MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 331

Episode Date: May 25, 2016

Ariel Helwani talks to Nate Diaz about everything that's happened to him since UFC 196, what's next for him and much more in this can't-miss, exclusive interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On this Wednesday, May 25th, 2016, Hello again, everyone. I'm Ariel Halwani inside our New York City studio. You didn't think you would see me two days later, right? I didn't think I'd be here. Remember at the end of the show on Monday, I said goodbye. I reminded you that we're off next Monday due to Memorial Day. I told you we'd be back next.

Tuesday. But a funny thing happened along the way, my friends. Around Monday night or so, some communications started, some talks started. And we said, you know what, in the history of this program, in the seven-year history of this show, we have only done one special edition of the show. And that was when, remember, Brian Stan announced his retirement to the surprise of the entire MMA community in July of 2013. That is the only time we have ever done a special edition of the MMA hour from this studio. Today, my friends, we do it a second

time. And this one is worthy of doing a special edition of the show. In a matter of moments we are going to be joined by the man who, in my opinion, has turned the MMA world upside down in many, many different ways. One of the biggest draws in the sport,

one of the most popular fighters in the sport. Every single day, people are talking about him thinking what's going to happen to him next, what's he going to do next, where is he going to fight next, who's he to fight next. Everyone's talking about Nate Diaz these days. And when we had the opportunity to to talk to Nate Diaz live on this program, live for all of you on this Wednesday, May 25th, 2016. At approximately 4 p.m. Eastern, we jumped at the opportunity. This doesn't happen often, my friend. So without further ado, let me welcome in our special guests. It's all about one man

today, my friends. It's all about one guest. Let me welcome in the one and only Nate Diaz joining us live from the 209 from beautiful Stockton, California. Nate, how are you, my friend? I'm doing. How are you doing? I'm doing great, Nate. Thank you so much for doing this. I appreciate it very much. I know you're a busy man. A lot of people knocking at your door,

so thank you for the time here today. What a 24-hour stretch it has been for you. Not only are you doing this show, but I believe you got a really special award yesterday in Stockton, right? Yeah, they gave me award for, let me see what he says. Let's see it.

You got it? Yeah, I got it right here. My boy brought it to me from the Capitol. I was supposed to go. I was supposed to go. I don't know how to reverse. Blam.

Wow. Assembly Resolution. What's it say? It says all kinds of shit. Did you know you were getting that? No, yeah. They called me a while back.

I was supposed to go down to the Capitol in Sacramento and pick it up. at the capital of my boy he works there he's like a politician and stuff and he's like they wanted me award me with this thing for pretty much got all kind of credentials on there but it's it's for like negative to positive I like that I went from negative to positive that's that's a beautiful way of describing the last few months for you. So it's about your work in the community. It's about the big win, all that. They just wanted to honor you, right? Did they, did they name yesterday? Like, is that Nate Diaz day in Stockton? California. Oh, damn. Look at that. Look at you. You've come a long way. Yeah, no, I was supposed to go. I was supposed to go down. They were nominated me before or

something or handed to me at the capital, but it was the same day as that. you see two at a press conference in Las Vegas. Yeah. So I had to take a brain check, and then they ended up bringing it down to the gym, to the academy, and hugging it. Did you just go outside, Nate? Are you outside now?

Yeah. The connection was actually better when you were inside. Do you mind going back inside? Yeah. It was pretty darn good inside. I don't know what's the difference, but I want to hear everything that you're saying. All right, well, that has to be up there

as far as, like, awards and accomplishments. accolades, right? Getting that from your state? Yeah, from the state. It was pretty cool. Yeah, it was definitely. Okay. All right, so a lot going on in your life. How, the last, what has it been? Two and a half months for you. Would you describe this as like the best time of your life? Are you just having like the most fun? Like this is sort of the, you know, the riches that come along with everything that you've worked for throughout your life career. Like, are you just like on top of the world still? Are you just enjoying life right now?

It's just pretty much like feels like last year on a little different I guess I don't know and not much has changed not much has changed same old same old

same old same old day for me yeah so so you have I mean I'm seeing you train with Jean-Claude Van Damme with your brother that wasn't you know hanging out with

oh yeah yeah that has That's changed. That's changed. Some cool things that happened. He contacted us. One of his boys contacted one of the armed with

and we met up in Los Angeles or Venice, I think. We went to the golden gym out there. For probably a week and a half going every day. It was pretty cool. Getting a little band-down workout system and then showing some techniques

afterwards he was he was uh put us up on game with some of the stuff he liked to do and then he was asking us about wow uh j jihu and all kinds of cool cool shit is it's pretty pretty uh surreal i guess you could see uh we go up watching his movies and and now we're in the gym working out with him and hanging out and he just hit us up again that we come out and meet with him and hang out he's a nice guy really cool guy somebody somebody that uh uh uh at the watching for a long time, so it's pretty, that's pretty cool. Yeah, that's amazing. I mean, that wasn't happening before, so that's a nice byproduct of, you know, all these changes in your life. Did he, like, break down, was he doing some

Sensei Segal stuff with you, like breaking down your technique, your film and all that, giving you tips on how to fight, or was it more just you guys training together? No, we were more, like, hanging out and talking about life than what was what, and being, being for real, he's a real, real person, and he's not like, it was crazy because I hung out with him, And I was thinking that too. I was like, well, what are they going to do? I didn't want to, uh, is you going to be like a, a frail dude? Or is you going to be like, uh, you know, some type of hype thing like, like Stevens

and Seagall, but I met up with him and it was for us. So one of his friends started recording us while we were talking and Joe Moose and stuff. And he said, hey, turn that off. This isn't for that. Nice. He's like, we're hanging out, man. He's, he's, these are good, good dude and badass martial artists. I just, I just feel like that is cool.

be around and hang out and talk fighting shit, and it was pretty cool. So I think we spit it out there before he spit it out there that we're even hanging, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And by the way, wherever you are right now, the connection is amazing here. So you look crystal clear and sound perfect as well. So that's a great spot. Don't move, don't move. In other words, in other words. Ariel Hwani is my life right now. Well, no, no, I'm just saying. I just, I want to hear what you're saying. Okay, so a busy time as always, of course, everyone wants to know. Um, about this meeting last week, last Friday in Stockton. The bossmen came to check you out.

They came to Stockton. Was this the first time that Dana and or Lorenzo came to Stockton to meet with you face-to-face? Yeah, for sure. It was the first time. They never been out here, so it was cool. How did that come about? Get the boss man in town, huh?

It's pretty legit. Well, they, I haven't heard nothing since that U.S.C. 200 fight fell out and it was like it was kind of crazy for me the wheels never stopped taking and clicking you know

I was like I fought and the very next day they were calling me saying I would find Connor again after the last fight so it was never really a recovery or hangout session that's why I went to that UFC Turner Press conference they asked me and I said

well I'm going on vacation if this fight's not happening because it was really like fight camp started when I started training for the first fight and it never ended. And they hit me up after that 200 a little while later, talking about UFC 202. Am I right? 20th, right? Yeah, they hit me up about UFC 202.

