Dana White deserves a lot of credit for even giving you this opportunity. And I feel like you're going to, you're going to prove them right. So this is really cool.

Well done. Way to prove that, you know, if you have a dream, go out there and do it and follow it and don't take no for an answer. And I can't wait. Let us know when it is when the actual... Yeah. I'll let you know when it is.

I can't wait, man. When I know when it is. Yes. And then when I get the okay to start telling people. Of course, you don't want to piss anyone off. Yeah. But yeah, I mean, honestly, you know everything that I know. You might even know more than me right now.

But all I know is that I'm getting ready and I'm training. And I'm surprised you gave me an interview this long. I think this is my longest one that I'm at. Are you bored? Are you bored? Do you want to leave? No, no, no. I'm good.

You guys had some good snacks out there. Okay, perfect. I might grab a few of those. Take as many as you want. Take as many. Thank you so much. I'm really happy for you. Congratulations. And yeah, good luck in training.

And, of course, good luck in the fight. I'm sure we'll be talking before and after as well. Thank you. Awesome. There's Joe. He's going to walk you out. Thank you so much. The notorious Nick Newell.

What a story. If you have not seen him fight, you are missing out. If you have not seen him fight or if you have, be sure to check out Dana White's Tuesday night contender series. We don't know exactly when he will debut. But something tells me it will be later on this summer, perhaps in June, perhaps in July. They have not confirmed the date just yet. They haven't confirmed the opponent.

But let me tell you something. If you ever have had a dream, if you have ever believed in something, if anyone has ever told you that you can't do something, that you can't go out there and achieve your goals, that man is living proof that taking no for an answer is not the right path. That man has heard no many a times. And here he is in a very difficult sport, a very dangerous sport. he is succeeding and he is thriving and he's not just doing it as I said you know by the skin of his teeth he is dominating and I am I am I am really happy that the UFC has given him this

opportunity and yes make no mistake it is not UFC Fight Night 124 but it's a massive step it is a massive step towards realizing his goal how cool is that what a great story and congratulations to him and look as I said on Twitter I know he is a polarizing figure in this sport, but you have to give Ali Abdel-Aziz, his manager, his new manager, a lot of credit because he could not get that face-to-face meeting for many years. Signs with Ali, he gets the meeting and he gets the deal done. So we could talk about his past. We could talk about rumors. We could talk about stories. We could talk about, you know, incidents, being boisterous, being, you know, a little too loud, talking smack to it. There's a lot that you can say.

But as far as this particular story is concerned, you have to give the man credit for getting the job done for making the deal and for allowing Nick to now control his own destiny. That's a big feather in his cap. So a really nice story that unfolded last week. And I'm really looking forward to watching him debut later on this summer. All right, let us move along now. Let's go to another fascinating story. I'm really excited about this next interview. as I said at the top, John Gotti the 3rd, now 1 in mixed martial arts.

He returns to action on May 4th for CES. That will air live on YouTube. If you are unfamiliar with the family name, if you are unfamiliar with his grandfather, with his father, I would be pretty shocked. But one of the most infamous last names in the history of the United States, It's certainly New York City, and this is pretty cool to see his grandson. John Gotti, senior's grandson now competing in mixed martial arts and doing well in his debut

several months back. In fact, on what would have been his grandfather's, I do believe, 77th birthday. Now he returns for his second fight on Friday. He is joining us on the phone right now. We're talking to John Gotti III. John, how are you? I'm doing great, Ariel. How are you doing?

I'm doing really well. and, you know, folks may not know. This is actually the second time that we've had a chance to speak. I was walking down the street. I believe it was around last May, and you got out of a cab and introduced yourself to me.

I noted it on Twitter. You said, I'm John Gotti's grandson, and I'm going to try out MMA. And I couldn't believe it. I was so excited to me. I had no idea that John Gotti had a grandson who was, you know, exploring a path in mixed martial arts.

Now here you are one in OMA. Do you remember that? Yeah, I remember it. It was happening by chance. I was going to a different location for something with my brother. And not even near the place that I was supposed to be at. I recognize you because I've been a fan of M.A. for many years. And I told my brother, I said, it's Ariel Hwani.

You know, it's a big M.M.A. you know, journalist that I recognize. He said, no, I know what it is, and I said it is. So I said, let's get out real quick, and let's go say hello. So we get out, and then that was it. So it was by chance that we ran into that day, and it was totally, totally unexpected. At the time, had you competed yet on the... the amateur level? Yeah, I had a five and one record at that time in the amateurs,

and I was getting ready. I told you to make my pro debut a couple of months later, and it happened in October. So in the end, how many amateur fights did you have? Six. And, you know, typically we've seen some people, they just skip the amateur system. They go right into the pro ranks.

Why did you stick around for six amateur fights? Why did you feel like that was important? My whole team felt as important, as did I, you know, just getting in the cage and getting the feel for things and seeing different opponents and getting adjusted different weight cuts and whatnot and just sharpening up my all-around game. You know, it was necessary to take these steps before going pro

because it's a big step up once you go pro. You know, the rounds become five-minute rounds. The rule set changes. The caliber of opponent changes. Everybody in the pro game is game now. Even if they have a losing record, you know, their game, they're coming to fight. So it was necessary to me to mature and to grow.

You mentioned that you have been an MMA fan for a long time, How did you become a fan? Who introduced you to the sport? I became a fan years ago. I was about 8th grade. My father had come home from prison, and he had told me about a fight that was going to be on. Chuck LaDelle versus Randy Couture. I didn't know much about him at that time. So just to bond with him, I wanted to watch the fight. So I tuned into the fight that night, and ever since that night, I became hooked.

You know, then I came across a Quentin Rampage Jackson highlight of him. that power bomb with Ricardo Arona. Wow, yeah. And ever since I've seen that clip, I just became hooked. He was the first, really, who got me into the sport. I became hooked on him, and I just became hooked on the sport. You know, it's a great sport. You know, it takes a tremendous amount of discipline and skill and courage to do this.

So I just love it. It's one thing to be hooked on it, to be a fan. It's another to actually, you know, want to make it your living and to go down this road as far as your career is concerned. When did you decide that this was something you wanted to pursue? One way or another, I always felt that I was going to get, I was going to go down this road. You know, I always felt that, I don't know if I was,

this was the path that I was going to take, and this was what I was going to do. I was always competitive my whole life. In sports, I played football growing up, I boxed as a kid. You know, I was always in the gym, training, lifting weights. So I felt that, you know, around four and a half years ago or so that take this on,

a full blast. And, you know, for me, this type of lifestyle, as a type of lifestyle belonging, you know, I have to be in the gym. I like the training. I like the eating a certain way. The discipline it takes to do this. So that's really what brought me to the, you know, to the sport. I know you're very close with your father. What did you, or what did he say to you when you said you wanted to pursue this? Well, you want me to answer? He's right here next to me. Wow. How are you, sir? Great. How about yourself, Eric?

I'm doing great. Wow, it's very nice to have you on the program. Thank you very much, and congrats to your son on his success thus far. So let me ask you, what did you think when your son told you he wanted to pursue this? First off, it's an honor and a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you. I'll tell you, I remember

it was yesterday. It's actually not four and a half years. It's four years ago, May. And my son had come to my office and dad, I want to enroll in Belmore kickboxing, and I want to take up the sport of MMA. I want to do it on the amateur level. So what I had said, was it good

He'll keep him out of trouble, give him some structure I said, let me know what the gym course are And just go ahead, have a good time, knock yourself out About three months later He comes to me and says, Dad, how many tickets you want for the fight? I said, what fight? He says, oh, I have my first how much MMA fight He says, you know, I've been doing how much MMA?

I said, yeah, but they're making your fight? He says, yeah, that's the whole idea. The whole idea is to eventually evolve the fight. I said, okay, John, give me 50 seats, we'll be there. P.S., I take the 50 seats And the night of the fight, I'm saying I'm convincing myself because I boxed

The Amateurs in Military Academy And I'm saying to myself Well, they probably got this big, you know, fluffy head gear on These 16-ounce gloves like I used When I was in the Amateur in high school When I got there, what a rude awakening What a root awakening I mean, it was basically pro-rules

Amateur were pro rules Three-minute rounds only That was really the only difference And to watch And the kid that John was fighting Was a tough kid named Henry Mills He can eat an apple off of John's head. He had to be six feet, six foot four. So to watch this fight and watch these

guys go back and forth. And I basically wanted to throw up all over myself. I was getting physically sick. And my son after the fight, he wanted to split decision. And he came to me afterwards and I tried to dissuade him from doing this, but my son says toughen up. He says, you got to toughen up. I love this. This is what I want to do. And I stand by him. Wow. And since then, you do not stand in his way. No, no, absolutely not. Because let me tell you something. When your son tells you that this is the happiest I've ever been in my life, this is my dream, then you do whatever you have to do to support it. Now, how should I, John the 3rd, just so I make sure I'm addressing to the right person here,

I know you don't, you don't really want to, you have a very famous last name. There's no beating around the bush, but you don't like using that to get your name out. You want to be your own person, and I respect that very much. How do you, how do you balance that? You know, people wanting to talk to you because of what you do in the cage and people wanting to talk to you because you're the famous grandson, the famous son, how do you balance the two? I'm adjusted to it by now.

You know, you get these same questions over the course of your whole life. So since a kid, I'm just kind of used to it at this point, you know, but at the same time, I'm just trying to take my own path, my own avenue in this sport and accomplish my own things, you know, to do my hard work and, you know, dedication. But I'm proud of my name. My name is my name, and I'm going to represent it the best I could win, lose a draw.

And that's what I could do as far as that. John Jr., are you protective of your son in terms of who he speaks to and their motives and how they want to package the gaudy name? Because, again, like I said, one of the most famous last names in the history of this country, you know, people are going to try to make things salacious. And I see the articles that are written. Are you very protective when it comes to these things? things? You might say so. I mean, first of all, John, John is not very sociable. John, he's devoted to the gym. My son does two a days. His circle of individuals around them is really, really very tight,

so therefore he's really not exposed to a lot of those other elements. That being said, he is blessed the fact that have family that love and care about him, friends, that watched him grow up, that protect him. So we do try to screen that possibilities of certain individuals getting next to my son, absolutely. But I've got to tell you. I mean, you're looking at a guy who just turned 25 years old. I watched this kid with his crap in his diaper, for Christ's sakes, and he's become my hero. I'm not his hero, he's my hero, okay? It takes a real tough guy to do what he does, and my father was one of the toughest human beings I've ever met in my whole life.

He was a man's man, and he walked all the way to the gate. But watching my son get up every day and regimented himself and do what he does. and I was one of those spectators that would sit ringside and critique a fighter until I got to understand the game I don't critique fighters I no longer critique fighters I have an immense amount of respect for fighters now

because it takes more balls to do what these guys do to climb into that octagon and put it all out there that's a real tough guy not some of the garbage I knew in the gutter John Jr. were you at his pro debut? You bet. Right there.

What was that like for you? horrifying. Horrifying. To me, I tell my son, I sum it up. I say, John, the week of a fight leading up to your fight until it's over, is akin to me being in the bullpen waiting for a jury to come back with a verdict. I grow old. I grow old. It really takes a lot out of me because I'm a father. I told him someday you're going to be a father and you'll experience it.

You hopefully never experience it, but you'll experience the love that I have for you. You're experiencing it on your own level. John the third, if your dad would have said, I know your family's very close, if he would have said, I just can't sign off on this, I just don't want you doing it, what would you have done? I would have told him, I love you with all my heart, but this is my passion, this is my dream, and I have to go and try to figure it out on my own, you know, that's just the reality of it. But I'm happy that he supports me 100%, and he's behind me. He's one of my biggest supporters. And without him, this would be a much harder journey. but hey that's just you know like I said with him

it makes things easier it makes things you know we get to bond a little more over this but listen if he wasn't involved he decided that he couldn't accept me doing this I would have to go figure it out you know this is like I said this is my dream Ariel right now we're in the war room

my son's here Derek Panzer's trainers here Anthony DeAngelo's other trainers here what we were doing today is we're sorting out tickets and everything else. We support each other. This is how we do it. Wow. I love that. That is great. John III, how old were you when your grandfather passed away? I was around, I was in about third grade, so about what, nine, nine years old? Do you have any memories of him? You know, very brief, you know, not much. Most of my memories are on visits, you know, seeing him through the, through the glass. I got to physically actually touch him on one occasion,

before he passed. So I remember that visit pretty clear. So that's the best memory I have of him. And to John Jr., what do you think your father would say about your grandson and his grandson, I should say, and your son being a cage fighter? What do you think he would say about all of this? First off, I think he would start out with reservations because you're sitting there and you have a lot of individuals that have any opportunity to judge his grandson.

And in my father's mind, you know, I put him. probably would have sat too well. That being said, he would have developed an immense amount of respect because of the fact that John has the courage to do what he's doing right now. And my father always respected the tough guy. He respected the tough guy and the underdog. He always rooted for the underdog, respected the tough guy. So in this respect, I'm sure he would have respected my son probably as much as anyone. Last night, I watched this three-part series about your life on 60 Minutes from a few years back. And at one point, you said that every Friday, you made a point to meet with your son's teachers.

You had a PTA meeting, and you never caused a ruckus while incarcerated unless they gave you trouble about going to that meeting. That was the most important thing for you. Was that for John the 3rd? No, no, that was from my other son. But, you know, at that, and we have spoken about that for 60 minutes, what happened was I had set up a parent-teacher's conference call. every Friday afternoon. And I spent a lot of time while I was in prison in solitary confinement. So what I would do is I would try to hide the chains, the sound of the chains,

because they would put you on a speakerphone, and I'd be brought from myself in your belly chain, black box, and ankle chains, and I'd be brought into a room. And, you know, at the first time we had had this conference call that I had fought for from prison to have set up every Friday. And it wasn't the school. The school was very supportive of it. What it was was that the prison itself wasn't supportive of it. So, you know, I have four sons, and I have six kids in school.

So we required these calls to be on top of my children, and I wanted to know what my kids were doing while I was incarcerated while I was in prison. And for me, I had a lobby hard with the prison itself to get these visits approved. And once they were approved, I'd be brought into a room, and it'd be a speakerphone set up at a conference room table, and you could sometimes hear the chains, and I know whichever child was sitting in that room, whether it be one of my other sons or it'd be my daughter, that I could only imagine. imagine, you know, the expression on their faces, but I couldn't, I try to hide the chains as best I could. But I would insist still to have those Friday calls so I can be on top of it and be involved in their lives and know what's going on.

Were you worried that you're, and I know you wanted to get out of that world, but were you worried that your kids would follow you, would look up to you, would want to emulate you, your father. Was this a big concern for you? The only one that I thought would emulate what I, what I was, was my son John. The only one. Really? He was the one I had all the questions regarding that life. Okay, he was very inquisitive regarding his grandfather, regarding where I was in my life.

And he would always be reading. My wife would catch him on the sites, reading the sites and whatnot, and watching the shows. So he was the one that I had to worry about. So when he came to me, he had come to me and talked about doing MMA amateur, I says, great. This kid's going to get some good structure. He's going to be in the gym. He's going to have focus in his life. It ended up now where we're at right today.

you know, his career is now MMA, and like I had said, you know, it's, uh, it's hard for me to watch, but I'm enormously proud of him. John the Third, why didn't you go down your, your family's path? How did you, how did you make this left turn? Uh, listen, my father shelter, you know, all his children, through our whole lives, you know, the right way. We were raised differently, you know, we've seen the, the, the horrors of that world and what it does the families of people.

So my father went through a lot. He fought a lot of trials. I seen the wear and tear took on him. So that was never an option for me to go down that type of path. You know, I was interested in always asking questions because I'm interested for my father. And I want to know what was going on with him and his trials because I wanted to, you know, how the outcome because, you know, when he won his cases, those are probably the happiest moments in my life still to the day when he came home. So that was it.

But I never envisioned myself going down that path. You know, I always envision myself doing something with athletics, you know, being in the gym and being, you know, doing what I'm doing right now. You know, I love the whole process. Not just the fight and, you know, being in the gym and the eating a certain way and the hours of training, I just love it. You know, I love the whole lifestyle. What weight class do you fight in these days? I'm a welter way, 170. So right now I'm currently in trenching the weight cut.

Yeah, because you're, I mean, you are built. I mean, it's unbelievable. You are gigantic for a while. Like, what do you walk around at? I mean, my fall would prefer a little lower, but I can reach as big as 200 pounds. Wow. And so, like, right now, with just a couple of days left, how much weight do you have left? I'm like 76 right now, so I'm good.

Oh, you're good. And how is the weight cut? I mean, generally having to do it a couple times now, how difficult is it? Yeah, my body's getting a little more acclimated to it now. You know, the first time around, it was very difficult. Second time was good. You know, now my body's just acclimated to it now, so the weight's coming off easier. and it's not as hard as it was, you know, in terms of suffering from not drinking or eating certain foods.

So I'm eating more and I'm cutting the weight easier. We live in a time, as you know, that, you know, guys get pushed very quickly. You know, UFC caliber isn't what it used to be. And what I mean by that is, you know, CM Punk is in the UFC. Guys are coming in at 1 in 0-0-1. How many fights do you think you need to get under your belt to start having the big-time promoters calling your name? Listen, I would like to have as many fights as possible on the regional circuit, you know, see in many different styles and opponents as I could just to grow in all, you know,

all aspects of the sport, you know, we're still in a growing phase, learning phase right now still. My body's still maturing everything. So even the mental part of it is the biggest part is the mental, you know, part of the sport. So when my trainers, you know, Anthony DiAngelo, Derek Panzer, and my father, when they feel it is necessary to take those next steps, we will, you know, as a team. and this is your full-time job, right? Yes. And is your dream to be in the UFC?

I mean, you know, Bellator. Belator is also an option, too. You know, you know, UFC, everybody wants to be UFC because UFC was, you know, put the sport on the map. It's the first mainstream, you know, UFC, but listen, today's day and age, it's about what makes sense, you know, for the whole team and, you know, it's business at the end of the day. So, you know.

So this is CES New York 1. It's happening in Westbury, New York, on May 4th at the space at Westbury Theater. People can buy tickets over at CESMMA.com. Considering you are a New York guy, considering your name is synonymous with New York, how many people do you think you're bringing to this fight on May 4th? I can answer that question. Yeah, please. We've already, through my office, our people, our friends, and our supporters.

I think we sold half the arena. Wow. Does your boy get a cut of that? You know, Johnny doesn't, John's not about, my son, John, it's not about the money. You know what he says? He says, Dad, whatever I would get, give it to the people buying the tickets,

cut the price down on the tickets and get them there. Don't worry about it. My son's not doing this for the money. You know, he's fortunate in that respect that, you know, he's very simple. He devotes his time to the gym. It's all inspiring to watch him. I help with his training course.

We have some other sponsors on board. that help would defer those courts. So he's okay. It's not really not, maybe someday that'll have a little come. But right now he's just really, his heart's in the sport and fighting. Not about the dollars and sense of it.

