UFC London Reaction, PFL Belfast Countdown & Clan Wars Review | The Energized Show

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What is up and welcome to The Energized Show! On this episode we discuss UFC London Reaction, PFL Belfast Countdown & Clan Wars Review. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Hit the notification bell for more Energized Shows! Youtube : Energized Show Instagram: @Energized_Show TikTok…

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Kind: captions Language: en It's going to be an absolute sensational card from top to bottom. I'm actually sorry for PFL Belfast. That's something I haven't said for a PFL card in a while. And I can't wait to see it. >> [music] >> The Energy Or Show up the Irish. Okay, here we go. >> [screaming] >> Okay, what's going on, guys? Welcome to a brand new episode of Energy Ors brought to you by Our Kings Competitions. Ross. >> Are you intoxicated or something? How are you doing, man? It's been a while, man. Yeah, it's been a hot minute. I'll go to my old Bas What about yourself? Oh, feeling great, man. Great to be back as always, man. Great to be back another weekend filled with combat sports. We were watching it. We were reporting on it. Bas, tell us this. What did you make of the UFC's return to London? We've been there. We suck cage or the UFC London. We've done a podcast in the O2 Arena. It's incredible to think that like only a couple years ago that's that was us doing that. What What What you make this event cuz I feel like this event wasn't as hyped as the previous ones that we were at. Is that cuz we weren't there? Uh I'd say so. But also we were at a title fight as well, Ross. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. >> was a fight night. Yeah, we we were at Edwards-Usman, too. So, we were there. Three Sorry, you I mean second title fight. Second title fight. Let's start the show again, man. Start the show. Nah, nah, it's all good. It's all good. But uh yeah, look, I suppose we'll get straight into it. Yeah. I suppose in the build-up to the fight people weren't overjoyed with the card. But I think you're comparing the card against you know, Aspinall in Manchester. Edwards defending his title on home soil. At the moment, the only champion the UFC have from the UK is Tom Aspinall. He wasn't available. The biggest superstar they have in the UK outside of that is Paddy Pimblett. He just fought for the interim belt. He wasn't available. In terms of rankings, the next best fighter is Lerone Murphy. He was fighting undefeated Movsar Evloev. Two undefeated guys going toe-to-toe. They actually set the record. These guys This was like the most amount of undefeated fights in a row in a main event since I think it actually broke the record that Irish Ireland's own Ian Garry had when he fought Shavkat Rakhmonov. So, these are two of the elite of the elite fighters going toe-to-toe in the main event. And look, the fight delivered controversy and talking points afterwards. I suppose everyone online afterwards How did you score it? There was the point deduction in round number four. I personally had it one and two for Murphy, three, four, and five for Evloev. But with the point deduction, I scored it a draw. I don't know how you scored it, Bas, but like it was a it was definitely an interesting fight. And it was very interesting to see Lerone Murphy in those earlier rounds able to get the better of Evloev cuz that's not something we've seen a lot of. No, I agree. Like obviously Lerone's been more active. Um also there's a lot of pressure. I've never seen him do so much press, as well. Like it like he seems to be sort of more quiet. And like this week he was getting a lot of push. Like obviously cuz like it would be a title shot next. Um Movsar is not actually that well known. Like even with the Paddy the Baddy hype around it, Ross. Like But um overall, I thought Lerone did enough. Um I thought like also he might have got a bit of a rub being that it was in London as well. But uh Movsar getting that win, the question is now, do you think they should actually run that one back? Yeah, it's a it's an interesting one. I think I think Evloev just cuz he's won so many in a row, he should probably get the next shot at Volk. Um that's just the way I see it. But like Lerone Murphy is just obviously undefeated going into this fight. Couldn't be put away again. So, the man got shot in the face three times and still couldn't couldn't get put away. I feel like that's not even talked about enough. I feel like the UFC should sell that more. Not that it's something that, you know, you'd want to happen. But to survive getting shot in the face three times and then to be an elite martial artist at that level is just something incredible to see. Yeah. Didn't he get knocked off a motorbike, as well? Potentially so. I'm not too sure on that one. But I know he was coming out of a barber shop and got shot I think once in the face and twice in the neck. He's obviously an absolute inspiration to the those around him. Look, he's actually from London, which I think a lot of people cuz he trains up Manchester. A lot of people don't realize that he's actually from London, as well. So, hometown fight for him. Obviously a massive opportunity for him. I think he watched the fight back and was like questionable that he lost. I think it's questionable he lost. I think it depends on what are we doing next for Alexander Volkanovski. I think towards the top of that division, you have obviously Volk is the champ. Evloev is obviously the number one contender. I don't think Lerone Murphy's stock drops too much. I think John Silva is a very very interesting cat there. And then I saw Arman Tsarukyan saying he come down and save the featherweight division. So, look, I'm interested in all those four guys getting in the mix and and having a scrap. But look, why not do Volkanovski versus Evloev next and do John Silva and Lerone Murphy as the co-main event or the third fight down from that on the same card. And you know, if one of them if Evloev or Volk drop out, you know, we can bump the other fight up. I think that's an option that we could look at. But overall the whole, I think that that that that's a very main event worthy fight. One versus three in the featherweight division. One like historically one of the most stacked divisions in all the UFC. I think that's where it's at. For me, Bas, well, Don't forget Diego Lopes, as well. Yeah, he's fighting against Team Garcia at the White House cuz they love Diego Lopes. But uh I think for me, my issue with looking at this card was I thought it was really weirdly the bout order was really really strange. Now, I I I know a finish I I know a finish came in this fight. But I thought it was really weird having E O'Connell-Barao Werdum versus Austin Lane on the main card. I thought something like, you know, Nathaniel Wood versus Lawson Kay. That that probably