The Ariel Helwani Show - Mayhem Miller reunion, Jan Blachowicz, Josh Van, Thomas Carty in studio, On The Nose

Episode Date: March 12, 2025

Ariel Helwani answers all your On The Nose questions about Dana White and TKO's foray into boxing, the Tate brothers at UFC 313, Justin Gaethje calling for a title shot, and more (09:18).MMA legend and old friend Mayhem Miller reunites with Ariel to discuss his challenging road to recovery, the harsh reality of life after MMA, the current state of UFC champions and more (1:02:20).Rising flyweight Joshua Van discusses his big UFC 313 win over Rei Tsuruya, his placement on Uncrowned's "Top 25 under 25 for '25" list, his street fighting past and more (1:33:38).Jan Blachowicz discusses his UFC London return against Carlos Ulberg, Bryce Mitchell's disgusting comments, his emotional double shoulder surgery, Magomed Ankalaev as champ and more (1:59:12).Undefeated Irish heavyweight Thomas Carty joins in-studio to discuss Sunday's boxing match against Dajuan Calloway on the Callum Walsh vs. Dean Sutherland undercard, training with Tyson Fury, the decline of Conor McGregor, Dana White and Turki Alalshikh's boxing plans, plus more (2:26:40).The show closes with more of your On The Nose Questions (3:06:44) and Super Chats (3:45:54).Join us on the bike: avironactive.com/uncrowned

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Er-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R And 25, hello again, everyone. I sure hope you're doing well. It's great to be here on a lovely Wednesday in March of the year 2025. You know, I started yesterday's show by saying March 11th is etched in my brain. I could say the same for March 12th. There are certain dates you say them and you're taken back. You go to a different place, a different time, a different era in your life.

When I say March 12th, I was just saying it to Rick outside and then I was reminded of March 12th, 2011. A young Ariel Hawani in Las Vegas at UFC headquarters interviewing Dana White as he announces the acquisition the Zufa acquisition of Strikeforce. Yes it was 14 years ago today that that news broke. Now if I'm being a hundred percent honest with all of you that interview took place on March 10th. It came out two days later and I have never told the entire real backstory of that interview. The build-up, the aftermath, perhaps we'll save it for one of our you know classic interview look back series. You know we have these

videos, well we've only done one but we've got another one coming out next month. Maybe I'll save for that or maybe, maybe just maybe, Frank, I'll save it for the book. It's kind of like a Dylan Danis moment, right? Why, why? I'm gonna save this one later. Well, it doesn't feel like a top of the show story. I mean, it's a sit back, grab yourself a Celsius, grab yourself a matcha chai.

Jump on that one. It's a sit back and listen, enjoy. Same shirt? Are you wearing the same shirt? Are you out of your freaking mind? Let's go do it. That is not the same shirt. It looks similar.

That's a Supreme shirt right there. It's completely different. Close. It's so crazy that people say this. Like, you know there are, look at this. This is red and that's pink, by the way. No, the color blindness is showing up. The color blindness is really popping.

But do you acknowledge it's not the same shirt? Red, blue, white, black. It's not the same. But at a quick glance, asking same shirt is not that crazy. Can I tell you a low-key thing that I hate about that interview? So I usually, I was in this cadence of like cutting my hair at the beginning of the week,

but this was an end of the week interview, so I felt like my hair was a little too long in the interview, you know what I'm saying? And this is before I had the long beard. I mean, look at it. No, I don't know what you're saying. Oh wow. This, it actually bothers me every time I see it.

Uh, but perhaps I'm making it out to be, uh, something that it's not, but there we are. I mean, I've told, nah, you know what? Later in the show, we'll play a portion of the interview and, uh, I think some of you would love it, but, uh, in short, you know, we were supposed to do an interview in Louisville. Uh, he gets sick. This is for UFC on love it, but in short, you know, we were supposed to do an interview in Louisville.

He gets sick. This is for UFC on versus three, Diego Sanchez, Martin Katman. He says, I'll make it up to you. I'll make it up to you later in the week. I said, all right, fine. Monday of that week says come to Vegas and I owe you one. Well, I said, well, what are we talking about?

I mean, like I live in New York, you know, we don't usually just fly out to do interviews like this. We'll do the interviews at the events and whatnot. Trust me. I got you. Now, my editor at the time, and this was for AOL, by the way, which bit of a full circle moment. Here we are back on the same floor where AOL used to be. We've told this story as well. Yahoo bought AOLOL yada yada. In any event, my editor at the time was like, now we can't just fly out there, we can't just do that, we need to know why. I said I think we need to trust them on this one. Walk in there with Esther Lin, E.K.C. Leiden, walk into the office, close the door, we just bought StrikeForce. What? StrikeForce just came off a series of big events and they were trending in the 1 million viewer territory on Showtime.

Now, what made this supremely awkward was the fact that Esther Lin, our incredible photographer back then and the wife of Casey, worked for Strikeforce at the same time. And so she found out before anyone. And then we did the interview, but then the aftermath of the interview, very, very interesting, that one I shall save for the book. So, a seismic day back 14 years ago today. It broke on a Saturday afternoon. And so, when I said the date, I was reminded of that time. We do have a fantastic show lined up for all of you, a four-pack of guests that I'm really looking forward to speaking to.

Yesterday, we had a three-pack of guests which I'm really looking forward to speaking to. Yesterday we had a three pack of guests which I thought were phenomenal. What about Lou DeBella? And I'm getting some really interesting texts from people in the biz as they say, in the industry reacting to the Lou DeBella interview as he was quote-unquote telling it like it is guns blazing. Eh Al, check it out if you haven't. I thought it was a great listen, a great chat. I didn't have much to do with it if I'm being a hundred percent honest but nevertheless I enjoyed it. I also adored the Nati Neidhardt interview. Congratulations to her on the upcoming release of her book on October 28th, my daughter's birthday. Great day. So check that out if you missed it. And what about

Rafael Fazeve breaking the news that he is strongly considering a move to 145 pounds. Back end of today's program will be joined by the greatest hope as far as Irish heavyweights are concerned. No Cardi, no party, they say. His name is Thomas Cardi. He's fighting this Sunday at the theater right next door to Madison Square Garden on the King Callum Walsh card. He has flown in a day early just to be on our program and he is a great guy who hails from Fillsborough, North Dublin, Ireland. 90% KO rate in his fights. He is currently 10 and 0 with 9 KO's. Just 29 years young. Thomas Cardy will join us in studio to talk about everything going on in his career in the world of boxing.

Prior to that, we will be joined by Jan Bechowicz. Jan Bechowicz hasn't fought. Would you believe this? Jan Bechowicz's last fight was against Alex Pereira in Salt Lake City. Think about that. Think about everything that has happened to Alex Pereira since then. A whole title reign. He won the belt. He lost the belt. Jan Bechowicz returns finally after not fighting since September, excuse me, since July of 2023, he has not fought in about a year, almost, almost two years now, a year and three quarters. He returns action next weekend on that London card against Carlos Alberg, a

big fight in the light heavyweight division. We'll talk to him at 3 at 2.30. Joshua Vann will join us. He had a big win this past weekend against Ray Cerullia and he is one of the young bright stars of the UFC hailing from Myanmar. Prior to that we're going to be joined by my old friend Mayhem Miller. A lot of nostalgia. I have talked to Mayhem Miller once in the last 13 years in the very beginning stages of the pandemic. April of 2020, we rekindled our friendship. It had been eight years since we last spoke. I do believe the last time we spoke was the Lucky Patrick incident. Prior to that,

eight years later, we spoke. I've not talked to him since. He seems to be in a great place. I thought it would be a great time to reconnect with the one and only, the incomparable, the inimitable, Jason Mayhem Miller. Now, back to Josh Van. About an hour or so ago, we here at Uncrowned, Uncrowned.com, your home for all things combat sports, released a project that we had been working on for the past few months. Our top 25, under 25, in 25. There it is. And look at that pic right there. That is beautiful.

The 25 best athletes, and I say athletes, because if I would have said fighters, they'd be like, why is a wrestler, you're not a fighter? So we say athletes or stars, 25 stars, under 25 years of age in the year 2025. The list is out, we want you to go check it out. I can't tell you though, number one, the big man, the 20-year-old Number one, the big man, the 20 year old from the UK, also representing Slovakia, Moses Itauma. He is number one. What a superstar he is. Roxanne Perez, number two.

Abdullah Mason, who Turkey just tweeted about a couple of days ago, number three. Mohammed Makaev, our old new friend, number four. And Gabriel Fundora, number five. You go down to number 11 though. There's Joshua Vann. And so we'll talk to him about perhaps the greatest honor of his career. So far, at least go to uncrowned.com. You can see the full list.

It's a, it's a, it's a great piece of work. Very, very proud of it. And a big shout out to Shaheen Alshadi, our EIC, our editor in chief for spearheading that and putting it all together. You know, on Wednesdays we like to shoot, you know on Wednesdays we like to answer your questions. I'm feeling itchy I told you if you want me to make pics I'm ready to jump back in there I'm feeling some kind of resurgence okay we have highs we have lows I'm feeling very high on this Wednesday March 12th and so without further ado time now for everyone's

favorite segment of the week, it is time. Gotta love it. Nice little bit. Why is it always, why is there that stop start? They have problems, I don't know. One more time. Nice, clean, no stuttering. The second time is always much better. From the audio department, not this amateur... Ah, so is that the problem? Yeah, it's the animation.

Oh, interesting. Frank, it's early in the show. Let's, uh, be a little... Yes, seems like a little... That actually isn't the animation. I say this with all due respect. It's the software running the animation. Yes, yes, yes.

Everyone keeps doing like, it's the file. Who made the file? They call it Video Village because, uh, no, we don't have to get into it. I'm not sure what that means, but, uh, I'm not the only one who would want to know. This is good. I'm not sure what that means, but, uh, I'm not the only one who would want to know. This is good. I'm not sure what that means, but, uh, I'm not the only one who would want to know.

This is good. I'm not sure what that means, but, uh, I'm not the only one who would want to know. This is good. I'm not sure what that means, but, uh, I'm not the only one who would want to know. This is good. I'm not sure what that means, but, uh, I'm not the only one it's the file. Who made the file? They call it Video Village because, no, we don't have to get into it. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm not the only one who heard that. This is good, this is good here. This is all good, I love this.

I've never seen an A2 with so much sass. Yeah. It's time for all the notes. Yeah, no, that's clean. So much fidelity. That's clean, that's clean. Thank you, Frank, thank you for that. We can always count on you. Let's start with Dominic Cassier.

Hey Ariel, you mentioned again this week about your pride in Syracuse and the new house school. Yes. Big win yesterday. ACC tournament number 14, your orange beating FSU saying sayonara to, uh, Leonard Hamilton and crew. 14th seed. Yeah.

That's what I said. For 14. Out of. Out of the ACC. Not 14 in the country. No, I know out of how many teams are in the ACC? 20, 17. Not bad. Is it? Did I get it right? 18.

18? 16. Whatever it is. We won, we're moving on. All right. Do we have a chance to make the tournament? Probably not, but, uh, you know, hold onto your butts next year.

Keon Anthony. Yeah. Just like his pops. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We're moving on, all right? Do we have a chance to make the tournament? Probably not, but, you know, hold onto your butts next year. Key on Anthony? Yeah, just like his pops. Gonna bring us back to the top. Anyway, I am very proud. There was once a time where Syracuse was a bit of a, a sore spot in my life. It was a wound that needed to be healed.

It is very much healed and I'm very proud. And I want to take my kids to a game next year when Anthony plays. Anyway, back to the question. I was wondering if you have ever been asked to come speak at Syracuse, either for an event or a class. Secondly, if you had a chance to be a guest speaker for a class or host a one-day seminar for journalism students, what topic would you want

to cover with them? Thanks. One time in 2014, I was asked by Professor John Nicholson. It was a huge honor. I had not been back to the school in 10 years. Thanks. One time in 2014, I was asked by Professor John Nicholson. It was a huge honor. I had not been back to the school in 10 years. I brought my oldest son, Oliver, my middle son, Walter. My daughter wasn't born and we all went and spent the weekend there. My sister came as well, Amanda.

And it really helped. That's where I bought this guy, Otto, right here. And it really helped heal that wound. And I want to give a shout out to a group of students. They, they, they couldn't have been nicer. This is 2014. So 11 years ago now, they couldn't have been nicer. They were so welcoming. It was really great to be back.

Unfortunately, I haven't been back since, which kind of blows my mind. It's now been 11 years after I spoke to them at Newhouse and that Friday. So that night, later that night, it was busy. years after I spoke to them at Newhouse. And that Friday, so that night, later that night, it was Bisping Rockhold 1 on FS1 from Australia. It was happening on a Friday night, Saturday morning.

They were doing some of that back in the day on Fox. And so we all agreed to meet in the lobby of the Sheraton on campus, which I now understand is a dorm. It has been turned into a dorm. It was like the main hotel there. And we all watched the event in the lobby together. It was me and about 10 or so people. And I want to give a special, special shout out

to a young man named Dave Noseworthy, believe it or not, his real name, Noseworthy, who hails from Nova Scotia, who when he heard me talking about this thing, because I was talking about it on the show at the time, the MMA Hour, he thought it was so cool. He was a supporter, a fan, and so he bought a plane ticket from Nova Scotia

to New York City to come and attend the chat. Well, then he found out that Syracuse is four and a half hours away from New York City. And so to the best of my knowledge, he flew into New York and then took either a train or a bus, I think it was a bus to Syracuse to be there in attendance and watch the chat and then watch the fight with me. I mean, could you, he has to, he's probably number one

on the loyalty list. That is next with me. I mean, could you? He has to, he's probably number one on the loyalty list. That is next level stuff. I'll never forget it. Anyway, all to say, I would love to go back. And one of the things, I have a few things on my mind that are things that I would really love to do in the next few years. And I would love to teach a class,

whether it's at Syracuse or any other university. There's a part of me that sometimes daydreams about just teaching a class. I always love when I'm invited to speak to students. I want to help them. I want to guide them. I want to teach them about the things that I've learned, the ups, the downs. I think I've experienced a lot in a somewhat, you know, short amount of time and I would love, love, love to do that. And so I will be so excited if that comes to fruition and I would be so disappointed if I never get an opportunity to do it.

So what would we talk about? God knows what journalism, ethics, um, writing, decision-making, hosting, speaking, I don't know, just shooting the breeze. I would love it. I would be, uh, I would be absolutely honored and I would love to go back to the school as well. Here we go.

MMA anonymous Rick's takes have seemed to be aging poorly saying unequivocally that Ankh, I thought he wrote Ankh, but he means big Ankh. Is it Ankh? Cause it's Ankh-a-liev. So is it Ankh? I guess it's Ankh. Anyway, will not beat Alex in a striking battle.

He was talking with so much conviction and certainty like he had seen the future, like he had seen the future, it's Ankh-a-Layev, so is it Ankh? I guess it's Ankh. Anyway, will not beat Alex in a striking battle. He was talking with so much conviction and certainty, like he had seen the future. He said, quote, if he strikes for 25 minutes with Alex, he will lose, end quote, my man, what do you have to say? Why not just say these things with less certainty, just in case this happens? Because what are the repercussions? Like, like who cares? I love that the first, the first glimpse of PT on the show today was him just going. Yeah, okay, I was wrong. Now what? Now what? We want to say things with convictions. You want me to just be like, he could win or lose, you know? Yeah. I'm gonna give you that take next time. You know, Alex Perera is going to go in there

and he's going to win or lose. Um, I understand this person is trying to rub it in my face. Um, if I had told somebody that he would be 0 for 12 on takedowns and stood with Alex Perera for the entirety of the fight, you would think that Alex Perera won as well. So, um, that is, that is the justification.

Um, yeah, not, not much more to say. I mean, it's a pretty odd question because it's pretty obvious what the answer is. Look, next Alex Pereira fight? No, next Magomed Ankaliya fight? Take this to the bank. Write this down. What was the name of this person?

MMA Anonymous. MMA Anonymous? Naturally it would be because it's a coward. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Take this to the bank. Take this to the bank. Write it down. MMA anonymous. MMA anonymous? Naturally it would be, because he's a coward. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Take this to the bank. Take this to the bank. Write it down.

Onkaleyev will win or lose that fight. Write it down and come back to me and let's check the record. That's bold. Breaking news. He's gonna say this, he's gonna say this, and then we're gonna get the draw, like Magomedov and Kalev versus Yambolov.

By the way, we do have a couple of comments to this question from Big Game Hunting. Haha was thinking this. He also said Tatiana would dominate Zhang. He thinks he's Mystic Mack. Jason then replied and he said he's got some of the worst takes ever. These are just.

Jesus Christ. Yeah, what's going on? What do you need for this? It sounds like they've got a good collective of not very smart people that have found each other and I encourage them to continue to talk to each other. Because I don't have to, I mean, should we have somebody like, could this MMA anonymous person do all my correct takes or are we only going for that one? I would love to have the record be shown.

I feel quite confident. Uh, Pizzi, some breaking news, uh, early this morning, around your neck of the woods. Yes. Uh, Paul Hughes is in fact returning on the 10th of May, which is shaping up to be a big day in the world of combat sports. Obviously UFC 315 in Montreal later that night. And we are hearing potentially the GFL debut the next day, but it might be getting

pushed back who the hell knows all good signs anyway, Paul Hughes versus Bruno Miranda, what do you think SSE arena in Belfast, which just hosted that Patty Donovan fight a couple of weeks ago against Lewis Crocker, your thoughts. Yeah. Well, it's a fight in town and I think really Paul's popularity surge played into them booking this arena. The last time the PFL went to Belfast the crowd was honestly very flat and they had some good names on the card. I think Patricio Pippel was on that card, Corey Anderson had fought Karl Moore a lot from West Belfast. It's only about 2,000

people there. Today the tickets went on sale at 10am, about 15 minutes after they announced Bruno Miranda as his opponent. Obviously, Bruno Miranda not a massive name. I know a lot of people are hoping for Usman and Magomedov rematch and things like that. But obviously, once we knew this was happening in May, we knew we couldn't get in a full camp due to Ramadan, him observing Ramadan. So obviously going to go with something else. But just to speak to Paul's impact on that market, they went live at 10 and at 25 past 10, I was getting messages from the PFL guys saying like,

we needed to open up different areas of the arena that were kind of, you know, usually like they'll come to Ireland, you see it in three arena, you see at the SSC, they'll close off some areas so it can make it look more packed but all open already and Just really really good showing for them so far like already has outsell I would sold the last PFL event and I think really this could be like a Cedric Dune Bay moment for Paul and Belfast is his hometown

He is adored up there He's had that huge surge not only because of the close fight with Ousmane or Magomedov, but obviously a lot of Irish people started with Paul when he got into that spot with Conor McGregor as well, which has propelled him to a new level of popularity. I think it's a great fight. I think if everything goes well, it will put him in a great position to get that rematch. But I will say, I'm not trying to speak to the popularity of Bruno Miranda at all because I know a lot of people won't see him as a household name, but that is a very sneaky, tough fight. Yeah. Like this is a guy coming off a win over

Patricky Pippel. This is not a walk in the park as much as many people will say it is simply because they don't know his name. Uh, yeah, I was saying that to the boys, uh, in the back when I got in, I thought they would give him. A showcase.

Yeah. I'm a more favorable matchup. I think he, he wins the fight. He should be the favorite, but to your point, he's coming off a win over Patricky. A showcase. Yeah. Um, a more favorable matchup. I think he, he wins the fight. He should be the favorite, but to your point, he's coming off a win over tricky pit bull. He's been in there with Brent Primus and

Olivia O'Baird-Mercier as well lost those fights. But this is a guy who's been there before. Uh, he's, you know, he's got over 20 something fights on his resume. So, uh, one would hope that if he gets by Miranda, uh, they'll run it back with Usman. That's the fight to make, but I love the fact that they are going back to Belfast with him leading the charge

because that's what he was asking for. I don't think he probably comes back this soon if they don't book that show. I do want to mention as well that today's program is brought to you by our good friends over at Averon. And everyone buzzing last week as GC went back to back beating on Air Jordan and Ade Oladipo keeping his perfect record intact waiting patiently for Big Sean Brady to join us and to see if he could be a match yeah look at that Connor 5-0

Eric Jordan and Adeé a big fat 0 anyway workouts shouldn't feel like a grind that's why I've made Avron a part of my fitness routine let me tell you it's changed the game and they quite literally allow you to game while doing your damn thing over there look at that Avron takes exercise to a whole new level using gamification yes you can play actual video games while you work out powered by their award-winning Averon World Software and paired with industry-leading hardware, Averon's Rower, Bike and Treadmill deliver the best workouts I and many others have done in a very long time.

I personally have been using the Strong Rower for a while. We've got the bike here as well. We can make a great compilation of the way we've used the bike on the program and also the watch party in any event. As you all know, the Avron Fit Bike is an absolute beast of a machine and they have the Avron Victory Treadmill as well that just launched. It's very addictive. You can play games. you can watch stuff,

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Your mom goes to college asks, Ariel, does Frank work too much? I mean Monday to late Saturday, the man deserves a raise and some appreciation. P.S. I will be listening to this episode on Sunday running the Barcelona or should I say Barcelona Marathon. Let's hope it's a good episode. Oh gosh, that's a lot of pressure. First off, congratulations on that. And I hope you're doing well right now. If you're tired, keep on powering through, keep pushing.

Think about some nice paella, some nice sangria at the end of the whole damn thing. And please do it for all of us. So we're all pulling for you, Frank. What do you make of this question? Are we're all pulling for you, Frank. What do you make of this question? Are you working too much? Are you feeling?

I'm good. Okay. All right. I'm just curious what the basis of this question, like where did this come from? Maybe it's, maybe it's Frank's a better half. Frank's burner. I'm just wondering why Frank gives the

impression of working too hard. They think I do a lot more, you know, than you actually do. Are you going to finish that? When Dazon's YouTube wasn't working yesterday, it fell at my lap. That was the best. Everything tech related is Frank. It traveled over to the Dazon YouTube channel.

People were like, Frank, get your shit together. So good. Craig, hi Ariel and crew. The Tate brothers got the VIP cage side treatment to the Dazon YouTube channel. People were like, Frank, get your shit together. So good. Uh, Craig, hi Ariel and crew. The Tate brothers got the VIP cage side treatment along with a personal greeting from Dana himself at both the UFC and power slap events this weekend, which felt like yet another low.

I'm absolutely by no means a raging lefty liberal, but I'm getting pretty sick of the constant right wing stuff at literally every UFC pay-per-view now. There's not even an election coming up. I feel like my disdain for the product is starting to compete with my love for the sport, possibly coupled with the lack of stars. Do you ever see a scenario where other factors like these

could affect your love for the sport? I saw a lot of people upset. A lot of people were texting me like, this is it. I can't take this anymore. I don't know. I guess I'm just numb to it all and I will admit I'm not the the most well versed in in the world of the tape brothers I know the brother has like an incredible head of hair I'm not sure if it's real or not there's one with the

high hair and there's obviously Andrew with the shaved head I know that he used to be a former kickboxer and he waxes poetic on you know, male things and he's controversial and I believe he was being sued and then I believed he was being charged with something or at least accused of something in Romania and then some way somehow he was allowed to attention to all of this. But I did see a lot of people feeling some sort of way about it. I guess I'm just sort of numb to it. I don't know if this stuff is deliberate. I don't know if having these types of characters is done on purpose, if they're welcome here as opposed to other places.

I saw them get this grandiose entrance. I don't know. I think at some point, you have to make a decision. Are you just going to block out all this stuff and, and just focus on the fights, the fighters, the matchups, the storylines, why you love the sport and not let other factors, because if you let other factors affect how you feel about the sport and the organization, the only one that's really losing out is yourself. If this thing brings you joy and now you're saying I can't watch it or I don't want to watch it because I don't like that

these people are there, now you're taking away something that brings you joy and they just keep chugging along. I don't know. I tend to not get, it's like, it's like what I always say about the Bryce Mitchell stuff or the Sean Strickland stuff. I don't look at these people to be my moral compass. I don't look at them as, you know, as, as, as guiding lights. And so I'm not let down. I'm not bothered when they say or do something or

prop someone up that I may not be a fan of or interested in or, or any of this stuff. I think it's also fair to just say this stuff is complicated, right? And complex and what you're describing, that idea of like taking something away from yourself, your own enjoyment, contrasted with the idea that you're potentially supporting

messages or, or dog whistling about other things that you may not necessarily agree with is not cut and dried. There is no black and white for this. Like it is, it is a very complex and tricky thing in terms of fandom. Right. And now as people and organizations and others

have more and more exposure and we know more about them, it was a lot easier in a bygone era to just be like, yeah, I like this and I like these athletes and you didn't know anything about them. Now we know everything. We. It was a lot easier in a bygone era to just be like, yeah, I like this and I like these athletes and you didn't know anything about them. Now we know everything. We know all their political stances, we know everything

they represent and it can get complex and I think that's okay. Like we just have to make these assessments as we go, but it is a tricky thing. Were any of you bothered by this? I mean, look, I don't support that and I don't love it, but like you, I have been. Were you offended by it? No, because I've been conditioned to expect it.

Were you surprised? No, not surprised. Definitely not surprised. Didn't think about it at all. You just kind of see it. It's almost like, oh, of course. Yeah. You know?

Sort of. I'm not well versed in this subject. What's the gain for being with this guy, a very controversial guy who was accused of all types of crimes, was up in court in Romania for a very long time? What's the gain? What's the value in that? Yeah, for Dana White, et cetera. We, we, we, we, I mean, there's a question for him, but it's like, we, we welcome, you know, we're not going to, we're not going to stifle. We're not going to, who the fuck knows, God. It's the free speech thing. It's the, it's the, no matter what has been done, we are open to play ball with anybody. We judge things on our quote unquote, like

we're judging things on merit. You know, like it is. They also have massive followings. They have massive followings. There's an association, there's an implication. There's a, there's plenty of reasons to do it. If you are courting a certain type of fan base. I mean, it's not like, you know, it's not like Dana's mother, Teresa.

They are very popular. We've seen. So like, what would you know? Like, is he going to put himself above? I don't think they were charged, right? They were accused of some heinous things. Yeah. I tried to look at the latest, but they were, they were, there was an alleged organized crime ring, human trafficking, very like serious and bad stuff. Yeah. And to the point that in Florida, the attorney general announced on to, this was last week that they were opening criminal investigation into them.

