MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 385

Episode Date: June 5, 2017

Ariel Helwani speaks to NewYorkRic (00:19:11) to recap UFC 212, then to Brian Kelleher (00:28:56), Jimi Manuwa (00:49:04), Alexander Gustafsson (01:08:57), Roy Jones Jr. (01:29:53), Frankie Edgar (01:53:57), Demetrious Johnson (02:12:44), NewYorkRic (03:08:26) once again for Ric's Picks, and finally to Mark Hunt (04:04:30) to close the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On this Monday, June 5th, 2017, Logan, everyone. I'm Ariel Hawani back inside our New York City studio. Great to be here with you on another lovely Monday afternoon in New York City. And my friends, we have a lot to discuss. Of course, this past weekend, it was a fun one in mixed martial arts. We saw UFC 212 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We saw the UFC crown a new featherweight champion. His name Max Holloway, the pride of Wainai, Hawaii.

Just 25 years young, he defeats Jose Aldo in the third round via TKO. Started off a little slow. Second round, breaks out the stock and slap, and then it was all Max Holloway from there. And I thought it was very interesting in the post-fight press conference when he said, the moment Aldo did not respond to his taunts, he knew he had him. And it was quite the sight to see. I mean, it's one thing to see Jose Aldo lose in, you know, what, seconds to Connor McGregor. It's another thing to see him lose like that.

It does feel like the dawn of a new era. It does feel like the UFC is turning a page on that whole McGregor-Aldo era, as far as the featherweight division is concerned. And it does kind of feel like this was the best result for the UFC. Here you have a champion who is hungry, who is willing to fight, all comers, who has had quite the road to get to this point. There was some baggage with Jose Aldo. And we'll talk about this in a second. People wanting to call Max Holloway undisputed champions, some are disputing that title.

I'm fine with it. I thought he put it very well. He said, Connor McGregor was the 2015 champion. I'm the 2017 champion. And in sports, you have a champion for one year, you move on to the next year. And sometimes the champion from that year doesn't actually get to defend their title. They get bounced, things happen. And I think that's the perfect way to move on from this era.

Because look, he's not coming back, at least for now. He's not going to defend that title. And yes, Connor McGregor did beat Max Holloway many, many, many moons ago. I mean, 2013 feels like a lifetime ago. If you're going to hold on to that loss and use that to discredit, what Max Holloway has done since then, 11 straight wins against the best of the best at 145,

you're doing a disservice to yourself, not only to yourself, but to Max as well. People lose on their way to becoming champion. Steppe Miochich lost to Stefan Struth. People lose all the time. Tyrone Woodley lost to Roy McDonald and others. Nate Marquart, you can't take away what they've done

when they get to that title fight. And especially on, their road to becoming a champion. So yeah, they fought on the undercard of that FS1 show, the very first back in August of 2013. A lot has changed since then. And in my opinion, Max Holloway is the undisputed UFC featherweight champion. Now, if Conno wants to come back and fight him, I have no doubt that they would promote it as champion versus champion. And I have no doubt that it would be one of the biggest fights in featherweight history because unlike Aldo, Holloway can sell a fight. The problem with Aldo is this. Aldo never wanted to learn how to speak English or at least never tried to put himself out there. Like other Brazilian champions have, Junior Dos Santos comes to mind, Anderson towards the tail end of his career. Aldo didn't care to do that and fine. No one's forcing him to do that. But the biggest issue was that on the biggest stage possible for him in his career, he faltered in a major way.

So I have casual fans, friends of mine who say, well, Aldo wasn't even. even that good. No, he was incredible. He's part of that Mount Rushmore, in my opinion. If he's not the top five, he's in the next group. He's six through ten. He's one of the greatest fighters of all time. He's the greatest featherweight champion of all time. But a lot of casuals saw him that night against Connor McGregor for the first time. And they can't get that image out of their mind. And so that's a problem as far as his legacy with the casuals. Us, the hardcores, we know who Jose Aldo did, what he has done, what his life. legacy is we know all of this. We know who this man is. Losing to Holloway, losing to Connor,

takes nothing away from what he did to Mike Brown and and Uriah Faber and Cub Swanson before he was a champion and the Mark Hominic fight. I mean, you could go through every single one of his fights. Legendary stuff. Frankie Edgar twice. But it does feel like there is a new king in town and it's a fun time to be a fan of Max Holloways. It's a fun time to be a Hawaiian MMA fan. It's a fun time to get on this bandwagon because take a look at this. Current champions, their ages right now in the UFC, this courtesy of my friend Jedi Goodman. Demetreuse Johnson, 30. Cody Garbrandt, 25.

Holloway 25. Holloway, 28. Connor 28. Woodley 35, Bisping 38, DC 38, Stepe 34. Yawanna 29. Amanda Nunes, 29. GDR. Germaine Drand to me 33.

So Holloway tied with Cody, youngest champions. in the UFC right now. And this is a guy who came to the UFC as a 19-year-old. I'll never forget it. He took a fight against Dustin Porriere on short notice. UFC 143. He was just 19 years young. I said on Twitter on Saturday, he was 21.

My math sucks. I was never good at math. 19 years young, he came into the UFC, was manhandled by Porier. And I'll admit it right now. I will admit it right now. There are some guys that you see them early on in their careers, and you say to yourself,

that guy has it. That guy's going to be a champion. That guy's going to do something. Daniel Cormier comes to mine. Kane Velasquez comes to mine. John Jones comes to mine. Anthony Pettis comes to mine. Connor comes to mine.

You see them for the first time and you say, okay, this is a name to remember, this is a future champion. I will admit right now, first time I saw Max Holloway, second time I saw Max Holloway, maybe even the third time I saw Max Holloway,

I did not think that about him. It took some time. For the longest time, He was the youngest fighter in the UFC. This is a man who has grown up in front of our eyes. He's become a better fighter, a better person. He's a husband. He's a father now.

And he's just 25 years young. And how about this? He has now won 11 fights in a row. These are the people, and that's an active streak, of course. These are the people above him. Anderson Silva has the record, 16 fights in a row that he won. John Jones, 13. still active

Demetrius 12 still active St. Pierre 12 hopefully he comes back and then it's Max Holloway tying hoist Gracie think about that Anderson Silva

John Jones Demetrius Johnson George St. Pierre and then Max Holloway this is legendary stuff we're seeing and then look at the resume Cole Miller Cub Swanson

Charles Olivera Jeremy Stevens Ricardo Lamas Anthony Pettis, Josealdo, and I'm skipping over some of the other guys early on in the streak.

That's the best of the best at 1.45. Remarkable stuff. And when I saw, it was such a great moment. You see the guy win. We've seen him kind of grow up as far as his confidence.

He's putting it out there. He's talking about the blessed there. He's a lot more entertaining and enjoyable to listen to in and out of the cage. He's fun. He's someone you could get behind. He's been putting it out there.

that he's going to be the champion, that this is a new time, all this stuff. And I actually thought back to my very first interview with him. This is UFC 150, way back when. What is that?

August of 2012. Coming off a win over Justin Lawrence, his second in the UFC, but this was the first time I spoke to him. And this gives you a glimpse as to how much Max Holloway has had to overcome to get to this point. Here's the clip.

Here's a short clip of that interview, August of 2012, me talking to Max Holloway. Man, you know where I'm from? I'm from the city in a city called Wainai in Oahu, Hawaii. And you just got to grow up fast, man. I saw things at a young age and I told myself, I don't want to be like those guys. I saw guys who I don't want to be like. And I just got to go above the influence.

Now that is a fresh-faced youngster. That is a 20-year-old. having the presence of mind at that age and probably younger to say to himself, I don't want to be like those guys. And we all kind of think of Hawaii as this paradise, which it is for the most part. However, Wynai, by all accounts, and the UFC has chronicled this quite well on countdown and embedded and things like that, isn't exactly paradise. he has come from the rough part of town, to put it mildly.

And this is a youngster who at that age was saying to himself, I don't want to be like those guys. And now look what he's become. There's a great clip of him coming home after UFC 206 when he defeated Anthony Pettus to become the interim champion. And he was perfect in the way he celebrated that title because he didn't treat it as the interim belt. He knew it would lead to the actual title,

but he celebrated, much like Connor did when he beat Chad Mendez. I'm the king. I'm the champion now. He comes home wearing that the Mar-Darosen jersey and there's people hanging out waiting for him in a parking lot with that song Hawaiian Kickboxer, which in my opinion is one of the best walkout songs in MMA right now, perfectly sort of symbolizes who Max Holloway is and represents where he's from so well.

They are very proud of him and the UFC, it feels to me like they're getting behind them. They put out a press release, inviting fans and media, to come welcome both Holloway and Yancey Medeiros later on this afternoon when they land in Honolulu, that's big. They don't do that often. You want that homecoming. And I know they say that it's too expensive. There's not the right venue. They need to figure out how to make his next title defense in Hawaii. I mean, it just would feel so big. And you got to do it against Frankie Edgar, in my opinion. And you have the history between Edgar and BJ Penn. It just makes too much sense. these guys and women who associate with a town,

with a state, with a country, like Holloway does with Hawaii, you have to capitalize on that. That's why I always say, Miotich has to be in Cleveland. Connor and Dublin made so much sense because of that. Bissing in England, you got to capitalize on that.

And they didn't do it with BJ. Back in the day, they need to do it now with Holloway. There are sometimes when you watch these title fights, these titles change hands, and you're like, you know, like T.J. Dillshot, you didn't see that coming and you were in awe and it was amazing when he beat Henna Burrell that first time of UFC 173. But it kind of like came out of nowhere. With Holloway, it feels like you've been watching him climb that ladder and almost be like this locomotive to where once he got to the point where he's beating, you know, the Stevens of the world and and the Lomises of the world.

And then of course the pedicists of the world, it's like nothing can stop this guy. and he's just 25. And he's just 25. It's amazing. So I feel like this was the best thing for the UFC. Look, let's be honest. Aldo is the king of the feather weights. It's going to be hard to recreate what he did.

But he has had some issues with the UFC brass. And he isn't the biggest draw here in the United States. And he's a big draw in Brazil. And that show sold out and it was great. But I can't help but feel. But deep down, the UFC brass are very happy that they can turn the page and at least try to promote Max Hellway. And of course, what does Max do right after?

He's asking for a bonus, which is a very troubling thing. I mean, it's unsettling to hear a guy in a title fight beat one of the greatest of all time, regardless of division. And the first thing that comes out of his mouth essentially is asking for the $50,000 bonus, which says a lot about how much he's getting paid. And then he's saying, Dana, you said to me that, you know, this is big game hunting. Well, where's my money now? That's a problem.

It's a problem to have a guy fighting in the main event and speaking like that in front of a sold-out audience. So let's see what happens there. It does feel refreshing that he's talking about fighting the next guy, that he's not winning the belt and then saying, I want to move up to 155 or fight the 135 champion. That all feels good. It feels like we're going back to normal. But this theme continues to play out with the top guys. I have a feeling they'll make it right. You hope they make it right. What a performance from Max Holloway. Of course I tried to get him on the show today. He's flying, as I said. Hopefully we'll talk to him soon. But, you know, I all the comments, oh, where's Max, where's Max?

Of course I tried to get him. Come on. You know me by now. Let me run down today's lineup. And we have a lot to discuss in the next few minutes. Also get a few thoughts from Mr. New York, Rick. At 4.30, we're going to be joined by Mark Hunt. Mark Hunt is fighting Derek Lewis. Shame that that fight is flying under the radar, but this is the problem with going week to week to week. 11 fights, fight cards in 11 weeks. You can only kind of go one at a time. even on the pay-per-view no promotion for that they were promoting the singapore card over that on the pay-per-view main card because that's a fight pass card this is an fs one but derrick lewis versus mark hunt

is a fantastic fight and mark hunt will join us at 430 eastern from new zealand 305 we'll talk to demetrius johnson you may have woken up this morning and seen a statement of all statements from Demetrius Johnson. And we won't go too deep into it right now because we're going to talk to him at 305. And I really appreciate him coming on. But I will say this about Demetrius Johnson and his statement. Demetrius Johnson is the ultimate company man. I've had many a conversation with Demetrius Johnson off the record. He's very accessible. And he will say things. And I will say to him, well, why don't you say that in your interviews? If this doesn't make you happy or if you have an issue with this, Why don't you say that?

That's not my style, man. That's not the kind of guy that I am. You guys know him by now. You've heard him on this show. He's not that guy. He's not the guy to bitch and moan. He's not the guy to go to the media. He's not the guy to complain publicly to try to get what he wants.

He is the ultimate company man. So think about that when you read his statement today. I don't know how many words that was. It had to be several thousand. Think about how upset he must be to get to that point. And think about how much. much he probably bit his tongue as he was typing that out. Bid his fingers. When I read that, I woke up this morning and he sent that to me and asked if I could post it before the interview.

I was like, holy smokes, this is Demetrius Johnson. This is what it's come to. Now, there's always this he said, she said stuff. I believe last week, Dana White was on the UFC unfiltered podcast. And he said that it was insanity that DJ didn't want to fight T.J. Dillashaw. And then he also said that, hey, guess what? Around here I make the fights, you don't. And I kind of feel like that was the straw that broke the camel's back. We'll find out soon from DJ. But I kind of feel like you can't talk to your champion like that. You can't talk to the greatest of all time like that. You just can't. You can't talk to arguably one of the greatest fighters to ever step foot inside that cage like that. He's not a child. He's not beneath you. And I kind of feel like that was when he said, all right, enough is enough.

I'm going to go public with this. And boy did he go out public. Boy did he lay it out there. If you haven't read it, I can't read the whole thing now. But do yourself a favor before the interview. Read what Demetrius Johnson had to say about his current situation with the UFC. His dealings with Dana White. And he essentially said, look, I feel like I'm being bullied here.

And I feel like enough is enough. It's a very long statement. It's hard to even summarize it in a couple of words. But it is eye-opening stuff. perhaps more so than any other statement we've ever heard from a high-profile UFC fighter. And this continues that trend that hopefully will come to an end. Trust me, I know some of you get tired. These are important times.

These are very important times for the UFC, for the sport, for the sports biggest stars ever. So much is changing in front of our eyes. To ignore it would be unbalanced, would be unfalanced, would be unfableness. fair. You talk about the good. You talk about, you know, doing stuff for Max Holloway at the airport, a fantastic main event, UFC 212, all that stuff. But you got to talk about the other stuff too. That's all part of the story. Otherwise, it's just all PR. And so we'll talk to Demetrius Johnson about his issues at 305. 245. We'll talk to Frankie Edgar about where he goes from here. Frank Edgar is a happy man. I said the UFC, they're happy. Frankie Edgar is probably very happy as well.

because if Aldo would have won he's 0 and 2 against the guy it's going to be hard to get that third fight Holloway fresh matchup do it in Hawaii perfect I know there's some talk maybe of MSG I'd love to see it in Hawaii 225 y'all must have forgot

Roy Jones Jr. will stop by how exciting is that one of my favorite boxers of all time the legend Roy Jones Jr. 225-205 alexander Gustafin you wanted him last week you're getting him this week talk to him about what's next

the win over Glover, getting engaged, all that good stuff and more. We found out last week that Volkan Ozdemir is getting what he wants. He's getting Jimmy Manoa next. 214, July 29th. We'll talk to Jimmy Manua about that. And at 225, excuse me, 125, in a matter of moments, we're going to talk to Brian Kelleher, who made his UFC debut on Saturday. What a performance.

And this was so amazing. He submits Yuri Al-Kantara seven months prior. He's sending in video submissions to New York Rick to be his debut. date at UFC 205. How crazy is this? Trying to get tickets to UFC 205 at MSG and now he's actually fighting in the octagon and pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the night. This guy is something else. So we'll talk to Brian Kelleher at 125. Let's quickly bring in Mr. New York, Rick, before we get to Brian Kelleher. Hello. What did you think when you saw Brian pull that off? It's hard not to feel a little connected to him.

because of what you said, but also just because he's from New York and somebody we had talked about on the show through Al Jermaine Sterling had vouched for him on the show and said that this was a guy to watch and look out for. Yeah, remember that?

So it's hard not to, you know, feel good about that. But more than anything, I was surprised. I truly, you know, obviously thought that Yuri, as good as he is in scrambles, as good as he is in submissions, was going to fare better. Brian put that squeeze on him and ended it.

So I was happy and impressed. I would say are the two things. You really blew it, though. You have to admit. How so? Could you imagine if you would have taken him as your date, the story now? Imagine he becomes UFC champion. Go look at his Twitter.

You see the stuff this guy puts out there? Yeah. He says in less than a year he's going to be the champ. I mean, another guy, this is a trend now in MMA. Just put out what you're dreaming about, put out what you want. And it seems to happen to these guys more often than not. It's amazing to go back and look at the time. tweets when he's trying to get into the UFC.

Imagine you could have been the one who pinpointed the star and could say forever that you took the future UFC champion to a fight. Part of you has to feel like you sort of blew it. No, I mean, I couldn't have done it. I couldn't have done it. Why? It was so good. He was great.

And I think, I believe I ranked them and I think I had him in fifth out of all the submissions, which there were hundreds of. but it was difficult to take somebody who was a fighter I wanted to make it a fan experience that said if I had done it

it would have made for a better story but more than anything I mean it's just you know as you've outlined and highlighted seven months later the guy is getting a huge upset on one of the... Now he's asking for John Lineker on Long Island I mean he's not trying to

he's not trying to go on the slow track here I mean you got to put him in Long Island right Oh, 100%. Hopefully that card isn't done because he is a Long Island fighter and now I feel like there's a lot of momentum behind him. So we'll get to Brian in a second but let me ask you also about Max Holloway.

I mean, I sort of laid out what he's done to get to this point, the historical significance. Do you agree with me that this was the best result for the UFC to try to move on? Because we could see, it felt like Aldo needed five, six more title defenses to kind of move on from the loss to Connor with Max, yes, he did lose to him, non-title fight so many years ago.

This feels like a fresh start. This feels like the perfect chance to sort of move on from all of that. Do you agree? I mean, beyond that, I agree with that, but beyond that, I think more importantly, Max is 25 years old and ready to take this division and take it in a new direction, whereas Aldo was kind of the old guard. So, you know, there's only so many times you can run back Aldo and Edgar and Aldo and whoever else is coming up at that division, maybe.

Mendez, whoever, whatever the case may be. With Holloway, you've got a 25-year-old champion who wants to stay in this division and defend his title. Unfortunately, he has faced all of these guys on the way up. He's beaten almost everybody in the top 10, but not in a title fight. Maybe it's their opportunity to next. But I think this is the best result

just from the perspective of thinking of this guy can carry the crown forward. whereas Aldo was a bit of the old guard now it's changed. I'm still kind of in awe of what we saw like in the first round you were kind of thinking like is this too big for him

is he faltering under the lights is he a little too nervous? I mean I thought he lost the first two rounds despite the fact that it looked like he was gaining confidence midway through the second and then all of a sudden he's like okay I'm in it let's go starts to taunt him and then third round is all Max Holloway

I mean it was an amazing thing and even Aldo prior to the fight fight week. He's talking about when this fight is done, I'm going to be looking for special fights and things like that. He's almost warning the UFC of the storm that's about to come. We can't ignore the fact that he's had his issues with them

in the past. And here comes Max Holloway. I mean, I'm not going to say out of nowhere, but he just completely disrupts all of that. And it's just an amazing thing to see a guy like Aldo who looked so invincible for so long, you know, with his head down, crying again. What a sport. I mean, it's just amazing.

One minute you're on top. The next, you've got this 25-year-old kid from Wynnai of all places doing this thing. Hometown of Chris Widman's lovely wife, Morivi, as well. So they produce some good ones over there in Wainai. Amazing stuff. And of course, we also have to mention some other notable results. Claudia Gidellia defeating Karolina Kovacavich, first person to finish Karolina. Also, Claudia's first finish in the UFC.

And I thought her comments were amazingly honest as well. She's saying essentially, I know no one wants to see me fight. Joanna right now. I'm reinventing myself. I've moved to Albuquerque. And I'm going to show you very soon that I deserve it. But right now, we don't need to talk about it. Right now, I want to buy a new house. I want my fancy dog. I want my nice car. I like that she went with fancy dog and nice car, as opposed to fancy car and nice dog. I thought that that was very telling. But what a performance that was out of Claudia, who I will argue is different than the likes of Joseph Benavides, because Benavita's lost to DJ twice in title.

fights. One of her losses to Yawanna non-title fight, so it's a little different there, but I agree with her assessment that she needs a few more wins to get people really wanting that fight. Hard to deny the fact, though, that she is the number two best straw weight in the world right now. You go ahead?

Couldn't agree more, she's the number two, but I think number two is number two. Whoever the best is, they need to fight the champion. That's it. I don't know. You can't just keep doing it over and over again. Got to. The divisions are in deep enough. That's not sellable. I mean, you got rose there and that's that's a somewhat sellable fight it's a fresh fight she's saying herself it's not

sellable so you have to you have to take that into account as well let her get some more time in albuquerque build her up do her thing and in three four five fights if she's still around then i think that that's an even more sellable fight vitor belfort wins he defeats name marquart i thought marquart won but you know a little bit of home cooking there for mr belfort and of course we start the week off thinking is going to be his last fight period. Then we find out that not only will not be his last fight, he's saying, okay, maybe my last fight in the UFC. Then we find out that he sells one fight left after this fight on his UFC contract.

And then he says after the win that he's got five fights left. So classic Vitor Belfort. Yeah. Amazing. The retirement fight that wasn't a retirement fight. Yes. Thank you for that. Usually they do it after the fact.

They get us excited about the retirement fight. And then, you know, they kind of go back on their word. This time, LAC was on. leading up to it. Maybe a little bit confused as well, but kudos him. Could you have thought of a better stage for Vitor Belfort to win on and say goodbye? He does it in Rio. He gets back on track.

He picks up the win. Say goodbye. But it's not happening. Unfortunately. For him, I mean, look, fight as long as you want. But that seemed like the perfect way to end it, in my opinion, at least. He's got one more fighting in the UFC. He says he wants five more.

Let's see what happens there. Also, of note, Marlon Morais, losing to Hafeel's Sunsau. This is not a robbery. It was super close. I don't think a Sunsau won 30 to 27. I thought, I thought Marlon had the third. I thought Asun Sal had the second.

And I don't know. The first was super close. Maybe a Sunsau stole it towards the end. In hindsight, it was a great opportunity for Marais to really, you know, burst on the scene, number three-rank guy.

But a Sunsaw has that style, sort of like an Okami and a Fitch of shields where he just kind of he disarms some of the most exciting fighters. That wasn't the Marlon that we've seen World Series of fighting. Now of course, the competition is greater. Nerves probably are a part of it. He slips early. It feels like he was a little tentative,

but it just didn't feel like him early on. Towards the end, it felt like he got a little more comfortable, felt like he was, you know, feeling it and kind of finding his groove. And I thought he won that third round, despite what the judges had to say. But you have to wonder if that was the best fight for him for his UFC debut. You know what I'm saying? I mean, it was a great opportunity to fight a third-rank guy,

but styles-wise, was it the best fight? I don't feel like his stock has dropped. He's going to get ranked now, so all is not lost. Marlon Rice is going to be a player at 135 in the UFC. I have no doubt about that. But there was no greater story other than the Max Holloway situation than what Brian Kelleher did to kick off. the FS1 prelims. He goes in there, enemy territory, against one of the best bantam weights in the world.

And again, like Marlon to a degree, UFC debut, looked a little tentative, but then pulls out the guine out of nowhere, and then on his way out on the mic, manages to piss off the entire arena and leaves to a shower of booze. Seven months after he tried to be New York Rick's date at UFC 205, he is now one and own the UFC. And it is an honor. to have him join us right now on the MMA hour. I told him last week, let's get that win, and we'll get you on the program. Is he there on Skype?

There he is. Brian, boom, kill her. Oh, bumo hella. What's up, man? I'm happy you made it out alive. I'm happy, too. I mean, I had a beer can throw him, like, right by my face as I was getting escorted out.

Amazing. Was there a moment, by the way, when you were talking to the crowd like that and you were thinking to yourself, okay, maybe I've taken it a bit too far. Like maybe this wasn't the smartest thing to taunt them like that with that chant. Yeah, you know what? It was like, they were getting real loud during my interview. And I didn't realize that like from the TV angle, they kind of lower the crowd so they can hear your interview. So I just went off.

You know, I just got really loud on there. But I was having fun, you know, like I was loving it. Like it was firing me up. So I was like, you know what? I'm just going to fire back at them and have fun with this. enjoy the moment but when I left the cage I was like oh man maybe I shouldn't have done that these guys look pretty serious out here anything happened afterwards hotel backstage any dicey situations

no I as I was walking out like I said like they were just giving me the finger like they were just like fuck you this and that they look serious but they were just one guy threw a beer can literally went by my face like maybe you know a foot away and security just like tucked my head and ran me out and they told me backstage, you're like, hey, this is Brazil. You can't be doing that. Well, kudos to you, man. You really made an impression. What a performance. What a win. Your story is such a fun one. You've been doing this for 10 years. You've been plying your trade. You've had your ups and downs, living in the gym. I mean, literally trying to do it all. And you were actually on looking for a fight.

You had an amazing finish. Dana doesn't pick you. You're hounding me to get on the show. You're hounding everyone. You're trying to get in Newark, Rick, to take you to UFC 205. And now it happens like this. How do you put it into words? Does this all feel surreal? You tweeted you're still on cloud 10 after the fight. What does it feel like now that you're back home? It's unbelievable, man. Like I can't even put it into words. Like I, like everything just feels so surreal. I'm literally walking my dream, you know, like this whole weekend, like then you hitting me up to get on the show. Like I've been a big fan of the show. I just been like, holy shit. Like everything's happening at once so fast. Even the fight, you know, it was like, it was a minute and 45 seconds. It was

crazy. Like, I didn't even feel nervous for the fight. I think I feel more nervous now for this interview than I did for the fight. It's crazy. I appreciate that. Was there ever a moment in all this? Mark LaMonica of Newsday wrote a great story about how you found out you were swimming. You had like 10 missed calls, text messages. Your management was trying to reach you to tell you that you have this opportunity against Alcantara, wanting to see if you were down to take it on short notice. Throughout all of that, being on looking for a fight, not getting the call after the spinning back fist, K.O. Did you ever lose hope? Was there ever a moment? Was there ever a moment? Was there where you thought, well, maybe this is just never going to happen for me?

You know what? Like, there was a time period where I kind of felt like a little bitter towards the sport. Like I put my time in. I'm on a six-fight win streak. You know, I'm doing everything that I can. You know, I'm finishing guys. Top prospects, guys that are undefeated that got a lot of hype behind them. And I was like, man, I don't know.

Like, when is this going to happen? You know, I signed with sucker punch entertainment. I was with the right management. And they just kept telling me, listen, you're close. You're right there. Just, you know, stay ready, stay ready. So I never veered off track. I was always staying in shape, you know, keeping my diet clean.

And I always kept my faith high. Like, as you can see my tweets, like, I was manifesting this the whole time. You know, I was praying. I was thinking this is going to happen. It's going to happen. I mean, it's crazy. The day I was swimming, the day that I found out, I was literally envisioning it. Like, while I was swimming, I was manifesting this.

I thought, you know, I was going to get on the Long Island card because it's coming up. So I'm like, I know it's going to happen. Watch, it's going to happen. All of a sudden, I see my brother come in the gym. And he told me he couldn't work out. that day he was supposed to train with me so I'm like what the hell's he doing here so he's like get out man you got to call you got to get your phone you got to call your manager I'm like no what's going on and that was just surreal and self because like I was literally just thinking about it

happening you know while I was swimming and there it was I had a bunch of messages and my managers like all cantara Brazil what do you think and I'm like let's do this wow that's it was there a part of you that thought okay this is the dream but it's you know top-ranked guy in Brazil Brazilian all this stuff did you think maybe this is not the perfect opportunity this is this is one I should wait on? No, I truly believe in my skills. I know my records were 16 and 7 going into this fight. I had some losses early on in my career.

But, you know, I hit a mental switch, and I said that's it, man. Like, I'm not selling myself short in these fights anymore. I'm going to go in and finish these guys and leave it all on the line. And that's what I did since I told myself that. And, no, I think this is the perfect opportunity. I got my debut. I fought number 13 in the world, and I took them out. I finished him.

I mean, look at the guys he's fought. Favor, Jimmy Rivera, none of those guys can finish this guy. And I finished him in the first round, you know? So you said you weren't nervous. I thought maybe early on you were a little tentative that you were just kind of feeling him out. You didn't feel that at all? I felt zero nerves when I got in the cage. I was truly living the moment.

