MMA Fighting - What the Heck: Episode 45 | Britain Hart, Eddie Alvarez, Jiri Prochazka & Kay Hansen

Episode Date: February 9, 2021

This week on What the Heck, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck chats with Britain Hart (11:15) following her huge win over Paige VanZant at BKFC KnuckleMania, talks how life has changed, her post-fight promo, and much more. Eddie Alvarez (45:53) previews his upcoming fight with Iuri Lapicus at ONE on TNT 1 April 7, discusses the stock market, his long layoff, and Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul. Jiri Prochazka (1:13:17) reacts to his scheduled fight with Dominick Reyes getting postponed, talks when he believes the fight will be rebooked, Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya, and is he believes he'll be light heavyweight champion at the end of the year. Finally, Kay Hansen (1:34:59) previews her upcoming fight with Cheyanne Buys set for the UFC's event on March 20. 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 Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com 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 MMAFiting.com. Now here is your host, Mike Heck. What the heck? Well, hello there, everybody. Welcome to a brand new edition of What the Heck here on MMAfighting.com. I am Mike Heck. Thank you so much for checking out the program this week.

And man, do we have a fun show. So sit back, relax, grab a bite to eat, a cup of coffee. if you're listening in the car, buckle up and enjoy. But before we get to the lineup, it was a very busy, very fun weekend in the combat sports world. First, on Friday we had BKFC's Knucklemania event, and it was fantastic. I really enjoyed it from the opening prelim to the main card opener between Taylor Jenkins and Carissa Sagala. I mean, that fight was ridiculous. such a great fight.

Just unreal. Just unbelievable what those two women did in there. Great performance from Dylan Kleckler, just a nasty body shot knockout. I was super impressed with John Chalbeck's performance. What a prospect he's going to be

in the BKFC world. We saw 47-year-old Haim Ghazali going out there and getting finishes, amongst many others. I mean, so many great things happened on Friday. Also, Chris Lieben, can't forget about him,

goes out, ends his career with a first, Ron knockout win. Technically he had multiple knockouts after a, it's just a Lieben-esque type fight, and there's just no other way for Chris Leban to call it a career. So hats off to him. Future endeavors. The guy, I mean, he's refereeing. There's a lot he can do. BKFC wants to bring him on, kind of in an official capacity, maybe he has some sort of executive ambassador role, and he deserves all of that stuff. So congratulations on a tremendous career. for one Chris Lieben. And then we saw a tremendous title fight between Datwin and Johnny Bedford

for the lightweight title. Datwin is the new champion. Tremendous back and forth battle, super close fight. I scored it for Datwin. They want to run that one back. They want to do it like five more times. I'm in on every single time. There's a tremendous fight. Kudos to both of those guys. And then the main event, of course, between Britt and Paige Van Zand. Big win for Britainheart. Paige did pretty well in her first foray into the bare-knuckle world, but listen, it is what it is. She did fine. That fifth round, she got much better. She got much more comfortable.

She seems to enjoy it. She seems to find it very challenging, and she seems happy with it. I'm sure she's not happy with the loss, but I'm sure she's thrilled to get back in and improve and maybe run that one back. But speaking of that fight, much more on that back. battle between Britton Hart and Paige Vansant coming up in a matter of moments, hint, hint. So stay tuned for that. But Saturday, we had UFC Vegas 18. It was capped off by two incredible finishes, one by Alexander Volkov.

He knocked out Alistair over him in the second round. Big win for Drago. And how about Corey Sannaghanag and good Lord. What an unbelievable flying knee knockout of Frankie Edgar. Wild scene was pretty scary seeing Frankie go down like that. Just unbelievable performance for Corey Sanhagen. His next fight should be for the belt. There are some people who don't think that.

I think you're all crazy if you don't think that. But that's just me. It's sports. We can all have our own opinions of that, so make sports awesome that we can agree to disagree. But Corey Sanhagen, after that win, his next fight should be the winner of Peodor Yan versus Algeman Sterling for the Bannemway title at UFC 29 on March 6.

No doubt in my mind. Nothing else should happen. I'm sure they'll probably do something crazy because that's what the UFC. he does from time to time in these situations, but Sanhagen deserves it, and sometimes when you say deserve, that word gets struck from our vocabularies very quickly.

Also saw big wins for Clay Guida, Alexandre Pontosia, spoil the debut of Manel Cape, Benile Darius, great fight, big win over Diego Fajara. He deserves a big fight next. Saw submission win for Danilo Marquez, DeMillo, DeMurquez, excuse me, I'm sorry about that.

Submits Mike Rodriguez to open up the main card and much more. Our thoughts on that card, They're all over this network right now. You can check out the post-fight show. On to the next one, AK and myself. We did some matchmaking following that event. You can find that on the podcast network. We talked to all things.

UFC Vegas 18. Of course, the UFC is back again this weekend, this Saturday, second pay-per-view of the year. UFC 258, the main event is for the UFC welterweight title. Kamara Usman defends against Gilbert Burns. This is the third time this fight has been put together. It finally goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas. And this is an important fight.

Obviously, it's important fight because it's a title fight, and it's important for both guys involved. But this is a super important fight for the welterweight division. Why? Because let's be honest. And if you really look at the UFC in these divisions, if you look at who is in the top five or top six at 170 pounds, some of these huge names that are in this division already, especially in like the top four or five, then some of the other massive names that could. could fight at 170 when we're talking about the Connors, the Nate Diaz's, so forth and so on. This division has hit quicksand as far as intrigue and momentum since UFC 251 in July, hasn't it? I mean, after Kamar Usman beat Jorge Mazadol, and there was so much buzz heading into that fight,

there's really been nothing that has happened at the top of 170 pounds, right? I mean, we had Colby Covington versus Tyrone Woodley. That was a big fight. we saw Wonder Boy Thompson versus Jeff Neal that was a big fight big-ish fight we just saw Michael Keessa

versus Neil Magni headlining event that was a great fight as well but when it comes to like the sizzle on the steak it just really hasn't been there and it's not their fault it's just the way that it is

but now you look at where we are moving forward like Covington gets this big one over Woodley he has done nothing since I mean he's tied to this fight with Mazadol they're being linked together but nothing as of right now is on the books yet. And these cards, even through April, we're even starting to get fight announcements for May.

These cards are starting to fill up, but we're hearing crickets. We're not hearing anything when it comes to that fight, which is unfortunate. We do have Leon Edwards v. Hamzaa Chimae coming up on March 13th. They've tried to make that fight twice already. It's falling out the last two times. That's a big fight that hasn't happened yet as well.

So it all starts as Saturday. The momentum could shift back a little bit because Walterweight was super intriguing heading into 2020. Right now, this fight has to happen and probably has to be a pretty interesting and competitive fight, one that people are talking about because, like I said, Walterweight needs a boost right now. It just really does.

I mean, just think about Gilbert Burns. Like June of last year, July 1st, on July 1st, if you asked anybody who's the fighter of the year or who's going to be the fighter of the year, Gilbert Burns was the consensus pick for everybody. He was the favorite. After those wins over Maya, over Tyron Woodley, getting ready to fight Usman for the title. I mean, good God, what a start he had to 2020, even in the end of 2019.

And then Usman has just looked like a world beater. And people sort of give Usman crap about being a quote-unquote boring fighter. I know the Mazdaal fight wasn't the most entertaining and aesthetically pleasing title fight of all time. But it was a pretty dominant win. His fight with Colby Covington, it was an incredible fight. an absolutely incredible fights. One of the best title fights I've ever seen. And when he won the title,

he dominated Tyron Willey to become the champion. Absolutely dominated him. No one to that point ever had done that to Tyron Woodley. So we'll see what happens on Saturday. I really love this fight. It's super interesting, and it's one that is desperately needed at 170 pounds. So I'll get out by soapbox

when it comes to the Welterweight Division. But co-made event, we'll see the return of Macy Barber, her first fight since the loss to Roxanne Mata Ferry and recovering from that nasty knee injury. She fights Alexa Grasso. That's a fun fight, 125 pounds. It's sort of like the Who's Next kind of fight in that division,

which has gotten really interesting over the last year or so. Calvin Gaston needs a win badly. He's lost his last three fights. He fights Ian Hinesh, who looked phenomenal in his last fight, snapping his losing streak. That's a fun fight at 185. We get the rematch in Pedro Munoz and Jimmy Rivera. Of course, Rivera won the first fight.

They'll run it back. fun fight. Listen, it's not the most star-studded card of all time, but there's some really good matchups here. And we'll be talking all things, 258 throughout the week, so stick with us here at MMAfighting.com. All right.

I have rambled long enough. I need a sip of a beverage before my throat goes dry. So let's get to the interviews. Let us run down the lineup, and we'll get to our first guest. Rapping us up this week, and I really enjoyed this conversation. UFC Strawate, K Hansen, joins the program for the first time. She returns to action on March 20th. She will welcome Cheyenne Bays to the UFC. Really fun fight right there with two future

contenders at 125 pounds. You'll hear from the 21-year-old Kay Hansen to take us on home this week on the show. Also joining us for the first time. In fact, now that I actually think about this in my head, every guest on the program this week is a first timer. So that is fun. But anyways, Yuri Perashka will make his what-the-hek debut, of course. He was scheduled to fight Dominic Reyes in the main event of that February 27th card. Reyes suffered an injury. The fight has been postponed, and now that event will be headlined by Jarzini Rosenstrike versus Surreal Gahn. But listen, everybody is super high on Yuri Perashka. I get it. I'm super high on him, have been for a while, and I really enjoyed this conversation. Really smart guy. He gets it, and he believes this

Vio Dominic Reyes will happen pretty soon, actually. So you'll hear that chat a little bit later on. Eddie Alvarez will join us, the former UFC and Bellator champ. part of the one championship family. He is back on April 7th, the promotions debut on TNT. This is pretty big news. It's going to go down April 7th, right after AEW Dynamite. It's going to take on the 14-1 Yuri Lappicus. That's a fun fight. Demetius Johnson, of course, will be in the main event. He'll challenge Adriana Morias for the Bannamway title. But Eddie Alvarez back for the first time since August 2019. We will chat with the Underground King who is on deck. But first, Let us welcome in one of the big winners from this past weekend.

A massive career moment for Britain Hart. She defeated Paige Van Zand in the main event of Knucklemania. And then cut herself one incredible promo afterwards. In fact, she cut multiple great promos on Friday night. So let's hear from her right now. Britain Hart. All right, well, this past weekend in this combat sports world, we had a lot of memorable moments.

But one of the big stars of the weekend, probably the biggest star of the weekend, in my opinion, is my guest at this time. She defeated Paige Van Zanzan. in the main event of BKFC's Knucklemania. Let us say hello to Britain Heart. Britain, I appreciate this very much. How are you?

I am doing great, Mr. Heck. Thank you. I just actually left the gym, so I'm still in this unreal state of mind if things are really as different as they seem. But I've just been loving this moment. And I mean, regardless of my face being all puffy and bruised,

it's been a, it's definitely, I've been some crazy experiences. It feels like I'm living the dream. Yeah. How crazy has your life been since Friday night? I assume it's just been banana since then. It absolutely has. Like I've been,

I just started responding to people today saying, I'm sorry, it was out of control. Because I really just didn't want to take away from the moment. You know, of course, Friday was the night. So I really needed to be with my team,

my coaches and corner that were there for me. And the people that came and traveled all the way to watch me fight in person, And then I wanted to make sure that I was with them. So that kind of, you know, I haven't really got to reach out and tell the world, really, how I'm thinking, how I'm processing this. And then I had to go to the doctor and I had like emergency dental, dental work. So I was in the dentist like all day, Saturday, didn't get out to eight. And I was exhausted.

