JRE MMA Show #177 - Protect Ya Neck
In a Nutshell
Ro and Joe reminisce on wild stories like Tommy Lee's feud with Kid Rock and pitches for celebrity MMA fights, praise prime fighters (BJ Penn, Forrest Griffin, Aljamain Sterling's grappling mastery), critique MMA rules/scoring (ban oblique kicks, mandate steel cups, fix 10-9 system), and hype Netflix's MMA card (Ronda vs. Gina submission prediction) alongside Netflix events boosting fighter pay. They analyze matchups (Ilia Topuria's dominance, Ankalaev vs. Costa, White House UFC card), old-school BJJ legends (Renzo Gracie, Mark Kerr), media rants (feminist Game of Thrones vs. woke Star Wars flops), and tangents on VR gaming addiction, Bob Lazar UFOs, and health woes like ulcerative colitis. Key takeaways: MMA needs rule tweaks for realism/fairness, streaming platforms revolutionize pay, elite grapplers like Oliveira thrive off-back, and fighters like GSP/Ilia redefine greatness.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Ro recounts a story from 2006-2007. Ro called Joe Rogan saying Tommy Lee wanted to meet him. They attended Tommy Lee's concert during his Rock N Roll Supernova TV show in Long Beach. Joe and Eddie Bravo went. Tommy's green room was set up like an after-hours party with tapestries, candles, and lights—calm, relaxing, and spiritual.
Tommy wanted to fight Kid Rock in the UFC for Pam Anderson's heart. Both had been married to her; they shared kids. Pam split with Kid Rock, who kept texting her. She asked Tommy to tell him to stop. Tommy called, Kid Rock responded aggressively, leading to back-and-forth.
In Vegas for New Year's, rumor spread Kid Rock would bring his bodyguard to attack Tommy's room. Ro and Kimmo slept in Tommy's room waiting; Kid Rock's group kicked in a different door, signed autographs—likely publicity stunt.
Ro pitched to Tommy: fight Kid Rock on pay-per-view for massive money; Ro would fight Kid Rock's security guy. Tommy loved it—win by beating him or if he backs out. Management discussed but it fizzled.
At MTV Awards in a casino (no personal security on floor), Kid Rock approached Tommy from behind while with Pam, poked him, then sucker-punched as Tommy stood. Ro got calls, then Tommy phoned furious, demanding to fight Kid Rock and have Ro train him in Long Beach away from ass-kissers.
Tommy's only workout was drumming, giving arm conditioning. He trained with Hian and Billy Blanks (karate point-fighting expert like Raymond Daniels). Ro brought Joe and Eddie to meet Tommy; offered fight to Kid Rock's people via Tommy's Sanctuary management. They declined, saying loser ruined for life due to rock/roll tough guy images—not in print, verbal response.
Good fight elevates both, like Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar. Dana White contracted both post-fight, discussed bonuses in octagon. Without Ultimate Fighter, MMA's growth uncertain, but lightning in a bottle—prior good fight Diego Sanchez vs. Kenny Florian (Sanchez dominated).
Prime Diego Sanchez was a monster; hung with Marcelo Garcia. Took too many shots over career. Open-minded, trained with demented Joshua Fabia (hanging upside down). Chewed meat for juices, spit out solids. Fun animal to watch; Steve Maxwell trained him insanely for BJ Penn fight when BJ trained with Marinoviches (leaping out of pools).
Prime BJ Penn best 155er ever—beat prime Matt Hughes, natural 155 fought down to 145 and up to 200 vs. Leota Machida. Well-rounded before era; human Wolverine. If consistent Marinovich camps, unstoppable. Lost focus due to partying, king of Hawaii/Vegas/Hilo, family influence, no poverty pressure. Talent made practice easy; insane flexibility/leg dexterity.
BJ did double lotus no hands; could kick head from guard/north-south. Rules meeting story: Frank Shamrock asked if in-guard head kicks allowed due to BJ's flexibility wrapping leg behind head.
Knees to grounded head should be legal—realistic self-defense (shooting single-leg). Knee on feet worse than grounded. Most destructive: flying knee on incoming shot (Michael Venom Page vs. Cyborg).
Objection to oblique kick to knee—injures irreparably (Khalil example), can't tap like kneebar. If banning knee kicks, ban nut shots. Wear cups; steel cups best—protects, hurts kicker more. DC wore steel every fight; Kenny Florian too. Some current fighters do. UFC should mandate compression shorts like Diamond MMA with steel cup—eliminates nut shots. Uncomfortable like fighting.
Shony Carter's giant cup in King of the Cage (Eddie commentated endlessly); taekwondo external strap cups better than internal. Steel cup legal despite metal (knuckles padded); hip into diving opponent slams metal dick into face.
Mark DellaGrotte (fluent Thai, Boston guinea) trained at Legends; great coach. On Ultimate Fighter 4, helped unassigned without ego—let fighters tackle/mount him. Hosted Ro in Boston; wife cooks.
Kevin James (King of Queens) worked with DellaGrotte, hit pads well, athletic ex-karate guy. Gave John Hackleman (Longo) black eye sparring; jacked, trained at Kill Cliff blending in. In Becky/Wrath of Becky films as psycho villain (with Joel McHale).
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Sir Duncan the Tall, hedge knight, 90 years before Game of Thrones)—trial by seven (7v7 knights), based on George R.R. Martin graphic novel. Great characters; righteous protagonist vs. pricks in House of the Dragon. Rewatching Game of Thrones (forgot much since 2011-2015).
