The Ariel Helwani Show - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS (DAY 1): Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski, Dan Hooker, Raul Rosas Jr., John Wood

Episode Date: June 27, 2025

Ariel Helwani and the crew kick off the show from Venetian Resort in Las Vegas to talk all things International Fight Week and the news and notes from around the sport (05:10).Israel Adesanya is the first guest in today’s star-studded in-studio lineup and he joins before his UFC Hall of Fame induction to discuss his loss to Nassourdine Imavov, training with David Goggins, Jon Jones, his back and forth with Joaquin Buckley, DDP-Khamzat, and hints at his next fight (29:29).Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is next up on the mic and he gets into his UFC 317 predictions, crossing paths with Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev’s chances against JDM, his next defense, and more. Ash Belcastro, his manager and owner of Engage Apparel stops by to finish off (1:16:02).Dan Hooker is the last of the CKB gauntlet and he joins Ariel to share his thoughts on his return from injury, preparing for his viral backyard brawl event, interacting with fans, receiving his 50 drug-free test jacket, and much more (1:45:57).John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA, stops by along with Daniel Rubenstein, Merab Dvalishvili’s manager, to discuss building a successful team, Khalil Rountree’s win over Jamahal Hill, Nazim Sadykhov’s viral KO, traveling to Georgia, and more (2:34:17).Raul Rosas Jr., 20-year-old UFC phenom, closes the day with a chat about taking on MMA full-time after high school, fighting in Mexico, looking for a matchup in the rankings, training with Frank Mir’s daughter, and more (3:12:44).Joanne Wood, retired UFC flyweight, stops by as a surprise guest (3:48:28).

Live from beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada The fabulous Ariel Helwani show has hit the road and the team is in Sin City for international fight week Now put your hands together for your host Ariel Helwani back in your life Oh, I've been waiting to say that for the past couple of days on this Thursday June 26 2000 and Oh, I've been waiting to say that for the past couple of days on this Thursday June 26 2025

Hello again, everyone. I sure hope you're doing well. Welcome to our Las Vegas. Let's get this shot again our Las Vegas Studio. Yes, we are inside the beautiful Venetian Resort here in Las Vegas. They have been an Unbelievable host they have told us me casa su casa anytime you guys want to do a road show You're coming here, and I don't know if you can see yeah, you can see you see right here No, no go back go back look at this look at this We've got our own poker table with my name on it the Ariel Hawhani show Las Vegas 2025 look at this thing with the little uncrowned crowns in it. Oh my god, you know yourself we are living the dream. This is an unbelievable setup. We are so excited to be here. Once again, we're doing shows on Thursday. That's today. Friday, same time tomorrow, 2.30 p.m. Eastern time,

start time. Saturday, watch party from a different location. post show of course as well on Saturday, and then for the first time ever, a post pay-per-view Monday show from right back here in Las Vegas. We're gonna see how that works. We're gonna see how it all goes. My kids are in camp, I'm having a great time, I don't have to go back home.

This is a great time to be alive, and you know we thought, all right, we're here in Vegas, we're not just gonna dilly dally, we're not just gonna talk amongst ourselves here. Of is a great time to be alive. And you know, we thought, all right, we're here in Vegas. We're not just gonna dilly dally. We're not just gonna talk amongst ourselves here. Of course, Frank is in the house. Of course, GC is in the house.

Of course, Rick is in the house. Of course, Andy is in the house. Of course, Jordan is in the house. We've got big Spence in the house as well. We've got a litany of people in the house. Here and also, we have a great team back at the HQ. Want to give a special shout out to our guy, Ben Hefner, who's been working behind the scenes,

doing all the encoding, all the tech stuff for us. We appreciate you all so much. It takes an entire freaking team, a squad, if you will, to pull off something like this. It's not easy to pick up the show and bring it to Las Vegas. And so with that in mind, we thought, all right, we have to do it big. We have to do it big. And so today on the program, a five pack of

guests, I don't even get me started on tomorrow's show. Let's just focus on today's lineup. Today's lineup, a who's who, an all star lineup. We'll kick it off in about 30 minutes time with the former UFC middleweight champion, your friend and mine, the last style bender, the pride of not only New Zealand but Nigeria as well. Israel Adeswanyel will be joining us in studio, everyone in studio right? Like we're not doing, we ain't doing no zoom chats today and tomorrow all right? It's all face to face mano-a-mano. Following that chat will be joined by the reigning, Duff Henning, UFC featherweight champion, the one and only, the pride of Australia, Alex the Great Volkanovsky. Not bad right? We'll keep that CKB train rolling along and after Volk will be joined by the one and only, the hangman

Dan Hooker, fresh off his one night tournament. The one minute fights incredible. We'll talk to him about everything going on in his life. See how the hand is doing as well. We'll follow that up with the Georgian MMA coach of the year. Man who's been on quite a role and I would say as of right now perhaps the uh the front runner for 2025 MMA coach of the year, not just in Georgia, but all over the world. The one and only John Wood of Syndicate MMA who has just returned from Azerbaijan. He was in Khalil Rountree's corner.

He's his head coach. Prior to that, he was in Newark with Murab Dawali Shafili. In between those two fights, he of course went to Georgia. Some great scenes out there. He was getting all kinds of love. John Wood, who's the head man here in Las Vegas at Syndicate MMA, one of the top gyms, will join us in studio as well. And then we'll round it off with Mr. Chiwis himself. I gotta say that wasn't bad. That wasn't bad. I didn't even ask, can Frank even talk to me on air? I didn't

even- Damn right I can. Oh, okay. Wow. Wow. Raul Rosas Frank is gonna join us. So that is, I mean look at this. Look at this Frank. Look at this lineup. Look at it. Look at it. Izzy, Volk, Hooker, John Wood, Raul Rosas. We're having a grand old time. Everyone's so pumped to be here. Frank and I are a bit of a tiff right now because when I got here I asked him if he wanted any coffee. He said no. Then we got too bogged down with all the prep stuff and then I say hey where's Frank 20 minutes out. He went to get a coffee. We have found a place by the way. I want to give them a shout out. Actually GC himself found the place. In fact you know what? Let's talk about what GC told me. Let's bring in GC, Mr International

Fight Week himself. His very first time in Las Vegas for International Fight Week. There he is with the Vogue Engage shirt, earned not given. Yeah, you know yourself with the rings. Here he is. One of the first times I ever met you said bucket list for me before it's all said and done. International Fight Week. And here we are. We got it done 2025. I feel like it's apropos. It's fitting. It's perfect. How does it feel? Oh, it's amazing. Feels like Vegas is buzzing. I can't go anywhere without seeing a banner for for Olivera versus the Poria. That's right. We land me and Rick see Shogun Hua. We had the baggage claim. Yeah, it's just like, oh, there's Shogun. Oh, there's Mauricio Huffy. Like, it's just like you're just walking around and you're seeing these these legends of the game. It's

it's amazing. Were they together or is it just random? Not random. Wow. Yeahuffy like it's just like you're just walking around and you're seeing these these legends of the game It's it's amazing were they together or is it just random not random Wow Yeah, so it's okay. So you have that but by the way the the big revelation We've been here what about 24 hours a little more than 24 hours the big revelation was I went on the whole rant on Monday There's no good coffee on the strip. Oh you went deep. Could we give him a shout out? I feel like they've been why not they've been the MVP of the past 24 hours. Shout out to the Venetian. This set is unbelievable. It's incredible. And within the Venetian, yes, dandelion coffee. We found it. Dandelion chocolate, actually. It's like a chocolatier place and they sneaky got the whole setup, espresso machine, cold brews, all of that. Not bad. I mean, the vibe is high. They give you the cup comes with the sleeve,

has a little pouch on it. It comes with the cookie tucked in. Like the vibes are high. I went this morning. You went twice? I've already been twice. I'm gonna go every day. You had a late night cappuccino yesterday. A little late night cappuccino, broke my rules. Went this morning, a grandpa's there buying cacao beans cause he's like, oh yeah, my grandchildren are lactose intolerant. I gotta make chocolate myself for them. I'm like, this place is the best. That's a good guy. That's a mensch. Oh, mensch, we found it. So as far as

on the strip coffee, I'd say it's the best one I've ever had. And it just so happens to be at the Venetian. Shout out. Had a nice little dinner at the China Poblano. Shout out to them. Frank's favorite. We're giving everyone shout outs. I mean, let's go. Just throw them out, baby. I mean, they treated us well. They treated us well. And then this morning, Just throw them. Yes. I mean they treated us well. They treated us well and then this morning You hit the the group chat. Yeah, who do you run into? I mean Jim you talk about seeing some legends Yeah, I went over to the gym and early morning early morning. This is like 630 in the morning Don't say we're gonna call you. I know I mean the grind don't stop, you know, I mean we got it now

What time what time six? I like 630. Okay. And who do I see running on the treadmill? One of the greatest of all time, Demetrius Johnson, DJ, Mighty Mouse. So I hit the group chat, I'm just like, oh shit, DJ's in here. Guys getting it in, headphones, sweat. Locked in. Oh, he's locked in, bro.

What's he doing, what's he doing? Started out on the treadmill, and then he goes over to the weight machine. I mean, he's repping it out. I was like, not gonna bother the guy. You know, he's been on the show many times. You know, we've been in person, but like, I don't need to bother the guy. He's not going to know who I am, anything like that. Let's just let him do his thing. Maybe we'll run into him later this week.

So I go, I hop on the leg press machine. All I know at this point is that I've texted you guys. Got the weights stacked and everything like that. Do the leg press. Finish the leg press. Sure enough, here comes Demetrius Johnson walking up behind me, comes up, sweaty, headphones on, grabs the plates off of the machine that I'm currently using, he's just like, yo sorry bro, I fucking need these man. Picks them up, just starts walking off with them and I'm like, what, was that Demetrius Johnson?

Anybody else does it? I'm just like, yo yo yo, what are you doing? Demetrius Johnson does it, I'm like, wait, what are you doing Mitrious Johnson does it I'm like wait what the hell he walks like 15 15 20 feet down then he turns around like I'm just fucking with you man so you set me up yes yes yes I feel like this was revenge for the Daniel Cormier self-defense thing I didn't even I'm not vindictive like that you set me up and you're like yo I just DJ go fuck with your boy truth be told legit I said to him watch your back okay and that's all I wrote I just said watch your back at the gym excuse me watch

your back at the gym he writes back oh I already see your guy don't worry so I was like oh wow okay and then he sends me a picture of you doing your thing and then the whole thing goes into motion. I mean he got he got my ass he made me look like he made me look like a bitch like he just took my weights and walked off and I was like okay uh, okay DJ That's the great thing about International Fight Week. Everyone comes whether it's for I saw Jen's Pulver in the hotel lobby Kenny Maine Shout out. I was in the elevator with Kenny Maine last night. Yeah, I mean DJ sitting there I'm sitting on the leg press and he's just talking to me about like the content that they're doing this week

And I was just like this is one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, and he's just chatting it up. Shout out to International Fight Week, man. It's unbelievable. Because between the Hall of Fame and then the UFC X stuff, and yesterday they had the BJJ event, and I think tomorrow they have Power Slap. Shout out.

And then of course, Saturday they have this event. Maybe some people will be going back and forth to the Jake Paul fight. Maybe some people will be doing that. Oh, so inclined. You mentioned Power Slap, I was over at BetMGM. Don't tell me you saw Power Slap. Just breezing through the books, Power Slap has lines here.

Wow. Did you drop any? No, no, no, no. If we go, if we go, I'll bet on it. Have you done any? Have you done anything? Yeah, please. I have several wagers, back in New York and now since we got here.

Anything non-fight related? No, I probably won't do anything non-fight related. Well speaking of fighting, let's get into some news, shall we? If you're able to hang. I don't know if you have other things to do Frank. I'm good man, I'm good. Rick's got it handled right now. Rick is freaking all... Rick is just... I mean when Rick puts on the headphones, like with the headset... It's over. What's up Rick? Not now! Not now! I'm busy. What's up, Brick? Not now! Not now! I'm busy! Oh my god, that is amazing. It sounds just like him. All right, a couple bits of news. Since we last said goodbye, by the way, shout out to you guys on Tuesday doing the Boys in the Back special

edition. Shout out to the Crack Boys on Wednesday. Shout out to the Crack. They did a great job. P.T., Ben, Chuck, Talking All Things, John Jones. Since we last spoke, a couple of things have been announced. Number one, Noche UFC main event, September 13th in San Antonio. I think it's a tremendous main event. Diego Lopez against John Silva. Now I think initially there was some sort of like letdown from the announcement because everyone wanted Diego Lopez versus Yair, but like take the storyline out. Take the beef out, the press conference out. John Silva versus Diego Lopez in a main event for Noche UFC is a fantastic fight night main event

in my opinion. I find this akin to the main event this weekend. We all wanted Ilya and Islam, we end up with Ilya and Charles, it's still an unbelievable fight but it's like man we did miss out on this one. This is also a fantastic fight. Diego Lopez, John Silva, John Silva with an opportunity of a lifetime to become a top five contender essentially lock up a title shot if he gets past Lopez. But yeah, it is kind of like damn, Yair Diego was right there. Yair Diego was right there and it could be there in the future regardless of what happens

in this fight But I really think if if John Silva wins and if most are slips up He could be the next guy to fight vogue. Yeah, like this is a potential number one contender fight They won't bill it as such but in my opinion, it's a potential number one contender I know I mean especially with the Pico pictures coming out him Absolutely jacked to the gills like most are still got to get past that that was a crazy that was like I thought it was Michael Chandler at first with the monster energy hat on and everything the shorts pulled up yeah but I mean he's jacked is it vascular vascular bro he's taking his vitamins for sure okay so we got that September

13th and then yesterday we find out in late August what is it the 23rd of August in Shanghai China pretty solid main and co-main. I think a lot of people initially thought that the co-main was the main. I did. Yes. Until this morning. And I saw a clarification. I was just like, oh, all right, we got Johnny Walker, Zheng Mingyang in the main.

That's the main, which makes sense because they're in China, right? It makes sense. They're really trying to push Mingyang, following the win over Anthony Smith. Khomein, Aljo versus Brian Ortega. Now, I love this fight. I'm very surprised though that Ortega is staying at featherweight. I thought he was done at featherweight. He said it multiple times that he was going to move up to 155. But I mean, the fact is the the fight is unbelievable. It's an unbelievable fight. Yes. I just, I just, yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what's. I feel like I still need to see more from Al Jermain Sterling at 145 obviously a great performance at 300 last year against Kader toe to toe with Movsaar of Luev like who knows what

happens if he gets the judges scorecards in that one and you know now now another test in Ortega like he his run at 145 has not been easy. No I mean they've thrown him right into the fire. By the way, shout out to you, Yivloyev. Shout out. The way you said that. Listen man, all last week everyone's like Khalil and I'm like Khalil. I know. No one's jumped on the Khalil bandwagon. He said it was Khalil so I'm gonna respect it. It's like I diss on you. Exactly. No one's jumped on that bandwagon. Actually at ESPN they made me change the way I was saying it and I asked them on the air and even despite that they made me change. Alright so those two main events have been announced plus the chief support on August 23rd. Love that. Are we going?

Frank was telling me we were going to book the flights to Shanghai. We're doing Roadshow? Yeah I'm down. Is there a Venetian in Shanghai? Frank you in? Absolutely in. I think there is a Venetian in Shanghai by the way. No shit.

I really do. Is there a Venetian in Shanghai? Can we ask Frank? There's no chance. There will be one, that's fine. How are the vibes back there in the control room? Can we get a shot of the team back there? No, just use your mind's eye. I know they're stressing him there. Look at this.

Everyone's just stressing. By the way, in New York, the window is looking out to the Empire State. Here, it's looking out. To the building that we're in right now. Okay, that's weird. I shouldn't have called the attention to that. Yeah, it's a high stress zone, everything going on. I was out there about to come in the lovely Diana

Who's been helping us out? Yes, the Venetian. She's just like pre-show pre-show jitters Yeah, I'm just like nah, I think I'm fine. She's just like okay. Why did she have jitters? No, I think she thought I did Oh, no, man. We've been here before I'm holding on to this Sharpie right here and we've got this felt, this is called felt right? Yeah this is felt. Poker table felt. I mean this is unbelievable. Custom. You can't, the only disappointment I have is because it doesn't really come across on the cameras but the crown, the crown, the uncrowned crowns on the green. You can kind of see that. Focus on the green for a moment. It's unbelievable. So this is, there's no chance you're gonna be able to focus on the green.

No, you can see, no, no, I don't mean the cameras. I mean, if you're at home, if you look at the green, I don't mean get the camera in there. Yeah, very faintly, you can see the on-crown. It's a beautiful touch. I mean, the felt, this whole studio is unbelievable. I mean, you can't see it as the audience, but it is like glass panels.

We are watching hundreds of people just grinding on the poker tables. I don't know how they do it. Shout out to them. It's the middle of the day. They're grinding away. I'm holding on to this Sharpie. And you guys have to remind me, because when all these people come

through, we're going to have each and every one of them sign the middle here, the beige part, sign right here next to the logo. And then when it's all said and done, after our last show on Monday, we're going to auction this off with all the signatures and all the money is going to go to Ben Askren's family. So that is what we want to do and we don't know how much it's going to go for but you're going to get some big names, Izzy, Volk, Dan Hooker and you'll find out at the end of today's show who will be on tomorrow's show.

Trust me, some massive names. They'll all sign it here and then we'll do it. We actually did this way back in the day in the ESPN days. We had an ESPN banner in our first studio and we auctioned it off. We had all the in-studio guests sign it and then we auctioned it off and gave all the money to Ray Borg's family. So obviously we don't, we're not happy about doing this but our small way of trying to help out the Askeran family during this very very tough time. Of course we're here for UFC 317. I saw Islam talking to Mike Bon of MMA Junkie saying no one's talking about

International Fight Week, no one cares. I kind of disagree. I couldn't disagree more. I mean not just because we're here. Tapuari is a megastar. No it feels like there's there's serious buzz on online with fight, whether it's you're a die-hard Charles fan who's like, please, please let him pull this off on Saturday. This is probably the last chance he's going to get at the title. He's going against Ilya Toporia, who's already knocked out fan favorites in Volkanovsky and Max Holloway. And then on the flip side, people that just want to see if Ilya Toporia can make that

ascension into complete superstardom. I mean, I saw there's allegations against it, but I saw he passed 9 million followers on Instagram. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. It puts him in like top 5, top 6 dudes in the entire UFC. I don't know what the allegations are, but he is a megastar. Yeah, they're like, fake followers buying? I'm like, I don't know man. He's walking out of Real Madrid. It's not crazy for him to gain followers. Couple of wholesome moments. We saw Ilya and Charles greet each other in the sauna,

which was really cool. I mean, hugging it out in the sauna, dapping up afterward. Yeah, I mean, it feels like Ilya is true to his word in the sense that he's like, this is nothing personal. I'm really just trying to achieve my dreams. I mean, every time he sees Volk now, it's like old buddies reuniting.

Like he has the utmost respect for these guys saw that too Yeah, yeah, and it just it just like it just feels like he's he's about just I'm just trying to win the fights You're just my opponent. You're not my enemy there have been some photos of Charles's weight cut which you typically see these photos on the Thursday night heading into the Friday not so much the Wednesday night heading into the Thursday because they so much the Wednesday night heading into the Thursday, because they still have the presser and all that today, but man, this is the ugly side right here. This is team, excuse me, team,

du Bronx helping him cut weight. Like I said, you don't usually see the towel and everyone on the ground like this this early in the process. I don't know what it means. We'll see. This feels like the picture that drops after yeah I was gonna say Friday morning after he's hit 155 like this is what it took to get down there. Maybe it's gamesmanship maybe it's

mind games. Could be who knows. Hey we're trying. He's a big dude though. He is a big guy because we're seeing all these photos of like you know Raul Rosa standing next to Ilya and and they they are kind of the same size. I know all this like speculation of like how big is the size difference gonna be in the video where they're dapping each other up. It's not like egregious. It's not like, oh my god, there's no chance Ilya is gonna be able to handle this. I think it will be fine.

Ultimately though, Ilya is so good. He is such a supreme talent that I think even if he is smaller than some of these guys, especially in a fight like this, like if it was an Islam fight where grappling would come into play, I don't think in this fight it's going to be that big of an issue. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, I think there's just, I would be surprised if there's a lot of takedowns in this fight. I can't imagine there will be. He's too quick, his striking is too good. I just, even if there is a bit of a size difference, I don't think it will play very much into his favor. I mean I saw some people like Kai Cara posted a picture with

Ilya and was like it's us against Brazil and people are like what the hell is going on? Like Ilya is like the same size as a flyweight, Raul Rosas is a bantamweight, but I think at the end of the day, the paper says 5'7", he's fought against dudes like Jai Herbert that's like 6' tall. I mean, Max Holloway is 5'11". I think it's not really the height that concerns me, it's just the sheer strength. If Charles is just able to just will him to the ground, then it could be an issue for him.

All right, so this is the lineup, by the the way in case you haven't been paying attention UFC 317 it goes down this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena International Fight Week you got the main card right here Ilya Teporia against Charles Olivera for the vacant UFC lightweight title Alexandre Pantoja against Kaikai France for the flyweight title and business definitely picking up at flyweight these days speaking of which right below beneath those guys you've got Brandon Royval versus Joshua Van. Royval yesterday at the pre-fight press conference saying he's the most disrespected guy in the UFC. I mean, he's an underdog quite a bit. He's an underdog again. Is he disrespected? I don't know. I feel like fans know what he represents. Yeah, he's a raw dog. Big fight for him. Obviously Joshua Van, we just saw him a few weeks ago taking this fight on short notice, replacing Manel Cap. And then what about Manny Moikano

getting that crack in sponsorship deal? You saw that? You saw that commercial? Real Hollywood commercial. Yes, it was impressive. Bloody Bitcoin, baby. With his personality really shining going up against Benyla Dariush and then to round out the main card a huge and a very important fight for one Peyton Talbot going up against Felipe Lima who we've talked about in the past. This is no cupcake fight.

I don't know. Like I thought they were going to give him like a massive step back from Barcellas. Build yourself back up right into the fire. I know he lost 3027 there was a 3026 scorecard out there but like this this could arguably be a more difficult fight for him I mean he's an underdog I know he was a minus 1500 to Hiany Barcellos most of that was hype but like is he a dog going into this fight oh yeah he's like a plus 165 plus 170 that's gotta be the first time in his career I mean when you get taken

down eight times like Barcellos racked up like ten minutes of control time I mean mean Lima Lima could go for takedowns and have success. Okay so that's the main card which I think is great. Then we get to the prelims by the way just a few notables. Jack Hermansen everyone loves the Joker going up against Gregory Rodriguez who we saw in that in that sauna shot when Ilya and Charles came together. A few other notables, you've got Tracy Cortez on there against Viviani Araujo and everyone loves T-Rex. Terrence McKenney will round out the early prelims with a few more fights. Jacoby Smith, a huge favorite.

Johnata Denise is on there. Jackson McVeigh. It's a great time had by all. Oh it's a great time had by all man. The main card is an absolute banger. It's stacked top to bottom. Prelims are good. Yeah I think Vegas is gonna be on fire man. You'll have... wait did you make your picks yet? Oh yes you did. Yeah did them on boys in the back. Yeah had to get them in more in New York. What's the big one? Ilya inside the distance. Hate to go against Charles. What is that line? I can't imagine. I took it at minus 170 minus 180 so I got like minus 176. How long

ago? Last week. Oh last week? Yeah, props usually don't drop till like the week of or week before. Okay. How are you feeling man? You excited? I'm feeling great. I'm feeling great. The best news for the fans is like I am the least notable person that will be sitting here with you today. This is, you're going straight from me to an absolute legend in Israel. Stylebender, Alex the Great, Hangman, John Wood, Georgian MMA coach of the year. Legend. Georgian superstar. Superstar. He's on the parade. He's almost as big as Marab there. Oh my god My favorite part of the parade. I'm gonna ask him about this is what? All right, that's something I pointed out Yeah, I don't know if we have the if we have the video of it

But he's on the double decker and he's up there signing stuff and people are tossing shirts up to him He's signing him but the bus continues to move and he just drops the shirt off of the bus So I would imagine that the people he was dropping the shirts to are not getting those shirts back. By the way this shot right oh there it is look at this. These autos are incredible. Nah this is where he's just signing stuff for people. You got people coming up to John Wood like this. This is how big of a star Marab is out there. Oh my god yeah there was another shot when he was on the double decker and he's just like sign drop and you can see some kids. The bus is still moving and you can see some kids buses

It's leaving buses still moving you see some kids running after they're like no no That's my shirt. That's my shirt. He's like a pen Like 10 meters later by the way one of the big story And I was gonna say this shot right here this shot with the with the lines. No the single Yeah, kind of looks like the apex studio. Yeah, you know what they do at the USC? It feels like we're at the Apex. Yes, we're doing the wave show. Welcome back to the desk.

I'm Gene Thomas. Norma Dumont Aspen Ladd getting ready to clash in a 1.45 bout this evening. It actually really looks like it. It looks great. Look at that. Oh my God, not this shot. This is a-

Are we gonna make our way over to the Apex this week? Can we sneeze you in? I was trying to make the case for PowerSlap. Is over the Apex this week? Can we sneak you in? I was trying to make the case for PowerSlap. Is that the Apex? I don't think so. You don't have to convince me. You wanna go? I'm there.

I'm there. I wanna go to the Hall of Fame. I'm there. Wherever the crew is going, I will go with. Hall of Fame. UFC X? UFC X. I don't really know about UFC X.

You just roll up there? I think you have to get tickets, but yeah, you roll up, take pictures with fighters I would imagine outdoors or indoors indoors. I would imagine it's like at a convention center similar to fanatics. Okay, why they call UFC X It feels like it's a very Social media thing. Yeah, I have no idea I would like to go to that we're going to tough enough. Maybe I think Yeah, so amateur MMA Sunday. I mean we never been here on a Sunday. You talk about intimacy. That's gonna be fantastic

Why intimacy? It is going to be intimate but you were not talking about intimacy What's he talking about that actually stems from a conversation me Rick and our guy We're having at dinner last night about intimacy About how intimate it essentially was Rick and our guy Dustin were having at dinner last night. About intimacy? No. About how intimate it essentially was. UFC cards are kind of tough to go to because it's 20,000 people in there and if you're sitting in the nosebleeds for seven hours, you're like, this is okay.

But then Dustin was like, tough enough, it's going to be very intimate. So yeah, I just continued the conversation from last night. That's fine. Taking some tough beats this morning, man. Got done up by DJ now I'm doing this. No, before we get to Izzy, the big story continues to be John Jones and yesterday he went on this tweet spree. There was one big tweet though.

