Max Lally | Cage Warriors 200, UFC Title Talk & Irish MMA Is Back | The Energized Show

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What is up and welcome to The Energized Show! On this episode SBG Charlestown's Max Lally joins us to discuss his upcoming fight at Cage Warriors 200 Dublin, UFC 325 Recap & Irish MMA along with all the latest combat craic. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Hit the notification bell…

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Obviously, it's it's it's it's a great way to kickstart the year for myself. I'll be looking to get two three fights in this year. And um yeah, the first the first checklist is going to be Cage Warriors 200. And um as I said, as you said, boys, main card max [music] up the okay, okay, we go It's time. [screaming] >> Okay. What's going on, guys? And welcome to a brand new episode of Energy Ice brought to you by Orings Competitions. Ross, >> are you intoxicated or something? >> Introduce the guest man. Today we are bringing you Cage Warriors Breakout Athlete of the Year and the Energized Pro Fatherweight of the Year. It is the one and only. It's undefeated Maximus Max Lai. Max, how are you doing my man? >> Great lads. Great lads. Thank you so much for having me on. >> Waiting for Max there, B. No, I'm in. I'm in. >> Max, [laughter] which award before we start? Which was the better award, Max. Tell the truth, man. Come on. Everyone's listening. >> I have to give it to the energy boys. You know me, L. You know what I mean? [laughter] Irish. >> That Revolute That Revolute request worked. [laughter] Oh, Max. Um, obviously we're going to get into Cage Warriors 200, but uh, fresh off the presses, your good mate, Alexander Vulcanowski, won at UFC 325. How proud were you of your man? And where do you think he ranks in terms of featherweights of all time? >> Ah, man. I was obviously over the moon for Vog. Um, I thought it was as clinical as a performance as you get, you know. Um, definitely had it four to one and uh, yeah, over the moon for him. He's the 145 pound goat in my opinion. Now, >> there we have it. Couldn't have done it without all those techniques you were teaching him. [laughter] >> What What advice did you give folk before his the wind there, Max? >> Ah, [ __ ] you know yourself just bleeding one, two, stay on the outside, you know, >> the basics. But El the Quake, Bradell and El Frank, Joe Lopez, all the boys a good team around them, you know what I mean? So, I didn't have any doubt about him getting it done again. And yeah, looking forward to seeing who he uh takes on next. >> Yeah. Well, whoever he takes on next is probably going to be undefeated. I think it's going to be Eve or Lar Murphy next. And they're about undefeated. So, it will be great%. >> But uh let's move back closer to home. Cage Warriors 200 um February 21st. This is going to be an absolute monumental card. Ma h main card. Max will be back. Max, you have your opponent. You're taking on Ja Rule. Are you a fan of his music? >> Not too much. [laughter] Not too much, boys. >> No, not a chance. >> But but go on, tell us uh what what's what you make of fighting on Ky 200? Obviously, they're promoting as a really really big card. You're one of the main attractions on on the card. Does this card feel a bit different? Does it feel a bit bigger? Yeah, definitely. There's definitely that kind of that special feel about it, especially that they're they've decided to do their uh 200 show in uh you know, home hometown Dublin, Ireland, you know. So, uh obviously it's it's it's it's a great way to kickstart the year for myself. I'll be looking to get two three fights in this year and um yeah, the first the first checklist is going to be Cage Warriors 200. And um as I said, as you said, boys, main card Max, he's back. you know, he'd be bringing he'd be bringing loads of people with him. So, it's not it's not a show to be missed. So, you know, everyone needs to get onto me Instagram bio, get their tickets, and uh yeah, watch watch another Irish man take out a Brazilian. >> Yeah, absolutely. And uh obviously, Max, you were over in Thailand for some of this training camp. What was the training like there? And who did you meet over there? I always think it's so random to see you see the people you meet over Bangta. Hello. So, obviously I was over there with with me bro Leon Gallagher. I was there with Alex Ko. [snorts] Um, so we got we got great training in. I got some training in with Ollie Sarah. Got some training in with Keith Ko. Got some training in with Nico Sully. There was loads of loads of familiar faces there like you know what I mean. Um, so got got loads of great training in all the Kiries, the Russians, the whole lot of them. So, it was a nice way to kind of stay lean, stay fit over the Christmas and then uh now back home now for the last few weeks of camp to do that kind of final tab phase, you know. Yeah, absolutely. And Max, obviously the featherweight division is as hot as it ever has been in this country and as as hot as it's ever been in Cage Wires. What do you make of the landscape here and where do you see yourself in the landscape? >> I definitely see myself in the mix, lads. I I can't I can't lie like this. Um you know, I don't think I don't think I'm uh too far off, but as I' as I've said before, you know, um for me, it's I still have a lot of time on me side. Not that I'm taking time for granted, you know what I mean? But it's like I want to make sure I do things right. I