Game of Thrones was a feminist series without fanfare. The baddest people were the women: Cersei Lannister, Arya Stark killed everybody, Sansa kept it together, Brienne of Tarth tore everybody up including the Hound, Daenerys the queen of dragons who can't burn and has three dragons. It's completely feminist but so good you don't notice. House of the Dragon is similar. Contrast with Star Wars movies full of women generals where all men are scared and get out of the room, which feels like nonsense. A lady with dragons who fucks killers is way better because characters are flawed and human. Cersei survives after all her kids are gone, has a giant demon watching over her, in love with her brother, fucks her brother. Remember the priest torturing her in the cell: she's ready to meet her maker, but he says no. Horrifying scene. No one was safe; biggest characters could get merked anytime. Pedro Pascal's character killed by the Mountain crushing his eyeballs—disturbing murder scene. He was doing great, took a lot out of him, got cocky, said "You raped her. You murdered her. You killed our children," strutting with Mountain on his back.
One of the greatest shows ever. Watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (6 episodes, 30 minutes each, all out, binge it). House of the Dragon was interesting but not the same. New one better, parts get you going. Love the relationship between the kid and the whole show. In House of the Dragon, testing who can ride dragons: need Targaryen blood, Targaryens fucked regular people, so pulling people from pubs to test in front of dragons. King's guard says great honor, careful what you wish for. Red Wedding craziest shit, couldn't believe it was happening. Hated the ending—felt like tying it up in a nice bow, better like No Country for Old Men where life continues. Once past the books, it took a hit. George R.R. Martin created genius world, complex characters like Tyrion Lannister, Tywin Lannister. Doing The Sworn Sword, second book of Dunk and Egg tales after A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, then The Mystery Knight—all his writing.
George St. Pierre loves Star Wars as much, texted about new Darth Maul animated series, says so far so good. Jamie says it's fun. Hard to convince non-MMA people who GSP is—he seems sweet and friendly, but one of the greatest fighters ever, top of everybody's list. Problem with MMA: have to convince people how bad someone was, wasn't long ago GSP was greatest. Fans are new, don't go back and watch, like John Fitch fight—prime GSP terrifying, incredible gas tank, great flow between grappling and striking, creative. Set up takedowns perfectly, ran through every takedown, ran you across the cage. Firas Zahabi big part, bad motherfucker, smart, incredible YouTube breakdowns, astute on every aspect. His brother fighting Sean O'Malley at bantamweight, people sleeping on him, keeps winning. Controversial Aldo fight—Ado almost had it, but not generous enough with 10-8s and 10-7s.
Scoring sucks because stole from boxing, not enough points for MMA. Should count submission attempts, takedown attempts, aggression, defense, strategy implementation—use 100 points, not 10-9. Why 9-10 when 10-9 rounds could be anybody? UFC BJJ uses it better, liberal with 10-8s/10-7s: close is 10-9, one-sided 10-8. Difference between 70-30 round and 51-49 huge, doesn't reflect. Can win 10-9 barely first round, lose 10-9 second where dominated but no knockdown. Just because no unconsciousness or knockdown, still nuts. Aljo should've got nod against someone—won first round, opponent one reversal last 1:30. Aljo nightmare for grapplers, could be undefeated at 145. Gets your back, dominates—10-8 round vs. Yusuff (fighting April 25). Levels if hits ground. Best anybody did vs. Yan in second fight? Control so good on floor vs. Merab who gets up/down. Aljo needs back exposure, locks it all day, Sanhagen fight masterpiece. Back takes some of best in sport. Nice guy, does everything right, but neck fight turned people against him—real injury, had disc replaced. Could be two-time champ, double division. Undefeated at 145, mastered Calvin Kattar (beast). Good at not getting hit, Longo says seen 20% standup, foot wherever. Hope shot if beats Yusuff.
Still nightmare, especially grappling. Losses: Sean O'Malley perfect catch, head not in it—didn't want fight, forced, quick turnaround as champ, injured, thought PPV numbers from Sean would pay off but didn't. Takes a lot to get people to pay today. Paramount genius, app many have. ESPN: big difference popular vs. people paying to watch. Like on Paramount as fan, saves money. Netflix good, throwing money at MMA.
Cheetah vs. Ronda: round one submission Ronda unless Gina stands (doubt). Gina 43, was heavy, now great shape, but how long without training? Needs grappling defense vs. best female grappler—hope keep standing. Gina arm locks amazing, preposterous. Cat Zingano charged, threw her, instantaneous armbar, stupid strategy. Recent Gina pads with John Wood didn't look good mechanically. Maybe slow motion warmup. Round one submission. Exciting Netflix doing it. Sustainable? Netflix insane money, $8.99-$26.99/month, give exciting content, people subscribe for MMA. Card: Felipe Lima vs. Ian Garry, Mike Perry vs. Nate Diaz, Robelis Despaigne, Junior dos Santos (close to 50, good shape). Adriana Moreira vs. someone, Mogay schools. Diaz-Perry bananas, dog fight, worth price. Five rounds crazy. Loren Larkin tuned Neil Magny with oblique kicks to chest/ribs, knocked down with arm hit, stopped him. Elite striking, Magny durable, disciplined endurance. Sharp.
Aaron Pico had a prime performance and great run coming from Bellator. He was red hot when transitioning to UFC. Pitbull and Aaron Pico are set to fight this weekend. After his loss to Lorenzo, how much time should Pico take off? He's a raging bull with strong offense but got caught perfectly by a spinning elbow. He was stopped more than once with bad knockouts, including one by Adam Burks from Kill Cliff with a flying knee. Those knockouts put him out cold.