And then Sunday was flying back to California. So now here's my moment right now to just really process it and shared all you guys like really how unreal of a moment. is, but then again, you know, it's like the common thing everyone is saying you deserve this Britain and you're, and that's going back to that feeling, man, the feeling of like working hard and really working for something and believing you can do it and it happening. Like that is an insane feeling. So I'm definitely feeling it. There's just so much I have to ask you about Britain.

First off, like heading into the fight and I said this many times in the buildup, you were a fighter where the record didn't sort of accurately reflect the fighter that was going to get into that ring and fight Paige Vanzan on Friday. You were a fighter that paid your dues along the way, and you seem to have learned a lot of lessons along the way that not a lot of fighters get the chance to do, especially like you did it so early in your career. Like, is that accurate? And if so, like, how much did that early road that you traveled help put you in the position that you're in right now? Yeah. So the greatest quote ever to describe that is I failed my way. to greatness.

Like, I literally have failed so many things and have so many life situations, ring situations. You know, I've traveled and gotten robbed. I've had decisions. I've had draws. I've taken hard fights on one week notice. And I've always put on a hell of a show. Like, everyone who sees me fight is, like, exactly what I think a lot of the world is going

right now. Who is this girl? Like, who's this girl that comes in? Like, that's the common reaction. Like, who does she think? she is, but it's been like that for years. And no matter what, even when I fell, like, just barely, because I never really, you know, failed miserably, but I would fail just slightly, but it would be such a failure to where I learn

from it and I grow from it. And now people think that, you know, they might say I'm a mediocre boxer, but you got to look who I was with and against. I went out of weight classes. I fought tough, hard people. I thought people with no notice. I just got off my couch and went and gave a hell of a fight. So it kind of just shows, you know, anybody can do anything at a given time.

And I think that's why we really love sports and especially combat sports, because you just never know. And I know with Paige saying I was an easy opponent, and when she said it sounded like an easy win for her and didn't even want to say my name, like that drove me to be like basically inside laugh because I know the power I have. And I'm like, wow, you are not getting an easy fight with me. Like I'm the last person in the world anybody should say and think they're getting an easy fight. Did you say you've traveled to fighting, to different fight, and you've gotten robbed?

What happened? Yeah. So, like, a big one is in Texas. So in Dallas, Texas last February, you can look up the YouTube video. And I think it has like 15,000 views on it and like hundreds of comments. And every single comment is like, wow, that was highway robbery. Every single comment. And it was throwing Dallas.

I forgot. I forgot robbed can be used in different ways. I thought you meant like actually like criminally robbed. But you may have been in the fight. Yeah, I got robbed in a fight. But I have gotten robbed criminally too. So I went up to Ohio for a fight and someone stole my card when I was in Columbus, Ohio. Could you imagine how stressful that was for a fight?

They stole my card and withdrew like all my money out of my account. And I was like, even calling Wells Fargo, like, you better stop this. And they were like, we're sorry, our systems are temporary down. So it's funny you say that because I have actually had to happen to me too. Sheesh. So this road is bumpier than any of us thought probably. Yeah, that's why people like, if you know me, you get it because you're like, wow, that is something that Britain would just like, I go through every single life situation at least

once, like good and bad. I have been through it and lived through it all. And people just don't realize and know about it, but it has been a ride. And I know a lot of people are like, man, if your life was a reality TV show. everybody would be watching. They're watching now, that's for sure. Going back to when Paige signed with BKFC, obviously that surprised a lot of people

because when she left the UFC, most people thought she would go to Bellator with her husband and continue her MMA career. When you found out that Paige was going to sign with BKFC, how did you react to that? I thought it was good. I'm a company girl, obviously. I'm BKFC, and I love representing that

and saying that I was, there in the beginning and I was a pioneer. So to kind of have Paige come in and not have even fought and for her to be like, you know, flashing that she's number one and for her to get the main event and be at the top and now they're pushing her. I kind of wanted to, you know, show my message that I can do this too and be, you know, just as good as Paige Vance it. So anyway, when she came over, I kind of was like, man, you know, I was happy for us as a good acquisition to the team, but it was also kind of like a driving inside factor, like, hey, I want to be as good as this girl. And if they're going to bring her in, I kind of want to show them that, like, look,

I, you had it all along. What you were asking for, you had, but you just didn't notice it because I needed a platform like that to prove myself. And so I thought it was good. A lot of people message me and they were like, you and Paige are going to fight, you and Paige are going to fight. And I even said it then. I said, trust me, they're not going to put me as her first fight because I would kill her and they know I would beat her. Everybody knows that I would beat her. And that's why they didn't want to put me and make that fight. But when she stepped in that ring and said,

sounds like an easy win for you. And she took, you know, when she came in on November 13th, she kind of just signed her death sentence with me at least. I thought the build to this fight was really interesting because obviously Paige comes with that big name. And BKFC obviously has a lot invested in her.

But when you watch like the promotional packages and everything, it seemed to me, and I'm not sure if you're like a pro wrestling fan or not, but it looked like to me that you were positioned as like the baby face here. And Paige was kind of the heel in this situation. Like you were the underdog trying to take this giant step in your career, almost fighting for the purity of your sport. That's like kind of how I saw. And that to me show me that BKFC had your back in all of this.

Like this wasn't the Page Van Zand show. This was the page and Britain Hart Show, which had to make you feel even better about it. Did you sort of view it the same way? No, I absolutely did. And the thing is, is in my career, again, leading back to my box wreck, so many people have taken advantage of me. So a lot of people were like, hey, Britain, you know, this isn't going to be good for you.

A lot of people didn't believe in me in that aspect. They're like, you know, they want Page to win. Everyone wants Page to win. And I kind of even looked at them and was like, I really don't see it that way. BKFC is making me feel like, like, this is really my sport and I really belong. And they're giving me like this true Rocky story. Like, I get to live out the female rocky story through BKFC, and they let me do that. So, you know, when people would say, oh, they're setting you up with page, I'm like, no, they're giving me an opportunity.

And I think that they made it very fair. I think in the road to Van Sant, you know, we had equal showing time and we had equal positive points and equal negative points. And I think it really was a 50-50 fight in a lot of the viewers' eyes. but people that really know me and like really train with me every day, they knew, you know, they didn't have 1% of doubt. And it kind of seemed like it with her too, that maybe she isn't really meant for BKFC because she kind of is already stuck in her ways. Like she was late to some of the press conferences.

She was late and didn't follow some of the rules on what was expected as an athlete. And I kind of thought that as being like kind of disrespectful to an organization you're trying to make a place for and come in. And, you know, I think that to be champion kind of, it involves like the whole thing, like BKFC being on time as an athlete, making weight as an athlete, like all those other things that come into it that she necessarily didn't do right off the jump either. So I think, you know, when you're looking for someone to represent your company, you should look for great things like that.

Did some of that sort of stew into the way in itself? Because it was obviously memorable, got a lot of attention, it got a lot of extra eyeballs in the product for sure. Like what happened there from your perspective? of like what was said, what was going on in your mind as all this is unfolding between you and Paige at the way in. Right. So it's a way in. And, you know, we already had a press conference which was pretty, you know, pretty basic. But the way in, you know, it's the day before the fight, everything's heated up. And I just wanted to, you know, I wasn't doing anything crazy. You know,

I wasn't going to put my hand on her, pool her hair or smack her. I just ran up on her, like, to get extremely closer face to kind of set the message that this sport is going to be uncomfortable and I'm going to make you uncomfortable in it. But I wasn't going to touch her or anything like that. And I think that you've seen that very often at Wayans. How many Wayans have you seen people go like they're basically touching nose to nose? So I don't think that I was doing anything outlandish. But when she, you know, went to go put her hand on my neck, my throat, I kind of just like, you know, that's that fighter instinct in me again.

I kind of was like, what the hell is she doing that for? Like, you know, I'm doing something normal coming up in your face for a Wayan photo. and you want to put your hands on me around my neck. Like, I don't know if she was like snapping or that was just a fear or something else going on. But, you know, obviously it came out in aggression and the fact that I think it proved the message that she was thinking that she might have been above everything and that she makes the rules and that she's not having respect coming into a game where I know all the rules and know how to do it. So, you know, I just didn't think that was a smart move against a veteran. Did you feel like her reaction to that whole thing? Did that boost your confidence at all?

Because like a lot of times like I don't know what happens and you get into those face offs. But a lot of times fighters can see something and they feel something right away that like boost their confidence. Like maybe there's like an unsureity or something like that. Did you feel that way on Thursday night? Yeah, absolutely. It was a huge uncertainty. So, and I can break that apart. I think if you watch the film, you know, if you see the picture, the picture looks like it almost looks like she's punking me down and more that she's the alphal

alpha, but I take it back when you look at it. You know, me set and, you know, I came up first. You know, I was close to her. She reacted. I feel like it was kind of out of fear. And then when she put her hands behind her back and kind of just stood there, I felt like, you know, what did she said? She said, we'll fight tomorrow. And I'm like, but you put your hands on me first.

So if you're going to tell me calm down that we're going to fight tomorrow and play the good guy right now when you put your hands on me first. You know, so that's kind of what it was. but the fact that she, how she said it, and she was kind of looking down and was like, no, we'll fight tomorrow. I could see that she was kind of scared to break it down there on the stage, you know. And she left when we went out of stage again,

that shows like winner, lose in the heat of the motion, I'm going to stay around and do my job. She left right after Wayans and like no one knew where she went, where I kind of stayed and, you know, finished my rounds and talking to people and staying with my team and making sure everything was good. So I just was in more of a calm atmosphere.

of me and myself. So getting to Friday night, first of all, the first fight on the main card between Taylor Jenkins and Carissa Sagala, those two ladies beat the brakes off of each other. That was a crazy fight. And as somebody who was about to be in the main event at the end of the night, you're probably watching that like, oh, my God, this is incredible. How much did that fight fire you up for later on that night? Oh, the whole thing.

I was in the locker room yelling. Like, it hyped me up. I was screaming. I was like, oh, man, I was, like, critiquing the heck out. I was definitely team Taylor. So I was, like, yelling and trying to coach Taylor from the locker room. But I was sitting there thinking, dude, for me, I already know what to do. I'm already good, been there, done that.

But I'm, like, thinking, Paige has got to be watching this thinking, holy hell. Like, I know what it is, and it looks way worse than what it was. But, you know, it was intimidating to look. Like even one of my corners, who was, you know, his first bare knuckle event, he was like, oh, that's going to be you in main event. And I'm like, I'm not getting cut up like that. I'm going to cut her up like that and move and get out of someone and cut angles and do some things. But, you know, everyone has the opinion when they're watching on the outside end. But that was, I mean, it made me ready for it so much.

And I'm sure it intimidated that hell out of her. I mean, who wouldn't? I'm just crazy lack fear. So, but anybody else, that's pretty intimidating. Yeah, that was a wild fight. I don't know if it happened like before that fight or after, but you did a pre-fight interview with Brian Sosha in the back. And I mean, you were fired up, you were ready to go.

