Darragh Kelly | PFL Belfast Preview, UFC 327 Review & Irish MMA News | The Energized Show

Summary

What is up and welcome to The Energized Show! On this episode SBG Ireland's Darragh Kelly joins us to discuss his PFL Belfast Main Event Fight, UFC 327 Review & Irish MMA News. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Hit the notification bell for more Energized Shows! Youtube : Energized…

Transcript (youtube_captions)

[music] >> Dillon Danis show up the orders. Okay. Here we go. >> [screaming] >> Okay, what's going on guys? And welcome to a brand new episode of Energized brought to you by Our King's Competitions. Ross >> Are you intoxicated or something? Introduce the guest man. Today we are bringing you Mr. Main Event. He is the main event of PFL Belfast on the 16th of April. He is the one and only is the Mobile Mauler the undefeated the one and only is Darragh Kelly. How are you doing my friend? These introductions are getting better and better every time. Well, look at the the more you do the longer the introduction becomes. Darragh tell us this, where were you when you got the phone call to say you were becoming Mr. Main Event? Uh Set my side Victoria Square shopping center. We were uh I'm funny we're just saying there the open workout on Tuesday. I was sitting outside there um I think we're getting Nando's for Ryan or whatever he was uh he was fighting for the Clan Wars title. So I was sitting outside there when I got the text. And who did who did who did that text come from? Uh well, it was Mick Hogan sent it to John and then John to me. >> [snorts] >> Happy days and what what was the what was the celebrations like when you found out you were becoming main event? Obviously that was a big deal. How much does that mean means to you? Uh it was uh And so that was like getting [ __ ] Do you know when you get I was getting giddy and I had to kind of [ __ ] pull myself together like you know and uh so they sent over a new a new uh a new contract for a new amount to get paid new [ __ ] I didn't actually know it was main event. Um It was only a few days later I think it might have been Shauna She hinted to me or I can't remember anyway but I was I I was saying that I've said this over and over again. I was meant to fight JJ back uh when this was all announced back last October. So I started preparing for him in January. Um then it all got switched on its head and then I was given a back obviously when Paul got injured so it just went full 360 and uh it worked out very well for me. Yeah. Now it's been it's been a bit of a whirlwind this campaign because originally you you thought you were fighting in Boston and then you're going to be now now you've you are the main event as well like so like are you still getting getting to terms with it or are you just like look I'm ready to rock and roll? No, I'm just it's just uh I'm just sitting here now yeah I'm ready to go. Um I don't I don't really think too much about the main event part like uh I'm not sure how I've I've never been main event. I've always you know I've never been the last man in the changing room getting walked to so it'll be a good experience and uh I just anytime I think about it I I'm excited about it like I've I don't know why but it's making me feel like I want to put on more of a show you know what I mean? So I think I'm excited for it like Well, you you're going to go crazy in the promos? No, you know I can't do that like it's just [laughter] not me like I'll go crazy in the cage. Give it a go give it a go. >> [laughter] >> Tell us this obviously uh SSE Arena big venue in Belfast obviously you're you're Donnybrook Gall man of Mobile man. You fought in the 3 Arena. Does this one feel a little bit closer to home for you? Does this one feel like even more of a hometown challenge than Dublin? I know you train in Dublin you probably have a lot of friends in Dublin but probably easier for the family to get to Belfast than to get to Dublin. Uh Bel- Belfast feels like a home show almost I like I was saying in other interviews there that uh I fought most of my amateur career there and I always associate Belfast with fighting. Uh the SSE was always on my bucket list for fights I didn't think we'd be back so soon but uh I feel like when I'm fighting in Belfast I'm so I'm a hometown guy like you know what I Yeah. Yeah. How many how many people are going to be coming to support you at on the 16th there? How many people live in Mobile is the question now isn't it? Yeah. I'm not 100% sure there'll be there'll be I don't know there'll be over a couple of hundred and I'm not I don't even know but there's still 50 or 60 going to Boston. Uh so I'm going to fly I'm flying out the next day to meet them boys. Um cuz they're going to be out until the Sunday but I I said I I would imagine there's a big crowd coming down like That's almost it's not too even but it's a bit strange you know. Yeah 100% and look it's obviously it's obviously a big hard card on the calendar for PFL obviously this card was supposed to be in Boston they moved it back to Belfast to for for the Irish contingent to fight on the card. You you and JJ Wilson are both ranked in the lightweight division. Where do you think a win here will put you in the lightweight division and how far away are you from fighting for that belt? Yeah I I think I'm after this I think I'm one one win away from fighting for the belt then so um I think it puts me right up there. It's just the thing who who's next you know what I mean? But I think I think me and JJ one more one toward the end of summer I think it has to be the belt then. 100%. I wouldn't disagree with that at all like what what sort of like feel are you getting from PFL because like you're obviously like you obviously started your professional career with Bellator and now you're with PFL you're like 100% homegrown talent with the organization. Yeah um Well, it's it's kind of like I didn't