should have been a main card fight. I thought Mason Jones versus Axel Sala, which was like a fight of the year kind of which I think people thought was going to be a fight of the year kind of coming into this. I felt like that should have been on the main card, as well. I felt like they're the guys who people are coming to see. And also like that Mason Jones fight was absolutely insane. It's never nice to have to go into the octagon after Mason Jones fight and try and outperform Mason Jones or put on a bigger show than Mason Jones. Absolutely sensational stuff. So, I think for me, those fights should have been on the main card. And even like Chris Camozzi versus Danny Silva, you know, this is sort of an introductory fight to the UFC for Chris Camozzi. Unfortunately, he didn't get the win. But I'd like to think Wood being a Londoner and then Jones being in the UFC for a significantly longer time would have more clout to be on the main card and shift Camozzi down to a prelim spot. That's just my take on it. Obviously, the Pink Panther has quite a bit of hype around him. Didn't go his way. But I'm looking at the fights as a whole. I think those two should have been on the main card. Uh Barao Werdum and Chris Camozzi should have been on the undercard. That's just my thoughts on it. Also thought it was strange that you have like Arnold Allen fighting in a few weeks. And then you have like Mantas I don't know how to say his name versus Antonio Trocoli, a middleweight bout between like a Lithuanian and I think an American. Doesn't really make much sense for me. So, there were a few fights on the card that I felt didn't really make sense on the card. Like if I was given a overall rating, I'd give it a seven out of 10 card. I felt like there was two or three fights on the card that didn't make sense to be in London. And there was two or three fighters that you would have loved to have seen in London that didn't make it on the London card. So, what? You're giving it a seven out of 10 as in how the fights played out or how the card was? Oh, no. I probably would have given it a maybe a six out of 10 in the build-up and then sort of a seven out of 10 on the night just based on the Mason Jones fight, the Nathaniel Wood fight, um and then Chanel's D'Silva's finish was unbelievable, as well. I know that was the first fight of the night. But like she looks like she is an absolute force to be reckoned with at strawweight. Uh I I can see her easily breaching that top 15 sooner rather than later. Yeah, Chanel looks like she has that star power. Like she obviously fought in the PFL, as well. She fought like all around England. So, uh she just absolutely cracks, doesn't he? Like when she hits, it's like you you can actually you can see it in her. That's that's power that not a lot of women possess. Yeah, no. So, like she did great. Also Mason Jones, they both got the 100K bonuses, as well. Luke Luke Riley went in the co-main event. That was a big That was a big one for him cuz obviously Sham lost earlier on. And then Luke it was There was like a lot of pressure to get that win. Also Chris Camozzi lost, as well. So, he had to do it for the the Skelters. Yeah. Of course. And look, Sham Rock, I'm sure he'll be disappointed with his performance. As everyone knows who follows the show, we're big fans of Sham Rock. Ireland's own Sham Rock. We we claim him. He's Look, I feel like since he's got to the UFC, he hasn't put on the performances that we know he's fully well capable of. And I'm sure he knows that. He He doesn't seem to be pulling the trigger when he needs to. And I think that's that's that's where he's missing out. And I feel feel like probably most people have seen it by now. Paul Felder read him the riot act at at the end of round two. and don't know he just didn't seem to get get going so maybe maybe it was the bright lights the the UFC and he's more hesitant to pull the trigger because I suppose it's more risk and reward the UFC you're fighting at the highest level so you know sometimes you might take a risk to take a shot or overextend on the shot and you can be made pay for it so look the this is it's going to be sort of do or die for Shavkat in his next fight so fingers crossed we get to see him in the cage again doing his thing hopefully it's the best is still yet to come from the Shamshow. Yeah well there's like Sham brings a lot of attention like anytime he fights so that obviously plays a big factor as well. So we we will be he didn't take too much damage so we'll be interesting to see what he does next. Yeah absolutely absolutely but yeah and as you just touched on Luke Rockhold there massive performance fair play to him great great to see him on the big stage co-main event and getting his hand raised and then I suppose the other fight we just didn't touch on was a very strange performance from MVP getting the decision win against Paul Daley. I feel like he is dying to fight out his UFC contract and become one of the next Netflix MMA fighters. I feel I feel like that's on the cards at the moment but that's on the cards I think that is something that he's looking to do I think he's not getting the matches he's looking for I think the frustration is very evident that that is there as well. Yeah no I agree the MVP situation is he's probably spoken out the most about fighter pay. Yeah. And like as you know yourself if you speak out against the UFC like they're going to hear it someone's like in the ear so like you're going to get like worse treatment. I say he didn't like the fact he wasn't co-main event. Being told yeah. Yeah cuz he was coming off a great win against Shara Bullet. So and that was also a middleweight as well so it'll be interesting to see what happens next with MVP I wonder how many fights he has left I don't I don't know. I'll tell you it wouldn't be more than two I'd say. Yeah I think he's fought now about four times in the UFC so it'll be interesting. Or uh Well well we'll have to see about as well. Yeah overall there wasn't that that many finishes on the card which people don't really go bananas for so let's see what happens next time the supposed the arena wasn't that full either and like people getting priced out tickets. Um see which is disappointing to hear but uh look if they don't take accountability for this things like this will just continue to go on it was also announced that Sauerland boxing will be doing at least four shows in the UK as well next year so Callum Walsh is over there. >> UK or UK and Ireland? Uh I just saw Callum doing an interview on Sky Sports and he was saying he said five shows and then the reporter said well five shows minimum. So we will find out it'd be great to come back over to Ireland. Yeah 100% I I think they will I think. Look at the moment He wants to fight in Ireland so they'll be like look 100% it looks like there's a lot of Irish fighters who I don't know whether you call them free