JRE MMA Show #168 with Khalil Rountree Jr.

Joe Rogan podcast. Check it out. >> The Joe Rogan Experience. >> Train by day. Joe Rogan podcast by. night. All day. >> Check check. What's up? What up? >> How you feeling? What's going on? >> Oh man. Back from a amazing Thailand. vacation. >> Oh, really? After that, after the uh. after the fight, it just feels like I've. been on like just a great vacation.

journey. Baku was amazing. Let me start. off there. Let me start off with Baku. Azerbaian. Oh my god, what a place. >> I heard it's amazing there. >> Absolutely incredible. >> Everybody who went there was raving. about how great it was. >> Absolutely incredible. When we got the. news like, "Okay, the fight's going to. be postponed. It's gonna go into Baku.". I had never heard of the place in my. life. Um, I agreed without even looking. it up, you know, but in my mind I was. thinking like, okay, this is place I've.

never heard of, you know. I started. thinking like, I don't know, it's. probably going to be something similar. to like Saudi and it's probably just. like a lot of desert, blah blah blah. And I get there and my mind was. absolutely blown. Amazing treatment from Baku City Circuit. welcomed us in. Um, the fans were some. of the best I've ever encountered, man. They were so happy to have the UFC. there. Um, everyone in the streets like people who.

weren't even fight fans were just. excited that the UFC was in Baku. So, like that added to the experience. And. then, um, it's just beautiful, man. Like, >> what is it like? What does it look like? >> So, where we were? >> Yeah. So, that's Oldtown. So, I did a. tour through there. WA versus Oldtown. >> It I forgot. I So I forgot, but I know. that 4,000 people still live in Oldtown. There's boutique hotels in there. Um. there's just so much history. Um as like.

when it was built, um kind of what. they're known for. I don't remember what. that building is. Um but the. architecture there is one of the things. that that's the uh the the flame towers. So at night there's just projections and. like it'll be like the flag or it'll. just it'll actually be like flames um. because Baku is uh known for oil like. being one of the first oil countries. This is the carpet museum. An amazing.

place full of. >> car carpets that are like century years. old. >> They built it to look like a carpet. How. [ __ ] wild. >> It's crazy. And all these carpets are. handmade like passed down generation. after generation. So like they tell you. how deep the the the the culture and. like the stories of these carpets and. like how oh my god they the and clean. clean friendly people. Uh that's. >> a bunch of people that went there. decided to stay for a few days. >> I would I honestly I wish that I would.

have stayed longer. I've already booked. family trips. I've told everybody we're. going back to Baku. >> Wow. Oh man, like cool. >> Just thinking about it, I'm like, dude, this is a place that I want to. >> I want to visit for the rest of my life. I want to just keep going back to Baku. >> That's dope. >> Yeah. So, >> and obviously you had an amazing result. there, too. >> Yeah. I think I think that the you know, I think that it really played into just. my performance. I was in a really good. place.

Let me Okay, I was in a good place, but. I was also in kind of a [ __ ] up state. Like, not going to lie. Um, I was just so happy to be. across the world doing what I love to do. and to be like treated like we're. actually appreciated for, you know, like. for what we do. And uh, so that helped. me get through all the other [ __ ] that. >> What was the other [ __ ] What was going. on? >> Oh, man. So, I knew that we were going to be. jet-lagged no matter what. I knew it.

because we're traveling, you know, super. far. >> 16 hour flight, right? >> Yeah. super long flight. So, I knew we. were going to do be jetlagged. So, I. made sure that we got there two weeks. early to adjust. Um, it took about. six almost about a week to like fully. adjust and then so during fight week say. first day of fight week I'm like. throwing up and [ __ ] and non-stop. >> Oh no. >> And I'm like, okay, this is great. Like.

this is exactly what I want to be. feeling right now. you know, pressure's. on. I got to fight, you know, like I'm. super motivated. Um Yeah. And uh I'm. just like I don't know what I'm what am. I going to do, man. Like. >> what was it? >> I don't even know. >> Food poisoning. >> I don't think so because everybody. everybody that uh I was with, we all ate. the same thing. >> You were You were the only one who got. sick. >> I was the only one, man. I was the only. one. And so. >> And you don't cut a ton of weight.

>> No. So I think what was. >> what do you walk around at. >> right now? I'm in vacation mode. I'm you. know 228 230 something around. >> still compared to guys. >> I don't get over 230. I'll never. >> Carrera. >> Yeah. >> You know he cuts a ton. >> Yeah. If I I just do not let myself get. over 230. That's just like my that's my. oath to myself. >> And then in camp what do you get down. to? >> 20. I'd say between 20 and 25 is where I. like to balance 220 225. And anytime in.

there, I'm good because I know that. that's where I'm gonna fight at. So when. I'm in camp, it's, you know, >> and then when do you start your cut? >> Uh, so the way that it happens is. the last kind of two weeks. I don't. necessarily do too much of like a diet. change. It's just my like I'm always. looking to peak on fight day, not like a. peak plateau format that a lot of people. go by. So, I'd say usually, let's say we.

weigh in on Friday, that Tuesday, I'm. around. 214. >> Oh, okay. >> 213, something like that. >> That's nice. >> And then, you know, those last days is. kind of like water load, proteins, and. fats only. >> Nice cut. >> I sit in the sauna no matter what, like. an hour maybe. Like, my weight cut this. time took I hit mitts for an hour and a. half. I laid down in a sauna blanket and.

I was on weight. Like I So it was like. under two hours for me to be on weight. >> So you're not depleted at all. Feel. good. And how long did it take for that. cold to get out of your system or. whatever it was? >> Uh. I still felt it. Uh I still felt it a. bit on fight day, but there was nothing. that was going to like my mind. for like through this camp, through this. fight, man. Like I'm so happy for. everything that I went through honestly. like there was nothing that was going to. take away like my shine or my joy or my.

feeling of like being ready, being. prepared. Um it was it was a battle with. my mind and every day I had to make a. choice to like. >> to just be better, to be bigger, to be. >> to be happy, to just you know to just. like embrace everything. This was all. like everything's just been about. embracing the obstacles that that come. So, the last time we talked was before. the Pereira fight. Yeah. >> And it was a great fight. >> Thank you. >> You had some great success. It was a.

tough fight. Uh, and then what is what. is it like after that fight? So, you. faced the best in the world. >> and you know that you can hang with him. >> You lost the fight, but you didn't. gained a ton of experience. You went. five rounds with one of the greatest. And what is it like after that? I'd say. everything seems very different now. Um.

I have been since the Pereira fight I've. been to I'd say more than. six countries and every there's fans. there. Everyone like knows who I am now. And that is something that was a shock. to me. um. especially coming off a loss and just. knowing that like I gave my all in that. fight and that's.

I guess what the people wanted from me. to get that type of like acknowledgement. cuz I'd been in the UFC for so long. But that fight I guess really showed. people like who I am and I got to show. the world who I am and um against a guy. like Alex. So now I feel like I've at. least kind of made my mark and been. like, "Hey, I'm here." You know, and so. people are now like, "Okay, Khalil, I. know who this guy is. You can say the. name." And now people kind of, you know,

they're they're familiar with with who I. am now. >> Um, but the other thing that it showed. me was that. I know I now know who I am and what I'm. capable of. Um, I spent. majority of that fight just soaking in. the moment and just like I'm here. I'm. here. I'm here. I was excited to be. there. Um, I gave everything I had, but. then going back and watching it, I'm.

like, ah, I saw a lot of the mistakes. that I made. >> What mistake specifically? >> The number one mistake that I think was. made in that fight is that it was my. first five rounder. And. when I was going into the fourth, cuz I. took a lot of damage in in the in the. end of the like middle to end of the. third. So I was up one and two, the. beginning of three, I was starting to. kind of. he started to kind of take over halfway. through the round. And once he started.

hitting me, I was like, "Oh [ __ ] he's. established his range and now I'm. feeling it." So it wasn't necessarily. like a cardio thing. It was just like I. started taking damage and everybody. knows this guy hits hard. So. I was taking the damage. I was rocked. I. was dizzy. Going into the fourth in the. in the break, I remember John Wood. saying, "All right, man. Like, you're. doing great. 10 more minutes. Like, you. can do anything 10 minutes. Just stick. in there. We got this.".

And because I wasn't familiar with the. five rounds, I took 10 minutes as. sellout. So in the fourth round, I came. out like ready to, you know, I wasn't. thinking with the mindset of like I'm up. to he just took the third. Fourth round, I need to maybe relax, you know, maybe. not. get hit, you know, whatever. Fourth. round, I came out, I bit down, and I. went to war.

I think that's what lost me the fight. for me personally. >> So, you made a lot of adjustments in the. Jamal Hill fight. >> 1000%. >> Yeah, you could see it. You could see. first of all, what a performance. >> Thank you. >> I mean, >> you dominated a world champion. I mean, dominated him. It was such a clear-cut. victory. And it was a victory where a. lot of people thought that you were. going to struggle with him and you know. you just. >> really. >> you really showed. a level above the Pereira fight and I.

think maybe part of it is what you're. talking about like choosing when to. engage and when not to engage. Like. there was moments in that fight where. you were dominating the fight but. there's moments where he was coming. after you. You just moved. You just. moved. He moved away from him and I know. it pissed him off but it's like hey man. you know you were way ahead. You're way. ahead and you were do you were. dominating the exchanges then when you. chose to exchange with him you were. hurting him. >> Yeah. >> and dropping him. >> It was very impressive man. >> Thank you. And that was uh that was the.

product of you know really reviewing. mistakes. And. >> you also do some wild [ __ ] like standing. hammer fists. Is that how you practice? Were you practicing? Absolutely, man. >> That's a crazy move. >> Absolutely, man. We're artists. You. know, I think that that's one thing. that, you know, I try my best to always. embody the artist in mixed martial arts, I think it gets lost in the growth of. the sport of MMA, you know, but you. know, from this the past conversations.

we have and you understanding kind of. how I was before, like, man, I need some. type of outlet for creativity, you know, and I. >> That's what it is standing. I mean, my. mind, you know, just my essence is art. So, I'm like, how can I, >> you know, paint this picture of like. expression of of combat, you know what I. mean? Like, there's so many different we. got a lot, we got craft mag, we got all. these things and it's like, let me. paint, you know, like what can I use to, you know, to to to.

>> That's a bold thing to do to use. something very creative like that on a. world champion, too. Jamal Hill is a dangerous guy. >> Yeah, he's dangerous, man. >> Standing hammer fist. >> Yeah, I'm dangerous, too. You know, like. I try to Yeah. I try to like I I I. always try to. insert myself into, you know, into these. things, too, cuz I think about it. Yeah. Alex, [ __ ] hard hitter, dangerous. guy. And I have to like, yeah, so am I. Let's do it. You know, Alex or uh Jamal,

same thing. Like, I know he's got one. punch power, you know, all these things. I'm like, let me insert myself. Let me. take some chances. let me be bold. You. know, I think that's that's. >> I think there's an advantage that you. have also as a lighter guy in that. division is that you move quicker and. that was kind of evident in that fight. that you're like, >> you know, there's a range of light. heavyweights and you're on the smaller. range. Like there's a lot of guys like. Drius who's bigger than you, who's the. middleweight champion. He's [ __ ]. huge, man. >> It's the opposite thing, right? He's. cutting a ton of weight. I don't know.

what he cuts, but. >> every time I interview him, I'm like, how? >> Yeah. How the [ __ ] are you 185 pounds? You're enormous. He looks like a. heavyweight. >> and he is a heavyweight when he fights. I mean, he's over 205 for sure. >> Yeah, these guys, they blow up. >> Blow up and you don't. And I think. because of that, you have this uh you. have speed and not just speed of the. strikes, but the way you move in and. out. >> You know, it's like when you close the. distance on Jamal, you could see it was. like there were some moments where I.

think he was surprised by the speed in. which you were able to close the. distance. Yeah, I think so as well. Um, there were, yeah, there were some. reactions in there that I was picking up. on. Um, I could see a bit of. frustration, you know. >> Um, I feel like I was able to read a lot. of the things before they, you know, before they would come. And, um, yeah, I. I'm I mean, I heard everything that his. coaches were saying and in my mind, I. was just seeing him struggle with like.

not being able to react the way he. wanted. And maybe that was because, you. know, there was there was the speed that. they weren't necessarily dealing with. >> the speed and also the leg kicks. You. you [ __ ] him up early with leg kicks. Yeah. And that it really had a. significant effect when you see him. switching stances and he doesn't like to. stand orthodox. And. >> you saw a lot of changes. >> Yeah, he he did. I can I can say that, you know, there were some improvements. made. I think that he probably spent. some more time working on his footwork.

He was a lot less flatfooted than he. usually is. Um, I could tell that like. his a lot of the times his toes were. pointed at me and that wasn't what I. studied. You know what I mean? Like. >> so he made some changes. >> He'd made some changes. >> He landed some very good leg kicks. specifically in the first round. >> Yeah. Thank you. I. I always do my best to, you know, try to. channel my Muay Thai and. >> Yeah. No, you're like one of the few. like remember we talked about that about.

the Eric Anders fight like you when you. came back from Thailand the first time. you were fighting like a tie. >> and me and DC were having a blast with. it like look at this like light on the. front foot. It was like totally. different approach. >> Yeah. >> But um he landed some very good leg. kicks in the first round too. It was a. good exchange but yours were doing a lot. more damage. >> Yeah, he started off with the leg kicks. like I think he threw maybe three or. four calf kicks before I actually. started answering back. Um yeah, he so.

he started it and I was just like, "Okay, cool. If this is the game we're. playing, like I love this game, you. know, like I love this game." So, um. >> yeah, it was it was it was a great. fight, man. >> Why did you start the beginning of the. fight like with your hands down just. like walking towards him? >> Because that's how I felt, Joe. I mean, like I I feel like. in that fight. So, there was there was. not necessarily like beef between Jamal. and I. Like, we never really exchanged, you know, there wasn't any like heated.

discussions or anything, but. we all have phones, we all have social. media, we all, you know, I get Google. alerts and stuff anytime I'm mentioned. And so, like, I've seen things that were. said and I'm just like, okay, whatever. I don't agree with it and I don't, you. know, whatever. if this guy looks at me. as however that's just his opinion. >> What was he saying? Like what was it? >> It just like I think it were like things. again about like the Alex fight or just. saying that like. >> he's going to outskill me or you know I.

don't belong in the division. Just you. know things like that like don't take my. exact word for it but that's kind of how. that's the stuff that I kind of saw. So. >> the for me there was no real reason to. show any like respect. you know, if. we're in the same building, if we're in. the same room, I just like whatever. I. wanted to just kind of block them out. Um, and then. during the weigh-ins, so I had a I had a.

press conference and they were saying. like, "Hey, in the Alex fight, you know, you there was a lot of blood. You got. cut up d um can we expect the same thing. from you in this fight?" And I said, "No, there's not going to be any blood. on my face." how you're interviewing me. now is how you're going to interview me. after the fight. I'm gonna look the. same. He didn't like that. I didn't say his. name, but he didn't like that. And so at. the weigh-ins, he come like, and mind you, we had.

