The Ariel Helwani Show - Arman Tsarukyan, Eddie Hearn in studio, Josh Hokit, news & notes

Episode Date: January 27, 2026

Ariel Helwani begins the show with discussions about Rose Namajunas needing eye surgery, PFL debuting rankings and their longterm viability, and UFC 325 fight week (07:05).Josh Hokit joins following his UFC 324 win over Denzel Freeman to talk about the performance, his viral promo after the fight, his current contract status, wanting to fight Tai Tuivasa, and more (31:51).Eddie Hearn is back in-studio to break down stories from the boxing world, including the Zuffa Boxing debut and signing Jai Opetaia, his rivalry with Dana White, how the governing bodies will handle UBOs, UFC fighter pay compared to revenue, Bam Rodriguez’s contract status, whether he believes iVB is viable, Anthony Joshua’s tragic accident, what’s next for Katie Taylor, and more (57:11).Ariel gives an update on the fight between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez being pulled from UFC 324 due to suspicious betting activity and Rose Namajunas undergoing successful surgery (2:14:05).Arman Tsarukyan returns to discuss his recent media tour, his hatred for Paddy Pimblett, Pimblett’s lack of skills, a proposed grappling match against Colby Covington, going down to featherweight if he doesn’t get a lightweight title shot, Dana White’s comments about him, and more (2:27:26).Ariel wraps up the show with more news and notes, before answering your Super Chats (3:10:21).

Lazy! Welcome to the air... On this Tuesday, January twice, have to do that. And 26. Hello again, everyone. I sure hope you're doing well. It is great to be here on a frigid Tuesday in New York City. New York City, kind of a mess right now. Hard to navigate.

I'm having a hard time navigating, pulling this chair in with all the snow and all the closures and whatnot. but we are here got here a little bit late and I do off the top want to say that I'm a mixture of happiness and annoyed what should we start with should we start with the happiness let's start with the happiness I'm happy because the feud between Frank and I is over we made amends we hugged it out I just want to let everyone know we ended on a cliffhanger yesterday I didn't feel good who the fuck is I thought he didn't feel good and now feels better I know the audience didn't like it's like mom and dad

you know you don't want to see mom and dad fight no one wants to see mom and dad fight I extended the olive branch you know I thought it would be a quick two minute conversation handshake hugs turned into like 45 minutes about life but you know I signed up for that I signed up for that so I feel better Frank do you feel better

I do I really appreciated how you asked permission to come into the control room I did yeah yeah you then proceed to get down on all fours and humble yourself as you walked up to the throne that is located in front of the mixer. Yep, yep, yeah. You then referred to me as most beneficent one, which I thought, I didn't even know that was in your vocabulary. So I was very taken back. You had me at hello, honestly.

But no, it's all those who were concerned. Yeah, what you did wasn't the coolest and nicest thing to do. You know, I was trying to give you an update of what my life was like during the winter storm of 2026. Yeah, yeah. And you decided to put that on blast on the show. I received it, I thought, pretty well. But what's important to me is that I was never mad at you. There's mutual respect, there's love, there's admiration.

I've swallowed some razor blades. I have made amends. I have apologized. I have told you about my regrets. Why don't you share your regrets, Frank, about how everything was handled. Anything come to mind? I thought, you are really good at moderating when other people have feuds. you're even better at moderating when you've created your own field.

Oh, okay, all right. So I thought it was good, man. The good news is we're all in a better place. We're all friends again. Here's the bad news. The bad news is I'm really upset. I'm really upset as I sit here at 103. Where's PT?

Is PT there? I feel like I need PT here for a moment. PT, I'm upset. Do you something? No, it's not you. It's not you. PT. I'm trying, I try to be a professional.

I try not to I try not to bring my personal feelings into the show this isn't about me it's about the greater good of the sport it's about covering the sport it's about the athletes

all that stuff and more right PT Joe Brady we've hired Joe Brady as our head coach the Buffalo Bills have hired Joe Brady the offensive coordinator

who is unimaginative who has no idea what to do with Josh Allen who has just like all he has is like pass you know to Khalil Shakir on the slant or

oh hang on your offensive coach from This year, like this. Yes, I'm fucking upset. Ooh. They've just promoted the guy who was like, if you're going to get rid of the head coach, bring in a new regime. All you did was bring in the other guy.

Like, what, what is this? What are we doing? Why did they interview anyone then? What do they do four different interviews? Four, they did 15. I'm so, why do I? What's the point of all of this? What do we do this to ourselves?

Who knows? You know, maybe this is a good, uh, reset, you know, the expectations are so low. it's ruined your whole day. I can't tell you. I came in and I was going like this. Why do we do this, PT? I will say...

So upset. I will say, I had similar feelings when a certain Michael Carrick was announced as Manchester United's Caretaker manager and he has beaten the best two teams in England in his first two teams. Sure, sure.

But he wasn't brought within. He wasn't brought within. He was a fresh set of eyes. That's fair. He had previously managed a team. He's not a leader of men. I'm sorry. And maybe this will come back to haunt me.

And guess what? I hope it does come back to haunt me. I hope I eat my words in exactly a year. I don't feel like this. It's a bit deflating. It's deflating. Who is the alternative that you want? There were a lot of people out there that were excited about this Grant Uditsky.

I'm not going to pretend like I'm an expert on the Jacksonville Jaguars, but a lot of people who I trust and appreciate were high on him. We're high on Davis Webb. The Phil Rivers thing was interesting. There was the Clint Kubiak. thing. I know they have to wait until, you know, the Seahawks are done, but there seem to be a lot of interesting, fresh candidates out there. If you feel like you have gone as far as you could possibly go with this regime, why are you bringing in the guy who, you know, was a part of the

regime? I don't get it. I don't understand it. Would you have taken Daiball over him? I was interested in that one, because I thought Brian Daibald was a better offensive coordinator than, than freaking Joe Brady. I just, I have not been enamored with him as the offensive coordinator. Ultimately, if this is what Josh Allen wants, I'm on board. I trust him. I want him to be happy. If this is what he wanted, stick with the status quo. Fine. Maybe he didn't want Sean to leave, and this is the closest thing to that. I just feel very deflated right now. I feel very deflated. And again, I hope you clip this off. I hope freezing hot takes or whatever the fuck they're called, clips this off in a year from now and says, look at this idiot. I hope that. I pray. But right now,

I feel like crap. Anyway, you don't care about that. No one cares about that. So we will move on. got a great show. You're right? I'm not good. I'm actually not good. I'm not good. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of feeling this way. I'm tired of getting my hopes up. Nixir and Chambles, bills. What's the point? I wish I wasn't a fan of any of these people. I wish I wish I could wipe the freaking table with all this shit. That's how I feel. It gets better, man. Hang in there. We have a great show though today. Eddie Hernes in studio, Armand Surukin joining us back in. Josh Hokit, first hour. I mean, what's better than this? What's up with Ovin, picking that picture for Armand,

Armin looks like he's about to like, Armin looks more mad than me in that picture. What do you think? I think he looks happy. It looks like he's going, grr, looks like a rabid dog. Rachel yesterday. In the midst of like a white coat.

Looks like a press conference picture. Anyway, Jen, so we have a lot to get to first hour. I want to talk about some news and notes here. Yesterday was great, very eventful. Travis Barker, shout out, Sugar Sean, incredible. Whole show was great. I just spoke to Pat Barry, who's in the hospital right now.

You know, yesterday we spoke about Rose Dumas, talking to the fans in a very emotional state. It was heartbreaking to see you. Remember that video? She's like openly sobbing. And shout out to the fans who were there to console her to make her feel better. It was heartbreaking and part beautiful to watch in a way. Anyway, right now as we speak, Rose is undergoing eye surgery, believe it or not.

She was poked multiple times in the eye. They actually just sent me a photo of one of said pokes. Here's one photo that we have. There you go. And yeah, I mean, again, this is the thing with these. Like you sit at home and you're like, okay, suck it up. You know, Tom Asperl, suck it up. Well, guess what?

here's a photo of Rose heading into surgery as we speak. You could see her eye and you're about to see more. And he tells me that she has, I'm going to try to get this right, a canilicular laceration, which is a break in the tear drainage system of the eyelid, often caused by blunt trauma or lacerations in the inner corner of the eye, frequently resulting in persistent tearing eyelid misalignment and redness. He says there were two eye pokes. One of them cut the inside of her eyelid and all the way into the tear duct.

Three months with a tube in her eye, no sneezing, no blowing her nose. I mean, does that not sound like a nightmare? An absolute nightmare. And this is like we move on to 325. We forget about these people. Oh, jokes about women's fighters. stuff this is what they have to deal with here's a video I asked her how she's doing they responded via video here's Rose about to be carted into surgery talking

about what happened it's a kennelicular or kenneliculi repair surgery on my eye yeah I'm doing good uh I'm very frustrated I don't like uh I'm upset because I got poked in the eye in the second round couldn't see after that. And, uh, and, and I'm now seeing from pictures that it was multiple times. I just was like so locked in that I wish I would have protested, you know, like, that's how much, you know, um, but I was just so focused on like taking her head off, you know, and I was getting momentum and like, yeah, that would have, yeah. So it was just, it's just frustrating because I know accidents happen, so I'm not saying like it couldn't

happen, but I, I've never poked anybody in the eye. So, I, I, I've never poked anybody in the eye. So, I feel like a point should be taken right away. You know, because my people will be more cautious. When people would be more careful and considerate of their fellow opponent, you know. This is crazy. I have to have a tube in my eye and in my nose, you know, for three months. And I can't blow my nose for three months. So it's going to be rough.

Man, heart goes out to her and wish her well, speedy recovery. Hopefully the surgery goes well as well. I don't even know if the referee saw it. I don't remember guys. I don't remember a break in the action. Was there a break in the action? No. I don't think so.

Yeah, so even like the point deduction conversation, like the referee missed it, which just absolutely sucks. She talked about, you know, being close to fighting for the belt again, whether that's true or not, we'll never know. Natalia says she's been told Dana kind of confirmed it, but he did in that same sort of way that he's been doing it. Like, yeah, sure. Definitely leaving the door open.

And the last two times he said it, It hasn't come to fruition, so who the hell knows? I can't imagine anyone else, but Natalia Silva gets it at this point just based off of her winning streak. I believe it's eight in a row at this point, if not nine. But that really sucks. That really sucks. I really, I don't know what the answer is. We have a video coming out next month.

Mid-February, Casey, our videographer, went to a official's hearing in Las Vegas, and they spoke about iPokes, and they spoke about all this stuff. I mean, this continues to be, this will probably be a thing until there is no more MMA. And that will probably never happen. This will always be a thing as long as we have those, you know, those fingerless gloves. And as long as the UFC doesn't want to change the gloves, we could talk ad nauseum about all this stuff and nothing's really going to happen. We can only do our part in terms of shedding a light on it. But this is important to talk about because we see the aftermath of these fights that we just kind of talk about, move on, and it's on to the next.

This is what they have to deal with. This is what they have to deal with. And this is why we have so much respect for the fighters. Yeah, it's heartbreaking to see. So wanted to highlight that and want to wish her well and a speedy recovery. Another interesting thing came across our radar this morning. The PFL, in their effort to rebrand and reinvent themselves, have come out with their own ranking system.

And they sent out a press release this morning around 9 a.m. to announce this, which on the surface I like, but there's some that I don't like as well. The most notable thing, and I'll get to that in a moment, the most notable thing about these rankings is the fact that Francis Ngano is nowhere to be seen. Heavyweight rankings? Not there.

In fact, we have them for you just in case you don't believe us. Here are the PFL heavyweight rankings, number one. Henan Faheda, the champion, of course, is Vadim Nemcov, and then you get to Oleg Popov and Dennis Goldsov and Linton Vassell. and all this stuff. Okay, keep that up, please. So obviously he's not up there,

nor to be seen. And now we get to the pound for pound rankings, and he's nowhere to be seen. Usman 1, Vadim Nemcov, 2, Corey Anderson, 3, Costel Van Steenis, 4, Shemil Musayev, 5, Johnny Eblen, 6, that gene 7, AJ McKee, 8, Sergio Pettus, 9, Paul Hughes 10,

nor to be seen. I've asked about this. And I was told that, you know, once he comes back and he has one fight left on his contract and quite frankly, I don't know if that fight will ever be had. And I would be very surprised at this point if he comes back after that fight, they'll put him in. I think it's a little bit funky that he's not there. But maybe, maybe the thought process is he hasn't fought in a year. And so until you fight again, we're going to put you in there. If that's the rule, that's the rule. That makes a little bit more sense than just like, hey, he's got one fight left. What's the point? They have announced that

that it is administered by Combat Registry, a leading global combat sports data and rankings organization used across top MMA promotions, including the UFC. I'll be honest, guys, I've never heard of Combat Registry. Okay, you do. Okay, because I did get some text after tweeting that being like, what, you've never heard of Combat Registry. Really?

Combat Registry is an independent administrator of the PFL rankings. it oversees vote collection, tabulation, and publication. Rankings are determined by a panel of MMA journalists. Okay, so they're just a facilitator. They're actually not involved in it at all. The panel. The panel is the one. It doesn't say.

Okay. I was not to say that. Right away. Yeah. Let me just finish. And industry experts who cast ballots following each PFL event with updated results published as part of each rankings release. This process operates independently of the PFL with rankings determined solely by

a panel voting administered through combat registry. So like we've also never heard of it, they don't say who this panel is. I think that is important. For as Fugazi as the UFC's rankings are, they at least have some names written down there. Who knows if those people are actual human beings, but they at least have some names written down here. There are no names. I do like the idea because it gives you a roadmap. What I continue to not understand is why the PFL or even the UFC doesn't just say here are our rankings.

So you can understand where we want to go. This sort of song and dance of like, this is who the media thinks. is one through 10, I think is silly because you don't even respect the rankings. You don't even adhere to the rankings. So on the surface, yes, I like it. You put the number next to them. It's kind of a roadmap. They just don't go by the rankings.

They don't book by the rankings. So what's the point? Why don't you just do them yourself? And that, to me, would be a hell of a lot more interesting because now we get some insight into where you think people are placed because I can assure you their matchmakers have their own rankings and they pay closer attention and adhere to those much more to whatever these are. Does that make sense, PT?

It does. Here's the thing, but the journalist thing, with the omission of Francis and Gano, how hasn't this been reported then if journalists are making these rankings? Surely they've gone to the journalists and say, don't put Francis and Gano in the rankings. They say, why isn't Francis and Gano in the rankings? They explain that. And then as a journalist, are they not reporting? Francis and Gano is not going to appear in the PFL's rankings today because of this.

Like, why do you have to go digging for that? That should be, if it's a team of journalists making the rankings, sure, that has come up in the... Do you know of anyone who? on this? No, of Asteroona, don't. Yeah. I'm looking at their fighters page on Combat Registry and it has like the world champions listed it and everything is completely out of date. You got Bellator M.M.A. Ryan Bader is the heavyweight champion. You got John Jones. Bala Muhammad is the welterway champ. Really? Yeah, yeah, yeah. To my eye,

they're just a data collection place. They just have records and I mean. Yeah, but if they have records and their stuff is out of date, then what does it all mean? Update the website if it's going to be announced today. Yeah, what the hell? Yeah, I see Bells. Also, I don't make too much of that because, again, they're just, they're just a conduit. They're just a middle person facilitating this.

The more important is who are the, who is the panel? And to Pizzi's point, if they were given a reason why Francis and Gano wouldn't be on the rankings, what is that reason? Yeah, no. Isn't it out there? If they're journalists, if you've been told that, like surely that's a big story. Like, Francis Ingano is not going to appear in the PFL's rankings today. Is this, is this much ado about nothing?

Yeah. Maybe. No one cares? Nobody cares. I don't think it matters. To your point, why even go through the exercise of making these a media thing at all? Just make your own rankings or get rid of ranking altogether. I'm in favor of just scrapping rankings.

Can I ask a serious question? Honest question. Ask him, man. Are they screwed? Like, are they done? I'm very worried. If no one cares about this stuff, like, I'm trying to care and I do care. But if you guys are saying, and I believe you, are they done?

Like, is there no turning back? I don't think it's, I don't know. think it's the game's over yet, but it's, I mean, let's, let's be realistic about this. The UFC is the game. Like, if they don't sign this new deal, are they done? You can ask the same thing about like AEW, right? Like, were they ever even in the game is, is a legitimate question. Is any game? AW is not PFL. AED is a real thing. Are they? Oh, yeah. There are people who are true blue AEW fans. That's great. Are they going to survive? Are they going to last the long haul? They've got a legit deal with WBD. For how long?

Well, they signed it last year at the beginning of last year. I don't know any PFL fans. I know people who watch the occasional show. I don't know anyone who's choosing the PFL over UFC. Can I ask you a question? But is anybody choosing AED? My point is not to, like, denigrate AW or even say that PFL is to UFC like AW is to WW is to W.

My thing is, there's only one game in town in both these industries. That's the reality of the situation. Everybody else, whenever Bellator and PFL and everybody was fighting to say, say like, we're the number two promotion. There is no number two promotion. There never has been a number two promotion. There's a number one promotion, and then there's everything else, and there is no number two. Strike Force was number two.

Strike Force had a nice little one. Strike Force is like AEW, right? Strike Force like a... People love Strike Force had the heart. Is the point to, like, have captured a small but dedicated fan base, or is the point to have longevity and survive this game? Those are two different things. I remind you that at the very end of Strike Force before Zufa purchased,

They got over a million viewers on Showtime for their heavyweight Grand Prix. That's a real thing. Now, were they spending money willy-nilly and in the hole? Yes. But they still can't. The fans don't care about that. They're tuning in. They're tuning in.

But yes, it's going to be impossible at this point to really make a dent. I actually think it's harder to make a den in the UFC at this point than it is to make a dent in WW. Maybe. But I think both are Titanic and there is no denting. Oh, wait, Titanic. That's a sinking ship. Not the Titanic. They are Goliaths.

They cannot be slayed. And so I think the- The PFL might be the Titanic. Yeah, maybe. I think the question is more, can anybody ever? Is there ever a world where they don't stumble,

where they don't mess it up themselves that anybody can even be a competitor? Can I offer this? Yes. They own the IP Bellator. Should they change the Bellator? No. Does Belator have more...

Should they change to Bellator? Was that your question? Yes. Does Bellator have more cachet with the audience? I have a lot of people who tell. I feel like when people talk about M.A., they always say Bellator is number two, still to this day.

Well, what's the name of it? Combat Registry still got them on there. So, Ryan Bader. You haven't heard of Combat Registry? Jesus. One thing I will say, Rick. Like a wedding thing. Yeah, P2.

They have made big end roads in Europe, and I know that's a small market compared to the U.S., but it's very frustrating. for me to have gone to that event with Duneba, V. Bacchi, and seen 20,000 people there, and gone to Belfast and seen 8,000 people there, and then kind of go, like, how haven't you made something out of this, you know? Like, and that's their fault. That's on them. But they have, I agree with what E.C. saying, no one's going to pick the PFL over UFC. I don't know a single person that would. They do have stars that you must watch. As an MMA, if you're an MMA fan,

Dakota, Paul, Oussman, and, um, and, um, You know, Edwards has a good fan base as well. Eblen did for a while. They have things there that I feel they can do things with. But to your point, I don't know if it's ever going to be able to get near the UFC. And if it can't get near the UFC, can it survive? Can it be sustainable? That's my question.

Like, can it actually survive in this MMA ecosystem with only having these handful of people and only seeming to be able to sell outside of their homeland, which is the US? They don't seem to sell tickets in the U.S. for whatever reason. My bar has been adjusted. I don't expect anybody to ever compete with the UFC. Can you survive is the question I will continue to ask. And Bellator did not, right? We saw it come and go, and now it's folded into PFL.

Can PFL? And I don't know. If their hope, to your point, PT, right, they've taken a foothold. They have a thing going in Europe. If their hope is to be the best promotion in European MMA, I think they'd have a shot at that. If their hope is to be a sustainable. I don't think that that's possible.

You can't compete with the UFC. I was talking about this with someone yesterday. The European MMA scene kind of feels like pro wrestling in the 1970s where it's all very territorial but successful as well. Like KSW is not necessarily infringing on Octagon's territory and Octagon isn't infringing on Cage Warriors territory. Like everyone's kind of staying to their own territory and having great success doing so. Obviously in the United States, it's all just the UFC and, and, and, you know,

PFL owns like that little tiny sliver of any sort of market share, but it's somewhat non-existent. Europe is a very fascinating thing because here's an organization like the PFL, which you can arguably say pound for pound, has better talent than any of those organizations, but not necessarily like the local talent that they're really relying on. If they focused on Europe and everywhere overseas, I wonder what kind of success they would have. Ultimately, though, as we've said a million times and their first show is coming up in less than two weeks. It's a make it or break it year for them. I'm throwing out the Bellator thing. We're dissecting the rankings. They're trying to do something. They're trying to do something. I don't know if it's too little, too late. I don't know if it's

much ado about nothing. I do think not having Francis Ngano on there is a very telling sign. He was their big, big fish not that long ago and now he's not even there. Like, how does it hurt to just throw him on there? Chuck them on there. Just for like optic standpoint, leaving him off of speaks volumes, in my opinion. Leaving him off feels like he's done. He's never going to fight back the NFL. But it's also, it's an indictment. That's your biggest star, right?