agents or what but like we've seen Gary Cully fight for Matchroom we've seen him fight for Queensberry we've seen Thomas Carty fight for Matchroom we've seen him fight for Queensberry you know like I'm not too sure if Steve Collins is signed to Queensberry or not I feel like Pierce O'Leary is at this stage or if he wasn't he definitely is after the last performance seems like look there's plenty of boxers out there to get on the shows and just because you're signed to one doesn't mean you can't fight for another anyway so it'll be very interesting to see when they bring a boxing show across to to Ireland what comes with that look I think Sauerland boxing's going to want to make a splash over here especially in Eddie Hearn's and Frank Warren's backyard and so let's see how it plays out. Yeah we'll keep you up to date with all that as well cuz they're definitely going to come out with some sort of announcement soon. So Dana Dana was killing two birds with one stone there coming over and getting the Sky Sports deal as well. Then um Ross this weekend the UFC returns to Seattle as Israel Adesanya takes on Joe Pyfer in the main event very strange main event to be having in Seattle Ross. Yeah absolutely obviously big big um big main event you know be Joe Pyfer versus former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya I think this is a bit of a do or die moment for Israel Adesanya I think if if he doesn't win here and now you really have to question how many he's got left in the tank and look UFC has really tried to put the hype machine behind Joe Pyfer and let's just see can he get the job done on the biggest stage in the world against former champion Israel Adesanya and look it doesn't actually get much bigger than this in the middleweight division. You know you can still argue Israel Adesanya is the biggest star in the middleweight division you know what I mean I'm sure in terms of socials and the numbers that way he's doing the same he's doing the same if not more than a Sean Strickland than a Dricus Du Plessis probably up there with Khamzat Chimaev as well like he's the biggest star as it gets in the UFC right now especially someone without a belt you know Joe Pyfer let's see let's see if he can put his money where his mouth is and get the job done. Yeah well the same thing is I was thinking about this fight now that that is the question does Adesanya still have it in in the tank it says here he's 36 and Joe Pyfer is 29 but then I saw that Israel was training with Robert Whittaker in the build to this fight as well. And like Robert Whittaker is uh like been around the block they obviously fought each other numerous times and I believe Whittaker's better than Pyfer so training with Whittaker I think Israel Adesanya has to be a favorite going into this. Yeah and looks like Whittaker is moving up to 205 as well I've heard rumblings that his move up to 205 will be met with the one and only former UFC light heavyweight champion Anthony Smith as he makes the ascendancy up to light heavyweight so UFC doing him no favors on his jump from middleweight to light heavyweight. So we will definitely have to see how that one goes and also you have Alexa Grasso versus Tracy Barber in the co-main event there you got to think there's title implications for that one winner there could be taking on your flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Yeah other than that there's nothing to massive to go on about like Michael Chandler is on the card Juicy Julianna Rosa is also on the card and Terrance McKinney is on the card Terrance McKinney seems to be like a lot of people's highlight reels. Yeah but I also feel like he has a few of his own I think he's got a few flying knees I I feel like that's why the UFC keep him around one way or another that man is coming out of there with with a highlight he seems to now I I can't tell you how many he has but I feel like he's a bonus merchant he's never actually been to the decision in 25 fights. Eight [clears throat] wins by knockouts five losses by knockouts nine wins by submission three losses by submission. So the the man is a a do or die fighter. You can say that again Ross. 100% finish rate in victory and defeat. Yeah well there's just always some viral clip of Terrance McKinney going around after all the hype he got as well. So that is going down in Seattle this weekend Ross. Um we also before we want to get into the Irish MMA that happened over the weekend we have to touch on PFL as they returned over the weekend in Madrid in the main event uh Vamosteel has took on Fabian Edwards for the middleweight title and also they had loads of footballers from the Real Madrid football team in the the arena too um Ross this event seemed to go a bit under the radar over here especially in the build up to PFL Belfast which we will be discussing like shortly but um what did you make of their event overall and what did you make of the way like they they get in all these like well-known footballers like they've done this before in Ireland and they in Ireland or in France? I think it's more I think it's more France I think we've seen the PSG stars all show up I think Mbappé showed up to an event and I think that's really gone down well we might say. Do you think the footballers get paid? Um actually I've I've never even thought about that to be honest potentially potentially they do well like how much money would you actually have to pay them so I'm going to say no. Well you know what it could be a good like cuz there's so many Real Madrid players there it could be like a team bonding session. Yeah fair. Like yeah. I I couldn't answer you to be honest I'm going to say no just because they earn so much money I don't think you offer them 10 grand that would actually make them show up or not show up. >> So I was just thinking about Ronaldo I was just thinking about Ronaldo remember I think they'd give them equity to show up. >> [laughter] >> Well look look at this way right we had Thibaut Courtois there we had I think Valverde was there Courtois was actually in the cage afterwards at one stage. Yeah Courtois put on the gloves. Yeah Jude Bellingham was there amongst a whole host of other other stars Arda Güler was there and then there was probably other players who I've never never heard of before at the event so look Then they then they went on to to beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday as well. Absolutely they they use some of those kicking techniques so we'll see if uh we'll see if that pays off at PFL Belfast whether there's a few boxers Irish boxers there that could use some of that those boxing techniques they learned from the MMA guys we shall see but look I suppose overall as a whole the event you know Fabian Edwards would have been nice to see him get the win in the rematch between himself and Vanttinen. Unfortunately, he ate some vicious elbows and Vanttinen got the TKO. Um look from looking from the outside in I thought the stadium didn't look as full as it did. The arena looked very, very cool. They actually did the fights in. Obviously, they showed the Real Madrid players there, showed that star power, but I think they need to do something more on the ticket sales front. They seem to really, really struggle with the ticket sales. I think on social and stuff like that, their numbers do okay for what what they're looking for, but I feel like they're missing out on something. And I suppose when I look at this card, I can see main event Vanttinen vs. Edwards, great main event, good main event for the region to have. Co-main event Barracks vs. McKee, like not really relevant to the Spanish crowd, but obviously a high-level fight. You can't really knock the fight itself. Then we had uh Tangila vs. Najib not much for me. Awesome vs. Van Rooij, not much for me. Heavyweight fight between Augusto vs. Vassell. And then we had a good few Spanish fellas on the card. Obviously, we had Giovanni Vanttinen, Costello's brother, fighting against Marc Ewen. He got the win there in the first round by knockout. But again, after that not a lot of ticket sellers is what I'm seeing, Basil. That's That's what I'm sort of getting at. I'm not seeing who were the guys here who were supposed to see get get their hand raised. Um who were the guys here who were supposed to see the crowd erupt for? Um at least we know with PFL in Belfast when Paul Hughes gets his hand raised, that place is going to go absolutely insane. No doubt about it. When Darko wins, he'll get a massive pop. Ciaran Clark, massive pop. Caolan Loughran or Alan Philpott, whoever wins that scrap will get a massive pop. Owen Sheridan, she'll get a massive pop. You know what I mean? All these guys are going to get the pop from the fans that the crowd's going to look for. And when you get the pop, it gives the idea that you're a big superstar. And when people see you're a big superstar, then they jump on that bandwagon. If you go win a fight in an empty arena, people are going to be like "Oh, that was really cool. Why does no one care about this guy?" Yeah, do you think it's because now WOW FC like it is basically being like these these Spanish MMA organization. Like obviously, Topuria's invested, Cristiano Ronaldo's invested. I think I I think I think that really goes against PFL that they're putting on a show and WOW FC just had a show in Madrid. So, like you know, some people would have got got their MMA itch off that. And at the end of the day Ilia Topuria is showing up at this event. Everyone knows that you go to this event, you might meet Ilia Topuria. You go to PFL in Madrid who are you going to really meet there if that makes sense? But you're like, "Oh, can't wait for to meet so-and-so." The Real Madrid football team. Yeah, well you probably didn't know they were they were coming. So, and also Ilia Topuria has such ties with the Real Madrid football team. I'm surprised they weren't there for that show. When Ilia Topuria won the featherweight title, he was brought onto the pitch at the Bernabéu and he was doing social clubs between Real Madrid, UFC, and Ilia Topuria. So, look, very, very interesting to see what way it plays out. I think look overall as a whole not a 10 out of 10 from PFL in Madrid. Not a 4 out of 10 either. I would say 6 out of 10 for PFL Madrid for me after fact looking back on it. Like they got the superstars in there. The main event definitely delivered. Costello Vanttinen obviously got his hand raised. And I suppose that was probably the outcome they were looking for being in Madrid having him defend his belt there. And I suppose we move we move on from there. And Yeah, well, do you think it's also the fact that they were on a Friday night? I don't think that helps. I don't think Friday night helps. Well, that didn't help Mick Conlan over the weekend either. No, it didn't. It was actually I suppose just transitioning onto Mick Conlan, it was actually really disappointing to see the crowd that was there for Mick Conlan's last ever fight. I feel like Also, was he fighting on Misfits Boxing? Yeah, yeah, it was their like first That was their first proper pro fight. Yeah, so I feel like they they I don't know what I say, they let him down or what way to describe it, but I felt there was very little hype going into the show. I felt like it was bad timing. Putting on But that could have been down to the the boxing that just happened in the 3 Arena to like literally the week before. But that's what I mean. I feel like it was too much to ask fans to buy Do you want to see eight Irish boxers fight? At least. Yeah. Plus, right? And then one or two domestic scraps or do you want to see one Irish boxer fight? Well, 90% of people are going to go see the eight boxers fight. So, therefore everyone went to that one. And cuz they timed theirs the week after you know, people A lot of people don't have the money to go for two shows back-to-back two weeks in a row. Or they don't have the time in their diaries to do that. So, doing it the next week They already They already called in sick on the Monday. They can't call in sick on that Friday. Exactly. So, doing it the next week was not going to be a goer. Um and look, obviously, unfortunately for Mick Conlan, maybe I feel like maybe he thought when they booked their fight, he was the Paddy's weekend fight. But the it was actually the week before was the Paddy's weekend fight. And look, Balls I think it was Balls that he put a post of like the venue uh for the main event and it looked like it was more empty than full. And we love Mick Conlan, never want to have a pop at him, but it wasn't the send-off he deserved. I'll put it that way. No. No. It It looked a bit Do you know what? After the fight like some people were saying he was winning, some people were saying he was losing. Obviously, Carl Frampton's going to stick up for him, but like it it it it it was just like a sad ending. Yeah. I I don't know what >> that's the way everyone goes out. That was like cuz I actually was sort of like, "Did he win that?" And then like to lose at home like that when it wasn't a packed-out arena, it was just I don't know. It just it it like it it it was a bit it was it was it was a bit sad. Yeah, well, in fairness, I'll tell you 95% of combat sports athletes fight until the wheels come off. And Cuz your man kicked him as well. Round what? King. What's What's the What's the first name? Kevin Walsh. Yeah, Kevin Walsh. Yeah, Rob King Kevin Walsh is his thing, but like Kevin Walsh actually kicked Mick Conlan when he was going around the ring as well. So, and then like tried stamping on him and all as well. I was like, "No way this chap's going to win." Then he won. Yeah, well, look, he obviously had a game plan, implemented it, and got the job done. And that's a massive scalp on his record now. No, it is, yeah. His dad Kevin Walsh said like his dad's actually an Irish like he he was Irish. So, one of the Irish guys won rather than the main event. Yeah. Um just touching back on PFL, they actually returned this Saturday, the 28th, as Johnny Eblen faces Brian Battle for the middleweight title, Ross. Yeah, I think Pittsburgh. Trying to be nice. Johnny Eblen Eblen seems to be doing his job. He seems to be trying his best promoter. I just think they they're after doing that thing where they're bringing across uh a UFC fighter in Brian Battle and having him fight under the PFL banner. And now look, the way I think I think Johnny Eblen is going to smash him, to be honest. I think he'll take him down and get the job done, but it's not a fight that I'm dying to see. It doesn't really make me as a fight fan be like, "Have to see this one." It's not it's not a a needle mover, one might say, for me. Uh and then you obviously have Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay. Maybe the winner of that then they do a face-off afterwards, etc. But again, like I'm looking at at the card and I feel like PFL have a have a bit of work to do to try and get the generic fan base behind these cards, get get them interested in it. I feel especially Here's what I really think the issue is, right? I feel like they're trying to attack the US market, okay? And they're trying to be as big as the UFC in the US market. But they don't actually realize in the US even in the UFC, people actually don't get behind the US fighters. I suppose if you actually do the regional markets like they did in Madrid, like they do in France, like they do in Belfast you will actually make superstars from there because the people love to get behind their own. The US people do not like to get behind their own. They never have. You know, even Chris Weidman, the all-American champion, beat Anderson Silva. Still, he was seen like a New Jersey guy. They see They almost view it like state by state. So, it for me, that's just the way it is. Um they're never going to catch the UFC in the States, in my opinion. That's just the way I see it. Like at the end of the day, Johnny Eblen was born in Iowa, right? Why not have PFL in Iowa and have Johnny Eblen fight there in front of a raucous home crowd and have the place explode from. Like I always say I saw when Stipe Miocic fought in Cleveland, the place went nuts for him. He was He was part of the parade and everything when he won the belt. Like that's what you need. That's what you need for these guys. You need to put them in front of their hometown crowd. Pack out the arena there. Even if it's a slightly smaller arena, have it packed to the rafters. Have everyone there for the main event, for that guy, and that's how you create a star. Just putting someone with a belt on in a city does not make them a star. >> [snorts] >> Yeah, no, I would agree. Like it starts small and keep building these guys up in their selected region. >> PFL did such a good job with Paul Hughes cuz like obviously he had a following coming in. He fought in the PFL and then he they saw how what he did when he fought in Cage Warriors in Dublin and then they brought him up to Belfast, had him fight Bruno Miranda. And the place went nuts for him. You know what I mean? Brought in his own singer and everything. You know, that's that's what you need to do. That's how you make the stars. Yeah, well they're they're they're definitely sort of hoping that this that happens again now with being that they're having the show on a Thursday night. But PFL Belfast there was also some fights announced as well. Um Oma Oliver is going to be taking on Shea Mullen. That's a big Irish domestic fight, Ross. Yeah, absolutely. Look, two guys young in their pro career, like let's have it. Like I am totally here for it. You know, SPG versus FAI? Yeah, SPG versus FAI. Two of the best gyms in the country going toe-to-toe. Oma Oliver, former number one ranked bantamweight fighter across all of the UK and Ireland against Shea Mullen who who anyone knows him as absolute brilliant striker in his own right. Can't wait to see that. I think it's going to be a phenomenal match up. And look, they're they're doing they're pushing Owen Shirdon at the moment. He's fighting number eight ranked welterweight. He's only what, four and 0 as a pro. He's already fighting someone in the top 10 in the PFL. Like I'm excited to see that. Another unbelievable domestic tussle. Caolan Loughran probably feels like his back's against the wall here over the past two performances and he's fighting against Alan Philpott. What a fight. Alan Philpott, absolute veteran in the region. I think it's going to be really interesting to hear the crowd reactions from that. Two two men men from up north, two men from different areas. I can't wait to see who gets the bigger reception and who gets their hand raised in that one. I think that one's an absolute sensational fight. And again, like even the non-Irish fights, like you have Pedro versus Yacine Chtatou and then Liam Gittins fighting on the card as well. Very interesting. See, and then look, Caolan Clark undefeated in the rankings at bantamweight taking Dean Garnett. We've seen Dean Garnett fight plenty of times across the PFL banner on a European scale. I can't wait to see that. I think that's going to be a very interesting fight. And then Decky the Moville Mauler. We were giving out that he wasn't on the Belfast card last time. He's on the Belfast card this time. This going to be an absolute sensational card from top to bottom. I'm actually excited for PFL Belfast. That's something I haven't said for a PFL card in a while. And I can't wait to see it. Um Like looking at the card again, like just unbelievable from start to finish. Paul Hughes, JJ Wilson, two of the top lightweights that they have going toe-to-toe in the main event. That's a real main event. That's a real big fight feel. That's two guys who are looking to get back in there for a title shot. I can't wait to see it. Big news is going to have the place on wheels like it always does. Undefeated Decky Undefeated Caolan Clark. Unbelievable. Great to see it. Caolan Loughran versus Philpott. What a match up. I can't wait for that. Owen Shirdon already getting thrown in the mix against ranked number eight in the world in Mixon. Liam Gittins back on the card. As we touched on there, Shea Mullen versus Oma Oliver, two young guys may making their trajectory on the rise in PFL. Omran Shabanz also announced on the card. Baz what? This is the card that we're looking for. I'd love to see someone like Troy Gibson or something get added to the card. There is still spots there to be available. I'd love to see them do 12, 13, 14 fight card. Get some more Irish on the card. Make a real statement here in Ireland and in Belfast and really make the Irish fans care about the PFL in this region. I think they have the capability of doing it, but they just have to show us that they