want to take the hard fights. I want to take I want to do all these kind of these things before I I get to the UFC, you know what I mean? Because when I get to the UFC, I know I'm going to be there to stay, you know? >> Yeah, absolutely. and and obviously the title's on the line in Dublin. Uh Saul Simon versus Nick Bagley. What what do you think of that fight? I know you're I know you watch all the featherweight fights. Who do you see getting her hand raised in that one? >> Obviously obviously I back the Irish man Saul like you know what I mean? I hope I hope Saul gets it done. He's seven and0 now with seven finishes. So across five rounds I really find it hard for him not to find this shot. You know what I mean? And then it's an interesting match up because I think Nick is going to be I think Nick will feel the power of all. I think Nick will be shooting shooting very quickly. You know what I mean? So I think it's I think it's a great match and and I'll be looking forward to watching it myself after I bleed and take the neck of this fella. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> No, we're absolutely buzzing to see that to see you back in action. Max, some of your good friends are also fighting on the card. Alex Ko's making his cage warriors debut. What do can people expect from Alex Ko? [snorts] >> Sure. He's he's about he's two or three different nicknames. The taxis outside believe the Dagistani bed. He gets it done in I'd say he gets it done in about 2 minutes lads. Can't even lie to this. So I'm looking forward to that one. El Conor McCarthy as well. He'll be on the card. He's uh he's you know he's a problem like you know what I mean? He's he's he can keep he can keep a seriously high pace for 15 minutes. So God bless whoever gets in h gets in with himself. And then we have big bad binder and uh he's gonna you know he has hands of blade in concrete so he's going to he's going to knock out whoever they they put in front from that Italian gazer. So looking forward to it. >> Yeah Max be a huge night. >> You you've really uh knocked down the sort of the SPG door SPG door yourself McCarthy uh for Cage Warriors. Now obviously Binder be making his Cage Warriors debut. Alex Ko's making his debut. Do you do you just feel like Cage Warriors is like a brilliant European platform for your teammates to come in and fight in? We'll probably see someone like Ben Mattton or something in the next year or two be fighting on Cage Wires. >> Definitely. I think like obviously I wasn't I wasn't the first so when when when Conor McCarthy kind of went in, I kind of said to myself, "Oh, is this on?" Like, you know what I mean? >> I was like and I've always I've always watched Cage Warriors. I've always been been a huge fan of them. So when they kind of signed Connor, I was kind of like, I'd love to get signed myself. Like because to be honest, like don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against any other promotion, but for me, when I was growing up and I was watching fights, people fought there and went to the UFC. That's what that's what I remember, you know what I mean? So it was always a goal of mine to to to get in with them and and and wear the yellow gloves. It makes it a bit more special as well that Rody fought for them, too, like you know. So, um, obviously wasn't the first, one of the first, but, uh, yeah, man. It's it's sick because you have you have so much talent coming up now. Like, even I think the the amateur talent in the country now when I was fighting three, four years ago is is is higher now than it was 3, four years ago. You know what I mean? So, it's only going to continue to get better and better and better. And then you're going to see the pool of these people come into Cage Warriors or different types of promotions and just absolutely skyrocket. You know what I mean? So the level in Ireland is super high at the moment and I'm looking forward to seeing where the where the level will be in the next few years too. >> Yeah. Max, also just want to give a team Ireland a shout out competing in the IMAFS on Thursday the 5th of February in Serbia. Max, how important was being part of the IMA team like um going to these IMAF competitions as an amateur? Oh, it was great. You know what I mean? You really got to feel that kind of big competition day experience. You know, you get to compete against different nations, feel different styles of different fighters, you know what I mean? So, uh it was it was definitely I'd say it was super important for myself to uh get over there. I went over on two different occasions and really enjoyed the two different occasions. got great experience in and um anyone anyone that thinks they can get a spot on the team, we couldn't recommend him more. >> There you go. Max Max, you're obviously on on a 145 win streak and last time out at in Kagwars in Dublin, you said yourself you weren't that happy with your performance like um what have you sort of like concentrated on this time around and what sort of maxi can we expect at Cage Warriors 200? I think I think uh what's changed this camp is is definitely definitely mixing it up a little bit more. You know what I mean? Um I think everyone after that fight knows that I'm a that I'm a tough [ __ ] but I don't want to be getting getting in fights like that too often. I want to keep the keep the head the body fresh you know and [laughter] say it as it is boys. You know what I mean? >> It's a tough business for him but um >> yeah save