MMA Fighting - UFC 304 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Belal Muhammad Stunning Leon Edwards To Win Title

Episode Date: July 28, 2024

Belal Muhammad silenced the doubters, and there's no doubt people will remember his name now as he is the new UFC welterweight champion following a spectacular performance against Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 304. Following an interesting pay-per-view event, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman react to Muhammad's win, discuss Edwards' showing in defeat, and if Shavkat Rakhmonov is next for the new champ. Additionally, they discuss Tom Aspinall's highlight-reel finish of Curtis Blaydes to retain the interim heavyweight title, if he will face the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic next, Paddy Pimblett's breakout performance against King Green, the wild Mohammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape saga, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Eric Jackman: @NewYorkRic Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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still the interim heavyweight champion. But on this graphic, the Walterway title is on the wrong man's shoulder. That's right. I think everybody will be remembering the name now, Bala Muhammad shocks everybody. Thumbs up on Leon Edwards, wins a unanimous decision. The man talked his noise and he backed it up when it counted inside the octagon, delivered an incredible performance.

And he is the new Walter Way champion. He did it, ladies and gentlemen. We're here to talk about that and much more from a very interesting UFC 304 event. Welcome to the Post Fight Show. I am Mike Heck and boy, oh boy, do we have a crew. I'm still on Atlanta. As is this man, Mr. No Gray Area, the Cannibal Kid himself, who was the host of the watch party at the Michulin Mansion.

He is the one and only Jed Michoud. Hi, Jed, Mishu. Hi, Jed. Nice to see you again. Man, seeing you digitally, Mike, instead of in person. Hey, that was, that was weird, right? I said in the pre-fight stuff was like, look, 24, it's not the year of the funny outcomes. We got half of it.

Curtis Blades winning has certainly would have also been funnier, but Ball Muhammad doing that. And this is apparently a little more controversial. A fun fight. The biggest upset of them all, the main event was not a dud. So we got a lot to talk about. It's going to be fun. Well, that is your opinion.

It is not the opinion of UFC CEO Dana White. We'll get into that in the moment. but joining us as well. It's always an honor and a privilege to be joined by the great New York Rick post-fight. There he is. What's up, man? Hello, nice to be with you all. Is it possible that here on the East Coast of New York, it feels like I was in London,

sorry, in Manchester? Because I think I'm dying, but we'll power through. We will power through, as we always do. New York, Rick, I'll begin with you. Blahmahman is the new Walterway champion of the world. The man went out there. He talked his talk. A lot of people laughed at him. A lot of people didn't take him seriously. I thought some of the things he said was kind of egregious. And I know I'm not alone in that sentiment. But he went out when the lights were as bright as they could possibly be

and he did exactly what he said he was going to do. He was going to go out and beat Leon Edwards. He was going to beat him on the feet. He was going to beat him on the ground. And that's pretty much what he did outside of a few moments in this fight. We'll talk about what Dana White had to say about it in a moment, but what did you think your reaction to what Balah Muhammad did tonight, shutting up a lot of people? I'm happy for him. Good for him. I think he got a raw deal this week. I think a lot of people were kind of not aware of what he's doing for one reason or another. Like, it felt pretty obvious to me that he's trolling and not serious about any of this stuff and trying to draw attention to the fight and successfully, I would say, like, you know, maybe they're

that tuned in that wouldn't have otherwise, but maybe not. Maybe it just amplified and made the fight feel a little more intense, for lack of a better word. But I'm happy. I'm happy that he ratcheted up the stakes and then was able to successfully do it. Whereas Leon was trying to kind of like dismiss him at every turn. And it turns out, Bala was better. So yeah, I don't know. Ultimately, like with the benefit of hindsight, looking back on it, it feels like,

maybe Leon shouldn't have been as dismissive as he was toward Bilal Muhammad because he was a real threat and dominated that fight. There was one sequence in round three where Leon Edwards had Bilal Mohammed's back and outside of that, he didn't have much until the very closing moments of the fight for Balal when he landed that really nice elbow and busted him open. But great performance for Bilal. if you're if you just look at the resume like maybe this is something people could have seen coming right like he's a significant underdog but look at the resume like he's got some names on there and especially in the fashion that he took out Sean Brady I think maybe this is not as big a shock as it would it would initially seem but it's also three o'clock here and I have the benefit of hindsight yeah happy for below Yes, Jed, I'll go to you because we got your immediate reaction on the watch party, and we just kind of got your reaction then. It's not exactly the same.

Like, we're not giggling and laughing and just this is not the Sean Strickland beating Israel Adasania fight, just like the post-fight reaction of it all. But a lot of this is kind of similar, right? Where not a lot of people gave this guy a chance. A lot of people, a lot of very smart people, fighters included Israel Adasania, being one of them was just like, I just don't see a path to victory. I think this is Leon's fight to lose or win. It's basically on him.

So I'm going to ask you a similar question that we sort of talked about in the fallout of Sean Strickland beating Israel at Asana. And I'm certainly not trying to take anything away from Bala Muhammad. But this is a question that was asked to Dana White, so I'm going to pose it to you. In the fallout of this fight, do you look at this more of a, this was all Bala Muhammad? It was his night. he did the thing, or do you look at it more as we did, a lot of people felt with Israel

Adasania. Just had an off night. Wasn't his day. And he just kind of caught Strickland on a bad night. Is this a similar situation? This is more on Belal or is this more on Leon Edwards for you? It's a great question. Also, dogs.

There are two of them. Dogs. Sleep it. It's a really good question. I am going to default to the position. of credit to below Muhammad, right? Like, this was the biggest fight of his life. He, like Rick said, amped up the stakes beforehand such that it was.

He invited that pressure on to him. And in the biggest moment of his professional life, five stars, like showed out, looked unbelievably good. Basically from the opening bell, had to fight through some adversity. But I would say this is the best performance of career. And it came on the biggest stage in the biggest moments. You've got to give the man just a ton of credit for that. If you want to come the other side, I don't necessarily think you're wrong. It's just not what I'm going to choose to value.

But on the one hand, all full credit to Belaw, on the other hand, Leon looked bad and we're not them. We're not in the cage. So it will be pretty much impossible for us to ever kind of know how much of Leon looking bad was Belaw looking, was being great versus how much was Belaw being great. Leon, having an off night, he gets on the mic says, you know, my body was, I felt weird and tired tonight. I never got going. My body wasn't there. And, you know, not saying directly, but I think, at least for me, my mind immediately

jumped to, yeah, you were fighting at 5 a.m. This is a very particular thing. That was one of the sort of storylines before then. Did that play a role? What happened to your? So I think if you want to say, man, Leon beefed that one, I can't, I can't say you wrong, but to me, the story of this night, when I take away something from this night, it won't really be the Belal Muhammad thing. It'll be the co-main. We'll talk about that later. But like,

the story of this fight is, Bala Muhammad, you know, you guys know me. I hate the phrase silence the haters. I think that that is very stupid. Belal gets that. Like, Bala gets to carry that mantle with him and be like, yeah, a lot of people doubted me. And wrong. Like, you look, look, I did exactly what I said I was going to do. Remember, I didn't even promise I was going to finish him because I knew that I can't finish him. I'm immune to that, but I can win a dominant decision over him,

and he did just that. So full credit to Ballol, I think I certainly just want to come from this of, hey man, stand up, talk your shit. It's your moment. Sean, baby. Yeah, and kind of going back to just thinking about how this fight played out and how the scorecards looked,

all finish closing out that first round the way that he did landing that uppercut and kind of wobbling Leon Edwards gigantic moment in this fight huge he doesn't win without that final 30 seconds he loses a split decision on the card so it's pretty wild to go back I think so I have to go back I know the cards are kind of all over the place but it didn't seem like there was any doubt despite what michael bisbing was trying to tell everybody on the broadcast but I'll go back to you New Yorker because we we teed this up a little bit A lot of people happy for Bilal Muhammad. A lot of people were entertained by the fight. Jed talked about it as well.

He called this leafy greens the entire build. Ended up playing out a little more fun than he expected. And I think a lot of other people did as well. One person who didn't seem very happy about this was Dana White. Didn't seem happy putting the belt on Ballal. He certainly didn't seem happy at the press conference, at least for the first 10 or 15 minutes, talking about this fight,

not calling it not a barn burner, really putting over his new champion in a lot of ways. What did you make of all that? I mean, he kind of dumped on most of this card in general. Maham Makhai, he sent directly to the PFL, but he didn't put over the new champion here. So what did you make of how Dana reacted to all of this? Yeah, at first, when the press conference opened up, I was like, oh, that's interesting. Like, why are you doing this to Bilal?

then it kind of became clear to me that everybody was the subject of Dana White's ire today. Like he was just mad and didn't like what had happened tonight. Said he's never giving out increased bonuses again and you can thank the fighters of UFC 304 for that. No sold Balal sent Muhammad Makayev to the PFL was just generally snippy with the media. Dana White was not having a good night for one reason or another. Maybe Balal contributed to that, but I don't know if it was, I don't know if we're getting Dana's genuine reaction right now because he seemed to be in a general bad mood.

But to your point, it was an opportunity to put over your new champion and it didn't seem like he was interested in doing so. I'm not surprised. Like the fact that it took Balal Muhammad this long to get a title shot speaks to how they feel about him. So I'm not surprised that that would be the attack that they take, but let's see what happens when he's building the fight for Shavka v. Belal or whatever the next opportunity is.