It was such a weird feeling because, you know, in my prior fights, I would be so nervous, you know, going in. But, like, I was having fun. I was juggling a soccer ball all the way. out to the arena, which they didn't get that on film, but like the crowd was loving it. But then when I got out to the cage, you know, they were booing me and stuff. But I felt like I knew I was going to win, you know, I felt supreme confidence. But you're right. Like, once I started the fight, I was a little tentative, like with my striking.

I kind of felt like I was thinking, you know, let me feel this guy first. Let me see how he feels. Let me see what he's going to throw at me. And then once I kind of started picking up the groove, I saw his eyes change. You know, once I started moving forward, I was like, this guy knows I'm here for real now. You know, I caught him with a good right hand, and that's when he shot in, and I just caught him in a guillotine, and that was it. Did you think that when you slapped that on, that that was going to be it? Because it kind of came out of nowhere.

And he's tough to submit, obviously, as you mentioned. Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things that, you know, obviously I've hit a bunch of guillotines in my career. I'm really confident with that move. You know, people I train with will tell you. But, like, once I had it on, I knew I had him, but he tapped so fast. Yeah. That's what surprised me. It's not like he tried to fight out of it, you know, which led me to believe that.

that I think the right hand that I hit him with before kind of rocked him a little bit. It looked like he took a panic shot and he just got caught in the scramble there. By the way, are you that kind of guy that, because it was fun to go back and look at the tweets over the past year. And I mean, it's amazing reading this stuff. You talking about taking over the division and calling out Dana White and Sean Shelby. Have you always been that kind of guy or did something change over the past year or so? Well, what it was when I hit that mental switch, like I told. I told you, like, I just put 100% belief in my heart that I'm the best.

Like, I'm the best in the world. And I need to believe that right now. I don't need to be the best with the belt around my waist, but I need to believe I am right now. And I do. And so, like, when this opportunity came, I already believed I was going to beat this guy. You know, I believe I could fight the top ten guys right now, you know? And so hopefully that's what I get next. And so you want John Lineker on Long Island.

That's what you've asked for? That's what I asked for. I told him I came to Brazil. I took out your guy and I'll give me Brazil and my home path. And are they into it? Is this possible?

It sounds like they're into it. I mean, Leniker tweeted me back. You know, all he said was us, but like, whoa. He was in the stadium.

It seems like he's into it. You know, I mean, he's coming off a loss to Dillishaw. My motivation is, you know, Dillishaw couldn't finish that guy and I believe I can finish him.

So if I can make a statement like that, I want the fast track. Like I said, feed me to the sharks. You know, I'm ready to go. And you truly believe this time next year, you're the king of the,

division. That's the king right here. I believe it in there. Wow. I said earlier before you came on that New York Rick blew it. Blew it, unlike anyone has ever blown it before. He could have said that he took you. He found you. He was the one who was able to pinpoint your superstardom, unlike Dana White, take you to, you have, there it is. There it is. He blew it. Let's bring New York Rick on. Let's bring New York Rick on. What do you, Brian, have to say to the guy who said to you, thanks but no thanks you put out five clips singing rapping all this stuff where's new york rick let's show his face in shame what do you have to say to him brian tell him right now where is he he's not getting my autographed that's but he can see you right now he's laughing in shame i think he's crying a

little bit because he's so embarrassed after what he's done let me ask you this where did you watch 205 i hope you say you didn't watch it because you couldn't you were so upset where did you watch it tell us No, I watched that at home I always watch every fight But I was a little upset I was like man I should be there Like I thought I should be on that card

I know that was a little far fetch Because I was a big card Pay-per-view and everything like that But you know I was just like you know what I'm gonna do everything I can to get exposure Like I'm just gonna do whatever I can And stay focused

And try to get my name out there And you know I thought maybe that would help me Get a little recognition But New York Rick blew it for me But look where we are now Yeah Yeah what do you have New York

can you at least apologize to the guy? I like to think that everything, you know, happens for a reason and we ultimately get to the point that we're going to get to. And we've gotten to this point where Brian picked up this huge win and congratulations to you, Brian. And this was all part of that story. This was all part of that story. And I'm happy to have contributed in the way of being a complete ass

and not picking Brian. Props to Aljo. Aljo was in studio. Did you hear him talking you up when he was there that? day? Yeah, yeah. I heard him talking me up. Much appreciated.

I love training with Aljo. He's a good guy, so that was nice of him to do. For those that don't know what we're talking about, Nick, you have the first clip of him with the ukulele trying to serenade New York Rick, trying to get those tickets to UFC 205. And if so, can we play that quickly here? Here it is. New York, Rick, I deserve the take. This is amazing.

blew it Look at that thing Not only is he talented in the cage You can play the damn ukulele Doesn't think that anymore Right for us so New York bass fighter 23 pro fights

16 and 7 6 fight win streak I deserve to be in the UFC Yes Let alone next to you At UFC 205 Boom baby Boom.

I'm boom, Kelleher. Remember the name. Now we know it. That's amazing stuff. I love that so much. How did they not pick you looking for a fight after that K.O.? I was so surprised at that, man.

I was like, this couldn't go any better. Like, I ran out of the cage. I got in Dana White's face. And like, even when I saw the show with the way he was talking about me, I was like, this guy loves me. Like, he's definitely fucking me up right now. And it didn't happen. And I'm surprised, you know, I know my coach is a black belt

under Sarah too. So I figured, you know, maybe Sarah will put a good word in something, but it never happened. But hey, like Rick said, everything happens for a reason. Now I fought Yuri and I beat number 13. That puts me at 13, right? I mean, I guess that's how this works. I think. I don't know. I can't make sense of the rankings. By the way, our own Guillermo Cruz told me that you went up to him afterwards, the scrum and gave him crap for not talking to the hotel that you saw him all week long talking to the entire card and didn't say anything to him because you wanted to see if he would, again, another member of the team not recognizing in greatness and he did it and you gave him shit. Good for you. Is that true?

I got to call him out, man. Yeah, it looked like every time I walked past him, he was looking the other way. I was like, he tweeted me. He told me, look forward to talking to you in Brazil, and now he's acting like he doesn't know me at all. What's up with that? Now you have everyone like me coming out of the woodwork, right? How big is the bandwagon now? It's growing. It's growing real fast. My social media is going up and up, but it feels good, you know? You just landed this morning, right? Yeah, just landed this morning early like 730 JFK What was it like when you came home?

Because it's one thing to leave on this trip And it all kind of feels like a dream But then to return to the place where you live And you dream about these things To set foot back home after picking up the win And pulling off the upset. What was that like? It's unbelievable, man

I saw my family, you know, my girlfriend And we're just like, you know Celebrating the win and stuff I had like cake set up at home I was going in this morning Cake for breakfast Yeah. But I don't know.

It's just unbelievable. Like, I couldn't imagine this, you know? Like, I mean, I was manifesting this, but like to actually live it was like another thing. And it was just like I really lived in the moment, you know? Like, I really felt like I belong there the whole entire time. Like, I never got starstruck. I never felt like, oh, man, this is, I'm so nervous.

I can't do this. Like, I was like, you know what? I'm making a statement. I'm coming in here and doing what I know I could do. It was amazing. I came home. Everyone's happy for me, you know, like everyone's hitting me up on social media. I got, you know, I'm getting on the MMA hour. I'm crossing up the bucket.

It's amazing. Best part of the whole experience. Maybe something we didn't see, something backstage, someone reach out to you. What was the greatest byproduct of you living out your dream in your debut? 50 Gs, baby. That's right. That's right. You got it. You got it. What are you going to do with that? You know what? Yeah. Well, I'm going to take my girlfriend out for a little bit. You know, it's hard to date a fighter we all know this we're irritable and you know eating clean all year round and all this stuff so i'm gonna you know enjoy some of the money but i'm smart with my money i'm gonna save it for now hopefully keep stacking up another 50 g's next month and i told everyone i want to be the donald seronia the division you know i want to stay active and i want to fight the best guys now i got a

four-fight deal i just took out 13 i have a plan you know i want to fight top 10 guy now hopefully linnecker steps up that's number six and we move on up from there damn that is a what was your reaction when you found out you won the 50 Gs? Because usually that low on the card, it gets a little tougher as the night goes on. I mean, that's just historical. It's crazy, too.

Like, I feel like my post-fight interview, I really, like, took the mic and I made it happen. You know what I mean? I was like, you know what? I'm going to go off right now and say everything that I want. You got to ask for what you want to do for,

and that's how you get it. So I just let it rip on the mic, and then I was sitting in my hotel room with my dad and my brother, and I'm just like, man, it's possible. I get this bonus.

I don't know. I have the biggest upset on the card. I finish the guy in the first round. You know, like you said, my fight wasn't, you know, performance, like, worthy the whole entire time. Yeah. So I wasn't short because there was a few TKOs on the card. But then all of a sudden I'm sitting there. I'm looking at my phone. I see they announce the bonuses and I'm on there and I'm just like, no fucking way.

I'm like, I got the bonus. And like, we were all just going nuts. Do you get that right away or do they send that to you? Someone told me it takes like a month to process. But I believe they just wired in your. Wow. And your dad and brother were down there with you? Yeah, they were in the hotel with me. My dad was, my dad came separate. My brother was in my corner. My dad was the only one in the crowd. I was like, someone's got to go dad right now because I just threw him under the bus in that post-fight interview.

Did he have like, oh my gosh, poor guy. Did anything happen to him? No, he was, he was, he came back to the green room. We were eating in there. He's like, oh, my dad, everything all right out there. I kind of, you know, went nuts on the mic. He's like, yeah, he's like, no, I had our whole section cheering for you. Oh. I was talking to them in Portia. He's telling them that you were my son and my heart. Wow. And they were cheering for me.

So I was like, he was so happy. It was amazing. That is beautiful. Does he usually go to all your fights? Yeah, usually both my parents are at all my fights. My mom had to stay back because she has work. But my brother's always with him. He's always in my corner.

He's my main training partner. And he was actually a huge help because he's a Southball. So for Yuri, he's similar size, similar length. So it worked. out well. How far do you live from Nassau Coliseum? I'm like 30 minutes away. Wow. I used to go to games growing up all the time there man. I really hope they put me on that card. Like I feel like I campaign for it. I feel like I earned it. You know, I hope they give it to me. Yeah, they need to capitalize on this momentum. I mean, you're doing such a great job. It's a wonderful story. I'm

really so happy for you, man. And it's amazing. I was just talking to some of the other Long Island fighters all have such great things to say about you, I, Quinta as well. All very happy for you. It's to be cool to see these guys who have done their thing in the UFC now give you the props and welcome you in sort of to this fraternity as well, right? 100%, man. I've been bouncing around with my training, you know, my main gym's Max and BJJ, but I go to Long Island MMA, that's LaFlears gym with all those guys. And then once in a while I go to with Al Jame's gym at Cerro Longo and I spar and I do some

stuff there. So we all kind of come together and they all see my potential and they called it. Like some of the guys at Long Island MMA, they're like, man, you're going to hit this guy with that choke. I'm telling you. It was so surreal. Everything that happened this weekend, it was all said before. And then it happened.

It was like, what just happened? If you want to do something fun, go on Brian's Twitter. You can see it right here. It's Brian Boom 135. And look at some of his old tweets before even getting into the UFC and just see how confident he is and how he was calling his shots. By the way, why do they call you Boom? I used to say boom just as like a word to say like as if like, let's say like, you know,

you said something or like you had a nice outfit on. I would just point at it and be like, boom, that's nice. You know, like boom. And then people just start calling me boom when I first started training. So it kind of sticks with my name. Okay. I just kept it. And you also do like breakdowns I've seen on your on your YouTube page, right, for cards?

You're going to keep that up? Yeah. Yeah, I call it the boom breakdown. And I kind of, you know, I kind of let up on it a little bit because I was focusing on training. But now that I'm done, I want to, you know, now that things are picking up on social media, I want to continue doing that. That's another passion of mine. I love breaking down fights.

I love the sport. This is my only passion, my main passion. So that's something I can build up for the future as well. Do you have another job or is this your full-time job? No, this is my full-time job. I quit my job that I had like seven months ago and I figured, you know, I was going to be in the UFC sooner, but it took a lot longer. What was your job before?

It was like a manufacturing area. I was working in for a chemical company called BASF. Nothing exciting. I didn't want to be there anymore. Wow. Finally, what's the lesson here? I mean, there's probably a young fighter who's frustrated, who's disgruntled, who doesn't know if his call will come.

What's the lesson here to these guys? You got to stay persistent. You can't lose faith. You know, like nothing comes easy in life that's worth it. Like this whole time, I just never lost my faith. I kept persistent. I kept dedicated. I kept believing that this was going to happen.

I kept manifesting it. And here it is. You know, like you just have to really. truly believing yourself and you can't let that doubt creep in and take over you know beautiful i'm so happy for you man really congratulations um enjoy the victory enjoy a bit of time off here and i hope you get that fight on july 22nd on long island i appreciate you coming on after flying in this morning thanks for being a fan of the show as well and for all the kind words and again enjoy uh what you did on saturday really remarkable stuff thanks man hopefully will have me a studio some

yes you know maybe after the count of the card it's a date Thank you, Brian. All the best to you. We'll talk to you soon. John Lineker, step up. Let's do this. Amazing. Got to love that. Brian Boom-Kelleher picks up his first UFC win in his debut, and then he calls out John Linneker of all people. John Freaking Linneker. How many times do you hear that? Beautiful stuff there from Brian Keller. Okay, let's move along. As I told you at the top of the show, last week, UFC officially announced that Jimmy Manuel will be fighting Volkan-Ozdemier at UFC 214. We were wondering what was next for Jimmy.

That's what's next. He joins us now on the phone. Jimmy, are you there? What's up, Ariel? How are you, my friend? I'm good, man. Good. Just got him from a day of training and just relaxing eating some food.

Well, I appreciate you coming on. And before we get into the fight stuff, would be remiss if I don't ask you about your hometown. Are you in London right now? I'm in London. I'm in London. I've been in London for the last. a week and a half.

How are things? I mean, first and foremost, your family okay, friends okay, and if so, how are things, how is the mood of the city right now?

The mood of the city, everyone's quite in shock, but, you know, by the same time, one's still carrying on with their days and,

you know, just getting to, get into terms with what happened the other day, you know, it was a shocking thing, and there's lots of conspiracy for everything going around and, you know, it's sad times, really.

That's horrific. It really is. And my heart goes out to everyone over there. And I hope that, you know, you're able to live your life and not live in fear and can move past this. But it has not been an easy time in England. And really, I send my condolences to everyone involved and hope that the UK can get past this. So I was thinking of you. Obviously, we had you book before this happened on Saturday the terrorist attack. But one of the, one of the to ask you about how everything was going and appreciate your comments, Jimmy. So you got the fight against Volkan Osdemeer. Are you happy with this? Are you okay? I mean, I know you wanted the title fight, but is this, is this okay for, you know, a second option? Are you content? I'm okay. I'm okay.

You know, I can't argue with John Jones getting a fight. He's one of the best fighters of all time, like I said before. And, you know, it's just another, it's just, I believe, both, uh, I'm not full kind out and Dana said I get a title shot after that so, you know, if one more person has to get it, then so would be. So you've been told that from Dana White

that if you win this fight on July 29th, you're getting a title shot? Yes. That's interesting. That's fun. Are you hoping? Go ahead? I'll get a win of Jones in D.C. Okay, now it's a bit of an interesting

scenario with your friend and training partner, Alexander Gustafson. And does this feel awkward at all that you're both kind of neck and neck here? No, no really, no really. We both don't really care who gets the title shot first. Alex is like, I'd say the best in the world. So thing and, you know, I'd be happy for him to get it. I'll be happy to get it myself.

And we don't let that come in between us. We train together and we help each other out. And that we're good friends. were fucking good sparring partners. I mean, make each other better. So, you know, I don't really care who gets. Obviously, I won it. And he wants it to whatever happens, happens.

But what about the race to get there first? If you win, he wins, you guys have said you don't want to fight each other. That changes your plans, right? Yeah, it does. It does. But, you know, I think I'll do the boxing fight with David Hayes. if he gets it or whatever. We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it, you know.

We'll cross that bridge. But the bridge is very close now. So we'll see what happens over the next couple of months. But first of all, I've got Volcan to take care of, and that's it. So Daniel Cormier was actually on my show last week, and he had some comments about you cheering on Alexander Gustafsson. I just want to play those comments for you quickly and give you a chance to respond. Is that okay?

Okay. All right, here we go. Here's Daniel Cormier talking about Jimmy Manuel last week on the program. I understand. You know, you want your teammate to be successful. But at one point are you kind of saying, Alex, don't look too good

because I know you've already fought both of these guys super competitive. If you look too good, what if they let you jump me? It's like, come on, just a little bit. I understand wanting your teammate to do well. But do you want your teammate to do so good that he actually takes your title shot.

So you thought it was a little weird. I think that's what happened to him. I actually think that's what happened to Jimmy Manoa. I think Alexander Gustaf, after looking that good, with his history with both John and I, has now positioned himself to get another title shot.

So what do you think of that, of his criticism of you cheering on your friend? What do you think of it, Ariel? I got no comments about him. I don't know why he's focusing on me. He needs to focus on Jones and his fight with Jones. I reckon or you want Jones to beat him as well. You reckon or you want Jones to beat him?

I didn't make that out. I said, I think John beat him. Oh, okay. Do you want? I think Jones beats him again. No, I don't mind. I don't mind who I fight. Aviva, they're both great fighters and that.

But I think Jones has got his number. I think Daniel hasn't got nothing he can do to Jones. I think if he takes him down, he can't keep him down. I think he can't beat him in the striking department. And I don't think he's got anything for Jones. So I think Jones beat, he loses his title on July 29th. But I've got, like, what me cheering on my teammate and everything,

That's my problem. That's our problem. I don't know what his business is, you know, in that. I think he's scared to fight because he knows. He knows that I'm a dangerous, very, very dangerous fighter and very dangerous fight for him. So I don't think he wants to any part of it, really. You guys have been going back and forth on Twitter for quite some time now. And for us, it's somewhat entertaining.

But for you, has it reached a point where, like, It's gone a little too far. Has he said anything that, you know, you feel has been disrespectful or crossed the line? Not really. I just find it stupid, you know. He tweeted me first and I responded. And that is it. I'm just minding my own business, doing my own thing, fighting who I've got to fight, and that's it.

He's the one what keeps coming to me and trying to make something, you know. I find it entertaining and amusing. But he knows. He knows I'm right behind him. So, you know, time will tell. Time will tell, Ariel. I'm just patient. I'm living good.

I'm training. I've got my fight coming up. I know what's going to happen. So I'm just confident and just doing my thing, you know? That's it. After UFC 210 in Buffalo on the show, I was giving you a lot of props because I thought it was great that you went out there to Buffalo.

sat in the front row, were part of the story. Not a lot of people do that. It felt like you were trying to really go out there and get what you thought was deserved. And I'm wondering, was that your call? Did you just do that on your own?

Say, like, F it. I'm just going to go there and sit in the front row and try to force this fight to happen? Or was there a bigger picture? Because I know you also met with Dana White around the same time in Las Vegas. So how did that all kind of play out? Yeah, I was going to meet Dana on Wednesday,

but then I heard, I wanted to fight with, DC so before I went I texted and I said I want to go Buffalo and everything so we organized it and that but I wasn't going to go until I heard John Jones was going because I thought I was getting a fight

and I heard John Jones was going to the Buffalo to watch the fight so I thought I've got to be there as well you know so we can so we can we can all be there and that so it's a good thing it's a good thing I went there I saw DC's performance live

and I wasn't that in press. John Jones was there and I think he said hello and everything. So, yeah, that's how it played out. So you saw John, you spoke to him there because, you know, we all know that after your win against Corey Anderson, you had some things to say about John as well, right? Yeah, they asked me about John John and I said my opinion. Yeah. And that was it.

But he came up to me. He said, he said, introduce it. Well, no, not introduced, he said hello and whatever. And that was here. It was just a quick. it's just a quick hello and goodbye and I kind of respect him for that because he didn't have to

do that but he acknowledged me and everything which I thought was good manners and stuff but I actually prefer him to DC really? I think DC just got too much mouth and he's just trying too hard to

sell himself and make himself looking interesting and he's not So that's where you and Alex disagree because it seems like Alex prefers DC as a as a human being at least and obviously you Alex told me DC's a nice guy

yeah I don't think so I haven't actually met DC face to face to accept when we're in Buffalo and he tried to say something you tried to say something to Kamaru's mind about

touch him and let me tell me if he feels strong or some shit like that. And I went off on one, I went off on one and said, come and come and test me out for yourself. And he was like standing behind all his teammates and shouting and stuff and everything. And that was it. Where was this in the back? Yeah, this is out of the back.

After the fight. After the fight. Wow. Yeah, after the fight, yeah. So he's yelling at you behind the wall of teammates and saying that you can come punch him? No, he was saying Because I was talking to Kamaru is man

And he was like about 15 feet away with all the teammates I didn't actually see him until I heard him shout Oh, hey, who's man? Touch him and tell me if he feels strong or something And I looked up, I see DC with all the teammates And then his little midget fucking boxing coach And I immediately went to walk towards him

Why everyone's holding me back And he's like, oh, talking shit and everything, but that was it really. And by the way, just out of curiosity, you said you weren't impressed. Why weren't you not impressed? Like, from your perspective, great fighter, watching another. I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything what was like, wow, and everything. He's a wrestler.

And that's it. Wow. He can't stand with me. He can't, you know what I mean? All these guys is wrestling. All he thinks he's going to do. All he's going to do, try and do, is try and take me down if I fight him. And that's it.

He's very good at it, but that's all he's got. If I have to fight him, all I've got to work on is take that in the sense. I'll knock him out within two rounds. Damn, I really want to see this fight. This is incredible stuff. Yeah, but I've got a very tough fight involved in Alton, I'm the mayor. He's looked impressive in his two fights. he fought OSP, then he just fought

Misha Sarkhanov, not to 9, 28 seconds. And, yeah, he's looked good. He's looked good in his two-fif in the UFC. I'm going to work him into the top five and into the upper echelon of the division and show him what's what. What do you make of Volkan? You were there, you saw that fight.

That, to me, kind of came out of nowhere. And he's come out of nowhere. I mean, I can't lie. A year ago, I never heard of him. And he beats OSP, and then he beats Sarkinov in seconds. Are you surprised, do you feel like all that glitters isn't gold here,

or are you buying what he's selling? Listen, it is what it is, man. I'm going to beat whoever they're put in front of me. You know, he's ranked number five. He's ranked number five, and, you know, he's a top five opponent. So I've got to beat him, you know. That's it.

That's it. I ain't got nothing else to say about any shit or this, that, and he ever. He's in the top five of the UFC. so I've got a fight in and that's that Have you been told that if something happens to Jones or DC prior to the 29th that you'll get the title the title shot?

Yes. Yes. Yes. If Jones pulls out or DC pulls out and I'm going to jump in in the main event Wow. And save the card. And what's that like for you?

Because you're kind of preparing for one guy but you have the other guys on your mind as well. What does that like? I'm preparing to fight. I'm preparing to fight. I'm preparing to fight. I'm preparing to fight. stand-up wrestling, grappling,

judo, everything. I'm just preparing to fight, so it doesn't matter it doesn't matter who I'm fighting, whether it be D.C., Jones, or Vulcan. I'm preparing to fight. I'm doing my runs, I'm doing my cardio,

I'm doing my striking, and doing my wrestling, and doing everything in order to win the fight. So if it's D.C., I've just got to do a little bit more wrestling. If it's Jones, I've got to do some wrestling,

I've got to do a little bit more striking. If it's Vulcan, I've got to do a little bit more striking from tape down the fence and sharpen up everything. So that's what we're doing, and sharpening up everything, and getting ready for victory. Are you going to train with Gustafson for this fight? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm in London now, so I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks in London doing my strength and conditioning and my boxing and my kit boxing and everything. and I'm going to go to Sweden and do a couple of trips to Sweden between now and then and do my sparring

and my MMA sparring and getting ready over there and by the way, have you guys talked like if you become champion or if he becomes champion then maybe you'll consider fighting have you discussed that? No, we won't fight.

We won't ever fight. Period. Okay. We won't ever fight. Yeah, we won't ever fight. We won't ever fight. We won't ever fight. it's um we're two

we're two uh what's the word not even close we're like we're like proper teammates you know everyone in the gym knows us I know his girlfriend I know he's parents and everything my my daughters

my misses and everything we can't so we can't fight in the gym we're fighting the gym and then go for coffee and then go for coffee after by the way what do you make of Rumble Are you surprised that he retired?

Yeah, man, I talked to Rumble quite often on on Instagram messages and stuff And he's getting on with it Yeah, he's getting on with his life He's a cool dude man And I was surprised when he was shocked when I was in Buffalo And he decided to retire You know, but, you know, if your heart's not in it no more

Then no one can make you do it You know, no matter how good you are If you don't enjoy it or you haven't got the challenges no more or whatever, no one can do it. And if he's got better things, I think the main thing is that he had better things to do. Right. You know, more lucrative things to do. So I had time for the L.A. Rams and some marijuana business as well.

So good luck to him, man. He's going to be missed. He's fights are going to be missed by the fans. And I wish him nothing but luck. Do you think he comes back? You've been around the fight game. You know this happened. right?

Yeah, it's possible. It's possible. It's possible, but we'll see. We'll just have to see. Only time we'll tell. Right. All right. But now he's gone.

Yeah. Now he's gone. That means I'm the only hardest hit up in the light heavyweight division. What about in the whole damn sport? You can make that claim. Well, that's very possible. That's very possible, but I'll concentrate on my division. The heavy weights are not hit hard, though.

That's true. Like, what's his name? Francis Inganu. Yeah, that's right. He looks like he hits hard. Yeah. By the way. Who won the, who won that

the punch pool contest in the athlete retreat? You know, I, that's the only thing I was pissed I missed on the athlete retreat, I swear. When I saw that, I was like, oh, shit, I should have gone. Why didn't you go? No, I swear. You know what? I was scheduled to go, yeah?

Listen to this. I promised my daughter that I'd go on her school trip to the zoo with her. So I tried to, on the Monday, but the flight that I would have come back on would have brought me back too late for the school trip. And I promised her weeks ago as well that I'd go. Like I was one of the parents going with the school and her class to look after the children, and she was in my group and everything, she's just looking forward to it and everything. I respect that. I'd have to cancel Vegas to go to the zoo.

Well, much respect. I definitely respect that. You made the right call. By the way, and I think my friends at M.MA junkie were all over the punching thing, so I'll ask them who won. I don't know, I don't know if to top my head. But when you spoke to Dana,

was there any serious talks about this David Hayfight, and do you think it will actually happen? Yeah, 100%. But we've got David Hayd, David Hayes been talking to Dana. I've been talking to Dana. I've been talking to David Hay as well, and we're all over this fight as well. But it's looking like it's going to be end of the year or beginning of 218. So I've got a couple of big UFC fight to go before them.

But ideally it'd be, it'd go like this. I beat Vulcan. I fight D.C. or Jones. win the title and then fight David Hay and knock him out as well. Damn. All right.

That's my plan. That's my like one year plan. Not even one year, nine months plan. That's quite the plan. We're working on that. I like that plan. Yeah, we're working on that.

Yeah, we're working on that. It is ambitious, but you have to put it out there. Why not? And so far so good. July 29th, UFC 214, Anaheim, California. A very important fight in the light heavyweight division. Jimmy Manuel versus Volkine Osdemir going down.

And if something happens to DCR Jones, you heard it, Jimmy steps up. Appreciate the time, Jimmy. Thank you so much. Stay safe out there and we'll talk to you soon. Good luck in training. Well, thanks very much. Thanks for having me as well. There he is.

Jimmy Manuel stopping by poster boy himself. Now we were talking about Alexander Gustafin. You wanted to hear from him last week on the program. Now let's talk to him. He's joining us via the magic of Skype. I do believe coming off that big win over Glover-Deshirea in Stockholm, Sweden, exercising those. demons from a couple of years ago. What a performance I said afterwards, in my opinion,

his best in recent memory and maybe the best that he's had in the UFC period. There he is. Sort of. Half his face. Alex, how are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm doing great. It's very zoomed in on your face. We just see your beautiful eyes, but not the entire face. Is it possible to go back just a little bit? Like this? That's perfect. That's perfect. Great. Thank you. I appreciate you joining us. And congratulations on the win.

