The Ariel Helwani Show - Darren Till, Dominik Mysterio, Bryan Battle, On The Nose, news & notes

Episode Date: July 29, 2026

Ariel Helwani starts the show by reacting to Anthony Smith’s arrest and discussing the way the sport of MMA handles fighter retirements (05:57), before moving to On The Nose. The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join Ariel to answer questions about fights to show casual fans, referees enforcing penalties for fouls, biggest MMA “what ifs,” the quality of UFC 330, and more (12:03). Darren Till returns to preview his upcoming BKFC bout against Yoel Romero, discussing how the fight came together, plans for a potential UFC return, his reaction to Conor McGregor’s injury, his feelings on Paddy Pimblett and Ian Machado Garry, having no interest in Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, and more (1:01:50). Bryan Battle is back to talk about his main event meeting with Dalton Rosta at PFL Charlotte, reflecting on his loss to Johnny Eblen and lessons learned, welcoming a new child, preparing for Rosta as an opponent, and more (1:37:25). Ariel covers some news and notes, including footage of Conor McGregor’s training prior to UFC 329, Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott headlining UFC’s return to Edmonton, Paulo Costa going back-and-forth with Magomed Ankalaev, and more (2:03:33). WWE Superstar Dominik Mysterio makes his show debut, discussing what it was like to perform alongside Ryan Garcia and Karl-Anthony Towns, his accomplishments compared to his father Rey, performing for both WWE and AAA at the same time, his SummerSlam match against Danhausen, stories from the early days of his career, and more (2:29:50). Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (3:24:38).

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Earth Wednesday, July 29, 2000. And 26, hello again, everyone. I sure hope you're doing well. It is great to be here on a lovely Wednesday in New York City. The rain has sort of gone away. We got our power back last night at around 11 o'clock. I know you were all very concerned. Peace and love, peace and love. But we're good. We're doing well.

We're surviving. We're very excited about summer break coming up. A reminder, this will be my last show until August 17th, actually, believe it or not. But we'll have some stuff in between. Do not worry. Tomorrow, BITB. Serbian fight feasts as well. Friday crack, August 3rd Monday, Kane Velazquez on Crown Film,

The Resurrection of Kane Velasquez, it's being called. Phenomenal stuff. Must watch. Looking forward to that. Following Monday. Dakota Ditch of a uncrowned film, and in between, if there's breaking news, I'll pop up, and then watch party the 15th, 433, post-show, same night, and then back on the 17th. We all need a little summer break, don't we?

We've been going hard. I've been thinking about this past, you know, a few months for us as far as, like, the boxing interviews and the MMA interviews and a little sprinkle of the wrestling and the BKFC and all that stuff and more. Maybe my favorite stretch of guests, in particular when it comes to the boxing coverage. And so I hope you've enjoyed it. If you're not a boxing fan, hopefully we've opened your eyes to a little bit of it.

And long made continue. Uncrown.com. You're a number one home for all things, unbiased combat sports related. The dot-com team doing some big things. Busy weeks ahead. Busy weeks have passed. Busy weekend ahead as far as combat sports are concerned.

As always, there's a TNT show, Williams-Apeta and Lamont Roach. There's a PFL event on Friday. Obviously, the UFC headed to search. on Saturday. We got a lot to get to on today's program. Four amazing guests on today's show. Back end of the show. I kid you not, one of my favorite pro wrestlers in the game today, finally for the first time, we get a chance to speak to Dirty Dominic Mysterio, who I met once when I interviewed his father prior to the 2022 Money in the Bank. And it was an amazing experience

because I've long been a fan of his fathers. Obviously, Ray Mysterio Jr. is one of the all-time greats as far as pro wrestling and Lucha Libre is concerned. And Dom was just there like, he, you know, at that point, slowly but surely was getting into things as far as wrestling was concerned, tag team partner with his dad, Uber baby face. This is pre-heel turn. That came two months later, clash at the castle in Cardiff, which I was lucky enough to be at, of course, when I was working for BT Sport back there.

him, and he was just off to the side. And he chimed in for like a couple of minutes, but it was really a Ray interview. How far he has come in the last four years is really remarkable. I can't believe that was four years ago. And I just think this guy has it all. Face of the company in the future, incredible heat, incredible character, doing it both on WWE and AAA these days. I can't wait to get into it with him. And of course, he's going to be a part of night two of SummerSlam, which is this weekend as well. Night two, night one and two, going to be in Minnesota. And he's going up against Danhausen, who's another guy I'd love to have on the program, who essentially uncursed the necks. The match, by the way, in case you're wondering, I want to get this right,

the match is a human monies on a poll match for $100,000. So that's what's at stake. And obviously on Monday, Ryan Garcia showed up and turned on Joe Hendry and then the Judgment Day came out, Dominic. So there's a lot to be excited about and to talk to him about. So I'm looking forward to that. Prior to that conversation, we'll have Sky Nicholson, the newest member of the MVP roster. And I can't even believe I'm saying this. Yesterday, I equated it to Eric Bischoff joining WWE.

And I know some may scoff at that. But it really is like one of the more unlikely pairings, unlikely unions, unlikely unions, unlikely signings in recent combat sports history. So I'm looking forward to that conversation. What the hell happened? How did we get here? This is fascinating stuff. Prior to that, we're going to be joined by Brian Battle,

who will be headlining next week's PFL event. They're on quite the stretch these days. He needs a big bounce back against Dalton Rosa, who also needs a bounce back win as well. Brian Battle, always a great time when he stops by. We'll talk to him at 2.30. And then at 2 o'clock, the pride of Liverpool, Dadden himself, going to be joining us to talk about the big match

against one, Yole Romero in September in Manchester, BKFC, his second BKFC fight. Obviously, he made his debut not that long ago back in May, I do believe it was, against Aaron Chalmers, got a little dicey, dicey there in the first round, came back, defeated him in the second, and got the win. and it seems like he really likes these BKFC fights. He really likes it a lot. We're going to get to, there you go. There's the four-pack, an eclectic mix.

You got pro wrestling, bare-knuckle, boxing and MMA. I mean, who else? Who else but us? No one even comes close to this type of coverage. We're not a one-trick pony. Don't call me an MMA journalist. We are combat sports supreme. royalty around these parts.

Do you want to talk about some breaking news that came out? Right at the end of the day yesterday, I actually saw this as I was leaving the studio and it broke my heart. I'm reading this off of uncrown.com. Longtime UFC analyst Anthony Smith, one-time UFC title Challenger,

was arrested Monday night by Nebraska authorities. TMZ first reported on Tuesday. Smith 38 is currently booked in Sarpi County Jail. An update on that, it has been reported by multiple outlets, including MMA fighting, that he has since been released on a $500,000 bond. Part of that agreement is that he cannot have any contact with his wife, according to reports. They reported that he was booked at the Sarpie County Jail and faces three potential felony charges for terroristic threats, first degree, false imprisonment, and domestic violence causing serious bodily injury. We had uncrowned wrote that at the time of this writing, it is unclear what led to Smith's arrest, a bond for the former UFC light heavyweight contender.

At this time, wasn't set, but we now know it was at $500,000. And the combined weight of Smith's three charges, if convicted, carries a potential sentence of more than 20 years in prison. There was a video that popped up on social media of a young man saying he spoke to Anthony Smith's. daughter about what really transpired, it would be reckless and irresponsible of me to weigh in any further other than to talk about the actual facts and the details that we reported. And so let's see. Let's see how this actually plays out. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I feel some of the same feelings while completely

different crimes that I felt when I was. the Dustin Porre news got out and then eventually the footage of his arrest at the airport in I do believe Atlanta for multiple reasons. Number one, over time, you know, you, as I've said, develop relationships with people and that's not going to compromise if someone does something wrong, the way in which we report or cover or talk about them, but we are human beings. And yeah, I really do like Anthony Smith and he's really been kind and he's done shows with us and he's come on and he's talked openly and honestly, and I've enjoyed our conversations and I've enjoyed covering him over the years. I also know, just like with Dustin, that he has struggled a little bit in the life after fighting

department. And there is a part of me, while I'm not trying to make any sort of excuses or defend, we don't know the actual, you know, intricate details of what transpired here. But there is a part of me that feels like as this world of MMA is continuing to mature and grow up and evolve, the fighters who we watched in the 2010s, 2015s, 2020s, they're going to eventually be forced to retire, decide that they want to retire, and they're going to be hit with, you know, this harsh reality of what it's like dealing with life after fighting. And that's not even to, you know, bring up the damage that has been inflicted on them over the years and the aftermath of all of that and the the CTE and the PTSD and all these other things. I'm just talking about when the music stops.

I'm just talking about like when you don't have something to wake up for and a training camp and a schedule and a regimen and all this stuff. It is tough. It is tough. And so, you know, I hate to say it, but like when you see what happens to Dustin or you see something like this and BJ Penn and many others, it's heartbreaking because it feels like it's inevitable and it makes you wonder what is being done to help these individuals post-fighting. These are issues that come up in other sports as well, in particular contact sports like football, NFL, and they're not immune to it, obviously. But there are systems and there are procedures and protocols and groups in place to try and help

the players post, you know, post-playing. In fighting, in MMA, in boxing, there isn't really that system in place. And I wish there was. And I don't think that's going to change anytime soon, but these are just, you know, stark reminders. So let us see. I'm not pointing the finger at anyone. I'm not blaming anyone. I'm not trying to say anyone's at fault. But, you know, our sport is still in the leather helmet days, our sport, MMA, still in the leather helmet days. And there's a lot that needs to change in my opinion. When it comes to revenue sharing, collective bargaining, things of that nature, and when it comes to retirement.

And I just wish that there was a better, you know, for a lot of these guys, there's the TV stuff, there's the Paramount Desk, there's a podcast, there's stuff like that. But other than that, there's not really a system in place to help you, A, be as productive as possible, as healthy as possible, and to just kind of like figure out life post-fighting. And it's heartbreaking. It really is. I don't know what happened. I've reached out to a few people.

I don't have any details. If a crime was committed, a crime was committed. And there's no defending that. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that it didn't make me think of, you know, the issues that are presented to these fighters when the music stops. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. And yeah, it's just, it's heartbreaking. It's a bummer. And so I hope no one was hurt.

I hope no one was, you know, seriously affected. Let's see what happens. Let's see what the truth is. Let's see what the actual facts are when they come out and take it from there. Time now for everyone's favorite segment of the week. It is time for On the Nose. Is the gang all here? We hear. Ah yes. Hey, Peter. How are you? Hello, Ariel. How are you? Peter? I always say hello to Peter first because I feel like I was just sitting with the other guys for two hours. You know, we like the kibbitts at lunch. No, an hour and a half. I mean, I got here around 11th. He's eating lunch?

That's pretty cool. I've been eating lunch. We can't look him in the eyes, but we are in the same year. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. There was a time. Not only have I been eating lunch, I have yet to buy lunch in the year 2026. Oh. It's impressive.

Because you're an always buyer. I was an always buyer. Coffee buyer. Now it's coffee at home. I wonder how much I've saved, honestly, and it wasn't a saving thing. That's got to be a hefty something. You know, someone asked me why I do it. Do you want to know the reason?

For a little of the game. It wasn't because of the money that was saved. It wasn't because of the health reasons. Honestly, I said my favorite part of the day is the camaraderie, the kibbetsing with the guys. And I felt like I was cutting it short by 15, 20 minutes. Guys and gal, of course. Is that really good? That was it.

That's what I said. That's nice. I remember when we had a floor between us during lunch. Yeah. And it was just a... You're referring to the Vox days and the truth is, was never once invited to eat. was never one fighting. Was never like, hey Ariel, come

join us. That's the truth. You would wait. I can't believe they did that to Ariel. That's so horrible, man. I wasn't even there every day that you were doing shows like you guys. I was just Monday night, and I was still there at lunch. I mean, I was never invited when we started lunch. You feel like in a meeting at lunch. Yeah, with your headphones on, watching us walk by and not even

barely, barely that, barely that. So crazy. I'm wheeling and dealing up doing things. Guys, guys, guys, on the fire. No, no, no, no. I'm the biggest vibes guy. I'm the biggest camaraderie guy. In fact, I've been talking about the intern dinner for like three weeks, which for those that may be wondering is happening tonight,

still location TBD. We've still not nailed down, but what we have nailed down is... Why do you keep pretending this? People are dropping like flies. People are dropping like flies. Okay, that part's true, but stop pretending that we don't have a location. Are they dropping like flies? Pizzi.

What? Jordan out. Okay. Oh yeah, I have the council. Lads, I have the council. I'm sorry. Zero surprise. Ptie out.

Also, no surprise there. Wait, PT's not coming? Three people. I'm sorry. It's heartbroken. Frank, surely to leave early. Second time, by the way. I've been suffering today.

We'll see how the show goes. Oh, yeah, he has gone to the bathroom like four times. By the way, he has to pick up. One of you always has the shits. I don't know what it is. No one said I had the shits. We have passed it around to each other. I think the best way we handle this is we give them 10 bucks each and just send them to go get food for themselves.

Don't even do the dinner. Let's just – What are they getting with $10? Yeah, $10. Go to Wegman. It's in New York, man. $10 and won't give him a coffee. Fine.

20? 20? Can I say something? Poor Jack, who's doing a great job of actually chronicling his day over on the N – excuse me, the Newhouse NYC account, which is the sort of group that he's been a part of this summer in addition to being here. he actually asked me when he came over to film a quick thing in the studio for the Instagram account. Like, are we still going for dinner? Because it feels like, I was like, no, Jack. Listen, if it's just me, I'll be there.

Okay? I'm a man of my word. I don't know about the others. They're just kind of. When have I ever, when have I ever no show to anything? I know this vibes thing. Me and Rick, I don't think I've ever missed any of these things ever. The boys ride.

The boys don't flake. There's a lot of PTSD. Of course, we all remember about the. the PT andy, you know, plans that never, you know. Ptzee bailing, you mean. Ptie bailing. Still crying about it.

I think it would take away from a mystique if we just showed up at all these things all the time, you know? I mean, you know, that is actually fair. Frank has to pick up a lamp, you know, that he got off of Facebook market. No, that was a table and now it's a lamp. So there's just a lot, you know. It's just hard the lamp right now.

It's just right now. But I want to let the interns know that I will be there. I'm looking forward to it. And I do want to let them know once again how great of a pleasure it was to have them a part of the team and that will miss them tremendously. Their esprit, their joie de vivre, their excitement, their professionalism, their maturity, their politeness has been wonderful. So well done, intern Jack and intern Josh.

We'll miss you guys. You will be on the show tomorrow, though. You'll be partaking in the BITB festivities. I think tomorrow will be a great show. But for me, this is sort of like our goodbye for now. It's not a goodbye forever. It's just to see you later, right, guys? Absolutely.

Yes. All right, well, we will miss you all. All right, let's get to the questions, shall we? Enough of the kumbaya. Here's Kasta, who says, this year has been extremely, oh, and by the way, thank you to our good friend, El-Emanuel, hailing from Puerto Rico. Carolina, Puerto Rico, maybe. Home of Amanda Serrano?

I don't know, but. I like to say with the, what do you think of my little flair there, Andy? Do I say correctly, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Serano. Wow, let's roll our R's a little bit and you're there. Not bad, not bad, all right. Casta says this year has been extremely tough on me. August 31st, 2025, I lost my mother one month before her 70th birthday.

I'm very, very, very, very sorry about that. Beginning of July this year, I had to put my dog down of 13 years, 13 years old, got him when he was seven weeks old. They were always best friends. Every time I would go to see my parents, my mom would say, don't forget to bring Theo. I'm almost sure she liked. him more than me. Looking at the glass half full, I'm sure she's forking him all the treats

that he wasn't able to eat the last couple months. All this to say, AH, BITB, the crack has helped me get through the year with all the laughs you guys provide. I can't thank you guys enough. Shout out to the entire team, going to miss the interns. They're a perfect fit to the team. Man, Casta, you're going to make me cry here. I'm very sorry. I'm very, very sorry for your loss. We're all sorry for your loss. Your losses, I should say. May your, your mother rest in peace. May her memory be a blessing. Your dog is well. We didn't catch his name. So tell us what his name was. But 13 years, you know, it's a tough thing with the dogs, man. I'm starting to think about that. You know, they're the greatest gifts. And they're so, they're so sweet. And their love is so unconditional.

and their time here is so limited. It's very, very hard. But I hope you're hanging in there. I hope you're trying to look at life, Glass-Haffel, appreciating all the great memories that you, of course, had with your mother and your dog. And we are happy to be that escape for you.

We are happy to be that friend in your ear, so to speak, and help you get over these sad times and maybe think about some other things from time to time. So thank you for sharing that, and I'm really, really, really sorry for your losses. Here's Brett from Nebraska who says, if you were to go back and give your 2019 self a piece of advice as a booker as a businessman, whatever it is,

if you were to go back and to give yourself in May of 2019 a piece of advice, what would it be? Golly. That is a deep one, guys. May of 2019, I was almost a year into my time at ESPN. And you know what's interesting about May of 2019. I was feeling in the summer of 2019 like it was finally starting to click for me at ESPN.

The beginning of my time at ESPN was a nightmare. So much so that I even at one point called my agent and asked him if we can renege on the deal and just go back because it was just not working. It was not fitting. And it took us a year to really kind of feel like we were in a groove. And the summer, I always say July of 2019 felt like the apex of my time at ESPN. because obviously it was pre-COVID. And the greatest success that I had was DC and Haldi, but that was during COVID and it was weird and I was working from home and I never went into the,

like I didn't feel, I was just sort of like on this island. Like we all were, but it was just weird. I didn't feel like I was working at ESPN, didn't go to events, all that stuff. July of 2019 was the apex because I felt like I was getting the full experience because I got to do Summer League in Vegas, three games at the same time that I was covering the UFC event, which I think was. was 236. That was Ben Ascran, Jorge Masvedal. That was Tiago Santos, John Jones, on and on it goes. And it just felt like I was getting the full ESPN experience. I was doing radio. I did a

E60 piece on DC. I did outside the lines once. Like, I was just getting to do it all. And so if you would have asked me around this time in 2019, I would have said like, yo, it's actually working out. This is the dream. My dream was to get to ESPN. It's all working. out. If I were to give that person advice, I would say pay attention to the landscape of media, pay attention to how things are evolving, podcast, video, YouTube, social media, and pay attention to what the really smart people who started well before you are doing, from Howard Stern, to Rich Eisen, to Dan Patrick, to Bill Simmons, to later on Dan Lebitard. to Pat McAfee.

And what I mean by that is they own their content, they own their libraries, they own their feeds, they own everything that they're doing, and that's the future. If you could get yourself to a point to where you can be essentially your own boss and work with others and license your content and partner with people, that's the way this is going. I don't think everyone could do that off the bat, but if you can work your ass off to get to the point where it makes sense and is a viable option, that's where this is going. And it took me a minute to figure it out, but I'm really happy the way it all worked out. Left ESPN in 21.

It was heartbreaking at the time, went out and basically, as I like to say, slept with everyone, did a million different things and got a feel for the landscape and then zeroed it all in into Uncrown with the help of Jerry, my agent, who was instrumental in doing all of this. And now here we are. Entering into year three of Uncrown, believe it or not, August will be like when we come back, August 7th,000. That's essentially the beginning of year three. And it's just flying by. It's flying by. So, yeah, I feel like if I were to give myself advice, that's the, you know, it kind of worked out the way I would have wanted it to work out.

By the way, I do want to mention today's program, as always, is brought you by our good friends over at CalShe. We love Cal She around these parts. And we want to let you know that you need to download the CalChi. app and use code Helwani to get up to $500 when you trade $25. That's K-A-L-S-H-I. It's like buying or selling stocks. We love Kalshi around these parts because you're not playing against the house.

There's no algorithm involved. They're not working against you. Public opinion sets the price. Yes or no contracts on whether something will happen. You're trading directly against other users. What's better than that? And of course this weekend, we've got D-Rod against Uros Medich in Serbia. Big return fight for Mr. D-Rod.

Let's take a look at how the people are feeling about this. They've got Medich up 77%. All right, all right. No love for D-Rod coming out of that Tijuana jail situation. Not great. What about our boy Alexander Rackich against Marcin Tibera? 76%. a rackage. Okay. So similar numbers to what we're seeing. I'm really into this card. I think this is

a really good card. This is like a classic UFC going to a new market and, you know, I'm not going to say it's a PLE or it's a numbered event type of card, but I think it's way better than last week's Abu Dhabi card. Very, very excited for the Serbian crowd. A lot of debuting Serbian fighters as well. I like the locale. And then what about this fight? Navajo Sterling against Don Bahovic? It's a good one. Similar numbers as well. Stirling.

Navajo, big favorite. Taking the fight on short notice against the former champion, 73%. How do you feel about that one? He's a bit long in the tooth. We just got to call it what it is, coming back from an injury,

the young guy on the rise. This feels like the classic, you know, young lion being served, the old lion. No love for D.ROT out of Tijuana is pretty shocking. Yeah. Why?

I said the same. No, we know. Weird. By the way. Is that weird? Is that a weird statement? The segue was a bit... What?

He's coming out of jail. His first fight back. No love for him after the padwork in the prison. Yeah, I mean... That's hard times right there, you know? It is. Yeah, I would expect him to be the underdog here. He's going into enemy territory.

He was in a Mexican prison for over a year. So, yeah, it's going to be a tough return for him. All right, sorry. Just saying. Elimmanuel replied. Oh. Not from Carolina. Oh.

Bayamon? Bayamon? Andy knows it. Big pop from Andy there. All right. Well, shout out to all the Puerto Ricans out there. Okay, Steve Buscemi. Say you have a friend that comes over and asks about this sport called MMA and what's it all about.

What are all of your first fights that you throw to get him absolutely hooked? Good question. A few that come to mind for me, hook or pourier? Sick one. Yerie Ullberg Not as much Just kind of crazy Like you know

Dug down deep Jaws of defeat I don't hate it Izzy Pereira 1 and 2 Yeah Then you got to get into the whole That's a backstory More

Yeah just Porri Hooker you can throw on No context Be like There it is Okay two more Pat Barry Czech Congo Hell yeah

Insanity Yeah And then last one Gachie Chandler he puts out I'm going Diaz Sampex Every time Short one but good one

Yes, I'm text. Best one round four of all time. Not for nothing, Zhang and Yuana. Yonano? That one still hits. Yeah. That one still hits. Diaz McGregor 2?

Great one. One. Yes. One was great, but I think Diaz McGregor two was like a little closer back and forth. You need to think about this. You're right, you're right, you're right, you're right, you're right. You know, you're concentrating into 10 minutes. Condit Loller?

Condit Loller. Fight of the year, 2016 greatest year. I have, okay. Lawler McDonald's. What was that, what was that, Jack? I have two. Go ahead, go ahead. Just real quick.

Nate Diaz versus McGregor one. Yep, just said that. That was unreal. No, two is better, but yeah. And then Robbie Loller versus Rory McDonald, too. Yeah. Best fight of all time, in my opinion. UFC 189, yep.

Rick? Okay, here's my hot take. Tell me how you guys feel. Okay. Okay. Bracing myself. Every time I kind of revisit Bonner Griffin, yeah.

I don't think it holds up anymore. You can't. just not, you can't do that. Because of the series too, right? No, but you can't do that. You have to put it into context. I know, but that's the first show live on cable team. I know.

I get it. There's too much. There's too much there. We have seen too much better stuff now that it doesn't do what it did for me at the time. It's unfortunate, but it is reality. Is that not the same as like watching a great NFL game from the 80s, which at the time was great? And then you're like, huh, this is a little bit slower. Oh, yeah.