those save those for the UFC title fight. Yeah, but obviously [laughter] but obviously [snorts] boys obviously like really enjoyed that last fight. I think I enjoyed it a little bit too much. But obviously [snorts] this this time we're looking to get in clean and and and get out clean. We're going to be conditioned to go across the 15 minutes if we have to. And obviously getting in getting out clean that that that that's the plan, you know. Um I've been doing a lot with Rody working on a few little different things that have been implemented into the into the game plan. Same with Sergey. Same with Peter, you know, and uh I'm looking forward to showing these these upgrades that I've made since uh September, I think if I was to fight myself now, you know, if I was to fight myself the way I am now to the fight I was back in September, you know, I think I'd kill him because we're always I'm always just chasing that detail, them extra two details, just that, you know, improvement, you know what I mean? I think it's so important to be always trying to improve in any area you can, you know? So, I've been really happy with how this camp has went with like three weeks left. So, going to kind of do the last little taper phase now. And uh yeah, get busy. February 21st. >> Yeah. Last time out, you're also the number one ticket seller. Like, where are you ranking these days? Are you in the top 10? >> I have a Boys, I haven't clue. I haven't even I have to check. I have to check. [laughter] I'd say I' I'd say I'd say I'm up there. I'd say I'm up there. You know, sometimes when you get matched a bit later, you know, the you have a few people holding up and stuff like that, but I'd say I'd say I've shot up the past few since I've been announced, but uh that's what we plan to do anyway. Top ticket seller every Dublin show. >> Yeah. John [clears throat] Ali is the ticket man. Get out of John. [laughter] >> That's it. Fair play. >> They don't call him ticket master for nothing. >> Max, tell us this just for like sort of behind the scenes. um like when when you know you're going to fight in cage wars 200 but you haven't got an opponent. What's it what's the difference like when you're training and then all of a sudden you have an opponent and then you're and then then you're training [snorts] then >> it's obviously to be honest like it it it doesn't bother me as much as it maybe would uh bother some other people. Um for me it's just nice to have a face you know like just to to visualize who's going to be across from you in the cage like you know what I mean. Um, obviously I think with the UFC you get a bit more notice with the UFC, but I think the level of competition is a lot higher. So for me anyway, I just like to have a face and you just just just imagine the the sequences and and the damage I'm going to do to them like you know. So that's the only thing a face really does for me. I I I do believe in game planning as well, but honestly I I think that like any high level fighter can go in and fight anyone and have them break down in about two minutes, you know what I mean? So obviously we have a little bit of a game plan going into this, but for me anyway, it's just nice to have a face, you know? >> Exactly. >> Yeah. Well, well, look, you know, I mean, the mullet will be on point, the hands will be on point, the grappling will be on point. We can't wait to see it. Ca Cage Warriors uh 200 February 21st is one not to be missed. Maxi will be will be there. And look, it's going to be an absolute stellar card. I think it's one of the best Irish cards we've seen h in a long time. I can't wait for it. Baso, anything else you want to say before we go? Let Max go. >> No. Well, no. Max, anything you want to say before we wrap things up, bud? >> As I said, Cage Warriors 200th biggest Cage Warriors card of the year, lads. You know what I mean? So it's like if you're not going if you're not getting your tickets bio missing, you know what I mean? So make sure you get on get your tickets. It's going to be some night of fights and there's going to be some performances and some bonuses and all that handed out. You know what I mean? So make sure you get on. Don't miss out. Don't be don't be the one to miss out like you know what I mean? So let's go lads. Yeah. >> Yeah. The the few tickets fell. The few quid fell. [laughter] >> Something like that. >> Something like that. Everyone got to earn a book. >> Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. You know, the fighting games are cheap. Those trips to Thailand, they ain't treat cheap, you know. [laughter] >> Correct. >> Well, Max, thank you very much for your time and we'll let you get on with the rest of your day, bud. >> No problem, lads. Thank you for having me on. Yep. The energized. Let's go. >> The energized sh up the s. That was Max Li. Your favorite lolli, man. >> Yeah. You up you up the lollies. >> Non von's my favorite. It's legend smash on Tik Tok these days. >> The ladies are the ladies are famous. They should do like a keeping up with the lollies. >> They actually should. [gasps] >> Um, if you are here, if you are new to the Energize Show, make sure to like and subscribe because yes, we are here every week, aren't we, Ross? >> Yeah, we never miss. We never miss. >> We never miss. But like Ross, Cage Wars 200, we are absolutely buzzing for it. As we said, it's going to be on February 21st. Um, last week we gave some updates. There has been more updates since last week's show. Max Lai has been added