I don't know how much of it is still up, but this is the big one. Whoever was on the phone with me at first, his time stamp is different. By the time I was acting aggressive on the phone, it was a completely different conversation. I was already in my paranoid and defensive state. And some have suggested if he is speaking about this alleged incident where there's a hit and run and a woman in the car is saying that the person who got out of the driver's seat is John Jones, all this stuff. He kind of seems to be incriminating himself here. Yeah.

If that's what he's referring to. I mean, that is essentially a confession that it was him on the phone. I would imagine the lawyers got on the horn with old Johnny real quick and were like, take that down. Because they are adamantly denying that he had any involvement in this. It's just like, none of the tweets felt like they made any sort of sense. But then you just drop that one in there randomly

that's like, nah man, I was only aggressive because of XYZ. It was like, I was actually on the plane when all this and I got the wifi and I'm'm like it's happening in real time like a few words few words I Don't I don't really know what to make of it to be honest But it's it's it's still it's wild that he hasn't had any sort of incident for the last few years and for his to career for his career to end like this and with the news of him not fighting Tom just getting brushed aside and now it's focused completely on this stuff is a

shame. You parlay he's not fighting Aspen Hall, the announcement comes in in the back presser in Baku, no like you know big special announcement anything like that for him and then this this incident that is obviously ongoing, it's all just alleged allegations at this point. It really is a shame. Yeah, so we'll see. I'm sure there's gonna be a lot more that's gonna come out regarding it and perhaps by the end of this particular week on the program we'll get a we'll get a big update on the whole situation. Perhaps, maybe, I don't know. In a couple of seconds I'm told we're going to be joined by Israel Adesanya, the last style bender. Are you nervous? No. Pre-show jitters? I guess I'm giving off pre-show

jitters. No, you're not. No, I don't want to be sitting here when the former middleweight champion of the world comes. Well, the thing is, Frank is in my ear right now and he's telling me Izzy's on the way, but I don't really have any sort of like gauge of What on the way means all right, so there was where he is No, he's here. I see him. I see yeah No, we love you Frankie We love you Frankie because you're doing such a great job and give a shout out a big shout out to mr. GC here for his very first

International fight week in a couple of seconds, my friends though, sit back and relax because the former UFC middleweight champion is going to join us. He's going to walk right into the freaking studio right here. We just saw him back in February in Saudi Arabia. We're all wondering what is going on with him. He is a living legend, dare I say. Often imitated, never duplicated. Rick, you could bring him right in bring him right in Rick bring the big

Oh, they're taking pictures of them There's a whole crew of people bring the man right in often imitated never duplicated the one and only And I know he's not making it up thank you so much for coming in Yo crazy, right? I walked in all those right all the poker people happening. Yeah, I think he's not making it up. Thank you so much for coming in. It's fucking tense. Yo, crazy, right? Yeah, I walked in and I was like... All the poker people. What's happening, yeah. I think it's insane. Yes. No one looks up and it's... It's... What was my math? 12 o'clock.

It's 12 o'clock and these dudes are locked in. Oh, bro. I can feel it. I even turned the corner. I was like, oh shit, there's more. Kind of spreads out. You play? My secret is I don't know what I'm doing. Okay. So that's my like... That's your strategy? Yeah. I just kind of spreads out. Do you play? My secret is I don't know what I'm doing. Okay. So that's my like.

That's your strategy? Yeah. I just kind of. But you actually roll up and play without knowing what you're doing? No, like with my friends once in a while and just for like cheap money and then they can buy back in or I buy back in when I lose.

But you wouldn't go here, right? Fuck no. Because these guys would get mad. No, no, I did play with ridiculous money. I play with money that I'm ready to lose. Okay, okay, okay. Yeah. I'm still my father's son, so. Yes, yes, yes. Very frugal. Yeah, I saw your father talking about all the investments and stuff recently. What was that? He did it. He did an

interview. You didn't see this. He's setting him up with the real estate. Yeah. And for life. Interview with who? You want, you want, you want. Is it a video? No, it's an article. Article. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Probably. I haven't seen it yet. Look, look, look, look, look, I have it here. Wait, wait, wait, one second, one second. And I was like, yo, someone sent it to me earlier. And I was like, Papa Adesonya, here it is. Adesonya. Adesonya, yes. He was talking, this is with TV 47 Digital.

Is that like a local Nigerian? I think so, okay, it would have been a Nigerian outlet. Yes, and he's talking about all, the idea is that after his fighting Israel needs to have something solid as an investment So we decided that we're going to go for property development So that one he could physically see what he's putting together and secondly for his investment to be better protected He's talking about your investments. That's the guy. I mean, who else would you rather have sure? Behind you in your corner who's been there since the jump, fucking brought you to this world.

He's your accountant too, right? Yeah, he's a chartered accountant by trade. I was meant to be as well, but my grades weren't really up to par. But yeah, so he's just, he, David, it's a family business, this thing I've created. It's like a family business now, so everyone chips in where they can.

My dad definitely make sure Everything is above board. He's very good at what he does As are you I am it's good to see you. You too, man. How are you? I'm doing great By the way, you were at mania man. Oh my god, let me tell you something brother Oh my god, like again put the put the ones up. I saw you. I broke, because, okay, my boy, shout out to Stay Hydrated. Everyone knows who that is. Luca, he's the best.

The best in the game. Is he here too? No, no, no. But he's the best in the game. He's a big wrestling fan and he got me into a rumble when I was in Saudi. I watched it live and then I was like, okay, let me see how this plays out. So it's been on Netflix now, so I kind of pop in. I just put it on the TV sometimes in the background.

Still trying to follow the storylines, but then I was like, yo, WrestleMania, childhood dream. You know? You had never been, right? Never been to a wrestling show live. Oh, you never been to one ever? Ever. Wow.

So of all the ones to go to, or that Allegiant Stadium, massive. You walk in there and I'm just like, both of them, both days were insane. You went to both, right? Fuck yeah. DC was there on day one As well as giving him shit. Yeah, who did he who his guy lost fuck? I can't remember

But yeah, it was just it was amazing just being there. It's like a childhood dream Ticked off just to be at WrestleMania Watching these guys that I've watched since I was a kid that I've learned from unknowingly as well Not knowing I was gonna do this shit growing up, you know, but um, yeah, it was insane and it was yeah One for the books. The production is insane, right? The energy, the stage, the ramp. The crowd It's fucking packed and they all know what they're doing like when J-Usso pulled up and they all like Singing the theme song and Stone Cold pulled up on the ATV as well. That was just classic. I loved it Yeah

It was a little bumpy. Did it make you think of like, now that you actually already said I will do it? I know. But now that you're actually there, Oh, yeah, it'll make it even more intense. No. Oh, what do you mean? Like, like, fuck, I really want to do this. I want to do it just like cameo. Yeah, like I said, I don't want to be in there every week. I just feel like for me, I like to write my own story in my life as the narrator or player or whatever. So that would be fun to just like do a cameo, pop in there like Mayweather did one time,

headlock, and then gap it. Speaking of which, like so you mentioned Saudi. And again, thank you for being here. This is great. Thank you for having me. I love it. I love the shirt. We'll get to the young man in a moment. The man who's here. I love the shirt. We'll get to the young man in a moment. Come on man. The man who's here, yes. I got goosebumps again.

Khomein. Yeah. Man, you looked so good in that fight. And I said on the Monday after that it was unfortunate because I felt, and now I can ask you, you were rolling, you got poked in the eye. Yeah. Mistake, unintentional.

Yeah. And you just brushed it off. But when you did that, if my memory serves me correct, you changed stances and then he caught you. It reset the momentum. Yeah, cause that's what I like to do with guys. When I fight them, I reset them. It's a thing that we do.

You make them reset and rethink. But that one, I more reset myself by accident. Just like, I should have kept on going. Or taken a full, whatever it was. But again, fair play. It was nothing wrong with it it was beautiful timed and the way he timed the way I switched stances as well almost the last time I saw it done was with Max and Ilya you know just as you were switching stance boom attack and it was beautiful caught me dead to rights. How did you process it afterwards because you were

looking so good. I was just like oh fuck damn and I got up and I said a good game fair one You got me and that's it. How did you feel in the aftermath? I think everyone assumes You know did they feel how I would feel based on what they've been through but they haven't been through what I've been through So I was just like yeah, and I watched the fight again. I remember just being like, oh that's speed I remember just be like fuck. I'm so fast so I remember just being like, fuck, I'm so fast, so crisp. And for me, it just let me know, all right, the work I'm doing is just where I need to be. I made a mistake in that fight,

but it doesn't mean like that's it, or I've made a mistake, you know, and I'm done for it. I don't know why people think I'm like, that's it. Cause keep at, are you fighting again? I'm like, duh. Why do you think that's a thing now? I don't know, maybe because I'm not fighting as often as I used to. Like, shout out to, what's his name? Van.

Joshua Van, yeah. Joshua Van. He's also much younger than you. Yeah, I was young too and I was fighting like that. So again, people aren't used to me fighting this at a slow pace. Because bro, it was like, man, he just fought two pay per views ago. Boom, he just fought at that one. So yeah, I think because of that, people kind of it was like, man, he just fought two pay-per-views ago. Yeah. And he just fought at that one. So yeah, I think because of that, people kind of just assume like, is he done? And you know, people's TikTok memories now, they don't really remember.

So obviously, I'm an agent. Fuck it. Did he retire? Yeah. So when you say that people react, the way you said it was perfect, people react the way- Based on what they've been through, not what. What do you mean by that? As in, how would I elaborate on this?

Okay, so for example, people would think, based on their life experience, they think if I was in his position and I put everything on the line and I was winning and I lost like that, fuck, I'd be devastated. Ah, c'est beaucoup. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But for me, I'm like, oh, this is...

I've been through this before. I've been through this many times. And like I said, there's more to life than fighting. This is a lot. This whole thing means a lot to me, fighting. And I'm trying to think, I was going to say, it was everything to me. I was like, was it really?

Yeah, I was like, bleh. There's always been more to life than fighting. I've always kind of learned from people that came before me where it's like, I don't attach myself too much to this thing where, because it's only a short part of my life, one of the greatest part of my life. Bro, I'll never forget. I'm so glad I do this. But when it's gone, I'm not gonna be like, fuck, you know, I miss it.

And then come out of retirement just cuz I missed the thrill so that's that's my way of saving myself so that way when I'm done I can just let it go and not be like oh I'll come back for one more and then retire come back for one more yeah so that's my way of kind of detaching in a way but yeah I'm able to do so so in the aftermath there was no thought whatsoever that was the big life and people were like oh man she's gonna rem. I was like fair play. And people were like, oh man, she's going to rematch. I'm like, why? He beat me fair and square.

If he one day gets the belt and I happen to be there, then the rematch happens. Sure. But I'm like, I'm not going to go chasing a rematch that makes no sense. He actually just got his next fight against Kyle. Yeah, with, yeah, Boy Haio. Yeah, that's a good fight. You, you, you like his chances in that? I think Kyle's good.

Southpaw but Imobob was good as well I don't I really looked at that fight yet but it's gonna be a good fight yeah they had a little bit of static as well because Kyle said he didn't want to fight him or whatever no Imobob said Imobob says Kyle didn't want to fight him and then he said he didn't want to fight they were actually went back and forth and then one guy said he was gonna be the backup for DDP Khamzat oh yeah and then now they're doing it in Paris By the way, did you think it's in Paris? Yeah, where's that like September?

Like I'm like under a rock. You don't follow it Well, you need a break right you can't follow even that I just I took what I kind of followed a Madley's lead a little bit Oh, you did that remember you remember MSN messenger back in the day. Yes. Yes, we get back from school Yes, and then you go in there you get back from school. Yes. And then you go in there, you know, or Bebo or whatever. That's kind of how it is for me now. I have it on my desktop. Wow.

So that way it's like work. So I go there, I do my thing, and I also have business suites, meta business suites, so that I can just like, on the fly, post stuff. Cause I'm on tour right now. So, you know, I can't just leave the socials inactive. Sure, sure, sure. So yeah.

And then that way it's just also separation. That's work and then I don't Bro, do you have a doom scroll? Of course, man. It's awful. I get back home from training. I'm just I'm gonna take a shower It's I'm gonna go in the light There's two hours. Yeah, and so much crazy shit going on in the world and you start Bro, I just yeah, I remove remove myself so that way I don't. So no more X? I don't go on those anyway. I just leave those, but it was mainly IG

and that was the main one. So you took it off your phone? Yeah. And now you brought it back for this because I saw you posted yesterday. Yeah, so I use Business Suite, but also I have another phone. Look at you, Business Suite, that's big time.

So yeah, you know what I'm saying. Yeah, me and Zuck, I like that. But yeah, so for me it was just like, just to remove myself and I'm not Constantly looking at what's what cuz yeah It's all just fugazi at the end of the day and the air say until it's actually in Front of me in my realm of reality that I can deal with it So did you get that from Sean like yeah, just talking to him. I was just like

Not even about the fight just for him personally He just he just seemed so free and I remember just saying I'm gonna do it and then once I said it was in my mind I accepted it in my mind and I was like I'm gonna do this I'm gonna do this and I'm not trying to make a big deal. I just put it up I'm gonna try to make a big deal about it But again, it's just something that just I used to do it when I logged out So that way if you know by habit you go back on the app There's a door there to be like do you want to enter this door hmm so then I'll be like okay and that's just one

click and you enter so now I just you know what that's not working boom remove it from my phone so that way I don't have to be involved and immersed in it all the time I get it I get it by the way Frank in the back is asking if you could talk more into the oh my bad sorry Frank sorry sorry Frank is that better for you Frank apologize I apologize yelling in my ear but you were flowing I didn't want to interrupt. I appreciate that thank you. I'm gonna little stick. I saw you out there in Arizona with him at the. Yeah at his house yeah and I saw their new gym as well you know. Nice. Red Hawk yeah shout out to Tim and them it was cool. Like me and Sean I always knew we'd

get along like just look at our cars. Yeah. And we're just both flamboyant cool dudes who don't care about how we look, he wears pink, I've done my nails before. Just like, we're just chill dudes. So I just felt like we're kind of spirits and talking to him I was like, yeah, you my nigga. I like that guy, he's cool. Did you watch the fight?

Yeah. What'd you think? It was a good fight. He came back from the first fight a little bit better. He was doing well, but Marab is just that motherfucker, bro. I don't understand. Which part? Merab. His motor? Yes. The engine. Because I see it. I'm like, okay. The one I saw when I was

just like amazed was Khabib live against Edson out here in Vegas. That I saw live and I was just like, what is this? Because he just walked down and the engine was just, and that's inspiring when you watch shit like that, you're like, okay bet. Even training with Goggins as well. I still have the memories from that. And bro, Marab and Goggins, that would be insane. Oh my God.

I think Marab could outwork him. Possible or no? What's up with this dude Goggins, man? How does he do that? Are you working with him here? No, no, not this trip. No, that was a once in a lifetime experience. That was it? It was just a one and done?

I'll do another one one day, but you know. But all the footage was just from like... From that one... But the thing is the internet don't understand. So people will start to think, oh, is this... This is the new... I live in New Zealand. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. He lives in Vegas. He lives really nice out here. He's leaving Eugene for Goggins.

People are retarded, bro. Sometimes Sometimes this is why I go off. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I don't have to see any of that shit. I don't have to and then sometimes I'll get sent screenshots of stuff and I just go and then I just let it go. Yeah. My favorite thing about all that was the shot, the slow-mo running shot. Oh, yeah. You, Goggins and your pale ass. Shot Tim Doerr. It was and that was the night before was his birthday Oh for me, I kind of cuz after Volk got his belt back in Miami We celebrated left fucking um 11 around like when it was daylight and I didn't burn from the Sun So after that I was and I had died a tree with Gorgons once I texted me text back Cool put down all the alcohol all that kind of stuff and I just kind of kept myself clean and trained all week So that way and the night before Tim's birthday nothing we just chilled because you know, it's WrestleMania weekend

We're gonna turn up But I just knew I was gonna go to that place and that's what I needed and something is said during that workout still Sticks with me to this day. It was um, you know where your world ends mine begins and That just as a powerful saying he said that to you. Yeah In what context? No, because I'm dying on the fucking Stairmaster. I don't do Stairmasters at all. So the air down I can kind of hang a little bit, you know, push.

But the Stairmaster was one that fucked me up. I fell off. How many times Pauly and Ike had to try and like fucking get me back on because I was just like trying to get back on that thing. Have you ever experienced that? Oh, in training? yeah, of course. Like, you know, fucking treadmills, then sparring, then Eugene, which fight was this? The Pereira New York fight, Eugene was fucking mad,

like insane in that fucking camp. Why? I don't know, just history. We gotta get this guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like it's war, so then he fucking, what was this? Treadmill, now sparring. Spar for like I

don't know a minute or whatever that treadmill and then the fuck that shit was crazy so that was only time I can remember experiencing something like that with my legs being like oh fuck but that's their master was unlike anything I've ever experienced before because Goggins and I watched it again I watched it again when I got home maybe two weeks later and I only watched him on the Stairmaster I was seeing is there a bit he would like waver shake break cuz I'm trying to keep up with his rhythm in the beginning I could kind of hang but it wasn't I felt it at a certain point I was like crazy should try it do you work

out I do yeah yeah what do you do what you bought a box are you are you saying that because you don't believe I believe you I believe you so these days I'm going to you don't really like I don't show it off. Yeah good I respect that no no you don't post about I know you can't you got the man's why no I got it Yes, still still got it No, I do enjoy boxing and how do you know I'm 42 about to turn 40 you in July like you oh? Yeah, that's right. Yeah, July 8 8. Oh nice 22nd So you're not a cancer or are you Cancer Leo. What do you mean cancer Leo?

I'm on the cusp. Okay, you're on the. Yeah, I say I'm hard and soft. Like the crab, the lion. Okay, okay. I do workout and I do, so we're doing more shows now. I don't know if you know this. Okay, I bet.

We're doing more shows and I feel like that's been a bit of a challenge. It's a lot of sitting on my program. Ah, see, so you gotta stay active, don't be sedentary. Yes, so every morning I try to run two miles. Oh nice. And then Thursday, Friday I do weights and boxing.

Consistency, I like that, that's what you need. It's not about how long you run. Six days a week. Fuck yeah, that's it. This morning I did it at the gym. Good lad. Yeah, did some chest, some triceps. I'm trying to get some, like a suit, I have a suit,

but it's at the spot here, suit supply or whatever. So I might, I already got it, but I'm gonna get some other pants. I need some darker pants. But if I have a chance. For tonight? Yeah. It's a big night.

Fuck yeah. This is huge. Wait, this is the suit you're gonna wear tonight? Yeah. Oh wow. I got it yesterday. Nah, I got it yesterday, but it's at a spot over there. Okay, okay.

Excuse me. But yeah, I'll pick it up and then there's some pants I might, I'll figure it out. Okay. It'll look good though. Okay, a little good though Yes, of course tonight. You're being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Yes as you me and Kevin gas. Yeah Is he young to be in the hall of fame? I know I know but some dudes get in early They're inducting Amanda she's coming back which is true. Yeah, that's right. It's different. Is Kelvin gonna be there Yeah, of course easier. Yeah, what a fight. Is Kelvin gonna be there? Yeah, of course, he's here. Yeah, what a fight. Yeah, crazy life, man.

Did you know when they announced it? Like- Nah, they just, like they just, oh Dana wants to see you. I was like, I just saw him in the back. Oh, he needs to see you again. I was like, all right, bet. Came to the octagon site and they're like, oh, okay.

I was like, we're hanging out with the Hunter? I was like, all right, we're just sitting here hanging out. And then, and then, oh shit. And I knew what was happening. I was like, fuck off, no way. And I was just, all right, just accept it. Did you start to get emotional? Nah, not really.

I think I've just, yeah, I've learned a lot, you know, especially in certain situations. It's good, because I've appreciated me, like, being able to show my human side to the world and let them know, like, I'm just a human being like you you and I go through the same emotions you guys go but I've also learned to know how to not show so much because a lot of people use it against you okay yeah not just in fighting but in life right oh trust me no I can't say this just even last week what do you mean oh just a lot of things man you

can't say even last week I know like some crazy shit bro. It's crazy. Oh you wouldn't believe it. Nah, just cause I don't know. Like cause, what is, uh, people just see your kindness as weakness and sometimes use it and take advantage and try and just, yeah it's alright but that's life. I don't mind. I'll never change my stripes though because I am who I am and if I change then that means they're the ones who control me. So I never want people to like dim my shine or make me be a dickhead to a lot of people because some people take advantage of my kindness. Is this surreal though for you? Like I know it's like you going in... No but Hall of Fame man, like that's a big freakin deal. Yeah that's why I said I'm too young to be in the Hall of Fame.

I'm still fighting. Would you have preferred it not happen? I'll do it again when I finish fighting. And my career is cemented. But this for this fight, legendary. This is, I fuck it, I might be biased. But I do say this is one of the greatest fights in human history.

Oh, hell yeah. It was, I mean, the shot, the iconic shot of you before the fifth round, that's what everyone remembers, that's the first thing. Is it the first thing you remember about the fight? Like when someone asks you about it, is it the way you reacted, the place that you went to? I remember the bit where my hand got raised because I was just like,

please don't screw me judges. Because I knew I won the fight, even though it was 2-2 going into the fifth, but I was like, surely no judge like fucked up one of the rounds or whatever. But it was, yeah, I just remember that bit. That was a relief, like achievement unlocked, like an Xbox or some shit. Something I've just worked for a lot of my life, and I finally got to achieve that dream and realize it, and it was right there. And yeah, it was dope.

You know what I love about that card? Yeah. You'll recall it was an interim title fight. I know you don't consider it as such. No, it wasn't an interim title fight. I know you don't consider it as such and it isn't No, it wasn't interim title fight. But again people might not like me All I'm saying is when I then for all the next fight Yeah as the champion the interim title has to have some kind of merit to it Sure, look at John Jones and Aspinal now the situation that's happening

But I'm saying as the champion because Aspinal is defending this belt, right? Yeah, but it was interim. It's it's a defense Yeah, cuz if Rob beat me It would have been a defense for him. So it has to be worth something and you can say oh well That's just the way it is. Well, we can make it not the way it is because common sense You know what I mean? I'm gonna tell me Carlos Condor wasn't a champion I gotta tell me Dustin Poirier wasn't a champion Nah, they were fucking champions in my eyes because they did something that not many people on this fucking planet has ever done, interim or not.

And the term interim is just like, you know, I don't know if it's like a placeholder or whatever, but you're still a champion in my eyes and you're still a legend in my books. Are you and Kelvin cool? Fuck yeah, that's my boy, that's my Armando. So he'll be here? He'll be, yeah, tonight, I'll see him tonight.

You'll see him, okay, so there's no- Hell no, I saw him- You went through the fire together. Yeah bro, we've been, there's a mark I have on my lip. Here I think, that if I look at him, that's from the fire. Kevin, that's crazy. My dad reminded me, look,

this is my background on my phone right now. Right now? Well I have two phones. Why you got two phones? Wow. Cause one for the. Plug and one for the, yeah. Anyway, it was, ah fuck, two phones. Why you got two phones? Wow. One for the plug and one for the... Yeah, yeah. Anyway, it was...fuck, two seconds.

One's a better iPhone. Oh, that's you and your dad right after the fight. Yeah, right after the fight. So my dad was saying like, I remember when I held you after that fight. Your body was just vibrating, it was just shaking. Wow. Like, he just...and he remembers like, man, this boy almost lost his life. And my dad, if you ask him, he'll tell you, like he just any remembers that man this boy almost lost his life My dad were and if you ask him he'll tell you like I was my body was just vibrating for

an hour after the fight after the doctors press conference all that my body was just in shock and Yeah, adrenaline is one hell of a drug, you know, you can go through a lot with adrenaline But I really put myself through it in that fight and I don't regret it you know I mean I meant what I said if I die I die man and what a glorious death that would have been. No we don't want that. I don't want that of course I like living but I'm saying what a moment and fucking what a moment for Kelvin as well you know we went through that together to create an instant classic that I don't think would'll be forgotten ever especially not now going to the hall of fame can I ask you about this John Jones situation yeah what do you make of all this man life be

life in bro life be life see just it's him he's the only one that can beat him you know I mean Aspinone begs to differ but John Well, I mean I got a DUI remember that yeah, I Take Ubers now. I don't do you know like I'm saying I've always taken Ubers, but I'm saying like For me personally so mine was even the chat to the judge because he even said like this was a stupid mistake You were this much over the legal limit because I just thought I could you know I'm fine I can drive but then they got me cool naughty boy my bad ever since then I've never even if I'm if I'm not driving don't even touch a sip because I never want my people to

defend me because those who don't like me anyway they're looking for a reason ah he's a bad guy that's the bad guy don't want to point the finger already but I never want it because my people have to defend me, be like, you don't fucking know him, yeah, have you not made a mistake? You not made a mistake? So they defending me, I realized, nah, I never want them to have to be in a situation

where they have to try and defend my honor because of some dumb shit like that. So yeah, for me, never making that mistake again. So it's almost two questions here. I actually was talking about the Aspen Hall situation and that- Ah, I thought about that, the elephant in the room,. I actually was talking about the Aspenol situation in that. Ah, I thought about the elephant in the room I thought you were talking about.

Well honestly, I think it was shameful. I think it was a disgrace. What do you mean? He clearly didn't want to fight Tom Aspenol. And he's the supposed greatest of all time. And as I say, there's a time honored tradition in the business that you fight the top guy. You should have fought.

And, you're right. He's next to me. If he didn't want to fight him, retire at MSG and this would have never been a problem. I think he'll come back. You think he'll come back? I think he'll come back. It's just, it's the drama of it.

Even right now, it's who's telling me, Asher's telling me about the tweets. Oh yeah. So I had a look at it, I was just like, psh, he's coming back. This is all just, what do they call it now? The kids call it rage baiting. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's working. It's working. And again, I don't agree with the fact holding up the division. I'm like, Tom defended the belt. That's a defense on his book. Let the division keep moving and now moves forward. But then now this whole thing comes out because it happened in February or whatever. Yeah, crazy, right? And you're like, okay, that's why he retired. But I think he'll go through this. And then again, he'll come back.

You think Tom fights a couple of times and then he comes back and fights him to make it mega fight or do you think he never fights Tom? Yeah, I think he'll fight Tom. I think it's just that much. It's too much money. They offered him more 20, 30 million. I heard. Yeah, I think he'll come back.

It'll even be bigger by the time he comes back because Tom would have had like two fights or three fights and then like built up his own legacy as well. So when he comes back and be like, Wow. Okay. Cause I think a lot of people think he's done. Nah. Who do you think would have won if they actually booked it? We'll find out when they fight.

Okay. Yeah. I think Tom definitely is the guy. Cause I've sat next to Tom and his father and people say this about me on TV cause I, Oh, you so much bigger in person. Tom is a huge dude. And the way, the speed, it's the speed for me, for a heavyweight, I don't understand.

And I asked him about it. He said, I just, I think fast. And I understand what he means neurologically. I do that as well when you're working, no matter how tired you are, you're still trying to give 100% in that moment on the air dyno, whatever, just so your neurons are firing or wiring with that thing in mind.