And maybe you'll have some more complimentary thoughts. The only other thing that stood out from all this talk was, and I'll get your reaction to what Dana had to say as well, Jed, was Dana was asked about Leon maybe getting an immediate rematch. And I think we all agree that that just doesn't need to happen. But Dana basically already said, like, yeah, we already have something else being worked on. So it seems like they're already shopping this Shafcott fight, one would assume, already. Which wouldn't surprise me, especially if Dana isn't overly thrilled with Bollal being the champion.

I think a lot of people would favor Shafcott to win that fight. But again, a lot of people favored Leon Edwards to win tonight. So who knows? Maybe Bilal can do what he wants to do and take out this new generation. But I don't think you're surprised by Dana's reaction. But what did you make of it? So my initial reaction was frankly, oh, of all the people, Dana is the one who is the most not pumped about being awake at 6 a.m. And frankly, I get that one, man.

Like, when we do these shows and like right now it is 320 East Coast for me, I'm tired. I've been up since 6.30 this morning or whatever. We've had a full day. I had a full day of work. We did this. But usually for these shows, I can get up. I've got some energy. This is happening.

And it ends at 4. 430 for us. Like if this was, if we were doing this pod three hours from now, I gotta tell you, you might be getting a little grumpier jet about some things. So like, I can kind of get that from him. It is tough because, you know, it's his job. You'd like him to promote a little more. But hey, we didn't get a Dana White John Jones rant this time. So that's, that's something new and different. And I think this was just what was to be expected. I don't think that they dislike Leon. I just, I think they don't. care about Leon.

And so him being champion, you know, not Leon, sorry, Belal. Like him being champion now is not something, you don't look at Belal Muhammad and say dollar signs. Like that's, that's just not doing anything for anybody in this regard. And so he's going to be a little demure about it. And, you know, that's how we end up the night. So I don't know. It's okay.

I would obviously want better from him. But things could have been substantially worse. then ended up being, though some of his other decisions we'll talk about as the evening goes on. No fight of the night for a couple of very good contenders. The Makai of thing, I think, is absolutely critically hilarious. So, yeah, you know, I think he was just cranky man, and I get it. I'm willing to give him a little bit of a pass on that.

Fair. Okay. Well, Shafcott's next, more than likely, so we don't need to really go down that road. It's just a matter of the way. It seems extremely likely. they're looking at Chavok for what wins the Abu Dhabi card like October. You think they'll do it that quick?

I think if they can get B'Lall to agree to it now that he's champion and I know he got busted open at the end, but Abu Dhabi Balaal versus Shavkot, that fight feels like it fits very much in that. Maybe you can double up with Islam Armin, Shavokovat, Bala, just stack them. And it's a really big Abu Dhabi card. I don't know if they can get that turnaround that fast for Balaal, but I think, I think that they will at least make an effort and see see if it works yeah i think either you can throw that in there i think that's a perfect spot for it below will be over huge he'll be like he'll look

like a star over there yeah uh yeah it's his um yeah be huge uh if not habib or the bebs in the corner for both of them yeah if not you can co-main that at msg and be under second title fight under jones stepe it's fine i'd love to see it this year if we can make it happen uh but i think that's direction everybody feels that this is going jad i'll go back to you story of the card for you was tommy espinal tommy espinald dude is just electric man comes out seems like a genuinely good dude and he can fight his ass off he's just he's a monster man he's so quick he's so athletic he's so powerful he's just on another level uh you you when you when you talked about ricky simone for a hot minute after he beat Jack Shore.

You just, you said something that always resonated with me. He was just, it's like he's playing a different sport. It just feels like Tom Aspinall is just playing a different sport than everybody and he proved it again against a really good fighter in Curtis Blades. Yeah, he's, he is a different dude than every other heavyweight competing. You know, like theoretically in this imaginary land where John Jones is a heavyweight, maybe John Jones is also playing that different sport. we'll never know.

We'll just never know. But like, you know, John Jones in his prime was playing a very different sport than every other light, heavyweight that ever set foot in the cage with him. When you see, like, dudes who are truly transcendent, truly like, oh, yeah, they've got the sprinkle of magic dust about them. Tom's one of those dudes, man.

Like, Francis Inganu, at the peak of Francis Inganu arising, was a terrifying monstrosity of ferocious. power, but he was plaguing the same game as everyone. The sliders were all the way in his favor, but like he was doing the same thing everybody else was doing. Tom is at 1.5 speed to all of these dudes, and he hits real hard too. It's not that he is fast and doesn't. I think we are underrating how hard this man hits because we are so enamored with the speed

with which he moves, but every time he touches anyone at all, they just fold. Like they, it's not like he hit Curtis blades with an eight-punch combo and it was so fast. He hit him with a jab

and then Curtis crumpled and then he gave him the eight piece to finish it off on the ground. Like, his dude is so fast. He is so light on his feet. He hits so hard. We know that he has a good ground game, though.

There's still plenty of things we don't know about Tom Aspinall. Like, his dude is the best thing. heavy weight in the world. Again, I would love to see him fight John Jones. We'll never happen. But I would feel very good about picking him to beat John Jones.

I at this point would feel pretty solid about picking him to beat Francis Nganoe because Inganu hasn't, you know, been in a cage fight in three years or whatever it is. And God willing, it would be awesome if we get to see those fights. Instead, we're just going to have to settle with watching him do this to every dude in the UFC. because I genuinely don't think there's someone currently on the UFC roster who will last longer than seven minutes with him. Eric, Rick, your thoughts on his performance. And as a man who, let's just say it, you're John Jones guy.

You put over John a lot. And, you know, you've earned that right. You've been along on this journey with John Jones for a long time. Just me and John, you know? Peas in a pie. Me and Johnny Boy, yeah. there's an 80 sitcom poster with you back to back near a tree that is probably out there somewhere. It's just John looking back at you just like, oh, there he is.

There's my guy, Rick. Is John Jones the best heavyweight in the world right now? Or is Tom Aspen all the best heavyweight in the world right now? I'll say it this way. I don't know. And that is enough to make me want to see a fight, right? Like I don't actually know. I kind of go through peaks and valleys with the.

with this whole John Jones at heavyweight thing anyway. Like there was a, when they were, when Dana White was talking about Francis and Gano and and John Jones and Francis and Gano were talking about fighting each other, I kind of thought that Francis would win that fight at that time in history, right? Like I thought that that version of Francis, the one that had just knocked out Steepay was just going to be like, John doesn't have the power. I don't think to keep Francis off him. I don't know now years later if that is still true, right?

I don't know if we're getting the same version of Francis, so I'm not as sure about that. But I was pretty confident that version of Francis was going to beat John and pretty much anybody else who didn't have power to keep him away like we saw with Serogon. So it's not this consistent feeling that like John is like the best heavyweight ever or John is the best fighter at all times. Like it kind of ebbs and flows and it really depends on like who's around. his longevity is one of his best keys. Now, how often he actually fights during that time that he's around is questionable. So you could convince me pretty easily that Tom Aspinall is the best heavyweight right now. Do I think that John could beat him?

Yeah, probably. But some of that is me not knowing enough about Tom and some of that is me not knowing enough about John. I feel like a lot of the intrigue of this fight is we haven't really seen Tom Aspinall tested. The only times anybody's had success, it's been like landing a few punches on him. Like that is what we've really seen in Tom Aspinall's UFC run. Like he gets hit sometimes.

That's that's kind of it. Is John Jones going to be the type of guy that's going to be able to like one shot, K-O-em? No, it's just not John's game. Would Francis? Yeah, potentially. Like that's kind of the guy that I would imagine. that you could capitalize on those kind of openings at times.

But do we know? I don't know enough about Tom. And that's why I think that John Jones fight is so intriguing because I want to see somebody who offers something different. I want to see somebody push him. I want to see him tested beyond, hey, let's get into a striking exchange and I'm just a better athlete than you

because he is always going to be a better athlete than everybody. That's just what heavyweight looks like. Tom is a physical specimen. He is a supreme athlete. And so I think the idea of I don't know is enough for me. Like I don't know if John Jones is. I also don't know if Tom is and I like to find out. I know.

I know. Sure. I do think John Jones can beat Tom Aspinall. Like if they fought, it would not in any way surprise me of John Jones. Here's how I know Tom Aspernall is the best heavy in the world. Because Tom Asperol is the only heavyweight in the world who's beating all the other heavyweights. fighting them all. John beat one.

As a terrific win, he just absolutely steamrolled zero. Great win. I'm not taking that away from him. He has not fought since then, which is over like 16 months now. And he is fighting a dude who, and shout out to Mukhi Alexander for this one,

pulled this on Twitter. The last time Steve A fought, it came a month, one month after Tom Aspinall fought Andre Arlofsky. like that's just not going to work man stepe hasn't won a fight in four years you that it just has no bearing on being a relevant heavyweight right now i am more than fine with them doing this for business but john ain't the best heavyweight in the world because he ain't fighting the best heavy weights in the world he could have been the best heavyweight in the world his entire light

heavyweight run because like there's a really good chance he would have beaten any of those heavyweight champions you know he just didn't do the fighting he's not doing the fight now and until he starts doing the fighting. Tom Aspinall is very clearly the best heavyweight in the world because he's the only dude competing against other top heavyweights. Jed, if you could put a number, a percentage number on it. Dana White doubled out at the press conference that Tom Asinol was going to fight the winner of John Jones versus Steve Amitich, which would probably be at MSG in November.

