MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 297

Episode Date: September 8, 2015

Ariel Helwani speaks to TJ Dillashaw, Mark Hunt, Holly Holm, Sam Stout, Brad Pickett, Valerie Letourneau, Kyra Gracie, and Jinh Yu Frey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hello again, everyone. I'm Ariel Hawani. Inside our New York City studio, it has been 15 days, 15 long days since we last spoke. And, you know, I will admit, I was somewhat reluctant coming back. Two weeks ago, we had a show that ended up being very well received. And I have to thank everyone for that because the words of encouragement and the words of support, the positive feedback that we received from that debacle of a show two weeks ago where we had to cancel some of our guests. We had no power for essentially two hours.

People really liked hearing New York Rick and I talk about random stuff. Who knew? pro wrestling, e-gaming, fly fishing, which I still haven't done. But it was just, I was so upset after that show. And then to hear the feedback made me feel so great. It was really reassuring and it was very, very nice to hear. So I really want to thank everyone out there for your support. And also, for all the questions and words of support over the last couple of weeks,

telling us that you miss us, telling us that it's not the same without us. Monday's not the same, your commute's not the same. You know, for reasons I won't get into right now, I've had to do a lot of commuting over the last couple weeks, and I've been relying on podcasts. I've been enjoying all kinds of podcasts, not really MMA, a lot of Blue Jays podcasts. How about them Jays?

A lot of random stuff. And it clicked with me, and it has always clicked with me, but it clicked with me really this time being away. Wow, you know, podcasts are such an important part, of a commute. You get to know someone. You get to pass the time. It's an escape valve. It's important. And I felt like I was leaving you hanging. I felt really guilty about it. So I'm really happy to be back, of course, hoping there are no tech issues this time around. I am certain there will be no tech issues. A lot of smart people have been working very hard to ensure that. That show a couple

weeks ago was tough to do. It was tough to leave. It reminded me of that show around four years ago. that random studio, which up until that point was the worst show. But all the guests were able to come on. We were able to do a show. It was just very wonky. This was the first time we had to actually cancel guests. And that was a bummer. But it is behind us. We took a couple weeks off to figure things out. The good news is we're back. The bad news is we're off next week. But that was scheduled many months ago because next Monday is Rush Ashana, the Jewish New Year. So last week's time off was not planned. Next week's was the timing is a little weird, but I assure you we'll make it up to you. And when we're here, we'll deliver, as always. So happy to be back.

Happy to be back with New York Rick, Mark, and Alex in the back, and ready to talk some mixed martial arts. What are we talking about today? Well, we're coming off UFC 191. I was there in Las Vegas. A lot of results we expected, some a little unexpected. A lot of news has happened over the last couple weeks as well. Of course, Demetrius Johnson still the flyway champion. Dominated John Dodson, left no doubt that he is the best in the world right now. So we'll talk about that. We want to hear from you, as always. Around 325, we'll take your questions and comments. Hit us up using the hashtag the MMA hour. Leave a question or comment in the comments section below. At 405, after the questions, we're actually going to check in with

Mark Hunt, the KFC King himself, who is always very kind to wake up at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, his time. Talk about his new book, also UFC 193. So love talking to Mark Hunt. He'll be on at 405. 320. We'll go inside the vault. 305, we're going to talk to Jin Yu Frey, who is not a household name, but she returns this Saturday at Invicta FC 14 against Liz McCarthy. A wonderful story, a very bright young woman, looking forward to having her on the show, a prospect, if you will at 105 pounds. At 245, we're going to talk to Valéry Le Tourneau, Montreal Zone, who now trains at ATT in Florida, who is getting a title shot at UFC193, announced on Friday. She's fighting Joanna Young Jacek, somewhat surprising. We'll talk to her about that and more.

225, we'll talk to Kara Gracie about her new show on UFC Fight Pass. Looking forward to that. 205, we'll talk to the newly retired Sam Stout about why he decided to retire last week. that's at 205 fellow Canadian, of course. At 145, we're going to talk to the bantamweight champion of the UFC, T.J. Dillisha about what's next for him, Domina Cruz, Connor McGregor, all that good stuff and more. And at 125, we'll talk to Holly Holm, who the last time we spoke, thought that she would be fighting Ronda Rousey at 195. She's now fighting her at 193 November in Melbourne.

But first, let's go to the Skype machine. and welcome in joining us from beautiful England right now it's around 6 o'clock his time there he is one punch himself Brad Pickett Brad how are you my friend

I'm good thank you thanks having me great to have you on the show it has been a while by the way I wanted to ask you about this right off the top you know we're sort of celebrating Demetrius Johnson here

he retained his title successfully defend it on Saturday you are one of only two men to have ever defeated Mighty Mouse you gave him his first ever pro loss back in 2010.

When you watch him now, and I know that was part of the plan to move down to Flyway, you watch him now, do you still think you could beat him? If I can catch him, yeah. Someone like Demetius Johnson, obviously his skill set has improved so much as being a champion and stuff like that.

But as being a fight, you always think, you know, maybe I've got his number. That's the reason I went down to Flyway. But watch him again, you know, in rematches he seems to perform a lot better, you know, you saw that, you know, the weekend. He dominated Dodson, you know. I just think his pace he has, he sets, you know, in a final fight, he's going to be hard to beat, definitely. You have to put him away, I think. When you fought him at WC. 48, did you ever think, I mean,

he was young in his career, you know, just starting out in Zufa, did you think he would turn into the pound-for-pound, you know, arguably pound-for-pound king that he is today? Like, was that in the back of your mind? Did you see that in him? Obviously, not straight away. When I thought him, I think it was like 10 and 0 or something like making in the WC. And it wasn't a lot of footage about around at a time to see how good he is. But what I did see, and obviously you listen to the bit of the hype with Matt Hume and stuff when he talked about him and you knew this kid was going to be good.

And when I thought him, what if you go back and watched a fight, it was a good fight. You know, I just, in my eyes out, wrestled him in that fight and I had good time in that night. I was tying him coming in and I took him down quite a few times. I can't remember how many was but you know and but he didn't slow down the whole fight you know and after the fight I saw him go on in a way I wish I'd beat him later on in line because I only got a lot more credit for what I did. I didn't just beat me in my eyes I won all three rounds quite convincingly you know

but it was a really good fight but yeah. way I wish I did it a bit later in my career because I would have got more props for it but obviously he has come on neaps and bounds but I still believe heos I improved a lot as well but he was small and I quote man beasted him which I say

where I was a bit more physical and a bit stronger and good time on the night certainly it's a feather in your cap and I know as you said it's the reason why you went down to 125 it would have been a great rematch if you stuck around there but I remember seeing you in Dublin as you were cutting weight. I believe your wife was with you in the gym.

That was quite the struggle, right? I mean, was that the toughest thing you've ever done in your career trying to get down to 125? It wasn't easy, but things in life ain't easy, you know, if you want to succeed in things. Like I say, making weight wasn't really the issue. It's just stars of fights down there. They just don't play my game.

As you know me, I just plod. forward and I just want to get an exchange, you know, and fight. But so there's not really anyone down to fly away who does that, apart from Linneka, I guess, was standing in the pocket and trade with you, but he's got up to 135, but also I've traded with him and stuff like. And you saw him at the weekend, you know, against Riviera. You look great, but he was small. You know, you see the physical, I think you're saying going to want him to go back down to

125 and fight again because there's no one down there. really. But going back to me, making weight wasn't really issues, just styles of fights. I was chasing people trying, and don't know going to be wrong, I'm not expected them to stand right in front of me and go toe to toe. That's what I'd love to do. So, but they're going to take a move. They're not going to stand there and play my game. So, stars of fights down there did not suit me. It's one of those

ones where I'm a bit prehistoric in my thinking, like, if you lot any of me of those guys in a room, and just shut the door and get one of us a key, I will come out every time. I just kind of run out of time trying to get a hold of them. And I never get hurt. I'll get like, little, I'm like, oh, man, but the scoring points,

and they just find a way of out points in the over three rounds where if it was like Dan Lambert said, if it was fighting over a pig, I'll be eating a ham sandwich. And just curious, when you were down at 125, did you use IVs to rehydrate? Oh yeah, I did. I still used IVs. When I went back up to 1.35, I still used diabetes. I just found it a good way to rehydrate. But obviously now, it's not going to affect me as much. I don't cut as much. Okay, so this won't be a big issue for you once this band comes into play in October.

No, I don't believe so. I just get on with it. It's your job. You know, I do, but I never used to cut weight. When I first thought I was fine, I was fine at lightweight and February wait, you know, and that's what I'm still thinking probably have more

fights on my on my record at February week. And obviously you see me now compared to the

February is the massive. So, I honestly think wake cutting, I only have done it because the Americans

done it so much. I think there should be some sort of law where you can maybe make a weight, but you can't

be more by the next day, which I think they're doing some states in America. That will stop people

kind too much. You see you need to do that and also maybe open up more weight classes I believe. You know, it's not everywhere, but there's a big gap between, I think, the biggest gap, which I think stands out for me is weight to lightweight, you know, 15 pounds in, and you could be right stuck in the middle, you know, and there's no weight class of like 73 kilos or so like that, which used to be, I think back in pride used to do 73 kilos, you know. I think that's a good one in between. So if they were going to introduce the weight class, I'll say around about 73 kilos.

way, one last thing on DJ, did you watch on Saturday? And if so, what's it like watching him fight with you? Because is it like, did you sit there saying, man, man, I could take this guy, I could be fly away, I'm better than him, I beat him. Do you react that way? No, no at all, not at all. I mean, obviously, I fought him quite a long time ago, and he's come on leaps and bad since that. Obviously, as a man, you're always going to think, yeah, I can beat him. But, you know, I think he learns, you learn a lot from your losses. And I I think he learned a lot that night when I beat him. He was unbeaten, you know, he was unbeaten.

I think he learned a lot, you know, from that loss. So I'm not saying I've helped him get to where he is today, but I've definitely been a massive learning curve in his career. And everything, I'm proud, you know, that he's gone on to do so well, you know, because every time you fight anybody, you always want them, especially have a win, you want them to go on and do well because you make sure a win look good, you know. So obviously, I say, I don't get loads of credit for it because it was. back in the WC and at 135.

But he is. He's unbeaten at 125. He's only two losses at 1.35, me and Dominic Cruz. Don't be wrong, he had a lot of good wins at 135 as well before he went down to 125. But, man, he's the king at 125, and I can't take anything away from him, you know? So the last time we saw you in action was just around, I guess, like, two months or so. It was UFC 189.

You fought Thomas Almeida. And this was an interesting fight going into it because it felt like, oh, the, you know, of course, it was all about Connor and stuff, but as far as your fight was concerned, it was the Almeda show. This is the coronation of a young stud at 1.35, potential future champion, all that stuff. And people were kind of sleeping on you. I mean, and it was the biggest gap in terms of age. You were a fairly big underdog. I mean, people just felt like you were being put there as an opponent.

And lo and behold, the old veteran actually starts, you know, giving him a tough fight. and you can make the case that you were winning early on. I mean, you were putting on a great fight, and then, of course, you get caught. How much did that one sting? Because it just looked like you were figuring this guy out, a guy who many have not figured out. Yes, it's a tough pill to swear, you know.

In my eyes, yeah, I was winning the whole fight. It was competitive, don't know me wrong, but I dropped him a couple of times. And for me, I got annoyed a little bit annoyed myself because I had a game plan going in. Not that I always stick to a game plan, I didn't, but my game plan, I was training the whole training camp was wrestling, take him down, and beat him in grappling.

That's what I think he's weakest, and where, you know, I had the advantages. My wrestling is good for the weight class and also for being from England. I have quite good wrestling. But then I was saying I like standing up and I was doing really well and I was, you know, my eyes beating him at his own game. He was a, you know, renowned for being a striker. And I was like, he was fine in the, it was fine in the pocket. And that's where I fly in fighting in, in the telephone booth, I think I'd be the world champion.

But, so he's fighting on my range. And it just, I was doing so well. And then I was like, I 100% won the first round, quite convincingly. Went back to my corner. Yeah, doing well. And I kind of went out in the second round and I thought, okay, I'm going to do the same. where really I think I maybe should have made a bit more of a dogfight and taken down and stuff like that. But, you know, me being a bit flat boy and I tried to do a flying knee.

And then obviously I had mine completely missed. And he took it to something in his head and goes, hey, I can do those as well. And then he came back and then it showed me how it was done basically. So, yeah, he was a really tough kid. And yet again, I go back to Demetri Johnson. I think he's going to learn a lot from that. Obviously, he won. But he was in deep war.

you know and he's a tough kid I think he's going to learn a lot from that I think that's probably the hardest fight he's been in today he would learn a lot from that and uh I do believe he'll go on go on and do really well within that division my theory is that had they allowed you to wear your suspenders your uh your your white undershirt you know your typical look things would have things would have gone differently it was strange it was strange it was a weird sight certain guys are synonymous with, you know, their entrances and what they wear, and you certainly are one of those guys. Was it weird for you? Did it bother you not being able to wear your typical outfit? Yeah, it didn't in a way, because I find sometimes it's hard within the sport, because you don't get a lot of

time in the ring. You're 15 minutes, if you go, is that long, and then after that, if you win, you get a little interview. So it's hard to get your personality across. So it's really hard to stand out sometimes. So you need a bit of individuality. You see it all the time where people have red hair or do something. I'm never going to do that. But the reason I have my get-up, I don't know if people know why I write it, is back in the olden days, my granddad used to have a bare-knuckle boxer. And I see long pictures of him, and he used to wear a trophy hat and the braces. And I kind of like did that for paying two boots to my granddad when I got into fighting. And so, yeah, it was a little bit of that gutted that I couldn't wear my full get-up,

but I was happy at least I could still wear my hat, you know. So the first thing I did, I didn't speak to Reebok about it. When I got there at the event, I went straight to Dana, the head honcho, like, Dana, I'm allowed to wear my hat in night, and he went, of course, I'm done. So that's what I was worried about, really. Dana seems to have a soft spot for you. He has often said that you're one of his favorite fighters. He loves watching you fight.

Why do you think that is? Why do you have this relationship with Dana? He doesn't go out of his way to talk about a lot of the bantam weights and the smaller guys. He has been talking about you and hyping you up for a long time. Clearly, likes you as a person and a fighter. Why do you think that is? I don't know, maybe because I'm just the nice guy. Maybe, yeah.

But then also, I understand the sport. The sport is an entertaining business where you can't just be an iron blanket. and just win fights. I mean, I don't know, someone like Ben Ascran, you know, they're not, I appreciate that starless fight for him, but it's an entertainment spot. And you've got to balance it out. Don't get me wrong, you can't be the most exciting fight in the world and keep losing. You need to balance that out.

You need to win and be exciting. And I don't just do it for, I don't do it for Dana. I do it for the fans, you know. If I could feel the fight being a bit, I remember when I thought, Mike Easton in Sweden and we had quite a close fight and I remember taking him down and in my head I'm like

I'm winning this round and I'm winning this round and it's coming towards the end of the round like the last minute I'd let him get back up I'm like let's go out and I just wanted to throw down because I wanted to make that exciting

I could have probably laid on him for the rest of the round and just coasted out that round but in the back of my mind I was like no no I want to make this exciting for the fans you know so I do have that in the back of my mind I do know it's an entertaining sport.

And at the end of the day, if there wasn't the fans there, and he wasn't an entertaining fighter, you don't have a job. Or no one follows the sport. By the way, since you asked him about the hat, why not ask him also about the suspenders? Yeah, I didn't get as far as that. I wanted to make sure about that hand.

Okay. Me personally, it's quite strange because all from my career, I had been offered, like, different sponsors, hey can you wear this you wear that and I've always turned down money for years and years and years and years just to have wear my album I've lost money you know so that it's a little bit hard in a way tough pill to swallow after turning down money for years to being literally told no you got to wear this you know I like the rebook gig I think the rebook's really nice but I think they need to have more options. Everyone looks the same at the moment.

And, I'd say you have no, yeah, okay, different badges from different countries, but it still is the same because black, white, or white and black is pretty much the same. So hopefully they will start bringing out a little bit of more variety. So other fighters can look a bit different, you know, so you can choose different colors, basically, I think. So it's interesting when we're talking about Dana White. He, of course, considered the greatest MMA promoter of all time. you are getting into the MMA promotion business.

October 17th is your first show. Tell us about this. Why are you doing this, A. Why are you? Because I can tell you many people, including Dana White, who will tell you, if you want to lose money, get into MMA promotion. Now, of course, you're not competing against the UFC,

but this is your first step. Why are you doing this? Well, basically, I'm planting a lot of seeds. I'm coming towards the end of my career. I know that. I am looking to still fight. I'm not retiring, by the way. But you need to plant certain seeds.

And like, I think also with my experience, I've been around for a long, long time. I've been to a lot of shows. And don't be right, I'm never going to think about competing with any of the big shows. But then also, I'm not in this as to make money. I'm in this. In my eyes, when I first started fighting, there was not really a legit career path for young athletes. You know, if you're as a young athlete, you go do football or basketball or you do something else. there wasn't a career path.

Now after the years of me being in the sport, there is a legit career path where if you want to go out of money, you can go and be an MMA fire, get in the UFC and do that. So my show is basically trying to cater for younger talent, you know, amateur to,

I'm having a small little portion of pro fights on my car, but mainly amateur fights and trying to give them the experience and just be, it's called rise of champions in a way because it's like, it's the rise, it's the birth of someone's career. I'm not going to say, like keep,

you know, for me, I want them to grow on my show and then go on to the big shows. And that's my job done. You know, I would like to be like a good feeder show for another show, just to go on for them to just have a good platform with an organisation where it's run well

as in I think some shows in England especially in England and not so much in America but it's run very prehistoric in the way where it's all about women with their boobs out

win girls guys having a beer getting drunk and hammered and it's not about young professionals you know so that's what I kind of want that angle I would like to go down and also with matchups I want to try and match

people up quite importantly someone who's six and those shouldn't have been fighting someone who's 0 and 4. No one is going to achieve anything from that, especially as an amateur. When you're an amateur, you want to have your tough fights. You want to be battle tested before you go pro. So if you haven't had a tough fight, you've been fighting bums, now you go pro, and then you don't get wrong. Even a pro you can build your record.

And then the time you see if I'm going to call him because you're 10 and O. and you haven't really, you know, going to get unstuck when you're getting to UFC because you get fed to the wolf straight away. So that's kind of the angle I'm looking to go for with my show, you know. So you said it's called Rise of Champions October 17th. Tell us where exactly in England is it taking place. We have a lot of people listening and watching from England, so maybe it's near them. And are tickets on sale yet?

Yes, tickets on sales. We want to get tickets. You can go to www. RockEvents.com. that's rock and spelt in ROC as in like RISA champions events.com. You can follow us on Twitter at the rock events. Yeah, it's in North London in a really nice sort of like a arena called the City Pavilion in Bonford, North London, and it's on in 17th of October.

You know, I take his hour on sell. So if you want to come down, like I say, support, you know, and how, how, help me grow this little organization as a brand. I want to do it slowly. Like a slow thing and build it. I don't want to get too big, too quick. I want to build a nice, steady, you know, rise like that and not just go... Right. Is this something that you've always wanted to do, or is it something that over the last couple of years you thought there was a real void, especially in English MMA? I think there's a lot of things that I would like to do myself personally after I finish fighting as well.

I'm coaching a lot more now at the moment. I'm calling you a lot of guys. A bit like Mike Brown. Happy birthday to Mike Brown, by the way, right? Yes, happy birthday, four you and old. Yes, old man. Yeah, so a bit like Mike Brown. I'm doing a bit more coaching.

I do think that is a natural progression for me. At the moment, like, well, I say I'm supposed to be calling two good friends of mine. I've called Nathaniel Wood and Ashley Grimshaw. They're fighting down in Bournemouth. on a show called Phoenix this weekend. But actually on the 12th, which is this Sunday's month, my wife's due date on my first baby.

So I don't know if I'm going or not going. But my wife has been like a rock in my whole career. And this sums it up. This is what she's like. She goes, because I said, I'm not going to go down there and cornering these guys because I need to be there. It's like two and a half hours away from where we live.

And she goes, well, come down there with you. And I'm like, what are you on about? But she says, no, I'll come down there with you, you know. And so at the moment, I'm going down there with my heavily pregnant wife, which I don't think is a great idea, but she's kind of forcing me to do that. In a way, she's forcing me. So, yeah, you know, that's why I married her, to be honest. So congratulations, by the way.

Do you know if it's a boy or girl? I'm going to, you know, they'll get many surprises in life, so I'm going to keep this as a surprise. I love it. I did the same with my two boys, so it's a great moment. I wish you guys the best. I'm wondering, you were very quick to say, you know, I'm not retired, by the way. You said that as you were talking about your promotion. You have a baby on the way.

You're doing this, and I think it's a very smart thing. After a knockout like that, though, you start to think about, all right, you know, we're talking to Sam Stout later. He retired. He said after this latest knockout, you know, he just had to start thinking about his health and his kid. Are you starting to think about that as well? Did it scare you a little bit? And I've never been knocked out in my whole career. Yeah.

I've had 30-year fights and some blood. And yeah, kind of like, yeah, no, it doesn't. I mean, I still got a head like a melon, so I can take that. Because basically, even though I've knocked down, I did get straight back up. Not saying I was in any position to fight, but I've recovered quite quickly. Right. And it has been on for other careers, and I've been dropped a few times. And I just kind of have a way of recovering quickly.

But yeah, yeah, I do look at post-finding. And obviously, like I said, my wife's due now. So I'm already penciled the rest of this year off. Obviously, my wife's been with me, supporting me throughout my career. You know, I'll put kids on a whole for a long, long time because all my traveling and stuff like that. So now we're having our first kid, I would like to be here for my wife and support her. And obviously, I'm a child for the rest of this year. And then look to fight.