But yeah, for me, yeah, we'll find out. Probably next year. Okay. So this is an interesting take because- Hot take. No, I mean, I don't know if it's a hot take, but it's a good prediction. Yeah. I am less, if Tom is the guy. I think he never fights him. What do you mean?

I think he doesn't want to fight him. So if you think he doesn't want to fight him. Yeah. OK. I think he also probably wants to even get more footage. Yeah. That's a real thing. This is that home Yamato Musashi thing. Yeah.

Again, it's rage baiting, but it's working. And at the end of the day, when it does happen, we're going to be like. It'll're gonna be like fucking huge fireman do you have any relationship with him now I know you guys are kind of like if I say what's up but I'm like me and Toma cool DM not like that I don't but um yeah me and Toma cool he's almost helped me one time in a situation back in the day what happened this is another one you're gonna bring up and I like to do these things Ariel. Come on. This is a need to know basis. He helped you out. He offered to help me out with a situation in London and I was like I don't worry about it. You were in trouble? No not me someone was. Wow. He's a good guy. He's the salt of the earth. Yeah yeah he's a

good guy just yeah. He's a mensch as we say. What does that mean? Mensch is like an old Yiddish term for like a pure gentleman. Yiddish. You might get my text this morning. Oh, no text. I sent you a thing on Instagram. Oh, no. I have matzo ball for breakfast. Come on.

That's my second time. Yeah, I had it at where I'm staying at. I was going to ask you. A resort world. You had matzo ball for breakfast? Yeah, it was there. And this is the second time since when we had it? Yeah. What do you think? Still good.

Yes. What's that thing in the middle? Let me guess. It get the ball. Yeah, but what's it made of? Oh, it's like it's sort of like I would say matzah, but then you'd say what's matzah? Yeah, right It's just kind of like a flowerless bread. I see. Yeah. I was like I try to figure it out Wow, was there chicken in it? Macaroni. Oh like like noodles? Noodles, yeah. Wow. Yeah, macaroni.

I think some meats and stuff. There's probably not a lot of Nigerian guys who come there and order. They make ramen out of that probably. Yeah, yeah. Matsubou ramen, yeah. You did that for me? No, just for me.

Oh, I thought it was. Breakfast. Ah, but you know what? Maybe subconsciously for you as well, yeah. By the way, my favorite memory from that. Because that's when I was like, hey, Matsubou, I had that with Ariel. And I was like, you know what?

I have a cup of Matsubou. Amazing. And when you did it with your hand, you remember matzo ball, I had that with Ariel. And I was like, you know what? I have a cup of matzo ball. Amazing. Yeah. And when you did it with your hand, you remember that? Oh, that's right. Yeah. People don't do that. I used a fork this time.

Okay. Like a civilized. A fork? You should have done a spoon. Was it a spoon? I think it was a spoon. Yeah, it was a spoon. Yeah, soup.

Yeah. That's wild to me. You like to eat with your hands. Yeah, bro. But this is like. I'm a germophobe. So like the idea, brother, we are human beings. We are electric beings. Like the sensation of if you have a Nigerian food, we eat half of our food with our hands because that's how it's made.

Example, the swallow could be pounded yams and a forero is like a stew. There's hundreds of different stews. Stews is like the paint in the canvas is like the swallow. It's probably like I can count maybe like seven different swallows so you can get the swallow and the stew and then when you eat it you also you do the little thing yeah you gotta scoop it you gotta scoop it you have the pomade shaki you know the aforito all that and you scoop it and then eat it the circuitry the um cuz we

electric beans the sensation of when you eat it with your hands, it completes like with metals. It just feels like there's a disconnect. But when you eat it and then you, brother, it's just a, it's different. It's a thing that I think we're missing in society. Like earthing because of fucking shoes. Yes, yes, yes. I go outside and put my feet in the water, touch grass as the kids say, you know, so

this eating with your hands is something that- But then your hands are so dirty. Then you have washing basins right there. So in our culture- Does everyone have their own? Yeah, everyone has their own. Yeah, so germaphobe, that's right. Even in restaurants, you have your own washing basin.

Like a bowl, the waiter will bring to you or you will have your own at your house and you can wash your hands and then you can text, whatever, do your thing. And then when you eat, you eat. But then don't worry your your basin is just for You I love when you go when you go into the voice like when you were watching Yeah, you're watching it was it's called what you call it. They call it code switching depends what I'm talking to

Yeah, yeah, but when you were watching him you were cheering him on like that. Yeah. Yeah, it's good. Oh, that's what cuz for me Even Kai talked about this with Cormie even going emotional I was I was actually really taking it back to see that because he talked about this with Cormie, even going emotional, and I was actually really taking it back to see that. Because he talked about being Maori, Zard, and his name Kai Fadde. Because I never even knew his name was James. You know?

And he's like, yeah, he's standing on his, standing on business now, standing on his heritage, being proud to be Maori. You know, I could relate a little bit because when I first moved to New Zealand, I wanted to try and fit in. I wanted to try and be like these guys. And then eventually as I got older,

I realized I'm losing my native tongue. My Yoruba was sounding like fucking fresh, like a white boy, like really, really bad. So I was like, you know what? I need to just hold onto my mother tongue because you can't lose that. You need to hold onto that. So yeah, I speak it with Abiola, my friend. I speak with my parents now. Even with David

sometimes, if I'm trying to talk in code, I speak it with him. What does that mean? So you can hear what I'm saying. Yeah, it's just practice so you don't use your heritage. If not, you get, you know. Yeah, that's who you are. Those are your roots. How great was it seeing Francis with- Beautiful. I text him straight away. I was like, I love seeing you there. I love seeing you.

I did the same. Yeah. It warmed my heart. It made me feel like this is where my boy belongs, man. Yes. Like the best in the world. Bro, if you put it back in the mix- Oh my God. Him versus Tom right now?

Him versus Tom, crazy. That would be the best way to like soften the blow of not getting the John fight. That would be the next best thing, right? Tom versus Francis. Yeah, that's the biggest fight. Never say never. That's the UFC. Dana said women would never fight in the UFC. They're not going to co-promote with these dudes. Look, things happen. I've seen wilder things happen in this game. Yeah, with McGregor.

Yeah, bro. Where's he now? When was the last I heard of McGregor? He's doing a lot of things happen in this game. Yeah, with McGregor. Yeah, bro. Where's he now? When was the last I heard of McGregor? He's doing a lot of BKFC stuff. That's right, promoting, yeah. They're going to bring it to Perth, but I think the Australian Commission said no. So then, I think we're trying to get it to Auckland in July. So yeah, bring the BKFC to Auckland. We like a good... Have you seen Dan's fights?

I was just going to say, the Australian Commission just wants to do one-minute fights now. Honestly man I'll give props to Dan because what he did after that as well, he gave a really good speech I think it's on the YouTube channel. Yeah I saw it. It was for me I was like you know what the the media thought this was gonna be something else the the boxing commission is cuz when they can't get money out of something they try and do MMA We can't control this. Oh, no, it's human cock fighting me. Yeah, I'm a sword fighting whatever but Dan gave the speech and just saying like as men you guys honored your word You came in you did your work you should people would have fights and then afterwards get knocked out get a bro fuck good fight

yeah, for me like I'm even getting goosebumps thinking about it cuz it was just like the honor and like the The fucking just like fucking real men. Yeah, you know now He's got you see the one with the women that he's got plan. Yeah, I was thinking about it the other day though and hear me out When I've seen women fight They don't fight fair. Okay. I've never seen chicks fight Like you're talking about like in a street fight street Okay. I've never seen chicks fight. Like you're talking about like in a street fight. Like I've seen in school you see kids,

chicks at the club and now you know they fighting pulling their hair and then the other one jumps in and they jump each other and stuff. Sometimes you try to separate them but you try not to get involved but I've never really seen chicks fight like not really like a fair one. Let's shoot a fair one boom boom cool good game. So I'm wondering how's that gonna work now in this controlled environment? And I know it will work, okay, in boxing

all that kind of stuff, talking about like when it comes to this, because emotions are gonna be like, bro, at Dan's house, shit could have got haywire if they didn't respect Dan, but also if the wrong people were involved, because emotions, you know, you wrong people were involved. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because emotions, you know, you knocked out my boy, what's up, da da da, someone gets angry, bang, bang, bang. But that could happen anywhere.

It's happened in Australia at a Muay Thai fight, you know, people get angry. But I'm just wondering now how this is going to work. But I'm just thinking, I'm flushing it with, I'm getting, I'm flushing this out at the same time. Will you be there at this one? Most likely. Okay. I like a good, I like a good scrap.

Yeah. And I want to see how the madness turns out because it's different some no I was how like professional it all was right it was beautiful with the medics and the ref there the ref yeah kind of the star of the whole thing Tony Angelov that's a guy he's a K1 or kickboxer from New Zealand he's a legend in the game he's a great referee I've been around the world China he was one my first trip to China before on the same card Wow, but he's a he's a funny dude Shout out to Tony big T. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, by the way. Shout out to Joaquin Buckley, too Yeah, oh, that's right. Okay. I'll just be in a hater, bro. Yeah, I'm being a hate Don't do if you're gonna he's gonna take this now

Yes, what did you do? What did you? Know I say I openly said I'm a hater. I know I'm a hater bro. That's what I understand it now Hey, it was funny. You were sitting there and you were just like we just got it. You're sitting there You're watching with the classic Sunday morning you watching the fights or folk watching the fights and you're just like I don't like this guy I don't know. We don't watch fights. Yeah, no, but I'm just real I Don't like I don't like, I don't, cause some people would look for a reason like for me. I don't like him because they just can't say I don't like

him cause maybe I remind them of someone or whatever. But some people just rub me off the wrong way. And for me, I was just like, I just don't like this guy. Cause every time I've interacted with him, I've tried to be cool. Your imitation of him was funny. Nah, yeah, cause that's what it was. I'm like, bro, I'm trying to have a real conversation.

He's, he's, and there was no cameras around, I believe, but maybe that's just him. And sometimes that's fine. Some energies don't mix. Even he was talking shit. I heard, you know, Volk was saying to me, he was talking shit about Jack Della. I'm like, you're talking shit to Jack Della.

Yeah. And something, I don't know, he imitated something about his wife or some skit he tried to do. I don't know, but I'm like, bro, that's Jack Della. He doesn't fucking bother anybody. Yeah, yeah. But yeah, I don't, I don't know, he imitated something about his wife or some skit he tried to do, I don't know. But I'm like, bro, that's Jack Della. He doesn't fucking bother anybody. But yeah, I don't hate the guy. I say hate loosely. I just don't fuck with him and that's fine. Now he's trying to get a fight with you. I don't see the shit. I got sent the response screenshot of, you know, the farmer took your belt.

You're a China man, whatever. I'm like, I think I had a belt. Even if he gets a belt, my career would fucking wash his forever. Ten times over. No matter what. I don't think I would ever touch one, but still doesn't matter. Like, bro, he has a cool knockout. I fucking love that knockout you had, but the guy became a millionaire.

Yeah, and he ain't. Nah, jokes. Come on. Come on. It's real. See, I'm a hater, bro., but the guy became a millionaire. And he ain't. Nah, jokes, come on. Come on Israel. See, I'm a hater bro. I'm a hater bro, I'm a hater. I understand it now. See the kids rage baiting and the trolls. I understand it now.

I'm starting to understand how being a hater, I don't like it. I'm joking when I say I'm a hater, obviously. But yeah, I just, whatever man. He's gonna take this now and dissect it on his YouTube. Or whatever. Or you're gonna get a 30 minute breakdown. Oh Oh bro let's go. There's two guys in the game that do this. Yeah. You know the other one is if I even say Jamal Hill's name. Really? It'll be nine videos on his YouTube channel. You guys don't. Just doesn't like me. Again

sometimes energies don't mix. Yeah. Have you guys met in real life? Not in real life but he's been on the show all good and then one day he just switched on me. Yeah yeah. Brother I told you. It's different. It's better in real life. I know. You can feel the energy you can humanize someone and not just someone on the screen and then energy you guys would be fine You just got to sit down have a talk. I know I don't have anything against the guy. Yeah, but again, it's just we're fighters We're emotional. We're very sensitive about our art. I get it and yeah, you guys are critical and that's fine You know, and I think we've got not that critical. I like I not say you guys Yeah, have you ever been mad at me for something I think I've ever been mad at you trying to think oh no that one time was I didn't get mad boss kind of like you asked me is real are you on steroids I was like did I say

that no the after after the cost of fight the Israel are you on stairway did I say it like that yeah it was in a joking way and I was just like this is me in lockdown no quarantine at the time yes yes and I'm even like okay I was a no but I was thinking to myself that's a serious question but that was the only time I was just like Ariel oh that's why you stopped talking to me for a bit come on man I never I never switched stuff I'm just joking yeah I know you have to go in a couple minutes do I are you yeah you have another pod right to do they tell me I'm writing mouse Well, I think he's coming on my show on Saturday. Oh, yes, you don't have another pod anyway They told me you have to go so I'm gonna stick to it

But are you going to you kicking me out? No, well folks coming in. It's all right. You can stay here as long as you want It's all good. That's a boy's after that Is it 30 minutes already? It's been 37. I said I'd go to 40. Are you gonna fight this year? Probably yeah, most likely. I mean there's always a fight. Someone will try to fight me soon. Do you want to fight this year? Yeah. Okay, back into the year I presume? Yeah, most likely I'm gonna guess to meet September, October. Oh, that's pretty soon. Is it? Well, there's no pay-per-view in September so I don't think. Yeah, probably. So two 2 in October there's Abu Dhabi or Vegas? I'll do Abu Dhabi.

Okay and who are we fighting? Let's just figure it out right now. The division is kind of stagnant. Sean? That's the one. That's the only one I want but then he hasn't responded. Apparently he got fat. People sent me a video of that as well.

I was like oh shit. So I don't know maybe he's going through something. Okay. If it was up to you though? Sean. Yeah. No question again look it's just he lost his last fight mm-hmm I lost my last fight yeah and it's like all right cool want a rematch if not if he doesn't want to that's fine why wouldn't he want to rematch easy money bro you beat me already right handedly five nil it's like come on that's easy money come on

why do you want to rematch because I just feel like I can do better. And if he beats me on my best, I'll be like, fuck yeah, good game. And I'll leave it at that. But I know I can do better. Do you regret that one? No. Everything happens the way it's supposed to happen. I don't regret it. I haven't said on Young Man Rumble, that's the name of my show. Respect. I said, I remember now when Dana, when I was trying to get that fight, Dana was like, listen kid, just, you got millions. Just go chill. But I was so adamant and stubborn,

like, no, I need to fight in Sydney because I haven't fought in this side of the world in so long. And again, now in hindsight, I was like, yeah, I should have chilled, but I don't regret it. Cause I honestly, I believe everything happens the way it's supposed to happen. Look at the Pereira. Was it because you were healthy? Like why did he say that to you? Cause there was- I think it a scheduling issue. DDP couldn't take the fight.

Something like that. Yeah, there was something happening at the time and I was meant to fight DDP and then he had to get surgery or something. There was so many things that happened in the past. But yeah, so for me, don't regret it, but I like the way things play out. You're okay with it.

You're at peace with it. No regrets. No regrets. Not a single one. Not a single letter. Yeah, that's crazy's crazy like there's nothing you do again nothing I do again a do that fight no no no no do over now in your career like man if I could go back nah and sit of I don't know look what look what happened yeah everything from my amateur kickboxing fights in my professional kickboxing

bro like what? Do I wish I didn't get knocked out in Brazil by Pereira? Nah, because look at how that turned out. So just stick with me, let me cook. And then at the end of the day, we'll see what we've made. Adversity is a privilege. Amen. Adversity is a privilege.

What about this young man? Tell us, tell us. I'm ready, bro. Every time you just bring it up, I get chills because I'm fucking ready. It's his moment. I love the fact that Kai has, I see him now, he stepped into his own. He's like matured as a fighter, as a person, because he's also being a dad now twice over. Yeah.

And I can just see now from his last title shot, who he is as a person, not even just as a fighter. You know, sometimes like there's this thing in New Zealand where people want to just dim their shine and just like, oh no August bro, just humble way, chill. I'm like fuck all that. Speak your truth, speak your reality and fuck who feels a way. Kai is doing that now. He's just saying that as it is. He's just standing in his own business. He's just standing in his own business He's just like yeah

I'm a multi bro and also being proud of his heritage and just saying it as it is like I'm the best in the world He's not shy to say it now. He's not embarrassed to say it now he says it proudly and I'm proud of him for just being able to just break that fucking cycle of bullshit and just being able to stand on business and Speak his truth and it's his moment. It's just a combination of everything. He's been here before now. He's fighting the guy he's fought before at the Ultimate Fighter eight years ago. It's just, it just makes sense for me, man.

And I'm so, I'm ready for him to be King Kai and be crowned as King Kai. Yeah. Oh man, King Kai's a great name. Amen. What do you think? How do you see it ending? I'm biased.

No, I know you think he's gonna win, but like, do you think it goes distant? Oh wow. I know Pansoja's tough, but I just, every time. Yeah, yeah. I tell you, but again I like plan soldier as well he's a good great dude yes yes I've met his kids awesome dude but it's the fight business we're gonna hurt each other and my boys gonna hurt him it's gonna hurt him Wow Ilya Charles give a pitch I picked Ilya but I was honestly because of the way I

was doing my breakdown on Freestyle Bender. Yeah. And by the way, is your show on that channel too? Yeah, Young Man Rumble. I kind of stole the name from fucking Rumble, Young Man Rumble, the greatest. Yes, Muhammad. But I don't ramble a lot. Yeah, yeah. So I was like, you know what? And you have guests on this show.

I have guests on the show. But sometimes, you know, have you listened to Bill Burrows, Paul? Of course, yeah, yeah. Like he just sits and he just riffs by himself. I do that on my own head, but I can't like, I kind of want to get to a point where I'm good at riffing and I can just ramble. I think you could do that. I mean, you do like your breakdowns,

you're just talking to yourself. But I got David with me. David with me, he's kind of coaching me, but then. Somebody say he's holding you back. Ah, you'd say that. I just get it, I love you David. I like that he's going by his own name now. Yeah, I like that. Yeah, of course family name Black and motor gig gimmick was cool for a while just to get him out there in the space

But now he's standing on his own business as well. Yeah, you know what speaking of the fight game Yeah, we're gonna let you go in a second. We're gonna we have this. Do you see this custom? Good. Oh, yo, I didn't even read it Harry, how want you sure how cool is this dope and we have a lot of big names coming you both? Hang man later Ro Ro says and we're asking everyone to sign it. We was last night He was training but was cool at the PI sign this but can I tell you I just want to tell you We are gonna auction it and give it to Ben Askren's family. Oh, dope. Yeah. I heard about it. What happened?

So Ben is he's in the hospital right now. He had pneumonia. He had a bad staph infection. He needs a lung transplant. Fuck off transplant transplant. That's heavy. That's like a no, it's like a very, very scary. His wife has provided some updates at one point saying he was not responsive.

Oh, really? But now he's on a list. Yeah and it's very scary for the transplant. Oh wow. Which could be a process. They could pull some strings. You hope but he was very very healthy and just got sick. So yeah if you don't mind signing on the way out. No, no. Ben this one's for you. I hope you get well soon. Yes. Yeah. Oh good. I'll do it on the way out. No, man this one's for you. I hope you get well soon. Yes. Yeah, all good. I'll do it on the way out. Yes, but do your thing. One more, DDP Hamza. I haven't thought about that fight but he just finds a way man. That guy's stubborn. Who are we talking about? DDP. Okay, all right. Both of you can say the same about both. True, yeah. I mean Hamza's very stubborn, you know, and the way he did Rob as well did my boy dirty Yeah, I was like, nah, okay this that's when I was okay this guy's I just want to show me something I want 85 then I took him really seriously and I think he's a real threat at 185 But this nigga DDP finds a way I'm telling you man. I tried my fucking best. I had him on the road

Sorry, I had him on the fence, but he finds a way with his clumsiness He's great. It's wild man He's wild. He's actually a wild boy. It's I know he's a wild boy. Did he pee? I know you a wild boy You know, I never saw this coming. It's like when you look at his early fights They're like, all right, this guy would just be like, yeah. Oh, yeah. I agree. I did not see that coming But then I saw him. Yeah. Yeah Well What a fucking day. What a great what a great show Ariel you're the man

you're the freaking man jinks yes oh because we said at the same time thank you so much I really appreciate it the last style bender can't thank you enough shout out to the whole team you always got that one big dude with you that's my big brother that's the man is he is he legit your big brother uh no he's former king of the Ring Super Heavyweight Champion. Hell yeah. Well he just follows me in the shadows and just makes sure things are cool. Yo, what a great autograph this is. Can we see it? Yeah, look at that. This is amazing. Unbelievable. The former and future UFC, inshallah, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesonia.

I've had a great career. What did you write? What did you write? Tell me. Be kind, stay dangerous. That's the motto. I like that. Is that yours? Yeah. New motto? Be man. Be careful. Be careful at the the clubs and stuff I saw you were

like no you put no you posted like a bag is you like yes look at this guy you're the man Izzy thank you so much look at this we're going from Izzy we got the birthday boy, Ash here. We got the champ, Volk. Man, I wish I saw this all on camera. This is amazing. Izzy and Volk, Ash in the house. What's up, Ash?

Happy birthday, my brother. Man, you coming in now? Oh, no, I'm not. You come on the back end of Alice. You know, I'm easy. There he is. This is easy, that's it. Hey, I'm Mike, how you doing?

Nice to meet you. Good to see you. You too, man, you too. Wow, we got the champ in the house. You out there as well? You like that? A bit of poker? The poker, yeah. I want a bit of poker.

You play some poker? Oh yeah, I'm a... You're a gambling man? I'm impatient, you know. It's nice to see you, Volk. Yeah, cheers, man. Yeah, this is great. Are we going?

We're live right now. Oh, live? I should have known that. Oh, sorry, sorry. No one told you that? No, that's all good, yeah. Look at this, we have our own little table here, the Hauwani show. I mean, it's no cooking with Volk in front of a live audience at Culture Kinks tonight at 6 o'clock. Yeah, yeah, yeah, make sure he's getting it. If you're in Vegas, there it is, look at that. Yeah, look at that. That's it. What are you doing? I think we're going to do like a little cook-off. So we're going to're gonna do burgers We're gonna get someone in the crowd as well to see whose burgers better. So should we be making your own? Yeah, yeah, which still okay. It's in the shop. We can't go too crazy with the burgers, but I saw you was stun gun Yes, I did. Yeah. Yeah, you did. Yeah, it was a cool You know, I was obviously a big fan of his not even a long time. So I love it. Yeah, you're looking fantastic I like the hat well placed engage. Everything's looking time. I love it. You're looking fantastic. I like the hat,

well placed, engaged, everything's looking good. Ash's birthday. Yes. Everyone's here for Kai Kyra. Yep. Is that why you're here? Yeah, yeah. So we wanted to come obviously for the fights and then just add everything to that. So gonna do a heap of cooking, a bit of a media tour. So yeah, we'll be busy. But the main reason for Kai. you, you and Ilya yesterday, little run in there, or was that two days ago? It would have been a couple of days ago. At the PI? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

What was that like? Oh, good, good. We're good, like he's actually really respectful, cool dude, he's actually a solid dude, so yeah. You know, you're gonna, a lot of people think he's like, I guess he's a mean guy. Cocky guy, yeah. Cocky, mean guy, but he's actually very respectful.

You've been him and Charles in the sauna, you saw that? I did, I did actually. I saw that, literally before I came in. So, but yeah, you know, they'll obviously go out there and try and take each other's head off, but they'll cuddle in the sauna before, I guess. I was talking about this, you would know better than anyone, there's some pictures of Charles like cutting weight now

with the towels and all that and usually that's like Thursday going into Friday stuff not necessarily Wednesday going into Thursday do you know I'm talking about I don't have the photos like this like this looks like a late a late late push so is that is is that you reckon they doing that is that an old video is that old photo that they think they're they just posted it now I mean that's what I mean. Because that would be too early, right? You should be doing that yet. Yeah, yeah. That's not...

Fair enough, you go... A lot of people like to sweat. They'll go get a sweat out and then, you know, after, like say a workout, after a good sweat, they go and keep sweating. Yeah. Even though you're going to hydrate back up, but you just, you know, you like to... Everyone likes to get a good sweat and it still does help. You still start to bleed on a bit just, you know, you like to, everyone likes to get a good sweat and it still does help. You still start to plead on a bit of that water

each time you do it, but you're gonna hydrate back up anyway. So if he's doing it now, you know, cutting weight and then he has to do a press conference. Yeah, later this afternoon. You know what I mean? And then cut the rest. Like, I mean, that's a long time to be sort of dehydrated.

You should be rehydrating. You know what I mean? Your last bit of water should be... So maybe they're just trying to put out some... I don't know. Maybe it's an old one and they're just getting ready for the wake cut and that's why they posted it. I don't know. I don't know. But I was surprised because the timeline is off. I saw you posted your pics. You have your pics video up on the website, on the YouTube channel. Yes. Could I ask about the main event? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, so I've got Ilya.

I've got Ilya, I think, just stylistically. And what we've seen, you know, Charles likes to, you know, he's very aggressive, very exciting fight as well. We all love to watch him. But, you know, if he comes aggressive like that, there's going to be opportunities for Ilya. And Ilya can bang, you know what I mean? If you're going to come forward like that, yeah you might land yourself. That's always going to be something

as well, right? Charles could definitely catch him, but you can be hittable if you come aggressively like that. Especially with someone like Ilya who's going to back himself and try and put one on you as you're coming in like that. Especially if you're a little bit out of position. You know that, I wouldn't say he's chins up, he sort of has a sort of guard, but the way he comes forward in a straight line. I think, yeah, Ilya can really sit on some shots if that's the case.

I know there's gonna be knees coming up, will he be worried about that? Will he want to be defensive first? Ilya, because he knows how aggressive Charles is gonna come forward. It's an interesting one, because we don't know how aggressive Charles is going to come forward. It's an interesting one because we don't know how Ilya is on the back foot. Right. But will Charles be like, his only chance is catching me, I'm going to shoot, you know, I'm going to tell him I'm going to come forward aggressive, but I'm actually going to shoot on him. We'll see. We'll see what happens. But if he comes aggressive and does what he always does, I think, yeah, Ilya.