Macy Barber's recent win over Alexa Grasso was one of the greatest finishes in women's MMA history. Felt bad for Grasso; wanted to tell the doctor to use smelling salts. The doctor seemed confused, likely no combat sports experience, didn't realize Grasso was knocked out cold and then strangled. Barber transitioned fast to a choke while Grasso was out. Never happened before: out cold then strangled. Grasso was reacting, went limp when put on her back trying to sit up. Grasso fights dangerous as southpaw. Doctor thought she was coming to. Barber hit with left hand, took back instantly, choked her like lightning while she was out, then cracked her again. Same combination finished Valentina (left hand, took back, longer process). Grasso tough; fell backwards after knockdown, tried to get up but fainted when Mike put arm around her. Scary. Grasso had prior seizures, pulled out of fight with Erin Blanchfield due to locker room seizure. Still allowed to fight depending on seizure cause (e.g., medication). Fighting wouldn't help seizures or motivation.
Anytime you fight, knockout is possible. Camaro (likely Ciryl Gane) never took big shots until stopped by head kick despite dominating. That's the feeling before walking out. John Anik noted DC saying many would quit but Camaro not cut from that cloth, then perfect head kick immediately after. Like a movie.
Russell Crowe in new MMA movie, likely ONE FC, fighter around same age. ONE has wild striking fights, best standup. Watch via Dagestani fighter Asodoula Imangazaliev (135 lbs, 6'1", laser beam striker, maybe best in world). KOing world Muay Thai champions (three-time Lumpinee stadium champs). From Dagestan, can wrestle. 22 years old, impressive real speed movements against world champions. Looks like robust Zabit, pure Muay Thai, accurate spinning heel kicks, knees to body, combinations, pressure. Flatlines assassins. ONE should do UFC striking like Muay Thai with MMA gloves. Fans boo ground; kickboxing never goes down, more brutal than boxing, didn't get fair shake in America. Most exciting after great submissions like Grasso's.
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Could watch Khamzat work Dricus in crucifix all day, masterful, not taking chances. Dricus needs to get up. No standups except for fouls (deduct point). Don't reward poor defense. If bottom guy failed, restart position. Guy worked hard for takedown, let him catch breath. Fix boos: knees to head of downed opponent, makes wrestlers dangerous. Mark Coleman won Grand Prix with that. Smashing Machine movie good; The Rock amazing as Mark Kerr, replicated documentary shots.
Kerr great podcast guest, intelligent, lives in Arizona. Submitted Dan Bobish with chin to eye as backstage interviewer. Came on UFC scene when Ranger Scott needed face. Favorite: vs Fabio Gurgel in Brazil (where he got 'Smashing Machine' name), took insane beating, never quit. Jiu-jitsu mystique then; big wrestlers learned to block hips/head, end of guard dominance. Mario Sperry first elite BJJ black belt to lose in MMA vs Igor Vovchanchyn; did everything right but Vovchanchyn bridged big, had endurance, stopped by cut.
Murilo Bustamante at recent UFC cornering Jose Delgado, tapped him twice in world title defenses, fought 45-bit (likely bit error), Tom Erikson, beat Chuck Liddell? Great boxing, insane jiu-jitsu, good wrestling/takedowns. Carlson Gracie team killers: Vitor before Bellator, Carlo Berto, Sergio (likely Sergio Moraes). Mario Sperry practiced triangles on girlfriend endlessly while she watched TV. Fortunate era: Renzo, Royce, Hall, Matt, Ricardo, Shawn Alvaraz. Tapout shirts signaled legit trainers in 90s.
Met in 2001; fought Kelly Delk, shoutout 'jungle jiu-jitsu'. Jiu-jitsu physical then, now intellectual; 'autistic kids' talk chess moves like KG guard (did since 90s unnamed). Old guys like Bustamante, Gurgel competitive in ADCC, IBJJF, MMA; scissoring/legs don't transfer. Best jiu-jitsu in MMA: Charles Oliveira, dangerous off back/top everywhere. Islam Makhachev finished him on ground. Manhandled Max Holloway (tight defense, survived). Max can fight at 45; perfect at 145, fatigued at 155 until moved up. Ilia (Topuria) on another level, well-rounded, improving. Documentary on fight camps. Ilia vs Islam at 155 insane skill matchup (Islam walks 196 jacked at 170). Arman good fight vs Islam at 21, scrambled; Oliveira threatened subs, more valuable than control.
Oliveira's guard dangerous; Paul Craig latches triangles, beat Jamahal Hill (broke arm), Magomed Ankalaev? Stopped with triangle 1 second left round 3. Paul Sass English guy, skinny, 11 triangles in row. Fabricio Werdum tapped legends: Minotauro, Fedor (prime, ran into jump triangle), Cain Velasquez. Scary jiu-jitsu off back. Fedor no respect for guard. Werdum hit Khabib with boomerang then bag (Khabib reached).
Expected Colby Covington vs Khabib at White House; super Trump supportive, wears hats. Bo Nickal wanted to fight him, different weight class, Nickal big dude.
Kobe is 85, great size. Chris is a little big for him, should go well. Wee is fighting Sean Brady next in Jersey. Shout out to Brady, on a tear. He's one of the two most worthy for a welterweight title shot, along with Ian Garry and Camaro, who doesn't have much time left as a legend, one of the greatest welterweights. He beats Wonderboy Buckley like a walking monster. Buckley was on the fast rise. Wonderboy beat the shit out of Kobe. Walk doesn't get tired, keeps gas for three full rounds despite his physique.