want to. No, I would agree. I would agree. There there is out there there is like obviously because it's going to be a Thursday night card, it's probably not going to be the biggest card, but there is definitely room for a like a couple of fights to be added. Like give us give us three names. You don't have to give them give us an opponent, but like give us three names you'd like to see on the card. Or even an Irish versus Irish fight again. Cuz remember last time Naouel taking on Corey McLoughlin, that was like one of the most trending fights that they had on that night. Yeah, it's it's definitely it's it's definitely hard to sort of pick the guys who aren't signed on some, but I would love to see Corey McLoughlin back on the card. And you know what I would love to see? Corey McLoughlin versus Naouel Ouled in a rematch. Have them run it back. [laughter] Naouel Naouel Ouled posted pictures of Corey McLoughlin for months after this fight. That That was a fight of the year. One of the fights of the year. And Corey McLoughlin, I'm sure would happily get back in there and run it back with him. I would be all over that. Give it to me. Sign me up to it. Let's Why not get Sinead Kavanagh in there? Obviously he's fighting training out of Fight Academy Ireland now and he obviously has has the Dublin links as well, so he'd probably bring a traveling crowd. I'd be totally up for seeing that. And I feel like we haven't got to see Troy Gibson out there in a while. Why not? Let's let's get big big hot tubber run out open PFL Belfast. I'm here for all these guys to get the run out. Let's let's see it. Let's make it happen, PFL. And let's have a big card out, Baz what? I'm looking forward to it. I know you said it's on Thursday night, which, you know, obviously might affect ticket sales, but at the end of the day it might bring more attraction to the show from the TV side of things and people talking about it because it's going to have no competition. And being on a Thursday night as well, it's not like people go out on a Thursday night, so they're going to be sitting at home and going to have to watch something, so why not watch PFL Belfast? No, I would agree. There is talks right now that there could be a potential PFL Belfast press conference going down this Friday up in Belfast. So if there is, we'll keep you updated on that, Ross. Yeah, absolutely. Let's have it. Big big big event going down in Belfast. Big news, Paul Hughes run the show. Also, not going to lie, disappointed that it doesn't look like Rhys McKee is going to be on the card. I felt like a one-fight deal would have been perfect for there. Pay the man what he's looking for and get him on the card. He'd be the ultimate co-main event. Yeah, Rhys McKee homecoming again, like that would sell out the arena 100%. Yeah, of course. Like we we saw him do his thing when when he fought up there against Burlington. What a fight. One of the best fights I've ever seen witness live. Why not have Rhys McKee go in there and do it again? I think Look, we're a little under four weeks out, you know, with the right opponent I think it could be could have been a winner. Yeah. Um just before we go into the action from Clan Wars over the weekend, Ross, we have to give a shoutout to SBG Ireland's Caolan McCourt, who got the win at PFL Madrid. And also Team KF's Oma Toure got the round three TKO victory at Immune Fight Club. That went down in Helsinki as well, Ross. So undefeated Irish representative representatives around Europe over the weekend. And then, Ross, Irish MMA was back in Belfast as Clan Wars 54 went down in the New Forge Arena. It absolutely did. Clan Wars 54, look, I'm not going to lie, it didn't disappoint. I'm going to maybe start with the main main events and work my way backwards cuz I thought there were some unbelievable fights. And when I say the main events, I mean the sort of live TV ones that they had. Yeah, yeah. Uh Caolan Patton versus Shea Leathem. What an absolute fight. That was an absolute banger. Shea definitely won the first round. Caolan made some adjustments, came back in second and got the finish in the third. This fight, there was no takedowns needed. Three rounds, all all on the feet. Unbelievable stuff. Caolan showed unbelievable counter boxing and that was the difference in the fight. He was able to get the finish in the third round. Shea Leathem put on a really good performance himself. So really looking forward to seeing them both back out there again. Billy Sullivan woke up on that morning and he chose violence. That man went in there and made no mistake about it. He got the job done in the first round. Unbelievable performance from himself. And then Keir McCartan versus Aaron Henry had an absolute grapple fest. It was unbelievable. We saw some great ground and pound in there as well. Keir McCartan won two rounds to one. It was one one going into the third and Keir McCartan managed to get on top and be more dominant in the third round to get the victory in that one as well. So again, some unbelievable four fighters make their pro debut. Billy Sullivan moving to two and 0. Unbelievable on the pro scene. In terms of the amateur title fights as well. >> Yeah, but Ross, just before you get to that, what like where do you think each guy goes next from that as well? Cuz like that's a big platform to be fighting on on Clan Wars. Yeah, absolutely. I I I think Caolan Patton I wouldn't mind seeing him do one more on the domestic scene and then I feel like the likes of Cage Warriors will be looking at him. And what a weekend for Caolan Patton. Not only that, he also announced that his partner's pregnant, so win wins all round for Caolan Patton. Unbelievable. >> The dad strength already, like. The dad strength already. I felt like his counter boxing was some of the best counter boxing we've seen in a long time. I think that man is definitely a force to be reckoned with and he he apparently didn't have the best camp in the build up to it. Apparently he had a lot of injuries on the way, but the performance he put on, you would never have known. Uh Shea Leathem Go on. No, go on. Uh Shea Shea Leathem, unbelievable from him as well in the first round. Looked really really good. His kickboxing is so high level. Obviously he got caught in the third, but it was such a good back and forth fight. I love to see him on the on the domestic scene one more time, please. For both those guys, I think that was a really impressive from both. And Billy Sutton, I think good opportunity for him to jump to jump to a Cage Warriors, maybe even Knox Gone, maybe even a PFL. Who knows what? I think that that man really deserves it. That finish was vicious on Saturday night. So, I'd love to see him there next. What about What about like headlining the next Vertice in the summer? Yeah, I think that's also definitely another option. I think Billy Sutton looked really really good. So, I think he won't he won't be