The Ariel Helwani Show - Dana White’s nightmare weekend, Josh Hokit, Raul Rosas Jr., Payton Talbott, Luis Hernandez, weekend recap, news & notes

Episode Date: September 28, 2026

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show recapping UFC Vegas 121, including a big win by Raul Rosas Jr., the scary scene for Raoni Barcelos, the beef between Ailin Perez and Norma Dumont, and Luis Hernandez making a splash, as well as the scrap between Darren Till and Yoel Romero over at BKFC, Johnny Fisher’s Zuffa Boxing debut, and Misfits Boxing wins by Tony Feruson and Henry Cejudo (07:00).Josh Hokit joins to preview his UFC 334 title fight against Ciryl Gane and explain how it came together, before talking about Alex Pereira not getting the opportunity, why Gane doesn’t deserve to be undisputed champion, his belief that Tom Aspinall is faking his eye injury, being open to fighting Jon Jones, Gable Steveson’s loss, Alexander Volkov’s trash talk, and more (20:30).Ariel then deep dives the drama stemming from the turbulent Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua saga, including the latest comments by Dana White and Eddie Hearn (51:43).Luis “The Stache” Hernandez makes his show debut, discussing his quick rise in the UFC, his viral moment with Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis last year, recently getting married, his trademark mustache, his role as a Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Deputy, the attention around his fight against Sedriques Dumas, his continued rivalry with Curtis, and more (2:02:35).Payton Talbott returns, talking about his time away from the spotlight, the UFC Vegas 121 main event, his hobbies — including DJing, nunchucks, and climbing buildings — his fear of dying, his upcoming matchup against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332, enjoying the niche status of MMA compared to mainstream sports, and more (2:30:51).Raul Rosas Jr. recaps his massive comeback win against Raoni Barcelos, discussing the finish itself, the scary aftermath for Barcelos, his camaraderie with Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, his brother Jessie’s Contender Series fight, how far away he is from a title shot  and more (3:04:52).The crew covers more news and notes, including tragedy in the wrestling world (3:53:56), before answering your Super Chats (4:04:19).

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Earth Monday, September 26, 2000. And 26, hello again, everyone. I sure hope you're doing well. We are doing very well here. Actually, in fact, if I'm being 100% honest with all of you, I'm not doing great at the moment. My back is killing me. I'm in a ton of pain and excruciating about a pain. Did not sleep much. I pulled something in my back. I could not move yesterday for about eight hours.

for about eight hours. I'm only saying this not to get your sympathy or anything like that, but perhaps I may have to stand up once or twice throughout this show because it's hurting a lot at the moment. This happened to me two years ago, the day I got to Paris for the Olympics, I'm so excited to work for the CBC,

I bent down to put my shoes on, and I pulled on the back, and my back had been hurting me a little bit. I think I was just doing workouts the wrong way, and something pulled there, and it freaking sucked. I was in pain for like a week. yesterday in the morning getting dressed, something happened, but ten times worse it felt,

and it was just not a very fun day. I was worried about coming in. We made it. We drove in. We're good to go. And so just like MJ in 1998, we're powering through, or perhaps I should say, Jalen Brunson during the 26 NBA finals with the injured wrist and all we are powering through. And speaking of which, you know, I've said this. You could go back into the archives, 10 plus years. I remember saying it time and again to Rick, NBA Media Day to kick off the season is one of my most anticipated days of the year. And I have just been, it has actually made me feel just a little bit better looking at all the content stemming from the defending NBA champion New York Knickerbockers on this very rainy Monday in New York City. So that has

warmed my heart. We've survived the Nor'easter this past weekend. It wasn't as bad as I thought they made it out to be at least not where we lived. I know other regions, other parts of the northeast were badly affected. And so I hope that if you are in one of those regions, you're getting back on your feet and it maybe is easing up a little bit. I saw some pretty gnarly flood footage. It did rain a lot. There were some broken trees and branches and stuff like that.

Power went out. But overall, we survived, got to see Jalen Brunson host Saturday Night Live. By far the best host in the history of SNL. The boys showed up starting lineup. I was loving it. But Saturday was a really weird day as far as combat sports is concerned. A whole host of emotions and like just an insane amount of stuff happened. So beginning of today's show, I want to run through some of the things that transpired on Saturday.

After that, we're going to be joined by Josh Hokit at about 120 p.m. Eastern time to talk about headlining the MSG card in. in just about a month and a half, November 14th, to be exact, going up against Surreal Gan. After that, we are going to do a massive deep dive into everything that has happened between Dana White, Eddie Hearn, A.J., Fury, Netflix, everything that happened essentially since Thursday, since the boys in the back did their show, since I popped up on the YouTube channel to celebrate what we thought was a done deal, we're going to go through it all, including what will forever be known as one of the, like, I think, now infamous press conferences as far as Dana White is concerned, a complete, not meltdown, but just an absolute losing control of the situation, type of

situation, if you get what I'm saying. And we'll deep dive into that. After that, we're going to be joined by Luis Hernandez, who was successful on Saturday. He fights on Contender Series. He wins. He shows up 11 days later, he beats Cedric Dumas, he celebrates like a madman. He's like a mix between Valvenus and, as I mentioned on Twitter on Saturday, that dude with the large butt who does like videos, parody videos, he shows up to gyms, PFL did some stuff with them. You may know who I'm talking about. Anyways, we'll talk to Luis, who's a sheriff in the Miami-Dade County region. How crazy is that? Police officer, I think he is. No, I think he's a police officer and the sheriff County or the sheriff's department. Anyway, he's a police officer. After that, we're going to be

joined by Payne Talbot, who's in the co-main event as far as UFC 332 is concerned this Saturday, Utah, CBS. More on that in a second. And then after that, Raoul Rosas Jr., who is successful on Saturday in the main event, will join us more on that in a second. Back to 332, there is the lineup. You see Payne Talbot there. He's in the co-main against Davidson Figurato. You may be asking yourself, are the boys doing a watch party for the this one. Is it going to be your typical fight night type of coverage that you've come to know and expect from us here at Uncrown for the past two years? The answer is no, but we're doing it one better. On Saturday, you will have the opportunity if you're in the New York, New Jersey,

tri-state area region to watch UFC 332 with us. We are going to be at a location in New York City and courtesy of our good friends over at Kalshi, they are setting this all up. There it is, a watch party with all of us in downtown Manhattan. It's for UFC 332. We'll be watching it, hanging out with all of you. I'll even do a post-fight reaction afterwards as well.

And all you need to do to attend this, there's no cover charge, at least not from us. We'll be posting a link in the YouTube chat. You need to RSVP. You'll get the info. you'll get the location, very hush, hush, very top secret, and then you'll be invited. You can't just show up. You can't just walk in on Saturday.

You have to RSVP. You have to sign up beforehand. And then you'll be able to show up. We'll give you the details. And you'll be able to hang out and watch the fights with us. And then afterwards, we'll react to it all. So I did this once many moons ago for a UFC on fuel card in Sweden. And it was a lot of fun.

We did it also around Union Square. I remember Charlie Brennamen showed up. David Brandt showed up. No fighters are going to show up. It's just going to be us hanging out, having a good time. Thank you to Kalshi for making it happen. And I'm looking forward to hanging out with everyone on Saturday. Rick will be there.

G.C. will be there. Frank, you're going to be there? I'll have to talk to my agent, but maybe. Andy are you going to be there? I will be, unfortunately, in Dallas. Jordan? Yes, maybe. No, who's the check?

Rick? I shall be there. G.C.? Yeah, I'll be there, man. All right. Can't wait. People will be there. Okay, so that's the deal as far as UFC 332 is concerned.

Let's talk about this weekend, because like I said, a ton happen. You had the UFC, you had BKFC, you had Octagon, you had Zufa boxing, you had misfits, quick thoughts on everything that transpired. Obviously, the biggest news of the weekend, and let's be honest, the scariest news, and dare I say perhaps the scariest incident that we've ever seen in. in the UFC. And we've seen some gnarly injuries. Obviously, we've seen some bad leg breaks and arm brakes and things like that. But I don't know if we've ever seen anything quite like what we saw on Saturday when Raoul Roses Jr. beat Hione Barcelos in the main event of that fight on Saturday.

It was a fight that, you know, they had mentioned, and we had mentioned, largest age gap as far as a UFC fight is concerned. And it seemed like it was an opportunity for Raul Roses to really like cement himself as, you know, a guy that we need to really start talking about in his way class. But a funny thing happened, Barcellos, who's looked good, who's had some big wins, who has derailed some hype trains, paint towel, but not that long ago, was doing really well. I think actually, as far as these scorecards are concerned, I know he was up, and I think he was up on most of the scorecards, three rounds to one, going into that final round. There you have it.

Three rounds to one. Was it three rounds around there? Yep. Three rounds to one, three rounds to one. Yeah, on all. And one, 10, 8. Chris Lee out of 108. Yeah, exactly.

So, I mean, going really well. Fifth round, though, there's a sequence in which Rosas takes him down, and it's still very unclear what happened. Did Rosas' head, hit his chin? We're still unclear. But what we do know is he was out, and he was out cold, and he was stiff, and he wasn't moving, and it was very scary. And Rosas went from being very excited.

very happy to a little bit, it seemed like, bothered and startled and I couldn't blame him. They took him out of the cage on a gurney. It was unlike anything we've seen. And we've seen some bad knockouts, but usually the person gets up. Usually the person starts moving. In this case, that didn't happen. And so they sign off from the broadcast without an update. They go on the post show without an update. I mean, that's the scene there. And we show you this because we know how it turned out at least for now. That was terrifying. I won't lie. There was a part of me wondering, like, is he alive? Is he breathing? Is he moving? It was shocking. It was unsettling. It was scary. Up until this point, obviously, as you know, dating back to 1993, no death in UFC history,

no serious injury. What do we call a serious injury? What we've seen like leg breaks and arm breaks and things of that nature, no paralysis or anything like that. And, you know, sometimes it feels like we've been playing with fire, with weight cuts and whatnot, this seemed like the closest. And so I start scrambling and reaching out to his team and finding out that about 30 or so minutes later, he is breathing, he is conscious, he was unaware of what happened, no memory of what had happened was going into, going to the hospital to get a CT scan. Gets out of the CT scan, I'm told he's moving his fingers and toes, he's able to communicate. And that was all very good news.

Then I found that on Sunday, he's able to walk, he's able to talk, he's able to interact, still no real recollection of what transpired. And perhaps most importantly, based on what I was told, still no real word as to what happened. Like what exactly caused him to end up like this? We still don't know. As of last night, still in the hospital. As of last night, no word as to when he would be discharged. but we did get a comment from him

on a UFC Instagram post where he wrote, hey guys, I want to let you all know that I'm doing great and as soon as I can, I will send you all a video. Thank you so much for everyone's love and prayers.

I promised a great fight and I fulfilled what I promised. Thank you, God and everyone who fought together with me inside and out of the cage. So that is obviously very, very, very good news, very promising, happy to see.

And, yeah, just very, very unsettling. Very shocking. And it was a weird card all in all. It was back at the apex. You had the Eileen Perez and Norma Dumont fight on Friday. You had the weigh-ins where for some reason, I don't really know the backstory, and perhaps we'll find out later in the week.

Eileen Perez is going to join us tomorrow. At the face-off, at the weigh-ins, Norma-Dumont shows up. You could tell there's bad blood here, and they had been going back and forth for quite some time. At the end of the face-off, here's Sean Shelby, trying to hold his ground. Norma reaches in, takes out money, and what appears to be condoms, and throws

it at Eileen Perez? Confirming that's a condom. Okay. That's a condom. Didn't want to, you know, take any liberties. Perez wins. A somewhat uneventful fight starts twerking in her face afterwards. Shout out to the goat, Fabiano,

who is literally willing to translate everything that Eileen is saying and some of it a bit, you know, a bit crass, a bit X-rated. You could see here, Norma shocked. I was surprised. I thought it was 29, 28 for Norma. But like I said, it wasn't the most eventful fight. And now, you know, Perez is on quite the winning streak.

Is she next? Is she next for the winner of Kayla Harrison versus Amanda Nunes, which of course is happening November 14th? She did post on social media afterwards. She didn't speak to the media afterwards, but she did post this. on her IG story, thanking Norma, thanks for the condoms, but I did not need to use them to F you. Also, use those $2 to buy a plan A, plan B. I think you might need it. I don't know what's going on here.

Crazy, crazy stuff. Also crazy, Luis Hernandez winning on 11 days notice. And like I said, gyrating, he's twerking as well. He's doing the DX chop. It's him. Like, this felt like a misfits card. It's a cop with a massive stash. The guy who got in the face of Strickland and Chris Curtis last year got them to storm the cage,

choking out the guy with the criminal past, doing it like that, Cowboy had an on, DX chopping everywhere, tongue out, gets the black belt, walking out to, whoop, whoop, da, da, the police, the KRS one song. Cedric Dumas coming out to ACON as well UFC social media saying Locked him up like everyone leaning into this It was straight up cops versus robbers It was crazy

I found out on Saturday morning That the tough finale was happening on Saturday I had no clue that the tough finale was happening on this card Absolutely no clue No idea I didn't see any sort of promotion for this Any sort of marketing for this

I just saw a video of Michael Bisping in his home saying like, oh, yeah, good luck to everyone. It's going to be great. And it ended up in a really weird way. Illenbeck, Akelebeck won via DQ because of an illegal knee thrown by Mama Dali Osmanli. The whole thing was weird. Tina Black ended up winning against Melissa Maya, and that was fair and square. but the whole card was just very, very strange. It felt like a misfits card.

And wouldn't you know it? Misfits was happening at the exact same time. The best card of the night, the best card of the day was BKFC 94 from Manchester. A.O. Arena, Darren Till, Y'all Romero. Now, I will admit, was the fight as good as I thought it was going to be? No, probably not. But you know what struck me while watching this?

What struck me while watching this was Darren Till and YOL Romero are high-level fighters. And let's be honest, when you watch other parts of BKFC, you're not seeing high-level fighters. And so when you're seeing very skilled fighters fight in bare-knuckle, they're going to be measured, they're not going to be as chaotic, they're not going to be as crazy, and that's what you're seeing. Till is a very solid boxer.

Romero's been doing this forever. He's 49. He's an Olympic gold medalist. He has seen and done it all. You watch some of these other fights in BKFC. And it's just not high-level stuff. I'm not saying it's not entertaining. It's just not the highest of levels.

Darren was bleeding. He was cut open. Some people thought Romero won. I thought Darren won. It was relatively entertaining. I mean, I was locked in the entire time. I was locked in. And I got to say, watching this at the same time as the Zoufa boxing fight,

like it was palpable just how much better the event, the energy, the crowd was at the AO arena. compared to the copper box arena in London. There was very little energy for Zufa boxing. That was Johnny Fisher's debut, and it was happening at honestly the exact same time. So going back and forth, it's like one was void of energy, Max Kellerman's going on and on about God knows what,

acting as play-by-play guy, because Joe Test Store was in America, they missed him sorely. Like, they missed him so badly because he's in America doing college football. You had, you had Kellerman acting as a play-by-play guy, which if you don't know, like he's usually the third man in the booth,

It's very hard to go from third man to, you know, to play by play. But he's just, there's just something off there. There's something missing. Andre Ward sounds absolutely, I don't know, like disconnected from it all. And I think Andre's incredible. But he just, to me, he almost comes across as like unhappy being there. And the comparison to Jack Dempsey came out of the mouth of Max Kellerman. And I'm not even going into the Dana stuff.

We'll get to that later. He uttered the name Jack Dempsey. while watching that main event. It wasn't the most entertaining main event. And the crowd wasn't great. It wasn't in a massive arena. A.O. was much bigger. But it felt like it was missing a thing or two.

I thought Octagon had an incredible night. Octagon had about 60,000 people in attendance at the Deutsche Bank Park in Germany. Look at this from their, one of their founders, Andre Novotny. Look at that crowd. For a card, which, let's be honest, here in North America, you probably haven't heard of a lot of these people. There's a few Carlos Vemela, former UFC. That's an incredible amount of people. Look at that.

Amazing. They should be very proud. I posted a video yesterday of the opening ceremonies. They had guys coming out, you know, the fighters coming out with kids dressed up, people on the drums, playing the pride music. Octagon is killing it. It was funny that it was Octagon 94 and BKFC 94. They also broke a TV record they posted on free to air RTL in Germany, 922,000 people tuned in. So shout out to them.

And then if you really want weird, you had misfits from Miami on Saturday. Tony Ferguson defeating Mahmoud Sebi in one of the old-time weird fights. Look at this in the first round. Ferguson, boxing Sebi, who is more of a novice, I would say, doing his thing, El Kukui. End of the first round, it becomes clear, that was a weird one, it becomes clear that Seby thinks the round is over when the clapper sounds, the, and he stops fighting. You'll see it coming up here in a matter of seconds. He actually stops fighting right here. Look, he stops fighting when the clapper. He thinks the fights over. He thinks the rounds over.

Excuse me. He goes for the little like DAP and then falls. Absolutely insane. It ends up going to the second round where Tony ends up winning via TKO right here. Ref, I thought, took, like, he's doing nothing. He's just, like, is he defending? Sure, but Tony's teeing off. He's not doing much. Ref could have stepped in about here. Like, he's turning his back to him, for goodness sakes.

So Tony wins. Shout out to him. He's back on track. Henry Sohudo fought Javon Wanawalton, Ashtray of Euphoria fame. And, you know, I have to say, Sehudo look good. Shout out to Soudo.

Who's developed into a solid strike? but he looked comfortable, confident. You know, Juana is 20 years old, but has been boxing for several years. This is his love. He's fought on some misfits cards. Sohudo hung in there. Four-round fight.

Wish it was a little bit longer. But he got the decision, fair and square. Pretty impressive. So shout out to Henry Sohudo. We just took you around the world of combat sports in about, I don't know, 13 minutes time. We could get into more of that stuff. And Darren Till will join us on tomorrow's program

Like I said, Luis Hernandez is going to join us later in the show. Raul Rosa is going to join us. So we'll talk more about the things that transpired over the weekend. But that was a very, very wacky Saturday in the world of combat sports. AEW had a pay-per-view, and we'll talk about that later in the show as well. For now, though, let us go to our first guest of the day. We found out, oh, when was it? About nine or so days ago, main event, Madison Square Garden, November 14th, undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight,

Saral Gan, who has now been elevated to undisputed champion, although one might say it should really be disputed because the guy that was the champion had to vacate because of the iPoges. You know the story. Going up against Josh Hokit, who a year ago had yet to fight in the UFC, it's one of the all-time great runs, and in a little over a month, he could be UFC heavyweight champion, crowned at the world's most famous arena, Joshua Hokit.

Kind enough to join us right here and now to talk about all of this and more. There he is. What's up, Josh? How are you? You know what I mean? Just staying positive and test negative, you know what I'm saying? I feel you. How are you doing?

I'm doing pretty good. Congratulations on this. This is pretty remarkable. Love or hate me. I stay hate free. They say learn from mistakes. That's why they mistake me. I got some weight on my shoulders.

To me, it's like feathers. All hell the incredible hoax. Call it bad weather. I wrote that. Yeah, for real. Yeah, is that like a freestyle you wrote or is that? Yeah, I wrote that. I was just straight off the dome, you know what I'm saying?

Respect. That's just what I do sometimes. Like, when I'm in Albuquerque, there ain't shit to do, and I just write stuff like that. It's like just how my mind works, you know what I'm saying? Do you like Albuquerque? I'm like, I'm low-key a genius, you know what I'm saying? Do I like Albuquerque?

Shit, we back in, I mean, this is just the trenches, you know what I'm saying? It keeps us humble and shit. You know, we living in the cockroachers. is over here and then it's like homeless people barking outside when you're trying to sleep it's like it I mean it's that real war zone type shit you know what I'm saying I feel you they called the burke I think right shit something like that I like the grill I appreciate you know I'm saying I'm moving my way up in this UFC shit and I'm getting a little bit more

money I'm getting a little iced out you know I'm saying that's just how the champ has to roll you I'm saying. I saw recently you posted a video of your home, and it looks like you are leveling up. Like, this is your gym in your home? Oh, that's something slight, you know what I'm saying? That's just my guest house, you know what I'm saying? Oh, my bad. You know, in one year, you know, it's like I became top five fighting for the title.

Now it's like I got top five houses in the whole UFC, you know what I'm saying? There's just a guest house, something slight, you know what I'm saying? As guest house, look at, I got a stairmaster, you know what I'm saying? Yo. Go outside. Look at that run, you know what I'm 4-2, 40. And then that's something slight as well. Just backyard, one acre, you know, swimming pool.

Did that shit in one year. Living large. Type shit. Honestly, honestly. A year ago, we talk a year ago. You couldn't have predicted this, right? A year later, Madison Square Garden, heavy white title. Like, this is far exceeded your expectations.

You know what I'm saying? We make the calculations and then we let fake take its course. You know what I'm saying? That's all I'm doing. I've been ready. I've been ready for this opportunity. I've been putting that work. you know, behind closed doors

and now it's shining bright, you know what I'm saying? Shining like my grill. Be careful, my blinds you. Yeah, yeah, so much ice, I could skate on that. Well, shit, you know what I'm saying? My tons is got frostbite. That's how much ice is in my mouth, you know what I'm saying? I feel, yes, I know what you're saying.

Can I ask, how did this all come about from your perspective? Because it did see, like, it seemed like Alts Alts prayer was campaigning. He said, give me the rematch. It seemed like something was up. Then Aspinall comes out, vacates. We don't know which direction they're going,

going in and then you get the fight. So how did it come about? I mean, you just mentioned Alex Pereira. You know what I'm saying? It's like Alex Pereira, he paints his face and woman's mask scary. You know what I'm saying? He's witchcraft. He wants to say Shama and that shit's from, you know, the Shaman, you know what I'm saying?

And Shaman's, they don't even believe in the one true God. So it's like everyone's saying Shama and it's like it's putting curses on everybody, you know what I'm saying? That's why he got fucked up by Sir Al-Gahn. You know what I'm saying? The wrath of God came upon him, you know what you're saying? I know what you're saying. So how did it end up?

What was the other part of the question? Oh, how did it, like, how did it fall on your doorstep? Shit, I was just, you know, I was just waking up, you know what I'm saying, waking up. I got, I had a red bone next to me. I had a yellow bone next to me. I woke up, Hunter Campbell called me. He said two words. Cyril gone.

I said, do it. Do it. I ain't turning it down. You know what I'm saying? I turned other shit. down but it's like I can't turn this down you know what I'm saying I was like sign me up and we hung up the phone what did you turn down shit sometimes I'd be turning down like like my next door neighbor she came up with with raisin like raising like raising cookies you know what I'm

saying cookies with raisins and I don't like that shit I was like so I had to turn it down okay but I thought you meant like from the UFC's perspective you don't strike me as someone who's been oh shit nah I ain't turning shit down for From USC, you give me a name. I'll fight everybody same night, you know what I'm saying? Especially with the money that they're paying me now, you know what I'm saying? So, shit. How much are they paying?

That reminds me that, you know what I'm saying? Hi, Susan. Hold on, that reminds me about my neighbor. Hi, Susan. I'm like a dmented bug. I crawl under the floor through the trench I dug and hide in your expensive rug. Hi, Susan. Okay.

What were you saying? Is that your neighbor? Susan, yeah. my neighbor you tell you, we in the trenches together, you know what I'm saying? I feel you. I feel you. Just going back to the fight, they obviously are making this for the belt. How do you feel about them going from interim to, like, do you think Surreal should have been elevated to full-time champ, or do you think that it should have been for the vacant title? I don't, I don't, I mean, that's above my pay grade, you know what I'm saying?

You just tell me to fight someone. I'm going to fight them, you know what I'm saying? I mean, but honest opinion, like, I don't think he deserves an undisputed title, but, I mean, it's better for me, you know what I'm saying? Because when I beat him, I'm being undisputed, you know what I'm saying? But I don't think you should reward someone for cheating, you know what I'm saying? Especially if you look like the ball Kamala Harris, you know what I'm saying, aka Dick Sucker Jones, you know what I'm saying, aka Buff Teddy Graham, you know what I'm saying? Like, that motherfucker don't deserve it, you know what I'm saying? But I think it's setting me up perfectly because when I beat the fuck out of them,

it's like I'm undisputed. You know what I'm saying? At the end of the day, that's what they want. Who's they? You know, the people, you know what I'm saying? UFC, the people. Because it's like when I'm the, when I'm the champion, it's like I'm giving them four fights a year, you know what I'm saying?

I ain't doing no pussy shit like Tom Aspenno. Where it's like, shit, let's wait 500 days for John Jones. That shit they even come to fruition, you know what I'm saying? And it was like, and then he gets punished. You know what I'm saying? When you play it safe in this world, you get punished, gang. You know what I'm saying? I ain't playing it safe.

I'm getting rewarded. And so Tom Aspenall, he was playing it safe. And what do you know? You come back, you fight Sir O'Gonnie, pokes the fuck out of your eye. You know what I'm saying? And then it's like, now he can't fight. But honestly, even that topic, you know what I'm saying?

I don't even think that shit's real. You know what I'm saying? I think he has his teammates. like faring on his pillow tight shit. And then it's like he goes to sleep, his pink eye, post that shit on Instagram. Hey, everybody feels bad for me. I can't fight still.

You know what I'm saying? And it's like he has fake surgery, all that other shit. And then it's like, I think he's just trying to get out of his deal. You being honest, you know what I'm saying? I'll keep it 100 with you. And I'm keeping 100 with you, twin, you know what I'm saying?

Because that's just what I do with you. I appreciate that. So you really believe, you believe that he doesn't want to fight and he's just trying to get out of the deal? Yeah, I think so. I mean, maybe the UFC ain't trying to, you know, pay him, you know, what he's asking. But it's like, man, his numbers speak for itself.

You know what I'm saying? I mean, nobody really cares to watch him fight at the end of the day, not like, not know, like, the bigger names that request that type of money. You know what I'm saying? So he's over his head on this one, you know what I'm saying? Is there any part of you that feels bad for him? I mean, he's had to have three surgeries, maybe a fourth, that's a vacation. That shit's all fake, gang, it's all, it's not real.

You know what I'm saying? I'm telling you, he gets his teammates. Hey, fart on my pillow, gang. And then it's like, go to sleep, wake up. I read post on Instagram, you know what I'm saying? And then it's like, I don't know if he's paying doctors. But I think he's trying to get that bag in boxing. You know what I'm saying?

So, but either way, that's just what he gets. We're playing at safe. Is there any part of you that thinks, okay, this will be incredible, win this fight, and then the ultimate showdown with him, and now I'm viewed as the undisputed champ? Or do you think that you will be viewed, you will feel like the undisputed champ if all goes well on the 14th of November? Yeah, I mean, it's just, it's supposed to work how it's supposed to work out. You know what I'm saying? I can't control that. But if he wants to come back and get it, shit, I'll put it.

shit, I'll prove that I'm the best in the world. I'm the greatest athlete to ever step into the cage, you know what I'm saying? And I think this fight is going to prove that, you know? Everyone says Cyril Gons, athletic, they say Tom Aswell. It's like, they weren't rushing for 17. You know what I'm saying? They won't rush rushing for 1,700, you know, 17 touchdowns. And then becoming an All-American in college, you know what I'm saying?

I did that shit back-to-back. You know what I'm saying? I didn't take no breaks. And so you want to talk about athleticism. motherfuckers have seen shit like me, you know what I'm saying? Everything seems to be working out for you. Could you imagine you win on the 14th and maybe this makes John Jones come out of retirement or semi-retirement to fight you?