Sean Brady has an old turtle shell back, staying at that weight. Jerry this weekend: on paper, Oldberg is really fast, accurate, slick, big tall guy with great skills. Yuri creates chaos, maniac with ponytail, believes everything he says, hits trees in woods, makiwara, hard style Japanese training, spends time alone in woods, swims under ice. Ancestors came over on boat with skull and swords, Viking warrior genes, takes you to hell, guts his way. That style doesn't work with Pereira. Might walk into one, Khalil beat shit out of him for two rounds then ran out of gas. Oberg is a big guy, Khalil could make 85.
Moff (Magomed Ankalaev) is slept on, leaning Paulo's way but Ankalaev undefeated, 37-0 fought nobody, put Rockhold to sleep first round. Slick, calls himself the professional, like Russian hitman. Believes in his power, smart, calculated, technical, hard to hit clean, overreaches on purpose to read reactions, counters. Dropped Rockhold with right hook like a jab after seeing movement pattern. Paul Costa has a chin, but never fought at 205. Once forced Marvin Vettori to 205 when didn't make 85. Looked best last fight, ran through Izzy, who fucked his mind up. Back when walking down Yoel Romero, berserker, saluted him mid-fight, great fight. Nobody walks down Yoel like that. Photo of headkick distorting Yoel's face, neck fused from operation with metal connecting spine to head, implanted monster traps.
Yoel fought bare knuckle at 49 in Russia, disputed decision, many thought he won. Looks great, could pass for 32. Did RAF, beat Pat Downey then lost next, legit wrestler. Armen most impressive wrestler there, tech fell Lance Palmer, legit wrestler who said Armen never wrestled his level. Armen bad man, slick, technical, super flexible, weird mobility exercises, twists, crazy bridges. In prime, stop headbutting, might already be champ if kept together. Staying busy, put Mo to sleep couple weeks ago at 125, held on too long after out.
Arman put regular guy to sleep on couch, held choke extra seconds after out, neck looked virgin, gorilla clamp, soup for a week. Grip incredible, impressed with grappling, striking not bad. First fight with Islam very close, short notice, no full camp. Fuckups kept him from title, back hurt day before biggest miss, made Hannato Moonnell fight unprepared. Moonnell looked good against Duncan, money jab. Hilarious on mic, best in business, needs more mic time, good on podcasts with Gilbert.
Doing streams in English and Portuguese, Portuguese better, making money on YouTube. Character, need personalities. Merked Benoit Saint Denis, who was title shot bound, win looks good, can't judge short notice. Hook is fun, pro wrestler goofy but smart, tricks you. Can he beat Curtis? Curtis big, power, better wrestler, more MMA experience early career, but Hook hard to solve, good wrestler, hyperaggressive, fast, athletic. Eye on him for 205 or heavyweight.
Waiting for Gable, wrestling Romanov, don't risk ACL. Mike Tyson in MMA, moves like cat, 240 lbs, Olympic gold, KO power, smart ass corner, Jon Jones mentor, fight IQ. Not in UFC yet but podcast worthy, Olympic gold, NCAA champ, mid-20s, doing dirty boxing. Jumped over rope after win, roundoffs like gymnast after NCAA, attribute to speed covering distance. Stuck landing twerking. Named after Dan Gable, wrestling since toddler, athlete, smart, dedicated, building fame outside UFC smartly. When sign, give good money, cream rises, dedicated stay motivated like Floyd running home from club. Armen has money, private jet, family tons cash, still desires to be best.
Hamzot vs Strickland down to Strickland's motivation, few shots left, worked with him, K submitted but additional back rounds, confident moving. Hard to keep down. Guys making Hamzot human: Gilbert Burns, Kamaru Usman. Sean finisher if blood in water, durable, underrated grappling. Weird style fucks you up, hard to hit, hands in face, looping shots around guard on purpose, jab on point, thud audible vs Fluffy, mixes kicks. Hard to hit on point, fucked up vs Alex, no mistakes. Gon decisions at heavyweight, Gan hasn't been 185 since 12, big athletic heavyweight, cat movement, world class striking. Tom Aspinall fight opened eyes.
Feel bad for Tom, knuckle deep eye pokes, two surgeries, handled poorly, permanent like Bisping's right eye. Can't fight half blind, risk rupture. Emphasize danger post-fight. Simple solutions: point deduction every time, no discretion unless scramble. Pride gloves best, knuckles curve over, natural fist, not forcing open. Trevor Witthaus. Cover finger tips like mitten, thumbs free, mitigates, solid hit not digging. Less in bare knuckle, hands closed. Take points, guys keep hands up. Eye pokes from avoiding takedowns, blocking kicks.
Muay Thai guys cover their neck all the time, boxing guys very rarely do unless showing off before a big right hand like Deontay Wilder, who would hold his fist in front of your face then wing a nuclear bomb. Need to discourage guys from closing hands, cover the fingers. Wilder fighting Joshua? Tough fight, he's too skinny at this point. Looked good in moments against Chisora, said "I love you," Chisora said "I love you too," then knocked him out of the ring. Wilder backed off because he saw Chisora hurt and wanted him home to his family. A straight-up assassin like Wilder meeting God takes the mean out of your heart. Need a little mean to land haymakers, got to be angry, not half hippie. Deontay Wilder has one-punch power, might be greatest of all time, 48 knockouts in 49 fights, one decision. Not a great technical boxer, started late, right hand like Thor's hammer. Teddy Atlas calls it the eraser, erases all mistakes.
