1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:13,307 --> 00:00:17,067 Speaker 2: UFC three one seven is on at Te Mobile Arena 4 00:00:17,187 --> 00:00:20,067 Speaker 2: in Las Vegas this afternoon. Of most interest for us 5 00:00:20,387 --> 00:00:23,467 Speaker 2: can we fighter Kai Cutter France fighting for the UFC 6 00:00:23,747 --> 00:00:28,507 Speaker 2: flyweight title. He's up against current title holder Alexandra Pantoca. 7 00:00:28,907 --> 00:00:32,107 Speaker 2: UFC three one seven available on skysport now pay per 8 00:00:32,227 --> 00:00:36,267 Speaker 2: view Skysport UFC presenter and analyst Driven de Herney. It 9 00:00:36,387 --> 00:00:41,587 Speaker 2: joins us from Vegas. Exciting times rav for Kai Cutter France. 10 00:00:41,587 --> 00:00:43,947 Speaker 2: What sort of feeling do you get from him? You've 11 00:00:43,947 --> 00:00:45,587 Speaker 2: been in and around him and the build up to this. 12 00:00:45,667 --> 00:00:47,547 Speaker 2: What sort of feeling do you get from Kai Cutter 13 00:00:47,587 --> 00:00:51,827 Speaker 2: France against you know, ahead of his his flyweight title shot. 14 00:00:52,787 --> 00:00:56,787 Speaker 3: Well, first of all, Kelder, I get absolute confidence from him. 15 00:00:56,827 --> 00:00:59,707 Speaker 3: I've you know, I've been there to witness him get 16 00:00:59,747 --> 00:01:01,947 Speaker 3: ready for fights before, but I've never seen him so 17 00:01:02,907 --> 00:01:06,787 Speaker 3: like ready but so tuned in ready. I don't. Yeah, 18 00:01:06,987 --> 00:01:09,907 Speaker 3: whenever we are having conversations about the fight or anything, 19 00:01:09,947 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 3: he's never ever talking about Pantosa. He's always talking about 20 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:17,027 Speaker 3: you know, his mindset, his preparations, what he's done, in 21 00:01:17,107 --> 00:01:20,867 Speaker 3: terms of embracing his tahamudia you know, a lot more 22 00:01:20,947 --> 00:01:24,107 Speaker 3: during this camp to get him in the right mind space, 23 00:01:24,547 --> 00:01:27,747 Speaker 3: spiritual space. So I get a real sense of confidence 24 00:01:27,747 --> 00:01:30,587 Speaker 3: from him that he feels he is, you know, has 25 00:01:30,627 --> 00:01:32,547 Speaker 3: the goods to get the better of Pantosa if he 26 00:01:32,707 --> 00:01:33,947 Speaker 3: just does his best. 27 00:01:34,227 --> 00:01:37,587 Speaker 2: So what is his best strategy. We'll talk about Pantoja 28 00:01:37,627 --> 00:01:40,267 Speaker 2: in a sec but what is what is Kai cal 29 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:43,187 Speaker 2: of France's best strategy for winning this fight? 30 00:01:44,827 --> 00:01:47,707 Speaker 3: Well, I would say his hands. He has very heavy hands. 31 00:01:47,707 --> 00:01:50,147 Speaker 3: He is one of the most prolific knock out artists 32 00:01:50,187 --> 00:01:52,427 Speaker 3: of the flyweight division, which is rare because he's a 33 00:01:52,587 --> 00:01:56,667 Speaker 3: little guys. No offense where you usually see you know, 34 00:01:56,747 --> 00:02:00,027 Speaker 3: more movement, being more agile, being more mobile. With Kai 35 00:02:00,227 --> 00:02:02,147 Speaker 3: is those things as well. But if he gets his 36 00:02:02,227 --> 00:02:04,347 Speaker 3: hands on you, it can be lights out very early. 37 00:02:04,387 --> 00:02:06,827 Speaker 3: And you know, a couple of his past the oponents 38 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:09,187 Speaker 3: in his last five fights have been victim to that. 39 00:02:10,467 --> 00:02:13,267 Speaker 3: Whereas Pantosa he likes to you know, pace himself a 40 00:02:13,307 --> 00:02:15,347 Speaker 3: little bit more. So I think that would work in 41 00:02:15,427 --> 00:02:17,707 Speaker 3: Kai's favor, that if he can get close enough to 42 00:02:17,707 --> 00:02:19,827 Speaker 3: touch him, like we saw improoved against Steve Uzig. 43 00:02:19,827 --> 00:02:21,227 Speaker 4: It could be lights out for Pantosa. 