Israel Adesanya Talks UFC 300 Main Event, Wants to ‘Test’ Khamzat Chimaev | The MMA Hour

Israel Adesanya discusses UFC 300, how close he was to being the main event, the reason it didn’t happen, the recent comments by Dricus Du Plessis, if Alex Pereira was an option, when he might return, if he was fired up for Sean Strickland, what he learned for the fight, his arrest before UFC 293, the Joshua vs. Ngannou fight, playing golf, using therapy, the Strickland vs. DDP fight, his words with DDP in the Octagon, Chimaev vs. Whittaker, his conversations with Jamahal Hill, why he almost pulled out o the Derek Brunson fight, pro wrestling, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, the UFC 300 main event, if he will fight Pereira again, and more.

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timbo’s back timbo’s back did you see Timbo on the show yesterday I saw highlights I saw highlight he he mentioned me a couple times thank you so much for coming see you where’s uh oh yeah miked up what do you need you need something oh no no I thought I was like I one of those but yeah I’m miked up already some he took our belt uh we had the belt out here but it’s all good don’t worry you know who it is welcome thank you I know you were just doing another interview yeah I was uh with uh Mighty Mouse so thing is with me yeah no more zoom those are nice you like these thanks [ __ ] yeah those are real nice yeah Zoom I felt like everyone got um during Co times everyone got a little bit acquainted with zoom and that’s the standard now but I’m like nah I think this is way better with people in person feel the energy live and yeah it’s a Vibe and are you here just as a fan just a fan I’m just a fan I’m you just came to watch yeah okay cuz I was I remember where I was when I watched UFC 100 I remember where I was what years in my house in wongi uh I can’t remember the name of the street but I remember exactly the the house and UFC 200 I was in Auckland at my friend’s house and UFC 300 and I’m like I want to watch it live would have been cool to you know headlined it or something I’m just saying so could I ask in your mind how how close was that I thought that no like so I was hot broken cuz um I thought it was us and I was like oh they would announce it they would announce and Tim was holding out cuz he and Hunter sh Hunter and Dana they were like going back and forth and then I’m glad cuz I I’m glad Tim called me before they announced it like I think 3 minutes before to announce Jamal versus Alex cuz if I found out on Instagram I would have been like H and Dana would have got calls cuz I was I was ready I was train your mind was done deal I thought it was done I was like oh I was training wow I went to Switzerland I was training probably about 4 weeks 3 weeks I was on no way yeah why Switzerland I had something to do over there and I was still training anyway but um yeah so for me I just didn’t want to be scrolling and find out but they called Tim called me look it’s not you I’m like what and I was the the pay-per-view just finished and he called me I’m just like what no cuz I was expecting like a trailer to drop being like announcing it and then I then I found out and I was like oh man so I was like whatever and yeah it is what it is but yeah we’ll do it later on when the time permits and and how do you feel about the reason why it’s not happening I’m not sure I can’t see your eyes yeah yeah okay they’re not built like us is different like everyone now okay so I wasn’t even fully healed I’m taking time off and when the opportunity presented itself I was like [ __ ] it’s history it’s this is Monumental UFC 300 [ __ ] it let’s do it but again they all built like us myself Alex volkanovski Kamar rusman we were guys when we were Champions just [ __ ] it just fight [ __ ] the belt I got belts at home even fans whenever they see me oh man hope you get that belt back I’m like [ __ ] they at the house I’m a two-time middleweight champion soon to be three it’s at the house it’s not about the belt I’m coming for the heads right now it’s about fighting while you can but he’s young he’s done what he’s done got this far become Champion so good on him but yeah it is what it is you want to hold on to that belt and be cozy that’s that’s your prerogative but yeah when when we were doing it [ __ ] the belt it was just about fighting the best and that’s it I I saw uh some comments from him on a podcast where he was like I get to decide when this fight happens you don’t get to decide did you see these comments and nah I don’t really follow the guy he follows me but I’m like I guess that’s maybe him trying to I I think he’s actually a fan he just has to fight me but he’s actually a fan he’s a big fan fan of yours yeah of course I paved the way for him you know without me one of the great African Champions he wouldn’t be here he’s the fourth African champion in this game so kudos to him so I pay we pav the way for him so he’s a fan he’s a fan of what we’ve done did you try to say okay I can’t do the DD give give me Alex cuz at that point you know it was still rumors that’s that’s always there but watch this I think after I fought uh in Miami I said I have probably less than 20 fights left in my in my career so 20 I said 20 but again I’m very optimistic I I think I can I’m I you know I’ll fight forever if I could but you know father time gets everybody but I know I only have a certain amount of fights left if I okay if I beat Alex next fight him knock him the [ __ ] out again what are they going to say okay now it’s 3-2 now okay let’s let’s best out of seven like who am I fighting for it wasn’t about it wasn’t about fighting for anyone else but me I always fought this guy and I knew I could beat this guy I always knew I could beat this guy so I was like I just want to prove it to myself I can beat him and I beat him in the best way possible on the biggest stage and the story behind that about showing what what someone can accomplish when to put their mind to something even after they be knocked down three times that was the main thing so whatever people want to say like oh well do this do that even for him you know why they’re asking for the fight cuz they need it you know why I don’t ask for the fight cuz I don’t need it and in their hearts all the poor Todds out there in their hearts they know they know who’s laughing best and that’s that’s why