So yes, this is, this is a, like there are serious charges and things being thrown around, around these guys, but to the, to the, to answer the question directly, PT, like there is a, there is a message being sent and there is, there is a benefit to that association if those are the, the, the parts of the fan dumb that you want to tap into. They have a, they have a very big following.

I think people want us to almost be offended by this and to, and like, just don't have the energy, don't, not interested and not bothered, not surprised, not offended. It just, to, to steal a phrase from the brilliant sage, Max Holloway, it is what it is. Irish lad, hey, Ariel and crew, are you and the boys buying or selling on the following?

Pereira goes winless in 2025. Sell. Feel free to weigh in. The fighting nerds stay undefeated in 2025. So, yeah, that's, that's going to be tough. I think one of them is bound to slip up. Bye. Be sure not to answer any of these with strong conviction.

Yeah, don't. Oh yeah. Yeah. Dylan Danis goes two and oh in the next few months. Bye. Bye. I love it. All right.

You know what? Let's, let's get something behind Dylan at this point. Eff it. Yeah, let's go. I feel like if Dylan Danis goes two and oh in the next few months. Bye. Fine. I love it. All right. You know what? Let's let's get something behind Dylan at this. Eff it. Yeah, let's go. I feel like if Dylan Danis goes to and oh in the next few months, like I could be credited for lighting a fire on you. I feel like I gave him a bit of a pep talk there. And if he goes on to, you know, them's the breaks kid, you know, better luck next time.

Uh, Conor McGregor goes windless for the rest of his career in all of combat sports. How many fights is that going to be? Yeah, you know, I mean, yeah. I think. But even if he fights, if he loses, then it's still. It's like, the question is like, does he fight? Right? I thought that's where he was going. But I guess this is a tougher one.

No, I say he'll, he'll get something somewhere. Uh, John Jones never fights again. False. No. Yeah. So Bryce Mitchell fights for a UFC title. False. Nah. Yeah. Sell it.

Ilya doesn't fight for the lightweight title in 25. Sell it. Hmm. I, I, I, I, I, I sell it. I'm tempted. I say, I sell it. I sell it.

Buy it, Rick. Buy it, bro. By the way, can we talk about the, like Justin Gaethje was trolling yesterday when he said that he's, uh. Olly? Right? This tweet where he said. Uh, right.

This tweet where he said. Right. What Ali said. Oh, you think it was Ali? It was that nonsensical that it had to come from Ali is what you're saying. I also just don't think, do we have to be speaking with conviction?

I don't think Justin Gaethje is putting out a tweet like that. Justin Gaethje tweeted. I want three of my last four only losing in an exhibition fight. I have to fight for the belt. Dana White, I'm ready. Yeah, it does kind of feel like an Ali tweet.

Here's the thing. A, will the UFC like that he's calling the max hallway fight an exhibition fight? No. Um, but okay, fine. I get that he's doing this, but then you forget the fact that one of those three wins was a win over Dustin Poirier in a

BMF title fight as well. So wouldn't that be. Also if that's an exhibition fight, what was the fight you just had this weekend? Well I think he's saying that it's an exhibition fight if it's for the BMF title. I think the exhibition part of it is Max Holloway of 45er is coming to this division and we're fight like I don't think it was uh I mean the exhibition from any angle you take it what he's crazy it's insane talk dude so here's my thing I think he was just trolling I don't you think he's being serious yeah the man wants a title shot it's nonsensical this makes no sense what he just said what he's won three of his last four what is it what is so crazy what's the exhibition fight is right the Holloway one so then what's the poor yet one a fifty-fiver

that he beat I get out of here with this you got knocked out by the 45 er I'm not sick look no I know asking me to defend his justification of logic I can't but I can understand why he thinks the UFC 300 like exit like max Holloway spectacle is, is an exhibition in his head. I understand the logic of it. I don't, I don't. Even though I don't agree with it. No, I don't at all. There's no logic.

I get it. I get it. People don't get face planted in exhibitions. Also the, Dustin and, Dustin and Justin became BMF because they didn't have a title fight for the car. Like it was, it was a little more flimsy than Max's. That one was flimsy too.

They need, they wanted a third title fight on UFC 300. There was no demand for it. It was great and all, but there was no demand for it. I'm trying, I'm trying to come up with stuff. I can't, I can't, but he's won three of his last four. That part is legit. I mean, that part is legit.

Yes. That part is legit. Um, Mr. Mystery Balls, let's talk finance since UFC 313 was free how does poet on earn pay-per-view points did ESPN screw him Wow you know what I didn't even think of that that's a great freaking point this raises a similar question about the UFC's future as far as we know pay-per-views might disappear next year I still think they don't, but yes, okay, fine.

Or their numbers could keep declining. We don't really know what the numbers are, to be honest. Will future champions simply make less money, or will their contracts be revised to compensate for the lack of pay-per-view? It would be the latter. If the model changes, it would be the latter. He also writes, if Hunter is listening,

he can fly me out to 314 and we can discuss more of my great money ideas. Um, all right. Well, good luck with that. But, uh, the, the, the poet time pay-per-view question is legit. Now I can see them saying, Hey, look, we were

projecting and Hey, look, this many people were trying, there's some way to figure it out. And wait, so you think they're going to make up a bigger number and pay him based on that? Not a bigger number, but we were projecting this or maybe this many people were logging on, who the hell knows? I think unfortunately Alex.

They're going to say you're SOL? What do you get? Whatever, there were people who bought the pay per view, the number was not zero. Whatever that number is, I imagine that's the number, the pay per view percentage that he's going to get. Wow.

Maybe they'll give him a little extra a little bonus, you know, but I don't I don't think they're gonna spin up like a projected number It's not there honestly It's not the USC's fault. Does ESPN have to foot that bill? Hey ESPN you want to pay Alex per the projected pay-per-view amount because they're the one who botched it. It wasn't UFC Alex Per the projected pay-per-view amount because they're the one who botched it. It wasn't UFC. Hut, Ariel, I have to say On Air Jordan's on-air debut left a lot to be desired. I was not impressed by his performance to say the least. Question, it was jokingly mentioned last week about GC sparring Sean Brady if he loses. I love the thought and honestly think GC would be down. If it's in good fun and done safely, may I suggest GC lightly spars some other members

of the crew for our entertainment. I would love to see it. And I think GC is evolving to super Scion mode in the future. Fun to watch. Thank you all. What the fuck is that? No one's gonna come at on-air Jordan like that. Yeah, that's right.

Why doesn't Hunt show up? Yeah. And then we can see what's going on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Get the fuck out of here. Yeah, that's right. Why doesn't Hunt show up? Yeah. And then we can see what's going on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So what, bike you? You tell him. Hey, Connor, what's just? Are you gonna make a t-shirt for this one too?

You want an anonymous fan to come smoke you in the bike as well? I mean, it was a pitiful performance, let's be serious. We have no idea what Hunt looks like. He could be like a gargagantuan man, just like fit as fuck. More on this. Yeah, absolutely. Are you backpedaling?

More on this moment, guys. He barely pedals at all. Oh, that's a, that's a good retort. Oh my God. The video says, guys, I just have to say that segment with GC Ade and on air Jordan on the bike was pure cinema. Definitely one of the all time moments from the show.

I was on the edge of my seat rooting for GC. Like I had money on it. My question this week is for Ariel, how would you make your ideal boxing league? What parts would you take from the existing models in both the UFC and boxing that would be most ideal and what would you add? Belts, less weight classes, really curious how you or how and why you would run something as big as that, given your experience and knowledge of the game.

By the way, PS shout out to Pizzi. He's my new favorite on the show. Always on point analysis with a sprinkle of humor from a standup dude with a great personality, keep killing it, man. You've really stepped up and added a great personality. Keep killing it, man You've really stepped up and added a great part to an already great show I mean I'm going red here boys. I don't say when the music comes on it kills me. I'm shocked in a gale good as well Celebration of the week of Ireland here. It's amazing beautiful thing only days away from st

Patrick's day and bring a tear to a glass eye my friend. Thank you so much a Tear to a glass eye is fantastic. Can you tell us by the way where you were yesterday? I absolutely love I wish I had asked you for the photos in advance. You guys know where PT was yesterday. Oh, no, my god This is amazing. He told me there was so teen Guinness involved. Go ahead, go ahead, tell them, tell them. So like uh my dad was like I want to go out for the the Cheltenham races so we all went to the pub. You can't just say Cheltenham races like we know what that is. Explain what this is. So like it's a big race meet in the UK. I think it's close enough to Liverpool. What kind of race? Horse racing.'s right. And it's like Irish coaches and trainers against English coaches and coaches,

sorry, jockeys and trainers. So yeah, we went to the pool about half 12 yesterday and we left at 11 p.m. And it was a long day of celebrating our Irishness. We'll say that, fantastic. I was sending out real messages throughout the day. Thanks for the day off, man. The picture

was great. Get us. I don't read that. We don't want to bet. Uh, it's funny, right? With gambling, like we're listening to all these previews for weeks. Like, oh, we're going to do this. We're going to do that.

The biggest winner we had in the day, my nephew just picked the horse cause he liked the colors. The jockey was wearing like that. Like all this analysis there, like means absolutely nothing. He's 66 to one. You 66 to one. Oh shit. Yeah. But I think it was yeah yeah that was the one with that one and then Sam Luke's son picked out the other one. My brother's my nephew picked out the other one. So did you go to like like like a live show like like pundits talking about this? Kind of like a pundits and all this kind of thing yeah and then then we went

in and yeah. Can't really remember much of what those lads said. Can you imagine Pizzi who was doing a live show in Las Vegas where people came to see him is in attendance with what? How many people, how many people are we talking in attendance here? Like the whole place is just filled with people watching horses sitting there, Pizzi carol sitting there listening to like Joe blows up there talking about, well, I got to tell you this upcoming race here. Joe blows hunters, brother. Come on. Yeah, like jockeys and shit. I'm completely, completely zoned in.

Fantastic day. It was a rough one this morning. Not going to lie to you. I was like, PFL, we're like, will you talk to Paul Hughes at 9 a.m. tomorrow? I was like, oh, this is going to be bad. But we got it done in the end. So I think that should be out tomorrow. Sent it on to Shaheen earlier. I love it. Love it. Well done. Come fly out to New York. Let's go to Belmont together. When is that? May? June.

June. Is that flats GC? I think we talked about this in Vegas, didn't we? Is that all flat racing as opposed to fences? I don't know. I'm not well versed enough. What the hell is fences? They don't know. Like the horses jump over fences. Oh yeah yeah no no. It's a flat track. It's flat. It's flat for sure. Yeah. Actually Belmont's in Saratoga this year.

That's alright we can drive off. Road trip brother. Way nicer. Let's hop in Old Red and we'll drive up together. Saratoga's beautiful. We'll add another store to Old Red's lengthy legacy. I love Saratoga. I've been there a few times. I used to go to camp right next to Saratoga. Do want to let you know, we are working on a PT coming to town for the big July 11th clash at Madison square garden and some preliminary talks of maybe doing the crack in studio on that Friday. Wow.

I think that would be fun because you could do the crack on that Friday and then go to MSG because it's a Friday show. That would be unreal, wouldn't it? Yeah. I'll be absolutely bosom for that place. Oh, I'll come in. I'll be,. Cause it's a Friday show. That'll be on real, won't it? Yeah. I'll be absolutely bosom for that boys.

Oh, I'll come into the, I'll be, I'll be back in the control room for that. Yeah, that'd be great. Let's do that. Amazing. What a day. Anyway, back to the question. Um, I mean, look, first of all, I'm happy that Lou said this last week, or sorry, yesterday, it's not a league.

It is not a league. It is maybe not the definition of promotion in the boxing world, but it's just going to be a promotion. Is that when you think of league, you think of standings, you think I was the one who kept saying this last week. I don't know why people keep calling it a league. It is not a league.

It is a promotion. Just like UFC is a promotion, just like PFL is a promotion, just like a lead XC was and pride was and WWE is an AEW is it's a promotion. In any event, I understand what they are doing. It is going to take some time. There has never been ever in the history. I heard an interview yesterday, Dan Rayfield interviewing Dana White and Dana White sitting there and saying to Dan Rayfield who has covered boxing for like 30 years, if not more, saying to him like, he keeps saying this thing

about how boxing has been around for a 30 years, if not more, saying to him like, he keeps saying this thing about how boxing has been around since the 1600s and they've literally made trillions of dollars and there's nothing to show for it. No one has actually built a business in boxing. No one has even thought of building a business. And I'm like, what are you talking about? Like yes, have they been splintered? Have they been disjointed? But like, what is top rank?

It's a business. What is matchroom? It's a business. What is Queensberry? It's a business. What is boxer? Business. Golden Boy?

Business. Misfits? Business. MVP? Business. Like, what do you mean no one has built a business? Now, you may not agree with the model and you may not agree with them adhering to the current structure of boxing. They don't also have the power that you guys have to get rid of the Aliak and to just do it your way.

There has never been a group that has come into any combat sports with this power and this kind of money behind it. They have endless, limitless funds those limitless funds are telling brilliant minds like Dana White, Nick Conn, Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro. Here you go, blank check. Run it for us. We want in. We want you to do the deals with Netflix and ESPN. Run it for us. There has never been a situation like this.

run it for us. There has never been a situation like this. If they don't succeed, it will be because something happened internally. The clash of egos, difference of opinion, difference of vision, they are set up to succeed off the jump. Netflix, ESPN, right there for the taking. Big names that Turkey has relationships with now. He's signing Canelo. He's signing Terrence Crawford. These guys were Riyadh season ambassadors, Naoya in a way. Like he could scoop all these guys. He's tweeting about Abdullah Mason. You think he's doing that just because he's into Abdullah Mason or is watching some highlights on YouTube? No. The Abdullah Masons and the Keyshawn Davises and all the youngsters that were on that list, the Moses Thomas, what do you think's gonna happen

when they're free? Now, as Eddie Hearns said, was it Eddie? No, actually it was Dana. Dana said he's got like 18 months worth of commitments, deals that he's done with other people, WBC Grand Prix here, maybe a Queensberry there. But once that's free and clear, these guys are set up to succeed. And so they're going to go in and they're going

to try to gobble up all the youngsters, guys like Thomas Cardy, 10 and 0, 11 and 0, who have, you know, a ceiling, a King Callum Walsh, if they, if they believe in those guys. Um, you know, guys who are, you know, Omari Jones is fighting on the matrim card this Saturday. Like if they were around those guys. You know, guys who are, you know, Omari Jones is fighting on the matrim card this Saturday.

If they were around six months ago, that's a guy coming off the Olympics that they would sign. And they're going to build them up and they'll do these four mega fights. Like there's nothing I could say. I can't poke any holes in this. It's kind of brilliant. Now, is it going to happen overnight?

No. Can I say definitively it's going to succeed? No. But the game plan, if you will, the blueprint, yeah, I think it's a pretty damn good one. Four mega shows with mega fights at the top, populate the card with your week to week day to day fighters, big time distribution, endless funds, a willingness to promote and build from the ground up, brilliant minds who have been a part of the fight game for decades. What's there to criticize? Could I just ask, is it possible that Dana White, when he says that nothing has been built,

he's referring specifically because of his his his position in in his own industry to like a dominant market leader not necessarily that nobody has built anything but in that time nobody has emerged as that dominant leader in the way that UFC or WWE have taken over their specific industry. Yeah but that's a totally different thing. He is verbatim saying no one has built a business in boxing. What are you talking about? Don King had a business. And by the way, there may have been, I don't know enough.

Was it flawed? Sure, but there was still a business. There might have been a point where maybe top rank or another promotion had been quite dominant in their share of the industry, but to me that's what I feel like he's angling at, is like there was opportunity for somebody to come in and do what he's essentially hoping

that they'll be able to do, and nobody was able to. And I would argue, like, there's a reason for that, right? The boxing industry was meant for it not to be controlled in that way. Maybe they can change that, maybe that's what they're going to ultimately be able to do. Well, that remains to be seen, that way. Maybe they can change that. Maybe that's what they're going to ultimately be able to do. Well, that remains to be seen, but I think that's

where he's pointing is like, nobody took this. Nobody, this, this land was out here and nobody took it. It's all kind of shared. PBC tried. Uh, they, they, they tried very hard, but you know, no one had the funds, no one had the resources. And so let's see how they do.

Now to this point, here's a question from Julian. Hey Ariel, quick question for you. With Dana getting involved in boxing, are they looking to pay the fighters the way they pay them in the UFC? Also, if they're paying the boxers more, would it cause a rift between the UFC fighters seeing how Dana is paying the boxers?

Well, the way they are positioning this is, we're not paying, Turkey's paying, right? That's the way Mark Shapiro said it. He stressed that it's no risk for us. They're paying us to do everything. So it's their budget. We're just running the show for them. And I think this is a strategic way to put it.

And so the top dogs are gonna get paid a lot, but the dudes who are coming in as part of the quote unquote day-to to day promotion, I think, I think that those will be somewhat similar, but those people don't make millions of dollars off the jump. Also there's an easy way to, to, to push back if someone says it's not as much, it's like, this is not a thing just yet. So we've got to build it, we've got to get a revenue stream. You know, we have to actually get some, some

momentum here, but I think they'll be fine. I think a lot of people like the old school boxing guys like Ade is one of them. Love the guy, but I don't agree with his take on any of this. I think they are, they are very naive. They're talking about the WBA history and the WBC history.

Walk up to any boxing fan, boxing fan. I'm not saying casual fan. Who was the, the WBA lightweight champion in 2020? Give me the WBA lightweight. I bet you the vast majority will have no idea. Ask me who the UFC lightweight champion was in 2020. Yeah, it was Khabib. It's just like, the formula is there.

It's way too splintered, too many belts, too many weight classes. What the UFC was ablehabib. It's just like, the formula is there. It's way too splintered, too many belts, too many weight classes. What the UFC was able to do made all the sense. Now, the question is, are they going to be successful? They were able to do it in the UFC because there was no one else. They were able to dictate everything,

all the terms, the format, the framework, everything. Now, this is a behemoth. You're gonna try to take this thing and funnel it in. Good luck, but it's no surprise that they're trying to replicate it. And that's probably what they sold the Saudis on. Hey Ariel from TJ, for in-studio guests, can we get a little more darts action?

Also, can we get a box of tissues for the in-studio guests? Natalia was about to crack yesterday and I was wondering if the tissues were there they're right over there actually they're not there was tissues last week someone took my tissues there were by the other camera I think we had to move them Frank was I mean Rick was sweating his ass off there in the show last week and he had to move him yeah you got really sick I don't understand you just we talked about darts I don't understand. I didn't get sick, it was just hot. I was dying. Well, you know, we talked about darts, I don't know, it just kind of ran its course.

It was a fun time, it was a fun period in the show's history, but I don't know, it just... You were high off of the... Can't speak. Off the bully boy. Yeah, yeah. You can't speak, and now that it's back to what darts normally is, you hate it. No, that's not true.

Uh, preliminary, preliminary talks about, uh, me working when they came, when they come to MSG in June. Oh, baby. Ooh. You know, you gotta pay the cost to be the boss, you know? Zach, what's up, Ireland boys? My question this week is simple. If the line was set at 1.5 over under

for the amount of champions that the fighting nerds end up with, what are you guys choosing? I'll go over. I'll go under. I'm going under. You got Carlos, you got Gian, you got Rufi. And you got Bahá'u'lláh. Kyle.

I'm going under. Incredibly difficult. I think one will get one. Yeah. Remember, Jean and Rufy fighting the same division. Yeah, they can move. No, you know what? I'm wrong on that.

145, 155. Yeah. I'm tripping. Nope, I'm wrong. They're going to dominate the whole, all the weight class. They got 185. They got 50. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm tripping. Nope, I'm wrong. Um, I could, at the very least, one, right? I think one. I think they'll get one. I'm giving one.

Which one? I don't know. Yeah. Kaio's pretty damn close. Kaio's probably the closest. Kaio's one away. He's pretty close. I would say, I would rank it right now.

Kaio, Protes, Silva, Rufi. In terms of likely to be a champion? No, no, no. Just who's closest right now. Yeah, Protes, Silva, Rufi? In terms of who's likely to be a champion? No, no, no, just who's closest right now. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, probably just based on rankings. Yeah. I mean, John could jump up pretty big with a win over Bryce. Now, how many will fight for a belt? I'll go over one and a half. Yeah, yes, for sure. I think they will fight for championships. So hard. Winning it is very difficult. Yeah. I say, I say too. I say too.

Big game hunting. Lou DiBella dug his own grave in that Joe Rogan debate. Joe was teed up perfectly by him and didn't even need to do the heavy lifting. Reminds me of Chael on LeBotard Show. Question is, is it tough interviewing when you get interrupted every time you start a thought or halfway through your point before you can finish?

No, listen, that's a dream guess because he just brings it and he has a lot to say and I think some people will try. Nothing pisses me off more than watching an interview when someone is just like waxing poetic. When I say someone, I mean the interviewer is waxing poetic. And when I say someone, I mean the interviewer is waxing poetic in the interview. Come here and I will try to ask questions and get things in and steer and maybe push back a little bit, but those are fun. Obviously, the biggest stress is I don't have an infinite amount of time.

And so I know that Natalia is coming up. And so I'm trying to like land the plane. And there were a couple of times where I'm trying to land the plane and we're going back up. You know what I mean? And so that's a bit stressful because I don't want to be rude and be like, yo, we gotta go.

But overall, I enjoy all different kinds of interviews. As long as someone is, and then you, like yesterday to me is a dream day. For three reasons yesterday is a dream day. First of all, two in studio guests is incredible. We touched MMA boxing and pro wrestling, love it. Variety, eclectic people like business, active, guy coming off a loss, rising star, all that stuff.

And the guests that were in studio were so willing to open up in different ways, right? Lou willing to open up from a business standpoint, Natalia willing to open up from an emotional standpoint. That's a dream day for me, it really is. Sup Ariel, Matt Mo,. Question for Rick on a scale of Danis to KSI or Danis VKSI to Ubank V. Ben. How excited are you for Sam Alvey versus

Tyrone Spong for the Karate Combat Heavyweight Championship of the world? Can I be honest with you? That is, that is a good one. Yeah. Is that a real thing? Yes. Holy shit. Yeah.

When did that get announced? Dude, uh, last, last week sometime. The fact, yeah, I'm curious. I can't lie. I'm curious what's going to happen there. Tell me if you guys remember this. There was a time that Tyrone Spong was being talked about as boxing Alexander Usyk.

Oh yeah. Like that was real. And now he's in a headline bout against Sam Alvey. Like the world is kind of crazy. Um, I don't know, like I'm close. I'll say this. I'm closer to you bank Ben than I am Dennis KSI I'm higher.

I'm on the big end. Oh, let's see. Alvey, Tyrone, Spong. Didn't that derail him Rick, that leg break. I can remember you being really high on him because you were kind of, you were a lot more tuned in to glory than. Wow.

May 2nd turning out to be a big day in combat sports. It completely. That's the first few weeks in that. Yeah. Completely turned his career in a different direction. He was, he was nearly on the top of the kickboxing

world at that time. And then it. That was a check kick, wasn't it? Yeah. It was around the time of the Anderson. It was a check kick, wasn't it? Yeah. It was around the time of the Anderson. So it was a little bit after what Saki. Yeah.

Oh dear. All right. Well, I'm looking forward to that. Hey, karate combat doing some stuff. Matt Chewewe's happy early St. Patrick's day to the uncrowned crew. We're talking about this PT. Forgive like is St.

Patrick's day, has it become an American holiday or do you guys like, is it as big of a deal? Oh no, it's a big thing here. Like they've done a lot more over the last few years. Like I mean, it's Irish week here now, which is two weeks. I think it's actually 17 days. It's Shachtanegelge, which means Irish week starts on March 1st goes to the 17th, which is Patrick's day. We still have the parade and all that stuff. It's kind of like for kids, you know,

like in school, it kind of teaches them about Irish identity, things like that. But yeah, it's kind of been taken over as like a massive piss up obviously. And it's the one, it's the one day Irish people don't usually go out. Lots of people into Dublin or come into Ireland to to go on the piss or whatever around around town and that's all well and good but they don't think a lot of Irish people ever really go like it's never I think maybe when we were younger we would have tried to get in and go into town because we're bit mischievous or whatever but you know never really a thing it's just a holiday I guess are you pissed that you are to be on the show on Monday?

No, not at all. Oh, I mean, I don't know if you guys like have like a Sunday roast turned Monday roast or you just go. Well, I'll get in there early. I'll go over to my house about 3 PM and I'll still be back for the show. That's my commitment to you guys. You know what I mean? I appreciate that. The question is, what do you think is the most underrated

fight in UFC history that deserves more recognition from fans and analysts alike? That's a great one. He says, one that comes to mind is Vanderlei Silva versus Bryan Stan. That's a great one. Oh shit, that's a great one, yeah. The one that I always talk about is,

I feel like Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler doesn't get enough love. You know what's another great one. Yeah. Uh, the one that I always talk about is I feel like Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler doesn't get enough love. Um, you know, it's another great one. Mark Hunt, Bigfoot. Yeah. Remember that? I think it was somewhat marred because of like a post-fight drug test.

EPO, right? Yeah. What about you? Remember when Chris Lieben had that, that back to back stretch where I think he fought Aaron Simpson and then Vanderlei Silva around UFC 132 and he beat Vanderlei Silva. That was a big one.

Um. I hopped out for a second. We're talking underrated fights. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Dustin, Dustin versus Max one because, because of what happened with Izzy and Kelvin, that one

gets criminally slept on one of the best fights of all time. Wait a second. Wait a second. That's Dustin versus Max two. Sorry, two. Yeah. Not one. I was thinking of them being youngsters. Yeah. I keep forgetting about that first one.

Second one, criminally slept on. By the way, if they fight again for the third time this summer, I wonder if that'll be the most amount of time between fights because the first one I think was 2012. The second one was 2019 and then the third one would be 2025. Yeah.

That's insane. How long, how long for how far a span? Diaz and Lolley. Ooh. Yeah. Long time. Oof. Yeah.