And John Jr., I apologize for prime, but since you're on, what are you up to these days? I know you have a movie coming out, right? That was directed by Kevin Conley starring John Travolta. Is that your main focus these days

outside of your family, your son? Well, the movie, there's a wide release, June 15th. Great. It's doing a premiere in New York. June 14th. We're doing a private show in June 10th, and A&E has a four-part documentary coming out June 9th and 10th on the Gordes as well. Also, I'm working on the projects and working on a project called WITSEC Mafia, which is about the corruption of government witnesses when they're released

into the streets, as well as another documentary in a book regarding that topic. Wow. Well, a very busy time for you guys, and I'm sure nothing excites you more than your son's budding MMA career. This is really cool stuff. Again,

May 4th, Westbury, New York, CES coming to New York. They've been around for a long time, but now in New York.

Again, CESMMA.com is where you can buy tickets. The second pro fight of John Gotti the third. He is fighting Eddie Haas from Albany,

New York. And like I said, this will air live on YouTube. So we'll put out the link and I'm sure a lot of people are interested

in seeing how this goes. The second round for you, John. I wish you guys nothing but the best. Thank you so much. It's really cool to have all of you on the program.

Good luck with the fight on May 4th. And next time you're free, we'd love to have you in studio. We're not too far from you, so you're welcome to come in anytime. Thank you, Ariel. It's a pleasure. I appreciate it. All right. And all of us. Okay, take care, guys. There you go. The Gotti's on the program.

How exciting is that? I did not know that John Jr. would be on the program, but there you have it. John Jr., John Gotti III, the son and grandson of the infamous, John Gotti's Senior, the Teflon Don, I mean, the dapper Don. I mean, that's a duo I never thought it would be on this program, but only in MMA. You can go from Nick Newell to the Goddies. How crazy was that? Amazing.

Good luck to him May 4th, looking forward to that, and very cool that it's happening on Long Island. All right, let us move along. Thank you very much to the Gotti family and everyone over at CES for making that happen. I am so excited to talk to our next guest. It has been a while. It has been over two years since he's been on this program. And every so often, and these days it feels like every week, I get a question about his whereabouts. I get people asking me, where's Chad Mendez? When's Chad Mendez coming back? When's his suspension up? Very good news, my friends. We are less than two months away. June 10th, 2018, less than two months from right now, he is free to resume his MMA career. And if you follow him on social media, you know that the clock is ticking and that he is getting right back into fight shape and that he is itching to get back in there. So I thought this would be a great time to catch up with him. He is kind enough to be joining us right now.

Chad Mundi Mendez is back. How cool is this? Chad, are you there? Yeah, what's up, Ariel? How's it going, my friend? It's been a while. Long time, no speak. Wow, it's really great to hear from you. Thank you for doing this. This, I mean, I know you. Thank you, man. Thanks for having me on. It's a pleasure, as always. I know you're not out of the woods, but you have to be feeling

like, okay, now you could see, you could see the light at the end of the tunnel, right? For sure, man. It's been a while. It was nice getting to kind of decompress and just, you know, get out of the game for a little bit. You know, I've been training and competing since five years old, nonstop, never taking a year off. So it's been nice just to kind of step away from it, start my business, kind of, you know, take a venture off into a little bit of a different direction for a little bit. But, man, I got that, I'm 32 years old. I still got the age to compete, and I'm excited to get back in there and jump right back in the mix. How much have you missed all of this? Is it possible to verbalize how much you've missed actually competing? Yeah, man.

Like I said, so wrestling was my life. You know, I grew up wrestling, competing. You know, I'd lived for it. And, you know, making the transition into the MMA world, I mean, that just was more competition. It was something I lived for. And, you know, like I said, it was great taking that time off. I'll be honest, I was getting a little burnt out with, you know,

just a lot of things with the fight game, you know, a lot of the politics and, you know, doing a lot of the media, the weight cutting, getting punched in the face. You know, there was just a lot of it that it was just kind of, I don't know, I just felt like I was kind of getting burnt out. I feel like this time off has been really, really good for me. You know, Fabers, you know, told me that a bunch lately too. I just have this new desire, like the fire has been lit again and I just feel great. I'm, you know, nerding out big time on my training camps and, and, and, and, and, and, you know,

and getting really specific on things. And it just feels good to have that fire again, get in there and want to train and want to get in there and push yourself to the limits and do everything you need to do. So it's been great, man. I'm excited. Once the news came out that you wouldn't be able to fight for two years, did you take a break?

Like, did you not go to the gym for an extended period of time? Yeah. I mean, there was a little point where I was like, I'm done with this for a while, you know, a couple months. months for sure but um for the most part I stayed active I mean I've like I said been active my whole life so I honestly just start feeling guilty uh you know when I go a few weeks without doing anything like I start feeling like a bum even if I'm busy doing other things you know I just I feel like I need to work out I start feeling kind of crappy too so um you know

I obviously stayed active you know in the gym and then even out in the mountains I mean you I'm sure seeing on my social media time a lot of the hunting and you know I've made all a lot of great connections started working for a lot of great outdoor companies. And, you know, it's been awesome trying to build and grow that side of the Chad Mendes brand. And, you know, I've met a lot of great people in the industry. And I feel like I have that side built now. And that ultimately, like after I'm done fighting, that's, you know, we've talked about this in the past. But the outdoor world is where I want to kind of transition and steer myself after fighting.

But like I said, I still got that itch to compete. and I obviously can't do much competing in the outdoor world. So, you know, I'm great at fighting. I have the desire to compete still and want to get back in there and punching people in the face and get paid for it. The thing that I respected the most about this whole situation and specifically how you dealt with it,

it is like clockwork. Someone, you know, fails a drug test. There's an excuse. There's something. They don't own up to it. You, I mean, you couldn't have done it any cleaner. Your tweet on June 18th of 2016 was, quote, I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake. I own it and I'm going to pay for it.

That was it. And then you just kind of went away. How difficult was it to actually do that? Because we've seen time and again people not do it when they were guilty and knew exactly what they were doing. Yeah, man, it's just my dad raised me that way. It's like if you you fuck up, I mean, you got to pay the price. I mean, that's you got to do your homework. You kind of do, you know, due diligence and make sure that what you are doing,

no matter what it is in life, you're doing the right things. And I messed up, man. I just, you know, I used the product, you know, wasn't paying attention, just really crossed my mind. But that's my mistake. That was my fault, you know, and I had to pay the price. And like I said, you know, it was tough stepping away. I had that point in my life in my career, I actually even told the USC I was going to take that year off. anyways, just coming off the two losses, getting punched in the face and getting rocked,

you know, I just didn't feel like, you know, my health and my life was less important than fighting, you know, and so stepping away from it and just letting my body heal was what I wanted to do. And then, you know, that came out. And, you know, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. And I don't know if that was just God's way saying, like, hey, you need to chill, step out of this. You know, I'm going to send you in a different direction or not, but, you know, like I said, I owned up to it. I took the time, you know, I did my time and, you know, I think it was great, though. It obviously sucked. You know, I don't ever want to be remembered as someone that was trying to cheat and use steroids or anything, but, you know, moving forward

from that, all I can do is put my nose to the stone and just keep killing it. So, yeah, I did my time, I'm feeling good now. Like I said, got that desire and that fire back, and I'm ready, man. So we'll see what happens. Just for the record, since this is the first time we speak, could you tell us what exactly happened? Yeah, I mean, I'll be honest. I'll give this last statement. I just am done talking about this.

I feel like the more I talk about it, the more it stays relevant. I'm ready to just move forward from it. But, you know, it was, like I said, my mistake. I got a product that was used for my service. I didn't pay attention. There was a peptide in it that was on USADA's ban list. You know, I'd been drug tested, randomly drug tested, drug tested for all my fights a bunch of times before that, never had any issues. And I've been drug tested randomly, you know, a bunch of times since then and never had any issues. So, you know, it was never a question of me trying to cheat or anything. It was just a mistake.

I just started using that stuff. Obviously, I'm being tested by USADA and boom, you know, it's So I used it, just didn't pay attention, and that's basically the bottom line. There wasn't, I mean, I probably could have gotten less time off if I would have fought it. But like I said, I was in that point in my life where I just was, you know, really burn out with the sport. And I was thinking, okay, is this a sign that I need to just step back? Is this a sign that I need to like chill out on getting punched in the head for a while? And so I don't know, I just listened to it and didn't try to fight it or do anything. but I think that right there kind of pissed a lot of people off for some reason.

Like, if you're innocent, why didn't you fight it? But it wasn't about being innocent or not. I mean, I was taking the stuff and the stuff was in what I was taking. I looked on the ingredients, and yes, it's right there. So I'm not going to say that I wasn't because I was taking it, but it just wasn't something that I knew that was on the ban list, or obviously I wouldn't have done it because I'm being randomly drug tested all the time. So I don't know.

It was just kind of a shitty situation, just kind of tried to make the best of it, move forward. And like I said, I started fint and feathers and stayed busy, stayed active, and, you know, it's game time again. So putting that all in the past, you know, I'm just done talking about it. I don't want people to remember me as that type of person, you know what I mean? So, you know, it is what it is, and it's time to kick the ass again. That was actually my next question. Do you still get, I know how social media can be.

and I know how much, you know, being clean means to the team alpha male team. Do you still get a lot of that stuff? Do you read your mentions? And if so, how much does it bother you? Because people will blindly say, oh, you're a steroid you're not even know exactly the story that you just told, not know the circumstances. I could imagine that gets under your skin. Do you let it? No, I mean, I used to get it, like right off the bat for sure.

I got a ton. And, I mean, it's a rifle cell. I mean, I get it. But I don't know if people, honestly, Honestly, I feel like a lot of people forgot about it and it's, that's great, you know, just one of the reasons why I just kind of disappeared for a little bit, but, you know, a lot of people are like, why aren't you fighting? Like, we need you in the cage.

Will you take this fight right now? And it's like, they just don't even know that I can't. So I think that's great. And, you know, time, time just kind of takes things away. But, you know, it sucks. I don't, you know, you get, you get the people that are keyboard warriors, you know, they'll see me post something. and it's something that they don't like or irritate them,

and then they'll just throw the steroid comment on there. But, you know, just over the last couple years, I've just learned to kind of weed those people out. It's no need for me to try to get in a battle over Twitter or Instagram with these types of moron. So I just block them and delete the comment and move forward. So, yeah, it's just one of those things. I'm sure you get it a lot to people on social media just love to talk shit.

You know, the end of 2015, like, you know, the Connor fight, the Frankie fight, a lot went on for you, of course, even the Ricardo Lama's fight. That was a really busy year for you. Why do you think you got, I mean, obviously the last two didn't go your way, but you mentioned a few times getting burnt out. Why do you think that happened? I don't know. I mean, like I said, I've been competing and training nonstop all year round since I was five years old. I've just never taking any time for myself, taking any time for myself. And I don't know, I don't know if it just caught up with me.

But like I said, there was a lot of things going into it. You know, a lot of the politics with the fight game and fights getting moved around. And I feel like, you know, opponents being able to dictate why that happens. And, you know, specifically my fight with Aldo the second time, like having it be in California and then him get injured and then it moves to Brazil, you know. and just stuff like that, it gets irritating. There's nothing I can do about it, and I have to just kind of, you know, go with the flow. The weight cutting, you know, I don't cut a ton, obviously,

but I'm cutting, you know, 15 to 20 pounds, and I've been doing that since I was a little, you know, probably a sophomore in high school, I think, was when I first started cutting weight. And just, it gets, at that point, it was just kind of old. I just didn't feel like doing it anymore, you know, and then obviously getting punched. I mean, those last two fights, you know,

getting hit in the head and getting flashed knock out or getting rocked, you know, that type of stuff, at least for me, like, that stuff adds up, you know, and it's obviously something I don't like to think about as a fighter because, you know, you think about that all the time and it's going to be in your head and you're not going to be able to train and fight like you need to fight. But, you know, two in a row, you know, I want to be able to talk and interact with my family when I'm 50 years old, you know. So for me it was just like, all right, I'm going to be. to step back. You know, I'm not going to get punched in the head for a little bit, let my

body kind of rehill and recoup, and then we're going to hit it hard and get back in there, and then boom, all that stuff happened, and, you know, a little bit more time was added to it. So, yeah, it was just kind of a mix of things. So the division looks a little different these days from when you last fought in it. Of course, Frankie's still very much in the mix, which is amazing. What do you think of the state of the featherweight division right now? Man, I think it's a perfect time for me to get back in there. I think it's a match up very well with a lot of the top guys.

You know, I think that this is a great time for me to get back in and fight and whoops and mask and get right back in there for that title shot. So we'll see. I don't have a fight lined up yet. Okay. But I know the U.S. he's talking about obviously either into June or July sometime. I know that Vegas card would be awesome, either the sixth or the seventh. would be great. We have another teammate on there. I don't know if I'm even allowed to talk about him fighting on it yet, but it would be cool to be able to be either along his side and help him and kind of go through it all with him. But I think there's another one even mid-July, I think in Boise, which would be awesome too. But I would really like to eat on that biggest part if possible. So I know Mike is going to be pushing for it. The UFC's kind of going back and forth with him a little bit on a opponent.

and date. So I'm hoping this week we can kind of get something ironed out. I would imagine they probably announce it soon as well. So just everyone, yeah, everyone keeps asking me the same thing. Like when you're coming back, when you fight? And I mean, I wish it had an exact answer to tell people. But it's like, man, I don't know probably this summer sometimes. So I'll keep everyone posted.

And do you have, like, if it was up to you, if they said, okay, who do you want to return against? Do you have an opponent in your mind? Do you have a perfect opponent, a perfect opponent, a perfect scenario? Mario? Man, I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back. Frankie is obviously a top-level guy, and it's a guy that I know I can beat. That fight would be great. You know, I honestly feel like any of the guys in the top 10, I match up with great.

Kind of sucks now. Team Alpha Mel is kind of taken over the featherweight division. I think we have, what, four or five guys in the top 15. And, you know, we've already sat and talked. I told these guys, like, I love you all. And I don't want to fight you unless it's for a title, but if it's for a belt, we're going to scrap. I think everyone's kind of on the same page as far as that goes, but it just doesn't make any sense for us to fight if it's not for a belt. So, yeah, that's kind of where we're at on that point.

What did you miss most about it all? Did you miss the actual, you know, fight itself, the buildup to the fight, the nerves? Is there one aspect of like a drug that you just can't wait to experience again? Yeah, I think the part that I miss the most. is the preparation, honestly. And I honestly did not think I would ever say that. But, you know, kind of turning into a normal human, I guess I can say, for the last two years and just kind of doing what most people do and not having to, like, prepare for any specific

fight or event. I miss that. And I miss going through the grind and, like, having to be scientific about things and, like, finding out what works and what doesn't throughout your training camps on on on how your fight your opponent you know his fighting style is and like coming up with the game plan um i miss all that and uh i i'd say that's probably the part that i do miss the most how many more years you want to do this for i'm sure now that you have your business set up you you you've been able to take a step back how many more years do you have left in you in your opinion man when i first started

of fighting, I always said like 35, 36, and I would, like, re-evaluate it and just kind of see what my body was doing. If I'm able to keep going and I'm feeling great, I mean, I'll keep going, but I'm not the type of guy that has, like, a chip on his shoulder. Like, I got to prove something and I'm going to fight until I'm 45 or something, you know. If I'm, if my body's not cooperating, I'm good to go. You know, I have the business. I have, I have a means of making good money now. I don't have to fight for money is basically what I'm saying. So I just missed the competition. I miss, like I said, the preparation and all that stuff.

So I'm actually 32 right now. Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm going to be 33 tomorrow. Happy birthday. Yeah, thank you. I have a few more years. But I think what we're going to do is probably reevaluated at about 35 or 36 and just kind of see what's going on and then go from there.

Let me tell you something. I don't know if it's a sign of things to come, but my 33rd birthday, as it stands right now, my greatest birthday yet. So I hope the same. I don't know what you got planned. You got anything planned for tomorrow? Because my 33rd was an all-timer for me. I don't know about what you have.

Is there anything on the docket right now? Can you talk about it? Is it something that could be here? Yes. What happened? You know what's crazy? You know, Chad Mendez, do you know what's crazy about my 33rd birthday? My 33rd birthday was July 8th of,

three years ago. I was in the airport that morning, July 8th, on my way to Las Vegas to cover UFC 189. How about that? Of course, you were in the main event. But that's not why it was so great. I was sitting in the airport on my birthday, and this is going to be very convoluted for you.

But my favorite athlete of all time was Patrick Ewing, and he was number 33 for the New York Knicks, and I was sitting in the airport. and Chris Staps, Porzingis, who is, you know, the heir parent, I guess, to Patrick Ewing. He's this guy that they drafted back then three years ago from Latvia, the New York Knicks did, was about to fly to Vegas as well to play in the NBA Summer League. He wasn't very well known, but he is 7'4, and he walks in, and he walks into my terminal. And so here I am, this Patrick Ewing Uber fan, finally turning 33, which was his number.

And I always wanted to be 33 years old because that was his number, and I felt like it was my good luck number, and I'm sitting in the airport as Chris Staps Porzing is the heir apparent. Now the guy who's going to bring my beloved Nix back to the glory land is walking into my terminal and I meet him. How crazy is that? And I shook his hand, I took a picture and I sat in front of him. It was unbelievable.

I'll never forget it. That's why I love you. The excitement in your voice right now is just awesome, dude. I love it. That's cool. A hell of a 33rd. I actually don't have much planned, but I'll probably just be training.

but yeah, I don't know. Unless the wife has something planned that I don't know about what you might, but yeah, we'll see. That's cool. Surprise parties are fun, yeah, there's nothing wrong with that. Look, you just kind of, I didn't plan for that. You just kind of have to let it happen, but I have a feeling 33rd is a big one for you. So this is great. I'm really happy for you, Chad.

Welcome back. I know it's not quite official just yet. June 10th, right? Yeah, June 10th, I'm free to go. And I don't know, like I said, I don't have anything lined up yet. So as soon as I find out, though, I'm sure I'll, you know, post about it and maybe I can do a little video on my YouTube channel and just let everybody know. So we'll see. I'm hoping that it's this week. Fingers crossed. Well, we are looking forward to it. Like you said, this would be very much a shot in the arm in that division.

So I think it's a great time to come back. And most importantly, kudos to you on handling it like a pro. You really did. And in my opinion, you put out the blueprint. you're nice, sweet, you owned up to it and you moved on. Well done. I know that's not really easy. That looks a lot easier than it really is. I know that takes a lot. So kudos to you and kudos on handling it very well.

Welcome back. Looking forward to your fight whenever it is. Awesome. Well, thank you so much, man. I really do appreciate it. And I always enjoy coming on the show. So I don't know if we can, maybe we can get another one before the fight. Yes.

If we get something lined out. Yeah, let's not wait another two years for the next one, all right? Yeah, let's not do that. All right, cool. Happy early birthday to you. We'll talk to you soon. Awesome. All right.

Thanks, buddy. We'll talk to you. There he is. Here comes the money. On his way back, Chad Mendes, on his way back. That's very good news for the 145 pound division. And he really did handle it very well.