And I said, I didn't even answer. I said, all right, I wonder what's going to happen with that, you know. And then before you know it, I was like, training. training and then I hear all this Mayweather McGregor shit and I feel like I feel like that's a big old publicity stunt to hide the fact that he got his ass warped so I'm sitting here like okay

and then I see on the internet that he Dana and them went to dinner the other day right that was all over the internet in Beverly Hills yeah and they left happy and laughing and I was like and I'm sitting back and I'm like

well I guess I guess I guess I'm cut out of that whole deal. They're having a big old happy meeting about whatever. He must be fighting Mayweather. I didn't believe it, but that must be what's going on, right? And then they called me that next day, and they were like, or they called my management the next day and said, so are you in or not?

And I'm like, what the fuck? Where the fuck is my, where's my dinner? You know what I'm saying? Where's my special meeting? So I think they started laughing with my management. and they're like, all right, we'll be down tomorrow and noon. Oh, wow. And then they came out, yeah.

So they came out and we had lunch down at Market Tavern. We were in Stockton in this nice, nice restaurant. I wanted to show somebody else that this isn't a bad place to live. It was nice places, too. Right. And so we went to lunch and we had a talk and everything went how it did. And they went, they went. They went home.

And I just basically told them what was up. I said, look, that was the biggest fight. That was the biggest fight they've had, I believe, right? Me versus Connor was the biggest numbers they've done, the second biggest. Right below, if we are to believe the numbers, right below UFC 100. The talk is that it did $1.5 million on pay-per-view,

UFC 100 did around 1.67, but this fight, as you know, your fight came together in 11 days and it was just another number. It wasn't a centennial event or anything like that. So a pretty huge feather in your cat. So it was the second biggest. Yeah. The second biggest on 10 days. And some people know, I mean, a lot of people know Carter McGregor is a big job. But I know whether they want to say it or not that I put bigger numbers than anybody too. They just haven't had me on pay-per-view. They've been putting me on Foxx call. And then anytime I've been on a pay-per-view, I've been on a co-main event or something. So someone else is getting the credit from my numbers, but I know what's really going on.

If you look at the Fox numbers that I've been on from the last however long, they stuck my Fox cards. And I was getting like 3 million, 5 million views on Fox, I believe. And so I believe I haven't had a lot to do with that jaw, you know. you know and i think a lot of people know and they know but no one's going to say anything so i said i said that was the biggest one of the biggest fights he ever had on 10 days notice and he's the biggest draw that you've had that you've ever had and i i just beat your biggest draw so if you don't mind i would like to i would like to be compensated better than better than i was the last time or that they were trying to offer me

because I've said yes to this fight with Connor McGregor six times. Yeah. And I fought him one time and I won the one time I fought him, you know. So you're giving me this up and down bullshit about whatever. And then they pulled the 200 card

and I was all for it when I shouldn't have been because when the fuck if I ever got a rematch with anybody, I've lost plenty of fights that I've won and rematches up. And I hardly lost. I really actually won most of them.

I never got to. those rematches. And the people that I've tried to fight have been like, no way. I dodged a bullet on that one. They'll never want that fight again. And I ain't dodging no bullets, you know. It's like, I beat that guy. And I was like, I'll fight him in the U.C. 200.

And then they pull it out. And then the U.C. He pulled out and the U.S. He pulled out. I never think the fight. I don't think the fight was ever on. I think they were buying them more time. I think that they, they, I think that it's all.

And now they're talking about maybe the shit, it's all the cup rep. and it's all trying to hide the fact that he got his ass whoop and that they want to buy more time to get better if we are going to fight. I think they may weigh things a publicity stunt. It's great, great for both of them, you know. It's like they got the from boxing followers are going to start following Connor,

the MMMA followers, they're going to start fighting Floyd, and they're all benefiting that. No one's losing there, so they're going to keep the ball rolling and keep the publicity stunt going. But every day when I hear about this, Mayweather shit, I'm getting phone calls about, am I going to take the fight or not? So I'm like, it seems like this is a pretty big deal.

So can I get compensating for it? And they weren't the happiest about that, but they weren't, they're not talking to me about it right now. So we're working on it. And I think things are going to work out, work out, get figured out. TMZ reported moments after your meeting, your lunch with them, that Dana White was very upset that he stormed out of the restaurant. Is that true? Did that really happen?

No, that was exaggerated. We finished talking, and then we all walked out. It wasn't the worst meeting. It wasn't the best meeting, but it wasn't the worst meeting either. We went and we took a picture by that mural. They got downtown here. Yeah. That was afterwards, and we hang out.

We talked a little more, and they were cool, and I was cool. It was just business talk, and, you know, we didn't both leave on the happiest notes. But I think stuff's getting done. I think we're moving forward. Do you get the impression that they went to Stockton to try to close the deal, like thinking, all right, we had this fight at 200. You're just going to sign the – what's the difference? It's two eventually.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Yeah. I think they thought that this is a new deal. This is a new deal. This is a new deal. This is a new fight. That was UFC 200. This is 202 now.

You know what I'm saying? Yeah. And I've said yes to 200. And I wasn't happy about saying I wasn't happy with my name, my, I was rushed into my last thing anyway. You know, I'm like,

I'm like, why do I got to fight this guy in two more months from now? Can I sit back and get more, more, more, more, can I get built up a little by the, you see? Like, Codd McGregor's in the artificial, like, font, like, they, they, they, they, they push him and went everywhere. He didn't get where he's at from whooping all kinds of asses and shit. I'm where I'm at, because I've been in fight after fight, after fight. I didn't do no media.

I didn't do no shit. How many times I've been on your show? You caught me slipping, you know what I'm saying? I didn't do no media. I'm where I'm at because, uh, strictly fighting. and um and uh no no no he's where he's at because the ufc like kicked his ass in gear and put him on a pedestal and blew him up how come how come he was so such a big deal when he beat dennis seaver fuck is dennis seaver that guy even ranked you know i'm like get the fuck out of here

be like i'm like i didn't get no props when i fought roy macdonald the number one welterweight contender and he couldn't finish me i didn't get no no problems when i'm fighting Ben Henderson or everybody. I just got a long line-up of everybody. Everybody I fought in the last eight years has been in the top seven to five to ten, right, five to ten, you know?

So all my following is just from strictly ass-whip and talking some real shit. And this motherfucker is like, this motherfucker's on top of the world because the UFC wanted his accent and a little Irish fan base and they give him some push. So they did that for hand.

got a little head of himself and probably didn't realize that and I did and uh they want me to fight him at UFC 200 a week later or whatever or a couple months later I'm like what about can I sit back for for a year and a half and fight in the receiver and become the biggest draw and the biggest biggest uh talk of the town uh I don't think they wanted any of that and said they started talking about Mayweather and uh and uh McGregor and he's the bigger this is the new biggest thing and I'm like, hold up. Didn't he just get his ass whoop two months ago? Yeah.

So I lose some bullshit decisions, and then they're like, all right, let's not talk about him for forever. You know what I'm saying? All I'm saying is he's more love. Like, he's getting pushed. They made, they created that monster. You know what I'm saying? They did that to him. He didn't.

My shit's off the straight realness. And then he wanted to dodge all that press to do all this train for fights. I've been saying that for years. I'm like, I didn't got taught. for this I'm in the ass whooping business training in to kill and be better than everybody and um everybody else is trying to be a movie star you know what I'm saying and then now nowadays I'm sitting here thinking like fuck maybe I sit back and do some press and uh not fight so much see how good that goes for me see if I get as much love as that well Irish man gets you know and say whatever

because they're trying to put on a freak show fight too with Mayweather and him they're talking. I run boxing and shit. I'm like, you just got boxed up. You didn't get tapped out. You know what I'm saying? He didn't get tapped out. He got beat up and shot.