I mean, that was two fights, but like that was probably like off the top of the dome, like oh three, oh four. And then, and then, and then what 21. Yeah. September of 2021 to yeah. April of 2004. Yeah.

So 17 years. Jeez Louise. Um, yeah, that's a good one too. I mean, by the way, that, that fight doesn't get talked about enough. Uh, the first one, not the second one. The second one was awful. So many.

Lots of, lots of fights outside of the UFC, right? that fight doesn't get talked about enough. Uh, the first one, not the second one. The second one was awful. So many lots of, lots of fights outside of the UFC, right? They just, they won't ever be in those lists that like most fans are watching the UFC. There's a, there's a lot of them. It's a good shout. Yeah.

I mean, that's a fantastic one. No matter how short it was, uh, Chandler and, uh, Alvarez Chandler and, uh, Alvarez, uh, Chandler and, um, Will Brooks as well. Like there, there's a bunch of like really good ones that happened at the, at the best end of Bellator that people just have no recollection of. Man, do yourself a favor and go watch

Chael versus Anderson Silva. Like just, I remember just watching that and just being like blown away at what was transpiring in front of us. You know what I mean? But do you think that'd be like remember GC went back on he said he we kind of fast forwarded to Pereira and Hank when he was really watching it. I wonder is the suspense lost now because we know You know what I mean? That's because it was wild for us to even see child beating this guy taking rounds off this guy I don't know how exciting it would be to watch him just being taken down unless you were alive living in that context of here's

this guy coming out of nowhere saying he's going to beat the greatest fighter of all time and he doesn't have a chance apparently but somehow he's doing this. Yeah no that's fair, that's fair. Man there was there was a lot of great fights uh in the Shogun Machida, not bad. What else? What else? There's a great, one of my favorite knockouts, Pete cell and Scott Smith back in the day. It's great.

It's a great cage warriors title fight back in the day between the Tanya would obviously is fighting a chariot now on the London card, but the Tanya would be Josh Reed and both guys are going down like both get rocked about three times each. And it's a one round fight, just like the, the daily Diaz one, but Mark Goddard uses that to teach people how to referee that fight because it's so chaotic. You know, he's teaching them like, I'm in this position here

and I should have been here. And he's going down. The reason why I'm not stopping the fight is because watch his eyes. They come back and they come up. Like it's a, it's a wild firefight and it really kind of put Nathaniel Wood out there for the UFC as a kind of come get me. I think he had maybe two more fights in cage warriors after that, but that was real like, holy shit, this kid is insane.

Cause a Reed, well, I think I believe it was an unbeaten prospect out of shaky shores gym at the time of great fight. Well, I think I believe it was an unbeaten prospect out of shaky shores, Jim at the time, a great fight. Come here. What about a great meaner, Frank Yeager, two and three. They were good. Yeah, those were good. Uh, Samuel, Hey, can we get a moderator again

for on the nose? This used to be my favorite segment as we would hear about MMA related things. Now it's just some random question asking for advice on simple things or random questions about oversized ducks or talking like a dog. I understand that Anka is a nightmare for the UFC, but with the growing number of new fans and with the machine of the UFC marketing or marketing behind him, who would stop him from being a superstar? I don't know. I mean, Matt Mow responds, charisma. I actually think he has a little bit of charisma. I'm not,

listen, it's a quote unquote nightmare because of who he beat, little bit of charisma. I'm not, listen, it's a quote unquote nightmare because of who he beat, not because of him. Do you understand? Because of Pereira being maybe the most beloved fighter, losing, that's what makes it, you know, a bit of a nightmare situation. It's not necessarily a knock on him and I want to stress that.

So don't take it so personally. I can understand why you would, but you know, there have been less charismatic fighters who have become UFC champions. We'll put a pin on the questions for now, perhaps revisit after the Thomas Cardi interview. But I am so excited to say hello. Oh, okay, well, I'll get to it.

I was so excited to say hello to our first guest of the day. Our first guest of the day. Our first guest of the day is someone that I hold near and dear to my heart, who I've had the pleasure of interviewing and being around for many, many years, way back when. And we had a period there of eight or so years where we did not really communicate, interact

and then we reconnected in April of 2020 after an eight year hiatus, if you will, and we have not talked since. And so if you're keeping track, that's about 13 or so years and just one interview in between. That blows my mind. And recently on social media, I have seen that life's been treating him well, that he's in a great place, that he's doing exciting things. And so I thought, why not reconnect? Why not reunite with my old pal, Jason Mayhem Miller? And so without further ado, let us say hello

to the Afro mention. Hey! Jason Mayhem. You're burying the lead, Ariel Hawani. Okay, okay. That was your first interview, I believe. Ever? In the mixed martial arts, ever. That was your first interview, I believe.

Ever? In the mixed martial arts, ever. The first guy you interviewed, Jason Mayhem Miller. Okay, I don't know if that's accurate, but I do remember the first time we met, that was at the, where was it? I don't know. Oh.

It was at the MGM Grand. We were walking to the weigh-ins for UFC 84, and I saw you and I started to ask you questions about the dream tournament and you said Who are you? What do you want the scoop? You scoop McGillicuddy. Remember that? I do. Yeah, those were great times. Wow. It's so good to see you man. How are you? Well good to see you too brother. You know, I really appreciate what you've done with the sport and You've been a great contribution to all of mixed martial arts. I think people need to understand that and respect that.

Now to what you were saying earlier on the show, I think we teach Ankleyev 16 phrases and just make him smash everybody for a little while. Like triple G-esque, like I will smash you and that's it. Just like sit to those. Buddy, get that man on some duo lingo. Yeah. Stat, they got that in Dagestani?

I don't know. We can look into that. My kids are doing that these days, French, Spanish. By the way, what about this setup that you're at? Are you joining us from the critically acclaimed Adam Carolla show? Listen, bud. Best podcaster in the world, Adam Carolla.

Yeah, I'm on the show every day doing the news, okay? So we're in a little bit of competition, me and you. Yeah, no, no, I would never dare to compete with you. How did this happen? Cause Adam Carolla, like you said, one of the most popular podcasts out there. I mean, like, you know, we're here and here, but like, you know, one can dream, one can strive for big things.

Well, I'll tell you what, Adam Carolla just picked me out of the dustbin of history, okay? Okay. Dusted me off a little bit and said, hey, read the news. And here I am reading the news. It's a fantastic opportunity for me, because I've been in the media for so long,

on and off and on and off, like you said, that it puts my skills to test. Oh my God, it's an amazing partnership, but did you know him? How did this actually come about? Yeah. You know, I'm OG. Like you forget everybody thinks MMA just came out in 2020, but in mixed martial arts has been very popular in Los Angeles for a long number of years.

They had events before the UFC came to LA and I would fight in those and, you know, I'm the Hollywood fighter. So what happened was I would be on love line in the haunts and I'm talking love line, OG love line, everybody figured out how not to get herpes love line. And I was, uh, you know, a guest on that. And then, you know, I kept up with Adam. I always, uh, appreciated the man show all the OGs, uh, you know, uh, television product, Jux, he did movies and whatnot. And I just kept in touch. I appreciated the man show, all the OG television projects

he did, movies and whatnot. And I just kept in touch. And we hit pads before, because the guy's a boxer. So we had that in common. And eventually when this job opened up, here I am. How long have you been doing it for? Since last year. So I'm getting comfortable with the role.

I really have a newfound respect for you, Ariel, to really not just disseminate the information to the masses, you know, but also tune it up and make it digestible to whoever the hell is listening. And so, okay, so like if I tune into the show, you're, you're, you're legitimately telling me the news of the day? Yep, accurate, yeah. I'll talk to you about whatever the hell's going on. Adam gives his take, man, we get the populace educated.

Wow, and who compiles the news? Who decides what's going to be shared? I help with it, but yeah, we have a whole team, but that's the benefit of having such an established podcaster as your boss, the guy has a whole squadron, I'm looking at you guys right now, of people to help and make sure that I sound all right and look all right.

And, you know, I'm very blessed in that way. And, and so is this Monday through Friday? It is. And so has this given you some structure in your life? Not to suggest you didn't have, but like, this is a day to day job. I'll say this, it's definitely very helpful. Before this, I was pretty much coaching and

devoted my all my time to coaching. Now I have to split the time so I have a full plate, you know, but work ethic's never been a problem for me. It's more just been getting distracted. And I think with the daily work here, daily work in the gym, I don't know, I feel the happiest man in the world. Wow. Would you say right now you feel as perhaps you did, you know, over a decade ago when it seemed like, you know, bully beat down and you were actively competing? Is this better than those days? I did. I had a drop-off, okay, and a lot of fighters go through it. When you stop competing, all right,

you've devoted your entire life to just being competitive. And then now you don't have that outlet. And if you don't find it, then it gets spun off into something terrible. As we keep seeing on the news, you know, it's not a secret that a lot of mixed martial arts fighters from my era have gone through a lot of trouble. And I just went through

it a little earlier than them and uh figured it out before they have and I hope to God that they do pray for you BJ. Okay so I was actually just thinking of BJ as you were saying that because the last couple of days we've seen some troubling footage from BJ posted on his own social media when you see this. Yeah and look I don't I't, you know, it's sensitive to talk about, you know, and I hope he gets the help that he needs. And I believe he is. I reached out to some people and I think he can. I think he can.

I think he can figure this out. He's a champion in life. And you know, we don't want to see this kind of thing happen with the mixed martial arts fighters. I went through it real bad and I think there's a pathway for him to get some help. And from what I'm hearing, you know, I think it's gonna work out. Okay. I'm glad to hear that. Love BJ.

And he's a legend. You know, it's interesting because the sport is still so young. It's still about like 30, 31, 32 years old here in North America. And so I feel like only now are we starting to see the byproduct of the sport and what it could do to you and to some of the legends who now kind of face reality that the music has stopped that we would see

in boxing, but we used to say to ourselves, oh, this doesn't happen to MMA fighters. It's just that the sport didn't grow up enough for it to happen to MMA fighters, but now we're seeing people struggle and it's heart, it's heartbreaking to see, you know what I mean? I think everyone knew in boxing, like there's a framework to kind of help get the guys

from the ring to real life. And mixed martial arts, we don't really have that quite yet. And I feel like if I can help to frame that up, I'd love to. I think I am sort of trying to do that in this era. But, you know, every man has to walk his own path. Every champion has to find out how to become a champion in his own life after the ring. So it's, we're going to see this.

We're going to see this. And I think that if we come together as mixed martial arts community, that something better can happen for everybody. Do you think we'll ever see a day? I mean, there's always been talk of associations, unions, but even like a pension for retired fighters, if you fought X amount of times in a certain organization that you could get something, do you think any of that type of stuff that the athletes in the NFL NBA, et cetera, have will ever come to MMA? That's possible with the regime change.

Yeah. Okay. So not with this current regime. Well, I mean, I'm not sure they haven't, you know, invested any money in this type of thing. There's a lot more money needs to be invested in Slappley. Yes. So I get it. Will you stand to earn from the class action lawsuit

that was settled? Yes. Are you happy about this? Yeah, I'll be reinvesting that into my own show. So, you know, it's going to go back into martial arts. So yeah, but I'll benefit from that a little bit. Okay. I'm glad to hear that.

Can I ask, are you sober these days? I am. Amazing. The strange, you know, that's a strange buzzword, you know, but yeah, I've gotten myself together and like, I'm living proof that you can do it, you know, but yeah, I've gotten myself together and like, I'm living proof that you can do it, you know, it's not easy and it's not like, you know, if it was easy, everybody would just fall into it and it's easy to fall into that. So I think the judgment with people that they see some bad stuff on the internet,

you don't realize how easy it is with the right combination of toxic people and the classic bad friends. And you get caught up in a wave of negativity where it feels like positivity. But yeah, I really feel great and feel like I can start to pull up my fellow man. Um, how long have you been this way?

I mean, my whole life. No, no, no. Oh, you're talking, I thought you were talking about insane. No, uh, no, no, no, but, uh, I don't know. I've been, what, a couple of years now? I'm like, not one of them count the days. Sure, sure, every day I come to work, I get after it, I focus, determined, and I love my life.

Did you ever think that you would be in a position, like on a show like that, there were some dark days, no doubt, and maybe you weren't even in a position to think about where you were going or what was happening, but to see how far you have come. And let's be honest, there was a period where we didn't know how this story would play out. Are you still mad that Patrick Murphy knocked all your dolls on the ground?

Not at all. Not what this is about? No. Because if it is, I'll get him to send you an apology. No, absolutely not. It's one of the most memorable moments in the history of the program. But what I want to say is like seeing you on that set right now and seeing how healthy

you appear to be and how happy this warms my heart. You're like, you know, how many people love you. Yeah. You like, look, if you like cultivate that darkness, you know, you're just living like an animal day to day, seeing what's going to happen today. And I won't say that it wasn't hard to climb up out of it, but now that I am, I'm feeling spiffy.

Yeah. My question was, was there a point where you thought you would never climb out out of it? Like this was going to be your reality? Nah, nah, nah. If you remember a George St. Pierre fight, the whole time I was like, I'm about to win. About to win.

I was losing and I lost all three rounds, but I was like, I'm about to win. I'm losing and I lost all three rounds, but I was like, I'm about to win. I'm about to get them in a triangle. If you're still awake, if you're still alive, you could still win. Yes. Is that the one that you fixate on the most? Like the one that you wish you could get back?

Nah, yeah, a little bit. You know what? No, because the respect that I garnered through the mixed martial arts community on never giving up and really trying your hardest no matter what. And the standing ovation I got coming back to the gym after that fight, I'm gonna take it back.

Wow, you got a standing ovation when you came back. Buddy, listen, the guys over at Cobra Kai and Mark Lamas Gym train hard, focused, dedicated. But when I walked back into that gym with a black eye, everyone stopped rolling and gave me a Santa note. Wow, I love that. It was a big powerful moment in my life as a mixed martial artist to understand

that it's not just about winning, it's about how hard you fight. Your history with Nick Diaz well documented, it's one that we always wanted to see. And I saw recently you also reached out publicly to help him out. Did you receive any sort of reciprocation? Yeah, somebody gave me a note that, hey, look, he's getting it together. So, you know, that's what I got.

I don't know. I don't want to. Again, it's very sensitive to talk about sure guys journey because I have a lot of empathy for it. Because it's easy, like I said, to fall into this darkness. People do not understand how, you know, if you're a C-level celebrity, it's super easy where a lot of people will glob on to you and like drag you this direction, that direction. It's super easy to fall into let alone huge superstar champions like Nick Diaz and BJ Penn so it's hard for me to like come off without sounding negative about these guys experience right now but right now

look we see that it's not going perfect and both camps have told me that they're on the right path to get back together. Do you get any fighters who reach out to you like without you mentioning them and saying can you guide me, can you help me, how did you? Yeah well look man fighters look I learned from coaching professional fighters here in Los Angeles that it's like herding cats and not just regular cats. Okay. Jungle kitties with giant biceps and traps and just are slicing and dicing. So you have to herd these cats gently. Okay. And no like champion fighters is going to roll up ma'am,

I need your help. No, no one's going to do that. They're fighters. Okay. We're all tough. Where the big part of my problem was that I'm so independent and beastly, I could not ask for help from anyone. And when I finally, finally did, okay, when I finally did, I was immediately took to it, like mixed martial arts. Like I immediately took to it where, oh, I get it, oh, I get my discipline back, oh oh I get it, oh I get my

discipline back, oh I get to focus on a goal. You know it made it specific. I made it a game for myself where okay I can win this game. But until guys get to the point where they want to reach out and ask, you know no one asked the corner to throw the towel. I'll just give that metaphor. Nobody says, hey, will you throw the towel? No, no. Every guy who does the sport of mixed martial arts, even as a hobby has a little bit of fire in him. Something that like gets him determined

and gets him up to meet the next belt. Can you do me a favor? Do you mind helping out Jake Shields? Cause he seems to have lost his way a little bit. He's kind of taking some crazy pills as of late. Is there any way that you can help him out? Are you talking about his Hamas supporter now? I mean, that would be the least of the-

That's worse? Yeah, I mean- Oh, he's worse than that? Yeah, how do you feel about- Yeah, I heard, I heard. Look man, this is a miracle, okay? And why I do not defend what he says, I defend to the death his right to say it.

Oh yeah, no, no. You can say whatever you want. It's stupid, crazy shit. But I just thought maybe... What is he saying? Oh yeah, yeah. The Holocaust didn't happen. He skipped like six pages of the Holocaust book. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He didn't realize. Yeah, he figured it out.

Six million ain't enough. Yeah, he figured it out. I think it's, yeah, I look, I think it's detestable, but I believe that in America you can be as stupid as you want. Okay, fair enough. Really, like, again, he's not here to defend himself on this weird thing. I'm hearing that, yeah, he doesn't believe in a big chunk of World War II history, which is very offensive to me because I like World War II history. I don't know.

I don't know why this thing is a thing now, but I didn't have that on my bingo card, Holocaust denialism from Jake Schilt. Yes, no, no. Especially the guy that we used to speak to back in the day, he wasn't, sometimes I don't even think it's him writing this stuff. I think it's someone else writing it for him. But nevertheless

You're telling me that Jake Shields got a racist chat GPT? I don't know what it is. I think he figured out that he could get a lot of engagement off of this this this lunacy It's a good for how's this subscriber count? I don't fucking know. I want nothing to do it. I thought he got banned from X Elon could stop with that. No, I don't think he got banned from X. I thought even Elon could stop with that. No, I don't think he got banned. Maybe he's not getting paid because it's so like, think about that. Think about how bad you have to be to not get paid from that platform. I want to ask you about this.

I remember, I remember opening up Instagram in September of 2023 and I saw your picture. Do you know what I'm referring to? There was a picture of you and you wrote this very long, detailed and thoughtful post about, you know, coming back after you got released from jail and about what life was like, what you thought it was going to be, and then kind of slipping up. And I remember seeing that face and you looked very skinny.

You had a shaved head. You know what I'm talking about? This picture right here. Yeah, bro. This is tough. This is tough times right here, bud. Yeah, like at this point, okay, some fan had challenged me to a grappling match

in a five-star hotel and I choked him out in front of the bouncers. I like was really on some ruckus, okay? And I had just had enough, you know, I had enough. And that's when I like checked myself into an impatient and like Went for the whole ride and I just cleaned up my act put on a

Spiffy jacket and started smiling to aero hawani in my head and now here a couple years later Here we are that was that the turning point that day or that period Yes that period but I like was just wandering around downtown Skid Row, getting hunted for my suitcase. And like, you know, if you want to talk like an AA story, like that's it right there. I just slept on a mattress in the middle of the street. I didn't give it like just living feral like an animal like I'll just straight up say it a monster just living like I'm choking choking blue belts out at the montage I don't know man I had enough I had enough and I determined to climb up out of it get

rid of like the old-style mayhem and then bring a brand new mayhem and the hell like a job yes so you were legit homeless. I mean, yeah, yeah, if you wanna call it that. I like just did like a abandon all, you know, like the Buddha sort of thing where you just abandon all things that you, personal possessions. I went full Fight Club, dude.

If I would have found a rundown old house, I would have took it over and well actually I did do that at one point in my life. Now, yeah, I just had a crazy rundown house, just like a million mayhem monkeys inside of it. It was really bizarre. So only time the cops stopped harassing me actually. When you were out there, were people like, oh, I know you, I watched you on TV, I recognize you. Were you getting people that came up to you like that? Yeah, yeah. The people would tap me up, but I look like a maniac.

So even if they did recognize me, I don't think they'll come straight up to me. Okay, man, what a journey, what a life. But I'm glad that everything is okay now. And it seems like you still keep up with MMA, right? You still watch it. I'm all over it. Yeah.

You know, I'm all over it. I take, you know, I have the time and effort, mental acuity to pay attention to the fights now, and I really enjoy it. I think everyone's all bummed out for the wrong reasons. Like, I think right now, all the champions are coming, they're saying, oh, they're boring. If you're boring, you don't really know the sport.

Like, and honestly, they're saying, oh, they're boring. If you're boring, you don't really know the sport. Like, and honestly, they start matchmaking guys correctly, the fights won't be boring. Like, there's a way to make all those champions that are in there who have some more wrestling skills than average, there's a way to make those cards exciting. So this narrative that I talk about on the show that there's maybe a lack of stars right now, you're not subscribing to this.

You don't believe me. Look, I'll say, okay, they're not stars, but match them up, okay. They can't speak as well English that you think English speak well. Do a lingo, but I think there's potential to have super exciting fights out of these so-called boring fighters. Who's your favorite guy to watch right now?

Who's like, who's mayhem's number one dude? I mean, buddy, look, Marab is not boring. Like he just comes with a muscle. Like somebody shot this muscle head out of a cannon and he just goes hard. I think he's got a year or two of holding that strap. Like where are they going to find a guy in the jungles of Afghanistan? I don't know. I don't know where they're going to find a guy to smash that guy at that weight. Look, man, it's just that he's an exciting fighter to

watch that again gets this weird, oh, he's not exciting. Yes, he is. I mean, that's my guy. Well, who's your guy right now? Well, you know, you know, you know what I want to say? Like the one thing that I always loved about you was at your height, you were the only guy in America to become popular and not have the UFC push you, right? You, you, you were popular. The opposite. You were the opposite. Yes. You're the only guy. I made myself. I know I made myself. Look, I, there's no secret. I didn't get along with the bald guy. Okay. Never did.

So, you know, I, I, all of ranch to him now. I, I think what he's doing right now is good. It's adequate. Uh, UFC needed to grow to this size needed to be what it is today, you know? And, um, yeah, I had to go my own path. I saw mixed martial arts is a very different thing. And, you know, with bully beat down, I taught the kids, okay, this is MMA. You know, I didn't know what was going to happen at that time.

People forget the UFC was on like, I don't know, weird, like shaky ground where it didn't have enough money really. And it didn't, it was a different time. We didn't know what was going to happen with a new organization come take their market share no no they did right smart business decisions all around they figured out how to like be homogenized into mainstream culture and yeah that's where it sits today I think it's interesting what happened what kind of me out is that there's no organizations out there outside of the UFC that

allows fighters to do that. Right. The only other major organization in the United States is PFL and they make the fighters wear uniforms. And so I feel like it's very hard for another Jason may have Miller to emerge outside of the UFC because there are no elite XCs.

There are no strike forces anymore. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah. Well, I think that the it's fluid right now. I think that there are gonna, there's a whole different class of like influencer fighter coming up. They're coming, they're not signed with UFC,

they're not taking the traditional path. There'll be something different soon. Okay, by the way, is it true, Frank Mir tried to kill you in a training session? That's what I heard. He told us the- See, I think I got him with the way, is it true Frank Muir tried to kill you in a training session? That's what I heard. He told us. I think I got him with the move, didn't I? What happened? What happened? I caught him with the choke. He was mad, tried to chase me around. I don't know. I was like making 170 too. I think that really put a something in his craw. I think. I'm pretty sure, the story I remember

is I tapped him with some weird thing that he did, and then he wanted to kill me. Yeah, yeah, I think so, yeah. But everybody wanted to kill me. I'm unkillable. I still, I was saying to the crew back here, my favorite MMA photo of all time. You know which one it is?

Of course, I still got it tacked up there because you, you know, on Instagram, because you said it was the best photo. So I take that, man, ah, man, it's the crown's heavy right here for this photo. God bless you, man. Yeah. And the great Esther Lin shot it. There you are. Great. Great. Yes. Oh yeah. Because this is a, I agree, this is a fantastic photo. Esther Lin has taken all the best MMA photos.

I don't know where, man, she just knows how to, some about composition, you know, there's color, palette. There's other art words that I know. When you see that photo, what comes to mind? It's a beautiful moment, you know, a moment that I had worked my whole life towards, you know, and especially a hero of mine, Sakuraba. So just a swirling whirlwind of emotions inside you

when you accomplish something like this, that's, you know, indescribable. And, you know, you can't really catch that feeling in the grocery store. Yes. By the way, when's the last time you went to Japan? Oh, I haven't really catch that feeling in the grocery store. Yes. By the way, when's the last time you went to Japan? Oh, I haven't been in a while. I'm planning on going back.

Look, I have a store. I'm a partner in JapanLA, okay? JapanLA.com. Okay. Sell adorable Sanrio merchandise. Everything from Japan that's cute lands on my doorstep. I have so many plushies and it's like, you would not expect mayhem to be the Hello Kitty King, but he is.

Wow. And yeah, yeah. So check it out. You'll, you'll have it. Look, you want something for your kids? I got you, bud. I appreciate that. So, so, so what, to recap, Adam Corolla show, Japanla.com.

Still some coaching. Yes. Yeah. Coaching. Yeah. I coach a fight science. The guy look, knife face, look out for him. Brady Hong, you get tapped.

If you roll with Brady Hong long enough, one of the best jujitsu artists that we've seen in a while has got a title fight in Pittsburgh coming up. Knife face gonna fight on the next UNF card for sure. And why do you call him knife face? Yes. He's got a knife on his face. Legit, like tattooed?

Oh yeah. Okay, all right. That makes sense. And look, he's a crowd pleaser. Like he brings the ruckus every fight, okay? Every fight he gets in a phone booth brawl it's just how it is it just is wiring he's from North Carolina so uh yeah he gets after it and Brady Hong has taken home four I think in a row ACLs so you know all your orthopedic surgeon fire up the MRI hey if you're fighting Brady by the way we've seen this new outfit, GFL,

sign a lot of the older guys. Did they reach out to you? It's very interesting. Yeah, no, I don't know. I didn't talk to them at all. I talked to somebody who talked to them. I'm fascinated by this GFL. I think with you, maybe you got the scoop,

scoop McGillicutty. Yes, yes, yes. But is it legitimate? Is it going to have a big show? Like, tell me. OK, so they're planning on having their first show in May. You know, they've dished out a lot of big contracts. They've cut a lot of big checks.

They're signing a lot of big names. I will just say my concern is it's a lot of money being paid out before your first show. And when you don't have a distribution deal, when you don't have a broadcast platform, where are you going to make that money back? Ticket sales, tough. You need something, you need something to bring

in the revenue, sponsorship, tough off the bat. And so I love it. I'm rooting for them. The one thing I will say that I don't love, I don't love this whole season format, playoffs, points, standings. We've seen this before. Yes.