Wanted to see Wilder fight Ngannou, would have been wild, the fight to make, two bombing at each other. Could still do it. Ngannou killed it business-wise: crazy PFL contract, fought Tyson Fury, knocked him down, became legend, big money fight with Anthony Joshua didn't go well, reintroduction to MMA against Hannon at 68kg, took him down, smashed and beat him down, made 20 million, opponent had to make at least $2 million. How do you not love that? Now making a lot for Netflix, need legit names. Felipe Lima fought light heavyweight in UFC, worked with him at Top Team, big moment for him.
Happy Nate and Mike Perry making money. If fighter in contract negotiations has last fight, decides not to sign until after, Netflix calls, especially with big win knockout, make 12 million a fight, forces everybody's hand, how business supposed to operate, good for fighters, most important. Hope Netflix sustainable, not one-off. Just give money to fighters, they're the ones who fight, without them nothing, everybody's making plenty.
Netflix event huge, everybody has Netflix, going to watch. Ronda could become superstar again, if wins, talk of UFC return, Ronda and Dana shake hands on stage with fireworks, Ronda and Kayla Harrison White House lawn number two next summer. Don't think she'd do well in UFC, but great for her, done with WWE. Hard for elite competitor to do stage things, instinctively wants to compete, not fake compete. Kurt Angle good pro wrestler despite gold medalist, but he was done when he went pro wrestling, won Olympics with broken neck. She's a savage. WWE headquarters in Connecticut impressive if into it. Tony Hinchcliffe working with WWE, going to be bad guy, manager, happy. Collaborations with Kill Tony, roast WWE people. Tony giant wrestling fan, best roaster, had Dana's back at Laugh Factory. People who love WWE soap opera world love it, smart at mixing characters, new crazy moments, male soap opera, escape like Game of Thrones.
Can't do wrestling, respect how hard, very difficult. Wrestled Matt in Memphis street thing, winging it, harder than thought, they take beating, learn to fall but still falling. Met Hulk Hogan twice, first UFC promo on Spike, 6'5 giant, later podcast shorter from spine fused, used to be towering, bald head big lips, fun. Many back surgeries from seat drop move compressing discs, 300+ drops every night, back destroyed, every vertebrae, disc blown, herniations, barely walk.
Watched The Princess Bride with Andre the Giant, classic: "Anybody want a peanut?" "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Put on for family, holds up through generations. Project Hail Mary nice family one, Ryan Gosling goes to space to save world. Artemis passed moon, went all way around, saw dark side, took photos, splashdown Friday, land tomorrow. Dark side not dark, sun hits same, moon rotates and spins, we see side sun hits facing us, other side dark when facing away. Bob Lazar on podcast recently.
Recommend Jeremy Corbell documentary Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers, engineer hired 1988 to figure propulsion on spacecraft in hangar, flying saucer like on desk with American flag, thought ours, got in, made for 3 feet tall people, no controls. New one S4 on Amazon with CGI. Watched Ancient Apocalypse with Graham Hancock. Know Rener Gracie, wacky funny, old roommate, good buddy, out to eat with Danaher talking him, matured, visited, podcast and seminar. Visited Area 51 with wife, drove with Fernando, nothing happening, driving back dark desert, Fernando asleep, used laser pointer on sign, saw blue lights, pointed at helicopter to make contact, yellow circle around car, woke Fernando, helicopter followed low. Called police, authorities waiting at rest stop, threw laser in garbage, cuffed for interfering with military helicopter, major crime. Pilots came, one cauliflower ear, trained under Rener's cousin, brown belt, bowing, got out of it. Lucky, people shine lasers at planes, real problem, gets in pilots' eyes.
Tired of dick teasing about contact, want to see it. Dune movies amazing, Josh Brolin great, Jason Momoa, third Dune Messiah coming, very good though slow start.
Thomas came out with movie Flowers, about female in abusive relationship, shopping film festivals next week. Like when people spread wings, life short, do whatever you want. Too many not doing what they want, sad existence, try it, get out of head. Fortunate with school, Talio's Pizzeria, no promote no bleach, podcast, UFC Unfiltered, perfect. Power in saying no, enjoy what doing, don't pile on, once can say no great place. Day-to-day life. Longo holding for daughter, first kickboxing match won. Proud moment. Paramount do series of you and Longo traveling to fights, cornering, fun together, good technical advice. On amateur card cornered Adrian, young Filipino nurse always smiling, first round flatlined opponent.
Great on podcast together, crazy friendship, banter hilarious, compliment perfectly, great show. Road trip to home with Longo before he gets older.
Gilbert Burns lost four in row to killers. Malott tough, getting better, only lost once to Neil Magny, doing great until Magny never tires, always in shape. Rided ship since, next captain Canada, own fighter, great skill set, good head on shoulders.
Belal Muhammad has a solid skill set, good head on his shoulders, family of studs. His brother is an ice hockey player. It's a good test for Gilbert Burns at this stage of his career to see if he still has it. He's the first guy to make Com look human. When Morales beat Gilbert, Morales looked terrifying and massive despite being 170 pounds. The day after weighing in, he steps into the cage looking massive. Being much taller and the better striker is a huge advantage; you can stand six feet away, like Ogari last week.
Sora trained with ground control as a kid before college. He wasn't ready for Morales but showed a lot of heart staying in there. Hope he comes back. When you face an elite striker who beat Pereira in Glory—Pereira knocked him out twice after, but he won the first fight—you realize the level. People looked ordinary in his first couple fights, but he came out with a new version that's impressive. He's training with Pereira at Glover's camp now, a great camp with Glover's knowledge.
