1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:16,667 Speaker 2: Israel Adisonna aims to become the first man in UFC 4 00:00:16,907 --> 00:00:20,627 Speaker 2: history to be a three time middleweight champion. He takes 5 00:00:20,627 --> 00:00:24,347 Speaker 2: on current champion Dricis Dupless and he's also looking to 6 00:00:24,387 --> 00:00:27,307 Speaker 2: rebound from losing that belt to Sean Strickland. And what 7 00:00:27,427 --> 00:00:31,667 Speaker 2: was a massive upset at UFC two nine three Sutland flap. 8 00:00:31,427 --> 00:00:39,227 Speaker 3: Had comes late final ten seconds San Lorenza check to 9 00:00:39,307 --> 00:00:49,547 Speaker 3: the body, lucky head sun second. Oh my god? How's 10 00:00:49,547 --> 00:00:52,427 Speaker 3: biggest upsets at USC championship history? 11 00:00:52,947 --> 00:00:55,947 Speaker 2: Elsewhere on the card this afternoon, flyweight Kai Cutter France 12 00:00:56,027 --> 00:01:00,067 Speaker 2: up against Australian Steve Erseg and lightweight Dan Hooker against 13 00:01:00,107 --> 00:01:03,427 Speaker 2: Matteas Gamrod of France. You can watch UFC three oh 14 00:01:03,507 --> 00:01:06,107 Speaker 2: five live on Sky Arena and stream it on Skysport 15 00:01:06,147 --> 00:01:08,987 Speaker 2: Now from two o'clock this afternoon. Let's bring a host 16 00:01:09,147 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 2: of UFC on Sky Ravenda Hernia, who is in Perth 17 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:16,827 Speaker 2: at the moment. Revenda Israel told you during the week 18 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:18,787 Speaker 2: I watched some of your coverage. He told you that 19 00:01:19,227 --> 00:01:23,347 Speaker 2: he feels like this is destiny for him. This afternoon. 20 00:01:23,387 --> 00:01:27,667 Speaker 2: Do you think winning a third middleweight title is his destiny? 21 00:01:28,747 --> 00:01:31,267 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, I'll believe anything he's telling me, to 22 00:01:31,307 --> 00:01:34,067 Speaker 4: be honest, he has a very influential way about him. 23 00:01:34,867 --> 00:01:39,947 Speaker 4: But no, it's been the word destiny was used. The 24 00:01:39,987 --> 00:01:41,987 Speaker 4: way I posed the question was it's been a very 25 00:01:42,067 --> 00:01:45,387 Speaker 4: emotional journey for him, not just fight week, but leading 26 00:01:45,427 --> 00:01:47,147 Speaker 4: up to this fight. You know, there's been a lot 27 00:01:47,147 --> 00:01:51,587 Speaker 4: of that rivalry between him and Dricus Duplass about heritage 28 00:01:51,587 --> 00:01:53,867 Speaker 4: and lineage and things. And I actually think it made 29 00:01:54,227 --> 00:01:57,067 Speaker 4: Israel look inside himself a little bit more and to 30 00:01:57,547 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 4: really concentrate on why he does things, concentrating on those 31 00:02:01,387 --> 00:02:03,387 Speaker 4: that love him as opposed that those who hate him, 32 00:02:03,387 --> 00:02:05,067 Speaker 4: because they sure are those out there. And I think 33 00:02:05,107 --> 00:02:07,987 Speaker 4: he's just gotten to a point now where it feels right, 34 00:02:08,147 --> 00:02:10,947 Speaker 4: that it feels like his purpose is back, his fire 35 00:02:11,107 --> 00:02:12,907 Speaker 4: is back. So I think that's where that word destiny 36 00:02:12,987 --> 00:02:13,747 Speaker 4: really came from. 37 00:02:13,947 --> 00:02:17,307 Speaker 2: He's had an eleven month layoff, he's lost two of 38 00:02:17,347 --> 00:02:19,427 Speaker 2: his last three fights. How do you think he's placed 39 00:02:19,427 --> 00:02:20,707 Speaker 2: to bounce back this afternoon? 