MMA Fighting - What the Heck: Episode 15 | Stephen Thompson, Leon Edwards, Modestas Bukauskas & Grant Dawson

Episode Date: July 9, 2020

Check out episode 15 of What the Heck with Mike Heck on MMA Fighting. This week, Mike speaks with Stephen Thompson (6:43) about being the last fighter to defeat Jorge Masvidal ahead of Saturday night's UFC 251 main event. Leon Edwards (27:50) discusses his place in the UFC's welterweight division, having his UFC London main event with Tyron Woodley cancelled, being offered the UFC 251 main event bout with Kamaru Usman, Masvidal stepping in for Burns, and more. In addition, former Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion Modestas Bukauskas (49:56) previews his UFC debut fight on July 15, and Grant Dawson (1:16:48) talks his upcoming fight with Nad Narimani set for July 18. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. What the Heck with Mike Heck on MMAfighting.com. Now, here is your host, Mike Heck. What the heck? There, everybody. Welcome to a brand new edition of What the Heck on MMAfighting.com. My name is Mike Heck. Thank you for having us on.

However, you are doing so. And my, oh, my, is there a lot going on in the sport of mixed martial arts? And I'll try to condense this, I guess, like caveman. style because UFC 251 is going down this Saturday on Fight Island and a lot has happened over the last five or so days already. Usman versus Burns Burns out. Test positive for COVID-19. Mazadal in versus Uzman.

That now headlines Saturday nights event to Kristen Fight Island. And I am so excited for that fight. And honestly, I was I was excited for Usman versus Burns as well from a competitive standpoint. But this is a bigger fight. a much bigger fight. You as fans are probably much more excited about this one. And it's no disrespect to Gilbert Burns. That's just what Jorge Mazadol has done for his career and his stock and how you guys and gals all view him after that incredible 2019 campaign that he had. And I don't know about you when it comes to Fight Island. And maybe it's because the slew

of fights and these four events are right around the corner or that, you know, we have this massive main event coming up on Saturday. But Remember the Taka Fight Island before the location was announced and our imagination started to run wild? We were super intrigued and excited about what it was going to look like, right? And then we found out it was in Abu Dhabi on Yaz Island and we were kind of like, yeah, it's okay. Like, at least we get fights. But I feel like the whole island excitement has risen once again. Like I really feel that way.

And our own Girmé Cruz is out there. He shot a pretty cool video of the whole setup and the office. and the octagon on the beach and stuff, and it's pretty damn cool. And we have four fun fight cards coming up over the next two plus weeks. UFC 251 on Saturday. Then we have Wednesday the 15th with Calvin Cater versus Dan Ige. July 18th next Saturday, Davis of Figuerreides v. Joseph Benavita's 2 for the vacant flyway title. And then on July 25th, we have that crazy card headlined by Robert Whitaker versus Darren Till.

We'll be talking about three of those four cards in particular. on this week's program. Saturday night's card is absolutely stacked. You guys know this by now. We have the three title fights. Of course, Usman versus Mazadol. Then we have Alexander Volcanowski versus Max Holloway for the featherweight title.

And we have Peotryon versus Jose Aldo for the vacant Bannamway title. The rest of the main card, pretty fascinating in its own right. We got Rose Namayunas versus Jessica Androge, too. We all know how that first fight went. Rose Namuiz had the best round of her entire mixed martial arts career. And then Jessica Androge with that just violent slams. to put that fight away and she became the champion. She would go on to lose to Zhang Wei Li.

And I feel like the winner of this fight, especially if Rosnamiyuniz wins, is probably in line to fight Zhang Wei Li later on this year, maybe early 2021. Just kind of depends on how this world looks right now. And then to open things up, we have the fascinating fight between Paige Van Zand, who, in my opinion, win or lose.

This will be here last fight in the UFC. But man, what a tough task ahead of her in Amanda Heivas. And listen, if you guys are having a bad day, If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, go to the archives of our YouTube page and watch Amanda Hebe us at the Virtual Media Day yesterday. It was just so bubbly. Like, it's just going to put you in a great mood.

So that's an interesting fight as well. There's so much to talk about. So let's run down the lineup and get to our first guest. Wrapping us up, we'll talk with Grant Dawson. He's going to be back in the Octagon next Saturday on that July 18th event. He's going to take on Nad Naramani. And this is a fun one.

It's a catchweight of 150 pounds. Grant Dawson is one of the. bright and up-and-comers in a loaded featherweight division. It's been one of the bright prospects in the United States for several years. I remember the first time I interviewed him, he was like 19 or 20 years old. He's getting ready to fight for Titan FC, and the kid just had a UFC future for years and years now. He's here.

He's 3 and 0 in the promotion, looking to make it 4 and 0. We'll hear from the profits later on in the program. We're going to have some European flavor on the program this week, as we have UFC debutante Modestis Bukascus joining us this week. As you probably know, he was the former Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion. He's just 26 years old. He's won his last six fights. He finished all six of them. And he was originally scheduled to fight Venetius Marrera on the July 15th car, which is this Wednesday. And Marrera is out. And full transparency, we have this conversation this past Friday before the opponent change was made. You don't really notice it too much in the

conversation, honestly, because most of the interview is about getting signed, this whole crazy year, when his debut was supposed to happen, et cetera. So we talk about Venetius a little tiny bit, but for the most part, it's about Modestis and his story to get here. So you're going to hear from Modestis Boccascus, one of the nicest fighters that you will ever hear from. He joins us ahead of his fight with fellow newcomer Andreas McElaitis from Greece. So that should be a fun fight. Leon Edwards is going to join us in around 25 minutes or so to talk. about everything that has happened since his scheduled main event fight with Tyrone Woodley got canceled in March due to the pandemic. His thoughts on the main event this weekend and just his

overall thoughts on where he stands right now in a very interesting and quite loaded welterweight division. But first, the main event this Saturday features the BMF champion. So I thought it would be appropriate to bring on the nicest MFER champion of the UFC. Stephen Wonderboy Thompson. In fact, Wonderboy was a good. the last guy to defeat Jorge Mazadol in the UFC. Did so at UFC 217 in November of 2017. A lot of 17s in there. And this happened at Madison Square Garden.

Wonderboy swept the scorecards. Mazadol had his moments, but it was a pretty one-sided win for Stephen Thompson. Plus, Mazadol said to ESPN earlier this week that if he beats Kamar Usman this Saturday, he has this kind of a short list of potential challengers. And one of the guys on that list was Stephen Thompson. So let's get his side and his perspective on everything going on for this Saturday and at 170 in general with Mr. Stephen Wonderboy Thompson. All right, we have Stephen Wonderboy Thompson back on the show. We have a big welterweight title fight coming up on Saturday.

So I figure let's bring on the very last man to defeat Jorge Mazadal before this meteor. Let's go. Meteorke rise up to face Kamar Usman this Saturday. Wonderboy, how are you, man? Good to see you. Doing good, man. Doing good. Yeah, man.

Just living life, bro. We got summertime. We got karate camps going on. So I'm up at 8 o'clock every morning. Don't get home until about 930 at night. So long days for me. And in training and stuff in and around all that. But it's feeling good, man.

Ready to rock a road. Ready for this weekend, for sure. I heard we were texting back and forth. There was a fierce Nerf battle going on. Is that accurate today? That is accurate. Yeah, we had Nerf wars going on at the karate school today. We had about 70 kids bringing the Nerf guns in.

We put up obstacle courses. it was insane. It was insane. So how is everything in South Carolina overall right now? We were talking a little bit off air about how Massachusetts is looking with the restrictions being lifted and the process of getting back to normalcy, at least the best that we can. What's South Carolina like right now? It's pretty much the same at this point. You know, for the longest, we were doing online classes.

We were kind of stuck with that. Kind of had to be a little, you know, innovative with that. We have about 750 students and they were still wanting to train. They couldn't come in the gym. So we just kind of weaned off of that. students are coming back into the gym. We got a 20,000 square foot facility, so we're allowed 120 people in the building, which is great.

We added more classes in throughout the day to kind of thin the crowds out. So I'm more busy now than I was before all this. But everything's getting back to normal. Everybody's ready to get back to where things were. You know, everybody's still, you know, being cautious, obviously. But, yeah, I mean, I'm just ready to think to get back to normal. There's 750 students there? Oh, yeah.

Good God. Yeah, that's amazing. Most of them are kids, man. We got them as young as three. I think our oldest is in her 70s. Still training, man. That's awesome. Never too old.

Never too old. That is amazing. So as you know by now, Stephen, this is your division. Gilbert Burns was supposed to fight for the belt this Saturday UFC 251. He's removed due to a positive COVID test. And it seemed like the UFC was just going to rebook this thing for August. maybe September, that, of course, wasn't the plan at all because discussions with Mazadol were already underway when we found out this news. And we know Mazadol is as game as they come and he'll

fight absolutely anybody. But with everything that's been happening with Mazadol talking about contracts, fighter pay, et cetera, a global freaking pandemic. Were you surprised the UFC pulled this rabbit out of their head at the 11th hour? Uh, was I surprised? No, man. Like, I knew. I figured, you know, you see Mazidol on social media. The guy's training. He was ready for something like this. He was ready for something like this.

I kind of had a feeling that it was kind of, something was going to go down. And, you know, Mazadol was going to have to step up and face him. But that's what they call him game bread. Man, the guy's ready at all times. You know, of course, everybody's saying, it is a last minute thing,

but the guy's been going through a training game. He's in shape. He's confident. And that's a big thing going into a fight like this. it's confidence and he's got a lot of especially after his last few fights you know

knocked out Darren Till Ben Ascran you know TKO Nate Diaz for the BMF belt and I would rather see this fight than the Burns fight to be honest

I would rather I think this is more exciting there's more beef I think everybody in the division except for me has beef with this guy you know Leon Edwards Leon Edwards

you know the three pieces in a soda of course Colby Covington you know Uzman, they about duked it out at, I forgot where it was. Super Bowl. Yeah, Super Bowl, that's right. So the guy's got beef with everybody.

But we have history, me and him. You know, he's the BMF. I'm the NMF. We fought, I was his last loss. So at this moment, especially after what he said in the Air Hawaiian interview, how he would like to defend the title against me, I'm rooting for him to win. You know, for him to win, obviously it would be a faster road to the title. for me. Either way, I'm not giving up on it. It's going to be a scrappy fight for sure.