You had that look in your eye. And then you dropped like a great line at the end. And you said something to the effect of fear is the pathway to the dark side. And I am the dark side. Like what did that mean to you as you were thinking? I mean, because he kind of put you on the spot. So I get it. But you dropped that line like so professionally.

What did that all mean? Yes. I'm so glad you said that because I've been done. to tell people about it because I'm like, man, I feel like that was like when people are like, when did you know you won? I was like, I won the fight before the fight even started because I did drop that line. And it was in reference to her at the way in because she put her hand around my throat. So when I saw the picture, it kind of looked like Darth Vader to me, like, you know, putting up being like, you know, Luke, I am your father. So we were just laughing it off.

You know, they didn't make me out of my comfort zone. I wasn't like, everyone's like, oh, Britton acted out of character and she's all mad and stuff like that. But I wasn't trying to do that. So it was kind of me showing that I, you know, was aware of the situation and what she did and that I was still level-headed. Like I wasn't somebody that was shook up or riled up because she put her hands on me. So I kind of wanted to show that, one, what you did, I know why you did it and it was out of fear.

So you didn't put your hands on me to be the alpha female or punked me down. You put your hands out of me out of fear. and that fear leads to the dark side and meaning like once you go back in this it's a different type of power. So I kind of said it as a straight direct message to her for her choking me and I am the dark side and welcome to it

because I don't have any fear and anybody going to BKFC is going to have some fear in the beginning, which leads to suffering. There you go. So the fight begins and Paige is moving around a lot. There's a lot of that lateral movement in the first one was a pretty close round

but then you took over two, three, and four. It was all you. There's no that about it. I mean, she did hit you, but you were doing very well in the fight. And you mentioned her power in the aftermath. She hit you very hard. But outside of that, did anything else surprise you in there? You know, honestly, the whole fight was kind of a surprise.

I was thinking that she was going to come in. Like, in all of training camp, I was thinking that she wanted a dirty box and that she was going to come in the clinch. So that's really what we trained for. But when I first started out the fight, I remember round one, me really trying to do the whole, I'm going to hit you first because I try to stay true to my word. And I told her, you know, I'm going to touch you first tomorrow because she touched me first at the way end. So I was really trying to execute that and make sure that I lived up to that.

But I don't really remember anything notable besides she was like run. Not like she was circling. She was doing a lot of circling. I'm like, man, well, it's hard to set up your job on someone that's circling. I want to really practice and work on cutting off the ring at first. And I think you see that in the first round. I'm figuring out how to do that with a circular ring. And then I caught her with a really good combination right at the end of round one.

Like it was, I think, that stole the round personally. Because I think the first couple of seconds was just really being shocked that she didn't want to engage. And then once the second and third round came, I was really just, you know, super confident in everything that I got this. And I got stayed at the game plan. I think that when we were clenching, and I knew she was going to be really strong. I tried to prove that I was dominant in the clinch. So I remember whenever we got in the clinch, I could just think she's going to be training dirty boxing, and I'm going to outwork her in dirty boxing.

Like, nobody can outwork me dirty boxing, which is what you guys saw. But obviously it took a lot out of me. And when she did, like I actually got this new technique on how to block uppercuts. And I'm super thankful for it because it helped block a lot of them that would have been probably devastating, but obviously this is the sport and the, you know, her job is to hit me. So a few of them went through. So the few that broke through of my defense, when they landed, they really did hurt. And it was like, it was, it took a lot more out of me than I was expecting.

So again, I think some people said that she turned it up in the fifth round. I watched the fifth round again. And I feel like, you know, yeah, she looked good because she was actually throwing and engaging now rather than circling out. But I think if you go back and look at all the exchanges that if she hit me a good time, I hit her a good time after and I never backed up. Where after every exchange with her, she backed up after I hit her and didn't keep going. So I really feel like that's what won me to fight because when she hit me, I just dug down deep. And when I hit her, she was out.

Like I would be interested for her to say how hard I hit because, you know, she was backing up. But I stayed in there and then she did hit hard. And, you know, again, the fifth round was like, man, I pulled that out with everything. That was everything else I had in me right in that round. How many times have you watched it since Friday? Three. Three times. Three times.

But three, like, pausing and rewinding times, like pause, rewind. So, you know, essentially it was watching moments. So there's certain moments I've watched a thousand times. Like, you know, in a clinch, there's one clip in the clench. the part where my mouthpiece comes out of my mouth. I've watched that clip like a thousand times. I watched this awesome uppercut. I land on her a thousand times.

But as far as the whole fight, I'm sure I'll watch it a thousand times when I get everything caught up with my thank yous to everybody. Yeah. I mean, it was pretty much unanimous all over social media that you had won the fight.

And when it's over, you're standing there waiting for the decision to be read. I mean, were you feeling fully confident that your name would be called? Like I felt like you won the fight. There's no doubt about it. But I can understand as a fighter, it can be a little bit uneasy at times for you when you hand it over to three people that sometimes don't know what they're watching.

Yeah. Honestly, I was kind of devastated inside because everybody asked for the fight prediction. And I said I was going to knock out Paige Mansant in the third round. So in the third round, this is why it sucks and you should learn. Like sometimes as fighters, it's hard to make those expectations because when you don't do it, you can kind of take it hard. So when the third round came out and I went into the fourth round, there was a moment of, oh, shit. Like, I was really banking on not like I really believed in myself to knock her out in the third round.

Like I got to get this. And I was focusing on it a little bit harder than normal. So I think that's also why I kind of tired and fatigued a little more because I was really focusing on the knockout. So when the fight ended, I was just, that's all I could think of. I wasn't even thinking how great I did or all. awesome things I did. I was thinking, man, I didn't knock her out, like I said, and because I didn't knock her out, I'm probably not going to win because, you know, this is a story of my life. It's the classic story. Like I said, I failed my way to greatness. You know, I would put so much effort

and work so hard and then something wouldn't go in my favor because, you know, life isn't fair or, you know, I got the short end of the stick or whatever it was. I was just kind of already prepared in my heart, you know, that that was going to happen to me again. So when I found out I won the decision. I mean, that's why you see the reaction that you did because I was already thinking I didn't win. But if I watched the film, like talking me right now, watching back the fight, I have 100% won. Like, I feel like I won honestly almost every round in my heart. I mean, there was one maybe that was a little even, but I still think that I would have rather been me in all the rounds that there were. But anyways, when I got that feeling that I won by decision, it was, you know,

of course I overacted a little bit more than usual because it was a surprise to me too that people are actually living up to their word and being fair and the decisions and choice making. So let's talk about the post-fight interview. First of all, you're enjoying this moment. It's the biggest win of your career. You're on Cloud 9. And all of a sudden, a woman comes into the ring and gets in your face and water's being poured and it gets a little out of hand.

And as I'm watching, I'm like, who the hell is that? because no one's on the broadcast telling us who it is. And it turns out it was Jenny Savage who got in there and you called her trash. So like you're, I mean, you're trying to enjoy this moment. What happened there? Like, did you and Jenny have like some sort of beep before this? Like what is going on in your mind as she's coming into the ring? Yeah.

So honestly, I was just talking. I didn't even recognize her. Like I thought it was literally some random, like I'm joking, but I really did. I thought it was some random ass prostitute. I didn't even think that it was getting savage. I was like, because she was wearing like this tube. her makeup was outland it was ridiculous and she just spazzing out going off crazy like her hair was flying everywhere and i'm like thinking it really took me a second to realize who it was and then when i

realized it was jenny savage i was kind of like oh and that's why i pour the water on it because i was like dude you need to chill out because she's crazy i commentated her fight right this is how it started and she got sheena's star with a really good overhands it was awesome so i went up to her after the fight And I said, hey, I said, your overhand is your best punch. Like, congratulations. And she just looks at me and goes, that's not my best punch. You haven't even seen my best punch yet. And I'm like, whoa, dude, I was trying to give you a compliment and say, you know, that you did good.

Like, I don't know why you got to flip it around, but, you know, your jab definitely is your best punch. So I don't know what's up with you right now. And she just stormed off. So I was like, wow. So then I find out on Facebook, she blocks me just randomly. I don't even talk about her because I really don't. care about her at all. She's really honestly insignificant to anything in my life. And then all of a sudden she's like, oh, I want the page fight. I want the page fight. And I'm like, why would you get the

page fight when you just fought she was star and me and Paige have already been established? Page came in the ring with me. You know, it didn't even need to be somebody that you try to take the limelight. It doesn't even make sense when Paige already said that she would fight me. So Jenny Savage just did what every other girl can do. It's, you know, part of bullying. She made up all these like rumors and said I was like on meth and that I was you know I was drinking and that the only reason why I'm big and BKFC is because I sleep with all the people there you know just like crazy like super dumb but so original ideas from her to start any rumor that she can it was just uncalled for and really disrespectful but really showed me how you are in a mental level that you would

just make up stuff and and say whatever you wanted to just start drama to start shit like stuff that has zero truth to it. And I hated that this girl did that to like for something that wasn't warranted. And especially someone who dresses like that and behaves like that. And you know, you can see her coming up to the to the ring. I don't think she's in any predicament to to throw stones when she lives in a glass house on what she does with her personal stuff. But regardless of that, she came up and it was just like, man, like me and her fighting is like, easy as crap for me,

but it shouldn't have been a moment or something that she should have even came in the ring. It's the main event. It's over. If she wanted to call me out, she could have done it later. I think it shows kind of how heartless and tasteless that that girl is.

But, I mean, I hope that I handled it right. Infusion is an awesome sponsor, so I'm glad that they had water for me. Well, there you go. I mean, you obviously carried on in a great way because the speech after the fight has gotten a lot of buzz Britain. And most notably the part where you said that you're not a person, you're an effing feeling, and everyone's going to feel it.

This thing took off like a wildfire since Friday night. Did you expect this thing to go viral the way that it has? No, I didn't. I'm kind of like in shock about it because I was really meaning to be super moot. Like, I mean, that's the truth. And it's kind of funny because I've explained it to people before. And that's really the only right way to explain who I am as a fighter and as a person. because it's like, man, I'm a fighter, but I'm a mom, but I'm a friend.

But I'm all these things, but the best thing to say is like, I'm a fucking feeling. Like, it's a feeling when you go and hit the bag and you don't quit. It's a feeling when you go in and win and, you know, knock your opponent down. It's a crazy feeling. But I'm also one of those people that you can walk into a way in and I'll sit there be talking to you and be like, all positive and energetic. And people are like, who is this? You know, again, who is this girl? But yeah, I had no idea.

I think I've gotten a lot of love and hate on it, but I think it goes back to me saying, like, this is the real Britain heart. And, like, I don't care. Like, people can try to steal that shine if they want, but you really can't take this from me because I worked really hard. I worked really hard to show the world that I am a fighter

and I'm a contender and that I am something that's here to stay forever and not just the name people forget about. Like, oh, remember that one girl who beat Paige Hart, or Paige Van Sant, I wanted to be, man, that girl, when she went up there and did that, we were so excited jumping out of our seats. And when she was so happy and our team celebrated, like, we had this awesome feeling that we want to do that too. And, you know, it came out a little crazy because, again, I just did bare knuckle, you know, went 10 minutes getting punched bare knuckle in the face. And obviously there's a lot of journaling and stuff going on.

But I definitely didn't have any idea that it would get attention like that, you know, especially being. considered the best post after fight speech ever is pretty crazy of a compliment. So I roll with it. I think it's very true and relevant. And I think kind of what the combative sports world needs. You're making effing feeling T-shirts now, right? Like you have to capitalize on this and make those things will sell out in five seconds. Like are we going to make shirts?

