Welcome to the Burn Factory Podcast with Priest and Phoenix Rivera. Listen as the voice interview the biggest names and sports and entertainment. The Burn Factory start Snow, what is up?

Welcome to the Burn Factory Podcast with Priest and Phoenix Rivera. Listen as the voice interview the biggest names and sports and entertainment. The Burn Factory start Snow, what is up?

Guys?

Guys?

Welcome back to another episode of the Burn Factory Podcast. I'm your host, Priest, jump by my co host, my brother, the one and only Phoenix says up.

Welcome back to another episode of the Burn Factory Podcast. I'm your host, Priest, jump by my co host, my brother, the one and only Phoenix says up.

For the camera, what's up, y'all?

For the camera, what's up, y'all?

This is called the Burn Factory for a reasoning. I was literally caught on fire, fifty percent chance to survive, but through that started this podcast because I believe every single person out there on this planet goes through a burn moment somewhere in their life.

This is called the Burn Factory for a reasoning. I was literally caught on fire, fifty percent chance to survive, but through that started this podcast because I believe every single person out there on this planet goes through a burn moment somewhere in their life.

You heard pre say a burn moment. So a burn moment is a super hard time in your life. They just have to fight and overcome. And me and Priest believe that every single person on this earth go through burn moments that truly make them who they are. And as you guys know, on the Burn Factory, we always talk about priests living to fight and fighting to lift. Our guest today truly lives to fight and fights to live. He was a three time state champion wrestler. Not only that he was a six time triple crown winner. He's an undefeated fighter who just made his UFC debut as an underdog and got the first round finish.

You heard pre say a burn moment. So a burn moment is a super hard time in your life. They just have to fight and overcome. And me and Priest believe that every single person on this earth go through burn moments that truly make them who they are. And as you guys know, on the Burn Factory, we always talk about priests living to fight and fighting to lift. Our guest today truly lives to fight and fights to live. He was a three time state champion wrestler. Not only that he was a six time triple crown winner. He's an undefeated fighter who just made his UFC debut as an underdog and got the first round finish.

So please give a welcome to Isaac Dulgarian. Good, how you do?

So please give a welcome to Isaac Dulgarian. Good, how you do?

Welcome?

Welcome?

I'm amazing man. Couldn't be any happier.

I'm amazing man. Couldn't be any happier.

So you said something that's very fascinating to me in Phoenix yesterday. You own three bumblebee beehives or honeybee. Sorry, yeah, honey, honey, as what made you get involved with bees?

So you said something that's very fascinating to me in Phoenix yesterday. You own three bumblebee beehives or honeybee. Sorry, yeah, honey, honey, as what made you get involved with bees?

Man?

Man?

So I was in college and I started reading about honeybees and I got sucked into this tunnel and I couldn't.

So I was in college and I started reading about honeybees and I got sucked into this tunnel and I couldn't.

Get out of it.

Get out of it.

So like, I started research and research and research and reading books and basically ended up buying some beehives and trying hands on and ever since then, it's kind of been a high be in mine that eventually I might turn into a business.

So like, I started research and research and research and reading books and basically ended up buying some beehives and trying hands on and ever since then, it's kind of been a high be in mine that eventually I might turn into a business.

You should. You probably make a lot of money off of that.

You should. You probably make a lot of money off of that.

Yeah, it's it's a lot of work, and that's it's just hard with my fighting career and everything, but it's a good hobby right now.

Yeah, it's it's a lot of work, and that's it's just hard with my fighting career and everything, but it's a good hobby right now.

You also said that you get one hundred and eighty pounds.

You also said that you get one hundred and eighty pounds.

Yeah, honey, Yeah, just off of three beehives.

Yeah, honey, Yeah, just off of three beehives.

So every year you can get like probably about sixty pounds per behives if it's a good summer.

So every year you can get like probably about sixty pounds per behives if it's a good summer.

So that's crazy. We don't have to install on right.

So that's crazy. We don't have to install on right.

There, get some really get some real real honey. Are you looking to expand it eventually?

There, get some really get some real real honey. Are you looking to expand it eventually?

Maybe? Yeah, eventually once I.

Maybe? Yeah, eventually once I.

Get some land and stuff, I want to have probably like a hundred or something and really really start supplying people in the local area back in Kansas City with the best honey in the market.

Get some land and stuff, I want to have probably like a hundred or something and really really start supplying people in the local area back in Kansas City with the best honey in the market.

Do you have a name that you want the business to be called.

Do you have a name that you want the business to be called.

It's called Marcaine's Sweet Shop. Marcaine that's my middle name. That's the name my stepdad used to call me by when I was growing up.

It's called Marcaine's Sweet Shop. Marcaine that's my middle name. That's the name my stepdad used to call me by when I was growing up.

And I like it.

And I like it.

Guys in Kansas City, you know where to go get some honey. But I like a day to day basis. How much are you like interacting with these bees?

Guys in Kansas City, you know where to go get some honey. But I like a day to day basis. How much are you like interacting with these bees?

So when I'm back home in Kansas City, as you know right now, I'm training in Denver, so not a lot.

So when I'm back home in Kansas City, as you know right now, I'm training in Denver, so not a lot.

But you don't really mess with them too much.

But you don't really mess with them too much.

It's about once every couple of weeks you'll go check on them, make sure everything's going good. There's a bunch of little details in there you got to sort out. But it's every couple of weeks. Treat them twice in the summer, and then you just kind of go from there.

It's about once every couple of weeks you'll go check on them, make sure everything's going good. There's a bunch of little details in there you got to sort out. But it's every couple of weeks. Treat them twice in the summer, and then you just kind of go from there.

Is there like a bad time period where you don't get enough honey in the year.

Is there like a bad time period where you don't get enough honey in the year.

Yeah, So like this this summer, actually, it's been really really dry, and so the honey flow has been Everything's been dying early, you know, Like I planted a pollinator garden and all my sunflowers they bloomed and died really fast.

Yeah, So like this this summer, actually, it's been really really dry, and so the honey flow has been Everything's been dying early, you know, Like I planted a pollinator garden and all my sunflowers they bloomed and died really fast.

So it's been a hard summer. It's been dry.

So it's been a hard summer. It's been dry.

Everything's been dying back home in Kansas City. So I'm projected at about forty five pounds of honey this year. We'll see where it goes. I might end up with more. But why do they die off so fast? Just because it's dry? Yeah, everything's just dry. Like you have to really start like water everything and by yourself. Normally back home, you can just rely on the weather and you'll get your rain and stuff.

Everything's been dying back home in Kansas City. So I'm projected at about forty five pounds of honey this year. We'll see where it goes. I might end up with more. But why do they die off so fast? Just because it's dry? Yeah, everything's just dry. Like you have to really start like water everything and by yourself. Normally back home, you can just rely on the weather and you'll get your rain and stuff.