I'm looking at the pound for pound rankings right now. Is Francis and Ghanu a bigger star than everybody on it? Yes. Usman, Vadim, Corey Anderson. It's not even particularly close. I didn't even look at the list and I said yes, Rick. And the other thing, we're talking about Europe. Usman Narmaghamedov, Russian, Vadim Nemcov, Russian,

Corey Anderson, American, Castelov, Dina, South Africa. Shemil Mosyev, Russian, Johnny Eblen American, Thadgin, American, AJ McKee, American, Sergio Pettus, American, Paul Hughes, Irish. Woo!

Where's the European representation? You get all the way down to Paul Hughes. Like, their top stars are not European, and they've taken this foothold in Europe. Vince Stina's European. Oh, Spain, right? Ruscha, Russia playing the European Cup. They historically have played in the European Cup.

Yeah, point being, like, look, they're almost splitting the baby here, right? They've got all these stars. their top stars are not European stars. If you want to be a European promotion, I encourage that I think they might be able to have success, but then they should really focus on building out the roster with that. You can't be both the global brand

and the kind of European star builder that you have to be. It's one or the other. And I don't know if the global brand route is a good one. I will say the Russian go is very important to the Middle Eastern market, which is where a lot of their money is coming from right now. Love that. Go there. Yeah. like that's they those events according to people who've been to them and in duboy are absolutely huge and no one else is really going to duboy because ufc have a deal with aboubabi and they have a deal with saudi like that seems to be there in neck of the woods and it's a big money generator for them no matter of name is huge there i'd say masoef nemcoff all those guys that sell there too so that's a valuable situation they have there so i mean they really need to like i'd say after the tv deal which you're saying is so important darrell striking up an unreal with duboy is probably very very very good

very, very important, which means signing Usman and Magamadoff to another deal, which I don't really feel like he, I feel like he has eyes on taking over from Islam and Habib, but that lightweight division of the UFC, I think that's a hugely important thing for them to try and secure. 325 is this weekend, guys, and we're starting to see some promotional material come out. They had a nice little media day. Here's a face-off between Diego Lopez and Alex Volcanovsky, and of course, the thing that jumps out of you, and we've seen these guys face off. not that long ago. It was about nine months ago.

Is the height difference, right? Proof to not be an issue back in April. But it is amazing that these two guys fight in the same way class. Here they are facing off in front of the world famous Sydney Opera House. There it is. What a scene. Beautiful summertime in Sydney. They had a nice little like, I don't know, a media gathering of sorts. And I don't want to mischaracterize what this was.

But here's Volcanovsky dancing, which I thought was fun. Yeah. It's like a, they have a cultural ceremony at the start of fight week that they do for a lot of these Anzac events where they invite people. I love it. I love when they do this. And it's great to see the Australians and the New Zealanders coming together. Yeah, look at that. Look at those moves from Volk.

Vol came out with another commercial. Did you guys see that? No. Oh, yeah, another skit of him as a farmer. He is so freaking good. As is Dan Hooker. Here's a video from our friend Oscar Willis of Dan Hooker. I guess they gave him some weapons back there, and he was having a grand old time.

Take a look at this. Look at this. Any audio, no? Here's Dan. Dan's just look. Look at this group, by the way. Quill and Sal Kiel, Bam, Bam. Hooker with the freaking spear, spearing, Raphael Fiziv.

It's like straight out of a movie. The last person to give weapons to there, really. Should have been done. That's a nice bone rotation right there. Volk, Hooker, Bam Bam, and Raphael Paziv. Amen. It's amazing, actually. Look at this.

Dad's having the time of his life. Overwhelming urge to chuck it. You ever thrown a boomerang before? Yes, great fun. I've never thrown one. Oh, it's great fun. Isn't like this or is that a frisbee? I would do it wrong.

No, it's like this. Yeah, I'd fuck it up. It's actually like this. It's a flick of the wrist like this. Dan and BSD met each other Much different scene than Dan and Armatirukian, let's say, from a few months ago, it's all love here

between these two. Look at these guys. He's being in the leisure suit. Yeah, what do you think of that? Down in the Sydney summer. I don't know. Full linens. It could get hot.

Linens. Oh, that's linen. Yeah, I say it's linen. Still feel everyone's wearing shorts. Oh, no, you're right? I think it looks corduroy, actually. Yeah, it looks a little starchy. Yeah.

Maybe he helps with the weight cut. You know? A little sweating action. Dan is chilling with the shorts and slides. What about those balls? I'd say, like, you know, you're in corduroys in the middle of the Australian summer. I'd say he's got some serious ball soup. That's what I was going to say.

Have you ever been to Australia, PT? I have to Melbourne, lovely climate, very European, I'd say. Which time of the year? It was December. So I don't know. Oh, so it was like summertime. December there is summertime. I don't think it's as hot as the other parts of us.

Australia. Okay. Were you there for a fight? I was. I was there for Israel Adesania, Robert Whitaker. That was definitely not in December. It was in October. Oh, well then, you know, memory. You went there, wow. Was that when you were at, MMA fighting? Yeah, yeah, it was. Man, that was at the Eddie had. Yeah, well, then when was the Abu Dhabi one? Was that before, the moon before? September. Yeah, all right, then January would have been, yeah, okay. Yeah,

I got me, my date's middle of what are you going to do? What happened in January? I can't remember, actually. Which one was Abu Dhabi? Updabee was September. When it's a B-Plock Gaecchi? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Porre. Poree. They don't have that calculator brain like you have, you know, when you see.

I just want to know if you've ever been to Australia, that's all. The answer is yes, the answer is yes. It's a great, but never Sydney. Sydney way better than Melbourne. Am I the only one who hasn't been on the team? Rick's been, right? Rick was there. Frankie?

Frankie, you've been? It's Australia. Yeah. No. Oh, we'll have to go together, man. Jordan? That's my number one. That's your number one?

Australia is beautiful. I think I was supposed to go and then COVID. It's supposed to be in Brazil, supposed to be in Australia. Yeah. Wow. Really ruined your life. Australia's tremendous.

I'd like to go to New Zealand as well. But they're not that close to each other, actually. I think they're like five, six hours by plane, right? You think it's a Lord of the Rings country, isn't it? New Zealand. Yeah, it is Lord of the Rings country. Yeah. I must be on the book of this for you, G.

Oh, it's up there. Oh, yeah. It's up there for sure. Oh, yeah. Lots of walking. Lots of walking. Lots of walking. I think I'm a lot of walking.

Stopper. All right. More to come as far as news and notes are concerned. And still to come, Armist Surukian will join us. The man who is on the generational media run, Eddie Hearn in studio in about 30 minutes time. Stay tuned for that. He has a huge show that he's promoting this Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Big MSG, not the theater, but the big daddy. And that's Tiafima Lopez versus Shakur-Stevenson, Uncrowned Saturday. Tell you more about that. Very excited about that. this Saturday. It's like literally 12 hours of fighting. You just sit at home and enjoy all the fighting. But we go back to 324 now. One of the big winners on the card was Josh Hokit. He defeated Denzel Freeman via a historic finish. First time that we've ever seen TKO via Middle Finger. That's what it was. The walk-off middle finger. He was pretty much done with the man,

flip the bird and walked away and won with one second remaining in the very first round. He is kind enough to join us to talk about all of this and more. Here he is, the man himself, Josh Hookett. Hello, Josh. How are you? It's just Josh today. Okay. But I promise, I'm so self-conscious. That's why you always see me with at least one of my watches.

Ralees and Pasha's Dundrove me crazy I can't even pronounce anything Pass that for safety Like The Incredible Hulk is here The showstopper The mountain topper

The panty dropper aerial Oh my Oh yeah How are you? I'm doing great. How are you? Great. Phenomenal, actually. Congrats on the win.

Thank you. Ariel, we gotta stop doing this online stuff. Yeah. When are you going to invite me to the studio? Oh, you're invited any time, man. Where's home for you right now? Is it Albuquerque? California. Okay.

Oh, man, you should come by. We'd love to have you. You're hard to get. I wanted to have you all. yesterday you turned me down you said you were under the weather i'm glad to see that you're okay i wasn't feeling good erio i'll be honest with you what is this voice what is this accent are you like half irish now i watched the braveheart yesterday for the first time i think that's scottish and now my ancestors are speaking through me aerial i get it the first alpha male william wallace

respect what a legend by the way you know what really impressed me of about what you did on Saturday. How do you fight and then remember all of that stuff? That to me is very impressive. Straight off the top, Ariel. Off the dome? That was freestyle? Freestyle, Ariel.

Oh. I use the juices and the warrior spirit. And I come up with that on the spot, Ariel. Wow. You will leave it? I can. Ariel, I want you to, I have an invitation for you, Ariel. Yes, please.

Be part of my end. fire, come to the dark side. In what way? What way? Like, what's the role? I don't know. We join forces. And whoever's against Ariel is against the incredible Hulk, too.

It doesn't matter male, female, alien. If they disrespect you, Ariel, they disrespect me. I take care of you as your rightful leader, Ariel. I appreciate that. But I feel like I have to be unbiased. Like, I can't be flying too close to the sun, if you know. know what I mean. I understand Ariel, but the offer's on the table.

I appreciate that. Hey, you got a lot of good people who are clearly on your side. I saw Chale tweet about you. Chale's, I think it's Chale, you and Colby, right? Bad Guy Inc. Hokeet. He loves you. Yes. Oh, yes, my guy, Chale.

The best to ever do it, to ever grace the octagon. But now the incredible Hoke is here to pick up that torch. Oh, yeah, Ariel. What, wah, wah. Is that a baby? No, I don't know. What's this black baby doing? I'm not black.

I'm Dominican, Poppy. Oh, dear. Oh, you know whose kid this is, Ariel? Waldo Cortez Ocosta. He must have dropped it in me bag, backstage. That's what he does to his kids. Where's my dad? But don't worry.

Michael Chandler O'Parlia. adopt him soon. Oh, gosh. Why do you do? Why do you do this? Why do you go that route? I'm sorry, I had to. It was right there.

Family. I had to. Is there a line? Because I feel like family, kids, I feel like that's the line. I feel like that's one that we shouldn't talk about. If you're not willing to go too far, you will never go for enough. A wise man once said. Who said that?

A wise man. Paul Heyman? Oh, even wiser than that. The ultimate wise man. The bad guy himself. Okay. What is that? It calms me down.

What is it, though? Like a piece of tape? What is that? It's a jaw-sizer. Oh, wow. Golly. So you just do that all day? Yes.

Does it help? One day. Yes, it gets up, it's a good pump. It's a good pump in the jaw. And I'm trying to get me. My face as sexy as yours, Ariel. I appreciate that. A nice structure you got, Ariel.

I'm trying to be like you. The way you're rolling those ours is impressive. My ancestors, they're speaking through me, Ariel. Only on my dad's side. My mom, they haven't spoken to me yet. Okay. Spanish side. Just my father's side, the conquering side.

Your father's Scottish? Oh, we got some Scottish. in our blood, some Irish, some British, the winning side aerial. My mom, the losing side, the natives, the Aztecs. I would say they're both equally great. Can I ask about the flipping of the bird? What prompted you to do that? I was ready.

I was ready to go to the second round. Yeah. And the ref just stopped it. I was ready for three rounds. You think I was going to, I didn't want it to stop early. I wanted the fans to get the full incredible Hulk experience, and the ref took it for me. I was beating him up, and I just, he's tired. I thought I would just see him in the second round, and they stopped it right there.

So you were disappointed that he stopped it? Well, kind of, but then I got the 100,000 win bonus, so I'm not that. Unhappy with it. Hell yeah. He helped me out a little bit. Did you get the performance bonus or the finish bonus? The performance. Oh, hell, yeah.

Wow. So you got the 100K. 100K, yes. That's amazing. Is that more than your purse? Oh, by far. Okay, so you're happy about this. Oh, yes.

Are you mad at him? Like, were you mad at him? Why did you flip him off? I mean, when the Incredible Hulk steps into the Octagon, anybody can get it. that's just the spirit that's in my blood that's the spirit I have

when I step into the octagon the warrior the warrior mentality mentality did this one feel bigger because it was Paramount Plus it was the big debut

did it feel like the stakes were higher the platform was bigger did you feel that they all feel the same all every victory and it leaves me hungry for more and I can't wait for it

in the next one oh Dana White was asked about the post fight interview which obviously caused some waves and he said that he heard about it and isn't a fan

your response he didn't hate it that much he didn't hate it that much he didn't get me the 100,000 Yeah. He couldn't hate it that much. So that's not going to change your approach. That's not going to deter you from continuing to do this.

Oh, we keep building. We just keep stacking until we just get all the money in the world. And then I just get my lakehouse and my boat. And then I ride off into the sunset. Ariel, you're invited on my boat when I get one. Thank you. I, how far away are we from that? It's the heavyweight division.

It's not very fucking deep, you know. Sorry for my curse word. No, I get it. For a couple years, I don't know. I might just do this until I can't anymore. Probably until I'm 40 or so. This is the heavyweight division. No, you're right.

I mean, a year ago, Walter Cortez-A Costa was, you know, know, nowhere to be seen, and now he's probably one fight away from potentially fighting for the belt. You called him out, and so how confident are you that he could potentially be next? Do you feel like he's right there, or do you think you're maybe one or two away, and you're just trying to plant the seed? I mean, I'm just going to keep calling everybody out until they give me one of these matchups. I mean, every matchup is favorable for the Incredible Hulk. And so until they give me him, but it's up to the UFC. Are you disappointed they didn't post your post-fight interview on their YouTube channel?

They usually do that, but for some reason, yours didn't make the cut. Yes, it's interesting, lad. Yeah. How do you feel about that? Very, I mean, it is what it is. I mean, until they, soon they will all buy in on it. Because it's going to bring in too much numbers, too much money, and they won't be able to deny it anymore, lad. Right there, are you?

No, for sure. What do you think, Gary yours? I think probably someone didn't love it. Maybe it was because of the closing statement. I think for the most part, what you did was fine. And, you know, I like that stuff. But you took a shot at Brittany Griner. For I'm not sure what reason.

Why her? Why even mention her? What does she have to do with any of this? I swear. I swear I thought he was a man and I was just helping him out. But what's the point? Like, you're not going to fight. I saw the video of him playing basketball with the shirt off, no scores on the nipple line.

But again, what's the point? Why bring that up? Why bring her up in the post? Like, that's, that's, I get what you're trying to do. I get it. I get it. I hope we can have this conversation. But that's prime time, mic time for you.

Why not use that to further your career? And maybe this is furthering your career in your mind. I don't know. But I'm just curious why in that moment, like you could talk about so many things that pertain to MMA, pertain to your career, advance your career, big win. Why even bring her up? Just fucking spraying everywhere. And everybody could fucking get it, Ariel. I got you.

I got you. Spraying everywhere, Ariel. No one's safe, Ariel. When the incredible hook gets into that octagon and then they give me a mic after, come on, Ariel. at the at the post-fight scrum you went up there with your manager and he was he was helping sort of decipher your message who was that my guy Jared my guy J-rock soon everybody will know his fucking name just like mine is he a part of your team like does he help coach you is he a training partner or is he strictly your manager oh no he's a training partner on mine okay he has unlimited wisdom when it comes to jujitsu. Now he seems like a very

smart man. I mean, he was doing a good job of sort of translating to the world what you were trying to say. Exactly. More to come. I'm going to bring him along more now. Okay, okay. I like that. So you'll see more of him. And you were wearing like a robe.

What was that all about? Thanks for bringing that up. I kind of want to put it on right now. Can I put it on? Yeah, go ahead. That's the rope that I'm talking about. It's like a little bit of a sorcerer. join the dark side with me. Oh, here it is. You'll get one too, Ariel. Here it is, here it is.

I know you like it, Ariel. Is this the same one? Oh, it's the same exact one? Oh, yes. Oh. What on Ariel? I got you, I got you. A big sheet of a thing, Ariel, fucking hell. Yeah, what? Are those those meta glasses? Are those meta glasses? Fucking, no. But now, Ariel, with my 100,000,

I'm going to purchase some meta glasses now. They didn't let me walk out with these because they weren't matter. Ah, that's whack. That's whack. But they're Oakley. That's what I was saying, Ariel. You're having a lot of trouble with this rope. I can't fucking put this fucking heat on.

Fucking hail. Oh, there it is. There it is. Ariel. Yes, yes. Oh, that's a look. Ariel, can you feel the bark? side of the forest aerial.

I think we're too far away. That's why I have to go train right now, Ariel. Oh, wait. I got to get stronger, aerial. What about, can I just ask you? You know, last time we had you on, you spoke about the Niners and your football career and whatnot.

Did you hear that there's like some kind of reporting going on, that there's like some like radioactive waves that are injuring all the Niners players, like they have a historic amount of injuries and it's because of their training facility? Were you subjected to that? You have any sort of intel? This is you back in the day. Oh, fucking who the fuck is that guy? You look fantastic.

Hitting them with the high men? Belly. Look at that fucking belly hanging out, lad. Fucking hell, Ariel. No, the Niners have the same thing. What? Fucking wrong with them. That every fucking woosied has.

They have a fucking weak heart. That's all I got on that. Okay, all right, right. So it's not the radioactive. Fucking weak mentality is what it is. All right, all right. fucking frail body, fucking weak, weak-ass sport. It's a female of a sport that is.

When you want to return? Fucking next fucking week. Okay, you're ready to go. I'm ready to fucking go. And they feel my, they feel, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they feel the fucking same energy as me. Okay. And, and, and if it's not Waldo, does anyone else make sense? fucking anybody can

fucking get it Holy fuck They're all scattered Ariel The the The The The

The The Shout it to Fulken Denzel Freeman For taking that fight Because six Other guys

Rejected it For real Who is the biggest name? Shout it to fuck F Inword please Who rejected it

Like any big names Fucking no. Okay. We're only fighting for 10 and 10. You know, let's not get a, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I got you, I got you.

12 and 12, I thought it was 12 and 12. 12 and 12, it's all the same shit. Yeah, it is. And then you got the 100-k. I do it fucking 12 and 12? 100-K though. That's a nice stay at the office, 124? Fuck, I could go to a fucking steakhouse

and not have to check my bank account when I fucking order a fucking nice steak. I love it. That is huge. I'll take you out now. I could fucking buy you a stake as well. Airio. Flying to the city here.

Do you like New York? I've only been once, lad. What'd you think? And I was skating on Times Square. It was a hell of a sight, lad. It's a great place. So you were here in the wintertime. Yes, there was, uh, when I was, when I was, when I was wee, when I was we big, we, we,

we, we, we, we, we big. fuck what the fuck was i saying oh fuck yeah oh fuck there was a wrestling tournament at at that arena over there was the arena called erie Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden the NCAA wrestling championship was there and I visited New York and look at you now

T-Mobile Arena Paramount Plus 100K bonus, killing the game. And a fucking Sith robot. Yeah. And a fucking sick Sith robot? Who saw it coming, Ariel? I don't know.

Fuck. But you're loving it. Do you have kids, by the way? No fucking kids. Okay. That I know of her. Married? Fucking Josh is.

The incredible fucking wild man. Okay. No woman can fucking tie me down, Ariel. Hell yeah. She's a nice young lady, Ariel. She's a nice young lad. Does she like? Okay, you know, teach his own.

Do you like, does she like this? Does she like? Anybody's a lad to me. Okay, got it, got it. Does she like this? Oh, I'm sure she don't. But fuck it, Ariel. You do you.

Yes, I got to do what I. got to do, Ariel. I feel you. Does she likes it or not? She likes that $100,000, though, Ariel, I'll tell you that. Yeah. Might buy her a nice, fucking bag or something.

Well, congratulations on the win. 8 and 0 now, 2 and O in the UFC. Hold on. I got some shit, Ariel. No one know what I met when I said I could end world hunger, Ariel. Fucking, I got to destroy

this man. I know he's fighting soon. Oh, God. we love him bam bam fucking incredible folk can hate to everybody though and anybody can get it so I've got to destroy this man

and fucking put him on a hunger strike aerial he's fighting this weekend oh the kids the young kids I'm doing it for the kids aerial I have a good purpose in mind so they can grow

up aerial small lad we lad we yeah big lad yeah okay so take out

tie off to uh waldo next fucking erio like fucking you want to see my fucking coffee cup area fucking eh let's see it

oh fuck I need some merch like this is it crazy I was just I was so upset when Amanda Nunes couldn't foit Ariel Oh. Because I bought her fucking merch from no reason now. And I feel fucking stupid, Ariel.

I don't even know. How long did you work on all these props? The arts and crafts. It's crazy. They just kind of fucking present themselves, Ariel. And I just kind of go with the flow. It is what it is, Ariel. I got you.

I got you. Anything else, Ariel? No, I wanted to know from you if there was anything else. Fucking. Not really, Ariel. Well, congratulations. fucking thank you erio that was a big win

hey erio can i come to the studio next time no i don't like doing these video chats this is probably my last video chat you're done you're retiring video chat aerial that's fine but i mean i'm i'm happy to have you in studio

but the connection has been good it's it's actually i love you erio i fucking love you lad where if you get that lad Which lad? Where'd you get that? What? That beautiful fucking smile, area.

Oh, my God. Now you're, now you're riszing me up. The most fucking charm that does the fucking most harm area. Did you forget? The women's pet and the men's regret. Yes, Ariel. Yes. That's me now.

Largest arms. The biggest arm, Ariel. That's me now. Well, you're carrying the torch. I'm sure Chale and Colby are happy. Just do me one favor. Don't take any script advice from Doug Crosby as well. Doug Crosby, I'll keep that in mind.

Maybe I'll write that fucking name now. I don't know who that fucking guy is. Okay, for the best. Congratulations. Well done. Great win. Looking forward to what's next for you, my man. Thank you so much.