44 00:02:21,427 --> 00:02:24,427 Speaker 2: You're right, though, Rav. You know they're fifty seven kilos, 45 00:02:24,467 --> 00:02:26,667 Speaker 2: these guys. There's nothing to them, is there? You know 46 00:02:26,747 --> 00:02:29,947 Speaker 2: they are, But they're just just pocket rockets, aren't they. 47 00:02:30,107 --> 00:02:33,147 Speaker 2: What What kind of fight do we normally get in 48 00:02:33,227 --> 00:02:36,147 Speaker 2: a flywait battle? What can we expect when these two 49 00:02:36,187 --> 00:02:36,867 Speaker 2: hit the octagon? 50 00:02:38,627 --> 00:02:40,267 Speaker 4: Well, I'm not sure if the fight's going to go 51 00:02:40,267 --> 00:02:41,267 Speaker 4: the whole five rounds. 52 00:02:41,987 --> 00:02:45,347 Speaker 3: Alessandro Pantosa is a specialist of taking fighters into deep 53 00:02:45,347 --> 00:02:46,827 Speaker 3: waters in those five rounds. 54 00:02:46,947 --> 00:02:48,147 Speaker 4: He's obviously the champion. 55 00:02:48,187 --> 00:02:50,787 Speaker 3: This is his fourth title defense, so he is used 56 00:02:50,787 --> 00:02:53,067 Speaker 3: to fighting these five rounds. The opponents he comes up 57 00:02:53,107 --> 00:02:55,467 Speaker 3: against are only used to three, so he knows that 58 00:02:55,587 --> 00:02:58,427 Speaker 3: his advantage because he's condition, is to take them through 59 00:02:58,467 --> 00:03:00,867 Speaker 3: the five. So I'm thinking Kai might not want to 60 00:03:00,907 --> 00:03:02,707 Speaker 3: go that deep, but I think he has the tools 61 00:03:02,747 --> 00:03:04,467 Speaker 3: to do that if he needs to. 62 00:03:04,867 --> 00:03:07,707 Speaker 4: Alexander Pantosa he all so he gets touched a lot. 63 00:03:07,867 --> 00:03:11,387 Speaker 3: He's willing to take it to get inside to give 64 00:03:11,427 --> 00:03:14,587 Speaker 3: them So that's why I feel that that works in 65 00:03:14,627 --> 00:03:17,067 Speaker 3: Kai Kuitt France's favor because he has very heavy hands, 66 00:03:17,107 --> 00:03:20,427 Speaker 3: but at the same time, Pantosa is very aware of this. 67 00:03:20,907 --> 00:03:23,427 Speaker 3: Pantosa is very sturdy on the ground as well. With 68 00:03:23,467 --> 00:03:26,627 Speaker 3: Brazilian jiu jitsu. Doesn't use it too often, but he 69 00:03:26,667 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 3: may have to if he feels the power of Kai 70 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:29,267 Speaker 3: Kutter France. 71 00:03:29,707 --> 00:03:32,027 Speaker 2: You forget that Kai Katter France has been around for 72 00:03:32,027 --> 00:03:33,987 Speaker 2: a while too, you know. I think these two four 73 00:03:34,027 --> 00:03:36,707 Speaker 2: to twenty sixteen, that's going back a long way, and 74 00:03:36,747 --> 00:03:39,147 Speaker 2: I'm sure a lot has changed in nine years watching 75 00:03:39,227 --> 00:03:41,347 Speaker 2: him develop. You talked about his development as a human 76 00:03:41,347 --> 00:03:44,827 Speaker 2: being before, but what have you noticed from him in 77 00:03:44,867 --> 00:03:46,387 Speaker 2: his development as a fighter. 78 00:03:48,307 --> 00:03:48,467 Speaker 4: Oh? 79 00:03:48,507 --> 00:03:51,867 Speaker 3: Absolutely, his strength has gone tenfold. Here is a much 80 00:03:51,907 --> 00:03:54,467 Speaker 3: stronger fighter than he was. When you think back to 81 00:03:54,587 --> 00:03:58,827 Speaker 3: twenty sixteen. You know, he was a young man, you know, 82 00:03:58,947 --> 00:04:01,147 Speaker 3: almost a child, you know, of sorts in terms of 83 00:04:01,187 --> 00:04:04,467 Speaker 3: his body, in terms of his growth maturity. 84 00:04:04,227 --> 00:04:05,627 Speaker 4: Both physically and mentally. 85 00:04:05,747 --> 00:04:08,667 Speaker 3: So now he's a man, very sure of himself, very 86 00:04:08,667 --> 00:04:11,747 Speaker 3: confident in his abilities, and with that has come strengthen 87 00:04:11,827 --> 00:04:14,387 Speaker 3: those facets of you know, backing himself with his hands. 88 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:16,307 Speaker 4: He's always had them, but now he knows how to 89 00:04:16,387 --> 00:04:17,627 Speaker 4: use them to the full potential. 90 00:04:17,667 --> 00:04:20,227 Speaker 3: So I think that's the difference, is that He's really matured, 91 00:04:20,267 --> 00:04:21,587 Speaker 3: both physically and mentally. 