I sit pretty and I’m enjoying myself so again I did what I did that Saga is over it’s cool I’ve got some other beef to avenge later on down the track but yeah right now I’m just healing by the time I fight again maybe if I do it might be over a year and normally if I fight within a year has four fights yeah yeah know it’s crazy so this for me is my time off and 2027 I’m like you’re [ __ ] dumb it’s stupid so for me right now I’m like uh it’s it’s been a while watching my friends do their thing even Kevin you say seeing him about to be his third fight in the UFC so watching him get into this stuff it’s fun to watch CU I see him in his first UFC uh you know when he check in or that kind of stuff it makes me appreciate they’re like oh [ __ ] he’s enjoying this for the first time again I’m like [ __ ] yeah you can take it for granted a little bit right sometimes you get used to it yeah so seeing him go through his you know motions in the UFC I I I’m like yes enjoy this [ __ ] so that’s what I’m doing right I’m enjoying it and I’m off right now taking time off but see my boys do their thing caros him I enjoy watching them climb and makes me enjoy it and really like [ __ ] yeah cuz I’m going to miss the [ __ ] when it’s gone well right now is quality over quantity every [ __ ] time you you think it’s Perth August next no what’s his name um uh IG I I don’t know oh Steve IG yeah he’s fighting in mayth yeah so if he wins hopefully if he wins we’ll see but uh yeah I don’t know we’ll see wait what does he have to do with meaning that he would if he wins then I’m sure he might headline or be on Perth as well so he’s yeah I mean with all due respect of course I know he’s only he’s new at yeah yeah you versus DDP is I know yeah but we’ll see we’ll see nothing’s been put on the table but B I’ll talk would you be okay with that timeline cuz that would be actually 11 months fight I was trying to fight this weekend yeah I was trying to fight this weekend listen I can’t hear it but yeah I fix I fix this I fix things yeah so you have surgery n little things little things I don’t put it out there but yeah I was trying to was it bothering you a little bit but it’s fine now for how long thing is I put things out there but not all the time because a smart coach will watch this and be like ah yeah yeah yeah no but again you know life happens life be lifing speaking of which uh I’ve not talked to you since before the Strickland fight I think maybe New York yeah yeah yeah meaning New York uh June right after your premere Premiere that’s right so it’s been a lot of things have happened yeah life meing so if you don’t mind if we could just go back to that if you don’t mind go back of course and actually go back if you don’t mind uh before the Strickland fight because I saw that you say you you said I watched your breakdown with your brother after the Strickland fight where you talked about someone on your team saying when you thought you were fighting DDP in September you had this like I’m going to [ __ ] this guy up I’m going to knock him out and then it was Strickland I remember that video that you po you posted you’re like all right bring him in let’s go and then that fire kind of like went away a little bit you didn’t feel the same animosity is that is that fair that is that a fair assessment of how you felt going into September and I’m not trying because you know people might see this and be like oh he’s making Su I’m not I’m the one asking this question but because there was not that that beef that you had with DDP was it hard for you to get up for the Strickland fight no no he was is a worthy opponent formidable um but yeah I just again I have to take time off cuz four fights in 14 months as a champion 14 months that’s a year and two months like I said next time I fight it might be just under or just over a year I would have fought four times already but for me it’s just a lot it’s not just the fight it’s camps camps are hard on the body if you actually train for a fight so I have to take time off cuz you know health health is wealth and I feel good now I’m looking after myself yeah uh I didn’t it wasn’t tough to get up for I was there I was ready to fight I don’t even Eugene said this and I never underestimate anyone but I never overestimate them as well but yeah it was just it was just a yeah it was weird it was weird H what was weird Okay so they did the open workout right yeah the week of the fight yeah you never do that anymore I hate those but you saw I brought these kids up on stage and at one point I tried to do a push-up and some people noticed on Twitter they mentioned something but it never really got traction but again for me I just wasn’t well you didn’t feel the no I was I wasn’t really healthy at the time but again Strickland and his crew great game plan they knew what they had to do and they got it done and I couldn’t execute properly I couldn’t execute properly and it took me out of my game so kudos to him I give him that do you regret taking the fight once DDP fell through no hell no hell no regrets I just wanted to fight no regrets but um yeah for me I just wanted to fight that was it and I why did you want to fight so much you had just fought in April cuz I know when this is done I can’t do this anymore so I was trying to do as much as I can as much as I can the quantity of fights but again it’s not about quantity now that fight taught me chill it’s about quality it’s about quality of fight so now it’s being how long since September by the time I fight again it’ll be again just under over a year yeah normally I would have fought three or four times but nah if I just do a a lot of quantity fights but I’m all losing that’s [ __ ] no I want to have quality fights and really enjoy this [ __ ] soak it in each Camp really like just soak it in each moment and then really give great performances that people can look back on and be like oh [ __ ] that was that one strick L one was his moment as well it was just his moment again and I I said this on um Theo Von’s podcast you just have to realize ah it was something Dave Chappelle set on this [ __ ] special the the closer I think I can’t remember but um pretty much you have to be just you have to know when it’s your moment and you have to also be humble enough to know when it’s someone else’s moment and that was his moment the fight week everything was just like lined up for him