Thank you for fucking having me. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. There he is. Josh Hokit joining us, the Incredible Hulk. 8-0 now, 2-0 in the UFC I'm really sure what to make of all of that Frank would you make of all of that?

I'm still recovering. I have to say the robe was pretty cool. I think the robe added a little bit. A little bit, yeah. Yeah. I think the robe added a little bit. You know, I'm not really sure what to make of it all. You know what? I'll give him this.

He really stuck to it, right? Yeah, I didn't. The first five minutes, I was like, Okay, when does it click into just a normal interview? It never did. It never did. Is there something to be said for that? You committed to the bit?

Yeah. I wonder what the chat is saying. Oh, they're a little salty. Hello, chat. How are you? Oh, you're that? Whoa, it's going crazy. What is it?

Whoa. Okay, I haven't been on the chat, so now it's going on. Engagement is good. Engagement is good. Okay, people like it. Well, I didn't say that. I just said engagement is good. I don't know what the reviews are.

Oh, my God. Legend. winged C versus that guy monthly segment you could start by apologizing to the women who watched this show okay I don't even know what to make of all that that was bizarre

Ariel why it was awful this guy's money hello Ariel that was nuts worst interview maybe ever I don't know what that was yeah my feeling is do it for two minutes go to the real stuff right dude for two minutes go to the real stuff

25 minutes of that is tough right it's tough yeah yeah Terrence it is tough it is very tough anyway let us let us move along now and oh yes I forgot about that in a matter of seconds we're going to be joined by our next guest in studio very excited about this one I have been waiting

impatiently dare I say as I turn on it's always a little clunky this part he's got a massive show that he is promoting this Saturday in New York City the big garden not too far from here Tiofima Lopez versus Shakur Stevenson

no big introduction needed you know this man he is the headman over at Match Room he is the one and only the inimitable the often imitated never duplicated the great Eddie Hearn is here yes there he is hello Eddie how are you sir it's nice to have you back you're one of our greatest

P customers. You love it here. It's a good thing or a bad thing? I think it's tremendous. I mean, do I give you two? No, we don't over expose you. I was getting in trouble. I was actually thinking, so.

Here we go. Yeah, this is going to be interesting. This is going to be a conversation. And it can go one or two ways for me. Yeah, yeah. I can play nice or I can give it you straight. And my problem is, is I tend to do. We prefer that one, the latter.

Yeah, yeah, I do tend to do that. You're not going to like, you know, but your tongue. and stuff that's not you no I just think it's an interesting time fascinating it's um you know I've always had a history of upsetting people but never being I don't think ever being personal in those situations just responding or giving my opinion and especially as I got a little bit older I think maybe five six seven years ago I was a little bit more of a kid and I was sort of more emotional and a little bit um I mean I've still got a massive ego but probably not

quite what it was I think I'm a little bit more relaxed now but yeah I find the whole thing fascinating I really do I mean I think you know the boxing business I was just saying to someone earlier it's like 90% of the time it doesn't actually work yet people are always prepared to throw money into the industry and projects and fight nights and operations and fighters yeah it's like it's so crazy that people always emerge with money and great great for fighters And actually, you know, obviously the big conversation about pay is fascinating. The level of pay that the fighters are receiving and good luck to them is actually really not reflective of the draw or the revenue in the event like any other business in the world would be a situation where, you know, the balance sheet reflects your costs and that the costs is a fighter purse, but not in boxing.

So there's always someone prepared to come in and lose one, two, five, ten, twenty, thirty million on one night. And as a business, it's really interesting because that's what you're up against. So you have to try and keep your head and run a good business whilst also being competitive and wanting to win. And somehow you've got to meet the two in the middle and you've got to make decisions as you go on fighters and contracts without worrying about what someone else is doing. You have to be aware of it, but not making emotional decisions that are going to change your EBITDA and your P&L for the year. And at the end of the year, you look at it and go,

what happened to our business? Well, Eddie, you lost your head. You said sign him, sign him, keep him, keep him. Don't let them get in without actually focusing on the business. So, yeah, it's a really interesting time. Been here before and back again. You're always there in boxing. Never a dull moment.

Okay, so this is fast saying. Rick, do you want to do something here? Okay, okay. Just so you don't have to bend over. I don't want to ruin that great posture. Shout out to Kai. You're here, yeah, he's here.

You have like a personal, like, workout guru with you. Two days, I train twice a day. I see you. And food, just trying to. You have an elbow entry? Yeah, you see. I'm looking at everything. We were just laughing about that.

Yeah. Someone DM me on social media, just a random, actually. And he was like, Eddie, I love you, but what are those elbow pads? They're not elbow pads. I got a bad elbow. I get it. I get it. A million different directions that we could go with just that opening statement.

And what I appreciate about you is you're coming in hot. Like I was going to do the thing and be like, uh, Andy Cruz, tough loss. I feel like you're... I know where you want to. So there's no point. You know, we can talk about whatever you want. Of course. But I appreciate, of course, that is the biggest topic.

Could I get a word on Andy Cruz though? Yeah. Do you regret the matchmaking? Was it too much too soon for the young man? I think we're always get criticized for being aggressive with our, matchmaking, which I think is a wonderful thing for the spall. And for criticising the fight fans. But fight fans are strange people.

And I'm one of them. Right. So what we do is we moan that we don't see people taking risks and we moan that we don't see competitive fights. And then when someone takes a risk and tries to shoot for greatness, we go, you shouldn't have done that. It should have built him up a bit more. What built him up in fights that you don't want to see?

And you moan about. So it's like, you know, the reality is, Zandi Cruz. who's one of the greatest amateurs of all time, Olympic gold medalist. And when we went into the professional code, we wanted to move extremely fast. He's 31 years old. I mean, you know, if he was 25 or 26,

might have been slightly different. But what we did was, we gave him five 10-round championship fights and one 12-round fight. Now, that's enough of the championship fights before you take the risk. But what he didn't have was the five, six-rounders,

two-eight-rounders, etc., which, to be honest with, you, it didn't really need. Would they have benefited him? Maybe. We all felt as a team, you know, his management, Andy, his training team, that he was ready and he could beat him a retire. What he did was he lost in a very narrow, excellent fight, excellent fight. And I think he come out of that fight and his stock went up in defeat. I think people watch that and went, wow. And I think no one really mentioned before the fight that he was only six and no. And then afterwards it's like he's only six and I it's like well we knew that going in but now you're

acknowledging that he did really well on such few professional fights so I think sometimes when you come in and you don't have the benefit of being an American you know with a big following from your own city or state and you're from Cuba you don't speak English and not many people know you you have to take more risks to become a star and I think he can still become a star I think he'll probably drop to to 130 because he doesn't really make weight and you saw the main difference For me in that fight was the size of Murataya. I thought Murataya was outstanding, by the way. I enjoyed it.

I mean, obviously, I was gutted and coming off the back of the Dalton Smith win, and I thought, you know what, we're going to go on a little bit of a role here. But I sat there and really enjoyed the fight. I thought it was a real high-level fight, and Andy Cruz will be back. There was a great irony of you guys being in Vegas at the same time as Zipf boxing debut and the UFC 324 showcase debut on Paramount Plus. Total coincidence? Yeah, yeah, total.

I mean, I think we booked hours like months, months ago. Did you cross pass with those guys in any way? No, I was actually supposed to, I messaged Dana to meet him on, we're good, I think he, he messaged yesterday to meet yesterday, but I had a flight. We had to get to New York because we had a slot that we could only take off on. And if we didn't make that, who knows when we'd have got here. So I didn't manage to catch up with him, but we were going to, we were going to. You messaged him.

I messaged him on the first. You were the first one. Yeah, yeah, Saturday. I said, listen, you've had boxing, but if you want to meet, he said, yeah, let's meet. Wow. So we were supposed to meet yesterday, but things are good. What prompted you to do that? I just felt like every time I'm in Vegas, I always reach out to him and meet up,

and I just think it's interesting times. Like, I don't know. I just thought, I'm a message, don't know. Were you surprised he was open? A little bit. I mean, you don't really know what people are thinking. You know, I mean, sometimes if you focus too much on clickbait and things that are said, then you might just go, well, I don't mean, you know, and that's happened a lot in boxing,

but maybe part of it was a little bit of an experiment for me to see if he'd want to me. But I've always said to you, you know, and people like him, don't like him, he's always been very good to me. And he's always been very cordial, but now we're competitors. Things have changed. things have changed. But it doesn't mean we don't have to get on. It doesn't mean that we have to slag each other off. And you won't, like for every interview where I might say,

you know, I think I'm a better promoter than Dana. People don't play the part where I go, I think this guy is a fantastic operator, amazing promoter, the business that he's built, it's incredible. They just played a bit where I said, I think I'm a better boxing promoter. So, yeah, you know, it's a shame we didn't get to catch up,

but I'm sure, I think, what were you hoping to get out of it? Nothing, really. Okay. It wasn't tactical. It was just, I just felt like, I think, might be wrong, I think Dana knows we're the best. And I think he's kind of alluded to that in the past. I think he knows we're for real. I think he knows we're a proper business.

You know, I think he knows that. Has he alluded to that? Because all I hear him say is, you're a politician. No, no, this is pre-pre going into boxing. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, he knows, I think he knows we're good. Okay. But listen, these guys are good.

And you didn't watch. You didn't watch the Superboxing movie Not because I was like I'm not watching it I was just in Vegas I think I was trying I don't have Paramount Plus And I just

And to be honest these days On social You can kind of watch along There's no part of you that says Hey let me sign up I'm gonna keep tabs on These guys are competition No but I will

But I'm you know I'm not saying Oh well would I watch that Of course I will be watching And looking I knew a lot of people that went And I looked at the set up The press conferences

the weigh-ins, everything. You know, I mean, our team look across that, Zuffer boxing, handles, the numbers, you know, everything. So, yeah, and I've always, you know, I'll say it, and I say again, I've always learned from those people, and I've always, at times, I've said, you know, openly, we've copied some of the stuff that the UFC have done because they do it very well.

And they're a fantastic business on the whole. So I think it's important for our guys to look and keep evolving. And, you know, I think it's going to be interesting to see what happens. Did you consider going? No, I would have gone if I was invited, but I wasn't expecting to be invited. I wouldn't necessarily invited me if I was then, but I would, I probably would have gone. There was a time in the past year of doing a show.

I remember you did an afternoon showish, like late afternoon in Vegas and then you went to the UFC after. Yeah, other way around actually. that was Canelo Mangia. Sorry, Canelo Belanga. Okay, yeah. And I went to the sphere first and then went, went. Okay, so, but that time you were invited? Yeah, yeah, it wasn't.

I mean, I don't, yeah, it wasn't. I'm not sure they weren't like, don't let Eddie Hearn in. Sure, sure. They probably thought I wouldn't go, to be honest. So from what you saw, what was your takeaway? Basic, you know, I think, again, I haven't seen, like, I think these guys are long-term players. So everybody's different, right?

Like, to the naked eye, it probably lacked ambition. Do you what I mean? Like, I think if you want to come out the gate's hot, you want to do a big event with a big crowd and make big noise. But at the same time, I don't think these people are necessarily like that. You know, I think they're looking at a five, ten year plan for the business. And let's get it rolling, maybe. I mean, if I did a show like that, with that card,

in that kind of atmosphere, with the look and, I would be ridiculed for months. But this is a new thing, and it's emerging. And it will, no doubt, it will get better and better and better. The broadcasts haven't really seen. I saw Max Kellerman and, you know. But, yeah, I think they've got another one on Sunday. Yeah.

That's actually a better card. Again, a lot of people that not a lot of people know, but it's actually a good card. I think the main event last time from what I saw and what I've heard wasn't the most compelling. I think the key is really the storytelling because if you're going to use

the level of fighters that they're using at the moment, you need to kind of explain what they are and what it is. And this is what I talked about with regards to the league, the belts, the governing bodies. Everything's a bit mixed up and in the air. So it's like, and I'm sure they'll get to that event

But I said previously, what are you actually watching just three fights? What are they for a championship or is this part of the league or or is it just three fights? And the answer was, no, it's just three fights. Oh, okay. That's cool. But what are they fighting for? Or nothing actually. It's a 10 round fight.

Okay. Because every fight, like if you look at, I mean, obviously this Saturday is a unique example. Chakur Stevens is trying to become a four division world champion, one of the, you know, potentially the greatest fighter of our generation if he does that. Tiafimo was the undisputed lightweight champion. It's Newark against Brooklyn, right? It's elite against elite. So all of these things you can tell the story of, even on the undercard.

You know, Kishon Davis comes back from his troubles, defending his, you know, or moving up to 140 pounds. Bruce Carrington, Shoo Shoo from Brook, going for his World Championship fight. You can tell a story about every fight. And this is just like some stuff bundled together. And Sunday's the same. But they'll get into that. They're a big machine.

It feels like it's almost like a content play at this point. Let's get the kinks, you know, ironed out. Let's get a bunch of content. I don't mind that play. I don't think that. I mean, look, it would be unfair to compare them to a well-oiled machine like you guys at this point, right? But also, let's be honest, they are a well-oiled machine. You can't, you know, these aren't just people who've just, you know, said, oh, let's start in the world of boxing promotions or fight promotions.

These are a huge organization. And the expectancy is always of the level. of the precedents that they've set, which is of fantastic products and fantastic business. And I do think they'll get there. Like, they're not going to be. I say all the time, you know, they're going to be,

they're going to be a challenge. They are. And it's going to be interesting to see what they do or where they go. Where did you make of the uniform, the presentation, but all part of, it's the same principles

and the same precedent that they've set before, the whole you have said. You build the brand so that the talent wants to be a part of it. And the talent that they are securing at the moment is actually overjoyed to get a track suit in their room. Oh, I've got me off a boxing track suit. This is unbelievable. You know, you've got to wear that. You've got to wear these pants at the way and you've got to do that.

And it's the same control principle as the UFC. But where the UFC business is so smart is every MMA fighter dreams of fighting for the UFC. So therefore, you've got the hook already for these guys. In terms of your recruitment process, what a piece of cake. You can get these guys to sign up to do anything. You know, you give all your rights away, essentially, but you do it for a UFC contract, which is major, you know, and provides you a fantastic opportunity.

So I think that a lot of fighters, and I know a lot of fighters that they've offered deals to, and they've come to us and not with us, but have said, look, could you take a look at, I say, I think you should do it. Where are you going to get this kind of opportunity? you know, you're struggling to get a fight anywhere. Now you've got, you know, this regular boxing.

I mean, you'll be matched pretty tough. And if you get beat, you're probably off. But in the meantime, why not? And you get a free track suit as well. It's incredible. And so when you look at it at the apex and all that stuff and the uniform, do you feel like this is Zufa boxing or do you feel like, because on the one hand, I'm like, all right,

if it's the Julian Rodriguez's of the world, no disrespect to him, I get it. But then you sign Jaya Pataya. And so, and then Jai is going to fight at the apex, apparently in his debut for them. And so do you have a sense of who they are? Because initially it was like where the contenders series. Yeah, but you've got to build like I said, you've got to tell the story of who you are and what you are. You know, the league, which is, I think the whole principle of the business, what is that and when does it start? But maybe that's for something down the road.

I don't know. But I find more, you know, the governing body situation. because a lot of those bigger guys that they make offers to are world champions. Like Jai? Jai is a great example. You surprised they're saying to him? No, I think it's a must-take deal for Jai. Like he's had three fights in the wilderness in Australia.

He's making, you know, he's been making very, very small money. No one really wanted to fight him. So he's, you know, he's got to do something. And I think that was, you know, his last fight was, you know, DeZone turned it down. He would stand. Just numbers. Like the value. He wasn't drawing.

No, not really. But Australia is a tough market. It's not Jai. It's just Australia in general is a tough market. And, you know, he's been offered this opportunity. But the interesting part comes where he wants to unify the division. What matters to Jai is the belts. So you've had the situation where Dana and, you know, has come out, said,

we're not acknowledging any of the belts. They're out. Governing bodies. Go away. Disappear. But now you're recruiting fighters that are desperate to fight for them. the belts. So the U-turn's going to be, like when he fights in March, he's going to be, I mean, apparently, you know, the move for Jai made sense because they're going to get him the

unification fights, apparently. So in March, he will fight, apparently, the WBC world champion in a unification. That's a good move for Jai up a tire. Now, if they don't get him that fight, it's probably not a good move, but at least he can get some more money. But they have to acknowledge that that fight is for the IBF World Champion. and the WBC World Championship. And what's going to happen is, they're not going to acknowledge it. They don't want them in the building.

And there's going to be a big moment where the governing bodies are going to have to make a call to say, hold on, if you're not acknowledging that our World Championships is on the line, if you are not paying the promoter sanction fees

for these events, we're not allowing the belt to be on the line. And then the fighters, but I think that's actually what Zuffer probably want. They want the argument where they can, you have to recruit the fighters

and then turn them into Zuffer champions, right? So they probably want a situation perhaps where there's an argument for Jai and the world championships and they said to you have, bin this off, let's fight for the,

you'd be the first guy to become the Zuffer boxing world champion. And then you have to have a fight because you're getting good money and then go out there and parade a Zuffer belt around in the ring. And then, they hope that it will get the momentum and a Zuffer belt will actually become a thing. Zufa.

Yeah. Where it's called. Zufa. Zufa. So, um, but I like, I'm fascinated more by that than maybe even what plays out. Because I feel like, unless they come out and include the governing bodies, I think the governing bodies will say, you, you can't defend your belt. on this platform because they're not they're just not acknowledging

or contracting that our belts on the line and I think they're going to say to the fighters you have to do that yourself we're not having it yeah we're not dealing with the governing bodies we're not paying any sanction fees so if you want the belt on the line you have to pay it but what you won't be able to do is come into the ring

with the president and and you know sometimes the menial stuff and sometimes a little bit you know cheeszy if you like but that's boxing Mauricio suleman has been one of the loudest sort of the centers who's pushed back. And so why would he even agree to that? Why would he have his guy fight Jai if he knows?

Because the threat is, in my opinion, but take the belt and put it in the garbage, right? Yeah, but everyone's got to keep their heads here. What the WBC, Marizzo do, what Marizio wants to do. But in my opinion, what they shouldn't do is just come out, right, if you fight on Zuffa, you're out of the WBC rankings, the belt is vacated, blah, chill. Let's see what happens.

The reality is, Jaya Bataire is supposed to be. fighting, Michelian, for the WBC world title on Zufa boxing. I mean, actually, if I'm Maritza,

I'm loving that. I'm going, I thought you weren't doing belts. But you've got a WBC fight. Wait till you see what happens

over the next couple of months when that process plays out. What do you mean? Well, because they will not acknowledge it, in my opinion.

Unless they u-turned completely, next thing, Maurizio's in the ring at the apex with the WBC, they won't allow it these people.

Right. They'll say not. So that's like, that's a popcorn moment for, especially people in the industry, forget fight fans, how is this going to play out? Because if they start not sanctioning those governing bodies, then they've got a little bit of an issue in recruiting bigger-name fighters. Because bigger-name fighters, especially ones that are in their prime and haven't made their money and haven't, they're not as bothered, they want legacy.

And they want championship belts. You know? And by the way, I don't always get on with the WBC. I'll always speak my truth to Marito. He does the same. Sometimes we argue. One thing I'll tell you is he has been born and raised in the sport. He loves the sport of boxing.

And one thing I'll tell you about a WBC championship, that's legacy. All right? Sanction fees, well, we'll always have the arguments. That is legacy. Look at the names in the sports history that have worn that. belt around their waist the all-time greats I mean it's too many to name Muhammad Ali Marvin Hagler sugar Ray Leonard but you know homes every every every great fighter has had that belt and young fighters they don't want to fight

for a Zupa belt now maybe when it's established in five or ten years and that maybe that's the plan and maybe it can work but maybe I'm a little bit old-fashioned what I want is I want the governing bodies I want the belts I want my fighter, my client, to achieve their legacy. I want them to make as much money as they can. And by the way, when there's revenue in the fight, I want to pay them every cent that they deserve. But I want to see them with belts around their waist.

I want them to finish their career and sit in their living room, in their palatial mansion with WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts in their lounge hung up on the wall, like the greats that wore them before. But again, maybe I'm just a hardcore fight fan, and maybe I'm just an old romantic when it comes to the sport boxing that I love. We've talked about it for, yeah, do you think we could do a matron belt? No, it's NAF. You know, I'm going to sit down with a great fire and say, the thing is, mate, what we're going to do is get rid of your WBC title, because we're going to do a matron belt.

I mean, it's just cringe. I wouldn't even suggest it. But maybe over a period of time you can establish that belt. We'll see. Did it annoy you that the narrative was Zufa took Jai from Matrim? Yeah, a little bit. Jai hasn't, I mean, of course we've been working with Jai. Last time you worked with him was when?

Like how many fights ago? I mean, contractually, probably close to a year ago. Okay. But we've been working with Mick Francis and Tasman fighters and we did a show in January of last year, probably the most we were involved with. And then he did one in June, which we weren't really involved with. And then he did one in December, which was on Stan. and we couldn't be involved with because we're exclusive to design.

But people kind of use that. But that's a good catch for Zufa. So that's one of the reasons. I think they probably signed him or an extra reason is, well, it looks like he's gone for a match for him. But I think it's a great opportunity for Jaya. I really do. I think I had, say, you know, I mean,

I had either nothing for him or something that probably wasn't the best thing for him to do. And I think this is a great opportunity for him. I just hope they're true to their word of getting him. Like he can't have any more warm-up fights. Right. He's had three warm-up fights last year that, unfortunately, mean very little. And if they put him in another non-unification fight next, it's, you know, it's not good. So great fighters, you know, I think it's good.