Percentage number, zero to 100, that this fight actually happens that Tom fights either of these two guys in his next fight? I'm reminded of a scene in the film Zero Dark 30, which isn't like a great film, but it is a film. It's a very rewatchable film I like a lot. And the lead character whose name I can't remember is in the room. They're like, give me the percentage chance that Osama bin Laden is in this compound. And she's like, a hundred percent. And then all these dudes stare are like, okay, fine, 95 because I know certainty freaks you out.

I would say 0%, but because, you know, there's nothing certain in life. I'll go 1% chance this fight happens. I have been firmly of the opinion that John doesn't really care about this fight. Again, I actually don't blame it. Totally understands the reasons for not doing this. I think if Curtis had won, John would have beaten Steepi and tried to fight Alex Pereira.

I do not believe that is on the table. I believe John is going to beat Steepi Meitchitch and retire in the cage. And that's just where we'll be at and that'll be okay. And we can all move on with our lives. I will be truly flabbergasted if John decides to take this fight on. And I'll give him all the credit in the world if he does because that's a big-ass task for him, you know. Same question for you, New York, Rick. And I'm going to add a little caveat to yours.

Since you and John are tight, your bosom buddies in a lot of respects. You're the Paul Heyman. You're the Paul Heyman in this situation. You are his advisor, his confidant. Let's just put you in this position here. So first, percentage of this fight actually takes place. And on top of that, if you are Eric Jackman, the confidant of John Jones, are you advising him to fight Tom Aspinol next if you beat Steepa?

I'd give it a 60% chance at the moment. I think there's a real chance that it happens. I think Tom has made himself. I think Tom John Jones gave him a task. John Jones said to Tom, go out there and make a name for yourself. Do something to make me interested. And in the time since saying that, Tom has done just that. Tom has done things to make John Jones interested.

He's not fully there yet because at the end of the day, like, it's not going to be the, it's not going to be the thing that John Jones goes, oh, this was my biggest fight that I've ever had. But it will be a big fight. And I think it's due to credit to Tom that he's been able to do it successfully in this short amount of time. So 60%. Would I advise him to take the fight?

No, I'd say like, I'd really push for Alex Pereira. That feels like a bigger fight. And that also feels like something that is highly favorable as a matchup for John Jones. So if I was advising him, I would be begging for Alex Pereira. But yeah, I think the Tom fight happens.

I really do. Rick, I hope you're correct. Can I ask you a question? Yeah. Do you think, like outside of what the UFC would do, like would allow to happen? Yeah. Do you think that shame would allow? Like, would the public accept John being like,

I know Tom's the interim champion and dope, I'd very much like to fight the former middleweight current lightweight champion Alex Brerer. Do you think that is something they could even like, John could say and not be ridiculed to the core of the earth with? Because I've, like, in my reflexive answer is, if John comes out and is like, it beats deep as like Alex Brow want to fight you

while Tom asked when I was sitting cageide, I will not rest until this man feels shame. but I don't know if that's just a me thing or if the rest of the world be like Alex Pereira hell yeah let's do it I think a lot of people would get on board with the Alex Pereira

let's do it just like Alex is a bigger star than Tom is at the moment so there will be a lot of people who just want to see it because they want to see Alex kind of chase the greatness I think it's about the packaging like if it plays out the way you say

right if John Jones goes out there and beats Stepe and then gets on the mic and is like Alex Pereira I want you that could be potentially problematic but I think the way he has done it so far is to be a little more coy than that, right? To be like, what do you think is a bigger fight? Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall?

He's going to play, I would advise him, and I imagine that he would play a game that's a little more coy than that, that is not as transparent and direct as being like, I don't want to fight you, Tom, I want to fight you, Alex. I think it would be more, look, the same way he talks about the steep fight, right?

We all know what the steep fight is, but he has wrapped it in this package of the greatest heavyweight ever. I am going to fight the greatest heavyweight ever. Whatever narrative he is able to tell about it is going to be different than the reality of it, which is, yeah, you're fighting washed up Steepin Miochich in a fight that nobody cares about. There's a spin. And so I don't think the move would be to get on the mic and say, I want to fight Alex Pereira. It would be to just plant the seeds for it and let those seeds grow.

You water that and you foster. And he's already done that, right? We saw the tweets two months ago, whenever that was, saying that he would rather fight Alex than Tom. And I think he could continue that very easily. If he somehow does that, I might have to get chickens can't be goats tattooed on my forehead. I cannot imagine like a more transparently coward maneuver. And it's like, no, I'm good, Tom. We said it'd be brilliant.

It'd be brilliant if he did it. I mean, it would be incredible heel work and just the most infuriating thing that's happened to me in years. Okay. I agree with that, right? Like, obviously the heavy, the heavyweight fight. that people want to see is that fight. But there's also an objective truth. I take Francis, if you could add that.

Sure. I would also take that. The objective truth, though, is Pereira versus John is a bigger fight. Is a bigger pay-per-view draw is a bigger moneymaker. And so there is a path that even though it is cowardly, it is also objectively good business. You know, it is a good business thing. Whereas, by the way, I don't think you can say that as much about Steppe, right?

Like, I think this idea that like this is like a huge fight is not really kind of like reality, even though there's some legacy conversation on the line. Alex, you can sell that. I've been extremely clear that I am, there are two wolves inside of me. And one is I absolutely recognize everything John is doing is 100% correct from a business and personal standpoint. I also just 100% hate the shit out of all of it and it annoys me to no end.

Absolutely. If he can find a way to fight Alex there, I do disagree on the Stepe thing. I think Stepe is pretty clearly the best business move because I think he gets to say the legacy thing and it's a risk-free fight. Like Stepe, I cannot stress to you enough, just has no chance to win this fight.

He is old and has not fought in three years. Like look at him walk around. It's not, he's an old man who is a full-time firefighter. Like, he's just not going to beat, you know, many people's greatest fighter of all time. So, like, I get everything and a piece of me will respect it. But, like, I don't even need to see John versus Tom. But if John is going to fight, then I need to see John versus Tom. Otherwise, you've had an unbelievable career.

Just walk away, man. It's fine. So few fighters walk away. on top, you do that and let this be Tom's time to shine or whatever. Because that is the other part of it that, you know, no one will care about. And it's not, the onus is not on John to care about this part of it either. But by hanging around and doing this, you are taking away from Tom Aspinall. This should be his moment to be the undisputed champion and the guy to carry this weight

class forward. And you're doing this vanity project that is detracting from him. unless you do give him the opportunity. And God willing, you're right, Rick. Because if 60% is there, hell yeah, let's make this happen. Like, that would be a sick fight. I would love it. Love it.

I would love to see it. You can also just give Tom Assem off on the frigging belt and just do John versus eBay. Like, who gives a shit? The legacy belt. No one's fine. Yeah, no one. Like, this does, this does not do one less pay-per-view by if you do that way.

I need to ask this, though. I need to ask this, though. I hear this all the time. but I don't I don't understand it why would the UFC willingly have one champion instead of two champions why would they do that

from a business perspective I don't think it truly matters to them like I just don't think that this matter like I don't think it matters at all to have John Jones be your heavyweight champion and I actually do think that it would give like instead of having to do the interim thing

like you just be like yeah it's our heavyweight champion would champion Tom Aspinall. He's dope. I don't think it matters in a major way. Like, I don't think we're talking millions of units of difference here, but I do think it is subtly mattering. And the part that bothers me, and again, this is a very stupid reason. I'm freely acknowledges this. Like, Tom Aspinall now has one title defense. It's an interim title defense. If Tom Aspinall, you know, gets elevated later or God forbid has to do another interim title defense against Volkov or gone or whatever, where does he, like, Like, how does the UFC then negotiate this if he gets two more defenses?

Does he have the most heavyweight title defenses of all time? Because Stipe has three, but they were all undisputed. Whereas Tom is, like, pretty clearly the actual champion, but he's got this weird interim thing. Like, they've just invited the thing for something silly, strictly for the vanity of John Jones. And, like, I don't, John Jones already has enough accolades. I don't think we need to give him more of a vanity boost. like let him fight stepe for the king of all world's belt or whatever i don't care and let tom do the heavy lifting of being a champion in a weight class i get i get all that but in in the in practical

terms they've now gotten a heavyweight title fight tonight last saturday and then they will get a heavyweight title fight in november without tom aspin not having to compete they're just getting multiple heavyweight title fights they are but rick let me tell you very specifically because i just thought of this. If that's for the real heavyweight belt and not the interim, Tom is top billing on this card. And Dana's probably happier. That event probably does a little bit better, frankly.

And we all leave better because instead of a disappointing because Leon losing the home crowd, but a good fight, we end the night with Tom killing a dude. And that's always dope. Like, I mean, they could have put him a top billing anyway. They could have done that. But they're never going to put an interim champion over the thing. That's just not really how they're. they get down. So again, I don't think it's a major unit mover for huge, but it's one of those

things that Botlett irks me and does have, I think, real consequences, even if they're not like huge. I agree with you that there's consequences. There's consequences in terms of the legitimacy of Tom's title, right? Like that there is a question that is unnecessary, right? I believe he's a champion, but there are many who would go know he's the interim champion. But the offset of that, the counter to that, is that you get multiple heavyweight title fights. Like, there's no reason to strip John. It just does not. Theoretically, we do.