and that was his moment were you shocked at the reception for him in Australia n they’re racist yeah that’s what you you felt it was yeah no just also I think it’s just me and them and I don’t know it wasn’t it wasn’t it wasn’t my week it wasn’t it was just him and he’s uh he knows how a panda he’s a great politician put it that way he’s a great politician but um yeah it was just his week his moment to shine and what a rain I mean amazing amazing what he’s done great I love it I appreciate the the sarcasm I think no I’m being serious come on what you he beat Israel I did on [ __ ] all that he beat me that’s bigger than anything well it was shocking [ __ ] the Bel it’s like it’s like when Bisping beat Silva right like that was huge him being champion and stuff or being Sila was [ __ ] like his moment you know yeah what a rain though amazing could I ask about a few weeks before the fight yeah what happened comes out after the fight that there was an incident oh the thing yeah so then everyone was like ah look see he wasn’t taking it seriously it wasn’t that look I have not heard you talk about this so I I guess I can now but pretty much I had dinner two cocktails I was riding home and then something happened even the judge shout out to Peter Cuz the New Zealand justice system tried to do me dirty and also after me there was a famous uh Warriors play who had one of those but worse but again that get stripped under the rug because and when you say Warriors you don’t mean Golden State Warriors Warriors isn’t like the the rugby yeah League yeah yeah probably shouldn’t be saying this but I’m just saying as it I won’t say the name but yeah it was just swept on the rug because you know New Zealand likes to protect their but when it’s us Dan MMA it’s still not traditional Sports and they finally thought they had me like oh we got him so we got to parade him all I knew was like the D was going to cour I had to look good cuz I knew those camer going to be there so I was there MCH was on and shout out to the judge cuz he was smart enough to realize look you’ve done this is you’re 34 you’ve never had a criminal conviction I don’t think you’re a bad person blah blah blah blah blah and what I didn’t like though was just the again I couldn’t say anything while it was happening but just the [ __ ] cuz it became like oh he was twice over the legal limit I like bro I was 07 over the legal limit like literally that much I was fine I was just going home after a dinner with my friends and yeah I made a mistake and I don’t make those mistakes often cuz normally I have uh py or someone that dve if I’m going to go out yeah I have them look after me but I was just having dinner and I thought I was fine so I wasn’t and I made that mistake and now I’ve learned my lesson and so what were the repercussions as a result of that like did you have to pay a fine or license fine yeah all that kind of stuff yeah and and uh I know you’ve had sometimes like a contentious relationship you’ve talked about tall poppy syndrome and whatnot you don’t like people what was the reaction when this news came out where people like ah see he told you yeah guy’s trouble could be anything people would just find a reason not to like you they just need something so when they finally got that one and I knew what it was they uh yeah they really uh phoned it in and again after me there’s been more after me but they sweep that under the rug but this was like a few weeks before Strickland is there a case to be made that you shouldn’t have been drinking at all no I’m an adult I have like two cocktails after dinner I’m fine yeah what did Eugene say what did Eugene say that’s between me and him okay fair enough but for those that said oh this is a L that he wasn’t on his game wasn’t taking it seriously one had nothing to do with the other is the basic my other fights in the UFC I’ve lived my life as an adult enjoyed myself taking my job seriously and I always do and that fight I did as well it wasn’t about that again no excuses they just did a good job they did a good job of nullifying me and taking care of what they had to and then look at the open workout like I said when I Tred to do push-ups and I was just it was a weird time um your your your customary postf fight shower is something that you’ve talked about and in that interview with your brother um who now is going I think by David ades which I like I like that yeah he’s going by that’s good um you know own it be proud of it and it’s a pretty damn famous last name too um you said that it was a quick one you actually said Shan Ali got some Flack for this and I didn’t notice it at the time you didn’t sh you went to the Afterparty you didn’t shower yeah cuz oh uh yeah I had to I had to you had to go straight it was late yeah did the same thing last month and people were like that’s gross who cares it’s he just [ __ ] he does his thing no so apparently it’s a thing but you said in the shower I knew exactly what I had to do it was a quick one I had to do some things it faced me I made some calls I had to make some changes I did can I ask you what those changes were yeah I went to Mexico fixed some things and then uh yeah what’s in Mexico health okay yeah stem cells okay yeah so is this what you’re referring to yeah some other stuff as well but again life happens but I feel better now and I I’m glad I’ve taken the time to look after myself make sure I’m healthy that’s the main thing as long as I’m healthy and not trying to fight as often as I can cuz that was the mentality when I when you first get in the UFC [ __ ] yeah my first year and a day in the UFC I had five fights a year in a day so 366 days or 56 days five fights next year I think four fights as much as you can now I’m at the point where I get it most Champions weren’t doing what I do they fight once or twice a year but now I’m here I’m like look quality over quantity that’s it that’s all it’s about so yeah now it’s just about not trying to do as much as I can but make sure I do the yeah I do the the right things for myself yeah okay um I’m I’m trying to almost go chronologically here cuz we we haven’t talked uh in October obviously you were in Riad for Francis it was awesome to see you kamaru walk him out you know that was awesome all you guys together and what a night that was and I don’t want you to necessarily relive all of that but just and I know you weren’t there