I know there's a card in the O2 in London next year in the end of February. leave and yeah I'd definitely like to fight on that I'm not saying it's going to be my swung song my last fight or anything that it all depends how it feels I love this sport fighting is the easy part it's it's the training camps which is harder my body you know they can be tough so it's a case where I like to train like a madman you know but I'm not a spring chicken anymore I have a lot of injuries so so it's tougher on my body but I'm like I'll just want to do this and stuff like so if I just train

a bit smart I can maybe drag it on a little bit but also I don't just want to be a punching back for people and yeah

just be the guy who fights guys are up and coming and be just like a gatekeeper sort of thing and I have a lot more pride

than that but to be honest as well you kind of not say you get used to them you have different things that motivate you in life earlier on in my career

was like you're motivated by you're motivated by like competition and that sort of stuff. Later on now, now I'm having a kid. You are motivated about, man, you can earn good money in the UFC. And yet again, I'm not planting seeds now,

but I don't know exactly what I'm going to do after fighting now. It's a weird thing for fighters, growing up, you know, this is your job. And then thinking at the end of your job, you need to start a new career where when you're at age of 35, you know, I am 37 actually this month, normally this is where if you have any other job this is where you're at the top

and you're at the horizon it's hard now to go boom now you've got to start again you know and also at this point you have more responsibilities you're not young anymore you've got a house you've got a mortgage you've got kids you know so there's a lot more pressure on you to succeed and earn money so that's why

I think I'm trying to be a bit smarter I have been smart with my money throughout my career I haven't just gone bought bend these and stuff like that I've invested in a bought a house and stuff like that and that's what I've done, but not some of them are as smart as me out there, and they just waste them money, and now it comes to the end of the career, and then get stuck. So, yeah, I'm trying to be a bit smart in that aspect.

Well, I am really glad that you are getting into the promotion business, because other than the great mind that you have for MMA, just listening to you for the last few minutes, I hope that you will impart some of this wisdom on younger fighters so that they don't get stuck in a bad spot later on. I mean, I hope that they listen to the last five minutes of what you just said, because more often than not in the sport, we see guys who are at the top and then they end very much at the bottom. So it's great to hear that everything's in order. Again, I wish you the best.

Not only with the promotion coming up on October 17th, Rise of Champions, but of course the upcoming birth of your first child, what a great moment that is for both you and your wife. So as my people say, Mazel Tov, to both of you guys, it's great to talk to you. Really great to have you on. It's been far too long. I look forward to your return whenever it is next year. I wish you all the best, and thank you for some time today. It was great catching up, Brad. Thank you. Great catching up again.

Cheers, Ira. All right, there he is. One Punch, Brad Pickett, a favorite of UFC President Dana White. You can see why. Great guy, great fighter, always brings it a lot of fun to watch and very honest with his word. So we appreciate his time very much. All right, let's move along.

One of the big stories of the last couple of weeks, of course, the title shot that Holly Home received. She found out on Good Morning America that she will be fighting. Ronda Rousey, we thought it was going to be at UFC 195. It's at UFC 199. It will be. That's what they're shooting for.

The biggest show in UFC history, 75,000 fans at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. She joins us right now on the phone. Holly, Home, how are you? I'm doing great. How are you? Holly, I really appreciate your time. I know that you're training, and you had to cut it a little bit short for us. So thank you so much for the time today.

I'll get right into it. I'll get right into it. You know, I saw you at the press conference on Friday, and of course, one of the big stories to come out of that press conference was the Connor McGregor show. He took it up a few notches. You had the privilege of sitting right next to him, and I couldn't help but watch you throughout it.

The look on your face, I couldn't tell if you were, you know, disgusted, shocked by his words. I didn't know what you were thinking, but you definitely had a look. What was going through your mind as he was saying all the things that he was saying? Oh, I was just letting him have his time. in the limelight, you know. So he liked it, and it's not necessarily my favorite. So it was kind of nice. I let him just take it away. I didn't have to really say much. So I was just kind of letting him do it, you know. He was talking a lot of trash to my teammate and stuff, so I was just kind of waiting for Donald, you know, kind of give backs on that. So it was kind of entertaining. Not disgusted

or anything, just, you know, I'm just listening. You didn't love it, though. It wasn't your cup of tea, right? It's not how I am, but I, you know, he makes it interesting to watch. I like having kind of personalities like that, and the sport I like having different people, you know, different personalities. I think that's what makes this sport so awesome is you have different people with different backgrounds and different ways that they get excited about things. And so it's not really, it's not what I want to do. But it doesn't really bother me if other people do it. What was it like

squaring off with Rhonda for the first time? What did you see when you looked into her eyes? You know, it's like any fight. This is a fire in front of me and I'm just thinking, you know, I'm not here and I'm not going anywhere. So, it's always a nerve-wracking moment. It doesn't matter what fight it is,

but it was the same. You know, same as any fight. It's nerve-wracking for sure. And so it was that it's definitely, you know, no different than any other time. I always feel like that. Typically, at least in your MMA career, you square off with someone, you fight them the next day, you're usually squaring off with them for the first time at the way in, maybe in a media event the day before. Here you are squaring off with her two months before.

So different circumstances, is squaring off with Rhonda really like everyone else? Because she gets up there, she's aggressive. And I must say you were very, you know, you had great composure, posture, all that stuff. You know, you certainly didn't back down. It's not your first rodeo. But was it really, you know, was it really? really just the same as all the others? Yes, I've had press conferences to kind of kick off ticket sales and things like that. So I've had stare down two months prior to the fight before. So not all of the time, but there's been a handful of times that I've had to do that before.

I kind of like it. It just really sinks it in and makes it really real. It makes you really motivated to get in there and just kind of go hard with your training camp. So you originally thought you were going to fight in January. It's now November. So essentially you get two less months to prepare for Rhonda. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, you can look at it anyway.

You can think, oh, it's two less months, or you can think this might be perfect because it's a good amount of time to be conditioned and have a very well-o-old game plan and work out the kinks without mentally draining yourself. We would have probably just been doing the same thing. we're doing now, but at a slower pace because I wouldn't have wanted to peak too soon if it was in January. So in a lot of ways, it might be better, you know, than having four months

to let it wear me down. Because once I know about a fight, it's on my mind. It doesn't matter if it's two months or four months. You know, it's on your mind every day, everything you do. So in a lot of ways, it can be a lot better, you know. I choose to look at it in the positive ways. How do you feel about fighting on a stage like that, potentially 75,000 people, biggest show in UFC history as opposed to a big show in Vegas, but it's your typical crowd. It's around 16,000. Are you looking forward to being on a stage like that, or would you have preferred the Vegas experience, if you will?

You know, I think that the people are awesome, and then it's really neat to be a part of it, but for me, it's just, I just think about what makes me more nervous. It's not the people, not really that aspect of it. But, you know, this is what I've been wanting to do the whole time, to have world title, both boxing, and then, man, here's my choice. I mean, my chance. Here's my chance. And I don't want to win in it.

So really, all the people decide, it's a personal thing for me. It's a personal goal that I have, and I don't want to screw it up. So whether 75,000 people are watching or two people, I still want to win just as bad because this is what I've been wanting. In a weird way, and I was talking to some of your team about this, you're kind of a lone wolf out there in Australia, right? And if you're fighting in Vegas very close to Albuquerque, I would expect a lot of friends and family supporters coming. Perhaps in a way you could just focus on the task at hand with your very close team in Australia as opposed to closer to home, right?

Oh, absolutely. And, you know, I'm kind of bummed at a lot of people that were wanting to go watch, including family. You know, my uncle, my dad's only brother, he had three sisters and a brother. And his brother was going to be able to make it, and he was able to go to a fight before. And he's always been really supportive of my whole career. and he was headed out to Vegas. But not only here, I mean, that's just one example, but there were, you know, I know we were going to have hundreds of people going up there

from New Mexico and then even Texas have a lot of friends in Texas. My brother lived out there and Colorado. I mean, I had a lot of people already had their flights books, already had their hotels book, and some kind of bombs. I know that they're really bummed. They can't make it. But for me personally, I know it sounds like it. with that and I hope it didn't offend anybody, but I am glad that it's far enough away that I can

just kind of, you know, kind of zone, get in the zone and not have that many distractions. They're all going to be watching TV and supporting, you know, so, I mean, you can, it is a far away and a far flight, but it's own, its own things, but I think it's going to be good to kind of get out there and just kind of cut everything else out and just kind of focus on the fight. The reaction to this fight has been so funny because for so long the hard-cores were demanding that Holly home come to the UFC, and they say that, you know, you could be the one, you could be the one, and then you get the fight after two wins in the UFC, and people are saying it's too soon, they're complaining, et cetera, et cetera.

What has been your reaction to how people have received this? Have you been offended, annoyed, have you blocked it out? No. It's certainly been interesting. You know, I don't really care what people think or say. I think if you do care, you can't really get too far. If I was nobody to watch out for, then people probably wouldn't be talking about me at all. So I don't really mind it.

I do know that, you know, before I got in the UFC, people saw my knockouts and the head kicks and things like that. So maybe their expectations on that were higher, and maybe they weren't fully impressed with my first two performances in the UFC. I've taken a lot of things out of those first two performances and things that I'm very happy that I did, and things that I know I can do better at. And so maybe they kind of, you know, we're expecting more in my last two fights, but my goal is to just kind of prove them wrong. And it is soon.

But that's what's awesome about it. A win on this kind of situation is what makes the victory so awesome. In a perfect world, would you have preferred one or two more fights, or are you okay with this scenario? I don't really prefer anything. I just like to take whatever they throw at me. I feel like if you get so set on a certain plan and it doesn't go that way,

then how are you going to be prepared when the challenge really faces you? So I didn't think it was going to come this soon, but as soon as it did, I was excited. I'm 100% excited for this fight. I'm not cowering down behind some way. You know, I'm very excited, and I want to take this opportunity to make the most of it. So I've never, ever in my life picked a fight, and I've never said, oh, I want this person over that person, and I need more time for this. I've never said that.

Not once had I ever done that, and I feel like it's worked for me so far in my career. And there's been times in the past where they pushed me early when I didn't know if I was ready, but my team did and my management did, and it paid off because then I was able to take those big steps and really make something of my career. So I appreciate the opportunity, and I do think that a lot of people are overlooking me, but I like the position that I'm in. Speaking of your manager, Lenny Freskes, I mean, he's been with you for a long time, and I believe he even has you listed in his phone as next UFC champion. He's been saying this for a very long time as well. I mean, your team is certainly very confident, and you would expect them to be. They've been around you for quite some time working with you, but that's always good to see how confident they are behind the scenes.

I hope you don't listen to the mainstream media, because that really pisses me off. I could take it from the MMA fans, but when they just call you an opponent, like people who have no idea, they're just jumping on the Rhonda Banwagon now, and I see the way they talk about this, and they look at the odds and stuff, gosh, that must, it drives me nuts. I hope that you block it out. I don't know if you listen to that as motivation. You just block it out?

I do, and I appreciate your... Oh, it drives me nuts. You know, but it is. I mean, I haven't had negativity when I went from walking MMA. everybody was being really hateful in the boxing world, except for my truth, I know. But you can really let that stuff really get on you. But in the end, this is my passion, my goals,

and my team behind me having faith in me gives me faith, and they're the ones that are with me through thick and thin, and they're the ones that will push me to be there. So there's also really the only thing that matter to me. Ronda has become this phenomenon. even Beyonce played her little, I guess, monologue about DNBs. I'm sure you've heard of that. What do you make of all that?

The kind of figure that she has become for women, for athletes, is she's really crossed boundaries. She's transcended the sport. Are you a fan with what she puts out there? I am. I think that all of us should always be thankful for what she's been able to do for women's in the May. She has help pays away, and I have 100% respect to that. We all know we wouldn't be here.

She wouldn't have kind of help put a woman in that. Obviously, she couldn't get there without having the competition that she's had and the other girls in the sport that even started to begin with. There's girls with her around before Rhonda came in. But you have to look at all these girls that have made, you know, made waves in MMA to help open doors. So, yes, I respect her. as I also respect all of these other girls that, you know,

had even started before Rhonda came in. So all of these girls, I have so much respect for, because I'm able to follow my dream because we have these opportunities. And Rhonda definitely, you know, just brought it to a whole new level. So I respect that about her. Two last things. I'm just wondering how awkward it was the day this news announced, the fight initially, you know, a couple hours later,

you have to go film a movie with both Misha Tate and Cyborg. How strange was that? Yeah. It wasn't too bad at all. It actually was great. We, um, the first morning, so they announced it Friday night. I didn't see you make until Sunday morning and, uh, we did our choreography because we had a fight scene we're doing and, um, which is physical, you know, we're kind of hip,

and kind of throwing each other around a little bit. And after she just kind of, you know, she said, hey, good luck with this shot, you know, kind of, And I thought they didn't let me know first, but, you know, good luck with it. I hope you do well. I said, you know, thank you really appreciate it. Said I, you know, I'm bombed. I know that's like to have a fight taken away from you. And, you know, and she's like, I know it's not your fault, you know, I hope you do well.

It was just, it was kind of frustrating for me. I said, and I'm bummed for it, you know, but what can we do? And that was it. And the rest of the time, we're a good time. By board, Misha and I, we actually went and ran the rocky steps together and kind of just, we did our thing to the movie. We didn't even talk about fighting, really. It really was fine.

You know, they're professionals. They're not hateful people who are in a sport because we all are chasing a common goal, you know. So it was really fine. It was no big deal. That was great to hear. By the way, did you know prior to Good Morning America that you were getting the shot? I did. You did.

Okay. Either way, though, was it surreal to see you being discussed on Good Morning? Morning America? You know, it's the most things that my, I told probably like five people, you know, my name, you know, five best friends in my whole life. And we just didn't say anything because we were allowed to. I found out that week, it really knew, you know, a couple days before they announced it, but I already knew that as soon as it was going to be announced my phone that's going to be blowing up. And I had to change the next day. And I just put my phone on silent and I just went to bed.

And I didn't even watch me. I mean, I already knew we were fighting, you know. So I got up and I had like 45 missed text and 23 missed calls. And I just thought, well, I'm glad to turn my phone. I'm silent. Because the main goal here is to train and be ready for the fight. All to talk about it and all the media about it. It's not going to do me any good if I don't do well.

So I really just, I've really been trying to just, you know, done all that out and just really focus on the fight. Okay, last thing I lied. It's a very quick one. And as we talk here today on September 8th, do you already have the vision in your mind, how you are going to be the one to dethrone Ronda Rousey in November? Is it already crystal clear? Do you think that will come over time? You know, that's my vision.

If you don't have that vision, you're not going to get in the gym and change that goal. You never know what's going to happen when you get in there. So I think about, you know, in this situation I want to do this and in this situation I want to do that. So I really focus more on the active fight, but I do vision myself getting my hand raised because that is the goal. And I feel like you can never achieve anything if you don't see it. And so you have to believe in yourself. So I do. That's my vision.

All right. Well, I wish you the best. Very happy for you. Can't wait for it. November 14th here in the U.S., November 15th in Melbourne, it could very well be the biggest show in UFC history, maybe MMA history. Holly Holie home, Rhonda Rousey, one of the good people in the sport, Holly Home, very kind to take out some time out of her day to talk to us. I appreciate it.

Thank you for me. I appreciate it. No problem. All the best to you, Holly, and we'll talk to you soon. Thank you. Talk to you soon. Holly, home, the preacher's daughter. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime in a big spot because all eyes are on Ronda Rousey,

as I said, Beyonce playing her DNB monologue, rant, whatever you want to call it. She has never been more popular. There's never been an athlete in MMA who has transcended the sport like her. So, hey, they may be calling you an opponent now, but if you beat her, you become, you know, you don't get to take her spot, but you become Buster Douglas in that moment in the sense that they will remember you forever. Holly Home is no Buster Douglas, but they will never forget it. So a big opportunity for her. All right, let's move along.

Let's talk about the UFC Bantamweight Division. Let's talk about their champion, T.J. Dillow was around a month and a half ago that he finally got a chance to silence the doubters. He got to put the whole Henna Burrow thing to rest. He dominated Brawl, finished him again. That was in Chicago. Now looking forward to his next fight. Will it be against Dominic? We'll talk to him about that and a lot more. He joins us right now on the phone. T.J., how are you? I'm doing good, man. Thanks for having me on. Thank you very much. I know you're traveling today, so I appreciate the time. I saw you tweet. I think it was around two weeks ago now. Hey, Dominic, you know, heal up, get that chicken leg ready. I'm ready to go. Do you have any

idea when this fight will take place? You know, I don't. I'm moving on him. You know, that's the fight I want. I mean, I don't know what fight I'm going to get. That's in science. You never really know. But, you know, I'm waiting on him to get healthy if he ever really can. I mean, he seems he's hurt more than he's not.

So keep my fingers crossed on that one. Is there a chance? Have they told you that there's a chance? It might not be him. Like, they want you to fight soon rather than later, so they'll give you another fight in the interim? No, nothing to have been talked about. I'm sure I'll probably hear more in the coming weeks. But, you know, from the way I'm taking it, I think it should be Cruz.

If not, I don't know who. In a perfect world, when do you want to fight again? You know, I'd like to be on a big card. You know, I want to be, I mean, either on like the New Year's card or sooner, you know, but I don't want to lay around forever. But obviously, I want to wait around for the right kind of opportunities as well. I don't want to, you know, I don't want to pass a lot of time. a big fight with someone.

Okay, I got to play you a quick clip. We had Dominic on the show just days after you beat Barow, and he brought fire like few have ever brought on this show before. Not sure if you've heard about this interview, but I want to play one quick clip and get your response, okay? Okay. All right, here it is. Here's Dominic Cruz just days after Dillishaw's win over Brow the second time.

He learned the style that he's won a championship with by watching me fight. he learned from me. Just like you see kids dunking the basketball with their tongue out trying to be Michael Jordan. You see T.J. Dilschall trying to switch stance, trying to look like Dominique Cruz. That's all there is to it. He needs me to be who he is. The bottom line is, I make his career worth anything. I'm the only fight he needs to be worth anything.

So he should be thanking me for being out as long as I have because it's given him a chance to have a spotlight. Otherwise, he'd just still be the least of alphas at his time. team alpha fail team after he loses to me he will be basically the alpha male of team alpha alpha fail and will have beaten him all what do you make of that uh it's so ridiculous it's it's him saying what he's he's the first fighter to ever create movement is he the first fighter to ever throw a jab or faint it's it's pretty ridiculous when you when you really think about it you know I mean because I move my move my feet and twitch stances at dominant crews for one he'll switch his stance to run away and throw one shot.

I've never even seen him throw a combo or even looked that great from the opposite stance, you know? I think I'm leaps and bounds ahead of him on my stand-up, and I'm going to prove that when we fight, and he's going to get knocked out. Is he delusional? Like, when you hear him say that, what is your reaction?

This is a guy who's patting himself on the back, giving himself too much credit. Did you take anything from him? Um, you know, I wouldn't say that I didn't take anything because I definitely watched him fight, you know, but I've watched every single fighter that's been in the U.C. For the most part, it was worth watching technique-wise. I watched them, and you take something for everyone, you know.

But to say that I took his style as a little ridiculous, you know, I think in my way of fighting a lot more aggressive and a lot more dynamic, you know, I'm actually fighting out of my soft-law's dancing at the pop shots running away. But to say that, I mean, obviously when I was training Uriah two fight, Dominic, you know, I had to pretend to beat him. I can't say that I didn't pick up some move. I mean, I'm not saying that it's the exact technique, but I learned how to move my own, my feet, in my own way,

by trying to be him, you know, for the Cruz, or for Euriah, but for him to say that he's the one that he invented that, and I should be thanking him is crazy. That's completely ridiculous. What do you think will be a... Go back and watch the fights and tell me that I throw anything like he does with my mouth open, yelling, and running away. What do you think will be the tougher fight?

Cruz, if when you fight him or Boral? You know, I don't know. I think I'll actually finish Cruz faster than I finish Boral. Wow. But Cruz's got a crazy style, you know, crazy style to pick up on. But I think I'm going to finish him quicker than I finish Boral. At this point, do you think he's, you know, I mean, what he has suffered over the last couple of years, it's pretty remarkable that he's even fighting.

Do you think he's damaged goods? Like, he's not the guy who fought Uriah a few years back? Um, you know, it's tough. It all depends on how he comes out of it. I know he's a very dedicated fighter. He's, I mean, that's his complete life. You know, he doesn't do anything else besides train, it seems like, or talk about fighting. So, I mean, I'm sure he'll come back and be good. It all just depends on if he can stay healthy. You know, that's a tough fan. I think everyone wants to see if he can come back and look as good as he used to him. Right after your fight, I said that of all the fights on the table, and there's some really

good ones coming up, we saw them on display last Friday. one excites me most from a styles matchup. Forget about the trash talk and I love it by the way. I mean, I'm not going to lie. It's great. The rivalry and all that. But from a styles matchup, I mean, I would pay so much money just to watch you two fight. I can't wait for it. Do you think that if and when this fight comes to fruition, this will be your legacy fight. At the end of the day, when your career is over, they will be talking about the cruise fight. Do you view it that way as well? Yeah, I definitely think it'll help out, you know, from a guy that was a champion and, you know, he's still saying that he thinks he should be

because he's been out. Yeah. But for me to come in and beat him the way I'm going to, yeah, I think he's going to do wonders for my name. You know, I'm really going to put a stamp on my career

with beating crews. Do you think that you will only be truly viewed as a champion, as the top guy at Bantway until you fight him, or do you think that's the case already? Oh, I feel like it's the case already. I mean, that's how I believe it, you know?