IFL just make the big fights, just make the big fights, make them happen and that's it. But I hope everyone gets paid. I mean, I think they, all of you guys deserve back pay upon back pay upon back pay for all the things that you did, especially you guys. Like you guys, in my opinion, you were there, you were helped make this sport what it is today.

You helped explode the sport into the mainstream and you guys didn't get what you were owed. Yeah. Well, you know, life ain't fair. Yeah. So, you know, we're just moving forward, uh, trying my best. Uh, and we're all mixed martial artists together. I was, yeah, I thought you were gonna say

something profound there. Look, there's nothing profound needs to be said. Life isn't fair. The way that things work out is like, sometimes you have to make a bad deal because that's the only deal that there is. That's true. If that's not profound, I don't know what else is.

No, no, you're 100% right. This has been great. I know you have to get ready for your show, so I will leave it at that. Hey, look, I'm so, I wanna come on another time. Please. Give me a segment, bro, what's up? Oh, you want your own segment on this show too?

Ha ha! Are you not exclusive to Corolla. I don't know I don't know I've had to damn now that I think about it. Maybe I'm just getting fired right now Don't work for Ariel. Hoani mayhem. Yeah, go ahead. See how it is in New York. It'll be freezing your ass off But I think we are owed because the last time I think I saw you in person Was that lucky Patrick interview and so I think- Oh really? Oh you're right man. I think we are owed a-

I was just up there too for Toy Fair and you know what I mean? I could have knocked all your freaking dog fucking- No I'd rather not. But next time you're here please tell us. Please tell us and we'd love to have you in. I will man, I will man. It's fantastic to talk to you. I really appreciate your time brother. Yeah you're the man Jason. All the best to you. Keep up the great work and so, so happy

that you're in a good place. Keep it up. God bless. All right, there he is. The great, the one and only, the inimitable, the incomparable, the often imitated, never ever will be duplicated, Jason Mayhem Miller. I mean, does that not warm your heart?

If you're an OG fan of the program, if you're an OG fan of MMA, how does that not warm your heart? how does that not warm your heart? How does that not warm your heart? You know, a lot of people have said to me that we need to have like more legends on and maybe they're right. Maybe they're right.

Does that not warm your heart, Rick? Does that not warm your heart? It absolutely does. Rick, were you not there when he hit over our toys? I was there. I saw the whole thing happen firsthand. How is this possible? He's so stunned, he's emotional outside toys. I was there. I saw the whole thing happen firsthand. How is this possible? He's so stunned, he's emotional outside.

One of the feel- I can't speak. One of the feel-est, goodest moments in the history of the new era, and he's nowhere. Where is he? I'm getting a guest. What guest? Oh.

I have work to do. Yeah, all right, fine. Leave me alone. OK, fine, fine, fine. I can't believe that he's not here for the, like, if there was anyone who needed to be here. You know what? It's Frank.

He saw most of it. He saw most of it, he literally just walked out. It's Frank, it's James Dolan, it's the Buffalo Bills, it's Rick now, I'm sorry. I for one would welcome Rick helping us. Well, it's totally Daniel Cormier, Daniel. Well, that was great and I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. Now, we move along, I told you at the top of the show,

over at uncrowned.com. We are celebrating the top 25 superstars in all of combat sports under 25 in the year 2025. I mean, how catchy is that? And wouldn't you know it, a young man who was victorious at UFC 313 this past weekend is on our list coming in at number 11 is the pride of Myanmar the one and only Joshua Van and he is kind enough to join us right here and now for the first time there he is hello Josh how are you? I'm doing good man how you doing? I'm doing great it's great to have you on the show did you know about this list that we put out earlier today? Yeah, my manager hit me up yesterday and oh no, I don't know about this one. Oh, yeah This is this is even more this is even more impressive. So these are in our opinion the top 25

Under 25 athletes in combat sports. So we're including MMA boxing and wrestling and we have you coming in there at number 11. How about that? Nice. Yep, nice. What I wanted you to say was, f that number 11, I should be number one. True. Give me some time, give me some time, you know. All right, cool. Well, congratulations on all your success and congratulations on another big win this past weekend. You've been on some kind of role as of late in the UFC and I'm wondering at such a young age, like is this all happening quicker than you thought? Did you envision all of this? When were you born?

2002? 2001. 2001. So you're what, 24 years old? This is all happening at such a young age for you? Is this what you expected? Yeah, 23 but yeah I expect you know what I mean like my thing is to stay active and stuff like that so I knew that if I stay active enough that I'll be here but you know what I mean I was yeah it just felt surreal man. Three fight winning streak you've got six wins via knockout, two via submission. You made your UFC debut just 21 months ago, so this is a lot of activity and you've already

fought seven times, a lot of activity in a very short amount of time. Is this just a byproduct of your age that you're able to be so active? Are you asking for fights? What has been the secret to you getting in there so many times? Because there's a lot of fighters who would say, I wish I could be this active. I mean, you know, a lot of fighters say they wish they could be active, but when they did offer them, a lot of people don't take it, you know what I mean? I'm the type of guy that asks for a fight, and when they actually come for it, I take it, you know what I mean?

I never say no to a fight, so that's probably why they give me a lot of fight too. How did you feel about the the fight because I think you were a little bit upset that you didn't get the stoppage on Saturday against Ray Tsuruya. Yeah man I wanted to get the stoppage you know what I mean especially it was my first time representing my country and stuff like that so I wanted to show out for Myanmar you know what I mean but I was a little disappointed but you know I was happy? But I was a little disappointed, but I was happy with the performance. Okay, so explain this to me,

because you say it's your first time representing your country, but this was your seventh UFC fight. And so I believe what you're referring to is you were able to carry the flag, right? On route to the cage. Why was this the first time that you were able to do this? You know, I always represent the country when I used to fight in the local and stuff like that, but when I got to the UFC, I was trying to carry my flag, but

you know what I mean, my country is going through a civil war right now maybe that's the reason, but the reason they told me was they didn't know Myanmar was a country. And that was the first thing they told me was they didn't know Myanmar was a country. And that was the first thing they told me. So my second fight I did it again. And then they told me there was like a commission that I had to confirm that it was a country, you know.

And so my last fight, I mean, the fight before my last one, when I fought Cody, I made a mouth guard of Myanmar flags and I asked Dana White and the UFC to let me carry my flag and yeah, from my last fight, they finally confirmed it. Amazing. What did that feel like, walking out carrying the flag? Man, it felt amazing, man. The whole week, it was just like smiling, laughing, you know what I mean? Just enjoying the moment. And just curious I mean we're all proud

of where we come from I'm from Canada I love the Canadian flag I love to support it I love to hold it and represent it for you is it because of the time that we're in right now because of what's happening you want to give the people back there you know something to be proud of some kind of light are you trying to to represent a positive image for the country on the biggest of stages? Yeah, man, especially when they go through a tough time like this, I wanted to show the younger generation or the people that still live there. You know, I still got family out there too. So I wanted to show that Myanmar has something that's going,

like something that is good going, you know what I mean? So I wanted to show the world that we still got something going on. You were born there, right? Yeah, I was born there. And you moved when you were 12? I moved to Malaysia in 2010, and then I got here when I was 12. Okay and what was life like there when you were when you were you know I guess one through eight, one through nine? One through nine, it was it was great man. It was great like because I mean our parents suffer through all the

the thing you know what I mean but as a kid all we know is playing around And stuff like that so the memories I have over there was It was good. It was freedom and I guess I apologize for putting you on the spot But can you explain why there is a civil war right now? You know I really want to get to the the political, but it's like the military take, try and take control by force. Okay. And when's the last time you've been able to go back home?

I haven't been back. See? Okay. You haven't. And then you guys, you moved to Texas? Yeah, we, this is when we got here we got here, this is where I live. Yeah. Yeah, I'm from Texas.

Did you know about MMA when you, prior to moving to America? No. Who got you into it? So, you know, when you first got here, like you don't speak no English or nothing. So, you know, I was a smaller kid. so when people pick on me and stuff like that so I used to have to fight a lot in in the school and in the street like that so you know what I mean I got

into some trouble and you know when I keep defending myself like I start to enjoy fighting you know what I mean so now I hang out I hang out with some some like you know what I mean some bad people I guess you know what I mean and then got got myself into a situation where I had to leave the the city so now I have to move to Iowa with my auntie and when I lived there you know when I when I moved there I still got in trouble with the same thing, you know Still getting a fight and doing things that I weren't supposed to do but then my auntie She had a talk with me. She was like why you always got in a fight, you know You you really think you're real man or something like that and I was like, yeah, I'm a real man Like I'm beating up people

You know, she was like nah, that's not how a real man fight for his country. And he used Manny Pacquiao as an example. He was like, look at Manny Pacquiao fighting for his country. You don't want to be that type of person. And that's the start right there. Wow. That is amazing. Because I've read that you said that your background

is in street fighting. You used to get into a lot of these. Yeah, a lot of fighting. Almost every day, man. Isn't that exhausting? No, I love it. Cause I used to watch like those YouTube street fight and school fight and I like to try it out on the street just to see if they really work.

Now like how often were you picking the fights? You know I'm the type of, I don't pick a fight. Like I just look at people like, you know what I mean? Like me mugging in them and then I'll wait for them to do something. And then right there and then. Why were you so angry? Uh, I don't know. I was there.

That's because I can't speak English so that's the only way I can get attention, you know? I think that's what it was. So when you moved to America, you couldn't speak any English? No, not at all. Oh my gosh, and you were relatively small so people were picking on you. Yeah, so they calling us names, you know how they call the Asian people

and stuff like that. So. Do you have siblings? Yes. I got four sister. Four? You're the only boy? I'm the only boy.

Golly. Where are you as far as like the ages go? I am the second youngest. And were they getting into fights too? Uh, my second oldest, yes, but yeah, everybody else no. Okay, and did they all move with you to America? Uh, my oldest sister is still in Malaysia. Okay. You know, she's still in a refugee camp and stuff like that, but everybody else is here.

Okay, and how about your parents? Yeah, my mom is here with us. Okay, when you say refugee camp, why is she there? You know, what happened in our country, my dad and my mom, they seek for a better opportunity, so that's the reason why we moved to Malaysia. And when we was about to come to the United the United States my sister got married so she had to stay behind so that's the reason why she stayed it oh

wow okay and are you trying to get her to come to the US or is she happy there yeah yeah she yeah we working on it right now, sir. Okay, so there's a there's a lot on your shoulders here. I Have a show. Yeah, do you feel like when you're when you're fighting and and perhaps that's why you wanted to you know To carry the flag There's there's a big spotlight on you and you could shed a light on some of these things to help out your people and your family in particular Yeah, and also my thing is, you know how Thailand and Myanmar is so close, and when you say Thailand,

a lot of people know, but when you say Myanmar, people are like, where is Myanmar? So that's the reason why I'm so big on representing my country, just because I want the world to know what Myanmar is, you know what I mean? And so who actually introduced you to MMA? Like when you were, you know, you're getting into these street fights, like how do you go from that to going into a gym and actually learning to be a pro fighter?

I mean, when I used to fight a lot, you know, a lot of my friends are like, you got talent, man. You should, you should do MMA. We don't know it was MMA. We call it UFC. You know, they call it UFC. They was like, you should do UFC. And I don't know it was MMA, we call it UFC, you know, they call it UFC. They was like, you should do UFC. And I don't know what it was, you know, I was 17, 18 at that time.

And I saw when Conor McGregor and Mayweather was having a press conference and all the back and forward thing. Yeah. And I was like, who is this crazy motherfucker that keeps talking shit? I had, I do some research on him and I see him knocking people left to right, you know? So I'm like, I want to be just like him. So that's how I know MMA.

Yo, this is crazy shit right here. That's 2017. Conor is already a megastar and you stumble upon this and say who's this guy and let me see what he's about and then you see that and then you're like let me try this you had no background in martial arts no no that was not that long ago that was eight years ago yeah that's that's when I know what MMA was that is great I mean first of all this makes me feel incredibly old I was in attendance for that press conference the one in Toronto in particular when they were going back and forth and all the stuff with

The book bag and all that And you're just a kid seeing this on some kind like YouTube or something and now all of a sudden You're in the UFC fighting on one of the the big cards of the year in Las Vegas Yeah, it's crazy right? Yes, it's not Vegas. Yeah it's crazy right? Yes. It's crazy. It's nuts. So when you start to like look into this, do you just go to a local gym? No, after that, after that, like I said my auntie and I have, I had a talk so that night, you know what I mean, I made a decision and I called my mom. I was like, look, I will come back to Houston. Let me just go to the gym. And she didn't let me go to the gym,

when I got back to Houston. Cause she know that, I mean, she think that if I join the gym, I already love fighting as it is. So she think that if I go to the gym, I'll just use that to fight even more, you know what I mean? But then she didn't let me go, but then I did some research like by myself, you know what I mean? And then I went to the closest gym.

And you know what I mean? Like, you know how like the free trials and all that? Yeah. But we did that. And then I go there. I like it, you know what I mean? But then when they asked me for like a month pay or no no a month pay You know like we the gym fee. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I don't have no money So I have to go back to my mom and tell her look I already signed up you got to pay this

So she paid for a whole year. Oh, wow after that like I think she watched me train for a month and then she started seeing how much I love it and I don't go outside no more. When people beat me up in the gym, I'm trying to actually get better, so I want to work on it, so I don't have time to go out

and get in trouble no more, so she loved it. Wow. And is it that early that you start to think, I'm good enough, I that you start to think like, I'm good enough, I can make it to the UFC, or was there a moment later on where you believe that this could happen?

I never thought I could make it to the UFC when I first started. I just train so I can beat up people in the gym. You know, because when I first got there, I used to fight in the street, so I thought I know how to fight. When I got there, I get to fight in the street, so I thought I know how to fight. When I got there, I gave my ass whoop and stuff like that. So I was just trying to beat the guy that beat me.

You know what I mean? So I was, yeah. And so when did you start to believe that you could actually make it to the UFC? When I win my amateur title. Okay. Yeah. You just got into the, I saw you,

they put you into the Fury FC Hall of Fame. Yeah, they did. Yeah, look at you. Started with them and you know what I mean? Look at this, you got a jacket and everything. Yes, sir. There you go, shout out to Eric, man They always you know, I mean, I'm always grateful for them I saw I saw on your Instagram. Can I ask it says that your name is Joshua van

I hope I'm not screwing this up. Bowie twang Joshua van boy tall. Okay, so that's your full name. Yeah Why do you just go by Joshua Van then? It's because you know how a lot of people have a hard time saying it, so I just go with the man, but yeah. Your nickname is the fearless? Yes sir. Where did that come from? They went, I fought a smoker and the ref was like, oh, I like this guy. So he called me the Savage. And you know what I mean?

I didn't like being called the Savage. So I was like, I talked to my coaches. I'm like, look, man, you guys gotta come up with a new nickname. And you know what I mean? They've been thinking for like a couple of months, but they never come up with a new nickname and you know what I mean they've been thinking for like a couple months but they never come up with a new nickname so one day I watched a show called Viking and there is a Ragnar the Fealers and I just took the name. Wow, in excuse me in your bio it says if God is

for us who could be against us this is Bible verse, why do you choose that one? Romans 8.31. Because of just the life that I go through, you know? There's a lot of times where I'm supposed to be dead, you know what I mean? So I feel like God gave me a second chance at life to be in this position, you know what I mean? I feel like God gave me a second chance at life to be in this position, you know what I mean? So I feel like if God is for me, then nobody can beat me.

So that's my favorite Bible verse. You really feel that way, that there were times where you could have been dead? Yeah, like there were times like, you know, going to a bad situation in the street. And then there was one point of time where I was drowned and people were shocked. I don't know how I came back alive.

You know what I mean? So things like that. Wow. How old were you when that happened? I was 17. And where were you? We was in Galveston. Okay. and what happened We was We went to a church

like a youth church picnic and you know, I mean, I was having fun in in the beach and Yeah, I Like the water just pull me, you know what I mean? So my brother-in-law, he basically come and save me, you know what I mean? And he lost his life trying to save me. And I thought I was going to die too right there and then, you know what I mean? And I don't know what happened, but I feel like the water pushed me. There's no way to explain the way I came back into the, I don't know how you say it, like the shore, right?

Sure, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I don't know how I got pushed back to the shore by the water. Like, I was literally, like my feet didn't touch no grounds or nothing. But, yeah. Holy shit, man, I'm so sorry that you lost your brother-in-law through that. Yeah, it was crazy. What was his name?

His name is Van. Van, oh wow, and how old was he? He was, I think he was 27 or 28 at that time. Yeah, man. Uh, so you really have been through a lot. Yeah. And, and, and now how do you, how do you try? And obviously that's, that's a freak accident, but how do you, you know, you've got so much going

for you and you're on this incredible path and you're one of the brightest young stars in the sport. How do you keep your head straight? Who's around you to allow you to not stray away and get into problems? Right after I lost my brother-in-law, I lost my dad and things like that. So I feel like God prepared me for this type of life.

You know what I mean? So like, you know, my mental is just bulletproof now because of what I go through in the past, you know what I mean? So, I feel like everything happened for a reason, and God has just prepared me for this moment right here. Yeah, yeah. Is it hard at times to process all the good things that are happening to you because you've been through so many tough things? Yes, I'm telling you know I do miss them and when I'm I go to the grave grave and talk to them, right? This past weekend, you know getting to be on a card with the likes of Alex Pereira and Justin Gaethje

She's some of the the best fighters and biggest names in the sport. What was that experience like for you? some of the the best fighters and biggest names in the sport what was that experience like for you? Now it was is like this is my second time with Alex Pajero you know what I mean it's always a great card when he's in there so it's perfect yeah I love it. Did you did you think he lost the fight did you watch it? I think he lost the fight yeah yeah. How quickly do you want to return?

I already hit up Mick and my manager. So next month. Oh, you're ready to go. Yeah. I just did my workout this morning. So I'm already back in the gym. In a perfect world, who are you fighting next? Hopefully top 10 or top 5.

Yeah, I heard you call the rankings bullshit. Oh, they bullshitting, man, because how do they take me out of the ranking without taking a loss? You know what I mean? That's... Yeah, it's crazy. Are you back in now? I don't know. I haven't checked. Let's see. Let's see. I mean, now that I know it's bullshit bullshit like there's no point of checking you know. Yeah, no you're not. What the hell man?

Yeah. That's messed up. I actually beat a ranked guy to be in there and you know they just took me out so I don't know what they, yeah I don't know what they got going on. Yeah, you've won three in a row. Like I said, you had Prior to the Charles Johnson fight, which is the loss, you had won one, two, three, three, another three in a row So you're six and one in the UFC. Yeah, you deserve to be in there It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. You got time How far away do you think you are from fighting those top guys? You know, in the Flyweight division, I think it depends on who you fight, you know. So, if I fight the right people and the right fight, then I'm probably like two fights away and then the title continues.

Okay. And what about the fact that you made history? You and Ray made history on Saturday, the first fight between two people born in the 2000s. Oh shit, I don't even think about that. You didn't know that, no one told you that? I mean, I see the pose and all that. It's crazy. I didn't think it like that, you know what I mean? It's nuts, man. You guys, like, you're babies.

Yeah. But you could kick everyone's ass, including mine. By the way, what's the relationship between you and the Houston Texans? I see you doing some stuff with them. Yeah, man, you know, they just came to my gyms, and we did, we worked together, man. They bring me some jersey and take some pictures

and stuff like that. You a fan of them I yeah yeah say yes yes yes you love them you watch all their games your big day Stroud guy yes you know amazing well great to meet you and congrats on all your success and thank you for coming on and sharing your story with us I really appreciate it thank you for coming on and sharing your story with us. I really appreciate it. Thank you for having me, man. Especially with you, man, you know what I mean? I'm a big fan of you because I've been watching you for a while.

Oh, thank you. Yeah, and a couple of my friends, they told me to give them a shout out. Is that cool? Go ahead, man. Shout everyone out. Frank, Daniel Pineda, BT. Hey, I give you guys a shout out.

Yeah, much love. Now they better pay you for those shout outs. They don't come free. Yes, sir. All the best, Josh. The first of many, hopefully on the program. Continued success and my best two in your family. Thank you, Matt. Thank you for having me.

There he is, Joshua Vann. What a story. And how could you not root for him? How could you not want the best for that man shout out to? To him and for representing his his home country of Myanmar That is that is incredible stuff, and I wasn't sure was he was he shouting out mysterious Frank absolutely I thought that that's what he was doing. That's quite. I didn't know you guys We yeah, we have a lot in common. I didn't know you were boys, you know, I also lived in Houston. That's right That is right

What a story on Frank born in 2001. That's insane. What were you doing in 2001? I was walking No, I was in walking sophomore high school. Yeah, you know what, I actually started to explain where I was on 9-11, 2001. Oh, wow. You know what? Let's see. Joshua Vann, let's see when his birthday is. So he's gonna turn 24. He was born, believe it or not, almost exactly a month after 9-11, October 10th. So he's still got some time before he turns 24. Unbelievable. I had already started the Great White Northern Sports Show, the main event. I had already started it before he was born. Started in September of 2001. That is crazy. Wow. Amazing. What a story

and looking forward to seeing what he can do from here. Okay. We move along to our next guest. Very, very excited about the opportunity to speak to him because it has been a while since we spoke to him and it's been a while since we last saw him in action. July of 2023 to be exact, had a fight against Alex Perrin. Think about all the stuff that has happened since then. That was the fight where Justin Gaethje beat Destin Poirier to become the BMF champion in that exhibition. On exhibition, I'm still not quite sure what it is. Well, he returns to action next Saturday in London in a very important fight in the 205 pound division

against Carlos Ulberg. He is the pride of Poland himself, the one and only Jan against Carlos Alberg. He is the pride of Poland himself. The one and only Jan Wachowicz. Jan, my old friend, how are you? Thank you. I'm very good. Long time no see. Yes. Where have you been Jan? It's been so long. It's been over a year and a half. Everywhere and nowhere. Why have you been away for so long? Why was your last fight in July of 23?

Because of my surgery. I have two surgeries. Left shoulder, right shoulder. Gravitational was very long for me. Very tough. I didn't expect that. That's going to be so long and so tough. I have a couple surgeries in my life, but definitely this was the worst. The worst. Wow. Yeah, that

was the worst. I think the night not coming back, you know, that was so close that I say fuck it, you know. But finally, I wake up one day and I feel that okay, we've got one step forward. I feel better. And I go to the gym, I do my training, okay, it's much better than a couple weeks ago. I can start training normally. Okay, let's go, let's do it. Wow, so it was so hard, it was so tough that you actually thought about retiring at one point.

Was very close, you know? Wow. Make this decision, so say I cannot do it anymore, but I survived this bad time and back in shape again. And so when you fought Pera, your next fight was supposed to be against Alexander Rakic, and that's when you injured your shoulder and had to withdraw. Which shoulder was that? Both. That wasn't like I go to the gym and I feel something happened. It was like month, but my, you know, it was like, how to say, you understand me. Yeah, an accumulation.

I feel the shoulders very bad, couple of years. But after a couple of months, after two months before the fight with Rakic, I start feeling much worse. Everything, I feel pain. I cannot move my hands like before, I lost a lot of power, and I make this is okay. I cannot train in this level like this, you know. I can do this like for, you know, just for fun,

but not for pro fighter in this level. So I go to doctor and he say, we need to make surgery. If you want to do this in high level, you need to fix it. And I say, okay, we have to do it. And we do it. And did you get surgery on both shoulders at the same time? No, that will be hard to live. That would be very hard, yes.

Very hard, maybe not for me, but for my fiance. Yes, yes. No, I couldn't imagine. So you do one, then you recover, and then you do another one. One festival was, I think, left one, and after three months, the right one. Okay. I had read that you said at times it was getting so tough that you were crying. It was so difficult.

Yeah. Wow. Very. Maybe not cry, but I was very disappointed, you know. And I almost like that, I almost will say, okay, I think I will not coming back, but I survived this, you know, and I'm here again. I feel it again, the emotion.

Ultimately, why do you come back? Like, why do you put yourself through this? You've become UFC champion, you've had a great career. What was the motivation? Because I want to. That's a the motivation? Because I want to. That's a good answer. Because I want to do it. I don't have to do it.

I can quit right now and have a good life, but it's something what I love to do. And I feel this is my passion also, and I just love it. That's why I just want to do it a couple more times. Did you miss everything that goes into a big fight, the fight week, the crowd, the energy, the anxiety? Did you miss all those things? Yes, but I started to do completely different things to not think about this thing, to not waste energy for that but now when you know when UFC with camera was with me I start feeling

again you know this emotion I start feeling and I'm very excited you know now I know how I miss it now I feel it you know. When you talk about doing those other things are you referring to climbing mountains because I've seen on your social media you're climbing all kinds of mountains these days. Yeah this is something what I love to do when I have just free time I go to the mountains. I also was in the some TV show. Oh yeah that was like as express I don't know that you know it. One month that was like a race you've got the there is like 12 teams. You've got you take only one of your friends and there's like 12 teams.

You take only one of your friends and there's 12 teams like this. Two people in one team and it's like a race. You know, we need to, without money, without phone, you need to ask people for help to get from point A to point B. And it's, you know, that was in the Philippines and Taiwan and it makes like one month and I won this show.

You won the show. Yeah. Wow. Is this a Polish show? No, it's a it's you've got something like a American Express. Okay. Okay. Is it like amazing race? Yeah, something like this. Amazing. And, and you were you on a team or you were by yourself? With my friend that was like, you know, my team was me and my friend and it was like 12 teams like this. Wow. And as a result of

winning, what do you win? What I won? Yeah. Some money, but everything what I won was for charity. Okay. And that was like, you know, amazing adventure, you know, imagine you go to Taiwan and Philippines without, you know, any, you can, you don't use money. You cannot use your phone. You just, you know, you have to survive in the, you know, to ask people for help, find food, money, place to sleep, catch, you know, stop to take you to the different place when you have to finish the race. Wow.