Would you fight John Jones or is that awkward given the camp that you train at? He's not in this gym. He's not at this camp. You know what I'm saying? I'll fight whoever. Yeah, I'll fight whoever. I don't discriminate. You know what I'm saying?

whoever wants he could get it. And I'm gonna be that type of champion too. It's like right now I'm focused on the title. You know what I'm saying? I'm not focused on anybody else other than the title. But after, it's like anybody could get it. They call my name out. They speak my name in vain.

I'm stomping them. You know what I'm saying? Where they stand, you know what I'm saying? As an aside, just because I brought up, John, what do you make of what happened to Gable? He had some things to say about you not that long ago. What do you make of what happened to him last week? That boy, that boy, Rape will sleep is in?

We talk about that guy? A boy, Rape will sleeper in real quick? Shit, I mean, he must have watched my fights and be like, well, dad, this shit's going to be easy. This shit ain't sweet. This is a whole different game. He wants to talk about my wrestling and all that other shit, you know what I'm saying? This ain't wrestling. And so that's, he had to learn out the hard way, you know what I'm saying?

I heard he's not practicing properly. and that's due to John Jones. He ain't even, I heard he's not even sparring and shit, you know what I'm saying? It's like, what are we doing, gang? This is a whole different sport. You got to start from ground zero. And you know what I'm saying? And it's like, it's hard for people like that, that had that success.

And to start from, you know, the building blocks again, you know what I'm saying? So he had to learn the hard way. We'll see what he's made out of, you know, because adversity's here. you know what I'm saying? So this is where the mental toughness and see if he's truly about it, you know what I'm saying? If he truly wants to be good in this game.

Do you think he bounces back? Do you think he bounces back? Shit, we'll see. We'll see what he's made out of. I don't know. We'll see if he's doing it for the right reasons. You know, if he's trying to, you know, he's just doing it for the clout

and people talking about him and stuff like that. You know, like even him walking out the cage, You know what I'm saying? Like he's walking out the cage and smiling and shit talking to talking to people. I mean, shit, if I lose and I mean, and if I happen to walk outside the cage, it's like, fuck everybody, you know what I'm saying? That's just how I feel as a competitor.

He's over there smiling and still trying to uphold this fake image, gang. How do you feel like he handled the whole fight week with everything being thrown at him? Brough. I mean, I don't know who his PR person is. And it's like, I don't know what John Jones is telling him, but it's like, John Jones is good at what John Jones is good at. You know what I'm saying? He has that charisma about him, you know what I'm saying? He's been, he's from a, he's from a father that has, that's a pastor.

So that's in his genes, you know what I'm saying? Does that make any sense? Yes, yes, of course. So it's like he has that natural charisma just in his blood. And so if he's trying to, if he's telling Gable to go the same route and Gable doesn't have that type of charisma. It's like, who are you lying to now? You know what I'm saying? It's like, and even with that, that case that was brought up, you know, from his college days, it's like, you're not prepared to answer, gang?

Like, what are we doing, bro? Like, someone should have told me, hey, you need to be prepared to answer this question or, or play into it. You know what I'm saying? Like that dude that knocked him out, called him out in front of the world, you know, in a press conference. And he had no answer for it. It's like, what are we doing? It's like, that was the first time you thought about it. You didn't think that was going to get brought up?

You know what I'm saying? So I don't know what they're telling them. Maybe that's even why he's with John Jones in the first place where it's like, shit. I'm going to go with John Jones and John Jones been through some shit. And maybe I'm going to hide behind him. that name and that image, you know, if I'm, if I'm with John Jones, the quote-unquote nice guy, maybe I'll be a nice guy or be seen as a nice guy, you know what I'm saying? So, appreciate the perspective. Can I go back to you for a moment now? You mentioned all the pay.

Could you tell us, how much are you getting these days? Yeah. I'm not, I'm not in liberty to discuss such situation, you know what I'm saying? Okay, fair enough. But it's good. You're happy with it. I got, look, I got 50 in my mouth right now, you know what I'm saying? saying something slight you you see i don't even got my chains on right now you don't am saying so i'm not trying to flex too much but it's like just say i'm doing good you know what i'm saying doesn't know i got this game uh in a full nelson you know what i'm saying upside down in a full nelson face on pavement you know what i'm saying you seemed confident

throughout the whole process that you knew something everyone didn't know and that you were going to get this title shot even though alex was out there campaigning what made you so confident. I mean, shit. That motherfucker got knocked out in two rounds. You know what I'm saying? Like, he didn't do shit to deserve it. You know what I'm saying?

It's like self-explanatory, you know? Like, and people want, people want to see something new. And that would have been a bad look for the UFC just to be like, hey, give this motherfucker that doesn't even, hasn't even won a heavyweight fight. Just keep giving them rematches and shit. You know what I'm saying? That would have been a bad look. Look at him.

See, but I mean, that's what I'm saying. He's smiling, but it's like when Hunter's telling you, hey, I mean, whoever you fight next, you're still making 10-mill, you know what I'm saying? You can't be that upset, you know what I'm saying? Right. Last week, and you may have seen this, I had Alexander Volkov on the program, and I asked him about you getting a title shot. And he said that he was supportive of it because he said that he believes you have some kind of mental illness. And the UFC is doing this almost like a, you know, a make-a-wish thing, like to try to help out the less, the less fortunate.

What did you make of those comments from? Ha ha ha ha ha ha. You know what? That's funny. You bring that shit up because it's like, I got a, I got a Volkov fan right here, you know what I'm saying? Let me bring them on real quick. Okay, all right.

You know what I'm saying? Did you fucking see it real quick? You know what I'm saying? Shit, I mean, these sleep doctors, they be prescribing fucking Volkov's fights to people, you know what I'm saying, that struggle to sleep. You put one of those motherfuckers on. Shit, you're snoring immediately.

You know what I'm saying? like what we talk about. He has one finish in the last five. You know what I'm saying? So it's like he's been in the game. How many fights does he have? I think he's had 20. I think this will be his 20th fight in the UFC coming up.

God damn, it's like we already got like the same Instagram followers and shit. And it's like no one cares. You've been in the game for so long. We cares about you. You already had your chance. Get out of here, gang. Do you want to fight him? Hey, once I get the title, I mean, I'll give anybody.

a fight. I mean, that motherfucker lost to Derek Lewis. You know what I'm saying? Like, he lost to, he lost to Curtis Blades. He got raped by Curtis Blades. You know what I'm saying? Like, what are we talking about? But you did say you want to be a very active champion, right? Like three, four times a year. Yeah, I mean, if he could, yeah, I mean, shit if it makes sense, I'm going to fight anybody. You know what I'm saying? So,

he was kind of- He's boring as fuck, though. He is boring. And it's like, shit, that interview, I guess, was the most exciting thing he's done. in 20 years, you know what I'm saying? So kudos to you, Ariel, you know what I'm saying? You brought that shit out of him. I was surprised. At first I didn't know where he was going with that and I was like, oh shit, this was unexpected.

Yeah. I mean, yeah, I mean, he's boring, you know what I'm saying? You say vocab, I just want to yawn, you know what I'm saying? I want to take a nap. You know what I'm saying? Dana was asked about this title fight and he made it seem like he was dreading the idea of you being champion. Like, oh man, like how do you think I feel about the idea?

What did you make of all of that from Dana? Because I have some thoughts if you want to hear, but I'd love to hear, but I'd love to hear your thoughts too. Dana's just, you know, he has to say that, you know, deep down, I'm Dana's favorite fighter, you know what I'm saying? He can't wait for my fights, you know what I'm saying? So what I got to say to Dana? Hello, Dana.

Okay, because I actually agree with you. I think deep down he does want you to be champion and he is a fan of yours. I think so. I think so, you know what I'm saying? But would it be nice to see him publicly back you and be like, no, man. Nah, dang. Listen, at the end of the day, I didn't join this sport to be liked by anybody, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, it is what it is.

The whole world could be against me, you know what I'm saying? That's just, that's my thought process. And it's like, if you like me or not, you know, it is what it is. And so I'm not looking to be like, you know, I'm not in this to be, you know, accepted and stuff. I'm just, I'm here to, you know, put them on good a fight, you know what I'm saying? So you call my name, you sign, you have me sign the contract, I'm going to give you a good fight, you know what I'm saying? So that's the most important thing. It is nice to have fans, though, to have backers.

Yeah, I think it's human nature, you know what I'm saying, that people want to be liked. You know what I'm saying? We want to kind of like have fans, but shit, I'm not like going to put on a fake smile and shit for it. You know what I'm saying? But you feel deep down the brass want you to win on November 14th. Oh, yeah, because they know what they're going to get. I mean, I'm going to be champion. Then I'll go to 205, save that division.

Then I create my own division. Maybe we let's meet at 225. And now we're fighting middleweights. You know what I'm saying? It's like, it's interesting. There's endless possibility with me, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, shit, there's some good middleweight matchups as well, you know? And they're walking around 225.

And 225 is not too far from where I stand. You know what I'm saying? Those middle weights are bigger than me. And so now it's just the perspective of what's the most interesting fight. You know, so it's like I've become heavyweight champ. Let's shit, sure. Like I'll save 205 as well. And it's like then middleweights that they got no one to fight.

Hey, meet me at 225, be a man. You know what I'm saying? It's like I'm bringing the best out of people. You know what I'm saying? It's like I'm kind of like a trend. trendsetter, you know what I'm saying? It's like you start seeing all these guys, you know, they're starting to bring their personality out, you know what I'm saying? They're laying it all in the line, you know what I'm saying? Because I think they're seeing me. They're seeing me do it.

They're like, shit. He's getting rewarded for that shit. Let's do it too. But at the end of the day, you got to put on a good fight. You know what I'm saying? And everything else is like a cherry on top, you know what I'm saying? So like right now, how much you weigh? shit like 237 do you think you could make 205 shit probably easy you know what I'm saying but it's like

I look at it like this though it's like why is their weight classes you know what I'm saying like people are hiding behind it where this game started the people just said they signed up to fight each other

it didn't matter with the weight class and it's like that's that's that's primal as it gets. Because it's like, you see people like Ilya Tuporia talking shit to me, and it's like, I'm a heavyweight, and now I'm about to be heavyweight champion. It's like, what is a, what is a 145 pound champion talking

to a heavyweight like that? Like, don't get that shit twisted, you know what I'm saying? Different day and age, you're extinct, you know what I'm saying? I wipe you off the face of the earth. But it's like now we're different day and age, you get to hide behind the belt. I guess you could be, you know, quote unquote, tough guy, but don't get that shit twisted, you know what I'm saying?

heavyweight is the baddest man on the planet. You know what I'm saying? So I'm trying to bring that mentality back. Is Cyril gone dirty, in your opinion? Yeah, I just think he's a coward gang. You know what I'm saying? He's just coward and scared. He wants to get out of that octagon so, so badly and so quickly that he's willing to just cheat.

You know what I'm saying? Like, because he looks all cool and calm, you know what I'm saying? But it's like, then it's the opportunity to poke your eye, hit you in the back of the head. He's like, damn, I want to get out of here so bad. And that fear overcomes him, you know what I'm saying? So I think he kind of just like blacks out or sees red. And then he just tries to, you know, get the guy out of there as fast as possible.

And that's where that cheating comes from, you know what I'm saying? Are you expecting him to try to do that in your friend? He could try, you know what I'm saying? But I got the titanium eyes. You know what I'm saying? That's why, I mean, that's why they booked me at the end of the day. You know what I'm saying? They're like, shit, this is the only guy on the roster that has those,

titanium eyes, you know what I'm saying? Bulletproof back head, you know what I'm saying? Back of the head, he hits me with that elbow. Whole elbow shatters, you know what I'm saying? He pokes me in the eye. Shit, fingers break, you know what I'm saying? I saw you in the back. You were appearing to practice fighting it.

Was that you doing that? Yeah, I was just foreshadowing on. It's like I'm prepared for it all, gang, you know what I'm saying? Like you put me in the eye, I'll poke you in the eye back. You know what I'm saying? Hit me in the back of the head. I'm a rip your goddamn throat out, you know what I'm saying? I hit you low.

You go low, I go lower. That's how I'm looking at it. I don't care. Do you think, though, this will be your toughest fight so far in the UFC? Fair to say, right? Yeah, probably. Yeah. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah, he's fairly athletic, got a decent fight IQ, but shit, it don't matter. Just the way I train, the way I'm going to come about it, you know what I'm saying? Shit, look how I'm training. He ain't running a 5K under his fucking C. Ging, gang, look at that cardio, gang. We go all day, gang. Did you really do a 5K under there? YK.

You thought I just typed it just for fun? I don't know. I was there for, I was there all day. It's insanity. How do you win? How do you win? Yeah. How do I win?

I just think I'm going to break him. You know what I'm saying? I'm prepared, you know, a lot of people prepare for like combinations and all that. I just prepare when we both get tired, who keeps going, you know what I'm saying? That's the biggest thing with me. Obviously, you can't, you know, keep your head on the center line and just get fucking jabbed and knocked out like Alex Pereira. So we're prepared for his laxid days of cool flow, you know what I'm saying? But he, I got better reactions.

I got better eyes than Pereira. I got, you know what I'm saying? It's like I played running back. And those, you know, those whole. You know what I'm saying? They open and closed real quick. You got split second reactions, you know what I'm saying? So it's like everything in my life has prepared me for this.

You know what I'm saying? And November 14, I'll tell you this. Is this the last question? I got like three more. You know what I'm saying? But, I mean, if you're going to ask me what's going to happen November 14, there's going to be three hits, gang. Tell me what I'm saying?

One hit to his face. You know what I'm saying? Him hit in the canvas. And then the driver, the ambulance driver hit in 90 on that. the way to the hospital take shit, you know what I'm saying? I feel you. I feel you.

Three hits. And who's the first title defense against? Shit. Hopefully Pereira could get a win or something. Maybe Pereira just waits, huh? Perreira waits for the next fight. We'll see if he fights. I'd like to fight Pereira.

Over Aspinall? I would, I think, you know what I'm saying? Like, there's a reason why Pereira is getting paid 10 mil. People will like to see him fight. You know what I'm saying? So I think that, yeah, I mean, if we're just talking about the fight that's going to boost your career the best, you know what I'm saying? I think Pereira. I mean, I don't think Aspinall is coming back.

I'll be honest with you. I think he will. I think that will. I don't know. He wants that box. I think he wants the box. I think that's the game he's playing. You know what I'm saying?

I think he just wants the box. Let me ask you before, let you go. What happened with this fan? I saw this video where it appeared as though you choked out a fan. What happened there? What was that all about? Yeah, I mean, I don't know what these, I mean, these fans might be lonely, you know what I'm saying? Or like, they're damaged on the inside, you know what I'm saying?

Maybe they don't got a dad. What is this? Some pain. Is this real? Yeah, this is a little, I did a little meat and greet from Paramount Peptize. One of my sponsors, shout out Paramount Peptides. You need peptides. You know what I'm saying?

Okay. Yeah, I don't know if he has daddy issues or, you know what I'm saying? He didn't have a mom. but it's like these people they just want to feel some pain i guess you know what i'm saying i was late kicking people and i was like what are we doing it's like they just want to feel something you know what i'm saying it's like shit but it's better than killing yourself i guess you know what i'm saying like uh maybe that keeps them going you know i don't know i don't know how that correlates but he was okay afterwards right he like walked off he was all right yeah he was all right

i mean some people i mean just getting i don't know it doesn't make any sense getting choked out by demand for free. You know what I'm saying? But if you ask me, you shall receive. Badge of honor, I guess, to say they were choked out by Josh Hokka. Josh, before I let you go, what is your, what is your response? What is your message to the people who are upset who say, don't reward this guy. He's been in there for a year, less than a year. What does he, he, he's just won a few fight? Why is Josh Hokka? Come on, UFC. What is the message to these people who are unhappy that you're fighting at the world's most famous arena for the most prestigious prize in this game? It is what it is, gang.

I mean, I can't. What am I supposed to say? You know what I'm saying? I can't make everybody happy. You know, I'm just doing my best. I'm putting on fights. I'm saying a few things. And this is the reward.

We're rewarded in this world by courage and not intelligence. And so I'm just getting rewarded by the courage, you know what I'm saying? And so if you're just getting mad at it, maybe you got to use more courage in your life, you know what I'm saying? Step outside the box. chase your own dreams. You know, if you hating on me,

you know what I'm saying, that's just a reflection on what's going on in the inside, you know what I'm saying? That's that deep talk right there. You know, I feel it. You know what I'm saying? Are you misunderstood

or do you think you're completely understood by the fan base? Shit, time will tell. Time will tell. You know what I'm saying? I'm bringing everybody into my world, you know what I'm saying?

I'm forcing my world upon people. And, you know, and at that first, it's going to be, it's going to be different, you know what I'm saying? But I'm over here dictating the dance because I'm winning these fights at the end of the day, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, that's how I see it. And it's going to be uncomfortable at first.

But then you guys start playing along, you know what I'm saying? And it's a little bit more enjoyable, you know what I'm saying? So I feel you. I know what you're saying, Josh. Thank you so much. I appreciate you. You know, we're just a few blocks away from MSG. if you come to town, we'll get you some cookies.

No raisins, we promise. We'll hook you up with whatever you want. You're more than welcome. Shit, I won't turn that down, you know what I'm saying? I've turned some shit down, but I won't turn that down, you know what I'm saying, Ariel? You know what I'm saying, Twin? Appreciate you. Hell yeah.

That would be great. Much respect, Josh. Good luck to you. Good luck in training and looking forward to seeing what you do on the 14th of November. Thanks for doing this, my man. Yes, sir. You have a good one. You too.

All the best. There he is. The incredible Hoke, Josh Hock. Kind enough to join us on this Monday. What a way to start our festivities on this Monday. And so there you have it. A lot to say about Tom Aspinall, Alex Pereira, Surreal Gan, a little about Ilya Teporia as well.

And a relatively tame version of Josh. Sometimes I felt like we got like the most real version of him. And I appreciated that and enjoyed the conversation. So there you have in November 14th. Luis Hernandez is going to join us at 3. At 3.30, Peyton Talbot going to join us at 4 o'clock Raul Roses. but I have been champing at the bit, as they say, to get into everything that has happened between Dana White, Eddie Hearn, Netflix, TKO, Zufa Boxing, Turkey Al Shake, Sella,

matchroom, Gold Star, Tyson Fury, Queensberry. Do you see the amount of people that are involved in this massive, massive, massive story? I was thinking about our year-end awards, and I was thinking about the feud of the year award. We could lock it up. We could have locked it up months ago. It's Dana versus Eddie, but it has taken so many twists and turns

of the course of this year. I was even thinking about that, you know, that famous picture of Connor McGregor and Habib Nirmagamadaim. You know the one that everyone loves to bring up Connor and Habib side by side. It reminds me this one right here, Connor and Habib.

That's the famous one. And then I think about Eddie and Dana side by side as pals. This one. Ah, put that up there in the great photo collage up in the sky of great moments of people who are friends and no longer remain friends. Probably the most famous one of that bunch is this one. Yeah, that one. And are we at that level just yet?

No, obviously not because that one ended. in a horrible way, although I don't know if either was related. It's still very unclear. Although I did see that I think the guy who was accused of shooting Tupac finally went to jail, nice to see. Anyway, it's a crazy thing how this all panned out. And I want to go back to Thursday. We're going to do, we haven't done one of these deep dives in a while, and I think it's time for a real deal deep dive. And we have another deep dive to come as well. But we need to talk about everything that has transpired since Thursday morning. On Thursday morning, we woke up to the news that Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury had officially been announced for December 11th in Cardiff, Wales. It happened at around 7.50 a.m. Eastern time, 12.50 p.m. in the UK. We got that poster. Finally, Fury, A.J. It was Shades of Lewis Tyson is on. Some people didn't understand what I was saying, but it was just because of the letters and all that stuff. Anyway, who cares? Clean time.

poster, nice poster, December 11th on Netflix, not at Madison Square Garden, not in New York City, not in the U.S., back in the UK, where it should have always been, not at Wembley, because it's a little too cold in December, but at Principality Stadium where there's a roof. And all of a sudden, we're rejoicing. I'm talking about it. Finally, everyone's talking about it. In fact, Turkey's taking his victory lap tour. Here he is, Turkey Oshake, for 15 years. No one has been able to make this fight. Back in April, I said that any announcement would come from me. I can now confirm that Fury v. Joshua will be coming to the UK as I promise. British boxing fans, the time for talking is over.

Or is it? Well, in the moment, Anthony Joshua took to social media, and he was celebrating. The quietest ones often pull the strings. Those who appear least involved may hold the greatest controlled. Let them shout first. The wisest wait until the final move, yours truly. Anthony Joshua. He even tweets again. I'm inspiring a generation. He's so happy. Everyone's happy. Everyone's taking their victory lap tours, including Edward Hearn. Eddie Hearn, we did it forever

indebted to the UK. Public for their support of Anthony Joshua, we couldn't have gotten this over the line without you. And so at that moment, everyone is happy, right? Everyone's over the moon. We're all talking about it. They finally got it done. It's a over. All the drama. All the back and forth is over. And just in case you wanted an official announcement from Netflix, we even got the press release. And we're rejoicing while reading the press release. And we're reading and we're reading and we're just skimming through a line. He, His Excellency, Turkey Alice Shakes the Ring and Dana White will collaborate to promote the event. White points to the fighters combined records and what a win can mean for either man's

legacy. And there's a quote there. And okay, that's indeed. interesting. You know, there's a Dana White mention in there. Okay, well, one would presume that, you know, this was okay. This was okayed by everyone. Everyone seemed to be all right with the announcement. And one would presume that the poster was signed off on and the press release was signed off on and everyone was behind this. Although there were a couple interviews with Dana, excuse me, with Eddie, where he did mention like, yeah, he's still not going to be involved. And yeah, that is a little weird. But no big deal. No big. deal. Tyson Fury, who has been all over the gaff as far as this fight, has been concerned. At one point

he said it was off. At one point, he said they were scared. He was running. He did allude to something regarding Eddie Hearn's ego, which started to catch people's attention. Take a look. So Eddie Hearn's ego is trying to cost us on all the boxing fans around the world, yeah, the fight that everyone's waiting for for over a decade. And it says all because Eddie doesn't want someone in the building Isn't that a bit pathetic and childish? He doesn't want someone in the building Like he's nine year old, he doesn't like him

You absolute nougar Your little silver spooned Wanker You're not a man of your word You're a little back out pussy And Joshua You ought to be ashamed of yourself You want this and you want that

I've agreed to five different locations We're your little sausages I had a contract If I'd have stuck to that contract could have been no fight, would they? But I'm a fighting man, you see. I don't give a fuck. I'll fight them anywhere. That's a

difference. You little cowards. Kick the gym. It's some whites, you little sausage. Okay, so I see this and I'm like, wait a second, what is he talking about? This is like one of those videos that we were seeing before the announcement. What is he saying costing the fight and all that?

I thought the fight was on. We got the press release. We got the poster. We got the tweets. We got the victory lap. What is he talking about? out. Then all of a sudden it's Friday evening. And I remember I was going out to my friend Sukha, happy Sukkot to everyone out there who celebrates. Nice little Friday night. And I'm like, all right. Nothing crazy going on. Everything's all right. No drama. The storm has passed. Spoke too soon. Thought too soon. Because there he is. Mouthpiece Mike Coppinger himself doing the Lord's work. Tweeting this. Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua,

could be called off due to issues, issues, regarding, according to sources, and a replacement fight between Terrence Crawford and Ryan Garcia as being considered. Another possibility, Tyson Fury versus David Benavides. And look, there was once a time where Mike Coppenter was a really respected member of the media. I think a lot of people would have put him in the sort of Woj, Schefter, Schaum's territory of like boxing insider who broke news. Hell, I think some people once, you know, said that he was the Ariel Hawani of boxing, which I always took a little bit of offense to because, you know, I felt like he always had the personality of, you know, the doorknob staring at me in the face.

But still, he would get some news and people seemed to give him information. And let's be honest, there wasn't a lot to have to contend with as far as competition is concerned. But ever since he left ESPN and signed with the ring and really just became a lackey for Turkey Al-Shake and everyone involved at TKO. his credibility has gone to shits. No one believes him when he tweets anything. He's decided, and honestly, I feel bad for him because he has to know deep down inside

that no one respects him. And I'm not trying to do the Luke Thomas thing. Luke Thomas eviscerated him. There's nothing left to say. But he has to know that deep down inside he was on track to being considered as like the, you know, definitive boxing insider. He took the money.

He ran with it. He's hardly used on the broadcast. I watched this past weekend Zufa boxing on Paramount. He was nowhere to be seen. seen. They use him a couple times. He's never on the Netflix broadcast when they have done their shows there. And basically what he does is show up for some photo ops and tweet stuff like this when, and it's needed because you'll see 5,000 people will like it, when it's needed to put something out there to put some kind of public pressure or to publicly kiss someone's behind

involved in all of these Zufa boxing TKO Sela dealings. It's a sad existence. It's not going to end well. It's not going to be good for him. But in the end, he'll put this out there and no one will believe it. But what will happen is it will cause some hysteria. And so you'll see people like Terrence Crawford tweet, what did I miss? What's going on? Dan Rayfield will chime in and saying you're fighting Ryan Garcia December 11th, apparently. And Terrence will say, damn, am I? Why didn't I know about this? Thus refuting in a second all of this nonsense. And no one believed for a second and that they were just going to put together Ryan Garcia versus Terrence Crawford. They, you know, they do have an option, from what I'm told, to do another Ryan Garcia fight.

David Benavides, from what I'm told, still has one more fight left with PBC. But those are silly details. Let's throw this out there because clearly things are happening behind the scenes. Clearly, there's an issue. Clearly, Eddie Hearn is not happy with Dana White's inclusion in that press conference and in that press release as well. And let's throw something out there to make him worried. to get him scared, to make him think that this fight is off, that we're going to move on and do something else.

Guess what? You can't do that fight. It's not as big. It's just not, you're not doing it at Principality Stadium, that's for sure. And it doesn't make any sense. And yes, I think Netflix would be into Terrence Crawford versus Ryan Garcia, but it sure as hell ain't happening on the drop of a dime. It's not like cobbling together, you know, Wang Tong versus Natalia Silva

when you don't have a main event for UFC 332. My point is not to belabor this. Everyone saw through it. At the exact same time that all this was happening, everyone makes this concerted effort to go out there and start posting pictures to flood the market, if you will. Here's Turkey Al-Shake posting a picture with Nick Con and Dana White. These are my guys. He's basically saying, you're trying to screw this up, Eddie Hearn. These are my guys.

All right? I picked them. I once picked Frank Warren. I once picked you. I once picked everyone. Now I'm picking them. They're my guys. And if I'm being 100% honest, I think he likes all of this.

I think he likes all the jockeying of like position and trying to like fight for his attention and love and all this stuff. I think he loves all this. He's at the center of it all. He was once a guy who was just a boxing fan. Now he has all this power and money. I think he absolutely loves all this. At the same time, here's Dana White posting a screenshot of a FaceTime conversation between both him and Turkey. Look at them.