So, got to give him a lot of props. Okay, let's move along now. As I said at the top of the show, in my opinion, our next guest is the face of the brand new PFL. a long-time veteran, former champion, UFC veteran, title contender. He's been around the block many of times, and he's going to be a part of their rebranding, if you will. I wanted to check in with Jake Shields,

who's actually in New York right now training, which is very interesting. He joins us now on the phone. Jake, how are you? Hey, you doing good. How are you doing? I'm doing great. You are in New York right now, right? Yeah, I've been actually I've lived out here for almost a year now.

Oh, wow. I didn't know you lived full time. Why did you make the move? Yeah, I go back to California some still, but just for a change, I think, for change in different training. I trained with the same, I mean, had a great dream, obviously, but train with the same people for so long. And I know one of my camps right before I move, I just, you know, to, you know, Bill and

Nate or her, Nick wasn't really around training. It was one of those times to get frustrated. Not a lot of guys to train with and decided to try some new things and get to new bodies. But I still go to California, you know, I'm out there like two months, train with a guy still. And why did you choose New York? I just like the city, you know, a lot of energy. And then, you know, like John Donahare out here,

I was coming out, train with him a little bit. Hendo Gracie, they're basically the same team as Cesar, so it wasn't like, you know, joining a new team. It was just a, we're already affiliated. So it made an easy move. You strike me as a very California. I mean, I just, I feel like you're so California. Was it a tough transition for you?

No, I mean, I plan to go back to California at some point, but I love the energy of New York. It's, you know, just so much energy is all this stuff going on. I do miss the California. It's so easy to go out hiking and get outdoors. That's one thing that I don't like about Manhattan. But overall, I love it. Everyone always talks about people being rude here, and I don't think so.

They're just more like more fast-paced themselves. Definitely not as plight, but to me that's not really problems. It was really interesting when the pictures first surfaced of you training at Henzos with Danahar and you were sitting right next to GSP. What was that like initially? Because, of course, you fought him. That was a massive fight for both you and the organization for GSP as well. initially, was that weird at all for you?

Actually, not really. It was really cool training with GSP. For some guys, it would be, because some of the guy just fight, you don't care for the much. But I've always had a lot of stuff. GSTEP, I think he felt the same. So right away, it was, you know,

he came in. I think the first time we changed it was just, it was like a snowstorm that day. So we came to the gym. It was only me, GST, John, like one of the guys showed up. So it was pretty much just, you know, training with him for the full hour.

So it was really cool. We were really cool. We were training with one of your former opponents and trying to help each other and even went up, you know, help him a little bit for training for bizbing. Yeah. And of course, I mean, I know you're very good friends with Nick, and they have their history. Did you, did you ask him about it? Did you tell them about it?

How did you handle that? Yeah, you know, that's one of those things. I mean, obviously Nick's not like thrilled about it, but I think you understand that they were to, I don't think they'll fight again at this point. If there's some reason they were, obviously I wouldn't train with GST, but it's one of those things I think they understand that it's, you know, it's a sport. I'm here training with John and GSP trains him. So it's just kind of how it ended up. So you're in the PFL now, right?

Your next fight will be for PFL. Yeah, that starts. My first fight for them will be July 5th. Okay, so you know your first fight. You know the day. You're part of the Walterweight tournament? Yeah, part of the Walterweight tournament. So it's been really interesting because once it kicks off,

we have, well, like five fights in six months. So it's really fast. So a big part of winning a tournament is, you know, staying healthy, getting through the fights and staying in shape that long. And do you know who you're fighting in the first fight for yourself? Yeah, really interesting. I'm actually fighting Ray Cooper from Hawaii, which is a little strange. I fought his dad, I think, around 12 years ago.

Basically, see how long I've been in the sport. I'm like, wait, I saw that name, like, oh, Ray Cooper first down. I'm like, Ray Cooper. Oh, my God, yeah. Wow, that is the son of Ray Cooper. I didn't even know he was fighting, but, you know, he fights a lot like his dad. I have a really powerful puncher, strong guy. Not great Jit-Doo, but not easy to take down.

and he's got knockout power on both hands. So he's a dangerous fighter. That's unbelievable. July 9, 2004. You beat his dad. Oh, yeah, that would I beat his dad, July 4 is on. Yeah, yeah.

You won the vacant Shuto-Welterway title in Hawaii. What do you remember about that night? Yeah. Yeah, it was cool. You know, when the title, fight and beating his dad, I mean, I used to love fighting in Hawaii. There was a ton of me.

I was digging in Hawaii, like before it was dig in the mainland. It would be like, we treated like stars for a night and it was good times. Does this make you feel very old? Going back in a little bit. It's like, Jesus, I've been in the game a long time.

Damn, that is unbelievable. Wow. I know a lot, you know, it has been a while. You haven't fought in quite some time. I mean, they initially wanted to rebrand and relaunch in January. It took some time. It will be almost exactly a year

since your last fight once your fight in July happens. were you getting frustrated? How did you handle not making any money for a year? Yeah, I mean, I was very frustrated, you know, planning on, well, first off, luckily, I have some money I put away and invested. So that's not really the issue. I mean, you always want to make money, of course, but luckily I'm not in a financial situation,

but it's just, you know, when it was supposed to fight in January and they moved it back, I was really frustrated, you know, at a time where I was able to, you know, a couple months ago, I became a free agent again, and I was able to talk to other shows, but luckily by that point, you know, PFL was re-coming together, and I'm like, all right, it looks like really going to happen. Now, we just went and had the meetings last week and the show seems, you know, they treat us really good, seem enthusiastic. It's like the same people, most same people from the World Series of fighting, but they definitely rebranded. They have more money. You know, they're pushing it a lot more. I think they're paying, I think it's like $15 million

payouts for the first season. So it's not bad, especially because a lot of these guys are probably guys that weren't getting paid good. So it's exciting to have a new show that's, you know, going to put in some serious money and been pushing out there. So your contract actually expired in the midst of all this, and you were free to go out there and look for new offers? Yeah, basically my contract kind of expired right towards when it became obvious. Because for a second, you know, I wasn't sure they'd been saying. It wasn't 100% sure if it was going to happen.

And then my contract kind of expired, right, if it was, right, as it looked like it was really going to happen. So it worked out of a deal, you know, got a signing bonus. I didn't really talk to too many people. Kind of right around when it, you know, we can't, they, it made me good offers. So I just re-signed with them. A lot of the mainstays, you know, guys like Blagoi and Fitch, you know, a lot of guys, it seems like maybe didn't want to wait around, God offers, whatever. Did you start to think, like, you've been around this game a long time.

Like once January came and went February, were you thinking like, man, what's going on here? This might not pan out. I might not, like, were you starting to get worried? Oh, yeah, I'm not going to lie. I was definitely starting to have some doubts. That's why I was, that's why, you know, I started looking, you know, I was stuck in contract. back, and you start looking around a little bit. But then, you know,

we do signing a signing bonus. Once that check cleared, I'm like, all right, I mean, I guess it's a, the pain, he's paying decent checks. It's probably happening. And then you always had the meetings, and it's definitely happening now.

You see these guys with some serious money, good production team, and it ultimately adds their excitement to the sport. How do you feel about the format? You know, the, I believe it's two fights, and then you have to go into this tournament and you get points if you get X amount of finishes, different kind of finish, et cetera,

as opposed to just like, you know, a straight fight, go in there, you move on with your life, you go to the next fight. Now you're kind of in this structure where you have to survive in advance and do certain things in order to get the most amount of points possible. You've been around this game a while. Do you like this, or would you

prefer the old-fashioned? Yeah. I mean, overall, I do. There's no politics. They have a very clear system of what you've got to do. So, you know, you fight as long as you're winning, you move forwards. I think there is a point system, but it finishes. But I'm pretty sure if you won both your fights, you almost surely move on to the tournament.

in the season. The only thing that was a little weird to me is because there's one night, we have two fights and one night, and I guess you can only fight five rounds per night. So the first round is two, 10-minute rounds. They have a weird rule where if you have a draw, whoever wins the first round wins the fight,

instead of judging that the whole fight. To me, that seems a little weird, but I mean, something everyone has to play by, so. Wow. Yeah, other than that, all the rules seem good to me. Do you feel like you are all caught up? Because it does at times seem a little bit confusing.

do you feel like you have a good handle on everything? Yeah, I mean, it seems pretty clear, basically, if you're winning your fights. You get an extra point, you know, and the first two rounds, you know, if you win by like submission or finish early on, you get extra points. But pretty much do you win both your fights? You're going to move on. So that's all I really worry about. And, you know, hopefully you'll finish your fight early. But as long as you're winning, you're moving forwards.

I know last year they had a lot of the, excuse me, last week, they had a lot of the fighters in to do, you know, a bunch of shoots and things like that. in preparation for the upcoming season. What's the vibe like around the company? I know you said a lot of same folks, but I know there's new folks as well, and it's a new name, new vision, new format. How would you describe the vibe? I think everyone was pretty excited.

I mean, they're pretty excited that's finally launching. I know they've been working on it for a while. Ray and Carlos has been spending a long time putting this together, and they definitely seem excited, and the fighters all seem excited. You know, it's pretty good paydays, especially some of these guys never had a good paydays. You're looking at a chance to make a million dollars

in a matter of, you know, or over million dollars because you get paid in the regular season too. So it's a chance for these guys to make some serious money. I think everyone's pretty pumped up for it. And again, like I said, not to belabor this point, but you have been around for quite some time. You've seen it all. You know every promoter under the sun.

You know all of them that have come and went. The one thing that I keep hearing about PFL is, okay, those numbers sound, they sound great, but will they actually pay that much? How can they actually sustain this? Do you believe that when, you know, the season is over in December, they will actually be paying out that much.

That's an incredible amount of money for a relatively young organization to pay out. Yeah, no, I do. I think they have some legitimate, some big money backers. I think they threw, I'm not 100% of these numbers. I think someone did they threw around 30 million into the first season. They used to be production, advertising, fighters pay, and I'm pretty sure they're already planning out the second season.

So I think regardless of the first season does good or not, I think they're already planning a second season. So I think these are like, they're not some guys with a couple million dollars. These are like some real big money backers. I mean, of course, anything, it happened. I was skeptical at first. I'm not going to lie, but at this point, it's a, it's going to happen, you know. He threw out to pretty good, pretty good fighter pay in the first round, too, pretty good signing bonuses. So definitely, definitely have to real money. And you

can see the production crews definitely up and notch, more people. So they're throwing money around at this point. You debuted in 1999. That was your pro debut. You're 39. You've been doing this for almost 20 years now. Did you think when you started that you would still be doing this as you approach 40 no definitely not I was trying to fight this long I probably figured I would retire by like 35 but originally I started it didn't really know

I didn't think there was really a career out of it there wasn't really any money at the time luckily managed to turn it into a career so yeah at this point you know I just take it one fight at a time my body still feels good you know I still enjoy the sport I just took like a year off so I was getting to do some grappling and folks in other where

and other places so at this point you know I'm trying to get to this tournament and then decide if I want to retire or fight, you know, it's a tough call, you know, if I go win the tournament might just be a good time to step away and call it, but don't want to make any promises because you never know how I'm going to fill. Of course, yeah. And it's just the right fight, the right money. But yeah, I'm probably not going to do the tournament and then not fight unless it's good money.

But is that something that's on your mind? Is there a chance that this run right here could be your last? Yeah, it's definitely a good chance. You know, like I said, I don't feel old, but when you're 39, you got to start looking and being like, you don't want to be that pushed it too long and starts getting hurt and getting beat up or just out there for the paydays

because luckily I'm not, you know, I'm not broke. I have investments and have money coming in. So I'm not a situation where I need to fight. And obviously when you're looking at, you know, oh yeah, I can fight and make almost another million and a half dollars, you know, real quick in six months. It's good money. I've come far from rich.

So that's still good money to me, but I'm not like a situation where I'm desperate. And have you started to think what you'll do? I mean, since the end is somewhat needed. What do you think he'll do when you're done? I mean, I'll probably stay involved with the sport. It's a whole not a situation where I need to actually work a real job, but probably help train guys and just like to be around it.

And, you know, take a little more time for vacations and chill. So you're not going to do this. There's a business thing going as well. Okay. Anything that you could talk about? I got medical. I got some marijuana stuff in California. It's not medical anymore, but, you know,

this company at Bloom Farm, it's like Baypins, which that's getting really big out in California. Okay. Wow. Okay. And of course, we know that, you know, your friends are big proponents of that as well. By the way, do you think Nick will ever fight? I think he will. Yeah, I think he'll fight again soon.

I think he's missing it in the training a little bit. They haven't been out there, so I don't know how much he's been training, but I'm pretty sure he's been at the gem a decent amount. And I would love to fight him yet. I would love to him fight again. I think he's still got some more in him. He hasn't been training as much, but he's still in good shape and can make come back. Okay, so you would bet on him actually coming back. I get asked about him every day.

Yeah, I think so do I. Yeah, I bet. He's really asked me. Nick, even though I'm close to Nick, he's a hard person to predict. That's people always, I mean, only Nick really knows what he's going to do. People would always be asking what's Nick going to do, you know, if he's going to show the press conference, this stuff. And I'm like, man, I just can't tell you.

Nick doesn't even tell people close to him sometimes. He just kind of goes out and surprises everyone. So really only Nicola knows what he's going to do. But if I had to guess, I would say he'll fight again. What about Nate? I think he'll fight again as well. I mean, he's been training. He's still trained a lot.

If you know, we're out there, I see him, he's pretty much trains every day. I know he wants to fight. He loves training. He's in there. He just wants to make sure it's a money fight, which you can't blame him. You know, when he made those two Connor pay days, it's hard for him to step in unless it's a big fight. So I certainly would, I would hold out of him as well. But he's not just looking for Connor.

He's just looking for a fight to make sense. It's going to get him a big payday and a lot of hype. I'd love to see him fight Eddie Alvarez. What do you think of that? Yeah, I think that's a good fight as well. It's hard to say if it sells that well, though. So I could see, I mean, Nate certainly not afraid of anyone. And I personally would love to see that fight,

but I'm not sure if it's going to sell great. So that would be something that would have to think about. I mean, Tyrone Woodley and him, I know they were talking about putting something together at one point, and that would be really interesting. I think they were close to come to terms of that, but just didn't quite work out. how do you how do you think he would i mean obviously i know he's your friend and everything but

uh the initial reaction was this is a bad style matchup for him we saw the benson henderson fight when you know the wrestling has never been his forte how do you think he would do against someone like woodley i think he'd actually do good because he has a really good cardio he has and woodley's got good striking but he think he could get tired make cheap pressure on him well he would probably be able to take him down but the five round fight made he's able to keep getting up i think the later rounds he can start doing well obviously you know i have to be able to block the kicks and, you know, take a few power shots. But I think range-wise, it's a good fight for them.

I would actually rather see Nick and that Woodley fight. That's when I really like to see. Yes, and I know that's one that Taran would like to see as well. By the way, did you know that the eight-year anniversary of the whole Nashville post-fight brawl with Mayhem and everything was just a couple of days ago? Did you, did that come across your timeline? I actually did because someone, like, tagged me with a picture of that. It was like eight-year anniversary.

I couldn't believe it had been that long. Isn't that crazy? Eight years already, huh? Yeah. Unbelievable. I would have guessed like five. Wow, it was eight years. What do you remember most from that whole, that whole scene? I mean, I was the same night to beat Henderson.

So it was, you know, I was excited on a huge win, and then that happened. And it was, no, as it wasn't a big deal. I don't think, you know, either Mayhem or our group was more just kind of, kind of funny. Mayham's a tough guy. You know, he beat up a little bit. But he took it well. You know, we're not really the best friends, but at least the guy's tough, I'll give him that.

it's amazing that that was like you know the the biggest you know hottest controversy now we're getting you know dollies being thrown through car windows it's a whole different ball game these days yeah he stepped it up now yes very much so exactly that's just like oh yeah no big deal a little brawl after the fact no big deal at all i don't know what we're having i'm having something exciting now yeah uh for sure by the way i've always wanted to ask you this and and you i know you're not really you know uh you're not really you're not doing it. But on your Twitter, there's always like those weird headlines that come out from your Twitter account. Why are you a part of that? Could you explain that to me?

Well, something in the tweet or myself and other things is like a news source that I work through. Yes. It's very clear what's your tweet and what's not your tweet. Yeah. So this is a news organization I work through. So. And you do realize that it's a very polarizing organization, right? Like sometimes the headlines are misleading or not quite accurate. Have you, have you heard these? at all? I have, and I definitely thought to talk to the guy

and get them to, like, you know, not send some of those tweets because I definitely don't like them with some things that, you know, that aren't the best or cause drama. Yes, a lot of them

are just a little bit, you know, and, you know, you have a very good reputation in the sport and I always wondered why you would, you know, if you were even aware.

I guess I just check them a little better because I'm not on there very much. Yes. You start checking them better. A piece of advice, check them out a little. Yeah.

All right. I'll start reading my Twitter. Okay, good. So, so it's, tweet occasionally, but it's not that much. No, I know. And again, it's very clear when it's your tweet. But sometimes the tweets are a little bit, you know, off.

And I figured... Yeah, I definitely told him before to make sure not do a type of stuff, but apparently I didn't listen. So one time I mentioned that... I mean, I thought I tweeted and liked and told him to be careful type of stuff. But I guess he's... Yeah, I'll go look through the timeline. Okay, cool. Well, it's good to have you back.

July 5th, you said, and do you know where that fight is going to be? Yeah. Yeah, Washington, D.C. Okay, great. So July 5th. in Washington, which I know is kind of the backyard for a lot of the investors for PFL, and you're fighting Ray Cooper's son. How about that?

What, 14 years later? I wonder if Ray Sr. is going to be in his corner. Do you know if he corners him? I don't, but I would say a good chance. I want to be surprised he is. Yeah, and who will be in your corner, considering you now, you know, are living in New York? I haven't figured that out yet. You know, I'll probably bring, you know, at least one or two of the guys back, you know,

in from San Francisco. I don't know, possibly John. I made my kickboxing coach here. I got to figure that out still. I have a bunch of people interested in corner me, but only so many spots. I've got to figure that out. All right.

And will you be the main event for that card? I have no idea. I don't have enough the card yet, so I'm not really sure. All right, all right. Well, I wish you the best. Great to have you back. I'm happy that you're happy with PFL.

And you're obviously, in my opinion, you're the face of the organization right now. You're the most recognizable face. That's for sure. And welcome to New York. I didn't know that you lived here. We'd love to have you. Yeah, you live here as well, right?

Yep, that's right. Yeah, too just came into the studio. I would have looked better. I know. Next time for sure. Thank you, Jake. Great to catch up with you. All the best with the tournament

and the fight on July 5th. Great, thank you. All right, there he is. Jake Shields, one of the veterans of the sports still going strong. He's approaching 40. Been doing this since 1999. And certainly, PFL has some recognizable names.