And that's basically how I do it. I don't really water this stuff a lot.

And that's basically how I do it. I don't really water this stuff a lot.

Every once in a while, I do, but it's just been so dry, man Like, it's crazy.

Every once in a while, I do, but it's just been so dry, man Like, it's crazy.

Yeah, Like me, I'm terrified of bees, as most people probably are out there. So with you, like, how many times have you been stung? We know you're terrified, terrified so plenty. Last year I got stung probably about twenty times. God, But there was mostly my mistakes. You know, I'm a newer bee keeper.

Yeah, Like me, I'm terrified of bees, as most people probably are out there. So with you, like, how many times have you been stung? We know you're terrified, terrified so plenty. Last year I got stung probably about twenty times. God, But there was mostly my mistakes. You know, I'm a newer bee keeper.

I have like three years experience now, and it's just all about.

I have like three years experience now, and it's just all about.

Being calm and gentle.

Being calm and gentle.

You know, those bees are not very They're not very aggressive unless you kind of like rattle them around or anything like that. Actually, yes, esterday I was sitting up at the hotel and I was petting a bee.

You know, those bees are not very They're not very aggressive unless you kind of like rattle them around or anything like that. Actually, yes, esterday I was sitting up at the hotel and I was petting a bee.

Yeah, I have a video on my phone off to show you.

Yeah, I have a video on my phone off to show you.

I was petting the bee and it was just chilling, Like they're not aggressive. People don't really realize that. They They swat them and try to get them off and away from them, and that's yeah.

I was petting the bee and it was just chilling, Like they're not aggressive. People don't really realize that. They They swat them and try to get them off and away from them, and that's yeah.

That's so they're pretty social then, I mean, to be able to be pet yeah, yeah, I mean they're just they're gentle creatures man.

That's so they're pretty social then, I mean, to be able to be pet yeah, yeah, I mean they're just they're gentle creatures man.

People just they're just misunderstood by a lot of people.

People just they're just misunderstood by a lot of people.

You know, I never gone sunby be What does it feel like?

You know, I never gone sunby be What does it feel like?

What is it? Uh, It's I don't know, don't you can't even explain it.

What is it? Uh, It's I don't know, don't you can't even explain it.

Really, I would describe it as like a like a burning pain almost. And the thing is is when you get stung, a lot of people they don't realize that the stinger keeps pumping venom into you after you get stung. So the beat, the stinger leaves the bee, it kills the bee, and then that stinger stuck in you and it's but it's still pumping venom into you.

Really, I would describe it as like a like a burning pain almost. And the thing is is when you get stung, a lot of people they don't realize that the stinger keeps pumping venom into you after you get stung. So the beat, the stinger leaves the bee, it kills the bee, and then that stinger stuck in you and it's but it's still pumping venom into you.

So you need to get that stinger out immediately.

So you need to get that stinger out immediately.

Could it kill you or.

Could it kill you or.

I mean some people have like an anaphlectic reaction to it, so I always keep epipins on hand. Some people can die from just a single beasting.

I mean some people have like an anaphlectic reaction to it, so I always keep epipins on hand. Some people can die from just a single beasting.

Really, but that was always my fear. It was like my first besting. I was gonna like drop dead because I didn't know if I was allergic or not.

Really, but that was always my fear. It was like my first besting. I was gonna like drop dead because I didn't know if I was allergic or not.

It's kind of rare, like, but I know a couple of people that are like that.

It's kind of rare, like, but I know a couple of people that are like that.

They're like deathly allergic to bees and they just want to stay away from them.

They're like deathly allergic to bees and they just want to stay away from them.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Okay, so Isaac, actually, on this podcast, we do use the acronym burn, so each letter is kind of a different time in your life. So we're gonna go to B. B stands for beginning, So take us back to the beginning your childhood. Was there any some Was there any burn moments that you had to overcome?

Okay, so Isaac, actually, on this podcast, we do use the acronym burn, so each letter is kind of a different time in your life. So we're gonna go to B. B stands for beginning, So take us back to the beginning your childhood. Was there any some Was there any burn moments that you had to overcome?

Oh?

Oh?

Man, uh, So I was a kid.

Man, uh, So I was a kid.

I was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, grew up in pale With, Kansas, and I started competing in grappling and wrestling at a very young age. I would say one of my burn moments growing up as a kid was I was very I was very passionate about learning in school and everything until I got about fifth grade. And then after I hit about fifth grade, I turned into a cycle. Like I was a crazy kid, crawling around on the floor in middle school, just messing with people, sticking forks and electrical outlets, just being bad, doing whatever I could to not be in school and go home so I could like play out in the woods. So I grew up outside just never really stationary and just messing around.

I was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, grew up in pale With, Kansas, and I started competing in grappling and wrestling at a very young age. I would say one of my burn moments growing up as a kid was I was very I was very passionate about learning in school and everything until I got about fifth grade. And then after I hit about fifth grade, I turned into a cycle. Like I was a crazy kid, crawling around on the floor in middle school, just messing with people, sticking forks and electrical outlets, just being bad, doing whatever I could to not be in school and go home so I could like play out in the woods. So I grew up outside just never really stationary and just messing around.

Like how what kind of led to that moment, because you said right around fifth grade had just completely stopped.

Like how what kind of led to that moment, because you said right around fifth grade had just completely stopped.

Was there something that changed it? Man, I'm not really sure. I think it was just I think it was just my maturity and me not wanting to be there like at school, because like before that, I.

Was there something that changed it? Man, I'm not really sure. I think it was just I think it was just my maturity and me not wanting to be there like at school, because like before that, I.

Loved being at school. It's kind of weird.

Loved being at school. It's kind of weird.

And then just one year it just flipped out of nowhere and I was just like, I'm not with this. I want to go outside. I want to build stuff, I want to plant food and do all this stuff outside. I don't care about learning math or anything like that.

And then just one year it just flipped out of nowhere and I was just like, I'm not with this. I want to go outside. I want to build stuff, I want to plant food and do all this stuff outside. I don't care about learning math or anything like that.

Did you play any sports growing up or yeah?

Did you play any sports growing up or yeah?

Yeah, So I played a little bit of everything.

Yeah, So I played a little bit of everything.

I did soccer, tried baseball out a little bit, played football, was really good at football, and wrestled. And then I also about when I turned about ten, I started riding dirt bikes a little bit.

I did soccer, tried baseball out a little bit, played football, was really good at football, and wrestled. And then I also about when I turned about ten, I started riding dirt bikes a little bit.

So you were actually talking about some crazy dirt bike soys yesterday whenever you guys are sitting down having coffee, and there is one unfortunate experience that happened, but we'll talk about that whenever we go to you. But what age did you start getting into wrestling?

So you were actually talking about some crazy dirt bike soys yesterday whenever you guys are sitting down having coffee, and there is one unfortunate experience that happened, but we'll talk about that whenever we go to you. But what age did you start getting into wrestling?