I believe I have the better performances, you know, and there's no reason why I should be called Jam. You know, he's been out for four years. You know, a lot of people probably don't even know who Dominic Cruz is at first, and I was sort of watching you can see.

You know, so in my mind, I'm the champ. I know you were in Las Vegas this past weekend. You saw Demetrius Johnson win. I think a lot of people would say the most interesting fight for DJ right now is a fight against you. He once said that, you know, he'd want $2 million for it,

but what interests you most in a perfect world? This super fight, if you will, against Demetrius or the cruise fight? you know either way but actually what's going to build my name the most is by being

Demetrius Johnson he's on the pound for pound I think he's the best pound for pound fighter in the world you know and I would love to get that fight

I mean Demetrius is smart we should get paid for that fight though you know he wants it he wants to get paid for it

that's a big fight and I agree if the circumstances are right and they they really want to put us an offer that's worth it

then yeah I would love that fight that would be great I mean, I want to fight the guy, so I would love to make it happen. Dana White said that they're working on something for DJ. He was kind of cryptic about it. Is it you? Are you the guy that they're talking about for him next?

I mean, when I heard that, too, I was curious. What could they possibly be working on him? It's so interesting. Yeah. I haven't heard anything, so I can't say yes, but I would love it if it was. That'd be amazing. You know, wait, wait for Cruz to get healthy, be Demetrius. It'd be awesome.

Do you think that this is a real possibility? Like, there is a chance that this can actually happen sooner rather than later. Hopefully. I mean, why not? I mean, I'd be a big fighting. I feel like, you know, me and Demetrius both would benefit from it. Why do you think so many people are critical of Demetrius? Do you find him to be a boring fighter?

I find him to be a really smart fighter. And me being a true M.A fan, I don't find him boring whatsoever, you know, to see what he's been inside the dog. Alex you got on how dominant he is and his footwork, his angles, and just how well he mixes things up and his wrestling, you know, I don't find him boring because I appreciate, you know, how good he is. It's like people saying having a good defense is boring. He'll call him a made with it boring.

Yeah, but he's smart and he best in the world, you know? Can you get below 135? Oh, you'd be low 135, yeah, absolutely. Would you be willing to fight him at like 130 or something like that? Yeah, that's probably, that probably, the most sense. You know, I mean, instead of him coming up and giving up a bunch of what me being out of my natural weight, I feel like that it would be the best thing for the 130s. Okay. And I've got to ask you about this. Last week on UFC tonight,

Connor McGregor was sitting there with Uriah Faber, and he called you a snake in the grass. What is up with that? Where'd that come from? So he's been trying to get under your eyes and then his whole thing. It seems like the one thing that's really bothering him is the fact of, you know, me and him, um, training together being the same weight class and, you know, Connor giving him crap that I'm training with the enemy, you know, Connor sees that Uriah and Dwayne don't get along, and the fact of that, he's going to harp on it, you know, he's trying to call me a trade, he's saying that I'm training with the enemy and that the true fight for Uriah would be me.

Well, really, that's not the case, you know, I'm spending half my time with the team. I went out and helped the ultimate fighter. I do, I run more of the practices that Team Alpha Mills than Uriah does. You know, I put my time in there with the team. So for him to talk about stuff, he has no idea, it's a little ridiculous. You can tell it gets under Uriah scan, so he continues to do it, you know. He's saying that Uriah pulled me out of college and talked me into fighting, which he did, and then now I'm leaving the team in training with Dwayne.

You know, why am I the fighters getting flack for training with the trainer that I think is the best in the world? I'm just trying to evolve as someone, and it's just, you know, it's got a little blown out proportion. So is he trying to set up a fight? You know, and we talked about you versus DJ one step below. Perhaps you versus Connor. Do you think that's what he's trying to do? That'd be amazing. I mean, that would also be another fight, but I don't think so.

I don't think he wants that. I think he's just saying it to get under your eye of skin. You know, if that was ever a possibility to work its way out, I would love to do it, because I know that I really believe that I could beat Carl McGregor, especially after watching Chad fighting, you know. Shadow of a full camp beat that guy, easily in my mind.

You show what you can do to him in two rounds. You see him get up and be ridiculously tired. And Chad's not that wins that fight, you know? Why does it seem like the last couple of weeks has been like an open season on T.J. Dillishal. Even Dodson taking shots at you, you know, Connor was doing that. Where's the respect for the champ? Did you feel the same way?

Um, yeah, I think it's really about it too just better. But, uh, you know,

with Dawton, I think it's him trying to, you know, put a lot of talking and everything actually is. Um, with Connor,

it was just the, the timing of, uh, him trying to get him and then I, I'd be my pressure of, you know,

not believing in the Connor hype and talking in the media and talking him down and he listens to everything. So he really just left that. He's trying to, you know, get, get his gab back.

Without giving away too much, what kind of a coach was he on the Ultimate Fighter? I wouldn't even call him a coach. He was hardly even there. He was just somewhere that would choke for the fight to weigh in. He didn't put his time in and practice very much. I'm sure they made him come and do a little bit so he can get it on film, but he was never there. He had his coach with the alternative fighter for him,

and him just be the face of it. You know, with Teimo for Male, when Yariah was the coach, we're there every single day. You know, we hold ourselves accountable. We treated them just like. get another guy on our team. And so I don't think he was eating coach. I think he was just a face for a team.

Last thing. Have we cleared the air with the whole Dwayne and in Alpha, Malar? Are you comfortable with where things stand right now between both him and the team? I mean, obviously things were said that he wishes he wouldn't even have said. I didn't think he said him faster than he wanted to, and then he got blown out of proportionate.

And, you know, I mean, some of the guys took it to heart. I mean, that's really unfortunate. You know, some of the guys probably won't train him and Dwayne now because of those reasons. But as of now, you know, we get home from Maryland. He's off his way out. He's moving back home. So we're going to have to figure some things out until we get,

until we get me a coach that I'm there and believe in every single day that I can put my faith in. And, yeah, I'm staying there every day. But as of now, I haven't found a, you know, I mean, Dwayne, Duane's my guy. You know, me and him have a great relationship. We see eye to eye. You know, he's done great things with me.

As of now, I mean, I don't have to split my camp up still. You know, I mean, I can't ever get any kind of better sparring or teammates more like a family, like we've always said, been team-off males. I do have time there because I grew every camp from those guys. I absolutely need to coaching something. I'm not to put the time back in port to the game. Have you put any thought into just doing the entire camp in Colorado

and bringing people to you like a boxer does, maybe even moving there? Is that a possibility? Probably not. I mean, I got my team back home and back, and I've got to help them out as well. You know, it's not only about me and finding them out for me. You know, I've got to put my time in at the gym as well.

You know, like now, I'm teaching classes at the gym and helping guys out, but even guys, you know, and even knows about the younger kids getting better. So I've got to help out with that. And me being around as part of it, you know, to show what it takes to, to be why I'm that and two.

I think we finally lost them. It was, it seemed like, oh, T.J., you still there? Yeah, I'm still here. Okay, we lost your last thought right there. You said to show, I think, what it's like to be a champion? Yeah, to show the younger guys and the guys on team out what it's like to be a champion and then working at the plan for it

and also the technique and just be an impressive team. I mean, it goes a lot of ways we have the world showing you what to do and what not to do. Oh, now we lost them. That was it. That was like the last two seconds. You want to just call him back quickly so I could take goodbye to him and thank him. But that was it. I was done. That was my last question. We were playing with fire there. He's traveling in L.A. I believe he's going to tape UFC now. And we were literally one second away.

We were trying to go for the no-hitter there for the first hour as far as tech. But that wasn't on us. That wasn't on us. I can assure you. You cannot chalk that up to us. No way. Not fair. great stuff from TJ, though. God, I cannot wait till I fight against Dominic Cruz, please. Although he did get me excited about DJ as well. As did Dana, I don't think that's what he was referring to, to be honest. But with Sohudo needing more time with Linneker gone, there really isn't anyone for him. I'm not a huge fan of champion versus champion only because that means one champion has to lose, which is a little bit, you know, I like to see dominant champions. I want to see a champion go, you know, 20 straight fights without a loss.

10 straight fights, 15 straight. I want to see that longevity. And this halts it. Now, it helped BJ Penn. Is he back? Hey, T.J. I'm back. Hey.

How's it going? Hey, I just wanted to say goodbye and thank you. I was done at that point. I think we lost you and you got to go do some work. So I just wanted to say literally, thank you for the time. I appreciate you squeezing us in. And please, let's make this Dominic Cruise fight happen because, like I was saying, I just, I love it.

I love everything about it. Yeah, I mean, I appreciate it. I hope it happens. And my fingers crossed. I'm hoping you can stay healthy. And like I said, if I need to in the meantime to take a super fight, that would be something to be wonderful because, you know, I want to get that Demetrius or a 45-pound fight.

I mean, I want to build my name as big as possible. Well, you are doing a great job, my friend. Thank you again, and we'll talk to you soon. I appreciate it. Yeah, a good one. All right, there he is. T.J. Dillishaw, UFC, Bantamway champion. He certainly has some things.

thing's cooking. We didn't go the Faber route. I don't know if that makes a ton of sense right now. I think it would sell pay-per-views, but I don't know if they're at the same spot right now. To me, DJ makes a lot of sense. Look, if he can make 130, I think I'm down, given the fact that DJ doesn't have a lot of options. Spoke to Suhudo. Sohudo is very confident, and he's fighting. I think the Formiga fight, November, is the number one contender fight. I think that makes sense. In a perfect world, I would still prefer if Sohudo had maybe two more fights after that, to be honest. I mean, he's such a great... The guy handles the media so well.

And I don't want to even say handle, because that seems fake. He's very genuine. He's totally genuine, but he's been doing this for so long with the Olympics and college. I mean, the guy has been around the block, and he's been there on the biggest stage possible. The youngest guy to win a gold medal for the U.S. So he's been there. He's seen it all. I joke that dealing with the NBA media is a major step down.

It's going from the penthouse to the outhouse. Still, I'd rather see him fight a couple more times. Even if he beats Formica, a couple more times. So, you know, would you watch DJ versus TJ Super Bowl weekend? I would. again, that strays away from, you know, what I've been saying about, I like to see dominant champions. I wasn't a fan, believe it or not, of GSP BJ 2, although it kick-started BJ's career at 155. Remember when he went down, UFC 101, 107, he looked fantastic, eventually lost at 112,

but those two fights after, maybe the best BJ ever. So this is a bit of a different situation. First, let's wait for Cruz. Let's not get crazy. Cruz is the fight I want to see. I want to see Cruz Dillashah as much as any fight. But if he needs a little more time and all signs point to him being on schedule, Super Bowl weekend or so, maybe March, I could be convinced.

I could certainly be convinced. All right, let us move along. Let's talk some Canadian MMA. Last week on UFC Tonight, I reported that. Sam Stout, long-time veteran of the sport, one of the best to ever come out of the Great White North. Called to Quits, had announced his retirement, said, and I don't even want to use that word quit, because that's certainly not a word that is synonymous with Sam Stout, a guy who always brought it, who was always fun to watch and cover a great ambassador of the sport from Canada, just in general.

One of the very best to ever step inside the Octagon said, I'm done. I'm moving on. And, you know, you look at the age, relatively young, but he has been in this sport for quite some time. So he felt that the time was now. I wanted to talk to him about that decision, where he goes from here, and a whole lot more. He joins us now via the magic of Skype. There he is, Sam Stout, on Daddy Duty. How are you, my friend? I'm on full-time Daddy Duty right now. Is she going to fall off the couch over there? She's making me nervous. She's nice to get up here. She's her father's daughter. My parents came over.

and they're like, you're raising yourself right now. You know that, right? Wow. I'm sure you're going to have some bumps and bruises. Okay. If you want to attend to her, if you need to attend her, I certainly understand. Okay. There's she.

What's her name? Logan. Logan. Hello, Logan. Welcome to the show as well. Say hi. Does she know that you retired? Hi.

Hey. I love it. That's awesome. How old is she? She's natural. She is, she turned one back in June. Wow. So she's just motoring now.

Your first? Yep. Well, congratulations. You know, the beauty of kids, you know, you're retiring, you have this major life change on it. She couldn't care less, right? No, not at all. I love it. That's great.

All right, well, a week later, after announcing it, after, you know, it's always a very emotional thing for a pro athlete, what's it like saying that you're retired? It's strange, man. It's still hard to really kind of wrap my brain around. But, you know, I think it was the right decision. And, you know, I'm only 31 years old, and a lot of people are like, you're still so young. But I've got a lot of miles on me. You know, I've been doing this for half of my life. So, you know.

Sorry. No problem. And, you know, I got my daughter, Logan, here. And, you know, losing those last three fights by knockout. you know, I'm not having any post-concussion symptoms or, you know, I'm not, I don't, not feeling any memory loss or anything along those lines that you hear about some of these guys suffering from. But I don't want to wait until that one shot that puts me over the edge and start having those.

You know, I'd rather not wait until it's too late. I clearly can't take a punch the same way I used to. So, you know, the decision wasn't that hard for me. Why do you think that is? Why do you think, you know, a guy who had never been knocked out before, is experiencing these knockouts at this stage? Is it just the miles, as you said, did something change? Why do you think it is?

I don't know. You've seen it in the past. You know, it happened with like, you know, Chuck Liddell kind of went through the same thing. And some of the, you know, some of the best fighters of all time have, you know, just reached a certain age where they just can't seem to do it anymore. And it's just, you know, wear and tear on your body. And I've been talking to some doctors and they say that once it happens, once your body realizes, it's okay. So I, you know, I went unconscious this time and then the punishment stopped. So

then it just becomes, you know, your body's way, like your body realizes that that's a good defense mechanism against this kind of punishment. So maybe that's what it is. But I really, you know, I'm not a doctor. I can't explain it. I just know I used to be able to walk through those punches without flinch in. And now that's three times in a row that I, that I went down, right? Did you know in Saskatchewan that you were done? Yeah, as soon as I had kind of told, like, it wasn't something that I was really like dwelling on or it wasn't something that was, I was really spending too much time thinking about it or letting it get into my head. But I had told myself that if, you know, if I get knocked out by Frankie Perez, who's, who's a tough kid, but he's not even really a, you know, a stand-up guy. He's not really known for being a knockout artist.

He's more of a submission guy. I was like, you know, if I lose this one, that's three in a row. I was like, I'm going to hang them up. So, you know, by the time I came back to the back room, I already knew that my career was over. And then what do you do then? Like, how do you go through the steps of actually retiring? Do you call the UFC?

Did you call your manager? How does that actually work? I drafted up an email and, you know, to Dana White, Lorenzo, Joe Sullivan, and Sean Shelby, and those are the guys that felt like. needed to know first. And, yeah, I sent it to them and kind of, that's, that was, and then the rest just kind of starts snowballing, right? And you get all the media calls and, you know, your manager takes care of that kind of

stuff and the releases and, you know, so it's been kind of a whirlwind couple of days. And it's, you know, it's tough. It's kind of, it's kind of a strange thing because, like I said, it was, it wasn't something I had decided I was going to do per se before the fight happened. but um so it was kind of you know it wasn't something that i i was you know i was kind of expecting it a little bit in the back of my mind but like to happen at some point soon but i still you know it still came as kind of a shock to me that i was going to have to do it it still wasn't something i had really 100% planned so you know having to answer all these questions about my career

stuff isn't something i was really prepared for but um you know i i don't regret the decision i don't think I ever will. And, you know, I look forward to living a long, happy, healthy life with my daughter and not pushing it past the point where, you know, I'm putting my health at risk. And, you know, that's what it really comes down to is, you know, it sounds cliche, but everyone always says that your health is the number one thing, especially when you got family. And, you know, with the money we're making, which isn't like, you know, which isn't crazy money. it's hard to rationalize putting your health at risk even more so

did Dana and or Lorenzo respond to you and if so what they say I haven't got a response from them directly you know I'm sure they're busy right now and you know it'd be nice to hear from them but I still haven't heard anything directly back from did anyone from the UFC respond to you nope you know they set up set up the interviews with Thomas Grabasi and And, you know, there's some people from UFC Canada, Carolyn Blakeney and stuff, but it was mostly about, it was mostly about media stuff. You know, they're busy guys, I get it. But yeah, I was, I would have been nice to get a phone call or something like that. Well, I certainly think you deserve at least that.

So, so here you are a week later, and it's still very fresh. But did you, did you think when you started like 30, like, were you one of those guys that had? the exit plan and since like oh when i reached 32 33 3 4 i'll be done did you expect to be done at 31 or is this sooner than you expected um you know what i never saw myself being a guy who fought into his late 30 is just like having started at you know my first fight the ufc i was 21 so yeah you know i was there for just shy of a decade and uh you know so i and especially with the style of fighting that I had just kind of get in there and rock them sock them every time. And, you know, I knew I wasn't going to be Randy Couture or Dan Henderson fighting into their 40s, that's for sure. So, you know, so that makes it a little easier to walk away too, is that,

you know, I kind of, and I'm kind of one of those people who believes that it's not a sport you can do until a certain age. It's a sport you have a certain window to do. It's like you have a shelf life. It's not, you know, there's a sad age. You can do it until you're 35 or whatever. You know, case in point my last couple fights, right? What are you going to do afterwards? What's your plan? Right now I'm going to kind of focus on helping out of adrenaline a lot, training people, you know, I'll do some private lessons and stuff. Just I don't want to have to, you know, I put some money away as, you know, I would have like, I'm going to be honest. I wish I would put away

a little more, but I don't have to start going into those long-term savings and stuff like that. So I'm going to train people to pay the bills for now. And then I was going, I'm not sure if I've ever told you, but I was going to school to be a paramedic before when I got signed to the UFC. Wow. So I was halfway through that program. And to be honest, I never really saw myself as a paramedic. It's, you know, it's a good job, but it's pretty tough.

And a lot of these guys have to develop these, you know, develop weird coping mechanisms to deal with some of the stuff they see and they get dark senses of humor and all that stuff. So it was kind of they just, I didn't really see myself as a paramedic. So at that time I was kind of thick and I'd finish the paramedic program and try and get hired on as a firefighter. So I think I might try and pick up there and go to firefighting college. But it's still a long road. It's a very difficult thing to get hired on for. and, you know, but that's, you know, that'd be, that's, that's the new, new goal I'm focused on right now. Do you wish that, and I know it's a sensitive subject when MMA and in particular the UFC is compared to other sports and leagues,

but do you wish that there was more of a plan for fighters such as yourself when you were tired at a young age where you'd have some income coming in afterwards, some sort of direction, someone to talk to you? Do you wish that was the case or is this the fight game and that's just never going to happen? Well, of course I wish that, you know. it's a difficult path. And luckily I was smart enough to, so, you know, not just blow through all those fight of the night checks and all that. You know, I got hooked up with some of the right people, you know, to take care of

my finances and help me out with that stuff. But, yeah, it'd be nice if there was a little more help. And, you know, they do the UFC, the Fighter Summit, and they talk to us all about that. But that's, you know, a lot of, for a lot of guys that goes in one year and out the other. and I think as more guys start retiring you're going to see a lot of them that are you know in the Alan Iverson kind of type situation

where they're flat broke and it's you know you're going to see former athletes guys that people you know used to look up to you know working working in diners and working like working you know barely being able to make ends meet but I don't know It's a hard thing to, a hard thing to talk about. It's, you know, and I'm not going to, I'm not going to complain after the fact that, you know, I didn't make enough money or, you know, I didn't get this. I didn't get that.

I'm not that type of type of person. But, yeah, I would definitely be nice if they, if there was, if there was something for after, because I'm 31 years old and I kind of gave up a lot of, you know, I gave up on my education. And did all the, and stop, you know, what could have been now, you know, I could have been 10 years. as a paramedic with a pension and, you know, benefits and, you know, medical benefits and dental benefits from my daughter here. And, you know, now I have none of those things. And, you know, I don't regret my time in the UFC at all. It's the opposite, in fact. But, yeah, it would be nice if there was something to kind of help us transition out. As we sit here today, and of course, this may, this answer may evolve over time. What was the happy?

you ever were inside the octagon. It may be in the locker room before the event after the event, but is there one moment that sticks out? Maybe she has an answer when she was born. Is there a moment that sticks out above the rest? You know, obviously winning that last Spencer Fisher fight was a big

moment for me, but the happiest, I can tell you the happiest I've ever been was after the Luzon fight. You know, I was a big underdog in that one. and, you know, just came out and had the performance of my life. I really think that was the best Sam Stout that's ever stepped into the cage. And, you know, to win against a guy like Joe Lozun at that time who was really on a hot streak, you know, I just felt so good.

My performance, like, you know, I watched that. You know, I don't usually like to watch my fights much after, but I watched that one. It must have been a dozen times the first week I got home. You know, that was the first fight of the next. that I was really smart with the money. I bought myself a house. I bought a car all cash.

And I was just like, you know, I was just really riding high at that time. You know, me and my friends were all kind of like just, it was just a great point in my life. That was kind of it for me. And I tried to duplicate whatever I did in that training camp to get that kind of performance again. And I could never match that one. Have you watched it since last Wednesday? No, I haven't. Maybe I should. Maybe they'll cheer me up a little bit. Are you down now? Are you sad? Are you happy about the career? How would you describe the emotions you're feeling right now?

It's all really mixed emotions, you know. The first couple days after, I'm not going to lie, I was pretty torn up. And, you know, I still have these kind of waves of, you know, I'm going to miss this. What am I going to do? this has been the last, this has literally been half of my life. And now, you know, so it's a big, it's a very, it's the biggest part of my identity in a lot of, in a lot of ways. And now it's, now I just got to pick up and start fresh. So, you know, that's, that's been really tough. But at the same time, there's, you know, there's, you can, you can, you can always find a silver lining. And I'm one of those people who tries to, tries to, try to always do that in every aspect of life.