You know, Mazadol definitely has the advantage in the stand-up area. He's faced some really good guys in division, good grapplers such as Damia Amaya. He, you know, he, he, and that was controversial. You know, that was a controversial loss, you know. I think Damia Maya had his back for a long period of time, but usually when Damia may takes your back, it's over. You know, so he fined him off with the best grapple in the division. So he's very,

he's been training with Bo Nichols, three-time Division I, All-American. So he's prepared, man. He's prepared himself. So I'm looking to see hopefully just a barn burner this Saturday between these two guys. Yeah, it'll be really interesting to see how it plays own in your fight with Mazdal.

It was November, 2017, Madison Square Garden, UFC 217, you get a unanimous decision. And let's be honest, Stephen, the fight wasn't even really a close fight. Like, you won all three rounds. You even got a 10-8 round in a third from one of the judges. And while you were dominant, and you ended up breaking your thumbs in that fight as well. But Mazadol is a different kind of cat.

No doubt about it. What were you able to take away from that fight in sharing the cage with a guy like Mazdahl for 15 minutes like that? Well, you're not going to break his spirit out there. Normally you'll see guys fade, especially when they're getting pieced up, you know. he's very good at taking damage after every fight you don't really see Mazved all messed up I don't remember I don't think I've ever seen him with a cut

you know I've never seen the guy banged up he takes damage very very well and you can't break his spirits out there and that's the thing that's going to be a big part in this fight you know first two or three rounds he may get taken down every round but but he's going to go out there with the same tenacity the same intensity as it did the first round

in the fifth round and that's how that's how Masvidal is. And he's got high-level striking. He's very good at adapting to opponents mid-fight, which is very rare. Most guys out there, you know, even at the highest level, they don't go out there and try and figure their opponent out or make changes. They just stick to the game plan, you know. But with high-level fighters, they're able to adapt mid-fight. And he can make those adjustments, which is which is a scary you know makes for a scary fighter for sure now who's been on the other hand you know he does one thing very very well and that's his wrestling he's he's he's he's aggressive he has got a tank gas tank for days and um you know he's very good at not winning

from his game plan he's a he's a high level wrestler obviously you know mhm a wrestler i think and is he going to stand there and bang like you did with Kobe Cumberton? No, not a chance. If he does, then, you know, I would be very surprised. But normally when he fights guys like Mazved al, he's going straight with the takedown. It just tries to try to lay on and control him on the ground, maybe get some, a few shots in here and there. But it could be a boring fight, but he's good at it. A win's a win.

Exactly. Get that extra paycheck. That fight with Mazadol is your first. fight in a year that wasn't with Tyrod Woodley. So it was a little bit of a change of pace for you, change of style as well. Did anything really surprise you in the Mazadal fight? Because, I mean, you looked really good. You had to kind of overcome some adversity to keep on going and have the performance that you had with the injuries. But did anything from Mazdaal surprise you at all? Not at all. Not at all. I mean, you know, he came, the first two rounds, you kind of stood in front

of me. I knew he had to knock me out in the third, so I knew he was going to come out a little more aggressive. But nothing, nothing really surprised me. Everything we prepared for in the gym, he did exactly what we thought he was going to do. I know when he's getting pieced up, he'll shoot every now and then. I think you try to take me down or maybe once or twice or acted like it. I don't see him doing that to Usman. He's going to try and keep the fight standing, but, you know, I fight high-level guys, strikers on a daily basis, you know, at our gym. You know, bring guys in. I go up to law and MMA, train with Chris Wyman, especially when it comes of the wrestling and striking.

You know, I got, you know, guys in my gym, Carl Reed, you know, John Sweeney, my brothers who are very good strikers as well. You know, you don't really see a whole lot of new stuff when you're used to sparring guys like this, you know, on a daily basis. So nothing really surprised me, just the fact that, you know, his attitude during the whole fight was the same. He's going to try and rip your head off. And most people, when you're out there and there and there,

They're getting dominated or they're getting beat. You see them that their confidence level drop, you know, slowly but surely, he wasn't that way. You know, and that's a, that means you've got to be on point at every second during the fight when you fight this guy. Because anything can happen. And I think now seeing his last few fights, he's got a few tricks up his sleeve, you know. He does more, he does things that you just wouldn't expect him to do. I think that's why he's landing these shots. You know, when he knocked out Darren Till, you know, that left hand came out of nowhere.

Of course, the flying knee hurt around the world. Nobody saw that coming. You know what I mean? He's a smart guy. So not only does he have confidence, he's got good striking, and now he's throwing things that you just don't see coming. And that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, uh, hard to prepare for, for sure. And now he's got this, like, newfound superstardom surrounding him as well. You mentioned the Till and the Diaz wins, and of course, the five-second knockout of Ben Ascran.

I mean, he had, after taking an entire year off after your fight, he had one of the most impactful years in the history of the sport. Ever. As a fighter and as a guy who watches all the fights, you're a fan as well, to watch what Mazadol did last year to break through after all these years in the sport. I mean, he's been fighting since 2003. And to become one of the biggest stars in the sport, what has that been like for you? I think that's awesome. That's inspirational to me. I love that.

I love to see a guy like that. And not a whole lot of people love to give praise to a guy like that, but he deserves it 100%. And it gives me confidence knowing that I was his last log, but lost lost. Now he's ranked higher than me. Now he's one of the most popular guys in the UFC. He's got 49 fights and finally gets a title shot. You know, he deserves every bit of it.

And he's not a fake guy. What you get is what you get with him. A lot of guys in the division, especially my division. and you see them talking crap and it's just fake. You know, I think you know who I'm talking about, Kobe Covington. But, yeah, what you get, he's like Diaz.

You know, that's him. And I can appreciate that. You know, I respect that. He doesn't change for anybody. And I think that's cool. I think he deserves every bit of it. It's inspirational, man. I know that, hey, maybe with a few good fights with me,

you know, I can get there, you know? So I think it's great. It seemed to me, like with Mazadol back then, he would fight because, you know, he's a fighter. But it seemed like in a way he almost like fell out of love with the sport and like everything that was attached to it. Like he took that time, went on that reality show. And then that wall sort of came down for him. He began to see things very clearly.

And martial arts has been a part of your entire life. He talked about how it's been through your family, your brothers, so forth and so on, your dad. But being in the sport with the swings of it all, has there ever been a point like in your career where you were like, why am I doing this? I'm just not in it anymore. And for me, I was kind of blessed when it actually happened. I've been fighting since I was 15 years old, having my first full contact fight. In the kickboxing world, it was, you know, you fight very consistently, almost every weekend. There's always a kickboxing tournament going on.

We were traveling all around, all over the world competing. And it got to the point to where I was just tired of them. I was burnt out. And I really didn't know how to tell my dad, you know, he's been with me every step of the way. and I didn't want to disappoint him. And I was fighting in the World Combat League at the time, fighting a guy named Raymond Daniels, and I ended up tearing every ligament in my left leg.

And like I said, it happened at a great time because I was out for three years, you know, with the knee injury and had to have several surgeries on it. It kind of rekindled that flame. And I think a lot had to do with my doctor telling me I would never fight again. that's what you told me you know and you know when people tell me that I can't do things it kind of pisses me off a little bit you know yeah I get pissed off guys wow I can't believe I

heard that word come out of your life certain things but yeah man it kind of rekindled that flame and and I didn't have to I didn't have to thank goodness I didn't have to tell my dad I didn't want to do it you know because I had rekindled that flame I was training with new people training with high level guys like GSP and you know they were kind of my inspiration to switch from kickboxing to MMA and man I've been you know I've been great ever since I've been in love with the game and love with the the you know I guess the the competition since then right and of course you got your ups and your downs but then it also plays it has you have to you have to keep a good circle of people around you to keep you focused, to keep you, to keep that flame going as well.

And I got a great team around me. And I think your approach of the game helps with that as well because, like, you know, you're, you are a fighter. You're in the UFC. You're in the biggest M.A promotion in the world. But like, you don't have to do this. Like, you do it for you. Like, this is just fun for you, right?

Yeah. Yeah. For me, I, you know, the money's a bonus. I just love to compete. Of course, it's, it gets to the point where it's like, you know, you get all the, the, the, the emotions when it comes into camp, you know, the stressful moments during camp, you get, you get nervous before the fight. And you do sometimes ask you like, what the heck? Why am I doing this, man? You know, right before you walk out. But then after every fight, either your hands are raised

or they're not, you realize, man, this is why I'm doing it, man. You know, just to hear the love of the crowd, the competitiveness of the sport, of our sport. And it's not like any other sport. It's not like baseball or hockey or or basketball when you can hide yourself or you know in the team. It's just you and your opponent. There's no hiding in this sport, you know. You know, my brother Tony played college football and he, you know, competed after it and he said there's nothing like it. You know, I would get nervous before a football game, but there's nothing like just you and one other guy and everybody watching all the eyes on you. And it's that adrenaline rush that you get.

And I think that's why you see a lot of these guys that retire, they can't stay retired. They miss it too much, you know? So that's why I want to do this as long as my body will let me. So that way, whenever I do retire at the age of 60, you know, I'll have no regrets, you know. Does your dad know that story now that you were almost done? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. You know, at that time, he knows it now.

And, of course, you know, he gives me the dad. talk. Listen, man, you know, if you don't ever want to do this again, now it's more, more frequent, you know, after a fight or before camp, hey, man, I don't want you to feel like you got to do this for me. If, you know, if you're in love with it, let's do it. If not, don't, no worries, man, I still love you. So, you know, Pops is being Pops, but he knows now, for sure. That's amazing. A couple more things where you go. I appreciate the time today. I know you're not like a big prediction guy. You're not, you know, you'll be rooting, you're publicly just said you're rooting for Mazadol just because of what he said. But

let's just say analytics perspective do you have an official wonderboy lean here on saturday night ozman i i i find ozman he's the bigger opponent he's the stronger opponent you know mazadal was eating a pizza i think on the flight this week on the way from what i saw on instagram you know on the way to the venue so you know he was normally a 1505er but just the pressure of ouzman and the relentlessness of ouzman is going to be very difficult to deal with. He's very hard to stray to get to stray from his game plan. He sticks to it, right?

And he's got this grind about him that's just unbeatable in this division, which is why he's champion. And you see him do this to opponent after opponent after opponent. So, I mean, I'm leaning towards Uzman, but I want Mazved al to win, if that's fair to say. Professionally, you want Mazin. Okay, yes. Yeah.

I mean, yeah. I mean, you have, how can you not say that? The guy said your name in an interview that like almost a million people have watched. Of course you're going to want him to do it. And the way, the way he's been fishing dudes, man, you never know. You know, like on paper, Ashton wins every time, right? But you saw what happens. Nobody thought that in a million years would he pull that off in five seconds.

So he's, you know, could happen this time. You never know. I think Mazadol's. like takedown defense game supremely underrated. Oh, 100%. I think he's got like, I think it's like 85%. You know, I think his takedown defense is like 85%. And man, it's very, very, very good.

Like I said, when you can fend off Damia in back position and not get submitted, your ground game is very underestimated for sure, underrated. So you'll be watching on Saturday night. Let's talk about you briefly before we let you go. How is that itch coming back right now? Are we talking about it? Well, we're not talking about it. We don't know who yet.

You know, I'm right number six. Got pushed back after the Tyron Woodland Gilbert Burns fight. Still looking to fight for the title. Don't know who yet because, you know, there was a lot of guys in the top five that had fights, you know, obviously Tyrant, obviously Burns. Leon Edwards has got some, I guess, personal things going on up where he's at, which is why I think they came to him to fight him first,

to fight and he just couldn't do it. So I'm not really sure what's going on there. But keeping my fingers crossed for this fight. Hopefully, Mazid all wins, we'll get a fight here pretty soon. If I got to fight one more guy before that, so be it. But, you know, I'm looking, I'm looking ahead. You know, my last guy that I fought, I think it was, you know, Luque, he was either ranked 12 or 14th. I'm not looking to fight a guy back there at this point, you know, in my career. You know, I'm not getting any younger. So I got a small window kind of I do kind of do what I want to do with where I'm going, and that's towards the title. I spoke with Leon right before I talk to you, he's saying August, September he wants to come back.

So maybe, you know, maybe. Maybe. Maybe. You never know. Especially in Mazda wins, you know. I know. I know. I know. Leon Edwards is a scary guy, man.

He's very good everywhere. He's improving his ground game tremendously. So that would be an exciting fight for sure. Absolutely. You're the man, Stephen. I know we got Nerf battles to prepare for. You got to show these kids who's boss. That's right.

That's right. No mercy with these kids. No mercy. Always a pleasure talking with you, my friend. Absolutely. I think you brighten all of our spirits, as always. And it's, you know, it was fascinating to get your insight on this big fight on Saturday night. Thanks again.

We'll definitely talk soon, man. Anytime, brother. You have a going. Always enjoy talking to Mr. Stephen Wonderboy Thompson and really enjoyed the perspective that he had on the fight and competing in a cage. with Mazadol, where he stands in the division, so forth and so on. And like he said, he's, he's a huge Jorge Mazidol fan right now. When you have the kind of clout that Mazadal has right now, and he wins, like, if he beats Kamar Usman and he has all that kind of power right now, Wonderboy could very well

be in that mix if GameBred does get the win on Saturday. But looking forward to seeing what's next for Stephen Thompson back in the octagon, whether it's for the title or on the way potentially back to the title. But speaking of the welterweight division, a question I see posed all the time when it comes to 170 pounds in the UFC, whether it's just on Twitter, people hitting me up, or, you know, just responses on articles written about the division. What about Leon Edwards? Or where is Leon Edwards? Well, he's right here on what the heck. So let's check in with the surging number four welterweight in the world.

Leon Rocky Edwards. All right, we have Leon Edwards joining the show. the number four ranked waterweight in the world. A lot going on at 170 pounds these days. So I wanted to get Rocky on the show to discuss things from his perspective. Leon, good to see you, man. How are you? I'm very well.

I shouldn't enjoy quarantine as much as possible. There you go. I mean, what a wild few months it's been for all of us, but especially for you. I mean, let's go back to March because you were supposed to fight Tyron Woodley before this pandemic really started to take shape. And this was a huge opportunity for you in a headliner spot. in London. And, you know, I know all this was out of your control, but how disappointing was that

for you to not get that fight after going through a training camp and the whole buildup and all that stuff? It was heartbreaking. That's probably the best way to describe it. And to tell our opportunity to head on my home country, that's like one of my dreams. And I mean, sometimes I've taken away from me within a week of the fight. It was very devastating. But either it is, nothing could do.

Corona took over. shut everything down, so it's all good. And they tried to salvage that fight in some way around the same time frame, right? I mean, it probably wouldn't have happened anyways, but, you know, you have other things going on. Like, you're not just a fighter. You know, you and your team are parents and have other things going on. So it was almost impossible to get this thing done, even if they were to pull a rabbit out of the hat, right? Yeah, for sure.

Could it, there was, oh, let's go to London on the Sunday, the same day. So if I'm on the Sunday, at 9 o'clock, 9 a.m. said, no, the fire's been cancelled, and you need to get to London. For me, from here to London, it's two hours, right? So I said, oh, you fly at 11 o'clock. I thought, what? Nothing that's not ever possible for me to get to London, get my team together, get to London in two hours and to fly, you know what I mean?

And so I'm happy I didn't go to London because on the Monday or the Tuesday, the fight cancelled anyway. So would have been stuck in America somewhere with no fight and don't have come back into the UK or not. So it worked out for the best probably. Yeah, I agree with that. What has life been like for you since then? Like, I know you were still training, still getting some work in, however you could do so.

But, you know, how have you dealt with all of this since the card was postponed? I've just been trying to stay active. I've been getting my coaches to my, come to my house, doing padwork, strength condition, and got like a little gym set up. That's what I did, really. As far as training goes, apart from that, I've been chilling with my family. And spending time of my family and enjoying family time, really. Gilbert Burns ended up stepping in and getting that fight with Tyron Woodley

and he dominated the former champion for five rounds and then earned himself a title shot to boot. What was that like for you, the original opponent for Tyrant, to watch that all play out? I was watching thinking, fuck. I knew that that was going to happen. I mean, I knew leading up to London that I was going to dominate him. You know what I mean?

To see Gilbert go out there and basically did what I was going to do plus worse. I was going to do worse to him. Like I said, it's just heartbreaking in it, because I know I would have done that plus more. You know what I mean? So it took my work and is there it is. Of course, UFC 251 is going down on Saturday. It's Kamara Uzman now defending against your good buddy Jorge Mazadol.

And Burns was, you know, he was in that slot. But reports came out that before Burns was the guy. And I think you confirmed it yourself on Twitter that the UFC called you to take that fight before Burns was actually slotted in there. Can you talk about what happened there with the call and why it didn't ultimately come together? So the phone, I gave me four weeks notice, right? But I haven't trained since March. So the phone has said, could I be ready to fight Kamara in 11th of July? But they wouldn't come where it was at the time.

So I don't know if it was in America or where it was because it's a fire island. So they found me, but obviously, I suppose my coach is I said that it's best been possible for me to get into the gym to get training partners and to have like a short camp you know what I mean so it wasn't impossible it was impossible now for for me to have the fight but here's a list um then get burns opportunity um and he got ill so coronavirus been fucking a fucking of everything it's unbelievable fucking everything but it's all good um i'm watching this weekend closely and i'll love to fight the winner of um i um even man because i got history both men right so i'll love to fight either man.

Because you've been, like, you've been on such a tear in this division. You've won eight in a row. You dominated Hafield-Ossand just in your last fight. I mean, you want that title. And what's interesting about you is, like, any show I've been on or any show that I've hosted, everyone will say, like, Leon Edwards is like the most forgotten piece to this Walterway puzzle, but in like the most respectful way possible. Was that opportunity to fight Usman on the island?

I mean, you didn't even know where it was, but was that kind of a tough pill to swallow to just have to turn that down or just one of those, you know, everything? capital reasons type of things. It was hard. I was trying to come with the coach. It was no way

we can get like a cat like a little camp together and too to do it and nobody was willing to risk the gym you know what I mean

because if you do get caught training in the gym you get big fine and shit and it was impossible to do it so it was a tough people to solo but I truly believe

I'll have a football this year so we'll pass them in July but we'll get that down the line if watching Gilbert Burns fight Tyron Woodley stung a little bit.

I'm sure seeing Jorge Mazadol fight for the title on Saturday, that's going to suck for you, isn't not? That's like another one of that. I mean, it's, well, there it is. He's been preparing there for Usman for the last two to three months, right? Because he was meant to fight Usman anyway

in July. So I think Usman is going in there probably less prepared, probably, because he's been preparing for two people, which Mars is preparing for one person. So it would be an interesting night of fights to see. It plays out. I spoke with Colby Covington the other day, and he believes that Kamar Usman is going to

quote, ragdoll and bodybag Jorge Mazin on Saturday night. How do you see that fight play now? Do you agree with Colby, or do you think it's much more competitive fight than he thinks? I think he's got like a puncher's chance. I think the more technical better fire is Usman. He got more better wrestling. He's bigger, stronger. better cardio. So I think Usman should get it done. But like I said,

muscle got punches chance, right? It can come out there and look like look at it to Ben. Even though Usman and Ben is two different people, but you never know. In terms of your title aspirations, because you said you would love to fight the winner. And I think a lot of people would love to see that happen. But I think the way it's kind of

looks right now, and I don't know what I'm talking about, but if Usman wins, they'll probably go back to Burns. And if Mazadol wins, it likely becomes a circus at 170 pounds. At least that's my take on it. Are you hoping for, like, your future's sake that a certain guy wins on Saturday to, I guess, make your path to the title a little bit shorter? Yeah, I'll probably like Usman to win, like you said, because the Masler wins. Calling out fucking Diaz is calling out Thompson.

Like, random people that's not even the top five. You know what I mean? So I can't imagine if it does win about what is going to do with it. So probably if it was a win, I feel that I will probably fight was been overbens because, like I said, it was my fight first. then we both got held back with the coronavirus, you know what I mean? So want to put me in there. We've got his street. I'm on the most following streak in the division.

So let's slide me in there and go from there. Have you and your team been told that, you know, one way or the other that you're next in line? Do you know how that's going to play out at this point? A little bit. I think everyone's waiting to see what happens in the weekend. That's what basically over from the UFC. They're trying to see what happens this weekend. Then go from there in the division because this.

The division now has been stuck now for a while, right? So it's good to get a little bit of flow in. Let's see what I happen if you can and go, we'll go from there. I mean, you certainly have the resume for a title shot. You have the long winning streak. It's super impressive. So what's like your realistic mindset right now with getting to the belt? Are you prepared to fight once more, twice more?

Or like, how do you think it realistically will play out? Uh-huh. I don't know. I see them coming back, probably saying, if you and Gilbert want to fight, one fight for the title, why not you fight a shot for number one contender spot, and then fight for the title, you know what I mean? Like, I can see that happening.