notice much of a difference cuz I'm dealing with all the same people I dealt with from Bellator so it really didn't seem like any change to me at all. Um Yeah like I it's been said here and there you know you you won this fight we'll get you another one and then could be the belt so you know it hasn't it's not written in stone or anything but if it's been mentioned why not you know what I mean? Do you do you feel like also for maybe fans who could be on the fence about buying a ticket for this event to see Darragh Kelly fight in person? This could be the last time you fight in Belfast or in Ireland for a while if you think about it. A win here your next fight you know there's no guarantee it's going to be in European soil at all it's probably going to be in the States if you beat JJ Wilson and then if you're fighting for the belt you know that's probably going to be in Dubai cuz that's where they like to have Ismael Madadi fight. It could be a while before we see Darragh Kelly again so would you be urging anyone who's on the on the verge of buying a ticket to make sure they get there on the night? Yeah I didn't actually think about that at all. Could could be a long time. Um So if you ever wanted to get down this is like you know two hours down the road. There's a couple hundred people coming down at least you know I know it's a Thursday night but as you said last time last chance to maybe to to get to one locally. And uh what sort of for the people tuning in now as well like what sort of time should they expect you to compete at? So the main card starts at 12:00 I think it is now I think I'm the third fight on it so there's only three in the main card as far as I know. Uh so around 1:00 a.m. Yeah like it's it's going to be a wild night in Belfast on the Thursday night isn't it Ross? Yeah look it's obviously it's obviously a great card and there's some other incredible matches put on it you know Rhys McKee and signing to promotion was a huge for for the event and I think Cain Loughran versus Adam Filipa is starting to make a lot of noise. Owen Shirdan fighting on the card as well one of your teammates Owen McCafferty versus Shane Mullen that's obviously another big domestic dust up. I think I think the card has been built quite well in fairness to PFL. Do you do you feel do you feel like being part of the card there's a lot of hype around it? Yeah I think so like if I was a fan going to watch this um I'd been I'd be very excited you know what I mean? I think there's what do we have like 12 fights is it? Right now. But there's like there's about five or six fights that I'd be really really interested in so I I think it's a very good card still. I know it's obviously a massive blow to to lose Paul but like you know you still have five or six quality match ups there like Yeah no we were saying that as well like a couple of weeks ago that like obviously Paul falling off the card will take a lot of interest from America away but the way all the Irish other Irish people are going to get pushed as well like the likes of like Kieran Clarke like the way like Pedro's now put onto the card as well. Owen Shirdan obviously Adam Filipa against Cain Loughran is getting like that's that's they're going back and forth and then obviously Rhys added to the card. And also the main event as well is very very exciting. Yeah you can't deny it it is going to be probably the biggest domestic card of the year so far anyway or at least at least up there so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it. In terms of on the night who's going to be in your corner on the night? So on the night we have John Kavanagh, Dave Roach, uh my boxing coach Jordan Moore and King Khali. Class and I I can see you have the the Fight Or top sponsorship there on you at the moment. Jordan Moore has featured quite a few SBG guys corners there recently. Guy Rooney's doing the grappling coaching down at Fight Or at the moment and then obviously good to see you doing a bit of work with uh King Khali. Do you do you feel like your stand up is really coming on leaps and bounds working with Jordan Moore and working with King Khali all the time? Yeah um massively like you know I've said this over and over again there was a hole in my game. Uh I I never had much striking and I always neglected it I was doubling down on my grappling you know I literally got to the point how stupid is this that I would skip the kickboxing on a Wednesday uh to go wrestling like you know, I just avoid every single striking session there was, didn't enjoy it. Um, then I saw I I realized I needed to patch it up. I couldn't keep going like this, like I was going to get found out sooner or later. And uh, started working with Jordan about about 2 years ago now actually, April I think it was, 2 years ago. And uh, it's just been a game changer, like. If I didn't start working with him, I wouldn't be I wouldn't still be winning fights, that's for sure. What What was the best way What What was the way What was it that Jordan was doing that made you like fall in love with striking? Uh, I find it like grappling kind of comes like second nature to me. I kind of someone shows me something I understand it straight away. It's just kind of obvious to me. Whereas striking, I didn't I just I don't know, it didn't come to me the same way. But when he was explaining things, like I've had a lot of coaches in the past, a lot of great coaches and things, but when he was breaking things down for me, it was he was making it obvious, you know? Not sure how you or what, but uh, and we we had a good connection as well. We got on very well. But uh, he the way he breaks things down, he brings it back to the basics and makes he just very easy to understand what he means by it. So I I found myself progressing at a good a good rate with it, like. So stuck by it and still to this day improving with him. And I know you said you were neglecting the the