So, you know, I won't, I'll never have to cut weight again. That's nice. You know, and, uh, really. there's as great as it is fighting and as you know as much as I love the sport there's you don't that pressure that you have leading up to a fight can be pretty like can be pretty crushing really you know like two weeks before a fight I'm you know I have a real hard time sleeping like you're scared going into all those fights so um as much as that's exciting and and the pay out like when you come out and win after that it's it's the best feeling in the world you know it's kind of

know, it'll be nice to not, not, it'll be nice to sleep, sleep a little better. Worry free. What, what, what do you think your, you know, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, your, know, your, your, your, your, you, hanging up the gloves. What do you think he would say about your career and everything you've accomplished and what you represented inside the cage? I think he'd be proud of me. I, I, I hope to, you know, he was one of the big motivators for me to, you know, some of these guys like, some of these guys get in and know what they, they have the dream of being the UFC champion right from the beginning. For me, it was,

you know, I always kind of wanted to try kickboxing and I started training, but what my, the biggest motivator of my career was, was making Sean proud of me. He was my, he was my hero, man. He was my big brother. I looked up to him so much that, you know, a big, a big, a big motivator for me was just not letting him down. So, you know, I tried to keep that even when he, after he died and tried to keep, you know, remember that he's kind of watching down on me. And, you know, I still, you know, I gave it everything I had, even though these last fights didn't work out for me.

You know, I didn't stop training. You know, I wasn't that I was training less hard. I wasn't that I was, you know, less dedicated. It's just, you know, it was a physical response that I could. control. I couldn't take, you know, I just couldn't take that punch anymore. And with my style, if you can't take a punch, then you're probably not going to win. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, but I know you live in Ontario, right? That's where you're located. I'd love to see, and I know the Fight Network is doing a lot of stuff with UFC. I'd love to see you do some media.

I think you'd be a great analyst. You know, you've been there, you've done it. Is that something that interests you doing, you know, one of those media roles? Yeah, that would be, you know, that would be something I'd like to dabble in a little bit and see how it goes and try my hand that for sure, yeah. All right. Well, I just threw it out there. I hope that they're listening. Yeah, yeah. You've got to maybe you've got to put in a good word for me. Well, you know what, Sam? Before I was ever

a journalist, I was just an MMA fan in Montreal, and you know, you and Mark Hominnick and David Loazzo, GSP, you were my heroes. You were the guys. I love the Canadian fighters, and you represented Canada so well. And it was always such a pleasure to watch you fight and then cover you afterwards. Such a stand-up guy, such a great

ambassador for the sport for Canada, and just you know, the sport in general. So I really want to congratulate you on a fantastic career. You should have no regrets. I hope that you enjoy life after fighting. I think it'll be a lot less stressful. Enjoy the time with your daughter and your family. And I can't wait to see what you do next because I think you'll be just fine. I hope you do some media. You stick around the sport. I think you have a lot of knowledge to impart on the younger guys. And again, I just want to thank you for representing our great country so well because you're one of the best, my friend. You really did a great job of representing Canada.

Thanks a lot, Ariel. I appreciate it. And it's, you know, it's been fun to work with you over the years. And I hope this isn't the last we see each other. Absolutely not, my friend. All the best to you. Congrats on a great career and we'll talk to you very soon. Okay. Bye, Logan.

Take care. Say bye. There he is. Sam Stout. I mean it when I say it. When you are a youngster growing up in Canada, these are the guys that you look up to. These are the guys that you root for. Remember UFC 58?

Remember that show? That was a big deal. I remember where I was. You've been getting a little emotional there. I remember where I was. UFC 58. I was on my parents' couch. March of 2006.

I remember watching the pre-fight coverage on the fight network. It had just launched. It was USA versus Canada. My guy, David Lozzo, fighting against Rich Franklin didn't go his way. GSP versus BJ Penn. That was the first fight of the great trilogy, Sam Stout and Spencer Fisher. That's where it all started.

March 4th, 2006. The very first UFC that I attended in person, I was working for SpikeTV.com as a freelancer, was his next fight against Kenny Floreen, tough three finale, June of 2006. Sam Stout has nothing to be ashamed of. Great career. Wish him the best. He will be missed inside the octagon, but of course, I think that considering the last three fights, he has made the right choice. Looking forward to what's next for him. All right, let's move along now. let's welcome in our next guest. We're talking to martial arts royalty right now, multiple time BJJ champion. You know her she's been on the show. The most famous last name in mixed martial arts and she has a new project that looks amazing and it's very exciting.

Looking forward to talking to her about it all. I'm talking to Kira Gracie right now. Via the phone. Kira, how are you? Hi, I am. Nice talking to you again. It is a pleasure as always. So we have a lot of talking. And by the way, I heard that you're a little worried about your English. Your English is fantastic. You've been on the show before. You speak better English than most of our guests.

Yeah. Yeah, but sometimes, you know, English is my second language, so I'm not going to afraid of not understanding everything. Not a problem. My only complaint is we don't get to see you via the magicist Skype, but we'll have to settle with the phone for this time. So I understand that you have a big project. It launches this week.

It's called The Third Degree with Kira Gracie. exclusively on FightPass. I've seen the trailer for it, and we'll show that in a second as well. But how did this come about? How did you link up with the Fight Pass people to put on this amazing show and also tell us what the show is all about?

I'm very happy about the show. You know, it was always a dream for me to travel all over the world to search for the essence of each martial arts. And what we're doing now is that we're going to search. We're already did like

Brazilian digital here. in Rio de Janeiro. We did boxing in Mexico. So we're going to search deep inside of the essence. All martial arts will make the MMA. So it's been a pleasure and I'm learning a lot. And so how many different cities, and we're seeing some of the footage right now, and it looks fantastic. I love the way it was shot. How many different cities did you visit? We shot in Rio de Janeiro and Mexico. Okay. You know, we're going to USA to film wrestling. We're also going to Japan, to film judo.

We're going to a lot of different cities. I kind of forgot all of them right now, but we're traveling all over. Now, I know that you also work for Combace in Brazil. Does this mean that you're leaving Combace or are you doing both? No, I'm doing both, actually. it's good because I can travel a little bit. I travel for 10 days. We can record everything.

And then I come back to Come back to because I did a commentary for the UFC Fight in Brazil. And also I'm working at a TV host, too. Right. And I hear that I don't speak Portuguese, but I hear that you do a fantastic job doing that. You said something very interesting in the trailer that we're watching right now. You said that you didn't go to these gyms to ask questions to be a reporter. You wanted to actually train with these people, see what they're. they're all about, see, you know, and learn about their, their methods and their training tactics.

When you're Kira Gracie going to these gyms with the famous last name and with your resume, do you find that people are trying to push you to try to prove that they're better than you, or are they receptive to what you are bringing to the table when you visit their gym? No, they're very receptive with me, you know, and they're really trying to show me what their martial arts about, and it was great to live with them, like, for these days, you know, and to see how the fighters act and how they prepare for the fight, and I could get a lot of similarities from my training and their training, so we could exchange a lot of things.

If the producer of this show said to you, okay, what's the one gym, the one coach that you'd love to visit, that you'd love to learn from, is there one that comes to mind? I'm a wonderful coach through my career. So it's a good team. So I would pick a great teaching. But it's hard to choose one. I had a great time with a gym. boxing as a club in judo and saccoro and all the other martial arts.

I think I'm going to get a good experience from each. So it has to choose one. Okay, and just to be clear, because the audio cut out a little bit, you said, any Gracie Jim? Was that your answer? Yeah, you know, for me, if you could pick a game, it would be a Gracie gym.

Okay, fair enough. I'm not surprised. By the way, is today your daughter's first birthday? Yes, yes. Happy birthday. She's completing one year, and thank you. And it's crazy how time flies, you know.

You know, like, let's get her little baby, and now she's walking around, you know, with her ghee already. Wow. She has already put on a ghee? Yes, yes. She has a big glee. And I play with her, like, on the mat and here at my house. Will you push her to go into Jiu-Jitsu?

Do you want her to do? that? Yeah, you know, I can't force her to do it, but, you know, for sure, I'll be teaching her all the time and taking her to tournament and if she wants to do it, I'll support it. Now, in the United States, when a baby turns one, they usually give them a cake and they let them eat the cake all up and get all dirty. In Brazil, and maybe in particular with you and your family, do you give the baby a big bowl of assayes? That would you do? Because that would be fantastic. You know, we had a, today we put a papaya with some candles on it.

Papaya? We were like, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday. It was all happy playing with the papaya. No cake. No cake, papaya, time. All right. I was actually at BB Sukos for UFC when I was there, UFC 1090, and there's a Kira Gracie section there.

How did you get that kind of honor? I want my own section there. I go there so many times when I go to Brazil. It's the greatest food in the world. How did you get your own section on the menu? A report for the company. My genome is cutting out a little bit. Are you still there?

I'm here. No. Let's try to... Can you hear me more? Oh, yeah, I can hear you now. I can hear you now. What did you say? No, I couldn't hear you.

You'll have a question. Oh, I said that I am obsessed with assayi. I have an addiction to assayi. and I went to BB Sukkos. Yeah, I love it too. It's the best. I follow you on Twitter, and I see that. And I went to BB Sukkos,

and you have your own section in the menu dedicated to Kira Gracia. There's the only, Kirr... How did you get that? Because it's a great honor, in my opinion. No, it's great to have my own section as a BB Sukkut, because it's kind of like I grew up when I had me not a baby Sukkos, you know? So every time I have... My dream was right across.

the trip from BB. So every time I left train, I was there, eating some asa'i and some juzis. And now, like, I think I had my own section for two years already. Wow. It's great, you know, to show my lifestyle to influence people on having a healthy lifestyle.

So I recall when you were last on this show and you've even done interviews prior to giving birth, you still said that you wanted to fight in the UFC. Are those dreams over? Are you not going to follow that dream at this point? Yeah, I know. It's always hard for me, especially because I've been competing my whole life in the J-2, you know, and I'm a big fan of M&A.

And I've been through a lot of camps of many fighters of UFC. But it's hard for me to say, like, oh, I'll never do MMA, you know. But it's always like something that I want to try. but now my life is kind of busy. You know, I have the show, and now I have the third degree with kids, and I have one baby. Not things going on, but I can't see you'll never fight.

So you're still keeping the door open? It's still a possibility? Yeah, you know, the door is open. It's all about the amount of how much money they can be. You know, so good at a lot. Have they ever reached out to you? Have they ever made you an offer? No, I've got a real offer, you know, just some conversations that are not a specific thing.

What do you make of what's happening with Ronda Rousey? She's arguably the biggest star in this entire sport. She's going to fight in front of 70,000 or so fans. I mean, it's amazing that a woman is doing this in this male-dominated sport. What do you make of her? Do you like what kind of role model she is, the way she fights? Are you a fan of hers? Yes, I like the road a lot, you know, big federal and the way she fights and she goes there to finish the fight, you know.

So she has a very good ground game and admired her lot. And all her history, like before in the May, you know, with the judo and everything. And I think she's, she opens the door, you know, for the new generation of the girls that want to join in the MMA and the new girls that are going to sport, you know, It's great. It's great because I see here in Brazil, like, the last event, I guess it was the main event. And a lot of people that I know around here, they were like, oh, I want to see that girl, you know.

She's pretty, and she fights well. And some of these people, they not even follow MMA a lot, you know, but they want to see her around. I think it's great to have her new sport. Do you think that Holly Holme has a chance against her? No, I don't think so. Not at all. Not at all.

Do you think anyone has a chance against her? No, I don't think anyone has a chance to think the wrong. But if you're in the case, it's close, someone has a change. She's a one level over the other competitors. You know, I think she's what he's doing. is what I've been in the beginning to your seat. Sorry, it cut out a little bit there,

so I think I got most of what you said. Let me ask you about Chris Seibor. Do you think if Chris fought her at 135 that she would win or would Rhonda win? I think it's very hard for Chris to go to drop weight. She has already a hard time dropping. to her division. So I think it's on behalf of her.

I don't think this fight is going to happen. Oh, you don't think it'll ever happen. No, I don't think so. Well, that's very sad. So it sounds like you think... I think it's going to be like the Anderson-Sea-line, George's a yes fight, you know. You always want to see it, but we'll never see it.

So do you think that Ronda retires undefeated? I don't know when she retired, but if she retired soon, for sure she would be on cheer. What about a grappling match, Kira Gracie versus Ronda Rousey? Have you ever been offered that? You know, we'll just some moments about it,

but they never offered me to fight. You know, it's going to be a great fight, I think. You know, it was a great, but they never offered me anything. How long would you need to prepare for something like that? For a grappling fight? For a grappling match against Rhonda. How long would you need to prepare? You know, I'm always training.

I'm of training already. So for grabbing mad, I don't know. I'm ready. I think of six weeks. Oh, okay. Well, we know that your family member has a promotion MetaMoris. They never reached out to you about that? Yes.

No. That's crazy. No, we want that. With other girls, you know? Oh, with other girls. To fight with all the girls, you know. but now we wrong. And why hasn't it happened?

Will it ever happen? Yeah, I don't know. You know, I have to talk with them better, you know, because when they reached me out, I was pregnant and, like, all the things are very on. Not a good time. You still there? Yeah, I said it's not a good time when you're pregnant to offer someone a match, right? Yeah, exactly.

Okay, back to the show before we say goodbye. Are you enjoying, like, did you ever think? think that you would enjoy doing TV and want to do more of it and be a host in two languages? Is this something that you thought in the back of your mind that, you know, wow, this is a possibility, this is something that I want to do when I'm not competing as much? No, actually, I never thought about it, you know. I was always a fighter and I was always a very shy person. For me to do an incident, I just know, very hard, you know.

I was, the first time I was, I was so shy and I started crying. And then my mom told me like, hey, kid, stop doing this. You have to be used to. You're going to be used to. You're going to be for a whole life. And I was like, oh, my God, I was like, child, 13 years. But then MNA grew up, grew so much here in Brazil, and they invited me to do the commentary for one time.

You have to see how it was. and they like it a lot, and it was a great success, and the women here, like the audience of the women that are growing. They love M&A. So they hire me, and things start coming up. So I think it's a great career also to fall. Oh, yeah, it's great. And the show looks amazing.

I believe the first two episodes are done, and then a full season of six episodes coming next year, right? Is that accurate? Yes. Okay, so that's when you're going to be... Are you going to Canada as well? Any plans to go to Canada? I don't think we have Canada in the list, you know?

Oh. I have to check, but for sure, we're going to U.S., we're going to Japan, going to London. That's great. And I think one of the episodes is up now. Are both of them up on Fight Pass right now? Yes, today. Yes.

Today, all right. All right. So as we say goodbye, we're going to play the clip to the trailer, if you will, for the new show. It's called The Third Degree with Kira Gracie. It's on UFC FightPass. They're doing new original programming, which is great, great value if you're a subscriber. Looking forward to it.

As I said, the trailer looks fantastic. Visually, it looks amazing, and I love the idea of you going to all these gyms. So I wish you the best, Kira, with the new show. Continued success with your broadcasting work. And again, happy birthday to your beautiful daughter. I wish her the best as well. Thank you, Ariel. It was a pleasure

talking to you, and I hope everyone liked the new show next time. Thank you. Okay, Obriegavez. There she is. The great Kira Gracie. Legendary family, of course,

famous last name, new show on UFC Fight Pass. As I said, they've just hired a new head honcho, if you will. Eric Winter, brilliant guy, comes over from Yahoo Sports,

and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they will be doing because they're signing new promotions, Titan. They signed fight nights from, I believe, Russia they're based, and more are coming. Of course, in Victas this weekend. We'll be talking to Jun U Frey about that later on in the program, but they're doing some original programming as well, and you have to do these things. You can't just rely on the library, the archives. You can't do that. It doesn't make sense. You'll never make money. You have to keep evolving and putting it on new stuff. This is an example of that, and it's a great idea. It's a fantastic idea. Like I said, it looks great.

So here's the trailer with audio, so you can get a taste of it. It's an MMA hour exclusive, personally of our good friends over at Fight Pass, Aunt Evans, the genius, the mastermind that is Anthony Evans. He hooked us up. So here it is. Check it out. Enjoy it. And we'll be back in 90 seconds or so. Once you're born with the Gracie name, you know, have to be tough if you decide to do Jitsu or if you decide to fight. was a lot of pressure. I'm a five-time award champion, three times a W-champian. The day I was a good year the new

I didn't know that came five championas. I always thought about travel all over the world to learn martial arts. When I received the program, Hey, do you want to do this? And I was like, what? Yes, tomorrow, let's do it.

My new show on Fight Pass, the third degree with Kira Gracie. I will travel all over the world looking for the essence of martial arts in M.M.A. The good thing about doing the show for me was because I competed my whole life and I know what they're feeling. I was not there to interview anyone. I was there to live with them for a while and feel what they're feeling. You know, I did all the training before the competition, and I could see how the coaches treat the students, you know, and what they tell them.

It was also good. I got a lot of things for myself. You care. Use Disney. Yeah, you push my way. You know, you're doing righty. I'm Keira Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, and check out my brand-new show only on UFC FightPass.com.

There it is. The Third Degree with Kira Gracie. How about that? Looks great. Especially for someone whose native tongue is not English. She does a great job. So all the best to her on the new show. Two episodes up now, six more coming next year.

Check it out. I have not seen the full episodes, just the trailer because they went up today. But I hear they're good. Let me know what you think. All right, we continue with our women's MMA theme. In a second, we're going to be joined by Quebec's own Valéééééé, le tournaud no, that's how you say it, if you're a quasi-french speaker like myself. I have lost my

accent. A little known fact, I was actually born French. First four years of my life, I only knew how to speak French. My mother, my dear mother, the angel that is my mother, actually, she took me to pre-K, and I knew no English. And they told me that you got to go home, you got to learn some English, and come back because this is an English-speaking. school. So my mother actually taught me how to speak French. Excuse me, English. She taught me to speak English and then I went back to school and I was good to go and now I can hardly speak French. How about that? And I live in the States. I've turned my back on my country and I'm very sad about it all. But that's a different story for a different day. For now, let's go to the phone lines and welcome

in our next guest. She is the woman who will be facing Joanna Jaun Jacek at UFC 1.93 on November 14th, Melbourne, Australia. As I said, Valéry Le Tournault. Valé, how are you? Hi, Ariel. I'm good. Thank you. Oh, how about that French? Do you like that accent? It's a little bit, I've lost it. You still have the accent, even though you live in the... You don't live in Montreal anymore, right? Let's practice. Oh, okay. We're practiquet, today. I'm here to say, So, bien-venu a Valé la Tourna.

How about that? Hey, thank you. All right. You're in Florida now, right? Yes, I'm in Florida. Do you ever spend time in Montreal, or are you done with Canada? Not that I'm done, but I don't have much of time to spend there, especially now that, you know, I got a call a few days after my last fight, so I'm just going back in a training camp. And I have my daughter with me here now.

She's going to school in Florida. So I rather stay with her with her here. when I have a little bit of free time. By the way, how did you end up at ATT in Florida and not say TriStar in Montreal? Well, I've been 10 years at TriStar. I felt like I needed something new, but also the main reason is I was traveling here sometimes just for vacation and I was coming to train that American top team. And I saw they had many girls to train there.

And I had never had this at TriStar. I had different girls to train in boxing or jihitsu, but, you know, like a mixed martial art. I have nothing there. So that was pretty much the main reason why I made the move. Did you have any – I'm going to ask you the same question that I asked you. I apologize for asking you again, but for those that didn't hear it, did you have any idea after winning in Saskatoon that this was even a possibility that you were in the title picture? Deep and fine, I feel like I deserve it to be there and I can compete there. But I felt like I was one fight away from it.

And I keep saying that I wanted to fight Claudia, because I know Claudia was probably booked for that fight, so I know that was not a possibility, but I felt like I was probably one fight away from that shot. And who called you to tell you the news? My manager. My manager is the honor of my gym also. They both heard about it pretty quick.

And what were you doing, and what was your reaction when you found out? I was 1 o'clock in the morning. Oh, my. I didn't want to pick up the phone, but they keep calling and calling and calling. So I thought, my God, that must be something very important. And so I was just sitting on the floor, my phone plug on the wall, trying to charge my phone to talk to them as I'm doing all the time. And, yeah, he just told me that.

And I didn't even have any reaction. I was just speechless. And I was just thinking, oh, my God, I've got to do this, this, this, this, this, this, that. I'm going to plan this. I'm just back from a fight, which you keep always pushing stuff or after your fight. You want to do everything after your fight. And then, okay, there's no time to do none of that. I'm going back in the camp.

I like it. I mean, I like to deal with that. And sometimes I do better this way than when something is planned like three, four months in advance. I thought your win over Marina Moro's was your most impressive performance. in the UFC and you went the distance with her. I'm wondering, did you come out 100% healthy, or were you at all, you know, injured, you know, bumps and bruises, that kind of thing?

Oh, only bruises, like, every of my fight. Yeah. I'm hard very easy, and I don't know, I feel like I'm blocking my, blocking the punches with my hands, but I'm going to work on that, I promise. But, no, besides that, what hurts me the most is the way cut.

So I was, I was feeling. more, my body was hurt more from the weight cut than the fight, I would say. And are you confident that 115, you are the only woman, I believe, in UFC history. I know it's a short time to win at 135 and 115. Are you confident that 115 is the best weight for you? It's hard to say no with the position I have right now. Yeah. I'm getting more and more confident, you know, to fight at 115.