I said before you joined us that it kind of felt like you were exercising those demons of a couple of years ago against Rumble and Stockholm. Do you feel like you could kind of move on from that after what happened last Sunday? Yeah, absolutely. Felt good all the rounds. Everything had under control. And just felt great. Just felt great fighting to Shira. And yeah, it was a good night, a really good night.

were you thinking about that night against Rumble a lot fight week like kind of that was the last time you fought there was that on your mind a lot no not at all actually I was you know

I'm long past that fight long time ago it was a tough night but you know I just I just had to let that go and and look for the next challenge basically

was that your best performance in the UFC well one of my best performance I'll say everything just everything just came together so you know I felt good everything was on top

my conditioning my timing and everything so it felt great perhaps the biggest takeaway from the fight were the uppercuts and the three in a row to finish him was just nothing short of amazing it was like straight out of a video game when you just go to the same move over and over again

was that part of the game plan did you guys see an open in his defense that led him to be susceptible to the uppercut? Yeah, I've been watching his fights a lot, and I've seen him have been caught with those uppercuts and Rumble knocked him out with that uppercut. So I knew he was open with that, and he just comes forward all the time. So it's a good way to time the uppercats when it comes forward.

Right. So, yeah, it was one of the key things in the fight. It was also interesting because it felt like you were using your range, your length. I mean, not to say that you haven't used it in the past, but it really kind of felt like everything came together for you in this fight. Like this was like the perfect fight for you to use all the attributes that you have over your opponents. You're a very tall guy, you're a very long guy. Has something clicked in training?

Was this just your kind of night? Because it really stood out more so than in the past to me. that Alex is using his best traits in the fight. Well, I guess so. Everything just came together, and this is how I fight. This is what I do best. And I just went back to where I started, when I started the sport, like my footwork and speed and precision and everything.

So everything just, you know, just, yeah, went good. And I feel like I came back to how I should fight. And like you said, everything just clicked. And in my fights before this fight was, you know, it's been, I really had it, you know, got that opportunity to show exactly what I got and what I have. And I did that against the Shira. So it's an amazing feeling. Was there a point in the fight where you were talking to yourself and saying,

what do I have to do to actually finish this guy? Because it seemed like you were close a couple of times, but he just wasn't going away. Yeah, I had him a couple of times, but, you know, it's a five-round fight, and I knew I had to be patience with him because, you know, he can take a shot. And he has a lot of routines, and, you know, he's been in bad positions before. So I knew that even if I caught him, I have to be patience. and take it easy.

So that's what I did. And just, I took my time. And then when I saw, I had him off to my three upper cuts there with the straight right, I knew he was over. Yeah. Because he was wobbling. But yeah, I need to like, I had to have patience in this fight. I love the way you walked away after you finally finished him.

That was pretty cool stuff to watch. It was very calm, cool and collected. Now, you also made headlines afterwards when you proposed to your now fiancé. when did you decide that you were going to do this in the cage? How long ago? Well, a couple of weeks, I believe it is. And nobody knew about it except my team. And yeah, so we had the ring with us and everything.

So I just like, you know, when I win this fight, I'm going to take the opportunity to make it happen. So, but the thought hit me too. If it shouldn't be my night, then maybe, you know, if I would lose it a fight, I would be, I'll probably do it somewhere else, not in the cage, but everything went well and, yeah, and I asked her. So I have many questions about this. First off, who was holding the ring throughout the fight? Well, I believe it was my manager, and then he gave it to, then he gave it to Dan. Wow.

he came in. So he had it in the back pocket. That's a lot of pressure to be holding on to that ring throughout the fight the whole night and everything. Did you hand it off to him at some point before the fight? And also in your mind, it's a lot. Like I remember when I proposed to my wife, I was sweating, I was nervous. I mean, you know what's going to be said, but there's a lot of pressure there to prepare for a fight of this magnitude and to think about doing that. That's a lot to put on your shoulders. Yeah, but, you know, it was just a boost for me. Nothing else. You know, I felt good through the whole fight and and and I felt very relaxed and calm before the fight I felt really good because we

just had a baby and everything so I felt like a fight is not that important as getting a you know become a father and everything that's a that's a challenge you have rest of your life and and and just this is just a fight winner-lose people forget it about you know in a couple of weeks so I didn't see it as big I just felt like it's nothing to compare to to to to you know um become a father so i felt calm and felt relaxed and i just had fun in there um the pictures of you and and your baby on on social media are great congratulations to to you and your fiance on on having the baby and it's just beautiful stuff um i feel very strongly about fatherhood so it's nice to see and i and i ask uh fighters this a lot and

I'm always curious to hear what they say. You become a dad so close to your fight. Did you feel like a different person as you were preparing once the baby arrived? Did you feel, okay, did you sense within yourself that you had a different purpose, a different plan of attack? You were focusing on the fight differently. Did it feel like it changed you before this fight? It did. It did.

You know, I just, I had the baby just two weeks before the fight. So I didn't really land at home. I was just, you know, we had the baby and then we came home and then I went to practice right away. So I didn't really like land at home. And I didn't have the time to feel how it is to be a father. That's what I've been doing now after the fight, though. But everything just came so quick. And for me, right there and right when I was there,

and we got a child, I felt like a lot of motivation. And like I told you before, I just felt like, well, this is the biggest thing I've been through and the greatest thing I've felt. So, you know, when I was training, like, the last two weeks from the fight and then the fight and the weights and everything, I just felt calm and relaxed. It felt like, you know,

Nothing can compare to that. So I just felt, I felt just calm and had a really good feeling through the whole fight week and everything. I guess it helps put things in perspective as well and make you realize what is very important. Yeah. So after the fight, you also made headlines. What comments about John Jones? I mean, we don't often hear you speak like this. And I think that it really stood out when you said that you thought that he was a bad person and you were rooting for DC.

and that led to him tweet about you and then you tweeted back. Do you regret anything that you said or do you stand by it at this point? No, I stand by it. The thing is, they had a press conference after the fight and then they asked me about John Joseph. And I just told them the way I feel. I just told them the truth. Yeah. I'm not a trash talker.

No. I don't trash. You know, I don't do that shit. But so they asked me and I'm not going to lie. I just felt like, you know, he's probably the greatest fighter. we've seen but as a person I don't like him

I don't like how he's you know how is you know talking on the stage doing the cocaine thing and you know so many young people kids are looking up

to him and everything I just felt like man you know come on like I don't support that that stuff at all I don't support that stuff

at all so I just told the told the media what I think of him and have you been holding on to this for a while or is this something

that's changed your views on him. No, you know, I always like, you know, I don't, I don't really like, you know, he's been, he's been getting caught for everything. It feels like he's just one thing after the other, but then when we were sitting on the stage with D.C. And he just said, like, you know, he did cocaine the week before he fought, like fought him. And he just, you know, he's not even a bear in telling that stuff. He's just proud telling that stuff. And for me, that's just, you know, you don't do that.

Come on. Not being such a good fighter and he's been doing so much good. Like, you know, nobody's been really able to compete with him. He's been the pound for pound the best guy. I believe he is. And he hasn't lost. He hasn't lost yet to nobody. So, you know, I just feel it's, you know, that's just how I feel.

Your fight against him at UFC 165, my favorite fight of all time, I think it's the greatest fight in UFC history. And he told me around a year and a half ago that when he was walking to the cage, he thought that he was going to lose because he was such a mess before the fight, partying and doing all kinds of drugs and things like that. Have you heard him talk about the fight? And if so, what do you think when you hear him talk about it that way? Well, I don't know what to say.

I just, you know, what can I say? I don't know what to say. I just know that he was in shape for that fight. And, you know, I was in shape for that fight. and in many eyes people believe I won that fight and this is maybe one of his excuses he didn't dominate me

that he's been dominated everybody else it was a tight fight it was a tight fight but I just think that's one of his excuses that maybe you know he didn't finish me or he didn't dominate me he didn't win every round

so that's just the way he talks you mentioned Usada do you think he has used PDs well yeah you know I believe so I believe so I think he's been doing a lot of stuff

that he shouldn't be doing so when you saw him fight OSP what's that sorry tragic tragic to say but but I believe that he's been doing shit he shouldn't be doing do you think he was doing that

when you fought him yeah I think so yeah I think so when you saw OSP and how he looked in that fight was that alarming to you well you know He hasn't been in the case for a while when he fought him and stuff like that.

I don't know. I don't know he was on it or not for that fight. But I believe we've fought and everything like that. But anyway, it's history now. And new times are coming. And we probably will fight again someday. So I said last week that I thought that you winning was the perfect result for the UFC because greatest fight of all time against Jones,

one of the greatest light heavyweight fights of all time against D.C. so they can go wrong with you versus either one of those guys. But we just had your friend and teammate Jimmy Manuel on, and he said that he was told by Dana White that he's next for the winner of the fight. What have you been told, if anything? Sorry, can you take that again? So we just had Jimmy Manuel on the show,

and he said that he was told by the UFC that he is going to fight the winner of DC versus Jones. And so I was a little surprised because I thought you beating Glover was going to put you in that spot, and plus you have the history with both guys. And so I was wondering if you have been told anything about what's next for you. If you're next, you know, what, what do you know about your next step as far as what the UFC has told you, if anything?

Well, I haven't spoken to Dana yet. So, so it's, let's see what happens. Let's see what happens. If Jimmy gets it, I'm happy for him, you know, if Jimmy gets it. And so let's see what happens. Is that going to be a problem? I mean, he said no matter what, title fight or not, he won't fight you. I'm assuming you agree, right?

Yeah, of course, of course. What if he wins the belt? What would you do? Well, let's see what happens. I'll probably give him a hug and congratulate. But would you change divisions? Would you just fight other guys? Have you thought about that?

Then I have to fight another guy. We're not fighting each other. We're brothers now. We're trading hard together. So that's how we look at things. Do you feel like a win over Glover? Go ahead. I'm just happy if you get to fight.

Sure. And we take it from there. Do you feel like a win over Glover should put you as the number one contender? Well, you know, I'm just looking to the top. And I fight, you know, any of those guys. So I'm aiming high now and I want a good fight. I'm going to speak to Dana too and see what's up. And we take it from there.

Okay. And do you have a preference? Do you want DC to beat Jones, considering how you feel about Jones? Or are you hoping Jones win so that you could beat him for the belt? How have you laid out the scenario? Well, I'm just, I'm excited to see the fight first of all. And I have to be honest, I like, you know, D.C. For me, he's, you know, he's a weather champion.

He's a good guy. So, yeah, I hope he win. But I wouldn't say no to a fight against Jones Jones, either. You know, that's what the fight people want to see. and, you know, I will fight him. So let's see what happens. Will your career feel incomplete if you don't get that second chance at Jones?

Well, you know, it's one of those fights you really want, you know, you really want. And I want that fight, and I know the fans want that fight. So, and I know he wants to fight too. So, yeah, probably. Yeah, it was interesting when you, because I know when he tweeted you, you were probably sleeping because it was like late night here in America and early there. How did you find out about it and what was your reaction when you saw all these tweets about you? And he didn't tag you. He was just writing about you. Yeah, no. I got, you know, I heard about it first. Yeah. And then I then I looked it up and then I saw it. Did you laugh? What was your reaction? I was just laughing. Yeah, no, I was just laughing. It was great. It was good fun. At least for all of us involved. That.

I don't know about if you enjoyed it, but I'm sure your phone was blowing up, people asking for your reaction, right? Oh, of course, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Are you going to go to Anaheim for the fight? Are you going to be there? I believe so. Oh, great. Okay.

And in a perfect world, when do you want to fight again? Well, you know, I'm back in training now. It's been a week. I've just been wrestling for a week, and I'm back in training now. And, you know, I'm in shape. So, you know, I'm going to speak to Dane and take you from there. And, yeah, I'm up for fighting. No injuries, no nothing.

No injuries, nothing, no. That's great. I feel good. I had a couple of stitches on my arm, but that's all. That's all. Last quick thing for you, the only criticism that was thrown your way after the fight were the eye pokes. Is that something that you feel like you need to work on? How would you address that?

Well, it was just this fight. nothing that I actually, you know, using in my fights. Sure. It was just, you know, bad luck. But, yeah, you know, I just have to close my first, basically. That's what I have to do. And, no, it was, you know, he was that he got eye poke, but, you know, he's, he's a beast to share.

He comes in to fight, you know, I pucked or not. He just, he just win, all in in his fights and, you know, all respect to him. He's a fighter with a great will and a big heart. Well, congratulations on the win. Congratulations on the amazing performance. Congratulations on the baby, on the engagement. There's a lot to congratulate you about. Very exciting times for you, Alex.

Thank you. Great to have you on the show. It's been a while. I'm very happy for you and your fiancé. Enjoy fatherhood. I hope you're getting in there and getting dirty and changing the diapers and getting spit up on and all that stuff. Oh, I do.

Good. I love it. It's the best. So enjoy all that. And thank you again for coming on the show. really appreciate it. I appreciate that. Thank you. All right, there he is.

The Mahler, Alexander Gustafson, stopping by. Great stuff from him. Last Sunday, defeating Glover Tashara. Great stuff on the show. Good to have him back on the show once again. And we look forward to seeing what's next for him. Always fun stuff. All right.

Let us move along now. In a minute, we are going to be joined by... Yeah, let's get that. Okay, let's move along. Thank you very much to Alex. Appreciate him. It was fun to get him and Jimmy back-to-back. All right, I am so excited about our next guest.

In a matter of seconds, we're going to be joined by one of the greatest fighters of all time, one of the greatest boxers of all time. I have talked about him countless numbers of time on this program. I talk about him all the time on Twitter. We actually named a segment after him. He was on the show once before a couple years ago. He is the author of, in my opinion, the greatest rap song of all time. you all must have forgot

nothing like it named a segment after it I talk about it almost every single damn week in my opinion he's one of the greatest boxers of all time one of my favorites growing up he is the one and only Roy Jones Jr and he joins us right now via the magic of Skype

I can't wait for this always an honor to talk to the legend himself the man who played basketball and fought on the same damn day there he is Roy Jones wow Pensacola finest. This is great. How are you, Roy? I'm good, brother. How you feel it?

I'm doing great. This is a great honor for me. Thank you again for coming on. You know I talk about your song. You almost forgot every week on this show. I talk about it when fighters come back from adversity and do a great thing. That song, that song, it still means something in 2017. Do you get that a lot from people? Yes, I do. It means something. It means a lot more that people understand because there are so many of us who have things and we have letdowns in life or we have hurdles that we're getting tripped up by in life and we have to come back and what people that don't understand is when we get back we have to say y'all must have to say y'all forgot did y'all forget what i did y'all forget what i

did y'all forget what i mean i'm a god first soldier so don't tell me oh i love it that is amazing did you write those lyrics was that all you me and a partner mine together me and harserick got together that we sat down and both of us kind of went through. We would come up with ideas and we kind of co-vorted, so it was kind of good, yeah. And what, can you remind me, what place were you in your career? Were people doubting you at that point when you felt the need to put that out there? I was pound for pound the best, but they had robbed me for a different fight. And then they had me fight, you know, I have the long line of number one contenders that a lot of people didn't know some of them,

but I wasn't interested in giving up none of my titles. So they wanted me to go to England, I mean, not even to go to Germany to fight against, Darius McIrachesky, and I'm like, I got seven belts. He has one. Why would I take my seven to his back yard so they can rob me? But he ain't got for that one. If he wants some more, if he really thinks he's good, bring that one over here and let's see what happened.

But he would never do it. So I forgot, I'm like, music created, but y'all want to forget. You don't know who I am. Amazing. When's the last time you performed the song in its entirety? About six months ago. Where? Yeah, I performed six months ago.

I think I was in, um, I think I was in, I might have been in a club, in a bar, in, I think I was in Vegas and a bar and I might perform it. That's amazing. Was that the only song you put out? Huh? Go on. Go ahead. What were you just about to say?

It was a guitar band. I was performing anyway, and they wanted to perform the songs. So I went to band, they played, and I performed it. Wow, that is a. I wish I could see it. Now, is that the only song you put out, or did you put out others? No, you know, one of the, that. Most of your MMA fans are going to know it's one that says,

can't be touched, can't be stopped, can't be moved, can't be rock, can't be shook. I love. We hide when we're these people to learn. That's us too, you know what I'm saying? So that's just, you almost forgot what a solo that can be touched. It's me, God best to did, my deceased artist's magic, and I got by the name was Trowell.

Incredible. I mean, that song. I still performed out. I was listening to the song before the show, today and I was getting pumped up. It's just an amazing song. I could go on and on about it. You were just in Montreal, my hometown, right? Yep, I was there with Jean-Pestal. Yeah, a tough night for you guys.

It was tough night for it, but, you know, people can say what they want, but the one thing I love about MMA and Fox is that, you know, people always judge people about what they do or what they can't do. And it's like, for me, I see so many different things than what people see in life. It's like, I respect a warrior in a warrior's mentality. John Pascal has the biggest heart and the most keenly type of warrior mentality of anybody I've ever seen in my life.

He fought a guy that he's been in the gym with for the last five years. His trainer who brought him up since he was a kid also trains this guy. So he had the guts to go out and get another trainer, come back and fight against his trainer with an even younger boxer. And it takes a lot.

So we were ready for it. We just had need a little bit more time to know how to deal, so I could teach him had to deal with that jab, but we did a great job. Stefan LaRouge was great in helping training. He was the head trainer, actually, I'll hip him, but he did a great job of allowing me to come in and give my tooth's in and show him the real things.

And I was working on him dealing with that jab. We just, I think we just didn't have enough time to finish it, but he does a great job. John Piscar, it's a true lawyer on anybody's stage. As a matter of fact, I was even honored and I didn't get a picture because I was feeling bad because I hate to lose, but George St. Pierre came in. And I was like, oh, wow, GSP.

You know, it's like, so cool to see GSP. That's awesome. He came in to talk to Jean after the fight? Yes. Yes, one warrior always knows the other warrior. What do you say? They spoke in French. Oh, okay.

They spoke to French. I didn't say part of Bufanzet. I don't know what they said. But that's really cool. So you have respect for the MMA guys. I mean, you recognize who GSP is in this sport. I have respect for everybody. that fights because people talk about a lot of things,

but what they don't talk about, they don't give fighters enough credit and they don't get people who have the guts to go in and fight one-on-one enough credit. Because we all complain about drive-by shootings. We all complain about all the murders of the teams, and they're shooting each other, this, and that other. But we're not teaching them that.

The reality of the fact is, if you're real, you can win and you can lose, but you're willing to do both of those things with your hands, mile to no amount of if you have to. Right. Now, is this part of your transition? Go ahead? that's what makes a man to me. Yeah.

How do you feel about being a coach, though? Sometimes it's hard when you still feel like you got it to be that coach. Is this part of your transition out of active fighting? Yeah, it's part of my transition, but it's not hard because I know that, I mean, for me, to be honest with you, when I coach guys, it reminds me of what I don't do anymore. Because my head starts working for them, and it don't work for me no more because I wasn't as hung as I used to be. So it's like, okay, I got it. I don't need to think that much, but you do. But for them, my head starts to be spinning because I'm trying to teach them what I was.

Right, right, right. I must have forgotten. That's amazing. It makes me wake up all the old things that I used to do. Right now, I'm probably more dead than I've been in five years because training him and training all the other factors that I trained has made my head start back spinning. My head spins just crazy because that's why I used to feed everybody because I thought of anybody. But when I got to the

Wath I won't have a year for a championship, I was done what I really truly wanted to do so I'd stop thinking. Do you want to still fight? I'm going to still fight. Okay. As a matter of fact, I'm going to tell you. Right now, I'm working on a situation

where I might be fighting in it. The whole thing is that I would love to fight for the Cusway title and be done with it. But a new cause came up. I did not realize that over 300-something thousand of our kids are kidnapped or kidnapped last year for the slave trade.

That's something that needs to be addressed because the problem I have is I have friends who are grown friends. They're adult people who chose to sell or do things to people who chose to buy it. So if you got a friend that went to jail for a drug dealer, I mean, he chose to sell something illegal

to somebody who was adult, but chose to buy it. But these children, these children are not asking to be kidnapped and used as sex slaves or being shipped out of the country for the slave trade. And some of them right in the country still. So it's like I've been even fighting for the kids because they can't deal and make those decisions themselves. And so a guy came in and say, man, do you realize that big this slave trade is with these children?

I was like, no. He told me over 300,000 kids were kidnapped and sold to that last year. It blew my mind. It almost scared me because I have kids too. So it's like now My friend wants me to do One fight in the name of Raising money for that

Six-Trade or a slave trade, whatever they call it Yeah To save these children And with that it might happen I'm not sure, but that's the only thing I would do outside of trying to fight towards winning Another Cuswick Tyler before I attacked But that came up

That's something I would supersede everything I want to do Because that's not for me That's something that God only do for the world Yeah I definitely would step in and do that. Kudos. So if you do fight for the belt, you want to fight for the belt, win the belt, and then walk away? That's where I would do.

That's my plan. Yeah. But I got me up the plane. So sometimes I can succeed my play without a doubt. Now, I'm dying to ask you about this. Of course, everyone talking about Connor McGregor versus Floyd Mayweather. What is your take on this fight? My take on the fight is that, you know, being a fighter, I can't hate neither side because I understand why they want to do it.

And I want to do the same thing. me and Anderson tracked this years ago. However, Anderson had a little more box experience I think that Conner has, but I'm sure Conner's no food. Connor has been going to gym now, I'm sure, getting experience because he knows he's going to need that in order to deal with Floyd-Mil.

Here's how you have to look at it, though. In the boxing field, I feel like Florida is definitely the supreme athlete. It should have all the advantages going in. But Floyd Miller, there's probably one thing he doesn't deal it well if you look at the videos was Pauls battle four and the kids just fought

one of the title two weeks ago was the left-handed kid Earl Spence they're both left-handed and they inspired they gave Floyd their little little bit of a hard attack but I'm sure that's why

Connolly McGregor thinks wow they're both South Paul they gave Florida a little trouble in the gym being South Paul I'm a South Paul if I can get in and duplicate that and land one big punch

I have a chance and that's what Conner is supposed to think because that's how fighters think from the other side For a member of the one of the best fighters in the world of the day and he's a defensive

specialist so to not discredit Floyd you got to know that Floyd and a box ring should be able to defeat

them to anybody in that way he plays Connam McGregor especially because he don't have the experience

that Floyd so I can't really see Conum McGregor dealing with Floyd like because of

that experience factor and the fact that Floyd has proved it while he was actually

he was actually he's very difficult to see kind of beating floored in a boxing match. However, from Carter's side, I don't know respect that. You've got to know what he sees. He sees that these two guys were able

to cause a problem in there with South Pauls. Maybe I can't. But I just don't see how he's going to do it without any experience. So it's a tough situation. Great event. Not so sure about how competitive fight would be. So as you may have seen, Oscar Delahoya came out and said that this would ruin boxing and

people shouldn't support it all this stuff. Did you see his comments and do you agree with him? I did not see his comments. I don't disagree with nobody because in today's society, people about doing a quick fix, making a quick money, doing the guy through to make it happen. You know, people are, today we live in a microwave society, people want it now.

Yeah. And people don't give a kick up for what it turns out if they want it now. You know, it's like for me, whatever he said about it, I could have said the same thing about the Paci-Yal fight. Because to me, after Marquis not Cracki-I is out, I don't want to see people who have been playing back-yard no more. You know what I'm saying? So you could see the same thing about that fight.

But look how many people went and paid for the price deal. So that means, people wanted to see it. So Florida is in the business of knowing what people want to see and give them what people want to see. And they pay for it because it's what they want to see. So why would you have to see them not to do that? Right. It would be crazy if I'm not to do that.

Same thing me and Allison was doing. We were trying to do because people wanted to see it. People want to see two people who get in the ring and have no regards for safety. We let our hand down. We did all right. We don't care about safety. We had there to entertain the fans. And there was two of us like that.

So why would people not want to see that? And that's the same thing. These two guys look at it. Would you watch it if it happens? Of course I'm going to watch it. I want to see how much preparation Colonel McGregor did. How serious did he take it? Did he just do it, just go get a paycheck or do you really go out there and go prepare and try to win the fight?

I want to see. You understand? Because that'll let me know something. You know, that'll tell me more about Colonel McGreg as a person, which I love him as a person so far. But if he goes out and truly tried to win the fight, that'll tell me even more about it. Do you think he has a chance? Like, does he have a puncher's chance, or do you give him no shot in hell? No, you got to give him a chance because he's not about fighting.

If you wouldn't fight, you always got a punch of a chance because you will fight. So if he'll fight, he always got a punch a chance. Everybody that has the heart, the heart to go in and fight, you've got a punch a chance. It's like I always tell people. My thing is, if we're a country, right? If we're sending soldiers to war, and they get to war, and they see bullets coming by their head, and they get scared and say, oh, uh-uh, I'm scared. I might die.

They leave and come home. We lose the war, right? Right? But this is what we teach them. We teach them that, oh, it's not right to be willing to give you a life for something unless it's your country. Why do we have to be, why can it just be our country? Don't you know if we learn that something the world's sacrificing our life for, then we have a better chance of saving our country and everything else?

But when you teach us that, oh, it never worth putting your life in life in life except your country. That's the only thing. No, it's worth me losing my life over my kids. It's worth me losing my life over my wife. It worked me to lose my wife over my family members. So it's like we should teach more of that. And that's what Connor's saying. He's willing to risk his life to go out and take a shot at four of me.

That said a lot to me. So for me, I cannot hate on nobody who's willing to risk their life to go prove their fault. I love it. I love it. Now, what are the chances that you versus Anderson is the co-mate event? That won't be the co-main event. That's an event I think that can stay on his own. Okay.

Unless they offer us. money that me and him was like, wow, they offer that type of money, we got to say, yeah, but if that was case, of course I'm sure we would do it, but truly speaking, I think that me and Anderson were able to get together. That's an event that can hold its own shoes. It doesn't need to be on a co-main event or nobody. I think we got enough in that to make our own fight

and be our own main event. But, like I said, if they want to make a super event and say, we'll give you guys X amount of dollars to be the co-main event, and it was so big that Anderson and I couldn't turn it down, then I'm sure we probably would, but I don't see that happening because they already are talking about their own one.

So how did it go set up? So we'd be better to go set up ourselves and do our own thing on our own turn because we were just the biggest superstars in our time as they are in the internet. Recently when all this talk heated up, I saw a picture of you and Anderson together, not that long ago, and then I saw another picture of you

at the UFC offices, so I was wondering if there was some talk of this. What were you doing there? And what were you talking to Anderson about? Why were you guys together? It was very little talk about because we had been talking about it before. But truly what I was at the U.S.C. office was for was to try to get my island fights on fight packs.

And we're still trying to talk. That's what I was in the U.S. Office about. And Anderson, I was in California, he was like, man, come to meet. Let's talk again. Because we always talk. Anytime in this area, I try to go out, we go. He takes me to that restaurant, that Brazilian meat restaurant, which I love to death. They got the best meat you want to eat.

So we always talk. And since I was there, he was like, come on, I let me, man. So we went to talk. And he did talk about. He said he still wants to fight me. He still is highly interested in fighting me. But he has to do his thing with UFC first. And I have Dana about it.

And then say he's going to get him ready for this and for that. And so then I had a plan for him. And so anytime Dana has plans for him, I try to respect everybody to plan because that's just who I am. And you have a contract that you have to know, that you're obligated to. So I respect this contract. So I try not to get to interfere with no contractual obligations. However, I am willing to fight if he can get free. And that's why I expressed him.

Was it ever close over the year? years. Did you ever? Yeah? Yeah, it was very close. I think it's, I think it's still not because his fight got canceled. They were supposed to have June 3rd. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wow, you know your stuff. So he has. Yeah, so it's like to me, this is the only thing I don't understand. If I can go find him, five million dollars guaranteed and the UFC is guarantee him, I don't know, maybe two. I ain't sure to guarantee him. And why would they not let him come get that five? Yeah. Right. And something he wants to do, he idolized me growing up. in the ring. So he wants to be, he wants to be in the rain with me because he wants to see,

can my tricks work against me? I don't what he wants to do. He wants to try some of the things that he learned on me, which is understandable. That's a fighter. You're supposed to be like that. It ain't going to work, but he got to try it. And for me, my goal is to make sure it don't work and don't let it work. But yes, of course he wants to share the ring with me. And of course, I want to share with him off. I see that he's pretty good at some of my tricks. I want to see how good he is at. Can he defend itself with his hand out and back? Can he defend itself with his hand down? Can he Kirst this snake fight before a pops morning a little. I want to see. And it's a

great, once again, just like the McGregor. Maywe's the fight, it's a big event. So people want to see events. They love the fight in that aspect of two, but they want to see the event. And what they really want to see is where you fight to the end, no matter which side of you own. Would it piss you off if...