in March right no um seeing your friend go through that MH for the first time right we had never seen him rocked knocked down let alone knocked out what did that feel like I I think uh I talked to Kamar he put it best he was like yo it’s like to us that Superman so to see Superman hurt like that really miss look even if it happened to Joshua I would have felt the same way cuz I don’t want to see I don’t want to see them go through that that was a bad knockout so if Francis did that to Joshua I would have felt like [ __ ] you know but yeah it’s it’s it’s a game and still doesn’t change any way I think about Francis he’s still Superman to me he’s still the man he’s still a guy that has played his own game played his own game regardless of what’s happened in his life in his career he still made his own choices and did you whenever fumbled the bag fumbled the bag said chill let him cook and the man cooked yeah but so he’s here he’s not done keep watching cuz I know whenever it’s it’s like this whole generation of now they forget so keep watching and see what he does yeah in the next few years yeah so you’re talking about um quality over quantity right and that’s a little bit different than what vul was saying over the last few months right he wanted to take the fight in October cuz he was feeling empty without a fight for lack of a better word we get it yeah we get it so I’m glad he was vulnerable about that as well when you saw him up there after that fight in October yeah could you relate to what he was saying of course we get it I’m a fighter like I’m a guy you know cuz right now we can fight want to keep doing it but sometimes it’s not available so you just take it when you can so that’s why I’m really grateful when I was Champion I was able to just fight as often as I can and the UFC granted me that but um yeah I think he’s smart enough to know what he needs to do now that’s my boy uh he would have been here this weekend but he has some other stuff to handle uh but yeah I never want to what’s the word I never want to [Music] um H how do I formulate this nah I think he’s on the right path me and him as well just quality over quantity cuz you don’t need to cuz it’s we’re going to miss this one it’s gone and like what he said you just need something to do I need something to do so again I golf now oh wow I started golfing in September so I was something different to like sink my teeth into I’m not going to say I’m [ __ ] good but I learned pretty quick PR coachable I love it cuz again what we do is heavy very heavy lifting very heavy load so when I’m on the green I’m the guy on the green that’ll take my shoes off so I can Earth so I can connect to the ground around and then it’s a slow paced game you just walk around Drive in the cart and it’s fun so something else I can obsess over that’s different from fighting takes me away from that but then keeps me busy so yeah and I started fishing as well off my skis little things little things just kind of just keep me occupied while I’m not fighting cuz do you feel like you needed this to kind of like remedy your soul like these things are very calm they’re very you know almost like um hypnotic in a way like fishing is just did you feel like you needed that uh probably I think just I need to slow down with training I think camp Camp is [ __ ] brutal on a body and I train quite a lot but like Camp itself will just wreck you break your body down you rest fix it back up and then again again and again so where’s the body done the bo I’m only human there’s only so much I can take so yeah it was good for me to take this time off and just let my body decompress in in the documentary you meet with a lady the opening scene it’s great your relationship with her a therapist would is that what you would call she calls herself a possibility manager she doesn’t like to call herself a therapist okay possibility manager never heard that do you still talk to her it’s been a while like probably over a year but again I’m grateful because I’ve had the tools what you need it’s like medicine you don’t want a Doctor Who’s going to try and keep you sick so it can keep making money off you so even if you people don’t understand what therapy is which is why I’m glad I was able to like Express that in my movie even song like Sean could benefit from it cuz I saw the clip of him and his car like oh man this and that right right around I’m [ __ ] sad I’m like bro even when he beat up sneer that’s not a healthy person I’m like bro as a kid you’re [ __ ] trying to knock him out that’s not a healthy person and it’s a kind of guy that he wants to burn things down sometimes cuz he he’s got everything he ever wanted but he doesn’t feel happy because of what’s inside I’ve been there and I know what it’s like so I knew the work I had to do for myself when I made my UFC debut and I went home and I was depressed right I was like I’m so happy what I should what am I sad about but again it’s what’s inside so I had to go and even old Sean would have laughed at the SE that’s in the car like oh man I’m [ __ ] sad but it’s it’s growth when I I was actually like that’s vulnerable of him but he should watch my movie he probably learned something from it just wondering to talk to someone after Sean nah I had the tools oh well I have my people also I had the tools that I needed to you know I got the tools I needed from Janet to help me in life so there’ll be a point life happens I don’t know [ __ ] KN on wood someone who I really love might pass away and that it just sends me into spiral and I’m just like okay I then I go see her again MH but you don’t want someone that say if you go to a if you go to a therapist or or whoever that wants to keep talking about your problems and never really gives you any solutions and you just sit there on the couch and oh I feel blah blah blah blah blah find someone else right again find a doctor that’s not trying to keep you sick find a therapist that’s trying to help you give you the tools cuz she’ll be like right is there anything else you need from me I was talk to her for a few weeks after that like well I think that’s it cool I’ll bounce maybe six months later something happens hey yo can I talk to you boom and then we link up again we’ll talk for another maybe four sessions five sessions six sessions after that if there’s nothing to talk about I feel like I got the tools I need so