John actually hasn't done this yet. Yeah, when he fights in November. Theoretically. Just call him the co-heavyweight champion. Like, there you go. Just take the interim off. They could be the co-heavyweight champions. And they can both just defend their co-heavyweight belt.

Like, I just do that. And then Tom can get real title defenses. It's a real title fight. Tom can be a main event as a co-somewhat disputed champion but not interim. He gets elevated in his own way and then him and John can just like defend their belts, like in a not interim type of way. So we'll see what happens over the next several months between these two guys and Dana White and the UFC and the heavyweight division and where it all goes.

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200K bonus from Dana White tonight. So good for Patty Pimble. I think he made a giant statement. So we're definitely going to talk about that. Good win for Gregory Rodriguez, pulling off a slight upset over Christian Leroy Duncan. That was a fun fight. Arnold Allen back in the wind column. Pretty fun fight with Giga Chikaze.

One other thing I do want to talk about because I think this is the other. Patty's obviously a big story and we're going to get questions about this. We should talk about Maham Makhai if Minal Kopp. That was a huge story heading in. That's a huge story coming out based off of this press conference and everything that had happened. The history between these two guys, Minal and Makhayev are fighting each other at the PI. They're fighting each other at the fighter hotel.

Minal Kopp gets sucker punched by Mahamahev under the story of, let's take a picture for our Muslim brothers, and then he gets punched in the face. and all a bra breaks loose. Machiav can't even step on the scale at the Ceremony of Wayans because they're about to fight there. And as soon as Mikhail gets into the octagon, 50 security guys come into the octagon and separate them.

And as they say in the pro wrestling world, and then that damn bell had the ring. And these two officially had a fight, but it was certainly not to any level that anybody expected. and then in the end, Muhammad Mikhail said, I want a title shot, I want a new contract,

goes to the post-fight press conference and says he was talked to by UFC officials that said, we're not going to resign you if you bring that wrestling heavy style that you've been bringing over these last few fights. And then Dana White was asked about all this

and Dana being sarcastic and a little bit grumpy, said, yeah, because we tell our fighters how they need to fight each other. But then basically got real and said, matchmakers don't like them for a myriad of reasons. And then when the great Jose Young's asked Dana White if they're going to resign him, Dana White said essentially,

PFL is going to get themselves an undefeated fighter. So basically sent him off to the PFL. And maybe this is grumpiness and maybe this is real. So New York, Rick, your reaction to all of this. Ben El Cop versus Bahaif, the fight, how it all played out, and the follow of all of this. Yeah, an uninspired performance.

by both of those guys, right? Like obviously, so, man, there's a lot to unpack here. So obviously they've, they've, they've sold us a bad blood rivalry. We're going to kill each other type thing and then just did not deliver on that in any capacity, right? Just fell very, very short. Not bad, right? Like, they're not bad fighters and they didn't have a bad fight.

They just look listless. They just did not look like two guys fighting for number one. contendership. And so much so that the guy who won the fight who seemed like a no-brainer number one contender is no longer with the organization. That's how listless. That's how uninspired that fight was. Because if he comes out there and has a great performance, he probably is fighting

Pantosia. Or maybe he does one more, but for all intents and purposes, he's probably fighting Fantasia. If Cop was more impressive and won that fight, he's probably fighting Pantosia. So it was all in the line there. And we talked about earlier, Balal Muhammad kind of like ratcheting up the stakes and then meeting the level. Like they ratcheted up the stakes and just stayed down here and didn't even come close to it.

So really weird kind of fight. Again, like not bad technically, right? Like it's an odd kind of style matchup where you have to be a little bit careful if you're on both sides. Because the other guy is much, much better in one realm or. another than you and so you have to be careful, which I can understand. But just with so much on the line there, you would think that they would have tried to have a better performance than that. Then as far as Dana White's, you know, screed against Mahab and Makayev, that was, it was

bizarre. It's like, we've seen wrestlers before. I'm not sure what he's done that's so particularly offensive. Now, granted, this is on the back of him. admitting that he asked cop to take a picture and sucker punching him and then they got into a fight at the PI. But we've also seen kind of problematic fighters before. It's not new. I don't know what it is particularly about him that has rubbed people the wrong way.

The matchmakers Dana White said don't like him. But he's really talented and he's a good fighter. PFL doesn't have his weight class. So I don't know if he's going to PFL. I know Dana has kind of said that by default, but they don't have his weight class. So maybe he becomes a bantamweight and fights for Belator. But, yeah, bizarre. Just bizarre for a guy who is one of the talented lighterweight fighters

and somebody that an organization could use. Yeah, I can't think of another example of something like this. It's very bizarre to me. It's crazy, Jed. Like, well, Haif goes out there and just melts Cody Dernan in his first fight. Live up to the hype, everything about. about the signing. People are so excited.

He delivers a performance. Goes out in his next fight. A lot of people weren't happy with it, but I was super impressed by his second fight too because he just wrecked. I think it was Charles Johnson. And then from there, it's just kind of tepid decisions

or late finishes against guys. He was like competitive against, but it was like a minus-200 favorite against. And the Tim Elliott fight battled through a little bit of adversity, was down two rounds and gets a finish. like you and I were both super high in this guy. We saw him early and said, this dude is, if he fights for a belt, he's probably going to win it. He could even be a two division champion.

And now how the tides turn in this sport and in the UFC, this guy is 7 and 0. Dude is a, he's really, really good. There's like just a second gear he just does not tap into. And then just all the shenanigans behind the scenes, the sucker punch him in L. cop that's being widely reported. Eric Nixixix told the story publicly. a bunch of times at this point. Just

the UFC just willing to let this man go. Like probably the number one contender for the title. And they're just like, yep, bye-bye. We're all good.

This is just so bizarre. Is it not? It's crazy. I'm going to say something that you don't hear me say all that often. Totally agree with Dana White more than fine

with what's happened. Also, shout out to Dana White. Because again, I don't say that often either. He could, could have buried macaif like he could have been like this dude don't know one you know and he buried him to some extent but like and and it that it is a better dagger it is a twisted

knife of pfl's going to get a very good undefeated fighter like he didn't say they're going to get this pile of turds that i'm going to throw off and they're going to pick they're going to this guy's very good and undefeated bye and like he he this is right and And like 100, I honestly 100% agree with Dana White for a couple of reasons. First, Rick, I will disagree with you. That fight was bad, man. And I know Casey, you're on the ones and twos. You'll probably pop in here at some point.

But like, I liked it. I thought it was terrible. They landed 40 combined strikes or something over three rounds. It was primarily a staring contest. I'm more willing to give Minnell cop a pass. So not a full one. Both parties have blame here. But very clearly for cop, as soon as he tried to punch real,

hard, McIyev is just going to tackle him, which is fine. I'm not blaming you for a smart fighting style. I am blaming you for sucker punching a dude and then, you know, like almost getting into fights with him eight times where you're going to punch him when there's security around, when you're locked in a cage with him, all you're going to try and do is get on those hips and never throw a punch. Because to me, that is the crux of why I am fine with this. Yes, Mohamukhyev is undeniably one of the 10 best fighters in his weight class. And in some worlds, we'd like the UFC to be pursuing all the best fighters at all points in time. The reality is they're not doing that.

And by keeping Mikhail with them, what he has shown to me through his time, and again, you and I are super high on him. I have been very high on him from day one. I believe that if he fought Alejandra Pintoja tomorrow, he would have a credible shot at becoming the champion. Unbelievably talented. Not a compelling fighter for a vast majority of fans, even guys like me.

Like he does some cool shit, but a lot of the times he will not hurt opponents. He is averse to causing damage to people. He will positionally grapple. And then if he can, find a submission. And that's an okay way to compete. This is not a sport. This is sports entertainment. He is not doing the second part of this.

And he's 23. It's fine. Let him go. He can go to ACA. He can go to Ryson or whatever. He can, when he says, hey, there are consequences to me behaving like a total jackass

this week. Because like, again, big fan of him, like a big supporter of where he was going. I deeply, deeply disliked him now after this week. Just being a huge asshole the whole time in all the worst, most petty awful ways.

Like, okay, what are you, how are you a fan of him? Like, unless you are a family member after this week, what is there to gravitate to? There's not. And so you don't want to give him a title because then that dude's your champion. That's tough. But also, if you match him up with anybody, he's probably going to do the same

thing. So you're between a rock and a hard place and you don't have to deal with this. You can just wash your hands of this and send him away. Goes somewhere else. Maybe he does great. You know, he finds his own KSW and thrives. He never comes back and that's okay. Sometimes that happens.

Look at Kioji. He's doing terrific. Or maybe he goes... A lot of people can do that and that's fine. or he goes off, he gets some seasoning. He's still a very young man. Like he has maturing very clearly. He has maturing to do. Maybe he does that.

You know, he goes off a couple of years. He's still one of the best guys in the world. He gets a little better, gets a little wiser, settles in. It's like, hey, I'd like to come back. And then you can have that conversation and you're not having to deal with all the other shit that he is bringing right now that is not part of your business, that is not good for mostly anyone. and, you know, it's not bringing dollars.