Go ahead. Go ahead. What you're about saying? Would it piss you off if the if the Mayweather McGregor fight comes to fruition when you and Anderson have been trying to make this fight happen for so many years? It wouldn't mean to piss me off because I'm not a hater.

I believe everything happened on God's time, the God's terms. So I'm not the type of guy who would be pissed off about it because if it's good for them at the time. Yeah, we thought about it first and we want to do it first. But if it happens for them and it works for them, then God be the glory to be to God for them. You feel me? Yeah. I'm never pissed off of hating because somebody's making money that's you're supposed to. You know what I mean?

If you're going to make money doing it, that's what the day in the sports for. It's to make money. So they make big money doing it. That's good for them. I'm not going to be mad about it. I mean, I just hope we get our opportunity to do the same thing. But, I mean, I'm not mad because they did it first. I mean, we wanted to do it first.

Yeah, we want the idea first. It was us when the first started. But if they get to eat off it first, I mean, we're up because we pioneered. Yeah, yeah. And they got a chance to do it first. But we still should get our just dudes and get the opportunity to do it because we were the original pioneers of that idea. By the way, before I let you go, I know sometimes in MMA, it's kind of

of cool and in sports in general to hate on boxing. But I feel like boxing is having a tremendous year. And you can argue maybe in some ways as far as big fights are concerned, a better year than MMA. I mean, the last few weeks have been amazing. How do you feel? And I know this is somewhat of a load of question, but do you feel like boxing is enjoying a great period right now? Are you happy with the current state of the sport? I'm highly happy with the current state of the sport. and boxing is at all time high right now to me because some of the best are fighting some of the best in their primes.

Perfect example next week. I mean, Ward versus COVID. Yep. Big fight, big, we match that and nothing to happen. The first fight was a very good fight, very close fight. Could have gone either way. I thought it should have been called upon a draw

and a draw to chair and keeps his belt. At least a draw or COVID up, but boy, did you do a lot of good work on the inside at the end of the fight. So you can understand why Judge could have thought that way. So, you know, it's like, It was a great fight. To get a rematch that a fight is a great thing.

Canelo Triple G is a wonderful matchup, one that should have already happened in a lot of besides, but the good thing about it is they both still in the prime. And nobody's gotten deep in the last year or two, so it's great for them, great for boxing. A fight that the whole boxing world wants to see. Be even better if it turns to be a great fight, like the Joshua-Kitchko fight war.

Because we didn't expect a really great night and got one of the best heavyweight fights we've had in the last 25 years. So it's like if that can try to be the same thing, which we expect it to be, it still would be good for it. But boxing is having an awesome year. A lot of big fights coming up, a lot of big fights on the horizon, a lot of new hip weights. And that's what really makes making it good because of the new hip weight free coming in, bringing more action back to the sport. That always makes for great boxing. Like Ali, when Ali was a headway champion of the world, the headway championship of the world was the most prestigious award on the planet at the time.

Yeah. Because of how Ali put himself with it. But Ali also stood up for things outside of the ring, my only thing inside the ring. That was what I'm telling you about the slave trade. So I would put my own wants aside to go fight for the slave trade situation. Yeah, and actually two days ago was the one-year anniversary of his passing. I'm assuming you met Ali in the past, right?

Of course. Yeah, just amazing. I'll never forget just, you know, when he passed when when the news came out, that's a moment that you'll always remember, I think. I always remember and let me show how God works Not only did he pass away that day The day that Ali

That's why I started boxing You know what I said That is why I knew That box was for me because of Muhammad Ali Wow Without Miami and Ali I would never found Oh it took me a long of time

To figure out what I want to be After I saw Mama Ali at 5 years old I knew that's what I wanted to do Funny thing is I never thought I'd get married I did But the later I married her birthday It's the same day

that might have died on June 3rd. Wow. Wow. I never forget the 16th. Wow. And by the way, your son, your son's killing it on the court. Is he going to go to the NBA? What do you think?

Well, you know, I hope he does. Isaiah Thomas has made a great point for him because he's all about 5, 9, 510. So Isaiah is showing that the small point boy still can be affecting in the NBA. And that's a great thing for him. So I'm hoping that he'll get some good looks at summer. Have a good year next year. And that he can get into a D1 college. I think if he gets in the D1 college, he'll get to the NBA because he definitely can play the game.

He's a very special talent on the basketball board. That is great. Good luck, Tim. When's the next island fights? July 27th. And where? July 27th. Pennsylvania, Florida, at the Pensacola Bay Center.

And if you can, try to tune in and check it out. And like I said, we're working our best to try to get on fight pads. Meanwhile, we do what we got to do in the meantime. Yeah. We are trying to get on a fight. We have some really good fights here. and people love it, the fans love it here. So I bought fighting on a major level to this city,

and I don't want to let that die because to me that's something I'm responsible for. I bought the entertainment in the box. I bought the whole world to know what Pensacola, Florida is. That's right. So why they die? You got to keep it. That is true.

You put that town on the map. Again, like I said, massive honor for me. I just adored watching you fight, and it's so cool to talk to you here. I wish you the best. Happy to hear and see that everything's doing great for you, Roy. Thank you for the insight. And hopefully we can talk.

to you soon. And good luck. Thank you. Upcoming fight and everything with island fights. I mean, just continue success to you and your family. God, first, coming soon, going to fight for this situation. Like I told you, if I go fight for a situation, I fight for a situation outside of myself. This situation outside of myself, because that sex, that slave trade is something really bad right now. And I'm going to do my best to do all that I can to put it into it. Amen.

Look out. Champ. Y'all must have forgot. He's still there. He ain't going nowhere. Roy, thank you. All the best to you. There he is. Wow. Pensacola's finest. Roy Jones Jr.

I fanboy out a little bit when I talk to that guy. He is the man. Y'all must have forgot. I had the clip, but we ran out of time. There's so much to talk to him about. That was really cool. And appreciate his insight. Very different, by the way, than his old friend Antonio Tarver. Interesting stuff.

It's always interesting to get everyone's take on that fight. and what it means for boxing. You heard from Tarver recently. I heard from Delahoya. So that's Roy Jones's take. We appreciate him coming on. And we appreciate island fights. They're doing good things.

Hopefully that they can get on UFC fight pass. Okay. Let us move along now. Big weekend, of course, in the featherweight division. We talked about it a little bit at the top of the show. Max Holloway is now the featherweight champion. I told you that I thought a fight versus Frankie Edgar in Hawaii in particular would be massive. Frankie Edgar was in Brazil.

saw it firsthand. He was there cornering his good friend and training partner, Marlon Marais. We have a lot to talk to Frankie about. So let's go to the phones. He is standing by. Frankie, are you there? I'm here. Ariel, what's up, man? I'm doing great. I appreciate you coming on. I know you just landed this morning. How are you feeling? How was the trip? Are you a little bit out of it? Yeah, I was a little tired, man. Just took a nap in my daughter, so we'll rebounding back quickly. And by the way, happy birthday to your daughter. It was just her birthday, right? Yeah, Saturday. Thank you. Three years old. Wow, that is amazing.

I remember when she was born right before the BJ Penfight, right? Yes, yep. A third one, of course. You know, you know. But was it, like, did it kill you inside to not be there? I know you were there for Marlon, but was that a tough thing for you? Yeah, it's good. You know, I figure three years old, but I won't remember it, so I'm going to miss them now when I can't.

Where did you guys go? I love your Instagram stories, by the way, of you and your daughter, you're driving your kids. Where did you guys go this morning? It was you, your daughter, and your dog, and none of them were giving you anything. You were trying to get something out of them and they were just ignoring you. Nothing, man. They're, you know, they're freezing the camera heads, I guess. You know, we went by the boardwalk, a place called Island Heights and the Towns River and just walked by the water. That's the best. I love that. Spending one-on-one time, really cool stuff. So you're back now from

Brazil. You were there. Let's quickly first talk about Marlon. Do you think that he won the fight? I mean, I do. You know, of course, I'm probably biased, but I just felt he's, was kind of conducting the dance. You know, neither of them had me it's such a high output, but it felt like Marlon's output was a little more. It's kind of crazy how all the judges gave Sunsout the third round.

I thought that round, that's what Marlon actually did the most. So I was just surprised, but I mean, you know, it's the way it goes sometimes. Yeah, I thought so too. I thought that Sunsow won the second and that Marlon won the third. The first one was iffy, but I leaned

towards Marlon. Maybe a Sunsau stole it towards the end, but I kind of thought Marlon had a 29, 28. Yeah, I agree. I agree. And I'll be honest, when I heard the 3027, I'm like, all right, it's got to be more. I don't know if he won at least two, maybe the judge gave him the third.

So, yeah, I was surprised when they read it wasn't him. Would you also agree, it seemed to me, and I'm not the expert here, you know him better than anyone does. Was he a little tentative to start? I mean, it's understandable. U.S. debut. He slipped there, and I know that can be a little slippery, but it just felt like he needed some time to feel himself out, especially in the early.

portion of the first round. Would you agree with that? Yeah, for sure. You know, Marlon is a wind-up toy, man. He'd let him go. He's a super athlete and you know, can throw many strikes in a short time and, you know, different angles. Kind of just didn't let it go, I think, at times. But when he did anything, it looked super pretty. He's super close. I think everybody's seeing the ability that Moran has. Did you notice a difference in him in the days leading up to the fight because it was

such a big deal? Like, was he a little more nervous than usual? No, I thought he seemed pretty cool. I mean, honestly, even the day before, you know, I think all of us get a little in the zone as the week goes on, but he was kind of laid back, which I thought was the positive thing. Did you enjoy Brazil? You don't usually go out for these fights.

No, I don't. Yeah, this is my second time in Brazil, first time in Rio. Yeah, I mean, you can't beat the weather and the food there. So, yeah, I'm all in. I heard at the Q&A, they treated you really nicely, that you gained a lot of new fans. You feel that? Yeah, I felt that I got a lot of love, you know?

I don't know if people expect to be a gay, hate. I'm like, come on, man, I hope not. You're the nicest guy in the world. Yeah, I try to be at least. And then you lay down the hammer on the Angela McGuania situation, and the most Frankie Edgar way possible, like non-controversial at all, but you got a ton of love for that. Were you surprised how much love you got for that?

I am. It's funny, man. You know, it's like, shit. People really, like, I matter. You know? You do. People weighing on my opinion. It's amazing.

I mean, and again, it's all like you went out on a limb or were disrespectful. And I was even surprised that you were asked that question. Like, you have nothing to do with either of those fighters. And yet you said and everyone's like, you see, Frankie said it. Now it must be true. Yeah, that's right. I mean, you know, that's how I feel. That's just what it is.

But, you know, they're trying to turn this into some reality TV is what it is. Well, you know, the New Jersey thing. You guys know a thing or two about the reality TV. Okay, let's talk about the main event. You were there. you saw it in person. Are you surprised? Max Holloway won. I'm not surprised. You know, the whole week, everyone was asking me who I thought was going to win, and it was a toss-up to me.

You know, I knew Aldo had a great athleticism, good speed. I knew Max could just, you know, pour it on and has a good motor, and the range and length. And I think you kind of seen just that. You've seen Holloway or Alba did really well with some speed. There was some good combinations kind of, I think that won in the first two rounds, although the second round, you can see Max kind of fine in his, his way. And then, you know, it seemed like Albaugh slowed down quite a bit. And Holloway poured it on get that finish. Did you agree? I thought Aldo won the first two. And then amazingly,

end of the second, Holloway just, in that moment there where he was taunting him, it felt like something changed. And then third round was obviously all him. But did you think that Aldo was winning those first two rounds? I do. I think the first round definitely. The second round, you could, He won like probably three quarters of it, but you can see Holloway's starting to find his timing or just find his feet in there. Once again, a theme that started in your last fight against Aldo, are you surprised at how few leg kicks he threw? I was, absolutely. Yeah, I mean, that used to be what he does, and it doesn't seem to be utilizing that. I was even surprised Holloway didn't throw many kicks either.

So I've kind of surprised Belto. It's pretty much a boxing match. So I know that you didn't want to really kind of commit to this, but I thought that this was the best case scenario for you. You've never fought Max before. You have the two fights against Aldo. This is a fresh matchup. People are excited about it, all that stuff and more. Now that it's over, can you admit that this was the best case scenario for you that Max winning kind of ensures that you would be next? Yeah, absolutely. I knew that was the best case for me. I just was going to sit there and shout it out and try to cheer for anybody because, you know, I just say my style and I'll let those guys figure it out. The cards fell in my favor, you know, so here we go. Let's set up Holloway, Edgar. Have you been told that you are next for Max Holloway? Not officially, you know?

I mean, you're seeing everything's trending that way it seems like, but nothing official. I know you got mad at me in Dallas, but again, we've been in this situation before with Chad Mendes, right? Everything was trending your way and it didn't happen. So do you feel more confident this time? Do you feel like, okay, there's no one else? I do. I do because there is no one I mean, come on, there's no one

that makes sense more to me and knowing that that's done what they done, done what I've done to get it. Yeah. Now, what do you make of Cub Swanson? He's been very vocal. He thinks he deserves a shot. He's never had a chance at the belt. What's your response? I just don't see how he's in consideration.

You know, since me and Cup fought, I fought nothing, but top 10, top five guys. I don't think he's fought anybody in the top 10, and he's also lost the max since then. I just don't see how that's even and compared it to you compared it to. Right. I have a lot of respect for what Cub has done, but also tough since he's lost to both you and Max, right?

Yeah, listen, man, Cub's a great fighter, you know, but this is the way it goes. You know, you've got to put yourself on the line every fight, and I do that every time. What about this idea of you fighting Max in Hawaii? This is nothing that the UFC has said can happen, but would you be against that? No. No. I mean, For a title shot, I'll fight on the moon.

You know what I mean? Hawaii, it'd be cool, too. I mean, it'd be cool, man. My team would like it. I know that. MSG would be good, too. I'm sure Max would be into that too. I mean, come on, World's on,

same is arena. Right. Do you think it will happen in MSG? That's the word. They're going in November, right? What do you think? Yeah, I think that makes sense, too. You know, that might be more, yeah.

I think, but again, if they can get Hawaii done, I'm 100% down. I think Holloway's been talking and saying, you've got to go to the other king's land and conquer him on his own land. Well, I'm just trying to follow suit, homie. I just love the idea because

you have the history with BJ, so you're tied to the people there. He's such a big star now there and people are behind him. It's always cool when someone's attached to a certain part of the world if they go there and put on a fight. And also, I have to be honest, like I said this at the top, I'm wondering what you think you're smarter than I. I didn't see this coming from Max

I mean 11 wins in a row One of the longest winning streaks ever One of the youngest champions ever When you first saw Max You probably don't remember when you first saw him But did you think that he had this in him That he would beat guys like Aldo And Petis the way he's beating them

I mean honestly Yeah I didn't surprise me How long he's been into it He's 25 right now I mean he was 21 he was Right he's in four years at least I remember seeing him when he's real young And yeah

I'm just like you know I mean this dude He's the president in the future right now, you know? And, yeah, I'm not overly surprised that he is where he is. So what's the key to beating him, in your opinion? Try to mix it up, man. You know, I think I mix it up better than anybody in this sport.

And, you know, he pushed a great pace, and so do I. So, you know, I don't think that he'll be able to melt me, you know, throughout the fight that he does with a lot of guys. Do you also agree with the sentiment that this was the best case scenario for the featherweight division? because Aldo is just too tied to Connor. Now we kind of have a fresh chapter and things to kind of move on.

Do you, to also have people sort of recognize that title as the undisputed title as opposed to the one, you know, Aldo lost to him in seconds and all that stuff. Do you agree with that? Yeah, I think so. You know, it just mixes things up and makes it fresh. And, you know, I mean, Albo wasn't fighting super often either. Yeah.

You know, Max seems like a guy that wants to stay active. And, yeah, you know, he just seems to be. like he's ready to go and hopefully we get this done to do it before. Hawaii, New York. If Aldo would have won. It would be amazing on the moon. If Aldo would have won, what would you have done? Would you have gone down to 135 finally?

I don't know, you know. I don't know. I'm glad he didn't win. Yeah. I don't know. I don't even know if I want to go down at 35. It has to be the exact right opportunity. You know, and if it's a belt, maybe.

But, you know, I can make the weight, but every time I get down to 45, I'm like, shit, I don't want to lose 10 more pounds, you know? And I don't even cut much weight. So maybe I'm just, maybe I'm just a bitch about it. But, you know, I like 45 right now. Inside, were you kind of sweating it? Oh, man, you know, if he wins this,

I'm kind of stuck in this weird spot. Other guys, were you nervous watching that fight? Yeah, no, I really wasn't, you know. I've been I've been wanting this so bad for so long Yeah And you know

Sometimes like I You know When you want something so bad It doesn't happen I'm like I really try Taking a step back Saying all right man Let this

You know Let nature take its course And you know Fate will decide I guess you could say And you know I put myself In the good position

Where fate falls my way And you know Good things happen It's kind of amazing That we just spoke to Roy Jones Because his famous rap song One of my favorites

You almost forgot I feel like it was a perfect way To describe your win over Eira Rodriguez because it seemed like they were kind of trying to coronate this new king and have this fresh face, all this stuff. And you put a stop to that. Was that one of the more gratifying wins of your career considering how dominant you were? Yeah, I mean, everyone feels good. I guess maybe felt a little bit better just because I'm going to God, but I felt like I'm always getting written off, you know? So to me, it's almost the norm. And it's kind of welcoming,

honestly, yeah. Like, shit, I mean, I can't do something. I'll try that much harder to do it. it does feel though and you may feel differently like after that fight people are like okay frankie egger is is not just like a great fighter you've reached kind of legend status after that i don't know if it's because of the hype that you a year had or just time has allowed people to truly appreciate you and i think that it's going to be one of those cases that they'll appreciate you even more once you're gone once you're done with this sport but it does feel like people are now starting to put you in that conversation when not that long ago they weren't doing so that quickly do you sense that as well

Yeah, I definitely. I feel a lot more now. Yeah. And, you know, and just that's the same stuff you're saying. Like, I guess the respect, you know, and I always, people always said, you know, your most underrated fight champion or under this or that. And I'm like, ah, it's going to come. I know it's going to come. Just be able to be myself, winning fights and doing it my way, I know I'm going to get respect that all that I deserve. But I'm not really in it for that anyway, you know. I'm in it to get this belt. I mean, it's for my family and my teammates and my coaches.

That's really it. Much like another famous New Jersey native, right? Doing it your way, Frankie Blue Eyes, right? That's right, man, that's right. I believe Hoboken's own, Frank Sinatra said that. Hoboken, that's right. Represent. And by the way, were you surprised at how that fight went against you here?

Like, were you surprised that you were that dominant? Were you expecting that? I always put my guys out and put my opponents on a pedestal, you know, and expect like something got happened. I expected to get hit with some crazy kick or something that I didn't see. But I knew if I get my hands on it, that's how to fight could go, for sure. And especially that first take down, there's a couple elbows I landed in the first round. I kind of felt the fight kind of come out of him a little bit.

Do you think he'll be back? Do you think he has it in him? Yeah, I think so. He's got super athletic. He's got a lot of ability. he's got to tighten up some things and you know anything can happen and if he's willing to put the work in

anything can happen in summation is it fair to say that you're expecting nothing other than a title shot at this point yeah title shot or bust I mean shit I guess I don't know

that's it man that's what I'm going for and I'm positive about this one I mean I try to always be positive but this one feels a little better when's Ali going to sit down with the brass and get this done you better get on it

man, who wants to get his next check. I mean, how is he not on it? We're already 48 hours removed. How is this not a done deal already? Yeah, no, he's on it. He's on it, he's on it already. He's definitely is. He's very sensitive.

He's going to get all upset that we were insinuating that he wasn't on it. You're right. You're right. And he's sending a hateful text in like three seconds here. So is it safe to say the perfect scenario for you would be November MSG, but you're down wherever, whenever, whenever, but hopefully sooner rather than later, right? Yeah, absolutely. ready to go

and ready to go and make this dream of reality What a fight Did you have any Asaii by the way In Brazil?

Oh, you know it Absolutely How many? I've had three Three assays out there Not bad Would you Would you agree

That it doesn't taste Anything like the ones In America Like the ones in America Tastes like crap Right? It doesn't taste anything Absolutely man

Absolutely It's like It's really That business That's a soul old business is Bowman in Jersey right now and I've been to a couple different ones and nothing. You're right. Yeah, there's this place, uh, pliables. Right? And you go to it and it does nothing like it. Like nothing. Not even close. It's like, you know why? They're stepping on.

They're stepping on their assayi berries too much, I think. I think they're stepping on it, man. They're cutting them too much. Anyone who thinks that that stuff is great here in America and you think that that's like the bomb, go to Brazil just for the assaee and fly back home and your mind will be blown. It is on a whole other level. So I'm happy that you agree with me. you're a very smart man. Frankie, we appreciate it. Thank you for squeezing us in after coming home. Enjoy your time at home.

Happy birthday to your lovely daughter. And good luck getting that fight. I hope you get it. All right. Thanks so much, man. It was a pleasure, talking to you, man. We'll talk to you soon. There he is.

The answer. Frankie Edgar. Frankie Edgar versus Max Holloway. What a fight. What a freaking fight. And again, this is no disrespect to Cups. And he is there. He is so very close. But it is a tough spot for him because Holloway beat him.

I know non-title fight, that's fine. Edgar beat him. Of course, non-title fight, I get it. But Edgar feels like the fresh matchup right now, the veteran coming off that big win over Yair, and that's not a bad thing. Cubs gets that one high-profile fight. You know, I don't know.

Maybe it's against Ricardo Lama, who was supposed to fight the Korean zombie and zombie is out due to a knee injury. But that does kind of feel like the fight. And I'm curious, will they make it at, you know Hawaii Hawaii Stadium Honolulu Maui

I don't know what a cool scene that would be finally the UFC in Hawaii people have been asking for it for so many damn years that would be really cool by the way I was going to mention this during the Roy Jones interview

they announced right before our show that the Canelo Triple G fight will take place on September 16th so at T-Mobile I should specify so maybe that date is is truly long gone. I haven't checked in yet, but that was an interesting development as far as

Mayweather McGregor is concerned. All right. Let us move along now. You have all been waiting for this. The talk of the day today in mixed martial arts is Demetrius Johnson. It's not so much right now, Max Holloway or UFC 212. It's not so much Vitor Belford or Clydegaedelia. It's Demetrius Johnson. arguably the greatest fighter in the world today, arguably the greatest fighter of all time, released a statement via us to the world about his current situation with the UFC. Next title fight,

his relationship with the UFC brass, there's no way I could do it justice in summarizing right now. I said at the top, I hope you've read it, I hope you've listened to it, you've digested it, because when someone like Demetrius Johnson, who is the ultimate company man

pours his heart out like that, that is worth listening to. I think so. And so we are so grateful and thankful that he is on the program right now, taking some time out to speak about this a little more. I know a lot of you are very excited

to hear from him, no one more so than myself. Let's welcome him in. He is the flyaway champion of the UFC. He is Mighty Mouse. He is Demetrius Johnson. He is on the phone. E.J., how are you?

I'm good. You're so kind. That was a pleasant introduction. Ariel. How are you doing with me? I'm doing great. I'm doing great. Again, I can't thank you enough for coming on. People are buzzing. People want to hear from you. So really, thank you so much. From your perspective, what has been the reception like to this? What are you hearing? What are you feeling? What are people saying to you about your statement? You know, I've had good reception.

You know, you're always going to have the internet trolls, the keyboard warriors. When I first posted that thing on the internet, you know, to go back to the beginning of this, you know, how I found out, you know, T.U. Do you know, Dana went to me to fight T Udocha. I found out from you. I found out from you. I didn't get a phone call or anything. You know, I got a text from you saying, hey, this is what's going on on news. I'm like, huh, that's fine.

I didn't hurt anything. As far as I know, Matt's negotiating with the make about vitamin Ray Borge. So, you know, it just goes back to, you know, the past when, you know, the Tuck 24 came out. I never got a phone call about that. You know, it was basically media pressure about that going on. And I found out from Twitch and you guys. So that's why, you know, I was coming home from training that day, and I saw that. And I said, fuck that, you know.

I'm tired of finding out about career choices or options through media and Twitter. So I was like, no, I'm done. You know, that's why I posted at first thing. I said, you know, as far as I'm concerned, I haven't agreed to anything yet. You know, last time I checked, I was waiting for a contract from Ray Borge. Not to do Shia. And that's when, you know, it all started.

And just to add a curiosity, and I kind of want to start at the beginning, but before I do that, you know, because like I said, this is somewhat uncharacteristic for you. You're not the kind of guy to sort of lay it all out there. We've had many conversations off the record, and I ask you, why don't you say this? And you're like, you're not that guy, and I respect it. And I think that's why so many people respect you because you go about your business. You're very classy. You're very professional.

But why now? Why have you decided to do this? Why did you feel like this was the appropriate thing to do to lay it all out there for the public? You know, it's funny you mention that. You know, it's after the UFC fighter retreat, having, you know, Michael Schrain, Corby Bryant, Brandon Marshall come out there and talk to us about the sport and, you know, finding your purpose, stick it to your principles. And don't back down from what you believe in, you know, and just seeing these big sports figures, you know, preach to us about.

that, you know, and a lot of people took different things from the fighter retreat. You know what I mean? So you were like, oh, it wasn't, you know, beneficial. Some people goes, oh, it was fun. You got there, you got there, partying in Vegas. But for me, you know, I, you know, there's only three champions. There are me, town ruling in Mennon, Nez. I sat down and I actually listened to every single one of their stories and see how they took their career by that,

by their hands and made the right choices for themselves because ain't nobody out there looking out for the best of Demi Johnson. There's a one more person who's doing that. That's me and, you know, obviously mad and Brad. And so that's where it kind of gave you my backbone. When he was like, you know, you get Kobe and Brenner Marshall's like, you know, you can't lit, you know, the sport of this, your sport to find you. You got to make sure you stick to your principles and what you believe in. And that's when the light went off.

That's when you said enough enough. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Then, you know, I had, I had conversation with Dana and, you know, there's some things he said that, you know, I mentioned about in the interview to my face. And I said, right there. And that just broke, you know. I just basically looked at fire on my ass when he was like, well, you know, we're doing this, you know, this is what TJ wants. And I said, who the fuck here's what TJ wants?

I said, as far as I'm crying, and let me be clear. You know, let's say, Dana White said, well, this is what Adjima Sterman wants. This is what Halfiel Santon want. This is what Domitruj's want. It's so forth, so forth. I would have said the same response. So I don't want people think I'm bashing TJ and all that stuff in the media. It's how the situation or approaching him saying like, well, this is what T.

want this opportunity is what we're going to do and I said fuck that I was like this isn't t.D joseph's career this is my career I was like this is how it's going to fucking happen you are to offer me the fight with ray borge and I accepted that fight when we we were having you know a little contract disputes and then after that you know the number of contender is who is it uh brandon brandon merino taking a surgery pedison Mexico City August 9th and then where that could be the next number container and then depending on how tj and Cody uh you know battle out then I'll decide if I'm to the 5-in-chounce for that belt if that's an obvious. You know, I'm a man who's always willing to work my way up a division,

and I believe everybody else should do that. And when I have conversations with Mick Maynard, who is in charge of the 125-pound division, he agreed with me. He goes, no, I totally agree with you, dude. I think DJ should come down, get a fight in the flyweight division. That way we know he can make weight safely. And then, you know, he can count for the title. And I was like, yeah, I totally agree with you.

Okay, so let's start at the beginning. When were you first approached about fighting Ray Borg? Oh man probably Oh god Five weeks ago Five weeks, four weeks ago I mean when I got approached the primary porch There was you know

Things were still in track To fight you know Obviously the rumor was out there to fight in Seattle August 19th And we're like yeah we're excited to do it Let's make it happen So you were down You wanted to fight closed home

Cool scene to break the record You know in front of your hometown Crowd essentially you agreed to the fight, right? And in your mind, it was a formality, it was not signed maybe, but you thought that this was the plan. Yeah, absolutely. You know, I think the things were hold things up as a champion out of all my talent offenses, you know, I've never got paid for you points not once, you know. We've asked for it, you know, after I signed my new contract of the U.C, but they said no. Not giving a stating why, you know, saying it's a flyway zone selling all that

stuff. But, you know, my part is good. You know, I always go out there and fight on great performances and finish my opponents, the best of my ability. And so, but they put in this, the contract that, you know, this would be my first time ever going to five points when I break the record. So with that being said, we're like, okay, well, you know, I think going forward, you know, times are changing. I think after this fight, I think I deserve a flyweight points afterwards. You know, a lot of champions got it.