Don't get me wrong. And some names that I think are very much worth paying attention to. Andre Harrison, I think is great. They recently signed Will Brooks, Rick Story, Chris Wade, formerly of the UFC, but I mean, Shields has been a part of some of the biggest fights,

not just with the UFC, of course, that fight at UFC 129, which I do believe, weirdly enough, I should have mentioned this. The anniversary of UFC 129 was seven years ago today. How about that? Crazy, right? UFC 129, I believe it was April

30s because it was the last April 30th that I wasn't father, right? Yep, April 30th, 2011. It just occurred to me right now. The Rogers Center, 55,000 plus at the time, the largest gate in UFC history. And of course, on CBS against Mayhem against Dan Henderson, Elite XC. He has been around the block. And now he's fighting the son of an opponent that he fought back in 2004. That is, That is unbelievable. Really is. Great stuff. Okay.

Thank you very much to Jake Shields. Looking forward to the debut of PFL on June 7th. That's their first show. It will be taking place at the theater at Madison Square Garden here in New York City. All right. Last guest of the day, and I'm very much looking forward to this one as well. We've never had this guest on the program before, but we were very much in contact over the past summer. saw him all over the place from

Los Angeles to Toronto to Brooklyn, of course, in Las Vegas as well. Anytime you saw Floyd Mayweather in the buildup to the Connor McGregor fight, anytime you continue to see him, Greg Larosa is right there next to him.

Longtime security guard for Pretty Boy, aka Money Mayweather. And he is a man who has been in the news as of late as well. He's a big MMA fan. But every step, of the way leading up to that fight, he was right there and was very kind to us, also a fellow Canadian, and it's long overdue that we have him on the program. So let's go to the Skype

machine and say hello to Greg Larosa, who is joining us right now. TMT's own, Greg Lerosa. Greg, how are you? I'm doing very well. How are you doing, Ariel? My Canadian brother. Yes, my man. It's good to talk to again. It has been a while. Thank you very much for joining us. And by the way, it is great to see you because I know earlier this month, you had quite the scare. You got shot. What happened?

They tried to take us out, man. I don't know. Tell us what happened. Coming back from the club. Where were you? So contrary to what some people are saying is that we went to the Waffle House first, and then we went to the club, then Waffle House, then the hotel. We actually went to Waffle House earlier on in the night,

and then we went back to the hotel to change for the club appearance. that he had there at Medusa. We changed. We went to the club. We were there about an hour or so. There was no problems. No one, no animosity in the club. Everyone was having a great time.

We never got any run-ins with anybody. We left the club. It's about three or four minutes from the club where we were staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead, actually, which is a nice area in Atlanta. As we were trying to make the left turn to get into the valet,

I guess the car came up next to us and unloaded 12 shots within about five or six seconds and then just kept going. So the first shot came through. I saw it kind of fly right between me and Jizzy Mac was in there as well. Ray, the other juice had turkey. And I saw it kind of fly right in between us. Had one of us kind of leaned over for our phone or something, that probably would have went right through us. but I saw the debris go across the truck, and I actually thought immediately that it was glass that was breaking.

And I thought somebody threw like a brick or a garbage can at the truck. But it was, I guess, of course, it was a bullet. And then after that, just a ton of bullets started flying, and then I just kind of got down like this in the Sprinter luxury van. and one hit me in the leg and I told the guys, hey guys, I'm hit. Let's get out of here. So as they were going, as they're coming down this way, we're here. I don't know if you can tell what I'm going here.

Yeah, I can see. They come up right us. As we're turning left like this, they started shooting. So that turn of us turning left where they started shooting kind of saved us because what happened was they were shooting on an angle at that point. So there was actually one bullet. If you look at the reports that it's right. where I was sitting in the luxury van right next to the, right next to the door, it didn't

pierce the metal, which I got lucky, because that would have went right through my body. So as we were going, as we were doing the left turn, and they were opening fire, we continued to do a U-turn. So that kind of shielded us from all the bullets, and then we continued out of there. And I told them I was hit and they just rushed me to the hospital because I had a, I saw the hole in my leg. It kind of felt like, honestly, it felt like somebody. flicked my leg with their finger. I didn't really, it didn't hurt. So, um, I looked down and I see a hole in my, um, a hole in my leg. And I said, hey, guys, I'm hit. At this point, I don't know what's going on. So, um, Ray, jizzy Mack there, like, got a shirt. I don't know where he got it from. He just

ripped off a shirt and kind of tied off my leg just in case, because there's artery in there, that the, um, that actually the hospital told me after, uh, narrowly, it narrowly, uh, missed artery. Wow. So, anyway, so he tied it up. I put my hand on it,

like put my finger kind in the hole because it was bleeding a lot. So we got to the hospital probably about, I would say maybe, maybe 20 minutes after that. Whoa.

At that point, I got in the hospital and it was kind of like one of those ER shows. They just said, bed, bed, bed. And then they had me, the guys had me.

They were lifting me up. I was in the air kind of, and then they threw me on the bed and put me into the hospital room, and they had to check it really quick just in case I was bleeding too much, I guess, just in case it hit one of those arteries that flowed down to the bottom of the leg. But I got lucky. It hit tissue.

It hit muscle. It hit fat. I narrowly missed the bone. It missed tendon and narrowly missed the main artery. So I can just say, I'm happy to be here, brother, and I'm happy to continue to be where I am and doing what I do, and I'll be back at it. Wow. That is unbelievable, man.

story. Holy smokes. There's a lot to impact there. Were you the only one of your whole crew that got hit? I was the only one. So they shot 12 times at us hitting us. I've heard the report say six and I've heard other reports say eight. So it's

six to eight times. Whatever it is, it's too many times. Yeah. They hit us. It was a straight ambush. It could have been all bad. But I was the only one that got hit. I'm glad I'm the only one that got hit. It could have been a lot worse than it was. We could be

planning a burial at this point. So I'm glad it went the way it. I can say I took one for the team and we could move forward and hope everyone can find love in their hearts and this doesn't happen again. Yeah. Was Floyd with you when this happened? So we were in a luxury

sprinter. So you know how the luxury sprinters in the back, there's a partition that separates the back to the front, correct? So there's the two people in the front. And then in the back, in our luxury Sprinter, I'm sitting towards the front where the, um, next to the sliding door and Ray's sitting this way, a couple of the other guys are in the front as well. We're in the luxury spinner. So I guess maybe somebody thought, I don't know what they thought. I guess the luxury sprinter is the one that

usually carries celebrities. I'm not sure what they were thinking. Um, but Floyd was, uh, there was two cars in front of us. They were SUVs in front of us. And, uh, Floyd was in those. So he wasn't in the, in the one we were in, which is great. Yeah. Do you know who did this? No. I have no idea. No idea. No leads. No leads. To be honest with you, I don't even, I mean, I just hope it ends and stuff like that doesn't occur again. I mean, I don't know if it was targeting me specifically, seeing that there were seven or eight of us in the, in the sprinter.

We were the last vehicle going in. There were two that were all. The other two vehicles were already in the valet at this time. So they hit us last. So they just came out of pretty much nowhere, absolutely nowhere, total ambush. We couldn't even, we couldn't see it all. But Floyd was definitely one of the SUVs. And I'm glad they, I don't think they knew, I guess, but whatever the case is, I'm glad he's okay. Yeah.

And I'm glad everyone else is okay. Do you guys think that they were targeting Floyd? that's hard to say your guess would be as good as mine Ariel okay I mean that's that's a tough one because I don't know who it was at all it's Atlanta I mean Atlanta could be Atlanta could be a rough place I guess somebody had an issue with us being there or whatever the case was I don't I don't know and just curious did you catch a glimpse of anyone like did you see the people in the car did you see like you even know what they look like no

did and I popped up after and we didn't see anyone they were already gone so wow as we were turning left so like if you could imagine I'm kind of facing this way and uh we're turning this way yeah and they're coming from this okay like kind of like almost it's blindside right so it's kind of blindside right so it's kind of blind side and then they shot kept going and as they shot you just saw like like if i could it's so hard to explain like if i show like if i could show you through my eyes what i saw in that car, it looked like a war zone, like a, like a military war. It was ridiculous. So in the truck, there's just debris flying everywhere. And all you could do is get down. It's 12 shots

being fired so quickly. You have to take cover. Once you, once you've been targeted, the first thing you have to do is take cover and then kind of regrouped. So what we did is we took cover and we did that U-turn and we just got out of there because at that point I was hit. So we said, guys, get me to the hospital. Because at that point, I didn't know. if it hit artery, if I was going to bleed out or what the case was. But I just remember being extremely calm after I got hit. I mean, it's a scary thing. Once I felt the, you actually feel the bullets coming through.

It's like, like the sound of it is like so hard that you kind of feel like the, it's like base almost. So they were coming through the car and then, you know, we just did that U-turn and took off. Once you hear all that stuff, man, you got to just get the hell out of there, you know what I'm saying? Have you ever been shot at before? No, I haven't been shot at, but I've been in a situation where people were shooting at each other, and I was right in the middle of it. I've had guns pulled on me, but fortunately nobody's shot at me, except for this time. Wow. Yeah, so you get to the hospital. Is the bullet still in you?

Okay, so this is what happened. I get to the hospital, and, uh, the, they had me on the bed, they did x-rays and everything. So there was a massive hole in my, in my leg. It was right, I thought it was right in there and everything. So they're like, okay, let's go check what's going on here. So they came back and told me, we've never seen this before, but there's no bullet in there. So I don't know what happened. I'm looking at my pant leg after, and there was a bunch of little holes in my plant leg,

and one kind of like, it was right on the seam, like right where it crossed the seam. So it might have went in my leg that far. and then the actual cloth of it pulled it back out. I'm not too sure what happened. They said they've never seen it before, but it definitely was a massive hole in my leg. So they said I was very, very, very lucky. They said they've seen a lot of leg shot deaths,

and it's very common. They told me that after, of course. Otherwise, I ought to fucking shoot out. So did you have surgery? No. They came back in, and when he told me, he said, Greg, we need to check your thigh. I'm like, my thigh, why?

He says, because we see some kind of metal by your thigh, but it was a zipper I had on my leg. So he really scared me when he said that. Just like grabbed my thigh and he was squeezing it to see if I had any pain, but I didn't. And I could wiggle my toes at that point. So he said, okay, I think we're okay. I don't think we hit anything major.

And the bullet didn't climb up your leg, which is very good. So you got very, very lucky. at this point, we do not sew this up. These kind of injuries need to heal from the inside out, and you just have to take good care of it and make sure it doesn't get infected, because the process of healing starts basically as soon as you leave that hospital,

you've got to make sure it's clean 24-7, because if that gets infected, if it gets on the bone, I don't know whether it's gangrene or whatever they call it, but you could amputate your leg if it gets infected. So, of course, I got, All the stuff I needed, and I was cleaning that thing three, four times a day in front of the, front of the mirror, under the sink, cleaning it. I'd do what I have to do. I wanted to keep my leg.

So did you just walk out that night? Yeah, I wanted to get out of there as quick as possible. So I was in the hospital. I got shot at 3 a.m. I was in the hospital at probably 3.15. I was out of the hospital probably by about 515. Wow. I got a hide back to the hotel.

I got a flight. My flight was actually at 8, 10 a.m. that morning. So I had to hide it. I bandaged it all up. I hit it so that when I got to the plane, they couldn't see it. So they wouldn't like refuse me. So they pushed me around in a wheelchair.

I wrapped it up all nicely. So I was basically on the plane. Two hours and change after I got to the hospital. So five hours after I got shot, I was on a plane. Wow. And on crutches and everything. So how does it feel now like three weeks later? Now it's, it feels like a like a massive bruise still at this point. I can put a little bit of weight on. I could walk on it kind of.

But like near the end of the night, it gets, it gets sore and it kind of just swells up still. So I'm trying to get over that point. I can't really, I don't really have an ankle on my left leg right now. I look like I have cancals. Okay. Something, you know, given the shape that you're in, something that you're not really familiar with. I know. And you're expected to make a full recovery, right? Yes, absolutely will.

I don't know about, I might have, I might be missing a little bit of feeling there. I'm not sure yet. Right now, it feels numb. It feels numb at the, just right at the hole and kind of like around it. So I guess we'll see, maybe I hit some nerve. I'm not worried about that. Who cares? That just means if I take another bullet in the same spot.

I won't feel it again. And somewhat speaking of that, like you seem to be very calm about this, like no revenge or hatred in your heart. How is that possible? Because, well, first of all, I don't know what it is. It could be something as simple as, you know, somebody who's looking to get street credit or something.

I don't take it personal, to be honest with you. I don't take it personal in that sense. It was scary while it happened kind of. As soon as I did get hit, I had this weird sense of calm that came over me. I just remember laying down and said, guys, I'm good. Just get me the hospital. I'm good. I promise.

And the guys were like, you know, they were obviously rightfully so worried about me. And they were looking at me kind of when I could see the worry in their face like, oh, shit, what's going on here? So I told them, guys, trust me, I'm good. I don't feel anything. I said, it's good. I don't feel it. I said, I don't think it's bleeding out. I said, I got my hand on it.

Just get me to the hospital. we'll take it from there. But other than that, I really don't have any... You're not pursuing these guys? What's that? You're not pursuing them? You just kind of want to move on.

I just want to move. Absolutely just want to move on. Yeah. It wasn't, it didn't feel personal. It wasn't like, it wasn't personal. I don't want to, I don't want to personally do anything like that about it. I just want to move on. hopefully people find love in their hearts and it doesn't happen again.

I don't have any hate. I'm not angry about it. Just like, I mean, I'd be lying if I said at this point I'm not, not paranoid, but more aware. Like, you just kind of look around and you know things can happen now. It's like, whoa, what the hell? Like, somebody really tried to take me out. And you're just aware that it can happen. And who's to say that somebody on the road just doesn't like to.

way you look and just walks up to you and just shoots at you for no reason. You know, I mean, it happens all the time. Look what happened in Vegas, those poor people. And they didn't have a chance. So it's, this kind of stuff really happens. And people think it can't happen to them, but it can. And my line of work, you know, I know I sign up for what I sign up for. But, you know, nobody deserves to be shot like that and ambushed and, like, you know,

treated like, like how people treat cattle, I guess. Like that was, it's quite violating. Yeah, yeah, yeah. How has Floyd handled all this? I mean, I spoke to Floyd a few times. He called, make sure I was good. I spoke to him, and he seems good. You know, Floyd, Floyd knows that life goes on.

He's not going to let it affect him. Floyd's a professional inside and outside the ring. And, you know, he knows what position he's in. And definitely not going to let it affect him. He's out in Dubai right now, having a great time, feeding zoo animals. I'm happy for him. And, you know, our whole team will do a full recovery from it. We'll keep moving forward.

And I have to be honest, what hurts. What hurts more is I shaved right before this, and I cut myself. Oh. I'm trying to freaking, yeah. Oh, you're good. I cut myself right here right before you go, buddy. Oh, yeah, maybe you were nervous. maybe the anticipation.

But no, you're good. We can't see it. Don't worry. I just thought you'd like to, you know, rub your chin. We're all good. Don't worry about it. Did you have... Kiss me won't stop.

No, it's all good. It's all good. You've been through worse. Have you beefed up security as a result of this around Floyd? No, no need. No need. That's, you know, we're prepared. Security's prepared for things.

Sometimes people are going to ambush you and maybe come from, a side that you can't see it. In this specific situation, it was the case. Like there's, you know, I mean, you could be as prepared as military. You could be as prepared as someone who's highly, highly, highly trained and he could still be ambushed. The point is, there's going to be situations in people's lives where you might, you might, I don't want to say, let your guard down or stand out, but there's going to be times where you're looking this way and something happens this way. It's just the nature of the piece. So, I mean, we can have 500

of us. I mean, it only takes one bullet, right? The point is, our job is to give Floyd's space and protect him, and he didn't get hit. We got out of there. Everyone's safe. So I think we did a hell of a job and we'll continue on the way it is. By the way, if this didn't happen, would

you be with him in Dubai right now? Absolutely. You're with him all the time, right? Everywhere. Everywhere. I'm with him everywhere. How long have you been with him for? I think it's going on about, I think about five years at this point, four, four and a half, something like that, four and a half, five years. How did you meet? I've been with him for a while.

I met him out in, I mean, I used to see him around Vegas all the time because I've lived in Vegas. I came from Toronto to Vegas. I've been here for about eight and a half years now. I used to see him all the time. I never formally met him. but I met him in Miami the first day I worked for him actually and he needed extra guys at that point I think it was after one of the BET Awards or something

and he was out in Miami and he needed extra guys and then Jizzy Mack there called me or got the assistant to actually call me and she said can you come right now you have a flight in two hours I said I'll be there so I got on a plane I went there met him and three days later we got back to Las Vegas and he said I need you to stick around with me. He had like seven or eight guys extra for that specific weekend and he kept just me.

So I think I did pretty good in terms of leaving a good. He's notorious for like, you know, training at 3 a.m. doing things on a whim. What is it like not really knowing what's going to happen every day? Like the fact that it didn't cross my mind that he was in Dubai. I saw that on his Instagram and I know you can't travel right now. But like I was even thinking, what if he calls you, you know, two minutes before this interview? Like we got to go to freaking, I don't know, where. Like you're always on call, right?

Always on call 24-7, 365 days a year. It's got its goods and bats. The good is I've always been a guy who doesn't like to know what I'm doing next. So that's a good part. So I definitely got my bowl of cereal. Yeah. Now I just don't know what I'm doing. I can't really plan anything.

I can't tell my lady, hey, let's go to a dinner. I mean, I could, but then if I get called, she understands and I got to go, you know. So, yeah, it's tough. But if I need time off, I tell Floyd, hey, can I get a few days? I want to go see my family back in Toronto or, you know, I want to take my lady to a vacation. He's like, yeah, no, he's never given me any issue. Like, if I ask for it, he's like, no problem. It doesn't even, it's not even like why or this.

There's never a question. It's just go, do what you've got to do. Absolutely. I'll see in a bit. Go, have fun. It's good in that sense, very good. Of course, you became a lot more well-known, especially in our world. You referenced the Turkey line last summer in the build-up to the fight.

How has life changed? Because before you're just kind of the guy in back of him, but now you're kind of a character in his whole world. How has life changed since the migrable? fight? You know, it kind of happened overnight because, of course, that fight was pretty much the, I mean, that was the biggest thing happening in the entire planet. Those two guys were the most famous guys that were walking Earth at that specific moment.

It's changed a lot. He put me on his, I guess Connor McGregor there, put me on his Instagram, called me a juice and said, and then he had the argument with me on stage in Brooklyn. That's where I actually met you after that. And then in England, he let me have it. I wasn't on stage, so I couldn't say any back. So he let me have it there. I had to take it.

But it was great. I loved it. Just the fact that he was paying attention to me and, like, put me out there. It was awesome, man. That was like, honestly, it was pretty surreal. And then I didn't think anything of it. The next day, people started hitting me up. People started hitting me up.

Media started hitting me up. I was like, wow, what the hell? What this guy do to me just now? So I started brainstorming. And right after. After that, I started coming up with plans of my own company. I was thinking of doing the Juice Head Turkey supplement line and stuff like that. But we went with Bricks Brothers with my partner, Ray, Gizzy Mac.