They're smoking on that Eddie pack right there. It's a cigar, but you get the point. They're clearly trying to say, we've got you by the ball. balls. You can try all you want to get me out of this. I'm not leaving. Give it up. Eddie says nothing Friday. Saturday morning, I see this on his Instagram. I got 99 problems, but closing deals ain't one. Eddie on the yacht, beautiful scenery, seemingly where. I don't know. Monaco, he's loving life. And there were a bunch of other, Dana did an interview with Sky Sports. Nothing pertinent was really asked of him, but he kept saying, like, I'm the promoter, I'm the promoter, I'm the promoter,

all good, all good, all good. But, you know, come Saturday, we really didn't know where all this stood. Now, there was a moment during that Zufa boxing telecast, we're kind of out of nowhere, Max Kellerman, and I actually want to read this, because I think it's important to get the actual quote. And our guy, Jedi, was really the one that was all over it. He was the one that alerted us of it first. In the middle of the card, this is the one thing that I didn't have in advance. Stand by, stand by, stand by, stand by. He said, this is sort of like, it really had no place. And Max, as I said, was doing the play-by-play. Joe Testor wasn't there. Dana White's involvement in the fight, so people know, is purely in assisting Turkey Al-Shake, who has

been the engine behind just about every big fight in boxing over the last handful of years. He's assisting Turkey in a personal capacity, not as a promoter. The way I read this, the way I listened to this, the way I digested this was, someone was telling Max, hey, let's put this out there, smooth this over, let's try to make this right, we need to move on. There's a press conference to be had on Wednesday. There's a photo shoot to be had on Tuesday. say, let's just try to say he's not the promoter, he's just helping out. The problem with that is

no one, it seemed, gave Dana that memo, or it just seemed Dana wasn't really all that happy with the way that was being characterized. And so then Dana White shows up to the Post-Five press conference. Johnny Fisher wins. You have the event. All is well and good. And you can see off the jump, off the jump. He knows what's coming. He knows what's going to be asked of him, and he seems in a little bit of an ordinary mood. And maybe it was because the main event wasn't amazing, or maybe it was because he was getting a little bit annoyed, that at that point, on Saturday evening, Eddie and the matchroom side were saying, we are not proceeding if he's involved. Because in their contract, it states, Zufa boxing cannot be involved, cannot be promoter of the event. what I was told was it does not explicitly say Dana White, and that's an issue.

Now, one could read that as, like, Zufa Boxing is Dana White. He's affiliated with Zufa Boxing, but maybe it should have said explicitly. I don't know, but that's the issue. That's basically the issue. And there are other issues. He talked about the drug testing and whatnot, but I think all of that is resolvable. Eddie Hearn does not want Dana White involved in this event. Turkey Al-Shake wants Dana White involved in this event.

TKO slash UFC, Craig Borsar, sorry Zach andita. They're producing the event. They're not going to kick Dana out and keep producing it. Dana won't let them do that. There's a loyalty thing at play here. Turkey has picked Dana, Nick Con, TKO. That's who they've picked. Eddie is saying, all right, you want the glory, you want to promote this,

and you want my guy to be involved, and then you want to take credit for it when I've been trying to make this fight happen for 10 years, knowing that there are two sides that needed to make this fight happened, not just our side. It's not like a UFC fight that we can just put on ourselves. We need another side to agree. And this other side has been difficult and we've been difficult and all that stuff. And oh, by the way, there's a larger war at stake here. It's not, see, everyone's focusing on AJ Fury. There's a bigger war here. There's the war for boxing supremacy.

And Eddie's viewing this. It just so happens. And it's actually a benefit to us that this fight needs to be made right now. Netflix wants it to be made right now, thus accelerating the war between Zufa and Matrum. If this fight wasn't being made, this thing wouldn't have moved so quickly. But because they need his guy, he's saying I'm not going to relent. And oh, by the way, I probably don't need the money, let's be honest.

And Aegee doesn't need the money. And so I could dig my heels in. And thus we are seeing a situation where Dana can't just muscle his way into making a fight. They can't use the tactics that they usually use, which is like we're going to give it to someone else, which is what they tried to do with Mike Coppager. They have to kind of sit there and eat it and figure it out.

And so then we get to the press conference on Saturday, and here's Dana's opening statements when asked about the state of the fight. You've been attached to some of the promotional material ahead of the upcoming big fight in Cardiff between Anthony Joshua and Fury. What's your role in the event and what's your thoughts on it being in Cardiff? Have I not answered this question 257,000 times? The same as it was yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. Now, the interesting thing, about the way in which he answered that question is things have changed, obviously. I mean, even the way it said collaboration in the press release, assisting Turkey-Ale-Shake.

This is inconsistent with what he said. So maybe he did answer this question 257,000 times, but it has evolved. Literally three hours prior on the broadcast, there's Max Kellerman saying he's just assisting. He's not the actual guy. He's not the brains behind it. He's not the promoters. He's assistant. So it was a very fair question to ask him in that moment.

And it is worth noting, as I noted in the moment, and I was one of the first to note it, the press in attendance on Saturday, the boxing media in attendance, and in particular the UK media, and boxing is so much more popular in the UK than it is here. And so they deserve that kind of media, and the media on Saturday, if you watch, was really on point. They did a phenomenal job. And look, they didn't ask hard-hitting questions. They asked pointed questions. They asked pointed questions. They asked, the type of questions that you should be asking someone of his stature in a moment like this where there's all kinds of confusion, where there's all kinds of hysteria over a massive fight, it wasn't the type of questions they were asking, it was that they weren't afraid to keep asking, to ask follow-ups, to not back down, to not get blindsided or distracted by Dana's tactics of not answering questions, taking questions to a left turn. They did a great job. And as I tweeted on Saturday, they probably asked better questions in that 17-minute press conference

than the questions that we've heard in the last six years of UFC press conferences. Now, I don't want to rag on the media that try really hard and that go to all these events. But you do have to understand that, number one, the media that show up to these UFC press conferences aren't the best of us. So I see boxing people saying, like, oh, we're not the same. Another win for boxing media versus MMA media, because this is the first time they really get to deal with Dana White. We've been dealing with Dana White for 25 years. And so, number one, the vast majority of the best MMA media members don't go to these press conferences. So you're comparing yourself to like, you know, sycophant, boot liquor content creators.

Not all of them, but the vast majority of them. And then the ones that do go from time to time, we'll ask questions. But when they do ask hard-hitting questions, they'll get their hand slapped, they'll be put in time out. they'll get bullied, they'll get intimidated, all that stuff and more. And so the vast majority of the good ones, the vast majority of the ones that work for this site and the top sites say, nah, not worth it. What are we getting out of this? They don't go.

And so, yes, you did ask great questions. You did ask great follow-ups. But stop the comparison to the MMA media because the top MMA media members aren't showing. I'm not even talking about myself. I'm talking about the names that you all know and love. They're not showing up to those press conferences. That being said, they could have bowed down. They could have rolled over like we see week in and week out at the,

UFC press conferences, and we didn't see that on Saturday. They asked all the great questions. Another question that I love, and it was great stuff. It was highly entertaining. It was deadpan direct questions. For example, this one, what did you think of Johnny Fisher's performance, and why did you sign Johnny Fisher? Take a listen.

What did you make of Johnny Fisher's performance today, and why did you sign him to Zipha-Boxing? I love that one. Obviously, a dominant performance by him. He got tired in the last three rounds, but yeah, dominant performance. They were coming at him. There was something about the tone in which that media member, and I'm sorry, I don't know all their names, said, like, why did you sign this guy?

You paid him over a million dollars solely to try to take something away from Eddie Hearn? He didn't answer the question. That was a theme throughout this. He's then asked about the chances of A.J. Fury happening. The whole country rejoiced when that fight was announced this week. But last night and overnight, it feels like the fight might not be happening. As you sit here now, is that fight going to happen in December? That I don't know.

That I don't know. Could you give us a percentage on how you feel on that fight? Oh, percentage? Well, the guy who's supposed to be helping the fight has been hurting the fight the entire time. He hasn't done the fight any favors. Let's put it that way. But we'll see.

So he hasn't done the fight any favors. This stems from the fact that Eddie is saying, we signed a contract, which states, this fight has to be in the UK, and we don't want Zoufa boxing promoting it. And so Dana's interpretation of this is you're hurting the fight. You don't want it to happen. And Eddie continues to say, we're just sticking with what we sign. We're just adhering to what we agreed to.

How is that hurting the fight? A clip has resurfaced, and Andy, I'm sorry. Sorry for jumping, but it makes sense to bring this here. From December 28, 2016, this is before the Amanda Nunes Ronda Rousey fight. Here's Dana White talking about contracts, about living up to words, about adhering to what you sign on for. Take a look. But honor your deal. I have to honor all my deals.

Imagine if I didn't honor a deal, you guys would be fucking all over me, man, right? Oh, my God, he didn't honor that deal with this guy. And so is Dana trying to get him to not honor his deal? Because that's what it seems like to me, because what he agreed to, and no one has refuted this, UK, no Zufa boxing. I understand Turkey Alshake is the money. He's the backing. Ultimately, I can understand someone being like, yo, man, Turkey's paying for this. Just take a step back.

You're getting paid a boatload of money. But Eddie's position is, I agree to this. And you guys agree to what I agree to as well. Now you're starting to hear about different contracts and I sign on for this and I took this out and I took. But ultimately, I don't know how you could sit there and say he's trying to ruin the fight. He's trying to make the fight not happen in the end. He's then asked Dana White about Max Kellerman's comments. Max Kellerman trying, and I think he was advised to say this, trying to smooth things over,

trying to get everyone to calm down. Here's what Dana had to say. Max Kellerman said on the broadcast tonight that you won't be working the fight as a promoter, but you'll be helping Turkey Ella Shake on, I think he said, on a personal level. I don't know where that came from, yeah. That was weird.

At this point, Dana White, as they like to say in the UK, having an absolute mayor, having a horrible time up there. You could see it coming. You could see it boiling over. You could see it bubbling in him. He is getting hit left and right. His own broadcast.

Could you imagine if that was being said on a UFC broadcast? He doesn't have quite the same control of this whole thing as he did in the heyday of the UFC. His own broadcast is putting out something else. And he's then going out saying, nah, no, no, no, no. We're sticking to the original plan. I'm the boss.

And then a young reporter for the son, Jack Figg, has his moment with Dana White, where Dana tries to intimidate and bully him and deflect and distract, and Jack stands there in the pocket and doesn't, to his credit, like doesn't ask any groundbreaking, earth-chattering stuff, but just asks proper follow-ups and doesn't back down. It was tremendous to watch. Take a look.

Eddie Hearns being quite consistent in saying that there's a clause in age. Eddie He says lots of things. He does, indeed, but he says that there's a closing contract. Keeps on going. That says no Zoof, no TCO, no Dana White. You've always been quite consistent in the past if a fight. has a contract, you won't mess with them. Were you aware of this contract or that,

um, detail in AJ's contract? Yeah. Am I trying to sign Anthony Joshua? I don't know. Have you seen anywhere, anybody reporting that I've tried to sign Anthony Joshua? I suppose he's saying, it's not about signing there. Dana loves to do this. If you give him me out, he did it with John Pollock and the leash comment in Toronto.

If you give him the out to, to take this in a different direction because, look, it's easy for me to nitpick here. I'm not sitting in front of Dana West. the way in which I think Jack should have asked that question is like, what's the truth? What's the truth? Not the trying to sign AJ thing. And so that was an easy out for Dana to be like, have you seen me try to sign AJ? Have you seen any reports of me trying to sign AJ?

In that moment, Jack could have crumbled. He could have cowered. He did not. Jack, by the way, a former amateur boxer who's been in there, who's actually taken shots, who's, you know, look at this Twitter page. And I spoke to him briefly when we were trying to compile our team for on crown two years ago, highly respect for him, highly respected guy and I have a lot of respect for him, stood in the pocket, so to speak, and kept on going. It was brilliant. Take a look.

Being involved in the fight, he said it can't have any outside involvement from anyone else. Were you aware of this? Is this need... We're promoting the fight right now. But that's what he's trying to contest. And what I've said 150,000 times, I don't know if I've ever known anybody who's more full of fucking shit than Eddie Hearn. If... I'm not answer.

But if you're getting upset, when, who, whatever. If your involvement. This guy is full of fucking shit. I've been saying the same thing since way back when, and here we are. But if your involvement hinges on the fight happening or not, would you be willing to step back and just say you guys sort of that? Amazing question. Well, that's not up to me. That's not up to me.

I'm involved in the fucking fight. Who's it up to then? I don't know. Take Lshan. I don't know. Got him. I know what you're doing. Now he's,

your lead question? You fucking know. What the lead question? It's a father. Oh, really? Did you just get here? Hi, welcome to boxing. Look at the way the voice is cracking.

From across the street with your cell phone and you don't know anything about this sport or what's going on and who the fuck are you and how'd you end up in this? But no one in this room needs to know what's going on with the fight and who's involved and. Oh. You have any other questions that are relevant to this evening or anything else? 10-9 Jack Fing. Yeah, great. And look at Jack asking about Conner Ben in that moment. Quick on his feet.

Fucking brilliant. Fucking brilliant. Bravo, Jack. Bravo fucking Vo. Did you just get here? No. I've been covering this sport for 10 years. Who's telling you?

Who's the guy? Dana can't say that. Dana White is going to take orders from shake turkey. Only guy on the planet that refers to him as shake turkey. He's not going to admit to that. Who wants you to be? involved. If it's such a big deal to you and the company for this fight to happen, why don't you take a step back? And you know what I don't understand about all of this? Dana White doesn't need

this. Dana White is a multi, multi, multi millionaire, even perhaps a billionaire at this point. He doesn't need this. He built a freaking company. He built a company that is more successful than Matchroom is. He can walk away from all of this and be like, you fucks deal with this. I don't want this. Dana White has no connection to AJ or Fury. What does he need this glory for? I don't understand. He's got his great UFC product that he built into a behemoth. He's got his slap fighting. He's got his SLS. He's got his other things. Why does he need something to be wedged in there for him so that he could stand there and say, I made this happen? Here's the thing. If the shoe was on the other foot, if there was a fight of epic proportions that was trying to be made in the world of UFC, let's say

Connor McGregor versus Chabhueh and Magamagamatov. And let's say Connor had a deal with Eddie Hearn. And Eddie Hearn wanted to wedge himself in there and take the glory and be up there at the press conference and stand in between them when they were doing the face off. How do you think Dana would react to that? He would say, you motherfucker have nothing to do with this. Get your fucking ass out of here. He would do the exact same thing that Eddie's trying to do. You have nothing to do with this. You're not the money behind it.

You didn't make the fight happen. You didn't negotiate the deals. You didn't negotiate the venue. What do you have to do with this? Just so you could stand there and go, who has the first question? and offer nothing so you could get them on Pat McAfee's show, your whole machine that you built can do all of that. Do you have that big of an ego?

I know the answer to this, that you need to be up there, you could very easily take a step back and be like, you know what, it ain't worth it. I don't need this shit. I'll go back to promoting Zufa boxing. It's not even a Zuba boxing event. It's a ring event. And I'll go back to promoting UFC and all my other endeavors

and we'll be good. I don't need this shit. I don't want it. I'm worth billions of dollars. God bless. But for some reason, he can't lose. He can't take the L on this one. And so it continues. And so when he tries to say that there's only one guy trying to fuck this up, don't be mistaken. There's another guy as well because he could easily back out. You think he calls up Turkey and goes like, yo, man, I don't need this. It's all good. You think he's going to force him? I doubt it.

I highly doubt it. Anyway, it continues. He's now asked about another question and he takes it in a completely different direction. This was the theme of the press conference. We continue. What's your message to fans who would have booked hotels on the assumption this fight was announced for December 11th and now we're hearing that it might not happen. What's your message to the fans? I don't know. We'll see how this thing plays. Listen, Eddie Hearn will probably do 652,000 interviews in the next three hours. So I'm sure he'll answer a lot of those questions for you. You said there was more money if this fight went to New York. Not missing a beat. Why did it end up in called it.

Well, great question. If Eddie Hearn really cared about this fucking fight, first of all, that fight would happen fucking a long time ago, number one.

Tyson's not an Eddie fighter. He could finance the thing himself. I mean, I said this a million times. Need a broadcaster. Finance to fight yourself. Fucking sell tickets. Cut a TV deal and sell the fight.

You said recently that this fight makes more money if it's in New York at MSG. Why is it happening in Cardiff? Well, if Eddie heard, like what? You're not answering any of the questions. Completely losing it here. It was wild to see.

By the way, Dana White, people act like Dana White has never been asked a tough question or two. I'm sorry, I don't want to give myself the old Barry H. But I've been there before. It just, he ain't asked questions of this nature these days. It's been a hell of a long time. And I think he forgot what it's like to be under a little bit of fire. He lost control.

He lost control. He was dying inside. That flight back must have been an absolute nightmare for him. Finally, though, he was given a bit of a break. A good question was asked. And look at the time. I'm embarrassed to say how many times I watched this because it was fascinating to watch it all unfold.

Look at the time in which he takes to just sort of, a bit of a break. The onslaught is paused. Take a listen. Ever since Zootfor boxing started, you've repeated this phrase. Judge us on our body of work at the end of the year. We're in September at the moment going into October.

We've had 11 shows with the 12 being announced. So far, so good in my eyes. How many more shows do you think we can get before the end of the year? Hmm. That's a good question. Finally. Finally a good question. I don't know.

We're so good about that question. How many shows by the end of the year you think we knock out? What a great question. There you go. At least three more. There you go. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Finally a good question. Dana, how many more events this year? Fuck. Finally a good question. finally one where I'm not having my feet held to the fire here and being battered with all these questions. But it continues. Hey, Dana, remember when you did a FaceTime call with Turkey?

What does he make of all of this, this craziness? He's been relatively quiet as far as the media is concerned. What does he make of all this? Surely this came up in your conversation that you posted the screenshot of on Friday evening? Surely that was discussed. Take a look. What's Turkey-A-Lashik's opinion on this?

This whole thing with AJ and Fury and the kind of debate with Eddie Hearn over a view should be involved. What's his opinion? You'd have to ask him that. Okay, fair. You don't want to speak for him. I would I know what shake turkey's opinion is on anything. Well, okay, then you probably asked him. It seemed to you posted like a FaceTime with you last night.

Very good follow up. Phenomenal. You know, you'd be involved with the fight and Eddie pushing back on that. Do you know this guy? Did you guys walk over here together? Nothing to say. Nothing to say, so he goes back to the other dude. I've been talking about this thing for months.

I'm assuming everybody would know what Turkey's opinion is on this thing, but I'm not going to speak for shake turkey on anything you guys can call him and ask him that. Yeah, I'm sure he's going to call him up and ask him. You'll get right on that. Why does he still call him shake turkey? Only one on the planet! You posted a screenshot of you talking to him in the midst of Mouthpiece Mike's tweets about David Benavides fighting Tyson Fury and Ryan.

Garcia fighting Terrence Crawford. You don't think this came up? What were you guys talking about? Huh? What were you talking about? The Johnny Fisher fight? What were you talking about? Hey, boss. How's things? How's the Blue Orchid? Is that what you were talking about? Great follow-up. Amazing follow-up. More questions, more deflections. Take a look. One of the issues that came up the other week was Eddie referenced one of the issues in the two contracts was Tyson Fury hadn't started drug testing, whereas Anthony Joshua had, there was a discrepancy

over the dates, just how was that allowed to happen? Phenomenal question. One of the issues that came up the other week was Eddie referenced one of... Sometimes he has to read the whole thing, and I knew discrepancy would trip him up. The issues in two contracts was Tyson Fear hadn't started drug testing, whereas Joshua... He's thinking of the answer

here, by the way. There was a discrepancy over the dates... You've got to read this whole thing, but previously you then? Just how that was allowed to happen. It's a brilliant thing they've set up from. Yeah. That I don't know. You'd have to ask Tyson's camp about that. Yeah, Dana, I just wondered as a boxing promoter in the UK now, that if this fight was to capitulate, would it be generally bad for business, do you think? Capitulate. Capitulate.

You know, casual fans and fans that maybe turn their back on boxing already. Capitulate's a nightmare of a word. Would it be generally bad for the business? Do you think in a sport trying to caught Do you know casual fans And fans that may be turning their back on boxing already? What do you mean by that? Like this whole thing is turning people off?

If it doesn't happen from this point, I'm tired of it, I can imagine. Can you imagine normal fans? Yeah, casual fans? I do. Hotels, they're all sold up. It's pretty crazy. The guy who is actually heavily invested in this fight

and he and his client are supposed to make a shitload of money off this fight is the one who is hurting it. Okay, you see that right there. At that point, they cut, Molly Karam comes on, like that, right there. We'll be back right after this. And I'm watching it on the feed on Paramount Plus. And I'm thinking, well, that's a weird time. It's like, it's clearly not over.

Why are they cutting? And then all of a sudden, I see an answer that I didn't hear. And I'm like, wait a second, where did this come from? This is a different press conference. And so then I go on the seconds out feed, and I see him being asked about who booked Cardiff, because you told us in Bournemouth back in June, June 6, I believe, you told us that you booked, you did the deal. Call Eddie, find up, find out what he knows, or if he knows, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Well, then surely you did the same for Cardiff, because you're the guy, right? I saw that clip, but I didn't see it when I was watching it. Go on the seconds out feed, and I see. that the portion that they took out from the live feed was this exact question, this question right here, because then I left it on Paramount Plus, it's commercial, it's commercial, it's commercial,

and then they go back to Dana, and then you get the end. I was like, whoa, was that all about? They took this part out. Clearly it was a little bit ahead, and they cut to a break, and for whatever reason, didn't want this part to air.

Maybe not, you know, they didn't want them to look bad, I don't know, and then they went back when the coast was clear and the thing wrapped up like 45 seconds later. Anyway, brilliant question here. Dana, Shirley, you booked MSG.

You had to have done Cardiff, right? Take a listen. You said that you originally did the deal for the location of the fight. That was when it was moved to be MSG, New York. Is the Cardiff Principality Stadium fight the deal that you did for the location of the fight? Yeah, interesting question. This is a man who has been stumped. What should I say?

How do I frame this? This is the part they cut out. Did I do the deal for Cardiff? Yes. Is that the question? Yeah, that's the question. I mean, did I call and negotiate the deal? No, I did not.

Wow. Whispered that joint right there. Does it matter? I mean, yeah, it does. Who gives a shit? Who gives a shit, Frank? If it happens, it's going to be in Cardiff. You know, supposedly British fans want this fight.

supposedly and the UK it's alleged they got it the end of the day the group of people that are involved in this thing you're supposed to figure out how to create enough revenue where everybody makes money and then you put on fights that fans want to see um yes that's the job that's all the guys that are involved that's the job that's supposed to get done but you got one guy oh who isn't helping Same old. Frankie, he hit us with a. Who gives a shit? In real time.

I love it. And we almost lost it. They cut it out. You know, it's interesting as he talks about that. It's like, we're not talking about Wang Tong versus Natalia Silva here. We're talking about a fight that sells itself. If there's ever been a fight that sells itself with two unbelievably charismatic human beings who hate each other, who come from the same place, who have been doing this dance for 10 years,

it's AJ and Fury. Let's be honest. We don't need Max Kellerman up there. We don't need Dana up there. We don't need Turkey up there. We don't need Nick Con up there. We don't need Eddie up there. Frank Warren.

Put those two guys up there by themselves and they'll sell the shit out of this. In fact, don't even do a single thing and they'll sell the shit out of this. Just with their presence alone. Just with one photo shoot alone. No, we don't need any of these people involved. That's the truth. They're larger than life superheroes. And he's trying to be like, oh, look, you know, it's on us, putting, you know, we've got to put it all together and this and that.

This ain't that fight. But he can't tell you anything about that fight. He has no idea about Fury's legacy and history and AJ's legacy in history. No clue. And oh, by the way, in case you're wondering why that clip is so important and pertinent, it's because a little over three months ago in Bournemouth, shout out to the Cherries, there's Dana White, acting all tough saying, I know where this fight is happening and no one else does. You don't know.

Eddie doesn't know. No one knows. I did the deal. You didn't do the deal. deal and just watch what happens in the next 30 days. By the way, 30 days after June 6th, if my math is correct, would be July 6th. Here we are September 28th and nothing's happened. Take a look. You've said for the last few weeks that you're promoting the Joshua Fury fight, Eddie Horton, Frank Warren and Fury's manager Spencer Brown have all said that's not part of the

contract. Are they all lying? This is pre-AI screen. Here he thinks he has them by the balls. Have they announced where that fight is? No. Hmm. You think it was Cardiff? I know where it is. Where is it? Principality.

I know the answer to this. If you are the lead promoter for the show, are they involved? Would they be part of the promotion? Are they at the fights? I just told this young lady here, watch what happens over the next 30 days. They specifically said that the contract states that Zoofer Boxing... This dude's doing a great job here.

You think that I would publicly lie? and then look like a fucking idiot in front of everybody so do you believe that do you believe that I would? I don't know if you would. What would be the point of that? Again, deflecting. I was lying everybody.

I got you. Right? What would be the point of that? Are they going to look silly? Paul Eddie right now and ask him if he knows where the fight is. Oh. Are they going to look silly once? Call Eddie and ask him who negotiated the contract for the fight.

It gets better every time. Wasn't him? It gets better every friend. freaking time. And here we are, three and a half months later, Dana's saying, I didn't do the deal. You think I would lie? I didn't do the deal. By the way, you may notice that in every one of his interviews, he loves to talk about how he loves Frank Warren and Frank Warren's a real man and all this stuff. Frank Warren has nothing to do with this fight. Frank Warren gets a percentage if the fight happens because of his longstanding deal with Tyson Fury. He's not involved in any of this. And that's

not me trying to diminish Frank Warren. He loves him because he's not involved, because he's not getting in the way. It's an insane thing. And so that's where we stand. Actually, I could tell you this, based on the conversations that I heard were transpiring since Saturday, I know for a fact that Netflix is trying to mediate. Netflix wants to make this happen. It's a massive fight. It's good for business. Combat sports, boxing, the one-MMA event, it's been great for them. Subs, viewership, all that and more. And there's no bigger fight that you can make right now than this one. certainly not on a worldwide scale. They're trying to figure it out.

They want to move on. It's dragging. But I do know that, and who could blame them, like, there's got to be people there being like, okay, guys, figure this out. Enough is enough is enough. Can we move on? Can you guys get this in order? Like, this is just a little bit too crazy.

We announced it. Then it's off. It's on. It's on. It's off. It's on. What's going on? And so my understanding was there was a deadline place last night.

it feels to me like there's great optimism that it's moving forward. Everyone that I've talked to is sharing that optimism. Some are saying done deal, the storm has passed. Others are saying there's still a few more issues. The hope is that the press conference can happen on Wednesday and that the photo shoot that they were planning on Tuesday can happen as well. And these are important things. In particular, the latter, the photo shoot.

You need to start promoting. You need to start selling. You need to start going to market and getting advertisers and all this stuff. You can't just turn on the lights on December 10th and say, all right, I guess we're going to do this damn thing. But the hope is and the optimism and the feeling is that they're in a good spot, that they're in the red zone, so to speak. And there's other people who feel like they're all the way there. Fine. We're going to find out very, very soon.

Maybe even as soon as today, we will find out. definitely I think by tomorrow because if it doesn't happen tomorrow if this photo shoot doesn't happen tomorrow I think we'll be in a tough spot in the end I still feel like it happens in the end I still feel like December 11th happens based on all my conversations

the sentiment that I'm receiving I think it's going to happen and we'll find out will Dana be at the presser on Wednesday I'd be surprised will he be there on Fight Week that's a big question

that remains to be seen will they be promoting it of course and Netflix and everyone involved should want TKO to promote it because they've got UFC, they've got WWE, they've got all these entities, these megaphones that they could get the word out there. So they should want that involved. Dana not involved maybe makes them promote less, but Turkey's involved and he owns 60%. As I said at the top, there are so many players in this. It's fascinating. A book needs to be written about this fight and you could do the whole book just on the last nine months alone.