You know, I want to do better my weight cut, and I know I can do better. there's some mistake and I know the mistake I did so I'm just going to, you know, keep working on a different way to cut my weight. But, I mean, I think I perform good and I feel strong and I can do, you know, the both fight was three rounds. I would love to finish my fight earlier,

but still that makes me confident that I know I can go three rounds. And I would have been optimal for a fourth round for this fight. You know, I was good to go for another round. So that's probably a good weight class for me. What's the mistake that you did? Oh, my weight cut? Yeah, you said you know the mistake that you did. It's more the way I cut my water at the end,

and I would love to show up a little, you know, lower, close from the fight. But, you know, the way I dehydrate, people know, we dehydrate. You know, sometimes we cut 10, 12, some fire is going to cut 15 pounds in the last 24 hours. So there's a different way that you can do this. And, you know, the body is like a... computer and you need to program it the way you want it. So I'm key. I keep going on that, but it's the same thing as, you know, fighting. You look your fight, you look at the mistake you did, and as long as you know what you did wrong, you know, you can adjust for the next fight.

And of course, you don't need me to tell you this, but as you know, in a title fight, you have to be on the dot. So you have to be 115. Perfect. Are you doing anything different for this camp, working with someone going to do something in your diet differently so that you ensure that you'll be at 115 as healthy as possible? Yeah, I'm working with the same guy as the first fight and I already started my diet. I got my diet this morning and what's just good is my weight. I wait exactly the same thing right now and I was waiting the night of the fight. So I didn't have time to gain weight.

I didn't have time to go out of track. So that's the good news of it. that should be an easier cut. But, no, I'm working with GF. Kodoa as a nutritionist. He's a guy from Montreal, and he knows me well. And did it feel any better knowing the fact that you jumped over, Claudio Gidelli, Godelia, someone who beat you close-fight split decision? Did that make you feel a little better, that you skipped over her?

No, that makes me feel like I would have to fight her to prove that I can be her. I never tried to skip anything. Well, you know, you get the call, and I'm not going to say, Hey, Sean, you know, I feel like you should call another girl before me. Yeah. I mean, I'm taking it. You know, it's my chance, and I'm going to take it. I'm going to show up at my best.

But, I mean, I'm getting that bell. I'm going to have to fight Claudia, and I'm up for it. Have you listened at all to the reaction to this news? A lot of people, you know, they're saying, oh, you don't, you don't stand the chance. You don't deserve it. I mean, the reaction was pretty severe against you. I'm wondering if you saw any of that and what you thought of it. I saw that, especially when, you know, they start to talk about it before they officially announced it.

So, you know, the news come off that was not even official for me. So while I started reading, I just stopped reading it because, you know, most of the people that I see that's writing these stuff, they don't know nothing about my career. They only saw. and some people didn't even see my last fight. So people talk easy. They have no clue who I fought talking, saying like I have a record of eight and three. Do you know who I fought?

You know, two of my loss are a split decision against Alexis Davis. And my last loss is in 2012 against Tulsa Gadella, a split decision. And, you know, that's still a fight that I feel like I won, but a split decision, that's exactly all you feel about it. It's just like so close that you feel like you could have, you know, push a little more and win or she pushed a little more and she got it. And so, you know, that's a fight that I wanted to reduce since they won after the fight, not even, you know, before we even got in the UFC. So I don't feel like I don't belong there, but I feel like I need to prove it. But, you know, even when I got signed with the UFC, I've seen such a comment say, like, this girl is nothing. She doesn't know how to fight.

She left a fight again in the house. And look where I'm at today. Yeah. So it just gives me an extra reason to train twice harder and prove them wrong. I really feel like it all stems from the Ultimate Fighter. People watching that show don't know a lot about women's MMA and think that, oh, you didn't make it to the house, so you must not be good. Do you agree with that A?

And how long did it take for you? I read that you said that that was like, you know, You're ashamed of that loss to Roxanne Monteferry. That was your big opportunity. How long did it take for you to get over it? Oh, I had to get over it right after because first, I know that fight doesn't represent me as a fighter at all. This is like to loss against Roxanne, no shame on that because she's a fire that I really respect and I've been watching her for a long time. She's a very experienced fighter.

It's just the way I felt there. I almost gave up before the fight. I didn't feel like I wanted to be there. I was not comfortable there. I was not comfortable in that environment. I could barely speak English. That was something that, imagine you go there. You cannot, you know, communicate with people.

You don't know anybody there. And I don't know. I was really not, you know, in the place I feel like I wanted to be. And I didn't deal well with it. I just didn't perform at all. I just didn't fight. Like, people start to know how I fight. I'm never going to give up on anything.

And I just gave up, you know, I didn't fight my fight there. So that was what I was a shame of because that doesn't represent me. And that's not what I want to show. And, but, you know, it looks like I'm catching up right now. And the other thing is, like, I just beat Jessica Rakazi who did the first. final of that show. Right. So what does that say?

What does that say? She beat up everybody there. She beat up Roxanne. She finished Roxanne. And I beat her two fights ago. So people should get over it, I think. Have you been watching, Joanna? Of course, she's in your division now, so I'm sure you watch her to a degree.

But as you look at her and study her, someone who's been in this sport for a long time, you know, her confidence continues to grow. Her technique is getting better and better. Are you impressed with her? Do you think that she is as dominant as some of us, including us in the media, have been saying as of late? I'm not impressed. I like her style. I like her as a fighter. So like I said in other interviews, I was looking at her as a fan.

And if my memory is good, I think even when she fought at first, I was not even fighting at 115. So I was not even looking at her like a future opponent. So, I mean, I'm not impressed. because I fought such a tough girl I feel in my career. I'm never going to go there scared of anything. I'm just doing my best, and I prepare myself for, you know, the best as I can for that opponent. I have awesome coach.

I have every tool here, and I know I'm capable to do anything. I just need to work on the perfect things for that fight. She has developed into a pretty good trash talker, and also part of her game is the Staredown. She really gets up in your face. One might say, I mean, we'll never know unless she admits it. She kind of got in Carlos Spars's head, and you had a chance to face off with her on Friday at the media event,

and she did the same to you. She got up right in your face. What did you make of that? I'm not to impress by these things. It never really affect me. That's just for the show, you know. The real thing is when you get there and you fight, so some people look really tough in the stair-downs.

they get in the fight and you can tell they already give up. You can tell by and bite by their eyes. And I would say what can affect you maybe even more is that the eyes that your open is going to have when you step in, when it's time to shake hands and go. That's the real time. Do you think she's going to try to get under your skin, get in your head leading up to this fight? Probably. I mean, that's her game.

That's what, you know, she's been doing. But to be honest, I don't even feel like she's been trying to do this for that fight. I feel like she respected me as a fighter, and I like the attitude that she's taking, you know, to throw her at sight. As you look at her right now, what do you think is the biggest hole in her game? I'm always looking at the stand-up mistake because that's the thing I like to do. So everybody has, you know, holes in their game, whatever you do. And I'm looking at holes on the stand-up, of course, because that's my game also.

So, no. I didn't watch much of faith yet. I didn't have time to do that, honestly. I'm so overwhelmed with the media and the traveling stuff we have to do now. But, I mean, I'm going to watch, you know, her fights over and over and look for the opening. I understand and correct me from wrong, you have to go to Australia next week for a media tour. Is that right? Yeah.

How do you feel about that? That's a long trip. That was one of my biggest. worry when they call me, you know, when they offered me to fight. They told me right away that was one of the things that I needed to do. And it was more also to be organized with my daughter, you know, she's going to school here and I cannot leave her alone and have the family here. So it's all things that go through my mind when they asked me for that. But, I mean, it's equal for all of us. She has to go. Rhonda has to go. Oh, he has to go. We all

have to go. So we all in the same position. We all not going to sleep for a few days, you know, have. And I'm lucky I can take Hector with me to Australia, so I'm going to be able to train for the little bit of time I'm going to be there. Oh, that's great. So you have a local guy, because Hector lived in Australia for many years, so at least you'll have someone who can show you the ropes a little bit. Exactly. And that helps. You know, you don't know where it's everything. I've never been to Australia, so just have someone that live there, then know everybody there that make it easy for me. And are you, are you, are you, are you, going to have to go there like many weeks in advance

before the actual fight? Are you planning on doing that as well? And if so, what are you going to do about your daughter? I need to decide this now where I feel like I should go there earlier just to get adjust with the time and with the difference of time and and, you know, if I can bring all my people there, that will be awesome.

So I can be there and be a week or two before the fight and just get an adjust. And I'm going to have someone from my family is going to come to Florida to take care of my daughter so I don't have to worry with school. or anything. I know she's going to be fine. And I understand your daughter was with you in Las Vegas this past weekend. Does she understand what's going on?

I mean, I know she's a little older, but does she understand that her mother is fighting for the belt in front of maybe the biggest crowd ever? Does she know about this? Is she excited? How is she reacting to it? I think taking her to go big, the announcement, make her realize more of what's going on. Because to be honest, she was making me mad when I told her. about the title.

She's like, all right, fine. Then when I say, okay, so that means I'm going to have to go back in training camp next week, she was so mad, like, you always in camp, you know, I'm like, okay, babe, that's not things that we can't control when, and, you know, I got to take it, but now I think, like, taking her to Vegas and she sees that everything is going on there and the announcement, like, make her realize how important it is. Was that the first time that you took her to a fight? No, she came for the tough.

Oh, right. When we filmed the ultimate fighter, she was there. Yeah. And she was there live for my fight in Montreal. Okay. So, but it's the first time I'm taking her for such an, you know, important media stuff. How old is she? Twelve.

Twelve. Wow, okay. So she certainly understands, and I'm sure her friends will tell her as well. This is a very big deal. By the way, how do you feel about fighting in front of 70,000 people. Do you like that idea or would you prefer a smaller arena? I don't care too much about that. I try not to even, you know, I feel in different size of places and different crowd and I don't feel a difference between the 20,000 or 5,000. To be

honest, I just focus on me, the octagon, the octagon and my opponent and I'm by myself there with these two things. So whatever what's going on around that, I'm pretty focused on my opponent and the fight. Well, Valé, it's a great story. I wish you the best. It's always exciting when a fellow Quebecer gets a title shot. And what a stage this is.

I'm looking forward to it very much. I appreciate the time. I know you're very busy with training and media and all that. So thank you so much for the time. Safe travels to Australia next week. And, of course, good luck in training for the fight. I think so you, I have. Okay, we'll talk to you soon.

There she is. The Pride of Quebec now living in Florida. Valéry Trouble Little No. Big opportunity for her, I mean, it doesn't get any bigger than this. Fighting for the UFC title in front of 70,000 or so fans, that's what they're shooting for at Eddie Had Stadium. Again, November 14th, 15th in Australia, Melbourne, to be exact, main event, Ronda Rousey, Holly, home.

talking to Mark Hunt a little later in the show who's fighting Bigfoot Silva on that card as well. So they're going with the two women's title fights at the top, which we have been talking about for quite some time. Seems like this is the right time to do it. I'd say so. All right, let's move along. Let's stick with this women's MMA theme. Invicta is back on Saturday. It's a card that has somewhat flown under the radar. Tanya Evinger in the main event. There's been so much going on with the UFC, of course, and Belator has their big show coming up next weekend, the Dynamite Show. It's flying under the radar. There's no doubt about it. Also, Floyd Mayweather fighting this weekend if you're into that sort of thing. That being said, to me,

one of the more interesting fights and fighters in particular on the card is our next guest. Her name is Jin Yu Frey. She is returning to Invicta. after a little layoff, and she's got a lot going on. You could certainly understand why a very busy person in and out of the gym. Really looking forward to talking to her. She joins us right now via the phone. Gin Ufrey, how are you? I'm good.

How are you? I'm doing great. Thank you very much for the time. You're joining us from work right now, right? Yeah, I am. And what does work for you? I work in an outpatient, comprehensive cancer facility. I do nuclear medicine, actually.

I got through given some radiation to a patient. And you also just completed your MBA, right? I did. Wow. How long did that take? It was a two-year program, so started 2013 in August and just now finished up just a few weeks ago. It felt great. Congratulations on that.

Forgive me for sounding ignorant. When you have an MBA, I know it's a master's in business administration. is there a specific focus or is it just overall business? Just an overall business. It's just a general degree. Like, you know, we had a little bit of taste of everything. I did some marketing classes. You know, I did some operations management classes, strategic management, finance, accounting,

you know, just a little taste of everything. So I got to ask you, what the hell are you doing as an MMA fighter? You have this job where you're helping people, you know, save lives. It's a very important job, more important than that. most things out there, just completed your MBA. What the heck are you doing going into a cage on Saturday? You know, it's something that I've come to really enjoy, and I found that it's very cathartic for me.

And, you know, I just enjoy getting in there and challenging myself. You know, all the schoolwork and everything kind of challenges me mentally, and this is kind of a little bit more physical challenge. Is this kind of just, you know, I know when you started, you didn't want to be a fighter, even though your family has a background in martial arts, a rich background,

but you were doing other sports. You're always very athletic. Now that you're a pro fighter, is this something that you'd like to take as far as you can? You'd like to reach the mounteop. I know the UFC doesn't have your division, but as far as you can, as an Adam White, who knows what happens in the future?

Or is it just something that you do on the side literally as a hobby? You know, of course, anything that I do I want to be great at. I'm a pretty competitive person. and I don't really, you know, half-ass anything. Like, if I'm doing something, I want to be the best at it. Everything that I do, I'm like, I say, I just want to be the best at this. So, you know, it originally started out as a hobby, and now, you know, who can say?

You know, I'll take it as far as it can go. But, you know, I do have a degree and a career and, you know, just in case something happens. Like, in a second, everything can change. You know, I can blow out my knee. you know, sustain a back injury or neck injury or something serious, but, you know, in my fighting career. So, you know, it's good to have not all your eggs in one basket, I guess. And I think you would agree that the highlight of your career thus far was your knockout of Darla Harris in July of 2013. I think that has around 2.5 or so million views on YouTube.

It was, you know, it was a pretty vicious knockout and it was all over the place, was picked up everywhere. and after that fight, I mean, you broke your hand and you weren't able to capitalize on the victory. You returned around 14 months later. Is that a reminder that, you know, you could be, you know, again, on top of the mountain, you can receive all this attention, millions of views on YouTube, but in an instant, you can be on the sidelines and not be able to capitalize. Is that why you feel like you need to have these other things and these very secure other jobs? Yeah, I mean, that's definitely a prime example.

you know, it was horrible because, you know, I had all this momentum going and then, you know, I have surgery and, you know, I didn't get cleared for like to even have any kind of contact for like six months. So, you know, it was a long time just sitting on the bench. And, you know, had that been, you know, my main course of income, you know, that really hurt. But, you know, that's when I actually started graduate school and got things moving, you know, the ball moving in other directions. just in case. I know your last victory was impressive with submission, and it was rather quick as well, but do you still feel like you are trying to live up to that knockout,

like you are trying to capitalize on that knockout? I'm not really trying to capitalize on it anymore. You know, I take each win, just like I take a loss, you know, time to move on to the next and keep moving forward and keep growing. You know, sometimes it's like every time everybody hears me fighting, they're like, oh, well, hopefully we'll get another knockout. So sometimes it kind of adds a little bit of pressure. It's like I'm always constantly living in that shadow,

but I want to just continue to evolve, and I don't necessarily have to win every fight with a knockout. You mentioned that you're at work right now. How much free time do you have to train for these fights, and in particular this fight coming up on Saturday? The last two years it's been pretty tight with graduate school. I was in class like eight hours a week. So I just, I really had no free time whatsoever.

And sometimes it was really difficult. Sometimes I was just to my breaking point because I, you know, I worked like 40 hours a week and then, you know, training and then I'm in class, like eight hours a week plus whatever time I'm studying. So I just, I really had no free time to do anything that I wanted. It was either training, work, or school. Since I finished my degree about four weeks ago, somewhere around there, you know, it's really opened up a lot of time. But, you know, even still with working 40 hours, you know, I don't get as much time as what I would want to devote to training, but, you know, it's part of it.

I'm sure you've encountered these people. I'm one of those, those kinds of people who doesn't fare very well in a hospital setting. You know, like, I just, I'm not very proud of this, but it just, I get a little queasy. I just don't feel good. I just don't like being in a hospital, own. Of course, it's not the best place in the world to be, unless you're there for, you know, a baby's birth. There's some real stuff happening there. What is it like going to work every day where you are dealing with cancer patients? And it's not just the, you know, the physical demands. It's also the mental demands and what they're going through. On a daily basis, you have to go there and do your job. And maybe at times help out mentally be, you know, some kind of positive light,

things like that. Can that wear on a person when you're going, you're clocking in and now you're leaving and these people still have to stay there to a degree at the hospital with their conditions? For sure, there are definitely days where it's mentally draining. These are people that I'm seeing on a regular basis. I get to know them. I get to know it personalized. I get to know their families and, you know, cancer being what it is. Sometimes we lose these patients. And so, you know, that can be a bit of an emotional drain. And then, you know, just talking to people throughout the day and hearing their struggles. It's hard not to internalize some of that. How many of them actually know what you do on, you know, on the side, your other profession? You know, there's quite a few of them.

There's quite a few of them that keep up with me and, you know, when they come in and I have black eyes or whatever, you know, they kind of laugh it off and they know what's going on. So there's quite a few of them that keep up with me. I don't discuss it with like everybody, but if, you know, they actually ask me, you're curious, then, you know, I'll divulge. Of course. And, you know, do you ever have a situation where someone will actually, you know, watch your fight and this will be something that they'll look forward to? It's an escape for them. And then you come back on Monday or so and Tuesday, whatever, and talk to them about it. Like, they're actually, you know, they develop this connection with you and actually go out of their way to watch or fight and support you.

There's a few that keep up with me pretty regularly. Like, I don't see them that regularly where, you know, I can talk about it this week, and then next week I see them after my fight. Usually they're coming in for, you know, quarterly checkups or whatever, so sometimes it might be a couple of months, but a lot of times, you know, they'll hear that I'd sign for a fight, and then next time I see them, you know, it's maybe like a month or so after my fight. And so they try and keep up or there's like a couple of guys, some of the older guys, they, you know, send emails, like, you know,

good luck this week or whatever. So it was kind of nice. As I mentioned earlier, there's no 105 pound division in the UFC. In the back of your mind, will you try to fight at 115 at some point when you're comfortable in your career to make a run at the UFC? Are you sticking at 105? You know, it's kind of hard to say what the future holds. You know, I definitely like to get a lot more experience. And, you know, as I get older, maybe it starts getting harder to cut the weight.

So, you know, who's to say? Anything can happen at this point. I don't think either option is completely closed off yet. Now that you've completed the NBA, are you going to try to fight more frequently? It kind of depends. My husband and I have been, you know, discussing just all kinds of things, maybe selling our house, maybe he's me only working part-time.

You know, there's a lot of new changes on the horizon for us, and we were just going to kind of probably delve into it a little bit further after this fight. Oh, do we lose her? Presence myself. Oh, there you are. Like, once we get back from all that, you know, we were going to sit down and kind of hash some of that out and discuss things a little bit more seriously. Sorry, what's the present to yourself? We lost you there for a second. I'm sorry, what?

I think you said a present to yourself, but we lost you for a second in the middle of your answer. Oh, yeah. Just that we were going to New Zealand, turned 30 this year, and then I finished my master's degree. So it's kind of like all of that kind of rolled into one present to myself. Understandably so. And your husband is the reason for all this, right? He's the one to blame. Isn't that true?

Douglas, isn't he the guy who, I mean, he supposedly was kind of inquiring about your sister, and then you put him in his place and then you guys figured it out. But isn't that the story? At a way in, right? Well, yeah, that's how we met, but I was actually already competing. I already had, like, you know, one or two amateur fights. But that's actually how I met him. That's how you met him, and perhaps he kept...

So you think that you'd still have a career if you didn't meet him, you'd still be a pro fighter, because you were, as you said, just an amateur at the time? Yeah, for sure. You know, I had... You know, I was training, and I was competing already, and I really enjoyed it. So whether or not I had met him, I think that I would still probably be on this path. Is he your head coach? He does my strength and conditioning and my diet.

Okay. So you have someone, is he in your corner during the fights as well? Yes. Do you like that? Yes, I do. You know, sometimes whenever we're training, it's hard to separate, you know, my husband from my coach. And sometimes it's kind of hard to hear, like, his criticism and that sort of thing. thing and not to get personally.

Yeah. But, you know, during the fight, having them there in my corner is good for me. It's just knowing that I had that moral support. By the way, why... Why is your Twitter handle Little Rue 1-2? It was just kind of a joke, like, you know, Little Roo from Winnie the Pooh. Like this tiny little cute person. Yes.

And this tiny little character. and so we were just trying to come up with something, and it was just kind of a joke because it's like this cute, cuddly little character. And is the one-two for, you know, punching? One-two? Yes. Okay. I think I figured it out.

All right. How are we beating Liz McCarthy on Saturday? Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes? No highlight real chaos. I hate making predictions. I don't know, because it's a fight. You know, you never know anything can happen.

You know, I'm a realist, and who knows? You know, I thought I was going to submit Darla Harris, and I knocked her out. I thought, you know, I was going to fight to a decision with Cassie Robb, and I submitted her. So, you know what I mean? It's like, you never know. Well, I wish you the best. Great to meet you for the first time. We wanted to show the clip of your knockout, but apparently it wasn't working,

so I will advise people to just plug in your name. on YouTube and it's your own Twitter, excuse me, your own YouTube account. So I'm happy that you're getting all the views. It has, as I said, something like 2.5 million. It's one of the more impressive and vicious knockouts that you will see a great one. It got you a lot of attention and rightfully so. So again, I want to wish you the best and also offer congratulations on completing that MBA and keep, I mean, I think you have a great story, a great inspiration to a lot of fighters coming up and young people trying to dabble in a lot of things. So keep doing what you're doing and good luck in the fight on

on Saturday night. All right, thank you very much. All right, there she is. Jin Yu Frey stopping by. A great story helping out people and completing her MBA and fighting at Invicta this Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.