Oh, I can see like me getting title shots straight away or vice versa. So what I think they'll do, though, I'll probably try to come with like one more probably before the title shot. And then go from there. But I'll be up for that if it's guaranteed title shot next. Who would make, I mean, Burns seems very likely. I think that actually makes a whole lot of sense. It obviously depends on who wins on Saturday night. but, you know, there's Colby there, but he is who he is, so that might be a tough one to get.

There's Woodley, but he's lost two straight at this point. There's Wonder Boys coming off a good win in his last fight. What actually excites you in this division outside of fighting for the title right now? The number one contendous spot, right, which is the Brazilian, so probably, yeah, probably. He's right number one. He dominated the guy I'm meant to dominate, so that's probably him, probably. Are you willing to take a different fight if it's offered to you? as long, but it has to have the attachment of a title shot after, right?

Yeah, 100%. That's a been in contract that I'm guaranteed a title shot. There's no way I'm going to nine, ten fights without fighting for the title. You know what I mean? So anyone above me, really, Kobe. I don't like him. I think he's a little weasel, so he'd be a good fight as well. Yeah, anyone above me, really, any of them two above me can get the smoke.

So either all. What's so weird to me, Leon, and I don't know if you've seen this, but I'm a storyline guy when it comes to fights. Like, I look for storylines in every card to just be a positive thinker. I can't believe more people aren't throwing their, you know, their persistence towards you fighting Mazadol. Like, there's such a story there. Like, how does everybody not want to see this fight?

I don't understand it. I don't know. It's bad because even when it happened, I was like calling for the fight. But Mazda was like, I don't want to fight, blah, blah, blah, and talking shit. You know, it is a weird thing. Like I said, I lost storylines, and it's a perfect build up. I want to kill him. He wants to kill me, and that's it.

You know what I mean? He's a perfect line to have a big fight. So let's see what happened this weekend. If he doesn't get to win, let's see how he goes on. Why do you think he doesn't say your name in this list of guys? The man is aware, though. I think he knows that he knows he'll be him. I mean, I think it's the same with Usman as well.

He knows that Usman is going to be him. He's a top five for him. I think he's called him Nate Diaz and Wonderboys that all strikers. and all like past it, you know what I mean? You know what I mean? So, I don't know. Like, Wonderball are knocked up by a lightweight. And Diaz is, yes, Dias is Dias.

You know what I mean? It's a durable, but it's not a world champion. Everyone knows that. You know what I mean? And that's his facts. When are you thinking time frame-wise that you'd like to get back? Like, that's obviously a lot of factors in play for sure. But if we're up to you,

when would you like to get back in there and fight again? Like August, early September. I heard of go back Abidabie in September. I'm hearing, so we probably do that, probably. Can you fly to the States at all and come back? Like, what's that like? Because I know Dan Hooker had, didn't have a lot of issues going there, but he had a quarantine for 14 days once he got back.

He couldn't be around his kids or anything like that. I don't know. I don't know. I don't, I think we should be able to fly to the States. But I think there was quarantine when we won't get back before, like Dan Hooker, like what he did. But I feel we can go, I think, I don't know, but I feel we can go to the States. All right. Well, there's a lot of cards filling up, so it won't like, there's plenty of slots. And who wouldn't want Leon Edwards to slot in one of these cards? But one of the things that you've been doing, and I was talking to your team about this a little bit, is that you've been raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement. And it's been a crazy year here in the United States with the pandemic. And then on top of that, you had the police brutality, racial inequality. And I guess that message of hope is starting to get displayed around the world. And we've seen folks like yourself, Israel, Adasania, John Jones, Devin Clark, and others do their part, use the platform, you know, for this movement, which should be very much commended.

And I think we can both agree that we are a ways away from getting to where we need to be. But what is the movement been like over these last several weeks in your neck of the woods? Probably the same in America. Sorry, do you hear me? Yeah. Yeah, probably the same like in the States. We've been protesting, marching and trying our best to do it in a positive way, you know what I mean, and to shed light on the situation of what's going on in the world for black minorities, you know what I mean. So we've been trying.

We've been pushing it, but we've been doing it for many, many years. And so let's see. And I've also been started to try to resolve with me, Darren Till and Jim Emanuel for knife crimes, because especially in the year, we've got like a big knife crime. in the UK. So we're looking to start charity at the moment. And so I'm focusing my time on that and also helping with the Black Last Mountain BMMet as well. So you've been able to keep busy and do that. How far away do you think from the charity being officially launched at this point? Well, we're in talks now with politicians and stuff. So it's close. It's not far away. I mean, I know that I'm getting rid of for a fight. So we're probably kind of waiting for him as I'm

Apart from that, it's good because this deal was like a big close to my heart. You know, me and my friend got killed literally two weeks ago. Got stabbed and died two weeks ago. So this is one of my main focus right now is to try and push that and try and help that and try to bring awareness around knife crime in the UK as well because it's a big, big thing, man. Yeah, I'm sorry to hear that. Has things improved it all over the last several weeks, or are we still kind of at square one here with the knife crimes?

Um, it's improving as far as like getting the charge of starting and what we need to do and what we, what we got planned and who we need to connect with. It's improving that way and it's moving forward in that way. But we haven't really made no, like I said, no big difference yet because we're just starting out and it was trying to see what's the best option and the best ways to go about it. I have a seven-year-old who's playing right across the room here. And my message to him about this chaotic world that we live in is just be nice. treat people the way you want to be treated. I mean, it's cliche as hell, but, you know, he doesn't understand what is happening out there right now. So what do we all need to do better, in your opinion, to try and make sure that things like we're experiencing in our different

parts of the world, maybe not don't happen again because I think that's impossible to say, but at least not happen as often as they are now. It's probably the same as you, because I'm in the same situation as you. I got seven years, seven years as well i'm a little boy um so same thing really is trying to be treat people how you want to be treated um respect everybody does nothing martial arts is good because it teaches you all this you know i mean to respect different races different sizes as matter what what a person is you respect him you treat you're true you're nice and how you want to be treated as a person and and that's it i think all to start and the parents as well that starts from home as well

right you put that into your kid um so it does go into the world um um When it goes into the world, you can be a better human being and be a better man or a better woman. You know what I mean? So that starts at home in the gym to carry it on. How is your 7-year-old dealing with the quarantine life? Is he losing his mind like minus? He's loving it. He's playing like Fortnite.

He's loving it. No school or nothing. He's all right. He's all good. Just keeping busy and trying to do stuff with him is hard. Yeah. Kids for days and they never get tired. So it's all good.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for my kid to get back to school, man. It's like having two full-time jobs, man. It's hard work. It's great, though. Yeah, I love it. I love it. But it's like I said, too much energy. So we want to chill to like, oh, let's do something.

So it's all good. I love it. I mean, too. You know, it's got to be tough, like, speaking out about some of these things right now. Because I know just seeing from YouTube comments from people, when I've spoken with guys like Devin Clark and Kamaworthy and others, and we talked with this, people complain about it. Like, and I can't really understand why they feel that way, but especially in the MMA

space, fans can be really fickle and difficult sometimes. Does it make it a little more difficult to speak your mind about some of these subjects because of how people react to these different things? Nah, not all. Right, right, right? Oh, yeah. That right is right, like, wrong is wrong and that's it. It doesn't matter.

Like, for me, I don't really care about fans like a difference. like agreeing with me or not. I want a better world for my son to grow up in. I don't want to go through the same things I'm going through. Or what other black men are going through in the world? I mean, when he's like my 28, 30 and a grown man. So if I can do anything to change one person life or one person way of thinking for a better world for my son,

then that's how I'll do and that's what I'll keep doing. I appreciate you sharing all this, Leon. Last thing for me before you let you go, I know you've been running through interviews for the last, like, a couple hours here. But, you know, although... For the best one. Oh, well, thank you very much. You know, we're shooting the breeze here, Leon. That's what's all about.

It's been a while. The last time I spoke with you, actually, now that I think about it is right before the Soroni fight. We did, like, a phone interview, and I probably blended in with, like, 20 other interviews in that day as well. That's probably the best one, man, for sure. You're actually, like, good topics and good, good conversations are all good. There we go. So when we talk about like this road to the title, because it hasn't been ideal to say the least, but once you get there and once Dana White someday wraps that title around your waist, it's going to be much more sweeter overall because the road was less traveled, much more difficult to get there because you've had to learn, you've had to have learned so much about yourself through all this more so than other guys who have had more of a faster track to the gold. You know what I mean? Yeah, for sure 100%.

Once you wrote it around my waist, it's going to be like a dream come true. You know what I mean? And to prove to other people, you can be yourself and still achieve greatness. You know what I mean? That's what I'm doing. I'm being myself.

I'm doing me and I'm still winning. I'm still achieving greatness, you know what I mean? And we don't have to like put on like one big act to be, to achieve much in the MMA. So, yeah, that's part of my story, really, just to show others that be yourself, do you, and keep winning. the card that deny winners, so just keep doing your thing.

Yeah, so when the Leon Edwards movie comes out about you getting to the title finally, it's going to be a great story overall. It's not just you getting in there, winning the bell, and defending it. Like, you had to climb some hurdles to get there, man, right? Exactly. I love it. I embarrass my journey. At the start, I was like, kind of like, oh, why not me, blah, blah, blah.

But now I have grown to love my journey and to appreciate it for what I am doing. And I'm 28 years old. I'm still young. and everyone above me, like, in the 30s, 35, 36, 34, I am 28, I am younger, and I keep doing my thing and keep winning. You're obviously a very patient man to act like this and be very much like this. It's hard, I bet, right? It's hard, but like I said, I got a faith in myself, and I know I'll be a world champion,

you know what I mean? So, is it is. Have you always been that way? Have you always been, like, a really patient guy? Not really, not really. I think we would, like, I'm a career, fucking. force me into it. I'm in patience and just like,

just learning through life, right? You have to have to be patient to get to you and you can't rush you, rush you fall over. That's a mom told me, so if you rush your trip, so it's all good. There you go. Well said, Leon. I appreciate the time very much.