You know, I talk to, you know, Tang Willie, I know he gets it. And I know a lot of champions get in. I don't get me to say anything. Like, why didn't you get a flyweight points? I'm like, over your points are like, I don't fucking know. I asked the USC and they said no. And they didn't give you a reason. Yeah, they're just saying that the flyway

it's not sell, so there's no points. But I disagree. I think with the right marketing and, you know, and to give people insight, you know, there's when I fight UFC 186, you know, I did maybe two hours, two and a half hours of, what's it called, filming for commercial for that, in front of a green screen,

shadow boxing, trying to bro the fight. Commercial never came out, you know. Never got a proper commercial for UCC 186. USC 197 when I was fighting Hebrew pseudo. That was yet. UC197. Yeah. It's been two hours in front of a green screen again with shadow boxing, trying to promote

a fight. Footage never came out, you know? And then I'm like, dude, why, why am I sitting here for five, six hours trying to promote this fight? You guys aren't going to use the footage. You know, when it came to top 24 and I stand on a box for six hours, trying to film that, I told me, you know, I know, I was like, I'm going to you guys, fuck.

you guys fucking know. If you guys want to use this footage, you send me the footage and I'll use it for myself on my Twitch channel, all right? And I was going to use a lot of it. And I was like, all right, well, we'll see. You know, granted, they did use that. But I think with the right marketing tool, the right, you know, vision, I think the flyway

10, the band always can tell. So when did you sign this new contract? Right before I fought $2 million, actually. I was after the human suit the fight. Okay. And were you told that you will get pay-per-view points for the record-breaking fight and then every fight or just for that one fight?

Just for that one fight. Wow. And if I went up to Bano wait, then I'll get pay for your points and then going forward, I would. But the point was, you know, when Dana comes down, goes, you should stay at the, you know, Dana came out properly,

he goes, do you should stay it, you should stay it fly away and just smash the record, you know, get 15, 16, 10th,000 talent offense. I'm like, yeah, but yeah, I think I can do that. I think that's unprecedented. of the day sport. I mean, you look at all the champions. The only person who's close to me is is Joanna J-check, and she's been on a tear of her division, and I have five more than her. And so if I get up to 15, I believe after I break the record, I think I should get their

viewpoints. If I'm on a big card, and I think now people are starting to catch on and believe that I'm the best pound fighter in the world after my display of dominance against a Brazilian Dujs 2 Black Belt, who's never been submitted in his whole entire mixed martial arts career. So I think, you know, people start to catch on. And I think my star is starting to rise at, I think my shit was such to sell with the right marketing. The way I understand paper viewpoints is that there's usually like a baseline that if you get under that number, it's not in play. But if you get above it, then, okay, now you're in the money and it goes up after every sort of increment. Did you ever suggest that?

Like, okay, if you don't think I could sell, fine. But if I can outsell you, if I can prove to the world that I'm a draw, if I could do this or that and you put me in this. position, then let me play. So it's a win-win for both. If you don't hit that number, there's no points. But if you do hit a number and the card does well, if you're grouped with a Cormier or a Jones or whatever and you guys outperformer or a Connor,

then you deserve the pay-per-view points as the champion in one of the kings of the sport. Was that ever brought up? Was that ever discussed? No, that was never discussed. Like I said, man, each time we do, you know, I've never actually sat down in a room and talk legit business,

you know, coming in with a business suit and to tell like, hey guys, this is what I think should happen and all that stuff. We've never gone to that point. You know, it's basically, you know, Matt does most of my negotiations, and then he'll come back to me and tell me how the meeting will go, and then I'll tell him, no, I don't like that. But like I said, as far as I said, you know, they said, no, just 11th, and after that, nothing beyond that.

So I was like, and that's why I think we're holding up, you know, the Ray Borge contract was like, no, dude, I think we deserve this. You know, other champions are getting it, and I think I deserve it, especially if I get 13, If I get 13-tiles offenses in the UFC, and that's never been done before in the history, the sport's been, you know, created, I think that deserves the favorite points,

especially if I land on a corner card or Jones versus Cormey 3 or whatever like that. Why not? So this is the one time I get it, and the next thing you know, I'm fighting on a corner card when he comes back and he's fighting Kibi Megam Redoff, and now I'm on it,

I don't get a slice of the pie. And I believe I bring a lot to the table when it comes to those paper use. I think it's only fair. Okay, so you think that you're fighting Ray And then it's UFC 211 And it's that Friday before that big press conference And we find out that Cody Garbrand is dealing with a back issue

And then T.J. Dillshaw tweets out a picture of the cartoon Mighty Mouse And then Dana White talks to the media and says, hey, T.J. Dillshaw called me And said, I want to be the guy to stop Demetrius's streak. I want to go down to 125 and I want to fight him. I reach out to you. You tell me what you told me, which was essentially this guy's not a 125er. I want to fight a guy who's been climbing the ranks,

all that stuff more. When do they reach out to you and actually formally offer you this? When do those talks happen? Never. Never did. No. Like I said, it was all through

Twitter and all that stuff. And so, like I said, I found out from you. You know, nobody called me. I'm not the person who spins 24-7 on the internet on Twitter. I'm on training, and I saw text message.

from everybody and I'm like, oh, that's funny. Last time I checked, you know, Matt was negotiating with Ray Bored. And I was like, nope. And I was like, I'm done. And I'm a man of principles, you know. Luke Rockhole said it too. You know, he was like, why is GSP getting a middleweight tower shot? Why is that happening? What am I fighting for? Why am I in his division if I'm not going to get a tower shot?

If some dude, who's going to fight for four fucking years can come in there and just get a title shot after that? And then when Luke Rockin said that, that president would meet with me too. And I was like, no, I totally agree. You know, the next person should get a title shot at a middleweight It should be your Romero. I told Tyrone Willie, you know, to his face, I was like, dude, if Damiener might not get a title shot next, this is some bullshit. And he goes, no, I know, man, I know.

And granted, he'll probably make more if he fights USP. So, but yeah, the discussions never came up when they never called me. He said, hey, dude, this is what we're thinking about. You know, when talks did come up and we're talking about my next fight, they said, you know, this is what we have for you. And you can't, you can't, this is all we have for you. It's Rayborch. And I was like, well, all right, well,

I think after this fight, you know, I would love to put in my contract going forward if I'm successful beating Ray Borge that I get paid to you points. And they're like, nope, nope, nope, nope, you're fighting Rae Borge and that's it in Seattle. I was like, all right, I guess, thanks, appreciate it. And they're like, and then we got a thank you. And then three weeks go by, then this shit all happens. And so based on your statement, there does seem to have been a back and forth where you said, okay, you know, I'm uncomfortable with the idea of T. going down because what if he makes Mrs. Weight and now it's

not a title fight anymore and so I don't get to break the record in my hometown and so can you promise me X amount can you promise me this, that and that didn't seem to be the case when did all that stuff happen? That happened right when Matt was talking to Mick and they said

all right he's going to fight TJ and Matt goes perfect, perfect just so you guys know we want this in the contract and a stipulation that if T.J. does not make weight is guaranteed pay, and he also gets TJ's pay, and the fight's off. There's a own fight, and then they responded back,

well, we can't guarantee that, you know, but we can't guarantee that rate board is going to be on the car, and if you do they make weight, whether it's medical reasons or something happens, because let's be honest, shit happens. People, you know, you're on track and make weight. Next year you know, you pass out in a tub, or you have, you know, stomach cramping.

It's happening to flywates before. It's happening to Johnny Hendricks, you're coming gas for them. The list goes on. That stuff happens. But that's what we, you know, offered and Matt was like, what is this? Is this fucking amateur hour? This is the shit you do at smokers and amateur shows. You show to fight and like, oh, this guy didn't make weight, but you can fight one of

these guys. This is the USC. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of mixed martial arts. And this is how we're negotiating that. Well, if this guy doesn't make weight, you can fight this guy. And Matt was like, no, that's not how we're doing. This is not how a champion who's about to break a record for the most consecutive tal offense is does business. Who will be training for? Then after that, that's when they kind of just, you know, they're just trying to make fights instead of.

like don't with the first thing they offered us, which was Ray Borge, which we gladly accept under the conditions they gave us. And then now they're just running around in circles and trying to make this this fight happen. I'm like, dude, that's when I was like, I'm over it. You know, like, like I said,

if TJ or if Adjimer Sterling, Raphael Sancho, anybody wants a title shot. At John Dodson, wanted to come back to the Flywood Division and try to get immediate towel shot, they can jump their lines like everybody else has. Right. I don't see what the problem is. Brad Pickett did it, and he has a win over me. He wasn't bitching a good plane. He was like, I'm going to work my way up the

ranks. I'm going to beat Dimitri Johnson. Perfect. Let's make it happen. Get to get through the first fight. He beats Neil Ciri. All right, he got to, he got to name a call. You got to stop by him a call. Then he was like, I'm done. I'm tired of cut away for the whole year to make $125 because I'm not at $125 or I was just trying to come down here to get a total shot. When you went to the retreat, you sit down with Dana White, Sean Shelby, UFC Brass, and how did that conversation go? It wasn't really a sit down, you know. I, uh, I, uh,

said my concerns about the whole situation and what I think would be best for the division. And, you know, Mick, Mick, McManor agree with me. He said, you know, I know I totally agree with you. And he's one who's in charge of the Flyway Division. Sean Shalb, we wouldn't speak much on that whole situation. And then, like I said, what Dana said. He says, oh, this is what TJ wants. And I responded back, you know, who cares what TJ wants?

Last time I checked, this is Demet Johnson's career. And if he wants a tie-tide, he comes down and earn it and get a fight. So that's how the situation went. And then he says, no, we'll talk. And we never talked. He just went out there and said, no, this is the fight we're going to make. And this is what's going to happen. I'm like, no, no, no, it's not.

We still haven't talked. And we gave you stipulations in agreement. You guys didn't agree to it. So we're not done it. And I'm tired of them, like, coming out, saying, oh, this is going to happen. And it puts my character, you know, in question with the public and fighters and saying, oh, he's done, and T. And blah, blah, blah, blah.

I'm like, no, this is what I stand for. And you have fighters. jumping around fucking divisions doing this, doing that, and I'm not about that life, homie, so. Did they threaten to just abolish the division if you didn't take this fight? Yeah. What happened?

They called. They said, yo, Mick Maynard was getting ready to take off to, he was a word of, I believe. He said, hey, he said, hey, man, just want to let you know, this is whether they come back with. And they said, you know, it's either TJ, or we closed the fight division. And I said, close the motherfucking division then. Because if somebody's willing to do that, that just shows you that they have no, they have no, uh, no interest whatsoever of working with

the champion. That's, I've done never miss weight. Always showed up on time. Then all my interviews leading up to fight week, travel to Australia and coach two times for a fighting for a flywood division. I, I've done a lot. And for them to say that, like, it just showed me that. That's, that's, that's, Okay, this is your form of tactic I'm trying to call my bluff or is the tactic that you guys really want to do close the pilot division? I said, fucking close it. I mean, obviously, you guys are stated that, you know, me, E. McCall, Brenner Moreno, Sergio Pettis, Tim Elliott,

Lewis Smoke, I can't have I named the whole fight with division more than, you know, not that it's been in my job to know the whole division. You're saying that we don't bring excitement to the UFC, our division's not, you know, making money. I like to disagree. I think our vision is making money and people are excited to see our division. So do you believe them when they say that? Or do you think that they're just trying to pressure you into taking the fight?

I had to. I had to believe him because I was standing my ground. You know, I'm not a, when they say that, I take it. I'm a black and white type of dude. You know, if you say something, I believe you're going to do it. So, you know, when he told me that, I was all right, that's how you guys want to treat me and say that, close my division after, you know, I've been playing ball the whole time and just been in my title.

Go ahead. Like I said, like they, they, they show their, I don't want to say true because they showed they had no interest. They had a division. But I'm not going to take a fight with legit stipulations. You know what I mean? So, yeah, you have to, you have to believe it. You know, if somebody came into your show, says, Sarah, we're going to close in an hour if you don't talk about Connaburor 24-7. You know, you're like, you're in mind going to think like, are they really going to do it or not?

So I told my, I told my wife, destiny, I said, hey, you know, I'm standing on my ground. I'm going to have to go check with Costco, see if they still, they set in the applications. Because me doing this, they can, you know, they can strip me in my belt and cut me from the UFC. Then I'll be like, all right, well, you know, I stood my ground. I stood my belief. When I went on this whole, I'm going to call it my beliefs of why I'm declining this fight. And people act like this is the first time a champion's decline in a fight. Fuck, Connor Marear, he was like, no, I'm not going to fight out again.

I mean, I knocked the guy in 14 seconds. Why would I fight him again? What does he bring to me? What did he do for my career? And then Michael Batesman turned out fights. They say, no, I'm going to fight, Dana Henderson. What? And now when I'm turning out of a fight that has legit,

it's not like I don't have an opponent. Like, I got an opponent. We were already in negotiations to fight somebody. And now that's where people, you know, a lot of people in the media or not media, but the internet are like the fans. Like, oh, this is what's going on. The fans, I love you guys, but you guys don't know shit.

What do you mean by that? Well, I mean, there's just so much stuff that goes on the media. Yeah. What stuff goes on, for example, everybody's like, oh, this is your big money, five, blah, blah, blah. Let me newsflash, people. I made more money when I fought Chris Carriy off than when I fought Keoggiorey. I made more money when I fought Chris Carrier when I fought John Knott in the second time. Now put that in your mouth and swallow it and you sit there and you stomach it.

And if the U.S. you would say, no, that's not true. I've already checked with the U.S. financial department. I'm my own financial advisor. I do all my own booking. I don't do my own taxes, but when I make my money and I sit down and I go through numbers, I sit down and go out of the numbers and I bring that up to Madden and that brings to the UFC

and I mean when I was about to fight John Dawson and the second time I went to USC and I said okay what's next guys what we're going to do next? We're like we're going to fight John Dawson too again I was like all right well I think there's other people operating division that I can fight but if that's what you guys

gonna do I guess so and they're like don't worry about it's going to be your biggest paycheck forever go out there fight put on a stellar performance rematchers John Dotson you know who's got wins or multiple guys I think he only has six loss and after things when I said, I said, huh?

I went back to Sean Shelby, and I said, hey, can I just fight Chris Carioso again? He goes, how would you want to fight him? I was like, I made more money when I fought Chris Carioso and I fought John Norton. He goes, no, no, no, no.

That came right. I was like, it's true, dude. And for me, I'm a person that argues with facts. I'm not a person who just sits here and talk shit. Like, I might have come up here and pick up these stories and, like, oh, this is what happened.

You know, when I fight Drama Raga, I made more when I fought drama, and when I fought Josbenibides. And, you know, I brought that to the UFC attention, and they fixed that. They made it right. So, yeah. Why is that, by the way, DJ? Like, why, was it because Connor was on that card when you fought card?

I have, I have no idea, my friend. I have no idea. But the principle is that if people are saying that you take a bigger name, you fight a person who has a bigger name and who's tougher and bring a challenge to you that, for me, every single person I fight in the five-way division or in my whole entire UFC career, mixed martial arts career, if that, they've always been tough fight for me to train for,

to stay healthy, to make weight. They're all tough challenges. So when you're, from the media standpoint, when I meet you, but the fan standpoint, well, this is going to be a big spot, is he has a name, blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, ladies gentlemen, let me tell you, I've been in that boat for,

been a champion for five years, and I don't, those are empty promises to me that I don't like to grasp onto and run it with. And you mentioned something that sort of caught my attention. you told your wife, Destiny, that if they close the division, you're going to go out and find another job. Does that mean, in your mind, if they actually go through this, you're done? No, I mean, if they close the division, then obviously I had no idea what happens

if I become a free agent or if I go into Bannonweight or what happens. But for me, I always put that in my back of my mind that, hey, if they close the division, and then you see fires, you know, like, hey, you're fired. We don't want to associate, you know, with you anymore, and we don't like what you said, and all that stuff. And I'm like, all right, well, it's time for me to either see if another organization wants to take one of the greatest fighters in the world that does have the but represents the company and does good work.

I mean, it's not like I'm a bad guy. I'm just fucking keeping a real. Then I'll go that route. But in the back of the mind, I'm not a man who's not asked for anything that's unreasonable. I'm a hardworking guy. I mean, I was fucking working a full-time job when I fought with a World Tide at 135. So for people like, I can't even go back to work.

I've done it before. I was a full-time fighter, fighting the high pinnacle of the sport, working a full-time job. I'm not scared to get my hands dirty. And so to connect the dots here, you leave the retreat, which was just a couple of weeks ago, after saying what you said to Dana, kind of holding your ground, what happens then to get us to this point behind the scenes? Do they try again to make it happen? No, he just came back on, he went on Twitter. He went on the UC podcast and said,

this was going to happen, blah, blah, blah. This was going to happen. I make the fights around here, and that's the fight we're pushing for. And I told him my stipulations, and that's where I was like, then, you know, the media, and people are like, we're seeing strong, so how can he have anything? We want to know his side of the story. What's going on?

And I was like, okay, I think it's time, you know, to, oh, then when he said, when they're like, they came back, and I said, hey, if you don't fight, then we're close in the division. I was like, okay, well, that's where they want to go with. And I guess it's time for me to, you know, give my reasons of them why that the world is in the line. Like, oh, you're a duck and DJ.

Let me remind you guys, if it was Adjama Sterling, Jafel Ossanto, or any other band-of-eating division who was trying to come down and skip the line, their name will be replaced of T.J. Dolshah. So. So on the UFC Unfiltered podcast,

Dana White said this to Ray Longo and Matt Sera. He said, quote, DJ doesn't want to fight him. Why? It's insanity. This is the first fight ever in DJ's history that he actually gets pay-per-view points. He gets pay-per-view on this one, and this is the first real fight people will care about and want to see on pay-per-view, and he is refusing to fight T.J. Dillashah. Okay, so that's fine, whatever. But when I heard his next comment, I said this at the top of the show, I said, I thought that this was the straw that broke the camel's back for you. When he said this, at the end of the day, you know how I am with this stuff. Unfortunately,

for DJ, you don't make the fights around here. I do. So that's the fight we're pushing for. That's the fight. I talked to DJ Dilshah yesterday. That's the fight he wants. He's ready. He's already cutting weight. End quote.

When he said that, I was just thinking, would he ever say that about Connor? Would he ever say that about Ronda? Would he ever say that about, you know, some of his top champions? You don't make the fights,

I do, and this is who you're fighting. I thought that that was a slap in the face to you. Was that the straw that broke the camel's back, in your opinion? I mean, that was a little bit, but I think that brought the camels, the straw and the camel's back. when he said in my face, he goes,

this is what he doesha want to, and you're taking his opportunity away from DJ. But him saying that, you know, local Conner's doing now. Conner's not even a sport of mixed martial arts technically. He's a champion. He's not ready to defend his belt. Where's Rhonda at? Exactly. Nobody knows.

Where's my black ass at? I'm still here trying to defend my town. I'm still trying to represent this company as is their greatest combat sport on the planet Earth. And, of course, he wouldn't say those guys that he wouldn't say that to Connor and Ron. They make, you know, they run their own show. Now, all I'm trying to do is run my own show and be straight up. Like I said, and I'm not a UFC employee. I'm a self-contractor, okay?

If Dan White contracting me to come in his house to lay down some tile, and then he was like, oh, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, I want you to also lay down something else. I can refuse that job. I can refuse it and decline. I say, no, you, you, you, uh, contracting me to lay down some tile. if you want to contract me to lay down some backslash in your your shower, you're going to have to submit another contract and I'll have to review to see if it works best

for my career. And then I've got to get you in the schedule on too. That's how that works. So, I mean, if they want to treat me like an employee, then we got to start, you know, dump some money into my retirement, invest in my 401K and all that stuff. I don't know if that's happening. In fact, speaking of that, Leslie Smith tweeted actually a question to us to ask to you, she has been very vocal about a potential association slash union

and she asked if you believe now after dealing with this that a fighter's union slash association would help you. To be honestly, I have an idea. I've never been part of association. I've never looked into it. I hear good things, bad things. But that's a whole different type of topic. You know what I mean?

Yeah. For me, I'm standing on my ground, what I believe in. And like I said, you know, JDR, she stood her ground. She goes, hey, this is why I'm not fighting, you know? Cyborg. Cyborg. Yeah.

You can either cut me or you can find a closer division and all that stuff. And then talking about division, that's not making any money. I'm pretty sure the five with divisions has been bringing away more money than the 145-pound women division. I mean, how many people that have in that division? Four, five. So I'm just, like I said, man, I'm a transparent guy. I keep a real. People ask me a question.

I'm going to give you my honest opinion about it. You know, when people are like, oh, what do you think about top 24? I think it's fucked up. I think they should have had, you know, they should have had everybody in the house. You know, Ryan Benoit, he said, what am I fight for? How can these guys get to skip the line?

I told the UFC, I said, you saw everybody in the UFC roster at the house and the fight. It's using me no more contender. They didn't do with it. So for me, I try to be honest and be straightforward. This is where it's got me to, man. How difficult was it for you,

given the way you've been throughout your UFC career to put that statement out? Not hard at all Like I said, man It was an athlete's retreat You know I told my I told Destiny said

They shouldn't have them Black athletes Come talk to me They don't fucked up You know And I've been around time Really a lot You know

And you just hear things man When I do You know When I went to New York I did this way For the first time It's like They don't market you

Nuffed up And you're and you're You're running around I'm in Hawaii right now Everybody's showing me love I hear You know the shock The champs here

All this stuff And I'm telling them Congrats on your new boy the new champ and they're like dude they don't mark you enough and you got everybody in their mama saying they don't mark you enough yeah you have to take a step back as an act like shit are they not marking me enough are they not doing this stuff and then it just it just you get fed up after a while after wow after wow after wow like I said man this kid went out totally different you know what I mean like dan and white could have came back

to you do shot saying they're going to public like hey you know what DJ did it's not imagine this let's say Dana why would have to teach you door trying to say hey tj um Demitian uh, graciously declines your, uh, your emotion to fight for the title. He,

he requests that you come down in the five with division and get a win and then you can get a shot of the title and then T.J. couldn't have been to, then the balls in T.J. court. T.J. couldn't be like, oh, yeah, that seems fair. You know, you know, I guess I'll just wait for Cody Gambrand. You know, I really want a title shot being.

That's what I really, really want. You know what? T.J., you know what? You do have a title shot. Just sit there and wait for Cody. He's already back on the road of recovery and you guys can fight, you know, MSG or something like that. boom, that would have been easy, simple, perfect. But all this, like, oh, this is what's going to happen, and blah, blah,

then that's where it's like, they're not obviously trying to work with me. They're trying to cause my whole damn division. Have you heard from the UFC since putting out this statement? No, I have not. And I told Matt that I'm done. I said, Matt, I'm exhausted. I'm just tired of dealing with it. I'm going to vacation.

I'm using the vacation as recharge. And now, and I went to Matt, I said, Matt, please tell me if I'm out of line. You know, these are my feelings, you know, and as a student and as an, as your student, you know, and I see Matt as my father, you know, he's been with me, you know, since the beginning of my career, he's, you know, when I first five for the U.S. and, you know, I was like, five a night's going to get $65,000, da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. And I was, like, 65, geez, I'm not to buy myself a fucking WRX. And Matt turned around me, he goes, no, you're going to buy a house,

you're going to start investing, you're going to start doing these things to look out for your career, because it's a very short window of opportunity. I look at Matt as my father, and I said, Matt, as all the bullshit aside, okay? What do you want, what do you want best for your student? And he goes, no, I think you're right. I think if, you know, Dana wants to have somebody skipped the line that we've always been passionate about fighting the next guy in line,

no, I fight Kyojo-Hur-Gucci. People are like, oh, he's not ready. Kio-Jur-Gucci is the best Japanese fighter to ever come out of Japan. Best fighter, who only has three losses. And people are like, oh, he's not a worthy opponent. Shut your mouth, ladies, gentleman, he was worthy of the opponent. Everybody else I fought.

So when I talked to Matt, man, I was like, you know what? I figured doing the right thing. Then I was, then I was like, okay, as long as being down on the same page, then I ain't fucking worry about it. Obviously, the wife, too. The wife's happened on the same page as well. What do you say? Like, I see 95% of the people.

I mean, this has been a very big story today. It's all anyone's asking me about and commenting on. 95% are saying you go, DJ. We support you. And then you have the 5% who are like, I can't believe you're ducking, T.J. Dilshaad. Does that drive you nuts that they, that they, that they, Miss the big picture here? How do you react to that?

No, it doesn't surprise me at all. How do I react with? Connor McGregor, I like how he does, how he handles his career. But a long time ago, he said that people are always going to look the way to discredit you for whatever you do in the sport of martial arts. They'll probably always hang over and said, oh, you never took to be a bash out of. You think, you think, you know, Connor cares? Do you think I care with a 5% or 95% you know, say it's, this is how I feel. and people like, oh, your legacy, my legacy, when somebody said,

all your tarns your legacy, I was like, my legacy is in the back end of my car. It's my two children that I'm putting high-man effort into. When I'm done with my mixed much career, the only people who are going to remember me and respect what I did in how I lived my life are my two children. That's my legacy, ladies and gentlemen. So don't be like, oh, you're ducking fights, blah, blah, blah, blah. Don't say it's going to charge my legacy. People are already shitting on Josie Alba's legacy as they got knocked out by Max Holloway.

and why would I want to put all my eggs in basketball when somebody's going to turn around and tarnish your say you tarnish your legacy because he lost the fight, loses part of the sport. He's done amazing things in the UFC and the Federal Way Division. So that's when the fans say that stuff, that's how I look.

That's how I respond. It's like, you guys aren't known anything. Recently, you took that picture that you wanted of you with all 10 belts. Did you feel like that was kind of an olive branch that maybe the relationship would get better because they made that happened for you? Were you happy with it? Did you get to keep the titles? What's your takeaway

from that? Because that was something that clearly was bugging you before the Kansas City fight. Yeah, it was a great picture, and I'm happy to USC made it happen. I still don't have all my belt. They're at the UFC office, so I don't know if I'll be getting those back at all. But like I said, man, and it's not like, like I said, man, it's not that I just think we're on different terms of business deals. Yeah. And people are seeing me come out and speak the truth looking at me saying that, oh, I don't want to fight for the UFC anymore.

I love fight for the UFC. It's an amazing company. I've done a lot of great things. I've done a lot of great things for my career. But the way they're going out, and I'm fucking tired to find out seeing about my career on Twitter. Yeah. A phone call would be nice.

That way we can discuss it before you go out there saying all this stuff. You know what I mean? So, but hopefully, you know, this, hopefully they understand, you know, where I'm going forward with this. You know, me doing this interview and anybody else out there who's listening, you know, MMA junkie, ESPN, all the guys, don't call me asking for a follow-ups. I'm not doing another interview. Okay, this is it.

Everyone is getting it. That's about it. Well, I appreciate that. Thank you. But I hope that, I hope this moves forward to doing the right thing and getting this sport back on track of what it was about. You have Rankin. What's the fucking point to have a USC tonight and showing the rake-in?

And say, you know, Jimmy Chonpeachers beat this guy, this guy, this guy. And he has five, you know, for me guy, guy, he's ranked number six. six and number seven. Let's go to the Benaway division. We have blah, blah, blah. What's the point to have that show if you're not even to follow the rankings? What is the point to have in a number one to contender? Why come to me say, hey, this is no one to contender? Rayboard, she's a flyweight,

number of contender. After that, it's probably going to be Brandon Moreno and Sergio Pidditch. What's the point to having these conversations if you're not going to stick to it? You're basically lying to the public and telling both tickets that Nick Diaz would say. So I hope this conversation and me doing this interview will get the sport back to where you know, how we have these rankings and me sticking up for people who are working in a

flightway division working tirelessly to get a title shot to fight me. I hope it goes back to that. You know, and divisions like where you have Connor, he's out about the box, and so now the flightway division is unhole. Everybody's waiting for Connor. They're probably going to do interim belts, even though the, you know, usually when I do interim belts, when the champion is unable to fight through medical additions from my understanding. but they have other stipulations now in the state of mixed martial arts. So I'm trying to keep the fight with division to where you're just running them. If you came down or if any other Benaway came down and tried to get a ton of shot

and fought once in the division and if they became a longer contender, we would be fighting. And then if they won the belt, then they can dictate what they want to do, where they want to go to 35 or they can dictate that. But now that I'm the champion and it's the first time I'm holding my ground on this, this is how it's going to be. I mean, like I said. And just a couple more minutes with you, but I'm happy that you said that because not that long ago, Dana White did a scrum where he said, you know, stop talking about money fights, stop talking about jumping around after you win the belt on that stuff.