It's not like he has a huge fan base that he brings with him. Like, cutting him. I would say cutting him is extreme. You know, being like, hey, I'm going to cut him after that. But, like, just been like, I'm not going to renew your contract? Yeah, I wouldn't either, man. Like, just straight up. A very good fighter, but he beefed this week and this fight so unbelievably hard.

And he's just, he's got a little growing up to do. And I hope he does because super talented. the dude can win a belt but yeah he he i think it'll be good for him to have a change of pace change of location and uh so one of the very real like rare times i'm like yeah totally on board with dan i think this is probably correct not surprised by it dude's clearly talented but he's got to grow up got to grow up i know he's only 23 needs a little bit more life experience but you got to grow up man this is the big leagues you just got to act better and you got to be better I mean, I don't know what I'll say.

Can I just ask like I agree with Jed. I agree with you. I ultimately think like yeah, he's been an asshole all week and kind of just like generally. Like he has an inflated sense of where he is in the company and he's going to be the youngest champion ever and all this stuff that he's been saying while simultaneously like putting like not that impressive performances. Like even the finishes are coming late when a guy is just completely done and he's already a minus 600 favorite. in the fight. So I'm with you. But like haven't we

seen bigger assholes? Haven't we seen? Like, why is it that all of a sudden there are consequences for this stuff when there never seem to be any other time? Why is it specifically now specifically him? The bigger assholes are drawing money. I'll say, for two very clear reasons

for me, Rick. One is exactly what exactly what Mike said. The bigger assholes who have done things they are bringing a very clear thing. Truly, the only thing we've got to have is bringing is he's one of the best fighters in the world, which is great. But that is not the, that's not the game we play in the UFC in 2024, realistically. But honestly, the thing that, like, I could have lived with it. It would have been trashy and I would have been like, the thing that genuinely put it over the top for me where I was like,

F, this dude got out of here is his post-fight press conference. when he owns up to sucker punching dude and his excuse is the most sophomore like teenage boy answer well he bullied me and i'm not going to be bullied like Alex Perez so i sucker punched him like dude are you an infant like grow like you're a professional athlete doing shit and then you can't even keep that same energy in the cage fight like what what fuck are you doing like just get the hell out of here take take some time off and do something else like again i wouldn't have cut it him. There's like after this whole thing, I just would not resign him because I don't think he's bringing anything that I value right now. Like if he was just undeniably the best fighter in the world, maybe I'd think about it. But he's not. He's very, very good.

I'm just, I can't do it right now, man. You got to give me more than what you've done. I can live with that. I just feel it. It just feels it. Maybe I'm being too sympathetic. Maybe my heart is bleeding too much. But like, I don't know.

We've seen bigger assholes. We've seen guys not, you know, kept around who have done less, or done more rather. Like, if I'm being objective, Manil Kopp has blown weight in addition to all the same shenanigans that he's participated in. Wouldn't have a single issue with you cutting cop either. Yeah, like just. You want to bounce him?

A, okay with that. But this is my point. Like, it just, it feels like they were making a statement here, but I'm not sure what the statement is. Like, I get, like, you could, you can make a bigger statement, right? You could say, hey, we're cutting both of them. Now you're making an actual statement. Now you're saying, like, they are not cutting him, which is clear.

Dana didn't come and proffer. I'm cutting that dude because I hate him. He was asked about him and said, I'm not going to re-sign him. And I like, to me, that is a very clear delineation. I think cutting him would probably be a little, a little over-aggressive. I just, like, why would they resign him outside of the he's one of the best fighters in the world? that tends to be enough but in this case not and I get that is it I'm okay with it for the last five years has being one of the best fighters in the world been true they didn't

sign saladine parnass they didn't they haven't signed uh rineer to ridders like one of the 10 best middleweights in the world inside roberto sold each when he was a free agent they're just they don't play that game anymore yeah see me I know we would like them to just be a their autocracy, but they ain't going to do that. The list that you would come up with, I don't think is very long. Well, that's because most of

the good fighters in the world are already in their monopoly. Yeah, so that's what I'm saying. Like, they kind of do, they kind are in that business. It's just that there's a handful that you're like, I wish they had these ones too. But like, ultimately that is their business. And but to me, Rick, and I think maybe I glossed over this a little bit

when I was going through because there was a lot to cover. The other part is, a monopoly. They get to get them back kind of whenever the hell they want to. So like, there's just no, if the answer is the next two years you go do your not particularly engaging style of fighting somewhere else, that's fine. And then we'll bring you back when you're better. It's, it's the benefits of being the king. They can get them whenever the hell they want him. Yeah, that's fair. That's totally fair. Just a crazy situation and we'll see what happens. All right, let's bring Casey in.

Let's take a few questions. Definitely want to hear from some of you guys. And then, yeah, we'll go for a little bit and then we're going to go pass out somewhere. Hi, Casey. I want to hear from you on this. I want to hear from you on this fight. This is what I came for.

I got to hear the defense of this one because I was let down. By the way, this is a safe space because I'm with you. I don't think the fight was like, I don't think the fight was that bad from a like technical standpoint. Like I thought it was it wasn't great. It didn't excite me. But like it was fine.

It was just like a regular, you know, not great fight on a card. But the buildup, obviously, I feel like it fell very, very short of expectations. And the fact that it could have been number one contendership that that's inexcusable. But what was the buildup from the UFC from the UFC? They didn't build up anything. They didn't bring them to the press conference. They didn't do anything. It was all the.

Yeah. The UFC is not the thing that's building. The fighters built this. They built it. That's actually worse. the UFC selling me a bill of goods and the fighters not delivering because they weren't part of it. Okay, they weren't part of it.

These two dudes got into more of a fight. Pre-fight, when cop got into the cage, they got into more of a fight than they got in the fight. Because pre-fight, there are no rules. Then they became a sport fight. When you sport-fight and then they hugged. And then they, God, I hate a motherfucker that hugged somebody.

After all that shit, y'all hug at the end. Keep your energy. God, the first two and a half seconds of that fight were awesome. They just, like, came at each other. They sprinted at each other. They each threw like a combination, and then that was it. That was everything. I feel like there's so much to talk about it,

but I could do a whole podcast on this fight, to be honest. But it's interesting, though. It'd be better than the fight. Yeah. Okay. Damn. So much to talk about. There is a very real chance that Muhammad Makhai did not throw more than,

or land more than 10 punches. Like, they don't track that number. They just track targeting. And, like, he landed 11 headshots and a couple of those were kicks. Like, he might not have, like, landed more than 10 punches in that fight. How different is it being changed? You don't hate that dude that much. I actually, I scored that fight for cop for, doesn't even matter.

I scored it, I scored it 3027 for cops. Yeah, we didn't even talk about that. We all score, everybody scored that fight for no cop. That's the crazy part. Like, cop won that freaking fucking five. too. It was a bad decision. That's what it kind of was like, we're not even talking about that. Honestly, even crazier is that that's some of the worst refereeing I've seen this year.

And it's, oh my God. It's line item 12 of that fight. That's what exactly I'm trying to say. This fight has just so much to talk about. Like, and it was an early prelim. But, um, uh, yeah, it should have been like a 30, 23 with all the points that should have been taken from Mahal McIraef in that fight. Like, immediately,

the pantsing should have been a point. Don't make me, don't make me, whatever, enforce the rules. What was he that? Don't make me enforce the rules, young man.

Don't make me do my job. Don't make me do my job. He yelled. He said that in a cage fight where that is literally his only job. It is, oh my God. And then.

And we didn't talk about that. 40 minutes into this conversation. This is your only warning. Do you understand me? Okay, 30 seconds later, he watched Mohameda Mikhail Poked Manal Kopp in the eye and did not stop the action.

Nor take a point. It was so frustrating to watch. What a sick-ass spraw, though, from cop when he had his eye poked and he, and then McHive shot and I was like, that was sick. Okay, I get the fight. The fight did not meet expectations. I get it.

it was still like Eric said it was still a good fight technically I enjoyed watching it but yeah it wasn't a fight I wanted to see but I did like it and I'm just bummed that I judge right I get why they didn't resign him because of I guess his behavior and I can see that but also you know like someone pointed out like George Mazelot sucker punched Leon Edwards backstage and like we celebrated the that. It's just a weird thing because Mazodon makes him a lot more money than Mikhail. And that's just the reality of wearing.

He had just iced Darren Till like real bad right, right before that. So like, it would be weird if they were like, hey, you sucker, you sucker punched him and now we don't like you anymore because he was about to make a shit ton of money for them. Self defense. I would argue. I would truly argue that's funny. They also threw him in there with Ben Asker next.

They also threw him with Ben Asker next. And a lot of people thought Ben was just going to tackle. him for yeah setting setting up for that that he flying need him in record time um and then it's hard to deny a guy after that i would argue that no matter what happened tonight outside of macaille flying knee k a like to steal game bread's way uh a flying knee k o on cop i think he was going to be not resigned anyway like i don't think that this had much of an effect they they probably just were determined that they were not going to resign them they were hoping he'd lose and then And he didn't, and they were just like, eh, whatever, we're still going to.

I think that's important to note, too, because he, because do you see, like Patty, he signed before he went out there. He would have tried to sign him already. And we know the UFC does not like that. We know that. So I just think this was just they were trying to get out. UFC just wanted out of the McKayev business. Which is fine. Yeah.