3 days before the weigh-ins and we seen. each other in the hotel room and blah. blah blah or in the hotel. You know, there were many more opportunities for. him to say what he said, but he chose to. do it at the weigh-ins in front of Dana. White. And I thought that was like, come. on. >> What did he say? >> He said, "Oh, you're going to bleed. You're going to bleed. You better. believe that you're going to bleed.". Like in my face, like, "Oh, I'm going to. make you bleed." And I was just like, "Okay." Like, "Sure." You know, like that was just.

really like internally like I'm like, "Okay, sure. Yeah, whatever.". And why did you think that you wouldn't. get cut? Like, what made you think? >> I knew how I've been training and what. I'm prepared for, and I know the type of. athlete and fighter and man that I am, and I just knew that it wasn't going to. happen. I was just that confident in my. abilities and the work that I put in. that I just knew it wasn't going to. happen. >> It's pretty wild also considering you're. coming off of a loss. Like, you had more. confidence coming off of a loss.

>> 100%. Because the loss just showed me. that there's more work to do, you know, like people always say back to the. drawing boards and like it was more than. the drawing boards for me. It was like. back to the dirt, back to the Vegas. weather, back to the dying on the. assault bike, back to challenging. myself, back to going deeper. Who am I. really? What am I really capable of? And. you know, like. >> that that was it was just like deep deep. internal digging. to get out and to.

discover what I'm made of. And so. >> in that comes confidence. In that comes. like I I know what I'm capable of and I. know what I can do. And so. >> that's how I felt, you know. Wow. >> And so that's why I walked out like that. because I was just like. >> cuz it was kind of wild. I was going. what is he doing? I but I was also. prepared, you know, like I didn't want. to rush anything. Like nothing needed to. be rushed. Like the cage is closed and.

we got 25 minutes. >> Why am I going to run out, you know? Like. >> no, like walk here. I know that you're. not going to do anything. I wasn't. threatened. Like that. >> that statement in my face didn't like I. was just like, God, here we go again. You know what I mean? like another guy. that wants to like get in my face like. Yeah. And I did the job that needed to be. done. >> There's a very measured performance. And.

some people didn't like that. Some. people, you know, the casuals. I think. there's casuals that. >> they wanted to see blood. >> They just want to see chaos. They don't. care about your health. >> They don't care about me at the age of. 50 with, you know what I mean? when this. is all over and I want my knees and my. hands and my fingers and everything to. work and I want to be able to speak. sentences and go through the airport on. both my feet and not in a wheelchair. They don't care about that. No. >> And that's okay. >> Yeah, it's okay.

>> I mean, >> you know, like. >> the only time it bothers me is when. referees react. >> Like when referees separate people. because of booing. Like don't do that. Don't do that. >> Yeah. You can't The referees can't be. influenced by the crowd. >> Don't Don't give into the casuals. He. can't, man. Um cuz I thought it was a. very smart performance. Like if you're. going to fight a guy like Jamal who's an. awesome counter striker, one punch. knockout power, got a series of bodies. behind him. Like he's knocked out a lot. of dudes. He knows how to do it. >> You got to fight him smart and that's.

what you did. >> And I wasn't Yeah. I just like to be. clear, I know the things that I said can. come off as like overly confident or. whatever. I wasn't sleeping on Jamal, you know, like I knew what he was. capable of and I trained hard for him. I. really did. Every day was was. dedication. Every day was, you know, strategy and planning. >> When did you feel like everything was. coming together in the fight? >> Uh. before the fight. >> Really? >> Yeah. The the the the win for me. happened before the fight. Um,

like I said, I think with camp, um, the. training, you know, my head trainer, like with John, with Lorenzo, Christian, just the guys who are in my circle, um, and the work that we do, I just, they. really helped me with, you know, a lot a. lot of confidence and a clear vision and. a path to victory. And I just stuck to. it. So, I just had a feeling that if I.

if I stick to the plan, I win this. fight. >> And you did. >> Yeah, it was it was very measured, very. smart in and I liked it. I really. enjoyed it. Thank you. >> I enjoyed it because I like when people. fight smart. I really do. When people. maximize the amount of damage that they. put out, minimize the amount of damage. they receive in return. That's what you. did. >> Yeah. And so, yeah. Now, we got the next. one. Yuri Prohaskca. >> Yeah. >> Did you see that news? >> I did. Just saw it yesterday. Yeah. Um, so this is, man, I'm excited about this.

fight. Yeah, I really am. Um, >> another guy who's, you know what I mean? Like former champion, very skilled, very. dangerous. >> Um, >> another guy's gotten a lot better since. the Prair fight, too. >> He's gotten a lot better since the. prayer fight. He's dynamic. He's, you. know, he's strategic. Um, >> he's awkward as [ __ ] too. >> Yeah, he can be awkward. >> He's so weird. >> Um, >> he's the weirdest. and it's in Vegas. So, this is great. It's gonna be the. first time since. >> the Goki fight that I've been able to.

fight in front of a crowd. Um Oh, is. that really in my hometown? That was the. last fight I had. >> That's crazy. >> At T-Mobile Arena in in front of the Las. Vegas crowd. >> I had not realized that. >> Yeah. >> Oh, wow. So, that's that's huge. Don't. have to fly. Don't have to travel. >> Don't have to fly. Don't have to travel. And then. >> Las Vegas can come out and, you know, support a local. So, it's that's cool. because with the growth of Las Vegas, we're getting sports, you know, got the. Raiders, getting a baseball team, you. know, women's basketball. It's it's the.

the local scene in Vegas right now is. I'm I'm proud of it, you know, to come. from there and to see that now we have. something besides just gambling and, you. know, all the debauchery. >> Um. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh so, it's going to be nice and. um I'm very happy to uh to represent. that night. So, how do you train for a. guy like Yuri? Like, what what do you. do? I mean, are you going to watch a lot. of tape on him? Like, how do you prepare. for a guy like that? That's very. unusual.

>> Um, without giving away too much, I. think that it just requires, you know, study, like passing any test, you know. what I mean? Like, it requires. dedication and focus and, you know, doing the right study, making the right. adjustments. um and training, you know, it's the rest. I think is is art, you know, like how we. go about. solving the the problem is for everybody.

to enjoy. Um but I think that yeah, it. comes it comes from study and um good. training partners as well. I think that. that's a huge um a huge thing in. anybody's training camp. >> Do you have anybody that could emulate. that style? Um or will you even try? >> You know what I. to emulate someone's style I think is. it's helpful. It is it is helpful but. it's very hard because you can never.

really truly. you know be someone. So someone can give. you certain looks that maybe you'll see. Um so I don't I don't rely too heavily. on, you know, on im people emulating. Um, but I do appreciate, you know, bodies and people that are, um, around. the same size just so I can, you know, get used to that body contact of maybe. someone who's a bit taller and. >> yeah, >> not training with guys who are maybe. shorter, you know, like if I had a short.

guy who can emulate. >> my opponent, >> it's not going to help me against a tall. guy like, >> you know, it doesn't help. So, if I have. if I have a taller guy who maybe can't. emulate and I can do what I want to do. against a taller body, then the rest is. up to like my awareness and like making. sure that, you know, a guy who maybe has. this weird style. Okay, I'm I'm aware of. that, but I know what I can do against. someone of the same size. >> Yuri's just he's so unusual in that a.

lot of times his hands are down really. low, his his stance is very wide, and he. moves back and forth like a cobra. like. he he hinges at the waist more than. probably anybody. >> Mhm. >> He does a lot of unusual stuff that you. could see guys like try to adjust to. that when they're inside the cage with. them. It's like. >> you have this weird moment where you. have to think and consider these new. possibilities. >> Mhm. Um yeah, I think that uh you know, like I said, I just.

I've just returned from you know, a. reset. Um, and yeah, now I'm as soon as I leave. here, I'm, you know, I'm locked back. into. >> samurai mode, you know. >> What did you do in Thailand? Were you. just train? Were you just vacationing or. doing training? >> It was incredible, Joe. So, uh, my wife. and I got invited to Thailand from the. Thailand Tourism Authority. >> Wow. >> So, they invited us to come. They hosted.

us in Bangkok. Uh amazing hotel, Ducet. Tani Hotel. You have to go if you ever. go to to to Bangkok. Ducetani. So they. hosted us. They took us to like a small. pro or the smallest province in Thailand. called Samut Sonam. And in that. province, they are known for uh having. the best coconuts in all of Thailand. So. all like coconut water, coconut sugar, all that stuff most likely comes from.

some. um salt farm, a bee farm. Uh. >> what's a salt farm? >> Salt farm. So they they. made these channels that come from uh. the nearest like body of water and they. get the salt. They extract the salt from. the sea and then they create a bunch of. different things from it, you know, bath. salts. >> Oh, so they do it with some kind of. machinery. >> No, it's like Yeah, there's a little.

bit. Yeah, it looks like this. Yeah, exactly. >> Oh, so they do it by hand. >> Yeah, they do it by hand. These people, they're out there. Yeah, just this is. their daily life. And so we got to hang. out with these people that are that like. live in this province. >> Wow. That's how they do it? >> Yeah, man. >> I would have never known. So, how are. they getting salt out of the water like. that? Like, what do you do to. >> I honestly like I was so excited to be. there that I probably missed out on a. lot of the details, but that's how it.

looked. Like, there were these windmills. and I know looks like. >> Yeah, the water evaporates and then. there's like salt left at the bottom. >> and then break it into a pile. >> They rake it into a pile. >> and then it goes through other. processes. But um it's really cool to. just experience like they're very. passionate about and there's different. salts from everywhere. Like that up. there on the right is salt. I don't know. where it came from, but. >> that stuff that looks like like dark.

like cereal. >> Yeah, it's salt. >> Doesn't it look like cereal? >> No, but like Yeah. Corn flakes. The. toasted corn flakes. Um. >> that's salt. >> But yeah, and so they had different like. salts that came from everywhere. and you. can see um how how it forms based off of. like the you know the whatever. ecosystem. >> Um. >> yeah so so cool. So that's Samut Sakhan. We were in Samut Srram and uh really.

cool man. So they we went on there we. went there. Um they took a bunch of I. guess influencers from around the world. and uh flew them into Thailand to. welcome us and show us diff just. different sides. It's not always about. you know the beaches and Phuket and all. this stuff like they they took us and. then spread us out. So that's where we. got to go. And then um we went back to. Bangkok and had this crazy cool gala. Um. Bula was there, you know, like Yeah. like all these, you know, um movie stars.

and and the uh people from just uh like. the Thai government and stuff just. >> showing people pretty much like the. heart of Thailand. So it was very. welcoming. It was a really cool way to. to kind of come back and and feel home. again. Um, and then I ended up staying. an extra week or two. Um, same thing, Thailand Tourism, you know, made sure that we uh just continue that. experience. So, we stayed at some other. hotels, did like the boat ride cruise.

down the river, you know, just had. dinner, just really got to to live it up. and experience, you know. >> So, it was all basically vacationing, not training. >> Uh, no training because it was fresh out. of the fight. So, I flew I was in Baku. two weeks. I flew from Baku to Vegas, stayed in Vegas eight hours, and then. flew from Vegas to Thailand. So, I like. went around the world in like 24 hours. Um, so I was fresh out the fight. So, there was there was. >> closer to go from Baku to Thailand.

>> Yeah. But the trips were booked. separately. So, like in order for that. ticket to, you know, to actually work, I. had to be in Vegas to fly out. >> Um, but I did it. I thugged it out. And. um yeah, it was it was the best way to. recover. Like this was a good recover. recovery for me because I started the. camp uh for Jamal in February is when I. heard about it, but then it got. postponed due to like one of his. injuries. And uh Yeah. >> Wow. >> Yeah. And now I'm back. And um when you.

get a big victory like that over a guy. like Jamal, what does what does that. feel like in your head when you know the. work paid off? uh to just keep going. Um and to just to. just keep like keep digging, you know, like it's it's nice because I'm. before, you know, like when I went I I. went on that fiveight win streak, I was. like coming back from Thailand and like. now I'm I'm fully in this, you know,

I'm 100% in. And with that, I that means. like I'm just I'm committed to digging. this tunnel. And so like a win. over Jamal, like that tunnel isn't open. yet. Like I got to get the belt first, you know, like but I'm digging and I saw. like, oh, maybe I got this like cool. gemstone. Like, okay, cool. Put that in. my bag. But like now I'm, you know, I'm. committed. I'm still. >> I'm still in the mine, you know, and. eyes on the prize.

>> Eyes on the prize, man. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. And the prizes, it's very. interesting now, right? Cuz Pereira lost. to Anolia and they're going to rematch. on that same card. >> Same card. >> Yeah. Which is going to be wild. That's. the main event. >> And then Kane is Morab and Cory. Sanhagen, which is another awesome. fight. >> Yeah. >> So, it's going to be one of those cards. It's I mean, right now busy night for. John Wood. He's got me and Morab the. same. >> Just those three fights just that's an. insane card. If. >> obviously if it stays together, MMA is.

rough with that. people get injured. >> But if that card stays together the way. it's pieced up right now, just with. those three, I mean, what a card. This. is an advertisement from Better Help. Stress in the workplace is becoming an. issue around the world. Did you know. that 60% of the global workforce has. reported experiencing higher than normal. levels of stress? So, it's more. important than ever that we learn to. take some time for ourselves. Plan a. nice long holiday this summer. Go. hiking, read a book, play video games. I.

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at the beach, on your vacation, or at. home after a grueling day of work. Plus, as the largest online therapy provider. in the world, BetterHelp can provide. access to mental health professionals. with a diverse variety of expertise. Our. listeners get 10% off their first month. at betterhelp.com/jre. That's betterh ELP.comjre. >> From what I've seen so far and like just. the the texts that I've gotten. Yeah, a.

lot of people are really excited about. it, which hypes me up and makes me want. to, you know, train smarter. >> Well, you know, Yuri, who also beat. Jamal in one of his last fights, looked. fantastic in that fight. And coming off. of the Pereira fight, he also made some. big changes and big improvements. Mh. >> That's one of the things that makes your. fight with him so much more interesting. >> Yeah, cuz I I'm sure from his last even. a loss to Pereira, he. >> I knew him coming back, he mentioned it.

like he wants he wants to fight for the. title again. You know what I mean? Like, so he's he's hungry for the title again. as well. >> And so am I. And yeah, we've both made. the adjustments. So, I think it's uh. >> the thing is though, it's like he lost. twice, you lost once. >> So, it's like it's a little tougher to. sell his fight. >> than it is to sell a rematch with you. And I think you probably had more. success certainly than him in the second. fight. The second right fight he he got.

kind of tuned up. >> Yeah, I think second round. Yeah, second. round was. >> Well, the first round he got dropped. hard. >> Dropped hard and then came out second. round and head kicked. Yeah. >> Yeah. He was out of it going into the. second and that left hook landed clean. Yeah. >> At the end of the It could have been the. over the end of the fight right there. >> Yeah. No, those those uh. Perez's got a different power, man. For. sure. Like it's it it feels like a. stone. >> Does it feels remarkably different? >> Remarkably.