since it’s been over a year and I I talked to her actually maybe two months ago when I think uh life was kind of but I didn’t really have a session just talk to her and I said let’s link up but then again the tools she’s given me they work and I can use it to like actually help my life improve and talk myself down from situations I I was thinking of this a couple times especially leading up to the Toronto fight between Strickland and DDP I was like I wonder what Izzy thinks about this sort of cult of personality that has been born where Shan Strickland who let’s be honest you know when when when when he was you know just an upand Comer when Tim was representing him in Paradigm he was just a guy on the roster now all of a sudden you know I’m sure the fans are going to get mad at me for saying this but like he’s up there on the de waxing poetic about politics and trans and and and people it and and they adore it and they’re jumping down to try to meet and it’s like none of this really happens unless that result happens in September and so I’m wondering if you I think it still does I think it still does cuz even now he lost his fight lost the belt but he’s still yeah because now the train has left the station now he’s like he’s become the Superstar to many people and I’m just wondering if there was any part of you that was like man nah [ __ ] no okay me hell no come on man you don’t be better than that well do you know what my question is if any part of me was like ah if I didn’t let him beat me he wouldn’t be there yeah no hell no again that was his moment okay that was his moment do you get annoyed when you see this oh no why I don’t know n hell no do you have animosity towards him no animosity no he apologized to my face but again he goes on camera and does what he does but again I uh he apologized for what for talking about your family yeah for me I’m like that’s all good but then he and didp go back and forth and I see what happens and I little scrap they had that was funny but um why was it funny cuz can dish it but can’t take it meaning oh the the the the pre- talk yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah so it’s funny to see ah noted saying you’ll go there no no just seeing it that’s all yeah what did you think of the actual fight it was good did you think DDP won while you were watching just it was yeah while I was watching I think a just edged it out which was like cool did you have any feelings seeing that guy hold the belt there was none of you I think it was his time as well okay you have to know when it’s your time I like I don’t need the belt I got two belts at home I’m a two time middleweight champion that’ll never change no one ever take that away from me so I don’t need belts to prove who I am beating like me I’m me I’m Israel that would never ever change so yeah uh no feelings about it it’s his time let him hold it as much as he can let him parade with it that’s what they do cuz they want to fight and risk it every [ __ ] time cuz every time you fight you risk losing that that but I never cared about it from the GetGo that’s why even when I got the belt after UFC 236 or whatever I was like this is nice I finally got it and I remember feels the same cuz I always felt I had the belt so it never changed me if it was going to change me if I was going to change I would have changed a long time ago but n still the same energy and so um you could make the case that him winning was the best thing for you because that’s the fight yeah right if Strickland wins maybe they go just Hamza still still there sure but this is fresh there’s a history there and so could I ask but people like a people like a Revenge story sure sure no 100% you versus Strickland you versus DDP are two gigantic money fights but just cuz we hadn’t seen that one July of last year when you go into the cage MH do you regret any of that hell no oh no still stand on that yeah I still stand on that that intense well I mean I knew what I was going to do I told my boys I was going to do this and I was like watch this cuz it’s like inside jokes between me and my close friends I’m like watch what I’m going to do it’s fun for them cuz they’re like oh [ __ ] he’s about to do it he’s about to do it and when you say do it what do you mean by that just say what I said in the cage cuz I knew exactly what I wanted to do and I knew where he was going to go so I was like let me take it there so yeah it’s fun it’s fun I mean we cuz who calls a [ __ ] white guy [ __ ] [ __ ] like on the pay-per-view I’m and he’s standing there like oh I I think he was kind of rattled but it’s whatever he gets over it pretty quickly yeah um that was you know we’ve seen Rampage and Rashad we’ve seen but that one was a different level and again oh well you’re a real African let me know right would would you would you like for this fight to like would it be better for n so that if I’d love to but I just know it’s amazing that you know what I’m going to ask you yeah I know we’ve talked about would be wouldn’t that be something it would be Dana said yesterday did you see that I heard but I [ __ ] I’m not holding my breath and I just again I think it can happen but it’s just a lot of red tape cuz I know in a lot of African countries is uh you got to pay this guy and this commission talk to this guy and then this and that everyone’s trying to get their cut the UFC have a lot of money they can make it happen but it’s just there’s a lot of red tape so I would have Lov to do this hopefully we’ll see we’ll see what happens is nothing signed yet nothing’s been offered there’s only rumors like rumors that’s the thing oh this and that look I don’t have to headline [ __ ] perf Alex is there Dan’s there you know some the was going headline it but I’m like yeah we’ll see um if it happened in South Africa would you be okay with that of course that’s my people a piano that’s my people I bet you they’re my people I know that for a fact you think you’d get cheered more than him I don’t care about chairs okay they’re my people when I go there when I touch South Africa they’re my people trust me like you’ll see when I when I go to South Africa I’m more in touch with with the culture in South Africa than he is I can guarantee you that how do you know that I mean that’s where he’s from specifically right yeah the people the people they tell me the people know I go there I can not even the