Or a movie. Right. A movie that at the time. time when it came out, it hit, like, you know, you'll hear somebody say like, Jaws sucks, right? Because the Meg came out. You'll hear somebody say something like that. You'll hear someone be like, the Wizard of Oz still holds up a hundred years later. You're like, not sure it actually does. That's a great point. But yeah, but yeah. Unfortunately, I've, every time I revisit Bonner Griffin, I'm like, God, I wish I could get back to that moment,

but it doesn't quite do it. Because it would be on that list if I was like, hey, this is where it all began, you know, the, not where it all began, but this is when the UFC really exploded. Okay, you know what? I'm going to go back and watch it. I've only watched it one time and it was like after I started working on the show, everyone talks about it. Yeah, sure, sure. But that was like early 20-22. I'm going to go back and watch it and report it. Yeah, give it a shot but it's just a couple of prides.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Go me deep. Bruevita Kama. If they've never seen a fight before, like, that is crazy. The collar tie and just beating each other. He goes to punch the shit out of each other. Like, that's easy. That's like number one you show. I'm like, well, this is what I used to look back in the old days. then Vandalay Silver v. Rampage won

where he knees him in the head like I think 15 times and Rampage just slumps, fantastic any Vandlerley Silver fight I mean him versus Brian Stan was night nuts Chris Lieben fight What about John Jones Alexander Gustafson?

Oh yeah One. Very good. You have to live scored I want to really be into it though You have to kind of know a bit about MMA I feel like And here's the other question

If you are completely blind to all things MMA like you don't know who John Jones is does it hit the same? Because part of the appeal there where that one was, holy shit, Alexander Gustafin who the, you know, like the selling point for that fight was that he was tall and long who no one thought he had a chance

dude from Sweden. Does it hit the same if you don't understand who John Jones is? Yeah. Probably not. Are you let to set the table a bit? Like can we get a minute like before each point? No, you put it on. You put it on. Okay, well I've actually found like the best way to get them into it like invest that is to set the table on these things. Yeah. Most of them don't want to see

the fights themselves. You got to like... You can't just pop it in and be like, watch. You need to give them something. My brother got Blanchersdown into into MMA that way. He used to get like CD ROMs off dudes. He'd burn it for him. And he'd like set the whole table

before Sean was a pro defense. This guy. And then we all became addicted. You have to, you have to tickle the balls a bit. Any thought to, oh yeah. Any thought to, um, early hoist? Any early hoist, you think? That's what got me.

That's like watching like Bob Coozy. No, not quite. Because the technique is still, you're trying to hook someone today. You break out the hoist of... If you show them hoist, aren't barring a 300-pound guy, there is something there that I think is kind of interesting. There's a bit of magic there.

There is some magic that it got me. Some teeth flying. It got me too. Well, that's Jared Gordogans, Taylor Toole. Yes. But yet... Early use? I get that. Okay, is this a crazy one? Mosvidal Ascran. Yo, man, I want to show you crazy fight. It's a great one. Over in six seconds. I'll tell you what. They probably've seen it.

Yeah. They've probably seen that one. You have to set it up like, Ben Ascran is this wrestling machine. Yeah. been beating everybody. He has beautiful curly hair. You got traded for the goat. Caleb Starns, Nick Quarry.

Oh, stop it. Of course, you have to include it. Stop it. Stop it. Nunez Pena won. The original running man. In terms of fast fights, to Nick Diaz, or Nick Diaz, Robbie Lawler,

the first one. Wow. That's a great one. Deep cut. And then you have to end all of this with, this is how they always are. This is why I love a sport. I mean, we could just go for days

because this is how it always. They're always like that? Every, fight is just like this. You're going to love this stuff. All right. Kimbo v. Dada. I'm in.

You know what I mean? Oh, yeah. Someone posted that this morning, the finishing sequence of it. It was absolutely ridiculous. Here is, go ahead. No, please go, go, go. I was just saying the Kimbo and that, I won't like the journalists that were there.

You can actually just see them laughing beside the cages. It's happening. It's insane to watch. Later, they just. Well, that one kind of makes me sad in retrospect because his death was sort of attributed to it. Sort of. maybe.

So it's like, uh, like now people like want to make fun of it, but it's like, you know what happened in the app. At the time. At the time. I know,

I know. Very bad. Uh, only figgy fan. Which quote, I feel like we got a end quote, end quote, location that never happened that you regret not going to.

Belgrade Serbia. Is that it? Really. Oraku Azerbaijan. I mean, at some point, here's the bottom line. At some point,

I don't know if it like falls into this. Like, we got to go to a Japan, Saitama Super Arena, rise in event, preferably New Year's Eve. That just has to happen. I don't regret not going

because I actually think we will go to that. I think eventually we'll go to that. I think eventually we'll go to a KSW and I want to go to an Octagon. Those are the three on my list. I'm pretty sure Octagon this year has one during October Fest that would just be.

No, they have one very end of September. And I think that's when October Fest. October Fest is out. Yeah, they reached out. Oh my God, can we go? Is it too late? It's tough. I feel like we got it.

I feel like we got it. It's tough. It's tough. I got no regrets. We went to the muck. That was all. That's it. Yeah.

We're good. Yeah. Yeah, it's tough. But we're going to go. We're going to go, especially with uncrowned films. And KSW Octagon. Risen KSW Octagon. We'll make all three of those.

Here is Matt Chihuahuis. As you read this, I'll be on my flight to relocate to the Annapolis Valley of Nova Nova Scotia. Yeah, Matt. I can't wait to be in a better time zone for the sports. Apart from the UFC, what do you and the team think I should get into? My Canadian better half has already made me a Raptors fan. I mean, there's like everything on the table?

Just be a Bill's fan and a ex fan, and you'll be very happy. Nova Scotia's beautiful. I say that, and I've never actually been there, but I heard it's beautiful. Anyone been to Nova Scotia? I feel like Franks. They speak with our accents, right? Yeah, yeah. I have not been to Nova Scotia.

But it's on the list. It's not too far from here. We should go. We should go. Good luck to you, my friend. We wish you the best. A bay says, I got to respectfully disagree. Saying fence grabs should result in a warning and a point only deducted after multiple

fence grabs are far less subjective. Whilst less damaging, fence grabs can be just as advantageous. Example, 2-2 in the fifth round versus elite wrestler slash grappler who can hold you down for five minutes. I guess the point is, oh, this. is more of a comment than a question, but you kind of have to, like, read the situation? I don't know. Do you guys think that a fence grab should be an automatic point deduction? I just, what I said last week was a foul is different than, like, trying to gain an advantage.

Do you know what I mean? Right. I actually, sorry for the casual question here. Wow. Okay. So I watch it, and it seems like the fence grabs, 90% of the time, are just, like, instinct. Yeah. It's like, it's the human body is literally like, I'm fending for myself and I'm just put my hand out.

And it is cage fighting. So like the fact that there is a fence there to grab onto, they might not even notice or doing it because sometimes it's like, why isn't the refs saying anything? But then also 90% of the time it doesn't look like it's giving them a huge advantage. It's just like they're almost, it almost shows that they're desperate at that point. So what do you think? I don't think you should be a point. Unless it's repeated.

It's like you're a fence grabber. Every time you get down on there, you try to get to the edge of the cage or always grabbing it. then it's like, yeah, but to your point, if it's a foul, like you just screwed up, we call it out, we move on, but if you're doing it intentionally, then maybe that's when you do the point. I'm done. Anyone? I like this. If you're saving yourself from a takedown by grabbing the fence, that's what's keeping you up, then I think a point should be deducted right away. But if not, to Frank's point, a lot of the times, like, it's just sort of incidental and, like, it doesn't really give him an advantage.

Should obviously get a warning. But if like, Herb Dean's coming over and he's like, you know, get your hand out of the fence, you're grabbing the, defense again. That's when it needs to just be like, point, stop doing it. That's a point. There is a difference though, right? You would agree. There's a difference when you're like hitting someone in the balls or poking them. Damaging them. Yeah.

So it's just the problem. Here's honestly the bottom line. The 10 point must system just doesn't work for MMA. There's just too much, yeah, there's just too many different intricacies involved in an MMA fight, especially a five-round, five-minute round fight as opposed to a 12, 10, 8-round, 3-minute, Like, it's just different.

And I wish that there was a better system. And saying that, I wish there was a better penalty system as well. You know, from, from, is it a half point thing? I don't know. All fouls aren't the same. That's going to take a long time, right? Like, if you were to bring in a new way to score the fights, it would completely change. Like, a lot of people who have very strong feelings about that for a very long time, I feel.

But if you were boxing, right, you can't really use anything in the, like, I know you can like grab all. onto a guy and something like that. That's not damaging per se. But there's no real, like scenario like this. And then there's no eye pokes. There's only below the belt, basically. There's back of the head, rabid punches, things like that.

There's just so many different ways that you can cheat in MMA or do something illegal. I wish there was a better way to penalize that. Here's Barry who says, have you seen footage DeZone released, Prangas Corner, after round one telling him, I need you not to rush. I want you to be patient. And then one more time before he got up saying, I need you to understand, do not rush. It might be the worst advice of all time after the success of round one. Or were they told to rein it in?

A lot of speculation in the UK. I think the speculation is absolutely absurd. I don't even think that that's bad advice. I didn't see this clip. He was gasping at the end of the force as well. He was visibly tired. The dude was probably like, he emptied the tank. He just dropped them twice.

I think what they're probably trying to say is like, yo, he's better than you, in so many words. If you rush, if you force the issue, you may get knocked out. Have any of these people who claim that fights are fixed ever actually seen what looks like an obvious fixed fight? I'm curious about this because they pick the dumbest possible fights to clean their fix.

I see a lot of people walking that one back now. They pick the fights where the guys getting his head knocked around the ring and you wouldn't fix it that way because you'd be playing with fire. It's the exact opposite of what you'd do if you're trying to fix a fight. It would not be, hey, let's put him out there and let's get him knocked down a few times. It's the exact opposite of what you'd be doing. You'd make it look as easy as possible. I think Christian Pranga hit him just hard enough to drop him but not knock him out.

He knew exactly how hard it was perfect and he knew AJ get up. It's like these people are so dumb. It's just the internet, man. The internet is just filled with conspiracies. filled with all this nonsense. Between rounds after he knocked him down twice, but just enough power to knock him down but not knock him out, then they put in the call,

and then they let him back up. It's just the dumbest shit. It truly is. It's actually a very believable situation that this dude caught AJ, his legs were out, and then, you know, ran out of fucking gas,

and then got exposed. Think about the two examples that we know were fixed fights in MMA, or at least are strongly believed and suspected. Alleged. Derek Minner. And who was the one most recently?

Isaac Dolgarian. You go back and watch those and you're like, so they think this might be a fixed fight. You watch it and you're like, yeah, I can see that. This is what I'm seeing. I can see that one. I can definitely see that. It's pretty clear, unlike, you know, getting dropped twice. I just, I've run out of patience for all the stupidity around a lot of this shit.

Guys, here's Henry, who is echoing something that I'm seeing a lot online. the UFC 330 card is looking weak. Any idea if they're looking to add any more fights saw a rumor today of Morales versus Amosov. I mean, I gotta be honest with you, the event is in 17 days. I don't think they're adding anything. Is it not just him being the backup?

Oh, it seems like it. I've reached out, I haven't heard back. But, I mean, they're not, again, like the tickets are sold, the pay-per-view is not a thing. It's all bought and paid for. There's no incentive. There's no incentive to add anything.

So you're getting, look, you're getting Islam versus Ian. And you're getting a second title fight. And you're getting a little bit of, like, what is the rest of the card? Let me see you. On Tapology right now, they only have two main card fights listed, that being the main event in the code. Jalen Turner, Jeff Neal fight is off. Yeah, no, it's all great, but you're getting Islam. If you end up with Mansour Abdul-Abdhabili versus Dustin Stolzvist on the main card.

You may. Yo, this is the number one pound for pound fight in the world. That's the way they think. They told us for years it would not be built like boxing cards, and it is. And that's just, you know, that's just the reality of the UFC in 2026. Here's Matt from SLC. The 332 situation G.C. brought up on Monday. They announced last year that SLC would get a 2026 numbered event at the Delta Center.

Since 332 seems like the most likely slot, who headlines in Utah? Any chance of Strickland versus Hamzad? It's possible, but I have it. I haven't heard any of that. Here's Victor 18, with Connor being out for a year and hopefully fighting again once. Has he become the biggest what-if story of the UFC or who would be your top three what-ifs in the history of the UFC? I don't think he's a what-if story. I mean, we got to see him reach the top.

I guess you could say, like, what if he didn't do the boxing thing or do this or do that? Yeah. But to me, when I think of what-ifs, I think of someone like Zabit Magamad Shari-Pov. Like how good could that guy have been, right? I think of T.J. Grant, who was about to fight for a belt and then got a concussion and never fought again. Let me know if you think of others. Chris Holdsworth was someone who a lot of people were high on, got a concussion, and never fought again. Those are some what-ifs.

I know that there are others. Probably the biggest one is Zabit, I would say, right? Zabit, like everyone was so high on Zabit, and then he just decided to retire. And never really. It's also like a ton of what-if fight. right, like how many times that Tony and Habib get made and never happen?

There's a ton of those. So like, what's the what if with Connor? You won two belts. Right. He won two belts. He reached the mountaintop. We got to see him at his

peak. I understand the what if of like, hey, what if he just stuck with it? But he would not be at the top of my list. Man, if we don't see Shavkat back soon.

Shavkat, perfect. Definitely going to start I hope it's not. I hope it's not. Shafka. that is a perfect one. Yep. Slava, do you think that one promotion having a monopoly is inherently detrimental to the fighters? Is there a scenario where you would be okay with a promotion having a legalized monopoly like the NFL? For example, if there was a fighter's union, guaranteed contracts

50% of the revenue, we'd love to also hear Rick's take on this. So I guess I view the NFL a little bit differently because there are 32 teams and you do have options. You do have options. and they do have revenue sharing and they do have guaranteed contracts and they do have an association and they do have collective bargaining. So it's a little different than one singular entity. So yes, I do believe that having one singular entity

is detrimental to the fighters and that it would be, you know, it would be very beneficial to them to have four other entities. At the very least one, when is the last time, by the way, that someone was approaching. You remember there was a period, Rick, especially like 10 years ago. Remember Al Jermaine Sterling came on our show and decided, or made the announcement of where he was going to sign?

It was like UFC, Bellator, one championship. You had the hats. Yeah. Selection Day. It was like a real thing. You know, one was signing Eddie Alvarez and Sage Northcutt and Demetrius Johnson. And Bellator was making a bit of a run as well. When was the last time that someone was approaching the end of their contract?

And it was like, oh, they might go to the PFL. Yeah. Who was? 2024, probably. and then he went nowhere. By the way, who was the last one that they got? Francis might have been the last one that there was a real like mania about, right?

Yeah. It was a bit out with Hughes, of course. Well, like, not on the level. Not on the same level, yeah. I mean, Parnaz would be the closest where it was like, where is he going to go? And I was in France, like, very specifically. But that was more about MVP than PFL, right?

It seemed like it was. No, I'm talking before. No, no, I know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'm just saying, like, recently, there hasn't really been any. The number of players has shrunk and the UFC has consolidated power to an insane degree that there really aren't alternatives. You know, it is almost binary.

Yeah. So, I mean, I just want more options. Again, I always compare it to boxing or wrestling. There's options. Boxing is a ton of options. All these promoters now the networks are getting involved. What about this from Nick W.? Has the industry adequately covered the fact that TCO has aligned itself with anti-globalist political views

while paradoxically using international labor to keep fighter pay low, given over half of UFC fighters are not from the U.S. Then, given these dynamics, can G.C. please blind rank these ice cream flavors. I was thinking, I was like, man, this is actually like a really deep, interesting thought here. Yeah, five ice cream flavors, though? Let's do it. Chocolate? Five. I actually, I love chocolate more than most things.

things on earth don't like chocolate ice cream couldn't agree more uh cookies and cream cookies and cream is elite too vanilla uh four strawberry three bland you know mint chocolate chip i like mint chocolate chip at one especially in the summer nice and refreshing okay my daughter loves mint chocolate chip she asked for a mint chocolate chip cake for her birthday which i think is like just like a big like toothpaste cake ice cream cake correct yeah okay yeah no i respect it it's nice it's refreshing in the summer pretty bland flavors there I was hoping for one Cookies and Cream is like the most

Fish food Right oh those are your mother's ass You know Yeah yeah yeah yeah David Hannah Irish combat is on a role I want to get Piz's opinion On Adam Darby

Getting the DWCS call up Surely the first of many With the likes of Max Lali Connor McCarthy Keith Keats I don't know if these are

separate names Or the same names I don't know No, it's different dudes. Keith and Kia are two. Is it Keoghkekekekeke is a guy from Blanchetown, actually. Yeah, he's a good. Okay, he's not giving me any commas here.

So is the guy's name Max Lally? Oh, is it Max Lally, Connor McCarthy, and Keith Keel? There you go. Yeah, I thought it was Max Lally. Anyway, all on the come up. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, the plank, as he's called, on Team Rino, Adam Darby, lovely fella, big tall, massive for his weight class.

It's a big chance. And look, he's right. The base are loaded there in Cage Warriors. A lot of people are kind of talking about these guys are also going to boiling, boiling gets guys to Dana Voice Contender Series. I guess some of the compliance about the situation there would be like, are they getting the right test before they get to a Dana Voice Contender Series moment, but to Cage Warriors to Dana Voice Contender Series,

like they want a guy with the cleanest record they possibly can get. That's the way the game has shifted to some degree. So I think all of those guys are in with a show. And all of the guys he mentioned there, Connor McCarty's out of Quillies, Jim, Kikios from Blanchetown here, Seymack, and Max Lally, he works with an assortment of teams. They're all really, really talented guys. And I'm looking forward to seeing them, get them tests. I'd expect them all to be in or around there.

And the problem with Contender Series when you're coming from Cage Warriors is, it's only on once a year, right? You do one season. So if it goes, you're like, shit, what happens now? The opportunities to get directly signed are not as plentiful as they used to be. So that seems to be the path. The lawyer for Derby, I've been covering for a long. time where Andy, he's obviously under Andy Ryan there in Team Roy, I know one of the most

story teams in Ireland, Neil Seary, Paul Redmond, all those legends, so yeah, delighted to see it. Look at PC just like freaking it's almost like he knows this shit, you know? It's amazing. Almost. Almost. Level of interest in DWCS.

When an Irish guy fights, I watch. Are you got, like there's some dudes who are like, it's Tuesday night, 8 o'clock, let's go, no? I'm not champing at the bit for it, but Results on X. Show me the highlights in. Shout out to champing at the bit, by the way. It's one of those, like,

impressive. Could care less. People get wrong. That's one of my big pet. Or nip it in the butt. Nip it in the butt. What was that one, Frank? Irregardless.

What's wrong with that? It's not a word, bro. It actually is a word in the dictionary. Wow. It's one of those that got added because it was in the suit so many times. No, yeah, because it is. Doble and here a lot of ear regardless and dougal. A lot of people say here.

Wow. Irregardless, I'm excited for Dana White Condender Series. Remember, we got the fight of the century on Dana White Contenders series last year. It was a great fight, though. That's what the YouTube channel

called it. Oh, that's right, that's right. The greatest fight of all time, I don't think it won fight of the year for anyone last year. Can you name a fighter that was in that fight? Exactly, no. By the way, Andy,

isn't irregardless like a Miami thing? Such a Miami thing. Yeah. It's just used. It's just, Irregardless is what it is. I love it.

Yeah. It's staying. I, I, I, I, when I go to, uh, Publix, everyone's saying it, you know? Yeah, shut up to public. What do you know about Publix? What, what? What are you walking through Publix? Like, listening to conversation.

That's what they say over there. Regardless. That's what they say. What are you getting on the Sammy? My hermanos, that's what they say, La Rasa. What are I, uh, we're more of just like a produce, you know, squad. We just pull up, you know? And you're not even going to public.

Wow. Um, guys, choose. Five, this is from Chris Kingsland, five specific items. They are putting in Ariel's dressing room rider. I want the interns in BITB to guess exactly what it takes to satisfy your incredibly specific taste. Then Ariel, I need you to rank their choices from absolute necessity to unacceptable garbage. Olives. A price brand of sparkling water, alcohol gel, no crust sandwiches, high-end hoodies.

I mean, I don't know what this guy's talking about you. Yeah, what is this? What is he trying to say? He's trying to say that I have expensive taste. or something? Rice cakes. Rice cakes? Ice cakes? Ice keats? Space heater? Not bad.

Sicilian olives. Sicilian olives? Ptze, could you believe? What's that yogurt you have? Oh, love the yogurt. It's like the faget with the honey. Yeah, the honey. Dan active.

Is that what it is? No, it's not. No, it's not bad. I know you got the rumbling and tell me a lot of prebiotics, probiotics. I look. I always got the shit's over there. E.M. fruit? Yeah. No, no, no.

I actually brought him to Ireland when I went, Pee, for real. Just like one bite of ice cream to change. the composition. Last night, last night, no power at the home. Only my sons and I went to a Thai place to eat dinner.

We wanted to, you know, be in actual light. Wait, what does that mean? Where was Jacqueline? They wanted to stay home. They wanted to be in the dark, daughter and mother. That text message read, went down for you. Are things okay? Everything's fine. She door dashed something as well.

Daughter, a little bit under the weather. Peace and love, peace and love. So we... At the end, my son, Walter said, just a little something. He did it. He did it. He did it. Let's go to the ice cream place next door. A little something to change the composition. Going to get ice cream while the power is out on a summer night is like that is the most summer night. Yeah.

It wasn't raining a lot, by the way. Did it rain this much when we were kids? I feel like it's like, seriously. I don't think anybody knew what to do at that one. The global climate is changing. What's so funny? I feel like the rain. storms are a lot more aggressive.

No. No? Absolutely. It's just so, there's so many hurricanes. There's tornadoes in New York. A hurricane wasn't from, yesterday wasn't from a hurricane. What was it from? El Niño. It's rain. It just feels like everything is like a lot more drastic these days. Yeah, yeah. It's just a low pressure system. Especially on X. Nailed it. Nailed it, Jordan.

All right. Okay. Guys, baked bean says for New York, Rick, please blind rank these five best movies released at the cinema this year. Okay. One being the best. Yep. Disclosure Day. Not a fan.

Four. Crime 101. Was that in the cinemas? Wasn't that a streamer? Two. Obsession. One. The Odyssey.

Fuck. Three. Project Hail Mary. God damn it. Fucked yourself on that. Oh, fuck. That's five. Yeah.

That sucks. I'm saying, not anything. That sucked. Disclosure day is by far. Obviously once. Here's another one from baked beans to G.C. Please blind rank these five banterous things related to the members of the show. Oh, great. This is amazing that this was the first one.

I don't feel I know where this is going. No, the first one is Frank hitting you with the... Oh. Hey man. By the way, I've been hit with like six Haymans this week. I just want to let you guys out. I think many people. It's been a heavy Hayman week, but I will also say,

I don't really get hit with the haymans that often I don't know if we're just in sync If we're in locks up Or at a sync It's maybe it's out of sync Yeah It's rare that that we're That I'm hit with a hayman

I don't even bother with connor Two follow-ups Why so many haymans this week Frank And two, why so little Directed towards G.C? Again It's a great question Why don't even bother with Connor

He's stuck in his ways Okay And the first I don't know what the fuck he's talking about What do you mean I've been hit with like nine haymans. You were the one who initiated the heyman. Wow.

Wow. So now it comes out. You're hey man. There's so much that I want to say, but it's going to result in a hayman. We all need a break here. Everyone calm down. It's coming. We need a sponsorship from the shoe, the horrendous shoe.

Hey dudes. But it's Frank then changes his hey man to hey dude. And it's just him airing out his grievances on the air. Maybe we should censor at the part where you're like horrendous shoe. I mean, if you were hey dudes, I'll respect for you. But I mean, Frank then. If they want to sponsor the show, let's do it. Okay, so where does that one fall, The Hayman?

It's just, you can't tell the story of Uncrowned without the Hayman's three. Okay. Pizzi going off and the Irish music starts. Oh, that's a great one. It's all time, too. This one is actually insulting. Ariel pretending he's making plans, but really finding it's to skip going out. It's so great.

I can't go out for you guys last day for dinner. Well, the last day is actually Thursday. I didn't sign up for no fucking Thursdays, all right? Which control room member wrote this is what I want to know. This is too. This is like on point. Okay. It's the winter.

New York Rick is ill, but claims not to me. Yeah. That has to be one. Sniffling and sneezing. He was sitting there shivering last year. Shivering. He goes off to the bathroom and pukes. He's like, sick.

