1 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: All right. Joining us now is a gentleman who made 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:10,560 Speaker 1: some news well actually during New Years, and then made 3 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 1: some news today the eleventh of January twenty twenty three. 4 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: He just re signed with a big exclusive contract with 5 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,760 Speaker 1: boltsmore MMA. There he is himself, the Mercenary AJ McKee. 6 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 2: Hi, AJ, how are you another day in Paradix? I 7 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 2: cannot complain. How you doing? 8 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: Doing quite well? A lot to get to. I want 9 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: to start with today's news, then we'll get to your 10 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,599 Speaker 1: most recent fight, and then the calendar ahead. But first 11 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: things first, Belts were put out a press release saying 12 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 1: they had come to an agreement with you, multi fight, 13 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: multi year exclusive contract. Sounds like it all came together 14 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: pretty quickly. Walked me through how fast all this got done? 15 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 2: Pretty quick. 16 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 3: I was given the option to kind of go and 17 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 3: scope out some other places and see what I'm worth. 18 00:00:57,560 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 2: They gave me the opportunity to go and see. 19 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 3: And yeah, I was just like, yo, got a couple 20 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,319 Speaker 3: of one couple on the table here, and they were like, 21 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:10,479 Speaker 3: you know what, screw that, Let's make it happen. 22 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 2: What are we gonna do? 23 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,960 Speaker 3: And uh, my father, my team and I we sat 24 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 3: down and we figured out what was what was reasonable? 25 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: What was right? Okay, so you you did negotiate with 26 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,320 Speaker 1: some other entities. Is that what it sounds like? 27 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 2: Yes, a little bit. We were in the talks a 28 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 2: little bit. 29 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, feel feeling them out to see where what the 30 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: ballpark might be of, like what you'd get paid or 31 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: what all. I guess I'm trying to figure out what 32 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: all were you looking for? Just just a certain dollar. 33 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 3: Value, I would say, kind of dollar value. It's kind 34 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 3: of like a hand in hand type thing, you know 35 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 3: what I mean, Because everybody knows if you want the clout, 36 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 3: you want to be this most famous fighter, like what 37 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 3: you gotta do? Where do you gotta go? But it's 38 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 3: like I don't give a shit about cloud Cloud don't 39 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 3: pay bills, you know what I mean. So for me 40 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 3: being homegrown in Bellator and and my whole career have 41 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 3: have have being held here for me, I was excited 42 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 3: to stay. You know, I really didn't want to go anywhere. 43 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:21,600 Speaker 3: There's a lot of things, Like I've said, for many years, 44 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 3: I've been looking forward to doing with endorsements, and that 45 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 3: opportunity is still full force here. You know, any doors 46 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 3: possible to open, you know, even if it's closed. McKee 47 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:38,359 Speaker 3: got the key. So for me, it's just opening those 48 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 3: locked doors. This door is already open, it's been open, 49 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 3: and it was just a matter of stepping through and 50 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 3: sitting down and talking. 51 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 1: Now, if it's the eleventh here, I'm going to guess, 52 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: was the fight against Roberto Satoshi? Was that the last 53 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 1: fight on your Bellator deal? 54 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 2: No, that was just a fight to have. 55 00:02:57,800 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: So that was that was So that was technically a 56 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 1: rise and about or something, right, correct? Right? So how 57 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 1: how long I'm guess I'm wondering is when the moment 58 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: bell Tour was like, hey, go figure this out and 59 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: then uh, you know whatever, and then by the time 60 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: you got back to them, how long are we talking 61 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: in terms of like the number of days or weeks 62 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: or whatever. 63 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 3: I think the fight in Japan opened up a lot 64 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 3: of eyes, especially just with the way that that fight went. 65 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 2: You know, Toshi's jiu jitsu is next level. 66 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 3: So it just shows, you know, the proofs in the 67 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 3: pudding when I when I come, I come to show out. 68 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 3: You know, I'm not taking part on coming in full 69 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 3: force every time. So I think Bellatore was happy with 70 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 3: with that fight and then just this one hundred and 71 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 3: fifty five pounds tournament. You know, me being in one 72 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 3: hundred and fifty five pound division, nobody knows how good 73 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 3: I am at this weight class. So it's another million 74 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 3: dollars for me, like and eight more names on another 75 00:03:57,680 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 3: world title. 