You think he knocks him out? I think it's a knockout, yes. Yeah. Were you surprised that they didn't do Ilya versus Islam? After everything that happened with the belt and all that, that eventually it didn't end up being that? Not surprised. I think just with the way it was all happening

and the fact that they're waiting, I was like, all right, they're obviously waiting for JDM and Bilal. So you could see that that's what they're waiting for and then JDM got it and then you knew that that was it. So I was thinking there was a yeah well just depending on that fight I was just so well before that fight even happened and they were waiting I'm like I bet you they're gonna wait see what happens with this and then as the fight got closer they started talking

about that as well right so everyone was a bit aware of that but I thought that from the start. So I remember we spoke right before JDM fought Balal. You obviously were backing JDM, but you gave us a breakdown. You weren't just backing him blindly because he's a fellow countryman. He wins obviously. What did you think of the performance? Like now that you actually watched it and saw him do well, I was blown away by the performance.

And I think a lot of the people afterwards were like, why didn't Balal shoot enough? Why didn't he wrestle more? I'm like, he didn't wrestle because JDM was there because he did such a great job. Right? Yeah. It's easier said than done. Right? Like, yeah, just like, why didn't he do this? Why didn't do that? But yeah, he did try. Blah, did start trying to shoot. Nine takedowns. Oh, there you go. And then how many were successful? Not many of them. Might have got taken. Four, maybe. Might have got taken and got straight back up. So, you know, when, when you go. And then how many were successful? Not many of them. You might have got taken for maybe might have got to take And he got straight back up. So, you know when when you could see that JDM's fit as well

He puts a pressure on when he's striking That's one thing that I was impressed with and and I was confident going in who that's what he would do as well He would be able to just fight his fight in the feet That's something that I always worry about people when they're going up against a wrestler. A lot of people are so worried about the takedown that they just freeze on the feet. But when people can just fight their fight and worry about the takedown when it happens,

again, easier said than done. But when people, you know, you're confident people can do that, I usually, usually don't mind backing them. So, and I knew with JDM, I'd be like, he's gonna fight his fight, and he'll worry about the takedown when it comes. That's exactly how we fought. And I think he even might've,

I've seen an interview and he even mentioned that. And after the fight, and I was like, oh yeah, like you could see that, you know what I mean? And it's good. I think that's the right way to go about it. Some good example, say we've Sean O'Malley, Marab. I thought Sean was gonna be, alright I'm gonna pull the trigger more on the feet and I'll worry about the takedown later. I know

he's gonna take down, I know I'll eventually get taken down, but I need to do the damage on the feet. I can catch this guy, I thought he'd be in that sort of frame of mind, but it wasn't, he was make space, make space, which surprised me because, yeah, look, making space, but with someone like Marab, he's gonna eventually find you. All this make space, make space,

for a good two minutes and you don't even follow a strike, then he's gonna get the take down anyway. So there's two minutes gone where you maybe could have done some damage as well. And he was still, yeah, so that surprised me with that one, So there's two minutes gone where you maybe could have done some damage as well. And it was still, yeah, so that surprised me with that one, but that's what I mean. And I still see that sometimes. And again, it's good.

You've got to fight at range. You've got to know how to keep people at a distance. But you can't constantly put yourself out of position while you're trying to get away because it's going to be easy take downs, especially if you're the guy that's putting the pressure on. It doesn't feel a fret while he's pressuring you because you're getting out of position just to get away he'll just shoot from two meters out you know if you're based and looking solid all right I might pick my shots a little bit more careful because I know you're

you know your base you're grounded well something powerful could come you'll get light on your feet feet together trying to you know do this sort of stuff. Alright thank you for your free entries. So I was quite surprised with that but we've again JDM the way he was he just I'm just gonna pour it on use my hands to do my work on the feet and I'll worry about the takedown when it comes. By the way I know you do some like studio work for Fox Sports out there. Do you want to do like you're so good at breaking things down. Do you want to call, like you're so good at breaking things down. Do you want to call fights when you're done?

Still to my YouTube channel, I just subscribe to my YouTube channel. 100%. I mean like live, like in the booth. I know it might be hard because you live in Australia, so the travel might be hard, but like you're so good at breaking it down. I mean, I don't mind. Yeah, I enjoy that. I think I just got to, yeah, I just want to be more clear.

Like I'm working on it. That's why I need to read more. I want to have a better vocabulary, you know what I mean? Even using that word's a big word for me. You know what I mean? Like I guess that's an Aussie thing as well. We're just like, hey, how you going? That's just how we talk.

Well, from where I'm from anyway. So it's, yeah, but I mean, I think I can be a little bit more clearer in the way I want to explain things. And when I nail that, I reckon I could do okay. I think you could do great. I think I can do, I'm okay with quite a few things. I think after fighting, I'm gonna be all good.

What else, what else? Because I enjoy a lot. I enjoy the acting. I love it. I actually love it, I love it. So we do a lot of the funny skits, some of the ads that I do with sports bed and all that. It's always good fun. Yeah, just things like that. What's her name? Not Delilah. What's her name? Madeline? Your rival in the ads. Oh, I'm, oh no. What's her name? Oh, man.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. Beverly. Beverly. Yeah, yeah, Beverly. Beverly. Beverly. She's a legend. She's a recurring. Beverly. She's been in a couple. She's always stirring me right up. That's true.

I think the second one when she's sort of referencing like Ilia, Spanish. Oh, yeah. Yes. Packs a real punch and stuff like that. I was like, yeah, it's good. She's an instigator. Yeah, it's good fun. Who do you think, how do you think Islam would do

against JDM at 170 now that it's a reality and it looks like it's happening in October? Yeah, I think Jade, I think the Bilal fight's a perfect fight for JDM for, I don't know why I say JDM. I'll just say Jack. Jack, yeah, yeah. You know, a perfect fight for Jack before someone like Islam. Islam is going to be a lot more creative in his chaining,

when you're chaining up the wrestling. Yeah, yeah. But one thing I know and I know from experience, you know, when you have a successful, you know, fight with takedown defense and things like that, your confidence goes to a whole nother level and the confidence with the takedown defense and things like that, your confidence goes to a whole nother level. And the confidence with the takedowns, and I mean like, it feels like you're not even trying

to defend the takedowns, that's how confident and comfortable you are in these positions. And you being comfortable and confident like that goes a long way. So in the training room, I guarantee you he's, you know, again, you know, I told you, not worried about takedown. Now when you're there, I worry about there

and just throwing them off like it's nothing. I guarantee you that's gonna roll on, this camp. You know, I think we're gonna I told you not worried about takedown. When you're there, I worry about there and just throwing them off like it's nothing. I guarantee you that's going to roll on this camp. You know, I think we're going to do a bit of work with him. Craig Jones will be doing a bit of work with him as well. So we'll get some work in. I think that's just going to be, he's just going to keep leveling up and just be even harder and harder and harder to hold down. Even because he's real good at once he's down, like, you know, sometimes he might get there

and then he, it's like he decides, I'm going to get up now and just, you'll get up. And he does that even in the gym. Where now I reckon it's going to be, you know, like even just getting to the mat is going to be so much harder and then rather than him going, oh, no, good take down, oh, give me a second. All right, now I'm going to get up.

I don't think you're going to get any of that sort of a ground time at all. I think it's going to be just, you be just, you won't even get him then. If you do, he's bouncing straight back up. I think that's the confidence he's gonna have in the gym now and that's gonna roll on. It's gonna be perfect for a fight like Islam. Because Islam's great. That's something that when we talk about Islam, a lot of people ask me when I fought him,

is like, oh, is he strong? Like, you think it was gonna be like freakishly strong stuff. I was like, no, I'm strong. I can handle strength. I knew that wasn't gonna be the factor, but I knew it was gonna be sort of the battle and the chess match with the training of the wrestling. So, cause I know that I understand mechanics.

I've got body awareness. I know, you know, I know where he probably wants to go. I know where I'm strong. I know where I am weak. I know where he's strong. I know where I am weak. I know where he's strong. I know where he's weak. And these little battles that we're gonna have in between those sort of techniques.

So you got your techniques and then you got them even positional sort of battles that you're gonna have. I'm so well aware of that sort of stuff. So I knew that that was gonna be like gonna be good for me, but I knew that that's where it'd be difficult. And it was. So usually, as I was saying with in the room, most people are going to have one or two attacks.

They're going to take you down or go for a take down and then you stop it, then they go here. And you almost know exactly what they're doing. I spoil here, then they want to turn this way to chain it to this. And then you go and then you pull them and they don't get a chance. One thing I loved about that fight with Islam was like you'd get the successful takedown, I'll do something and counter it, then he will counter it, then I'll counter it. So we end up going like another two or three steps further than I usually have to, which I loved. Like, and that's why you can see a smile on face the

whole time. Like I enjoy that, you know that. Most people probably would freak out, but I'm like, I know where you're going. I still understand and credit to him for still being able to get me in the positions, but it was cool because I would know then sometimes he would get, ah, yeah, nice. I was about to stop and you just got it now, I've got to go this way. So it was a bit like that. So he's great. He's great when it comes to those technical side of things, but strength wise, yeah, he's strong,

but I mean, not freakishly strong. Will he be more stronger now that he's moving up? We will see, but JDM's strong. He's just a nugget as well. And then with the confidence and more of the technique in the scrambles, and I think it's gonna be an incredible fight, so I'm looking forward to it. How's your hand, by the way? Hand's good, yeah, it was no breaks. technique in the scrambles and I think it's going to be an incredible fight so I'm looking forward to it.

How's your hand by the way? Hands good, yeah it was no breaks. So I remember speaking to you after the fight a couple weeks later and you were very clear like you'll fight Mosar but now left turn, curveball, he's not fighting you. And he did tweet something to the effect of like hey thank you for being a man of your word hopefully I'll see you for being a man of your word. Hopefully I'll see you down the line type of thing. He's fighting Aaron Pico in July. Are you surprised that it went down this way?

Would you say surprised? I don't know if I'm gonna say surprised, but I mean, obviously for me, I'm gonna fight anyone. Everyone knows that I'll fight anyone, whoever the UFC put, I'm gonna, you know, I am a company man, Everyone knows that. I'll fight anyone, whoever the UFC put. I'm gonna, you know, I am a company man, not just Adam, I'm not scared of anyone. Whoever they put in front of me, I'm gonna fight.

But I do like fighting people that deserve it. You know what I mean? That's just how I am and how I've always been. And you know, so that's why for, the most exciting fight for me would be a Mov's are. Stylistically, I think it's great for me anyway, but not just that, it's just, he deserves it. He's undefeated, he's 90, or 19 and 0?

Yeah, yeah. 19 and 0, like he's got the best resume in the top five right now anyway. And so it just makes the most sense in those sort of things. I think, you know, like, I get it, you know, they're gonna, you know, they're probably making him fight one more time and, you know, hoping he gets a finish and whatnot. But I think after this fight the winner of

that, I don't know, you reckon Pico is gonna get it? So the thing is, I know if Mobza was to win or if he gets a finish, of course, it's gonna be 100% Mobza. But if Pico wins, does he go straight to the title? I don't know. I like, we'll be upset. So when that got announced, everyone seemed to think that it was going to be you versus Yair. Well, that's, yeah, well, that's what I started thinking for a bit and I'm like, all right,

so I'm obviously mentally preparing for Yair. Because as I said, straight after the fight where everyone started mentioning that to me, I wasn't aware that that was going to could be an opportunity. Like just see a lot. I was always thinking I was going to be Movzar or maybe a Pitbull or if he was a bit like, I just thought like I thought it was more like that. So yeah, he's a must say now, right? I say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, cool. Yeah, I just want to make sure. Because I've always said that. But yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That is your year? Okay, yeah, cool. Yeah, yeah. I just wanna make sure, cause I've always said that. But your year, like I wanted to, yeah, I just,

I wasn't sure, but as soon as they said that, I'm like, look, I like the guy. Like I like your year, I get along with him. I ain't gonna be the one to say, no, if the UFC put it forward and then like, you know, so it looked like that's might be what it was. They had the Mexico card, then the stadium fell through. So now I don't know exactly what's going on.

I heard that actually everyone sort of jumped to that conclusion, but what they wanted to do was almost like a four man tournament. Pico, Mozart, Yair, Diego, and you know. And me wait? Yeah, that's what I heard. And then they tried to do Yair versus Diego. I don't know if Yair is ready.

So now just yesterday they announced Diego versus John Silva. I don't know if you saw that. Yeah, now just yesterday they announced Diego versus John Silva I don't know if you saw that yeah I did see that for that for that date in September and so I'm trying to figure out where this all leaves you Yeah, you want it. You said you wanted to be active. I did I wanted to be active Then there was a couple of things popped up that you know that I can't You know fighting I've got the you know, baby coming baby coming September. So they'll say September I don't know if I'm gonna make that work.

But yeah, like I said, like the hand's good, but there was a couple of things, I had like a little tear in the retina and stuff like that. So just a couple of things, hey. Is it all good now? Yeah, all good, all good. Yeah, so it's, but yeah, just a couple of things that were all right, we'll just make sure

to recover properly. So we're doing that and then yes, but I'm still looking around that time, but the baby as well was another thing where I'm like, so anywhere from late October onwards is perfect for me. And do you have any idea who it will be? No, I couldn't tell you. I think it comes, well, we're in a position where,

it's funny, while I was going into that fight, I thought it'd be very clear. I thought I'm gonna have a clear where it's funny, while I was going into that fight, I thought it'd be very clear. I thought I'm going to have a clear somebody straight after this, but it wasn't the case. And right now we're here where you got Diego. I mean, there's a, you know, if Silva was to win that against, you know, I think that his name's definitely going to be up there. I mean, that's not till September.

But again, to be honest with Mov's, Pico, look Pico, I don't know if you reckon, yeah, I'm not sure. Well, there you go. Yeah, I don't get it. What's with the Max and Ilya still there when they're in one way. That is weird, right? And then he, yeah, I don't get it.

Like Ilya at number three, like that's wild. That makes no sense. Yeah. Moff's are, yeah no sense yeah most are yeah most are if he beats pico I think it would have to be him I think yeah question is if pico beats him does he get it I mean for me again I'm not anybody I don't know too much I don't know enough watch him like I've heard things I remember there was a bit of a hype around him early in his career maybe when he come

through yeah so he used to be a boxer, or he used to be a wrestler, did a bit of boxing. So I don't know too much about him to be honest. But yeah, like I mean, if he can bring a lot of hype and that, yeah, cool. But you know, especially, I mean, a big win probably blows him right up and then I'm like, all right, that sounds great. So it's just, yeah.

Did you see that picture of him recently? There's a picture of him working out. I don't know if we have it, but he looks he is so ripped. OK, he looks like he looks like a mini Michael Chandler. Oh, OK. Yeah. So he seems to be an insane shit, like the veins popping out of his chest and his legs and all that. I know none of this impresses you.

But I was impressed. If I'm being honest, I mean, he looks. I mean, it's good. Like when I went on, when I'm looking honest. I mean, it's good. When I'm looking like that, I want to keep my shirt on. Usually I do it. I've got my shirt off. You've had the last fight.

You look insane. That's what I was going to say. So usually it's about a couple of weeks out from my fight. I can't keep the shirt on. But last camp, even a month or out or even more, I was getting that that shirt off. Cause like I chose to lose weight as early as I could. Cause I had a big camp and I was like, I want to bring down this weight. Cause the last thing I want to do is have a big break.

Start going through camp heavy and feeling sluggish and slow. And then, you know, peak at the last, you know, four weeks at a decent weight. And that's all I really had at that weight. So I wanted to be like, you know what, I want to be at a good base, you know Cuz it was like 16 week camp So start bringing that weight down from then like no no alcohol not even cheat meals I obviously ate good but just no crazy meals, which I got over towards the end

I'll be honest, but you never knows. I like my food. What do you mean? You got over? I got got over dieting and that. Like you were getting sick of it? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, as you would after 16 weeks of it. 16 is insane. So I was like, man, get me in this cage.

What was the first thing you ate? The first cheat meal that you really went to town on? Well, I didn't even get to eat till I got back home after the fight. So I was a- Why not? In Miami you had nothing? Well yeah, so I ended up getting stitched. I had like stitches everywhere.

Then had to do the media and then had to get to the after party. Wanted to, you know, you say you're gonna be there but wanted to obviously show face. I was in pain. I didn't even have a shower. I literally went in there in my walkout gear. No way.

So I'm not wearing my walkout tracksuit. What? Why did you shower? Well, I didn't have shower. I literally went in there in my walkout gear. So I went in my walkout tracksuit. Why did you shower? Well, I didn't have time. Like literally go in there and like, ah, quick, let's just go there. And like, and I literally just went like that. Did you feel gross? Oh yeah, blood, sweat, everything all over me.

I just went there like, I was hurting too. I was hurting after the last one, I'll be honest. So I was, yeah, I was hurting, but I was like, oh, I've got to go there, you know. How long you there for? I wasn't there that long. I ended up doing like in a 40 minutes I've got to go there, you know. I said I would. How long you there for? I wasn't there that long. I ended up doing like in a 40 minutes, 50 minutes.

40 minutes still without a shower. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I was like, so I didn't get home till like five in the morning and then still didn't have food. But I went to my wife's room and she still had leftover chocolates and all that. But I had stitches in my mouth.

So I'm like trying to eat it like this and whatever I could, that's all I had. So I didn't eat enough until the actual meal to the next day. Gosh, no one has anything ready for the champ. I mean, they usually do, but I mean, it was just busy. At that last fight, that's usually what happens. This time around, second time around,

did you feel like you appreciated it more? It was a different feeling, a different sensation. You're laughing, why? I just, I thought it would. Did did I talk to you before after the fight We spoke before and then we spoke like three weeks after okay. Yes, it wasn't immediate Yes, I like I would have been chatting you probably before like I can't wait to Go out there and now cuz I'm so comfortable with being myself right like it just you know, I'm not because I'm so comfortable with being myself, right? Like, I just, you know, I'm not,

even when I'm, while I'm fired, while I am that fired, I'm still me, where before I was just fired, I'd like, if that makes sense. No, for sure. Where I'm not, I can't wait to enjoy being champ as me. But I literally won that belt and then... Nothing.

Just didn't care. Really? It was weird, man, it's weird. So it's... When you say you didn't care. Nothing. Didn't care. Really? It was weird, man. It's weird. So it's a... When you say you didn't care, what... I didn't care about, I guess, the belt and all that sort of stuff. But you got back.

You climbed the mountain. That stuff, I love that stuff. All that stuff about, not even just that, me, yeah, coming, yeah, climbing that mountain and going through the adversity and stuff like that and being able to bounce back. All that stuff. So I guess I was a little more like, man, like I didn't care but then I would be able to have these conversations about pushing through that adversity, getting yourself through it

and then rise to the occasion, getting it done and trying to be inspirational, that sort of stuff. And then how proud everyone was of me and hearing that sort of feedback of like, you know Everyone was everyone just felt so happy again. I appreciate it and loved all that Did not care one bit about being champion again or anything like that. Wow. Yeah, it's weird I don't know if I don't know if people would be able to be surprised by that. I was Yeah was but I mean, I guess it's a good thing right?

Like it means I don't hold myself, you know, maybe because I'm obviously sweet outside of the fighting as well. I've got obviously a beautiful family but even with the, I enjoy the YouTube stuff, I enjoy all that stuff as well, the cooking with Vulc, I enjoy all that stuff as well, the cookin' with Valk, I got, you know, I enjoy all that. So it's not my only thing that I'm fully committed, invested in right now. Maybe that's because that's all I had and that's all I knew for so long.

Maybe, I don't know, maybe it just, but I think it's a good thing. It's a good thing because I don't tie myself so much to the belt and bein' champion and all that. Maybe it just but I think it's a good thing. It's a good thing because I don't tie myself so much to The belt and being champion and this reminds me of a of an answer Dominic Cruz gave me after he beat TJ Dillshaw. He was out for three years with the knee injuries He comes back and he beats TJ Dillshaw to become champion. This is 2014 and I asked him I was at the event in the post fight interview I said is this the happiest day of your life and It's it's maybe my favorite answer that any fighter has ever given me.

I think I might have heard some. And he said, the happiest day of my life is when I realized I didn't need the belt to be happy. And this kind of reminds me of that. Yeah, well, yeah. I mean, it's good. It's more, I don't know if it's like, oh, it makes me happy. I guess I'm not seeing that.

Like, well, but I mean, it's more of a, I guess even a relief. Like it's sort of a, I guess I'm impressed by it as well. But I guess I'm still figuring it all out. But I mean, yeah, it's just, it's a weird one. It's a weird one. It's a good thing because you don't tie your self-worth and the state of your career to this object, which obviously symbolizes that

you're the man, but you've already done enough. You don't need to prove that anymore to anyone. So it's really just about, I think, the journey, climbing the mountain, and now you get to enjoy the fruits of that labor. But I think sometimes the belt is like validation. You don't need that validation anymore. No, no, I don't. I mean, it's better paychecks, you know what I mean?

Stuff like that. I think it's just, you know, you want to do that for everything that comes with it. And again, man, I just want to be successful for my family. You know what I mean? And winning and being champion is a lot easier to be successful and a lot easier to look after them. You know what I mean? And set yourself later.

Cause this, as you would know, you've known fighters a long time, it's not an easy sport, you know what I mean? It is a crazy hard sport. And you wanna do this, you wanna make sure if we're gonna commit so much and sacrifice so much, sacrifice a lot of yourself for this sport, you know, you name it.

People, your brain cells, limbs, whatever it is. You know, there's a lot that goes into this sport. A lot of sacrifices. You wanna have something to show for it. Last thing you wanna do is have to still work later or have to still fight later. You know what I mean? Like I want, that's what someone says,

like, oh, you've done enough and all that sort of stuff. And I remember I'm like, yeah, like, hey, I'm in a great position, like I am. I'm in a great position and like I am, I'm in a great position and blessed to be where I am. But I still wanna make sure I can, you know, that empire I build is strong where I'm gonna want to work, I'm gonna want to do stuff, but I want it to be

something I want to do, not have to do. Especially if I'm gonna dedicate so much of what I did dedicate, like so much of myself and time and you know I think Kibbeb always talks about you know it's not just discipline or all that it's sacrifices and I understood exactly what he meant, it is. Like there was like 15 years that you don't even remember anything of it, you don't, you know it's just purely in the gym 24 7 it feels like. And you know what I mean?

But that's what, I didn't do all that to just still have to work later. I want to be in a position where I committed that much, I sacrificed so much to be set. And to be in a position where I can enjoy the farm, enjoy the content that we do, like the cooking stuff that I do, even though I can still generate money

through that sort of stuff, I'm still gonna be getting money that way. But at least it's things I wanna do and have fun doing. Rather than being like, oh man, that money's running out. Let's do power slap, you know what I mean? Let's do, I don't know, let's do something and have to do something like all let's concrete again You know, I mean I'll do concrete here and there because just for a laugh make sure the camera's rolling

when I'm back on the shovel, but yeah, you know, I mean again I've Yeah, we've been hard at it and again, I ain't complain a lot I'm not sad but I'm just saying like hey from gonna sacrifice and do so much Let's do that little bit more and make sure we are set. Especially where we're still champs. I'm still able to go out there and do my thing. Am I the exact same fighter that I was two years ago? You know what I mean? I could sit there and lie to everyone.

Yeah, probably not. But can I still be the best and beat everyone? Yeah, I believe so. And while I'm alive and willing, I'm gonna keep doing it. By the way, is Ash here? Where's Ash? Ash is there. Let's bring in Ash. Can you bring in Ash? Ash? Yeah, Ash. Ash, come in here. It's his birthday? It's his birthday, yes. Yeah, you knew that, okay. Here comes the birthday boy. There he is. Come have a seat. Come have a seat. Come have a seat, mate. This is the guy. Do we have a chair there for you? for you yeah you can bring your chair I'll do it for you. Ash how are you? Ash is the man Ash is the brains behind

Engage my favorite clothing brand the only one I wear really yeah you send me all the stuff you don't believe me I always send you pictures of it I appreciate it appreciate it. Well Frank you tell me how old are you? I'm 38. Don't let the greys fool you, mate. Yeah, I know. You look fantastic. By the way, you look bigger than usual. Yeah, I've had a bit of time grazing in the paddock. No, I don't know what you're talking about. By the way, he speaks like hardcore Australian slang. Like that last answer. I'm just trying to be funny.

What did he even just say? I don't even understand what he said. I spent a bit of time... Well, I actually haven't really, uh, was that the same? Grazing in, yeah, grazing in the paddock. Yeah. Putting a bit of weight on. I haven't actually heard that one, but it's actually pretty good. In the gym? In the gym, yeah, yeah, yeah. A bit of weight. Shout out to Reborn. So for those, for those that don't know, Ash is the brains behind Engage.

Also manages the likes of you, Kai Carr France, Dan Hooker, Carlos Alberg. Carlos Alberg. Co-manager with Tim. Co-manager, of course. It's been- Navajo Sterling. It's been, yes, that's right. What a run.

They said that you guys were done, and now look at you. We're back. Volt gets the win. We never left. Then Kai's fighting this weekend. Greatest comeback in UFC history. Did you say I was done? And you can be honest.

I never said you were done, absolutely not. I honestly wouldn't care. Did you think you were done? No, well the thing is, remember I was even saying that before and I'm like everyone has every right to doubt me. Like you know, I am in that position. I still, you still have to prove it to yourself even. I'm like yeah, so you know I'm always looking to be,

looking for something, right? Like the underdog mentality that I always talk about, right? I'm usually looking for something to make myself feel like the underdog or whatever it is. I didn't have to look. I knew, and I wasn't the underdog, but in saying that, I am coming off 2KL losses. I am turning 37 in a couple of months. You know what I mean? I'm coming off a big break.

So I was like, all right, yeah, I am in a position where it's going to be tough to do it. So I was like, everyone has every right. So I didn't care. So I wouldn't have cared if you had your doubts, mate. We did not have our doubts. We do wonder about Kai this weekend. This is a big one.

He gets it done, mate. He's been there before. He gets it done. I think the best thing about when he fought Moreno in Dallas was he got to experience that and fighting for a title, obviously the stakes are even higher. In this industry, every fight for a UFC fighter is clutch, it's their contracts on the line. So I feel like to step up even more so when you get that shot, not everyone gets a shot. So the fact that he's been there before, experienced it, I think it'll do him a lot more.

It'll be good for him coming into this fight. So he's had that experience and I think he gets it done. He looks to be in amazing shape. First couple of rounds. First couple of rounds, huh? Yeah, look at Pantoja. Yeah, Pantoja's scrappy. He's hit it. Like he's hitable. I like Pantoja. Break it down for us Volk, let's hear it.

Well again everyone's got to realize obviously the biggest punter in the flyweight division is Kaikai France. He's got to be right? He does have that KO power. Pantoja's tough, he will be in some tough fights, he can take some damage, but if Kai's landing bombs on ya, like that's, I think that's a big difference to most your flyweights, especially right now. But then a lot of people need to realise when it starts getting scrappy,

and even if things aren't going well for Pantoja and he wants to grapple, Kajkao France is very hard to take down and he's very hard to hold down. He's got the best defence in the U5. And I think statistically, right? And I know this anyway, but I mean even statistically that shows. But I mean even position is hard to submit. That's where I feel Pantoja gets himself out of trouble a few times.