As I said, Tanya Avenger defending her Bantamweight title for the first time. Roxanne Madaferi also on the card. I saw her in Las Vegas on Saturday. Always a pleasure to see Roxanne in person. always very positive, always very excited, and one of the great characters,

one of the pioneers of women's MMA as well. Definitely check out that knockout if you can. All right, let's move along. I'm going to, I'm going to skip over inside the vault for now because I want to talk to Mr. New York, Rick, about something if he's there. If he's available, of course he's not available. He's probably sleeping right now. He is available.

Oh, there he is. with a big echo. It's down now. Did you miss me over the last two weeks? I missed you so much I called you. You did call me. A very rare turn of events, something that hardly ever happens. New Yorkerick called me without a question or a request or demand.

It's usually, you know, I need some help, but you know, what have you done from me lately, kind of relationship that we have. But you just called to hear my voice. That's what you said. That was it. I missed you. I missed the show. I missed the people. But I did miss Ariel Hawani, so I thought I checked in. Yeah, above all. Well, I don't know about that.

But it's good to see that you're still taking selfies. It's still taking a lot of pictures of your hair. I mean, you must have the record, my friend, for most selfies. I don't think I have the record, but I'd like to think I'm getting up there. All day. How does it happen? Like, you just sit there and say, let me take a selfie right now. Like, why? You know, I'm... Have you always been this way or is it because of the hair?

If I walked you through the thought process, I mean, I'd love to get it. I don't want it to be replicated. I don't want people to start biting my style. But, you know, I think people want to see. It's my personal Instagram account, right? People want to see from me what I'm doing, what I'm experiencing. And it can't hurt to throw this lovely face in there as well. But can I just say that seeing your face, just the face, is not telling us really what you're doing.

I just see your face. Like, it's not a picture of a supermarket or, you know, a bar or something. It's just your face. I mean, you're not really telling me much. No, I disagree with you. Just remember that. Okay. We have a lot to get to.

Before we get to Mark Hunt a little later on in the show. By the way, have you started your e-gaming podcast yet? No, I have not. What a response to that thing. You, like, out of nowhere, you became the unofficial spokesperson for all these freaks. Well, first of all. And I love them. I'm kidding.

Let's not say that. But what I think happened is, you know, I'm very much a layman myself and I was explaining it, you know, coming from that perspective. So I think there was like an appreciation of our conversation on a base level. Yeah. This is something that can be viewed by somebody outside of it. Very much the same way if a layman who had watched MMA for the first time really enjoyed it and was able to describe what they enjoyed about it.

I think, you know, that would be something interesting to. see from MMA fans as well. Well, you did a great job. And again, as I said at the top, the response was just what? I just couldn't believe it. It was crazy. People, there were Reddit threads. There were people tweeting at me, you know, all kinds of new info for me to check out.

And I'm sure that was tenfold for you just because, you know, you're much more of a public figure than I am. And obviously, you know, this show is associated with your name. So I'm sure, you know, you got a lot as well. But even I got quite a bit of response. I notice one thing. A lot of people write to you on Twitter, and I notice that you respond to them, but you don't include my tag, even though I was in the original tag. Why is that? I'll do that for, I mean, it really varies. If it's something that I feel like applies to both people, then I'll keep it. But I like to respond to almost everybody. And I don't like to flood people's timelines if they're tagged in a post in response to me that has, you know, three different people. And then I'm responding 10 different times. And they're getting all those notifications. So if I think it's something like, you know, about the show or something like that, I'll keep you in. If it's something not and it's something I can answer without it, I'll take it out.

It's a courtesy thing. You know, I don't, I appreciate the courtesy. I don't love it. And I'll tell you why it feels to me like, okay, we're both getting a question or a comment. Sometimes it's even a compliment. And you're taking it offline. Like, you're taking it for yourself. More often than not, when I respond, I think I include you in it.

And it feels like you're almost trying to take it and run with it yourself and start and spark into this whole new other conversation with these people who initially reached out to both of us. So I feel like maybe you should just keep it as is if they intended. Your wish is my command, Ariel. Don't you worry. Every reply that has you in it, you will be getting a notification. Perfect. The good thing is I don't get a notification every time because that would just be very annoying, but it's nice to check in and see what's happening. Sometimes I feel like I miss things. That being said, I want to ask you about the Connor McGregor thing. And I know this is probably

one of the questions. It is one of the questions. Should we address it at the top because I have a lot to say about it? Sure. I know you do as well. Let me, uh, how about, I'll bring up that question first. Okay, bring up the question first. From our friend James Glory. Uh, yes. Let's, uh, just quickly set the table here. Uh, Friday in Las Vegas, uh, MGM prior to the Wayans. I'm sure if you're watching or listening to this show, you know they had the big, go big press conference, all the big fights, all the big main events between, uh, the September show coming up in Japan, Josh Barnett, Roy Nelson, up until, the Fox show in Orlando, Donald Soroni versus Halfaldos. They were all there, except for Chris Wyman, whose wife is about to give birth any day now. Anyway, they're all there,

and it turned into the Connor McGregor show. Never before have we seen someone on a stage like this, you know, just go against everyone, become this lone wolf where he's sitting there with an newsie and just spraying everyone. It turned into quite the spectacle on many different levels, and quite the hot topic. A lot of people asked me to weigh in on it. So I wanted to address this right off the top. The floor is yours. Jane. glory. The question is, what did you make of Connor hijacking the UFC go big press conference? Some folks found it wildly, wildly entertaining, whilst others have been really angered by his perceived lack of respect. So then, what did you make of Connor's behavior? Okay, you go first.

It's, you know, I've made no, no, what's that secret? Yeah, I've made no secret about how I feel with, with Conner's behavior in the past. And I don't, this, this version of Connor McGregor is not my personal favorite. The over the top kind of, you know, larger than life character is not what I prefer to see from what I consider is a very intelligent and very smart, quick, witty person. I'd like to see something a little more substantive.

But, you know, obviously this is what's going to get the most attention. So I don't have a problem with it. I think he's doing everything he needs to be doing. I think it's the right thing to do from his perspective. It is the thing that keeps him paid. But it's not my favorite thing to watch. I can do without it. At this point, I'm out on this kind of stuff from Connor.

You're just, you're blocking it out. You're tuning it out. Yeah, I'm watching it and I'm, you know, chuckling along, but it doesn't resonate. It doesn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Connor McGregor is a showman. He's quick-witted and he's good at what he does. But it doesn't, it's nothing new.

it's kind of a rehash of the same stuff he's already been doing. So prior to that press conference, I actually told people when I was at UFC191 Media Day and all that stuff, I was saying, you know, I got to say. And I think to a degree I've been, you know, pushing the Connor McGregor bandwagon. I think we had him, I'm not saying early in his career, but prior to his UFC debut and a lot of people found out about him

for the first time through the show and in our subsequent interviews. I was saying that I was getting worried that he was, was over-exposing himself and that the UFC was over-exposing him. I still don't know how I feel about the tough decision. I don't know how I feel about him being on that show for the next 13, 14 weeks. It remains to be seen. I mean, according to T.J. Dillashaw, he was hardly there, but you know how editing can go and they're not showing 24 hours a day. So I was worried about that. And I thought that, you know, even I said on this show, like, I wasn't ready to fully invest in UFC 194. I wasn't ready to fully get into it again because we just finished that roller coaster

motions. I mean, it was exhausting from beginning to end. And then the press conference happens on Friday. And I think that he went so far off the edge. I think that he went so far into left field. I mean, like I said, no one has ever done that. And yes, they haven't had many press conferences like that where there's so many fighters on the stage. But he, in five minutes, really, in five minutes, set up four future fights for him. And in some fights that he had, you know, no history with. He has a history of Joseph Duffy, but he took that up a notch. Donald Soroni, Hafeel de Sanjos, you know, even the Chad Mendes stuff, Frankie Edgar to a degree.

I mean, he planted his seed with so many different fighters. It was remarkable to watch. And like I said, he went so far off the deep end that, in my opinion, he created a whole new layer for himself. Like after that show, as brash as he was, as outspoken as he was, as controversial as he was, it was like a fresh Connor McGregor. It was a whole new persona. He had never done anything quite like that. So my fear, at least right now,

we'll see what happens with the ultimate fighter, of him being overexposed, has completely gone out of the window because of what he did. He has taken this thing up 10 notches. I mean, we've never seen him act like that before. We've never seen him, we've never seen any fighter act like that before,

where he essentially, if there was a brawl in that arena, on that stage, and people had to pick sides, the entire stage would have been on one side and Connor would have been on the other side. He alienated every single fighter up there. It's a pretty amazing thing and he did it within a minute. I mean, the first thing he said, I'm the money fighter. F all these other guys. And he was so, he was, everyone was going here and he was so all the way over there that it was, it was fascinating to watch. Sometimes it was comical. Sometimes it got a little tense.

And I got to say, you know, just as I'm talking about this, everyone for the most, part I thought handled themselves pretty well. I mean, I thought Dosanjos was going to get a little physical when he started talking about his wife. I thought that Soroni might get a little physical as well. I expected what Frankie did, and it was interesting watching Rhonda and Holly Home in particular. But the one guy who I really felt dropped the ball, can you guess who that one guy is? There's one guy that I really felt dropped the ball on Friday afternoon. Any guesses who it is? No. It's Joseph Duffy. Because while he was going on that rant, while he was calling everyone out while he was proclaiming

that he's the best, all that stuff. All Joseph Duffy had to do was tap on that microphone and say, excuse me, this coming from the guy who beat your ass in 38 seconds, sit down and shut the F up because I'll come over there and I'll do the same again. This is the guy who's headlining the next Dublin show that's sold out in like 60 seconds, and he could have stood up there and said, Connor, this coming from the guy who beat your ass not that long ago, sit down, shut the F up. He had an opportunity to elevate himself in a matter of seconds, and everyone would have been talking about that and playing that up over and over again up until Dublin. And I thought he dropped the ball.

I know that's not his style per se, but Connor was dogging him. He was dogging. He was calling him a journeyman, completely rewriting the script, changing the narrative, and he just sat there and smiled. And I thought that was a big mistake. Yeah, I mean, I just can't see it. That's what Connor would have done, but I can't, I just can't see it from Duffy. It was such a, I mean, he beat him.

He's the only guy up there who beat him, and he beat him in 38 seconds. But, I mean... He ran right through him. Not that long ago, by the way. Let's say, so assume for a second he does that. Is that what you want to do, though? When, you know, Conner's being a cartoon character and he's being this outlandish personality,

do you want to join him or do you want to kind of be the opposite of that? Exactly. He would have been the opposite. He would have been the guy that everyone... See, now I'm starting to... I'm sure you are as well. You're starting to hear from Irish fans who are like, hey, he's getting to be a little too much.

I'm worried about him. His head is getting too big. He's too much for us. He's not representing the... Irish. Joseph Duffy, Irish Joseph Duffy, would have been the guy representing those people. And now you would have had this civil war, if you will, the biggest fight for Irish MMA would not be Aldo McGregor. It would be Duffy, McGregor, too. That's the fight that will sell out Crock Park. Now, I think McGregor sells out Crock Park by himself. But could you imagine if Duffy can

play into this game a little bit? And let's be honest, a lot of what Connor, you know, is experiencing and reveling in is all this talk. I mean, that comes with the game. I mean, you have to do that. You have to play that part to a degree. Everyone does it differently. If Duffy would just play it this much and play on the fact that he beat this guy and that he'll do it again if he needs to, that fight is gigantic. That's one of the biggest fights the UFC can put on because all those people who are ashamed and embarrassed and are feeling a little queasy about what he's doing and what he's representing will just go with him naturally without even knowing the guy. He represents the good, the quiet, the humble,

and Connor represents the new money, the brash, all that stuff. He would have created that in an instant. I was very disappointed that he didn't do it. It was right there for the taking. It was right there. I just disagree that. I don't think that that's humble. I don't think that that's he all you saying saying I beat you be quiet is not really humble. The guy was he knows the guy was ripping on him. He was actually insulting. That's fair enough but I think that's as over the top as Connor McGregor. Stand up for yourself. All you have to say was 20 words. You know, that's it. So anyway, I look, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I still think at the end of the day, I see all these people saying that he turns me off and he's gone too far and it's annoying and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

I still feel like every single one of those people, and maybe they're not cheering for him. Maybe they want Aldo. Maybe they've changed their mind. But you have to care. And they all care. They all feel something. I don't feel like any of these people. And of course, some will say that they are, but I don't believe them.

They're not indifferent to him. He elicits a reaction, an emotion. And that's the most important thing. He doesn't care if people cheer or. boo him. He just wants them to pay. And I feel like he's gone everyone to pay attention. And as a result, they will pay to watch him fight, whether it's on pay-per-view or in the arena. So that's, that's his brilliance. He doesn't care if he's the fan favorite. Some people actually really want to be the fan favorite. It took Josh Kostick and Michael Bissing a long time to come to terms with,

maybe I'm not the fan favorite. He really doesn't care right off the bat. He makes people care. And that's most important. I don't think anyone's indifferent. It's not noise. It's not Xbox Heat right now. I still think he's going like this as far as he is concerned, and that's most important. Okay, let's go to our other questions. Demetrius Johnson. What's next for Demetrius? Henry Suhudo seems to be the only one of the division left for Demetrius Johnson. Also, what do you think about the talk of DJ's pay-per-view numbers?

Me personally, this is from Ashley Doherty. I would spend $50 on a DJ fight because I like watching him fight, but others seem not to. You know, look, this is a topic that has been discussed, ad nauseum at this point. DJ would admit it, I think the UFC would admit it as well, he should be fighting in the co-mate event when it's these kinds of fights. I think a fight against Suhudo, if promoted correctly, could be a big fight because of Suhudo's background and DJ's dominance. To me, it seems like the perfect fight for Fox or the perfect co-main event fight under a Ronda or a Wideman, etc. He's in a tough spot. You know, the biggest thing that Demetius Johnson has going against him right now

is that he's the most reliable fighter in the UFC. The guy is so active that he keeps running through his competition and he's left with no one. Now, Sehudo could very well be that guy. He has a tough fight coming up, excuse me, on November 21st against Jucierge for Miga. If he gets by him, he's the guy. But in a perfect world, I think it would be better if he waited one or two more fights. And let's not forget Sehudo, yes, he's.

he's an Olympic gold medalist, but he's not been doing this for a very long time. I don't even know if he's comfortable with the weight cut at this stage of his career. So in a perfect world, they would wait. But much like we're seeing with Holly Holme, and before that, Sarah McMahon and some of the fighters that DJ has already fought, they have to rush people because there's no one else. They're fighting in shallow divisions. I would put him in the co-main event. I would try to take some of the pressure off of him.

If he's in the co-main event, he doesn't answer any of these questions. He's just a great co-main event. He's a tremendous co-main event. But when he's the main event, again, it's always a referendum on him and the fly weights and his drawing power. And it becomes tiresome. People are just not going to like him. He's coming out of his shell. And I think people are starting to see his true colors.

He's telling the fans to F off. I love that. Be yourself. Be as honest as possible. People will start noticing you. But right now he's in a tough spot because he has no one else who is challenging him. And who's getting people like people don't believe that any of these. guys can beat him, so they're not going to pay attention.

Unfortunately, because he's so damn reliable and active, it's hard to find these people. It's hard to produce them. If you're Suhudo, why wait, though? At this point, it seems, in a very shallow division, take a shot, you lose, you get another shot sometime pretty soon. That's a good point. It's a good point. Everybody here is going to get two shots at DJ just because he's going to beat him

and he's going to beat him again. There's no reason not to take the shot, in my opinion. I think get in there, get the experience, see what it's like. like to be in there with DJ. And then if you win, you stamped, you know, you made, you made your claim and you're a great champion. And if you don't, you get another shot sometime soon. Because he's going to be, as you said, he's Mr. Reliable. He'll be ready. He'll be healthy. And you'll get another shot at it relatively quickly. Yeah. And Suhudo has been very active as of late. I believe he fought like three times in seven months. He just signed a new contract.

And I saw some people imply that he was ducking Joseph Benavides, which is. It's such a funny thing to say, like, this whole ducking, or he's scared to fight so-and-so idea in MMA, which comes up a lot because it's so, you know, alpha-maleh. This is a guy who won the Olympic gold medal. This is a guy, he's not ducking anyone. Trust me, I do not believe Sohudo is ducking Joseph Benevarez. I think the idea of ducking in general is, you know, a macho bravado thing, as you mentioned. But there is a strategic thing of, you know, picking your opponents or, you know, not one of. to face certain opponents at certain times and wanting to face somebody else.

I think that there is something real there. It's not the idea of he's scared of physical harm from this person. They're not quote unquote scared of this person, but strategically it doesn't make the most sense to fight the ex person at X time. And I think that that is a realistic calculation that happens in fighting. And I think there are cases where somebody will try to avoid somebody else. I don't think anybody's scared. That may be the wrong word, but I think they are trying to avoid certain people.

I'm not, by the way, I'm not saying this about the specific instance because I don't know the details here. But what I'm saying is it definitely does and has happened in the past. Absolutely. But sometimes you have to look at who you're talking about here. And I don't think an Olympic gold medalist is scared of anyone. I think he explained it if you saw the scrum. He wanted some extra time off. He was negotiating a new contract.

and he thought that the idea of Benavides fighting Sehudo in Monterey, Mexico would make a lot more sense. And quite frankly, I agree with him on all the points. You want to secure your contract, you want to take a little extra time off, and you want that fight in Mexico, that makes sense. Well, he's fighting in Mexico. This time it's against Formiga. And I don't really understand the point of Benavita Suhudo. If Benavides wins, now you're left with him knocking off the best contender, the best draw at this point against DJ, and you're left with a guy who already lost DJ twice.

What can you do with that? So to me, that booking never really made any sense. For Miga versus Suhudo makes much more sense. It's really the only fight for Suhuda that made sense at this point. And let's see where he goes. He's amazing. You've got to watch that scrum if you haven't. He is so good with the media and his answers

and everything speaks fluent Spanish. If he can figure it all out and really promote this fight, I mean, that could be a very big deal. As far as the flywits go, I'm not saying it's going to get a million pay-per-views or anything, but it could be an amazing combing event, and that's what it should be. The heavyweight division is held up again with the rematch between Verdum and Velasquez,

being on hold until March 2016. How much do you think this hurts the division from a fan's perspective, and what do you make of the heavyweight division as a whole these days coming off that long layoff from Kane Velasquez? I think it's unfortunate, and I kind of wish that they had Kane fight someone else, and I know he wanted to fight in October alongside D.C.

for him he's healthy and the best now he has to sit on that loss for a couple extra months just let him get back in there get his mojo back get confident again believe in himself again

get a nice wind under his belt and then you can you can do the fight if verdume was going to be out and look for doom's been somewhat active fine let him be out but let the division play out because now all right so now you have Kane waiting on the sidelines

right he's waiting for Verdum who's the next top contender Arlovsky Well, so, okay, so if they're going to fight in March, right? If they're going to fight in March, given these, you know, these heavy weights in their activity, when's the winner going to fight? September, August, at best. So that means Arlovsky's going to be sitting out for around a year if he waits.

There's no way Arlofsky is sitting around for a year, right? This is just not happening. So Arlowski's going to have to fight. It just kind of stalls everything, in my opinion. You've got Miotich and Rothwell coming up, yes. And Arlowski, you know, as calls me, controversial, if you want to call it as it is, continues his winning ways. That's fine. Other guys have to fight. I think it's silly to wait at this point, but that's just me.

That's, you know, I'm not the guy fighting for the belt. Our next question. What does the UFC do with Rumble now after his destruction of Jimmy Manoa? Rumble Johnson looked as impressive and scary as ever. Given that he's clearly the number two in the division, with only champion Daniel Cormier being higher, who on earth are the UFC going to book him against? Do you guys feel Rumble should get the winner of Daniel Korme? May versus Alexander Gustafson for another title shot. And by the way, speaking of Arlofsky, I love what Mark Romondi said on Saturday, him versus Fyodor if they can sign him, would be a tremendous number one contender fight

and a great rematch, if you recall, the affliction fight from a couple of years ago. No, Rumble should not get the winner of D.C. versus Gus. The winner of D.C. versus Gus, if it's not John Jones, should definitely be the winner of Bader versus Evans, 100%. you know, there are some options out there if, how about the winner of Patrick Cummins and Glover Tashara? I don't think that's a horrible thing for Anthony. I think Anthony, that was an impressive win.

I don't, look, I like the fact that he said what he said about the media afterwards on his way out of the cage and at the press conference. Humble Rumble sometimes comes off a little too humble, if you get what I'm saying. Just be yourself, man. And of course there are these things that are popping up and people in his opinion are painting him in a negative light and treating him unfairly, that's fine. But I think he needs to get all this stuff in order once and for all before he, you know, thinks about the next fight.

I'm not saying it takes some, you know, major time off, sit on the sidelines, but it's just, this can't keep popping up every time you fight or at least, you know, recently. So, you know, it's not the first time that someone has been somewhat confrontational, if you will. That's probably too harsh of a word towards the media. but I just want him to sort of figure all this out and then resume the career. Very talented guy. A lot of fun to watch, especially at that weight, hits like a truck.