Enjoy watching the fights on Saturday. I know it's going to be kind of bittersweet for you, but maybe you'll be scouting your next opponent, maybe in September or whenever. So I hope you get that shot, man. Honestly, like, you deserve it. It's definitely an unfortunate situation that Leon Edwards is in, but like he said, he's been growing, going to continue to grow

from everything that's going on. I think he's handling it all pretty damn well and in stride, and he believes his time to fight for the belt will come, and, you know, he may need one more win to get him there, and he understands that. But personally, I think the road might be a little bit longer. I think if Usman wins, it'll be a little bit shorter, but if Mazadol wins, could be a while, honestly, before Leon Edwards fights for the belt unless he can somehow convince Mazadol that that's a big money fight. But just an interesting spot for him. So a big thank you to Leon Rocky Edwards for joining the show

and for the kind words throughout that conversation. We're going to stick in the European section of the globe right now because joining us is the former Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion, Modestis Bukascus. Now, he signed with the UFC several months ago. and on Wednesday, he will make his UFC debut against Andreas Mikhailitis, who's a newcomer from Greece, and I don't know if I pronounce that name right or not. I feel like I did.

I'm pretty good with these pronunciations, but I could be wrong, and if I am, you'll probably tell me that I'm wrong anyways. But again, just to preface this whole thing, we did have this conversation last Friday. Modestis was still scheduled to fight Venetius Marrera on Fight Island, but as Max Holloway always says, it is what it is. So let's get to that chat with Modestis Bacoscus right now. All right, we have the former Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion, Modestus Bacoscus, joining the show. He will make his UFC debut on July 15th, taking on Venetius Marrera.

It is on to fight island, Modestis. How are you? Yeah, doing very well. Thank you, mate. How are you doing? I'm doing great. You and I, we've been having these chats for a little while now, wondering when this call from the UFC would come your way.

it has finally come for you. But from what I understand, the call actually came a while ago, right, before all the COVID chaos began? Yeah, yeah. Actually, it's funny because not to say that it was like an extremely stressful time. But, you know, there was a point where we, you know, me and my manager were trying to figure out, you know, what was next. Because, you know, we thought that we may potentially get on last minute on the Copenhagen card just because, you know, they were looking at Hamlet so strongly to be on that card that I sort of, you know, knit to nitty. the button took to you know took that spot so uh you know we thought that i might be able to get on that and then when that didn't happen that's when we defended the title then when we defended the title

uh it was sort of like up in the air like do we want to fight in cage warriors again like you know what's going to happen next and what would be the best route towards the ufc and you know initially i had loads of talks from my manager we were actually thinking to go to the contender series uh that was like the the main thing because we're thinking well that's like the the straight route now you know what i mean like defending a title weren't really do much for my for my my stock as opposed to you know you're going to contend a series and press there and then uh yeah obviously you know he had talks with the matchmakers and stuff like that and then uh yeah i work like i literally you know if i drink a lot of war you know about six liters a day you know you know how it goes and the

next thing you know i'm waking up in the middle of the night to take a pee and then uh yeah i look at my phone it's like three in the morning and i see i've had like five missed calls from a manager and usually he doesn't call me unless it's something like really important but again i had no literally had no thought that he could possibly say anything to do with the UFC. I thought, oh, okay, he might need some information or whatever. I'll completely clueless. And then next thing you know, he goes, how are you doing? I'm like, three in the morning, you know, I've been all right, a bit sore from training,

this and that, you know, me being a bit of a Debbie Downer, as it were. And then next thing you know, he goes, Modessa, how do you feel about fighting in the UFC? And I was, like, literally my face just dropped. I was like, I mean, are you for real? like, do I mean, I must have said like, wow, probably about, you know, for like the next seven minutes. I was literally speechless. So, yeah, and that happened like pretty much just a bit just at the beginning of the year.

So on like the fifth of Jan or six of Jan or something. And then, and then we finally announced it properly on the on the 16th of January. So, yeah, man, so it was already known. I mean, there was a lot of talks as well that, you know, a lot of people were messaging me said, oh, you're going to be on the London card and this and that. And to be honest, that wasn't their decision. I already knew ages ago that I would not be fighting on that, unless there was like, again, a last minute thing.

But they were sort of planning something for the summer. So then, after that, I got signed for a fight on May 16th against Vinicius Marrera. And it was in San Diego. It would have been, you know, like I say, my American debut, which I was very excited for and stuff like that. And then next thing, you know, just as we signed the contracts, everything was going through,

this whole bloody pandemic situation came about and then you know that stuff that that sort of uh that whole thing happening but at the end of the day you couldn't really ask for much of a better replacement than yars island and abu dabu for a debut on a historic event where you know he literally had to go completely out of the way to be able to make it happen so you know you've got to give massive credit to dania white the big boss for you know persevering and overcoming these these terrible situations but yeah it's crazy to be finally in the ufc and like i say i'm ready to show the world I'm made of. Yeah, I had heard,

I, I heard Venetius was sort of always the, the, the debut opponent. I'd heard a lot of different dates. I even heard that, the, the Brasilia card was,

was a possibility to have this fight or sometime in March. I don't know. Was the May 16th one, like the first real date that came your way? Yeah, that was the first date. Like,

I remember my manager, then he messaged me, and he said, yeah, so it's been confirmed May 16th. That was literally the only date that I heard of. I mean,

To be honest, like I said, there was a bit of speculation. I thought, you know, maybe April, maybe May, like, you know, I had no idea, but that was the only date that I had pretty much been, been communicated to me. Yeah, because we've seen, and you're kind of in a different situation. I think you and, like, Manel Cape are, like, two guys that are in totally different situations than everybody else because we've seen so many, so many fighters get the call over the years. And, you know, even over the last couple months, I get short notice fights for, like, a month later, a couple weeks, and we've seen recently even like a couple days, yours has been quite different.

You know, what has that been like for you to get that call, put pen to paper on a USC contract, but then have to wait it out for so long for the actual debut to happen? I'm actually very glad that I got signed the way I did and at the time that I did. Because, I mean, really, you couldn't have asked for any better timing than that right as the pandemic was going on. You know, there was a load of uncertainty about a contended series even happening and this and that. So, you know, to get signed, I mean, listen, from what I, from what I know, like, there's only about five guys that got signed the way I did last year. I mean, the rest of them

were from the contender series. And this year, I mean, you know, apart from another, like, heavyweight guy and obviously manual cape and stuff like that, like, you know, you don't hear of many guys getting just signed just, you know, out the blue to, to a contract. Like I said, like you said, you know, most of them get signed last minute. And that's what, you know, really, it's always sort of expected now. Like, you know, if there's a last minute call up, that's where that's the prime time for guys to get signed all the contenders series. So, you know, to get something like that, you know,

shows that, you know, like I say, I feel very privileged and honored that I've got signed like that because it shows that they do have interest in me and they, you know, they've been what, I mean, listen, I saw that, you know, Mick Maynard, you know, shout out to him. He reposted my finish from Night of Champions on his personal page. So already from there, I knew that they were probably looking at me and stuff. And obviously I didn't want to get my hopes too high, but I was like, listen, we're going to the right direction. We know what's coming up next.

So, I mean, and listen, at the end of the day, the fact that I knew that it was going to happen at some point, I was just very happy. Even my dad was very happy that we just had more time to improve. The longer they leave it, the worse it gets for these guys. You know, a lot of times you see a lot of fighters stay stagnant. They don't improve. They don't level up.

And I feel like I'm leveling up every single time. It doesn't matter how, like, I always find different ways to sort of level up and get better. And like I say, as time goes on, it just gets even worse for everybody. So I'm actually very thankful that I've had, you know, even an extended amount of time to fully prepare, get more, you know, get more in my skill set, in my cardio and, you know, work on myself. So, you know, it's, listen, when you're in the UFC and then, you know, like the fight comes about, there's always that excitement. And, you know, like I say, you've always got that inspiration because now you're there. And there's no worry of, you know, like I still need to get signed. It's like, I'm already signed.

That's fine. I know it will come. It's just all in good time. I think it's just keeping a good outlook, a good positive mindset. And yeah, like I say, when you're signing, even people talking and, you know, this or that, it just keeps you in good graces. And yeah, like I said, I'm very thankful for being given the opportunity so early in the year. I was going to say, if there's one fighter who is going to use this extra time to their advantage,

it was going to be you. how have you sort of navigated the waters in your neck of the woods with the pandemic and everything has it been I don't know what the restrictions were like over there were you still able to I'm sure you were able to find ways however you can do it to get working but what has that been like for you as you're trying to get ready and improve your skill set well at the end of the day I'm again I'm very blessed to have a lot of a lot of amazing opportunities set in front of me like you know my dad built with gym about two years I think it must have been over two years ago now in my back garden. We used to have this old flimsy summer house, you know, with the walls basically, every time the wind blew,

like you were afraid it was going to, like, topple over. And, you know, next thing you know, we build like a proper, like, legitimate gym, you know, noise canceled and, and all that kind of stuff. And then your head coach is living in the room right next to you. When you add those two together, I mean,

that's really a combination for you're never going to be able to stop training, even if you really wanted to, do you what I mean? And like I said, my dad never really has to, like, push me or anything like that. like, I want this and, you know, he wants me to want this as well. But, you know, it's good we can collaborate on training, uh, whenever we're doing.

Like nothing really much changed because we always train every day. We always do strength and condition and whenever we need to. So, you know, and I was able to drill a lot more with my dad. I mean, you know, like I say, I know it will get to a point where he can't do all these movements anymore. But, you know, the fact that he's been, you know, putting himself on the line just to help me is is absolutely amazing, which is why obviously I want to go out and make him proud and then, you know, be able to help him out.

you know, as, as time goes on. But, yeah, at the beginning, like, you know, the sessions where I'd have, like, the skill-based sessions, either I'll drill a little bit more with my dad or I'll go and run. So really, I was just building up the gas tank, building up the cardio, getting it ready to be able, like I said, we've already go five rounds. I mean, I know I'm only going three rounds now, but, you know, I want to be able to go and really put the pace on people.

And then as, you know, restrictions lowered and sort of bending the rules a little bit, I guess you could say, you know, I bought, like, the good, thing is when you've got a gym at home, you can just bring training partners to see a house. So, you know, I've got the training, training partners down to my house. We're able to train. So really this pandemic, nothing's changed. Actually, if anything, it's been even better because in normal sessions, like, you know, when you go like your jihitsu, you're resting and this and that, you're at the helm of the

coach, like the coach sort of navigates what you're going to be training, what you're going to be doing. And at the end day, it's absolutely amazing because it's a skill building sort of, those are skill building sessions. You're sort of improving your overall knowledge, but it's not necessarily. necessarily specific to what I want to sort of learn or if I want to go over something. So I was then able to like, you know, have everything's now been a lot more specific to me. Guys are, this is what I'm very grateful. I'm very thankful for my training partners.

