1 00:00:05,241 --> 00:00:18,761 Speaker 1: H approcha production. Yeah. So it was a bit of 2 00:00:18,841 --> 00:00:22,681 Speaker 1: a strange time to grow to grow up. And I 3 00:00:22,721 --> 00:00:23,241 Speaker 1: was always one. 4 00:00:23,601 --> 00:00:26,041 Speaker 2: Like I said, I was always a fellow out a 5 00:00:26,081 --> 00:00:28,201 Speaker 2: chip on my shoulder and wanted to impress my peers 6 00:00:28,241 --> 00:00:31,681 Speaker 2: more so than anything. And I was always doing maybe 7 00:00:31,761 --> 00:00:34,961 Speaker 2: mates laugh or you know, to get that validation from 8 00:00:34,961 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 2: my mates that you know, I would pale out when 9 00:00:37,081 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 2: it got big and yeah, so that kind of led 10 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:43,361 Speaker 2: me into the you know, the lifestyle and the choices 11 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:47,241 Speaker 2: I made, and obviously eventually I was up in Queensland 12 00:00:47,361 --> 00:00:50,321 Speaker 2: up there MC fanning one as well title. I was 13 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,001 Speaker 2: up there to celebrate some friends of mine on the 14 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 2: Goldie and then also my coach, Alex Pratt's he was 15 00:00:58,361 --> 00:01:02,121 Speaker 2: fighting mm a coach that same weekend. I was up 16 00:01:02,161 --> 00:01:05,961 Speaker 2: there and after Alex fire and then we went out 17 00:01:06,001 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 2: quite with a few of the boys from the Goldie 18 00:01:08,561 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 2: and had to celebrate mix when I got full of piss. 19 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:13,441 Speaker 2: Always thought I could handle my drink better than I could. 20 00:01:14,801 --> 00:01:17,201 Speaker 2: It ended up getting into a pub fight, mate, and 21 00:01:18,161 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 2: the attitude of sort of thinking before you know, doing 22 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:23,241 Speaker 2: before you think. Sorry, I just ended up getting a 23 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 2: blue and got a little bit of a trouble mate. 24 00:01:26,321 --> 00:01:28,961 Speaker 2: And then eventually I get extradited back to Queensland to 25 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 2: face charges of our grievous body harm and the second 26 00:01:31,881 --> 00:01:34,401 Speaker 2: man has been charged over a violent brawl on the 27 00:01:34,441 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 2: Gold Coast. And that was the moment where I was 28 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:43,121 Speaker 2: a little bit of an awakening that things, my actions, 29 00:01:43,121 --> 00:01:44,161 Speaker 2: they do have consequences. 30 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:45,161 Speaker 1: I was probably getting I was. 31 00:01:45,121 --> 00:01:47,521 Speaker 2: Getting through life so that it was just part and 32 00:01:47,561 --> 00:01:51,161 Speaker 2: past of that era, and I didn't think anything different 33 00:01:51,201 --> 00:01:54,401 Speaker 2: that night on the Gold Coast, but yeah, it came 34 00:01:54,441 --> 00:01:55,241 Speaker 2: back around to buy me. 35 00:01:55,641 --> 00:01:56,481 Speaker 1: Police dropped up. 36 00:01:56,401 --> 00:01:57,881 Speaker 2: My door and next thing I knew, I was I 37 00:01:57,921 --> 00:02:00,281 Speaker 2: was locked up and like I said, extra back to 38 00:02:00,361 --> 00:02:01,921 Speaker 2: Queensland to face these charges. 39 00:02:01,961 --> 00:02:03,441 Speaker 1: And that's where I. 40 00:02:03,481 --> 00:02:06,041 Speaker 2: Started to realize this is not what I what I 41 00:02:06,081 --> 00:02:07,801 Speaker 2: want to be remembered for is I could see the 42 00:02:07,801 --> 00:02:10,161 Speaker 2: effect of having my family, my beautiful mom and my 43 00:02:10,241 --> 00:02:13,761 Speaker 2: dad and my extended founding, my sister, how upset they 44 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,321 Speaker 2: were by it all. There's still that part of me 45 00:02:16,481 --> 00:02:18,961 Speaker 2: I've been a young punk that yeah I was. You know, 46 00:02:19,041 --> 00:02:21,081 Speaker 2: it was cool, you know, I mean because half of 47 00:02:21,081 --> 00:02:23,041 Speaker 2: my mates had been a jail or been arrest or 48 00:02:23,321 --> 00:02:25,001 Speaker 2: faced some kind and I was kind of like it. 49 00:02:25,081 --> 00:02:27,441 Speaker 3: Was just parcel of the journey. It was like a 50 00:02:27,441 --> 00:02:28,601 Speaker 3: bit of a badge of honor. 