I'm not sick. Did that really happen? Did he puke? No, no. Oh, but that's very funny. And the last one is Frank's mom's arse. Oh, yeah. It should be one.

This is the OTIN of the half year. Wow. This is the O'Tean of the half year. I'm actually crying right now. Incredible. Incredible performance. G.C., please blind rank from Aaron these top five hangover meals. Oh, yes.

Have you gone in this already? I don't know, but I know what number one is it. Wait a minute I don't know if his number one is the one thing or the other thing I actually know number one and number two Yeah one and two I know one in two I know A dozen oysters kill Patrick I'd rather die five

A beef Massaman curry For Mongo beef Two I'm feeling pretty good after that Mongolian beef baby. Caramel milkshake

and a cigarette. A caramel milk shake and a cigarette? God. You talk about getting the shits, Beatsy. That'll do it,

dear. That'll do it. Frank's mom's ass. Yeah. Some mango beef followed up by Frank's mom's ass. Just to point out that my mom's ass is the gift that keeps on.

It sure is. Oh, God. Fantastic. At this point, you said that originally on the show. to have been like almost 18 months now. I can't believe it's still going.

Somebody said this is an email or a call on the anniversary when it popped up. I'm like legit crying. G.C.'s Fatty Moombatty says, guys, can you collectively open rank the top five worst situations to try and enjoy a PRJ? Thanks again as a truck driver definitely makes the day go faster.

I mean, who could forget, you know, outside of comment before the sphere we're celebrating the Nick's victory and fucking mysterious over there pulls out the phone. Could you believe that? You were being paranoid before you. Hit it one more time. Yeah, yeah. That's a bad one. That's a bad one.

It's so crazy that you would do that. The betrayal. The reaction that I got out of you, no regrets. Pulling out the phone and acting. People laughing at you or filming you when you're high is objectively. He wasn't high. Horrible.

You know what? You know what's a bad one? Yep. smoke it not knowing that a lot of people are where you're going that you don't want to be high around. And you walk in and your mom's like, all of your aunts and uncles are here. And they haven't seen you in 10 years. It was like, nightmare. Nightmare. Yeah. And then you're trying to talk to him. You're like, am I going insane? You're trying to keep track, like, you know, act normal here. You're with all your boys. You're like hot boxing or you're in a

basement and there's music playing and everyone's talking and laughing and you're having a good time. And then you go out in public and then it's dead silent. You have to speak to a stranger. That is also up there for me. I absolutely. Erase crouton. Happy National Chicken Wing Day. Are you a ranch or blue cheese guy?

Do you eat celery that comes on the side? It's got to be blue cheese. If you say ranch and you're affiliated with Buffalo in any which way, you will be disowned. So it has to be blue cheese. And sure, I'll pop in a celery. Why not? Right? Why not?

No problem. Freshing up that piss. Change up the... Oh, this is interesting. Peter Fitzwell says, I now have tickets to the BKFC Bruce Cruise, never been to a fight,

never been on a cruise. Do you or the team have any first cruise advice? Don't go on a fucking cruise. Oh, he also says, P.S., please give 26 minutes and three seconds during the Arnold Allen interview

on April 28th the chance. Okay, for a job. Rick's checking in Darren right now, but... The man who never gets sick ever was brought to his knees by a cruise. He went on. So I would stock up on dramamine before you go for sure. Wow.

It's been a while since I've been on a cruise. I've been on a cruise PT. No, I've been on a ferry. That's the closest shit, like just going across some of the matches in England. Ellis Island? No interest. No, I didn't make it. I ain't going on.

No. Thorough bread. I got a few tips from someone who's been on a Disney cruise. Okay, okay, wow. First nightmare. is correct. One, do not go to the casino. You will lose money there.

They do have casinos on these ships. Two, figure out where the lifeboats are. Oh. That's all I got to say. Oh. Brings a mace. A little Titanic situation. Yeah.

What the hell? Yeah, I've been watching too many like shipwrecked documentaries recently. Same. Oh, my God. So many of them. Could you imagine something like that happens in the middle of the BKFC fight? That would be insane. I'll just jump off there swimming, man.

Yeah. I'll get back. In a matter of seconds, guys, we are going to be joined by a member of BKFC, Mr. Darren Till. But it seems like we don't have him just yet, right? I need to kill some time. No problem, no problem. So that is a nice transition. We'll try to sneak in maybe a question or two in the back in, of course, super chats as well.

So keep him coming. Great questions today. Peace and love, peace and love. Of course, Darren Till made his BKFC debut on the 30th of May in Birmingham defeating Aaron Chalmers via knockout in the second round, a very eventful debut for him. And now he returns on the 28th of September at the famed AEO Arena in Manchester to go up against his longtime rival, Joel Romero, in a massive fight that was announced on this year program on Monday by David Feldman. Without further ado, on time is the pride of Liverpool? Darren, he's on, he's here? Darren, what's happening?

Your team told me you're a changed man. You've got a diary now. You're matured. you're reliable. I said, I'll believe it when I see it. I now believe it. You said last time you believed it, so what don't you believe it still? How much more have I got to prove to you, mate? It's just a couple more times,

but this time we did take a big step. I actually felt comfortable enough promoting you. Last time I didn't, so that I think is a sign that I do believe in you. Here is sheikon, you know where. Honestly, I'll start at it as new. It's great to see you, Darren. Congratulations on this fight.

Thank you for doing this. Always great to talk to you. Yeah. You like this one? Yeah, I do. I mean, I had his old field for years, didn't I all thinking I was scared of Yo Romero? So what now? Do you know what I mean?

But he is 49, so we're not going to hide of ourselves. Maybe this is the perfect time to fight him. I don't think there is a perfect time to fight, Yo. I think he's just Yo Romero, any 20 years of age, 40, 50. He's made a certain difference, as Joe Rogan said about the doctors. You know, his physique hasn't changed. you know, his last fight in Russia. He's just your own, mate.

So I don't think there's any good time to get you all. I think you just got to go in there and fight him. Is there drug testing for this fight? Yeah, full drug testing. By who? By, I don't know. By whoever does it? Well, is it like, I know there's no VADA or anything like that in BKFC,

but do you get tested beforehand? Do you get tested on fight night? What is it? Blood, urine? I don't know. I don't know. I think it's fight night. It's all random.

I don't know. Okay. By the way, the reason I was asking is not because of him, it's because I saw your physique going into the last fight, and I got to say, tremendous, like an eight-pack there on you. We never seen anything like that before. So just say what you're going to say. Stick them on the juice. That was just me throwing a curveball your way,

as to not offend Yoel Romero and give you a little bit of a cheeky one. Because I know you heard that, right? We spoke about it. Yeah, yeah, everyone said it was on the juice, but that's good, isn't it? When people are saying stuff like that, you're obviously clearly putting the way in. And so when they presented you, Yowel, you were all in?

Ariel, it doesn't matter who they present. I've been like this since the start of my career. I don't care who they present. They threw names at me. I asked for Perry. I asked for Hunt. And they said, what about Yowell first? And I said, yeah, go on, let's go.

Let's do it. I have to say, I said this to him yesterday. I can't believe we're living in a world where you have now become the face of BKFC and Mike Perry is out, you know, fighting Dylan Danis on some card in Orlando. It just doesn't make sense to me. I can't believe we got here. We're so close now. We're so far. I'm going to say, I'm on a resurgence, aren't I? Aereo from the UFC. I'm on a resurgence. She's going to take everyone out on the bare knuckle. Maybe go back to the misfits and take Tommy out, take Jake out. And then, who knows after that? Maybe it's

pro boxing or back to the UFC if Dana will have me. Because I've been saying someone saved the comments about him, Annie, so you have to get past that careful first. Sure. But it feels like you don't really need them, right? You're making good money. You're in a good spot. You don't really need those guys. It's not about me either of them. It's about going back and seeing what I can do, still do at the highest level of the sports, M&A. So, yeah, I mean, I've made money now.

I'll never have to work again for the rest of my life. You know what I mean? I'm in a good position, polar position. As you've just said there, I've got a good team around me. The kids are healthy, women's healthy, friends are all good, family's good. So, yeah, like, I don't need them.

Well, you say I don't need them, but I really like I spend money like it's going out of fashion. I ever hated towards money and it'll never change so maybe I just might have to stay on this money today and who knows? Have you really made enough money? Have you really made enough money

to never work again for the rest of your life? That's a big statement. You're still such a young guy. Yeah, because my business is outside of the fighting area will do a lot of money as well. Which one? Like the gorilla having a pizza party?

Did you see that on my story? Did you? No, that's just like one of your patented, like, little drawings that you were selling us a few years ago. A giraffe eating a cupcake. No, mate. Block better on that casino now, mate. Look, we're doing really well. Like, we're here.

Because there's a casino dying every day all over the world and we're still here on that crypto casino. We're doing really well, mate. Griller's doing well. I have another little business that does well. I'm good, mate. I'm extremely good. By the way, I want to give you guys a shout out. I saw that you said for blockbed, you refunded all the Connor McGregor bets after his fight?

Yeah, we did, yeah. We did. What does that cost you guys? Don't ask. I don't know all the logistics on that. They just asked what I thought about. And I said, it's a good idea if we could do it. So we did it.

It was good. I didn't get refunded, though. What? You bet on it? Well, yeah, but I'm not going to get refund from my own company. I should just put that back in the pot. That's a great PR move. But it does open up a can of worms though, right?

Because now any time that there's some like freak injury or something like that, people will be like, where's my money? I want it back. Yeah. No, it does. But at the same time, from when we started, because obviously now we're an online casino, not to get too much into it. We were block assets and obviously we'd done like the smashbow series.

We had the global partnership with the UFC and stuff like that. Like, we always had that thing that enigment of giving back to the fans and like fan experiences and stuff like that. And it actually went really well. The same can be said with the casino. You want to give like your VIT. P's good treatments and people give backs, but it's a fucking casino. People come there to lose money.

Like everyone bates. Everyone gambles to lose money. You know what I mean? My demographic on social media, anyone who follows me, you know, they're all just junkies, aren't we? We all love drinking alcohol, gambling. We all love smoking. Do you know what I mean?

So my demographic sells to the people that are going to gamble drink and stuff like that. So we can give a little bit back, but not so much. Like, we're here to take your money. Gamble and lose. See you later. Ta-da. Nice to know you. Thank you next.

What did you make of that whole scene there with Connor? Fucking mental. I didn't understand it. If truth be told, Ariel, I was sat in a bar and I fucking, I was pissed out, I was pissed out my face. So it just was over and I just was asking what was going on. I didn't understand it myself, to be honest.

Were you once saying, look at his body language, he seems off. Like, were you believing in all that stuff? Oh, no, we're done. What is that? What's that even mean? That's like, that's like when people say to you, like, oh, you know, like, you, you know, like, you don't want to be having any arguments with your girlfriend, fight week,

or you don't want your girlfriend staying with you the night before a fight, well, what does that mean? So does that mean, if you have an argument with your girlfriend the night before a fight, you just, all, everything goes out the window, then all your train and you forget to throw a jab and all that shit. So because you've had an argument with your girlfriend or your mum, you go in that cage and everything's off,

your body language is off, or your head's not right because you're having an argument with your girlfriend. If that is the case, you shouldn't fight, you're all of fucking, Muppet to get out the sport because I'll say you know I could have an argument my girlfriend and my mother

or anything like that that wouldn't stop me from throwing a jabball fighting the way of forth you've spent 12 weeks in the gym getting ready for a fight you've done all your spa

and all your condition and all your weights in and all you're running and you have a little blipping camp like you have an argument like oh I can't fight oh fuck for hell

oh body language what are people people who say that don't know fighting area you've never had a fight this is where it comes into the line of you know when you have

I'm not going to say this to you as per se because you are brilliant into what you do. But sometimes to be, to interview and to be a journalist and all these other things, you do have to add a little bit of experience because you can sort of say things like, oh, well, his body language is off. On the face off, he looks scared. Well, John Jones doesn't look his opponents when he does face off, so what does that mean? Or if someone puts their head down and then wins,

all this body language shit is, for me, is just bullshit. It's just this new age of faggots everywhere, just fucking, just gay, weak-haired people, just don't. don't know what's going on. If you know how to fight, you know how to fight. And that's the bottom fucking line of it. Here's the thing, though, to be fair, I wasn't subscribing to that. In fact, I didn't put much credence into that. I did hear fighters saying that, including Max himself, who said that when he saw him walk out, he seemed a little bit off. So these are fighters who are putting some stock into this. I was off against Gasland when I just got knocked

out by Mazfiel when I was fighting at Madison Square Garden. I was fucking shating myself. I still won the fight. So again, I don't care if Max said. or whoever said it. Like, if you got Sean Svichland on here now, he'd agree with me, a man's man. Like, I know he goes a bit too far. But Ariel, it's just like you. Do you forget how to do your journalism?

I'm not saying something severe in your life. Let's say, like a relative passion or something like that. But if you have an argument, your missus or someone, you know, who's close or whatever, do you forget out and ask me questions? So does everything, do you just forget everything yet? No, no. Forget your job.

Exactly. So what are people going on about? Are he looked off at the Wayans? Or is body languages off. Or Connor doesn't look too good? What do you mean? Connor McGregor doesn't look too good. He's won't two UFC titles in the UFC.

What are you on about? You don't know what he's talking about? Is there not a confidence thing, though? Like, if you don't believe in yourself, and I'm not saying that was the case with him, but sometimes you can tell when someone really truly believes they're going to win and when, you know, they're maybe doubting themselves. That's a real thing in a fist fight, right?

It's a real thing, but there's been how many instances as they've been where people haven't believed in themselves and still won the fight? Sometimes it actually doesn't matter. You know, all this manifest. and all this believe, believe, believe, and conceive, achieve what Ruchel said, there is a point where it just actually doesn't really matter,

aerial, because someone can go in there not feeling confident and just being so down, and energy and stuff like that, and they win the fight, so I'm actually not a big believer in it, I'm not a big believer, and I'm not a big believer, and I'm only psychics next year and going to speak to mental health people and stuff like that,

and having someone to tell you, yeah, like Tony Ferguson's with David Goggins, what the fuck does David Goggins know about fighting, and he lost? the padding. So it's like, I'm not trying to shit on it, but at the same time,

me and me coach speak about it. Like, if you really need someone to tell you that you're this and that and you're a good, I think you're a bit of a, you're a muppie.

You're a fucking muppet. Just go to the gym, get your hard rounds done, do your work, train really hard, do you run, and I've just come off to hill sprints now,

do your conditioning. That, that is factual science a brown fighting. You get a 12-week camp. How am I going to beat you? Well, you'll probably is a little bit older,

so we probably can't do the things that I can do. So, you know, sprints every week, conditioning, weight training, sparring, running, eating clean, you know, getting all your recovery. That is how you win a fight. All the other parts are just like small blips in it, going to see a mental health coach or stuff like that.

Like, for me, that's sad. You're just a weak, you're just weak. Now, look, manifestation is good and positivity, and yeah, I'm going to win the fight. But how many instances throughout the sport history is the bin where the guy's gone in there hasn't believed in himself, he's fighting him,

he's fighting at say a fucking, a man who can't be beat and they've come out and won. So I'm not a big belief in all that area, I'm going to be honest. I appreciate that, so do you think he comes back? Connor?

Yeah. I don't know. Do you know what? I wouldn't like to see him come back because it probably tarnishes even more what he's done. Like people forget 2015 Connor. He was that guy,

you know what I mean? He was winning. You know, would I say he's the best UFC fights of all time, no, he just, he just, he gained it with the fame and obviously his mouth and stuff like that. It does he, for him, is he just holding on to something he's older now. He's been out to gain five years. Obviously, people say he's treated his body, he's abused his body a bit.

I don't know, you know, people like to talk and gossip about kind of like, I've seen him doing this and that. There's never been any proof. You don't know if he's abused his body or not, stayed in shape. He always looked like he's in shape. I don't know. I don't know the ins and out of his life. I don't really give a shit.

As long as he's fighting, that's my thing with him. Do you know what I mean? but yeah I wouldn't like to see him come back no he's older now he's got money so just fucking be a promoter and be the guy you're can I ask what did you take a patty he's fucking he's exceeded all my expectations with him as well

I always knew Paddy was good but every fight paddies had in the FC you know you get people he had a lot of hate you get people saying he's gonna lose and I always was like he's actually not you know he's got snow awkward style he's fucking big for the weight and mate he's just getting better

and better and better yeah he needs to brush upon a strike him. It does, but that doesn't actually matter when you can wrap fucking submissions up like that. So Paddy's impressing me loads. That's why when you say the Prada Liffel,

who is the Pradley these days? It's more Paddy these days, isn't it? I'm just the husband. I'm forgot about now. Nah, you were there first. You were there first. Don't get in your feeling. You see him around town.

Do people come up to you and say, do you know Patty Pimblit and like treat you like just like another guy? Oh, Pat. Yeah. I've had people say, do you know that Patty guy. Yeah. Oh, you're killing me.

You're killing me. No, Paddy, he lives on the other side town. No, he's about, and I'm about. Obviously, I live in Dubai these days, but, mate, Paddy's doing really well. What he's doing for the city comes from a good gym. He seems like he's got his head on his shoulders. He's got his woman behind him.

He's got his kids. That's what a man needs, you know what I mean? He likes to party. Like, maybe the fuck doesn't. But, yeah, I'm a... Paddy's impressed me, mate. So you're in, you're in Dubai full time now? Yeah, do you want to see?

Yeah, I'd love to see. Yeah, I was wondering why it was so dark out there. I didn't realize you were there. full time. What's it like? It's fucking like. Where are you hiding? Where are you hiding? Who is that? Who is that? That's been missed.

We've got a little straggler on the couch. Oh my dear. Who is that? Who was that? Your coach? No. That's how we live in Ariel. Holy smokes. Nice, isn't it? That is beautiful. That's high up. What floor are you on?

Yeah. Say hello. Hi. Hello. We're getting on the camera. Oh, my God. What is it like living with Darren Till? I think that's what everyone wants to know. What is it like living with Darren Till?

You're two-way, it's hard way. Yeah, tired, Ariel. No, I get it. I get it. By the way, who's the guy sleeping on your couch? That's one of me here, training partners. Okay. It's my second wife.

But people say, Ariel, people say it must be hard because they have to spend two hours' time at me. She has to spend 24 hours a day with me, so can you imagine that. Golly, look at you. How long have you guys been together? Two and a half years, so yeah. Are we going to put a ring on it? We'll see.

Yeah, of course we are. Wow. Is this breaking news right here? Oh, not right now. Give me a year. Let me beat you all first to get some money. You said you're set for life. You said you don't have to work again.

Oh, no, my fucking, mate. You know, these weddings, these engaged. These are these are different. Have you ever actually been married before, Darren? No, no. So obviously, you know, I have my ex-girlfriend, my daughters to her. Sure.

My daughter's in Brazil. So obviously, long-term relationships with them. Fantastic mothers. My kids are going on the next week to Portugal and my little one in Brazil. She's coming over here to Dubai to visit me. So, yeah, they're great area. They're fucking, they're brilliant.

They're actually really healthy, happy in school. Mothers are just fucking bringing them up as to be. great little girls. So yeah, extremely proud as the father. But the thought of marriage, like can the gorilla be tamed like that? Can you be held down? I mean, it's, yeah, you think so. You're ready. Yeah, I want marriage. I want marriage

with this, me little one here. Wow, this is big stuff. I love this. A whole other side of you, Darren. This is lovely. You've got the diary now, you're talking marriage. You really have matured. You've evolved in front of our eyes. The diary, actually, I got told when I was sat on the couch by me, Mrs. She said,

and you have eight minutes before Ariel, don't let them down. Wow, she's the one that made this happen. Well, thank you to her. I appreciate it. Because I have to say, every time we book you, there's like a whole 24 hours of stress.

I even had to DM you beforehand and you were still being a cheeky little guy about it. You said, maybe. Why? I don't like to let the people down. You know, it's not me, it's the people. They like having you on here. You know what it is, Ariel, honestly,

it's nothing against you. Everyone will probably tell you. Like, I don't attend no fight shows. And I just don't care to do interviews or Pog. I just, it's not like, I just can't be asked, Ariel. I'm like, once I'm done with this sport, you won't probably see me again. I'll probably just drift off into the,

into the abyss. Like, I just don't care for it. But this is two mates chatting, right? I mean, this is a little different. Oh, of course, of course. It's just, I, do you want me to be honest, Ariel? My partner and guerrilla come back to. I get mad anxiety to do this shit.

I have to proper, like, jean myself up. Really? To do this? Yeah, I get bad anxiety doing it. Stop. Going to shows and stuff. Yeah, do, yeah. You're fired.

Like, you kill it. You always nail it. No, I know, but it's doing it. Like, the show, even doing the guerrilla and going to shows, like, they have to force me to do it and go because I get bad anxiety about it. And that's the truth. My partner can back that up. Now, what is it?

Is it you're afraid of how people are going to judge you, view you? You're going to say the wrong thing? No, no, no. No one don't care about it. It's just like, I don't know. I just get anxiety to do it. I don't know what it is. If my partner was on here now from Guerrilla,

he has a hard time at me doing stuff because he's just like, But he always says, I know what's your anxiety. I've had a few years. I don't know what it is. Wow. So now we're getting to see a sensitive side of you, a little bit of... It's a big guy, because I can't be coming on here saying, you need therapy.

It's half a bit of a contradiction. No, I don't have anxiety. That's a lie. I like this. I like this. You're a very complex figure. Can I ask you about something that we were talking about earlier? I think you would provide great perspective on this.

You're getting a drink or something? What's happening? No, I'm just having some blueberriesies. We didn't camp for me, so it's all healthy. Yeah, yeah. Hell yeah. A very famous fighter named Connor McGregor once had blueberries on this show way back when. Can I ask you about something that I was talking about at the beginning of the show? I don't know if you saw the news regarding Anthony Smith that came out in the last 24 hours.

And I was talking about him and I was talking about Dustin Porier recently. And I'm not trying to defend actions. I'm not trying to give them any type of excuse. But I am, Darren, getting concerned about the fighters that we watched in the last decade or so, how they deal with life after fighting. the injuries, the head, and then just the music stopping. And so I'm just wondering what your perspective is on this. At some point, it ends for everyone, and it's just very heartbreaking to see what happens.

Yeah, so, yeah, I can actually give a good, hopefully, an educating opinion on this area. A lot of people get worried for me as well. I'm quite an intense guy. Everything I do is to 100%. You obviously probably know that about me. You've known me for years now. so I'm one of them like if I get hooked on something

or obsessed with something or you know whether even be trained and fighting you know I'm 100% in her all and I think most of us are as fighters and I've seen boxes the same so I think life after fighting for us if we don't find that healthy obsession I think more than likely

we always find an unhealthy obsession why is that because I think it gives us the same type of high as to what fighting does you know what I mean fighting's in the now it's the now so we're always looking for that type of now now look, Auntie Smith's done what he's done and Justin, look, I'm not a guy who judges people, look, everyone's going through their own

shit, I'm not going to, I'm not going to fucking judge them, I actually said sort of about Justin, I was like, Justin was going on, and I was like, made shut up, like, you haven't even done that, like, I carry on like that every Friday Saturday, so like just shut the fuck up, you know what I mean, who gives a fuck, but I get at some people a little bit more shay, a little bit more embarrassed, you know,

we have sponsors, family, stuff like that, uh, look, I, uh, yeah, Maybe there should be, maybe, could even be me. Like, let's put something in place for fighters after fighting, because forget, like, retirement funds and pensions. Like, we need, we need a goal. We need, like, an obsession.

We need, like, we need our life to carry on the same after fighting. And I just don't quite feel like it does. Even, like, look, Connor, obviously, Connor got all the money, stop fighting, and obviously, you know, people like to say, I don't know, you know, he was drinking a lot. So I haven't got the remedy for it, area, but I definitely know it's a problem. I've seen it happen to a lot of fighters after fighting,

and they just sit back and there's nothing they can, there's not, and they've got going for the day. They're used to having this routine of being in the gym, Monday to Friday, train and fight and sparring, and then all of a sudden it just gets took away from it at like 35 when they're still young and fruitful. So, yeah, I don't know what the remedy is here, or maybe someone could come up with something,

maybe it could be made, you know what I mean? We could start, like, we could start something, do you know what I mean? Can I ask, are you afraid of this? Do you worry about this, how it's going to hit you? because I'm 10 times worse than all these other fighters. So what do you think you're going to do? How are you going to handle it? I've been thinking about it lately.