language is body language the dancers the The Vibes when I’m there they’ll know and they tell me like I’m their people yeah that would be insane I you could do a soccer stadium easy bro we could [ __ ] sell out it would be whole moment where you’re like Ali frasia type thing Rumble J I feel it’s right there Fran didn’t get it Camaro didn’t get it h we’ll see we’ll see I don’t hold my breath even if it’s not for me it’s for later on but we’ll see there’s a lot of great African Fighters coming through okay yeah um do you do you talk to like is Eugene a part of the discussions on when you fight like does he need to give you the the blessing he he you know I remember him saying the uh the move to 205 that was in the back of the bus you guys had the talk Mission yeah sure sure but I’m just saying like you need you feel like you need to get his green light I don’t do things it’s not just me this is I’m in the cage of my myself but it’s a team sport you know we have a team of us that gets me ready for a fight so yeah I guess I have to he has to get blessings or like we all have to be on the same page put it that way our whole team has to be on the same page we’re going to do this cool let’s roll yeah hums up Whitaker yeah Saudi I like that why do you like it cuz I want to see what he can do I’m excited I like fight talking yeah I want to see what I can do with actual like at middleweight against a tough guy I’ve seen him fight kamaru and I watched that fight I was like yo kamaru [ __ ] had him you know if that was five rounds that might have been a different fight and again Gilbert Burns was the one that made me kind of respect him because it showed his heart I you go drop came back and won that fight you know uh so yeah I’m excited to see what can happen in that fight and then yeah we’ll see what happens that is a big one um so that okay we’ll see how it all plays out with you but as far as this weekend is concerned what is your relationship like with Jamal and he’s cool that’s my boy uh did he did he reach out to you or did have you known each other before or was we know each other before uh way before that for couple years now but um yeah we reached out just to talk shop you know once this fight was made n just you know some cooking recipes exchange you know but was it like in in recent days or weeks or months yeah like a few weeks ago I think he mentioned it he said he reached out just a talk you know who else has been in there more times with Alex than me exactly and again I’m the guy that I know how to touch him every time I fight him I rock him I beat his ass till he gets me cuz he’s got a strong spirit and he knows how to recover well and he’s got that [ __ ] nuke so then I to you know [ __ ] cut the cords on that but um yeah talking to Jamal he’s on the right track yeah uh are you surprised he’s coming back so soon after an Achilles nah again people like Jamal they’re Fighters they don’t oh my foot’s sore I can’t fight like [ __ ] D [ __ ] it’s like nah you want to [ __ ] be the best you fight everyone’s always injured there’s always something right there’s always something when the next time before I fight again through Camp there’s something I’ll hurt myself but well I’m not going to I’ve never pulled out I’ve never said no to a fight because we show up I’d only ever pull out if it was like [ __ ] I can’t walk I can’t actually walk two weeks before the [ __ ] Pereira fight in Miami you saw the video where I [ __ ] did my knee and I went to that fight camp with a sleeve and I was trying to hide it through when the countdown people were filming all that kind of stuff but yeah it’s not it’s not an option unless I can’t walk like and I I’m actually incapable of fighting then I’ll pull out but till then if I can walk I can ball my fist up yeah Sweet let’s roll what’s the most injured you ever been going into a fight I almost pulled out of the uh Brunton fight but I took a week off and let my my knee heal at the time and funny enough it’s the same knee I rocked him with yeah so I let it heal for a week and then came back and I was okay it’s working it’s working then let’s go yeah what was it what was the injury can’t remember so long ago so long there always there’s always something bro at the MRI place I go to they’re like I keep saying just give me a card so I can get like 10 and you get one free cuz I’ve been there so many times sit there don’t move and they say I take really good pictures cuz I stay really still I’m like yeah sure but yeah I’ve been in those things so many times in the last year and I don’t put a lot of this stuff out there cuz I don’t need sympathy I’m not trying to [ __ ] oh this is sore this is sore that’s that nah it happens we’re all [ __ ] hurt but you show up and fight that’s what we do we’re Fighters have you had surgery okay yeah a few years ago yes going into which fight secretive even even if it’s a long time ago cuz you just don’t want anyone targeting that exactly not targeting it but I just don’t need them to know exactly my business is that’s my business that’s fair that’s fair um he’ll put too much [ __ ] out there so I’m like n nah sensitive information what about the final boss though that’s cool again I try to download it to watch it on the plane but it won’t let me on Netflix you didn’t watch it live I didn’t even know it was on Netflix live no no no it wasn’t Netflix P oh actually uh you’re you’re in uh New Zealand I know maybe I don’t know but I didn’t watch it live but how good was he in the in the buildup dropping I’m talking about the rock of course for those that may not you know they get mad when I talk about wrestling sometimes it’s still real to me Timbo all he wanted to talk about with me was wrestling he’s such a mark but Mark uh the rock like bringing back old school Hollywood Rock with the F bombs and everything wasn’t that [ __ ] good it’s I think um it needed it the game needed it Resurgence in the way and even I met uh the king Kota she she’s a teammates of mine Nene sister came to the gym meta chopped it up uh eventually I’ll do it once I think once or a couple of times but I won’t make it a thing like a weekly thing I like do it just like Cameo like the way Mayweather did just pop in and pop out sick just for fun and now it’s easier than ever they’re under the same umbrella KO it’ll be fun while you’re fighting or post fighting after after after fighting okay