As of right now, I think it happens and will know in the next next. few hours if that presser happens. And that's going to be must-see TV on Wednesday if, in fact, it does happen. Everyone wants it to happen. Everyone is moving towards it happening. The question is, how are they going to get over this big issue, which is Dana White's involvement in all of this? And I can understand people being like, come on, get over it, move on.

But I could also understand the thought of like, hey, there's a bigger story here. There's a bigger war here. If I roll over, they win. and that's a huge dub because let's be honest Eddie's he's playing a very interesting game right now he won on Thursday

the public said he won he got them to move it back to the UK he's the king of the UK he did it for the people Union Jack he wins if for whatever reason the plug is pulled the sentiment will go from

you're a hero you're a man of the people to your ego got involved who ultimately cares now for his business he cares because it's personal, because it's his business, it's a sport that his sport that his dad got into and built the company off of and all that stuff and more. He cannot let this guy stand up there

and be like, I put this fight together. I'm the man, I'm the face of boxing promoting. You know Eddie, you know how he thinks. And so he's willing to go all the way. But a big part of it is the fan sentiment. He has won them all the way back. The next time when Eddie shows up to Birmingham on Saturday for the Ben Whitaker fight,

he is going to be cheered loudly. He is going to be beloved. And that's not always the case because he did it for the people. But there's a point there where it now seems like you're doing it for yourself in the eyes of the public. And you have to be able to play that line, skirt that line without going over, without making it seem like you only care about yourself. Hopefully that makes sense. I've talked for long enough. I want to bring in the guys and get their reaction to all of this.

Pizzi, let me ask you, if you're still there. You may have gone to sleep throughout all this. there he is. That was riveting. I love, you do these things every now and again, and I absolutely love them. And that was, that was brilliant. And that press conference is going to everyone behind the scenes as well for helping me all that.

But I do appreciate it. Tell me, tell me, what do you think about all of this? I think the press conference revealed a massive question via Jack Figg, who you've already mentioned, decorated amateur boxer being told he doesn't know anything about boxing. Pretty funny. But really professional guy. like I see him at all kinds of events, head down working. He's not a guy that's trying to like make it via social media or whatever.

He is a straight up journalist. I thought he did a brilliant job. But the question he's asking is, no, he didn't say it in so many words. But what he's saying is, why does Dana Hoyt need to be involved in this? Why are you here? You know? And Dana can kind of say supposedly UK people want this in the UK. They absolutely did.

Like 100%. It's been talked about ad nauseum. since this was announced and the possibility of MSG, worst kept secret in the world there for a while, like that's what they were trying to do. That was a real thing. Eddie Hen needs to be involved in this fight because he is Anthony Joshua's promoter.

He is his manager. I mean, Jack asked a really good question. If you're getting in the way of this fight, can you remove yourself? Because what else is he here? Honestly, I'm genuinely asking. It's a question that is worth asked, and I wonder how he's,

he would say it. And in response, I think that he would say, he was sort of asked of him like, hey, like, who's it up to, right? And that's when he got mad. I think the ultimate thing is Turkey, by posting that picture is saying, this is my guy, this is my squad, this is my team, I'm backing these guys. And if you're backing these guys, meaning TKO and Zufa boxing, who are you backing? You're backing Dana White.

But it's not necessary. Oh, of course it's not necessary. but it's also like, hey, Eddie, F you, I'm on his team, not on your team anymore. Hey, Frank, F you, I'm on his team, not your team. So how else do you send that message is by putting the guy they all hate up front? Of course, he adds literally nothing to this. Now, I'm not saying TKO adds nothing. I'm not saying, like, the whole machine adds nothing.

I'm saying he adds nothing to this. Like, he'll do a few interviews, he knows nothing of their history. Jim Rome will have him on here in the U.S. Pat McAfee will have him on. He'll go on with Shannon Sharp. You can put A. Jane Fury on those shows, and it'll do just as fine. It'll do just as well.

But they believe that he should be the guy because he's the guy when it comes to the front-facing promoter of this whole entity. And that's why they're digging their heels in. It's ridiculously petty, though. I mean, at this point, we're talking about a press conference is not going ahead because he might be there.

This is the biggest fight. The battle for Britain, the fight we wait for 10 years. And the whole thing might be canceled because he's at the press conference. Like, And so whose side are you on? Are you on the side of like, hey, just let him go up there. I'm on the side of the foy happening.

Okay, but listen, the fight Eddie is saying, in my contract it says, Zufa boxing can't be involved and he is Zufa boxing. So are you on the side of like, yo, man, you're going to get paid, you got it over the line, you're in the UK, you're a hero, or are you on the side of like, yo, stick to your guns on this one? It's easy. Listen, I agree with you. I want the fight to happen too. But if I'm trying to take like an actual business approach to all of this,

I understand where he's coming from, and I also understand where they're coming from, and the pettiness knows no bounds, and they're both digging their heels in because you're dealing with alpha males, Pizzi. You're dealing with Eddie Hearn, Dana White, Turkey Al-Shake, like,

none of them are going to take no for an answer. And that's part of the problem here. Yeah, we're absolutely bullocks. I think we're going to figure it out. Rick, what do you say? I'm ultimately on the side of, if Eddie takes a step back for a second, Dana being there will be good for business as well, right?

Like despite the fact that you are giving up an inch, right? Because you don't want to be able to, you want to be able to hold it over him and be like, you are not involved in this. At the end of the day, there will be many future events and Dana White is going to be involved in many of them. For this one, if you give that little inch, it's going to turn this fight into a mega thing. And not only that, you have some opportunities to kind of play a little bit. And maybe you think if the verbal sparring happens, that, you know, you know, He's not going to be allowed.

You can win. He's not going to be allowed. Trust me, I agree with you to the sense in the sense of like, put both of them up there. You want the most eyeballs? Put both of them. That's what I'm saying. Dana won't allow it. Zufa won't allow it.

TKO won't allow it. Then Turkey won't allow it. And guess what? DeZone won't allow it. He's the guy. So like, it's the same reason why he wasn't up there with AJ and Jake, Katie and Amanda. So he can't be up there. Let's be honest.

Rick, you know, like, if it was Eddie and Dana up there, it would be like a 10-6. Yeah. But it would be amazing theater. and we would love it and we would break it all down. He can't be up there. And so does he dig in and say like, all right, fine, just go ahead or does he fight tooth and nail? He can't be up there, but neither can Dana.

Okay, so you're saying fight tooth and nail? No, I'm saying both of them should give in. Make it a spectacle. Dana up there, Eddie up there. Just do that. We're speaking with this casualness of like, ah, come on, man, like just let him go up there. And then the fight will happen.

From Eddie's standpoint, it's just like, man, we agreed to a contract, just leave Dana out. Why does Dana and TKO have to have involvement? Just leave them out, dude, and then the fight will go on. Both of them have the argument of either just let them up there, man, or just leave him out, and then the fight will happen. And so, by the way, just for the record, I understand what you're saying. I'm not saying that. I'm saying, this is what people are saying, like, yo, man, enough already. Like, you got what you wanted. It's in the UK. Wasn't that what this was all about? But honestly, in Eddie's defense, again, like, it wasn't just about the UK thing. He wanted that.

them not to have Dana involved because that's what he says he fought for. Now, was there a mistake? Did he not have Dana's name in the contract? I guess we'll never know. Maybe to him Zufa boxing was Dana. I don't know. PTSS, why does he need to be there? When Eddie Hearn gets asked about it throughout the last several months, he has a clear explanation of they are in the contract and they cannot take part in this. They are not in the contract.

They cannot be a part of this fight. They will not be a part of this fight. When Dana gets asked about it, he's just like, I'm involved in the fucking fight. All right? I'm involved in it. And it's just like, you don't give any real explanation there. So I'm on the side of Eddie Hearn, just digging his heels in and sticking to his guns. What do you guys think?

Well, if it was a possibility, like Rick was saying that they both be up there, that'd be great. But as soon as you're removed, but the fact that you take, the zone will not let Eddie up there, why do this shit then? Then what even is the taking part in it? Is it just him sitting next to Turkey on fight night? Is that it? That's my feeling, too. Give him a fucking pass for the night and have him sit there. Like, it's not like he's going to do anything.

It's like Zuckerborg and Volcanovsky's corner. That's what it is. TKO is going to, they're going to produce this whole thing. It's their show. The reason, I said this in my video on Thursday, the reason why it's not a Zufa boxing show like Ryan Garcia, Connor Ben was, is because Zufa boxing is exclusive to Paramount Plus. So Connor Ben versus Ryan Garcia was on Paramount Plus.

That was a Zufa boxing show. Tyson Fury, Arsumbek Mahmoudov, was also produced by them, but it was a ring card because that was on Netflix. So this is a Netflix fight. It can't be Zufaboxing, but they're all doing it behind the scenes. They're all producing it. Not in like a secret way.

It's just a brand thing. It's just like an exclusivity thing. And so if you're going to have the team promote it, market it, produce it, you want the guy in front. I understand that as well. He's the guy that they've anointed it. We may not think he is who he once was and throws the same type of heat that he once did,

but that's the guy that they believe is the best at this in the world. And they're digging their heels in and saying, we're paying, turkey in them, we're producing, we're marketing, we're advertising. We want our guy up there. Fair play. I mean, that's a good argument to have them up there.

That's what they should be saying when they get asked. Why do you need to be involved? Not just like, I'm in the fucking fight. He doesn't know how to say this because, like, I think he's lost all the ability to verbalize all. It was a masterclass on Saturday. I could watch that 10 times over. Eddie has a great reason for him for him not to be. That's a great reason for him to be up there.

But Eddie has a great reason for him not to be. They have to, somebody has to give in this scenario, right? Otherwise, we're going to be at an impasse and we're going to lose everything. Can I ask you guys this? Do you agree with the sentiment that if this was an MMA fight and someone was trying to wedge their way into it? And I know the sport is different in the way it's structured. Dana would be the first one to say, who the F are you? You have nothing to do with this.

You have, like, you have absolutely nothing to do with this whatsoever. You should not be here. And he would win. He would be dead right. He would be dead right. Yeah. Say that. And yet.

Eddie keeps using the comparison of, imagine if WWE was doing WrestleMania and Saudi Arabia and they're like, oh, guess what? Eddie Hearn's going to be the one promoting it. Everyone would be like, why the fuck is he there? Jake Paul weighed in on this guys with a very interesting tweet, I thought. This is Saturday from Jake Paul. If I sign up for a big budget movie and make it clear, I don't want to work with a specific producer. like say a Harvey Weinstein. I wonder why he used him of all people.

That was interesting. He's got a pretty bad rep. You can't after the fact just try and coerce me into working with him. That's basically the situation Anthony Joshua is in. He's ready to make the movie on the terms he signed up for. Now, I'm sure they knew to a degree. Again, they're producing it. They're the ones putting it on.

But Eddie has a lot of power in all of this. He's got half the fight. He's got half the fight. Tyson is trying to like 1% this and that You know what's the most amazing thing about Tyson right now And all this? Like he's the one saying these money hungry sausages and rats And all this stuff meanwhile

He's taking the opportunity to sell his new ferocity energy drink The cans are like all in the foreground He's selling this thing another energy drink by another fighter While he's trying to like look at the shot like what is it's glass It's glass I need I need some ferocity, honestly. As he's trying to tell everyone that they're money hungry and this and that, he's like, yeah, let me put these right here.

Ango and Peach looks fantastic. I need to. What a. Absolutely. Yes. I was like you, I listened to this many times because it was very entertaining. And to be fair, to Dana, all his press conferences as of late, I've been for her. Not like, you know, just to watch.

This thing with the numbers, the hyperbole involved. with numbers. It is a tell from him. Which numbers? $652,000. I'll answer this, 257,000 times. Then he says,

I told you 150,000 times that Eddie Heron is a piece of year. And then finally, as G.C. just said, 652,000 times. I've been asked this question. It is a massive tell if he was a poker player that he is massively frustrated

and agitated by the questions that are coming his way. True or false. Oh, my God. Yeah, I think that's the understatement of the century. I mean, I can't even imagine how he was feeling internally and what that flight home was like. Look, again, we do have to remind the newer media members and viewers. This is not new. He's been frustrated before. It's just the first time in a long time. That is

accurate. It's not the first time ever. They're acting like it's the first time ever. Oh, my God, the first time. No, it's not the first time. It's just the first time in a long time. And yes, when you handpick media that you speak to, when you do interviews with, you know, social media, influencer, YouTube people, you're not going to be asked proper follow-ups. You may be asked one tough question here, but not another and another and another and another. And he's already frustrated at the state of things. He's already frustrated that he can't control this. He's frustrated that Max Kellerman is calling him an assistant on the broadcast. He's frustrated that he can't call up Anthony Joshua and yell at him. Do you know how many times? I was thinking, guys, of, Habib and Eddie UFC, Habib Eddie Connor, UFC 205. You know that infamous clip

of, of Habib going like, why you're not loyal? Why are you not loyal? They were using Habib like an absolute puppet and all of that. When Eddie wouldn't sign

on the dotted line to fight Connor, they were telling Habib, you're going to fight Connor for the interim belt because Eddie wasn't signing it.

Eddie was the actual champion at the time. And then at the very end, the night before the press conference that was supposed to happen in New York, the infamous who the F is that guy press conference, Eddie finally signed. They were meeting at a bar in New York City like a lounge, and he finally signed, somewhat under duress, but he finally signed. And then when I met with Chabee, he's like, why didn't you tell him? And I was trying to tell him. I was trying to tell him that he was

being used. But he didn't like, I guess, what I was telling him, or maybe his manager was telling him something else. They can't do that here. They tried to do it with Coppenter. They tried to get, but this is a totally different world. And so again, they're trying to enter this world like they did back in January, FU WBC, WBA, WBO, FU, Ali, this and that, and they've had to evolve over time and figure out it ain't going to be that easy. In the end,

they will reign supreme. As I've said before, and it's, again, I'll say it. My former agent, a man who I respect tremendously, if Nick is involved, it will succeed. He is the brains behind this operation. Not the front facing, but the backfacing, if you get what I'm saying.

I don't know what the opposite is. Behind the scenes. Behind the scenes. He's involved in the fucking fight. He's the one doing this. He's the one doing this. And if he's involved, it's going to succeed. But they've had to evolve and figure it out. And in this particular case, they're realizing that when you're dealing with a guy like Eddie, who already doesn't like you, and is already getting territorial about the state of things and trying to dig his heels in and not let you take over, he ain't going to roll over.

And this fight amazingly, isn't it amazing guys, that we've been talking about this fight for 10 years and it happens to fall from the. the sky in the midst of this war between Zufa. Like if this was last year, this isn't a thing. If it's two years ago, it's not a thing. It happens to fall in the height of this feud, which makes it all that much more captivating for all of us. I don't want it to end. I hope it never ends.

People are rolling their eyes. I want this to last another year. Give us more of it. It's great. The question I have is, please. Eddie kind of has them with the balls, as you said, because he owns half of this fight with Joshua.

Like, these guys are in it together. He has to play ball to a certain extent with Eddie Aaron. is he at risk of really messing himself up in the aftermath if these guys are trying to put together this new super group of boxing without him? Like, this is all well and good, right? This is the hill he wants to die on this UK. This has to happen in the UK,

and it looks like it's going to happen that way. But do you think there will be severe and heavy retaliation in the aftermath of this? From who? From Ring, the collective, Dana, TKO, Zufo Boxing, all of these guys. Well, look, we've talked about this, right? To a degree.

Like, okay, he may realize that he's about to lose the war so he's going to try to win the battle type of thing. But I've got to be honest, you know, what does Eddie always like to say about Turkey, the king of fuckery? He strikes me as the kind of guy who's not going to hold a grudge. He's going to be like, okay, what's the next fight? If it involves you, let's figure it out. I don't necessarily think Turkey hates all of this, to be honest.

I think there's a very strong chance to be made that the fight is even bigger now. It's more talked about like, well, we're doing an hour and a half deep dive on a 17-minute press conference. That wouldn't be the case if this was all hunky-dory. And so I don't know if he's like lost some big war. He will only eventually lose

if he has no more pieces that the other guys won. And for now he does have pieces. He does have like the Ben Whitakers of the world and other people coming through. Eventually, AJ's going to retire. Katie is now retired. But he's got a pretty damn solid stable.

So I don't even think, Eddie's thinking of it that way. I think he's thinking, I can't let these guys win. And letting them win would be to roll over and do something that I signed against. I think it's going to work out though. Here's my...

What that means, I don't know. Sorry. Here's my big fear, Psi, aftermath-wise, if we're looking at the fallout. This fight has become more exciting from a drama perspective. It's going to get people in the tent. And then if it's an absolute dud, I do feel like there's going to be egg on the face. I feel like there's going to be repercussions. Possible chance, by the way.

It could. It could be a bad fight. They could be dancing around. But I think they're going to load up the card, guys. I really do. Now, Dana was asked about Shakur Stevenson versus Manny Pakiao, and he was told not happening. But there's a chance that Shakur versus someone else,

which would be great. There's also a chance of seeing Kishon Davis against Richardson Hitchens. Here's Shakur going on social media, and you know he doesn't hold back as well, saying don't believe any purse source in boxing. All these guys use per source to spread rumors and give out false information. and let you idiots run with the narrative.

Nothing is done until it's done in the sport of boxing. Hashtag him. He also continued... Dan Rayfield tweets. Zufa Boxing has now contacted PBC to make an offer for Antoine Russell to unify with Chaucor Stevenson. Two seconds later. More from Chakur.

Whole world be ready to turn on me at any time over any little thing. I love it, though. That's why I'm gone. Stay focused and keep showing y'all while I'm the best. Then it's, oh, he's scared of this guy. He's scared of that guy, so I'm scared of everyone in the 35, 40, 47 division. I'm even scared of the 30-pounder fighters who don't fight at 35. This is why Bud Crawford retired.

You people can't appreciate greatness, especially the black culture. Watch this, and this is the facts. Ryan Garcia, let's fight Pipple Cruz fans. That's a banger matchup. Shakur Stevenson, let's fight Pipple Cruz fans. Oh, he wants easy fights. He knows that's easy work. That's why he wants to fight him.

Now, he's also talking in the midst of all this about this, Antoine Russell's story that's playing out as well where they're trying to make this fight happen. Who the hell knows? In the midst of all this, by the way, here's tall glass of milk, Anthony Joshua, in Dubai, just doing the damn thing. Can we acknowledge the fact, guys, that every single person has talked at this point,

except one? He's literally said nothing, this guy. I took to Twitter when I got to know. There's social posts, but that's Twitter. Pick on Snapchat. I guess the Snapchat. I just mean like interviews and stuff like that. Everybody's has.

a monologue on it except for him. Right. Right. I'm surprised Ariel didn't really go in and for his announcement, actually, to be honest. Which one? Which one? The announcement. He has the big union jack there in the back. He's just wearing something that he's told that you're particularly sensitive about, you know what I mean? Can we go back to that one? I must have missed it. What is it? The double-breasted?

No. When are you not meant to wear a white jacket? Ah, post-labor day, that's right. I mean, old photo. It should be called out. Wait, you think this is a new photo? You think he did the free announcement? I think it was pre. That man, that's a post-old. those fashion. What I'm trying to tell you is that's pre-Labor Day, that photo shoot. They're ready to go. You abide by the white Labor Day rule? Petey. I don't have a white jacket. Look how pacey I am.

Yeah. I think it's pants. I think jackets are okay, right? No, you are changing your tune, mate. You and Bruce Bufor are cutting it up about this. You and Bruce Bufor were chinwagon about Labor Day jackets. I know you're just going to flip this on me and tell me it's pants. That's a nice wedding outfit right there. I feel like you could wear that at any point. I'm wearing white pants tomorrow in honor of this. I'd look like a ghoul wearing that air. AJ.

How about AJ? Not that long ago, AJ, like, it seemed like the UK public had turned on him. Now he's the hero as well. If this fight happens, is AJ getting cheered more than Fury because of all of this? Man, their boat loved so much. Like, it's going to be fucking crazy. One thing I'll tell you, I don't think it's going to be the big kumboyat. The Katie Taylor was when they fight.

I think it's going to be. be fucking crazy in the principality if it goes there. Don't you agree? Don't you agree? Like the presser, just have them up there. Could you imagine what the presser would be? Well, that's everyone, right? That's Eddie saying that Eddie's given way there, but he's also showing up.

It's an impossibility, though, you'd say, right? Like that Eddie and Dana would be at this press conference at this stage. Oh, Eddie may be like in the crowd, but he's not going to be up there. And if I were a betting man, I would say, if there's a presser on Wednesday, Dana's not there. that's what I would say. You think he kind of loin this up, like, I'm going to be in England, I'll stay for an extra few days, it's going to be great,

I'll go to the presser, and I was like, nah, go home. Maybe initially. Maybe initially. Can you actually have a bad plane journey if you're on a PJ? You think he's taking the PJ from, where was that? Where was that? London all the way to Vegas. That's a long flight.

Maybe a pit stop in between the A. He's not flying public. You think you stopped by Bournemouth? I would imagine that's not the best fueling station if you're going from London to Vegas, but maybe. Pizzi, did you notice the cherries reference? Yes. I mean, that's a real I-K-Y-K-Y-K. That's a deep-co.

You know what that's about, right? G-C. The Bournemouth football team? Yeah, it's up the cherries. I feel like that's not in I-Y-G-G-I-W. I don't feel like a lot of people know about Bournemouth. Yeah, no, I know. Born-Mond A-F-C?

Dana knows. Yeah. I've spoken plenty about it, man. The lick lips When he was getting sweaty was fantastic Tremendous More on this back end And more on this until December

I'm going to say 15th Because it can't just be like December 12th There's going to be the aftermath And the aftermath and the aftermath We are in for a fun ride And it has been very fun so far Still to come, Raoul Rosa Still to come, Peyton Talbot

But for now, let us go to our next guest what a month this man is having. Not that long ago, September 15th, to be exact, he debuted on Contender Series, he gets a win. Then he gets called and says, hey, do you want to fight 11 days later? And by the way, that win, it lasted just a little over a round. He won in 101 of round two.

Then he says, then they call him up and say, hey, do you want to fight on the fight night card, the one headlined by Roses versus Barcellos. Yeah, sure. Cedric Dumas? Yeah, sure. I mean, the script writes itself. The storyline writes itself. Cops versus Robbers. Tremendous. 57 second submission and then all the celebrations afterwards. By the way, this won't be my first time talking to our next guest. We actually ran into him a year ago, a little over a year ago in the aftermath of the whole fracas with Chris Curtis and the one and only Sean Strickland.

We are talking to Luis Hernandez, who is a member of the, he's a deputy in the Miami-Dade sheriff's office, Sheriff's Office, who's having a phenomenal September and an amazing rookie campaign. He's kind enough to join us right here now to talk about it all. There he is. Hello, Luis. How are you? Good to see you again, my man. How's it going?

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, sir. Can you hear me? I can hear you great. Okay. Are you back home in Miami? Yes, I'm back home. There's a massive delay between us here.

It's almost like you're a war correspondent in Afghanistan or something. I'm not sure why. Let me see if I'm not. I could fix it a little bit. Let me move up a little bit. Maybe it's the area that I'm in. Okay. Are you in your squad car? Possibly. I'm off, off today. But we were just getting some stuff. Okay, got a little bit choppy here. Let's see. Let's see. We're trying to work through it. Can you hear me? Can you hear me now? Yeah, I can hear you. I can hear you perfectly. Can you hear me?

Yes, yes, yes. Okay. Luis, welcome to the program. It's great to have you on, and congratulations on all your success. Can you describe what the last 13 or so days have been like for you? How do you process all of this? It still hasn't hit me. I'm taking it day by day, and, wow, it's just all your dreams just happening in the span of, you know, literally less than two weeks.

And I'm very blessed. I've got to thank God and, you know, this opportunity. And Mick Maynard, for believing. in me and, you know, seeing me a fight and, you know, giving an opportunity to come in and handle business. And so, I heard on the

post-fight press conference that you did that you were more nervous for the contender series fight than your UFC fight, your UFC debut, your technical like UFC debut on Saturday. Can you explain why? It's a job interview. You know, you want to do well. You want to impress the boss. You know, there's people that

fight and they don't get signed. They win and I had a game opponent, you know, six foot four training with DDP and just everything leading up to the fight that I just took right here this Saturday. I was back in the gym and it just made so much sense. I put in the work and I just felt after I got that win in contender, I feel like I'm at home and the nerves are out. You know, walking out, I was like, hey, I know I'm meant to be in the UFC, I know I'm meant to be fighting. Taking a step back, that incident that happened last summer was Sean Strickland and

Chris Curtis brought you a lot of attention. Was there any talk after that of bringing you in? You had one fight in between that in the contender series. I was wondering if there was any talk of bringing you in and capitalizing off of that off the bat. Nothing. Nothing came on that, actually. And the rest is history.

I got one fight in and just waited and everything played out. Everything worked the way it's supposed to did, you know, between getting contender and now fighting 11 days after. And so why just one fight over the course of the past year? I mean, you fought more in the last 11 days than you did over the previous year. Why just one fight? It's just time, spending time with my wife, family, my career. And in the regional scene, a lot of people, you know, know, know this. There's no money.

You lose money in fighting. I lose money. I'm losing money for my career. And I was trying to get a house with my wife. And I'm blessed now to have a house. And it made sense. You know, I wanted to fight, but it needed to make financial sense as well.

You just got married recently, right? Over the summer, I think? Yes. Congratulations. So it's all coming together for you. Look at these photos. This is incredible. Where is this?

That is in Italy and Sorrento. Wow. Look at you. This is a dreamlike stuff. Actually, I took advantage. I don't know if you know, Francesco Richie, the Italian, he fought bare-knuckle, is a world champion. He was getting married, and we decided to do an elopement while we were going to visit him. Oh, wow.

So you were there as a guest, and you got married when he got married? Well, we beat him. I decided to get married a couple days before him, and we made it into a trip. That's amazing. And so were you wearing the same outfit for your wedding that you were. going to wear for his wedding? Possibly. It's a different tie.

Very nice. And where did your wife get the wedding dress? She actually bought it in Florida and she took it over. Okay, brilliant. So like I said, it's all coming together, wonderful photos, and I'm wishing you guys all the best. When you got the call for Contender Series, what did you think? Because that's the key to, you know, starting to make some money.

That's the big time here. Were you overwhelmed? Were you excited? Were you nervous? How are you feeling when you got that call? It was actually funny. It was right during Father's Day weekend. And I got a text,

hey, do you want this? And it was like instantly, we were actually having dinner. And I said, yes, yes, yes. I told my wife and her family, hey, I'm like, hey, I love this dinner. But I got to go. And I went straight to the gym. Wow. You just left.

Yeah, I finished eating. I'm like, hey, I got to go train. Did they get mad? No, they understand. Now they're sitting there like, wow. Look at that what the Father's Day. leaving Father's Day, you know, meal, you know, led up to. When did you start growing the stash?

Oh, I've been growing it for a long time, but I would say I've had this strong folly for almost two years. Okay. I kind of catch up to Don Fry. I mean, you're doing a pretty damn good job, if I do say so myself. And so your family, your parents are from Cuba, right? Yes, both my parents are from Cuba. My dad came when he was four and my mom when she was 17.

They're from Las Villas and Olguing. And you grew up and were born in Miami-Dade? Yes, I was born in Miami. I was raised in Hyaliyah for a little bit and then Westchester and Kendall. And becoming a cop, was that something you always wanted to pursue or how did that come about? I actually followed in my dad's footsteps. It actually took me five years to get hired. I had a perfect background, no tickets, no arrest, and I kept getting disqualified.