When things aren't going, he can end up winning rounds by grabbing a hold of him, getting their back, and then win the round that way, say, a couple of close fights. If it goes to decision, I think the damage and then him being, Kyle being able to get himself back out of the positions, he still wins if it goes to decision, but I think he can get the KO as well. I love it. I love it. We're going to let you go in a moment because I think Dan Hooker is about to walk in here

Yeah, and you stick around Ash, but I have one last question for you Alex Let's just say you were the champion for you know a couple years, but you were inactive and There was an interim champion who was active Would you fight him or would you you know make him sit out for a year and then not fight him? I mean like everyone knows how I am. I mean, like I'm a... There shouldn't even be an interim title. That's how I look at it.

But I mean, I let it happen knowing that I'm just going to fight him straight away anyway. So when I did it, because I fought his laugh. You know what I mean? So they shouldn't really need to do that. But if it does happen Get in there and fight the guy. That's just how it is. I mean if you wanted to retire I mean, I just think it should have happened a while. I don't know. There's obviously more to it. Sure, sure, sure. So I'll stay out of it. But yeah, it's just

You got to feel for Tom as well because he's Made his in his prime and then how long was it? How long was he waiting around for? Well his last fight was in July, John fought in November and so technically the clock started in November but he's been interim champion now for almost two years. November of 23 he won that belt. He was the longest reigning interim champion ever. Yeah well there you go. Beat Henen Barel. Yeah, what I mean like yeah it's that's you know you know. It's definitely a lot more behind the scenes. No, I know. There's tons of stuff that happens on the scenes that no one knows about.

You only hear the stuff that gets out, right? Except for me. I know. Oh yeah, I mean you've got your ear to the ground, brother. One thing I do know, I actually wasn't meant to say this, but no, I'm joking. Izzy did the same thing to me. Look at this, we have a custom poker table and you see it? It says my name. You see that? And we're asking everyone who stopped by today and tomorrow and Monday, we're doing our shows here to sign it and we're going to auction it off and donate it to Ben

Askren's family. Oh, okay. Yes. So if you don't mind on the way out here, that would be great. Alex, thank you so much. No worries, thank you. Appreciate you, my man. Thank you, you're the man. Good luck. And tonight, Culture Kings at Las Vegas. Culture Kings, Cooking with Volk, if you're in town. Can people still show up? Yes, they can.

How does it work? Yeah, yeah, it starts at six o'clock. We're doing a Cooking with Volk at six o'clock. Culture Kings, we've got an after party at the Encore Beach Club. Izzy, Kai, Dan. I don't know how many people can fit in this and getting early to be sorted.

Okay, okay, that's incredible. So you're- After party after USC 317 at the Encore. I love that. Shout out. We'll bring in the hangman here. There he is. Mr. Dan, how are you? Let me see any new ink.

What do we have? Any new ink. Yeah, a little bit. Good to see you. Thank you for coming in. This is a nice tradition now. We got the birthday boy sitting here with us. Alex, you're the man. Thank you so much.

I appreciate it. I'll be out in a minute. Yeah. Dan, how are you? I'm good, mate. You know this guy? Birthday boy. Do I know that?

I'm not here. We've been around. Once or twice. By the way, I like that all of you are rocking. Except for you, why aren't you rocking? I wore the same t-shirt. I wore the same t-shirt. I wore the same t-shirt as Izzy. Don't be shy.

You and Izzy wore the same one. Is that an Engage? Yep. It sure is. There's something about those Engage shirts. Best friend in the game, Cobb. I love them. I love them.

They're a little bit bigger. Yeah, it's nice. Nice. How are you feeling? Yeah, good. Good. Well, with regards? Yeah, good. Good. Well, with regards to Kai, because we just had Vogue and Ash and Izzy talk him up. So I'm assuming you feel the same level of confidence.

Imagine you sat here and you're like, knock out round one. Knock out round one. We haven't heard that one. Round one knockout. Really? Don't blink. Don't blink. That's his name.

I think that's his nickname. I think that's his nickname. Is there something different about him? Do you sense something because he's been here before? I feel like it's like, I've known him since 2015 and to see, I reckon he's had a lot of growth in the last 24 months. He's really tapped into his culture and his heritage.

I think his wife's got a big, shout out to his wife, she's got a big influence in that I feel. Really grounded him. And then, yeah, I think it's, it's just he's kind of fixed the switch. Like I said, he's been there before. So yeah, I think he's dialed in.

He looks sharp. He looks sharp. Have you been around, I know you're still nursing, although the hand looks good. Which one is it, by the way? Which one is it? The one with the huge? Oh yes, yes, okay.

I saw the one video of you hitting mitts with the thing on. you were hitting with one hand Yeah, I'm still like in the gym training and stuff like that. So have you been around Kai? Yeah, I've seen him Yeah, it's everything's coming at the plate feels like he's been in training camp for the last six months, right? But now he's he's looking sharp How is the hand? It's good. It's coming along. Well, it's just Probably like another few weeks of rehab before I can get back and then Start punching with it. Okay, probably like one or two weeks and I can actually start like putting some force through it So you think this year though you could come back? Yeah. Yeah. Are you going stir crazy?

Stir crazy. Meaning like that's like you're itching like itchy knuckles like you want to get into a scrap. I'm staying busy Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm staying busy. Yeah. Shout out to the one minute fights. I'll find knuckles, like you want to get into a scrap. I'm staying busy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm staying busy. Shout out to the one minute fights. I'll find other ways to get in the trouble. Okay, like what? I mean, by the way, it was great. I watched it, because we spoke right before it came out.

Yeah. It's on the Mac life. I think it has like 750,000 views or something crazy. Yeah. Can I tell you who I thought the star of the whole show was? Were you there by the way? No,000 views or something crazy. Can I tell you who I thought the star of the whole show was? Were you there by the way? No, I was not.

Yeah, maybe for the best. We had a few good phone calls before that kicked off. Don't worry about that. You and Dan? Oh yeah. Were you happy with it? Oh look, I mean Dan's going to do what Dan's going to do. You just sort of go with it and try and manage it the best you can.

You try to convince him otherwise. Oh look, we just talked to it. A lot of people did. Yeah. But now look at it. I mean, he's got something special. I think it's Suggesta. Yeah, we'll do event by event basis, I think.

But there's going to be another one, right? No, I've got the girls. With the women, right? So when I get back to town, I think I'll land Wednesday, and then I got the girls in the weekend. Oh, already? Yeah, so that's like a week and a half. You were working on it last night, weren't you? Yeah, I'll message everyone, get them locked in.

I had more, probably twice as many girls apply than I did guys. Really? Yeah, the girls are keen for it. 32? It's 32 again. I need something to To fall for the boys. I said drop your nuts, but I don't know what the girls do I need some of them to pull out. I got way too many probably got like 30

35 36 okay, you can have a couple of like alternate alternates standby people Yeah, just It'll sort itself out. What's the grand prize this time? 50k? 50k on the line. And in the back garden, in your backyard? Are we moving up to a different... look at Ash's face, he's like... What a knee like to know. It's good not to announce the location, I think. You never know who's going to turn up. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, but this is happening. Yeah, yeah, no, it's all... And you're going to film it again and post it and all this stuff. Yeah, I just... It's just cool. I thought it would be a really cool idea. I'm obviously injured, so it's just a good way to get...

I feel like the people that have fallen through the cracks, like an opportunity at some money, like with the men's one, it's like I felt like they were some of the most talented fighters, but for one reason or another, they weren't able to get big contracts and big paychecks. And I feel like with the same as with the women, if you're talking about super heavyweight women,

it's like what's the biggest prize on offer for them? There's no UFC, there's no PFL, there's no real option for them to make any kind of money. So I feel like in terms of super heavyweight women, $50,000 would probably be close to the biggest prize that's ever been on offer. So is this an open weight class? Yeah, yeah. Okay, so you can have someone who weighs like 120 pounds fight someone who's 180?

No, you've got to be over the super heavyweight limit. Super heavyweight? What is super heavyweight for women? What's for women? I don't know. I don't know. That's a big deal. I think my heaviest might be, I don't know, in pounds.

What's in pounds? Like 180 kilos? 180 kilos? No, you couldn't have a 180 kilo woman. That would be big. Mate. 100. And that's funny.

That's maybe about 20. It was funny with the boys as well because they all. That's 400 pounds. Yeah, so it would be 120, surely. Like 120 kilos more. No, this one, there's a couple 160. 160 is 26 more. No, there's one. There's a couple 160 160 is 264. No, sorry 160 is 352 352 most around 205. That's like most okay. Love like your average and are you having to scout them or they all coming to you?

You put out you put out post, it's all through just this. Yeah, I put out a post, they messaged me and sorted it out. People are like, why are you like... Who's helping you with all this? Like logistics. Oh, the dog? Jenda, yeah, yeah. She's the one. You know, Nate Dog? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Jan, I said Nate. Sorry, I said Nate.

Nate Dog. She messaged them to make sure I get on the show. She actually woke me up for the last one. I know when I can't find Nash I go to Nate. Yeah pass the buck with the media mate. By the way she's incredible. She's incredible. Besides that and she's just like she gets baffled by my lack of organizational skills. So she's helping you because there's a lot of stuff that you have to do. I gotta say the two things things that stood out to me the most, the professionalism, like there were no extracurricular activities,

there was no brawl, you know what I mean? Like sometimes people could get, and then the referee. Tony. Tony, man. Tony was the freaking star of the show. Yeah, yeah. He took it seriously. He's the man, but he's been on a few tours actually,

back in the day. Is he told me that he'd like ref some of his fights in China. Yeah, maybe, I don't know if He's the man, but yeah, they're not a few tours actually Yeah, he told me they're like, yeah, like rough some of his fights in China Yeah, maybe I don't know if you've ref to his fights in China. Maybe he's fighting over there or went over there with him Okay. Okay. Yeah, I think yeah cuz Tony's Ran the show real well. I like the I like the I Like the three this second knockdown rule I feel like that's like a good riff like Tony in Three seconds can figure out whether guys out or whether guys able to continue like there's

Like if you go back in you watch the first fight that we had The guy gets like face plants face food. Give me a count You watch the video and like out of instinct he gets up and By eight he would that fight if there was boxing or kickboxing that fight would have continued I feel like a three second lockdown is like Just take it just takes like the unnecessary damage out of it. I think it's a I think it's a great rule. I think it should Be implemented across more combat sports like Like A is just very, out of like, you can just, your body can get up, like your mind's like muscle memory.

Yeah, like muscle memory, you just, out of muscle memory, you just get up and put your hands up and just give the appearance that you can carry on. But like a good referee in three seconds will be able to tell whether a fighter should be able to continue or can't. I was going to say, it's a good thing they don't have any MMA then because through your In three seconds, we'll be able to tell whether a fighter should be able to continue or can't. I was going to say, it's a good thing they don't have it in MMA then, because screw your fights. You're going to be in out, brother. I've taken a few guesses on that. How many fingers am I holding up?

And they're just like, two. They're like, yep, continue. I'm like, oh, thanks. I've got to get to the press up with Kai. Oh, geez. It's 1.30 now, so I'm going going to bounce but I appreciate you having me on. Thank you, happy birthday. I appreciate it.

Do your thing. You can just walk out. It's a very open policy. Thank you Ash, you're the man. Thank you for making this happen and good luck to Kai. We'll continue with the hangman here. I was going to ask Ash before he left us so rudely. No, it's okay.

I was going to say who you wanted him to fight next. But now you have to go back to the microphone if you answer the question. Look, I think Dan's on a street fight, win streak. You know, one of the superstars of the lightweight division and the UFC. You know, for me, I think it's a BMF title. I think we're going to get the winner of that. I can't say why not. You know, if Correa wins, it's a rematch.

Max wins. It's a great fight. He's the definition of a BMF, if Poirier wins, it's a rematch. Max wins, it's a great fight. He's the definition of a mere man if you ask me. So there you go, fight done, sold. I love it. I love it. Way to set it up. Would you agree with this? Thank you, Ash.

Appreciate it. Good luck. Do you agree with that? I fight for money, bubba. Yeah, doesn't matter, right? I've been spending the most money. Poirier might be retiring, but they do that belt anytime. Does that belt mean anything to you?

Do you like that or is it just more about the money? The second they told me that you get pay-per-view points with that belt, I instantly... Ah, yes, you do. You do. Yes. It's like, well, that's the only reason I want the real title. So, makes a lot of sense. Right. Pay-per-view points are huge even in this day and age where maybe the paper views aren't as as high as they well It's just like how you're gonna make the real money like

Just fighting for for show and win money. It's like you are to continue just fighting for showing win money Just I've got enough money in the bank. The word doesn't really make much sense So it's like the paper view points is that we're gonna That's how you really you know, you're gonna make some huge changes, you know? How do you feel about the show and win thing? I don't get show and win, bubba. Yeah, okay, good. I was surprised when you said it.

I get paid to swing. Yeah, you just get one flat fee, right? Yeah, oh, it depends on the fight, depends on the fight, but. What do you mean it depends on the fight? Like most of mine, I could put more than that. But yeah, like you can't be a fighter like me and get show and win. No way. I'm not going, I'm not coming out there to, I'm not even coming out there to win.

I'm coming out there to have a fight. I feel like most of the guys though in the UFC should be in that bucket. Yeah, but the format though in the UFC should be in that in that bucket Yeah, but the format works for the business right? Why would you change it? Well, it's just because it back in the day for cuz then cuz they nice The ultimate fighting charity You deserve to know how much you're going to make when you step foot in the cage, win or lose. And then you got these judges who sometimes don't get it right and now you're robbed

of half your purse or a referee screws up. Yeah, it's just the business model works for them. Sure, sure. Why would they change it? No, no, there's no reason, there's no push to change it. But I just- Because they wanna be nice. No, not because they wanna be nice,

just because they initially put that in because they were trying, back in the early days of Zufa they were trying to incentivize the fighters to go for it, to finish fights. But I feel like we're past that point now. Yeah, but you can like, you'll always be able to play that on fighters. Right. Like the second that you do that, be like, try to put a fight together and one of them is going no No, I want this and that you just come out and say oh you scared you scared and like the natural

Instinct of a fighter is to be like I'm not scared all to work like that's and that's what the whole business model was built around and just being like I like it is like taking advantage of the The kind of person that fighters are like they just they just want to fight they second they feel challenged or insulted they'll put their pride and honor on the line and that's obviously why the business model is so successful is they take advantage of that natural instinct and the kind of person that competes. I like this now Now you're starting to talk and think like a promoter because you are a promoter.

So you're like, oh yes, this is how it works. The business model. Dude, by the way, in your promotion, is there a show and win? Or is it just- $50,000 and then, so for the last event, like $50,000 for the winner and then all of the fighters were paid $1,000 for competing.

Just competing. No matter if you have to compete multiple times or once. Yeah. Yeah. That's not bad. It's not bad. I mean if you get knocked down in the first one in like the first 10 seconds you make the same as the guy who made it to the semis.

Yeah, I don't really want to just be like, oh yeah I'll show, I'll pay you is all for showing up and then there's people that just show up to get, yeah, that's true. People just show up to get the check. For 500 bucks. Yeah. Do you have sponsors? Nah, nah, nah. So the doctor, he's the guy behind it.

He's like a online streamer called the doctor. He's the one funding it all. But yeah, like ashes like or get Sponsors and this and that and I'm just not I'm not doing it for money. He's the doctors putting up the money I'm doing I thought cuz I'm I Do it cuz it's cool. Well, I think it's a cool idea and that's the only reason I do it once I jump into a training camping and The hands hundred percent and I'm looking back at fighting then there's obviously Gotta have to have a little break. Yes that's fine get it out of the way now. Did you watch Rafael Fazeve last week? No. You didn't watch? You never watch? No.

Amazing. Not even the highlights? It's just I don't know. It's funny cause you lost my interest. I like fighting. You love fighting yeah Yeah. Yeah, like but the fighting Not though you like watching the fight. You don't like watching at all Only when it's your friends. Yeah. Yeah. Oh just my mates when you say you Lost your interest. Did you used to like watching it? Oh, but I used to Know absolutely everyone start to finish watch the five pass prelims. Yeah. So what changed? I don't know.

Just kind of, yeah, just, just, I don't know. Do you think you changed or the sport changed? Oh, I'd say like a bit of both. Yeah. A bit of both. Because it's harder to keep up now because there's so many events. Yeah, there's so many and it's just like a bit, I don't know, it's just not cool. What do you mean it's not cool?

What are you talking about? You fight it, you're a fighter. Yeah, but it's like I got into it when it was like no one knew what it was. Right. Like you just did it and then you could still do like mad shit. Like, oh, you want to fight three times in one night? Yeah, I'll do that. Oh, you want to fight you want to fight at heavyweight? Yeah, I'll do that. It's like always something like new and interesting and like a cool challenge but when it's just like, you know, it's like oh Rafael

Fazeeb called you out and it's like. Who gives a crap? I respect it, man. It's like, yeah, I did it because it's like an interesting new challenge. But then it seems like it's just a bit... Like now it's just a mainstream sport. Even the fans, bro, it's wild. You used to walk out of the hotel and there's like fans standing there. Hey damn big fan I love this fight this and that take a picture like cool. I'm old. I love to interact with fans like that now, bro Okay, I'll go back to the hotel and they'll just be standing there with with pictures

You have sea gloves and pictures and they're just like hey Dan sign here sign here They just want you to sign shit so they can sell it. Do you do it or do you say buzz off? I've got two different signatures. I got my actual signature and then my last one. Come on. So I'll scribble on it and ruin some gloves. Really?

When did you start that? Now you can see right through it because they're not fans. They don't actually care. They're not actually interested in you. They just want to sell your signature. Could you tell if it's a legit fan? Like someone who genuinely likes you? For sure.

You can tell if the energy of the person when they first woke up and then they get the legit signature. I love that. I've never heard that before. If they're just like, ehhh, then you get a little... So even though, obviously when your friend's fighting, that's something you're looking forward to. But if there's a title fight in your weight class, like Moekano, not Moicano, um, to pour you against Charles. Um, yeah. I'll, I guess I'll be there.

You'll be there. You get tickets. Huh? Did you get tickets this time? I might just, I might just, I might just not show up and sell it out of, out of spot. Did you have to ask this time or because it's your friend fighting nah I'm getting my jacket that's all they're what jacket but for

the test yeah they said they flew me out to get the jacket I'm like that's not real I'm gonna go up on stage and I get this jacket and that's I'm there's a lot of trauma in that jacket there's not a lot why because they wake you up in the morning now there's like 50 different times I have to show a strange man my penis. Yeah. So it's not even like you just can, it's not even like you can just whip it out the zip. You know what I mean? Like you gotta, you gotta pull your pants right down. He has to be in the stall with you? Yeah, they look, they look. They have to look? Bro, you have to pull your pants right down because obviously guys like use fake penises and shit like that

Oh my god You have to like pull your shirt up and show them your belly button, you know what I mean? So it's like that I'll put the jacket on I'll put the jacket on and go like This is traumatic Yo, that is crazy I try to make it as awkward for them as it is for me though Cause I'll do it and then I'll put my shirt up like that. No And then I'll just stare at them as a fan. Okay, you want to take a picture?

Yeah, if it's awkward for you thought it was just gonna be I'm gonna make it like regionally. Do you have same people that come? Yeah, but they don't seem like the same guy too often. That's weird. I don't know. Oh, bro, it'd be so easy to cheat in like different countries. It's like if you could get away, if you could trick like the one guy. Nah, I don't even want to get into it.

No, no, no. Of course, of course. I just think like- I just want to get my jacket in peace. Yeah. Will you rock that jacket around town? No. No, who's wearing it?

It's got in the back, it's got in the back cupboard. By the way, there's been a couple of times where they've given that jacket around town? No. No, who's wearing that? It's got in the back cupboard. By the way, there's been a couple of times where they've given that jacket to people. I'm like, eh. Yeah, yeah, I was going to do that because apparently you get like a speech at the end of it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just like put the jacket and be like, yeah, you know, they gave your own Romero one of the jackets.

I'm like, Papa, you don't even pass the, you don't even pass the IT. I've been to Steam colleagues, John Jones, and you are on the road. The system's working great. Right, right, right. By the way, is it as constant as the USADA days? Because now it's not USADA. Yeah, yeah, oh, like the same, it'll be like,

I don't know, they come up with like the same it's it'll be like they come up with like the same amount of times as you would be like cycling on and off steroids you know what I mean okay just before training camp like at the start of a training camp and then like near the end so they but it's the same kind of yeah you get tested at the same time the only thing I was gonna say was if someone is standing behind you and you have to pull your pants down. They're not standing behind you. No, but I don't understand why they have to stare at it.

Because if you're, if they're just looking at your butt, which is left. I don't know why they have to stare at it either. But like if it's just saying. I would really appreciate it if they didn't stare at it. I thought that would be really cool. I don't think that's cool. I don't think that's fair. It seems like a violation. It seems like to get like a knock on your door at 6.30 in the morning and you have to get your penis out. You just look at the guy and go, it's a bit cold this morning. Just penis chat has taken up half of the interview. Oh my god.

This is important. People need to know this stuff. People need to know this. Yes, the struggle. One time they woke up Volk in Abu Dhabi. He was trying to sleep. He couldn't sleep. When he fought, I think, Max the third time.

They even got me. It was like when I arrived real late, like I got into Vegas Thursday night at midnight. This time? Nah, the Nasrat-Hakparas fight, because I didn't get my visa at all at the very last second. So I arrived Thursday night at like midnight, and then weigh-in was eight, nine in the morning. So I arrived Thursday night at like midnight and then

weigh-in was 8-9 in the morning so I got off a plane cut weight and then they woke me up after that. I was like come on bro. I'm already flying in a day and a half before the fight and then you kind of wake me up. Were you pissed? Oh at the time but like It's like a double-edged sword, right? It's like what do you do like not Get your penis out and then everyone could just take steroids and shit. Yeah. No, no, that would suck Was that your toughest one that had to been awful you came from new zealand to Like here in vegas is like not like it's 12 hours, but is it direct? Like here in Vegas is like not like it's 12 hours, but is it direct

now you go either through San Fran or LA but it's like I Don't know you're cutting weight so many times like you yeah But not while you're cutting weight and you have to cut what you have to weigh in nine hours later Yeah, but cutting weight sucks anyway, so yeah, what are you gonna make it? What are you gonna make it more suck? Like it already sucks. No, but I was just that was the hardest one because you couldn't go to a sauna or workout You're sitting on a plane and when you when you're on a plane, you usually retain water, don't you? Yeah. Yeah, so I had to just not At the door before oh Got it. Okay, and don't pour anything in. Yeah

You did the weight cut early. Mm-hmm. Okay Is it getting harder as you get older or no? No easy. I reckon Why I don't know just you know it Yeah, like you just become a lot smarter like Barry back in the day I would just be like standing on a scale and like Tuesday and be like, oh well, and then just not eat stand on a scale and like Tuesday and be like oh well and then just not eat Tuesday to like not eat or drink anything Tuesday to Friday and it's like now is obviously the five-day session Jory becomes in like things get a lot smarter it gets a lot more streamlined becomes a lot easier than it used to be

yeah and and obviously you know your body now better right I mean before you kind of don't know what you're doing. Bro, we didn't have a clue what we were doing back in the day. Like back in the day, you just... There'd be an article on the internet, because that's all MMA media used to be was just like fighter tips and insights. That was it. Now it's just like someone said something mean to someone. It's just like, it's been so sidetracked.

But like that's all MMA media used to be was like, oh, like GSP in an interview dropped a little weight cutting tip and then they would make an article about that and then we would read that and then be like, oh, yep, so we'll pick like a little tidbit up from that. Now it's just like Sean O'Malley says someone sucks. It's like, bro, no one's learning anything.

Speaking of which, what do you think of John Jones? What? I was just playing. As a layoff. No, like, yeah, yeah, credit to him, credit to him. He's out of the game. Should he have fought Tom, in your opinion? Why?

No. No, why? Because he was the interim champion. Yeah, but why? Everyone's like, then he should have retired. If he knew he was gonna retire, he should have retired after the Miocic. But it's like, why would he do that?

In combat sports, the second you retire, your trajectory is down. Like it'll never, it'll never go back up. So it's like, he says he's not gonna retire and now he's the heavyweight champ. So for the last however long since that fight, he's getting eight months of endorsement deals he's getting eight months of of media he's getting eight months of promotion as

being the heavyweight champion of the world whereas he should have what kicked himself in the nuts retired straight away and then no one cares anymore like the second you retire like people will just completely lose interest so the flip side of that would be there was a guy that was going to not yeah just to be nice to Tom. Again the ultimate fighting charity. It's not my friend. So it's a very selfish sport.

It's a very selfish sport. No you're right. But it seemed like he had a number based on what I heard. They met that number and then he still didn't do it. So yeah, so you must have had in his head that that was his last word Yeah, and it's just why it doesn't make doesn't make financial sense Yeah, but same hand fuck that guy like That guy's trying to knock me out. I'm supposed to do something nice for him. Yeah, but it is What if Shogun who has said in 2011?

F this kid, I'm not gonna fight him. Yeah, but it's like Again, you're just playing off because he's that's all he's old school Shogun who is like old school Yeah fight him. He'll fight him because it's the honorable thing to do. But I feel like the sports progress to a point now where it's like there's no honor among thieves, brother. It's come to a point where it's just this mainstream show. There's no honor in the game anymore. So it's like you're not going to fight someone. It's the honorable thing to do.

There are still some old school guys. I would say you're in that category, no? Or would you do it the way John did? I could say I would do the smart thing and then I would do the dumb thing. I'll be like, yeah, nah, we'll fight this guy. Let it take out. You can just play like.

Vogue's old school? That's why so many people call me up because they know that I'm just gonna get offended and answer back yeah it's just yeah you can like play off there's just more instinctual people right Volk I'll say old school both old school right he just wants to be an active champion he's actively saying I'll fight most are who no one wants to fight. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He's old school. He's honorable He's on when I grow up. I want to be a Feel like Daniel the minimum like yeah, but when I grow up, yes I'm not growing up. Yes By the way, what is it like having two kids?

Yeah, yeah, this one's a dream easier easier. Yeah, you know cuz you know what to do Yeah, but now you're now you're playing man-to-man defense as they say here in America Like yeah, I look after the older one. Okay, we get one a piece and the older ones. She's very reasonable She is you know how old now she's six six. Okay, still doing the YouTube channel When she nags me, okay, yeah when she. When she gets her own, she's forgotten so. You don't bring it up. I don't bring it up, bro. It's a lot of work.

You have to edit it as well. It's a lot. I'm a one man band. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm getting none of the credit now. I've been kicked off. You've been kicked off. Is your name still in the title or did that get removed?