can I ask what do you think of uh Jake and mikee oh the fight yeah hey man do what you got to do people are mad about this I mean if Jake beats Mike Tyson you beat a 58y old man but if you lose to Mike Tyson you lost to a 58y old man right I think it’s a lose lose situation but for Jake of course oh stress two seconds no problem no problem with um Jake knowing him there’s always a method to his Madness cuz when I first met him after the Nate Robinson fight that’s when I realized oh he’s serious about this he actually wants to fight look what he’s done I think he’s good for the game brings eyes to it and all that but you know this fight is it’s a crazy fight and Mike Tyson looks like he’s actually like getting up for this fight he’s as he says he’s Awakening the Beast who who he was cuz he you know he had to shut that down but um yeah but just the age Gap hey man it’s not me fighting no I know but like would you watch it or will you watch it [ __ ] yes [ __ ] yes I’m going to watch it who do you think wins I don’t know I’m not a psychic okay well watch um so so for this you’re just watching can I ask like how do you think this Main Event goes because the one thing that worries me about Jamal is the yeah again I knocked out Alex with a [ __ ] [ __ ] up m is it MCL yeah I think it was yeah but he’s I mean he he’s obviously going to Target it just like what happened to Chris right Chris Weidman wait what happened well meaning when he came back and fought uh Brad tarz tarz who’s not known to be you know just like attack the leg we all know same reason why anyway attack a leg so um are you worried I like J’s memes though that was [ __ ] funny he’s funny on like Tik toking the reals yeah you see that yeah uh making fun of him like oh yo like he was talking about this is what people think 300 is going to be like yeah yeah oh yeah yeah yeah the SK but um yeah it is what it is but Jamal I know he’s got crazy knockout power like after seen the um there was a cruit fight but it was the Johnny Walker one that was the one that made me go holy [ __ ] cuz he hit him on the Dome on the temple and had him like shut off and grazed them as well like skim on the fascia but uh yeah look I fought Alex many times and I know how to touch him I’ve rocked him many times and I’ve knocked him the [ __ ] out Jamal could do the same thing but also Jamal knows be careful because of his leg not even the leg leg kicks like it’s just there Alex knows how to [ __ ] hit you with those leg kicks he knows how to find it every [ __ ] time and if he hurts you with it he’ll find a way to try and knock him out but I think yeah I think Jamal gets it done this weekend but either way it’s going to be a crazy fight I can’t wait to be there live front and center before it’s all said and done you think you fight Alex again now that he’s Champion why different you know different 32 and then no different belt different thing you know why okay so you don’t feel it I have only few more fights left in my career less than 20 I don’t want to spend the same time trying to fight the same guy to please everyone else I just want to prove I could beat him to myself I’ve done that that’s why he’s like trying to fight me because they need it sure I’m up they need it I don’t do you have the number in your mind how many fights left no but I know it’s less than 20 no sure I know but that’s a big that’s a big number is it I mean 20’s for you guys yes but again for me we’ll see we’ll see who knows [ __ ] I could who knows what happens when I leave here who knows what happens next year who knows what happen like something could happen I’m just like yo I’m done with this [ __ ] and I’m out so who knows what happens but and in the meantime while I’m here I’m going to enjoy it I’m going to give quality fights and yeah I’m really going to soak it all up the whole thing are there names that you must fight in your mind I got this has to happen no if kamza beats Rob yeah I want to test that if he beats Rob um I’m G get Strickland again I’m definitely going to get him again uh those are pretty much two of the only names I can think of anyone else that pops up drias drias oh yeah of course oh that’s yeah that’s given so that’s three at least at least that’s given yeah but we’ll see what happens we’ll see what happens man you and uh you and KSA would be huge if he beats Rob those are like three gigantic money fights yeah not everyone has those at their disposal guess what that is the common denominator right [ __ ] the belt it’s about me so yeah again look at Strickland he [ __ ] got offered apparently 200k to fight Costa after being the champ but again what a rain amazing crazy man [ __ ] I mean after he I mean I guess that’s good money but I thought he’d be getting paid more than that even without being a champion cuz I know [ __ ] that’s I’m not a champ and [ __ ] I have a feeling it’s a little more than 200k when you’re not couple couple yeah if you never fight for the belt again would you be okay with that I don’t give a [ __ ] the belt [ __ ] the belt I’ve always said that like again when people see me oh I hope you get the belt back I’m like nah I’m get their heads cuz the belt will come I never chased the belt never chased money it always comes I just focus on winning fighting the best who are here right now that’s it and then when it’s all said and done I’m like cool I fought that guy that guy that guy that guy that guy that guy that guy like even right now middleweight who’s the best that’s ever like being as active as me or even in the UFC or fought as much never turned down a fight showed up every [ __ ] time me yeah and just curious you know now that you have this new found perhaps relationship with Jon Jones when the recent thing happened with him did you maybe as opposed to in the past reach out and say like hey man hope hope all is well do you have that kind of friendship yeah he’s he’s good um I was just happy that happened it was again an act of God randomly was never meant to happen but we’re at the right place right time and I like the way people um embraced it after it happened people likeing it made me smile this and that I’m like good for you love that yeah but what happened recently with the drug tester like do you reach out to him do why you guys still talk you we have to but don’t really he lives in Albuquerque I live in New Zealand DM yeah like little bit here and there