And it was just something that that actually led to me getting. back into training even more because I was already training but in that path where it took me a while to get hired I was starting to train I did my first amateur fight and everything pretty much interconnected wow and why were you getting disqualified just exams it happens to a lot of people a lot of the exams that you take you get disqualified and it's it's a very hard process all people don't know it's very hard to become an officer even a firefighter all the the county jobs or, you know, or state jobs, you can get disqualified for anything. And so if you would have passed on your first attempt, you think maybe you don't focus on

MMA, so it all kind of worked out in a weird way? I don't want to say it would have worked out. I think I would still have been training it because I didn't wrestle college, and that's something that bothers me as well. I wanted to wrestle college. I had a juco offer, and I didn't take it because I wanted to stay home with the family. and I had that itch to compete and it was just something that fell in love with

I went to my gym freedom fighters where Yowell Romero used to train and I just fell in love with it I'm like I need to fight why did you get into MMA so you don't have that background how do you go down this path it was something where

the wrestling you know I competed a lot in high school and and I like grappling I did some jiu jitsu matches but I wanted to combine everything I you know I was training with guys that We're in the ultimate fighter house that were also professionals in the regional scene. And I was doing good.

So like, hey, you know, you should get into this. And I just got the itch. And I just fell in love with the sport itself and competing and, you know, winning. So one thing to train with those guys, it's another to like pursue trying to make it to the UFC. When does that thought start to percolate? It's actually funny. My wife had sent it to me. I had written in a journal years ago.

I'm like, hey, this is all going to work out. You know, I'm going to train a lot. and I'm going to be in the UFC. And she literally just sent me a picture of that. And it was just something that I knew, because I had trained with guys that were, you know, heavyweights, Juan Espino, Michelle Batista, and they were both in the UFC.

And, you know, I was doing good with those guys. And they're like, hey, kid, train hard, and you're going to be in the UFC. By the way, as an aside, I'm not trying to stir things up, but why is your wife reading your journal? Hey, listen, that's the boss. You know, I'm undefeated in the cage. I'm undefeated in the cage, but with her, I got my many losses.

So I'll take it on the chin, you know. Okay, fair enough, fair enough. When do you become a cop? When do you graduate? It's been seven years already. I started at 23 years old, and it was just my dad was an officer, and it was just my dream. You know, I've always wanted to help people, and I'm able to do it in the community that I live in. And so you're a deputy.

Can you explain? I'm not so familiar. What is your day-to-day? Like, are you out on the streets? Like, if I'm driving in Miami and I blow red light, will you pull me over? Is it that kind of thing? Well, I really don't pull people over, but if you almost teabone me, I'll definitely be like, oh, look, it's area Hawaiian.

I'll definitely pull you over. No, I just, I'm in a specialized unit, what's called the priority response team. We were, you know, formed after Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. So we deal with active shooters, any type of shooting, high stress situation, anything where it's a priority call, my unit's going to go to and we're going to respond. and we train a lot and we practice a lot and that's just it's a great unit

wow wow wow that isn't so so this stuff like the stuff you did on Saturday that's a walk in the park well the the fighting stuff is fun you know I really I love doing both but I and I've told people in interviews I just see things in slow motion

when I'm in the cage wow you think because of your day job I think so the repetition and the high stress situations and it's like a dopamine spike that we get and it's just you get so used to doing it so many times that I think you know fighting is very hard itself but you get used to it the nerves I know the time yeah no I can understand that I know you've been asked about like picking one or the other how are you planning on doing this how are you planning on continuing this job but also

being the best fighter you can be I am very blessed we get to actually train on duty we get an hour every day to train. And then with the other time I use, I use my PTO time slash vacation and comp time to train as well. And I'm very blessed to, you know, use the time and make up. You're able to use it and make it. So I stay extra hours on shift to build it. And I have a great schedule where I could train and train multiple times a day. So you have no plans. of picking one or the other. You're planning to the end of your fighting career, you're going to remain a cop.

If Deep Miochik did it, right, a firefighter, it's time for an officer to do it, a deputy now. I know, and I covered his career extensively, but there were times where he took a break, where he would, like, take a leave and stuff like that. Are you planning on doing that as well? I got to get there first.

I'm starting my career, and I'm going to take it one day at a time, but I definitely have a lot of vacation time that I can use. And when it gets there, and I'll start burning it. And I'll figure it out. And if there's a will, there's a way. And if I stay active how I am now, I'll figure it out.

But let's see how many fights I get a year. It is interesting because, you know, like, the way we're introduced to you as this cop and all that. But like, you go back to your day job. Do people recognize you? Are people stopping you on the street and be like, holy shit? Like, how is it like? You know, you don't want to be recognized as a cop, so to speak. but now you're becoming a celebrity,

so how are you balancing that? So it's actually funny. The first day I came back from Contender, I went to go eat with the guys, and we're at a restaurant, and I'm getting my coffee, and some lady just comes up to you, oh, my God, you just fought,

you know, it's you, and she wanted to take a picture, and I'm like, no, no, let's take a picture with all the guys. And, you know, we went to have lunch. Same thing happened again, and that was before this fight. So I know it's only going to keep,

you know, amplifying because I know I'm going to keep winning. So I'm just going to, you know, keep being a role model and inspiring people. And I've seen, you know, the tweets from the sheriff's office and I've seen the videos of people cheering you on. But really, what is it like when you go back? And now you're among your colleagues, the guys, as you say, how are they treating you? Like I told them, it's a normal day. I get to treat them nowhere now to go eat some good

stuff. And I actually got to take them to lunch. I treated them to Brett. You know, it's funny, the day that I got the phone call to, you know, go, you know, take the fight. I had treated them to breakfast. So now I think I got to keep treating them, and maybe I'll get some good luck for my next fight news. Especially since you got the bonus, right? Yeah. When it hits the bank account,

I'm going to get some donuts for the guys and girls. Without getting too personal, can I ask, where are you making more now in the world of fighting or the world of being a police officer? Law enforcement. Still, wow. Even with the bonus? Yeah.

Okay. So no need to have to drop that. Do you feel like they're supporting you? Do you feel like they're not making you choose or saying that they don't want you to do this? The support that I get from my agency and actually being somebody to actually speak it out, like, look, right now we're hiring. And I tell everybody, you don't have to be a fighter, but you could actually have a life outside of work. And the agency supports that. And I have a great sheriff.

You know, I spoke with her. And the conversation, she's like, hey, are you thinking about leaving? And I said, no, I never want to leave. Wow. And I want to do both. So I have great support. And, you know, we're in Florida. We have great support from not just the governor, but it's amazing here in Florida.

When you found out that they were booking you against Cedric Dumas, did you know about his history? I did. And but I don't judge a man on their past. And I'm another man. Another thing that I was raised upon was, don't push a man while they're down. You know, and that's. I wasn't going to judge him, and my mindset was going there and handle business. He's just another name and get my hand raised and a finish.

Do you think they booked you against him because of that, because of that story? Well, I think it also, you know, I actually said it. I spoke it into existence after my contender win. I said, hey, I'm ready. If you need me, call me. And listen, there are not too many guys that I know that will take a fight on a day and a half notice, not even two days. because I got it on Thursday afternoon. So I'll fall into a small category.

When they call me, I'm going to say yes. So you got it on Thursday afternoon, and when did you fly out? Thursday night. I had to book the flights from my parents, my wife, and we literally, when I tell you, it was probably like three-ish o'clock, four, and we were at the airport at, I think, 6.30. Wow. And so highly stressful.

At any point, are you like, what the hell is going on here? I'm about to make my UFC debut in 48. hours? It was when I tell you, I still haven't, I still haven't, like, it hasn't hit me because I feel like I wasn't contender. My coach joking around brought his contender clothes. Like, he's like, oh, we just left.

We just came back. How much did you weigh when you got the call? I was at 215. 2.15. Wow. Is that what you walk around at? No, I walk a little bit less. It's just, after the fight, I was celebrating a little bit.

You know, I like to eat a lot. I'm trying to do a food off. Once I blow up, I'm going to have to do a, you know, food eating competition against Patty the Batty and maybe get Vogue to cook us some burgers. So wait, so 215, you weighed in at 205 for light heavyweight. Your contender series fight was 185. And I've heard you say you want to fight three weight classes. Would the third be 170 or heavyweight?

No, I want to stick to 185, but I would love an opportunity to fight at 70. I've done a lot of fights at 70. I'm happy to do 185 and whatever the UFC wants me to do. I'm listen, I'm a game fighter. If they call me, they need me up a weight class. I'm going to do it.

You know, Benjamin's talk. And you insinuated that there's something in the works, that there might be an opportunity to turn around quickly. Is that accurate? Yeah, we're trying to figure it out and I truly want to make history. That's another thing. That's the reason why I want to take it at 70.

Nobody's ever done that. three different weight classes in less than three months. So my thing is I want to make history and I am going to make history. And then, you know, go back to 85 so I can enjoy the fruits of, you know, donuts and the good stuff. So there's a chance in the next few weeks we'll see you fight at welterweight? I can't confirm her than I, but hopefully. It's a rare opportunity for me here to interrogate a police officer. I don't get to do this in normal life.

So it's fun. Yeah, it's good. I like, I enjoy it. Okay, you're usually the one asking the questions, right? Yes, sir. So it's a change of events. Why did you walk out to Sound of the Police by Keras1? Hey, that song goes hard.

If you were actually, I don't know if you know, in Contender, I have a friend named Andres. He actually, when I walked out, he got the crowd to go, who, who, that's the sound of the police. I've used that song before. So I just love the way it goes. It's between that or bad boys.

And you can't go wrong with Keras 1. So is that the new walkout song? I like it too. I think it's tremendous. I think it's a top contender. And let's see, I might change it up. I might say with that. Let's see. It just all depends. Cedric was leaning into it as well.

Even the UFC account saying locked them up. Everyone was having fun with this. Yeah, it was very entertaining, and I'm glad that we got to show out for the fans. The biggest thing is putting on a show for the people that are paying a lot of money for this. And that's what I always say. I'm an entertainer, and I want the fans to enjoy it. And I do have to ask you, Luis, about your celebrations. I mean, they're very colorful.

You're hitting them with the DX chop. The tongue is out. The gyrating, the moving. Where do you get these moves from? I'm going to be honest with you. It was supposed to be the pistols into the holster and the DX. I had a buddy, actually buddies in the unit. They made a bet.

They're like, hey, you won't do the thank yous in the middle of the ring. And, you know, you make a bet against me. I'm going to do it. So that's why I got some of those thank yous in the middle. But I, in the moment, I don't know what goes to my mind. Because inside the cage, I'm completely different than how I am in person. And just to be clear, thank yous. Is that like the making it rain thing?

No, it's a military workout. They actually call it a, I don't want to say it because it's called the monkey F word. Oh. They do that in the military. And it's a workout where you grab your ankles. Oh, yes. Yes, I saw you doing that. Yes, yes, yes. You were also doing this, right? Make it rain. I plan on making your rain a lot.

Okay. It's just funny for a police officer to be making a rain. You get that, right? Yeah, definitely. Inside the cage, I am a different person. You know, I'm a professional, but I want to show that it's going to be a good time. Did you grow up a pro wrestling fan and a DX fan? Is that why you do it? Yes, I always was a WWE fan. DX was big time, The Undertaker. I love WWE, Brock Lesnar. Did you ever consider going down that path? Wow.

Maybe when I'm done with my fighting career, that'll be there, you know. We'll figure it out. I've got to see what my management says down the line, but that might be an opportunity that presents itself. Do you know who Frankie Lapina is or Lepena? That name sounds familiar. Is that the one that wrestled John Jones in college? No, he's like an influencer guy. You kind of remind me of him.

Oh, this dude, you know this guy with the big, the big butt? Yeah, Thickham's. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you make of that comparison? I think me and him should do a video. I think we should link up and definitely do a video together because mine is naturally, it looks like that. I don't know about his if he has a BBL, but mine naturally looks like that. Okay. And you and Sean and Chris, you're all good. Well, me and Sean are good. I don't know about Chris.

He's coming out of the woodworks. I guess he's trying to get some fame. I don't know about what's going on with that. But listen, I'm going to get my fights. I'm growing my name. If his name comes down the list, you know what? I could be the final coffin to put him into retirement. What's he saying?

What's he saying? I don't know. He's on Instagram talking a lot. But I was very respectful. Sorry, give me a second. Oh, sorry. Did I lose you? We lost you for, oh, did we lose them?

Did I lose you? Oh, wait. You're still there. Did I lose you? No, we got you. Can you hear me? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I don't know.

He just posted something on social media and I guess he's just trying to get off the, you know, what's going on now. I really don't know what's going on. I've been respectful. If he has a problem with me, I guess we could settle it. But I'm looking to grow my name. I don't, you know, he's six and five in the UFC. he's almost on his way out. If I'm the final nail, it'll happen sooner or later.

It's going to be for money, though. You know, I want to build my name first, and then I'll fight him. I think it's a great fight for you, and it's a step up from Cedric, and there's a built-in storyline there. I would pursue that one. Yeah, definitely. Later on, you know, I definitely want to keep getting my fights in, finish my contract.

That's a good fight, but it has to be for money. And you and Sean are good, though. How do you know that? Yeah. We've talked. We were talking to DMs. We were supposed to meet up, and hopefully we can have a day

like we go to the gun range and go shoot or, you know, hopefully write some side by side without flipping them. Yes. And back to work. Like, when are you fully back to work? So, officially tomorrow.

Wow. That's it. No time off. No breaks. No. Do you think we see you fight in October? If they call me, I had promised my dad,

I wouldn't do it. So why? It just depends. Because he's like, hey, you know, I should take some time. Man, I don't know what's up with these scam likely.

What's that? Scam likely people calling me at this time. Awful. Did I lose you again? No, no, we got it. We got it. Yes. Sorry,

scam likely was calling me. I just made a promise to my dad, you know, I'll take a little bit of time, but I want to stay active. And I have a date in mind. It's before the end of the year. So it would say,

still put me on the three month mark, which is great. Three fights in three months is very good. By the way, one last thing on Sean, were you okay with the suspension that he got? I had said it. I didn't want him to get suspended. Okay. I don't want him to get anything.

And Chris, too? Both of them. I have no, listen, I have nothing. If Chris, I don't know what his issue is, but if you want to shake hands in person, I don't have an issue with him. At the end of the day, this is a business. you know and however feelings is i guess he's in his feelings it is what it is i guess he's trying

to get some click click based off me yeah you say you have a date in mind did you have an opponent in mind as of right now no i'm open to anybody but if the ufc wants to keep making a cop versus uh you know robbers or criminals i'm down for that okay was there another one i don't know maybe we can find them okay you can clean it up clean up the whole thing uh some law and order in the cage by the way you're an FRM guy, first round guy. Anyone ever tell you sound exactly like Malki Kawa? You know what?

I was just on the... Before we got onto this Zoom, I was on the phone with him. Okay. All right. So you do sound a lot like him. And they've represented a lot of big names. So I guess we can add you now

to the list as well. Yes, sir. I'm the next big thing. You know, it's me and Anthony went out of Miami. You also got Stanley Dorseville. There's not too many homegrown guys. And we're trying to make more of a movement here and we're the next big three.

I love it. Well, great to see you again. Congratulations on all your success. You remember when we ran into each other, right, at the Tough Enough show? I do. Yeah, look at you. Look how far you've come since then. I'm in the same spot. You're a freaking superstar. Nah, listen, you're great, and we're only getting started, and I just want to, you know, thank God and my coach is Mick Maynard for giving me the opportunity. If it wasn't for him, I'll still be, you know, nothing against, you know, the regional scene, I'll still be in the regional scene. I got you, I got you. So it's an amazing thing. It's a great story. Keep on doing your thing.

You're bringing a lot of fun and excitement and entertainment. And hopefully you get that date that you're looking for and stay safe out there in the streets of Miami. You know, we're New York people here. We love Miami, but we know it's not quite as safe as the streets of New York. So please clean it up over there, all right? Definitely. We'll do it and I'll keep you posted on the date. Please do.

Thank you, Luis. All the best to you. Congratulations. There he is. Luis Hernandez. Deputy in the Miami Dade Sheriff's Office. Did I get that right? Yeah.

Andy, did you live in Miami Dade? Close too, but I went to high school around there. I had to pretend like I didn't like Miami for that, you know, just to keep up the whole New York Miami thing. but I do love Miami, and it's pretty damn cool. I think he was calling us from the actual car itself. That's wild. All right, let's turn our attention to UFC 332 in a reminder.

In case you missed it, there's a link in our chat right now. If you want to watch UFC 332 with myself, Rick, G.C. will be watching it at an undisclosed location, thanks to our friends over at Kalshi. This Saturday, it's airing on CBS. Main event, of course, Natalia Silva versus Wang Tong. If you look at the link right there, you click on it, you are SVP, you'll be able to find out all the information and come hang with us. Limited space, so do sign up, and you can't just rock up there and just walk right in. It won't work that way.

You have to sign up first, so go check that out. In my opinion, the people's main event for that card, the best fight on the card, the most interesting fight on the card, is the co-mainne. It's the return of the former flyway champion, now fighting, of course, at 135, Davis and Figurato against Peyton Talbot. We haven't seen Payton in quite some time, and he is here to talk to us about everything going on in his life. There he is. Hello, Payton. How are you? Up, Ariel.

What's happening? Long time, no speak. I know. Long time, no, nothing. You've been very elusive. I've tried to speak to you, but I think you've kind of stayed in the shadows, so to speak, out of the limelight. Yeah, for a couple of months, I took some needle and thread, and I've been. I just sewed my mouth shut and just listen more than talked.

Why is that? Well, I don't really know. I mean, we're given two years in one mouth, so I think, respectively, sometimes you have to use them in that way. There was a thought, and this was part of the reason, I'll be honest, why I was reaching out over the summer where it felt like you were frustrated. If that is, in fact, you on social media writing things,

it felt like you were wanting to be active and not getting any opportunities, phone calls, fights. Is that accurate? Yeah, a bit. I mean, I had like one small window in the year that I said that I wasn't able to compete because I just had like some other stuff going on. But I was like, you know, that's a pretty small window to not ask for a fight. I mean, every single other month I'm able to fight.

And I've had talks all throughout the year of like potentially fighting in April, May, even June. and things just never happened. I don't know exactly why. I don't know why they fell through. But here we are. Finally got one, so I'm happy. But yeah, it's a little frustrating when that's, you know, I'm nearing my prime.

I'm young. I'm healthy. I feel the strongest and fastest I've ever been, but I don't have a name. You're coming off by far the highest profile win of your career. That was in December. I'm sure you were riding high and feeling good after that fight over Henry Suhudo.

Do you feel like some of that momentum has been lost? Maybe a bit, but I think I've garnered a lot of new momentum from training the entire year. I mean, I took like a couple weeks off after that fight just to heal my body up. But since then, I've been just on go and I've been learning a ton and getting more and more familiar with my body. So I still feel like I have a lot of momentum just within myself. Yeah, and I guess I was talking about like from the fans perspective, right?

People are talking about you when you're active, like the guy we just spoke to, he fought twice in 11 days. But maybe you don't even care about that sort of thing. Oh, yeah, yeah, I did hear about that. I watched that whole card, actually. But no, not really. I mean, I think whatever. People forget as soon as they remember. You said you watched the whole card on Saturday.

The main event was crazy, right? dude yeah barcelos was like doing tricks on it honestly he was bouncing on it like that dude looks so good that was crazy really good fight and then the ending a big bummer to yeah what happened at the end was really sad um hope the dude's okay have them in my thoughts really sucks to see like the performance that he put on at the age he is and you know just the last couple of minutes couldn't uh stay in there to get the hand raised hopefully he's okay i still don't really know it happened to him. What's funny is when he took me down in our fight, it was a very similar angle with his chin on one side of my, or his head on one side of my chin, and then the back of my head

clipped the cage. And that's like what made the vertigo, like, get really bad in the last round. So my first thought was like, oh, maybe it's like crazy vertigo. That's really ironic, but same way worse. Yeah. I've reported that he's okay, that he's eating, that he's walking, that he's talking, but they're unclear, like, what made him go into that state. Like, honestly, watching that, I was afraid of the worst. It looked awful. Yeah, me too. I think everyone was.

I do, you know, think it was cool for Raoul to, like, show up in the last round as he did. A lot of people might say, like, you know, it's a fluke, which maybe it was. And he was kind of getting his ass whooped. But the way he showed up in the fifth round with. that amount of energy with like, I mean, everybody saw he just like hit this second win. I think if he hadn't have done that, that wouldn't happen to Barcelos regardless. So, you know, he did sort of earn the win. You obviously know him very well. You've been in the cage with Heone. Were you expecting that? I don't know if a lot of people were expecting that. Were you expecting him to

look that good? Yeah. I mean, not so much. I mean, dude, he just like never ceases to surprise with those little crafty moves, those little trips. And just like I said, honestly, just doing tricks on it. That surprised me. But I did feel like their high-level grappling was going to cancel each other out, and they were going to strike for a lot of the fight. But it didn't surprise me that he just kind of manhandled Raoul because he's crazy strong. What did you think of Luis Hernandez's moves?

Did you see him doing all that, like, the gyrating and stuff after his win? the guy we were just talking to with the motion. Oh, yeah, I did catch a little of the gyration. I think he could maybe use some work in separating the two hips and kind of making him gyrate this way. Okay, okay. It's been a lot of circular motion. I need to see a little bit of separation.

Okay. Are those nunshops? If you're going to do it, just sell out. You know, give me some variations with the twerkage. Yes, yes, yes. What are you holding? The chants. Oh, yeah.

Do you use those? I do. I do. Wow. You know, the all-time best nunchuck artist in MMA history, I think, was Nick Diaz. Have you ever seen? Could we see some of it? Is that what you're doing?

Oh, yes. Let's go. Let's see, let's see, let's see, a lot of pressure. Oh, shit. Okay. Oh, shit, underneath. Okay. I like that.

Do you teach yourself? Yeah. Where are you right now? I'm in my little basement, my studio. I feel like, oh. What's that belt? This is sick. That is my A1 combat belt.

I feel like you've leveled up since we last spoke. I feel like the setup is, have you changed locations? I just went upstairs. So now I have the entire house to myself and not just the basement. Oh, okay. So you have leveled up? Just a little. Okay.

Little by little. In your spare time, have you been DJing a lot? Yeah, I actually played a show earlier this year. Well, actually, no, I didn't play that show. My buddy Lars did. We get mistaken for each other a lot. But, yeah, it was like a rave fight kind of show. And it was really fun.

Is that this? A lot. Yeah, yeah, that's what you're seeing right now. Practiced a lot for that. But I haven't really done it much since then because I shifted my focus towards fighting. When you say a rave fight show, what does that mean? There were fights in the rave? Yeah, yeah, I was DJing.

People were dancing, but then in the middle there was like a cage. Well, not really a cage. It was like sort of a cage. And people were fighting in it. How do they see each other? Beats me, man. I think they got to use those spidey senses. Okay.

But yeah, there's flashing lights. It's like, it's a rave. So you don't have great vision. But they were in their slugging, man. It was cool to watch. Were you also DJing in the desert in the middle of the desert? Oh yeah, yeah, I was playing on hardware when I was doing that. Yeah, that's out in Black Rock.

I have actually still been doing that. I've been trying to, like, produce more and not mix as much. I feel like once you kind of get DJing, it doesn't really leave you. So I've just been trying to produce my own tracks and, yeah, just get better at making music from scratch. Okay. And when you say with the hardware, what does that mean? Oh, hardware is like sequencers, drives. computer, synthesizers, like stuff that creates sound out of frequencies and oscillators.

Okay. And so does it, is it not plugged in? How is it working there in the middle of the desert? Oh, yeah, I had a generator. Okay. Wow. Wow. And what's up with all the, like, I see you like hanging off of buildings and stuff.

It's getting me a little bit worried. I'm not going to lie. Aye, bro. Rumor has it that that's actually AI. That's not even, it's not even me. Who's this? Who's this? Who's this right?

Look at this. Look at this. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, it's crazy nowadays. I'm not trying to, like, out you or anything here, but it's a little concerning seeing that. I'm worried for you. It's like, what do you call this?

Like, look at this. You're like Batman out there. Yeah, bro. I posted that and people were like, dude, thinks he's Batman. And I was just like, fucking piss me off. I was like, you just can't enjoy the picture. I mean, it's great.

But yeah, no, I mean, I think it's good to familiarize yourself with that weird. feeling in your gut when you're looking down like that far below it's like very similar to when you're walking out for a fight you know it's kind of like nerve-wracking you're a couple inches away from making a really bad decision um i don't know i could put it into words but it's kind of hard too it's just i don't know i love the views how high do you go um there've been all kinds of heights, Aaron. Yeah.

I think the highest higher climbed was like a thousand feet, but it's kind of hard. It's like very distorting when you're when you're that high up. Sometimes it's not even really the height too. Sometimes it's the exposure to like what's around you that's a little bit more scary. Yeah, it's nice to see things from that like perspective though, like really high up. It just like makes you appreciate how how humans have like been able to build these massive structures and all of our evolution and everything has like resulted in these like things that can be eyesores to some but if you can climb up to the top of them and look down

upon like mankind's creation it's just it's kind of beautiful and and no harness no like safety thing no nothing you're just like free walling it as they say do they say that you know what i mean right like that guy free solo free solo right right did you see the guy on netflix that went up all the way in, where did he, where was he in Taipei? Yeah. You saw that. Yeah. Honestly, dude, yeah.

It's funny that people give me a lot of shit for stuff like that because I feel like when Alex Honnold is free soloing up Lcap or, you know, sketchy things like that, it's like way more accepted versus he climbs a building in Taipei and people are like, oh my God, that's so stupid. That's so dangerous. Why would he ever like endanger his family by like potentially dying? And a lot of the times climbing buildings is much safer than a rock that is subject to withering in nature. Like structures are built to be like pretty consistent and like the holes aren't very hard.

Like there's rock holes that are like, I don't know. Alex has talked about like one of the scariest moments that he's ever climbed up in Yosemite. And it was like him standing on this weird awkward ledge. And I don't know. You don't really have to deal with that as much with buildings. So I don't know. I just think it's funny that people are like, oh, what the fuck is you doing? He's an idiot.

And it's just like, well, you guys don't give Alex Honnold shit. Would you like to do something like that, like something really dramatic like that? Yeah. Oh, really? Sure. I have the skill. I mean, I don't think I'm as skilled as him. So I respectfully keep it to what I think that I can handle.

But, yeah. But like doing something like that as opposed to a cage fight, which excites you more? I mean, definitely a cage fight. Okay. There's nothing like beating another man. But, I don't know. There are two different things in that sense. I think one is more for yourself.

Well, I guess they're both for yourself. Now you're asking me the important questions, Ariel. Maybe I need to think about this. I don't know. This is why you need to come back on the show more often. So, like, we get to challenge you with these questions. We're not just going to ask you, like, silly MMA questions here, right? No, no, I know.

Yeah. I mean, a lot of the times, though, I've realized the older I get, the why is not very important. I think humans just do things a lot of the times. They feel pulled to do things. And if they do it enough times, they come up with this profound reason as to why they do it. And, you know, that's how things happen. Usually you just do them and then you realize later on, oh, that's why I actually enjoy doing this. So maybe I'm not there yet.

Okay. Maybe it's just the adrenaline. Maybe you just love that. Yeah, no, for sure. Yeah. You are an adrenaline junkie, right? Right? Fair to say. Yeah. I don't know if I'd call myself a junkie, but I like it.