No, no, no. She pulled me aside. She's like, Dan, quiet word. Yeah. Because it used to be Zoe and Dan, not to TV yes she's like quiet word dad yeah gotta let you go yeah you're not pulling your weight yeah she even went to the missiles and was like I need to speak to dad about something like full on really she was stressed about it yeah I like it

not in the like, what? So she actually- Six years old, five years old, and she's like not in Dead Shadow. Wow. She's already Player One. I actually thought you were joking. Nah bro.

Really? She legit- She said- Gave me the boot. Wow. Gonna let you go. Wow. All right, so you're not on camera anymore?

You're just not on the title? Nah, I still have to do all the work, but then just Zoe Hooker TV I love it and so do you think that's it for you guys or you think you'll have more we'll see how it goes you want to have more some people say they like to have six seven oh we'll take it as it comes okay we'll take it as it comes poor poor vogue was it four have his fourth or fifth? I know I'm getting only girls, but uh It's all the tough

Retribution, bubba It's all the testosterone filled guys Yeah, yeah, nothing but girls, they call it the fighter's curse That's it Mark Coleman only had girls, I remember Avarim, same thing Avarim, that's right, yes And he had tests coming out of his ears, you know.

Nah, it was horse meat. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Give him a jacket. When is this happening by the way? The ceremony, you have no idea? I don't know. But they flew you out for it. Yeah, yeah.

Wow, they actually paid for your flight. Yeah, check that out. Wow. Like usually they would save it for when you have a fight so they can kill two birds with one stone. I don't know. No. You'll take it. It's gonna come anyway. And the tickets. You sure you have the tickets? You want me to give you one? No, I'm just saying because last time I was upset on your behalf. You can go home. Me and you together. Yeah, I'm sure they'd love that. Just really. I'm sure they love it. Imagine who's your plus one? Some guy named Dario.

Some guys. Yeah, be there in the front row. So you like Kai. You think Kai wins in the first round knockout. 100%. Take it to the bank. Yeah, he's like just, I guess the last piece of the puzzle was, is like he's found, he's's found with his culture, right?

Like he falls back into his Māori heritage and his culture. Because the last piece of the puzzle was obviously you can cross through your t's and dot all your i's but there's still, you do everything you possibly can right and it can still go horribly pear shaped. So you need that aspect of like belief or the aspect in faith in a higher power. And a lot of the Brazilians find it in religion. Most fighters find it in religion,

like, oh God will take care of it. And it's that element of faith, I feel like, is the last necessary part. And he's found it in this culture and I feel like everything's kind of come together at the right time Do you have that? No me. I'll just am so practical at about the fight game. I have a whereas I'm

Just like fuck it anything can happen Aspect of faith I'm just aspect of faith. I just know that anything can happen in this game. So why can't it go perfectly correct? But the idea is like... Usually doesn't. I mean, right now it is to a degree. Right now it's going pretty well. A few less cuts and scars will be good.

That's wild how it comes out like that. Yeah, your body just breaks it down, bro. It'll just slowly, so you can squeeze it. Wow. Does it hurt if you punch? No, no, like it's good. But will it always be like that? No, no, it'll just like, that'll just slowly go down.

Okay. Yeah. And was it one surgery? Two. Two. The first one didn't go well No, I went well was just like you had to have break Yeah, the surgeon Opened her up and he said that's the worst break I've seen in 20 years man. Come on. Really? Yeah Yeah, I did a right number on it. Wow. Did you know right away? You could tell right away, right?

I knew it was yeah. Yeah, I knew it was tell right away, right? I knew it was, yeah, yeah. I knew it was broken right away. Cause when something breaks, it like goes numb. You can't feel it. Oh wow. So when something like, when you break a bone, if you can't feel it, then it's like, That's a problem. That's broken. How many surgeries have you had?

A couple. A couple. More than, why is that, is that a personal question? A couple, nah, nah. Chris Wyman's had like 25 It's crazy. I've actually that's the funny thing about I've actually been quite lucky in terms of like I've had obviously Surgeries on my other arm and then the surgeries on my hand, but in terms of injuries, I've been I've been real lucky. Yeah It's like just quite recent but besides that I've been pretty injury-free most of my career. And then it's like good at this stage of your career people are like, oh aren't you pissed

off? But it's like, it's like the last couple years it's been pretty good not getting hit in the head all the time. Like have a little break. But hopefully you can come back this year. Yeah, I'll definitely fight this year. Maybe like October, November, maybe back in New York. Although I think you guys don't like fighting in New York because of the taxes.

Yeah, I don't care. Okay. Are you chill about it? Does anything annoy you? Does anything annoy me? Does anything piss you off? Why am I going to sit and think about things that are going to annoy me? Nah.

Nah, all right. Do you see this? We have our poker table here. I was watching the show upstairs and I You know, I didn't know what happened to ask him but man, there's a lung It's a bad ass. Oh, so, you know the back story. Yes. Yes. So we're just Yeah, it's a very scary thing and I don't even know how they do that. How do they do what like how do they replace? Your lungs. Oh, man. Where do they get other? I have no idea. He had pneumonia and he had

Staph infection. Because I've seen him go sideways so many times, you know, like guys will get a staph infection, blink and then they're almost gonna lose a leg or... I know it's crazy. It's crazy how it gets you and because it's such like a common thing and... Have you had staph? Like a hundred times like any other photos. Yeah Okay, any real bad ones remember what happened to both when you know I had uh, yeah like it turns into Cellulitis and you can go well, I've had cellulitis like a couple times. I on love like a hundred you've had a couple gay real I I've had one of them. I had to have a surgery on on my knee because it was like

To the point where it was like eating through the skin really yeah, yeah, they get ugly boy Cuz I'll been all the best. Yeah, and his family man So if you don't mind just signing on the way out and we'll we'll we'll auction it off and that's it We appreciate you stopping by. Thank you very much. This has been great Dan. Thank you so much. I love that shirt and I love that you're always rocking the flip-flops just like the California kid. What do you got there on your thing? Ash Casey coming to Israel with...

After party. Oh yeah yeah. He's in the Hall of Fame ceremony. He goes like, did you bring your suit? After party. Oh yeah yeah. Yeah yeah. Ahhhh. So are you going to wear this? Oh you're not going to go. I love it. By the way I like that little that thing that you have on your fanny pack. You got the LeBouBou? Where did you get it? My kids are dying for it.

Yeah you get it? My kids are dying for it. Yeah you did that? Well done, well done Dan. Thank you so much. You're the man. There he is. Hangman. Check out the tournament in a week right? A week from this Saturday. 5th of July. So if you're in the area go check it out. Dan Hooker, we got a security guard over there with a dog. Amazing. In a matter of moments, we're going to be joined by John Wood. I don't know if you guys heard.

Frank, you're hating me when they talk off camera there, huh? Yeah. Hate is the exact word I use. Can I have this? Absolutely. Shout out to our good friends at Celsius. I need a little... What flavor is that?

Kiwi guava? Kiwi guava, nice. Oh, you know what? I kind of want this one. No, no, no, drink the kiwi guava. Why, why? It sounds great. I like the pineapple tropical. Yeah Frank, you know

yourself. Cheers! Cheers to the Venetian. Cheers to everyone watching us live right now. Wow, that sounds like it tastes amazing. I mean I've been talking for a long time here, Frank. I just dropped my water. Did you not? You didn't get a coffee earlier? No I didn't get a coffee. That's too bad. But how are we doing? Is the stream good? Oh we were supposed to stream this one.

Yeah I see us right now. In a matter of seconds we're going to be joined by John Wood and Raul Rosa. Should I tell them who's drinking? Who's drinking? I'm reading someone talking about me drinking. Should I tell them who's joining us tomorrow? I mean, why not? For anyone just tuning in, Ariel is drinking as still. Yeah. Yeah, shout out to everyone.

Shout out to everyone who's a Jencosaurus saying, saying he's drinking the watermelon Celsius as we speak. Tomorrow. How about this? Wait, which camera am I on? This one? Tomorrow, Demetrius Johnson, Ian Machado-Garry, Rico Verhoeven, and the reigning defending UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Tommy Aspino, Aspino, Tommy Aspino, na na na na na na na na na na. In studio, all of them, Andy Aspino, who broke the

internet with Pizzi, also going to be joining us. Tommy Aspino, Aspino, Tommy Aspino Aspino Tommy Aspino No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No. Yep. He's gonna be joining us It's good, man We're killing it out here. Remember when people said the show fell off or when people said we can't get any guests Do you remember that Frank? Do you remember that Frank? I ignored those people What is wrong with me? Man, few great chats. No, I'm just taking it all in right now.

Do I have to always talk? Can I not just take it all in? I'm just taking it all in. Hey, you know, I saw this morning, I woke up Frank. What was that? Adam Sandler is coming to New York, September 15th. That's exciting. And tell them about how you watched his stand up and you enjoyed it.

No, no, I'm going to tell him that he's my favorite actor of all time. And I saw he's coming. I saw that he's coming to Madison Square Garden on the the 15th of September and Team outing then right now. No, absolutely not. Why not? I want I asked my wife if she wanted to go We've never seen him. Have you ever seen him live? No other than the special which is great And I recommend everyone watch it. It's really good, but I think this is gonna be more concert Interesting. Well, if you have watched especially see that he plays multiple songs probably six or seven. Mm-hmm Mm-hmm

What's happening backstage? We are efforting things, you know moving talent where talent needs to be we're holding small talk with the host This is hitting right now. Yeah. Well, you're have you ever crushed a Celsius as quickly before can I tell you something right now? Okay, it's freezing in here. And right before the show started, is anyone listening to us? Everyone is listening to us. Adam Sandler for Frank's birthday.

I blasted the heating in here. So I hope that no one. Yeah, don't tell them that. Yeah, I hope no one calls. Oh, let's come in guys. We got John Wood here. The Georgian MMA coach of the year, Mr. John Wood. Is Daddy Rube coming in too? Oh, yeah. Rube come in. He's supposed to answer. We got John wood here the Georgian MMA coach of the year

He doesn't want to hang out alone? They do, but they couldn't have him. I would love to see Jojo. Well, you can call her down here. If someone's up there to watch him. Danny, you left your... What are you doing here? Looking to watch. Look how nervous he is, John. Am I nervous?

Yo, have you ever done it? I don't do interviews. No comment. Are you doing this? No comment. Okay. Yo, right now we may have the... Talking to the microphone here.

Don't be shy. The 2025 coach of the year and the 2025 manager of the year right here. I don't think they do that award. We do that award. Who's they? This is amazing. You got it. I just want to make them so uncomfortable here.

This is amazing. Thanks to me. Thanks to me. You guys have become like a bit of a team. You've become a team here. I feel like, no? I mean, all your guys go through him? No, I have kind of split. I split between Ruby, Iridium, the two main companies that I work with. Because there's people I trust. Okay, so this is actually a conscious thing. Yeah, I mean, listen, if someone comes to Syndicate

and they have their own manager, then so be it. Yeah, yeah. But if they don't, then a lot of the guys, those guys are him and Lance from Riteam, they're always in the gym. And it's just, when you can have a manager and have FaceTime with it, you get to see them, a lot of these guys are managers

and the guys are not even remotely, they're on the other side of the country. It's have FaceTime with it, you know You get to see him a lot of these guys are managers and there's the guys are not even remotely They're on the other side of the country. It's hard to deal with it So right but like in Vegas, obviously, there's I think every manager is pretty much based out in Vegas now Do you ever have any managers that come to the gym and you're like, nah like like who come to scout? The younger guys and you're like, you'll get out of here. Yeah, they don't say we keep everything pretty much locked down Okay, yeah that that's not you're not that kind of guy Danny go to the gym of here. Yeah, they don't do that. We keep everything pretty much locked down. Okay. Yeah, that's not good. You're not that kind of guy, Danny?

Go to the gyms and scout? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, you do. Is that? I'm based in Vegas, right? So I'll go to Syndicate. I'll go to Extreme Couture.

But then if I'm in Florida, I'll go to Kill Cliff. I'll go to ATT. Okay. Yeah, yeah. There was once a time where I would see Danny in the hotel lobby with the book. That had never happened. He's in the book with the autographs.

And now he's with Mara in the freaking cage it's unbelievable what do you mean yeah you would you would take pictures you asked you may have asked some media guys for pictures if you scroll through his Instagram or back to his Facebook you'll see it yeah he had hair when he had the sideburns yes yes yes old agent stress what a run for you though. Yeah, it's been crazy. Like new work, incredible. Then you go to Georgia.

Yeah. Then you have Khalil in Azerbaijan. You have Nazim Sarikhov, who we spoke to a couple of days ago. Yeah. This is like a dream run right now. It's pretty amazing. This whole year has been, I mean, stellar.

We're like in the 50 plus win margin and I think under 10 losses. Wow. And in a lot of big shows, and obviously the biggest shows. Yeah. So anytime that you can go on a run like that, and we've had runs like that. I can say honestly, we've never really had a losing year at Syndicate since I've been doing this, but whenever you start to work with champions and you have that kind of stuff and you start to get the notoriety and now we're main events, you know, and you're winning on those levels that it just changes everything. Why does it feel like like there's been like a turning point the last couple of years? What's changed?

Because there actually was, you know, this is my 22nd year having the gym. And you know, I Yeah, 22 years, wow, 22 years years and I started it young I started as a fighter I started as a training partner to a lot of these guys so I had to kind of come up and earn the respect and learn a lot of things the hard way and Not having the confidence years ago of like hey I always had the vision of what I wanted and how I wanted it to be But maybe not the confidence or the the wherewithal to put that in effect. In the last couple years, a few years ago, three, four years ago, I decided, okay, hey, I'm gonna focus on a year of getting the business aspect

squared away, getting the members, the people that are coming in, the business funded, everything taken care of. So we got a good location, got everything squared away, got that going and the business is killing it. We're over a thousand, almost close to a thousand students in the gym. Regular people too.

Regular people. Yeah, yeah. And so once I got squared away, then I kind of really started to focus on the fight team. Changing the culture. There's a lot of things I used to let go, let happen. Maybe have bigger name fighters in the gym doing some things that I knew weren't right

that I would let them get away with because I, you know, didn't want to lose those guys or didn't want to like what, like they show up late or something disruptions, just painting the ass, bad partners, knocking people out, just, just dickheads on the mat, you know? And so basically we cleaned house, really started building the culture of what I wanted, how I wanted the team atmosphere, you know, shutting the doors down to where it's you can Vegas is there's a, there's a, it's a melting pot out here.

There's a gym on every corner. There's a coach coach on every corner. There's a, you know, somebody everywhere. There's the PI, you know, and a lot of people like to go everywhere, you know? So for us, we're building a team, doing something different. I hired a great coaching staff. We have a great assistant coaching staff

and doing something special inside those walls. So basically for me, it's, if you want to be part of the team, be part of the team, and it's great. If you wanna go everywhere else, do that too. But we kinda really started closing the doors down and pushing our narrative, our culture. And man, everything just aligned up with that and it just changed. So it really was about two years ago where all that kinda flew,

we got all the bad out, got a lot of good in and it just changed man and it's been you got a room in there with you know 50 to 60 guys every day that are just killers and everybody's there to help everybody everybody there there's no egos there's no assholes there's no there's nobody there that's you know trying to be the the man you know and there's a lot of good people so from your perspective why is it working? Why would you tell a fighter to go to syndicate? I think there's two things. One, coming to Vegas and training here,

you have great training partners, and if you are in the UFC, you have the access to the PI, which, world class, like there's literally nothing better. And two, I honestly think he's the best coach in the world. I really do. And don't tell him I said that. But he says the same to me privately, by the way. He coach in the world. I really do and don't don't tell him I said that He he says the same to me. I never said this I really do shitty on me for I don't Keep you humble

But I truly believe that right and when you see him work with the fighters and not just working with him in the gym Right when how he corners in the corner very calm, you know, take a breath take some water 40 seconds of advice like Like it's, I truly believe that. And I'm not the only one who thinks that, right? I think he's finally started to get his flowers. But I do think a lot of it is when good fighters are there, other good fighters are gonna come, right? So he's built something over however long, 20 years

of continuously having good fighters in the gym. And I do think COVID was a big turning point for it because it allowed people to say, hey, I need to get to Vegas because all the fights are going to be there. Let's get there. And a lot of people moved out then. And now they just decided to stay.

And actually, COVID was a good and bad one. That was where there was such one. I kind of got that was where There was such a big influx of fighters that came in that was where I realized I kind of got caught in my pants I'm like, holy shit. I'm not prepared to have This size and this many people to deal with and that's where I went out really started Scouting coaches and getting and bringing people within and then like I said We built a staff and really trying to do something different. MMA is such the wild, wild west, you know, it's still crazy.

We do things differently. Everything's kind of chaotic. So I really trying to take some of the aspects of professional sports. You know, we have, we have weekly team meetings. We have film study weekly. We have camp meetings. We sit down and, you know, put out the camp for everybody. We sit down with a simple little one page contract. Here's, here's your training times. Here's what we're going to do for you. Here simple little one-page contract. Here's here's your training times Here's what we're gonna do for you. Here's what we expect from you Here's what you're gonna get from us just kind of trying to put some professionalism without taking away the you know

the the the natural feel of things and and you know But that was really when that like I said when kovat happened That was that was a there was a lot and I even left at that time It was kind of just me. And it upset some of my fighters that I'd had for a long time. And we had a little bit of a down period. I lost some guys and it really made me take a step back and go, man, I got to do this better. What can I do better?

How do I do this better? And I started looking to advice from other coaches, you know, people that I look up to, you know, a pohoompa from ATT is, you know, real good friend of mine. I called him, hey, how do we do these? Just guys, you know, people that I look up to, you know, Pahumpa from ATT is, you know, a real good friend of mine. I called him, hey, how do we do these, just guys, you know, Greg Jackson, guys that I've looked up to and worked with for years, what are you guys doing in these areas? And really started just kind of collecting data from everybody

and doing, you know, the right things. And it just, it's paying off. So when you say that you've had the gym for 22 years, but it's really been like the last two years Five years six years. You're still a tremendous coach, but maybe not getting the same type of media attention Are you annoyed by this? No, so by this so here's the thing and It's actually him and a couple of the guys like, you know that really pushed me to start doing me I'm not I'm not a guy. I'm not the jump in front of the camera guy. I don't do that. I love this stuff. I love this sport. I love the fighters. I love what I do.

There's nothing else I'm suited to do. It's really about the fighters. So I really haven't gone out of my way to do any media, any interviews, any anything. The last two years is where I really started doing it. And that's where I realize now like doing these kinds of things and putting yourself out there does get more eyes on your fighters get more eyes on the gym get more eyes on the team and so you know I mean I've been I've been doing this at a high level for a long time I was cornering Evan Tanner in the UFC you know I was at Forrest Griffin when he won the title all those things I've been doing this in high-level corners and coaching you know I've had

somebody in the UFC for the last 20 years I've been dealing with. But I think now it's just kind of putting myself out there in the social media to get more eyes on the gym and the team and attract better training partners. It all comes down to having a better, I want the best room possible. So whatever it is I have to do to do that, great. And I've always said that if people know who I am,

it's because I've done my job and these guys are killing it. And you are doing your job. I want to ask you first and foremost about Khalil Rowntree. I'm fascinated by Khalil Rowntree. There's something about that guy talking to him, watching him, his video blogs, and then even like the fight starts. What was up with that? What was he doing there? What was that? He was just kind of like this? What was that? He just kind of had a chip on his shoulder for this one with some of the things that Jamal was saying as far as the respect of... Jamal said he's not on his level. There's no way I see where this guy can beat me. And when you say things like that to Khalil, he takes it to heart. The guy is a very... He's a special, unique guy. And he wears his heart on his sleeve.

And there are some areas where he's sensitive. But if you call him out or talk shit to him, I could tell you some stories that I can't tell you on air about some things where he will come to your gym, come to your house, he will come to wherever you are, and he'll do it by himself and say, hey, if you have a problem, we can go now. Like he's that kind of guy.

So I think at the beginning of that fight, you know, I didn't know that was going to happen, but I think that was more of like, bro, you're in for some shit. Wow. Just letting him know right off the bat that this isn't going to be a good night. And he already kind of put it out there. I'll tell you, like the performance that he put on, he is very true that he tours in meniscus, I think fully tour his meniscus three, four weeks before that fight. We did no sparring, you know, that fight. We did no sparring. You know, it was just training and no sparring.

We were on a really good track. I think this was like the third time we're supposed to fight Jamal anyways, but it wasn't a great, we didn't even know if we're going to make it to the fight. There were STEM cells, a lot of therapy, a lot of things that were just able to restabilize the leg. So for him to go out there and do that, like, and honestly, if he has a full healthy camp,

I don't think Jamal walks out of that cage but you know Khalil is just a different kind of character man and he's got some he's not a guy that you want to have mad at you yeah if I was anybody was fighting him the first thing I'd be like man hey it's great I can't wait to get in there I respect you so much and I don't want that guy kicking me like that you know so so as his manager big fight they were supposed to fight in April I I don't manage cool. You don't manage Clio You're just buddies with them. Yeah. Yeah, just cool. It's like a little Cool manages himself. Okay, man is himself. So then I'll deflect back to you

Why stick with the fight like there was a big one for him? Yeah, it clearly worked out but were there any sort of reservations about the only reservation was my reservation And I even told Chloe going this I was like listen expect to not fight him if we line up for Baku and he doesn't show up you know we're taking whoever's next. Oh wow. You know because I kind of you know obviously there's an injury history with Jamal and some pullouts with some things that were you know rumors and we don't know why but it was such a good fight for us like there was never a doubt in my mind or Khalil's mind that that we were gonna You know that it was gonna go the way it went

And you know Jamal being a former champion and a guy that you know, he's a tough dude But it was a great matchup for us It was a great matchup to get up into the rankings to put you know Put Khalil over the hump even though with the Pereira fight like as an awesome fight. It's a great fight, but you still lost with a hump, even though with the Pereira fight, like it was an awesome fight. It was a great fight, but you still lost. So you gotta get that monkey off your back, go out there, beat a top level guy,

top five, top, you know, his top five guy. Boom, now here we are. So, you know, obviously we wanted a big finish. And I think with a big finish, that puts him right back up into the top, you know, the talks of maybe we get a the title didn't go that way but you know due to some camp and things but Here we are see the year he fight. That's be a crazy one. You like that one?

I mean if it's not the title obviously you want the title for yes. Yes. I Like that one. Those are the kind of matchups that get me up, you know Get me up for the game of that's a guy game planning for is going to be, you know, it's going to be fun. That's going to be a very violent, bloody, crazy fight. That's not going five rounds, you know, and it, it, it, yeah, it'd be a fun one. But then what did you make of the exchange at the end of the fight with Jamal going up to them? They just had 25 minutes to fight and it was like, what more could be said at this point. It was 50 to 45

Listen there's people wasn't like he was running. Yeah, he was standing right there Yeah, there's people that you know, just I don't want to say delusional But have their views and have their realities and they're gonna believe that reality no matter what you know Whatever happens and I think Jamal is you know, he's got a lot of soul searching to do when it comes to what's next. And obviously, he's losing to the top guys in the world, but still, it might be a little hard for him to believe. In his mind, he thinks he's still champion

and thinks he's still, hey, so when you go into that mindset, sometimes that self belief, it's good for you, but sometimes it kind of makes it, you know, you cloud your vision and what reality is. And even, I think that's kind of one of those moments of like, you know, like I don't, I don't know how you would even think you got dropped what three or four times in that fight, you know, and even in the last round twice.

So, you know, it just, it guys got to do whatever they got to do to make themselves feel better You've been talking to you about study hot for a while. You're very high on him. What a freaking fight, man It was a little dicey there in the first round Honestly even like the bonfim fight. Yeah, bonfim was all over him for the first three minutes and then he finds that head kick I mean the kid literally is like Top three most talented kids we've ever signed and it says a lot for the first three minutes and then he finds that head kick. I mean the kid literally is like top three most talented kids we've ever signed and that says a lot. He's a savage. He's special. I signed him at four and one and he's like I'm ready to be in the UFC tomorrow. I was like you are but that's not going to happen. Like follow a path you know. Good a couple fights in fury. Get on

Dana White Contender Series. Highlight real on Dana White Contender Series. And then yeah I mean you know obviously like just like anybody's career there's bumps along the way like he didn't fight for like nine months because he kept losing opponents and then UFC offered us a much tougher opponent. We asked for more money. They said no, so we said, okay we'll sit and get something better, right? And then like I think now hopefully the UFC gets behind him and really starts to push him You know, he's got a personality to him. He's got now and also now he's doing some social media He's got a social media guy helping him. I think that's a big thing too, right? The guys at the UFC always say they only get behind people

when they see that they're already starting to hit that rocket ship. There is an amplifier. You seem high on him as well. Oh, man. He's so talented, that guy, and tough. And that was part of the thing when we got him to the gym is that It's it's great as a coach to have that toughness to know that if we need to go out

And we're down and we need to slug it out We need to brawl that that's there, you know And you can you probably finish a fight you could buy the kind of fights he had before he got to the gym before he Got to syndicate, you know those kind of fights were entertaining But like for me, you, fight of the night is great. But I'm always like, let's go for more of the performance of the night. Let's get that. And let's not be in these wars.

Now, what happened out there, best case scenario, you got fight of the night, performance of the night, and you did it in your hometown in a fight that everybody like, if that's not nominated for fight of the year, I mean, holy shit. Fight of maybe round of the year. Yeah. I mean, it was insane. I maybe round of the year. Yeah. I mean, it was insane. I lost my voice in the first round.

Completely blew out my voice. And I was like, oh my god. I was like, I got another fight to do and more rounds of this. But he is super talented. That's a kid that will be in the top 10 very shortly and competing top five. And I think we got something there. He told me he wanted a BSD in Paris.

You like that one for him? Yeah. Yeah? Yeah. Any chance he gets it? We'll see. I emailed Sean and said, hey, this is what we want.

Like he wants to play spoiler now, let him fight BSD or Manuel Torres in Mexico. I love that, that he's like, yeah, I got a home fight, let me go to someone else's home. Not a lot of people say that. The good thing about him, man, is the kid is

confident but he's also humble and willing to learn you know he's one of those guys that he's he's the complete package we just it's you know it's just kind of connecting the dots at this point in time and putting everything together and that's where we're at and I think that the next year is gonna be a good one for him. I mean honestly like Kiesa Kiesa, obviously, I'm really good friends with. He's an analyst. He's so smart at what he does. And he's always said, like,

the best asset that Nazim has is his composure. He just stays so calm. Like, even the Bonfim fight, Bonfim was all over him the first three minutes. And then just stays composed, finds that kick. And same in this fight. Like, he got hurt to the body, got hurt to the head. I mean, like, credit to the referee also, right? He didn't step in and stop it when maybe other refs do you

know he he dove in on a single as like a I don't know if it was a panic single or the I think the ref was telling him I mean one the ref was telling him you got to fight back and he threw the one punch that broke him for a second but he got hit in the body again it was like you know screw it I'm going in on this look at his defense kind of he was covering a lot of those strikes, but it's just so much volume, you know So the stuff that you're saying about like being composed and being you know Humble and all this stuff feels like you could also say these same things about Murab Like I don't know if there are many superstars champions that act the way he acts

No as down to earth as he is as humble as he. Like even when you see him back home in Georgia, it feels like he's just like one of the guys. He, whatever you see, he is exactly the way he is in front, behind the camera, his personality. He's literally the most down to earth guy you could ever imagine. Like he's a guy- And especially with that kind of success, right?