>> Really? >> Yeah. Getting punched. I've never been. punched as hard as I did when I fought. Pereira. like ever in sparring. It there was just something. it's kind of crazy cuz like you just I I. give credit where credit's due, you. know, like I don't want to gas him up. too much, but there is just one thing. and it's like I don't know. I've. >> I think that it's it's real, you know, >> it's obviously real. >> Yeah, it's it's real. The power the.

power of the strength is real. It's not. it's not anything lucky. It's. calculated, but when it lands, it's like. >> Yeah. Now, he was a guy I talked up big. time when he was in Glory. When he when. I found out he was coming over to the. UFC, I was like, "Buckle up because this. is just different. He just hits. different." And, you know, his frame's. different, too. It's a very He's. >> Yeah. >> moves different. >> I remember when like during the. weigh-ins. um when we faced off and like he just. bent his arms up like this and I was.

like, "Fuck, this is a big man." you. know, like we weigh the same, but like. you know, like that that I was like, "Yeah, okay, this is a big guy." Like, cuz he just bent his arms and like his. his hand was kind of like right near my. face, so I could see just like, >> you know, >> the mass. >> the mass. So, it's like booming. It was. I was like, "Okay, >> how the [ __ ] did that guy weigh 185?". >> I don't know. >> That's what I want to know. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> What kind of was he doing? >> Torture, man. >> It must have been unbel Well, I think. that's one of the things that. contributed is is he knocking him out. other than the perfect punch. I mean,

Izzy landed an absolutely perfect punch. >> Yeah. >> But I think I mean, it's well noted that. when guys lose that much weight, they're. a little bit more vulnerable to getting. hit. >> Yeah, 100%, man. And um you you watched. the uh the Poria fight, I'm sure. Oh, yeah. You were there? No. >> No, I wasn't there. >> You weren't there. >> The last one. You mean with Max? >> Yeah, with Max. >> Pretty sick, man. >> Very good. >> I was very happy. And what a cool like. >> I don't know. I like what the UFC is. doing now with like the exits, you know,

like Anthony Smith got a sick exit. Like. >> Dustin's got a sick exit for me. I don't. know. I that that was kind of one of the. highlights of of that night for me. Not. only did I feel like they both put on a. really good fight. I just thought like. >> what a cool way to to be able to just. like do that much work and then like be. appreciated for it. Like. >> win or lose. I think Yeah. Maybe the. tides are changing a little bit. Maybe, >> you know. >> Well, what what do you mean? Like. I felt like for a long time and still to.

this day it might it's still pretty like. heavy but to lose in MMA was almost kind. of like the end of the world to the fans. >> cuz it is in boxing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You know in boxing everybody wants to be. undefeated. >> Yeah. Like undefeated. And like you know. sometimes like someone can be on a tear. and then they you know they lose and. then like you can just see the direction. of the of the support like completely. shift like ah fluke and you know.

>> but um yeah I think that it's you know. when I see things like you know Dustin's. exit and all that stuff granted he did a. lot in the company and he's he's done a. lot in his career but to see that kind. of gave me hope like okay maybe this. will you know give the fans a little bit. different perspective. perspective and. maybe it can start to shift towards like. >> appreciating people. >> Appreciating the fighter, man. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Like appreciating the fighter for. for what we do. It's not it's not the. easiest job.

We don't get paid the most, you know, like so like Yeah. Like a little. appreciation goes a long way. Win or. lose, for sure. >> Yeah. I hope the tide is turning in that. direction, too. >> Yeah. >> I just People need to It's like again, it's casuals. It's like people love. So, one of the things that I really. struggled with in the early days of. commentary is that regular sports people. were starting to do MMA commentary. >> and they were talking about fighters the.

same way they would talk about like a. football player who drops a pass or a. basketball player who misses a shot very. disrespectfully, >> choked. They were saying they were. saying a lot of [ __ ] I was like, "Hey, hey, hey, you don't know what the [ __ ]. you're talking about." like this is a. wrong sport to be coming over here and. talking like that, you know, and the. early days in particular. There was a. lot of that. There was a lot of people. that they wanted to get credit for their. work by just being that arrogant. You.

know, there's like a bunch of those. people in the sports world that are just. like insulting. And then, you know, there's a long history of athletes. meeting those people and [ __ ] them up. and slapping them and it's just it's. super disrespectful. And I don't know. why, >> but but there there's like a culture. particularly in America that embraces. that and that likes that because that's. the kind of talk that like dumb dums. have when they're on the job and like. did you see him last night [ __ ]. loser? >> Missed that three-pointer. You should.

have passed the ball. Like, you know, shut the [ __ ] up, man. just. it's I hate that [ __ ] I hate that [ __ ]. cuz I didn't do a lot of team sports, you know? I I only was involved mostly. in combat sports when I was a kid. >> And so disrespect like that was like, God, you don't know what you're even. talking about. You. >> It's annoying, man. >> You don't understand what this is. These. guys are risking their [ __ ] life. It's different than everything else you. watch. >> You miss a basketball, you miss it going.

at the hoop. Okay, next day, you know, you get to shoot some more basketballs. and practice and then you'll be playing. in a few days. >> and you're back at it. With fighting, it's your [ __ ] soul. >> It's everything. >> 100% broken. >> People calling people bums. It's like, shut your mouth. >> Yeah, dude. Stop it. Yeah, it it's super. annoying. And that also brings to. thought like I I went to the SBS and. that was really cool. like first time. going to the SBS and seeing all these.

other athletes, you know, that we see on. football and, you know, just on on. television, being in the same room. Um, it was amazing. And I remember seeing. just like the opening. video. and uh I think there might have been. maybe one clip of an MMA fight, but I'm. listening to all the like awards given. out and you know, best play and all this. stuff. And I was just thinking, man, like I know MMA is is new and I I'm.

obviously it's growing because we're. here and, you know, they got Jon Jones. in the crowd and they got Morab here, you know, so it's growing. They're. they're starting to acknowledge us, but. like I can't wait until the day where. like. >> there's more fights on, you know, on in. the ESPs. We're what? >> We're doing great things. You know what. I mean? I feel like. >> it's the most exciting sport on earth. It's so exciting, man. And even like I. had, you know, pro hockey players, all.

these guys coming up like, "Oh, man, watch your fight." You know? So, like. the even even the athletes that are. playing the NFL, NHL, and MLB, all these. things, they they're even watching what. we're doing. Oh, yeah. I think it's, you. know, I'm excited for the growth of the. sport as well. And I, you know, hopefully the next generation or even. sooner will be able to know what it's. like to be an MMA fighter and still get. like an SB award. >> I wonder what's going to happen if the. UFC doesn't renew the ESPN contract.

because there's this negotiation thing. that's going on right now and I don't. know where they're going to land. There's talk of Netflix. There's talk of. other networks. There's a bunch of. different talk. And the one of the. things that we benefit from is ESPN, not. just as the host of the fights, but also. covering the fights. All the additional. coverage, all the sports center talk, all the different shows that they have. on ESPN Plus, the post-fight shows, those are all huge. >> Yeah. >> You know, the breakdown. People love. that [ __ ].

>> Oh, they do. >> They love the pre-fight breakdowns. Alan Joan, Karen Bryant. Yeah. I think Yeah, I think it's great. I. would. >> Rashad Evans. >> Yeah, it's got to it's got to stick. around, man. Like I. >> hope so. I love I love ESPN and I love. the I like getting it getting it that. way off the app. It's easy, you know, >> and it I think it helps us, too. I mean, it definitely helped the sport grow, right? And I think that people who I. think it helped us as fighters gain. those fans who are, you know, football.

fans. Oh, yeah. People who just have. ESPN on all day. Yep. You know what I. mean? or in a PT clinic, it's just like, okay, ESPN's on, you know, and to be. able to Yeah. to be shown through that. And I think it's been really helpful to. us. And. >> And the thing is, it's like you can get. converted to a fan with one fight. >> Mhm. >> All you need is one undercard banger. One undercard banger. You're like, "Oh. shit.". >> I mean, that was me with the Alex fight. It was honestly, dude, like these people. came out of nowhere. Like one fight. changed my life.

>> Wow. >> Like one fight changed my life, dude. It's. it's. >> Well, you dropped him. You had great. moments in that fight. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> dude, off topic. What's it like to be Joe. Rogan these days? >> What do you mean? >> What's it like? >> I'm here. Welcome to the Khil Round Tree. Experience. Today's guest, we have Joe. Rogan joining us. Joe, how you doing, man? >> It's pretty much the same for me. Get to. sit down, talk to cool people. >> Yeah. And I live my life pretty.

insulated. So I don't deal with. >> all the hoopla. Yeah. And chitter. chatter. Yeah. >> I just keep it moving. >> Okay. >> That's the way to stay sane. You got to. just keep it moving. >> Yeah. >> My day is basically the same every day. Get up early, write, >> shoot arrows, get in the cold plunge, lift weights, work out, do what I got to. do. Come here. >> Okay. >> It's the same. >> And then I go to the club, tell jokes, go home, go to bed, rinse, wash, repeat. That's what I do.

>> Nice. >> I I don't do anything any different. So, as chaotic as it seems, it's the same. for me. >> Okay. >> I think what [ __ ] people up is when. they get caught up in other people. talking about them and then they get. involved in it and then they start. reading things and they start thinking, "Is that who I am or is this who I am? Who's right? Am I a [ __ ] loser? Am I. the coolest guy ever? Who am I?" You. know? Uh-uh. Just keep working. >> I love that. >> Yeah. It's the only way. The the only. way to not go crazy when you get really.

famous is to keep doing exactly what. you've always been doing and make sure. you [ __ ] burn yourself out. You go. hard all the time with everything you. do. Cuz if you don't, then you're going. to just wonder, you know, am I slipping? Is this what's happening? Is this all. going to go away? Like that's one thing. that people really do freak out about. like once they start getting some. success. What if it goes away? >> Yeah. >> What if it goes away? And then you get. imposttor syndrome. You don't think you. should be there. And then if you read a.

bunch of comments, you know, most. comments are negative. Yeah. People. telling you over and over again, you're. a [ __ ] loser. You start going, "God. damn, am I a loser?" You start reading. things. I've seen it happen to fighters. I've seen it happen to many fighters. where they get too caught up in reading. comments and interacting with people in. a negative way online and. it's just not good for you. It's not. smart. It's not the way. It's not it's. you're you're you're dealing with the. crabs. It's crabs in a bucket. You know,

they there's a lot of people out there. that don't think the only way for them. to succeed is to pull you down. It's a. dumb mindset, but of course, there's a. lot of people that they're not that. aware of how much time they're wasting. They're not aware of how much energy. they're wasting thinking about other. people, constantly dwelling on the. hating and all the stupid [ __ ]. >> And they don't realize that they're. stealing from their own life. They don't.

realize it. They're just caught in this. weird trap because we have this. undefined new modality of communication, this uh social media modality, this this. new thing, this new. >> new device that you have that interacts. with your brain. and oftentimes a very. negative way. And you're wasting hours. and hours a day. Like how many people. like look at their screen time on their. phone. When you do, you go, "Whoa, six. hours? That's crazy.". >> Yeah. >> Six hours that I could have been doing. other [ __ ] Obviously, it's like 10.

minutes here, 5 minutes there. But it. [ __ ] adds up, man. It adds a work. shift. >> Yeah. And it's. >> it's really time. It's really energy. It's focus that's just being robbed from. you and with no reward. >> That's what they don't understand. It's. like you're getting robbed and you're. not getting anything back. >> You there's nothing positive coming. You're not growing. You're not getting. smarter. You're not getting you're not.

like contemplating. You got not getting. wiser. No, you're just [ __ ] you just. you're just. >> Yeah. Just being like taken out of you, I guess. Yeah. Wow, dude. That's no. that's that's great and it's a good it's. a good. reminder and refreshment for me to hear. you say that because. how do I put it like let's say if I get. asked question like how's Joe Rogan. you've been on Joe Rogan podcast like. how is he and I'm always like Joe's. great like tell me about him is he this.

is he that I'm like dude I'll say I say. this I can tell you here I'll just give. you like four things. Every time we. talk, it's [ __ ] good. We hang out, we. talk, I feel like he likes me, I like. him. It's always a great time. Two, there's a lot of books when I walk in. there. There's a bunch of books, all. types of different books. I think Joe's. a curious guy. I think he's a smart guy, well read, a lot of cool things. Um, and. it's it's always just based around like, yeah, when I think of you, I think just.

genuine dude, good vibes. I feel the. same way about you, you know, and it's. always it's always fun to to just come. here and and just like chop it up with. you. Um that's why like I guess I just. needed that own like I just wanted that. for myself to just be like, "Joe, what's. up? How you doing?" And you tell me. like, "Cool. I'm I'm doing the same. thing. I wake up, I go to the gym, I. shoot my bows, I you know, I I go to the. club. I like that." to me to know that. just personally without being one of.

those people that are just like sucked. into my phone or whatever to just hear. it come from your mouth face to face. that that's what you're up to. That. makes me feel. >> I think it's the only way to live. >> Yeah. >> I think getting I mean I've been sucked. into my phone before for sure. But now. for the most part if I spend time on my. phone at all it's watching things. I. watch like YouTube videos, but it's. always stuff on like it's either. watching MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, or watching like YouTube videos.

on ancient history, the interesting. things. Yeah. >> So, I'm not interacting with opinions. and people. >> Yeah. and all that stuff. The the stuff. that'll piss you off and and take from. you. Uh, do you ever watch like fighters. YouTube channels? >> Oh, yeah, for sure. Yeah. >> Yeah. Have you seen mine? >> I have seen yours. >> Okay, cool. You like it? >> Yeah, it's great. >> Okay. It kind of kind of inspired by you. a little bit. I remember you saying in. the past like, "Oh, you should start a. podcast." I was like, "Maybe not yet.". But how about a YouTube channel? So, um,

>> people love behind the scenes stuff. They really do. They love to see people. train. Training in particular, >> you know, I spent a lot of time watching. Usyk training before this uh last Dubois. fight. >> Yeah. >> Was it crazy? I saw something the other. day. It was like Usyk swimming 5 hours. I was like, "Oh my god, >> he's an animal, man." I mean, >> he's so [ __ ] good. He's so good. I. mean, you think about what that guy has. done. >> He beat AJ twice. He beat Tyson Fury.

twice. And now he beat Dubois twice. >> Mhm. >> That's crazy. No, >> it's incredible. >> Those are two of the best like of this. era. I think he's one of the best of all. time. I really do. I think he's one of. the best heavyweights of all time. And. his movement is so different. One of the. things that was interesting um uh well. they were they were talking about the. fight and AJ was he was Tony Bellows was. talking about when he fought him and AJ. was saying that when he fought him it. was the most exhausted he's ever been.

