MMA Fighting - What the Heck: Episode 16 | Gilbert Burns, Rob Font, Devonte Smith & John Castaneda

Episode Date: July 16, 2020

Check out episode 16 of What the Heck on MMA Fighting. This week, Mike Heck chats with Gilbert Burns (5:50) to discuss the UFC 251 main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal, losing his opportunity to fight Usman following a positive COVID-19 test, and being next in line to fight for the title. UFC lightweight Devonte Smith (35:55) talks his recovery following a torn achilles tendon that required surgery. Note: This interview took place the morning before a tragic incident took place in Columbus, Ohio when Devonte’s 23-year-old sister Dariene Smith was caught in a crossfire and tragically lost her life. If you would like to donate to help with funeral costs, and in support of her two children left behind, you can do so via GoFundMe. The UFC’s newest bantamweight signee John Castaneda (1:00:18) previews his octagon debut against Nathaniel Wood set for July 25. Finally, top-10 UFC bantamweight Rob Font (1:18:47) gives an update on when he may return to action following surgery due to an injury suffered in his victory over Ricky Simon.  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? Hello there, everybody. Welcome to a brand new episode of What the Heck on MMAfighting.com. My name is Mike Keck. Thank you so much for having us on.

This is a little more of a condensed edition of the show this week because there's just so much going on in the world of MMA. But by the time this drops, we will have. had two fight cards over the past five days on Fight Island with another one coming up on Saturday. So there's no way we can do like five, six or seven guests this week. Want to make sure that we're all fresh and ready to go for all the coverage going on this week on MMA fighting. And with that, big shout out to our guy, the Brazilian Beast, Giermei Cruz, waving that MMA fighting flag proudly in Abu Dhabi. Just, just killing the game on Fight Island. As you guys know by now, UFC 251 is in the books.

A lot happened on Saturday night to Chris in the island. Piotr Yan is the new UFC Banimate champion. What a performance over Jose Aldo. Alexander Volcanofsky and Kamara Usman retained their titles with decision wins over Max Holloway and Jorge Mazadol, respectively. And there was a bit of controversy and negativity surrounding the main and the co-main events. And we talk about that in depth on between the links. So head back into the archives, check that out, get the reactions from mostly James Lynch and Alex K Lee, but I get a little fired up in there as well. But this week we got four guests.

One had his eyes glued to the main event of UFC 251. So let's run down the lineup. Kind of a different show, some caveats, if you will, which I'll get to momentarily. So rounding out the show is Rob Font, the number 10 ranked Bannamweight in the world. A lot of people have been asking me over the last month or two. where's Rob Fond? Well, we caught up with him. He was on Fight Island as he was cornering

Calvin Cater at UFC on ESPN 13, caught him in the middle of his Abu Dhabi quarantine. We did talk about the Cater versus EGayFive, but obviously that happened last night as you're seeing and listening to this. So it's somewhat outdated, but he gives an update on an injury. He suffered in his victory over Ricky Simone,

his recovery, when he'd like to return and more. That's where most of the conversation goes. So you'll hear from one of the members, of the New England cartel later on in the show. Speaking of the Band of White Division, we're going to check in with the newest member of that division. John Castaneda, he's going to make his UFC debut on July 25th. He's replacing Umar Numaga Madov to face Nathaniel Wood in Abu Dhabi.

This guy, honestly, should have gotten the call to the UFC a few years ago. But as you'll hear in this conversation, he probably wasn't in the right place mentally for that call. But he seems quite ready now. And that should be a crazy fight next Saturday. night on Fight Island, you'll hear that chat with the former Cambodcia America's Banimate champion John Sexy Mexie Castaneda coming up later on in the program. This past Friday morning, I got to catch up with Devante Smith, one of the bright, up and coming talents at 155 pounds.

He is on the comeback trail as well, like Rob Fom, but he had a crazy 2019 with ups and downs in the cage. He had that knockout loss to Kammerworthy and arguably the biggest upsets. of the year. And then a few months after that, he tore his Achilles tendon. He had surgery. And slowly but surely, he's been getting better. And as you guys probably know by now, just sad, sad news. Devante's 23-year-old sister, Darian Smith, was caught in a crossfire in downtown Columbus, Ohio, early Saturday morning and was unfortunately killed in the incident. And this happened around 18 or so hours after my conversation with Devante Smith happened. It's just so, so sad.

My heart breaks for Devante and his family right now. There is a go-fund me set up for the family to help with funeral costs, support for Darian Smith's two children that she left behind, ages six and two. Oh, man, as a parent of myself, I can't even imagine that. But we're going to share that link a little bit later on if you want to help out. I was speaking with Devante's team about everything on Tuesday morning. It's just so heartbreaking. But they did want to move forward and release the interview. So I just want to preface just in case you saw Devante's name on the lineup.

And maybe you thought a reaction to what happened on Saturday was going to be a part of the conversation. You're not going to get that here. But it is a great conversation nonetheless about his recovery, self-reflection, what this layoff has taught him in, and, in time. Talk about a guy who's about to turn 27 at the end of the month. How much growing up and adversities had to overcome over the last year, especially with what just happened on Saturday. It's pretty staggering. So you're going to hear that interview with Devante Smith in around 25 to 30 minutes from right now.

But to kick things off this week, we're going to talk to a man who had a lot riding on Saturday night's main event at UFC 251. Why? Because he was supposed to get the title shot originally. Gilbert Burns. He had the positive COVID-19 test almost two weeks ago at this point. He was forced out of the fight. Jorge Mazdal steps in. And we're going to talk all about it.

The fight, the aftermath, and much more. Let's get to our opening interview on what the heck this week with the number one ranked Walter Wade in the world. Gilbert Derino Burns. All right, we got Gilbert Burns back on the show, the number one ranked Walterweight contender in the world. And I don't like to make a lot of assumptions with this here platform, but I would assume that the result of Saturday night

UFC 251 made event between Kamar Usman and Jorge Mazadal made him pretty happy in terms of his road to the Walter White title. Gilbert, welcome back. How are you, sir? Thank you. Yeah, I'm doing good. I'm doing...

I'm almost 100%. But, yeah, I was very happy with the results of the fight. Yeah, it couldn't go any better. I knew the fight was going that way, a little boring. but they had a commodity by decision. So physically you're feeling much better. I mean, I think everybody thinks

that they've had COVID at one point. I think I thought I had it like several months ago, but who the hell knows? You've actually experienced it and you know that you've had it. So how would you say you feel now compared to maybe a week or nine days ago? I'm feeling a lot better than I was feeling a couple weeks ago,

especially after Saturday. I think Saturday starts feeling better. I don't have more heirs, but I still feel that my body's a little weak. I still recovery. I'm not 100%. I talk to my doctor and my

nutritionists, my all my team, they ask me to get two more weeks slowly. I mean, this week and next week, still like try to recover because at the end of the day, I did three camps and it was still in July. I did two

fights, but I had three training camps. hard training camps. So yeah, I need to get a little bit cold, you know, just come back slowly. But not 100%, let's say 80%, 80%, 85% getting better. What is taking all this time off and recovering like for you? Because you're such an active guy and you never like to take breaks. So now you kind of are forced to take on. What does that like for you? Like you said, I don't like it. I, I'm being crazy. way I talked when I manager we had a plan but yeah I think I needed my body need my family need I need to you know my my family went to three training camps with me maybe I think the end of the

fight with them in mind that was when all pandemic start so they got a little bit on that they know school for the kids staying at home doing the the training for for title woolly then after that the training camp for look I got a guy right here the training camp for tomorrow and if you think about the last two training camps I was saying for five

five minute rounds so that was a tough one and yeah I'm going to enjoy those two more weeks you know like taking a good time with the kids we went to the pool a little bit today I'm going to get retested this week see if I'm free but I think I will be but I'm going to enjoy

a little bit more with the family before I come back to the gym That's good Finding a silver lining in a pretty unfortunate situation But how did you find out that news If you don't mind me ask Because it seems like you were getting ready

To head to Vegas for your first quarantine And then the news comes out What was kind of going on when you got the news That you were positive And then you weren't going to be able to fight for the belt at UFC 251 Yeah it was devastating It was hard

So I had a strong headache on a Wednesday, but through the week, I was feeling good. I even did a test on Monday in the fall of week. So Monday I did a test, came back negative. I was with a big headache, and I'm not going to lie. But on my mind, it was because of this point that I had. I said, man, it's part so hard, that freaking headache. But, I mean, it is what it is. I said, I'm going to be good a couple of days.

Did the task, came back negative, so we went to Vegas. And we were there Wednesday. That was a long trip, Vegas, wake up early, go to the airport. I said, I'm just going to chill today. I'm good on the way. It's an easy wake up for me. So we trained Thursday morning, and then all the coach was still good. So we went to sleep.

I woke up with a phone call from Hartek, campball. And then he was the one that gave me the notice. Hey, you test positive. So you're in Virginia, Russia. So we're going to wait a little bit. We're going to make another test, and we go from there. I'm not going to take no decision now. And then I was devastating right there.

You know, and they gave me the notice. I was like, wow. And they came to the room. I couldn't leave the room. They retasked me, and they came back positive again. And then on that meantime, the results of my audience. coach Greg Jones came positive as well. Just my brother that was in the room with me.

He tests negative. He came back to Florida. He retests, get negative again. That thing is just crazy. He was in the room with me. We were playing. We saw a couple jiu-jitsu techniques, and then we talked about it. And I said, yeah, I think he can heat damn Kamarro.

You see, yeah, let's drew a little bit with drill. So he wasn't in contact with me. And then he was negative. And that was devastating. The UFC wants me to stay in Vegas for two weeks, quarantine in there. And I was just like, you know what? I'm going home. They don't want me to go home.

And then I say, I'm just having a strong headache. But they got two coaches right here, Wagner Roche and Greg Jones. They will live anyways. They're not going to stay here. We couldn't fly back. And I had one of the Mike coach that he was there for the previous UFC. And he tests positive, too. Camer Burzini.

So the UFC gave us a car and then we got back driving And that road trip was Wow I don't even have words for that But we drove from Vegas all the way to Florida If you had no stops that would study eight hours 37 hours But we stopped multiple times just to put gas in to get food

So It was a hard travel Was a hard one to swallow but I'm a believer. I believe God has a good plan for me. I just spoke with Dana White on the East last Sunday, and then he said I'm next. He wants to see that fight burns against Usman.