to the card. Keith Ko has been added to the card. Trevor Mckeno has been added to the card and also Kenny Moana has been added to the card and uh the update is Gary Rooney won't be fighting on the on the event. Um he said he's going to take a year out from fighting. Ross, when you hear these names getting added, like like what sort of feeling have you gotten now looking towards Cage Warriors 200? Yeah, but look, obviously we have the two headliners and you're probably going to be sick of what I was talking about, but like obviously Patty McCari is fighting for the middleweight title against Dario Bellendelli and then Solomon Simon's defending his featherweights trap against Nick Bagley. You know, two massive title fights. Uh we could be leaving Cage Warriors 200 with two Irish champions and I think there's a very strong p possibility of that happening. Um some massive debuts coming in for this Cage Warriors 200. Uh obviously Andreas Binder making his cage Warriors debut, Alex Ko, two top talents there. Um be interesting to see Damian McKenna start his um sort of redemption arc on KW 200. He's taking on Pedro Silva. Obviously the all Irish affairs between Lewis Burn and Dylan Logan and then Alex Ovin and Scott Harvey are always tasty fights. And then obviously we have as touch on there Kenny Moana is back up at lightweight. Hopefully we see a good performance out of him. Trevor Mckeno is fighting in a catchway fight. So, uh be interesting to see how he does there. And look, we obviously got the likes of J Harris, Adam Derby, uh Leon Hill, some of our Cage Warrior resident performances there. So, I really really looking forward to the entire card and obviously we just had Maxi on there. It's going to be an absolute phenomenal evening. We will be there giving you all the live coverage from the event. What a night it's going to be, Basmo. We will be allowed in. Ross, [laughter] >> ah shook Indian might let us in. >> Oh, let us Indian. Let us in, man. Um, also on that day, we will be going to 80 CC Ireland in BCU. Um, we'll be, if you've seen on our Instagram page, we're we're promoting the event as well. Uh, last time K Drawers was on a double, it was actually the same day ADCC was on as well. So, we'll be double shifting that day. Ross, will Kieran Davern let us into ADCC? That's the real question. >> Oh, I think it will. Look, ADCC last time it was absolutely unbelievable event. Uh we saw Germaine and Zardi Tfano walk out with the belts. The Celtic championship is on. Last year uh Jean Luca Maltise won it. We'll be interested to see will he be back to uh collect that belt again or defend his belt. H also like some really really good grappers on the card. H Turlock Sheen's on the card or at the event. Uh Grace Collie, who is a former ADCC Ireland champion, is on the card as well. Uh Fion Dunn, who's on the card. I feel like he he's uh he's doing jiu-jitsu competitions every week. Uh some really really good grapplers that we're going to try and highlight in the buildup to the event. But uh really really looking forward to it. If you haven't registered, definitely do. We will be there to give you guys as much promotion as we can in the buildup. And if you are competing, do let us know. H can't wait to see it. Even Fierce Pierce Cunningham is going to be grappling on the day. I can't wait for ADCC Ireland. Uh Celtic Championships February 21st. It is going to be unbelievable. Some people might even say it will be very energized. [laughter] >> Shane Smith will definitely say it's very energized, man. >> You're up to Shane Smith. >> Um just want to give a shout out as well to Ireland BJJ that's on this Saturday as well. Um, Ross, before we carry on the action of what's coming up this week, we have to go over the Irish action that happened over the weekend. On Friday, Jordan Bradshaw from CMAC got the round one submission victory at Aries in Paris. Ross, this was an epic performance. We put it out on the Android show's Instagram page. What do you make of Jordan's win and where do you see him going with the Aries organization? >> Yeah, I think he's becoming a mainstay of the organization. It was great to see him get a finish. Uh absolutely outrageous finish. It was like a a Sulov stretch or a banana split. One of those ones that I'll never be able to do. Uh it was unbelievable finish. Uh it was it was uh also it was great to get Keith Ko corner calm as well. Yeah. Um my god is that guy uh aggressive in giving out the instructions. But look, we'd love to see it. The passion is there. Um Cac um last year unbelievable year from them. second place in the Energized team of the year on the pro scene. H winners of the amateur team of the year. Um that team is on fire h in 2025 and they are staying on fire in 2026. Um Jordan Bradshaw is definitely one to look out for and I love the fact he's on Aries. He's the only Irish person on Aries. So therefore it gives us a reason to watch that show and all eyes are on him when he's fighting there. So uh he did a great job. Great finish. Conducts himself really really well. uh a real role model for anyone looking to get into him, mate. >> Yeah. Also, well, he was voted the energized uh bantamweight fighter of the year as well. So, he has a he's a big fan base. I saw that a lot of people went over and support him at the event and uh he got it done in one. Um >> also, he took that fight on short notice of featherweight and then took it out of catchway above featherweight as well. So, big conies on the fella as