40 00:02:21,987 --> 00:02:24,587 Speaker 4: Oh, I think he's every chance in the world. The 41 00:02:24,627 --> 00:02:26,387 Speaker 4: thing with Israel a descline here he's a little bit 42 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:28,907 Speaker 4: of a freak of nature where although he does have 43 00:02:28,987 --> 00:02:31,907 Speaker 4: those two losses, he's still one of the best in 44 00:02:31,907 --> 00:02:34,387 Speaker 4: the business, one of the best to ever do it. Frankly, 45 00:02:35,547 --> 00:02:40,747 Speaker 4: you know, those two blemishes over a career that spans 46 00:02:40,787 --> 00:02:43,427 Speaker 4: over six years is pretty good to be to be 47 00:02:43,587 --> 00:02:47,227 Speaker 4: fair on him, It's hard to come by an undefeated 48 00:02:47,267 --> 00:02:49,907 Speaker 4: fighter in the UFC these days. I think Kobiebe is 49 00:02:49,907 --> 00:02:51,787 Speaker 4: probably the only anomaly that I can think of that 50 00:02:51,827 --> 00:02:54,427 Speaker 4: comes to mind. And he's not around anymore. So you know, 51 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:59,067 Speaker 4: two losses, yeah, that will set you back. He's one before, 52 00:02:59,147 --> 00:03:01,827 Speaker 4: he's lost before, he's come back before. So I really 53 00:03:01,867 --> 00:03:04,467 Speaker 4: feel like with that purpose that's in his heart right now, 54 00:03:04,507 --> 00:03:06,947 Speaker 4: he's pretty much unstoppable this after all. 55 00:03:06,907 --> 00:03:11,907 Speaker 2: Right, how formidable an opponent then, as Drick is duplessy. 56 00:03:11,147 --> 00:03:14,107 Speaker 4: Oh, he's an absolute formidable force. And he's got that 57 00:03:14,147 --> 00:03:16,907 Speaker 4: title for a reason. And of course he won that 58 00:03:16,947 --> 00:03:19,147 Speaker 4: title from Sean Strickland, who beat israel A Desks on 59 00:03:19,187 --> 00:03:22,107 Speaker 4: your last year in Sydney in September. And it's because 60 00:03:22,107 --> 00:03:24,067 Speaker 4: he has that come forward, he has that brute strength 61 00:03:24,107 --> 00:03:25,587 Speaker 4: and he has that come forward. He will not go 62 00:03:25,707 --> 00:03:28,267 Speaker 4: away and that that is what Israel ad On you. 63 00:03:28,427 --> 00:03:31,907 Speaker 4: I'm guessing we'll be looking out for today. Israel ad 64 00:03:32,107 --> 00:03:34,307 Speaker 4: On your style or fight is to fight on the outside, 65 00:03:34,307 --> 00:03:36,467 Speaker 4: to use his range and to use that range well, 66 00:03:36,467 --> 00:03:39,107 Speaker 4: whereas drickis Duplessy likes to shut down that range, bully 67 00:03:39,187 --> 00:03:42,867 Speaker 4: himself and and and just be a savage basically. So 68 00:03:43,067 --> 00:03:45,907 Speaker 4: two very exciting styles you know that I think will 69 00:03:45,907 --> 00:03:48,227 Speaker 4: compliment for a great fight. But yeah, watch for drickis 70 00:03:48,307 --> 00:03:50,747 Speaker 4: Dupless's come forward and that brute strength. 71 00:03:51,227 --> 00:03:54,267 Speaker 2: These two don't like each other very much, do they. 72 00:03:55,307 --> 00:03:57,987 Speaker 4: No, And they've openly admitted it too. It's crazy they 73 00:03:57,987 --> 00:03:58,907 Speaker 4: don't usually. 74 00:03:59,947 --> 00:04:03,387 Speaker 2: What's behind that. I know that there's there's been suggestions 75 00:04:03,427 --> 00:04:05,987 Speaker 2: of who the real African champions I think. I think 76 00:04:06,027 --> 00:04:08,587 Speaker 2: Drick has said that he lives in South Africa. 