The Ariel Helwani Show - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS (DAY 3): Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Jon Anik, Aljamain Sterling all in studio, UFC 329 presser reaction

Episode Date: July 11, 2026

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by recapping the team’s time in Las Vegas, including their celebratory omakase, before reacting to footage from the UFC 329 press conference and official weigh-ins (00:48). UFC Hall of Famer Joanna Jędrzejczyk joins Ariel in-studio to discuss life in retirement, which includes a move to Vegas, fighter management, and pickleball. She also touches on her fight with Zhang Weili going into the UFC Hall of Fame, the upcoming title fight between Mackenzie Dern and Gillian Robertson, the state of the strawweight division and women’s MMA, and more (16:53). Petesy Carroll and Chuck Mindenhall stop by to dive deeper into the UFC 329 press conference and weigh-ins, discussing whether Conor McGregor could fight Paddy Pimblett or Ian Machado Garry next, Max Holloway’s demeanor this week, then react to various moments from this year’s UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, Shakur Stevenson signing with Zuffa Boxing, and more (1:04:52). UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik joins Ariel to talk all things UFC 329, revealing his interactions with Conor McGregor this week, how he handles preparation, his relationships with fellow UFC broadcasters, the stories behind some of his greatest calls, the unique nature of calling Freedom 250, and more (2:18:08). Ariel answers your Super Chats (3:23:12). Aljamain Sterling is the final guest of the day, stopping the studio to talk about his mentality toward training, Israel Adesanya leaving City Kickboxing, Merab Dvalishvili getting into a dustup in Georgia, Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier’s arrest, his next fight, and more (3:34:40). The Boys in the Back join Ariel to close the show (4:10:32).

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! On this Friday, July 10th, 2000. And 26, hello again, everyone. And welcome back to our home away from home.

It's starting to feel like home. We're here in Las Vegas, show number three. It's all going by so very fast. We've had two shows in the books. They have been phenomenal. We have had a collection of, I think, eight guests up until this point. More today. I'll get to that in a moment.

We are here, of course, for UFC 329. We are here, of course, for International Fight Week. We are here, of course, for the return of Connor McGregor. We are here for Connor Max 2 and everything in between. And we have had such an amazing time so far. I want to give a big shout out to our good friends over at the Venetian, the Yahoo Sportsbook. We're inside the fan case. We have so much more to come as we're not going anywhere as far as Vegas is concerned.

We've got today's show, which we'll tell you all about. We've got some news to get to as well. We've got a live show tonight at 7.30 p.m. Pacific time. Mama Rabbit right next door to T.M. Arena. So Mama Rabbit is an establishment inside the Park MGM. We are right next door to T-Mobile. If you're going to the ceremonials, if you're in Vegas, ceremonials are at six. They will be done for sure by 645-7. Hop on over now. Worth noting, last time I'm going to say this, it's free, it's first-come first-serve, it's open to all, but there's a hard cap, 120 people. So, or so,

110 to 20, something like that. So you're going to have to, you know, pray to the gods above. Thank your lucky stars and hope that you get in. Myself, Demetrius Johnson, the whole crew, E.J., G.C., Frankie, birthday boy, Jordan, Andy Pizzi, perhaps some other luminaries as well. We have three DJ sign gloves that we're going to give out, Q&A, all that and more. It's going to be incredible. It's going to be absolutely incredible. So I wanted to get that out of the way. Then we're here tomorrow for the watch party. We are here tomorrow for the post show. And then we'll be here on Monday for our final show to wrap up UFC 329. You may recall that I said as the New York Knicks were embarking on their most amazing championship run that I am still glowing off of and high on, that I told the team that we would go to what I do believe.

is the greatest omicasse that you will ever experience as a human being. It's a place called Kame here in Las Vegas. And in the end, it was myself, New York Rick, G.C., and the mysterious one, who pulled up yesterday at 5.30 and had what I do believe, I can speak for all of us in saying the greatest meal of our lives. Take a look at some of these photos here. You know, I'm not, I'm not big on taking pictures of, you know, food, restaurant. But I had to have the hat. There you have it. Thank God for the New York Knick-A-Bockers.

O.G. Annobe, Jalen, Brunton, Landry, Shammett, everyone, Josh Hart, Mitch, Kat, McKell. Thank you for this dinner. Had the hat there front and center. I mean, look at that. All right, we're going backwards here. That's my dessert. At least some of it.

The cantaloupe was $150, but it was unbelievable. You got a little tiramisu there. I know. It's Japanese. Why is there tiramisu? I don't know, but it was amazing. What else? What else do we have?

Let's run through these real quick. Oh, look at this. This is the jewelry. No, go back to the jewelry box. We had the jewelry box. Oh, my God, you know yourself. Take me back. Oh, my God, Frankie.

Was it not amazing? Yeah, it was amazing. And then seeing these pictures, I'm like, I literally got chills. It was, dare I say, it was spiritual, orgasmic, euphoric. Okay, we continue. We continue. What else? What else?

Look at this. This was like some sort of meat. What was it? Wagoo. A5. A5 Wagyu. Frankie said afterwards that he actually didn't believe me that this place was as good as I was hyping it up to be. And then afterwards said

it exceeded expectations. True or false? That is absolutely true. It was unbelievable. What else do we have? Oh, look at the boys. Look at the boys. Then they bring out an $800 bottle of sake. And I know it's tacky to talk prices, but I just want to let you know, I couldn't give a shit. You know what the name of the bottle was? Dreams come true. Are you kidding me? I mean, we were literally having that office moment right there about the good old days. We were talking about how in January we're going to be sitting around at the cafeteria eating, you know, rice cakes and tuna and saying, you remember that night in July when we were just riding high on life? What else do we have? What else do we have? I mean, it's unbelievable. Look at this.

The crab. Oh my God. It was it was mouth watering. It was butter. It melted. What do we have? What do we have? What else? Oh, and there we are. And that's just like 10%. That is 10%. There we are with the chefs. They told us to do that thing. I'm not really sure what we were doing. I think it's like a sushi thing. We had the time of our lives.

And then afterwards... Can I tell you what I think that is? That is a heart. Oh, Corazon. That's how the young ends make hearts now. For real? Yeah. You know how we used to do like the big one, two hands together?

Yeah, this guy? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Well, you're almost there. Yeah, there we go. That's my Corazon? How do you say heart in Japanese? Oh, Frankie.

I had no idea But we told you this yesterday We're like you're making a heart I don't remember that We mozied on after To the sphere Thank you Mr. James Dolan It was unbelievable

We watched the Wizard of Oz I loved every second of it In fact I got lost And I was sitting far away from everyone And I was sitting down below They were sitting up high Then I went up And all of a sudden there's like

There's houses moving There's trees There's leaves falling on us Spoilers I'm going Saturday Oh that's right It was amazing. Now, hipster Rick is like, oh, they cut it down, it's too short, they took away, the essence. The juxtaposition of old school Hollywood in a venue like that was unbelievable.

I couldn't help but think, Notia UFC must have been a delight. You like the whole movie, whole thing? I liked it, yes, I was locked in the entire time. You know, tiny like power nap in between, but that was just the power through. And then, Jordan, you would appreciate this. to cap off this memorable celebration of the 2025-20206 New York Knicks. Whose name do I see on the screen at the very end? Whose name do I see?

Right there at the very top. Can you read it? Can you read it, Jordan? James Dolin? Is that not poetic? And he goes on the sphere. Is that not poetic that his name would be up there? That was from above.

That was from the basketball gods telling me it's okay to celebrate. It's okay to be happy. It's one of the all-time great nights of my life. Last night was one of the greatest nights in my life. I feel very confident in saying that. It was amazing. Oh, wow. Congrats. Thank you. I appreciate that.

And of course, we're not just here for all of that stuff. We're here for, you know, a pretty big fight as well, and there's a lot to get to as far as this particular fight is concerned. Let me tell you about what's happening on today's show. Back into the program, Al Jameen Sterling, one of the best fighters in the UFC former Bantamway champion, now Featherweight Contender, going to join us, Las Vegas resident. Prior to that, one of the most requested guests,

of the uncrowned era. Mr. John Anick going to join us. The voice of the UFC, G.C.'s favorite, going to join us in studio, all in person. Yawaniang Jacek. Now two-time Hall of Famer, both for her accomplishments and for her fight against

Zhang Wei, UFC 248, I do believe it was. They got inducted yesterday. Yesterday was the Hall of Fame. It was an amazing scene. Shout out to all the inductees. Shout out to Chris Wyman, Demetrius Johnson, obviously Yowana, Zhang Wei Li, Alex Pereira got a community award,

our late friend, Tom Jerbasi. It was a great, great, great, great scene, and then they had the press conference afterwards. I'm going to talk about all that stuff. I'm going to catch you up on everything. A rare Friday show here in Las Vegas for all of you, and Pizzi and G.C. and Rick and Chuck, Frank is here as well. You'll hear from all of them, but I do want to let you know that today's program is brought you by our good friends over at CalShe. We love Cali around these parts. And I do want to also let you know that if you scan that QR code right then and there, you can get everything you need and want from Calci. If you're putting money on the fights this weekend, listen up. If you use a traditional sports book, $200 on Max hallway gets you 86 on Calci,

200 on Holloway, makes you a Hyundai. That's $14 more if you ask me. My math is correct, I do believe. Cali is the best way to trade on sports since it's peer to peer, and they aren't the house. They offer better odds, live trading, and don't limit you like a traditional sports book. Use Code Helwani to get $10. When you sign up and trade right now, that's Code Helwani, K-A-L-S-H-I. Download that app right now, and please support them because they support us. Now, this morning, ceremonial wanes or later, but they had the morning wands at 9 o'clock. Actually, they're ongoing, but we do have some.

big, you know, news and notes, and the big dogs showed up. First things first. Connor McGregor, Max Holloway, it's official. It's in the books. Here's Mr. McGregor, weighing in. One of the first, earlier today. We have any sound or no? I'd like to hear the sound. Yeah, no, all right. Here he is. 170.5. Looking svel for 170. Not looking bloated, not looking too thick, posing, flexing. So that's Connor McGregor. Max Holloway also weighed in for the first time in the UFC at 170 pounds and also look great. I heard from his nutritionist Tyler Minty.

He's like, I heard you and Chale talking about, you know, Max not having to cut weight. Trust me, he had to cut weight. Max looks good at 170 pounds. Looks fit. Looks healthy. The Blessed Express. Patty Pimlet also weighed in. 155 pounds for Patty Pumblet, obviously fighting at lightweight.

This is a 55 fight. Obviously, there's a one pound allowance, no title on the line. 156 for Patty Pimlet. Look at that hair. Look at those teeth. Once again, making weight, he does get big, but no problems. And here's the God of War. Benoit Saint-Dunie, the pride of Paris, France.

Also, 156 for Mr. B-S-D. Okay, in addition to those, I could tell you about a few other interesting way-ins earlier today. Robert Whitaker, moving up to light heavyweight. Look at Big Rob.

Look at Bobby Nux. 205.5. His opponent, Nikita Krilov, 205.5 as well. Bobby Nux. Yeah, he looks super relaxed up there now. Probably doesn't have to cut as much. It looks really good, honestly.

He looks. like he's in heaven as well. He looks like he's having a grand old time up there. He looked great. Looking forward to seeing how he actually does at light heavyweight. What about Gable Steven? What about old Gable Steven?

Making his debut, one of the most anticipated debuts in recent UFC history. Olympic gold medalists. Crazy that he's finally here. A couple detours, W.W.E., Buffalo Bills. 241 pounds for the university.

of Minnesota product, the national champion, 2020 Olympic gold medalist. Of course, that happened in 2021 due to the pandemic in Tokyo. Looking svelte, looking fit. His opponent, Alicia Ellison, also weighing in successfully 236. Kicking off the early prelims, fan favorite, Tracy Cortez.

She also weighed in at 126 pounds, and no haircutting this time. All good. So as of right this set, Second, everyone, good to go. McGregor Holloway made weight, BSD, Patty made weight. Corey Sanhagen, Mario Batista, both 135.5. Brandon Royville, Lonnie Kavanaugh, 125 for Royville,

Cavanaugh, 126. King Green 155.5, McKinney, 156. I told you about Krillov and Whitaker. I told you about Steveson and Alicia Ellison. Cody Garbrandt 136, Yanez, 136. Luke Riley, 146. Kajamaka, the third. 146.

Cortez 126, Wang Kong, 125.5. Damian Pinas, 185, Cesar Almeida, 186, John Garza, 135.5.

Ryan Gandra, 185. Zach Rees, his opponent, 84.5. And Alessandro Costa, 26. Cody Durden,

25.5. Only person who has yet to weigh in is Farid Basharat, and then we're good to go. And then U.S. 320. is officially ready to go.

Obviously, ceremonials later today. That's at 6 o'clock at T-Mobile Arena. So very excited about that. A very quick look at the Kalshi odds. And then we could bring Yohanna. How far away are we from Yona? Okay. So a very quick look at the Kalshi odds.

Let's see what they're saying regarding Connor McGregor and Max Holloway. All right. These are the odds right here. Holloway by K.O. T.K.O. 51%. McGregor by KOTKO, 26%.

Holloway decision 14, McGregor decision 9%. Connor by sub, lowest odds. 3%. As of right now, 66% saying Max is going to win Connor McGregor 34%.

What else are they saying on Kalshi? Will Connor McGregor and Max Holloway fight before July 13th? What the heck does that mean? They're fighting on July 11th. Take that! Take that to the bank! Wait, what was that other one? What was that other one?

All right. San Hagen, Batista. 55% Sanhagen, 45% for Mario Batista. So there you have it. We have a ton of news and notes to get to the press conference. Okay, the press conference was amazing yesterday. The press conference was vintage, Connor McGregor. The Hall of Fame was great. In fact, I didn't love initially that they were going to do the Hall of Fame before the Presser, but I actually kind of think it worked out in this. since because it felt like it was a pack crowd and everyone then, you know, showed up for the Hall of Fame and then stuck around for the Presser and I thought it was cool. I don't know, maybe if they would have done the presser first and then everyone sticks around for the Hall of Fame, but it seemed like a pack crowd and there were some great moments there with Chris Wyden and his family, Demetrius Johnson and his family as well. Alex Pereira and his family. It was lovely stuff. It really was. I suppose I could show you all we're, uh, getting ready for Yoanna, the face-off that everyone's talking about. This is as close to vintage

Connor as we've seen in quite some time. We do have some alternate angles here, but by now, if you're watching the show, you've probably seen it. Connor rushing up there, Max's wearing the glasses and the Bulletproof vests, and there goes the bed of glasses. Oh, look at this. Forehead to forehead. And then he says afterwards, let's go, let's go. Come on. Let's do it again. Let's do it again. Slaps his hand away. Let's do it again. This is vintage. No nicey-nice. no compliments, no sharing of gifts, none of that. Oh, is he wearing a kick thing? Is that what that is? Seems like it is. It's kind of surreal to see him back after five years. I think a lot of you, if you're being honest, did not think that he would ever come back. And so here he is. Now,

obviously, Max is wearing the meta-glasses. This is the angle. This is the angle. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that. Bang. And there they go. Let's say hello to our very first guest. two-time Hall of Famer, our old friend, Yowana. Yawani, I'm Bachev. Oh, the Polish princess. How are you, my friend? Oh, no, no, no, no, not at all. Please. No, all good, all good. Please. Have a seat. You look amazing. Please, please, please. What's that? You like these? New balance? New balance is cool. That's what the kids say. I like your, I like your camera. It's like old school camera.

I didn't see you for a while. Yes, yes. Please, uh, talking to the microphone as we say. How are you, Joanna? I haven't seen you in such a long time. Yeah, that's true. I'm actually very good. Okay. Good morning everyone. Good morning to you. Thank you for coming early as well. Yeah, no problem. Okay. I was celebrating a bit yesterday with my family and friends, but I'm good. I'm feeling great, you know. I woke up early, so I'm good. Okay. And you live in Las Vegas now, right? I do. Sadly, I have to live to Poland on Sunday because of my tax residency. So I'm still working on my green card. Okay.

It's not easy. It's actually funny because I was on a few P1 visas, work visas, and they won't give me a green card. I'm still working on. I do not worry about, but it's a bigger problem, my tax residency, which is tax residency. But life is good, you know, but I love living here. So I moved to Vegas a year ago, and I love living here. Why?

Because it's a calm city for me. I know it sounds crazy, but I stay. outside of strip. I live in Samerlin, and it's a super nice, quiet area. I walk my dog every single day. I play pickleball. So big thanks to Joe Benavides for bringing me to Oak Cliff Park a year ago, and I fell in love with the game, you know, so I love my life here. Look at you. You're like a real you're a real pickleball star. You played in the pickleball Polish Cup? I don't know if it's going to happen. I want it, but I'm going to be on dancing with the start. in Poland. It's starting first weekend of September.

And so, like I said, I'm flying to Poland on Sunday, so I will land in Warsaw very late on Monday. And I have a photo shoot for Dancing with the Stars. And I don't know if I would be able to participate in this tournament, but I want to be there and support and build the pickleball community in Poland. How did you get on Dancing with the Stars? They've been knocking for the last 10 years, even more than a decade. And because I have to be back to Poland, because other way I would stay in Vegas, if not my tax residency and green card problems, I would be here. But you know me, I cannot be bored.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I want to do fun stuff, but I cut myself from media a little bit from some sponsors because it's time for me living my best life. doing whatever I want to do, you know. We want to climb the ladder, but it's good to set your goals, but it's also good to set somehow, I don't know, the top of your wealth. And I go to the point where I'm like,

I'm okay, you know, with everything. So I, yeah, I love working. I run a few businesses, but I'm not chasing this, you know, popularity and money anymore as much as I used to. I love to create. I love to learn, so I love making money. But it's not crazy, but I'm good.

So I'm just doing things I really want to do, and I'm enjoying. You're being selective. Yes, very selective. You're choosing the things that make you happen. Yes, yes, yes. When you say you cut off from media... But because of... Because of I'm in a good spot, and some people still have to chase it, you know.

Of course. Well, you've been there, done that. Yes. You've made a lot of great decisions, and you're now enjoying the fruits of your labor. You're still a manager, right? Yes, I am. I am. How many fighters you look after now?

So I have three in the UFC. I just signed another one. He's going to fight on Dana White Contender Series in September. But I have a few fighting for KSW or Octagon or smaller organizations. It's more an ideological thing. Okay. So I want to share my experience. I was working.

I've been working. I'm still working with Jennifer Goldstein, who is with my manager and my good friend. And so I had the chance to learn from the best, but also I've been working with different management. And I really just want to help athletes, especially Polish fighters, teach them, give them lessons, and share my knowledge, you know. I'm pretty hard on them because I'm not one of these managers

who has only, like, I don't know, I don't know, like law or financial experience or knowledge. I've done that. So I'm pretty hard on them, you know. I know that they have to train hard to succeed and to succeed also in mainstream media, you know. The other side of the metal or coin, whatever. Are you negotiating with the UFC?

Yes, I do, and it was hard. Yeah. Sean Shelby was hard on me, but I love Sean. What do you mean hard? It was good. He doesn't give you special treatment because you're a legend. No. No.

No, no. It took me a while. It took me six months to sign my first two fight. Really? Yes. I would think he's like, okay, Yohanna, you did so much for us, strawweight queen, all this stuff. No, and I understand. They have so many people reaching out to them like Sean, Mick, Hunter. Ah. And they are probably sick of people like me and all the managers. But like you said, because of my experience, I would not bring anybody who is not worth fighting for the EFC, you know. So sometimes I'm like, oh, they could be nicer or easier on me. And maybe because of I'm a woman. And, you know, it's always more difficult for us. There's not a lot of women.

Sometimes we hit the glass ceiling, you know. You still feel that way. Even though you're Yorani on Jacek, legend, you feel like there's a glass ceiling. I do and I don't, but I love to empower women. And I hear this very often. I hear this very often, so I would love to change it. And, you know, I do not complain. I don't like to talk about.

I just, I just do. I just work. And I just prove that we can handle the business, you know? And I, yeah. How was yesterday? Yesterday you were inducted into the Hall of Fame for the second time. This time for your fight against Zhang Wei, UFC 248. What a beautiful ceremony it was.

Unfortunately, she wasn't there, right? She sent in a video. Yeah. It was sad. She has been very dominant champions, throwaway champion. She tried to fight in the higher rail class. So I did. But Valentina is just amazing.

And I really was hoping for Waley to be here. But yeah, I don't know what happened why she wasn't here. But she just texted me last night and she invited me to China in August. but I don't know if I will be able to go because of Dancing with the Stars and so many obligations but yeah I wouldn't be here without her I would not receive the trophy without her and like I said on the stage that

she brought the best out of me we brought the best out of each other and like we were just talking about women and hitting the glass ceiling I feel like we proved and we showed to the word not only female fighters, but the female athletes, all of the world that, you know, you can be a woman and be on the top of the world.

A lot of people... And change the game, you know. Of course. A lot of people think it's the greatest female fight of all time. Do you think so? Yes, it is. Of course. Yeah.

When you think about it, when you go back and try to relive it, what comes to mind? What do you like most about that night? Obviously, it was a tough night for you in the end. but such an incredible fight. So what are the good memories that come to mind? Oh, my goodness. Like, I think that we prove that we female fighters can go all the way from first seconds to the last seconds. You know, we were on the go, like I said, to the last seconds.

And this is what I'm proud the most of, you know, that maybe I didn't succeed. I didn't get the win I wanted to get for me and my team. but I won't much more. So very often I say, like, sometimes you have to lose to win, and so many people do not understand it, but I feel like I won much more, you know, just for my shot self. Like, from time perspective, okay, I would become the strawberry champion for the second time, but it would not change much in my life, you know.

I'm more proud of this trophy, this award. One of the memorable images from that night, obviously, was the hematoma. Yeah. How long did it take for that to go down? Oh, my goodness. We can sit and have a long night, so I might show you some pictures. Oh, my gosh. It took days, days?

It took 12 weeks. Really? Actually, it wasn't. So my head was like really swollen the next few days. And actually, it's funny because UFC made me see a plastic surgeon. And when I got into the room, just two days after the fight, he looked at me, he looked at me And he was like, oh, you got a few punches. I'm like, yeah, of course.

But he gave me just some steroids, I think, just not get infection. Okay. But this wellness went down a few days later, but of course my face was purple. But I was taking pictures every day. It's funny how my face was changing every day. But this wellness went down here even, you know. Really? Yeah, yeah.

So it was bad. It took like 12 weeks. So I had a few. appointments with like maybe not plastic surgeons but some physicians just to help get rid of the blood from my body. Was there ever a point where it made you nervous where you were like, oh, this is taking a long time to heal? No, no, no. Okay. No, no. Because, you know, I was studying this stuff and I have smart people in my team, my PT or physician, so I knew how long it takes when you have an injury or bruise, you know.

Sometimes we see the bruise, but the bruise sometimes is inside, you know, and it takes from six to 12 weeks even, you know, sometimes to really heal. Does it hurt, like, when your face is swollen like that? It didn't hurt. It didn't hurt. I felt more a shame, you know. No, shame. I started dating a new guy that time, but he was there at this fight and it was actually funny.

You're such a love. You look beautiful. You look nice. Like, come on. It was so funny. But, yeah. Yeah, it was fine. You know, hey, we pay consequences for not only bad mistakes, but good mistakes as well, you know.

Was it hurting? It was hurting in the fight. Yeah, it was very painful. And when I saw the chematoma getting bigger and bigger from the third round, I was like, gosh, it's serious, you know. And I'm lucky that I didn't get cut because there was so much blood and fluid under my skin that my skin got so thin. but it didn't happen, so I'm good. It's still okay, you know. It doesn't look like anything happened.

No, it's not. One thing I remember about that fight was it was the last card before the pandemic. Yeah. And then everything shut down. You were a co-main event, Izzy Romero main event. Do you remember, like, was any of that on your mind that week? It was starting to come out that something was happening. But were you thinking about any of that stuff?

Yes and no. Yes and no. And, yeah, yes and no. I don't know. It didn't impact my. No, no, I was just, when you think back, I know, I remember being in Vegas for the fight and I remember starting to hear things. The world is going to shut down and all that. Yeah, yeah, I heard that.

So we were able to change our flights. My father was here in Vegas and I was very proud because my father doesn't travel. He loves his place in Poland. But I remember that we were able to change our flights and fly out of L.A. like day early because I think the next day that they were. they announced the shutdown. So we were able to just go back home safely. When you're at the events like yesterday, Hall of Fame and you get to see some of the older fighters

and fellow Hall of Famers, do you enjoy, you know? I do. That's why I probably became a manager. That's why I moved here, you know. I just moved to Vegas because I just, how we say, I made some investment here, a small one, then another one, but I fell in love with living here. I was not planning to live here.

I just, I think I'm like still looking for my place to live. And I love Vegas. I was here many times for the EFC, for the fights, for the ultimate fighter. I spent six weeks living here 10 years ago. But I really like this place. And for so many people, this chaotic place became my calm, calm place. With happy memories attached to it. Yes, of course.

You know, it's. Well, yeah, I love being around fighters, athletes. a UFC, I would love to do some for the UFC, but I don't want to just get a job for the UFC. You know, I want to find a gap which I can fill in with my personality, with my, like, knowledge and experience, you know, and maybe help athletes. I don't know if you have seen needs me. I think you are helping the athletes now as a manager.

Yeah, I am. That's why, yeah. Yeah. And I love the fact. But there might be a conflict, you know, if. Of course. You can't be both. Yeah.

But I would do more for the, for the UC. But the industry is changing, you know. In what way? Different. Good and bad. In so many ways. But we have different audience now. Yes.

Yeah. Bigger audience? Bigger, but different. How so? Younger. Yes. Like, you know, they like short action. Yes, yes, yes, yes.

There's now high school kids. Yeah, of course. The media is different too, right? Yeah. A lot of social media and things like that. Shorts. That's why power is loud. is becoming so popular, you know?

Do you like Power Slap? No, I'm not a big fan. No. I was at two events. It's good, you know. It's like, if you're there, you just feel different. But I understand people like it. People love it, you know.

And I understand why Dana likes it, you know. People love it. People love it. My nephew is a teenager. He asked me if we can go watch the kids. Oh, really? You know, they love it. Kids love it.

Young generation. they love it. What do you think of the strawweight division right now? Oh, I don't know. It is what it is. I really was hoping for Waley to fight Mackenzie Dern. Yes, me too. I'm happy for McKenzie there that she became the champion,

that she got her spot and she was in this, you know, she got the spot, you know. I really like her. And I don't know. I really was hoping that she was going to face Waley. Yeah. It's still unclear why she's not, but she's fighting Jillian Robertson,

who has all these semantics. Yeah. who has all these submissions most submissions in UFC women's history we cannot forget that I I trained Gillian she was part of ITT for for a long time and but we cannot forget that Matt Kezi Dern is multiple BJJ war champion yeah the baddest people ever when you were the champion of the strawweight division you came in when they brought the the straw weights from Invicta they had the ultimate fighter Carlos Sparza wins you beat her, UFC 185.

I felt at that time that the Strawweight division was maybe the most stacked UFC women's division at that time. It's not the same. I wouldn't say it's the most stacked now. Stacked with talent?

Stacked with talent, yes. I probably can agree. Any particular reason for that or is it just like it goes in waves? It's cyclical. Oh, but you see this in so many different divisions, you know? Yeah. You have so many prospects

and they win like two, three, four. fights and they get into the ranking like top 15 but they are not able to go pass through the top five or top three you know for such a long time me rose and waley we were so dominant you know in this division but i agree with you that maybe there was not more talent but the style was different but also this is mike brown my legendary coach like legendary coach in general but my coach and my good friend said like the MMA is different now you know and he was the WEC champion but he said like it's just different you know you don't have to go and bro but people do this but people fight different people train different they feel the distance different you know the training is is different

somehow if you look at the stats about women's MMA especially in the UFC there are less fights oh really yeah so the fights maybe are not exciting as used to be yeah why do you think that is I don't know, but because maybe... I get fair. I don't want to say like, because I didn't like it that people define us like a tomb boys because we were female fighters. No. But I feel like they're focused too much on what's outside,

instead of being focused on what's inside, the gym, the octagon, you know? I know we, women, we want to look pretty, but we ain't this such a dirty business, you know? Yeah. What is fighting world? But it can be beautiful also on the other side. but I feel like it should be better and yeah I agree with you the fights were more exciting

back in a day yeah I'm wondering why because I hear fans talk about women's MMA now some of them online in a bad way and I get upset because to me when I think of women's MMA I think of you and Rose

and Valentina and Amanda Nunes and Chris Cyborg and Ronda and to me there was a time where every single time there was a women's MMA fight on a UFC card it was sometimes the best fight of the night every single time

yes we were headlining the Yeah, and it doesn't feel like it's the same now. It's not being pushed the same way. It's not being featured the same way. And so I was wondering if you noticed that and if you had a theory as to why. I will. You just made me think more about it and I will look at it. Okay.

Maybe I agree. Okay. Not maybe. I agree with you. Maybe you can change it. Is there anyone? Is there anyone in particular that you say, I like her. I like her style.

I like her approach. I like the way she fights. I don't watch many fights, you know. You don't? I don't. How come? I'm not interested. I love being at the UFC events.

Same like going to the concert and music I do not really like because I just enjoy live music and I enjoy live events. I love sport. I love all kinds of sports and I love watching sports, but I just don't follow as much. And I was always like this. I was not watching my opponents even, you know? Really?

Yeah. You're about to fight? Yeah, yeah, no. They made me to, Mikey Brown always makes this like short videos. So she, he combines like multiple fights in one, like short highlight. But I was not watching fights. I love, I love this business and I like watching fights, but I'm like, it's not, I do not follow, you know.