They're doing everything they can possible just to make me better. And obviously, you know, through them trying to make me better and then makes them better. So overall, it's just a collective, you know, a team effort. Do you what I'm saying? So like I said, everything being more specific to me means that I feel like my skill set has really evolved. in those areas where I felt I was weaker. So, you know, I've been able to do that and drill more and go over the moves that I wasn't able to go to before.

I mean, like I said, if anything, I think the quarantine has made my, you know, has altered my training in a positive way as opposed to a negative where, you know, maybe other fighters haven't been, you know, had access to those facilities or anything like that. So, yeah, man, like I say, and as restrictions lowered now, like I say, it's the best trainer I could possibly have. Does it feel like you're a UFC fighter right now? all things considered, or do you have to make that walk and sort of get that first one out of the way before that feels real to you?

Well, listen, I've been visualizing that moment, you know, for ages. Like, if you're going to imagine you've got all these months to even think about it to even, like, see it happening. But, like, it's good because I like to, I like to see the arena. I like to, like, you know, on pictures at least so that when I'm like, you know, sitting there and thinking about it in my head, I can see it all perfectly and clearly. But yeah, now, mate, I've always been, I've always been feeling like, I've been, like for the last five months,

I've been feeling like I've been walking to the cage like every single day with them UFC gloves, the Reebok stuff. And, you know, so I think the more you get climatize it into your mind, at the end of the day, this is just now, this is where I wanted to be. Like, the fact that this is what I believe to be my next natural progression, my next step,

and this is where I felt like this is where my career would really start going. Like, this is where all the exciting stuff happens. This is where you can really make good money. This is where you can really, like, make a name for yourself, I was excited for that. This is now where the career really begins. Everything leading up to that was just to get to this point and now it's the right, really make an impact. This is where you can do it because it's the biggest bloody, you know, fighting organization in the world. So you can't really ask for better. So, you know, as soon as I

got signed and I felt like, obviously it felt surreal at the beginning, but now I'm like, well, this is what I've been wanting this whole time. So at the end of the day, I embrace pressure. I embrace crazy situations. So when I know, when I struck, up them gloves and I'm walking out to the cage. This is it. This is my life. This is what I've been wanting. So I enjoy it.

I embrace it. And yeah, I can't wait to go and put on a show. It's a good thing you embrace the crazy because this is exactly what's happening for you in your debut. And I'm curious because I know how it works here in the States for the American fighters. Like the fight island travel has been laid out pretty specifically. Like they're going to fly to Las Vegas in the next couple of days.

They're going to get tested, quarantine for 48 hours. Then they're going to hop on a charter to Abu Dhabi get tested again. and then more things are put in place to make sure everyone is safe as possible. What is that like for you? How is that going to work? What's sort of the checkpoint for you? And then what happens from there? It's exactly the same.

It's exactly the same as for the American fighters, except I believe all of the fighters are from similar areas. So, you know, all the guys from Britain will be leaving from one airport. All the guys from Brazil are going to be leaving from one airport. All the guys from Russia are going to be leaving from. So everyone's going to be leaving. I think there's four main hub cities that they're all leaving from. and obviously Marwan's going to be London.

I'm lucky I'm the closest one to the airport. I think I'm like a 20 minute drive from the airport, which is nice. But I think like all the other fighters are from Liverpool and, you know, up north. So, yeah, I know it's going to be a bit from Wales and stuff like. So I know that's going to be a bit more of a long journey for those guys. But yeah, it's exactly the same. We have to be 48 hours before we fly. We have to arrive to get COVID tested, wait for our results.

You know, you go on the plane by charter. you get over there, you get tested again, you have to be quarantined, like, they're taking this stuff seriously. I mean, there was a lot of speculation about, oh, how is it going to work, or guys going to be tested, is this dangerous and this and that? And then at the end of the day, they've been doing an absolutely amazing job. The first time they were trying to just fuel the waters and see how it would go, and now they put a proper system in place.

So, you know, like I say, I couldn't be happy with the way that the UFC's organ. They're doing it very professionally, as you'd expect from, you know, a multi, probably billion dollar company. Do I mean? They're doing everything right. They're doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of their fighters, which is absolutely amazing. Like I said, couldn't really ask for better. Is there much of a time difference between where you're at now to the time in Abu Dhabi? Like in the States, it's like six or seven hours ahead. So in comparison, while these fights would happen at like 10, 10 a.m. Eastern time for a lot of these East Coast fighters, they're going to be kicking off these cards at like 3 a.m. Eastern time in the United States over in Abu Dhabi. Like, is there much of a time

difference for you? Yeah. So from what I understand, it's free, so they're three hours ahead of us, like in just general time. So, uh, and obviously they've had to cater the, uh, the Abu Dhabi time frame to American fans. So from what I, from what I understand, the, the shows will be starting at like 7 p.m. Eastern time in the US on the Wednesday, but we're actually going to be fighting on the Thursday. So it would already be Thursday. So it would already be Thursday. So it's like, I think my flight should be probably around 2 a.m. in the morning, UK time, which means that in Abu Dhabi, it will be around 5 a.m. I mean, that's going to be a whole other experience in itself.

Bloody fighting at 5 o'clock in the morning. I mean, you know, I think the time difference in terms of having three hours is really not going to make that much of a difference. I don't think jet lags are even really play a part in it. But obviously, I'm going to have to climatize myself to get up and ready to go at 4 o'clock, ready to go in and do the business. So, you know, obviously there's going to be a bit of, you know, climatization in terms of, you know, time frame of when the fight is going to be because I'm usually, you know, I've been used to find at 11 o'clock at night and stuff of that, especially my last couple of fights. But now it's going to be, you know, five o'clock in the morning. So I know

it's going to be a bit of crazy. And even the wayings are going to be later. So, you know, to cater to that. So everything's going to be a little bit different. So sort of, I guess you say a little bit chaotic but in a good way. It's nice to have an experience where things are a little bit different because like I said, it's going to be remembered. This whole event is going to be remembered when you look back in the history books. So yeah, to go out and make an absolute statement and do it with spectacular fashion is exactly what I'm going to go out there and do. I'm curious, Modestis, because we're all hearing about this majestic, mysterious fight island and all of us are imagining beaches and tiki torches and Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses and like, you know,

sun tan lotion on the nose. Turns out it's, it's Yaz Island in Abu Dhabi. And I'm sure you're pumped and I know you're excited to be part of like a historical series of events here. But we're like, hmm, this is this is not as cool as I expected it to be. This, I thought we were going to see something like old school bodog fights. I mean, listen, I don't know if you saw the like the videos that they released by Dana White or the, just like the construction of Yars Island and stuff like that. I mean, listen, it looks pretty damn cool. Like everything that they're doing, all the infrastructure that they're doing themselves,

they've all built it from scratch. They made like a massive arena for it and everything. Like, it's absolutely amazing. I mean, yes, of course, the fantasy type deal is, oh, it's on a beach, you know, like, like you said, like, you know, with a whole sort of, but in reality, like, yeah, you think of it like that. And yeah, it sounds like really good on paper. But when you think of it from a industrial sort of standpoint, you're thinking, well, how they're going to, you know, in 40 degree heat, how the hell are they going to put the, you know, make it so that the, that the temperature is not too bad. How are they going to do it to, you know, on a remote island, be able to build everything from scratch. Clearly, they needed to have some sort of infrastructure already there so they can

sort of just build upon that. So there's a lot of things. Obviously, it sounded really amazing, you know, just a sort of dream about it and stuff like that. But, you know, at the end of the day, you sort of got look at things, I guess, I guess realistically. I think at the beginning, everyone's like, oh, this is going to be. But I think it's still just as cool. I mean, listen, the fact that he's renting out that particular space, which is still secluded from everywhere else, he's building external stuff on top of it just to cater to the fighters themselves is absolutely

amazing. I mean, like I said, there's not many bosses in the world that would like literally go that extra mile just to get international fight. Even flying by charter flights are freaking, that's a win of my book. Do you know what I mean? Like there's not many people they get to go on a charter flight So there's a lot of

Yeah there's a lot of positives there I mean yes it would have been great You know like like like like I said like You know like them old computer games that you got for like I don't know like Tekken or Mortal Kombat Like imagine like there's like a cage like right there by the By the beach and everything it's like You know it's like you feel like you're in a computer game

Almost like like you like you know Like the old like what was it Tekken tag team tournament or something Like you know I mean like it would feel like that But um Yeah, like I said, I'm very happy with how everything still managed to turn out. And like I said, I can only imagine what's going to be like whenever all, everything gets released.

Like, now we're only like pretty much almost a week out from their first event. So I'm very curious to see what the whole thing will look like whenever, you know, everything gets done. I mean, either way, your Octuon debut is coming up on July 15th, whether it's on Fight Island or Treasure Island or Fantasy Island and you're taking on a really tough guy in Venetius Marrera. How do you see this thing all playing out? How do you sort of envision it in your mind?

I envision a very, a very aggressive and a very vicious performance on my behalf. I feel that the sort of mindset I've taken, the training that I've done, the work that I've put in and the mindset that I have, you know, to help my family and, you know, and do things like that, it just gives me that extra inspiration. like now I've come out with a new mindset of just being able to embrace those crazy chaotic situations, the pressure situations, the ones that are supposed to make you scared, the ones are like, you know, even being on a TV show and doing all that kind of stuff and, you know, the stuff that, you know, people would not want to do. And for me to really come out my show and really show who I am, like, I think all these experiences that I've had are just leading for me to to be able to show it even more in the cage. And this is, this is a very tough opponent. It's good on paper. You know, he's very, he's very, he's very, he's very, tough so it'll look good for me to go out and really put on a show. So I feel that I'm going to severely hurt him from stand up and just really disheartening him the fact that he won't be able to take me down. You know, I predicts I'm going to knock him out and I'm looking to knock him out in the first round. Listen, you know, you don't know how a fight is going to go. Obviously, you need to keep calm and keep doing it. But listen, I'm going to land those shots and when they do,

they're going to hurt. So that's what I predict for the fight. So you alluded to it because a couple of interviews ago, we talked about your appearance on Take Me Out UK. It's a dating show. And, you know, you weren't able to find a love connection there. However, it seems like you may have found yourself a match since then. Did Cupid finally fire his arrow in your direction, Modestus? Like, very unexpectedly once again. I mean, this is just how it goes with me.

Everything just crams out unexpectedly, do you know what I mean? But I'm glad it sort of happens. I think that's the best way that it happens when you're not really searching for it. Like I say, I was just, listen, mate, I was enjoying the single life. I was doing what I was doing. You know, and at the end of the day, like, you know, it just came about out of nowhere, you know, added me on Instagram, like to a couple, you know how it goes like a couple of photos. You like them back.

You start messing each other and then this, that. And the next thing, you know, we just get on like a house on fire. She's like, she really truly cares about what I do. And like, you know, like I say, so everyone's trying to find their. D Devlin, you know what I mean? You know, how much she supported Conno McGregor for all those times. And, you know, like I say, she's done a hell of a lot, even just for me, just leading up to even just knowing that I had a fight and stuff like that.

So, you know, I think, you know, there was a lot of things that, a lot of qualities that she had that I've never really found in a girl. And like I said, it was usually me sort of just going out and just seeing like loads of different people and stuff like that and just sort of just making connections. but with her we made a bit of a stronger connection and yeah i'm very thankful and happy and grateful because uh yeah like it's it's been a it's been an absolute blessing and it makes me more focus and um it gives me more things to be excited about and it just makes life in general uh you know like like a lot more a lot more you know it just makes things you know in the future you're

looking for it with the fighting with her and stuff like that just the you know sort of all come together and like i said i can't wait for all that um and she understands that comes first. So, you know, as much as, you know, obviously I love spending time of her, you know, I've got to say sorry to her, you know, at the end of the doubt, but she understands I've got to go and train. I've got to go do what I've got to do. I've got to go and do the business. So, you know, I'm grateful that she does because no other girl has done that before. But yeah, listen, we're going to make everyone even more proud when going to whip this dude on the July 15th. That's amazing. So that that meet cute moment that we discussed a couple of times ago where you

walking on the street and drop something on the ground and you suddenly lock eyes that didn't happen this was a social media connection yeah i guess locked eyes on the social media front maybe there's a couple of video in zoom calls that maybe that might have happened so uh yeah it all worked out well man and you guys discovered uh well you discovered beer pong did i see that is that accurate you're uh you're you're now a future future beer pong heavyweight champion yeah i mean listen for yeah i've got the the beer pong travel jacket and everything, mate. We're making moves on that scene as well. Do you what I mean?

I mean, listen, they always say you can't just have one income revenue stream. So, you know, I'm building towards that where we're getting the skills set up in every area. The hand-eye coordination is top-notch, mate. Now, I mean, listen, I went to go and hang out of Vero and stuff like that. And, you know, for me, it was hydration pong or more like pass all the beers to my girlfriend and me do the skill work. She does the drinking work. So either way, we made a very way. we made a very good system, but it seemed to work very well,

because obviously everyone else's accuracy seemed to diminish over time, whereas mine just continued to steadily keep getting better. So, yeah, like I say, finding all sorts of crazy new skills over this quarantine. Like I say, even more of my skills that's going to be shown on fight nights. So, yeah, like I said, I can't wait. All these changes in your life since we last spoke, Medesas, look at you. You're off the market, future beer pong, world champion, future UFC champion. Things are happening very quickly.

Are they not? Oh, yeah, mate. I've got to say you must be some sort of good luck, Tom. Every time I've been speaking to you before and after all the interviews and everything, listen, now you've got an amazing, amazing work in the MMAfighting.com, which I've got to give you massive congratulations for definitely well-deserved. So, see, is you're rising up? I'm rising up, mate.

We're just going to keep rising up to the top together, do you what I'm saying? So there's a big thing coming for both of us. And, yeah, like I say, I'm just ready for this whole journey. So, yeah, everything's been going well, but yeah, now we're going to make it so things are going to go even better. Congratulations on all of them, Modessa. I mean, very happy for you to get this call to the UFC. It's well-deserved, excited for the matchup, excited for this whole card. I mean, you're sharing a card.

You got Calvin Cater versus Dan Ege in the headliner spot. You get to set the table for those guys. It's a really good fight card. All the best to you in the fight and safe travels to Abadabadi, man. We'll talk soon. Oh, thank you so much, my friend. Really thank you for having me on and everything. And yeah, like I say, I can't wait to put on a show for you on the night.

That guy really is one of the nicest guys in the sport. But when he gets in that cage and that door locks, man's a killer. Modestis Boccascus joining us ahead of his UFC debut this coming Wednesday night on Fight Island. Another competitor on Fight Island, Grant Dawson. This kid has a bright future in the UFC. I've been interviewing him since he was around 20 years old on the regional scene. And he looks now to make it 4 and 0 in the UFC. next Saturday night, July 18, it's going to take on the very tough and very exciting

Nad Naramani. Here's my chat with the prophet himself, Grant Dawson. All right, we have Grant Dawson on the show. Returns to Action on Fight Island. July 18th, it's going to take on Nad Naramani and a fun one at 145 pounds. Grant, good to see you, man. It's been a minute. How are you?

I'm fantastic. Thank you for having me back on the show. Absolutely. So what do you think, man? Fight Islands? The profits going international here. How excited to you to fight outside the U.S. in this very unique situation? Oh, man, I'm so excited.

I haven't fought outside the country before. I've been outside the country for fights, just not my own. So I'm actually really excited about this. I'm excited about the challenges with the flight, making weight, the heat, and then we're fighting at like three in the morning there. So a lot of challenges go into this one, but that just makes it easier for me because I know I'm tough enough to hang with these. and we're going to find out if he is.

This is a pretty interesting matchup you've got, and I know you're not one to shy away from any challenge or any fight, but you did the media rounds after your last fight, and you were hoping there would be a chance that you could get a fight with Darren Elkins, and he just had that crazy fight with Nate Landware a couple weeks ago. Were you close to getting that Elkins fight? Was that ever presented to you?

I don't think so. It was never presented to me. It wasn't on my table. So it wasn't a time. or a weight kind of thing. But, you know, he just had that fight with Nate, whatever his name is. And that guy's terrible, completely awful. So the fact that he lost that fight, he's no longer in my line of sight.

I'm going to beat Nad. And then we're looking at top 15 guys after that. Did you watch that fight? How did you score it? Because a lot of people did score for Darren, but Nate ended up getting the win. It doesn't matter. If you have to score that fight, Nate is so bad.

You shouldn't be going to a decision with him. He's awful. There's no reason to go to the scorecards. If you go to a scorecard, you lose no matter what. Elkins is off my list. Nate is one in the UFC, so I'm not even going to bother with him. Nat is a good opponent. He's tough.

He's durable. He's got more experience than most of the guys in the UFC that I fought. So we're focusing on him. And then afterward, we're going to go for the top 15. All right. Last question on Nate, because when you come out and you say that a fighter's awful, I have to know why you feel he is awful. So why do you have that feeling about Nate?

Man, he's a clown, dog. He's a loser and a clown. And, I mean, his nickname is the train. Like, he couldn't think of something better than the train. He's just, he goes out there, no technique. He swings for the fences and he says stupid stuff with his stupid haircut. but he looks like he's 14 and 30 at the same time. Give that guy to my boy, Woodson.

He'll put a stop to his hype real fast. So, you know, Nate sucks. Darren's kind of losing it as a fighter, so we're moving on to bigger and better things. How is Sean doing? Because Sean's one of your teammates now, and Jason Witt's one of your teammates, and they both were in, you know,

really uncomfortable situations. Like, Sean took a fight on short notice. with a guy like Julian Rosa, a guy that you had fought in the past and got a nice win over. And then Jason, we didn't even know, even like leading into the fight, they pushed his fight back to the main card because they didn't even know if he would even be cleared. So it was a crazy situation for both those guys. How are they doing after Saturday night? Good, man.

They've both got championship mentalities. They're both champions on the inside. Like, it hurts, it's rough, but they'll deal with it and they'll move on. You know, when we're talking about Woodson, I've been. believe that he was up two to zero you could have had it one to one and then he he dropped julian in the third he was very clearly on his way to winning a decision and and he got caught man uh it's really hard to see this about julian but i fought him i'm i've been in there with him and i know he's you can't what i'm trying to say here you can't see what he has to offer like we have to

feel it man he's scrappy he's tough he does not get tired and he's got some really good jiu-jitsu. He almost caught me in a triangle in the first, like, minute of our fight. So he's slick, man. He got lucky with that dars. I shouldn't say luck. I shouldn't say luck. He set up that dars really nice, and Sean just got caught.

It was a crazy fight. I think they were on their way to fight the night, if not for a hooker and Porier. But, you know, man, it is what it is. And then Jason Witt, what a savage. He took the fight on. Two days notice. He gets on a plane. A fun story about that. They said, hey, we don't know if you have a fight, but if you get on the plane and go to Vegas right now, you might, might be able to fight. He calls his wife. He says, hey, get me a to go bag. I got to get blood work done. And I'm getting my bag and I'm going to Vegas.

Doesn't even tell her why. Walks in, kisses her, grabs a bag, leaves. She ends up calling, like, our manager to figure out what was going on. the clothes on his back gets there, deals with medicals all day, doesn't know that he's fighting until he's ready to walk out. They're like, okay, you're good, your medicals came back, you can fight. What a savage. He got caught and I'm really, really excited to see where his career goes from here because the dude is definitely UFC material championship mentality. I'm really excited for him.

Yeah, not the ideal way to get into you. UFC, but if there's any guy that's deserved that call, Jason Wade is definitely that guy, in my opinion. Yeah, absolutely, man. He's been grinding. He's, I think, 18 and 5 or something like that. He's fought so many guys. He's fought for Bellator.

He's fought for pretty much any show, any major show that you can think of. He's fought for him. And, you know, he's flown out of the country to fight guys that he's supposed to lose to and beaten them and came back. like he's a savage and I'm really really happy for him you know um but the next guy we got to get in is my man kevin kroom he's my main teammate my main training partner he's fought everybody with a name uh he's beaten two guys that are currently in the ufc so uh we need to we need to get him into the ufc now he can make weight on a week's notice he's so disciplined he's medicals are done

he's next he's fighting on the contender series right no uh he he's fighting for fAC He's actually fighting for the FAC title. But, you know, contender series, short notice, whatever it takes, he'll be ready to go. He's on a three, a three or two or three fight win streak in Bellator and the FAC, which are two big shows. I really think that he's next, man. He's so tough. He's so durable. He's so disciplined.

He's next. He deserves to be next. And I'm tired of getting my ass kicked by somebody who's not in the UFC. And you do You guys do have one guy that's booked for a contender series, right? I forget Mike, Mike Breedin, Breeden, Breeden, yeah,

just fighting Anthony Romero. That's right. That's the deal. That'll be fun too. Yeah, we actually have two guys. Mike Breeden and then Jeff Molina. And if you don't know who Jeff Molina is, he's a flyweight and he's already a better striker than 99% of that roster.