but nothing crazy I’m not like oh how’s it going buddy no if I see him it’s love okay it’s love you like three four years ago I know it’s beef that’s life again that’s life like even Dan said about Charles Oliva I didn’t even know they had beef but then now he’s like I respect them and Dan have beef with like everybody he wants to fight every lightweight he’s that guy but yeah so beef can turn to love and love can turn to beef it happens yeah that’s life that’s one that I didn’t know would turn out like this like it was just so personal at least it seemed like it it was but that’s life life happens life happens and we we talked off the camera so yeah I don’t like talking about it now cuz I feel like you guys want to do this [ __ ] and you get to click and no I don’t do anything I don’t click anything me you guys guys are exactly but again headlines they always make headlines and head lies but you don’t do headlines though I don’t do anything you don’t do head lies head lies no but literally I don’t do anything I don’t write for what what do I do no nothing I’m not saying you don’t I’m just saying yeah May fighting n listen guys outside with all due respect I do my show I don’t write for the website I have no affiliation in that regard now I’m not trying to say that I’m embarrassed I know of course of course I I feel very strongly about that and then it’s like the clickbait stuff no no I know hey you don’t do what you say got your journalism I don’t do that I know yeah that’s why I [ __ ] with you that’s I I don’t do sometimes people are like uh I had waen get all mad at me last week who that like Wen Buckley he’s like you try to you try to C you know do you know who he is oh what’s his name [ __ ] the guy that Dana ignore this last question yes he came out really let’s let’s go okay fine fine but it’s just I just like dude I I I feel like I try to show love to all the come on man you are my [ __ ] Premier I met your family you took the night off with the misses came through I [ __ ] with you and I’m on your show I appreciate it doesn’t happen often uh we went to Conor’s we went to Connor’s too now that we went to yours we’re like okay we got to go to more of these I used to turn them down all the time no you should I think some of these stories are amazing uh they should be told and yeah did you watch road house I have it was [ __ ] funny honestly just seeing him on there I was just and bro I actually surprised like was it the number one most view 50 or something that’s crazy he was actually hilarious in the movie yeah he was they used them the perfect way it was just Conor being Conor but like a little bit turned up you know he’s walking he’s sandwiches but it was like every time he was on screen I laughed just by it was funny it was funny to see like H like I don’t know it’s it’s cool yes yeah would you like to do something like that of course I’ve been I’ve been in talks but later on I’ve turned some stuff down but lat later on didn’t you turn down uh doesn’t matter yeah we’ll talk yeah have people reached out now not yet not recently but later on it will it’s always there okay they’ve already I’ve made some relationships in Hollywood and yeah later on after fighting I do my own stunts so that helps oh yeah yeah like Conor too yeah exactly um I’ll just ask you two more things and then we’ll let you go cuz I appreciate this um being in Saudi among all those Legends was crazy those pictures were nuts what was the one that kind of cuz here you are this was a month and a half after the tough fight I’m sure it was inspiring I’m sure it was humbling yeah like it it was that photo there when you guys were all together class photo oh my God it’s insane with turkey in the middle what what was the interaction the conversation was is there anything that left you feeling in spite of this a legend giving you love even just seen Francis um do what he did live I was just like bro he inspires me even to this day because of who he is he just inspires me boy I get what you mean like people that was out there um I mean this was the greatest collection of fighters ever ah who was even like Prince theim talking to him was [ __ ] awesome uh did they all know who you were like even the I forget sometimes like they watch me so even talking to Ronaldo Ronaldo was like Hey I DM yeah he’s a fan of the sport crazy he’s a cool guy quite tall as well I was quite surprised um there he is big Dan how are you hey what’s good nothing he’s good yeah oh just to finish your thought Ronaldo uh what I say oh on it’s cool just being there it was Eminem like real quick said what’s up I was like I got to get a photo it’s mem [ __ ] did you get one yeah I feel like there’s not a lot of people you’re asking for photos these days in life but those moments you have to cuz I’m like yo that’s that guy yeah yeah freaking Legend So no it was great to see you among all those people especially like I said it was uh after and that the shot of you three walking him out or the three of you together you two walking him out that was a moment gave me chill like uh moment for life like history but again I’m I’m just blessed and I feel privileged to be even invited to be part of that yeah you still love this game of course that’s why I’m here even after I finish when I don’t want to do it anymore I know and I’ll be out but I’m still going to be a fan of this game I’m only here as a fan I’m not [ __ ] fighting this weekend I’m just a fan of this and I’m like I want to be here at UFC 300 live and I’m blessed enough to do it I got time I got a passport yeah it’s great well I’m happy for you man thank you so much as always never ever a chore always a pleasure yes I appreciate that um the last style B and the channel is great freestyle Bender still going up freestyle bender on YouTube check it out yeah you know the Vibes the thumbnails are great David is great everyone is great everyone is great and as we head out we’ll send it off properly three two one hey you’re the man thank bless you brother no worries man always love man thank you sir easy I like that shirt by way but those you don’t like them you I like I like but those right there they’re tight thanks for watching we appreciate it very much hey if you like this video give us the old thumbs up subscribe as well you can get many more of these videos on the channel so please do that we would love you forever if you did so