lacking opportunities. Put it that way. It won't be a trilogy against Kamali and all, will it? No. Who knows? He could He could headline the next Clan Wars card. That's that's definitely I wouldn't rule that out either. And then Keem McCartan, I think again, maybe another maybe another fight on the Clan Wars banner on the pro scene. And then I think if he moves to 2-0, then we can see him signing for maybe his Cage Warriors next. I think uh Both guys himself and Aaron Henry really put on really good performances. Okay. No, that's I look that those are actually like very interesting matchups. So, like in the build-up to the event, we were actually like very Clan Wars is doing a great job here. Then obviously there was three title winners as well in the amateur scene. Yeah, absolutely. Obviously Nate the Great Kelly got a split decision win over Kevin Walsh. A lot of people were saying that Kevin Walsh should have won this fight. The judges came under quite a bit of scrutiny over Clan Wars over the weekend. Some people even thought Aaron Henry was robbed. But look, I suppose I'll just give the scores that I thought and give my thought process on it. I thought Nate Kelly won. I thought he won the first and second round handy enough. The third round was maybe a bit closer, but I had Nate Kelly winning two rounds to one. I thought he landed the much more significant strikes. I thought he showed great movement. Look, he's really really coming on leaps and bounds. I also feel with Nate Kelly there there is something about him that just people within the country who are looking to see him fail. I feel like he's blew up and I feel like there's maybe a touch of jealousy off some people that he's got such a big profile at such a young stage in his career. That's a massive profile. People people want to see him fail. But at the end of the day, he does have he does have good skills. And I I can only call the fight I saw and I thought he won, to be honest. And look, that's that's how it was off, Basma. Yeah. Just just touch it sticking on Nate for a second. Like it Like how long do you think he's is going to be till he goes pro? Hard to know cuz he's still very very young. I think he's only what, 20 at the moment? >> what I was thinking, yeah. Yeah, so maybe two two more fights in amateur, I think. I think that that could be all we have left to see him cuz a lot of the guys who sort of were at the top of the amateur game as he was, like your Damien McGwiggins and so, they've already gone pro. So, he must be one of the most experienced amateur flyweights in the country at the moment. So, Especially fighting in PFL and Bellator as well, you know, three arenas. If I could make one fight in the amateur flyweight division in Ireland, I'd do Nate Kelly versus Ben Man. That'd be the fight I'd make. That'd be good. Yeah. People people would love to watch that. Cuz Ben Man's like ready to go pro. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. He looks He looks sensational. Also, talking about people who'd be seeing ready to go pro, Ryan Kelly brings another Clan Wars title home to the Kelly household. The older mobile mauler. Yeah, the older mobile mauler. Obviously brothers of Dara Kelly who will fight at PFL Belfast. Obviously went in there and smashed it. Unbelievable stuff from him getting the job done in the first round. Ryan Kelly is not one to be slept on. He is an absolute sensational fighter and he's really putting a lot together. So, he is definitely someone who should only be fighting for titles now on promotions until he turns pro. And look, I think he that's seven or eight wins in a row now. So, very much like his brother, he is someone to keep an eye on before he moves pro. Say you were watching him on the regional scene before he turns pro. Unbelievable stuff from him. And then Callum Carville, the Tooth Fairy. I love that nickname, by the way. Went in there. What a finish. That was an unbelievable knockout in the second round. The first round didn't even really go his way. He was sort of being out-positioned in certain grappling aspects, but he really found his range in the second round and he put his opponent away. Unbelievable finish from him. So, look, we have a new Clan Wars middleweight champion. What What a title fight. The all three title fights were really really interesting to watch. And all three pro fights were really interesting to watch. I was really blown away by some of the some of the fighters at this event as well. No, that finish there from Callum that was scary, man. Yeah. Like he's definitely one to keep an eye out on for as well. As well as as well as Ryan Kelly. The older mobile mauler. [laughter] Yeah, the older mobile mauler. >> He needs to be called the older like or something. >> [laughter] >> Other other fights fighters I want to give a special shoutout The heavyweight division to start off with. Simon Zaki. Man, 12 seconds. Like what was that? And the man can dance to beat. Sam Zaki is an absolute Simon Zaki is an absolute problem at heavyweight. He's going to really struggle to find opponents after that. That was absolutely sensational. I would watch that on repeat. And Johnny Ward is an absolute tough cookie. So, to put him out like that so fast was unbelievable. Simon Zaki is pure entertainment entertainment personified. That was absolutely sensational to see. One other thing I will say is Bobby Smith and Chris Boyd were the main event after some of the televised fights. This for me could have easily been fight of the night. This was sensational. Spinning kicks. Boyd got knocked down. Bobby Smith got the unanimous decision. But I don't think I've been as entertained watching an an amateur fight go to distance in a very long time. Bobby Smith is definitely one to watch. That fight was sensational. Mark McBrody getting the job done for New Era MMA. That was sensational to see. I think that's Michael McBrody now. Mick? Did I say Mick McBrody now? You said Mark. Mark. Okay, sorry. Jesus. >> [laughter] >> He's absolutely slaying me. Destiny Esbouzei is only 19 out of Sandee MMA. I feel like he's only 19. Fellow's an absolute monster. I think that's he's going to be sensational to watch. Was it the Andrews amateur light heavyweight of the year? Yeah. So, that's he's definitely one to keep an eye on. Alex Peggiden beat Gemma Carmichael. That that was a great great stand-up affair in the women's division. And then we actually had Iona Adam defeat Faith O'Brien. This is the one out of all the judges ones that people were giving out about that I agreed with the with the people giving out. I had it 2-1 to Faith O'Brien on the night. But again, it's amateur MMA. It's not it's not the end of the world. But that's the way I scored it. I do I do think one criticism I'll have when I was watching the show is I heard on multiple occasions the commentary team say a oh, a takedown here would secure the round. And in the scoring