But when you were about to fight someone. That's my problem. The other way I would become a commentator maybe. Okay. But I was curious, like you wouldn't want to know about their tendencies. Like short videos are one thing. Yeah. If I knew I was going to fight someone in 10 weeks, I would probably be obsessed with watching.

How come you did I do that? But then I was obsessed on being better myself, you know, how I can be better, you know, and beat them. And I was always focused on what my coaches planned for this fight and how I was how I supposed to train. I was just always sticking to the plan and I was doing my best every single day. One of the themes that we've been talking about this week, I talked about it with Chale, with some of the coaches as well, was life after fighting because, you know, Dustin Porreier was in the news recently and he's been open about going through some tough times.

And so I was curious, you know, like when the music stops, as they say, when the spotlight goes away, when there aren't people watching you and you're the star on posters, is that difficult? You know, Chale was saying it's like, it's like I'm almost like a drug and then it's gone. It is. And so how do you deal with that and how have you dealt with that? Yeah, it is.

And Dustin, dude, we love you. He's such a great guy, and diamonds are forever, and I know that he can be lost. And I'm still dealing with, you know, even four years after I announced my retirement. It's not easy because there is no day you can ask Jennifer Goldstein, who is here with me, my manager and good friend. I talk about, I speak about coming back every other day, you know. Really? And it's like a push and a pull, right? Oh, yeah, like a year after I retired, she asked me like, what do you miss the most?

She made me think. She always makes me think. She's so, so smart. But what do you miss the most? Like the lights, the exposure, the money, the fence, like being around, you're around. You're making money. You're in the commercials. So what do you miss the most?

But I think people who were never fighters, who were never an athlete, you don't care it, guys, you know? The each you have. And I think we have to learn how to live with it, you know. But it's difficult. Then we try to enjoy our lives because now we have more time. Now we can go do drugs or drink more alcohol or party our asses more. But so, and no matter if you have millions in your bank account or if you have family,

if you have kids or businesses, it doesn't matter. We have to find the other. to function in this life outside fighting. But I just want to tell to all of you guys, not fighters only, but you are more than just an MMA fighter. You are more just like basketball player or any other, you know. But it's very important to have goals and stay disciplined, you know. And I miss the discipline the most.

I miss staying like on schedule, like being discipline, you know, preparing for something. I know I can skip my diet, I can start tomorrow. But I don't want to be like every other human, you know. I want to be, you know, on the schedule again. Was there ever a point where you thought you were actually really close to coming back? Yes and no. I know.

I know I'm old and I'm retired because I didn't want to get hit in the face anymore, you know. And I know how brutal this sport is. There is a thin line. and yeah it was close i feel like it's close every day it's very close every day you know is it like a battle somebody came like hey let's do it i would like hey let's give a try you know but i i know i would have to train for a year at least to announce my comeback you know i'm not one of these crazy fighters who's like oh i'm i can do it three months let's fight no when you go embarrass myself like will you be there on saturday yes so like when you're

there and you feel that energy I'm sure it gets really intense, right? Where you're like, it does. Right? Yeah. You know, like... It's almost like an alcoholic.

It was recovering. Yeah, it is. It's a poison. Yeah, it is. It is. Yeah. It is. And how do you feel internally when that happens?

I don't know. Sometimes when I hear and see them fighting, I see their injuries. I'm like, oh gosh, it's painful, you know? Like some... My friend invited me, asked me to spar with her, and I got a few punches.

I'm like, I'm, I, I don't. do not, I'm not enjoying this anymore. I do not enjoy it. So it's actually very interesting, you know. I put on hell of a fight, a few of them. But I don't know. It's weird.

It's weird feeling, you know. But you cannot compare this feeling to any other feeling, you know. Are you a fighter, especially on the highest. Of course. Are you surprised Valentina is still at that level after all this time? It's amazing. It's amazing. Her last fight, she was so fast and sharp.

And she just looked amazing. Yeah. She really committed her life to martial arts, you know. To be at that level for that long is... And she, I don't see her retire, you know. Right. Anytime soon. Anytime soon. Yeah. What did you think when you heard Amanda was coming back? Did that give you some...

That's interesting. Just okay. Yeah. Just okay. I'm... It's going to be an interesting fight, you know. Hopefully we... Yeah. There's a big rivalry, you know.

Sure. There was always in the gyps. Were you there when they were together? Yes. They were never training. Never training. I think maybe just one time. Maybe just one time.

Yeah. Was there tension? I think there was, but I think both of them are like, you know, like how we say? Chill? Chill, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Maybe not chill?

Well, Amanda said she left because of Kayla. Yeah, probably. I don't know. Did you mean? I don't know. It's good to have Kayla there, you know? Sure. She's great.

She's great. She's great. Who do you think would win that fight? I don't know. I don't like to predict the fights. Okay. Yeah, I'm close with Kayla, but I like Amanda too, you know.

And she's one of the greatest. But, yeah, I'm still with ATT forever. Of course. I'll stay with them and support my teammates and for my teammates. Yeah. I said yesterday. Stay with Kayla.

We were talking about a Dakota. Loyalty, you know. Of course. It's super important for me. So you want to leave, you live. You live. But I stay loyal to my family. people. We were talking about Dakota, Dakota Dichiba, who's also at ATT. I feel like if she was in the

UFC, she would be a gigantic star. The way she fights, beautiful, smart, intelligent. Finish his fights, aggressive, killer. Have you, have you had time to train with her? Yes, a few times, two, three times, yeah. And your thoughts? Amazing, amazing, amazing, just amazing, like, talented and so good in so many, how you say, like, in so many categories, facets. Yes, yeah. Her needs, she was, she, she, she's, Yeah. Her knees, her moitai. Everything. Yeah.

Everything. She would be very successful in the UFC, probably. Yeah, I hope they're going to sign her one day, but I know that she just extended her PFL contract and it's a good contract. Right. The creative, yeah. Can I ask, what do you, you mention KSW and Octagon. What do you think of the, because I'm dying to go to one of those events. Oh, really?

I want to. Actually, Octagon is having a big event in September. Yes, I heard. I would like to. I don't know if I can. Okay. But it's one of my. Goals.

Let me know. I like the owners, you know. Yeah. Andres. The show looks amazing. It's amazing. Like, do you remember Christoph Jodko, Polish fighters? Of course, yes.

Yes. So he became a superstar. And he's like, sister. He calls me sister. Actually, he's fighting this weekend. And he's like, sister, I became a superstar in Germany because Octagon is on National TV, RTO. Yeah.

So people just love MMA. It's more popular than UFC, right there? Oh, it is. W is more popular in Poland. But TSW is just doing okay. And Octagon just got on Polish market. Oh, wow. To Poland and they are going to take over, I think.

You think so? You feel like they have to be number one? They have very solid base. Okay. Yeah. Interesting. They build in Czech, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

They're trying to expand. You know, I'm jealous of you. You're friends with Jeremy Sohan. Oh, yeah. New York Knicks. They won the championship. Yeah, I know. And I'm happy for him, you know,

Yeah, there you guys are. We were shooting a commercial for head and shoulders. He's such a nice guy. He has Polish roots. Yeah. And that day, he didn't know what was going to happen, you know. Because he was kind of, yeah. What do you mean?

Like he, that day, because the picture is from next September, he didn't know where he was going to. Yeah. He was injured. But good for him. I know people, but he was not playing. He was not super active. But he joined the team. Of course.

And team is a team. Yes. I love him. He has an amazing energy on the bench. He seems like a great teammate. Yeah, he is. Yeah. Such a guy young and I wish him all the best.

And I know you love Knicks. I love the Knicks. Did you reach out to him after? Yes, I did. I did. Did you see him partying with all the beard? Yeah, I saw. No shirt.

You know, it's funny because so sorry, coach. Remind me the name of the coach. Of the Knicks? Yes. Mike Brown. Actually, say Mike Brown. Yeah. I met him in Australia.

in Sydney last year. And it's amazing, you know. He's a she... We had a tour, like a private tour in the zoo. There was an amazing zoo in Sydney. And it was very interesting. You were with him? Yes, yes, yes.

So he asked me for the picture. Yeah, he asked me for the picture. And we started having conversation. Jennifer was there too. And he was with his wife, I guess. Yes, yes, yes. With his wife. And that time he left.

So he had just gone fired from Sacramento. Yes, he was... He was super happy for you, coach. Yes, he's a great guy. Oh, amazing. And he said in the interviews after, he got fired, and then he said, first thing I thought, I want to go to UFC, so UFC was in Australia,

and he just got on a plane. Oh, yeah. And you were hanging with him. Yeah. Did you stay in touch? Or you just saw him there? No, I don't like to, you know, I don't like to... Father.

Yeah. He's in Las Vegas now. Oh, is he? Oh, for the basketball. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I met so many, so many players. They love you. Oh, they do.

It's because of UFC platform, you know. Right. How big it is. You mentioned there's a lot of new family. I can't believe, you know, I'm four years after. I know. I lost my retirement, you know. It's kind of sad but happy, you know.

I guess you're going to be fine, yeah. It feels like yesterday you were fighting and defending. It does, it does. But I had an amazing career, and I know so many fighters, they cannot retire. You had a dream career. Most people wouldn't even dare dream of the career that you had. But then, like, we were talking about the female fighters and other fighters, people should work more. People should work more.

Okay. Less social media. Less, but we need social media. But we need to train first. Yeah. Now we can hire these people. Right. They are very creative.

Right, right. Yeah. Can I ask if there's a new fan out there, you know, there's so many new fans who maybe weren't watching when you were in your prime. Yes. What would you say to them as far as, like, okay, this was the best, Yowana? This is vintage. What comes to mind when you say, this is me at my peak?

Oh, I don't know. I don't know. What is your favorite? I hear this very often, you know, like, who is she? You know, and I go to the venues and very often people like, I stand there and they do not recognize me,

you know, they remember me as a different person, you know? And very often people are like, oh, is it Joanna? You know, I do not look much different, but, you know, I don't wear this pony tail. Like I don't look skinny anymore like fighter, you know, but yeah, it's interesting actually. Does that hurt you? I know that people will forget me one day

and there is more, there is less and less like interest in me. And that's fine, I get it, I get it, you know. Does that hurt you? It hurts a little bit sometimes, but then I know who I am and I know all my accomplishments. Yeah, nailed it. And yeah, that's it. I know who I am.

and I know my value. So what would you say? There's no favorite? What would you recommend? I don't know. I think, I think, I don't know. I remember Jessica Pene fight. Yeah, it's brutal.

Violent. So violent. But you know, I, so there's so many fighters, there's so many athletes, but not all of the fighters are real warriors, you know. That's why I love Matthos Gammert so much, you know. This is amazing. and he's going to have a he's going to headline a show in Vegas at apex. It's a good fighter.

Very good fighter. I really like. But there's so many fighters, but not so many warriors. Be a warrior first. Yes. What do you think of Connor coming back? It's huge. It's huge for all of us.

We won already. All of us, you know. I'm retired, but it's good for for all active fighters and our industry, the whole industry. Are you surprised he came back? He made so much money. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not.

We had this conversation. I understand. I understand this, but it's going to be difficult. He's facing one of the greatest, the best, future Hall of Famer, Max Holloway. We all do love Max. And he has been so active,

you know, facing the best in the business. So it's very interesting. We don't know how Connor will look like on Saturday. Also coming off an injury too. Oh, yeah. It's not just the layoff. injury, you know, and... Broken leg.

It's tough. Do you find yourself rooting for the guys that were fighting when you were around? Do you have a connection with them? Because that's like your... I'm good with everyone, you know. Yeah. Are you bad with anyone? One person.

Can I ask about Jamal? Oh, just misunderstood, you know. Can you tell us your side? I don't know. I think like Jenny with... She doesn't want me to talk about it. But I think, like, there were other people involved, and I don't know.

I didn't do any. I was like, no. No, I don't want to speak about it. I know the true, and it wasn't true what he said. But there was another person close to him involved, and I think, I know that this person, like, created this bad situation, you know. Nothing again is Jamal Hill. I wish him all the rest.

You're okay now? Of course I am, but, you know, it wasn't nice, you know, because I don't play and I work so hard for my name. And I want anybody just to make me look bad, you know, because I didn't do anything and I was never interested in him, you know, like, no. Yeah. It's bad, but, you know, yeah, I don't play. I know you don't play, yes, you want a violence. Yeah, I have one rule. I would never date a UFC fighter.

I never, I was like, no. Really? Yeah, I have. Throughout your whole career? I have really strong morals. He can be the prettiest. I can. No.

Why, why no? If they're... Because not, I'm not interested. I'm not interested. I don't bring, like, you know, this into business, you know. But if you share a connection, like, you have a common interest, you live in the same world.

I'm not interested. You never, you never felt. No. No. No. I had two, like, former, like, my two ex-boyfriends were former athletes. Okay. But, but...

Not fighters? No. Like what? track and field or something? No. Boxing? No. Okay.

Basketball? No. Football. Levindovsky. You know Levantovsky? Of course. A few days ago I was wearing his jersey. He's coming to America.

I know. Chicago. I'm happy for him. But yeah, I wish he could stay in Barcelona. It's not like I'm a big fan of Barcelona. I don't have my favorite team. I used to like Juventus, Turin, Turin. but yeah I'm happy for Levantoski for Ania

it's not easy you know it's not easy to move to different countries on different continent but I wish him all the best and he's one of the greatest Polish athletes I had a pleasure to be at his 30th birthday party a few years ago in Poland he's amazing he's my big role model you know and I feel like people should love him more

they should put more respect on him he's well known he's a superstar you know so I think he's going to become even bigger star because everything is huge in America, you know. I saw you jumping out of a plane. Yeah, with Monster, Monster invited me to do it. With Donald Soroni, right? This is crazy going on.

But then I was like, gosh, I have to do it, you know. This is terrifying. It was the most peaceful now, this moment, like when it pulls you, but after this, it's the most peaceful moment in your life. Is that Seroni behind you? Yeah, yeah, no, no, no. That's an instructor. U.S. Golden, Golden.

Knights is a U.S. Army. Okay. Instructed. Why was it peaceful? Because I would think it would be terrifying. Because it was so calm and you are so high. You know, sometimes you get on the ladder or on the chair, on the stool. And you're like, oh, it's high, you know, because you are like 30, 50 centimeters above.

Yeah. But there it's like you're so small, but you feel like a bird that you can do anything. And it's so calm and quiet. Wow. Wow. You can hear your heart. How long does the whole thing last? Oh, a few seconds, you know.

When you're going up in the plane, are you nervous? Is your heartbeat not? Because when I commit to something, I was very nervous. I was very nervous before. When Hans called me, I was like, no, I think I don't want to do it. There was no pressure. But then I was like, my friend, like, you have to. And Jenny was like, you should do it.

And it was amazing. When I commit to something, you know, I commit. You're in. I'm in, you know. Did you go to the White House? Did you go to the White House? Did you go to the White House? to the White House car too?

No, I couldn't because my family was visiting for the first time in my new place in Vegas. So I just couldn't. You know, I love my family as much as you do. Yes, of course. So I just couldn't go. I just couldn't go. And actually, thank you, Ozzie. And he was able to get me ticket on Saturday.

So on Sunday, because my family left on Saturday, but I got back home. And actually, I got tickets. But then, like, last minute, you know, but I just couldn't. I just couldn't leave my family, you know. Yeah. Do you miss Poland? I do miss Poland, but I feel good here. I feel good.

I have less people. Jennifer is here, a few other people. I hang out with a few people from the EFC. And I have some people from pickable cords. That's it, you know. I have really easy life here. Very calm. Very calm.

I love restaurants in Vegas. You do? I love food, yeah. I bet there's people who you meet now who can never believe that you were who you were in another life, right? Yeah, when I was playing like Joe's like, oh, she's like, how you see a hall of him, it's like, no. She's like, yeah, it's funny actually, you know.

So it's good to be this like just normal person. Yeah, of course. That you want a violence that we used to see, you know, the face. Oh, still. Does it still exist? Still because I was born with it, you know. So when does it come out? Oh, in risky situations.

Okay. Risky situations. Yeah. What do you mean? What are you in risky situations? No, like situations like arguments or other. I don't want to fight people. I don't like to argue.

I do not argue with people. But I'm like, I have strong morals, you know. Like I'm also Polish. And I'm going to protect what I believe in, you know, or my people. Yeah. Yeah. So it still lives. Oh, it does.

It does. It does. Do you train it also? And I'm older, you know. Yeah, of course. I'm 39 this year. 39. I just turned 44, Yawanna.

I can believe that? You're still in your 30s. You're a baby. Yeah, I know. last year last year oh my gosh uh enjoy it yeah i will i am i am do you train at all uh i don't i just play pickleball i used to go to the pi two three times a week just to hit some weight yeah i bought some weights so i do strength training in my garage uh garage training but i was training jiu jizzi and canuto and i was really planning to fight in jiu jihitsu nogi but now i'm like i just

want to play pickle bowl not even hit like the heavy bag or mitts or anything Nothing. No, no, no. I might. I want to box. I want to box and I want to join some maybe Mexican boxing gym. Oh, that'd be fun. We have a few in Vegas. But I had no time. Honestly, every day I wake up, I walk my dog early because it's so hot. And I play. I play. Yeah. When you're, when you work remotely from Poland. How old are you when you first had the dream, the dream of being a pro fighter? How old would you say you were? No, so I, so I was chubby. And I did. didn't believe in myself. I didn't believe that I would became an athlete one day. But since I was a

little girl, I felt different. I think I told you this or I said this many times. I felt like I was flying above the ground, that I felt that I was born to reach the highest. Really, I had this feeling. And people saw this in me. People knew I was different. I don't know. Why? I don't know. I have no idea. I was just chosen one. Like it was your destiny. Yeah, it was. And it was very brutal. I was not a fan of MMA, you know. You were not?

I was not a fan of MMA. I didn't, I, when I became my Thai world champion six times, I didn't want to make this transition into MMA. It was too brutal for me, callie flowers, how your body change, you know, like, yeah, I didn't want to do it. So who convinced you? Me. I, like, Rhonda showed up, like money. And I was like, I was at the end of my.

my Muay Thai career because of no money. And then I was like, let me try. So I joined the national boxing team. But then I was like, there was too much politics in the sport. And I always wanted to be just an athlete. Yeah. So maybe. It was the best decision, you know.

It was the right timing. Yeah. Maybe like one of those UFC title fights, you probably made more than your whole Muay career combined, right? Money-wise? Yeah. Of course. Of course.

Even your first fight before. Not maybe like few, but yeah. There's no money in Muay Thai. So, like, we had this conversation. Like, I was fighting, my fights were more exciting than the guys' fights in Muay Thai, but they would not pay, girl, like, they didn't want to pay me the money they paid for the guys, you know. Yeah. Crazy.

Yeah. And still, right? There's no money in Muay Thai. Yeah, and still, yeah. It's unfortunate. Same with kickboxing a little bit as well. Kickboxing maybe a little bit above. One, one is okay, you know.

Oh, one championship you mean. Yeah. But even, like, glory, you have to be, like, the best of the best. Not as big as they used to be. And then you have guys who are coming over like Izzy, Alex, Rico, recently to make money. Oh, that amazing part, yeah. You saw that one? Yeah.

Yes, amazing. I hope they're going to run it back. I don't think they are. Oh, no? No, because I think Alexander, who I have a lot of respect for, thought like... He's great. He spends lots of time in Poland. Because close to Ukraine, right?

Yes, and actually, one time someone from his team reached out to me because he wanted to see me meet me to do some charity things. Okay. He's a great guy. We have so many. Did you meet him? No. Okay.

Not yet. Are you still working with the children's charity? Mm-hmm. Yeah? Jan Bovich as well, right? Yes. So, yeah, I feel like I cleared the patch, so there are so many people involved. I don't know if you've heard about this YouTuber who just raised like $60,000, $80 million.

No. His plan was to raise a few hundred thousand Polish lottery. He raised $70 or $80 million for this foundation, Cancer Fighters. So I've been cancer fighters ambassador for the last more than a decade. Actually, I received an award last year from them. It means more than a big C belts. I bet. And I'm happy that there is more light spotted on this foundation.

And yeah, I have my foundation. I settled my foundation a few years ago, JJ Stars Foundation, JJ Stars Management. And I'm helping kids, yeah, like, so they can chase their dreams. I love it. So good to see you, Yana. So good to see you. Amazing. Do you mind signing this for us?

I would love to. Because we're going to auction this up. You know what? Oh, really? You know what? So we were trying to think of a charity. I want to give it to your charity. Oh, really?

We're going to auction it and we give all the money to your charity. Is that possible? Yeah. We're going to help so many cases. Cancer fighters? We can split between my foundation and cancer fighters, or we can give it to cancer fighters? You pick? Yeah.

It would be perfect. We're going to, when we come back, all the people who are visiting us are signing this, then we're going to auction it, And then we're going to give all the money. Yeah, thank you. I love it. I appreciate you. So good to see you.

I know you're very, very busy. Yeah, there she is. You want a violence. The greatest strawway champion of all time, in my opinion. Oh, look at that signature. That is legendary. Two-time Hall of Famer. Two-time Hall of Famer.

Amazing. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. So nice to see you. Thank you guys. I'm so happy for all your success and that you're in a good place living here in Las Vegas. Yeah. And all the recognition that you received.

I'm just going to thank all the fans. Please. Like, there's no sport without. I'll always say this and so I do love you guys I love you and thank you for the support and please support retired athletes I'm fine but there is so many they need your help and the support and do not forget about them you know it's not like it's not temporary you know it's permanent I was just going to say we will never forget you and it's my job to keep reminding people of fighters like you and we will never ever ever forget you thank you so much for all the great memories

and everything and thank you for taking time out of your schedule to come here. We need to have a picture. Okay, let's do it. Yeah, why not? Who cares? We're live on the air. Whoa, my guy right here, Preston, do you mind or Jordan? Anyone to do it? Yeah, someone take a picture. We like to do it like this. Oh, was that a selfie? Let's do it. Yeah, come in. It's okay. We break the fourth wall. Yeah, let's go. Said this by right? More? More? Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. You're the best. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Your legend. Don't forget your drink. All the best tune. We'll talk to you soon. Thank you. There she is. The great Yawani on Jacek.

One of a kind. Hall of Famer. Two time. Some good stuff, man. Yeah, she's so great. I'm just catching up on things. All right. How are we feeling back there, boys?

So nice to reconnect with Yohanna after all these years. That's kind of been one of the themes of this week, reconnecting with old mates, old friends. Absolutely love it. I'm feeling great back here. Yeah, how's the stream looking? It looks and sounds great.

All good in the hood? All good. No, it's fine. Is Chuck here too? All right, well, still to come. John Anick, Al Jermaine Sterling, but we got a lot of news and notes to react to, so bring in whomever you want, shall we?

Shall we? Shall we? Yo! What's going on? What's the crack? What is this, by the way? Man, I don't even know what game's on today. Is that Argentina?

Yeah, they're playing tomorrow. Did you see Yuana back there? Yeah, she's glass. Look at this guy. I wish we had a ding-dong. Frank, do we have the ding-dong? That's what we're missing. It is going to like that, isn't it?

It's like, who's coming in? Do you remember the show Mr. Rogers's neighborhood? No, Irish. It's like an iconic. It would be like basically someone would ring the door and he's like, oh, come to my house. Did Tom Hanks play him in a movie? Yes.

Yeah, I think I know. Okay, okay. yet. There it is. Yawanna memories. Anything come to mind? When I say Yawani and Jacek, what comes to mine? You guys love talking about Mount Rushmore's, something we don't talk about, but I put her on a Mount Rushmore of a European MMA. The impact she... I thought you were going to say women's MMA. Oh, yeah. Well, I mean, of course.

Oh, and now you're saying European MMA, men? Yeah, yeah. I think the impact she had was incredible when she kind of just launched onto the scene. And I think KSW must look at that run. because she went Cage Warriors to UFC pretty much. She beat Rosie Sexton and Cage Warriors. Rosie Sexton, golly, the doctor. But that was like a fight that was meant, I think that was meant to be Rosie Sexton's retirement fight.

Back in, I can't remember exactly what year. And they bring in Joanna this unknown quantity. And I love Rosie, but the... She annihilated her. She annihilated her. Goes to the UFC. There was always those conversations about UFC could never sell in Poland and stuff. I think what she did to that market was

absolutely huge. You know, the KSW is always the dominant brand there. Yuana definitely made them rival that and KSW is such a powerhouse in that region. I think it's amazing. I think she's one of the most game fighters we've ever seen, as well as just an incredible technician, but she was willing to go all

the time. Like that... Those faceoffs? She would like go in and go up like that in their face, like almost like through the guard. Legendary. Yeah, and UFC had Rousey, right? And I think they were looking to go with other weight divisions initially. But when, remember when she had her debut? I'm sure she was talking about it when Dana

saw her fight for the first time and he brought her out and sappie cider. Like you're like, that never happens. She's incredible. I remember that. A lovely person, just a lovely, lovely, lovely person. Managing, but you could still see, by the way,

you could still see the sort of like push and pull of like wanting to do it. It's like this, this internal demon that they can't quite get rid of. It's an identity problem with every fighter. You know, it's very hard to move on from being essentially a god. You know, like that's what they are.

That's how we see them. And to just move into normal. I will say something about Joanna that is a struggle for a lot of fires. She seems so happy. You know, sometimes you see fighters after they retire, and it just, you can see they're just still on a quest to find something to replace it. And even though Yohanna's always going to have that fighter inside of her, I feel like she occupies herself so much.

Like we're talking to Jennifer Galsing out there. She's talking about she moved to Las Vegas, starts doing English lessons at UNLV. She was doing, she does two days a week at a homeless shelter, doesn't tell anyone about it. Oh, she didn't mention that. Just does it. Wow. to feel kind of in the community. Serious. Yeah, that's what I was saying.

She's a really incredible person on this. Wow, wow, wow. That is amazing. Yeah. That is unbelievable. Did you enjoy the sushi yesterday? Oh, you know, I didn't. Listen, I was working. You boys off on a jolly. You were off on a fucking jolly. Oh, you had to rush home from the sphere. You're like Garth A. Davis.

Oh, I had to write the 500 words. I wish it was 500 words. I wish it was 5.00 words. Is it up yet? No, which is even more upset. It wasn't there. I didn't quite. get the magic I wanted. Tell us what you did. Tell us what you did.

So Chuck went into the press conference. I was kind of going around to try and capture the vibes. I think it was a great turnout at the press comments, to be fair. How many people would you say? Well, what does the T-Mobile have? Oh, like, 22,000 or something? Capacity? Yeah.

Yeah. I'd say there was about, I'd say there was probably like 8,000 people there maybe? I don't know. That's more than your typical... Oh, way more. In multiples. I was talking to Dona Corby about it, and Carbs were saying to me, like... DC's here.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. He's on the front lines, you know, that lad. He was saying, you know, what springs to mind when you think of, like, press conferences this year outside of, like the White House? Because that's a complete anomaly. I was like, well, I guess Strickland and Schmoeff. And he's like, there's 2,000 people there. So this is like multiples of that, you know what I mean? And it does speak to McGregor. Still, we've been saying it all week. He's still, by far the biggest star. I thought you look great on the scales this morning as well. So most viewed on YouTube so far, as far as the pressers are concerned of the year, not hard to beat. Dana announced yesterday, highest game. ever, period. Prior to this 21 plus million sphere was the record, this is going to be 25, he said. And I have to say, you know, we haven't looked at the presser. I wanted to watch it with you, some select clips. I thought it was as close to vintage McGregor as we've seen in a while. You know, there was the Porier one, the second one, where he was like too nice. He was nearly in a mix of identity. And identity growth, like, which way do I do this? They're exchanging gifts and all this.

third one second pourier of that calendar year 2021 it was a little too venomous he was like a little bit overcompensating for the noisness of the previous one yeah this one felt as close not quite vintage but as close to vintage as we've seen maybe even prior seroni like you know like Eddie Alvarez something like that

Eddie Alvarez was a bit of a world one too it was a crazy one yeah but I will say like he gave all the people that came out there that they're chasing a McGregor experience and he gave him one. Yeah. You know, that is what they wanted. They wanted, and I know he was like, Chuck wrote about it,

and he's kind of like, you know, he's hitting them, he's giving them the hits, you know, red panty, but that's what they want. That is what they're here for. Because they all saw clips of it. Yes. They want to experience it. I saw a bunch of, it was funny. So we went to the sphere last night, the whole team, except for Jordan.

He's celebrating his birthday. God bless. I thought it was amazing, by the way. Man, it was incredible. Like, I thought at first, Wizard of Oz at the sphere, like, this is an old movie. It's not going to work. But because there's so much going on with like the tornadoes and you're just like, what the hell? There's leaves falling on you.

There's wind. It's an amazing experience. I thought New York Rick was going to nosedive into it because he kept on trying to catch these apples. Yeah, the apples are. The juxtaposition of an old Hollywood film and the new age experience was actually sublime. I really enjoyed it. And Frank actually said to me, as it was going on, didn't really stop speaking throughout the whole thing. Is he that kind of moviegoer?

Look, Easter on. Frank, you're... It's a 90-year-old movie, man. Frank, it needed to have some heckling. Nonstop. Anyway, he did make a good point. He was like, could you imagine the octagon was there? Oh, yeah.

And this was, like, because Chuck was there. He's on his way. But he is, he was there at that, but could you imagine sitting there for that? I'd say it was absolutely. How could you look at the fight? Yeah, yeah. How could you even look at the fight with all that going on?

Also, the sound I found amazing. Like the birds chirping and all that stuff. Anyway, when we leave, all of you. you say, oh, I can't walk, I need a cab. I'm so busy, I'm so busy. Only Rick and I walk the whole way home. You walk so slowly. I was taking in. I was taking in. I was taking in. The sights, the sounds, the bright lights. Do you know when you're in a rush? Yeah. You wouldn't accept me. No, no, no, taking it in. Anyway, at one point, there's like a gang maybe of like five or six guys,

Irish flags. Yes. You'll like the story. Irish flags, McGregor tattoos, like fake, like completely. Oh, they've got the, they've got the whole thing, shirtless. And this would have been great for the feature. God damn it. But here's where it gets really interesting. So they do a double take. I hear them say, is that, Ariel? They come back.