77 00:04:08,987 --> 00:04:09,187 Speaker 4: You know. 78 00:04:10,067 --> 00:04:12,867 Speaker 2: I obviously he's very proud of both as New Zealand 79 00:04:12,907 --> 00:04:16,307 Speaker 2: and his Nigerian heritage. Is this just all trash talking 80 00:04:16,347 --> 00:04:18,467 Speaker 2: the lead up? Or is there something deeper here? 81 00:04:19,827 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 4: You know? I kind of thought in the beginning, I 82 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:24,867 Speaker 4: was like, Okay, great, they've created this narrative and this 83 00:04:24,907 --> 00:04:28,387 Speaker 4: is what we can run off of having conversations with Israel, 84 00:04:28,467 --> 00:04:31,907 Speaker 4: especially fight week. This week, it has cut him those 85 00:04:31,947 --> 00:04:35,347 Speaker 4: comments that Dricus initially made about, as you said, being 86 00:04:35,347 --> 00:04:37,827 Speaker 4: the real African champion. He says, you know, I live 87 00:04:38,267 --> 00:04:40,267 Speaker 4: breathe I was born here in Africa. I breathe the 88 00:04:40,307 --> 00:04:42,747 Speaker 4: African air. You know. I bring the title back to 89 00:04:42,787 --> 00:04:45,667 Speaker 4: the people. And israel A da Sonya doesn't he you know, 90 00:04:45,707 --> 00:04:48,107 Speaker 4: he migrated away and he's not here with the people. 91 00:04:48,147 --> 00:04:51,187 Speaker 4: So that's something that Israel A daths Sonya took to 92 00:04:51,227 --> 00:04:54,667 Speaker 4: heart because obviously, I mean he wasn't you know, living 93 00:04:55,027 --> 00:04:57,467 Speaker 4: absolutely in poverty when he was in Nigeria. But his 94 00:04:57,547 --> 00:05:00,267 Speaker 4: mum and dad well and truly made the move to 95 00:05:00,347 --> 00:05:02,147 Speaker 4: New Zealand to have a better life and to give 96 00:05:02,187 --> 00:05:04,627 Speaker 4: him and his siblings a better life. I think his 97 00:05:04,747 --> 00:05:08,667 Speaker 4: dad's an accountant, mum's a nurse, so they worked really 98 00:05:08,707 --> 00:05:10,627 Speaker 4: hard to get to where they are. And you know, 99 00:05:10,707 --> 00:05:14,507 Speaker 4: that's the reason why Israel fights, and they're his purpose. 100 00:05:15,027 --> 00:05:17,067 Speaker 4: So I think that struck a nerve that and I 101 00:05:17,067 --> 00:05:18,987 Speaker 4: think that's a lot a lot of New Zealanders can 102 00:05:19,027 --> 00:05:21,227 Speaker 4: resonate with that, is that you know, if you talk 103 00:05:21,307 --> 00:05:23,707 Speaker 4: all of where I'm from or who I am, that 104 00:05:23,787 --> 00:05:25,307 Speaker 4: you will take it to heart. And I think that's 105 00:05:25,307 --> 00:05:27,627 Speaker 4: what's happened here in it and it's for real, all right. 106 00:05:27,547 --> 00:05:29,227 Speaker 2: Let's look at a couple of the other fights, your 107 00:05:29,227 --> 00:05:33,067 Speaker 2: co host on UFC on Scotty Dan Hooker against number 108 00:05:33,107 --> 00:05:37,427 Speaker 2: five ranked Matthias Gamrock. Dan Hooker feels like an underdog 109 00:05:37,427 --> 00:05:39,707 Speaker 2: in this one, but from the footage I've seen and 110 00:05:39,747 --> 00:05:41,587 Speaker 2: you talking to him, he looks really pumped up. How 111 00:05:41,587 --> 00:05:42,307 Speaker 2: do you reckon it'll go? 112 00:05:44,187 --> 00:05:47,907 Speaker 4: Yeah. I mean I've been following Dan hook obviously for 113 00:05:48,507 --> 00:05:52,387 Speaker 4: his career and this I've never seen him so like 114 00:05:52,547 --> 00:05:55,307 Speaker 4: hungry for a fight but so happy at the same time, 115 00:05:55,427 --> 00:05:58,267 Speaker 4: like really content all at the same time. I feel 116 00:05:58,307 --> 00:06:01,227 Speaker 4: like he's really hit his stride in terms of peaking 117 00:06:01,227 --> 00:06:03,627 Speaker 4: at the right time in his career, in terms of maturity. 