So where do you sleep? Everywhere. I ask people, can I sleep in your home? It's like, you know, TV show, you have to explain everything to local people. And yeah, and they help us. People can help you. People help you still there. You can find help us people can help you people help you still

there you can find people they want to help you any of these people recognize you and say I know you you're UFC champion sometimes sometimes it helps sometimes not that yeah Wow so my face save our lives save your life. But you know in the they help us to win the race. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, so, you know, to come on take us there because we don't have money. No money, I cannot take you there. But okay, you're in Bohemia. Yes, I am. Okay, come to my car. I will take you. Unbelievable. This must give you an appreciation for your your your normal life, right? Now that you get all these things back, the money, the shelter, the food, all that. Yeah, you know, after something like this, you are happy you're coming home and you've got your bed and hot shower. Yes. Oh my gosh.

So you had to do almost these like thrilling things to make up for not being able to fight right yeah okay and so when they when they offered you Carlos Ulberg upon returning what did you think of the matchup were you happy with it yeah I was happy you know I choose the place and the time they send me Carlos Ulberg I said okay after his fight against alldemir, I think that's gonna be him. I'm happy, you know, seven wins in a row, young, good fighter, it's time to stop him, you know, I'm happy. In this part of my career, it's a very good fight for me. We are speaking to you just a few days after Magomed Ankaleev beats Alex Pereira and

and Ankaleev is obviously someone you know in Pereira, someone you know. Were you surprised that he was able to beat Pereira? No, I think that he... I always say that for me it's 50-50 with a little bit more on the Pereira side, but every day when the fight was closer, I think that maybe Ankaleev can do it, you know, did you think he had won the fight? Did you score it for him? I don't, I don't, I don't see the fight yet. Oh wow.

You know, I know I don't see the fight yet because I focus about my fight. I don't watch fights before my fight. You know, I don't want to put different things in my head. Wow. This is, this is what I do. You know, I don't want to put different things in my fight. I don't want to put different things in my head. This is what I do. Like three weeks before fight. I watch only my opponent fight.

So I watch it after my fight. But I talk with people who watch it and they say that Uncle I won. No mistake. He was better. Did you always do this where you stopped watching fights before your fight? Yeah, always. Always. It's too much MMA. Every day I've got UFC in the gym. When I come back home I want to rest a little bit. When I come back back to another day to the gym, I've got more energy to train. When you were out rehabbing your shoulders and going through all of that, did you keep up with UFC or was it too hard to watch?

Sometimes I watched. You know, that was like almost two years. So now I stopped it, you know, because every, you know, UFC is in the always not always, but the most time is in the morning in Poland. So I, you know so recovery is very important for me so I sleep. But after my fight I will watch it for sure. Were you surprised because you're the one that welcomed Alex Pereira to the light heavyweight division and I know you thought you had won that fight.

Were you surprised that he had so much success afterwards that he became champion and defended and all this stuff? No, I wish him best. You know, I don't have bad blood with him. So was great journey for him. It's not the end, you know, if he just lost one fight. So I think he will be back. But that was amazing. Amazing what he what he did in this short time. Sure. I was just wondering if you expected him to have this much success from moving up to 85 to 205? Maybe not so big, but he became a very big star. I expected him to be very big, but not so big. Right. What do you think happens if you beat Carlos Alberg? What's gonna happen?

I'm gonna have title shot against Uncle Ier. It's like, for me it's like, first of all, I focus only about Alberg. Yeah, yeah. I believe that I'm gonna beat him, and if you ask me what's gonna be next, only this. We've got, you know, we've got our story, unfinished business, we have to finish.

So, but first of all, I focus only about my next fight. No, no, I understand. I was just trying to see where you think you're at. So you beat Carlos Alberg next weekend, you will ask for a title shot because you fought to a draw and you have to figure that out. There has to be a resolution. Yeah. So I beat Ulberg, then I take a title shot against Ankaleyev. I beat Ankaleyev and rematch against Pereira.

I defend the belt against Pereira. You have it all figured out. You know, creating my head. And then you're done or you keep going? Then I can go to the mountains again. The one that I still feel like we need to see is you versus Yuri. For King of Europe. Yes, yes, that's the one I want to see.

Maybe we will see what's going to happen, you know. It's also one of option for future, but we will see. Could you imagine that one in a stadium in Poland and Czech Republic? So that's also one of option for future, but we will see. Could you imagine that one in a stadium in Poland and Czech Republic? I feel you guys sell it out in a second. Yeah, this will be amazing here. The biggest fight in Europe, you know, in this, in our continent. Yes.

So we will see. Maybe they will make some, you know, I don't know, some King of Europe belt. I have to give you a lot of credit Jan, because I thought after everything that happened with Bryce Mitchell, your tweets in response to him were extremely powerful. And I give you a lot of respect for sticking up for your country and for the history and whatnot. So first of all, I just wanted to thank you.

As a Jewish person, I wanted to thank you, but as a human being, I wanted to thank you, because I thought what you wrote was incredible. Oh, thank you. Thank you. I just feel it, you know, that I have to do it again, one more time to, you know, to remind people about the history and what's happened and how bad Hitler was and how bad war is very bad. Sure. Did you receive support or backlash for these comments, for these tweets? No support, only maybe some bad words, but just few, like you know, 99% was like very good. Okay and do you feel like he even understands? Like do you feel like he's remorseful? Do you feel like... I hope so. I hope so. He can you know I invite him if he won't come to Poland and I can show him everything if he want. We'll see. I hope so. He will understand. He maybe he grab some book and read about this bad times. I hope so. Maybe. I believe. Right. When you invited him, did you

hear back from him? No. No. No. Maybe I miss it, but I don't see something like this from him. Yeah. I wonder if he understands. I wonder if he is apologetic. I have a feeling not, that's my sense. I don't think so too, but I don't know. I don't know, I hope so. If maybe, if he don't understand, maybe different people understand, you know, and they check what's happened, what was.

So maybe if he is, you know, not so smart to understand that, maybe different people are. Could I ask, nothing happened as a result of these comments, like he wasn't punished or anything like that. Do you think he should be, or are you okay with how it was handled? I don't know. I think maybe in media, says I'm apologised, but maybe when he goes to sleep and he starts thinking he feels bad.

And this is also good. Well, I also want to give you a lot of credit. I see you and Joanna doing great things for kids who are battling cancer. This charity that you guys are a part of. I don't know how to pronounce the first word. Is it fundakshya? Fundakshya, yes. It's like foundation. Yeah, oh foundation. Okay, cancer fighters. This is amazing what you guys do. You know, yes, we have to do it, you know. This is something we can have to do it, you know This is something what we can do for this children, you know, this is very very sad They are true fighters not we wait. They are you know, two fighters It's very tough when you go there, you know when you talk with you try to you know

Give them good energy for fighting but anyway it's very tough you know when you talk with them they stay in the hospital you coming back to home to your life and you think that the fact why this world is so so so weird you know yeah great this in this way I cannot understand that you know that's why I if I got just three time I go there you know and talk with them spend some time with these kids because I see that's that helped help them well done great job and and I know you how many kids you have now one

or two one one one and your son trains right yeah we train judo and soccer amazing so do you do you want him to get into martial arts like you? Like, are you hoping he becomes a fighter? I think this is him right here, right? Yeah, that's my boy. Amazing. So just judo for now? For now, I show him how to keep guard, you know, how to do punches. He got his judo coach, So I, you know, I'm staying back. I just watch. I want to make the, the, the sport will be important in his life, but if he chose different way, I will support him, you know?

And so you let someone else coach him. You don't want to be the coach. I will be coached for him if he wants but he will be a little bit older you know. Okay. Now he's got his coach, his soccer coach and judo coach so sometimes I do like I play with him also but you know this is fun for me when I do with him like this you know. And why did you start with judo? I show him you know a couple you know I play with him used to you know like jujitsu techniques and something like this. And why did you start with judo? Why? Because I started from judo and nobody you know

this is something what I found in city where I lived, someone who, you know, train with kids so young like him. Okay. I like it. We've got like MMA for kids, but like three or four years older. So he got just four years. So now he has, you know, only judo.

Okay. Did you also write recently an article in a Polish magazine about Dragon Ball Z? Yeah. What is this? What is going on here? What is this article that you're writing? You're a big Dragon Ball Z guy, anime fan, you are? Yeah. This is like a magazine CD action.

It's like, I don't know how many years. Oh. First magazine was in, where is it? Because this is like remake from... I don't remember. This is a... you know, they write articles about games. Okay. And you know, video games. And also they create like a special... one special magazine only for Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball all series you know so so I write articles

for them about gaming and about because they know also that I'm big fan of Dragon Ball so also I do this in this. Wow so it's more than one you do it you do it often. Yeah every this is like I've got to write it's's like four months, every new, you know, the magazine comes. So every time I, I've got my article over there. Wow. And you're writing it? Yeah.

Well done. I like that. You're doing so many different things. Do you run a marathon too? I want to. I want to do it in this year. Wow. A full one or a half one

Full one. Okay one. What's this? this is like Independent day running but that was just 10 kilometers. Okay Independence day in Poland. I want to do a marathon because my cousin do it And now he is like, you know superstar. Yeah, I do it you not and okay fuck it. I cousin do it and now he's like you know superstar yeah I do it you not and okay fuck it I will do it your cousin yeah so you need to match him yeah and I need to beat his time oh wow and what is that time do you know it I need I have to like four hours and 40 minutes I'm gonna beat him oh my gosh

when you by the way we showed the photo when you were climbing the mountains did I have to like four hours and 40 minutes. I'm gonna beat him. Oh my gosh. And when you, by the way, we showed the photo when you were climbing the mountains, did you get lost and end up in a different mountain? Yeah, yeah. I should to be in different mountain, but it was, you know, that was big fog, you know, and we lost a little bit, but anyway, it was fun.

And you know, very nice mountain, you know, and a good trip. Is that dangerous? Like if you're going and you end, very nice mountain, you know, and a good trip. Is that dangerous? Like if you're going and you end up somewhere else that could be potentially dangerous. It could be, yeah. Yeah, these mountains, they are dangerous. In the winter, very dangerous.

You need to have some experience how to do it. Where are you there at the top? This is Slovakia. Oh wow. And you climbed the top of the mountain. The name of the mountain was Kryvany. Okay. And are you using those things, those picks to climb up? Yeah, in winter you need to have something like this because you know, avalanche, sleep and stuff like this, you need to know how to survive. Any scary situations up there?

Till this time, no. And I hope so it will stay like this. Yes, yes. So do you think you're doing all these things because you needed an outlet to get your juices flowing because you weren't fighting? Do you think if you were fighting otherwise, if you were active since the Alex fight, you wouldn't have done all these things? Yeah, of course. I don't know how to say it. I love mountains. When I've got free time, just three days off, I go to mountains.

Even when you were active? Yeah. I was in mountains like two weeks ago, I finished my cardio camp over there, one week. Every day in Montauk, and in the evening training on the mat, on a bigger elevation. I like the merch that you have, the shirt that you have for your fight coming up. You released this. This one? Yes. You like it? Yeah, it's nice.

I will send you. Okay, thank you. Yeah, and I appreciate it. Are you excited about being there next week, about going through the whole process, the fans, the energy? Yeah, I started feeling like 10 days left and I started feeling this again. I'm happy that I'm going there. You know, I see that I will see that the fighters or crew, you know, the interviews,

everything will start happening again. Yeah, I'm very excited and happy to, because you know, I can go there and back and feel it again. Well, very, very happy to see you back. Welcome back. I'm happy that you were able to recover from both shoulder surgeries that you didn't,

that you didn't quit, even though you say it was close. I don't believe you. I don't think you were able to recover from both shoulder surgeries that you didn't quit, even though you say it was close. I don't believe you. I don't think you were ever going to quit. You were going to dig down deep and go out on your own terms. I think so too, but you know, but it was very hard, you know, very hard to be in shape again. And you feel like you're 100% now? No, it's never going to be like five years ago. Okay. But it's much better than before surgery.

Much, much better. Oh, really? So even, even what about like even in the prayer fight, were you dealing with it? Yeah, like even I started feeling like before, you know, very bad was before at the Sania that I started feeling very, very, very bad. Wow. That long. Yeah.

Okay. So, so you, you, you are now better? Every month was worse, little bit worse, little bit better. Finally I say no I cannot do this anymore. And so you think you're better now than you were like in that Adesanya fight, a fight that you won and look great in? I don't know. I will tell you after Saturday. Fair enough. I've got some questions and I'm gonna have answers soon. Okay. You're, you're, you're wondering the same thing basically. Yeah. Okay. Well, this is a huge fight in the light heavyweight division. It's great to have you back. Welcome back. Thank you for coming on. I appreciate it very much and good luck to you next Saturday. Thank you, appreciate it. All the best. There he is, the great Jan Bokovic. So nice to have him back. What a

great guy and what an important fight in the light heavyweight division. Co-main event for next weekend's card at the 02 headlined of course by Leon Edwards versus Sean Brady. It's not a bad card, you know, I know. I'm not buying the tickets, but I know people are. March 22nd. Molly McCann versus Estella Nunes on there.

Nathaniel Wood against Morgan Charrier. That's a good one. That's a Cage Warriors classic right there. Kevin Hollen against Gunnar Nelson. It's not bad. Jordan Vucenich against Chris Duncan, Sean Abannon, post on there. Christian Leroy Duncan, Marcien Tabura, Mick Parkin, Kaelin Loughran, Loner Kavanaugh,

one of the great names, Jai Herbert, Guram. Guram Curtain Jerker. Are you kidding me? It's respectful. According to topology is the curtain jerker. Yeah, we'll see. No, they don't do these things. They'll week off. Yeah, that was weird, right?

Everyone went crazy because, uh, the Patricia pitbull versus Yair Rodriguez fight was on the prelims, which I actually kind of think it makes sense by the way. You want to get people to know who pitbull is put them on the prelims, not because it's insulting to him, but because more people are going to watch it. And then hebull is, put them on the prelims. Not because it's insulting to him, but because more people are going to watch it.

And then he's like, nah, we only decide these things a week out. I don't know if that's true, right? Like usually on the pay per view before the next one, when they come out with the lineup, it's usually pretty locked in, right? Yeah, I'm pretty positive they don't decide it just the single week before.

Yeah, I mean like what? I think they just have too many fights. They got to figure out what they're gonna do for that main card. Yeah. Stacked card. They've had a couple of six fight main cards back in the day, but it has been a while. Most of the apex cards are six fight main cards. Oh, I was talking about pay-per-view. I know.

Because, yeah, yeah, you're right. I wonder why that is because those, those apex cards do end up being a, a five round main event, right? It's not because they have more time and they have commercials. Yeah, that's weird. Uh, what time, uh, what time are we starting on, on Saturday?

Let's see here. It better be 4pm. Uh, the big Marvin Vittori versus Roman Delizze main event. It is 4 PM prelim start. Good. Good. That means you're done by 10 ish. Yep.

Sounds good to me. All right. 13 fights. Golly. That is this, not a bad poster as well. That's this Saturday on Monday, as we talked about with Pizzi. It is St. Patrick's Day here in the, well, I was going to say here in the United States.

No, it's all over the world, of course. It feels like it's a national holiday here in the United States. And they always try to put on a big boxing match around that time, and that will be the case this Sunday so the day before but a special Sunday night card at the theater Madison Square Garden which has been very busy this past week with all kinds of TKO events they had NXT there yesterday and it looked fantastic they had Monday Night Raw at the garden on Monday and this is an event headlined by King Callum Walsh, who obviously the UFC is very much behind,

and it's going to air on FightPass. One of the featured fighters on the card is a proud Irishman in his own right. He's an undefeated heavyweight, 29 years of age, 10 and 0, nine knockouts. And he's doing big things. He is climbing the ladder very quickly. And he's doing big things.

He is climbing the ladder very quickly, and he's kind enough to join us in studio. And they say there is no party when there is no Cardi, and so I say let the party begin, and let us say hello to the big man, Thomas Cardi. There he is. Oh, there's a bit of a delayed entrance there. I wasn't sure if he was actually coming. Hello, my friend.

What's going on? How are you? What's the crack? Good to see you. What's the crack? Please, please, have a bit of a delayed entrance there. I wasn't sure if he was actually coming. Hello, my friend. What's going on? What's the crack? What's the crack? Please, please have a seat. Cheers, thank you. How are you doing? I'm fine, thank you. I heard about this.

This is your electrolyte company, yeah? I had to, I had to. I appreciate it. This is your company, yeah? My company, yeah, yeah. I love it. Thank you so much. Absolutely, no problem. You know, I could use some of that when I'm doing this show and I'm speaking for hours and hours,

I get a little tired, you know? Yeah, 100%. But what is this supposed to do for me? So basically anything that you're losing, any of the good minerals that you're losing say throughout the day or any training, it's replenishing, replacing, feel more energized, better sleep, better energy in general. Okay. And this is your company?

My company, yeah. Well done. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Welcome. Thank you. Welcome to New York. I do believe you had to change some of the travel plans to make it here. Yeah.

I appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks for having me on. Yeah. Absolutely. If I got the chance to come on, I'm going to make it happen. First fight for you here in America. Yes.

First fight. Stay said. First fight. Stateside at the theater next to Madison Square Garden. I mean, an iconic venue with the iconic. Have you ever seen that, that, that, that, um, the ceiling over there with the lights inside? Inside. Yeah.

I've just seen videos. Yeah. It's legendary stuff. The day before St. Patrick's Day here in New York City, this is dreamlike stuff, no? Crazy. Crazy. Yeah. How are you processing all of it?

Now that you're here, you're feeling the energy of the city. Initially, when I heard about the show, initially I was really excited. I couldn't believe it. I didn't quite understand the magnitude of it. I came around and eventually started to realize how big it was. But now I'm switched off. Now it's just about getting the job done on Sunday. OK, I get all in afterwards.

OK, so you're not being a tourist. You're not going to see the sights and sounds of my PlayStation. I brought my compression boots. I'm chilling in the hotel. OK. And how many to the best of your knowledge, how many Irish fighters are on this card? Obviously, I know about Callum Walsh at the top of the bill. And I think there's a couple, there's like, there's a couple flying over,

there's probably four or five more fighters, more Irish ones, yeah, it's a big opportunity. They're saying it's the biggest all Irish card in New York ever. Wow, that's amazing. How did you get, because, correct me if I'm wrong, are you promoter-less? Like are you kind of like a bit of a nomad?

Yeah, I'm a free agent at the moment. Yeah, so how did free agent at the moment. Yeah. So how did you get the opportunity? So Tom Loeffler, Colin Walsh, and 360 Promotions came to Dublin and Dana White UFC Fight Pass came to Dublin in September. You would have seen me on the previous Katie Taylor and Chantal Cameron cards. I seemed to have pressed on those cards and sold a lot of tickets and got two great knockouts. So it only made sense that they were gonna get me on the

next one whoever came to town and the guys came to the tree arena in September and we got the call said we'd like to be on the card of course and I really impressed on that card yeah so another big massive knockout everybody seemed to like it the crowd liked it and then here we are again. You know when I when I landed in Dublin for the first Katie Taylor, Chantelle Cameron card, I was at that one. Uh, I get into the taxi and, uh, the gentleman asked me on there, forget he asked me, what are you here for? I say the fight is like, oh yeah, you know, you know, who's my neighbors.

Thomas Carty, the taxi driver tells me he's your neighbor. And then he's trying to tell me about you and Kiefer Crosby and Johnny Walker. He knew all about you. I wish I remembered his name. Jason Mooney. I know who it is. You know who it is. Yeah, I know who it is. How do you know that? And tell you, I think someone said something at the time before that fight week was crazy. So it slipped my mind. But you just reminded me there. I think he told me. Yeah. Yeah. Incredible. Yeah.

Well, that must have been incredible for you, right? Like that was the biggest night in Irish boxing, at least in recent memory. The homecoming of sorts. I think that was the biggest, the biggest night of Irish boxing at least in recent memory the homecoming of sorts I think that was the biggest the biggest night of Irish box or maybe ever ever probably. Yeah, the homecoming of Katie Taylor was huge Yes, absolutely huge and I was blessed to be on the card and then I capitalized on fairness I'd a really good knockout on that card as well and the crowd loved it So it's been upwards since then since that week. What were the nerves like? Cray that one was that one was crazy. Yeah, that one was crazy.

That fight there was, it's probably still the highlight of my career. This might come close, but that one there was the highlight of my career. There was so much pressure on the fight. I'd never experienced such a big fight week before. And there was a lot of firsts that time, you know what I mean? So in my head right now, my highlight of my career

is still May 20th, 2023. That is still my highlight. But this weekend. you're going to top it. This weekend, we're going to top it. You know, it's interesting, you know, those are a couple of matchroom cards. You're a very talented young Irish heavyweight. Why didn't you link up with an Eddie Hearn or one of these other promoters in Europe? It's difficult as I suppose, as an Irish person, up. It's difficult as I suppose, as an Irish person living and training in Ireland to, I suppose, warrant the attention and warrant the, um, the masses in the likes of the UK, because

most of the cards are in the UK. Yeah. You know, and an Irish person is probably never going to come before unless you're Katie Taylor, of course, come before an English person in the UK. So it's hard to get slots on cards and I get it. And, but now there's more and more boxing happening in Ireland So it is something that we could do potentially but I'm in a really good position And I'm 10 and all nine knockouts as a free agent. Everybody wants me to sign with them. Okay

we've had conversations with everybody so and I'm really really blessed because I never thought I'd end up in a position like this. So they're knocking on your door now Yeah, it's just up to you. It's up to me what the best way to go is like the big thing. People think about a promoter is that you need a promoter to be guaranteed fights. Yeah. But then I know so many people that have promoters that can't get for it. Yeah. You know what I mean? So it's all case by case basis. I think I'm going all right the way I've been going.

100 percent. I said this at the beginning of the show. I think that you are a prime, prime candidate for this new TKO boxing promotion because and I see the smile on your face because because what we've been told is they're gonna start from the ground up they're gonna have four mega shows but then they're gonna have you know their their their crop of fighters that they're gonna build up that they will populate on these mega shows you can't have all Canellos and Crawfords on these shows. You are already fighting on UFC Fight Pass. They clearly like you. They brought you back for this show.

You're young, you're up and coming. You're from Ireland. You're a heavyweight. You're knocking people out. Like you're the exact guy. I speak Irish. Yeah. I speak Irish.

Yes, yes, yes. I think I'm probably the first Irish speaker you've ever had in your show. It's, it's probably true unless, uh, yeah, I, I saw that in an interview. Wait, first of all, respond to what I just said. Do you agree with me? I agree. Yeah. your show. It's probably true unless, yeah, I saw that in an interview. Wait, first of all, respond to what I just said. Do you agree with me?

I agree, yeah. And Dana likes me. I know for a fact. You know this, you met him? Yeah, I met Dana. Okay. And I've heard through Tom Loeffler that he really likes me and I've heard him do a couple of interviews.

He really likes me. And what's there not to like? You've just listed off a couple of things, which is great. Really, really great. So yeah, I think I'm a prime candidate you know it's interesting very very interesting times ahead for boxing in general but especially as a heavyweight from Ireland yeah I suppose with all the accolades I'm coming with now what do you what do you make of this with the UFC and that whole group coming in a lot's happened in the last week yeah yeah yeah a

lot's happened in the last week I don't yeah, yeah. Lots happened in the last week. I don't know. I think the landscape of boxing could change. Yeah. Could change. A lot of people are saying great things. A lot of people are saying negative things, but it has everybody talking. I think it has people, um, has people thinking, you know, the link up between Dana and Turkey could be huge. Absolutely huge. Like the link up between Dana and his excellency to do what they're planning on doing, you know, you wouldn't bet against them. I wouldn't bet against them anyways.

And so I don't know what's gonna happen, but very, very exciting times. I'm very blessed to be involved in boxing right now because I think it's nearing its peak. It's probably the biggest it's ever been. Yeah. I think so. Well, certainly of the last, you know, decade, two decades or so, there was a time in the seventies

where it was being viewed by millions and millions of people, especially here in the United States, but worldwide and in Europe, it's on fire. You know, it's interesting. I'm, I'm debating with a lot of the old guard boxing people. I say, you know, Dana and Turkey have said we're going to get rid of the IBF belt and the WB.

We're going to have one belt, right? We're going to try to make it like the UFC, right? And they say, no, there's history with the WBA. There's history. A youngster coming into the sport is going to say, I want that the UFC, right? And they say, no, there's history with the WBA. There's history. A youngster coming into the sport is going to say, I want that history. I want the same title that Muhammad Ali once had.

And I say, you know what, if they're paying top dollar over there, fighting for the ring belt, if that's what they end up doing, we'll be just fine. You're the perfect person to ask. Are you someone who's going to say, no, I want the history of the, the WBA and the IBF, or are you just trying to, you know, you're a prize fighter no I want the history of the WBA and the IBF or are you just trying to you know you're a prize fighter you want the biggest prize?

I'm a little bit conflicted because on one hand I box because I love boxing I don't box because it's my only choice you know and then on the other hand you're trying to secure your future in this sport and it's unforgiven. I see it so much. I see so many people that put their life and soul into boxing and get nothing in return. So I'm conflicted between do I want the history or do I want to pay the most amount of money and be broadcasted most amount of people and depends what day the day the week I wake up to be completely honest. I like it. I like it.

You know, I've got a lot of friends in the UFC, Kiefer Crosby, Johnny Walker. I've seen how they do things and I think they do a great job. I've had some dealings with UFC staff and background staff, how they run shows in September when UFC fight pass came to Dublin. And they run a great show. What's not to like? To be completely honest, what's not to like? And, you know, if somebody else that's already established

wants to come and make their mark on boxing, I'm all for it. Let them come and try and see how they go. And who knows, I might be involved. The bottom line is it's all good for you guys. There's options, right? And when I say you guys, I mean the fighters. There's options. There's people coming in.

There's going to be jockeying of positions. There's going to be big purses being thrown. You're in a prime position right now. Did you think when you got into this in 21, right? You turned pro in 21. And I know I heard you say that during the pandemic, did you put a heavy bag in your mom's kitchen? Is that true? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

How would she, why would she allow you to do this? Your poor mother, she's trying to cook a meal, there's a heavy bag there? So me and my younger brother Liam, yeah. And he's my best friend, but we trained together as well. He's a good fighter too. And we had a little bit of a fight there. So me and my younger brother Liam, yeah, and he's my best friend, but we trained together as well. He's a good fighter too. And we had a load of dumbbells in the kitchen because we're from the city. We don't have a big backyard in the city. So we turned the kitchen into a gym, dumbbells

and the bench presses and there was all sorts, but we were missing the boxing because we used to spar, but you know, we couldn't keep punching the head off each other because it wouldn't be good yes yes so we had no place for a bag really so we just screwed them right into the roof in the kitchen and that was our boxing she was okay with this she wasn't okay she didn't know about it until it was done oh yeah and she allowed you guys to you I mean once it's up there you might as well it was up like it was up at that stage she couldn't really say much she wasn't too happy but she knows that's what we do.