And here's a champion who's actually saying, I want things to go back to normal. I want to fight the number one guy. I want to keep the division intact. I'm not doing this for money fights or entertainment. I want to stay true to the sport. Are you surprised that they're essentially doing the opposite of what he was saying not to do? You know, I have no idea. You know, I have no idea.

Like I said, I don't talk to him much. I don't, I've heard him say that interview before. But yeah, man, you haven't all these guys growing around seeing what money fights on our stuff? For me, I think every fight that I fight is a money fight because I'm going after I did it for my belt. And if I lose, obviously, I'll go down to a different pay scale. So every fight for me is a money fight. I just felt, you know, when he's saying it, I. I'm trying to keep the shit like he wants me to keep it.

You know, instead of having guys like, oh, you know what done? I'm going to go fight, you know. I want to fight. I want to fight Max Holloway. He's a new 145-pound champion. I want that one-45-pound belt. Then people come back to me and goes, well, you can't do that. Why not?

Everybody else is doing it. Shit, hell, GSP just did it. He ain't been acting four years. Why can't I do it? And people are like, oh, you want to take that fight? I'm like, trust motherfucker. I would take that fight. The money was right.

So. Does the party you wish that you spoke up earlier, that you were quiet for too long about your relationship? No, not at all. Because, like I said, man, I felt, I have to tell you, man, after that retreat, talking to them athletes and been around in a sport for so long and talking and, you know, like I said, if he would have said something different or whatever, then, you know, we probably went behind his conversation. But it was right when he said, like, this is what T.J. wants. And right then I was like, oh, you don't fuck up. I'm done. because he's like it's obviously he's not he's not concerning

word about me and we gave him the stipulations and my concerns and I feel like you know I watched the anime beat with you guys and you know Luke Thomas and you guys are like this seems like a quick fix what do you do let's live in reality here okay reality is let's say I beat he dosha he comes down and we fight and rape by whatever I beat him then I decided to say at 125 okay then let's say he beat me then do I get a rematch does he go up to 135 and hold up the 125 pound division does he ever come back down

there's too many great areas so that's why I'm like, no dog, it's not going to happen if he wants a title shot if anybody that's been in one division wants a title shot

and you want to play fucking Monopah where you can skip go or skip jail and you're happening dog you gotta come down here and fight get a win two wins just like every other fight with under the UFC contract

then you get yourself a tightest shot until then you can go up to 155 and get a time of it. a shot of media because there ain't no champion there ready to defend his throne. He's out doing other things, you know, that's how he's going to work in the climate division. I know you're focused on yourself and this is a very intense time, but I can't ignore the fact that it seems like almost every week there's someone coming out and talking about their discontent with the new UFC, quote-unquote. Do you feel like this is a bigger issue right now in the sport? And are you confident that it can get fixed where fighters will start to feel like they are being listened to, treated right, respected?

at the end of the day, that's what this boils down to, right? You want to be, you know, called on the phone and told what the plans are before the world finds out. These are kind of simple things. Are you confident that this will happen? I mean, you're now like the 10th person in the last 10 weeks to ally Quinta, Anderson-Silva. The list goes on and on. Are you confident that this will change? Do you listen to these other guys?

And does that kind of, you know, make that light bulb go off in your head as well? You know, I hope, I would hope it would change, you know, but they have so many guys on the roster that I'm pretty sure it's I don't know how hard it is to make a phone call oh hey this is what we're thinking before we come out there and say anything obviously this isn't the first um occasion that this has happened with me and my career uh but you know i do listen to the other guys or how their their relationship with the ufc isn't going as well um and it seems like they're they're starting to fix you know i saw a la quinta you know at the fighters retreat so seems like they're trying to amend that relationship um you know

But I don't know anybody else to wish it, but I didn't let anybody else's relationship with the UFC effect of my decision to stand my ground. You know, when I told myself, and I told myself, I was like, hey, you know, if you're going to do this, and you need to make sure you stand your ground on your beliefs. And so, you know, after I went to the retreat and listening to the speakers, and thank you to the speakers, Michael Shrainhan and Kobe Bryant and Brandon Marshall, coming on taking your time. I don't have to come talk to us. That just kind of gave me my position.

and just hearing the people from, you know, time and time and time saying, you know, when you go out to a big interview, you go to Sports Illustrator, they're like, they don't mark you enough, dude, like, they should have you doing this and this and this and this, you know, Matt Hume, he says they should have you doing this and this and all this media. So, like I said, man, it was just a long time coming. Yeah, like I said, I still love the UFC. Great employees there. You know, I can just rally off, you know, Lene, Chris, Chris, Grino, James Campbell, Paige,

Dave Lockett, all the people who work tired of the heat to, you know, push me and doing the media and stuff. But when it comes to stuff like this is the only choice you have, this is the only choice you have. We're going to close the private division. It just makes me look at the whole situation totally different. I was like, well, if you're willing just to close the five with division,

after you, my stipulation is, oh, why I don't want this fight to happen? It's not like I don't have an opponent. It's not like, you know, there's not a worthy... I think Ray Borge is a worthy challenger. He's tough. He's gritty. He's got great cardio. He's good in his scrambles. A lot of people thought Timmy, oh, this fight is going to be.

You know, Timot was a tough guy. He's a tough SOB. You know, so that's, you know, like I said, man, I'm just tired and I'm exhausted. And I just felt this the right time to do it. That way people understand where my character comes from, why I put my stance down or why I'm not finding any bantam weight that's going to come down here through to get a title shot. You know, I don't like how people will keep saying, you know, even though T.J. is involved in this situation.

it's just a principle that it's abandon weight coming down skipping the line that my fellow 125ers have worked so hard to get this opportunity and for the UFC to throw another man at their opportunity they have to explain why they're doing that because I'm not I just you know I'm sticking up for them and say no this is what's going to happen if someone wants to come down to get a title shot if I want to go up to 135 and get a title shot and you see is like hey you got to fight you know you got to fight the number of contender then I'll re then I might rethink my plan of action

I'm like, you know what? Maybe I'll sit out and keep depending on my title. But that's never happen. I never tried to do that. Before I let you go, what do you think happens now? I think they're going to fire my black ass. And then I'm going to be, I'll be working at Costco. Let you know when you come through the line, I'll ask you want a box or not. No, on a real. I have no idea, dude. Like I said, I have no idea. I tell what's not going to. I'll tell what's going to happen.

I might fight another band-of-weight. See you that. So like I said I have no idea I'm on vacation now I've been on my phone You know Just reading

Reading reading reading Really reading And now it's time from me To step away And just leave it in that chance And you know The world knows where I stand You know

There's people who believe me I've got enough of support From people who work at the UFC From other champions You know When another champion Text you when Dana White's doing this He goes

What the fuck is Dana smoking He goes Does he not realize TG's not abandoning I mean, not a fly weight? He goes, I'll have to say, they better pay your ass if this happens. I'm like, thanks, man.

I appreciate the support, you know? Who was that, by the way? I ain't going to anyone need the bus, okay? I ain't about that life. No, I know. But, you know, I appreciate all support. You know, at any day, the support is nice. It's awesome.

I just want things to get back to right, and they're good to go. You know what I mean? Like, I want to fight. Right now I'm just in my body heal, trying to make sure my body is good to go that if a fight does go through it between me, Ray Borge in August 19th,

I'm able to do a full training camp to give the number one to continue in the flywood division the best Demetre Johnson. So we'll see what happens. Is August 19th off the table, or are you still open to it if it's Ray Borg? You know, I'm still open to it. First, I've got to make sure everything's good on my body.

You know, I got to memorize an x-rays. I want to make sure everything's 100%. Okay. And if it is, and, you know, and we come back and we talk and business is good and me and that are comfortable, and then USA and I can move past this whole, I guess you say, shit show, then yeah, then we'll make it happen, you know. But I, and then I think, too, I respect you to see saying, hey, we're going to close your fucking division and take TJ a fight.

All right, sounds good, but here's my stance. Go ahead, fucking close it. Like, I respect him being honest and straightforward with it, but don't expect me to be, oh, okay, I'll take the TG fight because you can close my division. No, no, no, no, that's not how it works. What about doing over the last five years in his division? and trying to make it, you know, the best division in the world. Before fighting, Ray, do you want to relook at your contract? Are you not willing to fight under the same deal that you have now

with the one fight, the record-breaking fight being for pay-per-viewpoints and all that? Or if they come back and say, okay, let's just go back to the original idea. It's Ray Borgate, August 19th. You're healthy. Let's do it. Are you down? I would believe I would say I am down. And then after I get through this fight, I would say, yo, let's make that happen where I believe I deserve paper view points moving forward as a flyway champion.

If I get 20 USC Flyway Championship defenses, and I again, damn, every viewpoint, oh, then, you know, they got to change. You know, guys, you, guys who, you know, I can understand, let's say this. Let's say I just became a champion. And I'm like, yo, you know, a long time ago, I remember when John Jones became champion, and he got that $400,000 Bentley. And then when I became champion, some of the U.S. he goes, hey, did he don't buy you a car yet? I was like, no.

Why do you mean? And he goes, you know, you see, you know, usually Dana buys a champion in the car when they become a champion. And I was like, I can know a motherfucking car, but I can understand, let's see I became a champion. I'm like, I want all these demands. I want this and this and this. And then, you know, two fights and I lose.

I can understand and not give me that, that, uh, those stipulations or whatever. But it's not, this isn't my fifth or sixth or seven title events. I'm going on my fucking 11thal offense. I've been a champion for five years. So give me a legitimate reason of that, you know, you're not even paying me a point. Is your reason that the flyways on sell?

Let's start marketing. Let's get some serious. market. Let's make a sick trailer like you did for USC 189, Connor and Josie Aldo, like you did for the MSG. You know, USC, I can't remember the car. Two or five. Two or five. Two or five. Let's get some serious marketing dollars on marketing, as you guys call me, the best pound pound fighter in the world, the greatest fighter of all time at this era. Let's get some serious marketing dollars to, to push my fights. When it came to me fighting Wolf and Hayes, I went on my Discord and on Twitch, I said, let me ask you guys a question. I don't want you guys be 110% honest. Have

any of you guys seen one commercial of me fighting Wilson Hayes, one commercial on Fox, Fox Sports One, and everybody said no, no, no. Saw it on YouTube, 30th commercial, I watched Fox Sports One all fucking day because Monster Jam is on it because my kids want to watch it. And I didn't see one commercial. The first time I saw commercial, my record tying defense, fighting Wilson A's, was like the week of the fight. So let's get some serious marketing dollars behind his battle.

Let's get some trailers. I'm game. I already showed I can sit in front of a green screen for three hours and never see the content. And if people are like, oh, you never did it. I'll look at my wife's phone and see if I can find a content where I was shadowboxing for two and half hours. But I guess they decided not to use because Jones, D.C. I was still on there fighting. How many fights left on your deal?

Six fights left? I believe six. I believe six. And last thing, very last thing, and again, I can't thank you enough, especially on vacation. Holy smokes. I wonder what your wife and kids are doing at this point. They're probably at the pool having a blast and you're talking to me. So I really appreciate this.

Are you willing to sit down with Dana White face-to-face to clear the air? At this point, are you done? Is that up to Matt to do, of course, your longtime coach, mentor, friend, Matt Hume? I think it's right now where my feelings are at, it's going to be up to Matt. I mean, if they don't want to sit down and talk man-to-man and keep it with each other, we can do that. But my stance is going to change. We kind of did that at the fighter retreat. I told him straight up, like, this was going to happen.

He goes, no, this is going to happen. We have a disagreement. So we have two parties on a disagreement, and whether that gets fixed or whether it doesn't, we have no idea. You know, I told my stance, I think my stipulation is good. This is a sport foremost. I see this as a sport. I will keep it as a sport as best of my ability, and that's what I believe I'm doing.

And, you know, a lot of people might say, oh, you know, what then Josephine is going to be this is no more contender. I try to get Joseph the chance, you know, tower shot. I try to put him in a house to dictate, you know, who's going to fight. And me, Joseph talked about it. He goes, you know, Joseph was like, I'm bitter. I'm pissed. I'm pissed.

These fuckers are in the house about to get what I deserve. And I was like, I agree with you, brother. I agree. But they didn't want that to happen. You know what I mean? So this isn't the first time I've ever stuck up. And Dana White told me, goes, I appreciate you sticking up for your little buddy. That's very cute of you.

But so this isn't the first time I've done this. Man, who knows, this might not even be the last time that I do this, because I'm one to restore order or, I just say order into this division where, no, if you're a no more contender and the UFC deems you, if you're on UFC tonight, and Karen Bryan and my boy, Tyron and Willie and Kenny Floreen, Fox are saying, and no one contender in the flywood division is Ray Borge. That man's going to get his title shot that he deserves. If he doesn't, then the UFC can sit down with him and tell him why,

hey, Ray Bors, you're not going to title shot because you're not marketable, you're not, you know, we don't see you as a worthy challenger. We see a other guy who has one fight in the flywood division who deserves it more than you. They can have that top.

So, I'm done, Ariel. I basically buried my black ass in the sand. I'm going to go and join myself with the family. Much respect, DJ. I can't thank you enough. Thank you for giving me a time. And thank you guys for all the support. Appreciate it.

And we'll see what goes from here, man. Like I said, first thing first, when I'm worried about it's getting healthy, when it's healthy, then I'll start to decide on what's going to happen next. And then we'll go from there. A lot of respect for you, DJ. Thank you so much. Thank you for coming out and putting out that statement for coming on the show. I know a lot of people have your back.

I'm seeing it roll through here right in front of my eyes. Good luck to you. Enjoy your vacation. Try to enjoy it. Try to block all this out. And I hope it works out. I hope you get what you deserve and what you want because, in my opinion, And if anyone has earned the right to get what they want at this point in this sport, it is you.

So kudos to you for speaking out. And again, good luck with everything. Please provide us with an update when you have one on how your hand and how everything is feeling and how this all plays out. I'm really curious to see how it all plays out. Good luck. Thanks, man. Appreciate you. Have a good night.

All right, there he is. Demetrius Johnson. He says, how's we have a good night? He's in Hawaii. It's early morning over there. And so we wish him the best. We wish him the best. It is an amazing thing.

Here's a guy who has not said, I mean, essentially a peep. He has not said anything over the years. A model employee, if you will, or a model contractor has always kind of marched by the beat of the UFC's drum, right? And so as I said at the top, for him to get to this point,

you can imagine how annoyed he was, how upset he was. Thought he laid it out. Very interesting for those wondering. I reached out to the UFC to get their comment. And you could go back and forth all day long. I mean, I think Dana's initial comment on the unfiltered podcast was a response and this is his response to that response. But in fairness, I did go back to them and show them the statement and ask if they wanted to respond to that just to be fair and balanced and have both sides of the story here. Because he is talking about specifics. I have not heard back just yet. I heard. heard back that they received it and, you know, thanked me for reaching out, but I have not actually received a statement in return. This is going to be an interesting one. This is a guy who I think a lot of fans respect. I think a lot of fighters respect. You don't hear many people say bad things about Demetrius Johnson. So again, when he comes out and says these things, they tend to ring louder than with most. And as I said to him, it's hard to ignore. It's hard to ignore. You can say all you want.

You can call us negative. You can say that we focus. It's hard to ignore when the very best fighters in the world are speaking like this. It's just hard. And I think at the end of the day, it boils down to one thing and one thing only respect. These guys want to be respected. They want to be treated with respect. That's the bottom line.

That's what I, Quinta talked about. That's what Anderson Silva talked about. That's what DJ's talking about. Every single guy that you've heard from this year, every single fighter that you've heard from this year, who has had some kind of gripe with the UFC and who has felt empowered to speak up for whatever reason, whether it's the sale, whether it's Lorenza Fertita leaving,

whether it's Joe Silva leaving, whether it's the Reebok deal, whether it's Usada, whether it's a comment from Dana White, a comment from this person, every single person that has spoken up and had the courage to speak up because in the past it was very taboo,

it all comes down to respect. And that is a very, I mean, at the end of the day, that is the most simplest sort of form of gratitude that you can show another person, right? Respect. Trust, respect, loyalty. That's all they're asking for. At the end of the day, you heard him on the show. He wasn't saying, you know, I want a million dollars more. I want this and that. I just want a phone call when you're talking about my career. I just want to be treated with respect. Think about that.

That is an unbelievable thing. It really is to hear a fighter of his caliber after everything that he has done in the sport to get to this point. That's not the way it should be. You hope that it can change. It has been a period of transition. And there's good things and there's bad things and there's things in the middle. But to hear someone of his caliber to me is just kind of like a smack in the face. Wow. Unbelievable. What a story. Let's bring in Mr. New York Rick and get his take on it. He's been sitting back there and taking it all in. Yeah. Demetrius Johnson. And I think you're talking about, you know, the caliber of fighter that Demetrius is. Think about how recently we've also had Anderson Silva.

Now, not in the same spot currently as someone like Demetrius, but also, you know, legendary, you know, in the conversation as greatest of all time, when these guys are speaking out and feeling, you know, differently than they did during the previous regime, clearly something needs, you know, needs to be done to get them back on the team. Yeah. What did you think of his, his comments, his demeanor, his tone? he seems very at ease with it it doesn't seem like he's very conflicted about what he's asking for and i think he's able to be that way and stand on that leg because to this point as you said and you've outlined this really really well he's been a company man he's always been the one um who towed the company line and kind of you know did what was asked of him and always delivered and now um he's reached a breaking point and he identified it in in the interview as the point where

it was clear that this was a decision made about T.J. Dillishaw's career and not really his necessarily. He reached a breaking point and seems at ease with the decision saying, look, if you don't want this division or you don't want to help me further my career, shut it down. And he seems to, he seems to be completely okay with that as a possibility. Now, granted, I think, you know, he realizes smartly that should that happen, he has opportunities out there. There's not going to be a shortage of people knocking on Demetrius Johnson's door. In fact, Matt Hume actually works for one. Exactly.

One of C, there's an easy connection there right away. So it's interesting. It's hard to argue against anything he said in terms of, you know, he's not asking for much, essentially. It would be very easy to rectify this situation, I think, because even now you ask him at the end, would he be willing to fight Ray Borg on August 19th? And he said, yeah, it seems like this situation could be rectified very, very easily. But the two sides need to come together. It's about the respect.

It's about meeting in the middle there. Are you surprised that they are so adamant to make this fight with T.J. Dillashaw? A little bit, just because I don't think that's necessarily that big a fight. Am I crazy in that? I don't necessarily think that that fight is that much bigger than DJ versus Ray Borg. Is it a little bit bigger? Maybe, sure. But if the whole justification is that flywoods don't sell and, you know, lower weight classes don't really excite the people for pay-per-views, then two guys at 135 and 125, regardless of the fact that one is a champion and one is a former champion, does that really change that much?

In my opinion, not really. I think Demetrius versus Borg is at least, you know, if any levels down, one, half a step. It's really the same to me. And I think his demands are not unreasonable. And he's willing to take that fight as long as they can guarantee that he'll get his money as long as TJ makes the weight, which is a reason. Look, it's not my wallet. So I can't, I can't, you know, start throwing that money around and saying it couldn't be allocated better elsewhere.

That's a job in and of itself. The matchmaking team, the brass, have to allocate that money properly. But it seems reasonable. His demand seem reasonable to me. The big issue is, in my opinion, T.J. Dillashah, Ray Borg. Who's the bigger draw? Who's the bigger name? It's obviously T.J. Dillashah. Do I believe that T.J. Dillashah versus Dmitrius Johnson will sell exponentially more pay-per-views than Dmitrius Johnson versus Ray Borg? No. Do I believe on August 19th for the fans who are going to buy tickets for UFC 215, the more interesting fight is Dillishaw versus D.

Yes. but that is ignoring all the issues of the past year. The quick fix, right? What happened in the middleweight division? What happened in the featherweight division, which they're slowly getting back to normal? What's happened in the lightweight division? The quick fix in the long run,

you have to decide whether or not the pros outweigh the cons. If Dillishaw misses weight, it's a disaster. If Dillishaw wins, he's not staying at flyweight. He's going to go up to featherweight. excuse me, Bantamweight. And now what have you done with the flyweight division? I guess they don't care. They're willing to shut down the division, right?

Yeah. But if you're gambling, let's say you know, you're not risk-averse. Let's say you're on the side of risk. This could be something that potentially builds Demetrius into a larger star. Beating T.J. Deloshae means more than beating Ray Borg at this point. So if you're willing to gamble and take that risk, there could. be, you know, there is a justification. There is a line of reasoning that says that this would be beneficial to not only T.J.

for getting the opportunity, but DJ, if he's able to pull off the victory and win. Now, as you pointed out, the other side of that is the risk of T.J. not making weight. T.J. winning. But on the side of DJ, this could potentially be something that pushes him further. You know, he's been talking about getting promotional opportunities. A bigger fight means more eyeballs means, you know, a stepping stone to the next thing. Is it worth the risk? Not in my opinion.

I think we've, you know, for a few weeks now, we've been both saying that we think the Borg fight is the fight to make. But there is a justification you could find for saying this fight might be step one in that process of making DJ more marketable. Not that I think he's marketable to begin with. And I think he's outlined some things that have been done in the past, you know, filming for hours and not using that footage that, you know, may have been a misstep. But it's a combination.

It's both DJ and the UFC having to get on the same page in terms of that promotion. Do me a favor. I just gave you a number. I'm being told that there's a conflicting issue with Mark Hunt's schedule and that maybe he has to come on now or that maybe he has to come on after. It's hard to do the show and text at the same time. That is a PR person. And if you can call them, they just called me, but we're on the air, obviously.

If you can call them and try to sort it out, I'm fine. We're talking to Mark now. But it's just hard to get a grasp on the whole thing. So it's an interesting thing. We appreciate DJ stopping by. We appreciate him taking some time out of his schedule. We also appreciate him giving us that statement. Again, if you have not read it, you can check it out over at mMAfighting.com.

It's up there on the site. It was posted earlier this morning. A lot of interesting things. And I'm very curious to see what happens next. This is an interesting one. It's not your typical... All right. I think they're saying that Mark can come on for five minutes.

I don't know what's going on. Hopefully Eric will figure this one out. Of course, Mark Hunt fighting Derek Lewis in New Zealand. It's Sunday in New Zealand, but it's Saturday night. It's a normal FS1 car. PM. Main car, prelims, 8 to 10, fight pass. It's a normal card here, but it's actually taking place Sunday morning in Auckland, New Zealand. All right, we'll figure that out. A couple other things to run by you before we... And by the way, another thing that was mentioned on that

unfiltered podcast, Dana was talking about, can, you know, the cyborg situation? He was saying, like, can fighters be cyberbullied? It's sort of asking this rhetorical question. Of course they can. I was reminded of that Shakespeare quote. Isn't that a Shakespeare quote? If you prick us, do we not bleed? I mean, yeah, they're fighters. They have feelings. They have emotions.

I mean, it was such a strange stance on the Magania cyborg situation. I mean, everyone seems to be taking cyborg side. You're a fighter. You talk some smack. You got what was coming. Let's move on. And his stance was, you're a fighter. You can't be cyber bullied.

What? Does she not have feelings? Is she not allowed to react to someone trying to make her feel inferior? That was very bizarre. Of course, I mean, they're human beings. Just because I know there's exceptional human beings. They've got, you know, more courage than all of us combined. They do something that personally I could not fathom doing.

But, I mean, yeah, I would imagine if you insult them, they would feel sad. They would get hurt. No? That was my thought on it. The UFC announced that Kazushi Sakuraba is going. Is it possible to just turn down my, all of a sudden got very loud in my ears, if we could just turn down down a little bit. Thank you. Kazushi Sakuraba is going into the Hall of Fame.

So it's Sakuraba, it's Joe Silva, it's Yariah Faber, and it's Mory Smith thus far. No word on a fight. Sometimes they've done that classic fight. They have these different wings. but Sakaraba is a great one. Long a favorite of Dana White. Everyone respects Sakuraba. Not a UFC staple, but I actually think this is a great move because it's trending in the direction of, okay, we're going to be the Hall of Fame of the entire sport.

We're going to actually recognize the sport. Even if you made your mark outside of the UFC, it doesn't matter. We're going to recognize you. And that's great. I love that because there is no MMA Hall of Fame, right? I mean, it doesn't exist. So why not have the UFC Hall of Fame be the MMA Hall of Fame? I love that.

That is great. And so Sakaraba is going to be honored on July 6th, the Thursday, before the two shows in Las Vegas. And it feels like for the first time they're actually starting to take this seriously. That promo that aired during the pay-per-view on Saturday was just amazing. I mean, with all the people talking about Sakuraba and the script and the footage, every single one of those that they've aired, Faber, Joe Silva, Mori Smith, Sakrabah, knocked them out of the park. It feels big.

It feels important. I love that. And so it's going to be interesting to see how they do the event in the past. It's been on a Saturday before the final card of the weekend or a Sunday after the fact. And it kind of been an afterthought. But now it sort of kicks off the weekend. And I love that as well. So that's a great call.

and I thought that they picked a really cool class as well. So Sakaraba going in. Okay, let's bring back Mr. New York, Rick. And he has an update for us on Mark Hunt, right? I do, and I'm about to tweet it out to all our fans as well. We are going to talk to Mark Hunt at 510 Eastern time. We had to shift him back a little bit. I was worried for a second because I got the text,

oh, he can't come on, and it's in the midst of the DJ thing. And all of a sudden I started thinking conspiracy theory, you know. No, no, no. Mark Hunt, not that kind of guy, you know. He's got his own issues. They were all professional and nice over there. It was just conflict. He wasn't aware, and we're going to get him at 510 Eastern.

Okay, cool. All right. Is it time? Give me just one second to tweet this out so I can update the people. All right, all right. So everyone's favorite segment. They call it Rick's Picks, where we get to hear from this one year. Oh, there is.

Open up your ears and your minds. MMA fans, it's time for Rick's Picks. Rick's picks Rick's picks are lots of fun And his hair is in a bun Because it's You already know what it is Rick's pics

Yeah Ladies and gentlemen Boys and Girls It's the moment You've all been waiting for It's the new craze Taking the world by storm Yeah

Live from the Vox studios In beautiful New York City It's time for Rick's picks Bang Boom Boom as Brian Keller Would say

Boom What do we got What do we got I feel like this is a big week Could be Wow Let's see We don't undersell it

Well look you've You know You've always had some smart comments To say about every single week You know Oh too many Too little Not this one

Can't believe you didn't pick this I mean it's almost like You want to just run the segment Listen I'm just trying like What is this guy What's his name The guy Who's

The final Is this Akron Strive for Greatness What is that guy's name Lebron James Oh yes It's very cute. I have to say, it's very cute to hear all the cast fans go,

oh, we've been there before, we were down O2 last year, oh, you know, it's going to play out the same way. We're going home. We're all very confident. Are we forgetting the fact that there's a guy named Kevin Durant on the team this year? I respect it. Trust me, I respect it. I respect the fact that you're loyal, that you're optimistic.

Kevin Durant. Who is that? Are they going to win a game? Are they going to win a game? First of all, I'm going to go ahead. I'm going to game four on Friday. Okay. That they will win.

Game four, okay, is on Friday. You know what bothers me about that? So we've got game three when, on Tuesday or Wednesday? I think it's Tuesday. No. No, Wednesday. Wednesday. Yeah.

And then we go Wednesday, Friday, and then I think Monday. I like having a weekend game. Anyway, that's just me. So you're going to game four. How did you score those tickets? My buddy had somebody he knew in Cleveland with season tickets, so we're going. Damn, homie. Yeah, I'm excited about it.

It's going to be, you know, the series tying game 2-2 Kyrie Irving is going to score 56 points Wow and Now what happens if they get swept

that game Are you nervous? Are you at all nervous that you paid all this money to go to game four Fly to Cleveland and there's a chance that they may get swept

in that game A little bit You know what? I appreciate the honesty No, I'm not nervous at all Okay Could they get swept? They could

I'll do credit to the Warriors They're an all-time great team Thank you. It's nice of you to say I know that's your new adopted team now that we're at the final. Well, not really new. Oh, that's right.

Every year. I'm sorry. Ever since run TMC. Mm-mm. But I don't think so. I think, you know, I've seen some things. I've seen some things in the games that make me think that they can play a little bit better. Some things, including Rihanna.

Rihanna is going to put the hex on Kevin Durant. I love, it's like when I see some people on the media, they're like, I've been reviewing tape on Ray Borg. And let me tell you, his writing. hand is like you haven't first of all there is no tape okay what that that term doesn't exist there's no tape you're watching it online so it's not tape oh so your problem is with the semantics of literally the fact that it's tape this idea that you're

hunkering down you know what I mean this idea that you're hunkering down and reviewing tape with your notepad give me a break wow pulling it out yeah I mean there are some people I don't know if you know this there are some people who actually analyze the fights you know not people that actual action that happens in them oh what are you trying to say look I mean what are you trying to say some of us Some of us know about the intricacies of the fight game. Wait, you're trying to throw shade?