I've got like three to four years left. Obviously, I want to make a lot of money as well. But everyone who's around me, and by the way, I've got a good solid foundation in army. I've got good friends here and back home. As I said, I've got a great woman behind me. I've got my kids and stuff like that. Their mothers are great.

I've got honestly fantastic friends. My coach is unbelievable. But, yeah, all of them are scared as well. Like, they ask, no, the kind of guy I am. So I do get a bit scared myself for what's to come. So I now need to be thinking now for in three years' time, what to put in place so it doesn't get like that. Is this part of the reason why you have the block bets?

Is it why you have the guerrilla promotions? Are you trying to set up? Yeah. Yeah. Because not a lot of fighters have these things going on in the midst of their career. But that's also who you put around, who you put around you. circle you put around you don't you've got to have these people around you or you know like for you me with a circle we could have just told you that a circle they were all pieces of shit

couldn't we years ago you just see how they act how they operate how they want to be in the club you know popping bottles i don't really have a circle like that area we're all just down to it guys and people um so that's not my problem my issue my problem the issue is me the type of guy I'm a million miles, so, yeah. I'm a hundred times worse than all these other guys, like these fights, just in the nap, justin. What does them was crying over there was not him?

What do you mean when you say you're worse? Like, you think you're, you have a temper, you think you just go too hard? No, temper. I'm just different. It's just, like, course for concern after fighting. Yeah. Very cold.

And that's not me, that's just me being honest there, though. No, I appreciate it. I'm a good guy. I like to take care of everything. on around me. I'm probably too cured him, but I'm also I'm like my own worst enemies, you know what I mean?

What's your issue with Ian Gary? You know what? I sort of like to take people as a... I like to take people as the art and stuff like that. You know, met him a few times. I just... I think he's a fucking fantastic fight today. I just think he's... I just... Honestly, it's just one guy. I just kind of...

I just see right through him. I just fucking... I just think he's fake as fuck. I was only rarely fight. This was your tweet. You said instead of giving criminals the death penalty, just make them listen to Ian Gary for the rest of their lives. They'd cry out for the chair.

That seems harsh, no? Hars to let them listen to Ian Garry of repeat forever. I like Ian Gary. I like talking to him. I have no issues with them. He's awesome. I don't know much.

I shouldn't be given as much as much as it. But he's just, you just can see right through this. just got like this a little act. Like, I don't know. Just like, fuck this team off the cage where it is to go to UFC. And just, I don't know. It's like, I don't know. I don't want to like chat.

I just think he's fake, mate. I just think he's fake. And then I've seen his brother was putting out treats about him, like saying he's lying and that about getting beaten as a kid. Like he had a great upbringing. And so I was just like, that's his own brother, man. Did you really get banned from the Tommy Fury fight? Is that a real thing?

Yeah, real thing. Really? Because you not see the audio. There's audio of the security saying, talking to me saying, like, yeah, like, if you don't leave, like, the press conference won't go ahead. That's crazy. Why are they so bothered by you? Like, I get it. You said you were going to hit him.

Like, who cares? This is fighting. This is promotion. What's the big deal? I think it's an ego thing, either. I think it's like they want to have to open hand. Like, we'll ban till from this show. Like, you know, us, the furies, we got the upper hand on them.

Like, ego. So, I wasn't even going to. press conference all the fight but then I seen someone saying like oh he's not allowed so I just went oh no that's why I tired up the press conference but then the security pulled me aside look for the audio area okay and it's on TikTok if you type it inside

and the security saying to me like and if you don't go to press conferences and going ahead and then at the fight I wasn't allowed down by the ring I only had to stay up in my box wow that is wild what did you think of the fight my shite

Tommy shite fight with shite not on against Eddie. He was somebody's on, but Tommy's just a bag of shite. I don't think me and him a level fight. I don't think me and Jake Paul ever fights either. I think it's past all that. Yeah. What about this AJ Fury stuff? What do you think if it happens in the US and not the UK? I couldn't care. That fight was meant to happen. Like five years ago, where you? But you still watch, right? You'll still watch? No, no, I wouldn't. Come on. Fury Joshua. Really?

if you knew how much of them I didn't care now I wouldn't pay me money I wouldn't watch it five years ago they've been hyped just now I just wouldn't watch

you watch they've milked it as much as they can all everyone they've milked us all like using milk on us dry you know what I mean milk on everyone's right

like is anyone actually is Eddie Ayn has Eddie got like the actual confidence to come on the camera and hype her up as this fight well come on Eddie

we can see right through your ach mate and Frank we can see right through your act in fact we can see right through Everyone's acting that game.

Eddie with Tommy now and Ian signing up. He's meeting with Paulo Costa. What do you think of his moves on the MMA side? It wasn't not unlike the con of him move, was it? What's Dana done to Eddie? Yeah. But he's trying. What's he doing now?

He's signing them up to be managed is you're not taking them from Dana. They're all in a contract by the UFC. So what Eddie's doing is just managing them. He's not doing what Eddie done to Eddie. he's not doing what Dana done to Eddie and taking Connor from under Eddie's feet. That was a power move. What Eddie's doing is not a power move in my eyes.

But at least he's going to negotiate Tom's thing. He's going to be a bit of a thorn. No, none of that. You don't see any of that? What's he not going to negotiate? Dana just turn in time and say, no, the standard pays this. Yeah.

If you don't like it, you're not fighting, but you're still in contract. And they signed Johnny Fisher too. That's who Dana signed Johnny Fisher. Fisher. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. Like, good for Johnny. Johnny's a good guy. So I guess what you're saying is the difference is this side of the fence is actually signing these guys and taking them away and that side of the fence is just saying like, hey,

I'm their manager doing the sponsorship. Eddie's managing them, getting them sponsors and he's going to ask Dana for an extra 10 grand, 20 grand. He's not going to get what he thinks he's getting out of Dana. Dana swiped Connor Ben from under his feet. That was a power move that no one saw coming. Eddie hasn't been able to do anything to Dane against that. I don't think anyway. Have you been watching all of this?

The Zufa boxing stuff, do you pay attention to any of this? No. No. Couldn't care less. Couldn't care less. Couldn't care less. I'll let you go in a moment,

but I just wanted to ask Robert Whitaker, old foe of yours, moving up to 205. Did you see how he did? No. Oh, he did pretty well. He beat Nikita Krilov on the Connor card. Oh, brilliant.

That's fantastic. Rob's still going. I can't believe he's still going. He's been in so many wars. He fought you all twice and beaten, didn't he? Yeah. You know what? I keep closing these berries and then I keep open them and again. They're fantastic. What about back in the day you once said regarding U.O. Romero, F that guy. I don't want to ever fight him. He's a beast.

You used to say they used to get nightmares of U.L. So are you getting those nightmares now that you've signed to fight him? Oh, no. Of course, I'm fucking ready to fight this cunt. Let's go. He'll stop using that picture as well. Which one? one. I hate it. Oh, what, okay. I'm not coming up on a screen. I hate it. What's wrong with it? What don't you like about it?

I look like a fucking deformed alien. My, please. My hair got caught by some numpty in Vegas, please. Okay, so next time you're on. A wide bit of muscle on me in the UFC. I didn't have one muscle to my name in the UFC. No, you look great. I think you look great. No, I didn't. I didn't. A little more facial hair now? Okay, so you're saying next time you're on, not this picture. Please.

Use the Whitaker one as one. in Wittaker where at the end of the fight, I'm looking up. You even remember the pictures in which you look the best? Yeah, yeah. You're that famed. I don't know if I'm vain, no. Okay, so next time you're on, we will not do that one. By the way, light heavyweight, 190.

For what? For you all, right? Is that it, 190? Yeah, I don't even know. You don't know? They didn't tell you. That's what he told us. The other way.

Feldman. These other ways. That's what he said the other ways. I just honestly, I didn't even pay attention. I swear on my life. Wow, wow, wow. They told us 18,000 they're expecting. Yeah, well, I was sold out the most, didn't I, the last one?

Yeah. I was the biggest one they've had on the occasion, so this would be the same. And then let's see, you know, when I beat you all, who's next? Who's next? And then he also told us David Feldman did on Monday. After this, he'll have one fight left on your deal, but he's going to. going to try to come to a new deal with you before this fight because he doesn't want any drama he wants to lock you up he loves you that much what do you think of this yes daze mate erio i don't know

if you know dave personally uh dave's a fucking great guy man there does anyone actually know dave's story i'm not going to say it but yeah yeah what a man that man is he's he's some guy him i've got i've got a lot of time in respect for dave and you know what dave is dave someone who's really passionate about the sword sport and he just wants to see it grow i don't even think he cares about the money honestly I don't think he cares. I think he just wants it to grow. So I'm behind him. I'm behind Dave.

Make up you know. I love it. I can't believe it. I never thought I'd see the day you're fighting in BKFC, loving it, loving Dave Feldman, and fighting you all Romero of all people in BKFC. Yeah. Come on here.

You'll live in Dubai. What a life. We'll get married. Living in Dubai. Married. Diary. He's like you have literally changed in front of our eyes. What?

Life? It's amazing. Thanks to the queen over there. Thank you. Thank you to her. What is her name? Melina. Melina, thank you.

We appreciate you keeping Darren on the straight and narrow. Thank you for changing him. And hopefully he doesn't post anyone's phone number on social media anymore. Maybe he's grown from that too. You know what about that? She actually said it was very wrong. She was like, I can't believe you did that. Yeah, I can't either.

You know, I still suffer. I still suffer till this day because of that. I'll sign up for something and they'll be like, yes, we just sent a code to your phone number. and it's my old number and now I don't know how to fix it. I say, fucking Darren, fucking asshole.

What's fucking cracker. What about... You forgave me that. Not allowed to have me. Last one. Last one. Perry Dennis. Ariel, don't care.

But you have ties to both guys? Who do you think wins? Oh, yeah. I think, is it an MMA aerial? Yeah, yeah. I think Tannis will win. I think his Jiu Jiu's really high level. I think once he gets a grip,

yeah. Perry's not the best on the ground. I think Tannis will win. But also, Perry's a strong guy. Dennis hasn't been in there with high-level MMA fights.

That's the difference. That's the only way I can see Dennis losing because he hasn't had high-level MMA fights, but he's, he is good at the grand game

so I'm probably going to edge towards Dennis. If he's, if he's training it correctly and I'm doing it right, fuck off. There's my manager. Fuck,

sake, he thought it was just a quick one, huh? You're picking Dennis over Perry, huh? Yeah, I am. Let's just get Perry mad,

in it? Okay. He's going to freak out. We have two options for you. We just want to know for the next time you come on. This one?

That one. That one. That one. We have another one. We have another one. This one. No, no, no. No, problem.

This one. That one. Yeah. That's the Whitaker fight. The Teteran show. There's blood everywhere. The hair's all in Czech. You like it?

Yeah. Because I'm losing my hair. You know where it's going. You look fantastic. Look at that. I'm losing my hair now. The hair's going these days. Let's ask the misses.

Which pictures does she like better? That one? Which one? This one? one? Show this with the full screen. Yeah. She doesn't want to get on because she got a face mask on. Well, she could see, she could still see the screen, right? She does good.

Go like that one. Yeah. Or? Or. Da. That over the other. Wow. How? What in the hair? No, the other one's better. What you mean the hair line? Go back to the other one.

No, go on, go on. Go back. Da. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Or, or, or that. Do you have one? Yeah, go on, yeah. Yeah, that's the one. Yeah, we need a trip to Turkey or what?

Yeah, we're going to take in December area. You're the man. Darren, thank you so much. So happy for you. Thanks, guys. Please. If I open everyone tunes in, 26th to September, here for war. It's going to be a great fight with me and y'all.

Hey, don't get nervous. Don't get nervous when you come on. That hurts my heart, okay? We're just friends, chatting shite. Of course. Thank you, Darren. Appreciate it. Peace and love.

Peace and love, peace and love. Darren Till, he's using our line. That's great. Okay, we've established that he likes the other one, the one with the teeth from the Robert Whitaker fight. Pretty amazing that he even remembers that. But I guess it's his own picture.

We all know when we think we look best. Amazing stuff there from Darren. Always great to catch up with him. And look. Keep my fucking name out of your mouth. He's actually showing, does this look like a picture outside? Let's look like a painting. Is this a real shot?

Or is this like a Getty photo? The window. I know, but like, like, Look how beautiful it is outside. New York is beautiful. Finally. It's been pretty dreary the past week. It hasn't.

Like when we were kids, it did not rain like this. Yep, not at all. It also wasn't this hot, right? Scientists have actually come out and said if you were born between 1981 and 1997. It did not rain. In fact, did not rain like this when you were a kid. That's what I thought too. Big developing story.

So I appreciate them backing us up. Okay. Still to come, Sky Nicholson to talk about this deal with MVP. Also, Dominic Mysterio, which I am very excited about, but I am also very excited to talk to one half of the main event for the upcoming PFL Charlotte card. So PFL is in New York, Long Island, to be exact, on Friday. Usmur Magamatov, Archie Colgan, Dakota Ditcheva,

Denise Keelholz, they'll be fighting on Friday's card. Then they're back next weekend, August 7th, in Charlotte. Bojangles Coliseum. It's Brian Battle against Dalton Rasta, and Brian Battle is kind enough to join us right here now to talk about it all. There he is. What's up, Brian? How are you?

I'm doing well, brother. Happy to be here. Thank you for having me. A bit of a home game for you, right? Don't you live in Charlotte? Yeah, I know. I've been in North Carolina since I was 11 years old. You know what I mean?

That's where started training. You know what I mean? Where all my first fights were. So, no, it's always exciting to be able to go back home. You know what I'm saying? You know, once you get to the big-time promotions, you know, fighting at home is, you know, something you're never guaranteed, you know what I mean? So this is something I'm looking very, very forward to.

Do you feel the pressure of fighting at home? Some fighters don't like to fight at home. A lot of ticket requests, a lot of people pulling you in different directions. How has it been for you so far? Well, you know, I'm an asshole, so, you know, I just, like, just put my phone down. I got to focus on because all, you know, you know how this game goes,

you know what I'm saying? Everyone will be cute before the fight and, you know, they'll stay cute after the fight as long as I go out there and whoop ass, but if I start getting focused on all the wrong things,

which is, you know, been a big lesson, you know what I'm saying? You got to focus on what you need to focus on, handle business, you know what I'm saying? People stay cute afterwards.

So that's really what I'm most focused on right now, you know. People can, If people want to come watch, they can figure out how to get tickets themselves. Last time you fought in Charlotte was 2023 in the UFC against Gabe Green. You've come a long way, obviously, since then. Does that strike you at all? Like, man, here I am, the main event.

There I was just kind of on the card. A bit of like a lip-miss as to how far you've gone. Did we lose him? I'm looking at myself now. It seems like we may have lost him. All right. We'll get to Brian in a moment. He is fighting on this card.

Obviously, we know about his time in the UFC. Went seven and one in the UFC, one no contest between 2021 and 2025. September of last year, he signed with the PFL. And he did have a DBX fight in between that on October 30th, but eventually made his debut in the PFL on the Pittsburgh card in March of last year, ended up losing to Johnny Eblen via RNC. And of course, we know since then, Eblen got the title fight, which ended up being an interim title fight,

He ended up winning that fight against Impa Kasangenei. And now this is a big redemption fight, if you will, for Brian Battle. We have him back. There he is. Hello, Brian. I'm talking about that. No problem. Some difficulties.

I was just saying in 2023, you weren't the main event. You weren't the headliner when you fought at home. And so this is a bit of a sign as to how far you've come in your career. Yeah, man. And, you know, it is just, like, valuable experience. Like I learned, you know, last time out didn't go the way I wanted it too, but, you know, I just learned so much from that experience. You know what I mean? Like, I haven't headlined a card since I was fighting on regional shows back in North Carolina back in 2019.

So, you know, this time, you know, having the experience of doing that last time in Pittsburgh, I learned a lot. And now I get to come home and really put on the show for the people here. You know what I mean? So this would be your second fight for the PFL. How would you describe the first fight? I know the result wasn't what you wanted, expected, et cetera. But just the whole thing about being with a new promotion, fight week, differences with the UFC and whatnot.

How would you describe it? Man, PFL is awesome, man. You know, it's a smaller team, you know what I'm saying? A lot more intimate. And, you know, they're all just great people. You know what I'm saying? wonderful people, you know, looking forward to seeing them all again in Charlotte. And, you know, it is a little bit, I will say jump in promotion to promotion.

It is a little bit different, like, you know, going UFC to DBX, going DVX to PFL. There's a little bit of difference between each organization. And like you said, now, you know, there's no more, you know, I was fortunate enough to be able to go out to the San Diego car and even get more familiar with everybody. So, you know, now I'm going to go home and feel like I'm at home with the PFL,

and it'll be a big homecoming. How would you describe how you felt in the Ebblin fight? Were you feeling it as far as the nerves, the comeback fight, if you will, the new promotion trying to make a good first impression, or was that just Johnny Eblen being on that day? You know, you got to give Johnny credit

he was definitely on I think you know I think the version of Johnny I fought did better than the version of Johnny that fought like two weeks ago but

yeah man I mean for me I mean there was just like a lot of stuff in life in general going on you know what I'm saying like and so you know that's one of the things

like I'm so excited for this fight is like okay like I learned the lessons, not just, one, there was like, there was definitely, like, a little bit of a curve, like, once again, headlining, you know, being the last fight, fighting, you know, a bona fide former world champion, not just, like, training with them in the gym, but, like, you know, fighting with them in the cage. And, you know, then there's just, like, things in life, you know what I'm saying, like,

thought we could do, thought we could get away with that, you know, you know the game this game demands everything you got so learn lessons and um i'm excited to come out and put on the best performance of my career coming up in about a week or so can you elaborate on that what are you referring to when you talk about these things that you were dealing with and these lessons uh you know i'm not going to get too deep into it but you know it's just like over the past year you know it's just been a lot of things happening you know what i'm saying like yeah i got divorced, got cut from the USC, you know what I'm saying, dealing with all those things. And it's very easy, like, to, you know, I was doing the best I could, but I wasn't giving it

everything I had, if that makes sense, you know what I'm saying? Because I had just part of me, parts of me, like, spread out in different areas of life. And, you know, sometimes it takes, like, an ass-whipping like that to be like, okay, no, I It's got to fucking all my eggs got to be in one basket. You know what I'm saying? Like if I'm going to do this at the highest level, you know what I'm saying? There's no margin for error. You know what I'm saying?

Like there's no in preparation, you know, there's no wiggle room. You know what I'm saying? So, you know, this one, you know, coming in, looking better, you know, got abs again. You know what I'm saying? Fucking, been very fortunate. I've been out. And, you know, this is no. this just kind of like happenstance that I just happened to end out in Phoenix.

But, you know, train at the MMA lab. The past couple months has been awesome. You know what I'm saying? Just being able to pick Coach Crouch's mind, you know, pick the minds of people like Benson, you know, Razor Rob, a bunch of legends. And then, you know, this camp have been very fortunate. You know, time and place is always so important. But, you know, there's just a group of great middleweights getting ready to, you know.

fight over here. So it's like, we've just been putting in just crazy work. And I'm excited to show it off for everybody. I want to ask you about that in a moment. I also want to say, sorry that you've gone through a bit of a tough time on the personal front. I did see that you welcomed the baby into this world, right? Yes. River. Yes. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Big river battle. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that. The little unit. Yeah. Yeah, that guy, little now, but that boy is a tank, man. I'm telling you, like, his mom's an inch taller than me. You know what I'm saying?

She's a pro volleyball player. So he's already, like, a ginormous baby. Like, he's going to be, he's going to be a, like, we're calling them little unit now, but we ain't going to be calling them little unit for much longer, you know what I'm saying? By the way, love the name. My daughter's middle name is River. Any particular reason? Oh, okay.

Any particular reason why you chose River? Man, dude, I just, it's funny. I played football with a kid named River. in the seventh grade, and I just always liked that name. You know what I'm saying? Like, granted, like, he was a situation. Like, his name was River. His sister's name was Cloud.

His sister's name was Sky. But I was just, like, really fucked with the name River. So, like, yeah, that new boy, you know, what's his name going to be? River Battle has a nice ring to it. That's cool. You said your daughter's middle name was River? Middle name, yeah. Her middle name was River.

You know, I've seen it obviously a lot for boys, for girls as well. Can I ask you a crazy question? Is there a reason why you chose little unit? Yeah, you know, his grandpa's the big unit. Damn. Dude, absolute legend. Yeah, I know. He's a cool guy.

Randy Johnson? Yeah. Freaking hell. Yeah. Intimidating fellow. You know, Randy, Randy's cool, though. Yeah. He wants through a strike.

and exploded a bird. Do you ever see that? Yes, of course. I grew up, I was a big fan of him growing up. Yo, that is wild. Respect, shout out. For sure, for sure. Shout out.

Shout out to Randi. Montreal Expos legend was on the Expos. Seattle Mariners, well. Arizona Diamondback. Yeah. I played for a lot of people. Yeah. I didn't realize that.

Okay, now I get the unit thing. Yeah. No, no, it makes sense, right? You know what I mean? Is that why you went to Arizona? Yes, yes, because I met his mom, you know, I spent like five, six months training in Vegas last year. She was playing for the pro volleyball team. Just happened, like, just happened to line up.

Their season was at the same time that I was out there training. And so, you know, we became a thing, you know. And, you know, this might be, it's so funny I like life works, man, you know, like, because we were doing the long distance thing for a while and then like Chicago as sideways as everything went in Chicago that's like where a river was conceived you know what I'm saying?

Oh right. You know and it's funny because she had to go she had to go play pro volleyball in Greece like a week afterwards so she's like FaceTime on me in Greece and she's like yo I'm pregnant I was like no you're not and so it's been a

It's been a crazy ride. I've been very fortunate, you know what I'm saying? Like, my family's been very supportive. Her family's been amazing, you know what I'm saying? Shout out to Miss Lisa, her mom. Miss Lisa's awesome. You know what I mean? Her siblings are all great.

So, you know, and, you know, like I said, it's a, it was a funny thing because I was just out here for the baby. And we were going to go back to Charlotte, you know, because I had this fight coming up. and I ended up just going to the lab, just looking for a place to get some work while I was out here and just ended up falling in love with it. You know what I'm saying? It just made more sense to just like, all right, you know, instead of thinking about doing all this,

like once again, just like being focused on, you know, the job at hand, you know, instead of thinking about doing all this, that and the other, it's like, all right, you know what? I think I'm just going to stay here and lock in. You know what I'm saying? Stay here and, you know. It's a great team out here. It's a great support system.

And, you know, we're going to create the best version of the butcher and go out there and get the job done. So this is the new home. At least for now, the gym will be the new home for you. Yeah, I mean, it's always, this is like, yeah, MMA labs are part of me. With that being said, I mean, you know, I still have great, great, great, great people at home. Like Keith Richardson, Flinnor Bear Knuckle World Champion, owner of Monta Warrior, that's a great place. A lot of people I love over the day. there coach uh tony coach uh kevin over at highestan another great place a lot of great people over

there and that's like if things wouldn't have worked out this way and i'd been at home i would have been totally good i would have been totally like locked in and in a great place working with them but i think you know some things work out for a reason and um you know me at then mayla i was like a match made in heaven, you know what I'm saying? Like I fit in over there, like a puzzle piece. So, yeah, no, I'm just really excited to show off everything we've been working on, you know what I mean? What was the aftermath like after the Eblen fight? How are you feeling about yourself?

I know we talked about the personal stuff and everything, but, like, you want to have a good showing in your debut for a new promotion that was really excited and made a big deal about your signing. How did you process it? Man, that was tough. You know, I think that's... Because it's one thing if you lose, and like you said, you have a good performance and it's like really close. You know what I'm saying? And, you know, comes down to the wire.