You know, it could be worse. We could have been around the house drinking at the time. Sure. Sure. Sure. Of course. We're putting a heavy bag up to do some more training. Right.

And, and so is he a fighter as well? Liam's a fighter as well. Yeah. What's his record? So Liam's amateur at the moment. Okay. He hasn't had too many fights because Liam's smart. He has a real people's job.

He's an apprentice electrician. Okay. Yeah. But, um, he's going to fight soon. He's actually coming to do my, he's been in my corner for all my fights, an apprentice electrician. Okay. Yeah. But, um, he's gonna fight soon. He's actually coming to do my, he's been in my corner for all my fights except for my debut. Okay. He's flying to New York tomorrow, which I'm delighted he's coming. And next weekend he's weighing in for a competition back at home. So you can't do too much drinking or bagels or anything like that while he's here. I love it. So, so you grew up in Dublin.

This is like, so this is the heart of Dublin. Yeah. Is it Phil's bro? Fibs bro. Fibs bro. Yeah, yeah. Fibs bro, yeah. Are you familiar with Blanchardstown? Yeah, that's where I train. You train there?

That's where the gym is. Wow. Yeah. There's a gentleman on my show named P.T. Carroll who claims that Blanchardstown is like a real tough part of Dublin. Like there's crime there. But I've heard from other people like Paul Hughes told me it's very posh that this is all a lie So who's telling me the truth? Pitsy's telling the truth. Oh, yes. Yeah, it's a tough place. Yeah

Yeah, it is tough place like you could get mugged there It depends like there's probably not too much there for you to go there in the first place So you wouldn't be walking around to get more. Okay. Yeah, like it depends it depends. It is it's rough It's rough and this is the Celtic warrior gym. Yeah, it is. It's over there in Blanchard. Yeah. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. Great place though. I love Blanchard town. Great people. But it's rough. Yeah.

Let's say how it is. It's rough enough. And are you planning on staying in Ireland? Like, is this the best place for you to train? Pascal Collins, right? Yeah. Brother of Steve Collins, the legend. This is the best place for you in Europe. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.

We've kind of, in the beginning when I turned pro, I've trained in Pasco's gym for a long time prior to turning pro. So I was trying to there as an amateur, I used to do my sparring there with some of Pasco's fighters. And when we were turning pro, all these guys from all over the country used to drive to Blanchester town to train with Pasco. I would speak with my dad. I said, where, who am I going to turn pro with? And who we weren't too aware. We're not a boxing family originally. Okay. We didn't know what to do. But my dad. I said, where, who am I going to turn pro with? And who we weren't too aware. We're not a boxing family originally.

Okay. We didn't know what to do. But my dad always said, if these people are driving from all over the country to train with Pasco, you live 15 minutes away from Pasco, that's the right place for you to start and went to Pasco's never looked back. I absolutely love it there. We've a great relationship. And I travel a lot for sparring.

So the one negative thing is that we don't have too much sparring, or we didn't. And I get asked to go to all these camps, Fury and Dillian White, Anthony Joshua, I've sparring everybody. So that's the one thing that we're missing I get anyways. So Chazora too, right? When Chazora, I've sparring Herkovich, I've sparring everybody. Man, and so when you're in there with these guys, what is that like for you, especially

as you're coming up? In the very beginning, I was starstruck. I couldn't believe I was around. Who was the first big one? Chazora, Anthony Joshua, Josh. Wow. I made my debut. Um, in an empty stadium during lockdown in Belgium and the following week I went sparring Anthony Joshua for the first Alexander Usyk fight. Wow. Yeah. What was that like? That was just, it was all a blur. To be completely honest, I just fought. Yeah, what was that like that was just it was all a blur to be completely honest I just fought and never had a professional fight before as my debut got a phone call to go spar with Josh with the following Week and that that was all a bit crazy. Yeah bit of a blur, but since then it's become more normal and now Ten fights in I feel like I belong here. Yeah, I think I'm ranked in the top 50 in the world right now Hopefully very soon top 20 top 10. That's the trajectory I'm on Who's the the most welcoming of these names that you mentioned that say like

You know, we're here to spar of course, but like you're coming probably to their gym or their turf Yeah, and we're gonna treat you with respect in general boxing people are great. They all have different things. I love dealing white He's my manager. Did he what is my manager? I love dealing with your manager. Yeah, did he what's my mom? Wow, that's amazing We're great friends. Okay, really great friends and He's your manager? Yeah, Dylan White's my manager. Wow, that's amazing. We're great friends. Okay.

Really great friends. But all the people that have invited me to their camps are fantastic. And I've taken a lot away from all of them. Most recently, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, anybody who's fought Usyk, I've been in their camp, which is a good flex to have. Because you're a southpaw?

Southpaw, yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And did you train with, or did you spar Fury for the last fight, for the last fight? I was there the day that he got caught. You remember? Oh, for the last fight for the last fight? I was there that he got caught you remember Oh for fuck's sake you were there. I was there. I was the guy that did it. No the next guy I did the first three rounds. Oh my god. What was that? Like that was crazy. Yeah I just turned my phone off because my phone was blown up. It's like I'm not breaking the news

When he when he realized that he was cut was he freaking out? Yeah, he was upset. Yeah, I think we're all just a bit shocked. Cause it was huge. Yeah, yeah. The magnitude of the fight. We were waiting on the fight and then to get caught. People were saying he caught himself and everything. That was-

Craziness. That was crazy. He teased us this week with this whole soccer aid thing. Yeah. But do you think, I don't believe he's done. No. He comes back, right? Fury's not done.

No. AJ? AJ Fury would be a great fight, yeah. That's the one, one right? Yeah that's the one. That's the only one really? Yeah. Yeah for both of them I think it makes the most sense. Can I ask who you fancy in that fight? There's so many reasons why you could pick both. You're going to sit on the fence huh? I'm going to sit on the fence. I am going to sit on the fence for that one because you can break it down. You know, if Furies, you could say technically probably better, AJ, physically a lot better. They would meet in the middle. But then there's so many, it just cancels each other out. The arguments in my head, I can't pick. I've inspired both of them. There's different reasons why both of them could win.

Okay, fair enough. No viral clip there. No, listen, listen. No, I'm okay with that, I'm okay with that. I have seen you quite vocal about wanting to fight Johnny Fischer. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Johnny Fischer who of course just fought Dave Allen.

A lot of people thought he lost. They're gonna rematch May 17th. I feel like this is a fight. Like you're both in around the same spot, right? Was this close to ever being made in the recent months or year? I'm not too sure. I'm not too sure.

It probably was. I'm not, the reason I'm vocalist, everybody wants to see the fight. Yeah. Me, I'm indifferent. I don't care. You know, look at the trajectory I'm on now. I'm in New York on the biggest weekend of the year as an Irish person to fight in MSG. I'm doing my own thing but I'm open to that fight. Absolutely. Who do you think won that fight? The Fisher-Allen fight, the first one? It was a great fight. Johnny showed a lot of grit. They're a great family. I really have a lot of respect for the guys, but I do think Dave Allen won the fight.

Yeah. I think he got away from it. I think he nearly stopped them. But fair play to Johnny. He showed a lot of grit. Are you hoping that Johnny wins the rematch because that keeps a big fight with you alive? Absolutely. Absolutely. Initially, I wanted to fight Johnny Fisher before that fight, but I wrote Dave Allen off. But look, Dave Allen off the couch did a great job. Is Johnny Fischer in your opinion overhyped?

Rumford Bull, Bosch, his father, all this stuff, is he worthy of all of this attention? Main eventing at the Copper Box? Yeah, you could say overhyped, but I don't think, it's nothing on Johnny himself. It's a series of events, you know what I mean? His dad is quite big. They do a great job. Betty Herring got behind them is quite big. Yeah. They do a great job. Betty Heron got behind them. Fair play to them. They do a great job.

Yeah, to be fair, I mean, they really do. And they're great people. Listen, I always- It's hard to hate them, right? There is no hate. Yeah, yeah, yeah. There is no hate. I always say it's nothing personal in this game.

The best football teams want to play the best football teams. They're not shying away from each other. I fancy myself in the fight. I want the fight. A lot of boxing people pick me as favorite in that fight. The masses on Tik Tok probably think is a mismatch for Johnny, which is great. It gets people talking. So I want the fight simple as that, but I don't want to give

them too much air time either. That's fair. That's fair. I understand that. Can I ask you like, you said you don't come from a fighting family and we talked about the pandemic and then you turned prone 21. If you didn't find boxing, what do you think you would have

become? Good question. What would have become? Good question. What would I become? I'm not too sure because all the men in my family are mostly tradesmen, carpenters and electricians and mostly carpenters, but I hated real hard work.

You didn't enjoy that? No, no, no, it wasn't for me. And I think people would have seen me as probably lazy or a bit wild or whatever you wanted to call me, but that it wasn't for me and I think people would have seen me as probably lazy or you know a bit wild or whatever You wanted to call me but that life wasn't for me. You know, my dad, he's a roof He's a carpenter by trade, but he's a roofer and it just wasn't for me the hard work I've had a couple of jobs 30 years and I Do anything rather than that kind of work manual labor, you know, but I'm not lazy people know me in the boxing world

I don't shy away from anything. Did your dad, like was he supportive of you going down this path? I can honestly say, I'm only seeing recently how supportive they were through the years. My mom and my dad, I don't think, there's no think about it. I definitely wouldn't be in the position

that I'm in right now, were it not for my dad especially, but my mom and my dad, because he's facilitated me to be able to do this. He's never gave me any kind of hard, stern talking. I need to grow up now and get a real people's job. They've always supported me through the years and look where we've ended up. Yeah. The testament to my mom and dad and my grandparents, my nanny Rose and

my nanny Margaret and my two grandfathers, the grandfather Tom and Paddy, like they've done a really good job with me, I think, and allowed me to believe, I suppose, believe in myself because look where we've ended up. I'm on the Ariel Iwany show, we had the fight in MSG. It probably shouldn't have happened, but because of people like those, my parents and my grandparents, here we are. You mentioned your brother's coming, parents as well?

Everybody's coming. Ah, how many people? I think it's close to 200 people. Come on, 200 coming in support of you? Oh, wow. Yeah, there's a lot of people coming anyways, but I think 200 people coming for us, which is to come to America is huge.

Yes. Absolutely huge. And I've got family coming from Boston. They're coming down from Boston as well. So there's a lot of people coming. That's a lot of pressure now. Do you feel that like that you have to perform for them? No, pressure is a privilege. Yeah. Pressure is a privilege. Like this is what I do a four is for events like this.

We could be a home in a leisure center in front of 30 people. Yeah. Yeah. Instead we're in MSG with 200 people. They're all arriving today, tomorrow, Friday. It's going to be crazy. And you know, I'm so, so proud to be in the position that I'm in. I'm grateful, very, very grateful. You mentioned that you think you're the first Irish-speaking guest on the show. So explain that for us because most people, it seems like it's become like a lost thing in Ireland that you grew up just not learning how to speak the true native language.

Yeah, absolutely. And in school you learned it, yeah? So in school, yeah, yeah. So I think at the moment, people will probably correct me on this, but I think less than 80,000 people in Ireland speak our native language Wow, which is tiny tiny amount of people. What is it called? Does it just call it? Yeah, like yeah Irish speaking Ask well, okay Irish it's called so I went to primary and secondary school through Irish So I didn't speak English in school at all. No you'd get in trouble if you spoke English. Yeah, Get suspended. Suspended? Yeah, I've been suspended. For speaking English? Yeah, yeah, a couple of times. What does that mean? Like if you just say to your friend, hey,

let's go outside, you're suspended? If you're caught. Why are they so strict about this? Because that's the point. That's the whole point. You're going to an Irish school, you speak Irish, and at the time when you're told what to do, you try to rebel, you know, like, these want me to speak Irish all the time, I'm gonna speak English. All our friends speak English. But now looking back, what an idiot. I was in an Irish school. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What you expect.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm so, so glad that I went to an Irish school. And there's a big revival on speaking Irish, Osgoe Algo, right now. And thanks to the likes of the band Necap. I don't know if you've heard of Necap. But thanks to the likes of the band Necap, there's a big revival right now on speaking Irish and it's becoming cool again which is great Wow we don't want to see the language die out I've heard the other day on the radio that my generation could be the generation to see the Irish language die completely oh no I don't want to be

responsible for that why do you think it's died off a lot of people say that there's no use for it I think would be one of the main arguments and then I think the way it's taught what when I was in school it was quite, I don't want to give out about my Irish teachers but it was taught quite boring, I think it should be taught to be a little bit more appealing and a little bit cooler. Okay. You can use our, we can come here to New York speak Irish, nobody's gonna know what we're saying. Yeah. That's the superpower in itself, you know, and it's our native language, we should be proud. Yes of course. It's part of our heritage, you know and it's our native language we should be proud yes of course of our heritage you know it's part of being Irish are there

schools that are that strict these days like are there are there all my school still around yeah oh it's still around all the schools are like that yeah okay it's those schools that we need to protect because those schools are gonna be responsible for the revival and the next crop of people coming through the next crop of kids coming through like my brother and sister they went to the Irish school as well. Okay. Yeah. So and you think that, you know, we've often had a lot of Irish fighters, you don't think they know to speak it? More often than not these guys don't know. No, 99% of the time. Wow. They know one or two words but they wouldn't have to speak fluently.

This is what this little gold, it's called the Farnia, this represents being able to speak Irish fluently. So what it it is if somebody's wearing one of these you can speak Irish and they'll speak Irish back. Oh wow so you wear that as a as a symbol to tell other people that you can speak? Yeah so that's that's the purpose of it I haven't had it for a couple of years but now that I'm speaking Irish again online I'm trying my best to teach people and bring it back alive I'm trying to deal my part I said it's only fitting that I get my own back and and start representing again alive. I'm trying to do my part. I said it's only fitting that I get my own back and start representing again.

So how would you say in Gaelic, I can't wait to fight this Sunday and I'm gonna win via knockout? So, I'm gonna win this Sunday and I'm gonna win this Sunday and I'm gonna win this Sunday and knockout more.

Wow. Yeah. That, I can't even, the only word I knew was knockout because there's probably no translation. There's a couple, like pizza, PlayStation, they're all the same. Yeah, yeah, can't even the only word I knew was knockout because there's probably no like translation It's a couple like pizza PlayStation. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah incredible So you could do a full-on conversation? Well, I could do this whole interview in Irish cheese always exhausting, which is great Yeah, yeah, which is great, which is great

But and yeah, it's something that I'm very proud of because like I said less than 80,000 people in Ireland not good, right? But it's on the revival and because of people not gonna say because of people Like me, but because it likes a kneecap. They've made it cool again. I'm doing my bit where I can There's a lot of people looking at me and you know I'm influencing I suppose a lot of people at the moment especially in the boxing scene I'm gonna try my best to do my part and keep it alive. What about this? Is it deemed dempsey damn Dempsey Damien Damian Dempsey? Yeah. What about this guy? And actually I was asked, you saw him at the,

you saw him at- You couldn't make it up. You saw him at the airport. And what's amazing about this is, my friend Pizzi, who is my plug, there you are in the airport. Yeah, that's, you couldn't- You call him Damo.

Damo, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What about, he. Yeah. Yeah. What about he wrote a song Did you know he wrote a song called Apple of my eye about New York? Yeah, he wants to know you're gonna walk out to it because it seems fitting This is your guy you listen to him all the time as you're preparing for fights And then you see him in the airport as you're about to leave to the US you could make it up That's insanity. Yeah, you could make it up. What about Apple of my eye? Well, I think person one of the greatest songs ever wrote.

Damien Dempsey is like a cult hero, absolute hero. So in the masses, you might not know who he is, but people who know who he is are crazy about the guy. And I'm very, very grateful to be able to say now, during my career and stuff, I've met him a couple of times and we'd be friends, you know? I speak to his brother quite a lot and you couldn't make this up. That's amazing.

You couldn't make it up seeing him in the airport before I left. He said he was actually gonna do me a video To say best of luck is better than he says it in person. Yeah. Yeah. So are you gonna walk out to a song? Yeah, yeah, we have a song prepared already. Okay. Yeah, we have a song prepared already and that song gets played at some stage Sure tonight we might walk out to it. Yeah, we might walk out to it. It's fitting if it's about New York. Yeah, absolutely Yeah We might walk out to it. Yeah, we might walk out to it. It would seem fitting if it's about New York. Yeah, absolutely. New York. Yeah. The first time I saw you fight in person was when Johnny Walker walked you out.

That was the Taylor camera card. How did you become buds with Johnny Walker? So like we were talking earlier on about the sparring in Ireland, there's probably not so many heavyweights around. So Johnny was training in SBG and I was training in Celtic Warrior. Johnny's coach, John Covenant, and my coach, Pasco Pascal Collins would be friends.

Yeah. So, uh, we needed sparring. Johnny came down with his entourage initially and, uh, yeah, we got some rounds in and then I think he realized then that, uh, you know, more boxing sparring was good for him and we became great friends through them. And, uh, we spent a lot of time together. Yeah. Me and Johnny, Johnny's turned out to be one of my very, very good friends.

Really? He's coming Sunday. Oh, he's coming as well? He's flying in just for the fight, yeah. I love that, there you are with him by your side. Crazy, crazy. I love that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So Johnny's a great guy, man. He's moved to Vegas now and it's great to have him, it's gonna be great to have him there on Sunday. So how's his English? Like how are you guys able to- How's his English? It's perfect. Okay. It's all good now. He speaks better English than my coach, Pasco.

And what's he like as a sparring partner when it comes to boxing? Because he's a bit of a unique character in MMA. Johnny is like an athletic freak. Really, really athletic guy. So I think no matter what sport he chose, he would have been good at it. He's really good boxer. Yeah. He's very, very good.

And his skill set is getting bigger and better all the time. He's in the right place now though. So we were chatting. I think he'd moved to Vegas for the same thing again, more big guys for Sparrin. Because in my opinion, Sparrin is the most important thing you can do. Training wise. And, and, and, and I think that you, you, did you grow up near Kieffer or with Keith?

Yeah. Yeah. Me and Kieffer from the same area of Dublin. Oh, wow. He would say I'm from the posh part. Yeah. That's the, that from the same area, Dublin. Oh, wow. He would say I'm from the posh part.

That's the dig right there. Yeah, of course. We went to school at Kiefer probably, you know what I mean? And Ryan Curtis as well? Ryan Curtis down the road as well. Okay, what a legend he is. It's amazing. How's he doing? Ryan Curtis is doing great. Absolutely amazing.

We've been doing a lot of saunas lately. That's what we do in our spare time, I suppose, when you're a fighter. You're not drinking, you're recovering and looking after yourself. We've done a lot of saunas, nice, but slightly and he's absolutely flying. What a great inspiration. It's great just to be around the likes of Kiefer and Ryan Curtis because you get great energy. I get great energy from being around these guys.

The conversations you have are different, completely different. Because they're fighters, they know. Because they're fighters, they know. Because they're fighters, they know. And not just fighters, but on top of fighters, they're great people. Yeah. Really, really great people. And I was actually speaking to Ryan yesterday. He'd send me some funny reels and stuff like that.

He's great, man. He's great. Really, his story, I think they'll make a Netflix documentary about him. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think they will. Did you ever train at SBG? Bits and pieces. Yeah, I've done some sparring in the octagon with Johnny and stuff like that. Oh about him. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think they will. Did you ever train at SBG? Bits and pieces. Yeah, I've done some sparring in the octagon

with Johnny and stuff like that. Oh, wow. Yeah, yeah, yeah. MMA sparring or just boxing sparring? No, no, no, no, no, no. Haven't you thought of MMA or teased maybe doing some MMA? You know what's funny? I'm gonna check my Twitter DMs.

I think I sent John Cobb a DM in 2016. Wow. I wanted to be an MMA fighter. And what happened? He never opened it. He never opened it? He wasn't following you so he didn't see it? Yeah of course. So he opens that thing, maybe your whole path is different. Yeah. That's crazy. I remember writing it because I remember spell checking and stuff like that. I remember writing the message

because Connor, 2016 Connor was at his peak. I wanted to be an MMA fighter and I don't know, am I glad he never opened it? Who knows? I like you. I see though. I like the I like the MMA world I've been to Vegas to P. I and stuff. They do a great job Could you imagine how many people like you in 2016 at Connors peak probably wrote him a similar message? Like how many like we see Ian Gary now talking about the same thing like It must have been an infinite amount of kids who were like, I want to be the next Connor. Anything he touched turned to God. Anything he wore, anything he did, people did the same. It was absolutely great. That era,

I remember it so well. That era was just absolutely nuts. What do you make of what's, what's happened to Connor now? The relationship with the public. I saw a video yesterday at Olympus get concert and they were booing the mention of his name I didn't see that and carlson great things in sport amazing things in sport and i think one of the most amazing sports. Here is we've ever had i remember those fights around the other fights and. I remember they were obviously in Vegas so there after hours member being embarrassed after like after hours watching those fights. It was crazy and the people that came to America to see him fight. Absolutely nuts. And I don't know.

I don't know what to say. You know what I mean? I really don't. No, I understand. I know it's a tough one. And it's been a great inspiration to me in my career. Have you ever met him? Of course.

I've met Connor a couple of times. Oh yeah. Yeah. So I spent a bit of time boxing out of Crumlin. At the Crumlin boxing club. Yeah. Okay. Of course.

And then I met him a good few times through the years and we know a lot of similar people. My old coach Raj would train Connor now as well at the moment. He was striking with him as we speak so of course we know some of the same people and any dealings I've had with Connor have been amazing. Okay. Really, really inspirational guy to me and you know, kind of carved the path for us you know, especially as Irish fires. Right, right, right. What about this, uh, what about the legend Kevin McBride? Cause I see sometimes you get, you know, compared to him as the last great Irish heavyweight, he beat Mike Tyson. Have you ever had any interaction with him?

Yeah. So Pasco, my coach actually trained Kevin McBride for that fight. Oh, wow. Okay. Okay. Okay. So is he, is he still around? He's still around. Yeah. Kevin McBride is still around. No, does he come to around? He's still around. Jack McBride is still around. No, does he come to the gym? No, no, Jack McBride is in Boston. Okay, but I just didn't know if you ever like- Yeah, no, I've met Kevin once or twice. Yeah.

I've met Kevin in Boston, actually. Were you even born when that fight happened? The year I was born. The year you were born, wow. The year I was born. I'm certain you've watched it since. Yeah, of course. Incredible.

It's kind of wild though to be compared. He was the last great Irish heavyweight, would you not say? Yeah, I would say, yeah. Until you came around. Until I came around, yeah, of course. Yeah, incredible. Yeah, it's kind of wild though to be compared. He was the last great Irish heavyweight Yeah, not say yeah, I would say until you came around until I came around. Yeah, of course Well, it's good the people have put me in that bracket already that that's what I was getting at Like to be put in that conversation must be incredible surreal and honor Exciting of course. Absolutely for people to be in the same bracket as a guy who beat Mike Tyson is His eldest world to be completely honest same bracket as a guy who beat Mike Tyson is is out of this world, to be completely honest. Like sometimes I have to pinch myself.

I've had a couple of those moments through the years. Like I was saying to Shannon before this, I remember watching IFL TV interviews in my bed at home and just thinking, can you imagine looking my name up on YouTube and seeing an interview with Thomas Cardy someday? Now I've about 50. Incredible. And to be somewhere like this on the area, the Hwani show, it's just, I don't know, I don't think things could have went so different for me.

Could have been so different, but here we are. When you say so different, what does that mean? Just where I'm from, back at home in Ireland, I didn't have anyone to look up to in terms of there's another Irish heavyweight that's breaking down barriers and breaking down borders and creating a path for himself. I'm kind of just winging this to be completely honest. Right. And I'm really happy with where it's taken me so far. And to be

honest, I have no plans on slowing down because if we can make it to here, the opportunities are endless. Why not me? That's the saying that come back to all the time in my head. Why not me? Right. You know, people say, oh Thomas, you're living the dream. You're in Vegas. Sorry, You're in New York now Vegas Saudi all these places boxing book Why not? Why not me? I work hard all the time. No breaks and Even prior to turning pro. I've always put boxing first and it's great to see me actually get something out boxing because as I said I know so many people that put their heart and soul into this sport and get nothing in return Hmm, it's good to get something.

Who came up with no Cardi, no party? I'm going to have to find out who exactly was in charge of it because I think one of the reporters from back home, the headline of the article was no Cardi, no party. And then it just grew legs. It makes me think that like you were like some sort of party animal back in the day and that if you weren't at the party it wasn't as good as it could have been. Like this is about like your your high school days or something. Yeah I don't think that's probably the answer. I'm not much of a drinker to be completely honest.

You're not? I didn't know that was possible. Yeah it is for Irish people. If I you know in terms of Irish people you'd probably class me as someone that doesn't drink at all. Oh wow. Yeah. That's how is it because you're an athlete now? Because I'm an athlete and I don't really like drinking too much. Like I would always have one or two to celebrate after a fight, but I intend on going crazy and I never do. It's just not my thing. Yeah. Yeah. My thing, but I think the party more refers to the people I bring, the crack that we have and you know, my last couple of fights in the free arena.

The guys start partying and start looking forward to the fight from the Thursday. Wow. They're out Thursday, Friday, fight night Saturday, definitely out Sunday and then probably finish up Monday. It's crazy every time I fight and it's great because there's a testament to the I don't want to say fans I hate saying fans but the friends and supporters that I have and they love it you know and I'm glad that I can put on a show for them and give them all these things to look forward to, these events look forward to, because it's not cheap to come to a fight. It's definitely not cheap to come to New York.