stand-up for a long period of time. Was there a come to Jesus moment where you're like, "Oh, I need to do this." Or did someone say to you like, "Here, Darragh, like you haven't done stand-up class in like 4 months, like what's the story?" Well, like like Was there Was there a moment that was said or were you just like, "Oh, here, I have to bite the bullet here and start working on my striking." Well, like when I was doing my fight simulations and all and my things like that, like I was literally my game plan was go in, put a pace on them, wrestle them until they stop [ __ ] getting back up until they quit, like. And uh, this was working, like, you know? Uh, then I think it was my second fight against Kai Stevens and I probably was like I can't remember what injury, but I was on antibiotics and I was avoiding sprint sessions I or not avoiding them, sorry, I missed a few. I don't know I can't remember exactly what it was now, but I went in and I wrestled the usual game plan. Um, I'd say I wrestled for about 4 and 1/2 minutes straight. Like if you go and watch that fight, it's like I come out like a sprinter out of the blocks and I must take him down 15 times in the first couple of rounds. But he just keeps getting back up and back up and back up and I was like, "Oh, fuck." And I don't you know, this [ __ ] won't stop, like. And I was just that [ __ ] up in my head, my game plan, my energy efficiency, everything. After that fight, I was so disappointed. I was like, I knew that I [ __ ] had this hole to patch and I just buried my head in the sand, like, and then it was, you know, show. So I knew after that I'd have to go back, but then I tried after that fight I probably tried for, you know, a couple of years to get back into the striking, to start learning it properly and join. And uh, I didn't have much progress. And then as I said, you know, start working with Jordan, you find the right coach and things like that. So that's when I noticed things the things starting to pick up. That's That's what you want then. Look, I suppose also and and a bit of Muay Thai in there with Kieran Clarke, he's not going to hurt as well. We all saw what uh, Tom Cody did over in One Fighting Championships. Those calf kicks are something something else. So look, really looking forward to seeing it. Are Are we going all out there and saying we expect a knockout come come fight night PFL Belfast? I keep thinking about this. I don't know how the fight's going to go. When I think of it in my head, which is what you never do, but when when I think of it in my head, I I always go to the third round and I think it's going to be a [ __ ] I think it's going to be a back and forth war, like. Uh, how it'll end, I don't know, but I think we're going to go at each other, like his his style's forward, my style's forward. I think it's going to be a car crash, like. Yeah, that's what we want. Fans Fans always do a good war. Yeah. Yeah, that's what everyone's excited for. Here we go. [laughter] Darragh, can you also give a shoutout to one other fight that people have to make sure they tune in and watch at PFL Belfast? >> [snorts] >> Um, let me see now. First one came to my head was Pedro and Cassio cuz that's who I was fighting originally, so I'm interested to see that. Uh, I'm excited for all of them. I think I was I think Kieran Clarke and Dean Garnett, that's probably the one I'm most uh, interested in, you know? Because those two boys, they're they're both dogs, like uh, Kieran's been out for the last year. Uh, so it'll be interesting to see where he's at there and I've no doubt with his his personality and how his work ethic that it won't affect him too much, you know I uh, I think that'll be that'll be another war there, like, you know, it might be more grappling and striking in a mix, but I think it's going to be back and forth. Yeah, if that if that fight's anything like a like a regular Kieran Clarke fight and then like the way Dean Garnett fought Louis McGrillen, that could be absolute fireworks, like it would be interesting. Yeah, absolutely. Kieran Clarke's special is the is the is the third round third round comeback finish. Like he that man is never ever the favorite. He's an absolute absolute dog in there. And uh, Oh, absolutely, absolutely. You your heart be in your mouth watching him, but look, he he he's yet not to get the job done. So shoutout to Kieran Clarke. Yeah. I don't know. Uh, we also have to give a shoutout that there's going to be open workouts for the public to go and watch at Victoria Square in Belfast kicking off at 11:00 on Tuesday. So make sure to get down there and Darragh, you'll be on stage at 12:30. So uh, there's a lot of like nearly all the fighters on the card that will be competing will be there. So make sure to check that out. That's on Tuesday the 14th of April kicking off at 11:00. Uh, Darragh, will you be Will you be like signing autographs? What What will you be doing there as well? Taking selfies, you know, that [laughter] [ __ ] I'll bring I'll bring my marker my marker and sign my things and switch up on my day ones. Yeah, [laughter] exactly. Yeah, it's got to be You're going to have to get used to doing all that all the selfies and all all the signing. Must get myself a nice pair of shades or something, too. Yeah, yeah, we've heard Andrew has got to say to people. [laughter] All right, we're all right. But uh, hey Darragh, we we want to thank you very much for your time. Is there anything else you want to say to people tuning in now that will be watching you compete on the 16th of April live at PFL Belfast? Uh, just make sure to get your tickets in my bio, you know, it's on my Facebook bio, on my Instagram page. And uh, I'm coming out to, you know, I'm coming to put on the best fight of my life. That's what I'm doing. I'm coming I feel like I'm I'm putting it all out there now. It feels like it's a we're ready to roll the dice again. I