well. >> Yeah. No, he did a great job there. So, shout out. scale pair of blanch balls on them. [laughter] [gasps] >> Yep. D15 as one would say. Ross. Um, no. Shout out Jordano. We'll let you if you haven't seen the finish. It is on our Instagram page, so make sure to check it out. Also, shout out Dave Farrell for sharing it as well. Ross, then one of the biggest wins and one of the best entrances I've ever seen from an Irish MMA athlete. Brian Manning got the win at Octagon in Stokart on Saturday night. H. It was his debut fight with the promotion and Ross, what a what a debut, bud. Yeah, Brian Manning's walkouts are goated. They really, really are. He is an absolute mustsea TV. He's an absolute terror for the organization, but a blessing for the organization. H brings the absolute carnage. I'm wouldn't be surprised to see his fan base knock go through the roof um just with these walkouts and the performance as well. H poor Schwindy boy got a a fierce pacing as well. Uh he was bounces [snorts] he was dribbling his head off the ground like prime LeBron James. Uh it was an absolutely brilliant finish in time man. Uh took a minute or two to find find his uh his feet but then got into the groove of things. got the boxing going and yeah, look, it it was a picture perfect debut from from the moment he was uh weighing in till the post press conference. You know, they they they must feel they have a star in their hands with this guy. This guy can talk the talk. He can walk the walk. And you know, he's got it all. He really really does. >> Yeah. Like it was just like it's captivating. Like that that finish when we put it out. If you haven't seen The Finish, make sure to check out the Instagram page. Put out his entrance as well. H if you haven't seen it, it's it's like something Saw. If you've ever seen the movie Saw, the horror film when he cycles out in the bike and stuff, you make sure to check it out. Like unbelievable. Um the like uh as we said, we had Brian on last week's show. He's going to be in the corner for Jack Magcguire, who's going to be fighting on Valentine's Day, the 14th of February. >> Romantic. >> So yeah. So he like he'll be over again in the corner like Octagon have an absolute star there like that like as I said that clip went voil around monster everyone in Ireland was like definitely saw it at some stage it was just uh Octagon have a star there so like Ross what do you think Octagon are going to do next and like how soon would you like to see Brian Manning doing wheelies as entrances again >> personally I don't actually think it matters when or who he fights next I think probably give him another person of that elk sort 15 16 fights h because obviously Brian's only six fights into his career. Um but like get him out there again soon. That that's my best advice Rock. Get him back out there again soon. Ask Brian Manning when can you go again cuz we want to have you on again cuz that was very very impressive and his next walk out was going to be epic as well and his next fight is going to be epic and I can just see he can be very very quickly built into the biggest star on the in the promotion. >> Yeah. The the thing is right honest question. Do you think he can outdo that entrance though? [snorts] >> I believe he can do one on that par another one. It might be hard to say outdo because now the fans are going to expect him to have an entrance every time. You know what I mean? So I'm sure for a lot of people although like he's probably not well known enough. So next time that like he does it again like a lot of other people will be their first time. >> You know what I mean? So >> yeah, >> we'll see. Yeah. Like, look, he's Look, I'm not going to doubt the man. No, >> he set the bar high, man. He set the bar high. >> To me, it was the tricycle that made it. >> Yeah. Crazy, man. Crazy. It was actually crazy. >> I've never seen someone actually in an MMA fight ride down to the ring on like a vehicle. >> So, fair [ __ ] up. >> Yeah, man. What a what a what a like. Look, fair fair play, Brian. Like, look, everyone loved it. Like, how could you not love it? Um, Ross looking speaking of monster MMA this weekend, Elite Fighting Championship 7 goes down in Cork. Ross, three titles are on the line. Yeah, absolutely. This is going to be an absolutely banger of a card. I think uh they've doubled it the night of Champions Hite Fighting Chip Championship 7. Uh, first title fight we're going to talk about is Ran Dun Levy is taking on Shane Cardy. Rein Dun Levy from Shaolin MA taking on Shane Harmony of MA Cork. Massive grapplers delight. These are two of the best grapplers in the country. I can't wait to see who comes out on top. But uh I I hope this one ends in a submission because I feel like that's what both lads will be hunting for. Then we have a massive middleweight clash between Hulham Martial Arts, Caleb Leachch versus Daniel Ara of CMAC. This is a huge one. We've seen uh Caleum Leech fight the best of the best at light heavyweight and middleweight. And we've seen Dan Daniel become the Akuma middleweight champion. So this one is going to be a massive fight. And I'd love to see this one end on the feet. I think these two guys throw great hands, but also do have fantastic grappling. And then Samson Martial Arts. Daniela Doé takes on Amy Scully. Amy Scoloy I think is going to be a heavy favorite going into this one. H she's picked up belts across multiple promotions and an IMA. H it's going to be a really really great fight to see. So shout out to Bario Callahan straight off the plane back from Octagon 83 straight into promoting Elite Fighting Championship 7. It is going to be an absolute mustsea night of martial arts and also it's great to see one of the very few promotions that do it in the Republic EFC7 be there be square to catch it on the pay-per-view. It's going to be a phenomenal night. >> No, it definitely is. And you'll probably see Bario Kan cycling around the arena on the Troy Scope, won't you, Ross? >> Yeah, absolutely. The mask will be there and you'll probably get a guest appearance from Brian Manning at some stage as well. What a boy. Up the rebels. He has to be on commentary for that man. >> Yeah, get him in there for something. [laughter] [gasps] >> You'll be getting people be swinging over him for selfies and all, man. He's he's famous around that that area. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. So, uh look, shout out look, as you know, we're here every week. We'll give you all the updates. So, we will be covering that this weekend. Uh then as we were speaking with Max Lai earlier, the UFC went down in Sydney over the weekend and in the main event, Alex Vulcanowski defeated Diego Lopez for the second time to retain his UFC featherweight title. Ross, do you think Alex Vulcanowski is now the greatest featherweight of all time in the UFC? And also, where does he go next? I always think the featherweight division is a bit strange to say who who's the the best of all time. >> Yeah, >> because there there's five contenders and there's five contenders only. So you have Joseé Aldo obviously who historically was phenomenal in WC and the UFC like absolute legend. Obviously you have Max Holloway who who was a featherweight champion beat Jose Aldo twice. You have Alexander Vulcanowski who beat Max Max Holloway and uh Joseé Aldo. You have Conor McGregor who beat Joseé Aldo and Max uh Holloway. And then you have Alexander or sorry Ilia Tupora who beat Alexander Valinoski and Max Holloway. So like there's like there's such a connection between all five of them and they're all um five great champions in their own right. It's a bit of a It depends on what way you look at it and MA is so subjective that you know I suppose uh Vulcan obs went up to lightweight and couldn't get the job done. McGregor and went up to lightweight and did get the job done. Um McGregor went up and beat the uh champion at lightweight. Tapori went up and fought for a vacant belt at lightweight. So like I suppose McGregor went up and won the he beat Joseé Aldo who was unbeaten for such a long period of time and then went up and won the next division above. So like I feel like that was the greatest run ever at featherweight. But in terms of staying in the featherweight division, defending your belt and going on a long run, I think Vulcanowski is probably probably has the most accolades there. >> No, that's a fair assessment. It's like uh it just depends what the sort of what's your favorite flavor, you know? Like >> Yeah. It's like what's what's your what's your goat criteria? Is it is it really what it comes down to? Like if you're talking just featherweight division and like title defenses, matches won, etc., etc., you know, it's hard it's hard to look past Vog, but if you're talking about who won the featherweight belt and then went on to have the best career like like and it could easily end up being Toria, you know what I mean? be Faulk, B be Holloway, stopped them both, you know what I mean? And now, you know, is the lightweight champion. Who knows where he goes from there, but uh I suppose McGregor does have has that like he was the one who put the end to Jose Aldo's run and then he moved up the lightweight and won and beat the champion as opposed to fought for a vacant belt. So, he didn't actually beat the actual champion to win the belt. >> Yeah. Whereas and like Falcons is like now doing like he's now doing a lot of rematches, you know? >> Yeah, exactly. >> And I wasn't m I wasn't mad on that that that as in I wasn't mad on the booking of Lopez. Like I'm not I'm not hating on the actual fight itself. That was it was a great fight, but it's more >> it didn't really, you know, get me going for >> captured the imagination. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, then that's why I ask you now, who do you think Vulcanoski should fight next? Ross. Well, apparently they're looking at doing most of our Evov versus Lone Murphy against each other at some stage in the near future. So, if they do do that, h I'm all for that. I think that would be a great scrap. Um, but look, either of those two also, if they want to put them in against Faulk, I am definitely here for that. Um, if not, I'd be interested to watch Falinowski versus a Rodriguez or an Aljain Sterling. I feel like they both offer different um sort of attributes. Obviously, Alain Sterling is a brilliant grappler. You Rodriguez is a brilliant striker. I think they'd have their own interesting stylistic matchups. But look, it should really be Luron Murphy number one for me and then Evv number two for me just based on activity and that recent spinning back elbow finish of Lon Murphy uh would get the fans excited. >> Yeah. Well, you know what? It also helps when both fighters speak English as their first language. Like that really gets people more involved. >> Yeah, I think Lauren Murphy has a good story tell as well. I feel like every I want to see him fight twice in a year before he gets taught to be honest. >> Yeah. Um or or be a bit more active, but it is Yeah. >> Well, that's what I said twice in a year. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So then looking at the card as well, Beny defeated Dan Hooker. Ben Sony seems to be back. Ross. Yeah, that was that was absolutely vicious. Like he sort of got him in that three quarter full mountain and just like started dropping the elbows on him. Yeah. And then was in full mountain dropping dropping shots on him. I think uh yeah, wasn't a good night at the office for Dan Hooker, but look, he always takes all the L's like champ. Ben Mosi is definitely looking like someone who could be one win away maybe from fighting for a lightweight title. >> Has he fought Daruse yet? No, >> I think he did. Yeah, I think he beat him. They're usually like ranked 14th now. I think Ben Saint Denise should be looking at the maybe maybe fights the winner of Max Holloway versus Charles Olivera. Maybe that's the fight to make. >> He beat he beat the Arush in first round. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I think that was in Paris, was it? >> Could be wrong now, but Okay. Right. Well, that that link's not working for me. Um. >> All right. Well, it's not that important anyway. >> Then [laughter] Huy be physf that was a really impressive [laughter] ha um obviously he stopped fizzv anytime anyone can stop phys or beef phys strikes is always very very impressive so shout out to him for that was uh ultra impressive and look he's looking also like one of the top lightweight contenders you would say him versus BSD next but BSD just beat Hofy so it won't be that fight next um but yeah that was that was a massive win for that uh Benantine Benel Darush fight was in Madison Square Garden. Ross, >> right? So, I know nothing. >> There you go. Um then Ross, who would you like to see Ruffy fight next? Cuz that that was that was uh a very impressive performance. >> Yeah, I think um obviously he sort of won one lost one in a short period of time. bit of a bit of a tricky one. And if Justin Gi wasn't actually the interim champ, I think that fight would be absolutely epic. Uh I do like the idea of that. Whoofy thinks he should fight Conor McGregor at the White House? That's who he thinks he should fight. Uh look, I I definitely I definitely watch that as well. But uh Michael Chandler maybe. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I think Chandler is a good fight. I think uh that that's one that I could get behind. Okay, then Ross also uh shout out to Oan Elliot who was unfortunately defeated, but he actually put out a really touching video in the buildup about like his dad passing away. Uh the UC were highlighting that stuff and uh the way he fights for his dad and he brings a picture with him everywhere is uh really pulls in the heartstrings. So uh shout out to Obin Elliot. I'm sure he'll be back in action very soon. Then Ross, this weekend the UFC is back and it's in the Apex, the meta apex to be exact. Mario Batista has take on Venicious Olivier in the main event. Um Ross, who are you backing for this one? >> I'm going to go with Batista. I feel like it's I feel like he has fought the higher level competition. Uh and I feel like that's going to be the difference maker here for for him. I think he's he's the better of the two. But again, hard to hard to root out. Venicious Olivera either h he got a a nice win against Kyler Phillips in his last fight. So, and he's also beat Senamed off. So, he's definitely I don't think it's going to be um a one-way traffic here, but I think Batista is built for the five rounds. Excellent grappler. I expect him to get the job done on the judges scorecards. Yeah, I I' if I was betting on this one, I'd go Mar Batista. Also in the com main event, Amir Bazi is taking on Horaguchi Ross. >> Yeah, I think Hariguchi a win here could get Mata. Oh, I'm a big fan of Haraguchi. Uh depending on how long out a win here for Haraguchi could be could set up Joshua Van versus Haruchi at some stage down the line. There you go. Uh as I said on Thursday, the Irish IMAT team are heading over to Serbia for the IMAF. So shout out to the team heading over. There's a lot of kids like just beginning their journeys and they can look at the likes of Max Lai doing his thing now who's gone through the full thing and become world champion as well in the IMAS as well. >> Uh as we said as well the UFC goes down on Saturday Elite Fighting Championship 7 goes down on Saturday and also Ross the PFL is back on Saturday as well in Dubai. Some very strange things happening with the PFL at the moment. Don Davis after leaving but there is even >> their first their first show is of the year is on Saturday. What are you expecting from Ross? >> Yeah well obviously look there's a big lightweight title fight. Alfie Davis fighting Usmanov. Obviously Paul will have a close eye on that one. H excited to see how Alfie Davis does against um Nurmagamedov. Big step up in competition for him. In terms of PFL, I feel like they probably got rid of some people where things weren't working, but it'll be interesting to see can they implement changes that will actually get the fans more excited for the, you know, the PFL cards. Obviously, I think sometimes they like they've announced PFL Madrid, which people are like, "All right, cool. It's going to be Madrid. We're here for that." But like that's not like enough of a wow factor. I think we need to see more probably consistent shows from them. And I think we need