Rick and I are talking like, oh, okay, here are the Irish, here are the Irish. Come back. I hear them say my name. What's the crack, guys? What's the story? From the Midwest. Americans.

Yeah, that's what Chuck was saying. Dressed as Irish people. Dressed as Irish men, dressed as Connor. That, I think, speaks to everything that we were saying. They want to experience it. But they're not your own.

everybody's telling me that I'm making it all up. No, you're not making it up. I found that to be so symbolic of all of this. Chuck, right? So Chuck is like texting me because he's going into the presser and I'm kind of looking for scenes and he's trying to help me out. Like he's like, I see a guy with a trucker like,

hang on, I'm just going to walk up beside him. He's like, no, no, that's an American as well. Have you seen any sort of packs of Irishmen? No, but Dunnacarby thinks there are people. Like he's seen the Irish jerseys and he's saying they must be Irish people. There was a few, there was a few obscure Irish jerseyses I will say that flashed up on the presser screen yesterday during it.

And I was like, an American's not having that jersey. Okay. So I do think there's a few. I've met, we met Andrew from Hulah and martial arts at the awards. I know Sean Abanens here. I know this isn't exactly fans traveling. But I want the, I want to know for there's only one, all that stuff. They're going to, the Americans will sing that anyway.

Yeah, but no, from you guys. I don't think. We'll find out. Maybe today at the wins. Let's look at some of the footage, okay? Here's, I'll be honest, I've seen some of these. I haven't seen some of these. So let's react together.

Okay. Okay, we're talking about Vintage McGregor yesterday at the press conference in Las Vegas after the Hall of Fame at the T-Mobile. Here's the first one. Let's just go in order, guys. You tell me, Connor McGregor, talking about he will make Max Holloway retire

after Saturday night. I find it disrespectful. I find it shows he is here for economic, the economics of it. He must not realize the danger he is in. I forecast. Holloway's retirement on Saturday night. Not a trilogy for cash.

And Max, what is your prediction for how you finish Connor on Saturday night? I hope he knows all to win. I'm drowning his ass. So they have two very different styles. I thought Max was great. Very impressed with Max. Max was really good. He was quick, like in that moment. But Connor with the, you know, I forecast

and he's just doing it for the money. Like, again, that scene right there felt straight out of 2016. And I like, by the way, that they only had BSD and Patty up there. You didn't need eight guys. You didn't need the whole main card or any nonsense like that. They were all going to get overshadowed anyway. Yeah. Like, I mean, when you look at the media day, he's doing that kind of staccato speech thing.

Yeah. Kind of breathless. It's so, it's so different. This is way better. This is what he's like in conversation. You know, like that's what you'd assume. He seems to me like he speaks like, oh, who's here? that? Who's here? Oh, there he is. The man in the hat. Please have a seat, sir. Have a seat. Yeah,

there he is. Your friendly man in the hat neighbor. The mayor of the nutmeg state is here. It's perfect for him. Hello, Chuck. We were just speaking of you. What's going on? Do I get a headset or am I just going to? You're just winging it. Oh, actually, you probably do need a headset because, yeah, we're listening to, and there he is. G. G.C., everyone. G. G.C. Yeah. Rep in Espagna. Let's get a shot of G. G. Rocking the Spain. It's a nice kit right there. I'll tell you that much. Love the old school Adidas. Chuck, how are you? We're just getting into things.

I was thinking about it. I was listening in the show. I was here a little late. You told me 11.30. No, I know. You want it came early? I know. It's early. I hope you didn't run in the Vegas heat. But I heard about the, you know, going to the sphere and all that with the whole team. Oh, yeah. Why didn't you get an invite?

What am I, chop liver over here? Yeah, guys. Guys, actually, this is Rick's fault. Rick Rick? Rick? Rick? Rick is nowhere to be found. Rick is nowhere to be found.

How convenient. That is... You know, this is the second time this week something has come up and we're like, whose fault is this, Rick? It is, uh... I'll tell you the God's honest truth. The God's honest truth is it was born in the control room

and it's just sort of like we're in the control room and we're not thinking outside. I understand. So, no, that's on me. I had a lot going on, though. That's on me. We asked Pizzi to tell you and he said that you were busy at the presser. No, he told me.

But what he told me was I'm heading off to the sphere. I'll see you later. What was that all about, brother? There was so many empty seats. Why didn't you tell us? The tickets were paid for like 700 years ago. Yeah, but he could have sat anywhere.

I don't, I don't know how to use. I'm transferring, I'm transferring the, the onus from Rick to you. That, that's shit. That's shit.

That goes against everything we stand for. Now, the sushi was a different story. Listen, Joe, can you show me of the sushi? I had to go home last night. The room service was finished. At the fucking order of pizza.

The order of pizza. Oh, he's going to pay. Your man goes over to area. He doesn't even come over to me. Frank has to get in the phone and tell him he's actually over here. Frank got you the pizza. Frank was conveniently in a location around the front entrance while I was getting said pizza. Anyway, so, so Frank rings him. He's like, he's over here. Brings me to pizza.

I'm starving. I haven't eaten like 10 hours. Get up to the room. It's just, this is like a frozen pizza. Oh, that's shit. I was like, but I had to eat something. You had to ask me. Are you?

Did I? Low key, aria pizza right next to the MGM. Remember Nate, Nate Diaz? That's one of the best pizzas. You were a little bit... That was pretty late in the night, if I was. But that pizza, I don't know if you guys remember the pizza. The pizza next door to the Aria Sportsbook is one of the best pizzas in Las Vegas.

I bought 48 Modellos for the group. I remember at one stage. I remember looking at my ding on four. And they kept bringing them all opened. They'd bring us like new 12 packs with like they were already all popped open. Oh, I remember that. Anyway, yeah, I was hitting mitts. So we're just getting, I haven't watched everything.

Remember that? Regarding the presser, you were there. I was there. Great coverage, but I want to react to some select moments. So get your thoughts. You were in the belly of the beast, right? I was right there, yep. Okay, by the way, before I get to the next one, how would you do?

He was talking about the audience. He was talking about the crowd, the energy. You've been to some of the ones in the past. I heard, I was listened to you guys a little bit on the ride over. Certainly had elements of the past. Like, you could feel it. There was just something, and maybe this is the bar that he created, but there was something a little off. And I think maybe, like, he'd mentioned that he was playing the hits.

We've heard a lot of the stuff. But in terms of just the quick banter and the crowd's reaction and feeding off of that crowd's energy and all that stuff, it was very much a throwback to the old times. This is what people want. Essentially, the people who went there got what they want. You mentioned a lot of times that's the letters nowadays, right, the UFC. I feel like that. You know, I'm walking in, and I was pointing out to Pizzi. You see very few Irish flags.

Back in the day, I pointed out in the piece when we were mobbed. You remember this? Of course. So there wasn't that kind of thing. You know, you're looking around. There's Josh Hokit shirts. there's, you know, Musk versus Zuckerberg shirts. I mean, there's things like this.

These are people who are just UFC into that aura. They just want to be a part of it. They just want to be part of the, yeah. And I mean, there were plenty of McGregor fans, but I'm just saying it was a lot different that way. Okay, interesting. All right, here's another one. McGregor talking about living in the gym leading up to this fight.

Honey, I'm home. I return to my gym. I stuck a little bed in the gym, and I've been living in the gym. Literally, I've been living at the place of practice. So in order for me to exit the gym, I had to walk across the mats and put in a session. No travel, no traffic.

Just right in the take of it. But a lot of young, hungry lines around me, angling for the spot to be in my position. So it's been a tremendous experience, a tremendous camp. And on we go. Glory to God. Interesting, by the way, the two belts up there. Are they sort of like...

Are they like lifetime achievement? Awards? Like, what were they? I think so. And the old school UFC belts, still. They're pretty cool, though. I got to say it. They're pretty cool. I like the old school one better than the new one. Can I just say? Yeah, please. They just don't a green, completely green. Talking to the microphone, will you? Sorry, green. Like, as in a Lik's new. Like, it's just seems

a bit. It is kind of funny that over in the boxing side, they talk about, like, too many belts, and yet, like, everyone gets a belt. Like, Teporia shows up with his featherweight belt. There's so many belts being handed out. And then you get these guys up there saying, like, hey, you're going to get a blessed belt, if you win this max, you know, and he's like, yeah, I'll take a blessed belt.

Sure, why not? Here's Conner McGregor saying he's going to destroy Max Holloway in 10 seconds. Is that possible? Let's take a look. I can destroy Max inside 10 seconds. Fully possible. I have knockouts inside three seconds on my fighting record. I did see a knockout amount in seven minutes.

I have Hall of Fame fighters. Multiple. Paddy Dardy. Hall of Fame UFC fighters defeated and destroyed. It is Paddy Dardi. All right to go together another minute. And I can add Max to that. However, don't get it twisted.

If we go into these deep waters, Max is going to be in a lot of trouble, badly concussed. What happened to the first time? Badly concussed. Poor Max. What happened the first time? You were left in a wheelchair.

That's what we're having the first time. That's what we want that. Once you go back, you don't go back. Oh, here we go. You said fights don't even count if you don't knock people out. You left the arena in Boston. We're all in here.

We are all in a year. We are joining. We're going to your line, brother. Oh, God. Do you know, Max is kind of like treating Connor, like he's the drunken uncle at a wedding. So he's like, all right, buddy. I wrote about it all the day. You brought this up that he's handled it with class.

Yeah. He could have made this a very dark week. Right. He could have. And he hasn't, yeah? He has not done that. That kind of a strain. And the fact that we've seen McGregor and a million different guises, right?

Like he shows up different all the time. And I was thinking back to 2013, was it? The fight? Yeah, the fight. And he's 21 at the time, basically unchanged. He's the same guy in terms of who. His demeanor. His demeanor.

He never should. So, like, you're not surprised that he doesn't take, like, some low road to this process. You just kind of know that that's who he is. But he was comfortable up there. Oh, yeah. Big time. You know what I mean? Some people get swallowed up by the moment.

Soroni. Soroni got swallowed up. 100%. Yeah. 100%. And Max is a freaking star. Here's McGregor, interrupting your welcome. I'm not sure what that.

means. Let's take a look. Let's take a look. It feels great. It feels great. I can hear all you guys in here. You're welcome. You're welcome. With love from the Emerald Isle of Ireland. You're welcome. Hey, thank you. Hey, thank you, Connor McGregor. Thank you.

He said. Baby, call their wife. Maybe we did it. That's an old. I know. Dude. And Max has dubbed this the Ninth Island out here, right? like this is the ninth island and they're booing him like this.

Dude. I know. By far. This guy dropped just a gaitie like two years, just a little over two years ago. Yeah. And they're booing him. Come on. The look on Dana's face there, like you could just tell the smile on his face.

He's playing the hits in his mind as well. Speaking of Dana White, he was asked about the Connor's schedule, the two fights that he spoke about just a few weeks ago. The one fight, obviously on Saturday, the April second fight, two fights left on a deal. Here's what Dana had to say. And last one from me, Dana, following up on that, what are your thoughts about Conner's scheduled to be showing up next year instead of maybe as fast as he like it?

Do you have an opinion on that? Oh, yeah, let's talk about it right now, you and I, yeah. That was funny, dude. No, I do not. He was in rare form. He was going to go from there. Yeah. Dana felt up for it, right?

He was up for it. He wasn't going through the motions. He had a couple of those kind of one minor. It was good stuff from him. I think he was genuinely asked, like, a good question at one point. He was like, oh, shut up. or something moving on. I know.

It was incredible. Conan McGregor is saying he is in his prime despite the five-year layoff, despite the entry. Take a look. Dynamite. A vast array of weaponry fully on display.

It is why I say, it is why I say I am in my prime now as I have corrected the errors in my training camp. Have you seen Tombstone? And I'm excited to show it. Bring it on Saturday nights

one hell of a night. This is our holiday. He's dying of tuberculosis. He's in his prime, though. Hell yeah. This is like a mystery science theater, right? Mystery Science Theater. Do you know what that is?

I do. What was that show? Frank, tell P.T. what mystery science theater is. There's a human and two robots that sit in the front of a movie theater, and you just see their silhouettes and they just, like, heckle and calm at the entire. This reminds me of watching the movie last night. That is literally what you went through yesterday. Here's Connor McGregor talking about that he has to prove himself, I guess, despite being in his prime.

you're going to see violence on Saturday night you're going to see a ferocious man and that's it what more can I do to show I'm not here to prove anything to you I need to prove nothing to no one it is to myself that I am proving this too

that goddamn right BST's like by the way someone knocking on the door oh oh okay yes by the way I was in an elevator afterwards I'm talking I immediately shot out of there

go back to the hotel to write and who goes on to the elevator other than Cona McGregor. BSD. Oh. And there's these two kids who just came from a turn and they're both like, and they're trying to figure out who he is. They're trying to figure out who he is. But they were at the freaking press conference. And I'm like, I know they were like, did you tell them? They're both like, is it? And then like, did you whisper it?

They go BSD? And he's like, yeah, and can I get a photo? He's like, yes, but very quick, I've got work to do. That's what I said. It was great man. What a legend. Wait, I don't know if you have a click. No, no, please. Oh, he just thought it was so interesting that Patty was so in awe of Connor. Save Patty for a moment.

Save Patty for a moment. We'll get to Patty in a second because I want to hear more about that. I think my favorite line is this one. I think my favorite line of the whole press conference is this one. Connor McGregor asked if he would fight his fellow Irishman, Ian Machado, Gary. I had a guy asked me if he was speaking English, the guy asking this question. He's like, was that in English? Oh, really?

Yeah. Who was it that asked this question? I don't know who it was. God bless him. The blowers been hopping. The blowers been hopping. About this situation. Oh, the phone.

Okay. This was interesting. It was also, I would say, probably the funniest moment of the conference. Take a look. But what happens if Ian Garry is a title against Islam-Nehatchev? Would you fight the Angari or not?

No problem. No problem, as they say in Brazil. Thank you. That's the best. That's a cheeky little shot right there, no? The other line when he was asked about him. Oh. And they were like,

what about Ian another person asking this and he goes oh Machado so what he is trying and it's this is a very inside Irish MMA thing that Connor McGregor is doing here okay one of the things that the Irish fans are

held against in is his love for America when he moved to Florida and then Brazil he is only he is trying to direct traffic there by saying oh the Brazilian guy wow so what's interesting about that is Ian Gary completely ingratiate himself to Connor McGregor on entry

to the UFC. We hadn't even heard about it really before in the cage wires run. He was falling over himself. His history with Connor, they had two sparring sessions and they've seen each other. They had big public moments. It might be the best thing for Irish

MMA right now to have these guys fight. Because... Why, could you imagine that? Well, first of all, it would be like a therapy session for Irish MMA because Connor would be saying to Ian all of the things that the people feel about him. But Ian

could be Connor and satisfy the nation in that way as well. I don't know if Ian would then reciprocate. I think he has too much respect for him. Well, no, I think Ian, Ian is. He loves him, no? Ian's ego, man. If you start, you start pointing the finger at Ian, he'll go at you as well. And to me, that that is him saying completely open to that.

He's calling him a chattto, all that kind of stuff. I think Irish M.M.A may need to cannibalize itself to be reborn. Wow. This is deep stuff right here. I didn't know we're getting these. But you have to admit, surprising a little bit, no? No. They've sparred together in all this, no?

McGregor. McGregor and Ian, didn't he? I know. I mean, do you know this guy? No, I know. His best mate took him to fucking court. Yeah, I guess you're right. I guess you're right.

I guess you're right. That is, yeah, that is not how I perceived it, but. Well, that's why you pay me the big books. Hell yeah. Here's McGregor on Max pointing down. If the fight gets to the final. 10 seconds and Max Holloway points to the center of the octagon. Are you meeting him

there? Andaly. Handily. Handily. That's where it's vintage, right? Because he's just, he's ready. He's ready for this. But I don't think he would do it. Because that's like paying homage to his gimmick. He's not going to copy someone else. He's not going to be there last 10 seconds. Oh, he would hit 15 seconds

Connor and be the one doing it, right? Oh yeah, that's a good show. But yeah, go on, sorry. You've, you've clips to get you. Okay. McGreg, I just want to I just want to go the full gamut. Yeah, this is good. We're going to do the... This best comes is way better than I thought. Okay, Connor McGregor and Max Hallway talking about that you're going to see them in their prime.

Let's see. I think we just saw this, but we'll see if there's another one. Dynamite. A vast array of weaponry. Fully on display. It is why I say, it is why I say I am in my prime now as I have corrected the errors in my training camp. Oh, that's why. Yeah.

I'm excited to show it. bring it on Saturday nights one hell of a night The delivery I'm excited to shots It's a good time Okay This accent's changed a little

I don't know if you noticed it Here's Connor McGregor On being a triple crown winner Now is he talking horse racing Or is he talking I think it's a horse racing And rugby term I haven't heard it

He's introduced a new vernacular This is not uncommon Let's take a look Connor Connor Connor future for you right now is there a third belt on the horizon after max oh wow these these belts represent every record in the fight business i hold them all so it's an honor to

hold these belts and for sure the o g champ champ going for the triple crown sounds like one hell of a story to me yeah you had to shift a little bit you got a little excited you got a little excited we are mcgregors is he talking about the world everyone in attendance family sitting there. Let's say, I'm just working off what's on the sheet here. Hey, that's obvious. Let's see. How special is it to show your four kids that their dad can bounce back and come back to

the top? We are McGregors. We are McGregors. This is what gets in Max. And on Saturday night, you're going to see it from ringside, baby. The McGregers represent greatness. I thought that was Tony Besought him. David August.

Oh, the legend. Yes. Showed a clip again. Showed a clip again. Oh, Andy doesn't like what she gets directed. She is cool. Andy, I apologize.

Hell has no fury. Don't show it again. That was ridiculous. Go ahead. That was beautiful. I think that might have been the first time the kids were ever. I mean, it's obviously been five years,

but I don't remember even his oldest son ever at anything. Connor Jr. The youngest kid, when he came out, he got this big roar like when he walked out on stage. Oh, did he? And the youngest kid's like this, put his hands over his ears.

Like, what is this? Unbelievable. Unbelievable. So now another highlight, all of a sudden, paying homage to the Three Lions as Connor is singing Wonderwall. No, no, I clear the so fiat. Null Gala supports Ireland. He said himself an Irishman.

I think that's why he did it? That's an Irish man. What's the context here? Where did it come from? All of a sudden, he starts singing Wonderwall? One of the biggest hit songs of all time. No, I know, but what prompted it? I have no idea, actually.

Occasionally you break out in the song, and I appreciate it. Was it just like that? No, but I mean, your voice is better than Conner's. I'm trying to tell you something. I agree. I don't think that. watching it go. Where did it come from this?

I have no idea. Well, anyway. God, yes. Let's watch it perhaps sing together. Connor singing Wonderwall. Go ahead. You're my wonder wall. This is the way to watch this.

This is. Look at my specs. It's like, what the fuck is happening? This is so, look at Patty. You're my wonder wall. That's the media section. Yeah. Godah, you're up Mowley, you're up to have me.

I'm sorry for that. They're like, yeah. Lawyers of, get it. There's a great moment. Yes, he does. But there's a great moment right after that where he says, yo, Patty, why didn't you back me up? Why didn't you back me up?

Patty, interesting, right? So tell us. I'm allowed to this now. This was the entry. There's any clips. No, there's more clips, but this is the Patty time. So go ahead. I thought that was very interesting.

And obviously, it speaks to McGregor's, the stare he is, right? like he's still the biggest star in the game. Patty is in the position where, obviously he's lost to gauge you, but this is a definite commodity for the UFC. And they put him in the common event slot because they're like, even if this doesn't go well with Connor,

we have this other guy and a lot of people are behind him. That audience in the UK, this is on pay-per-view. Maybe you're not all that jazzed on Connor. You probably want to watch the Patty fight. I just right, Patty is always given, well, no, he hasn't, but Patty is giving Connor. so much respect here.

And what I was thinking... Beaming. Daming during this thing, the whole time. But what I was thinking is, could you imagine Connard McGregor 10 years ago in that spot, giving it up to someone like that?

I don't think he ever would have done it. So that's why I just think it's interesting. They're voting kind of a similar sloppel. But has he not been humbled just a little bit coming off the loss? Like maybe Patty pre-Justin isn't doing that. No, he was. He was in the Black Forge and everything.

I remember that one time when he was in Cage Warriors, didn't he have the sign or something? I will smoke you. Yeah. Conno McGregor. Yes. And if you're not ready, Atem Loboff, what are you doing?

Great stuff. There was a beef there, was there not? Or at least he was trying to create a beef? There was a bet and slip. Like, he will, Paddy Pimler will beat Conno McGregor for 2020. Him and Graham Boyland did that thing with Paddy Power, the bookmakers over there. Yes, yes, yes, yes. But I don't know, yeah.

He's very... What do you think the relationship is like? Like, do you think they're exchanging pleasantries backstage and all that? It's weird because, like, Petty is also saying, like, I want to fight him. So McGregor actually at the start is kind of saying like, don't get a twist that all of these guys are coming for me. But then when he didn't join in on Wonderwall,

he kind of said, you know what? I think he was loving it. Yeah, where were you? Yeah. I thought it was interesting they didn't have them sitting next to each other. I thought they would have to have more interactions to plant the seed. Because I said, if Connor wins and Patty loses, if Connor loses, Patty wins, if they both win, if they both lose.

Every single iteration, I think that fight makes a ton of sense for the, the second one, right? I've been thinking about that. Patty versus Connor would be gigantic. Gigantuan. And it can happen any sequence of when these results play a way.

That's a, if Paddy loses and McGregor loses, it's fine to make that. It's almost like the fight that makes the most sense in some ways. If Paddy wins and Connor loses, still makes sense. Are we past the era then of...

Meritocracy? Yes. Well, no, but I know we're past that era. What's the meritocracy here? Putting them on the ice flow and sending them off, you know, like the Nate Diaz-Coms out thing. Are we...

That's what we... That's what I don't... Are you talking about for Patty? No, I'm talking about for Connor. So let's say that we get down to his last fight. Oh, like to kill him off? Yeah, would these guys qualify for that? Like you're saying...

I think some people think that that is what they're doing with Max Holloway. It's... It could be. It's a lot tougher for the Michael Chandler. And Sorone. I thought that that's what they were doing with Carlos Prattas. When they booked or tried to book, when they were gauging his interest to fight Carl's project... Oh, yeah.

That would make sense for the next fight. Yes, yeah. Because you imagine Carl's practice? That would not be good. I mean, he's just so big as a welterweight. Connor has to fight, if Connor's fighting a 170, he has to fight a 155 or he's fighting a 170. He's just not a natural 170 pounder.

He looked good in the scales day, but yeah, this is two 55s essentially going at it without a wake-up, but... Did you see him on the scales, Chuck, today? I saw him just in the video. I wasn't there. Can we see, can we replay that real quick, Andy, if you have it. Connor and Max on the scales earlier today at the ceremonials, not ceremonials, excuse me, the official wanes.

Here he is. you thought he looked good P2Y. Better than times past at 170. He's 90. 40. Yeah. He's 308 in a few days. Like, I mean,

it doesn't look 170 there, right? No, but he isn't. He isn't. Like, he is not a 170. No, I know, but he, like, I can't, like, if I was looking at this and didn't know the actual weight, I would, oh, I guess now that he's flexing,

it's a little different. Like, what John did make a good point when he was on the show. Like, we've never really seen Conor Out Shape. That's true. Like, he's always been a good, Nick. Max looked great, too. Max, I think they both look. I mean, he would have he cut like four pounds?

You know, yesterday, Chale and I were saying that we thought he was going to come under. And then his nutritionist Tyler was like, I'm telling you, man, we had to cut. We had to cut quite a bit, yeah. He looks great for 170, right? He's, man, everybody was making this big deal about McGregor's, look at his skin. He's going to be saying. He's quiet, man. He's quiet.

Usually we get a master class when he's like this, you know? I think. I think Max's going to show up. You think so? And even his demeanor, yes, they kind of said to me, I know, I know, I'm, Everyone's buzzing. They had the show. The showman's back.

That's the thing about McGregor. It's like a three-night residency. It's not like, it's not like a fight. It is. It's like go to the stand-up on Thursday. They will go to the Arnold's. There's the 7.30 on the main deck.

And then he actually fights on the Saturday. Yeah. No, true. Oh. They got what they wanted. But I, look, the infatuation with McGregor has been apparent this week. I was talking to Chuck about this.

I haven't my latest piece. I don't know. I don't think that's up yet. But have you ever. seen. He's salty. Have you ever seen? Ran three pieces in that time. Anyway, go ahead. Have you ever seen a side by side? Right. Fair enough, we've seen the side by side of two bodies. Like, oh, this is what he looked like then. This is what he looked like now.

Have you ever been a, I seen a side by side of how a dude signs autographs? That's what they're breaking down now. Oh, yeah. No, it's ridiculous. It's absolutely mentally. What are you going to learn from that? That's an autograph, by the way. It's just a It's just a, yeah. No one gave us one of those here, but it's just like, I think it's like a A little up and then a line. You're going to auction this? Yeah, we're going to do it. We're going to give it to Yuanas charity.

Okay. Cancer Faces. Okay, more. Actually, Connor did an interview with Ian Parker and Chil's son, and they have a show called Undefeated Undisputed, and he was asked about Dustin Porier, and I thought his comments were very interesting. So this was before the press conference.

Here's Connor talking about his old foe, Dustin Porier and his recent issues. Take it with absolute seriousness, because you don't want to slip for the and further. He obviously has. He has to take accountability. I've seen something he came out and he was like his father. He blamed his father. You have to take accountability, my man. That's it.

I'm not going to go deeper. I don't want to go into it. It's not my business. You know, and for the sake of his family and his children, his new child born, I hope he comes right. I have missed you. There's only one Connor McGregor, please. That's the response to that

statement of all the statements. I have missed you. That's what every media response seems to be as well. Interesting answer, right? This is a guy who's been there, who's had his issues, and he's saying, you're not taking a responsibility. Also, I thought interesting, like, he knows everything. He heard what he said about his dad.

He knows he just had a kid. Very much. That's kind of the old Conrad Greger, isn't it? Oh, yeah. Used to pay attention to everything. Oh, yeah, paying attention to him. Oh, every single detail. And did you know what was he called Holloway Little Evil yesterday?

Yeah. And Holloway goes, oh, cool, you've been doing your research. That's amazing. I didn't notice that. Wait, but isn't that Jen's pulver? That's what Blessed was called, before Blessed, he was called Little Evil. Wow, wow, wow.

Really? I don't remember this. In the UFC? Not the UFC, mate. Did you know that Jens was originally called Little Evil Bass? It's like a four-word thing. It was like Little Evil Bastard. L.E.B. Yeah, it was something like that.

It was from your time with Monty Cox. Yeah, and they were like, no, no, we got to shorten that down. We are hitting you with such shit today, man. Max hit us with a deep cut. We don't have it here, but do you remember when, oh, man, this was a great one. I don't know if anyone in the back could pull it up, but Max tweeted something way back of the day. No, Connor tweeted, I missed those sunglasses.

Do you guys know this tweet? Yes. Do you know this tweet? It's Max in a wheelchair with a paramedic. Yes. In the very background, McGregor's son, there, glasses on the classic stuff. And he retweeted the pictures.

And he said, I miss those sunglasses. And then yesterday, Max tweets, I'm going to miss those sunglasses. That is a freaking, that is like a 12-year-old cut right there. That I can't believe that that wasn't set up. Oh, you think the whole thing was set up? If you wear meta glasses. Yeah, yeah.

It would be the perfect situation to have Connor McGregor rolling up, stopping and taking them off his face. You're going to tell me Max Holloway is just... Have a look. Andy, Ptze is calling for the clip of Connor taking the glasses. That was some AI shit. Yeah, yeah. I stopped myself.

Sorry, that was wrong. Do we have the face off? Yeah, I'm grabbing it right now. Okay, here it is. Argentina, Jersey. And the man, review, Andy. Okay, this is from the meta.

If you're a director, this is what you're going to go. Come on. He's right there. I mean, you're going to try and tell me that this wasn't. I think this was all. Oh, who sponsors the UFC? Look at this. What's the apex called?

K-Fa. Oh, yeah, you're right. Come on. I don't know. Are you fuck off. Are you serious? Is that a bulletproof kick vest? What's going on there?

That max, you're going to duck a few points for that. Not cool. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, no. That was very Nate Diaz-esque. Oh, up, up, up, down, up down. That's the same bodyguard from all those years ago. Oh, yeah. Big Steve.

Luxuck. That's what Connor calls him, you know, I? That's his nickname from, Luxuck. The Englishman, right? Big Steve, yeah. The bald-headed guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Legend.

Yeah, eight times. After the press conference guys, Connor McGregor, at the PI, getting a feel for the Octagon, getting a feel for the mat. Let's take a look at this. This is Connor. You know, some people touch grass. Others touch canvas.

Oh, baby. Took the jacket off. Barefoot. And the snake skins. Hell yeah. Look this. Oh, yeah. Get a feel.

There's big yogurty, foggity. Yup. There's yogurts. Look. Big ups. Oh, there's Graham. No, that's not Graham. Grame.

There's Graham. There's Graham. Yeah. Look at this. This is inside the PI getting a feel. Kids look at light on his feet, huh? Yeah. He's going to do it.

Gonna do it. You know, I haven't, I haven't played. I don't think I did. I haven't. I haven't played the BSD Paddy face off. How was that one? Let's take a look. Patty rolling up there like he's like...