I know. You know what? I need to reach out to MMA T company. I'm sure they will love this. So I'm going to tag them in this interview and go messes them right after we get up the phone and be like, hey, so I had a feeling. This shirt is going to be a great idea. It will be. I think people are going to start a bidding war here, Britain.

I'm not going to lie. This thing, it's a no-brainer. It's going to sell in five seconds. Well, I hope so. It's kind of crazy. So being Monday, that might be my really like on my list of things. do because it's just like, oh man, I don't even know. Like, it's just enjoying the moment why it's here. Like, what do I do now? Like, I'm in the gym training still. I want to fight. I want to keep going

strong. But it's like, man, I don't want to, you know, I don't want to, I want to hang on to this moment and this feeling for as long as I can. And it gets a great one. It really is. So I'm just enjoying it now and celebrating with all the people who believed in me. Like I said, again, this was for the people who believed in me. So I'm celebrating with them. I'm not worried about being on social media. Listen to people be mean. about whatever cringy memes they want to make and stuff like that. But, you know, I'm enjoying it with the people that really care about me. And it's just going to be so great going, what's next, you know?

And I promise you, you guys have just seen a very small part of Britain heart. Like, I can do so many other things and great things. I'm on to great things. It doesn't stop just because of this. Yeah, you mentioned, and you talked about it earlier, about you needed some emergency surgery on Saturday. You said in the post-fight your teeth are messed up after the fight. You said that she has hit you harder than anybody, and that includes guys that have hit you in the past, which was absolutely like gut-wrenching to hear you say. But, you know, after everything, you're back home, how are you feeling now?

Teeth okay? Everything else okay? Yeah, so I have men, you know, they're splinted in, so it kind of looks like I have braces. So it's not the worst thing in the world. They'll be straighter than, you know, when I started. So that's a positive. So better teeth. So I'm good with that.

It is, you know, basically that's it. They're put in. They'll be in there for like a month, and then we'll go from there and reassess if I need the root canals and have an implant put in. But, you know, again, so this whole thing in camp has been about being a shark and shark week. And this is the ocean.

Page Vance is going to be fish food. So it's kind of why I was saying, like, being a shark, how they lose, you know, it's kind of embodying that feeling of losing teeth. So anyways, I'm sure they'll bounce back, though. There you go. And last thing, I appreciate you give me so much time. Where do we go from here, Britain? Because, I mean, huge game changing moment for you. You go out and you beat Paige Van Zand. I think she's probably going to want a rematch. I think that would do big business. I'm sure you've probably thought of that idea as well. I mean, there's obviously the Jenny Savage option. I don't know how much you would want that fight. There's some heat there obviously. But, you know, what do you think? What do you think is like the best thing for you? Maybe a title. What do you thinking? I definitely am going for the title shot next. I really. really think again, it's been vacant for so long. There's a lot of animosity and things going on in BKFC and a lot of argument on who's the best and who deserves to be that belt holder. So I know Christine is making her way back in. And, you know, Jenny Savage is going to be,

she's honestly, I think, a level underneath me and she should fight, you know, somebody else. But hey, honestly, it's an easy, you know, and again, Paige Vancey will use it on me. So I'm not even going to say easy win, but it's going to be easy for me because I'm going to know that she has that disrespect. So I'm going to want to punish her like incredibly much for disrespecting me and coming in my ring and spreading that rumor. So it's going to be kind of like me getting a beat up a bully. So I would love to beat up a bully no matter what. But I kind of want to do it the next thing be as a title shot. So if she wants to fight, that's cool.

Let's go ahead and, you know, talk is cheap. go put her money where her mouth is and say she'll fight for the title. That way I can get the title over her. So I would definitely love that. So that fight makes sense if it's for the title. If not, you know, I want my chance to be at the title. And whoever I have to go through to that, I'm going to train my ass off for it.

And Paige, you know, she said that she'll meet us again and it's a rematch. I mean, I think I clearly beat her. You know, everyone's saying four rounds 100%. I'm honestly thinking every round I beat her. But if she wanted to do it again, again, I'm a company person and doing what's best. I really believe in teamwork no matter what. And I don't think it's just me, me, me. So I could have done better to myself, fighting page.

But I didn't make excuses. I don't have any excuses for what I did in the ring. But all I know is that I can fight better than what you guys saw on February 5th. Like, I can fight better and I can be a better fighter. There's a lot of things that I picked up on that I know I can do and I wish I did. So that's just more exciting to me that if we did do the rematch, I could fix the problems I had fighting against page two that would have perhaps knocked her out. Breton, congratulations. Incredible night for you.

It's great to see your hard work paying off. Now you have tons of great options ahead of you. Phenomenal performance. Go enjoy it. Smell those roses because you absolutely deserve it. Thank you so much for the time. Hopefully you can do this again down the road. Congratulations again.

Awesome. I can't wait. And again, what a feeling. Thank you. How can you not be happy for her? I mean, again, that is someone who has paid her dues in combat sports. That's a lot of fights early in her career. She kept at it.

She built confidence. Her skill set improved. And now she is now one of the most talked about people in all of combat sports. It's just a great story. I'm happy she joined us in what she said, her first, like, real interview since the big win. and we're honored to be able to share that platform with her. She was tremendous. That was great.

We move ahead to our next guest, the Underground King himself. Eddie Alvarez makes his debut on the program. Yes, we talked a lot about fighting, but I learned a lot in this conversation, as you will hear in a matter of moments. Let's hear from him right now on what the heck. All right, let us say hello to our next guest.

Returns to Action April 7th at 1 on TNT. One, huge night for one. He'll be in the co-main event against Yuri Lappicus. Happy to have the former UFC lightweight champion, the Underground King himself. Eddie Alvarez on the program. How are you, sir? I'm excellent, brother. How about yourself?

I'm doing great. It is great to have you here. A lot to discuss with you. First off, this new deal with TNT, April 7th, you're back in there. The event follows AEW wrestling, which is pretty cool. And it's a pretty big deal for one in the United States. What did you think of this move? And your thoughts on being able to compete on the very first event of this?

nature. Yeah, so like when I signed it one, this was this is what we discussed. It's everything I envisioned. I wanted to want. I wanted to go to Asia and compete for my fans there. They're kind of who got me started and got me well known back in the Dream tournament. And so I wanted to compete for them, but the end game was always to come to the United States. This is the beginning step, primetime television on TNT, to kind of give the different. fans, a taste of like what one championship is about, what the productions like and the fighters. And I think once they kind of dip their toes in, they understand like that promotion and the level of athletes that are going to fight, I think everyone will be all in here in the United States.

Yeah. What do you think of it following the wrestling product? Because I was just talking with somebody in one before we hit record and, you know, being able to see guys like Chris Jericho still wrestling these days and hearing like Jim Ross's voice on wrestling television leading right into guys like yourself, guys like Demetrius Johnson coming into fight. Like the familiarity with not just with pro wrestling, but with the MMA as well, could be a really good thing for you guys. Yeah, it makes sense. The crossover just kind of, it just happened that way.

MMA in general, like across all worlds at MMA, there's tons of wrestling fans. And it goes back and forth. MMA fans are wrestling fans, wrestling fans are amazing. So like it makes for the perfect mix, um, to, to move into, we'll get them warmed up with something that's, um, somewhat semi-authentic and then we'll move them into something that's 100% real. Who knows? Maybe there could be a little crossover relationship.

Maybe we see Eddie Alvarez in an AEW ring someday. Uh, if we're fighting for real, I'll do it. Okay. I can't, I can't do choreograph stuff. It's just not, it's not my nature. Fair enough. So this is going to be your first fight since August 2019, nearly two years. I believe this is the longest layoff of your career, Eddie.

Obviously, the pandemic going on, shut down a lot of 2020. Not much you can do about that. But from a competitive standpoint, has this been, would you say, like a welcome break from competition? Or has this been kind of frustrating and kind of rough? Yeah, I mean, I want to be active. Don't get me wrong. You know what I mean? Just as an athlete, you get an it.

you get i'm on edge a little bit because i'm not used to having this much time off but um there's there's pros and cons man like i i've been fighting 20 years i've had promoters breathing down my neck for a fight for 20 years so it's not bad to have a year where someone isn't um hey gonna fight this guy going to fight that guy the relief of pressure is good kind of helps you miss it um and then uh just gives you a chance to like have gratitude toward it like that you're lucky to get the fight. Sometimes you can grow better in this dangerous sport and start to look

at a lot of bad things because there's a lot of bad things involved, but it makes you mess it. Makes you understand you're lucky to be able to compete at a high level and the time off is always a blessing. Like it happened, this is the third time of my career where I had a stint over

a year where I had to sit and sit at ease and be patient and, you know, I always come back rejuvenate it stronger. We're a stronger mind and a better outlook on fighting. You mentioned kind of like the peaks and valleys of the sport. Like sometimes you're just all in. You love it.

It's great. You're just feeling it all. And then like you mentioned, like at certain points, gets a little rough, gets a little frustrating the ins and outs of the sport. Do you remember like the last time you felt that way? Like where things were kind of,

you know, sort of on the downward spiral, you had to sort of rejuvenate yourself and maybe find that love for it again. Um, oh God. So that, I mean, the last 20 years have been a culmination of that. Like, uh, I remember being undefeated 10 and O thinking that I don't want to fight anymore. Um, the pressures of the sport, like can get to someone, like, you can get to anyone. Um, it can get to the guy who's undefeated, smashing everyone. It can get to the guy who's on a two, three fights skid street. So, uh, understanding that, like, it's kind of all mind made. And sometimes you need. And sometimes you need. Um, you know, to step outside of yourself or or just not compete for a little bit and and rejuvenate um that's that's sort of the thing just being aware of you know why you're feeling what you're feeling you know what I mean but um the I I used to think oh I'm feeling this way it's not normal I should want to want to fight but it's completely normal the sport's fucking dangerous man

it's not uh it's not in the mess with like three years ago I realized like I was was a peace for a little bit. And then I realized I was scared for the past 13 years. So I don't, I didn't realize until I felt peace that I was actually scared for about 13 years. So it's super highly emotional and it's normal to want to quit. It's normal. Completely normal. I've wanted to step outside and I'm like, what are you doing, man?

This is part of who you are. You know, so it's a normal feeling. It doesn't mean you have to follow through it. How freeing is it to have that piece now? Because, I mean, listen, you've always been a fun and entertaining guy in the cage. Speaking, you're always a pleasure to listen to. But now you're doing all these different things. You're diving into different things, giving people advice about investments and stocks and doing all this stuff. You just look freer and in a much better place. Is that accurate or am I maybe reaching here? No, 100%. And I need it to be. I have four children, you know, my wife forever. and I'm growing as a person as well as a martial artist

but like some things that were always important to you they lose their importance and you gain new things that are important to you so I don't know I think over time you gain a better perspective of things sometimes you just have the wrong view or wrong perspective and it doesn't help you any don't help you any competing

doesn't help you any in living. So like for me, gain a new perspective, sometimes stepping outside a fight and helps you gain a better perspective and helps you go about it in a better manner, like to where you can smile

and not, not be unhappy with it. What have you made of this sort of the peak and all the different news we've seen in the investment world? Like this whole GameStop thing, like it just took the world by store, man. I'm sure you were all over it.

and we're paying attention to it. What did you think of that? And did you get to take advantage of that? Like, did you get in while the going was good, so to speak? No. So if anybody knows me, I don't get involved in that. Like, the minute that began to happen, it became a casino, right? Like, now you're playing with, you know, that's the devil right there.