You know, there's maybe some questions like, oh, well, you know, or you could be like, oh, the judge's, there was none of that. Like, it was a pretty thorough ass whooping. So it just was, it was a real, like, come to Christmole. It's like, all right, is this what you want to do? Do you want to be the best in the world? Like, you need to evaluate. Because, like, no matter how many things, like, went wrong. As long as I was winning, you know, I'm still winning.

You know what I'm saying? I'm still me. I'm still doing what I do. The moment you lose, it's like, it's time to, you know, you can't overreact. You know what I'm saying? You don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. But, you know, you do have to, like, sit and, you know, you have to have hard conversations with people who will be honest with you. And then you have to just, like, sit there and be honest with yourself.

You know, I think, like I said, there was a lot of things where I was, like, telling myself I was fine. and I was okay. And I really wasn't fine. I really wasn't okay. And, you know, it just kind of, like, showed itself. And so, like, you know, you have to, like, address you before, you know, you can address anything else and, like, really address the problem. So, like, I'm just really, that was a tough one. That was a hard pill to swallow.

It still kind of keeps me up at night. Like, there's nothing more in the world I want. than a rematch with Eblen. But right now, it's, like, focusing on Dalton Rasta and, like, handling my business and just whooping his ass. And then, like I said, whooping the ass, everyone they put in front of me

until I can get my hands on Eblen again. Would you think of the Rasta matchup when it was presented to you? You were obviously on the same card as him. He was in the co-main event. You were in the main event. Do you feel like this makes sense? Do you like this as a bounce-back fight?

I think, like, on paper, it's a great bounceback. fight because like one you know him and eblen are training partners and then you know he's a big strong boxer wrestler like they're the same even though they don't fight the same per se they're like the same fighter like on paper you know what i'm saying like um and so this will be a great you know hopefully i get to show some uh take down defense you know i get to show off some things that people don't think i do very well and um just period like just go out there and do what i do and get another knockout. You know what I'm saying? Like first round, second, round, third round,

just be there, be dialed in. Don't chase it. Allowed to come, but it will come. You know what I'm saying? Like the opportunity for me to put, you know, either a shin or a fist on his chin. It's going to show itself. You know what I'm saying? I just have to be dialed in and, you know, not let him have his way before I have mine. Do you feel like this is a crossroads fight for you? Or is that too much? man they're like all crossroad fights but i like i will say like this one is i think it would be hard to justify putting me in another main event if i lost this fight

you know what i'm saying so i do think this is like at least like in the immediate future i win this fight i stay towards the top of the division i stay in a marquee position if i lose this fight i think it's the same thing for dolom i think we're both coming from the same place where you know whoever loses this fight falls done on the order a little bit. You know what I mean? And, you know, it's tough for him coming off of two big, you know, main event,

co-main event losses, you know, me coming off a big main event loss. Like, he's desperate coming into this one. I'm desperate coming into this one. So it has the makings to be like a real legendary fight, you know what I mean? By the way, when was the last time you were on Twitter? Bro. You know why I am asking? Yeah, I know exactly why you're asking.

No, we looked at your Twitter. This is the last tweet. I am not Brian Battle. I'm just a person who found this account and wanted to spread the gospel. But if you know Brian and can get in touch with them, I would love to give him as account back. And then all the tweets are like, you know, religion-based. Who is this? How did this happen?

Dude, now, see, first of all, they're talking about they just found the account. bro, so on, so on, like, I've been knowing my account's been gone. You know what I'm saying? Like, my accounts, I haven't been able to get into my Twitter account for a minute. You know what I'm saying? And, like, I have, you know, you were just talking, I heard you talking on Darren Till, you know, you have to, like, you try to do something in and ask for a code for your old phone number. No, it was on this phone, on this phone number. You know what I'm saying?

Like, everything should have been okay. I try to go on there. I can't get on my Twitter, you know. Twitter's the Twitter accounts following crazy accounts. That's the first thing I, when I first heard about it. Like, they're like, people like, yo, you fall in some crazy accounts on Twitter. I was like, what are you talking about? And then I tried to get on my Twitter and I couldn't.

And I went and I looked at it because that's the other thing. It's like, how the hell am I supposed to get in contact with someone who has my Twitter? If you have my Twitter. You know what I'm saying? Like, so now that cracked me up. And then, yeah, they made that pose. And yeah, I had a lot of people reach out to me. They're like, hey, so-and-so, and I was like, they're just posting Bible verses.

They can have it, bro. Like, they can have that. They can show it. It's a wild thing because... I'd have to make a new Twitter and just get it verified all over again and whatnot. Usually when someone takes over account, it's like crypto links and all kinds of craziness. Not like the gospel, you know? That's what I'm saying.

That's why I wasn't like too pressed about it. I was just like, you know, like, if it was like, you know, like, if it was like, some bad stuff. I might have been more like, I need to get this right. But I was like, because if my friend was to, he was like, in all honesty, they're just posting Bible versus. I was like, they're just posting Bible versus. All right. They can have it, bro. That's harmless, you know. Like, I could think of way worse things they could be doing with my account and that. So as they're not like talking to like girls and stuff like that and getting me in trouble that way. You know, we're good, bro.

Man, that is why. And so you don't know this person? Hell no, man. I have no idea. Wow, that is wild. But they seem to know that you are someone of note. Yeah, I mean, I'm sure they hacked my account and then, like, or maybe they were the initial person to hack my account. I don't know. I don't know. But, like, I'm sure they, how, if they came upon it, they just, like, looked up Brian Bowen.

They were like, oh, man, we got something here. And I feel like they want to blackmail me, too. I think they want to, like. What? Be like, I don't know. I don't know. That's just, like, my skeptic approaches are like, yeah, let Brian. in battle now, and we'll give them his account back.

I feel like they're probably holding it hostage, you know. Okay, well, I hope you know, we'll give it back for this amount of money. You know, people do stuff like that, bro. You know what I'm saying? They'll hold your account hostage for money, you know. I just don't care about my Twitter account that much. No, no. Who's Instagram?

That'd be different. You know, Instagram, I'd fight for my Instagram account, but Twitter. Who cares? Bit of a cesspool anyway, right? Probably a blessing. Yeah, no, honestly, yeah. Oh, man, dude, that's one of the reasons I hadn't paid. attention because it was like, you know, especially I don't want to get on Twitter after anything

remotely negative happens. You could be doing good things and people are still going crazy on Twitter, you know, let alone you're like down, you know what I'm saying? Don't be down and then get on Twitter, you know what I'm saying? You're going to be more down by the time you get off. You ever feel me? I feel you. I feel you. So what do you think? August 7th, what are you feeling? What are you envisioning? How's it going to play out? Man, I mean, honestly, I'm feeling like this is going to be the best performance in my career. You know, I feel like that's easy to say, but, you know, I put in the work, you know what I'm saying? I feel really good. My weight is in a great place. Physically, I'm in a great place. Like,

mentally, I'm in the best place. I think I'm going to go out there and just whoop his ass, like, belt to belt. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know, first minute, you know, he might have a little bit of success, you know what I'm saying? It might be a little competitive for a little bit, but it's a matter of time before I take over and overwhelm them. You know what I mean? Yeah. Well, there it is. And I like the teal.

I think that's a little bit of a Charlotte Hornets teal. If I do say so myself, cool poster. PFL has the best posters. Yeah. If that's like one thing, I think the UFC could take some notes. Like PFL has like fucking fire posters. I thought that poster was fired to me. I love that poster.

Yeah, I love the colors. Yesterday we had the new champ Thad Gene on. And he was kind of defending the PFL and he's like, yo, everyone's saying, you know, we're lesser than and all this stuff. I'm a top three fighter if I was in the UFC. And he obviously, predictably got some stick for that. I'm just curious what your take is. Now that you've been able to look at the rosters and look at the fighters,

do you feel like that's a valid statement on his part? Well, man, I mean, you know, you know how it is. Perception is reality. You know what I'm saying? Like, you're as good as you're perceived to be. Like, the reality is, it's like, yeah, like, everyone's, knows like you throw like you know i'm an example of that you know i was seven and one in the u s and i'm over here in the pfl now you know still having a hard competitive fights you know um you know

you take someone like johnny you throw him in the uc he'll do just fine you know what i'm saying take someone with that and throw him into the ufc he'll do just fine you know i think i really believe like you know once you get specifically like to the top five of each division you know it's it's comparable. It's very comparable. It's just when you're fighting against the name brand, you know, name brand always wins out.

But if you're talking about actual talent level, you know, we got a number to get all that lightweight too. You know what I'm saying? Like, PFL is just as competitive. But, you know, with that being said,

you know, that's like, worrying about what people think about all that, that's like, once again, I'm going back to the things I learned over this past year, you know, I'll control what I can control. You know what I'm saying? I can't control what these people think or say. You know what I'm saying, or how they feel about my competition level. All I can worry about is whooping everyone I fight. So, you know, DFL, UFC, DBX, risen, you know, it doesn't matter. My job is to whoop ass, and that's what I'm planning on doing. Hell yeah. Well, I wish you the best, Brian. Good luck, August 7th, back in Charlotte,

Bojangles Coliseum, big opportunity for you, homecoming of sorts. And I know there's been a lot that's happened, but I'm curious and very excited to see this version of you. So wishing you all the best, good luck on the seventh against a very game and very talented opponent. Let's see how it plays out. Appreciate the time, as always, my man.

And congratulations. Thank you, brother. Yank, thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Looking forward to be back on again, brother. Absolutely. There he is. The great Brian Battle.

Kind enough to join us, The Butcher. He's joining us because he's fighting on that big card, headlining that card, one of many PFL cards going down this summer. Their summer series, they're calling it. They've got the card on Friday at UBS. Wow, every time I look up at the beautiful New York City skyline, my breath is taken away. They got the card on Friday and they're the card on August 7th in Charlotte.

They continue to roll along. The PFL is they attempt to. secure a rights deal for 2027 and beyond. Let's see how it all plays out. As of now, no resolution to that. Now, we were supposed to be joined by Sky Nicholson. I was very excited to have her on to talk about this deal. I just got word that a personal emergency has unfortunately fallen into her lap.

And so she has had to cancel at the very last minute. She's been on a bunch of times before. This has never happened. No harm, no foul. This isn't exactly like Darren Till. world where Darren Till shows up on time and Sky unfortunately has to cancel. These are the crazy things that happen when you're doing a live show. We will certainly get her on perhaps before her fight. She is returning on August 29th. She's a part of that MVP card in the UK, UK versus

the world or UK versus USA. They're billing it as and it was announced yesterday that she has teamed up with MVP, this match room alliance, still wanted to get a little more clarity as to what it all is. But, alas, she's not going to join us. But you know who is going to join us in about 25 minutes time? Dominic Mysterio, and I cannot wait for that conversation. Hopefully, we end on a high note. The last interview for the AHA show in the, uh, ah, all right, it's fine. I was hoping in this little block right here, but it's all good. The last interview of the AHA for the interns, just it's not going to work

forget about it I text him to it's all good is going to be a pro wrestler so that's going to be very exciting yes this is great we're figuring this all out

we're figuring it all out peace and love peace and love okay news and notes time we were going to do this after Dominic let's do it now because there's a lot to get to

Connor McGregor posting another update this time it was actually footage of him training before the Max Holloway fight and I think we need sound up on this one

because the shots were sounding rather tasty but look good look good obviously that's just you know training stuff but what might have been

he did also post this on IG the white orange and green machine moseying back to the office, up the office. Sorry, I'm late, but the dry ice has the cage floor wet. It's a no contest now. Chop, chop for the champ champ.

I'll see his next year 100%. This is the real McCoy, baby. And so he posted a video of him walking out with the dry ice. Do you remember? I think when we were doing the watch party, I was asking the guys like, what do you think of the dry ice?

I don't know if I'm enamored by it. If, in fact, that is, true, they do have to reconsider using it, right? If the dry ice is actually... Did they not use it at 229 before Habib? I don't even remember. Did he say something about it? No, but I don't think he said anything after the Habib fight, but I believe they used the dry ice there as well. Okay. I've never heard from any fighter who said that they felt like the dry ice was making the canvas slippery or anything like that. I really have never heard that, but I guess it's... plausible, right?

How often do they use it other than him? Yeah. You think it's only a Connor thing? Yeah, where it's like the real fog, like you can't even see an octagon? I feel like they only do that for him. Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm. Did they do it for Neil Magnus last fight at the apex now that I think?

You know what? It's a good point. It's a good point. Have they not done it for like an Izzy? Yeah, I guess you're right. Is dry ice even slippery? well maybe the condensation what do you think

does dry ice condensate no is that the corrector condensation here's the question is it actually dry ice or is it like some sort of smoke that is really supposed to look like yeah yeah and that so there could be fog machines that are water based

like I've seen that right and that would be slippery but if it's dry ice as he is proclaiming it to be it shouldn't be wet at all that's the point of being called dry wouldn't the canvas be a bit cold at that point Maybe his description of it is inaccurate, but whatever it was, it created condensation

which led to him slipping, which led to the injury. Champ Champ knows all. We'll maybe get some word on that from Dana White. Dana White is in Serbia, by the way. And guess what? He met with the Serbian president, and he gifted him a UFC title. This is the UFC's debut in Serbia.

Take a look at this. It's an old instrument. old Serb-Servian traditional instrument anyway I wanted to take it I earned that we need two belts Mr. President is double-temp done yeah that is Alexander

Vucic the president of Serbia in case you were wondering he's been in office since May of 2017 he was re-elected for a second term in 2022 He gifted Dana White that item. Frank, tell us a little bit more about that item, would you? Yes, so that is an item.

It is in the physical realm. Yes. And we can all look at it. Okay. As it reflects light. Okay, yeah, no, it seemed very nice. I can see the office tour from Dana in about like four or five years, and it's going to be in the office.

And he's like, this is a badass instrument that they gave me when we went to Belgrade. Badass! He loves badass. Oh, yeah. We're back with a couple of badass fights. Bad ass. Give me a fucking break. No, there's the pistol that's made out of the money, right?

There's the one graphic picture that he loves to talk about above. The swords. The yakuza, the swords, yeah. Is there like a, is there like some sort of samurai or something? I'm going to have to rewatch the office tour for sure. Is there an office tour video? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like our studio tour

Yes Yeah They actually just The idea from that Yeah That's what I thought Today we saw Uncrowneded the

Helwani studio tour So we're gonna do An office tour Yes Yes yes yes Remember we also got the Sneaker collection We got the sneaker collection

It's a hoot over there The stereo The stereo Yeah they showed a stereo In his office I actually made Reddit Because it was A formidable stereo

Was it like an old school Stereo? Just definitely like Bespoke pieces Like he definitely Either hired someone To put some care in or he cares himself.

Okay. I'm here for it. All right. I love the bar for Frank as always. It's your stereo look like Ariel. And they'd Reddit. Yeah. We love Reddit around these parts.

We're big, Frank, what's your name on Reddit, by the way? It's at, and go fuck yourself. Okay. Yeah. Wow. I just got a message saying,

I want to go back to something real quick. On the nose. Do you remember? remember what actually was the first question I think the second question actually I know exactly what you're referring to and so does uh intern Josh who you'd like to chime in on wait a second how do you know how do you know we know things back no no I think it's the first question okay so so you're right about the no I was right you were wrong what you're saying is right but how someone okay so do you know the uh the question about the dog that passed away that's not what you're talking about right that was the first one I believe

The second one was about, you know, some advice to yourself, looking back. Josh, what was the question? Yeah, Brett from Nebraska, I think, asked something about May of 2019. Renee Paquette said it was a great question as well, yeah. Yes, yes, yes, did that come from you? It was the exact question. Brett from Nebraska took Interim Josh's question from the AW presser and asked it to you.

And it went right over your head. Wait. Actually, intern Josh even put it in the slack. This is my exact question from the other night. Wait a second. Wait a second. Okay, there's two things going on. There's two crazy things happening at the same time.

All right, all right, right. Okay, number one, it's that. Do you think I was being trolled there? By the intern Josh? No, by the person. Was the person trying to just play a little prank on me and ask me the same question? Brett from Nebraska? Yeah.

I think a little bit of both. Brett, Brett did in the comment section. We exchanged a few chats. He said it was a great question, and he was very honored by your response. He said it was a great response. I think he was pretty genuine in it. But that was also a part of the joke that he said that it flew right over your head. We shared a few LOLs in the chat.

Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad everyone had a laugh. There was a Darren Sproul's shout out in the middle of that interaction between Josh and Brett from Nebraska, too. Yeah, he started naming random athletes. where I exited, but the Darren Sproul's drop was great. That's his thing, is naming random athletes. We know that because he used to listen to BITB. The other thing that I'm confused about, all right, look, you ask me a sort of thoughtful,

sensitive question, I'm going to give you a thoughtful, sensitive answer. The other thing that I'm confused about is someone wrote to me saying, you know, the first question about the dog who passed away and I was looking for the dog's name? The first one. They said, they said the name's Theo. Oh, I'm an idiot. I haven't put this together. What happened?

Yeah, you did say Theo about two minutes before you said, oh, we don't know your dog's name. When you said that, I was like, did we not get the name? But I didn't want to correct you. It was a sentimental thing that you said. Wait, wait, wait. Play this out for me. My dog's name is Theo.

Two minutes later, Ariel says, if only we need the dog's name. That's basically what happened. You know, I think, Frank, you're missing the phrasing, too. The man asking the question was talking about how Theo was going to be fed treats in heaven by his mother. Yeah, I put him on that way. But the quote is, don't forget to bring Theo. And then a second later, I said, I don't know the dog's name. Rest in peace to unknown dog.

Hopefully he's being fed treats in heaven. Oh, that is bad. I know this one's going to get you. That one's going to kill me. That one's going to kill me. Shout to Theo, man. How about you record a video, you've given some food to machina? I'm being like, this one's for Theo.

Oh, my God. I just, I got a message saying the dog's name's Theo. And I was like, what is that? Who are you talking about? Who the fucking Theo? Yeah. That's like that question that you said earlier. The dog's name's Dio.

And I'm like, which dog? Which Theo? And then I remembered the dog and, wow, that's a deep cut right there. That's the classic aerial response. Which would? No, it's Theo. Who the fuck is Theo? No, no, no.

Dead dog, dude. How can I remember every dog's name? Also, in my defense, Theo isn't your typical dog name, right? It might not be, but that's not much of a defense. Is not a typical dog name? Now you're being, you know, judgey. I'm not trying to be judgy, but in my defense, isn't Theo more, like, there are certain names, like, you don't call your dog Greg.

I'm not saying Theo is like Greg, but, you know, like, if the, dog's name was Buster, I would have put two and two together, or Rocky, or, you know, Theo. Theo. They named the dog after Theo, Boeh, Winston. Those are like dog names, right? Buddy. Buddy. Those are dog names.

Theo, it just didn't resonate. So, anyway, I was just thrown off by all of this, by the Josh thing, by the, the, the Theo, the dog. I mean, you know, we always joke about my son, Walter. Walter's a bit of a dog name too I mean if I'm being honest Oliver Some people call their son or the dog Oliver too Right River?

Theo No Theo The dog's name is Theo Theo River is Brian Battles Yes no I know I know Though your name didn't resonate with me May you still rest in peace

We're thinking of you We've got some breaking news How about that guys We've got some breaking news Is real this time It's real It's real The UFC is going back to Oiltown, Canada, not USA.

They're going back to Edmonton. One of the great arenas, by the way, that I've ever been to. I went to Edmonton, I think, twice. And that arena, is it Rogers Place or Rogers Arena? I always get confused because Vancouver is placed. Let me see that poster real quick. It's Joaquin Buckley against Mike Mallod. Actually, it's not a mup.

I was going to say, you're looking for the mup? Yeah. Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Rogers Place. That's what I thought. a it's uh it's one of the great arenas honestly it's one of the most beautiful arenas that i've ever been to it's now a few years old home of the edmonton oilers mike milott against walking buckley happening on that card big spot for milot the face of canadian m m m a least as far as as the men are concerned obviously jillian robertsin fighting for the belt in 17 days also on the

card our old friend aaron blanchfield who we saw last week she was here with the fatima McLean going up against our other old friend, Jasmine. Jazz Division. Wow. Is Andy actually saying it? She said it. Yeah, I love it. Andy's saying it before Frank hits the button.

I love how, like, we don't even know who's fighting on 331. They haven't even announced locationer who's fighting on 332, but we're going back to Canada. Mike Malott's fighting. Jasmine Jazz DeViscius fighting. Have they even officially announced 331 in L.A.? Like, that hasn't been officially announced even by the U.S. Correct. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Everyone's just kind of assuming. But we know we're going to Canada, and that means we got Mike Malat and Jasmine Jasdebicious. Oh, Mike. There's been some tough negotiations with Crypto or with Intuit and Manah trying to change their dates. The concert. Well, what if it's, what if it's, uh, wait, crypto is free. We, we established, right? Crypto is Free. Intuit has Manaa.

What is Mana again? Wow. Andy will fill you up. Mike Malat. Very incredibly famous rock, like Mexican. rock musicians. It's a band. Yes, they're huge.

And what does Mana mean? Manah, it's a religious thing, actually. I will get back to you on that one. It's a religious rock band? No, they're not a religious rock band, but Mana I think has something to do with like the bread. I'll get back to you.

I should know this. I went to get back to you. I said it's a spiritual life force or video game, magic resource, and a biblical food. Wow. Oh, like manna. Oh, like the bread. I said bread.

I was close. Can you tell me, give me a song, Andy. Sing me a song. That you would know what? Actually, they were in the World Cup opening, you know how they did a bunch of the cities?

They were in the Mexico one. I'll pull up a picture. Yeah, like Canada had Chenaya Twain, I think. Did Canada have Chenaya Twain? Yeah. And Michael Boubley. And Chenaya. You're still the one I want.

The only one I need. They're still the one I need. the one I want. Looks like you made it. Come on it. Okay, so and mana? Yeah, and mana? Mana?

Yeah. What would you know? Maybe, Oh yeah, my amor. No? No? And we're going to. It's raining men.

Hallelujah. It's raining men. Thank you. Thank you. This is what happens when Sky doesn't show. up, you know, we just kind of go off the rails here for a moment.

All right, well, shout out to Mana. And where are they going to be? They're going to be at Intuit, right? Correct. So crypto is free. Yep. I don't mind crypto. 19.

Yeah, I don't mind crypto. Big into crypto? I'm not a crypto guy, per se. I've never actually used the old wallet, but, you know, I don't hate. I don't hate. What about Paulo Costa guys?

He's going back and forth with Mr. Ankaliev. What do we have? here. Paul Acosta says, some say I should fight Yuri or Ancolaev. Yeri's coming off a dumb loss, and Ankhaliev after one more super boring fight is closer to getting cut than to the title. I was offered a fight against you on the same card, Anka Lyev says, my last fight and I accepted. Now I'm probably not going to show up. Wait, now I know you're not probably, now I know you're probably not going to show up and fight me, so save your excuses. But if you change your mind,

we can do it next week. Whoa. What's next week? week. Quillan Salkhild at the 8-packs. Can I just say something? LK. Sure. Of all the main events this summer,

that might be the main event that I'm most looking forward to. Of the entire summer. Quillan. Quillan. And Mateus? Former KSW. Double chance.

Tatea's camera? I swear I love that fight. You guys think I'm joking. I actually do love that fight. He says, as he's trying not to stop. Yeah, I don't know, man. I like the fight too, but I don't know.

I love that fight. I'm looking forward to watching Quillan Salkiel, but... I do have breaking news. Oh, more breaking. Did you guys know this according to the chat, that mana was the food that God provided to feed the Israelites during their 40 years wandering the desert? Mana in heaven above.

So it's actually all coming together, as I said. Manana, what's my name? I couldn't give it together Um Go away back quickly to that Costa and Uncleyev thing Yes Costa said as much to you

When he was in Vegas He said he was offered that fight on very short notice Yeah And so it's not like But he said he wasn't It's not some slam dunk by Uncleayev To be like You were offered to fight

He's like yeah He said he said he was offered that fight But he wasn't trying to turn around On short notice and And do it Slam dunk by Muhammad Big Ankh. Big Ankh. The Pride of Chicago.