Look at the difference in dressing. I think Patty looked like he was struggling, man. Like, that looked like a tough... That's the toughest way could have seen him have in the USA. For real? Yeah, I think so. And BSD is unflappable. And there seems to be a bit of a sentiment

that Patty's going to do this. Patty is a better... Patty is fantastic grappler. I think this is my opinion is they're both front runners. If one of them gets out ahead, it's going to be very hard to wrestle the fight back from him. And like,

if Paddy gets top position, I think it's pretty much over. Like, he is that good. And I think if BSD does that shit where he's just wearing down on you, I still think Patty, if he goes deeper into the fight. Yeah. Wow. I think so. Well, BSD had the switch against Sanato Moikano and then, of course, the famous Porreier. Yeah. Since, you know, now he has the coach.

He's got the new team. Yeah. He's a much different fighter. I think it's a very interesting fight. I'm just thinking, like, how are T and like, you know, we have this pay-per-view going down on, like, Patty and carner there's a very realistic chance that they both lose these fights like these are close

That's what you're thinking about when you're watching it Because Ben Watt like he's sitting there and the crowd just Completely ignored them. They're just treating him like he's incidental in this whole process. I'm like you realize that this guy Probably should win the fight. 100% but he's also the smallest star of the Four of the Quartet

Belize if you will of this I wouldn't go that far I wouldn't go that far I think he's a big Philippe Lans guy No no I think BSD I mean come on Polar Bear in Arlington. By the way, you mentioned how he looked. We could look at the Patty weigh-in footage from earlier today.

I don't think he looked so bad. Yeah, but I thought he just during Fight Week, especially the media day, I felt like he was a bit... Right here, he doesn't look so bad. What do you make of that? That hair looks better than ever. His hair is beautiful, man. It's not quite Patty Circa, like 2017.

You would like the full bowl situation, don't you? That was a great... Look at that. Look at that. Look, John Lennon had to move on from that as well, you know what I mean? I think it looks pretty good, people. I know, but I just thought he looked gaunt. I thought he looked gaunt.

How did a BSD look? Let's take a look here real quick. We're replaying it all. This is courtesy of our good friend Casey Leiden, member of the uncrowned family now. He was at the sphere with us yesterday, Chuck. I'm sure. He wasn't, he wasn't.

He didn't get the invite either. Look at this guy right here. Ben, what? Oh, my Goddy, that is how. I don't think of Gene Simmons is right. That's J. That's shit. Guys, I wanted to talk about the Hall of Fame.

Did you go to the Hall of Fame? I didn't end up going. I appear, though. Did you see that? No. On the Thomas Jambasey. Yeah. I gave him some sentiments on there.

I love that. I love that. Man, still can't, but it's still surreal for me to like to see. It hit me when I was watching it because I was watching it just on Paramount. But that's when it hits you sometimes.

You're like, oh my God, this guy's no one with. It's so weird. So weird. So weird. I know you feel the same about Abby. It's just. It's surreal to see people that you're friends with

like on these screens as in Morium and stuff. What the hell? I was ready to give out of it. my junkie all coins of shit there, do you don't know like the awards?

And then Abby pops up and I was like, no, okay. Yeah. I'm very happy for them. Before the, um,

the Hall of Fame have, they have a red carpet situation. Justin Gachy was asked, I can't believe this is a thing if he's going to retire, which, like he's still talking about it and he's still not committing to fighting again, believe it or not. Take a look.

Day is like just skyrocketed. Depends on what happens tomorrow. There's no chance. You said afterwards and you promise your mom, you wouldn't make a decision about whether you'd fight again. until some time had passed. Have you got to that point yet? Yeah, I mean, I haven't made a decision yet. I just, you know, it's so fluid, the UFC, it always has been. A bunch of big fights coming up. We'll see how it works. I fought twice this year.

I never fight three times. I never even fight, really, two times in a year, really. So I'm going to rest my body. I have a few injuries that I dealt with the last two fights. And I really just need to rest my body, see how these fights play out, see what the UFC, ultimately the UFC makes the decisions, see what kind of conversations they want to have and then see what's up. He always sounds like he's got a cold, doesn't he? Like for 10 years now. But what?

Like, I don't know. It's the best negotiation position to take. Okay. So you think this is all nonsense? Yeah. It would be the most shocking retirement in MMA history if he walked away now. You're right.

There's no chance. Actually, you know what? If so, if what you're saying is true, that's fair plan. What I like to you? No, I know. I just, I didn't view him as that kind of guy. I didn't view him as that kind of guy. I didn't view him.

as like a public negotiator, although he has changed a little bit over the years talking about the bonuses and not making enough. So maybe this is his way of being like, you want to, I don't believe, a lot of people are saying

Connor wins, they'll do Connor Gateshi, there's no chance. Unless Connor signs a new deal. But you think that's going to happen. You've said that this week. You think the U.S. are going to come back to the negotiation table.

I don't think they're going to give him a title shot, though. But if they come back to the negotiation table, he beats Max, they go negotiate, he throws on an extra couple of them. Connor at 55? Oh, yeah. I don't think he wants to go to 55.

I don't think he wants to do 15 extra pounds cut. BMF. Fuck a BMF. No one cares about the BMF. A beautiful, beautiful moment here. Old foes, Demetrius Johnson, who was also inducted,

who will be at our live show tonight, 730, Momrah, reuniting with his old foe, Joseph Benevitas. Who could forget? J.B. and DJ, well, that's not Joseph Benavita.

That's Justin Gehche. Do we have the Benavitas one, or was that it? Maybe the clip goes, or was that the whole clip right there? He's one of the nicest guys in the sport. Okay. Well, anyway, there was a nice moment there between...

Who's that? One of the nicest guys. Oh, here it is. Here it is. Joey B. DJ. Did you happen to catch DJ talking about... Did you hear DJ's speech?

No, you guys didn't hear it? No. It got a little explicit, not going to lie. We were working. You were off eating sushi. Wait, wait, wait, wait. You didn't hear this? No.

Give me the cliff note. He's talking about advice that he got, I think, from his father-in-law. I think, but it's... but it could have been a pilot, he called him Pilot Steve. And he was talking about the advice that he got from him in the past about posture. And he's like, he would tell me about posturing up and posture and walking around, posture, posture, posture, posture. Just because he's short. And then he's like, I'm going to skip one particular thing that he would tell me because it's a little explicit.

And then he's like, you know what, someone goes, say it. Did anyone hear this back there? And then he's like, well, get it. Come on. He's like, well, Steve would tell me that if I wanted to have good posture, you kind of had to thrust your hips like you were, you were, you were, you were. Say it, what?

And then they cut to his kids. Hey, what, that? I don't know what is it. You know, like you were, like what? You're digging through your pockets. Something like that. And then they cut to his kids and wife laughing in the front. I'm like, well, this seems to be very inappropriate.

Sorry. Hang on. So his father. in law. I don't know if it was his father-in-law. When you're fucking. He's saying, he said it. That is mental. And then they cut right to the kids and wife laughing in the front. It was crazy. Like, it's the joke. The director goes from the joke to the kids. I don't know if we could grab that. Interns, get on that one. Find the DJ clip. I was like, holy shit. I can't believe they cut to that right there. This DJ should have been around, though. I know. Back in the day. I've told him this. You've told him this. Yes. It's like, man, he would have been something. He was so vanilla back in the day. The show looks amazing as well.

Yeah, oh yeah. I was on the program. I saw it, yeah. Anyway, take my word for it. Here's Alex Pereira talking about his next fight. Is he staying at heavyweight? Is he going back to 205?

Here's Porta. Herb Dean. I want to fight him. Yeah, I love that. Glorious. I love that. Look at the hair. He's not a dream boat.

How do you think that you will walk? Dressed like the man in black. fans can't expect that you're going to I believe November. November, that means November.

Yo, look at Fabiano holding the mic. Bees pespeasado, November. I believe November. November. Heavy weight for sure. Told you.

Only you would notice us. Can I just say his eyebrows, I'm talking Fabiano now. He was sitting here with Maricio yesterday. He's so, what's the word that I'm looking for?

Like he's so expressive with the way in which he you know what I mean? Like he almost, he feels. He feels the answers. What was the one like somebody wanted to get me? Isn't that to him?

He was translating somebody's proposal. Oh. Was that him? Oh, it was. At the White House? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he was like, he was doing it like. It actually was like, wow, man, you really conveyed the passion of that.

It was amazing. It was amazing. She's like, yes, Fabiano. I mean, Maricio. Maybe the best moment of the Hall of Fame ceremony, Chris Wyman. Well, they're actually two great moments. They cut to John Volante at one point, completely shirtless. You saw that in the crowd?

Just not wearing any. thing with, I think with his son there, but an emotional Chris Wyden talking about his mother, who I did not know, had been battling cancer, is now cancer-free. Beautiful stuff here. Take a look. Nice. And now, to be able to stand here tonight and say literally three weeks ago, and the chances of this happening were so rare, she was just recently declared cancer-free. I love Chris Weyton.

I love Chris Wey. I love it. That's amazing. Longo. Yeah, baby. That's beautiful, man. It's one of the greatest blessings I've ever had of my life. I can't believe. Boydman's the mine, isn't he?

She's literally just had surgery three weeks ago. Complete new bladder. The fact that she's here right now, she had all these things coming out of all these drains. He's turned into, he's turned into quite a period, man. I mean, he's always a great guy, but. Lightman? Yeah.

His dad looks great. He was a little weird in the beginning. miracle and a gift to this family, and I love you so much. That's awesome, man. You know what's great about that? The mom's like, you're sharing a little bit too much here, Chris. Like, T.F. Overshering ceremony.

No need to get into the bladder stuff. Yeah, but beautiful. Remember that time you got on the flight and you're going to Brazil and Wyatman? You and Wydenman. You know, it's funny about that. I asked them to come on the show this week. His whole family's here, X, Y, and Z, sorry man, can make it. Love you, love you, and I wrote to him, we'll always have Brazil.

Sat next to each other. That was on the way. It was, as he fought next after that. No, it was after he was already champion. He was fighting. Oh,

wow. Okay. It was in between Anderson 1 and 2. We were going out for Anderson, Stefan Bonner, I think it was. See, 157.

My God. 53. Yes. Don't start this shit, boy. No, he's right. There's nothing worse than being caught between this.

Wait a second. Wait a second. Wait a second. Wait a second. Wait a second. And he hadn't gotten it yet. Anderson 1 was 62. Anderson 2 was 68.

So it was pre. It was free. But the reason I remember that is because... We spent the whole week together. That's what I was going to say, though. There's times where you're like, you have a flight like that. And you're like, man, I don't know if I want to like talk to people. And then you get seated with somebody who recognize you like this.

You're like, oh boy. For 13 hours. Exactly. But he's such a like normal dude that we actually had a good time. He wrote, you know, I'll never forget the assayi with granola and banana. That was great. Okay. The numbers now.

Yeah, we finished. No, he hadn't. Okay. Yeah, you're right. You're right. What was that? Yeah, yeah. 154 was Montreal.

No, no, it was 53, but it was right after Munoz. Why are you getting so upset about this right now? You and your numbers. You don't like every fucking episode. You don't know what I'm doing? I can see him mentally flipped through and like, there it is. I've got the whole card right here. It was right, by the way, it was right before Hurricane Sandy.

I remember that as well. Right. Yeah. It was actually right after Mayhem went crazy on my show. He was there yesterday, by the way. He was there. That's the awards as well. He was a bit worried.

Oh, wait, he was at the presser? He was at the presser. And, I mean, just standing there, like, front and center, and everybody's walking up to him. And the dude was soaking in the studio. Oh, you should have, for sure. I got a bit worried there at the MMA awards for a few minutes tonight. What do you mean?

We just stood be serving. I was like, it's something about to happen. I thought he was going to do the Kanye Westing where he storms the stage. I was like, ah, he looked in fine. Fettle. He does. He looks good, yeah. We should have him on on Monday.

Can someone remind me to reach out to Mayhem? Anyway, you'll see 155. who's the one that's full golf. Guys, we have some other news. We have some other news. What about this one? Yesterday we wrap up the show and there's the old can of piss.

Dana White with Shakur Stevenson. Yeah. This is something. Like, who would have thought, right? Shakor Stevenson. This is a signing right here. This, in my opinion,

is one of the top ten best fighters in the world, pound for pound. Side note. Coming off his masterful performance, too. The best of his career against two female Lopez. Maybe my favorite fighter

in terms of personality in the game, game, just like a funny guy. There's a clip I just saw he's arguing with Shannon Sharp. They're fighting. He's saying he's going to knock him out. He's going to knock him out. Just a massive, massive, massive signing. I love the dude doesn't back down from anything. Oh, my God. He's still got that thing.

He's great. He argues with the media guys. This is a huge, huge signing. We have some other pictures. Yeah, there they are. Is that the end of you and him now? Do you reckon? I hope not. He's part of the contract.

No more Hawaii. Don't talk to Hellwani. Look at this, man. That's a signing for Zupa boxing. That is like, Gio Pataya is one thing. I keep telling people this. And you saw me wearing my zoo for sure

at the other, the zoo for boxing. He's a huge fun. Judge them at the end of the year, all right? That's a great point. I didn't think of it. You know what I mean? Yeah.

John R. Let's revisit then. But then there's a million different things, right? They have Connor Ben. Who could forget in studio last year? That's what I mean. He doesn't back down, man. He's, he's, he's,

Connor Ben's a guy fighting at 160. This dude's fighting at 135. He's like, they can now make it like this. They can now make it like this. You would have match made a sufa boxing. They were nowhere near each other. It was just an organic thing of them sitting together. I planted the seed.

I gifted that to them. I should be at that fight. I should host the roundtable. I'm going to get no credit. There was footage of Shakur wearing the uniform, and that was weird. Cool. I love when they wear the uniforms. No, I don't have it.

I don't have it. I can imagine it. I don't have it. You pissed off Andy again, by the way. Andy, I really like, you know what I mean? You're a great friend of one. I'm sorry about what's happening over the last few minutes. And I'm wearing an Argentina jersey.

What's funny to me is that whenever we're doing the crack, he's like, we got to stick to the runner's show. I know. That is so true. I can actually hear it in our voice? She is pissed. Now that it's somebody else is. Hey, take notes.

You see how somebody rolls with the punches over here? Sorry, Andy. Wait, he's rude to you, Andy? What's going on? I won't remember this. Really? Especially Ben Folks. Wow.

Ben is fucking egos out of control. You see 158 with Montreal. Tell us about that. That was Montreal as well. Remember, they went back there a couple of times. pretty close together. Condit, no, Condit was 54. D.S. 58.

Toxic airplane water. Oh, yes, yes. Press conference, missed open workout. I asked them the first question. Dana got mad. All right. So, Shakur Stevenson, I wonder what they're going to do. But again, as I've said a million times,

A, if you're judging Zufa boxing on its current form, you're wrong. B, if you're counting these guys out, if you think that Turkey's going to side with Eddie or Frank or any of those guys, other, like, and he's going to go against Dana and Nick, it ain't happening. Wow, man. I'm just curious, this dude, he wants to be WBC champion.

He wants to be undisputed. He wants to be unified. Have they sold them on the dream of the Zufa boxing title? Or is it just the money? Because Andreas Hale, VSPN, said, I asked Shakur, this is the quote that he put out,

I asked Shakur, why did you sign him with Zufxing? He said, the money is insane, man. And that's what it is. What do you think they're paying? You think they're paying him, Sean O'Malley money. 600K did it prick?

Yeah. But do you think, right, it's all good and they're blinded by the zeros and they sign it? Because remember Apataya was the buildup to his fight was pretty much about the IBF taking that title away. Like it was a deeply personal thing for him for that to happen. 100%. But I feel like at this point, everyone knows what's what. I think Apatai signed before they even launched. Remember he was part of that promo when they announced it?

I think everyone knows what's what. and I think certain people have put in place. But who was it that was telling me this? Maybe it was Eddie Hearn that he thought that there would be tears to wear like the Shakur's of the world wouldn't have to abide by the same rules. Uniform, blah, blah, blah. Yesterday he was wearing the uniform.

So apparently, you know... The uniforms are show you. That extra zero. As Ted DiBiase once said, every man has a price, right? Virgil. Not me. Yeah.

Snap his fingers. What's happening here? There's more stuff. Oh, it's little stuff. No. R.A.F., by the way, is going to be in... Georgia. I just learned that that's a country. I thought it was just a state.

Well, it's mainly known for its status as a state. I was just that going Chale Sonan, you know, this is Jake. Guys, I heard someone say that, and by the way, for everyone at home, soon to come, John Anick, Matter of Moments, Al Jermaine Sterling. Having done an in-person interview with John Anick. I was wondering about that. Well over a decade. That long.

Oh, yeah. Wow. I'm looking forward to it. Yeah. Union. Who said it? Someone said, Gable, Steve, Steve, since debuts, one of the most anticipated... New York, Greek. Oh, no, no, I was reading someone else say it. I don't know if I feel that right now. No.

Everything is... Everything, it's like a solar eclipse from McGregor Fights. Everything gets wiped out. Like, we're talking about it, we're the greatest comeback of all times. It's funny that you said it like that. I said something like that in the piece of it today, yeah. All right, but it's like,

you were talking about greatest comeback of all time. And we were doing that roundtable and you were like, oh, it would be GSP. All right, you can break that down in terms of meritocracy if you want like that. But the problem is when it's a star on the scale of McGregor, if he does this, that doesn't mean shit. It's automatically going to be him, right?

Right. That will be the... I just don't feel any... Like, I'll be honest. Try to get him on the show. I've seen him do virtually no media. I just, I don't know if it's the... Who?

Oh, sorry. I'm just saying, like, I don't feel... I don't feel this... This is an Olympic gold medalist, heavyweight champion, national champion. W.W.E. had a nice little cup of coffee with NX. T like, Buffalo Bills.

The Buffalo Bills thing didn't quite work out, but still, like, more people got to know about him. I feel like it should feel bigger. And I don't know if it's because the opponent isn't big. You think so? Yes. It's just, he's taking all the oxygen out. He kind of feels that way.

Doesn't it? I mean, like, thinking about it now, now that you're closer, it does feel like that. You're right. Well, people don't want to acknowledge that. Like, like, obviously he has a lot of, a lot of detractors in Ireland. They find it very hard to believe this man is still the super, He is. Do you know what I mean? Like they can't believe that. He's been away for so long. But he could still be the superstar and everyone talking about the young gun who's the, uh, the

protege of John Jones fighting on the, mate, we have side by sides of them signing autographs. And people are like, oh, look at the way his hips are moving. Who did, uh, who did, uh, who did Jones fight at UFC 100? Because there's a little bit of Bonner. That's right. Yeah. Because there was like a member. I was already. Jacob Brian was. Jacob Brian was that was, was, uh, no, that was. No, no, that was. For four. Wait. Oh, fuck. No, no, no. I have to do it. Wait, 94 was O'O Bonner and O'Brien was 100.

Yeah, the Penn, yeah, the Penn GSP fight. Yeah, wait, one second, one second. Oh, fuck it. Wait, no, no, Pizzi, maybe you're right. A rare Carol win? John Jones, Jake O'Brien. Oh! And here I am, I gave you the, I gave you the freaking...

I set you up. I gave you the smirk like, eh, you know, I know my shit. But anyway, John Jones had it, like, you know, after his... Arrest brother, Jake O'Brien. Yeah, some cannabis. Please, go ahead. It was just, I felt like, you know, in a weird way, he was buried under some big cards.

You know, UFC 100 and things like that. And, you know, he benefited, I think, from not being too spotlit too quickly. That's true. He also wasn't a national champion. That's true. Olympic gold medalist. He was from Indicot, though. He was from Indicot.

That's all I can say. John John's fighting for, like that, is that his debut? Or was it one before that? I know that was. But UFC 87 was. 87 in, in? In? In Minnesota.

Against? It was Guzmo. Look at Chub. here. But you remember just seeing him and just being like what in the

fuck is that? Do you remember just being like yeah? Especially in the Bonner fight because he was doing all those

suplexes and spinning elbows and spinning elbow and bonner fell face first. I remember watching that when we brought up being like

this guy is like he's 100% going to be a champion there's no I hope Gable does something like that. All right well here's Gable Steven

who by the way we featured on an uncrown film back in Mexico that was in February here he is talking about being the shadows

of John Jones. What is going to be the biggest thing early on in your MMA career to separate you from the you know he has John Jones in his corner he's he's training with John Jones like what's going to make them just say like this is Gable Stevenson winning but we win together me and John went together we we went together as a team and you know if he gets more shy to me we win it as part of the game he's John Jones he's the greatest fighter ever I'm Gable Steven I'm an Olympic champion I'm new to this fighting game so I'd hope people go out there and say hey John he's got John in his corner he's got John doing this

that's an honor to me to have him in my corner. So whenever people mention Gable, they're going to mention John. Whenever they mention John, they're going to mention Gable. So it works both ways. New York Wrix already wrapping a belt around this man's week. Has he fully opened up on his expectations for you yet? Of course, day one. Day one has expectations where we're already ready.

And we were fulfilled those expectations and we would do anything that we possibly can to make those expectations reality. What did that conversation? Was it like a sit-down conversation? Was it just stopped in the middle of training? How did that conversation for that? How did you see a guy do this kind of interview where he's just staring the camera rather than the...

It's just a look in the eyes. Is he Dublin with the meta-glasses there as well? Do you think? You can tell what someone believes in you, and he wholeheartedly believes in you because he shows up to a lot of things of mine. And so... Gable really looking at the camera, straight down the phone.

That's what I mean. Gable's an intense dude. He is. And he's also someone who's been, like, your heavyweight champion at Minnesota, like you've been sort of like Boe Nickel. Yeah. You've been through the ringer. No, but also the media.

Like, you're not... This is, this is like, small-time media for him. Like, he's the man. University of Minnesota of National champion, heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar's shadow. Like, he's used to all of this and then some. Yeah.

NXT, right. NXT Buffalo Bills. So the pressure Rick's putting on him is not going to throw him. Well, to be honest, like, it is an interesting thing. If he just wins by decision, it's going to feel underwhelming. G.C. is going to kill. It's going to feel very underwhelming if he just went, even if he wins like a third round T.

Belson wins this fight. Oh, my God. Double E? That's what GC is calling him? Double E. What if double E pulls through? I don't know about that one. I don't know about that one, but there's a lot of pressure on him.

There is. This is a guy who got, you know, spinning back kicked in February. That's what gives everybody. It is literally that that it should give everybody pause, right? I think so. I actually thought after that they were like, you know what, let's wait a little bit. Get a couple more. He's only, like, what is he, three and no, something like that?

Like he's different three and oh. Yeah. All right. By the way, so we do have some breaking news, Frank. This is perfect for Pizzi. Oh. I don't know, Frank's probably not even there anymore. Is he gone?

Is he gone? Yeah, we have breaking news. Oh, yeah, thanks, Frank. Come on, Frank. I saw some PFL breaking news. This is one that I've been keeping in my back pocket because I was waiting for Pizzi to be here. The artist formerly known as...

I want them to see it. Do we have it or no? I can see... You know what I'm talking about, right? Yeah, okay, here it comes. You're just building up. This is a big ball tickler. Yeah.

Tell us Pete. Tells Pete. Sham Rock. Yeah, it tells us. You know, they sign the... It's one of the all-time signings. Yeah, it's a big one. He is going to the PFL, it says, there.

It's one of the signings. It's one of the signings. It's one of the signings. You know what? It is a good signer for them because... He's one of the signings, raves, Ariel Hornie. That's your guy. He was very big in...

Irish, right? Do you know what? I don't understand. What? He's definitely, he was definitely, his name is Shamrock. Yeah, sounds Irish. So I don't know. Like, Shamrock.

Oh, is he not? I don't know. Like, he definitely trained there. Wait, you know about Harry Kane's great, great grandmother's Irish lineage, but you don't know about Shamrock? I can tell you that he trained in Dublin Codmatt Academy, which is a predominantly striking gym. I can tell you that, John, a whole story where he had to go on the lamb, he was in

Ireland there during that phase. I know he trains obviously in Next Generation. He was a big deal in Octagon. He signed for the UFC and he obviously lost two consecutive bouts,

I believe it was, and then he became a free agent. So he's a... You know a lot about him, but you don't know where he's from. Why don't you just let me finish? Why don't you just let me finish once? All right?

So he's a commodity and now he's been signed by PFL who do, but their best work in Europe, you'd have to say. So I think Shamrock is actually a very good signer for them. And I did see him calling out the likes of

Usman Namaga Madoff. I would suggest Pumping the brakes Make it take it a bit slower You spend it on Margamado Yeah let's not Let's not let's go straight into the old What are you for?

I'd put him back on the lamp This is absolutely disgrace What? Put it on camera right now Putting on chaps Look Is that one of the audience? It gets very dry in the Vegas heat

Does it not? It is dry here It gets very chapped Water coffee I was I was looking at the screen Corner my eye I was hoping I was hoping that I wouldn't be on screen

And you called it out You deserve it. I think that's crazy. He's directing the show today. What is going on? Andy, can we roll the BFL clip again? Shimrock. Guys, some big news in the boxing world.

BBC now on DeZone. So everyone except for MVP and Zufa Boxing on DeZone. How about that? The ultimate package looking pretty sweet now for Peter Carroll. That's pretty damn sweet. T. Fima Lopez is going to be fighting Roli Romero. Look at that. That's a nice one.

That is a nice one. So look at this. DeZone. Raleigh kind of ruined that Times Square. Oh my god. Explain this to me. On Prime Video, but the zone as well?

Both, yeah. The Zone just getting wild. That's a good fight, man. This is bullshit. Why would they have paid two fucking subscriptions? Uh-oh. Still a lot of talk regarding where AJ Fury is going to be. AJ fighting in 15 days or maybe 16 days.

Fury fighting in 15 days in Thailand. Fighting. Anyway, here's our old friend, Big Turk. Turkey Al-Shik talking about the potential location. Jake Turkey? for AJ Fury. We have also Joshua and Tyson Fury

this year. We don't choose the place this guy still shown up in her DM I tell you from the beginning. Nope. It's the bend about if England give us all

the what we need we want the fights here in England but we want the time zone and Haugherby, Hizabeth. Why? Time zone of They were the fucking fight in England.

What's wrong with you? Why would you have two of the best? I saw that Pappinger was... Allowed us to have Wimbley. It made me exhal. Late in the night, we want to do it. Okay, now it's about the time and the viewers should. Ah, it's...

Over here in the States, there's a big names. We'll talk with the Myers and Prince Abdullah... I'm sure. I'm sure of the UK will try to help. Yeah, yeah. Try to help. And maybe the taxi of London will push. What is happening here?

It strikes me that he's around some yes. Hopefully a positive state. statement from the mayor of London's office about a later start time of Fury Jocches in London. As so far, we have been told it is not possible. I do find your response to this interesting. You come from a place that won't allow Katie Taylor to fight at Croke because of a curfew of some kind. So why are you acting like the... Kenny Taylor's fighting a Cropeck. Yeah, it took us 10 years. She's fighting a crowback.

We come from a country where you could put on an event at 1 a.m. in the morning and no one cares. They were shooting out fireworks at the White House at 1.20. No problem. No problem. So this is a thing, right? Isn't there a curfew at Wembley? I'm from Ireland. Here, listen to you. Do you think that's acceptable? You have Tyson Fury and AJ two generational UK fighters. I think it's insane. But there is an actual curfew. I'm not devil's advocate in this. I'm not devil's. I'm saying what he's saying is right, but I think it's crazy that this is an actual thing. I was there for AJ Dubois and they were like, it has to end by 10. It has to end by 10. They're going to shut off the lights. Paul McCartney was playing. I don't mind. if it ends at like midnight. Why don't they just do it earlier? They're going to try and do it at 5 o'clock in the morning. What do you mean?

I think they're going to try and do a full US, like UFC time. No, no, no. They better not. I'll be very, shake turkey. Don't. Here's AJ talking about wanting to do all of this for himself.

He's just a normal guy. He's just a normal lad. He's one of our own. The great AJ. I don't know what these cameras edit and they make people think of me, but I'm a normal. that's giving it 110% what I can.

This is what we do. I'm a fighter through and through, and I believe in myself. How well, I'm fired that takes me, let it take me all the way because I'm going to give myself 100% to the game. People like Frotch, they're good. They're entitled to their opinions, but all I've got to prove it to is myself. No Frotch, no my mom, no my dad. It's all about me.

It's kind of look similar though, don't we? All past. A real tall glass of milk right there. Elaine gets very excited when he fights. Who wouldn't? And what about this footage right here? the great Alexander Usik looking at AJ

watching him as he's training their friends now look at this like so sucked it out of Rocky isn't it? Yeah, that's great. Oh, that was it? Wow, I thought there was a little bit more. A little coaching, all right, a little something here.

There you have it. So I can't wait for that. I don't know where it's going to happen. It's like this ongoing saga. Are they going to be fighting in London? Are they not going to be fighting in London? Is that the predictions I saw there on your select? Stick them.

Where, where? Where, where? What? Oh, predictions for the fight? Oh, yeah. I want to know who predicted what. Yeah, yeah. Oh, that's how it.

Somebody asked me if anybody picked McGregor. Oh, here it is. I'll be interesting. It's a G. G.C. did. G.C. Yeah, he might. Oh, I have the predictions right here.

This is interesting. Has this been released yet? No. I don't think so. We break it on the show. No problem. All right. So, as of right now, Ben, folks.

So uncrown.com does predictions. That's correct. And it's Ben, Chuck, New York, Rick, Drake, Mysterious Frank, Pizzi, Shaheen, Connor Brooks. Weird, I haven't been invited to this. No, no, you don't do, I don't do predictions. We're to have him invited. As of right this moment, Ben in first place, 34 and 9? Not bad.

Right behind him, 32 and 11, Mr. Chuck Mindy. I'm right there. I'm right there. I call him Ben. Rick, right behind you, 31 and 12. Yeah. Drake 30 and 13. Anyway.