51 00:02:28,761 --> 00:02:31,761 Speaker 2: That step exactly in a mandle, which is now I 52 00:02:31,841 --> 00:02:34,441 Speaker 2: know now is a stupid way to look at it, 53 00:02:34,441 --> 00:02:38,641 Speaker 2: but but I soon realized, you know that it's not 54 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:40,601 Speaker 2: what I want to be remembered for. You know, it's 55 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:42,881 Speaker 2: I don't want to see my parents go through this, 56 00:02:43,001 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: and that's not really the person who I am, you 57 00:02:47,001 --> 00:02:49,921 Speaker 2: know what I mean. I as much as I used 58 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,641 Speaker 2: to act the mug and whatnot, that's not how I 59 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,361 Speaker 2: wanted to be seen. I was having some success in 60 00:02:55,401 --> 00:02:57,921 Speaker 2: my my mm A career. I'd won a few fights, 61 00:02:58,161 --> 00:03:01,041 Speaker 2: I had some some some sponsors that just jumped on 62 00:03:01,201 --> 00:03:03,281 Speaker 2: for surfing as well, because we're getting a really good 63 00:03:03,321 --> 00:03:05,361 Speaker 2: run from the surf media in terms of chase ways 64 00:03:05,361 --> 00:03:06,481 Speaker 2: around Australia. 65 00:03:06,081 --> 00:03:08,281 Speaker 1: And absolutely towing some slabs. 66 00:03:08,321 --> 00:03:10,361 Speaker 2: So things were going well in that regard. But I'll 67 00:03:10,361 --> 00:03:12,921 Speaker 2: still burn a wick at both ends. I'll still you know, 68 00:03:13,001 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: I'll train train my ass off Monday to Friday, party 69 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 2: from Friday night to Sunday. And at that age I 70 00:03:18,721 --> 00:03:21,081 Speaker 2: could do it and get away with it until things 71 00:03:21,121 --> 00:03:24,041 Speaker 2: bubble to her head and it was a lesson I 72 00:03:24,081 --> 00:03:26,321 Speaker 2: really needed to be taught at the time. And uh 73 00:03:26,561 --> 00:03:29,881 Speaker 2: that's when, yeah, I realized I've got some things in 74 00:03:29,881 --> 00:03:31,201 Speaker 2: front of me that I want to make the most of. 75 00:03:31,281 --> 00:03:33,241 Speaker 2: And if I keep behaving the way I am and 76 00:03:33,281 --> 00:03:35,521 Speaker 2: living the way I am, they're all going to get 77 00:03:35,721 --> 00:03:36,601 Speaker 2: get pissed up the wall. 78 00:03:36,721 --> 00:03:40,441 Speaker 3: So I remember the Gold Coast bulliding and he was 79 00:03:40,481 --> 00:03:43,521 Speaker 3: you coming off the plane in cuffs. You know, it 80 00:03:43,601 --> 00:03:46,241 Speaker 3: was a little terrorift, mate, it was. It was fucking 81 00:03:46,321 --> 00:03:50,281 Speaker 3: hard because I know you are. I know all your 82 00:03:50,361 --> 00:03:54,841 Speaker 3: boys meet. You're a family, You're a brotherhood. Yes, you're 83 00:03:54,881 --> 00:03:58,481 Speaker 3: a smaller statue of man. You've got balls of fucking steel. 84 00:03:58,481 --> 00:04:00,201 Speaker 3: And the silly dickheads that will want to have a 85 00:04:00,281 --> 00:04:03,001 Speaker 3: go the little fella, mate, well, you know, the little 86 00:04:03,041 --> 00:04:06,761 Speaker 3: fella can hold his own at a few few beers 87 00:04:06,841 --> 00:04:08,961 Speaker 3: or a RUMs or Bourbons, whatever the fuck it is. 88 00:04:09,001 --> 00:04:11,521 Speaker 3: And that you know that hit becomes fucking ten towns 89 00:04:11,521 --> 00:04:12,401 Speaker 3: ten tons heavier. 90 00:04:14,401 --> 00:04:15,681 Speaker 1: You know, it makes me half a schooner. 