That's the next fight. And I think it was for the best. I wasn't feeling good. And that was the only reason they took that title fight for me. And I'm next right now. So right now I'm just thinking on with COVID. It's even hard when you ask that question. So how was the feeling?

It was stuff. Very tough. Well, I think one of the cool things about this whole situation, even though it's rough, is I thought the way that you've handled everything was absolutely incredible. Like it really was. But, you know, as you're watching the buildup to this new fight and seeing the buzz going in with Mazadol being added to the fight,

he's red hot, you know, how are you dealing with that? Because I think most people would say heading in that you were the more competitive fight for Kamar Usman. But adding Mazadol, I guess, made it a, a bigger fight, a more box office draw kind of a fight, you know what I mean? Yeah, I like it. I like it because otherwise we lost one main event. As a fan, for sure, I like that fight, you know. That was the first fight that I wanted to be in the first place.

They want to make Mazu Dahl and Kamar. I jump in on the opportunity. They don't want to take the fight. They didn't get a deal. They asked me and say, for sure, I'm taking. But that was, as a fan, I was happy to say, yeah, I like that fight, you know. And it was good to see a lot of things. that I think it can capitalize in that fight.

But yeah, I was happy. I see, man, why not? You know, I cannot fight. Why not these guys go there and fight? You know, as a fan, I like the fight. I kind of knew the fight would be boring. But as an MMA fan, for sure, I want to see Mazzadal going with Kumar. And it was a little fun, a couple of minutes of the fight.

The beginning was fun. A couple of fights, which I had fun watching that fight. Kind of going back to the beginning of the interview, Mazdaal was doing some media heading into the fight. and he said that if he had won the belt, he had this, like, short list of guys that he wanted to defend against. He mentioned Nate Diaz. And then he mentioned Stephen Wonderboy Thompson, who was the last guy to defeat him ahead of Saturday night. You must have been like, please don't let Mazdo win this fight, right?

Like, come on. Yes. I was just like that. Man, that guy cannot win. And then I believe that even with both guys with the training camp for each other, I believe Camaro will beat him. They got both guys eight weeks training camp. Come out, can't be careful. That's what he does good, like against a striker.

If you're just a striker, man, he's going to take you down. You're going to hold you down. You're going to beat you up. I'm going to make you tired. That's just tomorrow. But, yeah, man, I was hoping to come out to win. I don't want no surprise. I don't want Miles Vidal to win.

And the sad thing is I have nothing against Majvedo. I don't have nothing against no one in that division. That couple of guys, a lot of guys that I want to fight. But personal, I even like the guy. The guy is so funny. I like Minesbada. As a fan, I like the guy, too.

I'll pay to watch the guy too, but I'd have nothing against the guy, but for sure, I wouldn't come out to win. Otherwise, Nate Diaz will be jumping on opportunity and maybe wonder boy Thompson or whoever. I don't know. I don't know. That would be messed up for the division. And now it is or it is. Now Camarra is going to take his time off. I'm taking a little time off.

As soon as he says he's good, we're going there and we're going to fight for the title. Yeah, and I was kind of with you on how the fight played out. It's not me knocking Mazadal in any way. I just, you know, when they say styles make fights, this is kind of one of those examples. Like, it played out pretty much the way I expected it to. And, you know, as you're watching it all unfold and watching Usman's pace continue to pick up and seeing Mazadol start to slow down a little bit of me, took the fight on six days notice, were you surprised by anything that went down on Saturday night?

No, really. I like it the way Masjadal started. He started very strong, hard, body kicks. Kamada was able to take him down but didn't do much. Majid al-N was able to drop back in his feet.

I think first round was very active. I like the first round a lot. And then after that was just a little bit more domination from Kamar marching forward, you know,

mixing things up. But yeah, I like a couple of things that I saw in that fight. I did a lot of notes. I still want to do more, I'm going to watch that fight multiple more times. But nothing surprising me, I think.

Camaro did what he's supposed to do. I mean, it's no secret that you and Camaro have been teammates in the past. You've said on this show in the past how helpful he was for the Maya fight in preparation for the tired Woodley fight since he had fought both those guys before. But he's been taking a little bit of a beating from fans for that performance.

Like, what did you think of his performance overall? And I guess, more importantly, what have you made of the backlash that Kamar Usman has been receiving from the fans for that performance? Because the end of the day, it's about winning fights and keeping the belt, right? For sure, for sure. And sometimes you've got to be understanding, like he was with Kobe. I like that fight a lot. That's one of the fights that I like to watch a lot when I'm studying.

But come on, my style, it's, the guy's dangerous, you know. We saw what he did with Demitiel, what he did with Ben Astring. Even the way he beat Nate Beard is, you know. So, yeah, he's dangerous. I think Camaro did what he's supposed to do. And people just say, oh, that guy took a fight a six-day notice. But Camaro, too. Camaro was trying to fight me.

And he was even, the fight was even canceled as Camaro. I got the notice that was out of the fight on Friday. I think they just got the deal done on Sunday or Monday. I'm not sure. I think it was on Sunday. So he was off Friday night. I think about that guy coming on a crazy training camp on the tough tie. What are you going to do?

They call you, hey, mate, you know, you're not fighting. Man, you're going to get a beer. You're going to go eat. You're going to relax. You're going to sleep late. You're not on that, you know. I don't know. You're not on that whole system to a fight.

So you relax. Saturday, we eat whatever, and you kind of relax. You don't train. Then Sunday, hey, you're fighting. They say, wow, I was just such a good system. I just, you know, just messed up. I eat everything. man, come on now, I got to train.

So people don't see that, but change. Kamar took their findings they noticed, too. He was training for me. And he did what he's supposed to do, and he did great. I think he was one of the best fighters on the UFC right now. Very smart. Doesn't take a lot of damage, unnecessary damage. And I don't like the way defense treated him,

because he's a nice guy. I like Kamara as a personal, a good, good friend, good father, and a great man. a great teammate. They have no complaints. Like, he always gave me great rows and they have two good ideas. And I like the guy. It's hard to see a couple people going crazy on him, but it's the fight game, you know.

I guess we cannot make everybody happy, you know? Yeah. It's for you, because you sort of mentioned it, you had to sort of take the fighter aspect out of it and sort of watch it more as a fan. And I'm sure that Kamar's approach to fighting you was going to be much different than it was fighting Mazdaal. But were you watching on Saturday night thinking, damn, I would have beaten this guy.

Like, if I was in there tonight, I'd be the wealthy way channel right now. I was very confident. I was looking. I was like, wow. Looking like, I could do this right now. I couldn't do this. Wow. And I was texting a couple of my guys that,

I have a lot of guys that help me with strategy with the little things. And I was, we were back and forth texting like, wow, I could do this. What if I could do this? And I was just having a lot of, ideas and then yeah, it was very confident. I watched that fight, but again, that was my doubt. That wasn't me. With me, he could do a lot of, I think he would get a different approach, but I think

it will be kind of the same approach. Like, he don't want to take me down because I'm going to make his, he wants a lot of energy to try to hold me down because I'm going to be very offensive on my back. I think he will try to put me more against the cage. They really take me down to the floor, but I love it. I just can't wait. I was just looking like, wow, a lot of things that I can't do. And it would be excited.

Another thing, too, is going to be exciting. I'm not going to, you know, I'm not going to let the guy hold me and don't do nothing. No, bro, I have my submission. I can wrestle too. I'm going to do open hands lap. I'm going to stand up. I'm going to fight. I'm going to, I'm a thing, too.

I'm not going to. I hate boring fights, too. I buy every single pay per view I buy. I watch, I want to see the fight, I watch all type of fights, I watch all UFC, I watch battle tour, I watch one championship, I watch all the grappling mats. I like entertaining fights too. Man, when I'm there, if you have to be ugly and dirty, it will be, but if I can't make entertaining, I'm going to make it.

So now we're in this, like, interesting place when we talk about what's next for Usman, and I think 99% of people are in agreement that you should be. be the guy to fight for the belt next. And of course, Leon Edwards is a name that gets thrown out a lot. And it kind of sucks for him because he was supposed to get the Woodley fight in March. It was canceled because of COVID. So he hasn't been able to fight in like a year or so. So I can certainly understand fans of Leon Edwards shouting from the rooftops that he deserves a title shot. His resume is certainly merited one. But listen, and you know this. Timing is absolutely everything in this sport. You took it off Tuesday. You made the most of it.

And now you're in this position. But this is your title shot, right? Like you are next in line to fight for the belt. There's no other discussion, right? I'm just fighting for the belt. Like, I'm recovering right now. The champion is recovering. We're going to fight soon. We're going to, we, we're going to fight soon. That's next. The boss already said, that was the first time that he texted me and say, I'm next. I say, oh, let's go. But I got it, you know, but let's, let's make it just one thing right here. My birthday is July 20. Right now, it's coming up. And it's going to be Leon Edwards anniversary, too. That's one year without fighting.

And come on, we're not going to blame one year the pandemic. When the pandemic starts, March. So what this guy was doing, July to March. You know, like, oh, it was the pandemic. Yeah, it was the pandemic. Yeah, for the war with the fight. But before that, you have so much time. So since his fight, I fought twice, almost five, but I fought four times.

Since his fight, come on, bro, like, I, okay, I agree. You got eight fights, but, and be two of my guys, he beat Luke. That was 1999, I think, when they fought. That was so long ago. And then he fought RDA. That was on my birthday, last year. After that, I fought four times almost five, bro. Come on, you cannot blame.

Oh, that was the pandemic. No, bro. He fought one or two a year. and I've been fighting, okay. And the crazy thing that doesn't go through my mind is he was supposed to fight Woodley, okay? I went there and I fought Woodley and they dominated the way I did. And then he gets a title shot

because I beat the guy that he's supposed to be. Come on. I make the effort, I make the work, and he got a reward. Come on, bro. That's just, you guys, those guys are going crazy. So I'm next. And I agree You know what I do I is on the conversation to you

But Like just give my opponent back Give his opponent back Suppose for Camaro Give him Camaro He's supposed to take Woodley Or take Kobe or take That three pieces of the back

You know I think if I three Man come on I'm from Brazil I'm from Rio I'll take that three Three pieces in the soda back Like 100% I'll be For sure

Like my main priority is to be the champion But if I take that three piece, man, we need to fix that. You know, we got to finish that business first. I think everybody saw it on Twitter as well. There are some out there that have suggested that you should fight Leon Edwards in a number one contender fight. And you've clearly made that known that it should absolutely not be the case. No. And the only reason, like the only reason that would make any sense to me, Gilbert, is only because you are such an active guy.