Drake's the king. Drake is the champ. Let's see how you two boys did. I got to go all the way down. for Pizzi here. I can't really have them. Keep scrolling. Keep scrolling.

All right. So you both have Max. In fact, not a single one of you's picked Connor. Not a single person. That was the big question. I was wondering if somebody. Wow. Not a single person.

I said a common split, is it? All right. Chuck says Benoit San Deney. Of course. Piztie says Patty Pim. Wow. To be honest, actually more patties than I thought. You have Patty.

Mysterious Frank has Patty. Jackman has him as well. more than you thought or did you think that you were going on a little oh you did really you didn't think you were going on a limb with patty patty's a pretty big dog um all right let's see uh chuck has Mario Batista easily Pizzi Corey Sanhagen oh shit here we go really easy is that true you think it's an easy one for him no not easy okay I do think he wins though you think so yeah okay I mean you scoff it me I love this kid's enthusiasm by the way when it Connor breaks out

that singlet. Who is the favorite going into that fight? I think, uh, Corey. Corey? Corey? All right. We continue and we'll be joined by John Anick in a moment. He's doing oil business because he's at the end because he was really up there with Drake last year. I know he's doing wild shit to trying cat. Mario Batista. No, we did that one. Brandon Royville. Oh, no. Chuck. Yeah. P.T. Carroll. Lonnie Cav. I knew. I knew. I knew you were not going to go against your guy. I am catching you. I am catching you. Uh, Terrence McKin. Terrence McKin. for Chuck. Yes.

Yeah, I think on Terrence. It's McKinney for Pizzi. And then, so what is this? Oh, wild card. Yeah, the wild card. Your wild card, Fareed Basharat. Yeah. Last guy to weigh in.

Yeah. Your wild card. Adrianianianas. Not bad. Not bad. Cody's gonna get. Frank's wild card Tracy Cortez. I don't know.

Like that's going on. I think Frank has a different criteria. Frank. Is that correct? Uh, chat GPT. Oh. Actually a few basharats. Wow.

That's what he's doing so well. He's always doing pretty good. Chad, do you put, uh, chat, uh, Frank, you put it in chat, Chb-T? No, not actually. Uh, okay. Um, well, gents, this has been lovely. Before we go, it's just so nice to have you guys and see the, the chemistry between Ariel and Pizzi is just incredible.

It is nice. I mean, look at this high five here. This is just natural. That's what you fucking did that. I didn't even hit him in the palm there. I hit you like in the, I hit you. You gotta be the one that saves me. Oh man.

That's so beautiful. And after all, I'm Chuck Mendenhall. Wow. You got, go out on that note. Go out on that note, jents. All right. Freaking legends. Three puck.

Three puck forever. Don't take the chair? Oh, Ptze, do me a favor. Take one mic and one chair, right? Make yourself useful around these parts. Yeah. That was great. Thank you, gents.

Love you all. see you soon. We're going to an after-party tonight, Chuck. So just make sure you're not around because we don't want to invite you, all right? He's some can of piss that Chuck Minnenhall. All right, guys, in a bit, we're going to be joined by Al Jermaine Sterling. Cannot wait for that. But, you know, one of the most requested... Should I start setting it up or not quite yet? One of the most requested guests that we have had in recent memories. He actually hear the voice of the UFC. Wow. It has been a while, my man. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for coming. It is for Walter. Oh my gosh. We have a gift for Walter. Sorry about that. Wow. Can I see it? Yeah. So I haven't seen you in a while. It is great to be here. It is great to be here. So this was a limited edition. One More Sleep Run for UFC 309. So we had to work hard to get through with licensing stuff to get Patrick Ewing on there. But this is for Walter. Thank you so much, my man. Thank you. That means the world.

That means the world. Wow. You know what I was saying? Thank you for this, really. Of course, of course. I think it's been more than a decade since we've had an in-person chat. Yeah. And I think you're one of the most requested guests that we've had. Wow. From the team and from the fans. I don't know if you met Connor back there. I did. I got the chance to. He idolizes you. Well, I got you. He puts you up there with Breen and Scully and Eon Eagle. Like he says you're the goat. Not just combat goat, broadcasting goat. Well, I was appreciative to have the chance to tell him that reciprocally I am a big fan of his as well. So it's great to be here. And yeah, to hear my name in that company.

You know, I've been at this a while. Oftentimes I find I'm the oldest guy in the room these days, you know. So, yeah, repetitions and a lot of experience, but I appreciate that compliment to be sure. It's really great to have you here. Congrats on everything. I have a gazillion questions. Yeah. But you were just at the Wayans.

You were just at the morning wanes. You were sort of emceeing it. Yeah. Takeaways, thoughts, impressions. So Connor McGregor, by design, kept a lot of things inside, internally, in terms of his preparations. And that came up in our fighter meeting, that that was by design. So there's so many variables when it comes to Connor that I really don't know what to expect. But I thought he looked great.

I also think it's a tell that he has orated so well this week. I don't know how you felt about his performance at the press conference. Loved it. I thought it was as close to vintage as we've seen in quite some time. Right. I think maybe nine out of ten, right? Not firing with every single cylinder, but right there. So I thought he was brilliant.

I thought he looked great physically. I just don't know if he is with a cardiovascular base for 25 minutes, or if he's treating this like a 10-minute fight and that there's a chance that he could get knocked out. But he's back for the right reasons. I saw a clip of you speaking to him in the fighter meeting. Yeah. Like a sort of like a side, like we heard his voice.

Right. Maybe your brother took it. I don't know. Right. And I want to get to Jason in a moment. But correct me if I'm wrong. in recent memory, he hasn't always shown up for those. Correct.

And so what do you make of him showing up for this one? I think it's hugely encouraging, right, that he checked every box on his itinerary. You know, Hamzat Shima, I have described as my favorite fighter, the most electrifying force in the game. I haven't had a fighter meeting with him since probably Fight Island.

Wow. So, which is fine, you know? I mean... So is it optional or is it... No, I mean, the overwhelming majority of fighters show up. I will say, like Alex Poetan Pareda and Israel, I'll say Adesanya on your airwaves. neither one of those men has ever missed a fighter meeting.

Neither one of those men has ever been so much as a minute late for a fighter meeting. Neither one of those men has ever requested to do a fighter meeting virtually from their Airbnb. They have always shown up in person no matter how their star has risen. So most of the time we get them, you know, but we can't sit down with all 28 athletes. So we do 15. And certainly Connor was on the list. And yeah, just thankful to have a few minutes. And I guess even more thankful that the words were so thoughtful because it actually gave me, you know, there was an extraction.

Did you get the impression he missed this? These are some of the things that I think that when you're Connor McGregor, Syrica, 2016, you're like, ah, who needs a fighter meeting? But now you've been away for so long. You miss, like, the little small things that you took for granted, perhaps, in your prime. Did you get that impression? For sure. And I always believe that he would be back because of competitive spirit and legacy.

You know, he has one win at 155 pounds in the UFC. Eubiquitously regarded as the weight class in which he would have been the best in. Eddie Alvarez is his only lightweight win. and the UFC. So I don't know the extent to which he's back for more after this, but I'm cautiously optimistic. He was trying to get in an active competition cycle in 2021 when he had plenty of financial freedom and his leg snapped in half. So what did you think of the matchup when it was announced? Was this what you were expecting or were you thinking it was going to go, you know, in a different direction? You know, on a spectrum of so excited to Chale Sondon feeling it's underwhelming,

I was certainly closer to being excited. I felt like the ship had sailed on the Michael Chandler fight, and I felt like I uttered that publicly before Dana did, so always nice when you fall in line with the boss. But Connor McGregor would have been a favorite against Michael Chandler. Instead, he's a betting underdog here. So that to me is encouraging that he's taking a fight in which, and it's but one lens through which to look at the fight,

but he's taking a fight in which people don't expect him to do as well. Why did you feel like the ship had sailed? To be clear, I felt bad for Chandler. And I guess you could feel bad and also feel like the ship has sailed, but I just felt like he had waited so long he did the show and all that he deserved it. Yeah, I mean, I don't know that it was just more than a feeling that it had been made and unmade too many times. I think Chandler's current form, right? Last win against a rank guy was Dan Hooker.

Only win against a rank guy was Dan Hooker. We all love Michael Chandler. And I was so thankful that he was a part of the greatest broadcasting experience of my lifetime UFC Freedom 250. But yeah, I just didn't have an appetite for that fight. And I don't know what the betting line would have been, but I think Connor would have been two or three to one with a five-year layoff. That's not necessarily what you're looking for, you know. By the way, what about the content recently?

You're showing me, I mean, I don't travel as much as you. Had to pack a suit? Bro. What is this? I wish I had this footage here we could do a whole breakdown of it. I see this. I'm sort of mesmerized by it. Well, do you check a bag when you go away?

I do. Right, I do too. Okay. Forcefully, right? Because I have this trip in particular. I had four suits, right? But if you, where am I looking? Where's my right here?

This is your one. This is your one. This is your single. What a pro. You don't have a niner here directing you. I know. I didn't have a stage manager. I haven't sworn yet.

So if you fold your suit in plastic, if you take it right off the hanger and fold it in plastic, it is as if you're freezing it. And it will stay in current form. So if you're packing a carry-on suitcase or you're checking a bag, because the suit bag, if you take a traditional soup bag and put it in an overhead, maybe you're in first class like Helwani, and they will hang it up for you, right?

But if you're in coach with some others, right, maybe it doesn't travel as well. But I showed that just as proof of concept, that it freezes your suit, you take it out. And, bro, like I wore a tuxedo. I didn't steam nothing. That's crazy to me. Who told you about this,

this trick of the trade? Because I've never seen this before. You know, I would love to say it was our late great makeup artist, Susie Freiton, but I don't remember. Okay. But you've been doing this for a long time. Oh, more than a day.

This is good shit. I like this type of content. I feel like it's helpful. It's helpful. It's a window into what you deal with. You've been doing this 15 years, right? Like, who could forget? UFC.

Wait, wait, wait, don't tell me. UFC 137, New York, New York. Yes. Of course. DJ Nick Diaz. Yeah. The presser, the unveiling. Yeah.

That was wild, man. It was crazy. Dana White had me fly out two days before I moved out with my wife and two month old daughter. Wow. The firstborn. Yes. Yes. Okay.

But I remember, you know, I went up there and I'm so nervous. And I sat down. He's like, you're going to come up here and say something? You're just going to take a seat on the end of the day? So I walked out. I'm like, all right, oh for one. Yeah. You called you out.

Yeah, right away. Can we go back to that? You're doing ESPN, MMA Live, some other bits. Did they call you? You call them? So the night that John Jones beat Shogunhuah. Craig Moore Sauri approached me at that pay-per-view and said, hey, next year, we're doubling our live event inventory from 20 to 4.

40 shows and we'd like to offer you a play-by-play job, have your agent call me on Monday. And then I had to work that event with all of that exciting. And you're doing MMA live. Right. Yeah. But I was not getting a lot of college football repetitions at ESPN, right? I was getting maybe a game, a season. So I wanted to do play-by-play.

So this was the wagon that thankfully I sort of hitched upon. But, bro, imagine like John Jones that whole night. In the afternoon, I'm in his hotel room because he had foiled a robbery, interviewing him for Sports Center. And then Craig, like, offers me a job. I didn't have an agent. He's like, have your agent call me on Monday. I hired an agent on Sunday.

Really? I still agent, Gideon Cohen. Yeah, Craig, you like that? You didn't even have an agent. I mean, I was talking to agents, but I did negotiate my first ESPN deal by myself. That's incredible. But you start, so that's March of 2011. You get introduced October of 2011.

Right. What happens in between there? You have to figure out life. Well, just like Jalen Brown, when I showed up to do my final ESPN MMA live, my badge didn't work. they had already shut me out of the system. For real. Yeah, it happens.

Nasty work. So, but no, the UFC bought out the final two months of my contract so I could be a part of that November 1st, 2011 Fox debut that you were a part of whatever. So, yeah, and then it was off and run and moving to Las Vegas. And here we are, you know, 15 years later. People forget you did the first season of Bellator. Yes, in 2009. That was sort of your introduction to MMA play by play, right? Yes.

That was the first and only up until that point. Yes. And then the next is UFC. Yes. So, yes, ESPN did not allow me. to do season two for Bellator. And again, yeah, just football games here and there. I did get to call the WBC Heavyweight Championship in 2010,

Vittaly Clitchgo and Shannon Briggs. But, yeah, like when I did Canella Crawford, I didn't done boxing in 15 years. Oh, and I want to get to that as well. First show for UFC was which one? January 20, 2012. Oh, Nashville. Yes, sir.

This guy, man. Yes, I remember. Why didn't even ask that question? I'm pretty sure Melvin Gullard was on the card. Main event. Yes, fuck. Against Jim Miller. Jim Miller, right.

Bridgestone Arena. obviously, what were the nerves like? Well, Dana had pulled me into his office a few months prior and said, we didn't hire you to be Rogan or Goldie, we hired you to be yourself. And that put me a little bit at ease. But yeah, when Craig and Dana were in there

with me and Kenny, like beforehand, maybe it could have done without that pre-fight visit. I was freaking out a little bit. But no, I mean, I was more nervous for Bellator 1 in 2009 thinking they had hired the wrong guy. I had never called mixed martial arts. And what you find is that you lean into your lane, which I'm still doing with Rogan and D.C. to my right,

and you lean into what you're good at. You know, Reese Witherspoon said, chase your talents, not your dreams. And I think it's very profound. We're all dream chasers, I guess, right? But in there, you have to chase the things that you're good at or it probably won't work out. Do you get nervous before these shows?

Well, UFC Freedom 250. I got American troops on my right shoulders, so delivering memorized copy in that setting was a little challenging. So I had a little bit of an extra flutter in my heart. But when I'm doing a Connor McGregor paper view, I'm looking at a camera. I'm not addressing two million people. Like, yes, you know. You don't think of it that way.

Not necessarily. You know, sometimes I wish I could go back and feel some of those nerves that I felt at UFC 155 that I call with Rogan on three days notice. But, no, I mean, I have something in my system that I feel on Fight Day. But as I've said to you before, I know it sounds trite, but my anxiety is in the preparation. When I leave you, I have anxiety in terms of what the rest of me, my Friday holds. But once I wake up tomorrow and the prep is done, you know, I'm not in a fighter jet in Afghanistan. I'm calling a live sporting event. And I try to have that perspective. So for this event, when you start prepping, how long before? So I don't have a back to back

back right now. I don't have as many back to backs as I used to have. You remember back in the day, Brian Stan and I called two UFC live events on back to back days. So 10 days out with voiceover work, but the fighter prep is such with 28 athletes, had 14 athletes at UFC Freedom 250. But with 28 athletes, if you're giving each man an hour, it's a lot of time. So about 10 days out, and every hour that I get to try to maximize, that's kind of what I'm doing. Are you doing it by yourself? Do you have anyone helping you with prep? Not with prep and research. There was a time when I had some significant pain in my right hand and my twin brother who was here today. Hand wrote some of those fighter cards for me, but I handwrite everything. And, you know,

I rue the day that my vision or my hand prevents me from actually, maintaining this system. But no, I do all the research myself. What is that system? I see the cards. Obviously, you can see some stats and things, but like you obviously have a system down pat. Why do you write it like that? Because it does seem to the naked eye very sort of, you know, jumbled and it's all over the place. But obviously it works very well for you. So how do you develop this? And why does it look like that? So my Instagram algorithm would suggest to you that this is hugely beneficial for your brain because what it makes you do is actually think about more so than what you actually want to put down. But for me, it's really just harkening back to being an academic

and how best can I learn. And back then, in college, it was flashcards. And, you know, I'll call a fighter's 28th UFC appearance and I'm writing a fresh card. So I've probably written, you know, 21 Kevin Holland cards, but it allows me during a broadcast to maybe not look down because I've written so many different things about Kevin over the years. And I don't know. My system hasn't failed me yet. I think it is a little bit archaic. I do believe it jogs the brain. I think it's forcibly making me study every fighter instead of just updating their record or whatever. So it hasn't failed me yet. It is exhaustive. You know, I did like 17 fighter cards on the plane. I got some film study going on in the background. And, uh, yeah. Do you ever sit there before a show and say,

I didn't quite give it my all in terms of prep this time? And does that mess you up? You can't always be 100% every time life happens, you've got extra, do you ever feel that way, or do you truly say you give it your all in terms of prep before every show? So the reason why I exhale on Friday nights is because everything that I have to write. And this show is very writing intensive, right? Yeah. Like Ion Eagle is my idol. I'm not sure he has any idea how writing intensive this job is. But as of tonight, all the writing will be done. So then I have a list of fighters like Wong Tong, whom I am light on. You know, Luke Riley, I've never called a fight before. So I use those final hours on Saturday for those final five fighters on whom I'm the lightest.

So I feel like I don't, you know, I mean, my room service bills are insane, bro. This trip I've eaten every single meal in my hotel room. Wow. Because, you know, the nature, cram is a negative verb in broadcasting circles. But the nature of this job is such that a lot of what the athletes are saying and doing is happening here during fight week. So, I mean, watch embedded, watch Cal, I mean, it's endless. watch your show, right? Like, there's so much that if the fight car got delayed five hours, you know, maybe I'd have the World Cup on the background, but I'd be prepping more.

And Dateline. Yeah. Where did that come from? Just sort of a nod to my print journalism background, you know, a dateline is basically you see Las Vegas in all caps with the sort of double underline. And yeah, I mean, if you know what a dateline is, it's sort of a nod to my background, which is print journalism. it started organically just on a numbered event. And I don't know if it was the late great Tom Jurbacy. I think it was who said you should stick with that every show.

And the fans seem to like it. And the bosses, I guess, do as well because they threw it in that big open thing that they do. So Dayline Las Vegas will be fucking serious. Oh, my God. I felt that right there. You made me think of Tom for a moment. It's still very surreal.

I know you were at the Hall of Fame, tremendous job. It's surreal to see the picture of him. And we all felt so strongly about him and loved them so much. How is that for you being up there and you're talking about him and it's, you know, in memoriam, so to speak?

He was such a huge part of my process, right? I mean, those fighter cards that we just talked about, his UFC-generated bios. That's what I would use to craft my fighter cards. We were in constant communication. Every word that you would hear me utter that was pre-voiced, you know, coming up next, all that in arena stuff,

Tom would write and I would edit. So our lives were professionally inexorably linked And yeah, when I walked into the dressing room and saw his widow, Sonia, you know, she was very emotional. I was bawling my eyes out. The first time I read his daughter's speech that I delivered, I was bawling my fucking eyes. I was like, you got to keep, if the grandkids are behind me, I'm going to lose it, you know? And I'm an emotional man to begin with, you know? If there's like a tug of war happening at my kid's school, even if my kids aren't participating and one team wins and shows joy.

Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, but I love Tom. And I guess I just feel like we recognize a lot of these people posthumously. And, you know, I always said, let's put Bruce Buffer in the Hall of Fame before his mom passes away. And she has since passed away, the great Connie Buffer. But I do think that it's important to put people in when their loved ones can, you know, see them get in. So I've seen, I've definitely seen Rogan Cry in the cage interviewing. You can hear it in his voice.

Do you get emotional sometimes? Well, when Amanda Nunes kissed me on the forehead after what was to be her retirement fight, that was the greatest thing to happen. me in my entire career, until Quillen Selkilled, tattooed an angry baker on his foot. But, no, I mean, something like that, or to have Connor McGregor say you're an asset to the company, right? Because all I'm trying to do, like you and your speech, is be fighter first in a world that sometimes makes it a little challenging for me to always be that because I work for a promoter. Right. And I'm a promoter, not necessarily a broadcast journalist. Right. Well, there is broadcast journal. I mean,

Of course. Yes. But I think when you guys, so I have said that you, Rogan and D.C., like you're part of the fabric, DNA. People get online and start complaining about the broadcasting and all that stuff. You have become sort of like the Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard CoSell of, like, they mess this up, they screw this up, they break you guys up. It won't be the same for people. And so there's so much power in that to be part of the fabric of the experience of the company and the viewing experience. that has to feel empowering, that has to feel special.

Yeah, well, I appreciate you saying that, you know, and I think we've worked hard to try to elevate the sport and even put the company in a position potentially to get a television deal like that. You've got to think that as the forward-facing guys, that we have some role in that, you know. But I say this not to be a man of humility, right? But you watch a lot of sporting events,

and we're trying to be as listenable as possible, not for three hours, but for eight, right? So whether it's staying in my lane or managing the real estate or not having it be a traffic jam in which we're stepping all over each other's dicks, right? Like I'm very mindful of all of those things. And I think that has maybe allowed us to, you know, have somebody in your class express an opinion like that because we really do take it maybe too seriously at times. Even though we have fun and people say it's kind of like a podcast at times, like there is a lot of effort that goes into it, not being a traffic jam and not getting in the way of being additive and not getting in the way of the sporting event. I've definitely said this to you. People don't talk enough about the fact that you guys are doing two plus football games

with very minimal breaks. What is the secret there? Because I think people don't realize that you have to crescendo at the end of hour eight, but you're probably hyped for fight one. And I'm sure maybe at the beginning of your career, you weren't timing yourself, right? Like you're so excited, right? So what's the secret there to managing that excitement? Well, and the events have gotten longer, right?

I mean, certainly you and I were working together at a time when the fights were maybe 9, 10, 11 fights. But energy I always feel like is the one thing that I can control. And my process on Saturday is trying to put me in a position to succeed. Right. Like I eat a lot of fried food, but not on Saturday. I exercise most days, but certainly on Saturday. I'm trying to put myself in a position to have stamina. When we start the broadcast, Joe and D.C., they're caffeinated, they're fed, right? Like, I may not say a lot early on. I'm fine with the ebb and flow of the night, but there may be times later on where maybe somebody crashes and I have. to pick up the slack. So I'm just very mindful of, you know, when more or less might be needed

from me. I guess one other thing I would say is that so much of my process for these numbered events, right? Can you imagine how many fucking promos I'm going to read with Connor McGregor fighting on Saturday night, right? A lot of the time you don't hear from me, I'm communicating with the truck. So, okay. So, yes, Brian Stan would always acknowledge our mental agility as play-by-play guys and I'm thankful to have, you know, 25 years of experience to draw now. When you say communicating with the truck, what are you communicating? So, Lapie, our producer might call for a promo, and I'll be like, dude, like, I just don't know if I can get that in here right now. Can I do that later or, you know, things like that.

And they might say, hey, can I tell you something? And it might be a stat. And I might say, not right now. Or, you know, I have a talkback button. And, yeah, other things might, hey, you know, you got a minute so I can talk to you about the traffic. You know, we're going to stand you up for that Wyman Hall of Fame leader. We're going to keep you sitting. So sometimes we'll do that stuff mid-round because you don't always have time to do it on the back end.

And worth noting for the record, when you do the stand-ups, there's no cards in front of you. There's no prompt or no nothing. Right. So I memorized probably three or four pieces of copy per night, including the paper view open, which, yeah, it would be nice to have a prompter to know that the copy that I spent a lot of time memorizing would be delivered perfectly every time. Like UFC Freedom 250, right? I didn't deliver it word for word the way I wrote it, in part because I was more concerned

with the U.S. Coast Guard on my register. Right. Does that mess you up at all? Do you ever get in your own head? No, I mean, I really sort of try to put this in its proper perception. perspective at this stage of my career, right? I'm 48 years old. I was 31 when I started with the UFC, I believe, right? So I try not to take it too seriously. It's sports television, right? And yeah, there have been some forgettable utterances. We're judged on every utterance over eight hours. We've

never had a perfect show, you know, like as long as my kids are alive and well. So you don't, because I will admit, I get in my own head. Like if I start a broadcast and I stumble or something like dad. I always think of Reggie Miller, who I hate, but he's like, yo, you miss five shots, take the six. I don't do that. I'm way too fixated on the mistakes. And maybe it's because I'm not speaking as much as you are. Like when I'm working a show, the odd times that I am, I'm popping in for an interview and then you don't see me again for an hour. You're speaking for so much you can't. Maybe you can't? I don't know, but I'm surprised to hear you say that you don't, you don't get hung up on that stuff. I wish I had that superpower. So I would say the only time I get in my

head is maybe the first or second prelim and I flub a couple times and I'm like dude can you like stop tripping over your tongue might be my inner monologue right but for the most part those flubs when we watch ourselves back just seems so insignificant when you're listening to a man or woman talk so I think it's the experience the inconvenient truth of watching ourselves back I don't know how often you do that right like Kenny florian I don't know that he's ever listened to the Anakin flooring podcast back right somebody just scored the world coming yes yes it's very fun hearing that you know I probably haven't listen to myself back on the podcast in more than a year, but I used to doofly do it because that's how I would eliminate verbal crutches, right? I work in regular conversations on pausing for broadcast,

and even now is an opportunity to be better and not float. What about chemistry, camaraderie? You are always working numbered events with the two guys we just mentioned, Cormier and Rogan, but then there's like mixing and matching. And I remember actually speaking about this with you way back in the day in the early Fox days. Like, it's not normal. to have so many different partners. It's a revolving door. Is that a challenge? Is it almost like we were talking with Eric Nixick and John Wood?

Every fighter is spoken to differently in the corner, right? Right. Nixik speaks to Strickland different than Ghanu. Do you feel the same way? Okay, I know today is X and Y. I need to do this a little bit differently. Is that something that comes across? I think it's more of a mid-flight adjustment.

You know, certainly I know with certain analysts when it comes to the grappling, there's absolutely nothing that could happen in there that they would not know how to explain, which is a huge luxury as a play-by-play guy. There, I think, is more gray area in the grappling than the striking with respect. I'm sure some people will come at me for that.

But there's been more normalcy for me. You know, I can't remember last time I worked a show without D.C., I think maybe once this year, right? Dominic Cruz is my best friend in the company. I almost never work with him, you know, so last night was obviously very special. I was surprised to hear you say that, by the way. Yeah.

I didn't know you were that close. Yeah. I mean, I think a lot of people look at us, our backgrounds, our personalities, and don't understand why we are so close. You know, I mean, there's a lot of connective tissue there is not just cannabis. But no, I think we have spent the most time prepping together, right?

Like when Brian Stan left me at the altar, you know, Stan and I were constantly breaking bread together and in each other's hotel rooms prepping together, watching film together. And Dom and I prep together and hang out together sort of the whole time. And I don't necessarily have that relationship with my other broadcast partners, despite the fact that we're exceedingly close.

but I think with chemistry, you either have it or you don't. And yeah, I just think it's my job to make the analyst shine. And you know that, of course, as well as anyone. I'm peppering you with these like nerdy broadcasting questions because this is my favorite topic. I love it. And I don't often get to do this. What about calls? Do you ever prepare them in advance?

The only time I ever thought about a fight-ending call was, I think, when Demetrius Johnson was chasing immortality, right? The best calls are the ones that originate organically. you know, when Ilya knocked out Charles Olivera and I said a man of his word, you know, maybe it's the call I'm most proud of because it dovetails with

his pre-fight celebration the night before that he had already won, but I never gave that one ounce of thought. When Justin Gage got knocked out by Max Holloway, what does that call need with one second to go? And that's part of the call. Thank God, you know.

So the championship moments I take very seriously, but you know, that call in that moment, right, when we're all, I'm looking at it and I'm like, that's one. second ago. Like, so thankfully it wasn't 4.58. Right, right, right. But, uh, I don't think about those. I, I know I have to go and steamroll maybe through my broadcast partners if need be, you know, they need the championship call. But I try not to, to overthink it because, uh, you know, I mean, my predecessor, Mike Goldberg,

fantastic broadcaster, you know, but he had catchphrases, which I think maybe made these championship moments a little bit different in feel, you know. I think Jan Boehoves deserves Poland, your guy got it done. I think every championship call needs to be, you know, Steve A exacts his revenge, you know. Yeah, I take the championship calls very seriously, but there's nothing pre-planned about him. Favorite one? You know, I don't know. I mean, obviously that Leon Edwards situation, right?

But I basically missed the head kick as a result of the call because I was, I guess at that point in time, I was irritated with this narrative that Leon was just running clock. And so at that point, I looked to me. my right to DC, I believe. And I was like, yeah, but that's like not the cloth from which he is cut. And I was about to say, like, look at that corner. They're absolutely dejected. And in a split second, I looked back and caught the head kick, you know, but that was just fortunate timing. It wasn't necessarily a championship call. But I think that I think might be the best one. Well, thank you. Well, I just feel it's because like you, you foreshadowed it. You didn't stop believing.

And then he backed you up. Yeah. I mean, you can't script that. It's like straight out of pro wrestling. And I would say top five career moment for me seeing Leon the next time because I didn't see him for several months after and he embraced me and he said that's not the cloth from which he's cut. Oh my God. And yes, I was crying, but I try to keep it together. And then what about Quillan? What would you make of this whole thing? So, oh man, that was just the greatest moment of my career, right? To have a call immortalized on someone's body. With respect to everybody that has put the Anakin Floorin podcast logo on their bodies with finality. Right. But yeah, NASRat Hackperast. It's his family that. has the bakery, right? And yeah, in that moment, I just said, yeah, I mean, you know, he was overweight as a kid and his parents put him in training, but, you know, like they owned a bakery, so there's blueberry muffins everywhere, and then NASRat Hackperas gets knocked out by Quillin's

Al-Kill, whose parents don't own a bakery, but whose mom is an amazing baker. So in the next fighter meeting, Quill and Sal Kild brought us his mother's serious. Oh, but the fact that he got an angry baker tattooed right on the spot of the kick on his foot to commemorate the call forever is, yeah, probably. the greatest thing that's happening. Okay, now let's talk about the pronunciations. Because people will notice this even here. No one's more meticulous. It's not even, like, me and, oh, my thing is like Israel Destiny, it's almost becoming a joke. But like,

you don't even say like Alex Pereira, like you even do that, that inflection. People don't realize how hard it is to do that in the flow of a broadcast. It's one thing for me to sit here and be like, okay, it's actually Ilya toporia. But you're saying that like, how does that happen? Practice. Because. I've said it 50 more times than Bruce Buffer. I love you. Dean Thomas says I always like cut people down. I'm just trying to make you laugh. I mean, but it's practice, right? Like Niemjargal to Men, Dan Borel. I've said it 50 times before I show up at the arena. What do you just say it over and over again? Yeah, I mean, I do some of the voiceover work, which certainly helps. And if it takes me five takes to churn out a fight, certainly that's going to help me when it comes to pronounce in the name correctly. Because every time I try to get that voiceover perfect, at least the pronunciation is correct. But yeah, it's It's about practice. It's about having good phonetics, writing good phonetics to begin with. And, yeah, I mean, Alex Podeda's audio file for the UFC, it doesn't say Alex Podeta. It says Alex Padeta.