>> because he's always moving. You never. you're not there's no rest with him. There's like constant there's constant. twitching. >> under fire the whole time. >> You're you're constantly thinking when. is this coming? There's no silent. agreements. There's no relaxation. There's no, you know, there's no there's. no rounds off. Everything is he's. putting it on you and moving constantly. Like I always say, he's like a giant. Lomachenko. >> Got it. >> They were both trained by the same guy. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. Lachenko's father trained Usyk as.

well. >> Ah, >> yeah. >> So, there's something. Yeah, there's. something. >> Obviously, gravity keeps him from moving. the way Lomachenko does cuz Lachenko is. so small. He he can like dance around. you. >> in footwork, just majestic footwork. But. Usyk's footwork is like it's there's a. bunch of breakdowns of the final. combination that he hit Daniel with. >> And you know, he steps off to the side. and lands that [ __ ] left hook from. hell. >> God, it was good. You could see Daniel.

was already tired. You could see it. like it's just dealing with. >> there's got to be something like you. know Lomachenko's dad like some type of. philosophy or some you know what I mean. that these guys just. >> kind of tap into you know cuz like to be. a big guy yeah there's footwork and all. that stuff but I think man shout out to. the coach like to. >> yeah it's skill man it's it's a skillful. type of boxing it's like a you know. there's there's guys that are like heavy. bangers and they rely on that and.

there's guys that have you know good. defense and they rely on that but his. thing is like this constant movement and. constant faints and jabs and it's all. with a purpose. Everything is like. setting you up. Everything is reading. what your reaction to this is and. anticipating what your reaction is. When's that right hand coming? Duck. under counter. It's like constant. The. jab was going in an upward direction. Sometimes he was catching Daniel with. this like upward jab. Here's the Oh, okay. Here's a breakdown. >> Yeah, I've only seen highlights. I.

actually didn't get. >> this [ __ ] movement, man. It's so. good, man. It's so good. The movement. >> Do you know how What's his age? Damn. >> He's 38, man. >> Oh my god. Yeah, that was a solid left. >> He's old. He's old for a boxer, you. know, and the fact that he was a. cruiserweight champion, too. >> And. that was the first drop. But here's the. big one. The left hook that that he. knocks him out was extraordinary, man. >> What are they showing here? Okay, the. counters. >> O,

>> this video is just about his weight. transferring. Yeah. No, it's amazing. I. mean, he's one of the most skillful. heavyweights of all time. I think you. have to go back to Cash's Clay. Yeah. >> Like before they took his title away, before they made him sit out for three. years. >> Look, there's the final left hook. >> Oh my goodness. >> Look at this counter. Steps off to the. left and then full weight into it. >> Really launch. Like you can tell that. there that weight transfer was. everything. It's just constant footwork.

and movement. And a lot of his training. is that. >> Yeah, you can see it. He's never. stationary. >> Exactly. >> Like his feet are never in one place. They're constantly moving. >> Well, there's a lot of Russian fighters. who fight that way, you know, and. obviously he's from Ukraine, but you. know, u BVA Bivval fights that way. There's a lot of these Eastern block. fighters that have this this movement. style, like there's like constant like. movement style, and it's like there's a. lot of value in that, man. Like when you. see flatfooted guys and you see guys who. fight like that, you go, man, there's.

something in that. Like that's. extraordinary. >> Yeah. Flat-footed guys, I feel like a. lot of them, that's where they generate. their power, right? Kind of like relying. on that like a Deontay Wilder, you know, like Sure. >> If his feet are planted and you're up. against the ropes, like bye-bye, you. know, like. >> or George Foreman in his day. >> Oh man. >> Yeah. It's it's heav he heavy plotting, you know, like moving forward like this, covering up just but everything has just. death on it. Yeah. You know, >> just looping them. >> But a guy like Dubois, he can do that.

That's the thing. That's how you [ __ ]. up AJ. He has that crazy power. >> But when you're not getting hit and. you're just moving away and this guy's. just whiffing these nuclear bombs by you. over and over again and then after a. while he's like he's like headed into. the third. He's like, "Oh, Jesus. Christ.". >> Yeah. This guy is [ __ ] not there and. I'm exhausted. And then you're dealing. with him like sparks are flying every. time he's hitting you and you don't know. when these punches are coming because. they're coming from these weird angles.

and every time you throw a punch he's. countering you and you're you're nervous. that which one of these is going to like. really rock me. It dude to be in that. situation like during a fight is gh it's. the worst. I remember like feeling like. that in the Alex fight just there was a. few like jabs and stuff. I was obviously. just dizzy. and just dealing with like, okay, this. guy's not slowing down and I'm hurting, you know, like.

>> Yeah, around the fourth he started. getting that time. When was the fight. stopped? >> Uh fourth round. >> It was the fourth. fourth round. I think. like. probably. two and a half minutes in, something. like that, >> he started getting that rhythm where he. was like moving away from stuff and then. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> coming back in. >> Moving in. >> Yeah. >> But it it was. >> unusual move. >> Obviously deceptive, but like my eye was. shut. It was I was I thought I was blind. in my eye, but I was like, "Okay, whatever. This is just.

>> I I don't know what was what was going. on with me at that fight. I was so. excited to be there and so I mean even. even in the fight like not being able to. see out of my right eye at all. Like not. blurred vision. It was just like all I. saw was just white light. Like. >> wow. >> That's all I saw. And in that moment I. was like, "Oh, I'm blind. [ __ ] it.". >> Wow. >> Yeah. Like literally. So I don't I don't. know what it was. Like maybe all I know. is I just saw a light coming in. Couldn't see shadows anywhere.

>> When did that start happening? That was. sometime in the fourth round. >> So, you got hit with something. >> I got hit with something. Maybe like a. jab. Boom. And I just remember like my. eye wasn't closed all the way yet, but. like all I could see was just white. light and I was like, "Oh [ __ ] I think. I went blind, but whatever." Like, let's. go. Like, you know, like internally, like it was such this like light. positive voice going on the whole time. in that fight. >> How do you think you developed that?

I don't know, man. It could be like a. series of just like life experiences and. my. like. I don't know books that I read or just. like things that I try to practice or. some. enlightenment thing that I'm trying to. get or you know what I mean? Like I. think I think that it comes from that. because I'm I'm just I'm kind of always. searching for the light and and short,

you know? So, God, it's got to be so. hard though in that situation because. generally speaking, there's a moment in. fights where you see guys starting to. get hit and tuned up and you see. hesitation and you see panic and you. didn't show any of that. You were. getting beat up, but you were firing. back. You were fighting at the best that. you could. It was very obvious. >> Yeah. To the very end. Well, you know. what? >> So, right before we went out or right. before we got to the arena, my coach. Lorenzo is like, "All right,

>> your nose is already cut, so it's going. to open up." And he's like looking at me. in my face, you know, like he's like. face to face with me. He's like, "Your. nose is already cut. Accept it. It's. going to open up. First time you get. hit, it's going to open up. All right, that's out of the way." He's. like, "Now, expect that you're going to. get the [ __ ] beat out of you. you're. gonna go to bloody [ __ ] war. He's. like, "You might break a hand. You might. break a leg. You might get your jaw. broken, but you don't give up. You keep. going. We [ __ ] come out of this fight. victorious." And he's like, "You hear.

me?" And I'm like, "Yeah." And he's. like, "So, just [ __ ] soak it in now. You're about to go to [ __ ] fullon. war. It's going You're like, you know, like you're about to go to hell." Like, he's just like in my face, you know? And. he's like, "We're face to face." And. he's like, "I need you to accept it now, son." Cuz he kind of looks at me like. like his son. He treats me that way and. I appreciate it. He's like, "You're". He's like, "But we're [ __ ] we're. [ __ ] winning this fight, son. And. you're going to [ __ ] go to you're. going to [ __ ] war." And I was just. swallowed that, walked into the arena. just kind of accepting it already. You.

know what I mean? Like I wasn't like I. was just like, "Okay." Like Lorenzo said. it. All right. This is what it is. This. is what it is. And so like in the locker. room, you know, in my warm-ups and. everything, I think subconsciously I'm. just like already programming myself for. the worst of the worst. >> all but not in a way to where I'm like, "Oh, I'm going to lose this fight.". >> Like I'm like expanding, you know? Wow. >> Just like internally like, "Okay, [ __ ].

I'm ready for this. All right." Boom. All right. My [ __ ] hands are going to. get broken. My face is going to get. split up. All right. And every fight's. not like this. It's like not every. opponent we have the same, you know what. I mean? This same. >> thing cuz the strategy is always. different for everybody, but some they. he just had a feeling that this is the. type of fight it was going to be. So. when it got down to that point, I think. I had already accepted it. So the only. thing I could do was just enjoy it, you. know, cuz I was like, God, >> that's such a crazy thing to say.

>> I knew it was going to happen. Like I. just knew it. >> So yeah, if I remember, dude, like the. third round, fourth round, something in. there. I'm just like, "Thank you." Like, "This is cool. I'm. fighting five rounds, fighting for the. world, you know, to the crowd. I'm like, "Oh my god.". >> Eyes closed. Boom. [ __ ] I think I'm. blind. I'm like, "Fuck." Oh [ __ ] Like, he's not going back. You know, and like. even to the last I'm like swinging. I. can't see. Boom. Body shot hurts. I'm. like backing up a bit. But like I just.

remember like the whole time this just. this very like positive feeling, man. It. like and that's why like those shorts. are framed in, you know, like I got the. shorts framed, never washed them, you. know, blood still on them, gloves never. wiped them off and I just put it in a. shadow box. it's on my wall, you know, like that for me is just it was a just a. pivotal moment for me just in my life as.

a person, as a human, you know, just. Yeah, that's like the beginning. I think. that was like that's the beginning of. the. >> wow. >> of the journey now. So. >> that's wild. The world title fight is. the beginning of the journey. I thought, yeah, I thought, you know, like, oh, no, this is like that was the. beginning because when I was there, I. felt like I belonged, >> like it wasn't foreign to me, like, you. know, >> final the, you know, main event, lights.

go dark, it's just the spotlights, you. know, we I've only ever watched it. So, >> right. >> Um, yeah, I was like, okay, this is. >> this feels different. >> It felt like it was supposed to feel, if. that makes sense. It's like everything. I felt like that vision that I've had. and it was like being there and I was. just like, >> "Yeah, feels about right." Like, >> wow, >> cool. [ __ ] Pereira right in front of. me. Hell yeah. This feels right. Like,

>> this feels like, yeah, this is it right. here. Um, and then obviously like you. know the loss was it it took a little. bit of an emotional toll on me because. my focus was to win and that was my you. know that was my intention. Um, but I think like in hindsight I look at. it and it's like no my I was meant to be. there to experience it and to learn from. it because the things that I did learn. and experience from that fight have made.

me a better person for sure. That's. awesome. >> Yeah, >> that's awesome. Well, it really showed. it in the Jamal Hill fight because you. you came in that fight, it just looked. like you were you had gone through. something and come out on the other end. That's what it looked like cuz again, Jamal's. >> world champion. He's a dangerous. dangerous man, you know, and you looked. supremely confident in that fight. >> Yeah. A lot of a lot of training, man. Like I I I. understand that there's a lot I'm a.

striker, you know, like that's just I. love to strike. Don't stray away from a. striking match. But I think that. like lately I've been training a lot. with Betta, who just got signed to UFC. >> Incredible guy, amazing. jiu-jitsu m like multipletime jiu-jitsu. champion. um rolling with guys like Luke Rockold. I mean, being able to be like on a team. with those guys and us train together.

has really helped me as well because. has just given me more confidence in my. abilities and my development as like a. championship level fighter. Um, so yeah, I mean like even to I you know. I brought you those shorts today, the. Santos Studio ones. Man, we're we're. building an incredible team down there. I think it's like the first time. Are. you familiar with what we're doing at. all? Okay, so like over at Santos.

Studio, Newport Beach, um we've got. Santos Studio, we've got Jackson. Jackson's like men's jewelry. Um yeah, men's jewelry, but there's also like. Jackson media house. And over there. we're trying to include. all of MMA fighters, extreme sports. athletes, like give them like a platform. to showcase, you know, their talents and. and and build themselves. But Santo. Studio, the clothing brand, we have the.

sickest team. So we've got like Betta, we've got Arman, we've got I mean. Dillashaw's behind it, we got Rockhold. Um, man, the list goes on. Gabriel. Silva, Anderson Silva's son on just like. the fighting side, but then it's like. Paul Rodriguez, skateboarder, Niga. Houston, Ryan Sheckler, and then we got. motocross riders like Jet and Hunter. Lawrence and like so there's all these. kind of like extreme sports athletes. under one umbrella but like in one place.

in Newport Beach and we all support each. other under like the same type of brand. And what is your role in this? >> Ambassador. [ __ ] I I was a part of the vision. before there was like the first t-shirt. ever printed. Like Bear and I had a. conversation. He's like, "Hey, I got. this vision." And I'm like, "Dude, I'm. behind you. Like I love how this sounds. It's right up my alley. Sounds creative. There's clothes involved. There's. training involved." So he's gone to just. build this. We got the Santo performance.

studio. Huge gym, jiu-jitsu mats. um. weightlifting, but also like shopping. It dude, it's. it's it's unheard of, but it's so cool. and like it's put us all in the same. place to be able to like train with each. other, collaborate with each other. Like. if it wasn't for Santo, I would have. never been able to train with guys like. Bucha and Bernardo and Leo Vera, >> you know, the Czechmat guys. So like now. there's a partnership with Czechmat, which makes me.

like have access to training with these. guys. It's. I would have never been able to, you. know what I mean? Have that same like. connection. So, we're just doing. everything we can to just, you know, like support each other within this like. MMA community, help each other grow um. and and just like expand and also. include the community um within right. now Newport Beach. But I mean, I'm sure. that the vision is bigger than just.

that. So, this is something also that. you can do once you retire. >> I would love to. Yeah. I mean, right. now, like I think the understanding from. Bear is that like I'm just focused on. becoming a champion, but I'm sure he. knows that like I'm heavily interested. in, you know, doing something because I. believe in the brand. So, yeah, after. this maybe there's something. But right. now, you know, I have no distractions, right? >> You know what I mean? Like I have no.

distractions. I'm, you know, I'm just. making sure that um I'm fighting and. that like my money's in the right place. and places. >> Do you have a a time set in your head. where you want to exit the game? >> Um, how about this? I can say that I would. like for. my current contract to be my last. contract. How many fights you have in your current.

contract. >> left? Um, six or seven. >> and that's it. >> That's what you'd like. >> in an ideal world. or like maybe. sometime there's like a renegotiation. and it's not for as many fights but like. I think six or seven more fights would. be nice and be able to like. look around and say like okay. is this enough you know like.