I mean, it's insane. Like he takes it all in stride. You would never know if you were walking next to him here, sat down, you would never know who he is by how he presents himself. You know, he really is such a good dude in the room, such a great training partner. He shows up to everybody's fight to corner

no matter what level. Like, he's at amateur fights. He's at, you know, pro fights. He's at, like, every level. The dude dude if he can be there, he's gonna be there He's got a house full of young up-and-coming fighters so much that he's moving out of it and just leaving them there Really? Yeah, he's just he's just leaving those guys there and like that's full and I was like, you know, just read it out He's like nah, he's like they're all they've got it. Like he's just moving He's not gonna grab Robbett sold him in house. He really really is

Really is that kind of guy? You know he's great with the kids. You know people in the gym He's very accessible to like the kids love him He talks to everybody shakes everybody hand take everybody picture You know I love the guy to death, but it really is annoying going anywhere with him because it takes Hours because he will stop and shake every hand. And then when you're leaving the events, when you're driving out of the thing, like the Georgians have figured it out. All the Georgian fans, they know that he's coming out and if he sees a Georgian flag, boom he's out of the van. He's out of the van,

taking pictures and then of course the herd and the crowd and everybody comes. It takes hours to do anything. it all that shot in Newark It's probably like 330 in the morning or four It does it every time like he no matter where he is like he will sign every autograph take every picture And then he gets mad like when the security tries to like stop him He's like walking down the streets of Tbilisi like we had to pull him into this What was that like because we always hear it's madness There's no other way to describe it madness like it's like if you're walking with LeBron in America it's like Michael

Jackson I mean more than that honestly it's more than that it's like Michael Jackson dude the guy is like I mean everybody drive a scream and honk and like people hanging from the bus I've never experienced anything like that I like the coolest trip I've ever been on in my life beautiful country beautiful people but holy crap, like he just, I mean he has a country that supports him and loves him and you know rightfully so, like he loves and supports them so, but it's insane. He is a superstar. Last time you went, were you with him? No. So this is your first time

experiencing that as well? My first time in Georgia. Okay. Blown away? Like honestly the country's amazing, amazing people's amazing the But just that reception like to get off the plane and he's like standing on top of the bus I got in the night before I met them in the airport and then yeah Like they all like they're all in the in the airport on the you know The baggage claim and their interview literally mob scene. They got a band playing they got dude It's crazy guy with a whole two horses I don't never was asked me what happened to the guy on the bus I don't know we didn't stop yeah I was like I don't know

my favorite thing you were on the bus and kids were like throwing oh yeah and you're just like dropping it down and hoping he gets back to the because the buzz is still good I was decided throwing it off I don't know I don't know who got what I got left with when we in that park, you know, kind of woke up off the plane and no one was expecting that. They drag us out to this park and like, there was like 15, 20 cops around

that really weren't doing much. Like we were just, the people were just mobbing us. So we got out of the stage and you know, Rob did his thing and then we were leaving and I got like separated from the herd and I was out in the middle of a field with hundreds of kids like tackling me grabbing. I was like, I don't think I'm gonna make it back Well, and they love you because you're so yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah for sure. Oh god like for my birthday, you know I I've got thousands of like Georgian people. Happy birthday coach

We love you like the support from the Georgian fans just even from me and the gym, like him, it's amazing, it's crazy. I saw you got the Raiders jersey. Was that from you? Georgian MMA coach of the year. Is that a real thing? Were you really- So one of the main-

The media outlets? Media outlet out there that does it. Yeah, voted me, obviously I was a pretty slam dunk. You don't have to be of Georgian descent to win the Georgian MMA. No, no, everybody else was there was a was me and like Polino and a couple of the people that were in the running and yeah lo and behold I got voted in. I bet you never thought that would happen. No I did not think that was happening. Is this something that you care about?

Like oh to win a fighters only award? Are you someone that cares about these things? It's I haven't I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't be cool. Yeah, like sure we all want, you know, if you do this job You do it for the right reasons you do it because you love the job You love the sport you love the fighter and I can again like I don't need the credit But like I said, I'd be lying if it if I was like that wouldn't be it'd be cool to get that You know at least a nomination. Yeah, at least a nomination. Never been nominated? Never been nominated.

Not for that, no. Really? 16 years, I think it's been going, 15 years? Yeah, never. Wow, that is weird. Yeah, but again, a lot of this is playing the game and getting out and getting your face seen and doing the social media and doing those things.

And that's something that, like I said, I've started to do and we'll see what happens. But if I got nominated, that'd be awesome. Sure. If I don't, it's not going to ruin my day. It's not going to change my job or what I do. Just nice to be recognized. Sure.

Sure. Anybody I think that you, just as humans, we all have egos. We all have a little bit of that internal, like, hmm, it's fine. Yeah, I want to be loved, you know, but in it's not gonna make or break me, but it would be cool. Absolutely. Yeah. Can I ask about Marab versus Corey? Sure. Your thoughts? We win. What are the challenges? What are the... Corey's a great fighter and actually Corey is a guy who I enjoy watching fight. You know, I've always through the years really liked his style

and I like the way he goes out there to reforms. I think it's great, stylistically, I think that there's a lot of things that go on behind the scenes, in the room, and even in the fights with Rob that people don't know the timing, the changes, the little things he does that match up very well for this fight and I think that you know there's a lot of things obviously

he switches stances a lot, he you know flying knees, there's uppercuts, there's all kinds of stuff but yeah I think it's gonna be a very fun one to game plan for and I think it's one that we come out on top no problem. Okay and I mean he wants to be active, he talks about four, I don't know if four is possible this year three is probably more likely for being honest right? I mean if we can do October and then December it's reasonable. But you know better. No they never give an October December turnaround. It depends what they need. If they need somebody absolutely. Would the first date be October like is that what he's gunning for? Nothing's

confirmed. No no no I'm not, but like would that be his ideal month to come back? Probably, but I think him being in New York for so long, I think he's very... he really wants Madison Square Garden. Right, right, right. But then other things come in, taxes, and then the camp's... October is gonna be in Las Vegas. He's here. He doesn't have to interrupt his training't I think if you give him the option to try to get October and then sneak one in December He'll probably you know, he'd probably go that yeah. Yeah, he loves a fight. He's back in the gym today He was back sparring today. That's quick. Literally came off the plane right to the jail But hold on got off the plane in Chicago

Missconnected had to get him a later flight So he didn't even get into Vegas until like 1 a.m. Last night and still in there and I'm still in today Did he injure his toe or something in the fight or before the fight? Forking pinkie broke his toe literally like fine. Okay, the dude does he loves to make a bigger deal Yeah, people freak out about it and he realized off the UFC The best was like that little cut he got yeah, then it got posted, a bunch of people posted, and then the fake. It was a great picture, because it was.

It was an amazing account, by the way. And then I texted Hunter, and I was like, is he really pissed about this? I was like, dude, it was like a fingernail. He's like, no, it's bullshit. And then literally two seconds later, Dana tweeted, this is bullshit. It was like, amazing.

Mara was one of those guys, and I've said this in multiple things, where it's like, if you see it or hear about it from him online It ain't nothing we're not gonna post things There's I thought there was so much that you did not see or hear before the umar fight. Oh my god The stairs one right just the everywhere there was more layer back out. He couldn't walk for a week through his back out It couldn't train for a week. He couldn't spar There's times where like in sparring he would throw a kick and then fall down screaming

on the ground and rolling around and then take a round off and get back and do it again. And it was such a bad camp, you know, and obviously we didn't talk about those things. But in sparring, the only thing that kept me in from keeping him out was the fact that when he would spar his six rounds, he would murder it, murder it. And then, you know, just look like he was destroyed after that but I knew that you know he

would still be able to do what he needed to do so all those kind of things like I said if you see it it ain't nothing you know I left for a day and I start seeing pictures I go I get I was gone for like 12 hours from the gym for a fight I pull up my phone I'm like oh my god you know I didn't know about the pinky and then I call it I get back and I'm like dude what he's fight. I pull up my phone, I'm like, oh my God. You know, and I. I didn't know about the pinky until I posted it. And then I call it, I get back, and I'm like, dude, what, he's like, oh, it's fine, coach, it's fine, coach. You know, and I was there for the cut, and it was like literally a fingernail,

but it was bleeding down, and so the picture looked cool, so we posted it. Do you ever worry about, like, you know that Kevin Lee clip of him getting. Absolutely. Do you ever worry, like, you say he throws a kick, he's in pain pain of this stuff getting leaked of trust being...

We were just talking about that today. We don't really have an open gym of people filming. That's one thing that we're not, this isn't our gym, you're coming and sitting there and hanging out and filming and doing stuff. So if that leaks by one of our guys, which nobody would do that, you're immediately out of the gym and never coming back. It's never happened? Nah. And so you know those are always worries but we've got a pretty good like system and crew where you know we were

just talking about it with Jojo. Jojo's like they can stop. Literally yeah. Oh really? Yeah. Oh man. What about filming? No, Jo, everything. Joe runs the gym. She's the front end guy and yeah, she runs me. She runs everything. You know, she is on it. So, you know, she's a little, she's the, really she is the watchdog. So she was on the way over here. She's like, how do we get, you know, where are we doing? She wants security guards, armed guards, you know, she wants the whole bit in there. For the gym? Yeah. Why? You know, so nobody can do that. So nobody exactly what you're talking about. So it doesn't happen, you know? So it's like, I think Rob, somebody was filming in there one time and he didn't know about it and she was there and heard about it. And then since then, the next day she comes back

and she was going to black out the whole gym and had, you know, wanted the cage closed. I was like, no, babe, we've got to be able to see. No, She's great though. She's awesome. She's she's running the front and I didn't realize she had that that oh not that toughness Obviously, I know she's tough. She's a fighter She sleeps with an axe in the bed, and I'm not kidding there's an axe tucked into the side of the bed. Why? Probably cuz she's gonna hit me in the head with it one night with an axe axe No, she's she is the sweetest was beautiful cutest little voice and think but she oh she you go Wow Yeah, she's like her old Scottish warrior. She's a model bear. She's the Scottish warrior for sure gosh You don't mess with the team you don't mess with the family, you know, and you should take the axe to you respect

I expect that by the way. How old is your son now? He's gonna be 10 next week. Is he is he wanting to fall in your footsteps? Is it starting? Yeah. Yeah, he's I mean he trains every day. He's been doing jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai since he could walk, you know, and he's playing hockey also. So it's between hockey or you know, I think that are kind of, you know, those are kind of his. Would you want him to do it? Man, I wouldn't steer him away from it. I don't know, like I have a very good, like even cornering Joe and cornering him if I don't get it. I don't know, like, I have a very good, like, even cornering Joe and cornering him, I don't get nervous, I don't feel those nerves, I don't have any stuff, but I always think about

what it would be like to corner my son, my little baby boy, you know, like, in a fight. That, I'd kinda be, that might make me, you know, shit my pants a little bit. So, I don't wanna see him ever get hurt, but I think, if, how could I tell him? Everything we have in life everything we have in our life and everything it's built on is based around this sport And this is something that I absolutely love so I'm not gonna tell him ever hey

You shouldn't do it if he wants to and that's the path that he wants to go on then then so be it You know and he does joke all the time. He's like, I'm not going to cause I'm taking over the gym I tell him okay. Well, you here's your path. You better have a black belt. You better have this here Here's what you have to do. You're going to a college. It's just a different kind of college You know your school is gonna be a little bit different. You know, it's not gonna be handed to you You're gonna earn that the right way But if he wants to do it then he wants to do it, you know, and I wouldn't tell him he couldn't I saw a video Earlier today. I was just looking up some old stuff

I saw a video earlier today. I was just looking up some old stuff This is like your ultimate fighter like John would perspective ultimate fighter participant You had maybe like six or seven pro fights at this point. You're much younger obviously I don't know which tough it was maybe seven seven. I was just gonna say that seven was that um Forrest and rampage force and rampage're talking, Forrest and Rampage was probably 2006, 2007, something like that. No, maybe like 2008. In any event. I think it was 2007.

Okay. You're not coaching just yet at that point, right? I kind of, I still have the gym, so I kind of was. Okay. But I wasn't all the way in on it. Who, who, who did you emulate, emulate your coaching style after who who molded you into the coach that you are this is kind of the crazy

thing you know I when I started fighting I came first I grew up in Vegas got into a lot of trouble moved away went to Arizona for a little bit I started you know messing around with some things out there really got into MMA about 17 years old 18 years old what year is that Jeez, I don't know like okay. I mean I'm trying to get I'm 46 years old. So minus what 32? Okay? Okay? 22 years ago. I don't 23 no 30. She's 32 years ago So I ended up you know wanting to move back home Vegas was home I came back and I joined the Las Vegas Combat Club, Ricardo Perez and Frank Muir was out of there

and Phil Barone was there and all that stuff. So I came back here and that's kind of where it all started. So I had some coaches there for the first year. When I started the gym, I got into a car accident, had some money, started the gym, did the whole like, hey, I wanna do this as a future investment. And that's where kind of I lost my coaches.

And then, you know, force came out and did the ultimate fighter. And he was living with me after the ultimate fighter, literally under my dining room table in the, in the living room, in the dining room. He lived under my dining room table was that was his bedroom after he got off the ultimate fighter under the dining room table was where his mattress was. What lived in our me, forest Griffin and Alex Schoenauer had an apartment together. Wow. So kind of after that. After the Ultimate Fighter? After the Ultimate Fighter. Wow. So I kind of just followed him around, you know, and we brought coaches in and I,

whatever he would go and we'd go to these, I was always able to kind of follow guys around, but I didn't really have a coach. I saw a lot of good coaching. I saw a lot of good things, a lot of what not to do, you know, for years, fast forward kind of towards the end of my career. I ended up linking up with Greg Jackson and Greg kind of took me under the wing and for, for a few years of like, Ooh, Hey, do this, don't do this. When he was at the peak, you know, and, and that was the guy who really started to kind of mentor me in the what to do, what not to do.

And you know, he's the one who put me on season 17 to coach with John Jones and that kind of really pushed everything out for me after that. But past that, man, I kind of just had to figure it out my own. Like I really have been just kind of doing this crap on my own and figuring out what works and what doesn't work through trial and error. I didn't come up, but it also was a good thing because I don't have a specific style. It's very easy for me to mold to a Roxanne Montefari

or a Marab or a Khalil Rountree, whatever the fighter needs, that is what I'm able to do because I didn't come up under a set style, under a set, here's the way you do it. So it was a blessing and a curse It was a lot harder to get where I got but I'm glad I'm here. It's working. Yes, it's working Congratulations on all your success. Thank you. Thank you for coming in Congrats on this past month What a June for you? I can't believe we got Danny to sit down

I don't know if he's gonna text me after being like that was fucked up. I kind of hijacked my interview though I felt like he took a lot of spotlights off. I said no. I said no boy. Mary really literally just said like two words. Are you mad kind of we're gonna talk about it Can you say how to Jojo for me when my all-time favorites? I know but she's watching right now. He is hello Jojo we love you and every time I talk about the The fight kits I always reference JoJo, because when she came to Invicta and she was wearing the kilt, you were like, look at that.

That makes her different. That's what did it for me. Well, I'm not saying from that regard. That's what did it. I'm just saying, this is what fighting is about, being able to express yourself, being able to pay homage to your country, to your heritage, to your lineage,

and now everyone looks the same. And I always mention her on Invicta, because to me, that's the first time I saw her. I was like, that's awesome. Now I'm invested in her story. Chuck with the ice, Tito with the flames, on and on. It goes, now we get excited with Khalil, and then we debate, is he worthy of fucking gray shorts?

I'm like, what are you talking about? I thought I showed him her awesome shorts. They were incredible, and by the way, he is worthy of them. It does suck, it does suck. I wish the guys could have a little bit of originality and it looks like they're kind of going in that direction. A little bit. Honestly what I said is for the three Azari guys in Baku they should have done something special.

I agree. Taufik, Nazim and Rafael they should have done something special. Of course. I agree. A little bit more creativity. We have this custom thing, I don't know if you heard what we're doing, and we're having everyone who stops by sign it and then we're gonna donate we're gonna we're gonna Sell it off to charity and then all the money will go to Ben Askren's family. Awesome

So if you don't mind signing on the way out, I appreciate you very much. Thank you Thank you so much Thank you, and I think we've got Raul coming in. Is there any beef with Raul? No. Okay I don't have beef with anybody. I know I know. Yeah, you guys could just make your way over and please don't forget to sign over there John appreciate it. I was gonna ask Danny to sign but I know his his autograph is too is worth too much There we go. John Wood syndicate MMA. We may be talking about him end of the year as Coach of the Year, well on his way. Appreciate it. Thank you so much John.

And say hello to the family. And we'll bring in our final guest of the day now. What a day it has been from Israel Adesanya to freaking Alex Volkanovsky to Dan Hooker and Ashbel Castro. John Wood and the man it's a Chiwi! There he is. Nice to meet you bro. This is our first time meeting in person.

Yeah very fun. Holy crap please have a seat. Do you want to be here? Can I say something about you? Yeah. Aura. Yeah? You have aura.

Crazy aura. Yo man no I'm being serious. Yeah why? Come in aura. Crazy aura. Yo man, no, I'm being serious. Come in, come in, come in. Talk to, talk to, yo I feel something. Superstar aura. What, you don't believe me? No, I believe you, I believe you, I appreciate it. Yes. Wow, it's great to meet you in person.

Great to have you. Thank you for coming. You were just at like a social media thing, right? A summit? Yeah, I was at a social media like they were explaining like fighters how to use social media. Yeah, you don't need help with that. You're killing it man. I think I understand it pretty good. Yeah, you're doing great. I love the skits. I love the videos. Yeah. Pauliana Vianna is in a lot of your videos. What's going on there? You guys like teammates or what?

No, actually we've only trained once together once. I've seen her in a bunch of your videos. Yeah, I'm trying to think what was the first video we did. There was one where she was like asking you something and then you showed her how to like sweep up. You know that one? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, the weights, the weights. Yeah, yeah, yeah. A lot of women got mad about that. Why are they getting mad? Because you were implying that she needs to clean? Yeah, yeah. Nah, I mean she knew what she was doing, right?

Yeah, yeah, no, Poliana she knew what she was doing, right? Yeah, yeah, no, Poliana knew, yeah. I mean we both came up with that idea. How does that work? You pitch her the idea or what? Yeah, she either tells me the idea or I tell her and we just put in a little bit of our own thoughts. So you're just pals, because you don't train together.

You're not on the same team. Yeah, yeah, we're not on the same team, so we're just like homies, you know? I love it. That's what I'm saying, you don't need any help. You're coming up with this fun shit. Yeah, yeah. And I feel like you're really coming into your own as far as your personality.

I saw you at the Anthony Pettis event. Yeah. Holding court. Yeah, I felt like being able to do like a lot of different content, you know, because I feel like a lot of fighters just do fighting content, training videos, but I'm over here like going to college, I'm over here fucking just doing whatever the most. I love it. Now, what do you say going to college? What do you mean? Yeah, I Know but I go to college here and there to you to take like a few classes, you know about what what kind of classes?

Just whatever like last time I was taking a business and then I was taking a oh, I like it I was taking what was the other one art which is in art really? Yeah, and now are you going like what's the motivation here? Why are you doing this? Just to have something to fall back on you know like a second a second career even though you know This career is going pretty well. It's going pretty well. You know, but like you never know like a car crash or something. Oh no, let's not put that out there. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I mean you never know so yeah. Did you graduate high school?

Yeah. Okay, because I saw you also posted another video where you were like you dropped out. Oh yeah, yeah, so like some videos I just just to hop on the train, you know. So you didn't actually drop out? No, no, no. No, no, no, you made it through, you graduated, but you didn't actually drop out? No, no, no. You made it through, you graduated, but you didn't go to college? Yeah, no. It was really during the pandemic, right?

Where you decided you got to go all in here. Yeah, yeah. It was after I fought Mondo because I was like, fuck, I'm going to be fighting this grown man. Because I would look at my opponents now and they would have babies, family and shit. I was like, damn, I'm going to fight this grown man that are fully into the sport. So I'm like while they're out there training, I'm over here fucking just sitting in the classroom you know, just having fun. So I'm like to match, to make sure that I don't lose the fight, I was like I gotta go,

I gotta go full in too so I was like it's time. How do you handle it now because like you're very popular, very recognizable. People are coming at you, wanting to be friends with you. How do you deal with all that success, all that fame? I mean, I just keep my close friends, my family, maintain my family, you know, they keep me grounded for sure. Because when I got into the UFC with the fame that hit right away, it was a little bit hard to stay humble, you know?

For a second, but just my family reminded me that I'm still the same person and this and that. Did anyone check you? Did anyone say like, yo man, you're feeling yourself a little too much? No, just my family reminded me like, hey hey make sure you know, you're not like you're not all that Yeah, you know, you're not you buddy. You buddy got to the UFC relaxed So, you know like hearing that honesty just tears me like, you know with my feet on the ground for sure

We spoke right before you fought in Mexico, but now that you had the experience. Yeah, what was it like? the whole experience was nice for sure just uh, in Mexico, but now that you had the experience, what was it like? The whole experience was nice for sure. Just the altitude did get to me, you know? It did. It did, bro, after. You underestimated it. Yeah, yeah.

You didn't think it would affect you like that? Not that much, no. I thought like with four weeks I would be okay, but. When did it hit you? How early in the fight? Exactly, you know, in the first round I came out and then when I picked him up and I threw him on the ground I was already feeling like tired. I was wow. I was feeling slow. You never felt that before No, no, and then my mouth got like so dry, you know, like when I went to the corner

I was just I didn't care about that advice. I just wanted water, you know, wow. Wow. Wow. So But yeah, like that helped me to stay composed, you know. I was like, okay, just stay relaxed and yeah, just get through the fight. The experience of fighting in Mexico in front of your people, what was that like? Oh, it was a different thing too. Like when I started the fight, the crowd is just so different, you know. I felt like they're speaking to me right in there. Like I can't have you speak to me and not look at you, you know, so they were speaking so much that it made me look to the crowd

I was over here looking at the crowd like because it's a Biggest arena fought in so far in the full list, you know Cuz I was all the way like at the end of the card so I Was over here looking at the crowd for a second with my eyes only and then Vince threw a jab He missed but it brought me back, you know, I was like, wow, so you were getting distracted. I was getting distracted Wow So maybe you'd prefer to fight at the apex less distractions. It's for sure less distractions, you know, but I like I like Yeah, and then um, yeah a lot of people got sick. Did you get sick?

I did. You did get sick? Again. Wow. So I pulled out with Ricky Tertios when I got sick. Yes, that was like the day of, right? Yeah. What happened this time?

This time, but this time it was the weekend before, so it was good. I had the whole five weeks to recover, but I don't know, I ate something and then I was just throwing up, you know. Damn. Do you think it has anything to do with your immune system? Like with you cutting weight? I feel like something with the food you know I don't know. Because a lot of people that go out there and eat the food like it's just

yeah yeah you gotta get like used to it I think I don't know. So when Joe Pfeiffer was talking about Mexico you kind of had a similar experience. Yeah, but I think he exaggerated a little too much, you know? Do you feel like you crossed the line? Yeah, I mean, from what I saw, I don't know if it's true because sometimes social media lies, but if he talks about Mexico, I think that's something else for sure. I saw on your social media you said Fight News is coming. Yeah. You have something you have something Something in the air. I'm not gonna say the open. No, I know I know but You like it. I like it. Yeah, there's a step up. It's a step up for sure. It's top ten for real

Yeah, but Hopefully he accepts, you know, oh you don't know know yet No, I don't know like I'm saying it's still on the offer, you know, so hopefully he accepts and we get it going, you know Notch a UFC. Yeah, September. We're trying to make sense right San Antonio. Yeah. Yeah, man top ten, huh? Yeah, it's a top ten in the bantamweight division. I'm not I'm not gonna try to guess I'm gonna try to guess I just want to see you might even have it up there. Maybe we have it. I don't know. Let's see here. I'm looking at it. I'm just gonna make a guess. Don't tell me if I'm right or wrong, okay? All right. Do we have it, guys? Maybe you can look too. So, well, I want to use it as a guide. I'm gonna say, Well, I want to I want to use it as a as a guide I'm gonna say oh

Here, where is it? Oh, yeah, there it is. There it is It's I'm gonna say wow imagine you versus Henry Be crazy Mario's on this big streak Rob I'm gonna say it's Marlon Rob or Henry Yeah, could be one of those Wow. Look at that. I love it love it I love it. Yeah that's a big jump for you. Yeah I'm excited. Yeah yeah amazing and health wise you're all good? Yeah health wise actually well I'm recovering from my knee right now but it's feeling better. What happened to the knee? I was sparring the weekend before Winder Rikki Simon fought.

Oh he fought like uh he fought Smotherman. Yeah a few weeks ago? Yeah I was gonna offer to step in for that one but my knee I got injured like like the week off because I was sparring with somebody else he went for a takedown and just my knee you know something with buckled yeah like he twisted because he was he went for like a low single okay so I thought he wasn't gonna get a take down but he did like a weird move so he twisted like my knee you know so it just popped but it's not too too bad you know where is your home gym? I'm all over the place. In Vegas, I go to a Muay Thai gym. I go to 10 Planet.