We have other partners as well. We went with the Bricks Brothers supplement line and our shirts and stuff, as I'm wearing right now. So that part's changed. I work for Floyd and on the side also I'm doing this business, which I work very hard doing. So I'm pretty much working 24-7. So Conner's actually put more workload on me. So I don't want to thank him for that or get for that. But, but man, it was surreal.

That whole experience was amazing. I've been part of Floyd's fights, four or five fights, whatever it is. But that was totally different. I love the fact that it was MMA world clashing with the boxing world because I'm a huge MMA fan. I've always loved MMA. I've trained some Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, karate. so I've always been an M&A guy personally.

Back in the Mike Tyson days, I used to love Mike Tyson. So that was boxing back then in the early 80s. But then I was with Floyd. I used to, before I worked for Floyd, I loved Floyd. Then I started working for him. And it was like, okay, I'm in the boxing world now. And I became friends with everybody. So now I'm a huge boxing fan as well, a huge MMA fan.

So just the fact that those two came together like that with the best of both sports. It was unbelievable. And I'm front and center, and I got the guy yelling at my face, calling me a juice head. Oh, it was great. You weren't offended?

Absolutely not. And then this whole team wanted to beat me up, it was great. Yeah. It was fun. So the Bricks Brothers line, the supplements, and the clothing,

is it out? Is it public? Yeah, so I have, this is my pre-workout right now, the intensity, pre-workout. I'm getting massive, massive, reviews. You can check it out at www.bricksbrothers. That's

B-R-I-X-X-B-R-T-H-E-R-S.com. Our reviews are amazing right now. It's literally probably one of the best pre-workouts on the market. I personally think it's the best, of course. Everybody who said the review said it's the best one I've ever taken, so it's labeled the world's best pre-workout right now, and people are loving it.

So we're doing good. Working for Floyd, busy, working with Bricks brothers, busy. My life is just one crazy, busy life. Now, I got to ask you, just between you and I, no one's watching. I saw on Instagram very, very recently, Floyd's in the gym, he's hitting the bag. He keeps teasing us. He did an interview with Jim Gray. If I come back to fighting, it's MMA, it's 1.45 pounds.

It's in the octon, all this stuff. Honestly, tell us the truth, Greg, from one Canadian to another. Is Floyd Mayweather going to compete in mixed martial arts? Is this real? At first, at first, I would have said, okay, what's Floyd doing here? What's he doing? What's he thinking? As it developed, I was like, man, I think he's really going to do it. And at this point right now, if I have to guess, I think he might do it.

I think he might really get in there. Your guess, my guess is going to be as good as yours. Because at the end of day, Floyd is private. All the stuff that goes on behind the scenes, obviously is very, very massive, massive. business that's out of my league at this point. So, but hanging out with him and in the crew, I'd have to say, yeah, I think it's a huge possibility right now. If they can get the numbers right, I think he might, he might go in.

I don't know if they're going to, I don't know if they're going to do anything with the rule set. I'm not sure. But as of right now, I would say, I think it might happen. And that's going to be huge, huge. Yes. Yeah, there was a report that came out about these modified rules that were on the table. Have you heard anything about that?

I mean, you're right there next to him. I'm sure you hear him talk about this stuff, right? I haven't heard it from him because I haven't heard it from him specifically. I saw it on the internet and I saw a couple people because I get like 50, 60 texts a day. Yeah. People say, hey, it's going to happen. But I really don't have answers in terms of how the rule set would be or if he's going to fight in that case. But I think he comes in.

I think he does a fight or two, maybe. maybe, maybe three fights. I've heard, I've heard him say, like, he might do three fights. But, you know, Floyd is like, Floyd keeps it so interesting, just like my job. I don't know what I'm doing next. You don't know what he's doing next. And it keeps it so much fun. And it's, I'm enjoying the fun just as much as you guys are.

But in terms of him fighting, I think, I think he has what it takes. I think he trains a little bit. And, and he goes in there. and we fight somebody and we see how it goes. Have you seen him train MMA yet? Do you know, because I know Tyron Woodley's talked about helping him out. Have you actually, has this been done yet? He's been like, he was doing some running and stuff like that.

In terms of training with Tyron, I haven't been there to see him, but I don't know if he is. That could be something he's doing. I'm not sure. But as of right now, he's in Dubai feeding animals. So if that's considered training, then that's training. He's having a good time right now. Floyd is a very, very smart, smart, smart, smart, smart businessman. I couldn't, I couldn't say it enough.

He knows what he's doing. He knows what sells. He knows what people want to see. And as much as people want to talk, like he's made his billion in fighting, mostly, I'd say, 75% from the naysayers. They could keep saying what they want, but he's always delivered. He's always had big fights.

He's been on the point where he was the B-side. He's been on every side of the, every side of the coin. Like, I had a guy the other day telling me, oh, you know, he fought Delaware, when Delaware was such and such. I said he was the B-side for that fight. I said, I'm not going to argue, but he was the B-side for that fight. And he came and he went under Delahoya's rules. And Delahoya, Delahoya picked what he wanted to do.

So, and then, you know, Delahoya went on to fight Pachiao at a drain weight, but nobody complains about that. The point is Floyd always has people, they never give him a fair shake. They're never going to give him the credit he's due ever. Like he can go in and fight Connor tomorrow on full set of rules, whether he wins or loses. They still won't give him credit. If he loses, they're going to say, oh, you suck. and if he wins, they're going to say, oh, that was fixed. Like, they're always going to say something.

Like, the boxing match, so many people say, oh, that was fixed. It wasn't fixed. That was beautiful. That was perfectly, perfectly done. It was, it was set up perfectly. The fight went really well. I think Connor did pretty damn good, if you ask me. But they're never going to give him his fair shake, ever.

It doesn't matter what he does. I don't know. I don't want you to speak on his behalf, but why, in the law? world, would he ever go to a sport that he's not, you know, an expert at? He's 50 and O in boxing. He's 40-something, right? He has made a boatload of money. He's a billionaire, as you said. He could still make a boatload of money in boxing. Why go to the sport that you don't, you know, you don't know as much about, you're not the best at, and risk your health, your legacy, why even do that? Well, you know, his middle name is Money Mayweather. And he is, he is, he is,

is the best boxer, in my eyes, the best boxer and ever live. In many of people's eyes, the best boxer, or at least the best defensive fighter to ever live. Floyd's a gladiator, man. These guys are fighters. At the end of the day, they're fighters. They get in there and they put their lives on the line. Like Deonti Wilder says it, you put your life on the line,

like when you go in there. So boxing is different than MMA in terms of the style, but in terms of the mental game, it's exactly the same thing. You're going to get your head beaten. And there's people that died in these rings. in boxing especially. So Floyd's a gladiator. He is a fighter.

This is what he does. Can he pick up on MMA pretty quickly? I'm sure he can. Can he compete with the guys in MMA? I guess we'll just have to see. My thing would be very interesting to see how he could defend a takedown. Yeah. Keep it on the, keep it on.

I mean, if Floyd fights somebody on his feet, they'd be crazy to do that because they're just going to get annihilated. But of course, you know, there's kicking as well. He'd have to learn how to defend the kicks. It's going to be a different range. It's obviously a different range. So you'd have to learn that. But it's so interesting. There's so many questions.

Just like the boxing match, we had so many questions we needed answered. And I think fans right now want to see those questions answered. But what people never take into account is that he is 41, but they never give Floyd a fair shake, like I said. And the fact that he is 41, they never say, hey, he's 41. Like look what happened to, um, look what happened to boxers when they turned 36, 37, 38, like Sugar Ray, for example. He got older and he's a great, great boxer, but he got older and, you know, it was because he was older.

But Floyd, it's never because he was older. It's just, please let us see this guy lose. You know what I mean? So he is 41 and he would be trying a new sport. So, yeah, it's a stretch, but he's a gladiator, like I said, and he makes smart decisions. And I think whatever he does do, it's going to be the right decision. and don't sleep on him. So right now you think it's an actual thing.

There's a real possibility this happens. You believe it happens. There's definitely a real possibility of happening. I would definitely say there's a real possibility. Because even around our camp, he's talking about it, and he talks about doing it. So we never know. I guess now it's just if the numbers are right,

I guess the opponent at this point, we'll see how it goes. By the way, what do you think of the whole incident in Brooklyn with Connor and the bus and all that? I think I probably gave him too many scoops of my pre-workout. I had too much caffeine for him. He's got to slow it down. Well done. Honestly, he knows how to publicize himself.

I don't know if it was a publicity son or whatnot, but I think he went a little too far. He hurt some of the fighters. I think that's wrong to do. But like I said, he's a fighter. He's a passionate guy. you get heated and you're you know that passion that passion boils through you do things that you you don't necessarily think about and then maybe later you regret them and at this point maybe he says uh oh damn maybe i took it a little too far maybe i could have walked in and said screw you man

i'm i'm coming for you know i'll kick your ass but uh he definitely took it a little too far hurting uh hurting uh who was it keezas or something yeah mike mike kesa hurt his eye yeah he heard his eye He messed up the card and put the white in a pretty shitty position. But that's Connor McGregor, and that's part of the reason why people love him. And I don't think he loses any fans over it. So my opinion, I guess, yeah, don't hurt anyone. But, I mean, shit, it just puts him at the forefront of the media again. And when he does come back, and I hope he does come back to the UFC because he's fun to watch,

his fight's going to be that much bigger. Greg, it's great to have you on the program. Long overdue, I must say, you were very kind to us last year. You always looked out for us, and we were both Canadian, so you always made a point to look out for your fellow Canadian, and you were really great to work with last year. So thank you very much publicly for that. I'm so happy to hear that you're okay, that you survive, that you're going to be okay.

That is great. We were doing the show when the kids, when the, the news came out and I was like, why? I couldn't believe it. I had just been texting with you a couple days earlier and it was a very scary thing. So I'm really happy to hear that you're okay. And congrats on the launch of your line, your clothing line and as well your supplement line. As you said, Bricksbrothers.com. B-R-I-X-X-Brothers.com. We have your Instagram up there for more information. Greg underscore TMT where a lot of people can learn more about what you're doing and, of course, your business. So continued success to you, my friend. And if we see you,

you on the MMA side of things. Holy smokes. I don't know what to say at that point, but it sounds like it's a real thing. So, wow. I love it. I'll love it. I hope it, I hope it does for everyone's sake, I guess, but it would be great. Oh my God, it would be great. All the best, you my man, keep in touch. And I hope that nobody throws garbage cans at our bus. Yeah, no, for sure. I think those days are over, hopefully. All the best. Heal up soon. I hope you have a speech. I hope you have a speedy recovery and we'll talk very soon. Thanks for coming on today. Thank you so much, Ariel. Appreciate it. Always respect to you. Thank you very much. All right. There he is. Greg Larosa. Longtime security guard for one, Floyd Mayweather.

He was front and center throughout the entire Mayweather McGregor tour, the fight, the buildup, media day, workout, all that stuff and more. Got shot like three weeks ago. In his leg, we put up the... Could we put those up one more time? Those photos provided to us, by the way, by Mr. LaRosa. Look at that. I mean, I sent those to New York, Rick, yesterday. And, oh, look at that. Ooh.

Oh, that is just insane. I feel like him be, you know, he's a big guy, he's in shape. That has to help in some way, shape, or form. Like, if that happened to me, I feel like I would just crumble to dust. I would just go, crying. He said it was like a flick. That's just insane. So there you have it. Real possibility. He thinks it's happening. Floyd Mayweather, M.M.A. We shall see. I had heard about the modified rules thing. I don't know, you know, how much validity there is to it.

I've heard it discussed. And I've heard his comments. And look, the thing about Floyd is, you got to give him credit for this. On the first day in Los Angeles, I believe it was July 11th, they squared off. What was the first thing that he said to Connor? Connor said it in our interview right after. He said, MMA next. And at the time, we were like, yeah, right. What if this actually comes to fruition? I'm not going to sit here and say, there's no chance. It doesn't make sense. I don't understand why. I think he can make 250 million doing boxing against anyone under the sun, let alone, you know, the top draws right now, but anyone under the sun, Floyd is still the biggest draw in that sport. He's still the master of his domain. He's his own promoter. He has a great deal with Showtime.

Why, even if it's for, like, how much more are they going to give him? How much more could he possibly make in MMA that he can't make in boxing? Fifty million more. Like, at that point, what does that really mean? But he was on with Jim Gray not that long ago, talking about wanting to fight at 145 if he came back or would be mixed martial arts. The whole thing feels like deja vu. Now, does it happen in August? Like, you know, this past year with the counterfeit, which came together rather quickly. At this point, we were rounding third. It got announced in mid-June and the fight happened August of last year, August 26th. I'm not sure if it happens that soon, but according to a guy who's with him quite often, who's by his side,

it's a real thing. So take that for what it's worth. By the way, one more thing before we move along, and that does it for the interview portion of today's show, but there's still plenty more show to go. We've got Rick's picks coming up, answer some of your questions, and you can get ready for that over at live.com.com slash MMFighting. We call it the MMMA after hour. If you're watching us on Twitter, stay right there. But I wanted to mention. because I did start the show talking about, you know, six years ago today, becoming a father for the first time, I would be remissified out mention Ray Borg and everything that he is going through. His son, Anthony, you probably have seen on social media.

He has done a great job of keeping us up to date. He is battling, and we really wish him the best. I mean, I can't imagine what Ray and his wife are going through, his son Anthony, having multiple surgeries, had an issue with his brain. He is just a few weeks old at this point. We talked about him becoming a father just a few days before UFC 223, and he flew out to Brooklyn, was very excited to get his career back on track, get back on the winning track.

And then, of course, he's on that bus, horrible luck, eye injury, and his fight against Brandon Moreno ended up being canceled just two days out. And then it got rebooked for the Chile card on May 19th. And then just late last week, we found out that he's now off that card. That was first reported by Combatte, and we ended up confirming that as well because of having to care for his son. I can't imagine just mentally what he's going through right now. His son's name is Anthony, and the photos are heartbreaking.

but he is handling it, I mean, as impressively as humanly possible. I've reached out to him a couple times, and I know the UFC has as well, and Dana White, and I just can't imagine. I just cannot imagine. My son Oliver had a little cyst on the back of his head. When he was one-year-old, we had it removed and just seeing them wheel him out, and he was in and out. It was no big deal, but the whole process was the worst thing that I've ever been through. and I just can't imagine what Ray and his wife are going through.

So if you are one who believes in prayer, if you believe in sending out positive thoughts, if you are a fan of this sport and the fans of this sport do such a great job in rallying for their own, for the fighters, they are so supportive. If you're the kind to do that, please send your positive thoughts to Ray and his family.

There's nothing greater than being a parent, There's no greater joy and nothing is more difficult if you are a parent than seeing your child go through something like that. I can't even imagine it. I mean, a scrape on the knee is painful. Going through something like that is unfathomable to me. So all the best to Anthony, all the best to Ray and his wife. We are thinking of you. We are pulling for you, thinking of him constantly and wishing you nothing but the best and hoping for great news. Everyone will be okay and that they can go back home and resume their lives happily and he's able to resume his career. His son proving to be just as tough, if not tougher than his old man, and that is saying

a lot. So I wanted to send the best to Ray and his family and the entire Borg family, in particular, Anthony. We're thinking about you, little man, and hoping for the best for you. So that does it for this portion of today's show. Again, live.totwit.com slash amma fighting. There's plenty more to discuss. We'll take a deeper look at Bellatora 198. Chale Sunnan versus Fyodor O'Millinenko is actually happening. And we'll tell you when it all started as well. We have the proof. We can talk about Damian Maya and Kamaro Usman,

now being the new main event for the UFC's debut in Santiago, Chile on May 19th. Maya is stepping up, as he often does. Talk about Gunner Nelson being out of the Liverpool card. And that is certainly a big blow to that card. Art Davy, now a part of the 2018 Hall of Fame class for the UFC. He's going to be inducted on July 5th in Las Vegas. The UFC finally announcing the Calgary card, their return to Calgary on July 28th. Jose Aldo against Jeremy Stevens is the co-main event.

The potential last season of Tough, women's 145, men's heavyweight, Those are the weight classes that they are looking for, Glover to share against Alir Latifi's official for Hamburg, Germany. Also in July, and unfortunately, Merab Balichvili's appeal has been denied by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. All that and much more we can discuss. Of course, we'll also check in with New York, Rick, and here his Rick's picks of the past week.

So go to live.22.com slash M.M.A fighting right now because here comes the M.M.A. after hour. And we are back. What a great day it has been. Thank you to all who have tuned in. Thank you to all who have checked in with us today. It has been a really eclectic mix of guests on today's program. I've really enjoyed it. From Dylan Danis to Frankie Edgar to Derek Lewis, Kenny Florian, Nick Newell in studio, John Gotti the third and John Gotti Jr. Chad Mendez, Jake Shields. And of course, Greg LaRosa, who we just spoke to. I mean, that's, That's as eclectic as they come. So it's been a lot of fun. But now it's time for everyone's favorite segment. It is time. Now it's time to open up your ears and your minds.

Yeah. It's time for Rick's Picks. Yeah. Rick's Picks. Rick's Picks are lots of fun. Yeah. And his hair isn't a bun because it's, you already know what it is. Rick's Picks.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. It's the new craze taking the world. by storm. Live from the Vox studios in beautiful New York City. It's time for RixPX. Hello, Ariel.

There he is. Wow, that was a quick hello. I'm feeling amped. Yeah, are you excited? You know what? Because I asked for my American flag wipe and Austin didn't give it to me. Yeah.

And now I'm just like, I'm amped up. I'm fired up right now. You're upset. I'm, you know, I'm... You feel betrayed. I'm feeling it. There's a fire. There's a fire.

Wow. You feel like he's holding out. He's not holding out. he's disobeying direct direct orders I believe you Americans call people like that

Benedict Arnold's Not exactly That's not what that is I mean he is You know Turning his back on the flag You have asked for the flag That you know

That could be Is he I don't even know I've never seen his passport I don't even know if he's American Yeah We'll find out What about his birth certificate I'd like to see it either

Who knows Well Maybe maybe he's a spy Also of note, you're not wearing a t-shirt. You're not hawking anything. I'm not wearing a t-shirt. Well, you're not, you're not, what is that? Oh, wow.

You don't seem as confident. You're covering it up. You've got the Cleveland Cavaliers T-shirt on, but yet you're not proudly- Don't do this now. We'll talk about this later. Oh, we are, okay. We'll get into this later. They squeak by the skin of their teeth over my Indiana Pacers.

The great Lance Stevenson, all up in that head of LeBron James. Ariel, save it. Okay. We'll talk about this later. I do have a bone to pick with the National Basketball Association and their scheduling committee booking my jazz after they dethrone. And by the way, I had that clip ready of me calling for Jazz and Five. I had it ready on Wednesday night.

They were up like 25 points. I had it ready. Oh, did you? I had it ready. Your Adobe from your skills? No, I was just going to like, you know, put it on YouTube. I didn't really know how to cut it. but you know I had I had it queued up

and of course see you make this very difficult because I like the jazz have been very kind to us they've been great the players have been fantastic the team staff has been fantastic tremendous but you're pushing this to the limit

of how much nonsense I can listen to without having to I have an emotional connection to the team now they have gone out of their way I'm with you make me feel loved and welcome now do you feel like it has made you delusion No. I'm just upset that they didn't get more than one day to process the victory and, you know, get some rest.