>> right. >> is this okay for me to step away from. and like am I secure is my you know is. my family secure okay then. Cool. Cuz time waits for no man. >> I don't want to be 41. >> How old are you right now? >> I turned 35 in February. >> Um, >> so you're still in your prime. >> Still in my prime, so they say. Um, >> especially for a larger athlete. >> Yeah. And I I don't have. >> 38. >> Yeah. I don't have the wear and tear of.

a lot of the fighters. Like I didn't. grow up wrestling and all that stuff. So. >> 15 years into any type of. >> It's a big factor. >> Yeah. Sports or athletics. Um, >> football's a big factor, wrestling's a. big factor, knees, back, neck. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, but yeah, I mean, like the by the. way that things are looking, it it'd be. nice like October 4th, win over Yuri. sets me up for the title fight against. here's an ideal situation.

Win over Yuri in October. Alex beats. Uncle. rematch for the belt against Alex. sometime in the the be like the first. half of next year, right? Beat Alex in the rematch. Get the. belt. I'm the champion all summer. Then. somewhere in between summer and fall, there's a child that comes into play. My.

wife's not pregnant yet, but it'd be. nice. Oh, you got this idea. >> It'd be nice. You know what I mean? I. got a I got a That's the like everyone. says like. >> all these guys success. You got to have. a vision, man. Like like you got to have. a vision in life. You do, >> you know? Like if you don't have a. vision or something to aim at, like what. are you doing, you know? So like yeah, these are like, you know, these are this my vision, but. there's like goals in between, you know. Goal: Be Eerie. Goal:

Get another shot at the title. vision. Start my family. Finish my fight. contract. Be done with fighting. Live in Asia. Live. >> in Asia. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm moving back to Thailand, man. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> 100%. >> 1,000%. >> Why? >> Cuz that's where I want to be. That's. where I belong. >> Really? >> Yeah. I belong I belong in. there's right right now what like my.

heart is telling me I belong in three. places either Thailand, Hong Kong or. South Korea. >> Why those places? Obviously Thailand, you know, you had amazing experiences. there. >> Hong Kong's amazing. I love it there. It's good. Uh. I just came back from Hong Kong as well. So in that Thailand trip, I went to Hong. Kong. Um I love how it's set up. I love. the structure of the city. I love that. there's so much outdoor stuff involved.

So like when I imagine the rest of my. life and how I want to live that after. fighting, it's like let's say I do have. my family and there's a child in play. Okay, cool. If I live in Hong Kong, I can just walk outside and take my. child for a hike right outside the house. and it not be like I don't have to even. own a car. I can just everything's. walking, you know what I mean? It's like. the way that this city is set up. It's. set up for people to.

>> to walk to interact, you know? It's very. beautiful. It's not, >> you know, I love it. It's just for me. when I'm there, I'm like, "Ah, this. makes sense." Like, especially with the. vision of like who I want to be after. fighting. >> And why South Korea? >> I like the culture in South Korea, man. I really do. Like when I see that, like. when I when I when I see just like the. like the culture in South Korea, the. people um how I envision just like my. family interacting with society and.

stuff like to me another thing that just. that makes sense. And Thailand for me is. it it just it feels like home. The. language is very like easy for me to, you know, to speak and to like learn. more of and to where I could be fluent. Um, I love the the community there. I. love how people live their life there. Um, amazing. Uh, a lot of growth. happening in Thailand. Um, it's also a. lot less expensive. >> A lot less expensive for sure. Um, and.

to be able to like So, like, let's say. in Thailand, I'm I'm American, right? We're all kind. of born like to live the American dream. I can live the American dream anywhere I. want, but for me, if I could live the American. dream in Thailand, that would be. ideal. If I could live the American. dream in Hong Kong, that'd be ideal,

>> you know. But it's a lot more expensive. in Hong Kong. It's a lot more expensive. in. >> Do you think you say this cuz you live. in Vegas? Cuz Vegas is kind of a crazy. place in America. >> Uh, not so much. It's like I've been to. many different places. I mean, I've been. almost everywhere in the States when I. was on tour. And you know, Austin's. nice. Do I want to live in Austin? No. California? Absolutely not. New York? Absolutely not. Florida, don't like it. Shout out to my Florida fans. Like you. like I love you guys. You know, like I'm. not saying anything against.

Don't hate me if I don't give you a. place if you you know, whatever. Um, but. there's nowhere there's nowhere else in. the world that I feel the way that I. feel when I'm there. That's interesting. >> Has that always been the case or is it. just like does it represent something to. you in terms of like personal growth. or a vibe the the relaxing vibe of it? Because. >> it's not so much like it's not so much. like when I'm there I'm relaxing. You. know what I mean? Like it's very busy. Like there's a lot going on.

I just I can I realize how I feel. inside, you know, and how I'm. interacting with people who I don't even. know on a daily basis. And when I think. about like I always I'm I'm constantly. thinking about like. like my future or my vision, you know? And when I think about. >> And when I think about my vision, my my. future and my vision, there's a child.

involved. And. I try to think about like, okay, as a. dad, how do I want to operate with the child. or like how do how do I want, you know, our child to experience life? And there's just, you know, a lot of. different questions and visions that. come. And the way that I've seen it or. like the way that I envision it, it's. kind of like it makes more sense that.

way, >> you know? Like if I could. if I could let's say take away some of. the like stress of raising a child. from my wife. by like let's say hiring help or you. know having instead of having a car. having a driver to have us get through. traffic so that we can still enjoy life. and you know go on like a a family you.

know dinner or take the kid here or. whatever, but I don't want to drive the. damn car cuz there's too much traffic. and no, you know what I mean? Like. >> relax. >> So, I can relax, but we can still have. family time. We can still do the things. that families and kids do. >> Um, >> but it not cost me so much, >> right? >> You know what I mean? >> Like, if I wanted to get a live-in. helper here in the States to help my. wife, it cost a fortune. >> Yeah. >> It's almost impossible. But if I wanted.

to get a live-in helper, let's say in. Hong Kong, it cost me a thousand or less. dollars a month to have a full-time. live-in helper, >> you know, and there's nothing wrong with. it there. That's just the culture. Like. in Hong Kong, >> you have just groups of women who are. living helpers that like on their off. day in the summer or in on their off day. like on Sunday, you'll see them. Everybody's just in the streets with. tents combing each other's hair, boom. boxes out, sharing food. It's just a.

part of it. Like that's not like. literally tents in the streets. everywhere. Jamie, if you want to pull. that up, you It's crazy, dude. I don't. know if you ever seen it, but it's so. cool because like they enjoy the life, but like Hong Kong helpers. >> hang out or enjoying a day off or. something. It's. >> it's just a way of life. It's a. lifestyle. It's it's just a new. perspective that I've never seen like. that I didn't see here and I like it. I. just think like for me and my.

development and growth as just like a. human being, that's just kind of where I. >> it's it's like a neverending like. finding out what's next. You know what I. mean? Like I'm I've constantly got to. adapt and evolve. Like I'm American. I. have to learn a new language. I've got. to adapt to a new culture. I've got to. learn new rules and laws and all this. stuff. and like, "Cool, sign me up.". Like, cuz that's just I don't want my. life to be like, "Okay, I know it all. and I'm done and I'm just okay, cool,

and I got the kid and I'm just, you. know, like I want to continue to like. >> grow. >> to grow as well as, you know, showing. someone else how to grow.". >> Um, yeah. See, like, they're not. homeless. They're just hanging out on. their off day because they can't and. they like they enjoy it. No one's mad to. be doing this. Huh? >> You know what I mean? Like, it's a. totally safe environment for these. people to be out here. They're not. interrupting anybody. They're literally. just This is a day off. Like, oh, what.

are you doing on your day off? I'm going. to go hang out with the other helpers. around the city and we're just. like, we're just chilling. >> Interesting. Because the the to live. there like the places are really small, you know, like if you have a thousand. square foot apartment, you're most. likely a multi-millionaire. So most of the life like lifestyle is. spent outdoors. >> So for them to go outside like this and. this is like a normal thing on a Sunday. >> Normal. Yeah. On a Sunday or on a.

weekend. Yeah. Absolutely. >> And Hong Kong the city is supposed to be. very safe too, right? >> Very safe, man. Very very safe. um very. safe, very clean. Like when I think. about the stuff that I had to go through. as a kid and just like the dangers and. you know, >> right? >> I'm like, >> how about like. >> my kid doesn't necessarily have to. >> be worried about certain things or you. know what I mean? Being worried about. like getting shot at school or like like.

just different things. It's just kind of. like what can I take off? Like what. mental load can I take off. >> my offspring. >> in the beginning? I can take on. whatever. I'm a grown adult. Like. whatever. But. >> what do you think you're going to be. doing with your time other than that. when you're done fighting? >> I have zero business experience. because I've just been so dedicated to. fighting.

But. I do want to like start to learn, man. Like I I want to learn business, how to. operate a business. I because I'm. creative and I have ideas, but I don't. have structure. I don't have, you know, really like the right mentorship. Um, so like yeah, like I'd like to have. multiple businesses. Um, >> like what kind of businesses? What do. you want to get into? something like.

>> obviously something where you can. express your creativity. >> Express express creativity but also like. something that helps me and people like. health, you know, health um. health products. >> Is this one of those things that you. can't really think about right now? Because. >> I can't because it's just like I'm you. know what I mean? Like I'm locked in. I. don't want to get too distracted. But. like. >> I think that's a giant one of the signs.

that someone when when people spread. themselves too thin like um there's a. bunch of fighters when things start. going really well they start getting. movie offers and then you see them on. talk shows you see a lot of this a lot. of that. You're like uhoh. >> Yeah. >> You're getting outside of your lane. >> Yeah. >> And you're spreading yourself thin. >> Yeah. >> And there's just no way to really be. locked into training while also doing. that stuff. So when you see someone. preparing for a major fight and you see. a lot of extracurricular activities, I'm. always like,

>> "Yeah, >> like Daniel Dubois had a [ __ ] party. the day of his fight.". >> Before the fight. >> Yeah. >> Oh boy. >> It's a big issue now. People are talking. about it. There's like 90 people at his. place. Yeah. >> Partying the day of the fight. >> That's absurd, >> right? >> That takes a lot of energy. >> Just being around those people. Yeah. when it's just being like even if you're. just sitting in the party like your. energy is being zapped, >> right? >> Yeah. And obviously if it's your fight. night, everyone wants to talk to you. Everybody has questions.

>> I just can't imagine why anybody would. do that or why. There's videos of him. hanging out, partying with everybody. I. mean, not drinking, not crazy, but. >> obviously like hang out loud people. talking, a lot of music, a lot of, you. know, >> lot of communication. >> That zaps the nervous system for sure. Like, how do you expect to go fight Usyk. after your nervous system's been zapped. from a. >> I understand it. I when I saw it after. the fight was over, I was like, >> like he's probably going to lose anyway. >> Yeah. >> But what is that?

>> No, it's tough, man. I honestly, you. know, I I agree with that. I think this. fight in Baku really got like it made me. realize. how important. like being locked in is cuz I was abs I. think that's why I got sick to be honest. Joe I think that's why I got sick. because I was just exhausted no. exhausted from the things that I had to. do from my obligations. Oh, >> so the weeklations. >> So the week that I landed, I had to do.

uh I had to do like four or five days of. filming with DraftKings for this like. online. >> So it's like I just landed, but then. like I didn't get time to adjust because. the next day we got to wake up, >> you know, first first filming sessions. at 9 9:00 a.m. >> Oh. >> And then so we're like. >> fight week. >> No, the the week before fight week. >> The week before fight week still, >> you know. Yeah, exactly. So, like I land. and they came they went to my house 2. a.m. I'm not bitching about this cuz the.

guys were great, but this is just like. the my experience. So, >> how much time did you have to spend. doing that? >> Well, I mean, we we spent, you know, we. spent a week of of filming for. >> How much time each day? >> Five, six hours. >> What? >> Yeah. >> What? That's crazy. It wasn't every day that. we I don't remember, but it was like we. we did a lot of filming that week for. this, you know, for this content piece. or whatever for.

>> drafting. >> And then as soon as they left, then it. was fight week and then I had all the. media stuff for fight week. >> Oh my god. >> You know what I mean? And I think by. time like with jet lag, with training. involved, with the filming, with all of. that, I think by time fight week came, like my body's like, "Fuck you.". >> Yeah. That's exactly how it felt. I. >> What were you doing that they needed you. for five, six hours in a day? >> Uh like, you know, I Here's the thing. I'm I'm I'm grateful because I wouldn't.

have been able to experience Baku the. way that I did had I not done this. So, it's like, >> right, you made some extra. >> Old Town. Yeah. So, we go to the Oldtown. and then like get a tour through Oldtown. for 3 hours and the lady's like this is. this. So I got information and they're. filming me, you know, get information. and then from the the old town then we. go somewhere else and. >> you know. >> so where ideally you would be resting. >> or doing my own kind of. >> resting or adjusting. >> Yeah. But when you're when you're forced.

to interact like that's I mean you're. dealing with something where you have. this monumental moment that's coming up. in 14 days. >> and then you're just. >> Yeah. But I just like that's what I'm. saying. Like my my main thing was like. embrace it. You know what I mean? Like. just embrace it. Take it all in. Yeah. It's [ __ ] hard. >> But that mentality can only get you so. far, right? That's why like I really. I feel like I'm going to get [ __ ].

eaten alive for this. >> Not if you don't read it. I really feel like that was like Alex. having so many fights last year and. obligations and travel and all that when. he I feel like that probably had a big. played a big factor in why his. performance was the way it was against. Uncle. >> Well, supposedly he went into that fight. with Norovirus and he had a [ __ ] up. hand.

I honestly like I believe it. >> It seemed like he wasn't hitting the gas. as much, >> you know? It seemed like he was a little. bit more. Also, Uncle Live is [ __ ]. good, man. He is good. That guy's really. good. I mean, he's he's smiling. >> I can't smile. >> You can, but you you're smiling like. Come on, man. >> I'm just smiling. What do you What is. your opinion on Okalive?

>> I don't have one. >> You don't have any opinion at all? >> No, not one. >> No, cuz he's the champ. >> Okay, I get it. >> Yeah. Let's go back to Alex Norivirus. >> Are you just not a fan of his? I can say confidently, am I a fan? Absolutely not. >> As a human or a fighter?