think it's going to be a war. There you go. Well, Darragh, best of skill and we'll let you get on with the rest of your day, but All right, nice one, boys. Thanks for watching. The Andrew Eades Show up the odds. So Ross, that was Darragh Kelly, your favorite Kelly, man. Yeah. The main Moville mauler. >> [laughter] >> The first Moville mauler. Yeah, absolutely. He is set to headline the SSE Arena in Belfast for PFL, man. It's going to be a big show. It's going to be a big show. Yeah, very very exciting. So before we get into that card, make sure to like and subscribe because we are here every week, Ross, aren't we, man? We are here every week. We do not miss. We do not miss. Ross, may as well start at the top of PFL Belfast. It goes down this Thursday. And the main event, Darragh Kelly taking on JJ Wilson. This is actually a huge fight for Darragh Kelly, isn't it? Yeah, really really is. Obviously massive step up in competition for him. He's fighting I think JJ Wilson. Last I saw was number five ranked lightweight in the division. I think Darragh Kelly's ranked eight or nine. Look, he has a chance to to move up the rankings and maybe one fight away from getting title shot. I think it's a a huge opportunity for him to step in and become the main event and be one of the main guys for PFL in this region. Look, he's got big big shoes to fill, but I think you know, I think he can do it. Like he's never he's never missed. So let's see how it goes. In terms of I suppose the man who's no longer fighting on the card, Paul Hughes as well. I'd love to see him fight Alfie Davis next. I think that'll be a great fight for him. Alfie Davis obviously just lost to Usman Nurmagomedov, but I think there was a bit of back and forth between them in the build-up to the Nurmagomedov fight. So I'd love to see Alfie Davis versus Paul Hughes. And I'd love to see them return to Belfast with that fight sometime, maybe in the late summer or maybe early September, October, depending on when Paul Hughes' knee heals up. Yeah, yeah, they they love making an Irish versus English fight as well, don't they? Yeah, exactly. So like give it to me. Yeah, exactly. Uh, then in the co-main event, Rhys McKee makes his PFL debut taking on Alex La Houareau at catchweight bout. Ross, this one seems to have a bit of history behind it. Yeah, [snorts] well look, both men have fought in BAMMA before. Both men are, you know, veterans of the European scene. Rhys McKee was sort of debuting in BAMMA while La Houareau was the champion there one stage. So these these guys have been knocking around the same parts for a very very long time. And look, all will come to a head 16th of April. Rhys McKee PFL debut, Alex La Houareau PFL debut. I'm really really looking forward to seeing this one. I think this one's going to be an absolute banger. Rhys McKee does not know how to be in a boring fight. So expect fireworks, expect blood, expect a war, and expect Rhys McKee to get his hand raised. Was it Just looking back, was that actually the first event we ever went to together covering with Andrew Eades? I I actually think it was, wasn't it? It was It was definitely one of them. Um, I remember Rhys McKee versus Richie Smullen, absolute And correct me if I'm wrong, but they they fought to a draw. Yeah, they fought to a draw, yeah. Yeah, so That was it. That was just a banger. That wasn't a a banger tour, wasn't it? No, I think that was I know it was banger 30, but I I can't remember if it was a No, I think it was just banger. Yeah, I think the one after that was a banger tour banger tour. People in the comments, let us know. Also, the third fight on the main card is Jack Shore MMA Madov against Toyison Pedro. So, look, that's that's like a big fight for their lightweight division. And then, Ross, we'll get into the prelims kicking off with Owen Sheridan taking on Mixon. This was scheduled to be on the main card and is now headlining the prelims. Yeah, you have to wonder did Rhys McKee bump this card off the off the main card? Hard to know, but at the end of the day, big fight, big stakes in the welterweight division. I can't wait to see this. Owen Sheridan is on an absolute tear at the moment. He He is someone who PFL fans definitely have their eye out on for 4 and 0, really tall, 6'5 welterweight. He looks massive in there. I'm excited to see him go in here and do bits. And then, obviously, he's stepping across from the number eight ranked welterweight in the division. So, a win here puts him into that top 10. And to be 5 and 0 in the top 10 will be an absolutely massive scalp. Yeah, Owen's uh He He's very very good at talking. He's also like He knows how to market himself as well. Like, he went viral there recently sparring with Conor McGregor. So, definitely make sure to check out that fight. Then, Ross, also Owen's teammate, Pedro Carvalho, is taking on Cassio, who was originally scheduled to fight Derek Cully. Yeah, look, Pedro Carvalho back under the PFL banner. It's been a while since we've seen him fight on these shores. Always a fan favorite, always in fun fights. Taking on one of Derek Cully's uh taking on Derek Cully's former opponent in Cassio. I'm really looking forward to seeing Pedro back. He always He always brings excitement and action to the fights. And let's see if he can make another run at this PFL lightweight division. He's a very experienced fighter. He's an absolute veteran of the sport and he's a fan favorite here in Ireland. Yeah, definitely. He's definitely an adopted son of Ireland. He's also coming off winning a world title as well. Yeah, he won over in FNC. He He became their lightweight champion. So, I'm looking forward to seeing Pedro back fighting on home soil. Yeah, then also, Team KF's Arman Shaban is taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the welterweight division. Arman previously fought in Cage Warriors. He was on Dana White's Contender Series The Ultimate Fighter