It is Monday, January thirteenth, twenty twenty, donks, and it is time for Morning Combat. Hello there, good morning to you, good afternoon, good evening, whatever time it is.

It is Monday, January thirteenth, twenty twenty, donks, and it is time for Morning Combat. Hello there, good morning to you, good afternoon, good evening, whatever time it is.

My name is Luke Thomas.

My name is Luke Thomas.

I'm the host of this programming alongside my Healthy and Living co host Brian Campbell from CBS Sports and you know.

I'm the host of this programming alongside my Healthy and Living co host Brian Campbell from CBS Sports and you know.

Back from the dead. Apologized for missing last week, but I had a refuel for the new year. Pneumonia, no joke, Luke. Okay, so care you have.

Back from the dead. Apologized for missing last week, but I had a refuel for the new year. Pneumonia, no joke, Luke. Okay, so care you have.

The folks an update. You got a clean bill of health.

The folks an update. You got a clean bill of health.

You got a clean bill health. I'm back and we have a busy January.

You got a clean bill health. I'm back and we have a busy January.

My friend.

My friend.

Look, you know, last time we did this show, we were kind of buzzed all because, right, this is how we do it. But it's up to us to make some changes in our lives for personally for the show. Right, no gas stations, right right, Maybe make this show a little less thirsty. All right, right, and I know you're like the dog it's a dog show. No, all right, let's get serious about combat. Are you ready for this?

Look, you know, last time we did this show, we were kind of buzzed all because, right, this is how we do it. But it's up to us to make some changes in our lives for personally for the show. Right, no gas stations, right right, Maybe make this show a little less thirsty. All right, right, and I know you're like the dog it's a dog show. No, all right, let's get serious about combat. Are you ready for this?

Yes?

Yes?

We have a lot to get to So it is going to be a busy January. It's going to be a busy February and March and certainly April and beyond. This is our first show of twenty twenty, so without further do Brian Campbell, let us kick things off here. Topic one this Saturday is the return of Connor McGregor. You have C two forty six the main event. Cowboy Seronie will be stepping up to the plate to see what happens when Connor McGregor comes back his first fight since losing at UFC two twenty nine to Habib Nimer got made of the question I would like to start off with, Brian, I actually pitch it to you first times.

We have a lot to get to So it is going to be a busy January. It's going to be a busy February and March and certainly April and beyond. This is our first show of twenty twenty, so without further do Brian Campbell, let us kick things off here. Topic one this Saturday is the return of Connor McGregor. You have C two forty six the main event. Cowboy Seronie will be stepping up to the plate to see what happens when Connor McGregor comes back his first fight since losing at UFC two twenty nine to Habib Nimer got made of the question I would like to start off with, Brian, I actually pitch it to you first times.

I'll like to go first.

I'll like to go first.

Sometimes I want to pitch it to you based on everything we have seen pre fight, and we had a conversation about this yesterday.

Sometimes I want to pitch it to you based on everything we have seen pre fight, and we had a conversation about this yesterday.

Maybe you disagree, but I saw Chuck.

Maybe you disagree, but I saw Chuck.

Mendenhall, our trusty Steed here on the show. He was saying, it feels like the sneakiest fight week in McGregor history.

Mendenhall, our trusty Steed here on the show. He was saying, it feels like the sneakiest fight week in McGregor history.

I tend to agree.

I tend to agree.

But based on everything you have heard from Connor or people say about Connor who are somewhat in the know, what what kind of Connor are you expecting?

But based on everything you have heard from Connor or people say about Connor who are somewhat in the know, what what kind of Connor are you expecting?

Do you believe that the King is back.

Do you believe that the King is back.

What have you been able to ask ascertain given the amount of information that has been out there, I.

What have you been able to ask ascertain given the amount of information that has been out there, I.

Believe we're going to get the closest thing to the King being back at thirty one years old, coming off of such a long layoff, which does disaster to the idea of the kind of fighter he is, somebody who relies on technique, rhythm, timing, and needs to be busy. Why was he so unbelievable in twenty fifteen and sixteen? He thought three times both years, and he was sharp, and he was ready, and he was there taking off the kind of break that he did one fight in three years. Certainly, no matter what you think about UFC two twenty nine, that's not not one hundred percent Prime Connor, And that's sort of been the theme heading into this fight, is the King back. I don't know if the King can ever be the King again. That's something that can really only be answered, not just Saturday night, but the next few fights, especially if he can fight three times this year, which is his goal. But I think if you can gain anything from tone, and I'm really pointing at that Mac Life interview. You know, yes it's an in house interview, but you really got a first chance to get up close and personal with him. Something to you're in Chuck's point of why this fight may not have this feeling of buzz, as if like a ship's about to crash into us. Well, they didn't do a public press conference, right, They didn't do any kind of media tours, maybe because of the sexual assault stuff, so coming so close to the holidays, it's kind of just parachuted in right now. It's gonna be massive fight night. It's probably gonna do monster business. All of our websites that covered are gonna do monster business. But the idea of is can the King still be the King? I have liked what I've heard from him. I have liked the huts puck coming out of him. If I can say one thing about the build of two twenty nine, it was unlike any other fight build we'd ever seen because of the Dolly incin in April and Brooklyn. It became instantly a grudge match of a nasty level that we'd never seen. We knew it had skyrocket potential to break the pay per view record. It did only fight it out in the history to go two million buys on pay per view, but It was a and I'm specifically referring to Connor in that Radio City Music Hall with Habib. It was just a zero to sixty Connor. It was like a go for the throw in every comment, Connor, go after everything. It wasn't that full on confidence show voting Connor from the Aldo build, from the first Das build. I think I'm hearing a little bit more of that. And if you want to do cut and paste math, and you're hearing John Cavanaugh and them say, look, we've never seen them this. You know this dialed in in a while, and you hear Connor being honest about the potential disaster that was that Habib camp. If you put all of that together and he can be the best version that he can be at thirty one coming off a break, we could see a big year coming for Connor McGregor that starts on Saturday Night.

Believe we're going to get the closest thing to the King being back at thirty one years old, coming off of such a long layoff, which does disaster to the idea of the kind of fighter he is, somebody who relies on technique, rhythm, timing, and needs to be busy. Why was he so unbelievable in twenty fifteen and sixteen? He thought three times both years, and he was sharp, and he was ready, and he was there taking off the kind of break that he did one fight in three years. Certainly, no matter what you think about UFC two twenty nine, that's not not one hundred percent Prime Connor, And that's sort of been the theme heading into this fight, is the King back. I don't know if the King can ever be the King again. That's something that can really only be answered, not just Saturday night, but the next few fights, especially if he can fight three times this year, which is his goal. But I think if you can gain anything from tone, and I'm really pointing at that Mac Life interview. You know, yes it's an in house interview, but you really got a first chance to get up close and personal with him. Something to you're in Chuck's point of why this fight may not have this feeling of buzz, as if like a ship's about to crash into us. Well, they didn't do a public press conference, right, They didn't do any kind of media tours, maybe because of the sexual assault stuff, so coming so close to the holidays, it's kind of just parachuted in right now. It's gonna be massive fight night. It's probably gonna do monster business. All of our websites that covered are gonna do monster business. But the idea of is can the King still be the King? I have liked what I've heard from him. I have liked the huts puck coming out of him. If I can say one thing about the build of two twenty nine, it was unlike any other fight build we'd ever seen because of the Dolly incin in April and Brooklyn. It became instantly a grudge match of a nasty level that we'd never seen. We knew it had skyrocket potential to break the pay per view record. It did only fight it out in the history to go two million buys on pay per view, but It was a and I'm specifically referring to Connor in that Radio City Music Hall with Habib. It was just a zero to sixty Connor. It was like a go for the throw in every comment, Connor, go after everything. It wasn't that full on confidence show voting Connor from the Aldo build, from the first Das build. I think I'm hearing a little bit more of that. And if you want to do cut and paste math, and you're hearing John Cavanaugh and them say, look, we've never seen them this. You know this dialed in in a while, and you hear Connor being honest about the potential disaster that was that Habib camp. If you put all of that together and he can be the best version that he can be at thirty one coming off a break, we could see a big year coming for Connor McGregor that starts on Saturday Night.

I mean, I'm of a few different minds on this. I mean, the one hand I've talked about it before. People always have these questions, how good is Connor striking? How good is his ground game? You talk to his critics, they'll tell you he's some kind of fraud who has pulled a magician's trick. Everybody you talk to his camp, his inner circle, and they make him sound like he's a North Korean dictator. He gets, you know, eighteen holes in one, eighteen holes in a row, right, So it's very hard to get an understanding of things. But here's what I would say in terms of the good side of what I've heard. I did not like the suggestion from his longtime head trainer John ca. I haven't know that Connor is essentially running his camp, and I've talked to some folks over in Ireland and they kind of tell me that's been the case maybe for a little while, so it may not be new. And I'm not saying that will cost him against Serone. I just think against elite opposition consistently over time, eventually that might buy you in the ass.

I mean, I'm of a few different minds on this. I mean, the one hand I've talked about it before. People always have these questions, how good is Connor striking? How good is his ground game? You talk to his critics, they'll tell you he's some kind of fraud who has pulled a magician's trick. Everybody you talk to his camp, his inner circle, and they make him sound like he's a North Korean dictator. He gets, you know, eighteen holes in one, eighteen holes in a row, right, So it's very hard to get an understanding of things. But here's what I would say in terms of the good side of what I've heard. I did not like the suggestion from his longtime head trainer John ca. I haven't know that Connor is essentially running his camp, and I've talked to some folks over in Ireland and they kind of tell me that's been the case maybe for a little while, so it may not be new. And I'm not saying that will cost him against Serone. I just think against elite opposition consistently over time, eventually that might buy you in the ass.

So that part wasn't great. But I'll tell you what.

So that part wasn't great. But I'll tell you what.

At one seventy there are some interesting questions that we'll assess here in just a second. But I like that he is not trying to be the old thing that he was to me. Maybe if he beats Seroni, he will come out there and he will just say, okay, let's.

At one seventy there are some interesting questions that we'll assess here in just a second. But I like that he is not trying to be the old thing that he was to me. Maybe if he beats Seroni, he will come out there and he will just say, okay, let's.

Do He's humbled he's legitimately humbled, and that's why, right.

Do He's humbled he's legitimately humbled, and that's why, right.

But that's a good thing.

But that's a good thing.

I think he may go out and beat Serone and then dust off the old material, in which case we're back to where we were. And I do think he reserves animosity for the Kabibes of the world, maybe justin Gage's, maybe a mass but I guess we'll have to see Nate as well.

I think he may go out and beat Serone and then dust off the old material, in which case we're back to where we were. And I do think he reserves animosity for the Kabibes of the world, maybe justin Gage's, maybe a mass but I guess we'll have to see Nate as well.

Who knows.

Who knows.

But in the case of Seroni, I'm liking what I'm hearing in the sense that it seems very planned, it seems very thoughtful. We talked about it when he was a Justin choice or a Sereni choice, what was the right fight for him to take at that juncture.

But in the case of Seroni, I'm liking what I'm hearing in the sense that it seems very planned, it seems very thoughtful. We talked about it when he was a Justin choice or a Sereni choice, what was the right fight for him to take at that juncture.

The Seroni fight, I think is the better one.

The Seroni fight, I think is the better one.

Everyone has been kind of alarmed by Connor that he's been reserved. I have to tell you I am heartened by that. But here's the even better news. Let's assume for just a second, Brian Campbell, that the peak Connor McGregor was UFC two O five against Eddie Alvarez. I think that's the best I've ever seen him. Maybe you disagree. Do you think that's the best you've ever seen Connor?

Everyone has been kind of alarmed by Connor that he's been reserved. I have to tell you I am heartened by that. But here's the even better news. Let's assume for just a second, Brian Campbell, that the peak Connor McGregor was UFC two O five against Eddie Alvarez. I think that's the best I've ever seen him. Maybe you disagree. Do you think that's the best you've ever seen Connor?

Uh?

Uh?

The thirteen seconds against Alibis.

The thirteen seconds against Alibis.

I'll talk about the Connor magic a lot. Yeah, the magic was the jar was full at that point. You felt like he could accomplish anything.

I'll talk about the Connor magic a lot. Yeah, the magic was the jar was full at that point. You felt like he could accomplish anything.

But imagine you didn't know anything about it, but you just watched that fight. You'd walk away unbelievably impressed. If that guy shows up or a version of at one seventy of that guy, Seroni has no chance. I think the good news for Connor fans is you can get a guy I think one or two steps below that, and not because Serroni is some chump, but because the wind is at Connor's back. Stylistically that this is this is just the right opportunity to get back there. And his focus, he said before, was achieving certain benchmarks. I want to get this amount of money, I want to get these titles. The new benchmark is absolute, unequivocal. Let's ring the sponge dry. How good can I actually be? I don't even think he needs to go for that goal. But if that's your north star, you can be a little bit less because of the time off and still get the win. I'll say this. The good news is Connor should win. The bad news is if he doesn't. I think it's absolutely disastrous for his career.

But imagine you didn't know anything about it, but you just watched that fight. You'd walk away unbelievably impressed. If that guy shows up or a version of at one seventy of that guy, Seroni has no chance. I think the good news for Connor fans is you can get a guy I think one or two steps below that, and not because Serroni is some chump, but because the wind is at Connor's back. Stylistically that this is this is just the right opportunity to get back there. And his focus, he said before, was achieving certain benchmarks. I want to get this amount of money, I want to get these titles. The new benchmark is absolute, unequivocal. Let's ring the sponge dry. How good can I actually be? I don't even think he needs to go for that goal. But if that's your north star, you can be a little bit less because of the time off and still get the win. I'll say this. The good news is Connor should win. The bad news is if he doesn't. I think it's absolutely disastrous for his career.

Absolutely. I think the new benchmark is in my mind, actually starting and creating a legitimate second chapter to his career. So does that mean if he loses this fight, we can get into what would be at stake, what would happen next to all that? But he certainly had a weird spot. Only thirty one years old, not that far removed from his physical prime, didn't take a lot of damage the last few years. Yet at the same time, he's not that far from becoming full time celebrity fighter. He's not that far from us going well, he's one dimensional now, he's always been one dimensional. Yeah, he had that run where the magic was great and he was consistent, But now let's just cash him out a few times and let's see him go. He's at that sort of of seesaw moment where it's like, which path are you going to go? He could end up becoming legitimately one of the all time greades, and to do that you have to have a second chapter. Look, a guy like Randy Coutour was able to sort of reinvent and create different roads at different weight classes or suffer a couple of defeats, but come back. This is why this fight in this year is going to be so damn compelling for Connor, because he's really got to figure out it's not piece of the ownership in the UFC. You're not getting that, brother, all right. You were top of them out and three years ago the last time we saw you fight. Now, I think it's more about can he get back to a being a legitimate title contender, given how much MMA has evolved and change while he's been gone, and potentially doing that at one seventy. Now, I told you that I liked the bombastic side, the confidence that I'm seeing coming out of him. It's not overly over the top, as we talked about. He's humbled. There's a little bit of stuff in there that's more just talked to pump himself up. Him relapsing over the bi fight and showing you round by roun Well, I was winning this round and he only did.

Absolutely. I think the new benchmark is in my mind, actually starting and creating a legitimate second chapter to his career. So does that mean if he loses this fight, we can get into what would be at stake, what would happen next to all that? But he certainly had a weird spot. Only thirty one years old, not that far removed from his physical prime, didn't take a lot of damage the last few years. Yet at the same time, he's not that far from becoming full time celebrity fighter. He's not that far from us going well, he's one dimensional now, he's always been one dimensional. Yeah, he had that run where the magic was great and he was consistent, But now let's just cash him out a few times and let's see him go. He's at that sort of of seesaw moment where it's like, which path are you going to go? He could end up becoming legitimately one of the all time greades, and to do that you have to have a second chapter. Look, a guy like Randy Coutour was able to sort of reinvent and create different roads at different weight classes or suffer a couple of defeats, but come back. This is why this fight in this year is going to be so damn compelling for Connor, because he's really got to figure out it's not piece of the ownership in the UFC. You're not getting that, brother, all right. You were top of them out and three years ago the last time we saw you fight. Now, I think it's more about can he get back to a being a legitimate title contender, given how much MMA has evolved and change while he's been gone, and potentially doing that at one seventy. Now, I told you that I liked the bombastic side, the confidence that I'm seeing coming out of him. It's not overly over the top, as we talked about. He's humbled. There's a little bit of stuff in there that's more just talked to pump himself up. Him relapsing over the bi fight and showing you round by roun Well, I was winning this round and he only did.

This, and his assessment of what was going on seems a little bit off.

This, and his assessment of what was going on seems a little bit off.

That's off, But I think to a certain degree, any fighter, any fighter, has to be a con man to themselves to talk them into sort of the confidence that you need to.

That's off, But I think to a certain degree, any fighter, any fighter, has to be a con man to themselves to talk them into sort of the confidence that you need to.

Go see a little mort to push back on that if I made Did you ever hear GSP do that? I never heard him do that.

Go see a little mort to push back on that if I made Did you ever hear GSP do that? I never heard him do that.

Oh I'm not sitting here and telling you that that this is the best move for Connor. I'm saying this is kind of how he works, and it doesn't scare me as much. The thing that potentially scares me is that he's sprinkling on top the idea of look, I wantabib, I want to get back in that title shit line at one fifty five. But if that doesn't happen, I'll go up there and take the one seventy titles. I think there's a difference between when he used to do that, when Tyron Woodley was champion to God in his face because he is so high on top of the mountain back then mystic back to the gills. That he can talk dressed to anybody and talk himself into believing that he can do it. But in your early thirties, when you're this one dimensional, do you really want to be talking that confidently publicly about going in there and knocking out usman and dealing with those wrestlers. I don't know if that's the smart move to in the angle to go to. But if he is going to have a legitimate second chapter in his career that begins this year, he's going to have to figure out who he is as a fighter three four years removed from him when he would just walk people down and get him out with one punch. And can he become more well rounded? Can he prove to us that he can be a legitimate one hundred and seventy pound fighter.

Oh I'm not sitting here and telling you that that this is the best move for Connor. I'm saying this is kind of how he works, and it doesn't scare me as much. The thing that potentially scares me is that he's sprinkling on top the idea of look, I wantabib, I want to get back in that title shit line at one fifty five. But if that doesn't happen, I'll go up there and take the one seventy titles. I think there's a difference between when he used to do that, when Tyron Woodley was champion to God in his face because he is so high on top of the mountain back then mystic back to the gills. That he can talk dressed to anybody and talk himself into believing that he can do it. But in your early thirties, when you're this one dimensional, do you really want to be talking that confidently publicly about going in there and knocking out usman and dealing with those wrestlers. I don't know if that's the smart move to in the angle to go to. But if he is going to have a legitimate second chapter in his career that begins this year, he's going to have to figure out who he is as a fighter three four years removed from him when he would just walk people down and get him out with one punch. And can he become more well rounded? Can he prove to us that he can be a legitimate one hundred and seventy pound fighter.

So here's the thing for me.

So here's the thing for me.

It's like, if you look at Mayweather, why was Mayweather able to take really long breaks in his career because he was so far ahead of everyone else it just didn't matter. He could literally kick his feet up, let the game keep going, decide he wants to make another twenty forty sixty eighty one hundred mili and then come back and just molly wop somebody now again. Towards the end of his career, we all know we got a little bit selective about the timing of the opposition to a degree.

It's like, if you look at Mayweather, why was Mayweather able to take really long breaks in his career because he was so far ahead of everyone else it just didn't matter. He could literally kick his feet up, let the game keep going, decide he wants to make another twenty forty sixty eighty one hundred mili and then come back and just molly wop somebody now again. Towards the end of his career, we all know we got a little bit selective about the timing of the opposition to a degree.

Oh he's always been selective, let's be out, okay, but.

Oh he's always been selective, let's be out, okay, but.

Fair enough, but he you know, he thought tough guys, all right.

Fair enough, but he you know, he thought tough guys, all right.

But the point being is this, you have seen the very very very best ones in MMA. Do that you're John Jones who dominated the last decade. You'r gsp who, for the most part, outside that four year sabbatical. He could take a four year sabbatical come back and still win the Middleway title against Michael Bispink. Those guys are able to take time off and still achieve pretty remarkable things. The question has always been, is Connor really that good? Or was he just on a hot streak. Here's the interesting part for me about one seventy, first of all, or even one fifty five. We're gonna find out exactly which Connor is here now. Is it a new Connor, is it the old Connor? Is the new Connor better than the old Connor is even much worse. I don't know what the answer to that is, But to me, when he says, well, yeah, if I can get the one fifty five titled, great, If not, I was just going to go to one seventy. On the one hand, I like the fact that he's giving himself options. On the other hand, there used to be this fun and magical tension between his imagination and your own skepticism.

But the point being is this, you have seen the very very very best ones in MMA. Do that you're John Jones who dominated the last decade. You'r gsp who, for the most part, outside that four year sabbatical. He could take a four year sabbatical come back and still win the Middleway title against Michael Bispink. Those guys are able to take time off and still achieve pretty remarkable things. The question has always been, is Connor really that good? Or was he just on a hot streak. Here's the interesting part for me about one seventy, first of all, or even one fifty five. We're gonna find out exactly which Connor is here now. Is it a new Connor, is it the old Connor? Is the new Connor better than the old Connor is even much worse. I don't know what the answer to that is, But to me, when he says, well, yeah, if I can get the one fifty five titled, great, If not, I was just going to go to one seventy. On the one hand, I like the fact that he's giving himself options. On the other hand, there used to be this fun and magical tension between his imagination and your own skepticism.

That's great, great way to say it, right, And now that.

That's great, great way to say it, right, And now that.

Tensions more like just skepticism. You're like one seventy kamaru usman, are you shitting me?

Tensions more like just skepticism. You're like one seventy kamaru usman, are you shitting me?

Now?

Now?

You're most like, dude, You're you're sounding delusion. He always did Patrol's like, but every time I got him, he's wrong. It's a similar kind of setup, but with different mechanics operating, I think internally in the fan base as well as among the media.

You're most like, dude, You're you're sounding delusion. He always did Patrol's like, but every time I got him, he's wrong. It's a similar kind of setup, but with different mechanics operating, I think internally in the fan base as well as among the media.

So if he can go and achieve.

So if he can go and achieve.

Great heights, he's got great obstacles in front of him that will enable him to do that. But it also feels like I, before I doubted his delusion, I paid for it. Now I'm like, I feel much more secure in being sure if.

Great heights, he's got great obstacles in front of him that will enable him to do that. But it also feels like I, before I doubted his delusion, I paid for it. Now I'm like, I feel much more secure in being sure if.

Some of the heights of his and that's the way this fight is in where he is in our eyes is such a trapeezac for him. It could go either way. I'm wrong when I originally said, you're doing this Cowboy fight now when he's coming off two losses. It could have been so much bigger if you did it last year when Dad Cowboy was rising and trying to get that elusive title shot. I think it's actually better now because you can talk me into fifty to fifty. You can talk me into either direction, Connor's going to walk out there and knock him out in the first minute, or Connor's going to get exposed because it's the wrong tough guy when you're one dimensional and you haven't been around in a while and you have a historically questionable gas tank. Outside of that one fight at UFC two oz two in either direction the extremes, I would one hundred percent buy in if you told me that's going to happen. Yeah, it's such a precurious spot. Yeh, Star Power White's looking for whether he loses next six fights every time he fights, we're gonna just like we watch the tail end of the Mike Tyson run when it was just a complete circus side show. But he also has a chance to get back in line and prove he can have a second career. I mean the great ones, the Ali's right, they constantly were able to reinvent Yep, we're really at that curious moment. It's theater, man, It's the perfect kind of theater.

Some of the heights of his and that's the way this fight is in where he is in our eyes is such a trapeezac for him. It could go either way. I'm wrong when I originally said, you're doing this Cowboy fight now when he's coming off two losses. It could have been so much bigger if you did it last year when Dad Cowboy was rising and trying to get that elusive title shot. I think it's actually better now because you can talk me into fifty to fifty. You can talk me into either direction, Connor's going to walk out there and knock him out in the first minute, or Connor's going to get exposed because it's the wrong tough guy when you're one dimensional and you haven't been around in a while and you have a historically questionable gas tank. Outside of that one fight at UFC two oz two in either direction the extremes, I would one hundred percent buy in if you told me that's going to happen. Yeah, it's such a precurious spot. Yeh, Star Power White's looking for whether he loses next six fights every time he fights, we're gonna just like we watch the tail end of the Mike Tyson run when it was just a complete circus side show. But he also has a chance to get back in line and prove he can have a second career. I mean the great ones, the Ali's right, they constantly were able to reinvent Yep, we're really at that curious moment. It's theater, man, It's the perfect kind of theater.

Right. Is he an all time greater? Was he just a guy who was good at one time?

Right. Is he an all time greater? Was he just a guy who was good at one time?

Right? All right?

Right? All right?

So we move on now to a little bit of X's and o's and as much as we can do them. But just to say Brian Campbell, there are probably, and in every case usually many factors that affect an outcome on both sides of the equation, for the opponent, for the venue, for the build up, for everybody, many many things explain why someone wins and why someone loses. And as we know in fighting it is almost always a zero sum game. But that being said, Brian Campbell, I would like to know what you think. I'll go first this time, but the question will be put to the table is what is the big X factor for you? What is the one factor you think at the end of the day we'll really decide this bout And the obvious one when you look at given that this about it's one hundred and seventy pounds, would be well, what about Connor's cardio right, because to the extent that doesn't fade, he should basically be okay, he looks like he's well muscled at one seventy versus just kind of you know, not taking training as seriously perhaps as he could have, but then being below the weight threshold because he's just way out of the normal boundaries of his of what the where he typically is for his weight management.

So we move on now to a little bit of X's and o's and as much as we can do them. But just to say Brian Campbell, there are probably, and in every case usually many factors that affect an outcome on both sides of the equation, for the opponent, for the venue, for the build up, for everybody, many many things explain why someone wins and why someone loses. And as we know in fighting it is almost always a zero sum game. But that being said, Brian Campbell, I would like to know what you think. I'll go first this time, but the question will be put to the table is what is the big X factor for you? What is the one factor you think at the end of the day we'll really decide this bout And the obvious one when you look at given that this about it's one hundred and seventy pounds, would be well, what about Connor's cardio right, because to the extent that doesn't fade, he should basically be okay, he looks like he's well muscled at one seventy versus just kind of you know, not taking training as seriously perhaps as he could have, but then being below the weight threshold because he's just way out of the normal boundaries of his of what the where he typically is for his weight management.

So in the words, he has settled into the weight class.

So in the words, he has settled into the weight class.

But I don't know if that extra power from the extra muscle, I mean, it will help his punching power, but will it help his gas tank? I don't really know. That's another one for dissected. We looked at Seroni's wrestling. I think that's a big one. I'm actually gonna go a little bit to something I just eluded, something that we don't really ever talk about. We always talk about Connor as this amazing power puncher, and at one forty five, there's no doubt. At one fifty five, I would say he is a very very solid power puncher, really really good.

But I don't know if that extra power from the extra muscle, I mean, it will help his punching power, but will it help his gas tank? I don't really know. That's another one for dissected. We looked at Seroni's wrestling. I think that's a big one. I'm actually gonna go a little bit to something I just eluded, something that we don't really ever talk about. We always talk about Connor as this amazing power puncher, and at one forty five, there's no doubt. At one fifty five, I would say he is a very very solid power puncher, really really good.

I mean top of the food.

I mean top of the food.

So the punch combination to take out Eddie, it wasn't one punch, and he starked him.

So the punch combination to take out Eddie, it wasn't one punch, and he starked him.

But he can hurt yet, but he's and he's accurate, and it's timing. It's more than just that, of course, But I'm speaking just about the power. I actually think the jury is still out on that at one seventy. Now, I'll understand he fought Diaz twice and in both of those fights he bloodied him.

But he can hurt yet, but he's and he's accurate, and it's timing. It's more than just that, of course, But I'm speaking just about the power. I actually think the jury is still out on that at one seventy. Now, I'll understand he fought Diaz twice and in both of those fights he bloodied him.

He won one of them, he rocked him in both.

He won one of them, he rocked him in both.

Don't misunderstand me, But I can't quite tell if it's because.

Don't misunderstand me, But I can't quite tell if it's because.

That DS didn't go away because DS has a rock chin.

That DS didn't go away because DS has a rock chin.

That could absolutely be an explanation, or if it's because at some point that great power that is extreme at one forty five and very good at one fifty five is like good at one seventy.

That could absolutely be an explanation, or if it's because at some point that great power that is extreme at one forty five and very good at one fifty five is like good at one seventy.

But not enough.

But not enough.

And here's why you look at some of the power punchers from a southpaw position that Cowboy has fought Rick Story, Robbie Lawler, these were both one seventy years.

And here's why you look at some of the power punchers from a southpaw position that Cowboy has fought Rick Story, Robbie Lawler, these were both one seventy years.

They couldn't put him away.

They couldn't put him away.

So to me, it's like, do I think that Connor is the better boxer?

So to me, it's like, do I think that Connor is the better boxer?

Of course?

Of course?

Do I think he'll be able to implement his game early? I especially do Do I think he'll land? It's a virtual certainty.

Do I think he'll be able to implement his game early? I especially do Do I think he'll land? It's a virtual certainty.

Do I think he.

Do I think he.

Has the power punching Brian Campbell? I think that he does. But there's a little part of me that's like, this needs to play out some more. Two fights against the same guy not enough to answer.

Has the power punching Brian Campbell? I think that he does. But there's a little part of me that's like, this needs to play out some more. Two fights against the same guy not enough to answer.

That question absolutely. And if you if you say, what's the you know, biggest X factor, the biggest way to sum up the odds of this fight? Which Connor has a pretty strong favorite here when the when the biggest odds came out, I think it's obvious. It's the fact that if Connor's one dimensional, well, that one dimension matches up so perfectly with Cowboy's vulnerability, which is he can have a flash chin and he's a slow starter. He gets hit more early than he does late. Historically, he almost needs to get hit a little bit to wake up and be at his best in there. That could be bad news for him. That's why the odds are where they are. Obviously, you can get a lot of people running the last minute putting some money on Cowboy. It's a good bet, of course. But what happens though, and this is the question in every Condor fight. It was the question in the Habib fight for different reasons. What happens if the fight goes past one round? If that's sort of my strength and your weakness coming together to create explosion, does not happen?

That question absolutely. And if you if you say, what's the you know, biggest X factor, the biggest way to sum up the odds of this fight? Which Connor has a pretty strong favorite here when the when the biggest odds came out, I think it's obvious. It's the fact that if Connor's one dimensional, well, that one dimension matches up so perfectly with Cowboy's vulnerability, which is he can have a flash chin and he's a slow starter. He gets hit more early than he does late. Historically, he almost needs to get hit a little bit to wake up and be at his best in there. That could be bad news for him. That's why the odds are where they are. Obviously, you can get a lot of people running the last minute putting some money on Cowboy. It's a good bet, of course. But what happens though, and this is the question in every Condor fight. It was the question in the Habib fight for different reasons. What happens if the fight goes past one round? If that's sort of my strength and your weakness coming together to create explosion, does not happen?

He had a he had a two to one striking differential on Abibe in the third round of their fight, So is it really true that after two he's not the same and he had a strong fourth round against Diaz?

He had a he had a two to one striking differential on Abibe in the third round of their fight, So is it really true that after two he's not the same and he had a strong fourth round against Diaz?

What do you think at.

What do you think at.

This point to say he to say Connor is a front runner in the late rounds is kind of tough. He did sort of come back in two two against Nate in the rematch, but he won't hit the wall a couple of times where he looked like he was on the way out. Yeah, he came back against Chad Mendis in a two round fight. We really haven't seen him too consistently there, so the jury is still kind of out and that's where the a lot of the many unknowns are. But to put on your professor Salton Pepper hat and know the history of Cowboys ground game, it's certainly safe to say Cowboys the better all around fighter, who has more ways to win this fight. And that's something that's negative against Connor. But what Connor said, especially in that Math Life interview, was that I'm just better. I'm just better than all these guys my craft. When I can get myself tuned in in where I need to be with consistency, I'm just better than these guys. I also believe that. But what happens when those two worlds collide at the end of round three, that's where I don't know exactly what this fight will look like certainly the default nature says the longer this fight goes, it certainly does not favor Connor. But can Cowboy utilize his strengths that he actually has on the ground? Will he try to take it there? There's so many unknowns right, So for.

This point to say he to say Connor is a front runner in the late rounds is kind of tough. He did sort of come back in two two against Nate in the rematch, but he won't hit the wall a couple of times where he looked like he was on the way out. Yeah, he came back against Chad Mendis in a two round fight. We really haven't seen him too consistently there, so the jury is still kind of out and that's where the a lot of the many unknowns are. But to put on your professor Salton Pepper hat and know the history of Cowboys ground game, it's certainly safe to say Cowboys the better all around fighter, who has more ways to win this fight. And that's something that's negative against Connor. But what Connor said, especially in that Math Life interview, was that I'm just better. I'm just better than all these guys my craft. When I can get myself tuned in in where I need to be with consistency, I'm just better than these guys. I also believe that. But what happens when those two worlds collide at the end of round three, that's where I don't know exactly what this fight will look like certainly the default nature says the longer this fight goes, it certainly does not favor Connor. But can Cowboy utilize his strengths that he actually has on the ground? Will he try to take it there? There's so many unknowns right, So for.

Me, the argument about like, as a general rule, you're looking at two fighters, You're trying to figure out who's gonna win.

Me, the argument about like, as a general rule, you're looking at two fighters, You're trying to figure out who's gonna win.

Here.

Here.

This won't always help you. There will be many times where this is not the case. Ray Mercer knocked out Tim Silvia right okay in MMA, but the reality like maybe it was a boxing fight with them. I don't change the m at the last time.

This won't always help you. There will be many times where this is not the case. Ray Mercer knocked out Tim Silvia right okay in MMA, but the reality like maybe it was a boxing fight with them. I don't change the m at the last time.

I can't remember the rules anymore.

I can't remember the rules anymore.

But the point being is this skills win fights, and in general, the person with more skills somebody had a polished level, should be able to beat the person who has less skills.

But the point being is this skills win fights, and in general, the person with more skills somebody had a polished level, should be able to beat the person who has less skills.

But here's the reality.

But here's the reality.

Was Jose Aldo more skilled, well rounded wise than Connor McGregor. There's no doubt he was a world level brown belt before he even got to black belt.

Was Jose Aldo more skilled, well rounded wise than Connor McGregor. There's no doubt he was a world level brown belt before he even got to black belt.

Connor, I think it was a purple or a brown belt.

Connor, I think it was a purple or a brown belt.

On the ground, he was automatically better on the ground, was better defensive wrestling. Was Eddie Alvarez a better overall fighter than Connor McGregor in terms of his wrestling his submissions?

On the ground, he was automatically better on the ground, was better defensive wrestling. Was Eddie Alvarez a better overall fighter than Connor McGregor in terms of his wrestling his submissions?

I would argue that he was.

I would argue that he was.

Connor consistently finds himself in places where many of his opposition are certainly more well rounded. It just doesn't matter, because he finds ways to contain the game around his skill sets to the point where he's always keeping that imbalance rather than there being a general imbalance. He defines the fight typically anyway, not against a babe where he couldn't. He defines it in such a way where your relative advantages don't match his absolute advantage in this one particular area.

Connor consistently finds himself in places where many of his opposition are certainly more well rounded. It just doesn't matter, because he finds ways to contain the game around his skill sets to the point where he's always keeping that imbalance rather than there being a general imbalance. He defines the fight typically anyway, not against a babe where he couldn't. He defines it in such a way where your relative advantages don't match his absolute advantage in this one particular area.

So the question is whether that will happen.

So the question is whether that will happen.

I think if it goes past round three, well then it becomes a different debate Connor's lack of relative ability in terms of those other dimensions that cowboy has. I think it will be fully relevant, but early it just historically.

I think if it goes past round three, well then it becomes a different debate Connor's lack of relative ability in terms of those other dimensions that cowboy has. I think it will be fully relevant, but early it just historically.

In McGregor fights has not been the case. This is what I'm saying.

In McGregor fights has not been the case. This is what I'm saying.

If past his prologue, Connor McGregor should not lose this fight. So if he does, that's a horrible sign, which brings me now to my third question, If I may, Brian Campbell, Let's go through it for both guys. What happens for McGregor and the sport and the UFC if he wins or loses, same question for SERRONI we start, however, with Connor. If Connor wins, what does it do for him? What was it due for UFC? Was it due for the future?

If past his prologue, Connor McGregor should not lose this fight. So if he does, that's a horrible sign, which brings me now to my third question, If I may, Brian Campbell, Let's go through it for both guys. What happens for McGregor and the sport and the UFC if he wins or loses, same question for SERRONI we start, however, with Connor. If Connor wins, what does it do for him? What was it due for UFC? Was it due for the future?

Business wise? Connor wise? Obviously a win is huge. You can certainly make a great claim that this fight is set up to give him that victory. It's a guy with a name that he can sell, but a guy he can be, and in theory should be. If he wins, he starts what I think will be a three fight year and it'll be a progression into monster pay per view record type fights, either against a Beibe, either against Jorge Masvidal. A win here, though, is so important. Like I said, when you're at that crossroads, are you going to be the journeyman celebrity fighter or are you going down the road of getting back in that top ten pound for pound and getting back in being a title contender in multiple divisions. His next fight, if he beats Cowboy, will be the biggest fight you can make in the sport that sums it up alone and sort of what's at stake and where Connor would go. It would really be up to that point of you know who wins Tony Habib and which direction UFC wants to go in that moment. Did you ask me what happens if cowboy wins?

Business wise? Connor wise? Obviously a win is huge. You can certainly make a great claim that this fight is set up to give him that victory. It's a guy with a name that he can sell, but a guy he can be, and in theory should be. If he wins, he starts what I think will be a three fight year and it'll be a progression into monster pay per view record type fights, either against a Beibe, either against Jorge Masvidal. A win here, though, is so important. Like I said, when you're at that crossroads, are you going to be the journeyman celebrity fighter or are you going down the road of getting back in that top ten pound for pound and getting back in being a title contender in multiple divisions. His next fight, if he beats Cowboy, will be the biggest fight you can make in the sport that sums it up alone and sort of what's at stake and where Connor would go. It would really be up to that point of you know who wins Tony Habib and which direction UFC wants to go in that moment. Did you ask me what happens if cowboy wins?

No? No, we'll go to that in just a second. Let's talk about Connor. If he loses.

No? No, we'll go to that in just a second. Let's talk about Connor. If he loses.

That's the thing where it's like the word disastrous would not be out of place. How disastrous though, is key. Some of it depends on how exactly Connor would lose this fight. This was an action fight that went back and forth and he had chances to win, and then he loses a hard fought decision. He's going down a peg, but he's not going to break neck. Let's cancel things like he would if he runs out of gas in the third round and gets submitted via rearnecka choke right where he had moments early but he faded again, and you're like same O'Connor one dimensional. All the negatives that we associate with him historically. I mean, if he gets dominated and loses in any form, I think, yes, disastrous, he would instantly go into what are we doing with him? Do we cash him out against Maza Vidal? Do we get Nate written right away to do that trilogy? Do we go down the line where he's only fighting the rest of the way the Nates, the Knicks? Can we get GSP to care about a fight with that type of stuff? You're really in that crossroads picking the other lane. I think for the rest of his career. Luke, It's tough to put that much on one fight. But if he can't beat this version of cowboy Seroni and look great doing it, which obviously is no easy task. But this is Connor McGregor we're talking about. This is a guy who has been at worst number three pound for pound when he was active for the last three years. This is a guy who broke every pay per view record. This is a guy who claims Muhammad Ali like claims about himself. This fight decides whether he just is a ticket seller moving forward or he's for real.

That's the thing where it's like the word disastrous would not be out of place. How disastrous though, is key. Some of it depends on how exactly Connor would lose this fight. This was an action fight that went back and forth and he had chances to win, and then he loses a hard fought decision. He's going down a peg, but he's not going to break neck. Let's cancel things like he would if he runs out of gas in the third round and gets submitted via rearnecka choke right where he had moments early but he faded again, and you're like same O'Connor one dimensional. All the negatives that we associate with him historically. I mean, if he gets dominated and loses in any form, I think, yes, disastrous, he would instantly go into what are we doing with him? Do we cash him out against Maza Vidal? Do we get Nate written right away to do that trilogy? Do we go down the line where he's only fighting the rest of the way the Nates, the Knicks? Can we get GSP to care about a fight with that type of stuff? You're really in that crossroads picking the other lane. I think for the rest of his career. Luke, It's tough to put that much on one fight. But if he can't beat this version of cowboy Seroni and look great doing it, which obviously is no easy task. But this is Connor McGregor we're talking about. This is a guy who has been at worst number three pound for pound when he was active for the last three years. This is a guy who broke every pay per view record. This is a guy who claims Muhammad Ali like claims about himself. This fight decides whether he just is a ticket seller moving forward or he's for real.

And I really believe that how bad is it for the sport if he loses.

And I really believe that how bad is it for the sport if he loses.

UFC did not have Conna McGregor fight in twenty nineteen, and in large part to the ESPN deal, you have Dana White saying this was our best year financially. Ever, they're just a couple of years removed from a four billion dollar sale. They're fine whether he fights or doesn't fight again. I'm obsecure in saying that they could go to a whole new level, especially with the vehicle of ESPN promoting their fights, if Connor not only fights three times this year, but is a relevant legit title content and player. Like I said, if you tell me, you can see the future, and Connor's going to lose his next five fights, all five of those are going to sell big and no matter what you get Connor involved, it's going to matter. But he really has an opportunity Luke to do so many big things that if he does lose again, I mean, not really disastrous, but you're missing out on a giant cash in potential.

UFC did not have Conna McGregor fight in twenty nineteen, and in large part to the ESPN deal, you have Dana White saying this was our best year financially. Ever, they're just a couple of years removed from a four billion dollar sale. They're fine whether he fights or doesn't fight again. I'm obsecure in saying that they could go to a whole new level, especially with the vehicle of ESPN promoting their fights, if Connor not only fights three times this year, but is a relevant legit title content and player. Like I said, if you tell me, you can see the future, and Connor's going to lose his next five fights, all five of those are going to sell big and no matter what you get Connor involved, it's going to matter. But he really has an opportunity Luke to do so many big things that if he does lose again, I mean, not really disastrous, but you're missing out on a giant cash in potential.

Yeah, so I would say this, let's talk about if he wins. Right, If Connor wins, First of all, this is the most crucial win of the three he could potentially have. This is the one where you get this, so to speak, monkey off your back. Now you can go one fifty five, you can go one seventy. Do you want to go BMF? I doubt they give him a title shot, but certainly he would be in the conversation because he's Connor one fifty five. He might force the combe fi like it puts you in the absolute catbird seat. That's amazing. I also think his fan base there were they respond to the boundaries of his own imagination about himself. So they've been kind of active, but not as much as they normally are. Like the Irish is going to travel like they have been in the past. Two forty six is not a sell a yet as far as I know on the secondary market. So my point being is they're waiting to have their own imagination resparked, rekindled, to have everything to get the band, so to speak, back together again. He beats Don serony. I think that that drum beat goes boom boom boom for the next several months, and I think if you can lose the next one, that'd be not okay. But at the end of the world, if you can win two out of three on the year, you win two out of three on the year, that's a good year.

Yeah, so I would say this, let's talk about if he wins. Right, If Connor wins, First of all, this is the most crucial win of the three he could potentially have. This is the one where you get this, so to speak, monkey off your back. Now you can go one fifty five, you can go one seventy. Do you want to go BMF? I doubt they give him a title shot, but certainly he would be in the conversation because he's Connor one fifty five. He might force the combe fi like it puts you in the absolute catbird seat. That's amazing. I also think his fan base there were they respond to the boundaries of his own imagination about himself. So they've been kind of active, but not as much as they normally are. Like the Irish is going to travel like they have been in the past. Two forty six is not a sell a yet as far as I know on the secondary market. So my point being is they're waiting to have their own imagination resparked, rekindled, to have everything to get the band, so to speak, back together again. He beats Don serony. I think that that drum beat goes boom boom boom for the next several months, and I think if you can lose the next one, that'd be not okay. But at the end of the world, if you can win two out of three on the year, you win two out of three on the year, that's a good year.

In the NFC. You're telling me he's he's gonna win two a three and the loss will be either against a Beban a rematch for the title ordo. Yeah, that's this is where you need to be.

In the NFC. You're telling me he's he's gonna win two a three and the loss will be either against a Beban a rematch for the title ordo. Yeah, that's this is where you need to be.

That's exactly fine, there's no problem with that it all.

That's exactly fine, there's no problem with that it all.

But would you agree you get stopped by thirty six year old cowboy at this point, you lose the cowboy.

But would you agree you get stopped by thirty six year old cowboy at this point, you lose the cowboy.

It's a disaster.

It's a disaster.

It's a disaster, And I know Dan is like, well, everyone's not given Seroney the credit. It's like, bro, you booked him cynically, Like that's kind of on you, not on us.

It's a disaster, And I know Dan is like, well, everyone's not given Seroney the credit. It's like, bro, you booked him cynically, Like that's kind of on you, not on us.

Like real quick. If Connor loses, he's fighting Mike Perry next. That's that's where it sort of shows you the direction he would get. So to me, this is my point, it's like, it's not that Serrooni is some chump. He's one of the most decorated the UFC has ever had. That is a literal fact.

Like real quick. If Connor loses, he's fighting Mike Perry next. That's that's where it sort of shows you the direction he would get. So to me, this is my point, it's like, it's not that Serrooni is some chump. He's one of the most decorated the UFC has ever had. That is a literal fact.

But the style.

But the style.

Matchup is the guy who beat Eddie Alvarez would never lose to Donald Seroney.

Matchup is the guy who beat Eddie Alvarez would never lose to Donald Seroney.

And that's not a slot on Serony.

And that's not a slot on Serony.

That's a compliment of the genius of that guy that night in Connor McGregor. So if he loses, it's a major reevaluation of the kind of potential that I think he has probably some overreaction. I suspect, because you could go and lose the first one and then maybe get a nice rebound at the end of the year. We'll have to see, but to me, it'd be a It would force a major recalibration of who he is now.

That's a compliment of the genius of that guy that night in Connor McGregor. So if he loses, it's a major reevaluation of the kind of potential that I think he has probably some overreaction. I suspect, because you could go and lose the first one and then maybe get a nice rebound at the end of the year. We'll have to see, but to me, it'd be a It would force a major recalibration of who he is now.

You're right about one thing. The UFC has done a really.

You're right about one thing. The UFC has done a really.

Good job of limiting the volatility in their business model by getting the guaranteed revenue from ESPN. They have a guaranteed overseas revenue in the ways they'd never had before. They get a lot of money now that's just contractual.

Good job of limiting the volatility in their business model by getting the guaranteed revenue from ESPN. They have a guaranteed overseas revenue in the ways they'd never had before. They get a lot of money now that's just contractual.

I don't think they worry so much.

I don't think they worry so much.

And you're right, Connor has been gone, But it's a difference between Connor being on sabbatical and then Connor being back and losing that. To me, you're gonna get a lot of people being like MMA's biggest star is.

And you're right, Connor has been gone, But it's a difference between Connor being on sabbatical and then Connor being back and losing that. To me, you're gonna get a lot of people being like MMA's biggest star is.

Dying, blah blah blah.

Dying, blah blah blah.

New York Times was writing stories about this about the star lack of stars in the MMA with Connor. With that, well, he lost a number COMN out, but he has essentially going back on sabbatical. So if he's back in losing I do think it feeds some media narratives even it doesn't match.

New York Times was writing stories about this about the star lack of stars in the MMA with Connor. With that, well, he lost a number COMN out, but he has essentially going back on sabbatical. So if he's back in losing I do think it feeds some media narratives even it doesn't match.

Right. Now, ask you a question you don't want to answer. Is Connor more or less likely to close twenty twenty in a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, knowing the Floyd and Dana relationship, if he wins or loses on Saturday.

Right. Now, ask you a question you don't want to answer. Is Connor more or less likely to close twenty twenty in a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, knowing the Floyd and Dana relationship, if he wins or loses on Saturday.

Wow, that's a good question. I'll say less.

Wow, that's a good question. I'll say less.

I'll say less just because I don't think Floyd wants it anymore, even though the money, yes, but he's got other ways to make some money.

I'll say less just because I don't think Floyd wants it anymore, even though the money, yes, but he's got other ways to make some money.

But god, you never know. I didn't think it was gonna hap the first time.

But god, you never know. I didn't think it was gonna hap the first time.

So let me ask you.

So let me ask you.

We we got to go to the Sereni part.

We we got to go to the Sereni part.

Let me ask you an uber cynical question about Serroni. Is it fair to say when we talked about well, maybe Connor's just always been better and as long as he's you know, seventy five percent Connor in there, he's just going to be better. Is it fair to say that Serenie's ultimate weakness is that he can't beat the true elites and that there's really not a scenario, you know that, so that when you match up against the Connor, he's gonna lose. Like Connor said to Ariel in the preview of that ESPN interview that's coming up this week, he said, I'll be Donald at at fifty five seventy with the flu. Whatever you want to set up, I'll always beat him. Is there any elements of that that's somewhat sure?