Okay. The issue with Adesanya, adesania is that it was said in different ways. When he recorded his file, he even said, like, I dis on you in one of the, like, I will dis on you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So Gastellum, Gastelum is another one. You know, Manon Fioro, right? We have gone to battle with people over that. We talked to Manon about it.

We had a conversation with Izzy's parents in a fighter meeting about the pronunciation of their surname. And we sort of agreed collectively to keep it out of Sanya. I think I prefaced it by saying, Rogan's going to kill me if we go Adesania right now. But we really are thoughtful about the way we do this. So to the French folks that are upset, believe you me, bongama! We try hard. Don't you get pissed when you actually go to these lengths and then some dude on Twitter or multiple people are like, bro, you're, you're fucking it up.

Doesn't that drive you nuts? Because you actually really do care. You do your research. You do your research. You ask them personally. And then you're being criticized for it. Does that drive you nuts? Well, people don't listen to our podcast to the extent to which they listen to yours,

but we have a pronunciation of the week. We play an audio file on our show. And we have played the Vina Kakara Janjidoba file hundreds of times, and people still don't get it. Listen to her say it. You know, she says, Vinakakakara Janjidoba. So that's what we go with.

We've talked to her about her name as well. DC loves Francis Enganou. That's one of his favorites. The Kelvin Gastilem. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you look at Twitter throughout the show? No. Never.

Well, honestly, since Elon Musk bought it, it's hard for me to navigate it in terms of my mentions. What do you mean? No, I just used to get off the air and I would see like 800 mentions. Now I see 20, and I haven't necessarily figured out

how to optimally navigate the app. But, bro, I have so much going on. Okay. That, like... Because sometimes I see people. No, my phone is face down and my daughter Tatum, sometimes could be a little needy.

I love you tea, but like, that's it. Like, it's Tatum on flight night. That's it. Texting about the broadcast or about life? Just like, you know, I'm having a little hard time at bedtime. And it's like, well, I'm here for you 25, 8, you know, so my daughter Tatum, certainly, or if my kids, my eldest daughter Riley were to text me, you know, John McCarthy will chime in every now and again. For real?

So, wait, are you looking at the text? Well, I look at the text to make sure it's not my child. Okay, that's it's it. But anybody else can piss off during those eight hours. But, you know, there are broadcasters who do look. No, and I think, no, and I know. And I know that there are people in our truck who are monitoring that. And certainly there are times, you know, my twin brother will send me things that I will actually use on the air, right?

That will be critical context. I forget what it was in the last title fight, but he sent me something that was particularly important that I, oh, Gachie throwing the interim belt. Oh, yeah, yeah. At one point in time, it was just, don't forget, he did that and it was helpful. So I have resources out there, but yeah, for the most part, it's phoned out. Tell me about Jason here because I remember in the early days he was never around. I never saw Jason. And now all of a sudden maybe what, five years, six years, you guys are, I mean, you're twins,

but you're like inseparable. And now he's carving his own path, his own broadcasting career, which is amazing. But where did this come from? Because in the early days, I definitely don't remember him being around you as much as he is now. Yeah, well, without him, none of this would be possible for me. But he was running a check cashing store and then a stone business. And I convinced him to get out of the stone business. What are you guys stone business?

It's called like Slimstone USA. Like crystals and stuff? No, it's like, you know, they put it on the floor. They put it on your wall like stone. Like big pieces of stone. Gotcha, got you, got you. So, but he was the one who performed our whole life. He majored in musical theater.

They used to travel me around to watch him, you know, do Macbeth. And he did tap and dance and jazz and he sings. He does it all, right? But he's a bigger sports fan than me. And we are mono-zygotic identical twins. We have the same DNA. So I have a 17 or 18 year head start and all of the polish that comes with that. But, you know, we're the same dude.

And nothing would make me happier than for him to get an opportunity. So is that the dream here for him? Yeah. I mean, I think part of it's chasing some of his God-given talent, you know? Like, I never even thought about, like, God-given talent. I was like, LeBron James taking his talent to South Beach is the most nauseating utterance I've ever heard. But when I heard Reese Witherspoon say that six or seven years ago, I was thinking, like, you know, you have to sort of recognize that you do have some God-given abilities, right? And yeah, I'm just hopeful.

I mean, it's been great with dirty boxing and he does a lot of grappling stuff. But yeah, I'm just hopeful that at some point he'll have an opportunity to actually do this full-time. But he's the homemaker, right? Like he does, you know, his wife is the primary breadwinner, and this dude just is the greatest laundry folder, dishwasher you've ever seen for life. I'm sure you appreciate that. The, like, the relationship is so pure, your brothers, obviously. But I could tell, like, I see you getting the award on, on Wednesday. congratulations. Thank you.

And you could see the smile. You could see how happy he is. It's interesting because you're both kind of now in the same industry. Right. But I don't feel, I mean, I would never like lie and say that like we're the best of friends, Jason and I. But I do want to tell you about the first time I met him. I feel no like jealousy, animosity, anything.

Like he's so happy for you and he's not like competing against you, which is a unique thing. Well, as he's sort of solicited representation, you know, my agent was considering representing him and was sort of wondering, Is this a conflict of interest? Like, dude, there's no competitive bone in my body towards that individual. And you may have no bigger fan than him, by the way. And I just want to say, like, we were so happy for the New York Knicks fans, but particularly you and your boys and your family.

And I was just hoping when you accepted that award the other night that within the first 15 seconds, you would somehow work the New York Knicks in, which you did masterfully. Thank you. But, no, I love my twin brothers so much. And when Joe Rogan says, without Dana White, none of this would be possible. you know, I've had a human being who shares my DNA, sort of monitoring my every word, and I get in trouble, right? Like, I say things that get me in hot water, and he's constantly, you know, front of the line with my best foot forward and trying to, you know, help me. Even on the Way and Show today, you know, I said to my fellow Anna's, like, well, now that you guys are done playing with your food and kissing each other's asses, we can actually talk about Connor McGregor.

I see him being like. I love that. No, I love that. I love that. They get a little crazy on that way in show, which I'm just. I do think is one of the best things the UFC has done. Shout out to Zach Hendon and the whole crew. I met him in 2024, your brother at the MMA Awards. Never met him before. And I was just really touched and struck by how genuine he seemed, saying nice things to me. But just like how, like, I was like, wow, man.

Obviously, it looks exactly like you, but I wasn't expecting that, to be honest. And I sent him a message reiterating that afterwards. I was really, really touched by just how warm he is as a person. I mean, I don't know where he gets it from, because I don't feel it from. You know, hey, well, no, I mean, when we were in high school, like the seniors, when we were freshmen, they would call him good and me bad. You know, I was bicking my head bald wearing a bandana, you know, thinking I'm a black rapper or something, you know, and Jay was, you know, on the golf team and just everybody's favorite. He's always been like everybody's always liked him more than me. He's probably the nicer twin, you know, less confrontational.

But, no, I mean, we both have admired your work, obviously, from afar and up close for a long time. And yeah, you know, when people suggest that I'm nice, I say, well, I got another version that's a little nicer. I like that. Okay, you mentioned Freedom 250. Bro. Tell me about it. Can I pay you a compliment? I know this is like a mutual admiration society, but that's fine.

My favorite thing about Freedom 250 was there's a science, as you know, I don't need to tell you, behind laying out. And those walkouts were breathtaking because there was like a class element to it, the voices, Hannah Davis, the just the, But you guys just let it breathe. And not everyone would do that. There's ego involved. You want to talk. You want to tell the story. And like Gai Chi walking through, not even the Oval Office stuff, but like the lighting, the landscaping, the tension.

How it wasn't, it wasn't COVID quiet. It was just, it was, it made me emotional. I'm not going to lie about the sport. And I thought what you guys did in terms of laying out was some of your best work. It was very, you were very, like, present. And you guys didn't feel like you had to speak over every single. image. So kudos to you guys for that. Well, thank you. You know, dead air laying out, as you know, from your time in television can just be so powerful. And part of it's just about not having an ego.

You know, like I try to pass the baton pretty quickly in general on those walks. I never think about what I'm going to say. But oftentimes we do want to let those things breathe. Some fans would like us to let the entire walkout breathe until they get to the inspection zone. But you know, like Joshua Van, I love his walkout right now in the song so much that I think the last time he walked out, I think I said to Lappie with the talk back button, like, I'm not going to talk until you make me. I'm just going to just live in this Joshua Van moment. So I appreciate you saying that. And it is feel for sure.

But I never know what I'm going to say on a walkout. And some are better than others. Sometimes I pass the baton very quickly in a big moment, you know. So when you think of that night, tell me, like, what was it like? You're the sickest fucking thing I've ever seen in my life. Bro. I mean, broadcasting experience of a lifetime. When we were in the dressing room, me and Joe, and I think Daniel, after the Sphere

show, all we were thinking was how do we convince Dana White to do a another show at Sphere, but with a fight card that Dana and the matchmakers can put together, right? With respect to the Mexico fight card, it was strategically done for Mexico. Imagine you put together a Sphere card headline by Hamzaa Chimaya and Alex Pada. You know what I mean? So we were all thinking like, how do we get Dana back in there, right? Never going to happen. This was 100x that.

I don't know how you even try to come close to doing something as special as this. I had never done a fight for the troops event. So I think that was a big part of the special nature of it for me, just to be surrounded by men and women far tougher than me. But bro, I don't even know how to put it into proper words. It was just the whole experience. You had to have smelled the roses, right? Look around.

That's what, bro, like the White House, right fucking. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's right there. How did you not focus on it all the time? And how did you focus? The sphere was a great, you know, we talk about age and repetitions. The sphere was a great experience for me to have

because that was almost more mind-numbing in a lot of respects in terms of, hard time looking away at a tail of the tape that is, you know, 150 feet in the air. But it was just such a special night. And we had so many different alternative plans in place and the weather didn't end up being a factor and all the fights were great. And yeah, it just really was a great showcase for mixed martial arts and for the United States. And I thought a lot about my open, right? What was I going to say at the beginning of the show? And however you fall about the execution of this event and your government may be

devoting time and energy to this initiative. If you are celebrating the United States of America, right, what is more a part of the lifeblood of this country than sports? Very few things. So to do a live sporting event instead of a concert is certainly not a crazy idea. And the fact that it was the UFC selfishly for you and me is fantastic. Did you, or do you ever have moments where it's like presidents there, Tom Brady's there, this guy, and you're like, fuck man, this is, this is intense. Like, do you feel their presence or are you able to block it all out? So at this point, I'm sort of able to block it out. The hardest thing for me is when it comes to the celebrities, right?

Like, I'm not as locked into pop culture as the average play-by-play guy. So when I got like the celebs shots, I'm like, how do we pronounce this musician's name? Because I'm just in my room prepping fighters. But no, when I heard that Joe Missoula, who you recently rub shoulders with the head coach of my hometown Boston Celtics, was going to stick around after a show to meet me. And we've since become great friends. Oh, wow. So the fact that I am on a texting.

basis with the head coach of the Boston Celtics, Joe Missoula's just wild. I know you've rubbed shoulders with the Knicks and everything else, but like, Missoula would rather have me to his house for dinner to talk about fighting than to engage me on Jake. Wait, you're on like, dinner at the house basis with Joe. And he's the head coach of the Celtics.

You know, they lose to the Sixers. He's like, I'm sorry about the way that series. And I'm like, don't apologize to me, Joe. Please. He's apologizing to you. Holy shit. Imagine telling 14-year-old Johnness. No, I know. But he does too. He's a kid from Rhode Island who grew up watching Bill Belichick, right? And so there's a lot of Belichick in the way Missoula approaches what he does,

you know, the tight-lipped nature of some of his answers or whatever. But he grew up a kid in New England. And after he was like, dude, I'm just so glad to get this championship for Boston. You know, he's like, I just got to get, we got to get one more. You got to get one more. What do you think of Jaylon Brown, by the way? So I am on an island, but I trust in Brad Stevens, right? I trust that he still wants to work for this organization. And my thesis statement on it is that they need to and want to get the ball in Jason Tatum's hands more often. And Jalen Brown commands the ball, a lot. How are the Sixers going to have enough basketball for Edgecombe and Maxie and Jalen Brown? I mean, if LeBron James is coming in that door too, right? So, I mean, forget what I have to say

inside baseball on Peyton Pritchard and Hugo Gonzalez, who are just hard workers who I think are going to both be superstars. But Tatum needs to command the ball more. And the only way to do that, I think, was to trade Jalen Brown. Yeah, they didn't get great return on the dollar. But, you know, I'm an optimistic guy, PG-13. Let's fucking go. You're into it? Yeah. I'm down with the trade, I just, I think they could have gone more back. I'm down with the idea of trading him. Yeah. I just, I mean, weren't they so close to getting Janus? Were you down with that? So, it was not a great return. Right. I do believe this gives them optionality, right? It could even mean like trading Paul George and bringing Kyrie Irving back mid-season. Who knows what could possibly

happen. But there's no denying they didn't get return on the dollar. The only thing that surprised me, I thought they would be chips in the center of the table on Janus onto Chumpo to such a extent that they would have gone that extra year the way Miami did because you can tell Boston was his preferred destination they wouldn't go to that third year for him on the extension and um I think that ultimately ended up being what led him to Miami so that's the only thing that surprised me but when I hear people say you know that the organization is sort of viewed now with more dysfunction or that Brad Stevens wants out because of the new owner Bill Chisholm um I don't pepper Missoula with questions like that but I really don't believe that to be true so hearing you break this all down now you've done radio you do

the podcast, of course, as well. You did radio way back in the day. Do you ever have aspirations? You know, the fights are the fights, but you know, you could do stuff a couple days a week. I know you and your brother have done stuff as well. Would you like to do non-play-by-play stuff, or do you feel like you have enough of the balance between the podcast, the fight week stuff, to where your cup is full, so to speak? So I am going to be doing more stuff with my twin brother. We are going to be bringing our NFL podcast back this year after a one-year hiatus. So that's exciting for me because that's just straight love and passion. But I don't know that the aspiration to call an NFL game would ever go away, but I am an exclusive full-time UFC employee without

sort of a lot of wiggle room. And we're not actively pursuant of work in other sports. And I'm not trying to suggest that, but do you have dreams. Like, you know, it would be nice to do this that, you know, Postel did football, baseball, boxing. Yeah, no, I certainly have more dreams than I do trepidation, right? Like, I grew up a Boston Red Sox fan. So if you don't think I would like to in a selfish moment, bring my flair and flavor and energy to a major league baseball broadcast booth. Like, I would love to call a home run and, you know, in all my lunatic fringe, just go crazy. But I don't know how to, like, score a baseball game, you know. Thankfully, I can do a football chart, you know.

But, yeah, I mean, I think that would always be exciting. You know, football and basketball in particular and baseball would always be more in my wheelhouse than martial arts because I, you know, grew up with those sports. Sticking ball. What would be the ultimate? if you could do one game, one sport. Well, it's crazy to think that a Super Bowl is an annual exercise and now might actually pale when compared to UFC Freedom 250. That's how significant a life event that felt like for me.

But yeah, I mean, I think that to call an NFL game at one point in time would sort of be the final itch that I would love to scratch. I feel like we can make this happen. Paramount, CGS, you know. We'll see. I guess, you know, I think that a lot of, public figures feel perpetually misunderstood. And I really, I don't have this big ego.

Like, you know, I didn't get in this really to try to do anything more than like provide for my kids. And I felt like I could do that. I always want to have kids. I felt like I could do that better as a broadcaster than as a sports writer, you know. And so I think there's a little bit of a hermit and introvert in me that isn't like, dude, I want to be, you know, like, you know, I mean, I'm not out here trying to win Emmys. I'm trying to, you know, do this job to the best of my abilities.

Well, you talked about not getting nervous. Canell Crawford, Netflix, Zufa Boxing, the debut, all that. Were you nervous then? A lot of the nerves, as you might guess, were in the prep. I mean, I didn't watch Terence Crawford's prime the way you did, right? So I basically watched Terence Crawford's entire career in a stretch of three weeks. So felt optimally prepared. Certainly the rehearsal with Max and Andre helped,

two guys that I really get along with, despite what some people may think about the way we end of the broadcast when I was just making a joke. Oh yeah. It was crazy, right? Yeah, they were just sort of looking at the camera. You know, we'd been there a long time. I was like, you guys can look at me. It's okay. And people think that somehow I was like the MMA guy on the outside of looking in. You know, Andre and I are close, you know. So, uh, no, it was great. But part of me just was not expecting that they would call my number because it had been a while, but I was very thankful for the opportunity. And again, I'm trying to stay in my lane. Like, I'm not trying to, you know. So you enjoyed it? But it wasn't like, I mean, I need, I need, oh, you would. Okay. Yes.

But I'm not going to, I'm a man of veracity. Like I enjoy mixed martial arts more than I enjoy boxing as a sport. I used to say the Mandalay Bay tagline was when boxing is at its best, or boxing at its best. And I would say when boxing is at its best, nothing could touch it. But how often is boxing at its best? And when I went to Tunica, Mississippi to cover Henzhou Gracie and Frank Shamrock in 2007, and I saw mixed martial arts live for the first time, you know, just it has more to offer the human eye. Was there a different sort of pace like your,

calling three minute rounds, 12 rounds. I'm curious about that. You're used to five minutes, but shorter fights. What was the difference for you? It's just much easier. Shorter rounds, and there's not as much to look out for, not nearly as much going on, but the shorter rounds is a big deal. You know, some of these rounds, not on like a baseball broadcast, maybe a rain delay, or pitching changes, you know, some of these mixed martial arts rounds are highly forgettable. And I don't think people realize the art to get in, get out. But when the action isn't great, maybe a little bit more is required of us. What about your old friend Ken Flo on Netflix?

That was a great experience getting to reunite with him a little bit, but I thought he did phenomenally well. Yeah, so happy for him. I talked earlier about, you know, nothing better for a play-by-play guy than I have a Brazilian jihitsu black belt to your right, like Joe Rogan and Lor Sanko. Fantastic with the grappling. You know, Dominic Cruz is maybe the guy who knows the jiu-jitsu as well as anybody, despite the fact that I don't. don't know when last time he was in a ghee but love ken flow we were doing the podcast obviously for 11 years which allows our friendship to continue to sort of marinate otherwise you know um he's a guy who keeps a lot of things close to the vests so i don't know if our friendship would be what it is

without the podcast but um i love the guy i obviously hope that at some point the ufc comes calling again because uh yeah when it comes to all of the martial arts you know he's as good an analyst one of the greatest of all time yeah and when he lets the comedy go it's there too yeah yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, okay, so looking back now, you're grateful, you're happy, you're appreciative. You want to do this for another 20, 30 years. You want to be old and gray? No? Well, you know, I'm like everybody else chasing financial freedom. I think unlike maybe Bruce Buffer or Joe Rogan, like I'm trying to get good at golf, you know, as obsessive as I am about all of this. I also don't want to stay longer or overstay my welcome, you know, like I think that there would be young broadcasters. You know, when I see Brad Nestler at 68, 69, still absolutely crushing it and murdering it. It's not that I don't think I could do it. But I just don't know that that's necessarily what I want to be doing. You know, I want to teach

broadcasting. You know, there's a lot of things that I want to do. You know, I'm working on some things on that front right now. So, well, that, you know, I was teaching autistic kids, you know, and doing job coaching before I did this. And, you know, if the money was there, you know, I'd love to hang out. University level. I was, so I was teaching it like Sharon High School and Sharon. Oh, what with the broadcasting now, but please tell us about that. that too, but I'm curious about broadcasting. Well, I am trying to, uh, to sort of put a seminar together. Jay, sorry, but yeah, uh, Jabs, John Annenik Broadcasting Seminar. So, yeah. So how would that work? Like, it's like a, it's a, it's a private that you don't have to do with,

with a school. No, so we would probably have a max first class of 15 students. Virtual? No. It's all going to be in person. I'm going to spend, where's this? A weekend with all of these individuals in Las Vegas. ideally in December. But this is breaking news. But Jason Anick, who's in the back right now, he's like, well, yeah, because he's like, well, no, and which platform are you going to do this on, right?

But he, I think, was hoping we would do April 2027 was Jay's wish. Okay, okay. So he doesn't want us to sort of trot this thing out unless it's ready to fire on full cylinder. I love that. Yeah, but very excited about that. That is tremendous. That's a great idea. Is that his idea?

No, this is something that we thought. Initially it was Jabbs John Anick Broadcasting School, but we've sort of paired it down to a seminar, you know, but eventually, hopefully there would be a built-out curriculum, you know, writing for television, a lot of different things. And what's the motivation? Well, I think part of it sort of, I taught at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting,

and it was so much fun. You know, these kids coming in in a Boston accent, like, hey, this is Joey Murr. Here's your fucking sports flash. Red Sox beat the Yankees three, too. It's like, Joe, you're fantastic, but you will never work outside of this market. Of that, I can assure you.

But no, I mean, I feel like I can really make a difference in people's careers, even if I get five to ten minutes with them, and I think you probably humbly feel the same way. I love that. The Boston, the hardcore Boston, does come out sometimes. Yeah, for sure.

I force it on people, you know. In the broadcast, though. Oh, yeah, you know. Do you do it strategically, though? No. I mean, I just, it comes out? Yeah. Sometimes you go, like, really deep.

Yeah. I sent Lapie, an audio file today. I just was like, John Gaza, the second. So, yeah, we have fun with it, and Lappy has an outstanding Boston accent. even though he's a San Diego guy. So he's always dropping the Boston accent

in my ear to keep it light during the broadcast. I like Lappie in the big chair. When I was part of the crew, he was just like, you know, what behind the ears? Just starting out. When he showed up at Fox and had no bedside manner, I was like,

who the fuck is this guy? I don't know about that. Because I don't know about that. Like, I'm big on pleasantry. Okay. So he's one of my dear friends now, but at first I'm like, you know, this guy doesn't seem to have any sort of bedside manner.

Could we find a producer who's a little bit nicer? I don't remember any of this. Yeah, I remember saying to Zach, Like, who the fuck is this guy? I have very fond memories of those early days. And it's amazing to see so many of them elevate, you know, the producers, the behind-the-scenes people who deserve. I said it at the White House. I texted Zach afterwards.

I hope I'm allowed to say that. It was just blown away. It was breathtaking, really. For everybody and what Craig did to execute, right? And you know, right, how hard an execution that is. Even if you're a sports league that thinks about UFC Freedom 250 or what can we do exactly, right? Even like bare knuckle going to Fenway Park. I even said to Craig the other day, I was like, dude, like, what do you do now? Like, you pay 50 million bucks to like cover Fenway

Park or something and have it be one-fifth of USC Freedom 250? Like, what do you do? But, yeah, this dominated Craig's life for months and to have it go off largely without a hitch. Oh my God. This was so much fun, man. I can't thank you enough. Thank you. Please, can you sign this for me. I would be honored. We're going to donate it. We're actually going to auction it and then donate to Yawana's charity. Cancer fighters. Amazing. Always given back.

Please say hi to your mom, Pina. Oh, my God. How does he know this? How does this guy do this? And yeah, Walter, Helwani, you know, naming human beings is hard. We love you, Oliver, as well. And Claire. But naming human beings is very difficult, right?

And I texted Ariel after he named Walter. Like, man, did you absolutely crush that one? So Walter's the only one that gets a shirt. I appreciate that. And he's like, he's literally carbon copy of me. Of all the kids, he is me. And so to watch the Knicks, you can appreciate this. win next to him.

And you will appreciate last thing. I know you feel the same way about, you know, fatherhood and everything. Every game, they would watch the first half with me. I would say go take a shower, especially in the finals, because they were late. And go get dressed, put your PJs on, and then we'll watch the second half together so that you can go to bed right after. And halftime, they would come down. O.G. Jersey, Josh Hart Jersey, Jalen Jersey, sometimes even Walt Frazier.

He has one. Game five, when they win, my son, Oliver and Walter come down. Oliver's wearing a Uing t-shirt and Walter's wearing his Uing jersey. And, dude, I said, what are you doing? You never wore the Uing. Bro. And then I asked them a couple days later, why did you choose Ewing? And they were like, we knew how much it meant to you, man.

So I will never, ever, ever, ever forget that. You give me chills. And I texted you, right? Like if the Knicks, something to the event, if they had won in 19, 99. I'm so happy it played out this way it did. As a father? Oh my God. And I'll leave you with this. Like when we were designing a one more sleep shirt for New York, right? We weren't

going to do it unless we could figure out a way to put Patrick Ewing on it. So we got it done. Thank you so much. I trip twice and show it out. The freaking man. Thank you, John. Thank you so much. Continued success. Please say hello to Jason. Check him out. Anakin Flooring podcast. Jabbs sounds amazing as well. that was amazing. Was that not great, guys? That was great. G.C.'s in the back.

Yeah, he's like a pig and shit right now. G.C. is just, is probably riding high. That was amazing. What a guy. Mench. Salt of the earth, dare I say. And his brother's tremendous. I'm sorry that we can't, I can't say hello. Do you want to say hello? Well, is he here? He's here. Bring him in real quick. Let me say hello to Jason real quick. If he's there. Is he coming? Ah, the twin brother.

This is not deja vu. This is actually his twin brother. Yeah, is he there? Yeah. It's like deja vu. How are you, sir? Such an honest. Dude, this was great.

Thank you. Jason Anick, the freaking man. You're the man. How good was John there, huh? Dude, I love you. You're the man. Thank you. There he is.

Jason Anick. Wow. That actually was John. It's so crazy. Yo, identical twins. Crazy thing. That was so much fun. There's a lot of love back there.

Is there not? Guys, is there love back there? So much love. It's so much love. G.C., really. Picking shit. G.C. Some can of piss.

Okay. We don't have our next guest, right? Oh, what is this? What is this? Yeah, so there's some activity going on over in Georgia for this RIF event. Okay, I'm seeing it. Marab at the Presser. Wait a time.

Okay, can we watch it? We can. Okay, well, I just want to let you know. Well, this is good timing because At some point we're going to be joined by Al Jemate Sterling, right? Oh, no more water. No, I got one. See, look at me.

Look at me. I'm sure Andy's loving that Aljo's a little bit late. I'm sure you're loving that. We do have a live show coming up at 7.30 Pacific Time. Mama Rabbit, Park MGM. Which ones? Those? Man. That was fun.

Hey, guys. Chat, did you guys love that? Chat, did you enjoy that? Chat, what do you think? W in the chat? W in the chat. Okay, sorry, Frank. Wait, was Annick wearing the headphones the whole time?

Yeah. What a pro. Let's not let that happen again. Why, why? You didn't like that? Well, no, if we if we if beat you, he would have heard it. Oh, okay. Well, I think Andy spoke to me one time. Frank did some magic.

And then only you could hear me. I love that. We are doing a live show tonight with Demetrius Johnson. The vibes are just on flip. leak right now. Do people still say that on fleek? It's per sepire. It's been a minute. Mama rabbit, 630 doors, 730 live, UFC

329. Shout out to the Venetian. Shout out to the Yahoo Sportsbook here. What's going on in the World Cup, by the way? 1-1. 1-1. Shout out to

the fan caves here. shout out to our guy. I just look to my right and he's not there. But oh, more craziness happening. Jordan Preston. Where did Jordan go? Did he leave? Bathroom break, huh?

Hey, not everyone's built for this life, huh? Not everyone's built for this. My guy over here is. Give me a fucking break. My guy over here is. Not everyone's built. You stand up, you sit down, you just have to power through. Amazing stuff.

Okay. Getting off for Kempt. What do we have as far as RIF? Can you tell me? Let me look at this. You want to hear from Marab? I do want to hear from Marab. So they're doing a press conference, right?

Correct. Why do you pronounce it? Georgia, it sounded like. No, not Georgia. That's how Rob said it the other day. He said Georgia. Tbilsi? Tribilcy?

Tbilisi? I always got that one wrong. All right, I'm definitely not John Anik in that regard. Here we go. Let's take a look. This is great audio. And Y. Uman.

No, never. Fuck the guy. Oh, thank you. But in Aereeb, no problem. Whoever you guys choose, ARIEF chose a fight, except this spoiled guy. Damn.

Marab's still holding on to that grudge. Still holding on to that grudge. He's competing tomorrow. And then there was a confrontation? Yeah, so the reports are that a fan of Umar confronted Marab about, what he said about Umar and his... Wait, so this is after the fact.

After the fact. It seems after the press conference. And this is the scene, you know, security had to get involved. Armand Sarukian is in here somewhere at some point. Yeah, it's quite a scene out there. So it's interesting because Marab is in... Oh, oh!

Marab is in Georgia, so you would think he's beloved. Who side is Armin on? I would imagine Marab's side? I think he's just a peacekeeper, you know? all around good guy. He's always that type of guy. That's it.com. Okay, okay. Any punches thrown? What's happening? It's hard to tell, but I've lost Marab.