Big in Chicago. Yeah, huge. Remember that whole storyline when he was like flirting with the Bulls? Yeah, when his Twitter account was talking all this weird stuff about basketball that nobody cared about. Benny the Bulls got involved. It was a weird thing. I need that custom Ankolaev Bulls jersey. Speaking of basketball jerseys, I'm curious what intern Josh thinks of teen A wrestling inviting

LeBron James to their upcoming show. I think it's taking place in Philadelphia. Here it is. As the Philadelphia in 76ers now seriously talk titles, TNA wrestling has a major World Championship match Thursday in Philadelphia, and TNA is officially inviting the new Sixers superstar, King James, to be the official title holder

for the Nick Nemeth versus Jeff Hardy World Championship match at the... How do you pronounce that? Leocoris Center. What is that? at the... Temple University. Oh, okay.

All right, there you go. See, you ringside, LeBron. What will we be setting the line at as far as LeBron accepting this invitation? I don't even think you can bet it. That's how high the line.

I would say at least plus 3,500. You're saying it's a slam dunk? Or you're saying the opposite? I'm saying I would be very, very shocked if he shows up. However, it's smart marketing by them to just throw the LeBron name

on the poster. People probably aren't even reading in. to the fine print and they're going to go because of it. I don't feel like they're falling for it. But I will say, troll intern Josh would have said 100% like it's a minus 1,500 that he's going to show up. Yeah, that's fair enough.

You just never know. It's a decent marketing plot. When you said, speaking of basketball jerseys, an intern, Josh, I thought you were going to say about the gift we got him. Wow. Final day. Wow.

You think of the gift we got. Here you go, kid. Thanks, man. What a Jack get? There you go, kid. What a George? We'll... Jack get the Rudy G?

We'll reveal Jack's tomorrow. Yeah, Jackson is coming. Connor gave me a pack of burned cigarettes. Yeah. Already smoke down to the filter cigarettes. Marlboro red empty bag. Holy smokes. Back to Paul Costa for a moment.

He posted this lovely picture of him in Hunter Campbell and Dana White. So it seems like they're all good. He said it's not AI. Well, that settles it. For sure not. It's not AI. I don't know. Dana in the tank top is definitely real.

Yeah, I don't know either, man. I think he's telling the truth. I think that's not AI. When Hunter Campbell or Dana White inevitably see this, how do you think they react to these photos? They laugh. You think they're just like, it's Paulo being Paulo? Yeah, Paulo.

They're going to say Paulo's an idiot. Dana used to turn on his Instagram live, and everyone was just like, time to get oiled up, baldy. I don't think an AI picture of him in Palacost is going to bother him. Yeah, I don't think he's too upset. All right. What about PFL this weekend?

Dakota Ditcheva, Denise Kielholtz, having their first face off yesterday on Long Island. Let's take a look. There's a lot of different angles here, so I'm not sure which one to focus on. I'm going with the middle. Dan Hardy there in the middle. Keel Holtz, Dakota, a bit of a size difference, right? Several inches. How do we feel about the different angles?

Kind of cool, I guess, right? Cinematic. Different. Yeah. I don't know what to focus on. So I'm a thumbs down on the... It gives you each one to look at. You can look at...

How do you look at multiple? Dakota. The different POVs. Or you can take Dan Hardy's POV. Let me focus. Let me focus. There was a comment in the post in which someone said something to the effect of like, oh, they're giving Dakota another, you know, cab driver.

Let's put a little bit of respect on Denise Keelholz's name. Like, she's legendary kickboxer. turned MMA fighter. She is not a can. Obviously up there, but definitely not a can. They also did a face-off for Usman and Margamatov versus Archie Colgan. Here they are.

I got to be honest, I always thought Archie Colgan was a British descent. He does have a very British name, right? Was there a hand extended there and it was denied? It looked like by Usman. Like a bit of a subtle one. It like it wasn't like... Yeah. I like the dual viewpoint here.

Rick, we're trying to focus here. Screaming. Yeah, geez. Yeah, no worries. All right, there you can. Did he get louder? Yeah, why is he? He got louder.

I think he doesn't, he's excited to be able to talk to a guest. Okay, yeah. I mean, it's been 30 minutes. Speaking of that Sky Nicholson, match room, MVP partnership, Jake Paul has weighed in on it. Here's what he had to say online. Eddie Hearn, this is my official call out to you. I'm sick of the back and forth. I'm sick of the shit talk.

All the things we've been saying. It's time that we finally do something together that's positive for the women. And it is official. Me and Eddie are partnering. We now are holding hands together to take over and continue to dominate in boxing. We just signed Sky Nicholson in partnership with Eddie Hearn to MVPW. We're going to be promoting her in the United States. And this is such a massive announcement.

Whoever thought that me and Eddie would be working together. But it's official. Sky Nicholson, welcome to the MVP team. He threw us for a loop there with the intro. Like at first I thought he was, I don't know, trying to pick a fight with Eddie, call him out, challenge him, and then at the end they're singing kumbaya. So it's good, it's good for the sport.

It's good for women's boxing. I'm excited. and I never thought I'd see the day. As I said, reminiscent, the first thing I thought of, this is Eric Bischoff showing up on the stage, shaking, hugging, Vince McMahon, shaking hands, hugging him. I'm back.

Fucking better than ever. What a moment that was. Not quite as big, but for me, it felt pretty damn big. All right. Final guest of the day. And oh my gosh, am I excited to speak to this, We've never had him on the show before.

And to the best of my knowledge, I've never done a one-on-one interview with him. Back in the summer of 2022, I did get the honor of sitting down with his father, the legendary at Amy Stadio Jr. It was an unbelievable chat before the Money in the Bank event in Las Vegas. And he was just kind of chilling off to the side. They were together. They were a unit. They were the best of pals.

This was before the rift that really came to a head, clash at the castle, Cardiff Wales, later on that summer, September, to be exact, all kind of blew up. But this is our first chance to talk to him now that he's become an absolute superstar. One of the biggest stars in pro wrestling, one of the faces of WWE, in my opinion, a man who in 10 or so years from now is going to be the actual face of WWE. That damn good. And he's doing it in WWE and he's doing it in AAA as well. He's the one and only dirty Dominic Mysterio. And he's kind enough to join us right here.

Now, there he is. Big Dom. Mr. Hiwani. How are you, sir? I'm good. How are you? Thank you for having me. Man, this is a huge honor.

This is a big deal. When I got the word that you'd be joining us, I thought you were sort of like you were elusive to us. I see you on every other show, but I can't get you on my show. This is a big deal. I'm actually a little bit nervous having you on. I'm in awe. As you should be, you're speaking to the greatest mystery of all time.

You're triple A mega champion, the guy who beat John Cena at Peckle Park in his own hometown. I mean, come on. You should be honored, Ariel. I am honored. And can I just say something that, may come across as a little bit weird. Honestly, if I'm... I'm very proud of you, man.

When I watch you, when we first met, you were just a fresh-faced kid. You're not my son. You're not my nephew. And so I hope you take this the right way. It's so amazing. Like, my heart swells when I see you doing your thing. The heat that you get.

The booze, man. You're fucking killing it. And it's just a beautiful thing. It's one of the greatest stories of the last five, six years in wrestling to see you develop into the story, like the guy that you are, the character that you are,

you are, the heel that you, all that stuff, it's a beautiful thing. So I just, I just want to say I want to tip my cap to you because it's, it's really been an amazing thing to witness. I appreciate that. And normally outside of the judgment day, if you're, if you're not part of the crew, I'm not very nice to you, but you just said some very nice things. So I'll, I'll try to be cordial on this interview for you. Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you. This is a big one coming up for you on Sunday, night two. We all know the real stars are on night two. None of this night one stuff, right, like that's where they save the big dogs. Hey, that's what they say, allegedly.

You and Danhausen, but I do want to ask you on Monday, you linked up with Ryan Garcia, and I know you're a big fight fan, he turns on Joe Hendry, he turns on Danhausen, he hits him with the old school Jeff Jarrett guitar, right? You guys come in, you and JD with Ryan Garcia. Was that a cool thing for you to be up there with Ryan Garcia? I know you love the fight game as well, one of the greats fighting on September 12th.

What was that like? I mean, it was a surreal moment. You know, we, I don't think, I don't think he turned on Danhausen and Joe Hendry. I think he just, you know, he saw the Clippers girls and wanted to join the Congo line. Don't blame him. And then he saw these two dorks standing up on the, on the, and he saw the guitar. So he took a shot. And then once we saw that, you know, J.D. and I had to go in there and handle business.

We, we beat up five adult men in that ring that day. Respect. What was Ryan like? He was super cool. I mean, very humble, at least with me and then and JD, because he knew we were in there to handle business. So Ryan was there to handle business. We took care of what we had to do, and hopefully I'll get to see him down the line. First time meeting him?

Yeah, very first time. Okay. So that was good. That was a good night for you. Couldn't help I notice. I don't know if you know this, but I'm a big New York Knicks fan and they're all over. I couldn't, I mean, that was a nice little choke slam there. I got to admit, like, my dog, like bodega cat,

I mean, he looked like he had been in the business for 15 years with that choke slam, right? You have to admit, getting chokeslam by NBA champion Carl Anthony Towns at MSG, that's got to be one of the great honors of your career. I mean, I don't know if I'd put it that way as one of the great honors of my career, because I've definitely, I've had some moments at MSG, you know, but that one would definitely be a top five moment for me getting chokeslamed through a table. buy an NBA champion at MSG insane. Never in a million years did I expect that to happen.

But now we're here. Dirty Dom does it all. We'll ignore you rubbing the jersey on your shoe there at the Mecca at the World's. Why would we ignore that? My shoes were dirty and they needed cleaning. Awful. Like, I mean, that is sacrilegious at MSG to do that. To truly.

To us. Why is that? Why? Because that is a legendary piece of clothing. It was a Danhaus in Jersey. It was like a, if, you know, if it was like a, you know, cat or even like a Jalen Brunson jersey or like, you know, I would have, maybe I would have just done the side of it, not the bottom. But I saw Dan has it all over that jersey and I just, I couldn't help myself. Were you surprised at how good cat was in there?

Like it just seemed like the form, the presence. Look like he had done it before. Yeah, he was, I'll tell you one thing. He came in ready, man. As soon as he goozled me I felt that he was like the energy

that he was bringing to that he was ready to absolutely just put me through that table Is there revenge in store for him? You know? Never say never. Okay.

There's a numbers game with the judgment day. So I don't know if you recently just watched the AAA but I don't know it's scandal. But I just aligned myself with a judge.

giant by the name of Omas. Yes, yes, okay, so this is the backup, perhaps. You know, if Cat wants to keep, you know, getting involved in Judgment Day business, might just have to make another phone call call Omas. And I mean, look at him. Look at this guy. Guarantee you he's bigger, guarantee you he's bigger than cat, not only in height, but thick. Yeah, yeah, I know.

This boy's, mm. Triple C thick, right? Absolutely. Yeah. Can I ask, what is it like, it's almost like you're living two lives right now. Like, WWDOM is a little bit different than AAA DOM in the sense that Judgment Day is not talked about on AAA and what you're doing over there. What is that like? That's kind of a fascinating thing that we haven't seen often.

Yeah, I honestly, I'm not sure how to like mix the two. You know, I would love for Omas to come in and maybe the Judgment Day crew give him a shot. And then vice versa, I'd love for the judgment day to come down in AAA and maybe, you know, join forces with Tomas and Dorian. And like the fact that we haven't already done that is mind-blowing to me because all of the titles, everything with Raquel just winning, you know, the women's IC championship this Monday on Raw. Like, why not bring her down and try to, you know, maybe Campiones of Paredjas with JD have, you know, live, go for the women's war title for AAA.

live two titles? Like, I don't know what we're doing. You know, not my sandbox. I was looking into the archives. 30 years ago this week, your legendary father, Big Ray.

Which one? The man himself, Ray Mastedio, the real one, in my opinion. He was WCW Cruiserweight champion. He was battling Dean Malenko on TV this week,

while also teaming with Conan on AAA at the exact same time. at the same time? Well, meaning like he was going back and forth, WCW and AAA, just like you're doing WWE and AAA. Oh, right. I was like, I was like,

how, how is that? It's just like there's a lot, there's a lot of parallels. And I'm just wondering when, when you would learn about, here's, yes, yes, yes. This is parallel though.

Okay, okay. He never, he never got one of these. That's right. Oh, that's down in AAA, right? I believe my deadbeat never got the mega championato. Yes. Or a singles title with WWE at the same time.

So, you know, he's got, some big shoes to fill when it comes to living up to the dirty Dom name. Do you feel like you've already surpassed him, his legacy? Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, just look at the things that I've done in less than six years. August will be my six year anniversary since I debuted with the company. So, I mean, you told me yourself that you're proud of me.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm not, you said I'm not your son, not your nephew, nothing. You're even Canadian. Yes, that's right. things even worse. I know. But at the end of the day, yeah, I would say I'm 10fold better than him. I don't wear a mask.

I mean, I'm good looking. Got live, got titles, got my own crew on two different brands. Like, come on, Ariel. Why has El Grande-Maricano worked so well? I'm enamored with this guy and this story and what he did, obviously, with Chad Gable. As someone who knows the AAA brand, what the Mexican fans want, can you give him some credit? I know you're involved in a thing with him right now, but this is a guy who I think might be of German descent doing these things,

I think, based on what we're being told, he's unbelievable. Honestly, I don't know where this guy comes from, but I will say this. The fact that El Grande Americano is fluent in Spanish and can speak the language, can come in and out of English and Spanish, the people love him for it. He took the time to appreciate the culture to better the language as far as like him learning it and getting better at it.

He embraced the culture. He embraced the people. And man, the Mexican people loved them for it. And that's something that I didn't do because I went down there and instantaneously received hate. So I gave hate back. You know, with El Grande, he just, he welcomed them with open arms and he embraced the Mexican culture. and the Mexicans embraced him. Are you surprised that they have fallen in love with him?

And do you think it's simply because of the way he speaks? Or is there something else? Is there something that we're missing? I'll tell you what it is. Have you seen El Grande Americanos eyes? Doesn't ring a bell. I mean, I've seen them. They're like blue.

Okay. So he looks like a little weirito, right? Yeah, what does that mean? What does that mean? Wuerito is like a, like, like, Liv Morgan's my weirita. Okay, okay. Like a gringo?

Like a little, I wouldn't necessarily say gringo, but like a blonde-haired possible. Got it, got it, got it. Blue-eyed, you know? And as a Mexican, we love our weiritas. Is that true? I didn't know that about you guys. So you see the connection there possibly? Yeah.

Like they see a we're like, ooh, we like this wero. So I don't know. Maybe there's something to it. Maybe I'm just hyping them up. I don't know. Which crowds do you like performing in front of more these days? The AAA crowds or the WWE crowds? Honestly, it's a very different crowd, style of crowd.

I've been very blessed and fortunate to be able to perform all over the world and experience crowds from all over the world. But when it comes to that Mexican crowd and that American crowd, Mexicans are just rowdy, man. They just, it doesn't seem like they care when it comes to like just throwing shit at you. They're like all, I think also too, like I don't want to take this away from the American fan base. The security is, is tighter, right? You're not allowed to do certain things.

Like, you, when you come into the arena as you're getting checked, I don't know if it's like that in Mexico. So they definitely get away with a lot more. security probably just lets them do whatever the fuck they want. So I think that's why it kind of like different age sheets a little bit. But I can't hate on them, man. I love performing in both the U.S. and Mexican crowds. But at the end of the day, I mean, the Mexican crowds are rowdy. The way you actually tell stories, the way you wrestle, is it different?

Do you have to cognitively say to yourself like, okay, this is a different crowd? This is a different? Like, the way they react to Lucha Libre as opposed to the American fans, is it different? No, and I just think my mindset is very different when it comes to, you know, being able to wrestle in the U.S. and in Mexico, because I have a certain style, right? People boo me. People don't like me. So I do the shitty things to get that reaction, right? And when it comes to putting the match together or whatever it is, most of my matches that I go into have a story. So like my story with El Gran We had this, you know, we were friends. We started the Green Goes Locos 2.0. He ended up shaking my dad's hand. I never forgot that.

So we try to mend the fences with the whole perros of the mal stuff. And then we get to me betraying El Grande. So like I said, it's like it just depends on where I'm at and where the character of Dirty Dom thinks is fitting for what to do in the match. How do you explain how well the undertaker Mark Calloway has done as the head booker over there? This guy who doesn't have a history with AAA and isn't of Mexican descent and it seems like he's just gotten it every step of the way. How do you explain this? I don't think there is any explaining to it.

I mean, at the end of the day, it's the Undertaker, you know, someone that's very, very highly respected in our business, done it all, seen it all. So am I surprised that as soon as he was able to get his ideas flowing and get him going, that he took off? Absolutely not. Like I said, he's one of the most respected wrestlers of our business, most decorated, one of the best to ever do it. And the fact that he's in there doing this thing is not surprising to anybody. Back to SummerSlam, your opponent is Dan Housin. I want to get this right in a human monies on a poll match for $100,000 on night two. your issues with him aside

I mean this has also been one of the great stories of this past year the way he's blown up and getting tied to the Knicks and all the sports stuff and whatnot honestly now did you expect this? Like when you found out that Danhausen was coming over and was being signed

and the debut and all that stuff did you expect him to have this kind of impact? You know, when the machine gets behind you, there's no stopping you. And at the end of the day, even a blind scroll finds a nut. So let's see what happens with this human monies on a poll match Sunday at SummerSlam. I need to put an end to this Danhausen stuff. I honestly think he got so lucky with this Nick stuff

and you being a New Yorker loving the Knicks. Of course you're going to be like, oh, Danhausen, are you surprised? Like, no, come on. Come on, Ariel. Let's be serious for a second. He's exploded. He's exploded. I mean, he's like a cultural phenomenon. Okay, congrats to him, but he can't keep cursing me and getting away with this. Like, I have to put it into it. And it's not about it, okay, it is about the $100,000 human monies, but also like, he can't just keep doing this to me, to JD, to live Morgan. Like, it has to be done.

And I have to put it into it. And at some time, I will put it into it. You do say when the machine gets behind you, like, it's obvious that it goes down this way. But it does take some of like here, right? Like what's going on? Like what? Like you have to, the machine could get behind a lot of people. We've seen the machine get behind people and they've faltered.

He's risen to the occasion, in my opinion. The machine got behind you and you rose as well. But we know of many examples where the machine got behind someone anointed that person and they didn't take the ball and run where they grabbed the brass ring, so to speak. And so I've just been really impressed with the guy. Dare I say proud of him as well? Oh, don't you dare say proud of him. Ariel, I will walk out of this interview live.

No, no, please. You say you are proud of Dan House. No, no, I'm just saying you have to, there has to be a part of you that's like, you know what, pretty damn cool. This guy, he was talking about like a year ago, he's at some bingo hall, and now he's on the face of the Saturday night's main event poster. He's on the MSG billboard, all that.

Hey, my hat's off to the guy. Hey, I'm proud of him. But at the end of the day, Dirty Dom still has to put belt to ass on this kid. Like, you know what I mean? I don't, I don't care how,

what he's done? He's probably what? Like 40 years old? He's half of my age. I mean, come on, Ariel. I'm going to put it into this, dude. I'm going to send him back to the bingo halls.

Can I ask, do you view SummerSlam as a bit of like a litmus of your own career? You talked about essentially starting on. summer slam your first singles match was on summer slam against set ralins back in 2020 i do believe and uh you've been featured a whole bunch of times i think this will be your fifth summer slam match do you sort of view this as like wow look how far i've come this is kind of where it all kicked off for me that sort of thing or am i reading too much into it no i think you're reading too much into it damn it's just it's just another it's just another uh another day for for dirty dom i mean i've

i've i'm a 20-year veteran in this business i mean i basically we grew up in the WWE. Sure. My whole life has been on camera. I came out the womb and dropped kick the doctor aerial. To me, this is just another Sunday. Well, to take a one step further, Ray versus Eddie was at SummerSlam. 2005, 21 years ago.

So again, SummerSlam seems to come up a lot when it pertains to your career. 21 years ago this week, the whole I'm your poppy storyline played out. Did you know that? I did not. Look at the deep dive that we've done on your career here. Pretty impressive, no? It is pretty impressive because you're proud of me. That's right.

Yeah, I went back and watched it this morning. Were you nervous? The custody match? No, no, not the match. The actual Smackdown where Eddie comes out and says, I'm your puppy and all that. You've got the baggy pants on, the bleached hair and all that. Yeah, the black shirt with the Blu-ray mask.

Yeah, it was great. Were you nervous in there? Like, internally, what were you thinking? I was so scared. I had no idea what was going on. I mean, they like broke it down to me and like kind of let me know what was happening. But like you can't like as a kid, you can't like the reactions that you're getting from the crowd. You know, like it's insane because you're trying to focus on what's happening here with Eddie. And then you have my deadbeat dad next to me.

And then you have the whole crowd reacting. And then in my head I'm like eight years old trying to figure out like, okay, what am I supposed to do next? I'm like, okay, I got this line I got to say. Then I book it out of the ring. And there's a chair that they set up for me so I can jump over the barricade. I was like, okay, that's what was going through my head. I'm like, I can't fuck this up. I can't fuck this up.

But yeah, I was, I was terrified. I was nervous. As a kid, I did not want to be in front of any of those cameras. And so why did you say yes? Because they told me I didn't have to go to school and I'd be getting paid. For real, you got paid for that? Absolutely. You think I was going to work for free, Ariel?

Wow. So was that the moment when you were, you like caught the bug or did you already know beforehand? I would say that definitely had like a big impact on me and like open my eyes to like what it is that the wrestling world is because I mean overall like I always watched it. I grew up on it. Had all the action figures. But up until when I was on the road with my dad missing school, doing homework on the planes,

being able to like be backstage hanging out with all the boys. always like that's what I kind of like fell in love with it. And so when you go back to school eventually as that kid, did you think you were the shit? Like did you think you were the man? How do you go back to normal life after being on TV? I didn't think I was the shit. I hated it because no one understood what was going on. And the teachers thought that like I genuinely had issues at home.

So they would call my parents in and my parents would have to explain to them that like this is just like a storyline. And like they like it was like it was like a whole thing like serious my parents had to go in and talk to the teachers And even some of the students were like you don't have a dad I'm like yeah yeah I do I got two dads So like it was it was definitely a situation and I did not think I was the shit so they thought it was a shoot the whole thing Yeah they thought it was a shoot wow because the teachers didn't like watch wrestling so like they They get told that hey I'm not going to be in school for a certain amount of time and then they go and watch what I'm doing. And it's like this soap opera where their student is being told that he's not part of this family and he's getting taken by, you know, social services.

So, you know, I show up to school. Like nothing happens. And then they're like, where's the social worker picking you up? And I'm like, my mom's right there. What you're talking about? That is amazing. When you're walking down the street, like when you're just like living life as a kid, are people recognizing you? What is that like? No, it wasn't as bad when I was a kid, unless like my dad was around because obviously it's hard to hide when you're on vacation you have Mexican across your stomach yeah it's kind of hard to hide the bleach blonde hair when you're you know chubby little Mexican kid also hard to hide but I find it harder harder to hide now with the neck tattoo the mustache and the mullet I just I look insane

well yeah I mean you're also on TV every week and a massive star so it's a little bit different fair enough fair enough when when you get to the back. I know it's 21 years ago, but does someone come up to you? Does Vince come up to you? Does anyone come up to you and be like, yo man, you killed that little kid, like you nailed that. Do you remember any type of interaction that you had when it was all over? Yeah, I remember interacting with like, you know, Bruce Pritchard and like Eddie and Vicky and like my dad and stuff. Just kind of like, I guess everyone would kind of just make sure that I was okay. and letting me know like, hey, dumb, are you good?

