MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 425

Episode Date: March 12, 2018

Ariel Helwani speaks to Ben Askren (00:08:29), Demetrious Johnson (00:28:22), Alex Hernandez (00:51:12), Cat Zingano (01:10:03), Darren Till (01:29:27), John Phillips (01:49:09), Rick Story (02:12:09), Raquel Pennington (02:29:22), Alexander Gustafsson (02:48:55), Mirko Cro Cop (03:04:59), Leon Edwards (03:33:22), Ilir Latifi (03:55:16), Roger Huerta (04:15:57), and NewYorkRic for The MMA [After] Hour featuring Ric's Picks (04:40:46) and the answers to your questions (05:16:24). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. It's the Mixed Martial Arts Hour with... The mixed martial arts hour back in your life on this Monday, March 12, 2018. Hello again, everyone. I'm Mario Hawani back inside our New York City studio. Hope you had a lovely weekend. We're coming off another storm here in the Northeast. Hopefully we don't get a third this week. But overall, it was a nice weekend.

Not a lot of activity as far as the weather was concerned. Not a lot of activity as far as the major MMA promotions were concerned. However, it was a very busy weekend, as it usually is, in the world of mixed martial arts. In particular on Friday, one, Bama, LFA, all with pretty solid shows. The big news, of course, in my opinion, Nick Newell returning for the first time since October of 2015. He defeats Sunny Lucke in the main event of LFA 35. He wins via neck crank in the first round, just two minutes and ten seconds. Improves to 14 and 1.

And now once again, the talk starts. Should he go to the UFC? Should the UFC sign him? There's a lot of people who believe they shouldn't. A lot of people who believe they should. He's getting more aggressive about it. There was a little bit of interest from Beltor, but I hear no interest as of right now. It would be nice.

And I put up a poll. Please do feel free to weigh in on it. It's up on my Twitter. We'll discuss it a little later on in the program. That was the big news. The UFC was off for the first time in two months, and they're back this weekend with that show in London, headlined by Fabrice Ovidum versus Alexander Volkov.

We'll have a couple of fighters who are competing on that card later on in the program. It's another stacked episode, my friends. 13 guests in total. And the good news is we're not breaking up the audio like we did last week. What a nightmare that was for all of us. And I appreciate everyone for weighing in. I appreciate everyone who was so passionate about it. I get it.

I'm a podcast listener myself. I care about my podcast. I'm a creature of habit. I get it. And I apologize. It's a work in progress. Some people, some suits wanted to test things out because they thought the show is too long, and this would be easier for you to digest.

And I keep telling them, it's not too long, and people want longer shows. And people want to digest them in one fell swoop. And I think we proved that last week. So this week's show will be one long episode. So wherever you may be, you can consume it in one shop. And I appreciate everyone weighing in. It was very cool to see. Also, I failed to mention last week, new addition to our bobblehead desk, Tiffany Time Bomb.

Remember, she stole my Fedor, Bobblehead, and said that she would come back with her own. Well, she did come back with her own. And how about that? Look at this starting lineup. We've got Kimbo, we've got Cout, Fadour, Time Bomb, and Hoise Gracie. So I appreciate her sending that. Thank you very much to Tiffany Time Bomb. No time to waste this week, my friends.

13 guests tied for our record. We've yet to hit 14, and I might die if I do that. So we're going to stick to 13 this week. But it is a who's who, a stack lineup from around the world of mixed martial arts. Some amazing characters this week. I can't wait to get into it. A lot of juicy things. We've got a surprise guest.

I mean, there's just so much to sink our teeth into. So let me run down today's lineup, and then we'll get to our first guest of the day. Around 525 after hour, Ricks picks, your questions, live on Twitter exclusively. You know the drill. We'll see you there. 505, we're going to be joined by an MMA veteran,

someone who has been on this program before, someone who has been out of the spotlight, who is returning to the spotlight, it's a fantastic story. He'll be on at 505 to announce his comeback fight. So stay tuned for that. 5.05,

surprise guests. We don't do this often. But I thought this would be fun. 445, we're going to be joined by Alir Latifi coming off that big win over Ovin-Saint-Prew. Talk to him about what's next. His love of animals, wanting to have his own Steve Irwin-like show. Fascinating guy. The sledgehammer, Alir Latifie, will join us at 445. Leon Edwards will be on at 425.

First time on this program. Rocky Edwards, he returns to action on Saturday in London, Fight Night London. He has won four in a row, one of the rising stars. in the UFC's welterweight division. And he's also a guy who's now ranked. And he's also the older brother of a big-time prospect coming out of the UK, Birmingham, to be exact, Fabian Edwards, who won and improved his undefeated record on Friday at Bama.

There's a lot going on with the Edwards Bros. And so I wanted to have Rocky Edwards on at 425. 405 Mirko Krokop will stop by. You know now that he's competing at Belltor 200. We'll talk about him signing with Beltor, the rematch against Roy Nelson, all that and more. 345, Alexander Gustafin will stop by. We talked about him last week.

The callout of one Luke Rockhold, when he's coming back, the lightweight, light heavyweight, excuse me, title picture, all that and more. 345, Alexander Gustafin. 325, Raquel Pennington will join us, and we found out late last week that Raquel Pennington is going to be fighting

Amanda Nunes for the women's bantamway title on May 12th in Rio, UFC 224. So she gets the shot. They're not going with Cyborg, Cyborg said, thanks, but no thanks. At 305, Rick Story, remember him? Rick's story, who has not competed in around a year and a half, he'll stop by

to let us know what's next for him. He has some news to share. So I look forward to that. 245, trust me on this one, guys. You may not know John Phillips, but you are going to love him at the end of today's episode. A true character, fighting out of Wales, training out of SBG Ireland.

He was signed to the UFC around a year and a half ago due to various injuries, visa problems, bad luck. His debut has been delayed, but he is finally fighting this Saturday at UFN London. He's a fantastic character. He lives in a caravan in John Kavanaugh's backyard. He literally lives in a caravan in John Kavanaugh's backyard.

He is an unbelievable character. He's hilarious. Just my text message conversations with him have been incredible. I am really looking forward to talking to the White Mike Tyson, John Phillips. That's what they call him at 244. 25. 225, Darren Till will stop by, talk about what's next for him.

I know you're all wondering about that. 205, Katzengano in her first interview since losing at 222 against Caitlin Vieira. She'll stop by to talk about what's next for her, also her new book. Speaking of 22, one of the big stars. That night was Alex Hernandez, the great one.

He will stop by to talk about the knockout of Benio Darius 42 seconds. What's next for him? His debut on Twitter last week, which was entertaining. I'm looking forward to talking to Alex Hernandez, who's a fascinating character as well. 125, we'll talk to Demetrius Johnson,

the UFC flyway champion. Of course, everyone's wondering what's next for him. He's got some news to share, so I'm looking forward, as always, to talking to the man who many people believe is the greatest of all time, certainly on 125, but maybe even of all time, and it's always great when he's on.

He's going to be on via Skype, so that's always exciting as well. But first, let us go to our first guest, who we talked about last week on the program. We had George St. Pierre on the show, and we talked about a whole host of things with George St. Pierre, including a potential return fight. And at the very end of the interview, I snuck one in there, and I asked George about Ben Ascreen. You know Ben Ascran, the former Bellator champion, the one champion, and the man who retired from MMA in November.

However, he retired with one stipulation. He said the only fight he'd come back for is George St. Pierre. Well, he's been actively talking about it. George doesn't do a lot of interviews, but we were able to ask him. him about Ben Ascran last week on the program and he didn't think that I would ask him. And all of a sudden, George kind of just like, I don't know, he got

really excited just breaking down Ben Ascran. I wasn't really expecting that. And it feels like there's a little bit of momentum to this. So I wanted to have Ben on the program to talk about George's comments, where he's at, the possibility of this fight, all that and more. So let us do that right off the bat. Let's go to the magic

of Skype and say hello to funky Ben Ascran. There he is, our old friend Ben Ascreen himself. How are you? you, Ben. I'm doing well. How much stuff, Ariel? I'm doing great. Is there anything you want to say to me, Ben, right off the top? Let's get it out of the way. Is there anything you just want to say to me? Hmm. Your face is very punchable.

Really? Be honest, Ben. You didn't think I'd ask. You called me out on Twitter. You said, quote, do your job. I feel like an apology is in order here. You didn't think I'd do it. Let's hear it. connotations are. It was more like a joking, do your job, Halwani, kind of thing. And I knew you were to do your job. You're one of the best in the business. One of? You know, okay, go on. I thought it was an obvious question that a bunch of people should ask him. You actually asked him, and he gave an answer. But, you know, Ariel, you could have dissected his answer a little bit more because what I saw was, on the one hand, he says, I only want, I only want a fight that will boost my legacy.

okay. And so by this point he's made a lot of money, he's got a lot of fame. If he hasn't made enough money or had enough fame yet, he's not going to, okay? And then so on the second hand, he says, well, I would fight Ben Asker, and he's definitely a top three wealthy way in the world, but not enough people know him, which essentially means we're not going to sell enough pay-per-views. I'm not going to make enough money. But at this point in your life, are you caring about your legacy, which you just said in the last sentence, or are you caring about your pocketbook, which is what you're referencing now. And so I would have liked for you to say, well, George, which one of these is it?

Is it your legacy or is it your pocketbook? Because if he says, hey, I just want to make money, I don't blame him for that. That's fine. He wants to make money. But don't say you care about your legacy and then you care about your pocketbook more later, you know, it's one or the other. Just pick one. And frankly, you know, I kind of went off before on UFC.

And it's funny because your next guest, Demetrius Johnson, who I think you're, you can make a very good argument. It is the greatest fighter of all time, regardless of weight class. But the UFC, what they struggle to do is market someone who's not just a stand and bang guy, you know? And I referenced Demetrius as one. I mean, he's one of the most fantastic mixed martial arts ever. You know, another one that is like an obvious that this guy should be like a gigantic start of me is stepe, Miochuk came in. He's defended the head of the belt more than anyone. And he's still just a regular guy. He goes to the freaking fire department to work Ariel. I mean, this man can beat up anybody on planet Earth. He has a boat of money

and the dude still shows up to work at the fire department. What is not the love? That guy should be selling a million paper use every time. But the UFC marketing machine, they're set up for one thing. And the one thing is to market the stand and bang fighters. And they fail to have any recognition of how to market someone who doesn't fit in that little profile. And so for me versus GSP, I think if you learn to market me the right way, I'm undefeated. I'm an Olympian. I'm a damn American hero, Ariel. I'll sell a million paper views if you're smart enough to market me the right way. Right. I love this. Right off the bat. Let's refresh people's memories. Here's a quick snippet of what GSP had to say about you to add some context. And I like

the way that you're ready. You've already dissected it. And for the record, I was running out of time. I had him for 30 minutes. I mean, GSP doesn't have all day. So I couldn't like, you know, do a whole other segment on that. But fair enough. Point well taken. Here's GSP talking about Ben Ascran last week on the program. If there was a guy that in my career, I would have, you know, for my legacy, I would have been good to fight. It would have been Ben Asgram because he beat everybody.

He beat all the guys at Bellator. He beat all the champion outside of the UFC. But unfortunately, I think he has a fallout with Dana. And he never had a chance to fight in the UFC. And therefore, is stuck. never went to the value that is supposed to be yet. You understand? He's a guy who's extremely, extremely talented, very dangerous guy,

but nobody knows who he is because he never been exposed to the public, but he's very good. So that's a snippet of GSP talking about you last week. I got the impression that he's intrigued by this, that he's thought of you, that he likes the idea, but then he talks about that stuff the people that know you. What was your initial reaction when you, when you heard him talk about you?

Yeah, you know, I thought he might play it off more. I thought, you know, he might just say, oh, I don't really know him or whatever. Yeah. It was nice to hear him say the truth because what I've heard from BIA and closed doors that he does, uh, he likes the skills that I bring. I mean, at the end the day, in his heart, he's really a martial artist. And most martial artists appreciate what I've done in MMA. And while it may not have been the flashiest or, or the most Korean. I brought a very unique skill set, and I executed it in a fashion that very few have done before me, and I think very few will do after me. And, you know, there's obviously this myth that there's no good fighters outside the UFC when, you know, guys like Douglas Lima and guys like Andrei Koreshka, they're freaking animals. And we saw the war that war that Rory McDonald and Douglas Lema had.

You know what it really looked like for a decent force that fight, it looked like Douglas Lema was going to, in fact, win that fight. and Rory McDonald is one of the most highly regarded welter weights in the world. And frankly, I destroyed Douglas Lima. At no point over the 25-minute competition, was there a question of who the more would be? At no point over the 25-minute competition, was there a question that it would even be competitive slightly? And so when you see what I did versus Douglas Lima, you see what Rory did, you know, you can extrapolate the skill sets. And for those idiots who say, well, Douglas Lima was young then. Well, listen, when I fought Douglas Lima, I had nine fights.

Douglas had like 30. I've been in the case nine times, Ariel. I still had barely a damn clue what I was doing in there. So for those morons who say, well, it was early in Douglas' career. It was way earlier in mine. I had nine fights. I didn't know what I was doing yet. So do you feel, after hearing his comments, after seeing some people weigh in on this,

you know, you clearly have some journalists on your side. You know, last week, Luke Thomas on the M.A. B, I had an epiphany listening to him. I mean, he laid out a scenario of you being the quote unquote, heel, going into Montreal, just selling this thing, undefeated guy, finally getting your chance, you're coming in there for that one fight to take down the legend GSP. I mean, it's a beautiful thing. It gives me goosebumps. I love these kinds of stories. Do you feel like there is some momentum to this? Like, is this actually a possibility? More so than when we talk back in November after the retirement fight? There's absolutely momentum here. And I have been on record saying I will go to Montreal,

Quebec, Canada. In 2019, I will beat up GSP and I will have somewhere around 20,000 Canadians booing me. And it will be a fantastic sight to see Ariel. Wait, so you actually think it will happen. You're predicting that it will happen. Absolutely. Yes. Why are you so confident? Man, that's just the way I work. I don't know how else to do it. I've been doing this since I was 15 years old. I've been saying some crazy shit. And then everyone says, there's no way that's going to happen. and then all starting it happens. And then I say something else crazy. And then I say, there's no way that's going to happen.

And then it happens. And then I say, you know, so this is, literally, this has been, this has been the story of my life. I say, I'm going to go do something. And everyone thinks I can't do it. And then I go do it. I mean, from the time I said, when I was 15, when the Internet forums were coming of age, there was always people talking trash. And as a 15-year-old, I got on there.

And I said, I'm going to whoop this senior in high school. I was a sophomore at the time. I'm going to whoop him. And everyone said, you're a son. saying he's on defeat him blah blah blah and the next week i beat him 21 to eight and uh and then you know from winning a junior national title to winning nCA title to making an olympic team to being an m a champion um i you know i've predicted at all i've called that time because if you can't see where you're going you're not going to get there and i've known all along where i'm going and sometimes

the road takes a few curves that you're you know you didn't see but you got to stay the path and and i have no doubt my mind that this might take a little bit but in 2019 I will fight George St. Pierre at the Bell Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It's going to be sold out, and we're going to make a lot of money. Now, why are you saying, why are you saying 2019 and not 2018? We're only, you know, three months since 20. Okay. It's going to take time.

All right. You know, when I retired, I said I would come back on one thing that that would be the fight. I said the number one in the world with GSP fits that category. Now, go ahead. You know, I retired 30. I was 33. Ariel, so I knew I had a few years left where I, you know, I'm not like sitting here doing nothing. I'm wrestling. I'm doing a few workouts here and there. And so I knew I had a few years

where I wouldn't just get old like in six months. There's a couple of stumbling blocks here, but can you clear something up for me? How could you take this fight? Aren't you still under contract with one? You will see the light. I can't reveal all of the pieces to the puzzle yet, Ariel, but you will see it. I promise. Could you at least confirm that they won't stand in your way that you are free to take this fight if it is presented to you?

I will let you see all the pieces when it's time. What are you talking about? How is that, I mean, that's a massive roadblock. You know, for all we know, Dana White is probably watching this right now. All you need to know is that in 2019, I am going to go to Montreal and I am going to fight GSP in the Bell Center.

You don't need to know all the intricate details of what steps are going to take place to make that happen. You just need to know that I told you it's going to happen and it's going to happen. That's all you need to know. Yeah, but you know, there's people. Just book it. Aaron, just start putting on it. There's people that say things, you know, like, oh, there's going to be this, there's going to be that with, you know, oh, I'm going to, Floyd Maywe, there's going to fight in MMA. But a lot of these things are BS. So I just want to know if they're, you know, we know what the potential roadblocks are from the UFC's perspective. I just want to make sure that you're good. I don't want to see you get

too excited and then have something like Shatri Situatheheng say, You know, oh, wait, wait a second. It's not going to go down. Chattree would love to see me beat up GSP. Okay. Now, what about discussions with the UFC? Have you thrown this out to them? Is there any interest?

What can you tell us? He has a dirtbag. I don't talk to him. Why would you say that now? Can we try to, you know, mend the fences? That's a fact. Listen, I have said that from the beginning. I have presented my argument.

Watch the Rogan show. I laid out exactly how filthy he is. And it's not just a little bit filthy. it's all the way filthy. And I do not deal with people like that. I just don't do it. And so like I said, there's a few pieces of these puzzles that got to come together, but you can bank on the fact that these pieces will come together in due time if you're patient enough.

All right. Have you ever had a conversation with GSP privately, behind the scenes? I have tested through some intermediaries. Oh. But never direct one-on-one. Recently? Not that, I mean, post-retirement, but not that recently. Not like the last week.

What did you guys talk about? Disgolf. He's actually a big disc golfer. That's a big Kaiser, right? I just want to now remember how you worded it. You're not saying that you're going to compete against him in disc golf, right? It's going to be an actual MMA fight. That's the prediction.

Yes, they're obviously going to set up 18 baskets in the Bell Center and see you who has less strokes on the disc golf course. I mean, if we want to do that the day after I beat him up, you know, he gets marked up, we'll put the makeup on his face, we'll go out to the course. You know, I'm picturing like May, June, you know, it's nice weather. It's not like the middle of the way you're wearing terrible. You know, we'll go out and throw a little bit. Are you surprised at the interest in this fight? Did you think it would take a little bit of a lot? No, I'm not surprised at all.

I'm really not. because it's been so obvious what the UFC did to me. And, you know, like I said, I finally laid out the pieces in the Rogan interview of exactly how they did it. But it was so obvious that, you know, Dana stood behind all these lame-ass excuses of he's not experienced enough. He's not good enough. He's too boring. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. They were all lies.

Every single one of them was a lie because he didn't want to tell the real story. And that's because he's a very petty man who has, he's got $350 million and a gigantic ego. And he still has no confidence in self. He can't put the fact that I told him that they could do you saw the testing. And he said no. And then they did it a year later. He can't put that little detail behind him. And because of that little detail where I made him look bad, he has held a grudge ever since then.

And he has withheld the fight. that fans want to see. Fans want to see how I would have done in the UFC. And he hasn't been able to put that together because of a tiny little petty grudge over someone calling him a name. And it wasn't even a bad name. I called him a liar. He was lying.

So it was in fact true, Ariel. And he's been holding that against me since 2012. I mean, for God's sakes, man, you've got $350 million. Don't you got anything better to hold a little bitter grudge? It's pathetic. So you're saying that is the root of the issue, that sequence of events right there, that little back and forth about drug testing.

That's why you think that he's stopping you from going to the UFC. Well, you know, I said there was other reasons, but I would say that's the start of it. And he is a bitter man. He's got a very fragile ego, very thin skin. And again, when you got that much money and you've done, and listen, he's accomplished a lot of things. That's factual. I won't not take that away from him. But to have skin so thin, it's pathetic.

It really is. So the other reasons I said They didn't want a Belator champion becoming UFC champion I think they in fact thought I would do that Because you know that was at the time when Belator is getting on spike And it was getting slightly more competitive between the organizations And that would have been They've signed other Belator champions right

They've signed Eddie Alvarez Will Brooks Yeah I think they signed him You know I think they signed Hector knowing that That he wouldn't win a belt And you know and that that was obvious were better than them. You know, that was their champion forever. He can't be their champion here.

And in Eddie, I think they were trying to take away a very important chess piece because Eddie did have a lot of popularity. But then the thing that happened with Eddie's pre-agency period is it got, the matching clause got challenged and ended up in court. Yeah. And all the UFC fighters got to see what the UFC had offered Eddie. And that made the UFC look bad because at that time he was making more than, you know, the contract they offered him was making more than almost like 95 to 97% of the fighters

in the organization. So they're pissed at this new guys coming over, making more money than everybody, and they didn't want that to happen again. So, you know, there was a handful of reasons. Obviously, my style, not the most exciting, usually would not be a roadblock, but when you have these other things, I think that there's a lot of contributors, right? There's never just one factor or something. There's multiple factors.

Sure. But I will go back. I think the beginning is me chipping at Dana's fragile ego with the comment of calling him a liar. And in fact, he was lying, what I said on that tweet was, you can do Usada testing, you absolutely can't. He said, no, you can't. And what he should have said was,

at this point in time, it's cost prohibitive. We're a business. We need to make money. Listen, that's a great answer. That's totally true. It's expensive to you saw the test. Let me ask you, Tyrone Woodley is a friend.

He's a teammate. He is the champion. How would he feel about you getting this fight? You know, we haven't expressed it in detail. I'm sorry, discussed it in detail. If he gets the GSP 5, man, I'm really happy for him. But I think if I got the GSP fight, he would be happy for me. And the thing is, you know, Tireen, regardless of who his next opponent is, he's the champion.

He's making a paper viewpoint. So he's making really good money. If he fights GSP, obviously, the numbers will go up and he'll make more money. So, you know, I'll be very happy. If I don't get the GSP fight and Tiring does, I'm very happy for him. And, you know, if he doesn't get the GSP fight, I think once he comes back from injury, he's going to reel off a handful more, handful more title defenses and make a whole bunch of money. So what's the game plan here?

You sit back and wait. You're just going to wait for them to come. Are you going to actually go out and try to get this damn thing? I never wait, Eric. Oh. Never wait. So what's happening? All I do in life is attack.

I just attack and attack and attack. And that was why I could never get. I could never get. get why people said, uh, I stalled in fighting because literally from the second one, I just walked across the cage and tried to grab you. Oh, you know, and then once I got on top, I tried to punch you. Um, I never, I never stall in life. I attack, attack, attack. And just because you weren't seeing attack right now, it doesn't mean it's not happening. Oh, things are happening behind the scenes. That's what you're telling us. Damn. I didn't tell you. I didn't say you can't see what's happening.

Okay. So to recap, 2019, it's going down in Montreal. Maybe in the spring. Buy your plane tickets now. Montreal is beautiful in June. Listen, you don't have to tell me against George St. Pierre, Ben Aspern, George St. Pierre, a dream match, if you will. Could I ask, how do you beat him? Have you envisioned this?

Have you dreamed about this fight? Do you have? Yeah, what is it? What's the ending? I would say, here's what I think happens. Okay, please. Because the one thing I have over him is I have the wrestling advantage and I don't get tired. And that's, you know, usually what he's relied on in the last state.

10 to 12 fights or so. I think he's very tough to take down early. I think he's very tough. And he's probably going to, you know, he's going to win the striking battle, but one of the things, I never take a lot of damage. I just don't get hit a lot.

That's what I'm good at. And over the course of the second and third rounds, I start to wear him down. My take downs become more effective. And by the third and fourth rounds, I'm starting to dominate my top game. He's used to being on top. He can't get me off of top.

if he does get a momentary glimpse of hope, I'm back on him, no problem. And in the fifth round, he mentally breaks and he says, I can't do this anymore. I've never been in this position in my life. Wow. And he lets me finish him. Wow.

Strikes? Submission. Yes, TK.O. He just says, I'm done with this shit. Wow. What a story that would be. I could see it now, one hour bad blood, the clip of Dana talking to the ESPN editor.

Remember that yelling at him for having the guy with the Afro on Sherdog. I mean, there is so much history there. It's just, it's rich. It's dripping with history. Let's make this happen. Ben, keep it up. Well done.

I'm looking forward to it next spring in Montreal. I will, without a doubt, be there. And for the record, you know, I accept your apology. It's all good. But never doubt me again, never doubt a Halwani, all right? All right, Ben. All the best. There he is.

Funky Ben Ascgren, stopping by learning the valuable life lesson. Never doubt a Halwani. will always come through. So there you have it. He predicts it. He says it's going down. We'll see if it actually goes down. Okay.

Let us move along now and say hello to the one and only. Demetrius, Mighty Mouse Johnson. Always great to have him on the program. The pound for pound great, the reigning defending, the only champion at 125 in the UFC's history. He joins us via the magic of Skype, which is just phenomenal because now we've got two Skype sessions in a row with DJ. And I do believe the audio is working this time.

DJ, are you there? I'm here. Arrow, how are you doing, brother? Wow, look at that. We've got the sultry sounds of Mighty Mouse. We've got the green screen in back. I love you. You know what I keep doing?

I saw that clip of you with the Salt Bay, Salt Bay, Salt Bay, Salt Bay. Salt Bay, South Bay, yeah, look at that. It was amazing. I loved it. Just stunting on them. Stunning on, man. I mean, you know, I like to play Dragon Mall fighters. And sometimes when you're getting that butt whoop,

some people like to lead so they keep their rank a little bit higher. But for me, if I'm getting my butt whoop, I just sit there and take it on the chin. like, all. It's in the next game. You can't win them all. You can't win them all. It's almost like I'm in awe watching you in this setting right now because I feel like you're such a celebrity in that world and I see so many clips of you in this exact setting. It's surreal to have you in this setting on my show. Thanks, Eric. I appreciate it, man. I'm just stuck it in your show too. I just don't as much, but it's good. Look at that shirt. Look at that shirt.

Yeah, I'm good shirt. My friend. Look at that. Leisure, you go pick that up as well. Designed by humans. Mighty Mouse. Mighty gaming. Get yourself fit. Get into clubs. VIP, bottle service, all that good stuff. It was good, babe. Yeah, self-bay, self-bay. Look at that. Look at that thing. I'm just going to put it right here for now.

All right, DJ, we have a lot of things to discuss. First things, first. You are teasing an announcement. You've got something on your mind. You have something that you want to share. Please, what do you want to tell us? Yeah, man. Me and Zivia, it's a soda company, basically all organic.

Only has like four ingredients in it. Stevia extract leaves. No sugar, zero. calories. We just partnered it up. I'm in a brand ambassador for those guys. So, very excited. You know, I'm very careful what I put in my body, Earl. You know, I don't even take fish oil for a guy at six, but you know what? I approve ZVM. Oh, this bag by open right. I just, uh, whoo, grapefruit. Damn. Look at that.

Oh, good. How refreshing. We linked up. It's very refreshing. It's very refreshing. And we're partnered together in making one. So I'm very happy to announce that to the world. like it. Now is this, so this is one of your new sponsors. This is big time. Yeah, this is one of my new sponsors along with, you know, probably my second sponsor. Out of my whole time career, I'm probably one of the most champions that kind of handpicks, not handpicks, but it's very cautioned about what I get my name behind and that Ziva is one of them. First round management, approach me with this. And I'm like, hey, do you drink, you know, soda or anything? I was like, well, not really because that's so much sugar in it. And he goes, well, why'd you try this product? You know, they're

they have gave her some of the product we might think you like it and I tried it and I was like, it's delicious. Destiny loves it. You know, she's pregnant right now so she can't drink any alcohol so this is kind of like her little sweet. And then the kids, they love it.

We don't give them too much of it, but it's safe for them. So they kind of enjoy it as well. They like grape juice, the grape flavor. What I like about it is everyone's going in the body armor direction. You say, you know what? I march to the beat of my own drum.

I'm going with these guys. Yeah. I mean, obviously, you know, I'm sure body armor is a great. They got great athletes as well. And I always think it's great when a company is looking at its athletes. You know, Zivia approached me. And obviously, I tried their product before we even started to talk.

And I asked him, I was like, you know, why me out of all the thousand athletes in the world? And I'm like, you're very authentic. We love what you do on the Twitch channel. You're not like a big, me, tough guy and try to bully people. You know, you're very upfront about your personality and what you believe in. And we really appreciate that. And I was like, let's get married. Let me get on with me real quick.

quick. Speaking of which, so you said that your wife is pregnant again, Mazel Tov, and you are expecting a girl this time? Is that not right? That is correct. She's pregnant, expecting a little girl. Very excited about it. Very exciting news for us. So thank you. When? When? When's the little girl coming? It's like August right now. August right now. So she's probably about 14 to 15 weeks, I believe. I'm not sure. I mean, I'm pregnant, but you know, she keeps more track of that. I didn't know what's a birthday it is, and an extra appointment, that's about it. You're falling right in my footsteps. Two boys and a girl, there's nothing better.

You've got the two protectors, and then you got the little princess. Absolutely. You know, I would love it to have the other way around, you know, have the daughter be older. That way, she's in high school. She have all the hot, hot friends. And then my boys would be set up like, yo, yo, why'd you hook up? Why don't you hook up Maverick with the, you know, the hot chick, okay? Don't, don't leave your brother's hanging.

So, but I'm excited, you know, it's addition, building the legacy of the family. And I'm happy, man. I'm grateful. I'm blessed. It seems like there's been a shift lately. Like, I feel like I see you at a lot of the video game stuff. I saw you hanging with Jamie Fox and OBJ. By the way, can you settle a debate for us?

We watched that clip. And I said that OBJ is more popular and influential worldwide, certainly here in America than Jamie Fox. New York Rick was saying Jamie Fox, but I feel like OBJ has the pulse of the nation right now. Everyone talks about him. Do you disagree with me? I disagree with you.

I think Jamie Fox had the crap. Arrow, you weren't even there. You have been in the president of him? No, I have not. No. When Jamie Fox got there, everybody was, you know, I think a couple of bras went by me, too. When I was like to Jamie Fox, like, to damn, Jamie, you got these bras coming at your dog. But OBJ, he's an amazing athlete.

You know, me and him chopped out a little bit. We talked about injuries and his career and all that stuff. And Jamie Fox, you know, me and him talked it up. I did a lot of stuff in Seattle and the 90s sell out of my jokes. But, I mean, he had the whole crowd, you know, getting amped up. So I would go with Jamie Fox. I mean, he's a movie star. You know what I mean?

There's people in, you know. What's he done lately? England. Yeah. Was he done lately? He just came out to a new movie, actually, where he was a cop in Las Vegas, undercover cop trying to send back. So it was a good movie, actually.

It was on HBO. It's pretty lit. Yeah, they've all done cop movies in Las Vegas, all right? It's right. Get back to me when you're catching touchdowns at one hand, all right? All right, all right, very nice. But it does. You just ask who's more, you know,

polarize as, you know, a figure. And I think Jamie Fox is, I mean, he's Willie Beaming, baby. I mean, he's played football. What are you talking about? He wasn't the right receiver. He was throwing the right receiver. That's right. My name is Willie.

Willie Beeman. I keep the ladies. All right. Anyway. But it does feel like they're getting you out there. I don't know if that's your doing, your management doing, the UFC's doing, but it feels like I'm seeing you more in these video game things. Like in your element, it's starting to all pay off.

Is that accurate? Yeah, 100% man. Obviously, you know, I'm still, a lot of people out there, people are like, are you retired now? I was like, no, I'm not retired, you're effing idiot. I'm, you know, injury. I just got surgery, you know, in January, so that's taking time. But the biggest thing I always tell athletes and fans is that, you know, you look at kind of a record.

He just landed at Burger King, this spicy chicken commercial, which is a big, big, big, big thing. You see Ronald Rousey, she's in WWE. They started to brand out to different things. Whereas Connor, he's still in mixed martial arts. And for me, video games is my life. I've been doing video games longer than I've been fighting. It's another passion in mine. It brings joy to my life.

And why not take advantage of the downtime I have? So, you know, I've been busy with Metro PCS, with the Purple Couch, which will be at UFC 2-23, make sure you follow us on this book live, YouTube live, and Twitter live to get, you know, one-of-a-kind announce with me, Forrest Griffin. Don't know who's going to make the proper couch yet. We also got the video games going on.