I go to Extreme for the bodies to spar. I still go to Syndicate, but not anymore. And then right now I'm trying to go to the lab. I've been in the lab for a couple weeks. In Arizona? Yeah. Then right now I'm trying to go to the lab. I've been in the lab for a couple weeks in Arizona Yeah, okay. Yeah, cuz there's a lot of guys that can help me get ready, you know, like yeah Mario Tyler so I was legendary. Yeah. Yeah, so in there. Yeah, he's there John Crouch. Yeah. Yeah legends so like being around them it's helped a lot like I've been like

Back and forth but this past I've been like two weeks this past two weeks okay I've been over there going to Arizona yeah go back and then you come back yeah so I go there and I come back on the weekend and then I go for the week and you've been in the news this week because people have been comparing you standing next to Ilya and you standing next to Charles yeah you've been like sort of like the lip miss and you're 135 I'm a fucking weight bully how much you walk around that like is you're not cutting weight okay so watch when I started in the UFC 137 but now I can get all the

way to 165 165 so what do you think you are right now right now 160 because I'm watching what I eat I'm kind of like where they're at right now as they're cutting to 55. Correct. Were you surprised by Ilya? No, because you know like when I see him, like not trying to be gay, but you know like when I gave him like a hug, you know? Like out of respect, I could feel like his body is like so like, he's got like a lot of muscle mass. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I can see like he's got like a lot of muscle mass So I can see why he's a 55. Okay. What about Charles? Did he see much bigger? Yeah tall wise. Yeah Yeah, yeah. See I mean

Physically wise. Yeah, he might be bigger for sure when you this is at the PI when you saw them, right? Yeah, I saw both of them at the pier. Is it is it like you get starstruck by any of these guys? Cuz you're I mean, you're still you're 20 years old Legends here. I like you to poor you, you know, but I wouldn't say I got starstruck, but like I, I respect a lot of fighters, you know? So like, it's dope to be able to like,

at such a young age to be where they're at, you know, like, oh, like we're training at the PI, you know, where- Your peers, your colleagues. Yeah. So like the first time I got into the UFC and like I had to do like all these activities and I end up in like ceremonial Williams in the back with like all these fighters and the main event and like I'm so close to them. I'm like, like that shit was crazy. Yeah. Do you get, do you get like anxious? Do you get nervous? Like, holy crap. No, I just I just

like I've been looking at the main event sometimes when it's a big main event and I just wanted like I pay attention like how it is, you know and kind of taking notes in a way Cuz I know I'm gonna get there. Yeah envisioning yourself. Yeah. Yeah speaking of which I saw you also took a picture with Nick Diaz. Oh yeah. Where did you see him? PI. He was at the PI? Yeah, not recently but that's when I got into my UFC debut. Oh, so that was an old picture. Yeah, yeah.

Okay, because some people, because like we've been wondering how he's doing, where he's at, so I thought you just ran into him. No, no, no, not recently but... You posted it recently. Yeah, I barely posted it. It's just back then I used to like... You were engagement farming as they say. Yeah. Yeah, I barely posted it. It's just back then I used to like you were engagement farming as they say Yeah

What so tell me so you saw him at the P. I saw him at the PI But at first he was just like staring at me, you know come on, but it was because then I found out it was because I I heard cuz I Yeah, it was because then I found out it was because I heard because I used to be in a team affiliated with his team so I know a lot of people we know a lot of people in family so then I found out that I think he saw himself in me in a way you know. Wow. Yeah.

Did you talk to him? Not really I just you know because I feel like I Don't know I He liked science stuff cuz I'm like a little star-struck a little bit. Yeah. Yeah, so like he's another level I'm like like just respect and stuff and I saw I didn't talk to him But yeah, that's what I was a your first time meeting him. Yeah first time have you ever met Nate? Yeah, when I was 12 when you were 12. Yeah, where were you at the gym? He's into the gym the gym you were trained. Yeah, where was this 12. When you were 12? Yeah. Where were you? At the gym.

He came to the gym. The gym you were training? Yeah. Where was this? In California? Yes. Okay. What was the gym?

Was it a Gracie gym? Yeah, Gracie, Dave Terrell. Oh, wow. Oh, wait. Was this in like Stockton? Santa Rosa. Okay. It's like two hours away.

Okay, okay. And Nate came for what? Terrell. Wow. And you're 12? Yeah. And did you go up to him? No, because I controlled my... that was... okay, so since I was 12, I was still being around, used to seeing those type of fighters. So I remember like inside I wanted to run up and be like, Nate, Nate, you know, like what the fuck are you doing here? And uh, but I controlled myself and I was like, nah, let me like, let's let him change because I was with my brothers and then we saw him roll and I wanted to roll but I didn't realize at the moment I was too little, you know? Okay. So, but yeah.

Do you remember watching him and being like... I was watching him. He was better than... because I never really watched his grappling, you know? So he was better than what I thought for sure. So you know it's crazy so that you're 12, that was 8 years ago only. Yeah. So that was 2017. This is like post-Connor. Yeah, yeah.

That's crazy. That's crazy that you're, did you watch the Conor fights? Yeah, I always watch the Conor fights. No, no, like Conor vs. Nate. Oh yeah, those ones yeah. So you were like 11 years old for those fights. Yeah. Crazy.

And who were you rooting for? I was rooting for Nate Diaz actually yeah, because because he's from your area. Yeah. Yeah train at the gym Is that was he your favorite fighter where the Diaz is your favorite fighter because of where you lived during that era I think I liked watching McGregor, but I Don't know who was my favorite fighter probably Robbie Lawler because he was around that time. That's right. You have the cake photo Yeah, yeah, yes around that time. It was still Robbie Lawler my favorite. Yes, the Rory McDonald fight Yeah, we can love that were your friends into it, too My no a little bit, but it was more like my family Yeah, and you know Robbie Lawler is getting inducted tonight into the Hall of Fame. Yeah, I saw that you're gonna go

Yeah, I'm gonna try to make it. Yes. Yeah, that's your guy. Yeah, have you ever met him? I met him Yeah, one time I went to kill Cliff so he was there and I got to meet him Okay, did you tell him that you had a cake with his picture on it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah Did he know who you were? Like did he had you seen that photo? Yeah, he's in that photo cuz we were supposed who you were? Like, did he see that photo? Yeah, he seen that photo because we were supposed to share a card when I made my UFC debut. Okay. Yeah.

So at this point, do you like bouncing around at different gyms? No, only like off-camp. But there's only specific gyms, you know? But it's just when I travel, for example, in Miami and I want to still train, then I hit up gyms like, hey, is it cool if I combine you know okay but there's a couple gyms like that I that I go to when I'm traveling would you do you do you have a set you know group of coaches yeah that you'll always rely on yeah like for you get through Cobrinha for sure okay Charles he's one of the best in the world.

I go to El Paso to box. Okay. I've seen you do some stuff with Vargas. Yeah, yeah. Fernando's son. Yeah, yeah, Emiliano. Yeah, Emiliano. So you're doing like, he's like boxing and you're doing

Like MMA. MMA. Is that legit or is that just for We were, I mean, it wasn't a stick, but it was like, we were just just like we weren't throwing hard you know it was just like a feel. You're throwing kicks and stuff? Yeah yeah but I was just throwing them in the air but uh obviously it's a whole different ballgame for them to come to MMA and us to go to boxing for sure. Do you like boxing? I love it. When you were growing up were you watching like

was your family into it as well? Yeah, we would watch it as well. I did one boxing fight too when I was little. So yeah. How old were you? I was eight. You did a boxing fight when you were eight? Yeah. Your first ever fight, how old were you?

Eight. Eight. Was it that one? No, I did MMA and then I went to go do boxing. And what were the rules for an eight-year-old for the MMA fight? Everything was legal except no punches to the face

And then oh interesting a boxing fight was a regular boxing fight, but with headgear When you did the MMA fight you didn't wear headgear no, but you couldn't punch to the face you can punch to the body Yeah, everything yeah, you can knee to the body. Yeah, why no punch to the face in MMA, but punches are allowed in the boxing. I don't know that was weird to me, but I Really? I really didn't get it why they wouldn't let us punch to the face. Okay, and did you win? Yeah as a that time I won by submission so as a kid I went won by submission so as a kid I went 24 wins and two losses. Wow amateur or you mean as a kid? As a kid amateur and then I went amateur amateur was like it's already like like actually MMA yeah with headshots and shit I went to Wendel. Okay. And then I went pro. The the two losses as a kid how did you handle them? The

first one the first one hurt a little bit because I started with striking and jujitsu. Jujitsu was for me, if I got taken down I knew what to do. So I faced the wrestler and I was trying to strike because I would strike for every fight. My dad would tell us that going to the ground was for pussies you know what so he was like the only reason why I'm teaching you guys the jitsu is because if you guys get taken down you guys know what to do so then I was striking and I remember like he was just shoo and shoo and take me down take me down and he couldn't submit me because I knew jitsu but he was holding me down you know so after submit me because I knew Jitsu, but he was holding me down

you know so after that fight Chris just because of the fact that It wasn't because of cardio. It wasn't because of nothing it was because I didn't know what to do like it frustrated me so I started going into YouTube and I started watching say who do I started watching to be and I would watch like a tape down Repeat it like ten times on the video and then when I would go to the gym I would try it and if it wouldn't work I would go back to the video see what I forgot and that's just how I started so pretty much the wrestling I started Getting better like by myself until I got a natural coach to to help me out

So if you shot your dad would get mad at you. Yeah You said like this is like a this is yeah, he would say keep it on the feet. Yeah. Really? Yeah. But that's a part of the game. Yeah, I know, but that was the old way until we also, like we all learned together, you know, like, like this is MMA, like we got to mix it up, you know? So like GSP was an example for us.

Right, of course. So, so where are your, where are your brothers at now? There's, there's the two of you and then there's two other brothers, right? And one sister. One of the brothers is having a hard time getting fights yeah that's Jesse he's a six and one six and one he should be fighting in July contenders no he's gonna be fighting fury the same where poor year is gonna fight that's important okay yeah the day before and I think if he wins that for sure contenders or if not So she'll fight like one more and then she'll go straight into the UFC and the other one

The other ones like three fights away. Okay coming up. That's uh, is that Kevin Kevin? Yeah, Kevin and then your sister Yeah, she's well for women's it's not as hard guys. So she's got like five five more fights. Okay So they're not in a huge rush. No but you it felt like you were in a rush, yeah, it was because uh, Well, one thing was I want to make my own money, you know, I wanted to have money I'm gonna help out my parents and I wanted to become the youngest UFC champ. So that's why I'm in a rush.

If I didn't have those goals, I would be taking my time for sure. Did you get your mom a house? Not yet. I'm working on it. Is that the plan? That's the plan. You're close? Close, yeah.

In Vegas? Yeah. Okay. I think one more win and for sure. You're good to go. Yeah, I'm a good girl. And then you're good to go. Yeah, I'm gonna go and then and you're turning I think 21 in October. Yeah, so you still have like Two and a half years right to get to 23 John Jones's record

Yeah, I still got time especially like if you know what it is Like how many like days away you are do you look at it from that? I look at it like years. I hear it's not days just yet. If I got closer to where I'm not champion, I'm close to 23, then I'll start looking at days. But right now I feel like I'm in a good path to break it, you know? Like by 22, like if I stay on it, you know, I can for sure. Yeah, that would be like, that's like your top goal right now. Yeah right now That's my main focus when you when you had the the loss a couple years ago. Did you feel like oh no? No chance. I've just derailed the whole thing or did you did you think oh? There's enough time where I could bounce back and build myself back up like how badly did you take it for sure?

It was a step back, and I did think about it. I was like fuck You know I was like did it mess me up, but I was like No unless I was like I just got to grow from it And I can come back because I was like I'm still 18 Still a while for me to turn 19 I was like I just got to be more active, and I got to like restart you know so I was like It did it did fucking push me back a little bit, but In a good way it made me a lot better, you know?

So like right now I'm fighting these guys and I'm more experienced because of that loss. When you watched like Marab and Sean a couple weeks ago, how far away do you think you are from that? I don't think I'm too far away, especially if this fight that I told you about goes through and I'm able to go out there and beat the guy That's like Two more fights inside of the top 15 and I felt like that would ever mean a title shot

You know, it's a real estate like three fights away. Yeah. Yeah, I'm looking at it four fights just in case Okay, for sure. I would love three, you know But now everyone is must win because the loss takes you back. Yeah I'm looking at four fights just in case, but for sure I would love three. But now everyone is a must win because a loss takes you back a couple. Of course all of them is a must win. I'm excited and like I said, right now I'm down to fight anybody because if I get beat, that means I'm a champion material. Did you watch Marab and Sean? I did.

Were you surprised that he finished him? Yeah, because Marab usually doesn't go for submissions. So I was impressed by his performance, like adding submissions. Because his game is usually to take you down, you get up, he takes you down, you get up. But this time he added more control, more patience. He looks like a better Merab for sure. Do you think Corey can beat him? I don't think so.

No? I don't think so. I feel like, I don't know who can beat him right now. I feel like Umar can give him the toughest fight, but... We just saw it. Yeah. But other than that, I don't know. So no one at the top right now, other than Raul. I honestly, if I was to fight for the title, I think I would prefer somebody else to be champ.

Why is that? Because Marab's always been a good guy to me and my family. For example, I was 16 training already with Marab. And getting rounds in with Marab. I mean, I always knew to myself that I was going to get there and stuff. But just him saying it was also dope, telling us, hey, you guys are going to get to the UFC. And always giving us advice after practice like take your time be patient you guys are gonna get there um he would

even say stuff like uh you guys are gonna be better than me and like all this stuff so that's why I wouldn't like to fight somebody that that's me for with me style matchup it's because you have respect yeah uh he's such a good guy right style matchup style matchup, it's because you have respect. He's such a good guy, right? Style matchup, which I wouldn't like for it to happen, but style matchup, I felt like it would be entertaining for the crowd because I've grappled with them. I've done so many rounds with them and just the scrambles that we do in the sessions, you know, for sure are like pretty nice because my grappling can match his grappling. So we're like both like going back and forth.

And then, yeah, it's just- Do you still train with him? Do you ever see him now or no? Still, yeah. I mean, if I hit him up, actually I train with him for the Sean O'Malley. I don't think he'll get mad if I say this right now because they already passed.

But when I train with him last for accident, that's why I also look at him and Robin, I'm like, I get motivated because of him because he's pushing through all the adversity and he hasn't even said this, you know? But we were grappling and I went for a Tate down, And he doesn't he hasn't even said this you know, but she uh We were grappling and I went for a take down like a double blast and I made him hit his head on the wall you know and He got like I think I'm pretty sure you got a concussion

because he didn't train for like the rest of the week, and I was like Wednesday I believe and I felt bad you know cuz I was like fuck I was like what if he pulls out from his fight from Sean just because of me, you know, so I'm like fuck but Thankfully, he recovered and then he went out there and did like a crazy performance So I truly like respect that and he kept that like by him to himself Yeah, he didn't put it out there for an excuse or nothing so I respect that. Wow that's a crappy feeling right because yeah yeah obviously you don't want to injure nobody you know because you're training partners so you don't

want to you know you don't want to be that guy. Yeah was he cool about it? I could imagine that he would. Yeah he was cool because I'm pretty sure he knew like it wasn't like intentional. Sure sure sure we were going pretty hard but not in a Hurting each other intentional way right when you're when you're in there with him like his pace and everything that people talk about Are you are you blown away by it? Yeah? Yeah for sure That's why like he's helped me evolved a lot in my control Because for example if I don't control mirab like for example if I take him down and I don't control him and we just scramble he's gonna beat me every day you know because I can like scramble with him but at a point he will all

cardio me you know so I gotta control him like if I get the back I gotta keep the back for like the whole round because if I let him get out and we scramble and stuff by the third, he's already like doing whatever, you know? So, yo, I'm out of here in Vegas. Can I get the the roll burger from Carl's Jr. Yeah, sell it out here. It's a West Coast thing. Carl's Jr.

We don't have it on the East Coast. No, it's going to be worldwide worldwide. Yeah, but do they even have Carl's Jr. on the East Coast in New York? Do they have that? Maybe. I think they have at least one. Is it out now? They have some in Mexico.

It's going to come out in July. Oh, July. July. So what they're going to do is they're going to have me do a meet and greet in Carl's Jr. They're going to set up like a boxing ring and all this other stuff. Oh, sick. And then we're going to release it right there when I do the meet and greet. Wow. Yeah. You're going to make them for the people. Yeah. Yeah, I'm gonna be like just having fun with the people

This is a big deal man. Yeah, it's a huge sponsor Yeah, that's why like I'm thankful for like everything that the sport has has given me besides fighting, you know, yeah Like yeah, they can't they reach out to you or you reach you guys reach out to them Uh, they I'm pretty sure they reached out to us. Yeah. Because you're blowing up. Yeah. I see you.

How many followers now on Instagram? 1.5 million. Yo, amazing. Are most of them from Mexico or Hispanic countries or? Uh, my number one country is United States. My second is Mexico. I got Brazil. I got Argentina. I don't know why I

have India. India? I saw you, were you at the UFC BJJ event last night? Yeah. With Mackenzie and Pauliana, I saw you there. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. Was it good? Yeah, the event was good for sure. Yeah. Mikey Musimichi? Yeah, no, he's like a nerd. Like, he's legit at it, you know? A real fighting nerd, that guy. I saw Frank Mir's daughter. You know Bella Mir? Did you see her?

Yeah. She's incredible. No, she's a beast. She's unbelievably strong. Yeah, she's the reason why I went pro 2 at 17 because I saw I would turn into her fights And she was 17 and she was fighting pro So that's how I found out and I asked my manager a like like how did she fight in pro at 17? Because I wasn't gonna go pro till I was 18 when I saw that I was still 16 at the time

I was like shit like let me go to Mexico to that's why I went to Mexico. Oh, wow. I'm a pro fighter. Do you know her? Yeah, I've trained with her a couple times. One time I underestimated her, you know, because obviously I don't go hard with girls, but she's actually good. She's strong and stuff. And she tapped me in a knee bar. Come on.

Really? Yeah. Yo, knee bar. I was taking her down and she went for a leg lock and I was like, she's not going to know what her down and she went for a leg lock and I was like I just not gonna know what to do She got a knee bar and I couldn't get out I tapped so I had to get her back But she didn't pull she didn't pull like she didn't like try to hurt you. No, you had to get her back

What does that mean? I had to tap her back You did? With what? With what? I think I got either an ombar or like a rear-legged choke. Yeah, you know, that's Frank Mears daughter. Yeah. Yeah I know no no Frank Mears scary like I think I spartan one time too But he's part my brother and he like she did like a double blast, you know Yeah, they were sparring MMA and I didn't think he could move that fast You know that she's over here moving and out of nowhere Boom, he should tell a double blast and like says my brother flying and I was like, fuck that.

Yeah, yeah. They're beasts. Yeah. So are you. Hey, we're doing this thing where we're asking everyone who stopped by to sign our felt poker table here and we're gonna auction it off and give all the money to Ben Askren's family. Oh, fuck yeah. Because he's going through a tough time. So if you don't mind doing that, that would be great. And I really appreciate you coming by.

It's great to meet you in person, man. You're the freaking man. Keep it up. And I look forward to seeing you September 13th against the top 10 mystery opponent. So where's our, oh, it's right over there. There's a Sharpie right over there. Raul Rosas Jr.

Go check out his burger over at Carl's Jr. beginning in July. Yeah, let's see, let's see. Does he write Chiwis? I didn't even get you to say one Chiwis. Ooh, this is a sick signature you got here. Yo, double R. Who taught you how to do a signature like that?

I was just in class, like I would do a lot, and I just had to do this and that. You didn't give us one ChiwiWee's while you were here. Into the microphone. Wait, finish it, finish. Finish, yeah the fans on our YouTube, we're live right now. Oh he even writes the ChiwiWees! Yeah.

What a stud. You trademarked that? Yeah. I hope so. Yeah. I did it. Give us one into the microphone before we go. Because when you do it on Zoom, you know, it pops. Yeah, I'll do it right here. No, no, here it will be good.

Here we go, three, two. Kiwi! Yeah, the man, thank you so much. There he is, Raul Rosas Jr. stopping by. What a stud, two and a half years left before he can break John Jones' record and he is well on his way. Frank in my ear, what's up?

Oh, there she is, oh my gosh. Surprise guest, Chocho. Can we hug? Yes. What do you mean are we hugging? Come, come, have a seat, have a seat. Please. No, you're not just, just have a quick seat,

have a quick seat, what are you, just coming in and out? They told me in my ear, surprise guest. One of my all-time favorites. I meant to give this to John and I forgot. Oh my gosh. Oh, you have to go. Shortbread Fingers, is this from Scotland? Yeah, well not like it's Scottish. Yes, it's shortbread. Thank you so much. Which camera are we on here? There we are. What a saint. I hear you're pretty tough. I don't know if you were listening to them, but they say you crack the whip. Yes.

Is that true? I didn't know you had that in you. Yeah, it's just we're yeah Scottish people are very like straight to the point and honest. So I think that just I love it. And no one would ever dare push back because you're so nice, but they don't want the wrath. They don't want the Scottish wrath. They can push back, but yeah, then they feel the wrath Yeah, they're telling you have to go to practice. Yes. Did you really sleep with an axe? Is that true? What's wrong with you? Why do you sleep with that? What are you worried about? I got it from Someone I got it in a package and I was like, oh, this is good. Yeah, you have like a really like tough like Intimidating husband sleeping right next to you. I don't think you need the axe. He's a teddy bear. He is? Okay. I feel like I could use an axe if someone comes to my house.

Next time not sharp red I'll bring you an axe. I appreciate that. They're telling me you have to go so this has been great. Yes please sign. Can you sign our table? Oh of course. You look fantastic by the way. Thank you. Thank you and I'm so happy for everything going on with the gym and with your family and I don't even remember the last time I saw you in person, probably pre-COVID, but we still have the gloves in the studio. The greatest wedding gifts? What would you call that? Favor. Favor. Yeah. That anyone's ever had the black and white gloves. Yeah. Well, I wanted to bring this and I messed up. No, no, no. Thank you so much. It's great to see you.

No, I appreciate it. And I've been sitting here talking for four and a half hours, so this will come in handy in about 20 minutes. You need a snack? Yes, yes. Thank you so much. There she is. The great Dr. Neville. Do you still have the kilt by the way? Oh my gosh, one of the all-time greats. Please sign our thing and we're gonna donate it to Ben's family. Yes. Oh, this has been the perfect way to end the day. The one and only Joanne, don't call her Calderwood Wood. Were you surprised? Very surprised. I didn't know who they were talking about.

So great to see you. Thank you so much. I said to Danny, I was like, oh, you gotta hug because I remember like. Only the special ones get a hug. Yes, yes, the germs. Yes, yes. I said that on the tip.

Take care. Bye, Danny, you're the man. Thank you so much. Frank's trying to like ruin my vibe. I'm seeing old friends, Frank. Why am I getting blamed for being the confident? You keep telling me you gotta go. I'm the catalyst for everyone else's bullshit. Frank, the vibes are high right now, Frank. You're in my year. I mean we're talking about Carl's Jr. They're setting me up for failure back here. They're like, hey don't't forget, you gotta go.

I'm like, you know what? I don't have to go. Who's gonna stop me? It's really hot in here right now. I think that's what they're, like the HVAC doesn't seem right. We need to close everything down. By the way, is it true that the UFC press conference

was delayed? Is waiting for us to end so that they can start? That's what they're saying. Yeah. We have a hard out Hank the tank on on the The YouTube Chad is saying that we have a hard out Yeah, all the fighters are here in my studio. That's right I'm so hungry. Okay, this is gonna make a lot of crumbs. I'm gonna save it. Thank you so much at Joanne Oh, I'm seeing it on the delay topic bar's a topic bar that you need to look at.

Hard out, whatever Ariel wants. Yeah, that's right. We can, now, can I be critical of the topic bar? It should probably be colon space whatever, right? I feel like the colon- Yeah, he was so excited that he had to hit the space bar. No, he thought he was cooking with that one. It should really be colon space.

Could we give a shout out to the control room team back there? I mean, everyone back there doing their thing. We even have Big Spence in the house. Unbelievable. Andy just crushing. I mean Andy sent me an excel sheet of a whole breakdown of things and I've already said Ben Heffner and I was going through it. You know what Frank's doing right now by the way guys? Which actually he deserves a lot of credit. He's going from on air to off air. It's amazing how you're doing this, by the way. Can I give you credit? I'm happy to go! You even have the drops! You just spit all over the table. Anyway, shout out to Andy.

Unbelievable. Oh yeah, I don't even know. What am I doing? Why am I staring at this? Dude, I'm right there with you, all right? That coffee can't come sooner than that. I'm looking at the raw camera. What does that camera look like if I'm looking at it right now? Let's see camera three. James Tohono. Look at this guy. Where are we going for dinner, guys?

What do we got? I think we're going back to Pobono. Oh yeah, they invited me. Andy crushing it, Jordan crushing it, Rick has just been on fire. I mean, how many people has yelled at back there? All of us. Connor crushing it, Spence crushing it, Kayla crushing it. Ben Hefner is the real MVP.

You guys don't know Big Ben, but without him- As opposed to the fake MVP's? No, yeah, yeah, I'm saying. He's the real MVP. It's a reference to something Kevin Durant said way back in the day. Kevin Durant won the MVP and he said that his mother was the real MVP. Anyway, what does Jordan is a gooner mean? This is on, what is that? Someone wrote that. What is that? I don't know what that means. Like, he's a...

He's a Spurs fan. Anyway, um... Everyone in New York, everyone who's helping us out, it's not easy to pull these things off. But I love when we get to go on the road. We're gonna try to do it more often. I told you, big things. We did Fanatics Fest last week, this this week, staying here till Monday, come back, big week of shows, off for July 4th, following week Taylor Serrano. I don't

know if you guys saw the announcement. I'm going to be a part of the the Netflix team again. Frank, life is good. What do you say? Couldn't be better. So once again, tomorrow, Demetrius Johnson, Ian Gary, Rico Verhoeven, Tom Aspinall, Andy Aspinall, and maybe one more. There might be one more. Rick would know about this. There might be one more. The channel's on fire. We're at 297,500, 297,500 subs. Can we get to 300 by the end of this weekend? Everyone watching right now, if you could just hit the sub and give us a thumbs up, goes a long way. Hit the sub, hit the sub, give us a thumbs up, goes a long way. UFC press conference is about to start, we don't want to counter program that, so go

watch that. You can hear my music. You're officially a YouTuber now. Yeah, yeah, hit the sub. Hit the sub, man, it goes a long way. GC, is this on air or off air? Yeah, it's on air, bro. Bro, welcome.

Welcome back. Thanks, man. How's it been? It's been great, man. A hard out 330. Hard out 330. What time is it? I don't even know what I'm looking at.

I mean, there's been a lot of... When did we start? By the way, it says... My clock says 623. Now 4. The one to your right. Yeah, what time did we start? 1130? 1130. Yeah30 yes it's been four hours

right my math is correct yeah shout out to Kenny main he's doing a show tomorrow here in Las Vegas shout out to the Venetian Shanghai they have it does not why did I think it existed well we'll work on something it's been a great day we started it off with well we started it with GC in studio that was a big get then we went to the last style bender Israel Desaña then we went to the last stylebender Israel Desonia Then we went to Volk Alex Volkonovsky Then we went to Dan Hooker Ashbel Castro John Wood Danny Rubenstein Raul Rosas and then Joanne Wood in total how many people stopped by that's like seven or eight people Seven or eight people.

And then tomorrow it's going to be the same. Shout out to the chat. Any super chats? No super chats. Apparently Ilya's is getting, should we do a watch along? Should we do a watch along for the press conference? The hard out is literally in three minutes. Okay, yeah, no.

We gotta go. Everyone, oh, I was looking at the wrong one. Thank you so much. We appreciate you all. We're back tomorrow, same time, 2.30 p.m. Eastern, 11.30 a.m. Pacific, 7.30 in the UK. Thanks to all of you. Thanks to all of them. Thanks to all of them.

Back on Friday, same time, same place. I'm out of here. I have no old cancer. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet.

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