Series, excuse me. This one is one that people probably haven't noticed as much, but it's definitely one to check out. Yeah, [snorts] very little promotion for Arman Shaban from PFL. Bit disappointing, to be honest. Arman Shaban, 9 and 1, UAE Warriors champion, former Ultimate Fighter contestant. Like, this was a big This was a big get for PFL in terms of free agents on the European scene. They don't come much more talented than Arman Shaban in terms of who's out there at the moment. Look, the Team KF fighter has proven more times than not when he gets in there, he puts on a show. We've seen plenty of Darrah choke victories from We've seen plenty of like I think last time it was a leg kick victory. He's definitely going to be one to watch in this PFL welterweight division. And he's going to be looking at the likes of Maxim and Owen Sheridan and say, I also want to know my next opponent. Exactly. Then, like, these two fights coming up are actually sort like Obviously, I'm mostly excited for Darrah taking on JJ Wilson, right? But, these two fights I'm also very excited to see. We'll start off with Kieran Clarke taking on Dean Garnett. I just feel like this is going to be a tornado, Ross. Yeah, [snorts] absolutely. Look, Kieran Clarke is the king of the comeback wins. And that's probably not the Probably not the title he really wants. No one wants to be losing and then coming back, but that seems to be the way Kieran Clarke's a lot of his fights have gone, but look, they are absolute wars. He seems to be able to outlast opponent. And then, Dean Garnett, he had a fight of the year contender, probably the fight of PFL history against Lewis McGrillen, absolute banger of a war. I think it has the most knockdowns in MMA history in a fight I've ever seen. So, these two are going to go absolutely hell for leather at each other, and I can't wait to see this one. Very high potential this one ends up as fight of the night. Yeah. Then, also, the fight I'm very much looking forward to is The Don, Cain Loughran, taking on Allan Philpott as well. Yeah, I think PFL >> this this fight has probably been the most hyped fight in the build-up to this event. Yeah, I think it's the only fight touching on the Rhys McKee one, but the only one that's had a actually a bit of trash talk between the two. The only one that has, you know, a hint of bad blood between the two of them. The winner of this will be crowned king of the north. I can't wait to see it. I think the PFL should go all out and have a crown for the winner and declare them as king of the north. Allan Philpott, absolute veteran, well over 35 fights into his career. Cain Loughran, coming into the PFL, didn't go to plan in his first fight. I know he'll want to right those wrongs and make a splash and get it make a name for himself in this bantamweight division. Really really exciting stuff. I actually think the winner of Philpott versus Loughran should fight the winner of Kieran Clarke-Garnett. And I think the losers should also fight each other. Yeah, the the thing is, this fight This is where the arena is going to be picking sides. Cain Loughran against Allan Philpott, like, we'll see what happens. Like, Cain obviously went in with a big name coming like after leaving the UFC on a win. And then, Allan Philpott, like, he's back home now. He He's just become a father as well. So, we'll see if that dad strength will kick in, Ross. Yeah, exactly. I can't wait for this one. This This This is the one that I'm most looking forward to for my own selfish reasons. >> [laughter] >> You said you're looking forward to them all, Ross. Yeah, but that one that one has a bit of spice, and I like anyone that has a bit of spice. A little bit of spice. Then, the fight before that is Martinez against Bakari. Then, Gauci versus Gittins. And then, Ross, another massive fight for Irish MMA fans, Oma Asovler taking on Shay Mullen. Yeah, we love a domestic dust-up here on the MMA Joy Show. Oma Asovler riding high off off his pro debut win. Same as Shay Mullen. These two guys are both 1 and 0, both looking to make a splash, both getting the opportunity. Probably Probably that they both dreamed of, to fight in front of a large arena in front in Ireland against in front of all their friends and families. Like, this is this is a massive opportunity for both of them. This is something that they both would have dreamed of, and it's coming true on Thursday night. And one person's dreams are going to be made, and one person's dreams are going to be shattered. So, let's let's see who gets the job done come Thursday night. Yeah, I'm Look, I'm very excited for that fight as well. It's like SBG versus FAI. Like, these fights tend to go down very well with the Irish fans. Like, especially last time, Wadey versus McLaughlin. So, look, I'm very excited for that. And the fight that kicks off the night is Hackett versus Vasquez. This is scheduled to kick off at around 7:00 Thursday as well. So, make sure to check it out. We'll be giving you all the live updates as well during the night cuz this is a big one. And like, the more noise that's made in the arena, the more the PFL want to come back. And as you know yourself, next time we'd love to see Paul Hughes back, Ross. Yeah, absolutely would. But, look, let's just recap at what a what an absolute brilliant card that we'll get to see. Darrah The Mobile Mauler Kelly will make his PFL main event debut, and he's fighting JJ Wilson, number five ranked lightweight. Biggest opportunity of his career. Let's see him take with both hands. The PFL debut of Rhys McKee. He is never in a boring fight. He's one of the most entertaining fighters this country has ever produced. Unbelievable stuff from him. We have Kieran Clarke and Dean Garnett. That one has fight of the night written all over it. We have Cain Loughran versus Allan Philpott. That one is for the King of the North title. We have the ever ever entertaining Owen