Glover was in the dark for six years unable to enter America, but he was the boogeyman in Brazil. Everyone said if he got to America, he'd fuck everybody up. He trained with Chuck in SLO, now in Danbury, Connecticut—not in Vegas, so nothing to do but train. Just Lyme disease in the woods and federal prison in Danbury. Connecticut is a good place to avoid distractions and just work. Danbury is where Renzo Gracie broke Matt's elbow 25 years ago. Matt was there; they reset it, casted it, no pins. Renzo told the story at a seminar because Matt yelled at him for letting go of the submission since Matt didn't tap. Matt regrets yelling; he didn't know it would break. Renzo said Hanzel yelled at him too for getting soft and letting it go.
Need to get Renzo in here; he's the best, a legend with stories for days. A black belt from Renzo, Helio Hickson, or Jean Jacques Machado means it's real. Renzo's New York academy is one of the most legendary places in jiu-jitsu history. Renzo came over in '96; they had an in-school tournament. Craig Kuk had two schools for him, Jersey school, but disappeared. Craig was Matt's first instructor, early Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in the early 90s like Steve Maxwell era. Matt found him through Gracie newsletter at 17 when buying tapes; it announced first American black belts then disowned some. Black Belt magazine said Craig taught in the Village one day a week. East Coast had nowhere to learn except Maxwell in Philly, so Matt trained with Craig, then partnered with Renzo, and Matt went with Renzo when they broke up.
Renzo took Matt out to eat, said business issue where Craig wasn't treated fairly. Renzo got along better with Matt; Craig was a wall, big German guy. Renzo said if Matt went with Craig, people would follow because they like Matt, but he wanted Matt with him. Matt asked if they could make up; Renzo said if it was Brazil, Craig would be dead. So Matt went with Renzo; Craig left town. Matt is the first American black belt under Renzo, his biggest achievement. Renzo took him under his wing as a purple belt, got him out of security guard booth to corner in Japan to see backstage.
Renzo's camp produced many elite black belts, and the John Danaher branch dominates generations. Danaher's prize guy Gordon Ryan is the greatest of all time. Even on the other side like Nicky Rod, from Danaher, all elite. Danaher put 100% into it with a genius mind. Didn't own a TV until buddy Chad LeBron gave him one to study wrestling and Japanese tapes.
Eddie Cummings got into business, not training as much. He was good, first in leg lock revolution, savage and super technical, trained guys in leg lock technique; they all shared.
John Danaher never drove in New York but drove here in rash guard, fanny pack, Adidas sweatpants. Dressed up last night in All Blacks polo from New Zealand; Matt asked no rash guard, he said dressed up for tonight. Probably his mother told him to stop wearing rash guards everywhere. Teaches at Kingsway, Gordon's school now that Gordon's done competing. He's like a character in a movie: philosophy major at Columbia, falls in love with jiu-jitsu as bouncer at Scores. Jacked 220-pound powerlifter who played rugby, body fucked up from rugby—knee, hip—so couldn't compete much but trains best guys ever. Doesn't care about social media, family obligations; obsessed with jiu-jitsu. Full head of hair, jacked, looked ready for a date. Wore headgear wrestling, bad dude; shocked people who rolled with him. Did privates, wrestled all day. Well-read in history, interesting guy, but obsessed only with jiu-jitsu.
Dinner with him every time in town, like reunion. Trained days a week, went to Burritoville. They were in Puerto Rico during pandemic having hard time; invited to Texas. Pied Piper, they all ended up here. Puerto Rico good for a while per Nicky Rod: like frat house training all day, especially shut down with outside light killing staph better. Many got staph from basement jiu-jitsu, lots of funk on mats.
Matt's belly fucked up with antibiotics from staph. Clears out morning with espresso, two Celtzers, pushes belly for 1.5-2 hours before trips. On way to JFK, 30-minute drive, 10 minutes in couldn't make it. Driver nice, gave $50 tip on $78 fare. Tried distracting with phone, clock not moving. On Belt Parkway, no pull over; asked for 7-Eleven cup to shit in. Pulled over, almost hit car, no bushes, everyone saw as pants down. Didn't shit in cup, just pissed a bit. Felt pulse but nothing. Similar with pee, has to push sometimes. Not willpower; going to happen. Gave driver $50 tip, called him hero.
Another time to aquarium, line out door, smooshed into bushes at post office, bees around dick, didn't get stung, some on pants front. Clean person otherwise. Imagine as woman, no hiding. Getting stem cells hopefully helps.
Cause unknown; brother had Crohn's, worse. Grandfather had issues older. Tried carnivore, gluten-free, but loves espresso, Italian food. Tios pizza no bleach, no probate; eats three slices, trains fine. Wife uses 00 flour for bread, pizza. Ganos in Vegas all Italian flour, handmade pasta.
George St. Pierre cured ulcerative colitis with fasting, reason he stopped fighting. Does hardcore three-day fasts. Matt does 24 hours, not hard if busy; big dinner to next dinner.
Cherry cola Zyn tasty, illegal in California—no flavored nicotine to not encourage kids, but can buy whiskey at CVS. Stupid; California nannies telling what to do, tax and regulate. Everyone fleeing to Texas, Tennessee, Florida to be left alone. New York's not much better, people running out, but Matt staying for life.
Kathy Hochul says Palm Beach, get people back to New York. Delusional; vaccines gift from God. People tired of Cuomo, picked her. Stephen Colbert doing next Lord of the Rings with son; Peter Jackson partnering, showed Colbert reading book.
Rings of Power biggest pile of shit next to Rings of Orcs. Fucked on childhood franchises with good lore like Star Trek, Disney touched everything—Marvel. How fuck up orcs? Made them with feelings like little kids, not terrifying. Made Hulk smart; Thanos kicked ass, never got balls back.