Which is fine. Very possible. I will also come from the other side and just say, there is a world where he does resign. Dana has said an infinite number of things that are not true. While I would not, you know, by any stretch believe he's resigning, Dana is saying something in a post-fight press conference is very far from gospel. So, like, maybe he does come back.

That'd be sick. If Maro Makayev was like, I signed a new deal with the U.S. Let's go, baby. You know, took a pay cut. It's fine. I'm going to do whatever. but also the part... Maciah?

You know, I don't know what Dana was talking. Like, I have no insight. But, like, if Mackayev is hard to book because he is particular, you know, it's just another reason that they probably want to be out of the business because he is also probably asking for money. Mackayev posts a photo with him, Dana and Hunter Campbell, eating breakfast tomorrow. It's going to be the best.

I will... And you just like... It's like, the caption's like good business with like a handshake analogy. And a bag of money. And they're hugging. Everyone's hugging. And then Dana White's on Instagram live later. And he's like, this guy's an absolute savage.

He's fighting Alejandre Pantosia. And then everything just puts on. Hey, 7 and O in the UFC. This is going to be a badass fight. Is Kai Asakura the biggest winner of tonight? Did nothing and probably got a flyway title shot. Yeah, Tyra. It's true.

It's one of those. Tyrake. Yeah. Tyrake. All right. All right. Questions. All right.

It could be cop. Hell. They could still do cop. Yeah, you're right. You're absolutely right. You're absolutely right. They could do cop. What'd it?

Dude, I had so many people because I like tweeted something. I had so many people have been like, well, the, the short grab didn't really like, he already has had the take down. You shouldn't take a point for that. I was like, okay. One, that's insanely stupid. But two, what do you don't think. the short grab gained him an advantage.

What about the short grab and the eye poke and the low blow and the other one? Like how many fouls does one man need to get an edge? Just cheat. Cheat your ass off. It was so rampant tonight. We've been saying this forever. And then Mike Beltran also refereed the main event and Leon Edwards grabbed the fence like 18 times in the fight.

It's not cheating. It is not cheating if they don't enforce it. And the referees are all cowards. Like I don't know why they'd refuse to enforce rules. It is their only job. And one of them specifically was like, please do not make me do my job. He said that.

That's a quote. That's a quote. Please I do not want to do my job. Like, I say that in the privacy of my own home to my friends. Not on Mike Cage when I'm breathing a fist fight. I like he yelled it too. Don't make me.

Do my job. Damn it. Don't make me enforce the rules. Oh, my God. Super Jack. The rest were so bad. I mean, they were just all terrible. Spencer, still in Barcelona, up at 10 a.m. for this boys, running on Bing Rips.

Early breakdown on Belal versus Shafkot. Blal has more of a chance than I previously thought. Patty versus Hanato. Love that fight. Sure, for the Patty thing. Hanato is booked against BSD. You could go that direction. I think there's lots of directions.

You can cancel it. That's the main event. Yeah, it's the main event. No one's going to UC Paris for Moikano. BSD will be fine enough. Totally. Put somebody else in there. You could do BSD versus anybody and that'd be the same.

I don't think Moikano's the draw there. Just pull them. Like the Paddy Morcano thing, there's juice there. Like you can still do it even if Moichano loses, but like then you're probably going to have to wait longer. I say pull it, man. That's the main event, yes? That's the main event.

Yeah. I guess you guys in a fight night. Mike. Moikano might, yeah, Moikano might not want to get out of it since it's a main event. But, yeah, I agree with Jeff. Well, Moikano wants money. So you just have to give Moikano money. And he'll do it.

He's been very clear about his incentive structure. On our chat, I threw out my Patty suggestion for his next fight. Do we even want to talk about that? What was there? You're saying Michael Chandler, isn't it? Patty versus Chandler. Oh, that's right. Yeah.

Michael Chandler's going to keep dreaming that dream. Gets Connor Light. Michael Chandler, I was going to say, he gets, well, I guess Ian Gary is technically Connor Light. So he's like a third variation. I don't hate that. I mean, I'm going to give my Otno suggestion now. I very rarely say this on any of these programs.

I actually agree with Ali Abdulzi's. we do him versus Benny Darius that's the one I think you got to do that give him a step up it's a fight Patty can certainly win

I would probably I might actually pick Patty to win that fight those if he loses no big deal then he can fight Moikano

the Moikano fight is a back pocket fight you can go to that anytime you want and it's still going to be big you guys think Porier would do it

no not a chance in hell no I mean he would win that fight like he was very clear i don't want to end my career on a loss well this is a win over a very popular guy i'd be kind of i don't think he views him as up here i don't remember 15 number 15 it's ranked no underfeated 7-0 in the ufc come on i agree i don't think he would but like

he just i don't i don't look he's got he he said michael chandler just got here like what would his feelings on on patty like i just he doesn't he doesn't view him as as to be fair michael chandler has not won many fights in the ufc had he has won seven of them uh but no michael chanler has won won one one fight in the o't hookers is only is it just the hooker no tony ferguson he beat tony sure okay knock out with that he also beat tony knocked out yeah And then he had three like fight of the year contenders. If Michael Chandler wasn't waiting on a better fight, I dig that fight. I think that's awesome.

I would watch that. I'll watch the hell out of that. But they would also give Chandler. They would also give Chandler a title fight too. Yeah. I mean, that's what's going to happen, no? We didn't talk about that boys. Poor one out for Islam because he doesn't get to pursue a welterweight belt now.

The ball is a champ. Tough, tough scenes for him today. I think I sure he could I believe I don't think he will do it I believe I heard him I believe I heard him say or Balaal's one of them said yes

we would fight Balaul said unequivocally that they would not I don't you know I can't Then it must have been Islam because one of them said they would Yeah Islam said you do it for sure In the pre-fight media stuff Bala was like yeah no I've

We would never fight Sorry I will also say after watching what Balal did, I would have picked Islam anyway. I would feel unbelievably good about Islam beating Leon Edwards after watching that fight. Oh, man. I mean, there are so many fighters that have come out and said, like, yeah, Islam would be the champ at 170. I couldn't imagine a world he wouldn't have beaten Leon. You know my hottest take that Habib would have beaten Israel.

and I'll die on that hill like I would live right there Israel would have been suffocated the same as the rest of the motherfuckers I was willing to go up to 170 with with Habib I was willing to say anybody at 170 or below he I wouldn't even concerned

Kamar was the only like marginally difficult test and I was so like could people get him I was like Izzy we're done there are some middle weights who might be too big to be tough Izzy he's done he's not even a big middleweight cooked. Get smashed,

tell me. I don't know about that, but I'm with you on the 70 stuff. Early predictions for Bilal versus Shavkat, Newarkerick. I think Shavkat fucking gives it to him bad. I don't like his chances to get chuffa.

I think you're just dealing with like, the level of athleticism, the level of like just freakish power, the level of like just speed and power is going to be too much for Balal. Leon is a good matchup for Balal because what Leon does is like crisp technical striking and not just being an absolute savage. And so you can counter that, right?

If you're if you're able to stifle him, like he's not going to just be able to outmaneuver you in those situations by being a better athlete. You're going to have some advantages there. Shavkat is just a buzzsaw and I just don't see how Balal who is not. not like an a plus athlete is match up well with him. Can't see it. Yeah. And we also got to say, blah,

he did break the curse, not break the curse, but he broke the, the 35 and over winning tonight. And he's just going to be, he's going to be older when he buys the shot guy. Yeah, but he's 170.

The curse doesn't, curse doesn't really fit to 170 because, like, that is, those are the, like, outliers anyway, but I guess, sure.

Yeah, but... Like, oh, yeah, no, I would... To be fair, I comfortably picked Leon Edwards to be Pall and could not have been more incorrect. But I would comfortably pick Shafcott to kill B'all because I would have picked Shafcott to kill anyone. And, yeah, I don't know. He's just the best wall to wait in the world.

There was nothing B'all kind of done tonight that would have really changed our Shafcott prediction, I think. There's nothing to be on. If he had eaten, like, some monster Leon shots, It's like a flush head kick. I'd be like, okay. Well, like, no. He just, he is not a weak-chin dude.

It's just one of those dudes has fight-finishing offense and the other doesn't, and I will always defer to the guy who can win a fight instantaneously and out of nowhere than the guy who is going to spend 25 minutes. Do you know what I would really like to not do? Have to fight Chavcott for 25 goddamn minutes. It's a really bad question. Don't ask it of your. yourself.

All right. A few more questions. Well, Asimov to defend his interim title again. He's so desperate to get a real shot. He wants a four-man tournament at UFC 308. By the way, shout out to Tom Asma. Love that idea. It is even more of a fantasy world than any of us could have ever lived in.

But, I mean, tremendous idea. If the UFC would never do it, but boy, if they ever did, it would be pretty fucking cool. Will he have to? No. I don't think he will have to. But could he? Yeah, possibly. Like, I think it really depends on him.

If he wants to wait, he will be next in line. But I don't know if he'll want to wait. But the ball's in his court. I don't think he will have to do anything. I do not believe he will even get the opportunity. I don't think they would put him on MSG with John Steepay, particularly not against Alex or whatever. And so I could see him more realistic.

retiring at MSG. I could see a more I could see a more realistic world where it's not like hey we're trying to set this up as a tournament type thing it's just hey we need a main event and Cyril Ghan needs an opponent so you're going to fight Cyril Gond and that type of scenario I could see playing out and Tom goes F it I'm the champ let's just do it like I could see that scenario

but I don't think anybody could eat like I don't know what it would take but I can't think of anything conceivable where somebody would jump ahead of him. So, yeah, I don't think he has to. He could sit out if he wanted to and get a title shot. But to Jed's point, maybe he sits out and then all of a sudden John Jones is like, see ya. So, no.