And I hear Mayweather saying he wins most of his fights by stand-up fights. By fighting stand-up. And I'm like, not with me. He was losing the stand-up part, and he took a shot. That was a way out. So I just think it's all fake phony and people should recognize it. I'm not saying you need to recognize because let's see that Mayweather. I call your bluff.

Find Mayweather, motherfucker. Let's see how good, you know what I'm saying? I'll be right here saying back like, okay. And what's going to happen? Mayweather is going to fucking whoop his ass in a boxing match. You know what I'm saying? I'm saying all the boxes. I'm big in a boxing.

I've been saying it for years. Like I grew up in boxing gyms just like I grew up in a jihitsu gym. I've been in boxing gym. King's boxing gym in Oakland. and Sacramento, kickboxing ink, and a bunch of high-level boxing gym that's been at since I was 16 years old, and I'm always like, the MMMA fighters,

they can't punch, they can't, they can't, they don't even train right, you know, they don't train like real boxers, they can't punch for shit. And now all the boxers are criticizing Connor, and like, fucking Connor won't get embarrassed. It's like, yeah, he will get embarrassed. He will, and you're all right. but that's a real arrogant thing to say

and Connor is such a dumb ass for talking this because he's down to go fighting a boxing match. One of us is that if Floyd fought Connor in an MMA match would be more embarrassing than if Connor fought Floyd in a boxing match. For who?

I mean to get on that topic. That's just the thought. You know what I'm saying? Embarrassing. You get mounted in a minute. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You get mounted and laughed at and then slapped around and small. at the crowd and waves. There's no chance. Like, don't fucking give me that shit.

Man, there's so much I want to ask you. Let me just finish on this Mayweather thing. Do you think that they are putting this out, leaking this to people to try to put pressure on you to say, like, look, if you don't take this rematch, if you're... I do. You do? I do think that. Yep. We're on the same page here. Yeah. So you think... That's exactly what I think. Because every time I hear more about it, I get a call. I'm like, hey, I call your bluff. Fight that motherfucker then. I'll be right here. I'm the only one out of the three of us who could say that. I'll want both of their asses in one night because Connor can't say that. Floyd definitely cannot say that.

You know what I'm saying? You won a real fight. You fucking put me with one of those boxers, and I guarantee you I could beat them in boxing, at boxing. I'm the only one who's sparred with boxers on that high of a level. I've been sparred four-month camp with Underwater and been at King's Boxing Gym,

and I spar with Alan Sanchez, who's top-ranked 147, 155. I figure what weight class, but he's the champion at 147, I think. And he walks around about 160, but I spar him for the fights. He's ranked like number seven or six or five or some shit. I don't know if this exact credential to boxing, so it's hard for me to keep up. But I'm the only one boxing people on that higher level in boxing, you know. The guy out since I train with, he just trained all the way through Canelo's, with

his fight camp for Con. And these other people I'm boxing with and spar with him. And you got this guy fucking bouncing around Sparring with some clown from wherever over at Freddy Rush's in my mind I don't give a fuck about that guy You're flossing that guy I'll beat that guy's ass too And Connor should beat that guy's ass That guy was on the internet talking shit on him

The other day I'm like what kind of Spire partner is you got You know if you're getting fucking danced around And that guy's talking shit about whatever I'll show up that guy's gym and beat his ass I was Connor I'm like what you're gonna fucking put me on blast about what? You don't know shit. Like, like, like, like, what gives you the right to talk shit? Criticize if we're working together when I'll beat your ass, for real, you know?

Like, don't even speak. If I don't know, that's my thoughts. If I was him, I'm going down that gym and whip that guy that. I'd box him, box him in the ring, whoop his ass, and then throw him down at the end. I got problems, higher, you. I love this. I love this. Rambling. Oh, my God. I have like a million questions. So, I'll just take the bait here. You fight or you box Mayweather and a boxing match, what happens? What do you think happens? Well, what is the best boxer that there is at winning fights? You know what I'm saying?

Yeah. I might even go there before I pop in. I ain't been boxing. You know what I'm saying? I ain't been in a high-level boxing matches with him like that, but I'll bet guarantee I'd do better than McGregor would. You know what I'm saying? I've been on the high level. Like you got, you got that full gasped out and Connor gasped out in six months. minutes, I panicked or something. I'm like, you panic, don't panic. You can't panic. And they're with Floyd-Mouthy and knocked out.

What are you talking about? You know what I'm saying? Like, that's amateur style boxing. So when you were sitting down? Yeah, like, when you do good for, like, if I go in a box somebody in a boxing ring and they're good for three rounds, two or three or four rounds, and then they just wear off and start losing completely. That's amateur shit.

You know what I'm saying? Better be in there for 12 rounds, ready to rock and roll the whole, the whole time. And I got, you know, if you lose a couple rounds, you're, You got to be able to recover, recoup, and come back in a few rounds. But that amateur boxing is telling him he's got, not that he's not good, not that he's not doing a good job and has good, like you said, good timing and good punches and stuff better than most people. And an MMA can't box, but you're going to need a lot of work.

And, you know, that will sell a lot of tickets for sure. Everybody wants to go see that whether they say they would or win it. And that, you know, but the boxers are, are clowns sometimes. Now they're like, I'm never taking the BAT, the MMA fighters over the boxist side, too, when it comes to this, you know, but I'm punching and shit. But I'm like, dude, don't be talking shit because they can get embarrassed. This is ridiculous. We're even talking. We're like, yeah, but we're talking real fighting now.

You one-dimensional boxing fucks. This is fucking, like, real life. Real-life shit. Like, you'll get embarrassed. When you sat down with them last week, last Friday, did they even mention that this was on the table, or do you think it's just out there in the media? Because they came to you to try to agree to the Connor rematch on August 20th.

If there's talk like, you have these guys on Fox, I don't know if you saw Colin Coward saying that the fight is on for September 17th, Connor versus Floyd. How could the fight be on if they're coming to you on Friday to offer you Connor? It's rumors somebody's letting out because they're both benefiting off each other's fan bases and they're both building up of it. They don't care if it or not. They're both winning right now from the...

the talk even happened. Sure, sure. I can come out right now. You know, but this is the truth about what's really going on. It's the media working their ways and they're loving and they're eating enough. They're probably having dinner together every night. Yeah, we're fucking, you know what I'm saying? So when, so, so, so the, the lunch or the lunch?

Yeah. The lunch ends on Friday. Do you still feel like you got the fight? Do you even want the fight at this point? You said you didn't get a lot of rematch. Hey, I don't even give a fuck. Okay. I don't, I didn't get, if I got my ass whooped, I'd be begging for the fight.

Sure. my fight back please you know that's how a real fighter does it they want the i still been wanted all the fight forever that i lost you know what i'm saying mhm i just wanted every single one of them never didn't want to fight those motherfuckers every day still for free you know what i'm saying i don't know about in the cage now motherfuckers are benefiting off me but you know what i have always wanted uh i have always wanted the rematch because if you if you're not if you don't want a rematch with somebody who beat you especially like that or any way finish you especially,

then I don't know what the fuck you're in this for it, because I'm in this thing to be the best, badass motherfucker there is, and money apart, fighter first. You know what I'm saying? Sure. Like,

I don't want that fight. So I'm not begging for this fight. No. But everybody else seems to be, and it sounds absurd when I ask for a race. Motherfucker, you tripping. Who's tripping? I don't think I'm tripping.