Everything, everything that I bought, everything that I buy, I just try to accumulate good companies in bad times. Like, people call me, they go, Ed, what do I do? go, well, I have my core companies that I like to pick. And when they suffer bad times, I buy more of it. And I'm just accumulating it over time. I'm not in a rush to get rich. I don't look as the stock market as this get rich quick scheme. For me, it's about building that habit of grabbing as much of my money as possible that I earn and investing it and grow in that habit. It's not about trying to make all tons of money overnight. So the GameStop thing was unique in that, you know, normally these hedge funds, they short a company.

And then they also pay for publicity to put bad things out on that company and they manipulate the stock. And they always win. Most, they almost always win almost every time because they have the money to do so. But with the grace of the internet, small guys like me were able to band together on a farm. them and say, you know, let's fight back. Let's use our numbers, our power and numbers to kind of fight back. And they went and bought the stock that was short and forced these heads funds to basically cover their shorts. And it was a big short squeeze. It was beautiful. And the stock went up. It flew up. And I actually got a call from a couple people, two or three people. And I even,

I have the text. I'd love to even show it. But I basically told them, look, as exciting as it is, as much as you want to jump in there, do not even touch that. That's not what we're about. That's not what we do. You're at the craps table there. And I said, if anything, I wouldn't buy it. I would short it. I'd short it because it was at like $300 something, which made no sense. GameStop is a dying, it's a dying business. It made no sense at all that it's $300-something dollars a share. So I said, if anything, I'd short the stock at that level.

And what do you know, like two days later, the stock is out like $100. So I don't get involved now. I just sit back, watch. It's good entertainment. Do you think we'll see more of this kind of thing? Possibly, yeah. I mean, hell, that was

cool. It was fun to watch. And who doesn't like sticking it to the man? You know what I mean? When you realize, oh, man, as a collective group, we have some power. Let's use it. You know what I mean? Let's use it.

We're always getting beat down. We're always the one left. You know, after they short a stock, we're always the one left with the bill in our hands. So let's hand a bill over to them. Let them pay one day. So I am curious. I mean, I have you here.

I might as well pick your brain a little bit. Is getting started in that sort of thing? Like, because I won't lie. Like, I see the success people are having. like I see some of the things that you put out there and I'm like, can I do this? Like, is this really a thing that like I could do and maybe make a couple of bucks on? Like it's it's just a matter of pulling the trigger on it, I guess. So do you suggest like ripping the Band-Aid off, sort of take the floaties off and dive right in?

Like what's sort of the recommended conceptual step of I want to try this to actually doing it? Yeah, I feel like it's not something that like let's say you have five grand cash at an aside or two, grand or whatever you got sitting aside. One, you need to get your cash up a little bit, get a couple dollars together. Two, I would never do it without a mentor. I've had a mentor. I began getting mentored probably about a decade ago. I met Andy Sankan down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who he was involved in a hedge fund and now trades his own money and my buddy Ray, my good friend Ray, them too kind of mentored me along this whole path that I've been on for the past decade and showed me what to buy, why they're buying it even more importantly, you know,

when they sell things, when to enter, when the exit. It was a decade-long education and then reading my own books as well. So it's not something you should throw your money at if you don't have the financial IQ, right, or else your money's dead money. So it's more important to kind of grow your education about it and then execute with your own dollars. Otherwise, I would say you need a mentor. Like if you had a friend like myself and you said, hey, how do I start doing this? What do I buy?

Why do I buy it? When do I buy it? All that stuff is important. I mentor like a small group of fighters who are my teammates and stuff. and we're just in a text thread together. And I tell them what I'm doing while I'm doing it. And then on top of that, like I get excited about it. I love talking about it.

So I'll send them things, you know, like send them quotes, send them things about it. Just having a mentor really, really helps. It mitigates risk, stops all the mistakes because I already made them. I made a ton of them. And it kind of gets you along the way with being able to to being able to take care of the first rule of it of it all, which is don't lose your fucking money.

That's a good rule right there. Which is also the second rule. That's probably like the first 12 rules, man. That's crazy. Well, speaking of stocks rising, I'm sure you would like your fighting stock to rise some more on April 7th against Yuri Lappicus, looking to bounce back from his first fight,

his last fight, excuse me, He lost the title fight to Christian Lee, stopped in the first round. What did you think of the matchup when it was presented to you and the opportunity to face a guy like, like Yuri, who recently earned his way to a title fight? Yeah, so he was undefeated. He's a hell of a fighter. Like, judo background, he trains one of the best strikers in the world. Georgio Petrigen, who I've looked up to my whole career.

So he's in a great camp, and he has all the chops to, to become a champion eventually. I just, you know, right now I have blinders on and I need to make, I have history to make. And he's in my way. So he's on my way to my title shot, which I feel with a big win over him, a big impressive win over him,

I should be able to get a title shot and then move on to make history. Yeah, that's, I'm curious kind of falling up on that because, you know, I've said this a million times, Eddie, I am not a fighter. It's just, I'm just a super curious guy and love talking to all of you men and women who do this because I won't and I can't. So like when you've had the career that you've had, I mean, you fought the opponents that you have, you've been a champion, you've pretty much done everything. Do matchups themselves get you excited?

Like, is this fight in particular with with Yuri? Does the opponent, whether it's him or anybody else, does that have anything to do with your excitement levels or is a more, hey, we have a date, we have a fight. I'll get in a fight. Fighting is fun. I want to be a champion. Like, do you know what I mean? Like, what? I'm glad to see you have, like, long-term motivation,

but do, like, certain opponents get you fired up at this point in your career? Certain opponents could do that, but no, not at this point in my career. Like, I think the event itself, the stage that you're on, and the attention behind it. Like, how the event is kind of driven is what kind of gets me, gets me up in this part of my career. Like, primetime television, TNT, here in America for the first time, one championship,

like, title contentions, like, if I beat him impressive fashion, possibly this is a, this is a title eliminate, like title contention where I can move on, fight for title and,

you know, make history. So like for me, it's about kind of adding to my legacy, being in big events that have some meaning behind it, not just fighting the fight. I feel like this is a big, large event that has a lot of meaning behind it.

And there are the things I want to be involved. I've fought just to fight a large period of my career, just because that's what I thought I was supposed to do. But having some sort of meaning behind it is more important to me right now. Well said. You mentioned his training situation. Yours is still top notch.

You train with guys like Frankie Edgar, the Ricardo Alameda's. even getting in work with the Paul Felders of the world, even young hungry whippersnappers like my man, Sean Brady out there. So I even saw you got to work with Kamar Usman a little bit. So having to stay focused and sharp is clearly not going to be an issue training with guys like that, right? No.

Super important to get in with the best competition you could possibly get in, especially like staying with these younger guys because you kind of draw off their energy. I remember there was a time where I was as obsessive and crazy about this sport as that. And I love to kind of evoke that in me again, you know what I mean? Where, you know, you wake up early, go to bed late and like guys like Sean Brady do and just fucking completely obsessive about the sport or go out see Frankie do what he did over the long length of time he's done it or go see, go check out Kumar Usman and Kamar Usman, who friggin is fighting for a world title again in about two weeks.

Just drawing inspiration and energy from them is just like, it's important. It's something I continually have to do. And it keeps me evolving. It keeps me kind of, yeah, keeps me evolving, keeps me going and keeps me inspired. How did you and Usman link up? I've trained with Usman for forever since I moved. to Florida for about three years back in 2014, and I met him there. We trained together in Florida there, and I'm so proud of him because I've seen him from the very beginning, kind of work his way,

you know, what is just constantly workmanship, diligence. He's like the epitome of it all, just hard work, diligence, discipline, and just kind of treating this sport as a professional as it's supposed to be treated. And he's done that. And his victories have been a byproduct of all that. Like just him treating this like a professional and just being a hard worker. Yeah, that fight with Byrne should be a lot of fun because Burns is similar, right? Like he's a guy that was in no rush.

He built his way to this point. I think that's a fascinating fight between those two guys. Gilbert's my friend as well. I trained with him a ton in Florida. You know, we've all trained a bunch. I've trained with Usman, trained with Gilbert. And Gilbert's training with guys that we all know, that that Usman knows that we all know each other.

So we're just honestly getting each other ready to be our best selves out there. And on the night of the fight, may the best man win. You know what I mean? So that fight's going down next weekend as we record this. You get back at it on April 7th, one on TNT1 against a very tough guy. Do we lose? Oh, there he is.

Sorry. Oh, it's all good, man. So April 7th, you're back in there. What can we expect from you, my friend? How does this all play out? It's always high pace. We keep it as violent as possible. People, nobody on an Eddie Alvarez fight is going to go grab popcorn.

So from minute one to the end of the bell, I'm out there. I'm out there to execute to eliminate my opponent and to move on to the next one. And it's no different, man. I'm not the most violent man in this sport for no real. reason. There's a reason for it. So tune in. It's DNT and it's April 7th and, you know, we're going to make a splash here in America. A couple more things if you don't mind, sir. First off, we saw the announcement the worldwide launch of the Apprentice One Championship Edition is going down in June. And it's a star-studded cast. You are involved in this. This whole thing

must have been right up your alley, was it not? No, I actually, I don't believe I don't, I didn't get on a show. Oh, really? Unless they're still doing filming, but I was a little sad about that because I feel like I would have won this whole thing easily if they were to let me on the show. And I'm not, I mean, if that sounds, if that's, I'm not being cocky. I just, I'm being really honest. Like this kind of thing, I was, the same way I was bred for fighting.

I mean, this show, I would have blew everyone out of the water. So, man, what a mission. What a missed opportunity for them not to have me on there. Oh, you have to be on the next season. Like a lot of these, like they were brought as like mentors and like judges and people like helped with the competitions, but throwing you in the mix with some of these other corporate executives trying to land their place to have you up to go, have you in there to go up against them? That's magic, man.

Yeah, yeah. I don't know what the deal with that was. I was actually looking forward to that. I was seeing things about it. But no, I wasn't involved in the first show, maybe the second, hopefully. Oh, all right. I thought, I know the initial press release. I'm pretty sure you're in it.

But be that as a May, now we have something to look forward to for season two. But I did want to bring up one thing because one of the gentlemen that is on the show this season is Ben Ascran. And he's fighting Jake Paul on April 17th in a boxing match. I thought, honestly, that this was like a brilliant troll job by both of these guys. because Ben, I mean, I talked to Ben not long after he filmed when he was in Singapore. He just had this like massive hip surgery in September amongst other things. I'm like, there's no way this guy's boxing anybody. Turns out I was wrong and here we are.

Can I get your thoughts on this whole thing? Ben's a unique guy, I mean, there's no, uh, you do, you don't know what they expect with Ben Aspen. And, and that goes for him just as a person. That's how he wrestled. That's, I mean, you can't wrong from yourself. That's the third person he is. And like, I just seen him today on Twitter.