So, my grandpa grew up music.

So, my grandpa grew up music.

My grandpa was a coach's whole life basically, and my uncle wrestled as well. So I started wrestling when I was eight competitively, but I'd been in a gym since I was born. I was always at the gym while my grandpa was coaching. I was always watching him coaches high school kids, and I'm like a three year old running around on the mat just trying to grab their legs and like I don't know what I'm doing anything like that. But about about the time I turned eight, he put me in and I was very competitive right off the get I started.

My grandpa was a coach's whole life basically, and my uncle wrestled as well. So I started wrestling when I was eight competitively, but I'd been in a gym since I was born. I was always at the gym while my grandpa was coaching. I was always watching him coaches high school kids, and I'm like a three year old running around on the mat just trying to grab their legs and like I don't know what I'm doing anything like that. But about about the time I turned eight, he put me in and I was very competitive right off the get I started.

I wrestled one year as a novice wrestler.

I wrestled one year as a novice wrestler.

I made the state tournament in the open division for eight and under, and then after that I took I believe I took second at state the next year and then I won one one.

I made the state tournament in the open division for eight and under, and then after that I took I believe I took second at state the next year and then I won one one.

I just took off. Man, I was very natural athlete at that.

I just took off. Man, I was very natural athlete at that.

At what point were you like, man, I can really do something with this wrestling.

At what point were you like, man, I can really do something with this wrestling.

Man.

Man.

I would say about about twelve, I started really not early, Yeah, I started really competing on like national teams. So like my grandpa, he sacrificed about everything he had. He sacrificed his jobs, he sacrificed all his money, everything to take me to the toughest tournaments I could possibly be at every single weekend. One weekend we'd be in Texas, one weekend we'd be in Alabama.

I would say about about twelve, I started really not early, Yeah, I started really competing on like national teams. So like my grandpa, he sacrificed about everything he had. He sacrificed his jobs, he sacrificed all his money, everything to take me to the toughest tournaments I could possibly be at every single weekend. One weekend we'd be in Texas, one weekend we'd be in Alabama.

One weekend we'd be up in New Jersey.

One weekend we'd be up in New Jersey.

It didn't matter we were going to the toughest tournaments everywhere, and I was wrestling over two times and matches of everybody else.

It didn't matter we were going to the toughest tournaments everywhere, and I was wrestling over two times and matches of everybody else.

How hard is that two times?

How hard is that two times?

Man? It was a lot.

Man? It was a lot.

So what he would do is, basically he would have me in my natural division, like let's say, I think it was like twelve and under ninety six pounds or something like that, and then he might throw me in the fourteen and under division at the same weight, or he'll keep me in the twelve and under it but bumped me up a weight class. So I'd wrestle two weight classes, two brackets at the toughest tournaments in the world and for kids, right, And I think that really molded me to who I am today because it taught me so much about mental toughness and stuff. Because I mean there's times I'm trying to take my shoes off and go home, man, like I'm a kid and I'm It's just it.

So what he would do is, basically he would have me in my natural division, like let's say, I think it was like twelve and under ninety six pounds or something like that, and then he might throw me in the fourteen and under division at the same weight, or he'll keep me in the twelve and under it but bumped me up a weight class. So I'd wrestle two weight classes, two brackets at the toughest tournaments in the world and for kids, right, And I think that really molded me to who I am today because it taught me so much about mental toughness and stuff. Because I mean there's times I'm trying to take my shoes off and go home, man, like I'm a kid and I'm It's just it.

Was a lot.

Was a lot.

Yeah. So you said your grandpa was the one who got into it to this day, what's your relationship kind of like with him?

Yeah. So you said your grandpa was the one who got into it to this day, what's your relationship kind of like with him?

Ah? Man, he is everything to me. Man.

Ah? Man, he is everything to me. Man.

He's like my dad, my mom, my grandpa, my first coach. The man literally has shown self a sacrifice to me, and I wouldn't be in anywhere close to the position I am without him.

He's like my dad, my mom, my grandpa, my first coach. The man literally has shown self a sacrifice to me, and I wouldn't be in anywhere close to the position I am without him.

What made you guys kind of get so close?

What made you guys kind of get so close?

So basically, my dad passed when I was a young kid.

So basically, my dad passed when I was a young kid.

I was about three when he passed, and my mom worked very hard, but she was also young and had a lot of kids. So I kind of lived with my grandpa a lot, and he just kind of He's really the only fatherly figure I had grown up as a kid, So he kind of took me under his wingman and just really saw potential in me. He always seen how great I could be. He always seen how tough I was, how driven I was, and he really believed, truly believed that I had everything it took to be very good.

I was about three when he passed, and my mom worked very hard, but she was also young and had a lot of kids. So I kind of lived with my grandpa a lot, and he just kind of He's really the only fatherly figure I had grown up as a kid, So he kind of took me under his wingman and just really saw potential in me. He always seen how great I could be. He always seen how tough I was, how driven I was, and he really believed, truly believed that I had everything it took to be very good.

He did.

He did.

He became a three time state champion.

He became a three time state champion.

That like, man, it was good.

That like, man, it was good.

I still I still kind of have a bad taste in my mouth from it. Some people know. At my post fight interview and my UFC debut, DC kind of talked about it. So that was really cool. I got disqualified as a sophomore in the quarterfinals.

I still I still kind of have a bad taste in my mouth from it. Some people know. At my post fight interview and my UFC debut, DC kind of talked about it. So that was really cool. I got disqualified as a sophomore in the quarterfinals.

I was wrestling a kid. There's average.

I was wrestling a kid. There's average.

He was pretty good, but I was I was beating him very bad, and I kind of hit this duck under and got behind him and he tried to like flip he hit granby flip from his feet and he landed on his head and like broke his neck and the so the referee like stopped it and thought that I slammed him. So that's why I'm a three timer instead of a four timer. But it's kind of all working out like I did. I've done a lot since then, but it was just kind of a it was It was a crazy moment, man, because the whole you're at the Kansas State Tournament. There's how they run that as four A, which is or it's there's four A, five A, and six A on the same arena, and basically so there's all these people, man, and as soon as this ref stopped the match, the whole arena went silent. It was crazy because everybody was watching me like I was supposed to be the next four time state champ and so everybody's watching I was the best, one of the best to ever come out of Kansas wrestling. And besides Eric Aiken, who's one of my or one of my head coaches for my wrestling team back home, and so this whole arena stopped. Man, it was like frozen in time, and it was just crazy. I was out there.