So I'm glad that they have something that they can look forward to and enjoy. That's what it's about. It's about moments. Of course. Yeah, yeah. That's what life's about. And enjoying yourself and making memories. And that's what we've been doing. What about on St. Patrick's Day on Monday? If all goes well on Sunday, surely a Guinness or a forged Irish stout or two? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Definitely. Are you going to sell, are you a big St. Patrick's Day guy? Do you celebrate it? Yeah, like I live in the, where I live actually is where they warm up for the parade. So, the last 29 years I've been hearing the banging drums from morning. So, I don't, I won't say it's played out but it's my first time in New York.

Will it be weird to not be home for it for the first time? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But last year me and Dillian White fought on the same show in Westport in County Mayo. So we actually fought on Paddy's Day last year. Oh wow. That was my first one away from home and this one now first one stateside. Yeah. This isn't your first time in the U.S. right? No, I've been to Boston a couple of That was my first one away from home and this one now first one states. I'd yeah Is this isn't your first time in the u.s. Right? No, I've been to Boston a couple of times Orlando And I love Boston Boston's great fight. Yeah, but never New York never New York. Wow. Yeah Did you get a chance to go to to see MSG? Believe it or not. The first time I seen MSG was in the taxi on the way here. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah

I seen the front of it. What's that like? It's a real. Yeah right. I don't know, it still looks fake to me. I'm gonna have to get out and have a look in the front of it. Yeah, it's crazy. I love it. So what do you think about Sunday? I was gonna say Saturday. It's a rare Sunday night card. Dewan Callaway, your opponent. How do you feel this is gonna go down? Same as the last 10. Yeah, same as the last 10. We haven't read too much into the opponent. Fair play. We usually have a lot of pull-outs coming up the fight. So it's the same opponent. He's stuck there I think he's coming this week, which is great. Yeah, so let's hope he turns up We put on a show for the fans and but the same thing as always you have a lot of people

Pull out like there's there's sometimes two three times that you're changing opponents. Yeah, it's got to be frustrating It is frustrating and you know, it's something that comes up in conversation quite a lot, but I always say at this stage, if I'm to do what I intend on doing in this sport and what people have hit me to do, it shouldn't be an issue. Whoever these guys are at this level. You know, I remember a few years ago when Connor walked out, Mick Conlon, um, at the same venue, either on St. Patrick's day, one of the, this was when he was telling everyone,

I'm gonna get into boxing and no one quite believed him. This was in March, I think of 2017. And so for you to be on a card like this, pretty remarkable. I know Callum Walsh is someone that they're pushing. You probably, you know him. Me and Callum would be friends, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And he's getting a big push from the UFC guys. So it's a great opportunity. Are you the, where are you on the card? I'm not entirely sure. Okay, who cares? The people's main event is so I'm here. I've seen that a couple of times on Instagram, now the people's main event.

Same last time, in September, people were loving my fight. The atmosphere was crazy for my fight, absolutely crazy. I love it. Well, I can't wait for it. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for coming in. Thank you for having me. Appreciate you very much. Thank you for this. No problem at all. Hope you enjoy it. Can't wait can't wait for it. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for coming in. Thank you for having appreciate you very much

Thank you for this. No problem at all. Hope you enjoy can't wait and just put it in water Are you are you drinking it here? No, this is yeah, I'm drinking it here. This is new flavor. That's not in that one brand new flavor It's launching Friday. Look at you businessman as well You have to be you have to be because in the beginning boxing there's people are under the illusion that it's all you know Mean coats and that and in fighting it's it's certainly not certainly not So you need to have something else and you have to be crafty Absolutely have to be smart. You got Dillion White managing you no promoter You're not interested in any of the promoters not interest anybody until we get the right offer on the tape

Okay, they're trying to they're trying to they're trying to screw you over. They're trying to lowball you. It's not bad It's I've been doing quite well so far. It's a free agent I've had ten fights and they've all been on massive cards I thought you know Michael Collin and Lee would undercard in the UK I thought Wembley arena the O2 arena three arena three times when MSG so in terms of like Doing alright. Yeah, so I don't think I'm missing the promoter, but it probably makes sense now Yeah, so let's see after Sunday. Okay. Who knows? Who knows? If you want me to promote you, just say it. I mean, I'd be happy to look into it. You know, we could talk. Stranger things have happened. Yes, yes.

Certainly. So looking forward to it very much. Good luck to you this Sunday. You can catch Thomas Cardy and Callum Walsh and the rest of the card this Sunday, a special Sunday night card, March the 16th, right here in New York. If you're in New York, go check them out as well. At the rest of the card this Sunday, a special Sunday night card, March the 16th, right here in New York. If you're in New York, go check them out as well. At the top of the show I talked about 14 years ago, it was announced that Zufa bought Strike Force. Here's that conversation with Dana White, who we just spoke about. We'll be back to answer more questions right after this. Ah yes, what a trip down memory lane that was. Just a bit of a taste. Maybe we'll do a full deep dive into that one when we do another one of our

how Wani reacts to classic interviews. What about Thomas Cardy? No Cardy, no party. I could see him being one of those guys, a perfect candidate, a perfect candidate for that TKO boxing endeavor that they are cooking up. So let's see.

He has to win on, on a Sunday, wish him well, looking forward to seeing that in action. March 16th. Let me go back to some questions. We have a little bit of time here. Can I answer some more questions? Is that okay? Yeah, in my opinion. All right, thank you. Let me go back to some questions. We have a little bit of time here. Can I answer some more questions? Is that okay?

Comes in do's. We love it. A rare Andrew Feldman question. I don't often see him here, so I feel like I have to answer it even though it's quite long. What's up guys. Got one MMA question and non and one non-MMA question for you all. First, looking at the current UFC champions, it's an interesting

time for the division leaders. Obviously timing plays a big part in who would get the call, but putting that aside, it seems like we have a lot of champions, unlike Pereira, who share the same mindset Khabib and John Jones had have. Taking a short notice fight isn't worth potentially risking their legacy. With that in mind, who do you think would be the UFC's first call to step in on short notice and save a pay-per-view? With 12 or 13 pay-per-views to fill, I have a feeling we may see another year like 2018

with a handful of interim titles again. So the current champs are Jones Aspinol, Magomed, Drikis, Bilal, Islam. I could see a Marab. Featherweight is open right now. I don't see a lot of those guys, to be honest. And, and I don't see a lot of them. You see the, the, the magic of, of Alex Pereira was that he was such a big name, you can go,

you know, nothing's as big as Connor, no one's as big as Connor, but it's a softening of the blow to respond when the shit hits the fan with an Alex Pereira. I don't know how many of these names, and this goes back to the star issue, suffice. That's just the way it is right now. But you know, as far as the guys who want to remain active, Marab, Pantoja, maybe, I don't know John Valentina Alex Volkonovsky told us two weeks ago that he wants to be active that he's going to call out most are you've lo of If and when he wins next month, so he was definitely one of those guys back in the day second for the parents of the group I'm down to the final 60 ish days away from becoming a dad for this for the first time Congrats Mazel tov What's the best advice you have received or can offer for the big day in those first few months afterwards

or in general, having a baby girl? That's amazing. I would just say enjoy it all. Enjoy every single moment, the steps leading up to the big day. And there are certain moments in my brain that I will never forget, especially like the moments leading up to the first one are a lot clearer to me

and have stuck with me. I remember the Saturday before my son, my first born son Oliver was born on a Monday, and I remember the Saturday before he was born, I was watching the Bob Marley documentary and it's part of the reason why always on my birthday I love to play that clip of Bob Marley being interviewed. It's a documentary about Bob Marley but there's an old interview that plays in the documentary and the interviewer says, are you a rich man? And he says, Rich, what does it mean to be rich? Well, that's a good question. Do you have a lot of money in the

bank? Do you have a lot of possessions? And then Bob says, possessions make you rich? I don't have that kind of richness. My richness is life forever. And that always stuck with me and I watched that two days before I became a father and I just feel like it's a beautiful way to look at life. I remember on that Saturday as well, Derek Rose tours ACL, changed the trajectory of his career. I just remember moments, all to say it's just all going to happen organically.

I remember we went to the hospital and they told us that we were too early. So we went to this Greek place to have breakfast. And I'm there having my omelet and my wife is like, ah, ah, and I'm like, ah, Lee, you know, I got to tell you, they burnt this omelet. You know, a little extra cheese would have been nice. And she's like in an incredible amount of pain.

She's uncomfortable. And they're telling her like, oh, you know, you got to wait a little bit more. The second, and then with the second child, it was on a Sunday, Walter, and... She didn't want to make the same mistake twice, so she delayed going to the hospital. So she was very clearly in some kind of discomfort, pain.

Believe it or not, three kids, water never broke. And so we waited, this was her request, to go to the hospital. We were living in Brooklyn and the hospital was on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Now if this was a Monday, we would have been screwed. It was a Sunday. And so we waited to the last minute. My sister came to look after my oldest son who at the time is now two, almost two, and we have to drive from Brooklyn to the Upper West Side which could take like an hour and a half on a busy weekday and this was midday Sunday though so less traffic and she claims that she, my wife had to sit on like hands and knees like this, facing the other way because it was getting that dire.

And she claims that she saw the same Boston pizza twice because she says that I was circling looking for a good parking spot. When in reality, I missed my turn to get into the hospital to like go through the roundabout. So I had to go around and she's like, why am I seeing the same thing? Are you looking for a spot? I'm like, no, no, no, I just missed the turn. I mean, I don't want to get into an accident, God forbid. That would be horrific. And I think I've told this story before we get in there and we're like, this is an immediate emergency, dire situation like she is in labor. We get there, they put her in to the room, she asks for an epidural. They say, you're too far along in the process,

no epidural can be given. She freaks out, I need it, I need it, I can't do without it. Of course she did it without it, no problem. And I'll never forget a doctor who wasn't her doctor, walks into the room holding a coffee cup. He puts the coffee cup on the table, like towards the back, puts on the scrubs, delivers Walter within 30 minutes, 40 tops, and says, all right, have a good rest of your day. Picks up the coffee cup and leaves.

Don't know the guy's name, never saw him again. The guy delivered my son on his coffee break essentially. And I don't even know if he was on his coffee break. He may have been just walking from getting a coffee and going back to his office or something like that. But that's how quick the whole thing was. The coffee was probably still hot. Luke warm 40 minutes, you know, but we, we called Walter, Walter the rocket because of that, because he came shooting out like a rocket.

My first son had to be suctioned out because he, his head was so big. They couldn't, they couldn't get him out. Is this TMI? Should I not be saying all this? I don't know. Spare no detail. I jumped in halfway and I'm enjoying it. It turns out that that guy actually wasn't even a doctor.

He was just a guy. He was just a guy. He was just like, all right, here we go. Let's do this, baby. Coffee break, why not? Yeah, the rocket suction. Too much? Yeah, we might be getting there.

Okay, sorry. Spare no detour. Good news is no one in my family watches the show, so no one cares. Just keep it between us. If you ever see them, don't one cares. Just keep it between us. If you ever see them, don't say anything. Kyle, Ariel with PowerSlap, and by the way,

to Andrew, who's a great supporter and I consider a friend, good luck to you guys and we're wishing you the best. Kyle, Ariel with PowerSlap now being broadcast on YouTube, some are suggesting that this is a sign of a downward trend for them and the beginning of the end. Is it possible that this is actually a smart strategy

in order to ensure that PowerSlap isn't locked down in a broadcast deal and can be bundled with new UFC broadcast deal? I don't know. If they do a deal with ESPN, are they taking that? I don't know, they could have taken it by now. Important to note, sometimes people lump PowerSlap into the TKO portfolio.

It's not a part of the TKO portfolio It's it's a separate thing that Dana and Lorenzo for Tita are doing just like their SLS and some of their other ventures I love the way he's spinning which is great. That's what a promoter should do Oh, we went from rumble rumble was our spike and now we're on YouTube like this is a big jump Well, how much are they getting for this YouTube deal? Or are they just deciding to put it on YouTube? So it can be seen by the most amount of people possible. And oh, by the way, did anyone notice on Friday? I think it was, or Thursday when they aired it on YouTube, the views weren't up there.

Yeah, we noticed. How do you do that by the way? I didn't even know you could do that. Got to ask a power slap or, or one championship. Did you, I think, didn't you say you watched it? Yeah, for like 10-15 minutes. Yeah, what'd you think? Legit. I don't know. It was actually slower than I was expecting it to be. Like the time in between slaps, the time in between bouts.

Yeah, it wasn't. I'm good on it. I thought the production was kind of weird. Oh, you wasn't. I'm good on it. I thought the production was kind of weird. Oh, you watched it too. Just a few moments, enough to realize I didn't want to watch it. But there was like a part where they had Marab come on with Nina, but then they showed two people I guess in like the ring area talking on a microphone, but you couldn't hear them. You could hear Marab and Nina and then people on the chat were saying, like, we can't hear the mics. And it was just like, it felt like everybody was in town,

so let's just show the who's who of who's here. And like, not on the show. When I was watching it was Nina and Ray, Ray Mysterio. Okay, so that was, the Nina thing I thought was like a watch-along. Yeah, so I guess I only watched the watch-along. Okay. I was just about to say, look, maybe Dana White's

master plan is like two new viewers right there off there it is actually that was the first time I've ever seen it so yeah they might actually be on to something still my favorite was the shadow boxing style camera but they're like hitting the mat slapping it over and over again yeah I don't know I the main thing is like are they getting money is this Is this a deal with YouTube that anyone could broadcast anything on YouTube, but are they actually getting paid to put it on YouTube? It was being positioned that way, but seems a little unclear.

He's very high on it. He's very passionate about it. It's very clear that they try to weave it into the UFC stuff. They try to couple it with UFC events. They try to get a lot of influencer there. So God bless, man. But do you think they would couple it with broadcast? I don't, I don't think it's a. I think they'll try, but you know,

I don't know if there's value. Like, look, they do the deal with Saudi Arabia. They put it there. They do the deal with Abu Dhabi. They put it there. And so this helps. You do a deal with Bud Light. You put it on Bud Light.

You do a deal with Monster. You put it on Monster. Like it's easy to couple some of those things, but the broadcast deal, I don't know. It didn't do great when it was on TBS, right? And who knows? Does it do better if he doesn't have that incident on camera? I don't know. But again, I know there's some people who are like fixated on this thing like not bothered by it, not offended by it, just not into it. And I don't think just because you're an MMA reporter or an MMA fan you have to be.

Like I see the traveling circus of MMA reporters like going to all these things and I'm like are you guys doing it because you're into it because you feel like you have to cover it because you're being told you have to cover it. I don't get it. It's a totally different feel like you have to cover it, because you're being told you have to cover it, I don't get it. It's a totally different sport, if you want to call it that. El Peruano, hola Ariel. You tried to represent this in Monday's show, but it didn't get enough attention.

In the next step for Poetan, his competitive is the factor in considering what he does next. We often ask, why would a fighter take a rematch or a meaningless fight? They fight first and foremost because they are born competitors. They want to get the L back. They want to test themselves. Yes, money matters. Legacy matters.

But the competitive fire is where everything else springs from. Poetan thinks he can get this one back. If you were advising him, what would you tell him? I would say get this one back because they want to put on Jones' Aspenal. So to me, there's greater value in being the UFC light heavyweight champion than fighting Alexander Volkov next or someone like that. So get that one back, get that belt and then see if hopefully Aspinal Jones fights, who's the winner and if you can fight that guy. Jason, hey Ariel, why are you or your team not posting all the individual segments, segment wise

segments, segments, segment videos from the live shows? For example, I don't see separate videos about the on the nose segment anymore. I don't know. Uh, we, we decide this is going to work. You know, this whole algorithm thing is, is, is wackadoodle. So we try to decide what's going to work.

What's not going to work. And, so we try to decide what's gonna work, what's not gonna work, and to be honest, I never quite understood this, like, it's right there. Like, we put, there's a full video with chapters, and you could just literally scroll to that point and watch the whole thing. What's the difference? I don't know.

Does anyone? No? I think you're right. This is a question for the boys in the back from Nate Faudabare. Boys in the back, do you ever get annoyed when Hawani tells a guest on the show that he was arguing with the boys in the back about a take regarding the guest, usually Hawani being on the side of the guest and boys in the back being against? I don't know if that's true, but fine. One, he's out there, he's out there, he's out there, he's out there, he's out there, show that he was arguing with the boys in the back about a take regarding the guest. Usually, Hawani being on the side of the guests and boys in the back being against. I don't know if that's true, but fine. One, he's outing y'all as to picking against them in some way gambling, fight, result, pot stirring. Most of the time he's generalizing all of you together. Most recently,

in the Faziv interview, he told them he was arguing with all of you when in fact, New York Grig had the same take thinking Faziv won. You know, I'm grouping everyone together. Is this- He said you were doing that. Who, me? He in fact explicitly said you did that. Who? This person. They said you summarized that.

Well, what am I going to say? Raphael, I was speaking to Connor earlier in the back. Like, I don't need to get so specific. I say the boy's in the back. That's, by the way- Well, that was going to be my argument. Not only does he not know who I am, he doesn I say the boy's in the back. That's, by the way. Well, that was gonna be my argument. Not only does he not know who I am, he doesn't know who the boys in the back are. Yeah.

But anyone will understand, you know, the boy's back there, you know, on the show. They speak with so much conviction that what they say speaks for all of us. By the way, that's how that name came about. Some don't want to acknowledge it, but that's how it came about. But by the way, we stand on business.

If we say it, we say it. I don't give a shit who, like, this is a public forum. If I say it, we stand on business. If we say it, we say it. I don't give a shit who, like, this is a public forum. If I say it, I've said it. This guy earlier today on On the Nose is calling me out for it. That's what happens. It's fine. So if a, like, if a fighter gets told, hey, this person thought that you're going to lose this fight or this person thought that you were going to, like, yeah, that's, that's how that goes. That's fine. That's not a problem. Not, not, uh, stressing. You did think Fiziv won though. I did think Fiziv That's fine. That's not a problem. Not not a stressing you did think for Z1 I did think for Z1. Okay, so I should have said you should have said look

I said Eric Jackman back there says he's like a she dominated you in that He actually scored at 30 26 gaechi Connor disagreed Put the sunglasses on this is the second time I've told his Eve that I thought he Gheyshi. The second time he told me that I'm crazy. So. Yeah. He was like, yeah, no, he won. He won. Uh, I like, I like how Fazeb handles business. He's great. The man.

Very good with it. Uh, Doxy clean. Hello, Ariel and the boys in the back wanted to start with how much I love the boys in the back and fight feasts. It's becoming a show. I look forward to all week. Thank you all for the great content with the recent tweet from Amelia Toporio that he is likely moving up to the boys in the back and fight feasts. It's becoming a show I look forward to all week.

Thank you all for the great content with the recent tweet from Millie Teporia that he is likely moving up to 170 to fight Balal. Oh, with the recent tweet from Teporia, what is the likelihood of him moving up to 175 to fight Balal? I couldn't imagine that's what he's referring to. The biggest fight is him versus Islam. It's zero. Yeah. Oh, I do appreciate him watching from both of the back. The real biggest fight is him versus Connor, but that's the second biggest fight. That's the. It's zero. Yeah. I do appreciate him watching. The real biggest fight is him versus Connor, but that's the second biggest fight. That's the more realistic big

fight. Yeah, or Patty by the way. They have a Islam. Islam is a bigger fight. No, no, no, no, but there's like three gigantic fights right there. I actually, unless I was like dreaming or I just didn't see it, I think his brother also tweeted that you won't believe it when you see it. I think his brother also tweeted that you won't believe it when you see it, like the same.

What could this possibly be? I feel like I will believe anything. And then people were alluding to the dare devil stuff, but it definitely wasn't the dare devil stuff cause Jan did a collab with dare devil as well. I think it's just the Islam fight. I mean, yeah, I, I, I've not heard anything about Spain. What I continue here is that they want to do

the, some fight international fight week. It is, it's a little over three months away, but I just don't think that. I feel like McGregor is the only one that I truly wouldn't believe that I would be like shocked. Yeah. Um, Alex Moreno, Elna Rees, is there any chance Dana gets the help of his excellency to put

together Jones versus Aspenall? Could we possibly see Turkey sponsor another UFC matchup? Alex Moreno, Elna Rees, is there any chance Dana gets the help of his excellency to put together Jones versus Aspenall? Could we possibly see Turkey sponsor another UFC event like he did the sphere? If Jones is asking for 20 plus, is Turkey our only hope? Not a bad shout. Love this. Thanks for being the soundtrack to my week.

That's an incredible compliment. Thank you. That's not a bad shout. It's, he is not asking for a hundred shout. He's not asking for 100 million. He is not, it's right there. I think they make it happen because this would be a good time to make it happen as they're negotiating a new TV deal.

You need a big fight, you need to be hot, you need to be delivering big opportunities, especially when you're also shopping your pay your pay per view package as well. I think, uh, Turkey being a business of them opens a lot of options like this potentially, but he doesn't seem as motivated to make MMA fights like that is not his passion. He is a boxing fan through and through. And so like, I don't think Jones Aspinall.

Remember he, he talked about Jones and Ghanu when he came on the, uh, the ADE program. Ghanu is a boxer now though. Yeah. Um, I think he wants the, the Adet program. Ghanu is a boxer now though. Yeah. Um.

I think he wants to be. If possible. I think he wants, he understands when there's a desire and he wants to be the guy to deliver. I think it would be smart. If, if the price tag is the issue, there is a partner who has been known to spend a buck or two. Right.

Um, Max, Ola Ariel, eager to get your thoughts on this, my dad always brings up to me how there is a UFC cut man that looks just like you. He sees it more than I do, but that said, I do see it, everything but the hair is spot on. Check it out. Nah, come on dog, what are you talking about? Same guy. Look at that hairline, it's completely different.

Everything's about it, I mean come on. And I'm way more buff than he is. What do you guys think, yay or nay? Nah. Nay to the more buff, nay to looking similar. 99.9% of the time somebody goes like, ah, this person looks just like this person. Yeah.

Never, just never looks like them. Ah, any bald white dude with a person. Yeah. Never just never looks like them. Any, any bald white dude with a beard. Oh yeah. I'm getting tagged. No. Uh, Mario asks me to rate the following in terms of importance in my life, having the bills

win their first Superbowl championship, having the Knicks win an NBA championship, having force win the EPL trophy on the final day, having the Welsh gangster Oban Elliott become a UFC champion, or watching Joseph Parker beat Oleksandr Usyk to become a heavyweight champion. Golly, these are big moments. I mean, Bills and Knicks have been around my life the longest,

so I would have to go with those. I mean, I can't, how could he? If I put, if I put, if I put Oban forth, it's going to break his heart. How can I do that? Oban, Parker would love it. Salt of the earth individuals. But you can't make, you guys always want me to make these picks, it's tough, it's tough. Somebody cut together Ariel at start of show.

I'm feeling itchy, I'm spicy. I got the itch to make some picks. I got picks, put me in. Yeah, yeah. Ariel, make some picks. Ah, I'm going to make some picks. I'm going to of the show. I'm feeling itchy, I'm spicy. I got the itch to make some picks. I got picks. Put me in. Yeah, yeah.

Ariel, make some picks. Ah, you know, don't ask me to make picks here. Like, I don't wanna do any picks. Well, you asked me to pick between like my favorite, you know, individuals. Yeah, yeah, yeah, sometimes you are. All right, then pick between Marvin Vittori and Roman Delizio this weekend.

Delizio. Okay. All right. H-Dow, can you put me down for that? H-Dow. All right. Damn, H-Dow's back. Yeah. H-Dow's back, Roman Delizzi this weekend. Delizzi. Okay. All right. H-Dow, can you put me down for that? H-Dow. All right. Damn, H-Dow's back. Yeah.

H-Dow's back, Roman Delizzi. Plus 120. Is that, is that? The pride of Georgia. Am I in the Parlay Pals? Whoa. No, no, no. Oh, oh.

Yeah, he is. Oh, okay. Why not? No, no, no, no, no. We're going five deep. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Listen, I mean, you don't have to worry about me. You know?

You just made a pick. I'm a sure thing. No, no, no, no. Sure thing., listen. I mean, you don't have to worry about me, you know? You just made a pick. I'm a sure thing. No, no, no, no. Sure thing. I thought, you know, I thought. Take his pick over. Put him in, put him in, put him in. How about Kevin Veos versus Samuel Troy?

Wait, what, I have to make a pick for every single fight on the card? We're itching to make picks. We're trying to get to take more than one pick. I'm taking the lead, too. Veos, minus 450. I mean, you can't go against that. Okay, Sam Hughes, Stephanie Luciano. I mean, give me, you know, give me over two and a half rounds.

Ah, classic. All right. H-style, I like it. It's back. What else? Zula Getuera, Josie Ann Nunez, technical breakdown. We need a side, not a total on this one. No, I'm sorry.

I cannot do that. I'll go with Nunes. You know, I believe, what is she like a minus 205? Carly Judiz? Part of Louisiana? What else? Scott from Portland.

I have been loving all the long form articles. The team has been posting on Uncrowned.com. Thank you so very much. I really appreciate you bringing back this art form, which seems to have been squeezed out of the majority of the other MMA media sites and dare I say, all the combat sports sites, because here's the situation, my friends, sorry for getting on.

Lazy on the microphone. Listen, we're the last of a dying breed. We're the last independent combat sports outlet out there. While everyone else is, listen, they're doing their thing, fair play. GDP, but you want it, you want it down the middle. You want it straight. No filter, no bias, no spin zone.

You come here to uncrowned.com. This is the place. No crown. Yeah. No flex zone. You know that you guys know that commercial? I don't know that one. No flex zone. No flex zone. Anyway, my only issue- What else to yourself? My only issue is finding the time in the day to read all of them. Is it possible? Is it possible to add a premium audio option where Frank reads the articles so I can listen to them on my daily commute? Thank you, Ariel. You are and always have been the Uber of MMA. Never forget.

Wow. That's a deep cut right there. The Uber of MMA, never forget. Wow. That's a deep cut right there. Um. That to me sounds like an, uh, uh, uh, present a potential, uh, arrangement, right? Uh, a transaction that could be had this person get in touch with Frank, Frank provides a price

for what it would cost to read these articles. Yeah. Let's get Frank on cameo, but instead of being like, Hey, what's up? Exactly. Just read articles for you. 54 degrees outside in New York City and on read these articles? Yeah let's get Frank Just a judgment-free zone. Jordan, in particular, just block your ears for a moment. Oh, Jordan. Blocked, yeah, not listening. He just turned up. Okay, perfect.