I've always wanted to ask you this question. I want to go back to July of 2014. Okay, July of 2014, we're in Dublin, Ireland, and you were kind of taking a bit of a break. And a reporter, Shemadkar Sandu, asked Dana White a question about you. And I want to play you this 20-second clip and then get your reaction to it, okay? Yeah, that's you. All right, here's the clip. July of 2014, Dublin, Ireland.

Here you go. He's under contract. You know, he's under contract. When he's ready to fight, he can fight. You know, the kid makes good money. the kid makes really good money, you know, and the unfortunate part is he's not a needle mover. His brother is a needle mover. He's not.

Oh, that's cold. You remember that one? That's cold, David. And how about here we are now? You're one of the biggest draws they're coming to Stockton to talk to you. Has that always sat with you and saying, I'm going to prove to you because the media, when we heard that, we still talk about that because, you know, later on in that clip, we were talking about your Fox ratings

and the fact that you never headline a pay-per-view, you know, sometimes you have to take these things with a, grain of assault given the circumstances. They had to deal with Fox. They had to deal with Fox. They had to reach certain numbers. You know what I'm saying? You know how the deals work with this?

They have to hit certain numbers for Fox. Right. Ratings. This month you got to hit these certain numbers or however it works, right? Sure, sure. Who are they putting on all the headlines of the Fox shows? They're like, we'll get this guy who's the needle mover and we want to have to pay them exit for it.

And they're like, this is free TV. I'm like, wait, wait, wait, let's not get it twisted. Free for motherfuckers at home who aren't playing for pay-review. but you guys are getting paid that's how it works you know so I understood what was going on and they wouldn't have been like that's why it's not on paper views

that's not I already knew what was up this isn't newly developed information for me you know I was like I was up on game and because I cuss a little and tell people fuck off like we don't get there like this guy's stupid we don't hear that you know what I'm saying

like I'm like somebody uneducated I'm an uneducated motherfucker talking about numbers what do I know but look it Oh, that's the homer right there You know what I'm saying? So it's stupid.

That was stupid. And I knew, just like the fight with those two fuckers, it was just like he spit that out and everybody was believing it. And then a lot, the many people who didn't believe it and knew it wasn't true, started blasting it for it, you know? He regretted saying that, I'm sure.

And I knew, dude, because back in the day, I remember when I realized, I forget how many years ago I said, sent a tweet out. I just, I just tweeted something I thought. I can't even remember.

And, uh, oh, it was about Brian Caraway. Remember when I sent a tweet out about him? Yeah, yeah. That shit viral, man.

People were like, hit me out there's a bigger, and I was like, that's crazy. What the fuck? And then, uh, after that,

I was like, oh, shit, I say something, it'll go, it'll go fucking viral. So, yeah.

I would just keep my mouth shut until I had something to send. I'd spit it on, on Twitter or something. Go everywhere. So that's when I knew. I got a bigger phone and all these motherfuckers. If I could send a tweet out and go, and that many people look at it, how many people are watching me fight?

This is crazy. You know what I'm saying? And I think that's what fighters don't realize is that they're the business. And if they don't start treating themselves like, no one's going to get nowhere, you know? And if you guys keep saying, yeah, I'll find, I'll find anybody. It's like, of course you will. That's why you started, right? That's why you start.

That's why I started. I'll fight any motherfucking buddy. I'm in this shit to be the best motherfucker. and if you're not in it to be the baddest motherfucker, I don't even know what the fuck you're doing it for. You know what I'm saying? If I don't think I can beat everybody, what the hell am I fighting for?

I think I'll beat everybody still in every weight class, too. I'm not talking about three, five minutes. I'm talking about to the real names at the end of the day. You know what I'm saying? I'll beat everybody. I'll find a way. Type of me in black one, jihitsu and pro boxer, if I was not fighting MMA,

I'm on triathily. I'm like, everything is a martial art, And I figure if you're a real martialist, too martial arts, artists find the way to win, you know. And these guys are like, I'll fight anybody. I'm like, yeah, because you're saying that to the media and you think people are eating it up and they did the one time he said it, so you keep saying it, shut the fuck up.

Treat yourself like a business and quit fucking, I'll fight for free. I'm like, well, that don't help nobody. That's bad karma for you for even fucking stupid-ass cowboys so many says that shit. I'm like, that's bad karma for just everybody. I'm like, because you'll fight for free. Now everybody else has got one. Like, why wouldn't they pay us? Because they got dumb shits like you fight for free.

Start acting like a businessman and start training yourself like a business and get your ass paid for being in an octagon. The whole world watches you fight. And entertainers are there in the front row. I'm sitting there with Little John and fucking Mike Tyson. And who else? Everybody, anyone you could think of that famous is sitting front row. baseball players, these guys are they're going to pay million dollars and we're entertainers,

uh, entertaining, we're entertaining entertainers. So the thing that makes us like, Crim Delacring, shouldn't we be the best of the best? Like, shouldn't we be paid the fuck out? Why are you fighting for free, you dumb shit, motherfucker? Oh, that shit gets on my last nerve. I want to go back. But if people aren't acting like they're the business, you ain't going to get no business done and no one's going to get shit and you keep browned down.

And like, if my biggest payday was just the other day, uh, my last fight, all the work, hard work I put in and all the shit I've done, then it's a rap. I'm cool. You know what I'm saying? If that's all, if that's my, I'm going to maximize my potential, whatever I could get out of this, I'm going to get, rip, and tape. You know what I'm saying? I'm not going to sit back and say, I'll fight anybody.

No, I've been there. I've been did that. I don't have to say that. Now I'm like, fuck you, pay me, motherfucker, you know? So you're content if you don't fight again? I'm content we're getting paid to fuck out for my duties, you know what I'm 10. Even the fight in my last fight, they're like, finally you got paid, congratulations.

I'm like, no. That's reimbursement is what that is. I haven't even been paid. I haven't even been paid yet. Right. And I'm going to continue to represent for my shit and say what's what and get what's mine. Because don't know what I want to

see no other fight. What do you want to see? You want to see me fight and you want to see Connor fight. He's the biggest draw. I'm the biggest draw. He comes to fight for real. We have lost him there for one quick second. Went back to a... Are you there?

Yeah, I got you. Yeah, I was saying, so I'm calling me. That fucks up the whole shit. Oh, yeah. It froze it. I was saying, I'm the biggest draw. He's the biggest drawl. He comes in there to fight, you know what I'm saying?

He does. He comes forward. He tries to take you out. And he tries to knock you out. He tries to spin and kick you. He tries to do all this shit. And he's fucking got him with him. He's trying to improve his craft right now.

He's trying to get better. That's why I had to skip out on all that conference. So it's all good. I didn't even give a fuck about that. I'm like, let him fight. I understand what he's doing? And then what do you got with me? When have I not came to really fight and whoop a motherfucker motherfucker's ass?

You know? Like, for real. So what do you got two motherfuckers? And we ain't friends. And it ain't all good if we're fighting. You know what I'm saying? He ain't my worst enemy, but he signs a fight. We're not friends for shit, you know.

So what do you want to see? You want to see a freak show boxing match with homie? No. You got another. Or do you want to see a freak show boxing? You like that? Yeah. Yeah.