91 00:04:17,401 --> 00:04:18,321 Speaker 2: The thing is rich. 92 00:04:18,521 --> 00:04:20,881 Speaker 3: I could see it in your face, mate, the disappointment 93 00:04:21,521 --> 00:04:25,201 Speaker 3: because you were and and you know you were on 94 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:30,121 Speaker 3: your path to massive success this speed hunt, you know, 95 00:04:30,201 --> 00:04:34,521 Speaker 3: especially coming through the way you did. The upbringing, the brotherhood, 96 00:04:35,041 --> 00:04:38,841 Speaker 3: you know, the localism, the big balls, the charging and 97 00:04:38,961 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 3: mate is all held your own. You all fucking stood tall, 98 00:04:41,481 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 3: stood staunch, and like you said, no one took a 99 00:04:43,201 --> 00:04:45,281 Speaker 3: backward step, no one turned the back on each other. 100 00:04:46,041 --> 00:04:50,361 Speaker 3: So you're holding that that presence. But yet there was 101 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:56,121 Speaker 3: this title, just like you know, decline for you obviously 102 00:04:57,041 --> 00:04:59,041 Speaker 3: off the back of that, which was going to take 103 00:04:59,081 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 3: a lot of hard work to bring you back up 104 00:05:02,241 --> 00:05:04,921 Speaker 3: to be, you know, a story of redemption. If I 105 00:05:05,081 --> 00:05:08,441 Speaker 3: can use that to become who you are today. 106 00:05:08,801 --> 00:05:11,681 Speaker 2: There were definitely moments where I was very tempted to 107 00:05:11,681 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: throw my hands up in the air and say fuck it, 108 00:05:15,041 --> 00:05:16,921 Speaker 2: you know, and just keep getting on the pisce, keep 109 00:05:16,921 --> 00:05:19,521 Speaker 2: having big nights, keep getting into trouble, and and and 110 00:05:20,121 --> 00:05:21,961 Speaker 2: I guess not be accountable or not put my hand 111 00:05:22,041 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 2: up and realize the changes out to be made. But 112 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 2: I already thank my parents from upbringing, and you know, 113 00:05:30,041 --> 00:05:33,161 Speaker 2: my extended family and and and also yeah, a lot 114 00:05:33,201 --> 00:05:35,481 Speaker 2: of my closest mates they were once to pull me 115 00:05:35,521 --> 00:05:38,361 Speaker 2: up and go, Richie, know you're carrying like a goose. 116 00:05:39,201 --> 00:05:41,001 Speaker 2: You've got some things in front of it. You can 117 00:05:41,041 --> 00:05:45,481 Speaker 2: you can really give a nudge. So that's where I 118 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 2: stopped partying so much, focused on my training. Obviously, I 119 00:05:50,001 --> 00:05:52,961 Speaker 2: had to get through his hurdle, which was the court 120 00:05:53,041 --> 00:05:56,401 Speaker 2: case and whatnot, and I managed to get through all that. 121 00:05:56,481 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 2: But how close were you to jail? Rich? 122 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:00,561 Speaker 3: Like, what was the talk? You know, were you looking 123 00:06:00,601 --> 00:06:02,881 Speaker 3: at a jail sentence? Was it a concern that fuck, 124 00:06:02,961 --> 00:06:04,841 Speaker 3: everything's going to go on hold and you know you 125 00:06:05,161 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 3: have to confront this. 126 00:06:07,361 --> 00:06:09,761 Speaker 2: Yeah, well it definitely was obviously agree it was probably 127 00:06:09,801 --> 00:06:11,721 Speaker 2: harm It's it's not a light not at all. And 128 00:06:11,761 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 2: then with the the the amount of media attention that 129 00:06:15,361 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 2: it got to, I didn't think that was going to 130 00:06:17,121 --> 00:06:19,481 Speaker 2: help in my favorite at all, the bra Boys, Docco, who. 131 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: Had just come out it was doing amazingly well. 132 00:06:22,401 --> 00:06:26,841 Speaker 2: The media jumped on obviously my my circumstance and obviously 133 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 2: been the m M A fighter that they love. 134 00:06:31,121 --> 00:06:34,041 Speaker 1: Dashing people. Yes, I didn't take it as a joke 135 00:06:34,081 --> 00:06:34,361 Speaker 1: at all. 136 00:06:34,361 --> 00:06:36,161 Speaker 2: From the get go. I knew this was serious and 137 00:06:36,201 --> 00:06:37,681 Speaker 2: I want to be able to travel with the States. 138 00:06:37,721 --> 00:06:42,241 Speaker 2: I dreams of fighting in America and whatnot. And it 139 00:06:42,281 --> 00:06:44,201 Speaker 2: was made very clear clear to me from the outset 140 00:06:44,241 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 2: that this is serious, you know. So I did everything 141 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 2: I could to get a good tim of lawyers behind me, 142 00:06:50,081 --> 00:06:51,481 Speaker 2: work my ass off to pay the bills. 143 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:53,361 Speaker 1: I just put everyone the backburn. 144 00:06:53,081 --> 00:06:56,881 Speaker 2: Until I got through that hurdle, which thank god I 145 00:06:56,961 --> 00:06:59,481 Speaker 2: did in some regard. You know, I end up pleading 146 00:06:59,481 --> 00:07:02,801 Speaker 2: guilty because in all, without going into the holes you're 147 00:07:03,761 --> 00:07:06,321 Speaker 2: case with, it was just a bit of a blue 148 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,481 Speaker 2: and a pub went out the front turned to a 149 00:07:08,521 --> 00:07:10,481 Speaker 2: bit of an all in because thank god, some of 150 00:07:10,481 --> 00:07:14,281 Speaker 2: the boys Doaza and hip Ho and the Hazards were there. 151 00:07:14,321 --> 00:07:16,641 Speaker 2: They came out to help me because I got it 152 00:07:16,761 --> 00:07:20,081 Speaker 2: initially got tied up, and then and I got hold 153 00:07:20,081 --> 00:07:22,121 Speaker 2: of one of the blokes who he ended up claiming 154 00:07:22,161 --> 00:07:24,481 Speaker 2: that he wasn't involved, and the judge saw it for 155 00:07:24,521 --> 00:07:27,761 Speaker 2: what it was, a bunch of piss blokes full of it, 156 00:07:28,041 --> 00:07:31,961 Speaker 2: carrying on like pork chops. And I pleaded guilty to 157 00:07:32,001 --> 00:07:34,081 Speaker 2: a lesser charge, and then my lawyer fought the. 158 00:07:34,001 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: Conviction, so I didn't get a conviction record. 159 00:07:36,281 --> 00:07:38,081 Speaker 2: So that has it all pound out, which I was 160 00:07:38,161 --> 00:07:41,001 Speaker 2: very grateful for. You know, I didn't have that grievous 161 00:07:41,001 --> 00:07:43,681 Speaker 2: body hard conviction against my name, and now I could 162 00:07:43,761 --> 00:07:46,561 Speaker 2: kind of move forward with my plans and what I 163 00:07:46,601 --> 00:07:50,681 Speaker 2: want to do with my life. So that was the 164 00:07:50,721 --> 00:07:53,881 Speaker 2: turning point where I took M M A seriously. Martial 165 00:07:54,001 --> 00:07:56,521 Speaker 2: arts was absolute blessing. It gave me that direction and 166 00:07:56,521 --> 00:07:59,441 Speaker 2: that structure that I very desperately needed at that time. 167 00:07:59,601 --> 00:08:01,721 Speaker 2: Like you know, again, looking back, I didn't realize that 168 00:08:02,521 --> 00:08:04,281 Speaker 2: the way I was living it was just I was 169 00:08:04,281 --> 00:08:06,881 Speaker 2: burning wicked by fans and I could get away with anything. 170 00:08:06,881 --> 00:08:08,081 Speaker 1: Things didn't have consequence. 171 00:08:08,161 --> 00:08:11,281 Speaker 2: So yeah, my close networker mates and obviously the brother 172 00:08:11,321 --> 00:08:14,521 Speaker 2: Boys a massive group, and you're going to get support 173 00:08:14,561 --> 00:08:16,041 Speaker 2: down there no matter what it is, if you want 174 00:08:16,041 --> 00:08:17,361 Speaker 2: to be a lawyer, if you want to be a 175 00:08:17,401 --> 00:08:21,601 Speaker 2: footy player, surfers, just love love for the Brothers. 