He said, in case you guys didn't notice, I don't give a shit what any of you guys think of me here. And I just like, that's the key to happiness, right? Like, he's figured it out already. And I think everybody else needs to figure it out. But he's doing his own thing. He's groovy Ben, you know? Like, as far as the fight with Jake Paul, I mean, it'll probably be the largest money fight of his career. So anybody like Ben who's spent their life in combat sports and given their life to like something really dangerous,

I think they get a chance to reap the benefits of their name of their brand and everything afterwards by doing what they would see seemingly an easier competitive match than what the majority of their career was. And I think that's how Ben sees it. you know um in actuality is do i feel like jake's a better boxer after seeing jake over the past year or so kind of how committed he is and what he's doing yeah i do feel like he's a better boxer than ben but there's some intangibles that you really can't measure that have nothing to do a box and that's like ben asker and like he's just a winner in general the guy know the guy's been winning longer and knows how to win more than Jake Paul does. So you can't disregard them kind of intangibles, you know,

a Hodge Trophy winner. The list goes on on NCAA champion. Like some of them things, you know, them intangibles, you just can't, you can't disregard them. So yes, is Jake, do I feel like Jake's a better boxer? Yeah. Do I feel like Ben Ascran's just a freaking winner altogether? Yeah.

And I'm not going to disregard. that. So I'm looking forward to the, to the spectacle. I'll be tuning in. You feel like Ben has the weight of the sport on his shoulders. Like I don't know if you've seen this on Twitter, but everyone's like, I saw someone post this and I thought it was hilarious. They're like, dear Ben Benjamin Asker, if you knock out Jake Paul, we will strike the Mazadol fight from your record. Like it never happened. Like something to that nature. I feel like that's how the MMA community is like viewing this fight. Like, you're doing this for us. And if you win, great. They, it is. Because they know, they know the consequences of Ben getting beat.

And it's going to be this guy YouTuber claiming that because he beat Ben Astrin, that he was right and he could beat any M.MA guy. So, like, he's out there saying, I'll beat these M.A. guys up because they don't train boxing. And he's going to, he beats, he gets a win over Ben. He's the kind of worst guy to lose to. right? He's going to be as loud as ever. He's going to say, see, I told you guys so. And it's like, oh, man, it's going to be a bitter pill to swallow for a lot of fighters in MMA and a lot of the fans in MMA if this guy figures out a way to win. So yeah, it's, yeah, I get that where you're going

out with that. Well, listen, you'll be watching, but we'll be watching you, April 7th, back in the, back in the action, very excited for this. Hopefully we see one. another two or three fights this year for you. I know you want to stay active, but I think we're all excited for this, Eddie. Thank you for the time. I have a million more questions I could ask you, but we'll have to save for another time. I've learned a ton in this conversation, especially in the stock world. I appreciate that.

All the best of you for the rest of training camp and in the fight itself on TNT, man. Yeah, you got my number. If you want me to run you through that stuff, just you hit me up and we'll get on a face time together. I'll give you a 101 or some fundamentals on it, but it was nice talking to him, Mike, and we'll chat again, brother. There he is Eddie Avarez. Big thanks to one championship for setting that up.

And my apologies to one championship as well. Because when this is all put together, I just thought that, and I had done interviews in the past with, you know, fighters and personalities that one had set up, like Demetrius Johnson, like Brandon Vera, like Ben Ascran. And I didn't really have a time limit. It was just like, hey, here's the time.

You talked to them. This time was a little bit different. I didn't realize I had a time limit. But we did. have one and there was so much more I did want to ask him about, but hopefully we can get Eddie Alvarez back on the show and do it again. But that was fun. That was a lot of fun. I enjoyed that. As you move ahead to our next guest, what an impact. This man made in his UFC debut last year coming over from Risen could be a massive 2021 for our next guest right here on what the heck,

Yuri Perashka. All right, let us say hello to the number five ranked light heavyweight in the world today. He was scheduled to face Dominic Reyes in the main event of the UFC's February 27th card, but due to an injury to Reyes, that fight is now postponed, but still wanted to bring on the former rise in light heavyweight champ for a conversation. Yuri, Prahashka is here. Yuri, how are you, man? Hey, I'm great. How are you? I'm great.

It's great to have you here. So the reports came out last week that the fight with Dominic was being postponed. You actually tweeted out yourself this past Saturdays to record. When did you know that Dom was hurt and that the fight was going to get postponed? I know that I think last week Yeah Yeah Before one week

They set us to Dominique is hurt And The fight will be postponed I mean it's a As you know it's a crazy world we're living in these days Not just you know with what you guys do for a living It's it's the fight game there's injuries and stuff happens all the time But now we have this pandemic to deal with

too. How did you react to the news? Were you kind of prepared for that because of how things are right now? For me, for me it was, I think, for me it was, I think for me, it's good. It's good for me because I have a lot of injuries, the small injuries from the preparing too. So I am, I am happy for that time to be ready for the fight too and I'm happy for that because now I have more time for the to try more things for the fight and now it's time for me to play with that to enjoy the time in preparing and not just hard work and preparing the enjoying the fighting and

enjoying the preparing for the these Dominic yeah I'm curious how that conversation was because like I can see like the UFC calling you on the phone being like oh Dominic's heard the fights being postponed and you're like oh man this is terrible

and then you hang up the phone you're like yes this is great news I get to heal up a little bit is that kind of how it was not like that but okay, okay, we have more time. So we have more time for the preparing and it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, because the, the coaches, uh, knows, uh, I will, I was feeling a little, a little bit tired. So much trainings. Uh, and, uh, that was, uh, so much, so much for me, this prepare.

and I was needed to take this prepare a little easy easy and now it's time to do that so I'm happy for that and I wish Dominic the best and I'm looking forward for the fight. It is a yeah it's a big fight when it does happen. I do want to go back to July to your debut because there's a lot of people who are, who saw you compete and go on that great run and rise in. So a lot of people knew what you were capable of when you stepped in the octagon. But there's a lot of other people who saw you for the very first time when you knocked out Vulcan Ozedimir at UFC 251. What was that night that moment like for you getting in the octagon, making your debut and winning the way that you won? What is what?

What is the worst or what you said? What was that night like for you knocking off Vulcan that the fight itself? Yeah, yeah, yeah, what is the night? Night. That was a great night. Yeah, that was a great night. And I just, I just show my best in that fight. I showed my best.

And I'm happy for that. That's working. Everything's working. My team's working. The cooperation with my coaches. And what I tried. because I tried the new new setups in the fight, and it's worked. It was worked.

It worked. So I'm happy for that. Volkan, I mean, he fought for the belt before. He's a dangerous guy, nice stiff test right off the bat for you. It was a crazy fight. And in the second round, that's when you really started to turn things up. Most of your fights are you don't get out of the first round. So I'm curious, everyone was loving that.

performance but were you as thrilled with that performance as everybody else was no this performance the performance from the first round was horrible it's it was there was a lot of new a lot of news news setups what I tried in the first round and it's not it's not worked like how I want that so so in the in the second round was better because because I need to change that for the for my old style and now I have the time to to to to say to connect that that style from the first round and the the style from second round to make something what will be working yeah so those yeah so that first round you were just kind of

getting used to the new surrounding so to speak yeah yeah I'm working for the with a breathing with the with the special breathing and and with the special feeling in the in the body and first round was was so aggressive for me and there was not, this aggressive was not from, was not so on the place. Yeah. And because I have a little, little stand like, like, I think a little, I think the inside stand, like, like, like my opponent, like, like, like, my opponent, like, and I need to be more lighter, not so heavy, not so heavy punches. I need to be more easy and light movement, not so heavy, heavy breathing and heavy steps. A lot of work before me.

Is that something that you've been focusing on ahead of this to fight with Dominic Reyes? Yeah, yeah, sure. Yeah, sure, because that's, that's, what I'm talking about all the time. And that's one thing, what I want before the fight and in the fight and after fight. I just want to working on my style. And I think it will be work in the fight. What do you think of the matchup with Dominic?

Because, you know, he came into last year, undefeated, fought John Jones for the title, lost a super close decision, a fight that a lot of people thought he won, and then he fights John Belhovic and gets finished in that fight. How do you like this match with Dominic, especially with him on the losing streak, unfamiliar territory, and his back's kind of against the wall here? Yeah, I think I don't take it like that because I think the fight with John Jones with was from him it was incredible incredible performance and uh and i take him i take him like like a champion yeah like like one of the best guy in in our division so in my meaning is nothing bad nothing bad for the dominic so so i'm very careful with that

Yeah. Yeah. And what I meant by that was just because he's lost two in a row and this division is so interesting right now. It's hard to take a step back. Yeah. Did you think he beat John Jones? I think not 100%, but maybe, yeah. I think his performance was, how to say, you know.

His performance was better than John Jones, but the John Jones was the champion, and if you want to be the champion, you need to knock him that. Nook him. Yeah. So that's the problem, not for the, not leave it for, for the referees. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of people question the judges pretty much that entire night.

Especially with John Jones, yeah? He is the master. for the points. I agree. Has the UFC given any sort of timeline for when they might reschedule this fight? Like if you were to guess, do you think maybe April,

maybe longer? I think they tried to reschedule. I think to... They said us five, six weeks, five, six weeks. We will see what will be the... the free uh the free date date and uh we will call you what do you think march end of march maybe yeah i think i think in march okay yeah paperview right one of those two cards on pay-per-view

what maybe the 27th that uh i do i do i don't know yet okay i don't know yet i can i can't tell you okay fair enough i i just kind of see it if you had like kind of kind of a guess. But we mentioned Jan Bolhovic getting ready to defend his title for the first time. He's fighting Israel Adesania, who's coming up from the middleweight division. And it's interesting because this is obviously a big fight when you have a guy like Israel. But there's fresh contenders in this division. You got guys like yourself, guys like Glover Tashira, who, you mean, you could make arguments that you guys could fight for the belt right now. When you saw that Adasanya was getting the title fight in your division, what did you think of that?

I think it's nothing because, like I said in many interviews before, Alessania is the champion and I think the champion can fight with another champion. And that's, I think, that's normal. I think that's normal and I want to see that fight. I'm very, I'm very, how to say, I want to feel, I want to see that. What do you think wins? I like the easy style, easy style, but I think the Janek will win. The Polish power comes through?

Yeah, I think, yeah. I think so many people are sleeping on Jan Blahovic, and they do all the time. They always kind of like overlook him, especially in this fight. There aren't a lot of people giving him much of a chance. Yeah. It's crazy. The people don't, don't give the chance for Blahovitch. Yeah, it's crazy.

They're just like, they think Israel's just going to run right through them. I don't, I don't think it's going to be like that at all. I think it's going to be a really competitive fight. Yeah, I think too. I think the same. Like we mentioned earlier, we're in this bizarre, crazy world where anything can happen. And March 6th is a long time away, even right now. So if the UFC called you right now and said, hey, Yeri, I know you're trying to heal up.

We got this fight with Dominic Reyes in the, in the works for you. What if you could be the backup for the title fight? Would you be down for that? With what? With the title fight? If they brought you in as like the backup, like you're the backup guy. So if something happens between either Behovich or Adasanya

and they can't go, you get slotted in. Would you be in for that? Yeah, sure, sure. But I think before the title, I'm enjoying every fight. Now I'm in the UFC and I want to enjoy every fight. I want to grow up with every fight. And I like this step up with step by step.