118 00:06:03,987 --> 00:06:05,867 Speaker 4: He says he feels he's in the best shape of 119 00:06:05,867 --> 00:06:07,867 Speaker 4: his life. He also feels like he's a better fighter 120 00:06:07,907 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 4: this time around. I mean, we were just talking about 121 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:12,507 Speaker 4: celebrating ten years in the UFC, and he's saying, just 122 00:06:12,587 --> 00:06:16,107 Speaker 4: now he's like the best like he ever felt he is, 123 00:06:16,227 --> 00:06:19,227 Speaker 4: you know, being the older fighter. So I'm always a 124 00:06:19,267 --> 00:06:21,867 Speaker 4: firm believer that a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter, 125 00:06:21,907 --> 00:06:23,387 Speaker 4: and that is definitely Dan Hooker right now. 126 00:06:23,467 --> 00:06:26,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, he looks very happy up there, You're right. Was 127 00:06:26,507 --> 00:06:28,627 Speaker 2: that his daughter he had with her mum and at 128 00:06:28,627 --> 00:06:29,027 Speaker 2: the way. 129 00:06:28,947 --> 00:06:33,627 Speaker 4: In it was indeed little Zoe. Oh she mounts your heart, 130 00:06:33,707 --> 00:06:37,027 Speaker 4: that little girl. But yeah, she took the stage yesterday 131 00:06:37,027 --> 00:06:40,347 Speaker 4: and mounted everybody's hearts. She sure did. And yeah, very 132 00:06:40,427 --> 00:06:43,507 Speaker 4: proud of her dad and how exciting for her to 133 00:06:43,547 --> 00:06:45,027 Speaker 4: be able to watch that on the big stage and 134 00:06:45,067 --> 00:06:46,907 Speaker 4: then join him, holding his hand and stuff. And it 135 00:06:46,947 --> 00:06:48,987 Speaker 4: showed a nice softer side to Dan too. He's always 136 00:06:49,027 --> 00:06:51,667 Speaker 4: so hard and you know, quite radical in things, so 137 00:06:51,707 --> 00:06:53,227 Speaker 4: it was nice to see a softer side to him 138 00:06:53,267 --> 00:06:53,547 Speaker 4: as well. 139 00:06:53,587 --> 00:06:55,827 Speaker 2: Indeed, and speaking of that, Kai Cutter France, I mean 140 00:06:56,027 --> 00:06:58,067 Speaker 2: I saw him at the way I'm very pumped up, 141 00:06:58,227 --> 00:07:01,747 Speaker 2: really into it, but then he also got very emotional 142 00:07:01,867 --> 00:07:03,827 Speaker 2: when you talk to him about his Fano back home. 143 00:07:04,187 --> 00:07:06,227 Speaker 2: What are your sense from Kaik Cutter France. 144 00:07:07,947 --> 00:07:10,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, lot's changed for Qui Cutter France over the past year. 145 00:07:10,707 --> 00:07:13,547 Speaker 4: You know. He he had a bit of a ripoff 146 00:07:13,587 --> 00:07:16,507 Speaker 4: decision against Ameer al Barzi at a UFC fight night 147 00:07:16,587 --> 00:07:18,307 Speaker 4: last year and then since then hasn't been able to 148 00:07:18,347 --> 00:07:20,547 Speaker 4: fight because he's been battling concussion, so he's gone through 149 00:07:20,547 --> 00:07:22,827 Speaker 4: the ringer trying to come back from that. It's one 150 00:07:22,827 --> 00:07:24,747 Speaker 4: thing to come back from a physical injury, it's another 151 00:07:24,827 --> 00:07:27,147 Speaker 4: to come back from a brain injury, obviously, So he's 152 00:07:27,187 --> 00:07:30,187 Speaker 4: been you know, he's been with the specialists and testing 153 00:07:30,267 --> 00:07:32,547 Speaker 4: and trying to get back to tip top shape. He's 154 00:07:32,867 --> 00:07:35,147 Speaker 4: you know, leaned in with the Warriors to try and 155 00:07:35,187 --> 00:07:38,627 Speaker 4: help himself in the mental space. And within all of that, 156 00:07:38,987 --> 00:07:40,947 Speaker 4: him and his wife had another baby. So there's been 157 00:07:40,947 --> 00:07:43,027 Speaker 4: a lot happening for Quai Cutter France. And I think 158 00:07:43,387 --> 00:07:45,667 