I don't know what the money looks like, but it'll be good money. And that's important. Ben Rodriguez. So I watch all the stuff that you're involved in. You were asked throughout the week about him. You were told that he came to you. You matched the offer. All as well.

You've got big plans. Robert Garcia, manager, trainer does an interview with cigar talk says, no, no, we brought one thing, but we have other things.

We haven't made a decision. Where do we stand with that Rodriguez? So Robert needs to obviously understand the legal position of a first last, which I think he's done. And, you know, his best interest, of course,

is looking after Van Rodriguez. himself of course and he's for other fighters and that's the way that it's played out is how i explained it he had an offer from zuffa and we matched it and you know that was that the process was adhered to under the contractual terms and then we move forward once essentially they've received that offer and they want to take that offer or they say this is a good offer we present it to you and we match it we move forward so so it can't be like okay you've matched this one now here's One from, hang on a minute. Three months late.

Yeah, I've got another one. Hang on. It doesn't work that way. So why do you think he said that? Probably for that reason I said, you know, and obviously understanding that, that position. He was very, he was very loud in his praise of Zufa. He's got throughout the week. I mean, he had three fighters on the card last week.

Yeah. I think he's got another. Do you think he's trying to push him to go there? Who knows? Who knows? I mean, look, ultimately, we've built and developed Jesse Bammer. Rodriguez. I think we've done an incredible job. I think Jesse's done an amazing job. We love Jesse. You know, we also understand that some people have, you know, different kind of loyalty levels

and plans to benefit themselves rather than, you know, potentially other fighters. And I think Jesse's just, Jesse's a chill guy. Jesse's sitting at home, you know, probably unaware of a huge amount that has been happening over the last few days. And maybe that's his style, you know, um, but we talk to him. No. Okay. But we, you know, we've done our bit and we expect to move forward. So we'll see how it plays out. And, you know, of course, we'll respect, we'll respect and protect our contractual position. Um, and yeah, like I said, we, we've got big plans for him. And that's what we expect to happen. Were you surprised that he got a, uh, a very good offer from No, no, he's a great fighter. I mean, he's a, you know, he's a top five pound for pound fighter.

I know he's a smaller weight class, but it doesn't matter. Look at what he's done. Sure. You know, he's incredible. So, no, I think, you know, and the offer was, you know, it was a good offer. And obviously, we had to look at ourselves in the mirror and speak to DeZone and say, you know, it's a proper, you know, contractual process where you have to go through. And yes, we will. And it's a great opportunity for Jesse financially. I was wondering if you were alluding to that when you came in. First thing you were talking about is like, hey, you don't want to lose your head at the end of the year.

No, not, not bam. No, I mean, but that, you know, that process. No, I mean, I think that you just have to make decisions on fighters and shows. Of course, with a long-term vision, but also, like, you're running a business, you know? So you have to make smart decisions, but you also have to build a stable. I mean, we have the biggest stable in boxing globally, by far the most. And we have a lot of fighters that are incredibly important, and other fighters that we believe will go on to become incredibly sport.

So it's just a case of when a fighter gets to a position, what I'm kind of alluding to is what I said earlier, sometimes a fighter's purse does not reflect the true value of the revenue that that fighter drives, and what a balance sheet looks like. And you can keep paying and just keep on losing and not going anywhere. And then you get to a situation,

you go, this is actually not good for our business here. You know, so, but you sometimes you do that to protect your stable or your ego or the business or winning and all that kind of stuff, which I will do when I've done before, but just staying smart in that and concentrating on your product. And we feel like our product is very good. Is there any part of you that wonders if they'll try to drive the price up on these guys to get you to match? And by doing so, hurt you a little bit.

They don't really want the guys. They'll take them or leave them. Yeah, maybe. Yeah, I think that's been done before. I mean, that's not a new strategy. Yeah. Do you think this is happening? I don't know.

I think probably they thought this is the right number that we would be prepared to go to for ban. And, you know, like I said, it was a very strong offer. Driving the price up that kind. Yeah, maybe. I don't know, would they, do they want to, if that's the games they want to play, it shows you how bothered they are about. And I don't know that for sure. I'm wondering if you think that. Maybe, maybe.

I don't, I don't think so. I think they're just looked at it in. I think they're going to be making loads of offers to loads of fighters because at the moment it's a recruitment process. Sure. Are there others that they've come after in your stable? No. No. No.

I mean, most, we don't really have many of fighters that are, you know, at the end of their contract. And if they do, they have a matching right and so forth. And again, a lot of it comes down, you know, we talk about loyalty. It really depends what you're made of as an individual. Some, and some fighters you have a much closer relationship with than others in terms of that loyalty and their career. So in that respect, that bond is stronger. You know, sometimes the trainer and manager doesn't want you to have that relationship with a fighter because they don't want them to be loyalty. they just want to be out there making as much money for them and they're stable and the fighter and their commission as possible.

The fighters that have a bit more about them will appreciate what's been done for them and potentially the relationship that they have with the company. And you can generally count those kind of people on one hand, but they're the people that you die on the hill for, you know, and they're the people that I have died on a hill for, and I have invested all my time and all my emotion and all my energy and back them at every season. And they're the ones that you have a special relationship with, you know, and they're the ones that I enjoyed a journey with the most. Others, they come and go.

And some don't really care about what you've done with them or the route that's been taken or the investment that's been made. And we also have to say, boxing's a short career, you've got to do what's right for you. but it just depends what sort of person you are. Now, you could be as loyal as you want. If the deal's terrible or it's not competitive, sometimes you've got to go. By the way, there should be a conversation that's had, in that respect, in my opinion.

But like I say, everyone's different. Boxing's boxing, and we'll remain committed to all our fighters, but the ones that are always the most loyal to us, we will stand by them and, you know, take any kind of bullet that comes at us as a team. And that's what I love being in the game for, you know, those kind of people that you can end a career with and sort of meet up, as I do with, you know, many guys now and go, oh, we had a great time down.

How's your new house getting on? Yeah, nice. I've actually, you know, I've started a, you know, my property portfolio's going really well now. Beautiful. Have your belts on the wall, right? Yeah, lovely, you know, especially that green and gold one. Didn't it look beautiful up there?

You know, you said something recently that I disagreed with, and I'll tell you why I disagree with it. I think it was in an interview with boxing social. You said, I wonder if there's going to be some sort of UFC fighter revolt because they're going to start to see the purses that the Zoufa boxers are getting, right? And I'm here to tell you as someone who sort of lives and breathes M.A., there's going to be no UFC fighter revolt. And it's not because it's not warranted. It's because they never revolt. They're the ones who are sitting here staring at a new $1.1 billion a year deal, a year just in the United States. States and they never opened their mouths. And I respect and love them all dearly, but there's just too much, there's too much sort of like scar tissue in that if you speak up, what's the control again, isn't it? So there is going to be no revolt.

Yeah, that that surprises me. I mean, look, when we talk about UFC pay and stuff like that, like the UFC aren't doing anything wrong. That's just their model, which I think is, I like, don't forget, as a business, it's incredible. that they can get their talent to fight at those numbers, given the revenue for the show. But that's because they've done an amazing job as a business. So they're not breaking any rules.

It's not like that. They don't have to pay these people. They're never going in with a gun to someone's head saying, sign this contract now. The fighter wants to be there. And when we talk about fighter pay, like they're going to be signing fighters that are making considerably more.

than the biggest UFC fighters stars like bam would was much more than Paddy Pimlet and Justin Gaffia making yeah but but the he's nowhere near the star that they are on a worldwide yeah I mean that yeah but but I just find it fascinating that you can have a situation where you take 11 million dollars on the gate now you know you talk about the value of a paramount deal who knows what the allocation is to individual events is it 40 events 43 okay so what are you looking at per event, I don't know, call it 25 million, 30 million plus endorsements on the night. You're talking about probably around $50 million worth of revenue in the pot for that show on Saturday, which by the way is phenomenal.

Oh yeah. Okay. How much did the main event make? We don't know. I mean, educate me. Maybe if they're lucky, low seven figures, like a million. What a business. If they're lucky.

What a business. And I'm being probably general. What a business. Yeah. You're telling me, you're generating $50 million of revenue. Yeah. And the main event are getting $750 each or a million or subject to what he's actually should, but all those kind of levels.

What a business. Wow. I mean, and by the way, you know, you can say it's terrible. You can say it's unfair. But it's the model. And I can't believe it happens because I know that every lawyer in boxing, every manager in boxing, and maybe even. every trainer, especially under the Muhammad Ali Act, knows exactly how much revenue is in a show.

And if you're talking about, you know, I mean, again, we're just, we're putting numbers out there, but if you're talking about $50 million of revenue and the entire fight card getting $5 million, probably less, you're talking about 10% of your revenue going on to fighter pay. Flip it on boxing. you're talking more like 70 or 80% of your revenue going into fire pay. And by the way, for some people, 200% and losing a fortune along the way. So like you said, wow, what a situation where a fighter like that could be making a quarter of what Bam Rodriguez is making and have just sold out the T-Mobile

and delivered one of the biggest audiences for a boxing event, for a fight event on Paramount or whatever the press release said. So listen, good luck to. but we live in a different sport you know and again Jayopatire will be making a lot more money than Paddy Pimlet and Justin Gafy made at the weekend like that

if that doesn't ruffle the feathers of the UFC roster like you said maybe nothing ever will eternally it will but it will never but the model's good isn't it so you know where it means so much to be a UFC fighter These guys are signed like that you sign a long term. No one else to sign. Yeah. So again, they're not, they're not doing anything wrong.

I'm not going to see it. It's disgraceful. It's the business model that works. People are happy with it. So good luck to her. You live and breed this stuff. I know you do. And I know you pay attention to all of it.

When you see Dana's demeanor up there talking about this, like he did this post-fight interview on, on Friday. And the reporter, Heidi Andrew, asked him, like, who impressed you the most? And he didn't have a lot. a name and he was stumbling on it and he just said everyone impressed me like it just I can see when you see this you're like okay do you say bring it on I

I can I can show you because look I'm not trying to as the kids say glaze you here in front of me but like you stand up there and you talk about the first fight and you give us the storyline up until the last that's why so does he when he's talking about MMA does not he does not 2008 Dana does that he doesn't do it anymore he does not

you know all I know does that get you excited because you say okay let's go I'm surprised you reached out No, because I don't You know, I think It would be not I don't

You know We go into war That that's simple But that's okay Like They might not think I'm a threat And I might think

I'm much better than them It doesn't really matter But it doesn't have to just be Like We're gonna We're gonna be talking And we may Do some stuff together

Or we may just keep fighting For how long it lasts But when I see him talk about boxing I mean one And I don't mean this disrespect He doesn't really know A great deal about the fighters

Or the sport as it is Because but I see a guy that's A hundred percent invested in in UFC And not really that invested in boxing If I'm honest Because when he's doing in there He's sitting in the war room or whatever he is And he's like you know

What's up guys? And I'm listening I'm engaged. But when you're at a press conference and you've got some notes here and it's like, yeah, we've got a 10 round fight. This guy, like, that's not,

I'm thinking what I'm not interested. So, and that, you know, sales, Emerson, who said, it's a transfer of emotion. So when I'm selling to you, that emotion is what's going to make you buy or become invested in what I'm selling. And if you're not, if you don't have that emotion

and that fire in your heart, it's just not the same. And that's probably what you see. Listen, it might be the same for me if I went into MMA and I was talking about, you know, oh, this guy, yeah, we've got a guy on the undercard here. I don't know enough about it. I can't give you the ins and outs of the industry and what's been happening for the last 15 years. And I know every ranking system, every fighter in the rankings, all their records. I mean, it's like an encyclopedia.

Just probably like he could sit up and talk about a UFC fighter and say, you know, I don't know. Could he go through their career? and all that kind of stuff. So I think he's a little bit unfair just to say he just doesn't look like he's bothered or have passion for it. I just don't think it means as much to him

as his baby, which is the UFC. I understand that I'm nitpicking, but like he just watched an event and you're asking him who impressed you the most if a name doesn't jump out at you that has anything to do with history, that has nothing to be prepared.

It just doesn't feel like, it feels like he's going through the motions, in my opinion. It feels like he's going, in the immediate aftermath of an event, we want to hear from the man when you're in the ring and you're bigging up boots and us the way in which you do it comes across as someone who's invested who's connected who's who's into all of this i don't get that impression i don't want to make this all about probably he probably sat there and watched it and thought no but let's be honest you weren't impressed with calm wash i didn't watch the fire but you know there's levels to how far did you remind you of a young roy jones no definitely not okay what about joe calzac as max said this is the moment he's been waiting for his whole life for boxing in the apex

Since he was a kid. Yeah, exactly. He was a kid. But I don't think Dana sat there and watched that and thought, well, this is unbelievable. I think he sat there during Paddy Pimlet and Gaithy and said, this is unbelievable. What a fight! So I know a little bit in that respect how he feels because sometimes I'm watching something. I don't agree.

And I'll always talk and I'll always, you know, but the levels of passion depend on the excitement of what you feel when you're watching. And I don't believe he watched Callan Walsh against a campbo and was sitting there going, this is unbelievable. What a fight, what a product, what a night. He probably thought, you know, and he's got a lot on his plate. Right.

You know, he runs a massive company. So I think, again, but this is not, TCO is not, and Zufa's not just Dana White talking. This is a massive. Of course, of course. There's very smart people and that's why I think they want to be successful. They know, they plug it in. And they let.

you know, the other businesses drive and, you know, but it still always comes down to the product. Boots Ortiz, dead? No, not dead. I mean, again, like, obviously there was a lot said from Ortiz's manager in Goldenboy. I think they're in a lawsuit, which, you know, is not ideal. It also, when it blows up like that, sometimes it actually lets the fight happen, or sometimes it can go the other way. So we're still desperate to make that fight. We want to make the best fights in boxing.

And I feel that boots and Ortiz are the two best at 154 pounds. So we'll see where that goes. Josh Kelly fights Mertzaliev this Saturday. Yep. I think Josh Kelly's going to beat him. He's already signed to fight boots. And also, remarkably, on the same night, Zandazias fights in a unification fight in Puerto Rico,

which no one's even talking about. On top brand classics. Is it? Yeah. that? I don't know. But I can't believe. Zandazir's for me. He's incredible. He's one of the top stars in the sport. No one even knows he's fighting. So you've got a situation where he's going to be, I believe he wins, but, you know, Barasabu's a good fighter. But if he wins, we'd love to make top rank an offer to do Zander's eyes against Boots. So we're not, you know, we're not limited

to what we can do, but we really want that far. I just feel like, you know, how long do you wait? Days and days in a week, you know, I mean, Boots is scheduled to fight at the end of March. So We can push to early April, but I'm not having him sitting around. He's ready to go. What's up with Golden Boy? Like, is this not happening in them into his own? I don't know. I don't know.

Look, I think, you know, when we talk about promoters and, you know, I know, I know, Oscar, you know, isn't everyone's cup of tea always, but I do think he's a good promoter. I mean, I think he's one of the vocal guys. I mean, you know, away from his clap back and all that kind of stuff, which, look, still he's driving narrative and driving conversation. I think he's, you know, like outside of Matrim, which we're always going to rate is number one. Tell me the other promotional companies in the US right now that are out there in force banging the drum, you know. Well, honestly, it's a bit of a sad state of affairs. Right now,

you can make a strong case. It's Zufa and MVP as far as American-based promotions that are actively putting on events. Yeah, but then when you look at MVP, you, I think, do things brilliantly well. Yeah. If you look at their stable, you know, obviously take away the female element of that, they don't actually have any significant male champions or. You know, I mean, you know, stars. But I'm saying they're actively putting on shows. I mean, when you talk about active promoters, yeah, yeah, yeah, again, you know, MVP, pushing, driving, content, everything, smart, smart organization. Your roster's important, but, you know, the top rank have got that, you know, it's the broadcast situation more than anything. The thing that you cannot afford to not have

is a broadcast deal. It doesn't matter what fighters you've got. If you don't have a broadcast deal, the whole business breaks down. So, And while you have a broadcast deal, you will always be competitive and dangerous. So I just think a fascinating, you know, you've got, you got obviously TKL, you got match room, you got top rank gold boy, and then you got Turkey-Lashake. Yes. Kind of like hovering above everyone. Okay, so can we talk about that?

Yeah. The word on the street is that he has had a falling out with Frank Warren, that you're the guy that he's working with and not Frank. Is that accurate? No, I think that Turkey is. always going to do, I think he's always going to support the world and ecosystem of boxing, quite frankly. Like, you know, when he was working with Queensbury a lot, we were kind of out. I mean, this was going back to Fury and Ghana. We came in, obviously, we did a fight with AJ. We've got a very close relationship with him and Riyadh season across a multitude of sports. We just did the darts out there,

the first ever event in Saudi. We did the snooker. We're, you know, promoting the event this weekend on behalf of Ring magazine. We did Eubank Ben, but it's because that works for Turkey. And I think he knows we've got a fantastic operational team. We've done a great job. Madison Square Garden is going to be sold out. But it's still his show, it's ring show. I'm not sort of parading around New York saying,

look at my event this weekend. We're doing a job. And this is what I said, and I didn't mean to be disrespectful, when I talked about Crawford Canello. TKO were the service provider for that event and it ruffled some feathers. I am matrimam, the service provider, the name promoter and the operations behind this event with seller. And I don't mind saying that.

It's a nice gig for us. You know, we've got Ammo Williams fighting for the world title. Obviously, we've been paid to do so with our team. So yeah, but that could, you know, we've got to deal with him to promote the upcoming ring events but that can all you know tomorrow he could say right everybody off I'm just going over

here with TCO I don't think so but you don't think they'll come a time where I'll make a decision and say I'm just working with one entity no I don't actually because I think he always wants but when he puts cards together I don't think he ever goes oh let's put matron fighters on

or let's put PBC fighters on he works and he knows the business and the fighters now extremely well and inside out. By the way, what I said earlier about Marizio Sulaiman also applies to Turkey-Ele-L-Sheikh. Sometimes the perception is, oh, you know, who's this guy from Saudi Arabia,

ruining our sport? No, he loves the sport of boxing. He wants to make the biggest events the greatest fights. And therefore, when he puts a card together, he puts a card together that is, you know, obviously a team of people around him, but 99% of that card is Turk-Ele-Sheikhs, decision, everything.

And it doesn't matter who they're with, who they're with. And whilst there's big name fighters with organisations, I don't think he'll work exclusively with one. Maybe in a time he will, but I also think he wants the fluidity to do what he wants

and to work with who he wants. And sometimes you'll go through a period where for three or four months, you don't have any fighters on the card. Then next thing, you're promoting a show and you've got eight fighters on the card. Do you what I mean? And that's where I talk.

about there's no there's no um not loyalty because I actually think he's a he's a man of his word but there's no preference really it's like whatever suits what they're trying to do so I'll get people say to me all the time oh do you think he's just like lining you up here like you know walking you down the path and then he's gonna if he is good luck to him we've done extremely well every had season and ring events we've had amazing opportunities for our fighters we've we've made a lot of money we've we've loved working across them So if we get to a stage where we're six months time or 12 months time and You know he says oh I'm not working with any promoters anymore. I'm all in on TCO

I'll go thanks for a fin mate good luck. That's it by the way. You know a.J. is going to fight Tyson Fury somewhere and and you know like I say it's the the talent that you have right is really dependent on Sure Has there been any change in the amount of money they're interested in investing that's been another thing that's been there always will be. I think, has it gone down? I don't say it's necessarily gone down. I just think it's become better oiled and it's become smarter. Okay. You know, in the past, I would sit there with, with Turkey sometimes and he would put a fight card together. Like, there's been some that he's done, particularly Bivolbetibir,

and I'm like, you've got three fights too many on here. Yeah, I know. It's great, isn't it? People will love it. I'm like, no, they will love it. I said, but you could wipe 10 million off the bottom line by not putting those fights on. I mean, some of them aren't even on the main broadcast. Yeah, but I think this is a great card. And that's his enthusiasm and his passion for the sport of boxing. That's why I really like him, because he

does care and he, you know, he's, I mean, he's, you know, he's a sharp cookie. So, you know, but I think just as the business has evolved, it has become just that, more of a business where you are actually looking at your costs and expenditure and, you know, the

potential gate revenue and actually looking at the P&L as you go and before you start, rather than just these are the fights, and then at the end of it, how did we get on? Not good, right? You know, you need to make sure, and I think that's probably one of the reasons. I think we do that better than anyone. One of the reasons he likes working with us, and Frank Smith is, you know, he's the boss of that in that respect. And Seller and Frank and the team, they like working together because sometimes at the end of it,

it's either not too spiteful or you knew it was going to be spiteful rather than at the end going, how did it all play out? And like anything, I mean, you remember when PBC started and then as the weeks went on,

the lighting, like, you know, light bulbs kept coming out. And that, but by the way, same with the zone. When we started,

it was crash, bang, wallet, make this, and then as you learn, as you take a position in the market, as you start to understand, you just refine the business

and actually try and get it right. And that's probably the same with Zuford start with. I think they'll be making a lot of signings that actually there isn't any value or they're well overpaying. But that will be refined as they go. Last week I spoke to a gentleman named Ed Pereira of IVV boxing. What do you make of these plans and everything they're rolling out with? You've heard of him, right? Yeah, I met him actually in New York many months ago.