Listen. On the show? On the show that made you? You're trying to throw shade? I mean, are you really? Like, if it wasn't for this show, you'd be still in those Gawker offices. Probably not. I mean, you'd probably, I don't know where you'd be.

200 followers to your name, you know, tweeting out memes about your local basketball league. You're actually going to throw shade on this show, the show that made you? On this show. Wow. Never this show. All right. This show is near and dear to me. I was reviewing tape, and I just noticed that Alexander Augustuson's right foot has been pivoting to the right, and that's the difference maker.

Okay, here we go. Rick's picks, let's hear. Rick's picks. We're going to start, as we have a few of these weeks, with an insane knockout. It's been an incredible year for knockouts. It's going to be very difficult come end of year for knockout of the year. this one was at LFA 13

undefeated Dominic Reyes head kick knockout against Jordan Powell 53 seconds into the fight and obviously I think people have seen this what's so special about this one is

Jordan was feeling himself a little bit and you can't hit me and boom bang lights out stopped short of the John Sina you can't see me yeah he took it a little

a little overboard and paid the price. Up in the corner, Grabaka, Grabaka, however it's pronounced, Hitman, Kaposa on Twitter, the man on all these knockouts. Kaposa's a legend. What does that guy do for a living? I mean, it's like 8 o'clock in the morning.

I'm getting my kids ready for school. And he's settling in to watch, you know, Dagestani Fight Night, 47, and like breaking it all down. Jousting fights and all that. He watches everything. He actually puts out a schedule from time to time of all the fight events that are going on.

Shout it to him. He's a valuable member of the community. He got banned from Twitter a while back and everybody rallied to support him, which was good to see. But that knockout, I mean, not only was the knockout itself incredible, but just so much karma on the end of that foot.

Yeah, you can't do the, oh, no, you didn't. You can't do that. Bang. You got to keep your hands up if you're going to do that. And then respect for not throwing an extra punch there, but just walking away, well. He knew. That's a good one. That's a good one. You see?

Undefeated. Dominic Reyes. So, uh, congrats to him. Looking for more like that out of him next time. We, uh, we see him in the cage. Okay. Number two, this one picked up a little bit of steam on social media. Oh. Oh, yes. Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz squaring off. This one was on, um, Chuck's Instagram. He posted this first. And the question, the caption was why not? First of all, before we move to it. That's a Brody line, right?

That's Russell Westbrook. Sure. Yeah. The MVP. Oh, stop. What? Who's the MVP? James Hardin, for sure.

Get out of here. Before we move to, um... Is that a new picture? What's that? This one. What do you mean? Did they just take it or is... Yeah, yeah.

This is new. Okay, because something else has happened today, right? Oh, yes, yes. There's more to the story. Do you have that? It's unfolding. Yeah, right, right, right. Um, this was taken.

Yes. Chuck Liddell asked why not. In response, we got this next picture, which was Tito Ortiz on Twitter saying, this is why not, because I don't need the money. Sucks that you need the money, I can lend you some cash, if so.

So Tito's not really into the fight so much as denigrating Chuck and making sure that he knows that we're not fighting, but you may need the money, and if you need that money, I'd be happy to help you out. Damn. Which leads us to,

this one I don't have a picture of because it happened as we were kind of on the air. Chuck Liddell responded to this response and said, we took the pick as requested by the media. You knew I was going to post it. You posed for it. I heard you changed for the better,

but with your lack of class and character, I knew it was impossible. Some encouraged me to give you a shot saying Amber changed you. Judging from your tweet, you're still the same piece of shit I've talked on numerous occasions. Now we know who the real trash was.

You can't blame at Jenna can't lose anymore. Man up, exclamation point. Now let me borrow some money. money, bitch. Where should we meet up? I need it soon. So Chuck, Chuck's taking Tito up. He needs the money. And then a slew of smiley face emojis. So who's Jenna can't lose? Is that Jenna Jameson? I guess. I don't know. Let's find out right now. I'm assuming yes. It's just an interesting name. Yes, it is Jenna Jameson. Okay. Which would obviously make sense, but, you know, we don't want to put that out there. Born again, Joe. So Jenna Jameson is the Twitter handle. He's saying Tito is still a,

piece of shit. Okay, here's the bottom line. He's punked on numerous. Okay. Is this them trying to sell a fight? Well, that's the question. Yeah. Obviously, this is them trying to sell a fight. Chuck met with Scott Coker recently in Beverly Hills. There is interest. I think on both sides. Do you want to see Chukladell fight again? That's the question I was going to ask you. Is there, is there interest from the fan side? I think there is, obviously. I mean, look, there is a model that

has proven to be successful for Bellator. And they've kind of gone away with it, right? We haven't seen these legend fights all that much this year. But they rate well. They do well. People know these guys. People are emotionally invested in them. They know Chuck Adele. He hasn't fought in what? Seven years at this point? UFC 115? Knocked out by Rich Franklin. I have no doubt that it would do very well. My issue is, okay, I'll be honest with you. Someone from Belator asked me, what do you think of this? How do you feel about the signing? I said, I have reservations. But what I would do is, Go watch him spar.

Go watch him work out. What kind of shape is he in? How's his reaction time? Is he moving fast? Is he getting, you know, roughed up? Is he getting tagged all over the place? He hasn't fought in seven years. Do I feel 100% comfortable with it?

No. I mean, he was getting knocked out. There was a reason why. He retired. His reason why Dana White wanted him to retire. There was an issue there. Have things gone better? I think his speech has actually improved.

Do I have any doubt that he would be a big draw? Absolutely not. I think he might even break their record, to be honest. Do you think that he could break their record? Is he a bigger draw than Kimbo? I do think so. Yeah. Yeah.

And by the way, tomorrow one-year anniversary of Kimbo's passing, missed that guy, I love that guy. He was amazing to cover. Yeah, I don't know. You want to see it? No, I don't. I don't want to see any of these. I don't, to be honest, none of these, like...

Is there like... Legends fights? What are the comments? Under these tweets, are people like, hell yeah, I want? I think it's a combination

of like, can't believe this and hell yeah. So I'm definitely not, you know, the, I'm not representative of everybody. Not even,

not even close. There are definitely some people who still want to see this. Not my, not my favorite brand of MMA, for sure. What was that other one? Was that another?

That was Tito's response. Oh, okay, okay. No, no, no, the next one. Our next one, Our next one is something else. Something separate. It's our next.

Okay. Yeah. Well, to put this, I mean, to put an end to this, I mean, I'm not surprised that they're talking to him. I'm not surprised that he's talking to them. The shackles are off. He's no longer employed by Zufa. I'd rather not see it. I understand.

You know, Belator, what we have to understand is they're in a tough spot. They have to sort of juggle, you know, the success that they've had with these legends. and also try to build new talent. And I think they're doing a great job these days of building new talent. But they can't deny the fact that these legend fights have actually done well for them. They've sold well. They've done well.

And so they have to determine where do we draw the line? Is the line data 5,000? Is the line Ken Chammrock? Is the line Hoise Gracie? Is the line Chuck Liddell? Where is that line? There has to be a line.

Is the line a guy who hasn't fought in seven years and was getting knocked out? I think Chuck is a big name. I'm not surprised that they're talking and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if they sign him but I do know that no deal is finalized just yet so let's see what happens

Speaking of not fighting in a while Our next Rick's pick John Jones going in Classic on Alexander Gustafson Classic He took to Twitter I believe it was Sunday morning

or maybe Saturday I forget which but sometime this weekend No no no All this? Yeah May 31st So what is that That was like Wednesday or something. Yeah, okay.

During the week, John Jones last week, uh, tweeted, I'm not a champion because I'm a bad person. You're not a champion because you don't win championship fights. First of all, that's, that's fire right there.

He almost could have stopped there and it would have been enough. Um, can I just say that I love the fact that his avatar is still the Michael Jordan. Yeah, it's great. John, John Jones is a Twitter god. Yeah,

he's, he's fantastic on Twitter. Uh, and here's a little FYI. You didn't, this is John's Twitter, you didn't lose against D.C. And I, because of your cardio, it was because of your lack of heart. So he's really going for the jugular on these. And I think successfully, I think this is some Twitter fire.

He continued, actually, with this next set of tweets that said, of course you're rooting for Daniel. And these are all to address, Gustafson had said, you know, he had talked about John after the fight. Being a bad person. Gusufson, yeah, saying he's not a champion. of course you're rooting for Daniel Alexander. You might as well pray for him while you're at it. I'm not a champion because you don't like my personality. Fuck you.

So John Jones dropping the hammer. Wait, did you have the one about the fiancé? I think he deleted that one. What? That was the best one. He was like... Oh, no, no. He didn't delete that one.

That was the best one. I think... Do I have that? I don't think I have. He was like, congrats on the engagement. That was the best one. You know what? I have it.

I have it. One more. Oh, there it is. This is the best one. The last one from John Jones. There was one that he deleted, by the way, that I don't remember what it was. But John Jones is a bad person, quote-to-quote.

You sound like a fucking dork. Congrats on the engagement, though, beautiful woman. So this one, and the reason I separated this one out was he was addressing Daniel, not... No. Oh, no, he's addressing Gus. Yes. This is the best part.

By the way, Daniel stayed as far away from this as possible. Yeah. That was also hilarious. But this one actually made me L-O-L because here he is, you know, insulting the guy and then he's like and oh by the way congrats on the engagement

beautiful woman like I don't know if he's trying to be disrespectful there I think that's truly genuine because I find that John John is pretty real

about the things he says to the point where you know he'll give Daniel Kornier the slightest modicrum of credit when it's due but then completely eviscerate him where he feels that he's

superior so I think he truly genuinely you know is appreciative of Gustafson getting engaged and all that But is at the same time saying, well, I'm still the champion. F you, you're a dork.

Can we just talk about the state of the three best light heavyweights in the world right now? Daniel Cormey just got married. Let's hear who you think they are. So John Jones. Of course, John Jones, Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafson. Okay, that's fair. Was that crazy? Nope.

Gustafin has a win over Manoa. Yep. Has the quality win over Glover. Manoa's number four. I think there's no. I thought you're going to say Mika. Sarkanov. Don't be a hater, all right?

the guy's been through enough this month, or last month. But here's the thing. Cormier, two children, gets married last week. Jones has been engaged for a while now. And Gus, it's like they're all kind of still in this,

you know, courting phase. Fiance is very strange to have three guys in that same sort of period in their lives. You know what I'm saying? Not quite engaged. Yeah, they're not quite married, not quite there or married, just married newly wed.

Just, you know, took the lead in this, race. Yes, yes, but it's funny. That's true. And maybe Gus got engaged to usurp John and beat him to the punch. So what happens if Jimmy Manoa has a shotgun wedding right now? Does he immediately become the front of him?

You did that, right? No, I didn't, are you? What do you mean? I didn't have a shotgun wedding. I went to City Hall. Okay, but it was kind of spur of the moment. In fact, I think it was. I had a very short engagement, that's for sure.

Very, very short. Oh, by the way. That is the way to go, 100%. As long as my wife was on board with it. then, you know, it's all about her. I hope. I would have gotten married the next day. It doesn't really, you know, make a difference, but the engagement is for her.

Being engaged is no good. We have some continuation from here because Alexander responded. It wouldn't be fair without having his response. So we're going to put that up right now. He responded, no, my friend. And this is in response to having a lack of heart. He said, no, my friend, against you is because of the absence of Yusata. Oh.

And he actually, if you missed it, we spoke about this earlier. We spoke about that earlier in the show, so find that. And he had one more in response to rooting. You know, John Jones said he might as well pray for Daniel Cormier. He said, I'll root for Daniel Cormier, but I want you to win. And after the way I beat you, I promise I will pray for you. Are you happy now? So it's interesting, the mix of aggression and mudslinging,

but then always returning to the cordial. you know, wishing each other well. I want to see Gustafson and Corbyn, sorry, Gustafson and Jones fight again. Absolutely. We need that fight to settle it once and for all. And I think, because I still, to this day, I get a lot of people, Gustafsson beat John Jones, Gustafsson beat John Jones.

Gustafsson beat John Jones. And then on the other side of it, you get, well, he was out on a bender for two weeks before he fought him. that means if he was properly prepared that the outcome would have been more dominant let's just see it I want to see Gustafsson and John Jones after we get Cormia and Jones

So you're going against UFC on this one Are you surprised? Yeah I mean I am surprised that they Okay am I surprised I'm not surprised that Manoa would be in that position because he's earned it

He's on a nice role right now But I also take it with a grain of salt. People have been promised these shots before and I don't know. Like if all of a sudden Cormié and Jones changed the narrative and are looking for the fight with

Gustafsson over Manoa, I think it'd be very easy to kind of sweep that aside and go that direction. If John Jones beats Daniel Cormia on July 29th and Jimmy Manua beats Fulkan O's Demir, who do you think gets the next shot at Jones? Gus

or Manawa? I think Gus Yeah. Even, I mean, look, he said it. He was told that he would get the fight, but I still think it's Gustafson. Yeah, me too. You think so, too. But they're in a good spot.

All of a sudden, you know, we thought rumble leaving. It's a bit of a, it's a bit of a shot to the division. It's very shallow. I mean, these are rematches. Remember that, too. It's not like these are fresh. Yeah, but I think people, I mean, it's been a while. I think Jones versus Gus is the best fight in UFC history.

I think, uh... Wow, really? Yeah. Yep. I do. It's up to, I mean, I don't have, like, the top 10 off the top of my head, so I'm not in, like, complete disagreement there. That's interesting. It was a fantastic fight.

Yeah. And I think that D.C. versus Gus is top three, top four, best light heavyweight fights of all time. So you can, you know, you can go either way and you can do no wrong. And I think Manuel is a fresh matchup for both guys, Jones and D.C., I mean, they've got some things. The only issue is Gus and Manuel won't fight. So you've got a bit of a John Fitch, John Fitch, Josh Kosteck situation going on there. but a lot needs to happen for that to be an issue anyway. And when they get to that bridge, things may change.

Yeah, that's right. We've seen it happen before. What else we got? Next, this one came from our friend, Steve, on Twitter. Friend of the show, friend of mine. Yes. What is this? It's a poster for Smash Mouth Pro Wrestling. Yes.

Fight or Flight on Sunday, July 16th. UFC Legends, Stefan Bonner, Phil Barone, getting into the wrestling. Phil Barone was actually just texting me during the DJ interview. There it is.

Right there. Maybe he's still watching. Longtime, longtime viewer of the program. But first of all, you can't use the UFC logo. Oh, they can. And they did.

So wait, Barone and Bonner are going to wrestle? That's, I mean, look, I'm going strictly off the poster. The poster. That's what it looks like. Now, it just says UFC Legends,

Bonner, and Barone. It doesn't say they're going to do anything. So maybe Barone can text you now and get the clarification there. But Indiana, on July 16th, we're going to see

Stefan Bonner and Phil Barone do something. They can just be there. It's true. They're just kind of there. They're just kind of on the poster. Smash mouth pro wrestling. There you have it.

Yeah. I don't know what else to say about that one. That's it. I think we're good. Yeah, I just... Maybe Baroni's still watching and he'll let us know. Are you wrestling?

Stefan Bonner, and how do I apply for credentials, is the main question that I have. You just fly out to Indiana. Hell yeah. Evansville, Indiana? No. Valparaiso. Yeah.

Home of the great Bryce Drew. Remember that? Yeah, of course. No, you don't. No. God. Next, we're going to go to another friend of the show. Oh.

Now, what's going on between you and Devonsawa? I mean, sometimes I feel like it gets a little personal between you two. With the insults. Yeah, he's very aggressive. Why is he so agro? he's not used he's not in this position where because he's the people kissing his ass

well no sometimes things go his way he's not used to that he's a perennial loser wow but what does he lose at everything okay you know he's not good at picking life fights wow

he's been in some good movies I'll have to give him that one Casper and whatnot Final Destination That's right That's right He's been in I remember when you When you replaced me for that one week

You said final destination It's your favorite movie of all team Which was such a lie Not even close to a lie. I've seen all of them. I love the first one. There's multiple ones? Oh yeah.

Including some straight to DVD. I've seen all of them and the first one is my favorite movie of all time. He's in all of them? No, he's not. He dies off, I think in two or three. But here he is on Twitter. Pulling off a twister. Oh, wait, that was him.

That's him in the blue. Oh, see, I didn't understand. I thought he was just watching. So here he is pulling off. What is this? This is from a show called Somewhere Between, which is going to debut on ABC on July 24th. And he's in it.

So he's mixing the MMA into it. It doesn't look like him. In the blue? Yeah. I mean, it's a grainy photo. He doesn't have the, you know, he's not good. We were talking about all his shortcomings. He's not a good at many things.

Probably the technique on the twister is off. I'm not versed enough to know. Listen, let me tell you, I was watching tape on Angela Lee. Yep. And, tell me about it. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But yeah, I mean, that's pretty cool.

Debuting July, this episode with the MMA twist here, is, pun intended, is coming in August. So thanks to him for, you know, representing the sport a little bit. Devint Taventah, getting a show on ABC? Yeah, he's on a show. I think Paula Patton as well on the show with him. Who's that? Whoa.

Oh, wait. I meant to ask you about this before we move on to the next Rick's pick. Okay. not knowing not knowing that Roy Jones Jr. had recorded other songs what happened there? I don't know. Maybe it was a brain fart. I don't recall. Can't be touched?

Doesn't resonate. Way, way, way, way more important to the fight game. No way. Then y'all must have forgot. Who comes out to that song? Many fighters come out to Can't Be Touched. Never even heard of it. Wow. Gotta be honest. I'm blown away. It's not a better song. Better song. It's so good.

Can't be touched. That was a great. interview. I mean, how about him not wanting to shit on anyone? Well, you know, he's, I think he's pretty secure in where he is in the fight game. And how about him talking about, you know, fighting for things bigger than himself? Oh, yeah. Here's the anniversary of Ali's passing. There's some powerful stuff in there. I love that guy. Beyond just, you know, breaking down fights. And, you know, you were asking about him versus Anderson on the undercard. I think he's right that that one could stand alone. I'd be interested in that one as much as I'd be.

interested in me whether McGregor. It would just kind of be fun because of their history. By the way, I've told this story, I think, before, oh, this is the song?

Oh, I know the song. Of course you know this song. I thought this was DMX. I think that's good for him. Roy will be happy to hear that, I bet. Man, this is sick. Never even seen this video.

Where have I been? 43 million views? This is the bigger song. It's not as cool as you almost have forgot. But my first day, did I tell this story last time when I was an intern at HBO Sports in 2003, first day there

first day on the job they were doing a thing for their anniversary I think it was like 30th anniversary or something like that and they said do you want to go to a Roy Jones

interview? We're sitting down with Roy Jones and you have to bring some posters some backdrop things are you kidding me Roy Jones and I remember him

walking into the room wearing the Jordan gear and I was in awe it was Roy freaking Jones my first day at HBO 2003 as an intern and so it's kind of surreal to be talking to him

on my show here always love Roy Jones Such a big deal when he won the heavyweight title. Yeah. He played basketball in the same day when he fought. Remember that? One of my favorite boxers, for sure. I mean, just when his reflexes were at their peak and when he was, you know, when he was able to perform the way he was in his prime, it was something to behold.

By the way, can't be touched. This music video is kind of like, what is this? Kickboxing or something? It's not boxing. I don't remember the music video. And also, he's not even in it. This is not like a Roy Jones Jr., like solo production. There's other people involved.

It's him singing in the song. Yeah, but he's not in it. He's not in the video. He almost forgot. It's like him, chilling with the ladies by the pool. You're talking about the video. I'm just talking about this song.

The whole thing. The whole package. Devin Sawa, not happy with me. He says, throwing shade at him, F you, man, bun. I love you, Devin.

All right. What else we got? Okay. Now we're going on to some personal news. My pick this. Oh, my dear. What? I didn't expect this. Is?

Oh my gosh. A sonogram. Whose sonogram, you may ask? My wife sonogram. Wow. Yours truly is having a little girl. Wow. Mazotov.

Thank you. Thank you. Simintov, a Mazotov. A samentov. How many weeks? I think we're at 14? 15. So I have to be honest with the audience.

You told me last week. I did. I kind of wish you would have told me now. Yeah, but... That would have been better radio or video. I wasn't prepared last week. I wasn't ready. Now I'm ready. Okay, now why are you doing this right here on the show?

It's the biggest platform I have. Okay. I'm so happy and so proud of my wife. I mean, it's amazing. You know how I feel about kids, fatherhood? I'm very happy. I guarantee you if I didn't know about this right now, if I'd be finding out about it today, if I didn't know about it, I'd be crying for sure. I know. I always cry. And so I kind of feel like we robbed the world of that moment. No, that kind of went into the calculation a little bit. All right. Well, I'm very happy for you guys, Mazel Tov. So you said, you say, How many weeks, 13 weeks?

14 or 15. So when's the due date? Late November, early December. So does that mean that I have to replace you when you're out on... That'd be an interesting show. On eternity leave? But I'm hoping, no, I'm hoping the timing lines up that I'll just bring my little... Your little guy?

Yeah, right. I want to see that. Oh, yeah, of course. Well, I meant the little, yes. And how do you feel? I mean, this is a big deal. Was it plan? Yes.

You know, I've seen you over the last couple of years, always referenced the fatherhood stuff. get emotional at times, I've been feeling it already. You're feeling it already. It's a big deal. I went to my, I went to Hawaii for that graduation. And I saw these high school girls graduating.

Oh yeah. And I was thinking, you know, down the line, that's going to be like, it just tore me up. It's the best. I'm already mush and I'm only new into the process, not even happened yet. But that's it.

Just wanted to share the news. Get it off my chest. We're very different because as you know, like I don't tell, like when my wife was pregnant with our daughter, I don't think I told you until like two weeks out. Yep. Let alone broadcast. And the only reason you told me was just because I had to leave. Oh, by the way, I would not tell. Like, there's friends back home.

I posted that she gave birth. They're like, I didn't even know that you guys were pregnant. Yeah. If it was up to me, I wouldn't tell anyone. The only reason to tell people is because, you know, they obviously start the show. But I'm very kind of weird and superstitious when it comes to. Did you have like a gender reveal party and all this? No.

I mean, we just had a blood test and that was your party? That was the part. Well, you know, I didn't want to be surprised. My wife was thinking about wanting to be surprised. I didn't want to be surprised. It's fun being surprised. Next one. How many are you going for, by the way?

TBD. Wow. We'll see. How old are you? I'm 29 going on 30 in two months. So you'll be 30. I'll be 30. This is wild.

But were you ready? I mean, do you feel like you're ready? I definitely felt ready. Okay. My wife. Do you have any questions? giving me how, not yet. But, oh, I mean, maybe some hand-me-downs would be nice.

Yeah, well, yeah, of course. Did you promise them to somebody? No, well, I was going to say, I don't, stupid me, I was going to say, well, I don't have that many, you know, girls' stuff. Obviously, I have two boys. But that stuff, you know, you, soon. They start to outgrow it, yeah, yeah, you'll be accumulating. Well, this is very exciting.

Yeah, thank you. Wow. It's not showing yet, right? A little bit. Wow. Like, throwing up? Minor. No, she's been super, super strong.

And yeah, I'm just so happy. And so... Well, it's the best. Yeah, it's going to be changed. What about this book? What is going on here? That's just a pregnancy book. The photo was taken by my wife.

I don't even know what's going on there. Because she's not in the third month. No, no. She's not the third month. She's just been reading this book. Is she going to take time off? Yeah, she has to. Yeah.

Wow, look at that. The MMA community gets one more. Life, man. a little, with a little, uh, man bun, even though it's a girl. She can have a woman bun? Yeah, she'll have, she'll have a bun, I guess, at that point. Um, last thing. We have a name by the way?

No, not yet. Um, that's gonna be fun. I don't know, is it? I was, you know, I've been pushing my wife to go Kyrie for a boy. Kyrie's solid. Harry Jackman, pretty solid. So now I'm like, Kira. So, you know, I'm trying to stay in the, in the same realm.

But wasn't your guy, Sean Kemp? Yeah, but Sean, I don't, I don't love, I don't love Sean. You don't love Sean like you love Kyrie. It's unique. It's something. There's nothing better. Enjoy the whole process. I'm going to try.

Every step, first month, second month, third month, fourth month, month. Like the whole thing is just great. The moment, when my wife gave birth to our first child, Oliver, I actually put the phone in the corner and it recorded for like an hour. It was the home stretch. But it didn't like point at anything so you can hear what's going on. That was fun. The second one actually last.

like 30 minutes because we played it a little too close. And it was on a Sunday. Had it been during the week with all the traffic, I don't know if we would have made it. You delivering the baby would have been the best MMA story. No joke. We ran into the hospital and our doctor wasn't there, obviously, because it all happened so fast.

And there was a doctor walking down the hallway, holding a cup of coffee. And they were like, you need to get in here, gets in there, puts on one of those coats, delivers the baby, my son Walter. And then says, okay, you guys are good. And then picked up his coffee and went about his day. It was a Sunday afternoon.

I couldn't believe it. Like the coffee was still lukewarm. That's how quick the whole thing was. So just, you know. I'm hoping for that. I mean, let's let's, you know, I don't want to, I don't want to undershoot the time. But I would love to have that be the case. Oh, Mazito.

Thank you. Thank you for sharing with us. Yeah, just, you know, I wanted to get, I'm done. Now, now I'm not going to talk about it. I'm not going to tell anyone about it. Well, now you have to get an update every week. Well, no, well, we'll do the update when it's, when it's closer to time.

But one last thing, we don't have any assets for this, but I just wanted to say a happy birthday to Heidi Elizabeth. Heidi Elizabeth. Big fan of the show. Okay. All she wants for her birthday

is for you to wish her a happy birthday. Me personally. You personally. Wow. And I think we can make that happen. Can we? No, sorry. I actually charge for those like Bruce Buffer.

Bruce Buffer charges for, hello, everyone. Happy birthday. By the way, I saw that commercial that that guy put out about the Cody Garbrand fight. What? I don't know.

that guy, the bodybuilder guy. Oh. No, no, no. But he has, he has Bruce Buffer, like announcing his name. So I think he paid for Bruce to say his name. To say his name like, oh, here he is. Okay. Crazy. Maybe he can fight DJ. Who knows? Happy birthday. This is my birthday song, right? There we go. Happy birthday. Heidi. Heidi Elizabeth. How old? You don't ask a woman that. Come on. All right. Congratulations, happy birthday, Mazel Tov, enjoy the day. Thank you for being a fan. And hopefully you have some strawberry shortcake. This is the Dutch version, of course, made famous by the great Alasar Overim.

I can't imagine that this song is like super popular. So whoever created it probably should be, you know, giving you some more love. You continue to like bring the, you know, you know what's the best thing about this video. It has 50,000 views on YouTube. And if you go to the comments, it's all about Overim. Yeah, exactly. Look at the top comments. Warreem.

Overeem. I watch this every day. Like you've made this song. You deserve some kind of credit. Uberim ate that horse for breakfast. Uberim. There's a horse in the video. War Ubreem. Alistair O'Reem. This video is for kids. L.O.L. How on earth Ariel chooses this for Overeem. What is Ariel thinking?

Imagine some person just stumbles on this. Like, what are these people talking about? I mean, imagine the creator is like, who is this ovary man? Shout out to Danny as well. A friend of my name, Danny, who emails us from time to time about the show. Great guy, very positive. It's a wonderful life, is his catchphrase. Okay.

Is that it for Rick's picks? That's just for Rick's picks. I have some questions unless you wanted to hit some topics. No, I have some other things I need to talk about. Let's talk. Okay. Claudia Gedelia. Yes.

Who do you want to see her fight next? You're not going to like my answer. Oh, stop it. Okay, next topic. Vitor Belfort. Yes. Are you on board with more Vitor? That's an interesting one.

He hasn't really lost in a fashion that makes me concerned necessarily, health-wise for him. But it's a situation where do I think he needs to keep fighting? Is this going to help his legacy any? No, not really. So I'd almost like to see him transition into a different role, especially with how he's been talking about, you know, starting this Legends League. Maybe it's not starting this Legends League, but it's some kind of other MMA position. Again, though, I'm not the one to push a guy out of fighting when it's, you know, he won.

He won the fight. Do you think he won the fight? I wouldn't have scored it that way, but I also don't think. So in other words, you don't think. Okay, but we can't at the end of the day be the ones to, argue, you know, to decide wins and losses. The judges scored what they scored. What about Marais?