Ricky Rubio, injured hamstring. I'm needing some time to recover, yeah. I just thought that that was BS. Why did they have to have game one on Sunday afternoon? I think they would agree with you. Yeah. So, anyway. You're insufferable. Okay.

We start Rick's picks with an image here from Scott Coker, saying in his 33 years as a martial arts promoter, he's never had a fighter, give him gloves. What an honor from the goat fader. I did. What was that? Couldn't hold it. You've had like four and a half hours to get all the births out. I just drank a ginger ale. I mean, that's worse than me having cinnamon toast crunch at the beginning of a show.

You don't, you don't have ginger rail when you're about to go on air. Listen, I'm amateur are you? It was delicious. Jeez, Louise. It was delicious. Scott Coker getting Fader's gloves. Yeah. 32 years.

nobody that smile nobody has given it to him but the goat according to some has given him his gloves not only is he the goat

he's the minch I mean that's a minch move did you see the clip of the post-fight press conference fader comes up he gives him the gloves the wraps and his shorts I did see it yeah

beautiful oh there it is there it is God bless America you know what he's an American I knew it um do you have Nice gesture by favor.

You guys have like all the flags? Yeah, we do. Wow, that's amazing. So we can have like, between each pick, we have a different country.

We have like Cameroon and then France. We could theoretically. For all the different people who watch. Austin shaking his head. We actually don't have any of that. I'm just bullshitting. Okay. We had this person on the show earlier,

finding out this week that Nick Newell is taking his skills. He says, he's ready to bring my skills to the UFC. Next stop. Dana White's two. Tuesday Night Contender Series. Thank you for the opportunity to Dana White. Hashtag Newell World Order.

Yeah. NWO. Yeah. Nick Newell getting his shot on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. I think long overdue, but glad it's finally happening. How great was it to have Nick Newell in studio? He was fantastic. Also, some other fight bookings.

This week, we learned Damien Maya is stepping in to face Kamaru Usman and Chile. What a G that, Damien Maie? No one wants to fight Kamar Usman. He's coming off two really tough fights against Tyrone Woodley and Kobe Covington, who, oh, by the way, have similar styles to Kamara Usman, who, oh, by the way, are probably the worst style matchups for the 40-year-old Damian Maya, and he might even be 41 at this point. I'd have to double check.

And he's like, yeah, you know, on a month's notice, I'll take this fight five rounds. Yeah, no problem. Damien Maya, what can you say about this guy? he's fantastic I think this is a decent yeah you know it's tough

I think if it goes to the ground obviously he he's dangerous there and has some skills that will translate but I don't imagine Usman's going to take it to the ground it's an interesting stylistic one here's my question to you are you all aboard

the Kamar Usman Hype train because as I think I reported last week it was like UFC source says most avoided guy in the company clearly he's dominant clearly he's talented he's very hard to defeat right

do you feel like it's warranted all the hype all the buzz people avoiding are you all aboard or are you not quite sold I haven't seen anything to dissuade me the skills are clearly there he's been getting it done impressively I'm not going to be sold until I see him

against the top guy and Damia Maya is somebody I consider a top guy So this will be And I think Ponsanibio would have been A top guy as well So This is

This is going to say a lot This is going to say a lot About how he performs If he's able to finish Damia Maya Then I think he's It's saying something I think it's an important victory for him

If he's not Then maybe it's time to pump the brakes Yeah Wow But I need to see it Look I need to see it That's not a fair assessment What do you think?

I think going to get it done. I think he's, I think he's probably going to beat Maya up on the feed and not taking it to the ground. Yeah, we do. What do you, what do you think? I got him right here. What's your prediction? I think Usman's probably at least a two to one favorite. Yeah, he's a minus 380. Yeah,

that doesn't surprise me. It's, his his ability to keep Maya off him and taking it to the ground will dictate the fight. If he can do that and keep it standing, he's going to win the striking battle. So not surprised by that at all.

By the way, who's the favorite in the Daryntill Wonderboy Thompson fight? Hmm. I would think that the line's going to be semi-close. Maybe Thompson a small favorite. Yeah, minus 175 plus 155. Yeah, that seems about right to me. I think that's an interesting one because you'd expect that a hometown fight for Daryntill would be somewhere where he'd at least be the favorite. But he's got a tough task in front of it.

out. Did you know that the odds for the punk Jackson fight are out? Oh boy. Did you know this? How can you even make odds for that? What are the odds for that? I couldn't even begin to speculate. What's your guess? No idea. I throw a dart at a board. I have no idea. I'm not too surprised.

Jackson minus 200? I don't know. 225. Punk plus what is that based on? Who knows what either of these guys can do? I mean the fact that he has more combat sports experience. Yeah, but why 200? Why not minus 500? Why not an even fight? I don't know. I don't know. I couldn't tell

I couldn't begin to tell you what the odds How about Rashad Evans being a plus 273 underdog against Anthony Smith? That's somewhat surprising, right? It tells you where he is in his career. Yeah, but I mean, that's Anyway, getting ahead of ourselves here. No, okay, so speaking of other fights,

booked during the show, I mean, you stepped all over Rick's picks today. That's okay, though. I mean, look, you got to adapt. You know what? You got adapt and overcome. It's okay. You've had like four hours. It's okay.

Who did I mention this to? A freaking Kenny Florey. That was like three hours ago. Yeah, I sent it to you. Yeah, good. Why'd you send it to me? What do you time with? You would have seen it anyway. Yes, I would have seen it anyway.

But Brad Tavares... As first mentioned on this program, by the way, where's my credit? Or at least Brad's credit. He mentioned this last week. Yeah. Well, I mean... What? He's been calling out a lot of people. No, he didn't call him out. He said it was on the table, if you recall.

He said that this... Yeah, but he didn't want this fight. No, on Twitter, there's been a lot of callouts on this one, my friend. Brad Tavares versus Israel, Adasana, booked. for the tough 27 finale on July 6th. This is in the same vein as Wonderboy versus Darren Till. It's unnecessary. It's an unnecessary.

I get the showcase fight. I get the fight. Main event, you know, tough finale, the night before 226, a lot of eyes, good spot. That's where Gaichi fought last year. I get it all. But there's a big jump. There is a massive jump between Marvin Vittori and Brad Tavaras. Is there not?

I think Marvin might be a little underrated. I think Marvin's pretty good. Listen. I don't think that this is... Look at Brad Tavares' record. Look, don't get me wrong. In the UFC, since 2012, his only losses were to U.L. Romero,

Tim Boch, and Robert Whitaker. That's it. And then the only other loss was Aaron Simpson way back in 2011, long time ago for him. But that's it. Yeah, Brad Tavar's is a very good fighter. Two of his three losses were against the two guys

who were fighting for the belt in June. Very good fighter. There's a big jump. And then since the loss to Whitaker, he has won four fights in a row. Right? Most recently, the TKO win in Glendale. I don't know. Look, I'm not saying Adesania can win this fight.

All I'm saying is there's a whole long line of guys who would have been suitable for his third fight. It just seems like, what's the point? Plus, let's be honest, Tavaar's not the biggest name, a grinder, a tough out. I don't know. But look, if, I mean, it's a gamble. If you beat Brad Tavares, that could mean next year, you're knocking on the door. But I agree with you. It's not an easy one.

I don't think Adasanya needs an easy one, though. I think unless you're putting him in there with somebody who can consistently take him down, he's going to be in favorable positions in the fight. Now, does that mean he'll always be in favorable positions? Will he sometimes be neutralized? Probably. He's not a relatively complete fighter to that degree yet. And Brad Tavares, I think, is.

But he will have his opportunities, and I think this one is going to be very interesting. I like this fight from a, do I want to see this guy fight this guy perspective, but I completely understand where you're coming from in terms of maybe there's a step between Vittori and Tavaras. Yeah. I'm with you.

I'm with you. There is, by the way, just for the record. Okay, Daniel Cormier. Yes. Posting a photo sent to him by our very own Esther Lynn. Yes. 2009, San Diego, King Moe. Yes.

In this photo shoot here, the caption says, look at what all elbows just sent me. Wow, this is amazing. Circa 2009, San Diego. King Moe's training camp, just a pudgy kid from Louisiana with no idea of what was to come. Hashtag the Originals. Tagging Bunch the Great. hashtag money stance hashtag GDP hashtag team 30 yes we're doing the the guap the little the hand sign for for money um for team uh team thirsty look at those uh look at those nipple rings for king mo yeah king mo

not daniel there you got you're wearing a t-shirt Sean bunch uh by the way i did ask mr cormiere why was he the only one in the photo wearing a t-shirt and he he he admitted that it was because he was pudgy and didn't feel comfortable going surely. Look, he owns up to it now. Nearly a decade later, just a pudgy kid from Louisiana. By the way, people may forget, but at the time, the star on the rise was King Moe. Cormier was second fiddle.

King Moe was the guy that we thought, you know, he's had a fine career, but he has had some setbacks. He had the very serious staff infection. It was all about Mo back then. I think that's fair to say. It was all about him. But with the understanding that, like, Corrieu was brand new. Yeah, but no one predicted.

Like, it's the same... When Mo came in, like, he was the guy to watch. He was the guy in San Goku. He was the guy. Sure. I get it. It was the same as our infamous moment here on the MMA hour, with Chris Wydman being the accompany...

The accompaniment to John Volante, but he was too new. Now it has proven it is bared itself out. Cormier was, you know, Bellator these days. days, it's a very similar scene to those days in Strikeforce where, you know, they'll sign an Ed Ruth, a Tyro Fortune, a Dylan Danis, you know, they'll sign these guys who have no experience, Aaron Pico. Of course, Cormier was a two-time Olympian, but you get my point, you throw him on the challengers card and you hope for the best. He was that guy. You have no idea what to expect. Throw him on a challengers card in Oklahoma and hope for the best. And you recall early on, he was

fighting like all the time from Houston to Australia to everywhere in between and then he ends up being the best in that photo but I don't think anyone would have predicted back then in 2009 that he would have had A, the Hall of Fame career that he has had and B that he would have ended up at least

as of right now with the better career of those three. And by the way we're talking about Gilroy High School's own Daniel Cormier head coach. This next Rick's pick from MMA Fight

Our website. Yes. UFC 223 over, but not too late to have a look back through the photography of Esther Lynn. Focus, a feature for MMA fighting's video. Yes. Always great. Check it out on the MMA fighting. YouTube page, MMAfighting.com.

Look at you being a team player. So it's all I know how to do. Stop it. So this tweet from Mark Cuban. Oh, this was great. Saying my favorite Donald Trump interview of all time, make sure to watch the end. So that interview is Ariel speaking to Donald Trump. POTUS.

His favorite interview with Donald Trump. And the reason, let's bring the audio up is going to be apparent in a second. I mean. Is because he's going to address Cuban. Is there anything that you'd like to see done differently from the first time? I was nervous. May of 2009. I think the second event in particular was one of the most exciting sporting events.

Dropping knowledge. Yeah, he knows more than you would expect. And you just let him go out of it. There's nothing artificial. There's nothing you have to change. You've been a part of boxing for a long time. Do you think that M&A has now surpassed boxing as the new combat sports of the 20th century? Well, I really do.

Look at that young whippers stapper. You're talking about Trump. There's still some good ones, but overall MMA is the place to be. Oh, final question. You're up at the podium with Mark Cuban. Has the beef been settled between? you too well we're friends and we never had a real beef we're just having fun he had a show i had a show and mark's a great guy and really a smart cookie and the job he's done with the team you know

everything he touches just seems to turn to goal and he really is a good guy some people don't wonder i wonder how he feels about that one now on the main event by the way i stuck one in you always have to go with faynor but it's going to be a very tough fight i watched josh that same evening and he really dominated a great fighter he just dominated it wasn't even that much of a match and Josh is going to be very tough to beat. But of course, you always have to go with the guy who's considered the best of the world by far. He knows. He knows.

Wait, can I just say something? Yeah, talk about it. People have told me, and this is just me, you know, relaying what people have said. People have told me that Trump has never come off better than he did in that 90-second interview, that I brought the best out in Trump. Now, who are these people? That he was humble, that he was insightful, that he was honest, he was approachable. it's just amazing that some young green

MMA reporter is able to bring out the best in someone like that. So I accept those accolades little disappointed that Mr. Cuban did not tag me in the tweet but nevertheless I appreciate And this... He didn't tag, no, he didn't tag...

Tag Trump. Oh, you're right, he did tag Trump. It takes two to tango. And I asked the question, of course. But, you know, that interview seems to pop up every time Fiotr fights. because of his connection to affliction. Sure.

And I saw it as well the night before. It was a very cool time. I must say it was very fun at the time to interview him. But you know what's the most surreal about all this? I mean, look, that's probably the most surreal because he is the president. But this Michael Cohen character who's all up in the news, he was like my direct link to affliction for a very long time. I mean, if you type in in Google, if you Google Arial Holani and Michael Cohen,

there are interviews that pop up with me and Michael Cohen just, you know, talking about the day-to-day business of affliction. And it's just unbelievable that now, you know, he's involved in this crazy story. I mean, Michael Cohen, I was talking about it. I remember sitting in my apartment next to my wife, you know, newly married. I'm doing jaripark.com. I'm recording interviews with him, not getting paid a dime for any of this. And now look at him all over the news, nightly news every night, updates on him.

There's never been a better time. Come back on the show. You imagine. A sit-down interview. Wow. With the one journalist, he said he tried. trusted after all these years. Michael, why'd you do it? Did you pay that money out of your own pocket? Why do we even aim for that? Let's just get Donald. Donald would be nice. It would be nice.

Listen, the accolades have been given. You've been showered with praise, including Mr. Cuban. They're friends, apparently, according to that clip, they're great friends. Smart cookie. Yeah, smart cookie. It's a great. Maybe we can get to Mark and Mark can get to Donald and we can make this happen. Donald Trump in studio on the MMIA. Yeah, it was a great time. You see Jerry Millen in back of him over there. I saw Jerry in the cage after Fyodor Juan. And what a look of relief on his face on Saturday after winning that fight. It was just, there's nothing like, even till this day, a Fyodor fight.

You know, the energy is just amazing. It would be nice if Mr. Trump, you know, what is he, 45 or 46? He's 45, right? It'd be nice if he actually, you know, came out and supported his guy. Maybe if they do the next round, could you imagine, Chale Sondon, Frieder Melliniko, Madison Square Garden in around October November, and the Donald is there. It don't really calls him the Donald anymore. But anyway, Mr. Trump, President Trump's sitting in the front row.

Could you imagine that? I mean, what would Chale think about all of that? Because he's a pretty proud Republican, right? I mean, Chale would be ecstatic. What else would he have to feel? Oh, my. We're going to talk about that fight. And he would know that Donald is there for him, you know, Mr. Trump is there for him.

for Chale. For Chale. Well, Chale, by the way, a former contestant on the... On a show. Although, there's so many ways this can happen. Correct me if I'm wrong, though. I do believe that was the Arnold Schwarzenegger era of the show. Oh, maybe you're right.

Look, he's still a producer or whatever he was. Yeah, but there were some hard feelings, I think, the tweets, the ratings. Anyway, good trip down memory lanes. Chale brought the ratings. He cheated episode one and got eliminated. Yeah, but it was great. Yeah, didn't he, like, cut the phone or something? Yeah, he cut the phone card.

Look. Prolific. Yes. Is how we'll describe that. Okay. Back to Rick's picks. Yes. Rashad Evans.

Yes. And Rampage Jackson. How about this? Old buddies. Old buddies. Doing a movie. With moustaches. Rashad saying that there's about to be some smoke in the city.

Tagging Rampage. Hashtag Brothers. I believe the film is called Boss Level. Okay. And Rashad and Rampage getting together. Carrying rocket launchers. incredible. They look good.

They look good, right? Yeah, they look great. This is great. I wonder if they have speaking parts, or are they like bebop and rock steady. Remember those guys? Time out. What?

Where did you pull that from? Bebop and rock steady? You know who bebop? Of course. Ninja turtles. What are you talking about? The movie. The movie was great.

I love the movie. Okay. What was that? Go ninja, go. The vanilla ice wrap. That's all right. So maybe. I was all about that.

that. Kidding me? Okay, Paige Van Zant and Max Holloway did a U.S.O. Tour. This image pulled from Page's Instagram. Max also has some on Instagram. Who's that guy wearing the Pistons shirt?

That's Richard Hamilton. What? Rip Hamilton, as they call him. Page Van Zand and Max hanging out with Rip Hamilton? You damn right. You con zone? On the USO tour.

Hit the shot against Washington? Remember that? I do. Yeah. That's cool. NBA champion, Rip Hamilton. Paige Van Sant's second to last stop on this USO tour is in Iraq.

This has been such a life-changing experience. I'm so thankful. As I said, Max Holloway's Instagram also having some. The USO during the show tweeted this one out, late edition. Max Holloway and one John Stewart getting ready to square off. Oh, what is this?

This is incredible. Is he pulling up his underwear? Yeah, he's getting ready because he saw Max with the luck. Oh my God. Max didn't want it. That's incredible. Page fans are at emceeing.

Wow. This looked like a good time. Where is this? On one of the bases. I'm not sure, obviously. I don't have the context for which one, but... John Stewart, good shape. Not bad.

Yeah, not bad. Look, he's out of the game a little bit. Yeah. I miss John Stewart. Daily show not quite the same. Right? Damn, shots at Trevor Noah. Your fan?

I don't watch it. Yeah, so there you go. That was John Stewart. 55. Damn. 55. I guess Max didn't want it. Didn't want none.

Okay. Congratulations. Are in order. Yes. For Jacaray Sosa, Guillermo Cruz, getting the news on this one, saying,

Random No, Jack Ray Sosa told me he's doing a treatment to grow back his hair, a treatment, a treatment to grow back his hair. He's thrilled, wants to have a big Afro by the time he's retired.

This is how he looks right now. Jacaray getting some cabbage up top. Unbelievable. I'm happy for this. Listen, as someone who is a connoisseur when it comes to all things, Afro, let me tell you, there's no better sensation than growing your hair

out. It takes some time. There are some awkward moments, periods, but once it's fully out there, you feel alive and you feel like you can conquer all. So I support Jacqueray's quest to throw out his hair. I also support his quest. I just don't want it to be like

some of the other famous athletes that we've seen grow out their hair lately and it just gets a little patchy up there. Who we're talking about? I don't want to throw shade. Who's growing out their hair and getting patchy? There's some famous athletes. Or former UFCPR people I see growing out their hair. Listen, you got to know what you got, what you don't got and just, you know, ride with that.

But no, this is great. Well, it sounds like you're not supporting Jacaray's. Well, I don't know what he's got in here. You know what? He's got to recognize. No matter what it is, I support this. Get that Afro done. Jacques-Rae returning to action in very short order.

This card kind of creeping up on us here. I feel like it's not that much buzz. Hopefully the momentum is still on his side. That was a big win. But this is a good card. 224, like 225, 226 are trying a little bit under the radar. Mandanina is actually in New York doing some TV work. You know, a little disappointed.