I mean, he's a special fighter, but let's try to figure this out. If you're asking about what's next, I think that he should fight the winner of Cummins v. DeSherra. Also, what's next for Paige Van Zant? After another dominating performance from Paige, who would you like to see her face next? While I agree that the UFC, I'm sorry, while I agree with the UFC bringing her along slow, it feels like it's only a matter of time before she has to start facing some of the division's top talent. Here's another person

who might get pushed into a title shot a little sooner than is best for her, but I got to say, 21 years old, just turned 21, you've got to be really impressed with how Paige is handling all this, A, and B, how she's performing. I mean, you know, correct me if you disagree,

I think that she has gone better in every single one of her fights, And of course she has a long way to go before, you know, she could really start thinking about dethroning Yang Jacek. But it's been said and it's very accurate. She's relentless. She's aggressive. She never stops. You know, she's, you know, she's got power. She's, you know, she goes for it.

She doesn't dance around. She's a lot of fun to watch. She's worth all the hype that she's receiving. She's worth all the attention. And I think the U.S. She doesn't ram her down our throats. They book her correctly. And they're booking her correctly.

There's no need to push someone. who's 21, just because the amount of attention that you receive should not equal your place in the division. At times you can put your eggs in a basket and build someone. That's what they do with Connor. And look how it's paying off. You don't have to give someone a lot of attention only when they're fighting for the belt.

It's good to pinpoint superstars down here and then push them along the way because then when they fight for the belt, that's what they should be doing with Sehudo right now. Because then when they fight for the belt, it means a hell of a lot more. So I'm okay with the slow build. I'm okay with her not fighting for the belt for two, three years.

Well, I mean, how slow can it be, though? This division's not deep enough for her to, you know. I got to be honest, it's deeper than the 135ers. It is. And there are people coming out of the woodwork like Marina Morose. Who saw that coming? I know she's coming off a loss. But, you know, she's a solid fighter.

Valerie Littourneau. Who thought that she was a player, you know, this time last year? And others as well. But isn't that the, what I'm, I'm saying that it's not deep. I mean, that almost anybody can come out of nowhere to be a title contender? There's enough. Look, that one kind of came out of left field, no doubt about it.

But there's enough talent out there to allow the UFC to continue to showcase her. Even Courtney Casey, remember that fighter that fought Joanne Calderwood on like a week's notice or something, two weeks notice? She put on a great fight as well. I'm okay with those fights for the next two, three years. She's only 21. Why push her and have her, you know, face this setback? When it's too soon, it could mess her up. I don't think that they're going to push her.

I think she's going to necessitate it at some point. I think she's kind of pushing herself. She's, you know, right now it feels like she's a big fish in a small pond because of the matchups that she's been given. And I think at a certain point, she's just going to push herself into that conversation, you know, whether the UFC wants to give her the title shot or not. I think, A, they want to as soon as it feels like she's ready. but B, I feel like we're going to think that she's ready relatively soon.

I don't think, I don't think, and now obviously there's people who are going to sit there and pick apart certain aspects of her game and, you know, fair play to them. There's certainly things that every fighter can improve upon. But I think that in a division where, you know, title shots are not as hard to come by as some other divisions, I think that she is going to put herself into that conversation regardless of what any of us think. Very shortly. So any idea of what you do with her next? I mean, I think you give her somebody who's highly ranked.

Because, I mean, so. Like, I'm fine. I know she's booked, but like in Angela Hill, she's fighting Rose Nama Yunus. I'm fine with someone like that who's only two and one. Sure. And then after that, though, I mean, you're looking at the roses, the Sparsas, the three more fights before it's title shot.

I mean, Angela Hill just fought Tisha Torres, right? Yeah. If she beats Tisha Torres and then is next somebody in the... I'm sorry, if she beats Angela Hill and then somebody in the Tisha Torres range and then, I mean, it's title shot. There's no way... I don't think there's any way to slow build this

if she continues to win. I think it's going to happen pretty quickly. I want to see at least three more fights before a title shot. And I know you're playing with fire to a degree, but I don't think they've even scratched the... surface with her as far as her popularity. If that's the mentality, then it's almost better if you play with fire because she may lose sometime in that.

But I think it's going to be tough to deny her. I think she's one of these talents that comes along and, you know, her style is made to put a lot of pressure on people and I think she's going to continue to do that and I think she's going to end up in a title shop pretty soon. Yeah. I think so as well, but I'm just talking perfect world. Sure. Thoughts on the doctor's in action in the Riggs v. Stalling.

match. I'm troubled by a rather specific issue in the Riggs-Stalling's fight. Clearly, Riggs's eye was significantly damaged by round one. I'm sorry, in round one, by Riggs's own admission in the post-fight interview. His corner basically led on as if nothing was wrong, trying to keep the doctor away from looking too closely. The gambit paid off, given the end result, but the fact that this fight went into the second round was troubling to me. Don't get me wrong, full marks to Riggs for scoring a big knockdown in the second, and Stalling's must take responsibility for his illegal kick, but I have difficulty believing that the illegal kick, despite Riggs's narrative, the kick caused further damage. Material changed the condition of Riggs's eye from what it was at the end of round one.

The illegal kick simply provided the opportunity for the doctor to specifically and independently, i.e. without cornerman interference, look at the eye, which he really had not looked at previously. I know doctors have a tough job, but that kind of injury is serious, and I just don't think the doctor was sufficiently diligent about properly assessing Riggs's eye at the end of round one. In fact, I think fight should have been stopped at the end of round one. Your thoughts on this? And he says, P.S., that's not to absolve the cornerman, but that's another can of worms. Okay. While I answer this diatribe of a question, I sent you the new Skype, the name for Mr. Mark Hunt. I do believe that is accurate because I just checked it, and he says he's ready to go a little early.

How about Mark Hunt waking up even earlier than 605 a.m. Wednesday morning to join us. So deal with that, and then I'll answer this question. and look, at the end of the day, it was an illegal strike. You know, regardless, it's very hard in those situations to determine just how serious the strike was. I mean, sometimes you see these strikes. The guy has his hand, you know, his pinky on the mat. He's nailed. Would it have made a big difference if the pinky was not on the mat? Absolutely not. But you got to go by the rulebooks. and if someone says that they're too hurt to continue and they just received an illegal strike, his knees were on the ground, he was a quote-unquote downed opponent.

What are they going to say? Oh, it wasn't as a result of that. I mean, I saw Joe Riggs's eye after the fact when he came into the media room to do the scrum. I saw it. It did not look good. Now, did that happen as a result of the illegal strike? Based on watching it? Probably not.

But he was hit with an illegal strike. So what are you going to do? You can't just forget about that. You can't just, you know, brush it aside. Tough spot to be in. Tough spot to be in for Riggs as well, who's, you know, trying to get back on track. And I think he was looking pretty good.

He had a really bad weight cut. Came in at 87.5. Somehow made weight. And, you know, kind of in the twilight of his career here, I'm certain he didn't. Joe Riggs, of all people, who has a knack for a five. finding himself in some weird situations. I'm certain he did not want to win that way. He just doesn't

strike me as that kind of guy. So again, it reminds me of this idea of guys ducking other fighters and things like that. This doesn't happen as much as you may think it happens. Let's give these guys a little credit. They have signed up to fight inside cages, all right? I don't think that they're the cowardly type. I don't think he was necessarily looking for a way out. I don't think Ron Stallings was really bringing a lot to the table that would make Joe Riggs, who has seen and done it all, you know, really be afraid, quaking his boots. Tough turn of events. The eye was probably busted.

He was down. Said he couldn't see. Probably doesn't even know when exactly the injury happened. And they called it off. I don't have a huge problem with it, to be honest. All right. Let's move along. We'll get to the rest of the questions in a bit.

For now, let us go to Australia where my good friend Mark Hunt is standing by so gracious, so kind, one of the very few guys who would wake up this early in the morning to be on this show to talk to his good pal, the mermaid himself, Ariel Hawani. There he is. Mark Hunt, bleary-eyed and all, joining us via Skype. Mark, how are you? What a pleasure it is to have you. Are we alone today, or are we being joined by someone else? I see someone else there in the corner. Yeah, it's Malhantz as always. Looming hand on my shoulder. Say hi. Hi. Cheers, Mark. Great to see you again. So, Mark, we have a lot to talk to you about. First first, and this is kind of flown under the radar

here in the United States. You're an author. You just came out with a book, Born to Fight. Congratulations. Yeah, thanks very much. And there it is. Yeah, so I can instead of say when I go through the airport, I'm a punching bag, I'm an author as well now, sir. It's amazing, and we're showing a picture of the cover,

which is a beautiful cover, by the way, right now on the screen so everyone can see it. Now, is the book available in the United States or only in Australia? it's available in booktopia and amazon at the moment uh for pre-orders it's it goes on the 29th of septemberg so okay you didn't know about the author yes i didn't know that you had that um how long have you been working on this it actually it took like maybe four five four five months to do

I didn't know that it was going to be easy when they caught me about doing it. I said like, no, three or four times because I, you know, the only reason why I did the book is because the Ness said that you could help others with your story. And I said, okay, great, I'll do it. So then what I was is he just, the ghost writer just banned, he just came and we just had like coffee and he just started asking me questions about my life at certain times. and hopefully I got it all right. I'm pretty sure I got it pretty much all right.

So, yeah, it was quite easy. Well, you have evolved over time, but, you know, there was a time you didn't love talking about yourself doing interviews and things like that. Was it hard to open up? Was it hard to really pour out everything? Because the more you tell, the better the book is, right? Yeah, it's pretty much like talking to a psych guy, you know?

Yeah. Get into a psych guy and just say, well, I'm getting feelings of trying to kill people. all that sort of jazz. But, yeah, it was just like doing that. It was quite cool, actually. It's like relieving. It was pretty, I found it really good.

So right there were going about four months, five months, while I was training camp for the last, for the Skipe fight. And, yeah, it was done and it was just finished. So, yeah, it's great. Have you read the final copy? Yeah, I mean, I already, I'm not really a reader, but I breeze through it pretty quickly because I already know my life story anyway. Yes.

I know this. I go to the next year. I know. Yeah. You know what happens? Yeah, pretty much. Was there one part in particular that was really tough to talk about, a part that made you uncomfortable that you didn't enjoy talking about but had to? I mean, there's a lot of stuff that's not even in the book.

But I mean, I'm pretty open about my life and everything I talk about in the book. And it's pretty cool. I mean, I think it's pretty cool. I just like sharing if they could help others, and that's fine. That's why I did it. So it's almost like an inspirational book. Well, yeah, it's a story about my life about being a near. Start till positive.

I'm native to a positive, like big and small. Yeah, like, yeah. Yes. What part of your life does it cover? Is it up until this point, does it, like, when does it end? it's it's it's starting to just get a hiding from steepe and it's oh wow so so now as i mean the last fight in the book was the steep air where i got beat up and it's it

so they're still uh yeah um speaking of which i haven't talked to you since the steepa fight uh you know was that was that a difficult one for you to swallow it was tough i will admit to watch because of the you know the the the the violence and the fight the amount of damage that you took in the fight was it a hard pill for you at this stage of your career to swallow what transpired inside that cage?

Yeah it was really one-sided it was all one-sided actually just got totally hammered and it was hard to swallow because I thought you know I'm always thinking I'm better I'm better than the fighter that I'm fighting against but not on that

so but you know I've swallowed the pill and moved on. So, you know, yeah. Do you have any kind of theory as to why it was so one-sided? Was there something wrong going into the fight? Was it something about him? Any idea why? It's hard to make excuses.

I just... Better than me on the night. And, yeah, I just didn't have any answers for... Didn't have any... He didn't have any... That's what happened. So, you know, I just got... He was just better than me.

He got me. Mark, I love seeing you and your son as well, but the connection isn't great this time around. So do you mind if we call you on your cell? Yeah. Okay, we're going to call you right now because I want to hear what you have to say, and I don't want to lose any of your words.

So we'll connect with Mark in just a matter of seconds here and get him on the phone, because I don't want the... the connection to keep affecting the interview. Again, the cover of that book is actually quite nice, and it is a pretty thick one. So if you saw that interview that we did with him in Mexico, I mean, this is a guy who has seen and done it all,

an amazing career, K-1 champion, what has happened to him over the last few years, the way he has reinvented himself, pretty remarkable as well, and this run leading up to Mexico and getting the title shot, everyone counting him out, the way he got back into the UFC, the fights in pride, all this. I mean, what a story Mark Hunt has had.

What a life it has been for him up until this point. So that's got to be a great read and great timing for him, especially leading up to UFC193 in Melbourne, of all places. Do we have him? Hey, Mark, you hear me? Yeah, yeah. Okay, that's great. I was just, I was wondering because I didn't hear your last answer there.

do you have a theory as to why it was so one-sided? I just got, you know, he just was better than me on the night. I just, you know, I didn't do the right thing with the wake-car. You know, I didn't carve up properly, and I just got beat up. That's what happened, so, yeah. And did you suffer any serious damage in the fight, or was it all, you know, because I remember I saw a video,

an interview with you, I think was an Australian TV just a couple days later, your eye was swollen, and, you know, it was pretty, you know, it was hard to watch. watch. It was hard to watch you in that state. Was there anything serious? No, no. It was just, um,

it was all just, um, just, you know, makeup would I fixed it up. It was just a lot of outside stuff. It wasn't, so there was nothing wrong with my

structure, you know, so it was just a bit of bruising and, um, you know, a lot of punching to the lips. Yeah. Did it, did it, did it make you reaffirited?

think the status of your career? Like, you were saying, you know, I can't do this. I have a family. Did it make you, you know, get deep with yourself? Yeah, it just made me, made me want to go even, maybe never to want to cut ever again in a fight, so that's what I want to be doing. Maybe you're going to have to cut weight for any fights,

so it made me a bit, you know, a lot more determined about my goals and coming back to, she hurt the next person and just made me a bit of shit at my shop I wasn't, you know, I'm just a bit of anger

on myself how I let that happen. I've seen pictures of you. You look, you look skinnier than ever. Tremendous shape. How much do you weigh right now? Well, that's Photoshop, you know? Oh, of course.

No, I don't know. I'm still, I'm feeling much better. You know, I'm about 130 or 127 at the moment. you know, so, yeah. And that's in kilograms, right? Yeah, this is a kilogram, sir. So that's like 280, 280 pounds.

Yeah, I think so. Is that lighter than usual for you? Yeah, I normally start camp for like 130, 140-something, but I'm going to start camp a lot lighter, and I'm going to come into this fight without even the main fight, but without even having to cut weights. Oh, wow. So you're going to start the camp at 265?

No, start the camp at... Camping's going to start in, like, in two weeks. Okay. Yeah, camp starting in two weeks, so, you know. But I won't have to cut... Any rights of this start. I hope you're going to try to come in about 115 or one team. Okay.

And are you going to do this camp in Thailand again, like you were with Soapulee? Yes. Yes. Yeah, I'm going back to Thailand and the turn of the day. Yeah, you with Mike's looking forward to it. It's a great person trying. Yep. Now, is it true that the KFC King himself is no longer eating meat,

that you are 100% vegan now? Is that true? Well, I don't know about that. I mean, that's not true. You know, when people just took something and just run with it. You know, I just put a post up in you. Everyone just went crazy, but I'm like, man, I just didn't like a video. It's hard to go vegan and, you know, you know,

evil dairy products out. I was trying to go vegetarian. You know, but when I finished my career in fighting, I would go, you know, I'm not going to eat. I'll be going vegan. You're not after my career. You know, not now. Yeah, because you feel like it would affect you now.

Yeah, it's, yeah, it's a hard. You got to eat, like, freaking shit loads of fucking vegetables, like, like a gorilla. You'd be eating, like, freaking salads and all sort of crazy stuff. know, but, you know, yeah, I don't really want to change much to the now

because we're going to fight you on us soon, so yeah, just trying to just cut down on the meat. So what was your reaction when they offered you a rematch against Bigfoot, one of the greatest fights of all time period, and you get to do it again this time in a stadium, perhaps the biggest show in UFC history?

What was your reaction? Did you like that idea? Yeah, of course, man. You know what I mean? I'm down to party anywhere. you could party in any way in your house anyway, I was like, oh, that's really, I was really happy about that, so, you know, I respect big footing, it'd be even better, so it'd be a great fight, you know? Well, sometimes when, you know, you have such a great fight, a classic fight, and you go five rounds with someone,

and it turns into the fight that it turned into, sometimes you know, maybe you don't want to do it again, but that wasn't the case. No, I want to do it again. I never lose a rematch. I've never lost the rematch in my whole career. So, you know, I want to party with all those guys again. So it would be good.

I'm looking forward to fighting with the big foot in Malvin, especially at home and a big stadium. It's going to be great. In the back of your mind, you feel like there's no way that this fight is going to go the same way because, you know, we have to say, you know, testosterone, not a factor, drug testing now. Do you feel like he's a completely different fighter?

Well, I mean, You know, I mean, the Bigsaf's last match, it didn't have lost that long. I mean, he went down pretty easily, so, you know, I've no idea. Yeah, I'm just looking forward to the minute. I mean, it won't be the same as the last fight. I'll be just, a lot of part, I think it would be much easier. But, you know, we'll see what happens. I mean, I need to go out and what happens when the fight coming up.

It would be a good script. Are you the kind of guy that watches your fights, your old fights, or fights on your opponent leading up to your fight? and if so, will you watch the first fight a lot leading up to this one? No, I don't have any of watch videos. I mean, you have fights or panace. I'd probably watch it once in a minute about it.

And I probably weren't watching any, any replays of the old fight. I just, for myself, as always, and it's going to get myself ready, this time properly. It's like, I got, I don't want to get the same list, and I got last, the last afternoon I had a sheet page,

so, you know, it's, it's not going to happen again. Okay, what happens if later on this afternoon, Dana White calls you up on the phone and says, Mark, I have an offer for you. I have two options. You can keep the Bigfoot fight in Melbourne or you can get a rematch against Fador-Amelianco

also in Melbourne. Big stage, we want to do this fight. We have signed him and we want you to fight him. Which do you choose? I'll choose, Vidal. I'll choose Figuero. Why? Because it's a rematch.

You know, we fought one time for the Pride World title and I lost. You know, sir, I'm always down for a rematch. And Foggoe, you know, I mean, I could always walk him in GEOC, but, yeah. Are you hoping that they get this done? You know, there was a report that came out last week that he's going to fight on this car,

Dana White kind of playing coy when I asked him about it. Are you hoping that they get this done? And have you told them that you, would want this fight? I don't. I mean, I hope they get it done, but if they get it done, then I'm sure that it's give me a buzz. And give me a call to have the fight,

so, you know, see what happens. I, yeah, but guys I respect to a lot, so it would be a great match with either one of those guys, sir, you know? I'm sure that gives me a cool, like that match. It would be great. Oh, man, it would be amazing, especially on a stage like that.

How do you feel about fighting in front of 70? I mean, this is old school for you. This is like old-style Saitama Super Arena, right? You're right at home in this stage. Yeah. Tokyo Dome. Yeah. One of the 80,000 people, we know it.

It'd be like having a barbecue in the backyard. It'd be like, yeah, it'd be fun. Tokyo, that's right. I should have said the Tokyo Dome. Now, some people here in the States are like, they look at the card and they say, how is this going to sell 70,000? You know that market better than anyone. Do you think that 70,000 people are going to, you know, sell, you know, buy tickets for that fight?

Are they going to be able to fill that Eddie Hatt Stadium up? Yeah, of course. I mean, you've got some, yeah, of course. You've got, you know, one of the best woman fighter on the world. And the planet is unbeat him when I wonder. And, you know, it's going to be great, of course, of the floor. Did you ever think that you'd be fighting on a card where the top two fights in, involved women.

Did you ever think that you would, you, did you ever think you'd make it to that point? Well, I know, you know, it's like,

it's like, but it's great, you know, I think it's awesome. You know, you know, Kevin said to me about it and she's

bloody leaving the way and, and everything. She just paid more than me, that woman. But, uh, I think it's great.

I think it's awesome. She's a freaking beast there. So. Are you a fan? Do you, Do you like the women's MMA? Yeah, of course. I love watching the women.

I mean, I like watching the meat's tape fight. Yeah, I'm a big fan of Misha Tate and Wanda, so I love what you do with Ska, because they just sweat. Isn't it crazy that in the co-main event, you have two, one, 15-pounders. If you combine them, you'll weigh more than them on Way and Day? You're probably my leg to weigh more than me,

but it's pretty good. It's unbelievable. They're so small. I'd love to see a picture of you and them side by side. You'll probably give it anyway too, so... Do you have to do a lot of media for this show because I know Rhonda and I think Dana is going,

they're selling, are they making you go as well? I don't know, I was told I was supposed to get a to Melbourne for it like next week or something, but I don't know if they change your plans, and just seeing if I have to go probably a couple of days, but if not, I just go straight to camp. So, you know, that would be good.

Because, yeah. You have to do a lot of selling when you're trying to fill up a stadium like that. Are you prepared for all the media? Well, you know, I'm good at it now, so I don't really... Yeah, I'm not, of course, I'm hopeful. You are very good at it. You know, anything. I'd like to think that maybe we helped you along the way.

How about that? Yeah, talking to you, that might make me a better speak publicly, so I put a bit of doing interviews. you know, should have just, yes, um, what? And now you're an author. Yeah, well, you know. Yeah, I didn't... Yeah, I just said to you out one of these books, so, you know,

and have a read of it. It's a good read. It's a great book, so... You get it on pre-south or at Amazon, and I think, well, BookTopia, so it would be all the big stores here in Oz. Yep, I look at it. link to it on our website, so I do recommend that everyone check it out. By the way, do you talk about

in your book, is it true that you have encountered the Grim Reaper a couple times in your life? Is that true? Yeah, about four times. Four times? Yeah. You've seen it with your own eyes. Wow. I don't know what it was, but it was something crazy. Yeah. It's, uh, yeah. When's the last time? The last time I saw it when my dad died He was maybe like five years ago He was dying of bowel cancer And I was in the hospital

I actually not seen It was just sort of like a It's weird to explain It's hard to explain about it You probably think it's weird and stuff But I know No I know that thing was there You felt

You don't actually see it You feel its presence Yeah It's sort of like peripheral vision when I saw it, and I was like, you know, because you can see as far as onto the sides as a certain point in there. I'm like, you know, when I saw that thing, I was like, what the fuck is that thing? And I just was scared. It was pretty crazy thing to see, man.