So, like, Kamara could be out to like November, December. So, you know, maybe you do. just get bored at waiting and you would take that fight. But other than that, it doesn't make any sense to me. No, that was the discussion that I have with my manager, I'll lead you, and say, bro, don't go crazy. You're next. But I like, bro, but take so much. And what happens is, look, let's make it. I don't, I don't need to throw numbers out there, nothing. But let's make it back in the days. Remember that big bag of coins, even when you put money, that the emoji come up with a big bag of coin with a big ass. So let's say, if I fight with tomorrow, I'm going to get like, I'm going

to make like five, six bag of that money of a coin. Think about five to six bags of coins, all right, and five for the title, what I want. I want to be the champion. I want to be the best. okay if I fight Leo Edwards I'm going to make one bag of coin if I win

one more bag so I'm going to ask you what do you think you're going to wait and get the five maybe six bags of coin or you're going to

okay don't worry I don't care give me one one bag if I want to get another what you do I'm taking the six bags of coins plus I'm enjoying

the time off but you're not like you're typically not like that I'm like that, but the only thing, I did three training camps already, bro. That's true. That's the only thing that. And two of those training camps were for five rounds, for five, five-minute rounds. So I need some time off and just get the COVID-19.

So I need to rest a little bit. If it wasn't for that, yeah, maybe I was fighting again. But if I fight again for another five, five-minute rounds, September, let's say, I go crazy and I say, yes. I fight Leon in September. And then I do a lot. Beat Leon. Let's imagine. Okay, beat Leon, all good.

Now I fight for the title. And then tomorrow I say I'm ready in November. So, and then I got to go to another fight camp for another five, five-minute rounds. Bro. I'm going to be killing my body. I'm going to be going crazy. So best scenario for me right now is to rest. Get time off of my, maybe two or three more weeks, off of my family, recovering my body.

And then I'm back in training and then when we come out, we're ready. I'm ready. We fight it for the title. So do you think like this whole situation plus the buildup to get to where you're at right now? Do you think it's going to kind of, I don't say, I don't want to say slow you down, but at least you'll be a little more intelligent with how you take fights. Like you're not going to be the guys to be like, oh, one week's notice at 205,

I'm in, sign me up. Like, has this changed your approach a little bit? Well, I'm taking more. conversation, my mentors, my coach, and my management, because I'm that kind of guy. I'm this guy. You know, I love to compete. That's how I get better, get better competing, fighting. But the main goal, the main priority, he used to get the belt, used to become a champion.

And making that, for sure, I have a big problem in front of me right now. That's Camaro. Let's say a big Camaro. I just imagine I became a champion. I don't want to defend that belt so quick. Then I'm going to start going crazy. Then I'm going to defend that belt. Like John Johnny said he never made.

Oh, I'm going to defend three, four times. No, I'm going to. That's what I want to do. But the main goal right now is to get that belt, fight for the title, get that belt, and then we go from there. But I want to be very active. Like you guys saw, it's hard for me to take time off. I'm going to because I have.

have to my doctor said my coach said my management said i'm going to take it i'm going to rest and you guys going to see a great version on me as soon as i fight tomorrow and we go from there have you spoken to kamara since saturday at all not yet not yet you plan to reach it out to him and say congratulations but uh enjoy it while you can because i'm coming yeah it's it's gonna be a little weird know if i feel like i would do it i'm i'm going for the feeling if i feel like i feel like can hit him up a wheel, but I'm congratulating he and everywhere that I'm saying he did a great job

and he's a great champion and I think that's enough for right now we're about to fight. I want to be like hey, you know, we're about to get in a cage fight, so you know. You don't want to be too friendly. Respectful but not too friendly. For sure. That's all about right there. For sure.

Yeah, that's it right here. Yeah. How you doing, buddy? He's just hanging up. but I appreciate the time I'm gonna lay you hang out with your family but before we let you go you know what's the message to everybody as we await this next move

as you're taking time off for all the fans you know maybe members of the media for Leon Edwards Kamar Usman etc what's the message for everybody as you're recovering and getting ready for your shot at the title the message is the fight's gonna be crazy

if you guys hyped up much without you don't have the results I'm coming and I'm gonna fight and I'm gonna give everything I have to get that time It's going to be nice. It's going to be crazy. We know each other's game.

For sure, we're going to try to make some adjust, try to make, you know, bring something new. But it's going to be a crazy fight. I cannot wait. I'm super excited. I'm more hungry than never. I was doing all my goals going to the fight. I want to be 100%. I want to do a lot of things.

And one of the question is, how is my motivation going to the fight? And my motivation was 100%. But I don't know how, but I'm more motivated than never to go to these. I'm going to be active on a social media, you know, shutting these guys up, try, you know, making a little funny trash talk and maybe get new memes. But, yeah, you guys, Tonya. So as I fight comore is going to be a crazy fight, an amazing fight. I'm confident I'll be the new champion.

And Tonya, as soon as they give the day, you guys are going to turn in, going to see a crazy and amazing fight. You're the mandarino. Means a lot. Thank you very much for the time. I'm glad you're feeling a little bit better. You've handled this all absolutely tremendous. tremendously like you're already a champion. So thank you very much. All the best to you, sir.

Look forward to seeing when that fight actually happens. I'm excited for it. Me too. Thank you, Mike. Always good to talk to you, brother. Take it easy. Always enjoy catching up with Gilbert Doreno Burns. Great stuff right there. He feels he's next. Dana White said he's next. Most agree that he's next. And he should be next, especially with Kamar Usman retaining the belt against Jorge Mazadol in the main event of UFC 251. Saturday night and Leon Edwards unfortunately as he's been for quite

some time now he is the odd man out of the title discussion but you guys know me I guess I don't think you know me like great at this point because I've been there that long but I think you know me well enough to know that I'm a positive guy I'm a silver lining searcher if you will so to find one for Leon Edwards maybe a couple he does have some options here so

Leon Edwards could take another fight with a contender in the division and listen regardless of who he he fights, as long as it's someone ranked in like the top five or six, he's probably next in line with the win to fight for the belt against the winner of Usman v. Burns. The other option is he could just wait it out for the winner of Usman versus Burns. I don't love that option because, as you guys may have seen, Jorge Mazdaal spoke with ESPN earlier this week and said that the one fight he really wants is the rematch with Usman, and that man has a lot of clout. That pay-per-view did bonkers numbers. Mike Coppiger of the Athletic reported that

did around 1.3 million buys on ESPN Plus, which is just ridiculous. So Mazadol, although that fight was one-sided, he took the fight on six days notice. Wasn't really competitive, but he had his moments. You could sell that fight again more than likely just because Mazadol is a part of it. So if I'm Leon Edwards, I'm taking another fight. And listen, I know there are some people who suggested a number one contender fight between Burns and Edwards. And I understand the thought process there, as I told Gilbert when we spoke. but you cannot pass Gilbert up for getting a title shot for his next fight.

You just can't. 170 is very interesting right now. If they could pull this off, if they could somehow convince him to do it, I think Edwards versus Mazadol would be the no-brainer fight with their history. I just don't know if Gamebred is just too keen on that one. It's not because he's scared to fight Leon Edwards. When you're looking at it from like a box office perspective, maybe Leon Edwards isn't that big of a name or big of a draw.

And I get that. I mean, he's trying to make money and cash in and do all that stuff. But I think that's the fight. I mean, you get the story there. You get the three piece and a soda thing going on. Like, I don't understand why that fight, one hasn't been made or two isn't even being discussed right now. And when you're Jorge Mazdal right now, you can fight anybody. And it would be a big fight.

I think that's the fight, but if you want to do like Edwards versus Wonderboy, I wouldn't hate that idea either. But there are talks of Colby Covington and Tyrone Woodley fighting next month at one of those events in Las Vegas that is not done. I don't even think it's, I don't even think it's past like the 50 yard line at this point from all indications. But at least as we record. But not many other options for Leon Edwards. So more on this, definitely coming, this developing story. So stay locked to MAAfighting.com for all that information. So right now, we're going to get to my chat with Devante Smith.

And like I said at the top of the show, around 18 or so hours after this conversation happened, Devante's sister tragically lost her life following a dispute in downtown Columbus, Ohio. There were gunshots fired and 23-year-old Darian Smith was caught in the crossfire. It's just a heart-wrenching story. There is a go-fund me set up to help with the funeral costs to help out Dary's two children that she left behind. a six-year-old and a two-year-old. It's called In Loving Memory of Darian Smith, and Darian is spelled D-A-R-I-E-E-N-E.

That's D-R-I-E-N-E. Hopefully we can get a graphic of the link here if you guys want to, if you have the means, if you can donate a dollar, $5, whatever. You can also find the link on the story of this incident in M-Afighting.com. Such a sad story, but we're going to air that chat that took place early Friday morning.

with Devante Smith right now. All right, we have UFC lightweight Devante Smith joining us right now, one of the bright up-and-comers at 155 pounds. We haven't seen him compete in around a year or so, but let's get an update on what's going on with Devante Smith. How are you, sir?

I'm good. Enjoying the quarantine, still recoverer. Is that like a full boards, full of workouts for you? Is that what I'm seeing back there? Work, no, just more so like to-do list, future plans. you know,

brainstorming. There you go. So as people watching this may or may not know, you and I spoke back in January when I was still on the freelance grind. And we talked about 2019 being an emotional roller coaster of a year for you. You had some ups, you had some downs,

a lot of chaos in regards to opponent switches, the loss to Kamowworthy. And then to put the cherry on top of the old Sunday for you, Devante, you tore your Achilles tendon in November, which required surgery. So fair to say that 2019, was a huge year for growth and self-reflection for you?