176 00:08:22,081 --> 00:08:22,321 Speaker 3: Yeah. 177 00:08:22,641 --> 00:08:24,841 Speaker 2: Also, I was very grateful that some of my closest 178 00:08:24,841 --> 00:08:29,401 Speaker 2: makes macar Susa, Mark Matthews. I could list them off 179 00:08:29,401 --> 00:08:32,401 Speaker 2: for days, but they really got behind him look and 180 00:08:32,401 --> 00:08:35,321 Speaker 2: supported me in like in knuckling down and not coming 181 00:08:35,361 --> 00:08:38,761 Speaker 2: out and partying and and you know, to put my 182 00:08:38,841 --> 00:08:40,521 Speaker 2: decision to sort of put my eggs all in one 183 00:08:40,561 --> 00:08:43,801 Speaker 2: basket and make the most I could out at MMA 184 00:08:44,081 --> 00:08:47,081 Speaker 2: and surfing, and they were leading by example in their 185 00:08:47,081 --> 00:08:49,361 Speaker 2: own regards to be honest, without sitting me down and 186 00:08:49,441 --> 00:08:51,601 Speaker 2: lecturing about what I should and should be doing. They 187 00:08:51,641 --> 00:08:54,201 Speaker 2: were just pursuing their own dreams and having great success. 188 00:08:54,241 --> 00:08:56,841 Speaker 2: And that was what you know, I rubbed off of me, 189 00:08:56,921 --> 00:09:00,401 Speaker 2: and it just made mine who were pursuing their dream 190 00:09:00,441 --> 00:09:03,081 Speaker 2: to get their law degree or you know, their trade 191 00:09:03,241 --> 00:09:05,321 Speaker 2: and get into the pause for a house. They're all 192 00:09:05,361 --> 00:09:08,001 Speaker 2: kicking their goal, kicking goals, and I was like, fuck 193 00:09:08,001 --> 00:09:10,521 Speaker 2: all right, time that I start kicking someone my own. 194 00:09:10,681 --> 00:09:13,361 Speaker 3: So Richie turns around, grabs it by the fucking balls 195 00:09:13,401 --> 00:09:17,521 Speaker 3: literally and talk to us, mate, the next part of 196 00:09:17,561 --> 00:09:20,361 Speaker 3: that journey, because it came down to a lot of 197 00:09:20,401 --> 00:09:24,281 Speaker 3: hard work to then start ticking boxes and climbing up 198 00:09:24,361 --> 00:09:28,161 Speaker 3: ladders that people dream of to be on a world stage. 199 00:09:28,521 --> 00:09:32,801 Speaker 2: Mate, It's coming from from such you know, like you said, 200 00:09:32,841 --> 00:09:35,441 Speaker 2: like brotherhood. I'm always around my mates. I'm always hanging out, 201 00:09:37,281 --> 00:09:41,841 Speaker 2: party and having fun. You know, lifestyle was there was 202 00:09:41,881 --> 00:09:44,881 Speaker 2: no rules, there was no discipline, no structure to it. 203 00:09:45,521 --> 00:09:48,481 Speaker 2: Making a decision to pursue mm A professionally, you know, 204 00:09:48,601 --> 00:09:50,761 Speaker 2: I had I was had like three wins under my belt. 205 00:09:50,881 --> 00:09:54,401 Speaker 1: I was undefeated. That it was. 206 00:09:55,481 --> 00:09:57,281 Speaker 2: It was a bit like lonely in the way because 207 00:09:57,281 --> 00:10:00,361 Speaker 2: there wasn't a whole big gang of my close mates 208 00:10:00,401 --> 00:10:03,801 Speaker 2: who were into martial arts and fighting from Ruber's lot 209 00:10:03,881 --> 00:10:06,561 Speaker 2: jiu jitsu, you know, thanks Bruno Panel and Alex Pratt's 210 00:10:06,561 --> 00:10:09,841 Speaker 2: bringing it to the community twenty years. 211 00:10:09,641 --> 00:10:11,201 Speaker 1: Ago, all of the boys into that. 212 00:10:12,321 --> 00:10:15,321 Speaker 2: Alex was fighting professionally as MMA, so I was just 213 00:10:15,361 --> 00:10:17,161 Speaker 2: surrounded by my training mates a lot of the time. 214 00:10:17,601 --> 00:10:18,961 Speaker 3: Quote me if I'm wrong, but you would have had 215 00:10:19,041 --> 00:10:23,041 Speaker 3: to cut off, not cut off, but really sacrifice a 216 00:10:23,041 --> 00:10:26,481 Speaker 3: lot of brotherhood time, if I can put it that way. 217 00:10:26,881 --> 00:10:31,841 Speaker 3: To put your mind into an absolute total space of success, 218 00:10:32,561 --> 00:10:35,521 Speaker 3: you don't become successful by halfheartedly committing. 219 00:10:35,801 --> 00:10:38,601 Speaker 1: You've got to give it your all exactly. 220 00:10:38,641 --> 00:10:41,641 Speaker 2: And I think no more so in the world of 221 00:10:41,681 --> 00:10:45,401 Speaker 2: martial arts or big wave surfing, but definitely martial arts. 222 00:10:45,121 --> 00:10:49,881 Speaker 2: There's no shortcuts. It's just hard work. It's it's commitment, 223 00:10:51,041 --> 00:10:53,441 Speaker 2: you know, and drinking a party every weekend just doesn't 224 00:10:53,441 --> 00:10:56,641 Speaker 1: Mix with trying to be successful at the elite level.