>> Both. >> Okay. So, have you had bad interactions. with him as a human? >> He just talks [ __ ] and I hate people. that talk [ __ ] Like, >> dude, I just don't like it. I don't like. people who talk [ __ ] for no reason. If I. didn't say anything to you, if I've. never [ __ ] mentioned your name, then. why are you talking [ __ ] to me or about. me or disrespected me? Well, people talk. [ __ ] because he gets some attention. And. I think a guy like Uncle Goliath, there. was a long period in his career where he. didn't talk [ __ ] and he wasn't getting a.

lot of attention. Yeah. >> I mean, look, he had that fight with Yan. Bohovich. Yep. >> Where it was for the title. It went to a. draw. >> No one gets the title. It was a crazy. experience, right? >> And a very good fight. >> Yeah. >> And people were mad at him. >> and he had to sit on the shelf for a. while. It was kind of [ __ ] up. So that makes him talk [ __ ] about me. >> I think he talks [ __ ] about everybody. because you realize, look, this is what. happened to Kobe Coington. This is like.

there's a thing that happens like if you. talk [ __ ] you will get more eyes, more. attention, more money, and you'll get. fights. And if you do not talk [ __ ]. there's a possibility that you'll be. cut. I know it's not you. It's not you. Look, >> and here I am, man. I'm still getting. good fights and good money. And it's. like. >> as is Pereira, right? Pereira just. fights. >> I mean, he doesn't even speak English. and he's beloved over here. >> Yeah. >> You know, but you can you can get by. with just your performance.

>> But some people they they think like, man, I got to get people to [ __ ] pay. attention. There's there's so many. killers out there. There's so many. people that are popular. I got to do. something. >> Yeah. So, fight better. [Laughter]. >> I hear you. I hear you. That's that. that's the only thing is like. >> it's just a [ __ ] talking. >> I hate it, dude. Like I [ __ ] hate it. Like it it it really. >> I hate it because you're a martial. artist and you feel like it doesn't have. a place in my. >> I just hate it because it's [ __ ].

unnecessary and it's like and and even. as an adult like I had to deal with this. [ __ ] my whole life, >> right? And it's it's a [ __ ] toxic. way of [ __ ] being. And it's passing. along through social media and kids are. [ __ ] getting beat up for it. And and. we're [ __ ] grown men on a large. platform where people are looking up to. us. >> for many different things. And they. envision us as these [ __ ] gladiators. And this is what you're choosing to do.

as a [ __ ] We have a responsibility. I. feel like as a athletes, as champion. number [ __ ] one, as champion, you. have a responsibility. You have a belt. around your waist and all these eyes and. microphone and that's what you're going. to choose to say is talk [ __ ] and. degrade my name and I'm not even above. you. I'm not even challenging you for a. fight and you want to mention me and. like that to me is just like, dude, spend your time wisely. So that it's in. a way it's motivation for me because I'm.

like. I just won't do that. Like I think that. there's so many different things that. can be done when you have that belt. >> Like that belt is an honor like to have. that. There's a responsibility that. comes with that. There's things that you. can do with that. Like it's not just. about you realize the responsibility. that you have when you carry that title. And so there's just. >> I'm getting passionate about because. there's just I want to say so many. things, but I'm not going to. >> I know what you're saying. I feel you. I. feel you. I feel like um there's a.

couple guys kind of changed the game. One of them was Chelson Sun and and. another one is Conor McGregor. Yeah. >> And part of the way they changed the. game was talking mad [ __ ] and getting a. lot of people to pay attention to them. >> Yeah. >> Which cool, you know, like it got them a. lot of attention. It got them a lot of. money, but like. and if that's what makes them happy, cool. You know, like. >> I think some people think it's a a good. business decision. >> Like I said, I know nothing about. business.

Maybe that's why I don't own a business, you know? Like I just I don't know. >> Well, it's good that you don't own a. business. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You don't want to own a business. while you're in the middle of this. journey that you're on. It's just like. you it wouldn't it would just drain you. It would take time from you. It's not. you can only do so many things in this. life and especially when you're doing. something that's all encompassing. physically. >> Yeah. >> It's not like you know you have. >> you have a business and you have a side. business project that's a passion.

project that you're working on. No, no, no. You're fighting. >> Yeah. >> Fighting. You have to be all in and. fighting. You really do. And you are all. in. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And while you're all in, look, I I. admire people that don't talk [ __ ] but. I also like a little [ __ ] talking. I do. because it's it's fun. It's and it it. gets people excited and it does get a. lot of eyes on the sport and it makes. for more pay-per-view buys. >> Yeah. >> Which is why I think uh the you know. like the UFC encourages it whether they. encourage it or not. They use those.

things. >> You know, like when Connor fought. Khabib, they they threw in the video of. Connor throwing the [ __ ] the dolly at. the bus. Remember that? Like which is. crazy. Like it's kind of almost. encouraging that kind of behavior which. is crazy. >> No, it's I mean like UFC as real as it. gets, right? So you kind of get. everything like. >> you get everything. >> They don't say it that anymore though, do they? As real as it gets. I don't. think that's a part of some sometimes. like I don't know early days.

>> It's it's stuck in my brain. But. >> yeah, there are different things. There. are a lot of different I guess. characters, personalities, you know. Yeah. Connor throwing the thing through, you know, the the dolly through the. window. Is it gonna make people watch. the fight? Absolutely. You know what I. mean? Did he do it for that reason? Don't think so. I just think. >> he is who he is, right? It's like. >> we never know what's next with uh with. Connor and respect, you know, respect to. him for everything. a lot. Um.

I just Yeah, I uh. and I understand your perspective as. well. Like a little [ __ ] talk, you know. Yeah, it's entertaining, you know, you. see two guys like, oh yeah, >> but I completely appreciate your. perspective as well. And I certainly. appreciate your perspective having grown. up through all that stuff. Like, why. include it? Especially when what you're. doing is the ultimate test of who you. are as a human. like was the ultimate. test of who you are as a man. The the.

actual fight itself, which is gonna. happen no matter how much [ __ ] you talk. >> Yeah. And whoever like whoever talks. [ __ ] to me, you know, from. not even from now on, but like whoever. talks [ __ ] to me, like I back it up, you. know what I mean? Like I don't need to. say anything in return. Like. >> I'm just going to back it up. I'm not I. don't want to give anybody any more. attention or you know say people's names. and stuff but like. >> Connor and Kabib is the ultimate example. of that, right? Yeah. >> When Khabib was on top was like let's.

talk now and he kept punching him in the. face. Let's talk now. >> Yeah. >> I mean I love Kabib for that. Like I I. you know a lot of people I I can relate. to that you know like I can relate to. that to that feeling of. >> how good that guy. >> Yeah. He had this uh really amazing. conversation. Someone was interviewing. him and they were talking about. different addictions that fighters fall. to and different things that that. sidetrack people. And he's like, "The. best addiction is discipline.".

>> And he was talking about his discipline. The best the best addiction is. discipline. You got to become addicted. to discipline. Addicted to hard. training. Addicted. >> Completely addicted to that. >> That makes me feel like a scrub. I mean like I'm [ __ ] good he was. maniplined. but like damn addicted to it. >> Yeah. >> I mean when he talk See if you can find. that Jamie. >> you got it here. Here it is. Listen to.

this. >> Every man addicted to something. Some. smoke, some drink, some chase girls, some wast. But real man he addicted to. discipline to early wakes to prayer to. training to silence. Discipline no need. motivation. Discipline move without. feeling. Discipline say I go anyway even. when tired even when lonely. Discipline. is best addiction. You want strong life. discipline build it. You want peace.

discipline protected. You want respect. discipline earn it. No shortcut only. work. Be men with control, not men with. excuse. No cry, no blame. You want. better life, start with better habits, discipline every day until discipline. become you. >> I'm going to use that as my morning wake. up. Now, >> do you know that? That's what I was just. thinking in my mind. I'm like, dude, where do I include this in my daily. routine? Like when I wake up,

>> that should be your alarm. Or is it. like, you know, do I just sit and like. listen to this before I fall asleep to. [ __ ] with you? You won't be able to. sleep. >> Why sleep? Run. Run. Pick up. >> Dreams of Kabib just standing over here. like. >> No, you're not real, man. You sleep. >> It's interesting because Chelson Sunnen. had a video recently. >> So incredible, man. Shout out to Kabib. for that. >> Shout out to Kabib. I mean, that's why. he is who he is. Um Chelson had a really. interesting video the other day. was.

talking about how um people say that. Dagistan is the place where you should. take your kids you know you want to take. you know take them to Dagistan two three. years and forget it there's like a a fun. line that like Cormier has said he's. taking his son to Dagistan. >> you know and that's one of the things. that Balam Muhammad said if I could do. my career over again I would have went. to Dagistan earlier and I would have. stayed there for years. >> and then Chelson had a very interesting. point which I think he's totally. accurate And he's like, "They're not.

doing anything any different." He goes, "But they don't have football. They. don't have basketball. They don't have. baseball. So the best athletes go into. MMA. The best athletes go into. wrestling. The best athletes go into. combat sports in Dagistan.". >> And so he's like, "What you get is you. have genetics, which is an ultimate. requirement of the elite of the elite. At the top of the game, it's like. discipline and genetics. Those are the. two things that separate the men from.

the boys. >> Yeah. >> And that he's like, we have all those. things in America. It's just when you're. you're dealing with the elite of the. elite, it's like what pool you drawing. from? One thing that I think they do. have there, though, is this this the. fact that they're all very religious. >> And the fact that there's no drinking, there's no partying, there's no nothing, there's no chasing girls, there's no. [ __ ] Yeah. is just prayer and. training. Like that is a that's a ma.

that's a major advantage. But. >> you could do that anywhere. >> Yeah. >> Like you could do anyone could live that. way. >> Yeah. Anyone can live that way. I'd. imagine that like being in Dagistan. because of you know just like the. cultural differences. >> Not to say that it would be easier, but. you're dealing with less, right? Like. you can do it here, but like. >> you're you go outside, you're gonna find. a bar, you're gonna find something. You. know what I mean? Like, you know, like.

like the the you know, >> but you have to make conscious decisions. not to have that in your life. >> Yeah. Which like doing it here would. probably actually make you stronger, >> right? Because you have to deal with. more resistance. >> Because you have to deal with more. resistance. You know what I mean? Like. if you go out away where there's nothing. like Yeah, cool. But then come back to. the real world and try to do it and it's. going to be like. >> right. But that isn't that why most I. mean from the beginning of time fighters. would take their camps away from life. >> Yeah. >> Like Marvin Haggler he would he would go.

to the Cape he would go to Cape Cod and. train in the winter. Um Cashes clan. Muhammad Ali you know they would go up. into the mountains you know Tyson with. the Catkills. >> There's something different about it. right like there's something different. >> Everybody goes to Big Bear and trains up. there. >> Yeah. When when I fought Alex I was in. Salt Lake. Uh or I was in uh. what's the mountain up there? What's the. >> in Utah? >> Yeah, >> Wasatch. >> No, above Salt Lake. Uh everybody goes.

skiing up there. Damn it. What's it. called, dude? Why can't Why am I. >> Mount Nebo? >> No. >> Park City. >> Park City. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> I was out in Park City for like two or. three weeks before the flight. >> Distractions in Park City, son. >> But not where we were. No. >> No. like the the cabin that I rented out. there was like. >> Oh, nice. >> There was nothing there. So, we. >> How much time did you spend up there? >> Like. 17 days, 18 days, something like that.

So, like the tail end of the camp, we. were just like up there. >> Did you have to acclimate to the. >> to the to the altitude? >> How much time does that usually take? >> Uh. >> because that doesn't seem like enough. 17 days doesn't seem like enough. We I don't remember exactly how much. time, but we for two weeks before that. were regularly going up to Mount. Charleston and to running other. mountains and stuff like outside of. Vegas. Um that. >> right because there is quite a bit of.

elevation outside of Vegas and I think. Vegas itself is. >> five. >> I think it's No, I I think it's 2,000 ft. above sea level. >> What is something like that? >> What's Vegas above sea level? >> 2001 ft. Yeah, Vegas is 2,000 ft above. sea level. As. >> there's a road right up by where we. train, like it's called Mount Poty, and. that's like seven no. 6,000 something like that. So, it's like. and it's it's very short, like very. short distance drive. >> and you go train up there.

>> We'd just drive there and then we'd just. run out there, train out there, come. back down home. One of the things that. I've heard, it's there's different. philosophies on how to handle training. in altitude, but one of the things that. I've heard is what you should do is you. should train at sea level and then sleep. and live at a high altitude. So that way. you get more output at sea level because. you're getting more oxygen so you can. put in more work. >> And then when you're at the higher. altitude, your body is adapting and. developing more red blood cells and and.

all that stuff and you more adaptation. for oxygen. >> Makes sense. I've heard that as well. I. just haven't tried it. >> That makes sense to me. >> Yeah. >> Because there's just that the idea, but. then it's like there's a mental benefit. of being able to put in the work at a. higher altitude, >> you know, and then knowing that like say. if you train like I I lived for a while. outside of Boulder. I lived at this. place that was 8,500 feet above sea. level. >> Oh my god. >> It was it was working out there was. rough. Yeah. It was crazy that when I.

would go to Boulder to train, I would go. to Amal East's jiu-jitsu gym, it felt. easier because it was only 5,000 ft. >> Mhm. >> Cuz that's like Boulder is like 5,000. something. And then one time, uh, we had. to go to Philadelphia for like a UFC. event and I was working out in. Philadelphia and I felt like a [ __ ]. juggernaut. I was like, I have so much. energy. This is crazy. It's because I. was at sea level and I'm not used to. being at sea level. So when I was. working out, I felt so good. I was like,

"Oh my god, I have so much [ __ ]. energy.". >> It's cuz I'm used to being oxygen. deprived. >> Have you uh Have you seen that thing. they have at the PI? The the ozone. machine? >> No. What is it? The one that takes your. blood and recycles it? >> No, it's like a it's a. altitude simulator. So, I want to do it, but they they're like, "You got to. commit to like a couple months of. training to see like the the real. benefit of this.". >> Oh, so you have to be there for a few. months. >> You have to like train. >> Do you utilize that place? Um.