92 00:04:21,787 --> 00:04:25,147 Speaker 2: I can't wait to see this this afternoon. Carla France 93 00:04:25,187 --> 00:04:29,067 Speaker 2: against Pantoja. What are the other features of UFC three 94 00:04:29,147 --> 00:04:29,667 Speaker 2: one seven? 95 00:04:31,307 --> 00:04:33,347 Speaker 3: Oh, you can't stare away from the main event. Charles 96 00:04:33,347 --> 00:04:37,547 Speaker 3: Olivera up against Ilia Taperia. Taperia's come up from the 97 00:04:37,627 --> 00:04:40,747 Speaker 3: lightweight from the featherweight division. Sorry, he was the champion 98 00:04:40,787 --> 00:04:42,427 Speaker 3: and now he's coming for the lightweight title. 99 00:04:42,667 --> 00:04:44,227 Speaker 4: Charles Olivia was a former. 100 00:04:44,027 --> 00:04:46,707 Speaker 3: Champion and the belt is now vacant, so it'll be 101 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:49,867 Speaker 3: interesting to see who walks away victorious. Will it be 102 00:04:49,947 --> 00:04:52,667 Speaker 3: the old experienced head of Charles Olivia or will it 103 00:04:52,707 --> 00:04:55,707 Speaker 3: be the new generational fighter in Ilia Taperia. Find that 104 00:04:55,987 --> 00:04:56,987 Speaker 3: very very intriguing. 105 00:04:57,267 --> 00:04:59,227 Speaker 4: There's also another flyweight fight on. 106 00:04:59,227 --> 00:05:03,107 Speaker 3: That card, Brandon Rouval up against Joshua Van Brandon Royval 107 00:05:03,187 --> 00:05:05,387 Speaker 3: is the number one seed in the flyweight division and 108 00:05:05,427 --> 00:05:08,187 Speaker 3: he told us the week that he needs kai kind 109 00:05:08,187 --> 00:05:09,867 Speaker 3: of France to win this fight so that he can 110 00:05:09,907 --> 00:05:13,027 Speaker 3: have another title shot, because Pantoso has beaten him in 111 00:05:13,067 --> 00:05:14,987 Speaker 3: the past. So there's a lot at stake in terms 112 00:05:15,027 --> 00:05:17,307 Speaker 3: of the flyaway math and. 113 00:05:17,347 --> 00:05:19,907 Speaker 4: What happens between Pantosia and Kai Kutter France as well. 114 00:05:19,947 --> 00:05:21,987 Speaker 4: So a few cool little things to look out for. 115 00:05:22,227 --> 00:05:25,987 Speaker 2: Absolutely and part of the week's activities inductions into the 116 00:05:26,067 --> 00:05:28,867 Speaker 2: UFC Hall of Fame, including a fighter pretty well known 117 00:05:28,947 --> 00:05:31,307 Speaker 2: to us, that's. 118 00:05:31,187 --> 00:05:32,907 Speaker 3: Right, yep, as well at this on you What a 119 00:05:32,907 --> 00:05:34,507 Speaker 3: bonus to be able to come over here and not 120 00:05:34,587 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 3: only watch you know, Kai Kita France go to war today, 121 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:40,587 Speaker 3: but to also watch Israel at this on your you know, 122 00:05:40,667 --> 00:05:43,627 Speaker 3: his fight be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. 123 00:05:43,667 --> 00:05:45,507 Speaker 3: We have course got to catch up with him as well, 124 00:05:45,507 --> 00:05:48,907 Speaker 3: and in his typical fashion, we didn't really talk much 125 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:51,227 Speaker 3: about him and his induction. You know, he's known the 126 00:05:51,267 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 3: news for a little while now. I think the novelty 127 00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:55,307 Speaker 3: maybe wore off a little bit until he was up 128 00:05:55,347 --> 00:05:57,507 Speaker 3: on stage with Calvin Gastoline, but he just went on 129 00:05:57,627 --> 00:05:59,627 Speaker 3: and on, you know, about the pride that he has 130 00:06:00,227 --> 00:06:01,947 Speaker 3: in Kai Kutter France and the you know, the true 131 00:06:01,947 --> 00:06:04,467 Speaker 3: reason why he's here this weekend. But that's just the 132 00:06:04,547 --> 00:06:07,227 Speaker 3: reflection on this team, on the force that has come 133 00:06:07,227 --> 00:06:08,107 Speaker 3: into Las Vegas. 134 00:06:08,107 --> 00:06:09,747 Speaker 4: We look up at the billboards on the strip. 