Like, everything okay? And I'm like, yeah, oh, good. Like, can I, like, fuck off now? Like, because I always, like, brought my PSP and, like, I had, like, candy and stuff. So, like, whenever I was done, I was like, can I just dip? Because there was, like, there was just always so much going on in guerrilla and stuff. So, like, I just wanted to do my thing and get out of there. You weren't in awe of it all, like getting to be back there and seeing all these larger-than-life people that didn't, that didn't take your breath away.

you got to understand you girl for me I grew up in it yeah so like I was already like you know I was two three years old you know hanging around big show uh getting picked up by stone cold having pictures like like this was already normal to me so the fact that I was I was just out there doing it with them instead of you know watching it from the back so it never really like hit me that I was like obviously I didn't want to be on TV and I was like obviously I didn't want to be on TV and I was nervous, but it didn't really like hit me that I was around like all of these, you know, superstars and larger than life athletes. Because I was just a kid. I was always around them. So for me, it was like normal. How did your mom feel about it? I don't, I don't know. I don't know

if she liked it. I mean, I guess she didn't mind because I would be gone. And that was one less kid she had to take care of. So, you know, deadbeat mom, dead beat dad. I just wonder, like, it's one thing for your kid to be, we've seen kids on TV before, it's another to be involved in such a crazy story. I wondered if there was a part of her that was like, I don't want him infected by this at such a young age. I don't want him exposed. I don't want him on camera. I think the weirdest part, which is why I think I am the way I am, it was bad parenting. They just left it up to me. And like, of course, when you're offering an eight-year-old kid, like, hey, do you not want to go to school? You're going to get paid?

for this. I'm like, yeah, let's do it. Like, if I don't got to go to school. So, like, they left it up to me. It was my choice. So I was all in. Speaking of your family, by the way, I did happen to see something on Instagram in the last 24 hours. Is your sister headed to WWE as well?

I believe she is. Yeah. Wow. This is exciting stuff. Here's an Instagram post. This was like celebrating it. That's your sister, right, Alia? Yeah. Yeah, it's my little sister. And it says somewhere there, your WWE's problem now. And so is she off to the PC?

I mean, hey, she's been a problem for my parents for the last 24, 25 years. So it's time for WWE to handle them problems, you know? And I was a big problem for my parents as well. So I think it's cool to have, you know, both of the Mysterio kids in there. And I hope she listens more to me than she does to my dad. That's the best advice I could give her. Was this always part of the plan or is this something that came later on for her? For her?

Yeah. I'm not sure. She was always like the smart one and intelligent one in the family. First one to go to college, first one to graduate from college. So she was always like the brainiac, school smart. And I was always not the complete opposite. So I didn't know that this was in the cards for her. But at the end of the day, she's a Mysterio, man. And she can do whatever she wants as long as she puts your mind to it.

And there's already two Mysterios taking over this business. So why not at a third? Is that a dream of yours to be sort of involved in a story with her? Would that be something that would feel like full circle for you guys? I think it would be cool, but like I said, it would have to be with me. I couldn't have it like with my dad. Like if she started off and like started doing some bullshit with my dad like I did, like it's only going to bring her down.

Like I can I can help jumpstart whatever it is that she needs. You know, we don't have to, we can skip all the bullshit that I went through that my dad put me through. So I think if she's smart, she'll come talk to Big Brother. She's been training with Natty, right? I don't know. I've, like, with AAA and everything, I've been so busy. But I've seen pictures with her at the dungeon 2.0.

But I think now she's going to go and be at the PC full time. So you don't talk to your sister. I do talk to my sister. It's just not like we don't talk wrestling, you know. When I'm on the road, I'm on the road. four or five days out of the week and I'm wrestling. So when I'm home and I talk to my family, I'd rather not talk about wrestling. Somewhat reminiscent to you, though, because you went to Canada to train with Lance Storm

for a bit. So it seems like both of you leaning on the Canadians to jumpstart your career. How about that? Why do? I mean, it's kind of nice. I don't know about all that. You're giving the Canadians a little bit too much here. There's two specific Canadians. And I would say Natty and Lance, yeah, for sure. What about Lance? What was that like for you being up there in Calgary? Man, it was an insane experience. For me, being able to experience Calgary in the wintertime was, yeah, it was terrible. I believe I did from end of September all the way through December.

So I got like the bad times of Canadian winter. And I drove up there from San Diego all the way to Calgary. Wow. How long did that take? It was, I believe, 20 hours. Okay. It was my dad and I. We did it in about a day and a half. At any point during that, are you like, man, I can't, like, I'm from San Diego. Like, I don't want to do this. This is not fun. Ariel, I shit you not.

The first day we pull, because, like, Lance has like a, we called it the Storm House where he lets like four or five students live in his old house and we take care of it. So I pulled up to the stormhouse, meet my roommates. There's like four or five of us. I parked my car out front. Nice, nice, beautiful day. Like, I kid you not. I was like, oh, this isn't bad. It was a little chilly.

I had a hoodie on. I was like, all right, cool. Lance goes, yeah, we got training. It starts at 9 a.m. We'll see you tomorrow. I was like, okay, cool. I wake up and my car is halfway covered in snow. And I have no idea what to do.

It's like 8.30 in the morning. I'm panicking because I have to get to training. It's my first day of training, and I don't know how to fucking deal with snow. And it was not fun. And so at any point were you like, I'm out of here? No, no. I was like, we got to figure it out. Really?

I drove all the way here. I was like, I got to figure it out. I've heard you tell the story of Jay Leithill saying to you, like, yo, you've got your first match tomorrow, and you've got to go back to back to back, and you're on the bathroom floor and all that stuff. Yeah. I've heard you talk about like those moments where you're like, am I good enough for this? You're 260 pounds. You're a kid, the mysterious last name.

But honestly, was there ever a point where you thought, hey, maybe I won't live up to my dad's name or my family's name? I'm not going to make it. I'm not tough enough. None of that. That never crossed my mind. Because in my head, I was just trying to, like, I was just trying to make it. You know, I wasn't like thinking about the pressure of the name or, you know, living. living up to the mystery name, being a third generation superstar.

I wasn't thinking of any of that. I just wanted to make it. Like for me, it was like I had the passion for it. And I loved wrestling. That to me, I just, I just wanted to make it. And you didn't have a fallback plan. No, this was it. That was it.

Always from the beginning, like, you didn't even think of, like, if this doesn't work out, I'm going to do X, Y, and Z. Not because it, there wasn't, it's not going to work out. It was going to work out for me. Was there ever any talks of you wearing a mask? Yeah. Yeah. So when I first started training, like I had masks made. I still have like my prototype mask that I would use to train with. Wow. And like, is it right there? Are you pointing at it? Were you pointing at it right there? No, it's in it's in my closet. It's in like one of my drawers hidden, I think. Has anyone ever seen it? I don't think anyone's ever seen it.

Well, could we get the exclusive? I don't know where it's at. I don't know if it's in that drawer. That's a mask of drawers. Okay. I don't know if it's in there. But basically it's like, imagine just like a normal Mysterio mask. But instead of the two eyes, like you know how it has like separate eye holes, it's like a whole visor. So it almost, it's like Power Rangers style. Like I try to switch it up a bit. One day, one day if I find that mask, I'll send you a picture of it and you can post it. Okay, okay.

And then ultimately, why did you decide against it? I don't think, I just think it all happened so fast with with the Seth Rollins storyline. and me coming up to help my dad and, you know, being a baby face, it all happened so quickly that I didn't have an opportunity to pick my name, the music, or even like with the mat. Like I wanted a debut with the mask, but, you know, also too, people have seen me without a mask since I was eight years old. So, you know, it didn't really make a difference to me.

So at that point, I was, I figured, let's try and do the opposite of what the culture does. You know, everyone comes out with the masks and leaves it on. let me come out with the mask and take it off to kind of disrespect the culture but you know to do a little dirty dom of it did you ever actually wrestle with the mask and if so was it comfortable for you yeah so i i did like uh like training and wrestling matches and stuff and even when i uh before i debuted i would go in and train with the mask on for full two and a half three hours um yeah just to just so i can get used to it and having it on my head but we just we never got there now if you put it back on Like if you actually decided, do you think that would be weird?

Yeah, I'm too good looking for it. Yeah, it's a good point. It's a good point. Was there talk of... Yeah, ladies want to see the stash in the mullet. No, I feel you. I feel you. I feel you.

Was there talk of you versus your dad having, you know, like a retirement match for your dad at WrestleMania this past year? And if so, why didn't it happen? I don't think there was ever any talks for it. I've been talking about it. I've been wanting him to retire. I want him out of here. You know, I think...

And I don't even... even with my sister coming in, you know? Like, there's only room for so many Mysterios. And there's one push in 60, and I think it's time for him to kick rocks. That's just how I see it. That has to be the end, though, right? It has to be you versus him. It has to be.

I don't see any other way for it. Like, I genuinely don't. It's, it's my birthright. It's my, like, I would lose my absolute shit if it's not me. I have to do it. And it's got to be the only way possible. is, you know, I got to take his mask and I got to take his name. Man.

And what's the perfect setting, scenarios? It's San Diego? Is it somewhere else if you were able to write the whole scenario? If it was up to me, I would do it in El Dorito de Tijuana, Fausto Gutierrez, super historical arena down in Tijuana, Mexico. I believe my dad has wrestled there, debuted there. My great uncle. Most of my godfathers have wrestled there.

There's a historic tunnel that takes you down to the guerrilla area. And I remember one time, I believe it was my dad and someone else. They sold that arena completely out to where the people were sitting in like the stairs, like the walkways. People were sitting there. then the whole arena was packed out. I think my dad versus me in a retirement match somewhere in Tijuana would be insane. Has that been discussed? Any early talks of that?

I mean, I don't know. At the end of the day, like I said, I'm the one that throws it out. I want him out of here. I want to retire him as soon as possible. I want his name. I want his mask. But, I mean, you saw the dude moving on Monday. I don't know how he still does it.

He's like fucking robotic or something. But I would definitely, I would like it sooner rather than later. One thing that I really respect about you, Dumb, I have to say, you're still young. You're still in your 20s. You've only been in the game here for about, what, like six, seven years or so? August, August will be six years. Six years. You did say earlier you were a 20-year vet, but I'm just going to blow past that one.

Okay. In this day and age of unreal and everything being out there, you do still, you know, you keep KFabe strong. I do appreciate that about you. Hey man, like I said, I grew up in this business. I've seen how things work. And as long as I'm still alive, I will carry on until I die. Do you appreciate, like, is that, is that the way you were just sort of taught? Would you prefer if it was like that? Yeah. I mean, honestly, everyone has their own preferences. It's, it's 2026. People can do whatever the fuck they want. But when it comes to to me and how I wrestling, that's just the time that I fell in love with it. I grew up in that era. I fell in love

with it because of that reason. So for me, I do whatever possible to carry on the legacy of wrestling that I fell in love with, that aspect of it. That does lead me to wonder. And I've thought about this because obviously, I know your story, you met your eventual wife when you were in eighth grade, right? You were very persistent. You asked her three, four times. She finally said, Yes, it's a beautiful story. Yet we see you with some nice ladies on TV over the last few years, and you're quite passionate with them and expressive with them. And so how does that balance?

Because let's be honest, in the world of pro wrestling, we've seen some relationships fizzle because of things that happen on television, and then real life gets in the way. And so how do you balance all of that? And more importantly, dare I ask, how does your wife, your actual wife, deal with all of this, seeing her husband do this on TV? Man, my real wife,

is the saint of a woman. Shout out to Marie. She's been my rock since I was 14, man, 2011. Without, I genuinely believe that without her, I would not be in the place than I am right now. Because I don't know if I'd be alive. Let's just put it that way. For real, really?

That drastic. Yeah, yeah. She's my rock man, love her to death. And honestly, I think what really, helps us when it comes to, you know, my, my relationship, when it comes to being here at home and how I handle my work life, is we communicate. That's like our key, man. We communicate whenever everything is about happen or anything is going to happen. I give her a heads up. I'll call her, be like, hey, honey, don't tune in. This is what's going to go down. She's like, okay, thanks for the

heads up. I don't mind. Like, I'll, I'll check it out. You know, and then afterwards, she'll always text me like, hey, good job. Like, you guys killed it. Or even like, I had mentioned it that one time in, I believe it was a Logan podcast. Something happened where I, I think I had just kissed Liv. And she, my wife texted me. She's like, dude, we found a massive tarantial in our garage. So like, she's the best, man.

And I, I don't know. I don't know how else I could put her over. She's honestly the best. And I would be here without it. There's never a time where she was like, that was a little bit. too much that was a little too affectionate? No, because I'm not, I don't come home and I'm dirty dom. You know, I come home and I'm, I'm Dominic.

Right. You know, I'm a caring, loving husband, or at least I try to be. And then when I'm on the road, I don't bring that work stuff home, you know? And she understands, like, you know, it's like that one of the best examples is, you know, someone asked, I think it was in her family or my family was like, oh, like, you know, is it, Is it real? And I'm like, well, did Frodo actually take the ring to Mordor? And, you know, that's just not real either.

Like everything, you're just watching television. Like, it's not real. It's acting. It's fake. Enjoy the entertainment. You know? And my wife, I think, does such a good job of understanding that, you know, it is entertainment. And I'm doing my job and I'm providing.

And when I come home, you know, it's time for her. Is it weird when the fans start to believe that it's real? because you're doing it in front you know you don't get that honestly fans are going to do what they want they're going to say what it is you can't control everybody

you can only control what you can control so I just let them say what they want let them have fun sports entertainment has there ever been talk of having her in a story my wife

yeah oh she'd hate it hate it she just yeah she's like a bookworm she'd rather you know stay at home have like a nice tea and like a cup of coffee and then maybe watch Game of Thrones or something, but like she's not, she's behind the scenes, not in front of it.

If you don't mind me asking, what does she do for a living? Oh, right now she works from home. Okay. So we're, we're actually, we actually live in Vegas and we're, actually, I don't want to, I don't know if I want to say that just yet. Okay, okay. But we're in Vegas and I'm a San Diego kid, born and raised, but man, I hate it here. I got to go back to Cali.

Why? It's just so hot out here, man. I can't deal with like the 105 heat and like I need a beach. I need the coastal weather. Like I just, I miss California. Why did you move there to begin with? Because when my wife and I were getting married, it was, it was smart for us to be able to save some money, come to Vegas, buy a home. you know, I was, I had just signed a new contract, so I was like, I was like, let's try and be smart for a little bit.

And sure enough, we did do that. But at the end of the day, like I said, I miss California. Eventually, I would imagine you want to have a larger family. If your son or daughter says, hey, I want to fall on your footsteps, would you be happy about that? Or do you prefer, in the back of your mind, them go down a different path? Honestly, I think we'd have to cross that bridge when we get there. But I'm going to let my kids do what they want, you know? Let them be bad kids. Yeah.

Do what you want. If they want to wrestle, let them wrestle. But also, I have to take into consideration whatever their mom wants. So. Why do you say, by the way, that you'd be dead, if not for her? Like, what would you have done? I was just like, you know, at a point in my life where I was unhealthy, I wasn't being safe with the things that I was doing as far as like, you know, taking care of my body.

I was going to school, but like, wasn't really doing anything. And like, it was just, I was just in a very low point in my life. And I feel like, you know, she had been with me my, you know, since I was 14. So with her just kind of encouraging me and letting me know and when the opportunity presented itself to try and wrestle, I like didn't want to do it because I didn't want to leave her. And she was like, dude, she's like, you got to go. She's like, if you don't go, what else are you going to do? She's like, you're going to kill yourself here.

Overeating and, you know, just not being healthy. She's like, you need to go do this for yourself. Yeah. So getting that blessing from her is what gave you the confidence and propelled you to go. 100%. Yeah, because, I mean, overall, I wanted to do it. And like, just I wanted to do something with my life. But I did it.

I was afraid to leave her because I didn't want her to leave me. you know and like I was like I don't I don't want to go and she was like I'll be here when you come back and as soon as I heard that I was like okay I was like if you if you could promise me that you'll be here when you come back I was like I'll go I'll take care of us I was like I promise you when you went to calgary for example did she visit you no because she was in school wow yeah the whole time um I was training she was in school and funny enough she uh so she finished school and then I proposed. And then right before we got married, she graduated.

So everything was like perfectly timed and she wanted to, you know, have her studies and stuff taken care of. And my, I guess I was on the end of my old contract coming into my new contract. And we didn't know if I was going to resign. So I was like, you know, I was like hopeful that I would. And she was like, well, you know, let's make sure first. And sure enough, once I resigned, we got married and, you know, took her business. I'll let you go in a moment.

This has been great. I really appreciate it, but I don't want to take up too much of your time. I just wanted to ask you about one interaction in regards to your family. This is on the A&E special. There was an interview on your dad, the legend special,

the biography on your dad. I'm sure you've seen it. And there's an interaction there, which I found to be fascinating where your mom is talking about when she was pregnant with your sister and your dad is off camera, telling her to tell the truth

about the way in which he treated her while she was pregnant. Do you know what I'm talking about? Yeah, I've seen the clips of it, for sure. This is a wild thing to watch because clearly your mom is trying to protect him and not speak bad of her husband, who she loves a lot. And your dad is the one saying, tell everyone how mean I was to you. And then everything kind of snapped back into place when she was born and whatnot. And so I'm just wondering, did you know about any of that? And if not, as you see this, what are you thinking? No, I was so young, man. Like for me, and plus he was always kind of gone.

So whenever he'd be home, he was always very cool with me. Obviously, I know mom and dad had their issues behind closed doors, as obviously stated at that A&E doc. But no, they were always very, you know, cordial around me. Pops never, you know, seemed like he was angry. He was always, he tried to be present. But like I said, most of the time he was just, he was gone. But why I am the way I am and he's a deadbeat.

When you see that though, how does that make you feel? I mean, we're human, you know? At the end of the day, we're going to make mistakes. And I'm sure at that point in time, you know, he was going through so much as far as like how much we were on the road, you know, my mom having to be alone. And then I'm sure he like having to deal with like, you know, coming home to a pregnant wife. And then a four-year-old son that was probably not the best well-behaved. And then he's only home for those two days.

And the two days that he's home, it's like chaos. And then he has to go back. So, like, you know, I sympathize with him more now. And like, even with my mom as well, like, she was such a superhero being home alone and, like, taking care of us and being mom and dad at the same time. But at the end of the day, we're all human, you know, mistakes are going to happen. It is what it is. So, and I wasn't there to fully get the story.

I was in like there to comprehend what was going on. So it is what it is. Okay. Last thing for you, yesterday, a good friend of yours, I think, on the road and in the business, Grayson Waller had an incredible promo on NXT talking about the guys on the roster and not really like living up to expectations and feeling entitled and that the girls are killing them and all that stuff. Did you see this?

I thought this was, I love Grayson. And I'm just wondering what you thought of what he said. Is there truth behind this? I did see that and huge shout out to Grayson. I mean, he did his thing, man. And when it comes to I, when it comes to the women down at NXT outwork and the boys, I see that. You know, I come from a very old school mindset where, you know, you show up, you shake people's hands. You respect the totem pole where you're at.

And it just seems like they don't get that down there. So Grayson told it how it is. And I, you know, it is what it is. Let the boys step up in NXT. See if they let a fire under their ass. You had to bypass all of that. You got that opportunity, right? No indies for you.

No, you just jumped right in. Damn right. Because I'm dirty dumb. That's right. But think about it this way. I went backwards, Ariel. I started on the main roster. Right.

Did everything that I had to do. Went down to NXT, did the PC stuff. did NXT TV, won the North American title twice, beat Trick Willie, you know, and then came back to the main roster. But I was also doing that going back and forth. Right, right. Raw, Smackdown and NXT. I mean, generational talent, there I say. No one, no one's doing it like me.

Inimitable. Love you and Diego Lopez, by the way, in the DoorDash commercial. That's my dude. Yo, that was great. I don't know whose hair is better, if I'm being honest. I'm going to say mine because he's not next to me. Okay, all right. And you're a big MMA fan too, right?

Yeah, I love UFC. Of course. Who's your guy? Who's your favorite? I mean, other than Diego, you know, I was a big, I don't want to get controversial now. Why, why? Why controversial? I was going to say, you know, you know, Kobe, because he, I like his, I like his, I like his persona.

I like how he plays it up. John Jones, Anderson Silva, Chris Wydenman, GSP, grew up on those guys. So, yeah, I mean, I love MMA. These are a little old school names here. So not so much the new guys. I mean, I like the new guys too. Diego Lopez is one of my favorites. You know, you got Patty.

You got Connor. But it's hard for me when you put me on the spot because, like, I do watch. No, no, no, it's okay. Okay. It's okay. I am like a casual, but like once I start throwing down names, it's like, my guys are, you know, Diego Lopez and some other boys. Brandon Moreno? I don't want to start.

Yeah, you got Brandon Moreno. Alexa Grasso. Another, another great Mexican. Yes. You know, so it's like, I love it. It's fun for me to watch and it's cool for me to be able to, you know, have our world to collide. It's fun for us to watch you. Thank you for doing this Dom.

Long overdue, dare I say, but it was great. It was really a lot of fun to have you on. Congratulations on all your success, everything you're doing in AAA and WWE. And, of course, good luck this Sunday against Danhausen. There it is, SummerSlam. You can watch it on ESPN. You can get it now on YouTube TV. I read that.

It's Danhausen versus Dirty Dom in a poll match for 100K. Human monies on a pole match. Yes, there it is. There it is. It's a mouthful. I'm going to beat his ass. You're the man. Thank you so much.

All the best to you. Thank you, guys. Take care. The one and only. Dirty Dom Mysterio. Kind enough to join us on this Wednesday afternoon. What a guy. What a guy.

Intern Josh, what do you think? I loved it. Smiling year to ear the whole time. Absolutely loved it. He's trying to pick his jaw back out because it's been a gape. He's been loving it. Every single second of it. What a character.

And he really has been killing it. He really has been killing it. shout out to him. He's a lot of fun to watch. Very charismatic on screen. Very great heel. Very talented on the microphone. Very talented as far as his

wrestling skills are concerned. Who do you like in that match, Josh? I think Dom's going to do it. I think Dom's going over. I can't see Danhausen beating Dom clean. Man, could you imagine? That would be like the rocket ship being attached.

But it is Danhausen's match to win. and kind of, it's literally his match, so human monies, obviously, so... Right. We'll see. It's going to be a good match. I'm excited. All right, so...

And by the way, main event for SummerSlam is... Roman Rings versus Seth Rollins' night two, night one, Cody Rose versus Seam Punk. Build has been... Build has been good. I'm more excited for the Roman Rollins match, more because that was just kind of my childhood growing up on them, but obviously,

can't go wrong with Ponkin Roads either. True or false, Brock retires in Minnesota. True. True. I feel like you can't do it just like...

It seems a little abrupt. They haven't really mentioned him retiring at all in the build, which is kind of been surprising. You would think Oba would say some lines about officially retiring him, but hell in a cell,

hometown, stadium show, it adds up. All right. Let us see. Just a couple more things, and then we'll call it a day here. We talked about... Last week, we talked about Dana White and the fishers having a little Chinese.

We now have actual video footage of the fishers and Dana White having Chinese. And I feel like the fisher set this up because they were sitting there and Dana came first. Anyway, here it is. How this guy orders Chinese food is impressive. John, give us a taste of how you order.

What if I've not made any papers, mate, I can do it myself. I'm playing charming, Singapore was maybe Wow I'm gonna have to travel The worker when I go there You gotta come

You gotta come I'm to McGregory You ever day Soctum and his thing was You know what Practice that kick My entire camp I didn't have to fight in Big John

Big John's out Little Dana's still in Wow Big John tapped Big John's out Dana's in I don't buy it Yeah neither did

Little Dana That's right It was funny At the beginning The way They said it up They're like Hey, Dana, we've been sitting here staring at this Chinese food for 30 minutes.

Now, here you are. It was all like takeout Chinese. It wasn't Blue Orchid, though. They didn't fly that in. I mean, what was that? Squeaky microphone. Oh, okay. Just readjusting.