And it's a great moment in my life and I like that. So I think for the title, if they will call me for the title, yes, I will take it. But now I want to fight with Dominic and after Dominic, after Dominic, I want to be focused for the fight with Dominic now, not for another fight. It doesn't matter. Now anything is for me important, more than this fight. So you're just enjoying the ride. no hurry you just you're enjoying it and it's it's refreshing to hear that because a lot of

fighters are just like I want to get right to the title and you're just like what's the rush I want to I want to go to do to do the title directly too but I want to enjoy every opponent was the before me yeah I want to prepare for every opponent very opponent very precisely and and yeah I'm sure go ahead I'm sorry yeah because I'm still I'm still working on my style and I'm still growing yeah and I'm I want to make my myself my style my mind fight IQ in the fight better and better with with every fight and yeah and I like I liked it and I'm now now I'm in UFC I had I had the first fight after me and now I'm starting to enjoy that all all these

things and that's that's what I what I dream about all my career to be there right like here and now and to feel, to feel great, to feel powerful, to feel, yes, just like that. Do you feel like you learned more in the Vulcan-Ozdemir fight than any other fight in your career? Because you seem like you're in such a, like a different place than you were at any other point in your career. Like obviously you're a dangerous fighter, very talented. but I feel like you grew so much from that fight. Is that accurate?

Yeah, because if you don't learn from your loses, from the fight, there is the one way you need to, you need to learn from your winning fights or you will lose and that will be the right chance for your learning. to be better. And I'm trying to learn from the winning fights, from the win fights, yeah? And that's what I'm, what I do now.

Two last things before you let you go. I know you get some stuff to do. But first off, it is February. And like you said, if the phone rings, you're in, but you're in no rush at this point to get to the title. And a lot can happen before the end of the year. So by the end of 2021, do you think you will have fought for or you will be the UFC light heavyweight champion? I can imagine that.

So I think, yeah, why not? There you go. Why not? It's incredible. Incredible way. And I like that. And then, I'm going to do this. Last thing, April 17th, all right?

You're sitting at home. You want to watch some fights on 10th. television, you want to sit back and chill out. What are you watching? Are you watching Robert Whitaker versus Paul Costa, the UFC fight, or are you watching the boxing match between Ben Ascran and Jake Paul? Oh, man. Sure, UFC, the Wittaker with Costa, man.

The, the, what was the, what is the boxing fight? Who is this guy? Ben Ascran and Jake Paul? Yeah, Ben Ascern and Jake Paul. Yeah, Jake Powell, I think he's a good boxer. And the first one, the Ben-esque, and I think that's the, I think that was not a good, good choice to do this fight. So we will see, we will see.

So they're not getting your money. You're watching the UFC fight. Sure. Yeah. This is not to make sense for me this fight, so I don't want to see that. Great stuff right there from the number five ranked 205er on the planet, Yuri Prahashka. Hopefully that fight with Dominic Reyes gets rebooked soon. That's one I've had circled for sure ever since we confirmed that.

I think it was back in October. So this one's been kind of brewing for a while. But Yuri thinks maybe the end of March it goes down. And if that's the case, they get it on that UFC 260. Carr with Mitychich and Inganu for the heavyweight title and Volcanowski versus Ortega for the featherweight title. That is a damn good pay-per-view right there. As we get ready to wrap things up on the program this week, one more interview to get to, which I think you guys will enjoy. But I wanted to give a quick reminder that UFC 258 is this week.

We will have boots on the ground with the great Jose Youngs in Las Vegas. So we'll have all sorts of different coverage. Virtual Media Day on Wednesday. We will have another live between the links on Thursday, rematch between the new chance. champion Josh Gross and Stephen Morocco. We're back with a live weigh-in show on Friday, preview show on Friday, pre-fight show on Saturday with all of you right before the event starts. Then, of course, the post-fight interviews are the winners, the post-fight show.

On to the next one, press conference. It's just going to be another crazy week as always. And a big thank you to all of you out there who watch and listen to everything. I mean, we really appreciate it. I can't believe we're approaching the right around the corner. We're getting to the 11-month mark, almost one year since I joined the squad here at MMA fighting and I truly believe we're just getting started as a unit. In the kind words, as of late have not gone unnoticed.

It really means a lot. So thank you for that. Also, big thank you to Casey Liden on the production as always to Jose Young's, cool Alex Savas on the graphics, the clips, all that fun stuff. I'm a pain in the butt. They probably say that about me all the time. I get it, but they rule. You all rule.

And another big shout out right there to all of you out in viewership land or listening land wherever you're consuming this podcast, this program right now. But as always, friends, have a heck of a week, everybody. We will leave you with my chat with one of the youngest fighters in the UFC. Let us welcome in, Kay Hansen. All right, let us say hello to Kay Hansen. First time she has joined the program, she returns to action March 20th on the card headline by Derek Brunson versus Kevin Holland,

and she will welcome the debuting Cheyenne Bayes to the Octagon. She'll be a fun one at 115 pounds. Kay, how are you? I'm doing good. How are you? I'm doing great. It is good to have you here, Kay. Thank you for doing this.

First off, I do want to go back to your last fight against Corey McKenna because it was a super competitive fight. And a lot of people, the vast majority, if we're being honest, thought that you should have gotten the nod in that fight. In the end, all three judges gave it to her, gave her the first two rounds. How would you describe that night in that fight overall? You know, I'm really hard on myself. So I'll be the first to, like, you know, say if I believe I lost. I personally thought I won. but it's okay

you know I had a good performance and I'm where I want to be you know as far as career wise no one likes taking yells but it's kind of what happens

when you leave it in the hands of the judges I guess but you know that experience was great you know I thought it was my best performance to date like you know in and outside of the UFC

so you know it's only up from there and I'm excited to show how I progress this next fight Why, I mean, I'm not a fighter. Why do you feel like you won? Because full disclosure, I scored her for you, but I'm just a lowly old journalist who has never gotten in a cage and fought anybody. And the three opinions that mattered all disagreed with me.

Why do you feel like you won? I don't know. I just felt like, you know, I did more damage. I think what, like, a lot of the people saw was, like, on the exes, she would hit me with, like, a punch, you know, so she would kind of finish a lot of the combos. But I feel like when it came to actual damage, you know, and then, like, the top. control. And some people scored some things as a sweep when, like, I was going on with a submission and, you know, like, things kind of happen. So, you know, like I said, I thought I did enough to win, you know, it was close, you know, but I thought I did enough. But, I mean, it's okay. It is what it is.

I mean, win or lose, you always take something from these fights. You thought it was your best performance overall. And, you know, just like you took things from submitting Jin Yu Fry in your octagon debut, you surely took some lessons away from this fight. What were some of those things that you did take away from that fight as you get ready for this next one. You know, like I just said, you know, a lot of people saw, like, during our exchanges, she was kind of the last to throw the punch, you know, even if it was just like a little, like, you know, tap or whatever. But I think it's just, you know, more head movement, more movement in general.

You know, little things like that, being smarter with when I have top pressure or top control, like going for things and falling off the top. and just knowing when to do that stuff and when not to do that stuff. So it's more just, you know, being smarter and having a higher fight IQ. But, I mean, I'll cut myself a little bit of slack because I'm a little young.

But it's okay. You know, I'm learning as I'm going and where it should be. Hey, listen, it wasn't all that bad because not long after that fight, you got yourself a new friend, a new member of the family I saw, a little puppy.

I did. Rico Hansen, what a fluffster. I know, everyone's obsessed with him. I feel like my Instagram is like his Instagram now. Everyone's like, make him one. And I'm like, why? So he could have two because like mine is already his. Rico's rocking the shades in a lot of those pictures.

I mean, how is, uh... He hates them. He hates those guys. How has life been as a puppy mom over the last few months? Um, you know, I'm not going to lie, it's a little harder than I thought it was going to be. Um, but he's a really good puppy. Um, I bring him to the gym, you know, I'll like tie him to a kettlebell. I recently had to upgrade him from a 25,

to a 45 because he's getting a little stronger. But I just have to put him on a kettlebell. And he's super cool. He loves people. Everyone loves him. He's pretty quiet as far as like when I get to train, you know, I time up and he's not a problem. So it's kind of cool because he gets to go everywhere with me and do everything with me.

So it's been fun. Is that your first puppy? It is. Yeah. I mean, I've had puppies before, but like I've had help from like my family, you know. I like live on my own now. So it's like 100% my responsibility, which. You know, it's cool. It is a very responsibility for sure, but...

It would be awesome if you could walk Rico to the octagon for this next fight. I know. I'm not sure if there's rules or not. I'm thinking jokes about that. Everyone's like, you should walk out with Rico, and I'm like, I wish, but I don't think they'd let me. Is there rules saying you can? I don't know. I actually don't know. On the flip side, like, I don't know if I want to, like, be worried about taking care of him, like, on by date. You know what I mean? Like, oh, wait. No, don't pee there. It's like, I don't know. going peeing on Dana's chair or something like that.

I don't know. My luck. So your first fight of 2021, it is locked and loaded. You're going to fight Cheyenne Bayes making her debut coming off the Contender Series. Did you know much about her when the fight was offered to you? Yeah, I did, you know. A lot of times, I mean, I know a lot about most of the fighters in my division and the 125, you know. I'm a fight fan on top of, you know, just being aware of who I could fight and who is around me. So yeah, I knew of her, you know.

I haven't really watched anything recent. I don't like watching, you know, a lot of footage, but I remember back when we were like both in Invicta, you know, I thought I passed might cross. And I had a feeling in general, like, down the line our path would cross. So, you know, it's not really surprised me. And I know about her. And I'm sure she knows about me.

You know, we've kind of been on the same kind of like track on the way up for a while. So, yeah, I'm excited. it's going to be really good fight. It's going to be an exciting one. She's been doing this for a while now, and it's funny because I spoke with her, like, right after she got the contract of the Contender Series, you both have, like, very similar paths to where you are right now. Like, both of you dropped out of high school at a young age to the stream. I think the path to dropping out for her was much different than yours, but it's certainly, you know, like an interesting coincidence between the two of you. So I am,

I'm wondering since I haven't had the chance to talk to you before, you know, to kind of have the support you had when you made that decision, especially when you had these like Ivy League grades, you're a great softball player. What were those conversations like with those close to you that you were going to drop all these things to go after this dream of getting punched in the face in a cage with millions of people watching you? You know, honestly, I didn't really pay too much attention to the opinions around me, even of like my family. You know, ultimately when I was pretty set on making that decision, you know, I had the support. But something about fighting just kind of called my name, and I'm pretty stubborn and pretty like when I want something, I'm going to get it.

So for me, when I made the decision, like, even if, you know, people didn't necessarily agree with it, I was going to do it because something about fighting just kind of called me, you know? And I think so far I've proved to everyone that I made the right choice. There's, I mean, obviously, there's always doubts. there's these like sort of demons within us all that make you question these big decisions that you make, especially for you at a young age. Was there like, was there any point in this path where you flat out thought, good Lord, like, I can't believe I did this? This is a terrible choice.

Can I just go back and do it over again? No. I don't regret it. And I don't think I ever will. You know, obviously I've had like down points in my career and everyone is going to. But at the end of the day, like I truly believe this is what I meant to do. and I feel like when you, you know, really believe something like that and, like, you really feel it, you don't really have that kind of regret. Maybe, like, people around me had that thought, you know, but for me, like, this is what I love to do, and I'm going to do it no matter what until the world's fall off.

So, you know, I haven't regretted the decision. Did, like, your circle of people around you when this decision was made, did you notice it got, like, smaller along the way? Well, I already had kind of a small circle, you know. My parents were kind of going through like a split at the time, so I was just living with my dad. And I wasn't talking to my mom too much. So I really didn't have, you know, I didn't really have too many people in my circle that I could let influence that decision. Or I don't know, like, like I said, I feel like I was just so adamant about it. And I was so sad on it immediately.