Yeah, oh, yeah, especially self-reflection, yeah. Big, big, big, big year of self-reflection. And what sorts of things have you been reflecting upon with all this extra time? Just, you know, just life in general, obviously, is this what I want to do? You know, because Achilles tear, that's something like you got to live with. You know what I'm saying? Like going forward, even after fighting. And knowing the possibilities of, you know, pray to God that nothing else happened,

but possibilities of other injuries coming up. And, you know, just self-reflection on just, you know, this is what I wanted to do since I was 14, you know. And like I said, if I still wanted to do it. But I do, I do. You know, I do. But looking at the fights, thinking about what did I do wrong, my lab, camp, what could I have done right to, you know, ready, eliminated certain stresses, you know,

just certain things, aspects of my life. So, you know, I feel a lot better. I feel a lot more, you know, clear-minded, you know, it's just got to still do the recovery thing before I could, like, physically, you know, show what I can do. Did it get to a point for you that you were willing to say goodbye to the sport? Did it get that close at all? No, it's, you know, some days, I don't want to call it a pity party, but, you know, the days you're just down.

You know, with, you know, you're seeing your teammates fight and you're just here, you know, and knowing that it's going to take some time, you know, other than just recovering, just getting my time back together, you know, with my hands to feed, feast in hand. and just, you know, just getting back in the swing of things because, you know, I haven't really been doing too much other than recovering and just lifting weights, you know, so I might go into the field of bodybuilding, you know, because that's all I've been doing, but, you know, no, it's just, I'm just seeing a sport advance and just people just getting better and better. And I'm not saying I'm just here in a depressing way,

but it's just like, you know, I'm just, you know, hungry, but I'm being patient. I'm being very, very, very patient because I know when it's my time to shine, I'm a shine bright, so. I think everybody kind of experiences this, no matter what line of work you're in. Like, you see, you know,

when you have to take some time off, it's almost like you feel, I guess you feel like you're almost like you're left behind in a way. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, just seeing everybody win.

You know, I'm happy for everybody, man. But it's just like, you know, I want to get some dubs too. You know, UFC can only satisfy, a UFC 3 can only satisfy me so much. And, you know, and lately I just been getting cooked, so I haven't even been playing the game too much because I've been getting too sought. Like, you know what? In real life, that wouldn't happen.

I'm very excited for the UFC 4, though. But, you know, that's what's been keeping me sane down the earth and just cool. Just as you had thought, you know, 2020 would be the year to sort of turn the page and fired through this rehab and get back after it. It turns out it's one of the craziest years of our lives with the global pandemic and, you know, everything else going on in the country. I'm sure that has enhanced your patience and your growth throughout this whole process. So, you know, besides just lifting weights and trying to get back and playing video games,

you know, how has the rest of life been for you over the past few months trying to get back with everything going on in the world? It's been normal, you know, people being, like I said, people have been complaining about before, the quarantine, they were like, I was like, I've been on quarantine way before you guys. And so it's the same. It's like the same as everybody else. It's just like, you know, I can walk now. So like I can go outside, go for a little jog, which is hard. Oh my gosh, I did not know you need your calves that much to go for a jog, man.

Like, I thought it was just going to be the left leg. It's both the legs. because I couldn't I wasn't if I was I was on crutches so I wasn't using my left or my right you know what I'm saying so when I'm finally able to use my left and my right when I tell you that took everything out of me for that whole day I'm like I got some work to do but it's you know I'm living I'm actually enjoying my time off you know because I'm getting the heel like and that's not just the recovery aspect of you know my Achilles but it's like I mean when you when you train for this sport like it's every day. you're just beating up your body. You know, every single day you're getting punched in your head, even if it's not a hard punch, you're getting punched in your nose, you're getting punched in the chest.

I woke up today from lifting weights, and my side is like what it hurting it. I'm just like, man, compared to getting kicked in it, it ain't that bad. You know, I can just stretch, you know what I'm saying, relax. And I'd be cool, you know, so I'm enjoying the quarantine. I really am. That's why I'm like, I know when it's time for me to go.

I'm going to be like, I'm like, go, you know. So it's not just like the Achilles that's recovering. It's like everything from the mind to the toes, right? Yes, everything. I've felt in love with ice baths now. How much better they've been making me feel. Like I'm really taking this opportunity and not only looking at it, you know, self-reflecting and all that stuff, I'm looking at it from like a positive, you know, positive perspective of like I get to heal, you know, I get to heal, you know, I get to like actually recover. You know how Floyd Mayweather to come in, fight one time, get 300 mil, and you don't hear from like three, five, one.

years because he's just chilling, he relaxing. And, you know, I get to spend time with my family. I get to be home in Cleveland, Ohio. I've missed it. I really have. I really have missed Cleveland, Ohio, especially the summertime, just being in a familiar environment, you know, because last year and a year before that, I was in Colorado, you know, just different environment, different place. Go, go, go, go, go, go. And now I'm in Cleveland. I get to, you know, slow down, hear my own thoughts and just relaxed. Has it felt in a way like it's almost like turned back the clock for you going back home and experience all that, like going back to the guy who just got into the sport and

is working towards something? Do you feel kind of like it's gone down that way for you, like mentally? Yeah, actually, yeah. And that's a good thing because it's like, it's so weird. And I hope you understand what I mean by this when I say, like, I'm learning myself again. You know, like I said, I'm hearing my own thoughts. And it'd be so random because I'd just be talking to one of my close friends, my dude Marcus, he lives out here in Cleveland. And we was just talking and, you know, we was talking about fighting.

And I was, I forgot what I said, but I was explaining to him like the mentality of a certain move or a certain, you know, whatever. But it just clicked for me. Like, oh, that's why I used to say that, okay. Oh, like, you know, because when you're around different people, you know, because when you're around different people, in a different environment, you tend to adopt their ways. You know, not saying it's better, not saying it's worse, but you just tend to adopt their ways and start to think like them rather than yourself. So that's why I say, like, I'm starting to learn myself again.

You know, it's a good, it's a really good, familiar feeling. So do you think once you are ready to get back into a training camp, do you think you're going to go back to Colorado or do you think you're going to stick around where you're at right now? I'm going to go back to Colorado for the time. I like because I like it out there. You know, I built a really strong connection with everybody

out there. I love the altitude training. I mean, it's a love-hate relationship. I don't like, you know what I'm saying? The pain you go through during, but how you feel during the fights and after the fights, that's the love part. They have a lot of great fighters

up there and they're growing. And I'm excited to, I was actually talking to Mark Montoya a couple of years ago. He called a checking it on. See what's going on. He's excited. He wanted to get me back. My manager wanted to get me back. But we all just, you know, taking our time, being patient and just, you know, making smart moves. Because I'm not in any rush. I don't have time to come back or just because I'm super excited, get kicked one time. They're like, yeah, your Achilles just ruptured again. So, you know, I know I might be a little bit over exaggerating, but I mean, it's keeping me safe. I rather be safe to sign. You are a very active guy on social media, so people have been able to at least kind of follow along on your rehab journey.

And for those who do follow you on the IG as the kids say, we see your workouts are getting a little bit more and more intense as the days go on. So how is the Achilles now? How has the rehab and the comeback to King Cage 2.0 coming along at this point? The Keyles when it comes to lift weights, it's getting better. It's getting better because it was to a point where I couldn't. do anything that would overwork it. You know, like, I couldn't do squats or, like, anything that was like, you know, we just wanted to be smart about the situation.

But it's getting stronger. Like, I'm able to squat now. They still don't want me to push it too hard because I have days where it just gets tender. Like, it has swell up, not too bad, like how it used to be, but it's swell up and get super tender. and I have to ice bath, I have to massage it, and then I got to go to physical therapy. And like just as you said, physical therapy,

it's been going good. You know, it's been getting more advanced with the movements. You know, I've played soccer with the kids, right? And with my niece, my baby brother and one of their friends, and I was crossing kids up. I mean, like, from the moves that they taught me in physical therapy, I'm like, oh, okay. So I'm getting, like I'm getting, like I'm getting,

better at things that I wasn't good at before the injury. So that's a good thing. And I mean, I'm excited to come back. You know, I'm excited. I'm excited. I watch the fights. I see what I see. I see the flaws.

I see the good things that people do. I take from it as much as I can. You know, I might try to dibble and dabble on the punching bag. You know, but again, I try to push myself too hard because I know when it's time for me to go, I'm a B. I'm a go. You know, so just taking the light, taking the slow. When we spoke in January, you had said back then that you were looking at another five to six months before you thought you could come back and compete. And if my math is correct, we would be knocking on the door here.

But it doesn't seem like that's realistic at this point. So timeline-wise, what are you thinking? Maybe the end of the year? Maybe sooner? Possibly maybe end of the year. but it all depends on how my Achilles feel. You know, the doctor may say one thing, but my body's telling me another, you know.

And like I said, being back home, I'm hearing my own voice, and I'm going to do what's right for not only for my career, but for my health, you know, because after fighting, I'm going to just have an Achilles injury. And that's about it. So I want to make sure that, you know,

even after fighting, I'm good, not only mentally, but physically as well. Has watching the fights, I'm sure, like, at certain points, it's a little frustrating as you talked about. You're like, oh, man, like, I want that feeling of victory myself. Like, we can't get that right now. But at the same time, it probably motivates you as well, like especially when you see guys like Chris Gutierrez go out there and have the horns that he had. And like a lot of your guys have from Factory X have looked really good and picked up some big wins. So that has to motivate you as on top of the frustration, too.

It's kind of like a double-edged sword, right? Yeah. He did, he did, what they said he was, he made his three, he's the 11th guy to stop it with leg kicks. I think he's like the 10th total, but it's the 11th time it happened because Barbosa did it twice. Oh, okay, yeah. Funny story about that. I talked to, we call him critique as, but I talked to him maybe like a week or two before his fight. And we was making jokes.

And he was like, man, you know, I ain't got the big, bank like you. I'm like, yeah, but you be whooping people legs. Like, that's your thing, man. You just whoop people's legs. It's like, I'm like that. He was laughing and stuff like that. And to see him go out there and do what he's just naturally good at, I was so proud of him, man.

Like, I'm like yelling like, ooh, ooh, like, I know how they feel. So for him not to have shin guard his own and his goal is to hurt. And for him to do that, I called him maybe like a week later just laughing. Like, bro, you, you whipped his legs, man. Like, he couldn't walk or nothing. He was like, you're wrong for that. I'm like, you're wrong for that. You whooped that man legs.