But then I really looked directly at the thing, you know. It just made me shit my undies. And now that you said you've seen it four times, or at least felt it four times, is it the same feeling? every time. Different forms. It wasn't always, and it's like the way it was I saw it the last time. You know, before it was just, you know,

it was just in like a, you'll have to read the book to find out. Okay. By the book. Is that in the book? Yeah. Oh, wow. That's unbelievable.

That's freaky stuff. Were you scared? Can I just ask if you were scared? Yeah. How big is it? Very scared. Oh, when I last time I saw, that was huge. It was like, like, huge.

Like bigger than you? Taller than you. Yeah, I'll tell you about 20 foot or something. Oh, my gosh. Jesus. It was huge. The room that we're in was like a hospital room. It was tall.

It was sick where they're saying they're dead people. Do you always encounter it when you're around, you know, sick people or people who are or is it come other places? Well, I counted it the last time when I was, when he was, you know, when he came to my old man, I think the other times when I was, um, being some criminal ex. And, um, another time was when I was living in a, and a, and I, in a, and I, in a, and a, and a, freaking, in the flop house, and it was, it was, it was, it was just weird times I came here. What's a flop house?

Uh, you know, like a halfway place. Oh, okay, okay. Wow, so all that, you see, this is a great, this is great insight into all this is covered in the book. Yeah, like I said, it's a pretty good read. It's just, um, there's a few different parts of life coming from, you know, growing up in Oakland and then giving it to Australia and then getting it into being a part of fighter and fighting K-1 and then pride. and then in UFC. Wow.

Yeah, just, it was my whole pretty much the whole fighting left until now and the last bit of it was when

you got a kick to the lips by steep so yeah. Will you encourage your kids to read this when they're older or would you prefer them not read it?

Well, I can read it, you know, I mean, I think my dad and mom and dad was in the way they were

that's why I'm a father of dad in there or mom be there. level piece. So, you know, I just don't do the things they did, and then I'm a good parent. So, you know, they can read the book. But it's here, you know, so, yeah. All right. Well, I look forward to it. So you said it comes out September 27th? September 29.

29. It gets released out of the other books to us here. You can pre-order it in a book type here and Amazon at the moment. So, yeah. That is great. it's going to be amazing to be in Melbourne because of the top fights on the card you're one of the most famous Australians fighting I know you have the background in the news

so you're going to get so much what do you think it's going to be like to walk out in front of 70,000 fellow Australians it would be like when I saw that grim leaf on tinkling but in a good way I hope oh shit in a good way

not in a scary way Yeah, in a good way, not a creepy way. In a good way, not a creepy way. But I'll still get the beast pickles like I do. It'll be great. I'm looking so much for it. It'll be awesome. Do you have something to prove in this fight? Making it's nice, you know, women's headlining.

Yeah. You know, it's great. Does Mark Hunt have something to prove in this fight, considering how your last two fights have gone? Yeah. Of course. I need a win this fight. I need to win this while.

And just to let people know that I'm still in contention here. I'm not to... On my way out. Just don't feel it was a good way to fight the last one. So, you know, I'm looking forward to giving the win. All right. You know, whether it would be big foot off the door, you know, so each one I can party will so it'd be fine.

Oh, man. The Fador fight would be something else? Wow, would that be something? Yeah. Do you think there's still a chance for 190? I have no idea. I don't know. I don't know what's going on.

It's up in with the data and how they organize you up. But, I mean, I think if they get Fidon, it would be great, you know. It would be awesome. Yeah, and what a stage that would be, right? You'd get to see him come back and fight, you know. It's been a long time. Been a long time, and on the biggest card, it would be almost perfect, that it would be on a card like that.

Good of your history, yeah, it would be good. Well, I look forward to traveling to Melbourne for this fight, and I love that we were able to talk to you about the book. I wish you the best with the book. It comes out September 29th, as he said. Check it out. if you're here in the U.S. We put up the picture of the cover a couple times there.

It looks like and sounds like it's a fantastic read. I can't wait to read it. I appreciate the time, as always. You have no idea how much it means to me that you would wake up and come on the show this early over there. So thank you so much for the time, Mark. All the best to you. And good luck in training as you prepare for UFC 133.

For now it's Bigfoot, but I'll still hold out hope that maybe it's Fador. Yeah, thanks very much for having on, Ariel. Earl and I was up anyway and my kids always up there. Thanks for the time, man. I'll talk to you soon. I'll see you anyway. Yes, absolutely. There he is. Mark Hunt, the Super Samoan himself

fighting at UFC 199, November 14th. Could you imagine? Wow. It's a funny thing because the Bigfoot fight, typically I'm not a huge fan of rematches, but this one ended in a draw. It actually makes a lot of sense this time around. On a stage like that, I like it, but wow. Fador fighting on that stage

makes too much sense. I asked Dana about it at the press conference. He pretty much smiled and had nothing to say. What would you prefer, Mr. New York, Rick? Would you prefer Hunt versus Bigfoot? Would you prefer Hunt versus Fador? Or would you prefer Fader versus someone else? If on that card.

If on that card. Because I feel like he has to be on that card. Give me an idea of who someone else might be. Anyone. You can go with, I don't know if it's too soon, Farlofsky, two months later. Do we agree that he has to be on, not has to be, but it would be perfect if he's on that card? Absolutely.

And I'd like to see him versus Hunt, but I really want to see Hunt versus Bigfoot. So if there was some good alternative you could give me. Arlowski, Fedor. Love it. More so than Fador or Hunt? Well, I want both. I get both. Which first?

I get Hunt Bigfoot and I get Fedor Arlofsky, so I love that. Do you feel like 193 needs a little extra something, something, or do you think we're in a good spot right now? I feel like it's pretty good. Yeah. But, I mean, Fador would definitely be a little extra something, something. Fador and any card would give it a significant boost. Fador's debut makes that card, the 70,000, the two women fights, it just makes it feel like... It feels very historic.

Yeah. It feels important. Yeah. For sure. And I just want to see him, you know, because you'd expect the walk to be pretty long, right? I mean, just... Yeah. Great stuff.

All right, let's finish up the question before we go. We have around 10 minutes left. What do we got? On the UFC-191 preview show, Mr. Mark Ramundi used his very well-seasoned veteran prediction skills with accuracy unheard of in this business with the choice of Linneker Rivera as Fight of the Night, has this great man received praise from those who doubted him? This was submitted by Mark Ray Mundy. Yes. Look, I kind of feel bad about the whole, you know, Mark hate that sometimes he receives because I feel like I was, people didn't get my sense of huge. humor and I was calling him Negative Nancy and all that stuff and I feel like he got labeled as such,

which is not fair. I actually think his analysis is really good, really on point and very thoughtful. And I really enjoyed doing those shows or having him on this show. And I know our preview show this time around was polarizing. Some loved it. Some didn't like it. What did you think of it? Did you see it? I did see it. No, I did see it. I did see it. I like it because I like something different from, yeah, I mean, you know, even if, like, sitting down and eating is not the exact activity that I would have chosen. Okay. I figured out. I figured it out.

I like it much better than, you know, the same stuff. Like, the preview shows are good because we mix up, you know, the different journalists, and it's a different location, and there's always something new. But the format is very regimented. It's standard at this point. This was something new, and I liked it. It felt very stale the old way, and I wanted to switch it up. I figured out maybe what we did wrong, so I'm going to correct it. I was watching it with my wife yesterday, and she's like, it's too much of you eating.

No one wants to see. Well, that's what I was saying initially. But, you know, I wasn't afraid of that. In fact, we could have started before we got the food. And I said, no, let's wait until the food, because I kind of wanted to showcase food, but we didn't do a good job with that. So I understand what to do better this time. I just wanted a more relaxed conversation to journalists eating before the fight, that kind of thing.

you know, because these are the conversations that we have, like all fight week. No matter where we are, what we're doing when you're in Vegas or some other place for a fight, this is what we're talking about. So why do it like, hello, everyone, welcome to the beach, let's do it a little differently. That's what I was getting. You know, that's what I was trying to do. But props to Mark Raimondi. I chose this because I'm tired of everybody hating on us.

He's my New York guy. Shout out to Mark Raimondi. He did turn his back. Yeah, you know what? He has a little bit of a Benedict Raimondi over here. But his roots are still in New York, and you will never lose those. He needs to come back to us. All right, this is our final one from the website.

Tough 22. You actually touched upon this earlier, but let's get into it. I know you have said in the past that the U.S.C. should do away with Tuff. But considering Conner's personality and the competitive nature he has, especially with someone like Faber, you can't tell me that you won't be watching after that trailer. Will you watch this season? Well, the trailer was good. Also, the trailer for the Florida one was good.

Well, I didn't watch much of it. The trailer's good. There's a moment there with Cody. Is Connor enough to get you in? That's the question. Look, I always watch the first episode. Well, no. No.

First episode is not the one that matters. It's the second episode. The second, third, fourth, fifth. I don't know. The first episode is the one with all fights. It has 32 guys. You're watching only fights, really. I'm not confident.

Very little backstory. Look, look. If you ask me, I'm there to see the prospect killer Artim Labov. There you go. Even though he skipped out on our show that one time. Now, in the Fox Sports One interview, this is an interesting thing I just thought of as you said that. Connor said, I think he said something to the fact I was only there to coach my guy. Yeah.

That's a little suspect. Again, you got to appreciate the honesty. He said, I couldn't care less. And Faber was talking about how he was never there. And he was like, yeah, you know what? I wasn't there. I know. I was a little shocked by that.

Look, we on this show talked about how it may have been a little too soon. Remember, this is a guy who only got back. to Dublin Saturday after leaving months before UFC 189. Yeah. So he's been gone for a long time. He wins the interim title. Doesn't get a chance to celebrate, do anything like that, or at least go back home and have a victory tour and be with his family and friends.

Goes right into the show, won the belt on Saturday, starts taping the show on Wednesday. And he talks about in some of these scrums and media appearances recently, he talks about how, you know, he was very unhappy at first. He did not want to be there. He did not want to be doing this. I appreciate that honesty. What's wrong with that? Do you want him to lie?

No, I don't want him to necessarily lie, but that's not going to sell me on the season if I know I'm getting less Connor McGregor, and he's not going to be around. Again, the magic of editing, and also he later says that he warmed up to it. You see him getting, it's funny. I've always said that the worst thing about the show

as far as the coaches is that they make them wear those jerseys. Like, when I saw Brock Leicester in that jersey, it just killed me, right? You see, it was just the worst. He's like, what? You don't put Sasquatch in this green jersey. That's funny. I didn't even think of that, but that's funny.

It just completely watered him down. But you see Connor, he's smart. He's wearing a three-piece suit. But here's my thing. How do you feel if you're somebody who was on Connor's team? You can't feel too great about that. Well, let's see what happens. Look, he says, I came in to coach my guys.

Do people really care about the kids? I feel like this is one of the things that endeared us to Chale Sunnan. It showed a different side of his personality, a different facet of his personality, that people who only were used to the kind of brass, character that he put on, that he was able to, you know, coach these men. And also the way he seemed to connect with everybody on his team, it seemed like they really were this, like, cohesive unit, and he really cared about them. And coaching them was the most important thing. It was one of the talking points he kept saying, you know, as part of the lead up to the premiere, you know,

how much that he enjoyed the experience and coaching was so first and foremost in his mind. I feel like that really could have been a new way for Connor McGregor to kind of endear himself to people, especially right now when we're talking about ways that he seems like he's getting a little stale or that people are getting sick of the act. This could have been a chance, but I guess, alas, we will not see that. Yeah. I think they know that Connor is the big draw. I think that they will edit it accordingly. I'll see what happens, but I'm cautiously, I guess you can say cautiously optimistic. I don't often watch, you know, the drama that happens on top.

tough, as I've said many, many times on this show when we discuss tough. I watch the fights and that's it. But I will be interested to see... Really, you of all people? I don't... I have no interest in tough outside of the actual fights. But you were going to say something. But I was going to say... Yes.

This thing about T.J. Dillashaw, the snake in the grass stuff, he's gotten me, he's gotten me interested. I must see what the story is there and how it plays out. Did you see that interview? last week. It was amazing. The way he brought it up and then Faber's reaction, it's just, look, you got, you have to respect that kind of honesty. I mean, look, there are people who say the same within, you know, there's like, oh, Dillard's, look what he's doing the bang, and he's going here, and he brought him in, and then Connor just puts him on blast, just like that. No filter. Well, that's, I mean, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's Connor McGregor's

genius is he'll say something to your face that a lot of people won't say to your face. They'll say it behind your back or they'll say it in an interview with somebody else. Connor will say whatever he's feeling right to your face at any given moment, which is what makes him such a raw, interesting character. Now, when he starts saying the same things over and over, the rehearsal of it seems to, that's where I kind of step out. But when he's being as real and raw as possible, there's not quite anybody like Connor McGregor.

The snake in the grass. I'm interested. I must admit. Was one of the better moments in UFC Tonight history. I'm quite interested. That was it. Actually, you know what? Let's do one from Twitter.

Before we go. Let's go. Sorry about this. Takes a second. Quickly, let's do this one. Mere versus Arlovsky. The judge who scored the fight 3027 for Arlofsky was way off. I still think Frank won the fight.

What did you think of the scoring for that fight? Way off. I thought it should have been 29, 28, Mier. I think I had it for Arlofsky just because, you know, it was such a close call. but 3027, I think anybody can agree. That was not the right score there. No. Same person.

He asked three questions. They were all decent. Arlofsky, in my opinion, still not ready for the title fight. The level of competition is way higher. Your thoughts? Do you think Arlofsky's made that case for the next title shot? It's funny how things change. You go off the Travis Brown.

This is why I didn't love this fight. He was at his all-time high, at least as of late, after the Brown fight and now some people are down on him. So I think he should fight another time. I think he would agree with that at this point because, A, you don't want to sit on that for a year. It's tough to sell that. Again, you're playing with fire if you put him in there,

but maybe the winner of Miochich Rothwell, if it's not a fador. I mean, at a certain point that you're really playing with fire here. In the heavyweight division, these title shots. He's going to sit for so long. that's the problem I mean that but that's not his problem that's for the U.S.

It kind of is. If I don't know The guy has to make money still right? I suppose I mean I don't It's a tough position Yeah, the idea of Kane versus

Radoom really holds a lot of stuff up especially when it happens in March Last question Ross Pearson He looked great in the fight Do you think he should get a top five fighter next? No I think

I think He's coming off a loss Yeah and people I think people's eyes were opened to Felder a little bit. There was a lot of, you know, talk about him. This is two in a row. I think, you know, we'll pump the brakes a little bit and allow him time to develop as a prospect,

not this guy who is supposed to come onto the scene and just start wailing everybody. Yeah. But great performance from Pearson. I don't think a lot of people expected that big underdog, huge win there. Well, here's the thing with Pearson, and this is the trend that I'm hoping

and looking forward to seeing if he can break. Great performance, bad performance. Great performance, bad. Look at his record. So, okay, now we got the great one. Let's see if we can break that streak. That's it. A couple things before I go.

We didn't mention him here, but John Lineker, what a performance that was. Holy moly, how did we not mention John Lineker? I know. That was an unbelievable fight. One of the shortest fight of the nights in UFC history. He defeats Francisco Rivera. Looks very good at 135. I'll be it a little small, but he's sticking around at 135.

Do you like that decision? I want to see him at 25. but I think he has the power that translates. I want to see him there only because there are no contenders. I want to see him at 135 because he looked so much better and healthier at 135. I think he's small, though. I think he's very small. He's in that no man's line, but he looks like death at 125,

and he looked great on the 135. Shorter, but he, again, watch. There were some good scrums on Saturday. Watch the one with him. He talks about how he prefers being shorter because he loves to go to the body, and it's better to go to the body, and you're shorter in his opinion. So he doesn't mind being the smaller guy.

What a great fight that was. A lot of fun. They combined for 100 significant strikes, I believe it was. Just tremendous. I believe Mark Raymondi called that one. Yeah, he did. I don't know about fight of the year, but certainly fight of the night.

Also, Raquel Pennington with a great win, great comeback for her, and she also had a great scrum, talked about her dad attending her very first sporting event. She was an athlete her whole life. Dad's never been to any of them. Saturday night was his first time being, there in person. I just lost a good friend of hers a week prior, had to cut her hair to make

weight. Talked about a Holly home doesn't deserve the title shot. Honest, real great stuff, emotional stuff from McEl Pennington. And how about Ronda Rousey getting the Beyonce rub? Did you see that? I did see that. Here's my problem with that. Can we get a credit in there? Can we get our name in there? I mean, not everyone, if my wife was at that, and my wife knows MMA, she knows who Ronda Rousey is, my wife, for God sakes. She wouldn't know that was Ronda Rousey. She wouldn't know that was her voice. Can we just put her name in small afterwards? Where's the credit?

That's a fair point. I was talking to Esther and Casey about this and they're like, no, that's Beyonce's thing. She's an artist and all that stuff. Like, what the hell? Artists in particular should want the damn credit. And I know the UFC licensed it, but let the people know. So even if you're at the concert, you can go home, Google her, learn more about her. If you're sitting there, you're like, who the hell is this person talking about DNBs and millionaires and all this stuff?

That's fair enough. I don't know. It was surreal. great. It's another milestone. It's a great thing for all involved, but let's give credit where it's due. And one last thing, happy trails to Jordan, me, and another Canadian saying goodbye to M. May. This one a little more shocking than Sam Stout, but we didn't get to talk about it last week because we were off. I wanted to wish him the best. Tried to reach out to him. Right now, it doesn't want to do media, but a great career,

a fine career, and a guy who has been around this sport, he made his debut at 16 against fellow 16-year-old Roy McDonald. Crazy. So Lethbridge, Alberta, Zone, Jordan, me, and loved that stuff from Sam Stout. It kind of felt bad for him a little bit and wish there was some kind of plan in place for fighters of his stature and caliber after the time he put into the UFC. But that's all part of the evolution of the sport, the growth of the sport. And, you know, I wouldn't be surprised. Who thought, you know, we'd ever see health insurance, now uniforms? maybe that's the next step.

Hopefully that would be a great thing, I think. So again, so we did it. Yay. No technical difficulties, right? We're still in the air? Right? We're still in the air, but let's get off the air. Okay, okay, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye.

I want to thank everyone who worked hard to make this show possible. Look at the, look at your Greg. I'm trying to have a moment here, and he's kicking me off. I want to remind you, and I'm sorry to do this. We are off next week. We're off next Monday. We're off all week. And let's not forget.

Let's not forget that last week was the first time all year long that we had ever missed a show. So can't hate me. I think that was the longest stretch in the history of the show. But we're off next week because of Russia Shana, so I'm sorry about that. But we'll be back in two weeks to give you your MMA hour fix. Thank you to everyone who helped make the show technically free. No. What's the word I'm looking for?

Technically issue free? Yes, something like that. Anyway, you get my music. Good to be back, my friends. It's good to be home. It's good to talk to all of you. It just feels good in this seat. Ooh, I missed it.

Great guests today. I really do appreciate all the tweets and all the people saying that they missed us. And I missed you too. I enjoy doing this. This is a highlight. This is the highlight. This is one of many highlights for me all week long.

This is the highlight of the week for near Greg. He said it himself, quote, unquote, while taking a selfie. It's just, it's, he, the guy was so lost without us that he had to call me, the middle of the night. That's how sad he was. But I was sad as well, especially because we ended on that note. Although, all the love we got from the e-gaming community was really nice as well. So we might have to squeeze that in there.

On a future episode for now, we say goodbye. I want to thank everyone who tuned in. I want to thank everyone who stopped by. I want to thank Brad Pickett. Great stuff from him. Good luck. ROC, and good luck to him and his wife. The upcoming birth, their first child.

How about that? Very exciting. All the best to Holly Home. Good luck to her. She tries to shock the world against Ronda Rousey at UFC193. Great stuff, as always, from T.J. Dilsha, the UFC Bantamway Champion. Cannot wait for that fight against Dominic Cruz. Let's make it happen. All the best to Sam Stout. Tremendous career. Again, great ambassador role model for young

Canadians and MMA fans in general. Good luck to Kira Gracie with our new show, Third Degree with Kira Gracie. All the best to Valé Lé Tournault and her title fight coming up in November.

All the best to Jinyu Frey this Saturday in Victa and thank you very much to Mark Hunt. Good luck to him with his upcoming book. Until two weeks, until we've been able to bye. Peace, Maria.

Defenders and cybersecurity are always there when we need them. They should get a parade every time they block a novel threat and have streets, sandwiches, and babies named in the their honor. But most of all, they deserve AI cybersecurity that can stop novel threats before they

become breaches across email, clouds, networks, and more. DarkTrace is the cybersecurity defenders deserve and the one they need to defend beyond. Visit darktrace.com forward slash defenders for more information. I'm Nilai Patel, editor-in-chief The Verge, and Decoder is my show about big ideas and other problems. We've talked a lot about generative AI on the show lately, which is a very big idea that is causing quite a few problems. And one thing we keep hearing about over and over again is that generative AI is causing a lot of problems in schools. There are a lot of people out there, including many of the listeners of this show who email us, who are worried about the obvious problem, students using chat GPT to cheat on assignments. But when our team went and poked at the story,

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

is presented by Salesforce.