He was pretty good, but I was I was beating him very bad, and I kind of hit this duck under and got behind him and he tried to like flip he hit granby flip from his feet and he landed on his head and like broke his neck and the so the referee like stopped it and thought that I slammed him. So that's why I'm a three timer instead of a four timer. But it's kind of all working out like I did. I've done a lot since then, but it was just kind of a it was It was a crazy moment, man, because the whole you're at the Kansas State Tournament. There's how they run that as four A, which is or it's there's four A, five A, and six A on the same arena, and basically so there's all these people, man, and as soon as this ref stopped the match, the whole arena went silent. It was crazy because everybody was watching me like I was supposed to be the next four time state champ and so everybody's watching I was the best, one of the best to ever come out of Kansas wrestling. And besides Eric Aiken, who's one of my or one of my head coaches for my wrestling team back home, and so this whole arena stopped. Man, it was like frozen in time, and it was just crazy. I was out there.

Looking back on it.

Looking back on it.

I was just out there confused as of like what's going on? And then I realized that my dream wasn't gonna happen, and so that was a pretty shocking moment. But I did come back on the backside, took third place, and then after that I won one state the next few years and kept.

I was just out there confused as of like what's going on? And then I realized that my dream wasn't gonna happen, and so that was a pretty shocking moment. But I did come back on the backside, took third place, and then after that I won one state the next few years and kept.

Going during that difficult time of you getting disqualified. Was there something after the match that kind of brought you some positivity, man?

Going during that difficult time of you getting disqualified. Was there something after the match that kind of brought you some positivity, man?

No, I was. I was really broken. Man, I was really broken. That was.

No, I was. I was really broken. Man, I was really broken. That was.

I.

I.

I was a fifteen year old kid, so like, this is my dream since I was eight years old. I trained every day for this, and it just I felt like it got stolen. So I was broken. I wanted to go home. I didn't want to do this, like finish the tournament out. But that's kind of where my grandpa kicks in, Like he always made me finish. He never let me just go home because I didn't want to, or because you lost or anything. He made sure I was there, made sure I always showed up. And so I came back through the backside of that bracket and really just tore people up. I made everybody pay kind of for that mistake happening.

I was a fifteen year old kid, so like, this is my dream since I was eight years old. I trained every day for this, and it just I felt like it got stolen. So I was broken. I wanted to go home. I didn't want to do this, like finish the tournament out. But that's kind of where my grandpa kicks in, Like he always made me finish. He never let me just go home because I didn't want to, or because you lost or anything. He made sure I was there, made sure I always showed up. And so I came back through the backside of that bracket and really just tore people up. I made everybody pay kind of for that mistake happening.

That's the way to do it, and I think that's a testament to nownce it today. You just got to keep going no matter what kind of cards you've been dealt with exactly.

That's the way to do it, and I think that's a testament to nownce it today. You just got to keep going no matter what kind of cards you've been dealt with exactly.

You gotta think about it during those tough times. It makes you who you are today, and you kind of gotta think those tough times, because say you did become a four time state champion do you think your life would be totally different now?

You gotta think about it during those tough times. It makes you who you are today, and you kind of gotta think those tough times, because say you did become a four time state champion do you think your life would be totally different now?

I think that would have been enough. You know what I'm saying.

I think that would have been enough. You know what I'm saying.

These things happen for a reason, and I think that would have been enough for me to maybe I would be living a typical lifestyle with you know, a nice car, nice job, but not doing what I love.

These things happen for a reason, and I think that would have been enough for me to maybe I would be living a typical lifestyle with you know, a nice car, nice job, but not doing what I love.

Like enough as in like you would have kind of gave up wrestling and went on to a different career path.

Like enough as in like you would have kind of gave up wrestling and went on to a different career path.

Yeah, probably probably would have ended up just it would have been enough for my competitive spirit at the time, you know. I mean, I probably would have got back into things, but I would have had time off and I wouldn't be where I'm at today skill wise.

Yeah, probably probably would have ended up just it would have been enough for my competitive spirit at the time, you know. I mean, I probably would have got back into things, but I would have had time off and I wouldn't be where I'm at today skill wise.

Well, so that's a crazy beginning to your life. Your grandpa was a super helpful role model to who you become today. It's time to go to you and burn it stance for unfortunate. Just like how I mentioned at the beginning of this podcast, I was unfortunately caught on fire in the school science experiment that went horribly brawn and blew up like a bomb in my face, and I was immediately rushed to ic you where I spent a week. There had seven surgeries over that week, every single day, and a fifty percent chance to survive. But whenever I was in the hospital, that's where I found my burn moment. I'm a competitive golfer, so I had my parents and my brother go get my putter and I put ball after ball after ball into this glass jar. And I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, if that moment, that burn moment, doesn't happen in the hospital, I don't have this podcast, nor am I talking to Isaac Dugerian.

Well, so that's a crazy beginning to your life. Your grandpa was a super helpful role model to who you become today. It's time to go to you and burn it stance for unfortunate. Just like how I mentioned at the beginning of this podcast, I was unfortunately caught on fire in the school science experiment that went horribly brawn and blew up like a bomb in my face, and I was immediately rushed to ic you where I spent a week. There had seven surgeries over that week, every single day, and a fifty percent chance to survive. But whenever I was in the hospital, that's where I found my burn moment. I'm a competitive golfer, so I had my parents and my brother go get my putter and I put ball after ball after ball into this glass jar. And I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, if that moment, that burn moment, doesn't happen in the hospital, I don't have this podcast, nor am I talking to Isaac Dugerian.

So, yeah, and just talking with you yesterday a little bit about your story and the hard times that you've overcome. Are there any unfortunate burn moments that you could share with us. That really built you to who you are today.

So, yeah, and just talking with you yesterday a little bit about your story and the hard times that you've overcome. Are there any unfortunate burn moments that you could share with us. That really built you to who you are today.

Okay, yeah, So first off, much respect to that. So when I get burned, oh, I turned into a baby man. I'm a tough, tough fighter, but that's one of the worst pains I can imagine.

Okay, yeah, So first off, much respect to that. So when I get burned, oh, I turned into a baby man. I'm a tough, tough fighter, but that's one of the worst pains I can imagine.

So much respect to that.

So much respect to that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

As far as as far as me, my the Fir, a moment of my life to me was losing my father at three years old. My dad was one of the best football players. He had the potential to be in the NFL. He was one of the best football players in Kansas. He passed away at twenty one years old from either We don't really know the story, the full story, but people he had a cardiac arrest.

As far as as far as me, my the Fir, a moment of my life to me was losing my father at three years old. My dad was one of the best football players. He had the potential to be in the NFL. He was one of the best football players in Kansas. He passed away at twenty one years old from either We don't really know the story, the full story, but people he had a cardiac arrest.

Is is what's on his death certificate. So there's a story that said that he.

Is is what's on his death certificate. So there's a story that said that he.