He couldn't stand almost. So, yeah, I was happy for him. Yusuf did a great job. Like, you know, I'm proud of all my teammates, even the teammates who left the gym and went elsewhere. Like, like you said, it's a motivation to see them do great things and consistently grow. Yeah, it's nice seeing guys like Yusuf get a shot and Brandon Roy Val finally got a shot. Like, I was like, when the hell they're going to bring this guy in?

I tried to keep the camera at still. You've seen the fight, right? That's nuts. He, he, man, man. I wanted to say, like, I, like, my dude Marcus, man, like, he, like, he, like, we actually fans to hell. You know what I'm saying? I'm friends. You know, we're cool, but it's like, he good.

Like, Brandon Rovart, like, he's, when I first went out there in Colorado, he was the first dude, one of the first people I sparred. And I'm like, you know, he's small. He'll 1-25, right. my tired with him. He kicked me in my head so fast, but it was so controlled. I'm like, oh, if this was real, I ought to be out. And he's good. Brandon is good. He's a savage, man. That fight went exactly the way I thought I was going to go, which is going to be a wild scramble fest and whoever could have the better gas tank overall would hang on there. I wanted to ask you about this because I talked to Brandon heading into the fight and I talked to him

coming out of it. And he said that his approach as he walks to the cage and, like, as he's getting ready to go out. It's like he doesn't want to do it. He's like, I just don't want to be there. I hate this effing sport. Why do I do this to myself? But then once that door locks, it's like, and this this animal just comes out of him. Have you noticed that about him that he just has this kind of weird approach to fighting that he doubts himself so much, but maybe he needs that to perform the way. Yeah, everybody's different. Yeah. Brandon, when I say weird, I don't mean it in a bad way. I thought like my thing is to not fight with emotion. You know, that's my thing because I feel like when you add in emotion, you hesitate, you mess up, and your mind gets clouded.

He's the only guy that I know that, like, cry, like, before. Like, he'd be, like, not crying, like, sobbing. Like, he'd just be mad. And I just be, I don't say nothing. I just watch him. And he goes in there and he just does, like, crazy things to get the win. And it doesn't affect him at all. So I feel like he's the only part of that I know that can fight with emotion.

and he just does great things with it. What's Ohio like right now in terms of restrictions and how everybody's handling this pandemic? Because some states are doing well and the numbers are dwindling and things are on the up and up. And then you go to Florida and it's like a disaster. It's like 10,000 new cases. It's absolutely insane.

What's Ohio like right now? Well, first off, it's hot. Yeah. So I just turned the AC off, you know, so I'm starting to feel it. It's muggy. but I just, they actually, I guess they made it, they made it mandatory to wear face masks.

Yeah. I don't know if it's mandatory yet, but I ain't trying to take no, you know, chances. So I wear the face mask. I actually got some tent toes face mask. So that works out. I mean, people outside, but, you know, it's not as, I feel like it's normal.

You know, people, everybody wearing, like, face masks and stuff like that, but, you know, people are still going outside before they jogs, walking around still doing like nothing's going on. All right, well, that's good. I mean, yeah, it's like, it ain't that bad. We're not going to concerts with like 10,000 people.

Like we're seeing in some places in the country, it's insane. Yeah, yeah, I've seen a video. I don't want to name the club just in case. But it's this cool club out here that was filled with people. I think it was last week or two weeks ago, filled with people. like, man, man, it just take one person. It's just one person. So everybody got different priorities, man.

I guess they don't want to stay in the house, you know. But if they ruptured their Achilles tendon, then stay in the house. That's what this should happen in Florida right now. Yeah, right. Yeah, everybody's staying at the house. The numbers will go down. It's crazy. What do you think has been the biggest change for you throughout this whole process?

I mean, we talked about the growth and self-reflection. and the way you look at fighting and, you know, having that patience behind you to not have to rush things to come back. But what do you think has been like the biggest change overall since this time off? My mindset, you know, and, you know, just going back on saying, just learning me again, you know, being familiar with myself and just hearing my own voice, you know, and just, you know, And just, you know, looking at this for what it is. You know, it's a business, it's entertainment, and, you know, nothing more, nothing less.

That's about it. I'm just being as blood as I can, you know. And, you know, once I'm out there, I show it. Keeping it simple. Yeah. Yep. Well, that's great to hear, man. You seem like you're in a really good place.

Like, I'm not saying you were in a bad place in January, but you're in a much better place now than you were in January. Yeah, yeah. I am. I am. I'm excited, but I can wait. I can wait. I can wait. It's smart.

You're a young guy, too. You haven't even hit your athletic prime yet. Like, you're probably 30? 30. Oh, really? Okay. You're good, man. I got like three more years then.

Okay. You're good to go, man. You haven't even touched it yet. You're not even close. So then you got old fogies like. me who were, you know, way past the prime. I went on, speaking of going for a run. I went off for a run. I went off for a run. I was like 90 degrees. I was, you know, I'm just going to go for a run. I had my backpack on so I can drink my water. Yeah. What a nightmare, man. Like, you talk about your

calves, man, my shins. My shins are just a disaster. I felt like I weighed 500 pounds running yesterday. And it's hot. It's like, I get it's summer, but it shouldn't be this hot. It's just too hot. Oh, my gosh. I do not like, I don't like any over, over-exaggerated temperatures, whether it's heat or the cold. Just give me, I'm about to go on Google and look up a place where it's just like, it's cool, but he got the sun that'll warm you up. But it's like a real cool, calm place, you know, not too hot, not too cold, just, just cool. Like San Diego or is that too hot for you? San Diego is like in the 70s every day. See, that's cool. You can do that? Yeah. And if it get too cold, you just throw in a cover and then you naturally just go to sleep because you're comfortable.

Yeah. But it's like 70 degrees, like every day there. Like every single day. There's no snow. There's no winter. It's just like every day is the same. That sounds cool. You can do with that?

Yeah. That sounds cool. That's so cool. I got, well, first I got to look it up, you know, because, you know, I'm saying it sound cool, but it's like, you know, ravaged dogs, you know, roam the area every day. So I got to make sure it's cool and safe. It's expensive out there, man. Oh, see?

See? See? No, can't deal with it. Pros cons. I hear you. I can't do that shit either. Oh, cool. Oh, cool. But great checking it with you, man. I'm glad that you're in a good place. I'm glad you're staying patient. And your time's going to come, man. You're going to come back. And, you know, you're going to display all this new growth and evolution that you've shown as you're getting back to just being normal again. You know, after the Achilles, you'll be able to run normal and it won't be as painful anymore.

And things will be good. And whenever that happens, man, we'll all be watching. So thank you for the time. All the best to you. Anything else you want to get after you check. before you go. Other than follow me on Instagram at K-O-E-U-S-K-K-E-U-S-E. I'm thinking about changing it

because it's super long, but whatever. I'm still working on my Tintoes gear, you know, got a little special thing. It's Samurai Tint-T-T-T-Tos. I got some face masks coming out. Well, I already got them now, but I got to get some more made because people will start buying them.

And again, I appreciate the love and support. I actually get a lot of love and support rather than haters, and I really do appreciate it. Sounds good, man. All the best to you. We'll see you back in there. Maybe at the end of the year. Maybe you're early 2021.

Mm-hmm. Thank you, bro. Thanks, man. Good talking to you. Just incredible stuff right there with Devante Smith. And my heart just breaks for that guy right now with everything that's going on. Again, the go fund we linked to help out after the tragic incident that cost his 23-year-old sister, Darien Smith, her life early.

Saturday morning is right here on the screen. So whatever you guys can donate, $5, $10, $20. If you have the means, please help out because this is just a horrible thing that this family has to go through right now. We send our condolences to Devante, his family, and Daryant's children, and really anybody that's affected by this awful tragedy. Devante is a guy I've been talking to for a couple of years now. And you could kind of see it at the beginning of the interview. like he's, he's, you kind of have to like get him going, but once he gets going, he's great. And I feel like Devante and I have built a really good rapport over the years.

But I did want to read a statement that was sent to me from Devante Smith and from his team following this, this just horrific tragedy. He said, quote, my sister is an amazing person who is a true source of light and inspiration in life and death. We miss her more than anything and would do anything to bring her back. We're extremely grateful. for everyone's support in prayers. So whatever you guys can do to help that family out. It's almost like impossible to transition from that to our next conversation as we chat with the newest member of the UFC's Bannamweight Division,

John Castaneda. He makes his UFC debut next Saturday, July 25th, takes on Nathaniel Wood in Abu Dhabi. Here's my conversation with the former Cambodja America's Bannamweight champion. John Sexy Mexie Castaneda on what the heck. All right, we have the newest member of the UFC's Bannamweight Division, John Castaneda, joining us right now as we found out last week. He's going to be stepping in on short notice to take on Nathaniel Wood on July 25th on Fight Island. Welcome to the UFC, John. How are you? Mike, I'm doing well. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

So this is something, right? I mean, you haven't competed in well over a year. You're coming off a win, but here we are in the UFC. Does it like, does it sound real when you hear that that, like, you're in the UFC? Yeah, no, absolutely. you know, it is kind of surreal for sure. I feel like every fighter starts this journey to get to this point at some point, you know what I mean, to get to the UFC. We're here. And like I was telling my coach, like getting here was, you know, it just took winning fights.

But now, you know, kind of maintaining this job is going to be the hard part, right? Now we're going up against the best in the world. Now it's, now is the time that matters for sure. How did this all come together? Like, when did you know that you were an option here to fight? fight Nathaniel would and replace Umar and Magamatov because I would assume like once you became you know closer and closer to being the guy I assume there was probably a face time call from Jason House involved because that's typically how it happens. Yeah absolutely so obviously with

having Jason House as a manager you know one of the more well-known managers in the game there there's always a possibility for a last minute fight in the UFC or any other big promotion there's been a couple times in the in the past year actually that I've been offered some fights from Jason last minute not even just offered like a for sure like hey this is you know they're asking for you but like just putting my name in the hat you know and I've had to say no a couple of different times most mostly because actually 100% of the reason I'm just going to be honest with you is because I was nowhere near the way that I needed to be for a you know a 10 10 10-day fight, 10-day short-notice, two-week short notice.

