Catch today’s stacked edition of The Ariel Helwani Show live as Ariel and The Boys In The Back take over the combat sports landscape with an eclectic lineup of guests. Wednesday’s rundown can be seen below:
0:00 – INTRO
1:30 – Ariel and the gang kick off the show with the latest news and notes.
14:45 – UFC veteran Keith Jardine joins us in-studio to discuss life after fighting and his new film “Kill Me Again.”
1:00:20 – Ariel answers all your questions on the latest edition of On The Nose.
1:31:35 – UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis previews his UFC 319 showdown against Khamzat Chimaev.
2:09:00 – Keyshawn Davis returns in-studio to discuss his next move after dropping the WBO lightweight title on the scale.
3:08:30 – WWE manager extraordinaire Paul Heyman is next up in-studio after a wild SummerSlam weekend.
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>> LEAVE. AND GENTLEMEN, NOW, WELCOME TO THE. WADI , SHOW. >> BACK IN YOUR LIFE ON THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025. HELLO. I SURE HOPE YOU’RE DOING WELL. IT’S GREAT TO BE HERE ON AN UNBELIEVABLE TUESDAY. TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. GOLLY, IT HAS FELT LIKE ONE LONG DAY. IT IS A WEDNESDAY. I JUST SAID THAT HERE IN NEW YORK CITY. WE HAVE A LOT TO GET INTO. IT’S AN UNBELIEVABLE LINEUP. IT’S AN UNBELIEVABLE TIME TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE DONE SOMETHING THIS MORNING THAT I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. I’VE BEEN TALKING TO THE PEOPLE OF THE IMPULSIVE PODCAST HOSTED BY LOGAN AND HIS BFF MIKE, ABOUT BEING ON THEIR SHOW. THEY ASKED ME TO COME ON THEIR SHOW. I DID THEIR SHOW THIS MORNING. I USUALLY HAVE A RULE WHERE I DON’T LIKE TO DO A SHOW BEFORE MY SHOW FOR MULTIPLE REASONS. A ENERGY LEVELS YOU WANT TO PRESERVE THEM, BE. IT’S TIGHT. THERE’S A LOT THAT GOES ON. AND IN FACT, I THINK I ENTERED THE STUDIO. USUALLY I GET HERE AT AROUND 11, 11, 15, 11 30 MAX 11 40. I LIKE TO BE HERE IN THE 11 11 15 RANGE. I THINK I WALKED INTO THE STUDIO AT 12:58. IT’S TOUGH. SO A STRESSFUL ONE. BUT WE MADE IT. WE DID THE INTERVIEW. I THINK IT’S COMING OUT NEXT WEEK. D1 GLASER WAS ADDRESS . OTHER THINGS WERE ADDRESSED. YEAH, OTHER THINGS WERE ADDRESSED. DO YOU REMEMBER YESTERDAY? WAS IT YESTERDAY ON THE PROGRAM WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT ME SHOWING UP WEARING A D1 BLAZER SHIRT? YEAH, THAT WAS YESTERDAY ON THE PROGRAM. >> NO, I DON’T I DON’T THINK IT WAS ON THE PROGRAM. I THINK IT WAS JUST BACK. >> BACK HERE. OH, WEIRD. WELL, SOME WAY, SOMEHOW THEY CAME UP WITH THE SAME IDEA AND WERE WEARING D1 GLASER SHIRTS WITH MY FACE ON. >> IT. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> THAT WAS. >> THAT WAS WORTH ALL THE STRESS. >> NOW, I WISH YOU WERE WEARING A D1 GLASER SHIRT, AND IT WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN SUPREME. >> IN FACT, THEY GAVE ME ONE AND I LEFT IT THERE BECAUSE I WAS I WAS IN SUCH A RUSH. IT SAYS D1 GLASER WITH MY FACE ON IT. I’M RUINING THE SURPRISE HERE. BUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE THING, THEY ALL REVEAL, INCLUDING THE FREAKING PRODUCTION TEAM, INCLUDING OUR GUY PAT. THEY’RE ALL WEARING. >> PAT HAD ONE. >> THEY ALL HAD HIM. >> OH MAN, I LOVE IT. >> I KIND OF WISH YOU HAD GOTTEN ONE FOR ALL OF US AS WELL. I WISH INSTEAD OF FORGETTING ONE, I WISH YOU HAD FORGOTTEN. >> SIX AND BY THE WAY, THE PRINTING WAS SUBPAR. IT WAS LIKE PAPER PRINTING. >> MAN, YOU GOT TO DO IT. THEY DID IT FAST. WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? >> AND YOU KNOW, WAS IT A GOTCHA MOMENT? DON’T WORRY, DON’T WORRY. I HELD MY OWN. I TURNED THE TABLES. I STOOD MY GROUND. SO IT WAS A GOOD CHAT. I ENJOYED IT AND IT WILL. IT WILL BE. IT WILL BE AIRING, I THINK, NEXT WEEK, THE AIR ON TUESDAYS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THEY POST. WE DO OUR THINGS LIVE HERE, OKAY? WE DO OUR THINGS LIVE AROUND THESE PARTS. AND WEDNESDAYS IS IS A GREAT DAY BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS NOW WILL BE A LITTLE BIT SHORTER ON THIS PARTICULAR WEDNESDAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH TO GET TO WITH SO MANY FANTASTIC GUESTS. BACK END OF THE SHOW 4:00 P.M. THE ONE AND ONLY THE ORACLE, THE WISE MAN, THE ADVOCATE, THE SMARTEST HUMAN BEING THAT I’VE EVER COME ACROSS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. ONE OF THE GREATEST CHARACTERS IN THE HISTORY OF PRO WRESTLING. MY FRIEND AND YOURS, PAUL E DANGEROUSLY, AKA PAUL HEYMAN, WILL BE JOINING US IN STUDIO. AND THIS IS A VERY, VERY, VERY SPECIAL PLACE FOR HIM TO JOIN US IN STUDIO. HE HAS BEEN ON THE SHOW BEFORE, TWICE BEFORE IN STUDIO. OTHER TIMES REMOTE. I DID A THING WITH HIM, BT AND OTHER THING. BACKSTAGE. BUT AS FAR AS IN-STUDIO, I BELIEVE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I’M INCLUDING THE MMA HOUR ERA, BUT HIM BEING HERE TODAY IS VERY, VERY SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT. I WILL GET TO THAT. THERE’S SO MUCH TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT. BROCK LESNAR, SETH ROLLINS, C.M. PUNK, HIS CAREER, EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF COMBAT, SPORTS, MEDIA AND ALL THINGS IN BETWEEN. STAY TUNED FOR THAT. PRIOR TO THAT, IN HIS VERY FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE HIT THE FAN IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. KEYSHAWN DAVIS THE BUSINESSMAN WILL JOIN US IN STUDIO AS WELL. HE’S GOING TO BE HERE TO CLEAR THE AIR ON MISSING WEIGHT PRIOR TO THE EDWIN DE LOS SANTOS FIGHT. THE INCIDENT, THE MELEE, THE FRACAS THAT HAPPENED IN THE LOCKER ROOM THE NEXT NIGHT WITH NAHIR ALBRIGHT. A LOT HAPPENED ON THAT WEEKEND AND IT WASN’T GREAT. HE SHOWED UP ON AN INSTAGRAM LIVE FIVE OR SO DAYS AGO, EVEN HINTED AT RETIREMENT. WE’LL GET THE SKINNY FROM THE ONE AND ONLY PART OF THE BUD. KEYSHAWN DAVIS. HE’LL JOIN US AT 3:00. AT 2:30, THE REIGNING, THE DEFENDING UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION, THE ONE AND ONLY THE PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA DRICUS DU PLESSIS THE MAN WHO WILL BE DEFENDING HIS TITLE IN ABOUT TEN DAYS TIME IN CHICAGO UNITED CENTER GOING UP AGAINST THE ONE AND ONLY KHAMZAT CHIMAEV DRICUS DU PLESSIS GOING TO JOIN US AS WELL. THAT’S AT 2:30, 2:00. WE’LL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND IN ABOUT SEVEN OR SO MINUTES, THE DEAN OF MEAN KEITH JARDINE ABSOLUTE LEGEND JOINING US IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS GOING ON INHIS LIFE. HE HAS NOW BECOME PROLIFIC IN THE WORLD OF CINEMA. HE HAS A NEW MOVIE OUT ENTITLED KILL ME AGAIN. HE WROTE IT. HE DIRECTED IT. HE STARS IN IT. WHAT A LINEUP THIS IS. I’M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE ON THIS LOVELY, LOVELY WEDNESDAY. THERE IS SOME BREAKING NEWS THOUGH, TO GET TO AT THE VERY TOP OF THE PROGRAM . WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS AT ESPN NOT THAT LONG AGO, 18-21 WHERE I WOULD SAY WE SHOULD COVER MORE PRO WRESTLING, WE SHOULD GO TO WRESTLEMANIA, WE SHOULD GO TO THE PAY PER VIEWS. BACK THEN THEY WERE KNOWN AS NOW KNOWN AS THE POLICE. NO NO NO NO NO. THIS MORNING WAKE UP TO THE NEWS THAT WWE AND ESPN HAVE SIGNED A NEW FIVE YEAR DEAL FOR ESPN TO BE THE EXCLUSIVE HOME OF ALL THE WWE, BEGINNING IN 2026. HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. YOU KNOW, IF YOU’RE WATCHING THIS OVERSEAS, THAT YOU GET THE POLICE ALREADY ON NETFLIX, PL PREMIUM LIVE EVENT, YOU KNOW BY NOW THAT IF YOU’RE LIVING IN CANADA, IN THE UK, IN BRAZIL, IN JAPAN, WHEREVER IT MAY BE, YOU GET IT ALREADY. THERE YOU GET RAW, YOU GET SMACKDOWN, YOU GET NXT AND YOU GET THE POLICE. IT’S ALL THERE. BUT YOU ALSO KNOW IF YOU LIVE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, THAT RAW IS ON NETFLIX, BUT SMACKDOWN IS ON USA AND NXT IS ON CW, AND WOULD I SAY YES, SMACKDOWN ON USA AND YOU KNOW THAT THE POLICE HAVE BEEN ON PEACOCK FOR THE LAST. I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S BEEN 56 YEARS RIGHT? WELL, YOU KNEW THAT THAT DEAL WAS COMING UP. WE TOLD YOU THE UFC DEAL AND THE WWE DEAL HERE IN AMERICA, THE TWO BIG RIGHTS DEALS COMING UP. WELL, THE FIRST SHOE HAS DROPPED AND THAT’S THAT. WWE LEAVING PEACOCK, AS FAR AS POLICE ARE CONCERNED, THEY’RE NOT LEAVING NBC UNIVERSAL. THEY’LL STILL BE ON SMACKDOWN USA FRIDAYS. BUT THE POLICE BEGINNING IN 2026, WILL BE LEAVING PEACOCK AND GOING TO ESPN . OKAY, PEACOCK HAD BEEN PAYING $180 MILLION A YEAR. ESPN PAYING $325 MILLION, REPORTEDLY, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE OUTLETS LIKE CNBC AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. 325 180-325 NOW, IS IT JUST GOING TO BE ON ESPN LINEAR? NO, IT’S GOING TO BE ON THE NEW ESPN DIRECT TO CONSUMER, ALSO KNOWN AS DTC PLATFORM, THE FLAGSHIP. SOME ARE CALLING IT THAT IS COMING OUT IN TWO WEEKS TIME. AND SO WHAT IS THIS THING? IT’S 29.99. IF YOU HAVE NO CABLE ACCESS WHATSOEVER, YOU COULD SUBSCRIBE TO THIS DIRECT TO CONSUMER, MEANING YOU CAN PAY 29.99 HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. AND YOU GET EVERY SINGLE ESPN ENTITY, ESPN, THE MOTHERSHIP, ESPN TWO, ESPN. YOU ALL THE DIFFERENT SEC, THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER. ALL THE STUFF THAT ESPN OFFERS. RIGHT. YOU’LL ALSO BE ABLE TO GET THE NFL NETWORK, WHICH THEY’VE NOW HAD TO DEAL WITH. YOU’LL HAVE ACCESS TO REDZONE, YOU’LL HAVE ACCESS TO TO ALL THE CRAZY STUFF THAT THEY’RE DOING WITH THE NFL AS WELL. YOU’LL ALSO GET ALL THESE PLS WITH YOUR 29.99 PART OF THAT 29.99 IS YOUR ESPN PLUS SUBSCRIPTION. IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THAT AND JUST GO ALL IN WITH THAT, THE UFC PAY PER VIEWS ARE STILL IN ADDITION TO THAT. SO IF YOU’RE AN ESPN PLUS SUBSCRIBER, AT LEAST AS OF RIGHT NOW, YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY YOUR 79.99 OR WHATEVER IT IS FOR THE ESPN PAY PER VIEWS. NOW, THAT COULD THAT COULD CHANGE COME JANUARY 1 BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, THAT DEAL IS COMING TO AN END. BUT WHAT THIS SAYS TO ME IS, FIRST OF ALL, INCREDIBLE WWE AND ESPN ACTUALLY IN PARTNERSHIP. I REMEMBER WAY BACK IN THE DAY, ESPN AIRING AWA IN THE 80s. THIS MIGHT BE THE FIRST TIME SINCE THAT THEY HAVE A MAJOR WRESTLING DEAL IN NORTH AMERICA. IT’S JUST FOR THE PLEASE. THAT’S TEN A YEAR, BUT THERE’S TWO THAT ARE TWO NIGHTS WRESTLEMANIA, SUMMERSLAM . THAT’S MASSIVE, HUGE UPGRADE IN PRICE. AND TO ME, IT SUGGESTS THAT IF ANYONE THOUGHT THAT THE UFC WAS GOING TO LEAVE ESPN, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS ANOTHER SIGN THAT THEY’RE GOING TO FIGURE THIS OUT IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. IS IT GOING TO BE DIVIDED? IS IT GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT HERE WITH ESPN AND A LITTLE BIT HERE WITH NETFLIX? WE STILL DON’T KNOW. BUT IT SHOWS THAT THE RELATIONSHIP IS EXTREMELY STRONG. OH, BY THE WAY, ESPN NO LONGER AIRING. TOP RANK IS ZUFFA BOXING GOING TO POTENTIALLY GO THERE? THERE’S BEEN SOME TALK ALSO OF PARAMOUNT PLUS. LET’S SEE. BUT THE RELATIONSHIP COULDN’T BE STRONGER. AND WHAT HAVE I SAID TIME AND AGAIN? AND I KNOW THAT I COME FROM A PLACE OF FRIENDSHIP AND AND BIAS. THE GREATEST DECISION THAT WWE HAS MADE IN THE LAST FIVE OR SO YEARS WAS HIRING NIKON. NIKON HAD ALL THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE SPORTS MEDIA BUSINESS, INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH ESPN AND JIMMY PITARO, THE PRESIDENT IN PARTICULAR. AND NOW YOU SEE ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT. THERE ARE RIGHTS DEAL TO NETFLIX GIGANTIC THEIR RIGHTS DEALS WITH NBC UNIVERSAL AND CW GIGANTIC. AND NOW THIS IS JUST ANOTHER SIGN. DO THEY GET THIS WITHOUT THEM? I DON’T KNOW. HONESTLY, I DON’T KNOW. HE’S A MASSIVE PART OF IT AND HIS INFLUENCE, I SAID IT. IN MY OPINION, HE’S THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON AT TKO NOW. MARK SHAPIRO, WHO IS THE I BELIEVE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, THE CEO OF TKO. OR HE MIGHT BE THE PRESIDENT OF TKO VERY HIGH. ARI EMANUEL MARK SHAPIRO. DANA. NICK, YOU KNOW THE POWER PLAYERS VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL. HE USED TO BE IN A MAJOR POSITION AT ESPN AS WELL. HE USED TO BE IN A MAJOR POSITION BACK IN THE LIKE 0-5 0-6 0-7 0-4 THAT THAT TIME PERIOD. SO I’M SURE THE RELATIONSHIP HELPS, BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT NICK HAS AN INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BRASS THERE. AND, AND THIS MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD, AND I DON’T KNOW IF THEY GET IT DONE WITHOUT HIM. AND SO I THINK HE DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT. IF ANYONE IS HAPPY ABOUT THIS, I THINK THAT’S THAT’S THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE CREDIT SHOULD GO. NOW THIS IS VERY INTERESTING AS FAR AS WE WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE UFC AND THIS IS ALL GOING TO COME INTO PLAY COME 2026. BUT WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IN THE YEAR 2026? ESPN AND WWE TOGETHER . BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP AIRING THE PLEASE. YOU WON’T HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR THEM. YOU’LL HAVE TO BE A SUBSCRIBER TO THE THE DTC. WHAT’S A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR TO ME, AND I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS IS IF YOU’RE AN ESPN+ SUBSCRIBER ONLY, AND I THINK THEY’RE GOING TO CHANGE THE NAME TO THAT TO ESPN SELECT AND AND AND NOT THE DTC SUBSCRIBER. THE 2099 GUY MEANING MYSELF. IF YOU’RE AN ESPN+ SUBSCRIBER BUT YOU STILL HAVE DIRECTV, DO YOU GET THE PLS AS PART OF ESPN+ BUT NOT AT AN EXTRA CHARGE? I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES. I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO. AS FAR AS UFC PAY PER VIEWS ARE CONCERNED, BUT AS FAR AS THE THE ACTUAL FROM WWE, THE 12 TOTAL TEN PLUS THE TWO NIGHT SHOWS, I THINK IT’S JUST A PART OF THE PLUS SUBSCRIPTION, WHICH LAST I CHECKED WAS AROUND 11.99. SO FASCINATING TIMES IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS MEDIA, IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS RIGHTS HERE IN IN THE UNITED STATES. AND WE WAIT AND SEE WHAT WILL COME OF THE UFC RIGHTS. OKAY, JUST GIVE ME A SECOND HERE, FRIENDS. A LOT MORE THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AS FAR AS THIS IS CONCERNED. A LOT MORE THAT WE CAN SAY AND PERHAPS STILL BE A QUESTION OR TWO COMING UP ON ON THE NOSE AGAIN, BACK INTO THE SHOW. PAUL HEYMAN. PRIOR TO THAT, KEYSHAWN DAVIS PRIOR TO THAT. DRICUS DU PLESSIS THEN I’LL ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS. ON THE NOSE. BUT FOR NOW, IT’S A GREAT PLEASURE AND HONOR TO SAY HELLO TO ONE OF THE LEGENDS OF THE GAME, A MAN WHO I HAVE NOT TALKED TO IN QUITE SOME TIME, BUT I’M SO EXCITED TO SAY HELLO TO. THERE HE IS, THE DEAN OF MEAN KEITH JARDINE. >> IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. HOW ARE YOU? GREAT, MAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN. HOLY CRAP. >> A REAL BLAST FROM THE PAST. IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME. >> I’M A BLAST FROM THE PAST NOW, HUH? >> WELL, AT LEAST AS FAR AS YOU. >> KNOW, THE DAY TO DAY. CERTAINLY NOT AS FAR AS WHAT YOU’RE DOING. YOU’RE IN A MUCH, MUCH BETTER PLACE. >> NO, I LOVE IT, MAN. BACK THEN, LIKE, I LOVE WHAT YOU’VE DONE, MAN. HOW YOU COME UP TO HERE AND ALL THAT. LIKE I REMEMBER YOU SHOWING UP TO EVERY EVENT, DOING THE THING. JUST. JUST. MAN, IT MUST HAVE BEEN SO TOUGH FOR YOU, MAN. SPENDING ALL YOUR MONEY GOING ALL THESE UFC EVENTS TO BECOME THIS UFC REPORTER. >> YES, BUT HERE WE. >> ARE, AND HERE YOU ARE DOING YOUR THING. SO I WAS LOOKING OBVIOUSLY YOUR LAST FIGHT WAS IN 2012, BUT IT’S RIGHT. >> YEAH. >> BUT IT’S NOT LIKE YOU JUST WENT QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT. YOU HAVE NOW BECOME A REAL MAJOR PLAYER IN THE WORLD OF CINEMA AND HOLLYWOOD. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE MIC? YOU CAN MOVE IT. BY THE. >> WAY, LET ME HELP YOU OUT. >> I GOT IT, BROTHER. YEAH, YEAH. >> AND YOU’VE GOT THIS NEW FILM COMING OUT CALLED KILL ME AGAIN. >> YEAH. >> YOU WROTE. >> IT. >> DIRECTED. IT AND ARE IN IT. THERE’S THE POSTER, AND TONIGHT IT’S PLAYING AT TRIBECA, RIGHT? >> YEP. TRIBECA. TRIBECA, WE HAVE SOME TICKETS LEFT. IF YOU GUYS ARE IN NEW YORK. JUST HIT ME UP ON THE DMS. AND I THINK WE HAVE, LIKE, TEN OR 15 LEFT. >> NOW, YOU WENT TOO LOW. >> OH, I’M ALL RIGHT. >> YEAH. >> OKAY. >> OKAY. SO. SO HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON THIS? >> ON THIS PROJECT. I’VE BEEN WORKING SINCE AUGUST OF 2023. RIGHT. DURING THE WRITERS STRIKE. I HAVE A SCRIPT THAT HAS A LOT OF HEAT ON IT. SOMEBODY WANTED TO GET IT DONE. A BIG STUDIO, BUT WHO’S GOING TO DIRECT IT? NOT ME. RIGHT. SO WHAT CAN I DO? WHAT CAN I FIND? SOMETHING I CAN DO? IN A SMALLER BUDGET, SOMETHING CONTAINED AND ALL THAT. SO I COME UP WITH THIS TIME LOOP IDEA FROM A, LIKE A GROUNDHOG DAY, FROM A SERIAL KILLER’S PERSPECTIVE. >> YES, I’VE HEARD YOU LIKE THAT’S YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH, RIGHT? >> THAT’S IT. YEAH. >> IT’S IT’S BILL MURRAY IN GROUNDHOG DAY. >> BUT BILL MURRAY’S A KILLER. >> BILL MURRAY’S A KILLER. YEAH, YEAH. >> AND WHEN DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS IDEA? >> I SAID IN AUGUST. I. THE WRITERS STRIKE WAS GOING ON. I WAS WORKING AND ALL THAT, AND AND THERE’S A LOT OF HEAT BEHIND MY OTHER SCRIPTS, BUT I NEED TO GET SOMETHING THAT I CAN DO SO THAT I CAN DO ALL MY OWN STUFF. AND I’M NOT HIRING ANOTHER DIRECTOR TO DO MY MOVIES AND ALL THAT. >> HAD YOU EVER. >> DIRECTED PRIOR TO THIS? >> I DID A LITTLE SHORT ON EL PASO , EL PASO. THAT WAS MY FIRST. >> OKAY. >> REALLY WELL WON LOT OF AWARDS FOR TIME ACADEMY, QUALIFIER AND FESTIVALS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO BUT IT’S STILL JUST A SHORT IT’S NOT A FEATURE. >> RIGHT. >> AND WHAT ABOUT WRITING? >> I’VE BEEN WRITING SINCE LIKE 2015. ALL THAT. >> YEAH. OKAY. >> YEAH, YEAH, I GOT YEAH. >> WAS THIS ALWAYS THE PLAN FOR YOU ? >> NOPE. NOPE. I ALWAYS WANTED TO ACT. I ALWAYS LOVED MOVIES. MOVIES? LIKE AN ESCAPISM FOR ME. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MOVIES. AND I’M ACTING FOR A WHILE, AND I’M STARTING TO GET. I’M ACTUALLY DOING REALLY GOOD AS AN ACTOR. I’M GETTING GOOD STUFF, BUT I’M GETTING THE SAME STUFF, RIGHT? >> NOTHING LIKE. WHAT’S THAT. >> RACIST HENCHMAN? KIND OF ONE DIMENSIONAL KIND OF GUY, RIGHT? >> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> I WANT TO DO SOMETHING MORE COMPLEX, YOU KNOW? AND CASTING DIRECTORS AREN’T GOING TO SEE THROUGH IT THROUGH A LOT, SO I NEED TO WRITE IT AND CREATE IT MYSELF. >> WOW. >> SO FOR A LOT OF REASONS, I JUST SAT DOWN AND STARTED TO WRITE LIKE I’M A HORRIBLE WRITER. AS FAR AS THE TECHNIQUE OF WRITING, LIKE IN SCHOOL, I WASN’T GREAT. I WAS MORE OF A MATH GUY. I WASN’T REALLY GREAT AT WRITING. I COULD BARELY WRITE A BUSINESS EMAIL AT THAT TIME. RIGHT. BUT I KNOW DIALOG. I STUDIED THE HECK OUT OF ACTING, AND I KNOW DIALOG, AND I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO SEE IN A MOVIE. SO IT WAS JUST LIKE, IT’S REALLY COOL TO SIT DOWN IN FRONT OF A BLANK CANVAS AND LIKE, ALL RIGHT, WHAT MOVIE DO I WANT TO WATCH? AND LIKE, WHAT CHARACTERS DO I WANT TO CREATE AND THEN CREATE A WORLD FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE? MAN, THAT’S THAT’S THE BIGGEST RUSH. >> WOW. YEAH. AND SO. >> LIKE ME WRITING AN ARTICLE 0R ME WRITING A STORY IS NOT THE SAME AS WRITING A. >> SCRIPT. >> THERE’S A WHOLE FORM. IT’S LIKE IT’S A DIFFERENT. >> UNIVERSE, RIGHT? >> YEAH, YEAH. >> DO YOU. >> GO TO SCHOOL FOR THAT? DO YOU FIGURE IT OUT? DOES SOMEONE. >> TEACH YOU? >> NO, NO, I PUT MY HOURS IN MY FIRST SCRIPT I WROTE, I GOT TO THE END OF. IT WASN’T REALLY GOOD. BUT WHAT I DID DO IS I GOT TO THE END. AND THEN AFTER I WAS FINISHED, I GOT. I GOT A BOOK AND AND I STARTED, I STARTED READING OTHER SCREENPLAYS AND I’M LIKE, OKAY, WELL, THIS IS WHAT THIS IS, AND THIS IS WHY THIS IS AND THIS HAS TO BE THIS WAY. AND I HAD TO LEARN THE PROPER HOLLYWOOD FORMAT, AND THEN YOU GOT TO KNOW IT. AND BEFORE YOU CAN BREAK AWAY FROM IT, LIKE, I DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT TOO MUCH NOW, BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW IT FIRST. SO YEAH, I DID PUT MY TIME IN AND STUDY THAT. >> FIRST TIME. >> THAT. YOU STARTED TO THINK LIKE, HEY, THIS COULD. BE A CAREER FOR ME. POST FIGHTING. WHEN DID. THAT COME TO PLAY? LIKE WHEN YOU WHEN YOU’RE IN THE UFC AND STUFF? ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT THIS AT THIS. >> POINT? >> YEAH, AT THE END OF MY CAREER, I STARTED THINKING ABOUT ACTING BECAUSE. BECAUSE WHEN I FOUGHT CHUCK, THAT’S HOW I GOT MY S.A.G. CARD. SOMEONE ASKED ME TO BE IN THEIR MOVIE, AND. AND CHUCK. YEAH, LIKE, THREE DAYS AFTER I FOUGHT HIM. >> REALLY? YEAH. YEAH. SO WHAT HAPPENS? >> THAT’S UFC 76. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> THAT WAS YOUR BIG THING. I REMEMBER WHEN THAT FIGHT WAS ANNOUNCED YOU WERE IN THE MAIN EVENT AGAINST HIM, AND. AND THERE WAS SOME KIND OF BLOWBACK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE WEREN’T AS MANY SHOWS. YEAH. IF YOU RECALL BACK THEN AND PEOPLE WERE LIKE, THIS ISN’T A TITLE FIGHT. SHOULD THIS BE A PAY-PER-VIEW MAIN EVENT? CHUCK’S GOING TO ROLL THROUGH THIS GUY. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> AND YOU SHOCKED EVERYONE AND MADE IT INTO A THING LIKE, HOLY, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN WATCHING BECAUSE SOMETHING SPECTACULAR HAPPENED, RIGHT? DO YOU REMEMBER. >> ALL THIS? >> I REMEMBER ALL THAT. >> YEAH. >> PEOPLE WERE DOUBTING YOU. >> YEAH. AND IT WAS ALSO. IT WASN’T JUST ME. IT WAS LIKE. FORREST WAS FIGHTING SHOGUN. YEAH. >> AND ALL THAT. YES. >> THIS WAS LIKE THE COMING OUT FOR THE TOUGH ERA, RIGHT? LIKE WITH TOUGH GUYS. DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT. >> YES, YES. >> YOU WERE THE REALITY. >> SHOW GUY. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. THAT YOU OFF. >> YEAH. YEAH, YEAH, A LITTLE BIT. YEAH. >> YEAH OF COURSE. YEAH. >> AND SO YOU BEAT HIM AND SOMEONE REACHES OUT TO YOU AFTER THAT TO. >> GIVE YOU. >> I’M IN A SMALL TOWN IN NEW MEXICO TO SEE MY DOCTOR. BERNALILLO, NEW MEXICO. AND I WAS IN A CAFE AFTER I WENT AND SAW HIM. AND, THERE’S A COUPLE A GUY CAME UP TO ME, SUPER BASHFUL, JUST KIND OF KICKING AROUND ON THE GROUND. HEY HEY, YOUR KEITH JARDINE RIGHT? YEAH. I SAW YOUR FIGHT. GREAT. VIOLENT. HEY, HEY, WE’RE DOING THIS MOVIE IN ALBUQUERQUE. AND WE’RE CASTING IT RIGHT NOW. WOULD YOU? AND YOU’RE SUPER NERVOUS. WOULD YOU MIND COMING AND READING FOR SOMETHING FOR US? >> WOW. >> AND YOU’RE LIKE, YEAH, YEAH, I’D LOVE TO DO THAT, MAN. >> SO. SO PRIOR TO THAT. >> THERE WERE NO TALKS OF YOU DOING ANYTHING IN THE WORLD OF MOVIES? >> NO, NO. >> WOW. >> AND THEN. AND THE GUY HAPPENED TO BE THERE. THE WRITER, WRITER DIRECTORS OF THE CRANK FRANCHISE. AND THEY WERE DOING GAMER WITH JERRY BUTLER AND ALBUQUERQUE. >> OKAY. >> AND THEY ENDED UP WRITING ME A PART IN THAT. >> WOW. SO YOU GO THERE. >> AND YOU HAD NEVER TRIED OUT FOR ANYTHING YOU HAD NEVER CAST, RIGHT? >> NO, NO. >> DID YOU EVEN DO ANYTHING IN, LIKE, HIGH SCHOOL? >> LIKE THEATER? NO NO, NO. WOW. >> AND WAS. >> IT JUST. >> BECAUSE HE WAS A FAN? >> YEP. EXACTLY THAT. OKAY. >> AND WHO WAS. >> THIS GUY? >> BRIAN TAYLOR AND MARK NEVELDINE AGAIN, THEY’RE THE CRANK FRANCHISE WRITER DIRECTORS. >> OH, OKAY. OKAY, OKAY, COOL. >> JASON STATHAM AND. >> YEP YEP YEP. OH MY GOD. >> YEAH YEAH YEAH. >> AND SO YOU GO THERE AND YOU NAIL IT. >> YEAH, YEAH, I DID GOOD. THEY PRINTED ME OUT SOME STUFF AND I READ IT AND THEY LIKED IT. AND THEY CREATED A ROLE FOR ME. AND THEN, THEN I GOT SOME AFTER THAT I GOT SOME, YOU KNOW, CRUMMY MOVIES I DID THAT WEREN’T REALLY GOOD. >> DIRECT TO DVD. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. MY FIRST LINES REALLY WERE, I COULD HAVE LINES ON MY FIRST REAL LINES WERE I EVER DID. WASN’T PRACTICING WHAT I WAS ACTUALLY ON SET IN FRONT OF A CAMERA, TALKING TO ANOTHER PERSON. AND IT’S LIKE, IT’S SO WEIRD. IT’S SO SURREAL. LIKE, I HAVEN’T THOUGHT ABOUT THIS FOR A WHILE, BUT IT’S LIKE YOU HEAR YOURSELF TALKING TO THE GUY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I’M NOT I’M NOT A GOOD ACTOR, RIGHT? LIKE I’M TRYING TO BE LIKE CLINT EASTWOOD OR SOMETHING, TALKING TO THE GUY, RIGHT? YEAH. BUT THEN I’M FIGHTING ENDS, YOU KNOW, AND PROBABLY THE LOW POINT OF MY LIFE. YOU KNOW, HOW LONG IS THIS MONEY GONNA LAST? ME? IT DIDN’T END THE WAY I WANTED IT TO END. AND I’M SPENDING ALL MY MONEY GOING TO L.A. FOR ALL THESE AUDITIONS, AND IT’S NOT QUITE WORKING OUT. AND THEN. AND THEN. YEAH. BANK ACCOUNTS GOING DOWN, AND YOU REALLY? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? AND THEN THEN SOME STUNT ROLES CAME ALONG. AND THEN FINALLY I GOT A REALLY BIG ROLE THAT SEPARATED. BUT BACK TO THAT, WHAT HAPPENED THOUGH IS SO IN HOLLYWOOD, YOU’RE COMPETING WITH SOME THESE LIKE, THEY WENT TO COLLEGE FOR FOR FILM, YOU KNOW, THEATER ACTORS, ACTRESSES, AND YOU’RE COMPETING THESE WITH THESE GUYS FOR ROLES. NOBODY CARES THAT YOU’RE A UFC FIGHTER. I MEAN, THAT GOES REALLY QUICK, RIGHT? IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE A CHARACTER AND SELL A CHARACTER, THEY DON’T CARE THAT IT’S KEITH JARDINE TRYING TO BE A PLUMBER OR SOMETHING, LIKE, THEY WANT TO SEE THIS INTERESTING PLUMBER THAT HAS THIS PAST AND ALL THAT, RIGHT? SO I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DO ALL THAT. SO I SPENT ALL MY THOUSANDS OF HOURS STUDYING, ACTING, ACTING CLASSES, ACTING LESSONS AND ALL THAT, TRYING TO LEARN THE ART, GIVING THE ARTISTS, DOING ALL THAT. AND THEN WHEN I ONCE I STARTED DOING THAT, I GOT A PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON FILM CALLED INHERENT VICE WITH JOAQUIN PHOENIX AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME BEING A FIGHTER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THAT WAS JUST IT WAS A REALLY HARD RULE TO GET, AND I GOT THAT ROLE. AND AND SO FROM THEN ON I WAS ABLE TO SAY, KEITH JARDINE THE ACTOR, NOT THE, FIGHTER. >> AND WHAT YEAR WAS THAT? >> INHERENT VICE WAS PROBABLY, I’M GONNA GUESS AROUND 12, 13, 14, I DON’T KNOW. >> OKAY. YEAH, YEAH. >> SO NOW YOU START TO FEEL LIKE YOU’RE GETTING RESPECT AND PEOPLE AREN’T VIEWING YOU. >> AS. YEAH. >> JUST THAT DUDE, BY THE WAY, WHEN YOU. SAY REALLY HARD ROLE TO GET, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? LIKE, YOU SAY THAT AND I’M SURE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD TO. >> GET PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON IS REALLY HE’S LIKE, THERE. YOU KNOW, HE’S THERE WILL BE BLOOD. HE’S BOOGIE NIGHTS. HE’S LIKE ONE OF THE BEST WRITER DIRECTORS THERE. HE’S AN ARTIST, A TRUE ARTIST, AND HE’S REALLY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE PEOPLE HE WANTS. AND I WAS IN A GYM WORKING OUT IN ALBUQUERQUE, AND MY MANAGER CALLS ME AND SAID, HEY, THEY’RE HAVING A HARD TIME CASTING. THIS ROLE HAS ALREADY WENT THROUGH LIKE TWICE AND THEY HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO CAST IT. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO FLY TO L.A.? THE THINGS AT THREE, IF YOU CAN MAKE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT’S LIKE 11:00 OR WHATEVER. AND I LOOK AT THE PHONE AND THEN SOUTHWEST. YEAH, I CAN BE THERE. SO SO I GET OFF THE PHONE, NO LINES OR ANYTHING. SO I GET OFF THE PLANE AND, AND RENT A CAR AND MAKE IT TO THIS PLACE JUST IN TIME, FIGHTING TRAFFIC AND ALL THAT. AND THEN. AND THEN THERE YOU GO. HERE’S YOUR LINES. AND YOU’RE GOING TO READ WITH CASSANDRA. >> DAM. >> YEAH, YEAH. AND. >> HOW. >> MANY, HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO GO. >> THROUGH THIS? >> IS IT JUST ONE AND DONE? >> THAT ONE WAS ONE AND DONE. THEY DID IT. AND I MANAGED TO GET THROUGH IT, THROUGH IT, THROUGH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS. AND AND I’M WORKING ON ANOTHER STUNT JOB, ACTUALLY. AND AND THEY JUST, THEY HIRED ME, AND IT’S JUST I REMEMBER WHAT SHE SAID. I’LL NEVER FORGET IT. PAUL SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE’S JUST SOMETHING IN HIS EYES LIKE, I NEEDED TO HAVE HIM. THERE’S SOMETHING IN HIS EYES. WHEN HE DID THE SCENE. >> AND WOW. >> AND THAT WAS IT. >> THAT’S WHAT A FEELING. >> YEAH. THAT MUST BE INCREDIBLE. YEAH. >> MORE NERVOUS DOING THAT OR IN A FIGHT. >> OH, MORE NERVOUS DOING THAT. SO WHEN YOU START DOING AUDITIONS I’VE ALWAYS HAD THIS KIND OF SOCIAL ANXIETY ANYWAYS. RIGHT. ESPECIALLY IN FIGHTING. I DIDN’T HAVE MUCH. I WASN’T DIDN’T HAVE TO DEVELOP MY PERSONALITY THAT MUCH. RIGHT. AND WHATEVER SELF-DOUBT OR FEAR YOU HAVE GOING INTO A FIGHT, LIKE AFTER YOU GET PUNCHED, YOU’RE IN A FIGHT. IT DOESN’T MATTER, RIGHT? YOU CAN HIDE WHATEVER. YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN AND GET UP AND WIN. IT DOESN’T MATTER, RIGHT? BUT BUT YOU WALK INTO A ROOM. IT’S REALLY SIMILAR TO WALKING INTO A FIGHT LIKE IN A LOCKER ROOM FOR A FIGHT. YOU GOT ALL THESE PEOPLE, ALL THESE PROFESSIONALS SITTING AROUND THE ROOM READING THEIR LINES. YEAH, THESE ARE PROFESSIONAL. YOU MIGHT EVEN RECOGNIZE SOME OF THEM. THEY’RE READING FOR THE SAME ROLE. YOU ARE, AND THEY’RE STUDYING, GETTING READY, GETTING READY. JUST LIKE PREPARING FOR A FIGHT. RIGHT. AND NOW I GOT TO COMPETE WITH THESE GUYS THAT ARE TRYING TO PAY THEIR RENT, TOO, YOU KNOW? AND SO YOU WALK IN A ROOM. I REMEMBER MY FIRST ONE. I’M WALKING IN A ROOM I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. LIKE, I JUST STOOD BY THE DOOR AND SOMEBODY PASSED ME AND WENT AND SIGNED IN, LIKE, OKAY, SO I NEED TO GO SIGN IN. AND THEN AND THEN I JUST DO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING. AND THEN YOU GO INTO A ROOM AND YOU KNOW, YOU’RE ON DECK. THEY SAY YOU’RE ON DECK. ALL RIGHT, COOL. AND THEN I’LL TRY AND MEMORIZE THE STUFF ONE LAST TIME AND THEN GO IN THE ROOM . NOW THERE’S A THERE’S THERE’S A READER AND A CAMERA OPERATOR. RIGHT. AND THAT’S IT. AND IT’S LIKE, GO. AND THEY START TELLING YOU LINES, YOU GOTTA SPIT BACK THE LINES. AND IF YOU HAVE AN OUNCE OF FEAR OR OUNCE OF ANYTHING, YOU’RE NOT HIRED BECAUSE BECAUSE THEIR JOB IS TO BRING GOOD ACTORS TO TO THE DIRECTOR. AND IF THEY RECOMMEND THIS GUY, THIS GUY HAD A REALLY GREAT RECOMMEND. THIS GUY. AND I DROPPED THE BALL ON SET THAT THAT GOES BACK ON THEM. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> SO THEIR JOB IS TO SAY NO, A LOT OF TIMES. YEAH. SO ANYWAY, SO IT. >> SOUNDS STRESSFUL. YOU JUST RECITING ALL OF IT. >> YEAH. YEAH YEAH YEAH. AND THEN I HAD TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-DOUBT AND PERFORMANCE AND ALL THAT THINGS. I DIDN’T QUITE WORK OUT DURING FIGHTING. I HAD TO WORK OUT DURING THIS ADVENTURE. >> AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE. >> OH, ABSOLUTELY. >> REALLY? >> YEAH. IF YOU LOOK AT MY FIGHTING CAREER IT’S AN INTERESTING THING. LIKE, I’VE HAD SUPREME, SUPREME CONFIDENCE, LIKE I’VE TRAINED WITH EVERYBODY AROUND THE WORLD. I GO TO MONTREAL TO TRAIN WITH GEORGE, I GO TO DENVER, TRAIN WITH ALL THOSE GUYS THERE. I TRAINED WITH CHAMPS, I FOUGHT CHAMPS, I BEAT CHAMPS SUPREME CONFIDENCE. WHEN I’M STANDING IN THE RING LOOKING AT A MONSTER LIKE QUENTIN JACKSON OR CHUCK LIDDELL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND EVERYONE’S SAYING, LIKE YOU SAID, THE CHUCK LIDDELL FIGHT LIKE I DON’T BELONG IN THAT RING. YEAH. YOU. I DON’T BELONG IN THE RING. I’M GOING TO SHOW YOU. RIGHT. AND THAT’S WHEN I PERFORM THE BEST. NOW YOU PUT ME IN A RING AGAINST SOME GUY THAT I NEVER HEARD OF OR WHATEVER, AND LIKE, OH, YOU SHOULD DUST UP THIS GUY. HE’S. HE FIGHT FOR YOU, LIKE, WE’LL DO THIS AND WE’LL DO THAT. THEN WHATEVER PERFORMANCE ANXIETY LIKE I MY FOCUS WASN’T OFF. WHATEVER. I JUST I JUST COULDN’T DO IT. SO LIKE LIKE I WON WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO LOSE AND I LOST WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO WIN, BUT SO I, SO I HAD TO WORK ALL THAT OUT FOR SURE. >> AND SO, SO WHEN YOU GO INTO THESE ROLES OR TRY TO AUDITION FOR THESE ROLES WHEN YOU FEEL. LIKE YOU’RE MAYBE NOT THE THE NATURAL CHOICE OR YOU’RE THE FIGHTER WHO’S TRYING OUT AND AND MAYBE GETTING A LITTLE BIT TOO AMBITIOUS, BUT THAT’S WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A BETTER AUDITION, WHEN IT’S LIKE AN EASY WHEN IT’S A SERIAL KILLER ROLE, LIKE, THAT’S LIKE, YOU KNOW, FIGHTING SOME SORT OF SCHLUB. BUT WHEN IT’S A ROLE LIKE YOU PLAYING SOMEONE WHO’S OUTSIDE OF THE THE SORT OF TYPECAST THAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE FOR YOU, THAT’S WHEN YOU THINK YOU RISE TO THE OCCASION. DOES IT WORK THAT WAY AS WELL? >> THAT’S MORE IN FILMMAKING AND ACTING. I JUST HAD TO GET TO BE LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT? I’M A GOOD ACTOR. YEAH, AND I’M GOING TO GO DO THIS THING. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. I’M NOT EVEN GOING TO DO THE LINES. YOU’RE I’M GONNA DO THE LINES THE WAY I WANT TO. >> DO IT. OH, YEAH? YEAH. >> HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN? >> IT TOOK A WHILE. A LOT OF REPETITIONS, MAN. A LOT OF REPETITIONS. YEAH, BUT BUT THAT’S THE ATTITUDE YOU GOT TO DO AS AN ACTOR. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. THIS IS GREAT. IF YOU NOTICE IT, GOOD. IF NOT I’M GOING TO GO DO ANOTHER ONE. >> YOU GO TO ACTING SCHOOL. >> I’VE DONE I’VE DONE ACTING LESSONS FROM LITTLE CRUMMY LITTLE BUNCH OF ACTORS GETTING TOGETHER WITH THE COACH TO LIKE PROPER ONES IN L.A. WITH WITH THEATER COACHES. AND I’VE HAD A GOOD COACH AND ALL THAT. YOU NEED TO DO THAT. ANYBODY UFC I TELL THEM, LIKE WHEN THEY WANT TO BECOME AN ACTOR, I TELL THEM, LIKE, YOU GOT TO GO TO YOU GOT TO BE ABLE TO RISK BEING STUPID IN FRONT OF A BUNCH OF PEOPLE. YOU GOT TO GET OVER THE EGO OF, LIKE, OH, KEITH JARDINE WAS AN ACTING CLASS AND HE WAS AWFUL. HE DID THIS THING, COULDN’T REMEMBER HIS LINES OR WHATEVER. HE’S GOT TO RISK THAT AND BE VULNERABLE AND DO THAT THING TO TO REALLY BE VULNERABLE ON SET. BECAUSE IF YOU’RE A GOOD ACTOR, YOU’RE COMPLETELY VULNERABLE. LIKE, I’M JUST THROWING IT OUT LIKE IN, I DON’T CARE ABOUT HOW I LOOK, I DON’T CARE ABOUT WHATEVER. LIKE I’M JUST GOING TO LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT AND DEPEND ON THE DIRECTOR TO REEL ME IN AND PUT ME WHERE HE WANTS ME. >> WELL, IN THIS CASE, YOU ARE THE DIRECTOR. >> YEAH. SO NOW THAT NOW YOU GET INTO THIS, NOW THERE’S THAT. WHERE MAKING YOUR OWN MOVIE THE WAY I DID OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM IS LIKE, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY IS LIKE. NO, THIS SCRIPT IS TOO AMBITIOUS. YOU CAN’T DO IT ON THIS MANY DAYS. NO, YOU CAN’T DO THIS. NO, YOU CAN’T DO THIS. AND IT WAS LIKE, OH, YEAH, WATCH ME. I’M GOING TO DO IT. WOW. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> AND SO HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO FILM THIS? >> WE DID THIS IN 12 NIGHTS. >> 12 NIGHTS. >> 12 NIGHTS FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 5:00 A.M., MOSTLY. >> AND HOW LONG IS THE FILM? IT’S NOT A SHORT, RIGHT? >> NO, IT’S 100 AND SOME MINUTES. >> OKAY. >> AND WHERE DID YOU FILM IT? >> IN ALBUQUERQUE. >> AND YOUR BUDGET? WHERE DID THE WHERE DID THE MONEY COME FROM? >> I WROTE IT MYSELF. AND THAT’S ANOTHER THING I HAD TO LEARN, BECAUSE IT’S NOT MY PERSONALITY TO COME TO PEOPLE WITH MY HAT OUT. >> RIGHT? YEAH. >> AND SO I DID THIS COMPLETELY OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM, AND I GOT INDEPENDENT FINANCIERS. AND BECAUSE I HAD MY SUCCESSFUL SHORT AND I HAD A TRACK RECORD. YEAH. THEN I WAS ABLE TO COME AGAIN. AND IT’S NOT SUCH A RISKY THING. AND LIKE, IT’S MORE LIKE MEETING PEOPLE AND LIKE, CREATING LIKE A LOT OF HEAT BEHIND BROKEN AIR PRODUCTIONS IS WHAT IT IS. AND, AND I GOT ALL THESE SCRIPTS, I GOT ACTORS ATTACHED TO THIS OR WHATEVER. WHAT WE’RE DOING BIG STUFF. AND LIKE, DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS? DO YOU WANT TO JUMP ON THE TRAIN OF THIS THING WE’RE DOING? AND THAT’S THE WAY YOU DO. BUT BUT IT’S HARD GOING TO PEOPLE WITH YOUR HANDOUT. AND I DIDN’T GET MONEY. TALK ABOUT STRESS, FRIEND. I DIDN’T LIKE I’M, I’M, I DIDN’T GET EVERYTHING DONE UNTIL LIKE, DAYS BEFORE WE STARTED SHOOTING. >> WOW. >> I REMEMBER TALKING TO ONE OF MY PRODUCERS LIKE, HEY BECAUSE IT ALMOST SLIPPED OUT. I DON’T LET ANYBODY KNOW THAT WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY YET. RIGHT. BECAUSE ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE ARE WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE THIS THING MAKE YOUR DREAM HAPPEN. THEY’RE WORKING HARD. LIKE EMAILS, CHAINS EVERY DAY, CALLS EVERY DAY, ALL THIS STUFF. EVERYBODY WORKING HARD ON THEIR PROFESSION, AND THEY BETTER GET PAID. I’M GOING TO MAKE SURE THEY GET PAID. BUT, I CAN’T HAVE ANY SEED OF DOUBT IN THERE. AND THEN HE PUT HE PUT HIS HAND ON MY BACK AND LIKE, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT. WE GOT IT. YEAH. >> GOLLY. >> YEAH. SO TALK ABOUT TALK ABOUT THAT STRESS, MAN. MAKING A MOVIE. WOW. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE MORE. >> ABSOLUTELY. YEAH I GOT, I GOT, I GOT TWO, TWO IN THE PIPELINE RIGHT NOW. >> OH, GOSH. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> THIS IS INCREDIBLE. NOW THIS. SO THE MOVIE THAT YOU’RE PROMOTING NOW KILL ME AGAIN, TRIBECA TONIGHT, IS THIS A FULL THEATRICAL RELEASE? HOW DOES THIS WORK? >> YEAH, I GET I GET A LIMITED THEATRICAL RELEASE ON THE EIGHTH. >> OKAY. >> AND THEN WE’RE GOING TO BE WHEREVER YOU RENT APPLE AT AMAZON, ALL THAT. IT’S GOING TO BE AVAILABLE THERE, TOO. >> ON THAT SAME DAY OR. >> ON THE SAME DAY. OKAY. >> SO THIS IS AND HOW DOES THAT WORK IN TERMS OF GETTING IT ON APPLE AND ALL THOSE GUYS? AND WHY DO YOU DO IT AT THE SAME TIME ? >> MEANING LIKE. >> LIMITED THEATRICAL AND APPLE? AMAZON. >> EXACTLY. JUST BECAUSE WE’RE LIMITED THEATRICAL. >> OKAY. >> THAT’S HOW WE’RE IN LIKE, I DON’T KNOW, LIKE TEN, 15 MAJOR CITIES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> AND OKAY. IS THERE. >> IS THERE A STUDIO BEHIND IT? >> YEAH. NO, A DISTRIBUTOR. >> A DISTRIBUTOR. OKAY. >> YOU GOTTA LEARN THAT GAME. >> TOO, RIGHT? YEAH, MAN. >> I MADE YOU MAKE A MOVIE. YOU MAKE A SCRIPT. ANYBODY WANT ANYBODY? IT’S HARD TO WRITE A SCRIPT. IT’S HARDER TO GET SOMEBODY TO READ YOUR SCRIPT. IT’S HARD TO MAKE A MOVIE, BUT IT’S REALLY HARD TO GET SOMEBODY TO WATCH A MOVIE. >> YEAH. >> THERE’S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT GOT MOVIES OUT THERE, RIGHT? YOU GO TO FILM FESTIVALS. THERE’S SO MANY FILMS AT EVERY FILM FESTIVAL. I DIDN’T WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE. I DON’T HAVE TIME. LIKE, I WANT THIS THING NOW. SO I JUST STARTED REACHING OUT TO DISTRIBUTORS MYSELF. AND THAT’S WHERE EVERYTHING GOES FULL CIRCLE WITH ME. BECAUSE IT’S INTERESTING WHEN YOU WRITE A COLD EMAIL TO SOMEBODY LIKE KEITH JARDINE FORMER UFC STAR. >> YEAH. >> AND NOW NOW I’M, I’M HEDGING ON THAT COMPLETELY. >> YEAH YEAH YEAH, YEAH. >> AND I GOT THIS FILM WHATEVER. AND THEN EVEN SO LIKE THEY’LL PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE OF UFC AND ALL THAT. BUT BUT THEN WHEN THEY WATCH IT, IT HAS TO IT HAS TO ROCK THEIR WORLD. >> SO IN SOME WAYS YOU WANT TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE UFC STAR LABEL. AND IN SOME WAYS YOU’RE LEANING. >> ON IT. >> I DID AT THE BEGINNING. I MOVED AWAY FROM IT AS HARD AS I COULD. I LOST SOME ROLES BECAUSE OF THAT, AND IN SOME ACT, YOU GOT TO HAVE A CASTING DIRECTOR THAT REALLY GO TO BAT FOR YOU, OKAY? LIKE I DID. WHAT’S A SHOT? CALLER? A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT SHOT CALLER. THAT’S A GOOD LITTLE ROLE FOR ME. I REMEMBER THE CASTING DIRECTOR PUT ME UP. IT WAS A GREAT READ AND ALL THAT. AND SHE’S TALKING TO THE DIRECTOR ABOUT IT, AND, HE’S. YEAH, MAN. BUT THIS IS A REAL ROLE WE NEED A REAL ACTOR FOR. THAT WAS A GREAT READ, BUT WE NEED A REAL ACTOR, RIGHT? AND YEAH, BECAUSE. UFC. >> YEAH. >> NO, NO NO NO, LOOK, HE’S DONE THIS AND HE’S DONE THAT AND SHOWED HIM OTHER CLIPS OF THINGS I DID AND GET IT. SO, SO I REALLY HAD TO MOVE AWAY FROM THAT TO BE. AND THEN NOW IT’S LIKE NOW I’M KIND OF GOING BACK TO THAT. LIKE TRYING TO TRYING TO. YEAH. >> YOU MENTIONED. >> BEFORE. >> 2012, YOUR CAREER COMES TO AN END. IT’S NOT. QUITE HOW YOU ENVISION. AND YOU WERE IN A REAL DARK PLACE. >> YEAH. >> SO, SO SO WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY. >> THAT? >> WELL IN MY MIND, MY LAST FIGHT WAS WITH MASASHI. THAT WAS A REAL FIGHT. >> OKAY? >> I FOUGHT THAT FIGHT IN EIGHT DAYS. NOTICE. IT WAS AT 2:05, AND I HAPPENED TO BE A DRAWS DRAW BECAUSE I GOT LUCKY AND GOT A PENALTY POINT. BUT IT WAS A GOOD FIGHT. IT WAS A REAL FIGHT. IS A KEITH JARDINE FIGHT. >> YEAH. >> I HAD THIS CRAZY, DUMB, STUPID IDEA TO DROP DOWN TO 185 AND DO TWO FIGHTS. DO DO A FIGHT. AND I THOUGHT I FOUGHT EVERYBODY AT 2:05, AND I THOUGHT IT’D BE LIKE, INTERESTING TO THE FANS. WHATEVER. I’M FIGHTING DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND ALL THAT. AND BUT I GOT OLD REALLY QUICK LOSING THAT WEIGHT. IT WAS REALLY HARD, MAN. REALLY HARD. I DIDN’T FIGHT THOSE TWO FIGHTS. IT JUST WASN’T ME, LIKE I COULDN’T MY FIRST TIME I LOST WEIGHT, I DIDN’T EVEN GO TO THE BATHROOM SINCE I CUT WEIGHT TO WHEN I GOT FIGHT. I LOST SO MUCH WATER, I NEVER PUT IT BACK PROPERLY. YOU KNOW? AND THEN THE BRAIN DOESN’T REACT, RIGHT, I THINK. I THINK IT WAS ROCKHOLD. I NEVER FOUGHT THAT FIGHT. AND THEN. THEN I FOUGHT ANOTHER FIGHT, AND THEN IT WAS JUST LIKE, JUST KIND OF WALKED AWAY. I DIDN’T RETIRE, I JUST KIND OF WALKED AWAY. JUST LIKE I JUST FELT AWFUL. AND THE THING IS YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU SAID, YOU TRAIN ALL OVER THE WORLD AND I’VE BEATEN CHAMPIONS. I KNEW I WAS I HAD THE SKILL TO BE A CHAMPION, AND THAT WAS ALWAYS MY DREAM TO BE A CHAMPION. BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED. AND NOW NOW YOU’RE IN YOUR LATE 30s AND YOU’RE WALKING AWAY FROM THIS THING, AND IT’S LIKE. LIKE YOU’RE A FAILURE. YOU CAN’T EVEN. I CAN’T EVEN WATCH THE UFC FOR A WHILE, AND I’M JUST TRYING TO MAKE THIS NEW CAREER AND AND WATCHING THE BANK ACCOUNT GO DOWN, LIKE I SAID, AND ALL THAT. AND I’M TRYING TO REINVENT MYSELF INTO THIS THING, AND IT’S JUST LIKE YEARS OF THAT UNTIL TIME GOES BY. AND THEN THINGS CHANGE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN. >> LIKE. >> WOW, NO, I DID SOME GOOD STUFF. I’M PROUD OF THAT FIGHT. LIKE QUENTIN JACKSON, I DID HIS PODCAST A WHILE AGO, AND THAT WAS A GREAT HONOR. IT WAS LIKE THAT WAS I LOST THAT FIGHT. BUT EVERYONE ASKED WHAT MY FAVORITE FIGHT IS. THAT’S ONE OF MY FAVORITE FIGHTS BECAUSE IT WAS A GOOD, FUN FIGHT, MAN. RIGHT? >> IT WAS A GREAT FIGHT. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. SO YEAH, IT TOOK IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO COME BACK AND TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT. NO, I DID, EVEN THOUGH I DIDN’T I DIDN’T FULFILL MY POTENTIAL AND ALL THAT I DID, I DID A THING THAT FEW PEOPLE COULD DO. >> HOW LONG DID THAT TAKE.? >> YOU SAID 12. PROBABLY LIKE FIVE YEARS. >> FIVE YEARS? YEAH. YEAH. WOW. FIVE YEARS. YOU DIDN’T. >> WATCH. >> THE SPORT? >> NOT MUCH. JUST MY FRIENDS FIGHTING. AND EVEN WHEN I WATCHING MY FRIENDS FIGHTING WAS JUST BECAUSE I’M WATCHING A FRIEND. IT’S NOT. >> BECAUSE. IT WAS. >> OH, I GOTTA WATCH THIS. >> FIGHT. >> IT ALMOST LIKE, DID IT, LIKE, MAKE. YOU FEEL, LIKE, PUT YOU IN A BAD MOOD JUST WATCHING THE WHOLE THING? >> YEAH. >> THAT WAS ANOTHER LIFE. >> YEAH. >> YOU WANTED NOTHING. >> TO DO WITH IT. >> 100%. I WANTED TO MOVE ON AND DO SOMETHING ELSE. >> DID YOU TRAIN AT ALL? >> YEAH, I TRAINED ACTUALLY, I GOT REALLY GOOD. I GOT REALLY, REALLY GOOD. PEOPLE WERE ACTUALLY ASKING ME TO COME BACK BECAUSE I GOT SO GOOD. WHAT I DID IS I WENT TO A BOXING COACH. DANNY ROMERO A LOT OF. IF YOU’RE IN BOXING, HE, HIM AND HIS TAPIA WARS AND ALL THAT. HE WAS A CHAMPION. HE WAS A FAN. I WENT TO TRAIN WITH HIM. AND JUST WHATEVER I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO REALLY BOX, I NEVER REALLY I KNEW HOW TO KICK BOX AND I KNOW, BUT I WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO BOX LIKE A BOXER AND AND BOY, THAT WAS TOUGH, MAN. LIKE HE JUST DESTROYED THIS MMA GUY. HE’S GOING TO COME TO ME LIKE HE JUST DESTROYED ME. BUT I STILL KEPT IT. AND THEN THEY’RE NOT GOING. AND I START GOING TO JACKSON’S AGAIN. AND I GO IN THE RING WITH WITH STARS, AND I WOULD JUST DUST THEM UP BECAUSE I LEARNED HOW TO. I LEARNED HOW TO THROW A JAB. YEAH. I LEARNED HOW TO DO ALL THESE THINGS. AND, PEOPLE WERE SAYING, KEITH, YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT COMING BACK. EVEN THOUGH, LIKE, I TOLD YOU NOT TO FIGHT ANYMORE. >> DID YOU? DID YOU CONSIDER IT? >> I DID A LITTLE BIT, AND IT WAS ALWAYS THE THING. LIKE, IF FOR DESPERATION, IF I HAVE TO, LIKE. LIKE MAYBE I WILL. I WANTED TO, I REALLY WANTED TO, BUT I’M ALSO PIVOTING TO THIS OTHER THING, AND I NEED TO DEVOTE ALL MY ENERGY INTO THIS OTHER THING. AND THIS OTHER THING IS A HARD THING. THE EASY THING IS TO DO A FIGHT AND GET A PAYCHECK. SO. SO I DECIDED TO DO THE HARD THING, NOT THE EASY THING. >> OKAY. DID YOU DID. >> YOU KEEP TRAINING THOUGH? >> YEAH, I KEPT TRAINING THERE. THEN AND TRAINING HAS DROPPED OFF RECENTLY THOUGH. LIKE, LIKE I HIT THE BAG AND I TRY AND STAY CAPABLE, YOU KNOW, BUT I WISH I, I WISH I, I, I WANT TO TRAIN VERY MUCH. MAN. I WOULD LOVE THAT. NOTHING MORE. I WOULD LOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING TO STEP IN A RING. AND I WOULD SPAR. I WOULD SPAR EVERY DAY IF I COULD. THAT’S JUST SO MUCH FUN, MAN. LEG KICKS, HITTING PEOPLE, JUST LETTING IT GO, GETTING INTO THAT PRIMAL BRAIN AND ALL THAT. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? LIKE I’M GOING TO MOROCCO NOW FOR, FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FINISH UP TERMINAL THIS SEASON. TWO. LIKE LIKE I DON’T HAVE TIME, YOU KNOW WHAT. >> I MEAN? WHAT A LIFE, MAN. YEAH, YEAH. DO YOU FEEL DO YOU. >> FEEL LIKE NOW PEOPLE JUST VIEW YOU STRICTLY AS KEITH JARDINE? LIKE, ENOUGH TIME HAS PASSED. ARE YOU? JUST KEITH JARDINE THE ACTOR? OH, AND, OH, BY THE WAY, IN THIS PREVIOUS LIFE, OR IS IT STILL SORT. >> OF THERE? >> IT’S BOTH MEN, I LOVE IT. I WAS IN THE HALLWAY RIGHT NOW AND A GUY TOOK A PICTURE WITH ME. HEY EVERY TIME YOU’RE ON AN INHERENT VICE WITH ME AND MY WIFE WE ALWAYS WATCH YOUR PART. IT’S MY FAVORITE PART. OH, CAN I GET A PICTURE AND ALL THAT? I DON’T KNOW IF HE KNEW I WAS A FIGHTER OR NOT. >> OH, WOW. THAT’S AMAZING. >> YEAH. >> YEAH, I THOUGHT YOU WERE. >> JUST ABOUT TO SAY. AND. OH, BY THE WAY. >> I WATCHED, YOU UFC. >> BUT THEN, THEN I A LOT OF THE UFC, HARDCORE FANS AND ALL THAT, AND I LOVE THAT NOW. I’VE ALWAYS LOVED IT, BUT NOW IT’S LIKE REALLY SPECIAL. >> IN. >> THIS MOVIE. THERE’S A FEW YOU KNOW, FIGHTING FRIENDS OF YOURS, RIGHT? MICHELLE WATERSON. YEAH. TATE FLETCHER. >> MAURICE GREENE. >> MAURICE GREENE. >> AND, COWBOYS. >> COWBOY CERRONE. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> AND SO, IS THAT YOU TRYING TO HELP OUT YOUR FRIENDS OR. >> I’M JUST TRYING TO CREATE A FAMILY. FIRST OF ALL, I WOULDN’T HAVE THEM IN THERE AT ALL IF THEY COULDN’T DO IT. >> YEAH. >> MICHELLE WATERSON’S AMAZING. I THINK SHE HAS A FUTURE. SHE’S REALLY, NATURALLY A GREAT ACTOR. >> WOW. >> YEAH, I THINK SHE HAS A REALLY GOOD FEATURE THERE. SO IS MAURICE. YOU KNOW MAURICE. MAURICE? >> OF COURSE. YEAH. >> MAURICE IS. SO I WANT MAURICE. I WANT ALL THESE GUYS AND EVERYONE. MAURICE. LIKE, I WANT HIM IN EVERY ONE OF MY MOVIES. HE’S SUPER INTERESTING GUY, MAN. WHEN HE’S ON THE SCREEN, YOU JUST PAY ATTENTION TO HIM. I HAVE HIM PLAYING A COP IN A MOVIE. LIKE, WHO WOULD IMAGINE HIM AS A COP, RIGHT? >> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> HE’S AMAZING. HE PULLS IT OFF. HE’S GREAT. DUDE. YEAH, MAN. IT’S JUST LIKE I’M TRYING TO. TATE. TATE. FLETCHER. MY, MY. I’VE COLLABORATED WITH TATE SO MUCH. HE’S PART OF BROKEN EAR PRODUCTIONS WITH ME. LIKE, HE’S A FRY COOK. A RUSSIAN FRY COOK, FOR GOD’S SAKES. YEAH. >> THAT’S AMAZING. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> AND WHAT’S CERRONE., A COP? OKAY. HUMAN COPS. HE’S. HE’S POPPED. >> UP IN A FEW FILMS RECENTLY AS WELL. >> YEAH, YEAH, HE’S DOING HIS OWN STUFF TOO. HE’S PUTTING HIS OWN LITTLE WESTERN SERIES TOGETHER. >> HOW IS HE DOING IT? >> HOW’S HE DOING, IN YOUR OPINION? >> HE’S DOING GREAT, MAN. YEAH. HE’S DOING GREAT. HE’S HE’S GOT A LOT, OF LOT OF BALLS TO DO THIS. HE’S JUST FILMING IT ON HIS OWN A LITTLE BIT, A LITTLE BIT. HE’S PUTTING THIS A LITTLE WESTERN SERIES WITH HIM AND MICHELLE WATERSON AND A BUNCH OF ACTORS JUST DOING OUT AT HIS RANCH, AND HE’S JUST PUTTING IT TOGETHER WHEN HE CAN. IT’S ALL HIS MONEY AND ALL HIS THING, AND HE JUST HAS HIS DREAM TO TO DO WHAT I’M DOING AND JUST MAKE HIS OWN CONTENT. IT’S REALLY GREAT TO DO IT THAT WAY. THAT’S WHAT THE WORLD IS RIGHT NOW, THE WAY THE STUDIOS ARE HAPPENING. AND AND TO DO IT WITHOUT HAVING TO ANSWER TO STUDIOS AND HAVING TO LIKE, OH, THIS ACTOR HAS, OH, WE GOTTA CHANGE THIS DIALOG. LIKE, NO, YOU’RE IN COMPLETE CONTROL, MAN. YOU’RE YOU’RE A FILMMAKER. THAT’S EVERYTHING TO ME. >> SO YOU MENTIONED BROKEN EAR. >> PRODUCTIONS. >> THAT’S YOUR PRODUCTION COMPANY? >> YEAH. WITH TATE. YEAH. >> JUST THE. >> TWO OF YOU? >> YEAH. YEAH. MY PRODUCER, DARREN WHITE. >> AND WHEN DID YOU START THAT? >> WHEN I DID THE SHORT. >> OKAY. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> AND SO, LIKE, THIS IS, THIS IS THIS. >> IS YOUR LIFE. NOW, DO YOU ALSO HAVE THE COFFEE BUSINESS STILL? >> YEAH. ME AND TATE HAVE CAVEMAN COFFEE AND THAT’S GOT NEW LIFE IN IT. WE GOT A GREAT PARTNER AND THAT JUST GOT RELAUNCHED. SO SO EVERYTHING’S HAPPENING. >> WAS THAT LIKE, KIND. >> OF LIKE THE FIRST THING POST FIGHTING FOR YOU. THE CAVEMAN. >> COFFEE. >> YEAH. YEAH, YEAH. >> WHY DO YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT? >> IT’S A LOT OF WORK TRYING TO DO YOUR OWN BUSINESS, MAN. >> YEAH. >> WE MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES IN THAT. >> HOW SO? >> JUST TRYING TO GROW TOO BIG, TOO FAST, TOO MANY PRODUCTS, ALL THAT. AND YOU GOT INVENTORY. SO WE GOT COVID, WIPED US OUT. WE HAVE PALLETS AND PALLETS AND PALLETS. WE JUST RELAUNCHED THIS NEW T WE’RE DOING SUPPLY SIDE, AND THAT’S THE FIRST THING THAT GETS CANCELED. WE HAVE SO MANY SKUS READY TO GO AND WE CAN’T DO SUPPLY SIDE WEST. SO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AMAZON. SO WE GO THROUGH AMAZON. WE GOT ALL THESE PALLETS OF STUFF SITTING THERE AND THEY NEVER GET UPLOADED TO AMAZON. THEY’RE SITTING IN THEIR WAREHOUSE UNTIL THEY EXPIRE COMPLETELY RUINED US MAN. OUT OF STOCK OUT OF THAT. SO SO THAT’S WHY WE HAD TO REGROUP. AND AND SOME GUY CAME IN RYAN DREXLER CAME IN AND JUST JUST SAVED US RECENTLY AND BELIEVED IN US, BELIEVED IN THE BRAND. AND WE’RE GOING TO RELAUNCH AND GET THIS THING GOING. >> OKAY. AMAZING. >> YEAH. >> WHEN YOU WERE WHEN YOU WERE COMING. >> UP. >> YOU KNOW, THIS IS A LOT MORE APPARENT IN BOXING AS OPPOSED TO MMA. BUT YOU, YOU, YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE MMA IS SO YOUNG, YOU WOULD SEE FIGHTERS WHO UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULD STICK AROUND TOO LONG, THEY WOULD HAVE NOTHING POST FIGHTING. YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY SET YOURSELF UP AND IT DIDN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. LIKE YOU. TOOK A REALLY TOUGH. >> PATH. >> CREATIVE. YOU’RE TRYING TO MAKE A WHOLE NEW NAME FOR YOURSELF IN A WHOLE NEW WORLD. BUT WERE YOU EVER LOOKING AT THOSE GUYS AND SAYING, I DON’T WANT TO BE THAT. I NEED TO START THINKING. I NEED TO BE PREPARED. I NEED TO HAVE A PLAN. POST FIGHTING. >> ABSOLUTELY. MY DREAM ALWAYS WAS RIGHT AWAY. LIKE WAS TO DREAM. MY DREAM WAS TO DREAM LIKE, NEVER LET YOUR MEMORIES BECOME LARGER THAN YOUR DREAMS, RIGHT? AND I NEVER WANTED TO BE THE GUY. LIKE, OH, BACK IN 2007 WHEN I FOUGHT CHUCK AND WHEN I SHUT DOWN THAT, WHEN I QUIETED THE WHOLE CROWD AND EVERYBODY STARTED CHEERING FOR ME AT THE END OF THE FIGHT, THAT WAS THE PEAK OF MY LIFE. THAT WAS THE PEAK OF MY CAREER. I DIDN’T WANT TO BE THAT GUY. ALWAYS. LOOKING BACK TO 2007 AND SO, LIKE, I STILL DREAM LIKE I’M A TEAMMATE, TEENAGER. LIKE MY DREAM RIGHT NOW IS, FOR AS A FILM BY KEITH JARDINE. THAT’S INTERESTING. I DON’T EVEN CARE WHAT IT IS. KEITH JARDINE FILM. I WANT TO SEE THAT. AND SO. SO THAT’S IT, MAN. I JUST NEVER WANTED TO BE STUCK IN THE PAST. THAT’S REALLY HUGE FOR ME. >> WOULD YOU SEE. >> OTHER. >> GUYS LIKE THAT? YEAH. YEAH. >> I GOT A WHOLE SCREENPLAY ABOUT THAT. THAT’S ONE OF THE SCREENPLAY THAT HAS A LOT OF HEAT BEHIND IT. RIGHT NOW, IT’S AN MMA BASED SCREENPLAY THAT STUDIO COVERED, AND THEY WANT TO DO IT AND ALL THAT, BUT IT’S MORE OF A TAXI DRIVER SCRIPT. IT’S BASED ON THE MMA WORLD, BUT IT’S ABOUT THAT, LIKE YOU’RE LATE 30s, EARLY 40s. IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE GOOD AT MMA, IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE FIGHTING IN THE UFC, YOU GOT TO BE COMPLETELY SINGLE MINDED. YOU GOT TO SPEND YOUR WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS ONE ENDEAVOR. YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING ELSE IF YOU ARE. IF YOU GOT 1 FT INTO SOMETHING ELSE THAT LIKE, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. SO NOW YOU’RE, YOU’RE YOU’RE YOU’RE 40-YEARS-OLD AND AND YOU DIDN’T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY. PEOPLE KNOW YOU. YOU WALK IN THE MALL, PEOPLE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY AND YOU DON’T HAVE ANY SKILLS. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE NOW? AT 40, YOU LEARN SOMETHING ELSE. YOU PROBABLY. WHAT’S YOUR FAMILY SITUATION LIKE? AND IT’S REALLY TOUGH TO TO REINVENT YOURSELF WITH THAT. WE’RE GOING TO BE A COACH. THAT’S GREAT IF YOU WANT TO BE A COACH, BUT HOW MANY COACHES CAN YOU HAVE? YOU KNOW. >> RIGHT? RIGHT. >> SO SO YEAH, IT’S A REALLY INTERESTING WORLD BECAUSE WE’RE NOT LIKE LIKE NFL WHERE YOU MAKE SO MUCH MONEY AND THEN YOU INVEST IT. RIGHT. AND YOU, YOU LIVE OFF OF THAT AND YOU DEVELOP PRODUCTS AND ALL THAT. YEAH. >> WHEN YOU LOOK AT. >> SOME OF YOUR CONTEMPORARIES FROM THAT ERA AND MAYBE SOME OF THEM AREN’T DOING AS. >> WELL. >> 100%. >> HOW DOES THAT. >> HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? >> YEAH, MY SCRIPTS ARE A LOT OF GUYS COMPOUND COMPOUNDED AND ALL THAT. I LOOK AT STEPHAN BONNAR IS A GREAT ONE. WHAT A GREAT HUMAN. >> YEAH. >> AND WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM IN HIS CAREER? HE’S DOING LIKE BACKYARD WRESTLING FOR MONEY. YOU SEE A LOT OF GUYS LIKE THAT, AND, LIKE, I WOULD LOVE TO. I WANT TO GET TO A POINT WHERE I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUT AND BE BE STRONG ENOUGH WHERE I CAN REACH OUT TO GUYS LIKE THAT AND HELP THEM MOVE FORWARD INTO THE NEXT LIFE. >> LIKE I. >> SAID, IT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WERE VERY USED TO IN MMA AS OPPOSED TO BOXING, BECAUSE THE SPORT WAS STILL SO YOUNG, BUT NOW WE’RE STARTING TO SEE THE STARS OF ESSENTIALLY YOUR ERA, WHEN THE SPORT EXPLODED, WHO WERE HOUSEHOLD NAMES TO A DEGREE AND CABLE TV STARS, PAY-PER-VIEW STARS, AND YOU’RE STARTING TO SEE THEM GET OLDER. >> AND. >> HAVE HEALTH ISSUES AND ALL THAT STUFF. AND IT’S HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THESE WERE SUPERHEROES. >> YEAH, YEAH. AND. RIGHT. AND YOU JUST GOT TO LEARN HOW TO LIKE AGAIN, YOU GOT TO SET GOALS AND YOU GOT TO LEARN HOW TO PUT WHATEVER WORK, WHATEVER WORK YOU DID IN MMA, YOU GOT TO FIND ANOTHER PATH. RIGHT. BRIAN, STAN’S DONE A GREAT JOB. THERE’S A LOT OF GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. I WAS ON MATT SARA’S PODCAST LAST NIGHT. IT’S COOL TO SEE WHAT HE’S DOING. >> YEAH. >> BUT THERE’S OTHER GUYS THAT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT, YOU KNOW? SURE, I COULD SAY SOME NAMES. >> YEAH, OF COURSE, OF COURSE. YEAH. >> WHEN YOU’RE, YOU’RE STILL A PART OF S.A.G. >> OH, YEAH. >> SO S.A.G. IS A IS AN ACTOR’S UNION. >> ESSENTIALLY. YEAH. >> DOES THERE NEED TO BE A FIGHTER’S UNION? YOU’VE NOW YOU’VE NOW EXPERIENCED THE BENEFITS OF EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH BEING A PART OF A UNION. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> DOES THERE NEED TO BE A PENSION. DOES THERE NEED TO BE SOMETHING TO. HELP YOU GUYS POST FIGHTING? >> YEAH, THAT’S A WEIRD THING. I DON’T REALLY KNOW ON THAT. LIKE I THINK SO I THINK IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE IT’S A PROFESSIONAL SPORT. BUT YOU ALSO YOU CAN GO TO DIFFERENT YOU CAN FIGHT AT ONE FC, YOU CAN FIGHT AT UFC, YOU CAN FIGHT. I DON’T REALLY KNOW THE POLITICS BEHIND THAT, BUT IT SEEMS IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE THAT THERE’S A UNION. I DON’T REALLY KNOW THE POLITICS OF THAT. >> YEAH, YEAH. YOU KNOW. >> I THINK WE KIND OF SAW SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH THIS ANTITRUST. >> LAWSUIT. >> WITH THE SETTLEMENT, YOU WOULD HAVE FALLEN INTO THAT, RIGHT? BECAUSE IT WAS 20 10-20 17. >> YEAH, I THINK SO. >> 20 TAKE THE MONEY. >> NO. >> WHY NOT? >> NO. LIKE I SAID, I SEPARATED MYSELF COMPLETELY FROM THAT. >> WOW. >> DID THEY REACH OUT. >> TO YOU? >> NO. NOBODY’S REACHED OUT TO ME. >> REALLY? >> YEAH, YEAH. >> YOUR LAST FIGHT IN THE UFC WAS 2010. >> RIGHT? >> I DON’T EVEN KNOW. >> YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW? >> YEAH, THE. LAST FIGHT IN THE UFC. >> WELL, I DID, I DID ZUFFA WITH. >> YOU WERE A PART OF THEM BECAUSE OF STRIKEFORCE STRIKEFORCE. BUT I DON’T KNOW IF THAT 2010. YEAH. JUNE OF 2010. AND SO IT’S, IT’S IT’S 20 10-20 17 AS FAR AS LIKE THE PERIOD AND THE REASON I BRING IT UP AND I GUESS YOU HAVE. NO, YOU DON’T YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT WHATEVER MONEY YOU WERE MAYBE SUPPOSED TO BE OWED TO, EVEN THOUGH IT PROBABLY IS A MINIMAL AMOUNT BECAUSE YOU WERE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF IT. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> THEY BROKE IT UP BASED ON HOW MANY TIMES YOU FOUGHT. SO THERE’S LIKE A SORT OF LIKE A HIERARCHY SYSTEM. AND SO THAT’S WHAT I WAS THINKING OF WHEN I WAS THINKING OF LIKE, THIS PENSION. LIKE IF YOU FOUGHT 25 TIMES FOR THE UFC, MAYBE YOU GET X AMOUNT. IF YOU FOUGHT FIVE TIMES FOR THE UFC, YOU GET X AMOUNT. YOU KNOW WHAT. >> I MEAN? YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. YOU KNOW, I JUST I TRY I’M JUST TRYING TO MAKE MY OWN WAY RIGHT NOW. YEAH I’M SURE SOME PEOPLE NEED THAT AND THE MONEY’S GREAT. AND IF SOMEBODY SENDS ME A CHECK, I’M NOT SAYING I’M NOT GOING TO CASH IT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? BUT, BUT BUT I’M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT. LIKE I’M JUST I’M. I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM TODAY IF IT WASN’T FOR THE UFC OR WHATEVER HAPPENED RIGHT NOW. LIKE, LIKE THE SPORT, THE WAY IT’S GROWN UP AND ALL THAT. LIKE, I’M JUST SUPER PROUD. I’M SUPER PROUD OF WHAT I’VE DONE. I’M SUPER PROUD TO BE HERE. AND I JUST KNOW THAT, LIKE, SOME FROM A SMALL TOWN IN OREGON, SOME GUY. NOW, NOW I’M AN ACTOR MAKING MY OWN MOVIES AND ALL THAT. AND IT WAS ALL BECAUSE OF UFC HELPED ME GET THERE, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH I SAID I HAD TO SEPARATE FROM IT. BUT BUT IT’S BECAUSE OF THAT THAT I GOT MY S.A.G. CARD THAT THAT PEOPLE PAID INTEREST, GAVE ME INTEREST RIGHT AWAY. SO YEAH. YEAH. >> DO YOU FOLLOW THE SPORT? >> I DO A BIT. I’M A LOT MORE NOW. SUPER INTERESTING. LIKE, I LOVE THAT. I LOVE THE SLUGGERS. I LOVE THE, THE OLD, OLD STYLE FIGHTERS. I LOVE THE MAX HOLLOWAY’S GUYS LIKE THAT. GUYS THAT THE RUSSIAN GUYS HAVE A LOT OF THAT TOO. LIKE JUST THEY HAVE THAT GRIT IN THEM. >> I WAS GOING TO ASK, LIKE, WHO? WHO DO YOU REALLY LIKE? AND WHO ARE GUYS THAT YOU WOULD SAY, LIKE, OH, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MAYBE FUN TO BE MATCHED UP AGAINST THEM. >> WOW. WELL, THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION IS INTERESTING RIGHT NOW. I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THAT TOO, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MORE STRIKERS NOW. LIKE WHEN I LEFT, EVERYBODY WAS LIKE THESE WRESTLER SLUGGERS. I DIDN’T NECESSARILY MATCH UP WELL WITH THAT. I MATCH WELL WITH GUYS THAT WANTED. >> YOU VERSUS PEREIRA. >> YEAH. >> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. >> OH, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DREAM. YES. YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH. >> DO YOU STILL GO. DO YOU, DO YOU EVER GO TO JACKSONWINK? >> IT’S BEEN A WHILE, JOHN. I TRAINED WITH JOHN. I GO TO NFP, THE SAME STRENGTH GYM THAT JOHN DOES. JON JONES DOES. AND AND LAST TIME I TRAINED HE MADE ME GO DO SOME ROUNDS FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS COMING FOR A FIGHT. YEAH. >> HOW WAS THAT? >> IT WAS CRAZY AWESOME. I WAS ACTUALLY REALLY NERVOUS, BUT, YEAH, I’M NOT GOING TO SAY NO. SO I WENT IN, I STEPPED IN THE RING, AND, . IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, MAN. LIKE, LIKE THINGS DON’T GO AWAY, RIGHT? WE HAD AN AMAZING, AMAZING ROUND AND AND THEN, BRENNAN GIBSON WAS THERE, LIKE, WOW, THAT WAS AMAZING, DUDE. AND IT WAS JUST ART, YOU KNOW? BUT THEN I WENT TO SPAR WITH SOME OTHER HEAVYWEIGHTS, AND AND IT’S LIKE THEY WEREN’T VERY GOOD. IT’S WORSE WHEN PEOPLE AREN’T VERY GOOD. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> GETTING HIT WITH THAT HAYMAKER. BOOM. WELL, I DON’T NEED TO BE DOING THIS NOW. LIKE I SAID, I WOULD SPAR EVERY DAY IF I COULD. IT’D BE SO MUCH FUN JUST TO GO MIX IT UP AND AND PLAY THOSE GAMES AND ALL THAT. BUT YOU START YOU START TALKING ABOUT HEAD TRAUMA AND ALL THAT, AND THAT’S WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO REACH OUT TO FIGHTERS WITH. I DID IBOGAINE AND ALL THAT, AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE. >> YOU DID. >> WHAT? IBOGAINE. WHAT’S THAT? IT’S A PSYCHEDELIC, THAT REALLY TAKEN OFF RIGHT NOW. IT’S REALLY HUGE IN THE OPERATOR, NAVY SEAL COMMUNITY AND ALL THAT. PEOPLE WITH HEAD TRAUMA, PTSD. >> AND SO WHAT IS IT, A IT’S A PILL. >> NO, IT’S. YEAH, IT’S A ROOT THAT COMES OUT OF AFRICA. OKAY.. >> AND HOW DO YOU GET IT? >> WELL, YOU GOT TO GO TO TIJUANA TO GET IT. >> OKAY. >> BUT BUT IT’S A IT’S NOT LEGAL IN AMERICA, BUT IT’S REALLY, REALLY GOOD. >> YOU DRINK IT. >> SOME DRINK IT, SOME TAKE A PILL. BUT WHAT IT DOES IS IT SOUNDS LIKE, LIKE MAGIC STUFF, BUT THEY DID A STANFORD STUDY AT THE SAME PLACE I WENT, AND IT REALLY DOES RECONNECT NEURONS IN THE BRAIN. >> WOW. >> THEY SHOW IT BEFORE AND AFTER. THE BRAIN IS A LASTING THING. >> AND SO YOU TAKE IT LIKE. >> LET’S SAY YOU TAKE IT. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR IT TO. >> HIT YOU? >> THAT’S AN EXPERIENCE, MAN. IT’S NOT LIKE A IT’S NOT LIKE A TOUR, LIKE YOU’RE DOING AYAHUASCA OR SOMETHING FOR FUN AND ALL THAT. LIKE IT KICKS YOUR. >> REALLY? >> I WAS ON THE FLOOR FOR, FOR ABOUT 20 HOURS. >> THROWING UP. >> YEAH. HEAVING AND GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE. AND YOU CAN’T GO TO THE BATHROOM. THEY HAVE TO KIND OF CARRY YOU TO THE BATHROOM AND ALL THAT. >> WHY DO YOU WANT TO PUT YOURSELF THROUGH. >> THAT? >> BECAUSE THE EFFECTS ARE. >> THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO. IT’S SCARY. BUT BUT YOU KNOW, I FINISHED THAT IN JULY. AND I GOT I CAME OUT AND I MADE MY MOVE. I STARTED MAKING MY MOVIE IN AUGUST AND EVERYTHING JUST STARTED FALLING IN LINE FOR ME. >> WOW. HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU DONE THIS? >> I CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN. AMBIO IS A PLACE I WENT AND AND I WANT TO CREATE A. I TALKED ABOUT CREATING SOMETHING FOR FIGHTERS. I WOULD LOVE TO CREATE SOMETHING. WHERE TO PAY FOR FIGHTERS THAT THAT LIKE ME THAT CAN GO AND DO THAT BECAUSE I GOT HELPED OUT. YEAH. MY BUDDY TATE FLETCHER HE HAD A REALLY BAD BRAIN INJURY. REALLY BAD. HE CAN’T LEAVE THE HOUSE. KIND OF BRAIN INJURY. HE GOT DOING STUNTS. HE GOT RATCHETED INTO A WALL. >> OH, WOW. >> AND AND HE GOT REALLY DARK, SUICIDAL, DEPRESSED AND ALL THE HEAD TRAUMA FROM FIGHTING EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING’S COMPOUNDING RIGHT NOW. HE’S TRIED EVERYTHING AROUND THE WORLD. HE SPENT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THERAPIES. NOTHING’S LASTING. A NAVY SEAL BUDDY OF HIS SAID, I DIDN’T KNOW THIS, BUT HE WAS IN A REALLY DARK PLACE AGAIN. AND NAVY SEAL BUDDY SAID, HEY, WE NEED TO GO. I NEED TO TAKE YOU TO AMBIO. WE NEED TO GO TO AMBIO AND DO THIS IBOGAINE. SO HE WENT AND HE DID IT, AND HE MADE IT THROUGH IT. AND I SAW HIM LIKE DAYS AFTERWARDS. AND I SAW THE, THE THE LIGHT. THE LIFE IN HIS EYES WAS LIKE I NEVER SEEN. WOW. AND IT WAS JUST A DIFFERENT GUY. AND AND HE’S ALL, KEITH, YOU NEED TO GO DO THIS BECAUSE HE KNOWS MY EXPERIENCES. LIKE, YOU KNOW, WITH BRAIN FOG, AFTERNOON FATIGUE ALL THE FIGHTING STUFF, YOU KNOW, LIKE, I GET MIGRAINES EVERY TIME I FLY FROM A HEAD TRAUMA AND THAT KIND OF STUFF. AND HE NEEDED TO GO DO THIS, KEITH. AND, LIKE. YEAH, SURE, SURE, I’LL DO IT. AND I LOOKED UP AND SEE HOW MUCH IT WAS, AND I’M NOT. MAYBE WHEN I SELL MY SCRIPT, I’LL DO IT RIGHT. NO, NO. KEITH. HEY, KEITH, HAVE YOU DONE. HAVE YOU SIGNED UP? HAVE YOU SIGNED UP? NO. YEAH, I WILL, I WILL. AND THEN FINALLY HE REALIZED IT WAS BECAUSE OF MONEY. HE SAID, NO, YOU DUMMY, I PAID FOR YOU TO GO. YOU NEED TO GO DO THIS THING. WOW. AND SO I WENT AND DID IT, AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE. >> WOW. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DONE IT? >> I’VE DONE IT ONCE. THAT’S ALL YOU NEED. IT’S ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS DO IT ONCE. BUT, BUT, BUT FOR A LOT OF REASONS, I WANT TO GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN AND BE MORE RECEPTIVE TO THE WHOLE SITUATION, BECAUSE I FOUGHT THAT THING THE WHOLE WAY. >> OH MY GOSH. YEAH. LIKE, IS IT BECAUSE YOU’RE FEELING STUFF, OR IS IT BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT IT WILL LIKE, OPEN YOUR BRAIN UP TO. >> YEAH, I WANT TO OPEN MY BRAIN UP MORE BECAUSE WITH, WITH WITH IBOGAINE, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS PEOPLE WILL SLEEP THROUGH THE WHOLE SITUATION AND THEY STILL WAKE UP CHANGED. IT MIGHT BE A WEEK LATER, BUT LIKE PEOPLE, WOULD YOU HEAR THE STORIES? AND IT’S AMAZING. JUST PEOPLE WITH, LIKE, PTSD AND HEAD TRAUMA, RIGHT? AND ACTUALLY, IT’S COMPOUNDED. IT’S KIND OF THE SAME THING IN A LOT OF WAYS. AND YOU HEAR THE STORIES, THERE’S A LOT OF PODCASTS OUT THERE, LIKE PEOPLE THAT LEAVE THEIR CANE BEHIND WHEN THEY WENT TO DO THIS THING. AND NOW THEY FEELING TOUCH ON THEIR SKIN FOR THE FIRST TIME. YOU HEAR THESE AMAZING PODCASTS, THESE AMAZING STORIES, BUT IT’S AGAIN, IT’S NOT LIKE THIS PSYCHEDELIC KIND OF KIND OF KIND OF VOODOO WITCH THING. LIKE THERE’S SCIENTIFIC STUDIES BEHIND THE CHEMICAL THAT THAT REALLY DOES WORK AND REALLY DOES REWIRE YOUR BRAIN. >> INCREDIBLE. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> WHAT YOU SAY, YOU MAKE ME WANT TO TRY IT, BUT THEN YOU TALK ABOUT 20 HOURS ON THE FLOOR AND I’M LIKE, YEAH, MAYBE NOT FOR ME. >> JODY DID IT. MY FIANCÉ JODY DID IT, AND SHE DID IT FOR EIGHT ROUGH HOURS. BUT THEN SHE GOT UP THAT JERK, SHE JUST GOT UP AND ATE A SANDWICH, AND IT FELT GREAT. >> AND THAT WAS IT. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> HOW COULD IT AFFECT YOU FOR 20? AND THEN SOMEONE. >> EVERYBODY’S DIFFERENT. BUT FOR ME, LIKE, I THINK THAT’S WHAT I SAY BECAUSE I FOUGHT IT THE WHOLE WAY. >> AND IS THIS JODIE ESQUIBEL? >> YEAH. YEAH YEAH YEAH. >> WOW. FIANCE. >> YEAH YEAH YEAH. >> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ENGAGED? >> FOREVER. >> YEAH, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE YOU’VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME. >> WE’RE PRETTY MUCH MARRIED. WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME. >> WHEN’S THE WEDDING? >> YEAH, RIGHT. YEAH. ASK HER. ASK HER. NOT ME. >> OKAY. IT’S ON HER. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> FAIR ENOUGH. YEAH. AND WHAT IS SHE UP TO? IS SHE. IS SHE. >> OH, SO SHE’S SHE’S, . SHE’S REALLY DONE SOMETHING AMAZING IN HER LIFE. >> OKAY. >> SHE WAS SHE WAS, A SWAT MEDIC AND RUNNING A SEARCH AND RESCUE THING WITH A STATE POLICE WHERE SHE’D FLY DOWN IN A HELICOPTER AND PICK PEOPLE UP AND SAVE THEM. THERE’S A LOT SHE’S MADE NATIONAL NEWS ABOUT, LIKE, SAVING, LIKE A BOY SCOUT TROOP AND THINGS LIKE THAT. >> WOW. INCREDIBLE. >> BUT SHE HAS NO TIME. LIKE. AND LIKE, MAN, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE. YOU DON’T HAVE ANY TIME, RIGHT? AND A JOB CAME ALONG THAT BRANDON GIBSON OFFERED HER TO DO WORK FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. IN THE ACES DEPARTMENT. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT THAT IS. AND YEAH, DO THAT. IT’S GOT TO BE BETTER THAN WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, RIGHT? FOR HOURS. IT’S NOT BECAUSE SHE ROSE UP REALLY QUICK. NOW SHE’S A DIRECTOR OF THE ACES PROGRAM, WHICH MEANS UNDER THE MAYOR, SHE’S SHE’S AN ADJACENT TO THE POLICE CHIEF OR THE FIRE CHIEF AND ALL THAT. SHE’S A CHIEF OF THIS WHOLE PROGRAM FOR. WOW. IT’S ONE OF THOSE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE THINGS WHEN WHEN THE FLOYD, THE DEFUND THE POLICE AND ALL THAT STUFF HAPPENED, LIKE, THEY WANTED TO CREATE, LIKE, A SOCIAL SERVICE THAT ANSWERS CALLS. AND NOW SHE’S THE HEAD OF THAT IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, AND ONE OF THE FEW CITIES THAT’S DOING IT AND DOING IT WELL. AND SHE’S SHE’S GOING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO TALK ABOUT HER PROGRAM AND HOW TO SET UP TO TEACH OTHER PEOPLE HOW TO SET UP A SIMILAR PROGRAM AND ALL THAT. SO NOW SHE’S MORE BUSY THAN SHE’S EVER BEEN. >> INCREDIBLE. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> BOTH OF YOU DOING SOMETHING COMPLETELY OUT OF FIGHTING, WHICH I LOVE. YEAH. BUT YOU’VE MADE A WHOLE NEW LIFE FOR YOURSELF. YEAH. IT’S UNBELIEVABLE. SO AGAIN, IT’S KILL ME AGAIN. >> IT’S COMING TOGETHER RIGHT NOW, MAN. THIS, THIS, THIS RIGHT HERE. LIKE YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT KILLING ME AGAIN. LIKE RELEASE ON THE EIGHTH. THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF ALL THE YEARS AND SUFFERING AND TRYING TO DO THE THING. AND IT’S LIKE EVERYTHING’S HITTING RIGHT NOW. LIKE, THIS IS THE EPITOME OF EVERYTHING I’VE BEEN TRYING TO DO. AND. AND I GOT A GREAT MOVIE. I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE L.A. PREMIERE, THE L.A. PREMIERE WAS AMAZING, DUDE. LIKE, I’M COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. I’M STANDING IN BACK OF BACK OF ME AND TATE ARE STANDING IN THE BACK OF THE THEATER AND JUST WATCHING THESE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, THESE PEOPLE, THESE, THESE, THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIKE JADED L.A. PEOPLE THAT IT’S JUST A STUPID MOVIE. I’M WATCHING, LAUGHING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE THING, REACTING TO THE WHOLE MOVIE. IT’S JUST WOW, DUDE. >> WOW. >> WHAT A WHOLE THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE BETTER THAN ANY FIGHT, DUDE. >> I CAN’T IMAGINE. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> HOLY. >> SO SO NOW SO NOW I’M GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN HERE. WE’RE DOING TRIBECA HERE TONIGHT. THE NEW YORK PREMIERE. AND THEN WE’RE GOING TO ON ON THE EIGHTH. IT’S WHEREVER YOU CAN GET IT. >> AMAZING. WELL, I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH IT. THANKS. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I’M GOING TO PAY. I’M GOING TO WATCH IT PROBABLY ON A STREAMING PLATFORM. YOU SAID APPLE OR AMAZON. >> WHEREVER YOU RENT IT, IT’LL BE THERE. >> WHEREVER. AND LIMITED, I WOULD IMAGINE. LIKE THE BIG CITIES IN AMERICA. >> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. >> CONGRATULATIONS. THANKS. GOOD LUCK. KEEP DOING YOUR THING. IT’S AMAZING TO SEE. AND IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO TO RECONNECT. I CAN’T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME WE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK, BUT IT’S AMAZING TO SEE YOU DOING WELL. >> THANKS, BROTHER. IT’S AMAZING TO SEE YOU DOING WELL. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. HE IS THE DEAN OF MEAN KEITH JARDINE. IF YOU’RE A NEWER FAN, DO SOME RESEARCH. LOOK, YOU KNOW, THERE’S A LOT OF NEW FANS THESE DAYS. GO BACK TO UFC 76, KNOCKOUT IN ANAHEIM, AN INCREDIBLE WIN OVER THE LIKES OF CHUCK LIDDELL, BUT MANY OTHER WINS AS WELL. WE’RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, SAY GOODBYE TO KEITH, BE BACK WITH YOUR QUESTIONS. DON’T GO ANYWHERE. IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU. YEAH, I JUST SAW YOU ON TV A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ON NBC. >> THIS IS TRUE. THAT. >> WAS CRAZY, MAN. >> IT WAS CRAZY. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE. OF COURSE, THEY WERE VERY SURPRISED. BUT IT’S ALSO BECAUSE I. IF SOMEONE TELLS ME SOMETHING AND IF I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE PUBLIC, I KEEP THAT . >> YEAH. NO, IT. >> WAS GREAT. >> I THOUGHT THEY DID SUCH A GREAT JOB WITH THAT. SEEING DOUG DILLINGER, LIKE, YOU KNOW, HIT THE THE DOOR SEEING YOU THERE. CHUCK ZITO THERE, GAGE GOLDBERG, OF COURSE, I’M TALKING ABOUT THE BILL GOLDBERG RETIREMENT MATCH. CAN I ASK HOW THIS ALL CAME ABOUT? LIKE, YOU GET A CALL FROM BILL WHEN. >> YOU KNOW I THINK IT WAS WWE. SOMEONE FROM THERE REACHED OUT AND SAID, HEY, BILL REQUESTED FOR YOU TO BE HERE AS PART OF HIS CREW TO WALK HIM TO THE RING. AND I’M LIKE, YEAH, I’M DONE. JUST TELL ME THE DETAILS. WHEN DO I NEED TO BE THERE? AND WHAT DO I GOT TO DO? AMAZING. AND IT’S LIKE I’VE SAID PREVIOUSLY, THAT BILL IS BASICALLY LIKE, HE’S FAMILY. WHEN HE WAS LIVING IN CALIFORNIA, I WOULD STAY AT HIS PLACE ALL THE TIME. I MEAN, I USED TO KICK THE CRAP OUT OF GAGE PRO WRESTLING WITH HIM AS A LITTLE KID. NOW WOULD BE A BIT TOUGHER. AND, YOU KNOW, I’VE KNOWN HIM FOR GOD. GOING ON ABOUT 20 YEARS. >> HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET? >> IN JAPAN? WHEN I WAS COACHING AND TRAINING. BOB SAPP. WE WENT TO BILL’S ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING MATCH AGAINST KOJIMA. WOW. AND I MET HIM THERE. AND THEN WE KEEP RUNNING INTO EACH OTHER. I SAW HIM AT STRIKEFORCE. I’D SEEN HIM AT THIS. I’D SEEN HIM AT THAT. IF IT WAS AFFLICTION OR WHATEVER, WHEREVER THE FIGHTS WERE, IF MY PARENTS WERE THERE, HE’D ALWAYS RUN INTO MY PARENTS FIRST. TELL ME HOW MUCH FUN HE’S HAVING WITH MY PARENTS. AND THEN I’M LIKE, WHAT AM I ACTUALLY GONNA RUN INTO YOU? YEAH. SO. AND ANOTHER INTERESTING BILL GOLDBERG, JOSH BARNETT, , TIDBIT I HAVE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I’VE SAID OUT PUBLICLY YET OR TO THIS POINT, BUT I’LL DO IT HERE. OKAY. SO WHEN WE DID BLOODSPORT BUSHIDO IN JAPAN AT KOKUGIKAN LAST YEAR IN JULY OR JUNE, I THINK IT WAS JULY. I FORGET. ANYWAYS THE MAIN EVENT WAS ME VERSUS JON MOXLEY. YEAH, BUT IN THE CREATION OF THE EVENT AND YOU KNOW, THE ORIGINAL MAIN EVENT WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE.. >> ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS MY CONVERSATION WITH JOSH BARNETT FROM LAST WEEK ON THE PROGRAM, WHICH WAS A VERY INTERESTING ONE IN PARTICULAR, THE STUFF REGARDING WWE. UNREAL. HOW ABOUT KEITH JARDINE? WHAT A FASCINATING GUY. AT TIMES I FELT LIKE HE WAS STARING INTO MY SOUL. HE IS, I MEAN, A PROLIFIC CHARACTER, ONE OF THE BEST, HAD A GREAT RUN IN THE UFC. HE HAD A GREAT RUN IN MMA, AND NOW REINVENTING HIMSELF IN A WORLD THAT IS VERY HARD TO SUCCEED IN, I WISH HIM ALL THE BEST. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. HAS ANYONE BACK THERE SEEN KILL ME AGAIN? >> I HAVE NOT SEEN IT. >> WILL YOU WATCH IT, FRANK? >> I WILL ABSOLUTELY WATCH. >> SHALL WE HAVE A TEAM OUTING TO GO WATCH IT? >> I THINK THAT SOUNDS AMAZING. LET’S DO IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MISS LIPPY. >> NO TIME TO WASTE, BECAUSE WE HAVE CHIESA. KEYSHAWN DAVIS JOINING US AT 3:00, WE HAVE DRICUS DU PLESSIS JOINING US AT 2:30. I SAW SOMEONE IN THE CHAT SAY, PLUS 5,000 PLUS 5,000. HE SHOWS UP. >> HOW DARE YOU? >> PAUL HEYMAN THE ORACLE JOINING US AT 4:00. WHAT A DAY, WHAT A DAY, GUYS, HOW LUCKY ARE WE? AND WHAT A TIME FOR COMBAT SPORTS. GOING BACK TO THAT ESPN ANNOUNCEMENT, NETFLIX, ALL THIS STUFF, HAS IT EVER BEEN A MORE INTERESTING AND BETTER TIME TO BE A PART OF THE WORLD OF COMBAT SPORTS, COVERING THE WORLD OF COMBAT SPORTS? >> UNCROWNED. >> COM THE. >> NUMBER 1 UNBIASED COMBAT SPORTS OUTLET ON THE PLANET. >> TIME NOW FOR EVERYONE’S FAVORITE SEGMENT OF THE WEEK. IT IS TIME. >> IT’S TIME FOR ALL. >> OF NO TIME TO WASTE. WE ALL GET THROUGH THESE VERY, VERY QUICKLY. I’M ACTUALLY GOING TO START WITH THE NEWEST BECAUSE MAYBE THERE’S SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NEW NEWS. AND WOULDN’T YOU KNOW IT. THERE IS ABDUL 26 0-4 HEY ARIEL, WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF WWE AND NFL BEING ON THE NEW ESPN PLATFORM AND NOW LIKELY THE UFC PAY PER VIEWS, IS THERE A GOOD CHANCE WE SEE ZUFFA BOXING EVENTS BE A PART OF THAT PLATFORM? FOR THE MAJORITY OF THEIR CARDS? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THERE’S CONVERSATIONS BEING HAD. OBVIOUSLY THERE’S PEOPLE TALKING. DOES THIS MEAN IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN 100%? NO. BUT YES, LIKE I SAID, AT THE TOP, THEY ALL HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS TO ME. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST QUESTION? THE ESPN DEAL WITH WWE IS LIKE THE PEACOCK DEAL IN THAT IF YOU ARE A SUBSCRIBER TO THE THE NEW DTC, THE FLAGSHIP, IF YOU ARE A SUBSCRIBER TO THAT OR A PLUS SUBSCRIBER, YOU’RE GETTING IT. NO EXTRA CHARGE RIGHT ? WHEN UFC DOES ITS NEW DEAL, DO WE THINK THAT IT WILL BE A SITUATION WHERE IF YOU’RE A SUBSCRIBER TO PLUS, TO NETFLIX TO. PEACOCK TO PARAMOUNT PLUS TO ANY STREAMING PLATFORM, ARE YOU JUST GOING TO GET IT OR IS IT STILL GOING TO BE THE LAST MODEL? THE OLD MODEL, WHICH IS, HEY, PAY FOR THIS AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY EXTRA BECAUSE THEY’RE REALLY THE LAST ONES LEFT AT THIS POINT. THERE’S THE ODD BOXING, AND I THINK BOXING SHOULD TRY TO MOVE AWAY FROM THIS. I KNOW THE PRICES ARE SO HIGH. THERE’S THE ODD BOXING. FIGHT. BUT EVEN LOOK AT THE BIG CANELO ALVAREZ VERSUS TERENCE CRAWFORD FIGHT. IT’S NOT ON PAY-PER-VIEW. IT’S JUST WITH YOUR REGULAR NETFLIX SUBSCRIPTION. SO THAT TO ME IS THE NEXT BIG QUESTION. I’M OBVIOUSLY VERY CURIOUS TO KNOW WHERE DOES THE UFC END UP? BUT PERHAPS MOST INTERESTING TO ME IS WHEN THEY DO SIGN THEIR DEAL. WILL THE PAY PER VIEW STILL BE BEHIND A PAYWALL, OR WILL THEY BE A PART OF WHATEVER STREAMING PLATFORM YOU’LL HAVE TO SIGN UP. >> FOR? I WONDER? >> YFG 94 AERIAL. JUST FOR FUN, WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE TO EAT FRUIT AT THE END OF EACH MEAL, OR HAVE TO HEAR THE D1 GLAZER. DROP IN WHERE ONLY YOU CAN HEAR IT? EVERY TIME YOU GIVE A COMPLIMENT TO ANYONE? >> DEFINITELY THE LATTER. >> LIKE THIS GUY’S A D1 GLAZER BRO. >> I MEAN, THE FORMER MAKES ME FEEL SICK. THE OTHER ONES JUST KIND. >> OF FUNNY. >> I DO WISH I TOOK THE T-SHIRT THOUGH. I WOULD HAVE PUT IT. >> RIGHT HERE. >> GO BACK. YEAH. >> I DON’T KNOW IF. >> I’M WELCOME. >> WHY WOULD YOU NOT BE WELCOME? >> BIG MONEY. >> AS A CERTIFIED D1 GLAZER. HOW ABOUT THEM BILLS ON HARD KNOCKS? LAST NIGHT I HAD A SMILE ON MY FACE THE ENTIRE EPISODE AND CAN’T WAIT FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON. THANKS AND GO. >> BILLS. >> CAN I TELL YOU. GUYS I WAS NOT A FAN OF THE BILLS ON HARD KNOCKS, IF ONLY BECAUSE I’M TRYING TO PROTECT MY MY TEAM AND I’M. AND I’M WORRIED THAT. >> YOU KNOW. >> THERE’S GOING TO BE TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS. THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE TO PLAY UP FOR THE CAMERA. THERE’S STUFF THAT GETS SPILLED, THERE’S DRAMA, THERE’S JAMES COOK, THIS AND THAT. I WATCHED THE FIRST 10 MINUTES, THEN I FELL ASLEEP. I WAS THE SAME OH, HEY, PIZZA, HOW. >> ARE YOU? >> I KNOW YOU. >> WERE HERE. >> I WATCHED THE FIRST. >> 10 MINUTES TO RUIN. DON’T RUIN IT FOR ME. I DON’T WANT TO KNOW. ALL RIGHT? I’M WAITING TO WATCH IT TODAY. I HAVE THE NFL NETWORK. THEY ALREADY TOOK ALL MY MONEY, SO I’LL BE ABLE TO WATCH IT TODAY. IT’S GREAT. DID NOT STAY UP. I CAN’T WAIT, MAN. >> THIS IS MY TEAM. THIS IS MY TEAM. AND I’M GETTING TO SEE THEM, LIKE, PACK THEIR BAGS. >> THIS YEAR, WIN THE SUPER BOWL. >> THAT’S ALL I NEED, MAN. IT’S ALL. >> IT’S JUST. >> PLEASE, GOD, JUST GIVE ME THAT. GIVE ME THAT. GIVE ME THE KNICKS AND THEN I’LL BE. I’LL BE HAPPY. I DON’T EVEN THINK I’LL WATCH SPORTS ANYMORE, TO BE HONEST. BUT YOU GET TO SEE JOSH JUST KIND OF BEING JOSH. YOU GET TO SEE OUR GUY DION DAWKINS WITH HIS FAMILY. DAWSON KNOX WITH HIS FAMILY. IT WAS. IT WAS THE VERY FIRST FEW MINUTES. BUT MAN, I WAS LOVING IT. AND IN FACT, MY KIDS WERE SLEEPING. SO I WAS LIKE, MAYBE I SHOULD SAVE THIS FOR THEM BECAUSE I THINK THEY’LL ONLY FALL FURTHER IN LOVE WITH THE BILLS. >> THAT’S A GREAT IDEA. ACTUALLY. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> THAT’S A GREAT IDEA. >> JULIAN , HE HE PREFACES HIS QUESTION WITH ASTERISK HIGH THOUGHTS. I DON’T KNOW IF THAT. >> MEANS HE’S HE HIGH. >> I DON’T. >> KNOW. OR LIKE, DOES HE THINK HE’S LIKE, HIGH BROW LIKE. >> NO NO NO NO NO, THAT’S FOR SURE. IT JUST MEANS HE’S HIGH. >> OKAY. IS THE CONNOR HABIB PRESS CONFERENCE THE CLIMAX OR TURNING POINT OF HIS FIGHTING CAREER NOW AS HE. WHICH PRESS CONFERENCE, BY THE WAY, THERE WAS THE. >> ONE WHERE HE’S TALKING ABOUT THE KID AND ALL, YOU KNOW. >> BECAUSE THERE WAS THE NEW YORK ONE WHEN THAT WAS CRAZY. AND THEN THERE WAS THE ONE IN VEGAS FIGHT WEEK, WHERE THEN HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT ALI AND ALL THAT STUFF, WHERE HE WAS A LOT MORE COHERENT. AND THE NEW YORK ONE, HE WAS DRINKING AND ALL THAT. BUT THEN THERE WAS THE FIGHT WEEK ONE, WHICH WAS EQUALLY MEMORABLE. DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT, RIGHT? >> YEAH. >> YEAH. SO I DON’T KNOW. WHICH I DON’T KNOW WHICH ONE THIS GUY’S TALKING ABOUT, BUT I GUESS HE’S JUST TALKING ABOUT THE WHOLE FEUD. RIGHT? >> BUT IT WOULD BE NEITHER OF THOSE MOMENTS, RIGHT? THAT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE THE TURNING POINT. >> WELL, IT WAS A BIG MOMENT, THOUGH. LIKE, I CAN REMEMBER GOING ON ARIEL SHOW AFTER THAT NEW YORK ONE. AND I PICKED HABIB TO WIN. AND YOU, IT WAS LIKE GIVING ME DEATH IN IRELAND ABOUT IT. I WAS LIKE, HE’S DRINKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, LADS. IT’S TWO WEEKS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE, I TELL YOU ONE THING, HABIB ISN’T DOING, THAT’S FOR SURE. HE’S NOT DRINKING AT ALL. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE, IT WAS JUST. IT WAS SO OBVIOUS TO ME. BUT I OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT MCGREGOR HAD GROWN SO MYTHICAL AND BEYOND ANYTHING WE’D EVER EXPECTED FROM ANOTHER FIGHTER, THAT I WAS JUST LIKE, THIS CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE. AND AND TO TO TO GO BACK TO WHAT I SAID YESTERDAY, I’D BEEN KIND OF CUT OUT OF THE CAMP. I HAD NO ACCESS TO THE CAMP, BUT PEOPLE LIKE OBVIOUSLY STILL KNEW SOME OF THE GUYS, AND EVERYTHING I WAS HEARING WAS WAS REALLY BAD. SO IT WAS LIKE, THIS JUST KIND OF CONFIRMED TO ME THAT HE HE WAS NOT TAKING THE FIGHT SERIOUSLY. AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT IT NOW, IT’S LIKE, HOW THE DID ANYONE PICK THIS GUY TO WIN THAT FIGHT? BECAUSE IT WAS SO FAR GONE FROM THE DUDE THAT WE HAD SEEN AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS POWER. >> YEAH. I AGAIN, AS FAR AS THE QUESTION IS CONCERNED, IT’S PROBABLY MAYWEATHER. MCGREGOR. RIGHT? >> YEAH. THAT’S THE GUY WHO SAID SOMEONE SAID THIS TO ME ONCE AND I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT IT. I DON’T KNOW IF HE’S A REAL THE NEW LIKE IT WAS THE MOMENT. IT WAS PROBABLY HIS BIGGEST MOMENT WITH THE MAGIC AGAINST EDDIE ALVAREZ. BUT JUST THE BEHAVIOR AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. REMEMBER, HE CAME LATE AND IT’S LIKE, IT MUST BE A MCGREGOR FIGHT. TRAFFIC’S BUSY. >> YEAH. >> SOMEONE ONCE SAID TO ME, LIKE, THIS WAS THE FIRST SIGN LIKE THIS. HE KIND OF JUMPED THE SHARK TO SOME DEGREE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO THERE’S LIKE LOADS OF THINGS YOU CAN PROBABLY ZOOM IN ON AND FOCUS ON, BUT IT’S STILL CRAZY TO ME THAT WHERE WE’VE ENDED UP HERE. BUT WE’RE GONNA LEARN, I GUESS. >> YEAH. I MEAN, WHO KNOWS? WHO KNOWS? BY THE WAY, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF ARTEM ON THE. >> YEAH. THANKS FOR RUINING MY DAY. I’VE HAD 12 PHONE CALLS. OH, JESUS. I’M SORRY. IT’S A MASSIVE. YEAH, I THOUGHT HE WAS BRILLIANT. YEAH. YOU KNOW, I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. AND AS HE SAID, HE HAS NOT DONE A LOT OF INTERVIEWS, BUT, LIKE YOU LADS, REMEMBER WHEN WHEN ARTEM USED TO COME ON THE SHOW WAS ALWAYS MEMORABLE. IT WAS ALWAYS IT WAS ALWAYS A GREAT INTERVIEW. AND I THOUGHT IT WAS AMAZING. AND THAT’S PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE’S JUST RINGING ME. FIRST OF ALL, SURPRISED THAT HE’S FIGHTING AGAIN. SURPRISED HE DID THE INTERVIEW. GIVEN THE LEGAL STUFF THAT’S GOING ON. AND, YOU KNOW, FINALLY, JUST LIKE, WOW, THAT WAS REALLY, REALLY GOOD. LIKE HE HAD I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE SAME THING AS ME, LIKE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT KIND OF HAD US EATING OUT OF THE PALM OF HIS HAND BY THE END OF THAT. I THINK. >> I THOUGHT WHAT WAS SO INTERESTING ABOUT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY HE’S INVOLVED IN THIS LEGAL ISSUE DRAMA, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, A CASE, BUT I DO SORT OF FEEL LIKE HE COULD HAVE IF HE WANTED TO SHOT LOW AND. AND WHAT CAME, WHAT CAME ACROSS TO ME THROUGH THE SCREEN WAS LIKE, HE STILL HAS GENUINE LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR CONOR, DESPITE IT. ALL RIGHT. LIKE LIKE LIKE EVEN SAYS WE LIKE WHEN TALKING ABOUT, LIKE, GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER AND GETTING HIM BACK ON TRACK. LIKE, THAT’S KIND OF HOW I, I, I DON’T KNOW, I WALKED AWAY FROM THAT THINKING LIKE, WOW, HE COULD HAVE TAKEN SOME SHOTS. HE COULD HAVE MADE SOME REMARKS. HE COULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, HIT HIM WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE TYPE OF THING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS ADMIRABLE. I THOUGHT THAT THAT’S WHAT REALLY JUMPED OUT AT ME. THAT AND THE GRAY HAIR ON THE. BEARD. >> THE GRAY HAIR AND A BEARD IS SALT AND PEPPER. MAN, YOU CAN’T GO WRONG. BUT THERE WAS MIXED REACTIONS TO THAT AS WELL. LIKE, THAT WAS THE ONE THING I HAD. KIND OF A A SPECTRUM OF RESPONSES. ON HIS REACTION TO MCGREGOR. SOME PEOPLE WERE LIKE, WAIT, HOW CAN HE BE THIS NICE TO THIS GUY? LIKE HE BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BUT OTHER PEOPLE WERE LIKE, THIS IS ALL LIKE, I THINK HE’S PLAYING IT COY, LIKE HE’S BEING STRATEGIC. AND THAT’S I DON’T AGREE WITH THAT AT ALL. I THINK IF ARTEM FEELS A CERTAIN WAY, HE’S GOING TO SAY IT. SO I THINK THAT WAS THAT’S GENUINELY HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE SITUATION. AND LET’S BE HONEST, MCGREGOR’S CALLED HIM EVERY NAME UNDER THE SUN SINCE THIS CAME OUT. SO THAT EXTRA POINTS FOR ARTEM FOR NOT NOT MEETING HIM ON THAT LEVEL. >> BY THE WAY, WANTED TO GO BACK TO, THE WHOLE ESPN WWE THING BECAUSE I BROUGHT THIS UP. I’M SEEING SOMETHING HERE FROM A TWITTER ACCOUNT. T Q CHAIRMAN, TGI Q CHAIRMAN WHO SAYS BASED ON A PRESS RELEASE, IF YOU HAVE ESPN THROUGH YOUR CABLE PROVIDER, MEANING COMCAST, DIRECTV, HULU LIVE PLUS, YOUTUBE TV, YOU GET ALL THE WWE PAY PER VIEWS FOR FREE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE, NO PAYING THE EXTRA 30, WHICH IS WHICH IS SOMETHING I SAID. BUT MY QUESTION WAS, IF YOU’RE JUST A PLUS SUBSCRIBER. >> YOU DO NOT. >> MEANING YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO BE A SUBSCRIBER. IT SOUNDS LIKE. >> NO, YOU DO. YOU HAVE TO BE A CABLE SUBSCRIBER OF SOME SORT. IF YOU ARE GETTING ESPN. >> YES, BUT. >> YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A PLUS SUBSCRIBER. YOUTUBE TV, ANY OF THOSE THINGS THAT PROVIDE ESPN BROADCAST COVERAGE TO YOU, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL FOR THE $30 APP THAT IS DTC. THAT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT. >> HAVE THAT. BUT WHAT IF YOU’RE JUST AN 11 99 PLUS SUBSCRIBER? >> YOU DO NOT GET ACCESS. YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY $30. IS THAT TRUE? GET CABLE. >> BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, LIKE IF YOU GO ON THE ESPN PLUS APP RIGHT NOW. >> I CANNOT WATCH ESPN PROGRAMING ON ESPN PLUS. >> CORRECT? >> BECAUSE I DO NOT. >> HAVE I DON’T HAVE CABLE. CORRECT. BUT MY QUESTION IS, SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF, I HAVE CABLE. >> YES, YOU WILL GET IT. >> BUT AND LET’S SAY I DON’T HAVE PLUS. >> IT DOES NOT MATTER. I STILL GET IT. YES. THAT’S IT IS PART OF THE ESPN PACKAGE, NOT THE ESPN PLUS PACKAGE. >> INTERESTING. >> ESPN PLUS IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE THING. NOW THE RELEVANT QUESTION THE LIKE INTERESTING SPIN OUT FOR OUR WORLD IS LIKE WELL WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IF IF UFC RE-UPS WITH ESPN, DO THEY REMAIN ON PLUS DO THEY GO TO THIS DIRECT TO CONSUMER THING? >> THIS IS THE BIG. >> QUESTION IS FASCINATING. BY THE WAY, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, CIRCLING BACK FOR A SECOND, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ESPN. IF UFC SPLITS UP THE PIE, DOES THE LANDING PLACE STILL HAVE IT ON PAY PER VIEW OR IS IT A PRODUCT LIKE THIS? WWE. SOMETHING INTERESTING ALSO CAME OUT IN IN THEIR NOTES EARLIER TODAY. WHERE IN THE PRESS RELEASE THAT IS ABOUT EARNINGS THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2025, THEY DO SAY THAT THE AN AN INCREASE IN REVENUE ATTRIBUTABLE TO. SO THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ESPN, DOMESTIC PRODUCT, LOWER UFC, ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP PAY-PER-VIEW FEES DUE TO LOWER AVERAGE BUYS PER EVENT. SO UFC PAY PER VIEWS ARE DOWN AT THE MOMENT. AND THEY HAVE PUBLICLY KIND OF SAID THIS. I WOULD WONDER IF THE NEXT HOLM OR EVEN THE SAME HOLM IF IT’S ESPN, IS AS INTERESTED IN PAY-PER-VIEW AS A PRODUCT OVERALL, BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE NUMBERS SEEM TO BE DOWN. >> RIGHT. YOU KNOW WHAT? I COULD YOU KNOW WHAT I COULD SEE? I COULD SEE THEM DOING THIS MODEL WHERE IT’S LIKE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY EXTRA, BUT IT’S ONLY ON THE DTC. >> WHICH WOULD BE THE WWE VERSION, WHICH I COULD VERY EASILY SEE MYSELF. >> WHICH I THINK WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA FOR BOTH PARTIES. >> THE DIFFERENCES, AS YOU GUYS KNOW, LIKE, OKAY, SO THERE ARE TEN WWE PLEASE. AND THEN THERE’S THE TWO THAT HAVE TWO NIGHTS, WRESTLEMANIA AND SUMMERSLAM. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE TEN FEATURE THE SAME PEOPLE. THE VAST MAJORITY. >> YES. >> UFC IS DIFFERENT. SO YOU KNOW WHEN WHEN CONOR FIGHTS ONCE A YEAR BACK IN THE DAY, THAT’S A REALLY BIG DEAL. IF IF OKAY, LET’S EQUATE IT TO TODAY’S, YOU KNOW, ILYA IS FIGHTING TWICE A YEAR, THREE TIMES MAX. BASICALLY, THE CALCULUS WILL BE ARE THERE NOT ENOUGH OF THOSE? YOU KNOW, LIKE IN 2016 WHERE THERE WERE FIVE PAY PER VIEWS THAT DID OVER 1 MILLION BUYS? ARE THERE NOT ENOUGH OF THOSE TO WHERE NOW THE THE THE CEILING IS A LOT LOWER AND EVERYONE IS KIND OF IN THE SAME SORT OF LIKE MIDDLE PACK, SO TO SPEAK, TO WHERE IT’S WORTH DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> BUT WHAT. >> IF UFC IS THE LAST ONE LEFT? IN MY OPINION, WHERE IT’S A CONSISTENT THING, WHERE THERE’S UPS AND DOWNS, THERE’S PEAKS AND VALLEYS. OH, THIS GUY’S FIGHTING. IT’S GOING TO GO UP OR THIS IS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AS OPPOSED TO WWE WHERE IT’S LIKE, ALL RIGHT, IT’S ROYAL RUMBLE. YOU’RE WATCHING IT REALLY, REGARDLESS OF WHO’S ON THE CARD, BECAUSE YOU JUST KNOW WHAT THE ROYAL RUMBLE IS. YOU’RE MAYBE NOT GOING TO TUNE INTO BACKLASH, BUT YOU’RE GOING TO WATCH CLASH IN PARIS. BUT IT’S ALWAYS THE SAME GUYS, SO IT’S VERY HARD TO POP THAT NUMBER AS OPPOSED TO IN THE UFC, WHERE IT’S LIKE, HOLY, WE HAVE TO WATCH ILYA VERSUS ISLAM BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY CHANCE WE’RE EVER GOING TO GET TO WATCH THESE GUYS. >> SO WHAT IF, IF ESTABLISHED MORE OF LIKE THE D-ZONE STYLE, WHICH IS YOU SUBSCRIBE, YOU GET THESE. BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE MIGHT SAY THAT THERE’S ONE THAT’S LIKE ABOVE AND BEYOND, AND YOU HAVE TO KIND OF PONY UP. THAT COULD BE THE WAY. >> MAYBE THAT’S THAT. MAYBE THAT’S WHERE NETFLIX COMES INTO PLAY. >> OR YEAH, YOU. >> GIVE IT. MAYBE NETFLIX IS GETTING FOUR OF THOSE A YEAR. AND ONE OF THEM IS THE WHITE HOUSE EVENT. BUT THEN THERE’S ESPN. BY THE WAY, IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHERE ESPN, I MEAN, TALK ABOUT A WEEK FOR ESPN, WHERE THEY’VE PLANTED THEIR FLAG INTO THE GROUND. THE NFL DEAL AND NOW THIS. AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE IS TO COME. LIKE THEY ARE JUST YOU KNOW, THEY’RE KILLING IT. THEY’RE ABSOLUTELY KILLING LIKE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THOUGHT THAT ESPN WAS STRUGGLING OR THE SHIP WAS SINKING AND THEY WERE GOING WOKE AND ALL THIS LIKE, IT SEEMS LIKE BUSINESS IS DOING JUST FINE AND IS GOING TO DO A HELL OF A LOT BETTER VERY, VERY SOON. HERE’S THE THING. >> LIKE AT THIS, AT. THIS POINT, I. >> STILL FEEL LIKE THE UFC IS THAT MODEL TO WHERE YOU DON’T WANT. TO PUT IT ALL IN FRONT OF THE PAYWALL AND, AND IF NETFLIX WANTS TO DO A DEAL WHERE IT’S LIKE, HEY, WE’RE GOING TO GET FOUR, DOES ESPN WANT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS WHERE LIKE, HEY, WE’RE GETTING NOT NOT THE SCRAPS, BUT LIKE WE’RE NOT GETTING THE PREMIUM? >> YEAH, IT’S NOT THE TOP FOUR. >> WE’RE GETTING THE PREMIUM IN THE NFL. WE’RE GETTING THE PREMIUM IN WWE. SO I DON’T KNOW HOW THAT. >> AND HOW WOULD YOU DECIDE THE FOUR. DOES NETFLIX GET TO SAY OKAY WE WANT THIS ONE. >> YEAH. >> BUT AND IS ESPN GOING TO BE IN THAT. >> HERE’S THE ONE ADVANTAGE. CONVERSATION THAT ESPN HAS. THEY KNOW THIS RIGHT. THEY’VE BEEN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE UFC. THEY KNOW WHAT THESE PAY-PER-VIEW NUMBERS ARE. AND NOW WE SEE IT HERE IN WRITING THAT THEY’RE NOT THEY’RE NOT DOING WELL. RIGHT. RIGHT RIGHT. THEY KNOW THAT THESE FEES ARE LOWER. SO YOU CAN’T AS THE UFC COME BACK TO ESPN. NOW YOU COULD COME BACK TO ANOTHER BROADCASTER, BUT YOU CAN’T COME BACK TO ESPN AND BE LIKE, YEAH, WE’RE GIVING FOUR TO NETFLIX AND YOU’RE GOING TO GET THE OTHER EIGHT. THEY THEY CAN’T JUSTIFY THAT FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE. NOW IN THE UFC’S FAVOR AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IS THE FACT THAT VERY, VERY CLEARLY THIS ESPN DIRECT TO CONSUMER PRODUCT IS THEIR MAIN PRIORITY RIGHT NOW. THEY NEED TO GET PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS. THEY NEED TO GET PEOPLE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS AND BE CONSUMERS OF THE ESPN. BROADCAST PRODUCT. THE TIMING’S GREAT FOR THE UFC BECAUSE THEY THEY HAVE AN OFFERING THAT PEOPLE ARE AT LEAST GOING TO TUNE IN FOR. AND ESPN KNOWS AT WHAT NUMBERS. THAT IS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, IF NOT MILLIONS FOR A VERY LARGE PAY PER VIEW. IT’S ALL GOING TO COME DOWN TO THE DOLLARS AND CENTS, AND THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE TO NEGOTIATE, AND THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUSH BACK AND FORTH AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THE MATH WORK. BUT ESPN WOULDN’T WOULD KNOW IF THEY ARE GETTING AN INFERIOR PRODUCT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. NOW, ANOTHER BROADCAST PARTNER MIGHT NOT HAVE NECESSARILY. >> I’M SURE THEY’RE GOING TO GET THOSE NUMBERS, THOUGH. THEY’RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, LIKE. >> IF THEY’VE I DON’T KNOW I DON’T KNOW IF ESPN OR UFC IS WILLINGLY HANDING OVER PAY-PER-VIEW NUMBERS TO SOMEBODY WHO’S NOT ALREADY PRIVY TO THEM. I’D BE SHOCKED IF THEY DID, BECAUSE. >> I COULDN’T. A POWER PLAYER LIKE NETFLIX, LIKE BORDERLINE, DEMAND THEM. >> WELL, NETFLIX WOULD BE NOT IN A PAY PER VIEW BUSINESS, SO THEY WOULDN’T NECESSARILY NEED. >> WHEN THEY’RE GOING OUT TO THESE MEETINGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THEY’RE SHOWING NUMBERS. THEY’VE GOT TO BE SHOWING NUMBERS. THEY’RE NOT JUST GOING INTO THIS BLIND. >> I’M SURE THEY’RE SHOWING NUMBERS. I, I, I WOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL. I COULD BE PROVEN WRONG IF THEY ARE SHOWING THEIR PAY-PER-VIEW NUMBERS, I’D BE SHOCKED. >> IF THEY DID THE DTC. LIKE IF THEY DID LIKE THE THE PLA STYLE. LIKE YOU GET ALL 14 PAY PER VIEWS ON ON ESPN IF YOU JUST PAY THE $30 A MONTH. TO ME, IT FEELS LIKE UFC FANS WOULD BE MUCH MORE DOWN FOR THAT. LIKE YOU, YOU PAY THAT $30 A MONTH AND YEAH, MAYBE IT’S NOT THE BEST PAY-PER-VIEW. HELL YEAH. HEY. YEAH. HOW MANY PEOPLE FORGET TO CANCEL THEIR SUBSCRIPTION IF THEY WERE TO GET IT JUST FOR THE ILYA CHARLES FIGHT AND THEN BE JUST TUNING IN. YOU GET. YOU PAY THE $30 A MONTH WITH IS $50 LESS THAN WHAT YOU’RE PAYING NOW. PLUS YOU GET ALL THE OTHER STUFF ON IT, MAN. IT JUST FEELS LIKE THAT. THAT IS THE WAY TO GO. >> BUT IS THAT GOOD BUSINESS FOR THE UFC? IS THE QUESTION. YEAH, CERTAINLY THE FANS WILL. >> IT FEELS LIKE IT. >> FEELS LIKE DOESN’T. >> FEEL LIKE. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE PAY PER VIEWS ARE DOWN, AND NOW THEY’RE ADMITTING THAT THE PAY PER VIEWS ARE DOWN. AND I JUST CAN’T IMAGINE THERE’S EVER GOING TO BE A RESURGENCE IN THAT MARKET WITH THE WITH THE THE STREAM ABILITY. IF THAT’S A WORD OF OF JUST LIKE FINDING STREAMS AND NOT HAVING TO PAY FOR THE PAY PER VIEWS, IT JUST FEELS LIKE THAT’S ONLY GOING TO GET MORE AND MORE POPULAR. >> LET’S STICK WITH THIS. ESPN DISCUSSION FOR A SECOND. JAMAL 2020 SAYS ARIEL, GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NFL AND ESPN DEAL AND THE SUBSEQUENT DEATH OF SPORTS JOURNALISM ON THAT NETWORK. HERE’S THE THING. I KNOW THEY’RE IN BUSINESS NOW, AND I KNOW THAT BASICALLY, THE NFL WAS GIVEN 10% OF ESPN, WHICH WAS VALUED AT ABOUT 2.5 BILLION. BUT LIKE, IT’S NOT LIKE THEY HAVEN’T BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30 FREAKING YEARS. I DON’T THINK THIS CHANGES MUCH, TO BE HONEST. >> WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE OF WHEN THEY HAD A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CONCUSSIONS? AND THE NFL IS LIKE, YOU’RE NOT AIRING THIS OR YOU’RE LOSING RIGHTS? THEY SUBSEQUENTLY WERE LIKE, WE’RE NOT AIRING THIS. >> WELL, EXACTLY, EXACTLY. SO THEY’VE HAD TO MAKE DECISIONS IN THE PAST. THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THEIR NETWORK THAT CRITICIZE THEM, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THEIR NETWORK THAT DON’T, AND THERE’S DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE AS FAR AS THE COVERAGE. AND THERE’S DOT COM AND ALL THIS STUFF. BUT LIKE, THIS IS NOT THE DEATH KNELL OF JOURNALISM ON ESPN AND WHATEVER THAT JOURNALISM IS. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LOOK, I WAS THERE. I WAS THERE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO JUST BE I WASN’T TRYING TO UNEARTH ANY DEEP, DARK SECRETS, BUT I WAS THERE TRYING TO COVER THE SPORT WHILE THEY WERE IN BUSINESS WITH ANOTHER ENTITY. AND FOR THE MOST PART, NO ONE REALLY TOLD ME WHILE I WAS THERE THAT YOU CAN’T SAY X, Y, AND Z UNLESS I SAID SOMETHING BACK TO THEM AND THEY GOT BACK AND IT WAS LIKE, HEY, THIS AND THIS HAPPENED. BUT LIKE WHEN I WALKED IN, I NEVER. HAD, EXCUSE ME, A CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE WHO SAID, LIKE, DON’T TALK ABOUT X, Y, AND Z. NOW UFC’S HERE, NFL IS HERE. I THINK THERE ARE CONSTANTLY DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE. I THINK THERE’S CONSTANTLY, YOU KNOW, DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE WHEN IT COMES TO YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO COVER, HOW YOU’RE GOING TO COVER IT. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT THE RIGHTS BUSINESS AND THE JOURNALISM BUSINESS, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT STRATOSPHERES. THERE’S WAY MORE MONEY INVOLVED IN THE RIGHTS BUSINESS THAN THE JOURNALISM BUSINESS. SO THE RIGHTS BUSINESS IS ALWAYS GOING TO WIN OUT. AND IF ESPN ISN’T IN BUSINESS WITH AN ENTITY, THEY’RE PROBABLY JUST NOT GOING TO COVER IT. JUST ASK THE NHL, THEY WERE OUT OF BUSINESS WITH THEM, AND NOW THEY’RE BACK IN BUSINESS WITH THEM. AND ARE THEY DOING ANY DEEP, DARK , SECRET EXPOS LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS? AND THERE’S OTHER PLACES WHERE YOU COULD GO FOR THAT. WHO LIKE, LET ME ASK YOU GUYS, BECAUSE MAYBE YOU CONSUME THIS MORE LIKE, WHO’S LIKE THE BIG INVESTIGATIVE NFL REPORTER THERE, OR EVEN JUST BIG INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST JOURNALISTS THERE THAT NOW IS GOING TO FEEL LIKE HIS LEGS HAVE BEEN CUT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HIM AS A RESULT OF THIS DEAL. >> YEAH. PROBABLY NOBODY. >> IT’S NOT HAPPENING. >> I WONDER WHAT THE THE SCHEFTER. RAPOPORT. RELATIONSHIP THAT’S GOING TO. >> BE LIKE YEAH THAT’S INTERESTING. ARE THEY ARE THEY FRENEMIES. WHAT ARE THEY. >> WHEN I WORK THERE. LIKE YOU WEREN’T ALLOWED TO SAY ANYTHING UNTIL SCHEFTER SAID IT. >> YEAH YEAH YEAH. SO WHO KNOWS. I MEAN THERE’S ALL KINDS OF DYNAMIC AND WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE NFL NETWORK. AND ALL THIS STUFF. OUR GUY RICH EISEN IS IN A GREAT SPOT COMING BACK HOME FACE OF THE NFL NETWORK. AND NOW HIS SHOW BACK ON ESPN. THERE’S SO MANY FUN THINGS TO TALK ABOUT HERE. YES. >> BUT YOUR POINT IS ZONED TO. >> YES. >> I’M VERY WORRIED ABOUT RED ZONE. I’M VERY WORRIED. >> ABOUT WHAT IS THERE TO BE WORRIED. ABOUT. >> AS LONG AS YOU SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING IT’S GOING TO, IT’S GOING TO BE ADS AND YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? THE WHOLE THING IS COMMERCIAL FREE FOR 7 HOURS. YOU KNOW, THAT’S MY SUNDAY. >> YOU GOT TO KEEP THAT. YOU GOT TO KEEP SCOTT HANSEN. YOU GOT TO KEEP SCOTT SAID. >> HE’S HE’S STAYING. HE HE SAID THAT. >> SCOTT, YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE COMMERCIAL FREE. YOU LOSE EVERYTHING IF YOU DON’T. >> IS THAT REALLY THAT BIG OF A DEAL? >> THIS. >> THE WHOLE SHTICK. >> WELCOME INTO 7 HOURS OF COMMERCIAL FREE FOOTBALL. >> DO THEY HAVE COMMERCIALS ON THE THING? >> NO. YOU’RE PAYING A PREMIUM FOR REDZONE. LIKE IT? WILL. I THINK RICK SAID EARLIER. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR DIRECT TO CONSUMER 100%. YOU PAY A LOT. >> OF MONEY. >> TO GREATEST SPORTS SHOW OF ALL TIME. >> THEY’RE ALSO GONNA PROBABLY EXPAND IT TO OTHER SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL. NOW YOU CAN POTENTIALLY GET AN SEC FOOTBALL RED ZONE. I MEAN. >> I’M WATCHING. >> THE NETFLIX. >> THING DOWN FOR THAT. >> THIS IS A VERY FASCINATING TIME. >> IT’S A IT’S A. >> AND UFC IS IN A GOOD POSITION TO ENTER THE MARKET RIGHT NOW. >> YOU KNOW, HE’S IN A GOOD POSITION TC FREAKING OH YES. I MEAN, GOLLY, NOW THEY’RE GETTING INTO THE BOXING BUSINESS LIKE IT’S JUST THIS THING HAS HAS WORKED. AND YOU KNOW. >> THE TIMING OF EVERY. >> SPORTS MEDIA PERSPECTIVE. LIKE I MENTIONED, NICK, I MENTIONED MARK SHAPIRO, ARI EMANUEL LIKE IT IS LITERALLY LIKE THE HEAVIEST OF HITTERS OF SPORTS AND MEDIA OF THE LAST TEN, 15 YEARS ALL COMING TOGETHER. YEAH, IT’S REALLY IT’S THE AVENGERS. IT’S REALLY SOMETHING SOMETHING TO BE SEEN. ADRIAN. HI, ARIEL. I DON’T LIKE CHANGE. SO INCLUDING MR. PETS IN THE NEW ERA IRKED ME. HOWEVER, HE HAS WON MY HEART. AND WHEN HE SAYS I LOVE YOU ALL AT THE END OF THE CRACK, I TRULY BELIEVE HIM. KEEP UP THE GOOD. >> WORK . >> SO HE ACCEPTS ME NOW, IS THAT WHAT HE’S SAYING? IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING. I DO LOVE YOU ALL. ACTUALLY, INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> HERE’S A GOOD ONE. WHO THE? ARIEL? WHAT’S MORE AWKWARD WATCHING A MOVIE WITH YOUR KIDS WHEN YOU CAN SENSE A SEX SCENE IS ABOUT TO COME UP? OR WATCHING A MOVIE WITH YOUR PARENTS AS A KID, AND YOU KNEW A SEX SCENE WAS COMING UP BECAUSE YOU HAD ALREADY WATCHED THE MOVIE WITHOUT TELLING THEM, AND IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME WATCHING. FOR ME , OPTION. >> B. >> BECAUSE WITH MY KIDS I CAN LIKE, GET AHEAD OF IT AND FAST FORWARD. >> NO, FOR ME, I’M WAY MORE TERRIFIED OF MY KIDS SEEING IT THAN MY PARENTS KNOWING I KNOW WHAT IT IS. WAY MORE TERRIFYING. YEAH. NO, THAT’S THAT’S NOT THAT’S NOT A GOOD. >> FEELING. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> FRANK? YEAH. >> FRANK. FRANK WALLOWS IN THE IN THE AWKWARD. THANKS FOR THAT. >> HE LOVES IT. >> THAT’S GOOD WORK ON YOUR PART. >> THANK YOU. SIR. >> FRANK. IS NOTORIOUS FOR GIVING SHORT ANSWERS. >> SPEAKING OF FRANK JIMMY, WHY WOULD FRANK GO INTO WORK SO SICK? NOT COOL. BEHAVIOR. AND IF IT WAS MY OFFICE, I’D BE RAGING AT FRANK. ALSO, GQ’S DEADPAN BEHAVIOR IS ON. >> POINT. >> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR GC? I DON’T KNOW. >> THAT PART. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? >> HE LIKES HER DEADPAN DELIVERY. >> IT IS ON POINT. >> I DON’T UNDERSTAND. FRANK. >> PLEASE DON’T EVADE THE QUESTION. >> THERE WAS A QUESTION IN THERE. >> YES. >> HOW CAN YOU DO THIS? >> I MEAN, SICK AS A DOG. >> YEAH, LIKE. >> THE SECOND HE OPENED HIS MOUTH, I WAS LIKE, WHAT’S UP, FRANK? HOW YOU DOING? HE’S JUST. >> LIKE. >> HEY, MAN. I WAS LIKE, WOW, YOU. YOU SOUND SICK. YOU SOUND INCREDIBLY ILL. AND HE WAS. >> LIKE, YEAH. >> I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A VISUAL. HE WAS JUST IN MY HEADSET GOING COUNT TO FIVE. AND I WAS LIKE, JESUS CHRIST. >> ANY REGRETS? FRANK? >> NO, NOT AT ALL. NO. THE, THE THE WORK CULTURE IN THIS ROOM DEMANDS THAT WE WORK SICK. NOT SICK. I MEAN, EVEN EVEN WHEN YOU ASK ME. OH, WHAT, ARE YOU SICK? I’M LIKE, YEAH, I’M VERY SICK. CONNOR WAS LIKE, NO, NO, NO, NO, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO SAY YOU’RE NOT. I’M LIKE, BUT I VERY MUCH AM. WHY AM I THINK I DID SAY THAT. YOU DID. IT WAS IN THE PANTRY. >> WOW WOW WOW WOW. >> I GET THE THE. THANKS FOR STICKING IT THROUGH, FRANK FROM AERIAL. AND THEN IF YOU COULD JUST STICK IT THROUGH UNTIL WEDNESDAY. I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU DO ON THURSDAY. >> DID I SAY. >> THAT? YEAH. YEAH, I. >> REMEMBER THAT. ME IN. >> THE MORNING, YOU WERE LIKE, I. >> DON’T GIVE A. >> ABOUT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, FRANKIE. JUST MAKE IT TO 5:00 P.M.. >> ON WEDNESDAY. >> BABY TEXTED ME LIKE, I HOPE YOU’RE FEELING BETTER. THEN YOU FELT GUILTY BECAUSE I LEFT YOU ON READ AND YOU WERE LIKE, DID YOU THINK I WAS JUST. >> I FELT INSULTED, BUT YES. >> GO AHEAD. I’M SICK. >> YOU WANT ME TO SIT THERE AND. >> IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A FOGGY RECOLLECTION OF ALL THIS, FRANK. >> IT ALSO KIND OF FEELS LIKE YOU’VE BEEN HOLDING ON TO A LOT OF THIS. >> SO PLEASE. >> NO, I’M LETTING IT OUT. AND THEN I COME IN THE ROOM ON MONDAY AND I’M LIKE, LOOK, I COULD DISINFECT SOME OF THIS STUFF BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE IN HERE ARE THE PREVIOUS THURSDAY. BUT ALSO, IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT IT, IT’S FINE. HE’S LIKE, IN YOUR WORDS, WERE, WELL, YOU KNOW THAT THAT TOOTHPASTE IS ALREADY OUT OF THE TUBE, LIKE, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT. AND THEN I PUT THE IFB ON YOU. I DISAFFECTED EVERYTHING FOR YOU THEN TO GET SICK AND THEN REALIZE REVISIONIST HISTORY. MAYBE THAT WASN’T THE RIGHT DECISION. ANYWAY, I HAD A LOT TO SAY. >> THAT’S THE MOST YOU’VE SAID ON THE PROGRAM SINCE THE, THE REALITY TV SHOW. >> YEAH, NO, THAT WAS GREAT STUFF. LET’S QUICKLY GO TO SOME OTHER ONES. SOMEONE IS ASKING CRUZ DAD IF WE CAN GET AN UNCROWNED SUBREDDIT. FEELS LIKE A FRANK. >> JOB. >> WHAT DOES THAT FEEL LIKE, A FRANK JOB? >> YOU’RE THE REDDIT GUY, DUDE. >> YOU ARE THE REDDIT GUY, FRANK. >> SO I’M SUPPOSED TO START THE REDDIT? >> YEAH, YEAH, I’LL DO IT. WHAT ARE YOU. >> EATING RIGHT NOW? EVERYBODY’S EATING. ARIEL’S CHEWING. >> FRANKIE’S CHEWING. >> I’M TRYING, BY THE WAY. >> I’M TRYING, I’M TRYING. >> I’M TRYING TO PLAY A GAME HERE WITH THE WITH THE DIRECTOR, ANDY, WHERE I’M TRYING TO EAT IN BETWEEN BECAUSE I HAVEN’T EATEN ANYTHING, AND I’M STARVING. AND WE STILL HAVE, LIKE, NINE MORE INTERVIEWS TO GO. AND I’M NOT DOING A GOOD JOB OF IT. >> VERY CLEARLY. >> I’M TRYING TO HELP YOU OUT. YOU KNOW, I’M LIKE, THANK YOU. I’M A LITTLE BREAK. THANK YOU. >> CONNOR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THE REST OF YOU NEED TO TALK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MISS. >> LIPPY. >> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF NUTS OUT ON THE TABLE. >> FOR ME. >> SOME OTHER SNACKS. NATURE VALLEY BAR. >> WHERE? >> LOVELY LOVE OF NATURE. >> OH, IT’S ON THE TABLE OUTSIDE THE STUDIO. DON’T WANT TO LEAVE FOOD. >> OH, FOR. >> ME. >> I’M EATING THE SALMON. ACTUALLY, I’M REALLY SORRY I DIDN’T MAKE IT BACK TO THE FRIDGE. >> OH, NO PROBLEM. >> I GOT. I GOT AN EMAIL THERE. GC FROM THE FANCY FOOTBALL PEOPLE THERE. SO WE’RE GOING TO NEED TO LOCK IN FOR THAT AGAIN. >> OH, YEAH. WE GOTTA HAVE SOME TEAM MEETINGS ABOUT THE THE DRAFTS COMING UP SOON. YEAH. WE ARE. WE DOING GUILLOTINE AS WELL. >> CAN I TELL YOU SOMETHING? GUILLOTINE SOUNDS GREAT. NO JOKE. WHEN YOU SAID FANTASY FOOTBALL, I WAS ACTUALLY THINKING. LIKE PREMIER LEAGUE. >> NO. >> NO, I’VE GOT TO DO IT. I’M REIGNING CHAMPION OF MY PREMIER LEAGUE. >> TO GET. >> THAT. >> A LEAGUE. >> THEY NEED TO GET THAT AT YAHOO FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE. >> WE NEED TO START A AN UNCROWNED GUILLOTINE. LEAGUE THAT PEOPLE CAN JOIN. >> UNCROWNED GUILLOTINE LEAGUE FOR FIGHTING OR FOR, FOR. OH FOR. >> YAHOO GAME. >> AND WHAT IS GUILLOTINE FOR THOSE THAT DON’T. >> KNOW. >> IT’S LIKE YOU PICK SOMETHING TO HAPPEN IN A GAME AND IF IT DOESN’T, THEN YOU BOOM, YOU’RE OUT. IT’S LIKE A SURVIVOR LEAGUE. BUT I THINK WITH LIKE, PROPS OR SOMETHING. OKAY, I GOTTA LOOK INTO. >> IT MORE. >> ACTUALLY, CAN I TELL YOU MY UNDERSTANDING OF IT? >> OH, PLEASE. >> IF YOU’RE THE LAST PLACE TEAM, YOU’RE. >> OUT. >> AND THEN YOUR PLAYERS BECOME FREE AGENTS. >> THAT’S IT. >> THAT’S IT FOR SURE. >> I THINK YOU ACTUALLY GOT IT 100% WRONG. >> YEAH, I, I ACTUALLY HAVE ONLY WATCHED THE COMMERCIAL AND I WAS JUST BLOWN AWAY BY THE PRODUCTION VALUE. I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE RULES. >> AT ALL. >> YOU WERE HOPING THAT. >> NO ONE ELSE. >> READ UP ON IT. I DID BECAUSE I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT IT , AND I ACTUALLY THINK IT’S KIND OF COOL BECAUSE THEN YOU BECOME YOU’RE LIKE, NOW, NOW YOUR LAST PLACE, AND YOUR PLAYERS JUST GET DISPERSED INTO THE DIASPORA. >> I’M ALSO GOING TO START A UNCROWNED STRAVA LEAGUE SO WE CAN ALL COMPETE IN RUNNING AS WELL. >> SO NOW YOU’RE GONNA WIN A LOT OF UNCROWNED STUFF. I DON’T KNOW A LOT OF STUFF TO COME. I DON’T KNOW IF. >> ANY CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIVITY. I PROMISE YOU YOU’RE GONNA WIN. >> ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU GUYS. APPRECIATE IT. ONE LAST GOOD ONE HERE. HUNTER BIDEN’S. UNLESS WE HAVE OUR OUR GUEST, WE HAVE HIM OR NOT. >> YET. >> OKAY. >> HUNTER BIDEN. >> HUNTER BIDEN’S CRACK PIPE. ARIEL, WHO THE IS BEN FOWLKES? BUT THEN HE JUST HE JUST SHOWERS HIM. THE PRAISE GUY’S HANDSOME AND JACK, BUT EXUDES SIMPSONS COMIC BOOK GUY ENERGY. HE’S GREAT AT HIS. >> JOB AND HILARIOUS. >> BUT AFTER LAUGHING, STARES INTO THE CAMERA WITH A LOOK THAT WOULD SCARE MOST WOMEN. WHY IS. IT HIS LAST NAME IS SPELLED LIKE THAT MAN NEEDS HIS OWN ORIGIN STORY. SHORT FILM HIM. RT AND CHUCK ARE ACCOMPLISHING THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE FEAT OF PRODUCING A SHOW THAT’S AS FUNNY AS ANY BIG COMEDY PODCAST WITHOUT BEING OBNOXIOUS, AND ALSO TREATING THE CORE SUBJECT MATTER WITH THE GRAVITY AND RESPECT IT DESERVES. THANKS FOR PUTTING THE CRACK ON THE. >> SCHEDULE. >> BEST HBO. >> JESUS. >> WHAT A DAY FOR ME. WHAT? WOW. HELL. THANK YOU, THANK. >> YOU. >> ABOUT TIME. >> THAT IS A. >> THAT IS A GOOD ONE TO TO LEAVE WITH PERHAPS BACK END. WE GET TO MORE, BUT NO PROMISES BECAUSE IT IS A STACKED DAY. IT IS IMPORTANT DAY. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE JAM PACKED DAY HERE ON THE PROGRAM, AND IT’S A GREAT PLEASURE AND HONOR. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY, VERY LONG TIME. I THINK MAYBE. OH, DEAR. MAYBE 2.5 YEARS. THE LAST TIME WE’VE HAD THIS MAN ON THE PROGRAM VIA ZOOM, WE DID HAVE THE PHONE CALL WHILE HE WAS ON VACATION, WHICH WE APPRECIATED VERY, VERY MUCH. BUT THIS IS A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL THAN THAT BECAUSE IT’S VIA VIDEO COMMUNICATION. HE IS THE REIGNING DEFENDING UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION. HE DEFENDS HIS TITLE IN EXACTLY TEN DAYS FROM NOW AT THE UNITED CENTER AGAINST THE BIG BAD KHAMZAT CHIMAEV. HE’S THE PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA. HE’S THE ONE AND ONLY DRICUS DU PLESSIS ON THE PROGRAM. HEY. HEY, THERE HE IS. HELLO. >> WHAT’S UP? >> HOW ARE YOU? >> HOW ARE YOU? >> IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK. >> I’M GREAT. MAN. CHICAGO HAS BEEN TREATING ME VERY, VERY WELL. AND, YEAH, IT’S BEEN AMAZING. FEELING GREAT? YEAH, IT’S. >> IT’S GOOD. >> I GOTTA BE HONEST WITH YOU. YOU’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE. I SAW YOU THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH. I THOUGHT I SAW YOU AT THE MANU GAME. WHAT ABOUT THAT FIRST PITCH? BECAUSE WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF CELEBRITIES KIND OF MESS UP ON THE MOUND. IT SEEMED LIKE YOU WERE PRETTY COMFORTABLE THERE. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? WHAT FIRST WAS DRAWN TO ME. YOU STOOD AT THE TOP OF THE MOUND. A LOT OF PEOPLE GO WHERE THE GRASS KIND OF ENDS THERE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER. BUT YOU WENT FOR THE HARDEST POINT . >> YEAH. I MEAN, IT WAS EVERYBODY WAS ASKING ME, AM I NERVOUS? I’VE NEVER THROWN A BASEBALL IN MY LIFE. WE DON’T HAVE THAT SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA. BUT I PLAYED SOME CRICKET AND PLAYED SOME SPORTS. I LIKE SPORTS, SO I’M NOT THE BEST GUY WITH BALL IN HAND. BUT WHEN I WENT ON THERE, EVERYBODY ASKED ME IF I WAS NERVOUS. HOW WAS I FEELING? I SAID, WELL, I’M GOING TO ACE IT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? BUT IT’S A LOT FURTHER THAN YOU, THAN YOU WOULD THINK. YEAH. I MEAN, WHAT’S LIKE JUST OVER 60 FEET. >> YEAH. >> LIKE I GOOGLED IT AND I, WE WORK IN METERS AND I REALIZED THAT’S A, THAT’S A FAR THROW. AND THEY GAVE ME THE OPTION. THEY SAID YOU CAN STAND IN FRONT OF IT. AND I SAID, WELL THAT SEEMS LIKE TEEING OFF FROM THE LADIES TEE IN GOLF. AND IF YOU SCREW IT UP THEN, THEN IT’S EVEN WORSE. SO I JUST WENT FOR THE FOR THE FULL, PROPER WAY OF DOING IT. AND WELL, AT LEAST I DIDN’T BOUNCE IT AND AT LEAST IT DIDN’T GO HAYWIRE. SO I WATCHED SOME PEOPLE THAT SCREWED IT UP VERY BADLY. YEAH, SO IT’S BETTER THAN THAT. BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS I’VE EVER DONE. IT WAS REALLY A HIGHLIGHT FOR ME. IN THINGS THAT I’VE DONE, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT, IT WAS INSANE. MY FIRST BASEBALL GAME I’VE EVER WATCHED LIVE. >> WOW. >> AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE. I AM DEFINITELY NOW A BASEBALL FAN. I’M ACTUALLY LOOKING TO WATCH A GAME DIRECTLY AFTER THE FIGHT AGAIN. >> WOW. >> WOW WOW. AND DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE RULES? IT’S A LITTLE COMPLICATED IF YOU’RE NOT SO UP TO SPEED. >> NO NO NO NO NO. WE HAVE SOFTBALL IN SOUTH AFRICA. >> OH, GOD. >> OKAY. >> YEP YEP YEP. >> SO, I MEAN, IT’S NOT ON THE SAME LEVEL, BUT SOFTBALL, IT HAS THE SAME RULES. >> OF COURSE. >> SO I UNDERSTAND. I UNDERSTAND THE RULES. YES. >> AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE I MEAN, THAT’S ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AND HISTORIC STADIUMS IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT. YOU KNOW THAT, RIGHT? WRIGLEY FIELD, IT’S. >> A BIG. >> YEAH. I SAID I SAID THE STADIUM ALONGSIDE WITH BOSTON. YES. IS THE ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD STADIUMS AND, THAT’S SPECIAL. AND YOU CAN SEE YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE VIBE IN THAT STADIUM. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. WELL, THE WHOLE OF CHICAGO, I HAVE TO SAY, ONE OF THE FAVORITE PLACES I’VE BEEN, IN AMERICA HAS BEEN HAS BEEN CHICAGO. IT’S, YOU KNOW, I’M NOT A BIG CITY GUY, YOU KNOW, I’M VERY USED TO NATURE. AND EVEN THOUGH I LIVE IN THE CITY AND THE FARM IS 20, 25 MINUTES DRIVE AWAY. BUT THIS IS CITY AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE. AND YOU KNOW, IT’S I’VE BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WITH CHICAGO. >> FIRST TIME. >> THERE. YEAH. >> OKAY. WOW. SO. AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU CAME OUT EARLY TO GET ACCLIMATED. DO YOU FEEL LIKE BY NOW, ARE YOU ACCLIMATED TO THE TIME ZONE AND ALL THAT, OR DOES THAT TAKE MORE? >> YEAH, 100%. IT TAKES ME LIKE I WOULD SAY, BECAUSE IT’S 7 HOURS. SO IT TAKES LIKE SEVEN DAYS TO REALLY FOR YOUR BODY TO GET USED TO IT. BUT FOR ME, SLEEP WISE, IT TOOK ME LIKE FOUR DAYS TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, GO TO SLEEP AT THE TIME I WANT TO AND WAKE UP THE TIME I WANT TO AND. YEAH, I MEAN, I FEEL AMAZING. I’VE BEEN HERE FOR WELL OVER A WEEK AND, YEAH, ALMOST TEN DAYS THAT I’VE BEEN HERE. AND. YEAH, I CAME OUT THREE WEEKS EARLIER. I ALWAYS DO THAT. I LIKE TO KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING IS. YOU KNOW, I DON’T LIKE TO GET YOU IN FIGHTS CLOSE TO THE FIGHT AND, YOU KNOW, DON’T HAVE THE GYM YET. HAVE FIGURING THINGS OUT. I LIKE TO BE AS COMFORTABLE AS I CAN BE WHEN I WHEN I GET TO TO THE FIGHT. SO. AND THAT’S THE RECIPE THAT’S BEEN WORKING FOR ME. YOU DON’T WANT TO BE WORRYING ABOUT TRAVEL YOUR WEIGHT WHEN YOU TRAVEL, YOU KNOW, I’M SETTLED IN. YOU KNOW, I FEEL, I FEEL COMFORTABLE, I KNOW WHERE THE GYM IS. I KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING IS. I KNOW WHERE THE UNITED CENTER IS. I’VE BEEN THERE. SO I FEEL I FEEL AT HOME. IT’S GOING TO BE SPECIAL. I MEAN, I WAS IN THE I WAS IN THE UNITED CENTER YESTERDAY, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY OF THAT PLACE, EVEN THOUGH I DON’T KNOW A LOT ABOUT BASKETBALL. >> YEAH. >> MICHAEL JORDAN IS ONE OF MY SPORTING HEROES. I WATCHED, I HAVE WATCHED SO MANY THINGS, READ SO MANY BOOKS ON HIS MINDSET AND HOW HE APPROACHES THINGS. HE IS INCREDIBLE. AND BEING IN THAT STADIUM WHERE THE STATUE OF HIM SAYING THE GREATEST DAY EVER WAS AND THE GREATEST DAY WILL EVER BE, YOU KNOW, THAT’S GOALS. THAT’S A GOAL FOR ANY ATHLETE. >> AND SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BIG SORT OF TALKING POINTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS REGARDING YOUR OPPONENT, KHAMZAT CHIMAEV WAS, OH, HE CAN’T FIGHT IN THE UNITED STATES. AND WE NEVER REALLY GOT ANY SORT OF CONFIRMATION IF THIS WAS A REAL THING. WERE YOU AT ALL WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR THAT KHAMZAT WAS GOING TO BE NEXT? IT BECAME VERY CLEAR, YOU KNOW, AFTER YOUR TITLE DEFENSE, WAS THERE ANY WORRY THAT THIS FIGHT WOULD HAVE TO ONLY BE IN A PARTICULAR PART OF THE WORLD, OR WAS THAT JUST SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT ONLINE? >> I’M GOING TO BE SUPER HONEST WITH YOU. WHEN BEFORE THIS FIGHT WAS MADE, I’M ASSUMING THE UFC GOT AWAY FOR HIM OR HIS TEAM. I DON’T KNOW, SOMEBODY FIGURED OUT THAT HE CAN GET INTO THE U.S. BEFORE ANNOUNCING THE FIGHT FOR SURE, AND BEFORE LETTING ME KNOW THAT WE ARE FIGHTING. SO MY REQUEST WAS I ASKED THE UFC AND I BEGGED THEM, ACTUALLY, I WANT TO FIGHT HIM EITHER IN ABU DHABI, FIGHT HIM IN, YOU KNOW, IN HIS NECK OF THE WOODS, LIKE I HAVE BEEN. >> DOING. >> WITH WITH SO MANY OTHER OPPONENTS AND YOU KNOW, I’VE GROWN QUITE FOND OF. >> THAT. >> SO THAT’S WHAT I WANTED TO. I WANTED TO FIGHT ABU DHABI. SAUDI OR ANY, ANY, ANY OF THE, ANY OF THAT REGION, ANYWHERE IN THAT REGION, FIGHTING THERE IN FRONT OF HIS OWN CROWD. HIS PEOPLE. AND. THEY SAID THEY WANT TO DO CHICAGO. THEY THEY LET ME KNOW A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, OKAY, THEY’RE GOING TO DO CHICAGO. AND I THOUGHT, WELL, GREAT, IT’S A PLACE I HAVEN’T SEEN. IT’S GREAT. AND, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, IT REALLY MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHERE THE FIGHT IS, TO BE HONEST. >> OKAY. >> ALTHOUGH JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE SAW THE PFL MAKE ITS DEBUT IN SOUTH AFRICA, AND IT WAS LIKE THE KIND, YOU KNOW, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE, THE, THE IFC’S OF THE WORLD AND WHATNOT, THIS FELT LIKE THE FIRST MAJOR EVENT IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR YOU TO BE FIGHTING SO CLOSE TO THAT DATE AND SEEING THAT. AND I KNOW A DDP FIGHT IN SOUTH AFRICA WOULD. >> BE. >> MONUMENTAL COMPARED TO THAT, A MUCH BIGGER DEAL. WAS THERE ANY PART OF YOU THAT WAS LIKE, MAN, AT SOME POINT I NEED THAT. I HAVE TO HAVE THAT. I HAVE TO EXPERIENCE. >> THAT. >> ONE 100%. I THINK. YOU DIDN’T MEAN IT WITH ANY DISRESPECT, BUT I DO THINK IN. THAT THE EFC IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE OVERLOOKING BECAUSE THEY ARE FEEDING GROUND TO ALL THESE ORGANIZATIONS, WHETHER THEY BE UAE BRAVE. PFL. ALL THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. I WENT TO KSW, BUT THE SHOW AND THE PRODUCTION VALUE OF THE EFC IS WORLD. >> CLASS. >> SO IT WAS SO COOL BECAUSE ALL THE FIGHTERS THAT FOUGHT IN PFL WAS UFC FIGHTERS TO SEE THESE COUNTRYMEN, MY FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, GUYS THAT FIGHT ON THE SAME LEAGUE IN EFC WHERE I STARTED MY CAREER AND THAT WAS THE EFC, WAS MY ROAD TO THE UFC AND BECOMING WORLD CHAMPION. SEEING THESE GUYS GET THAT OPPORTUNITY THROUGH PFL IS AMAZING. GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO. FIGHT ON A BIG STAGE, FIGHTING ON A BIG IN A BIG LEAGUE LIKE PFL. AND, YOU KNOW, GETTING SUCH SEEING HOW EXCITED SOUTH AFRICA WAS. TO TO SEE PFL. IF TWO YEARS AGO, PFL COULD HAVE BEEN AS BIG AS IT IS NOW, NOT FIVE YEARS AGO, THEY WOULDN’T HAVE SOLD 100 TICKETS. >> MM-HMM. >> NOBODY KNEW THERE WAS EFC BECAUSE IT WAS THE LOCAL BRAND STARTED IN 2008, YOU KNOW, AND YOUR DIE HARD FANS WOULD GO WATCH EFC, BUT IT WASN’T A MAINSTREAM SPORT. NOW MMA IN SOUTH AFRICA IS A MAINSTREAM SPORT. PEOPLE WANT MORE AND MORE AND MORE. SO THAT IS FOR ME EXCITING BECAUSE I FEEL I PLAYED A ROLE IN MAKING PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF THIS SPORT. AND NOW ALL THESE GUYS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH, GETTING WINS ON THE PFL, MY TEAMMATE JUSTIN CLARK HE GOT A FIRST ROUND FINISH IN, IN PFL. NOW, I MEAN, THAT THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE SO MUCH TALENT. WE HAD IN COURSE. HE IS AN INCREDIBLE FIGHTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA. HE’S NOT FROM OUR TEAM, BUT WE THERE’S SO MUCH TALENT THERE. AND NOW THEY’RE GETTING THAT EXPOSURE. SO OVERALL I WANT MMA TO WIN. I WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO LOVE THE SPORT AS MUCH AS I DO. AND THE WHOLE OF SOUTH AFRICA IS GETTING TO THAT STAGE WHERE THEY JUST LOVE IT. SO JUST TO SEE HOW MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPIONS, MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY MAKE IT IN THE SPORT, IN THE SPORT OF MMA IS INCREDIBLE. AND FOR THE PFL TO COME TO SOUTH AFRICA, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SAW KHABIB IN SOUTH AFRICA. PEOPLE WENT ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. I MEAN, I WAS I WAS TOTALLY BUMMED THAT I COULDN’T BE THERE BECAUSE I HAD TO TRAVEL FOR, FOR THIS FIGHT. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS IT’S AMAZING. >> YOUR FIGHT ON AUGUST 16 IS ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED OF THE YEAR. THE GUYS IN THE BACK, THE BOYS IN THE BACK, THE PRODUCERS OF THE SHOW, THEY SAY IT’S THEIR MOST ANTICIPATED FIGHT OF THE YEAR. CERTAINLY. NEWYORKRIC. AND AND IT’S IT’S WARRANTED AND I THINK. IT’S FOR SEVERAL REASONS. YOU HAVE GAINED THIS MOMENTUM AS A CHAMPION. AND ALSO IT’S HAMZA’S FIRST TITLE FIGHT. AND I THINK THE EASY QUESTION TO ASK YOU IS, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING THE UNDERDOG? I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE ASKS YOU THAT, BUT I AM GETTING THE SENSE AND I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU FEEL THE SAME, THAT YOU ARE FINALLY STARTING TO GET THE RESPECT THAT YOU DESERVE AS CHAMPION, WHERE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SAY LIKE, OH, YOU KNOW WHAT? IF THIS GOES PAST THE FIRST OR SECOND, IT’S DDP LIKE IF YOU LOOKED INTO A CRYSTAL BALL AND YOU KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THE FIGHT AND IT’S A FIGHT THAT WAS WON IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS OR VIA DECISION. DDP WON THIS FIGHT AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE A YEAR AGO, WHERE IT’S LIKE, OH, THAT’S JUST GOING TO STEAMROLL THROUGH WHOMEVER IS THE CHAMPION. ARE YOU STARTING TO FEEL THAT AS WELL? ARE YOU STARTING TO FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE FINALLY GIVING YOU THAT RESPECT? >> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU THIS. I MEAN, YOU JUST SPOKE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THEY SAID YOU WOULD STEAMROLL ME. THAT JUST SHOWS YOU HOW IT WORKS. YOU KNOW, IT’S ONE DAY YOU’RE THE HERO. ONE DAY YOU’RE THE HERO. THAT’S HOW IT IS. PEOPLE YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS AGO AND BEFORE THE NOSE SURGERY AND ALL THAT WHOLE THING HAPPENED. DO YOU THINK ANYBODY WOULD HAVE EVER. SAID AFTER THE FIRST ROUND HAS A CHANCE? NO. IT WAS IT WAS LITERALLY THE OPPOSITE. IT WAS AFTER ROUND ONE. >> IS DONE. >> THAT’S WHAT THEY SAID WITH STRICKLAND FIRST TIME. THAT’S WHAT THEY SAID WITH WHITTAKER. THAT’S WHAT THEY SAID. AND NOW IT’S ALMOST I’M GETTING PRAISE FOR MY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND PERFORMANCES. SO I MEAN, THERE’S TWO THINGS YOU CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THAT THAT PEOPLE JUST CHANGE THEIR OPINIONS THE WHOLE TIME. AND THEN OF COURSE, IT SHOWS THAT I’M EVER EVOLVING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A PROBLEM. WE FIXED THAT PROBLEM. AND NOW THAT PROBLEM HAS BECOME MY. >> STRENGTH. >> THE WEAKNESS. OF AFTER ROUND ONE BECAME MY STRENGTH. AND, YOU KNOW, A FIGHT LIKE THIS BEING I’VE BEEN GETTING SO MUCH RESPECT. I DON’T CARE WHAT PEOPLE SAY IN TERMS OF CHIKADZE IS NOT A GOOD CHAMPION. I DON’T. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I’M GETTING PAID. >> YEAH. >> I’VE DEFENDED THE. BELT TWICE. I’M GOING TO DO IT NOW FOR A THIRD. >> TIME. >> EVERY FIGHT I HAVE IS EXCITING. THAT IS A FACT. THERE IS NO BORING FIGHTS. I’VE NEVER HAD ONE. NEVER GOING TO HAVE ONE. AND THEN OF COURSE, THE RESUME. THE PEOPLE I HAVE. >> FOUGHT. >> I HAVE FOUGHT, YOU KNOW, BEFORE, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I FOUGHT EVERYBODY IN THE TOP. FIVE AT THAT STAGE, EVERYBODY EXCEPT FOR IMAVOV. AND YOU KNOW, THAT’S THAT’S THE RESUME. I MEAN, THAT’S THAT’S THAT’S WHAT I WANT. I WANT TO FIGHT THE BEST GUYS. THAT’S WHY I WANTED THIS FIGHT SO BADLY. SO YES, ABSOLUTELY. I’VE BEEN GETTING A LOT MORE RESPECT FROM FROM MORE PEOPLE BECAUSE I’VE PROVEN THAT, YOU KNOW, SAY WHAT YOU WILL. >> I’M WINNING. >> AND IT’S IT’S MY STYLE HAS PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE, NOT FOR EVERYONE. YES. CONTROVERSIAL. YES. IT IS AWKWARD, BUT THAT’S ON PURPOSE. AND THAT’S WHY I AM THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. SO YEAH, I AM THE UNDERDOG AND AND BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO RESPECT, I ONLY CARE ABOUT THE RESPECT OF A VERY SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE. YOU KNOW, THAT’S MY COUNTRY, MY FAMILY, MY TEAM AND THE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE IN ME. THOSE WHO DON’T BELIEVE IN. ME DO IT AT YOUR OWN PERIL. I DON’T, I DON’T, I DON’T REALLY CARE. IT’S, . I’VE WALKED INTO MANY STADIUMS WITH BOOS, AND I’VE WALKED OUT WITH CHEERS. SO THAT WILL HAPPEN. >> ONCE AGAIN. >> YOU MENTIONED THE AWKWARDNESS ON PURPOSE. THAT’S REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW IF PEOPLE GIVE YOU THAT CREDIT. I THINK. YOU’RE I THINK THEY JUST SAY YOU’RE AWKWARD, PERIOD. BUT THAT’S SOMETHING YOU DO ON PURPOSE. >> 100%. YOU KNOW, IT’S AWKWARD TO THE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT’S SOMETHING THAT THEY’VE NEVER SEEN. SO ANYTHING THAT SOMEBODY DOES THAT’S DIFFERENT IS GOING TO BE AWKWARD. BECAUSE HOW DO YOU DEFEND. >> THAT? >> YOU KNOW, WE WHEN I SAY IT IS ON PURPOSE, I DO THINGS IN A WAY THAT ME AND MY COACHES HAVE BEEN TRAINING FOR 12 YEARS BECAUSE WE LOOK AT FIGHTS AND WE SAY , WE. THINK THIS IS THE WAY THEY DO IT. I THINK THIS IS A BETTER WAY TO DO IT. LET’S TRY IT. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN’T. IT’S ABOUT DOING SOMETHING. IF YOU JUST THROW YOUR STRIKES LIKE EVERYBODY. >> ELSE. >> YOU’RE GOING TO FIND A STRIKER THAT’S GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE THAT OUT. AND THEY’VE SEEN IT 1 MILLION TIMES IN THEIR GYMS, IN FIGHTS. AND THAT IS WHY IT’S NOT IT IS NOT REALLY AWKWARD. IT’S JUST. >> DIFFERENT. >> BUT I. >> MEAN. >> WE AS HUMANS ARE VERY SUSPECT OF NEW THINGS. WE DON’T LIKE CHANGE THAT MUCH. SO, I MEAN, AND ONCE AGAIN, I SAID IT. I SAID IT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, PEOPLE WERE ONLY CRITIQUING MY. STYLE. AND THEY WERE. THEY ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. BUT WHILE THEY ARE CRITIQUING, THEY SHOULD BE TAKING NOTES BECAUSE THEY’RE GOING TO FALL BEHIND AND THEN THEY’RE GOING TO PLAY CATCH UP. AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE’S A LOT OF PEOPLE. THAT SAY, OH, BUT LOOK AT THIS. HE’S DOING THIS RIGHT. HE’S DOING THIS RIGHT. WE IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS THIS IS TERRIBLE. THIS IS WRONG. YOU SHOULDN’T BE DOING THIS. NOW. PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY GOING AND LOOKING AT THIS AND SAYING, THIS IS ACTUALLY VERY EFFECTIVE. WHAT HE’S DOING HERE, YOU KNOW? AND THEN AGAIN, I’M NOT FIGHTING AT PERFECT. I’M FIGHTING AT A SIX OUT OF TEN HERE. I’M STILL FAR AWAY FROM GIVING THE PERFORMANCE THAT I KNOW I CAN. I’M FAR AWAY OF BEING THE STRIKER. I KNOW I CAN BE THE WRESTLER AND THE GRAPPLER. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GET INTO. >> FIGHTS. >> BECAUSE OF SITUATIONS, YOU KNOW, THE FIGHTER THAT I KNOW I CAN BE, HOW I CAN STRIKE. IT’S IT’S SO IT’S DIFFICULT TO DO IT IN A, IN A FIGHT. BUT YOU KNOW, AS A, AS MY CAREER GOES, THE FIGURES THAT MADE HIS DEBUT VERSUS THAT FOUGHT THE LAST. >> TIME. >> IT’S TWO VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. AND I KEEP EVOLVING AND GETTING BETTER. AND THAT’S WHY I FEEL I’M CHASING THE PERFECT, PERFECT ROUND, THE PERFECT FIGHT, DOING EVERYTHING TO PERFECTION IN A FIGHT. I THINK IT’S IMPOSSIBLE, BUT IT’S WORTH CHASING. >> A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, NASSOURDINE IMAVOV SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE THE BACKUP FIGHTER FOR THIS FIGHT. NOW, IN THE END, I DON’T ACTUALLY THINK HE IS BECAUSE HE’S FIGHTING IN SEPTEMBER. AM I WRONG ABOUT THAT? THAT’S A THAT’S A SIDE QUESTION. THE MAIN REASON I BRING THIS UP IS AND YOU CAN ADDRESS THAT IF, IF, IF YOU KNOW THE ANSWER. BUT YOUR RESPONSE WAS I GUESS I’M FIGHTING NASSOURDINE IMAVOV SORT OF IMPLYING THAT, YOU KNOW, KHAMZAT ISN’T GOING TO MAKE THE WALK. DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT WAY TEN DAYS OUT, OR WERE YOU JUST SORT OF MESSING WITH. >> THEM ? >> YEAH, I WAS ONLY I WAS ONLY MESSING WITH HIM, TO BE HONEST WITH. >> YOU. >> I DIDN’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT ONCE. I DIDN’T THINK ABOUT, IS HE GOING TO MAKE THE FIGHT? I DIDN’T CARE, IT WASN’T ABOUT THAT. IT NEVER YOU. I CAN ONLY WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS I CAN CONTROL. SO, YOU KNOW, IF I’M GOING TO DO A FIGHT CAMP WHERE I’M CONSTANTLY WORRIED. IS THIS GUY GOING TO SHOW UP? ONCE YOU GET TO THAT DARK PLACE? AM I GOING TO DO THE EXTRA SESSION? AM I GOING TO WAKE UP EARLIER? AND I’M LIKE, AM I GOING TO PUT MYSELF THROUGH ABSOLUTE HELL? WHEN YOU START DOUBTING IF YOUR OPPONENT IS GOING TO. >> SHOW UP. >> YOU’RE GOING TO. >> START. >> YOU KNOW, BACKING. >> OFF. >> I DON’T OPERATE LIKE THAT. I PREPARED FOR THE DATE. I DIDN’T PREPARE FOR THE. >> OPPONENT. >> WHAT ABOUT THESE TWEETS, THOUGH? I MEAN, SOME OF THESE TWEETS ARE. ARE LETHAL, MY FRIEND. I MEAN, BACK IN MARCH, YOU TWEET BETWEEN KHAMZAT AND SARA, THERE ARE ONLY THREE SENSES TOUCH, SMELL AND. >> SOUND. >> AND THEN AND THEN AND THEN. BILAL LOSES, AND YOU WRITE ESSENTIALLY LIKE, GREAT JOB. WELL DONE. JK. LIKE SECONDS AFTER HE LOSES. THIS IS THIS IS MENACE TYPE. >> STUFF I WAS WATCHING I WAS WATCHING THE FIGHT TO SEE HIM LOSE. THAT WAS LITERALLY IT. I THINK HE’S AN ABSOLUTE. SO I WAS I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT. SO THAT’S WHY I MADE THE TWEET. I WAS, I WAS THAT TWEET WAS READY BEFORE THE, BEFORE THE, BEFORE THE FIGHT STARTED. I HAD THAT TWEET READY. IT WAS BASICALLY. >> YOU KNEW. >> JUST COPY PASTE, GO BOOM. >> YOU HAD NO DOUBT HE WAS GOING TO. >> LOSE. >> WELL CALL IT, CALL IT DOUBT. NO DOUBT. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE TWO. >> AND. >> YOU KNOW, LET ME TELL YOU THIS. LET ME TELL YOU THIS. IT SEEMS LIKE I’M JUST GOING FOR THESE GUYS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN DISRESPECTFUL TO ANYBODY THAT’S BEEN RESPECTFUL. >> TO ME. >> YOU KNOW, BILAL HAD A LOT TO. SAY ABOUT ME, ABOUT THE MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION. COULDN’T EVEN KEEP THE BALANCE. HE COULDN’T EVEN DEFEND IT. >> ONCE. >> YOU KNOW? TOOK A WHOLE YEAR TO DEFEND. ABOUT THAT. A TERRIBLE JOB AT. >> THAT. >> AND HE HAD SO MUCH TO SAY. SO THAT’S WHY HE GOT WHAT HE THAT’S WHY, YOU KNOW, THAT’S WHY I GAVE HIM. >> AND. >> OBVIOUSLY WITH SARAH, YOU KNOW, HE TOOK. HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME LOSE. AND HE DOESN’T LIKE TO SEE ANYTHING. >> SO. >> THAT’S WHY I WENT AFTER HIM AND THAT’S IT. I RESPECT YOU, YOU RESPECT ME IF YOU WANT IT. IF YOU WANT THE SMOKE, I’LL GIVE IT. IT’S. THAT’S HOW. >> IT IS. >> AND IF YOU DON’T WANT, I HAVE ENOUGH FRIENDS. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE MY FRIEND, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. I WILL COME FOR YOU. IT’S. YOU KNOW, IT’S MUTUAL RESPECT. THAT’S HOW I. THAT’S HOW. THAT’S HOW IT ALWAYS IS WITH ME. I’VE NEVER BEEN DISRESPECTFUL TO ANYBODY THAT’S BEEN RESPECTFUL TO ME. BUT IF YOU WANT TO COME AND TRY AND BULLY ME, TRY AND TALK. >> ABOUT. >> YOU KNOW, THE THING THAT I DEDICATE MY LIFE TO. SO I’M BAD AT THAT. I WILL COME. >> FOR YOU. >> AND BY. >> THE WAY. >> I THINK IT’S INCREDIBLY ENTERTAINING. I THINK IT HAS GAINED MORE FANS IN YOUR FAVOR. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE, YOU KNOW, THE ONE VIDEO AND I’D LOVE TO ASK THE ORIGIN OF. >> IT. >> WHEN YOU’RE PUTTING ON THE SUIT LIKE YOU LOOK LIKE A CHARACTER, THIS ONE RIGHT HERE, WHAT IS WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THIS ONE LIKE? BECAUSE THIS IS LIKE STRAIGHT OUT. >> OF A MOVIE. >> CRAZY. THIS WAS MY SECOND FIGHT. IT WAS LIKE UFC 256. IT WAS CONOR AND POIRIER AND THEY HAD. THAT 360 CAM . >> YEAH. >> CAMERA. AND AT THE WAS AFTER MY FIGHT AND THEY WANTED ME TO. >> DO THAT. >> AND I SEE THAT ONE BEING RECYCLED EVERYWHERE . >> YEAH. >> IT’S ALMOST LIKE THE THE VILLAIN. >> YEAH. >> ARE YOU OKAY WITH. >> THAT. YEAH I LOVE IT. >> YOU LOVE IT. >> GOOD. >> YOU I MEAN, SOME PEOPLE EMBRACE BEING THE VILLAIN. WOULD YOU PREFER YOU PREFER BEING THE BAD GUY? >> NO NO NO NO I DON’T I DON’T THINK I DON’T I’M NOT I DON’T HAVE VILLAIN. >> I DON’T THINK I’M THE VILLAIN. YOU KNOW, I DON’T I DON’T THINK SO. I THINK IT’S. >> A. >> YEAH. I DON’T HAVE THE VILLAIN. THE. THAT’S NOT. THAT’S NOT ME. I DON’T THINK SO. I THINK WHAT I, WHAT I AM. IS WITTY AND QUICK WITH IT. I THINK. I DON’T THINK I’M, I’M A VILLAIN, YOU KNOW, IT’S A. YEAH. >> I THINK. >> IT HAS GIVEN YOU AN EDGE. I THINK IT IS. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO SAY. YOU’RE NOT SAYING THAT YOU’RE A BAD GUY, BUT WHEN YOU COME BACK WITH THESE WITTY RESPONSES. >> AND STUFF. >> YEAH, I’M NOT I’M NOT. >> EVEN EVEN IN TERMS OF WHEN IT COMES TO PICKING A PERSONA LIKE I DON’T. I’VE NEVER TRIED TO DO THAT. I’VE NEVER TRIED TO PICK A PERSONA. I MEAN, IF YOU LIKE COLBY COVINGTON ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS EVER, AND YOU LOOK AT THE PERSONA, I DON’T HAVE THE STOMACH FOR THAT. I JUST, I AM JUST DRINKERS. WHEN I, WHEN I AM THERE. >> SO. >> YOU KNOW, I TREAT IT LIKE I WOULD TREAT IT WHEN I SPEAK TO MY. >> FRIENDS. >> IF YOU TRY TO COME AT. >> ME. >> THE BANTER IS ON. SOMETIMES YOU WIN, SOMETIMES YOU. >> LOSE. >> BUT ON THE MIC I’M ON FIRE. I’M READY TO GO. AND YOU KNOW IF IT’S IF IT’S ALL RESPECT, THEN IT IS. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT CAN BE JUSTIFIED. I DON’T DO FAKE BEEF. NEVER HAVE, NEVER. >> WILL. >> YOU KNOW, AFTER A FIGHT. I RESPECT ANY PERSON, EVEN IF I DON’T LIKE THEM, EVEN IF I DESPISE YOU AS A PERSON. ONCE YOU’VE SHARED THAT OCTAGON WITH ME, I HAVE TO RESPECT YOU BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IN THERE. SO I HAVE RESPECT FOR EACH AND EVERY SINGLE FIGHTER. AND I MEAN THAT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. EVERY SINGLE GUY THAT STEPS IN THERE DESERVES RESPECT. BUT SOME PEOPLE I JUST DON’T LIKE AS A PERSON, AND THAT’S TOTALLY FINE, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DON’T LIKE ME AS A PERSON. THAT IS COMPLETELY FINE. >> DOES THAT FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY? >> I DON’T KNOW, HAMZAT ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, BUT THE THINGS I’VE SEEN, NOT CRAZY ABOUT IT. >> BUT LIKE. >> WHAT? YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER. >> KNOW. >> YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE ATTITUDE AROUND IT, YOU KNOW, MISSING MISSING WEIGHT AND JUST RUBBING IT OFF AND., YOU. KNOW, JUST GOING ABOUT IT AS IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. YOU KNOW, SAYS, I DON’T CARE ABOUT WEIGHT. OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO CARE ABOUT WEIGHT. I DON’T IF I DON’T CARE ABOUT WEIGHT, I’M GOING TO FIGHT IT. HEAVYWEIGHT SO THAT’S GREAT. THAT’S NOT THAT’S NOT HOW THE GAME WORKS. I FEEL. UP UNTIL THIS POINT, THAT IS THAT IS WHAT I, WHAT I’VE SEEN. >> AND. >> YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, TALKING DOWN TO EVERY SINGLE FIGHT THAT IS NOT. >> HIS. >> THAT’S THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. THAT’S THAT’S WHERE YOU KNOW, THE IN FIGHT HIM AND GILBERT BURNS. I KNOW GILBERT BURNS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. GILBERT BURNS GREAT FIGHTER AND AMAZING PERSON. YOU KNOW., THE. IN FIGHTS, YOU KNOW, SLAPPING HIM IN AFTER THE AFTER THE BOUT, ALL THAT, ALL THAT KIND OF. >> STUFF. >> YEAH. I MEAN, IT’S HARD TO. >> LIKE. >> IS HE OVERRATED IN YOUR OPINION? >> NO . >> I THINK. >> HE’S HE’S WORTHY OF ALL THE PRAISE. HE’S WORTHY OF ALL THE PRAISE AND EVERYTHING THAT HE RECEIVES. >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT IS A SPECIAL. >> FIGHTER. >> AS FAR AS THE WHITTAKER FIGHT, THE LAST TIME WE SAW HIM, TO ME, THAT WAS THE REMINDER THAT HE IS STILL A SPECIAL FIGHTER. THERE WAS MAYBE A NARRATIVE WHERE SOME PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT LIKE, OKAY, MAYBE WE’VE SEEN THE BEST OF HIM, MAYBE THE SICKNESS GOT TO HIM, MAYBE HE’S NOT AS GOOD AS HE FIRST APPEARED. WHATEVER THE GILBERT BURNS FIGHT, HE GOES THE DISTANCE. THE USMAN FIGHT WAS A BIT SURPRISING. WAS THAT THE ONE WHERE YOU ALSO SAID, OKAY, NO, THIS GUY IS IS BACK OR LEGIT OR YOU ALWAYS BELIEVED, YOU NEVER DOUBTED. >> FROM THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM FIGHT, I KNEW THIS GUY WAS GOING TO BE SPECIAL. 100%. I KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE SPECIAL. >> IT WAS A. >> STAGE WHERE HE DIDN’T FIGHT FOR LIKE TWO YEARS OR SOMETHING. >> AND . >> LISTEN, HE SPEAKS A LOT MORE THAN HE FIGHTS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT MUCH TOO. BUT THERE WAS A LONG PERIOD OF TIME HE WAS CALLING. OUT EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT GOT THAT, THAT JUST STARTED GETTING ANNOYING. HE WAS ANNOYING THE OUT OF. ME BECAUSE HE WAS CALLING OUT WELTERWEIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS. BUT HE WASN’T FIGHTING. >> ANYONE . >> BUT THERE WAS NEVER EVER A STAGE WHERE I WENT. >> OH. >> THIS GUY IS OVERRATED. NO, HE’S HE IS AS GOOD AS PEOPLE THINK. I THINK HE’S AS GOOD AS AS AS PEOPLE THINK. I JUST THINK I’M A LOT BETTER THAN PEOPLE THINK. >> CAN I ASK WHAT HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS AGO WHERE IT SEEMED LIKE ALL THESE MIDDLEWEIGHTS WERE SAYING, LIKE, OH, INTERIM FIGHT, AND I’M GOING TO STEP IN. AND THEN YOU CAME OUT EVENTUALLY AND SAID, LIKE, THERE IS NO INJURY, THERE IS NO DATE. BUT IT WAS. DO YOU REMEMBER THIS? THERE WAS ALL THIS TALK ONLINE OF ALL THESE GUYS SAYING LIKE, LET ME STEP IN, LET ME DO THIS. WHAT WAS THAT ALL. >> ABOUT? >> YEAH, I. >> MEAN, IT WAS I THINK IT ALL STARTED WITH CAIO BORRALHO. HE WENT LIKE, HE HAS A GUY IN MY CAMP THAT SAID, I’M INJURED. AND I WENT, WHAT? YOU KNOW, NOBODY IN MY CAMP. WHAT DO. >> YOU MEAN? >> AND THAT WAS FIRSTLY AND EVERYBODY JUST WENT WITH IT. THE MEDIA WAS THAT WAS THAT WAS ACTUALLY. A A NICE GOOD JAB TO THE MEDIA SAYING, LISTEN. >> GUYS. >> WHY DON’T YOU CHECK YOUR SOURCES, YOU KNOW, AND EVERYBODY WAS LIKE CHIKADZE INJURED OUT FOR A YEAR. YOU I HAD NO INJURY WHATSOEVER. I IMMEDIATELY SAW IT WHEN IT CAME OUT THAT CAIO BORRALHO SAID THAT. AND FOR ON PURPOSE YOU WILL SEE. IT WAS ABOUT A WEEK WHERE I DID NOT COMMENT. >> ONE THING. >> YOU JUST KIND OF LET. >> IT FESTER. >> I WENT LIKE GO CRAZY. I WANT TO SEE WHERE THIS ENDS. >> YEAH. >> AND YOU KNOW, WHEN IT WAS TIME, I ALREADY KNEW ME AND THE UFC ALREADY. >> SPOKE. >> THAT I KNEW THAT I HAD. >> THE FIGHT. >> I ALREADY KNEW THAT THIS WAS GOING. >> TO HAPPEN. >> SO I WAS REALLY ENJOYING ALL THE RUMORS. EVERYBODY. OH , JUST IN CASE HE’S INJURED, THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED. I WAS LIKE, GUYS, THAT IS. NOT AT ALL TRUE. SO THEN THEY WANTED TO DO AN INTERIM. TITLE., AN INTERIM TITLE. I FOUGHT THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 12, 12. >> MONTHS . >> I LITERALLY. FOUGHT THREE MONTHS BEFORE THAT. NOW YOU WANT TO DO AN INTERIM TITLE? ARE YOU INSANE? ARE YOU INSANE? THAT WAS JUST DESPERATION FROM ALL THE GUYS IN THE BACK THAT WANT TO WANT TO GET, YOU KNOW, TOUCH GOLD, EVEN IF IT’S JUST INTERIM. >> DO YOU BELIEVE I KNOW YOU HAVE A FIGHT COMING UP. BUT YOU DID SAY IT’LL BE YOUR YOUR NEXT TITLE DEFENSE. SO YOU’RE OBVIOUSLY VERY CONFIDENT. IS IS THE WINNER OF THE BORRALHO IMAVOV FIGHT NEXT. DO YOU THINK THAT’S THE NUMBER 1 CONTENDER. >> FIGHT? >> I THINK SO. >> I THINK LET ME TELL YOU THIS. I HAVE NO IDEA. I DON’T I DON’T MIND IT. YOU KNOW HOW EXCITING IT IS. BUT THEN. >> AGAIN. >> I’M FIGHTING HAMZA NOW, SO IT’S A MASSIVE FIGHT. AFTER THIS FIGHT, I’M GOING TO BE THE. GUY. I’M GOING TO BE. THE WHOEVER FIGHTS ME. THAT’S THE BIG FIGHT. THAT’S HOW. THAT’S HOW. >> IT IS . >> AND. WITH KYLE AND AND IMAVOV, THAT’S A THAT’S A BRILLIANT FIGHT. I DO BELIEVE THAT’S A RIGHT FIGHT TO MAKE. >> AND . >> YEAH, BOTH OF THEM AFTER THE WIN EASY WIN. I THINK IMAM OF DESERVES THE. BUT I THINK IF KYLE BEATS IMAM, THEY’RE GOING TO MAKE HIM FIGHT A REINIER DE RIDDER. >> YOU THINK SO? >> THAT’S WHAT I THINK. I THINK SO. >> HE’S THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK. LIKE LAST TIME WE SPOKE, HE WASN’T EVEN IN THE PICTURE. HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH HIM? >> YES. >> I THINK I’VE TRAINED WITH HIM. I THINK HE’S A REALLY GOOD FIGHTER. I THINK HE’S A GOOD. >> GUY. >> YEAH, I THINK HE’S BEEN, YOU. >> KNOW. >> HE’S BEEN DOUBTED BY EVERYONE. AND I THINK HE’S BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB. I HONESTLY THINK THAT IF CAIO BORRALHO BEATS IMAVOV, THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE HIM AND REINIER DE RIDDER FIGHT FOR NUMBER 1 CONTENDER. >> GIVEN THAT RELATIONSHIP. >> IF IMAM OF BEATS KYLE, THEY’RE GOING TO GIVE HIM THE TITLE SHOT BECAUSE IT’S. >> IT’S TIME, OKAY? >> GIVEN THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT HISTORY, WOULD YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES FIGHTING RDR IF YOU HAD TO? >> NO, NOT. >> AT ALL. OKAY, OKAY. >> I WOULD FIGHT MY. >> BROTHER FOR MY TITLE IF. >> I HAVE TO. >> SO THEN I WOULD TRY TO KILL HIM, I PROMISE YOU THAT. AND HE’S MY BEST. >> FRIEND. >> SO THE THE WHOLE TEAMMATE THING, ALL THAT THAT DOESN’T THAT DOESN’T WORK IN. >> YOUR WORLD. >> NO. IT’S WHEN WE GET IN THERE, THERE ARE NO FRIENDS. THERE ARE NO RELATIONSHIPS IN. >> A FIGHT. >> YOU KNOW. >> THAT’S. >> THE THE. AND I’LL LET YOU GO IN A MOMENT. AND AGAIN, GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THE CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE RIGHT NOW IN THE UFC, THE TOP THREE POUND FOR POUND ARE ILYA ISLAM MERAB. AND THERE’S THERE’S THERE’S A DEBATE. IS IT ISLAM ONE IS IT ILYA. TWO IS MOURA. BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CONSENSUS. YOU WIN ON AUGUST 16. DO WE NEED TO START TALKING ABOUT DDP? PANTOJA GETS LOVE AND I THINK YOU GET THAT LOVE IN THAT TOP FIVE. BUT AS FAR AS THE TOP THREE, MAYBE EVEN NUMBER 1, YOU TELL ME, IS IT, IS IT IS IT TIME THAT YOU START GETTING THAT RECOGNITION AS WELL? DO YOU CARE ABOUT THAT SORT OF. >> THING? >> YEAH. IT’S NOT I DON’T REALLY CARE FOR IT. YOU KNOW, IT’S GREAT TO HAVE THE RECOGNITION. I DO BELIEVE ILYA IS THE RIGHT WAY WHERE HE DESERVES TO BE. HE DESERVES TO BE AT NUMBER 1. BUT HE’S BEEN DOING. AND HOW IN HIS FASHION, HE’S BEEN. >> DOING IT. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. >> I THINK HE’S VERY DESERVING OF NUMBER. >> ONE. >> MERAB IS INCREDIBLE. BUT I THINK PEOPLE’S GROWN HAVE GROWN SO USED TO A MAKHACHEV WINNING THAT THEY. >> FORGOT. >> THEY’VE THEY’VE THEY FORGOTTEN HOW AMAZING HE IS. SO, YOU KNOW, BEING IN THAT TOP THREE. IS IT’S A TOUGH IT’S A TOUGH IT’S A TOUGH ASK. BUT OBVIOUSLY AFTER I BEAT HAMZA WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY? I MEAN, LOOK AT THE NAMES THAT I FOUGHT. >> I’VE BEATEN. >> SO I MEAN, I’M NOT GOING TO SAY PUT ME AT NUMBER 1, TWO OR THREE. I’M JUST GOING TO SAY. >> YOU KNOW. >> THE THE NAME SPEAK FOR HIMSELF. THE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. IT’S, IT’S THAT IS THAT’S WHAT IT IS. >> I MEAN. >> FOR ME, I. >> DON’T I DON’T. >> CARE ON WHERE I RANK. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I’M GOING TO BE RANKED AT. >> THE TOP. >> WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE, I WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS THE GREATEST. AND THAT’S WHAT I’M AFTER. WHAT HAPPENS IN BETWEEN ? >> HOW ARE YOU ENVISIONING THE END? HOW DOES THIS ACTUALLY PLAY OUT IN THE 16th? >> I HAVE TO. >> SAY. >> YOU KNOW. >> HAMZA. >> AND HE LOOKS INCREDIBLE IN TRAINING. WHAT I’VE SEEN IN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT, AND PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT, OH, HE’S TRAINING WITH THIS NEW COACH. >> AND. >> GREAT. I’M VERY HAPPY FOR HIM. HE DID IT FIVE WEEKS OUT FROM THE FIGHT. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS MY WHOLE. >> LIFE. I’VE BEEN. >> DOING FIGHTING TITLE FIGHTS FOR THE PAST. I DID IT FOR FIVE, SIX YEARS. I WENT TO THE UFC , DEFENDED MY BELT TWICE ALREADY. THE HARD WORK THAT HE’S PUTTING IN, PEOPLE GOING, OH, HE’S REALLY TRAINING HARD. THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING. EVERY SINGLE CAMP, FIGHT AFTER FIGHT AFTER FIGHT, THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THAT’S NOT NEW TO ME. THE PEOPLE ARE PRAISING HIM FOR DOING WHAT WHAT IS REQUIRED. THAT’S WHAT. THAT’S WHAT I FEEL. AND I’M REALLY HAPPY FOR HIM. AND I THINK HE’S GOING TO COME IN THERE MORE PREPARED THAN. >> EVER. >> YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT FEELING OF FIGHTING FOR YOUR FIRST TITLE. I KNOW HE’S GOING TO COME IN THERE PREPARED. I HAVE NO DOUBT. I THINK, AND LIKE I. >> SAID. >> HE IS A SPECIAL FIGHTER. HE IS INCREDIBLY. >> GOOD. BUT. >> HE’S. I CAN’T WAIT. THIS IS THIS WIN FOR ME IS GOING TO. BE THIS IS. >> GOING TO. >> BE HISTORY. I AM GOING OUT THERE AND I’M GOING TO SHOCK THE WORLD ONCE AGAIN LIKE EVERY OTHER TIME WHEN EVERYBODY SAID IT’S IMPOSSIBLE. NOT THIS GUY, NOT THIS GUY. AND I’M GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND I’M GOING TO YOU’RE GOING TO. >> SEE. >> THE BOOGEYMAN, YOU’RE GOING TO SEE HIM BREAK. YOU’RE GOING TO SEE HIM BREAK. >> IN THERE. >> AND THEN REALIZE THERE’S ONLY ONE BOOGEYMAN, AND THAT’S ME IN THE MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE BOOGEYMAN, AND THAT WILL. >> BE ME. HELL. >> WHAT A GREAT PROMO. THAT WAS FANTASTIC, BY THE WAY. CONGRATULATIONS. A SLEW OF SPONSORS. I SEE ALL KINDS OF SPONSORS THESE DAYS ON YOUR FEED. AND EVEN THIS ONE IS THIS ONE WITH BOSS. BY THE WAY, WHAT IS THIS ONE RIGHT HERE? THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WHERE YOU’RE LOOKING. YOU’RE LOOKING DAPPER. >> OH. >> NO, ACTUALLY NOT. I MEAN, THAT’S ALSO ONE. THEY PLAYED THAT ONE. >> YES. >> JUST SOME SHOES AND BUT THAT WAS QUITE A WHILE AGO. >> OH MY GOSH. >> A LONG TIME AGO. THAT WAS EVEN BEFORE I WAS CHAMPION. >> OH WOW. OKAY. WELL, THESE ARE GOOD. >> LOOKS. >> CHAMPION KNOCKS. >> ABSOLUTELY. I MEAN IT’S BEEN AMAZING. THE KNOCKS. THE KNOCKS HYDRATION HAS BEEN IT’S A IT’S A COMPANY THAT. >> YOU KNOW. >> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. AND I MEAN, IT’S. MYSELF AND IGNITE, YOU KNOW, I’M NOT I’M NOT ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN RUNNING KNOCKS AT ALL. >> I AM. >> I AM THE OWNER OF. >> KNOCKS. , AM A PART OWNER, BUT I INVESTED IN THIS COMPANY. >> I INVESTED IN THIS COMPANY. AND THEY ARE THEY ARE DOING INCREDIBLY WELL. >> WE ARE. >> WE ARE NOW EXPANDING TO AUSTRALIA FROM WE ARE IN SOUTH AFRICA, EXPANDING TO AUSTRALIA, LOOKING TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES. >> SOON. >> IS DOING INCREDIBLE. IT’S HYDRATION, DRINK. AND YOU KNOW, I CAN’T GET BEHIND SOMETHING THAT I DON’T BELIEVE IN. I CAN’T GET BEHIND ANYTHING. THAT I. >> WOULDN’T. >> DRINK MYSELF. OR TASTE. SO WHEN I, WHEN I GOT IT, I HAD TO GET BEHIND IT. IT’S INCREDIBLE. SO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE INCREDIBLE SPONSORS YOU KNOW, EVEN YOU KNOW, MONSTER ENERGY. >> IS, YOU KNOW. >> BACKING FIGHTERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE UFC BRANDS LIKE THAT. >> MAKE IT. >> POSSIBLE FOR US TO TO FOLLOW THIS DREAM. >> AND. >> YOU KNOW, ONE DAY BE ABLE TO SEND MY KIDS TO, TO UNIVERSITY, TO SCHOOL AND, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO DO THIS FULL TIME, YOU KNOW, ANY, ANY, ANY PERSON THAT IS INVOLVED IN SPONSORING ANY COMPANY DESERVES SO MUCH PRAISE BECAUSE FOR THEM, IT’S NOTHING. YOU KNOW, THAT’S FOR THEM. THAT’S A TAX DEDUCTIBLE FOR THAT ATHLETE. IT CHANGES LIVES. YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE AT THE TOP NOW, YOU’RE GETTING. >> ALL THIS. >> AND THERE WAS A STAGE. >> WHERE. >> $1,000 CHANGED MY. >> LIFE. >> AND FOR SO MANY. >> FIGHTERS. >> AND SPORTSPEOPLE, THAT IS THE CASE. >> SO. >> YOU KNOW, BEING INVOLVED WITH ANY BRAND IS, IS IS SUCH A BLESSING. AND IT’S, IT’S A PRIVILEGE. AND THEN BEING ABLE TO GO OUT THERE WITH KNOCKS. >> AND. >> YOU KNOW, GET SOMETHING OUT THERE WITH MY NAME. >> ON IT. >> WITH IGNITE MASSIVE, MASSIVE COMPANY. >> THAT, YOU KNOW. >> BACKED THIS PRODUCT. AND BEING ABLE TO GET THROUGH THAT, IT’S IT’S AMAZING. AND I GUESS ALL THIS COMES. >> FROM. >> YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THINK ONCE YOU’RE CHAMPION, YOU’RE A CHAMPION. NO, THIS IS ALL THE STUFF THAT IT’S THE ACCUMULATION OF ALL THE HARD WORK OF OVER THE YEARS. >> THAT. >> YOU KNOW, SUCCESS DRAWS SUCCESS. AND I’M I’M REALLY HAPPY AND BLESSED TO TO HAVE THIS. >> LIFE. >> INCREDIBLE. CURVE AFTERSHAVE AS WELL. COOL WAY. SNEAKERS BET WAY IN SOUTH AFRICA. YOU’RE KILLING IT, MY MAN. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE REIGNING DEFENDING UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION. REALLY APPRECIATE THIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD LUCK TO YOU. BE SAFE OUT THERE IN CHICAGO. DO YOUR THING. GOOD LUCK WITH THE WEIGHT CUT. OF COURSE. AND THEN, OF COURSE, ON 16 AUGUST, UFC 319 MAIN EVENT. CAN’T WAIT FOR IT. DDP VERSUS KHAMZAT CHIMAEV. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. >> IT WAS GREAT PLEASURE. >> THERE HE IS, THE GREAT DRICUS DU PLESSIS KIND ENOUGH TO JOIN US. WE’RE GOING TO BE JOINED BY KEYSHAWN DAVIS TO BREAK HIS SILENCE IN HIS VERY FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE EVERYTHING THAT TRANSPIRED IN JUNE IN NORFOLK. QUICK BREAK. WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK. RIGHT AFTER THIS. DON’T GO ANYWHERE . IN THIS WORLD, IN THE WORLD OF FIGHTING, WE SEE THIS. I SEE IT ALL THE TIME. EVERYONE HAS THEIR NEW THING THAT THEY’RE DOING. AND YOU KNOW, I WILL BE STRAIGHT AND ASK YOU, THERE’S AN INDIVIDUAL NAMED GARY BREKKA WHO’S NOW COME ONTO THE SCENE BECAUSE HE CHANGED DANA WHITE. HE MADE DANA WHITE REALIZE THAT HE WAS GOING TO DIE IN TEN YEARS, AND HE TRANSFORMED EVERYTHING. AND I WAS TELLING THE MY GUYS IN THE BACK, THE PRODUCERS LIKE, OH, I’D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT DOCTOR MIKE THINKS OF GARY BREKKA. AND THEN WE FOUND A TWEET WHERE YOU REFERENCED GARY BREKKA. RIGHT. >> TWEET VIDEOS. WE’VE DONE A. >> WHOLE DEDICATED YOUTUBE VIDEOS. >> WHAT’S A PRODUCT YOU’VE BANNED FROM YOUR HOME AFTER LEARNING WHAT WAS IN IT? GARY BREKKA VIDEOS. YEAH, OKAY. AND SO THIS IS THE TEN-X, DOCTOR, RIGHT? >> YEAH. I THINK HE HAS A LAWSUIT GOING ON WITH TEN-X. OR MAYBE THAT’S SETTLED, I CAN’T. >> SO WHAT’S WHAT’S THE ISSUE. >> WITH GARY BREKKA? >> I MEAN, IT JUST IT’S SAYING MEDICALLY SOUNDING WORDS COMPLETELY INCORRECTLY DEVOID OF ANY FACTUAL ACCURACY WITH NO HESITATION. I MEAN, I’LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT’S ON YOUR DESK RIGHT NOW. OH, CELSIUS. OH, YES. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE SAID ABOUT CELSIUS? >> NO. >> HE SAID THAT IT’S MADE AT A SEWAGE PLANT. HE SAID THAT IT CONTAINS CYANIDE. HE’S FEAR MONGERS CONSTANTLY, WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE RAMIFICATIONS OF WHAT HE’S SAYING. AND THAT’S NOT TO SAY I LOVE CELSIUS OR THAT IT’S NOT PROBLEMATIC FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO DRINK IT. IT’S JUST THE FACT THAT WHAT HE’S SAYING IS INACCURATE AND NO ONE HOLDS HIM LIABLE BECAUSE HE’S NOT AN ACTUAL DOCTOR. I MEAN, FOR DANA WHITE TO PEDDLE THIS GENTLEMAN AS SOME SORT OF MEDICAL EXPERT WHEN HIS MEDICAL EXPERTISE IS THAT HE WORKED FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND HE CALLS HIMSELF A HUMAN BIOLOGIST, WHICH I GUESS ANYONE CAN CALL THEMSELVES A HUMAN BIOLOGIST ONCE THEY HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN BIOLOGY. IS IRRESPONSIBLE. I THINK IT’S WRONG. I THINK IT TRICKS PEOPLE. IT LEADS PEOPLE TO MAKE WRONG DECISIONS IN THEIR LIFE. AND THAT’S WHY I’VE BEEN SO CRITICAL. >> SO. >> SO WHEN YOU SEE THIS STUFF, DOES IT MAKE YOUR BLOOD BOIL? >> IT ONLY MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL FOR ONE REASON. IT HURTS MY PATIENTS. I’M. THEY’RE GOING TO BAT FOR THEM. AND I SEE HOW THAT INFORMATION TRICKS THEM. I SEE HOW THE HEAD OF HHS RIGHT NOW, SECRETARY KENNEDY, IS ACTIVELY MISGUIDING AND LYING TO PEOPLE. IN FACT, IF I IF YOU LET ME CALL SOMEONE OUT FOR A BOXING MATCH, I’D LOVE TO FIGHT RFK JR.. >> REALLY? YES. >> WHY WHY, WHY? >> I MEAN, HE’S LITERALLY LYING TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON HIS TWITTER PAGE, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. HE HAS A TWEET THAT SAYS GARDASIL, THE VACCINE THAT WE USE FOR HPV PREVENTION, IS HURTING MORE PEOPLE THAN IT’S HELPING BASED ON ZERO LOGIC, ZERO UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE VACCINE WORKS. HE’S CONSTANTLY SAYING UNSCIENTIFIC THINGS, AND HE’S IN CHARGE OF OUR LARGEST SCIENTIFIC AGENCIES FDA, CDC. AS I SAID, HHS. >> ALL RIGHT. >> THAT WAS MY CONVERSATION WITH DOCTOR MIKE FROM LAST WEEK. WHAT A CHAT WITH DDP. PAUL HEYMAN TO COME IN ABOUT AN HOUR’S TIME. I’M HEARING SOMETHING IN MY EAR. WHAT AM I. >> HEARING? >> I’M HEARING SOMETHING IN. >> MY EAR. >> YEAH, IT’S JUST LIKE SOME SORT OF TV. SOMEONE’S TALKING. >> ABOUT. >> I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. I JUST UNPLUGGED IT. WE’LL HAVE TO GO OLD SCHOOL ON THIS. >> ONE. >> ANYWAY. PAUL HEYMAN COMING UP. VERY EXCITED TO TALK TO OUR NEXT GUEST BECAUSE HE HAS NOT DONE ANY INTERVIEWS. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, JUNE 7 WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A MASSIVE HOMECOMING FOR HIM. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST EDWIN DE LOS SANTOS. UNFORTUNATELY, HE MISSED WEIGHT PRIOR TO THAT FIGHT, AND THE FIGHT NEVER ACTUALLY HAPPENED. THEN. ALL KINDS OF CRAZINESS HAPPENED ON FIGHT NIGHT. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HUGE NIGHT FOR HIM AT THE SCOPE IN VIRGINIA. IN NORFOLK TO BE EXACT. HE IS FROM THERE. WE’VE HAD HIM ON THE SHOW BEFORE, AND IT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE INTERVIEWS OF THE YEAR BECAUSE HE OPENED HIS HEART, HE OPENED HIS SOUL, AND I SAID ON THAT NIGHT AT JUST 26, THIS GUY IS THE FUTURE FACE OF AMERICAN BOXING. WELL, HE IS STILL THE FUTURE FACE OF AMERICAN BOXING, BUT NOTHING IN LIFE JUST GOES LIKE THIS. THERE’S UPS. THERE’S DOWNS. AND RIGHT NOW HE’S ON THE UPSWING. HE’S TRYING TO MAKE A BIT OF A COMEBACK, IF YOU WILL, AN UNEXPECTED ONE. BUT THAT’S LIFE. CURVEBALLS ARE THROWN YOUR WAY. SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET’S SAY HELLO TO THE BUSINESSMAN. THE ONE AND ONLY KEYSHAWN DAVIS WHO IS KIND ENOUGH TO JOIN US IN STUDIO HERE. NOW, MY. >> MAN. >> PLEASE WELCOME. IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. >> YES, SIR. >> HOW ARE YOU? HOW ARE YOU? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN. I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I GOT A DM FROM YOU ON SUNDAY. >> YEAH. >> AND I WAS LIKE, HERE, LET ME. >> FIX THIS. >> AND THAT’S A SICK SHIRT, BY THE WAY. >> THANK YOU. >> AND I WAS LIKE, IS THIS. REALLY HIM? >> BECAUSE, LIKE, YOUR PICTURE WAS BLACK AND I DON’T KNOW IF SOMEONE WAS MESSING WITH. >> ME, BUT. >> IT IS APPARENTLY REALLY. >> YOU. >> YEAH. >> IT’S ME. OKAY. WELCOME. >> WELCOME BACK. >> YES, SIR. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >> HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> I’M DOING GOOD. I’M DOING GREAT. HONESTLY. TAKE IT DAY BY DAY, OKAY? YEAH. >> WHEN DID YOU CHANGE YOUR PICTURE TO BLACK, BY THE. >> WAY? >> PROBABLY LIKE A MONTH. TWO WEEKS AGO. SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> OKAY, WHAT. >> DOES THAT REPRESENT? >> A COMEBACK. OKAY. COMEBACK. >> IS THAT, LIKE. CLEAN SLATE? >> YEAH. BASICALLY IT’S, CLEAN SLATE. I CAN SAY, LIKE, JUST JUST A RESTART. THE WORD I’M LOOKING FOR. JUST A RESTART. >> OKAY. >> SO LET US. START AT MAYBE THE BEGINNING OF THIS STORY. WE SPOKE TO YOU ON FIGHT WEEK. WE SPOKE TO YOU JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE WEIGH INS. YEAH. YOU’RE FIGHTING EDWIN DE LOS SANTOS TALKING ABOUT YOU BEING THE FUTURE FACE OF AMERICAN BOXING. IT’S THE HOMECOMING. IT’S YOUR FIRST TITLE DEFENSE AT HOME. ALL THE THINGS WE DON’T HAVE TO GO OVER IT. AND THEN WE GET TO THE WEIGH INS, RIGHT? THE NEXT DAY WAS THURSDAY. YEAH. AND YOU MISSED WEIGHT BY 4.3. >> YEAH. >> LET’S START THERE. >> OKAY. >> WHY DID YOU MISS. >> WEIGHT? >> UNDISCIPLINED. UNDISCIPLINED FOR SURE. NOT BEING TRUE TO MYSELF AS WELL. >> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? NOT BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF? >> JUST KNOWING THAT IT’S PROBABLY TIME TO MOVE. >> UP. >> AND JUST KNOWING HOW MY BODY FEELING AND JUST TRYING TO BASICALLY SACRIFICE BECAUSE I GOT ANOTHER HOMECOMING FIGHT AND I WANTED TO DEFEND MY TITLE AND MY HOMETOWN. SO JUST BASICALLY TOOK A SACRIFICE JUST TO TRY TO MAKE THE WEIGHT AGAIN. AND, YOU KNOW, IT JUST DIDN’T TURN OUT THAT WAY. YOU KNOW, I WAS TELLING MY MY TEAM DURING THE FIGHT. I TOLD MY TEAM, I SAID, LOOK, THIS IS MY LAST TIME DOING THIS FOR REAL. BUT, YOU KNOW, AFTER YOU WIN AND THEY JUST, YOU KNOW, I’M A WORLD CHAMP NOW, SO THERE’S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND ALL THAT STUFF LIKE, MAN, JUST DEFEND IT ONE TIME, MAN, AND YOU’RE GOING BACK HOME. AND THEY JUST MAKING IT SOUND REAL GOOD. SO I’M LIKE, ALL RIGHT, I’LL DO IT. WHATEVER I CAN. I’M STAYING ACTIVE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I DON’T GET I DON’T SHOOT UP IN WEIGHT. SO IT’S LIKE I SHOULD BE STRAIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND I GUESS THAT WAS THE WRONG CALL. >> OKAY. AND SO DID YOU KNOW, LIKE, AT WHAT POINT DID YOU GET THE SENSE THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO GO. >> WELL. , I CAN SAY DURING FIGHT WEEK, HONESTLY, LIKE I’M LIKE,, THIS, THIS WEIGHT COMING OFF, IT’S NOT COMING OFF LIKE IT USUALLY DO. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND, JUST THE DAY OF THE WEIGH INS, YOU KNOW, I’M TRYING TO SIT IN THE BATH AND ALL THAT STUFF. THE WEIGHT LITERALLY JUST WAS NOT COMING OFF. AND I’M SKINNY AS HELL. I’M DEHYDRATED AND STUFF. SO I’M JUST LIKE, MAN, IT IS WHAT IT IS. I JUST CAN’T GET IT OFF. >> DO YOU THINK THAT’S BECAUSE OF DECISIONS YOU MADE IN THE TRAINING CAMP? LIKE MEANING YOU DIDN’T PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE CUT PROPERLY? OR WAS IT JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. >> WEEK? >> NO, HONESTLY, I GOT A NUTRITIONIST. I HAD A NUTRITIONIST. EVER SINCE MY STOMACH ISSUES. HIS NAME IS. HIS NAME IS ALLEN, AND HE’S BEEN WITH ME EVER SINCE. MY STOMACH ISSUES. SO, TRAINING CAMPS, LIKE, AS FAR AS ME EATING, MY EATING HABITS AND ALL THAT STUFF, I HAVE GREAT EATING HABITS, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I DON’T I DON’T REALLY PLAY ABOUT MY EATING, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I HAD SOME STOMACH ISSUES, BECAUSE THAT’S A REAL THING, YOU KNOW? SO I WAS DISCIPLINED THROUGHOUT ALL CAMP, LIKE ME EATING AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND COMING INTO FIGHT WEEK, ME KNOWING THAT I’M LIKE,, THIS JUNK SUPPOSED TO BE JUST COMING RIGHT OFF. BECAUSE HONESTLY, THAT WAS THE MOST DISCIPLINE I EVER BEEN IN CAMP BECAUSE I’M KNOWING THAT BARANCHYK WAS LIKE KIND OF HARD. SO I’M LIKE, ALL RIGHT, WELL, I’M DEFINITELY GONNA BE STRICT TO MY DIET AND CAMP THIS TIME AROUND, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IT WASN’T THE DIET AT ALL FOR REAL? >> OKAY. >> OKAY. SO YOU GET ON THE SCALE AND YOU’RE OVER BY 4.3. OBVIOUSLY, AT THAT POINT, IT’S NOT A SURPRISE, RIGHT? >> RIGHT. >> WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? DID YOU THINK THAT THE FIGHT WOULD PROCEED? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING AT THAT. >> POINT? >> HONESTLY? I FOUGHT MYSELF FOR THIS PART RIGHT HERE. I WAS LIKE, CARRYING. >> IT. >> AND, , AGAIN, I FOUGHT MYSELF FOR IT, BUT I WAS SUPER COCKY, ARROGANT, THINKING THAT HE’S JUST GOING TO TAKE THE FIGHT ANYWAYS BECAUSE FOR ONE, BECAUSE I DID IT AT ONE POINT IN TIME. WITH THE LEMOS FIGHT AND, AND THEN JUST THINKING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT’S A BIG EVENT AND THERE’S NO WAY LIKE, HE CANNOT FIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND HE’S A FIGHTER. LIKE HE’S. SO I’M ALL THAT’S GOING THROUGH MY HEAD DURING THAT MOMENT. SO I’M JUST THINKING LIKE, HEY, HE’LL TAKE IT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I DIDN’T COME OVERWEIGHT ON PURPOSE. THAT’S NOT WHAT CHAMPIONS DO, YOU KNOW? THAT’S NOT WHAT I DO. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING I DIDN’T LIKE. I’M GONNA COME HERE FOUR POUNDS OVERWEIGHT. I’M LIKE, NO, HELL NO, I AIN’T DO THAT. BUT I JUST THOUGHT THAT HE STILL WAS GONNA TAKE IT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND FOR WHAT I WAS TOLD, HE STILL DID WANT TO TAKE THE FIGHT, BUT I GUESS HIS TEAM TOLD HIM WASN’T REALLY A GOOD IDEA. >> SO PEOPLE. >> WERE READING YOUR BODY LANGUAGE AND ALL THAT STUFF ON THE SCALE, AND THEY DID SAY, LIKE, OH, IT DOESN’T SEEM LIKE YOU HAVE REMORSE. IT DOESN’T SEEM LIKE YOU CARE. YOU’RE SORT OF CONFIRMING THAT HERE. LIKE YOU’RE SORT OF SAYING, LIKE YOU WERE COCKY TO THE POINT WHERE YOU’RE LIKE, ALL RIGHT, I UP. BUT THIS FIGHT IS STILL GOING TO GO THROUGH. >> NO, I WOULDN’T HONESTLY SAY THAT. HONESTLY. I WAS UP BY THAT JUNK. I JUST COMING FROM WHERE I COME FROM. AND THIS IS JUST PEOPLE CAN TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT IS. THIS IS THE HONEST TRUTH COMING FROM WHERE I COME FROM. I LEARNED HOW TO BUILD A BARRIER TO WHERE I WOULD NEVER LET AFTER THE OLYMPICS, WHEN I LOST THE GOLD MEDAL, I LEARNED HOW TO PUT UP A BARRIER TO WHERE PEOPLE CAN NEVER SEE ME HURT. PEOPLE CAN NEVER SEE ME DOWN. AND HONESTLY, AFTER I LOST THAT, AFTER I LOST AN OLYMPICS, THAT WAS THE MOST HURT I EVER WAS IN THE PUBLIC EYE. AND I DIDN’T EVEN SHOW IT. YOU AIN’T SEEN THAT 1-0 YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I LEARNED HOW TO BUILD THAT UP. HONESTLY. AND IT BACKFIRED ON ME BECAUSE WHEN I’M WHEN I WAS HEARING ALL LIKE THE PEOPLE SAYING, OH, HE DOESN’T REALLY CARE, I’M LIKE,, WHY DO THESE PEOPLE SAYING THAT? BECAUSE BEFORE I CAME TO THE SCALE, PEOPLE DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING FOR REAL. PEOPLE DON’T KNOW HOW. I WAS REALLY LIKE FEELING INSIDE. BUT WHEN I ACTUALLY WENT BACK AND HAD TIME TO REFLECT ON EVERYTHING, I’M LIKE,, KEYSHAWN, YOU, YOU DID A GREAT JOB NOT SHOWING THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT THAT BACKFIRED ON YOU, BRO. NOW PEOPLE THINK YOU DON’T CARE WHEN I REALLY. THAT REALLY ME UP, BRO. FOR REAL. >> OKAY? >> AND SO WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THAT HE WASN’T TAKING THE. >> FIGHT. >> AND NOW THIS EVENT THAT YOU’RE. YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE HEADLINING, IT’S THE HOMECOMING. ALL THIS STUFF. >> YEAH. >> HOW DID THAT SIT WITH. >> YOU? >> I WAS HURT, MAN. I WAS, I WAS OUT WITH, NOT OUT, BUT I WAS. MY FAMILY WAS IN TOWN, AND, WE WERE JUST. I WAS JUST SITTING AROUND MY FAMILY AND STUFF, AND THEY WAS JUST ASKING ME LIKE, KEYSHAWN, IS HE STILL GONNA FIGHT? HE’S GONNA FIGHT. I’M LIKE, I DON’T KNOW. MY TEAM WORKING OUT WITH HIS TEAM AGAIN. I’M STILL THINKING, LIKE, I THINK HE GONNA TAKE IT, THOUGH. I THINK HE GONNA TAKE. >> IT. >> SO WHEN I GOT THAT CALL, I TALKED TO HIM. OF COURSE, AND I HUNG UP. YOU CAN JUST FEEL MY ENERGY SWITCH. SO THEY ALL LOOKING AT ME. >> LIKE. >> I’M LIKE, YEAH, IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN. THEY JUST LIKE, IT’S HARD RELIVING THIS FOR REAL. >> BUT I’M. >> SORRY. >> BUT I. >> APPRECIATE YOU DOING DAY. LIKE, AFTER I GOT THAT PHONE CALL, LIKE THAT, HE WASN’T GONNA TAKE THE FIGHT. SOMETHING IN ME WAS JUST LIKE, KEYSHAWN, YOU GOTTA. YOU GOTTA CHANGE, BRO. YOU GOTTA BE BETTER. YOU GOTTA DO BETTER. YOU GOTTA BE BETTER. SOME IMAGE WAS JUST LIKE, BOOM! IT WAS JUST LIKE, BOOM. LIKE EVERYTHING. IT HIT ME LIKE ALL MY WRONGS. ALL EVERYTHING THAT I THOUGHT THAT WAS RIGHT. THAT I COULD HAVE JUST DID BETTER WAS START HITTING ME. >> I’M LIKE. >> DAMN , NOW I GOTTA BE IN FRONT OF MY PEOPLE. I GOTTA EXPLAIN THIS AND EXPLAIN THAT WHEN SOMETHING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SUPER HIGH, NOW I’M ON A SUPER LOW. LIKE JUST LIKE THAT. IT’S LIKE, NOW WE. >> HERE., WAS. >> THERE A POINT WHERE IT’S LIKE, OKAY, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT MONEY, THERE’S A NEGOTIATION AND LIKE, YOU COULD. >> HAVE. >> THEY WANTED YOU TO GIVE UP MORE OR SOMETHING. AND YOU WERE LIKE, NO. DID IT EVER GET TO THAT POINT AS FAR. AS AND WAS THERE MORE THAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE TO SALVAGE THE FIGHT OR ULTIMATELY, DID THEY SAY, NO, WE DON’T WANT TO FIGHT SOMEONE WHO CAME IN FOR 0.3 OVER? >> I THINK IT WAS MORE SO LIKE IT WAS HIS TEAM. IT WASN’T HIM BECAUSE THEY ASKED FOR LIKE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY. I’M TALKING LIKE OVER 100. >> AND WERE YOU WILLING. >> TO DO THAT? YES. OKAY. >> I TOLD MY TEAM. I SAID AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S MY FAULT AND I GOTTA ACCEPT EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH IT. WHATEVER HE ASKED FOR, I’M WILLING TO DO BECAUSE IT’S MY FAULT. IT’S NOT BECAUSE IT’S IN MY CITY. IT’S NOT BECAUSE I’M MAIN EVENTING. IF I WAS ON AN UNDERCARD, I WOULD . I WOULD BE SAYING THE SAME THING. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT’S MY FAULT. SO I GOT DO ANYTHING IN HIS POWER TO MAKE HIM FEEL COMFORTABLE FIGHTING ME. SO I WAS WILLING TO GIVE UP THE BREAD AND STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW? BUT AGAIN, IT WASN’T IT WASN’T ON DE LA SANTOS LIKE HAD BE ON ME. IT WAS ON HIS TEAM. SO I GUESS HIS TEAM WAS LOOKING AT HOW I WAS CARRYING AND THEY WAS LIKE, MAN, F HIM, WE GOOD? I GUESS THEY PROBABLY PUT A LITTLE MONEY IN SANTOS POCKET UNTIL HIS NEXT FIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND WHAT ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS? BUT HIS TEAM DEFINITELY. IT WAS DEFINITELY HIS TEAM. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THIS ON. >> AIR . >> WILLIAMS. IT WAS WAYANS. WHEN WE WAS ABOUT TO DO OUR STARE OFF. AND I MISSED WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO DO. I STARE OFF AND THEY WASN’T TRYING TO LET US DO OUR STARE OFF. SO I’M LIKE, I’M AGITATED. I’M LIKE, WHAT IS Y’ALL DOING? I’M NOT GONNA DO NOTHING TO HIM. LIKE, JUST JUST LET US CONTINUE WITH, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I WAS SO CONFUSED. AND AS I WAS STEPPING UP TO HIM, I SMACKED. IT’S SO MUCH GOING ON THAT I DIDN’T EVEN REALIZE WHAT I WAS DOING. FOR REAL. THAT’S WHY I WHATEVER. I SMACKED HIS PROMOTING HAND OUT THE WAY, LIKE, DISRESPECTFULLY. AND I FORGOT HIS NAME. BUT HE’S A WELL KNOWN AND I’M SAYING THIS TO SAY I APOLOGIZE TO YOU, SIR, BECAUSE YOU OLD ENOUGH TO BE MY FATHER, PROBABLY MY GRANDFATHER, AND NOBODY OF THAT AGE SHOULD EVEN BE, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SHOULD EVEN BE GOING THROUGH THAT. AND I APOLOGIZE TO YOU, SIR. FOR REAL. AND I HONESTLY FEEL LIKE IT WAS THAT MOMENT THAT MADE HIS PROMOTER BE LIKE, NAH, FORGET THIS KID. >> OKAY. HONESTLY, THAT’S THAT’S MY HONEST. >> DID YOU. >> TALK TO EDWIN BACKSTAGE OR LIKE, WERE THERE ANY CONVERSATIONS.? >> I DM’D HIM, HE DM’D ME BACK, BUT IT WASN’T. >> IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS. >> NO, AFTER IT WAS AFTER. >> THE FACT. WHAT WAS THAT. >> LIKE ? >> WE’RE SKIPPING HERE, BUT JUST CURIOUS. >> YEAH. I ASKED FOR HIS NUMBER BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS JUST TO GET CLARITY. BUT HONESTLY, I NEVER CALLED THEM BECAUSE IT WAS JUST LIKE, F IT IS WHAT IT IS. >> WAIT, SO HE RESPONDED AND GAVE YOU HIS NUMBER FOR SURE. AND THEN YOU NEVER CALLED HIM? >> SURE. >> SO YOU ASKED HIM, BUT THEN DIDN’T WANT TO ACTUALLY GO THROUGH WITH. >> IT FOR SURE BECAUSE IT WAS JUST LIKE, I JUST DIDN’T WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT SITUATION ANYMORE BECAUSE IT WAS IT WAS JUST LIKE, MAN, I’M JUST GONNA MOVE ON FROM IT, OKAY? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT WAS JUST. >> LIKE. >> I AT THIS POINT, WE ALL KNOW TOP RANK SITUATION. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? WE THEY THEY STILL FIGURING THINGS OUT. SO IT’S LIKE I CAN’T EVEN BE LIKE, YO, LET’S TRY TO. IT’S REALLY NOTHING, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IT WAS LIKE I WAS KIND OF, I, I WAS MOVING OFF EMOTION WHEN I, WHEN I REACHED OUT TO HIM. YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING? SO AS THINGS JUST STARTED SETTLING IN, I JUST LET THINGS. >> JUST. >> I’M LIKE, MAN, THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST JUST JUST MOVE FORWARD. JUST TRY TO MOVE FORWARD AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. THERE’S NO POINT OF JUST KEEP TOUCHING ON WHAT ALREADY HAPPENED. >> DURING THAT FIGHT. WEEK WHEN THEY HAD THE PRESSER. YOU AND ABDULLAH MASON HAD A BIT OF A BACK AND FORTH. AND NOW AS A RESULT OF THIS, HE ENDS UP HEADLINING IN YOUR HOMETOWN, RIGHT? THAT JUST ADD INSULT TO INJURY AT THAT POINT OR AT THIS POINT WAS SO MUCH GOING ON. LIKE IT DIDN’T EVEN MATTER BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME SORT OF IRONY THAT THE GUY THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, RIGHT. AND MAYBE SOME MIGHT SAY A LITTLE DISMISSIVE OF LIKE, OKAY, AND NOW HE’S HEADLINING THAT. HE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY. NOW IT’S HIS COMING OUT PARTY. DID THAT ANNOY. >> YOU? >> NO, HE DESERVE IT. HE DESERVE IT. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT IN A WAY, I WAS WRONG FOR DOING THAT TO A DUDE. LOOK AT THAT. IN THE DAY. I’M 26 AND I’M, I’M I’M WELL, I’M WAY OLDER THAN HIM, HONESTLY. I REMEMBER HE WAS IN THE AMATEURS AND I WAS ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM AND HE WANTED TO I REMEMBER I KNOW A DUDE LOOK VERY WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO, I KNOW HIS FATHER, HIS BROTHERS AND ALL THAT. THEY’RE GOOD PEOPLE. SO, LIKE, HONESTLY, IN A WAY, I WAS KIND OF WRONG FOR DOING THAT TO A DOULA. HONESTLY. AND, I DON’T THINK HE REALLY DESERVED AN APOLOGY BECAUSE THEY SPORT IS SPORT AND WE ALL DO THIS BECAUSE OF SPORT. BUT IT’S A WAY I COULD HAVE DONE IT A LITTLE BETTER, BUT IT WAS JUST LIKE DURING THAT WEEK I WAS JUST ON FIRE FOR MY OWN PERSONAL REASONS. AND I JUST REACTED OUT OF MY EMOTIONS DURING THAT WEEK AND I COULD HAVE JUST WENT ABOUT IT A BETTER WAY. >> WHEN YOU SAY YOUR OWN PERSONAL REASONS, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? LIKE WHAT WAS GOING ON? >> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY GO THROUGH STUFF, BUT IT’S STILL LIKE A WAY YOU STILL NEED TO CONDUCT YOURSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL. AND I FEEL LIKE, HONESTLY, DURING THAT WHOLE WEEK I WASN’T REALLY DOING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, I WAS DOING BACKSTAGE THAT WASN’T, WASN’T RIGHT. LIKE, ALSO, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO TIM BRADLEY WHILE I’M UP HERE. TIM BRADLEY, YOU KNOW, THE DISPUTE THAT WE HAD AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY WE CAN ADDRESS IT AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY YOU CAN FORGIVE ME FOR IT, BUT I APOLOGIZE TO YOU, TO TIM BRADLEY, BECAUSE YOU OLD ENOUGH TO BE MY FATHER, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND I CAME AT YOU THE WAY I SHOULD HAVE CAME AT YOU. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND I APOLOGIZE TO YOU, TOO, TIM. BRAD. >> OKAY, SO I SAW YOUR INSTAGRAM LIVE ABOUT FIVE OR SO DAYS AGO, AND YOU MENTIONED GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH SOMEONE IN THE FIGHTER MEETING. YOU DIDN’T SAY WHO? I’M ASSUMING IT’S TIM BRADLEY WHO WAS A PART OF THE ESPN BROADCAST. YEAH. WHAT WERE YOU ARGUING ABOUT? >> IT WAS A IT WAS A VIDEO. I DIDN’T LIKE THAT HE PUT OUT BEFORE THE FIGHT AND HE WAS TALKING. HE WAS BASICALLY BREAKING DOWN ME AND DE LA SANTOS, AND HE WAS SAYING A LOT OF THINGS THAT I DIDN’T AGREE WITH, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IT WAS AN INTERVIEW THAT BEFORE I EVEN GOT TO THE FIGHTERS MEETING THAT WE HAD AND IT WAS A STATE OF BOXING ESPN AND, YOU KNOW, WE DID THE INTERVIEW. I KEPT IT CORDIAL. BUT AFTER THE INTERVIEW, I TOLD TIM BRADLEY, I’M ON YOUR WHEN I SEE. >> YOU . >> AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE FIGHTER MEANS AIN’T NO CAMERAS. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I FELT LIKE THAT WAS MY OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON HIM. BUT IT WAS WRONG FOR SURE. IT WAS WRONG. AND AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT’S A BETTER WAY TO, YOU KNOW, HANDLE THINGS AS A PROFESSIONAL. >> HAVE YOU REACHED OUT. >> TO HIM? >> NAH, BECAUSE I KNOW I’M GONNA SEE HIM IN. I RATHER LIKE SOMETHING THAT SOMETHING THAT TO THAT MAGAZINE THAT HAPPENED. I NEED TO DO THIS. YEAH. >> YEAH. AND SO. >> CORRECT ME IF MY MY READ ON THIS IS WRONG, BUT IT FEELS LIKE YOU MENTIONED THIS. YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE WEIGHT CUT STUFF. THE PROMOTER THAT WEEK BECAUSE IT WAS THE KEYSHAWN DAVIS SHOW, THE HOMECOMING, IF YOU. >> WILL. >> WAS KEYSHAWN DAVIS FEELING HIMSELF A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH NOW, LIKE. >> YEAH, IT WAS A LOT OF EMOTIONS. FEELING MYSELF ON A HIGH. I’M A WORLD CHAMP. I’M IN MY HOMETOWN. I’M VERY LIKABLE. EVERYBODY LOVED ME LIKE I AIN’T AT THAT TIME. I DIDN’T MAKE NO MISTAKES, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I’M THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IT WAS A LOT OF MIXED EMOTIONS, FOR REAL. AND THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF THAT WAS JUST. THAT CAME FAST, BRO. IT WAS. THAT WAS HAPPENING FAST. AND HONESTLY. I’M NOT HAPPY THAT ALL THIS STUFF HAPPENED. BUT IT WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE NOW I GET TO REFLECT ON WHO I WAS BECOMING. AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED, AND I GET TO LOOK BACK FROM TRAINING CAMP FROM BEFORE TRAINING CAMP TO TRAINING CAMP TO FIGHTER MEETING, TO PRESS THE WEIGH INS TO WHAT HAPPENED. IT’S LIKE , CAN YOU YOU YOU YOU WAS GOING DOWN A RABBIT HOLE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? YOU WAS GOING YOU WAS BECOMING A PERSON. >> THAT. >> IF YOU WOULD HAVE KEPT THIS UP AND YOU WOULD HAVE KEPT WINNING AND ALL THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, YOU WOULD HAVE BECAME SOMETHING THAT’S LIKE, I WOULD NEVER I WOULDN’T WANT MY SON TO SEE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO WHAT HAPPENED? I HATE WHAT HAPPENED. HAPPENED. BUT WHAT HAPPENED IS DEFINITELY GOING TO CHANGE ME TO A BETTER PERSON. >> IF YOUR BROTHERS WEREN’T FIGHTING ON THAT SATURDAY, EXCUSE ME. ON THAT FRIDAY, WOULD YOU NOT HAVE SHOWN UP? IS THAT THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU SHOWN UP? BECAUSE IT’S RARE FOR SOMEONE TO FALL THROUGH AND THEN SHOW. UP TO THE EVENT. BECAUSE I WOULD IMAGINE IT WOULD HURT SO MUCH BEING. >> THERE, RIGHT? >> IT WAS SATURDAY. >> BUT WHAT? >> SATURDAY? EXCUSE ME. >> YEAH, YEAH. MY FIRST. MY FIRST SATURDAY. SUPPOSEDLY MY FIRST SATURDAY FIGHT. BUT HONESTLY, IF MY BROTHERS WEREN’T FIGHTING, I WANT TO SHOW UP. I WAS I DIDN’T WANT TO SHOW UP. AND THEY WAS THEY WERE STILL FIGHTING BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A LOT FOR ME. LIKE IT WAS IT WAS A LOT LIKE IT TOOK A LOT FOR ME TO SHOW UP, LIKE, FOR REAL, LIKE FOR REAL FOR ME. >> YOU THOUGHT ABOUT NOT SHOWING. >> UP. >> YEAH, BUT I KNEW THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO DO I WASN’T I WASN’T GOING TO DO THAT. IT WAS JUST LIKE. AGAIN, I HAD TO PUT ON THIS FACADE, RIGHT? THAT NONE OF THIS IS BOTHERING ME. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT’S LIKE, HOW THE HELL CAN I DO THIS KNOWING WELL THIS IS NOT I AIN’T FIGHTING. THIS IS SEVERELY BOTHERING ME LIKE MY FAMILY HAD TO. YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE WHOLE FIGHT WEEK PLANNED WITH BOWLING EVENTS AND DINNERS. SO AFTER I MISSED THE WAKE, I WENT TO MY FAMILY DINNER, AND I MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EVERYBODY. YOU KNOW. THE VIRGINIA BEACH MAYOR WAS THERE. NORFOLK. NORFOLK MAYOR WAS THERE, LIKE, EVERYBODY WAS THERE. AND I MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT I WAS A FIGHTING AND I WAS HUMBLE ABOUT IT AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND THAT’S WHEN THAT REALLY STARTED HITTING ME. EVERYBODY WAS WALKING UP TO ME. MY FAMILY WAS LIKE,, MAN, MAN, , THAT HIT ME, BRO. SO LIKE, LATER THAT NIGHT, I CAN’T EVEN REALLY SLEEP LIKE, I COULDN’T EVEN REALLY, LIKE, THINK FOR REAL. SO NOW I WAS LIKE,, THE FIGHT. WHAT I’M GONNA DO, LIKE, FOR REAL. WHAT I’M GONNA DO, HOW I’M GONNA ACT. AND IT’S CRAZY BECAUSE I TOOK ONE PICTURE THAT NIGHT WITH MY SON, AND I GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT PICTURE, AND I JUST LOOK AT MYSELF. >> LIKE. >> DAMN, KEYSHAWN, YOU WAS UP. LIKE YOU. YOU DON’T EVEN LOOK RIGHT. YOU DON’T EVEN LOOK LIKE YOURSELF. AND MY SON JUST SITTING RIGHT HERE NEXT TO ME, LIKE SMILING, LIKE, MAN, I GOTTA DO BETTER, MAN. >> I GOTTA. >> I GOTTA GET RIGHT. >> I SAW THERE WAS ONE VIDEO I THINK YOU WERE EATING POPCORN. AND PEOPLE WERE LIKE, LOOK AT THIS GUY. HE DOESN’T EVEN CARE, RIGHT? YOU KNOW, HE JUST SEEMS LIKE HE DOESN’T HAVE A CARE IN THE WORLD. OBVIOUSLY NOT FAIR, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU CLEARLY DID CARE, RIGHT? >> I MEAN. >> BUT EVERYONE WAS JUDGING YOUR BODY LANGUAGE AND YOUR DEMEANOR. >> IT’S WEIRD BECAUSE LITERALLY LIKE DURING THAT, DURING DURING THAT RIGHT THERE, I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THAT WAS GONNA GET BLOWN OUT. PROPORTION. THAT WAS SO WEIRD TO ME. BUT DURING THAT MOMENT, I’M EATING THE POPCORN. I’M NOT PAYING NO ATTENTION, BUT I’M LIKE, I LOVE POPCORN, LOW KEY. LIKE I LOVE POPCORN. I DO THE SAME. I STUFFED MY MOUTH WITH POPCORN. NO, NO, NO DIDDY. SO MY SISTER LIKE, START EATING THAT POPCORN LIKE THAT. YOU DOING TOO MUCH? I’M LIKE, MAN, I DON’T CARE, I DON’T CARE. SO I WAS LOOKING UP LIKE I DON’T BECAUSE I’M KNOWING LIKE SHE’S SAYING, THEY SAYING THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE RECORD LIKE PEOPLE PROBABLY RECORD, YOU KNOW. SO I’M LOOKING UP LIKE I DON’T CARE. I’M EATING POPCORN. THIS GOOD. SO IT’S LIKE, OKAY, PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT THAT SITUATION HAPPENED. BUT SINCE Y’ALL DO KNOW NOW, OKAY, COOL. THAT’S THAT. BUT IN THAT MOMENT BEFORE, Y’ALL DIDN’T KNOW. WHY WOULD THAT EVEN MATTER? BECAUSE I’M EATING POPCORN IN THE DAY OF THE FIGHT WHEN I’M SUPPOSED TO BE FIGHTING. THE IS OVER. I’M NOT FIGHTING. SO WHY WAS THAT EVEN A I DON’T GET? I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND. WHY WAS THAT SUCH A BIG DEAL THAT I’M EATING? >> PEOPLE WANTED YOU TO, LIKE, FEEL LIKE YOU WERE REMORSEFUL, LIKE YOU WERE DOWN, LIKE YOU WERE DEPRESSED. NOT SAYING YOU SHOULD HAVE FELT THAT WAY. I THINK PEOPLE WANTED. >> TO SEE THAT. >> SEE? >> YOU HURT, RIGHT? >> THEY WANTED TO SEE YOU FEEL BAD. >> RIGHT? WHICH IS. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY DOWN, THOUGH? IT’S LIKE I CAN. I COULD HAVE SHOWN THAT. DAMN, MAN, I CARE. I APOLOGIZE, AND I COULD HAVE SHOWN THAT. AND I DID THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE. LIKE, JUST BECAUSE I. IT’S A DEFENSE MECHANISM. I COME FROM THE HOOD, BRO. I COME FROM THE STREET. YOU FEEL ME? SO IT’S A IT’S REALLY A DEFENSE MECHANISM. SO IT’S LIKE, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE ANYBODY DOWN ANYWAYS. IT’S LIKE, ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. I MESSED. >> UP. >> I GOTTA DO BETTER. BUT WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE ME DOWN? THAT IS. I DON’T GET THAT BECAUSE I WOULDN’T WANT TO SEE NOBODY DOWN. EVEN WHEN THEY DID MESS UP. LIKE WHEN DEVIN HAD THAT FIGHT WITH RYAN, IT WAS LIKE EVERYBODY WAS KICKING HIM WHILE HE WAS DOWN. I WAS LIKE, I DON’T REMEMBER ME BEING ONE OF THEM. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT WAS LIKE, I’M NOT GONNA KICK SOMEBODY WHILE THEY’RE DOWN, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I DON’T WANT TO SEE NOBODY DOWN NEITHER. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IT’S LIKE, I’M SORRY, BUT WHEN I. I’M NOT GOING TO MESS UP TO THAT MAGNITUDE AGAIN. BUT WHEN, IF I EVER DO MESS UP AGAIN, OKAY, I’M GONNA CARRY IT A DIFFERENT WAY. BUT YOU STILL NOT GONNA SEE ME DOWN. YOU FEEL ME? SO THAT’S JUST STILL SOMETHING I DON’T UNDERSTAND. >> AND THEN WE GET TO HEAR. >> ALBRIGHT. >> WHAT HAPPENED ? >> A GREAT FIGHT BETWEEN KELLY AND MY BROTHER. YOU KNOW, AFTER THE FIGHT, I DECIDED TO GO INTO HIS LOCKER. >> YOUR BROTHER. >> RIGHT. HE BEATS MY BROTHER. YEAH, HE BEATS MY BROTHER. SPLIT DECISION. AND AFTER THE FIGHT, I JUST DECIDED TO GO INTO HIS LOCKER ROOM. NOW , EVERYTHING THAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT THAT HAPPENED IN THE LOCKER ROOM IS NOT TRUE. EVERYTHING THAT HE’S SAYING THAT HAPPENED IN THE LOCKER ROOM IS NOT TRUE. HE TOOK THAT MOMENT FOR ME. NOT BEING IN HIS LOCKER ROOM. AND HE HE TOOK THAT AND RAN WITH IT AND USED THAT FOR WHAT HE USED IT FOR. AND EVERYTHING JUST GOT BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION. EVERYBODY. >> WHAT HAPPENED? YOU WALK IN LIKE, YOU WALK IN THERE THINKING YOU’RE GOING TO DO. >> WHAT? >> YOU HAVE A HISTORY WITH HIM, RIGHT? YOU FOUGHT HIM, RIGHT? >> RIGHT. >> SO I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH HIM. >> OKAY. >> SO YOU WALK IN THERE THINKING YOU’RE GOING TO. >> DO WHAT, MAN? >> I WALK IN THERE JUST NOT TRYING TO FIGHT THIS DUDE, I’M NOT TRYING TO START. I’M NOT TRYING TO START ALTERCATION. I’M JUST TRYING TO. FIRST OF ALL, HIS LOCKER WAS RIGHT NEXT TO OURS, SO IT WASN’T LIKE I HAD TO SKIP A SKIP ACROSS TOWN TO FIND HIM. >> YEAH. >> HE WAS RIGHT THERE. I WAS GOING TO, YOU KNOW, SAY SOME FEW WORDS AND IT WASN’T GOING TO BE NOTHING CRAZY BECAUSE THE FIGHT IS OVER WITH, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT FOR HIM TO SAY THAT, I PUT MY HANDS ON HIM AND ME AND MY BROTHER BANKED HIM AND ALL THAT, I JUST . I WAS LIKE, WHAT? I WAS SHOCKED FOR REAL. I WAS THROWING OFF, BUT IT WAS LIKE, MAN, AT THE END OF THE. >> DAY. >> I SHOULD HAVE NEVER WALKED IN HIS LOCKER ROOM ANYWAY, SO HE’S JUST TAKING THAT AND RUN WITH IT. I BET. WHATEVER AND EVERYBODY WANT TO JUST KEEP EVERYBODY WANT TO AGREE THAT ME AND MY BROTHER BANKED HIM AND I PUT MY HANDS ON HIM. I BET WHATEVER, LIKE WHATEVER, Y’ALL GO AHEAD, BELIEVE IT. I DON’T LEAVE WHEN I COME OUT AND EXPRESS CERTAIN THINGS. THEN THEY PROBABLY STILL GONNA BELIEVE HIS SIDE. BUT THIS IS THE TRUTH. WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE LOCKER ROOM THAT HE SAID HAPPENED, THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN. >> SO WHAT. >> HAPPENED? >> I WALKED IN HIS ROOM AND I WAS GONE. OF COURSE, LIKE, GOOD FIGHT. AND A REGULAR. BUT WHEN WE GOT IN THERE, IT WAS JUST HAPPENED SO FAST. SECURITY STARTED RUNNING THERE, STARTED BREAKING UP. I’M JUST LIKE,. THEY LIKE, GET. >> OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT. >> I’M LIKE, ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, I’LL GET OUT. BECAUSE I AIN’T SUPPOSED TO BE IN HERE ANYWAYS, RIGHT? I GET. >> OUT. . >> SO THEN WHEN WE GET OUT, WE GO IN OUR LOCKER ROOM OR WHATEVER. >> THAT’S THAT TIME. >> MY BROTHER AND STUFF START GETTING HIS STUFF TOGETHER. WE WALKED BACK OUT THE LOCKER ROOM, MY BROTHER’S LOCKER ROOM, AND IN THE HALLWAY WE SEE SOME MORE COMMOTION. SO MY NATURAL REACTION? I JUST START RUNNING TO IT. >> THIS IS THIS IS IT. >> RIGHT? RIGHT. >> WHEN I WALK OUT MY BROTHER’S LOCKER ROOM, I’M ALREADY. THAT IS ALREADY GOING DOWN. AND THAT’S WHEN YOU SEE ME RUNNING UP. LIKE YOU BASICALLY JUST SEE ME, LIKE, LOOKING EVERYWHERE. LIKE, WHAT’S UP, WHAT’S UP, WHAT’S UP? AND I SEE MY MY MOTHER AND MY CHILD IS LIKE, SNAPPING THIS. SO I’M THINKING SOMEBODY’S GONNA PUT HER HANDS ON, PUT THEIR HANDS ON HER, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO NOW I’M KIND OF GETTING MAD. >> LIKE. >> LIKE WHAT? NOW YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? NOW I’M. NOW I’M GETTING TO THAT POINT NOW. BECAUSE NOW I FEEL LIKE Y’ALL KNOW. I DON’T FEEL LIKE Y’ALL PUT MY HANDS, YOUR HANDS ON MY MOTHER, MY CHILD. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND THAT WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT. BUT. I , I AIN’T REALLY OKAY. COOL. LIKE, I CAN SEE WHERE PEOPLE BE LIKE, KEYSHAWN, YOU WRONG. I AIN’T HAVE TO RUN UP AND DO IT. I AIN’T HAVE TO PUT MYSELF IN A LOT OF THOSE SITUATIONS. HONESTLY. BUT I JUST FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE JUST REALLY BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION. FOR REAL. I DIDN’T PUT MY HANDS ON NOBODY THAT NIGHT. >> SO IN THE LOCKER ROOM, THERE WERE NO PUNCHES THROWN. THERE WAS NOTHING. >> NOT HELL NO. >> NO ONE TOUCHED ANYONE. >> NO. >> LIKE REALLY, AS SOON AS WE GOT IN THERE, THE SECURITY ALREADY WAS THINKING THAT WE WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING. >> HOW LONG WERE YOU ACTUALLY IN THERE. >> FOR, BRO? >> WE WAS IN THERE FOR PROBABLY. >> LIKE. >> TEN, LIKE 10 SECONDS 15 SECONDS. LIKE LITERALLY. >> BRO, BECAUSE. >> THE INTERVIEW THAT HE DID WITH MARK KRIEGEL ON ESPN MADE IT SEEM LIKE IT WAS LIKE A FULL BLOWN THING THAT HAPPENED. >> IN THERE. HE SAW THAT HE. >> SUPPOSED TO DO THAT, LIKE HE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. I SEEN CLIPS AND SNIPS OF IT. BUT HE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT, AND I SAID IT. I THINK I SAID IT ON MY LIVE. I SAID, HONESTLY, BRO, I DON’T GOT NO LOVE LOST FOR YOU, BRO. LIKE AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU TRYING TO FEED YOUR FAMILY, YOU TRYING TO GET ANOTHER BIG FIGHT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAD TO DO THAT TO PROMOTE YOURSELF, TO GET YOUR NAME, NOT LIKE HIS NAME SOLIDIFIED IN THE BOX OF WORDS, YOU GET A BIG FIGHT. ALL RIGHT, WHATEVER. I PUT MYSELF IN THAT POSITION FOR YOU TO DO THAT. BUT , BRO, I DID NOT TOUCH THIS MAN. LIKE I REALLY. >> TOUCHED YOUR BROTHER. >> NO, AIN’T NOBODY TOUCHED ME. THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT GOT THE ONLY. ONLY PEOPLE THAT TOUCHED HIM WAS SECURITY THAT WAS BACKING US UP FROM EACH OTHER. BECAUSE THEY THINKING THAT WE WAS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING. >> WOW. OKAY. >> BECAUSE THE STORY, AS YOU KNOW, WAS THAT THERE WAS LIKE A FIGHT AND PUNCHES WERE THROWN AND ALL THIS STUFF. >> RIGHT? >> THAT’S NONE OF THAT HAPPENED. OKAY. NO. >> AND EVEN BACK THERE IN THAT SCENE, IT’S KIND OF HARD TO, LIKE, UNDERSTAND WHAT’S GOING ON. BUT I THINK THE JARRING THING WAS WE SAW YOUR, YOUR CHILD THERE. RIGHT. AND SO IT WAS LIKE, MAN, WHAT’S GOING ON WITH KEYSHAWN? LIKE, WHY IS HE PUTTING HIMSELF IN THIS POSITION. RIGHT NOW AS A. >> DAD? RIGHT. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? >> RIGHT? >> IT JUST IT WASN’T A GOOD LOOK. OBVIOUSLY YOU WOULD AGREE WITH. >> THAT, RIGHT? >> NO, NOT FOR SURE. FOR SURE IT WASN’T NO GOOD. LOOK AND BEFORE WE BEFORE I WALKED OUT THE LOCKER ROOM, I’M THINKING MY SON, LIKE, IN THE CAR, LIKE I’M THINKING HE’S GOING. I’M THINKING, YOU KNOW, HE WAS. HE WAS LOOKING AWAY. HE WAS GOING. HE WASN’T UNTIL DIDN’T MISS THE ALL OF THAT. >> YEAH. >> I’M LOOKING. I SEE A STROLLER. I’M LIKE, GET OFF ME, MY SON. AND THAT’S WHEN THEY LET ME GO AND LET ME GO TO HIM. BUT I’M THINKING HE WAS ALREADY PUT UP BECAUSE I TOLD YO, Y’ALL GO AHEAD. WHATEVER YOU FEEL. WHAT I’M SAYING? Y’ALL GO AHEAD. AND. SO IN THE MIDST OF ALL THAT, WHEN I SEEN A STROLLER, I’M LIKE, BRO, JUST LET ME LET ME GET TO MY SON. >> BRO . >> WHAT. >> HAPPENS AFTER ALL THIS? WHERE DO YOU. >> GO? >> FIRST THINGS FIRST. I REALLY WANT THE PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT. OF COURSE I’M HUMAN. >> AND BY THE WAY. >> LET ME. LET ME TAKE A STEP BACK. I MEANT, LIKE, SPECIFICALLY LIKE AFTER THAT. I DON’T MEAN IN LIFE. WE’LL GET TO THAT. BUT. >> LIKE. >> WHEN THAT CLIP ENDS, WHERE DO YOU GO? DO YOU GO HOME? DO YOU LEAVE THE ARENA? WHERE DID WHERE DID YOU. THAT’S WHAT. >> I MEANT. >> OH, YEAH, WE LEFT FOR SURE. >> OKAY. >> THAT’S THAT’S WHEN THE NIGHT. >> ENDS FOR YOU. >> YEAH YEAH. >> YEAH FOR SURE. OKAY. OKAY. >> NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO OTHER ISSUES. >> NO. >> HELL NO. OKAY, OKAY. OKAY. >> AND I DIDN’T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF THERE FROM THAT MOMENT, BUT I’M JUST TRYING TO GET THE WHOLE STORY HERE. YEAH. FOR SURE. AND YOU KIND OF REMAIN QUIET, RIGHT? YOU KIND OF REMAIN QUIET. YOU PUT OUT A STATEMENT. DID ANYTHING HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF ALL OF THIS? YOU LOST YOUR BELT, RIGHT? >> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> IS THERE ANY SORT OF SUSPENSION? IS THERE ANY SORT OF ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH, OR IS IT ALL CLEAN? >> NO, I’M NOT CLEAN. I’M NOT CLEAN AT ALL. HONESTLY. THE STATE OF VIRGINIA IS, YOU KNOW, LOOKING INTO SOME THINGS TO SEE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH ME. BECAUSE OF WHAT OCCURRED AND. >> THE LOCKER ROOM INCIDENT. >> YEAH. >> OKAY. >> IN THE IN THE IN THE BACKSTAGE. >> YEAH. >> YEAH, YEAH, INCIDENT. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND WHATEVER IT IS, WHAT IT IS. SO WE JUST GOT TO WAIT ON, YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO SEND A LETTER IN OR WHATEVER. OKAY. SO WE JUST WAIT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, THEIR DECISION TO. >> SEE. >> YOU KNOW, WHAT CONSEQUENCES. I GUESS THEY GOT TO TAKE FOR WHETHER IT’S A FINE, WHETHER IT’S A SUSPENSION, WHETHER WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO, BASICALLY. AND WE JUST GOT TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT, WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN. LIKE WILL THIS KEEP YOU OUT FOR A WHILE, OR DO YOU THINK YOU CAN FIGHT AGAIN WHENEVER YOU WANT TO FIGHT AGAIN? >> HONEST OPINION. >> YEAH. >> I’M GONNA COME BACK WITH MY MENTOR. >> IS READY. >> OKAY. >> THAT’S MY HONEST OPINION. SO THEY CANNOT SUSPEND ME. AND TOP RANK BE LIKE, OH, KEYSHAWN, YOU FIGHT IN SEPTEMBER. IF I DON’T FEEL THAT I’M READY TO TAKE ON THE LIMELIGHT AGAIN FOR MY SON’S SAKE, I’M NOT FIGHTING AGAIN. HONESTLY. SO I’M NOT PUTTING, . I’M NOT PUTTING MY MY HEAD TO WHERE, WHAT THEY GOING TO DO WITH ME? OKAY. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY YES. THIS IS THIS IS ABOUT MY CAREER. BUT END OF THE DAY, THIS IS ABOUT MY LIFE , TOO, BECAUSE I GOT TO LIVE AFTER BOXING AND I DON’T WANT TO BE BOXING AND NOT HAVING MY HEAD ON THE STREET. AT THE END OF THE DAY. SO IT’S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? FOR ME TO JUST LIKE IT TOOK TIME FOR ME TO REFLECT AND GIVE Y’ALL A STRAIGHT UP ANSWER AND A STRAIGHT UP APOLOGY. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO WHATEVER THE COMMISSION DO, I DON’T KNOW. I CARE FOR SURE. YOU KNOW, I’M SAYING I DON’T KNOW, I CARE, BUT I DON’T KNOW, BUT I’M JUST NOT PUTTING MY HEAD TOWARDS THAT BECAUSE I JUST GOTTA I JUST GOTTA GET KEYSHAWN TOGETHER RIGHT NOW. >> HOW IS YOUR MIND RIGHT. >> NOW? >> WELL, I FEEL LIKE IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. HONESTLY. I FEEL LIKE IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. I’M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND JUST BE. >> LIKE. >> YO, I’M THIS YO. >> I’M THAT. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? LIKE, Y’ALL KNEW ME WHEN I CAME INTO THIS SPORT, AND Y’ALL SEE ME NOW. AND IF YOU KNEW ME, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT MAN. KEYSHAWN GOT TO JUST GET HIMSELF BACK. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO THAT’S JUST WHERE I’M AT RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, FOR MY. FOR MY SON’S SAKE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I’M JUST TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, FOLLOW GOD, KEEP GOD CLOSE FOR SURE . LIKE, FOR SURE. FOR REAL THIS TIME. AND REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LISTEN TO HIM. FOR REAL. >> ARE YOU ARE YOU TALKING TO ANYONE OR ARE YOU GETTING HELP, THERAPY, ANYTHING LIKE. >> THAT? >> LOOKING INTO. >> IT. >> FOR SURE. LOOKING INTO IT. BUT AGAIN, LIKE, I DON’T WANT TO MAKE IT LIKE IT’S LIKE A I WANT TO MAKE THIS SOUND LIKE AN EXCUSE AND NOTHING LIKE THAT. >> NO, NO, I’M ASKING YOU THE QUESTIONS. YOU’RE NOT VOLUNTEERING THIS INFORMATION, BUT WHEN YOU SAY MY MIND, I NEED TO GET MY MIND RIGHT. MY HEAD RIGHT. THAT LEADS ME TO THINK, LIKE, MAYBE YOU NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP. AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT YOUR HISTORY WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND WHATNOT, AND YOU WERE SO OPEN ABOUT THAT. AND SO I DON’T KNOW IF THAT’S SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO REVISIT. >> YEAH. I MEAN, SEE, RIGHT. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHEN WE WAS TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH STUFF LAST TIME WAS THAT WAS LIKE THE PAST. SO NOW IT’S LIKE. >> THE RIGHT NOW. >> YEAH. YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING? YEAH. SO IT’S LIKE. THIS IS REAL. THIS IS THIS IS, THIS IS VERY, VERY REAL AND FRESH. AND I COULD HAVE EXACTLY. I COULD HAVE WENT OFF THE TRACK LIKE, OH, SOMETHING, SOMETHING. I’M GOING THROUGH STUFF. AND, YOU KNOW, THAT’S WHY I DID LIKE. NAH, I DON’T WANT TO. I DON’T EVEN WANT IT TO COME OFF THAT WAY. LIKE I WAS WRONG. AND I’M GROWN UP TO KNOW, LIKE I NEED TO BE BETTER FOR MY SON, FOR MYSELF AND AND FOR FOR GOD. LIKE I’M A . YOU CAN SEE HIS HEART FOR ME, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT YOU SEE THAT I’M REALLY. LIKE I’M BEING REAL AND TRUTHFUL AND HONEST RIGHT NOW. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I JUST GOTTA WHEN I, WHEN I GET BACK TO BOXING, JUST KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO BE A BETTER KEYSHAWN. JUST KNOW. >> THAT. >> AND SO YOU WERE QUIET. YOU KIND OF JUST DISAPPEARED. RIGHT? >> SO. >> LIKE, WHERE DID YOU GO? WHAT DID YOU DO FOR. >> SO I WAS JUST LITERALLY SPENDING TIME WITH MY SON EVERY SINGLE DAY. EVERY SINGLE DAY. I AIN’T EVEN MISS A DAY UNTIL I WENT ON VACATION. BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY FROM FOR FOR TWO MONTHS, REALLY, I WAS JUST WITH MY SON DAY IN, DAY OUT. BECAUSE IN THE END, MY FAMILY AS WELL, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT’S REALLY GOING TO LOVE ME THROUGH THICK AND THIN THROUGH WHATEVER, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING. SO I WAS JUST SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY, YOU KNOW, I JUST CAME BACK FROM FROM MEXICO AND THE TRIP JUST JUST TRYING TO REALLY RESET. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND I AIN’T EVEN HAVEN’T EVEN POST NOTHING I CAN POST ABOUT MY TRIP. I CAN POST ABOUT MY SON. I CAN POST ABOUT A LOT OF STUFF THAT I’VE BEEN DOING. BUT I GOTTA FALL BACK FOR THE MEDIA. I GOTTA FALL BACK FOR THEM. LIMELIGHT. LIKE, BECAUSE I CAN’T REALLY TAKE THAT RIGHT. >> NOW, RIGHT? RIGHT. >> AND SO THE DECISION, LIKE YOU DID THE INSTAGRAM LIVE AND THEN AND NOW HERE YOU ARE. I THINK THIS IS YOUR FIRST INTERVIEW, RIGHT? >> YEP. >> WHY DID YOU FEEL LIKE NOW WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO SORT OF REEMERGE. >> TALKING TO GOD HONESTLY. LISTENING. JUST KEEP TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS. , AFTER I GOT ON LIVE AND I OPENED IT UP AND I GOT ON MY OWN PLATFORM AND OPENED UP A LITTLE BIT, IT’S LIKE, ALL RIGHT, KEYSHAWN IS. >> LIKE. >> I FELT LIKE SOMETHING IN ME WAS LIKE, ALL RIGHT, KEYSHAWN, NOW LET’S TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO FOR ME, IT WAS A POST ON MY ON MY ON MY STORY, WHICH IT WAS SO SWEET. AND EVERYBODY WAS LIKE, OH, I’M PROUD OF YOU FOR IT. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WAS LIKE, NAH, LIKE, YOU GOT TO REALLY OWN UP TO IT. BUT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW, LIKE, I’M TAKING BABY STEPS INTO THIS. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I’M SAYING SO I MEAN, LIKE A LITTLE STORY POST. BOOM. MY NEXT STEP IS LIVE BOOM. MY THIRD STEP HERE. >> OKAY. >> WHO HAS HELPED YOU? I SAW FLOYD SHOW SUPPORT PUBLICLY. >> DID. DID. >> YEAH. ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT? >> YOU KNOW? NO. >> OKAY. >> YEAH. NO, BECAUSE FLOYD REALLY WITH ME. >> OKAY. >> SHOUTS OUT TO FLOYD, THOUGH. THAT’S A THAT’S BIG SHOUT OUT TO FLOYD BECAUSE I DIDN’T KNOW YOU DID THAT, FLOYD. SO I WITH YOU. YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE. >> COUNT. >> WHO SURPRISED ME. >> YES. >> WAS TEOFIMO LOPEZ. >> OKAY. >> TEOFIMO, I THINK I SEEN THIS, LIKE TWO DAYS OR A DAY AFTER THE SITUATION. HE SAID SOMETHING LIKE. EVERYBODY COMING DOWN ON KEYSHAWN RIGHT NOW. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GET AROUND HIM, BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THAT HE’S GOING THROUGH SOMETHING. AND HOW I KNOW HE’S GOING THROUGH SOMETHING IS BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THROUGH IT. >> YEAH. >> AND HONESTLY. WHEN HE WAS GOING THROUGH. >> IT. >> I WAS TELLING MY TEAM. I WAS TELLING MY TEAM THAT MAN TILL WAS VULNERABLE RIGHT NOW. AND HE’S HE’S NOT MENTALLY THERE. HE’S HE’S HE’S HE’S NOT CRAZY. HE’S JUST SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HIM. HE NEEDS SERIOUS. >> HELP. >> SO FOR HIM AND I WAS TELLING MY TEAM THAT. SO FOR HIM TO SAY THAT ABOUT ME AFTER ALL THIS, I WAS TALKING TO HIM. I WAS JUST LIKE, WOW, I DON’T EVEN WANT TO CALL THIS MAN OUT NO MORE. I RESPECT HIM SO MUCH AS A PERSON. AFTER HE DONE OUT OF EVERYBODY LIKE THAT. YOU FEEL ME? >> YEAH. >> IT WAS LIKE IT WAS HIM THAT. >> DID THAT. >> MENTAL HEALTH IS. >> REAL. >> DID DID DID HE REACH OUT. >> TO YOU? >> NO, HE KEPT IT GANGSTER. >> OKAY, OKAY. >> HE EVEN REACH OUT? HE KEPT IT GANGSTER. HE JUST PUT IT ON THE MEDIA, LIKE SO AND SO AND SO AND SO. AND I DIDN’T REACH OUT TO HIM, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT HE GONNA. HOPEFULLY HE WATCH THIS. >> SURE, SURE, SURE. >> SHOUT OUT TO YUTO BRO LIKE YOU BACK WITH MY GOOD SIDE BRO. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING. LIKE NAH, FOR REAL. SHOUT OUT TO YOU BRO. LIKE THAT. THAT VIDEO YOU PUT OUT, THAT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME, BRO. I’M NOT EVEN GONNA LIE. THAT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME, BRO. BECAUSE IT WAS. IT WAS SOMEBODY I AT LEAST EXPECTED TO SAY. THE REALEST THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR. IT’S LIKE I ALMOST FEEL LIKE,, GOD IS REAL, RIGHT? >> WHAT ABOUT TOP RANK? >> WHAT ABOUT HIM? >> DID YOU FEEL LIKE THEY HAD YOUR BACK THROUGHOUT ALL THIS? DO YOU FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE YOUR BACK THROUGHOUT ALL THIS? >> YEAH. I MEAN, TOP RANK NOT COMING DOWN ON ME LIKE THEY NOT SAYING, LIKE I SPOKE TO HIM, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? THEY’RE NOT SAYING LIKE , NO WEIRD. THEY’RE NOT SAYING NO WEIRD OR THEY NOT, YOU KNOW, LIKE, I WAS JUST TALKING TO ONE OF THE TOP RANKED MEMBERS BEFORE I CAME INTO HERE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO THEY STILL SUPPORT ME. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? LIKE IT? IT’S JUST AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, YOU KNOW, FOR A PROMOTION. LIKE, IT’S HARD TO KIND OF PROMOTE ME NOW. >> RIGHT? >> RIGHT. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT’S KIND OF LIKE IT’S UP TO ME TO CHANGE, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND GET BACK ON TRACK. >> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THEIR SITUATION? LIKE YOU ALLUDED TO IT EARLIER, THEY DON’T HAVE A HOME AS OF RIGHT NOW, RIGHT? YEAH. DOES THAT AS A TOP RANKED FIGHTER? ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THIS OR DO YOU THINK EITHER FIGURE IT OUT AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY? >> I’LL BE REAL WITH YOU. HONESTLY, IF I WAS, I MEAN, I WOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT. >> IT. >> IF I WAS HURTING. BUT THANK GOD I SAVED MY MONEY, AND I INVEST, BRO. YOU KNOW, REAL ESTATE. AND I GOT, LIKE. I LOVE RESIDUAL INCOME, SO I GOT TRUCKS ON THE ROAD THAT’S JUST GIVING ME MONEY, NOT GIVING ME MONEY, BUT MAKING ME MONEY. >> SURE, SURE, SURE. >> WEEKLY, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I CAN KEEP MY BILLS UP TO, LIKE, UP TO PAR, AND I CAN GO ON VACATIONS, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IF IT WASN’T FOR ME BEING SMART, THEN YES, I WOULD BE SCARED. LIKE WHEN MY NEXT PAYCHECK GONNA BE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT I LIVED AND I LEARNED ONE TIME IT WAS. I WAS FIGHTING PEDRAZA, AND I WAS LITERALLY MY TAXES ME UP AND I WAS LITERALLY, LIKE, NEGATIVE DOLLARS IN FIGHTING PEDRAZA. AND THAT WAS LIKE THE BIGGEST FIGHT IN MY LIFE. AND I HAD TO REALLY WIN. AND I ALWAYS TOLD MYSELF, I SAID, KEYSHAWN, YOU NEVER GOING TO GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU NOT GETTING NOTHING, LIKE NOTHING, LIKE YOU GOT TO ALWAYS BE MAKING SOMETHING. I DON’T CARE IF IT’S I DON’T CARE WHAT IT IS. AT LEAST HAVE SOMETHING OUTSIDE THE BOX THAT CAN AT LEAST PAY YOUR BILLS. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO YOU CAN STAY AFLOAT. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I LEARNED THAT THE PEDRAZA FIGHT. AND. THANK GOD I DID. >> I SAW A PICTURE OF. I BELIEVE IT WAS YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS , DB3 AND EDDIE HEARN. >> YEAH. >> AND I WASN’T SURE IF THERE WAS SOME SORT OF, LIKE, MESSAGE. >> BEING SENT THERE. >> WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE? >> NAH, BRO. EDDIE HEARN GENUINELY. HE GENUINELY LIKE, AS A FIGHTER. LIKE HE GENUINELY LIKES ME, BRO. HONESTLY, HE GENUINELY LIKES ME. AND HE KNOW THAT I’M A GREAT FIGHTER. HE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES AND I KNOW THAT HE UNDERSTANDS HOW HE WAS TALKING TO. >> ME. >> AND HE WAS JUST LIKE, MAN, JUST GET BACK ON TRACK, MAN. I WANT TO SEE YOU PREVAIL. I WANT TO SEE YOU THIS. AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I WAS PRO NOT MESSING WITH HIM, THAT HE DID NOT BRING UP HIS FIGHTER, HE WAS LITERALLY JUST SAYING, KEYSHAWN, GET BACK ON TRACK, MAN. JUST DO THIS AND DO THAT. AND, SHOUT OUT TO EDDIE HEARN’S TOO. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SHOUT OUT TO EDDIE HEARN’S BECAUSE ANYTIME I ASK FOR SOME TICKETS, HE GIVING IT TO ME. AT MY LOWEST RIGHT NOW, HE GAVE ME GREAT ADVICE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO SHOUT OUT TO EDDIE HEARN’S LIKE IT WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I DIDN’T EXPECT THAT STILL SUPPORT. >> ME . >> LIKE YOU. IT’S LIKE, DANG, I HOPE ARIEL, BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN WE I’M LIKE,, I LIKE THIS DUDE LIKE YOU. COOL. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? THANK YOU. >> AND . >> HONESTLY, FIGHTERS NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU WITH THIS PLATFORM, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO I’M JUST LIKE,, MAN, I HOPE I CAN GO ON THIS MAN’S PLATFORM AGAIN. AND JUST MAYBE ONE DAY WE CAN JUST START UP AGAIN. SO WHEN I SEE YOU AT THE FIGHT, RIGHT, YOU WILL SHOW ME THAT LOVE. >> I’M LIKE. >> I KNEW, I KNEW I . >> WITH YOU, OF COURSE, MAN, OF COURSE. YEAH. >> SHOUTS OUT ARIEL. >> MAN FOR REAL, MAN? FOR REAL? NO, OF COURSE. AND I. >> APPRECIATE THAT. AND THAT’S WHY I WAS SO EXCITED. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE. RIGHT? BUT I WAS SO EXCITED. I MEAN, TOP RANK WILL KNOW THAT. I ASKED IF IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO REACH OUT TO YOU AND TO TALK TO YOU, LIKE IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH. AND THEY SAID, GIVE THEM SOME SPACE. SO I WANTED TO DO THAT, BUT I WAS I WAS CHECKING IN WAY BACK THEN. >> SO. >> AS YOU KNOW, ON THE FLIP SIDE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, HOW FANS ARE, THEY’RE FICKLE. SO DID YOU FEEL THAT? DID YOU FEEL LIKE, OH, MAN, BECAUSE YOU WERE YOU WERE ON SUCH A HIGH POST, MSG YOU WERE ON SUCH A HIGH GOING INTO THIS FIGHT. AND WE TALKED ABOUT MICHAEL VICK AND I, AND IT WAS JUST LIKE IT WAS LIKE YOU COULDN’T MISS. DID YOU FEEL PEOPLE JUMPING FF THE BANDWAGON? DID YOU PAY ATTENTION TO ANY OF THAT, AND IF SO, DID THAT AFFECT YOU IN ANY KIND OF WAY? >> THAT’S THE CRAZY PART. AS FAR AS LIKE THE CELEBRITIES IN THE TOWN, LIKE THE MICHAEL VICK’S AND THE I, THEY TEXT MY PHONE, THEY REACHED OUT TO ME LIKE KEYSHAWN. WE STILL BEHIND YOU, MAN. WE GONNA JUST GET THIS RIGHT. WE GONNA WE CAN HELP YOU GET THIS RIGHT. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, BOTH OF THEM. I AND MICHAEL VICK. IT WASN’T LIKE, HONESTLY. NO, REALLY. LIKE CELEBRITIES, LIKE, WAS LIKE, THIS THIS MAN TRIPPIN THAT THAT MESSED WITH ME. IT WAS REALLY JUST MY PEOPLE LIKE NORFOLK IN THE BOXING WORLD. BUT LIKE, MY PEOPLE IN NORFOLK WAS JUST LIKE, OH NO, THIS AIN’T RIGHT. AND IT WAS. >> YOU FELT THAT. >> A LOT OF, OH, I KNOW THAT. AND A LOT OF THE REASON WAS BECAUSE OF THE SON, MY SON SITUATION THAT WAS SO ON AND SO FORTH. >> IT WASN’T THE WEIGHT, IT. >> WASN’T IT, IT WAS IT WAS THAT LAST THING, THE MELEE. >> IT WAS THE WEIGHT. IT WAS ALL THAT. BUT IT WAS JUST LIKE, OH NO, THIS AIN’T RIGHT. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> THAT REALLY IT WAS JUST LIKE, . OKAY, OKAY, WHATEVER. I GOTTA I GOTTA BITE THE BULLET, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT ALSO, THEY WAS WAITING FOR AN APOLOGY. THEY JUST WANTED A RESPONSE. AND HONESTLY, TO MY TOWN, TO NORFOLK. LIKE, Y’ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE Y’ALL. Y’ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I PUT. I PUT Y’ALL ON A PEDESTAL. SO FOR ME TO TO ACT OUT THAT WAY. ON THE SAME WEEK THAT THE STATE AND THE CITY GAVE ME A AWARD IN A WEEK, THEY GAVE ME THAT A. SO NOW MY WEEK, I GOTTA REMEMBER, IS THAT IT’S LIKE, THAT IS WRONG. I WAS WRONG. ALL THE KIDS WATCHING. >> THIS. >> SUPER WRONG NEVER ACT OFF EMOTION. IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING, JUST DON’T DO IT. DON’T FORCE YOURSELF TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT’S NOT WORTH IT. IN THE END. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? WHETHER YOU ACCOMPLISH IT OR NOT, YOU’RE NOT EVEN GONNA FEEL RIGHT. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO IN TERMS OF NORFOLK, MAN, I APOLOGIZE FOR PUTTING US ON THAT PEDESTAL AND THEN MAKING US LOOK SO BAD. IS NOT RIGHT. IT’S NOT RIGHT AT ALL. AND NO, IF I REALLY KNOW, IF I REALLY WANT Y’ALL TO KNOW, LIKE I REALLY DO, GENUINELY. >> CARE. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I WAS IN NORFOLK SINCE THE SITUATION HAD HAPPENED, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE JUST COMING TO ME AND POSITIVE AND JUST LIKE, GET BACK OR. PEOPLE SAYING, WHATEVER, ACCEPT YOUR WRONGS OR JUST WHATEVER THEY WAS SAYING, BUT IT WAS JUST ALL POSITIVE. STILL, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT I STILL CAN FEEL LIKE PEOPLE NOT REALLY LIKE ALL THE WAY GRAVITATING TO ME, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND I RESPECT THAT. BUT I JUST WANT NORFOLK TO KNOW, LIKE. IN THE BOXING WORLD. >> KNOW LIKE. >> JEAN LEE. >> SORRY. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? WHEN I DO COME BACK TO BOXING, I DON’T KNOW. SO DON’T ASK ME. BUT WHEN I DO COME BACK TO BOXING, KEYSHAWN’S GOING TO BE A BETTER PERSON. >> TRUST ME. >> WELL DONE. YOU SAY WHEN I DO COME BACK. NOT IF I DO COME BACK. >> RIGHT. >> SO. SO YOU WILL COME BACK AT SOME POINT? >> YEAH, AT SOME POINT. >> OKAY. >> BECAUSE IN THE LIVE YOU WERE SORT OF HINTING AT MAYBE I JUST RETIRE AND ALL THIS STUFF. THAT’S NOT A, THAT’S NOT A REAL THING. >> RIGHT. >> I WAS JUST. I WAS JUST. LIKE I THOUGHT PEOPLE WAS GONNA CATCH THAT IN THE LIVE. LIKE HE JUST . HE AIN’T REALLY RETIRING. >> YOU NEVER KNOW. >> NO. >> JUST. >> SO YOU WILL FIGHT. >> AGAIN. >> I WILL FIGHT. >> I HAVE NO IDEA. IT COULD BE IN A YEAR. IT COULD BE IN TWO. IT COULD BE IN SIX MONTHS. >> LIKE A YEAR. >> OKAY. >> YOU NEED TIME. >> I NEED SOME TIME. >> ARE YOU TRAINING? >> NO . >> HAVE YOU TRAINED SINCE THEN? >> I’M GOING TO COLORADO, THOUGH. >> OKAY. >> I’M. I’M TRAINING COLORADO. >> OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER. >> NO, WITH. >> BUD. OH. OH, SICK. OKAY. >> WOW. YEAH. >> FOR THIS FIGHT BEFOREHAND. >> YEAH. OKAY. WE’RE GONNA BE OUT THERE AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE, COME ON, LIKE MY BROTHER, LIKE, OF COURSE GONNA BE OUT THERE TRAINING THIS AND DB FOR SURE. >> SO. OKAY. >> FOR SURE. WE GOTTA PUSH. YOU GOTTA PUSH, BIG BRO. >> HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE GYM SINCE THE FIGHT DATE? >> NO. OH, WOW. >> YOU HAVEN’T THROWN A PUNCH. YOU HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING. >> WOW. >> DOES THAT AFFECT YOU? BECAUSE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, SPEAKING OF MENTAL. >> HEALTH. >> BEING ACTIVE, IT HELPS. >> NAH, IT DON’T REALLY AFFECT ME BECAUSE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, I STILL GO ON MY RUNS AND LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT AS FAR AS ME, LIKE, PUNCHING THE BAG AND ALL THAT, IT’S GONNA GET ME BACK IN THAT ZONE THAT I AIN’T READY FOR. >> I DON’T WANT THAT. OKAY? >> YEAH, I DON’T WANT THAT. BUT ME GOING OUT IN COLORADO AND TRAINING ALONGSIDE BUD, WE TRAINING TO GET HIM READY, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO MY MINDSET IS GOING TO BE LIKE, YO, YOU GOTTA BEAT CANELO, YOU GOTTA BEAT CANELO. YOU KNOW, I’M SAYING I WANT YOU TO BEAT CANELO SO BAD. EVERYBODY WANTS YOU TO BE CANELO SO BAD, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO THAT’S KIND OF LIKE DIFFERENT. RATHER THAN ME GOING TO THE GYM MYSELF AND TRYING. >> TO. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? >> IS THIS A SHOCK TO YOU, OR DID YOU SEE THIS COMING? MEANING POST MSG DID YOU FEEL LIKE SOMETHING WAS ON THE LIKE THERE WAS A VOLCANO THAT WAS ABOUT TO ERUPT? OR IS ALL THIS SO UNEXPECTED? >> NAH, I AIN’T. SO I FELT. >> IT. >> THERE WERE THINGS THAT YOU THAT YOU WERE DOING THAT WERE LEADING TO. >> THIS. >> HAD A PHONE. I HAD A TALK WITH BOMAC. MY ADVISOR AND MY SISTER. JUST GOING THROUGH IT. >> AND. >> I’M JUST LIKE, MAN, F THIS, MAN. I’M DONE, I’M DONE. STOP TELLING ME TO DO STUFF. I’M DONE. LIKE I’M DONE FOR BOXING. I’M. LEAVE ME THE I’M CUSSING HIM OUT, BUT I’M JUST REALLY VENTING AND I’M JUST LETTING THEM KNOW HOW. I’M JUST SO DONE. I’M WORN OUT. I’M. I’M THROUGH. LIKE, LEAVE ME THE ALONE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I JUST NEED TO GET MYSELF TOGETHER. AND JUST, LIKE, YOUNG FELLA, DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET BACK. I’M GONNA BE HERE WHEN YOU. WHEN YOU’RE READY. AND MY ADVISOR FOLLOW. AND MY SISTER FOLLOW. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND HONESTLY, I. WAS SAYING THAT DURING CAMP, FOR. >> REAL. >> I WAS SAYING THAT DURING CAMP FOR REAL. LIKE I NEED A BREAK. LIKE, SINCE 2021, SINCE THE OLYMPICS, I’VE BEEN NONSTOP. NONSTOP, FIVE YEARS, JUST NONSTOP FIGHT AFTER FIGHT, CAMP AFTER CAMP, HAVING A BABY RIGHT BACK IN CAMP TO FIGHT LEMOS, THEN WORLD TITLE LIKE THIS WAS JUST NONSTOP, NONSTOP, NONSTOP. AND I’M GETTING BIGGER EACH FIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO WHEN I FINALLY REACHED THAT PINNACLE, THE WORLD TITLE, IT WAS. >> LIKE, BOOM! >> I DID IT. >> BACK. >> BUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS COMING TO ME, IT WAS LIKE, OH, THIS IS DIFFERENT. SO I GUESS THAT’S WHAT, LIKE I SAID, THAT’S WHAT PROBABLY WAS REALLY STARTING TO GET TO MY HEAD. LIKE, YEAH, I DID DO THAT, SO I DESERVE THAT. SO YEAH, DO THAT. YEAH, I DESERVE THAT. YEAH. SO DO THAT. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A I DESERVE IT. I WORKED SO HARD TO GET HERE. I WORKED SO HARD TO GET HERE. SO Y’ALL NEED TO MAKE EVERYTHING ELSE HAPPEN, PERIOD. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND THAT’S NOT RIGHT. THAT’S NOT RIGHT AT ALL. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? LIKE, JUST BECAUSE I WORKED SO HARD TO GET HERE, THAT DON’T MEAN THESE HAVE TO WORK FOR YOU NEITHER. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? IT’S LIKE I WAS JUST HAD THE WRONG MENTALITY. AND AGAIN, LIKE, THAT SITUATION DEFINITELY JUST GOT ME JUST. JUST THINKING DIFFERENT ABOUT EVERYTHING. >> YOU KNOW? >> WHAT ABOUT. >> YOUR BROTHERS? THEY’RE GOING TO KEEP GOING, RIGHT? THEY’RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING. ARE YOU GOING TO HELP THEM OUT? ARE YOU GOING TO BE A PART OF THEIR THEIR JOURNEY WHILE YOU’RE TAKING THIS SABBATICAL, IF YOU WILL? >> YEAH FOR SURE. KEON HEE. FIGHT. AUGUST 30. HE FIGHT AUGUST 30. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING. YOU KNOW KEON DAVIS, HE. >> WILL YOU BE THERE FOR SURE. OKAY. OKAY. >> SO YOU’RE NOT JUST GOING TO DISAPPEAR. >> NAH. >> HILL. I WENT TO SECURE. >> A FIGHT. >> YEAH, YEAH. NO, I. >> KNOW, BUT, LIKE, YOU KNOW. >> I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S TOO CLOSE. I DON’T KNOW, YOU KNOW. >> YEAH. NO. >> I’M GONNA BE AT MY BROTHER. MY BROTHER FIGHT FOR SURE. AND KELVIN, HE ON THE SAME I’M ON, LIKE HE AIN’T COME BACK TO. >> HE READY? OKAY. >> EXCUSE ME. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO KEON RIGHT NOW. KEON DAVIS, HE THE ONE. HE THE ONE THAT’S GONNA BE HOLDING IT DOWN FOR DEEVEE THREE. >> OKAY. >> AND AND AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, ABDULLAH IS FIGHTING FOR YOUR NOW VACANT TITLE, RIGHT? RIGHT AGAINST SAM. >> NOAKES. RIGHT. >> DO YOU THINK HE. >> WINS? >> I GOTTA DO MORE STUDYING ON SAM. >> OKAY, OKAY. >> I THINK I WATCHED, LIKE, ONE FIGHT AND I WAS LIKE, ALL RIGHT. HE GOT SOME TWEAKS IN HIM, BUT I KNOW HE HIT HARD. YEAH, I COULD JUST YOU AS A FIGHTER. YOU JUST KNOW, LIKE, HE CAN PUNCH, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT SKILLFULLY. ABDULLAH IS DEFINITELY YOUNGER. HE’S SKILLFULLY. I’M GONNA SAY YOUNGER. HE’S BETTER SKILLFULLY . BUT SKILLS DON’T ALWAYS WIN. >> FIGHTS, RIGHT? >> YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? PHYSICALLY, IS SAM ALL THE. WAY SKILLFULLY IS A DOULA ALL THE WAY AGAIN. I GOTTA WATCH MORE TAPE ON SAM, BUT I’M. BECAUSE I’M. I’M NOT JUST GONNA BE LIKE, YO, SAM GONNA BEAT HIM, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I’M NOT REALLY GONNA BE LIKE, YO, ABDULLAH GONNA BE. >> SAM. >> AT THIS POINT, DO YOU FEEL LIKE PEOPLE WILL ONLY START TO BELIEVE THAT? YOU KNOW, YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, THE BUSINESSMAN, RIGHT? AND THAT’S KIND OF WILD, TOO, BECAUSE, YOU WANT TO BE PROFESSIONAL WHEN YOU HAVE THAT NAME. RIGHT? AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN, ONE MIGHT SAY, WEREN’T EXACTLY THAT. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’LL ONLY TRULY BE ABLE TO WIN EVERYONE BACK ONCE YOU FIGHT? ONCE YOU MAKE WEIGHT, ONCE YOU HAVE ANOTHER GREAT PERFORMANCE? OR DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BELIEVE THIS? BELIEVE YOU? I CERTAINLY DO, BUT YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC IS A DIFFERENT BEAST. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? MAYBE YOU DON’T EVEN CARE. >> I’M FOLLOWING. >> GOD. >> LIKE SERIOUSLY FOLLOWING GOD. I’M NOT UP HERE TRYING TO WIN NOBODY OVER. I’M NOT UP HERE DOWN TALKING. NOBODY. I’M UP HERE SAYING THAT I’M WRONG. AND WHEN I COME AT TO BOXING, I’M GONNA BE A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE OF GOD. HONESTLY. >> THAT’S A GREAT ANSWER. THAT’S A GREAT ANSWER. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT THAT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST? AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND COMING ON THIS SHOW. IT MEANS A LOT. BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY JUST IN CASE. >> SO THANK YOU. YEAH, MAN, I REACHED OUT TO TO TO ARIEL, MAN. SO, JUST TO, YOU KNOW, DO THIS RIGHT HERE. YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE DESERVE TO HEAR FROM ME, YOU KNOW? SO THAT’S WHY I REACHED OUT TO HIM SO THE PEOPLE CAN HEAR FROM ME. SO I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE CAN ACCEPT ME FOR THAT. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BUT I’M GONNA SAY THE SAME THING I SAID LAST TIME WHEN YOU ASKED ME THIS QUESTION. MENTAL HEALTH IS REAL. Y’ALL SEE ME AT MY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STATUS UP HERE. WHEN I WAS SAYING THAT, AND NOW Y’ALL SEE ME AT MY LOWEST, AND I’M SAYING THE SAME. >> THING. >> MENTAL HEALTH IS REAL. CHECK ON YOUR BROTHERS, CHECK ON YOUR SISTERS. STOP JUST ASKING THIS DUMB QUESTION. ARE YOU GOOD? JUST CUT THAT OUT. HAVE CONVERSATIONS. REAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT . ABOUT STUFF. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE IS THINKING, BRO. LIKE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT? YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE THINKING, BRO. FOR REAL? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AIN’T YOU OUTSIDE OF WHAT PEOPLE IS GOING THROUGH? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO JUST REALLY CHECK ON YOUR PEOPLE. LIKE, MENTAL HEALTH IS REAL. AND I FEEL LIKE IN THIS GENERATION RIGHT NOW, LIKE WE GOING THROUGH IT THE MOST IN THIS GENERATION FOR SOME REASON, I DON’T KNOW, BUT WE GOING THROUGH IT THE MOST, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? I APOLOGIZE TO ANYBODY THAT I HURT LEADING UP TO INC TO CAMP. I APOLOGIZE TO EVERYBODY I HURT DURING FIGHT WEEK AFTER THE FIGHT. YOU KNOW, I APOLOGIZE TO ANYBODY THAT I MISSED. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? AND ALSO, I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY THAT STILL REACHING OUT TO ME, CHECKING ON ME AS FAR AS MY FAMILY, CHANTEL, SHANICE, WANDA DAVIS, KELVIN KEON, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE ENTIRE DB THREE, YOU KNOW, SHOUTS OUT KEISHA . SHE SHOUTS. >> OUT. >> MICHAEL VICK. I SHOOT, SHOUTS OUT FLOYD SHOUTS OUT TEOFIMO LOPEZ ! SHOOT! SHOUTS OUT ANYBODY ELSE THAT I’M PROBABLY MISSING? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SHOUTS OUT MY WHOLE FAMILY. EVERYBODY SUPPORT ME, MAN. I APPRECIATE Y’ALL AGAIN. WHEN I COME OUT THE BOX, I AM GOING TO BE A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE OF GOD. AND RIGHT NOW I REALLY FEEL LIKE IF YOU. >> KNOW . >> IF HE WASN’T FOLLOWING BEFORE, I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY THE PERFECT TIME TO START FOLLOWING ME. HONESTLY. >> LOVE IT. >> WELL. >> WE WE DIDN’T LEAVE. WE DIDN’T JUMP OFF THE. >> BANDWAGON, MAN. >> WE STILL BELIEVE PEOPLE GO THROUGH UPS AND DOWNS. PEOPLE HAVE HIGHS AND LOWS AND YOU KNOW, IT’S IN THESE MOMENTS, RIGHT? THE, THE THEY SAY THE THE COMEBACK GREATER THAN THE SETBACK, ALL THAT STUFF. IT’S IN THESE MOMENTS WHERE YOU FIND OUT WHO PEOPLE ARE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO UP. AND IT WASN’T A GREAT TIME FOR YOU AND I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT YOU WERE GOING THROUGH. AND I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT THE AFTERMATH WAS LIKE, BUT TO COME OUT HERE AND NOT MAKE ANY EXCUSES AND TO JUST LOOK INTO THE CAMERA AND APOLOGIZE TO EVERYONE SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE. SO I WOULD SAY YOU’RE A ROLE MODEL FOR DOING THAT. I WOULD SAY YOU’RE SOMEONE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK UP TO, AND I. YOU’LL BE BACK AND THIS WILL BE A NICE, YOU KNOW, A NICE STORY TO TELL. IT’LL BE A GOOD FOOTNOTE INTO YOUR STORY, BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO DEFINE WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON. THAT’S WHAT I TRULY BELIEVE. >> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE YOU. >> KEYSHAWN DAVIS. HE’S TAKING A BREAK, BUT HE’LL BE BACK. SO DON’T JUMP OFF THAT BANDWAGON. DON’T SELL THAT STOCK JUST. >> YET. >> APPRECIATE HIM COMING IN. THE MAN CAN’T THANK HIM ENOUGH. WE’LL TAKE A QUICK BREAK. WE’LL BE BACK WITH PAUL HEYMAN. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE. >> LET’S KICK IT OFF WITH A QUOTE, I BELIEVE, BELONGING TO THE GREAT LUKE THOMAS, WHO HAS SAID IT’S A A BESPOKE PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO SATISFY THE NEEDS OF ONE ORGANIZATION ONE ORGANIZATION, IN THIS CASE BEING TKO BOXING, AS WE’RE CALLING IT. THE UNION BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND DANA WHITE, AS IT SEEMS, AND THEIR EFFORTS TO GET INTO BOXING. IS THAT HOW YOU SEE THIS. >> JOHN? >> OH, I MEAN, IT’S DEFINITELY IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS CRAFTED BY TKO. YOU COULD TELL IT’S JUST THE THE LEGISLATION, THE PROPOSING, THE CHANGES, THE WAY THIS UNIFIED BOXING ORGANIZATION WORKS. IT IT’S WAY TOO SPECIFIC TO THE WAY THE UFC OPERATES, WAY TOO SPECIFIC TO THAT STRUCTURE TO TO NOT SAY THAT THIS WASN’T DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR TKO. WELL. >> I. >> WAS GOING TO. >> DANA WHITE OBVIOUSLY, LIKE WE WE COVER THE SPORT FOR SO LONG, BUT DOES HE IT FELT LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT ZUFFA BOXING FOR YEARS AND YEARS, HE WAS WEARING THAT SHIRT YEARS AGO AND IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS NEVER THIS ENTRY POINT UNTIL THESE THINGS HAVE COME TOGETHER. BUT WOULD HE HAVE EVER EVEN GOTTEN THIS GAME. IF THERE WEREN’T SUCH A LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE, THEY RAN TWO REGULATION BACK WHEN THEY WHEN ZUFFA PURCHASED THE UFC, THEY, THEY THEY DID ALL THE NECESSARY STEPS. I FEEL LIKE HE DOESN’T GET INTO BOXING. HE DOESN’T GET INTO BOXING WORLD UNLESS SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN. RIGHT? LIKE HE’S NOT GOING TO DO THIS UNLESS HE CAN KIND. OF STEER IT INTO THE WAY, THEIR WAY OF THINKING. >> YEAH. I MEAN, I’M DANA WHITE HIMSELF, I THINK MIGHT HAVE WANTED TO GET INTO BOXING JUST TO DO IT, BECAUSE IT’S KIND OF LIKE A LIFELONG DREAM. BUT TKO ARI EMANUEL THERE. I MEAN, THEY MADE IT EXPLICIT IN EARNINGS CALLS AND INTERVIEWS. WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT THAT, THEY THEY WANTED TO AMEND THE ALI ACT, AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET BOXING WITH THE SAUDIS. SO I THINK THEY HAD NO INTEREST. IN FACT, THERE’S A IT’S A HEARSAY STATEMENT. BUT I WAS TOLD ONCE THAT ARI EMANUEL ONCE EXPLAINED WHY HE WASN’T INTERESTED IN BOXING. AND THE PROBLEM WITH BOXING WAS IT WAS 70, 30 FOR THE BOXERS, AND IT NEEDED TO BE 70 30 FOR THEM TO GET INTO BOXING. NOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS THAT THAT STATEMENT IS 100% CORRECT. BUT IT SOUNDS TRUTHFULLY TRUTHFULNESS AS THEY SAY. SO THERE’S A DEGREE OF TRUTHFULNESS TO IT. SO I THINK THAT’S IT, BECAUSE THIS OPPORTUNITY CAME UP WITH THE SAUDIS IN PARTNERING WITH THEM AND BEING WILLING TO TAKE ALL THE RISK AND THROW TONS OF MONEY AT IT, AND THAT THEY HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH DONALD TRUMP AND HIS HIS CONTROL OVER THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THEIR OTHER POLITICAL. LET’S NOT FORGET, ARI EMANUEL HAS IMMENSE POWER HIMSELF AND IMMENSE INFLUENCE AND CONNECTIONS WITH HIS BROTHER AND STUFF IN POLITICS THAT THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS TO TO CHANGE THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING SAFETY ACT IS WHICH THE ALI ACT AMENDED. SO THEY’RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THAT AND AMEND THAT. AND BY DOING THAT, IT’LL ALLOW A STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO OPERATE THE WAY THEY WANT TO IN BOXING. AND YOU COULD ARGUE, YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF I THINK IT LAYS IT MAKES IT CLEAR LIKE THE UFC’S ARGUMENT ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN LIKE THE ANTITRUST CASE IS WE’RE JUST AMAZING PROMOTERS. WE’RE JUST SO MUCH BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. YEAH, WELL, IF THAT’S THE CASE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENTER BOXING AS IT IS BECAUSE YOU WILL BLOW EVERYBODY ELSE AWAY WITH YOUR AMAZING PROMOTIONAL ABILITY. BUT INSTEAD THEY’RE SAYING, WE WANT TO CHANGE THESE THINGS THAT IN THE BILL . DAVIS ZUFFA CASE, THE FILING, THEY ARGUE, IS HOW THE UFC GAINS MONOPOLY POWER. THEY’RE LIKE, WE WANT TO GET RID OF THESE THINGS THAT PREVENT THIS IN BOXING BECAUSE WE’RE AMAZING PROMOTERS OR BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT YOU FROM MONOPOLIZING A SPORT. >> I’M SORRY. ONE MORE THING ON THIS MAN. LIKE GOING BACK FOR CONTEXT. OKAY, SO I FEEL LIKE THERE’S A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE WHO REALLY PAYS ATTENTION TO THIS BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE THE FORESIGHT, INCLUDING MEDIA THESE DAYS DOESN’T WANT TO HAVE FORESIGHT AS TO WHAT THIS COULD MEAN. BUT CAN YOU CONTEXTUALIZE. LIKE WHY THE ALI ACT? YOU KNOW GOING BACK TO THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING ACT IN 96, BUT LIKE, WHY THESE THINGS WERE PUT INTO PLACE TO BEGIN WITH, WHY THEY WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE BOXING WORLD? YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? THAT PROMPTED ALL OF THIS AND HOW THAT IF YOU DECONSTRUCT IT, HOW THAT KIND OF COMES BACK INTO PLAY NOW. >> YEAH. I MEAN, IT’S IMPORTANT ACTUALLY TO GO BACK TO IN THE HISTORY BECAUSE THE WAY THE BILLS INTERPRETED IS WHY YOU CANNOT HAVE YOUR OWN TITLES AS A PROMOTER. IT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING IN THE ALI ACT THAT A PROMOTER CAN’T HAVE THEIR OWN TITLES, BUT IT’S. >> IMPLIED. >> ALL RIGHT. BACK ON THE PROGRAM, THAT WAS A SEGMENT FROM THE CRACK ON FRIDAY. WHAT ABOUT KEYSHAWN DAVIS? WHAT A CHARACTER, WHAT A DATE IT’S BEEN. I MEAN, GOLLY, WHAT A DAY IT’S. >> BEEN. >> WE STARTED THE DAY DOING THE IMPULSIVE PODCAST. WE MOVED ALONG TO KEITH JARDINE, WHO LOOKED INTO MY SOUL. LET ME FIX THIS RIGHT HERE. YEAH. >> ALL BETTER. >> NOW. >> WE DID A LITTLE ON THE. >> NOSE. >> DRICUS DU PLESSIS WAS HERE, AND IT WAS A LOVELY CHAT. DARE I SAY. AND THEN WE HAD KEYSHAWN SPEAKING FROM THE. >> HEART. >> THAT WAS. THAT WAS RIVETING STUFF. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE HIM DOING THAT. HE FLEW IN THIS MORNING, AND HE’S FLYING BACK TO VIRGINIA. , TONIGHT. SO. YEAH. NOT SOMETHING THAT THAT OFTEN HAPPENS WHERE SOMEONE’S GOING TO COME IN AND AND WANT TO SPEAK TO THE WORLD. HIS AUDIENCE, OUR AUDIENCE ON OUR PLATFORM. WHICH WE REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE. AND I HOPE IT WAS WORTH HIS WHILE IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS JOB FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS JOB, ESSENTIALLY. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, SINCE 2001, WHEN I FIRST DID A SHOW. FOR. W E R RADIO IN SYRACUSE. I HOSTED A SHOW CALLED THE MAIN EVENT, AND I TALKED ABOUT MMA, PRO WRESTLING, AND BOXING ON THAT PROGRAM. COMBAT SPORTS SHOW. SOUND FAMILIAR? AND OBVIOUSLY THERE’S BEEN ALL KINDS OF CHAPTERS, AND I’VE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO MEET A LOT OF REALLY INTERESTING PEOPLE. I’M NOT JUST SAYING THIS BECAUSE HE’S ABOUT TO WALK INTO THE STUDIO. THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF INTERESTING PEOPLE. I DON’T THINK THERE HAS BEEN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN MORE INTERESTING, MORE OF A PLEASURE. AND AND DARE I SAY GREATER TO ME, A LOT OF THINGS BEHIND THE SCENES, A LOT OF CHATS, A LOT OF ADVICE STUFF THAT I’LL NEVER FORGET. I’VE TALKED ABOUT BEING BACKSTAGE THAT ONE TIME IN MONTREAL AND. AND GETTING TO WATCH HIM DO HIS THING AND HOW KIND HE WAS. JUST JUST STUFF THAT I WILL TRULY, TRULY NEVER. >> FORGET. >> THE LAST TIME I HAD A SIT DOWN WITH HIM WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2021, RIGHT BEFORE SURVIVOR SERIES IN BARCLAYS. WE DID A A QUICK ONE AT THE STAPLES CENTER, OR IT WAS CRYPTO. MAYBE AT THAT POINT WE DID A QUICK ONE AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ESSENTIALLY TKO WAS BEING FORMED. THAT WAS A QUICK ONE. THE LAST TIME HE WAS IN STUDIO WAS THE DAY DANIEL CORMIER AND JON JONES HAD THEIR MELEE IN THE LOBBY OF THE MGM GRAND. IT’S BEEN THAT LONG, AND SO IT IS LONG OVERDUE. AND WHAT A DAY TO HAVE THIS CHAT. WHAT A TIME TO HAVE THIS CHAT. LET ME JUST FIX THIS RIGHT HERE. WHAT A TIME TO HAVE THIS CHAT. WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF WWE AND ESPN COMING TOGETHER AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND AT SUMMERSLAM, AND SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE SAY HELLO TO THE ONE AND ONLY, THE INIMITABLE THE ORACLE. PAUL HEYMAN GOLLY, HERE HE IS. >> WHAT A SCREECH. >> YOU HEARD IT. I WANTED TO MAKE. >> SURE YOU HEARD IT. OH, I HEARD IT. HOW ARE YOU, SIR? HOW ARE YOU, SIR? CAN WE HUG? OH, WEE OH WEE. OH MY GOD, I DIDN’T KNOW WE HAD A BEEF, BUT I GUESS WE’RE HUGGING. >> NO, NO, BUT. >> IT’S JUST. >> SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN. >> NO, NOR SHOULD IT. WE WEARING HEADSETS. WE DON’T DO HEADSETS. >> WE DON’T DO HEADSETS HERE. OH, I LIKE THIS. >> ISN’T A RINKY DINK PODCAST. WE ARE LIVE THOUGH. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE COMFORTABLE WITH. >> LIVE. >> I HAVE A FEW YEARS BEHIND ME. YES. BEHIND ME. I’M DOING LIVE. >> HOW ARE YOU, PAUL? >> I’M. I’M. I’M OKAY. YOU KNOW, I’M DOING ALL RIGHT. >> YOU’RE A BLESSED MAN. >> I AM A BLESSED MAN. THAT’S USUALLY. CAN WE AT LEAST DO IT RIGHT, THOUGH? >> YES. WAIT. >> WAIT, WAIT. >> MAKE SURE. >> YOU’RE TALKING. >> YES. >> TALKING TO THE MICROPHONE. >> YES YES, YES. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS PAUL HEYMAN, NOT THE THE SCREECHY. >> SORRY, SORRY SORRY SORRY, SORRY. >> NOT THE NOSE. >> YES YES YES. >> YES YES, I GOT IT. >> OH MY GOD, WHAT AN HONOR. THAT’S LIKE HAVING LIKE MJ SHOOT A FREE THROW IN YOUR HOME GYM AND BABE RUTH. >> YES, INDEED. INDEED. I’M SUPPOSED TO LEAN FORWARD RIGHT INTO THE MICROPHONE. >> LISTEN. >> YOU KNOW, IF I HAD HEADSETS ON AND YOU COULD, YOUR PRODUCER COULD TELL ME. LOVE, LEAN FORWARD. >> LOVE. >> MAKE LOVE TO MAKE LOVE TO THE MICROPHONE. >> NO ONE WANTS TO SEE A GUY IN A NICE SUIT LIKE THIS WEARING HEADPHONES. >> NO, I CONCUR WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT, SIR. YES, SIR. >> GOLLY, THERE’S SO MUCH TO DISCUSS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS. >> YOU KNOW, I ONLY HAVE, LIKE, 3 MINUTES, RIGHT? >> NO, I KNOW. >> I KNOW, I GOT. >> TO GO CAR WASH. >> INTERVIEW, BUT THANK YOU. YES. IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE. >> DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS PROGRAM TWICE BEFORE IN STUDIO? >> YES. >> THE SECOND TIME. >> THE LAST. IT’S LIKE A DEPOSITION. >> NO. >> NO. >> THE SECOND TIME. THE LAST TIME WAS THE DAY JON JONES AND DANIEL CORMIER GOT INTO THEIR FRACAS IN THE LOBBY OF THE MGM GRAND. >> YES. >> SO VERY MEMORABLE STUFF. YOU WERE YOU WERE PROMOTING YOUR DVD THAT WAS COMING OUT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. >> YES. >> THE FIRST TIME WAS ALMOST EXACTLY 15 YEARS TO THE DAY. AUGUST 16, 2010. ALMOST EXACTLY 15 YEARS TO THE DAY EVERYONE REMEMBERS IT BECAUSE IT WAS A GREAT CHAT. IT WAS A LONG CHAT. I THINK IT WAS AN HOUR AND A HALF OR SO. I REMEMBER IT BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT THIS MASSIVE JUG OF COFFEE RIGHT OVER THERE. YOU BROUGHT A MASSIVE JUG OF COFFEE. THERE’S YOU AND. >> I. >> AUGUST 16, 2010. BUT PAUL, DID YOU KNOW THIS? DID YOU KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED IN THIS BUILDING ON THIS FLOOR? >> THIS CHAT., IN THIS BUILDING, ON THIS FLOOR? >> WHY? BECAUSE THAT WAS FOR AOL AND YAHOO BOUGHT AOL A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN I CAME BACK AND DID THIS DEAL WITH UNCROWNED AT YAHOO, I CAME HERE AND THE ADDRESS SOUNDED FAMILIAR AND THE FLOOR SOUNDED FAMILIAR. AND SO THEN I WENT INTO MY EMAILS AND I TYPED IT IN AND THERE WERE EMAILS FROM 2010, 20, 2009 WHEN I STARTED MY SHOW, THE MMA HOUR, WHERE I WAS INVITING PEOPLE TO COME TO THIS BUILDING ON THIS FLOOR, NINTH FLOOR HERE IN NEW YORK CITY, THIS EXACT BUILDING THAT CHAT 15 YEARS AGO, ALMOST TO THE DAY, THIS BUILDING, THIS FLOOR. BECAUSE WHEN YAHOO BOUGHT AOL, THEY REVAMPED THE WHOLE FLOOR AND TOOK IT. >> OVER AND DID A MUCH I MEAN, IT’S A MUCH NICER, NICER, YES. NO KNOCK ON AOL. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. BUT MY GOD, YAHOO’S DONE SOME JOB WITH IT. IT’S NICE RIGHT? OH YEAH. >> ISN’T THAT CRAZY? >> BLEW ME AWAY. >> YOU WERE YOU WERE IMPRESSED. >> OH, VERY. >> THANK YOU. YEAH, WELL, YOU GUYS NEED TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN YOU’RE AROUND. >> THESE INVITE ME MORE. >> YES, THAT IS TRUE. BUT THAT WAS A GREAT ONE. THAT WAS, THAT WAS. AND YOU WERE AT A DIFFERENT TIME IN YOUR LIFE. >> OH, YEAH, I’D SAY SO. >> WHO WAS THAT. >> GUY? >> OH, GUY DIDN’T SHAVE BEFORE HE CAME ON YOUR ON YOUR BROADCAST, RIGHT. THAT WAS JUST THAT WAS, THAT WAS A GUY. AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THAT HE’S DOING TODAY. YOU KNOW, I WAS OUT TO. I MEAN, I WAS OUT AS OUT COULD BE AT THE TIME. >> NO SIGN OF COMING BACK, IT SEEMED. >> OH, NO, I MEAN, I MEAN, WHEN WHEN BROCK CAME BACK. IT’S FUNNY HOW WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN, YOU KNOW, BROCK BROCK CAME BACK IN 2012. AND YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO COME WITH ME? NO, I HAD NO DESIRE TO GO BACK, YOU KNOW, AND IT WASN’T UNTIL A COUPLE OF THINGS HAPPENED. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY MADE ME AN OFFER I COULDN’T REFUSE. AND I. AND I WENT BACK, BUT. AND I’VE BEEN BACK SINCE. SURE. BUT, YEAH, I KNOW AT THAT MOMENT IN MY LIFE, I HAD ABSOLUTE WELL AT THAT MOMENT WAS WHEN I HAD TALKED FOR A WHILE. TNA HAD MADE THEIR APPROACH. YEAH. YEAH. AND. >> AND I. >> I SAID, GIVE ME THE DANA WHITE DEAL OR THERE’S NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I WASN’T GOING TO GET BACK IN UNLESS, YOU KNOW, I HAD A I HAD AN OWNERSHIP STAKE IN. IT AND HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF ESPECIALLY OF THAT PRODUCT AT THAT TIME. AND TODAY’S 15 YEARS LATER, LIFE IS LIFE IS MUCH DIFFERENT. >> WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN AT PEACE IF YOU NEVER CAME. >> BACK? SURE. >> YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY WITH THAT. >> YEAH, I WOULD, I WOULD HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS. I WAS, I WAS ON MY I WAS ON A JOURNEY TO DO OTHER THINGS AT THE TIME. >> LIKE WHAT? >> LOOKING FOR LARRY, MARKETING STUFF. >> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT’S FUNNY, I DON’T KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE CLIP YET. I’M SURE YOU DO. YOU HAVE LIKE, ANY. >> I GOT. >> NOTHING. I JUST ARE THEY ARE THEY. >> THEY’RE HERE. WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO TALK TO THE GUYS? I ACTUALLY UNPLUGGED IT BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO BE FULLY LOCKED IN ON YOU. YOU GAVE THEM SOMETHING? >> YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT’S FUNNY THAT YOU MENTIONED. YOU KNOW, I CO-FOUNDED AN AGENCY IN NEW YORK CITY. YES. YOU KNOW, LOOKING FOR LARRY AGENCY. AND, WHEN WHEN YOU CAME TO THE OFFICE, YOU WERE PROBABLY AT OUR OFFICES MORE THAN I WAS, BECAUSE I THINK I WENT TWICE IN MY THE ENTIRE SEVEN YEARS THAT WE HAD IT OUT IN LONG ISLAND CITY, WHICH IS LIKE THE NEW BURBANK, YOU KNOW, HERE. AND WE SWITCHED OUT OF THERE AND WE WERE PARTNERING NOW WITH MCM STUDIOS HERE IN NEW YORK, WHICH IS A HUGE STUDIOS. THEY DO ALL SORTS OF MOVIE POST-PRODUCTION. THEY WERE HOT ONES, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE THE THING WITH THE SPICY FOOD AND GET SICK IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY AND MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF. THEY FILM HOT ONES THERE. IT’S LIKE IT’S LIKE REALLY INNOVATIVE, PROGRESSIVE PLACE AND AND I DESERVE NO CREDIT FOR IT. MITCHELL STEWART MY MY PRODUCTION PARTNER PUT PUT THE DEAL TOGETHER. AND TODAY WAS MY FIRST DAY THAT I GOT TO SEE OUR NEW STUDIO OFFICES. SO I BROUGHT MY SON. YOU KNOW. >> JACOB THE LEGEND. >> YEAH, WELL, HOPEFULLY. YES. YOU KNOW. >> LEGEND IN THE MAKING. >> IT’S JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE’S GOING TO HAVE TO SUPPORT ME IN MY OLD AGE. BECAUSE I PLAN ON SPENDING EVERYTHING BEFORE I GET THERE. AND, . OR IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD, I’M REALLY NO GOOD WITH MONEY. SO WE WENT THERE AND AND IT JUST BLEW ME AWAY. I ACTUALLY CAN HONESTLY BRAG. I THINK WE HAVE THE MOST CUTTING EDGE A.I. THAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE TODAY. >> REALLY? >> YEAH. >> AND TO. >> BE USED. >> FOR WHAT? >> MOVIES, COMMERCIALS, VIRAL CONTENT. WE HAVE IT. WE CAN DO IT, WE CAN PRODUCE IT. WE CAN POST-PRODUCE IT. WE CAN MANUFACTURE IT. WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. JUST AS AN OFFERING AS AS AS AN AGENCY, AS A FIRM, AS A PRODUCTION HOUSE, AS A POST-PRODUCTION HOUSE. WE WE HAVE THE THE CAPABILITY OF DOING A.I. BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE OUT THERE TODAY. >> WOW. >> AND AGAIN, I, I DESERVE NO CREDIT FOR THIS. I’M LITERALLY WALKING IN THE DOORS TODAY GOING, WHOA, THIS IS US. THIS IS OURS. >> YEAH. >> WHOA. YOU KNOW, SO COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. >> HOW MANY. >> PEOPLE WORK FOR LOOKING FOR LARRY. >> NOW? >> WELL, BECAUSE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP NOW, I. I WOULD DARE SAY WE’RE NOW AT ABOUT 30 PEOPLE. YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT’S. >> IT’S. >> INCREDIBLE. IT JUST IT AGAIN, I, I, I’M GOING TO PUT I’LL PUT ALL FALSE HUMILITY ASIDE. IT’S IT’S PRETTY OVERWHELMING, YOU KNOW, JUST MITCHELL STEWART AND MY SON HAS STARTED WORKING AND MAKING SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE AGENCY. AND THIS WAS THE MOVE. THIS WAS THIS WAS REALLY THE MOVE TO MAKE AND JUST INTO GETTING AN I GETTING AHEAD OF THE CURVE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CATCH UP TO EVERYBODY ELSE, BRINGING A STUDIO BACK TO MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, GETTING INVOLVED IN THE MOVIE BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, AND THAT. SO JUST WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE IF I DIDN’T COME BACK IN 2012? I WOULD HAVE CONCENTRATED ON THE AGENCY, WHICH I WAS DOING THEN BACK THEN, YOU KNOW, WE WERE DOING EA SPORTS. WE DID, WE DID THE EA SPORTS, THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE EA SPORTS MMA GAME WITH NICK DIAZ AND AND KUNG LEE AND FABRIZIO VERDUM. CYBORG BABY. WAS SHE IN IT? NO, I WANTED TO DO I WANTED TO DO A WHOLE THING ABOUT CYBORG BEING THE BEST POUND FOR POUND FIGHTER IN MMA, BECAUSE NO ONE HAD EVER NAMED A FEMALE AS THE BEST POUND FOR POUND FIGHTER. AND I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE REAL INNOVATIVE, DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL CATCH PEOPLE’S ATTENTION. WE DID VERDUN. WE DID NICK GILBERT MELENDEZ. >> RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT. >> YOU KNOW, SO, SO WE WERE ROLLING IN THAT BUT I PROBABLY I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE. BY WITHIN ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO. I WOULD HAVE WRITTEN, PRODUCED, DIRECTED MY FIRST MOVIE. I WAS GETTING INTO THAT. I HAVE SOME SCRIPTS IN MY DESK THAT WERE JUST BRUSHING OFF NOW, AND I’M REWRITING THAT. >> I’M OH. >> WOW. >> DIP INTO. >> THAT. >> DIP INTO THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL. ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE’RE ON NETFLIX AND WE HAVE SO MUCH ATTENTION ON US. BUT WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE? PROBABLY THAT, YOU KNOW, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE I WOULD HAVE DONE? I MEAN, IF THE NEW YORK YANKEES WEREN’T SMART ENOUGH TO HIRE ME AFTER I WAS HERE IN 2010. AND AND AS AN ORACLE. >> YES. >> YES. PREDICTED THEIR FUTURE. YOU KNOW, I, I HAD THE PROPHECY OF WHERE THE YANKEES WERE GOING LONG BEFORE BRIAN CASHMAN DID. CLEARLY. SO, YOU KNOW, THEY THEY WEREN’T SMART ENOUGH. IF THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SMART ENOUGH TO OFFER ME A JOB, THEN, YOU KNOW, I, I DON’T KNOW, MAY HAVE GONE THE METS OR SOMETHING. I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. I MEAN, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED SOMEHOW IN NEW YORK. AND THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED SOMEHOW ON A GLOBAL BASIS. AND SOMETHING LIKE, LIKE FILMS OR FEEDING, YOU KNOW, CONTENT TO STREAMING SERVICES OR CREATING TELEVISION SHOWS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. >> BUT I’D SAY IT’S ALL. >> WORKED OUT. >> I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO COMPLAINTS. I’M HOME, YOU KNOW, IT BECAME HOME AGAIN. >> IT WHEN. >> DID IT BECOME. >> HOME? >> I HAVE TO SAY, THEY MADE ME FEEL VERY WELCOME. MY FIRST DAY BACK IN. >> WOW. >> YOU KNOW, THEY IT WAS. I WAS REAL CAUTIOUS WALKING BACK IN THE DOOR. I WAS LIKE, OH, HOW IS THIS GOING TO WORK OUT? BECAUSE BECAUSE IT ALWAYS ENDED UP VOLATILE. ON MY WAY OUT THE DOOR. >> AND IT. >> HASN’T BEEN SINCE 2012. YOU KNOW, IT JUST. I WAS WELCOMED BACK WITH OPEN ARMS AND AND I’VE BEEN MADE TO FEEL AT HOME SINCE I HAVE REALLY NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. >> SO WHAT’S WHAT’S INTERESTING TO ME IS OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE KNOWN OVER THE YEARS THAT YOU YOU’VE WORKED ON THE CREATIVE SIDE. SOMETIMES YOU WEREN’T ON TV, SOMETIMES YOU WERE ON TV. BUT, YOU KNOW, I HAD THE THE GREAT PLEASURE AND I HOPE YOU DON’T MIND ME TALKING ABOUT THIS ELIMINATION CHAMBER, I BELIEVE IT WAS 2023. I STILL SAY TO THIS DAY, IT’S ONE OF THE BEST WEEKENDS OF MY LIFE. IT WAS. IT WAS. I GOT TO LIVE OUT A FANTASY. I GOT TO SEE WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES. AND TO ME, THE BEST PART WAS YOU. THE WAY YOU TREATED ME, THE WAY YOU JUST SAID, LIKE, STICK WITH ME, KID, AND WATCH. IT WAS A DREAM. IT WAS. IT WAS GETTING TO WATCH A BRILLIANT HUMAN BEING. PICASSO. WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY AT WORK AND JUST TO SEE ALL THE THINGS YOU WERE DOING. LIKE, WE SEE YOU FOR 20 MINUTES ON TV OR WHATEVER, GREAT. BUT TO SEE HOW INVOLVED YOU WERE IN SO MANY THINGS THAT I GUESS WE WOULD NEVER KNOW HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU, WAS SO FASCINATING TO ME. AND SO AT THIS JUNCTURE, HOW INVOLVED ARE YOU WITH EVERYTHING THAT DOESN’T REALLY HAVE TO DO WITH YOU, SO TO SPEAK? DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE THE ON AIR STUFF IS THE ON AIR STUFF. BUT I COULD SEE MAYBE YOU’RE NOT AN OFFICIAL CREATIVE TEAM MEMBER, BUT LIKE, YOU ARE DOING SO MUCH BACK THERE, YOU’RE NOT JUST A TALENT SHOWING UP, CLOCKING IN AND CLOCKING OUT. >> I’M THE OLD GUY NOW. AND. AND YOU KNOW, WHEN WHEN ROMAN REIGNS BESTOWED THE NAME THE WISE MAN ON ME. NUMBER 1, THAT THAT WAS THAT WAS A REAL TRIBUTE TO LOU ALBANO. FREDDIE BLASSIE AND ERNIE ROTH, THE GRAND WIZARD, BECAUSE THEY HAD A LOCK ON VINCE MCMAHON’S SENIORS PROMOTION IN TERMS OF BEING THE HEEL MANAGERS, AND THEY WERE KNOWN AS THE THREE WISE MEN OF THE EAST, AND NO ONE COULD GET IN HERE. NO ONE, NOT BOBBY HEENAN, NOT JIMMY HART, NOT SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK, NOT GARY HART. NOBODY, NOBODY COULD GET IN TO W WWF WWF WWE BECAUSE IT WAS A LOCK BY THE THREE WISE MEN OF THE EAST. SO IN CALLING ME THE WISE MAN, WHICH MEANS I INHERITED THE MANTLE FROM THE FROM THEM. THAT WAS A GREAT HONOR INSIDE OF THE BUSINESS. AND IN TERMS OF BEHIND THE SCENES, IT’S A NAME I TOOK SERIOUSLY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL COME TO ME BECAUSE I’M THE OLD GUY NOW, BECAUSE I’VE SURVIVED SO MANY REGIMES. I WORKED FOR VINCE MCMAHON SENIOR AS A PHOTOGRAPHER. AND SO THIS IS NOW THE THIRD OR FOURTH GENERATION OF, OF A REGIME IN THIS COMPANY THAT I’VE WORKED FOR IN ONE CAPACITY OR ANOTHER. SO HOW MUCH AM I INVOLVED? YOU KNOW, THE OLD EXPRESSION, YOU KNOW, I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF, OF THE, YOU KNOW, AND IN MY CASE WILL BE I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, PAUL LEVESQUE. AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS I’M NEEDED ON A PARTICULAR DAY. THERE ARE SOME DAYS I’M NOT NEEDED THAT MUCH. EVERYTHING’S EVERYTHING IS THERE AND EVERYTHING’S IN PLACE, AND EVERYBODY HAS WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO DO, AND THEY KNOW IT IN THEIR HEAD, AND THEY DON’T NEED A LOT OF HELP. AND THERE ARE OTHER DAYS WHERE A LOT OF TALENTS NEED A LOT OF DIRECTION OR A LOT OF MOTIVATION, OR A LOT OF INSPIRATION OR A LOT OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THEIR PERFORMANCE, WHETHER IT IS UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S ON A SCRIPT OR UNDERSTANDING THAT IT’S ONLY ON A SCRIPT AS A PLACEHOLDER AND, AND AND IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY BUT HOW YOU SAY. >> IT. >> BECAUSE IT’S FAR LESS SCRIPTED NOW, WORD FOR WORD, IN FACT. IN FACT, IT’S NOT SCRIPTED WORD FOR WORD. THE WORDS ARE THERE, BUT IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT ARE WE SELLING? WHAT’S THE WHAT’S THE EMOTION INVOLVED. SO THAT’S WHAT I’M THERE TO TEACH THE YOUNG TALENT. AND WHETHER I MEAN I, BRON BREAKKER AND I ARE ON CAMERA TOGETHER BECAUSE I WAS WORKING SO CLOSELY WITH HIM BEHIND THE SCENES BECAUSE I TRULY BELIEVE THAT’S THE FUTURE OF OUR COMPANY. THAT’S THAT’S A GUARANTEED WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTER. MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FUTURE. JACOB FATU, A GUARANTEED WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTER MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FUTURE. I CAN SAY THE SAME THING. RHEA RIPLEY, A GUARANTEED WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTER MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FUTURE IF WE FIND THE RIGHT STORY IN THE RIGHT OPPONENT FOR HER IN THAT CAPACITY. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE I LOVE WORKING WITH, AND I GET TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY ELSE TOO. IF ANYBODY COMES UP TO ME, I DON’T TURN THEM DOWN. I’M HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE TALENT. I’M HAPPY TO WORK WITH TALENT THAT SITS THERE AND AND YOU SEE THEIR EYES OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME, REALIZING, I DON’T HAVE TO SAY THESE EXACT WORDS, I CAN PUT THIS IN MY OWN WORDS. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EMOTION THAT I CONVEY AND THE CONNECTION THAT I CAN MAKE WITH THE AUDIENCE. >> IS THERE A GROUP NOW THAT YOU CONSISTENTLY WORK. >> WITH? >> WELL, CERTAINLY BRON, BREAKKER AND BRONSON REED. >> SURE. >> THERE’S NOT A LOT THAT I NEED TO TEACH SETH ROLLINS. WE JUST GET TO COLLABORATE FAR CLOSER THAN WE EVER HAVE IN THE PAST. THERE’S A LOT TO LEARN FROM SETH ROLLINS AS WELL. YOU KNOW. >> I. >> THE ENTIRE ROSTER. >> OKAY. >> SO ANYONE COULD JUST COME UP TO YOU AND SAY. >> LIKE, ABSOLUTELY. >> OKAY. >> OH, THERE’S NO ONE I LIKE. THERE’S NO ONE THAT I’M GOING TO LOOK AT AND SAY, I’M SORRY, I HAVE NO TIME FOR YOU. I’LL MAKE TIME FOR THEM. >> DO THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS? >> OF COURSE. >> THEY DO. >> OKAY. THEY ARE SMART ENOUGH. THE YOUNGER ONES. >> SURE. >> OKAY. >> SURE. I’M THE OLD GUY. >> I KNOW, BUT MAYBE, YOU KNOW, WITH BEING THE OLD GUY AND WITH BEING A YOUNG PERSON, SOMETIMES YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE WHO YOU HAVE AT YOUR DISPOSAL. >> WELL, I’M STILL ON TV IN A VERY HIGH POSITION, AND THEY SIT THERE AND GO, HOW CAN I HOW CAN I GET THAT SPOT? >> OKAY. >> SO FOR NOTHING ELSE, THEY WANT TO TALK TO ME TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO GET IN WITH US AND RUN A PROGRAM WITH US OR A STORY LINE WITH US. SO, SO THAT OH, OKAY. WELL, ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW THEY’RE WORKING WITH SETH ROLLINS AND BRON BREAKKER AND BRONSON REED AND DOING PROMOS WITH PAUL HEYMAN. >> I DID NOTICE WHILE WATCHING WWE UNREAL, WHICH I WANT TO ASK YOU SPECIFICALLY BACK, BUT I SAW A COUPLE OF TIMES, LIKE YOU’RE IN THE MEETINGS, THE CREATIVE MEETINGS. >> SOME OF THEM, NOT ALL OF THEM. >> SO HOW DOES. >> THAT WORK? I’M NOT ON THE WEEKLY BASIS. >> OKAY. SO HOW DOES THAT WORK? BECAUSE THERE WERE TIMES I SAW YOU AND TIMES I DIDN’T SEE YOU. >> YEAH, LONG TERM MEETINGS. >> I’M IN. >> OKAY. >> SO WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR’S WRESTLEMANIA OR THE YEAR AFTER WRESTLEMANIA OR THE YEAR AFTER, THAT’S WRESTLEMANIA OR NEXT YEAR’S ROYAL RUMBLE OR ELIMINATION CHAMBER. THIS YEAR’S SURVIVOR SERIES, WHEN WE START PLANNING THINGS. >> OUT. >> I GO TO THOSE MEETINGS. OKAY, I DON’T I’M NOT EXPOSED TO THE TO THE WEEKLY GRIND LIKE THE OTHER WRITERS WHO DESERVE A TON OF CREDIT. THEY’RE EXPOSED TO THAT WEEKLY GRIND. I’M NOT EXPOSED TO THAT. >> YOU DON’T WANT THAT? NO. OKAY. >> NO. >> BY THE WAY, YOU MENTIONED NEXT YEAR’S WRESTLEMANIA, THE YEAR AFTER. ARE WE REALLY TALKING TWO OR THREE YEARS DOWN THE. >> LINE? >> OH, WITH ME. >> ARE IN THESE MEETINGS. ARE THERE MEETINGS ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS DOWN THE LINE? >> IF I’M IN THE MEETINGS, IT’S GOING TO BE A SUBJECT. I’M GOING TO BRING IT UP. >> WOW. >> I LET’S LOOK AT THIS. YOU KNOW, ON A STRICTLY BUSINESS LEVEL , YOU COULDN’T PULL ME AWAY FROM ROMAN REIGNS COATTAILS UNLESS YOU SHOWED ME THE FUTURE OF THIS INDUSTRY. YOU COULDN’T. WHY WOULD I EVER LEAVE ROMAN. REIGNS ? EVER, EVER. THE GOAT, THE THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE PERFORMER I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH IN MY LIFE. AND THAT’S NOT JUST LIMITED TO THIS INDUSTRY . I CREDIT THE THE TRIBAL CHIEF CHARACTER AS NOT ONLY BEING THE MOST RUTHLESS CHARACTER ON TELEVISION, AND THIS IS DURING AN AGE WHEN TOM HARDY WAS STILL PLAYING ALFIE SOLOMONS ON PEAKY BLINDERS, AND WE STILL HAD BETTER CALL SAUL. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE STARTED, THE CHARACTER, THE TRIBAL CHIEF, JOE DANA WHITE, HIS PORTRAYAL OF THE TRIBAL CHIEF ROMAN REIGNS WAS THE MOST COMPELLING VILLAIN ON TELEVISION AND THE MOST RUTHLESS CHARACTER I’VE SEEN TO THIS DAY. AND THE FACT AND WE’VE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE, THAT THE EMMY AWARDS DO NOT RECOGNIZE THESE PERFORMANCES IS A BLIGHT UPON THE EMMY AWARDS. THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR RIPPING OFF THEIR AUDIENCE BY NOT ACKNOWLEDGING ALL PUNS INTENDED. OUR BODY OF WORK ROMAN REIGNS CAME BACK IN AUGUST 2020, GOT PUT WITH BROCK LESNAR’S ADVOCATE. I BECAME THE SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE TRIBAL CHIEF AND LATER JUST KNOWN AS THE WISE MAN , AND IT WAS ON THE BACK OF ROMAN REIGNS AT WWE, GOT LIFTED OUT OF THE PANDEMIC. PANDEMIC ERA. WHAT WAS THE STOCK WHEN ROMAN REIGNS CAME BACK IN AUGUST 20? WHAT IS IT TODAY? 170, 160, 7170. $175. WHAT WAS IT BACK THEN IN THE 70s AND THE 80s? THE MERGER HAPPENED. WELL, WHAT DID WHY DID WE MERGE WITH UFC? WHY WHY WHY DID TKO TAKE OVER? WHY DID NETFLIX GIVE WWE TKO $5,000,000,000 RIGHTS FEES? WHO LIFTED US OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS OF OF THE PANDEMIC? THE TRIBAL CHIEF ROMAN REIGNS AND BEHIND THE SCENES, JOANNA, WHY THIS IS NOT SOME SHTICK THAT I SAY ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW. THIS IS LEGITIMATE. ANALYTICS AND METRICS. YOU TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE PORTRAYAL OF THAT CHARACTER AND ALL OF US AROUND HIM AND ALL OF THE OPPONENTS THAT HE GOT TO WORK WITH AND MAKE BIGGER STARS OUT OF. SO WHEN IT CAME TIME THAT, OKAY, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NEW, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WE NEED TO POSITION HIM. WE NEED TO TELL ANOTHER STORY HERE BECAUSE WE’VE TOLD THE CHAMPIONSHIP STORY, AND NOW WE’VE TOLD THE STORY OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE LOSES THE TITLE. NOW, WHERE DO WE GO? YOU. I DON’T GIVE YOU A CHAINSAW. YOU WEREN’T GOING TO GET ME. YOU WEREN’T GOING TO GET ME AWAY FROM. >> HIM. >> LET ME WORK WITH SETH ROLLINS, WHO IS GOING TO BE THE MOST PERSONAL OPPONENT. EVEN MORE SO THAN ROMAN REIGNS FAMILY, THE MOST PERSONAL OPPONENT TO THE TRIBAL CHIEF, ROMAN REIGNS IS GOING TO BE THIS. THIS MORE THAN A DECADE LONG STORY WITH SETH ROLLINS, WHO HE DEBUTED WITH IN THE SHIELD. NOW, SETH ROLLINS HAS ROMAN REIGNS AS WISE MAN THE SAME WAY ROMAN REIGNS HAD BROCK LESNAR’S ADVOCATE. AND WE HAVE BRON BREAKKER, WHO TO ME IS THE UNDISPUTED UNCONTROVERTED FUTURE OF WWE. A MULTI-TIME WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTER COMING UP, LET ALONE BRONSON REED, WHOSE GAME HAS ELEVATED LIKE THIS BEYOND DESCRIPTION TO WHERE NOW EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT THE TRIBAL CHIEF AND HIS SHULA FALA. AND YOU GIVE ME A CHANCE TO WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE AND WE’RE AGAINST ROMAN REIGNS , OKAY? WHY? WELL, BECAUSE NOW I CAN SIT HERE AND SAY, WHAT’S THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA IN 2026? WHAT’S THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA IN 2027? WHAT’S THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA IN 2028? HOW DO WE GET THERE AND HOW DO WE START TELLING THOSE STORIES NOW? AND WHAT ARE THE LITTLE HINTS THAT WE CAN DROP NOW? WHAT ARE THE LITTLE THINGS THAT WE CAN SAY NOW? WHAT ARE THE LITTLE DEVICES THAT WE CAN USE NOW? WHAT ARE THE SCENES THAT WE CAN PLAY OUT NOW THAT WE KEEP ON GOING, LAYER UPON LAYER UPON LAYER UPON LAYER IN THESE DEEP STORY LINES THAT THEN COME TO FRUITION AT NEXT YEAR’S MANIA THAT LEADS TO THE NEXT YEAR’S MANIA THAT LEADS TO THE NEXT YEAR’S MANIA. SO IF I’M SITTING IN A MEETING AND WE SAY, OKAY, WHERE ARE WE GOING FOR NEXT YEAR’S MANIA? WELL, WE’RE GOING THREE MANIAS FROM. NOW. BECAUSE THIS MANIA IS JUST THE PATHWAY TO THE NEXT YEAR’S MANIA, WHICH IS THE PATHWAY TO THE NEXT YEAR’S MANIA. LONG TERM STORY LINES IS WHERE IS WHERE IT IS. IT’S THE SAME REASON WHY. AND THIS IS THIS WAS DISCUSSED ON UNREAL AND THIS WAS DISCUSSED AD NAUSEAM BY A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. SAME REASON WHY IT WASN’T TIME FOR CODY TO BECOME CHAMPION. WE DISCUSSED THIS. WE DISCUSSED THIS IN LOS ANGELES. IT WASN’T TIME FOR CODY TO BECOME CHAMPION. IT WAS ANOTHER WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENT. COMING OUT OF. >> THAT. >> IT WAS ANOTHER YEAR OF THAT STORY TO BE TOLD. AND SO IT’S NEVER JUST ABOUT, LET’S GET TO THIS YEAR’S MANIA AND HERE WE GO, AND WE’LL FIGURE OUT THE REST AFTER THAT. IF I’M IN A MEETING, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE MANIAS FROM NOW. AND THEN LET’S TELL THE STORY BACKWARDS. >> IN THE OLD REGIME, SPECIFICALLY THE VINCE MCMAHON ERA, WERE THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING, OR IS THIS A BYPRODUCT OF THE NEW REGIME? BECAUSE IT DOES SEEM LIKE THERE’S A LOT MORE THE, YOU KNOW, THE THE BLOODLINE STORY, LIKE, THAT WAS A MOVIE, RIGHT? THREE, FOUR YEARS AND THERE WERE SEEDS BEING PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE WAY, AND THAT DIDN’T FEEL LIKE THE OLD PRODUCT. IS THIS A SIGN OF THE NEW TIMES? >> IT’S A SIGN OF THE NEW TIMES. BUT IT’S NOT. IT’S NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF A REGIME CHANGE, IT’S BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT DEMANDS. NOW THERE ARE DIFFERENT DEMANDS ON, ON, ON OUR I MEAN, WE HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT NETWORK LICENSE. WE HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT AS AS EXPOSED TODAY. WE’RE NOT EXPOSED TODAY. REVEALED TODAY. A PREMIUM LIVE EVENT DEAL AND A STREAMING SERVICE. IT’S IT’S, IT’S A SIGN OF THE TIMES, YOU KNOW, IT’S IT’S IT’S THE OLD EXPRESSION IS THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE. SO BACK THEN, UNDER VINCE MCMAHON IF WE COULD GET THE CONVERSATION TO WHAT’S THE MAIN EVENT AND WHAT’S THE SUPPORT IN NEXT YEAR’S MANIA? THAT’S A GREAT LONG TERM MEETING. TODAY. WE CAN SIT HERE. AND AGAIN, A LOT OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH WHAT WE DID WITH THE BLOODLINE AND THE CREATION OF THE TRIBAL CHIEF, ROMAN REIGNS, THAT WE CAN SIT HERE AND SAY, WELL, WHAT ARE WE DOING THREE YEARS FROM. >> NOW? >> BECAUSE THAT’S HOW WE LOOKED AT IT. WE WE KNEW WHEN WE HIT WITH WITH THE BLOODLINE. WOW. LET’S PLAN THIS OUT. LET’S LET’S SEE HOW WE CAN MAX THIS. AND AGAIN, LET’S ALWAYS GET OUT AT 11:59, NOT AT 12:01. NOT OKAY. YOU KNOW, YOU DON’T YOU DON’T WANT TO DO THE OLD ARTHUR FONZARELLI JUMPED THE SHARK. FOR THOSE OF YOU AT HOME WATCHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW MOST OF YOU WATCHING DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT WITH ARTHUR FONZARELLI. GOOGLE IT, I’M NOT HERE TO EDUCATE YOU. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT’S SO LONG TERM PLANNING NOW. IT’S IT’S NOT ONLY A REGIME THAT IS OPEN TO. >> IT. >> OR MORE OPEN TO IT. IT’S ALSO, TO ME, THE REALITY OF THE INDUSTRY TODAY IN THAT YOU CAN PLAN OUT THREE, FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. WASN’T THAT WAY BEFORE, YOU KNOW, AND NOW ALSO THERE’S LONGER TERM CONTRACTS. WE’RE SIGNING PEOPLE FOR 3-5 YEARS BEFORE THAT WASN’T ALWAYS THE CASE. IT WAS ONLY THE TOP STARS THAT WERE GETTING FIVE YEAR DEALS. >> WHAT DID YOU THINK OF UNREAL? >> IT’S A REALITY OF THE INDUSTRY TODAY THAT I HAVE TO ACCEPT. >> WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY. >> THAT? >> I. I GREW UP IN THIS BUSINESS AT A TIME WHEN, IF YOU’RE IN A BAR AND SOMEONE WALKS UP TO YOU AND SAYS YOU’RE, YOU’RE YOU’RE IN THAT FAKE WRESTLING BUSINESS, NOTICE THE SOUTHERN ACCENT WHEN I SAY THAT NO OFFENSE TO ALL THE PEOPLE FROM THE SOUTH. >> BUT. >> IF YOU DON’T SWING, IF YOU DON’T DEFEND THE BUSINESS AND SOMEONE ELSE SEES IT OR FINDS OUT ABOUT IT, YOU’RE CATCHING AN KICKING AND YOU’RE GETTING SHIPPED OUT OF THE TERRITORY. THAT’S THE WAY IT WAS BACK THEN. ALL THESE STORIES OF YOU HEAR OF, YOU KNOW, LEGENDARY BAR FIGHTS OF GUYS LIKE HAKU RIPPING PEOPLE’S EYEBALLS. >> OUT. >> YOU KNOW, SHOW ME HOW FAKE THIS IS. NOW, BROTHER, YOU KNOW, THAT’S THAT. THAT’S HOW WE WE WERE TAUGHT TO DEFEND THE BUSINESS AND WE CAUGHT THE. KICKINGS. IF WE DIDN’T DEFEND THE BUSINESS. SO THAT’S WHERE I GREW. >> UP. >> SO TO NOW BE IN A SITUATION WHERE IT’S SO OPEN TO WHERE IT’S NOT JUST THIS IS HOW THE MAGIC IS DONE, BUT WE’RE GOING TO SHOW YOU THE WIRES AND WE’RE GOING TO SHOW YOU THE CREW THAT INSERTS THE WIRES, AND WE’RE GOING TO SHOW YOU THE WRITING TEAM MEETING IN WHICH WE DISCUSS THE, THE WIRES TO, TO DO THE MAGIC TRICK. THAT’S AN ADJUSTMENT FOR. >> ME. >> AND IT’S AN ADJUSTMENT THAT I HAVE TO MAKE AND ACCEPT. BECAUSE IF I TAKE THE TACTIC OF, WOW, I’M NOT USED TO THIS, I’M NOT USED TO BEING SO OPEN AND TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE INNER WORKINGS AND THE SECRECY. IT’S STILL IT. FOR SO LONG IT WAS A A SECRET SOCIETY. IT WAS A CLOSED BUSINESS. BUT THEN AGAIN TODAY, SAMMY GRAVANO DOES A PODCAST. MICHAEL FRANZESE DOES A PODCAST. JOHN ALITE DOES A PODCAST. ALL THESE GANGSTERS ARE SITTING THERE GOING, YEAH, SO WE KNOW WE CLIPPED MARIO AND ROCCO CAME IN THE ROOM AND WE HAD A CLIP. ROCCO I LIKED I LIKED ROCCO. TOO BAD WE HAD TO KILL HIM. YEAH. AND HE WAS MY BROTHER IN LAW, YOU KNOW. SO, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE GANGSTERS ARE REVEALING WHAT IT WHAT IT IS. SO IT’S A FAR MORE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT SOCIETY WHERE AT LEAST, AT LEAST WE THINK IT IS. AND I HAVE TO ACCEPT UNREAL AS PART OF THE PLATFORM BY WHICH WWE IS DISNEYFIED AND PICKS UP A STREAMING DEAL AND ESPN IT. THE WAY I LOOK AT IT IS THIS I’M ALWAYS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS WHEN I SEE A CAMERA BEHIND THE SCENES, BECAUSE I’M STILL NOT USED TO. >> IT. >> AND I’M GOING TO HAVE TO GET USED TO. IT BECAUSE THE TRAIN IS LEAVING THE STATION AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THE, IF NOT THE CONDUCTOR. I WANT TO BE ONE OF THE CONDUCTORS OR ONE OF THE TOP ADVISORS TO THE CONDUCTORS AS TO WHERE THAT TRAIN IS GOING. IT REMINDS ME OF A LOT OF MUSIC ARTISTS. IF YOU GO TO BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN OR MICK JAGGER OR STEVEN TYLER ANY MUSIC ACT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS AND DECADES AND YEARS AND DECADES AND IS STILL ABLE TO SELL OUT STADIUMS, AND YOU ASK THEM ON WHAT PLATFORM DO YOU THINK YOUR MUSIC SOUNDS THE BEST TO THE MAN OR THE WOMAN? MADONNA, WHOMEVER WILL TELL YOU. VINYL, VINYL . EVERY MUSICIAN WILL TELL YOU THEIR MUSIC SOUNDS BEST ON VINYL. NOBODY DOES VINYL ANYMORE. NOBODY. SO SINCE NO ONE DOES VINYL, IF YOU SIT THERE AND GO WELL, I DON’T WANT TO DO MY MUSIC. IF IT’S NOT ON VINYL, THEN YOU’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY MONEY IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS. IF I DON’T WANT TO BE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE THAT SAYS THIS PHRASE BACK IN MY DAY, I WANT THIS TO BE MY DAY. I WANT NEXT YEAR’S WRESTLEMANIA TO BE MY DAY. I WANT TOMORROW TO BE MY DAY. I WANT THREE WRESTLEMANIAS FROM NOW TO BE MY DAY. THAT’S WHY I LATCHED ON TO BRON BREAKKER BECAUSE HE’S THE FUTURE OF WRESTLEMANIA. OH, I WANT TO BE ATTACHED TO HIS HIP. WHY? BECAUSE I DON’T WANT IT TO BE BACK IN MY DAY, WHEN I MAIN EVENTED WITH ROMAN REIGNS AND BROCK LESNAR AND CM PUNK, I WANT, I WANT YEARS FROM NOW TO ALSO BE MY DAY. PART OF THIS BEING MY DAY IS ACCEPTING UNREAL FOR WHAT IT IS. IT’S NOT AN EXPOSE OF OUR BUSINESS, IT’S LETTING PEOPLE IN TO SEE THE PASSION, TO SEE THE PLANNING, TO SEE THE METICULOUS WORK THAT GOES INTO, TO SEE THE DEBATES THAT GO INTO THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT SO MANY PEOPLE THINK IS ONE DIMENSIONAL. AND IT’S NOT. IT’S NOT, AS MANY DEBATES AS THERE MAY HAVE BEEN. THIS IS A DATED REFERENCE, AGAIN, BECAUSE I’M OLD. WHAT DO WE DO IN THE FINAL SCENES OF THE SOPRANOS? DO WE. >> KILL HIM? >> DOES HE LIVE? DO DOES HE GET OUT OF THE MOB? DOES HE GET ARRESTED? DO WE JUST NOT TELL ANYBODY ANYTHING AND JUST GO DARK LIKE THAT ? AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT ROOM. I WOULD PAY TO SEE THE DEBATE THAT WENT ON FOR THE FINAL SCENE OF THE SOPRANOS, OR THE FINAL SCENE OF SEINFELD, OR ANY OF THESE, ANY OF THESE CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT SHOWS. WE’RE NOW SHOWING YOU THE DEBATE THAT GOES ON. WHO’S GOING TO WIN THE RUMBLE, WHO’S GOING TO GO ON THE MAIN IN THE MAIN EVENT? IS IT PUNK? IS IT JEY USO? SHOULD GUNTHER BE THE CHAMPION AT THAT TIME? WHAT’S AT STAKE WITH ROMAN REIGNS VERSUS SETH ROLLINS VERSUS CM PUNK? IS IT REALLY THIS A BATTLE TO SEE WHERE HEYMAN GOES? IS IS THAT CHARACTER STILL RELEVANT ENOUGH ON THE ISLAND OF RELEVANCY THAT HE MEANS ENOUGH FOR THAT TO BE WHAT’S AT STAKE IN THAT MATCH? WHAT’S AT STAKE IN CHARLOTTE’S MATCH? WHAT’S AT STAKE IN ALEXA BLISS MATCH? WHAT’S AT STAKE IN RHEA RIPLEY’S MATCH? OR JADE CARGILL’S MATCH? OR LIV MORGAN’S MATCH? OR DOMINIK MYSTERIO MATCH? WHO DO WE ELEVATE ON THIS WRESTLEMANIA? WHAT IS YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM DAY ONE? THIS IS MY TAKEAWAY. OH, I DON’T. >> KNOW. >> I THINK THIS IS MY TAKEAWAY FROM THE. I HAVE ANOTHER OPINION. WHAT IF THIS IS THE TAKEAWAY? THESE ARE ALL THE DEBATES THAT HAPPENED. SETH ROLLINS CASH IN NIGHT ONE. DOES HE CASH IN NIGHT TWO? IF HE CASHES IN NIGHT TWO, DOES BROCK LESNAR COME BACK? NIGHT ONE BROCK LESNAR COMES BACK. NIGHT TWO SETH ROLLINS CASH IN ON NIGHT ONE. THESE ARE THE DEBATES THAT HAPPEN. AND NOW IT’S OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE. WHAT A FASCINATING INDUSTRY THIS TRULY IS. BEHIND THE SCENES. >> I LOVED IT, I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. OBVIOUSLY, I’M A SUPER FAN. IF YOU ARE A LONGTIME FAN, I LOVED IT. THERE WAS ONE MOMENT THE WHOLE PUNK MAIN EVENT, ALL THIS STUFF AND EVERYONE FIXATED ON PUNK AND AND AND TRIPLE H HUGGING AND THEY SAID LIKE A WHOLE GENERATION WAS HEALED AFTER SEEING THIS. BUT WHAT PEOPLE DIDN’T NOTICE AND WHAT I NOTICED WAS RIGHT BEFORE HE HUGGED TRIPLE H, HE HUGGED YOU. THERE’S A SHOT OF YOU GUYS TO THE IN THE DISTANCE OF THE GORILLA ROOM, HUGGING AND LIKE HOLDING ON AND SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO HIM? >> THERE? >> BECAUSE THAT ONE SEEMED THAT ONE HIT ME IN THE. >> HEART. >> I TOLD HIM, I SAID. I SAID, YOU MADE IT AND YOU DID IT ON YOUR OWN TERMS, AND THERE’S NO CHARITY. >> HERE. >> AND THIS IS. NOT A POLITICAL MOVE. IT’S NOT A GIFT. IT’S IT’S NOT BEING DONE JUST TO APPEASE YOU OR EVEN THE AUDIENCE. YOU’RE IN THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA BECAUSE YOU EARNED THE RIGHT AND THE PRIVILEGE TO BE IN THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA, AND YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN, AND YOU WORKED YOUR WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS MOMENT. >> ENJOY IT. >> ENJOY IT FOR EVERYTHING THAT IT IS. BECAUSE YOU MADE IT. YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN. AND I TOLD HIM, I’M SO PROUD OF YOU AND I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU. AND HERE’S THE BEST PART. WE GET TO WALK OUT THERE TOGETHER. WE GET TO DO THIS TOGETHER. WE. WE GET TO ENJOY THIS ENTRANCE TOGETHER. AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE A PART OF IT. AND AND THEN I HIT HIM WITH THE PHRASE THAT IS SO LONG GONE IN OUR INDUSTRY AND SHOULDN’T BE. THANK YOU FOR THE HOUSE. >> ARE. >> THAT’S A GREAT PHRASE. >> YEAH. >> THAT’S AMAZING. I LOVE THAT. >> BUT. >> BUT. >> ALL THREE OF THEM DESERVE TO HEAR THAT. YEAH, ALL THREE OF THEM DESERVE TO HEAR. THANK YOU FOR THE HOUSE. SETH ROLLINS GAVE THE MOST BRILLIANT MICROPHONE PERFORMANCES OF HIS ENTIRE CAREER GOING INTO WRESTLEMANIA. IF IF I HAD ANY DOUBTS THAT IT WOULD WORK WITH SETH ROLLINS AND I DIDN’T, MY GOD, HIS PERFORMANCE IS GOING INTO MANIA. I THOUGHT SETH ROLLINS STOLE THE LEAD UP TO MANIA, I REALLY DO. I THOUGHT HE WAS. I THOUGHT HE WAS THE MOST RIVETING, THE MOST BELIEVABLE. JUST, MY GOD. HIS PROMOS WERE JUST SO ON POINT AND PUTTING US ALL IN OUR PLACE, PUTTING ROMAN REIGNS IN HIS PLACE, PUTTING EVEN CM PUNK IN HIS PLACE AND SETTING UP HIS HEEL TURN. PUNK WAS JUST SUCH A COMPELLING CHARACTER AND YOU UNDERSTOOD. YOU KNEW YOU COULD SEE HOW REAL THIS WAS TO HIM, THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAIN EVENT WRESTLE MANIA. AND FOR ROMAN REIGNS. >> JUST. >> THE TRIBAL CHIEF IN HIS FIRST WRESTLEMANIA, WALKING OUT TO THE RING IN HALF A DECADE WITHOUT THE TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. SO FOR ROMAN REIGNS, WHAT WAS THAT GOING TO BE LIKE? AND AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE TOLD HIS STORY AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE LET YOU KNOW THAT THESE TWO GUYS ARE WORKING WITH ME, ROMAN REIGNS, THE ABSOLUTE UNDISPUTED NUMBER 1 TOP STAR IN THIS ENTIRE INDUSTRY. AND JUST MAINTAINING THAT POSITION AND THAT AURA AND THAT MYSTIQUE, THEY ALL THREE DESERVE TO HEAR. THANK YOU FOR THE HOUSE. ONLY ONE GOT TO HEAR IT, THOUGH, PUNK, BECAUSE I WAS WITH HIM. >> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> OKAY. SO MUCH MAN. THERE’S SO MUCH TO DISCUSS WITH YOU. YOU MENTIONED. >> SETH. >> AND YOU MENTIONED, OKAY, THE RUN RECENTLY THAT YOU’RE ON WITH HIM SATURDAY WAS INCREDIBLE. WHAT A STORY. AND I WILL BE HONEST, I HAVEN’T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION MUCH TO THE THE NEWS. I’M JUST SORT OF ENJOYING THINGS. MY KIDS LIKE. >> IT. >> AND IT WAS NICE. IT WAS NICE TO BE SURPRISED. SO I DIDN’T KNOW. INJURED. NOT INJURED. I KNEW HE WAS HURT, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW ALL THE OTHER STUFF IN BETWEEN. SO WHEN HE CAME OUT, I WAS LIKE, HOLY, THIS IS GREAT STUFF. WAS HE EVER. >> HURT ? NO. >> NEVER HURT. EVEN LIKE WHEN HE WAS JUMPING AROUND AT SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT? >> NO, THAT WAS PLAN B. >> HOLY. >> WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PLAN B? >> WELL, WE THE STORY SINCE MANIA IS A POWER GRAB THAT THIS IS. OH MY GOD, I’M BREAKING. >> NO NO, NO. YOU’RE GOOD, YOU’RE GOOD. >> THIS IS WHAT WE’RE CALLING THE VISION. AND THE VISION WAS SETH ROLLINS IN A POSITION OF POWER TO LEAD WWE. AND INDEED, THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY INTO THE FUTURE . SO HOW DO YOU HOW DO YOU GET THAT POWER? GRAB? THE POWER GRAB IS YOU NEED THE TITLE. SO WE NEEDED THE TITLE. SO EVERY TIME SETH ROLLINS WAS GETTING HIMSELF IN A POSITION TO WHERE HE COULD GO FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, CM PUNK KEPT INTERFERING BECAUSE SETH ROLLINS MADE THE STATEMENT, AS LONG AS I’M HERE, CM PUNK WILL NEVER BE CHAMPION. AND PUNK DECIDED TO REVERSE THAT ON SETH ROLLINS. SO SETH ROLLINS REALIZED HE’S NEVER GOING TO BE CHAMPION AS LONG AS CM PUNK IS AROUND. OR AT LEAST AS LONG AS CM PUNK SEES SETH ROLLINS GOING FOR A TITLE. SO WE NEED PLAN B, SO PLAN B BECAME GET THE MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE . AND GET OUT OF THE WAY. OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND. SO PUNK NEVER SEES IT COMING. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT CM PUNK ENDS UP IN THE TITLE MATCH AT SUMMERSLAM. A HAPPY COINCIDENCE ON OUR PART. IT JUST SO HAPPENED CM PUNK HAPPENS TO WIN AT SUMMERSLAM. NOW, CM PUNK DIDN’T TAKE THAT BEATING FROM GUNTHER. IT WOULD NOT HAVE MADE SENSE FOR SETH. FOR SETH ROLLINS TO HAVE CASHED IN THE MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE AT SUMMERSLAM. THE IDEA WAS WAIT TILL A CHAMPION GUNTHER OR PUNK OR ANYBODY THAT COULD BEAT GUNTHER. AND THERE’S NOT A LOT THAT CAN, IS IN A POSITION OF VULNERABILITY. CASH IT IN SO THAT PUNK CAN’T INTERFERE IN THE MATCH TO STOP SETH ROLLINS FROM WINNING THE TITLE. IT JUST SO HAPPENS PUNK WAS IN THE MATCH. IT JUST SO HAPPENS PUNK WON THE MATCH. SO TALK ABOUT ALL STARS ALIGNING AT THE SAME MOMENT. NOT ONLY DO WE GET TO PREVENT CM PUNK FROM STOPPING SETH ROLLINS FROM WINNING THE TITLE, WE GET TO TAKE THE TITLE AWAY FROM CM PUNK, WHO NEVER GETS TO ENJOY THE CHAMPIONSHIP, WHO GETS TO LIVE OUT ANOTHER CM PUNK HAD A DREAM AS A KID TO MAIN EVENT WRESTLEMANIA. HE GOT TO MAIN EVENT WRESTLEMANIA, BUT HIS BEST FRIEND BETRAYED HIM, SMASHED HIM IN THE TESTICLES, TURNED ON HIM AND HE DIDN’T GET TO WIN. IN THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA, HE HAD ANOTHER DREAM TOO. BY THE. >> WAY. >> WANTED TO THANK THE FANS, WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT CHANTED HIS NAME, THAT CHANTED CM PUNK, CM PUNK, CM PUNK FOR ALL THE YEARS THAT HE WAS GONE. TILL WWE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE BUT TO BRING CM PUNK. BACK. AND HE GETS THAT MOMENT IN HIS LIFE WHERE HE WINS THE TITLE. HE GETS TO THANK THE AUDIENCE THAT BROUGHT HIM BACK. CM PUNK AND THE AUDIENCE THAT CHANTED HIS NAME ARE CO-CHAMPIONS TOGETHER , BUT HE DOESN’T HAVE THE TITLE LONG ENOUGH TO GET THE SIDE PLATES PUT ON IT. OR AS I SAID ON TELEVISION, HE MAY HAVE HAD THE WEDDING, BUT SETH ROLLINS STOLE THE HONEYMOON AND THAT TITLE WAS GIVEN TO. SO HERE WE GET A CHANCE TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM CM PUNK. HALF THE FUN OF WATCHING CM PUNK WIN THE TITLE WAS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SETH ROLLINS HAD THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM. >> HIM. >> SO THAT WAS THE OPPORTUNE MOMENT TO CASH IN. AND SO WE DID. AND THAT WAS PLAN B. >> THE BEAUTY OF UNREAL, IN MY OPINION, MEANS THAT NOW WE HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE HARDER TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CREATIVE. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT. IS THE R÷BECKI INSTAGRAM POST WITH HIM ON THE ON THE CRUTCHES NEXT TO THEIR DAUGHTER, HIM ON THE RICH EISEN SHOW, TALKING ABOUT THE INJURY. NOW I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CREATIVE. AND THAT’S WHY I THINK ALL THIS WORKS. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? YES, IT FELT VERY YOU KNOW, IT WAS BLURRING OF THE LINES. THIS IS WHAT WE LOVE. IS IT REAL? IS IT NOT REAL? THIS IS WHAT THE FANS CRAVE FOR. AND I FEEL LIKE IT WAS EXECUTED PERFECTLY. >> I CONCUR WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT. I MEAN, BUT THEN AGAIN, WHEN THE JUNKYARD DOG IN, WAS IT 1980, IN MID-SOUTH DID THE BLINDING ANGLE WITH MICHAEL HAYES AND THE FREEBIRDS. JUNKYARD DOG WENT ALL AROUND NEW ORLEANS WITH WITH PATCHES ON HIS EYES AND SUNGLASSES TELLING, TELLING HOBOS LITERALLY GOING LIKE, YOU KNOW, DOWN DOWN ALLEYS SO THAT THE WORD SPREAD OUT FROM THE STREETS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CORPORATE SUITES, THE HOW THE JUNKYARD DOG REALLY GOT BLINDED AND ECW IN 1994 WHEN WE DID THE SANDMAN , BLINDING ANGLE. SANDMAN, WHO WAS KNOWN AROUND PHILADELPHIA NOT JUST FOR BEING THE SANDMAN, NOT JUST FOR BEING THE SANDMAN ON ECW TELEVISION, BUT HE HAD A NEWSPAPER ROUTE HE OWNED, LIKE, YOU KNOW, LIKE BOARSHEAD SELLS. YOU KNOW, ROUTES. AND HE SNAPPLE SELLS ROOTS. HE HAD A NEWSPAPER. HE OWNED THE RIGHTS TO A TERRITORY IN PHILLY TO WHERE HE WAS. HE WAS THE PERSON DROVE AROUND THE VAN HAD A CREW OF KIDS, YOU KNOW, AFTERNOON DELIVERY OF NEWSPAPERS. AND THAT THAT WAS THAT WAS A FULL TIME CAREER THAT HE HAD AT THE TIME. AS WE WERE, AS WE WERE COMING OUT OF THE GATES WITH WITH THE START UP BRAND OF ECW. AND WHEN WE DID THE BLINDING OF THE SANDMAN, HE DIDN’T DRIVE THAT VAN. HE DIDN’T, HE DIDN’T HE DIDN’T SUPERVISE THE DELIVERY OF THE NEWSPAPERS. HE STAYED HOME. HE STAYED HOME FOR OVER 30 DAYS, NEVER LEFT HIS HOUSE SO NO ONE COULD SEE THAT HE WASN’T REALLY BLIND. SO WHEN HE DID THE HANNIBAL LECTER REVEAL OF PULLING THE MASK OFF, OF PULLING THE THE THE THE BANDAGES OFF HIS EYES AND THE ECW ARENA AND CANING THE CRAP OUT OF TOMMY DREAMER AND BEATING TOMMY DREAMER HALF TO DEATH WITH A SINGAPORE CANE BECAUSE THE SANDMAN WASN’T BLIND FOOLED EVERYBODY BECAUSE THEY BOUGHT INTO IT. BECAUSE NO ONE HAD JUST SEEN HIM GOING TO THE LOCAL STORE, GOING, HEY, DON’T TELL ANYBODY I’M BUYING A SIX PACK OF BEER OR WITH THE SANDMAN’S CASE, YOU KNOW, A CASE OF BEER OR TWO CASES OF BEER. FROM THE SMASHING TO HIS FOREHEAD AND BLEED AS HE’S DRIVING HOME. NOT THAT THE MAN DRIVES DRUNK OR ANYTHING. NO, NO, NOT NOT INSINUATING SUCH A THING. SO, YOU KNOW, IT’S IT’S BEEN DONE BEFORE AND, YOU KNOW, IT JUST NOW. IF WE WANT TO PROTECT THE STORY, IF WE WANT TO LURE THE PEOPLE IN AS TO NOT KNOWING IF WE WANT TO ADD MYSTIQUE AND INTRIGUE, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL. 24/7 365. >> IT WAS BRILLIANT. >> AND THAT’S FINE. YEAH, I, I LIKED. >> IT. >> BROCK LESNAR HOW LONG HAS THAT BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR? >> THAT HAPPENED REAL QUICK. REALLY? YEAH. THAT HAPPENED. >> LIKE WHAT’S REAL QUICK WEEK, TWO WEEKS. >> A COUPLE WEEKS. >> OKAY. >> I MEAN, AT LEAST TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I GOT TAGGED INTO IT AFTER THE DEAL WAS DONE. >> OKAY. AND WHEN YOU SAY DEAL, LIKE, DID HE NEED A DEAL TO COME BACK? WHAT WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY DEAL? >> WELL, HE WASN’T COMING BACK ON SPECULATION. NO , HE IS BROCK LESNAR. >> NO NO NO. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS LIKE, DID HE HAVE TO SIGN A NEW CONTRACT OR WAS HE WAS HE STILL BECAUSE WE HADN’T SEEN HIM FOR TWO YEARS? >> OH, I’M SURE THERE’S A NEW DEAL INVOLVED. >> OKAY. >> AND OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS BEEN MET WITH SOME CRITICISM. RIGHT. THERE’S STILL THIS ONGOING. >> EVERYTHING IN LIFE HAS MET WITH CRITICISM. I DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THAT. >> IS THE CRITICISM FAIR? >> NO, I DON’T I DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO IT. I HE’S HERE. SEE, THAT’S A REALITY OF THE FACT HE’S HERE. AND IF YOU WERE IN METLIFE STADIUM ON SUNDAY, YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT RETURN MEANT A LOT TO THAT. THAT AUDIENCE WAS JIM. TO SEE BROCK LESNAR COME OUT AND TO SEE HIM F5, JOHN CENA, NOBODY LEFT METLIFE STADIUM GOING, OH GOD, THEY BROUGHT BACK BROCK. PEOPLE WERE JUST GOING, NO . THAT’S OUR PAYING AUDIENCE. THEY’RE HAPPY TO SEE HIM. I’M HAPPY TO BE PART OF A TEAM THAT PRESENTS HIM. EVERYONE HAS CRITICISM IN LIFE. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CRITICIZE JESUS. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CRITICIZE MOSES. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CRITICIZE MUHAMMAD. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CRITICIZE GOD OR GODS. THERE IS NO PRESIDENT THAT HAS EVER EXISTED WITH WITH 100% APPROVAL RATING , OR THERE’S NO PRESIDENT THAT’S EVER EXISTED THAT SOMEONE HAS APPOINTED TO AND SAY THAT PRESIDENT SUCKED. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO TO THIS DAY THINK ABRAHAM LINCOLN SUCKED. THEY’RE WRONG, BUT THEY THINK IT. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT FDR SUCKED. THEY’RE WRONG, BUT THEY THINK IT. BILL CLINTON DOESN’T HAVE 100% APPROVAL RATING. DONALD TRUMP DOESN’T HAVE 100% APPROVAL RATING. NOBODY DOES. THERE’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE CRITICS OF ANYTHING THAT WE DO, AND VERY FEW PEOPLE EVER MAKE IT TO THE TOP IN LIFE WITHOUT EITHER MAKING MISTAKES OR HAVING SKELETONS IN THEIR CLOSET. OBVIOUSLY, THE DECISION WAS MADE. IT’S TIME TO BRING BACK BROCK LESNAR. WHATEVER THAT DECISION IS BASED ON, I RESPECT IT. IF THEY’RE CRITICS OF IT, GET OVER IT. HE’S HERE AND HE’S GOING TO BE HERE, AND YOU AIN’T GOING TO BE ABLE TO CANCEL HIM. AND I’M HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK BECAUSE THE AUDIENCE IS HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK. IF WE BROUGHT HIM BACK AND THE AUDIENCE REBELLED AGAINST IT, I WOULDN’T BE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK. I’D BE LIKE, OH, MAN, THIS DOESN’T WORK, BUT IT WORKS, SO I’M HAPPY ABOUT IT. >> WERE YOU EXPECTING AT SOME POINT TO SEE HIM BACK, OR WERE YOU SURPRISED WHEN YOU GOT THE WORD? THIS IS THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. >> I, I’M. I DIDN’T KNOW IF HE WAS EVER. >> WILLING. >> YOU KNOW, BECAUSE HE HE HE CAME TO A POINT WHERE HE WAS VERY ACCEPTING OF THIS IS MY LIFE NOW. I AM GOING TO RAISE MY, MY, MY DAUGHTER TO BE AN NCAA, AN NCAA DIVISION ONE CHAMPION. AND SHE IS I’M GOING TO RAISE MY SONS TO BE THE BEST HOCKEY PLAYERS THAT ANYBODY’S EVER SEEN. AND THEY ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO BEING THAT. I’M GOING TO BE A DEVOTED HUSBAND TO MY WIFE. I’M I’M GOING TO ENJOY THE TIME THAT I HAVE ON THIS PLANET. AND HE WAS AND HE WAS ACCEPTING OF THAT. HERE’S HIS FUTURE AND WHAT HIS FUTURE WAS. HE WAS IN A VERY GOOD PLACE. AND THAT’S WHEN USUALLY SOMEONE THROWS YOU A CURVE BALL AND SAYS, HEY, WANT TO COMPLETELY CHANGE YOUR LIFE NOW? OH MY GOD. YOU KNOW, JUST JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS OUT, THEY THEY PULLED ME BACK IN. I THINK I WAS MORE SURPRISED WHEN HE ACTUALLY WENT BACK IN 2012. I THINK I WAS MORE SURPRISED WHEN I WENT BACK IN 2012. I THINK I WAS MORE SURPRISED WHEN CM PUNK CAME BACK BECAUSE WITH BROCK, THE BRIDGE WAS NEVER BURNED. HE NEVER BADMOUTHED OR HE NEVER GAVE AN INTERVIEW. SURE, BUT WHICH IS JUST SO BROCK LESNAR, RIGHT? BUT HE NEVER BADMOUTHED THE COMPANY. COMPANY NEVER BADMOUTHED HIM THE, YOU KNOW, THE THE SITUATION IS WHAT THE SITUATION IS, BUT, , I, I COULD NEVER WRITE IT OFF. I JUST THOUGHT TOO MUCH TIME WILL PASS AND HE’S JUST GOING TO BE OFF DOING WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO IN LIFE. AND WHEN THE DOOR OPENS, HE’LL JUST SIT THERE AND SAY. BUT THE TIMING OF THIS WITH CENA STILL, YOU KNOW, HERE AND AND DOING HIS RETIREMENT TOUR WITH, WITH WITH US BEING ON NETFLIX NOW WITH, WITH US GOING ON TO ESPN STREAMING IS IS THERE ARE MORE LEGITIMATE ATHLETE ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET THAN THE MODERN DAY JIM THORPE? BROCK LESNAR? AND THEN YOU HAVE TO THINK OF THE FACT. >> THAT. >> WHAT’S TKO HAS TWO MAJOR HOLDINGS, UFC AND WWE. OKAY, WHO’S EVER WALKED THOSE TWO PATHS AT THAT LEVEL? THERE’S ONLY TWO PEOPLE THAT’S EVER BEEN A CHAMPION IN UFC AND IN WWE, AND MEANT SOMETHING AND MAIN EVENTED WRESTLEMANIA. RONDA ROUSEY, BROCK LESNAR AND I LOVE RONDA TO DEATH, BUT BROCK DID IT LONGER THAN RONDA OVER MULTIPLE DECADES. AND LOOK AT WHAT HE’S MEANT IN WWE. SO IF THERE’S ONE PERSON THAT CAN BE INDUCTED INTO THE UFC HALL OF FAME AND THE WWE HALL OF FAME ON THE VERY SAME NIGHT, AND BOTH AUDIENCES WILL SIT THERE AND SAY HE ABSOLUTELY DESERVES IT. THERE’S ONLY ONE PERSON THAT WALKS THAT. >> LINE. >> BROCK LESNAR. SO THE FACT THAT WE’RE OWNED BY TKO AND THEY BROUGHT BACK THE MAN THAT BEAT RANDY COUTURE, THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF ALL TIME, AND DIDN’T JUST BEAT HIM LIKE BROCK DIDN’T WRESTLE HIM. BROCK BEAT HIM STANDING. >> UP. >> BROCK KNOCKED OUT RANDY COUTURE. I’D SAY THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT BROCK LESNAR. THE UFC FIGHTER AND HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN WWE GO FROM CONQUERING THE UNDERTAKER’S UNDEFEATED STREAK AT WRESTLEMANIA TO ALL OF HIS WWE AND UNIVERSAL HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE RUNS TO THE MONEY THAT HE DREW AND TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS PART OF THE GREATEST PROMOS IN THE HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS. SIMPLY STANDING NEXT TO HIS ADVOCATE, PAUL HEYMAN. >> AND SO HIS PRESENCE AND THE ATTACK PRETTY MUCH SIGNALS AN END TO HEEL. CENA, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES AT LEAST, THAT WAS MY READ ON IT. AND SO IT LASTED FROM MARCH 1. ELIMINATION CHAMBER UNTIL THIS PAST SUNDAY. >> I THINK JOHN CENA ABANDONED THE HEEL. CENA CHARACTER THE FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE SUMMERSLAM FAIR. >> THAT’S 100% FAIR, BUT I THINK IT JUST KIND OF LIKE PUT THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE AFTER THAT PROMO SAID. LIKE, MAYBE HE’S TRYING TO SWERVE HIM ALL THIS STUFF. BUT YES, THAT’S TWO DAYS PRIOR. HERE’S THE THING YOU SAY ABANDON. SO HOW WOULD YOU HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS IT? HOW DID IT GO NOW THAT IT’S IT’S ESSENTIALLY COME AND GONE, THIS THING THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT FOR SO MANY YEARS, WHAT WOULD JOHN CENA BE LIKE AS A HEEL? HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS. THAT FIVE MONTH PERIOD? WAS IT A MISTAKE TO TURN HIM? >> NO, NO. >> DID IT GO AS YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD? >> NO, NEITHER. >> NO, BECAUSE . IT OPENED MY EYES TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS AN AUDIENCE THAT IS HERE TO SEE STARS AND PERFORMANCES AS MUCH AS THEY ARE ROOTED INTO THE STORY LINES. THEY ARE THERE TO APPRECIATE THE TWISTED PERFORMANCE ART KNOWN AS PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING IN WWE. AND HERE’S HOW I KNEW. THAT THE MOMENT YOU KNOW. >> DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO. >> AND JOHN CENA COMES. OUT THAT PLACE WENT NUTS. STAR POP OF A MAGNITUDE FEW HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED RAREFIED AIR. THE WHAT WE IN THE BUSINESS USED TO CALL THE ROAD WARRIOR POP. I MEAN, JUST WHEN HIS MUSIC HIT AUSTIN ROCK , CENA, ROMAN REIGNS, THAT THAT LEVEL RIGHT? AND THEN ONCE HE’S OUT ON THE STAGE , JOHN CENA SUCKS. JOHN CENA SUCKS, RIGHT? AND THEY’RE BOOING HIM AND THEY’RE TELLING HIM THAT HE SUCKS. AND IT WASN’T. IT WASN’T EVEN 50 50 ANYMORE. LET’S GO CENA. CENA SUCKS. IT WAS NOW ONE THIRD, MAYBE 25%, 20%. LET’S GO. CENA. CENA SUCKS. LET’S GO. CENA. CENA SUCKS. BOO HIM OUT OF THE BUILDING AS A. HEEL. AND THE MOMENT THEY SAW THE RED LIGHT GO OFF AND THEY KNEW THE SHOW WAS OVER AND HE’S STANDING THERE IN THE RING, THEY ALL GAVE HIM A STANDING OVATION BECAUSE IT’S HIS LAST TIME AS AN IN-RING PERFORMER IN THAT CITY, AND THEY’RE ALL CHANTING, THANK YOU, CENA. SO THE AUDIENCE KNEW THEIR. >> ROLE. >> AND THAT’S FASCINATING TO WATCH THAT THE AUDIENCE NOW UNDERSTANDS THEIR ROLE IN ALL OF THIS. AND I SAW THAT CURVE COMING, BUT NOT TO THE DEGREE OR THAT IT HAPPENED. SO EXPEDITIOUSLY. BUT THE PICTURE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF. IT IS THE REACTION TO HEEL. CENA OKAY, WE’RE HERE FOR THIS RIDE. ALL RIGHT. OH, HE’S HERE, HE’S HERE LIVE. THAT’S JOHN CENA. THAT’S A HUGE STAR. I’M SEEING HIM LIVE. YOU SUCK. ARE YOUR MOTHER BLAH BLAH. >> BLAH. >> THE SHOW’S OVER, HUH? THANK YOU. CENA. I KEEP ON BANGING INTO THIS. >> SORRY, SORRY SORRY, SORRY. >> IT’S ALL GOOD. >> IT’S ALL GOOD. >> IT WAS JUST FASCINATING TO WATCH. I’M GLAD HE GOT TO DO IT, TOO, BECAUSE I HATE WHAT IFS. AND AS LONG AS IT’S ABOUT THE. >> PAST. >> I LOVE WHAT IFS FOR THE FUTURE. WHAT IF WE DO THIS? WHAT IF WE DO THAT? WHEN? WHEN IT STOKES YOUR IMAGINATION. BUT I HATE YOU KNOW WHAT? IF MUHAMMAD ALI PROTECTED HIMSELF BETTER IN THAT? IN THAT MATCH, IN THAT FIGHT WITH GEORGE FOREMAN, WOULD WOULD HE HAVE SUFFERED THE INJURY TO HIS, TO HIS BRAIN AS MUCH AS HE DID? WHAT IF HE DIDN’T WALK INTO THAT PUNCH FROM KEN NORTON THAT BROKE HIS JAW? YOU KNOW, WHAT WOULD THAT HAVE ENABLED ALI TO TO TO TO NOT SUFFER AS MUCH AS HE DID LATER IN LIFE? ALL THESE WHAT IFS. YOU KNOW, WHAT IF GORDIE HOWE PLAYED AGAINST WAYNE GRETZKY? WHAT IF MICHAEL JORDAN PLAYED AGAINST KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR, AGAINST LEBRON JAMES, AGAINST WILT CHAMBERLAIN? WHAT WOULD WILT CHAMBERLAIN HAVE BEEN LIKE? WHAT IF WILT CHAMBERLAIN GOT TO PLAY AGAINST STEPH CURRY TODAY? THESE WHAT IFS ARE ARE ARE FRUSTRATING AS HELL. AND WHAT IF JOHN CENA HAD EVER TURNED HEEL? OH MAN, WE’LL NEVER KNOW. WELL, NOW WE KNOW. NOW WE KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE WHAT IFS I LIKE FOR THE FUTURE. I CAN’T STAND THEM FOR THE PAST. AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A WHAT IF THAT WE ALL WOULD HAVE ASKED AND AND I THOUGHT HE DELIVERED. I THOUGHT HE TOOK IT AS FAR AS HE COULD POSSIBLY TAKE. >> IT. >> HE EVEN TOOK IT PLACES. I DIDN’T THINK HE WAS GOING. >> TO. >> AND HE PUT HIS HEART AND HIS SOUL AND HIS PASSION INTO . >> IT. >> AND IT WAS A RISK FOR HIM TO DO THAT. NUMBER 1, THAT MAN SELLS A LOT OF MERCHANDISE. HE MAKES A LOT OF MONEY ON MERCHANDISE. NUMBER 2, HEY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE GOING TO OFF. YOU NEVER KNOW. I DID, I DID THE TONY HINCHCLIFFE ROAST OF WRESTLEMANIA WITH A PANEL FILLED LIKE JEFF DYE AND THESE OTHER PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES ESCAPE ME AT THE MOMENT. NO DISRESPECT TOWARDS THEM. BUT I DID A PANEL, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A PANEL OF PROFESSIONAL ROASTERS, AND I WENT OUT THERE FOR A WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROFANE AND SHOCKING AND, AND MEAN AND UGLY AND NASTY AND PERSONAL AND, AND I ALMOST GOT IN A FISTFIGHT WITH WITH, WITH FLUFFY, WHO LEGITIMATELY WANTED TO FIGHT ME OVER WHAT I WAS SAYING ABOUT HIM ON STAGE. AND I KNOW I OFF FREDDIE PRINZE JR. BECAUSE I USED A LINE ABOUT ABOUT HIM AND, AND HIS FATHER JUST TO OPEN, JUST TO LET THE PANEL KNOW I’M HERE. I’M HERE TO OUTDO ALL OF YOU. SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE GOING TO OFF. NEVER. I MEAN, THE FACT THAT I WAS ON STAGE AND AT A PROFESSIONAL ROASTER WAS WAS UP THERE AND TOOK OFFENSE TO THE TO THE ROAST THAT I’M DELIVERING WAS SHOCKING TO ME. SO JOHN CENA HAS MUCH BIGGER DEALS IN HOLLYWOOD THAN I DO, AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT. AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT STUDIO HEAD YOU’RE GOING TO. >> OFF . >> JOHN CENA. JOHN CENA DID ONE LINE. HE SAID. HE SAID, I, I’VE BEEN THE ONE TO RAISE YOUR KIDS BECAUSE YOU, YOU PARENTS HAVE DONE SUCH A LOUSY JOB OF DOING IT, AND YOU DON’T KNOW, LIKE SOME STUDIO HEAD MAY HAVE A KID AT HOME WEARING A JOHN CENA T-SHIRT NOW WITH AN X THROUGH. IT THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU’RE A LOUSY PARENT BECAUSE JOHN CENA HAD TO RAISE ME BECAUSE HE SAID, YOU SUCK AS A PARENT. AND THAT STUDIO HEAD GOES, I NEVER WANT TO SEE JOHN CENA ON MY STUDIO LOT AGAIN. IT HAPPENS THAT FAST. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE GOING TO OFF. AND HE TOOK A RISK IN DOING IT. HE HE MAN MAKES A LOT OF MONEY ON SPONSORSHIPS , STREAM STREAMING DEALS. HE COULD HAVE OFF ANYBODY. AND HE TOOK THAT RISK BECAUSE HE WAS CUTTING INTO HIS OWN AUDIENCE WHEN HE WAS DOING THE BIT. >> WHAT ABOUT THE ROCK COMPONENT AND THE TRAVIS SCOTT COMPONENT? IT DIDN’T SEEM LIKE THERE WAS A PAYOFF TO ALL OF THAT. >> THERE WAS. IT FELL APART AND WE MOVED AND WE MOVED FORWARD. >> WITHOUT IT. >> WHAT FELL APART? >> THE WHOLE DEAL WITH WITH TRAVIS. >> SCOTT. >> IS IT TRUE THAT HE’S HE’S PEOPLE OFF AND HE’S HE’S HE’S DONE. IS THAT TRUE? >> I DON’T KNOW IF HE’S DONE. ANY MEANING THAT I WAS IN THAT INVOLVED TRAVIS SCOTT. I GOT ALONG WITH HIM. FINE. I HAVE I HEARD THINGS, I HAVE. DO I KNOW DO I KNOW THE ACCURACY OF IT? HAVEN’T HEARD TRAVIS’S VERSION OF IT. LIKE HIS MUSIC, LIKE HIS TASTE IN WOMEN, THAT HE HAS CHILDREN WITH. I WISH I WAS DATING ONE OF THOSE SISTERS. I’M NOT HE HE HE WAS MARRIED TO ONE, HE’S DOING HE’S DOING BETTER IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE THAN I AM. >> WHAT ABOUT THE ROCK? >> WHAT ABOUT THE ROCK? >> HE DIDN’T SHOW UP AT WRESTLEMANIA. >> WELL, HE WAS NEVER ADVERTISED OR BOOKED FOR WRESTLEMANIA. >> NO, I KNOW, BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME SORT. YOU KNOW, HE’S THERE. THE THE THE THROAT, THE THREE OF THEM. >> I DON’T, I DON’T KNOW, I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH DWAYNE. THAT’S SOMETHING YOU SHOULD HAVE DWAYNE COME INTO THESE BEAUTIFUL YAHOO STUDIOS AND ANSWER FOR HIMSELF. I REALLY DON’T KNOW. OR HAVE BRIAN GEWIRTZ COME IN, AND I’M SURE HE CAN TELL. YOU THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY. I REALLY DON’T KNOW. I MEAN, ESPECIALLY AT WRESTLEMANIA, I HAD ENOUGH ON MY PLATE. >> SURE, SURE. >> I WASN’T REALLY THAT CONCERNED WITH WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH JOHN CENA AND CODY RHODES STORY LINE. I WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT WE GOT A LOT TO PULL OFF HERE WITH THE TRIBAL CHIEF, ROMAN REIGNS AND SETH ROLLINS AND AND CM PUNK, AND WHERE WE’RE GOING TO GO WITH SETH ROLLINS, AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS, AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET TO NEXT YEAR’S MANIA AND THIS YEAR’S SUMMERSLAM? AND THE TRAJECTORY THAT WE HAD? THERE WAS A LOT ON MY PLATE. AND ALSO OTHER PEOPLE THAT I’M WORKING. I WAS WORKING WITH. YOU KNOW, JUST THE TALENT BACKSTAGE AT THE TIME BECAUSE MANIA, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO GET THEIR NERVES. UP GOING INTO MANIA SEASON AND A LOT AND A LOT OF YOUNG TALENT IN OUR LOCKER ROOM, A LOT OF YOUNG TALENT. YOU HAVE SOMEONE LIKE TIFFANY STRATTON WORKING WITH CHARLOTTE FLAIR, AND THAT ALMOST FELL APART AND DID FOR A MOMENT, AND WE HAD TO GET THAT TRAIN BACK ON THE TRACKS. SO JUST PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, AND, AND I GET ALONG GREAT WITH BOTH OF THEM. AND WANTED TO HELP BOTH OF THEM GET THAT TRAIN ON THE TRACK. SO TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT’S HAPPENING, THAT’S NOT GOING TO MAKE IT TO MANIA. HEY. OH, THIS IS WHAT’S GOING ON. I DON’T I DON’T GIVE A, I DON’T CARE. OKAY. WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO BE AT MANIA OR NOT? NO. IT. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO. DON’T HAVE TIME TO SIT THERE AND SAY, OH, WHAT HAPPENED? I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND AS A REPORTER IT’S YOUR JOB TO ASK AND TO FIND OUT AND TO DELIVER THE NEWS TO THE AUDIENCE. SO IT’S NOT GOSSIP TO YOU. IT’S NEWS. BUT TO ME BACKSTAGE. THAT’S JUST GOSSIP, BECAUSE I HAVE TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE HELPING US GET NOT JUST TO WRESTLEMANIA, BUT TO THE MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA. AND THAT’S WHAT I WAS INVOLVED IN. SO AND TRYING TO HELP EVERYONE ELSE WHO ARE FUTURE WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTERS. SO IF THEY’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT TO MANIA, I DON’T CARE WHY DWAYNE JOHNSON DWAYNE JOHNSON WILL BE AT MANIA. NO, DON’T CARE WHY TRAVIS SCOTT, WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH HIM? HE’S GOING TO BE AT MANIA. DON’T CARE. WHY., DON’T CARE WHERE HE WAS. >> YOU KNOW. BUT YEAH. >> YOU KNOW WE’LL BE AFTERWARDS. NO I DON’T WE DON’T WE DON’T KNOW. WE DON’T THINK SO OKAY. >> GREAT. >> GOD BLESS HIM I HOPE HE SENDS A SIGN A SIGNED A SIGNED WHAT. DANA WHITE ALBUMS ANYMORE. >> OH. >> THEY DON’T MAKE CDS ANYMORE. WHAT DO THEY MAKE? >> VINYL. OLD SCHOOL. >> OH, MAN. VINYL. SEE, IT. >> CAN’T BE. WE TAKE IT ALL THE WAY. VINYL. ALL THE WAY BACK. COULD I ASK. >> YOU, ROLLINS? BRONSON. BRAUN. HOW LONG HAS THAT BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR? LIKE, WHEN DOES THAT? WHEN DOES THAT SEED FIRST START TO. TO DEVELOP? >> WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR’S WRESTLEMANIA. >> SO THIS HAS BEEN LIKE A YEAR AGO, THIS IDEA THAT EVENTUALLY WE WILL GET TO THE POINT, RIGHT? BECAUSE LIKE, THAT WAS THAT WAS NOWHERE IN THE PLAN. >> NO, THE CONVERSATION. WELL, THE ORIGINAL IDEA FOR THIS YEAR’S MANIA WAS ROMAN REIGNS VERSUS SETH ROLLINS, GUNTHER VERSUS CM. >> PUNK. >> THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL IDEA FOR THIS YEAR’S MANIA. >> OKAY. >> AND ALONG THE WAY, WHEN WE GOT TO SURVIVOR SERIES AND I CAME. >> AND. >> ALSO CODY CENA. >> RIGHT. >> I THINK. >> SO, OKAY. >> I THINK CODY CENA WAS ALWAYS THE PATH. >> OKAY. >> LISTEN, WE ALSO DISCUSSED AT SOME POINT, DO WE DO ROMAN VERSUS CODY THREE? DO THEY MAIN EVENT A THIRD WRESTLEMANIA IN. >> A ROW .? >> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTING TO THEM. I MEAN, WE EXPLORED ALL OPTIONS. WE GOT THE SURVIVOR SERIES, I CAME BACK WITH CM PUNK TO SAVE THE ORIGINAL BLOODLINE FROM SOLO’S BLOODLINE . AFTER THEY HAD PUT ME THROUGH THE TABLE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. AND, THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN ROMAN AND PUNK WAS SO FASCINATING TO. WATCH THAT AT SOME POINT WE SAID, OOH, IS IT ROMAN VERSUS PUNK? >> IS IT. >> IS IT SETH VERSUS GUNTHER? >> IS IT. >> IS IT ROMAN VERSUS PUNK AND SETH VERSUS GUNTHER? WOW. THERE’S THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR. >> THAT. >> YOU KNOW, AND THEN AT SOME POINT, WE REALIZED IT’S SO MUCH MORE INTRIGUING AS AS A TRIPLE. >> THREAT. >> AND JEY USO IS RIDING A WAVE OF MOMENTUM OF JEY USO WINS THE ROYAL RUMBLE. AND HE GOES ON TO FACE GUNTHER. AND NOW YOU HAVE A STADIUM FILLED WITH PEOPLE THAT NOT ONLY GET TO DO THAT ENTRANCE, BUT IN CELEBRATION OF A TITLE VICTORY, YOU GET THAT CELEBRATION AT WRESTLEMANIA. WHAT A WRESTLEMANIA MOMENT. AND THEN YOU HAVE THIS INTRIGUING TRIPLE THREAT ROMAN REIGNS VERSUS SETH ROLLINS VERSUS CM PUNK. TWO FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE SHIELD, PAUL HEYMAN’S BEST FRIEND, THE TRIBAL CHIEF WHO RESCUED PAUL HEYMAN FROM THE OCEAN OF OBSCURITY AND BROUGHT HIM ON THE ISLAND OF RELEVANCY. SETH ROLLINS, WHO I REALLY DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF ASSOCIATION WITH OVER THE YEARS EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT IN THE SHIELD AS BODYGUARDS, POLICEMEN, ENFORCERS FOR CM PUNK IN 2012, WHEN HE WAS THE WWE CHAMPION. SO YOU HAVE ALL THESE STORIES THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVE HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE 2012 AMONGST THE THREE PARTICIPANTS AND ME, THAT’S THE WAY TO. >> GO . >> SO IF WE GO THERE, WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT DO WE DO IN THIS MATCH? WHAT WHAT MAKES SENSE? WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE? WHAT GIVES US THE MOST OPTIONS? WHAT GIVES US A STORY THAT WE CAN TELL THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE YEAR? UNTIL NEXT YEAR’S WRESTLEMANIA? LET’S NOT JUST STOP THERE. WHAT GIVES US A STORY THAT WE CAN TELL THE NEXT YEAR’S WRESTLEMANIA AND PROPELS US TO THE YEAR AFTER. >> THAT. >> AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT, AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT. SO NOW IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THESE THREE PEOPLE AND. >> ME. >> NOW IT’S ABOUT WHO’S THE FUTURE GROUNDBREAKER. OKAY, LET’S GET HIM INVOLVED. LOOK HOW BRONSON REED’S COMING UP. LOOK AT HIS PERFORMANCES GOING INTO WARGAMES. LOOK WHAT HE DID WITH SETH ROLLINS. BRONSON REED’S COMING UP. BRONSON REED CAN REALLY ADD TO THIS. ALL RIGHT, LET’S PUT HIM IN THE MAIN ACT. OKAY. WHO ELSE? WELL, THERE’S ALWAYS JEY USO. IT’S ROMAN REIGNS COUSIN. PEOPLE LOVE THE OG BLOODLINE. THERE’S JIMMY BIG JIM’S COMING ALONG. PEOPLE GETTING BEHIND BIG JIM ON HIS OWN NOW HAS HIS OWN DISTINCT, UNIQUE PERSONALITY. NOT JUST HALF OF THE USOS. AND WHAT ABOUT THE RISE OF JACOB FATU? >> MY GOD. >> TALK ABOUT . >> ONE THAT CAUGHT. >> THE. >> TENSION AND. >> AND THE LOVE AND THE PASSION OF WWE AUDIENCE. TO BECAME A MAJOR STAR. SINCE HIS DEBUT LAST YEAR. SO WE CAN GET HIM INVOLVED AND WE CAN GET THIS PERSON INVOLVED AND WE CAN GET ALL THESE DIFFERENT PEOPLE INVOLVED ALONG THE WAY. WHERE DOES IT START? MANIA. WHO’S INVOLVED? ROMAN REIGNS, SETH ROLLINS, CM PUNK, PAUL HEYMAN WHAT DO WE DO? THIS IS WHAT WE DO. OKAY, NOW THAT WE’VE DONE. >> IT. >> WHAT ARE OUR NEXT STORY LINE BEATS? WHAT WHAT’S WHAT’S THE NEXT LAYER? WHO’S THE NEXT PARTICIPANT IN THIS WHO NOW JOINS THE STORY? WHAT WHAT’S WHAT’S THEIR CONNECTION TO IT? WHAT HOW DO THEY ELICIT A PASSIONATE RESPONSE FROM FROM AN AUDIENCE THAT WE ARE NOW SAYING, BUY A TICKET, TUNE IN TO OUR STREAMING SERVICE. WATCH US EVERY MONDAY ON RAW AND EVERY FRIDAY ON SMACKDOWN. SO WE KEEP ON GETTING THESE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR LICENSING AGREEMENTS LICENSING DEALS FROM THE NETWORKS AND THE STREAMING SERVICES. HOW DO YOU BECOME A WWE FAN BASED ON THE ADDITION OF THIS PERSON TO THIS TOP STORY LINE? >> MAN. >> YOU STILL HAVE SOME. >> TIME. >> THERE’S SO. >> MUCH. >> NO, BUT I’LL MAKE. >> IT. OKAY? OKAY. >> MY GOD, WHAT TIME IS IT? HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN DOING THIS? >> LIKE AN HOUR AND CHANGE. BUT THIS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. OKAY, I’LL GO THROUGH. >> I JUST WANT. >> YOU THIS WAY. WHO’S GOING TO PULL. >> US OFF? >> NO ONE. >> THIS IS. >> THIS IS LIVE. IT’S A SHOOT, BROTHER. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF WHAT’S GOING ON WITH KARRION KROSS.? >> IN WHAT WAY? >> SOMETHING’S HAPPENING. YOU SEE THE CROWD? THEY’RE THEY’RE THEY’RE CHANTING FOR HIM AT THE POST-SHOW AND ALL THIS STUFF HE DIDN’T GET. HE DIDN’T GET THE W. WHY IS THERE. IS THERE A THING HERE? OR IS IT JUST LIKE THE INTERNET TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING INTO A THING? >> WELL. >> THEY’VE MADE IT. >> A THING, OKAY. >> AND IT’S NOT JUST THE INTERNET, IT’S THE INTERNET. IT’S THE LIVE CROWD. IT’S IT’S THE PEOPLE THAT BUY MERCHANDISE. HE’S A HE’S A TREMENDOUS PERFORMER. AND WHAT AN ACT HE HAS WITH SCARLETT. I MEAN, THEY ARE GREAT TOGETHER. >> SHOULD HE BE GETTING MORE OPPORTUNITIES? SHOULD HE BE. >> HOW DO YOU KNOW? WELL, LET ME ASK YOU THIS. IF HE WERE GETTING GREAT OPPORTUNITIES, IF HE WERE THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION OR THE THE U.S. CHAMPION RIGHT NOW, WOULD HE HAVE THIS LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM THE CROWD? >> NO. THEY LOVE TO GET BEHIND, YOU KNOW, KOFI, DANIEL BRYAN, THEY LOVE TO GET BEHIND SOMEONE THE UNDERDOG SO TO SPEAK. >> SO IT’S WORKING. >> YEAH. IT’S WORKING. IT’S WORKING ALL RIGHT. >> YEAH. IT’S ORGANIC. >> THE BY THE. >> WAY I’M NOT HATING ON IT. IT’S FUN. I LIKE HIM I’M ROOTING FOR HIM. IT’S JUST FUN TO SEE THESE THINGS. >> SORT OF. >> LIKE, YOU KNOW. >> KIND OF. >> THE, THE, THE AUDIENCE IS CALLING FOR HIM TO BE A BIGGER STAR. AND IF AND IF WE DON’T DELIVER IT ON A TIMETABLE THAT AN IMPATIENT AUDIENCE, AN IMPATIENT AUDIENCE IS GOING TO LIKE, THEY’RE GOING TO GET BEHIND HIM EVEN MORE, WHICH IS GREAT. THEY’RE MAKING HIM A STAR. WE’RE NOT SHOVING HIM AND SCARLETT DOWN. ANYBODY’S THROATS. THE AUDIENCE ITSELF IS MAKING HIM A STAR, AND INDEED, PERHAPS A TOP STAR. AND HE’S TALENTED ENOUGH, AND SO IS SHE TO CARRY IT. REMINDS ME OF SOMEONE ELSE, BY THE WAY, THAT WAS IN WWE THAT THE AUDIENCE FELT, THIS IS OUR GUY. WE LIKE THIS ACT. WE LIKE HIM TO BE A BIGGER STAR. WHY AREN’T YOU MAKING HIM A BIGGER STAR?, MAKE HIM A BIGGER STAR. WE’RE GOING TO CHANT HIS NAME. WE’RE GOING TO BRING HIS SIGNS. WE’RE GOING TO BUY HIS T-SHIRTS. WE’RE GOING TO DEMAND THAT YOU MAKE HIM A BIGGER STAR. THAT GUY’S NAME WAS STEVE AUSTIN . DANIEL BRYAN. >> TO CM PUNK. >> AS WELL. >> OH MY. >> GOD, I THOUGHT THAT’S. >> ACTUALLY WHAT YOU WERE. >> GOING TO SAY. YEAH. >> BUT BUT BUT BUT YES, CM PUNK. BUT YEAH, YEAH. POINT TAKEN AS WELL. I CONCEDE THAT POINT TO YOU. >> DID YOU HEAR WHAT BILL GOLDBERG SAID ON THE PROGRAM? HE WAS UPSET. WAS THAT. >> FAIR? IT’S BILL. >> YOU WEREN’T. >> SURPRISED? IT’S BILL, OKAY. >> IT’S BILL. IF YOU’RE NOT. >> I. >> I , I, I AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN THE LIAISON FOR BROCK LESNAR. I’VE BEEN THE LIAISON FOR ROMAN REIGNS. I’VE BEEN HALF OF A LIAISON NOT NOT LATELY, BUT I MEAN, ESPECIALLY BACK WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER ON CAMERA. HALF OF LIAISON FOR CM PUNK. HE HAD NO PROBLEM HANDLING, YOU KNOW, HE DIDN’T REQUIRE AS MUCH OF A BUFFER AS AS AS SOME OF THESE OTHER PEOPLE LIKE TO HAVE. I’VE BEEN A LIAISON FOR RONDA ROUSEY. I’VE BEEN A LIAISON FOR GOLDBERG . THESE ARE PERSONALITIES THAT ARE VERY, VERY, VERY STRONG. >> OPINION. >> AND AND VERY, VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS. AND BILL GOLDBERG HAD VERY, VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS IN WWE. AND IN BILL GOLDBERG’S MIND. THEY WEREN’T. >> MET. >> I. >> I . >> I AM NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND TELL YOU. WELL, BILL GOLDBERG WAS WRONG. I CAN TELL YOU WWE WAS WRONG. I’LL TELL YOU, THIS IS HOW BILL GOLDBERG FELT, AND HE’S NOT SHY IN LETTING PEOPLE KNOW HOW HE FEELS. I’M NOT SURPRISED. IT’S BILL. THIS IS HOW HE FEELS, AND HE’S GOING TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. >> I KNOW YOUR PATH DIDN’T NECESSARILY CROSS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER WITH WITH HULK HOGAN, BUT DID YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM? LIKE, I KNOW, LIKE WHEN HE CAME BACK, YOU KNOW, LIKE POST 2000, YOU WERE THERE, RIGHT? BUT FOR THE MOST PART, YOU WERE KIND OF ON DIFFERENT TEAMS. RIGHT? >> DID YOU. >> HAVE DID YOU HAVE ANY SORT. >> OF. >> MY, MY INTERACTION ON CAMERA WITH HULK HOGAN IS LIMITED. THE FACT THAT HE WORKED WITH BROCK LESNAR RIGHT BEFORE BROCK LESNAR BEAT THE ROCK FOR THE TITLE AT THE NASSAU COLISEUM IN SUMMERSLAM 2002. WHEN WE DID METLIFE STADIUM IN 2019 AND THE SHOW OPENED WITH HULK HOGAN POSING WITH ALEXA BLISS, I INTERRUPTED IT AND WALKED OUT TO THE RING TO REAL AMERICAN TO KICK OFF THE SHOW FOR, OF ALL THINGS, BROCK LESNAR VERSUS SETH ROLLINS. MY ON AIR EXPOSURE TO HULK HOGAN WAS VERY LIMITED. I DIDN’T GET TO WORK WITH HIM BEHIND THE SCENES THAT MUCH. EVEN EVEN WHEN I WAS WRITING SMACKDOWN IN 2002 , AND HE WAS ON THE SHOW FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. I KNEW HULK IN 1980 WHEN HE WAS IN WWE, AND I WAS I WAS A 15-YEAR-OLD PHOTOGRAPHER. AND HE WAS ALWAYS SUPER COOL TO ME. YOU KNOW AND, AND EVEN COOLER TO ME, ONCE HE KNEW THAT I WAS WRITING WITH AFA AND SIKA, THE WILD SAMOANS BECAUSE HE LOVED THE WILD SAMOANS AND THEY LOVED HIM. EVERY TIME I SAW HIM, HE WAS A COMPLETE GENTLEMAN TO ME, THE BEST THING HE. I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE BOTH THEIR GLOWING LOVE OF HULK HOGAN. AND I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE THEIR BEHIND THE SCENES HOW MUCH THEY HATED HIM. HERE’S ALL I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT HULK HOGAN IN 1988. I HAD JUST STARTED IN WCW AND, IT WAS MY MIDNIGHT EXPRESS AGAINST JIM CORNETTE’S MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, AND TED TURNER HAD JUST TAKEN OVER WCW. MY MIDNIGHT EXPRESS DEBUTED AGAINST CORNETT’S MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, LITERALLY THE WEEK THAT TED TURNER TOOK OVER WCW. A COUPLE MONTHS INTO MY RUN, AND I’M 23-YEARS-OLD AND I MEAN, I. I’D BARELY BEEN ON NATIONAL TELEVISION THAT LONG. A COUPLE MONTHS INTO MY RUN WE’RE RUNNING IN, IN AND AROUND THE CHICAGO AREA FOR A COUPLE DAYS. WWE IS RUNNING IN CHICAGO. WE’RE RUNNING PEORIA. THEY MOVE ON TO LIKE MILWAUKEE OR SOMETHING. WE NOW RUN CHICAGO. THE DAY AFTER I PULL. >> UP. >> WHEN WE ALL USED TO STAY AT THE SAME HOTEL, THE RADISSON SUITES HOTEL, WHICH IS GONE NOW, WHICH IS ON MANNHEIM ROAD IN CHICAGO, 5 MINUTES FROM THE. >> AIRPORT. >> I PULL UP, A LIMOUSINE PULLS UP BEHIND ME. I GET OUT OF THE CAR, HULK HOGAN GETS OUT OF THE LIMOUSINE. BROTHER, HOW YOU DOING, BROTHER? HEY, MAN. OH, SINCE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER. HEY, YOU BROKE IN YOU. YOU’RE DOING IT RIGHT. YOU’RE DOING IT GREAT. TALK TO ME FOR A MINUTE, BROTHER. SO WE GET INTO HIS LIMO, AND WE GET INTO HIS LIMO, AND THE FIRST THING HE SAYS IS, HE GOES, HOW LONG IS YOUR CONTRACT FOR? I’M A BIG FAN OF YOUR WORK. WOW. AND I’M SITTING THERE AND THIS IS 1988. >> HULK HOGAN. >> THIS IS. >> HULKAMANIA. WHEN IT’S HULKAMANIA. OKAY? THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BIGGEST STAR IN THE ENTIRE BUSINESS AND A MAINSTREAM CELEBRITY. AND HE’S A FAN OF MINE. I’M NOT EVEN GETTING A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE HOUSE. THANK YOU FOR PAVING THE ROAD. MY GOD, WHAT YOU’VE DONE FOR THIS BUSINESS. WE WILL ALL BENEFIT FOR FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. I’M NOT EVEN GETTING THESE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH. ALL HE’S DOING IS, BROTHER, I’M ONLY AS GOOD AS THE OPPONENTS THEY BRING ME. I ALWAYS NEED OPPONENTS. AND YOU CAN TALK FROM MY OPPONENTS. AND THERE’S ONLY SO MANY TIMES I CAN BOUNCE AROUND BOBBY HEENAN. ONLY SO MANY TIMES I CAN THROW JIMMY HART OVER THE TOP ROPE. WE GOT TO GET YOU IN. >> HERE. >> AND I’M. >> LIKE. >> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, IT’S HUMBLING BECAUSE I DON’T EVEN GET A CHANCE, YOU KNOW? AND AS SOON AS HE’S DONE SAYING THIS. ALL RIGHT BROTHER, SEE YOU ON THE CHECK IN LINE AND GETS OUT OF THE LIMO. HE DIDN’T EVEN WAIT FOR ME TO SAY ANYTHING TO HIM. NEVER FISHED FOR A COMPLIMENT. NEVER WAITED FOR ME TO GO. THANK YOU, SIR. AND BY THE WAY, HE FINISHED HIS SPIEL AND GOT OUT. AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WITH OTHER PEOPLE , HE WAS GRACIOUS WITH THEM LIKE THAT. TO SO MY EXPERIENCE IS WITH HIM WERE WERE ALL PRETTY POSITIVE. I THEN AGAIN YOU KNOW I, I WAS NEVER IN BACKSTAGE POLITICS OPPOSED TO HIM. >> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS LIKE. SO I CAN’T SPEAK TO IT. BUT I CAN TELL YOU AS FAR. AS MY PERSONAL INTERACTIONS WITH. >> HIM. >> HE WAS ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN WITH. >> ME. >> WE ROUND THIRD HERE. BIG NEWS THIS MORNING. ESPN . >> I CAN JUST SEE, BY. >> THE WAY. >> EVERYONE IN WWE WHO’S WATCHING THIS RIGHT NOW IS SITTING THERE FOR THE PAST HOUR GOING, WILL YOU PLEASE GET TO THE ESPN? >> YOU KNOW WHAT? >> WHAT ARE YOU DOING? MY GOD? LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE. THAT WAS NEVER DO THE HELWANI SHOW. >> NO, PLEASE DON’T SAY THAT. >> BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN SAID. PLEASE DON’T. >> SAY THAT. >> I JUST THAT’S THE NATURAL STARTING POINT. SO I LIKE TO KEEP PEOPLE ON THEIR TOES. BUT WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT ALL DAY ON THE PROGRAM. BIG NEWS. ESPN WWE. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WHEN I’M AT ESPN FIVE YEARS AGO, FOUR YEARS AGO, I’M BEGGING THEM TO SEND US TO A PL NOW. FAST FORWARD, THEY’RE IN BUSINESS. EXCLUSIVE DEAL HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. FIVE YEAR DEAL. 325 OR SO A POP. IT’S AN UNBELIEVABLE THING. I THINK EVERYONE THOUGHT, OH, OF COURSE THEY’RE GOING TO GO TO NETFLIX, RIGHT? I THINK EVERYONE THOUGHT. THAT THEY DON’T GO. THEY GO TO ESPN. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU HEARD THIS? >> NOT SURPRISED. >> AT ALL. >> THE THE LEADER IN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT AS THE ADVERTISING WILL TELL YOU AND THE WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORTS COVERAGE, THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE. WE GO BACK FULL CIRCLE IN THIS CONVERSATION. WELL, FOR ME, I TELL YOU A PERSONAL ANECDOTE. MY FIRST NATIONAL TV EXPOSURE WAS ON ESPN WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD, BECAUSE BACK IN THOSE DAYS, VERNE GAGNE’S AWA RAN AN AFTERNOON STRIP MONDAY TO FRIDAY ON ESPN. SO MY FIRST NATIONAL EXPOSURE WAS ON ESPN BACK IN 1987, WHEN I WAS 21-YEARS-OLD. WITH THE AWA. SO NOW. >> HERE, I BELIEVE. >> THAT’S THE LAST TIME ESPN AIRED PRO WRESTLING IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY. UNBELIEVABLE. >> ABSOLUTELY. THE DEFINITION OF WHAT WE DO HAS EVOLVED . AGAIN, TAKE A LOOK AT UNREAL. UNREAL. NOW LET’S YOU KNOW JUST HOW BIG AND AND AND INTRICATE WHAT WE DO TRULY IS. IT’S NOT JUST A COUPLE GUYS IN THEIR UNDERWEAR GOING OUT TO THE RING SAYING, OH, I’M GOING TO RIP OFF YOUR HEAD AND DOWN YOUR NECK. YOUR MOTHER WEARS COMBAT BOOTS. OKAY. THAT’S IT. LET’S FIGHT. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. OKAY, BROTHER. BOOM. OKAY. THIS GUY WINS. THERE’S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT. A LOT . WE’RE MAINSTREAM ENTERTAINMENT. , SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE EVOLVING DEFINITION OF WHAT WE DO, YOU HAVE TO GIVE US THE CATEGORY OF SPORT. YOU HAVE. >> TO. >> IS IT PREDETERMINED? ABSOLUTELY. IS IT ENTERTAINMENT? ABSOLUTELY. IT’S CONOR MCGREGOR ENTERTAINMENT. ABSOLUTELY. CONOR MCGREGOR WAS THE MOST ENTERTAINING UFC FIGHTER. THAT’S WHY HE DREW THEIR BIGGEST GATES. WAS MIKE TYSON VERSUS JAKE PAUL A FIGHT? I BELIEVE IT WAS. WAS IT ENTERTAINING? SURE. WAS. WAS THE BUILDUP TO IT ENTERTAINMENT? SURE. WAS. WAS IT THE BIGGEST LIVE BOXING MATCH OF ALL TIME? STREAMING ON NETFLIX? SURE. WAS. WAS FLOYD MAYWEATHER ENTERTAINING? SURE. WAS I, I WAS A BIG FLOYD MAYWEATHER FAN FROM THE GET GO, BUT WHEN THEY DID THAT 24/7 SERIES ON HBO, EVERYONE BECAME A FAN OF FLOYD MAYWEATHER OR A FAN OF THE VILLAIN FLOYD MAYWEATHER, ESPECIALLY AGAINST OSCAR DE LA HOYA LET ALONE AGAINST ALL HIS OTHER OPPONENTS. WHEN YOU SAW THE INTERNAL FAMILY DRAMA OF ROGER MAYWEATHER, THE UNCLE FLOYD, CUZ FLOYD NO LONGER WANTED HIS OWN FATHER, WHO WAS A HELL OF A TRAINER, TO TRAIN HIM ANYMORE, AND THE FATHER CAME BY THE GYM AND IS YELLING AT FLOYD AND AT ROGER, AND HE THROWS HIS FATHER OUT OF THE GYM AND HE GOES, I DON’T NEED YOUR ANYMORE. I DON’T HAVE YOU AND BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, BLAH BLAH, YOU KNOW? AND HE ENDS THE SHOW WITH AND I AIN’T KNOW, JUNIOR. WOW. >> YEAH, YEAH. >> WOW. AND I, YOU KNOW, THAT RESONATED IN MY HEAD BECAUSE VINCE MCMAHON NEVER LIKED TO BE CALLED JUNIOR WHEN WE BROUGHT REY MYSTERIO INTO WWE. DIDN’T WANT TO BE REY MYSTERIO. VINCE DIDN’T WANT TO BE REY MYSTERIO JUNIOR. HE JUST WANTED TO BE REY MYSTERIO. SO I REALIZED, MAN, YOU KNOW WHAT? THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT REALLY DO FEEL THIS WAY. I KNEW IT, I WAS LIKE, WOW. I WAS RIVETED BY THE FLOYD MAYWEATHER STORY. WAS IT ENTERTAINMENT? WELL, COME ON, OF COURSE IT WAS. UNTIL THE DING DING DING. THERE ARE GREAT ATHLETES OUT. >> THERE. >> WORLD CLASS ATHLETES THAT HAVE SUPER BOWL RINGS, WORLD SERIES TITLES OR HAVE WON HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN UFC OR IN A BOXING RING THAT COME DOWN, STEP INTO THE PC, TRY TO HIT THE ROPES, TAKE A FLAT BACK BUMP, SEE WHAT THAT RING IS LIKE, AND WANT NO PART. >> OF IT. >> NUMBER 1, THE CARDIO IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONCEPT THAN IT IS IN ANY OTHER SPORT. NUMBER 2, IT IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SCIENCE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. BUT IF YOU’RE NOT AN ATHLETE, IF YOU DON’T HAVE ATHLETIC ABILITY, IF YOU DON’T HAVE SPORTS, IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOME SORT OF SPORT IN YOU, YOU CAN’T DO THIS. I CAN’T DO IT IN THE RING. AND I KNOW THIS BUSINESS. I DARE SAY AS IF YOU PUT IF YOU PUT A LIST TOGETHER OF THE FIVE PEOPLE ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET IN HISTORY THAT HAVE UNDERSTOOD THIS INDUSTRY, I DARE SAY WITH ALL HUMILITY ASIDE, I. I’M ON ANYBODY’S LIST AND I CAN’T DO IT. I CAN’T DO A MOONSAULT. I CAN’T DO WHAT LOGAN PAUL DID AT SUMMERSLAM. MY GOD, THAT KID’S AN ATHLETE. THIS IS SPORT. IT’S PREDETERMINED SPORT, BUT IT’S SPORT. IF ESPN WERE TO IGNORE THAT, SHAME ON ESPN AND THE CHAIRMAN OF ESPN, JIMMY PITARO, IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT MAN, AND I KNOW THAT HE IS, BECAUSE I KNOW OF HIS EDUCATION, BECAUSE HE WENT TO THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL AS ME. >> WOW. >> I WENT TO JIMMY PITARO AND EDGEMONT HIGH SCHOOL GRAD. >> WOW. >> WHICH MAKES HIM SMART. THAT’S WHY WHEN I RAISE MY KIDS, I WANTED MY KIDS TO GO TO EDGEMONT HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE IT’S BEEN CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONGST THE TOP IN THE COUNTRY. >> INCREDIBLE. >> SO HE’S A SMART MAN. THAT MADE A SMART DEAL WITH OTHER SMART PEOPLE LIKE NICK KHAN AND ARI EMANUEL AND PAUL LEVESQUE TO BRING A GUARANTEED PRODUCT. THERE’S PROOF OF CONCEPT IN OUR PRODUCT, AND HE’S BRINGING. IT TO THE VIEWERS OF ESPN BECAUSE MUCH LIKE THOSE WHO CHANT FOR KARRION KROSS, VIEWERS OF ESPN OR ESPN+ DEMANDED THIS, THEY WANTED THIS. THEY’RE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT. AND WHO IS HE TO TELL THE AUDIENCE THAT THEY’RE WRONG? THEY’RE NOT. YOU UNDER-PROMISE AND OVER DELIVER, AND HE’S GIVING THEM WHAT THEY WANT AND WHAT THEY’RE WILLING TO PAY FOR, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE ESPN MORE MONEY AND MAKE IT MORE IMPRESSIVE FOR DISNEY. AND THE DISNEY STOCK GOES UP AND THE STOCK GOES UP. AND HOPEFULLY PAUL HEYMAN’S PAYCHECK GOES UP AS WELL. >> WHAT A TIME. AND NOW WE WAIT TO SEE WHERE THE UFC GOES. BUT ALL THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN OVER COMBAT SPORTS. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT. >> DANA WHITE THOUGHT IT. >> YEAH. >> AND HE WAS RIGHT. AND MEANWHILE HERE WE ARE AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER AND WE NEVER GOT TO LOOK AT THE CLIP FROM LOOKING FOR LARRY. >> OH WHERE IS IT GUYS. >> WE HAVE IT. >> DO WE HAVE. >> IT. >> LET ME SEE HERE. DO WE HAVE IT? THERE IT IS. >> OH, THIS NOW DON’T WAIT, WAIT. >> DON’T PAUSE. FRANK. GOD, MAN, YOU’RE RUINING IT, FRANK. YOU’RE RUINING IT. OKAY. >> SO I WALK IN TODAY, OKAY? AND I HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, MITCHELL STEWART. >> OF COURSE. >> WHAT A CREATIVE, AMAZING, HUMBLE. >> SEND HIM MY BEST. >> OH, YEAH? WELL, HE’S WATCHING. I’M SURE HE’S WATCHING. I’M SURE RIGHT NOW MY SON, WHO’S IN THE CONTROL ROOM LEARNING . >> AMAZING. >> HE’S SITTING THERE GETTING PHONE CALL FROM MITCHELL, GOING, WHY ARE YOU NEAR THE CLIP? >> OKAY. >> ARE YOU NEAR THE BEFORE? SO MITCHELL PUT THIS DEAL TOGETHER LOOKING FOR LARRY WITH WITH THE MGM STUDIO. AND I HAVE BEEN ON MITCHELL’S SINCE. SINCE I REALLY STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE GATES SAYING, IF WE DON’T GET IN ON THIS THING, I. IF WE DON’T GET IN ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST SAY, LOOKING FOR LARRY WAS A GREAT RUN. IT’S TIME TO CLOSE UP SHOP. A.I. IS THE FUTURE. >> OF. >> EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IN THIS WORLD. AND WHEN ELON MUSK COLONIZES MARS OF THAT WORLD. >> TO . >> AND HE SAID, I GOT IT. I KNOW THE MOVE, I KNOW THE MOVE, I KNOW THE MOVE. I KNOW THE MOVE. AND I TRUST HIM BECAUSE HE’S AMONGST THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY INDIVIDUALS IN THE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHICH IS WHY IT’S SURPRISING HE HAS A PARTNER LIKE ME. I’M THE GANGSTER OF THE TWO OF US. SO, . FINALLY, TODAY, I WENT TO THE STUDIO, AND OF COURSE, THE FIRST THING I ASK IS SHOW ME THE. >> A.I. >> BECAUSE BAD A.I. IS HORRIBLE, RIGHT? AND I’M. >> LIKE. >> IF THIS A.I. IS NOT LIKE TO ME, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE THINGS ONLINE WHERE THE LITTLE KID, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE LITTLE KIDS DOING OUR PROMOS AND OUR SCENES, I’M, I’M BLOWN AWAY BY THAT. THAT’S LIKE THE THAT THAT JUST. >> I DIDN’T KNOW THAT WAS I OF COURSE I THOUGHT IT WAS. >> REAL. >> THAT’S HOW GOOD IT IS. >> THE KID WITH A BEARD. >> YEAH. I MEAN. >> SO THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE A LITTLE KID DOING THIS INTERVIEW AND A LITTLE KID. I WANT TO SEE THAT, BY THE WAY. I WANT TO SEE THAT ONLINE IN THE NEXT WEEK. THAT SOMETHING. >> THAT’S. >> INTERVIEW AND IT’S HELWANI, YOU KNOW WITH THE BEARD. >> AND THE BIG. YES. >> SO, YOU KNOW, I WALKED IN, I WAS REAL SKEPTICAL. I WAS. >> LIKE. >> IF THIS IS. >> NOT. >> ABSOLUTE 8-K OUT OF THE BOX, PROGRESSIVE , INNOVATIVE, CUTTING EDGE, BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE. I. IT AIN’T GONNA. >> WORK. >> AND HE JUST HAD TO SLY MITCHELL STEWART SMILE ON HIS FACE AND. >> GOES. >> LOOKING FOR LARRY IS GOING TO BE BIGGER THAN EVER. AND THIS IS WHAT HE. >> SHOWED ME. >> WHAT YOU’RE WATCHING HAS NOT ONE HUMAN BEING HAS NOT ONE ACTUAL CAMERA IN. >> USE. >> THIS IS ALL I. >> WOW. >> THIS IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT ITS MOST INNOVATIVE. THIS IS FOR A CLIENT WHO IS A TEQUILA COMPANY. >> WOW. >> LOOK AT THE DETAILS ON ON THE FINGERS, ON THE FINGERNAILS, ON THE EYES ON ON ON ON THE FRUIT, ON THE KNIFE, ON THE BACKGROUND, ON THE HAT, ON THE SHIRT. THIS IS I THAT’S NOT A REAL PERSON. THAT’S NOT A REAL FIRE. THIS IS ALL I. >> FIRE. EARTH SPIRIT. >> THAT’S INSANE. BECAUSE THERE WAS AN MMA PROMOTION THAT CAME OUT AND DID ALL THEIR VIDEOS IN A.I., AND IT WAS EXACTLY AS YOU WERE SAYING, HORRENDOUS. THIS IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE. I DON’T WANT TO SAY THEIR NAME. >> SO THIS IS FOR A CLIENT OF OURS, WHICH IS SI, SENOR TEQUILA. >> OKAY. WOW. AND THAT IS ABSURD. AND LOOK AT THIS. WHAT? >> ALL I. >> THAT IS SCARY. HOW GOOD IT IS. >> YEAH. >> SO SO TODAY I WAKE UP. >> WOW. >> AND I, AND I FIND OUT THAT WWE , WHICH IS ON NETFLIX EVERY MONDAY AND WORLDWIDE ON FRIDAYS AS. >> WELL. >> THAT WWE IS ON THIS HUGE STREAMING, THE BIGGEST STREAMING PLATFORM ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET. NETFLIX. AND NOW OUR OUR PREMIUM LIVE EVENTS ARE GOING TO BE CARRIED BY THE WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORTS COVERAGE, ESPN. AND I FIND OUT THAT MY SIDE GIG, MY SIDE HUSTLE, ALL PUN INTENDED, WHICH IS THE ROOKIE PLAYER AGENCY HAS NOW PARTNERED WITH A FIRM THAT WE CAN DELIVER. A.I. TO THAT DEGREE. IT’S A GOOD DAY. >> WHAT A DAY. >> IT’S WHAT A DAY. AND I GET TO COME HERE AND DO THE. >> ARIEL HELWANI SHOW. >> FOR THE FINAL TIME. >> WOW. >> WWE EVER. >> ALLOWS ME IN. >> THE STUDIO. >> WHY? >> BECAUSE WE WAITED A YEAR, AN HOUR AND A YEAR. I BET YOU IT FEELS LIKE A YEAR TO THEM. WATCHING STANFORD, BECAUSE WE WAITED AN HOUR AND A HALF TO TALK ABOUT ESPN. >> IT WAS A BIG DEAL. WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW, BUT WE GOT INTO THE COFFEE AND THE YOU BACK HERE 15 YEARS. THERE WAS SO MUCH TO CATCH UP. >> ON IT. >> IT WAS, IT. >> WAS IT WAS. >> SO MUCH. >> WE NEVER GOT TO THE EPSTEIN LIST EITHER. >> OH MY GOSH, CAN I END ON. >> THIS ON THE. >> EPSTEIN LIST? NO, NO. >> NO, YOU MAY NOT. >> CAN I END ON THIS? THERE’S SO MUCH TO BE EXCITED ABOUT. THERE’S SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF. I’M TALKING ABOUT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, THERE WAS SO MUCH TO DISCUSS, AND THERE’S SO MUCH MORE THAT WE COULD DISCUSS. SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED, BUT WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT YOU AND RESPECT MOST ABOUT YOU, IS THAT EVERY TIME I WOULD CALL YOU ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WOULD SAY, HOW ARE YOU? AS WE SAID AT THE TOP, I’M A BLESSED MAN. AND YOU WOULD SAY, WHY? MY KIDS ARE HEALTHY. >> MY KIDS ARE HEALTHY. >> YEAH. >> AND VERY RECENTLY I GOT TO MEET YOUR KIDS AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME, A VERY PROUD MOMENT IN MY LIFE WAS BEING INVITED TO YOUR DAUGHTER’S BAT MITZVAH. IT WAS JUST PUNK AND I, FROM THE WORLD OF WRESTLING, EVEN THOUGH I’M NOT REALLY FROM THAT WORLD. AND. AND YOUR SON WAS THERE, JACOB, AZALEA AND JACOB. AND THEN I GOT TO RE CONNECT WITH THEM VERY RECENTLY. AND AS I TOLD YOU PRIVATELY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY PUBLICLY THAT IS YOUR GREATEST LEGACY. YOU’RE GOING TO BE KNOWN FOR A LOT OF THINGS. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY YOUR KIDS IN THEIR EARLY 20s. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY HOW THEY CONDUCTED THEMSELVES, BY HOW MATURE THEY WERE, HOW THEY TALKED TO PEOPLE, HOW THEY TALKED TO ME, HOW THEY TALKED TO MY KIDS WHO WERE THERE AS WELL. THE THINGS YOUR SON WAS SAYING WAS VERY MUCH LIKE, YOU CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH. I AND I’M NOT JUST SAYING IT BECAUSE I WOULDN’T SAY IT IF I DIDN’T. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH YOUR KIDS AND THE JOB THAT YOU HAVE DONE AS A FATHER AND I, AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE RECOGNIZE JUST HOW GOOD OF A DAD AND THE JOB THAT YOU’VE DONE RAISING THEM. BECAUSE I WAS BLOWN AWAY AND I TOLD MY KIDS AFTERWARDS THAT NIGHT, I HOPE YOU WERE PAYING ATTENTION TO THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE WHAT I WANT YOU TO BE. >> WELL. >> THANK YOU. I AM. I AM A BLESSED MAN. AND AND I. MY CHILDREN ARE TRULY MY PARENTS . GRANDCHILDREN. THEY THEY INHERITED MY PARENTS KARMA, NOT MINE. THANKFULLY. I, I STRIVE EVERY DAY TO BE WORTHY OF BEING A. AND JACOB’S FATHER. THAT’S MY GOAL. AND THEY ARE MY LEGACY. EVERYTHING ELSE I DO IN LIFE IS JUST TO AVOID HAVING A REAL JOB. I JUST NEVER WANTED TO HAVE. I MEAN, WHEN I WAS A KID, I WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER. AND THEN THEN I WORKED AT STUDIO 54. YOU KNOW, AND THEN FROM STUDIO 54 I HAD I HAD A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM AT 20-YEARS-OLD, AND THEN I AND THEN I WENT FROM THERE TO GOING ON THE ROAD AND TO THIS BUSINESS. I NEVER WANTED A REAL JOB. I JUST NEVER WANTED TO BE ONE OF MANY. SO EVERYTHING I’VE DONE IN LIFE IS JUST TO PURSUE MY DREAMS AND MY PASSIONS. AND OF AVOID REAL. >> WORK. >> AND THEY, THEY THEY ARE MY REAL WORK. THAT’S THAT’S THAT’S MY LEGACY. AND THEY’RE MY BREATH, AND I JUST, I JUST EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE, I JUST WANT TO BE WORTHY OF THEM CALLING ME THEIR. >> FATHER. JOB DONE. >> I, I THANK. >> YOU FOR THAT. >> AND I APPRECIATE IT MORE. THAN I CAN EVER DESCRIBE. >> OF COURSE. THANK YOU. PAUL, I APPRECIATE THIS. >> THANK YOU. >> MORE THAN I CAN EVER DESCRIBE. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO ME. SORRY FOR TAKING SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME, BUT. >> THOSE ARE SORRY. WHY’D YOU. >> DO IT? WELL, THERE WAS A. >> LOT TO GET INTO. WELL, SORRY. >> LIKE . I’M SORRY. >> I GOT A SCREECHY VOICE AGAIN. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. >> THAT’S PAUL HEYMAN. HE IS THE MAN. HE IS THE ORACLE. CATCH HIM MONDAY NIGHTS ON RAW. IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED UNREAL, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, ESPN IN 2026. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT. SO LITTLE TIME. HE WILL GO NOW. I WILL SAY GOODBYE TO HIM. WE’LL TAKE A QUICK BREAK AND WE’LL BE RIGHT. >> BACK. >> HOW DID THIS COME TO FRUITION? >> THE SPARKNOTES ON IT WAS, FUNNILY ENOUGH, IN FIGHT CIRCUS. SO WE ALL LOVE FIGHT CIRCUS. YEAH. AND I WAS. >> I FORGOT THAT THAT’S ON YOUR RESUME. >> THAT’S, YOU KNOW, WE. YEAH. THE INDIAN LEG WRESTLING IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR OR 2023. BUT I KNOW MARCH OF LAST YEAR I WAS DOING A SHOW WITH FIGHT CIRCUS AND THEY BROUGHT IN A PRODUCER DIRECTOR THAT HAD DONE SO MUCH GREAT WORK IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE REALITY TV WORLD, AND WE HIT IT OFF. I HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME WORKING WITH HIM. I FELT WE HAD A GOOD CONNECTION, AND A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THE SHOW, I WAS JUST ON THE PHONE WITH HIM AND I SORT OF ASKED, JUST OFFHANDEDLY, HEY, HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN THIS WORLD? LIKE, WHAT IS THE CASTING PROCESS LIKE? LIKE WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STAND OUT? >> AND WHEN YOU SAY THIS WORLD, BY THE WAY, ARE YOU TALKING LIKE REALITY COMPETITION BROADLY, OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS SHOW SPECIFICALLY? LIKE WHAT WAS THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU WERE HAVING ON THAT BROADLY? OKAY. >> BROADLY, YEAH. BECAUSE LIKE, I, I WAS JUST THROWING SOFTBALLS, TRYING TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF, OF THE INDUSTRY. AND HE JUST SORT OF DIRECTLY WAS LIKE, WELL, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU WANT TO BE ON? AND THIS IS WHERE THE WHOLE HOUDINI TRICK OF ME AND THE CHALLENGE COMES TO FRUITION. I DON’T REALLY WATCH REALITY TV. I WAS NEVER THE BIGGEST REALITY TV FAN PER SE, BUT I’D SEEN SEASON 24 OF THE CHALLENGE, WHICH IS RIVALS TWO. IT’S A GREAT SEASON. AND SO WHEN I WAS TALKING TO HIM, I WAS LIKE, I LOVE THE CHALLENGE. >> OH. >> AND INCREDIBLE. AND HE WAS LIKE, NO WAY. THE CASTING DIRECTOR WORKED WITH ME FOR A DECADE ON A SHOW THAT HE WAS DOING, AND SO HE WAS LIKE, LET ME JUST CHECK AND SEE WHERE THEIR CASTING PROCESS IS FOR THE NEXT SEASON. AND THAT WAS MARCH. IN MID-DECEMBER, I GET A CALL, HEY, YOU’RE ON SEASON 41. YOU SHIP OUT FEBRUARY. >> TIME OUT. >> SO FROM SINGLE CONVERSATION TO YOUR CASTING, YEAH, THERE WAS NO AUDITION PROCESS. >> NO THERE WAS I HAD OBVIOUSLY I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE AUDITION. I HAD TO SEND IN A TAPE. THERE WAS PHYSICAL EVALS, PSYCH EVALS, ALL THE MEDICAL TESTING THAT WE NEEDED TO DO. >> WELL, THAT SHOW HAS PSYCH EVALS. >> YEAH. I’M SURPRISED HOW. >> LONG OF A PROCESS IS THAT? >> IT GENUINELY WAS, LIKE, EVERY SO OFTEN FROM MARCH TO MID-DECEMBER. OKAY. AND IT WAS IT WAS JUST A WEIRD THING THAT I HAD GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND, BECAUSE LAST YEAR, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A BUSY YEAR, AND EVERY FIVE OR SIX WEEKS I GET AN UPDATE AND I’D BE LIKE, ALL RIGHT, HEY, WE NEED THIS FROM YOU. HEY, YOU CHECK THIS EMAIL. YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO FILL THIS OUT. AND PART OF ME DIDN’T REALLY BELIEVE THAT I WAS GONNA ACTUALLY GET CAST ON IT. >> WAS IT GUARANTEED WHEN YOU WERE GOING THROUGH ALL THESE THINGS, WAS IT GUARANTEED THAT YOU WERE ALREADY ON THE SHOW AND YOU JUST NEEDED TO CHECK THESE BOXES? OR WAS THERE STILL LIKE A A PROCESS THAT NEEDED TO BE FILTERED OUT WHERE YOU MIGHT NOT STILL BE ON? >> DUDE. >> I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET BOUNCED EVERY TIME I HEARD FROM THEM. >> OKAY. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. I THOUGHT EVERY PHONE CALL, EVERY EMAIL WAS, HEY, WE’VE DECIDED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. YOU KNOW, SOMEONE ESTABLISHED IN REALITY TV OR SOMEONE FROM A DIFFERENT SHOW, BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHALLENGE, IT IS QUITE RARE TO HAVE SOMEONE GO ON WITH NO BACKGROUND IN REALITY TV. YEAH, THAT’S KIND OF THE WHOLE SHTICK, IS THEY PLUCK FROM LOVE ISLAND, PLUCK FROM SURVIVOR. >> I DIDN’T KNOW THAT UNTIL LAST NIGHT. UNTIL WATCHING IT. THEY’RE LIKE, OH YEAH, I WON SURVIVOR. I’M JUST LIKE, OH. >> I’VE SEEN THE LOWER THIRDS. >> LIKE, EVERYONE’S FROM A SHOW. AND THEN YOU’VE GOT BEN. >> BUT EVEN. >> MORE RARE. AND THIS IS WHY I’M SO, LIKE, HAPPY THAT THIS, THIS LITTLE SERENDIPITOUS THING HAPPENED. IS THAT SHOW IN PARTICULAR DOESN’T ALWAYS DO THIS. LIKE, MASS CASTING. LIKE, EVEN IF THEY START PLUCKING PEOPLE, IT’S LIKE TWO OR THREE PEOPLE PER SEASON, BUT IT’S USUALLY THE REGULARS. AND SO THIS SEASON THEY’RE DOING LIKE WHAT PREVIOUSLY WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED LIKE FRESH MEAT. NOW THEY’RE BRINGING IN THIS WHOLE CROP OF NEW PEOPLE, AND YOU HAPPEN TO BE TALKING TO THIS PRODUCER AT THE TIME THAT THEY’RE DOING THIS. IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER. >> INSANE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. >> YEAH. >> NO, IT’S IT’S RIDICULOUS. AND I ATTRIBUTE SO MUCH LUCK TO IT. YOU KNOW, I CAN NEVER BE LIKE, YEAH, I, I FORCED THIS ALL. IT’S JUST LUCK. IT’S JUST RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME AND AGAIN TRYING TO MAXIMIZE IT. AND, LIKE I SAID, LITERALLY UNTIL MID-DECEMBER, I WAS THINKING, YEAH, THEY’RE GONNA THEY’RE NOT GONNA LET ME ON. >> YOU KNOW. >> SO YOU SAID YOU WATCHED SEASON 24. THAT’S THAT WAS LIKE YOUR I LOVE THE CHALLENGE. SO WHEN YOU SAW CT WON THAT SEASON, WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU SAW HIM IN PERSON, WERE YOU STARSTRUCK OR WERE YOU LIKE, OH MY GOD, THERE HE. >> IS. >> DUDE, THERE WAS SOMETHING SURREAL ABOUT BEING LOCKED IN A HOUSE WITH 16 OF THESE, BECAUSE I DID GO BACK, LIKE AFTER I HAD THAT CONVERSATION. >> YEAH, THERE YOU ARE. JOE ROGAN HERE WITH ROGAN. >> THERE’S ME GETTING TOLD, HEY, YOU’RE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. >> IMMEDIATELY. >> CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT THE JUXTAPOSITION BETWEEN YOU TWO? LIKE, THIS GUY IS JUST LIKE THIS GIANT TANNED, LIKE HE IS, LIKE, STEREOTYPE REALITY TV. AND THEN YOU’RE JUST NORMAL GUY. >> COULD I. >> BE MORE PALE? >> YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? COULD I BE? THE LIGHTING’S NOT DOING YOU ANY FAVORS. IT’S VERY BLUE. IT’S VERY BLUE LIGHT. >> THIS THIS GUY IS IS HERE TO. >> PLAY. AND HE’S. >> ORANGE BY NATURE. SO. >> LIKE, YOU. >> KNOW, WE’RE GONNA WE’RE GONNA EXCUSE IT. >> WE GOT THE JAWLINE. >> COME ON. >> WE GOT WE GOT THE ROBOT. I HAD TO HIT THE ROBOT, BABY. >> THEY, LIKE, CAME BACK FROM A COMMERCIAL. >> BREAK WITH THIS. I HAVE SO MANY. EPISODE QUESTIONS. >> LET’S LET’S GO BACK. LET’S LET’S GO. >> BACK. >> I WANT TO START. WITH YOU ARRIVE IN CHILE. >> YEP. >> THIS IS WHERE THIS ALL TOOK PLACE WAS CHILE. >> SANTIAGO. SO THIS WAS FEBRUARY 10 TO I THINK THE PHOTOGRAPHY ENDED MID-APRIL. >> AND YOU’RE. >> IN CHILE FOR TWO MONTHS? >> SURE. YEAH. I’M THERE THE WHOLE. >> I’M THERE ALL DAY. IN FACT. >> I STAYED. >> NO, BUT I WILL SAY A QUICK FUNNY STORY FROM LIKE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WE GET DOWN THERE, TWO THINGS. ONE, I ASKED MTV SOCIAL TEAM, HEY, SO CAN I POST LIKE A I’M TAKING A SOCIAL MEDIA HIATUS TO EXPLAIN MY ABSENCE BECAUSE AS YOU GUYS KNOW, I’M CHRONICALLY ONLINE. YEAH, TOO MUCH ONLINE. YEAH. AND IF I JUST DISAPPEARED, I THINK LIKE THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT ODD. BUT I COMPLETELY BOTCHED THIS SOCIAL MEDIA HIATUS POST BECAUSE. YEAH, BECAUSE, LIKE, AND I THINK. >> WE. >> SPOKE ABOUT IT, THE VIDEO THAT I POSTED MAKES IT SEEM LIKE I’M, I’M GOING THROUGH SOMETHING, YOU. >> KNOW, THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT. I LITERALLY. >> SAID, HOPEFULLY I’LL SEE YOU GUYS SOON. AS IF. >> I’M NOT COMING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE. >> I SO I LOOK BACK AND I WAS. >> LIKE, OH. MY GOD. >> AND SO EVERYONE’S TEXTING ME LIKE, HEY, IF YOU NEED TO. >> TALK TO SOMEBODY, I TEXTED YOU. I WAS. >> LIKE, HEY MAN, I HOPE YOU’RE ALL GOOD, DUDE. LIKE, I SAW YOU BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAY, YOU ARE CHRONICALLY ONLINE. >> YEAH. >> I SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE I TWEET A LOT. AND THEN I LOOK AT YOU AND I’M JUST LIKE, THIS GUY PUTS UP 50 X. WHAT? I PUT. >> UP, LIKE, TOO MUCH. >> EVERY TIME I GET ON, YOU HAVE A NEW TWEET. SO THE FACT THAT YOU WERE STEPPING AWAY, I WAS. LIKE ., THIS, THIS, THIS GUY IS IN SOME SERIOUS. >> WE’RE GONNA LOSE BAIN. I KNOW. YEAH, HE’S HE’S GONNA BE. >> INSTITUTIONALIZED, MAN. >> HE’S JUST GONNA TAKE A STEP AWAY. GUYS I’LL BE BACK SOON. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS REALLY HARD TIME FOR. >> ME. >> IT’LL BE GREAT IF I. HOPEFULLY RETURN. YEAH, AND I SPRINKLED. I WAS LIKE, I’VE GOT SOME CHALLENGES I’M GOING THROUGH. >> SO I TRIED TO, LIKE. AND SO SOME. >> ASTUTE CHALLENGE FANS THAT WHEN THE CASTING WAS LEAKED, THEY DID GO BACK AND THEY WERE LIKE, OH, HE SAID THE. >> THING, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE. >> TRYING TO DO. >> THAT. BUT I. >> WAS YOU WERE LIKE, I’M DEALING WITH A REALLY LOT OF DIFFICULT CHALLENGES. >> I’M HAVING A VERY BIG MENTAL EPISODE. >> I’M HAVING A. >> REALLY BIG CHALLENGE. >> AND. >> I WINK AT THE CAMERA. >> BUT SO. SO WE GET DOWN THERE TO SANTIAGO AND I DON’T KNOW ANY OF THESE NEW. >> THREATS. >> OKAY, THAT WAS AMAZING. THAT WAS PAUL HEYMAN. WHAT A DAY IT HAS BEEN. ONE LAST THING THAT I JUST SAW. THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, JUST HOURS AFTER THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED A BLOCKBUSTER $1.6 BILLION DEAL WITH ESPN FOR THE U.S. RIGHTS TO ITS WWE PREMIUM LIVE EVENTS, TKO GROUP HOLDINGS REVEALED . EXCUSE ME. QUARTER TWO Q2 EARNINGS THAT SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN BOTH LIVE EVENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS, TWO AREAS THAT ARE KEY TO THE COMPANY’S FUTURE IS TQ REPORTED REVENUE OF $1.31 BILLION, UP 10% FROM THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, WITH A NET INCOME OF 273.1 BILLION, UP FROM 46.2 MILLION A YEAR AGO . BOTH UFC AND WWE SAW SUBSTANTIAL GAINS FROM LAST. >> YEAR. >> WHILE RIGHTS FEES INCREASE INCREASES PLAYED A. >> ROLE. >> UFC REVENUE WAS 415.9 MILLION, UP 5% FROM A YEAR AGO. WWE REVENUE ROSE BY 22% YEAR OVER YEAR TO 556.2 MILLION, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO BIG GAINS IN LIVE EVENTS . AND THEN THERE’S SOME TALK ABOUT THE IMG. I’M JUST KIND OF READING THIS LIVE . TCL ALSO ONCE AGAIN RAISED ITS GUIDANCE FOR THE YEAR, INCREASING EXPECTATIONS FOR REVENUE TO 4.63 BILLION TO 4.69 BILLION. AND THEN THERE’S SOME QUOTES. SO BASICALLY, TO SUM UP, THE DAY LIFE IS. GOOD FOR TKO AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR GLOBAL DOMINANCE OF THE WORLD OF COMBAT SPORTS. THIS DEAL THE UFC DEAL IS GOING TO BE GIGANTIC. AND THEN OF COURSE, WHICH WE WE PRESUME IS GOING. >> TO. >> YOU KNOW, BE ANNOUNCED SOMETIME IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. AND THEN OF COURSE, IT’S TERENCE CRAWFORD VERSUS CANELO ALVAREZ ON SEPTEMBER 13 ON NETFLIX. THEIR FIRST FORAY INTO THE WORLD. OF BOXING. WHAT A DAY. IT’S ALMOST SIX. IT’S BEEN A LONG DAY, BUT WE’VE DONE IT ONE TO REMEMBER. BUT NOW IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE. TOMORROW IT’S THE BOYS IN THE BACK. THAT WAS A CLIP FROM THE BOYS IN THE BACK 415 SUB BITB I BELIEVE THE NUMBER IS. >> GIVE IT A DIAL. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL. WE SHOULD GET A GOOD ONE FROM ALL DONNIE D. >> YEAH. >> TOP FIVE. >> TOP FIVES TO META TO EXPLAIN. IT’S LIKE EVERYDAY FAUX PAS . >> EVERYDAY FAUX PAS. THERE IT IS. >> ALL RIGHT. YOU GO FOR A HANDSHAKE, THEY GO. >> AND WHAT IS IT USUALLY? >> USUALLY THERE’S AN IMPETUS. >> ANTHONY HERNANDEZ. FLUFFY. MAIN EVENT. FLUFFY. YEAH. AND WE SAW HIM AT THE PI, AND WE HAD THE MOMENT WHERE WE WERE LIKE, OKAY, GO AHEAD, MAN. AND HE’S LIKE, NO, NO, NO, YOU GUYS GO AHEAD. AND WE’RE LIKE, YOU GO AHEAD, GUYS. YOU GO AHEAD. SO IT’S IT’S IT’S TOUGH. >> THAT’S ALL I NEEDED. THERE HAS TO BE A SEED RIGHT. >> YEAH. >> THERE HAS. >> TO BE A REASON. >> THAT IS THE THAT IS THE. >> SEED OKAY. >> AND HOW ABOUT HOW ABOUT THE PAUL HEYMAN WATCH STORY I’M BUZZING. >> BACK IN. >> OH MY GOD. HE TOLD YOU A GREAT STORY. WHAT ABOUT JACOB HEYMAN BACK THERE? YOU GUYS WERE WERE HANGING OUT WITH HIS SON. >> HE WAS LAUGHING. >> AT MY MAN. YOU TALK ABOUT SALT OF THE EARTH MEN. >> DID I. >> NOT SAY THAT? >> DID I NOT SAY THIS WHEN I TOLD YOU. >> GUYS ABOUT IT? >> HE WAS INCREDIBLE. HE’S LIKE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE HOSPITALITY. I’M LIKE, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YEAH. HE’S UP. HE’S BACK HERE CHATTING MMA WITH ME LIKE HE IS A DIEHARD MMA FAN. >> NO, NO, IT’S LIKE NEXT LEVEL. WHEN I MET HIM AND HIS FRIEND. THIS IS PAUL HEYMAN’S SON, JACOB HEYMAN. THEY WERE TALKING TO ME ABOUT, LIKE, THE CURTAIN JERKER FOR THE APEX CARD. I’M LIKE, HOLY, I DIDN’T KNOW PEOPLE LIKE THIS EXISTED, LET ALONE 21 YEAR OLDS. I WAS BLOWN AWAY. >> HE TOLD ME HE STARTED WATCHING WHEN HE WAS LIKE, SIX. >> HE’S GONNA RUN THIS SHOW SOON. HE’S GOING TO BE THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. SORRY. RICK CO-EP NOW. UNBELIEVABLE. VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE. WHAT A DAY. CAN’T THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH. THANKS TO THE WHOLE TEAM BACK THERE. PHENOMENAL JOB. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WATCHED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SENT IN QUESTIONS. SORRY WE COULDN’T GET TO ALL OF THEM. THANK YOU TO DDP. THANK YOU TO KEYSHAWN. THANK YOU TO KEITH JARDINE. THANK YOU TO PAUL AND JACOB HEYMAN BACK TOMORROW. SAME TIME AND PLACE TO LIVE IN PEACE. >> I’M OUT OF HERE.
22 Comments
0:06:50 – HUGE Breaking News: WWE signs exclusive 5-year deal with ESPN for all PPVs
0:14:30 – UFC legend Keith Jardine joins the show to discuss his transition from fighting to filmmaking
0:21:00 – Jardine on the brutal reality of Hollywood auditions & landing a role in 'Inherent Vice'
0:35:00 – Jardine gets candid about his final fights, dark times & reinventing himself after the UFC
0:50:00 – How psychedelics like Ibogaine helped Jardine heal his brain & his mission to help other fighters
1:01:43 – Fan Q&A: More on the WWE/ESPN deal, UFC's PPV future & McGregor's decline
1:22:39 – The changing sports media landscape: Is Red Zone in trouble & will Netflix get into boxing?
1:30:58 – UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis joins ahead of his title defense
1:36:34 – DDP talks his upcoming fight with Chimaev & the growth of South African MMA
1:44:10 – Dricus breaks down his 'awkward' fighting style & his iconic villain persona
1:58:00 – DDP's take on the pound-for-pound rankings & his confidence going into UFC 319
2:07:00 – In his first interview since the incident, boxer Keyshawn Davis tells his side of the story
2:09:50 – Keyshawn explains the disastrous weight miss that led to his title fight cancellation
2:16:00 – The emotional fallout, altercations with promoters & apologizing for his unprofessional behavior
2:27:00 – Keyshawn addresses the locker room incident & the pending athletic commission investigation
2:38:00 – Keyshawn on his mental health, support from Floyd Mayweather & his plans for a comeback
3:06:17 – The Wiseman himself, Paul Heyman, arrives in studio for a legendary interview
3:11:30 – Heyman on his agency's expansion into movies, streaming & the use of cutting-edge AI
3:23:15 – A masterclass in storytelling: Heyman on mentoring talent & crafting multi-year WWE sagas
3:26:30 – Heyman gives an epic tribute to Roman Reigns for carrying WWE through the pandemic
3:43:45 – Heyman shares an emotional, intimate backstage moment with CM Punk
3:55:50 – Behind the scenes on Brock Lesnar's return & his legacy as a dual UFC/WWE champion
4:00:02 – What if John Cena had a true heel run? Heyman breaks down the risks & rewards
4:20:00 – Heyman on dealing with difficult personalities like Bill Goldberg & his positive stories about Hulk Hogan
4:35:00 – Heyman shows off his agency's impressive AI-created visuals
4:43:30 – Paul Heyman's surprising story about being cast on MTV's 'The Challenge'
4:52:30 – Closing thoughts, TKO financial news & shoutouts to a massive day of guests
Espn really needs to improve its app if they start showing wwe… the wwe fans will add more complaints and hopefully they listen cuz they’re app is awful
Cant wait for Khamzat to get this racist pos outta here.
Frank could've played the D1 glazer drop 10 different times during the Heyman interview. Holy crap, Ariel.
Hahahah that ai clip looked ai as fuck hahahaha
1:52:04 like what 🤠
1:52:11 mm 😑
me too Ariel, me too. we all thought it was coming
Keyshawn didn’t really explain his position very well imo
Davis sounds like he dropped out in the 6th grade, horrendous listen whenever he's on. 100% on the skip list from now on
GC get that Strava league going
GC you need to start that strava league. open it to the people
Dricus “the educated spaz” Du Plessis
The first time I ever watched the UFC was live at UFC 76. Despite there being no knockouts on the card. It was a great time. Glad to see the dean of mean doing well! He broke a lot of hearts in that main event.
feel like there is an ad every five minutes
my comment had no curse words and was deleted because i critiqued the show. i cant wait until someone more respectful and upfront becomes the #1 mma interviewer
I’m a heyman guy! That dude is awesome
Watching this lets me know that Keyshawn DOES NOT have IT
When they talk about ESPN and the new deals they never take the perspective of the consumer, we're always getting fucked with more ads and higher prices but instead let's call the TKO lads the Avengers instead. Come on
👍
Rick needs to be permanently muted on business talk. “ they don’t tell them the numbers.” 20 seconds later “yeah of course they tell them numbers.” Stop being a know it all
Ariel never watching red zone confirms he’s not a football fan
Hilarious Keyshawn interview with 0 pushback and 100% gaslighting. Victims can never do wrong 😂
"The Longer the explanation, the bigger the lie" – Chinese proverb