But I'm like, what do you guys? What do people want to see? Like, I know what I want to see if I'm a, if I'm a fucking, a fight fan. I want to ask you about that week prior to 197 when they were supposed to have that press conference and Connor, you know, says he's retiring and all that. You were in Vegas and they have this press conference and you show up and there's the empty seat and Dana White says they want you on the card, but you said you only want to fight Connor. What was your take? Like, were you happy?

Like for you, you're like, okay, I showed up here I am or in hindsight you feel like you shouldn't have showed up. What's your take on all that, how that whole thing went down in Vegas prior to that prior to the press conference and at the press conference itself? Well, they told me, I was going to do that press conference. I was just there, and then they told me to like, just come, just come. They were like, just come down here and go to press conference and this and that. And I remember how they did Nick versus Jordan, when George showed up, and he was sitting there. And they're like, what's going on?

And this guy, like, I'm like, I wasn't trying to make. I don't want to go down there make this guy look like an asshole for not showing up to a press conference who the fuck gives this shit you know what I'm saying good fucking sell it

disrespect he didn't show up all right but I'm not disrespect they're a therapist you know but like it's all good he got catching up to do he's like a purple button

jitzy he's got some some shit to work on and he's got some punching to work on and some cardio to work on and I wouldn't be showing up to that shit either still I wouldn't be wasting no time So I was just there They told me to be there and do my thing

And I was like, all right, I'm doing my thing And then I went home So Did they try to offer you someone else to stay on the card? No, I think they were talking to my management About some other names or something But I wasn't, like I said, I had just fought And the next day

They were like, we want you to fight Connor again They didn't like that I lost We got to get you out of here We need to get that one back So they told me on the final, I'm like, cool, I'm not fighting. I'm not going to fight just to fight. I want to fight for, you know what I'm saying? They were offering me something major, then I would have been all about it.

But there was nothing major to offer. And they were just like, they were just like, they were just like, well, how about this? I know, nothing to. They were too enthusiastic about either, you know? I don't think they were like over aggressively trying. They were just shot a few names if I wanted to. Sure. So I think I'm cool.

And so there you are. sitting there, the fight doesn't happen. Are you surprised that they didn't, like, that they didn't actually try to figure out, you know, said, okay, you missed the press conference, maybe, you know, we'll, we'll fine you or something. Like, are you surprised still that you guys aren't fighting at 200 after all of that? Because it felt like the fight was bigger after all that drama. You know what I mean? Yeah. I think that the fight will still continue to get bigger. You think that if you guys fight at some random number, like 203, 204, it gets more than 200, as far as paper views are concerned?

More than USC 200? Yeah. Yeah. Probably. Probably. I don't know. I think there's a lot of hype behind the 200 thing. Yeah. And it would have been pretty big,

but I think it's going to be big regardless, you know. I think there's no other fight to see. You know, I was talking to Dana White and Lorenzo and they're like, what's up, UFC 202? And we're like, who else is on that card? And they were like, whatever, let's just put you two on the card. Sure. You know what I'm saying?

and he's like let's bring your boy Chris he wants to fight we can put him up against we can put him up against Artham fucking Oh wow Chris Avila? Yeah, bring it Yeah Chris Avila

Against Arta Against Artaxam yeah They want to do that They're talking about They're talking about bringing Chris Winby Yeah Wow I don't necessarily want to fight on the same card

As my partners But if they want them in Let's bring him in He's a hitter though, so it's going to be, it's going to be, how would you feel about fighting on the same card as your brother? I wouldn't, I don't like to fight on the same card as people I train with or my brother, especially for anybody because I think fighting should be selfish sport, you know, you got time to think about, you shouldn't be having to think about anybody else but yourself,

you know? Okay. For the training building up to that fight, like, I feel like it should be a, all about you a little bit or your partner, whoever is the guy fighting. Sure. And then fight night should be all about you and what you got to do. And you shouldn't be like having to worry about anybody else. Otherwise, you're not focused on what are you going to be focused on?

And I don't want, I don't want none of that shit going on in my head. So I'd rather just fight on my own. Mentally is a little frustrating that like you signed a contract to fight in July and then it gets taken away. Like does that, does that kind of, you know like because when you sign a contract you become committed to a date and a fight right and now it's gone and it sort of feels a little bit i don't know like it's unfulfilling do you get what i'm saying does that bother you at all the fact that you're not preparing to fight on july 9th or once the fight fell through you're just like all right i'm cool i'm just going to chill out

how do you handle that it's no sweat on my back man it's like i was that i was that i was a shit don't affect me much like that you know i'm like i'm always training in a fight always of course you can always be prepared better for a fight if you know what's coming but especially in the circumstances that I was just saying I just beat you I'm like

you're gonna have me fight this motherfucker in two fucking in one month two months you're gonna have me fight that motherfucker you think he's gonna be good enough to fucking not get a dash whip this time not that I can't get hot caught with some hot shit

because anybody can't in a fight you know what I'm saying I don't ever think anybody's invincible you gotta be aware of what can happen but he got a lot of shit to work on in too much so I feel like it was all kind of planned out like pull it to end because it's like build up and it fucking piss people off and then then back on it's good and it's great it's like whatever and uh I don't think I don't think he

was in that first fight at 200 the whole time I don't think he I was wondering I was sitting there thinking I like he really wants to get back in there two months I might ask what's been on your ass could fucking do a lot to you You know what I'm saying? You're like, you're like, fuck, am I going to be better

in two months to fight this motherfucker? So I didn't, I didn't think like, oh, what a surprise, motherfuckers. Like,

I didn't, I didn't think it was, it was a big deal. Like, all right, it'll happen sooner or later because what are people want to see?

You know what do you want to see? Who do you want to see fight? Who do you want to see me fight next? Oh, my. I mean, honestly,

there are, you know, I wouldn't mind seeing you fight for a belt at 155. I do agree, though, that you are, like I said at the top, top five draws in the game?

Beyond belts. We're beyond belt. You know what I'm saying? It's not about Bud. Okay. It's like, dude, it's been like that though forever. Whenever I ever been like, I don't want the belt, have you ever heard me say that? No, they gave me the Ben Henderson fight the one time. I was like, I wasn't

enthusiastic about the fuck or anything. I'm like, I had to fight this boring guy who's not going to fucking, like, I know what makes a good fight, two fighters, you know? What about GSP? His coach, GSP's coach was going on Twitter saying that they wanted you.

He never called... They wanted that fight. They wanted that fight. But they still wanted that fight. If I stepped up and I was like, What's up? GSP, let's fight, motherfucker. Yeah. They'd step right in. They're waiting for something.

Nobody's fucking giving that guy no attention until they step in and then. And then they were acting like, oh, wait, they really wanted him. I'm like, get the fuck out of you because I didn't play in and said, because you know what, that's not my fight. Fight my brother.

That's your guy's fight. You fucking squeeze one out holding on for your life. against my brother. Like, I don't want nothing to do with that. I don't want to, like, that's my brother's fight. My brother was going to go there one time and, and, uh, he's like, I'm going to slap the winner out of Aldo and McGregor. And I was like, and I was about to fight Johnson the week after that. And I'm like, hold up. I'm like, I'm like, don't, don't, uh, don't go over there and steal my fight. Yeah.

The fuck you think I'm training for this, Michael Johnson, motherfucker for it to get that fight. Right. Like, you're going to go steal my shit? I didn't even, we didn't even have that attack. I like, no, no, no. I just was, let. We're on the phone. I'm fighting him next. And he's like, all right. So he didn't go.