76 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 2: Say less know. 77 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 3: I was a little I was a little butt hurt 78 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 3: the first time going into uh the tournament and not 79 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 3: being champed. But this one, I don't give a ship 80 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 3: Like I'm coming to kick everybody's ass. 81 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: Like it's a million dollars again, I'm coming for it, 82 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 2: you know. 83 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 3: And it's a world title, and I get eight names 84 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 3: on it, and yeah, some of those names I've I've 85 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 3: been watching my entire career, and I'm looking forward to 86 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 3: fighting some of these dudes. 87 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: All Right, I want to get to the tournament. Just 88 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 1: a couple more questions on the deal and then we'll 89 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 1: move on one. Are you able to say how many 90 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: fights or how many years the contract is for? 91 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 2: Ah, it's six fights. 92 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: Six fights, that's all. That's it's a lot. It's a 93 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 1: fair that's a fair amount. 94 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, well you gotta figure the tournament's already three fights, right, 95 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 2: so yeah contract? Yeah, you know, like if you're gonna stay. 96 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 3: You gotta you gotta you know, you gotta, you gotta 97 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:56,280 Speaker 3: be fair, you know what I mean, you gotta be 98 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: a little bit fair. So but yeah, after the tournam 99 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 3: you know, we get a couple more fights in. I'd 100 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 3: love to fight Patricio again, so that's another fight. I 101 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 3: think it's only right that we fight one last time. 102 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 2: And yeah. 103 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: Uh and then in terms of the dollar value, would 104 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: you say it's like how competitive would you say the 105 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: wage is with what you see out out there in 106 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: the sport? 107 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 2: I don't think. I don't know complete the fifth, I 108 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 2: don't think nobody. I'm happy. I'm happy Camper. Let's just 109 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:32,600 Speaker 2: leave it at that. 110 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: I'm slid, all right, very good, all right, So let's 111 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 1: talk about the future there, which is the tournament now. 112 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: In addition to the news about you coming out today, 113 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: there was also news about this one fifty five Grand Prix, 114 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: which you mentioned. They've put in two fights already. It's 115 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 1: been Madoff's gonna fight Benson Henderson and then Mofique and 116 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 1: Alexander have a fight together, but they haven't mentioned you 117 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: and a few other names obviously. What have they told 118 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: you about, like where they see you at least to 119 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: start this tournament. 120 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 2: I don't know. 121 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 3: I think honestly, I think what would make sense is patriarchy, 122 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 3: and I just just because of the family feud, you 123 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 3: know what I mean. 124 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 2: His brother and I have been combative back and forth 125 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 2: with each other. 126 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 3: Or one in one, so you know, maybe maybe it's 127 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:23,839 Speaker 3: big brother who comes in and settles, settles this once 128 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 3: and for all, and once again there's another million on 129 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 3: the line. So I think that should be the first fight, 130 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 3: you know. I think that's the fight to make. I 131 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 3: think that's the fight that the people can get behind, 132 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: like I've always said of pit Bull's pit Bull. So 133 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 3: I'm just looking forward to taking my walk, uh. 134 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 1: And then I guess if that would be the quarterfinals 135 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 1: from there, do you have like a strong preference, like 136 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: I guess what I'm wondering is okay, obviously the goal 137 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: is to get the whole thing, to win, to get 138 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 1: the million bucks, the belt that all things that come 139 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: with it, But like other individual names on that list, 140 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 1: aside from Patricky that you would want, like is Usman 141 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: in your mind, like who you really want to beat 142 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 1: or is it just Hey from after Patricky? It can 143 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 1: be whoever it. 144 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 2: Really don't matter to me. 145 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 3: I'm setting my eyes on a million dollars again, you 146 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 3: know what I mean. Everybody's o O once again. It's 147 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 3: whoever comes out three and oh, that's the man. So 148 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 3: for me, I don't really care who it is, you 149 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 3: know what I mean. Once they step in front of me, 150 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 3: they're gonna have their hands full, period. And there's some 151 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 3: intriguing names though, you know, like I've watched Benson Henderson 152 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 3: since I was a kid. 153 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: I think that's a hell of a matchup. 154 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 3: Stylistically, I think Usman might have his hands full a 155 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 3: little bit with this fight against Benson. 156 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 2: So I can't really say who is gonna do what. 157 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 2: But I don't know. 158 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 3: I mean, Usman's the champ, you know what I mean, 159 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 3: So I'm gunning for him, you know what I mean. 160 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 3: I always want his neck. That's that's key, is that belt. 161 00:07:56,640 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 3: But yeah, Benson's a great fight. You got Taffeek, he's 162 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 3: a brawler. 163 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 2: He's good. You got got some nice names in there, 164 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 2: you know what I mean. 165 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 3: But until I see the bracket where it's laid out, 166 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 3: who's where, I'm not worried about it. Like I'm I'm 167 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 3: just about to be in the gym training like a 168 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 3: mad man. 169 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: You know. 170 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 3: I'm I'm out here in London working out. I got 171 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 3: a nice little pump in today. It was like braw coming, 172 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 3: you know, Like I I just when I'm motivated, it's 173 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 3: a fucking problem straight up. I'm like, nothing can stop 174 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 3: me from training, nothing can stop me from being in 175 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 3: the gym. 176 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 2: My dad's probably gonna have to tell. 177 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 3: Me to chill out a little bit, because like, once 178 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 3: I get determined to do something, it's a rap, Like 179 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 3: I don't I don't care what's in my path or 180 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:40,200 Speaker 3: what's gonna stop me. 181 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: You mention it was something interesting you mentioned that Henderson 182 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 1: might give some problems to this man specifically in what ways. 183 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 3: I mean, he's just well rounded, you know what I mean. 184 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 3: He's good on the feet, very agile. His jiu jitsu 185 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 3: is there, his wrestling defense is there, and even if 186 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,560 Speaker 3: you do take him to the ground, he's still threatening, 187 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. He's he's got slick jiu jitsu. So, uh, 188 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 3: that's a fight to watch for sure, especially for me. 189 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 3: I can I can learn a lot from watching them fight. 190 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 3: But then again, at the same time, I can kind 191 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 3: of analyze what they're doing and see. 192 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 2: What I need to do and where their weak points are. 193 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:20,079 Speaker 1: And I just tell you as a fan of the tournament, 194 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: and I'm not sure how you'll react to this. I like, 195 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: I love the idea of you versus Patrichy to start. 196 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: I think that's a great call. But that should be 197 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: on one side, and I think, you know, Usbinbergamdov, the 198 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: existing weight class champions, should be on the other. I 199 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: think the tournament would go better if some of the 200 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: other hammers were on the other side of the bracket. 201 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: And so if there is what what everyone wants, which 202 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 1: probably be you versus Ouspan, it would happen in the finals, 203 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: I think, and I'm going to wager a fair number 204 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: of fans probably feel that way. 205 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 3: I mean, that would be smart, you know, I think 206 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:55,920 Speaker 3: that's ideal. Yeah, you can't just have a lop sided bracket. 207 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 2: There is you with us still, Yeah, somebody's calling. 208 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 1: That's all right, No worries, all right. So at one 209 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 1: fifty five, how do you feel You've had a couple 210 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 1: of runs through. Now you have the Spike Carlisle fight 211 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:11,959 Speaker 1: in the cage and MMA rules or I should say 212 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: North American MMA rules, and then you have the Satoshi fight, 213 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,199 Speaker 1: which was one fifty five but very different rules and ring. 214 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: You've tried it out a couple of times. How do 215 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: you like the weight class and more specifically, once you're 216 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,520 Speaker 1: actually in there, how do you feel like does anything 217 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 1: about the game change with the weight class, either for 218 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: you or for the opponent? 219 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 2: This fight's at a bit easier at one fifty five. 220 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 3: I will say, it's just a matter of kind of, 221 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 3: like I said, just taking the time to move around 222 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 3: with these big dudes and figure out how to maneuver 223 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 3: through the fights, and uh, and use my leverage a 224 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 3: bit more. You know, the forty five ors, I can 225 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 3: just kind of toy with, you know, and put them 226 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 3: where I want them. 227 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 1: Damn, it's all good, go ahead. 228 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, I can kind of put them where I want them. 229 00:10:59,120 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: You know. 230 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,719 Speaker 3: The first fight with Spike, there was a couple of 231 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 3: times you could see I went to lift or I 232 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 3: went to roll and he wasn't budgeting at all. So 233 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:09,440 Speaker 3: moving into the fifty five pounds vision, you just gotta 234 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 3: you gotta get adjusted a little bit. But I don't know, man, bigger, better, faster, stronger, 235 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 3: that's the motto. 236 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 1: You know. 237 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 3: I'm filming a lot healthier, not cutting as much weight, 238 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 3: and I feel like I'm just gonna get bigger, faster, 239 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:30,199 Speaker 3: and stronger. You know, it's gonna take another probably a 240 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 3: few months. You know, I'm definitely walking around a bit heavier. 241 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 3: I'm up to like seventy five now, so that's where 242 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 3: I want to be, seventy five point eight and then 243 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 3: in shape about one seventy five and then cut the 244 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 3: fifty fives. 245 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:46,680 Speaker 1: Let me ask you a question about something I noticed 246 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,440 Speaker 1: with your fight against Satoshi, or I should say this 247 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 1: something I feel like I noticed in your fight with Satoshi, 248 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 1: but also not not just that one, several other ones 249 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: on that same main card, Like this is true for 250 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: me in the Archiletta fight as well. You know what's 251 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: kind of fun. It's like there are way more obviously 252 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,680 Speaker 1: North American fighters who are on the roster in Bellatore 253 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: than on the roster in rise In, And as a consequence, 254 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 1: I just feel like you get a lot more people 255 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: with a wrestling base and with the cage. The cage 256 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 1: is so wrestling friendly right relative to the ring, Wrestling 257 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: is just a much bigger part of the Belator experience 258 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,319 Speaker 1: than it is the rise In experience. And like Sotoshi 259 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 1: can wrestle, and like a lot of those guys in 260 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 1: that car could wrestle. But it feels like for the 261 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: guys who came from Belatore, including you, who just have 262 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: to deal with that more. Even though there's less wrestling 263 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: in the ring, overall, you guys were much better situated 264 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:35,559 Speaker 1: for it because you have to deal with it far 265 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 1: more often than the people who are fighting and rising 266 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: in the ring. Did you feel like all of the 267 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: wrestling that happens in the cage really transferred just because 268 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:46,559 Speaker 1: there's way more of it than what you might get 269 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,079 Speaker 1: in the Japanese ring style of MMA. 270 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 2: No, I think it's different. 271 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 3: MMA wrestling in a cage versus wrestling in a ring 272 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:56,959 Speaker 3: is completely different. 273 00:12:57,360 --> 00:12:59,319 Speaker 1: So walk me through what's so different about it? 274 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 3: Well, for a fighter like myself, at least speaking for myself, 275 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:07,320 Speaker 3: I like to get people against the cage. Once I 276 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 3: get you against the cage, I know I got the 277 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 3: take down. Like you're not stopping to take down. I 278 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 3: don't care who you are, what you're doing. I get 279 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 3: you against the cage, I can take you down. A 280 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 3: ring there's no places to really kind of prop them 281 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:26,840 Speaker 3: up against, you know, So it's more like you got 282 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: to hit the angle, cut the corner, and explosive like 283 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 3: like kind of freestyle wrestling, you know what I mean. 284 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 3: Get in, you cut the corner, and you get them 285 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 3: to the ground. 286 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 2: It's just it's a bit more. 287 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 3: There's more hazards, you know what I mean, There's more 288 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 3: opportunity to get caught in a ring. So yeah, I 289 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 3: think it's just taking time to really sit there and 290 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 3: train in a ring and put in the hours and 291 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 3: rounds so that you become adjusted and you know where 292 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 3: you're at and just be aware of your surroundings. You know, 293 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,640 Speaker 3: fighting is a lot to do with being aware of 294 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 3: your surroundings and what you're doing. So my whole life, 295 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 3: I've been in a cage. So for me, I'm gonna 296 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 3: flip off the cage. I know where the cage is. 297 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 3: I can utilize the cage a bit more than a ring. 298 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 3: And we saw that, you know, once I got him 299 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 3: into the corner, I felt like, all right, this is 300 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 3: like a cage, you know, I knew where I was 301 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 3: at a little bit. And then obviously when the fight 302 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 3: was stopped and we moved back to the center, it's like, 303 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 3: all right, shit now you're back in the heat, you know, 304 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 3: and then I'm not going to walk him back over 305 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 3: the cage again. It's like, see what this dude's talking about. 306 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:39,240 Speaker 1: What was the thing you liked the most about the ring? 307 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: What was the thing you liked actually not just the ring, 308 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 1: but that entire just to fight, not the walkout, anything 309 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: else justified itself. What did you like most about that experience? 310 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 3: Would you like least soccer kicks and ground and knees 311 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 3: to the grounded opponent? That was just since I was 312 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 3: a kid, I've kind of dreamed of throwing those, So yeah, 313 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:02,160 Speaker 3: I was glad I got a. 314 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 2: Couple of little good highlight reels of that. 315 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 3: What I didn't like, I would say I didn't like 316 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 3: just the rules setting, not the rules setting. 317 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 2: But so when Satoshi took. 318 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 3: My back, I was pretty much trying to put my 319 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 3: arms on the ring so I could like kind of 320 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 3: chill for a second. And that's when Jason Gozar came 321 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 3: in and I was like, oh shit, and I moved 322 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 3: my arms and then he slipped under the under my 323 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 3: arm and then took my back and I'm like, damn, 324 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. And then another time we 325 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 3: were on the we were on the ground. We stopped 326 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 3: right there, and he stopped us and just brought us 327 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 3: back to the middle of the ring. 328 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 2: I'm like why. Even Setoshi was like, Noah, like we're good, 329 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 2: like leave us here, you know, but whatever, Yeah, what 330 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 2: are you gonna do? I suppose yeah, temper tantrum, ye right. 331 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: Right, I gotta say it was it was overall, it 332 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: looked like it was a lot of fun. Did you 333 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: like you had it? Seems like you got a lot 334 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: of fun fighting that way. 335 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah, definitely. 336 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 3: You know, it's not something I could I would say, I'm. 337 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 2: Going to do every fight to go out there. 338 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 3: You know, it's you're gonna take a bit more damage 339 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 3: in those type of fights. Shorter career obviously, but definitely 340 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 3: something I could do a couple times a year hands down. 341 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: Now, speaking of that, in this contract you got from Bellator, 342 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: I would imagine, like, look, I think it's when you're 343 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: twenty seven. You're a senior fighter at this point, right, 344 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: you've been a weight class champion. You could be another 345 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:26,760 Speaker 1: weight class champion by the end of the year. For 346 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: crying out loud, like this is a fairly big contract. 347 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 1: In talking to them at all, was there any kind 348 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 1: of specification about, hey, I want to be on CBS cards, 349 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: or going back to this past year, Hey, if we're 350 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: going to be in Long Beach, can I headline? Were 351 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: there any kind of discussions or stipulations about these kinds 352 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: of parts of the fight game. Not really. 353 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 2: I don't really give a shit. Honestly, really, I don't care. 354 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: I'm surprised to hear that. I would imagine someone in 355 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: your level would be like a little bit like, hey, 356 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: I deserve a couple of like bells and whistles or 357 00:16:58,520 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: something like that. 358 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 3: It hit a little personal. Well, the check, The check's 359 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 3: all I need, you know what I mean. That's what 360 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:06,120 Speaker 3: I take care of my family with. 361 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 2: You know what I mean. 362 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 3: I pay all the bills. I'm paying bills, you know 363 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 3: what I mean. I got moms, I got my dad's, 364 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:13,199 Speaker 3: I got I got a lot that depends on me, 365 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 3: and I don't I don't like to go into specifications of, 366 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 3: you know, my life like that. But I don't think 367 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 3: people see how much I do on the outside. So 368 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 3: for me, it's it's about the check man. Everything else 369 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:28,160 Speaker 3: is just for glory and clout, like it's all pool, 370 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 3: but that don't pay the bills for me. 371 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: In terms of the sponsorships you mentioned that, like you 372 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 1: really want to lean into that. You know, it's interesting 373 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 1: we had like once the UFC did what they did, 374 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 1: it kind of changed the market for everyone, and people 375 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 1: are still trying to figure out, like how good could 376 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: m sponsorships be, What is your imagination for yourself for 377 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 1: what that could look like, and how much of terms 378 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 1: of your overall income that could actually be, like what 379 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 1: percentage in that sense. 