Speaker 4: you know through all of that and through all that journey, 159 00:07:45,667 --> 00:07:47,187 Speaker 4: that it's all come to this and this is his 160 00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:49,787 Speaker 4: moment to Shiner when he gets him a title shot. 161 00:07:49,907 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 4: So there's a lot on the line for him, and 162 00:07:51,707 --> 00:07:53,547 Speaker 4: I think I just caught him at a time where 163 00:07:54,147 --> 00:07:55,347 Speaker 4: maybe he realized all of that. 164 00:07:55,907 --> 00:07:59,027 Speaker 2: Yeah, what an occasion this afternoon. What's the venue like. 165 00:08:01,027 --> 00:08:03,547 Speaker 4: Aric Arena. Yes, we've been there a couple of times 166 00:08:03,587 --> 00:08:05,347 Speaker 4: now for both the press conference and the way and 167 00:08:05,667 --> 00:08:07,907 Speaker 4: it's a lot small, well than I expected to be honest. 168 00:08:07,947 --> 00:08:12,227 Speaker 4: I actually I think Spark Arena seats more than rac Arena. 169 00:08:12,467 --> 00:08:16,067 Speaker 4: If the if I've done my research properly there. But 170 00:08:16,347 --> 00:08:18,707 Speaker 4: it's a nice venue right in the middle of Perth 171 00:08:18,747 --> 00:08:23,227 Speaker 4: in the city and because of it being so small, 172 00:08:23,267 --> 00:08:25,867 Speaker 4: I can understand why the last time they had a 173 00:08:25,947 --> 00:08:28,627 Speaker 4: UFC at the spot they said that asn't you know 174 00:08:28,787 --> 00:08:31,707 Speaker 4: the fans are absolutely shaking the house, screaming and yelling 175 00:08:31,707 --> 00:08:34,667 Speaker 4: and things because it's quite intimate, So I'm expecting the 176 00:08:34,707 --> 00:08:37,827 Speaker 4: same today. You know, you've got an Australian or New 177 00:08:37,947 --> 00:08:40,747 Speaker 4: Zealander basically on every single fight on this car, so 178 00:08:40,787 --> 00:08:42,907 Speaker 4: it's going to be absolutely massive and a lot of 179 00:08:42,947 --> 00:08:44,827 Speaker 4: support behind our local fighters. 180 00:08:44,907 --> 00:08:48,227 Speaker 2: Absolutely can't wait for a really exciting afternoon, Revender. Thanks 181 00:08:48,267 --> 00:08:50,547 Speaker 2: for joining us, love and your work on Sky. I 182 00:08:50,587 --> 00:08:53,747 Speaker 2: hope it's a very memorable afternoon for you and for 183 00:08:53,827 --> 00:08:55,347 Speaker 2: all of our fighters from back here as well. 184 00:08:56,307 --> 00:08:58,027 Speaker 4: I'm sure it will be. Thank you for having me. 185 00:08:58,027 --> 00:08:59,827 Speaker 2: No, thanks for joining us, Rivenda Revender, who Ney of 186 00:08:59,907 --> 00:09:04,267 Speaker 2: there from a UFC on Sky So UFC three five 187 00:09:04,947 --> 00:09:09,147 Speaker 2: rac Arena in Perth this afternoon Israel Aardisogonna, aiming to 188 00:09:09,187 --> 00:09:12,187 Speaker 2: become the UFC's first three time middleweight champion, takes on 189 00:09:12,307 --> 00:09:15,347 Speaker 2: Tricastupla see that'll be a bit later on. The undercart 190 00:09:15,387 --> 00:09:17,707 Speaker 2: starts at two o'clock, So what are we now about 191 00:09:17,707 --> 00:09:19,947 Speaker 2: twenty four minutes away from things getting underweight. We'll keep 192 00:09:19,947 --> 00:09:22,627 Speaker 2: you up to date right across the afternoon on Israel, 193 00:09:22,667 --> 00:09:27,827 Speaker 2: but also on Dan Hookup and Caukara. France involved as well. 194 00:09:27,867 --> 00:09:31,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 195 00:09:31,187 --> 00:09:34,587 Speaker 1: to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the 196 00:09:34,627 --> 00:09:36,107 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio