It is Monday, July twenty seconds. It's time for Morning Combat. My name is Thomas, I'm the host this program. I am joined by my co host, Brian Campbell. Yeah, CBS Sports from a lot of different places where he's been. He's been on the road back today. How are you feeling You've been.

It is Monday, July twenty seconds. It's time for Morning Combat. My name is Thomas, I'm the host this program. I am joined by my co host, Brian Campbell. Yeah, CBS Sports from a lot of different places where he's been. He's been on the road back today. How are you feeling You've been.

A day nine of this rodeo road trip. I'm not responsible for any words that come out with my mom, just to let you know, you never are.

A day nine of this rodeo road trip. I'm not responsible for any words that come out with my mom, just to let you know, you never are.

We have a lot to get to today. So if we have UFC on ESPN four, we have Pac Thurman which he was at in Las Vegas, and a bunch of other headlines. Now this is a live program. A lot of people think we tape this dissected his tape Morning Combat is not taped this this version of it. So there was news this morning. Brian, I don't have a crazy tape for but we need to get to it before we get to aldus that happened over the weekend, namely Okay. John Jones was not arrested, but he was charged with battery related to an incident involving a dancer at a strip club. Waits if you want to dock tail waitress something like that some of the details are still a little unclear. Was a Albertquerque news outlet that posted the story, and some of the MMA outlets are catching up with that. I first thought on bloody Elbow, there's a lot we don't know about it. He took to Twitter this morning, John Jones, the current usc LET heavyweight champions, saying he's still looking the fight in December. Don't believe everything you read, blah blah blah. I've been known by John Jones as a hater. I've been known by John Jones haters as a fan of John Jones. I'm kind of in the middle very quickly. I don't have the hottest take on this one. I'm wondering if you do. Is there anything to really derive from this? Knowing as little as we do.

We have a lot to get to today. So if we have UFC on ESPN four, we have Pac Thurman which he was at in Las Vegas, and a bunch of other headlines. Now this is a live program. A lot of people think we tape this dissected his tape Morning Combat is not taped this this version of it. So there was news this morning. Brian, I don't have a crazy tape for but we need to get to it before we get to aldus that happened over the weekend, namely Okay. John Jones was not arrested, but he was charged with battery related to an incident involving a dancer at a strip club. Waits if you want to dock tail waitress something like that some of the details are still a little unclear. Was a Albertquerque news outlet that posted the story, and some of the MMA outlets are catching up with that. I first thought on bloody Elbow, there's a lot we don't know about it. He took to Twitter this morning, John Jones, the current usc LET heavyweight champions, saying he's still looking the fight in December. Don't believe everything you read, blah blah blah. I've been known by John Jones as a hater. I've been known by John Jones haters as a fan of John Jones. I'm kind of in the middle very quickly. I don't have the hottest take on this one. I'm wondering if you do. Is there anything to really derive from this? Knowing as little as we do.

The only thing I can tell you from it at this point without knowing the information. John Jones denied it.

The only thing I can tell you from it at this point without knowing the information. John Jones denied it.

He didn't know. Apparently there was a warrant out for him.

He didn't know. Apparently there was a warrant out for him.

Oh, by the way, he had a person speak on his behalf some flak. I don't know, but they were like, he's not only is he not guilty, there's gonna be multiple witnesses corroborating his side of the store, So innos until proving guilty. I don't know what to make of it.

Oh, by the way, he had a person speak on his behalf some flak. I don't know, but they were like, he's not only is he not guilty, there's gonna be multiple witnesses corroborating his side of the store, So innos until proving guilty. I don't know what to make of it.

That's certainly there obviously, though in the court of public opinion, if there's any value in these haters online, you're naturally going to doubt him based on his recent history.

That's certainly there obviously, though in the court of public opinion, if there's any value in these haters online, you're naturally going to doubt him based on his recent history.

So that's sort of in there. We'll wait to see what happens.

So that's sort of in there. We'll wait to see what happens.

I just think as a whole though, there's been some disconcerting things that's come out of John's mouth since he's gone down this road of sort of trouble peaks and valleys, coming back saying he's a clean man when you interview him, when you actually sit down and hear from him, he does say the right things, except sometimes there's like I'm no longer doing recreational drugs, but I'm still going out these clubs and staying out late with my friends. And sometimes when you hear some of those things, you go if I'm a public figure at this level, if I'm they're calling me the greatest fighter of all time, yet I've had so much trouble. Maybe I won't go to strip clubs late at night. Maybe I won't go to clubs late at night. Maybe I won't go out partying, maybe I'll protect what I have. That's just maybe a little bit of a word of advice. Whether no matter guilty or not.

I just think as a whole though, there's been some disconcerting things that's come out of John's mouth since he's gone down this road of sort of trouble peaks and valleys, coming back saying he's a clean man when you interview him, when you actually sit down and hear from him, he does say the right things, except sometimes there's like I'm no longer doing recreational drugs, but I'm still going out these clubs and staying out late with my friends. And sometimes when you hear some of those things, you go if I'm a public figure at this level, if I'm they're calling me the greatest fighter of all time, yet I've had so much trouble. Maybe I won't go to strip clubs late at night. Maybe I won't go to clubs late at night. Maybe I won't go out partying, maybe I'll protect what I have. That's just maybe a little bit of a word of advice. Whether no matter guilty or not.

You just want to remove yourself from those situations when you have this much to protect.

You just want to remove yourself from those situations when you have this much to protect.

Yeah, it's it's a question just risk, man, how do you manage risk? And so for me, it's like, look, he's saying he didn't do anything. By the purposes of the law, he has not been established to have any guilt. So as we speak today, I'm not really I don't have a hot take on this other than to say and again he says he didn't do anything. But just for like young men of the world, it's not hard to not get in trouble at a bar, Like it's not hard to go to a strip club and not get in trouble. It's actually pretty easy. And if that's a thing, then you have difficulty doing And again we don't know that's the case here, but if that is, you don't get to have everything in life, right, there are certain things based on what you ethically believe in, based on what you're naturally prone to do or not do. You can't get to do everything. So we'll see what the courts say We'll see what John Jones says. He could this could all be some misunderstanding. He could be totally innocent being framed potentially. But all I'm saying is, if you're the kind of person, forget John Jones, If you're the kind of person that goes to bars and gets in fights or whatever, the issue, that's a U issue, man. That's It's very easy to go to a bar and not get in a fight.

Yeah, it's it's a question just risk, man, how do you manage risk? And so for me, it's like, look, he's saying he didn't do anything. By the purposes of the law, he has not been established to have any guilt. So as we speak today, I'm not really I don't have a hot take on this other than to say and again he says he didn't do anything. But just for like young men of the world, it's not hard to not get in trouble at a bar, Like it's not hard to go to a strip club and not get in trouble. It's actually pretty easy. And if that's a thing, then you have difficulty doing And again we don't know that's the case here, but if that is, you don't get to have everything in life, right, there are certain things based on what you ethically believe in, based on what you're naturally prone to do or not do. You can't get to do everything. So we'll see what the courts say We'll see what John Jones says. He could this could all be some misunderstanding. He could be totally innocent being framed potentially. But all I'm saying is, if you're the kind of person, forget John Jones, If you're the kind of person that goes to bars and gets in fights or whatever, the issue, that's a U issue, man. That's It's very easy to go to a bar and not get in a fight.

I'll never forget.

I'll never forget.

I fan boyd once at the two thousand and one NBA All Star Game Washington, d C. I don't know if you if you happened to frequent that at the time as a fan, you wait by the alley of the hotel. You can high five shack, you can meet the players. There was one player who was not there the whole weekend. Allen Iverson asked other players, why where's Iverson? He's got too much to protect. He wants to stay out of the lime lad, he wants stay out of trouble.

I fan boyd once at the two thousand and one NBA All Star Game Washington, d C. I don't know if you if you happened to frequent that at the time as a fan, you wait by the alley of the hotel. You can high five shack, you can meet the players. There was one player who was not there the whole weekend. Allen Iverson asked other players, why where's Iverson? He's got too much to protect. He wants to stay out of the lime lad, he wants stay out of trouble.

At that point, Hey, John, maybe stay away from the strip clubs or put a poll in your basement. You know what I'm saying, bring the action to you at this point. Just stay away from the big.

At that point, Hey, John, maybe stay away from the strip clubs or put a poll in your basement. You know what I'm saying, bring the action to you at this point. Just stay away from the big.

Boy style and an outcast. He has a striper pole in his house. All right, So let's get to the weekend action. We'll get to pack them in just a minute. We'll start with the MMA side of things UFC on ESPN four. It's in the books, Lads and Gentlemen. Leon Edwards defeats half Ael dos Ajos. He was twelfth ranked, taking on fourth ranked RDA. Dude. RDA took such a risk with this fight, and you can see why fighters don't do that, because it blew up in his face. He didn't get mauled, but everything he was working towards because you had only Colby Covington, only Jorgey Masvidal and only Kamar Usman is the champion. Then Tyron Woodley in front of him.

Boy style and an outcast. He has a striper pole in his house. All right, So let's get to the weekend action. We'll get to pack them in just a minute. We'll start with the MMA side of things UFC on ESPN four. It's in the books, Lads and Gentlemen. Leon Edwards defeats half Ael dos Ajos. He was twelfth ranked, taking on fourth ranked RDA. Dude. RDA took such a risk with this fight, and you can see why fighters don't do that, because it blew up in his face. He didn't get mauled, but everything he was working towards because you had only Colby Covington, only Jorgey Masvidal and only Kamar Usman is the champion. Then Tyron Woodley in front of him.

That's it.

That's it.

So he was right on that precipice. I thought, if you won this fight, Brian, you would have had Rdia versus Tyron Woodley. Who else would he have fought? And now he listen to someone who's outside the top ten. Oh my god.

So he was right on that precipice. I thought, if you won this fight, Brian, you would have had Rdia versus Tyron Woodley. Who else would he have fought? And now he listen to someone who's outside the top ten. Oh my god.

So funny that he would use the terminology blew up in his face when he did have that seventies adult film mustache and problem in that fight over five rounds.

So funny that he would use the terminology blew up in his face when he did have that seventies adult film mustache and problem in that fight over five rounds.

The money shot never came in.

The money shot never came in.

You know what I'm saying, Yes, and that's the thing you'd like to say, you certainly may. How does the win I'm thinking about this out loud and shake up the division. So before you had a guy sitting at fort RDA, he's clearly gonna drop out of the top five. I donny drops out of the top ten. But now you got this new entrant at twelve jumping up the ranks. Now he has said he's called Askrin a bomb, I believe, and I think he even called out to a degree Horney Massital though he called him an amateur.

You know what I'm saying, Yes, and that's the thing you'd like to say, you certainly may. How does the win I'm thinking about this out loud and shake up the division. So before you had a guy sitting at fort RDA, he's clearly gonna drop out of the top five. I donny drops out of the top ten. But now you got this new entrant at twelve jumping up the ranks. Now he has said he's called Askrin a bomb, I believe, and I think he even called out to a degree Horney Massital though he called him an amateur.

Called him a weasel.

Called him a weasel.

Yeah. My attute about this is people are like Jorne masvidal As should take the fight against Leland Edwards. Why on earth, yes, would Jorge maswitdal ever accept the fight? Leland Edwards is good, no, nay, excellent. No knows who he is on the side of the panal that's slowly beginning to change, and he's behind you in the rankings. You just saw RDA take the exact same risk and it didn't pay off. If you're Joge mask at all, you've never been this high up on the food chain before. It makes absolutely no sense. What's I'm not saying. I wouldn't want to see them fight. It'd be a good fight and maybe before have even wins, but as a risk right now, it makes no sense. So it's not really clear to me how they're gonna do this. Maybe the ds of Leonard pettis DZ, but I don't think they're gonna do that either. My sense is they're gonna have a hard time finding this guy an opponent because no one knows him. His style is not action oriented, and he's really really good. How do you think it shacks out of the division.

Yeah. My attute about this is people are like Jorne masvidal As should take the fight against Leland Edwards. Why on earth, yes, would Jorge maswitdal ever accept the fight? Leland Edwards is good, no, nay, excellent. No knows who he is on the side of the panal that's slowly beginning to change, and he's behind you in the rankings. You just saw RDA take the exact same risk and it didn't pay off. If you're Joge mask at all, you've never been this high up on the food chain before. It makes absolutely no sense. What's I'm not saying. I wouldn't want to see them fight. It'd be a good fight and maybe before have even wins, but as a risk right now, it makes no sense. So it's not really clear to me how they're gonna do this. Maybe the ds of Leonard pettis DZ, but I don't think they're gonna do that either. My sense is they're gonna have a hard time finding this guy an opponent because no one knows him. His style is not action oriented, and he's really really good. How do you think it shacks out of the division.

I think he's got a problem. He just nailed it. He's really really good.

I think he's got a problem. He just nailed it. He's really really good.

Leon Edwards is almost too good for his own good in this in this bubble and the fact that he's in the wrong division right now, He's got an eight fight winning streak. He's been fantastic. He minimizes risk, he's efficient. You could do a long breakdown in front of this blackboard and uh and really go, you know, nerd heavy on that like you like to do, which is fine. I mean, you know you're more of a masculine nerd. You gotta anyway, My point on this is, look, he's really in the wrong division. He would he's almost getting to the level where Tony Ferguson is now twelve straight wins or Max Holloway was at featherweight, where it's like, when's this guy gonna get it?

Leon Edwards is almost too good for his own good in this in this bubble and the fact that he's in the wrong division right now, He's got an eight fight winning streak. He's been fantastic. He minimizes risk, he's efficient. You could do a long breakdown in front of this blackboard and uh and really go, you know, nerd heavy on that like you like to do, which is fine. I mean, you know you're more of a masculine nerd. You gotta anyway, My point on this is, look, he's really in the wrong division. He would he's almost getting to the level where Tony Ferguson is now twelve straight wins or Max Holloway was at featherweight, where it's like, when's this guy gonna get it?

Right now?

Right now?

There are marketable players in this division and it's very deep, and there's one thing he does not do. Along with not really being a big personality.

There are marketable players in this division and it's very deep, and there's one thing he does not do. Along with not really being a big personality.

You can call himself Rocky, he's problems.

You can call himself Rocky, he's problems.

He doesn't fight like Rocky Balboa or even Rocky Pennington. He fights almost like a Floyd Mayweather or a champion version of Tyron Woodley. And that's smart and that's efficient, but he's not marketable and he doesn't finish, and that is a problem in a Dana White promoted entertainment era UFC where we are right now, where in his last ten fights he only has two finishes. It would be a great story for him to one day get that Usman rematch because Usman was the last time Edwards lost what four or five years ago. Problem is they're both kind of the same fighter, not extremely marketable, very good at what they do, and they don't finish. So he's not getting that shot anytime soon. Edwards's best case scenario a marketable fight is Mosvidal, like you mentioned, I don't even think he sold it enough in the cage, actually did not like he should have or could have. I mentioned on last week that the worst case scenario for Mosvidal is to get that Edwards fight because you can't show the footage of them fighting and talking trash whatever. But again, if you're Mosvidal, like you said, why in the world would you ever sign up for a Swiss army knife trap fight against Edwards where he can do a lot of things to expose you when you are trying to cash in on a title shot or big money. I feel bad for Leon. If he was anywhere else, you'd be knocking on that door.

He doesn't fight like Rocky Balboa or even Rocky Pennington. He fights almost like a Floyd Mayweather or a champion version of Tyron Woodley. And that's smart and that's efficient, but he's not marketable and he doesn't finish, and that is a problem in a Dana White promoted entertainment era UFC where we are right now, where in his last ten fights he only has two finishes. It would be a great story for him to one day get that Usman rematch because Usman was the last time Edwards lost what four or five years ago. Problem is they're both kind of the same fighter, not extremely marketable, very good at what they do, and they don't finish. So he's not getting that shot anytime soon. Edwards's best case scenario a marketable fight is Mosvidal, like you mentioned, I don't even think he sold it enough in the cage, actually did not like he should have or could have. I mentioned on last week that the worst case scenario for Mosvidal is to get that Edwards fight because you can't show the footage of them fighting and talking trash whatever. But again, if you're Mosvidal, like you said, why in the world would you ever sign up for a Swiss army knife trap fight against Edwards where he can do a lot of things to expose you when you are trying to cash in on a title shot or big money. I feel bad for Leon. If he was anywhere else, you'd be knocking on that door.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Did you see that? I may have missed this, So if I did, I'm wrong. Did you see the UFC showing any of the footage between Masvidal and and Edwards? Dude? Was that not a crime promotionally promotional malpractice? How do you not get that? Right?

Correct me if I'm wrong. Did you see that? I may have missed this, So if I did, I'm wrong. Did you see the UFC showing any of the footage between Masvidal and and Edwards? Dude? Was that not a crime promotionally promotional malpractice? How do you not get that? Right?

Well?

Well?

I think it shows you what their thoughts are. This is not a fight they're looking to promote right.

I think it shows you what their thoughts are. This is not a fight they're looking to promote right.

Now, right, But that's the that's the viral moment that that guy had. I said this last week, and you were like, maybe it was the first week he told me. I was wrong. That guy Leon Edwards was involved in a viral moment and got virtually no push from it. All the push went to Horae Maslow, which of course he's the one that said the three piece in the soda. So it's more about the interview with Bretto Komodo than it was the actual stealing on him and then and then gliding out as he liked to put it. But nevertheless I would have sworn like, that's the way to get this guy ahead. I also have to say, I don't know whose pr people are, but they might want to rethink their strategy. This guy does virtually no interviews. Now maybe he doesn't want to, maybe he doesn't like it. Again, nobody owes the media anything. But if you want to get ahead, you want to get the right opportunities. Okay, you got this RDA one. Everybody in the division is gonna look at that the lesson here and say yeah, thanks, but no thanks.

Now, right, But that's the that's the viral moment that that guy had. I said this last week, and you were like, maybe it was the first week he told me. I was wrong. That guy Leon Edwards was involved in a viral moment and got virtually no push from it. All the push went to Horae Maslow, which of course he's the one that said the three piece in the soda. So it's more about the interview with Bretto Komodo than it was the actual stealing on him and then and then gliding out as he liked to put it. But nevertheless I would have sworn like, that's the way to get this guy ahead. I also have to say, I don't know whose pr people are, but they might want to rethink their strategy. This guy does virtually no interviews. Now maybe he doesn't want to, maybe he doesn't like it. Again, nobody owes the media anything. But if you want to get ahead, you want to get the right opportunities. Okay, you got this RDA one. Everybody in the division is gonna look at that the lesson here and say yeah, thanks, but no thanks.

What's the upside for me? I don't know what it is.

What's the upside for me? I don't know what it is.

And there's two ways to sell yourself on ability in marketing, and we just sort of examine how Leon may be a step behind in the marketing. But Jorge mosviital by lighting you up with the three piece kind of gave you a champ.

And there's two ways to sell yourself on ability in marketing, and we just sort of examine how Leon may be a step behind in the marketing. But Jorge mosviital by lighting you up with the three piece kind of gave you a champ.

He gave you a chance to send.

He gave you a chance to send.

Another guy who doesn't like doing media, but he does just enough of it to get ahead.

Another guy who doesn't like doing media, but he does just enough of it to get ahead.

But he does medium in his own way as well, with his online personality and how he carries himself. And I'm not saying, look, if you're Leon Edwards and you're not a trash talker, and you're not flamboyant, and you're not a jerk, I'm not saying you have to be one. But I'm saying, if you want a title shot in this division, or you want a marketable fight, it would help to sell the idea of I'm really mad at Joorge Masmitdal and I deserve a chance at him right now.

But he does medium in his own way as well, with his online personality and how he carries himself. And I'm not saying, look, if you're Leon Edwards and you're not a trash talker, and you're not flamboyant, and you're not a jerk, I'm not saying you have to be one. But I'm saying, if you want a title shot in this division, or you want a marketable fight, it would help to sell the idea of I'm really mad at Joorge Masmitdal and I deserve a chance at him right now.

Is Leon Edwards a boring fighter? There's a lot of people who's saying that over the weekend. I have my own thoughts on it. I'll give him the second.

Is Leon Edwards a boring fighter? There's a lot of people who's saying that over the weekend. I have my own thoughts on it. I'll give him the second.

To a casual fan, yes, but obviously to a fan who understands his team.

To a casual fan, yes, but obviously to a fan who understands his team.

I guess what I'm asking, is he boring enough that it's a problem.

I guess what I'm asking, is he boring enough that it's a problem.

It's only a problem in this division right now, for his chances at big money in title fights.

It's only a problem in this division right now, for his chances at big money in title fights.

Yes, I mean it. If he was in a more shallow division.

Yes, I mean it. If he was in a more shallow division.

How would you deny somebody with eight straight wins who looks that good?

How would you deny somebody with eight straight wins who looks that good?

I mean, look, he's dominic Cruz did a great job on the broadcast on Saturday night, sort of but.

I mean, look, he's dominic Cruz did a great job on the broadcast on Saturday night, sort of but.

Explaining to a donk like me who can't do the math on the screen like Professor Salt and Pepper over here, and I sort.

Explaining to a donk like me who can't do the math on the screen like Professor Salt and Pepper over here, and I sort.

Of started to see things.

Of started to see things.

I was only listening to Leon Edwards fights before because of dominant Cruz.

I was only listening to Leon Edwards fights before because of dominant Cruz.

I was hearing, Jimmy, you know what I'm saying. You know I'm going with this right now.

I was hearing, Jimmy, you know what I'm saying. You know I'm going with this right now.

Yes, finish your point.

Yes, finish your point.

I just all right.

I just all right.

Well, nevertheless, here's what I would say. Is he a boring fighter to the audiences that might help him get ahead? Yes, it all depends on what your combat sports and fighting palette is. Do you like sophisticated fighters? Do you like MMA? Fans like fighters who are they like RDA much more than they like Leon Edwards. Not necessarily as people though maybe that case too. But I show him the mats, speaking of the math. Already, A numerically lands just a little bit more than he gets hit. That's exactly what they love. Leon Edwards is vastly apart. He lands way more than he gets hit, and he slows the fights down. He puts it all at his rhythm, and he's sort of circular.

Well, nevertheless, here's what I would say. Is he a boring fighter to the audiences that might help him get ahead? Yes, it all depends on what your combat sports and fighting palette is. Do you like sophisticated fighters? Do you like MMA? Fans like fighters who are they like RDA much more than they like Leon Edwards. Not necessarily as people though maybe that case too. But I show him the mats, speaking of the math. Already, A numerically lands just a little bit more than he gets hit. That's exactly what they love. Leon Edwards is vastly apart. He lands way more than he gets hit, and he slows the fights down. He puts it all at his rhythm, and he's sort of circular.

He's so smooth, he's so poised. He doesn't take chances, and that there might be the problem.

He's so smooth, he's so poised. He doesn't take chances, and that there might be the problem.

To an extent. Here's the thing. If you're a casual fan and you want to say Leon Edwards is boring, then what these people are so far removed from understanding the fight game. I'm not really gonna argue with you. Which you can't say is I'm a hardcore fan and he's boring. You can say I don't prefer that fight style. You could say it's not one that's going to really it's it's it's not as exciting as other ones. But boring isn't a description of low activity. Boring is a claim of uh, this is a lesser than than the alternative. No, it's a greater than the alternative. It's just one that's much more measured it.

To an extent. Here's the thing. If you're a casual fan and you want to say Leon Edwards is boring, then what these people are so far removed from understanding the fight game. I'm not really gonna argue with you. Which you can't say is I'm a hardcore fan and he's boring. You can say I don't prefer that fight style. You could say it's not one that's going to really it's it's it's not as exciting as other ones. But boring isn't a description of low activity. Boring is a claim of uh, this is a lesser than than the alternative. No, it's a greater than the alternative. It's just one that's much more measured it.

But tru or foss in twenty nineteen.

But tru or foss in twenty nineteen.

If you're going to be a risk averse fighter who's efficient and minimizes the Dan Jake coming at you, you better talk.

If you're going to be a risk averse fighter who's efficient and minimizes the Dan Jake coming at you, you better talk.

You better be able to talk, okay, and be able to say that.

You better be able to talk, okay, and be able to say that.

But Tony Ferguson, look at him. He is all actioned all the time, and has been since twenty twelve, which was the last time he lost. He can't get a title.

But Tony Ferguson, look at him. He is all actioned all the time, and has been since twenty twelve, which was the last time he lost. He can't get a title.

Show, okay, but he's in the the most historically deep division in UFC history. Maybe maybe, And by the way, he tripped over a cord and he's had some fair enough.

Show, okay, but he's in the the most historically deep division in UFC history. Maybe maybe, And by the way, he tripped over a cord and he's had some fair enough.

I'm just saying, I'm just saying, by itself, being action oriented won't save you, all right. Nevertheless, we now go to the well, it wasn't the co main event. Well, Harris had a nice one in the co main event, Brian, but we saw Greg Hardy get back to action and just absolutely molly wopped Juan Adams. What did you learn about Greg Hardy?

I'm just saying, I'm just saying, by itself, being action oriented won't save you, all right. Nevertheless, we now go to the well, it wasn't the co main event. Well, Harris had a nice one in the co main event, Brian, but we saw Greg Hardy get back to action and just absolutely molly wopped Juan Adams. What did you learn about Greg Hardy?

Not much from a fighting standpoint, not much. This wasn't a fight. What the heck is one Adams doing?

Not much from a fighting standpoint, not much. This wasn't a fight. What the heck is one Adams doing?

Right? By the way, stoppage you're okay with, right.

Right? By the way, stoppage you're okay with, right.

Yeah, when you're not fighting, when you're doing nothing, when you're holding a leg and you're getting pumped.

Yeah, when you're not fighting, when you're doing nothing, when you're holding a leg and you're getting pumped.

I mean, you're asking to be out. So maybe he was a little bit more looped out than we thought at that point based on the takedown and the punches that started. I'm not sure, but to talk that kind of trash that one Adams did, Wan Adams sort of made his move to try to become someone that we would know. He wore the tight shirts, he did some weird things, and then to fight like that, he laid an egg. So here's the problem right now with Greg Hardy and maybe hit.

I mean, you're asking to be out. So maybe he was a little bit more looped out than we thought at that point based on the takedown and the punches that started. I'm not sure, but to talk that kind of trash that one Adams did, Wan Adams sort of made his move to try to become someone that we would know. He wore the tight shirts, he did some weird things, and then to fight like that, he laid an egg. So here's the problem right now with Greg Hardy and maybe hit.

And maybe the problem with how we market him here. I didn't learn more about who he is as a fighter. I still know he's a plus athlete in an next NFL player, and he hits really hard.

And maybe the problem with how we market him here. I didn't learn more about who he is as a fighter. I still know he's a plus athlete in an next NFL player, and he hits really hard.

What we don't know is what's going to.

What we don't know is what's going to.

Look like, what's gonna happen when he finally gets in there with somebody who can take his punch and stretch him a little, stretch the gas tank, stretch his ability in terms of the ground and all those things.

Look like, what's gonna happen when he finally gets in there with somebody who can take his punch and stretch him a little, stretch the gas tank, stretch his ability in terms of the ground and all those things.

So this was just sort of a keep moving forward nothing.

So this was just sort of a keep moving forward nothing.

I don't know yet what disagree with that. I don't know who Greg Hardy is yet as a brand in the MMA world. I don't think he knows it yet, and I think he and also the UFC kind of need to figure it out because there's obviously he's so polarizing in both directions.

I don't know yet what disagree with that. I don't know who Greg Hardy is yet as a brand in the MMA world. I don't think he knows it yet, and I think he and also the UFC kind of need to figure it out because there's obviously he's so polarizing in both directions.

I think you've got to pick away.

I think you've got to pick away.

And there's times when he's sort of talking this reckless trash and you see his comments a week before about how he wants to get into boxing, he's going to be the greatest heavyweight combat sports athlete in history and all this great stuff, and it's like.

And there's times when he's sort of talking this reckless trash and you see his comments a week before about how he wants to get into boxing, he's going to be the greatest heavyweight combat sports athlete in history and all this great stuff, and it's like.

The slow your role here.

The slow your role here.

You're closer to see him punk right now than you are to Daniel Cormier, So slow your role there. But number two, it's just sort of like, are you going to be a trash talker that is going to play into the idea that people hate you and are not going to give you a chance but they're damn sure going to watch you to hope you lose.

You're closer to see him punk right now than you are to Daniel Cormier, So slow your role there. But number two, it's just sort of like, are you going to be a trash talker that is going to play into the idea that people hate you and are not going to give you a chance but they're damn sure going to watch you to hope you lose.

Or are you going to play the redemption story angle.

Or are you going to play the redemption story angle.

I'm new at this, but guess what, I'm really good and I got this big right hand. He's sort of towing that line, and for his sake, I almost wish you.

I'm new at this, but guess what, I'm really good and I got this big right hand. He's sort of towing that line, and for his sake, I almost wish you.

Wouldick a right right.

Wouldick a right right.

This is the this is the exact problem he in the when he's outside of fight week and to an extent inside fight week, but much more outside of it. He's mister Manners redemption story, I'm with my family, al, yes, right, all that nonsense. And then come fight week, I understand you're much more amped up, You're more in a combative mindset. And then after the fight you sound like a lunatic and again not him. All fighters doing it're all full of adrenaline and whatnot, and it winds up being this completely confused message where I'm trying to sell you on the fact that this is a different scenario. But it's the second part of the mixed message to me that I think if you're a Greg Hardy hater, and I'm not telling you to not be, I'm not. I think for me, it's like I have, I don't know what your view on Greg Hardy is. Number One, If you can't fight in a cage in this country, I don't know what you can do. Secondly, here's the thing that doesn't mean UFC should sign him. That's a different scenario. But here's the thing he wants to tart about. Like and his manager, Malchikawa was saying, oh, he paid his dues, maybe in a way that we don't understand as the public, and I'm willing to believe that. But here's the problem. He didn't make his peace with the public, so the public's not going to make peace with him. So that's the scenario he lives in, and as long as he lives in that, he's gonna have this part. People say we didn't learn anything about Greg Hardy. I think on the second part of the confused message, we did. We didn't learn how much he has overcome the stuff that he's bad at. That part is true. For example, get into the second round Kenny Wrestle, does he have a gas stank? There was no questions answered there. But the part's about like what he's good at. He did sharpen the steel a little bit.

This is the this is the exact problem he in the when he's outside of fight week and to an extent inside fight week, but much more outside of it. He's mister Manners redemption story, I'm with my family, al, yes, right, all that nonsense. And then come fight week, I understand you're much more amped up, You're more in a combative mindset. And then after the fight you sound like a lunatic and again not him. All fighters doing it're all full of adrenaline and whatnot, and it winds up being this completely confused message where I'm trying to sell you on the fact that this is a different scenario. But it's the second part of the mixed message to me that I think if you're a Greg Hardy hater, and I'm not telling you to not be, I'm not. I think for me, it's like I have, I don't know what your view on Greg Hardy is. Number One, If you can't fight in a cage in this country, I don't know what you can do. Secondly, here's the thing that doesn't mean UFC should sign him. That's a different scenario. But here's the thing he wants to tart about. Like and his manager, Malchikawa was saying, oh, he paid his dues, maybe in a way that we don't understand as the public, and I'm willing to believe that. But here's the problem. He didn't make his peace with the public, so the public's not going to make peace with him. So that's the scenario he lives in, and as long as he lives in that, he's gonna have this part. People say we didn't learn anything about Greg Hardy. I think on the second part of the confused message, we did. We didn't learn how much he has overcome the stuff that he's bad at. That part is true. For example, get into the second round Kenny Wrestle, does he have a gas stank? There was no questions answered there. But the part's about like what he's good at. He did sharpen the steel a little bit.

Dude.

Dude.

Consider Mark Ellis, who was this elite wrestler that was recruited to come over into the pro elite days. He had one or two fights and said, I cannot do this. Greg Hardy, I got bad news for his haters. He seems to love this, and but what did you learn technically from Okay, in a second, I'll get to that, And in a situation where he's in a division where he is clearly athletically more gifted than just about everybody else. Maybe not Francis for combative reasons or whatever, but very athletically gifted. Dude, Greg Hardy is going to be here a while. I got I think you should whether you like him or you hate him. And again a lot of people hate him, and I don't particularly care for him, but he's going to be here a while. You need to get prepared for that. This idea that he was just going to be some kind of sea and punk flash in the pan fight, a Mike Jackson type and get washed. No, sir, that is not going to happen. You could give this quality of an athlete in this shallow of a division with trainers like Dean Thomas Maco and all the other guys. Oh dude, they're gonna make him, I don't know how good, but good enough to be around to be.

Consider Mark Ellis, who was this elite wrestler that was recruited to come over into the pro elite days. He had one or two fights and said, I cannot do this. Greg Hardy, I got bad news for his haters. He seems to love this, and but what did you learn technically from Okay, in a second, I'll get to that, And in a situation where he's in a division where he is clearly athletically more gifted than just about everybody else. Maybe not Francis for combative reasons or whatever, but very athletically gifted. Dude, Greg Hardy is going to be here a while. I got I think you should whether you like him or you hate him. And again a lot of people hate him, and I don't particularly care for him, but he's going to be here a while. You need to get prepared for that. This idea that he was just going to be some kind of sea and punk flash in the pan fight, a Mike Jackson type and get washed. No, sir, that is not going to happen. You could give this quality of an athlete in this shallow of a division with trainers like Dean Thomas Maco and all the other guys. Oh dude, they're gonna make him, I don't know how good, but good enough to be around to be.

He's in the right division in terms of that's what the whole thing like. He's gonna be able to beat guys. He shouldn't just on the explosive this in the power right.

He's in the right division in terms of that's what the whole thing like. He's gonna be able to beat guys. He shouldn't just on the explosive this in the power right.

So here's what you're asking, what did I learn he had good hips in this in this fight, not how much did we really learned about it? No, here's the point. Go back and look, why did the takedown? Why did want Adams land in the way that he did because he got forced to the ground by the sheer the hipstone? Why would his fader or why was he able to compete as a heavyweight because he had the most mobile hips underneath when he needed to be. But the point being is he was strong in that position. He throws damage in all positions. It's not like you people want some moment but are like, aha, now we know Greg Hardy, but he's at heavyweight. Look at Francis. How much do you know about Francis since he came back? How much you know about Francis since he came back from the loss to Derek Lewis. Okay, you know he's mentally recovered because he looks to be in the zone. Do we know anything about his gas tank? Because that's how have.

So here's what you're asking, what did I learn he had good hips in this in this fight, not how much did we really learned about it? No, here's the point. Go back and look, why did the takedown? Why did want Adams land in the way that he did because he got forced to the ground by the sheer the hipstone? Why would his fader or why was he able to compete as a heavyweight because he had the most mobile hips underneath when he needed to be. But the point being is he was strong in that position. He throws damage in all positions. It's not like you people want some moment but are like, aha, now we know Greg Hardy, but he's at heavyweight. Look at Francis. How much do you know about Francis since he came back? How much you know about Francis since he came back from the loss to Derek Lewis. Okay, you know he's mentally recovered because he looks to be in the zone. Do we know anything about his gas tank? Because that's how have.

You solve that answer about what we know about him?

You solve that answer about what we know about him?

It's gonna be interesting how difficultly he's match moving forward, because are we gonna get sick of and look it doesn't matter really, but are we gonna get sick of watching him blow away these these bottom feeder level heavyweights in one round because he's just athletically and stronger than them. Should we should they step it up a decent notch now and not care about him taking a loss and being exposed because and then may you're gonna you're gonna have to learn and grow along the way.

It's gonna be interesting how difficultly he's match moving forward, because are we gonna get sick of and look it doesn't matter really, but are we gonna get sick of watching him blow away these these bottom feeder level heavyweights in one round because he's just athletically and stronger than them. Should we should they step it up a decent notch now and not care about him taking a loss and being exposed because and then may you're gonna you're gonna have to learn and grow along the way.

Yes, Well, that was the thing about Francis was they were not giving him easy fights, but they were giving him guys who were strike first, friendly kind of thing. But then they gave him the other ones. They gave him steep Ay that didn't go well, but they gave him Kyene didn't go well. He fought Curtis Blaze twice.

Yes, Well, that was the thing about Francis was they were not giving him easy fights, but they were giving him guys who were strike first, friendly kind of thing. But then they gave him the other ones. They gave him steep Ay that didn't go well, but they gave him Kyene didn't go well. He fought Curtis Blaze twice.

You're really gonna go with the kayene pronunciation.

You're really gonna go with the kayene pronunciation.

It's morning combat. I'm just feeling fisty this morning. But the point being is they gave him all the wrestlers short of Daniel Cormier and again a rematch with Steepe that they could possibly give him. So we're gonna have see what happens with Greg Hardy. But like this idea though, like he's not going to materialize. I see every time he fights through Like man, I can't stand Greg Hardy. You might want to backpocket that because he's going to be around for a while at least if you can stay injury free or something like that, it's gonna be also interesting to see Brian. Let's say he starts to get really good.

It's morning combat. I'm just feeling fisty this morning. But the point being is they gave him all the wrestlers short of Daniel Cormier and again a rematch with Steepe that they could possibly give him. So we're gonna have see what happens with Greg Hardy. But like this idea though, like he's not going to materialize. I see every time he fights through Like man, I can't stand Greg Hardy. You might want to backpocket that because he's going to be around for a while at least if you can stay injury free or something like that, it's gonna be also interesting to see Brian. Let's say he starts to get really good.

How are they going to market it? That's my biggest question because he's polarizing.

How are they going to market it? That's my biggest question because he's polarizing.

I do think you have to pick a lane, and like I said, I think he does two personality wise.

I do think you have to pick a lane, and like I said, I think he does two personality wise.

If he doesn't want to do the sit down on.

If he doesn't want to do the sit down on.

Barbara Walters and that's a Dad reference and do the deep apology to the camera, I'm not saying he has to, but if you're not going to do something like that, you're going to be a villain to so many people. So when you're gonna do some of this corny trash talk after the fight, I'm almost.

Barbara Walters and that's a Dad reference and do the deep apology to the camera, I'm not saying he has to, but if you're not going to do something like that, you're going to be a villain to so many people. So when you're gonna do some of this corny trash talk after the fight, I'm almost.

Saying, play the villain.

Saying, play the villain.

And I'm not saying every African American fighter needs to pick this role and play the villain to get the most out of him financially. But I almost think they do need to make the decision. Are we going with the second chance narrative or are we going with I'm a badass and I don't care.

And I'm not saying every African American fighter needs to pick this role and play the villain to get the most out of him financially. But I almost think they do need to make the decision. Are we going with the second chance narrative or are we going with I'm a badass and I don't care.

I'm coming after you.

I'm coming after you.

I don't like his name, the God of war whatever, but like, here's the thing, it's like prince, he's the Prince of War do He clearly as an aptitude for the game and clearly likes it, and he's athletic that that alone is going to keep him at heavyweight for much longer than his critics are going to be comfortable with.

I don't like his name, the God of war whatever, but like, here's the thing, it's like prince, he's the Prince of War do He clearly as an aptitude for the game and clearly likes it, and he's athletic that that alone is going to keep him at heavyweight for much longer than his critics are going to be comfortable with.

People like polarizing subjects. They love our polarizing Septichor right now, did.

People like polarizing subjects. They love our polarizing Septichor right now, did.

You see do you see the video of Dan Mardleatta raising the hand? No, so they had he had won, and he had Greg and they read the thing and he, you know, he raises Greg's hand and Greg does the Fortnite dance or whatever, and Dan just shakes his head and walks off. You haven't seen that. There's a viral moment, in fact, to the point where Abraham Kawa, the manager Greg Hardy, was like, Dan should never ref a fight again. I'm like, I don't know. I didn't like the Fortnite dance either, Abraham. So I guess love to see how that goes. All right, So we move along.

You see do you see the video of Dan Mardleatta raising the hand? No, so they had he had won, and he had Greg and they read the thing and he, you know, he raises Greg's hand and Greg does the Fortnite dance or whatever, and Dan just shakes his head and walks off. You haven't seen that. There's a viral moment, in fact, to the point where Abraham Kawa, the manager Greg Hardy, was like, Dan should never ref a fight again. I'm like, I don't know. I didn't like the Fortnite dance either, Abraham. So I guess love to see how that goes. All right, So we move along.

By the way, we also have referees who have long ass ponytails, coming from their chins will trum.

By the way, we also have referees who have long ass ponytails, coming from their chins will trum.

Yeah, so you know, hey, look they're a weird bunch too. No one who is in MMA is not weird. The fighters are weird, the referees are weird. The media is super weird.

Yeah, so you know, hey, look they're a weird bunch too. No one who is in MMA is not weird. The fighters are weird, the referees are weird. The media is super weird.

I'm a boxing journalist. I don't know you're all right.

I'm a boxing journalist. I don't know you're all right.

So Dan Hooker gets back to the winning circle. I want to go on this one first. If I may, Brian Campbell, I'm going to start the opposite way, though, Dan Hooker beats James Vick in the first round, I want to start with vic. I had him in my studio in DC about a week ago, and he looked in good shape. He had been well trained, but he had said something to me that really stood out. Namely, he's thirty two years old and heading into the contest. Before this weekend he had a nine to one run and now he had lost two, but then three. Now he was like, you know, all these guys are technically ahead of me because I didn't start till I was much later. You know, a lot of these guys have been doing this since X years or why years. I don't know exactly when Dan Hooker got his start in martial arts, but Suffice to say the point about Vic for himself was true. He's He's like, because he was saying, I've been trained two three times a day.

So Dan Hooker gets back to the winning circle. I want to go on this one first. If I may, Brian Campbell, I'm going to start the opposite way, though, Dan Hooker beats James Vick in the first round, I want to start with vic. I had him in my studio in DC about a week ago, and he looked in good shape. He had been well trained, but he had said something to me that really stood out. Namely, he's thirty two years old and heading into the contest. Before this weekend he had a nine to one run and now he had lost two, but then three. Now he was like, you know, all these guys are technically ahead of me because I didn't start till I was much later. You know, a lot of these guys have been doing this since X years or why years. I don't know exactly when Dan Hooker got his start in martial arts, but Suffice to say the point about Vic for himself was true. He's He's like, because he was saying, I've been trained two three times a day.

I'm like, how do you do that?

I'm like, how do you do that?

Thirty two? He's like, I don't have a choice. I have this much time to catch up, and I got to do everything possible to get ahead. Okay, fair enough, But to me, that wasn't a choice about skill. Yes, Dan Hooker is better on the feet, no question, but that was knowable going in, which is to say on the feet, you'd be like, Okay, it's Dan Hooker's fight. On the ground. You would think that would be James Vix fights. Now, how you get Dan Hooker to the floor. Okay, I'm not saying it's the easiest task in the world, but I would think that James would be up to it. Now. He didn't make that choice. He paid for it. It's three losses in a row. I really wonder what they're going to do with him, because I still think very highly Like he lost to Paul Felder, but he had punctured as lung and that was a close fight for the most of its way. The only two fires he really got brutalized by in the UFC, I believe would be this one Stephens and then and then no, no, it would be James.

Thirty two? He's like, I don't have a choice. I have this much time to catch up, and I got to do everything possible to get ahead. Okay, fair enough, But to me, that wasn't a choice about skill. Yes, Dan Hooker is better on the feet, no question, but that was knowable going in, which is to say on the feet, you'd be like, Okay, it's Dan Hooker's fight. On the ground. You would think that would be James Vix fights. Now, how you get Dan Hooker to the floor. Okay, I'm not saying it's the easiest task in the world, but I would think that James would be up to it. Now. He didn't make that choice. He paid for it. It's three losses in a row. I really wonder what they're going to do with him, because I still think very highly Like he lost to Paul Felder, but he had punctured as lung and that was a close fight for the most of its way. The only two fires he really got brutalized by in the UFC, I believe would be this one Stephens and then and then no, no, it would be James.

James ry No, I'm.

James ry No, I'm.

Geiche the gey chee fighting and then this one taking Jeremy ste So you're losing to two people who are pretty upper echelons on the end of the world. But nevertheless, three losses in a row. If this was ten years ago, you'd be on the chopping block. I don't think they're necessarily going to do that, but this is going to hurt his income.

Geiche the gey chee fighting and then this one taking Jeremy ste So you're losing to two people who are pretty upper echelons on the end of the world. But nevertheless, three losses in a row. If this was ten years ago, you'd be on the chopping block. I don't think they're necessarily going to do that, but this is going to hurt his income.

This is bad.

This is bad.

This is a setback for his stock. He was rising all the way through the ranks. It's a major, major setback, and it's one that to me, was avoided. When I look at MMA, Brian, I see so many fighters, good fighters, great fighters, and I'm nobody's coach. It just seems to be they don't fight up to their potential. Look at Wan Adams over the weekend. You gotta tell me that's the best of want Adams. Of course it's not. You gotta tell me that was the best of James Vick. Of course it's not. And it keeps happening over and over. I don't really have a good explanation for it. I do, but James Vick might find himself in beltmore or one. But certainly on back to the chopping block here on the I should say the drawing board rather here in the US's that way to do.

This is a setback for his stock. He was rising all the way through the ranks. It's a major, major setback, and it's one that to me, was avoided. When I look at MMA, Brian, I see so many fighters, good fighters, great fighters, and I'm nobody's coach. It just seems to be they don't fight up to their potential. Look at Wan Adams over the weekend. You gotta tell me that's the best of want Adams. Of course it's not. You gotta tell me that was the best of James Vick. Of course it's not. And it keeps happening over and over. I don't really have a good explanation for it. I do, but James Vick might find himself in beltmore or one. But certainly on back to the chopping block here on the I should say the drawing board rather here in the US's that way to do.

What I said last week.

What I said last week.

What I loved about this fight is that there's almost was a loser leaves town element, both coming off of big losses too, obviously for Vic where it's sort of like we're gonna find out who's made for title contention and just had a hiccup and they adjusted, and who is more of a pretender than a true title contender. Unfortunately for James Vick, he used that term. He told you he was technically behind all these guys. Yeah, yeah, he's technically behind. He has a fatal technical flaw. He doesn't move his head enough or keep his hands up enough, and it's now being exposed the higher he's stepping up in level against the elite strikers. They sort of nailed one thing on the broadcast. He's great when he's getting off first. He's got the boxing background and he's got big power. He's got big power, he's got that height advantage. He's got some striking things that are sexy and valuable in this space, but he's also in again a historically deep division where it's all killer and no filler. And this is a very tough opponent in Hooker, who I do think is destined to actually crack the upper echelon. And he's in a great camp. He's got you know, iron, Sharpen's iron, all that good stuff there. But Vick is fatally flawed in that one thing. And if you can't figure out how to grow into Jim, I mean, it's happened before, I accidentally said Jeremy Stevens.

What I loved about this fight is that there's almost was a loser leaves town element, both coming off of big losses too, obviously for Vic where it's sort of like we're gonna find out who's made for title contention and just had a hiccup and they adjusted, and who is more of a pretender than a true title contender. Unfortunately for James Vick, he used that term. He told you he was technically behind all these guys. Yeah, yeah, he's technically behind. He has a fatal technical flaw. He doesn't move his head enough or keep his hands up enough, and it's now being exposed the higher he's stepping up in level against the elite strikers. They sort of nailed one thing on the broadcast. He's great when he's getting off first. He's got the boxing background and he's got big power. He's got big power, he's got that height advantage. He's got some striking things that are sexy and valuable in this space, but he's also in again a historically deep division where it's all killer and no filler. And this is a very tough opponent in Hooker, who I do think is destined to actually crack the upper echelon. And he's in a great camp. He's got you know, iron, Sharpen's iron, all that good stuff there. But Vick is fatally flawed in that one thing. And if you can't figure out how to grow into Jim, I mean, it's happened before, I accidentally said Jeremy Stevens.

Before.

Before.

Here's a guy who was sort of a rugged brawler and had that window where he looked like a real title contender because he fixed some things and polished it off. This is now a giant wake up call to Vic that when you're on this level, there are no.

Here's a guy who was sort of a rugged brawler and had that window where he looked like a real title contender because he fixed some things and polished it off. This is now a giant wake up call to Vic that when you're on this level, there are no.

Mistakes, right And also, you know, it's easy for me to be like you should take it to the ground. Take it to the ground is not easy getting into range with Dan Hooker, who's got brilliant knees, it's not easy. None of those things are easy. But as long as that fight was on the feet, he just felt like.

Mistakes, right And also, you know, it's easy for me to be like you should take it to the ground. Take it to the ground is not easy getting into range with Dan Hooker, who's got brilliant knees, it's not easy. None of those things are easy. But as long as that fight was on the feet, he just felt like.

He got hit early. And often in that fight, and he's a.

He got hit early. And often in that fight, and he's a.

Good guy, and he's a good fighter. I think he can return, but he's got some tough choices to make about what the best place. By the way, maybe uset to decide. I want to go to one and compete there and make some more money, and I don't have to fight the crazy super elite guys of the world. Or you can go to belt or and fight still pretty elite guys. But he'd be a huge addition to their roster. I don't think he's on the end of his contract.

Good guy, and he's a good fighter. I think he can return, but he's got some tough choices to make about what the best place. By the way, maybe uset to decide. I want to go to one and compete there and make some more money, and I don't have to fight the crazy super elite guys of the world. Or you can go to belt or and fight still pretty elite guys. But he'd be a huge addition to their roster. I don't think he's on the end of his contract.

I don't think he's I mean, look, you got to go back down and beat the guys you're supposed to beat now, but you're going to have to show us some more. Some people criticized Goodell for Claudia Deelhof for getting to a certain point in their career. She She's like, I got to evolve and become a complete mixed martial artist, and.

I don't think he's I mean, look, you got to go back down and beat the guys you're supposed to beat now, but you're going to have to show us some more. Some people criticized Goodell for Claudia Deelhof for getting to a certain point in their career. She She's like, I got to evolve and become a complete mixed martial artist, and.

That takes time.

That takes time.

But you need a wake up call A lot of times you do that you hit a certain plateau. He's hit that plateau. I don't want you to roll on before we say how good Dan Hooker looked, though, I mean, is this the biggest win by a Hooker sends Heidi fleisch Be came acrossover celebrity.

But you need a wake up call A lot of times you do that you hit a certain plateau. He's hit that plateau. I don't want you to roll on before we say how good Dan Hooker looked, though, I mean, is this the biggest win by a Hooker sends Heidi fleisch Be came acrossover celebrity.

I like your super eighties, nineties dated references. I'll say this for Hooker, I was really and I know his cornerman, Eugene Bairman. I have total and profound respect for Eugene Bairman. I really Here's what I've noticed in corner stoppages, going back to the Edson, Borbosa and Hooker fight. You'll get good I mean elite coaches, and they still I don't think we have as a community figured out how to stop fights in MMA, as a corner went to intervene on the side of mercy and health. I think even the very best ones, the Jackson's, the bear Men's, the Gibsons, they still don't know. And if you talk to them privately, those say there's a couple of fights on their records. They wish they would have called for their fighter a little bit earlier. But in MMA it's so really difficult. Like the Tago Santos one. I actually, you know, as a cornerman, I wouldn't have been mad if they stopped that one. But Tago Santos thirty five is he ever going to get a shot the belts again. Yeah, that's a more calculated call. But you mentioned Raquel Pennington saying I quit forcing her back out there. She gets smashed, then she goes back and loses to Jermain der Enemy. She comes back in this one and gets the split decision, only pointing out there's lasting consequences of these things all the time. However, in the case of Dan Hooker, he fought in December against Barboso, took all that time off, he came back looking ready to rock dialed in. That was like, all right, Dan is back, ladies and gentlemen, and you compare him up with anybody in that division in the top ten. Now, the very very very top of that is all just this huge bundle of mess. But everything below it, dude, I'm all in book. Whoever you want there, make it happen. Dan Hooker is all action all the time and only getting better.

I like your super eighties, nineties dated references. I'll say this for Hooker, I was really and I know his cornerman, Eugene Bairman. I have total and profound respect for Eugene Bairman. I really Here's what I've noticed in corner stoppages, going back to the Edson, Borbosa and Hooker fight. You'll get good I mean elite coaches, and they still I don't think we have as a community figured out how to stop fights in MMA, as a corner went to intervene on the side of mercy and health. I think even the very best ones, the Jackson's, the bear Men's, the Gibsons, they still don't know. And if you talk to them privately, those say there's a couple of fights on their records. They wish they would have called for their fighter a little bit earlier. But in MMA it's so really difficult. Like the Tago Santos one. I actually, you know, as a cornerman, I wouldn't have been mad if they stopped that one. But Tago Santos thirty five is he ever going to get a shot the belts again. Yeah, that's a more calculated call. But you mentioned Raquel Pennington saying I quit forcing her back out there. She gets smashed, then she goes back and loses to Jermain der Enemy. She comes back in this one and gets the split decision, only pointing out there's lasting consequences of these things all the time. However, in the case of Dan Hooker, he fought in December against Barboso, took all that time off, he came back looking ready to rock dialed in. That was like, all right, Dan is back, ladies and gentlemen, and you compare him up with anybody in that division in the top ten. Now, the very very very top of that is all just this huge bundle of mess. But everything below it, dude, I'm all in book. Whoever you want there, make it happen. Dan Hooker is all action all the time and only getting better.

He looks for real, he looks for really. It looks like you can see that technical strength behind it. And I think he had that hoard of heart. Test against Barbosa was a fight.

He looks for real, he looks for really. It looks like you can see that technical strength behind it. And I think he had that hoard of heart. Test against Barbosa was a fight.

He was out gunned. He tried to gut it out.

He was out gunned. He tried to gut it out.

That fight probably should have been stopped, but I think that's something he's going to grow from and be stronger.

That fight probably should have been stopped, but I think that's something he's going to grow from and be stronger.

All right, So let's go to you on this one, my friend, welcome back. How was Vegas? How many ratchet bachelorette parties did you see?

All right, So let's go to you on this one, my friend, welcome back. How was Vegas? How many ratchet bachelorette parties did you see?

Yeah, trying to get through where I need to go in Vegas in one hundred and nine degree heat in front.

Yeah, trying to get through where I need to go in Vegas in one hundred and nine degree heat in front.

Of vis you walked to the MGM.

Of vis you walked to the MGM.

I did a lot of walking.

I did a lot of walking.

You cut through the hotels, you get you know, you get that land bridge thing, and yeah, they do a lot that whole ride. Look, I don't want to sit here and rip Las Vegas food game again, although I will at any point or the clientele or the aura in the city, but when you're there a total of fifteen days in one month for UFC two thirty nine and this, Yeah.

You cut through the hotels, you get you know, you get that land bridge thing, and yeah, they do a lot that whole ride. Look, I don't want to sit here and rip Las Vegas food game again, although I will at any point or the clientele or the aura in the city, but when you're there a total of fifteen days in one month for UFC two thirty nine and this, Yeah.

I rather first world problems, indeed, But I'd rather just die then that people would I would, honestly if I had to do that for work, I'd be like, I'm sorry, I just I quit this job. Yeah, I'm not going to do this anymore. All right, So let's get to a pac Thurman. I feel like I had MMA fans reach out to me. Brian being like, well, I wasn't gonna watch that fight, but you and Brian on Morning Combat. You guys were sice in that fight, so I wanted to see it. And then they were like, you know what, it paid off. It was a great fight. Let's start first with the controversy in the room. You scored it a one fourteen one thirteen. You took a hilacious meeting. I think I had it one fifteen, one twelve for Pacio. Hebe one sixteen one fifteen twelve.

I rather first world problems, indeed, But I'd rather just die then that people would I would, honestly if I had to do that for work, I'd be like, I'm sorry, I just I quit this job. Yeah, I'm not going to do this anymore. All right, So let's get to a pac Thurman. I feel like I had MMA fans reach out to me. Brian being like, well, I wasn't gonna watch that fight, but you and Brian on Morning Combat. You guys were sice in that fight, so I wanted to see it. And then they were like, you know what, it paid off. It was a great fight. Let's start first with the controversy in the room. You scored it a one fourteen one thirteen. You took a hilacious meeting. I think I had it one fifteen, one twelve for Pacio. Hebe one sixteen one fifteen twelve.

By the way, because of the point deduction for the knockdown, it's seven rounds to five for Pai.

By the way, because of the point deduction for the knockdown, it's seven rounds to five for Pai.

Yea fair enough.

Yea fair enough.

I had it for Pakio. You scored it for Thurman. Yes, tell me why you scored it for Thurman? And what you have to say to the people abusing you online.

I had it for Pakio. You scored it for Thurman. Yes, tell me why you scored it for Thurman? And what you have to say to the people abusing you online.

I mean, look at people, all people of the online world. Before you take a swing, It's like, I wonder, what are we fighting for here?

I mean, look at people, all people of the online world. Before you take a swing, It's like, I wonder, what are we fighting for here?

Was this fight? Let's play tru or false? Luke, I'll use you as the average John dunkin this place. True or false? Was this fight?

Was this fight? Let's play tru or false? Luke, I'll use you as the average John dunkin this place. True or false? Was this fight?

Uh?

Uh?

A borderline instant classic in terms of fun drama on competition?

A borderline instant classic in terms of fun drama on competition?

True?

True?

And what does the instant classic normally tell you that it was a close fight. Correct.

And what does the instant classic normally tell you that it was a close fight. Correct.

True in the second half after a great start, did Manny Pacio at forty.

True in the second half after a great start, did Manny Pacio at forty.

Slow down just a bit, allowing Thurman to relly?

Slow down just a bit, allowing Thurman to relly?

True?

True?

Okay.

Okay.

Did all three judges in the end score this fight seven rounds to five in either direction?

Did all three judges in the end score this fight seven rounds to five in either direction?

False? No, that's actually true.

False? No, that's actually true.

Oh sorry, sorry anither direction?

Oh sorry, sorry anither direction?

The direction?

The direction?

So that tells you that, uh, we're pretty close. Right here, I scored a seven rounds, although.

So that tells you that, uh, we're pretty close. Right here, I scored a seven rounds, although.

Saying I scored it like a Nevada judge.