to see better and bigger promotion from them as well. Um I think at the end of the day a lot of the times PFL cards roll around like unless there's an Irish person like a K lock ran or a poly youth fight on them like this weekend one sort of just rolled around. I didn't I wasn't like ready for it or like knowing it was on until sort of week of um they're they don't really promote it well enough. So I'd like to see them promote it more. A lot of it boils down to the fighters and I think the fighters do promote promote well. But I'm sure like for Madrid, we'll see a lot from Fabian Edwards in the buildup in Vancenis. I I think like that's a good opportunity for them to really get European MMA and get eyes on that card as well as with that card you have two European fighters fighting each other. Vanas is in uh sort of hometown advantage. Suppose he's Spanish and Dutch and let's see if they really lean into that. Let's see, you know, will Van Cena be, you know, walking out in the Bernab bell at some stage with the belt and really getting that cross promotion highlighted. Where do you think their number one core audience is? >> Hard to hard to hard to really know to be honest. And uh I feel like it's hard to really know the size of their audience as well. I feel like they really tried to obviously like it's great to see it like they've gone into sort of Mina or Mena whatever way you want to say into sort of the Middle East and try to you know promote the fighters there the PFL Africa PFL Europe sort of the main PFL is in the states they're they are doing the right things trying to enter into all these spaces but are they just spreading themselves too thin and like making that product hard to follow so hard to really know where their core audience is from. But look, I think they're doing the right thing. I just think their implementation needs to be better. >> I know they they want it to be like the number one show in like Dubai, >> but I think I think like their core audience is actually potentially in France. >> Well, they they do do big business when they go to France every single time. Like let's call a spade a spade. H obviously they have Doombe. um the the lazy king, you know what I mean? They they do have big French stars, but at the end of the day, just need to see that translate, you know? >> Yeah. Well, even the Francis and Ganu thing is just all over the place. >> Yeah. Like like they fumbled the bag with Enanu, they fumbled the bag with Jake Paul, you know what I mean? Like I don't know like the they've really messed up with a few of these things. So I I think they really need to promote the people who are actually in the cage and not random people who are not >> and promote more of the Irish fighters, man. You know yourself. You know yourself. Um Ross, before >> you know yourself, man. Uh before we wrap things up, the Super Bowl goes down on Sunday. Ross, who is going to win the Super Bowl, man? >> Is the Patriots and the Seahawks? >> Yes. Jesus like Deoy knew that. I'm going to go with the Seahawks. I think the Seahawks, didn't they just give some fella like the biggest guarantee of money of all time or something? Am I making that up? >> Well, you make up most things, Ross. So, >> I do make up most things. [laughter] >> So, I'm going to go with I'm going to go with the Seahawks. Um, for no real great reason. I like your man Sam Darnold's our quarterback. to be honest, I don't even really know him that well. So, like, is he going to be the guy to get them over the line? I don't know. But, uh, that's who that's who that's who I'm gonna gonna say. Do you know what the thing is when the coverage the NFL just [clears throat] before we wrap things up, the coverage of the NFL here in Ireland, I actually think is like like the the studio work that they do here isn't actually that good. And like whereas in America, they when they like go on the breaks, they have Tom Brady talking to you. So it's like you're actually listening to like the goat, you know what I mean? So I think >> Well, who do you have here? >> Some like I think some English league. No, no, there we have English coverage here, but it's sort of like some some sort of English chap that was there for a while or like it's not real like you're not listening to like a Tom Brady is the difference if you know what I mean. >> Yeah. Yeah. Fair. If you like listen to a fight comp if you like listen to a fight companion of us speaking compared to like Joe Rogan and and like um DC and >> people would love us people would love us. >> I know man who if we could if we could have one person do a fight companion with who would we do it with? [laughter] >> Oh Dana White. >> Yeah Dad man >> give us an answer there. >> Oh I said Rampage. >> Oh did you? Okay. [laughter] Oh, okay. Okay, Ross, that wraps up another a very energizing show. We already have a guest book for next week. We love having the the guest books in advance. Anything else you want to say before we wrap things up, but no, I just want to say thanks to everyone who took the time out of their day to listen to us absolutely talk muk uh with Maximus Maxi. We will see you at ADCC. We will see you at Cage Warriors 200. It is going to be absolutely epic kickoff the year on the Irish scene. So make sure to like, make sure to share and make sure to as always stay >> the energy show up the Irish. It's the face that runs the place, Chaos Cortis. I want to thank the Irish MMA community so much for getting behind me. Yep. The Chaos Cartel.