He said he helped put on, I guess, from a permit standpoint mark, the Times Square event. He's worked and now he's gone on his own 140,000. He's targeting in San Francisco, but he's not a promoter and he wants to work with everyone. I just don't know how you pull this off. It seems they don't have. I don't know. It seemed like a nice chat when I met him. I don't really know the background or the history, the investment.

Is it YouTube? Is it on YouTube or? He says it's YouTube, but I'm having a hard time deciphering. My show's on YouTube right now. I don't have a deal with YouTube. You don't need anyone can put on a show. You put your prelims on YouTube? Yeah, I don't know.

It's a real broadcast deal or is it just them putting it on there? I don't know. I mean, as I said, in boxing, it's just wild that anyone can come in. And like I said, Ed seems like a, you know, a bright guy. I don't know him well enough, but good luck to him. You know, it's palatial plans. He says he wants to put on 12 iconic events, but he doesn't have the fighters and he wants to work with the promoters. And so has he reached out to you?

No, not in terms of the fighters. And why would you do that? Why would you say? Well, I don't think it's a great opportunity for the fighter. And, you know, don't forget. us, our fighters are exclusive to the zone. Right. So every time there's an opportunity to fight on another platform,

we have to have that conversation with the zone. And one of the reasons that, you know, I have a long-term commitment with them is because of the fluidity, if you like, to understand that process and how good they've been during that process. A.J. Jake Paul was a great example. Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano,

another great example where, you know, I would go into bat for the fighter and say, like, I'm really sorry, guys, we have to take this opportunity. And I don't want to fall out, but I can't allow this opportunity. And we have a conversation.

And sometimes they say no, and sometimes we have to find a solution. But we get there. Do you what I mean? And this is another broadcaster or a platform. So, you know, it'd be very difficult for me to start signing fighters to fight in on one of those events

when we have our own plans for our 30-odd shows. you. I remember the last time we spoke at the end of the year. It was the Monday after A.J. Jake Paul. And then I remember shortly thereafter, it was the holidays. I went on vacation. And I couldn't believe, like, I could not believe how my feed was just all about Anthony Joshua as like this, you know, the sex symbol. It was unbelievable. And I was actually so happy for him. Like, he was so great that week. I was like, wow, I just love that America has finally figured out who this guy is and fallen in love with them.

And then I couldn't believe what happened. And I'll never forget that seeing those early reports. And I actually thought of you. I thought of reaching out. I didn't want to bother you. That's your good friend. That's not just your. And so could you, if possible, like, can you take me through that day?

And I know you know the two young men who passed away. And I can't imagine. And they were right there in the ring. They've been by his side. How was that day for you? How did you react? Yeah. I was away, actually.

I was on holiday. And I woke up. I was on East Coast time. and I woke up, I don't know, 9 a.m. or whatever it was, and a guy called Riaf from the Daily Mail, who's a very senior reporter who, you know, whenever I get a call from Riaf, generally I actually don't like it because, you know, he likes those, you know,

not those kind of stories, but, you know, breaking sort of really interesting, you know, and I thought, but I always pick it up because it's, you know, I said, hey, Riaf, he said, hi, Eddie, sorry to bother you, I just wondered if you've got a word, on AJ's crash. And I said, what do you mean?

He said, oh, don't worry, he's okay. But it looks like, you know, a couple of members in the car have passed away and lost their life. And, you know, I didn't know who he was with at the time or particularly in the car. And, you know, obviously for me, it's like, how's AJ? Like what, you know, so I tried to call him and, you know, obviously he didn't have his phone.

I didn't know at the time. And then sort of over the coming. hours particularly but you know minutes we found out that sena and lats were traveling with him and then it's just you know you just pray that it's not them um so we found out soon after that it was them and you know it was just devastating because those guys are full of energy full of life you know i mean sena was the real lieutenant and general of fight camp, especially the last camp.

You know, he was a guy that was so loyal to AJ, like, you can't even imagine. And Lats, you know, this is a guy, I think AJ knew him since he was 18 or 16, so like they grew up together. You know, three or four months ago, we were in Dubai. I was staying with them.

You know, he lived with Sina and Lats. Well, you know, and Lats was just taught like that. And, you know, they're always talking about the future and plans they had and dreams they had. And, you know, it was just completely devastating. And for him, obviously, you know, at that stage, you're thinking about the families and then, you know, you're thinking about Anthony. And obviously, what he's been through. Firstly, the physical trauma and injuries that he sustained in the accident. and secondly, the emotional trauma

that is inevitable in a situation like that. So I was with him last week. He's a remarkable man of strength. Like, you know, I don't know. You know, we were in the same house that he lived with those guys. And, you know, even I'm sitting there thinking, God, I just remember, like a few months ago,

we were all sitting at that table just talking about life and, you know, joking. And like you said, it was weird because after the Jake Paul fight, he was in such a high. Like, it was like, last year was painful for him, you know, like coming off the defeat to Dubois, and then, you know, yeah, it's just seeing him so happy

after the Jake Paul fight, and then that happens. And it's like, you know, just devastating. And now you just want to show him strength, and he will show that strength, right, because he's that kind of guy. You know, I'm fighting for my brothers and, but how can it not, you know, like it's just, and like I said, his strength is incredible, incredible. And he's training, you know, with his, with his injuries and like, he's focused and, you know,

he's an inspiration. He really is. And, like, that's life, you know. I always say, this two shall pass. I think it's one of the great sayings. And people think that that saying is like, when you're having a bad time, this two shall pass. but actually it's reflective on both sides of the fence. And I always think about it, like when you go through,

even for me more like in business, where it's like you go on a hot run and it's like, yeah, I always say to myself, this two shall pass. And then you go on a bad run. And then I say to myself, this two shall pass. And it's like life has a way of doing that to you. But the way that this happened and the way that it did this just almost seems like unfair,

particularly for those two. families. So yeah, it's, you know, I've not really talked about it in length like that. And, you know, I'm very proud of him, very proud of him. And I think boxing is a massive part of his life. And so he's training. And it almost feels like being with him recently. It's like that kind of, you know, boxing saved him. And it will probably save him again, you know, that training, that regime. And I think he will fight on. I do. And I think he'll do it in their honor, you know, but it's not going to be easy. How is he doing?

How would you assess? I think, you know, I mean, again, AJ is like an inspiration, like he's such a positive human being. But he's so difficult to be positive. And, you know, when I was with him last week, you know, he talked, he talked nonstop about those guys. You know, if you follow him on social, he uses his Snapchat. It's more like his kind of thing rather than the more core. People were worried about his snaps recently because he was talking about God and. Yeah, but, but.

AJ is a man of faith, but this is pre, you know, and he's also, you know, a man of, but he loves gathering information. So don't forget that, you know, Lats was, you know, a devout Muslim. And they would talk all the time. I think there's pictures once of AJ going to the mosque. You know, he would like to learn about everything. So I don't think it's necessarily about religion for him. but, you know, if you follow him, you know, the lot, you see now he's posting,

like the memories that those guys had was just incredible and the energy. Like, you would literally, area, walk into the room and it's like, like, an AJ is one of those guys where his energy is unbelievable. Like, whenever I'm around him, I feel motivated, pumped, happy. Do you know what I mean? He has that way of doing that, and so did those guys. So you'd walk into that house, like, you know, when I stayed with him. And it's just like, and they're all like, yo, yeah, and their energy is unbelievable.

And that's not there anymore, you know. So I guess what you have to draw on is the memories, the experience and, you know, operating and functioning in their name. And I know AJ's, you know, his big focus will be to take care of the people around them, you know, and to always remember them. So, you know, when you say, how's AJ, he's okay, you know. He's training hard, and that's the principal focus for him. Get back. You know, right now, boxing's kind of in the background. You know, people, everybody's coming to me.

You know, what's the plan? You know, don't ask me about the plan. The plan comes from him when he's ready. What he's doing at the moment is he's getting over his injuries. And he's trying to prepare himself probably for the time, where he may return to a training camp. And that's it. Because at times like this,

you really need something to focus on. That's the key for me, is you need to be busy and you need to be focused. We're not busy in training camp. We're not busy on a fight. We're busy training, recovering, you know, and taking care of business. So we'll see what happens over the next few weeks and months.

Physically, will he make a recovery? Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was a scary scene, seeing all that play out. I mean, thank God he had his seat built on. You know, I mean, but in doing that, obviously came some, some injuries as well. They're not injuries that are going to affect him long term in his career, but they're injuries that will take time. Is he pursuing anything?

Is there anything to pursue as far as legally? Like, we still don't really know how, was it just a human error? I don't know. I mean, I believe there's a case going on in Nigeria at the moment. And, you know, I think he, he will talk more about that. And I think that's in kind of in process of him to talk because, you know, now he talked, you know, obviously when you, there's lots of events to go to. And he's not, I don't think he's overly in the mood for that.

But you know that when you go, every question under the sun is coming at you. So I think he'll want to address that at some stage. Okay. I'll let you go in a moment. But I did want to ask about Katie. She did an interview recently in Ireland And for the first time You know, I've been listening to her for a long time

And I know you ask her about retirement She does not like it I heard her say This is the last year And I'd like to end it at Croke Park And all this stuff I'm sure you've seen the comments as well So what does that mean?

Does that mean one more fight? I've never heard her say This is the last year You know at the moment I still feel like It's going to take something special To get her back in the ring Do you know what I mean?

It could be it I mean, I think she'll fight again. But at the same time, I don't think she's just going to go, yeah, I'll just take a defense of my title at the three arena in Dublin. You know, there's a couple of things she hasn't done. One is Croke Park and one is Las Vegas. Right? Croke Park for me, you know, it's like one of them things.

It's a bit like AJ Fury where it's like kind of like when you're done, you'll always go, you know, because I know she fills that place up. And you do, you know, it's got to be a big fight. It doesn't have to be, you know, there are a few fights that might work, but again, I don't feel like we could just go there and fight someone from the top 15. It's a big, big arena. However, she is one of the greatest stars that, you know, Ireland has ever produced and is an absolute icon and he's loved by the entire nation. So she could probably fight, you know, you might be a big fighter, you know, and fill up the place. Sure. You know, you won't win, by the way. Absolutely not. So, yeah, I think we'll see what's next. But she's also, you know, she's living a great life. She'll be in New York at the weekend.

But she's a fighter, you know. And she's probably coming off one of her best performances, ironically. You know, in the last Serano fight in terms of game plan, everything. So are there any talks with Crook at the moment? Kind of like in the background. But there's been no approach of an opponent or a date or anything like. that but if holly would have won maybe that would have been the one right i think so and i watched that fight you know because i was messaging brian peter's manager and he i think he obviously thought about

potential holly home fight and i actually said before i don't think you know i think um stephan wins this fight i think she's a good accomplished experienced experience fighter um and she did but it was a bit bit of a messy result i think they're talking about running that back actually MVP so we'll see okay um Last one for you. For the longest time, I remember you versus Leonard Ellorby, you coming to America, all that stuff, right? And you were kind of the young whippersnapper, right, coming over to America and proving that you could be. I remember that press conference when you announced his own deal at 1515 in Broadway. It was you and Bellator had a press conference at the same time.

You remember that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And that was, to me, like, that was like Eddie Hearn's sort of big American unveiling and all that stuff. You're in a much different position now. Is this the greatest threat to match room right now? The state that we're in now with these guys coming in, you know, you said it very well, you know Zufa boxing isn't what we saw on Saturday or Friday. You know that, you know, they're talking about Ussick. They're talking.

Is, is right now your greatest threat? Is this your greatest battle? Not you trying to take down the old guard, but you being here and these guys coming very quickly here. No, I don't think so. You don't? No, because my greatest battle was the people that I know will. Can we swear on the show? Absolutely.

Try and fuck me 24-7. And my greatest ever battle and my greatest ever education was against Frank Warren. Because that was over a decade of fighting, in fighting. Pressure. Agenda. Politics. Fuckery. And that was the great.

the greatest education of my career coming through the other side and battling that period and what that enabled me to do was do exactly the same thing like we never get any credit really particularly in America right if you think about it I came to America as a British promoter

no other British promoter has ever done that with a big TV deal and we came what six years ago right and everybody said are they're not going, you know, I'm still here, and I'm sorry, we are number one in America right now. We are. Like, we're the one with the significant TV deal. We're the one with the strongest table.

We're the one that are filling arenas. We are promotionally the best out there, but we don't get that credit. So that's a British promoter coming in to do that. But I've ridden all those waves. You talk about Leonard Ellaby. He was the guy that was, you know, I'll say hate him, but where is he? you know i mean we came in bob aram he gave it to me both barrels

where is he you know me and oscar have had our fights over the year he's still going it's competitive but kind of like a little bit more joint you know with the same broadcaster and stuff like that al haman never let me made a fight ever hayman blocked me for years trying to make fights and try and make progress in the sport is it does he even have a tv deal anymore so when you've been through that This is a different kind of battle. This is the most powerful organization we've battled.

But I always back myself in boxing. Now, you know, could I come out and start a wrestling league and take these guys on? No. Could I come out, which I've looked at before and get into MMA? Not really. And take these guys on? Not really. You know.

But through all the process of my career, I've had those running. battles and this is another battle but the battles are what's made it so enjoyable and exciting and memorable and that's what I live and breathe for so in that respect I can't fucking wait to see how it all unfolds it's a marathon not a sprint and it's probably what they're thinking as well you may find you know oh gyopatai but you may find one other fighter goes or something like this, oh, whoa, the pendulum swinging. See that pendulum goes like this, right, every three months. It wasn't so long ago, we couldn't get a win.

Then we can't stop winning, right? It wasn't so long ago, Antin Joshua was completely finished. Then he beats Jake Paul on Netflix is the biggest star in the sport. It's like, you know, you just got to stay with it and you've got to stay consistent. So I don't see it as a battle yet. I know the battle's coming, but it hasn't really started. So it has started, but not. to a level that's ruffling any feathers or changing my resting heart rate, but I think it will.

I think it will. And it'll be fucking great. And you know that every moment that my eyes are open, I'm working. And even when I'm asleep, I'm still fucking working. I ain't laying down. I ain't going nowhere. Just like the other people that are coming before will turf him out, we'll turf him out. I'm going nowhere.

so we'll see but it's what life's about competitiveness every day you've got to get up and you've got to play to win you've got a fight to win and that's that's why i think we've achieved what we've achieved and um you know like i said different challenge in terms of the size of the organization and the brightness of the people i mean look mark shapiro nick karns an incredibly bright guy you know and these are all people i don't know how they feel about me maybe they think i'm a pratt maybe they think I'm really good I don't give them monkeys but but we're here

and we will be a danger and we will be a threat and we will be a force despite who is in the game and we'll battle every day what a way to end it thank you Eddie all the best to you a big show this weekend big arena the big arena not the theater next door

the big one who would have thought back in 2019 this man would be promoting an event headline by Chaucer Stevenson and Tiafuma Lopez but most Importantly, Big Baby Miller on the card as well. Yeah, yeah, you wouldn't have thought of that. You know, what a crazy turn of events. It's this Saturday at MSG, there's the face off.

Much more to come. It begins at 6 p.m. What a huge day that will be for the sport of boxing and a huge day for combat sports as well. UFC 325 at the same time. So a little head-to-head action with the UFC on Saturday. I love it. That's Eddie Hearn. We'll take a quick break.

Armand Sarukin coming up. Don't go anywhere. We'll be back right after this. All right, back on the program. That was my conversation with Daniel Cormier last week. great stuff. It's up on the channel right now. Where's this thing hanging now? Yeah. In a matter of moments,

we are going to be joined by Armand Serookian, who is the uncrowned champion at 155, the uncrown interim champion or maybe the undisputed, who the hell knows, but he should be the number one contender at the very least. He is not at the moment. He was in our studio not that long ago, and that kind of kicked off a generational media run for him,

but a lot has happened since then. So we'll talk to him about all that. Stay tuned for that. Few notes. Eddie Hearn was tremendous, as always. What a story. This is going to be no better time to cover the sport of boxing and combat sports in general. That's why I'm so proud of what we're doing here at Uncrowned.

We're the last of a dying breed, my friends. Truly, we are the last of a dying breed. There are no media members and outlets left that are doing what we are doing. We are the last of a dying breed. And so I say this not to like, you know, beg you for support, but to thank you for your support because we will continue to be the last of a dime breed

and we aren't going anywhere. And I'm so proud of what we're doing with no promotional ties, with no bias, with no, you know, issues as far as objectivity or anything like that going on. We are the last of a dying breed. And I'm very, very proud. And I'm very proud of everything that is happening

here on this show, in the studio, with the other shows, on the dot-com site, everything we are doing, please believe me when I say we are the last of a dime breed. I will tell you that on Saturday, it's the second annual uncrowned Saturday. And this is going to be an incredible time because it's quite frankly, if my math is correct, Royal Rumble will start at 2 p.m. on ESPN Unlimited here in the United States. it will go till six. UFC starts at five. The paper view,

the boxing paper view starts at six. The first fight is at six. So basically that will probably go, you know, UFC will go to like 12. The boxing will probably go to that as well. There's a 10 to 12 hour stretch of time where it's going to be wall to wall,

plus the Josh Kelly's of the world and whatnot. And so it's uncrowned Saturday, beginning at two, PM in earnest with WW Royal Rumble, which then rolls into UFC 325, live from Sydney on Paramount Plus, which then coincides with Tiafimo Lopez versus Shakur Stevenson at Madison Square Garden here in New York City on DeZone pay-per-view. What a time it is going to be amazing. And we're going to be the only outlet on the planet that is covering every single one of those events with the same professional. with the same ethics, with the same type of standards from event to event to event.

We are not treating one more important than the other, giving one more attention than the other, every single one. And they're all mega events. Royal Rumble is the second biggest event of the year for WW. At worst, third, if you want to count SummerSlam as number two now that it's a two-night event. But for the longest time, it's the beginning of the road to WrestleMania. 325 is gigantic. It's Diego Lopez, try to take down Alex.

Volcanovsky in his home country of Sydney and Shakur versus Teofimo is a it's a fight fan's dream it's a fight fan's dream fight and oh by the way that card is stacked kishon davis returning shushu karenton returning ammo williams on the card as well that is a stack card at Madison Square Garden so I am psyched I can't wait it's a great time I'll be back on Monday by the way I'll be back on Monday and then I'm off to Italy on Tuesday but have no fear. While I'm away, you'll still hear from me, you'll still see me. Boys in the back will be holding down the Ford here. We'll have a couple of uncrowned films for you. We'll have an MMA beat next week as well. We'll have a classic interview show. There's not going to be one

day that we are going to miss. Crack, obviously, on Fridays. P.T. will weigh in on the boys in the back shows as well. So we're not going to miss a beat. We're not going anywhere. Please believe we will cover everything, watch parties, post shows, all that stuff and more. I wanted to update you on a story that we talked about yesterday regarding Michael Johnson. and Alex Hernandez. We have yet to hear an official, other than what Dana White said, which is pretty damn official,

but they came out with the statement and that was that Dana White confirmed that the reason why the fight was scrapped just hours before the event was due to this, you know, betting a regularity issue

that has popped up time and again, most notably with the Derek Minter fight a few years back and very recently with the Isaac Dalgarian story. I did reach out to Hernandez and his team and I've not heard back yet. I did reach out to Michael Johnson and his team and have heard back. And so I want to read a statement from Dave Martin, the manager for one Michael Johnson. And here's the quote, we were obviously disappointed by the cancellation as Michael had an outstanding training camp,

but was fully prepared to compete. That said, we understand and respect the UFC's responsibility to protect the integrity of the sport. In today's environment, particularly with the growth of regulated sports betting and heightened scrutiny across professional sports, these matters have to be taken seriously. We appreciate the open communication from the UFC throughout the process, and our focus now is working with them to have Michael rebooked as soon as possible. So that is from Dave Martin. I appreciate him giving us that exclusively. I appreciate him saying anything, and obviously we know the reason for it, and hopefully he gets rebooked. Hopefully Alex Hernandez gets rebooked, but hopefully they find out what happened, what went

wrong care. How did, if I'm getting this correctly, Hernandez went from a dog to a favorite in a short amount of time. Did I get that right, GC? Dog to a favorite in a short amount of time. Michael Johnson went from being a dog to essentially coin flip odds. Okay, okay. And yeah, it was a very short amount of time and there were a lot of questions surrounding it. So UFC, in my opinion, did the right thing, as I said yesterday, pull the plug. Don't let the fight play out. don't let any black marks, black eyes get onto the sport, like what happened, you know, back in November and figure out, figure out what, you know, what is going on and how they can stop this. Did get an update on Rosnamu Yunus. Rosamunis is out of surgery and is doing well and is now,

you know, facing three months with a tube in our eyelid and can't sneeze, can't blow her nose for the next three months, which is obviously going to be extremely challenging for her. But happy to hear that she is in good spirits, that it has come and gone. It was a success. And she can begin her road back to 100%. Yesterday, we talked about the Paramount Plus numbers, the streaming numbers. Everyone seems to be happy. Everyone seems to be excited.

Everyone seems to be hopeful of growth and whatnot. I did see an interesting tweet from Nikisa Badarian, who, of course, is the co-founder of MVP and was once the CFO of the UFC. Incredible numbers, when you take into account Fox 1, a broadcast network was basically a pay-per-view level card and was almost the same average viewership. Of course, had the main event lasted longer than 64 seconds, the gap would be a little bit larger,

but that's a broadcast channel. What a fantastic start. So he was giving props to the fact that this did around the same type of numbers as UFC on Fox 1, which was on Big Foxx, which was back in November of 2011, and it was a fight between Kane Velascus and Junior DeS Santos, which lasted just a little over 60 seconds.

Had it gone on longer, as he points out, it probably would have been a bigger number, but it seems like everyone's pretty happy with this. I saw some people comparing it to the Netflix numbers, which I guess is a fair comparison to make and nowhere near those numbers. You know, nowhere near Crawford-Cinello, nowhere near Jake Tyson, Jake AJ,

a little closer to Katie Amanda three, whether that's fair or not. Paramount Plus is America and other territories in the world, but it's not worldwide. The Netflix numbers are worldwide. I think it's going to be a really interesting thing to follow. And for the first time and a long time, hopefully we'll get these numbers consistently.

I think it's very interesting and important to get the numbers consistently. And, you know, we want to, okay, so this, almost six million number. How much of it was Patty? How much of it was the debut? How much of it was the stack card? What does Volk get? Does Volk get that much more, that much less on par?

What does the BMF? Like, this is all very interesting and stuff that we haven't really been subjected to. So I welcome it and am very excited about it. Speaking of the business of the UFC, here's a tweet from Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal. who tweeted out that the UFC will pay for the White House card this summer in full and is not asking for taxpayer funds

to help offset ballooning costs. Quote from Dana White, we're going to make the sphere look like the effin ashtray money. That's a story, that's a report on SBJ. Can I ask a very stupid question to the more politically savvy bunch back there? Who me?

This could be to the WFB or anyone back there. Was there any sort of questions around who would be funding this? Like, was there a time where people thought that taxpayers would be asked to fund a UFC event at the White House? Why did I read this and be like, why would taxpayers be asked to do this? Like, was this ever even a thing?

Oh, I assumed that we were footing the bill on this like, really? Why? Because it's at the White House? Well, yeah. I mean, the logistics of this are going to require a lot of money and a lot of resources to get done. So I assume that TCO would not be coming out of pocket for it at all.

Jesus, great. I mean, that would be the greatest deal of all time. But, like, it's a private event by a company that's putting on this event. And yes, it will be seen by people, but it's not like it's open to the public or anything like that. I don't know why it was. The same reason why they get paid by Saudi for Zufa boxing and don't have to do anything but manage the, like, that's how they do deals. Like, that's why I know. But I mean, how is that, how is, like, well, of course it's the greatest deal.

That's the point. That's why I assumed it was happening. different when it's coming from the from from an entity like the Saudis as opposed to like the American taxpayer oh is that stopped our current government from us spending money no I know I just I never I don't know I guess I never thought what's the difference of federal taxpayer money paying for that event versus you know the bills are getting a new stadium funded by New York State taxpayer money yeah I will never go to I most likely

will not go to a bill's game but my money's going there and goes to the Pagula family now is that is that state tax money or is that federal tax money. Like is it new... For the Bills Stadium you're saying? Yeah, yeah. The Bills Stadium is New York tax money. That's how they negotiate the deal with New York. Right, right, right. And you live in the state of New York. I understand what you're saying. So I paid for the Bills stadium? Hell yeah. The People Stadium. I mean... Enjoy it, man. By the way. By the way, by the way, by the way, no need to thank me. By the way, I appreciate you bringing up the bills, taking a shot at the bills, but like, that's more common than not, right? No, I'm saying it's very, it's in Kansas City or

whatever the chiefs are going to Missouri, Kansas, whatever the hell they're doing. Yeah. The taxpayers are footing the bill and they're, they're they're not getting any money out of that deal. So, like, it's a very common occurrence that these private sports organizations and teams get taxpayer money, and they claim that it goes to the economy, but realistically. Yeah. And the tourism board for XYZ state also pays for the UFC to come to town when they, like, I assume that this was happening. Okay, so.

Not the opposite. Devil's Advocate, like, that's a one-off. This is a one-off. Yeah, like what we're talking about, this is a one-off. like the Bill Stadium is something that will be used for 50, 60 years. No, but what about like the tourism boards that fund UFC coming to town? That's a one-off event. Yeah.

But our tax, I guess I'm wondering like, you're not asked to pay extra for all of that. I guess there's a fund and I don't know. It never occurred to me. Just putting it simply. Yeah, it's the same way. We're paying our taxes and that money can be put toward. We're people saying that about this one. Like, were people saying like, for example,

Because when, when WWE SummerSlam comes to the state of New Jersey, there are reports, oh, you know, New Jersey paid seven millions. No one's like, ah, taxpayer money. No one's going crazy over this. But for this one, I was wondering if people were like, hey, wait a second, are we paying for this? I never heard that as a thing. So I guess I saw it and I was like, you did? Instantaneously, I'm sure many others. The fact that he is publishing this report means that he asked the question.

Oh, for sure, for sure. Or maybe they came out with it and, you know, it's just good PR. Oh, by the way, I want to let you know. We're not asking anyone for any type of money for this. We're doing this on our own. I don't know. Who knows? I am curious about the presentation.

I'm also skeptical of that. I'm not sure I believe that. Okay. Well, that's a whole different. I agree with Rick. Okay. I'm not sure that that's accurate. Security detail, parking, all that stuff.

It just makes sense for UFC to foot the bill on it. Are they renting out the, what is it, the ellipse, the 80,000-seeing park? that they're going to be watching the fights from? That's a good point. It's a good point. No, you're right. I mean, it's going to take a lot of security. Who the hell knows.

But what I continue to hear is no ads on the cage for this one. That's interesting. Yeah. Well, that makes it even more Yeah. Makes me even more skeptical, right? They're going to get this.

Yeah. Now they're coming out of pocket pocket for every single thing involved in this and they're not making that money back in that way. Who knows what the commercial inventory is going to be, I fully expect that they will not foot the whole bill on it.

If they do, I mean, congratulations. What's going to be on the canvas that like U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, like all these? I don't know. It could be a logo, you know, UFC logo. I don't know, it could be the White House, could be the UFC 250 logo. Oh, the USA 250 logo.

Yes. Yeah, like smack in the middle. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that wouldn't surprise me. There is a USA 250 logo. Yeah. They keep saying it on the football games. like, oh, this side is USA 250? The Dodge Ram truck commercial. No, no.

USA 250. Oh, right, right, right. But I just, I'm not, I've not been told the reason, but I guess it's like the White House can't have any sort of corporates, I don't know, I'm just trying to figure it out myself. I just continue to hear, hear that there's not going to be as many, any, this just keeps coming back. Every time I'm checking in about the White House card, I just continue to hear this. and it sort of makes sense

you know like you don't really see a lot of sponsored things when you know sorry is that just limited to the canvas itself or is it like on the ellipse they're going to have like oh monsters here giving out monster energy drinks I really don't know I just continue to hear when I'm trying to poke around about the card and who might be on the card

I have I will say I have heard the I have heard the you know most likely not a pure yon going to be on there or trying to make it pro-American. I have heard that. What it ends up being is anyone's guess. And I'm sure Dana, the next time he does a string of media, he'll be asked about it,

and perhaps you'll have more answers now that Monday has come and gone. Obviously, I don't think the card is going to be finalized. But it just, I think the road to this card is going to be really, really interesting. The road to making the card, finalizing the card, who's going to be on the card, the Connor McGregor involvement, all the stuff that we talked about yesterday, I think is going to be super, super interesting. Yeah, I think it's going to be fascinating. then I think the event itself is going to be,

is going to be massive. Even if they have to pay for it, I almost feel like it's an investment that will pay off for them. Oh, 100%. 100%. And there's no doubt in my mind that this is going to be on Paramount Plus

and not CBS. I think we all kind of thought it would be CBS, but that would be crazy to put it on CBS, right? I agree with you now, too. The amount of subscribers that they'll get from that is insane. My mom will be watching this. Yeah, I mean, it's going to be huge.

I could see maybe like a prelim on CBS, like you want to just show, it on TV, but I think the big dog fights, that could make sense, or maybe the pre-shows on CBS. You know, you're broadcasting a sporting event from the White House. It's historic to a large degree. Like, I could see CBS wanting to do it. The Sunday thing is interesting too. The Sunday thing is very interesting. That hasn't, you know, there have been Sunday events. I remember Wonder Boy Thompson against Jake Ellenberger on the Sunday after a Cona McGregor Chad Mendez card, UFC 189.

So there have been, but few and far between. It's going to be really interesting. Nothing more interesting, though, than the generational media run that Armand Siru Kien has been on. What a time. And dare I say, did it start with us here? No, it didn't start with us here with the pizza. Did it? I don't know.

But it's been an incredible run. And it has continued in earnest. And a lot has happened since we spoke to him about two weeks ago right here on the program. And so I reached out to the young man, and he's kind enough to give us a few minutes of his time. He is the uncrowned champion of the lightweight division, certainly the uncrown interim champion. There he is, Armand, Siruqa. Armand, did it start with us?

Did it start with us this run? I don't know. No, no, no. I started. I started in Miami. Okay, but kind of, like, I feel like we sort of like helped get it in motion, right? Like, can we take some credit? For sure.

Yeah, you helped me a lot. Armand, are you tired? Especially with your pizza. Yes, that was good, although you didn't eat much of it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Armand, are you tired?

Are you tired? Yeah, I have a jet lick. I'm in Paris. Okay. No, but I mean like, are you tired of talking? You've done so much media. No, no, no, I like it. This is unbelievable. You're having a good time. I've never seen you smile so much. Why? You're having a good time. Yeah, you know, I live the best life in the world. How I cannot smile. What are you doing in Paris?

I came for the Venom. I got the contract on the Venom. Oh, wow. So now you're sponsored by them. Yeah, so, and we had a photo shoot today, and tomorrow we're going to do like crazy videos, like, from, like, Bruce Wayne Castle. Wow, okay, I like this. So congratulations. Thank you. Life is good. I'm getting bigger. Yeah, oh my gosh, you feel it.

Get it. And getting more money. That's what it's all about. Do you feel like you're getting more popular? Do you feel like the people are really behind you? Yeah, now people behind me and like, from the streams, you know, they know what's my, how I'm in the real life, you know, because it's four hours. From the interview, you cannot show everybody like, what are you doing? Like, it's 15, 20 minutes and that's it.

But when it's like a stream, it's like four or five hours, you know. And I just do like what I do in the. I'm same you know and people like it I wonder if there was a moment where you had like a light go off in your head and you said you know what I'm going to take matters into my own hands I'm going to show people who I am they'll love me they'll get behind me and it's worked because you're getting a lot of praise from a lot of people for what you're doing people are saying it's a generational media run it's one of the great media runs in fact I think your management is getting a lot of credit

but really I think it's all from your brain I think they don't actually deserve any of the credit I think it's all you. Everybody deserves, you know, the guys who invite me to the streams, the people who invite me to have an interview because it's like comes everything automatically. We don't, we didn't think about that wrong. We just, okay, we are in Miami. I don't want to do stream. Okay, let's go.

And then you called to Danny said, we want to have armor here. So it's like, and then we go, go, go. and like people just want me to do interviews and now it's getting bigger like all streamers wants to do stream with me right now. Armin, I have an 11-year-old son. He knows nothing about M.MA.

And he's like, I like this Armin guy. I saw him with Aidan Ross. He knows nothing. So you're reaching this audience too. And he just thinks you're funny. And then he saw you eating the food. So it's amazing. You're kind of expanding outside of MMA.

this is huge. Yeah, the food things is really big right now because my views like it goes so viral. It's like 15, 20 million minimum from the videos so when I eat

and now like now I eat for free everywhere. Mate, look at this one. The Popeyes. You like the Popeyes? Yeah. Oh, was so good. It was good. Yeah, Popeyes was good. Yeah, especially chicken. I've never tried before

Popeye so it was my first time. I like it so much. They commented on the video. Yeah. Maybe you deal with them? Maybe, who knows? You deserve one at this point. I'm surprised no food companies have reached out to you yet. They reached out. They reached out. Okay.

Anything in the works? Not yet. Not really. Okay. By the way... But, you know, I do for fun that, you know? Sure. Yeah, but they offered some money, but I said, right now, I just enjoy eating. I saw you on one interview with Steiney, and you said that I'm your favorite interviewer, so I wanted to thank you for that. That was very nice to you.

Yeah, from, like, MMA. Yeah, why do you have to say from MMA? Can't you just say favorite interviewer, period? Why does it have to be... Because then you put me in, like, in a box. At first it was like, oh, wow. Because I've never done, I haven't done with everybody from the big interiors, like Joe Rogan or like who we got, that he got interview from the Putin as well. What's his name?

Which one? He interviewed the Putin and he flew to Russia. Yeah, big guy. Lex Friedman? No, I mean, no, no, I'm saying he's big, you know, like in the internet. Nelk boys? No, no, Putin, but I know Putin, but I'm thinking... He got interview from Putin.

Nel boys, how they can get interview from the Puri, bro. I don't know, they're big time. No, no, no. But I'm bigger than all these guys. For sure, for sure. Thank you. I appreciate that. That's very nice.

I was getting a little jealous. You're more professional. You know about the MMA, everything. So that's the point. But by the way, why did you copy Patty Pembleau with the food? He said you copied him. I have no idea why he's saying that. Because I started first, I think.

Because I started like four or five years ago when he wasn't even in the UFC, I guess. Yeah. But you saw that, right? He said that you're copying his style. Yeah, yeah. Even Nina Drama asked me, I haven't seen that video. But, you know, I'm doing better than him. so maybe he's jealous.

Tucker Carlson. Is that who you're talking about? Tucker Carlson was... Yeah, Carlson. Yeah, yeah, the bow tie. You like that guy. You want to be interviewed by him? Yeah, why not?

Do you say no to anyone at this point? Yes. Okay, okay. Well, why not? Sure, sure, no, I know, I know. You see the Matan, Natan? Yeah, what do you think of that one? What do you think of that one?

The craziest guy ever. Did you enjoy it? it. It was funny. Was he that way off camera? Yeah, same. I asked him, what's your background? He's saying,

I used to be Jew, now I'm American. That doesn't make sense. Like, he was Jew, now he's American. I know, but you can be Jewish and American. One's in a religion. Yeah, I mean, he's a weird. He's a weird guy, yeah, and his other friend is

even weirder. Oh, the other one When I saw him first time, I was scared I said to my friend Like, what's going on here? Bro, they're like weird guys Maybe we shouldn't do that

No, he said, that's okay, no worries Like, one like that Do they reach out to you or do you reach out to them? No, they reach out to me Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Yeah, so even like all streamers I check my DMs I checked my DMs

like everybody like were texting me like I then one year ago like uh he was texting me one year ago for the stream

but I didn't see that messages I don't know why uh yeah they reach out everybody reach out to me we just uh yeah we never

reach out to anybody right now so right yeah no I can attest to that I was getting a little bit jealous on Saturday because I saw you and Nina where you were having such a great time together.

You know, I was feeling that she was going to become your favorite. She's my favorite, the different position. Stop. No, I'm saying, don't know, on the, on the... I'm saying, this is interview, right? Yes, yes, yes.

Like, real, we have fun, you know. When we have a stream, we just having fun. Yes, of course. Like, I make a joke, you know, and like people think, like, I disrespect for you know but like we are friends like we just making like fan making fun videos you know not just like on real life with a different I saw I saw a video of you two watching the Paddy Pimbleau fight and and they said that

you were hate watching it like you were like really cheering against them can I ask yeah what were you feeling when you were watching him get get beat up like that. I was enjoying every moment when the Gagie clipped him. You hate him that much? Yeah. He's a bitch.

He doesn't deserve to be there, you know? That's why I was like, I was happy because now you can see, like, why they put the trash can there, like, and like he never deserved to be there. What did you think of the fight over?

To be honest, I would beat both of them on the same night, even like two. I'm one there too. Same night. I could beat them. One retirement man and one young kid, like, without experience. Why do you feel that way? What did you see? I mean, Gagie, he's good, but he got tired from the second round.

He dropped him and he couldn't stop him because he tired from the first round. and Perry Pimlet, he has zero MMA skills. He has a chin and that's it dot com.

Did you just say that's it.com? Yeah. This is my new word. Wow. That's it. I like it. I wasn't expecting

that, to be honest. What did you think of the technique? He has, zero technique to be honest. Oh my God. I feel like everybody can beat him like the good fighters

like who is on the prime from top 15 everybody can beat unless like it's a Michael Chandler because Michael Chandler you see made him made him to be on the top

15 as well like him and so people are giving them if you go to the list right? Yeah yeah indeed Minoah me Olivera, Oliver,

everybody can beat him. Dan Hooker? Dan Hooker beat him. 100%. Okay, okay. But I don't know about Dan Hooker versus Pinocas and then he's tough.

Sure, I'll ask you about him in a moment. But just to finish up on Patty and Justin, what about Ilya? Because my take was somewhere Ilya's watching, somewhere Armin is watching, and they're both... Okay.

There's those two here On the table You're on the table It's a big different It's no make sense even put Gagey versus Tapura, it's just waste of time You know if there's any chance that he can

My waste of time Right, no I know You don't think there's any chance based on his toughness That he can catch him, that he can break him No, how he cannot wrestle If he could wrestle Yeah, but on the boxing he'd drops his hand. He does jab

and he drops with his hand he wants to throw his upper coat and that moment Iler gonna overhook him and knock him out right away. He has no chin. Even like Perry, he touched him so easy and he's like, he was

bubbling, you know, his his legs was shaking. Yeah. Was there anything that impressed you? I was scared. In the fight, anything that impressed you at all? Yeah, I got impressed when Patty fault 15 times. Was there any...

He needs to take a break for five, six years after the fight. He got dropped like 15 times. So bad for his brain. He was stupid. Now he's like, maybe he... Now he's going to be crazy, even crazy

after this fight. Any part of you disappointed that he lost? Because maybe had he won you could have fought him no no no I would like to you see cut him out okay okay good worse worse you see fire really you think that bad really well he's he's so bad he's not unlike I'm saying like real right tapuria I'm not saying he's bad fighter right he's good fighter. Sure.

Islam, good fighter. Oliver, a good fighter. Holloway, good fighter. Porre, a good fighter.

But, like, this trash cane is zero fighter. Not because I hate him, because it's real like that.

If you give me, like, give me petty, I would, like, I would play. I would like, I think during the fight,

I'm going to decide what I should do, knock him out or, like, choke him out, like, with hooker, you know?

Do you think he was overconfident? he was overconfident because he beat the trash canes like Chandler, Bobby Green, Ferguson one of the Ferguson was good at one point

but he was on his loss he was on not his prime that's why he could beat him but if Ferguson was five six years ago he could he could beat him did you see him in Vegas oh Patty

did he did he? No Patty No, no. Thank God. If I see him, probably you see Katme already. Oh, God. No, we don't want that. We don't want that.

End up. Yeah, I've seen the Michael Chandler and said, bro, like, what's going on? You said, you're going to wrestle me. Now, like, you're quiet. Oh, I need a time, bro. I said, like, when? I'll let you know.

He doesn't even want to wrestle me. But there is behind me was the Kobe Covington. I said, bro, are we going to wrestle? He said, yeah, no problem, bro. If you see, let me do that, I'll wrestle. That's the man, you know. Do you believe him? Who, Kobe?

Yeah. I mean, he's, I think, more confident than Chandler because he's bigger. Well, I think it's interesting to say if the UFC lets me, because didn't you tell us and others have told us you don't have to get permission from the UFC unless you have a fight booked within three months so that feels like an easy out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but UCFIDER and versus UCFIDER right now,

we're not allowed to wrestle. I mean, we are allowed, but USC doesn't like it, you know? Okay, okay, okay. So if he's retired UFC fighter or like he's from different promotion, it's even better for us. At the press conference, Dana White was asked about the incredible media run that you're on, and he said he hadn't seen any of it. Do you believe him? Maybe he was on his Instagram. He's busy.

But after, I think Nina, when we started doing content with Nina, probably he's supposed to see that because it went viral, you know? Sure, sure. there was a report last week that said that you're on standby if something happens with Justin and the staff infection or whatever he had the thing on his neck and Dana there was no truth to the report right there was no talk of this correct no some account posted it and Dana posted like a laughing emoji and we were trying to figure out like was he laughing at the report or was he laughing at the idea of you stepping in probably report because he knew like he's healthy yeah and they it's not going to happen but never know you know yeah never know you can wake up and got sick and can cannot fight how was the reception for you at the UFC event did you see any of the important people the executives the brass how did you feel being there I've been there like feeling good like I need for this company at least I got the good seats yeah that's true but better than

triple G and Kobe Covington and the other ones so yeah I had fun I was sitting next to Nina we were watching fights make fun make funny videos and yeah experience was good and many went was funny too you know I mean was good fight like for the for the for the crowd like for the professional fighter, yeah, you see like techniques, everything is not right. But like a fan, it was like exciting fight. Did you speak to Dana White there? Did you see him? Yeah, I saw him. I just said, hey, how are you? He said, yeah, good.

How are you? I said, yeah, good, boss. Thank. That's it. Yeah, but like I met him in the fight why I should talk about business, you know. We need to talk about business. We will meet, you know. What about Hunter Campbell? Hunter Campbell.

Never seen him. Never seen him? I mean, I haven't seen him that night. You didn't see him? I'm surprised. Yeah, we were supposed to meet, but we couldn't find time. We were busy. Okay.

So no business with that. No business talk. No, no, no, no business. No business talk yet. But hopefully I'll get some news. Okay. By the way, do you think you had those good seats because they like you or because you were sitting with Nina Drama?

No, because I'm a contender number one. I got to sit there. And it's a my weight class and how I can sit too far. So what do you think? How does this play out now? Now we know who won this fight? What do you think happened? Yeah, so I think there is two case in area.

me versus Geji in the White House or if Tapuya is coming Geji versus Tapuya me fighting with anybody that they tell me or

me versus Geji Tapura is going up to 170 yeah or I'm not getting to Geji I'm not getting anybody I'm going to

try to get the title 145. Really? Yeah, what I can do. Can you make 145? Yeah, I talked to Coach Carl, so we did the math, everything. So my body can go to 145. But would it be healthy? Would it be easy for you? He's saying it's not easy, but it's a, we can make it happen.

we need if it's fight in June if we're gonna know like in two three weeks that we are fighting in 145 we'll make it happen. What a speak? Because I walk around not big so I'm like

175 175 right now if I like starting eat clean do more cardio I'm going to be 165, 166 and then from there like you know I can go down

so I got to walk around so on the math I got to walk around like 166 162 before the 10 days before the fight What a statement that would be With all this like rumor that you didn't make weight

If you went down to 145 and made championship weight there I don't care what the people say I just need me to do my business you know Sure but would it be fair to say you'd prefer to be at 155 No I want to be in 155 I don't want to be in 145 But if they tell me You know what you're coming

or the ELA is fighting with gauging in the White House and yeah I'll try to ask let me go down or like give me a one fight and then title fight I don't know we'll see what what they want to do because I want to be a champion

so and I see in 145 there is no stars there is no the weight class is going down like nobody talk about weight class yeah there is a wall he's legit champion but now it's not his time, you know. There's no good names. Like 170, you know, different division. And if I'll be in 145 champion,

I could stay there a couple years and then go up. You versus, I know he has to fight this weekend, but you versus Volcanovsky would be an incredible fight. Yeah, one ups kick, that's it.com. This is a great. This is a new shirt. for you, I think. That's it.com with your face on. That's it, that's a new shirt.

I don't know, I heard from somewhere and like... I never heard it. It's amazing. That's it, that's good. Is your new persona, the Armenian Batman? Yeah. This is your new look. Yeah. I saw your Instagram.

I'm still thinking. I like it. I'm still thinking, like Armenian Batman or just Batman or Bruce Wayne or the people is calling different. You're a real fan favorite. Yeah, but they called me, you know, I didn't pick that nickname. Why'd they call you that? Why Batman? Because the story, like, I have behind me.

Okay. Yeah, because of that. You're a man of the people. This is what I told you. This is the best thing to ever happen to you. The people get behind someone that they feel is being held down. They get behind this person. You're a sympathetic figure now. In a way, this is the best thing to ever happen to you.

believe that? Yeah, thanks everybody. Fuck everybody. It's amazing. Yeah, but I need it to be a champions. Yeah. I can't wait, you know. I was so sad because

they were fighting for the title and like both of them, they're not deserving to be there. I'm just the contender number one and the guy who is beating everybody and just sitting and watching and laughing and like making funny videos yeah

so like you said maybe this is better for me who knows you wanted to be in there yeah I wanted to be there but you know I know I'll be there

I'll be a champion so I need a little bit time after the fight when you know Patty was speaking on the microphone and all that did you feel bad for him no your heart didn't break for him like you know he was sad

no no no No. I didn't hear what he said even. Okay. But after my friend said, like, someone passed away and he was talking about that. Just his general demeanor, he was, you know, he was bummed that he lost, that he didn't realize his dream of being a UFC champion. His dream never going to be on his life.

You don't think he'll ever get that chance? Or not the chance. I mean, if Donna won, like, if Donna one, He gave him a belt without fight, yeah, he will be a champion. But with the fighting, it never happened. Even, like, they put the Gagie against him to be a champion. He couldn't beat Gagie. I thought, by the way...

Gaget Ging, 38 years old, bro. Like, fought with everybody. Got knocked out, like, last year, like, flat knocked out. And, like, even he couldn't beat him. That's so funny. I thought you were going to say maybe if you don't get Ilya or interim, then BMF. Because there's three belts in 155. There's three belts.

BMF, yeah, BMF as well. BMF is that's good too. Yeah, I forgot about BMF. But, you know, I'm going to, I'm going back to, yes. So I'm going to stay there. Maybe someone get hurt. So who knows? I'll be ready.

For that one, too. Yeah. What can I do? And now I got, like, all in. bro. Like in all in blackjack or they're on poker? Oh, yeah.

Yeah, blah, poker, poker, poker. Yeah, now I'm going all in. Okay. All or nothing. That's it.com. Yeah, so so now I gotta take risks. And after Paris, where do you go? Where does the world tour take you? I'm going to Kurshavel.

Oh, that's the ski, right? Yeah. How long are you going to be there for? I made money. I spent. Man money. How long are you going to ski for? Three, three, four days, and then I'm going to Dubai. From Dubai, I'm going back to U.S.

Okay, wow. So, Armin, I have to ask you, yesterday I spoke to Dan Hooker, and he said two very interesting things about you. Number one, he said that you broke his nose. That's a bullshit. Why, why? Why is it bullshit? He said it. No, no, no. He didn't broke his nose from that thing.

He broke from the fight, what he's talking about. And he did him right after the fight. This, you posted this. Of course, this is like, of course from my knee. I, like, knee him straight to the nose. Even, like, if I break his nose, bro, like, when you break nose or, like, got, like, a heat, heart, your nose is, like, got like Bruce, you know, you can feel like something happened. You broke the nose.

It's like he's getting big and he's the same nose. That's a bullshit. Okay. He didn't really complain, to be honest. He actually said like, you know what? You got me, but I had not heard that. He's a good guy. Okay, so then he said this about you.

I want to get your reaction. He said something that I never thought I'd ever hear him say about you and I want to get your reaction. I've seen that. Okay, well, here it is for the fans. Armin in a hotel on the street where how do you think it would go? No, I didn't see this. No, I actually like the kid, no. Oh. What changed?

I see I've seen his little media run and him floating around and when he, yeah, he actually puts himself out there. He's actually pretty funny, yeah. That's good to hear. No, he like, yeah, he got me. He got me. What can you say?

He likes you now. Yeah, because I like him too. You know why? Why? Because I beat him. If I beat Perry, I wouldn't like him too. Right, right. But if you lost to someone, you wouldn't like them.

He lost to you, and he seems to be a fan of yours now. He likes the videos. Yeah, but he lost to one of the best guy, you know? Yeah. It's okay. If he lose to Perry Pimlet, yeah, would be worse. if you saw him though now how would you react he says that nothing just shake the hand

hey how are you that's it and maybe I would like to show him how to escape from the arm triangle okay you'd like to train with him yeah yeah why not he's a good good striker one of the best striker in our division he's he's

he's a teeps and during the fight was so hard like he hits hard from the from the legs he has long legs as well okay yeah he's a good striker how do you how do you think the the fight goes

this weekend with a Benoit oh that to be honest that's a hard fighter that Benoit Sandini one day he's fighting so good one day he's a bullshitter what do you mean what does that mean I don't know like maybe he

wakes up, he feels like he's Archaeus and one day he wakes up and like he thinks he's a petty pimlet and fighting like a petty pimlet. For example versus Mikeana. Yeah, that was a crazy.

Mycana, like beats so easy him, I wouldn't even accept that. Expect that. Right, right. So, but sometimes he fight very good, sometimes very bad. I don't know.

Like, this is difficult fight to say. But I would like to hooker to win because he lost his fight. He's supposed to win, you know? Sure, sure, sure. By the way, I saw you on. Yeah, go ahead. And I don't think Benas and Danny, like, he's just rough fighter, but nothing else. He had a good year last year.

A couple big wins. Could be, yeah, he beat a couple guys, right? Yeah, yeah, he won in Montreal and in Paris. I thought he had a solid year. He beat Maricio Huffy. How? How? Yeah.

It's a mission. Oh, nice. Yeah. What do you think, Rufi versus Fiziv? That's a good fight, too. It's a great card, by the way, this card. I like this card. Hufi been training with Volkanowski, Fiziv.

I'm not sure where he's at right now. If I had to, hmm. Maybe Eileen Maricio, I don't know, what do you think? I like both of them. I like, I like, I like Fiziv, and I feel like Fiziv. Because it's a striking fight, yeah? Yeah. And Fisiv has a better striking than everybody right now.

You think so? You think so? I mean, he's a good, good striker. I feel like he has a good technique. And sometimes he just got, got, he gets tired. so fast because he throws so hard his punches, that's why. But if he's

going to be calm and work on his technique, he could beat him. Is there any part of you that gets bitter? You know, like you beat Dan Hooker, and now here he is fighting again. All these guys are fighting actively. They're getting opportunities and you're there foaming at the mouth, just dying for a chance. Do you get bitter

when you see all this play out? What do you mean? Like you're upset. Like, you beat Hooker. Usually the guy who wins fights before the guy who got beat up you know what i mean and now here's hope you're fighting again and you have no fight no he's on that level you know in top 10 like they fight with each other lose but we're now in a elite who is i'm number one contender i cannot fight next weekend you know because uh because uh the champion is busy and like he got problem and we got the interim title you know

so i just got to wait okay so you're not getting anxious? No, I'm just getting better on my technique, work every day, learn something new. But I'll be, each day I'm getting better and next slide I'll be new version of Armantzur, can you know? Yeah. So it's good, good timing for me as well. So so much things to learn, you can't even imagine. I go to the boxing. I feel like I'm a, like, I can, an amateur, you know, amateur. Amateur level. And then I go to jujitsu.

When coach showed me something, I feel like I'm a white belt. When I go freestyle wrestling, when I wrestle with Olympic champion, I think I cannot wrestle. But when it's all together, MMA is different. I saw you on the plane hitting Mitz. Yeah, everywhere, training.

It made me nervous a little bit. Why? I don't know. Maybe you guys make a move. and the plane moves. I don't know. You're in the sky. I don't know. It makes me nervous. No, no, no. The pilot is my friend. So I said like, I said like, don't go left, right, go straight. Yeah. And then I'll let you know when I'm done.

Incredible. Look at this. And like, you know, we were flying to Vegas. And like my training was long. I said, can you do double like circuit? I got done my training? I said, no problem. Wow. So we're supposed to fly 40 minutes and we was flying one hour, minutes because of my training. Golly, you're crazy. What can I do? If I started,

nobody can stop me. Wow. Yeah, even today, I went to the Venom training center, so they said, like, do on the video a little bit, like, how you punched the bag. And I started to punch the bag, and I couldn't stop.

I said, no, no, let's see, like go the other one. I said, no, let me do it. I'm doing my thing, you know? you're just a beast waiting to explode oh do we lose him what happened do we lose him you know what happened probably this always happens with armin did his phone die no i don't think so we're getting him back okay i wanted to show him the uh i was gonna i was a rounding third i was like all the way home at this point i wanted to show him the ryan garcia video that unbelievable I saw this video of Ryan Garcia and David Benavides

working out together. The hand speed is unbelievable. Reminded me of Armand. What happened? What, I don't know, what happened? I thought you caught me. That's it.com. No.

Armand, you need to trademark. That's it.com. Yeah, yeah. Get on that. Eat a lot or that's it.com. Yeah, no. Look, now we're going to immortalize it on our show. So anytime we want to say something on our show,

my guy Frank is going to do this. That's it.com. You know what? I ate like the biggest burger in the world today. The biggest what? The burger. Burger. Wow.

Wow, wow, wow. Who made it? Me. 60,000 calories. Golly. You made it. What do you mean you made it? I cooked it.

Yeah, but where'd you get the meat? We cooked in the burger place in Paris. Wow. And you filmed it? Yeah. 60,000 calories? 60,000 calories, yeah. Holy.

And how much of it did you eat, honestly? Maybe 10,000? No, well, like, how much of the actual burger? So, like, one six. Yeah, and you ate what, like a slice? Like, yeah, one slice, like big one slice. And what did you do the rest of it? We just give to the people,

workers and it was like I'll show the video after okay okay you'll send it to us like a sneak peek no no no

just go to the world yeah yeah yeah yeah I'll send you the video like exclusive for us exclusive but I'll post it

no no no I would never do that I would never betray your trust I wanted to show you very quickly before I let you go look at this we were talking about training you know Ryan Garcia yes look at the hand

from Ryan Garcia and David Benavides. Look at this, look at this. These two guys. Wow. That's crazy. The Garcia has a sole speed hands. Yeah, Benavides is good, too. Look at the hand speed here. This is impressive.

Look at this. You can't even see his hands. Yeah, this is boxing. This is different. I always love when, like, MMA fighters say, oh, I'm going to do box with professional boxer. they're like, they're so different.

Yeah, no chance. I know it's late over there, so I'm going to let you go, but I just want to ask you, what do you think? So now that this 324 is finished, what is your feeling? What is inside telling you? Do you have any sort of feeling, okay, how this is going to play out now the next few months? I feel like it's played out very good for me. Yeah, you feel that way?

Yep. Okay. I don't know why I just feel like. I think so. I got to get my thing. This time, yes. Because if not this time and the end of this year, if not at the end of this year, next year,

I'm going to compete freestyle wrestling. By the way, February 28, I'll be competing with... Oh, yeah? R.A.F? Yep. Against the guy, like, take me down and get $1,000. take you down, get $1,000. Who's that?

Georgio something. He's not a UFC fighter. No, no, no. I cannot wrestle with UFC fighters right now. Okay, but you're coming back to RAF. That's good. You're staying active. For sure, we got to be,

we got to wrestle with freestyle wrestlers, box with the boxers. Sure. Roppel with the grapplers. And then we get better in MMA. By the way, I heard that maybe no Russians on the White House card, but does that apply to you because you can also say you're Georgian, you can, you know, you can say you're Armenian.

So does that, would you get, what, I don't know. Yeah, at that point I'll be like, Jewish. I'm like, I'm Armenian. Have you heard that too? No, I've never heard that. No, that's not right. No. You know what?

I was in the Venom office and I saw how it was going to be the short. and the t-shirts. Oh, yeah? For the White House. How does it look? Good, looking good. Amazing. Yeah.

It's going to be special clothes for the White House. Armand, when you did all these interviews with all these people, I saw often like you would post, you posted on your feed like I sat with this. But you didn't post us having the pizza and my feelings were hurt a little bit. No way. Yeah, yeah. Oh. I felt like you didn't. You were so excited to post these other ones.

we brought you all the pizza everything and I think but I have I don't have on my phone that video you know like to post from the reels because because I need like the professional video send it to me like a reels yeah and I'll post it no I don't want to guilt you I don't want to guilt you you do it from the hard no I want for my content it's gonna you think so it's good for my content for sure yeah with pizza and what about our picture I think it went wild too yeah I thought you were a little bit embarrassed. I don't know. I thought you were a little bit. Why? Ashamed of me. I don't know. Okay. Next time I'll come with a

small present. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. I appreciate you coming on. I always appreciate the time. You're great. And I hope that this all works out. And I agree with you. I think it is going to work out. They love to see what you're doing and you're taking matters into your own hands. There's a great lesson to be learned for all the fighters here. Take matters into your own hands. Don't rely on anyone to promote you. Promote yourself. And you're doing it better than anyone right now. Yeah, and thank you. Thank you guys who helped me.

Because of you, I'm, like, getting bigger. And people can know me. And now, like, more people want to talk to me. But when I get the fight, it's going to be gone. I'm just going to be focused on my fighting. Sure, sure. But don't forget about us, huh? When you win the belt, don't be one of those guys that wins the belt

and then just forgets about all the media. I don't know about that. I got to get the title. and I'll let you know how it goes. Maybe I'll be like super star. I know. You'll be too busy for us with Tucker Carlson. Yeah, I'm going to lay down on my private jet, like this side, that side, like around the world.

I know. I could see it coming, if I'm being honest. I could see it coming. But it will be well deserved and earned. So I hope that day comes for you. I hope that that opportunity comes your way. And for now, though, keep doing your thing, my man. Thank you, as always for the time.

Really appreciate it and safe travels. I appreciate it. You're the man. You're the man. Bye-bye. There he is, the great Armidsurukian. What a guy. What a guy.

Oh, Giorgio Puyas is the man. He offers $1,000 to people to take him down. Hasn't been taken down yet? Nope. What a story? He's pretty good. What's his background? I think he's just a former amateur wrestler.

Oh, look at this guy. But then he started offering like civilians money to try and take him down. Oh, this is brilliant. Yeah. This is his thing. This is his thing. He's come up on my TikTok feed many times. Okay.

Whoa, he's jacked. Yeah, he's a big boy. So it's going to be, it's going to be, that's kind of a brilliant idea. No? I have a feeling Armand's going to do pretty good. No, no, I mean, like it's a brilliant idea for RIF. There's a gimmick here. Oh, yeah, yeah.

He wrestled at the last RIF. Oh, okay, all right. Oh, so he's got a background. He's not just some guy online. No, no, he's a wrestler. He's a wrestler. Man. that last minute

what was it last minute dot com no that's it that's it that's it dot com that's like a hotel website yeah but you know ade says that he says that's it dot com no he says last minute dot com because he's talking about a book of flight last yeah but he says it like yeah no problem we'll book a flight last minute dot com like it's part of the vernacular

but i said it like that but i've never heard of that's it dot com and then when he said what was the other one i wrote it down that's a bullshit that's a bullshit last minute com actually looks like a real Yeah, no, it is, but people say it as like a thing like, let's do this, you know. Or do they actually mean to do it?

And you're just interpreting it that way. What was the, uh, what was the bullshit line about? The Dan Hooker's nose being broke. Oh yeah. That's the bullshit. Did you see, did you see, uh, Armin, did you see that Dan said you broke his nose before the fight? That's a bullshit.

He was so quick to say, you want. God, this guy. How did he get so funny? I think he's always been funny. He's coming out of his show. He's coming out of his show. He's coming out of his shell. He's coming out of his show a little bit too.

Is he? I feel like Arnold was always funny. But out there, he was doing like the voodoo stuff, you know? For Armin to do it in his second language is incredible. But it actually kind of makes it funnier, right? Oh yeah. Yeah. Him saying that's it.com is hilarious.

It's hilarious. That's a dot com. Did you guys pop to that too? Because it was amazing. Yeah. Adding. Adding. Dot com to things, I looked it up on Urban Dictionary was like an early 2000.

thing. You know what was funny about it? He said it and I was like, did you, in my mind, it was like, did he just, yeah, he just said that. Crazy. Anyway, he was out there hate watching the the Patty Pimbleau fight. I saw a video

from Sean O'Malley and Tim Welch saying that Patty Pimbleau was hitting the vape at the Wayans, I think it was? Anyway, I want to play this video and get your reaction to it. Here it is. He's a fucking scouser. Dude, I could not believe. I was on wait. 136 pounds in the back, dying like everyone else.

And Patty was sitting there ripping his vape, blowing clouds. Literally Patty's on weight, 154 pounds. The guys used to walk around 200 pounds. And the only thing going into his body, hitting his stomach, hitting his blood vessels, is this fucking toxic vape. I can't imagine how Patty felt hitting those vape clouds. I can't imagine how that felt. after you chat GPTed like the

like the side effects or whatever I'm like I couldn't believe he was hitting that either and he said he was hitting on all the embeds and shit yep yep oh that's crazy I can't believe he was able to push his body as hard as he did it's embedded off probably wouldn't post that I am not a vape expert is that bad

stupid question perhaps anyone know about vapes is that like a stupid thing to do how could they allow that before a fight it may not have any nicotine or anything and it could just be flavored to help him abstain from doing any nicotine or marijuana. What would you mean bad?

Like, they were sort of implying that this was a really stupid thing to do, right? I mean, I can just imagine if you're cutting weight and you're hitting something with nicotine in it, you would be dizzy and just like all over the place. You'd be incredibly out of it. Okay.

It feels like your mileage may vary situation. I mean, Carlos Pratchez is ripping 10 sigs a week in training camp. So it's like, yeah, that's probably bad for you too, but... Just built a little bit differently. Okay. You just handle it. Me and Pizzi go out drinking.

We're going to feel different in the morning. Yeah. I just never heard someone. I'm actually surprised that like the commission, but I guess to Frank's point, there could be... It's a great point. Yeah, no, and Dana's point.

But what would the commission be banning exactly? Not banning, but maybe, I don't know. It can be smoking cigs, right? It's not cigarettes. But there could be nicotine in it. Doesn't Carlos Prakis ripped cigarettes? Yeah, Carlos. Wait at the event?

Cigarette. But they're saying he was in like the actual like... Oh, that's just like rule bending. Right. It's like, all right. It's old school baseball like 1970s manager. This thing probably smelled like cherry bubble gummers. Yeah, that's true.

It's like a little bait pen. Now, Patty Penel was ripping some American spirits in the back. He'd quickly become my favorite fighter. That'd be crazy. Yeah, Patty was just fucking ripping eaters in the back. It was nuts. Smoke alarms were going off. He didn't give a shit.

He's freaking Billy Martin out there. What about Marab cheering on sugar? This was a great video. Marab cheering on sugar. Everyone's doing content Cajside these days. Take a look at this. Let's go, Sean. Let's go, Yasser.

Let's go, Sean. Lockheed. Holy shit. This motherfucker. Let's go, Sean. Finish Sean. Finish Sean, my friend. Oh, there's Army.

This fucking guy, he's Sean, yeah. He's getting out. Yes, push the hands down. Fight the hands! Fight the hands! He's legit cheering him on. No, no, fight the hands! Song-Gidong stole my technique.