Was poisoned by one of his girlfriends and their boyfriend. There's a story that he overdosed on drugs and nobody called until it was too late. Anyways, when the ambulance got there, they tried to assessitate him where he was at. Didn't work. They put him in the ambulance. They're trying to assesscitate him. Didn't work. They get him to the hospital and they spent hours and hours and hours trying to start his heart again, trying to bring him back. He's a young kid, twenty one, one of the best athletes in the world, and he just he just didn't make it. Man, it was just too late. He was already foaming at the mouth and everything, and there's really nothing that they could do. So he passed away at twenty one years old. And to me, that is my burned moment because it really changed the trajectory of my life. And I don't mean that necessarily in a bad way or a good way. It could have been either.

Was poisoned by one of his girlfriends and their boyfriend. There's a story that he overdosed on drugs and nobody called until it was too late. Anyways, when the ambulance got there, they tried to assessitate him where he was at. Didn't work. They put him in the ambulance. They're trying to assesscitate him. Didn't work. They get him to the hospital and they spent hours and hours and hours trying to start his heart again, trying to bring him back. He's a young kid, twenty one, one of the best athletes in the world, and he just he just didn't make it. Man, it was just too late. He was already foaming at the mouth and everything, and there's really nothing that they could do. So he passed away at twenty one years old. And to me, that is my burned moment because it really changed the trajectory of my life. And I don't mean that necessarily in a bad way or a good way. It could have been either.

You know. My dad.

You know. My dad.

Had me and then left my mom to be with another woman and had a baby with her, you know, and so he wasn't always there for me and my family really. But I do have a lot of memories of him from when I was three, so it's kind of crazy to see so like I remember the last time I seen him at three years old. I still remember it to this day, like clear. We were in my mom took me to Dollar General out in for Scott, Kansas, and my dad showed up. He would walk through the snow to come see me. He would do all he would walk anywhere to come see me. But he showed up and he asked if I could go to my uncle's birthday party.

Had me and then left my mom to be with another woman and had a baby with her, you know, and so he wasn't always there for me and my family really. But I do have a lot of memories of him from when I was three, so it's kind of crazy to see so like I remember the last time I seen him at three years old. I still remember it to this day, like clear. We were in my mom took me to Dollar General out in for Scott, Kansas, and my dad showed up. He would walk through the snow to come see me. He would do all he would walk anywhere to come see me. But he showed up and he asked if I could go to my uncle's birthday party.

I told you the other day.

I told you the other day.

My uncle's only two years older than me, and he told me, asked if I could come to that, and then he asked if I could go fishing or if he told me he was gonna take me fishing. And that was the last thing I ever heard from him, the last thing I ever seen from him. And then there's like a gap in my memory where I don't remember anything.

My uncle's only two years older than me, and he told me, asked if I could come to that, and then he asked if I could go fishing or if he told me he was gonna take me fishing. And that was the last thing I ever heard from him, the last thing I ever seen from him. And then there's like a gap in my memory where I don't remember anything.

So I think it's like the.

So I think it's like the.

Trauma from losing him and my mom freaking out and all that stuff. But yeah, man, I think it changed my life for the better, because you know, sometimes things changed, and that's kind of where my grandpa took over. My grandpa is one of the most mentally tough people in the world. Like he went to Vietnam at eighteen, was drafted and kind of just molded me to the person I am today. So my dad's side of the family, they are some of the best athletes. They have the most natural talent in the world. Man, they're freak athletes, but they don't have the mental toughness to back it up. It's very easy for them to fall into traps, drug use, all sorts of things like that. And then my grandfather's side, my mother's side of the family, they're mentally tough, like they're Armenian.

Trauma from losing him and my mom freaking out and all that stuff. But yeah, man, I think it changed my life for the better, because you know, sometimes things changed, and that's kind of where my grandpa took over. My grandpa is one of the most mentally tough people in the world. Like he went to Vietnam at eighteen, was drafted and kind of just molded me to the person I am today. So my dad's side of the family, they are some of the best athletes. They have the most natural talent in the world. Man, they're freak athletes, but they don't have the mental toughness to back it up. It's very easy for them to fall into traps, drug use, all sorts of things like that. And then my grandfather's side, my mother's side of the family, they're mentally tough, like they're Armenian.

They they were born to fight, right.

They they were born to fight, right.

So I think that's where my life changed a lot was having him there is my father figure, even though it's sad not having a real dad there to experience a lot of these things with. He's an older man, you know, but also he molded me to who I am today.

So I think that's where my life changed a lot was having him there is my father figure, even though it's sad not having a real dad there to experience a lot of these things with. He's an older man, you know, but also he molded me to who I am today.

Do you feel like it's on you to kind of break that calling of your family to put together the mental toughness along with the athletic abilities.

Do you feel like it's on you to kind of break that calling of your family to put together the mental toughness along with the athletic abilities.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Man, that's something that keeps me going. It's something that keeps me pushing when I don't when I don't want to compete anymore. I feel like I'm the black sheep of my family. I love my brothers and sisters to death, but I feel like I'm the one that's supposed to be here. I'm the one that has the mental toughness, that has the athletic the athletic advantages, that has the heart and the will and the drive to keep pushing and keep going no matter what life throws at me. So I'm the type of person I don't need a lot. I don't need a fancy house a fancy car to survive. All I need is some land, a tent, and a garden. That's about it.

Man, that's something that keeps me going. It's something that keeps me pushing when I don't when I don't want to compete anymore. I feel like I'm the black sheep of my family. I love my brothers and sisters to death, but I feel like I'm the one that's supposed to be here. I'm the one that has the mental toughness, that has the athletic the athletic advantages, that has the heart and the will and the drive to keep pushing and keep going no matter what life throws at me. So I'm the type of person I don't need a lot. I don't need a fancy house a fancy car to survive. All I need is some land, a tent, and a garden. That's about it.

Do you feel some pressure from that being the black shape of your family?

Do you feel some pressure from that being the black shape of your family?

I never really thought of it. I think pressure is something that you put on yourself. And so the biggest pressure to me is just I want to be in a position where I can actually take care of my family. So that's the biggest pressure to me. I don't really for me personally, I don't care if I'm taking care of I want my family to be good and yeah, so that's the biggest thing. That's the only pressure I really feel is like, hey, I want to be able to like give my grandpa back. I want to be able to tell him I don't need help anymore. I don't need you to keep working. He's seventy three years old and still working. I mean, wow, And he might be working for himself, you know. I know he likes to have a little bit of extra money to go on vacation and stuff like that. But I know I know that he does work so that if I need help and anything in life, that he's able to be there and support me like he always has. And so that's where I'm like, man, you need to stop work. I'm trying to do this by myself now and it's about time I do.

I never really thought of it. I think pressure is something that you put on yourself. And so the biggest pressure to me is just I want to be in a position where I can actually take care of my family. So that's the biggest pressure to me. I don't really for me personally, I don't care if I'm taking care of I want my family to be good and yeah, so that's the biggest thing. That's the only pressure I really feel is like, hey, I want to be able to like give my grandpa back. I want to be able to tell him I don't need help anymore. I don't need you to keep working. He's seventy three years old and still working. I mean, wow, And he might be working for himself, you know. I know he likes to have a little bit of extra money to go on vacation and stuff like that. But I know I know that he does work so that if I need help and anything in life, that he's able to be there and support me like he always has. And so that's where I'm like, man, you need to stop work. I'm trying to do this by myself now and it's about time I do.

I'll tell you what, all those tough burn moments can be really good burn moments to help motivate you and catapult you. I'm sure during days you're sparring and stuff like I just don't know if I want to be here, but you look back on those and you're like, yes, I belong here.

I'll tell you what, all those tough burn moments can be really good burn moments to help motivate you and catapult you. I'm sure during days you're sparring and stuff like I just don't know if I want to be here, but you look back on those and you're like, yes, I belong here.

Yeah, yeah, and the sport I do. Man, it's important to have strong whys. You have to know your why. If you don't, when things get hard, you can't remind yourself of why you do this. And I think I think that's one of the biggest things when you're in the middle of a fight, in the middle of adversity, is just understanding your why, why you're here, why you do this, why.

Yeah, yeah, and the sport I do. Man, it's important to have strong whys. You have to know your why. If you don't, when things get hard, you can't remind yourself of why you do this. And I think I think that's one of the biggest things when you're in the middle of a fight, in the middle of adversity, is just understanding your why, why you're here, why you do this, why.

You love it even though it sucks, And yeah, I think that's a big thing.

You love it even though it sucks, And yeah, I think that's a big thing.

During those tough burd moments too. Is that what led you into mixed martial arts? Would you say, yeah, definitely. I think I don't think I fit in with like the corporate world or anything like that. So fighting is my way to support my family. Like I don't fight. I don't fight to be cool. I don't fight for likes. I don't fight for social media, cloud to get girls, none of that stuff. Man, I fight so that I can provide for my family and do do something that I love. So in my eyes, you know, I believe there's only I believe you're only guaranteed this one life, and you're only guaranteed it. And you know, I don't want to waste my life working eight hours a day, ten hours a day just to barely skate by and have a good weekend.

During those tough burd moments too. Is that what led you into mixed martial arts? Would you say, yeah, definitely. I think I don't think I fit in with like the corporate world or anything like that. So fighting is my way to support my family. Like I don't fight. I don't fight to be cool. I don't fight for likes. I don't fight for social media, cloud to get girls, none of that stuff. Man, I fight so that I can provide for my family and do do something that I love. So in my eyes, you know, I believe there's only I believe you're only guaranteed this one life, and you're only guaranteed it. And you know, I don't want to waste my life working eight hours a day, ten hours a day just to barely skate by and have a good weekend.

You know, I don't believe in that.

You know, I don't believe in that.

I believe, Max, you should be working four or five hours a day and really dedicating time, like if you have kids, Like imagine going to work all day and you get off at six o'clock. Now you come home your kids. You have kids, You gotta make dinner, you got to clean your house, all this stuff. You don't have time to really raise those kids. You know what I'm saying. And that's that's a story. We see a lot in today's world, Like, I'm about to be a father and all than you, and all I want to do is be there for my kid and teach them the ways of the world that aren't seen, you know, that aren't in the public eye, that aren't necessarily deemed as cool. You know something I learned about the other day. I was reading a study. They were talking about how ninety six percent of people cannot name ten native species of plants or trees in their local area. Really, that's crazy to me, because plants and all these things, they're medicine. They're there for a reason. They're not there for you to look at and this, you know, just be there. They all have a purpose, and I think that a lot a lot of that's forgotten about in today's world, with like pharmaceuticals and everything like that.

I believe, Max, you should be working four or five hours a day and really dedicating time, like if you have kids, Like imagine going to work all day and you get off at six o'clock. Now you come home your kids. You have kids, You gotta make dinner, you got to clean your house, all this stuff. You don't have time to really raise those kids. You know what I'm saying. And that's that's a story. We see a lot in today's world, Like, I'm about to be a father and all than you, and all I want to do is be there for my kid and teach them the ways of the world that aren't seen, you know, that aren't in the public eye, that aren't necessarily deemed as cool. You know something I learned about the other day. I was reading a study. They were talking about how ninety six percent of people cannot name ten native species of plants or trees in their local area. Really, that's crazy to me, because plants and all these things, they're medicine. They're there for a reason. They're not there for you to look at and this, you know, just be there. They all have a purpose, and I think that a lot a lot of that's forgotten about in today's world, with like pharmaceuticals and everything like that.

You think about it, if there's no trees, were not breathing exactly. Honestly, I probably couldn't even name ten. I don't think I could name ten off the top. Yeah, yeah I can't. But what was that moment like whenever you found out you're going to be a father?

You think about it, if there's no trees, were not breathing exactly. Honestly, I probably couldn't even name ten. I don't think I could name ten off the top. Yeah, yeah I can't. But what was that moment like whenever you found out you're going to be a father?

So man, it was it was so crazy, is so surreal.

So man, it was it was so crazy, is so surreal.

So I've wanted to be a father since I was about twenty, you know, and I grew up raising my siblings, helping out my mom a lot with them, and today, now I'm twenty seven, I just couldn't find the right lady, you know, the right lady that I actually trusted in, the right lady that.

So I've wanted to be a father since I was about twenty, you know, and I grew up raising my siblings, helping out my mom a lot with them, and today, now I'm twenty seven, I just couldn't find the right lady, you know, the right lady that I actually trusted in, the right lady that.

Seize the world in my point of view, I guess.

Seize the world in my point of view, I guess.

And so basically before my UFC debut, she got pregnant and she hid it from me for six weeks.

And so basically before my UFC debut, she got pregnant and she hid it from me for six weeks.

I had no idea. And in my post fight.

I had no idea. And in my post fight.

Interview after I won my UFC debut, I talked about how I'm trying to get paid so I can start a family. I want to be able to take care of that family. And that's why I'm here today. That's why I'm here tonight. Is basically what I said. So so crazy. Fast forward to the next day, right she has a postcard and her pregnancy test and tells me that she's pregnant.

Interview after I won my UFC debut, I talked about how I'm trying to get paid so I can start a family. I want to be able to take care of that family. And that's why I'm here today. That's why I'm here tonight. Is basically what I said. So so crazy. Fast forward to the next day, right she has a postcard and her pregnancy test and tells me that she's pregnant.

And I was just like, wow, the.

And I was just like, wow, the.

Timing of that, that is so crazy. I couldn't really believe that. I just said that on national TV. And then the next day she's like, hey, You're having a family. It's just adding onto the list of whys now though, Oh definitely. You see it all the time in the UFC.

Timing of that, that is so crazy. I couldn't really believe that. I just said that on national TV. And then the next day she's like, hey, You're having a family. It's just adding onto the list of whys now though, Oh definitely. You see it all the time in the UFC.

As soon as someone becomes a dad, it's like they completely shift, like now there's something worth fighting for more than yourself.

As soon as someone becomes a dad, it's like they completely shift, like now there's something worth fighting for more than yourself.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think it's a focused thing. You know, you have someone else to support. And some of these guys, they not all of them, but some of them they do it to be cool. They do it to they like to party and have fun and all this stuff, which is cool, but whenever they have a kid, they're like, oh, I gotta really, I really got to get this paper, I gotta get paid.

I think it's a focused thing. You know, you have someone else to support. And some of these guys, they not all of them, but some of them they do it to be cool. They do it to they like to party and have fun and all this stuff, which is cool, but whenever they have a kid, they're like, oh, I gotta really, I really got to get this paper, I gotta get paid.

So I think that's how a lot of people are able to kind of lock in there.

So I think that's how a lot of people are able to kind of lock in there.

Yeah, and you have an ability to like take yourself out of fighting a lot, Like you go you train, your do your hours during the day, and then you get to go home and just leave you all that pressure and all that stress with being with your child.

Yeah, and you have an ability to like take yourself out of fighting a lot, Like you go you train, your do your hours during the day, and then you get to go home and just leave you all that pressure and all that stress with being with your child.

Yeah, because I mean fighting, fighting is a dirty sport. Man, It's hard, and I think that having something to kind of fall back on to bring you back to reality is very good. Like because for me, I'm not like a super aggressive person in like my daily life. I feel like I'm fairly laid back kind of just chill, don't do much. But when I do train or compete, I'm very aggressive and very competitive at the same time, and it's very good to.

Yeah, because I mean fighting, fighting is a dirty sport. Man, It's hard, and I think that having something to kind of fall back on to bring you back to reality is very good. Like because for me, I'm not like a super aggressive person in like my daily life. I feel like I'm fairly laid back kind of just chill, don't do much. But when I do train or compete, I'm very aggressive and very competitive at the same time, and it's very good to.

Have something to fall back on. So that's why I like like bees.

Have something to fall back on. So that's why I like like bees.

It's just kind of something calm, like really calming, and that buzz, that hum of the bees kind of.

It's just kind of something calm, like really calming, and that buzz, that hum of the bees kind of.

Just calms you down.

Just calms you down.

And just basic things like gardening or going on a hike in the mountains, like just hiding out, getting away from the reality, the harsh realities of the world. I think that's a big thing, especially as an MMA fighter because it's just so chaotic.

And just basic things like gardening or going on a hike in the mountains, like just hiding out, getting away from the reality, the harsh realities of the world. I think that's a big thing, especially as an MMA fighter because it's just so chaotic.

Yeah, for sure, probably just brings you peace the mind, going out there and just looking at trees and seeing the bees.

Yeah, for sure, probably just brings you peace the mind, going out there and just looking at trees and seeing the bees.

Yeah, I mean, because the first thing I do every morning I wake up, stretch, brush my teeth, and I go beat people up. I go train to try to better my craft. So that's the first thing I see when I wake up. That's one of the last things I do at night, is training. So it's very good to have something in the middle to kind of just snap you back.

Yeah, I mean, because the first thing I do every morning I wake up, stretch, brush my teeth, and I go beat people up. I go train to try to better my craft. So that's the first thing I see when I wake up. That's one of the last things I do at night, is training. So it's very good to have something in the middle to kind of just snap you back.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So I was like fast forward to now, like the last eighteen months have definitely been a really unfortunate time for you. So how hard has been the last eighteen months?

So I was like fast forward to now, like the last eighteen months have definitely been a really unfortunate time for you. So how hard has been the last eighteen months?

Man?

Man?

I thought it was going to end a lot quicker than eighteen months. It's been crazy, man, the last year and a half for me. Basically to start, at the beginning, I got signed, I didn't know why it's looking for a fight. Basically, long story short, got the Milk Boys deal. They canceled it on me for no reason, and so I spent about four months trying to get that deal worked out with them, so.

I thought it was going to end a lot quicker than eighteen months. It's been crazy, man, the last year and a half for me. Basically to start, at the beginning, I got signed, I didn't know why it's looking for a fight. Basically, long story short, got the Milk Boys deal. They canceled it on me for no reason, and so I spent about four months trying to get that deal worked out with them, so.

It didn't happen.

It didn't happen.

And then it was about time I started looking for another fight, and I was like, this isn't gonna work out. So I started looking for another fight, and then my gym got shut down in Kansas City, Glory MMA. All my friends all like, that's my family. That's the first gym I started out training at. Like I walked in like three four years ago. That's the first gym I started training at. So all my friends are there, people I consider family are there. And then one day I show up to the gym and they tell me I can't go in, Like, I get an email from the UFC They're saying I can't go in there. Otherwise I'm going to lose my job. So basically at that point in time, I had I believe I had a fight lined up. Yeah, I had a fight lined up with Dan Argueda. I think I was six seven weeks out and they told me I can't be at my gym. So I'm like, I don't know where to go, Like I have no idea where to go, and I just got I just so happened to get in contact with coach Montoya out of Factory X and he told me to come out, man, and so I came out.

And then it was about time I started looking for another fight, and I was like, this isn't gonna work out. So I started looking for another fight, and then my gym got shut down in Kansas City, Glory MMA. All my friends all like, that's my family. That's the first gym I started out training at. Like I walked in like three four years ago. That's the first gym I started training at. So all my friends are there, people I consider family are there. And then one day I show up to the gym and they tell me I can't go in, Like, I get an email from the UFC They're saying I can't go in there. Otherwise I'm going to lose my job. So basically at that point in time, I had I believe I had a fight lined up. Yeah, I had a fight lined up with Dan Argueda. I think I was six seven weeks out and they told me I can't be at my gym. So I'm like, I don't know where to go, Like I have no idea where to go, and I just got I just so happened to get in contact with coach Montoya out of Factory X and he told me to come out, man, and so I came out.

I kind of on a whim.

I kind of on a whim.

I stayed with a family friend out in Colorado, was driving across Colorado every day to get to the gym. And I kind of completed that last six weeks of the camp at Factory X, just getting used to the new partners, new coaching, everything, Like you got to realize I'm making a UFC debut, this isn't anything else, and I have to switch gyms six seven weeks before and so I kind of get really close to the end of camp and I tear my knee.

I stayed with a family friend out in Colorado, was driving across Colorado every day to get to the gym. And I kind of completed that last six weeks of the camp at Factory X, just getting used to the new partners, new coaching, everything, Like you got to realize I'm making a UFC debut, this isn't anything else, and I have to switch gyms six seven weeks before and so I kind of get really close to the end of camp and I tear my knee.

Last week.

Last week.