I don't know if, does anyone have any contacts at Netflix? Anyone know anyone? Yeah, yeah. Let me call up. I'd like to throw my name into the hat for the Luke Littler show that they're doing. They posted this promo. I don't know if you guys saw me yesterday. me versus Dakota

I mean it seems like they're doing something with Luke here can we get in on this I mean the question is I reckon you can beat me in a game of darts let's go

I feel like a lot of people back in the day we're saying it now 501 now do I want to be the host of this or do I want to take part in it is the question I think you're better with the host You think so?

Hard I'm just going to... 501 could you imagine that I'm going to say I can't imagine it I can imagine it getting smoked by Luke Littler. No, no, no, no. I see you playing, winning,

buying the hosting job for yourself. Oh. With the money that you win. Why is he buying it rather than getting paid it? Because they don't want him to host it, so he's got to buy his way up. Oh, damn, all right. Yeah.

Well, how would he host? You said that, and it already happened. Damn. I like the idea. By the way, Luke getting featured on on Netflix? That's pretty bad. Yeah, it's not too bad.

I can't see a world where even one person comes close, but I guess. Could you imagine someone beating him? All the aura. I actually cannot. That would be negative 10,000 aura. Nobody will beat him. I assure you.

Listen, I almost beat him. In the three versus three. Yes, but that's not the game. You made up a game that you beat him. Five o one that you made up, you beat him in. 501, you have to end on the double. Oh, that's right. That's right.

Yeah, no. Actually, I remember yesterday being challenged to hit a double. Yeah, let's see you do it. Sort of nailed it. To end the 501 before Littler does it. Just saying. Would you think that like, some dude who watches ball on, you know, Twitter and YouTube and commenting like, I could beat Jalen Brunson would even sniff.

If there's some sort of, like, generational talent out there that we don't know about. They'd be pro. A guy and Clark is. Of darts. Everybody, yeah, everybody thinks they're made at the pub who's really good at darts is better than Luke Littler until they face Luke Littler and then they realize there's levels. Do we have any super chats, friends? All right, this is the swan song for the interns Or you guys could call up, by the way, and do it from Syracuse

No, I mean for the Super Chats. They do other stuff on your show. Yeah, I have Super Chats tomorrow too. On my show, I mean, okay, geez. Who's first? Who's first? I can go for it. Jackie you're up. Rame, I don't know how to pronounce the name.

Says, what's the etiquette on getting a pick with the BITB at UBS this Friday? Jens? You walk right up and say, what's up, guys? If you see us, how's it going? Grab us. Okay, that's it. Love it.

Please, come to the seats, do whatever. Now, I feel like GC is going to be a little bit more visible. Yeah, GC will be more available, I think. Rick is working. Approach me from behind at the urinal, that's the best way. Put them in a chokehold at the urinal. Whisper in my ears while I'm at the urinal. It's always a weird one when they're like,

they're literally coming up to them like, hey, can we get a pick? And now the move is like outside. Can I, but now you know they're waiting for you. G.C. got the bathroom approach. Wait, didn't I get the bathroom approach? I got the bathroom approach. They're in a shitter in the background. I don't want to take the picture.

The way to do it, come up behind them. Put your hand forward with the phone. So they're staring ahead and all of a sudden there's a selfie being taken with a person behind me. Could try that. There's definitely been times where people have reached out to shake my hand in the bathroom. I've done an over the urinal wall. That is. I've done an under.

That is insane. I've gotten on the floor under and That is in Well, that's not a hand? What is that? Check out the equipment. When I was seven years old, I got a picture with Chris Bosch in the bathroom, shook his hand right after he took a piss.

Don't think, I'm pretty sure it was before the hand wash. I love that. That is awful. That is so great. If you were into a kid, there's no way that happens. Chris Bosch is a natural mensch. Yeah, picture was right in front of the sink. You can actually see my dad wearing his bib from the lobster in the mirror of

the bathroom. Oh my god. I would have super kicked the kid. Yeah, Josh. I would have said, get your fucking hands out of here and like front kick them to the face. My respect level for Bosch just went up tenfold for that. Shout out to Chris Bosch. What else, guys?

What else? Jake from Windy City says to add into the convo, Brock coming back against Carwin made me fall in love with MMA as a kid. Brock, despite his condition was a hell of a fighter. Yeah, Brock Carwin was a great comeback, man. Oh my God. One of my, actually was just talking about this with my trainer last week. We were talking about arm triangle chokes.

He does jiu-jitsu. And I said that my favorite arm triangle finish in UFC history is the Brock one. If only because the technique wasn't great, but it just felt like he was like, let me just crank this. Let me just go like, it was almost like a wrench. Do you remember? He's like, let me just move here, and then I'll move here, and then I'll move here. And then eventually, due to his sheer strength, he was just able to squeeze his head off. And Karwin had got gased out.

What did they call it again? There was some, we called it, was it like lactic acid? There was like a joke afterwards that something built up inside of him. Do you remember all this? Lactic acid, but that wouldn't have affected necessarily that scenario. But yeah, I mean, an all-time comeback, a great performance by Brock. And yeah, if he doesn't get, I mean, we were talking about what-ifs earlier. If Brock's diverticulitis doesn't happen, what does that do for his career?

That could have been a what-if. By the way, it's not a bad one. I feel like there's a few others that we're forgetting, but that is not a bad one at all. What else, guys? What else? Yeah, Seth Shank says, Yuri versus Grover, I think he means Glover,

is a great introduction fight for new fans. Sloppy, but the drama and ebbs and flows are epic. You are right about the sloppiness. There's no doubt about that, but it is a lot of fun. That is a very, very fun fight. So yes, I'm down with that. There's probably a whole bunch of them.

I feel like we're... Oh, what about What about freaking, well, zombie a year was a great finish. Zombie, don't tell me, don't talk. I'm trying a blank here. You got it. You got it.

You know what I'm going to say. Leonard Garcia. There you go. Got it. W.C. 48. I believe it was 48. What else, guys? What else?

And what's Frank talking about back there? I don't know. I didn't even hear Frank talk. That wasn't Frank. Oh, okay. Is Frank in the room with us right now, area? I don't understand. Rubin says Charles versus Gagy was the real best one-round fight, Beatsy.

Need that rematch so Charles can regain the belt. Also, going to the new Highmark this year. We were just talking about the new Highmark before the show. I would like to go to the new Highmark, obviously. I wanted to go to opening day, but I think it's not going to work out. So we need to figure that out badly. I'm a little worried about the new Highmark, if I'm being honest. Because I love, I'm a big stickler.

on how arenas look on TV, stadiums, arenas. Like, I hate how MetLife looks. Now, when you say looks, are you talking inside or the aerial shot? What are we talking about? I don't know if this is just me, by the way, but I have like a keen eye as to, like, I know how every arena is shot. Like, I could tell you about certain arenas and stadiums, the differences, how they're shot, how they look on TV, the lighting.

Do you know what I'm talking about? I'm saying, though, are you talking an aerial shot? Like the blimp from the Like the gameplay Okay you're talking from the actual There's certain stadiums and arenas that I'm like This looks like crap on TV I don't enjoy Watching games

Got it You know Like I'll Give us a bad one and give us a good one To be honest like I think Barclays looks bad on TV Okay The The old San Antonio Spurs

Arena looked bad when they're at the Almodome It looks a little bit better now The old Auburn Hills Detroit Pistons Pals at Auburn Hills Arena looked way worse than the one now. The one now looked okay. MSG is obviously the best.

The forum was very dark. Englewood Forum, Staples. Anyway, football. What are we looking for, though? What I'm trying to say is Bill's games on TV look beautiful to me. And I'm worried that this one's going to be too dark or too pristine. Is there any part of this is just your teams?

It seems like... No, I'm not a Spurs fan. I'm not a Lakers fan. I'm not a Pissons fan. I'm not a Pissons. But you're like, oh, the MSG, which is a dumb by the way better. Looks great. The Bill's stadium looks great I feel like this might just be like you like what No I just you know how okay G.C. Give me an example though

Cameron Indoor Stadium There's like a unique view right The way it's shot the way the you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Yes There's there's minor differences between these stadiums that you can How they look the way the cameras are I'm not gonna lie the Bill's Stadium every time I watch it it feels like I'm watching like The stadium is small Like a 30,000

seat arena. It's quaint. And I'm worried that this other one is going to feel too brand spiking nude, too grandiose. I'm worried about these things. Don't watch, honestly. That's how I feel. I'm not going to one point. Don't watch. Don't watch. Don't even watch it.

Dark. Dark. Oh, but I enjoy it. Earth looks so HD. Yeah. Yeah. What else, guys? What else? Yeah, so we got Joel Jimenez saying, Ariel, you're about to fight for the UFC middleweight title.

What one is walking? walking you out to the ring, sorry. Drake, Brunson, Allen, which AHH staff as coach? Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, that's a tough one. Gosh. That sounds like a corner right there. God, that's my corner. No, we need Action Bronson, too, though.

Oh, okay, I'm walking, like, actions my hype man. Yeah. He's, like, giving me, like, a chest bump, like, we're going like this. Actually, your actual coach at that point. Yeah. Yeah. Brunson is subdued. Yeah, for sure.

We've seen Alan like chug a beer and hit the freaking thing. Feels like he's kind of like a bro's bro. Yep, yep. Drake, what's Drake doing? Performing? What are we doing? Well, I can't have Drake and action. You can't? Why not? The boys. It's your moment. Well, if I'm the main event, by the way, I'm allowed four cornermen, so it's Drake, action, Alan and Brunson.

Yeah. Now, as far as my coach from the team, like you guys? What the fuck? I think it's Frank. You know why? Because I think Frank is going to be the one to, like, really tell me how he's feeling about how I'm doing. Hey, man. Hey, man.

The corner work. Hey, man. Today, like, you're going to get knocked out, dude. Today, you didn't bring it in practice. Hey, man, we got to talk. A thousand percent. You know what I mean? Hey, man, throw a punch.

Yeah. I actually think it should be peatsy. I've seen him get fired up. I've seen him get a little bit under your skin. He knows how to get you going. That's 100% accurate. He has gone under my skin and does a great job of doing so very, very quickly. So, yeah, that could be something.

We'll think about that. What else, guys? What else? Jonah far out, or Yona, says, Darren interview was incredible. Ariel, do you ever accept payment from fighters' partners? Shout out, G.C. Do I ever accept payment from fighters' partners?

What does that mean? I think it's a joke about Darren's partner, maybe? The blockback guy? Or the girl? Oh, he kept referring to the block belt guy. That's right. He did say, I don't know what he's. I thought it was a joke about it.

Black bet, block belt. Point is, I know. Point is, no payment. No payment. No payment. I did see, by the way, over on BKFC.com, or was it Coles.com? Yes, Coles.

You can get BKFC merch? Yes. Isn't Coles like a hardware store? No. Loz? What is Coles? Coals is like an apparel store. Tail department store.

It's like a JCPenty. Never heard of Coles Cash? No. You think this guy, he's on 6th Avenue. This motherfucker's... Yeah, right? What? I haven't been eating out or not getting coffees,

and it's not because of the money. Well, no, I'm just saying... I wipe my ass with Coles Cash. Wow, wow, wow, wow. My mom back in the day, while it was stuffed with Coles Cows. Wow, wow, wow, wow. No, yeah, to Andy's point, it's a departmentist

or like a JCPani, a Macy, like... I don't know if you guys know this about me, but like, I didn't grow up here, okay? So, like, I'm not... Yeah, yeah, for sure. Neither did I. I'm not as a trench. When did you move here?

When did you move here? Is international current. How old are you, Andy, when you moved here? 15. You got me beat. 19 for me. So a few more. Haven't you been here like 30 years?

I am a little bit older, so I guess it kind of evens out. That's right. Golly, 44 is crazy. Anyway, Coles, you could get the shirts. So I thought that was pretty cool. So they're only nine bucks. There's different ones, too. They had quite a few.

I got my sneakers for Back to School back in there Is it Herb Cole? Is he, did he used to be the owner of the bucks Or am I don't know K-O-H-H? Yeah, Cole Owner

Of Bucks Am I wrong? Herb? How wrong were you? Yes, his family's business That own the Cole's department stores, Shane And you don't even know what Cole's is? He knows the business.

He knows the business He never step inside one. God forbid. God forbid. Can you run a Coles and grab me a hammer? Yeah. He bought the bucks in 1985 for 18 milly. Crazy.

Sold it for 550. By the way. That would be like a discount right now. By the way, 550 is nothing for an NBA team. Nothing. Back in 2014. We're in the almost double-digit billions now for NBA teams. Hey, shout to DeZone.

Home of, you know, the Knicks, Nets. Seemed to be Cavs, apparently. Wow. If you read that article. They're scooping up all the regional rights. a third of the league. Yeah, our old friends at DeZone. Do you think they're going to charge like 4495

Ultimate Paperview for these games or what? What can only hope? Yeah. What else, guys? What else? Yeah, the Gator says getting ready for Rod Talk tomorrow. Mr. D. Robb. The Rod talk's going to be great tomorrow. It's going to be great to pound for pound.

Is that the pound for pound? No. For pound. Rods? Shark rods. No, pound for pound sharks in honor of Shark Week. I'm just saying. Oh, no, rods. I feel like, shark week has kind of, oh, I get it now, I get it.

Oh, shark week is dog shit, yeah. Last night, it's so bad. I feel like it's jumped the shark. Oh, very good. Watch Jurassic Shark. AI all throughout, nothing ever happens. Like, they're always just like, we're going to find the deadliest shark in all of the Caribbean. And then they're like, well, I didn't find it.

So many commercials, too. Ever since they had Chris Hemsworth do that special, Shark Week special a few years ago, it's just gone downhill. Yeah, it's dead. Absolutely downhill. Oh, what else, guys? What else? Rod talk, though. Hell yeah.

Sean, that's the rods. Benjamin says, go-to karaoke song. Mine is American Pie. Need one more sing-along with G.C. Deadpan clapping. Wow. The singing has been great. Mine's up to the heart for me. Mine's a serious.

That's a great one. I love always. Jesus. So Sally can wait, she knows it's too late as we're walking on by. What's that one? What's that one called again? Wonderwall. And so, side's away.

And don't look back in anger. Like champagne supernova. Also, I don't practice Santaria. I ain't got my crystal ball. I had a million dollars and I spent it all if I could find that hyna. Is that what it is? I don't know. This is a silly goose day.

And I pop the cap and sancho and I, this is what happens before you go on summer break, right? Yeah, yeah. What else, guys? What else? Sanders says Manana Wow Jackie, well done

Favorite track Yeah, that's a good one What else guys? What else? Ryan says Live show in Sydney For Volks next home game Feel like you gotta

God I've always said UK live show Ireland live show Although these days And Australia live show I feel like those have always been the top three for me

Those would be in there Yeah Don I feel like we'd be very well received. Canada? Yeah? Sure? That's a real home game. That's a real home game. It's different. Although, why would we go? Is Vogue fighting in?

He's saying Vogue does fight, so usually next time he's there. What else? What else? Guys? I'm going to leave this one for Josh. Oh, okay. All right. RXXUL says, for intern Josh, you couldn't have waterboarded that Chris Bosch story out of me. Wow. Lucky for you here. it is.

Oh, the dad! The dad is a bear! Look at his mom. Look at Bob. Actually, if you hadn't explained that was a bib, I would have thought he was wearing

a tank top. That was way too small for him. Okay, wait, several, several comments. Is your dad wearing sleeveless? No, no, no, no. There's a pink shirt. It looks like a bib,

no sleeves, if I'm being honest. That's what I'm saying. It looks like a little tiny tank top. Yeah. Short-sleeve pink. Okay. A. B, can we zoom back out? Go back out. Go back out. You're on the left.

I'm on the left. That's my middle brother on the right. Okay. He definitely washed his hands. I think there's a paper towel on his right hand. Yeah, yeah. Or his left hand. Are you with your dad in the bathroom or do you tell your dad to come and take the picture? I believe he was in there with us and then he noticed them. I took a piss next to Bosch. Don't sleep on the bathroom attendant who's like getting out of the way, right? Oh yeah, I see him.

I see him right there. Now it would have been crazy work if he had walked out of the bathroom, gotten his dad, and been like, come back into the pister to take a picture of me and Bob. Yeah, he really does look like he's, you know, going sleeveless. Do you know who Chris Bosch is at this point? Like, are you aware of who that man is? Wait, wait, wait, hold on one second.

Go back out? Go back out for a second? Who is being cut off? Who is that other child in the mirror? Oh, yeah. But then not appear. Yeah, in the picture. In the photo.

Oh, shit. You know what? Who got asked? Yeah. Who is that? That is a shame. That's super ashamed. That seems to be my older brother, Justin.

That's unfortunate. Oh, boy. Oh, no. Dad. Who, like, who cropped this right now? The mirror is tripping me out. I'm confused. Oh, wait.

He is in the picture. He's just cropped out. That's a shame. Oh, no, dad. Shots fire. Oh, no. Who sent this to you right now? Oh, my mom did.

And she cropped out your brother. She, it seems like the photo itself was cropped. I'm not sure what's going on there. It's a little trippy. Yeah. Also, how did your mom find this in the last five minutes so quickly? She's listening to the program right now. Wow.

Probably like 2018. That's incredible. Your mom listens to the program? That's amazing. She loves it. I'm, I'm touched. Sorry for the rod talk and all that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Is she a big Dominic Mysterio fan as well? She is. She could not believe it when she found out that was Ray Mysterious. Wow. Wow. Yeah, look. You know, they don't look alike. One's got a mask.

One doesn't. That's amazing. Was there any part? of you that was like, man, I hope this guy washed his hands when he's touching me. Were you worried about this? You know, I was seven years old. I wasn't thinking much. I saw a big dude NBA player. I was hype. Miami? Yeah, shout out Joe Stone Crabb. That's where you were. Yeah, South Beach. You get the key lime. Oh yeah. Yeah, the best. Electric. Can't go wrong there. Winter break, Christmas break? Yeah, well, it was spring break. It was late March. Okay. Oh, yeah.

Legend. You get the, you get the big key lime with the massive, uh, whip cream thing, they give you the whole freaking bottle. Oh yeah. It's amazing. Wait, for one slice of pie, they give you the whole. No, no, no. You get, if you get the whole pie, you get the actual bottle. Oh, for the table, you get the pie and then, oh, that's pretty cool. Unopen, like a... Oh, what do we got? What are we got?

It appears that Josh's brother has chimed up in the chat, saying, shake my head for cutting me out of that picture. Wow. Wow, he's in there. And thank you for the $2. Thank you for the $2.00's a little cheap. It's a little cheap. He gets cropped out and we're We're money shaming him?

I don't like this. You know, normally we accept all monies. We're very happy, but, you know, to be fair, Justin, pony up to 20 bucks. Yeah. No, I don't agree with that.

At least 999. I don't agree. Thank you, Justin. Wow, the whole Markowitz family is watching us right now. This is a lot of pressure. It's weird because none of my family members watch.

That is great. Yeah, you know? Not true. Your mom's watching. You guys go get Thai. Okay. We'll stay here at home in the dark. That's right.

I think she just wanted me to leave. The V-neck was very long there. The V-Vos back in the day worked, man. It was like, woof. It was like all the way down. What is the sneaky Josh rock in a pretty deep V himself. Respect the game.

Probably what Chris said yes to the picture. That reminds you of the shirt that you had in Vegas for the watch party. Remember that one? You were struggling with that one. You remember the D-Shed? Oh, because the mic. The bacon neck gets ripped down by the mic.

The mic was... Oh, my God. You were like, you kept going like this. Stomach was a wreck. Oh, it was a time. The whole thing. Do we have anything else, guys? We do.

We do. We have one more. Okay. James Fry said, surely the farewell meals with the interns is a heavy bowl of New York's finest Mongolian beef. The boys have done a killer,

a fucking killer job and will be missed. Have a round of drinks on me. Wow. James Frye. That's a snack. And what's the A next to to 79? Oh, okay.

So what's that? Six bucks? Seven bucks? Oh, what? It's a pink super chat. That means it's big. Yeah, that's big. All right.

All right. Jack, we're putting you on the spot. Favorite memory of this summer. Of like not just the internship, the entire summer. Wow, that means his favorite one is not internship. No, no, I need to see if this is. Give us both here and outside these walls. All right.

Favorite memory of the entire. summer, I'll start first, like outside of work. World Cup fan fest with my buddy, Ian. Shout out Ian Evans. Okay. He got me tickets for that. Absolutely amazing. Fanfest final is awesome. And then my favorite moment here.

I can't pick a specific moment, but it was probably that week that we had McGregor and Pereira come in back to back. And that was just electric seeing like two people that I watched so much, you know, my formative years, like still in the formative years, I guess, but watched a ton. And then on top of that, like, seeing you guys handle it all and really getting, like, a good glimpse of what this job and what this whole industry can be like. So, yeah.

Love that. That's amazing. That was a crazy week. That was right after the White House card. We had someone else on that week, I remember. It was Armin at the beginning of the week. That's right. Did, like, 700, K.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that was a good week. All right, Josh, what about you? Two great moments from the summer internship. First was that week as well. I got to take Alex Pereira and family to Wegman's incredible moment. They were doing the Chama dance and the sushi section. Phenomenal stuff.

And second, simply just, you know, being at lunch, shooting the shit, talking. You know, I said this to Ariel last night through text. I said a lot of my friends have coworkers. I feel like I got friends here, and that's kind of the difference that it makes. Wow. Wow. Wow. Both of you. Both of you. Really, you've been amazing. You've set the bar very, very high. We appreciate you. I was telling someone in the office as I was coming up, we couldn't have gotten luckier. Menches, polite, respectful, hardworking, pleasant to be around. You guys were amazing. I mean, no surprise. You're both Syracuse Newhouse products. I mean, we certainly, you know, we have a certain standard over there. So you seem to be a great representation and byproduct of that tremendous school. But in all seriousness, you guys have been amazing. And I'm looking forward to the actual swan song tomorrow on BITB, the second to last,

the penultimate stop before our summer break. But have no fear. We will be with you on Monday for an uncrowned film. That's August 3rd and then August 10th for another. And if there's breaking news, and there may be, hopefully not. Maybe we could all just kind of chill out. we'll be back to then kick off year three of Uncrowned. You do it like that, huh?

What do you do? Do you go like this? You go this? Interesting. You guys go this? Honestly, I thought you were starting to do. Yeah, that's where I thought you were going with the three. Yeah.

I think if I would have done it, I would have gone like this. Shocker, do you see? Jesus. Come on. There's adults watching. All right, guys. Time to go. There's just a sun devil.

guy. Yeah, oh, that too. The Markowitz family is watching. Yes. You don't know Frank's a sun devil? Did he graduate from ASU? I know, I know Shaheen is a sun devil. Yeah, real quick, BITB voicemail. Yes,

yes, very important. Call us. Bring it, because this is the last one for a few weeks. We need some really good voicemails tomorrow. 415 SUP BITB. Why, have you felt like they have been dragging? No, but But look, we're gone for a bit.

Sure. Make them count, you know? Like, we don't want to come back and all of a sudden be in that funk. Like, get us off right. Say something to the interns. Yeah, say, leave them a nice voice mail. I want to hear a Zach Brown band tribute to Josh and myself. Zach, we'd be honored if you called back.

We'd be honored. What about Mr. Don Davis? Don. God. I haven't ever been a long time. Yeah, it would be nice to hear from him. There's a lot going on. Definitely.

You know, Philadelphia, New York. Would he nice? It would be nice to hear from him. Don? Yeah, would be nice. Don't know. Oh, yeah. Remember that guy?

Whatever happened to that guy? Shockingly, he didn't get signed. Shockingly, he didn't get signed. I can't fucking believe it. Yeah. I can't believe it. I still follow. Who would have thought, you know?

You insult the press. Dana. Yeah. One of those things. I know why. Dom. We used to have that drop, by the way. By now.

Franklin would have played it. I think we've pretty much been boiled down to like six of the same drops if we're lucky. Oh yeah. Like, you know of fucking break. He's like that one. It's a good one.

Who gives a shit? Good one. Sometimes people hit me on social with the drops and I'm like, we haven't heard that on the show in months. Years, years, years, years. You'd have to re-rack this. Thank you very much all our guests. Dominic Mysterio, Darren Till, Brian Battle.

Thanks to the interns, thanks to you. Back to Prasate time. I said, peace I'm out here.