From the moment, like, I knew I wanted to do that. I was like, okay, well, that's all I want to do. So, I mean, people probably thought it was crazy, you know, like my high school friends probably thought. But, I mean, honestly, even once I, once I, like, dropped out and started fighting, I stopped really talking to people from high school. And I kind of, like, just focused on fighting. I just engulfed in it. So, like, I didn't really talk to anyone outside of the gym for a while. Like, and I was just kind of, like, head down and work, you know, and nothing's really changed.

I've rekindled a couple of friendships, you know, but as far as, you know, that I have dreams. and I want to accomplish them. And now look at you. You're 21 years old and you're in the freaking UFC. So there you go. You proved some doubters wrong. And that's great. And there's a lot of fighters who come into the promotion

and they just get, they sort of get thrust into these massive spots right away. And it seems as if like with you, the UFC sees something in you and they're allowing you to sort of grow up in the UFC in a world. Like you have this dream of becoming a world champion. But, you know, did you see yourself getting into the UFC at 20 years old

the way that you did, like, well before your athletic prime is even set to begin? You know, I did, and I think, you know, I've had some bad moments in the octagon, or in the cage in general, like back in Invicta. You know, I've had some hard fights, and I've always had, you know, hard fights. And, you know, I thought I was going to get to the UFC sooner. Honestly, like, I had the goals, at least, to get there sooner, you know. But I found that early on in my career, I was so focused on how am I going to get to the how many, that I would kind of forget about the fight that was in front of me.

You know, so I think before I got to the UFC, like my last three to four or five with the Victa, I kind of realized like, you're focused. Like, it's good to have long-term goals, but I wasn't hitting my short-term goals, you know. So once I started focusing on that, you know, that's what things started really going my way, and then that's when I got the call. So I had goals to get to the UFC sooner, but, I mean, that's just not how it was supposed to be, you know. And I wouldn't change it because I've had.

had a lot of, you know, learning moments outside of the UFC that, you know, I think will benefit me now that I am in the UFC. You know, I won't have to learn lessons here because I've learned them already, you know, and I've made the adjustments and I'll continue to make those adjustments. What were some of those moments that you speak of? I don't know. I just think, you know, like I said, like the task at hand and one fight at a time and, you know, and Invicta had a couple of fights where, like, I was not doing too well, but, you know, I didn't give up, I kept moving, and I found a way to get a finish, you know? And I think just like those lessons of like you could be losing, you know, three and a half rounds or even more than that.

I had a fight against Sharon Jacobson where I was doing, I was literally, every round is probably a 10-8 round. And in the last 10 seconds, I pulled off an arm bar, you know what I mean? So like just those kind of lessons, like you're literally not out of the fight until you're out of the fight. you know what I mean um so just learning those kind of lessons you know and I've been cut a few times and um you know I've I've been bloodied

and I've you know been suplexed and everything you know so um you know I am like like new and green but at the same time like I am kind of a vet I feel like I would agree with that and then Cheyenne's coming in she's a scrapper she does like to talk a little bit

some gamesmanship ship if you will I know she did so a little bit in the contender series fight but you know, kind of like yourself, she's also growing up with the sport. For sure. Do you welcome, like, the potential trash talk? Like, does that elevate you at all? Or you're like, yeah. You know, I'm big on, like, I don't like forcing things.

I feel like now if I, a lot of times, like, people try to make fighting kind of like a show. You know, which is cool when it's organic, you know? If it's, like, real beef, then it's cool. But I'm not going to force anything. You know, I don't have anything against Cheyenne. I don't think she has anything against me. we've never really even had an encounter. So if she tries to, like, start trash talking for no reason,

like, I don't see the point in that. You know, I try not to feed into, like, the fake trash talk, you know. If you want to, you know, run your mouth for no reason, you can run it. But if there's real beef or something, then I'm fine with that. You know what I mean? You know, I'm not afraid of a little, you know, banter back and forth, but it just has to be organic, you know? That's the last thing I want to do is you one of those fighters who just, like,

you know, it's just, like, not real. and it's just not believable. Like, I want everything to be genuine. Have you fought anybody like that that you've had like real animosity towards? No, I haven't. I remember Sharon Jacobson kind of like gone in my face a little bit

before whenever our face off. And I was like, I don't know what that was about. But, you know, I'm, I haven't had any beef with anyone I've ever fought before. I mean, I'm sure it's bound to happen. But like I said, I just wanted to be organic and genuine. So you're back in the Octagon, March 20th K, third UFC fight.

all within a nine-month span. How do you intend on giving Cheyenne Bayes a rude welcome to the UFC? You know, I'm just going to go and be me. You know, every camp I'm progressing and I'm getting a lot better. I finally found a camp where I feel like I'm progressing all the time. You know, it's easy to get stagnant when you're not in the right place. You know, and I finally feel like I'm in the right place to where I have people around me that are pushing me in places that I necessarily wasn't getting pushed before, you know?

So, you know, I'm just going to go out there and be mean. I think that I'll do the trick. You know, every day I'm getting better and better, and I'm excited to showcase that my next fight. So you said that you're a big fight fan. You like to consume these events and all the fights. This weekend must have been like a blast for you. Yeah, yeah.

I didn't like watching Frankie lose, though. Oh, man. It hurts my heart. And then I'm seeing all these, like, memes, and I'm like, I can't see them. They're so sad. Why would people make memes about Frankie Edgar? I don't know, especially about Frankie.

It's like, how can you make like these mean memes about Frankie Edgar? Like, he's one of the most likable people in the UFC. You know what I mean? And he's such an OG. Like, seeing him get a knocked out like that was just so sad. That was an incredible knee though, right? It was. I mean, props to Sanhagen.

Like, he's amazing and that knee was amazing. But I just wish it wasn't on Frankie Edgar. Yeah, it's tough. I actually, right before I got on with you, I was speaking with Britt and Hart, and she just fought Paige Van Zan on Friday at Knucklemania. I know you were tweeting about it before the fight started. What did you think of the fight? What did you think of Paige's debut, that transition into the bare knuckle world? Yeah, you know, I was excited to see her transition.

You know, I think people forget how young she is. She's only 26 and, you know, she's like, she's been around for a while. You know, a lot of people like kind of talk down on her. I don't know. You know, she's kind of like throwing hate. People have to do that. You know, I thought she did well, you know. It's a whole different ballgame when it's, number one is bare knuckle, and number two, it's boxing, you know.

So it was a whole new world for her. You know, I thought Britain looked good. I thought Paige looked good, too. But I don't know. I was expecting a little more out of page, but, you know, like I said, it's all so new that I'm looking forward to seeing her progress there. I mean, I will say that girl fight before, like, like that fight was. To me, that was crazy. Like, you know, I tweeted something about that.

And, like, when we said, like, blood, sweat and tears, like, this is what we mean. And, like, those girls just didn't care. Like, anyway, so, it's so cool to see that, you know. But, yeah, I thought Paged did well, you know, and I'm excited to see how she gets better, you know. And, you know, she does a good job of kind of blocking out, like, that negativity. You know, it can get hard, you know, when people, all they want to do is, like, throw hate at you. And I'm sure she gets it a lot. So, you know, it's cool that she's kind of pursuing something she wants to pursue whether people tell her she shouldn't or not.

So I'm excited to see where it takes or where it goes for her. Have you had to deal with any of that stuff so young in your career? Like people, I mean, it's MMA, so I'm sure you've gotten some little glasses of haterade shoved in your direction from time to time. But have you had a deal with that? And if so, like, how do you sort of handle all that? Yeah, I mean, I feel like every fighter, you know, kind of has to do with that. And then, like, being a woman. Fighter, you deal with that too.

Like, you know, it's just important to have thick skin, you know? You know, a lot of times, like, I try not to read a lot of, like, the messages I get, you know, in like the little others box, but, like, sometimes I will. And I try to just laugh at them, you know what I mean? Because it's like, you can hate all you want. And for some reason, people, they love throwing hate, like, you know, in and outside of, like, the fighting world. Like, people just love throwing hate.

And it's like, how can you throw hate when it's like you've never done what I've done, you know what I mean. But for me, I don't know, it's just, you just have to have thick skin. You know, you just can't let it bother you. And I feel like that just comes with life too. Like, not even like including fighting. You just have to like be you, like, do you, be confident in that. And I mean, that's all you have to do. Because people are going to like find a way to hate on you no matter what. You know what I mean? You can be like, the sky's green and they're going to be like, or the sky's blue and they're like, no, it's green. You know what I mean? They're going to find something that they don't like. I totally butcher that too. but you get the point

people are going to just do what you want to do did you see Stephen A. Smith's comments I did I'll be honest though I didn't like see everything so I'm sure something was taking

like I just saw the line that was taking out of context you know what I mean so I didn't hear everything but I mean he's always walking himself into trouble with I don't know why they have him doing MMA stuff but I mean

anyone who's like In this day and age, like, anyone who's saying that women don't belong in MMA or like, it's like, come on, or women don't belong anywhere, it's like, it's 2021. Like, I don't, if you, you need to, like, be educated, I don't know. If you watched any, like, most women fights, like, especially in the UFC and, like, you tell me that they don't belong there, it's like, I don't, it doesn't make any sense to me. Like, I can't comprehend it. Yeah, I mean, to be fair to him, he didn't really say it quite like that. It was just, yeah. I think it was more like, it wasn't, he was just like, listen, I don't want to see women. First of all, it was like, I don't want to see women fight men.

Which obviously makes all the sense of the world. And then it turned into I don't like to see women fight in the acro. And that's why I haven't said anything about it, like on social media because I haven't like watched the whole thing or read the whole thing. You know what I mean? Like I just saw that little line that people took out of context. I mean, I think, I don't know. Like, everyone has an opinion. You know what I mean? So if he's like, I just personally don't like, seeing women get punched. It's like, that's cool. But like, like, I just. we're still going to do it. You know what you just don't watch them. Like, I don't know what to tell you. Like, we're going to get punched. Like, we're going to still do what we want to do regardless of Stephen A. Sman's comments.

So. The whole thing was puzzling, like, the big issue I had with it, because I actually listened to the entire interview. Okay. He wasn't even asked about M.A. Like, he was like, yeah. See, he brings it upon himself. He always, like, runs himself into a wall when it comes to MMA.

I don't know what it is. Like, he somehow just finds a way to make people not. not like him in the MMA world. I don't, it's like a talent of his. The question, yeah, the question was about like women in sports, like getting executive roles, becoming coaches and like, the guy was basically like, this is great. Yeah, he was like basically like, yeah, this is great. Like, what have you made of this?

He's like, you know what? I want the world to hate me right now. I'm going to, I'm going to say something about how women shouldn't fight. I was like, what? I just couldn't believe you brought up M.A. in that context, it just made no sense to me. It's not surprising, honestly, sadly. But listen, Kay, all you have to do is think about the fact that you're 21 years old.

And for me, if I could go back and be 21 again, good God. Like what a different life I would be living. But listen, to figure out what you want to do and get there at such a ending age, I know you're not where you want to be yet, but you're still performing on the biggest stage in the world. It's pretty damn impressive, Kay. So thank you. Thank you for the time. I'm looking forward to this fight. This is a really good matchup.

And I'm wishing you all the best in preparation in the fight itself. Thank you. That's talking to you. As well. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.