Wow. But in my head, I had all those companies to the States. Like, no, motherfucker. I'm fighting this for to get that fight. Right, right. You know what I'm saying? He has him and motivation behind that fight. I'm like, I'm going to fight this one.

I'm going to get that fight with that one motherfucker. I think that shit was all premeditated shit. I knew what I was going to do. It's not like some fucking right place, right time. shit. I'm like, I'm going to go get my shit. this motherfucker's stepping out of pocket talking shit on all these different weight classes i'm gonna go get mine you know what i'm saying sure so i was like took this fight with the number five

got the highest rank guy i could i'm gonna whip his ass and he tucked it out and did what he could and made it through that fight i thought i was gonna take him out you know if i didn't get taken out i'm like it's gonna be killed or be killed i'm gonna get that fool if you don't get me and uh i like afterwards i'm gonna get the fight with little motherfucker and motherfucker should be fucking stepping the game up and following the path because that's how you do it you know what I'm saying it wasn't like an accident

I seen everybody calling out Connor McGregor I'm a that's a nice tweet fucking dork like step your ass up make a scene and fucking get your fight so when I won my father I'm like well some motherfucker and I acted the fool and I was bad what did I do I do to do to get a fight and if you ain't doing it right

you don't belong in the business and I put all these non-fighters in this business So you got a bunch of non-fight, fucking lame fights. Weed these fuckers out, pay maximum amounts of money to good fighters, and then we only have the crew. You'll have a fucking roster of fucking 40, 60 people who are bad as fuck, and you only get in if you're bad as fuck too. And then that's where the money's at instead there.

They're like, you're fired. We got a new guy. We're paying $2,000, dude. You're fired. We're paying a new guy. So everybody's like, try. to be politically correct and act like each other and everything they say dude

everything everyone says is something that that is obviously that they think people want them to say you know what I'm saying you ain't gonna catch me saying no shit that that I feel like I'm supposed to say because it's polite or it's nice or some shit

you know and I try to be nice as well you know what I'm saying I gotta not be a fuck head but but but but But when you're in the how are you going to not be if you're trying to fight people won't be ass whoop or we tune in to watch real asswop and real ass wubens So let's start acting like some real ass whooping ass whoopers, you know So have did you notice after one 96 like how the MMA community was so happy for you like when you were on extra and everyone even you know like

The reporters and fans everyone just seemed genuinely happy that you were getting this attention finally that you were finally being talked about did you notice all that? Did you appreciate that? Yeah. did and I appreciated it because I know real people that are appreciating that type of thing are actually paying attention to what's really been going on. Yeah. I'm fighting for a lot of years and

like I said, you say a couple of cuss words and they're like trying to put you down on their car and and they just have to act like they don't want that, but that's what they want to go down, you know what I'm saying? So if everybody starts acting for real, we'll

get a for real fight league going on. Oh shit, for real fight league. Yeah. That's my new fighting. For real fight. Are you starting one? Just, now I am. We just came up with that together.

Me and you are going to business. Me and Ariel are for real fight league. All right. I'm in. What about that mural? How did you find out about that? And how did you react to that? I mean, that you have been immortalized in your hometown.

That doesn't happen every day. Yeah, that's, that's cool, man. Like a lot of people are, uh, were, we're Instagram me and putting it on, on social media. I'm like, where the fuck is that? I went to saw it one day. I went to saw it with my boy. We're driving around. We were like, well, what do we do?

Let's go down and check out that mural. And I don't know how we found out where it was, but we went down there. And some, some, like, street artists that, that. Do you know who? I got to find, I got to find his name so I could put him. Yeah. Yeah. But he went painted it up, and he does stuff like that in other places, too.

So I went down there and I saw it, and it's on a building, and the people in the building wanted it there, too. Wow. Like, then it's staying, yeah. And then every time, like, if I went there right now, remember I called you that day. Yeah. On FaceTime, we went by there.

Yeah. Well, every time I go by there, there's people driving by. Wow. And they're taking pictures. Like, the last time I went with Dana and Lorenzo, and we took the picture, and the people started running out of the stores. They're like, you're here. You're here.

And they're like, people are stopping by here all day and night taking pictures of this shit. Wow. That's pretty cool. So if you're ever in Stockton, stop by the mural, put your little picture. you up and then everyone will know where you were at. Does it feel different when you walk around? Do you get more

love, more attention? Do people stuff? There's a lot more, a lot more attention. It's funny because with me and Nick, too, no one knows the difference. They're like, good fight, Nick, so we're the same guy. It's all good. I don't correct people no more, too. They're like, Nick Diaz. I'm like, what up? And then they'll be like, good fighting against him.

I'm like, man, you really don't know what's going on. Wow. And they think that I fought Connor and Anderson It's funny It's hilarious how people are and then Well last night I'm at the gym At like two in the morning and this guy's like Talking to me he's like

He's like oh yeah he's like You fight and I'm like yeah I think yeah And I like I got a brother He was talking about the silver father I know that was my brother and he said Oh but but you fought the Irish guy I like I fought the Irish guy He said, so not your brother.

And then he's like, your brother fights too? I'm like, Nick, we just talked about this. He was so confused on who. I was like, we both fight. We fight different people. But yeah, it's a lot more more attention than it was. But it usually is after every fight. But that was a big one.

Not because of only the fight, but the hype, like that I hopped in that fight. I went to the track there, the college, the college. Yeah. I was doing sprints. I met up with my coach. I was all fat and out of shape. I was like, let's go. He's got to go up you in the shape.

We got to do a track workout. So we went and football practice was going on. And we're running and track kids right there and we're running around the track. And because it was all over the news that I was filling in for, what you call it? It was going everywhere. And the whole football team was like, holy shit. You're the guy. And they were like stuck.

and they're like represent. They're like, kick that fool's ass. And I took a picture with the whole football team and all the track kids. And they were like, we got an ice bath. And I hopped in an ice bath. I never jump in the ice bath. I was like, they're like, get in and we're like, and everybody from the town would show me a lot.

It was real cool. And I felt a lot of support going into that fight. I thought it was cool how that was, you know. I was back at the gym. I was back at the gym that night, too. I was like two in the morning, three in the morning. And I was hitting some weights and working in there. And people were coming up at 2 in the morning.

Like, what's up kick of that on the TVs? You know how you're on a treadmill? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then it was like, it was shown videos of us fighting and shit all over the gym. All over the gym. So pretty crazy crazy suspension from Nevada last September, the five-year suspension, which has since been reduced and he's going to be free to fight Noggins. he sent me a statement about just how he was feeling and his life and really opened up about some things that we never knew about. And at the end, what I thought was the most powerful

was that he said that, you know, he feels like he got you into fighting and he needs to figure out a way to get you out because he never, he kind of always felt uncomfortable with the idea of you fighting as well. He has said this in many, many interviews. Does what happened to you, what has happened to you over the last couple months, does that sort of make it better in your mind, does that validate, you know, him getting you in and you guys taking the risk of being fighters and putting your health on the line and all this work, the blood, sweat, and tears, 10 years, and the UFC, all that stuff? Does it make it better at all? Or do you still feel like he feels the same way? And do you feel the same way? Yeah, I think he felt the same way. I

understand why he felt like he got me into this because he did, you know? He, uh, all the positives that I do, like, he's my, he's my brother and my training partnership, but he's like, Like, he's like, the guy, he's my guy. He's my guy. He's like, I'm Caesar Gracie's Jiu-T and Richard Presby and all that. But as a martial artist, I'm a product that Nick Diaz, you know. So I give all the positives that I do and all the outcomes that come from me. I credit him and happy that he put me on his journey. Like, all my credit goes to him, you know.