system like a takedown means nothing. It's all about effective striking, effective grappling, aggression, etc. And I feel like there seems to be a gap in some of the commentary teams and maybe even some of the coaches across the country that know what scoring system is actually being implemented at the moment and what actually it it means to score on the judge's score cards and what actually means to win a round. And I feel like that was shown in effect of the Nate Kelly fight. He was landing a lot more effective strikes. Kevin Walsh was having, you know, very good aspects in the grappling department. And look, Kevin Walsh put on a great performance himself. He really gave a good account of himself. But in terms of actually what wins you the fight, the the first thing is the effective striking, effective grappling. And you know, I was watching the third fight. He never had Nate Kelly in a moment where he was going to submit him. And he never hurt him on the feet. Nate Kelly hit some significant strikes including like a nice head kick in the round one. And after seeing that, I don't know how someone gave Walsh all three rounds. So, I think as much people want to think Walsh won, the most egregious scorecard of the night was 30-27 Walsh. And I also think I disagree that uh Faith O'Brien, I thought she won two rounds to one. And I know Troy Gibson disagrees as well. So, big love to the shed. Sometimes Sometimes like, you know, people say and you you don't know like people say, oh, maybe if someone's fighting out of a bigger gym versus someone in a smaller gym, you know, does that give do some of the judges give them a bit of bias? And then I also think, you know, there's a bit of anti-Nate Kelly bias as well when he fights. People are dying to see him lose for whatever reason. So, I think there's a lot to be said about it. But again, I think me and Basma were talking about this before you go on air we went on air. You can't just go, oh, the judges are shite all the time because there's actually three judges. So, you might actually have agreed with one of the judges and then you're saying, oh, the judges are crap. And at the end of the day, I feel like 90% of the people who are giving out are like friends and family of the person who lost. And do they actually know the scoring criteria? And do they actually know how to judge the fight? Or are they just watching it like, my mate did a good job. So, I think they won. You know, that's that's just being honest about it. And uh >> There's no point in giving out to us when the reels go out and like I'm being like >> [laughter] >> we weren't there. Yeah, but like look if if you feel you're you know, the person you're cheering for won't feel free to write that and feel free to Yeah, well it's definitely not our fault. We don't we don't do the scorecards, but yeah, I suppose the the the three ones that were sort of brought into contention tonight were Kiefer McConnon and Aaron Henry. I actually think Kiefer McConnon won 2-1 on the night, but that's that's how how I viewed it. Big fan of both guys. I feel Neil Kelly won won the belt. I had a 2-1 win tonight. And then Feda Breen won. I had 2-1 win for Feda Breen. I had rounds 2 and 3 for her. So, that's the way I scored it. Come at me in the comments, bro. But look, Clan Wars great show, great platform to fight on. And there was an issue with the stream, so hopefully they can get that fixed for next time. I don't think there was an hour of downtime, which is not great for the fans, not great for the fighters. So, hopefully that's fixed for the next show because obviously we feel bad when we're putting out the results and then we miss fighters' results. Yeah, we we we get made feel even worse. It's like, "Why didn't you put them out?" It's like, "The stream's down, mate." Yeah, yeah. So, like look, overall Clan Wars like another epic event and they're going to be coming back soon as well. I'd say being the summertime. Clan Wars 55. The next Irish MMA event that goes down is Wrath Combat Championship. Yeah, that's on the 4th of April and they have a new main event now, Ross. Yes, they do. Morgan Hoins will take on Max McAffee in a bantamweight showcase. Both guys were supposed to be fighting for the belt. Max was fighting for the flyweight belt. Morgan Hoins was fighting for the bantamweight belt. Both guys had pull-ups or pull-outs. And now we'll step up. Max is stepping up to bantamweight and Morgan Hoins has accepted the fight and they will clash for the bantamweight title. Reported as per Mr. Dave Farrell himself. So, I'm definitely looking forward to this fight. I think Max McAffee looks like he's on an absolute tear at the moment. Morgan Hoins fighting out of SBG Charlestown. That gym is on fire as well at the moment. These are two of the best bantamweight slash flyweights in the country. Let's see who comes out as the better fighter on the night. I'm looking forward to it. Wrath seems to always put on a good show and we will definitely be there to cover all the things happening on the night and posting the results. As always, bud. So, just sort of to recap, PFL is back on Saturday. And also the UC is back on Saturday as well. So, there'll be plenty of action to keep your eyes on. And also we want to give a shout out to the Irish football team taking on Czech Republic on Thursday at 7:45. Win this and then there's one more game and then we're going to World Cup, Ross. The Irish lads will have to come back. Yeah, me and me and Bas are going to the World Cup and we'll we'll catch up on the UFC along the way. But no, we are definitely supporting. Who knows? We might even pull We might go all skew and put out some more Irish football content this week. Who knows, Bas? We'll know. The the Irish Oh man, I hope they go and do it, man. Yeah. Troy Parrott for the 95th minute winner. And I'll Greivin Kelleher to score a header and to win it, man. Yeah, no. I'm definitely looking forward to it. Let's go. Czech Republic you're going down. Yeah. Um anything else >> Bas on all those Czech fighters all year. So, like now it's time for the football team to do the same thing. We feel you should give the team talk. >> [laughter] >> Man, with the two belts, man. Inspirational. With the two belts and the beard. Exactly, man. If you don't If you don't If you don't win, you're getting locked in the cage here with with me for you to teach. Man, you should sign a potato for all the footballers and sign and give it to them. But Sportlfe. But Ross, another great show. Next week next week we have an Irish MMA legend coming on the show. We do indeed. Yeah, so make sure to check that one out. But make sure to like, share, subscribe. And as always, stay energized. The Energized Show up the Irish. The Energized Show up the Irish. It's the face that runs the place, Chaos Quarters. I want to thank the Irish MMA community so much for getting behind me. You up the Chaos Cartel.