Basically, we chatted a couple months ago, and I told them, I heard about the UFC Fight Island cards, and I saw that there was a couple of band-in-weight fights on every single card, and I just told myself mentally, like, hey, I'm going to start a camp, and I told Jason this too, I'm going to start a camp in the hopes of one of these fights falling through. So, you know, eight to 10 weeks ago, mid-quarantine, I started training hard, I started dieting, two weeks ago on the Texas card I think his name is Sean Woodson He was uh

His opponent fell through And Jason had asked me if I If I was You know willing to throw my name in the hat And I was like absolutely Like I already told you You know I've been training I've been dieting

I can make 140 Yeah no problem So they put my name in the hat They ended up going with a different guy A local guy which is no problem but I kept training, you know, and now we're here, basically. So this is not a typical short-notice fight because you've been preparing for the spurt opportunity anyhow. Absolutely. And, you know, I'm not going to lie, the quarantine aspect of training is honestly a bit better for me.

We at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, where I guess here in Minnesota we have some rules that we have to abide by because of COVID. So we're able to train in smaller groups. and, you know, I got my little group of four to six has been stellar. You know what I mean? A bunch of studs in the room, good jihits, you guys, good strikers. And I'm getting a little bit more focused from my coach directly. You know what I mean? It's a smaller group.

So I feel like I've evolved a lot during quarantine. And even in this past year, you know, I've been working hard these last eight to ten weeks. So I'm ready for sure. I don't know if you remember this, but I was telling my, our producer, Casey, off air about this. I remember the first time I spoke with you, it was in September of 2016, you were getting ready to fight Gustavo Lopez for the vacant Cambodet Bannonwhite title. And the way that Cambachia set up is I spoke to both of you guys at the same time. Like, you guys are both on the same call together. And you ended up winning that, yeah, you ended up winning that fight against

Gustav, you finished him in the fourth round and then you continued this, this crazy run you've been on. Now both of you guys are in the UFC. It's pretty crazy how things can just kind of take off over a four-year time frame, right? It's super crazy. I know. And, um, I mean, we fought for the title that night for combat the America's title. And yeah, like, like you said, here we are, both in the UFC. I've actually, when I first, when I saw he got the call to the UFC, I was like, mentally I was like, I'm next. You know, I've fought this guy. I beat this guy and, you know, I know I'm next. And here we are, you know, it'll be fun. I mean, we, we saw we are really cool now. You know, we chit-chat back and forth on, uh, on Instagram and stuff. So he's a good guy. That's good.

hear it wasn't that way back four years ago but I'm right you guys have uh had very the hatchet since them but you know since that fight you've you've run off a couple of a bunch of wins you were on the contender series in 2017 you got the win you didn't earn a contract and that was that was your ninth win in a row and and yeah it wasn't a finish but it was still a win but i mean what did you take away from that experience despite not getting a contract that night that camp leading up to that was rough man I was injured um I wasn't able to get you know a lot of road work in which is part of my game, you know, being in good shape and getting in my cardio rounds, I wasn't able to do that that camp. And I felt it during the fight, you know, I think the,

not the judges, but I think Dana White and everybody watching, you know, saw that, took that performance. And, you know, I wasn't impressed with myself. So how I can't expect them to be impressed either, you know, so I'm not surprised I didn't get a contract. But I've done a lot of growing mentally these last, you know, three years, two and a half years since then. And I'm, I'm more than ready, man. I'm more than ready for the shot. Absolutely. Yeah, you looked pretty relaxed right now, despite the opportunity in front of you.

Like, when did you sort of turn that corner? Because you were, I remember that conversation with Gustavo. Maybe it was just because of the scenario, but you were a lot more intense in that conversation than you are right now. I'm actually, you know, it's been four years since then, but it's almost like I'm talking to a completely different guy right now. Yeah. No, absolutely.

I, to be honest, I would say it really, it really took a turn, you know, this at the beginning of the year, you know, pre-COVID. Everything changing for me in terms of like my training regimen and stuff like that. I'm getting older, you know what I mean? I'm 28. I'm hitting my prime. I'm getting more sleep. You know, there's just so many little factors that are playing into it, you know. But I feel great, man.

I feel ready and I'm ready to rock for sure against him. you know what. Prior to your last fight, you had dropped back to back fights and it was, you know, one was in the finals of the Copacombace, which, you know, it is what it is. And then you lost a close split decision after that. What was that like for you to sort of be

in that unfamiliar territory, losing two fights in a row? It was tough. I mean, there was definitely a lot of pressure. Absolutely. You know, losing two in a row or you don't want to be the guy that loses three in a row. But it's it really kind of, it's

motivating, you know what I mean, just like with anything else. I feel like in both of those fights, it was a cardio issue. And it was a cardio issue. See, I break it down. So like when I'm training for a camp or when I'm in training camp, you know, you have overall fight camp conditioning, but you also have, how I like to call it is like just straight jihitsu and rolling and groundwork conditioning and then boxing conditioning. And to be honest, my boxing conditioning, my stand-up conditioning wasn't on par those two fights. And I feel like that's the biggest thing, too, is that I've been working my stand-up so much. My conditioning and my cardio for my striking is there.

And I feel like that's what's giving me more confidence for this fight as well, you know, because if you, I'm a wrestler at heart, you know what I mean? I like taking people down, but that's kind of just a reservation in the back, you know, in the back. If I can stand and bang and compete with people, some of these high-level strikers, that's what I want to do. And I have my conditioning on both ends right now. You know, I've been working, I'm telling you, man, I've been working my butt off these last eight weeks. So I'm excited. If you don't mind me asking, because we did mention Gustavo, were you still under contract with Cambaché before you got this fight?

Because we saw a little bit of drama when Gustavo got signed. I know he was the champion, so the circumstance were a little different. But were you still under contract with them? No, so my contract ended with them. I want to say shortly after my last fight, which was last year. It hadn't ended, but I think we basically asked for a release and they granted it. And, yeah, since then I've kind of been sidelined. But, no, I was not under contract.

I also did see that little bit of drama with Gustavola's contract, which I think ultimately they made the right move, you know, letting him kind of get out of that contract to fulfill his dream, you know. So were you, was it an injury that slid to the layoff? Like what happened there? Because it's been what, 17, 18 months before your last fight, something around there? It was a little bit of injury. It was a little bit of, honestly, lack of discipline.

Lack of, you know, maintaining my weight. That's kind of been the biggest thing. I've had multiple opportunities. I want to say four or five. You know, some UFC, some. some other promotions. And I've I've turned them down. Yeah, I've turned them down. And to be honest, I'm not going to lie. You know, I'm living comfortably. I do have a part-time job, which provides really good income. But like I said, my passion for the sport hasn't gone away

by any means. And I've been training these last 16, 17 months just like I would, you know, for a fight. It's just been the diet aspect. And the, I guess, the urgency to, make a paycheck from a fight hasn't really been there. But I'm, I'm ready, man. This is my dream. This has always been my dream. I'm more focused now than I ever was. What's the part-time gig, if you don't mind me asking?

Yeah, no, I actually manage a nightclub downtown. Nice. From Minneapolis. So the nightclub industry, it's a lot of under the money or under the table money. You know what I mean? A lot of tip money, stuff like that. So I make some good money. there. Are the clubs open back up at Minnesota right now? They are at a certain capacity. They are.

I think it's like 40 or 50% capacity. And so it's not crazy busy, but we, we tend to dry in like the, a lot of business people, a lot of out-of-town business people or just Minnesota business people, a lot of wealthier people. We're kind of like a high-end, like a high-end nightclub for sure. That's awesome, man. So let's talk about July 25th. going to fight Nathaniel Wood, one of the bright prospects at 135 in the UFC. And I'm sure as a guy that was trying to get to the UFC yourself and seeing the climate of the division around the world, I'm sure Nathaniel is a guy that you've been aware of over the years, right? Absolutely. No, I've definitely heard the name, and I've lost a couple of his fights. Obviously, since I found

out that I am fighting him, I've done my research. And, you know, he's obviously three and one in the UFC. He's got just as many fights as I do, so I know he's a veteran, you know what I mean? And that's that's the thing with having these 16 months off, 17 months off. It's, it's really not a problem to me. You know, like I said, it's, I've been training every single day. That's a lot of, that's a lot of fights, 17 fights. I had 16 amateur fights, you know, this isn't anything new to me. Taking this much time off isn't really, you know, to me, ring rust and all that stuff

doesn't really play a factor. And I don't even think it exists, to be honest. Yeah, because you've had, you've had some, some lengthy layoffs before in the past. So it's not like this is the first time it's happened for you. Did you watch the fight with John Dodson? I get it. You know what's crazy is that I was watching all of his fights on UFC on Fight Pass,

and that's the only one that won't load. And I'm just thinking to myself, like, why won't that load? And I tried re-logging in and logging out. But, you know, ultimately, I know his style, and I know his tendencies. I know what he does. I know his strengths and his weaknesses. So it is what it is.

I don't need to watch that fight to know that, you know. When do you head to Abu Dhabi? I head to Vegas this Thursday, the 16th. I test for COVID there, quarantine for 24 hours, and then pending results, we leave that very next day. So Friday, so this coming Friday. So then you'll quarantine for, I think it's 48 hours once you get to Abu Dhabi. But are you excited to travel over there and see the island

and be part of something so unique for your first UFC fight? absolutely you know it's it's it's so exciting i i i didn't imagine fighting on flight island or i guess a secluded fight island you know uh when i made my ufc debut you know i was expecting something you know like uh i don't know even like a local show you know you know how they always go to the local guys when there's a local card i know there was a ufc minneapolis here a couple years ago and i was i was thinking of myself like this is my shot you know this is it right here but i was under contract currently and stuff like that. But no, the chance to fight on a fight island is unreal. I'm so excited. How do you like the actual matchup itself from a stylistic perspective with Nathaniel?

Like, how do you feel you match up with him, strengths, weaknesses, et cetera? I think that I have the advantage on the ground. I think he's, you know, he's got some finishes via submission. To be honest, I don't really know the caliber of the guys that he fought, though, that he submitted. I think Dodson was obviously his toughest opponent. Striking wise, I know he's fast. He's fast and he's active, but like I said, I've been working my hands like crazy man. And I hit like a truck for a 35er. I know that for a fact.