Let me ask you an uber cynical question about Serroni. Is it fair to say when we talked about well, maybe Connor's just always been better and as long as he's you know, seventy five percent Connor in there, he's just going to be better. Is it fair to say that Serenie's ultimate weakness is that he can't beat the true elites and that there's really not a scenario, you know that, so that when you match up against the Connor, he's gonna lose. Like Connor said to Ariel in the preview of that ESPN interview that's coming up this week, he said, I'll be Donald at at fifty five seventy with the flu. Whatever you want to set up, I'll always beat him. Is there any elements of that that's somewhat sure?

So this is what I mean about the calibration of Connor McGregor. If this was twenty sixteen era Connor McGregor, that would be a very true statement, and it might be true today. We just have to see on Saturday. But you're right if you look at like, for example, he did ten fights stuncer and he did at welterweight. He went six and four in that time. His two best wins, I would argue probably Patrick O'ta because he was ranked somewhere around twelve or so at the time. Rick's story was another good one. Matt Brown was around the nine or ten mark, so those were his way he finished him. Yeah, yeah, it was phenomenal. So those are probably his best wins. But you actually look at his best wins at lightweight, they're against much higher ranked opposition, including alike went him most recently.

So this is what I mean about the calibration of Connor McGregor. If this was twenty sixteen era Connor McGregor, that would be a very true statement, and it might be true today. We just have to see on Saturday. But you're right if you look at like, for example, he did ten fights stuncer and he did at welterweight. He went six and four in that time. His two best wins, I would argue probably Patrick O'ta because he was ranked somewhere around twelve or so at the time. Rick's story was another good one. Matt Brown was around the nine or ten mark, so those were his way he finished him. Yeah, yeah, it was phenomenal. So those are probably his best wins. But you actually look at his best wins at lightweight, they're against much higher ranked opposition, including alike went him most recently.

So you're not necessarily ready to look at that camera and say he's Craig Bigiol. He's a compiler.

So you're not necessarily ready to look at that camera and say he's Craig Bigiol. He's a compiler.

This is the point.

This is the point.

If he can't, If Connor can't beat that guy, the guy who has lost to those guys who in the top five space, Top four, space, ap three, it would tell you where Connor is today.

If he can't, If Connor can't beat that guy, the guy who has lost to those guys who in the top five space, Top four, space, ap three, it would tell you where Connor is today.

Maybe not permanently, but today frequently. Because Jay wants us to move on.

Maybe not permanently, but today frequently. Because Jay wants us to move on.

We have to talk about it. I'm not in twenty twenty. I'm not intimidated by that one.

We have to talk about it. I'm not in twenty twenty. I'm not intimidated by that one.

Let me just say this real quickly.

Let me just say this real quickly.

We'll go cut half of the conversation, which is to say, what if Cowboys Seroni wins. So I had a conversation with Brendan Chob about this too. I would love to know what does it do for his career.

We'll go cut half of the conversation, which is to say, what if Cowboys Seroni wins. So I had a conversation with Brendan Chob about this too. I would love to know what does it do for his career.

It's the biggest win of his career, that's true, and it's the biggest payday in theory on paper right now. I mean, I'm on, so okay, what is it? It's not gonna get a title shot of it. The idea of Cowboy putting that final thing on the end of his career like bisp Being did in upset fashion, that's over. That was last year's storyline.

It's the biggest win of his career, that's true, and it's the biggest payday in theory on paper right now. I mean, I'm on, so okay, what is it? It's not gonna get a title shot of it. The idea of Cowboy putting that final thing on the end of his career like bisp Being did in upset fashion, that's over. That was last year's storyline.

It's over.

It's over.

What this can give him though, I think is one more massive fight. And if he got Jorge Mosbital from this with the BMF title on the line, where you can create the storyline cowboy always a brides maid, never a bride, maybe you can walk away with that BMF. It's one more big time dance in the main event, big time money, you know, playground. After that, you're talking about Wind's he going to retire? What other fun old names are there to match against him?

What this can give him though, I think is one more massive fight. And if he got Jorge Mosbital from this with the BMF title on the line, where you can create the storyline cowboy always a brides maid, never a bride, maybe you can walk away with that BMF. It's one more big time dance in the main event, big time money, you know, playground. After that, you're talking about Wind's he going to retire? What other fun old names are there to match against him?

That's no, No, here's what I mean, Seroni.

That's no, No, here's what I mean, Seroni.

We'll say stops him inside too dramatic win, right, even if he gets dropped himself in the first dramatic win, does he become an overnight sensation, which is to say Nate Diaz became a big star in part because of who he was, but the dynamic of his win was a big deal.

We'll say stops him inside too dramatic win, right, even if he gets dropped himself in the first dramatic win, does he become an overnight sensation, which is to say Nate Diaz became a big star in part because of who he was, but the dynamic of his win was a big deal.

Kulbib now a global brand.

Kulbib now a global brand.

What does it do for the visibility and the popularity of Don Serni if he wins via stopage against Connor McGregor.

What does it do for the visibility and the popularity of Don Serni if he wins via stopage against Connor McGregor.

I don't think it does that much.

I don't think it does that much.

I think that's so wrong. I feel like that is where Dana White is right.

I think that's so wrong. I feel like that is where Dana White is right.

You need to tell me he goes in there and knocks that guy out, which no one has ever done, And no one's going to turn this guy into an overnight star as big as Das, no as big as Kabibe, no much bigger than what he is today.

You need to tell me he goes in there and knocks that guy out, which no one has ever done, And no one's going to turn this guy into an overnight star as big as Das, no as big as Kabibe, no much bigger than what he is today.

Yes, yes, I feel like his celebrity has sort of maxed out. I mean, he is who he is. He's on the back of a Budweiser can this week, and it's great. But I don't see him you know. First of all, I don't see him winning a lot a lot of huge fights left in his career. But you're just saying that there's a pocket of Middle America who doesn't watch him and main has never heard of him, and they will fall so in love with him because of a win over a questionable Connor coming in that he will launch into a das like cult. Following He's already there in the cult, not.

Yes, yes, I feel like his celebrity has sort of maxed out. I mean, he is who he is. He's on the back of a Budweiser can this week, and it's great. But I don't see him you know. First of all, I don't see him winning a lot a lot of huge fights left in his career. But you're just saying that there's a pocket of Middle America who doesn't watch him and main has never heard of him, and they will fall so in love with him because of a win over a questionable Connor coming in that he will launch into a das like cult. Following He's already there in the cult, not.

A das Like, something less than that, but something much more than what he has you act like blue collar America fully is cognizant of him, not exactly. The one thing against Seroni is that you're right. He's a little bit of a known commodity. He's had some great wins, he's had some bad losses. He kind of know what you're gonna get at the same time, you can't have it both ways. If this is his best win, it's going to have the best results for his visibility, not like Kabeeb, not like Diaz. I agree, but I think I think the blue collar hero that he has been would be times ten.

A das Like, something less than that, but something much more than what he has you act like blue collar America fully is cognizant of him, not exactly. The one thing against Seroni is that you're right. He's a little bit of a known commodity. He's had some great wins, he's had some bad losses. He kind of know what you're gonna get at the same time, you can't have it both ways. If this is his best win, it's going to have the best results for his visibility, not like Kabeeb, not like Diaz. I agree, but I think I think the blue collar hero that he has been would be times ten.

Okay, we got to take the pulse of the public. Is Connor more hero or more villain entering this fight and the and the pulse of the American public? Ooh, I mean he should be should be a villain.