They're making orcs discriminated against. That guy's got feelings. They're not supposed to have feelings; supposed to be like demons. That one in the lower right hand corner with the helmet on. You don't know his backstory; he might be a good guy. I want orcs old school like from the movies. Night of the Seven Kings was refreshing because it had no bullshit in it. They say he had a cameo in Desolation of Smaug. They did an animated series The War of Rohirrim, which was a piece of shit. They made a girl boss in there; all the cool dudes get killed and the girls killing everybody. She knows everything. They took her from one paragraph and gave her this big backstory of being a badass.
It's like the Fantastic Four with the female Silver Surfer. She appeared in maybe one or two comics; not a main character. Was there a real Silver Surfer in it? No. There was a female Silver Surfer for a while, sporadically, maybe one or two appearances. It was his wife before he was the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal. The Russo brothers have been hitting it out of the park with every Marvel movie. They're doing Doomsday, coming out, basically putting out Endgame again in theaters, taking place directly after. Ruin King Thor's coming. They did Winter Soldier. Highest level of Thor. Ragnarok was fun; Love and Thunder horrible.
Here's my friend the rock monster and his life mate, Bob. What does that have to do with anything? Give credit to DC movies; they never ruined Batman. The Christian Bale Batman and the new one were dark, no woke shit. They murdered that Thor. Gorr in the comics is the best Thor story. Gorr's killing all the other gods; Thor's dad, they had to get a whole crew to fight him. None of that was shown in the movie. Love and Thunder was horrible. Comic version of Gorr is not even close to the movie. They wrecked it. Christian Bale was perfect but they ruined it. Just buy the comic books; you shouldn't rewrite history and fuck it up. That's Gorr the God Butcher. That's Ruin King Thor. How many Thors are there? That's the same guy, just levels. Doomsday comes out later this year, so does Dune Messiah. Good year to be a nerd. Nerd movies sell the best: Commodore movies 100% guaranteed, Harry Potter.
Harry Potter show on HBO cost $100 million per episode. New one coming out, highly produced, risked a billion dollars. Seven planned seasons, eight episodes per season, 56 episodes total, estimated $5.6 billion production cost. You have to do it to the maximum. Not a lot of black characters, but there is one: Dean Thomas. Why controversial? Race swap with Snape. His backstory not good; was in love with Harry's mom, they beat him up. Black Snape implies they beat him up because he's black. If they follow the books, it'll be amazing. Most successful books of all time, right up there with the Bible. J.K. Rowling got crucified for being logical, reasonable, telling the truth, protecting women. Actors say she said problematic things.
Harry Potter series sold over 500 million copies, generated $7.7 billion revenue. Bible sold 5-6 billion copies. Quran printed numbers not specified. Multiple versions of Bible, 45 books; most buy it as the Bible. Not a Harry Potter in every hotel room. Bibles in hotel rooms from Gideons donating them.
Brought Meta Quest but two right controllers. Playing Forefront, 16 on 16, tanks, choppers. Forget Pop One, Contractors. Pure adrenaline. Love the sniping; give me my behemoth and I'm taking people out. Me and brother-in-law Edwin take souls. Bikes, four-wheelers, anti-aircraft, carriers, ACPs, tanks. House of women watching Love on the Spectrum, I'm playing this. Two hour time limit, play until battery dies, around 1.5-2 hours. After day of making people dangerous, do podcast, deserve it. Decided long ago never bring gaming setup on road; get addicted, up till 4 AM. First person shooters feel real.
Doom in VR. Quake 1 VR. Quake 3 Arena guy; graphics down, everything online, log in and play streaming, phenomenal. Highlights of VR gameplay. Apple Vision Pro updating to play it. With Starlink, could do on plane. Battle royale, kill everybody. Get addicted, fuck people up. One of favorite maps; bounce out, everybody sniping, get god power, destroy everyone. Rail gun, precision movement, super accuracy. While god power, hit once. Like jiu-jitsu if never got tired. Imagine jiu-jitsu never tired, never hurt, training constantly, always winning, tapping people out. Straight crack. Swap weapons instantaneously, rail gun on wheel button, adjust mouse speed per weapon. No voice chat in Quake to not ruin experience. In Forefront, no talking, just kill. They call me Unk, Uncle. Complain when I kill with shotgun. I'M LIKE, "YOU'RE DEAD, YOU LITTLE FUCK, YOU SHOULD USE A SHOTGUN, COCKSUCKER." They say, "What are you, 30?" I'm 50.
Madonna was 26, felt old in high school. Getting ready for Trigg fight at 35, Gian Volante said, "How's it feel to be 35?" Told him fuck you, still fighting. Now he's 40. We're all dying, not much time left. Joe 58, Johnny 57, Bryan 51, Hardrigo Gracie lies about age like a chick, says 29. No one knows how old Yoel is, probably older. Saying 51 feels like 50s; never picture you'll be that age. When growing up, 60 was broken down. Shout out to Ways to Well, Life Med. Hang out with younger people in gym, younger comics unless Ron White. With Ron White or Longo (67), doesn't feel like hanging out with old man. Longo naturally funny, sweetheart. Good in Tires, homies with Shane. Idea you have to grow up not true. Grow up to be good dad, pay taxes. After that, have fun. Nothing wrong with playing games, just don't tell kids how old you are. They call me old man. Teabag little bastards. Physically squat to teabag in VR. Wife asks what doing; he deserves it.