And I know that if I can tag him, I can hurt him. So, you know, the goal is to stand and strike with him, hurt him on the feet. But I know my wrestling is better than his. I believe my jihitsu is better than his as well. And my transitions between positions, you know what I mean? I watch a lot of these guys that he took down. and, you know, these guys aren't moving. These guys, he takes them down and he submits them.

These guys aren't moving. These guys aren't looking to sweep. These guys aren't looking to get up. You know, they're just complacent where they are. And I don't know if you've ever seen my fights, but that's not me. You know what I mean? You're a wild man. I'm a wild man.

How does this all play out next Saturday? Like, how do you make an introduction for this new crop of fans that are going to be watching you for the first time on July 25th? Like I said, I'm just looking out. I'm just looking to put on a show, man. I'm going out there, putting on a show. Hopefully, like you said, making some new fans. But I honestly, my prediction would be a submission win. Do you watch the card on Saturday, UFC 251?

I did. I was so juiced with it. I got a little, I actually got a chance to train with Rose and the Mahouinas here because I trained at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, Coach Greg Nelson. That was where she first started training. And she actually trained a couple months with us here at the beginning of the year. So I was able to get some training in with her. was rooting for her. I was super pumped and glad that she won. The main event, I, you know, I kind of

saw that coming, especially with Mazvedal taking it on short notice and that brutal weight cut, you know, 20 pounds and six days. That's crazy. But otherwise, the last, you know, the whole main card, the whole card was unreal. So definitely set a standard for the rest of the Abu Dhabi fights. And now your brand new division has a new champion in Piotr-Yon. Great fight with Jose Al-Doh, I mean, that was super good, yeah. That was super good. You know, what do you think of the new champion and, you know, what he can do with that title as far as like fresh matchups and just kind of the movement of the division now that Henry Suhudo is not, you know, doing what he does. Yeah, absolutely. With Henry being out, you know,

he kind of clean shot. He kind of beat everybody. But yeah, all the new matches, matchups with Peter are going to be super interesting. I think that that fight was super good. I think Jose Aldo's got some good matchups coming up as well. He looked really good. He looked really good. I think he just kind of, you know, took a little gas to, tank hit at the very end there. He cuts a lot of weight for 35. And those first, you know, those first three rounds were super competitive, I think so. So both those guys, you know, they're going to have some crazy good matchups coming up and I'm super excited about it. Well, we are super excited to see your Octagon debut next Saturday, John. Congratulations on the

call up. Excited to see how this all plays out with Nathaniel Wood and safe travels to Vegas, then on top, Budabi, and all the best to you in the fight itself, man. I'm Mike. Appreciate you. Thank you so much. Big thanks to John. Castaneda for the time, and I've been speaking with John for years, and this UFC call is long overdue, but it's got a pretty good test standing across the cage for him next Saturday night in Nathaniel Wood, and I'm excited for that one. That fight will be wild. Mark my words on that event headline by Robert Whitaker versus Darren Till. That whole card is bananas. It's just crazy. I still can't believe Alexander Gustafson. Alexander Gustaf is fighting Fabricio Verdub and heavyweight coming out of her. retirement. Like, that whole event is like the definition of 2020. It's just chaotic and wild and so many things you didn't expect to happen are happening on it. That's going to be a lot of fun. Earlier this week, I caught up with Rob Fonz, the number 10 ranked 135 pounder in the UFC.

He's been recovering from an injury. He suffered in his last fight with Ricky Simone at the UFC DC card in December. It was a win for Rob Fon. He's won two in a row. Most of the conversation is about that. He does talk about Calvin Cater versus Dan Ege, since he was out there cornering Calvin Cater after all. But by the time this drops, the fight will have been over. And I'm sure it was a good one. But let's get an update on when we may see Rob return to the Octagon himself right now on what the heck. All right. Mike Heck here for MMAFutting.com. And joining us from Fight Island right now in Abu Dhabi, the number 11 ranked Bannamweight in the world. Rob Font, he's out there as part of Calvin Cater's team of head of his big made event fight with Dan Ege on Wednesday night.

Rob, good to see you, man. How are you? What's up, brother? How are you doing? I'm doing great. It's always great catching up with a fellow Boston area native. First question, how is Fight Island? Like, we built up our imaginations for several weeks, but now that you're there in the flesh, and I know you're in quarantine right now, has it sort of

lived up to the expectations, at least looking out the window and stuff? Obviously, the view's beautiful. Check it out. Wow. You know, they have all the yachts in the the boats and all that. As far as getting out there,

obviously we've been quarantined for 48 hours. But the process here was smooth from Vegas. Once we landed, the process with getting tested and making sure we were safe and all that was real smooth. So shout out to USC, shout out to Dubai. They really put it together. Yeah, we just wait. I'm dying to get out of here, man,

if I can get out there and check out the town. As we record right now here on the East Coast, it's Thursday morning. So how long are you in quarantine still? When are you going to be able to roam the island and get free there? I believe today's the last day. Correct, Tyson? We should be out tonight for sure.

Well, there you go. It's just out. You were free, man. Right, losing your mind right now. It's just, I mean, that's just part of this crazy time in the world and even in the sport. But, you know, I want to talk about what's going on with you because a few months ago, I did speak to Tyson, your manager, and he told me. me that you would injure your knee and you had to have surgery. So what happened there?

Was it was it something that happened in the fight with Ricky Simone? So yes, second round, probably towards the end of the second round. I got taken down. We got to a weird, like a weird kind of scramble where he triangled my legs. His pretty much his hips went down. My leg came up and my ACL and this is a guy ruptured my ACL and tore my, sorry, a slight tear. my meniscus and I was December. I forgot what date was when I thought. It was December. Then I got surgery in January.

Two weeks later, it was in Vegas, PT and just getting after it. When things like that happen in a fight, you know, I've talked to so many fighters over the years that this has happened to, that extra adrenaline will pump through the body to help you get through it. It's almost like you don't even realize that it happened. But did you have a feeling that something significantly wrong had happened? Yeah, no, I knew. I knew recently. I mean, I felt it like, if you look back at the fight, you can see my face go, oh, shit.

Like, so, like, I instantly popped up. And then I just felt it. Like, I wasn't, like, it wasn't buckling. Like, you know how Macy Barber's Lake just kept giving out? It wasn't like that. So I'm like, all right, it's not that bad. Just forget about it. I tried to keep it out as much as possible.

And I, the third round, I kind of came in a little slow and just testing it out. But once I felt it wasn't that bad, honestly, when it took me down, I realized I could get back up and it wasn't that bad. I just keep pushing it. you know, we got W. But it was hurting right after, like, right when I got to the back room and got medical team, felt like somebody shot me in my leg. It was just, it was torture, man. But I was, it was even.

So I know I needed to win that around. And it was, there was no way I was not listening to Ricky Simone. So I had to just, you know, tough it up and go out there and get the job. When I, you mentioned being in Vegas and doing your PT. And when I spoke with Tyson, he was hopeful that you could return by the end of the year. You know, how has the. the road to recovery gone to this point? Where would you say you're at right now in terms of what you can and cannot do on that knee right now? Right now, mentally I'm like 100% ready.

Heather's not going to let it happen yet. The surgeon's not going to let it happen. He's not going to let it happen. Probably like 75% ready. I'm doing everything as far as strengthening pads, light drilling with certain people really just calculated. And that's it, really. So I'm not rolling in my sparring. I'll probably get back to sparring and a couple, probably September, but it'll probably just be boxing for that first, in lots of drills. And, um, but I'm ready. I feel confident.

I'm like, I'm like a fight right now. Like, I always like thinking about, how can I jump to this Frankie Edgar fight? Like, how can you make this happen? But there's no way, right? But, uh, I'm confident. I feel good. Uh, I feel like I haven't even less. If anything, I felt like I got better, you know, um, I got a whole brand new needs.

So I'm like, I'm a better person for that. So, uh, yeah, I'm ready, man. Division's exciting. There's a lot of movement in division. and I'm ready to get back in there and I mix it up with these guys. Yeah, because you see, like, in baseball all the time, some of these pitchers will have Tommy John surgery and they'll have to go in and just dig out all the garbage out of the shoulder

and then they come back and they're better than ever. Is it kind of like how you feel right now? Yeah, yeah, I feel great. I'm loose. I've been around a lot of high-level athletes, so my confidence went through the roof. Heather Lennon actually hooked me up with a PT out in Boston, And he pretty much does the whole Patriot lineup, a lot of the Bruins, a lot of the local lacrosse players.

So, like, I'm watching these high-low athletes recover from ACA, recover from shoulder or whatever. And I'm watching how they do it. And I'm like, I'm right in there mixed with all these high-lo athletes. And I'm just gaining confidence every day. So I'm ready. So fair to say no golf on Fight Island? Because I saw there was a golf course. No, I'm clear.

I'm clear. You can play golf? 100% clear. Yeah, I'm clear. That's the only thing I'm, like, really, really excited to get out there and do me. Like, oh, you know, getting to just one of these F1 race cars. But I'm clear, man, I'm good to go. Have you played it all this year?

Once I started jumping and sprinting and jogging, I was getting to go to play golf, so I'm ready. There you go. Have you played around yet? Just a small part three around the neighborhood. I haven't really got out there as far as, like, the bigger courses in a jogger ring, but not as not as heavy as we used to, but we'll get back to it. Stone a moat. Would you play Stone of Oaks?

Garrison. Okay, okay. Good. Stony Mox is pretty good. Sto. Yeah, Garrison. Well, there you go. So you've won your last two fights.

You're ranked number 11 in the division and 135. It should be in 10th, but whatever. Yeah, I mean, that's what happens, man. This is such a crazy division and such a crazy time. But 135 has become one of, if not the best division in the UFC right now. It's the hottest division out there right now. The hottest division out there. We're exciting.

We're putting on fights. I'm sorry. finishes. Yeah, it's exciting right now. What's it been like for you kind of watching some of these bigger fights play out over the past few months while you've been on the sidelines trying to get back? It's been tough, but it's been motivating.