>> cuz you are a Vegas guy. >> I love like they have, you know, amazing. physical therapists. Um. >> nutrition. >> Yeah, nutrition. It's very convenient, you know, especially like living there. Um, I just try to stay I don't try to. get too involved because every fighter. can go and it's just like you kind of. run into other camps and blah blah blah. You know what I mean? >> Talking there. >> Yeah. A lot of [ __ ] or just. >> Yeah. >> energy. >> Energy and everybody. >> John Wood has such a great gym, too. >> Oh. Yeah. Syndicate is. >> Syndicate's so good. John's such a great.

guy. >> Yeah, man. >> Great vibe. so happy for for everything. right now with just like Morab and then. him and I and what we're. >> I love the fact that Morab even you like. he's still tight with his old crew you. know what I mean it's like and the same. thing even when AJ was training down. there's still tight. >> with Ray Longo and Matt Sarah and all. those guys that got him to the dance and. then you see those guys also in his. corner it's a very collaborative thing.

where there's no the egos don't get in. the way. >> No, that that'suge such a cool thing to. respect. >> So cool. >> Like everybody around him. Um. >> training partners too. Like. >> he just. >> it's all top. bunch of Georgian guys in it. It's like. >> Yeah. If the guys at the top have a. great vibe and they're all like. collaborative and work together, you. know, it really you you feel that vibe. in the gym. >> Yeah. It spreads. His energy is. definitely like infectious. And one.

thing that's cool too is like the way. that John's organized training in. Syndicate now when when people have. fights coming up and like you're doing. your live cage rounds and the whole. gym's watching, >> you know what I mean? Like everybody. Yeah. Everybody's around the cage, you. know what I mean? And. >> so you get used to that. >> It's so cool. It's It's so cool. And. >> what is it like having a Rob in. training? There is there a [ __ ] guy. that has a better gas tank than that. [ __ ]. >> I haven't seen him, dude. my week, the.

fight week. Actually, I had just. the day of my fight. Okay. Day of my. fight, woke up, called John like, "Hey, man. Want to get a shake out? Just like. shake out some nerves, like, you know, just hit some pads." He's like, "Okay, cool. I'm down in the in the ballroom. with uh with Morab." He's like, "But you. got to wait a few minutes." Like, he's. going some rounds. I'm like, "Rounds?". And he's like, "Yeah, you just got you. got to come down here and see it." So. I'm like I go downstairs in the elevator. [ __ ] get to the room. Morab is doing.

live rounds on carpet hard floor in a. [ __ ] ballroom with some guy and. they're they're sparring rounds bro. >> the day of the fight. >> of my fight. So he didn't have a fight. but it this was a week after his uh his. second fight against Ali. >> So they're doing live rounds on the. carpet shining guards everything but. like takedowns. Jesus Christ. >> On hard floor and carpet and he just. doesn't stop. It's like like training.

never ends. >> Well, that's how you get staff. That's. probably why you got staff pictures. >> Who knows, you know? But you like like. there just no one can stop the guy. He. like he's just a big ball of energy. He. really is like whether it's running up. and down mountains and all this stuff. like John Wood actually has to have some. type of like monitor on this guy. He's. like Morop don't train today. Okay. coach. Okay coach. Next thing you know, he's on social media like out in the. mountains, you know, or in some river. Like it just he's Yeah. Having him. having him around is crazy.

>> Yeah. DC went to visit him the day after. the Ali fight, the first fight. And he. went to his house and he was running. >> Yeah. >> The day after he won the world title. >> Yeah. Isn't. >> And DC goes to his house and he's like, "Look at Marab's home gym." He goes, "You know where this [ __ ] is? He's out running. He's out running.". >> The discipline that [ __ ] that Kav is. talking about. >> It's discipline. He's addicted to. discipline. >> It never ends. >> That's it. Like I think he's just one of. those guys. Like. >> I mean there I just There's a lot of.

people that are analyzing it. They're. like it has to be genetic and. >> does it does it like is his head is his. head bigger? Is his chest bigger? Like. what's bigger? It's all the same. He's a. normalsized guy. Yeah. There's nothing. there's nothing extraordinary about his. physicality other than the fact that. he's very strong. Yeah. Which is there's. a lot of strong guys, but it's not it's. accumulation of time spent on the path. >> and he has not deviated. >> Yeah. At all. And I don't think he's. anywhere close to.

>> he's not even in his prime. >> No. >> I mean I mean he's in his prime clearly, but I don't think he's reached his full. potential because I think he was even. better in the second Ali fight than he. was the first fight. And I think Ali was. considerably better, >> but Morab's that much better now. And. you know, there's this thing that. happens, and hopefully you'll get to. experience this. When you win a title, you get better. There's like DC says. it's like 10%. It's like there's. something that happens. Some people say. 30%. But there's something that happens. to you where you realize like I am the. [ __ ] best in the world. And you take.

that into your heart, in your mind, and. then you carry that like now you have. that title. You see it, it's sitting. there on your table or you have it on. your wall, whatever, wherever you put. your belt and you're like, I am the. [ __ ] man now and now I will live this. way. And then you see them going into. the fight. You know who you see that. with? Pantosia. >> Yeah. >> That dude does not get the love that he. deserves. >> When that guy gets into the octagon, it's it's like a [ __ ] leopard just.

entered the room. >> Yeah. >> It's wild, man. It's wild. like he's got. this feeling about him that, you know, >> champions have when when they're just. [ __ ] feeling it. >> You know, when that guy steps into the. octagon, you see him across the ring. from whoever the [ __ ] he's fighting, it's like that's a that's a cat, man. >> Yeah. Like, you know what I mean? >> Honestly. Yeah. Like a Yeah. Yeah. >> Like a [ __ ] jaguar or something. >> Jaguar Mountain. Yeah. Something. >> killer. Just some elite killer. You can.

kind of sense that like a little. instinct in him. You're like, "Oh shit.". >> 100%, man. 100%. >> This guy's in it. Like he's for sure in. it. He's locked in. >> I mean, and you see the like I think the. perfect fight for him was seeing Kaiika. France. They fought in the Ultimate. Fighter. >> and it was a good fight. And then you. see this new fight where as he's the. champion, Kai France is the the. contender. He [ __ ] ran through him, man. Like you see, it's a different.

human being. >> Yeah. >> He's a champion now. And. >> where does he trade? >> Um he's at. >> Okay. >> I mean, I don't know if he spends his. all of his time down there. I don't know. if he's there all the time or if he just. goes there for camps. >> I had to make sure. >> I don't know if he how he does it. >> Okay. >> I don't I'm not sure if he's a. um a Florida resident or if he lives in. Brazil and just goes there for camps. I'm not sure. No, but yeah, whatever. I. mean, whatever he's doing is definitely.

God, but there's a thing about being the. flyweight champ or if that [ __ ]. was the middleweight champ, he'd be a. superstar. >> Yeah, he'd be the the planet. >> And that to me that drives me nuts. because it's like you just. >> I like martial arts. I like someone who. represents the best of martial arts. Like, and in my mind, like that guy's as. good as anybody alive. like when when. he's running over every [ __ ]. contender and and choking them out or. knocking them out or whatever the [ __ ]. he's doing like. >> damn. >> Yeah, it's tough, man. It's it like it's.

tough in this sport because of the. weight the weight classes like a lot of. guys don't get. >> What's crazy is 35 gets so much love. >> Yeah. >> This is 10 lbs difference. >> 10 lbs difference. >> Isn't that nuts? >> Yeah, >> that's kind of nuts. >> Yeah, >> because when you see Pantosia next to. those guys, there's not much difference. in size. It's kind of the same. That's. why like I forgot somebody not too long. ago asked me like my uh what would my. MMA like Mount Rushmore be? And I remember saying like Anderson.

Silva, GSP, um Demetrius Johnson and Amanda Nunez. and they were like Demetrius Johnson. like. >> oh. >> why would you even why would you even. >> hesitate. >> hesitate? Why why are you even asking me. that question? You know, >> you if you weren't there during his. prime, you had to see him during his. prime. You know, when he was. >> talk about martial arts and like and. just skill, >> angles and movement, speed, and. intelligence,

>> knowing exactly how to engage and his. ability to trans transfer between. grappling and striking seamlessly, >> dude. Perfect. >> Seamlessly. >> Perfect word. Seamlessly. Like, >> oh, in his prime, >> in his prime he was unstoppable. >> Yeah. >> But imagine Demetrius Johnson at light. heavyweight. There be statues of this. man. >> Statue, >> you know what I mean? Like. >> it'd be like the the Rocky statue of. Philadelphia. >> Yeah. Who knows what it would be, but.

there would probably be multiple statues. of this man all over the place. And what. a great guy, too. >> Oh, he's the best. >> Yeah. and just again just. underappreciated for whatever reason, you know, and during his reign it just. like his pay-per-view numbers were not. what they should have been. >> Yeah. >> But it's because he's small. That's all. it is. It's like the casuals. They they. don't like who gives a [ __ ] how big he. is compared to you. Just look at how. he's the same size as the guy he's. fighting and look what he can do to that.

guy. >> We need to just We need to have. This is a joke. This isn't serious. This. is a joke, but like the smaller weight. classes in a smaller cage. >> Well, >> then we make them look bigger on. television and people will get what. they, you know. >> No, they don't care. People don't It's. interesting because boxing has the same. thing, you know. I mean, when you get. into the heavier weight, like look, Usyk. made somewhere in the neighborhood of. $132 million for that fight. >> That sounds amazing,

>> doesn't it? God. >> Yeah, I know. It was me and Vulcganowski. and Izzy were uh backstage at the UFC. We're at the weigh-ins and I pulled up. the numbers. I go, "Have you seen the. [ __ ] numbers?" There's a video of it. on Style Bender's website or his uh. YouTube page and I go like, "Check this. out." Because I had saved on my phone in. case I ran into any fighters. I'm like, "Look at this. Look how crazy this is.". And Dubois made like 71 or 72 million. and Usyk made like 132. I mean, like, if I made that type of.

money, I wouldn't have to I wouldn't be. looking to like leave to live the. >> But what what has to change for that to. happen? I mean, does the do the Saudis. have to buy the UFC? >> I don't know cuz I don't understand. Like, >> that's kind of what they're doing with. boxing. They're kind of buying boxing. >> Yeah. I don't know, man. I don't know. Like, I don't know what needs to change. Um, but. I mean, all I'm saying is like it would. be really cool. That's like a dream. like to be able to make those kind of.

numbers. >> I would really love that for fighters. I. mean, I love when I hear fighters are. making millions. It's great. It's great. because I remember the early days of the. UFC where people make pennies. >> Yeah. >> When there was no money to be made. I. mean, I started working for them in. 1997, the previous owners, you know, when it was uh before Zufa. >> and nobody was making any money. There. was no money in MMA, you know. It's like. everybody was scratching and clawing and. they were just doing it out of the love. of the game. >> Yeah. or because they had, you know, had. a career in wrestling and then that.

wrestling, amateur wrestling career was. over and they're like, "All right, I'm. going to be a fighter.". >> Yeah. The money was in Japan. No, >> there was money in Japan. But even the. money in Japan was not boxing money. >> No, no. 10 grand, 15 grand, something. like that. >> You know, I'm sure they paid him well. and at the time it was a lot, but I mean. like Fedor is still fighting. Is he. fighting because he wants to or is he. fighting because he has to, you know, which is crazy. >> Yeah. If one of the greatest of all time. is fighting because he has to. It's not. like Fedor is like.

>> living the craziest flashiest lifestyle. with like diamond like Floyd Mayweather. Like if Floyd Mayweather went broke he'd. be like. >> look at his Instagram. >> How's he not going to go broke? Meanwhile, he's not. Meanwhile, he's. still got tons of money. >> Yeah. >> But you know, Floyd made hundreds of. millions of dollars. >> He probably made more money than any. boxer that's ever lived. Oh man, I Yeah, it's a dream. >> Yeah, >> it's it's a dream. It'd be nice, but I'm. not like I'm I'm glad that it's.

improving. >> It's improving. >> It's improving. >> It's definitely improving. It's. definitely It's like, you know, fighters. can get rich now. >> Yeah. >> You know? >> Yeah. We can actually plan retirement. Yeah. >> You know what I mean? Like that that. that that for now, like I'm saying, like. I'm grateful for. And one of the things. that I really like about the UFC too is. they give fighters a chance to have a. career outside of that. You know, like. Paul Felder and DC do commentary. Chel. Sunn does his stuff. All those guys in. the desk, Alan Joan, they all do their. stuff. Like Rashad does his stuff.

That's nice. It's like there's there's. an opportunity to work outside of having. to fight. You asked me, you know, like. before like, oh, you know, what would. you do or like have I thought about. anything? I honestly I would love to. work with the UFC. Not as a commentator. because I don't really see myself like. commentating or like being, you know, someone speaking, but I'd love to work. for the UFC. Man, >> why wouldn't you want to commentator. speak? >> Uh, I don't know. I I personally, I.

think I've mentioned this to you before, like I just don't know if I have so much. like input, you know, when it comes to. like other fighter skill or whatever. Like I'm not the most exciting person on. a microphone, you know, like you guys do. well. Oh, [ __ ] Like, you know, you guys. have great reactions. I'm kind of more. like, hm, interesting. Like the old. grandpa, you know, like right be my. chin. Like, >> but maybe not as a commentator then. Maybe as someone on the desk analyzing. things cuz you definitely have a very. unique viewpoint.

>> Yeah. Viewpoint. I mean, that that could. work, but I think something like I' I. don't know. I'd rather be like I guess. behind behind the like on the other side. of the camera. >> What would you want to be doing? >> I don't know. Something within the B. They do that. Like the UFC is such a. large company. There's so many. departments. I am friends with I try to. make friends with everybody in every. department because they're just great. people that make that make this all. happen. the equipment team, you know,

Ember, Stephanie, like I've been testing. the gloves for the UFC for the past. year, making sure we get the right ones, you know. >> What is going on with the gloves? Cuz. you and Alex fought with the old the new. old. >> the new old gloves. Yeah, >> cuz they got rid of them. They spent. like a [ __ ] year developing them. >> Yeah. And so I was a part of that entire. process. >> What happened? What was wrong with those. gloves? >> The main thing was that like because of. the leather, the the logos weren't. sticking. So the logos were peeling off, peeling off, peeling off.

>> That's it. >> And we tried, >> Joe. I'm telling you, we tried. hundreds of different ways to get the. UFC logo printed on the gloves so that. they will not come off in the octagon. From me testing it on the canvas, doing. live situations, sparring, rubbing it in. the cage, blah blah blah. And. >> I don't get it. It just Why does the old. leather work better? Because with. everything in the world, but especially. like in the in the industry of like like.

leather and suede and all this stuff, like you can't if I had a pair of. leather shoes from 1970, it's going to. be different than a leather that's made. today. You get what I mean? Like it just. it changes. >> Both of them are made today. The old. gloves and the new old gloves. >> It's a different type of leather. >> So, it's a softer leather. It's just. it's it's. just not the same. Like it's it's it's a. little it was a little softer, but it's.

it's it's treated differently to be able. to, you know, to to. before like while it's being processed. or whatever that whole like process. looks like. It's just there's some type. of, you know, chemical or something. that's just different in. >> cuz what I had heard was that there was. less knockouts with the new old gloves, the gloves that they developed and then. they abandoned recently. >> There's less knockouts cuz I'm just. hearing straight from what you know the.

equipment teams being yelled out. >> The equipment team is saying that's the. issue is that this leather. >> has nothing to do with the lock the the. knockouts. is that every time when the. fighters come to return a pair of gloves. or whatever or even in the fight, these. it's peeling off or chipping off and. that's that's a hazard if it gets in. your eye. >> You know what I mean? It's more about. like the safety of the fighter, not like. we need more knockouts, change the. gloves. >> Interesting. Cuz it did the knockout the. knockout thing didn't make any sense. >> No, no, no. It has nothing to do with. the knockouts. It's more that the logo. wasn't adhering and it doesn't look.

professional to have these guys fighting. a championship fight and then here's. this guy raising his hand. And you don't. even know like there's no UFC logo on. the glove. Like what? >> It all gets worn off. >> It all gets worn off. So we we've tried. so many different. >> magic marker. That wouldn't work. >> We can't sell a glove with magic marker. on it. >> Yeah. But. >> we have to make an official glove, you. know, like. >> but the training gloves, you know, just. have UFC somewhere else. >> The training gloves. What about the.

people who want to buy an official UFC. glove? >> Yeah. What are they doing with them if. they're going to work out with them? Still got to be official. >> I get it. >> You know, >> the best gloves are Trevor Whitman's. >> He makes the best. >> the best MMA gloves. They're the best. And the UFC was trying to get those for. some I don't I don't want to speak out. of line here or out of turn. I don't. know exactly what went on, but. apparently Trevor wanted more money than. they were willing to give him. But he. makes the absolute best MMA gloves.