I hope I'm wrong. And you're right, Rick. I just, I think John is done after November. And so then Tom gets to be the champion and his next fight is a defense of the undisputed heavyweight title. Probably against zero gone. I think John. I think John.

I think John. has so much he's he's been underpaid for so long he really has an opportunity to make some good money right now for the first time like nearly ever um just take it just take just take just take the opportunity i think he will i think he ultimately will there were there will be enough money and enough on the line that he'll say yeah maybe this new breed tom aspinall guy is going to ice me but maybe i'm going to kill him and become a legend forever and i think it would just be a terrifically business decision on his part. I hope he makes it.

That's inviting a ton of risk. Yeah. Unless, here's where it would be cool, John. John, look, we've had our differences right here. Let's talk because you're a big chicken. And so that's tough for me. I don't dig on that. But what you can do is you can say UFC.

Here's what I'm offering you. I'm going to kill this old firefighter who you're putting it against me for reasons if no one understands. when I'm done killing this old firefighter, I would like to fight two more times for you. I would like to fight Tom Aspinall and I would like to fight Alex Perry. You give me all of those

and I promise to give you those as well. But if I get through all of those, if I get through all three of those, the light at the end of the rainbow, if it's still even an option, then I want the last fight of my career for you to do the one thing you've never done and you to pony up

and let's fight Francis in a co-promotion with PFL because I'm going to kill that man too and I am an untouchable God if I go Tom Aspinall Alex Pereira Francis Inganu Mike drop I would respect the hell out of you John do that Use your leverage to find a way to fight Francis Otherwise get to fuck out of my sport

He's already uninsouchable God by the way So you know that part's already done who would Tom fight if both steep and Joe? We just got out. We just discussed. I'll fight the Gond. Yeah, exactly.

One of those guys. When are gone and Volkov fighting? Abu Dhabi. October. At the pandemic. Have you had they fighting in Abu Dhabi? Why are they not fighting in Paris? He must just not have been ready.

Because Gond is not going to fight if it's not the main event. And they already booked a main event. Yeah. Okay. this we've solved this BSD you're out because Moikano is going to go fight Patty now we're going to move that to Paris boom BSD is the co-main against pick a body I don't give a shit it's I mean we have the most like replacement talent like they just have a bunch of guys who are like they're they're nearly good enough but they're not really good enough

but then they get these opportunities that just kind of like come their way because the guys who are good enough are on the shelf for some reason it's just a weird It's a very weird division. But there's two guys who are really good, which I like. Spencer, after this, think Tom would have a chance on the feat with Poetan. It might be the one super fight we actually get, though I want Poetan versus Ankylaev first, like Jed. He has a chance.

He wouldn't. He was a big, massive, quick hitting dude. I mean, Israel-A-Sanja colded Alex Pereira. So I got to believe Tom is harder than is he Yeah Gotta believe Tom it's harder But here's the thing

He wouldn't do it He already said it He said I wouldn't I would tack He said what Curtis Blades Can't in his ever love and mind Figure out Yeah why would I possibly stand with that dude

I would tackle him instantaneously Like no Like he would just do that And that's like I know that I'm going to certainly be in the minority I have no interest in Tom versus Alex right now Like, let's see the Ankylai a fight. If Alex just spins the whole fight shutting down every takedown match, well, I'm a lot more open to that.

But if Unclelyev just tackles his ass to the ground, I don't need to see Tom do that. He'll do it too. Yeah. If Pereira beats Angalive, he can go up to heavyweight and fight whoever the fuck he wants. Yeah. I won't fight that. I'll still kind of think it's dumb, but I won't fight it. Yeah.

I'd rather see Tom. Tom versus Alex. That's fun. do it. Do you, like truly, is that fun because it's a big spectacle? Do you honestly think that fight is fun? I think that fight is over instantaneously. Like every Tom fight?

Yeah. No, I think it's very different. I think that fight is over in the same way Curtis Blades was like, I would kill that man. I would shoot a blast double and then end him because I am substantially larger than his ass. Like, I just, I think, yes, it would end quickly and it's not that fun to watch Alex Prera get bodied by a man who weighs 30 pounds more than him. I like the dice roll.

I like the gamble of if Alex could somehow do it. So yeah, I enjoy that. I like that. I get it. From a spectral standpoint, it's obviously very spectacular. But also, if they do that for an interim fucking belt and then Alex is the first three division sort of champion because he pulls it off. No, because you know what they would do.

They would strip John Jones fucking immediately if he won that belt. Oh, is they're going to strip John? I'm all in. Let's do it. They'd be like, John, sorry. Alex, Alex gets your belt now, unfortunate for you. I'm fully on board if they're going to strip John as part of this. I'll pay that tax.

Sorry, honk. Just keep waiting, buddy. We have one more super chat, but I want to get to this real quick. Because we didn't really talk about, we talked about. We talked about all about Tom, but can we talk a little bit about Curtis Blades? RIP Jeds and Sean's bets on that point five take-tons by Blades. Do you guys know how many takedowns Curtis Blades has attempted in his last five fights? Two.

One. One. Wow. Intempted one takedown. Also, Curtis Blades dropped a statement. I'll briefly read it. Sorry, guys. I got greedy when I touched him early.

and I threw out the amazing game plan my coaches came up with that would have worked, I'm sure of it. Dope. If I had wheels, I'd be a wagon. I bet your coaches got you back to the room. We're like, motherfucker, we talked about this. We talked about how every time you're in this spot, you then get knocked the fuck out

because you refuse to do the thing you were good at. And then you went and did that shit again. You did that shit again. Come on, man. Learn a lesson. why do you think that is why why has he avoided the wrestling so much to the extent

that it's almost like a tick why is that happening I kind of suggested like the same reason the same reason we crap on because the same reason we crap on Makayev same reason we crap on blah before tonight

like we just don't want to see that these guys are prize fighters they got into us to beat people up I don't think that's fair because when Curtis takes people down Louis 18 times. He can't tackle its motherfuckers. Come on.

And he lost that fight. He tacked him 18 times and he still lost. No, but he also... All of his other fights is one doing that. Yeah, he takes people down and he throws some really nasty ground and pound and things that, like, you know, Makayev doesn't necessarily do. But also, like, that's your path to victory. Like, you don't have an option to stand and trade hands with Tom Aspenall because we saw that.

Like, anybody could have told you that if you did that, you were going to lose that fight. Every, like, that is the outcome. There's no more where you win that. Reading between the lines, his corner explicitly told him that. Hey, our plan is to shoot and take this dude down. It is, it is bizarre. It is a bit bizarre. Chris Dawkes just ruining one man by being so, so bad that Curtis Blades could bolt him on the feet

and just hex him into forever thinking. He's K1 Curtis. I mean, to be fair to him, he's not wrong that, like, he touched Tom and it was a good shot. We all went. Whoa. And this is what I'm saying. People have touched Tom. That's the only thing we've really seen.

I've seen him eat those shots. Yes. And I got to tell you, based on empirical evidence, I would suggest that if Sergey Pavlovich touches Tom and didn't end his existence like a god. damn teleport. Like, I don't think you, Curtis, are going to do it when you hit him once. Like, it's just a total lack of discipline. Like, I don't care if it's cartoonish. Just immediately shoot a takedown.

Like, the first action he should have had was jab takedown. Maybe double jab takedown. But like, just see. That's the, uh, maybe you get him. That's the old Jolton Almeida. Jalton, uh, never is afraid to shoot those takedowns. He's, he's all upon that. It's somebody, like, you don't do the Ben Asperin telling you beforehand,

but you just jab into a takedown. Maybe it works. Ball Muhammad had Leon Edwards hoisted to the sky, like 15 seconds into that fight. That was like the very first thing he did. He charged across the cage. They threw a couple punches, and then Ballal hoisted him to the sky and dumped him. But he has to, he has, but Curtis can't set him up. And the fight's over by the time he tries to set it up.

Belaw set it up. I guess Belaw's just defense is way better. I don't know. I mean, I got to watch a pie. Curtis has atrocious defense, which is like actually the really critical part. Yeah. But here's the thing, Casey, like you've trained, you've been around, you've just watched enough fights. There are two types of people.

One, like when you, when Belaw Mohammed hit Leon Edwards, he didn't think, oh, fuck, I hit him. I should hit him more. He thought, oh, fuck, he is now concerned I've hit him. I'm on the motherfucking hips. Like how Curtis is a lifelong wrestler and somewhere in he. his DNA is like, I punched him. I should punch again. Oh, fuck, I'm asleep now. Like, no, dude, just do the thing that got you here. Like, literally, I remember interviewing Curtis in like Tennessee or some shit when these dog shit has cards and him being like, I don't care if you

think I'm boring. I don't give a shit if you think I'm boring because they can't stop my takedowns. Where the fuck that been lately, bro? Yes, I am super salty that I didn't land over half a takedown from the best wrestler in the division. It's in fear. He didn't even try. If Tom stuffed it, cool. Man, it's got super quick, got good hips. Great.