You know, like, you know, that night all the 35 were spot, I couldn't even sit down. I was so hyped. I was just like, because I know I can get in there and knock all these dudes out. So I'm like, all right. It's got to be patient. You know, that's probably one of my biggest thing, especially when I was coming up on the amateur or

I didn't have patience, you know. you know, Tyson showed me how to develop that patience. And I think I'm thinking, I think I finally got it, but I still like, I'm like, like I hear opportunities. I'm like, fuck it, throw me in there, Frank Yeager, you know, a fucking veteran of whatever fights and I got one leg. I'm like, yeah, whatever, let's do it. It can make it happen.

But I'm getting better with patients. How much do you annoy Tyson on like a weekly basis being in this division right now and wanting to get back? I used to back in a day, I'll text him every day. Now I'm just like, I know what it is. I already know he's already thinking. what I'm thinking already. So I just let him do his thing and, you know, we'll fight eventually.

But back in the day, it's coming every day. What do you think about this? What do you think about that? We should do this. We should do that. They'd be like, nah, settle down. Just relax. You fucking suck.

Just go ahead. But now, I'm maturing. I'm maturing, you know. Of course, on Saturday night, there's going to be a new champion in the division. We have Piotr-Yahn fighting Jose Aldo. First off, Aldo is a legend in this game. It was a longtime featherweight champions, one of the greatest of all time. But as a guy who,

wants to be a world champion in his own right. What did you think of Aldo getting the shot when there were other guys that were more deserving from a meritocracy standpoint? I mean, he hasn't even gotten a win in the division yet. Does that frustrate you at all? To be 100% honest, I really don't care. I'm not fighting for the belt. I got at least two more fights by getting into that talk.

As a fan, I definitely did want to see Jose Aldo get a belt. As a fighter, it's kind of like, oh, come on, man. Because if I was in that position, like a Peter Yan or Al Jameen, I'm pissed. So I definitely got mixed emotions, but to be honest, I don't care. I just want to be back in there. I'm excited to see that fight. It's going to be a fun fight. You know, I believe Jose can pull it off.

Pied on the tough test, but I'm going on holding on that one. Oh, I like it, man. There's a fight coming up on Wednesday that is kind of significant to you in your division. Calvin Cater? Well, that one, too. I'll be worried about it's Calvacator, man. I'm not worried about any other. Anybody else with Calvin Cater.

I mean, Rivera and Stamen are fighting on. on that card. That came together last minute. That's going to be boring, bro. That fight is going to be boring. You know that fight's going to be boring. We're not worried about that fight. That's going to be a trash fight. They both know it. Yeah. Like I said, I'm worried about Calvin Cater and that's it. So, you know, let's talk about Calvin Cater then. You know, let's get the big fight with Danny Gay, main event on Saturday. You know, seeing what Calvin has been able to do,

to see him get some big wins, get a big headliner spot on the island like this, getting closer closer to a title shot. How motivating has that been for you? It's awesome, bro. I'm getting there. I'm right next to him like as he's doing it. I feel like my level has to rise now because my brother's doing it. I got to do it as well. So I got to get me some in events. I got to get me some bigger opportunities as well.

And he's just motivating. I'm just blessed to be a part of the journey. And I'm excited to see him get another W on Wednesday. There's definitely a focus within Calvin right now that is that is quite obvious. He's always been a focus guy. but I've seen it over the last couple of times I've chatted with him. And he has a certain approach to the fight game that's pretty rare to see these days. Like most guys, you know, they want these big money fights. They want to call for title shots.

And Calvin wants the title, obviously. But, you know, he takes calculated risks. He takes fights that most guys would perhaps hesitate to take. He just says yes. And then he's off and running. Almost like an old school mentality thing that you guys share as a team, is it not? Yeah, no, we just say we just want to fight. Obviously, once it comes down to him, we got to be strategic with matchmaking.

and we will, but it comes down until we just want to fight. We don't want to be sitting around too long either. You know, Danny Gaye is an up-and-comer. He's just wanted he had a big fight. I believe after we put him away, we're looking at a title shot up and not one more fight. But, yeah, and his approach is top-notch notch. You know, he really, really, really believes in Bill Belichick mindsets.

You know, and that's kind of rubbing off on me as well. And, you know, he just puts his head down. You get to work and get the job down. done no matter what it takes. Like, we'll get the job done. We got to drive, if you got to fly somewhere, if we got to pull people in, if we got to pay extra, we'll figure it out and get it done. And, you know, I'm picking a lot of that from him.

And, you know, I think everybody's getting better. You know, the team's getting better. Titans getting better. And it's all because of that mindset he has. How is he handling kind of the pressure of it all? Because he admits that most of the pressure is on him heading into this fight. He's the higher-rank guy. He's the one coming off, you know, a really big win.

while most people thought IGA lost his last fight, but, you know, Ege gets an opportunity to kind of knock him off the pedestal here. You know, how's he sort of handling that pressure? Is he just thriving in it right now as we get closer and closer to this fight? He's just thriving on it. He knows all the pressures on him.

He has to go out there and perform to his passability. He's fighting himself out there. He's not worrying about Dan Ege. This fight game's crazy. We could potentially lose the fight before you can get there, you know. So, like, he's not worried about Dan. He's only worried about Calicator, you know. He's going to go out there and knock his degree out on his side.

How quickly does he knock him out do you think? I know you're never going to say that Danny is going to win. Second round. Second round. Second round. You're going to fill him out the first round and put him away second round. Kind of like the Stevens fight, very similar. Exactly.

All these guys are going to get it. I'm telling you, man, this kid, I don't think people will leave. I mean, realize how hard he hits, how precise he is, how accurate he is with the shots, how he's more worried about the placement of the shot and the actual power, how long he is. And they don't know he can wrestle. So he's probably the most stepped on fighter in the whole UFC. So, yeah, I'm excited tomorrow. I'm sorry, Wednesday is going to be another coming out party.

And, yeah, everybody's going to jump on the cartel and the Calvin Cater bandway and watch. Calvin told me that, and I'm sure you can attest to this, that one of the goals for himself and the entire team is to have both of you guys be world champions at the same time. And I assume you share that goal. But is there like a brotherly part of you? that wants to get there first. Like, he's got a bit of a jump on you right now. But as we've learned...

He's got a big jump on me. Yeah, but crazy things have happened. Yeah. Yeah, no, I mean, obviously, he's got a huge jump on me, so which is whatever. Once he won that belt, you know, that's, you know,

I act like it's my belt as well. So I'm going to take a little bit off of that belt. But, no, it's going to be him. I believe it's going to be him first, and I'm coming on right after that. And to be part of, like, you know, I know you're not fighting, and you probably wish you could be a part of this

It's like a, you know, this may be the only time this ever happens in our sport where they had to rent an island for four different fight cards just to get these things going. And who knows it's going to happen in a couple of months. But just to be a part of this whole thing, even though you're not actually competing to share this with Calvin and the rest of your team, what does that like for you? Yeah, man, this is, we're going to be talking about this for years, bro. This is the first time, you know, I'm on an island about to get into a fight. You know, it's just, it's never like, I told you this a couple years ago, you wouldn't believe me. So yeah, man, this is exciting. I just want to see how all this plays out.

I just want to get up this fucking room, man. I'm fucking going crazy. But, yeah, I'm excited. Great catching up, man. It always is great to talk to you. But by the way, for those who are watching this conversation in the New England area right now, if they want to get some work in with the future Banimway champion, some training in with the great Rob Fawn, how can they do that?

Yeah, you know, it's easy. Just slide in my DM. If not contact Tyson, you can even call my. girl, Catherine Fris, if you want to, holl at me. You know, I'm probably the most experienced guy in the New England area. You know, I have the experience, I have the knowledge. I worked with a lot of great trainers, you know,

guys like Mark Della Grady, Dwayne Ludwig, Jimmy Gifford, Tyson Chardier, Joe Loseon, Steve Mays. I got a lot of knowledge that I can pass on. You know, it's an illegitimate cartel curriculum, you know, So, contact me, hit me up. You know, we'll be doing seminars soon. Me and Calvin and Tyson, there's going to be a whole movement with the cartel curriculum.

The cartel wave is railing. I'm excited. By the way, who's the next wave of cartel members that we're going to see in the U.S. Tommy Tomi, man, Tommy Tags. My boy, Tommy Pags coming up. I'll put them in any 45 or 35 right now in the local northeast of, in the main region. I'm talking about anybody, Jay Parian, anybody,

like Jet Perez, anybody can get, they're all getting knocked on, watch, watch. You're going to see how he's literally going to run through that whole division of 45 or 35ers. If you can make the way he's getting kind of big right now, but he's going to destroy the whole northeast. And give him two or three fights, he'll be right in the U.S. watch. There we go. We look forward to that. New England. I feel like the region, I feel like the New England region's been exciting for quite some time, kind of slept on.

When you're talking about the sport, but I feel like right now it's, we're at a point where it's starting to break out a little bit more. You know what I mean? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yeah, I'm excited. Again, I guess I've got a lot of young, up-and-coming talent. Obviously, you know, we have Calvin on the 15th, so big things are happening for the Northeast, for the cartel, and I'm excited. There you go, man. Enjoy the time on the island. Can't wait for you to be free. I'm sure you're just excited to get that wristband on and walk around and see what this island's all about. All the best to Calvin, all the best to you and the rest of the team this week, Rob.

Appreciate the time. Thank you so much, brother. Appreciate you. All right, take care. Bye, Tyson. Hey, buddy. Roving everything, brother. I know, look at that. Million dollars.

Just go. A member of the New England cartel, Rob Font, wrapping up this week's episode of What the Heck, a big thank you to him and all the guests and fighters to join us this week. Gilbert Burns, John Cassinada, Devante Smith. Again, our condolences to Devante and his family. Please donate to that GoFundMe if you can. It's just heartbreaking stuff.

If you wanted to do something nice today to help somebody out, that would be a good way to do it. But that's going to do it for this week's show. Another UFC event on tap for this Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. This one will be headlined by a fight for the vacant UFC flyway title, the rematch between Davis and Figurato and Joseph Benavitas. We will have you covered with Wayans for that event tomorrow morning. We'll have a preview show.

Full coverage on fight night. So keep it locked on MMAfighting.com. So big thanks to Casey Leiden on the production side. Esther Lynn on the graphics. And of course, to all of you guys and gals who watch and listen to the show every single week. You guys have no idea how much that means to me and to all of us. But we're done. The ranting is over.

I got to save my voice. All right. Enjoy the fights on Saturday. And as always, have a heck of a week, everybody.