She didn't come visit us. But I've gone a little spoiled these days with all the studio visits. But anyway, neither here nor there. Nicholas Dalby More congratulations Nicholas Dalby Not worried about what happens in the cage Because the mother of his children

Said yes He proposed and he is getting married So congratulations Nicholas Dalby who competed This past weekend Yeah competed in the lead-up Outlined Some bouts with

You know weight issues And depression and things like that And getting over it And now winning in life No matter what Yeah Chuck Minn and Hall wrote a tremendous feature on Nicholas Dalby. Did not win his fight, his return fight, but this is better.

I think he won. I think he won. Winner in life. For sure. And you touched on this, but... Wait a second. We got a better update. Don't worry. Oh, you got the better update. Boom.

Oh, how did you do that? Listen. Typically, you're not quick on the draw with these, but I'm happy to see that you are quick on the draw. So let's highlight the update. I don't know. As Ariel outlined, Ray Bork's son going through some trouble,

having surgeries, but the update today, just not that long ago, a few... That's in an hour ago, yeah. Seizures have slowed down, mask came off,

and Ray got to hold his baby boy. Oh, man, amazing. So congratulations to Ray and the family. Look, I'm not going to make too big of a deal about this particular part, but I sincerely hope, and I see stuff still, I sincerely hope that majority of the people

who gave this young man crap for pulling out of that fight now feel really, really, really crappy about themselves and hopefully they have all apologized to him. Now you know this man needed that money. This man needed to fight. He needed to support his family. And I could tell you he probably could really use that money right now. And so I hope you recognize this guy is not,

he came on this show and other people who are involved in that. You know, I've asked Michael Kess to come on. He's like, no, you know, I respect the fact that there's a legal process. Ray Borg came on the show and was very open and honest. and said, I don't want, you know, I'm not here to get money. I want to fight. I want to live. I want to, I want to support my family. I want to make money. How could you not be supportive of this guy and not wish him the best and not send all your good thoughts as way? So I mean, I don't, I hate the fact that, I mean, I don't want this to be the catalyst to make people feel bad. But I sincerely hope that people have apologized to him. And because I know a lot of people doubted his motives and the validity of his injuries. And I sincerely hope that now you realize if you are one of those people, that this man, all he wanted to do was fight and support his family. I mean, what does it say about our sport, that that's even a thing you have to say?

Just unbelievable, unbelievable. To be honest. Like, what does that mean? Like, there's a lot of good. There's way more good than bad in this sport. That's just an ugly side of social media where people are going to, you know, they're going to rear their head. Where he has to post his medical records for people to buy it. Come on. Come on. Come on. Anyway, on a good note, congratulations to Ray and the family on that great news. Okay.

We move to the questions. Oh yeah. MMA hour question of the day. That's it for Rick's picks. Okay. I mean, let's end on something. Yeah, no, no, no, no. Question of the day.

Who's your pick when they eventually fight from one Ariel Hawani, the MMA hour question of the day? And the choices were Fador Emile Mianenko, Chale Sondin. With over 10,000 votes, 58% of you out there are saying Fader Emilianenko would win that fight. 42% for Chale Sondon.

Sonnen. Are you surprised? I'm not. Chale Sonnen competing most of his career at middleweight. Fadour Amelianenko competing most of his career at heavyweight. On its face, you would think that that's probably an advantage. Tough fight for Chale?

Yes. Fodor has had trouble with the heavy hitters, got rocked by Frank Meir. I thought that that was the beginning of the end. I thought that Frank was going to win that fight. I thought he was going to get rocked. We've seen... I think Chale himself made some great points about how that fight could have gone differently.

actually. He had a good analysis. He was very good. Yeah, he was very good on the desk. We've seen Fitterer in that exact situation. Yep. Kind of like, you know, kneeled over. I mean, it was very reminiscent of a recent fight. And as you mentioned, the size difference will be hard for chill as far as, you know, utilizing his wrestling and enforcing his game plan.

But I have to say, man, I am all in. I hope you tell us how you feel. I am all in. And I know you're not. And just be honest about it. That's okay. I was not all in with the. tournament, the tournament has

dragged. The fact that we're not even, you know, through the first round and it's about to be May 1st. It's going to wrap up on May 12th with the last what would be quarterfinal fight. But this fight, this fight gets my juices blowing. Tell me.

Tell me. This fight excites me. Okay, so tell me, tell me what is it about the fight. A, is it good MMA? Are these two good fighters that you want to see fight? Well, I'll say this. B, is, is Chale's on and cutting promos at Fador who's not going to be able to even

understand what he's saying and listen to him. Hogwash, he understands it all. He understands it all. He does. You can see his face. He understands. This is a great mechanism on his part to ignore it. Ignore the noise. Don't pay attention. Come on. Every Fador fight

goes the same way as far as the build up. I respect him. He's a legend. He's the goat. What an honor. At the end, Frank Mere kind of diverted from that path. He said, ah, he didn't really do his part as far as promotion, but that's, that's about it. And Cail is not playing that game for a second. And, and, and, and to his credit, planted the seed at MSG last year, like 14 months ago as he was preparing to fight Vanderlea, sitting next to him, been talking crap about him, to his credit, slowly but surely, look, two fights ahead.

Sure. And now we're going to see it. And by the way, and now we're going to get this fantastic match. Love it. This beautiful fight. I love Fodor. I love Fodor. I love Fyodor in a non-heavy hitter fight.

I love the fact that his chin isn't being exposed. I think the matchup is interesting as far as can Chale utilize and enforce his game plan, his strongest skill set that is wrestling. The buildup is going to be fun. And lest we forget, less we forget that this fight dates back almost seven years now, it dates back to July of 2011, the first time that I do believe Chale Sondon, through his first jab at the great Fjorda, Emilienenko when I sat down with him in Las Vegas in a hotel room prior to UFC 132 this was his

big coming out party after a UFC 117 where he's suspended for a year we got the exclusive we sat down with him and and he threw the jab and and back then you you may recall it was sacrilegious to question the great Fedora Mileneko it was sacrilegious to publicly criticize him no one in their right mind would ever question his credentials his skills or the validity of his fights. And Chal Sennel was the first to do that. And I do believe we have that video evidence. Do we not?

Yes. Play the clip, Austin. Here it is. This guy thinks his 22 wins in Japan were real. With an referee with an earpiece. Look, Vandalay, you didn't win those fights in Japan. You had one fight in Japan, dummy. It was with Charles Crazy Horse Bennett and you got knocked out.

But then again, when you got a guy so delusional, that he really thinks he won those fights in Japan. Nobody's like let him in on the gag. Hey Vandalay, you didn't really win those. When you get a guy that delusional, what do you mean by that? You know good and well what I mean by that. You know good and well, era.

You answer that question. Vandalay's going to go 22 straight wins in Japan and he can't win two straight in America. Mirko Kro Kopp's going to win all those fights in Japan. He can't beat anybody in America. Fador is going to win all those fights in Japan, and he's three and two in America, and one of those wins.

It's over a guy that was flipping tires at Sam's Club the month before. Who's the latest guy? Yamamoto. Kid Yamamoto. Ten years, they told us. This is the greatest featherweight to ever live. He can't win around in the UFC, let alone a fight. The only fighter to ever, from Japan, the only Japanese fighter to ever cut it in the U.S. is Yushin Okami, and he's the only fighter to never go through the Japanese circuit.

The Japanese circuit is fake. It's always been fake. guys won those fights. They never won those fights. Vandalei Silva, 22 and O. Mirko Krokov, one leg, Cemetery, one leg, you know, whatever. Well, what happened, Miracle? What happened to your legs? Nothing happened. The referee's not wearing an earpiece. The promoter didn't come in the back and tell your opponent when to go down. That's what happened. I lost my motivation. No, you didn't it? You suck. You suck just like Thedor sucks. You suck just like Vandale sucks. Big difference when that referee's real, isn't it, Darrow?

I mean, isn't that classic? Is that not classic? It's so classic that I think seven years later we're going to get that same line. How great is it, by the way, that by the time this whole thing is over, he just beat Vanderlei. He's about to fight. He might fight Mirko as well. He might go through that entire trio, not Kid Yamamoto, of course. And I love the fact that he gives a shout out to his boy, Yushinokami, and all that.

Well, because he has a win over him. so it no that and also Okami at the time was preparing they were friends but he has a win

over him while he's shitting on everybody else's credibility he's lending him but also at the time Okami was a month away from fighting

Anderson in Rio UFC 134 nevertheless it goes back to then and I remember when he said that and of course

that's the infamous interview where he talked about the bus in Las Vegas and the Nogara brothers the carrots I mean that's that's one of our

most memorable ones, it goes back to then. So to me, the fact that it's actually happening and Shale's going to be as outlandish and quirky as ever, I'm all in. I have to say, I'm all in. If the material gets updated from then to now, maybe they can reel me back in. You know why? Because he hasn't been beating

this drum for the last seven years. It kind of comes and goes. I think someone poking at Fador, someone who has never brought this approach when fighting the great, I keep going back and forth. It's hard to stick with Fyodor, but I need to stick with it. I keep going back and forth. I know that, but I need to stick

with Fyodor because that's his name. Anyway, no one's brought that approach. And this is a breath of fresh air. And I have to say, it's a shot in the arm. What they need to do is make this fight in New York. They must, it is imperative that they must put both semi-final fights on the same night because people get behind the idea of these two guys are now going to fight these guys. That's the nice

thing about a tournament. That's the luxury they have. So put the winner of, Bader Mo against Matt Matrione on the same night throw Dylan Danis on that card and you've got a nice round two in New York for Belator I'm all in

I'm way too excited about this fight okay yes and you touched on this a little bit has the Belator heavyweight tournament been a win so far from a fan excitement or expectation standpoint you're saying it has gone a little bit too slow but there's a potential to pick up that steam I think the jury is out I think it couldn't have gone better thus far.

I think Mitrione winning is big. I think Chale and Fjorda winning big. I think Bader winning is probably the biggest result. I think Bader versus Mitrione is a pretty fascinating matchup. But it's been slow. And I wouldn't have done it this slow. Of course, they were dealing with some things. Most notably, Frank Meir couldn't fight before April because of his suspension.

And by the way, kudos to Morrow O'Alo, who actually, you know, address the suspension on the broadcast. I thought that was very honest. That's not something that you often see during these broadcasts. But I think the jury is still out. We'll see how it ends up. We'll see, you know, last week we found out that Roy Nelson and Miracle Krocop, who are fighting at Beltor 200, will be an alternate fight.

So we'll see how it all ends up. But thus far, you know, no injuries. The three fights have actually come to fruition. The first semifinal fight to me is the perfect one. It's the one that they wanted and hoped for. So I think the jury still being out as opposed to it being an utter disaster is a good place to be. And by the way, let's find out what the ratings are because if the ratings are disastrous like the last card, then we've got a real problem. Sure.

I forgot about this one. Matt, bringing you back to our attention. Whatever happened to the quote unquote dream team of commentators that Dana White was talking about when Goldberg wasn't re-signed. Jim Rome was rumored at the time as a new edition, and it's been crickets for over a year. Yeah, there was no dream team. Maybe he had a dream. Maybe he had, you know, a perfect trio in his mind. But the guy who always deserved that job, as I said, once Mike Goldberg left, was John Anick.

And I felt personally that it was a slap in the face to him that they never publicly came out and said, this is the heir apparent. This is the guy. They said that back at UFC 136. No, it was 137 in Las Vegas prior to the Diaz-Pen fight when they introduced Annick as the newest broadcaster in the UFC. Remember, that was a big deal because for the longest time, it was just Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan.

And then we were at the New York, New York under that bridge on the Las Vegas strip, and they brought out Anik, and Dana White couldn't put him over better. He showered him with accolades. And you know, he was the voice of Tough Live. Remember, he was doing play by play for that? He was going to be the guy who did all the FS ones

and fight night cards, or at the time it was FX and Fuel TV. And then eventually, we figured that he would take over for Goldberg, whenever Goldberg left and then Goldberg leaves and then we don't really get that vote of confidence

which I thought was weird all we got was that comment but I think Anik has proven to be one of if not the best MMA broadcaster right now as far as

play by play is concerned and I hope they're not spending any time looking for a new guy because he's the perfect guy for that job A he works well with others he's had an unbelievable amount of partners

which is not easy to develop that chemistry just throw a new guy in there, carry him for seven hours, knows the sport, knows the personalities, knows how to pronounce their names, which sounds like a silly thing to say, but it's actually very overrated in this sport. What more do you want?

What more do you want? Bo asking if the NBC slash ESPN UFC deal does come to light, what does that mean for an MMA fighters' union? Could the price tag on the deal be the start of fighter organizing and demanding what they're worth? No. The sale didn't do it. Is the...

It's late. TV deal. I was bringing this up last year. We knew when the TV deal was up. We're way past that point. You are not... Another big number being floated out there couldn't be a kick.

No, it's done. What are they going to do? No, I know it's too late to get a piece of that pie, but to say, we should be looking at this. We should be taking this more seriously. Because now we lost out on it. Yeah, you would think. You would think, but I honestly don't know

if the fighters realize what's going on in other sports. I don't think they educate themselves in what is going on in other sports, what they are privy to, and how much it benefits them. I think that people seem to think that, oh, anyone who wants association that they just want bigger purses,

that's not necessarily true. Of course, every fighter wants to get paid more, but what they really need is a seat at the table, they really need their voice to be heard, they need a piece of, you know, the sponsorship deal, they need a piece of the TV deal, they need a piece of,

you know, any other sponsorship deal that comes in, They need a voice when it comes to USADA. They need a seat at the table. They need a representative to be collectively bargaining with the UFC. That doesn't happen. And, you know, maybe this will light a fire. I'm not holding my breath. It should, but I'm not holding my breath.

Do you believe the pay-per-view model is obsolete? Does it need to be disregarded outright or can it be refined, i.e. changing, or for example, changing the price. If the former, what would you propose? Like, do you think pay-per-view is still a viable option for MMA with declining numbers seeming to be? I mean, it's clear that pay-per-view is still an option because look at the people who buy a Connor McGregor fight, look at the amount of people who are buying a GSP fight. It's very clear, John Jones versus Daniel Cormier, it's still a thing. People aren't revolting at the idea. But it needs to be something that isn't overdone. Just look at boxing. The majority of the big boxing fights are either on

Showtime or HBO these days. And there's a few other, you know, ESPN has starting to get into it with Top Rank. There's the PBC that shows up on Fox sometimes. But for the majority, right now, it's Showtime, then HBO. And the majority of those aren't on pay-per-view. I think that report will see if it's true or not. I do think the NBC part of that report is not true, but the six pay-per-view. I've been saying for a long time they need to reduce enough. Look at the way 225 has been received. Look at the way 226 has been received. I don't think those are going to do incredibly well on pay-per-view, but not that long ago, UFC pay-per-views were stacked. And not that long ago, you know, people expected five great fights on pay-per-view. None of this, you know, let's save the

big fight for the prelim and then save another one for the fight. No, if you're putting on pay-per-view, if you're charging people 65 bucks, you've got to put on the best product. possible. And if you have six of them, you're putting on much better deeper cards. And I think that's very important. So I don't think it's obsolete. I do think less is more these days. Our next question,

if you could ask one question to Dana White right at this moment that he has to answer honestly, what would you ask him? What is the one question that needs to be answered? So that's, you know, I'll tell you what the first thing that came to mind was. I'll tell you what the first thing that came

mine was, but it's probably not the question that is most appropriate to ask them. Okay, fair enough. Because this individual who's asking this question is probably asking me in the setting of an interview, right? But the first thing that came to mind was, why do you hold a grudge against me? What is your issue with me? What did I do wrong? How did I disappoint you? How did I upset you? Sure. Why did you react the way you did that night? And why are you still? holding on to this. You won the race, you won the war, you're a very rich man. Why did you do what you did, you know, prior to May with the McGregor World Tour? Why do you still refuse to speak to me? Why do you not invite me to scrums? Things of that nature. Now, let me

counter. Let me counter with saying that if that was the case with you and somebody else you were interviewing, would that not be the first question you would ask anyway? I think you would. I think regardless. No, because that's making me a part of the story. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I think that that's something I would like to know the answer to, but I'm not doing my job if I'm asking something that is, you know, pretty selfish. That's not what the world wants to know. Fair enough. The question that I would love to know the answer to,

and it's a deeper question than just a yes or no, so I have to be careful with the way I phrase it, but it's, let's be honest, do you still feel the same fire that you did four years ago, three years ago, two years ago before the company was sold. How do you get up in the morning? The famous line, it's a lot easier to wake up, you know, to pound the pavement when you're sleeping on the ground as opposed to waking up when you're sleeping, you know, on sat and sheets. How do you find the motivation? What motivates you? And don't give me the can. You know,

we're going to revolutionize this. Like, what is getting you up in the morning? How are you doing this without your partners? You know, it's been clear at times that you haven't been motivated, that you haven't had the fire. Again, you, you, you know, you be the judge because you hear me speak more than anyone. I don't think that I, even, even after the time that he took away employment, job with Showtime, all that stuff, I don't think I've ever hit Dana White below the belt. I don't think I've ever been unprofessional. I don't think I've ever insulted him. I don't think I've ever got overly emotional when it comes to him. But just from my vantage point, it feels like he has lost a bit of that fire at times.

It kind of comes and goes. Of course, it came during the Maywe and McGregor to where it felt like he had it for the 2223 press conference with Max Holloway and a Habib that day in Brooklyn. But at times it feels like it's not quite there. And so I would, you know, I would be curious if A, he agrees, which, by the way, is very normal feeling. It's a very normal thing to experience after you become, usually when you. you sell a company who don't stick around for this long, you move on with your life, because you want to move on with your life. And he said it many times, if he ever sold the company, or if they ever sold the company, that he would move on with his friends, the Frater brothers. And so,

I would be curious about that. But I don't think people always try to get me to talk negatively about him. I feel like I've said it many times. Without him, I wouldn't be sitting here. I wouldn't be, you know, where I'm at in my career. He's given me a lot of opportunity. and yeah, it does bum me out of times that we can't, you know, you don't have to love me, you don't have to be my best bud, you don't have to be accessible to me all the time. But it's just, you know, I kind of pride myself on trying to have the best relationships as possible with everyone in the sport. It feels like, you know, two years later, like, I don't even know what the beef is.

I don't even know what the issue is. They got rid of me at Fox. I lost my job for breaking news and for, you know, like I didn't do anything that no one told me not to do. I didn't break a rule. you know, Joe Rogan can throw out the narrative that I was told in confidence about Brock.

That's bullshit. I see, I mentioned the TMZ thing, and that's the funniest thing about all this. You know, TMZ, the UFC loves TMC. They keep going back to TMZ. They give them everything. When I was doing that show, episode 333, after 199,

they put out that I would not be back at a UFC event unless I bought a ticket. They love carrying their water. And Dana White does an interview with them, you know, on the street. and they ask him about Connor McGregor. And what did the headline say? They asked them about if they would punish Connor, right?