Okay, fair enough. I don't mean that in a negative way, obviously. No, me neither. Junkeys are all right. Okay. That's true. There's nothing wrong with them. They're just trying to get by just like all of us. I mean, honestly, a lot better than most of us. Really? Video that was like, yeah, if a crackhead wants to go get crack, he's not going to say, I'm too tired. He's going to go get that fucking crack. By any means.

to be a job. That's a good point. That's good point. By the way, speaking of videos, not a lot of YouTube activity. You know I love the channel, but I think we got our first in like nine months. Was it, were you, were you holding out because of no fights? Yeah. And like I said, I kind of just kept my mouth shut this year.

I went more inward. This is great. But yeah, not as much really happened. So I didn't really feel like I needed to say much. And William's been busy with some like other work. elsewhere too, so that was a factor. Yeah. The name of the video is, I don't know if I'm supposed to read, E-C-D-Y-S-S, Exodus, maybe?

Ectasis. Ectasis. What does that mean? And seven, Roman numerals. No, it was 12. Fuck, I screwed that up. X, you're right. Fuck that up.

No, no, I fucked that up. I read it wrong. Oh, okay. It's been a while. It's been a while. I should have known as like, you know, Super Bowl. WrestleMania, 12, X1-1 is 12, not 7. V1-1 would be 7. Why 12? Because it's the 12th episode. Oh, okay. And ectasis because of the process of multing and

that I feel like I've gone inward and become a bit of a new person this year. And I've sheded some skin, I've sheded some old habits, I've shedded some less productive ways of living. So I've refined myself a little bit. Okay, so if you follow-up there, how have you become a new man? I think I've just become more present and put an emphasis on what is real in life is what's important. And sometimes all the make-believe stuff on the internet is, you know, it's fun and nice at times, but it isn't a priority all the time.

And I think, honestly, you'll see a lot of it Saturday night. I am not even sure as to how I've, like, changed completely. We get to see these things and we're put under, like, hard tests. so I have one this weekend. And when you say that perhaps you shed some things that were taking up too much time, what are you talking about there? Just saying yes to a lot of things. I think I had kind of a toxic trade of trying to be in too many places at once,

not sleeping and just living out as many lives as I could. I always felt, I mean, I still have this problem, but I feel like I don't have any time, man. I'm like 28 years old. and I feel like I'm going to die in like a couple years. Like I just feel like time is going by so fast relatively to how long I've lived. And I just feel this immense responsibility

to like do all of these things. But really it doesn't matter like the amount of things you do. It's more about like how well you do fewer things. Man, you know, when I was younger, I used to be so afraid of death. I used to think like I have a year left, two years left. have you always been that way? And it's exhausting, right?

Because you're trying to think, how much am I going to get to do? How do I squeeze it all in? Has this always been on your mind? And do you think that that fuels some of your decision making, like the other stuff that we were talking earlier? Yeah, definitely. You know, a lot of times I do still go back to like, oh, I'll sleep when I'm dead.

But I think more and more, the older I get, the more scared I get of death. I hope that changes at some point. Nobody really talks about it that's older. I feel like it's just like, you know, it just is what it is. But yeah, man, I'm very scared of death. And it seems to get stronger and stronger the older I get. So, yeah, I don't know.

What about balancing being a star and being a famous person with trying to do things that you like? Because I would imagine the more you want to go out and do things, the more you're getting recognized and all that stuff. And your attention is being taken away. do you find any struggle in that? I've adapted to it pretty well, I feel like. It helps living in a small town. But I mean, you got to understand.

You have no control over people or what they say or what they do. All you have control over is your bubble and what is in your personal life. So as long as I can like, I don't know, just control that. I feel like it is what it is. I don't know. People are people. We're blessed to be able to like connect an interaction. and interact with like so many beautiful people

and have like positive experiences, but the contrast of that is that there's really fucking weird people out there. And for whatever reason, I have the biggest magnet for weird people. Like, what do you mean by weird? What kind of weird? Just strange people, man.

There's just strange people that approach me. On the street or just in life? Like online. Just in life. My whole life, it's been that way. I've just had a lot of like very crazy and weird interactions with people. even before I was someone.

Do they want something from you? Sometimes. Sometimes I feel like people are just like told to come up to me and like say something. Like they just feel like drawn to me in a way or they're like, I don't know, just something comes out through them and they just like talk to me or, or maybe I just have like more of an open antenna for it and I like provide people with that energy.

I don't do it as much now, but throughout my life I've noticed that. I do think it's because you're a bit of a free spirit. People probably feel comfortable coming up to you and interacting with you and feel like you'll be welcoming. No? Okay. I'm no free spirit, Ariel. Look at me.

Come on. I lock myself in a cage and I fight other men. I do all these crazy adrenaline-seeking things. I'm not free at all. Fair enough. Fair enough. Surely you were happy with the Davis of Figurato fight booking, right? The offer, I know you were maybe frustrated not to get a fight.

This is a big time fight right here. Yeah. Yeah, I'm excited. I mean, we were in talks of this for the better part of the year, and he ended up fighting a song earlier when I thought that we were going to get booked. But, yeah, I mean, I'm happy that I got this matchup. I just wanted to fight. It didn't really matter who, honestly.

But I'm glad he was a former champ, so he has that on his resume, and he's got a lot of experience, and I'm sure he'll be crafty. on Saturday night, so I'm looking forward to the challenge he brings. How's the elevation over there in Reno, right? That's where you are right now? Yeah, it's great, man. I think we're actually 200 feet higher than Salt Lake. Oh, so you're good.

Yeah, I was born and it molded by it. I do love the fact that they sent you out there. Like, they sent you out as the guy. You did all this promotional stuff with the jazz and the mammoth. Did you enjoy doing that? Oh, yeah. It's loved it. Wait, I can't see your face.

It was fun shooting hoops. Dude, like the facility, the NBA facility was like insane. I was like, what the hell, UFC? Like, they had like all of this like person came and took my order, made like homemade pasta. It was excellent. And I was like, you know, what the heck? Yeah. Well, I like to shoot in the UFC.

But I was like, nutrition is a pretty big part of our sport. You'd think that there'd be something like this. But I mean, there's tons of us. I get it. There's a small team out there for the NBA team. But, yeah, it was actually a pretty city. I actually really enjoyed being there. Well, you do have the PI.

I hear they make food there. Have you tried that out? I have, but I live in Reno, so I don't really get great access to that. It's not, like, readily available to me. Sure. So you want them to make, like, a PI in Reno for you? Yeah, dude. I want to just pop up, have some.

somebody take my order, make me a full homemade pasta more than enough servings, and give me a pat on the back and say, enjoy. Yeah, and see you got to see the actual Paramount Mountain, like the one that it was modeled after? I did. That's wild. It was magnificent. It looked exactly like the logo, almost identical. Does it? Every single fold, every wrinkle. Yeah, I mean, you could really tell that it was that. Oh, my gosh. What, I mean, what an honor. I love the fact that they sent you. you out. This card somewhat maligned, right? The people, the fans feeling like it was lacking a big main event. How do you feel about the criticism? Criticism is always funny because I actually agree with Dana on this. I'm like, the card hasn't happened. How do you know if it's a shitty

card? Like, I don't know. I get so like, if you think it's a bad card, you probably haven't done your research or you're probably just anticipating it to be like not delivering. But speaking to last week, Houni and Rosas were expected to be a snooze fest, and their fight was insane. So, I don't know. I just hope people, like, are able to tune in and at least give it the benefit of the doubt.

You can turn it off after my fight. Just tune in for mine. What about the fact that it's airing on CBS? That's a big deal. I heard that today for the first time, actually. I don't know how significant that is, but people are saying it's good for, like, bars or something. But that's cool.

And if you're in Reno, you should hit up El Adobe, watch it there. They do a big watch party. They got beer, alcohol, lots of really good food. And it's usually a big fiesta down there at Eladobie and Reno. Okay. I would love to go check it out one day. It sounds like a great spot. But fighting on CBS is a massive deal compared to fighting on a streaming platform

or behind a pay-per-view paywall. So this is the first ever main card, a UFC main card on CBS. It's a pretty, I mean, it's going to be a million. of people watching. Yeah, so you're just saying it's just a bigger audience? Yeah. Okay, yeah, that's sick. Are they going to be doing that from now on or is it just...

They're toying with it and they've done a couple of prelims and early main card fights, but never an entire main card on CBS. Yeah, well, that's cool. I mean, to that, I would say to people just, I don't know, maybe just try to enjoy this sport before maybe it becomes a little bit too blown up more than we would like and a little bit diluted. I feel like right now, MMA is in a really cool place because people are starting to find out about it. It's becoming a little bit more mainstream, but there's still a lot of heart and soul to it.

I hope it maintains that because fighting is always a little bit of a circus act. I think it will, but I think people should just really, I mean, everybody loves complaining. That's like the new thing nowadays, right? It's like controversy and complaining, but I hope people can be aware of the fact that MMA is about to blow up and be mainstream. and we should enjoy while it's still a little bit niche. I think we're past that point, if I'm being honest. Maybe for you. Okay.

Not for guys like me and like my social group. But I think it has a much higher ceiling than where it's at. Okay, fair. That's fair. But I think we should just enjoy the, yeah, the nicheness of it right now. Soon it's going to be huge. Maybe one day it becomes diluted like NFL right now. And to that day, I would dread.

But I think it's very much. really in a good spot right now. If we were a band, are we playing in like the small bar or like are we, I would say like are we in Madison Square Garden, but like literally like next month we're in Madison Square Garden. So how would you, I feel like we're already mainstream. Where would you put us if we were a band? And when I say us, I mean the entire sport, the community. I don't know.

I'd probably say we're similar to like Bergheim, you know. It's like only the people. people that are in the know, no. It might be a little past that, honestly. Bergheim is like a venue in Berlin. Do you know about that? Is it next to the wall? I don't know. So actually, that was probably a bad example because you don't even know about it. Is it the place? I don't want to like embarrass myself, but is it the place where they only let people in if they pass a vibe check? Yeah. So I guess it's actually kind of past that point.

But I mean... We have one of those in New York, by the way. It's called basement. You know about basement. Yeah. I know about basement. Payton, you didn't know I get down like that, right? Come on.

You have to admit, you're a little impressed right now. You probably picked your kids up from there. Bro, my kids are 14 and 12 and 9, all right? They're not hanging out. I hope they're not hanging out those places. That's the vibe check. They probably do pass the vibe check. You're right.

But come on. I mean, for a 44-year-old, the Riz is on fleek, no? Dude, if I ever saw you in there, I'd... I'd... I'd... I'd probably grab you by the... head and just scream and go, you'd be happy or you'd be embarrassed?

I can't tell. No, I would, I'd probably be happy, and I'd probably think that I'm hallucinating, but. And by the way, how do they check the vibes? Like, is there a detector or what? Because I'm, believe it. Yeah, there's like a dancer, and you just, I don't know, they just vibe check you. They ask you who you're there to see, and they ask you a couple questions, and they're pretty good at it.

Have you been through, the one in Berlin? No, I actually haven't. Oh, what about the one in New York? I won't. No comment. So you've actually never seen Vatican Shadow in Berlin? Vatican Shadow. I don't know if you're passing the vibe check right now, Payne. If I'm being honest, I don't know if you're passing the vibe check.

If we're pulling up in that joint right there, I think I'm going through and they're saying to you go to Mickey D's next door. Maybe so. Maybe so. I'd be really sad. I love this. This is great. I feel like you'll pass the vibe check in Utah. They have any of those places in Salt Lake? So I hear, I heard there's like this place called boiler room or something. Oh, okay. Yeah, we will see how the night goes and then I'll ask questions. Hell yeah. Yeah. Post-fight.

Yeah, post-fight. Yeah, it seems like the night scene is like closes early, though, because it's like Mormon town. Yeah. But, I mean, it's a bigger city. It's bigger than Reno. So good to be. take what you can get. Yeah. By the way, is it true they wanted you to fight Sean O'Malley? Oh yeah. I mean, that was in talks. I mean, I just hear what I hear through my managers and everything. So I don't, yeah, that, that clip kind of blew up for my YouTube or whatever, but, um, O'Malley's team says not true. I think people, huh? They told me not true. Yeah, I mean, I heard that our names were in talks for the White House card. Um, but if I

him, I honestly get it. I wouldn't want to fight me over as a hobby, considering our rankings. And, yeah, I think it would have probably been a much different fight that night. If I was in there instead of Zahobby, win or lose. But, yeah, I mean, he wasn't the only one. I mean, I was in talks with Corey. I was in talks with Figurato at multiple different points throughout the year.

He just has the biggest name, so I think that blew up. Would you have been down to fight at the White House? Yeah. I would have loved to I'd like you know regardless of all the political bullshit going on it's like

my job is fighting yeah that's one of the biggest stages of the year like I mean yeah why would I not I don't know I feel like some people would have

I agree with you by the way but you know there are some people who are like nah I'm good yeah bro sometimes I'm just like fuck those people like yeah

I don't know you're just like not allowed to have fun in life You're just taking the fun out of a lot. I won't support. The thing is what it is regardless. Like, your job is fighting. Your job is to make money fighting.

Why wouldn't you give yourself the opportunity to do that? Because you don't want to, like, support something that, like, whatever. If you're that, like, righteous, then go ahead. But I just am like, dude, you're taking the fun out of life. Just, it's not that serious. This is very refreshing. I love this. Too many of us have been infected by the woke mind virus.

You know about this? I've heard about it. Yeah. Do you agree with that? Yeah, I mean, I don't even know if it's like woke mind. I just think that too many people get like, you know, they just take things like way too seriously. And they think that like their individual impact has like a huge impact. And like I get that that's a point of democracy and, you know, that's a point of life is like one person makes a big change.

Like yeah, sure. But like, I don't know. You can take yourself energetically out of things and still just get enjoyment from them. Like, yeah, people just make things very complicated. I agree. I wish we could go back to simpler times. It's the White House. It doesn't mean you are endorsing or supporting. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Just like climbing a building or playing, you know, some tunes in the desert or going to like a vibe check bar. I think you've got it right. Yeah. I mean, good and evil were made up by humans. They're made up concepts. And they're two sides of the same coin. You can't just have every. everything good in life without experiencing evil. Like, it's just how life is, in my opinion.

Experiencing evil is interesting. Where do you experience evil? Don't take it that and run with it. I just mean, like, you can't just have only light. You can't have, like, only good. There has to be darkness. You have to, like, there has to be contrast. Otherwise, nothing really exists.

I agree with that 100%. When do you go to Utah? Tuesday. Okay. Wow. Are you excited? A little bit. Normally I don't get that excited for fights, but I feel like it's been so long, and I feel

like I've refined myself so much that I am actually excited to see what I'm capable of. And you're used to it now. You're somewhat familiar. Maybe that was the first time you were there, now second. Yeah. Yeah, this will be the second time. I mean, that doesn't really, like, factor in too much of the fight. Yeah, the location is whatever, but, yeah, I mean, I just,

like this stuff flies by so fast, life flies by so fast, and I just really am now understanding how important it is to like suck every moment up and actually be excited and it's okay to like feel these like drastic emotions because it's all part of it. And like one day we're just all going to miss it. So yeah, I'm excited. Well, I have to say I've missed you, Peyton. It's been, it's been great catching up. Thank you for the time. I know you don't do a lot of these. So we appreciate it. I feel like I always say that. But I really do enjoy the conversations and getting to pick your brain a little bit. So thank you so much.

Be well, be safe. A great fight week over in Salt Lake. And good luck on Saturday. Can't wait to watch you on CBS, the Tiffany Network. Drop that in any of the promos. They call it the Tiffany Network because back in the day, Tiffany used to be their main sponsor. And so that's the nickname for CBS, the Tiffany Network, from like back in the 50s.

Interesting. Yeah, I like that one. Yeah. Shout out Derek Washington. Shout out. I love Derek Washington. I'm not sure. I don't know who this version of you is, but I wish we spoke to him 10 minutes ago.

But thank you. Thank you, Peyton. I appreciate you. I'm trying good way. I have a good one. All right. There he is. Payton Talbot.

What was he doing there? I missed that one, guys. What was he doing? Frank, you were helping me out so much. Chill, man, chill. I don't know. Was I not? Is that right?

I know the answer to this. Why is that a funny one? And why did you drop it when Dana was speaking earlier? You know, we have our next guest. We shouldn't be. Our next guest, victorious in the main event on Saturday. Massive win for him. A lot of people very excited about his ceiling.

And we didn't get to hear from him in the post-fight press coverage. He did speak a little bit in the cage, but wanted to have a chat with Mr. Chihuihuahuis himself. Raoul Rosas, Jr. He is kind of to join us right here now to talk about his massive win over Heone Barcellos on Saturday. Raul, how are you, my friend? Congratulations. Good, I'm very good. Thank you.

Appreciate it. It's great to see you. How are you feeling after the fight on Saturday? Good. I feel good. You know, I'm happy. You know, I just, I'm happy to know that Raleigham Barthello's his backup and his breathing because at the end of the day, we all got a family to go back to, you know. and I don't know if he has kids or not,

but either way, you know, he has a lot of people that love him. He's a really good person, so I'm happy about that. So there's obviously a lot to talk about there, but let's start with that particular topic, obviously since you brought it up and it's been on everyone's mind.

In the moment, it seemed like at some point you noticed something was wrong. What is going on in your mind as you're seeing the state that he's in in the immediate aftermath of the fight? For a second, I didn't know if he died, to be honest. But then when I called myself down a little bit and I was like looking, I checked if he was breathing and I saw like his body like breathing.

So I was like, okay, he's not dead for sure. So that made me feel a little bit more peaceful. like still, you know, I was just sitting there praying. I just did a quick prayer and I hope that he woke up and went back to his family. Obviously, you were probably very happy with the win, but I'm just wondering from your perspective in the aftermath, was it hard to feel truly happy and celebrate given how scary that scene was? It was scary.

It was because of that. But to be honest, yes, I was happy about my performance. like on the side, you know, the hardware, you know, still, like, I think for sure he probably feels the same way. He probably is going to obviously feel like a little bit sad about the result. But I'm pretty sure you'll be happy about the fight because we both went out there and we gave it our all, you know, and we were willing to do whatever third to get our handlers that night. So I knew before the fight, I told my whole team, I told my friends and family, I was, right.

They're ready. I was like, this is going to be a war, you know. By the way, do you have any idea what happened? Like, there was some talk of maybe your head

hitting his chin. I don't know. What do you think happened? From my side, so I didn't hear you said, you can see that on the video and I even watched too. From my side,

to be honest, I want to see if hopefully he remembers. I want to see what, Ron, let me say about that. he's the one that knows best than anybody, if he can remember. But I'm not going to lie, the fourth round, I catch my breath a little bit, you know, because I was chilling.

He was in my back. He was trying to finish me so hard. He was squeezing the whole time. And when I was watching the fight on the fourth round, he's in my back. And he's like, Justin Pereira, you know, because he didn't choke me. And when he goes back to the corner, he's in the corner. from the fourth to the fifth, he was like a little bit wobbly from tiredness. Because I felt the same thing.

But I arrested more than him on the fourth. He did a lot of work on the fourth. The fifth, I put the pace back on. And I think his body just like should, it could have shut down from tiredness or I hit him a small shot. Like when I, right before the take down, I hit him a small shot, I don't know if that could have done it because when I went in for the takedown, because my corner told me, okay, take him down, let's try that and let's try to finish

him on the other. So when I got a hold of him, he felt like so weak, like he was, like his body was done. And like, like, I really got like even more win when I went in for the legs. And I got a big feeling like I really won the fight, like a victory feeling, you know, before I took him down. Like, I just knew in my head, like, I got him. Like, this is my round. Like, I'm going to finish him here. It was unfortunate that when he went down, he was out. But I think he could have been out before that because I thought he felt so weak from tiredness. But now that I see that he was out, I'm like, shit. I'm like, maybe that's the reason when I voted him. He felt so weak because he was already out, you know? Okay. And by the way, have you been able to be able to be?

to interact with him since Saturday? No, I set up a message, you know, reaching out, trying to check if he's okay, but he hasn't responded yet. Probably he's staying off social media for a little bit. Yeah. But I found out through the UFC that he's doing okay. Okay. And you went to the hospital too, right?

Yeah. Yeah. Why? I don't know. The UFC wanted me to get some, like, stick T and headstands and just to be on the hospital. save side because we went to war but yeah I mean I fucked up my hand in the second round

um fuck it's just fucking roundy stuff man so I was like just some nice fucking left hands and in the first round I heard it a little bit

second round I popped him again and I thought I had him this time I thought like he was going to go down but he didn't go down because my hand was hurting but I was like now he's going to go down And I was like, fuck, my hand was like done. And I was like, shit. So I was thinking in my head like, fuck, like, now I got to adjust, you know?

So I just had to like still give it out there, but not like as much power just to like, I don't want to let him know that I didn't have one hand no more, you know. So I was just like putting it out there and like I was just doing my best. And I was like, fuck it. I was like, it's all or nothing, you know. So I was like, I'll let this shit fall off. I'm like, fuck it. What are they saying? Is it broken? Yeah, I think it's just fractured, to be honest.

Okay. It's not broken, I don't think. But you don't need, like, a cast or anything like that? Nah, it's just like, like the middle part in the middle and shit. I know, but that's like, don't you want to protect it? I mean, I'm just waiting for the swelling to go down. I don't know. You'll be all right.

Yeah, I'll be all right. How many stitches? I don't know. Oh wow, okay. Not too bad. It looks like you were in a fight. Yeah, yeah, that shit was fun. You enjoyed it?

No, yeah, definitely had the best time. And I appreciate, man, after the fourth, I went back to the corner, and I knew I had to get mad at there, so I was like, like I said, unfortunately, the way, like, the fight would stop. But, man, I appreciate it, like, my corner, you know, my dad, my two brothers, and Cheeto was in my corner, and then Cheeto was like, man, my family was like, okay, we're going to go for that takedown, let's try that, and then Chido told me like, throw some Mies, you know, throw some B, some right hands. So I just went out there and I did all of that and was able to find it.

I want to ask you about Cheeto in a moment, but, you know, if you looked at the scorecards, they had it three to one for him going into the fifth. One had a 10-8 in one of the rounds. Were you surprised by those scores? cards. Here they are right here. Yeah. Honestly, well, I mean,

obviously I was down going into the fifth. Like, we obviously seen the scorecards. But in my mind, in my head, obviously, in the fight, it's different. Like, I'm, like, I'm fighting. So I'm not watching it from the outside. So my mind has a different scoring.

I honestly thought I was losing to fight going into the fifth for a different reason because I thought, round one I took, I thought the other rounds were, like, I thought round two could have run either way. And I knew three and four was his round. So I was like, we could be potentially two, two. But I was like, either way, I know, like, if we go to the judges, he's probably going to win because the fourth round was just, like, probably a 10-8. Like I knew it was all his round, you know?

Like I said, he did all the work on the fourth round. So that's why in my head I was like, okay, I got to finish them. You know, like, I didn't want to have that doubt if I won or lost. So I just knew in the fifth I had to go for the finish. Yeah, it seemed like you really powered up there. It was great to see. Like, you didn't try to leave it. Obviously, if you would have left it to the judges,

it wouldn't have gone your way given the state of the scorecard. Yeah. You really put it into overdrive. Yeah, yeah, that's why. Like, it's kind of funny when people are like, oh, like, you were losing you lost a fight I'm like but then like if I went out there and was tired

they would have been like oh like you were down fucking three rounds you should have went out there and left it all in the fifth but then I go out there and leave it out in the fifth and then like oh you lost three rounds I'm like I mean it's about finishing the fight yeah that's not how it works he's a tricky guy maybe not the biggest name but so tough

and the the guy we just had on the show, Payne Talbot, he beat him, and he was talking about how tricky he was. So what would you say about Heone? Like, is he trickier than you thought? Is he a tougher nut to crack, so to speak? No, he's definitely tricky. He was definitely well-rounded fighter,

but I really knew. Like, I knew what I was getting myself into it. I never had a doubt. His strips were so smooth, you know, like his takedowns, like those trips, man. I still think he beats a lot of guys in the division and a lot of guys in the top. I think, like, if he would have beat me on Saturday, he would have for sure had a good shot at the belt, too. Like, he's just so good, man.

But that's why I was happy to take the fight because I was like, man, if I can't meet him, then I can't be champion. Like, I need a challenge like this. This is exactly what I need to prove myself that I belong here, you know? So I was like, man, I was like, I knew he was going to bring a new version out of me because he's got good wrestling, good hands. He's just a well-rounded fighter and his experience is crazy. You mentioned Cheeto. I've asked him about the bond with you and your family.

Can I ask you about your perspective on all of this? Why is it working so well with Cheeto? He had the great win two weekends ago. You guys seem to be getting along very well. He speaks so highly. of you and your father and your whole family. You're in the same way class, so this doesn't often happen, but it seems to be working really well.

How come? I don't know, we're just like this, you know? We're like good. Like we met in Brazil, we just like connected, you know? Nah. But, and we just got along and stuff, and then we started training, and he's been a lot of help to me and his experience, even like this week,

but he helped me a lot with the weight cut. You know, he's been through many, and he's been on a five-round fight. So he was a lot of big trouble for me in this fight. And I think my youth and my energy, and we help each other in so many ways, and we just try to bring it together and try to make it work. And we're just supporting each other, you know?

So I really appreciate him and his whole team, you know. I think we're doing a great job. So you will stick with this. You will continue to train together. Yeah, yeah, for sure. I mean, at the end of the day, like, we just both like to work hard. You know, like, we've been through so many, like, tough training sessions that we both look at each other.

We're both so tired. And sometimes, like, we don't want to do it. it because bro the training sometimes are so tough but we're just like we just like to pushing him and I feel like that's why we're both good training partners because I'm like I don't want to quit the training session because I'm like shit you've been through the same thing and like you're still pushing so I got to push too and we just keep like lifting each other up you know seeing him get that that emotional inspirational win a weekend before what did that do to you going into this fight week a lot I mean I was

mainly just happy for him, you know, happy for him because, like I said, I see all the hard work that he puts, all the sacrifices that he puts, like, being around him and his whole family and stuff. Like, I just knew all the hard work that went in for this Charles Jordan fight. And I was just like, man, like, I want to see him win. So, and everybody that, like, all my friends, my brothers, everybody, I just, like, seeing them win is part of my dream, you know, so just seeing him grow up there and be able to perform. form like that and make a tough opponent like Charles Jordane look like that I was like man like I couldn't be any happier you know so I was just so happy for him could I ask a couple weeks ago we did see your brother

suffer a tough loss how was he doing after that good um he's in the mental state uh like he didn't it wasn't like he got out class then at the year like it was just very unfortunate like uh if I was the the one who was in his position and got raised up like that, I would have round knocked out too, you know? There's just no way, like, I mean, he couldn't pose, like, nothing like the arm was stuck. And Chongqing is a big guy, you know, so shit, he went pretty up in the air.

So it's just unfortunate, to be honest. He didn't get to show his skills and stuff, but he's great, he'll be back. How did you feel about not being on a Noce UFC card? You were there with your brother, obviously. Would you have liked to have been on that card or were you okay with it because you were headlining

a couple weeks later? I was okay. I had the option to even play in LA or be a main event and I chose main event because I mean, I just want to make history and I want to get used to the five rounds

because obviously I'm inmate at the belt. I'm looking at the bigger picture. So I'm like, let me get that experience right now and couldn't be better than any other opponent than Raleigh in Barcelona. And you're turning 22 in 10 days, so you're still in the mix to make history as the youngest champion ever.

Do you feel like it's attainable? Yeah, I feel like it's attainable, obviously. That's why in this fight it was all in nothing. Like, if I lost this fight, the dream is done, you know? So I knew I had to win this fight. How many more before you get a title shot, you think? How long is it going to take? I don't know, to be honest.