And any negatives that come out of anything that happen to me, me, I feel bad that I let him down in any way, you know, when I say stupid shit on here or whatever. More than everything in my mind is that, fuck, I hope I didn't piss Nick off on this one. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't feel like that with nobody, you know, but that's my bro, and I think he's the best fighter in the world, and he loses all the credit. And he's got a hard road, long road, and it's still harder and it's still going. And the show must go on, you know?

like it's like a movie it's like a story like like how you're saying is it all paying off it but but the show goes on that the ride's still going you know there's still a lot of ups and down that are probably coming our way and uh i don't i don't think of it like it's all said and done okay if that makes sense you know it's like the ball's still rolling do you get the impression he'll come back and fight when he's up in august when the suspension is over i think i mean i think he Well, I think if there needs to be like, Nick's a big deal, man. That's a special person, special human being, a special type of badass. You get people who are made like him, you know?

I can't say what he's going to do because he's so unpredictable. If I expect to see him in an hour, I'm most likely one seeing. If I don't expect to see him in an hour, I'll probably see him probably see him probably. He's unexpected. Yeah. Even for me and I probably know him better than most people. Right. And I still have no clue what the fuck he's going to do.

but I think that I think if the if the big deal of something big and good good to do and I think it better be a big deal if they're going to call them you know yeah yeah of course I mean

I think it should be you know he's a super fighter he's not just like anybody else right of course so you you believe going back to what happened on Friday you still think this this They're still talking to you. Like Friday wasn't the end of the communication.

It continues, but nothing's done for August 20th. Is that fair to say? Yeah, yeah, nothing's done. Do you think it happens for August 20th? Yeah, I don't think any damage was done. I don't think anything good has happened yet, but we're still on good terms. I've been texting with Dana. Okay.

He's real cool. He's real cool. Like, there was no big upset. Like, I'm sure he wasn't the happiest at the moment. And I probably was, I probably was thinking like, wow, I think I might have pissed him off. But I just said what I had to say, and I told him at the end. I don't want to pissing the one off. I'm just trying to get mine because it's time to get mine.

You know, it's been a long road. Sure. And I need to get mine when I can. If not, I don't think I ever will. And he was like, he's like, I understand, man. It's not about pissing people off. They're not about maybe a piss or whatever. He's like, we're just going to figure it out.

And I'm like, all right, cool. So we've been texting a little bit. Good. And Lorenzo and my manager, go ahead, been talking. And I think everybody's getting along and we're going to figure it out. but I learned to stop losing sleep over shit, you know, because I lost a lot of sleep over this whole shit. This particular... I mean, this whole career.

Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. I don't even know what I'm talking about. I haven't slept in years, really. But, you know what I'm saying? But I'm not sweating it. Sure.

So it's all good. Would you want to fight August 20th? Does that make sense to you to fight? You know, it's not that far away. It's less than three months away. If that's right? Yeah. If everything works out right, straight up financially, I'll fight tomorrow.

You know. How much? Oh, good. Did you mind? I got to ask, apologize for asking, but how much are you asking for? A hundred million dollars. I think it's, I think it's deserved, if I'm being honest. I think they should give you that.

Up front, right? Just for show. Yeah. Up front. And then pay reviews. Oh, and then. It's amazing. More than that even, but it's all good.

We'll see where I got. Maybe we meet in the middle somewhere. I said on Monday that you're an incredible negotiator, and I feel like the true, the true secret to being an amazing negotiator is being, is being, you know, willing to walk away. Like, you are at peace with walking away. If the deal doesn't get done, no sweat off your back. And that's because sometimes you negotiate a little bit scared. You want the deal, so you don't want to push too much.

want to play too hard. But it seems to me, and correct me if I'm wrong, like, if I'm wrong, like, if rematch doesn't happen, you will not, you know, sit in a corner and cry. You will not, like, end your life. You're going to move on and do other things. That's the sign of a true to- go. I think I get my ass with, so I ain't losing no sweat over it. I didn't lose no sweat over something I don't got. Yeah. You know what I'm a 10-year, 10-year veteran in a negotiated and bullshit like that for and I've had plenty, plenty of downs. So it's time for an up. Yeah.

You know? Yeah. Do you want to get, do you want to do more media now? Do you want to be on covers? Like, do you feel like you're getting pushed doing things like that from them? Do you want that? Yeah. Well, I'm being held back still.

I'm still ain't getting no. Really? I get in my area of Hawaii live. You know what I'm saying? Always. You always have a home here, my man. No, it's on the road. Stuff's coming.

Stuff's coming. I got people hitting me up and we're going to get. We're going to get shit going, but I'm talking, we're going to be on the front roll and selling the Nesquire and all that shit. Really? We're coming up to. So, well, that's the plan. That's what we're going for. Otherwise, why are we doing this, you know?

Look at you. I mean, I will admit, it's a bit of a step down for my show, but still important nonetheless, still being nonetheless. But you don't have Ariel Hwani magazine, so otherwise we'll be on the front of that one. That's right. That's right. I would devote, you know, a whole year to you, just a different cover every, like Oprah, you know? Yeah, what happened to my representation? shirt. You never wore that thing, huh? Yeah, no, I actually put it up for a while, and you know, it's funny. I was thinking today, I should have brought it for today's show, but I don't know if you noticed this. It's been kind of covered by the thing. I represented right here with the round five figuring there. There is old school. You see that? All right. It's all right. You see that me? Yeah, I'm butt-front. Look at how big my feet. Yeah, what's up with that? You're wearing, you're wearing the old school D-thron, but they got your Caesar Gracie logo right over there. And there you are. You have one of these? You have one of these? I have one of those. You have one of those. You? You have one of those.

Yeah, I do. I do. This is nice. How is Represent. Do you own that company? Rep. Yeah, it's raphard.com. Represent. My partner's, uh, I had some, some guys that invested in me and then I invested back.

So we're doing good. You know, Rep. Represent.com. Rep. Hard. I think it relates to, uh, to fight, not only fighting anything, you know, it's like, yeah, like you represent any, anything you do, you know. Yeah.

Represent for your partner. Represent for your team. Represent for jitzy. Represent for boxing. Represent for skateboarding. And I think everybody's represented some. Otherwise, why are we doing this? know, and the fight game you represent.

So I thought it was something good to go. I made some represented shirt back in the day, and I was like, I like, I like, I like, I like that represent, represent the 209 straight up. So, yeah, rephardt.com, that's, that's some guys that hit me up and wanted to start it all up. So it's been doing well, too, and he's got cool gear. If anybody wants to check that out, it's not rephardt.com. Okay, I don't want to take up more of your time, so we'll wrap this up.

what's the message for the people out there to all the people watching this is our most watched episode ever no doubt about that what's what's the met what do you want to tell the people where are we at right now with Nate Diaz's career

what do you want the story to be taken out of this take what you want from it it's all good I just caught Ariel's been calling me man I just want to chop it up with you and get your interview I've been dodging you for 20 years

I'm glad you called and it was good to be on the show yes it has It has been a while since I've been asking you to come on the show. In fact, I think I'm the only journalist who didn't speak to you after 196, but here we go. Wow, did you make it up to me? Giving me a special edition, a Wednesday edition. We don't do this for anyone.