I've lost Marab. I just got an email, by the way, that... And there's Armin in the middle on a black shirt. You can tell by his beautiful hair. Oh, yeah. I just got an email. It's very exciting. My kids camp, they scan letters, and they tell you like, oh, you've got a letter from Ollie. you know? That's fun. So they handwrite the letters and then...

Should I read it live on the air? If you feel comfortable. I'm just going to let it go. Dear Mama and Dada. Happy birthday, Dada. How was it? How is Las Vegas? Camp is good.

I got... Oh, he got a talk. There's a certain name that they have for a talk and he makes that emoji with the like, hey, with the teeth, you know? Six Flags was good. I had a good group. We watched USA lose. I wish I could watch the World Cup more.

How was Machi? Yesterday, I played with baby goats, and it reminded me of her. Yesterday we had salmon, and it was way worse than mamas. Tell no, no, no, my parents, his grandparents, I say thank you for their letter, and that camp is good, and I miss them too.

Love Ollie. I have questions. Yes. So they can't call you, but they do have. have TV? So because of the World Cup only this year, they made some, you know, exceptions for USA and I think like one England game, they let them watch it. World Cup every four years.

I'm happy they did that. They should watch the World Cup. That's really special. Yeah. Oh, I can't imagine. Can you imagine like you have no connection to the outside world, no technology? And then all of a sudden they're like, all right, kids, for your evening activity, we're going to watch USA Belgium.

That's got to be amazing. Now, I did find out that my daughter goes to a different camp than my boys. They go to one camp. She goes to another. She wanted to follow her best friend. All good. I found out that next Tuesday, we get to speak to her on the phone. And that's very exciting.

And it's actually right after we land, so hopefully no delays. I did get a, I think I might have mentioned this. I got a letter from her a couple days ago saying that she was extremely homesick. So I'm curious as to how that's going to go. but this is like a shot in the arm right here, you know. Does he draw the emoji? Yeah. Interesting.

So they write the letter by hand and then they scan it. But as you can see, he's talking about USA and my birthday. So I think they're a little bit late on the scanning, because this is clearly from a couple of days ago. I love that they make them write it, though, because then seeing it in handwriting is way more special, in my opinion, right? And, like, it's so easy to type. Like, it's so nice to just see letters written by your children's stamps, you know.

The handwriting is abysmal, but mine is just as bad, if not worse, so I can't really complain. I am seeing something here from Dan Raphael, who's a tremendous source. Ryan Garcia v. Connor Ben is reportedly set to be announced during tonight's McGregor versus Holloway, ceremonial weigh-ins. The fight would take place on the 12th of September. This is obviously a massive fight. We know Connor Ben's a Zufa boxing guy. We know Ryan Garcia is a golden boy guy. How's that going to work? But guess what? guess what? The Wayans, I didn't mention this today.

We did talk about it a couple of days ago. The Wayans are airing on CBS tonight. I should have talked to John about that, to be honest. CBS is a big freaking deal. Like, to air the ceremonials on CBS, that's pretty much a one-hour commercial. That's an infomercial. One hour.

That's a huge platform. This is going to be the most watched card of all time, in my opinion. That's a great point. Yeah. Yeah, this is a huge, huge deal. So I'm curious to see how it's going to be presented. And then if you're there, come see us afterwards. I can read some super chats I'm seeing here.

Why not? Because we do have a quick turn after Aljo. And you guys will tell me when he's sort of in the building, yeah? This is Hanashi, who says, I came from the live way and show for you, Ariel. Yeah, I know, we're not, listen, we come, peace in love, peace and love. We're not trying to compete with the UFC on this Friday, but our show is at 1 o'clock, and we wanted to stay consistent to that. So we had to do 1 o'clock show, even though that means we were waking up earlier here on the West Coast, but I think we all agreed best to keep it consistent. Someone else is asking, does Ariel, this is Patrick N.S.

Does Ariel have a truth social account? I do not. I actually, can I be honest, other than Donald Trump himself, I don't know of a single person who has a truth social account. Do you guys know anyone that has one? We all do in the back. You guys use it? Yeah. Oh, all right.

I just clicked out. Damn it. There was one other one, and I just, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait for it. Do you want to read it? No, no, no, no, no. I'm taking his home here. What was it? Oh, there is this one?

No, no, no, that's not. Wait, wait, wait, wait for it. It's not YouTube. I really want to read it. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, Superchats, there it is. It's from Muhammad. Ariel, Aljo, and John Anakin, Studio.

absolutely cooked. Thank you, my friend. I want to hear G.C.'s take on meeting the annex. Is he here? He's still talking to Jason. He's still going. He's still going? What the hell? We haven't let these guys go. They're still back there?

Oh, yeah. What about that sushi, huh, Frank? I don't think I can eat anything else again because I'm reserving myself for the next time. You're so, Frank said yesterday he's going to sew his bum shut so he could just keep it inside. Did I see that?

TMI, man. TMI. That's what he said. Can't believe it. By the way, that here, it's one side of the room is G.C. and Jason now. The other side of the room is Petsy, Chuck, and John. It's just... They're holding court.

It is crazy back here. It is a great time. I love it. I love it. Okay, I'm looking at my news here. Drake has bet on Connemagherty. The Mac is back, he writes. The proper 12 drinking. No one told Drake these.

No. Taylor suit. wearing Lambo yacht riding man with the Dubai 10 that once had both belts in both hands say less wow

I got to say Drake Cook Drake Cook Drizzy Cook he's betting a million and he gets back 2.85 he's already dead do you guys think he actually

bets the million he doesn't yeah I can can't imagine. Yeah. I'm sure he has it, but. I just, I just, I just, I just wonder if it's like, um, I wonder if it's like, a promotional thing.

Like, they just take the screen grab, but they don't actually bet the million. You know what I mean? Yeah. Um, I mean, if you, if you were able to, would you do it? I wouldn't do it. A millie? Just like, yeah. It's a lot of freaking money.

I know. It's a lot of freaking money. A millie on, uh, Connor? And he's not exactly. What's going on? Just in anything. I mean, it's driz. It's drizzie Drake.

What else? There's other news here. Here we go. Here we go. Jude Bellingham. Nah, I don't believe in this curse nonsense. Curse nonsense is nonsense. The curse nonsense is nonsense.

R.E.F. Neat Security. World Cup. Uncrowned.com. Killing it. 50.1 million viewers watched USA Belgium. It's crazy. Just to see the U.S.

lose. Crazy work. It's crazy work. Why'd you have to throw on that last part? You could just left at a 50.1 largest non-NFL sporting event in the 21st century. For real.

That's what it says. More than the White House card? I don't believe it. No comment. I don't believe it. Oh. Okay. Predict.

No, I did not. Okay, Aljo's in the build, ing. We're going to have him. Yeah, oh, there he is. We're getting ready for Al Jermaine Sterling. Our final in-studio guest, but I do want to remind you Monday we're going to be here to wrap up this bad boy. So we still have a lot more work to do. We've got tonight's show, we've got watch party tomorrow, which I'll be a part of as well. G.C. and Rick driving the train, but I'll be a part of it as well.

And then, by the way, I hear G. I hear G.C. back there holding court. You can hear his voice from a mile away, huh? Actually, now it's Ptsey just screaming. Frank said, you can leave and he's like, oh, sprinted out the door. Chuck's like, let me stick around. Yeah, Ptzee's like, oh, I've got to, I've got to write a 500 word piece. Not that we don't enjoy your little visits Pizzi. Frank said something like, oh, you got to go. And then he was like, we can go, we can go. Grab this backpack and now he's halfway out of the door. What's he so? In the freaking sports book back there? Oh yeah

Yeah, he's out He is gone Chuck is checking out The crafty on his way out Wait are the annex still there They just left So like I said I'll be a part of the watch party

P2 will be a part of the watch party Obviously GC and Rick will be there And then we'll do a post show Right after as well I think we're gonna go to Summer League You guys in for Summer League? I am so there Yeah

Yeah you haven't really been there for anything else Well, Mrs. Honor leaves Sunday morning Ah perfect I don't mean that came out wrong. I just mean, you know, you'll be freed up a little bit. Yeah, I'll be free as free as I want. I can do anything I want for the rest of my life.

Washington Wizards, the Jazz are playing. Fortunately, no Nix. Everyone is saying that everyone, the chat is saying that the room needs a pint. Damn right, we do. I don't disagree. Several, maybe. Several pints.

Maybe after the live show tonight, We can let our hair down a little bit. No, not really, right? Because we've got the two shows tomorrow. But at least a later call time, right? Later call time. Hell yeah. No one writes a...

No one puts together a call sheet. Two shows tomorrow? Like our very own Andrea. I love when you read them, too. It makes me so happy. I did read them. I mean, they're meticulous. They're detailed.

They're on point. There's the link to the menu if you ever want to put in an order? I know this is a thing. I know this is a thing. They put in the link menu. Hwani doesn't put in his order. I like to be personally prompted. Ariel, what would you like for lunch today?

Actually, we haven't been able to ask you. We've been guessing every day. Like, what is Ariel going to like today? And guess what? I don't know if I've had a single meal so far. Your lunch from yesterday is in the fridge right now. Can I just say? No one told me that.

What? No one told me. What am I just just guess? It's right next to GC in here. I could have used it right now. No one told me that. Not a soul told me that there was food ordered. for me. I thought if I didn't

put in the order, there's nothing coming my way. No, we're looking out for you, man. Well, I appreciate that. Maybe you should have told me when it arrived. Wow. Do you want to give a shout out to our good friends over at Kalshi. Please support them because they support us. Oh, there's actually a big piece of news. I'm sitting here kibitzing over lunch orders.

Frank, you can hit the music. I don't even know if we have this. We should have had it. I think I remember putting into the thing. Israel, Desaena, yesterday, announced. saying that he is leaving KB, city kickboxing. After all these years, all this time

with Eugene Berman, Israel Destiny, the last, I knew there was a piece of news that I had to get to. Is he posting on his YouTube channel that he is leaving KB, that he is parting ways. We don't have that clip, huh?

Parting ways. Seems amicable. I did a little asking. I did a little digging. And it appears as though he just kind of feels like it's the time. We were just talking to someone yesterday about this, you know, back into the career, not done just yet. And my impression, based on what I heard, was that he's not

going to go to another team per se, but it's just almost going to be like the boxing model where the team is built around him. What is that? Oh, the team is built around Izzy. Just like Connor Ben isn't a part of team. In boxing, there's no sense. such thing as like, you know, there's certain guys like Robert Garcia or Andy Lee, as we've talked about, who have squads. But more often than not, there's no ATT, there's no Jackson wink, there's no TriStar, there's no AKA, that type of thing. That's very much an MMA culture. It's very much, oh, you're a part of this gym, you're a part of this team, you represent this team, you represent these guys. In boxing, it's built around you. So yeah, Paciel, you know, would

train at Wildcard, but he wasn't necessarily part of team Wildcard, if you get what I mean. He was part of Team Pac-Yau. Connor Ben, same thing. Shakur, same thing. Devin Haney, same thing, et cetera, et cetera. Ussick, same thing. They have squads, but it's largely built around them. And so it sounds like, and this is starting to happen a little bit more in MMA, it sounds

like this is the direction that he wants to go. Now, why did he feel the need to, you know, do this now? What is the state of his relationship with Eugene? Was there something that happened? been, you know, credit to the two of them, and in particular Eugene Barerman, Eugene Barman has talked in the past about some of the issues that they had leading up to fights, having to have heart to hearts, having to have come to Jesus moments, having to have, you know, like true, hard conversations with one another about are we in it? Are we together? Are we aligned? Are

we on the same page? I remember him being in studio before, I think it was the Alex Prairie in New York City talking about this quite openly, which is not something that you usually get. talked about this prior to the Habib fight, there were two ships passing in the night. And he talked about getting off the bus and all this stuff. And so there is a thing that happens, especially when you reach a certain status, reach a certain point. There is a decision that has to be made. Either you're going to leave. Either you're going to move.

You're going to be in a different city. You have some guys like Aljo who doesn't live on Long Island anymore, but still has Ray Longo in his corner, still has him as a presence. in his fights. That happens too. John Wood was just talking about this yesterday. Khalil Roundtree leaves Vegas. He lives in Newport, sometime overseas as well, Korea, but still being able to train with them, there are some issues there. It sounds like they're just going there separate ways, which is a huge deal. We were introduced to Eugene Berman in this board via Izzy, and they were synonymous with each other. Really, really interesting. So let's see. Oh, our final guest is here

is he actually here the funk master oh look at this this is some kind of get up what's up my man you're on tremendous thank you so much I appreciate you

please have a seat and you're actually coming at an amazing time what do you have here just a little a little harbor a little harbor to set the sales right

do I need a headphones on you don't need it just make love to the microphone as they say in the business do you want to put it on the table yeah let's show some love oh you got the Zen too

yeah Yeah, how's it going? I saw it's five o'clock somewhere. We're having one. I mean, we could. Fuck it, let's go. Let's go. You're our last guest. It's five o'clock somewhere. Hell yeah. It's almost five o'clock over in New York. Yeah. What times it now?

It's one. It's 1.30, so yeah, we're like 25 minutes away. Oh, look at this. Which one is this one? Oh, this is the one that I've not had. Oh, no. I don't think we had the white. The silver. Excuse me. My apologies. It's the same. What's it, what's a call? It just makes it sound fancy, you know. What's the, the ingredient? It's rum.

Just straight up rum. Jamaican rum. What's the difference in this one and the one that I've had in the studio for all this time? That one is age. That's a two to five year blend. Okay. Oh, geez. And I would sip it.

This one's unage. Okay. This one is, um, they're all the same. No additives, no preservatives, no food color. But it's just, it's just not age. That's it. And what does that do? Age is change the color.

But you see how my age is two to five years, but it's not very dark. Okay. You don't add anything into it. You see some of the other ones. They're a lot darker in color, but. Does the age change? change the taste. Yes, it changed the profile. So the age one that you tried, actually, we use ex-American bourbon cask. What does that mean? Like bourbon casks, like that's what they

used to age it is. Oh, okay. Oh, got you. Gotcha. But this is from Jamaica. This is from Jamaica. Cheers, cheers, cheers. So don't drink the whole thing. Saluk. La Chaim. Yeah. Don't drink the whole thing? No, I would just sip it. Hmm. Ooh, nice. This one has a nice kick in. It's warm. Oh, yeah. I don't always hear it. This is a nice setup right here. You like this, huh? I look at you right in HD. You look good. Those screens are massive, the people can't see him. Aljo, thank you for doing this.

I appreciate. I know you're very busy. I was actually talking about something just as you were walking in that I'd love to get your take on. Out of the blue, I'm kind of springing this on you, but you probably seen it. You're tapped in.

Is he announcing that he's leaving CKB? Did you see this? I saw someone posted it. It might have been, you guys who posted it? Maybe. Someone. But, you know, synonymous with this guy, with Eugene.

They've been together forever. Yeah. First, just curious, are you surprised and you've kind of been in a situation like that before you leave now in your case you're still connected to long go you still go back when you can but you don't live there anymore yeah there you go i felt short okay here we go i feel good you feel good now yeah more like a man welcome um first what's your reaction and and how tough is it as you evolve and mature as a fighter you have a guy who kind of brings you into the sport and maybe there's a hard decision to be made

like i need to go i need to go fly and do my own thing uh you know it's interesting because I've always just been very big on training with multiple different people, different gyms, different teams, different ideologies, and it's just from the wrestling background. That's what we do. We train everywhere. Get as much experience as you can. When I came down back home to Long Island, it was kind of more like most of the guys it was kind of shunned upon. Like you didn't see a whole lot of cross-training, different guys from different teams coming over, not too often, at least not when I was coming up in the Long Island scene with the guys when I came back from college. But when we were upstate,

I was at Team Bomb Squad. We trained, cross-trained, a lot of different gyms came over. We went to different places and things like that. I think it's good. I think it's healthy. I think people that kind of shut out

to just wanted to do one thing, one way. I don't think one team, one gym, one person has all the answers. I think it's understanding what works best for you. And I think this is probably

a great time for Izzy. I'm not saying he's going to go learn something from somebody else, but it might be a change of pace which kind of gets them more excited to want to wake up and go to the gym again, right? So I think,

could be a good healthy thing for him. He hasn't taken a ton of damage his whole career, but he has kickbox a lot. He's had those tough fights with Alex. So I think he still has a little bit more than taking. A lot of those fights he's lost, he's been winning. And somehow, some way, he short circuits and just, like, one bad decision, and that's all it takes in this game.

How difficult are those conversations, though? They're hard. You know, you're talking about it's almost like a breakup, but it's not really a breakup because you're always going to come back. You always going to show love. Like, I train here full time now. But whenever I go home, I stop by the gym, I train, I help coach. I hang out with the coaches.

And I think that's what it's all about is just maintaining a healthy relationship and being able to be honest and open about it. And we're at different phases of our career. Like, things, they change. You get older. You get different priorities. You have a family. You have kids. Everyone's not going to be the same.

You're not that same young, I'm not that same 23-year-old that came to Longos back in 2013. right so it's it's a very different thing uh but with that said i think it's just being able to have the conversation and expressing how you feel and i think if your coaches or each other i think if you both truly love each other you would understand because at the end of the day is such a short window you want the best for your athlete i think that would be what's the word selfless thing for the coach to do course and having that understanding like if you love them you know there was once a time in the sport it's like sarah longo ATT tristar jackson wink a.k.a. that type, black zillions.

I feel like, well, what I heard is he's doing, and I feel like this is becoming more of a thing in our sport in MMA, where it's more the boxing model. Like, just get the team surrounding you, and you're your own guy, right? I've been saying this for years now. Yep, yep. The team

thing is so played out. You've got guys that come on the mat, some of these big gyms, and it's like 40, 50 bodies on the mat, 30, whatever. You can't service all those guys. If it's a young fight team, amateur team, you need to do that. Because this way you give everybody the same blueprint, the same foundational starting point so they can grow. But then as they start to develop and take fights to get experience, you need to

start to hone into that more boxing-boxing type of style. And I feel like that's the only reason why I've had a lot of success because a lot of the practices I would run in Long Island were centered around me whenever I had a fight. Whenever the other guys had a fight, we centered around them. We did MMA training, MMA striking, and we watch tape, primarily myself, and I would come in with clips and break down what I think they need to do based on their skill set, what I think their opponent is good at, and how can we take advantage of certain situations? And I think that's the way to do it. And it's not as fine-tune as the boxing scene, because you need someone who's going to be

the head guy who's watching and making sure you're doing all the things that you want to do or that they think that you need to do. And I think it's all conglomerate. It's, you see, O'Malley did a great job. with that. Henry Seyuto does a great job with that. Mighty Mouse does a great job with that. Taporia does a great job with that. Even Peoriaon, like a lot of these guys, they focus their camps around themselves. You have a team practice. But even within the team practice, and I was just bringing this up to my coach Mateus about this earlier this week. And I said, oh, actually it was before I went

to Baku. And I said, what we need to start doing, run team practice. When guys have fights, you have them in different stations, different areas of the gym, and they're working on stuff so that they can maximize the time. It's not just going through a team practice. You're there to work on what you need to. You're an NBA player. You know what you need to work on for a certain matchup in the playoffs, a very big thing, right?

So why not have your practices, the team practices that you're going to have, but you have the guys off to the side that are working with one-on-one coaches to get better at what they need to do for that specific style of opponent that they're going to have to match up with? And I think that's the way to do it. Boxing does it the right way.

It's just a very difficult sport because you get punched the head constantly. I always thought it was crazy, like when you'd see these mats and it's like 20 UFC fighters, spark, and they're all like next to each other, bumping into each other. Someone got injured, I'm forgetting now in Florida. I think it was blackslide. Someone bumped into another guy and I'm like, this is not the way it's like this needs to evolve, right? It does. But you, you, you, I have those people and this is my brother. I love him. Marab. He just wants to show up to the gym and tell him what to do. That's all he wants. He doesn't ask for much. He's like,

If I come in, I'm paying. I just want you. When I come in, everything is set. I don't want to have to think about it. I'm very different. I'm very hands-on. So when we were in New York, it was very easy for us to work like that because what I felt he needed, he trusted.

And I just told him everything I felt he needed to do, and he did it. And he loves to go live. He's one of those guys. If he doesn't go live into practice, he feels like he doesn't work hard, or it wasn't real training, and he needs to go and do another session. Or he needs to do rounds after. And I tell him, I was like, dude, whatever you want to do. But when I'm in my camp,

I'm doing my live session scheduled. I'm doing my drilling session scheduled. And once I do my drilling and I'm done, I tell the guys that came in to help me and I pay these guys, I go, if you guys want to go live, feel free. I'm done. I'm 36 years old.

My body knows when it's like, I'm at my limits, I'm redlining, I need to come back down so I can recover a bit and then I can push hard for the next session. But this sport is so ass backwards. You see, I see this stuff. Rusters do this now.

D1 programs, they go into the practice sessions and they play. They just flow, and I call it guided discovery. They go and they play and they figure out different stuff and they work through different drills. They still work hard. They have their hard days that they're redlining or revving the engine, I should say.

Then they have their days where they come in and just, we're going through the practice, we're flowing. We're not looking to beat each other up today. We have the days for that so that we can kind of build. I don't understand why a lot of these gyms haven't picked up on that yet. And hopefully they don't. Our gym does it.

They just asked us questions later on, like, what are we doing different? I'm like, I only said it like 100 times, but it is what it is. By the way, speaking of Marab, was there any talk of you going to Georgia to help them out with RIF this weekend? No, they wanted me to compete, which I wanted to do, is just I got a very busy schedule. Okay. I'm selling rum. We're actually doing the crowdfunding for this still.

Yeah. We push back the end date for this, so anybody that wants to invest in a company. Link? Or check us out at republic.com backslash Funk Harbor. You get a small percentage of the company. How about that? Oh, very nice. Yeah, it's all shared.

So based on the 10% that we're divvying out, it's... 44% man. You're getting there. But we don't really want 75K. We're closer to half a million, a million. They'll actually do something with the sport. With the game, we can't compete with the big brands because they can just buy us out if they wanted to and shut us out.

Okay. So in order to compete, like I said, I'm using my money for this, and I've done it from the very beginning. So taking my time. But it's been fun. It's been a fun process. I heard Connors, some clips of it, but I just got a little bit more of the briefing on that. And I definitely understand where he's coming from. Okay, you're talking about him saying it's like, it's in the garage. Yeah. And it's hard. Yeah, so how do you deal with that? I try to do it just when I'm going out. And my wife, she gets on me, she's like, you don't have to take a shot with everybody. I'm like, I'm trying not to. It's very hard. It's very hard. And they're like, I'm going to buy a shot. But I need you to take it with me. I'm like, yeah, can we just take one for the entire. Yeah. Yeah.

to say we did it together because I'm still an athlete athlete first. This is a passion project, side project, but at the end of day, I think it would do good. Hopefully we get some more,

a bigger distributor in New York. We got one in California now and in Florida. We're in total wines in Florida. Wow. We've been making moves. Like I said, putting a little amount in it

just so I can learn the business. You know, just not want to just throw dollars out there. I worked hard. I bled, I sweat. I had surgeries for this money. So I'm just trying to make I protect myself and do the right thing.

So no RIF this weekend, but did you happen to see Marab? I heard you slap somebody again. Do you want to watch it together? Have you seen it? No, I have not. Well, okay, so earlier... Working every day. I don't get to even scroll my phone.

This just happened like an hour ago. So earlier today... Can I tell you what I think happened? Okay, go ahead. He probably got trolled or rage baited by some European over there, and it probably has something to do with Omar. Holy shit! You nailed it.

Am I right? Yes. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I hate that I'm right. Where are the headphones? Here. Put these on for a second, because he's first... No, no, no, no.

The question first. Question first. Yeah, play the question first. So he's at the press conference, and he's asked, you guys tell me when it's ready. Okay, so he's asked about Umar and Imagamadov. Here's what he has to say. More up, who will be your next opponent in R.A.F?

And why, Umar, Numa Gabetto. No, never. Fuck the guy. Thank you. But in RAA, no problem. whoever you guys choose, Arab chose a fight, except this spoiled guy.

Okay, and now this is after the press conference, immediately after. Marab's there, you see him. It's a little hectic, but someone apparently approaches him, who I think is connected to Umar in some kind of way. I think there was a slap, guys, right? Was there a slap? Is that the report?

Allegedly a slap, physical altercation. Look at this melee here. would never slap anybody. Okay, so no, maybe someone would try to slap him. I don't know where it went. But what do you make of this? You know what, man? That's a deep-rooted thing.

And, um, Umar's a great dude. But it gets to a point where he's got to, like, kind of control his people and, and tell his people to have respect. They always preach respect. Show it back. They've had their share,

uh, share of words, right? The fight's over. Whether it was, Umar or not on social media doing the talking, it came from his account. And he has to be held responsible for that. So the stuff that whoever ran the account said all those things, hey, it's fair game now.

Yeah. All this respect goes out the window. So you can't be the guy hiding behind the respect factor, respect card, and then saying stuff like that. And then after the fight, when Marab wants to, you know, he wants to rub it in a little bit because, yo, he had to sit there and tolerate this from everybody, all the Dagestan fans. And again, it's not all the Dagestani people.

There's just some real diehard fans, and some of them are part of the team, and they give them a bad name when they do stuff like that. So I don't blame Marab one bit for being upset about it. I always just tell them, like, dude, you gotta kind of just trolling back. You won the fight. At the end of day, you're 1 in 0 against him,

so it doesn't matter. You took his O. So who's got the last laugh? You do until you guys actually fight again, if that ever happens, and go from there. But I just don't like to see him get riled up by these guys, because he makes it look like it's easy. that's the one advice I try giving them all the time about it's like dude

I've had people trolling me about Jan for over a year I've had people trolling me about the O'Malley fight it is what it is like people are going to say what they want to say after my fight with O'Malley I had someone when I went to Sydney talk some shit I told me we're not going to do nothing here I'm not going to show you that I'm annoyed with you right now but let's go to the bathroom like he just walked up to you no he was like heckling some shit he was like oh Amala shla shlappcha with this little stupid accent

And then I went to the bathroom and I came back And I looked around like Which one of you guys said that? I knew which area was coming from So I came over and he said it was me I put my hand around his neck Squeezed it a little bit like sounds like someone's scoring out there Yeah, yeah And I said hey come say that in the bathroom

You know if you if you really want to if this is what you really want to do You want to be an asshole at an event I'm coming off of a loss A fight I should never had taken in the first place Yeah, I try to give the fans a show whatever He ended up getting the highlight win Okay good for him But it's always

over. What do you have to do with it? But if you want to get a rise, okay, let me get my rise now. Come to the bathroom, let me get my rise out of this and see what happens. And that's the best, that's the easiest way I can put it because I'm like, yeah, I'm not going to let you, I'm not going to get rar around public. There's no reason for me to do that. How did you know it was Umar? Like, how did you guess that that was the, that's the one? That's the one. That's the one. And again, he's only upset about it because he was very respectful to him in the very beginning. And then once the trash talk started happening, and he felt like he was like

like he was belittling him and disrespecting him. And anyone understands the fight game, yeah, you're building the fight but some of those words have meanings man, they really do. Look at Khabib and Connor. Connor was just building a fight. It's own business. Oh, it's only business. Everyone takes a difference.

So it's like on one side you got Khabi, the respect factor, this is about this, and he's doing that, but then you have your cousin doing this and it's just like, bro, the hypocrisy is kind of crazy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But they're all different people, you know, different boats, different people. So again, I'm not slandering them because I know that's going to turn into,

why do you hate Dagestanis? It has nothing to do with that. It's like, don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. That's just the craziest thing to me. Connor Max, your take? Connor has two rounds of fury in them. Two rounds of fury. Two rounds of fury.

By the way, there are some people who say less. Yeah? Yeah. I mean, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that, you know. What have you made of him this week? Have you seen him, his demeanor? Yeah. What's your takeaway?

I think he's trying to bring back the old vintage former counter, but I also think this could probably drain him going into the fight. But again, he's not cutting weight, but I think the anxiety, the moment coming back, the long layoff, the nerves. It could probably play a factor with that. But it's hard to know what his mental headspace is. He's going to say what he says, but only he truly knows what's going on between those ears.

So I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he really wants to be back and show the world that he can still compete at a high level. But it's a tough task to do that against someone like Max. The only thing I would say is Max's last fight was very underwhelming. But was that just a bad style matchup or was that Max

dipping a little bit? It could be a combination of both. Can I be honest? Can I be honest? Yeah. I feel like everyone's chalking it up to a bad style matchup. Max of two years ago

can win that fight. I don't think it was like that bad of a style matchup. That's what I said too. But people have bad days. Sure. I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. So we'll see.

He just had a bad day. Okay. But he has not looked like the Max that we're used to seeing, like that energy. And obviously the Tuporia fight, then coming back, you know, he beat Gaei, but then this, he loses to Tuporia. Then he comes back, he fights Oliver and it goes that way. You're kind of like, something might be changing here now. It may be past that time. But we don't know.

It's been a lot of shots over the years. A lot. At some point, it's going to catch up to him. And it catches up to everyone. Yeah, Father Time is undefeated. Right. And it's not a slide against Max. Max is the OG.

the best of bless you know um but no one's immune to that so you you you see a scenario where coner can actually win yeah it would have to be early though the longer the fight goes i think it favors more max sure but it also depends is max taking his fight serious because he's probably like maybe he's not even going to show up and he looked great on the scale and it's not cutting any weight no i know but i'm saying like it wasn't like he came in like looking out of shape i got 15 extra pounds like he looked like a good 170 a healthy 170 good thing is tomorrow. Yeah.

Good thing is tomorrow. Are you going? No, I'm doing an event at Chickies and Pete at the Sahara Hotel. So anybody wants to actually come get a bottle. We're doing some signings. Oh, hell you guys want to come out, come support. Sahara Hotel, Chickies and Pete's and we watch the fights there. And whatever you spend at the door, you get in food and beverage credit.