We're about a week and two days out. I was training with Brandon roy Vall. He's about to have the UFC title shot here soon, and neither one of us did anything wrong. Brandon didn't do anything wrong. Oh, it was a freak accident and I tore my LCL full thickness tear of my LCL, So that means basically all the way through. And so the crazy part is it's the same day I had optimal disappointment scheduled. They told me that I had a hole my retina when I got there, and so they said that required laser surgery.

We're about a week and two days out. I was training with Brandon roy Vall. He's about to have the UFC title shot here soon, and neither one of us did anything wrong. Brandon didn't do anything wrong. Oh, it was a freak accident and I tore my LCL full thickness tear of my LCL, So that means basically all the way through. And so the crazy part is it's the same day I had optimal disappointment scheduled. They told me that I had a hole my retina when I got there, and so they said that required laser surgery.

So at the same time I have.

So at the same time I have.

A torn knee, I get told my eye has a hole on my retina, I have to have surgery and I can't fight. So I'm like freaking out at this point because I trained my whole life for this moment and it's just not.

A torn knee, I get told my eye has a hole on my retina, I have to have surgery and I can't fight. So I'm like freaking out at this point because I trained my whole life for this moment and it's just not.

Working.

Working.

Like I was gonna fight with a bum knee. I was like, I don't care. Even though it wasn't the smartest idea, I didn't really care. And then my eye happened and I basically was forced out of the fight. So took eight weeks off like the doctor said for my knee, about four weeks from my eye, and got back into training just looking to get into the fight. Schedules soon two weeks into training, tear my knee again. That's another one. Yeah, same one, same spot everything. So I tear it again. That's another eight weeks off. So we're approaching basically sixteen weeks completely off and two weeks in the middle of training. So like, I had to take those eight weeks off, and my body's just withering away, Like I can't run, I can't buy it, I can't swim, I can't really do anything. I'm just kind of wasting away at this point, like like I'm active, but I can't do anything high intensity.

Like I was gonna fight with a bum knee. I was like, I don't care. Even though it wasn't the smartest idea, I didn't really care. And then my eye happened and I basically was forced out of the fight. So took eight weeks off like the doctor said for my knee, about four weeks from my eye, and got back into training just looking to get into the fight. Schedules soon two weeks into training, tear my knee again. That's another one. Yeah, same one, same spot everything. So I tear it again. That's another eight weeks off. So we're approaching basically sixteen weeks completely off and two weeks in the middle of training. So like, I had to take those eight weeks off, and my body's just withering away, Like I can't run, I can't buy it, I can't swim, I can't really do anything. I'm just kind of wasting away at this point, like like I'm active, but I can't do anything high intensity.

And so basically I was like, I.

And so basically I was like, I.

Healed that up, got through the eight weeks, got cleared, and then I got my UFC debut that I just made it against Francis Marshall set up, and basically I had to rebuild my body from being in tip top shape to dropping completely off, just withering away, to back to even better, you know. So lots of work went into that, and it's just been a freaking roller coaster man the eighteen months.

Healed that up, got through the eight weeks, got cleared, and then I got my UFC debut that I just made it against Francis Marshall set up, and basically I had to rebuild my body from being in tip top shape to dropping completely off, just withering away, to back to even better, you know. So lots of work went into that, and it's just been a freaking roller coaster man the eighteen months.

It just has.

It just has.

It felt like it had it wasn't going to stop. And then I finally made that UFC debut, and I'm like, yes, I finally did it. I'm finally here, and I couldn't have been any more blessed with the performance I put on either.

It felt like it had it wasn't going to stop. And then I finally made that UFC debut, and I'm like, yes, I finally did it. I'm finally here, and I couldn't have been any more blessed with the performance I put on either.

No, it was a spectacular performance.

No, it was a spectacular performance.

It was awesome.

It was awesome.

But did you feel like relieved whenever that fight day came, just like finally hear all the injuries that I've been through and all the tough times to do you just feel relieved?

But did you feel like relieved whenever that fight day came, just like finally hear all the injuries that I've been through and all the tough times to do you just feel relieved?

Yeah? I could say relieved. I really.

Yeah? I could say relieved. I really.

I was really grateful to have that opportunity and finally, like everything's coming together to make it.

I was really grateful to have that opportunity and finally, like everything's coming together to make it.

Make it all happen, you know, I was.

Make it all happen, you know, I was.

It was hard for me mentally to go through that and just keep staying the course, because there's plenty of days I would wake up and I'd be like, why the hell am I even doing this? Like I'm not getting any money to train, I'm not. All I'm doing is spending money and I can't even fight, Like I just keep getting hurt. I keep having to switch gyms. I ended up having to buy a RV to move to Denver to train and stuff like that, Like I've had to make all these sacrifices to continue my dream, and it just it felt like a bad dream, like it was just never gonna end. Like it just kept going and going and going, and no matter how many times I tried to make it right, it wasn't going right. But at the end of the day, I finally made it to that debut and I was just so I was so happy, man Like, it was crazy the amount of joy that came out of me from everything that I'd been through to get there. And then I'm like, I look down, I see UFC on my glass. I'm oh, you just get the chills. You're like, I'm ready. I'm ready. I've I've survived a lot a lot harder things than this. This is fifteen minutes of my life, and I put everything I had into the five minutes I had to fight.

It was hard for me mentally to go through that and just keep staying the course, because there's plenty of days I would wake up and I'd be like, why the hell am I even doing this? Like I'm not getting any money to train, I'm not. All I'm doing is spending money and I can't even fight, Like I just keep getting hurt. I keep having to switch gyms. I ended up having to buy a RV to move to Denver to train and stuff like that, Like I've had to make all these sacrifices to continue my dream, and it just it felt like a bad dream, like it was just never gonna end. Like it just kept going and going and going, and no matter how many times I tried to make it right, it wasn't going right. But at the end of the day, I finally made it to that debut and I was just so I was so happy, man Like, it was crazy the amount of joy that came out of me from everything that I'd been through to get there. And then I'm like, I look down, I see UFC on my glass. I'm oh, you just get the chills. You're like, I'm ready. I'm ready. I've I've survived a lot a lot harder things than this. This is fifteen minutes of my life, and I put everything I had into the five minutes I had to fight.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What was it like, though, going in the back room and seeing your last name on the UFC shorts and it almost did you feel like you belonged there?

What was it like, though, going in the back room and seeing your last name on the UFC shorts and it almost did you feel like you belonged there?

Yeah? So I always knew I belonged there.

Yeah? So I always knew I belonged there.

Since I started training, I've always got to train with UFC guys and all my teammates, Jeff Molina, David o'nama, Kevin Krum, all these people that I watched when I started fighting as an amateur. I watched all of them rise up through the pro ranks and get into the UFC right, And so I would train with them, and I mean I was fairly competitive with a lot of them, and so I'm like, oh, they're in the UFC.