We don't do this. I mean, this is a big deal. I don't know if you notice this. This is special stuff. So, but I would do it again. I was trying to get on Monday with everybody else. Yeah. But I just was a late caller.

It didn't work out for me. So my bad about that. All good. Okay. So for now, we wait and see what happens. It could be August 20th. It could not be. You're just sitting back.

You're waiting for things to happen with your great manager, Lloyd Pearson. You got a great PR guy, Zach Rosenfield. I mean, what a team you have over there. You guys are killing it. Yeah, those are guys right there. Yeah, I love them. Jackson, man. I love those guys.

So you're just waiting. You're letting them do their thing. And if it's not, it could not be Connor, you're not really, there's nothing really coming to mind as far as something that interests you right now. right, is that fair? No, when it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I'm just sitting back. I'm still kicking back.

I'm debating on a beach to go to. Oh. I'm just going to hang out for now, you know. I might meet up with Van Dam again next week. Look at you. We might hit the UFC or something. Wow. Oh, wow.

You're going to go to the fight. I think we're going to, that's in LA, right? It's in Englewood, up to no good. You know what I'm saying? Yay. It's Luke Rockhold against Michael Bisping and Dominic Cruz against your eye, Faber. Oh, that's in the good.

Faber and Cruz, yeah. That should be good. Yeah, most likely we'll be there. I'm not 100% sure, yeah, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be out that way. Nate, get rich or die trying, my man. All right, I'm working on it for sure. You're the man, Nate Diaz.

Thank you so much for this. It means the world. I really appreciate your time. I appreciate you coming on and talk. to everyone. Good luck with everything. Hopefully it won't be a couple years since we, until we talk again, but I can't thank you enough. Really appreciate this, my man. Thank you so much. All right. All right, Ariel. Thank for having me. All right, there he is. Nate Diaz, the 209 zone, Stockton zone, Nathan Diaz. Wow, how about that? We've said it all, we've done it all.

Great stuff from Nate Diaz, one hour strong, just a little over an hour with him. And my man Adam in the back is telling me that the artist who put together that mural is a young man by the name of Jared Rustin. So if it is Jared and good catch there, Adam, kudos to him. That thing is amazing. I'm not surprised Mother Effers. What a song. I listen to that song every morning when I wake up. A beautiful piece of music. So we'll see. You heard it there. Still talks. August 20th was on the table. Wasn't the big blowup that everyone thought it was going to be still on good terms? If you want that fight, if you are a fan of that fight,

if you like the idea of Connor and Nate Diaz, Connor McGregor and Nate Diaz fighting once again, then there is still some hope. Now, of course, there are some people, as I mentioned, that since Monday there have been reports. I get these tweets all the time about the Floyd Mayweather, Connor McGregor fight. And I told you that there are some.

people in these circles who do believe that at some point this could happen. But again, as you hear there, that's the fight they're trying to make. It's the Connor Nate rematch. The thing that you have to keep in mind, and by the way, if you can catch the audio of Brian Stance, Sirius XM radio show, that happened yesterday, Tuesday night. What's going on here? If you can catch the audio of Brian Stan's radio show, he talks about the absurdity of this fight and where it stands right now. I mean, if Brian Stan says something, especially with conviction, you know it to be true. And I echo those sentiments. Remember two things when you hear these rumors.

First of all, there's no one really for Floyd to fight right now in the boxing world. I mean, there aren't a lot of opportunities for him, big names, his fight against Berto, bombed. You have to remember when you hear these reports, if you want to call him, that this benefits Floyd Mayweather very much. He's showing up on Showtime sports. He's showing up on a Showtime broadcast and talking about Connor McGregor. Why?

Because Conor McGregor is a massive draw. We all know that. And he recognizes that. He also recognizes that there aren't that many draws in boxing right now. Who's he going to call out? Pac-Yau again? Who's he going to call out?

Canelo? Clearly there's no real interest in Triple G. So who's he going to call out? He calls out the guy who's going to get him a lot of attention, who understands marketing, who understands hyping things up, who will take the bait and play along a little bit, and it's all well and good. You also have to remember when you hear these reports and consider the source that, like Nate said, and I will reiterate that, that, you know, these reports keep coming out to sort of tell

them like, hey, man, if you don't want to take this fight, if you don't want to take this fight, we're going to move on to this one. That's a big money fight. but do you really think that it's one or the other? It's negotiations. It's games. It's not one or the other. I hope you didn't buy your hotel room for September 17th.

Not right now. And if something changes along the way, I will be happy to report it. And you can't come back and say, hey, you know, this and that happened and you said this and that. No, no, no, no. We're talking right now.

Crazier things have happened in this world. James Freaking Tony fought Randy Couture in a UFC fight. Crazy things happen. But right now, just consider the source. That's all I'm saying. Consider who's being told what. Consider how it's being done. Nate gets it.

And it's clear that he's not, you know, falling for it. So it's going to be interesting to see if they make the fight. No doubt about it that it's a big one. No doubt about it that it's what people want to see. But will they get it done? We finally heard from the man. We finally got his side of the story. We finally got it.

got the 411, as the kids called, the download, if you will, from Nate Diaz. What a treat that was, right? How much fun was that? That was awesome. Thank you very much to his team for helping setting that up. Thank you very much to his manager, Lloyd. Thank you very much to his publicist, Zach. I appreciate them more than they know, and I appreciate all of you for tuning in.

That's it. It's a short MMA hour. In fact, it's the closest we've ever been to an hour in a very long time since the early days of our program. It's the closest we've ever been to actually an hour. So for all of you people who have been asking us to be an hour, here you go. Your wish has been granted. We are essentially a little more than an hour. You can hit my music. That's what you're getting. I said it's Nate Diaz only. And you're only getting Nate Diaz. Now, I will remind you that tomorrow we will be airing the MMA beat normal time, 1 p.m. Eastern. 10 a.m.m. Pacific.

I believe 6 p.m. in the UK. And once again, if you like this show, it's usually, you know, four or so hours long. And it usually airs on Mondays at 1 p.m. This is sort of like when Howard Stern had Madonna in the afternoon. Sometimes when a guest is big enough, you change things around for them. You accommodate them.

In my opinion, Nate Diaz deserves that. And I'll say what I said at the top of the show, post-196. It is good. And I think I speak for the entire MMA community. Everyone is very happy to see him finally get the attention, respect, and love that he deserves. Getting out of his brother's shadows, they're two separate people, getting that attention, getting that love, getting that respect, and hopefully getting paid what he deserves.

I think everyone is happy to see that. So much power to him. So anyway, this show is usually on Mondays. Next week, we're on Tuesday because of Memorial Day to kick off. our UFC 199 coverage, then I'll head over to Inglewood, California. But what a treat this was, Nate Diaz, live on a special Wednesday edition of the MMA hour. Wow. You live for this sort of thing.

Thank you very much to Nate for doing it. And I certainly appreciate it. What a treat that was. Back on Tuesday, same time and place. Again, thank you so much. If you missed anything, check it out, iTunes, Stitcher, all that good stuff and more. Until I say, please, shh, Mario. Support for this show comes from Chase.

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