I do got a good shot. I think my next fight is probably going to be a pretty good name. Honestly, the fights are not going to get any easier than Saturday. So I'm excited and I'm ready. I'm just going to keep training hard and keep working hard and getting step by step. I like to focus step by step because every opponent on the way is tough. But I think two or three more fights can get me up there. And I saw you rocking the Balenciaga shirt,

the custom glasses. Life is good, right, for a 21-year-old. Look at you. Yeah, yeah. Styling and profiling. Yeah, thanks for me, you know. You know, that is great. What's that street sign behind you there?

What's the significance? Oh, this is a bangor. It's a banger? Yeah. I just, it's just like a word that's... Shaka. Chaka. Like this?

Like what they do? in Hawaii, the Shaka. Yeah, yeah, Chaka Street. It's just like, it means like sick, you know? Yeah. It's like slang, you know? You do this too? Nah, but it's just like, like Chaka, you know.

I was in, I was in Hawaii. Oh, okay. Oh. Like fucking with ball. Yeah, I like that. Yeah. That's your mindset. Yeah, yeah.

So, I'm not just, to be honest, I just put random shit in my, in my room. Like, I have a ball. I have just like a bunch of, this is your house? Yeah. You bought your parents a house too, right? Yeah, yeah. I bought my parents a house, but the house comes with life.

I like it because, like, this is like a little apartment, but like I go through the hallway and it's like the whole house, you know? So it's like an apartment with like the house, you know. Oh, and your parents are there? It's a new build, yeah. Oh, I love that. And you had a whole band playing when you guys moved in or when you showed them the house? Yeah, some mariachi's when, when I got the house, I got some money. I just

from her mom because she loves them. She loves mariachis. Me too. Look at those flowers. Did she know this was coming? No, she didn't. I told him, let's go, let's go eat for her birthday. And her birthday, I just brought her over here. Wow. Wow. Wow. Did your father know? No. I told only my brother knew. Wow. That must have felt incredible. Yeah, no, for sure. It was a dream come true. By the way, shout at your dad. He's looking jacked.

Oh, thank you. Yeah. I mean, he, bro, he stays working. Like, every time I go to the gym and lift waves and stuff, like, he'll do it too. That's your dad, right? On the left? Yeah. Yeah. Looks like he can go right now five rounds. Yeah, yeah. No, my dad, my dad will scrap anytime. And like, it's good and all, like, having people like that, like, with you. Like, when I go out in public, I know, like, if shit goes down, like, my dad's throwing hands, like, Cheetos throwing hands.

My brother, like, we're all just going to, my boy Carlos, like, we're all just going to, like, I know, like, I'm not going to die alone, you know, so I'm like, we're out, we're all getting down. But no one's messing with you guys now, right? I mean, at this point, you're the freaking out. No, no. But, you know, like, in public, you just never know, you know. Like, even, like, when we go to, like, the, like, hood places and stuff by accident, but still, like, I know, like, we're good. So now, after a big win like this, like, how do you, how do you chill?

Like, what do you do to let your hair down, to take it easy this week? I haven't really slept, to be honest. But, like, I don't party. I'm here in Vegas right now. Like, but I just been, like, with my parents. in joint time, like, since in tap, it's like I'm with them, but I'm not with them. Like, it's like we're a little bit stressed and stuff, but, uh, but right now, just feeling with my parents watching the fight over and over, eating food, and just pretty much

that. And, and when you say you haven't slept, is it because you've been out celebrating? No, like, I just, I've just been here at home, but I can't, like, after a fight, I can't sleep. I wonder if there's the adrenaline, uh, but I can't. nervously for like the two or three days like after a fight i'm just like awake okay like you're just too hyped and then maybe by tonight or tomorrow you'll you'll crash yeah yeah so what do you do to spend the time like in the middle of the night like what how do you pass the time i just be on tectogging shit and like like i don't really reply to comments but i'll be replied a little bit just

because i'm boring like i just i'm just like trolls yeah yeah like uh like somebody says said like, oh, made a post with me holding like a cardboard. And I said, I got dog walk for four rounds until my opponent got tired, you know. And I was like, shit. I just put my game plan work. Yay. It does a dove, I guess. Just like shit like that.

And I made, I mean, I just made like TikToks and like just random shit. What's on your TikTok algorithm? Like, what is it feeding you right now? Just a lot of things from my fight Because to be honest, that's all I do I just look up myself up Like for edits and stuff So like now my algorithm right now

It's just like It's all you My fight Yeah, yeah Doesn't get boring Watching yourself do work And are the edits good Are they bangers?

Yeah, there's some bangers Uh Nah, it doesn't get boring I'm just like, oh that's safe And like different angles and stuff And some people were at papers So I'm like, oh that's sick Oh by the way

How is the new A-Berry? Apex? Good. To be honest, every time I'm fighting the Apex though, I feel like I'm like fighting in a regional scene, you know, like, since I'm used to like the big crowd and like the arenas that when I fight in the Apex it feels like like a regional scene. But man, the meta Apex is, it was like so sick, you know, like, I don't know, it's just, there's no like bad C.

So I enjoy that as like my family being there because they're like so close too. So I'm like that sick. But in other words, you'd like to be in an arena next time? To be honest, I have mind like a fight to fight. But like I said, like I would say I want to be an arena and I do. I like fighting in arenas. But my family gets better seats at the papers because there's no bad seats. I'm like, it's a win-win, you know.

Yeah. Well, I'm happy they were able to be there in attendance and watch you, and a lot of fun to see you do your thing. And look, I don't think anyone should take anything away from you. It's a five-round fight. It's a 25-minute fight for a reason. So you get the win. Thank God.

Heone appears to be okay. That was very scary. I must admit, been watching this sport a long time. I don't know if I ever felt that way. So I can't imagine how you were feeling in the moment, but I thought you handled everything with class. And I think you were going to hit us with the Chi-Wee's, but you didn't feel like it was appropriate, right? No idea, to be honest.

Oh, you did? Okay. Maybe I was like, I was too focused on it. First, you know, I did tell everybody to let's pray for him tonight and stuff. And after that, I did get back to like my speech and stuff. I mean, it's because it was a, like, the ending was unfortunate, but to be honest, like the fight, man, like just from both of us was a, I think it was a pain. You know, like, we were just like killing each other in there for 25 minutes. For sure. Well, I'm glad he is okay, it appears, and glad you're okay.

And heal up soon, the hand, the face, all that, enjoy this time off, Raoul, and wishing you and your brother as well. I hope he feels better as well, nothing but the best. Thank you for coming on. I appreciate it as always. great to talk to you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Bye, bye. There he is. Raoul Rossas, Jr., kind enough to join us. After his big win on Saturday, you know, I kind of blew by everything at the top of the show because we had so much to get to and Josh Hokka was joining us. But gentlemen, what were you thinking when that was happening? Because I have to be honest, I felt like my heart was like falling into my stomach there.

I was getting excited about Jill and Brunson hosting SNL and I was like, holy shit, what is going on here? It was terrifying, Rick. Yeah, this moment. And then the wheezing after, when he was just there, you know, his chest was, you know, pumping air into his lungs. But it was a disturbing sound and the visual and the fact that they threw him on the stretcher and then took him out as quickly as they could. It was a scary, it was a scary sight and a reminder that, like, you don't play this. This is not a game.

This is life and death at times. and we are fortunate that there has not been any deaths in the UFC. It seemed like this might have been the closest we've gotten. This was a very, very scary thing. You've seen some terrifying knockouts. Like Bryce Mitchell starts convulsing Nasrod, Hakparas, against Kulen Salkhild, and he's just like completely flat out. The fact that he didn't take a massive hit.

I know Raul alluded to maybe it was like the punch reel up in close, but it just doesn't feel like that had enough impact to knock him. the fact that he just essentially went limp and went down. And that was that, get him on the stretcher, get him out to the hospital. And then I stuck around and watched the entire post show. Yeah. No update throughout the post show. You're kind of sitting there just like, dude, what is going on?

Because typically you get the, you know, three or four minutes later, it's like, okay, they're awake in the back now. Like, they're speaking with doctors. It seems like they're okay. The fact that we didn't get any update was scary. So very happy to hear that Haone is conscious and responding and seems to be doing all right now. Do you know what I mean when I said, like, that show, there was something just a little bit wacky about that show, right? I mean, the ending, to put it mildly, the Luis Hernandez fight and the way that was being promoted, the Eileen Perez, Norma Dumont fight, and all the stuff surrounding that. Did you catch Fabiano trying to do the translation there?

Yeah, the translations, and Norma Dumont was upset. You know, a lot of people scored that fight for her. It was... The tough fights. It's Tina Black season, baby. Oh, my God. The illegal knee was just, it was a lot of wackiness. Tough.

What's that? Who coach tough this season? Oh, I know because of the video that I saw, but it was Bisping and D.C. Yeah. I did not watch a second. Well, I knew you knew Bisping because you referenced that earlier. I wasn't sure if you knew D. If you would have asked me when the tough finale was, I would have said, I don't even think

Bisping and D.C. were there. No, that was the video. No, I understand. But, like, I thought maybe that was just a promotion for it. Oh. Like, Dana certainly wasn't there. We know where he was. Wait, you think they're coming out for a tough finale?

No, he's no? Bro, get the fuck out of here. Used to be. I mean. Used to be. Ten years ago. No, sorry. 20 years ago.

Tough never dies. Come on. No longer true. It's dead. It's been dead. Actually, it's not. But somehow. What's up with Luis in the moves, huh?

What do you love those, man? Do you guys see Luis shaking that ass and that? Look at him. What what Peyton say about that? Like Frankie LaPena. Yeah. Yeah. You do see what I see.

Yeah, the big stash in the butt. The butt, yeah. Till Romero, thoughts? Honestly, I scored it for Romero live. I thought that was a knockdown at the end of the, I believe, the third round when he went down to the knee and everything. But yeah, it was unanimous for Till.

I mean, it was a good fight. I was kind of hoping for a little bit more action, but... But, you know, these guys are so high level. They're not going to do, like, rock'em-sock them, like, the other BKFC fighters. I know, and, like, even when we say, like, oh, wasn't that, you know, crazy in a bunch of action, They're both beat up bad by the end of it.

I mean, like, Till's going around partying with like a gash. It's just gushing blood afterward. He's chugging beers and whatnot with it. Here he is dancing. Yeah, yeah. Look at the vibes. Towel covered in blood. It was actually funny at the post presser.

He's like, could someone get me a towel here? I don't want to get blood on my Marks and Spencer shirt. And there's already blood. He had no idea. He said it was a 10-euro shirt. Yeah, which is a lot, I would say, for Marks and Spencer. But not a lot for it. Sure, come on.

No, no, of course. After the fight, Lorenzo Hunt got into the cage and was not too pleased or impressed, excuse me, pleased and impressed with the performance from Darren Till. Here's what he had to say. You fall like a bitch tonight. Oh, my. In front of your friends, in front of your family, you came here and you let us down. You got to press the pace.

You know I won't fight you like that. You know I won't fight you like that. I'm going to push you, I'm going to press you, and I'm going to take everything. I'm gonna get caught in the way, the style shit. You're just, you're just a punch bag. You're just a punch bag, that's what you know. I would have done better. I've given more every single fight I've ever fought.

He's better than you. He's better than you. He's a bum. He's a bum. He's fair. It's your spoiler. What am I mentioned to against the spoiler? Some guy who just goes back.

If you come in on me, you will get schleper ends on and you know it. And look, you can go on about all the UFC. Fighters are bums and everything. I've fought in every year. Come back sports in the world and I'm here. You're walking around Manchester. We're belt-staffed around you. What are you doing?

How could you do was I? You were the last. You wouldn't last. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. You chug me down and you get walked on to the left hands. I don't care about them out to Lentzel.

I care about fighting. Because I get paid the most than the bare knuckle. I'm the highest. Yeah. So classic till, there's a few things there that I wanted to say about that guys. Number one, did you notice Lorenzo Hunt had three belts wrapped around them? Can you name the belts? Those are four.

Middleweight? Welterweight. No, no. Heavyweight? What the fuck are the belts for? Rick? I have no idea. Light heavy weight.

Yeah. Okay, I said light heavy weight. Oh, I thought you said heavy weight. No, no, at the end there, I said light heavy. Cruiserweight. Shout out. Iron weight. What's iron weight?

Iron! What is iron weight? 220. Cruiser weight is 210. Whoa. I didn't know they had enough. Look, I love BKFC. If you're going live, it's the best event you can go to.

But in terms of the championships, the rankings are doing that? They've got a UK champ now I saw on Saturday. I had no idea. So that's number one. There's three belts that he's the owner of, and I didn't know there was an iron. number two he's talking about like oh you're a bum you're bum you're you know the last mima fight lorenzo hunt had no idea how long ago oh seven years eight 2018 2018 october fifth do you know who he lost to in that fight uh not a clue man be joe pifer

oh fuck that's a nice little yeah i'm just saying um so some of the stuff that till we'll say And this is actually something that I think BKFC is going to struggle with a little bit. I feel like this happened with Perry and it will happen with Till. I feel like those guys don't want to fight the bare knuckle guys. I feel like they want to fight other MMA fighters. Do you know what I mean? Like there was that one guy who came into the cage after the Perry Stevens fight and he's like, this doesn't interest me.

They want high profile fights and I just don't know if these guys are high profile just yet. And even with the belts, does it boost the profile? No. As Till said. Darren Till has the ironweight title. No one can. Lorenzo Hunt is a great salesman. He's one of BKFC's best mouths.

He knows the way to build up a fight and things like that. But it's probably not a good use of there until anyway. He talks about being the highest paid BKFC fighter. I would not be surprised by that. And if you put him in a fight with Lorenzo Hunt, that doesn't do the business that you need. So I actually think you shouldn't be fighting those guys. You should be looking for big names and doing that.

So I don't necessarily know if that's a problem as much as like it's a feature, not a bug. Like Mike Perry should be fighting big names. Darren Till should be fighting big names. It's not a good- Mike Perry should be fighting Darren Till. And Mike Perry should be fighting Darren Till. How we are living in this world where Till is now the face of BKFC and Perry's not, they need to figure it out. That's really the fight for both of them next, right?

He was screaming afterward that they could sell out a stadium now. I mean, look, that crowd, man, I got to say, I don't know if you guys were watching both at the same time. I was going back and forth from Zufa boxing to that, both shows in UK. AEO Arena was on fire. I don't know how many people were there compared to Zufa, but the difference in the energy in the building and the crowds was very, very, very noticeable.

I believe they set the AO Arena record for this year? It was like 16,000? It tells a huge deal. Or 15,094, because David Feldman said the 94 was ironic because it was BKFCF. Shout out, though, yeah. Did you guys catch misfits on Saturday night? There was so much going on. The highlights.

Yeah, got the highlights. I was locked in. Yeah, yeah, no, I saw you guys text and I was just like. I was locked in. What else were you doing? Warner's about to make his. Yeah, Walter, Walton, Walker. So Hudo's actually kind of fun as a boxer.

I'm not going to lie. I know I'm not supposed to like him because he's a little, you know, you know. But I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. I don't know. I thought it was fun. The Ferguson thing was wild. Yeah, that was a weird fight.

I mean, I honestly don't think it was rigged. I just think this he was fighting thought the round was over. Yeah. The guy just wasn't very good. This, yeah, this weird part right here. Eleanor legend. Also weird, Nikisa sitting in the front row right next to Mams Taylor. Scouting?

No, it was because Wana's an MVP guy. Yeah, I don't think he was scouting. So he brought Ruby Rose into the locker room. Who's Ruby Rose? Rapper? You tell me, man. I don't know. I honestly don't know.

What about me hitting? And you know all about those like secret clubs? I was like, damn, Hwani's on a different level right now. See, people don't know. I didn't know you knew about that. They don't know. Hayton was impressed.

He was impressed. He was impressed. I think he was acting impressed. I don't think he was actually impressed. Yeah, I guess he's so Gen Z. You can't really impress him, right? It's hard. And honestly, like, the more I try to impress him,

the less impressive. Yeah, yeah. For sure. He's great. I love him. Okay, a couple other things that I wanted to get into. What about Sean Strickland? posting this on social media guys

regarding his next assignment someone writes him is it true you're fighting imov, Sean we're discussing pay now once that detail is squared it's locked in the issue is no one cares about the fake Frenchman we're almost there

Jesus is Charlie hashtag do you know what that's in reference to No sorry you don't Don't you speak French? Sweet right? Oh jeezuie Charlie sorry Jesus is Charlie got it do you do you do not know

Charlie headbow thing from yeah that is not a good thing to insight that was a huge huge deal I'm not getting into it's a French issue oh yeah it's a French Muslim thing it's it's he knows exactly Sean knows what he's doing um

anyway he I think he may have did he tweet something else or no that was it's more or less the same thing He just said, yeah, we're working. I'll pay now. Can't believe I said Jesus. He loves this Jackson, 579, 484, 782. Answered him twice.

Oh, for me. Amazing. John Pork, out for the year, guys. Careful, careful. What? Magomed Zainukov. Janko. I won't be fighting this year due to surgery.

I'm currently undergoing rehabilitation and recovering. I didn't sign contract for this fight. By the way, I like how you tell me careful. Meanwhile, I'm getting shit for you guys doing a thumbnail with him as a... That's all good. That's all good. This is not all good. Okay.

Thank you. Thank you for that. Funnel is fine. Yes. Verbal reference is not. Yeah. What about UFC 332? What is this?

Fight Week Post? What do we got? What do we got? Okay. They love the big head, smaller person. Yeah. Looming. And a reminder, if you're in the New York area,

come hang out can I say the link is in our YouTube chat courtesy of Kalshi thank you why does it say live podcast recording

we're not recording a podcast Rick's been speaking for the last few seconds but he's been muted the whole time oh hey there is

who's to check yeah you can hang with us yeah hi go bang bro it's sick watch 332 my new queen

is crowned okay I think it's gonna be a bangor of a card I really do He goes. I really do it. Spent 30 minutes with Peyton Talbot and it's a low-key banger now.

I really don't judge it. You can't judge it, says Peyton Talbot. I agree. I actually agree and I think it's disingenuous and unfair for the media to call a card shit unless they see the card play out. Ain't that what journalism is? Yeah. Shout out to Dustin Poria guys.

He was hanging with the LSU Tigers. El Diamante. Hang with the boys Like Giffin, bro Yeah, how'd that happen? He does this like celebrity walk. Oh, I want to see that. Let's see it.

Yeah, look at this. Like every week now he has a bunch of celebrities Like he had Lil Wayne. Why is he doing this? Have he done? Because he's a... Is it too much?

He's a schmoozer. Is it too much? Oh, they won like fucking 36 to 3 or something against the ranked Texas A&M. What's the L stand for? LSU. Oh, of course. Yeah.

I thought it was that the other team Cotonnell. Yeah, bro. Louisiana? Shut out. our guy Elliot Wersel. By the way, we had a great, how great was our team meeting? We had our first ever team.

Why you guys laughing? Because it's just like a the most behind the scenes thing. Yeah, we had a great team meeting on Friday. A few people didn't show up, by the way. I actually don't know who it was. Oh, I'm assuming you've accounted for it? Of course. Is your back hurting because you carried that entire meeting?

I did carry it. It was great. No, I think Rick did a great job. My favorite, there's a few things. Anyway, we're all over the map here. We had a team meeting to celebrate the two-year anniversary. It was the first time that the whole team came together. And it was great.

We had Ovin in Sri Lanka. Shout to Oven, man. Good to put a face with the name. Freaking hell. We had Christina in New Zealand, one of the newest members of the team, IYKYK, Y, K. We had people all over Europe. We had Elliott in England. We had Pizzi, obviously, in Ireland.

PT coming out of the gate with a complaint. We had Kenobio. We had Solomons. It was like the last episode of Seinfeld, everyone coming through. YouTube Pat, not in attendance. Would like to know why. Maybe he was watching the Yankees, I don't know. Darshang, everything boxing, not in attendance.

Okay, halfway through it, I was like, where's Darshan? Yeah, not in attendance. Want to put a face with the name, you know. Alan Dawson sent his AI note taker. All right, that counts. Yeah. And there was one more. I had four.

I think four didn't show up. Nevertheless, there was over 34 people there. Should we talk about how... Over 34? Yeah, because I don't know the exact number. I think it was 35, 34. Should we talk about how the day before you're like, nobody RSVPed to this?

Should I be worried about it? Yeah, and? And everybody showed up. I know. Listen, you always get a little bit nervous before a big party. The best part of the meeting was I talked, Rick talked about the video stats

and how great we were doing, Shaheen. And then I'm like, shit. Frankie should talk about the audio stats. I hit up Frankie on the side, on the DL, and he came through like no one even knew any. I can't lie. That was an unexpected wrinkle. I didn't know we were going to go for the audio stats.

Frankie killed it. Frankie killed it. Actually, Frankie got like... It's something from the D.L. You don't expose it later. This is fun. Everyone was giving Frankie praise. He's calling him the unsung hero.

Many people texted me after. I can't believe I know what Frank looks like now. I know. I know. I thought you were going to go camera. off. Yeah, Rick and Shaheen ripped through stats the last 16 months. I know. Rick was really going deep into the archives. And then Frankie's just like, fuck the stats. Audio's doing great. Yeah. You hear it? That's all that matters. Amen. Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because

Elliot Wersel has written an article about Terrence Crawford, who turns 39 today. He was one of the great people. That is not Elliot, by the way, on your screen. That's Dan Kenobio and Chris Algerie. Was Algerie the fourth that missed? Boom. There was. I knew. Dan gave us a heads up. That's all right. That's all right. No, no.

This is not my fault. We'll catch you the next one. As he turns 39, Terrence Crawford is still fighting temptation. And I do suspect that he will be back in no time. The reporter Jack Figg that we spoke about, who went toe to toe with Dana White, I guess he has responded to all the chatter post-presser. What is this? I have not seen this, but I'm seeing it on our list.

my heated section of the presser did the rounds on social media after. Is this a statement he's put out or what? What's going on? My heated section of the presser did the rounds on social media afterwards and saw me receive rare praise for actually standing up to Dana White. In reality, the work was neither that impressive or earth-shattering. The bar is just extremely low when it comes to honest and pressing dialogue with Dana. He seems to get off the hook all too easily in his UFC bubble,

where media seemed too fearful of losing access to ever dare stand up, to the 57-year-old pal of Donald Trump. Softballs about how great the UFC are doing and how excited they are to return to a certain state or city usually fill up the mind-numbing pressers. There's a common misconception and myth that UFC media members risk being barred and losing credentials for challenging the boss.

I don't know about that last line, though. Yeah, that feels not like a misconception. That is actually not a misconception. That's from his article in The Sun, which I read, and he does reference me, and he references that my band lasted 48 hours and whatnot, but he's glossing over an entire history of, I want to give all these guys praise,

but there's, again, stop making this into MMA versus boxing. And you stood there, we talked about this beforehand. Dana White's relationship with the boxing media is completely different than his relationship with the MMA media. He needs the boxing media. He's trying to win them over. It's why he will do IFL interviews, but not do the equivalent of that.

in the world of MMA. It's why he'll sit with someone like Naji from Sagar Talk, but not sit with the equivalent of that in MMA. He's trying to win you over. He's trying to get in your good graces. He's trying to, he's on the front foot in boxing. You don't seem to realize that. In boxing, he's trying to sign Shakur, Terence, Ryan, Benavides. In MMA, he has all these people. He's on the back foot in MMA. In MMA, he's just trying to have a grand old time and hang out with influencers. In boxing, he's trying to win you over, and he's trying to use your audiences and your platforms to get a message out to the paying public on this new thing called Zoufa boxing that doesn't have the same cachet as UFC and to the fighters and to their managers and to their trainers.

It's a completely different Dana White that you're dealing with. It's not the same guy. I mean, even simpler, he's the newcomer there, right? He doesn't have the clout. He doesn't have the leverage. Now, he has tremendous leverage just by his name and recognizability, but in that space, he's the new guy. The boxing fans who are following these pages are being exposed to him, whereas in MMA, he is not the newcomer. He's the old guard. The media that are showing up to these events are the newcomers. They are the ones that are not veteran. They are the ones who are not seasoned. And so he has the leverage there. He has the ability if he wants, like, he also has the reputation by the way he has the reputation

Dana White has to sit there at these boxing press conferences and verbally spar with some of these guys because he needs to have conversations in the boxing media for mama he is not required to do that because he would be just as happy for the mama media to disappear he'd be just as happy for nobody to show up to a press conference so he doesn't even have to do these press conferences that he clearly is checked out of and disinterested from i hate the comparison I hate the fact that this person wrote an article where they're like, I did nothing special, but let me tell you all about it.

Like, save it, save it, not interested. There's also, like I said, the history there. Dana in boxing is Dana 20 years ago in M.A. Right? And so, like, I remember being on the set of versus, what was the show called, the Daily Line where I had the audacity to say that Fyodor O'Meilenko was the number one pound. pound fighter and they call cut and Dana's in the shadows and emerges and starts getting in my

face. How could you say it's traitor and not Anderson and we're going back and forth and he's quick on his feet and all that. Do you remember that video? Conic clip. I'm just saying like this idea that you know these gentlemen that were in attendance on Saturday are the first ever and by the way I was the first to give them praise. I was watching it live but like you're not the first ever. You're not the first ever. You're just talking to the the beginning of Dana White boxing promoter and Dana White And Dana White Boxing Promoter, A, has to rely on the likes of Turkey Oshake to bankroll his operation, has other people that he answers to in TKO. Isn't the guy, you know, just sort of, you know, isn't the renegade that he could have been 20 years ago with his two buddies, the Fratita brothers, in the world of MMA. And, oh, by the way, is dealing within the confines of a system that is completely different than the restraints or lack thereof that he had in MMA 20-something years ago.

There was no sanctioning body. There was no Ali act. They literally walked in there and took a dying sport and resurrected it. But there was nothing handcuffing them. Here they walk into an established sport, warts in all, 100 years. It's been with us. But you've got all these hurdles and all these promoters and all these big stars that are attached to other promoters with networks involved and sanctioning bodies involved and all this stuff. It's completely different.

And so he has to do these sorts of things. And the bottom line is, at this state of his life and career, he's not equipped to do that anymore. He just, he doesn't have it anymore. The 57 year old version of Dana isn't the 40 year old version of Dana. He just doesn't have it. And so he can't think on his feet like this. He's doing the thing where he reads. He's doing the thing where he processes like that.

We've never seen that guy. Sorry, 20 years ago, we would never see that guy. We see him now all the time. It's just a fascinating thing. It's like what I want to say to the boxing guys, and I don't consider myself MMA boxing. We cover it all here. And I think we do it just as well, if not better than anyone, if I do say so myself,

welcome welcome to the Dana experience we've been here for 20 years welcome enjoy have fun go on the victory lap tours everyone did a great job but like you know let's see you do this for 20 or something years like we have with him let's let's see how fun it gets so it's easy to talk about the people who are afraid of a lose no that's a real thing people did lose access people did get blackballed people did get bullied people did get their hand slapped. Don't dismiss that. That's a real thing. We didn't make that up. We lived it. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a conversation about Zufa boxing after that and how the credential process and all that is handled. This is not... Oh, that will come. Yeah. That will come. Yeah, that will pop up quickly. It's a completely different arena. I hate the, I hate the comparison.

It's not fair. Yeah. Not fair. And it shouldn't be MMA versus boxing. It really shouldn't. We're all combat sports journalists. We're all trying to get the answers. We're all covering everything. And it's never been more intertwined. The sports have never been more intertwined. The same dude who's the most powerful guy in our sport is the most powerful guy in that sport. I say our sport.