They're the best. >> A good glove. They turn over like this. Yeah. Where it's not like this. So you. you don't like the thing that people the. problem with the old gloves that are now. the gloves that everybody uses is that. everybody says that they kind of force. your hand into an open position and you. have to tighten up to make them close. Do you feel that? >> Um I I agree with that, but I've I have. found the solution to that. >> What's the solution? >> Just size up. >> Oh, one size up.

>> Yeah. They all weigh the same. Ah, interesting. >> Yeah. >> So, what size do you use? >> This last fight, I used a double X. >> And you usually use an X. >> Yeah. >> Interesting. >> And I think it's like, you know, a lot. of fighters, we don't like to stray from. what we do, you know what I mean? And. like. >> every little thing can [ __ ] with us, you. know what I mean? Some fighters, >> maybe I shouldn't have gone to XXL. [ __ ]. >> That's why I didn't knock him out. You. know what I mean? But um yeah, if like.

if you're like you you just have to. think. It's like, okay, the glove weighs. the same. Whether it's an XL or an extra. small, it weighs the same. >> How do they manage that? >> I don't know. >> But it weighs the same. >> That sounds suspicious. I want to get a. [ __ ] scale out. >> The next Yeah, but. >> that doesn't make any sense to me. >> But we're all fighting and you know, >> unless they make it with thinner pads. I don't. >> It would have to be. >> Maybe. >> It would have to be. >> Oh, yeah. Cuz then your hand can't fit.

in the. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Like if I tried to get into an. extra small, it wouldn't work. >> So, yeah. Um, but like let's say the. size between an XL and a double XX, they. weigh the same. >> Okay. >> And I have to consider, okay, I'm. getting my hands wrapped as well, >> right? >> So, yes, this XL glove fits like a. glove. But what about when I wrap my. hands? >> Right. >> Now, I wrap my hands squee and then now. my hands are like this and I'm like. >> cutting off your circulation almost. >> Yeah. So the idea is size up even if.

it's two sizes up you're not going to. have an issue. >> you know or you go with a thinner wrap. or no wrap. You have that option. >> Well Joe Piper fights with no wrap. >> Yeah. >> Which is crazy. >> I think it's savage. I kind of want to. do it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I would have fought with no wrap. with the other glove. The new glove. >> The new old glove. the. >> the new one that they abandoned. >> The old new glove. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I would have fought. those felt so much better to me with no.

wrap. >> Man, if I was the UFC, and clearly I'm. not a good businessman, but if I was, uh, I would say, "Listen, how about you. sell us the gloves, we'll promote your. gloves, you sell them on your website, we don't make any profit off of it. just. give us your gloves to use for the. fights and we'll we'll blow your. business up. That's what I would do. >> I would say, "Look, you want a lot of. money for your gloves? Good. Sell them. Everybody should buy them anyway. He. makes the best bag gloves, best sparring.

gloves. Trevor's a [ __ ] wizard, man.". >> Yeah, that's what I've gathered from. just like. >> he's a very interesting guy, very smart. guy, great trainer, >> just great person. But his gloves, his. MMA gloves, you put them on, you're. like, "Oh, why aren't they all like. this?" The padding is a much more. sophisticated, high tech. >> And the boxing I remember I think one. time he sent me a pair of boxing gloves. >> Um like this was a couple years ago and. I saw like it came with this paper and. you're supposed to put a blow dryer in.

it first. >> and you turn the blow dryer on to warm. up the padding in there. It's. specifically like for that. >> And then once it's heated up, then you. put the glove on and you wrap it up and. then you let the padding. >> cool down and then it molds to your. hand. I don't know if people remember. that about the glove, but that's the. that's how you should wear those gloves. >> Oh, that's interesting. I didn't know. that. That makes sense. >> But he told he was explaining to me the. different kinds of foam that you can buy. and that people buy cheap foam and it's.

not it's not as like high density and. it's not as good. Doesn't protect you as. well. Mhm. >> And his is like the most expensive but. the best. >> But when his gloves, the design of his. gloves, your hands are curled like this. in this position. So, it's an effort to. do that. >> But. I don't know, man. I I I feel like we're. stagnant in innovation with glove. development in the first place because I. don't think this is necessary. >> No, I train with uh the old like Ali. mittens. Oh,

>> okay. Those are my favorite gloves in. the world to do MMA with. >> I put a wrap on under it, you know, for. for padding or a pad, whatever. >> And I can still grapple with it. My. fingers are just like this, you know? >> Of course, which is But this this is how. you grapple anyway. >> Yeah, exactly. >> You never do this. No, >> you never interlace your fingers. So, why are the fingers even exposed? >> Because eye pokes are a giant issue. And. if you let's say you could just. eliminate finger pokes and all you have. is thumb pokes, you would take away 80.

90% of all eye pokes. >> Yeah. >> And it would be obvious if someone did. it on purpose and. >> then Derer Lewis would be [ __ ]. [Laughter]. >> How about that interview? Like I'll poke. him in the eye, kick him in the nuts. >> He's so crazy. He was telling the truth. about like hitting someone in the nuts. cuz he was tired. >> Yeah. He's like I was tired. I needed. five more minutes or some [ __ ] He's. like I'll poke him in the eye. I cheat. He was just like, "I cheat." I was like, "Dude, this what the hell?" But he's. also crazy enough to say that um that.

he's like, "Oh, yeah. The the UFC is is. scripted.". >> Oh, yeah. That was ridiculous. >> I was like, "Dude, anybody I was like, I. I know you're joking, but like. >> the problem is that gets on the. internet. I knew it.". >> Yeah. Like there's so many people that. believe you now. Like that's a funny. joke, but damn it, dude. >> Bro, there's no script. There's when. when you see the way he knocked out. Curtis Blades. There's no script for. that, bro. >> Yeah. You can't There's no script. That's just Derek has got some. phenomenal god-given power. >> You cannot script what we do.

>> Yeah. No, of course you can't script it. It's super obvious to anybody that. watches that. That's the dumbest ever. casual fan like comments. >> It's a scripted fake. He was supposed to. win. >> Yeah. Like, stop. Stop. Shut up. >> And the UF Dana White made him win that. fight. Oh, it's so crazy to say. But. that said, like here's the thing. You. know, Aspenol is going to fight Sir. Gone. >> Yeah. >> I might, if I was running things, I.

might set up the Derrick Lewis fight. with Aspenol. I might say, forget Sir. Gone for now. Like Dererick just has his. big knockout win. Who's more popular. than Derek? Who's who's more beloved by. fans than Derek? >> I mean, that would be a great fight to. set up. Absolutely. But I think that. from I guess a business standpoint, it. makes sense to use Cirill because of. everything that he's doing in France. >> Okay. Yeah, that makes sense, right? >> Movie star, you know what I mean? He's. got the entire country behind him now.

So. >> like, yeah, with the with the UFC, you. know, expanding internationally, >> it's like, you know, Aspenol is a, you know, British icon. >> Mhm. Serial's a French icon. >> The whole Aspenol Jon Jones thing is so. crazy. The whole thing is so crazy. >> Yeah, absolutely. Um, John doesn't seem. to. >> John marches to the beat of his own.

drummer, son. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, like, he's he's dead. set in what he wants and how he views. it. And so, like, >> but now he wants to fight for the title. at the White House. >> D is like, "Nope, I can't trust John to. not [ __ ] something up.". >> Yeah. which is wild. Yeah. >> But also, >> what are you gonna say when John just. recently got in more trouble? >> I mean, it's it's it's tough. I mean, >> for Dana, you know, in his position. >> Yeah.

>> It's too risky. >> It is. >> It's very risky. Like. >> Oh, yeah. >> And it sucks because it's like, man, you've got so much talent and. >> the most talent. >> and such an incredible resume. >> Yeah. And now I there's nothing that I. can really do about it. >> God, the story as old as time, though, isn't it? >> Yeah. >> The story is old as time. Well, that's. one of the things I appreciate about. you. Like you're a very different kind. of dude, you know, who's in the same. business. >> Yeah. >> Same wild ass chaotic business, but you. choose to put your sights on a different.

prize. Like you're you're about. >> growth. >> Yeah. >> You know, you're about. and conquering these challenges. and. this is what it's about for you. >> Yeah. I'm I'm I'm grateful and blessed. to be in the position that I'm in. And. like I don't want to I don't want to. waste anything. You know what I mean? Like I don't want to waste it. I want to. be able to look back when I'm older and. and know that I use my time, you know, in in a in a good way. Um that I.

continue to grow and to learn and. develop until it's over, you know, like. >> I think John does that, too. but also he. just loves to party. He just he gets. crazy. He just loves to get crazy. >> And I think that like we've seen that so. many times like there's we've seen so. many athletes and celebrities fall. victim to fame and partying. >> Oh yeah. >> And and what that comes with. >> We're watching it with Connor.

>> And we've seen the same people who are. addicted to discipline. >> Mhm. who you admire. >> and what they. >> who do you who are you going to listen. to first thing in the morning, you going. to listen to Kabib. >> Kabib. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, it's like if there is. anybody a as a as a combat sports, you. know, practitioner and and fighter, if. there's anybody who I would say like I'd. want to be or like model myself after in. my career, it' be Muhammad Ali.

>> Just. because of everything, you know what I. mean? like humanitarian, like he was. beloved by people from all around the. world, you know what I mean? Like. >> just different medals from the United. Nation and like, you know what I mean? Like just a cultural figure, >> a cultural figure. And like not that. like I'm not as outspoken as you know as. he was but. >> for just like the things that he was. also remembered for outside of the ring.

I just look at that as like so. admirable. And he gave young men like me. something to kind of like aim at and. like model myself after, you know, like. that to me I feel like is very. important, especially in this country. and as a young man who maybe doesn't. have a father figure or who doesn't know. what to become. And then you read the. story of Ali and you're like, "Oh, that's similar to me. I can become. something. I can be an Olympian. I can. be a champion. Like it just takes this.". You know what I mean? like like I'm not.

different. I'm actually there's actually. people like like me out there and I like. you know it just gives you something to. kind of hope to become. And so I try to. I I try to just be authentically me so. that whoever out there does connect with. me can see that, you know, yeah, you can. go through certain [ __ ] but like. there's so much stuff that is possible. for you. Like your life's not over. Yeah, you're in a bad position now, but. you can get yourself out of it. There's. tons of help out there. You know, mental.

health is a big thing. You know, it's. not the end of the world, you know, and. if you feel like it is, there's support, you know, and if you actually have a. disorder, there's support for that, too. There's also outlets like martial arts. and, you know, communities and things. like that that will make you feel less. alone in life. And like. >> martial arts is a big one. >> Yeah. You know, >> that's a big one. >> And for people that feel outside. >> Yeah. >> go to a martial arts studio. Go to a gym. where there you're going to find a whole.

lot of people just like you. >> that are already on this path. >> Yeah. >> And and that are cool people to learn. from. I mean, that's what changed that's. what I just put myself in a new. environment. >> And then I started learning how to eat. and how to think, >> you know what I mean? and started to get. courage and and carry myself differently. and weight started coming down and blah. blah blah and then there you go, >> you know, my my mental health stuff was. a lot less, you know, it's never gone. away completely, you know, but it's a.

lot less than it was when I was 19 years. old. >> But I mean, does it ever go away. completely for anybody? >> It's life, you know what I mean? like. it's life, but we don't a lot of people. we don't have the tools, you know, or we. don't have the people to listen to or. whatever to be able to be like, "Okay, it's not just me, it's everyone. So, what can I do to deal with this?" You. know what I mean? Like, >> I I I I think that, yeah, that's that's. kind of my my thing. So, I think about. when I get on a microphone or when I go. fight or whatever, like there's a sense.

of responsibility. It's not just about. me in this world, you know, >> like, and that's it's to be honest, it's. a struggle. It's hard to not It's hard. to think that way. It's very easy to be. selfish. It's very easy to just think me. me. You know, my problems, my struggles, my this. But like to to consider. millions of people and lives and. children. and youth and teenagers that are. watching the sport and d like I have to. be conscious of of the things that I do.

and how I live my life because I don't. want to be the guy on the news. You know. what I mean? Like I just don't want to. be like I'm terrible. I'm terrified of. prison. >> You know what I mean? I'm [ __ ] you. know, I'm trying to make friends with. police officers, >> you know what I mean? Like I'm like I'm. just like I'm just like, okay. Like. >> I'm trying to do the right thing not. only for myself but for my family, for. my father, you know? So like there's. just a lot of responsibility that comes. with with this game and and how we live.

our lives, man. Well, that's very. admirable and I'm I'm glad there's. people like you out there that do. present a very positive role model. because I know for a lot of young. people, they turn towards really. successful people in sports and and. particularly fighters, especially if you. are a martial artist yourself and you. look at someone who carries themselves a. certain way and you admire it and you. want to be like that person like I want. I aspire to be my own version of what. that means to me, what this person means.

to me what they represent to me, which. is like a championship mindset. Like. someone who's re like there's a lot of. people with championship mindset that. never become a champion, but they. 100% inspire people to live better. lives. >> Mhm. Yeah. And that's the journey. That's the. path that I'm on for the rest of my. life. >> Beautiful. >> Yeah. >> This is the best way to end the podcast. >> Yeah. Absolutely. Um, listen brother, I. appreciate you very much and uh, I wish.

you all the best of luck and I'm real. excited to see this fight with Yuri. Prohaskca. Thanks. >> Should be a banger. >> Thanks for having me. >> My pleasure. Congratulations on. everything. I look forward to. congratulating you again. >> Hell yeah. >> All right. >> All right. Bye, everybody. Later. [Music]. [Applause]. [Music].