So it's a pretty good deal. And just curious, would you subscribe to the theory the sport needs Conorback? The sport needs Connor winning. Does the UFC need Connor on top? I don't think they need them on top, but I feel like the excitement around this card has been different. It feels different.

Yeah. Like we've had some big cars when Pereira was on top and things like that, but this is just a different, you know, Tapore was on top. We had some good moments, but it just feels, it just feels different.

It reminds me of the old days a little bit, which has been kind of fun. It's nice, nostalgic. Yeah, yeah. So I think the sport, to have Connor win would be huge. If he loses to Max, He didn't lose to a stepover, right?

Right. It just depends on how he loses. If he goes out there, he gets smoked by Max. Okay, it's time to clock out, right? But if he goes out there, he looks good. He performs, even if he doesn't win, it lets us know where he's at and lets himself know whether or not he wants to go back down

on 155 and compete again, or he's going to maybe just take fun fights and just give us those. I think the fans would love to see that. Another match with, another fight with Dustin Porreier, it's going to be bad. and Nate Diaz, I think that's going to be a fun one too. So he's got some fun matchups in the pipeline.

What do you think of the Porre situation? I talked to Chale about it yesterday, about how difficult it is. You're not there yet, thankfully, but I'm sure you can sympathize, right? Yeah. When the music stops, it's hard. What do you do? What do you do? You know, and he's not like, you know, I think the thing with him, too, he's coming from a background of he's been fighting almost

this whole entire life. And when you have that taken away from you, it's like, what do you do next? And I know he's involved in some other things, but it's just not going to fill that void the way fighting would. Give you that strict regiment to kind of have something to look forward to,

right, at the end of it, that ultimate, I don't want to say climax, but that ultimate pinnacle. Like, you're building up to that one marquee moment and to have that all just gone, I just think people giving them a hard time. It's just like, dude, I know you've had bad days.

I know you probably had bad interactions with police before. I know you're not a saint. I know you've done something bad in your life and there's no one holding a microscope over you and judging every single thing that you do. So give the guy some slack. For me, I'm just like, hey, dude, if I was him, I would just be like, hey, I fucked up.

It is what it is. This is not a reflection of my true character. You guys have seen me for how many years? How many incidents has Dustin Poree actually had? You know, he's not an angel. He's not a saint. He's a fighter for crying out loud. We're all fighters.

This is what we do for a living. Like, you think we're the perfect role models? I don't know. Like, you're talking about people that beat people up for a living. Like, that's a crazy take in itself. But at the same time, he's done so many great things with his platform, inspiring people and giving back. And we're entitled to have a bad day here and there.

We're human. We're human. Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. I think just, I think it's easy to empathize with that. And I don't know the whole situation. Apparently his family was on the plane. He got taken off. I'd be pissed too with freaking Father's Day.

Yeah. Like, yeah, I'm a little lit. Like, it happens. It does happen. Batista Sanhagen, your former way class, I'm just putting it up there. Batista Sanne. Former Way, because you know Sanhagen. What do you think about that one? That changed his life.

No, I'm joking. I like Sandman. Saman is a good dude. I think it's probably going to be similar to the first fight. A lot of people are high on Batista for this one. I do think Batista is very well improved. His fight with Umar was great outside of the first round because I think he didn't really believe.

that he had the ability to beat him. Probably let that oregon in his head a little bit. But he had a great fight, great performance. Actually, I think he dropped him with that kick knee. With that said, it depends on how he starts this. St. Hagen, it depends on what approach he's. He's not like a finisher. He's more of a volume guy.

And how do you do that against a guy who has a good gas tank? So I'm interested to see what happens. I think Batista is going to be looking to take him down. And San Hagan's good off of his back, rolling around, going for the 50-50 guard and things like that. his defense was pretty good against Marab and getting back up to his feet. So it's going to be, this is a fun fight.

I think this is going to be one of those sleep of fights on the card. I like it. Yeah. I'm going to go with Sam, man, because we got some history. I want to see him do good. Word on the street is, and these are the odds right now,

Sanhagen, 55%. Batista, 45%, that's courtesy of Kalshi. Word on the street right now. Kalshi, what up? Shout out. Word on the street right now is Mofsar, Alex, in October. How does this affect you? maybe I'm just waiting or

because I heard you say somewhere you said recently you got something in the works is there something going on there's been discussions but I don't know if there's anything I could actually like speak on yet because nothing is like actually official there's been three names that have been floated around to me

okay um none of them of the opponent I think makes the most sense Lorone Murphy even though I don't want to fight Lorone it's just one of those and you're saying the three aren't him yeah I mean oh okay interesting yeah he's the only other Jamaican So it's like I want us to both win, you know?

Okay. But for a number one contend to fight for a title, I would love that fight. I would do it. But that's not being discussed. That's not being discussed. Who are three? Well, you don't like any of them, so who cares?

No, it's not even that. I just don't know if I'm supposed to. Why is everyone so afraid? You're an alto fucking Sterling, man. What are you former champion? What are you so afraid of? What are you so afraid of? I said the names on the table.

Let them know. Let them know. What are they going to do to you? Let them know. It's your fucking fight. Let them know. It's your announcements. Let them know.

It drives me nuts. Oh, don't you dare announce this. Why? Because we need to put it on fucking social media, a picture. I find that crazy that you guys can't announce your own fights, that you can't talk. This is your own career, for God's sakes. Yeah. I'm not trying to cause a riot here, but it's insane.

You don't have to mention the names. It's neither here nor there. But you know that's crazy, right? That this has been instilled in the fighter's brain. Yeah. Don't you dare. We have to go on IG live to an ice to an ice. What?

What do you? It gives a crap. I'm with you. I get it. But we'll see. I'm hoping to beat a backup for that fight. Oh, for the title fight.

I'm hoping to beat the backup. Will you fight again this year, you think? I hope so. Yeah. The last fight was April. August. Oh, well, April, then August. Yeah, I don't know what it is.

Maybe it's just the opponents aren't ready. What do you mean August? You mean last year? Yeah. I mean, like this year. I fought once last year. Yeah, I know. It's crazy.

Yeah, that's insane. Yeah, that's eight months apart. I'm not trying to do that. trying to make money. We were looking at Calci what they said, who would be the featherweight champion at the end of 2026.

Where do you think they have you? 6%. I didn't like the below John Silva. What's up with that? I mean, John is good. He is one of the names floated, though, too. Oh, wait, wait a second.

I like that one. Yeah, I mean... That's a true number one contender fight. I think so, but Lorone is ranked higher than him. So it's like, I personally would rather fight up. If I have to fight back, I don't mind it. It's just, I fought back already. But if you're going to make me fight back again, then it's like...

Bigger name, though, right now is probably John Silva. No, he's probably out of the three, I would say he's probably the biggest name. Yeah. So at this point, the number doesn't matter. It's more like who the prizes. Yeah, what I get out of that. And I think that's what any fighter, we're not just fighting the fight. There's an end goal in mind unless you're just here to collect checks.

I've got enough money. More money is always good because just more opportunities to do stuff. At the end of the day, it's really, I'm trying to make history, you know, so. So basically, if they tell you, hey, you win this, you're getting in time. I'm hoping that's what the conversation is, depending on which name they decide to go with. I think, I'm hoping Marab is on that card. It would make sense because Vogue and Pidion used to train together. So that would be the perfect card.

And if we're all three on the card, that's a big card. That would be sick, yeah. It would be a fun card. So I haven't fought in Abu Dhabi since 2022, so it'll be good to go back. Got some friends over there. some of my Muslim friends Asalam alaikum, al-a-salaam, salam, my brothers Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and all of the above.

Okay, so this is a possibility, but you don't know just yet. Yeah, not yet. Maybe they're going to announce some stuff Saturday. And if they announced it and I didn't really get to say yes or no, it is what it is. I've never said no anyways. Does that ever happen?

Yeah, like we don't make fights the night of the fight. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Apparently I'm fighting in August. Oh, that's right, of course. You know, so that's happened before. And like I said, I've never said no. It's not many guys who can say they've actually been like that. And maybe I should be more strategic.

But at the end of the day, it's like my style matches up well with anybody. So at the end of the day, I'm looking to back pack you up, send you home. So it is what it is. Any matchup, I'm very, very comfortable. I know you have to go in a minute, but I do want to ask you Chris Wydenen Hall of Fame yesterday. Were you there? I had my events. I didn't, yeah.

Like a, what, a wing eating contest or something you were judging? It was that. I already committed to it because they brought in my rum. If they didn't, I would. have been like, sorry, guys, I'm not making this. I got to go support my boy. But it was really sad, man. I didn't know that about his mom.

My wife and I were talking about it last night. Didn't know that either. Yeah, but we're happy. She pulled through and that was amazing. They choked me up. I was like, who's cutting onions in here? But Chris was a great dude, man. I love Chris.

Valante in the front row or wherever he was shirtless. Did he see that? Did he make it out? Valante's here? Oh, he's sitting there shirtless in the arena. I got to call him. Yeah. Because we're going to have a good time this weekend.

Okay. Yeah, yeah. But not going to the fight, but hosting an event. Where is it again? Sahara. Sahara Hotel at Chickies and Pete. They got to have my room there. They also have it in Maroon.

We have it at Fountain Blue Pool as well. Oh. But the events this Saturday is going to be at Chickies and Pete's. Okay. Again, if you guys want to invest in a company, man, please. We're taking all people. The bigger the investment, the better for us to help really build this thing up. And I was going to say something else.

Cheers to the New York Knicks. Cheers to the NICS. Your speech on Wednesday. Your speech on Wednesday night. I loved it. Of course. I was like, let's go Nix. I don't know if ever going to happen again, but we got one.

You know what? I'm at peace if it never happens again. I just wanted to see it once. One more. We got one more. You made to the parade, though. I was very jealous about it. I made it to the parade and it was nuts.

And I had to give up. I couldn't get to the front. Yeah. We were two avenues away and they weren't letting any more people. And we were wall to wall, like, shoulder to shoulder to my kids. And then there was a moment where I was like, guys. It gets dangerous. I think we were.

We need to go. Like, if something happens here, we are, fuck. Like, there will be a stampede. Luckily, you know what I love? Everyone was like, New York's going to burn down. It was peaceful. The love in the air that day, man, I get chills. Everyone from 6 a.m., a sea of humanity of Nix fans, black, white, I don't care

who you are, loving each other. It was, it was amazing. It felt like the last day on earth. Sports brings people together, which I love about it. It was amazing, man. Wait, so how long have you been a Nix fan? I got some, I got some friends. Yeah.

They give me shit saying like, Ariel's not a real. Who the fuck? Please. Please. I would do it 1990. Okay. You guys hear that? Ariel's not a real?

You hear that? Bro, 1990, I have two older brothers. We walk into a shoe store. I want to buy Jordans. I'm eight years old. And I say, where they're like, buy these shoes here. They're playing a prank on me because Patrick Ewing had these bulky ass, really ugly shoes.

And I bought them because my older brothers told me to. And so I look up, who's this guy, Patrick Ewing, there was a ball chain hanging from the shoe here. And I look him up and I'm like, I like this guy. I remember getting Sports Illustrated and he's in it. And I'm like, that's my team. 1991, they lose to the Bulls, 3-0. 1992, they take the Bulls seven games.

I'm crying because my guys almost beat the Chicago Bulls, who I hated. 1983 were up 2-0 against the Bulls, and then they win four straight to beat us in 6 in the Easter Conference Fires. 1984, we lose in game 7. Tell your friends to come at me. 1927, we're up 3-1, and then the whole team gets suspended,

and we lose seven to the heat. 98, we suck. 99 we made it to the finals of the 8 seed. Yeah, you know more than I do. The Knicks, like, I can't even put it into words what they meant to me. And now to experience this as a father, who's questioning?

What, because I wasn't born in New York? I spent more time. I was a Toronto fan. What Toronto fan? I'm not even from Toronto. I'm from Montreal. You realize that's like saying to someone from Boston, you're a New York fan

because you're both from America. Montreal and Toronto hate each other. When the Raptors won, I was happy for them because Canada won. But I'm a Nick fan, man. Raptors came in 95. I've been a Nick fan since 90. Patrick Gune's my favorite athlete of all time.

I believe you. Tell me, who are these people? I want to fight them. They're friends. Yeah, fuck those friends. Hey, fuck those friends. Hey. Go, Knicks.

Yeah, I hear it. Go, Knicks. Can you sign this for us? We're going to auction this off. What is it? This is all the people who have been in our studio, our poker room here, and we're going to auction it off. And we're going to give it to Yohanna's charity.

She deals with kids who are battling cancer. You're the freaking man. I love, Your Honor. She's the best. What does that say? What did you write? Funkmaster. Oh, F. Mast? Is that your signature?

Master, yeah. My other signatures is too long, so I changed it. I love it. I see other guys that are just an issue. I go, it's not even a signature. That says, okay. Now it works. Chale does his first name.

You do that. Yeah. It works. I got Ruffy. You're the man. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I got one last thing.

Oh, please, please. I thought they told me you had to go. No, but one last thing. Yeah. I don't know where I told. If you are a retailer in your and you don't have my rum. That is a massive problem,

especially if you are a sports bar. That is insane to me. Hit me up. I got my email in my account on Funk Harbor Rum.com. I am the guy running the ship with a very small team. I can use all the help that I could get.

It's a great brand. We won double gold, two double gold awards for this. This big San Francisco Award, 2026, 4,000 entries. And we got double gold for the age room as well. We got four gold awards for that. So I put some time into this.

Support the New Yorker. If you're in Florida, support the American. Come on. It's a Jamaican, American rum, built from Jamaican roots, built by the American Dream. Let's go.

And again, how do they get in contact with you? Aljo at Funkharbyspiration.com. There it is. I actually got a big lead from this last time. From the show? He's from Long Island. He lives in California.

Shout out Kevin Felclay. He's the man. He listened to your show. Hell yeah. I love that. Okay, let's get another one. Let's get another one. Thank you so much.

Salute Aljo. Al Jermaine Sterling, the former Bantamway champion, soon to be featherweight contender. Let's see how it plays out. Yeah. Popping those ends there, yeah? What is that? It's a nice. Nice one. This is a new company I'm actually with too. You're crazy. You're drinking that and putting it in your mouth.

You're nuts, man. You know what? I've got to feel something. Yeah. Thank you so much, my man. There he is. Al Jamein Sterling. Moved heaven and earth to be here today. Hello, my man. You got your guy here with you. I appreciate you.

I'm paused off the bottle. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Much respect to Aljo. Always great to catch up with them. The guys will help you out there. Speaking of the Funk Harbor, watching Game 2 out on Long Island, Funk Harbor behind the bar, told all the guys we had to get around. Oh, yeah?

Did you tell Alcho that? No, I'm going to tell him right now. Tell him right now. Tell him right now. He knows because he put it out on socials to go to that place to drink some Funk Harbor. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell him right now. Much love.

We love that. He'll love that. Did I do all the Kalshi stuff? I nailed it. Let me see. No more super chats, yeah? We need to go. Wait, who's winning?

Yeah, yeah. Spain won? Spain won. It's over. Over. So now it's Spain, France. Spain, France. Semis.

That's a heavyweight clash right there. That's a tilt. A tilt? Did I say tilt? Yeah, that works. Yeah. What's wrong with that? I don't know.

I thought I said something. else. It's been a long day. It's been a lot of talking. And I will admit, we had one guest pull out at the last minute. And I was like, well, what are we going to talk about? And we did it. Thank you to Chuck. Thank you to Pizzi. We've been doing a lot of shows over the last three days. Oh, yeah, hell yeah. I'm just killing more. Oh, who's here? I would have never guessed it. I would have never guessed it. The final countdown. Yeah, put those back. Oh, did he forget his bag? Yeah, but we gave him another one. What is in there?

Nothing. It's empty. Did you get a little Funk Harbor silver? Shot glasses. Wow, these are pretty nice. They are nice. Branded. Kind of heavy plastic.

I have many questions. Question number one. How are the annex? Annex were unbelievable. Spent quite a good amount of time talking to Jason back there. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. What energy, huh?

Oh, man, on both of them. It's incredible, yeah. Got to flick up, got to tell them that, you know, every time me in, T or our guy Jake is having a medello You know, we have to be like, this flight This fight clock brought to you by this Madelo Love it. Root for those.

Yes. With a fighting spirit. Got the pick? Did you get the pick with the two brothers? No, not side by side, but I did get one of each. Okay, okay. So was everything you dreamed of and more? Everything I dreamed of and more.

I feel like you embellished a little bit. You were like, Bro. Our guy, did you see back there? He idolizes you. Yeah. He has a shrine built to you. I said, he worships the ground you walk on.

Have you not? said he's top five? He's one of my top five broadcasters right now, yeah. What did I say? You didn't lead with that. You didn't lead with that. You weren't like, my guy, my guy GC really likes your work. He says top five.

Frank, did I embellish? Not me, him. He made me seem like D1. No, he loved it. He walked out and he was like, appreciate you D1. Yeah. Appreciate that, bro. Spain won?

Spain won with an 88th minute goal. Who was it? Yamin? Nah, not, not, not Yamin. I can't remember who it was. So now they've won the game? Is it over? It's over.

They're on the seven. they've taken on France. It's such a nice jersey. Is that the one they wore or is that an old school one? This is not the one they wore but I think they'll be wearing this one against France.

Oh, so this is part of the current kit. The old school Adidas, I'm a sucker for it. If it has the new one, I hate it. Three leaves and there's some texture on here. I don't know if the camera's picking it. Oh, I see it. Oh, there it is.

Yeah, look at that. It's a beaut. It's a beaut. Kame omikaze. Unbelievable. I wanted to be a hater. I wanted to be like, it's actually not that good, dude.

Unbelievable. Some of the best bites I've had this entire year. What entire year? Life. The Toro with the caviar? Number one bite I've had this entire year. Year. The year's only been...

Ever. It's one of the great meals of my life. And I don't know if it was because you guys were so enthusiastic about it. The experience was way better than the first time. Okay. It was fun... You know when you watch a movie with someone, you're like, oh, this is...

Like, it was fun knowing what was coming, and you guys then experiencing it. Yeah, I mean, we had the lovely couple next to us from Auburn, Alabama. Which fantastic a good job. You were kibitzing with them. I mean, you know, we're both from the south. We're sons of the same place. They went to Auburn, shout out, War Eagle.

I hit him with a roll tide. They were like, not War Eagle. They were like none of that. And then just, yeah, everything about it. The dreams come true, sake, whatever it was. The live shrimp that were flopping all over the table. I have to say, I will be the first to admit. I got a little squeamish.

I was surprised. They were like, we're about to eat this. and then the shrimp were like, I was surprised. I didn't see that, but he was so worried. I thought you're like, you're down for anything.

Obviously, I'm down. I'm gonna eat it, but I will show some. There was a moment where you were like, I'm out. I was like, damn, I don't know about this. You definitely said you were out.

I didn't know about this. But obviously I'm gonna eat. And it was great. Was it not great? Oh, it was fantastic. It was fantastic. Shrimp connoisseur, Frank, said it was the greatest shrimp

he's ever had in his life. It's the purest, it's like pre-vasing shrimp. Frank, have you hit the shrimp combo joke yet? that they were just nailing last night. I did ask them where the pairing of the iced coffee was and they asked me to leave.

Like four times. Yeah, four times. Once you said it for like the eighth or ninth time last night, I felt like it, you think I was trying to joke. I was literally like,

can we please get the ice coffee here? Yeah. Yeah. There was also an underrated component to it all. The staff is so lovely, right? The chef telling you the history of everything. The waitress. Like, everyone's,

it's like you feel like a king there. Literally they treat you like kings. They were, pouring our sake into hand-carven crystal glasses from a 24-carat gold caraft. And you took one sip of sake, they were refilling it. It was unbelievable. It never went down past anything. You didn't have to let the finger.

The service was incredible. The chefs behind the counter were unbelievable. All of the ingredients, you know, as fresh as it can get. A lot of that imported from Japan and all over the world. So good. It was, I was blown away. I really was blown away. And now the next goal is Bill's win, we're back.

Bill's when we're back. Those when we're back, next go back to back, whichever comes first. Obviously, it's a behind-the-scenes thing, but Fatty Boom Baddy. A Fatty Boom Behind? Can we talk about, there may or may not have been the fatty boom, and Mr. Mysterious himself, who is so careful about his image being shown, who is so careful, like there I say, anal, what does he do? Pulls out the phone.

camera pulls out. I was like, is that not crazy, crazy work. Especially considering him, considering him to watch you squeam. Considering it's him who did it,

I thought it was a little ironic. This was a moment for us. This was International Fight Week. We were all sharing it together. 23 years in the making. Miscerating the Knicks championship. No, commiserating is a bad word. Commemorating.

Yes, thank you. Thank you. I got a freshen up on the old dictionary. Memorating, yeah. And yeah, Frank, man. What were we going to even do with that, man? Killed the buzz. Were you going to send it to Yahoo HR?

By the way, I had to ask him to pull out the phone and take me to the camera roll. This motherfucker was paranoid before he even smoked. Camera roll. And then I saw some weird shit on there. And I was like, that has nothing to do with me. But please delete everything. May or may not have been a fatty. Who's to check?

And then Sphere. Sphere, Wizard of Oz. I thought it was a 10 out of 10. You know, stuck up Rick over there is like, oh, they cut stuff out. I thought it was a 10 out of 10. They did cut off. They lopped off like 30 minutes. It was enough.

because he fell asleep. He woke out. He's like, oh. Have we talked about that on the show yet? Have we talked about that on the show yet? I looked down the aisle at one point, and Haldi at the very end of it looked like he was dead. Nessled.

What about Rick? I was this close to pulling the phone on on Hualani when he was. I was comfy. We got blue skies that is so bright. And he was doing the ultimate old man thing. Something woke him up, and he's like, oh, dude, that's so cool. You know what was really funny.

I was so cool, yeah. I was sitting next to him, And it was just like dead silent. He's knocked out clearly. And then the seeds start to shake. And he's like, whoa, that was so cool. Because it was like 14. You have to over, yeah.

You have to exaggerate. Tornado was hitting. So cool. Off the, off the sake and the boobadi and the wind is blowing. You're like, oh, where the fuck am I right now? It was giving dad. It, bro. It's great.

And then Rick, like, we're probably 75% of the way through. Armrests, both armrests. He's like leaned up and then head just. how about Ariel and going and just sitting by himself I don't know all the way at the bottom absolutely insane

we were in section like 406 Helwani Helwani has to go to the bathroom I was like row 19 Ro 19 yeah you didn't tell me what section I don't know I thought you knew we were going to the very time

I didn't realize we were so high up you go down to 306 instead of up to 406 you get to 19 and you sit down I said that moment you're not like I took it all in I took it all in and then I was like, well, I need to experience this with everyone. I feel bad. We didn't invite Chuck.

Jesus Christ, we didn't. He called me out on the air. Deservedly so. Deservedly so. No wonder he was able to get it to press earlier than Pizzi. Watching you climb up. It was as steep as it gets in the sphere. I was huffing and puffing.

I was like, geez, this thing is never ending. At one point it was like Monty Python. Like me and Rick were like, is he even moving anywhere? Like, it looked like you were just stepping. in place. It is very steep. I can't imagine watching a fight that high up and looking that far down. The screens were unbelievable, beautiful

arena. Oh, one killed it. Yeah, it was crazy. I couldn't imagine seeing a concert that you were excited for there. Yeah, I will go back for a concert. Grateful Dead. Oh, my God. I'd be sick. Any Chesney? Fish. Not my thing. What's this? What's this?

What's this? Oh, message from Palo Costa. Say it? Should I play it? Yeah, sure. Yeah, it was... Oh, damn it. He's sending... Maybe I shouldn't play it.

Man, maybe. He just said, Ariel, I'm very sorry. I couldn't go this morning. I feel very bad. He was sick. So, Paulo, we love you. We can never be mad at you, Paolo. What's that?

Maybe Monday. Maybe Monday. Yeah. We're going to be here Monday. I'm going to hold you two at, Paulo. But we have to go. We have to go. We've got...

Yeah, we got a rip of prediction, Pows, real quick. Oh, okay, yeah. Yeah, for Cali, you know, we don't know. No boys in the back this week, so we got to do it on the air. which is Lonnie Kavanaugh. Rick not here. He's taking Adrian Yannes. Frankie, who you got, man? I got BST. I've been on St. Denis over Patty Pimbley. You know, this is a off-the-record type thing here, but me and Rick went back to our old stomping grounds, the UFCPI, the apex, you know, pop in the yearly trip at this point. We went up into the training facilities of the PI, and we got a up close and personal view of Patty Pimbley.

Oh, yeah, he was. Caged side for some sparring rounds. Molly, too, right? Yeah, Malay McCann Meatball was in there. It was fantastic to watch. It was cool to see. BSD, Frank's pick. I will go with Terrence McKinney. King Green.

Oh, it doesn't start round two. Ooh, oh, there he is. I thought you were picked. Ding dong. Welcome to Rickie. I thought you were picked. Oh, there it is. Oh, there it is.

Yeah, Lonnie Kavanaugh. Plus 316. We're firmly back in the green if we win this one. Does it ends round one? Yeah, I could see that. Benoit. It's Terrence McKinney, man. I mean, every single fighter is Yana is the biggest?

No, obviously not. You, I know who the biggest favorite. By the way, how did you not pick Gable? Because he's too big of a favorite. Yeah, but lock is a lock. What do we got? Do we have it? Fight as a fight.

Business. We saw him at the awards. We did. We saw it. We saw it. We saw it. We saw it. We're wearing an ATT polo and Rick doesn't say there's Kioji Hordi.

He says, there's a fight as a fight. Yeah. I almost ran up to him and said it, but I decided not to. Do we have Gabe of Steven? What is he's training at? Do we have that? What do you mean? What do you mean?

90%. That feels low. Can I be honest? I'm actually shocked there's 10%. Yeah, you could get in on that and it feels like it's a decent. I am the one pushing the 10% on E squared, E, E, E, E, Elisha Ellison. I say something about Cal sheet.

We love Cal sheet. They've got to update the emoji up there. Like, what is it? Let me see it. Look at it. Look at it. What is going on here? Let's see.

I'm wondering if. The glove, yeah. Yeah, a thousand percent. You're right. You're not wrong. What is that all about? Shout to all Alicia Ellison. No, but truly, though.

Big spot for him. 90% feels like some value. 90% is nuts. Go ahead, man. Trade it. I might have already. Are we good? Good day?

Great day. How were the annex? Fantastic. Also, when you got out of here, like they chilled for like another 10, 15 minutes. Yeah, Jason's just holding a court back there. It was just chopping it up with everyone. Jason, the absolute man, John as well.

Does work for a dirty boxing? Does their play by play? Oh, he does great work, too. Yeah. A very cerebral. We talked a while about Atlanta. He's thinking of moving there. Really?

Yeah. Okay. Lives in South Florida right now. That was great, man. Pizzi, Chuck, Kibbitts. The vibes were great. I was out of here. Yawanna.

The best. Ywana. Yvana. J.G. Everyone was great. We'll be back on Monday for another show, but obviously watch party tomorrow, post show tomorrow.

But tonight, in five hours, we're playing two today, guys. We've got to go over to Mama Rabbit, Park MGM. Everyone, let me talk here to the middle camera here. Yeah, this one right here. This one right here. Yeah. Mama Rabbit tonight, Park MGM, 730. There it is. One more time. One last time. It's going to be a lot of fun. DJ. And we have three gifts to give out. We have to remember to take those gifts, huh?

Are you not telling them what it is? No, no, don't tell them. Don't tell them. I think I actually said it. Oh, you already said it? All right. Don't say it again. All right, fine. Oh, what? Make it a surprise. They are sick. They are worth your while. To special, special, special people, go to the ceremonials, come to us. First come first serve. It's free. No sign up. and when we're full, we're full. So let's see. This could be an absolute disaster. How?

One person could show up. If one person shows up, we'll have a nice hangout session with them. If you're in Vegas, come hang out. It's been amazing. Thank you, gentlemen. I've got to sit, man. Outside, like taking people to their cars and everything? The energy is cranking up.

You feel what? I don't know if it's for the fights. I don't know if it's for the fights, but Friday, the car park. I mean, the energy is cranking up here in Las Vegas. Okay. Love it. Love to hear it. Love to hear it. Don't tell Pizzi.

Love to hear it. All right, we can go now. No more super chats, yeah? Hey. We got to get going. What's the chat saying? What is the chat saying? W's? Let me put a W in there.

Why not? Why not? Why not? Why not? Right? Why? I want a capital. What's tough? They can't help but stare at themselves on the jump. Oh, well, first of all, it's a great, it's a great quality. picture, but the guests are just looking at themselves. How can you not?

Dude, you got literally, you have two... Maricio was loving himself up there. He was just admiring himself. I don't blame him. He was loving. It really makes us look so much wider than we are, huh? Like, you know what's so funny? Can I tell you guys?

Something so funny? Like Monday's show, right? Monday show we had Jeff Jarrett, one of my favorite in studio interviews. Incredible. Boots Ennis. Yep. Yeah. I think I know where you got with.

Craig Jones. Sure do. And it was like, oh, it's 329. Where's the 329 talk? We've just done three straight shows, probably 12 or so hours combined. Let's say, because, you know, you're talking about their life, 85% is 329 talk? Yeah. Have we covered enough?

Do you trust us? Like, how many times I have to say? You try, like, have we covered this card enough now? And by the way, truth be told, of that 85%, 95% is about the main and co-main. Yeah. But like, let's be honest. That's what we're here for, right? By the way, full press conference on the channel, McGregor,

media days. Everything. $360. I thought you were going to say that that Monday show feels like a lifetime ago. Oh, that too. I mean, it feels like a term.

That too. We're out of time. Thank you to all our guests today. Thanks to all of you. Thanks to the whole crew here. Thanks to them. Back tomorrow. Everybody says that, be, set, be, set.