Multidirectional treadmills, omnidirectional, harnessed, move like running. Good for footwork. VR boxing game: feet hurt on concrete in Converse, foot workout, gassing out. See guy, he pops you, screen whites out. Moving around. Hold controllers shows gloves wrong, fucks head up; should match hand position for proper punches. Harder to hit air than thing, good workout. Add wrist weights or lead controllers for endurance, footwork drills like Lomachenko. Shows moving away, countering. Better than shadow boxing; intense extreme shadow boxing with actual opponent visualized. Benefit: no getting hit, no CTE. Won't replace sparring but programs neural pathways for movements with zero consequences. Can't do with jiu-jitsu, but maybe AI robot one day that doesn't spaz or rip head off. Imagine AI mad you tapped too many times: "In this next roll, not going easy. Watching you. Fuck eyes out."
Cyclons look human. Watching Battlestar Galactica battle. Great, really funny. On Syfy network years ago, unappreciated series, one of greatest sci-fi series, reboot of Battlestar Galactica. Super skeptical because Battlestar
Loved the original Battlestar Galactica as a kid, campy. New series has Skyler as a girl, Starbuck as Katie Sackhoff, amazing series, great writing, way better than original. Cylons are scary hot chicks that ruin your life. Edward James Olmos great in it, phenomenal. He's 79 and alive. Great in Blood In Blood Out, Mexican prison movie. Controversy because it portrayed inmates fucking each other, severe disrespect, people unhappy, rumors people died over it. Got it on Amazon Prime.
The Expanse on Amazon phenomenal. Gets chatty sometimes, picks up after first episodes. Has Thomas Jane (Punisher), lead guy looks like skinnier Jon Snow. Jon Bernthal best Punisher.
Multiple Punishers: Dolph Lundgren had fake smudged stubble, worst ever. Bernthal best. New Spider-Man movie has Punisher. Supposed to be gigantic like Alan Ritchson in Reacher.
Reacher (Alan Ritchson) smacks drunk guy who pushed him off bike in front of kids, smelled like booze, guy denied it but bodycam proved hands on first, 100% warranted, could break leg.
Teenagers in front row with bright phones during Project Hail Mary. Older lady uses phone too. Considered confronting but worried about smacking 15-year-old, not totally normal. Whole generation unchecked, mouthy, gonna get smacked. Kids addicted to phones, texting in theaters, not enjoying anything. Our generation got slapped for acting fool, people confronted loud theatergoers. No repercussions now. Mike Tyson: lot of people used to talking shit without getting punched until they get punched in face.
Streamers harass for content, old people in stores. Tiki elbowed kid in face, warranted, kid starting shit, threatening to fuck him up, got close. They get clicks, don't care. Waiting to lay hands on one. They'll press charges, sue, risk knocking out and they die from head hit. Strangle and lay down, liver shot better.
Andre Arlovski teeing off on streamers, bare knuckle champ, stud almost 30 years, chin made comeback. Freddy Roach said boxing skills there if chin fixed. Got clipped many times, wildest Fedor jumping knee when winning. Fedor found ways to win. Randleman suplexed Fedor on neck then got choked, explosive fast twitch, worst staph ever, holes in armpit showing tendons, led to early death RIP.
Pete Spratt fought with brown recluse bite, hole in leg. Venom necrotizes muscle tissue, swells then eats through. Scary, people die, get treated right away. Brown recluses all over, Texas, lucky they're small. Imagine bear-sized praying mantis.
Long range truckers most popular job for serial killers, on road, access, keep moving. Many unsolved linked to them. Random killers hardest to catch, no motive. Zodiac Killer brilliant, codes, unsolved, taunted with letters. Harder now with cameras. John Dunning alibi from Golfo Beach?
White House card outdoors Washington DC summer, humidity heat, crazy. Fighters dehydrate, cut weight like Gachi to 55, Ilia less. Main card 8pm Eastern, noon corrected. Could rain, bugs, mosquitoes. Past King of the Cage in rain, inches in cage, mess. Elite world championship needs controlled environment, no extra variables, unfair post-weight cut in heat (last year 100 degrees). Everybody deals same but differently. Support crazy things. Legal in NY when fighting, now White House. Clearance got, going. Tickets: Dana/Donald 200 each, 84 VIP inside White House, rest military. Custom fight kits. Setup one month out. Announcement Saturday on setup. Saturday card good: Magomed Ankalaev vs Pereira, Paulo Costa. Paulo big middleweight, good to go light heavy, 5'10", carries body fat. Stopped Rklage first round. Lightning could stop fight. Bruce Buffer sequin jacket attracts lightning. Protesters, pro-Trump audience, chaos, riots spun on Trump. Sirgan pokes eyes. Justin technical, animal, walked down Paddy, eye poke. Gage fought with staph? Looked good, doesn't tire, mentally tough, complicated standup, head kick KO Dustin. Early wild: Michael Johnson madness, leg kicks close distance, collar tie power kicks.
Nobody gives Justin chance vs Ilia. Ilia one punch: KOs Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway in row, world champions, crazy power. Levels advancing.
Matt Sarah channel on YouTube covers nerd world, geek stuff, VR playthroughs, and movie reactions in Mystery Science Theater style talking to a kid during the movie: "Dean, what do you got going on?"
Dean has movie Flowers short film coming out and new show on Paramount Plus called Deep Waters with Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman, and Dustin Poirier starting next Monday. Every Monday with themes.
Still doing Ground Control. Just opened a school in Sykesville. Dustin Poirier coming to spot next door to Stratosphere on May 16th. Showun still going. Check groundcontrolusa.com, showunfights.com, and bemoreMMA.
"Look at you, bro. Promoter, coach, gym owner, hustling, hustling, hustling."
"All right. Thank you. Thank you guys. Always fun. Bye, guys."
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