I would have learned something more about Tom Aspinall. And I'd be like, hey, chalk it up. Tom Aspinall, great defensive wrestler. Instead, Curtis lost the same way he has lost the last four times. Like, the definition of insanity is doing the same shit and expecting a different result. It's the biggest moment of your life and you do that. Come on, bro. I pulled this comment for a reason.

I know. I know you did. No, did. I can't imagine that. Like, his team has to be so upset. Hey, buddy, we talked about this. I mean, I think. Didn't really stick to the game plan.

Can you imagine if Dana liked Curtis? Do you remember Dana just being like caned? stick to the game plan. He's got a lifetime of highlights of Curtis not sticking to the game plan. Damn it. Erdis did it again. I don't know. Junior's our new champion somehow.

All right. And our last super chat before we get out of here. The bad guy. Cop tried to do the Alex Pereira waving off the referee from stopping the fight and then didn't throw a strike for a minute. funny. I said it would be hilarious if he just dead at him right after that, but he didn't. And Props to Bolle said yes to every fight in his post-fight press conference. Yeah. Here's the thing. Here's the thing, guys. No, but here is actually the thing.

Every champion when they get the belt says they're going to be that type of champion. And then you get three, and then you get three fights in and you're just like, oh, actually not. like there's money to be made and I'm not that type of guy. Like every champion is I'm going to uphold the sanctity of this division and I am going to defend the title against the best and most deserving contender. And then they don't. So bullshit. So we're clear.

The literal moment Leon became champion, he was like, man, I ain't fighting into these fuckers. Where's Connor at? His specific quote was like, why should I? I had to wait for eight years to get one. Why should I fight Balala? Like, that man was shameless. I respected it, honestly.

I actually think Toporio was worse. Like, he was the worst offender. He was like, here's a list of the top ten. I don't want any of them. I don't want any of these top ten guys. Give me anybody with that. All these guys lost to Volk. I just killed Volk while I fight any of them.

No. Yeah, but, but listen, if Bilal goes out there and it's just like, yeah, Shafcott's next, whoever is after that is next. Like, great. I love that. That's fantastic. I just, it likely will not play out that way. But hope it does.

Hey, Mike, are you kind of bummed out that, but all didn't embarrass himself in the post-fight interview? No, I'm actually like happy. I'm happy. I was like, dude, just don't ruin it by calling O'Connor. And then, because like I immediately was like, he's got to do the thing where he does the, the wrong thing.

And he was going to do a Joaquin Buckley and it was just going to be like, oh God, like please don't do this. He at least could get Connor like theoretically. He has something that Connor at least might want.

Yeah, but Connor makes, yeah, potentially, but even he, it was all good. And then there was a moment where I was like,

all right, post-fight interview's over. This is real good. And then he chased DC down and got the mic back. And I'm like, oh, God, please don't do it.

Please don't do it. And then he dropped the, say DC say my hands are like Canelo say my hands are like Canello which I thought was kind of funny but yeah he did everything right he did everything right I don't find Balal as annoying as the rest of the internet and everybody else in the universe

I'm kind of okay with Balal I was really I was really I don't even mean just tonight I was good with all week I'm good with the stupid like I'm second behind GSP stuff I can't abide that that's the dumbest shit I've ever heard if in your wildest fantasies you're going to win a decision I think that's like funny and the rest of that's fine being like

I can't you gotta be if you're going to do that you got to be more tongue and cheek you gotta be a chale son and level of he was feeding a carrot to the bus not like I am the second greatest Walter weight of all time like buddy you're I don't

think you're in the top five with the one over beyond Walter weight is a historically unbelievable division So you're just a lunatic by saying this If you're going to do it, sell the joke better But I thought all this was perfect But it gets people so mad

That's why it's great Engagement It didn't get me mad It's kind of exasperated Like I'm fagin' idiot Well, that's you But there are people who are actively mad at him Which I love

I enjoy that People You gotta get touch grass That being said I do love the pettiness Post Leon of like I will rematch I will give Leon a rematch

In three years the same way he made me wait. That was actually. I respect their shit out of that petty. That was awesome. He has a very strong point on the idea that Leon was denied the shot for so long and then the moment he's in the chair,

he's like, nah, F you're not getting it. I'm not doing it. Yeah. Good for Ballal for saying that. That's what happens at Walterway, man. Remember when Tyrone Willie won the belt? Tyron Willie wins the belt. Stephen Thompson. Stephen Thompson is

Stephen Thompson is sitting there Like all right man Looks like we're gonna fight he goes Nah I'm gonna fight you're Nick Diaz Yeah yeah He's on the desk asking it like hey Like we're gonna do it like I mean I guess

But like I'm kind of into this GSP thing Nate Nate D or Nick Diaz seems fun It was Nate actually It was Nate actually It was Nate I was there in that room I was like this is fucking unbelievable Once you get the belt The opportunities to make money

are just too tempting. I get it. Just do that. He goes out and beat Shafcott then. Go call for Connor. Call for whatever you want, man. Like, go get it. No, he's going up.

All of us will beat him. No, didn't you listen to him? Then it will just be the next welterweight contender. That is the, that is the Balal Mohandad promise. He has said that this is how it will go. It'll be Shafcott, then Ian Gary. Yeah. And then.

Then maybe he goes up and fights DDP, is he? Who knows? If he beat Shavkat, like, let's say he does. Over under one and a half more title defenses, if he beat Shavkat. At his age? What do you mean? Yeah, at his, like, if he beat, if he beat Shavkat, will he successfully defend his belt twice? Just in general.

You're not even saying that. Just in general. If he beat Shavkot, will he get to. three title defenses. Give me a list of people who would be next, right? What is it? Ian Gary? Who else is coming from?

In their Jack Della is certain honor. Oh, yeah, Jack Della. I guess technically Uson is now back in line. I could say, yeah, I was going to say I could see Uson back in there. On the ESPN Post show, they were selling Usman hard. Yeah, I don't know. They were like, no. It was a Uzman.

They were like, skip over shopcott. Usband's the guy. I was like, I think it would be terrible, but that does make sense in this. way like Usman you know they can still they can juice that pig

a little bit more and they can run Shavka versus Ian I could see him doing it I would think it's bad but it would be horrible he's lost three in a row

he's lost three fights in a row one of them was in middle weight it's fine yeah oh he can't do he got he's lost three in a row and he's going to get a featherweight title shot

it's fine he's lost two in a row oh yeah that's right three in a row he's lost three in a row buddy Two violent knockouts. I'm going to say over. I think over.

I think he would have a lot of... If he beat shop cut, you could sell me on it? My issue is he is old, so I don't know how long that gets to live. I think he'd have a little bit like... I think he'd have a little bit like an Aljo run. It'd be like he's very... To me, it feels very opponent dependent, you know? Like, he doesn't feel like the guy who I'm like,

this is going to be the long-reigning champion, nor does he feel like the guy who's just like, yeah, you got this belt and the next time you step in the cage, you're losing it. He kind of feels in that middle territory where I'm like, depending on how the opponents break out,

like, yeah, I could see it. I think he could beat E and Gary. I definitely think he could beat E and Gary. Yeah, I mean, look, the last thing I'll say about this in the Uisman thing, just win one fight, man. I don't care if you fight Wonderboy and win.

Like, just win a fight and then you can have a title shot. If he wins the fight, he's 100% getting a title shot. Yeah, and I'm okay. with that. I'd rather see Shafcott get the fight and they do Usman versus Ian Gary. And if he beats Ian Gary, then he gets title shot. Like, that's the fight to make for Kamar

Ushman's not giving him a title boy and then Usman can get a title shot anyways, who cares? I'm cool with that too. I'm fine with that too. Those two dudes have never fought each other. Like, that's, that works. I'm okay with that. Or somehow Thompson wins, give him a title shot. Who cares? It's fine. Whatever. Sure. It's

Belal. The one's going to be excited about whoever he's fighting. I mean, we already saw that fight though. Do you ever want to see that again though? Look, I don't. Actually, you're 100% correct. So, okay, hit the music. The sun's about to come up here in, uh, man, shout out to whoever is thinking,

though, keep going, uh, that Hamzaa Shamiyev's one fighting again and's making welterweight again. But all isn't going to ragdahl. Shemaya, yeah, because he's never going to fight. Yeah, because Shamiya's a middleweight. anyways and yeah wait who doesn't compete sure that's not going to happen yeah well

what is going to happen is that AK and I will be back in about five hours and 18 minutes to do some matchmaking so join us for that we'll discuss what is next for Belal we'll discuss what is next for Leon Edward where does he go from here because he's going to have to fight somebody

we'll discuss what's next for Tom Asimal AK and I have already made an executive decision we will not discuss what is next put his text for Curtis Blades. We'll move on. We'll talk about Patty. We'll talk about Arnold Allen. We'll talk about Greg Rodriguez.

Sky's the limit. It's got to be a hell of the week, everybody. And then it's on the road to UFC Abu Dhabi, which is a slacker of a fight card. So for Jed, Casey, New York Rick, I am Mike Heck. Appreciate you. Get some sleep, you filthy animals.

Good night, everybody. I want Curtis to go to PFL. Let Curtis win something. Like, be the Phil Davis of PFL Curtis Blades. Love y'all. Welcome to the Belaw era. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.