And what was the headline? The headline was, Dana White, will punish Connor after NYC court. What was Dana's actual quote when asked about if they would punish him? We'll see, we'll see what happens. Those two things are not the same. could you imagine if I asked Dana White that question or any other

MMA media outlet under the sun and came up with that headline I mean that is just that is inexcusable that's you know and I see people saying like oh it's DMC no like that to me is

is apology worthy that is a there's a big difference between we will punish Connor and we'll see we'll see what happens and they'll continue to go and then I see people in the comments say like oh, who are you to talk about journalism? You broke the Brock Lesser story. Yeah, that was good journalism. I found out a story that no one else knew about and broke it. I didn't know when they would,

you know, when they would break, when they went. Like that, that didn't concern me. That's not what this is all about. That's not my job is. That's your favorite, by the way, your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB reporter, they do the exact same thing every single day and you eat it up. There's no different. No one told me not to. And by the way, your favorite. And by the way, your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB reporter, they do. And by the the way, if they did, I wouldn't have done it because I'm told things all the time off the record that I don't touch because that means a lot. Those relationships mean a lot.

So anyway, I went on a tangent here, but those are the things that come to mind. I'd say those are valid, good questions. Ariel, will you be at Calgary in July and also what Canadian fighter should we be looking out for on Fight Night? I think more

importantly, are you going to be in Calgary in July? I do not think I will be in Calgary in July, although I haven't really thought that far in advance. July 28th. I think it's awesome that they're finally back. UFC 149. Big fights.

Which, by the way, in hindsight, we've had way worse cards than UFC 149. You know what I mean? I concur, for sure. Even worse pay-per-views, to be honest. Yep. So, you know, let's move on from that. There's no main event.

They are getting a Fox card, which are typically good, at least the top four fights, we do know that Jose Aldo versus Jeremy Stevens I love that fight Great fight is on the main card

It's a co-main event We don't have a main event yet I was told that they would like to book Valentina Shepchenko versus Nico Montanio in the main event A lot of fans sort of scoffed at that And said that's not main event worthy

It's a title fight Shevchenko's a phenomenal fighter You know I don't know What else There's just not a ton of options You're mad about Valentina Shavchenko Fighting for the title against Monta And Aldo and Stevens in the co-main

It seems great. Yeah. So. What's the problem? By the way, one of my favorite trips ever, one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. I'll never forget going for a run the first night that was there. I also, okay, I'll tell that story first. Going for the run and it was like 10.45 at night and it was still,

you know, it was like 3 o'clock. The sun was out. It was beautiful. It was amazing. And then, of course, being at the open workouts and Hector Lombard seeing me for the first time and looking like he was going to bite my head off and yelling at me and saying, that I cannot talk to him and was very mad at me for reasons I still don't understand. And then the topper of all topers, I mean, this trip, everyone else may have hated it,

but I loved it. Getting to interview the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be the great Brett Hart, who couldn't have been nicer and more humble and more accommodating, who drove to us to do the interview. That was just incredible, you know? And now they're coming back. And now they're coming back. To Calgary. Okay.

Would you ever consider doing a behind-the-scenes? of the MMA hour or traveling behind the scenes for when you're going to MMA events. A Vlog or a video blog? Is it a Vlog or is it a vlog? Vlog? What, you know, I don't know. Give me a break here. People, okay, sorry.

People have thrown this idea out, but it just feels like, I'm a reporter. Like, what do you want? You want you? Like, it's, I, contrary. People want to see inside the life. Contrary to popular belief, I don't feel like it's all about me. And I feel like that goes against a lot of things that I believe in. So I feel like we give you a lot.

I feel like we we let you in. You know, we try to put out as much content as possible. But yeah, I don't know. I just don't like what we, you know, we, one time we dabbled with that for UFC 144. Esther and Casey did a great job with a behind the scenes thing, our first trip to Japan. Yeah, I thought that was great. It was great. But like, you know, how many times, you know, I don't know.

Maybe it comes back out on a special. Maybe it comes back out. Okay. Maybe I'll, how about this? If I do it, could I charge everyone for it? Put it on Patreon. Yeah. Can you do video, Patreon or just audio?

No, you can do everything. By the way, Patreon's not like a podcast platform. You can sell all kinds of stuff on Patreon. Oh, I didn't know. What are your top three dream fights? Jeez. That are possible? Anything.

You name it. My. Okay, well, I'll just, go with what are the three fights that I want to see right now? Sure. Okay? That I dream will happen. Okay? That works. Habib

versus Connor. Love it. In. Cormier Jones 3. Wow. I didn't expect that. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Give me a sec. Ben Ascrim versus Rory MacDonald. I mean, I only got three. You got one more wish.

Make it count. And you can't ask for more fights. I can't ask for more fights. Interesting. Give me a sec. Give me a sec. GSP versus somebody. Bisping versus somebody.

What was that? I heard a whisper. I don't know. Shreni Voss said what? He said, how about a woman's fight? Yeah, you know, I was looking at that. But there's no real, you know, cyborg, you know, there's no real.

I kind of, I feel like it's okay to, because it is your dream, I feel like it's okay to say like for example one of mine might be Ronda Rousey versus Chris Cyborg Yeah, why not? I don't want to see that

Or in their primes or Um I'll go with uh There's so many good ones But I'll go with GSP Woodley That's on your top three The return at 170 I mean this

You can't deny GSP fights It's just like there's a buzz He brings something, you know What are yours? See I was approaching it from a different perspective. I'd like to have seen

like an Eddie Alvarez versus BJ Penn Prime, top two lightweights, batting it out. That's a whole different. See, I like to to focus on things

that could happen. It could have happened. I would have liked to see it in my dreams. It's a different question. Yeah, it's a different question. When I put my head down

in my eyes closing, I'm unconscious. Fader against Randy Gouture. Exactly. That type of... Yeah. But I'm definitely, I'm definitely Jones Cormier 3.

I didn't know, I didn't think you would put that on your list, but I love that fight. I want that. And I want Jones Gustafsson, too. Jones Gustafin would be phenomenal. Give me that. Give me that.

I was tempted to say Brock versus Stepe, but it's like, you know. Not that interested in that. I really don't think Brock would have much for Steepay. Give me Brock versus Mark Hunt, too. No, what? Are you out of your damn mind?

The Super Samoan's revenge. Give me that. Give me that. as I talked about earlier, we're going to get to this. So Mike Bond from MMA junkie said, how many games will it take for the Raptors to beat the Cavs? I mean, that's a question with no answer because that's not a real question.

More or less than it takes the Rockets to beat the Jazz. So how many games will it take for the Raptors to beat the Cavs? There is no answer to that because the Cavs will win. So that's irrelevant. Caves will win in six over the Raptors. More or less than it takes the Rockets to beat the Jazz. again, like more, I guess, on its face because it's not possible for the Raptors to beat the Cavs. But certainly the Rockets repeating the jazz as a foregone conclusion.

Yeah, well, there's one slight, yeah, I have to bring up a one slight typo in that question. I would say Raps in six, jazz and six. So I think he meant to say more or less takes for jazz. So he had this question completely wrong. Just not even. Well, see, the thing is, you know, you'll recall two weeks ago after game one of the Jazz Dunder series starting that I said quite confidently and boldly that the jazz would win in five. Everyone scoffed. Everyone laughed.

Russell Westbrook was sending me DMs. I mean, he was all up in that. And, you know, they were a quarter away. They were up by 25. They should have closed that out. And ended up being six. Okay, fine. They wanted to do it on their home court.

Ricky Rubio is injured now. So certainly the deck is stacked against them, but I feel like they'll win in six. And look, I know you're biased, and I appreciate you being biased. You know, you're a long-time fan. You've been supporting them since, you know, the Larry Nance senior days.

You've been there through the ups and downs of Mark Price and Greg Elo. You got me there. Of course, the great Brad Doherty. You know, you've been there since day one. You remember the Richfield Coliseum. Now, you remember the shot over E. The price era kind of did extend. slightly.

But go ahead. I mean, I could go. I can whoop your butt so bad in Cavs trivia, you wouldn't know what's coming and where it's coming from. I'd love to do that. Any time, any place. Anyway.

Continue. Did you lose the thread here? Like, where are we at? You have to admit that the calves look vulnerable and you also have to admit that if the Raptors ever had a chance with home court advantage. Disagree with both of those.

That is crazy. You don't think that they have their best chance right now? I don't because I think Kyle Lowry is a worse player than he was when they were facing the Cavs previously. I don't think that they are as good or Kyle Lowry is as good which matters more than being 12 deep. 12 deep doesn't matter in the playoffs. So you have to tell you what does matter?

Kyle Lowry and DeMarre Rosen were better as a tandem a few years ago. No. I think that was a better chance. When the calves were better, the Raptors were actually better. Now the Raptors. That is crazy talk. Raptors are not as good. They had Bismak-Biombo as their third option two years ago.

You know what? And they went to six games. Because Lowry was better. Lowry was better. No, he wasn't. He was not better. He's a smarter player now. He's fine.

He's a better. He knows how to play with his teammates. He doesn't do as much ISO. De Rosen's better. I mean, how could you not say he's better? The drop-off for Lowry is more significant than the improvement for DeRosen. And also, they just don't have anybody who can guard LeBron. the same problem they've had every time.

You know what the Raptors record against the Cavs is in the last two playoffs? Different team. Eight and two. I got three words for you. Fred Van Fleet. All right? I'm quaking. The difference.

I'm trembling. I have never been more certain of anything. Wow. That's bold. You know, because you also said the same thing last year and then you also picked the jazz last year. There were a lot of faulty predictions that happened last year. I did. I did pick the jazz and they beat the clippers.

No one picked that either. But then you pick them to win the next round. You know, sometimes you get a little drunk. You're supporting your team. But this one is legit. If somebody was holding you to these predictions, I think... Well, you're not going to get them all, but this one is legit. You cannot deny that they have, A, their best chance, and that B, the calves without LeBron

are like an 18-win team. But fortunately, they have LeBron. Well, how's that cramping? You know, how are those minutes? Ported in 45. Yesterday he was tired. You know? Fort in 45.

We'll see how much... I'll worry about it. See how much he... Big dog Chetty Osmond is coming. We'll see how much Lance took out of him. Okay. Chris Manning, a friend of the podcast from Fear the Sword, the Caz Block. Do you think Kobe Covington's Stick actually resonates with fans?

Do you think that people are getting turned off by Kobe Covington at some point? Most recently on that camsoda stream getting into it with Charles Bennett. But are people sick of Colby Covington or is he still getting it done? Well, and then most, most recently, didn't he spoil some movie? Oh, yeah, he tweeted the thing for... What is that? Avengers Infinity Ward. That's a movie that just came out?

Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. Like, I tried to even look at the tweet and I didn't understand anything that was written in the tweet. I didn't look at the tweet because that's a movie I saw it. I saw it. Oh. And relevant to my interest.

But is it true? I didn't look at his tweet. You saw the movie. Yeah, I saw the movie. You didn't want to see if he... Maybe he's putting out... No, no, he's definitely not doing that. Is the truth? What he's doing?

Like he did with the... What was the other one? Star Wars. Star Wars? Yeah, no, of course not. I didn't see that either. Are people... Anyway, is he... Listen, there is no way... Resonate might not be the word that I use, but there is no way in hell...

People are not paying attention to him. That you can say that this is not working. The man is in a title fight. The man is getting an interim title fight that he has no business getting. There should not be an interim title fight happening on June 9th, especially with Tyrone Woodley, on the verge of coming back, like literally a month away. He has no business, and they want to be in his business.

They want to be in the Colby Covington business. Why? Because he gets under people's skin. Why? Because people are talking about him. When he was, you know, just another vanilla wrestler, no one was talking about him, no one wanted to see him fight. He couldn't get out of the FS1 prelims.

And now he's fighting on one of the bigger cards of the year thus far for an interim title fight in a division where the champion is on the verge of coming back. People want to see him get his ass kick. People want to see him lose. They want to see him lose badly. So yes, it is working. People are still paying attention. Is resonating the war? I don't know.

But like I see people debating, is he an a-hole or is he a brilliant? I guarantee you, you all feel very, very passionately about him, whether bad or good, whether he's a scumbag or anything. and you want to see him get his ass kick. Put aside, is this right, is this wrong? Is this offensive? Is this too? Whatever it is.

Just put all that in one big pot. It's working. Whatever he is setting out to do is working because of what he is getting as a result of it all. And that is a title fight and the most amount of money that he has ever made in his career. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Will he have to face a lot afterwards if he loses? Will he be branded as a racist, as a this, as of that?

He has to deal with all of it. that. But right now, on April 30th, a little over a month away from this fight, it's working. He's getting what he wants. Yeah, he's about the fight for the belt. And that's what he wanted. And he wanted it at any cost possible. He clearly wanted it at any cost possible. Well, guess what? The UFC said, we're okay with this. We're okay with what you're doing. And oh, by the way, we're going to reward you. We're going to give you an interim title fight. We're going to let you fight on one of our bigger cards in front of what will probably be a sold-out arena in

Chicago, we're going to let you fight on paperfew. We're going to give you an opportunity to fight for the belt and then fight Tyron Woodley. Awesome. Keep it up. Do your thing. So all of you can argue all you want. I guarantee you everyone that's arguing about Kobe Covington is going to watch, hoping

that our DA is going to whip them. It might happen, but it's working. There's no doubt about it's working and wraps in six. Second question. No, stop. He asked. Why'd you skip that part?

Well, because we already addressed it. All right. I just wanted to... He asked, but he knows the answer. I just wanted to reiterate. How do you feel about Buffalo passing on Chosen Rosen? Oh, my. Drafting Allen.

Be careful, though, because Austin's back. Well, Austin, you're right over there. We could do a whole podcast on this. I was devastated. In fact, Mark Henry... Yeah. Well, Mark Henry...

You know, Mark Henry, a longtime coach of Frank Yeager, one of the best in the game. the biggest Buffalo Bills fan that I've ever met. We were texting like two little schoolgirls leading up to that fight. We were so, not the fight, the draft, we were so excited for the draft because the bills have been planning for this for over a year and they finally put themselves in the position after getting rid of Tara Taylor. They're in a good spot.

They've got a good GM. They got a good coach. We're going to get a quarterback. They never draft quarterback's high. And when they do relatively high, it doesn't work out, right? So, okay, here we go. I wanted Rosen, you know, the chosen one. a fellow tribe member,

marches to the beat of his own drum, has a fantastic nose, just like myself. It's a fantastic nose. It's a sign of wisdom. Had a great college career. I don't care about the weather. I don't care that he's a West Coast guy.

I want to the best guy. Of course, they trade down to get, you know, the controversial, as it turned out on draft day, because of some old stupid tweets, the somewhat inaccurate, the unproven commodity. And now we'll see.

I'm going to defer to Brandon Bean and the general manager and the rest of his staff of the Buffalo Bills, I'd like to think that they've poured more time and effort into this than I have. But if you're asking me, who am I drafting? I'm drafting the proven commodity. I'm drafting the chosen one.

Josh Rosen, that's who I wanted. The rest of the draft was great, but I fear that this might set us back even more. I saw that Vegas has them as a six and a half. Their line six and a half as far as victories, that's disappointing after a playoff trip this year. But I don't think that many people, people had them winning, you know, more than nine games or whatever it was, the line, you know,

going into the last season. So, you know, it's being a Bill's fan, you kind of accept these things and, you know, Austin's nodding along with all. Yeah, we're all kind of, you know, in this together and we've been through enough. And so I hate to say it. I really hate to say it because it's become cliche and everyone's overusing it, but I will, I will trust the process. And I will I will hope that You know, they'll figure this out. Drafting the wrong guy is not quite what I would consider the process. I was considering getting the jersey.

I haven't bought a jersey in, you know, two decades. I was considering getting the Rosen jersey. I mean, have you seen that nose? Whatever team he goes to, just buy that one. You're a fan of old. He went to Arizona. And look. There they go, Cardinals jersey.

Perfect. Yeah, it's just not the same. Biggest Cardinals fan right here. I will root for him. You know, he said, I don't understand this idea that I can't root for other people. I mean, it's just like... You can root for all the teams and people you want.

It's very clear where my allegiance lie. I mean, I have the... It is. Wait, time out. It is? Yeah, but I'm allowed... Once my team is out, can I not have something to root for? Can I not have a team that I want to cheer for? I don't understand. Now, that's fair enough, because your team is always out, so you have to have something.

Have mercy on my soul. Don't worry, buddy. One of the questions, and I didn't want to rub it in was about where's Porzingis going after his rookie deals. Don't worry, buddy. Come July 1. You'll be right there. with me. Actually, I like our chances better than yours come July 1st, so don't you

worry. You'll be right there with me, buying your six years of LeBron jersey. This is the difference. This is the difference. I've been a LeBron fan. The Cavs bottom out. Yeah. The Cavs always bottom out. They know how to lose. They know how to lose. You know how to lose. You just stay in the middle doing nothing. Trust me. Just like the bills. Just like the bills. We never bottom out. We never

get the first pick. We always get the seventh or eight pick. Caves do it right. That's the thing. You got to do it right. You're right. You're right. You win or you lose. Or you learn. You learn. Okay, that's it. T.M. John Kavanaugh. That was our last question.

Okay. Way to get me all riled up on the way out. Thank you very much, New York, Greg. What a great day it has been. Little Bill's Talk, little NBA talk. Yeah, there it is. Woo! Yeah. For all my friends up north.

And God bless the great city of Toronto who had... Was that last week now? I think it was last week. A horrific Monday. Was that last week or was that two Mondays ago now? I think it was last week. It's been a tough month for my home country, but here we come. May, turn the corner.

Can't keep Canadians down. All right. Thank you very much to all our guests. Thank you very much to everyone who has tuned in today. You give my music. It is time to go home. Again, what a night, Belator, 198. I thought it was a home run.

Everyone who needed to win won, and not only did they win, they did it impressively. What more could you ask for? As far as this weekend is concerned, no UFC, no Belator, but a lot of action. LFA on Friday. CES on Friday. I told you about John Gardy III competing on that card. Invicta on Friday. Sarah Kaufman fighting for a belt.

And oh, by the way, on Sunday, it's Risen. Ian McCall returning against Kioji Horoguchi. Are you kidding me? That's big time stuff. So no belt or no UFC, but there's a lot of MMA and we'll be talking about all that and more next Monday, right back here

on the MMA hour. For now, we shall say goodbye for Dylan Dennis. Thank you very much to him. Congrats on the win. Keep rubbing people the wrong way. Keep doing your thing. Keep wearing those glasses and those shirts. It's just an amazing thing that he's doing. 1 and 0.

It's great. That's what the fight game is all about. Congrats to Dylan Dannis. Thank you very much to Frankie Edgar. Congrats to him as well. Good luck to Derek Lewis. Appreciate him stopping by as always. Check out the return of battle bots on May 11th on Discovery.

Thank you very much to Kenny Florian. Congrats to Nick Newell on the first step. Thank you very much to John Gotti the third. Good luck to him. Welcome back, Chad Mendez. Thank you very much to Jake Shields. And all the best to Greg Larosa, wishing him a speedy recovery as well. Back next week, same time, place.

I'm out of here. Yeah.