380 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 3: Well, we've had a few little hiccups in the mixed 381 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,560 Speaker 3: martial arts world from John Jones with Nike. You know, 382 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 3: there's just been multiple things that have come into place 383 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,439 Speaker 3: that have kind of thrown through monkey wrenches into the 384 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:18,439 Speaker 3: fight game that kind of have us portrayed as like 385 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 3: animals in a sense, you know what I mean. So 386 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 3: it's hard for companies to really get behind the mixed 387 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 3: martial arts scene and just jump in full force, you 388 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 3: know what I mean. And it's such a new sport, 389 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,160 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. It's less it's been around 390 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 3: less than thirty years, but yet it's one of the 391 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,879 Speaker 3: fastest and fast growing sports in the world. Like everybody 392 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,680 Speaker 3: watches it. So for me, I'm clean cut you know 393 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:45,400 Speaker 3: what I mean. I'm not a partier. I'm clean cut. 394 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 3: I love the kids like you know what I mean. 395 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:49,920 Speaker 3: So for me, it's I could be doing anything, you 396 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 3: know what I mean. That Snickers could be getting a 397 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 3: free fucking commercial every time after my fight, and I 398 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 3: got ideas up here that I would love to do. 399 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 3: But it's like it's not happen all right then cool, 400 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 3: you know what I mean? Like I said, maybe I 401 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 3: go mess with with Nestley and drop a Snickers bar 402 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 3: and come up with the butter fingers and be like, sorry, 403 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 3: I got butter fingers, you know what I mean. 404 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:12,680 Speaker 2: Like, there's just a lot. 405 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 3: Of ideas that I have and things that I feel 406 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,159 Speaker 3: that could be marketed very well. 407 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 2: And just bring different views into the mixed martial arts world. 408 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:25,439 Speaker 2: You know, I don't know. 409 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 3: You got old Spice, you got all kind of stuff, 410 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 3: head and shoulders, you got everything that you could possibly do. 411 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 2: For me. 412 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 3: I'm a big car enthusiast, so I'd love to get 413 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 3: a car sponsor, you know what I mean. 414 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:40,359 Speaker 2: Porsche's the cream of the cop perfection of excellence. Hello here, 415 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 2: we got the undefeated. 416 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 3: Guy, Like, let's go. You know, it's just a lot 417 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 3: of different little things. You know, I'm not one to 418 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:55,159 Speaker 3: try to fit a sponsorship in my world that I 419 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 3: really don't feel fits me, you know what I mean, 420 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 3: Like every sponsor I have is someone I'm rocking with 421 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:03,920 Speaker 3: and like it's this is it, you know what i mean. 422 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 3: Monster got Unleash the Beast, Newport Watch Club, bust me down, baby, 423 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 3: you know what I mean, got the Rollies, got the AP's, 424 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 3: got the critiques, the Richard Millies, like, you know what 425 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 3: I mean. Seek headphones, I stay with music. Plane always 426 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 3: got to have music. Like I'm surprised I didn't bring 427 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 3: headphones on this trip, and like as soon as I 428 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 3: got on the plane, I was like, damn it, I 429 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 3: don't have my headphones. I was upset, you know what 430 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,400 Speaker 3: I mean. So it's just like little things like that biofuel. 431 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 3: I'm big into the cars, Happy Earth, happy Car, Happy 432 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,920 Speaker 3: met Like my car, my little race cars run on. 433 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 2: E eighty five. So bio fuel, it's something I genuinely 434 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 2: mess with. 435 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 3: Undefeated was a big company that I I've kind of 436 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:49,120 Speaker 3: watched Undefeated since I was a kid, and I felt 437 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 3: that was something you know that even though now that 438 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 3: I have a loss, like I'm still undefeated in life. 439 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 2: You know what I mean. 440 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:58,679 Speaker 3: That's something that's something that you can't take from me. Like, 441 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 3: you know what I mean, always be undefeated. I mean, 442 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 3: it's it's a mindset type thing. Other than that, you know, 443 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 3: Lululemons about the new one. I'm messing with Lulu pretty 444 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:14,080 Speaker 3: heavy right now. You know what I mean. That's training 445 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:18,640 Speaker 3: gear and sweatsuits all day. Like you're talking my style. 446 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,760 Speaker 3: Like I'm in sweats when I leave the gym. I'm 447 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 3: in sweats when I go to the gym, and I'm 448 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 3: training all day. Lulu me out, baby, like you know 449 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 3: what I mean. 450 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: I think the I think that line of clothing is 451 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 1: called ath leisure. Ath Leisure is the name. 452 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:40,880 Speaker 2: Okay, ath leisure leisure the athlete maybe comfy and snug. 453 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 1: Well. I hope that they see this message in just 454 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: the same. Congratulations on the deal, hell of a deal. 455 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 1: Uh six more fights as you mentioned, the three in 456 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 1: the tournament, so we can't wait to see what happens 457 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 1: with that this year as well. And we appreciate your 458 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 1: time all the way from the UK. Thank you, AJ McKean. 459 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 2: Congratulations, thank you for having me a piece of blessings. 460 00:21:57,840 --> 00:21:58,400 Speaker 2: See you soon. 461 00:21:58,920 --> 00:21:59,480 Speaker 1: There he is