I'm actually working with the UFC and E-Leak to see if I'm going to get on the TPS show to do some commentating with Street Fighter 5. So I'm just trying to stay busy, man. The Twitch channel is getting good. You know, Zivia, we're on board now. We're doing big things, and I mean, I'm happy, you know, and the kids, belly's

grown, so I'm focused on stuff outside of the Ottegon because I just want to focus on because I'm injured. I can't fight right now. I can't even train right now. So that's that's the mindset that you should have and that I'm happy to have. Okay, so here's a big question. Okay, so here's a big question. When's it going down? Is the T.J. Dillishaw fight going to happen? What's the latest? Tell us what's happening. You know, latest, that's the fight that I want. That's the fight that I believe it should go down. Obviously, the UFC knows what I want. And the biggest thing that I've been really, focusing on is let him Malki and A first round management handle that stuff. I mean, I think they're, they're great managers. And I told them what I want. And then they're like, hey, we're going to be talking to UFC. I think the talks, you know, with the Malki and those guys

have kind of gone dormant. And don't even wrong, I'm not calling Malki, what's going on? Hey, Malki, what's going on? I've come to the point now where, like, they know what's going on. And they're like, don't want you, J. We'll let you know what things are happening. So obviously last time we talked about it, I think it was about maybe six weeks ago, I think. he says, you know, we're trying to shoot for July International Fight Week, and we'll go from there. And then you also have, you know, Ali, you know, saying, oh, it's going to be a rematch between DJ and Henry C. Hood,

I'm like, talked to it. And people are like out in the streets like, man, what's going to happen? I was like, you want to call Malki? I'll give you his number. He's the man. He has that stuff now. But yeah, as far as I know, that's where it's at, brother. What was your reaction when you saw that they were trying to do Cody Garbrand

versus T.J. Dillashaw? And is there a chance? Are you being told that this? Because this is the scenario that I see playing out. They tried to do this fight. T.J. said no. And is it possible that they now kind of punish him and say, no, you're going to go back to the Cody fight and not get the super fight? You know how these things go.

Like, are you hearing that there's any possibility that they actually, like, bypass the super fight and go back to the Cody fight? Obviously, I have no idea. Like, I literally don't try to keep my ears in that bubble. But in a day, you know, UFC's a business. I mean, T.J. just won the belt. Obviously, he just won the belt. And he's been a champ for maybe five or six months. And so there's still a lot of line of contenders that he could fight in his division. Obviously, Dominoa Cruz, you got Jimmy Rivera, the Cody Gamma rematch.

So they have options for that one. As for me, you know, I have options as well. You know, I can do rematches. I can do whatever. But I think, you know, T.J. wants this fight because it's probably a bigger paycheck for him. And hopefully for me, too. So we'll see what the UFC wants to do. Obviously, you know, the U.S.E. You wanted to do Christina Cyberr versus Amanda Nunes,

and now you see Ammane Nunes fighter where we're called Pitatin, which I have no problem with that. I mean, I mean, there's only like four people in the Federalweight Division or five, I think. You have also had the chick from Invicta Megan. She's a legit one-fiber. So, I mean, there's options, and options are always good. So right now, Ali, as you said,

trying to put out this Henry Suu thing, do you have any interest in that fight? Yeah, I've always, this thing people got to understand at the end of the day it's a paycheck so if you're going to make as much money as you are when you fight somebody else

then I mean that's the one thing I always tell people like I would never turn down the truly rightful number one contender in my division because the USC can actually strip me they can actually be like okay you're not going to fight the number of contender

we're going to strip you so if they're like hey you know what uh Henry Cito is a number contender we deem him the legit number contender and then I can't like I'm not going to fight him again blah blah blah blah I'm like, okay, well, as a duty as a champion of my division in a 125 pound weight class, he's truly the rifle number one container.

I will fight him. And then after I'm done with that, and the money was, you know, they're like, hey, this is what you're going to get X, Y, and Z for this legit super fight? Then we're going to make it happen. So, but I mean, I fought Joseph Mnivitas, you know, twice. I fought John Dotson twice. I made more money fighting, you know, not rematches. So it's just when it comes to like my division, like true weight class, division, I don't argue that. I'm like, great, let's fight.

Speaking of Benavides, he's coming back in June and he spoke to ESPN.com last week, and it seems like he's thinking that if he wins this fight against Sergio, that he makes the most sense for you. Did you see his comments about just this being the best fight and how, like, you know, there's no other fights at sell, so why not do it? What do you think about him? Yeah, I love Joseph Benavides. Me and him been up front about fighting each other again. He goes, you know, I don't see why me and you can't fight. three or four or six times. I don't see what's wrong with that.

And I was like, yeah, I don't know. I don't either. I mean, the paycheck's still the same. You know what I mean? So Joseph, he's a great guy, a great, great fighter. He's taking a Sergio of Pettis coming off a loss against Hermus Suu. I'm looking forward to watching that fight. And, yeah, I have nothing but good worse to say about Joseph Midevitas.

I mean, every time we've been around each other, been straightforward, and not bad to say about the guy. How is the shoulder rehab going? How far away are you from being 100% good to go? It's a pain. my ass. I'll let me tell you that right now. It's kidding here, man. Like, you know, when I was going to the rehab, obviously, you know, rehab was going

good and then I had my long head bicep tendon flared up. So I kind of backed off that. And then now that's done being no pain of my bicep tendon, which is this muscle right here, this tendon right here, which attached to your bicep, also attaches to your legum. And then now I have my infraspinatus, which is on the backside of my blade. that's been flaring up now. So that's like literally the only thing give me problems.

You know, as when it comes to 90 degree, you're right there, that's my 90 degree angle. So I got to really, you know, struggle to get to that point to my right when it's like, how ya doing, it's that?

So I really, I really got to work on that. But I've been doing it, you know, three days a week, been doing it at home when I've been on a road with the UFC, you know,

doing the Metro PCS stuff. I've been hitting up Heather. The UFC performance institution, it's been absolutely amazing when I was in Las Vegas for the recent fights. I was going, I went there three days in a row.

And then I did rehab in the hotel room. So I'm doing the best I can to get healthy, but I'm not rushing it. I mean, obviously I am kind of rushing because I'm getting injured as I'm trying to get rehab done. But it is what it is. We can do. It's part of the sport. You still feel like July is possible, though. That's what I'm hopeful for.

I mean, I've done it before. Obviously, I was a lot younger. You know, in 2013, I fought John Dotson in January. And then I signed up, you know, I signed a contract. to fight, John Maraga in March, and then I had to back out of that fight because I had to get shoulder surgery, labor and repair on my right shoulder. And then so I got surgery in March, and then I ended up fighting in July. And so it seems feasible. I've done it before. But with this one, it's a little bit different. And like the doctor, I saw him when I was in Vegas,

he says, dude, I can do the same surgery on 10 different people, the exact same surgery, and every student one of the people are going to have different rehab to recovery. The road's going to be totally different. So for me, that's my goal right now, whether it's, you know, T.J., Henry Sehudo, Joseph Benavides, Dana White. It doesn't matter. That's where I want to fight. It is in July. So my job is to stay healthy and keep on rehabbing and try not to accumulate any injuries. Wait a second. DJ, excuse me, T.J., Henry Sehudo, Joseph Benavides. And of all people, the fourth person that you choose is Dana White and you don't think I'm going to ask about that, why did you choose him? Why did you say Dana White? What's going on? Is there some kind of issue now? What's happening? happening. No issue. The internet loves controversy, so I just threw his name out of there. But I have no problem with Dan White.

Me and Dana White are cool. All right. I should have threw your damn name in there. I'll fight Ira Hohani. I'll fight, I'll fight Inmead Junkie. I'll fight Sherdog, Mr. Dog, wherever his name is Jeff Sherdog. I'll fight everybody. I don't care.

I just want to go back to something that you said earlier. You said the talks are dormant, and Maliki and Abe know what you want to take this fight against TJ to make it happen? What is it that you want? Could you tell us once and for all? You know, I mean, obviously people can you know, eventually if it I mean, when you guys look at like, you know, the Pace

Guild, the champions and stuff, you guys obviously see where I'm at. But, you know, I'm not really going to go into that as well. I don't think it's unreasonable what I'm asking for. I believe I deserve it. And so, I mean, people are going to say this is a true super fight. Then let's, you know, after everything's done I said, when you look in the numbers, I want to make sure they look at them like, yeah,

that was worth it. I totally agree with it. But in the end of the day, man, like I said, lit Malki and the UFC, it's on them now. You know, it's, it's on those guys. I mean, you look at all, I mean, you look at OBJ, right? Back to your boy, Oboe, Beckham Jr. He was just in a news on sports center talking about he wants a bigger contract to play football. And then people are arguing on like, he doesn't deserve that, he doesn't deserve that. And there's people out there. He does deserve that. He does deserve that. even though he's already in contract with the New York Giants. And so, I mean, you can say that's like a similar case to mine,

but, you know, he's asking for freaking like $30 more million, and mine is nowhere even a fraction of that. Are you still sticking to the seven figures thing? You want seven figures to take this fight? I don't think, you know, I mean, like I said, let's just let Malky and A, those guys do what they're good at, and then I'll do what I'm good at, which is get healthy. And when it comes time to fight,

Demetri Johnson will always make sure he'll be on to put on a great show and maybe do a new submission out there. I mean, everybody out there in the world has been trying to do the mighty whiz bar. Hopefully I can pull out something else that nobody's ever seen and keep on showing how creative I can be in mixed martial arts. And by the way, I'd be remiss if I don't ask you about a potentially new contender who has emerged as of late. Jucierge Formiga, who's a guy who we all thought would fight you at some point,

but can't put together a winning streak. Oh, we lost you, Errol. Oh, did you not hear me? Yep, you're back now. You cut out the head. I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on Jucia Formiga and not like, yeah, sure, I'll fight him. But are you impressed with him?

Do you feel like he's on the cusp of, you know, finally being in that title shot picture? He just came off a very impressive win. He put together two in a row. He's talking title shot. What do you think of Jucier? Yeah, Drewis has been there for, he's one of those, you know, pioneers and veterans.

I mean, I think he's been fighting longer than I have him and E. McCawal gone back and forth in Tachi. He actually, I McCawaw beat him in Tachi fighting Palis. if I remember he serves me correct. You know, he's always had a hard time with that upper echelon of the fighters. You know, when he fought Joseph, he got knocked out, when he fought John Natson got knocked out. So there's always a different, I always tell you.

There's a different caliber of athletes, even all divisions. When you go to the lightweight, band-in-weight, welterweight, light-heavy weight, there's always a different caliber. So each time he gets to that number three or four spy, I guess like a Joseph, you know, John Dotson, it pains me that he's at 135. I think he does great at 120. That way it's just too much for him. But yeah, he's doing good, spinning back fist, hit, you know, bin 10, and then he jumped on him and took his back and choked him out. So, you know, it is.

Hopefully, hopefully, we'll see what happens. Your prediction, though, right now, July, co-main event, D.C. Steepa, you versus T.J. Is that what you think goes down? Is that what you want to see happen? That's what I want to see what happens. That's what I'm hoping for, man. And you're cool with T.

fighting for the belt, right? This isn't going to be like a 130 catchway type of thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm totally cool with that. Like a lot of people like, it usually be fighting for his belt and blah, blah, blah. I'm going to be frank and honest. Like, if I went up there and beat Tj Doshiai, 135 pounds, I have no interest whatsoever saying in 135. People are like, why not? And I was like, I have no interest of fighting guy who walk around 160 pounds. I literally have no interest because that's going to be more wear and tear in your body. It's going to do X, Y, and Z. I'm looking for the longevity of my career. I want to fight for another five to six years whether I win or lose and I'm going to be able to do that fighting guys who are my size.

I mean, you look at sugar, the sugar show, Shane O'Malley, man's 511, my God. I mean, it's just, you know, it's, it creates more, I think. And obviously, I would do it if the money was right, but I believe I'm not going to sit here and argue with somebody who doesn't believe I shouldn't make X, Y, and Z to where I believe I should make something to do that. Like, I'm not a type of arguing person. That's why, like I said, I leave it up to Abe and Malky to do that job because I'll get pissed off and I'll get aggravated

and I'll get emotional about it and then I'll start saying more stuff and then I'm like, okay, you want to fight? Because we can fight about this because I'm really in the fight for the numbers I believe I deserve. And then you see you gave me wild up already so I'm going to take it down a notch.

All right, all right. Okay. But he wants to make the weight cut. So he wants to make the weight cut. He wants to be the champ champ, champ, all that cool jazz. I don't care about being champ champ. I'd rather be the only consecutive 12-time

definitive champion. in any mixed martial arts promotion, not one FC. I mean, you look at one FC, they got double champ champs. I mean, my Bibiana, Bibiana Fernandez, he's about to fight a guy who's a champ champ, and they don't even have weight classes. They don't even have weight cuts over there. This guy's already won two belts,

and he's going on to fight Bibiano for a third belt, but my boy, Bibiano, going to clean him up. He's going to work them. So there's multiple champ champ champs out of the world. Don't be surprised if Bellatory has a champ champ, so the champ champ champ is old news nowadays, but you know it's brand new. news.

11 time the defendant champion. That's what brand fucking Yeah. Yeah. Congratulations, Demetrius Johnson.

Congratulations on the new deal. I'd love to drink some myself. I went to a bunch of bodegas around our studio. I couldn't find any. So what that? We're going to send you some. We're going to send you some.

You already got some mighty gaming swag. We're going to get you some Zivia. We're going to hook you up. Drink of Asia. It's safe for you kids. No calories. No GMO. Delicious stuff.

Awesome. Congratulations on the upcoming baby. Keep us posted on everything and good luck with the rehab. Always great to talk to you, my man. Thank you very much. Thanks, Sarah. Appreciate you, Ben. All right, there he is.

The one and only Mighty Mouse, Demetrius Johnson himself. So some big news for him as far as sponsorship goes. And in this day and age, that is great news for all fighters to get a big time deal like that. And of course, we want to see him back in there. Maybe in July. Maybe against TJ. We'll see how that story plays out. All right, let's move along now and say hello to our next guest.

He made waves a little. a little over a week ago in Las Vegas, took a fight against Benil Darius, who's one of the best 155ers in the world. Alex Hernandez, relatively unknown to UFC fans, took this fight on essentially like eight days' notice, and not only did he go in there and win,

he won in 42 seconds. He brutally knocked out Benil Darius, everyone talking about him afterwards. He even debuted on Twitter last week. It has been a world wind for one Alex Hernandez. Great personality. Looking forward to talking to him. He joins us right now via the magic of Skype. He is, Alex himself. Alex, how are you?

Doing pretty swell. How are you? I'm doing great. So you got a big smile on your face, all as well. How different is your life at this point than let's say like two weeks ago? Before 222, you're about to embark on your first UFC fight? Does it feel drastically different right now for you? No, no. I mean, everything's, it's been a hell of a two weeks, but everything's been about the same. I think every girl I've ever talked in my life is probably DM the message my phone. But aside from that.

It can't just be the same, right? It hasn't been too much thing. Really? I feel like life has to be different. How is it not different? Other than the girl thing, which is a great byproduct, but how is it not different? You know, it's just back to business, man. I mean, I've been here for so long mentally, and now that we're physically here, you know,

it's just another day at work. And so I got back to the gym on Monday per usual, just had to juggle, you know, a billion interviews and a couple of doctors to make sure everything was up tomorrow. But I keep saying, this is a lot of it. still in the beginning. And so, I mean, we're just, we're just scratching the surface on what's to change and what's to come. But right now, nothing too crazy. You're a

supremely confident guy, and you said that you've been thinking about this and planning for this for quite some time. But honestly, did you expect it to go down like this, to get a fight on, like a week's notice, to knock out a guy, like Daryush, like a top 10 guy in less than a minute? Like, I know you expect it to be in the UFC and make waves,

but the circumstances surrounding your debut and the way it unfolded. Did you really expect that? you know it's a crazy business and I've known that and I kind of thought that more than likely I'd probably be the poor asshole who got the seven day notice call and truthfully we were kind of planning on it to happen there's that Austin card you know the UFC Austin card and I think it was February yeah and so I was kind of half expecting that might happen like I guess I'm always kind of just in shape and ready to go but we're kind of playing on that whenever that didn't happen it was like okay you know we just I was planning for a regional level fight and we're never that call came, it was just like, man, how much better is this than just as local Austin car? You know, we get to go to Vakes instead. So I guess I wasn't necessarily planning on it, but I was ready for it. And I was just so freaking excited, man, just the thought of making that kind of historical impact on my debut on an eight-day notice.

I mean, I was fired up. And I didn't think it was maybe going to happen in 42 seconds, happened a little quicker than we expected. But by the end of that week and by the time it was fight prep, by the time it was Thursday or Friday that week, I kept saying, you're betting, man, place your bets for the first round, so I don't think it's making it to the second. You told us after the fight that around three, four months ago, you were working as a loan mortgage loan officer. And then you had this epiphany.

Like you had a quarter life crisis, as you put it. And you said, I'm going to go all in, and I'm going to devote my life and see where this MMA thing takes me. I'm wondering if you heard from anyone at that company you used to work for after you did what you did two Saturdays ago. Yeah, you know, we were all real close, you know, both companies. I worked at a place called Gold Financial Services, and I worked at another called Premier Nationwide lending.

And, you know, everyone was really close. I think they all saw something. It was a good feeling when nobody told me I was crazy, you know, just batshit crazy for quitting my job. Everybody kind of saw it come, and everybody was surprisingly supportive. And then afterwards, you know, of course, hearing the praise and the congratulations was really nice. But I think everybody sort of knew it was in the stars for me. so what is a quarter life crisis look like feel like what like what led to this how did you

did you for me i'm so brutal on myself man i mean i imagine like where a middle age crisis and you go and buy that sports car or date that 22 year old blonde or do whatever you got to do i mean absolutely i felt like i was falling apart i beat myself up for years on kind of what's the right direction with me i've had ups and downs and fighting and in my business professional life And so, you know, going back and forth on what's the right decision. I was putting so much in a both, you know, like 15-hour days between juggling the two. And so, like I said, I kind of just decided, you know, I had my whole life to sit behind a desk, but I have a real finite window to chase this dream that sees it, and I'll just be damned if I don't.

So I had essentially shit or get off the pot. And I've talked so much shit to myself for so long, like, man, you could do this. If you just put everything into it, you could do it, you can do it. And so it was extremely liberating to make that decision. decision and then I was followed by a ton of angst and anxiety just like a bad thing. No, this is all very real now. You've got to do it. But it's obviously the best decision I ever made.

Financially, what were those like three, four months like? Because the UFC could call you in a year. You know, you kind of got lucky that they called you relatively early. How much stress were you under to try to like, you know, get this thing to happen sooner rather than later? I put myself under some unnecessary stress because I'm such perfectionist and everything. but really I had enough money saved up. I was really successful in that business,

and it was a lucrative one, and so I had enough saved up for over a year where I could live comfortably trained and nothing really would have changed. And so I kind of had, I knew I was going to make it in by end of 2018, but if it had a stretch further, it could have. So I was truthfully in a really good place to do it.

By the way, what is a mortgage loan officer? It's just like the rest of the world, just wiping ass and kissing babies. You're just kissing people's ass like you do anything? You know, it's a business of building relationships. And you get really good at, you get really good at kind of rubbing elbows and telling people what they need to hear. And then you also get really good at analyzing and managing some financial stats.

And so first and foremost is building relationships. And I got really, really good at shaking hands, convincing people that are twice my age, my parents' age, that this 18-year-old looking kid, especially when I started, is trustworthy of closing the biggest financial purchases of your life. And, you know, with that, I developed a lot of speech skills. I had talk in front of a, you know, a multitude of people. And so that, I mean, really transcended into the fight game and what I'm doing now, I feel like and helped me out in confidence tremendously, man.

I was more nervous for some of those speeches and things I had to hold and people had to speak in front of them and, you know, tutorials I had to teach more so that I wasn't at UFC debut. So, yeah, I mean, I'd say they really benefited each other and coincide. I didn't realize it at the time, but I do know. Is it true that you accepted your debut without knowing who the opponent was? Oh, yeah. I mean, what am I going to say no. Of course, I accept that debut.

No matter what, we need to be in the UFC by any means necessary. And whatever the challenge was, I mean, I was going to meet it. So, yeah, I heard UFC 222, Vegas, do you want it? And I immediately said, fuck yes. And afterward, proceed to ask, you know, who might that opponent be? And when we found out, I got a little goosebumps at my back. So I was just so damn excited about. how much bigger than McGregor I'm about it be.

So you weren't thinking like, oh, snap, you know, I may have been enough more than I can chew, things like that? No, I mean, everybody, you know, everyone's human. And so you have moments of doubt that kind of trickle through your mind, but you just have to wipe those out. Like I said, man, when that call happened, it was like, wow, you know, this is a big opportunity. We can do this.

I can do this. I can do this. And I'm going to do this. And then by, you know, as that week continue to, you know, pass through, I continue to evolve mentally. Like midweek, it was, I'm going to win this fight. This is mine. There's no, there's no way we can lose this fight. This is my fight. And by the end of the week, like I said, I was convinced that I was going to finish this fight in the first round.

And so there's a huge progression and evolution of my mental being, I guess, throughout that week. And my whole team, we just had a hell of a Google think tank in the back there. And we were just, I mean, progressing. now it's all been positive i mean you couldn't have scripted it better than this however the one thing that keeps coming up whenever i talk about you whenever i see anything about you is a lot of fans coming out and saying uh yeah what about that fake glove tap can you explain this what happened there did you fake him out what were you thinking what's going on and what about the criticism how annoying is all this um what it's not annoying me i'm go ahead by positivity uh okay no i'm saying no i'm not i'm not

I'm not worried about the negativity. But yeah, what do you think it look like? Look, at the time, I didn't think, there's a couple times where I see this. I thought about this with another fighter. It just happened with a couple weeks ago. But then when you talked afterwards about, you know, gauging the distance and, I'm like, yeah, that makes sense.

I don't like the glove tap. I don't understand why people do it. I don't understand why they stand at this other side of the cage and signal to their opponent like, hey, let's such glove. Why? You're about the fight. Who the hell needs doing, like, do that afterwards. I hate when it happens.

So it did, I didn't go crazy about it. but I wanted to hear your line of thinking and if there's any validity to it all. You know, I'm not opposed to glove tapping, especially if you make a known prior. Somebody wait for a glove tap and you address it, then, yeah, you should absolutely respect that.

We didn't do that. I think glove tapping between rounds is the silliest thing in the world. But the initial game plan was to charge him. You know, and I said it in this Twitter post and to the sofa scrubs and, you know, just all these trolls, if you've got someone in a four-point stance crouched like a line,

beaming through the windows of your soul across the cage from you, you better prepare yourself for a battle, not to pat some palms. There's nothing, and I wasn't trying to fake anything about it. I got a long range, and I utilize it. That arms my metric for distance. And so the whole plan was to charge the cage, to storm him, and disrupt his cadence entirely with a hard to, the soft belly and then to set that range at the tempo and put it in my games make sure that

i dictate the way the fight was going to move and so that all went according to plan and the glove tap wasn't in the was not in the plans neither was a fake glove tap i wasn't faking it my arm went right back up where i where i left it uh before the kick and so it was just part of an aggressive start that's all have you ever done the fake glove tap thing before no damn it wasn't a fake glove tap all right i'm just saying in your life i don't know if it's part of your arsenal that people are bringing up now no no no i always i'll start aggressive and i'll do um i'm always very rangeful um i'm trying to think if i started with just hitting i'm not tapped gloves before if the opponent didn't want to tap gloves unless they make it known or i mean it just depends the mood but

again if you got somebody storming and they reach your end of the cage before you touch that front line and you should probably just put your fucking hands up uh why did you sign up to twitter last week um managerial pressure. I just kind of decided to do it, and I figured if it was there, I might use it. And if I don't, I don't. But I'm not going to spend my day on it.

But it's just another avenue that's there, and maybe I'll come up with some things that people might care to hear, and I'll say it. That's kind of a cool way to just address, you know, the majority at once, I guess. And what do you think of it so far? The reaction, some of the replies that you're getting, because you're not coming out and saying,

hey, guys, great to be here. You're coming out like that fight, like guns blazing, right? off the bat jeez yeah i i'm so good a footing for it so my idea i guess i'll just come in and just sprinkle sprinkle a little greatness on them and then walk away i don't even really wait to hear the responses i just sort of say what i got to say and leave and so i guess for that reason i think it's pretty cool you just kind of talk your shit and bounce i guess like everyone else does so it's great yeah it's okay do you use twitter heavily are you a big twitter uh yeah maybe too much i probably

check it like 48, 400 times a day. I'm addicted to Twitter. Is that your preferred, is that your preferred media outlet would be Twitter? Well, social media, yeah, because it's the best way to disseminate news and to stay on top of news. I never go on Facebook, very rarely on Instagram. Twitter for me is my go-to place. In fact, this show right now is airing live on Twitter as we speak. Look at that. Yeah. Bash from my primary platforms. I need to open up this. that. Well, it's good that you did it. So you'd say, obviously having, yeah, obviously having Twitter's a pretty big opponent of all this. So you would also recommend, yeah. I would advocate it and I would say be active and keep doing what you're doing. Don't just be like, oh, today I'm

training. No one cares about that stuff. Have a personality engaged. Talk some scraity. Like, no one wants to hear about what you ate for breakfast. Enough of that. I agree. Yeah, nobody wants to see the assailles bowls or you punch the bag every day. So I agree. I try out to bore people. I don't have anything to say. I just don't say anything. Now, if you want to give us breakdowns on like the mortgage situation in America where things are at, mortgage rates, things, that would be fascinating. I mean, I think you'll get a lot of followers if you start doing that. I think I'm so far gone from that right now. I've looked up a mortgage news daily report in about four months.

And so, I mean, yeah, we could all be in calamity for all I know. That could be bubbles popping twice. How soon? How soon do you want to return? You know, I mean, I'm pretty flexible with the assets. ass whoopings. I could deal them any time of the year. And so I don't have like a, I don't have a preferred date. But what's most important to me right now is really just building up the brand, building the image and getting that hype train, you know, fully mobilized. I don't want,

I certainly don't want to scurrying into the fight on a short-term notice like this last one. I think I obviously deserve to do it right this time and have a major impact on whatever car I'm on. So just by the looks of what the UFC has like, that it looks probably more like in the summertime or just so range but like I said I mean I'm pretty flexible I'm just I'm partly nursing this left hand the knockout hand it was a little swollen afterwards I've been trying to get that right that's about it what's wrong otherwise I'm in pretty good good health you know I got it I got x-rayed and I didn't see any fractures or breaks but it's just been swollen and real agitating so I'm just taking it

little easy okay working around it really but not broken no not broken I've been in the gym the last two weeks. I'm actually here in L.A. now working. And is it true that you were on Reddit calling for James Vick? Was that you? Is that what you want next as far as opponent? I don't even know if it has many interviews. I don't know when I call for James Vick or not. But I'm open to whoever, man.

So the way that name got tossed in the pot originally, I forgot what interviewer. There's been a couple of that threw his name around. I guess it's kind of North Texas versus South Texas clash kind of idea. Oh, yeah, I like it. And the fact that he doesn't have any opponents. Yeah, he doesn't have any opponents lined up right now. So I was like, yeah, man, that's awesome.

Once I saw the rankings, I saw his name was a couple slots above me. Then I was open to the idea of it. Sure, I think that would be a swell next match. I could really care less who they put in front of me. But, I mean, James Vic could absolutely get it next. It doesn't particularly matter. By the way, where does this, have you always been this confident? Like, I could just see with you standing there in front of us after the fight.

the way you speak, you have a lot of self-confidence. Have you always been this way? It took some work, took some progression. I do a lot of achievement in my life before I've reached this level of confidence. But, I mean, thank God for it, you know, the universe, whoever. I think I've reached a mental plateau and still growing, but I think I'm kind of out of place where most people don't get to reach their whole life. So I'm pretty fortunate for that.

But, no, I mean, I definitely had lows, and I had to overcome a lot of things in that business professional life as well as fighting and prove some things to myself. to get here. But yeah, there was a time where I had too much anxiety fighting. Like I just wasn't performing the way that I wanted to. And I think that's the biggest difference between a lot of these

cats in the upper level UFC versus just not in these other promotions that they perform as well in practice as they do in the cage versus these other guys who just can't let themselves go. And so for a time period, I felt like that was me where I couldn't I just could perform. I had a lot of angst and it was just stressful and I kind of let go of

fighting. I just did it for fun for a bit. and I guess I just had to overcome some things, and prove some things to myself to get to where I'm at now. But just sort of little mental blockades we put up, you know, on ourselves. They've got to break past. And what a physique? Holy smokes. You've got like a 12-pack.

Do you eat any junk food ever? Do you ever let yourself go? Dude, I've crushed about three racks of Girl Scout cookies in the last 24 hours. And my cheeks look like I ate two of me right now, dude. I've been a dirty bitch these last, this last week. I mean, I'm real good during the day, and then at night, I get like these little munchy cravings, and I just go a little too in. But no, no. Prior to that, I'm really, really, really, really strict and professional about my diet. And there's really no funny business in there. I work out like a madman, but it's real functional training.

And I've been, you know, building a physique since I was 12, 13 years old, wrestling with things. And so my diet's real serious business. I think that's what probably makes the biggest difference. in my performance right now, too. Well, congratulations, Alex. What a debut. Way to make some noise, you know, right off the bat in super spectacular fashion, and way to make it memorable, my man, from everything that you did in the cage to afterwards to the Twitter debut. It's been a great couple of weeks for you, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you progress in this UFC career of yours.

So keep it up. And again, congrats, and thanks for joining us. I appreciate you. Thank you, brother. Thanks for having me. All right. There he is. Alex Hernandez. We'll talk to him very soon, of course.

One of the bright young stars in the UFC takes this fight on, as I said, less than two weeks notice. It was really around, it was around like eight or nine days. He said he got the call on a Thursday. So the Thursday before Fight Week. And wow, to do that against someone like Benil Darius and then everything afterwards, very impressive stuff. So remember that name. Remember that face, Alex Hernandez. Okay.

Of course, one of the other big stories at UFC 222, we talked a lot about them last week, but one that we did not talk all that much about was the return of Katzangano. And it had been quite some time since we saw our in action, UFC 200 to be exact. Unfortunately, things didn't go her way. But if you follow her on social media, you see that she is not one to, you know, lick her wound, so to speak. She is getting right back out there and has a great perspective on it all. Wanted to talk with Kat to see how she's doing. Talk to her about her new book.

She is kind enough to be joining us via the magic of Skype. Let's go back to it. And there she is. Kathy Lee Zangano. I just learned yesterday. It's Kathy Lee. Who knew? I thought it was just CAD, but it's actually C-A-T-H-I-L-E.

Wow. How about that? Yeah, so when I started fighting, it's interesting because before I got good at M-M-A, people didn't know me as Kat. They knew me as Kathy Lee. But I started wrestling, and if you looked up Kathy Lee, Albert, at the time was my maiden name, all this wrestling accolades would come up and people were like, hell no, I'm not fighting her. So for me to get even a career started, we just went by the nickname, people went by, and then people would actually fight me.

So I was able to get an amateur career. I was able to get an early professional career. And then it stuck. And it's weird to my family. It's weird to people close to me and people that care about me deeply that I'm more known as Kat now than I am I as Kathy Lee. So it's interesting. Different life chapters, I suppose. Yeah. So your family still calls you Kathy Lee?

Yeah. Oh, wow. And why that's spelling? I don't know. My mom picked it. I know that she named me after a couple of people that were extremely important to her. So I think, you know, in the heritage of being from the country, you know, I think she wanted to put names just together in a combination. It was a relative of my name Lee and a relative of my name, Kathy. And she liked them together. I like it. All right. So let's talk about your return. As I said, it had been quite the layoff. We checked in with you throughout. You were so excited. You said all the right things. You said you never felt a fire like this before. Unfortunately, it didn't go your way. Now you've had a week or so to digest it. How do you feel about the return? I mean, obviously the win, you don't get the win. It's an L. But just like the body of work, the experience, getting back in there, getting your feet wet. How do you feel about what you accomplished two Saturdays ago? I had fun. Like, I had fun.

I had a good time. And, you know, from the way-ins, from the whole fight week, like, everything just kind of fell together. And I felt strong. I felt confident. Like, I missed all of it. And I loved that I missed it. Like, that meant a lot to me to miss it, you know. And I walked through so much to just get here and to stay here and to still be on top of my game and still be training.

Like, camp went as good as possible, you know, a couple. catastrophes here and there just like, you know, life goes, but whatever. And I was just excited to get there. And, you know, the, yeah, fight week was cool. Wayans were cool. You know, I liked that she got a little feisty at Wayans. Like, that felt good to me. I like to get in the, like getting pumped up like that. And then when the fight started, and she seemed big. Like, it's funny to me because I know she was having a hard time making weight, and it was making me question, you know, what kind of fighter is she? Because I didn't know anything about her. I don't like to look up my opponents. I leave that to my coaches getting me ready. And when she was having trouble making weight, I was like, man,

does this mean, does this mean? It doesn't mean as much to her as me, or is she big? You know, is she having a hard time making weight because she's big. And when I was standing across from her, I was like, oh, okay, she got big, you know, and just standing in there, the music, the fans, like everything like that is like man I don't really really like remember how to do this so I'm just gonna throw bombs you know so when they said go you know the whole time uh perzog is kind of announcing all this stuff in my mind I'm like just say go just say go just say go like I don't want to talk about it anymore I didn't want to see uh um I didn't want to see the announcing anymore I didn't want to see like I just wanted them to say go just give me the green light let's go and so um what I

had was just to throw heat you know I wanted to try to change things up. I wanted to try to hit her as hard as I could and see what kind of damage I could give her. And she wore it. You know, she took all of it. Meanwhile, I'm out there just trying to figure it out as I go. And I felt like going in the first round, I felt good. You know, her solution was to put me down on my back and I was smart. You know, I'll give her that. And then going into the third is right where I felt like I woke up. You know, I was like, okay, I remember where I'm at. And after that, I felt on. I felt pretty good.

I had everything going. But before you knew it, time was running out, and she was running backwards, and I couldn't get a hold of her again. So, you know, I'm going to give it, I'll give it to a she, you know, that girl will do well. I think so. She's very strong. She's smart. And, I mean, she beat me with class.

And, you know, I'm really grateful for getting three, five-minute rounds. I'm really grateful that I got all of that time back in there. I'm glad I got to fully experience it and have it show me again what we're doing in there. And it makes me excited to maintain and it makes me excited to get in there and do it again. I've already been asking for what's next and waiting for them to give me some kind of agenda because I don't want to wait long. I've been out too long. It was torture.

And right now I'm ready. I'm excited and I'm enthusiastic and motivated. So I just want to keep up the momentum. It's interesting to hear you say that you thought to yourself, like, I don't remember what to do in here. Did you feel by the end that you got it back that you remembered what to do in there? Yeah, yeah, I felt like by the end, I was like, okay, okay, I got this, you know? And it was just like kind of, I don't know, the gas tank was never a problem. The power wasn't a problem.

Like everything like that was right. It was just kind of like the timing and where do things go and how do I step in? and how do I be like sneaky and whatever, you know? So it was just a lot of putting it together under pressure at the right time. And yeah, it took me a minute. But like I said, it makes me excited for the next few rounds I get, you know, or if it should even go there. I wished in that fight we had another round.

I felt like I was just waking up. And I know she was fading because I was watching her look at the clock. Oh. And it was just like, no, no. Time's out. Damn. You know. Your perspective on it all.

And of course, you've been through, you know, way more than a loss in the octagon. But your perspective is very refreshing and it's inspiring and it's worth noting because, you know, usually when someone loses the fight, they kind of go into hiding for a little bit. They deal with it their own way. But that's generally, you know, like you kind of stay out of the limelike because there's so much attention leading up to the fight. But even, again, looking at your Twitter, you're like, you know, you're so thankful. You're saying all the right things here. Were you always this way?

Or do you feel like this comes with your maturation? No, I mean, and even after that fight, I'm sitting in there crying. You know, it's an emotional sport, you know, and it's, it's, you know, the emotions that go into it are crazy. You know what I mean? There's nerves. There's excitement. There's motivated. There's not motivated.

There's all these different emotions that come and go. And, like, you know, really, it's just adjusting to them as they come. And I was feeling good, you know, I was feeling right. And I thought that I could figure it out. and within a lot of the amount of time I didn't. So I was disappointed in myself. I was sad. You know, I, nothing on me is hurt.

I had no damage. I had a couple marks on my face. And, you know, I hurt my shin because she checked a kick. But even that was something that hurts because of me, not because of her. I mean, well, yeah, I mean, she checked it. But, I mean, it wasn't damage caused by her whooping my ass. You know what I mean? It was, it was a decision.

It was a split decision. And I think, you know, if they would have said I won the fight, I would have felt like she got robbed. You know, I would have been very disappointed to hear that. I think she won. And yeah, I don't know. I felt good. I was sad. I went in the back.

I had myself a good cry. And I, you know, sat and asked, what do I want out of this? Okay, I feel like I'm grateful for those rounds. I'm grateful I got 15 minutes to go out there and knock the dust off. And now I'm back. Like now I'm here. Like if that's what it took for me to get back in there, it was again another number one contender fight or another title fight level of fighter.

Everyone I'm fighting is undefeated when I get my hands on them. You know, everyone I'm fighting is in the top five. It's not like I'm out here trying to finagle some crappy fighters and get easy wins. Like I want the best of the best. And yeah, it's a bummer. But this is all part of my journey. This is all part of what I'm doing and where I'm going. and I believe that.

I really, really believe in the person I'm working to become. And if that means I have to lose a few fights and it means I have to learn this way, then whatever. Life has been way harder at way different times. And it's just all part of the journey. It's just all part of what I'm trying to do here. As you just said, you've been in there with the best. You've fought them all. You've beat many of them.

She's now four and oh. She's calling for a title shot. Do you see that in her? Do you think that she can hang with the champion with the top 135ers in the world if she fights like an Amanda Nunes or of course Raquel Pennington if she wins? I was trying to consider that too. You know, her style of fighting, like she didn't have anything like extremely dynamic. Like she wasn't a super fast fighter.

I will say she's strong. Like she was she was hella strong. And that was surprising because I'm usually the strong one. Like I'm usually the big one and the strong one. And so for her to be like seem and feel bigger. than me and be stronger than me. I was like, oh, okay, you know, that poses a challenge. You know, that's something different. And then, you know, I just remember Amanda hitting extremely hard, but even with everything she had, she couldn't put me away, Amanda. And then, you know, same thing with

this girl. So if I'm trying to compare them, if I see Amanda and, and, uh, Kettlin in a title fight, I really don't know what will happen. I mean, if Kettling can put Amanda down and, and lay on her and kind of keep her there and kind of, you know, I don't know, like stuff that situation. It's possible. I mean, Amanda can be held down, you know, and Raquel and I's fight was just weird. I mean, I feel like she never really fought me back. She just kind of hung on. So, you know, I don't really know what that fight would look like. Plus, there's evolution. There's been a few years in between each fight. But, no, I think Kelm would do well. I do. I think that she can figure out waste to win. She's kind of got that thing that maybe it's not spectacular, like, fantastical

wins. It could be, you know, three-minute rounds, five-minute rounds or whatever, but I would say that she did look really tired to me, and she did seem like she was fading by the third. And so if it's a five-round fight, I'm not sure how that will go. You said that you're also itching to get right back in there. You don't want to waste any more time. What is it that you want next if you had it your way. So I was looking at the schedule. It's kind of a little thin coming up in the next few months. Like, I believe there's only, there's like a card in Chile, a card in Brazil, and then Chicago is like June 1st or something. So I was looking at all of those, and June 1st just seems too far. Like, I'm excited to stay in. Like, I want to get, I'm back in the gym today.

You know, the only thing going on with me is just like the nerves in my shooting are a little bit off, but it's like it's stepping weird is the only thing that makes my leg do something. So that can be rolled out. There's nothing broken. But I asked for the last couple of days I asked opinions and, you know, possibilities as far as the May 19th card in Chile. I know it's far in distance, but not far in time. And I just kind of want to keep the ball rolling and keep moving

and see who would be game to go at that time. and I don't know. Like that, that one sounds good to me, but I haven't gotten any confirmation on that. Any feedback? Okay, we like it.

Yes, we're going to work on it. We have some ideas. Anything like that? Yeah, I mean, a couple, a couple of things. A couple people were like, yeah, I like that. Let me look. You know, I know my coach has a,

I think Phil Davis. He fights for Bellator. Now he's got a fight in the UK in May. and I think they were trying to figure out as far as what the calendar looks like with that because that is a lot of travel for my head coach and if, I mean, if it's the same week, obviously that it can't work.

But yeah, and then I know my manager was going to check it out and that's all I know of us right now. I know they told that they told the matchmakers, is it Mick? Is the matchmaker now in my weight class? Yep, yep. Yeah, they told him that I want to get right back in there, so I know he's got his eyes and ears open for me.

You know, social media can be a really bad place. It could be a cesspool. It could be a very negative place. But one thing that I've noticed, and correct me if I'm wrong, I like to look at these things sometimes. You receive an incredible amount of support from the people who follow you. I don't know if they just chime in when you post, if they follow you actively, whatever. But even when you post before the fight after the fight, it's all like, it's all

very encouraging positive stuff. And that all, like, it is it often the case, especially for female fighters. Do you pay attention to this stuff? And what does it mean to you to read some of this stuff that people say to you or write to you before and after the fights? It is a give and take on that 100% because I'm super motivated by the people that are motivated by me. You know, I know when I go in there and I fight and I get through all the things I've been through, that a lot more people need to see me do that than just me. And it's super important to me to, like, fight for all of us and stand up for all of us.

Like, I feel like the demographic that follows me. I mean, I got just some things about me that are, you know, something that's easily relatable to a lot of people. And I, you know, I don't feel shy in talking about rough times. I don't feel shy and being okay with being okay and sometimes being okay with not being okay. And that's real. and it's something that I understand, and it's something that I want to see other people get through, and that's kind of like, I feel like I have like a tribe

in the fact with my fans that, you know, everybody is, everybody's out there fighting something, and we're all trying to get through it together, and MMA is just the physical manifestation of us actually getting to, like, eat the crap out of these things that we chose, when in life we don't have a big choice over a lot of stuff that's stressful. Fighting is very stressful, but it's not even the biggest problem I've had in the past year, let alone 10.

You know what I mean? So I think there's a lot of people relating to the sport. I think a lot of times people want to watch the sport because there's like an emotion to it. That is something you can't really get anywhere else. And to have, I don't know, to have the motions of it and the sport of it kind of express things that words don't sometimes express is something that we can all connect over. And I really appreciate people wanting to see me do good no matter how I do. And they're diehard. There's a lot of people that were with me when I was doing great that fell off.

And, you know, like, I'm okay with that. Like, that shows me a lot, you know. And then there's the people that have stuck with me no matter what. And that just makes me really grateful. And it makes me want to keep fighting because it's not just for me. It's for everybody that's out here getting through their things, you know. And the sport to me is very therapeutic. and it's very expressive and it's an outlet and it's it's something that I'm grateful I have and I

encourage other people to do because of what it could do in their life. And I think that that just kind of connects us on a different way. And how about the new book? Here it is. Train like a fighter. Get MMA fit without taking a hit written by Kathy Lee Zengano. This is a great book. I've been checking it out. How is it going? How are sales? What do you think? What can you tell us? It's going really well. Right now it's a, it's a, number, I believe it's the number one bestseller in weight training. And I think it's, it's super cool because like I said, it's kind of my way of giving everybody access to what we all know as fighters. You know, if you go to a training camp in New York or you go to training camp

in L.A. You go to training camp in Colorado. Like, we all have the same type of knowledge as far as diet, what it takes to trim down, like how we have to get ready for fights with like a good endurance and, you know, still lose all that weight and lose all that fat, but have, like, everything that it takes to go out and be successful in a fight. But, you know, as it says, like, these people don't need to go get in a fight at the end of it, but they can still, like, have the access to the secrets and the tools that we all have as fighters, you know, and it's, it's, it's, there's an evolution of this sport. I mean, obviously, it's been around for a few good decades that have run experiments on what we can do in order to be in our best, you know,

fit type of shape to go and get in these fights that are three rounds or five rounds of five minutes. So I just wanted to give that to people again because of what it's done in my life and how I feel like it could improve other people's lives plus their workouts plus doing things differently and changing things up and then they could end up looking like or training like their favorite fighter, not that it has to be me. I mean, this is what guys are in there doing too. Everything I learned in there either I've done, you know, my coaches have done or teammates of mine have done and I've seen happen and they are you know it's it's it's it's across the board

common knowledge for us as fighters so good strength and conditioning routines all from high level coaches and um all of us are in there men and and women so it's a I'm excited I'm excited to give it to people Kat you are an inspiration you are a role model um despite the loss it was great to see you back in there it really was it was a beautiful thing and seeing your your your your mindset after the fight and the way you're handling it is is even more inspirational. So keep it up. Great to see you back. Welcome back.

And I hope you do get that fight sooner than later. And again, congratulations on the book. I hope it goes great. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We'll talk to you soon. There she is.

The one and only Katzengano stopping by is still a top contender at 135. You look at her record. You look who she has fought and beat some of the biggest names at 135 right now. So, yes, it had been quite some time. UFC 200 was her last fight. She ran into a brick wall in Caitlin Vieira, but not ready to write her off just yet. All right. Let's move along to our next guest.

And I know a ton of you have been asking about this man. It's almost like every day I get a question. Where's Darren Till? What's the latest on Darren Till? When's he fighting? Every single day. Literally, almost every single day I get asked about Darren Till. Where has he been?

It's been some time since we talked to him. So let's go to the phone now and say hello to the one and only Darren Till. the pride of Liverpool is joining us right now. Darren, how are you? Yes, you got here. What's off of them, thanks. It's great to talk to you, Darren. You are the most talked about man,

the most mysterious man in this sport right now because everyone is just dying after the win over Donald Tarone and we've talked about it all. We've had you on the show since then, but then it went silent on us and we just don't know what's going on. People are really excited to see you back,

but they're also wondering where you are. You're feeling this, right? You're feeling this anticipation growing and this sense of where the heck is Darren Till growing, right? Yeah, I'm feeling it. I'm starting to get hate messages and all fans who are fans of them are.

So yeah, I'm feeling it. Because they're just upset that you're not fighting? Yeah, well, I think everyone, everyone just expects, like, the UFC and Dana, obviously to have me booked with a fight already, but, you know, there's been some things in the way, but people are just still, I don't know, high on that in Philadelphia.

suppose. So they want to see me fight again. You know, and I want to see me fight again. So let's start at the beginning because you know, right after the win over Donald Soroni, a few weeks later, Dana White's talking about you and he's excited about you and he puts out that thing about you versus Wonderboy

and wanting to do it in February and there was some confusion as to where it would be, but here he is talking about you in some big fights. Did that ever get close in your opinion? Was that ever a thing or was that him just kind of throwing it out there, something that he would like to see happen? I think from what I got,

it was a thing it could have happened, but obviously things got in the way. At the time, Wonderboy and his team didn't feel like I'd even yet to fight, so they declined. I don't know, do it just like,

I don't know why the water weights were getting booked. At the moment it just seems that like none of us are getting booked, do you know what? So I don't really know the Waterway Division at the moment, like on holes, basically. Okay. So then you get sick, right?

You get sinusitis, is that right? Yeah, yeah, I got sinusitis, yeah. What exactly, like, what does that feel like, and how did you get that? I've had it since 2015, and it just comes with goals, like it's just a, it's a permanent thing, apparently, the doctorate, but I had it after Christmas, and then the USC, like, they would both in a while to fight in London. But I didn't, he never said any names, Dean mentioned. Obviously, I think God's name got in June. And then I told him, he said, it's true,

he's like, yeah, but we're not taking the fight. He was like, you're not ready, you're having trained, you know, you're sick, you're just getting over your sick, and it's not a good fight to take. No. And I feel that he needs to do it, though coach, so that I can get fit up at a week, and he was like, no, he was like,

when you come back to this division to, you know, to fight a team, you come to knock someone myself in the first round, and you're not going back to have like a three-round or five-round fight, you know what I mean, that goes to the decision, so it's not working like that.

He said, I need 10 to 12 weeks to work on your leg and obviously you need to be in a gym round without even having a fight book, you know, training, which I always do so. That's fighting never happened and then, you know, now I'm ready now.

Now I'm just winning, so now I don't really know what's going to really, I'm been dreaming every day, and I'm just waiting to get booked at the moment. John Kavanaugh, as you know, was very active in trying to get you to fight Gunner Nelson. Has that ever been brought your attention, whether it was for London or Dublin or any other card? No, it hasn't been close to thinking. I can touch on the bench and I ship, you know, would have been London or Dublin or Dublin.

You know, I'll fight anyone anyway. at the moment you haven't offered me in the ideal situation I'd love to fight in America you know in the same time

in America on a big you know on a big pay on a big pay to view if anyone I'm not really bothered

so we just show what the UFC offer but at the moment they haven't offered anything okay and you didn't turn down anything because that seemed to be

what some were speculating whether or not you were turning down fights no I haven't turned down any fights, no at all, no. I would never turn down fights. That's not me. I don't change in all fights.

Are you starting to get a little anxious? Do you feel like you've lost a little momentum since you're winning in October? Yeah. Obviously, as you've just said, Ariel, people are asking about me every day. You know, I think,

you know, if you put it into perspective, after Connor McGregor, I'm probably the most talked about UFC fighter, which is, incredible, you know what I mean? I know I want to break out on that. And all that stuff's good. That comes with it. But, you know,

I've still got more to do. I've got all these of the top guys to beat and improve myself against. So, you know, I know people on this hype chain, as you say, but just not on anything. I just really want to fight and be the best.

But at the moment, I feel like I'm just, I don't know what's going on. I just want to fight. get booked against anyone. It doesn't matter where it is. I really couldn't care. I could do it against. You mentioned to me last week

that you were interested in fighting Hafeldo Sanjos. That would be a huge fight. He's obviously very close to fighting for the belt. He's a former title holder at 155. Once you put that out there, did you receive any feedback

from the UFC? Yeah. Put on fight posts. I guess they want to see it happen. I think at the moment, you just want to see me fight there. don't really think the king it's a game.

I think people just want to see that. You know, obviously, I don't really know why they're so interested in me. I'm just going to know one of these fighters, obviously. I know what's special enough, but the people just want to fight,

and it's overwhelming. You know what I need to be like, without sound and arrogant or the most talk about the UFC fighters. Is it kind of surreal how this has happened so fast for you? Yeah, but it could have been happening even faster.

If I could have got him with a fight, let's say after this only fight he booked me again before Christmas, I definitely

would have booked a fight and, you know, I would have been close to the title, I would have been close with the rankings, you know,

don't see myself losing in the way to be in a lot of top guys that are all good to just don't see myself losing them, I'm confident in myself. You know,

and the same his fight just makes a bit of sense. He's good, he's strong, he's been, beating him and I don't think

he's getting the title fight right now against Taryn because Tadans got other things so he's like

no he's not really doing anything so I'd like to fight him and obviously I'd like history of Brazil so I think that

would be like a real big in Brazil you know like on the under card to like whatever

it's just been booked I think Amanda has just been booked in Brazil so you know I'd definitely

have that fight I'd be up for it I'd be up for it. I know that you had Mike Perry on your radar, especially after the win in Poland. However, he has lost twice, most recently just last month. What do you make of his decline? Are you disappointed that now it seems like there's no momentum behind that fight? Yeah, I feel like that was the fight in some months, obviously.

You know, that's all of them, too. You know, that's all of them told him to theahorino, obviously. Brazil. He's had two asses now. You know, obviously I'm not going to fight him

now. You know, he's coming off two losses but it wouldn't just that fans would get angry. You know,

the UFC wouldn't book it. So, I feel sorry for me he, you know, where he could be good, he can be good.

I think he's got a few of us just an hour's method and training a bit wrong. You know, I think he can still be a top guy

but he just needs to work on some stuff a bit more. I'm always working on the bad part of training when I'm trying, sorry, the bad part of my game when I've been saying I'm not working on my strengths when I haven't got a fightbook I'm working on like, you know, the ground game and the wrestling, you know,

defence and this and that. And I just see like Perry maybe he's just going to the gym and just banging some pads. You know, he's probably working hard, but maybe he's not doing the right games. So he needs to have a year. He's fought a lot of them. I need to have a year off and just take a look.

I don't know. He just feels it with Gary Allen, so I don't know what's going on. One idea that I threw out was, I know you said that you want to fight in America, and that makes all the sense of the world, but I love the idea of you fighting in Rio against Kobe Covington,

who's become an enemy to the Brazilian people, and you're sort of, you know, the adopted Brazilian son. Wouldn't that be something? How cool would that be? And do you receive some feedback from people? Like, I know that a lot of the Brazilian fans reached out to me after I said,

I love this idea. It would be so great for Darren, of all people, to shut up Colby. What kind of traction have you heard regarding that idea? That's all I get. Ariel, is there people messaging me saying kill Colby and that. I mean, any comment on Instagram and Twitter is Kill Colby. You know, people just want to see Colby get beat or somebody who want to see him win. But I don't know what Colby's there.

He's turned down two fights, I think. I think he's turned round of fight for a cowboy, you know, Soroni. So I don't think he's accepting fights apart from Taram Mother at the moment, so I don't think he'd accept the fight. So this is what I mean. You've got Dossanias wanting to fight for the title, and you've got Colby. And, rightfully, sorry, you know, they both think he's very good trouble doing this, blah, blah, whatever. But Tyrant's not fighting me.

I don't really, to be honest either, I don't really follow any of the world, which I couldn't give a shiver about any of them. but I'm all that tired of them. I was like wanting to change to leave me with them out. Yeah. What the fuck's going on with that I'may? You know what I mean?

What is going on? I just don't know. I just can't figure it out. So, I'm just becoming a hook on my house, isn't it? What I mean? Yeah, I agree. It is a little weird right now.

And I think people are looking to you to come back because there was so much excitement surrounding your return or surrounding, you know, what you did against Seroni and the momentum that you were on, that they're now, like, itching to just see you in there. and to see you climb that ladder.

And I respect the fact that you're just kind of waiting. Do you expect to get a call soon? Are you thinking it's going to happen in the next few days? Realistically, when do you think that you'll get some kind of guidance as to what's next and when you can return? It's got to happen within like two weeks. I've got to get a call to just get a fight. You know what I mean?

I'm down in London this week as a guest fighter, which I want it to be called or to do that. You know, I'm going to date everywhere there. doing interviews and stuff. I don't mind all that me to, like, I take great pleasure, but I don't feel like I'm aiming at it. If you get what I say, like, people are wanting to interview me

and people are still going mad and not to think of me, and I'm fucking, like, I was over the cowboy fight the day after that. And like, I need another fight now to feel like I've a pain to all this attention, you know what I mean? I don't feel like I've aided anymore.

It's been months, and, you know, I've had two years off as well before that, but I just want to fight again, and, you know, I'm ready to fight against anyone, anyone on the top ten anyone on the top of money just fucking fuck them all

fuck everyone by the way I know you went back home or you know to where your daughter lives in Brazil and you trained a bit there what was that like

to come back and see her and be around some of the old stomping grounds it was good you know mate I didn't train actually because I still had

the sound sorry to say that's why I went back to the books you know did I go out you're going to the next six weeks and maybe

maybe take a week a week out to see me daughter, you know, I haven't seen it for over a year, you know, I'm started to, like, get a bit, you know, you get a bit, you know, they go away from my mum from, you know, the family or that, and the crying. I, I fucking haven't seen my daughter for, like, a year, you know, I wasn't crying in anything, so I just asked my coach.

Like, I asked me to be honest with you, I'd ask him if I'd take a piss if I could. So I said to him, and said, like, can I, can I see me go for a week? And he was like, yeah, go for a week, you know, don't be too wrong, we just get what you need to get done and come back. So, you know, I went to see her. She was buzzing, you know, she's coming on, you know, she's coming on great. She's a mean little baby. It's obviously upsetting for me because she doesn't speak English, but, you know, at some point I'll get her to England and she'll start to be here.

So that was a good week day. And it's actually her birthday today, to be honest with her. Oh. Oh. Wow. So, yeah, so happy birthday to her. But yeah, yeah, I spent a week there, but now I'm back, you know, I'm training every day. And, you know, I'm just, I'm just, you know, I'm just,

I just fucking want to fight here. I just fucking want to fight. I don't care of it against. Happy birthday, daughter. Yeah, obviously. Yeah, thank you. I want Womderby. You know, I really want Wendby.

He's a really good sighter. You know, and there's a lot of talk about. I don't deserve Wunderboy. But Wunderboy fought Johnny Hendrix, where Munderboy was like around 9th or 10th, and Hendricks was 2. So how the fuck did he get that fight? So just fucking fight me.

You know, he's probably going to listen to this. I hope so. Just fucking fight me. Just come and shut my life out if you can. Let's have this stike and fight. Let's go for it. Also just wanted to quickly ask you, I know you went to the,

as I like to pronounce it, the ECHO Arena. That's the scouse in me. And you were doing some stuff there last week. It's 10 years old. I mean, the Liverpool MMA scene is killing you right now with you and Patty Pimblit and Meatball Molly, Chris Fishkel. Any buzz around the,

that, like, do you think that this could happen in 2018? I feel like it would sell out in 10 seconds if they put on a card there. What are you hearing? And why were you there doing those pictures and stuff? You know, to gain momentum, you know, Tony Bellion, they treated Tony Belly saying they sent him some cupcakes about the 10th animation. Tony was like, but I can't accept him because I want that until to fight the effort. He's the only guy he needs to fight there.

That's all anyone talks on him, for him, for him, whatever, $150,000 I've got. the messages constantly while De Echle's illegal and this this is funny doing like I don't usually do this but I put a story about De Echo

and then just down to like it to I checked who had viewed me story and top search if you can believe it was the top guy who'd seen it

was down the white wow he'd been to each of yeah like five stories I've put about Deco and he'd seen every one of them you know because I know he's following

this was probably just been on stories now and then but you know it's a long can't tell you can't say I think you said, you would not see a show like that of ever down.

I know the UFC is like like 220 or something. I'm telling you know, me, I'm just not, I hope that, you know, it comes around. The scouts have break that effort around the balls down,

honestly. I'm telling you, me, that would be incredible. Do you hear anything from the UFC? Do you feel like it's imminent or nothing really other than those little clues that you talked about? I just hear what I do.

I don't really hear what the UFC say, that goes to. me coach and whatever, making my management. And so I don't really hear it all. I just try to do the best if I'm like to pull out there,

but even right now campaigning for the fights had, or some of the campaign, you're like, oh shit if you ever had a fight in months and I'm like, oh,

that's for a fight, you know what you mean? People don't think that I'm just, they think that I'm going on like I'm this big fucking UFC. I don't see myself like that at all. I've only beat,

you know, a few guys in UFC. I want to beat Edward. It's not me. I'm just trying to count, the antifights, don't hate. Well, don't hate us because you ain't us. I see that on the show

me the other day. It's a great saying, and it's apropos. I think the hate is coming from a good place, though. I think people are just really excited to see you progress, and you were such a great story in 2017 that they're kind of like, all right, like, I want to see this next chapter already

unfold in front of my eyes. So I don't feel like it's coming from a bad place, if you get what I'm saying. Well, I don't think so much, but I bet it even fights as like get a, like, like, doing, I'm, like,

thinking on this style. I don't know, but I'm not thinking on at all. You know, it's not me. You know, you put on this hype out there.

I just went in forth and people, the families love it, you know, they don't want to me to break out in 2017 or whatever. So,

but I just want to fight. That's all I'm going to do make, I just want to fight. Last thing for you, Darren, and again, thank you so much for the time.

Do you feel like the sinusitis will be an issue that will plague you throughout your career? Like, Are you going to have to get this, you know, corrected via surgery at some point? Maybe, yeah, mate.

I think that's what the doctor said, the ultimate goal was. Like, I'm going to have to get surgery because otherwise it will never stop. So that's a problem. But that can be going down alarm. There's no rush for it now and clear it off. I'm on the best. I do you know what I mean? So that's not a lot of the most.

Yeah, me, in TV, yeah, I might have to stop and get phasing. Okay. Well, good luck with that. Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Glad to hear that you're on the comeback trail and just waiting for that phone call. I think I speak for everyone when I say we can't wait to see you back in there. I know this is a frustrating time for you, but I appreciate you coming on and updating us, Darren. Thank you very much. And good luck with whatever comes your way next. Thank you. Take care. See you, Jim. Yep, we'll talk to you very soon and happy birthday once again to your daughter. There he is, the one and only, Darren, Till's stopping by and update for you. I do believe that something's got to give. Something will happen. soon. And there are so many options. And you love the fact that he is saying, look, just give me anyone. I want to fight anyone. I'll take anyone. No problems here. And I think that that's the right approach at this point. Just get back in there and start winning again and get people excited because

it does feel like it's imminent that this man is going to blow up. And he is such a loyal following behind him. All right. So that's the Darren Till story. Now I am so excited about this one, my friends. I said at the top of the show that I have been really looking forward to talking to this man for many reasons. At the top of the list is, what a story he has. He has such an amazing backstory and life story that I feel like it's time that people start knowing who John Phillips is. John Phillips is a guy who has been signed by the UFC for well over a year. Unfortunately, due to various injuries, bad luck with Visa, all kinds of things working against him. his debut in the UFC has been delayed.

But that will hopefully change on Saturday in London when he fights Charles Bird. This is a man who has been through it all. He's overcome a hell of a lot. He's from Wales, now training and fighting out of SBG Ireland, and he lives in a very unique place. I can't wait to meet John Phillips. He seems like one hell of a character. I can't wait for all of us to watch him in action on Saturday.

First, let's talk to him via the magic of Skype. say hello to the one and only the white Mike Tyson John Phillips there he is John how are you John can you hear me good thanks Ariel bro

yeah I think my internet is going Ariel it's okay there's a bit of a delay there's a bit of a delay but we will work through that my friend where are you right now John

where are we talking to you from I am actually sitting in my caravan there we are the bell there this is the world famous caravan that is located in John Kavanaugh's backyard is that not right that's right one only

why do you live in a caravan in john cavanaugh's backyard john smells can't live in that's it no i just i prefer to live in a caravan to have my own little space and um give up all my comforts

so it makes me really feel the sacrifices i have to make and it just it just spurs me on area it really uh pushes me on to the fight So like I said, you were signed to the UFC well over a year ago but you had bad luck you had two fights officially fall through

delays and whatnot injuries, visa issues the fact that we are five days away from you making your debut at the O2 Arena in London what does it feel like? Does this not feel real yet to you? Still feels unreal

even being on your show now is just feels like I have to pinch myself you know, I don't want to jinx anything I'm scared the plane is going to go down or the show is going to go bankrupt up to but, you know, I'll believe it

after they raised my hand in the air after the finish. Was there a point given everything that you've been through that you thought this day would never come?

Did you ever give up on the dream? I think I've lost them. Did you lose me? John, did I lose you? Yeah, I think I lost them. There was several points. I'm not a lie yet.

There was several points where I... You're breaking up aerial last time I heard you was... Hello? How about this? My guy Eric is going to call you on the phone. I want to have a proper conversation with you, so it's good to see you, but we're going to call you on the phone right now.

Okay, just stand by, John. Let's call John on the phone. Do me a favor and call John on the phone. So there he is, living in the caravan in John Kavanaugh's backyard, the white Mike Tyson, John Phillips. This is a man who, as I said, had been signed to the UFC well over a year ago, officially had two fights fall through, some due to these issues, but also injuries as well. He left Wales, left his fiance, left his family and friends, went to go train at SBG Ireland. In fact, their friends over at the 42.I.E wrote a fantastic story. I mean, this thing is so freaking long.

It's like as long as this book, but it really tells the entire story of what John Phillips has been through. A guy who started out his combat sports career as a boxer. In fact, had never any interest in actual fighting. Okay, so let's check back in with John. there? Yeah, I'm here, Ariel. Okay, we'll do it this way because I want to, I want to hear from you. It was good to see you in the caravan, but I want to hear from you.

I want to ask just, the question that I asked you was, did you ever lose hope? Since you have been through so much, it's very rare for someone to be signed by the UFC and sit on the sidelines for well over a year. Did you ever think that, all right, this just isn't going to happen for me? Yeah, I've got to be honest, I really, I did. and I was really, really lower the point, but something just kept telling me that this was a test. I was just, you know, testing me to see how much I really wanted it. And if I could give any advice to anyone that's thinking, you know,

about chucking a towel and just keep pushing and keep pushing. It'll happen. We want it to happen. You want it bad enough. You'll get there in the end. Just keep pushing. Your story is the stuff movies are made of, And we could probably talk for an hour or so.

But I just wanted to start at the beginning. From what I understand, you never had interest in being a fighter. You obviously developed into a great fighter in the boxing and now MMA world. But is it not that you were just kind of being a mischievous kid and you were caught like throwing some rocks at a mirror? And it happened to be a gym and these guys said, all right, well, we're either going to call the cops or you're going to have to come train with us. And that's how your fighting career began. Yeah, that's right It's totally right, yeah

And so what I was actually smashed Go ahead I was actually smashing the windows Of a boxing gym But I didn't know it was a boxing gym I thought it was a derelict building And they come out and

Grab the holding me I'm like right You either come in here I'll do a session Or we bring the police and then your parents So it was like Either getting loads of trouble Or going to the gym

And once you start a training, you just fell in love with it? Or did it take some time? To be honest, I think I was a kid that weren't really getting attention from any way, you know. And I moved to a new area where this boxing gym was. I didn't have many friends. They were very new friends. And the boxing just gave me all that attention straight away. I could feel that I was getting attention. And I loved it. And I tried on it. And that just become my life then. And it completely turned my life around. Why did you go from boxing to MMA?

I just felt that M&A was more of a gladiator sport and, you know, they can't hide from your opponent. There was no coast in the wind or losing the wind because of points when you've been the aggressor. And the, the MMA really appealed me because if you're a better opponent, you should be stopping your opponent every time. And it was just more aggressive and it seemed more realistic to me, realistic style of fighting, you know, it was like I said, like the gladiator days, you know,

killer be killed. You have spent some time in jail, correct? Yeah. Prior to being in jail, you never did MMA. Was it not your time in jail that kind of exposed you to mixed martial arts? No, I was actually done M&A before went to jail. And then I was just, just take an anime as a hobby really until I met John. And John was someone who was recruiting you, but you wanted nothing to do with them. Why?

Yeah, I didn't know he was. I thought you were some weird or spoken. So why did you eventually take the bait and join him? Was it after his success with Conradegger that you were like, oh, that's the guy who's been trying to get me to go to his gym? No, I weren't actually, because, you know, Ariel, I'm the worst anime or sports fan. to play any sports or getting involved or anything, but actually sitting down and watching it, I knew very little about it, you know, obviously I would have known who Connor McGregor was, but I probably wouldn't have spotted John.

And afterwards, I'd gone over, and after he'd invited it offered for me to come over. It was actually my girlfriend that persuaded me. She was like, she could see that I was a little bit miserable and depressed, and something missing, you know. And she was like, hey, well, you know, go to Ireland, just go for a week. If you don't like it after the week, we're lost.

And if we don't want to fight anymore, then don't fight. I come over here and literally the first day in the gym, I made my mind up there. I need to be over here constantly. I need to be back at it. Why did you go to jail? It was a lot of crap, really, Ariel. I had suspicion of attempted murder, basically.

It's a charged court section 18, women intent. It was just a lot of crap. I was in jail for six months on remand. They keep you until they can charge you, and it was no evidence. I knew it was a bit of a lot of crap from the start and everyone involved did, and I was just released with no conviction at all.

It was just inconvenient to be in jail for six months. So six months for attempted murder, you say that you were innocent, but are you not freaking out? A lot of people get stuck in jail for 30 years for something like that. Were you not freaking out that your life might be over? You might be stuck there forever?

I was freaking out originally when I first got there because I knew I should be there I knew it was just a lot of crap so you know once I knew it was a lot of crap and I spoke to my solicitor and even the people in running the prison there was a whole of crap so they were telling me, don't worry you're going to be out here

in the whole time so then I just relaxed and so there's a little bit of a little bit of a holiday a little bit of training camp away and it was quite unreal and from jail you can see your old home? Like what kind of a mine, like a mine F is that to be able to see where you grew up from jail? It was crazy because, you know, I probably drive past that jail quite regularly, you know, when I take my dogs out, I was on the beach. You know, I'm always around that jail. So it was just

being in the jail instead of being around the jail. It was quite an experience, but like I said, I knew everyone in the jail. I did have, I was treated very well in there. and I could basically do what I want in there. So it wasn't like being in a jail, you know. It was like being in a training camp almost on holiday with my mates because I knew everyone in there. Is that why you've had some visa issues, you know, coming over to the States and fighting because of your time in jail?

But that's what you would think, actually, you know. But like I said, I wasn't convicted. So my criminal, that doesn't even go on to my criminal record. You know, I was in jail for six months, There's no conviction. There's nothing on my criminal record. And I've been to America 10 times. And actually, when you apply for your visa,

you have to take a police certificate to show your criminal record. And on my police certificate, this actually says no live trace. And when I inquired and asked, what does this no live trace mean? They said, well, you've got a criminal record, John. But it was from so long ago and so minor that the actual police series, it's irrelevant now. It was so little, you know. When I was younger,

you know, probably like criminal damage and shoplifting or car theft. When I was around 14, 15, before I started with a boxing, you know? And that's why I said the boxing really changed my life. Could you come to America now?

Like, is the visa issues sorted? Or do you still have issues that are keeping you from fighting here in the United States? I've been told us in the admin. admin process, but it's going to get sorted. There's no way. It can't get sorted.

Like I said, I've been to America 10 times, and before I actually applied for my works visa, I was in America a couple of months prior to that. I was in Vegas for my anti-60th. It's just, I think someone has put a stamp somewhere or mark somewhere, and people are not too sure. And unfortunately, I again rejected, but I'm sure the UFC are going to sort it after the next few fights. Okay. Where did you get the white Mike Tyson nickname from? Who gave that to you?

My old trainer actually, one of my first trainers, Charlie, he knew I was obviously a massive Tyson fan and he was a massive Tyson fan. And he was like, John, what nickname? Who's a nickname, Charlie? I don't want to want a nickname. I said this one, John Phillips, as it says in the tin. And he said, no, you've got to have a nickname. And he goes away and then he comes back. I've got it. I said, all right, yes, go. What is it? He said, to wipe Mike Tyson. And it just stuck.

And I kind of like this, so I was like, okay, you want to call me to white Mike Tyson? I'm happy to take that. Have you ever met Mike Tyson? No, I met him, madam. Wow. I also heard an amazing story about your girlfriend, your girlfriend was coming to live with you the day you went to jail. And you thought it was just going to be like a routine thing. And then you had to call her and say, this could be six months.

It could be a year. Who knows? she said I'll be wait, even 15 years I'll be waiting for you. She did not go anywhere. She waited for you to get out of jail, like on the day she was going to come and move in with you. Is that true? That's an incredible story. Yeah, I love the saying go there, really.

One good woman is worth a thousand holes. And she, you know, she's a keeper. She's a good girl. The day she was moving down, I didn't know I was going to go to jail. And the arrest and officers, obviously, you didn't want to tell me that I was going to go to jail. So they said, check me into it. They were like, okay, can you just come in

and give a little statement and we'll only keep you like 10 minutes. And so I'm on my way down to the local police station. I ring my girlfriend and say, you know, she actually brings me and she says, I'm on my way down.

I won't be too long. Obviously, we had arranged her to move down prior. And she's like, I'm going to be there soon. I said, all right, so I've got to turn my phone off because I'm going into the police station. But I won't be too long.

I've only got to give a statement. And then obviously I go in there And they're like, right, this is the case. You're demanding you. You're a danger to the public. And I was like, I hope I'll be a danger to the public. This is a lot of crap. And I had the wringer then actually fund a jail.

I'm like, do you care? I'm in jail. And she looked, what? And I said, and I did it. It gets worse. I said, look, I couldn't gain you know. I know it's a lot of crap. I said the worst, at the best case scenario,

I'm going to be in here for six months. I said, the worst case in a year could be in for 15 years. I said, so, you know, if, if you want to, if you want to, if you want to, If you want to call her a day now and go back to Bristol, then so be it. You know, she's your choice. And she turned around and said, no, you know, I don't care if you're in there for six months or 15 years. I'll be waiting when you come out.

And I just put my out and getting a bit filled up, no body. Wow, that is unbelievable. And you're still together now? Yes. Have you proposed her? Have you gone married yet? No, she's still on probation. Why probation?

No, not actual probation. Not a bunch of liens over there. No, I know, but why? I mean, this girl, you should have married her the day you got out of jail. I mean, what kind of loyalty is that? That is the most amazing story I've ever heard. I took that straight to Paris. We got engaged in Paris.

But, you know, I don't want to give a crappy, you know, cheapy wedding. I want to, I want to spoil it. I want to make it a best day of a life show. I need to get some money for the stage. It'll be talking. I'm a big day of life, you know. I need to bail bonuses to pay for a big wedding.

I certainly understand where you are coming from. So here you are on the cusp of something great, finally realizing that dream of fighting in the UFC. You're fighting a guy named Charles Bird who's also making his UFC debut. I get the feeling it doesn't really matter, right? I mean, just getting in there as a victory in its own right. Of course you want to win, but like the opponent,

all those little details, you don't strike me as the kind of person who is stressing over that. Ariel, I don't know, I don't care who the guy is. He may as well be on death row because whoever they put in front of me I'm going to go through. He's standing in the way of what I need and what I want and where I need to be. And it generally doesn't matter who's going to be in front of me. I'm going to take his head off.

Are you going to move out of the caravan after this fight? No, to be honest, you know, a wise man told me, if it's not broke, don't fix it. The caravan is okay. I'm happy with it. I probably could do a little bit better. It's every fair indeed, you know. I'm happy enough, yeah.

From what I understand, the caravan is actually an upgrade over what you used to have. You used to live in a van not that long ago, right? Yeah, I actually stayed in my van for a couple of months when I first came over because it was just, it was just too expensive for me to rent or stay in a hotel. You know, I can't afford it. And the only option of me and my girls can come up with was really, you know.

sleep in the van. If that's where it has to be, then that's what it has to be, and sometimes I'll be in the van for three to four months. Geez. Outside the back of the gym. And so what happens?

Does John come out of his house and ring a bell and you come in and eat? Or are you required to fend for yourself? No, I'm pretty much. I just stay and do everything on my own. Also, John gives you a bell now and again. I'm like a little treat with him and all. I've made the next meal, they invite me in.

But to be honest, I'm happy down here. I go get my food. I've got a great food sponsor, pure power, and they give me free food. So I go with my food in and I've got a fridge. I've got a microwave. I've got George Foreman. I don't need much more. It's amazing.

And this kind of, I know it kind of like helps fuel you. But at some point, you want the spoils of being a fighter, right? I mean, like, the extremes that we have here with your situation where you have you living literally in a caravan. and Connor McGregor, who's the richest man in the sport, as far as fighting his concern, do you look at him and say, this is what I want?

These are things that excite you. These are things that you kind of shoot for? Of course. Obviously, I don't want to make big money out of the sport. That's the whole idea of getting in there. But, you know, I'm quite a simple man. I'd be happy to pay for my house, marry my woman, getting off decent car,

and anything else is a bonus area. I don't need more than that. I've got my house is paid for. I married my woman. I got a couple of quid in the bank. I'm happy, you know. And actually, if I can get any more money then, I'd probably open a dog rescue.

Oh, really? Okay, so you're a dog guy. I love that. Will your fiancé come to your fight on Saturday? Yes. She's going to be there because, actually, because the first schedule fights

are all in the States, and we can't afford for her to come up there. So it's great now that my debut is actually going to be in London. It's like a home show for us. and yeah, she's going to be there, so it's going to be good. How much, so I'm assuming you're flying out tomorrow, right? I'm flying out tomorrow, yeah.

How much are you looking forward to this? Have you ever been, like, I mean, you've been fighting for quite some time, whether it's boxing and MMA, to finally be here, to know that tomorrow you are flying out to check in as a UFC fighter. Like, how are you going to go to sleep tonight? I'll sleep like a baby aerial. It still is, you know, it's just another day, you know. I know it's the UFC, but like,

It doesn't feel real until I'm there. So today, I'm not going to have a problem, I'm sleeping. I'm not going to have a problem. I've got a job to do. If you take all that shine away, at the end of the day, there's only going to be me and my opponent in the awkward on. I want to start to close. That's the same.

I do this every day, you know. It's the same business as usual. All that's to do is win. Are you expecting a big turnout from Wales on Saturday? I think so, yeah, because we got myself and Jack Marshman on the card. So, yeah, it should be a good West problem that I should imagine. I look forward to it.

Well, what a great story this is. I'm very happy for you, John. I know you've had to endure a lot to get to this point. Just getting to this point is a victory, at least in my eyes, but I know you want that Big W on Saturday. John has been talking about you for quite some time, so I'm really excited about this, and I should let the people know that you did a bit of a crib style video for us.

You gave us a tour of your caravan. You hooked up my friend Pizzi Carroll of MMA fighting with this video, and that will be coming out later on this week. So if anyone wants to know what it's like to live in a caravan in John Kavanaugh's backyard as an MMA fighter, we have the video. You did a great job giving us the exclusive of what it's like in there. So we appreciate that very much, John. Thank you. No worries that, though.

Anytime. We will talk to you soon. I wish you nothing but the best, John. Thank you so much for coming on. And I look forward to talking to you after the Big Victory on Saturday. Oh, you met. Same here. All right, there he is.

The White Mike Tyson himself, John Phillips, really just a taste of what this man has been through, what his life is like, going to jail, being accused of murder, attempted murder. That's just unbelievable. And during that, being in there for six months, his girlfriend at the time saying that she's going to wait for him, coming out, really taking MMA seriously, John Kavanaugh, recruiting him, going on this streak, fighting in Bama. He's the former Bama champion at 185 pounds, fighting with a bum knee.

like he can hardly walk. The guy was essentially limping and he won in 65 seconds getting signed to the UFC not being able to fight due to injuries and visa problems and even the visa story is just a crazy one. I mean you could do a whole hour on this guy. Someone needs to do a documentary on John Phillips's

life and now he is still living in a caravan. He upgrades from the van to the caravan and he's living in John Kavanaugh's backyard. I mean unbelievable stuff. Do look out for that video that he shot for us. It's him in his caravan giving us a tour of his kettle, of his tiny bathroom, of his closet.

It's phenomenal stuff. Characters are like that are what make the fight game so much fun. And he is a special one. So I'm looking forward to that. That's this Saturday, the UFC Fight Night Card, headline by Fabrice Ovidum versus Alexander Volkov, a card that has been much maligned, but it is filled with some great characters,

and we'll be meeting another one later on today, one who is a lot more well known to the UFC public, Leon Rocky Edwards. He has a big fight against Peter Sabata, but look out for John Phillips Saturday at the O2 Arena. Okay, let us move along and say hello to our next guest.

So it has been quite some time since we've heard from Rick's story. In fact, the last time we saw him in action was August of 2016. UFC 202, the night Connor McGregor and Nate Diaz fought for the second time. And if you recall, one of the stories going into that fight was that Rick's

story, who at the time had won three in a row against the likes of Gunner Nelson and Tarik Safedine was going to fight out his contract, had received a contract offer from the UFC, wasn't a big fan of it, so wanted to roll the dice against Donald Seroni. Unfortunately, it didn't go his way.

And since then, we haven't heard much from Rick's story. That all changes now. Let's say hello to the one and only Rick Story who joins us via Skype. Rick, how are you? I'm good. Thanks. It's great to talk to you. It has been a while.

We all miss you very much, and I understand let's not beat around the bush. I understand you have some news to share, so let's hear it. Yeah, just recently signed a contract with the PFL, and I'm pretty excited to fight with that promotion and, you know, see what I can do. So you have signed with the PFL, you are coming back to MMA, you are no longer a UFC fighter. Why did you sign with PFL? Well, like you said, I rolled the dice and tried to gamble with,

going in without fight against Roni and see if I could really negotiate a little bit more pay but I need to leave my options open and since things ended up not going my way I was just kind of sidelined and wanted to wait for a better opportunity to come available and it finally came

so it's something that I needed to move on and here we are. After the Soroni fight, did you ever get a new offer from the UFC? Did they go back to the old offer? Were there any talks between your side and the UFC? The offer was there before the fight. So I ended up not taking it

because it didn't really, I didn't really think it was that fair just for the fact that guys that I beat Mergett and paid pretty much double what I was making. And, you know, it just kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But then again, it is a business. And I do understand, you know, some parts of it. But at the same time, you know, I've been with the organization for a long time and I, like,

fright my heart out. And when like that kind of thing happens with guys that I've beaten or getting paid more than me. It just doesn't make that much sense. So, um, let my contract run out. Um, and in the meantime, just exploring other options, uh, like starting different career paths and and had this opportunity to come available and jumping on it while I still can. Did you consider not fighting again? Um, you know, it, uh, it came across my mind. because you know if I did get like I'm pursuing a firefighting and if I did get an offer with a firefighting well what you say a company or whatever I would probably jump on that and go do that

because that's something I really enjoy doing and I left my options open and I knew that an opportunity would come available. I just didn't know when and the PFL stepped up. So I'm jumping all over it. I know the big draw when it comes to the PFL is the tournament and you can win a lot of money at the end if you win the entire thing, the million dollars. But I'm just curious, like the initial contract that you have signed with PFL, the amount. Is it the same or maybe even more, perhaps less than that offer that you received from the UFC? You know, I'm not going to go into like too many details I'm just going to stay you know it's worth my while and and stacking on top like the format they have and being able to win that amount of money just by winning you

know it kind of suits my interest just because it's performance based you win you get paid more you lose you're out you know I mean it's just cut and dry Do you regret not taking that initial offer from the UFC? Was that a hard thing to get over after the Soroni fight? No, not really. I mean, no, no regrets. And, I mean, I have no hard feelings or anything. You know, I just need to look out for myself as opposed to anyone else.

So I got to put me number one, and I just got to do with, do what I feel is in my own best interests. August 2016, long time ago. Why did it take so long to get you back in there? I know PFL is a new thing now, but there's been other organizations. Why did it take so long to strike a new deal with someone else? Well, honestly, it's like if anyone here has seen the fight with surrounding me,

he kicked the crap out of me. And my teeth were actually set back, and I had to get a double root canal on my two front teeth. and the sensitivity of my teeth took took over a year to go away. Wow. And I wasn't motivated to like even get touched in my top teeth. Like anytime I like push down, it was it was super painful. So that's one reason.

And then the other reason, you know, I was just kind of waiting on an offer. Okay. How are your teeth feeling now? Oh, they're good now. everything's okay yeah and as far like i know you've dealt with neck issues like overall the the time off has it helped you in terms of you know just getting better healing up and dealing with all these you know these bumps and bruises and some more serious than that but do you feel overall like you're in pretty good shape oh yeah yeah i i never let myself go i was staying in good shape um

but as far as my teeth I mean it's like just the sensitivity of my teeth was the only thing that was really on my mind but besides that fully capable how much did you miss all of this how much did you miss the line light the competition gearing up for a fight

training for a fight like I said it's been almost two years yeah you know it really wears on you and when you've been doing it for such a long time like the biggest thing that I was noticing was when you don't have something on the table, your motivation to train to that next level and push yourself past those limits goes away. And just staying within striking distance is actually kind of tough because it's like,

well, what's the reason? There's nothing really to push for. And I don't know. It's kind of like breathing fresh air when you get the contract signed and that motivation just immediately sits back in your lap. Did your management paradigm? Did they talk to any other organizations? Yeah, they did.

I didn't really pay too much attention to who they were talking to. I just kind of looked at the fine print, well, not really the fine print, the offers, and then remember the name after I picked the offer that I wanted. Okay. You will be competing in the 170-pound tournament, correct? Yeah. Do you know when you will debut? I know the first show is June 7th.

Are you on that show? I was told no. I don't know the exact date, but it'll be after June 7th. But are you a part of that initial batch of tournaments? You're going to be there for that first season, so to speak? Yes. Okay. And do you have any insight?

And you may not want to say it here, but do you have any insight? insight as to, you know, who the other competition will be at 170? I've only heard rumors. Okay. Yeah. I mean, honestly, I have no clue. I only heard rumors and, I mean, it doesn't really make a difference to me either way. You like this idea of the tournament, obviously because of the money at the end of the tournament,

but the idea of like going through something like this in a short amount of time, like, is this at your age? Is this appealing? and more so just because of what you can win if you win the whole thing? You know, honestly, when you sit back and look at it or from my perspective,

it's pretty awesome just because not only the strategy of being able to maintain that kind of workload in that short amount of time, it's going to obviously change your fight style a little bit

and how you're going to approach the fights. But, I mean, it's completely different. It's not, you know, work out for like three months to build up to one fight. It's kind of like a marathon. So, I mean, things are going to change a little bit. So not only is it being able to go out and fight good on the first night, you're going to have to be able to go out and fight good every consecutive time after that

in a short time frame and you know it's just you're going to have to approach it probably a little bit different and be going and get a big cut over your eye the first fight it's really going to affect your training

and what you're going to do for the next fight so you're going to have to be a little bit smarter yeah that is my concern always with tournaments because you wonder early on if guys well I don't want to say take the safe route but maybe not kind of put it all out there because the point of the whole thing is to win the tournament right so it's different than

just one-off fights where you're trying to like do something spectacular as long as you get the victory it's the same thing whether or not you get a knockout or a submission or a decision I know there's points involved but to me it seems like the play is to just try to take the safest route right well I mean really all of that strategy goes out the door when you get hit hit once sure i mean at least in my case you know i get hit then you know you just kind of get that surge of energy and adrenaline then like you forget about

strategy for the the time being until that goes away um but you know a strategy is going to be involved and i don't know i think a person's true color to come out because just the competitive spirit of wanting to win, well, we'll make you do whatever you need to do to win. And if it's exciting, it's exciting. If it's not, well, it's probably going to be a unfortunate fight to watch. Yeah. But for the most part, I don't know, if you're a fan of the sport, it's just going to be, I think, something a little different and kind of entertaining to watch Pan out and see how it goes. I know you said that you you kind of dabbled into being a firefighter. Did you actually pass?

Like are you able to practice that profession right now? I'm a volunteer right now and I just started a fire academy with Clark County here in Vancouver. So, I mean, I'm on the list for Portland and I've tested and put my scores in for here in Vancouver and Clark County. So I've got my EMT certification and actually I was working with an ambulance company down in Hillsborough for over almost a year. So I really jumped in just to surround myself with it just like anything. Try and be the best I can at it and learn as much as I can in a shortest amount of time. So I'm just kind of kind of doing that process and now that this opportunity is available, I'm going to be doing both at the same time.

What was that like for you initially going, you know, you're fighting on some of the biggest cards in the UFC to all of a sudden doing something different? Was that a big transition for you? Yeah, it was, it was different. It definitely was. I mean, really, it made everything else seem easier. Not saying that it's easy to do, but as far as the time that it took to put into something else and there wasn't a stress of getting beat up or walking around limping,

this kind of made it seem a little different. I don't really know how to put it into words on the spot. If I sat and thought about it for, you know, like 45 minutes or so, I'd probably be able to put something good together. But it's definitely different. It, yeah, I'm not going to say it's not easier, but it's easier, like mentally as far as

just being able to jump in and surround yourself with it. Okay. Yeah, and you're saying easier than fighting. Yeah. Okay. And you will continue to do both now. Yes. People ever come up to you and say, hey, aren't you that UFC fighter?

Yeah. What's that like? It's kind of neat. Obviously, it's been a while since I fought, so I haven't been in the spotlight for quite a while. So, I mean, usually after a fight, it's a lot more. but now it's kind of hit and miss. A lot of people recognize me,

but they don't come up and approach me. But the people that are fans of the sport and have been fans for a long time, they still come up and ask for like autographs and stuff and pictures. Well, congratulations, Chris. Excuse me, Chris, Rick, this is, sorry about that. This is a very exciting time. I don't know why I thought of Chris.

Why did I think of Chris? I don't know why, my bad. This is exciting for you. I think it's great to have competition in this sport, right? It's great to have other options for fighters. The more options that fighters have, the more opportunities that we have, that you guys have to make money and options for everyone involved. Like, there's nothing wrong with this. And I think it's great to see big name fighters like yourself choose the PFL option. Of course, having that, you know, that big pot at the end of the rainbow is a huge deal. And I wish you nothing but the best. So thank you for coming on the program and announcing

this. I wish you nothing of the best. And hopefully I think they're going to do some kind of big announcement soon, kind of laying out the field and telling everyone who's in the tournament and all that. That's coming up, right? Yeah, that's what I was just told. Okay. I'm looking forward to it too.

All right. Well, that's something to look forward to as well. Nothing but the best to you. Good luck in preparation. Good luck in the tournament. I'm sure that we'll be checking in with you relatively soon. All right. Sounds good. thank you all right thank you rick all the best and again thanks for coming on the show and breaking this news so there you have it rick story rick horror story stopping by and announcing the news that he has

signed with pfl this is great news for um all fighters i think it's it's great to have competition it's great to have options it's great to have places that the fighters can go to outside of the ufc this is a very important thing there was a time when there were several options out there it kind of got dwindled down to two, maybe three, if you want to go overseas, then Risen came up. But I think if PFL could get off the ground and make a little more noise than WSOF did, WSOF did sign some people here and there, but it was, you know, it was short-lived, obviously. And now they've rebranded into PFL in case you didn't know that WSOF is PFL. I think it would be huge for the sport to have that third option.

And then eventually the fourth and eventually the fifth. So recently we talked to Will Brooks, who signed with PFL, Now we find out that Rick Story has signed with PFL two different tournaments, 155-170, but two very familiar names. Congratulations to him. All right, let us move along. As I said at the top of the show, last week we found out that UFC 224 will in fact be headlined by Amanda Nunes versus Raquel Pennington for the women's Bantamway title. There was some questions after UFC 222 as to whether or not they would try to do the Cyborg Nunes fight. that did not happen.

So very exciting news for Raquel Pennington. We haven't seen her in quite some time. But she is coming back and she is fighting for the bell. She is kind enough to be joining us on the phone right now. Raquel, how are you? I'm going to how are you? I'm doing great. Congratulations on getting the fight.

When did you find out officially 100% that this was going down? So, you know, it's actually been in the talks for a long time. Everybody knew that me and Amanda were supposed to fight back in December. But then I got into that accident. it and broke my leg. So then that one was off. And then we have been in the talk since probably the start of Tisha's fight camp, like weeks ago. And we've just kind of been going back and forth trying to negotiate a contract and get

that all set in stone. And then it was supposed to be set in stone before Cyborg actually fought. So there was a little frustration due to that. but after I reached out to everybody at UFC it was kind of just Dana making his comment at the press conference everybody else said it was news to them so right after that is when I eventually got my contract sent to me so obviously it's been locked in

and then officially announced how did you react when you heard those comments after 222 were you getting a little nervous that this might be taken away from you? You know it's not the fact that I would say nervous because I believe that everything's going to happen the way that it's meant to happen. And I've been through a lot in my career, regardless, my ultimate goal is that championship. And whether I have to detour a little bit more, like, nobody's going to stop me.

It did get a little frustrating because it's been in talks. So I have to admit, I was frustrated with it. And I started making calls right away because I don't find that very fair at all. I think I've definitely earned this spot. And I think that fight deserved to be mine. So the fact that they're just wanting to see a super fight really pissed me off, given the fact that cyborgs in a completely different division, and then you're trying to take another, the champion from our division,

and create this huge super fight. Like, you just want another girl with another name or two Brazilians, like, what's happening here? So there was a lot of frustration there, but it's kind of one of those things that it's not really in your control, so why don't it bother you so much? No secret, and he's talked about this openly. Dana White is a very big fan of yours,

so I kept thinking, like, why would he do this to Raquel? Were you thinking the same? Did you reach out to him when he said that? Um, I did. I made a few phone calls to just kind of everybody, the matchmakers. Um, just, you know, a few people in UFC to kind of see what was going on and figure out what was going on. It was a little frustrating. It was a little surprising to see that happen. But I mean, I know I'm not the only fighter that questions go up with or they get fights taken away from them or different things like that. So it's the business, when it comes down to business, man, it's, it's not fun. Um, we go out there and we put our lives on the line. And obviously we're all back. shit crazy in some shape of form to be chasing this passion and doing it, but at the same time, like, sometimes it's not always fair for us. So, you know, you said that, you know, just the idea of cyborg fighting Nunes, it's BS, were you saying, like, just like the fact that it's even being thrown out there is what

bothered you? Like, it's one thing to explore, but to even, like, actually consider this when there are top contenders waiting, does that notion in itself bother you as well? The part that bothers me is the fact that cyborgs in a completely different division. She's at 145. She's not in our division. And all of us who have been working hard, who have been sitting here waiting for this position or me, myself coming back from injuries, who I feel I have definitely earned my position.

I've sat here and I've grinded my way to the top and does things. It hasn't been an easy career for me. So I feel like this was something that I definitely deserve. And to just all of a sudden another fight in a completely different division, it's like, oh, well, we're going to make a super fight. I don't get why all these super fights or these interim titles and all this stuff is happening. Like to me, it kind of feels like the worth is being taken away a little bit, I guess you can say, from the championship belts and stuff like that just because it's just so much stuff that's being thrown around.

And sometimes it feels more of entertainment than it does for a sport. But, I mean, at the end of the day, whatever's bringing money in for them. And you know what, like I said, I mean, there's some things that are just out of your control and you got to kind of just go with the flow with it. usually when someone fights for the belt, they're on a roll, they're streaking, they've won a bunch in a row, you have won a bunch in a row, you've won four in a row,

but your last fight was in November of 2015. Is this not exactly the ideal scenario for you to be out for that long and then fight for the belt? Would you have rather, in a perfect world, of course, you said you got injured, you know, there's all kinds of things that happen in life, but would you have rather had, you know, some more activity before fighting for the belt recently?

I've been an athlete my entire life, you know. I mean, I've gone through different injuries. I've come back and I've went and played basketball championships. I've done a amount of different things, you know. And I think it's all in your mind. A lot of people, some people do believe in ring rest and it can be a real thing. But the thing is, is for me, like I've been out for 18 months, okay. But technically I haven't really been out.

I've been cornering Tisha. I've been a main training partner for her aside my injuries. And even with that, I'm such an ambitious person that when I did get injured, if my leg was broken, I was still in the gym doing. in something upper body. Like there's, I'm just the type of person that I don't let things stop me. So in some shape of form, I've been pushing through. And then the fact of coaching other athletes, I work a lot with Sharon Jacobson as well.

And she fights for Invicta. And, you know, it's like working with all these females or being around the female athletes or even just going to all the training sessions. Like, I wasn't just sitting at home doing nothing and eating food and hanging out this whole time. I've been mentally training. I've been doing different things. And I've learned a lot about myself as an athlete and just an individual.

So the fact in that and the fact of how I've been able to get my mind right this whole time, I think that's a dangerous thing by itself. For those I don't know, you mentioned the injury. It's an unbelievable thing. To me, it's amazing that you're even able to fight in May. Could you tell us exactly what happened? So, what was it, back in October, I've been hunting ever since I was seven years old, a huge outdoors girl.

We've never had any crazy things happen. And I guess there was just kind of one of those freak accidents. but we were hunting all morning. We were coming down from the mountain in our side-by-side. It was snowing, and we went to go turn the corner. The side-by-side got top-heavy, and it flipped on my side. I feel very confident that I could have made my way out, but I had my rifle in between my legs.

And so when I tried to jump out as it was rolling, the rifle caught my left leg, and it kind of, you know, it pulled me from being able to jump all the way out. So with that, the roll cage, ended up coming over. It smashed my leg completely. My cousin fell out of the driver's seat on top of me and then crawled out. They lifted the side by side and I drug myself out. And, you know, I knew something was wrong. I have a crazy pain tolerance and a lot of things don't really hurt. But there was, it was one of the weirdest feelings. And me, I was more worried about the fact that I tore everything in

my knee. I was wearing really heavy-duty boots. I went really high. And then just the burning a sensation, I knew maybe I broke something or it felt like my bone came out of my skin. And wasn't really sure. And of course, being in the mountains, I had lots of layers on. So we had a rush down about 45 minutes to the hospital. And when they started getting all my clothes off and scoping it out, my calf looked like a complete half pipe. Like, you look like you can go do some skateboard and some snowboarding on that thing. It was crazy. And my knee was completely swollen. And they ended up doing an MRI. They did x-rays. My fibula, turned out to be broken and then waiting for the MRI results.

Luckily, I have no idea how, but I didn't tear anything in my knee and the way that my calf looked, you would have thought I tore everything. And the doctor said that if I tore my calf, there was no way to really fix it because there's no attachment points in the back of the knee. So it's basically like trying to sew hamburger meat together. It doesn't work. So I would have been screwed there, but that didn't turn out to be the case. And then they told me that I lucked out with the fact that.

I had really heavy duty boots on because if I would have shattered multiple places in my lower leg, then I would have been a higher risk for amputation. Oh. So, you know, it was devastating with the fact that I was lined up for the World Tattle Shop, but then after I realized how bad the situation could have been, it put everything into perspective for me. And I was just grateful for being able to basically be alive and be able to still have my leg to where I can still have this opportunity.

So. And you didn't have surgery, right? No, I didn't end up having surgery. I ended up in a brace and I was on crutches for a while and I spent a whole lot of time in the physical therapist office and let me tell you, my shoulder surgery was a pretty tough one to come back from, but my freaking, that calf injury, that was a, that was a different kind of pain. Wow. And how does it feel now? Feels great. I mean, it's weird. Like, we've done a lot of conditioning to it. We've conditioned my leg back up and it feels like nothing ever happened to it. I don't really, I lost a lot of

filling in the back part of my leg, so I actually can't fill the back side of my leg, which we've made jokes as far as kicks and all this other stuff. Of course, I'm not going to be a dummy and just take a million kicks to my leg. But we've played with those ideas and joked around about them and stuff. But other than that, I mean, my calf is like a rock. You feel it. And some days it's like a rock. Other days, they still like to fall in and do weird things, but it doesn't hurt. there's no crazy sensation and I still go to physical therapy. At some point, like, is the physical therapy going to end soon as you prepare for the fight? Or is that something that you're going to have to do for quite some time?

So the physical therapy for me is just kind of maintenance. It's not something that I have to do or whatnot. It's more maintenance for me. Physical therapy, and I'm a huge believer of recovery and listening to your body. And especially being a professional athlete, you know, I mean, we got to take care of ourselves. And, you know, I could have pushed through and taken fights or whatever and been like, okay, I could have been stubborn and mentally strong and done everything and just having that will.

But this is, I want longevity. I don't want to just step up and find another fight and then that be the end. So I've just kind of taken the time and now I use it as just my recovery. I'll go in and they'll work on things. And then, of course, the scar tissue. There's a lot of scar tissue. and apparently my body likes to develop scar tissue pretty quick. So they just go in and they break it down and stuff.

At any point, maybe at the beginning of all this, did you think that your career might be over? When I initially first hurt my leg and when I was going to the doctors and figuring out everything, I was pretty terrified that they were going to give me some bad news. And I've just always had that fear of a knee injury. I've seen a lot of people go through knee injuries. and both my parents and stuff like that.

So I didn't really want to experience that and have another setback, given the fact that I had three major surgeries after my fight with Miche Tate was enough for me. So, yeah, I have to say that fear was set in, but as I started getting the good news, you know, I mean, it was just, it was important for recovery. What a story, because as you said,

you've been doing this for a while and you've been through, you know, the ups and the downs, and to be so close to a title shot, and then this happened, I can't imagine what that, was like mentally, right? I mean, you were, there were some talks of you fighting in December, right, for the belt, and then this obviously delayed it.

That must have been crazy to deal with initially that you were so close to finally fighting for the belt and then this freak injury happens. Yeah, for sure. I will admit, it definitely broke me mentally for a little bit. I had an emotional roller coaster, but I have a great coaching staff and my family and friends, and then, of course, Tisha. And then, you know, it was pretty cool because I was. After my injury was announcing stuff, I had a lot of other athletes that were in Invicta or even the UFC,

some girls in my division, girls in other divisions, or even just the guys. I had a lot of athletes just personally reach out to me over the social nets or on my personal phone. And just give me a lot of encouraging words. So, you know, after I was in a slump for a little while and then I started getting the better news and then I started seeing different things. And I just became more grateful and I was able to pull myself out of that. But, you know, it's tough when you go from so many months off and being taken. I didn't think it was going to be hard to be taken out of something that I loved. It was just some downtime, you know?

And in my mind, it was like, okay, right shoulder surgery. I could still do stuff with my left hand. But when the doctor shut me down to everything, that was a lot. So then coming back, I was hungrier than ever and more motivated. And then all of a sudden that freak accident happened. And it was like my last straw. Like I couldn't deal with it anymore. and then something just really changed.

And now it's like, talk about the motivation and the hunger, it's on a whole new level. Because you almost lost it, right? For sure. Yeah, that's amazing how that works. You know, you mentioned Tisha. Tisha and Amanda are friends, right? They used to train for a very long time at ATT.

Is that a benefit to you? Like, can she tell you a lot about Amanda? Is this weird at all? I know Amanda was recently at her fight in Orlando rooting for her. and not a fellow Brazilian and Jessica Andrudge. How does this dynamic help you? You know, it's not one of those things. You can say that we're all friends.

I mean, I know Amanda too. I've known Amanda for years. We fought on Invicta and we've hung out outside the sport and everything. So it's kind of one of those things to where it's friendship on the outside, business on the inside type thing. And I mean, given the fact, okay, yeah, Tisha and Amanda have been really good friends and they've trained together and everything, I'm not that type of person to be like, hey, give me the insight, do this, that or another.

Like, I've always been the type of athlete that I focus on what I can control and what I can what I do. And I do observe my opponents and I see things. I feel like I have a very high IQ in fighting. And so I don't need to be that person to be like, you know what, Tisha, let's sit here and break down Amanda before. Tell me every little thing you know about her. Like, I don't do that.

Me and Tisha have, we have our personal life together and then she's my training partner and I use her to put in some work or whatever. And then I have my other training partners. and she'll give me my encouragement or she'll just be up front and be like, you're absolutely terrible today. Let's do this or whatever and whatnot. But it's never been one of those moments that I'm like, hey, break down Amanda for me. Because at the end of the day, like, I've never had that before to do that.

And I've got myself this far in my career. And if I focus more on Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, what's it really going to do for me? I need to focus on me and continue to progress as my own self. By the way, did you guys set a wedding date? yet. Yeah. You know, we're, we keep talking about a fall wedding and so we set for September 15th, but I don't know how we're going to pull this on out because we really want that. But then she had a fight. She's lined up. Now I have my fight. And then we have some trips coming up. We have a bunch of other things that are on the schedule. And then 10 days before

we want to even get married is my 30th birthday. So it's just, It's like, I don't know what we're doing here. So we'll see what happens. What did it be something. Yeah, yeah, but it would be so great to be, you know, at your wedding as UFC champion. What an amazing thing. That would be, that was your first time cornering her in a loss, right? Back in February.

Was that your first time that you've been together and that she lost a fight? Yeah, I've known Tisha for years ever since she started her professional career. And so, I mean, I've been around her, and we fought on the same card when she took her first. loss to Rose in Florida and then now actually being in her corner that was the first one. Is that difficult? I mean, I think it's difficult in general. It's funny because I think I was more nervous for Tisha than she was nervous for herself. Like to go into this and when you're walking into out or to go on the emotions that's your experience are just, they're indescribable.

And it was funny because I caught myself in the locker room actually like performing like certain techniques to calm down because I was nervous for her. It wasn't that I don't believe in her. It's just that, man, when you care about somebody and then they're getting ready to go out there and you're watching from now outside, it's hard. I was like, I don't know about this, Tisha. I don't know if I'm going to order to you anymore. But just being there and not being able to help, that's probably the hardest part, right?

Like you're seeing it happen and you probably want to go in there and do something about it yourself, correct? Yes and no. I mean, I love watching Tisha perform. She's a hell of an athlete, and she's just, she's fun to watch, and, you know, I believe in her to the fullest. So, I mean, yeah, just because I care. I don't want to see her get hurt, but I also like to see her shine on her own. And even though she took a loss with Jessica and Drash, I don't feel like it was necessarily a loss for her.

I feel like Tisha proved a lot to herself, and her too. I feel like she's on a different mission right now, and she just keeps getting better and better each fight. By the way, I know this may be a crazy question considering what we talked about at the beginning, but do you dream of that cyborg fight as well? It seems like the 135-pound champ is always kind of in the mix for her. Is that something that interests you, or do you not want that,

based on what you said earlier about this being more entertainment than sport? How do you feel? You know, I don't really care. Everybody brings a different challenge to you. And, I mean, Cyborg, yeah, she's built a reputation for herself. She's known as the most dangerous woman on the planet. She hasn't lost since 2005, and she's going out there and she's destroying girls. And she has this 145-pound division.

And, you know, I don't like to take credit away from anybody or anything. And I feel like everybody deserves their position. But for me right now, like, I honestly don't feel like the 145-pound division makes a whole lot of sense because they're just not, they're not bringing in any athletes. And so it's like they're pulling people out of the 135 division and whatnot. But, I mean, speaking for myself, Cyborg, she's just another female. and yeah, she's a little bit heavier. I walk heavier normally.

So, I mean, it wouldn't be something that I'm going to say that I pushed to the side. I'm more than definitely willing to go out and fight her one day. Okay. All right. Well, first things first, UFC 224, May 12th in Rio de Janeiro. I wish you the best for Kellyn. And I'm glad to see that common sense prevailed that they stuck to their word. They kept their promise and they gave you the title fight.

Thanks for joining us. Good luck in training. Hopefully, you know, the foot continues to heal, the leg, I should say. and of course good luck in the fight. I appreciate it. Thanks. Good talking to. Yep, as always. There she is. Raquel Pennington stopping by the number one contender in the UFC's women's band-and-weight division

that title fight is in exactly two months' time. All right, let's move along now. Alexander Gustafin has been in the news for the last few weeks, in large part due to social media, which isn't where we usually see him making headlines, but it's been interesting lately. We talked about him last week with Luke Rockhold,

wanted to check up on him. He's kind enough to be joining us on the phone. Alex, are you there? Come here. Good to talk to you, as always, Alex. So there's a lot going on in your life. I actually want to start right after we spoke. We checked in with you around two months ago,

and you were getting set to come back. You were feeling good. And then you find out that D.C. is going to fight for the heavyweight title, and that belt was going to be put on ice. How did you react to that when you heard that news? First of all, I got a little bit of shock because I didn't see that coming at all. Second, I thought I just felt like, I felt a little disappointed because I'm the number one contender.

And I really wanted that fight and I was counting on it. So, but, well, a lot of that happens since that and here we are, you know. when you found out that news because of the fact that you have fought a lot of the top guys at 205 you've beaten a lot of the top guys was it hard to kind of think okay like what's next where's my motivation here because there's not a ton of new options exciting options for you at 205 exactly you know that's what I was thinking and feeling a little bit too because like you said I mean I've been I'm the you know I'm the number one contender I'm I'm glad just underneath him, man.

And that was the fight. You know, I wanted, and I think a lot of fans, too, because, you know, we had a good first round, and it could be even better second round. Second one, so, yeah. Right after UFC, or excuse me, right before UFC 21, Luke Rockhold said that the weight cut was starting to become tough

and that he was thinking of 205. And then after he got knocked out, then you emerged and said, well, I'd like to welcome you at 205. Where did this idea come from? Well, I just felt like, you know, first of all, he's, you know, he's a good fighter. But, you know, he was saying a lot that, you know, it's easier fight, 2 or 5, and just a lot of stuff. And it seems like to him he was going up and wait just to have an easy fight, more or less.

And I just told him that's not the case. And, you know, here I am. So, yeah, basically, here was the one started on this. And I just follow up on it. But you have been vocal on Twitter, right? I mean, you have called him Cheney and things like that. We haven't usually seen this from you. Where is this coming from?

It's a new me. New year, new you. Exactly. Is it really like the frustration of not getting the title fight and being out and the injury and having to be on the sidelines, is this kind of boiling over now? And that's what we're seeing as far as these tweets are concerned. No, I'm not boiling over, but I've been a little bit frustrated because I was counting on the D.C fight and, you know, it was me and him fighting for the belt again. That was my plan.

That was my, that was my, you know, my, my, my, my, my planning. basically and it didn't like it didn't end up like that so so it's been a little bit frustrating it feels like you know we've been you know I've been injured for a while too I got injured in in like not not not long after the fight I had against Glover and and so I'm really motivated and I've been out for a while and I'm just tired of being out you know such a long long period of time and I just want to and be active and then I feel you know I feel the fire

and I feel the motivation and and now now when he's growing up in our class we all we just you know or me we just sitting there on the sideline watching everything happen so

it feels saying you know I'm a little bit frustrated and a little disappointed but you know we're looking at different opportunities here so let's see what happens what do you make of that reply from Daniel after you

tweeted at him saying that sometimes you lose your way into a title shot that he should be fighting Robert Whitaker. Did you think that that was below the bell? What did you think of that? The Gustafson way as he put it. Well, you know, I don't know what to say

to that just more than I'm not the one disappearing here. You know, I know he knows I'm here and I know He knows I'm waiting for him, and it feels like he's just staying it safe, and, you know, and he has everything to gain in that fight and nothing to lose, basically. I asked Luke Rockhold about fighting you last week. It seems like there's some talks of him fighting maybe Michael Bisping again,

but he did seem very interested in fighting you. Are you confident that that's going to be your next fight? I'm not confident about it, but let's hope something happens. Let's see what happens. Are you starting to lose some patience here? Would you like to know something soon? Yeah, yeah, absolutely. You know, I'm injured free.

I'm back in full training and, you know, I had a great show just lover, but there's so much more on me. And I'm here, and I'm waiting for, you know, a good fight, a good opportunity, and that's about it. let's see what happens. Let's see what the plans are for our division and all of that. I know you signed with new management recently. You signed with Nima, who's one of the best in the game.

Do you know if he's talked to the UFC about this idea, if they're even receptive to it, if they're thinking about it? Did you get any feedback? Well, there is a conversation, and that's how much I know now. and we were talking to the U.C. a lot and, you know, try to find a way to solve this, and, you know, come back and start competing again.

To be clear, if you can't get a title shot right away, that would be your top option. That's what interests you most of fight against Luke Rockhold. Is there anything else? You said that pretty quick. That's number one. No, you know, for me, for me, you know, I'm, for me, it's the belt, basically. That's my top priority right now because I feel like, you know, I'm the number one contender.

I've been fighting most of the guys in the division. So, so that's my top priority. But if that can happen, I'm up for suggestions and then we look at it. at, we're looking at, for example, Luke Rockover and then see if we could saw something good out. Are you hoping that Daniel Cormier loses to Stipe Amiochich so that he has to come down? In other words, if he wins the heavyweight title, that may make things even more confusing for you? Well, then I guess I have to do something about it. Maybe eat a little bit more food or going up one weight class, too.

I don't know. Let's see what happens. I just want to have another good run with him. and, you know, he has the belt. He has what I want. So, so I just, you know, I hope it comes down. If it doesn't, then they have to, you know, sort it out somehow. Are you really considering heavyweight? No, I'm not done in my division. I'm not done in light heavy yet, but, you know, I just keep chasing that belt, no matter where it is.

Yeah. You know, a very interesting scenario is playing out as far as your team is concerned. and you, Jimmy Manuel was fighting this weekend and of course Alita Latifi, you know, three of the top guys at 205

this could make things pretty interesting, no? I mean, especially if Jimmy wins this weekend, this could make things kind of cool. I mean, maybe for us, not not for you guys,

but do you guys talk about what you'll do because it's one thing to have two guys up there to have three make things a little tricky. It is a tricky situation. It is a tricky situation,

but like I said, and I'm saying it again, it's an optional for us fighting. As it comes to now, and in my position now, I'm just, I'm feeling that doesn't matter what happens, I'm just, I'm here to, I'm here to take that buck. That's what my focus is and my priorities are right now. And, you know, of course, I'm happy for the guys. You know, they're winning and, you know, we have a lot. really strong team and it's something that it means a lot to me but but i have my i have my goal i

have my eyes and i have my focus on on that belt right now at this point are there any restrictions with the shoulder or are you 100% good i'm 100% good and i'm it's uh it's full training now um you know i've been i've been training a lot with jim and a lot with delir and feeling great no i'm I usually do 10 rounds now, so no problem. Oh, wow, 10 rounds. With the cards coming... My commission is on top, so... Yeah, I mean, it sounds like it.

Like, is there any... You know, the UFC's going to Dublin, there's Chile, there's lost... Is there a perfect card for you that you're saying, okay, that's the one I want to fight on? No, not really. Not really. I just feel it. It has to be, you know, it has to be something that I want. You know, it has to be something that I want.

Let's see what I is. And for the record, just to be clear, you think that Luke Rockhold has a weak chin. Is that, is that fair to say? Well, I just, I just go by facts. That's all been seen so far. I mean, he thinks it's an easy, easy way coming up.

It's an easy thing coming up to, like, to the way, but I'm not there to welcome him. by the way did you watch that John Jones hearing a couple weeks ago and if so what did you think of it I didn't see all of it I saw just a little bit I can't really say so much about it because I didn't see all of it but not a little bit it's he's in a tough situation is it fair to say that you don't really think about that fight anymore until it's like a thing that he can come back and and actually fight it's not really something that you dream about

Not really, not now. No, he feels like he's too far away now. But if somehow he comes back, he has away and he comes back, you know, that's also a fight I have to do. We need to do a second round. Yeah. But let's see how place out for him. And D.C. says that come next March, he will retire.

if it's possible you don't get DC or John Jones number two how would you react to that? Will you feel like there's a void in your career if you can't avenge those losses if both of those fights, those rematches don't materialize? Well, I just need to direct my focus and take that problem from whoever has it or whatever happens in our division.

But of course it's two fights that I really, really want because I want to take back those losses and beat them. And that's something that I want. But if they both disappear from the division, there's nothing more that I can do more than taking the belt. Well, I got to say, I like the new Twitter Alexander Gustafsson. This is a fun, Alex. I like it. You're coming with the heat, with the snappy tweets. This is entertaining stuff.

I enjoy it. Keep it up. I appreciate that. Thank you. Yeah, keep it up. I hope you get the fight that you're looking for. That's a fantastic idea. And hopefully you get some news sooner rather than later,

and we can see you back in there because I know a lot of fans have been missing you in action. So thank you for doing this, Alex. I appreciate you stopping by and all the best to you and the team, of course, this weekend, as well with Jimmy Manoa fighting. I appreciate that. Thank you. All right, there he is. The Mahler himself, Alexander Gustafson.

So he says he wants Luke Rockhold. There has been some talk of Luke versus Michael Bisping, although if you saw MMFighting.com last week, Bisping saying that Rockhold needs to stick to modeling and maybe playing hard to get, saying that he has not been offered a fight against Rockhold in July. I kind of go back and forth. I really do love the idea of Rockhold fighting Alexander Gustafin,

getting a shot right off the bat in a new way. class against a top contender and there's the story there with DC. So if Gustafin beats Rockhold, then there's the natural rematch right there over, you know, he beats, he beats Rockhold. Then he goes straight to Cormier, who's a friend and a training partner of Luke Rockhold. Of course, I also like the fact that, you know, the Bisping Rockhold fight has this long, you know, history and there's the feud and the bad blood and the title, UFC 199. I could see both ways. if Rockhold is saying though that the weight cuts like actually the Bisping fight the third one is being talked about a two of five so it's it's a weird one I mean they they could kind of go both ways the I don't know for Bisping I kind of I kind of like a fight where he can kind of ride off into the sunset with no real bad blood and could just be happy with things but that's why I don't get paid to figure out these things there's pros and cons to both and Gus is certainly doing his part and it seems like Rockhold's interested in and that's fight as well. So let's see what happens.

Would be a big fight in Europe. It would be a big fight on that July 7th card. Would be a big fight on any card, to be honest. And there's that story now. And it does seem like there's more momentum for that fight than the Bispying fight at this juncture. So we'll see how it all plays out. All right. Let us move along now.

Let's stick with our European theme here. Belator is going back to London. So the UFC's in London this Saturday. Belator is going to London in May for Bellator 200. And they announced last Monday that one of the marque fights on the card will be a rematch of a fight that happened around seven years ago. Roy Nelson versus Mirko Crocop number two.

Mirroko Krokoop has signed with Bellator. He's headed off to Belator 200 in London and he'll be fighting the one and only Roy Nelson. This is pretty exciting stuff. Reached out to Mirko. Doesn't do a lot of interviews as we talked about on this show before, but he is kind enough to be joining us on the phone. It is always an honor. It is always a pleasure to talk to the one and only Miracle Kroko.

and he is standing by right now. Mirko, how are you? I'm fine. How are you? I'm doing great. Great to talk to you, as always. I really appreciate the time, Mirko. So let's start at the beginning. How did this all materialize? When did Bellator reach out to you? Well, a couple of weeks, you know, we get in touch. And even I know Mr. Scott Cooker for years, you know, and I get this offer for Bellator 200 in London. and they offered Roy Nelson, it was unique opportunity, you know, for me, and I took that fight.

So you liked the idea. Right away, they offered you this fight and you liked it. Yeah, I liked the idea, yeah. And so can you clear up for us? Are you still under contract with Risen as well? Yeah, I am. I'm still there. So how does this work? How are you?

I signed just a single fight. So I will be back in Risen in July, 107 again. Okay, so it's just a one-fight deal. Did you have to get permission from Risen to take this fight? Yeah, I talked with Mr. Akibara and he has nothing against it, you know, for me to participate in Risen.

Okay, so any dreams of you being a part of this heavyweight tournament, another fight with Fador Mellinenko, people shouldn't think of that. This is just a one-off fight for Beltor 200. Yeah, that's it. I didn't receive an invitation for the tournament because in that time I was under contract, it's rising, and one fight is one fight, but the tournament is tournament, you know?

Okay. Is this a fight that you wanted for quite some time? A rematch, you fought him almost, as I said, seven years ago, October of 2011, and it didn't go your way. Is this something that you've been dreaming about for a while to get another crack at Roy Nelson? I can't say I was dreaming about it I'm not a kid anymore to dream

but you know definitely Ronan was on the top of one was on the top of my list together with Zaga when I returned to UFC in 2015 you know and

but it never happened you know it never happened and now I think it's a destiny you know that we will meet again you know but this time I will be completely healthy unlike the

our first fight you know I believe this is your first time fighting in London since your fight against Czech Congo, right? And you had two fights back to back in the UK, the Gonzaga fight that didn't go well, and then the Congo fight, was this part of your thinking as well? Let me go there and try to exercise those demons

and try to get a big victory here in the UK? No, no, I didn't think about it, you know, and this will be a third luck. Yes. Third time's a charm. Yeah. let us address this thing that has come out since this fight has happened. And I have some strong feelings on this,

but I want to turn the table to you here for a second. Once this news came out, a lot of people said, well, how can Miracle Krokoop fight because of the Usada thing, even though it happened in 2015, it was a two-year suspension, and you have fought since then. But for some reason, I think because it's Bellator, people are getting all up in arms about it. Is there anything that you want to say about some of the critics

who say that maybe you shouldn't be fighting on this card? Why not? Why shouldn't I fight on this card? I was suspended for two years, area, for two years for nothing, for two years for a negative, for a negative test results, for two years. And so many fighters were positive, taking steroids, anabolic, all kinds of things. And they get, they get rid of, a suspension of six months or one year. And they got, they, they, they gave me two years for nothing. You know why? Because I was the first one right after, right after UFC signed.

with you Sada, they were just waiting for one big name to launch their program. But they got the wrong person, you know? And, you know, it's a story. I talk too many times about it. I really think of it, you know. I really seek of it. I support you, Sad. You say this work.

But definitely they got the wrong men, you know. They got the wrong man. And we've talked about it at length. The part that kind of bothers me a little bit is, A, it's been more than two years. B, you have fought already. So why didn't people, you know, criticize Risen about this? and C, Belator doesn't have to listen to Usada. They can listen to the athletic commissions,

but Usada's in a financial agreement, financial relationship with the UFC. That's their problem. That's the UFC's thing. Beltor doesn't have to adhere to those rules as well, so I don't understand why there's all this hysteria about it. Belator does not use the Seda, you know? Yeah.

And why did you set away for two and a half, half years to make this an issue, you know, instead of after my first fight in Japan, you know? I think, you know, I think that's questionable about their intentions, you know, but enough about it, you know. Okay. I'm just one. For this particular fight, for this particular fight, Mohegan Commission is overseeing this event, you know. And absolutely, I'm here and I will do whatever they ask me concerning testing, you know.

And Mr. Mike Mazuli, he's on the way to Zagreb. He will come personally to come and test me. Oh, wow. Okay. So he is the head of the ABC and the Mohican community. mission. Mike Mazzuli is coming to Zagreb to test you. Are they, is you Sada trying to stop this right from happening? No, as I know. No.

Okay. Okay. Now, Roy Nelson recently spoke to MMAJunkey.com and said that he thinks that you are back on the special supplements, better supplements than usual. And if that is your Facebook page, these comments seem to have really bothered you, right? Well, you know, but I hate that kind of trash talk, you know. And at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what he thinks and what he says, you know. I think he should be worried about our fight, you know. But I understand why he's worried, you know.

But he should leave the test and everything else to the commission, you know. And my advice to him is to be more concentrated about me in the cage, you know. But if trash talk makes me happy, why not? I'm always here to answer. Even I don't like it. I don't like it, and I never use it, you know, but obviously it is becoming more and more and more popular thing in MMA. You know, some fresh talk to attract more people, to watch the fight, et cetera, et cetera.

I know even I don't like it, even it is not my style, but if it makes me happy, come on. But I know this kind of accusation bothers you. you in the past, other people have said it. For him to say this before the fight, did this, like, in your opinion, did this cross the line? Did this really piss you off? No, I wasn't pissed off.

But I had to answer because of people who are following my career. I had to answer because of my offense, you know? I can't just keep, I can't just keep quiet, you know, just like that, you know? And accusing me for any kind of doping really has no sense.

It's just like I was tested positive for 20 times, and now he is concerned about something, you know. I was never tested positive. I was never using doping in my life. You know, what happened is the other happened. I explain it many times, you know. I explain it many times.

It shouldn't happen. The outcome of, it shouldn't be like that. But I was perfect victim, you know? I was perfect victim. Did you watch his last fight against Matt Mitrione? Go ahead. I was the first one, and it doesn't matter, you know, and I'm really sick of talking about it.

I understand. Did you watch his last fight against Matt Matrione? Yeah, I watched it. What did you think of his performance? Well, you know, Ryan Elson is always tough, you know. I think he has the toughest chin in the sport, not the heavyweight division in the in the MMA sport at all. He can swallow almost everything, you know. But his performance wasn't like he used to fight before, you know.

But he's always tough. He's always dangerous, you know. He can always, he always swings that wild right over across, you know, and he goes forward, you know, and he's heavy, he's tough. But first time, if I remember, well, he was, he was 1-265, you know, first time in his career, you know. And even, even, it wasn't such a, such a huge difference, you know, at the end of the day, he was, he was able to take, to take, to take Meteryon down in every round, but Mitrion won't clear, you know, and he was, he was better, you know, know, he's striking and he made a bigger damage.

And there is no doubt that it was unanimous decision, you know, for, for Mithro. But, but Roy Nelson, he was nothing special, but he was solid, you know, but not like before he used to be, you know. He gets some more weight and et cetera. But, listen, for me, it's most important to be to be prepared well and training hard. I already started preparation. I never stopped, you know. for my last fight, I take one week off and I'm in the training process all the time.

I just like it, you know. I just like it. This isn't happy, you know, training makes me happy. Sorry for interrupting. Go ahead. No, no, no, nothing. I just, training makes me happy. And some people doesn't get it, you know.

Some people doesn't get it that I train two times a day, five days in a week, you know. And that's my life, you know. That's my passion and it has nothing to do with just with the fighting, you know. I like that kind of living, you know. It makes me happy. And I will keep the same way one day when I stop fights, understand? Because I like that training schedule in the morning. I like wrestling, kicking, punching in the evening.

And that is something that makes me happy. At the end of the day, I dedicated my life to the fighting sport and that's my life. And that's why some people can't understand or they play dumb. But most likely they can't understand, you know, that man in age of 43 looks so good, you know.

And that's why they're accusing me for taking some, as no other people says, special supplements or better supplements. We all know what he means by that, you know. But the only supplements I'm taking is too hard and bloodied trainings every day, you know. it's an unbelievable story because oh go ahead go ahead no no no that is

I was just going to say it's unbelievable because not that long ago you were talking about retirement now you're signed to two organizations you're fighting on a huge card for bellator you're going to return to rison all of a sudden you've never been busier it's crazy well it seems that it is my destiny you know but uh I signed I signed only for this fight for Belator only one fight contract and then I will return to as I said in rising on July 29 and I'm scheduled also to fight

as you probably know at December 31st with the champion of Horizon Heavyweight tournament still be a tough fight you know and I need to be in shape I need to be in shape I need to be ready why did you sign with Bellator for this one fight? Was it just the opportunity

to fight on a marquee card like at the end of the day why did this interest you. Why did you take the fight? Because of Freud Nelson. Okay. Specifically because of him. If it was someone else, maybe not. Yeah. If they offered somebody else, most likely, I wouldn't

take it. Oh, wow. Okay. Is it because of his style or you just don't like him? I was interested to fight Nelson, you know. Why? Why? Because he beat me. He beat me in 2011 and I entered that fight with broken by the

and broken ligament. And I broke it on the last training and last round and last minute of my preparation for Roy Nelson fight. It was Friday, eight days before the fight. And I threw some crazy hook

and I hit, I was doing sparring with Pet Berry. And I hit him to the head and he dropped on his ass and then I see, then I saw the hole in my biceps, you know, and terrible pain. And I went to the doctor,

biceps was broken, ligament. I went to to MR. And, but anyway, I decided to fight. I don't want, I don't want, I don't want to use this as some excuse because there is no excuses. I shouldn't fight, and it is my problem that I took the fight

in that, under that circumstance, I'm saying? And, but I just feel, I just feel that the result would be different. At least I would have, have better chance, you know. And this time I will come completely healthy. I will come completely healthy and I'm sure I'm going to beat for a nurse. Have you ever been in pain like that in a fight

before? I can't imagine how much that hurt. It doesn't hurt. You know, you don't feel physical pain, you know, but I was warned by doctor that as soon as I come in the clinch or I start using that arm in wrestling, that I won't be able to feel that arm anymore, you know. So, but, You know, I don't want to justify too much, you know. I don't think it's fair. But I'm just trying to explain why I wanted this fight, you know, because I don't feel I was completely healthy and I wasn't. And I just feel that it will be different, different this time, you know.

Especially after Roynella said that he beats Nogair, he beats Krocop, and now he wants chance to beat to beat Fedor, so he will have all three, tried legends on his list and I just want to prove him that he's wrong you know you've never fought for a Scott Coker before

right is that something that you wanted to do because I know you've talked with him in the past yeah I know Scott Scott for years he is a true professional excellent guy you know and it's a good thing for Belato that he's

that he's a man in charge yeah you seem to have had a good relationship. In fact, I do remember that you were almost close to signing with them not that long ago, right? Before you went back to the UFC? Yeah, I talked. I talked with them. We were negotiating, but at the

end of the day, I went to UFC because they offered me, they offered me Gabriel Gonzaga to fight in Krakow. And that's why I choose, that's why I choose to fight in UFC because they offer me specific opponent, you know.

The same thing happened now. Have you been watching the UFC's excuse me, Belator's heavyweight tournament and if so, what do you think of it? Other than the Roy Nelson fight. Well, I saw... I saw... I saw...

I saw... I saw... What's... A rampage and chill? Yeah. Sonan, yeah. Son and one. And now there is...

Fedor versus Frank Meir and we still have to see Ryan Badr versus King Moore, right? Yeah. So you keep up with it. You follow it. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I know.

But honestly, I don't know. Anything can happen. Fight is a fight. Anything can happen. I believe that Fed will win against Frank Meal, I believe. And concerning King Moore and Ryan, they are both great fighters, you know. It's hard to predict, you know, and let the better men win, you know. What else I can say?

When this news came out last week, everyone was thinking, oh, my. my gosh, we're going to get to see Fador versus Miracle Krocop number two. That's what everyone was talking about, even more than the Roy Nelson fight. Is that one of those rematches that you'd like to see happen at some point as well? Well,

I made a deal only for this fight, you know? Sure. Yeah, I will find I take this fight against Nelson but I will see how it goes from there, you know? But you never know in MMA, you know, you never know in MMA.

But I just want to say that I have just single-fight contract, and I'm just concentrated on fight with Warren Nelson. I just want to be in the best possible shape, and that's it, you know. And I understand that, but since it seems like rematches are things that interest you, especially if you're trying to avenge a loss, is the Fador one at the top of the list? Because it just seems like still, in 2018, that's one that people still think about, still talk about, still dream about.

One of the greatest fights ever. Yeah, but honestly, honestly, Fedder is far from his, from the shape of his prime, you know. And the break he made almost three years, I think he paid, he paid two big price for it, you know, and he has disaster against Maldonado, and then he'll be knocked out, you know, in the first minute of the fight against Mitriot, you know, so it is not, it is not, I think it is not the feather we used to see and we all used to admire, you know, and I don't know.

I don't think it's realistic to fight federally, you know. I don't think it's realistic. At the end of the day, I haven't talked about federal fights with no one, you know. He's under contact with Belator, but I didn't talk. I don't think about it right now, believe me. Okay. And by the way, before I let you go,

what about your friend Stipe Amiochich, his win over Francis and Gano? What did you think of that performance? Yeah, it was amazing performance from Steve. amazing performance, you know, and he shut the mouth to all people who were saying that, you know, but it is happening,

it is repeating from fight to fight. Every single challenger, people think that he'll beat up steep, but Sipa is an extraordinary fighter, you know, and I believe he'll hold the title for a long time, you know. Are you going to train with, go ahead, go ahead?

Actually, as long as he wants it, you know. Do you have any plans to train with him in the near future? So, you know, I can't go to the state, you know, just for training. You know, I have my training team here. He has his training team there. It's far, you know, just to go for training, you know. And if I would fight with a similar type of a fighter like Sipa, you know, most likely I would call him and we would set up some trainings, you know.

But Nelson is completely different type of a fighter, you know. I don't know who I'm going to fight in Japan in July and I don't know who is going to be a rising heavyweight Grand Prix champion who will be my definitely opponent for December 31st.

Right. And last thing for you, Mirko, has K-1 still not paid you? I saw that you were wearing a shirt with the guy's face on it that owes you money. Have they still not paid you? Yeah. Yeah. Mr. Mike Kim, he never paid, you know. He gave 100 and hundreds of promises, you know, but at the end of the day, he's a professional a cheater, you know, and he's running away.

No, he doesn't answer the phone calls, doesn't answer the messages, you know, just like he thinks that people forget, people will forget it. It's not only about, it's not talking about only me, you know. There is five, six more fighters from the Grand Prix. He never paid a single dollar, you know. And now he's just laying dumped, he's running away. he organized another tournament under K1 and the K1 brand you know which he shouldn't be allowed to because he never paid the debt how you can organize how can you organize a new tournament without paying paying your debts from the past I mean it is disgusting it is disgusting you know to to act like that to the people who were who fought for you who are bleeding because you promised and you said and you guaranteed that they will be paid, you know.

At the end of the day, I don't count that money. I forget it already, you know, but I will never see that money like others. But I will never forget Mr. Mike Kim, you know. I will never forget. I printed a new t-shirts, you know, with new banners on it, with his face too. So I will most likely wear it in my free time in London. You know, so I just want people to be familiar, familiar with his face, you know. And cheaters, cheaters and punks like.

He deserves it, you know? He deserved it. Everybody knows who is he, you know? How much does he owe you? He owe me $900,000. What? Are you kidding? That's horrible.

Yeah. I mean, listen, listen, I will survive. I don't care. I don't count to that money anymore. But he is a punk. He is a punk who is playing dumb and who is giving some childish, childish excuses for five years.

And every single time, he said, please wait a little bit more. please wait a little bit more and then and then when I last year when I announced on my Facebook and he called me

a few hours later before that he didn't answer he didn't answer my phone calls for a couple of months and then he said oh please stop please stop I will play please stop and now after New Year he just doesn't want to answer the phone calls you know and he's playing dumb

you know I think you know people like him he would rather swallow he would rather rather swallow the shame and all embarrassed things that can that can that my t-shirt my mentioning his name can create but he'll keep the money in the pocket you know he cares you know people like him it's all the same for him you know money is money and uh he says he has iron iron face you know so he's so he don't think he cares too much you know i don't he cares too much you know but the but

to cheat people like that you know everybody fought that night you know and uh Some people get injured seriously, you know, and he never paid, and he plays dumb again. But I have new T-shirts, don't worry. It is my question now. It will be like my hobby, you know. To inform from time to time people not to forget Mr. Makin, you know, and his lovely face, you know. And that's me. That's me.

I can't help myself. And he deserves it, you know. He deserves it, you know. Wow. And this is from your Grand Prix, right? When you won the Grand Prix, he didn't pay you anything for it. Yeah. Nothing.

Wow. He didn't pay it to me and to other participants too, you know. Wow. And he's the owner of K-1? He's the owner of K-1. And then he started making, when he wanted to make a new event, two years, three years after that, and he made a few events.

And then we jumped him because he came in the country next to Croatia, you know, and we jumped him there in hotel, and he was scared to death. But he just came to inform him, we won't let him make new events that we'll inform, inform the public. We will inform the Atlantic Commission in that state that he's a cheater and he can't make new events. And then he starts crying, begging that he'll pay everything, he'll pay. Don't worry, it will be paid.

Please let me do a few more events. And now he's playing dump again, you know. I mean, it is disgusting, you know, but it is what it is, you know. It is what it is. All right. Well, you're not going to get hung up on that. the money is gone. But at least,

yeah, at least I have, I can have pleasure to print, to print, to print the t-shirts with banner and his name,

you know, and to remind people from time to time. That's, that's just, it is just my hobby now, you know, it is just my hobby.

Yeah. Mirko, great to catch up with you, as always. Welcome back and, and congratulations

on signing the deal with Bellator. I always appreciate the time. Thank you so much, and I'm very much looking forward to your return. Thank you. area. Thank you. All right. We'll talk to you soon. There he is. The one and only Miracle

Crow Cop back in May, Belator 200 against Roy Nelson, so you heard it. One fight deal. And then he goes back to Risen. I feel pretty strongly about this whole Usada thing. Yes, he was provisionally suspended back in 2015. Yes, it is 2018. Yes, he went to fight in Japan in the midst of that. But at the end of the day, we must remember that USADA is in a business this relationship with the UFC. Now I'm not trying to call into question their credibility or, you know, the entire institution

as it currently stands. But to the best of my knowledge, and Mike Mazzuli, who is the president of the ABC, would agree with this. Athletic commissions aren't obligated to adhere to the suspensions

of USADA. The relationship is with the athletic commissions. So, for example, if California suspends fighter X, the sort of unwritten rule is that Nevada and Florida and New York and New Jersey will all honor these suspensions. But it's a little different with USADA, especially given their relationship with UFC, the fact that the UFC pays USADA. And so I find it interesting that when KroKopp went to fight for Risen in Japan, no one really batted an eye over this. Yeah, there may be some remarks here and there. and maybe it's because of this stigma that

Japanese MMA has, but no one made a stink about it. However, now that he signs with Bel-Tor and is fighting for them in a overseas show that will be overseen and regulated by Mike Mazzuli of the Mohegan Commission and the president of the ABC, you heard from him on this show after the whole Connor McGregor thing in Ireland

when he jumped to the cage, now all of a sudden people have an issue with it. Is it because it's Belator? I don't get it. And it has been over, you know, it has been over two years. So, I don't know, I find that to be a strange thing. And of course, Nelson is going to bring this up. Of course, he's going to go there.

But I kind of feel at this point that it's an on issue. And I was surprised, like, I didn't even think about it initially until people started to bring it up and sort of make it into an issue. So as things stand right now, the fight is on. It is going down. It's happening Memorial Day. weekend here in the United States. And we still don't know if it's the main event or not, but it appears as though it's happening. The rematch of a fight that happened at UFC 137, Roy Nelson

versus Miracle Crow Cup. Okay, let's move along. Just a couple of guests left. And we're going to talk to one who has a massive fight going down on Saturday at UFC Fight Night London. He is on a four-fight winning streak recently included in the UFC rankings for the first time. He's a former Bama welterway champion. He's coming off a unanimous decision win

over Brian Barbarina. He's one of two brothers. Well, him and his brother are making some big news out of England right now.

His brother, Fabian Edwards, just won in Bama on Friday. But Leon Rocky Edwards is looking to win five in a row on Saturday

in London against Peter Sabata. And he has never been on the show before, but that ends right now as he joins us via the magic of Skype.

Let's say hello to Leon Edwards. There he is. Leon, how are you? Hey, how you going? About time, man. I'm sorry. I know, I know you gave me crap. It is my mistake. I apologize for keeping you waiting and for being so slow to jump on the bandwagon. That's my fault. I'll let you off. I'll let you off. You'll get on board. All right. Well, I appreciate it. I'm on board now. I'm looking forward to your return. Like I said, you're on quite a roll. You've won four in a row. And things are very exciting as

far as your family is concerned because your younger brother Fabian is doing very well as well. He just won on Friday. And I want to start there because I know you were there. You were in his corner, correct? Yeah, exactly. I'll corner all his fights. So, yeah, I'll go this corner. With a good performance, you went out there.

You controlled the whole range, the distance. Got caught in the last 10 seconds of the round. We got an arm bar. So with the perfect performance, he's not four and out, four finishes. So he's a savage. We are actually watching the footage right now. It's one of the crazier sequences, I must say, that I've seen, because it did look like he got rocked and dropped,

and then he was able to transition and submit his opponent. What were you thinking when it seemed like he was hurt there for a second? I was like, no! No, good, but I'm needed to kill him a savage, so I'm not really worried when he fights. It's like, I'm like 10 finishes in a row, my brother. So I'm expected to see him soon, the U.S. joining me in the U.S. soon. To experience that, to be in your brother's corner,

essentially a week before your return to action, does that motivate you? Did that get you a little more excited for your fight? How does that? Or maybe it does it because it gets you super nervous. I don't know. Yeah, I'm always nervous, but there's motivation for me,

just seeing my little brother doing it and he's killing it and just being in my corner. You'll be in my corner next week as well, in the U.S.A. I'm bringing him to be in my corner as well. So it's just good to see him do well and he's killing the game now in Bama. You get more nervous for his fights,

cornering his fights than you do for your fights? Way more nervous. Way more nervous. I can make the walk ease. It doesn't bother me. I can make the walk he ease. But when he fights, it's like another, it's a mad feeling,

but it's very good. So I'm not really worried about him getting hurt. And I see, how you tweet about this, a legitimate goal, you guys are thinking, planning, you want to be the first, you know, brothers to be champions at the same time in the UFC, you feel like this is an attainable

goal? 100%. Listen, there's no brothers in the USA that can think of that's well-rounded like me and my brother. Who came straight from MMA, just straight into MMA, no non-Jitsu, no boxing, just straight from kids, from 17 years old to

to MMA. So I feel in the near future, we will be U.S. Correct me if I'm wrong here. After winning, you know, your four straight fight, it seemed to me just based on like reading some interviews with you and some articles that you were a little disappointed with this booking, that you were looking for a bigger name than Peter Sabata, a bigger stage.

Is that accurate? Exactly, exactly. I've been calling out these guys for a while now. I've called out Dono Soroni. The game of someone else's a fight. So it is what it is. Peter stepped up. He's a tough veteran of the sport.

But made no mistakes. We've gone out there. Put him away. I've been a five-five-win street. Then I'm calling for a top 10 guy, so I'm good. I'm good. I'm ready to go. Why do you think you didn't get that big name?

I don't know. I think this is not the fight business is normal. It's more entertainment. So you have to talk and talk and it is. I don't know. Is that something you're uncomfortable with, the idea of talking and trying to make some noise? No, I'm good.

I'm good. I feel like I've been getting the back end that I deserve. Like I said, I'll be top guys before. I'll be at all about two men. I'll be number 12 in the world when I'm going to submit him. Then again, my brother arena. So it is what it is. I always keep chipping away.

I'm going to four-fight win streak. This week, I'll be five fight. Then I'll be top 10, 100%. I know it's probably nice to fight close to home. But are you kind of itching to go back to the States and to win on a big card there? Do you feel like that's what you need to take the next step? Yeah, 100%. 100%.

After this, I were pushing for the DEC-S-D-C-Pay card in July. My name of the team is speaking. So after this, I put going out there, perform, get the finish. Then I want a top 10 guy in July in Vegas. Is Seroni still that guy that you think about? I think he's moving out to lightweight now, Annie. But 100%, I'll go out there. I'll put him away.

Like, I feel like I can beat all these guys in. top 10 from 1 to 10. I can smash them all. So we're able to give them out. I'm ready to go. I remember when you called out Seroni after the win in September and people were like, wow, you're really shooting your shot. And then they ended up giving it to Darren Till, who was kind of, you know, relatively unknown

at the time. Then he gets this win that kind of changes his life. How difficult was that for you to see that all unfold? It's what it is. I feel I would have won out there and done the same thing to him, like fair play to Till. But I feel like we're not out there and done the same to him, to Till, to everyone in top 10. So, is what it is. I'm going to hate another man's success.

So here's what it is. What's been the difference for you as of late? You know, you had the fight against Usman, and then since then you haven't lost. Was that just a bad night for you? Or does something change to allow you to go on this streak? I think it was a bad night for me. So the first time fighting in the States,

and nothing was right for that camp, you know. I was back and forth from AKA to my gym, UTC. So it is what it is. I'm now based in the UK. I do all my camps here. We've got a perfect team around me now. And I feel this is, I've got the right structure now to be a champion.

So that's why I'm going out there Saturday, five fights, and I'm tracking on to top 10. Why did you leave A.K.A.? I didn't leave it. I'll go back and forth. So I'll go there for my camp, for half of my camp. I'll come back here. So I go back and forth, but I prefer it here. I like being around my family and my friends.

and my son. So I have preferred training here. But I would definitely be visiting AK again this year and training. Okay. And you currently live in Birmingham, right? Yeah, Birmingham, England. I train from Tom Breeze. He's another USC fighter at the UTC. So yeah, there's a few good guys that training with him.

It's a good thing what's going on here. I love to bring USC back to Birmingham one day. It would good. Yeah, I think the last time they were there was UFC 138, am I right? Leibin versus Bisping? Yeah, my teammate

fought on there. Volley, he fought Oh yeah. It's a while ago, I got just going into the sport. That's like a lot. I was like 17, 18, and I was like young then, man.

But yeah, I remember going to watch it in Birmingham and I'd love to come back to Birmingham one day and headline a card in Birmingham. It would be amazing. Did you go to the fight? As a fan? Yeah, I went to the fight.

I was in the stance, like, open the sticks. I was like 17 years old, like just watching it. It was a long shot away from me, yes, he was when I was just starting out. But now I feel I'm where I need to be, and I'm kidding the game, so it's all good. And you grew up, you were born in Kingston, Jamaica, correct?

Exactly. I was born in Jamaica. I came over here when I was a kid. My parents brought my girl to a kid, me and my brother, Fabian, and like I said, We knew nothing about martial arts growing up as a kid in Jamaica

so we came to the UK He was a local gym building In my area And then my mom brought me there To keep out of trouble Me and my brother And here we are now today He's dominating by me

I'm dominating the USC And it's looking good It's looking good So yeah, all good Why did your mom take you To the martial arts gym Like were you trouble makers as kids Ah

Um We The area grew up in was It was a lot of gang gang related and A lot of gang stuff around the area we grew up in I feel it took us to keep us out of trouble to give us a different path in life

And it was like I said Whatever I did, my brother would do So when I was getting in trouble He was getting in trouble When I went to the gym, he came to the gym So I'm happy to see that We're both on a positive path now And it's going well, it's going good

So I'm happy How does your mom feel about the fact that her decision to introduce you to martial arts led to you becoming a prize fighter? Is she okay with this, with this profession? She's never been to what, no more fights before. She don't like watching it. But she does support it 100% because like I said, it's changed your life. Like I said, martial arts is never in our family, we've never knew about it. So it definitely changed her life. And I think she's happy. No, I should never been to the fights, but she's happy to you.

to see us being good. And that won't change come Saturday? She's not going to that fight? Nah, she literally, she's not been to what like, she's not going to me and my brother's none of the fights

on TV. She watches it on TV and, but that's it. She never come to the fight. Does she watch live or not even live? Live, but she like run in and out of the room

and, yeah. But when I get to that World Tower Shot, shoot me there 100%. I'll bring her to that World Tower Shot in. Okay. It would good to see That's the plan

She will make her debut When you fight for the belt 100% That's the plan And it's going to come true 100% Next year Next year

You think that soon Yeah I'll go on a few This year I'll be a lot I want two Three five So

I've been with 8% I'll win street They can't deny me Next year So Why not Next year That's my aim

Anyway, It's the plan And by the way Have you been back To Kingston Do you go back there? I went two years ago. I got a little boy.

I took my little boy out there two years ago. Yeah, since I've been there, to be fair. I'm trying to go this year. So after July, I try to get on that card in July after I'll try to go out there for the summer. Yeah. My favorite athlete of all time is from Kingston, Jamaica. Number one, I always loved Kingston. You know who it is?

You same boat? No. You're number two climbing up the rank. you're close to number one. The great Patrick Ewing. You know Patrick Ewing? Leo. Are you kidding me?

What? You don't know Patrick Ewing? He's one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Born and raised, the greatest Jamaican basketball players. For the New York Knicks. Patrick Ewing, number 33. Are you kidding? You've never heard of Patrick Ewing.

You're joking right now. I'm a football guy, Errol. Oh, my gosh, Leon. You need to do some research, my friend. Patrick Ewing, a legend, a living legend. After this, I'll have a look. A lot of support more country men, so after this, I love him. Okay, well, he's long since retired, but I mean, he's unbelievable.

I think you'll appreciate, even though you're not a basketball guy, I think you'll appreciate him. But yes, Usain Bolt, have you ever met you, Yusanne? I haven't now, haven't. I think I'm in the near future, but I haven't met him in a minute now. But Jamaica, do you promote some good athletes, as you can see? Yes. And of course, who could forget the Jamaican Bob Flood team?

You know about that story, right? Yeah, I know about that story. Yeah, it's a great country. It's a very small country, but it's a great country. We've got great people here, tough people, and it's built some phenomenal people. Of course, you know, the Jamaican bobsleders, but not Patrick Ewing. Unbelievable kids these days, you know, it's unbelievable with the kids. I couldn't tell you enough of basketball.

Let me ask you, to people who say, oh, the British fighters who don't have wrestling, who don't have takedown,

you know, your last loss was against Kamaro Usman, who's a great wrestler, of course, what do you say to those people? You know, tiring is the champion at 170.

You're going to have to fight those guys. What do you say to those people? Yeah. Come on, look at my last four fights. So I've dominated most guys wrestling, you know what I mean?

So I think it's just, everyone just makes excuses so they can leave the country and go to America to try to wrestle. But I feel like everything. I may have lost him. This is what happens when you see.

Madness. Oh, he's back. Leon, are you back? Hey, you're back? Yeah. I thought it was Patrick Ewing, ruining your Skype connection. You were saying that,

so this is what people say, and they leave the country, and then we lost you. Yeah, that's what people say. They say all this wrestling and stuff, then they get into the guy's heads, then they leave the country and travel to America to find a different path.

I feel like Africa. here. I've got a great team around me. You've got great wrestling coaches. It's paying off. It's paying off. Also, I also do go AKA sometimes. Right. Sharpen up on my, I'm a set. But I'm good where I am. By the way, how old is your son? He's four, four years old. Now, it's five, turn five, like Friday. That's it. Oh, wow. Happy birthday to him. Will you, will you return the favor like your mom did? Will you get him into martial arts as well? 100% He started a gym already.

He started when he was five years old. So he started, he started in a night time with four. So he started a gym already. So football and fighting. That's it. It's all he said to me. I want to be a fighter.

A fighter. It loves the USC game as well. Oh. So it's amazing to see him playing me as a character in the game. It's good to see how I'm sure some positive to my child. Will you let him watch your fights live as well? Yeah, he loves it.

He always watches it every time. Last five, when I got dropped, he's like, he thought, he's like, oh, daddy, the guy's stronger than you. He was like, no, no, no, he's not. Nah, he's not. But, yeah, he's a great kid. And I notice he's following my path in May. And he loves footballers last, he did both football and fighting.

And wherever he chooses, I'm happy. is he a big Peppa Pig fan Does he like Peppa Pig? Pepper Pig Now he's into that Black Panther now Oh okay He went to see Black Panther

Now I love Black Panther That's what he is He's grown up now Yeah You took him to see Black Panther That wasn't too like Growing up for him Nah

He's all right All right All right He's gonna support the Black Panther Me All right All right Ponda forever

Why not Support the team No problem Well this Yes, there it is. There it is, my man. I've actually not seen it, but I've seen a lot. I should see it, right? I should probably see. I don't go to movies ever, but this is something I should see. Yeah. It's a very good movie. It's a very good movie.

First black see it in a very good movie. Huge, and it's not very well. All right. And by the way, how far is Birmingham from London? I don't know the geography very well. Do you drive there or do you fly there? Yeah, I go London tomorrow. So it's driving there. There's two hours. It's the way, so end up for my daughter. Get my car

drive there and I fight Saturday and drive back. So it's down the road to me. All right, well, you'll make it hopefully two for two for the Edwards family, your brother Fabian winning in dramatic fashion on Friday and then you, this coming Saturday against Peter Sabata. I'm looking forward to my man. Best of luck to you on Saturday

and, of course, we can watch it here in the United States on UFC Fight Pass. You can have me in my brother on Monday. one day, yeah? I would love to see. After win the five, I'll have me a brother on there. Yeah?

It's a date. Cool. You got a deal, Leon. Thank you very much. Looking forward to it. All the best to you, my man. Thank you. All right, there he is.

Leon, Rocky Edwards, of course, way back when, not that long ago, but it was, when was it exactly, 2015? So almost three years ago now, wow, you'll recall his first win in the UFC

was against Seth Buzense and he won that fight in just eight seconds. Remember that? Eight seconds back at the aforementioned Crowe Cup-Gonzaga two fight in April of 2015. In Krakow, Poland. Man, that was three years ago. Holy smokes. Three years ago that fight.

I mean, I remember watching that like it was yesterday. Unbelievable. Time is flying, my friends. Time is flying. Enjoy this life. Black Panther, yes, I need to see that film. I don't even remember the last time I went to a movie. It has been a while.

What was the last time I've been to a movie? Certainly not like a movie for myself. Like I've been to, oh, I went to see Coco with my kids and we walked out in the middle. Not because it was bad, it's because the damn thing was way too long. They give us the 30-minute Pixar movie

with Frozen and then we had to go see, you know, like we have to sit for Coco and it's like, here I am sitting with two kids and it's like, you know, 90 minutes in and we're not even halfway through the movie. They couldn't take it. But the animation was great. But I can't remember the last time I went to an actual movie for myself.

I have to think about that one. All right. I thought I got a message, but I didn't. All right. In a matter of moments, we're going to be joined by Alir Latifi, who of course is coming off that big win over Ovin Saint-Pruh. And in around 15 minutes time, we'll be joined by our surprise guests. Last but not least, number 13, lucky 13, a familiar face, an MMA vet,

will be joining us to announce his comeback fight. Some people have thrown out some guesses. A lot of guesses have centered around CM Punk, a CN Punk tweeting that just moments ago he tweeted that I see everyone tweeting about CM Punk here. Someone asked him a very rude remark. Someone said, so when are we going to see you cry in the octagon at CM Punk? And then he replied, June 9 after I win and lock eyes with my beautiful wife, embrace my coaches, and shout out my entire team. As you recall, over a month ago, I reported that the talks have been CM Punk fighting in Chicago, June 9th, against Mike Jackson. I did check in recently about this, and it didn't seem like anything had been finalized just yet. but the plan has always been

if CM Punk fights again the plan has always been for him to fight against Mike Jackson in Chicago excuse me the plan has always been for him to fight in Chicago the opponent hasn't always been 100% locked in

but it did seem as of late that talks centered around Mike Jackson but I mean CM Punk fighting anywhere other than Chicago especially when it's a pay-per-view card would be absolutely ludicrous that's the fight that has to happen

So CM Punk, Chicago, June 9th, United Center. If they announced that fight, if they announce his involvement on that card before tickets go on sale, that thing will sell out, in my opinion. Yes, he hasn't competed in WWE for quite some time, but I really do believe that he is still a massive draw in Chicago and that there's still some interest in him competing on any kind of platform, whether it's pro wrestling, whether it's MMA, people still care about him, especially in the Chicago area, and the stars are just aligning perfectly here. In fact, I would venture to say that he would, you know, he wishes that it was probably a little

bit earlier, but, you know, you can't have him fight in Dublin or Chile or Rio. I mean, CMP fighting in Chicago is the absolute best scenario. And it's a scenario that I thought should have happened for the debut. It didn't happen. It was Cleveland. It was close enough. But now here you have the return fight. And in my opinion, you got a guy in Mike Jackson, who's somewhat familiar. He has fought in the UFC before. Remember, Mickey Gall fought Mike Jackson beat Mike Jackson

to get to the CN Punk fight. It's the fight that makes all the sense of the world. It's 0-1-1-1. If you're going to bring him back, bring him back against Mike Jackson. It would be ludicrous unless he's just unable to fight, which I don't think is the case. Unless he's not healthy, which I don't think is the case,

that's the fight to make June 9th. So he kind of confirmed his involvement via that tweet. Didn't confirm the opponent. But if you ask me, it's a no-brainer. It has to be Mike Jackson versus CM Punk. All right, let's move along now

to our next guest. It was just a couple weeks ago where he won on a very big stage on Fox in Orlando, Florida. He's one of the top contenders at 205 pounds. He is knocking on that door. He made a big statement

with the victory and then shot his shot towards the champion who was sitting cage side and commentating. I'm talking about the sledgehammer himself, he literally, T, who we talked about earlier with Alexander Gustafin.

He now joins us via the magic of Skype. There he is. Alira himself. How are you, my friend? Oh, you're at the Performance Institute right now? Yes. Wow, this is a first for us, Elyar. I don't think anyone has ever joined us from the Performance Institute.

Last week we had Luke Rockold outside the PI, but now we're inside the P. Ooh, look at this. I hope they don't kick you out. Is that Forrest Griffin? He actually works the desk over there? Damn. The champ. How the Mighty have fallen.

Forrest Griffin, now working as concierge. He's great, man. He's awesome taking care of the guys here. I've got to say it's an amazing facility the UFC made to take care of their athletes. And they're doing an amazing job. There's a lot of knowledge here, helping the fighters out with the rehabilitation of injuries and even with nutrition and evolving training programs for the fighters. So they're doing an amazing job and really taking the sports to the next level.

Is this your first time there? Yeah, it's my first visit. I did some tests here, checking out my body, so I'm healthy and good, you know. And I'm very, very, you know, amazed of the work that they do here. So, yeah, it's helping the fighters a lot, you know. And this is a very exciting time for you. You come off that huge win over OSP on Fox. You signed with new management, Ali Abdel-Aziz.

You're at the Performance Institute. Why did you sign with Ali just a couple of days ago? You know, I had meetings around, and me and Ali clicked, had discussions about my future and my plans, aiming for the title and everything. And we found a good way to work. So let's do this. All right.

And okay, so like I said, you won that fight against OSP. It was very impressive. and then afterwards you asked for Daniel Cormier. But as you know, Daniel Cormier is booked against Steve Amiochich. So why did you turn your attention to him? I said afterwards and I liked it, but I thought that you should have called out Luke Rockhold who was coming to 205 because that's the fight that can actually happen right now.

Why did you go for Daniel Cormier? Daniel is a champ, you know, and I'm there in the top five. Luke hasn't fought in 205 and hasn't really proven anything there. I don't think he deserves to go and fight the best in that division, you know. So he's a great fighter in 185, but just stepping up after a loss coming to 205 and aiming for the top guys, I don't really think that's right, you know. So I know recently you met with the UFC brass.

What are their plans for you? I mean, you're not going to wait for Kormeate the fight, right? No, I mean, we're in discussions now about possible fights and everything. So nothing scheduled, nothing really planned, but we're working on it. And let's see what the future holds. But of course, you know, if the circumstances are right and everything is right, I will fight. And of course, maybe I'll fight before and after. Let's see what the future has.

Right now, it hasn't come so far. If it's not Daniel Cormier, is there anyone else that gets you excited, that you think makes sense? I mean the I would like like the problem is now the top five were three guys from yeah no from the same team so it's a it's a thing like in the future we will have to work out but there's there's not so many possibilities there you know well kind of texture fighting volcano texture are fighting probably in Brazil I don't know it's that that schedule and under that

under me is OSP and Shoggan so there's not so many options right now so we haven't really worked that out yet but we'll find something soon

Shogun would be fun no that's a big name former champion yeah people are talking about that he hasn't fought for a while he had some injuries and stuff of course he's a former champ and great fighting, you know, he's a legend in the sport.

But I don't know when he fought last time. Oh man, it has been a while. I don't... Over a year. I try to be active in the sport and, like, if I'm not injured, I try to fight three times a year. I fought four times a year before. So, to stay in the scene, you know? Sure, sure.

So... You ever, you sit down and talk to... to to Miami, yeah. We share, we're neighbors in Miami, right? I see you at the pool, lounging.

It's very intimidating. You and your coach there looking all buff and tan. I can't compete with you guys. I'm always polite to you. Of course, of course. No,

it's always a pleasure to see you there. But let me ask you, like, do you ever sit down with Alex and Jimmy and talk about how you guys were going to deal with this situation? Of course, we had our talks,

you know, the situation striving there so but we'll say like when the day comes like that it really like it's up to us then we'll sit down and figure a way to work it out you know there's

possibilities you know moving up to heavy weight moving down and wait so we'll work it out in a way you know yeah Alex and Jimmy have fought would you fight either of them like I said we'll work it out in the future

you know but oh wow We, we, we, that's nothing we ever thought about, you know, fighting each other. Because we work as a, our work as a team has made us so successful, you know, with three guys coming from a small country, a small team and doing good. So our success is that we helped each other to that, you know. And when Alex and Jimmy thought they weren't teammates. That's the big difference. I can't imagine you cutting to 185.

Maybe you have you, but you can't do that, right? People always see me like, I'm like the shortest guy in the division ever, you know, two or five. And I know when I started like, even when I started, man, even when I came in, you see people are like doubting me because I was short. Like, man, this guy's too short and like the guys is fighting that range. And everybody fight is like 6-3, 6-4, you know. I thought surreal the Abate, he was like, I don't know, 6-6 or something like that. So I had these challenges. And I just see myself unique as a fighter in my physical appearance and capability.

Both as a – I made like – I made something that was negative in my height to my strength in fighting. And I think I showed a – when I fight, you know. Yeah. You're the sledgehammer. It's like one of the most appropriate nicknames in the sport. It's amazing. Now, I have to ask you about this because, you know, I see your social media or Instagram,

and we know about like the famous photo of you on the horse, but like you're really, you're really an animal lover. I saw recently you were holding this snake, this gigantic snake. We're going to show a video of it. And just like, it ain't no thing. You're shirtless and you're holding onto this huge snake. Where was that? This is out in the Everglades.

I had some good friends there, Kyle, and some other people that they work a lot with, like, capturing pyth. You know, pythons are a big problem in Florida. They're not native in that region of the country, or they're not native into America. So they catch them and, yeah, and gators and stuff. So sometimes I go out with them, help. them out and it's a cool thing you know uh i have a huge passion for animals i've gone great i've dive with great white sharks wow i've been up i've been in the northern uh like close to the north pole with ice bears and stuff and swalbot and stuff so i don't know i just have a

connection with animals, I can almost talk with them, you know? Really? It's hard to explain, you know? You feel like you can actually communicate with them? Yeah, I feel like I have a special bond in a way, yeah. And I have this, I'm working on to make my own show, you know, like my own show, but I travel around the world and do great stuff, you know. and also talk about the situation,

what we're doing to this world, you know, with our nature and animals, you know, a lot of animals are in danger then, and the situation is very bad. Wow, that would be great. Like, sort of like a Steve Irwin-like show where you go out and just sort of appreciate the animals, right? And I would think, like, it would pretty cool, you know,

I host a show with somebody, and then I would have, like, guest fighters coming in. Yeah. But I don't think that they're as brave as you. I'll help to not so we just saw a video of you holding like some kind of lizard like a massive lizard what was that that's a tegou they're from south america and they're pretty cool animal she have a nasty bite okay so you got to be careful who taught you how to handle these animals

You know, since I was a small kid, when I used to go to Albania and Koso, where my parents came from, you know, they immigrated from there to Sweden. I was born there. So every summer we used to go there and I would go like in the forest and in the village and catch snakes and lizard and everything. Like all the kids did. Some of the snakes were poisonous. But, you know, I know which one was poisonous. And even the poisonous ones I would catch, you know, because I. I got good to it, you know.

The kids were like, this guy, this Swedish dude, he's crazy. It's like, I catching this thing. So I just like started early, no. Wow. Have you ever been bitten? Like, have you ever gone seriously hurt by an animal? Actually, no. Wow.

I haven't. What's the craziest thing that you've done with an animal, like in the wildlife? Probably like my coolest, coolest experience was diving with great. white sharks out of Faroe Islands, it's outside of California's coast. Wow. So it was an amazing experience, you know, and we like went on in this ship for like four hours out the coast of California, like a small, small, look like a prehistoric island, you know, and it was like thousands of seals over there, you know.

So the white sharks come over there, circle around the island to feed on these seals. And we stayed all day long, you know, to see the shark. But it was harsh circumstances because the water was very dark, you know. So we had to be in the cold water for a while. Oh, my gosh. It was an amazing experience to see one of the greatest predators on Earth. Wow. You weren't scared? That's the thing.

You know, I always had a little bit sure for sharks, you know, growing up. But that's what makes one of go in there and see them live. You know, it's the ultimate adrenaline. You need to start filming these excursions. Do you, like, do you have these things on tape? Some of them you have. Like, with the shark dive I have when I was there, but actually don't have when I was in the water, you know.

I didn't have the possibility. Sure, sure, sure. So are you, like, do you have any serious talks? Like, right there, your UFC? fight pass would be a great show. You know, hunting or not hunting, but you know, like hunting in the non-killing way, like going out and finding

these animals and things. That would be amazing, right? Yeah, I think so. I think like people won't go crazy for that show and always, and I was like thinking, inviting these funny fighters into the show. Yeah. Hanging out with me

with these crazy stuff. I think that would be really, really nice. It would be amazing. Would have a laugh. Yeah. a laugh and and in the same time, you know, give it the people some knowledge and stuff too, you know. What's like a dream trip for you, like to go out somewhere and find a specific animal, hang out with them? Is there something that you dream about? This would be like the bucket list. Probably go to Africa, to Central Africa and the mountains and hang out with the guerrillas up there, You know, they live in a very small area in Central Africa, and it's very hard to get there.

But it's an amazing experience to see them, you know. Wow. You watch a lot of Animal Planet, all these channels about animals? Animal Planet, like natural geographic, it's on all day long. It's amazing. I love this. So you're going to be in Vegas, and then do you go back to Sweden? or are you going to Florida?

How do you divide your time? Yeah, I'm going back to Sweden to see my family for a lot. Then I will be for you, see in Brooklyn as a guest fighter. Great. Yeah, so I'll probably see you there. Yep, yep.

And it's going to be amazing to see the fights they're really looking forward for that. Great show. And after that, you know, back to work, working hard. My aim is the title. this year, so I'm going to work hard for that. And is there a specific month that you'd like to come back?

I don't know about that right now. Okay. All right. When it happens, it's... All right. Well, great to catch up with you, Alira. Thank you very much for doing this, especially at the PI over there. And I hope you get that show. I love that idea.

That'd be amazing. I'm going to invite you to the show. No, it's okay. It's all right. I'll be here waiting. When it's going to happen? If it's going to happen, it's going to happen one day. So let's work on it, then I'm going to take you.

We're going to probably go and hang out with some rhinos or something. Yeah, yeah. What do you try to say about my nose? You say that I look like a rhino? No, no, no. I'm very sensitive. Don't take it. Noses are characteristic.

They are, they are. So, thank you. Sure. We'll go to the aquarium together and we'll look at some goldfish. It'll be great. Cool. no problem. Thank you, Alira. All the best to you. And congrats on all your success and we'll talk to you very soon. Looking forward to seeing you in Brooklyn. Thank you. See you soon back.

All right, there he is. The sledgehammer himself, for Lathifie. So you heard from Alexander Gusseson. Now you hear from Latifi. Jimmy Manua is fighting on Saturday in London. But what a great idea that would be. There's something fascinating about watching human beings, you know, deal with these animals that are, you know, so exotic that we would never even dream. That video of him holding the snake, I mean, I would faint. First of all, that thing probably weighs like 500 pounds. I think he actually says in the video, you'd could see it on his, uh, on his Instagram. I think he actually says it weighs 500 pounds. That's insane. There's also, do we have that picture of him on top of the, um, he's like on top of an elephant or something, right?

Off his Instagram as well. Anyway. The man is, uh, is a very complex individual. He's got many interests. I like that idea very much. So there you have it. A little TV stopping by.

Uh, from the PR. and a nice little cameo by Forrest Griffin. Okay, let me just regroup here for a second. So, top of the show, I teased that our 13th guest would be a surprise guest. And now it is time to reveal said surprise guests. So this is the lowdown, my friends. Bellator 196 is coming up on April 6th.

in Budapest, Hungary, the Budapest sports arena. It's going to be airing on the Paramount Network here in the United States. They were in Hungary last year. Nice little market for Bell Tour. The main event, James Gallagher, or I should say, why did I say James Gallagher? That was such a rookie move on my part. James Galaher. The G is silent.

I learned that very early. Everyone was very upset. James Galaher against Adam Borix. that was the main event. That is no longer the main event. That main event has been cancelled. James Gallowher suffered an injury. The good news is he did not suffer a knee injury.

That's the injury that has kept him sidelined for the last few months. I'm told it's a hand injury and it's not too serious that he'll be out for several weeks. However, he cannot fight on the card on April 6th. Adam Borax, by the way, I am told, is going to remain on the card, although there is not a new opponent for him just yet. So, I'm sort of stalling here because we had our guests, but now we don't have them anymore. And that's on me. Okay. So, Bellator regrouped.

Belator was able to find the new main event, and it's an interesting. intriguing one. So the new main event for Belator 196 on April 6th from Budapest, Hungary that will be airing via tape delay here in the United States on the Paramount Network will feature the former UFC lightweight champion, the man who came over to Belator fought for their lightweight title and welterweight title, the man who's looking to get back on track, the man they call smooth Benson Henderson. So Benson Henderson has been called upon to fight on less than a month's Notice he will be fighting in the main event on April 6th in Budapest, Hungary. His opponent is a familiar face.

His opponent is a man who almost exactly eight years ago to the day, today, we're like short by like three days. Eight years ago to the day, Bellator at the time, led by their now former CEO, Bjorn Rebony, held a press conference. to announce that he had signed with them. Well, life works in mysterious ways, my friends. Things work kind of in full circle. This man, who will be fighting Benson Henderson on April 6th,

is the first MMA fighter to ever grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. He is the one and only El Madador himself, Roger Huerta. How about this? Look at that smile. He's back. Unbelievable. Welcome back, Roger. Thank you.

This is exciting news. You versus Benson Henderson, April 6, Budapest hungry, less than a month. You are back in Bellator. This is crazy. Yes, it is. It's really crazy. Yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited to face Ben.

I respect this guy a lot. He's done amazing things for the sport. He's had a hell of a career, and I'm excited to get back in the mix. Did you realize, Roger, that it was almost exactly eight years ago today, that they held that press conference with you, Sean Weillock, Bjorn Rebony to announce that you had signed. It's incredible. It was like March 16th, 2010.

No, no, just hearing you now, speaking about it, I didn't, I didn't know. That's unbelievable. What do you remember from that day? Because that was like, you were like their first big signing, right? They did this live stream. You were sitting there. You were a little nervous.

You were coming off the UFC. Yeah, we were, we have flown into Chicago. And we were in one of those offices over there. And yeah, we announced a signing with them and Bellator. I think it was Bellator's second year that they were around. And, you know, I mean, things that it happened the way I wanted them to have him. But it is what it is. Was this always kind of a goal of yours to try to write that wrong,

to try to go back there and fix? Because, you know, you were brought in. You versus Eddie was the big talk and it didn't go your way with the tournament. you eventually fought him, but that didn't go your way. Was this always something that you wanted to try to figure out and get another crack at? You know, Ariel, to be honest, I don't know. I've been ups and downs with Nuzro with MMA and everything now for me is, I just want to, I know that I'm better than what I've shown.

I know that I'm better than what I've displayed. I know that I put in a lot of time into this. I mean, this is about 15 years that I've been doing this sport. And I just want to showcase that I'm better that what has shown, especially these last couple years. When did you start talking to Belator? Last year. Last, you've been talking them for a year. Well, I would say like half, half a year, about a couple months, six months, I would say.

And why did it take so long? Ask them. You should ask them. I don't know. It's been a roller coaster for me with this thing. And I just kind of stayed active with other things so that, you know, I don't go crazy with it. At any point, did you start to lose patience, lose hope that this would happen? What has it been like?

I don't know, man. It was strange. I've never really been in this situation where you make a call and then you're just kind of put on the sidelines. and then you have to make another call or send an email and there's no response, no reply. And I'm like, holy shit. I guess, you know, I'm not the hot commodity that I used to be. You know what I mean? But yeah, you know, I was in Nicaragua for about three weeks, you know, teaching down there and getting to see the place.

And then when I flew back to L.A., I hit up Scott the next day. and I'm like, hey man, what's the deal? And he's just, let me get back to you. So then I went for a run. I got back, and then I just started getting hammered with, like, emails, and basically there was an offer to fight. They're like, hey, man, we don't know what your weight is. We don't know if you're in shape or what is it.

And I'm like, man, and they told me who I was going to face. And I'm like, give me that fight. I don't care. I'm for it. I don't care if it's three weeks. I'll be ready. I'll be ready to fucking throw down with this guy. I don't, I don't care.

Wow. And that's how, that's how went down. And so it works out that you're this, you know, this new main event after the James Gallowher injury. But was this inevitable if it wasn't going to happen on this card in Hungary, were you going to end up signing with them and just fight at a later date? I got to tell you, I, no, I, no. Wow.

No, this was, this was, I think I called him on the, on the, on the right time, it's like, oh, we have somebody that is eager to fight, and that's kind of what happened. Wow. Now, the last time we saw you in action was in December against Haider Hassan when you fought in Dubai, but prior to that, for quite some time, you were fighting with one championship.

One of C. Yeah, what happened with them? Why did you leave the promotion? They were fighting me once a year, and I can't, I'm getting older, man. I can't, I can't be fighting once a year, you know. And, you know, there's some things I would like to say, but... Please say.

You know, I don't want to... No, it's just... They're just contradicting and... All right, well, here's... No, no. I'm focused on I'm Ben, you know? But who needs them? You're done with them.

You're in a better place. You're fighting for Bellator. You can't tease us like that, Roger? Oh, man. It's just... Well, here's a, here's a guy who owns a gym, who owns a promotion. And if you're not fighting with his gym, if you're not one of his guys, then, you know, they don't really push, you know, I hear you out.

So it's just contradicting to everything, you know, has his own judges. Like, yeah, I just want it out. I want it out. Okay. And you're referring to Shatri Sitchotungan. evolve MMA. You feel like if you're not part of the family, so to speak, you're not going to get that push. That's correct. Okay. So this has to be a breath of fresh air for you, right? I mean, you're back in the states, right? Yeah, where things I could like it at least lower you up.

Oh, wow. It got that bad. No, man, it's just, it's, it's just strange, man. It was everything was so strange there. And I'm just happy to be away. to be done with that and close that book or that chapter. So back of the day you were with Bjorn, now it's the Scott Coker era. Do you have any history with Scott? Have you talked to him before? I have none. I have no history of Scott.

I've heard nothing but good things about Scott. And I look forward to trying to work with him. And, you know, for me, I got to prove myself. You know, I got to prove it to them, prove to myself that I belong, belong with the top and so yeah I'm just ready to showcase that what is it like being Roger Huerta in 2018 because you have a very recognizable face you have had a very memorable career yet you know like I'm just looking at my Twitter right now people are like holy crap Roger Huerta where have you been you know like I haven't heard that name in quite some time do you get a lot of

people coming up to you like where are you Roger what are you doing we miss you and and if so how do you deal with that? Yeah, sometimes, I get, you know, it's weird for me. I don't look at myself. I'm not the narcissistic type. You know, I don't, you know, think I'm all this or whatever. But when I do get recognized a bit and they're like, oh, man, mad respects. And I just, I just see it as that. But, yeah, man, I don't know. I don't know, Ariel. I just, I feel fortunate at the moment to be quite honest, especially because I get to face a guy like Ben and yeah, I get to showcase my skills against this guy. Do you have any regrets?

I wish it was a bit more mature back then and done a few decisions better. But, I mean, if I hadn't taken the path that I took, then I wouldn't grow, you know, so. Is there any decision in particular that you're talking about? Just life, life in general, man. Yeah. But that's all of us, right? We all make those decisions in looking back.

Hindsight is 2020, right? Yeah. Where are you living these days? I got no home. What do you mean? I got no home. I'm just roaming around. The planet Earth is my home.

Well, like, where did you sleep last night? At my buddy's place here in L.A. So do you live in L.A.? For the moment while I train for Ben. So you will be training in L.A. for this fight? That's right. Yeah, I'm seeing with my buddy, Justin Hagan.

He's, just is an old friend of mine who helped me a lot in my UFC days. He was my strength conditioning coach, my nutritionist. He's one of my good friends, like one of my best friends. And, yeah, when I got out of Thailand,

and I came back here. He just started helping me back into training, back into, he puts a lot of attention to me. There gives me a lot of attention. And yeah, this is, we're here. So you're not training necessarily with a specific team. You're kind of doing your solo thing. Yes. I remember I saw you in Sweden a few years back.

You're with Marbeck Tysumov. Tasumov, yeah. He's doing great. he's having some visa problems now, but everyone expects him to do great when he returns. Do you have any affiliation to the team in Thailand anymore? Yeah, yeah, they're still friends of mine. They're still buddies of mine.

I still talk to them. I just, yeah, I don't know. I just want to move on, have some changes and see what's next. Okay. So, and you didn't consider training for this fight over there. You wanted to stay in America? Yeah, well, because I'm already here. I was already here.

Oh, okay, okay. Yeah. And, you know, I apologize for prime, but you say, like, you have no home. Like, what does that mean? Like, are you actually homeless? No. No, I mean, like, I'm traveling. I get to travel a bit now. So in my personal life, my ex and I ended up splitting, and then I just started to travel. Okay. So, like, the world is your oyster. That's right. And so wherever I land, and I'll make the most of it.

Is there a place that you want to end up? Like, you do, is there, At the end of all this, do you want to settle in one specific city? I don't know yet. No, I still want to, I want to, I've never been in this situation. So I want to let it be like that. I'm not locked in into anything right now, nothing. This is the first time in my life that I can just, okay, go wherever. Yeah.

Do you like that or does that give you anxiety? Because for me, personally, as an anxious person, I would be freaking out, but you don't seem to be that kind of person. No. I don't know. We're different in that. I like it. You like it? Wow. Yeah. What is it about Benson Henderson that you liked so much? Why were you so excited about that opportunity?

We have similar styles, you know. Well, I just respect him as a human being. I respect him as how the way he carries himself. The way he fights, it's very similar to my old style. I think that I evolved from that style. So it's going to be a good fight. So, like, what I love so much when I was told about this, but I loved when I found out, I was like, wow, this is, this is, this is, this is, this is, this is great matchmaking.

Because Benson needs a win. He needs to get back on track. All right. Let him fight a recognizable face. But Roger Huerta needs to get back on track too. You be bent and you're right back in the mix. Like, I feel like this is just perfect matchmaking here. Do you see what I'm saying?

Yeah. Yes, I do. I love this. It's going to be a good. Yeah. I'm excited for it. I haven't been excited for a fight in, in, in a while. and I'm excited for this one.

How was that? This guy makes me, I've been up since 5 a.m. I worked my ass off this morning. I was taking a nap earlier before I talked to you and I'm about to have two more sessions. Wow.

Yeah, someone like him makes me hungry, makes me, makes him work hard, makes me, makes me motivated. Do you remember the last time you felt this way? Yeah. Yeah, it was back in my UFC days. I would say that. Wow, it's been that long.

Yeah. Damn. It's unbelievable. And you're originally from the L.A. area, right? I was born here, but I never grew up here. That's the thing. I was born here, but I grew up mostly in Texas. Spent some time in El Salvador, Mexico, Texas, and then Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Did you sign a multi-fight deal with Beltor? Something was offered like this, but I decided to take this one. to put my myself. Wow. Yeah, I'm going bad. I'm putting all the chips on my side. You know what I mean?

I don't know how to, yeah, I'm betting the house. Wow. So you take the one fight deal and you said, let's talk after this fight. I'm going to beat this guy and then you're going to come back with a sexier offer. That's right. Is it because you didn't like the initial offer? So you'd rather just bet on yourself?

Um, that's, yeah. Okay. All right. What was the experience like fighting in that card in Dubai? Was that like in a shopping mall or something? No, it was in the Dubai World Trade Center or something like that. Okay. Actually, 1FC. We had fought in one of C in Dubai before when it was in the same place. So yeah, it was just, it was strange, though. That whole everything was, everything's been strange. Yeah. and it ended via

DQ and illegal strike to the head. The whole thing was weird. Man, I took fucking seven illegal to the back of the head, man. I was rocked and yeah, I have a big old gash now in the back of, anyways, yeah. Really?

It's just what it is. And yeah. How many stitches? I didn't get any. I just super glued it. Oh my gosh. You super glued it. Who did it?

Yeah. Who super glued it? We went back to Thailand and just my buddy. just, you know, we put it together. Does it open? Not, no, no. It's not now, obviously.

Okay. Wow. You know, I have to say, you know, and we talked about it, but like, I just watched it before this show started. It's so great to see you and to see you back and to see you smiling because I really thought, like, that one fight where you were soccer kicked, that was like the closest thing that I thought like I just watched a death in the, in the octagon, like the way you fell, you know what I mean?

And it was so sad to watch. Yeah. And to see you still around and smiling and thriving. and now getting this opportunity. It's a beautiful thing. You've got to be optimistic with life, right, Ariel? I mean, when you're knocked down and you can't just be, oh, shit, life is over. No, I mean, you just look at other things and, hey, man, the sun is shining.

So, yeah, fighting isn't the end-all be-all. And I think that's kind of what's mess with me a bit. But yeah, I think, you know, I'm going to be 35 in May. I think I've got a good five years left in this thing. And then once I hit that 40 mark, I think I'll call it, you know. What do you think you'll do post-fighting? Has this, you know, this time off allowed you? So I'm going to search for that, actually.

Okay. I don't know. I don't know what else to get involved in. We'll see. Do you want to stay in the sport or once you're done fighting? Maybe I'll sit next to you there. That would be great. I mean, look at your face.

Who wouldn't want to watch a show hosted by you? Are you kidding me? You'd be hugely successful. Let's just hope is still the same when this is over, man. So far is so good, despite the soccer kicks and everything. I try to give. Yeah, no, the soccer kick was horrible. And I was depressed after that, to be quite honest.

But then I started smoking weed. I smoked a little bit. I smoke weed. Okay. And it helps with anxiety. It helps with stress. It helps keep my body at ease. It helps with my mind.

It helps me think, actually. So, so yeah, that's what I, that's the medicine that I, that I took after that. Before that, I never, never really part took it. Right. Do you watch American MMA? Like, do you watch the UFC? Do you watch Bellator? I do.

I do some of it. Not, not everything. But when, when it's around, when something's on, I watch it. I mean, I got, I got guys that who fought. fight and so I pay attention to them. You know, yeah. How do you feel about the state of MMA these days? It's great. It's grown. It's giving guys a lot of opportunities.

I mean, we're in the mix of being professional athletes, you know? So it's not just Joe Schmo, you know. Do you own a single Sports Illustrated with your face on it? Do you have one in your possession? Like you know if I asked you for one, do you know where to get it? Ariel. You asked me this before. Yeah.

I said to you that my mom probably does, but I don't. Yeah, but it's been a while since I asked you that. So I wanted to know if maybe you went and actually got it and keep it with you. No, I don't. You want nothing to do with that. I'm honored. The thing is, I was, I'm grateful for anything good that happens to me. But it's not, I didn't feel like I accomplished anything with that, if that makes sense.

You know, it wasn't something that I was. striving for or working for it. When it happened, I'm like, wow, that's, thank you. You know, I'm grateful. I appreciate it. Thank you. But it wasn't something that I was, that I was striving for. That makes sense.

Yeah. If, yeah, that's the way to look at it. Like, I'm grateful and thankful. But, yeah, I don't carry it. I don't carry it around. I don't carry it really anything around. Sure. We learned that just moments ago.

Do you feel like this shot against Benson? This is your last chance in American MMA? Is that the way you're viewing this? I don't know if it's my last chance, but it's definitely, I'm definitely going to show my worth, show that I belong.

Yeah. Do you feel like Benson is as good as he was when he was fighting in the UFC? Like, have you seen his last couple of fights? Yeah, I mean, he's been fighting top dudes, man. He's been, he's lost a few split decisions. The guy's still in it. Yeah.

Okay. Well, this is very exciting. I must say, I'm just so excited to see you back. It just reminds me of a, of a different time. My first on-camera interview, Roger Huerta, you remember this, right? In Montreal, in the hotel. Yes, yes. Unbelievable.

Yes, I do. Dating the Octagon girl? I mean, the world was yours. I was so nervous. I couldn't believe it. what a life but i'm i'm so glad that you're here roger i'm so glad that you're able to do this on the show and i'm so glad that you're back in action and that bell to assign you and i know it's been a long time coming for you and and i'm happy to hear that they actually made the right call so congratulations

on this april 6th budapest hungry benson henderson against rogerta it's like two eras coming together i love it it's a lot of fun and and i'm not happy to hear that james galahar got hurt obviously, but I'd say this is a very nice plan B on Belator's part. So well done. Thank you for coming on the show and talking about all this to us. I really appreciate it. I appreciate you. Thank you. All the best you, Roger. And good luck and you've done, buddy. Thank you. Keep in touch, my man. Yeah, we will. All right. There he is. El Madador himself. How about that? Roger Huerta. Talk about a surprise guest, a blast from the past, a familiar face. Look at that guy. Wow. Unbelievable.

Let me tell you something. Sometimes Belator makes strange decisions, and I'll be the first to say it. I love this one. The only thing I don't like, tape delay. Whatever. We'll get over that. That's not Belator's fault. That's Paramount's fault.

That's By-com's fault. But I just, this is a rabbit out of the hat. I mean, who saw this coming? And again, sucks to hear that James Gallowher is hurt. And the first thing I had to find out is it his knee. It's not his knee. So that's the good news. Hopefully see him back in there.

rather than later, but the reason I love this fight so much, it's Benson Henderson, who needs a win. It has not gone well for him in Belator, right? Lost three of four, lost two in a row, and Roger Huerta, I mean, he has won technically two in a row, but a split decision back in November of 2016, then the December of 2017 fight against Haider Hassan,

which ended via illegal elbows, he says that he superglued his gash on the back of his head. Prior to that, he had lost two in a row, then he won one, and then prior to that, He had lost four in a row, and then he won one, then lost two in a row, which were the two fights in the UFC. But I remember that live stream, Sean Wheelock announced it all. He started it all. He was the host.

Bjorn was sitting there and Roger was sitting there. And it was a big deal for Bellator because, like, Eddie and Toby Amade of these guys, they were part of the first season. But this was their first free agent signing. And he, of course, was of Hispanic descent. So this was a big deal for Belator who was really trying to kid. to that market. And I remember watching that live stream on belator.com

and what a story? Eight years almost to the day Roger Huerta is back. That's a great script. That's great stuff. Less than a month away, Belator 1096. All right.

Thank you very much to Roger Huerta for coming on to talk about that exciting news. Thank you very much to all our guests. All 13 of them. What a day it has been. From Ben Ascran to Demetrius Johnson,

Alex Hernandez, Katzengano, Darren Till, John Phillips, Rick Story, Kel Pennington, Alexander Gustafson, Miracle Krookup, Leon Edwards, Alir Latifi, and Roger Huerta. It has been a great day. There's still some show left.

We're going to go exclusively on Twitter now. So if you were watching us on YouTube, Facebook, MMA Fighting, go to Twitter, live.com slash MMA Fighting. That's where the MMA After Hour is. That's where we will do Rick's picks. That's where we will answer some of your questions. That's where we will wrap up this day.

and look ahead to the week to come in mixed martial arts. So, live.com slash mMA fighting. The MMA after hour starts right now. All right. Time for the MMA after hour. Time now for everyone's favorite segment. It is time for Rickspig. Now it's time to open up your ears and your minds.

MMA fans, it's time for Ricks Picks. Ricks Picks. Rick's Picks are lots of fun and his hair is in a beautiful. fun because it's you already know what it is rick's pigs ladies and gentlemen boys and girls it's the moment you've all been waiting for it's the new craze taking the world by storm live from the vox studios in beautiful new york city it's time for rick's picks nope uh that was not you but now it's you Hello. What do you got there?

What are you wearing? What's that shirt? Oh, this? That little thing. A logo for a photo studio in Brooklyn, New York. Oh, Jack Taylor? It's called Den BK. Den BK.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Check it out. Look at you. Always with a plug. You give me the platform, and I, look, it's in Ale U. If you throw it up, I'm going to dunk that baby home. Well, what a day. Anything you want to say about today? show?

I can go for 13 more guests. Yeah, you know what? It kind of flew by. Yeah. Sometimes when we have a lot of guests, I get a little bit, like, it's just so much.

This one kind of flew. You want to maybe call up some people? What? More people? Yeah, why not? No, I think I'm good for today. I think I'm good, but I have to say,

it's all very genuine. Like, I am not faking my excitement about the return of Roger Huerta. No, I mean, I think everybody's, excited about it. Did I get like, were people like, oh, that's not a big deal, blah, but like, what was the reaction? That was more for the Demetrius, uh, listen, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, uh, promote any Demetri's stuff.

I didn't do that. That's on them. No, uh, I think people are genuinely excited. When you gave me a little bit of a heads up that this was going to be happening, I was, I didn't expect it. That's for sure. It was out of left field. Um, I'm pretty excited about it. And I think, you know, it, he's one of these guys that I feel like people think has been away for a bit, but he's actually been competing and doing it at a level that is, I think, comparable where I feel comfortable about him stepping in against Benson. You like this matchup? I do.

And I think you're right about, I think it makes more sense for Galaher, just because this would be a huge win for him on the way up. Wait, Galaher Yeah What do you mean? Gallagher Against Roger? No, Benson

That was the original fight, yes? No, it was Adam Borix Wait Different weight class, bro. Galaher was fighting who? Adam Borix The whole thing is new Where have you been?

You didn't see my intro? No, I was Away. It was Adam Borax against James Galaher, James Galaher injured his hand, Adam Borgs

remaining on the card against the dreaded TBD. The new main event, Benson Henderson. Gotcha. I thought it was going to be, okay. No. I'm in the same way class, bro.

Yeah, he's a 45 or he's a fit and. What? He's on his way down to 135 these days. Yeah, that's what me and Danny were talking about. Danny didn't, he didn't correct you? No, he did, he did. Oh, my God. And, okay, so anyway.

Yes. Let's go back. Let me rewind. I like it. Yes. I do like it. You sure about that? I do.

Okay. But I think... You're supposed to be like the hot tag. You're supposed to be the fresh one in all of this. I'm the one who's been talking for the last four hours and four minutes. You're the guy who like when I'm getting being down, I tag you, you run in and then you clean the whole house. You know how that goes? I do love that.

I do know that and I love that. But you know what the problem that analogy is? You're assuming that I'm just waiting for the tag back here. Well, yes, kind of. I mean, you're doing stuff, but you're really waiting to like have your voice heard, you know? Like, you're like that guy holding the string, you know? that guy? Yes.

I get, okay, we talked about the tag already. You're going into the nuance of the... Yes. Now, nobody really

holds the string. They all hold the string. That was a thing back in the 80s. Everyone holds the string. Not anymore. Yeah, because you're like a nob fan.

You know, you don't remember superstars of wrestling. You don't remember Maple League wrestling. You don't remember Saturday night's main event. My era was like

the attitude era. Yeah, that was nice. I thought you were going to say, I'm of a certain age. What do you want me to do? I thought you were going to say the NXT air. That's really when I got into it.

No. The New Japan era. No. Come on. That's Casey. Yeah, I'm not into it like that. I like that stuff though. Anyway, we're getting off track.

I like the fight. That's Mark Romandie. Well, for sure. Yeah. Number one pro wrestling fan in the world. I like the fight. Okay. You?

I love it. I said I loved it. Yeah. I think, yeah, I think it's good timing. For both. It makes sense for both. All right, let's get to Rick's picks. Yes, let us.

We had Austin giving away Rick's picks. I mean, geez. Oh, I didn't see anything there. Yeah, but everybody else did. I mean, there's no surprise anymore, you know what? Okay. First, start with a little bit of a recap from International Women's Day, Invict FC, the female promotion highlighted it well.

Here, Verna Jandy Roba, who's fighting for the strawweight title coming up on the 24th. They did a whole series with some of the fighters. This one, Pearl Gonzalez, who's also fighting on that card. Unlike with Halloween, I was impressed with the MMA fighter showing out for International Women's Day. Men and Women. Halloween. What does I have to do this? Halloween, I was so disappointed by the costumes this year.

I feel like I featured like one from Halloween. International Women's Day, much better. A lot of stuff. I can't obviously chronicle at all. InVicta had some great stuff. all the female athletes had some great stuff. The male athletes borderline with some of the stuff they were posting for International Women's Day. Some cringeworthy.

A little bit like missing the point of what's supposed to be done. And obviously some were on purpose that way. But not something we should highlight. But there was some good stuff out there. Find it International Women's Day. Obviously something to celebrate me and myself having a daughter. it means a lot to me. What about my daughter?

She can't get a mention? Why is it just about your daughter? Wait, what? What are you talking about? I mean, really. I'm not saying the holiday is to celebrate my daughter. We're both, you know. I'm saying I'm a new father.

This is my first international women's day as a father of a of a female. Is it always the same day every year? Yeah. What day is it? March 9th or something? No. Yeah, March 9th.

No, March 8th. Thursday, March 8th. Yeah. This year it was a Thursday, obviously. As you know, the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th. Yes, the notorious B-I-G. Yeah. Is that your, is that, are you throwing that as like...

No, that's cannabis. Cannabis said the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9. Do you subscribe to that? Yeah. I've always been a snow fan, personally. You know, I'm partial. Snow? Snow!

Informa. You know, since then. Oh, okay, I know that song. That was a bad joke. Oh, you know, you have some odd taste. Yeah. No, I could live with it. Biggie, Tupac, in the conversation, for sure.

You know, Biggie, Tupac, Drizzy Drake, the Sixth God, you know. Okay, here we go. You already spoiled so many Rick's picks this week, but we'll post them anyway. Alex Hernandez, who we had on the show earlier. This was the tweet that you referred to, to the sofa scrubs. Yeah. You see a man in full. charge from a three-point stance storming the cage to reach you and your thoughts are he's probably

just coming in for coming in hot for the high five you need to reassess what the F you're talking about doing in what the F you're doing in that cage nothing funny about this business so him saying look we can we can touch gloves but if you see me coming in hot like that it's probably not a high five yeah he's 100% right get out of here he's about to fight I think I think there's there's an expectation though there's there's an understanding of decorum so if it looks like you're going for a high five you know, I'm not for people faking it and then doing it. It seems like his attitude was not

about faking a high five. It was, I'm coming to fight. Don't come in for the high five. But I don't, I'm not for the fake the high five throw a strike. What do you think he did? I think he was just not intending to high five. Yeah.

I think he was gauging distance and to me to fight. The smarter thing to do as you're about to fight is to gauge distance. Why are you worrying about a high fiving? Yeah. It seems like he was not. I like it better.

Like, you know, when the guy walks into the cage and he runs around, there's a ready guy in there, you give a little, you know, pound. Maybe do it then. And then that's it. Get on with it. I'm not a fighter. I don't claim to know the unwritten rules. But it seems like Alex is not about the high five. Okay.

We go to Friday night. Be and she asked Benile Darius, what he thinks about. I'm sure he has some thoughts on it. Yes, yes. We go to Friday night. Oh, yeah. Nick Newell, who we had on last week. Yes.

Getting the job done here against Sunny Lucke at LFA 35. Mr. Must CTV is back. Tap out. And we'll talk about him later during our question of the week. But he's back. And what a performance first round submission. Amazing. For Nick Newell.

The guy, like, you just can't, you just can't look away when he's fighting. And this is the thing. And I know I have the poll coming up, but I just want to say, like for all the people who say that this man shouldn't get a chance to fight the best of the best, whether it's in the UFC or Belator, like what about Jim Abbott?

Jim Abbott used to stand there and, you know, guys could hit a ball that are going 100 miles an hour back at him and he had to switch hands. You know, he had the... Switch the glove. Yeah, you have to switch. And, you know, he's pitching

and he's holding the one glove and then he has to switch. He has to do that in a split second. What about that football player last week that we were talking about? I mean, this guy's getting crushed, you know, and people are okay with that. The man has proved his worth. I mean, he has proven that he can hang in there.

Well, that's the thing. You know, he's not a charity case. Yeah, if the concern is, oh, he could get hurt. I mean, he's proven at this point, at this level. He is not somebody to worry about in that regard. In fact, his opponents are the ones who should be concerned because he continues to rack up victories his sole loss coming to Justin Gagee. And I love how people use that as some kind of knock against him.

Like, oh, he got smoked by Justin Gage. First of all, he lost in the second round. Michael Johnson lost in the second round to Justin Gaichie. Yeah, a loss to Justin Gaichi is not something that says this guy does not belong in the UFC. No. Yeah, I think at this point, the concern, the faux concern is unwarranted. He's proven that he can fight at that level. Now, does that mean he's going to come in and be able to sustain that?

We don't know, but we're not going to know until he has that opportunity. I think it's clear that he is among. that level. He is among that level of talent and he belongs in there. Okay. And by the way, like,

if the UFC isn't going to bite, if I'm Bellator, I'd be all over him. Like, that's the kind of guy that you need. That's the kind of guy that you want to get attention. Absolutely.

Nick Newell belongs in a top promotion. Okay. Road FC from Saturday. This event was Road FC 46. Here we have... What is this? Jorge Huk.

And the reason I'm highlighting him, turn this up, he sang his own damn walkout. Oh, my God. On the way to the cage. It's incredible. And he's good. He is really good.

He's pretty good. Yeah. Yeah, that's why people call it single song fighter. I just hope he doesn't guess himself out before he gets in there. We hear the commentary team joking about it. Okay, I think that gives... What language is that? Is that Korean?

Korean, yeah. Wow. And he did not gas himself out. He got it done. He got the win. Look at this guy. I think it was his pro debut. He's now 1 in 0.

Yeah. Shout out to the homie. Look at this. You do the whole dance, the singing out on the way to the cage. Road FC delivering the goods. also from Saturday. There was so much action on Saturday.

Also from Saturday. A favorite of the show and of the Twitter universe, King Raina. Oh yeah. With the patented Chupa Chupa, big lollipop walkout. The mystique around King Rana.

She's incredible. Continuing. She is so great. This is the walkout from Deep Jewels 19. She also got a win over So Young Park to improve... By the way, has anyone ever asked her why she goes by King Raina? I'm sure.

But you don't know. I haven't seen... Yeah, I don't know the lore, but... Or why the Chupa Chupa Pop, but... Oh my God. I didn't realize that. What? That's what she's holding.

I've said this on the show before. You know what? No, no, I don't know what Chuba Chuba, but like I saw it right now. I don't even know what that name is. Chupa Chupa Chupa Pop. Oh, my God. that's amazing. Yeah, big lollipop.

Yeah, the big ones. I love those. She definitely has among the best walkouts, and I took a little bit of flack for not picking her for walkout of the year. And then I took some more flack on that, but we don't need to rehash that. You have two potential

walkout of the years right here. The guy singing... I mean, I'm thinking right now, Jay Huk is in the lead for walkout of the year. When you sing your own, I mean, that is something. Okay, also from Saturday. Can we turn this up?

Because I think the sound is important on this knockout. We've got Takehi Akiba. Look at this knee and listen to it. Oh. I mean, from Pancreys 2.95. That's like one of those pro wrestling kicks where the guy slaps his leg just to make it sound. Just brutal. Takee Akiba.

Maybe slow down on those extra punches there, bro. No, you can't. He's in the heat of the moment. Come on. Dang. We had another huge knee, actually, from Super Fight League. Oh, yeah. There we go.

Let's tune in for this. What, is this the first round? Geez, Louise. Is that the first round? I think it was. Or, no, maybe it was a second. I forget. One of the...

Oh, my. Dear God, that is the worst thing I've ever seen. Abdulazim. God. You know, a friend of mine... One of my best friends, Daniel Wolf, is in India right now. He was watching this? And he said to me, have you ever seen MTV Super Fight League?

This thing is huge in India, he said. Everyone's talking about it. Yeah, I mean, that knockout everybody's talking about. Wow. And then there was another right after this from the same event from Super Fight League. And I saw, how on Gwen's leg give. Oh! Incredible head, boy.

Look, this he spins them all the way around. I've never seen that before. Oh, my God. God. What? Sumit Kadeh. Oh my God. First of all, I have to say, I love the voozella's. Yeah.

It kind of adds a little something. Can we see that one more time Sound up if possible? Yeah, can we put the sound up? This is going to replay right now. Oh, my God. Final Saturday 8 p.m. Live and exclusive on MTV. Yes. Oh, man, I blink for a second and I saw Palman Gwe's

leg give. Oh! Oh, you did me! I cannot believe that what is. What are the money? We just spoke about the fact that nobody's going to be able to. Saturday delivered the action. I cannot. This is one of the greatest knockouts.

Please remind me of this in December because I'm surely going to forget. That is one of the greatest things I've ever seen in my life. If you just keep a log of the Rick's picks or hit up Caposa, Caposa's got to get the hook on it. Oh, my God. But, yeah, Super Fight League, delivering two incredible knockouts on Saturday. Wow. That reminds me of that Matt Linlin knockout

where he just kind of fell and turned over. Was that Lawler? Yeah. It was Lawler, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Huge, huge fights on Saturday. Okay.

Also spoiled by one Ariel Hawani. What's spoiled? Oh, sorry. This comes up, you know? Look, I mean, you know, you leave something for Rick's fix. I'm sorry. CM Punk asked when we're going to see him in the Octagon again,

replying June 9 after I win and lock eyes with my beautiful. wife embrace my coaches and shout out my entire team teasing the appearance at UFC. What is it, 225? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Chicago. United Center, baby. What do we got? Who's he facing?

It's gotta be Mike Jackson. It's got to be Mike Jackson, doesn't it? It has to be. That's the fight. It's been building for like two years. And it makes sense. It makes sense from an experience standpoint. Promotionally.

It's just a guy sells the fight. There's a little bit of bad blood there because of all the crap that he's been talking. Like, why wouldn't you do it at this point? point. Gotta be Mike Jackson. Gotta be. It's gotta be my. Oh,

oh boy. What do we got here? We have a reply to you from the champ Tyron Woodley talking about Roy McDonald's saying he's a stud and my toughest matchup in the universe. Too bad we can't dance again. But congrats on his success. I've always been a fan of Rory McDonald. Roy McDonald's the topic of conversation lately.

Yeah, you know why. Talk to me. Well, you know why this came up? Because after John Fitch was on the show last week, I was, I started to get tagged in these tweets from MMAFA. And then finally I was like, oh, I'm going to take the bait here. And I'm going to talk to these guys. Can we talk about that?

Why? Why take the bait? Because I have to say, I'm a little bit perturbed by the fact that they are against the idea of the UFC fighters signing these cards to find out if they're independent contractors or employees. What they are fighting for, the Ali Act, which is what always comes up, right? has nothing to do with collective bargaining. Correct. I'm talking about having a seat at the table, and I'm saying that the UFC fighters

are dealing with a different set of circumstances as the rest. This is no knock on anyone fighting in Bellator or PFL or One or Risen, but they don't have to deal with things like Reebok and Usada and the TV deal that the UFC is. So, like, they're dealing with different stuff. So why, like, you should be for anything that benefits the fighters. Why are you against this?

I've read up myself a little bit on what they're, argument is and essentially it comes down to they see a different method for this. They see a different avenue to getting rights. I have to say, they're contradictory. On the one hand, they say we're like the leagues, then we're not like the leagues,

that we want to see the best, that we don't want us, and then they say like, oh, you know, I can't go over it now because of this whole thing. I had to, honestly, I had to remove myself from the conversation because I kept saying, like, he was like, oh, well, anyone who's not in the UFC is considered irrelevant. Well,

Your entire faction is outside of the UFC. Are you all irrelevant? No, you're not. You can't tell me Roy McDonald's who's making more money fighting in Belvoir is irrelevant. You can't tell me Gagher-Mussi who's making more money to fight. Like, that's at the end of the day what this is all about.

Stop talking about the damn rankings. No one cares about those rankings. Like, you guys are happy outside of the UFC, fighting for money, fighting for whatever. What do you care about the UFC's title? You know what I'm saying? And so what I was showing him there was, look, you're saying that non-UFC fighters are irrelevant.

Well, look at this poll. 33,000 people vote. voted on it and voted for the Belator champion as the better Walterweight than the UFC champion. Yeah. Case closed. To which the UFC champion said he's great. He's fantastic. And he is my toughest

opponent. So it'd be hard to argue that Rory McDonald is not somebody to take note of even though he's outside of the U.S. It's weird to me that any time one of these groups come up and they've all been flawed, but that these guys are the first ones to say, no, no, no, no, our way is better. We've been doing it this way. We've been

investing this and that. I've got to say I may be butchering his name but Ian kid from Bloody Elbow who lives in Scotland just look at his thread I had to just remove myself from that because he

He broke it down well He had a good back and forth Yeah With the MMA FA Look there's nobody I think ultimately Everybody involved Kind of has noble intentions

Or at least I hope But you know there's going to Why are we so quick to put them down? Conflict But maybe that's not the best the best method of get about it. But Tyrone Woodley showing love for the Bellator Walthaway champion.

Yeah, nice. Speaking of the Bolotaur welterweight champion, he replied to an article by our very own Peter Carroll on MMA fighting saying he agrees to fight the winner of Carvalho and Musasi for their middleweight championship

after he defends his belt at 170, hopefully going down at the same night as Bellator 200. So not giving up on the idea of going out of outside his weight class wants to fight for the middleweight championship. And I would like to see it. Yeah, I wonder what they're going to do with Rory.

Because there's no real clear-cut guy. I mean, you could run back Lima. Yeah. Without too many people getting upset about it. It was a great fight. I think Lima's a worthy challenger. I hate to keep bringing up the guy, but I'd love to see Roy versus Ben Ascran. I don't think you're alone.

One of the questions today was saying if George, George St. Pierre is not on the table for Ben Asking. What about a matchup with Rory? I'd like to see that. I wouldn't be upset about that. It would be amazing. In fact, I think for me, I think that's a better stylistic fight. I'd like to see Rory versus Ben more than I'd like to see GSP versus Ben.

But, yeah, I want to see some kind of challenge for Rory here. And I wouldn't be mad at him challenging for the 185 pound belt as well. Okay. Alexander Gustafson Who we had on the show earlier You referred to this tweet as well He said to Luke Rockhold He heard

He hears that Luke is coming for him Can't ask for a more chinny dude His middle weight Cato is a light heavy weight Fool yourself to believe it's the weight cut I'll wait for you Alex getting Sassy

On the on the Twitter Gustafson Rockhold Rockhold Bisping What's you taking Gustavson Rockhold Yeah I feel like most people Would take that That's what I would like

but Luke to 205 is real. A lot of interest in this from fighters, from fans. Yeah. I can't fight against it anymore. A former opponent of Alexander Gustavson. Oh. John Jones. Oh.

Featured here on stage with Steve Ayoki. Living his best life. Look, look, you know. Life moves on. When you're on the shelf, got to just live your life. Train in the garage, get the music going. Yeah. Lift some weights and go.

watch a dope concert. Steve Ayoki, does he sing or does he... DJ, yes? Yeah, but like, what do you... I'm not the guy for music, so... What are we watching then? You watch, like, a guy, DJ. There's, like, shows...

Look, Austin's shrugging, too, so I guess we're not the crowd for it, but he's got a lot of fans, so... I always wonder, any relation with Shinya? No, but there was an actress named Devin. Aoki? Aoki. That I think was, like, sister? Oh, really?

Yeah. Wow. Wait, was Steve or with Shinya? With Steve. Oh, okay. Not Shinya. Speaking of the theme of the next couple of celebrities. Here we go.

Demi Lovato, hosting to her Snapchat. Notable MMA fan. That she borrowed this belt from Matt Hughes. Matt, making sure. Oh, that's awesome. Out of his way to say former and then he's still a champ. Wow, that's great. Demmy, still in the game.

Really, like, in this game. I love it. She trains with Jake Glazer at his gym. She gets to carry around a few pounds of gold. Yeah. Formerly held by Matt Hughes, but good to see both of them. Okay. Speaking of celebrities and MMA fighters, Habib Narmaga Madov, pictured here with Alex Ovechkin.

Oh, this was great. Saying thank you so much for the invite. It was an honor to watch you play live today. Yeah, two Russian legends. Legends. I love the fact that Habib is making all these cameos with these sporting legends. Ronaldo not that long ago. Now, Ovi.

And like the level, the caliber of athlete he's with. It's pretty high. Legend legends. Yeah. By the way, all-time great. Why does Ovechkin look so much older than him? Like, it's been a hard life on that hockey ice.

I mean, he is older, but he just looks noticeably older in that picture. It's also, I think, the clothing, like he's wearing the dad fit. I love it. The, like, dad. It almost looks like this is my son. He did well today. He's proud of him. He's proud of him.

And look at Habib. Can't even smile. All of this. By the way, Celebrities. By the way, Esther Lynn sent me a poll that I missed back on March 9th. They did a poll who they want to see Luke Rockhold to fight next. You know, who did the people?

49% Gus, 46% Bisping. I mean, we'll go back in time. Maybe we'll go back in show history. Yes. And react to the callout by Alexander Gustafson. Yeah. What are you trying to say? How, you know, how favorable I was on it and how bullish I was on it and how you poo-pooed it immediately.

I said the timing was a little off. Now I'm cool with it. It's been a month. But like, we didn't have a callout was perfectly timed. He made it happen. Even Rockhold himself said it. He said the timing was petty. Got under his skin.

He did exactly what he needed to do. We'll go back. We'll go back. And this will be one of those moments in history where old New York, Rick was on the right side. Okay, speaking of celebrities, back to that theme, the biggest celebrity in this edition of Rick's picks that we've been featuring is Demar J. Smith. Pictured here, Al J. Sterling played in a charity basketball hoops event. Last time we saw him doing this, I think he was guarding up on Justin Bieber. He played again in a charity basketball. This time playing with Demar J. Smith, if you're not familiar with Demar Jay Smith, Get yourself on Google.

Find his original video where he talks about no weakness. It is the best video. Oh, this guy's great. I know this guy. Yes, of course. The Jamaican, no weakness. Oh, man. That's who is who this is, the biggest celebrity of them all.

But shout out to Al Joe for doing a good thing for charity. That's great. I think Big Baby Miller, the boxer. Chris Wyman, John Volante. They're all part of it. By the way, Steve Ayoki's dad is a very famous gun. Who? Hi. Hi. Hi.

Best known as Rocky Ayoki, was a Japanese-born American wrestler and restaurateur who founded the popular Japanese cuisine restaurant chain, Benihana. Oh, damn. Yeah. What a family. Yes. Not related to Shinya, though, unfortunately. No, but, man.

Yeah. Well done. Banking. Here's another article. Stevie Yoki never got a dime from his Benihana founder dad. New York Post. Self-made man. Yeah.

I like it. Okay. A remade man, this video coming from our good friend, Devin Powell. Oh, my God. Recovering. Devin Powell. From emergency testicular reconstructive surgery. Please.

Back in the gym. You say that and it pains me. I mean, I just, I picked this because you're tagging it. And look at him pulling there. One of the great comeback stories of 2018 will be down. It's not funny, but it's funny. funny. Well, he's handling it very well. He is. I mean, for

what happened, I don't know if I'd have the same levity about it, so. An inspiration. Congrats to Devin, get him back on the mend. But maybe chill on some of those like leg spread exercise. Yeah, for real. We're two cups.

Take it a little easier. Okay. We go outside the cage to the boxing world. Dervante Davis. Yes, the tank. Saying, I think I want to fight in the UFC. And he had a back and forth with a lot of MMA fighters, which I'll be honest, I think he got the better of them.

I wasn't really feeling a lot of the representation from the MMA world. I think Jervante held his own, at least in terms of social media barbs. What do you think of this? Is this just an avenue to getting attention these days? Could any boxer do this? I feel like every boxer is done. I mean, someone will do it. Some of you have it like, eh.

Look, want to see the best fight of what they're the best at. Right. Like, what do I need to see Javante Davis go over to MMA? What do I want to see Conno McGregor fight in boxing? They are great at what they do. I actually just rewatch the Michael Jordan 30 for 30 about him playing baseball. Jordan rides the bus.

It's great, but it just reminds you that you could be the best ever at your given sport. It is ludicrous to think that you could go to any other sport and be the best there. A few things. I think that those are more different. Boxing is an element of... I know. But you know. Baseball and basketball

completely different. Then we have freaks like Dion Sanders and Bocax. Yeah, but those guys were doing it their whole lives. Yeah. Look, I mean, I'll say this.

If Dervante Davis fought in a cage, I would watch it. I would definitely not. I would definitely not. I don't think there's anything to it. What they're best at. Yeah.

That's all. Speaking of doing what they're best at, we have another entrant into the MMA sphere. Yeah, what's this all about? I just saw that. Saying that he would like to announce that he is a

You better not be playing with our emotions here. I won't be happy if he is. If he's not, if he's being serious, this might be the biggest news story of 2018. Here it is. And by the way, I think he cut his hair recently, so this is a very old photo. Well, I think he's just showing his pose.

He's getting it. Look, his abs are shredded. He's got the... Not even a high-res photo. First of all. I mean, what is this? Someone's cropped out of it, and it's an old picture of Connor in the back.

Calling BS on all of this. He used an old photo, so now he's not. not legitimately getting into MMA? I just think he found a photo of himself doing the thing, you know, the pose. You mentioned Connor, speaking of Connor. Yes.

We have this article from the Atlantic. Yes. Former Trump aide, Sam Nunberg, who received the subpoena by Special Counselor Robert Mueller. Yes, this guy is absolutely out of his mind. He provided an interview to McKay Coppins of the Atlantic.

Yes. Where he channeled one Connor McGregor. Credible. saying the champ champ does whatever the F he wants Oh Have your attention please What?

We are conducting a test What? Okay I just saw Joe Look at me from the window here And I didn't know if he was like freaking out But apparently they're doing some test I want to hear the test

What's the test? Typically when this happens They don't They don't actually do anything Wait do we need to leave? No Okay We just sit here

Yeah, that guy is absolutely nuts. You see his interviews where he's going crazy about saying, like, I dare you to arrest me and stuff like that? Just insane. But, I mean, if there was ever a sign that Connor McGregor has crossed over, it's when politicians... I want to see him say that. Like, I want to actual, you know, like...

Well, I believe this was exclusive to the Atlantic. I think he said it to the Atlantic. Amazing. Who were writing rather than doing a video interview. But he did say the champ champ does whatever that F he wants. if he's the champ champ, I guess he gets to do whatever the Fee wants. Amen.

We're going to end, I think, this is the last one on Rampage. Surprising. Yeah. Manager, friend of the show, Tiki with a car. Did you see this? What a man.

Yes, I did see it. With a rangerover. Do you think this was staged? What do you mean staged? Like that Tiki was in on it and knew that he was getting it? Yeah. No.

Like a rampage with all those cars Like what is that one over there? Bentley No, that's a Rolls-Royce Damn It's forgive me that contract The best contract in my life Every birthday

Thank you for that contract The best contract ever had in my life You deserve I'm serious man Rampage, heart of gold I don't think he was in on it That's your car Best manager I've ever had

You deserve something like this I'm not kidding It's yours You want to know you want to know how you know that you've gotten old? How? First thing I thought about was

how does the insurance work for that car? What do you actually do if you're just like passing it off to someone who pays for the insurance? The paperwork. Like when I was a kid I was thinking like oh cool you get a car but now I was thinking about all the crap that comes along with it, you know what I mean?

What kind of question is that? Like who pays for the insurance? The driver of the car pays for the insurance? Yeah, but maybe Rampage bought it for him. I don't know. He did buy it for him, but what does that? No, maybe he's paying for the insurance. like one year insurance or I don't know

when you buy the car don't you have to have like show proof of insurance or something you have to show proof of the car first I mean what is going on here with this I don't know I don't know getting old sucks just listen to Roger Huerta you know the guy's homeless for God's sakes

yeah but he's a no he's a traveler and he's enjoying it see I when when you said you know that you couldn't do it there was a there was a sense of recognition there was a look in his eyes that he knew that you could not do it. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Oh, yeah. He was very quick to confirm that I couldn't do it. He knew right away. Yeah, yeah, that's cool. He sensed it. I'm okay with that. Look, I, not for me. Not for me.

No way. I need the home. Okay, that's it for Rick's picks. Okay. Let's answer a few questions quickly. Yes. And get out of here. Yes.

We start this question segment, how we start every week's questions, except for one, I believe. Yeah, I wasn't feeling it that week. MMA hour question of the day. Do you think it's time the UFC signs Nick Newell? Yes. 75%

Whoa. After roughly 10,000 votes, 75% saying yes, 25% saying no. You also asked why not a lot of people. How many people voted? 10,000 roughly. That's not bad. A lot of people citing, you know, oh, he lost a gaitchie. We saw him get hurt and blah, blah, blah.

It's a liability issue. What are you talking about? The guy has fought at a level that I think you could argue is higher than a lot of people who are in the UFC and done fine for himself. He'll choke all those liability issue people out. Yeah. I think there's no denying that if it's not any. I think it doesn't even have to be specific to the UFC. The question is, does Nick Newell belong on the biggest stage?

And I think the answer is yes. He belongs somewhere there. He is in this conversation. Amen. Okay. the MMA FAA thread. We already addressed this. But Kenzo here was asking,

what do you think about the sayings of tactics? I think we went into that. So if you're looking for that. What's the question? Can I see it? I can't read it from... Not listening live, so not sure if this was addressed, but the MMAFA, the area was a part of went on for days.

I left the conversation feeling that the MMAFA is not a serious advocate for fighters. What do you guys think about what they are saying in their tactics? Look, I don't know if I'm going to go as far as to say that they're not a serious advocate for fighters. I agree with that. I think they have good intentions for their... I just question some of their responses and their motives,

and quite frankly, it feels like at times their responses are too idealistic. Like, oh, yeah, it would be nice if we could fight anyone and to prove that we're the best. Like, that doesn't happen in any sport. Every sport has fighter, or, excuse me, athletes who are under contract. You win the NBA championship. You can't go sign with another team. You have a contract for a certain amount of time.

And the structure, like, that's why I was saying to them, like, you can't choose when you want to compare yourself to other sports and then choose when you're not going to compare yourself. And to me, you want to know the point where I got out of the conversation? I was telling John Fitch that if you want to compare MMA to anything, compare it to pro wrestling. Because MMA and pro wrestling are structured the same way. There's WWE, which is the UFC. Then there's the smaller organizations, right? When you're under contract with WVE, you can't go and compete for anyone else. else, you're considered an independent contractor, even though you're competing like 300 days out of the year.

It's very much an employee status. It's the same, right? You know what I mean? It's closest comparison. Exactly. And then he started to go on like, what are you trying to say? MMA's not a real sport. And I'm like at that point, John, I'm not even having this conversation with you. Like, what are you doing? We're trying to have like an adult-like conversation here and you're going to try to twist my words and say that I'm not calling MMA sport. This is a waste of time. I was a little disappointed in John Fitch's appearance, if I'm going to be honest on the show last week. If you can't even properly debate this topic without reading off of a sheet or your computer screen, then I don't know if you're well equipped to be debating this topic. So I tried to take this to Twitter. where they have all, you know, the resources available, and they keep resending the same screen grabs over and over again and not even answering any of the things that we were bringing up. I have no problem with those guys. I just have a problem with the fact that they're trying to put down other people who are trying to get things accomplished for the UFC fighters.

It comes across as a bunch of people who are somewhat resentful towards the UFC and at times with good reason, but they're all on the outside looking in. Don't be resentful towards the fighters who are currently. in the UFC trying to make the UFC experience better for all the fighters currently and in the future. And that's the problem mainly that I have with them. Like, you're doing your own thing and you're doing great work and you have the Ali Act and you're involved in the class action lawsuit and things are being done. But these guys are trying to get collective bargaining and trying to get a seat at the table. And I just don't understand the thought process behind putting them down and the thought

process behind saying that these two things should be mutually exclusive. I don't believe that you can have one and have the other instead. Like they could both happen. They could both be successful. And continuing to compare it to other sports, it just doesn't happen. Like, he's like, oh, yeah, Roy McDonald went to sign with Belltor because, you know, the UFC chose not to re-sign him. And the example I gave was, like, how is that any different than the Knicks not, you know, not signing Jeremy Lynn, choosing to not resign Jeremy Lynn.

This happens. They made a business decision not to sign the guy. USC made a business decision not to sign Romitle because what. He's making more money over there. Come on. I don't know. Anyway, once they got into the whole Lego. it's not a real sport.

I'm like, I'm out of here. There's a lesson to be learned there. A question here from Chris Kay, Will Brooks, and now Rick Story, have signed with PFL. Do you think this upcoming tournament will be a success? I don't know if it will be a success.

They're signing some names that are available. There aren't a ton of names that are available. I'm looking forward to seeing the entire field. I do have my concerns, my hesitations about the tournament, the season, all that. I love the fact that there's a million dollars on the table for the winner.

great. I love the fact that there's a different place for these fighters to go outside of Beltaire and the UFC. I'm all for that. Give me more of these organizations that are, you know, backed by good people with strong ties, business ties, etc. The idea of it, I've seen it with the IFL with Belator. I do believe that it is problematic, but I wish them the best and I hope that there are more avenues for fighters. So it's great to see a guy like Rick Story go over there and sign with them. Okay. Playing Fantasy World. If you were all the UFC president position? A, would you take it? And B, what would be your first three changes? And you can't, this person's caveat, Mike Simpson's caveat is you can't implement the removal of the Reebok deal

because that's universally out. Yeah, I wouldn't remove the Reebok deal if I'm the president of the UFC because I make money off the Reebok deal. And contrary to what we were told, none of the money goes to the fighters. I'm kidding, of course. But remember we were told that all the money goes to the fighters? Well, that didn't really turn out to be the case. So I wouldn't really look to take that out of the question right away. But look, I would be lying if I didn't dream sometimes and say, like, yeah, I'd love to market, you know, six months of high-level MMA and show these people how it's done. Because I do believe that I could do it better. Is that bad to say that I think that I could do it better than the majority of the people who are calling the shots these days?

Is that bad? No, but what, give me, are you going to tip your hat? Are you going to say how you would do it about? better. I would take more, I would put more time into pinpointing athletes and telling their stories the right way and building fights the right way. The sort of factory like process that we're in now where it's just like, okay, and these are the next set of fights. It doesn't work. I obviously don't like the uniform. So I would look to alter that and make the guys look different and the females look different as well. I would look to rebrand, countdown, and embedded. I think that they had become

very stale in terms of telling those stories and getting people emotionally invested in the fighters. I would do little things to start changing. And by the way, I as a promoter would go out and pound the pavement and try to not only leave the selling to the fighters, I would go out and sell the storylines as well. Forbeso of her doom is coming to London to fight Alexander Volkov. What an opportunity this is for Alexander Gould, and Leon Edwards, who's won for blah blah blah, blah, and this guy, and John Phillips, like, there's stories galore when it comes to these cards. It's just a matter of going out there and selling the stories and telling people about the stories. That's the job of the promoter. You have to have a megaphone and you have to tell the world why they need to spend

their Saturday watching these fights. So yeah, is it so wrong? I believe that I could do it better. Now, am I actively seeking this? No, I like it on this side of the fence. But if you're if you're to say to me like in an alternate universe if I could do it. Yeah. I think that I could do it better and I think I would turn that ship right around. Any ship. Give me the PFL ship.

Damn. Yeah. Give me the Beltor ship. Right. Look, you have to have confidence like Alex Hernandez said. Speaking of that, is Ariel actually working on a book about his career this far? Yeah. If so, how far away is it from publication? Will this all be in the book?

hashtag the road to Hohwani. Like, are we... I mean, maybe he's saying the road to Hulwani is like the road to the book coming out. Of course, we all know that the name of the book is Highway to Hulwani. That's the name. Is it in the works? Are we...

I'm not one to release information before it's 100%. That's not my M.O. But I'll just let all of you know, you know, there are receipts. I am taking note. So one day, the book's going to be great. This is the seven-year anniversary. of the Strike Force Sale interview, which wasn't shot on March 12th, by the way.

It was actually shot two days prior, but this was the day in which he came out. And there's a great story about that one. One day I'll share that one. So there's a lot. There's a lot that's happened in the last 10 years. Stay tuned. And there's more to come.

One day I'm going to have a chapter on the time that we decided to break up this show into six parts on iTunes. No, no one's going to read that chapter. Judging by the Twitter response, everybody's going to read that job. Let us not remember that. Moving right along

and never talking about that again. Were you good students, this person asking both you and I, were you good students, what grades did you get, what school did you graduate? These are a few off the wall ones to end. We'll do these real quick. Were you a good student?

I was a very anxious student. I was a very hardworking student, but things didn't come to me easily. Like my wife, things came to her very easily. I had to really study hard. And I was one of those students that got super pissed when I didn't get like a 95. Right.

And by the way, like... I would say that makes you... You were a good student, though. Sure. Like, I took it very seriously. Like, one time in the seventh grade, I skipped class, and then I felt so bad about it, I went home and told my mom that I skipped class.

Oh, that's the word. Yeah. You're pathetic. And by the way, in my school, we didn't have A, B, C, D. We had numbers. Like 85, 86, 87. Yeah, me too. Okay.

At least till college. Yeah, until college. But that was the kind of student I was. I was very anxious because I didn't want to fail. I was the one who it came easily to and didn't study very hard. Look at you. Then. That all came crashing down.

Well, I just, I took it less seriously and then all of a sudden in college, I buckled back down. What grades did you get? I was a A-minus student. What was your GPA? 6-5. Yeah, I graduated with. I think mine was 3-6. Yeah, I graduated.

I buckled down in college. I took it a little more seriously. What school did you go to? Although I went to Baruch College in the city. Yeah, that doesn't count. What? I'm kidding. How dare you?

I went to Syracuse University, by the way, in the NCAA tournament, much to the chagrin of all the pundits. A lot of people, yeah, I mean, look. But they're in the first four that have to get in, you know, that whole weird thing. Let's be real about their chances here. No, but they might win that first one. but not the second one. Yeah, it seems like we were both good students.

Different approaches, though. I was a very nervous student. I was not diligent. I remember one time, and I think it was the ninth grade, I was sitting in biology class in the middle of a test, and I said, God, I'm okay with failing this because I felt like it was inevitable, but please let the Knicks win the playoff game tonight

against Indiana Pacers. And guess what? They won, and I did horribly on the test. He listened. He listened. He or she listened. Yeah. Okay, favorite Pixar movie from Lucas.

Oh, Pixar. Man, what's the one that just came out? Wait, so Coco's Pixar? I think Coco is Pixar. Is Finding Nemo? Finding Nemo is Pixar. What about Moana's not Pixar? No.

Coco is Pixar. I can't vote for that one because... For me, it's either Toy Story. No, never saw Toy Story. Or The Incredibles. because, I mean, those are really the only two I've seen, and I love them both. I never saw either of them.

Oh, well. Never saw Toy Story? You know which one we like? Inside Out. That's a great one. Don't even know that one. Yeah. This is newer.

Lava. You don't, you've never seen Toy Story? No, never saw it. Oh, Finding Nemo. That's a classic. Rattatatui, also great. Inside Out. Good dinosaur was in.

Finding Dory was fun. I'm going to go with Inside Out. I loved Inside Out. I saw it with my son. It was actually the first movie that I took my son to, my oldest son. A lot about feelings, inner thoughts.

I mean, all these movies are pretty fantastic. I was looking at all the ones Pixar's made. Yeah, the early day ones, I have not seen, but Inside Out is a great one. I've seen Toy Story. No, I never saw any of them. Absolute Must Visit Restaurant in Lower Manhattan? Well, Lower Manhattan, I won't say,

but I'll say the greatest restaurant in the history of mankind is in Manhattan. The greatest, like by far, I've been to almost every, you know, around the world. It is sasabune on 73rd and first. Sushi. Sushi, but it's unlike any sushi that you've ever had. It's the greatest sushi ever. There are no menus.

It's omicasse, so you just sit there. Yeah, it's chef's selection. It's a little pricey, but you have never tasted food like this in your entire life. The place looks like a little library. It's tiny. Not lower Manhattan, though, right? Yeah, it's Upper East Side. It's 73rd and first.

but it is when my wife and I go for dinner for any occasion, it's always there, nowhere else, because I adore that place with all my heart. I mean, it is an out-of-body experience eating over there. Nothing makes me happier. Absolute must-visit. Go to, I don't know, Katz's. Cats is cool.

There's also the pizza place, John's. I mean, there's plenty of good food. I think if you're looking for like an experience, maybe cats is. Of course, Rampage and I enjoyed a matzo bowl soup there and, of course, the pican pie. Shee. Okay. How many holes does a straw have?

Well, I think that the right answer is one, but I'm going to say two because there's two entries. So I'm going to say two. I think I'm in the one camp. It's one long hole, but there's two entries. So if there's just one entry, I would say one. I'm just asking about the hole. There's two whole. Yeah, but there's two, there's one hole.

How many, like, how many entries, like ear entries do you have? Two. The same thing as the straw. They're connected. They're connected to each other. You can actually put something if you wanted through. Different because that individual ear canal has one hole. Yeah, but you could go through.

Like if you had a string. I've seen magicians do it. No, there's a brain and a skull and other things kind of in there. I mean, for most of us. Yeah. I'm going to say, I'm going one. You're going too. Is there a right answer? No, I think it's one of these like is a hot dog a sandwich type things.

I'm going one hole. I know that's what you want me to say, but I'm going to argue too. I don't want you to say anything. You say what you say. I know what this guy, the guy who asked the question. Dan, look, you're leading questions over here, Ariel. I'm going one hole. Ariel's going two holes.

That's it. I'm glad we clear that up at the very end. Well, we didn't because we had differing. It's debatable. Not quite like our hummus debate. of a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't. Dip?

Dip or spread? And both is not an acceptable answer? No. I've never spread hummus in my life. I've never taken a knife and spread hummus on anything. I have not either, but I would understand if somebody did. Does that make sense? What is the answer? I'm dip.

Okay. I'm dip. But this would have been the end of us. No, I'm dip. But at the same time, like, what is the problem with spreading the hummus? It's not a problem. It's just not what it is. I don't dip things into cream cheese.

I do. Right? I'll dip a cracker into cream cheese. Does that make me a savage? I'll open the pack and dip and dip some crackers. Do you dip it to butter? Or do you spread butter? Butter, see, I would spread cream cheese on a cracker too,

but I like to open up the pack and just scoop it kind of. Disgusting. The Philadelphia pack. Shout out. Sponsor? It would be nice. We don't get sponsors. But I'm going dip on hummus.

All right. I'm going dip on hummus. Goodbye to you. It has been a pleasure. It's time to go. And it's a great way to end it because we had someone at the top of the show, New York, not New York, Rick.

Manny Mouse, Demetius Johnson, talk about his new sponsor, Zevia. Haven't tried it. Looks good. I congratulate him on that big accomplishment. All right, we're out of time. You can hit my music. What a day it has been.

My ears are so tired. They feel like they're going to fall off. But it has been fun. Talking to all these people from around the world of MMA, a who's who cast. Started with Ben Ascran talking about. that GSP fight. He predicted that the GSP fight is going to happen by the spring of 2019.

In fact, he said in the spring of 2019, is he telling the truth? That's the question. We shall find out. But I feel like there's some momentum to all of this. Crazyer things have happened. So we'll see. Thank you very much to Ben Asking for stopping by. Thank you very much that Demetrius Johnson. And congratulations to him on signing that deal with Zevia. That is exciting. And looking forward to his return. Hope he gets well soon. Thank you very much. to Alex Hernandez and congratulations to him on his big win at UFC 222. Great stuff from Katzangano as always and definitely pick up her book. Train like a fighter. Get MMA fit without taking a hit. There it is. Boom. Thank you very much to Darren Till. Good luck to him and getting that fight. All the best to John

Phillips. Looking forward to his long-awaited UFC debut on Saturday. All the best to Rick Story and congrats on signing with the PFL. Congratulations to Raquel Pennington on getting that title fight at UFC 224. Looking forward to that. May 12th in Brazil. Thank you very much to Alexander Gustison. Good luck to him. Congrats and good luck to Mirro Krokop at Bellator 200 against Roy Nelson. Always great to talk to him. Good luck to Leon Edwards this Saturday at UFN London. All the best to Alir Latifie as well. And congratulations and welcome back to the one and only Roger Huerta, who meets Benson-Henderson, April 6th in Budapest. Back next week, same time and place. Until that I say peace.