You get what I'm saying. All right. I did want to talk about this and I wanted to give it the proper time and attention. We did get some pretty awful news from the world of pro wrestling. Actually, two bits of news yesterday. I'll mention first that Ben Satterley, aka Pock, was found dead yesterday, Sunday afternoon. Pock, who was once known as Neville in the world of W.E., one of the most beloved athletes on the AEW roster, and in fact had just competed at the AEW pay-per-view on Saturday night in Chicago.

I'm reading this from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the Cook County, Medical Examiner's Office says that Ben Saturday, AKA Pack, was found dead at about 4 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. He was spotted in a rental car by a passerby who called 911. The spokesperson for the medical examiner's office says there was no indications of foul player trauma and that it doesn't appear to be suspicious. This is, I mean, it's a shocking thing and it's unfortunately something that wrestling fans and the community and obviously the athletes themselves, the promoters, everyone involved has had to deal with. sadly time and again where someone in their prime who was just on television

24 hours prior, less than 40 years young with a family just all of a sudden shockingly passing away and so that as you may have seen online was just tragic, shocking,

horrible, mind-blowing news that everyone was reacting to in real time. This was about, I don't know, six, seven o'clock last night. At almost exact same time, we got news that Rich Ackberger,

who's known to most wrestling fans as Sign Guy, also passed away. And if you're a wrestling fan, you will know this man, this face, would always show up to events with all kinds of very creative signs. This is one, Triple H's crap with Hunter

Hurst Helmsley's face in a toilet bowl, Triple H, posting on social media, sat at the hear of the death of Rick Ackberger, known to the WWU universe as

sign guy. For decades, Rick was a fixture at events, holding a sign that expressed exactly how he felt about you

that given evening. He will be missed by the entire WWU family. We send condolences to his family and friends. Like, he was a fixture.

Like, for the company to go out of their way to show him love like this, you know, obviously very much well deserved

and earned because he was at so many events, backwards, Red Hat, the blue shirt and all, saw a lot of wrestlers, obviously commenting on both shocking deaths of Ben's death and of Rich's death as well. And I could talk to you about these pieces of news and how sad it was, but I wanted to ask our own intern Josh, who is still working for us while he's at Syracuse, who lives and breathes the world of pro wrestling to weigh in

on the sudden and tragic passing of Pock, aka Ben Satterley, and Rich Ackberger, aka Sign Guy. And so without further ado, here's intern Josh, helping us out giving a context, background, and his thoughts on these two very sad pieces of news. Tragedy struck the world of professional wrestling yesterday as we lost two people very near and dear to our hearts. Benjamin Satterley, otherwise known as PAC,

otherwise known as Adrian Neville passed away at the young age of 40. I have not quite processed the words to be able to process this. You know, it's one of those things I went to sleep last night, not believing it was true, and then woke up this morning praying it wasn't. And he was an innovator. He was a pioneer. He was an underdog, right? He made WBNXT what it is today.

He made AEW feel authentic, feel original, feel new, feel different. If he was a face, you know, the fans were cheering him. The fans loved him. He was a heel. If he was a bad guy, he was getting booed out of the building, right? He was a tremendous professional wrestler. And that, even that is an understatement. You know, the reason I would turn on WWE Raw when I was nine years old in 2014 was to watch PAC,

was to watch Neville at that time, watch him fly. I loved him so, so much. And although I've never met him, according to all accounts of anybody that's been in the same room as PAC, an incredible human being with a sense of personality and humor

that could light up any locker room. And Ben was a huge Newcastle fan. He was fun. He was energetic. And he was always willing to help. And, I mean, you know, I, again, I don't really have the words to process this, but the man who gravity forgot pack, the wrestling world will not be the same without you. And we lost another member of the wrestling family yesterday with the death of Rick Ackberger,

who was also known as the sign guy. To many people, you know, he was probably just seen as nothing more than a fan in the crowd. that had a lot of money and was just always row one. But that wasn't the case because to the wrestlers, to the talent, he was a part of the team. You know, bringing signs that booed the bad guys or cheered the good guys, he helped bring the crowd into every show at shows where wrestlers are dying for the crowd to get into it, for the crowd to have some energy. If Rick was there, the wrestlers always knew that it was going to be a good crowd because

Rick was going to do anything in his power to make the good guys get cheered and the bad guys get booed. He made connections with the wrestlers and WBWG wrestlers would go to shows and they would hope that tonight the sign guy was bringing a sign

of them and seeing a fan become part of the angle and the stories was special and sign guy will absolutely not be forgotten So two guys that we lost too soon and, you know, it's just a constant reminder.

It's so shocking. But it's a constant reminder to hold on to your loved ones, live in the present. Ben, Rick, we are thinking of you, sending our condolences to your family, to loved ones, to everybody. The wrestling world will not be the same without you guys. Thank you very much, Josh. Appreciate that. Ask Josh to do that this morning. He's got a lot going on at school, but I thought it would be apropos for him to weigh in as opposed to I, because he lives and breathes this stuff.

And I know he was a huge, huge fan of Pox and grew up in the era of a sign guy as well. So I echo his sentiments and also echo, may they rest in peace. And their memories will forever continue to be a blessing. A few other things to get to before we go, I do want to let you know that on Fridays on Vice TV, we are airing a best of version of this program. And you can catch it every Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern and had an opportunity to meet with the Vice folks last week. And they are a lovely bunch. They're doing an amazing amount of content surrounding combat sports these days.

They've got live BKB. They've got LFA, Dark Side of the Ring, Dark Side of the Cage. just launched a new series with Jim Cornett, which is a lot of fun as well. He's a tremendous storyteller. So very happy to be a part of the Vice TV family. The Uncrowned Beat is airing exclusively on Amazon Fire TV. You can catch it every late Tuesday, early morning. It gets posted, early morning Wednesday, I should say.

I'm really enjoying doing this. It's a deeper look at the world of combat. And it's the old MMA beat. We're not all in the same room. we were in the past, but a lot of people are telling me they're seeing it on their guides, on their prime, all that's, it's exclusive to fire TV, and right now it's only in the United States, but if you can't support, watch, download, all that stuff and more, I would appreciate it very, very much. Also want to let you know that the uncrown newsletter is here in a week,

and so if you subscribe to ariawhalawani.substack.com already, you're good. You're going to be receiving it. If you don't, and that's where we do on the nose, can you do that for a brother? And I'd like to tell you that Monday, Tuesday, excuse me, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will be publishing, sending out an uncrowound newsletter. And what is that? That's telling you everything that's going on, not only in the world of uncrown, but combat sports as well, but I wanted a place where you know about all the great interviews, all the great shows, all the great pods, all the great articles, all the news, like we sign these deals and stuff like that. I feel like sometimes things are just all over the place.

One-stop shop. And I'm very excited to announce that Christina, aka she loves the gloves, will be the writer, the tabulator, the editor, the everything of this newsletter. She's been doing a tremendous amount of work and great work as well, I should say, hailing from her home country of Georgia. not the state, the country, also spending time in New Zealand as well. I appreciate her grind.

I respect her grind, her work ethic, the way she asks questions, and I just think she's going to be a tremendous asset and a tremendous new member of the team as well. And so if you're a fan of hers, you'll be excited to learn about this. And if you're not a fan of hers or unaware of her,

as of now, I hope that you will get to know her and like her and enjoy her work as much as we do. So please do sub. On the nose will be on Wednesday. That post will still go out as part of the substack as well. But the Hawani substack is now the uncrown substack slash newsletter. And Monday, Wednesday, Friday, you'll get one in your email inbox early hours in the UK

so that by the time you wake up in the United States, it will be there. And hopefully by the time you wake up in the UK or wherever you are in the world, we're trying to find a sweet spot. Work in progress, it will figure itself out. but I'm very excited. It's another thing that I wanted to check off before the end of the year and very, very happy to do so.

Superchat time from Frankie's Superchats. Okay, I go up here. I'm having a problem with my Slack machine, but I do... What's wrong with your Slack machine? It's just a weird thing. Okay, okay, oh, oh.

Okay, first up, RIP-Tupac, the best to come of England just said. Yeah, a lot of people I saw. Who was it? It might have been... Oh, William Regal. William Regal had a great post on X.

Is this William Regal? Yes? Ah, he's posting. He posted, I'm on a plane going home from Mexico. Oh, wait. No, wait, this wasn't the one. He posted the best, rest well. He posted this on September 15th.

This is why I saw it. I'm on a plane going home from Mexico and on it with Puck, one of my favorite people in wrestling. In my opinion, the best wrestler to come out of England since the 80s, and they were Rollerball, Rocco, Marty Jones, and Fit Finley. That's no knock on the incredible UK talent around today, but I come from a time and style where being credible was part of the job. Puck is the only wrestler that when I see him wrestle,

I think he can beat me up, and his wrestling is so much more aggressive and credible. Again, there's brilliant UK wrestlers who I rate highly and am huge fans of, but not as much as him. That's just me in my opinion. Neville versus Alster Black from the UK tournament in Blackpool is one of my favorite bouts I saw live in the last 20 years. Last night's Roman versus Penta rates up there with it as well. No need to argue as I don't read comments. I love that line.

But here you have one of the greatest ever to come out of the UK singing his praises just 13 days ago. So awful stuff. We continue. Jake from the Windy City, I want to say RIP to Ben Saturday, aka AEW's Pock. I was at their all-out paper view in Chicago on Saturday where he wrestled Andrade

and looked fantastic. Then 24 hours later, he passed that will haunt me forever. Another one. Any closing remarks on the Blue Jays season? Oh, I appreciate that. Yes, I actually have a few. Here's my Vladigai.

I would say too little too late. The beginning of the season did not go as planned. They did pick it up July, August, and then fizzled out in September. There's no denying Vladdy had a horrendous season. I believe he ended with nine home runs, one at home, just an absolute stinker of a season, and extremely disappointing. And what was even more disappointing was the interview that he did with a Dominican reporter last week where he essentially said,

did you guys see this comment? Anyone see this? Maybe Jordan saw? Okay. He said, essentially, they didn't pay me this massive contract. What is it? Like 400 million or something, 15 years.

They didn't give me this contract for everything that I'm going to do. They gave it to me for everything that I've already done. And it's not great when you've only had 140 home run season. You're coming off an awful season. like this is coming out with a week left to go,

and it just felt very disconnected and disjointed. And then he came back and did a media availability, a scrum, where he didn't back down. And then the following day, I think Saturday night he did another, or Saturday afternoon, and he's like, my dad told me that that's not the right thing to say because the crowd was booing him,

and they love Vladia. I mean, just like, remember last year, the love affair with Vladia after the Yankee series, the Mariners series, and obviously getting so close to the, to the ultimate prize. I remember after that game seven against the Dodgers, people saying, oh, look at the squad,

you know, look how they love each other, the unity, they'll be right back. And man, in baseball, it's so hard. It's so hard to get back there. It's so hard to get back to the World Series. Unless you're like the Dodgers and you try to buy, and every year you're like adding, you know, 10 new guys or the Yankees to a degree, old school Yankees maybe.

It's just so hard. And so they're in the best division in baseball. Yankees, Red Sox, Devil Rays, or Rays, all making it to the playoffs. Orioles were right in the mix. They could have made it as well. It's by far the toughest division. It remains the toughest division, and they just weren't good enough. They made some good deals at the deadline.

It was a bummer losing Bichet. Some of the signings, you know, Dylan Sees was good. Cherser getting up there. disappointing. What else can I say? Disappointing. Thought they would at least get back into the playoffs. I thought they would figure it out in September and they didn't. Hokit, aka J. Rock from Trailer Park Boys, not saying? Is that what he was doing? I think this is a new character he was debuting. I didn't hate it as much as other people might have.

Or I thought it was more entertaining than like the scared one. Well then there was like the, what do you call it, the Vato when he was in Miami. Oh, right, right. Oh, that's right. Ariel reminds me of butters at the players ball. Wait, is this butters from South Park? Correct. Yes, I do know what you're saying.

You don't have to keep asking. Is that butters, that's me? Yeah. I think they were saying every time he was like, you know what I'm saying? And we're like, yes, Josh, I do know what you're saying. Oh, okay, okay. So this is like, this is like pro-Halwani, not anti-exam. Taiwanese?

I feel like it's a neutral take. It's just an observation. Is Josh Hokit like this in the UFC room when negotiations on contract slash deals popping around still haven't seen him dead serious? Actually, I think post-White House he was pretty serious with us, right? I think that was the closest version of him that we've seen. Yeah. And you kind of hear the seriousness coming out with some of the answers today. Like when he talked about Gable, when he started going, it was like, okay, he's actually being serious now.

Blues. Bill's New Jersey's are trash, right? I mean, please, please, guys, please, yeah. I love the Buffalo Bills. I wish they would go with the red helmet, if I'm being honest. Please, the all-white ones from last year, and these nickel ones from last, yesterday, from last night, whatever it was yesterday. Getting cute with the nickel there.

It's just like bland gray. It's awful. It's terrible. Second home game in the new stadium, and that's what you're coming out with. And I swear, man, Knicks did this as well. There was one year where the Knicks wore all orange, and they went, I think, oh, and nine, and they retired those. They've done the green. Just keep it simple, man.

Just give me blue and white. Why do we do this? The helmets aren't awful. The all gray is just a dud. And five turnovers. By the way, what is it? Is it like, what's the takeaway? We're so good that even though we had five turnovers, we still won, or are the charger just that bad?

That bad. I don't know if I agree. I don't think the charges are that bad. I think we're so good that even we can overcome five turnovers. You guys have as many wins as they have lost as I believe. Yeah, 3-0-0-0-3. But they played some tough team. Did you see the stat that the last team to beat a team with five turnovers,

the team that was beaten was the Jim Harbaugh-led Indianapolis Colts from the 90s, like when he was a quarterback for the Colts? That's not great. That's an insane stat. Yeah, what's up with the Chargers, man? I thought they were supposed... The only stats I've been seeing on my timeline are all like Drake May is possibly the worst quarterback in the league.

And I'm like, give it all to me. Give it all to me. Oh, my God. I'm seeing a lot of Herbert, too, yeah. I mean, they're all in three. I'm in three. Did you guys see the Jags ball boy freaking out? No.

No. Travis Hunter got his first pick, and then they tried to go get the ball from the ball boy. Josh Heinz Allen. He added the Heinz in there, you know, obviously. confusion. Yep, yep, yep. Went to go grab it, and the ball boy was like,

yo, get away, get away. He touched me, man, he touched me. Yeah, it was bad. Freaked out. Jeez. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It went pretty viral, I'm sorry.

Did it? Casuals, I guess. Just a, just a Bill's guy here. Anyway, no more jerseys. Are they done with those? Is it one and done, or are they going to do it again? I bet you I got one more.

I think this was the best hoagid interview on the show by far. Perfect mix of character, but genuine answers. There you have it. Thoughts on Heather Hardy's lawsuit against MVP. Yeah, this is an interesting one, guys. Article on Uncrown.com, Jake Paul, written by Darshine.

Jake Paul MVP sued by Heather Hardy, the now former boxer for $10 million over alleged career-ending fight. Former WBO featherweight champion Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit seeking more than 10 million from most valuable promotions. It's co-founder Jake Paul. It's C.O. Bryce Holden and Holden boxing. The complaint obtained by Unlewell. Crown, stems from a fight between Hardy and seven division champion Amanda Serrano on the undercard of Paul's boxing match against former UFC star Nate Diaz on August 5th. We were there. I worked that you guys were in attendance. Holden, who became MVP-C-O-O in February of 2024, was the

licensed promoter for the Paul versus Diaz event through Holden boxing. Hardy alleges that the defendants exploited Hardy's reputation and financial vulnerability to organize a, quote, dangerous and unnecessary rematch with Serrano. Fifty-four page complaint filed a subcontained. Filed a September 23rd in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, alleges that the fight with Serrano was career ending for Hardy and resulted in permanent brain injury to the 44-year-old. You can read the whole article. There is a statement by MVP in here. MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy. We recognize the difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and hope that she receives the care and support she deserves.

Heather's participation on our August 5th, 20223 card was arranged through her promoter, Lou Debella, who contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight. MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight. Heather was medically cleared to compete by the Athletic Commission overseeing the event, and the bout proceeded

under the commission's authority and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and safety requirements. MVP remains committed to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our events in full compliance with commission standards. I think this is going to be a hard one to win. I remember working out of that. For the hardy side, do you mean?

Yeah, yeah, I agree. I mean, I remember working the fight. It didn't seem like she was doing it under duress or anything like that. That's the problem, right? Like, if you're thanking them for the opportunity publicly and all these things, it's going to be very hard to say they took advantage of me in a certain hurt. Not impossible, right? If, you know, her lawyers have worked ahead of them to be done, but this does not feel like it has a lot of legs.

we continue like a lot about Dana however being disrespectful towards people who are just doing their job helping our sport grow no sorry not okay we continue Ariel you judge Dana for how he handled

tough questions yet when asked hard questions about Connie yourself you completely ignored them same as him oh yeah when when when did I ignore that what's your big question about about

Connor also reaction to LeBron saying he would have joined the Knicks had they not beat the Spurs oh yeah I saw that to that I say thank God crisis averted that would not have worked out

agree or disagree would the Knicks have one and how much better is it yeah you don't want to change a thing how much better is it that we did it with our guys he would have had he would have had all this. Isn't that the most amazing thing?

Like you see Jalen being the king in New York, SNL, Kat's beloved, OG's beloved, John. None of them wanted it. How many opportunities did LeBron have to come to New York? How many opportunities did KD have and Kyrie have and all that stuff? None of them wanted this. They didn't want the smoke.

You don't want the smoke. A six-st-regard from New Jersey, two-time champion from the University of Villanova, or is it Villanova University? University of Villano. I think it's Villanova University. Anyway, Jalen Brunton. That's who wanted this movie.

So wait, LeBron was just like, I couldn't go win the first title in X amount of years in New York, so now I'm going to try and win the first title and X amount of years in Philly, but live in New York? No, it was about the fact that the Knicks won the championship.

It wasn't about... No, you know what he's doing. He's just being a little cheeky. He's saying he still loves New York more than Philadelphia, obviously. But I think he's saying, like, I can't do that. Like, I can't...

I can't. Like what's, there's no, there's no mountain to climb here. They did it. And I'm just saying, could you imagine if you would have come to New York and actually won a championship here? The whole story would have been LeBron came and finally got us over. How much better is this story now? It's one of the best sports stories in-small dude, Jalen, backup point guard? The spurs are also now fitting into it.

I don't know if you've seen some of these quotes from a GQ article saying, like, we lost a title to four best friends. they're not like, Jalen's not even that difficult to Garry doesn't miss shots. Like they're just, they're crying. It is great. It's so good.

He just doesn't miss shots is probably a good attribute. Yeah. Also, by the way. This doesn't miss shots, but that's it. Had a bum wrist that he had to have surgery

on a week later that he injured in the Cav series. But hate to be on a team with four best friends. I know, right? What an off. That shot of them

all up there on the stage at SNL, like, that was incredible. What a perfect, by the way, what a perfect way end this summer. Like the weekend before training camp starts, like those dudes at an iconic New York institution, oh, God, I love those guys. I cannot wait. I do not have tickets for

opening, for the opening game for the banner raising and the ring and all that. I'm not missing that for the world. Even if I'm in the last row, I have to be in attendance. That's on a Tuesday, by the way. So you have to figure that out. Anyway, okay, here's my friend, Don Carlos, Duolipe, yes, hello, how you is this, it's good, to go to an interview with a coffee gelado on el-a-manyo? Is that professional.

BITB, Soldier of Rod, LMFAL. Shout to the soldier. Wait, let's go back there. Let's work through this together, shall we, Andy? So he calls me Duolipe because I said that. Ista bien. I believe in you.

Come on. Okay. Do you want? Would you like an interview? Entraista is an interview, right? Correct. With a coffee. Oh, wait a second.

Oh. Do you, okay, wait. Coffee in your hand? Yeah, what kind of coffee? Hellado, hellado, hellado. Is that milk? No. Cappuccino.

No. It's not a, it's popular in the summer. Oh, an ice coffee. Yeah. Okay, so an iced coffee in your hand. Oh, okay, okay, I got it, I got it. Do you like interviewing people when they're holding an ice coffee in their hands? Is that professional?

Kind of, yeah, he's asking, is it okay to go to an interview with an ice coffee in your hand? Is that professional? Okay, now is he asking it, like when I'm interviewing a fighter or like an interview, like a job interview? Job. Oh, okay. Wait a second. Wait a second. Someone just had a take on this.

Have you guys seen this? It's like a popular... Wait, someone had a take on this? Thanks for watching BITV man. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Who was it? Was it Connor? No, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no.

It's very popular on the internet right now. No, is it okay to... Fuck no, man. To bring a nice coffee. You're going to rack your brain to think of one person. When reality, every single person has already weed on this. You're trying to think of this one person. Let me assure you that everybody has...

Gen Z... He was talking about Gen Z... Yeah, yeah, it's the whole thing. And you know what I was thinking about? I was thinking about. when the freaking guys rock into our studio and they've got the patented Rick water with the freaking straw. And I'm like, do we have to have this here?

Let me tell you something right now. When you give the guys the cup with the straw and the water and they're like a three-year-old at Burger King, nothing pisses me off more. Then it's in the shot. Because you know what happens? They put it in the foreground of the interview.

They need water, bro. Honestly, if that's the worst thing that annoys you, I feel like we're doing a great job here. We have Helwani show mugs. They get stolen. They get stolen. They were out for a while. What do you mean?

Consistently they get stolen. In the kitchen? They're gone for a while. You're telling me they're stealing our mugs and they're stealing our yogurt back there, huh? There might be time to go. There's no weed for the yogurt. The mugs, yes. Yes, take them as well.

The mug thing is a compliment, though. They want to wrap. I can't have big time. Who showed up here? I think Connor McGregor showed up here with a plastic cup, a sippy cup. Sorry for the ice cold filtered water in a eco-friendly plastic cup with an environmentally responsible straw. Sorry for keeping you hydrant.

Yeah, also, we don't need the straw, right? Just go open, open. Oh, you love that, right? When they spill that. So you can spill it all over everything. Yeah, yeah, you love that. Back for the museum. Yeah, you're big on spilling these days, man.

Okay, let me tell you. That's true. We saw pre-launch. Yeah, that was a mess of a situation. This, for those that don't know, this whole situation right here, for those that don't know. No one knew. No one knows.

This spilt on the floor. Exploing. Exploded. I remember going to like UFC media days, and there used to be one or two media guys in particular. I'm not going to mention their name who would rock up to the media day. You know, like the open workouts and the press conferences and all that with a coffee. Yeah. And that always annoyed me.

What was it about it? I just, I feel, I feel like it's very unprofessional. So to answer the question, look, it's one thing like you're walking with your friends, you're walking with your loved ones, you're in a coffee shop. that's fine. Coming to work, it's, here's what it is. It's too nonchalant.

It's too nonchalant. And so if you're going to a job interview, if you're coming to do an interview on a show and that's what you have in your hand, like, look, you're the star, you do whatever you want. Job interview?

You're a guest in that scenario, not this one. It would annoy me. Agreed? Yes. Clearly. I heard you guys on Thursday talking about it. Oh, yeah, yeah.

You did, you did. Who was it? This guy talked about it. Oh, it was Connor. Someone, I was listening. Was it Howard's Thursday? Are you or hot coffee, does it matter to you at all? Both.

Okay. What? Rick had a take on temperature. No. Yeah. Okay. I'll say this. The ice coffee is more nonchal.

Yes. More egregious. Yes. More egregious. The condensation, the ice shaking. You're not a serious person. You get that last sip in and all the iced. Oh, God.

No, you can't do that. You hear that thing rattling? Oh, God. Any youngster out there, if you're going on any kind of interview, Let's go one step further. Unless you're hanging with like your very, very good friends or your loved ones, your parents, your siblings, do not show up. Like certainly don't come to a date holding a freaking coffee in your hand. Go for a coffee.

Don't go to a job interview. Don't meet up with someone that you hardly know. Let's say someone like doing you a favor and giving you advice. Don't do it. Just don't do it. It's not a good question. I'm happy you brought up. Frank, you felt strongly in the other direction.

Tell us, Frank. I just don't think it matters. He said they should have iced coffee on tap for you while you... Well, that's different. By the way, on site is different than you showing up with it. I think that's totally different. Yeah, if someone offers it to you, it's completely different. Completely different.

I think there's one more here. I can't believe I've lasted this long. My back is on fire right now. Who does the team got Lorenzo Hunt or Darren Till? Mike Perry. Keep my fucking name out. amount. And that's a good segue to the fact that Darren Till is going to be joining us on tomorrow's

program. I'm looking forward to that. Eileen Perez is going to be joining us as well. Work, work, work, work, work, work. Simming in a work, work, work, work. I don't know why that came to mind, but it felt appropriate. I was like, did she walk out to that? What's going on here?

It felt appropriate. Andy Foster going to join us to talk about oblique kicks and his desire to have them banned. Actually, have a good retort for Andy. I was thinking about this. My man. And the great Darth Rigotone himself, Mr. Mikey Musumetchi, going to be joining us tomorrow to talk about his big win over? Bryce Mitchell. Right?

He's coming to M.MA. That too. That too. Do want to let you guys know. Yeah, you're right. Justin Liger just wrote, why did you announce it till he's 100% bailing now? I'm not sure. I think I got...

He's lulled us into trust, you know? Is Justin Liger in the chat? Yeah, Justin Thunderlager. Appreciate that, JTL. Anyway, one more shout out for our watch party on Saturday. UFC 3332. It's the biggest fight card of the year, and the biggest fight card of the year deserves this type of love.

Courtesy of our good friends over at Calci. You want to watch the biggest fight card of the year on the Tiffany Network, not to be confused with the Annie Network. Is that what I said last time? The great point. Definitely not the Heidi Network. Heidi Network, yeah. And apparently there's going to be a live podcast recording as well.

We'll share the space. So Frank will be there. So you can't beat that. All right, it's time to go. Oh, I can't wait. You know what I'm so excited about, Rick? I'm going to go home and watch all the Media Day content. This is my favorite thing to do.

I've been seeing a lot of it. It's good. Nicks related or just? Just general. Oh, so good. A lot of comments by the media. LeBron. No one does Media Day better than the NBA, right?

It's fun. Why is that? I don't think there's an emphasis on it in the same way. Yeah, I was going to say, I feel like other sports don't make it. They come and go. Okay, so LeBron's quote is, I had visions of playing in Madison Square Garden and finishing my career in the Garden, one of the best places I've ever played. I think it's the number one arena in the world as far as for a basketball player,

but after they beat San Antonio, I was like, hey, I can't. I couldn't do it. This is to Dave McMinneman. of ESPN. The media wouldn't have let me lay that down at all. But much respect to the Knicks, obviously, an unbelievable team, unbelievable player. Shout out Jalen Brunson. I love that guy.

He's unbelievable. But yeah, I'm happy where I'm at. I'm looking forward to it. Oh, my days. And who do we play? Game one? Oh, my days. Over under, who finishes with a better record?

Nicks or Sixers? Come on. You could have just said over under who has more wins. Who has more wins? I think the Knicks Wathmore Yeah, yeah Do you think there's going to be

A drop off Do you think there's going to be like A hangover? No, but I think Five and I think we're going to be better The East got better around them East got better The East was no good

Lich is bad Hawks are scary this year Hawks are sick The East is really good You got my boy Lou Dort Watch out for him, bro Yeah East is good

Miami's better Knicks are better Nicks are better Philly's better Hawks are better Magic are better Toronto's better You know it's not better

the Boston Celtics A great day today Thank you all so very much Thanks to them, thanks to you back tomorrow same time, this is a piece I'm out here