Sheridan coming in there fighting Chris Maxim, the number eight ranked fighter. Arman Shaban makes PFL debut. Can the Lebanese Gorilla start it off with a victory? And Shay Mullen versus Oma Asovler, FAI versus SBG Ireland. What a fight. What a night. I can't wait for this one. Ross, you have me absolutely hyped for this now as well. So, that's why we even had to bring the show out today on a Monday. Usually, we bring it out on Tuesday, but it had to be done today cuz it all goes down on Thursday. Ross, also, the They're doing a live open work out on Tuesday, and then the weigh-ins are going down on Wednesday. So, very exciting stuff for Irish MMA fans. Yeah, absolutely. It's going to be a week worth of PFL goodness for for for the island. So, hopefully, the ticket sales go well, and everyone can support that fight night. Exactly. So, Ross, we're after covering PFL. I think we have to go into the world of the UFC. As over the weekend, Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiří Procházka to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion. Ross, were you expecting this? I was predicting Jiří Procházka to win, but again, I wasn't that confident. I felt like this was a real 50/50. It was a real pick 'em. And Jiří Procházka, I think, will be beating himself up more than anyone ever has off the back of a UFC title fight. It was there for the taking. Ulberg's leg was so compromised. I wonder if he actually if it went to the end of the first round, would Ulberg have come out for the second round? It looked like it was going to be that much of a leg injury that he might not have been able to continue. But, when you play with fire, you might get burned. Jiří Procházka got burned. Carlos Ulberg with an absolutely devastating knockout got the job done and he is your new UFC light heavyweight champion. Yeah, that was a that was a crazy fight. Um Ross, obviously Paulo Costa defeated Azmat Murzakanov in the co-main event. That was with a head kick knockout. But we have to discuss Josh Barnett defeating Curtis Blaydes. Last week we were saying this guy is great on the mic, right? Then when he's doing his media day, some of the stuff he was saying was just was not landing. I was like I don't I can't believe I hope this guy up. Then at the press conference then with everyone else, he was just pissing off everyone. Then he goes in and has one of the best fights of the year. And then cuts a great promo after. And now he's going to be fighting at the UFC White House taking on Derrick Lewis. Ross, what a week for Josh Barnett. Yeah, he talked and he talked and he talked and guess what? He backed it up. What a performance. Easily top five greatest heavyweight fights of all all time. Him and Curtis Blaydes went toe-to-toe, banged it out in the octagon for 15 minutes. Josh got his hand raised. He he is the man who's cutting all the promos. Whether they land or not, it doesn't matter. He is getting the eyes on him. I know some people hate this and you know what? At times I'm not the biggest fan of him myself. But all that matters is that you make people care. Whether you make them like you, whether you make them hate you, whether they make you cringe about you, it doesn't matter. As long as they keep talking, that's all that matters. And Josh Barnett is off to the White House to fight Derrick Lewis. He didn't even leave the cage before that fight was made. And that's it that's how much I know Dana White said um Donald Trump said oh, I want Derrick Lewis on the card. I wouldn't be surprised if he also said he wanted Josh Barnett on the card, but Dana White doesn't want to admit that. Because that was pure entertainment. Yeah. No, I'd agree. I'd agree. I cuz Dana probably doesn't want everyone there coming out as these like WWE characters. But uh look. Well, look he he doubled his over doubled his his social media following over the weekend. And at the end of the day, the bigger your social media following, the bigger the star you are, the bigger the star you are, the more money you can command. This is sports entertainment. This is prize fighting. This is about putting bums in seats and make yourself the most marketable person in the business. And Josh Barnett is probably the most talked about heavyweight in the world right now. More people are talking about him right now than Alex Pereira. More people are talking about him now than Jon Jones. More people are talking about him right now than Tom Aspinall. At the moment, Josh Barnett is the most talked about heavyweight in the UFC. Yeah. Look, when it works, it works, man. You know what I mean? It's all in or all out. So uh that was Look, that I I can't wait to see him at the White House right now as well. That's like that's just the way it is. Then um also Dominick Reyes defeated Johnny Walker by decision and Cub Swanson fought his final fight in the UFC and he knocked out Nate Landwehr. Um just give me a quick look here. Aaron Pico won by decision. Kevin Holland won by decision. Myles Garrett won by submission. Tatiana Suarez won by submission. And then also um Vicente Luque won by submission. And then there was uh there was a draw and then a decision for Charles Jourdain. But like Ross, overall 327, what would you give it a rate out of 10? Um probably going to have to give it a nine out of 10. To be honest, it was a it was a great card from start to finish. Like Vicente Luque kicking the card off and then like you know, Josh Barnett made it so entertaining like for the entire week, whether you enjoyed it or not, it gave you talk points. The main event definitely delivered. I know it was a it was a dominant one. Uh but that heavyweight fight was probably fight of the year so far this year. Unbelievable. So from there, we saw the head kick knockout from Paulo Costa. The Johnny Walker fight was a bit of a stinker, but Cub Swanson actually going out returning with the win is uh something rare that you see. So to me it was a feel-good event. I'll give it nine out of 10. Yeah, it supposedly it did it didn't really do well. I think it said it made like 7 million at the gate, like the lowest UFC have made in Miami as well. Any thoughts on that? Well, I I I I think they were going to the well with Jiri Prochazka versus Carlos Ulberg. They're going with the Czech Republic fellow versus a New Zealander. And at the end of the day, a lot of the previous times they would have headlined events in Miami, they would have had Jorge Masvidal there who's a Miami native and it's very hard to compete against a hometown guy. And that's why I think Jiri Prochazka's next fight should be in Prague and I think they'd do record numbers of a stadium show over there for for the UFC in for Europe. So it's all about putting your stars in the place where they matter most. And that's something that UFC don't always do. You're going to beat that >> the posters are also through the roof, so I'm not surprised people aren't paying for them. Yeah. You're going to beat that drum till the cows come home, aren't you? Well, like I'll just never forget the the amount of people that went out in the streets to see Jiri Prochazka when he won the belt in the first place in Prague. I was like how can you not book him a fight in Prague? Yeah. Well, like I obviously we compare the Dublin shows like they're with some of the Irish fighters on it and then the UK shows as well. Like there's always a massive buzz around here. Yeah. So uh yeah, look that's what they they should definitely do. Um also before we move on to this weekend's card, Ross, there were people they were putting out AI clips of the fighters going to the White House. I go what what sort think the way the UFC are like using AI to generate promo videos? Like looking back at when Conor was taking on Jose Aldo walking down the strip in Vegas, for instance. I suppose it's a far cheaper way of doing it, but like they have the revenue to do it. Like it's I don't know why they're cheaping out on this like one event. Like maybe if you AI the background and you have the fighters do the walk properly, but apparently they AI'd Hamzat and Strickland's face off as well. So yeah, look I think for videography and stuff like that, I'm not a big fan of AI to promote a big event. Like if like I think that's fine if like I'm sending you a clip or if we post an AI clip, I'm like that's grand cuz we're a small outlet. We're just like two lads, you know, having a laugh. But like they have all the cameras. They have the 4K cameras. They have all the fighters at their disposal. Why not actually just do it properly? Yeah, even the poster that they put out for this weekend's card card Mike Malott against Gilbert Burns, that's AI that was AI generated as well. How did you know that? Did they say it or did they >> just look at it. Look at the quality of it. It's like it's almost like their their UFC game picture avatars. That's what happens when you don't I mean. Yeah. I feel like that's that's cutting payroll where they're like oh, we can get rid of another person. Yeah. You know what I mean? Well, then yeah, well look we'll keep an eye on that and see what they keep doing because like so like some of their promotion has been amazing in the past and it's made people like really look forward to it, but if they're not doing a great job, then people aren't going to be as invested. So like just sticking on the main event this weekend at UFC Canada, as Gilbert Burns is taking on Mike Malott in the Canada Life Centre. That's going on in Winnipeg. I was just looking there. Brad Katona's on this card. He's a Winnipeg native. So Ross, Gilbert Burns Mike Malott, who are you backing this weekend in Canada? Oh, you still think Gilbert Burns has enough in the tank to beat Mike Malott. That's that's my take on it. I'm going to say Gilbert Burns gets the job done via submission. Yeah, I I got Gilbert Burns as well. Uh Charles Jourdain's in the co-main event against Kyle Phillips. And also Joy Herbert's taking on Mandel Nallo. So shout out to Joy Herbert. And then Ross, before we get into this weekend's Irish combat action, um we just want to give a shout out to Craig McKeown who was uh unfortunately defeated over the weekend at Ares. And then Marko Bojkovic who was unfortunately defeated at FCR. And also James Gallagher who was unfortunately uh defeated at Ryzen as well. Ross, anything to say on the three lads? Yeah, look obviously Craig McKeown uh that was a really tough fight. Um those two had a serious back and forth. And look, he gave a great account of himself. There was two undefeated fighters going toe-to-toe at Ares 42. Uh hard luck for Craig on that one. We'll see him back. Marko Bojkovic, he was landing some nice uh punches himself, but he seemed to have got caught late in the late in the first round and uh he went out, but we will see him back. And then uh James Gallagher submitted in the third round, so it's it's not like uh Look, all three guys had a good moments in the fights themselves, but um look, they lived to fight another day. Two lads lost their undefeated record. And then obviously James lost his pro debut. Never great when the Irish people lose. But look, it's part of the game. We can't we can't win every single time. And look, you go dust yourself off, have a few beers and a pizzas as Marko Bojkovic says, and get back on the horse. Yeah, exactly. So here hopefully the lads are grand and they'll be back in action very soon. To and then Ross, also we have to touch on what happened in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Tyson Fury defeated Makhmud Muradov and then called out Anthony Joshua. Ross, what did you make of this back and forth after Tyson Fury got the win? Yeah, I I I only saw the bit that obviously we posted. It was between Fury and Joshua that sort of back and forth. But I didn't realize Turki Alshikh actually spoke beforehand and sort of called for it and he he effectively made Tyson Fury cut that promo. He was like, "Tell him you're fighting him next." And uh Yeah, look. Uh I suppose it felt a bit underwhelming from Joshua's side of things. He he didn't really say, "Let's make it happen." But, uh I think that is the fight to make next, you know what I mean? It's probably 3 or 4 years too late for it to happen in in terms of them both being in their prime. I thought it wasn't a great performance from Fury. I thought he he looked a bit heavier than he needed to. He didn't look as light as he normally would. But, again, it was his comeback fight. Um yeah. If I was Anthony Joshua, I think now is the time to fight Tyson Fury as well. I feel like at the moment he's coming off a long layoff. That that performance wasn't fantastic. Um I suppose Joshua has the opportunity like obviously he fought Jake Paul, then he had the car crash. Like, if he's back fit and healthy, I think that could be also be the one that gets him his goodboy payday as well. It'll be There you go. There's There's the big 50, 60, 70 million payday out the gap. Yeah, it just it They always seem to be like, "Oh, I would just want one more warm-up fight." You know what I mean? Like like I I don't I I I think it could be Tyson Fury's next fight, but I don't think it's going to be Anthony Joshua's next fight. Potentially. Potentially. I I don't know how his body is after that car crash. He's all right now. That's the thing, yeah. So, look, we'll see. Like, he was out of He's after coming off like a devastating car crash, like, you know? Although he's walking around looking all right, but like that has to do something. >> Yeah, but someone died in that car crash, man. I know. Yeah, two people. Yeah. Yeah, two people died, okay. Yeah, that has to do have to do something to your brain and So, look, we'll keep you updated with that anyway. That was the detail tonight because I the fight itself wasn't amazing. Like, even Conor Benn made his he he probably did progress. That fight wasn't great either. Like, a 15 million for it as well. So, uh shoutout to him anyway. Yeah, and he bought his pennies and he spent like 500 grand on two cars. I was like I was like, "Right." He will be broke. That means he will be back, man. Yeah, fair. Uh so, it it that was only a one-fight deal. So, it's People are saying now he's a free agent. So, it's going to be interesting to see what he gets offered next. Then, just want to give a few shoutouts for some events that are going down this weekend. As we said, PFL Belfast going down Thursday. Strike Northern Ireland goes down on Friday the 17th. Wildcard Promotions goes down on the 18th. Um the grappling league goes down on the 19th. And also, the 19th, this Sunday, Chaos Grappling Championships goes down, Ross. It absolutely does. And you know what? There are some brilliant competitors on this card. I'm very much looking forward to it. I can't wait for it. Um just to give you a run-through of some people who are fighting. Um team Limavady Rhinos head coach Andy Chapman is on the card. Matthew Boot, who we saw at Vertigo's getting the submission vault, he is also on the card. Shane Gleeson is on the card. Uh controversial figure in the jiu-jitsu world, but I'm a big fan of his work. Logan McCreery from FAI is on the card. Caitlin Dawn is on the card representing for the girls, which is fantastic to see. Adam Mills on the card, unbelievable competitor. Gareth Vaughan is on the card, head coach of SBG uh Strabane. Jordan O'Neill is on the card as well. There's some unbelievable competitors from um start to finish on this card. I can't wait to see it and many, many more. So, let's let's be having you. It's going to be an absolutely phenomenal event. Chaos Grappling Championships is back. And make sure to check it out. Get there if you can. And if you can't, get the pay-per-view link. It's going to be an absolutely whopper of a night. Yeah. Um also, I want to give a shoutout. Reindean Leyden is going to be on the card, Ross, as well. Yeah. And then Chaos Grappling Championships fight event will be going down May 2nd. And there has been some very good matchups already announced on the card. We have four pro fights on the night. So, um we want to give a shoutout to Blaine McGill. Then, also Daniel Thompson, James Slavin, and then big stuff Shaun Kelly will also be on the card as well. So, we'll keep you up to date on all that action, won't we, Ross? What else are we going to do, man? It's like we've no other life. Uh Chaos Grappling Championships is only being outdone by Chaos Fighting Championships. Four pro fights on the one card is something unheard of. Uh unbelievable stuff. Obviously, um nu- numerous amount of pro debuts on the card, headlined by Blaine McGill in his hometown. Going to be an absolute whopper of a night for him. Uh James Slavin, massive night for him as well. He's also a local lad. I'm sure the place will be absolutely on wheels for him. Uh Shaun Kelly, the the redemption tour after Brian Mann's fight. That is absolutely going to be a a whopper of a night as well. So, I'm really, really looking forward to it. Chaos Grappling fight or Chaos Fighting Championships is going to be an absolutely phenomenal night not to be missed as well. It's going to be pure chaos, Ross, as always. Yeah. So, that's everything covered. As we said, we had Derek Kelly on. Shoutout Derek Kelly. We cannot wait to see you get like in the main event this Thursday. Um that's all the UFC action as well. We will be back next week covering all the PFL action and giving you all the latest Irish combat sports news. So, Ross, anything else you want to say to the people tuning in? No, just make sure to like, share, subscribe. Uh if you haven't mentioned this, don't be afraid to give it a shoutout. We love you all. And as always, stay energized. The Energize 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.