One of my favorite podcasters... One of my favorite podcasters right now, I'm afraid to say because of the backlash that I'm going to receive, but no, I'm a big fan of Megyn Kelly. Is that okay? Am I allowed to say that? Am I allowed to say this? Megyn's who? Your show, say what you want. All right.

All right. Don't, don't. And, and, and she has now introduced a new podcast called AM update where in 15 minutes, really with no commentary, uh, she gives you the news of the day and I enjoy it. And I thought to myself, should we do something like that?

And now with this. MMA news. Combat news. 10 minutes. Uh, combat sports news. For your daily commute, Frank telling you the news of the morning. The MMA daily. Yes. I would like it if Frank did this but with no input from the rest of us. What happened to the guy who was like, Frank needs to work less and then now you guys are throwing... Frank just decides. Frank, no, Frank curates the thing, and then now you guys are throwing shit. Frank just decides. Frank, no, Frank curates the thing.

He goes on his Reddit. He looks at what the top MMA stories are. He doesn't even go to Uncrowned. He just goes to Reddit. He explains, I mean, we know where he's going. He explains them. He doesn't have any input from us. If he gets the stories wrong, he gets the stories wrong, and we just put it out there.

I think it'd be pretty fun. I think actually the way to do this is Frank goes to Uncrowned.com every morning and just reads headlines for 10 minutes. Doesn't read any of the stories. Wait, we actually have a website. Yeah. Oh, okay. Oh yeah. It's not a bad show. I thought you weren't listening, Jordan. Yeah, that's right. I tuned in right at the end. Frank, your thoughts? Well, I'll find about it. Let's talk about this Megan Kelly thing. Oh yeah, big fan, big fan. She actually had Andrew Schultz on last week, which was a fun chat. Not, not, not for everyone, but you know, uh,

where the, uh, the content was very fun. Anyway, uh, this individual says, uh, Willie Fisterbottom, uh, Hey, Cobber. Oh boy. Question for the boys in the back. What have been. Oh man. Uh for the boys in the back. What have been... Oh man. The question... Got him. Got him.

What have been... How has that not happened in all these years? It has and it actually upset him and he was like I'm not going to read your name. No that might be the first time right? I can't recall one. It was back in the MMA. Wow. You know and I'm gonna get in trouble for asking a question that was geared towards your you guys that's the kind of person that I am. What have been your top desserts of all the fight feasts and why was it sticky date pudding? Yeah that sticky date pudding at the Australian restaurant was incredible. And then tres leches when me and Frank went to a Mexican restaurant.

Unbelievable. It just had a tear. You see the tear? Oh, wow. Did you see that? What about the almond at Vasilco? What about the almond cake at Vasilco? Oh yeah, the almond cake at Vasilco was unreal.

There's been a lot of good ones, man. Brigadero. Brigadero was great at the first day. I like the beets. I'm a big fan of the beets What? It's like obvious you've never watched one episode of my channel. I'm big on fruit. I like the borscht and the beets. By the way beets are sweet. A lot of people have beets with like. But these were savory with vinegar and. I'm a fruit. I'm a h a hanger for some of that borscht.

Might have to go tomorrow for dinner. Let's go tonight as a team. We'll have to do it tomorrow. Hey Ariel and crew from T3, can we take a moment to break the fourth wall? By the way, do you remember... Nat said something about that. Did you guys? They said crushing the fourth wall. And then I said break?

Yeah, that was nice of you. Does Ariel, I'm curious about how the crew behaves once the show's over and the credits roll. Does Ariel start going off on the crew for any mistakes during the show? Why is it always this implication? Does the crew go their separate ways without saying a word? Yes. Does everyone continue working on content while Ariel rushes out the back door? No. I would love to know what happens behind the scenes after the show. Shout out to the Duelz. I'll take it away. Yeah. So Ariel walks over from the studio to the control room,

phone in hand, not looking where he's going. So then with I see him, more of a mozy, more of a mozy. I try to guide him like a air traffic controller. I'm like, hey, what's up Ariel? Just to, you know, get his attention, make sure he doesn't run into a wall or something. Then he comes in and he's like, so we have anything to talk about? And before we can answer he starts laying out a list of things that he was concerned about. Wow, wow, wow. And then sometimes he'll ask about something and then he'll, my favorite is he's like, I don't care. I just wanted to hear your take on it. Wow, this is all very... Which is great. And then we start to drop off one by one, you know, I got a train to catch. Oh yeah, that's been the best.

And then the best tape has been... I really miss this compitzing after... What were we just doing? Nah, it was different. And we see each other so much more often now. There used to be a set thing, show ends, hey you guys gonna go upstairs? Let's get a snack. We debrief, there's people working on all kinds of things,

there's New Yorker people here, there's a wine party there, there's a cheese tasting thing over there, this is at our previous home. Man, you have a very different memory of this. What do you mean? It was usually barren and empty. Nah, you remember there would always be parties and we weren't invited?

Maybe like once or twice. Listen, this is the way I remember it. There are way more people around now when we end the show. So many more. But we would sit, Connor would warm up some bacon, chicken little thing. Yeah, you would do that. You would have a Tupperware, you'd warm it up. Rick is having yogurt and honey or something like that.

You would do the carrots and peanuts? I feel like you have one time that we did this and it just glued in your mind. This is so crazy. Rick is having like yogurt and honey or something like that. You would do the carrot and peanut butter? I feel like you have one time that we did this and it just glued in your mind. This is so crazy. I'd warm up a bacon chicken thing. Yeah, you would have something in a thing in a Tupperware, you know, I'm having Brussels sprouts.

You don't warm things up. Sometimes when the show would run really late, I would make sure that I brought my dinner. Yeah. Didn't want to get home eating at, you know, 9pm. I'm not begrudging. I'm not begrudging. I'm just.

Still think it was maybe, you know. I'm setting the scene for people. Frank would bring the laptop out. He would complain about how much work it is. Oh, you guys are done. I still have to upload this. Um, and then we would hang out. The sun would set.

We would have a, a cocktail or two, a spritzer, and then we'd go home. Now this is getting, now this is getting ridiculous. And then you walked through the snow. There was one time we went for pizza outside, you remember that? Oh yeah, that was amazing. That was, Rick wasn't there.

I was not there. Oh was it when you left Atlanta, I think? I think it was before that, yeah, I think there was a reason for the celebration, yeah. When you left us high and dry. Was that it? Big pizza though. It was, it was me, you, and Alex. It was like warm outside, right?

It was around like May June. We went on Stone Street. Good times. Yeah, there used to be more of a... Well, you know, hold your breath. We'll see what we can do. Elroy, first time, long time, I want to thank you listening to you week in and week out

over the past decade. I finally started consistently creating content a little while ago. People like you and John Pollock really give me confidence. I chose fragrance as a niche. Fragrance. Yeah, man. This is a big thing.

Perfumes, colognes. But that's, but he said creating content. Yeah. Yeah. People, people do content around that. Seriously? I'm not boating. This is truly the moment I have been waiting for. My question is what are you and the

team's fragrance of choice? Mine is It's Time by Bruce Buffer. Show it show it show it do we have it on the desk? Whom I think actually sent this question in. We got two options look at that it's time it's time you know what I like that I prefer the black over the gold. Yeah. Let's get it, let's get this nice spray. Please don't spray it in here. Oh yeah, oh yeah, there it is. Woo!

Oh yeah, I smell like the buff man now baby! What is the difference between the black and the gold? They keep saying one's men's one woman, I'm not sure about that. One's perfume, one's gold. I'm not sure about that, it's, oh they parfum. I don't know if that's perfume. It's available by the way on Amazon right now, there it is. Get it wherever you want.

I get a couple spritz of this, I shotgun in an It's Time energy drink and I'm ready to attack the night. Yeah. Get your It's Time products at brucebuffer.com baby. This is truly the moment I have been waiting for. I actually smoke great right now. I can smell you from here.

A little bit of fruity notes on the end. I can't believe you sprayed that in here. Smells like a mint. I can't it man. Okay, Rapidfire from MBE28. He's asking if we're gonna have a March Madness bracket. Yes, right, with Yahoo? Absolutely, yeah, you'll be able to join on Sunday,

fill it out, prizes, prize packages for the winner, it's gonna be great. Yes, Aaron asks if New York Rick has been getting any grief from the left-leaning soy boys, the triple-vaxxers, and the climate change alarmists after his revelation that he enjoys shark in soup. Why is that anti-left? Why is that anti-left? Why is that right wing? I don't even know. I don't know. But no, none of the soy boys have come out of the woodwork to...

No triple Vaxxers? No triple Vaxx vaccines. Ariel saying to somebody he had nine, who was, who was that that he said to? Dylan, Dylan. Nine vaccines. I told Dennis you're on your ninth booster. I think he believed me. And he was like, oh yeah. Nothing pisses them off more than saying that.

Uh, Abdul asks, he says, Ariel, this is for you and especially all caps Rick. When Natalia's appearance on the show on Tuesday, does this hopefully mean the shadow ban from accessing WWE talent has been lifted by TKO or was this a one-off because of the book announcement? Rick, take it away. Why, what is this? Why am I being represented? This is how we'll say this. It was very good to have her on the show. I've heard from her that WWE is very happy with the interview and they were happy for her to come on and we'll take it from there. And we'll take it from there. But a good, a great interview and a

sweetheart of a person. Natty is. Amen. Justin, hey Ariel, how do you deal with imposter syndrome? That is a fantastic question. I wish we had more time to answer it. It is something that we all deal with, we all battle, and I've had many times. It really started to hit me when I went to ESPN. I was like, how the hell did I end up here? Why am I doing this? I'm on the NBA broadcast with Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy.

I'm on Sports Center with Scott Van Pelt. What the hell is this? And then of course there's Showtime and HBO Real Sports. That was insane. I'm sitting at the desk with Brian Gumbel, like what kind of a, what kind of contest did I win to get here? The Netflix thing, I'm standing next to Mike Tyson. What is going on? You kind of just have to power through it.

You know, you just have to like say like, no, I am supposed to be here. And as Thomas Cardy said, why not me? No Cardy, no party. Yeah. to be here. And as Thomas Cardy said, why not me? No Cardy, no party. Yeah. What, uh, what was the, what was the one, what was the biggest one where you're just like sitting there

and you're like, what the. Breen and Van Gundy. Yeah, that's pretty crazy. Mavericks, uh, Pelicans, October, 2019 opening week. I go to lunch with them beforehand. I'm in the freaking rental cargo into the arena. What the fuck am I doing here? Because when it's fighting, like I could kind

of sit, tell myself like, yo, you know, you've earned it. You've been in the game. You've, you know, you've, you've had opportunities. This is basketball. Like my, my first NBA regular season sideline opportunity was with Breen and Van Gundy. Yeah, pretty crazy. Uh, poor Zingas is back. my first NBA regular season sideline opportunity was with Breen and Van Gundy.

Yeah, pretty crazy. Uh, poor Zingas is back. I loved poor Zingas. Zion Williamson is, is, is on the Pelicans. It was absurd. I'll never forget when they threw to me, it was during McDonald's courtside segment where they do like a little pregame and, and, uh, poor Zingas

did the interview with me. I actually texted him to do it which was really fortuitous because like I have like one phone number in the NBA and it happens to be him because he's a fight fan and he said of course and what was great about it was like a little thing that I love in interviews is when the interviewee says the person's name you know what I mean like you asked the question like well well Ariel blah blah, blah, blah. And he did that and he was so nice, so kind. And then I had this, you know, you could,

when you do the interview, you could try to play it as safe as possible so you don't screw up and you go, thank you very much. Good luck tonight and just toss it. And I had to toss it to a commercial break. And so I thought, do you go safe or do you go for glory? Do you button it up? And so what I decided to do was go for old faithful, go for the one that brought me there. And so I said to him, and I've actually replayed this in my mind so many times,

and I swear to God, my heart was beating so fast and so hard that I felt like it was going to come out of my throat. I was so nervous like my knees were quivering and I asked him a question, thank you, welcome back, good luck. You know Mike, back in 2003 the Hall of Fame boxer Roy Jones Jr. came out with a song entitled, Y'all Must Have Forgot. And that might as well be the soundtrack for Chris Stapp's porzing his season as he attempts to remind everyone that he is still one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. It's the Pelicans, it's the Mavericks tip off right after this.

And I did that and I was like, holy shit, I can't believe I actually did that. And I went to Old Faithful, y'all must have forgot. That was a nod to the old school fans. That was a nod to the fight game. And I saw Mike afterwards and he said, that was amazing. You were great. And I just couldn't believe it.

NBA champion, Chris Staps-Persengis. Yeah, very happy. You were right. I was right. Y'all must have forgot. Okay, just a couple more here. You were right. I was right. You almost forgot. Okay, just a couple more here. Any quick ones.

Do you think we'll ever see three title fights on a UFC pay-per-view again? Yes. Any word on if the TKO boxing fights will take place solely in Saudi? No. I don't think that's, I think they're going happen... I think they're gonna happen quite often in America. FTMMA, big fan of Ariel Inade. But the host of the boxing show, I think you've embarrassed yourself a touch the last two weeks. All the talk of the new belt without finally putting two together about the ring belt,

just look at the ring rankings. Who has the most belts? Vacant, one and two. Yeah, okay. What does that mean, embarrassed yourselves? Of course they're using the ring belt. We quickly realized that after he tweeted about it. Since then I've said it's going to be the ring belt. Oldest most prestigious belt in the sport has finally has a backing. This isn't an evolution or a rebellion. This is the second coming. All right.

If a fighter asked you to corner them and was dead serious, obviously not Dylan, would you do it? I've always wanted to do it just to experience what it's like. Why not Dylan? Yeah. I mean, what was that? Yeah, no, you're right. Yeah.

Last one. How do you anticipate your relationship with TKO boxing due to your relationship with Turkey and Dana? I don't know. We'll find out. Interesting times ahead. What a time for combat sports. Has it ever been like that? I don't know. We'll find out. Interesting times ahead. What a time for combat sports. Has it ever been more interesting than this? Has it ever been

more interconnected than this? Do we have any super chats? Super chats. Benjamin Turk writes, can we have GC go against a super chatter or member in a race before Sean Brady? I mean, they would have to come here. And he has told us that he doesn't want to interact with the outside world. I'm, I'm, if they come here, I will, I will race. No, no, we're not.

We're not just opening the doors. I'll race anybody on any day. No, no, no, no, no, we're not just opening the doors. We're not just opening the doors. I'll race anybody on any day. No, no, no, no. Right now. We're not doing it. There is not an open door policy here at Uncrowned Studios for people to just step in and challenge the champs. This is not in my field. This is out of their field.

By the way, like, uh, Friedkin. No, it's not out of fear. Uh, Diego Lopez isn't fighting some jamo before he fights Alexander Volkonovsky. This is a championship level athlete here. This is a cyclist of a level that you have never seen before. We do not just let people walk in off the street and compete with him. No, absolutely not.

As the great Warren G once said in regulators, you can't be any geek off the street. If you know what I mean, you know, earn your keep. Great points. Good point. Also, I don't bike for free. Yeah, he doesn't bike for free. Come on.

What else? Mason Bickner writes, I feel not a big enough deal is being made about this after daylight savings time, the show was still at 1 PM Eastern. What happened to sticking with international time? Heart. Well, what do you want us to do? You want us to start at two to accommodate the

fact that you guys didn't turn your clocks forward. I don't know why you wait until March 31st. Uh, Quite frankly, I'm thrilled that it's still, I will say this, the first week post changing of the clocks, it is tough to wake up the kids. I don't know if you experienced this, Rick, but they ain't waking up. I'll tell you that much because, you know, they're going to sleep later. And, and, and, you know, when you wake them up at 645, it's really 545, and they're giving me a lot of trouble.

But technically when they're going to bed, it's say nine, aren't they going to bed at eight? For some reason, they're just not waking up, I don't know. Still dark out. Yeah, it's still dark out, it's weird. What else? I've not had that trouble.

Pujwa Alpaca asks, is Ariel scared of the GC Averon challenge? Yes. I don't know if I've actually been challenged. Have I actually been formally challenged? Oh, I figured that you just didn't want to get on the bike as you knew that now waiting to happen. No one actually challenged me. So, uh, by virtue of the fact that I have not been

challenged, there's been four or five competitions. That would suggest that the one who is doing the challenging is actually the one afraid of said challenge. I challenge you to the Averon bike challenge. Well, it's a little late now. I'm all tied up. One minute a piece. I'm all tied up.

I'll do two minutes. I'm all tied up. I'll do a mile. Whatever you want to do, the challenge is there waiting for you whenever you're ready. Okay, so the challenge is this. I get to do two miles and you're doing one mile and we see who ends up with the higher output.

Is that what you're saying? No, no, no. It sounded like that's what you were saying. I said, I'll do a minute. I'll do two minutes. I'll do a mile, who can do a mile faster? I'm pretty confident. I mean, I am an avid biker.

Whenever you're ready. Again, when you're on the road to a big number one contender fight, you don't get a shot at the champ before the number one contender fight. There's, there's the. The O&O is the champ. There's a process. The O&O is the champ. The man who's never stepped onto the bike is the champion?

Sometimes we do things behind closed doors. Okay, not everything has to be public these days. In any event, what else? Andrew writes, Ollie Barup, dear. Back to the building site, Bar builds. Prepping for his next fight, shout out to Ollie, MF'n Bar. Yeah. 10 New Zealand dollars, shout out to Ali, MF'ing Bar. Yeah. That is named after him.

New Zealand dollars, shout out to Andrew, shout out to Ali Bar. New Zealand 10 bucks is what? A thousand. 60 cents. Yeah. When Ali Bar goes on to be like a champion, this is gonna be an incredible little segment.

Incredible story. Age like milk when we're dunking on that. What else? CR writes, Justin Gaethje's face looks like CTE. Oh, you could've skipped that one. Yeah. Really? What else? Come on. What else? CR writes, Justin Gaethje's face looks like CTE. Oh, you could have skipped that one. Yeah. Really? What else?

Come on. Now I'm worried. A little decorum. Sucker Free writes, gotta defend my man Newark Rick. Thank you, Patrick. It's not a bad take if it's incorrect. It just didn't happen.

A bad take is anything brain- No, Frank, I mean, we're trying to maintain relationships here. I mean, that's two in a row. By the way, that's the guy right there. Smart guy, smart guy. What else, Frank? And also, yeah, lay off Brendan Chobb, though.

We do like Brendan Chobb. Yeah, he's harmless. What else, Frankie? G. Carlo Rizzo writes, we're cooked, Chef Poirotty style. This is in relation to what? What are we talking about here? I think it's context looks, honestly.

What? We're just all cooked. We're just fucked? We're all fucked. We're cooked. Where are we getting fucked from? Cooked. Cooked as fuck, that's what the kids say.

They're not exactly the same. You know what my kids say now a lot? Oh, he was selling. Like, it's another word for sucking. He was selling. Oh, he was sold. Yeah, what does word for sucking. Uh, he was selling. Yeah. What does that even mean? Like, what does that even mean?

It's like a version of blowing it sold out. Like you sold out. Yeah. I was selling, I was selling. I was like, what does this mean selling? Where does this come from? You blowing it. Yeah, I know.

I get that. When you have this lingo, I feel like the kids are just punking you all the time. Something like that. By the way, one thing they don't say is punking. Yeah, I was going to say that's a boomer phrase right there. They never say it. But what's next? Ashton Kutcher is going to come through the doors here. Classic. something like that. By the way, one thing they don't say is punking. Yeah, I was gonna say that's a boomer phrase right there. They never say punking.

What's next? Ashton Kutcher is gonna come through the doors here. Classic. That's a classic. Oh, Frank. Oh yeah, I thought they were punking. Yeah. It's like fine wine.

There's Kutcher. What else, Frankie? Jake from Windy City, Pizzi, can you explain rules of Gaelic football? Let's go with the Pizzi. All right, Pizzi. Can I say, I kinda like the song. I like this song better than the crack music. He picked the crack music.

I kind of feel like this needs to be the song. No, no, this is this show. Keep it contained. It feels like it's his theme song. I can't describe what it sounds like. It sounds like he's getting ready to go on some Irish adventure. There's something about the way the song starts. Yeah. It is, it is an adventure. That's a great way to describe it. There's something about the way the song starts. Yeah. It is, it is adventure. That's a great way to describe it.

It's like a journey is about to begin. Yeah. Like, uh. Like a what? I'm trying to think of the name. John. Like a rhinestone cowboy? Jingleheimer Smith.

His name. Jingleheimer Smith. John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith. His name was my name too. It sounds like he's about to go on some sort of Irish adventure. What else? Jordan writes,

Ariel Hoani, what would it take for you to give Annie Mae a chance? For the boys, what would you guys recommend he watch? Yon would pick DBZ of course. DBZ's pretty good. Yeah. I would not recommend that to him though. You wouldn't.

I mean it is slow, it's pretty slow. There's a few episodes where they're just building, well maybe he'd relate to this. It's pretty slow. There's a few episodes where they're just building well, maybe he'd relate to this It's like there's a buildup between fights that goes on for a really long time. Oh, yeah episode after episode They're like I'm gonna get you and then you just have to wait three or four episodes of where they actually Deliver the fight what else? Jose writes what comedy podcast do you all watch? I love to see Hulani on Bobby Lee's podcast. Bobby loves MMA and is also a movie buff like Ariel. Yes, Bobby Lee.

Isn't he a part of that whole crew? Yeah, yeah, yeah, that crew. Sheltzy, Sheltzy, I was on his podcast. What is it, Flay Grant? Yep. Bobby Lee, Andrew Santino. What's that other one, the one in Austin? Fighter and the Kid.

No, the smaller one. Yeah, the smaller one. Yeah, the Santino. What's that other one, the one in Austin? Fighter and the Kid. No, the smaller one. Joe Rogan Baguette. Your mom's house? Joe Rogan Experience. Oh, you're doing a bit, sorry.

Oh, what about this tweet from Armin Tsurukian to Justin Gaetje, you barely got past number 11 on short notice and before that you got sent to the shadow realm. Tsurukian writing shadow realm. Serukian rating shower room. Seruk whoever writes Serukians tweets. They're they're pretty sad. Danny Ru. I was going to say, if you really want to be the number one contender and fight for the belt, you

have to go through me first. Yeah, I'm a true responding. What else? What else? Jason Carney writes, have you tried to get more OG ECW wrestlers on the show? Raven, Sandman, RVD. Ah, you know what I would love that I would love that Can you can you send that one to our Booker? When did ETC Russell?

97 to 99 when dot dot dot Russell what else Frank we got Remedy Wachowski Post it to the bills. how do you feel about it? Oh yeah. I have a follow up question. Oh, you gotta be height. He'll be on Megyn Kelly soon to talk about it. I couldn't,

some people were joking about that, when a bunch of Bills players took a picture with Trump and everyone freaked out, and there's like, oh, Joey's going to them. I didn't know about any of this, if I'm being honest. As I've told you guys, I'm a Bills fan. I ain't watching the Cardinals against the Chargers, all right, no one got time for that.

But I'm aware of the guy. Look, one year deal, low risk, high reward, I'm down. And I'm not one of these people who distinguishes between politics and whatnot. I'm an open-minded person, all right? I'm not closing doors on people's faces. Um, you know, signed Ammar Hamlin. They need to figure out the James Cook situation. This is getting a little bit troubling and I, and

I suspect they will, uh, who they get Josh Palmer also wide receiver. You know, I was hoping for a miles Garra. I was hoping for a max Crosby. We could bond about the, uh, the Buffalo Bills and, and, and obviously our love of, uh, combat sports. He's just like a fixture at all. He's just like a, he's just likerah, I was hoping for a Max Crosby. We could bond about the Buffalo Bills and obviously our love of combat sports. He's just like a fixture at all of these events. But overall, I think, I think Bean's doing his thing.

Resigned, resigned Greg Rousseau, Ty Johnson resigning as well. So I feel good. I feel good. A big 10 draft picks as well. So don't forget about that. And Alan's six year deal. Was that not a shock? Of course. No, it was incredible. What a guy. Love him. What else? What else? That's all we have.

Oh, that's it. Okay. Uh, super chatted. All right. Well, we hit, uh, we hit our heart out. So it's time to go guys. Uh, what's happening on the boys in the back tomorrow? You tell me man. What do you mean? Come in and find out. I have nothing to do with it. I find out like everyone else. Rematch everyone's waiting for Marvin and Tory Roman de Lietze at the Apex. Pound for pound rankings in honor of St. Patrick's Day, best green. And that's open ended, right? Interpret that how you...

Last name green, vegetables, shades of green. Yeah. Best green. Wacky tabacky green. Man, that's something that is green. Yeah, that is green. It's not a green. It's sticky icky.

There it is. Yeah. Wow. Go talk to your kids about that. You, that is green. It's not a green. The sticky icky, is that? There it is, yeah. Wow. You, go talk to your kids about that. You'll sound real hip. Oh, I got an email tomorrow. It's like you're about to say an e-sig. No, no, no. My son is having a puberty talk, the fifth grader.

Aye, aye, aye, aye. What does that mean? They're gonna talk to him about puberty. Roll up some sticky icky and stab that combo yourself. That's cool, yeah. What, you didn't have that, sex ed? I not inberty. Roll up some sticky eggs and stab that combo yourself. That's cool, yeah. What, you didn't have that? Sex ed?

Not in Queen. We did, but I was like dicking around. I wasn't like actually thinking. Wow, you were dicking around in sex ed, eh? You were the reason they were wanting to talk. DICKING AROUND IN SEX ED! I said what I said. I'm just saying, they made it available.

Whether you were paying attention or not is another thing. But I feel like it was about like how babies are born they showed us like a birth video it wasn't like... Huberty man. The hair is gonna come out of here it's gonna come out of your nose. When they finally drop somebody will come and have to talk with you. Alright. Oh gosh.

When you're down there let me know if they have. Wow what the hell. Thank you very much Thomas Cardy. Thank you very much Mayhem Miller. Thank you Joshua Vann and Jan Bokovic. Thanks to you, thanks to them. Back tomorrow same time and place. Till the same time.

Peace. I'm out of here.