I thought he won as well. Yeah. It was a close one. It wasn't a robbery. Neither were robbery. Neither of those fights was anyone that you can get up in arms about. Yeah. It's just so funny that he said he was going to retire and then he's coming back and one more fun.

I mean, before, you know, credit. I was going to say credit to him, but I guess like at least he prepared us for this. He was talking about this even before, you know, it would have been weird if all this time he was talking about retirement. Then he gets into the cage and he's like, five more. let's do it. But he fight week he was already preparing for not this, you know, not to retire.

What about Mario Yamasaki? Did you see that? How many times is he going to do this? It's an issue. It seems like every time he reps a fight, there's an issue. So I thought in the, so I thought the Aldo stoppage was fine. Were you okay with that? I did.

I thought it could have even happened sooner. I thought the Maderos, Mederos beating Eric Silva. I thought that was a little soon. I agree. He was out. He was completely out, but then seemed to be

defending himself and recovering when it was stopped. And then the Matthew Lopez went over Johnny Eduardo, I thought was way too late. Yeah. And he's like coaching Eduardo. He's like, come on, come on,

the guy's taking like, what? 30 unanswered blows? What do you want? Drives me nuts. It's an issue. It's a big issue. And what about bocarina, Borakina?

There we go. Poakina. Yeah. Boa Keenia. Continues to look like a horse. Holy smokes. That guy's got, I think he has like a 14 pack.

Yeah, he's definitely a good looking, well-conditioned athlete. It wasn't, you know, I would have hoped that he would have been able to finish that fight sooner to really make a statement. But he got the W and, you know, we'll see where he goes next. I think a step up is probably due. He seems to have the power. Let's see if he has the gas tank. Boaquina beating another great name

Oloale Banboche who I think is great as well That was a fun matchup New York's own Yes yes Two up-and-comers Overall enjoy 212 The prelims were a lot of fun I thought

Like the FS1 prelims Yeah They were solid And are you on board I didn't ask you officially or did I Holloway Edgar or Holloway Swanson Who You didn't ask me

And I don't know I take either of those in a heartbeat I think I'd prefer Holloway Edgar but I mean I think they could do both of those in relatively short order

I think both are deserving but I think Holloway Edgar you? Yeah Holloway Edgar Hawaii let's get it done Oh the event in Hawaii would be next level

A couple other things Megan Anderson She's booked She's booked in July Against Oh boy Putting you on the spot here Yeah don't

Don't put me on the spot. Not even a chance. She's from a fun nickname. Come on. You're the Invicta guy. Yeah, but you think I'm going to be able to pronounce this name? You had the other one. Which one?

Tony Avenger's opponent. Oh, Yana Kunitskaya? Yeah. Okay, let's try, let's try to sound it out. Here we go. Helena. Helena. Colesneek?

Closnik. No. How would you do that one? You're better with the... Kolesniak? Yeah, see, I'm going to be wrong. Okay, but here's the big thing. When this was announced,

so we still don't have a resolution to the whole Cyborg, GDR story. Sure. I mean, on and on it goes. I think that we're going to get a resolution sooner rather than later, and they seem confident both sides, UFC and Cyborg side,

that she's going to fight on July 29th. Now, whether it's for the belt remains to be seen because they have not stripped GDR. GDR is pretty set that she's not going to fight her. Now, Katzengano did an interview with me last week, and she talked about really wanting that fight, but not being healthy enough to take it for July 29th and hoping that she can take it sooner rather than later. And some people are praising her. Others were like, oh, everyone wants to, you know, everyone wants to, by the way, Mark is ready. You can call them back.

Everyone wants to, you know, call out cyborg, but it's on their terms. well, I believe Kat in this case. And a lot of people were saying, oh, Megan Anderson, she lost out. I actually don't think Megan lost out. Because the big winner over the past few months is Megan Anderson. She was associated with Cyborg. Her stock went way up. Her street credit went up.

She asked for the fight. She could probably stand to get a little more experience, a little more rounds under her belt. I mean, she was rocked by Charmaine Tweet. get a few more, get a little more popular. You're the face of Invicta now. You're fighting in a main event. They're pushing you.

I actually think, yes, she didn't get the fight, but it's actually a good thing. Believe it or not. This all worked out for her very well. She was in the conversation with Cyborg. She pushed the UFC. She was vocal. She was creative on social media,

all that stuff and more. And now she fights someone who's, you know, five and O coming up. I believe my friend Robert Sargent of M.A. Rising has, Elena in his top 10 women's featherweight division. So why the heck not? Solid fight.

You got to build up feather weights. I actually think that she comes out the best in all of this. Subwork comes out pretty well as well because I think that she's been made into a very sympathetic figure. Jermaine has taken a hit and I'd love to talk to her. I'd love to hear from her. Just see, you know, where she's at. Her line of thinking would absolutely love that. But I saw some people really.

lamenting the fact that Megan Anderson isn't getting that shot against Cyborg if she keeps winning, I have no doubt it will happen A and B, I think just being discussed in the same breath as Cyborg has actually helped her a lot. Hopefully we can get some kind of resolution to this whole

Chris Cyborg situation and hopefully we can find out that she is fighting on July 29th and we can find out that she's fighting either for the belt or a top contender or something. If it's not Katzengano at this point, it's not Megan Anderson. I don't know who it's going to be, but let's see. It seems like they're a lot more confident that it's going to happen. Also, of note this past week, Rashad Evans is fighting Sam Alvi in Mexico City. How about that? I don't hate the fight. He's got to build himself back up and is

coming off that loss to Dan Kelly at UFC 209. So Alvi, you know, kind of taking a bit of a step down there. Fighting in Mexico, which is a bit of an interesting one, especially given the the altitude and how some American fighters, although he is fighting Alvi, who is American as well, but I was surprised with the location. I really like the matchup. I think that this is the kind of fight that Rashad needs if he's going to go on a run at 185.

Nothing wrong with building yourself up. Tune up fight, just fighting the kind of caliber of opponent that you need to get on a roll. Nothing wrong with that. So I like the matchup very much. All right. It's the UFC in Auckland, New Zealand, and it's a big one.

What a great fight. It's Derek Lewis versus Mark Hunt. And Mark Hunt is joining us on the phone right now. Mark, how are you? Hey, how are you doing? I'm doing great. Where are you right now, Mark? I can hear you.

I'm in Oakland. Yeah, I'm in Oakland. It's very loud where you are. Where exactly are you? I'm in the news hub. It's called a News Hub. I just seen some interviews. Okay.

I can hear you. It's a little bit loud, like the background is loud. Like, it sounds like you're in a windy tunnel or something. Okay. I'll get to a quiet room. Yeah. I can find, I'll get to a quiet room you want. Okay, now I didn't make out what you just said.

I'll guarantee you something. It's pretty quiet. Okay. What about everything? It's like a little echo. Somewhere in there? Yeah, it's probably just a headphone to get on in the home. Maybe it's the headphones?

I'll just go somewhere better. Okay. I appreciate you doing this, Mark. Can you hear me? I can hear you. It's a little tough because... Go ahead. Is that a bit better?

Yeah, that is a bit better. Yeah, I'm just going to go into his quiet room and see if I can speak to you. Are you on headphones, or are you talking? into a phone. I'm in here phones. I can take them out if you want. I'm in the quiet room now. Can you try taking them out for a second?

Oh. Oh, that's much better. Oh, that's fantastic. Oh, okay. Yeah. All right. Okay, let's do it. Mark, it's good to talk to you.

You're doing a lot of media over there? I did it when I first came. I don't know. I do a couple of interviews now and that's it. I thought they were trying to take away from me. I was very sad for a second. No, no, no, no. It's good. They're over.

I'm just kidding. So, okay, there's a lot to talk to you about, but first I want to ask, where were you? You didn't train for this fight in Australia, right? I did. I trained in the golf carties. Oh. And I just came to Oakland, and then, yeah. So you got this send-off from some of your training partners and friends where they did the, what's the dance called?

want to get a wrong. What's that dance called? It's called the Haka. It's a traditional moody Haka, which is good cold smithing, all the guys at the heartbreak, and, you know, we even had the Ackerman. They had Jason Ma'm all in there and Mara, so there's guys up there filming the Aquaman at the moment. Yeah. Yeah. It seemed like you were kind of touched by the whole thing. It was. It was amazing thing up, yeah. I mean, you get some, it's great to have a good turn up like that's near on, especially when you're going to battle for a big fight like this,

so which is good. And especially because, you know, Jason involved with you, you know, an alien celebrity, and he's a lot in there in the Huckas. It's what I mean. And traditionally, when people do that for you, what does that mean?

Does that mean like they're sending you off? They're sending you good vibes? Like, what is the symbolism there? It's a ton of respect. Respect if you're going to battle. So, yeah. Wow. Were you expecting that? Not really, not by, um, they were practicing that for a while, like I said.

I didn't mean, I just thought we were going to have a prayer and, um, and then go from there, but, um, I think they were practicing that for a few weeks. Wow, that's great. When you, when you were offered this fight against Derek Lewis, did you like the matchup? Well, he called me out, and I don't mind fighting with your loose, like I said, if he's not cheating, then he's fine. You know, like I said, I've always got this case going on. is at U.S.T and, you know, it's always been about to say it took a lot

and, you know, I don't think he's cheating which is a good thing. Does this kind of feel like a breath of fresh air for you? I mean, it feels like this is the first time that you're fighting someone in a few years now that doesn't have that baggage going into a fight. Yeah, it feels, it's a release, you know what I mean?

It's just, you guys have got an unfair advantage as you're going to battle and, you know, it's like being sick and going in when you're sick or something, you know, you give them half with your fucking, you know, and they go on with 100% and you go on 50% and you give them your 50% so they came on with 150% of your or you're injured or something. But that feels good, you know. You know, I have to be my coping or cheating.

Do you think he is? I don't know, man. Like I said, I don't think he is. I mean, you know, there's no word of that before at all, so, you know. All I can say is I hope not. Okay. Have you been impressed with him as of late? He's got some big wins recently, most recently against Travis Brown. Have you watched him, and if so, are you impressed?

Yeah, a little bit of it. So, I mean, he's on the rise. There are a few of the guys, the top-hand guys, which is good. So, you know, we see how it worked out for him this weekend on Sunday. And how about for you, obviously, the last time that we saw you was against Alistair Overeem in March. Looking back, in your opinion, what went wrong that night? I don't know man, I don't know

man I know that fight just It's a few in a way now I don't Like I said I mean I lost to

I lost the fights He didn't get caught so he got away which is good for him so he's lucky

I just got caught with a with a knee in the head that's what happened so it happens

in fighting and that's what happens so you know the top end you make a mistake he lose but I

still don't understand why they that he was about an IV um the company banned it

one else and then they say we'll give him an IV. I mean, shucks, because people going sick or something you still, you don't get that advantage or why, you know, you can't have to be able to, not change them for your own liking, for your own benefit. Yeah, and so you're referring to the fact that he was sick and had some, they said, food poisoning, went to the hospital, got IV. Were you told about this before the fight? No, no, no, no, I wasn't told about that.

They're not going to say anything about that. I think he's just a whole car of shit. it was all made up rubbish and, you know, I mean, you should have been tested also. It's rubbish, you know. What would... What would you...

What would you have done if they told you that he had to go to the hospital, get IV, would you have called off the fight? That would have told him to tough it up. Fuck. Tough it up, mate. And... He looked sick when he came to the fight.

You look like he was... You know, he looked like he was... You know, he looked like he was... fully hydrated there. So do you not believe that he was sick? No, I don't think he was sick at all.

So you think that he went to... He said, oh, here, have the IV. Give you a bit more help. And did you say that you wish that he was tested? You don't think he was tested before the fight? Well, how can you test someone that saying he was sick?

Uh-huh. How can you test someone that was saying that was really sick in hospital? It's not going to be tested. How are they going to test him? You think they'll sit around waiting for him to go to the toilet? He's actually sick. He's in hospital.

Yeah, that's shit. I think I'm out for the next time. I'm sick. I'm sick. Uh-huh. There was a lot going on going into that fight. I mean, you were doing interviews talking about it. You're involved in the case.

In hindsight, was there too much going on, too many distractions? And do you think that that affected you in the fight? No, no, nothing like this. I lost the fight. I got caught. You know, I mean, he got me to get better at me. There's nothing to complain about that. I just, you know,

And it wasn't from a lot of the other stuff that happened. You know, it wasn't, you know, he got me there, but. Afterwards, how did you react? I mean, with your thoughts on Alastair and then finding out about the trip to the hospital, did it take you a while to get over this one? Did you react in a very negative way? What was your reaction to just the entire night? Well, normally, a lot.

I just, you know, it's hard to swallow, but, you know, you get over it later, but, um, you know, it is what it is, you know. You got a bail with cheating and that's it. You got a bite with it, so they got to get on them. You get caught. They gave them help. Oh, fuck. They still have cheated.

I mean. Do you think that happened because of your lawsuit? I don't know. I don't think so. I don't think so. You know, I don't think so. I just, I'm not looking at like that. I'm just, I just don't think they should be doing that.

Mm-hmm. You know, getting all these. I don't think he was tested you said he was sick you were in the hospital you know that's rubbish

what is the current we got some news last week about your your lawsuit with the UFC can you tell us what is the current

state of it right now you know it's going to discovery it's a it survived the the terrain trying to be

usually trying to throw it out from court you know the negative it's got thrown up but it's going to the discovery because of the breach of the covenant in good faith, which is good.

And I'm just trying to, one more, we're trying to prove about the RICO, which is in the judge's hands now already. I think there's some texts between Dana and I about that time frame, and that's what we amended the court case with, and we have to see what the joke says about the RICO clause in it. So it's going to the discovery, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else we can dig up, especially when they start to pinneering, you know, all the information. Are you confident in the case? Do you feel like it's going to go your way?

I'm never confident about anything, especially with law. I just, like I said, all I'm trying to do is get a 50 years of a fairer go with fighting. I'm sick of fighting in the juices and I like I give a part. They're going to give me half in a cup, then I have to put it to do it myself. You guys put me in a vision. I didn't put myself in a decision. I didn't do anything wrong here. So you need to fix what you did wrong.

wrong and change things you know like I said before someone's going to die and you got to be sorry about that and right now your current relationship with the UFC have they tried you know

outside of the case to mend the fences to sit down with you to figure it out or is that not happen no I'm going to have no issues with the UFC like I think about any type of this like I said I'm on a contract with him

and they're on a contract with me you know I'm trying to make them stick to their bloody concerts now like I said, I've done nothing wrong on this whole situation here, and that's the way I'm just trying to throw things up to make it a bit more fair. Yeah. Do you know, like, is there sort of an end date in sight?

I'm no law expert, but I'm assuming you don't want this to drag on forever for various reasons. Do you know when you'll get some kind of resolution to the case? I don't, to be honest. I don't care. It's not up to me. you know, like Danos says, let the lawyer talk. Well, yeah, let them talk. That's up to them now.

It's up to them how it goes and where it goes. I've got no saying how things are now. It's in front of the courts and we have to see what it goes. And I said, at the time, it's out of the court. You know, I would have been totally disappointed because, I mean, that's how it would look like how corrupt this bullshit is. I mean, you guys got fake being in this sport, cheaters. And these guys and the law just let them get away with it.

It doesn't totally be disappointed, but I'm glad that the judge allows us to go to discovery, which is good. And do you feel like you are fighting for your UFC job on Sunday, Mark? I don't really care. You know, like I did, if they want to fire me, go right ahead. It wasn't really part of their contract. How they make it? It doesn't, I mean, like I said, if that's the case, then why even want to be a part of the UFC? You've got nothing wrong here.

All I've done is being a good company person all the time. you want me to fight? Yeah, name of that and place where. Look, I'm just sick of fighting these juices. Just keep giving me fucking cheetahs. So that's all I'm trying to do is make it fair so that then I can get a shot of trying to get to the title. And every time I start getting a run on, I get a fucking juice hit

and then something happens, you know? So like I said, I'm not really interested in how things, if they want to find me, you know, go out of it. Yeah, well, that's why I thought that you'd be happy with the Derek Lewis fight because he's never had that label slapped on him. He's not been accused or failed the drug test, so it seems like it's a bit of a breath of fresh air for you. But the reason I was asking about your UFC job was just because you know,

this, you're on the two-fight losing streak. Essentially, I know it's in no contest. So do you feel like they're trying to put you in a tough spot to maybe severed ties? Do you feel that way at all? just buy me I don't give a rats man you don't give a rat to us I mean like I said being in a company

they treat you like dirt why wouldn't want to be a part of that shit man yeah yeah I mean look look and you say I fucking I had had lost so he's cheated to last you guys were talking

they're bloody cheaters yeah they got freaking help and they got away with it so you know it needs me probably being part of I was like a shitty company the cheecher like I want to be there

by me fuck I'm out of here Are you doing something else? Are you enjoying training? Are you still enjoying being an active fighter? Of course, I enjoy it. I just hate doing this rubbish. I mean, you know, it's never good for me to go and talk about a company that does give me up a shoes and stuff.

But, you know, you've got to treat people failure. This isn't fair what's being going on, especially with the doping. A lot of the stuff that's been going on the behind the back door. And it seems like I'm the one that, and not just me, but a lot of other fighters are getting thrown under the bus all the time. And then all these other guys, it's just because they're champions and the winner, they get the better deal. It's rubbish, right, that's all it is.

Are you still interested in an association? Is there any movement there from your end? Yeah, I've been just focused on, when you talk about the union, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, I'm just focused on fighting and focused on the court case. And then, like I said, the union,

I don't know what type of union is all the fighters need to band together for that. But there's a lot of scared puppies out there. You know, they don't want to open their mouths and just sitting there quiet. Hey, man, I'll just be quiet and take my money. Yeah, good on you. He's doing there. Yeah, no, father. And if you're fighting inside and half out there out there.

It doesn't matter where it is. You're a fighter or whatever. I'm not for some scared little boy or girls sitting there quiet. So you're not confident it's going to happen anytime soon. Oh, you know, not some. I have no idea. I mean, if I get everything else, it's just a process and just concentrating on what I've got to get done. Okay.

I mean, of course, I hope our union starts or something happens, but do a big talk, big talk. That's all litigant at the moment. You're now it's nothing. You're originally from South Auckland, right? Yeah, correct. I'm a curious born here in New Zealand, but I've been living in Oz. I've been here 21 years born here in New Zealand

but living in the last 22 years but to the best of my knowledge this is your first time having an MMA fight in Auckland correct? Yeah, correct the last time I thought here was 15 years ago

and it was a more tight fight now it's the MMA with the biggest happening in the world and it's fixed martial arts How do you feel it? Does it feel like a homecoming? Do you see old friends, familiar faces.

Is this fun for you? Do you like fighting at home? I feel as good at fighting here in Oakland. You know, and it's good to share the whole people, you know, what I'd be doing for most of my life, which is good. And, you know, the biggest company in the world with next five shots. It's good to be here again, the second time, regardless of the gloomy cloud hanging out of the whole situation.

Yeah. And it's going to be a great event. I'm glad that Derek Lewis is, you know, I have to be one of the clean ones and put on a huge chariot this weekend. You know, there's a good opportunity for a lot of the fighters here in New Zealand boys and girls in girls.

So, you know. And how about this resurgence? Australian M.A. And just that whole region. Oceania, you have you. You've got Tyson Pedro. You've got Robert Whitaker fighting for the interim title.

You've got Dan Kelly killing it. There's something really brewing over there. Did you expect this? I think this is all because of Mark Hunt. I think that all these people a byproduct of what you've been doing for two decades in combat sports. They saw you growing up, and now they're killing it in the UFC. Yeah, I think, I don't know if it's because of me.

I just think a lot of these kids, you know, the doors being out before the U.S. and said, all the kids here, the Polynesian kids and all the people from down under, there's a good talent and a good bloodline down here. I think it's good because, you know, it's good because you know, reach the top end and, you know, me and being a fine air for me, it's good. I'm just trying to help make things a bit more smooth for them and clean. I'm saying when they get to the top here, they can lift the awards of being the best fighter and having great money, you know, instead of being a great fighter but being broke.

Yeah, you are certainly blazing that trail. So you're still going to fight the fight. You haven't given up just yet, even after, you know, the loss and all that to Overeem. You're so confident this is, we haven't heard much from you since that fight against Alster. So I just, I was curious if you're still going to keep going with it and it clearly sounds like you are. Well, yeah, of course. I mean, a loss is just a lot of years. You get up again, that's up, go out again, regardless of the circumstances.

That's the way I look at it. I mean, shucks. I mean, and I already know, like I said, that guy's always going to be a cheater. So as the other guy, all these other guys are going to be cheating monkeys anyway. So that's how I feel about these guys. And they didn't win anything. Regardless of the actual fight that happened.

So, you know, they're lucky they got around the circumstances, and that's the bottom line. It's just that bottom line, homie. All right. All right. Mark, I appreciate it. Thank you for squeezing us in. This is a fun fight. I really look forward to it.

Both you guys are great characters, heavy hitters. I think it will be a lot of fun, and I think the fans there in Auckland are in for a treat, and it's really cool that you're getting to fight at home in MMA for the very first time. I wish you the best, Mark. Again, thanks for squeezing us in. I appreciate you doing this during that media day that you have over there, and I wish you the best Sunday morning in New Zealand.

Okay, thanks, thanks for having me on the show. always and thanks for always supporting me and all the fighters man appreciate that thanks always thank you mark we we appreciate it very much there he is the super samoan himself the kFC king the one and only mark hunt always appreciate his time and it was very kind of him to squeeze us in what a great fight this is derrick lewis versus mark hunt wow i love this fight this is so much fun could you imagine these two guys in the cage together going back and forth this is going to be incredible what is the the line before we go. New York, Crick, is there a line

about whether or not this goes the distance? Does that exist? Let me just double check, yes, there is. So, there's a few lines that come into play when it comes to duration, right? There's the over-under, so the odds on this going over one and a half rounds, it's minus 105 for that. The odds on it going under one-and-a-half rounds, the odds on it going under

one and a half rounds is minus 115. So clearly, that's it. They think it's going to, I mean, that seems like decent value to me right away. I thought it would be like plus 500 under a round and a half. You mean minus 500? As in like very likely.

Excuse me. See? I don't know what I'm talking about. Yes, minus 500. So fight doesn't go to decision minus 675. Okay. It didn't start there. It started at minus 300, meaning it's been bet down to minus 675. or bet up, you know,

depending on which side of it you're on, people think this is not going to go to decision. Yeah. What do you think? I do, I don't think. If I set the line at one and a half, does it go under or over? I would take the under on that. Damn.

I do think there's a possibility for a late finish with both of them, though. I don't think. Late, like as in the fifth round? No, like, you know, third round, like, it could, I could also see a scenario where it goes longer, but I think no doubt about it, it will be finished. But I love this fight.

Under a round and a half is not a lot of time. Mark Hunt, still fired up, huh? You know what's the funny thing about Mark Hunt? Like, I'll be accused of stirring the pot. He brings it up first all the time.

Like, I'm trying to talk about Derek Lewis and all this stuff. And he brings up the stuff. Like, he wants to talk about it. I love how fired up he is. Yeah, he's been...

I love when he says rubbish. Rubbish is great. It's just the best. Mark Hunt, man. You know, the knock on him was always that, like, oh, he doesn't like to do interviews and all this stuff.

When I DM that guy, it's always like, yep, I'll be there. No matter the time, 6 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m., he's always there. Mark Hunt, and Derek Lewis, two of the best characters in the history of this show. It's true. They're, like tracking their appearances over this show is a time capsule. It's a moment in time. Derek Lewis, Mark Hunt, other notable fights on the card, Derek Brunson versus Daniel Kelly. I really like this fight because I thought Brunson ever so closely beat

Anderson Silva in Brooklyn. Daniel Kelly coming off that massive win. What a story he is. I mean, he's just unbelievable that guy. In his 40s, the dad, dad bowed out, all that stuff, and he's got his knees all taped up, beat Rashad Evans in March.

So that's a fun fight. Brunson Kelly, of course, Kelly from Australia. Dan Hooker versus Ross Pearson. Who else is on that? Tim Elliott and Ben Wen. Mizuto Herota against Alex Volcanowski, former rugby player,

Ian Kutelaba against Enrique de Silva. Damien Brown, fan of the show. Respect Damien against Vince Pichel. Luke Jumo against Dominic Steele. Ashkan Moktarian against John Maraga. And who else we got? J.J. Aldrich on the card. Tebow Guti.

And this is a fight past prelims at 7 p.m. Eastern. Then we got the FS1 prelims at 8. And then the main card at 10. I like the main card. By the way, I was reminded of this while watching the pay-per-view on Saturday. the Singapore card, not this weekend, next weekend, may be the best fight pass card of all time with Holly Home and RDA

and who else is on that? Holly Home, oh, Andrea Olavski is on that, RDA against Safedine, the Colby Covington fight. I mean, that's a solid, solid main card. But that's in a little less than two weeks next week. It's the UFC's return to New Zealand. A lot of fun and very cool that Mark is getting to fight there

for the first time in his. MMA career. Any final thoughts, I should say, any parting shots, anything you want to say before we say goodbye? Cavs will win on Friday, game four. Okay, but they're going to lose game three. No, they're not. Okay. And Glory's back on Saturday as well. Oh. From Paris. Dumbay and Holskine. Big rematch. Are you going to that? No, I will be here in the States. Nikki Holskine, of course, you're going to the Cavs game. On Friday, and then Saturday, the rematch. from Glory Collision, that pay-per-view event. This is the rematch of that fight.

Can't wait. Yeah, it's exciting. All right. Well, again, congratulations to you and your wife. Very exciting news. That was the best news of the day, even though I knew it, but to share it with the world is very nice as well.

Thank you. Very happy for you guys. And if you need any of those lists, like I have lists like the stroller and the crib and all this other stuff, I can hook you up for a price. I'll take whatever you got, though. All right.

Fair enough. Oh, one last thing. Joseo Aldo. Do you want to see him fight again? Oh, of course. All right. Yeah. No.

To me, that was more indicative of how far Max Holloway has come than Joe Zealdo is washed up. I don't believe that for even a second. If the guy completely dominates Frankie Edgar for five rounds, clearly he has something left in the tank. He's not shot. Yeah. I don't understand this. people want it seems like people want to bury jos aaldo i don't know why um he's still a fantastic fighter i think it's the connor fans i want to see him fight again absolutely i think the unbiased

fans of this board know what he's done know about the favor win the mike brown win again hominick edgar all of those but even that like he's not done now like right now he is still very good like i'm very curious to see what he does is he go up to 55 does he chase conner there I always thought that his stance on the Connor fight and the Connor loss and the way he kind of just pretended like it didn't exist was unhealthy. Kind of like Rhonda and Holly Home, two degrees, different. And so I wonder if those demons are still kind of... Well, it's interesting.

I don't know if you saw this. I don't know if there was a bit of time where I was getting marked, but he released a statement. Yeah. And he's addressing the loss and saying he's going to come back stronger. So I think that's a good sign for him. And of course, I want to see him fight. He's one of the best.

And final piece of breaking news, War Machine, aka John Copenhaver, sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 36 years. So he would be in his 70s when that happens.

That just came through from Nevada. All right, we are done. Appreciate everyone's time. You can hit my music. What an interesting show this has been, right? Demetrius Johnson. Who would have thunk it? The ultimate company man

always played it straight always by the book accused in the past of being too vanilla in his interviews not the case anymore just another story this year of fighter discontent and we'll see what happens

part of the growing pains the new era they've gone to write they've got to make it right with others clearly and who knows what happens next want to thank everyone who tuned in want to thank everyone who stopped by I want to thank everyone who will tune in later on in the week. Appreciate it.

Thank you very much to one Brian Kelleher. Congratulations to him. How do you like me now? How do you like Brian Kelleher now? Goes from trying to win Rick's Ticks to beating Yuri Alcantara in Rio in seven months. Beautiful story. Congratulations to him. Really happy for him.

And I hope he gets that fight against John Lineker on Long Island. Thank you very much to Jimmy Manoa. good luck July 29th against Volkan Ozedemir UFC 214. Thank you very much to Alexander Gustafin. Congrats on the win, the baby, and the engagement. Curious to see what happens to him next. Thank you very much to the great Roy Jones Jr. Y'all must have forgot.

That was amazing. Thank you very much to Frankie Edgar. Good luck getting that fight. Thank you very much to Demetri's Johnson, of course. Can't thank him enough. And thank you very much to Mark Hunt as well. Congratulations to the new UFC featherweight champion. Back next week.

same time and place until they say Peace, so many.