He's tired. Let's go, Sean! Finish strong! Let's go, Sean! Let's go! Let's go! Yes! Like this is not fake, right?

Are you dead? Shudon! Look how happy he is. This is amazing. Matt Hughes there. Look, Peter Yon, you want that rematch. For a minute there, he's like, wait a say, is he trying to take my fight? It's so interesting to always watch the fighters sitting together.

It's like this mix of characters and personalities. Marab was also watching the main event. And dare I say, had a similar assessment to the likes of Josh Barnett and Matt Brown, who we spoke about yesterday, maybe on an island. and everyone, I think more and more now people are saying like, yeah, it was entertaining, but a little bit sloppy. Here's Marab's expert opinion on the fight. So Ilya is laughing now because they have a very boxing really, you know.

They're just fighting hard, but there is like no good technique. But Ilya will be left now because Ilya has such a high level boxing. Yeah, of course, Ilya is his boy, so he's going to back him. I'm seeing more and more people say that. What do you guys think? Better technique in that fight or in Aisho Speed's fight yesterday in Ghana. Did you guys happen to see Aisho Speed doing his thing in Ghana? Here he is in the black trunks.

Look at I Show Speed out there. This reminded me of the Armid Sarukin v. Sharab Bullet grappling match where there's just people standing on the canvas. Look at Arsho Speed with the Philly Shell. Look at this. Woof. Look at that. Looking like a Prime Mike Tyson.

looking like a prime Sean Strickland looking like a prime Bernard Hopkins There's actually not a lot of As he landed a punch There's not any You know the canvas is a little bit Listing all these greats The canvas is incredibly tiny

There's a cameraman in there with him No but like it's all bunching up like that Look it's all bunching up Yeah No no no You're showing nothing's happening And it's just that Look at each other

He's kind of Jack, by the way. Kind of. He is Jacked. He's a very good shape. He can't box, but he's in good shape. It's another rumble in the jungle. It's unbelievable. Who would have thought?

By the way, could you imagine the bag that he could command from one of these, like, influencer fights? Like legit, I show speed trains for three. Is that like one of the biggest influencer fights ever? I don't know who could afford him. I don't think missed. What do you think his weight classes? What do you think he is?

Like 135? 145? You see how Jackd is? He's probably walking around at like one... He's short, no? He's 70 or something. Oh, he think he's that big. I think he's too small for that.

Yeah. He's pretty small. Is he? Yeah, what are he looking up? He's not tall. His height? I want to see how tall he is. He's 5'8?

5.8? He's at least 1 6th. Yeah, but on a weight cut. He's a 45. He's a 45. I show speed's cut in wait now? No. No.

He's not doing this because he can make more money just living his life than he doesn't literally like no one. I don't know who would pay him the money that would be required. to get him in the box. Meaning that he would command so much. Yeah, dude, he's like, anything I see tweeted about this dude has tens of thousands of likes every single time.

He does insane viewership on these streams. Like, he's, he's big time. Most interesting thing about that clip was you got to see the guy. I always wonder, like, who are these people recording it and streaming it? He's running like some kind of backpack. Saw that? It's like a giant, like broadcast level camera

like attached to some sort of internet provider. Crazy, crazy. What a world. What a world we live in. One more for you guys. Al Jermaine Sterling weighing in on the Tom Aspinall situation. Here he is, Al Jermaine Sterling. You know, we were talking about this yesterday. I actually weighing in on my tweet,

talking about Dana White's reaction and then Tom's reaction to the reaction. Anyway, here's Aljo with some insight. I've been where Tom is right now. He can fight and win. People are still going to find some way to bring it up and make a complaint about it as if it's not in the past and as if he wasn't affected by it. I've always said when Dana does things like this,

the casual fans eat it up. It doesn't take much to just show your fighter some grace. It doesn't cost anything, L.O.L. It's free. And this is sort of like what we were saying yesterday. Dana can control the narrative. He is so powerful and influential. He says something that people are going to follow

and that's good or bad, right? If he says this guy was robbed, this guy was screwed, this guy was hurt, this is disgusting, they will follow that sentiment. And if he says the other one, You know, the opposite of that. Otherwise, the fans will follow that sentiment as well. There is a, there is another, there's, there's a, there's a rainbow.

There, you can get to the other side. Like, Armin Saruki. Armand will get to the other side. Tom will get to the other side as well. I don't know if Aljo ever got to the other side. He sure did. Marab got to the other side. Rob did.

Yeah. I think Aljo did too. Aljo did too. He was champion. Towards the end. Yeah. And now when people, people see him fight like, They get pretty excited about it.

The biggest key is Tom needs to fight. That is the quickest way to get past it. That is the quickest way for Dana White to get back in your corner and all this and the fans to shut up. And we don't have a timeline for that. Once we do, I'm sure Tom will come out of it. Fine. Frankie, do we have any super chats? Sure do.

And to kick us off is from 24-inch dubs. It says, bills are sputtering in the Patriots Super Bowl. It's tough. This guy is so annoying. I mean, how quickly things can change. I can't wait. I pray to God. Thank you for $2.

What? 24 inch does one of our biggest supporters. Yeah, how much? How much was it? $2. Thank you. I'd even look because I couldn't even look at his name when you said his name. Yeah, I mean, I don't feel great.

I'm actually thankful for the last three hours. I was really pissed. I was really freaking pissed when I saw that. What if it works out? You never know? Listen, I hope I'm wrong. I'm mad enough to say it. I hope I'm wrong.

I just, I feel like they have to. to get this one right. Go, go watch some 2019 LSU highlights. Yeah, and was he the head coach? Offensive coordinator. Was he the head coach? One of the greatest offensive coordinators. Is that Joe Burrow? Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson.

Okay, but, okay, was it them or was it him? Yeah, it was them. It was them. That's the indictment on him, is that what have you heard about him since? Right. The 2019 LSU team. Like, it's not like we were doing like anything that was so damn great. I mean, if anything, it was

pretty damn frustrating at times. But maybe they didn't have the piece. I can't both. What else? What else, Frankie? What else? Ariel, second time between Wing C and Hokit that my split has been compromised.

What is he trying to say? I think you ruined his mind. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're smoking a split. What did you guys think of, uh, of Hokit? I don't know. It's a gimmick. It was, fuck no man, fuck on her.

When was that one for? Oh, yeah, I guess the sentiment is FM. He just, he stuck with it a little. too long, right? You mean the whole interview? Well, like, you could do it for a minute and then we can get to the real stuff. Yeah, then you like get serious. Yeah, well, we talk about the fight, we talk about, you know, whatever.

But, you know, he's trying. It is worth noting, as much as Dana said he didn't like it, they did give him the 100K. Yeah, but he had a great performance. I know, but they could have easily like, sure, sure. They could have given it to freaking, I don't know, Ty Miller.

What else, Frank? What else? On that same vein, Hoke, is Roman in 2015. Gimmick is trash. Roman Reigns. Yeah, people didn't like that one either. But look how it turned out for him.

What else, Frankie? Imagine a Connor v. Kobe press conference at the White House. Let's not say we did. What else, Frankie? What else, Frankie? What else? What name would make UFC boxing legit for Eddie? UFC boxing.

What a weird name that is? What name would make it legit? What does that mean? I think he thinks it's legit. I think he respects it. I think he understands it. And Jaya Pataya is legit. And there's more coming and then making an effort.

The question is, did they really want BAM or are they just trying to make Eddie overpay for BAM? I don't know. I think BAM is worth it. I think he's top five pound for pound. Let's see what happens with Ucic and the other guys who come up. Let's see what happens with the top rank fighters. Because, I mean, I can guarantee they'd love to have a Kishon, a Bruce Carrington, Shushu Karington, an Abdullah Mason,

like all those guys would be perfect for what they're trying to build. Young, American, massive ceilings. Shout out. What else, Frankie? What else? We want Armin.

We want Armin. Let's fucking go. Yeah, the people love Armin, man. What a story. I love when these things happen somewhat organically where just all of a sudden people get, but it's like, it's like Kofi Kingston, Syrica, 2000 and, what was that?

17, 16, Daniel Bryan, WWW, and it's not apples to apples, but you get the point. What else, Frankie? What else? Armand's Uprice in the content creator space is crazy. Could have just sat back because lots of M.A fans know what his ranking

should be in the lightweight. That bit with Alex P. blocking the view was funny. I don't know about that one. I guess he's talking about Pereira being in front of him. Yeah, him and Nina did a video where Pereira was, like in that Mara reaction we saw, Alex was sitting right there with a cowboy hat on. which is weird because he's blocking people much shorter than him.

Ah, yes. And then they did a bit where Armin, like, she makes Armin confront him, and then Alex stands up and turns around and then I don't want these problems. He's very funny. He's very funny, and he's putting himself out there, and he's going to all the right spots, and it's great to see. It's great to see someone putting themselves out there. If they're not going to give him a fight, be omnipresent, do good shit,

and you're almost undeniable at that point, because it's honest. honestly as much about, you know, that stuff as anything. It's as important. Like, it's, it's more important to do that stuff in some ways than it is to win fights. You can win two in a row, three in a row, but you do good stuff like that. You'll be, you'll be pushed faster than, you know, someone who's won eight, nine in a row. That is proven. What else, Frankie? What else? Am I overreacting for being sad over the recent leaked Maynard Brigadierre? Excuse me. Brigadero text. Fighters need a united voice. I'm going to be. getting sick of caring about it more than the fighters will he ever realize all the power is in their hands

yeah there was a text message exchange between a manager and mick maynard and it seemed like the the manager was you know being very you know friendly and doing wanting to do what the ufc wanted and and and mick was you know doing the negotiation thing and and being like all right we're going to move on no no no no this is it man this is it this is a window this is insight there there a few who will push back, there are a few who stand firm, but like they don't have much of a like to stand on because there's nowhere else. It's like you'd be like, all right, well, when your contract is up, we're going to go here. Like, where are you going? You're going Horizon? Where are you going? PFL? Where are you going? One championship? Like, there's just

not that. So there is that. AW, you know, there is that in wrestling, and there obviously is that in boxing. Bam Rodriguez has multiple suitors. I can assure you of that. And he's in a great spot now. But yeah, so you're in a really tough spot if you're a UFC fighter in addition to all the other things that are working against you. The revenue sharing and the collective bargaining in addition to all of that,

you're in a tough spot. I don't envy them. What else, Frankie? What else? Do you think Colby will pop out of a cake and sing happy birthday on the White House card? No, I do not. What is ISK? We went over this before, right? Enterstellar credits.

With a K? Yeah. All right. What else, Frankie? What else? I had picture and picture on the Paramount Plus app on my Samsung Galaxy. Maybe an issue just for iPhone. Also, I expect the canvas at the White House to be an American flag.

I heard some people say that. I don't think it's an iPhone thing. But, you know, we did have found the workaround. Yeah, we did have like a breakthrough there. I wonder if that's actually a thing. I did ask a friend. Yes. And he said they were not aware of that problem.

He'll ask. And they are also aware of the negative reviews. views of all the commercials. Yeah. I think they're going to work on that. That'll make any changes, but they're aware. I think they're going to work on that. They weren't aware of the PIP.

That surprises me. That surprises me. On that same vein, there was the quote that came in Saturday night where they were like, look, we were just doing some extra stuff for 324. Yeah. Next time, it'll start at least 10 minutes earlier. Yeah. It's like, was it 10 minutes that people were upside by or was it half an hour?

Yeah. I think they'll... It's, you know. Usually 15 to 20 minutes. Okay. So 10 minutes earlier would be back on with the... Ish, yeah. Yeah, it's never been like 10 o'clock and then 10.02 there's fights.

It'd be kind of cool, but it's never really been like that. Actually, secret for all of you, I usually would time my shower. Like when we do the post shows on pay-per-views, my shower, I usually time my shower and do it at around like 9.55. And I know I have a good 25 minutes before the first fight. Like as much as I love DC and then like... This is insane. This is unbelievable. What else?

Rumble question. Are you surprised that the retirement stipulation was added into AJ Stiles against Gunther? Would be shocked if he doesn't perform at Mania. Yeah. You know, I saw some people talking about this 10 years to the event and almost to the date of his debut. I saw some people lamenting the fact that they don't feel like there's a lot of buzz surrounding this Rumble. And the Rumble is such a fun. event. So I don't know. It would seem weird. It would seem weird. But maybe this makes a lot of sense

because Gunther just retired John Sina and Bill Goldberg. So he's the guy. He's the guy who retires all the beloved legends. Let's see. Let's see. I do want to remind you that tomorrow we'll be doing our Royal Rumble lottery draft. One of my favorite moments of the year. We break out the little lottery thing with the balls. Myself, Rick, G. G.C. Pizzi, Frank, five of us. We eat. We eat. each randomly get numbers that will then be assigned, obviously, to the wresters. We watch on Saturday. So if I pull a 13 and number 13 ends up winning, I win the whole damn pot, right? Is that what we're doing?

No, we do men and women's. No, I know that, but like, is it just like you or are we doing like based on eliminations? We've done. No, no, just points. Yeah, there's points. There's points. Yeah, when they get knocked out. Right.

But like, if I, if my guy wins 13, but like he came in at number 29 and only eliminated one person, is that the best thing? Or is it better to have someone who's number three that eliminated like 14 people but only lost? It's not based about where you finish. All right. Eliminations are the tiebreaker. Okay. All right. Okay. Got you. Got you, got you, got you, got you, got you, got you, and what else? And what else? How do you feel about Ilya versus Justin on White House next to Islam versus Usman? Illia and Islam face off at end in front of the White House for MSG? Wait a second, wait a second. How do you feel about Illia versus Justin on the White House next to Islam versus Usman.

Like what is that next? Like on the same card, I don't want to see Islam versus Usman. I have no interest in that. Ilya versus Islam face off. Oh, I guess assuming both win? Yeah, that would be awesome. There's a lot of ifs there.

But yeah, I guess it would be awesome. I don't know. What do they want to showcase on this card? Is that what they want to showcase? I don't know. I don't know. I think they're going to try to make very fan-friendly fights and try to get people excited in that.

regard. What else, Frankie? What else? And lastly, this show fucking sucks. Here's some cash. Thanks, bro. Appreciate it. Much love to you. All right. Tomorrow, this has been a great day. It's been a great week. Tomorrow on the program, the great Connor Ben in studio, guys. Connor Ben coming off his massive win over Chris Eubank.

We'll have him in studio. We'll have others in studio. We'll have, not in studio, but we'll have others, maybe in studio. So it's been a great day. It's been a great week. The train keeps rolling along. also OTN. So go to areaahawani.substack.com extended OTN, answer all your questions

as many as possible. And then we'll get to the guests and all that stuff. Speaking of... Speaking of... We did get one last $10 super chat. Oh.

From Shawnee 719 says growing up, the Royal Rumble was the best event. I'm in my 40s, so watched everyone. Just something about it. Couldn't agree more. Couldn't agree more.

In fact, I was talking to someone. I think it was John Pollock. where he was wondering if they would split up the Royal Rumble, do the women's on Saturday and the men on Sunday. I just keep it one. I do think that maybe it gets to be a little bit overkill, having two,

but I like the fact that the women get their own, and I'm not a huge fan of the... I get why they do it, obviously. I get it. This won't be in the afternoon, so that will be fun. My kids love Royal Rumble. My kids don't ask to watch any wrestling anymore,

but they love the Royal Rumble because I do a mini version of what we do with them, and so they get really into it. It's my favorite WW event of the year. It's the best. Far none. Surprises, the three, two, one, and then the music and people pop. It's going to be interesting.

First time ever outside of North America. A little bit bummed that it's in the afternoon as well. I kind of like it as a night show. Well, I'll be honest, I didn't want it to head with 325, so this is kind of, you know, this is kind of a good thing. Did you see how they built that arena from scratch? Have you guys seen that? I did, yeah.

They built like an outdoor arena in three weeks in Saudi. Is there any like rumored returns or anything that? Yeah, I bet. We should, yeah, is it swallowing it. Oh, um, uh, is there any rumored return? Like, is there like, there's always like AJ, but no like big name, no like big name. I can tell you the favorite in the women's is Liv Morgan minus 125. Wow.

The favorite in the men's is, uh, Roman Raines plus 175. William Raines? Wow. Wait, is he not the champ anymore? No, he's not. He's been champion in a minute. Joe Hendry plus 20,000. Yeah.

So Roman's gonna win, huh? All right. No, no, no, no. It can be wrong. Like, remember, who was it last year? Jay Uso? He was like plus 10,000. And then he did, no.

Yes, he did win. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. It'll be Roman. Yes, yes. We thought CM Punk. Cody's in it. Cody's got to be a high one, no? Plus 450?

plus 450 so wait who's the favorite roman what is he roman rains plus 175 so who's number two Sammy zane plus 400 Sammy zane over over cody look man I don't make the odds yeah that's crazy

well we have the picture here right here it is January 5th there's the plot of land there's oh my god look at that fucking out I don't know about all that you don't believe this oh I believe it I'm just uh

I don't know if I'm trying to go to the stadium that was built in 20 it is. Also, I mean like, how are the workers, you know? Are they working around the clock over there or what? Different shifts, you know? You've just been included in the WFB chat. Oh, thank you. I appreciate.

I appreciate it. I appreciate that. And he's wearing a blue-collar shirt. I love it. It's like a little thing. It's like a little like in a video game. You do something and go, you've unlocked this. Guys, I wanted to end on this. Can we grab that video real quick that I put in? There's a great video that I just saw and I wanted to end on it

because I think it's apropos. Yeah, I'm efforting. Don't worry. Okay, okay. Just stretch. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, I wanted to set it up. Okay, so we had Eddie on, and obviously, I've never seen Eddie like that, and it was completely

understandable, very emotional speaking about his very good friend. I stress friend, Anthony Joshua, and his two friends who passed away, Lats and Sina. And I'd never seen Eddie like that before. We talked a little bit about it afterwards, and I, uh, I, uh, I, uh, I, uh, uh, I, uh, uh, appreciated him sharing what he did share and I appreciate him talking about it in that way. And you could tell that there is no part of Eddie Hearn that is hoping and praying that AJ comes back. If AJ never fights again, if he never wants to fight again, I think he'll be completely in favor

and understanding. Anthony Joshua of Long said is such a unique character in this sport because there are a few fighters who are as thoughtful. I remember the first time he came on, I was blown away by his demeanor. I had so much fun talking to him, and I've had fun talking to him every single time since, and he was on, like, it felt like he was in such a good mood throughout the buildup for that Jake Paul fight. It felt like he was in such good spirits. Thoughtful, happy, grateful, appreciative, not just the post-fight interview, but the pre-fight as well. I was really taken by him.

And so that's why it was so great to see how America seemed to be taken by him. And of course, the world, but the world, you know, and of course the UK. have known about him for quite some time, have been fans of his for quite some time. And you see him win, you see everyone fall in love, discover him here in this part of the world. And then you see,

I remember seeing a post of him and Eddie standing outside some sort of house and being like, it was a great, you know, Christmas. And we're talking about future plans. You're like, man, this guy, this guy is, he's made it. And he's had some very public slip-ups. You know, the fights, the losses and stuff like that.

but you're like, wow, in year 13, 14, look at him on top of the world. And then you see the accident, you see the state that he was in, you hear about his friends, and you hear about everything. Can't imagine what he's going through. So I've seen some pictures of his Snapchat, of him talking about life and God and all this stuff. And yeah, it's hard to see. It's really hard to see. I really, really feel for him.

So anyway, I just saw this video of him just kind of showing up some kids. kids who are playing soccer outside. And it's amazing to see the smile on his face and just the spirits that he's in. So I thought it would be a good way to end the day. So here it is. Here's Anthony Joshua. Yeah, this is great.

Yeah, this is great. Look at this. Look at the smile on his face. That's all genuine. I believe that wholeheartedly, not sure what the context is, not sure what the context is, not sure who these kids are, not sure what his relation is to anyone there, but you see the smile, you see him in good spirits and it's, it's beautiful to see. It's beautiful

to see because what he went through was tragic, heartbreaking, unfathomable, and I can't imagine what he's dealing with internally, but this is wonderful. Shout out to the great Anthony Joshua, and I continue to pray for him and pray for the families of those who lost their lives because it's just an unimaginable thing. It truly is. Much love. to the man. All right. We are good for it today. Thank you to everyone for the support. Thank you for watching. It's been another great day here on the program. What is going on? What is going on? You know many, you know many texts I have? What's going on? Fifty-one unread text. You know what that does for my OCD?

Need to go and read them. And I get to go and read them. Wow. I don't even know some of these people. it's a crazy thing text messages text messages they're a crazy thing they're just out of this world no but this is the beauty the beauty of this is why I love this show so much because for four hours

you know I've been no I've been I've been known to fancy myself a quick replyer right? For sure here I am you can't bother me DND I noticed at the top of the show there was a moment there was like okay I'll tell you what that was I'm in a text group with Josh and his man

and I'm like, hey, you know, what I always do before the show, I'm like, hey, you know, talk to you at whatever time. His manager wrote, hey, just want to let you know that I'm going to be unavailable. I'm going to surgery and, yeah, sorry about that. I'm like, wait a second, are you saying this or is Josh going into surgery? So that kind of threw me off. And he's like, no. Who's to check? Just me.

And I'm like, okay, well, I wish you the best. It just wasn't very clear. So I thought he was canceling. five minutes before maybe that would have been blessing I don't know but I wish his manager a very superior recovery obviously thank you to Josh Hokit

thank you to Eddie Hearn thank you to Armin Strugian thanks to all of you, thanks all done back to Boston time I'll see if you're