And he's 23, at 22, 23, and he's one of the best strikers in the gym. He's so exciting. He's got his own little, like, T.J. Dilleshaw type style. He's going to be big, man. He's going to be huge, you know. Mikey is so exciting, hits hard. I think that he's going to be a contender at 155.

But Jeff Molina, he's a savage, bro. He's definitely up there with those guys. Well, a lot to be excited about over at Glory MMA. And next up is you against Nat and Armani. He lost his last fight to Mike Grundy, but prior to that, won five in a row, won his first two fights in the UFC. When you saw his name on the other side of the contract, how did you react to that? I knew who he was. I watched so much film.

It's ridiculous. I know pretty much everybody that's in my weight class. And if I haven't seen them, I've probably heard of them. But I knew who he was. I was studying Mike Grundy just because I wanted to, you know, I thought maybe. me and his paths would cross. So I saw who he was. And when they brought the name, you know, I'm excited for these kind of matchups.

You know, like you said, he was on a five or six fight win streak before that. Mike is a stud. So losing to him really doesn't, you know, set you back. But I think this is going to be a good fight. I think that this has potential to be, you know, one of my best performances. I think he's durable. He's well-rounded everywhere. I'm going to have to bring my A game for this.

But when the stakes are highest is when I do the best, so I'm excited for this. I assume James Krause will be out there with you, right? Like who else will be in your corner in a couple weeks' time? So we're actually leaving this Sunday because my teammate, Tim Elliott, is fighting. I'm going up to corner him. And then I'm fighting two days later. Yeah, two days later on the 17th or the 18th or whatever. So, yeah, it'll be me and James, and we're going to be in Abu Dhabi for

about 10 days. So that's going to stop. But Tim, Tim Elliott is such a wild man, like such a wild man. He's crazy with Brandon Ravel is nuts. Absolutely insane. I mean, all of his fights are nuts. You know, enter, enter a fight here. The guy's a savage. It's been really great having him back. He's been in Vegas for the last couple of years. And now he's back. And it's been really great having him back because just like the, the mentality that he brings, you know, the unique, um, the unique, um, the, um, the, um, the, the uniqueness. It's so much fun. The energy is great. He's funny. He's probably one of the funniest

dudes on the team. And he always knows when to chipe in and make everybody laugh. Like, it's really great having him back. Have you been enjoying watching all the fights in the empty arena, like seeing how everything looks, feels? And I think the most fascinating part about it is the way everything sounds in there. Have you been enjoying watching that and kind of imagining yourself in that situation as well? Yeah. Fights are fights, man. I'm just so happy to have entertainment. back, you know. I'm not really big on football. I'm not really big on baseball. I like watching wrestling, like college wrestling, not like pro wrestling. I like watching wrestling and I like watching MMA. And so those two sports are back and it's great to have both of them and have some entertainment,

you know. As for the getting ready for the empty arena, I fought on the Contender Series before the contender series was big now. You know, so when I thought there was like 50 people in the, in the arena, and nobody said a word. Like, everybody was quiet and respectful. So I have a slight advantage in that sense of, you know, I've been there with no fans, no audience, being able to hear my coaches and the commentators. So, you know, I'm excited to get this going, man.

I'm excited where everything is. And I'm just, I'm ready to be. meet somebody's face in and show the world who I am. Yeah, I think this is a perfect matcher because both of you guys are finishers. He's got a good amount of finishes. Most of them are by submission. You're very familiar with that as well. He does have the ability to finish the fight with his hands and on the feet as well.

You've been there as well. What sorts of things does Nat bring to the table that I guess you'll be looking out for on July 18th? You know, I'm going to say this. I don't think that he's the best guy that I've bought. but I do think he's the most well-rounded. I think he's, you know, a B-minus, you know, wrestler, a B-minus jih T-Jitsu guy, and a B-minus striker, but if you add those all up, that makes you an A-minus fighter. You know, I think he's well-rounded.

I think that he's going to be looking to stuff my takedowns and strike with me. I haven't been able to show my striking in my fights, and that's by choice. I do have striking. I can strike. I think I'll have some surprises for him, but it's only a matter of time. until I get that takedown and I start trying to put an Xbox logo on his forehead. I see myself beating him up in the first round and then finishing them round two. You have lots of goals and aspirations.

Like you have this timeline in place that you've had for a long time, like top 15 by end of this year, top 10 by the end of next year, top five by the end of 2022 and then by the end of 2023, you get a title around your waist. How do we take that next step towards accomplishing those goals, July 18th against a really game opponent. You know, these goals, everything that you set, I believe in goals and setting your expectations high, but the number one thing that you have to remember is you got to beat the guy in front

of you. Nobody wants to see the loser at all. Nobody wants to see the loser. They only care about winners, and I'm in on that. I've got to beat Nad, and I don't just have to beat him. I have to finish him. That's what's going to separate me from everybody else in this in this talent stack division. I am 15 and 1 with 14 finishes.

14 of my wins are by finish. If I get a finish over Nat, I'll be 16 and 1 with 15 finishes. They're going to have to give me a top 15 shot after that. Before you fight, there's going to be a featherweight title fight between Alex Volkovsky and Max Holloway. And a lot of people think when they saw the matchup, they're like, eh, I don't really want to see it again. I don't think it's going to be any different than the first one. I'm actually very fascinated by this fight because I like to see what adjustments are being made between fights. But you being such a fight fan and a student of the game, how do you see that one playing out in the rematch on July 11th?

Man, I see it going the same way. 49, 46, or 50, 45 for Volcanovsky. my my issue with uh max is i feel like he doesn't have the want to change anything uh if if you look at his fight with dustin you know he's hurt he's rocked and he refuses to take a shot and i know that he's got good jiu jitzu and i know that he's got good wrestling and he's got the cardio to support it but he refuses to shoot he refuses to fit in uh he doesn't really throw knees he doesn't really throw kicks, he's a very well-rounded fighter that chooses to be one-dimensional. And I just, you know, anytime that he started getting the upper hand against Bokonovsky,

Bokonovsky would just fit in, put him against the cage, hold him for a couple of seconds, and get that reset, you know? The leg kicks were a really big, really big factor in the first fight. And I just, I don't see Max, I don't want to say fixing his hold because he doesn't really have a whole lot of holes. He's really good everywhere. He just chooses not to use it. And that like Hawaiian toughness of go out on my shield, you know, we're striking. We're giving the people what they want. I think that's going to lead him right into the same exact decision. You know, I think he'll have a really close fight, but he's going to end up losing the tail end of every round and lose 5045 or 4946. One question that a lot of people have heading into this fight for you, Grant,

is about the weight. And you did miss. in your last fight. You had no excuses for it. You said that I'm done talking about it. I need to do better and it's never going to happen again. So if you don't mind me asking, what's the weight looking like right now? Did you have to make any changes to get the weight down and get ready for this one? Yeah. So we pretty much picked a date with no fight and decided that I was going to make weight on that date, not literally, but we're acting like I'm going to fight on that date. So I started bringing my weight down and it got real low. And then we, got the date that we originally picked was the 15th of July. And so I was ready to make

weight on the 15th. And we got two extra days. So my weight's where it needs to be. Our bout is actually at a catch weight. And the only reason it's out of catch weight is because of the pandemic, the flight, everything that's going on. But I can and I would absolutely be able to make 145 with no problem on that date. Moving forward, we're going to keep our work. weight low outside of camp, just like I did for my last fight to make sure that this never happens again. We're going to get a top 15 guy. I'm going to show up on time, on weight, and ready to scrap. Excited for you, man. The journey continues on Fight Island. I'm excited for it. Excited to see

you back in there. And thank you for the time, as always, Grant. I still have not watched the Mandalorian yet. I'm kicking myself. I know. I got so many things I have to watch. All you fighters are all over me for not watching the Mandalorian, the last dance, all of these things. But all the best to you, man. Save travels and enjoy your time on Fight Island. There you have it. Another, what the heck, is in the books. And it has been a crazy week, ladies and gentlemen. Friday, we talked to Paul Felder about his career, about Fight Island, all four of these events. We broke down some of the big fights. That is on our YouTube page. Really enjoyed that conversation. In fact, that was the first time I've had the chance to speak with

Paul Felder. And he's been in the news quite a bit over the last 24 hours. I'm sure you guys all heard what happened there with with the flight and being quarantined for precautionary reasons after sharing a flight with Dean Thomas, who tested positive for COVID-19. Michael Bisbing talked all about it on his Believe You Me podcast. And I did check in with Felder's manager yesterday and Paul did not test positive. He is quarantined. Not sure how long that quarantine is going to be, but Michael Bisbing had said that Felder is off all of the broadcast. I'm told that there's still some optimism that Paul Felder could call the cards on the 18th and the 25th, but that is up in the air. That's the hope. Not sure if it's going to happen, but either way,

we wish Paul all the best because I know how excited he was to call these fights and be part of the whole Fight Island thing because we may never see anything like this again in our sport. So all the best to the Irish Dragon. I spoke with Colby Covington on Monday. That's on our page as well. always interesting to hear from Colby Covington and get his take on everything going on with the new main event and everything going on at 170. You're just, you know, you know what you're going to get from Colby. It's a great interview. I highly recommend you check that out. I reported on Tuesday that this coming Wednesday's card has added an exciting fight between Jimmy Rivera and Cody Stamen.

Now, this fight's going to take place at 145, pairing off a couple of top 10 bannam weights. So that should be a lot of fun. And I'm hoping to talk to both of those guys over the next couple of days. And also, I'm supposed to be chatting with tomorrow morning, as a matter of fact, another top 10 Banim wait. We haven't heard from in a little bit of a while. So stay tuned for that. UFC 251 and Fight Island coverage has been and will continue to be rampant over at mhmapfiting.com,

weigh-in shows, all the scrums, virtually and in person. Our own gear made crews just crushing it out there, just running this crazy schedule. It's just unbelievable. My hat goes off to the Brazilian Beast himself, Guillermo Cruz. But we'll have that throughout the next couple of weeks, getting you ready for all of these fight cards. We got between the links.

We've got the A side. We got this show. Just so much going on. I can't even keep track anymore. So stay tuned for all that stuff. And with that, we're done. Thank you to the guests. Thank you to all of you guys and gals watching the show.

Thank you to Casey Lydon on the production. Esther Lynn on the graphics. The ranting is over. The show is done. And as always, have a heck of a week, everybody.