135 00:06:10,067 --> 00:06:11,827 Speaker 3: We've got Kai kind of France on one side, and 136 00:06:11,827 --> 00:06:13,547 Speaker 3: we've got Israel at this on your Hall of Fame. 137 00:06:13,547 --> 00:06:15,267 Speaker 3: On the other I've you know, never thought in a 138 00:06:15,267 --> 00:06:17,387 Speaker 3: million years on my first trip to Las Vegas. Obviously 139 00:06:17,507 --> 00:06:20,627 Speaker 3: Kili's lighting up the Las Vegas strip. But here we 140 00:06:20,667 --> 00:06:22,347 Speaker 3: are and it's a great thing to see. 141 00:06:22,427 --> 00:06:24,147 Speaker 2: And did you think in a million years that you 142 00:06:24,147 --> 00:06:27,387 Speaker 2: would get to meet Shaquille O'Neil on the red carpet? 143 00:06:28,427 --> 00:06:32,067 Speaker 3: Did that even happen? It still feels like a blur. 144 00:06:32,867 --> 00:06:35,227 Speaker 3: He is absolutely hilarious though. It was really cool, and 145 00:06:35,787 --> 00:06:37,547 Speaker 3: we saw him walking, I mean, you can't miss him. 146 00:06:37,547 --> 00:06:39,387 Speaker 3: We see him walking down the red carpet, you know, 147 00:06:39,467 --> 00:06:41,267 Speaker 3: and we're like, oh, we don't know if he's there 148 00:06:41,267 --> 00:06:43,227 Speaker 3: for interviews because you know, we're there for the fighters, 149 00:06:43,707 --> 00:06:46,707 Speaker 3: or if he's going to stop him and chat with us. 150 00:06:46,787 --> 00:06:48,867 Speaker 3: And then you know, when the media girl tapped me 151 00:06:48,907 --> 00:06:50,427 Speaker 3: on the show, oh would you like to talk to check? 152 00:06:50,467 --> 00:06:53,387 Speaker 4: And I'm like, oh my goodness, my heart dropped on 153 00:06:53,587 --> 00:06:55,387 Speaker 4: you know, I'm in a dress, I've got makeup on us, 154 00:06:55,387 --> 00:06:56,187 Speaker 4: that's sweating. 155 00:06:56,347 --> 00:06:57,947 Speaker 3: I just don't know what to do, don't know where 156 00:06:57,947 --> 00:06:59,627 Speaker 3: to look. And then there he was standing there right 157 00:06:59,667 --> 00:07:01,227 Speaker 3: beside me. I was like, Okay, let's have a card 158 00:07:01,267 --> 00:07:02,067 Speaker 3: it or let's do it. 159 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,587 Speaker 2: I absolutely loved it, honestly, so authentic. It was just 160 00:07:05,667 --> 00:07:07,827 Speaker 2: so cool for you to get the chance to chat 161 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:10,947 Speaker 2: to them. That's the that's the benefit of being in Vegas. 162 00:07:10,987 --> 00:07:13,867 Speaker 2: You never know, never know who is going to turn 163 00:07:13,987 --> 00:07:16,467 Speaker 2: up by UFC three one seven on pay per view 164 00:07:16,667 --> 00:07:19,387 Speaker 2: on Sky Arena from two o'clock this afternoon. Revender, your 165 00:07:19,387 --> 00:07:22,507 Speaker 2: coverage is absolutely superbos always appreciate you taking time to 166 00:07:22,587 --> 00:07:23,747 Speaker 2: chat to us this afternoon. 167 00:07:24,707 --> 00:07:26,707 Speaker 4: Thank you so much. Enjoy the fights team. 168 00:07:26,547 --> 00:07:29,347 Speaker 2: We definitely will. Revender Huneye are out of Las Vegas. 169 00:07:29,667 --> 00:07:34,387 Speaker 2: UFC three to one seven Best Guests on when Chai 170 00:07:34,507 --> 00:07:37,827 Speaker 2: Cutter France will be in the octagon to face Alexander 171 00:07:37,867 --> 00:07:41,987 Speaker 2: Pantoja for the usc flyweight title is some time after four. 172 00:07:42,187 --> 00:07:45,187 Speaker 2: That's about as as exact as we can get at 173 00:07:45,227 --> 00:07:47,187 Speaker 2: the moment. You know what happens with these things. They 174 00:07:47,227 --> 00:07:49,347 Speaker 2: tend to get pushed back and it depends on how 175 00:07:49,467 --> 00:07:52,507 Speaker 2: long the undercard goes for et cetera. But sometime after four, 176 00:07:52,907 --> 00:07:54,707 Speaker 2: Chai Cutter France will be in the ring in the 177 00:07:54,707 --> 00:07:59,467 Speaker 2: octagon to take on Alexander Pantoja for the UFC flyweight title. 178 00:08:00,507 --> 00:08:03,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 179 00:08:03,787 --> 00:08:07,067 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 180 00:08:07,107 --> 00:08:08,707 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio