Paul Hughes Homecoming, Brian Manning Bust Up & Troy Gibson Is Back | The Energized Show

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What is up and welcome to The Energized Show! On this episode we discuss Paul Hughes Homecoming, Brian Manning Bust Up, Troy Gibson Is Back & Irish MMA Action. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Hit the notification bell for more Energized Shows! Youtube : Energized Show Instagram…

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Diana Joy. Okay, here we go. It's time. Okay, what's going on, guys? Welcome to a brand new episode of Energize, brought to you by Orings Competitions. Ross, are you intoxicated or something? How are you keeping bud? I haven't seen you in a while. Cool, man. Good, man. Back to back uh weekends away at MMA shows. Great to do at Cage Warriors 188 in Dublin and a fighting championship. Uh love being on the scene. Love chatting to all the people who make those events so magical and great to see some unbelievable fights live in person. Yeah, exactly, man. And we're both sick of each other now, man. Yeah, absolutely sick of each other. Can't stand sight of each other, one might say. you know, but look, here we are and we're going to recap it all and we're going to talk about PFL, Belfast, Akuma, Veris, UFC 315 and much more. If it happens in Ireland, we're talking about it, you know. But if you are new to the channel, make sure to like and subscribe. And if you haven't checked out our Instagram page yet with all the behind the scenes, interviews, post fight winners, make sure to check it out. Ross, we may as well kick it off at the very very top. PFL Belfast going down. Paul Hughes's homecoming against Bruno Miranda. What how much are you looking forward to seeing Paul Hughes back in action? Yeah, I think it's absolutely phenomenal. Obviously, his last outing like put the world on notice um himself versus uh Uzman Nurmaga made. And look, this is something that he's always wanted. I feel like it's almost been like scheduled a few times that he would be headlining a PFL Belfast card. Um but things didn't come to fruition. Uh obviously at the time I think it was unfortunate um when Reese McKe fought Justin Burnson. I think Paul was injured for that card. So like he would have probably put on a show there. Um but now he gets to do it on on a big stage. Um the entire promotion seems to be behind him and they're making him out to be the star that he is. Yeah. Well, the way he beat AJ McKe, that was a huge one as well because people saw that as a 50/50 fight and as the fight unfolded, there was only one winner in that fight. And then the mano fight like we were talking to Paul at Cage Warriors and I went up to him and I was like, "Look, bless the skill in in Belfast, but like against like I thought you actually won that fight." Now, he was very humble in saying like he just sort of just took it. But, uh, I was convinced he won that fight. What looking back at that now, what way did you see that fight? Like, do you think the right person won? It It was a very, very, very close fight, but like I thought Paul was the aggressor. I thought, you know, sometimes you look at the fight back and go, who would I rather be at the end of that fight in terms of just like not the person who got their hand raised and like who who would I not want to be waking up the next morning and I wouldn't want to be Usband or Magdov waking up the next morning. I think Paul sort of uh broke his spirit at times in there. H I thought he landed the more damage and like I thought overall he won. But again like I suppose maybe Nura made off was shown that like veteran fighting spirit and like you know may maybe he was winning the marginal uh moments in the fight that we didn't see. Also sometimes you're watching it and like you're obviously up for Paul to win. You want him to win and you're like you're willing to win but like I remember at the time being like Paul uses Rob and I think like a road on Instagram. I think when I was watching it live, I I thought Paul actually won four rounds, but like that that's just me. Yeah. Well, look, man, you were very intoxicated that night. Like when you were going mad on social media, but uh look, when it when it is sort of 50/50 round, it's sort of like, oh no, Paul definitely won that. You know what I mean? Like we're biased, man. Cuz as for people that are tuning in, yes, we do watch the show uh the fights with the glasses on. Very, very biased. Ross, absolutely. Absolutely. He wasn't through an Irish lens. The rumors are true, man. The rumors are true. The rumors are true. Um yeah, but look like obviously he's fighting Miranda now who has a win over um I want to get it right, Patrick Pit Bull. Uh so like obviously this guy's a tough Brazilian. He looks in phenomenal shape. Um, so it's going to be a obviously a big ass for Paul, but I think it's an ask that he's more than capable of doing and I think it's an ass that he'll more than capably relish as well. Um, he is someone who the whole island will be watching on that night and uh yeah, I think it's it's the Paulu show for a reason. Uh, you know, so uh like he says, he was born for these big moments and uh unfortunately for uh Miranda, uh he's just going to be the one getting in the way here. So, uh, the Paul use, uh, the big news crew will be out in force that night, Pasmo. Oh, definitely, man. They're always out. Um, just want to confirm this. Is this five rounds or three rounds? I'm actually not too sure, but I think it's three rounds. Do you? Yeah, I thought that was probably a silly question because the title was definitely five, but it's not for a title and like I don't think PFL do uh do that like five round main event. Okay. Well, could be wrong, but I think Well, we're best off. We're best off talking about it here like you know because people are going to be asking the question but like I think it's going to be a three round as well like yeah but I don't see it going the distance that's the thing like in a three round fight I think Paul probably get it done in the second round just to sort of get a bit loose in the first put on a show and then finish it off in the second like I don't think Miranda's on his level um this is definitely one for a big splash for PFL for everything got to go to plan like looking at the other Irish names on the card they want a all Irish winning streak Yeah, it's a bit of a funny one because it's like big spot for Paul. Main event in his hometown. Um well, he's from Derry, but boy, he trains in F Academy Belfast. But like this is actually on paper this will be his easiest opponent of his last three. Well, that's the thing. Yeah. Yeah. So, that's why that's why I expect him to get it done. And yeah, I think so. Um Miranda's been finished twice in his last three fights now. obviously against uh Brent Primis and uh Oan Merier who's PFL multiply time champion so like obviously against the highest caliber of fighters but he has been finished before which would always sort of lead me to believe if you've been finished before and you're fighting Paul use you're in for a tough night. Yeah. No, I'd agree. Yeah. And also at leeway Paul Hughes has been a different animal as well I would say. Yeah. No, this is this is the Paul Hugh show for a reason. Uh then Ross in the co-main event, Lewis McGrillin is taking on Alan Philpot. Alan Philpot is back fighting in the SSC. Uh big occasion, big fight to take. Like McGrillin is PFL's boy and uh he won the bantamweight tournament last year, the European one, and Philpot's coming to basically steal the limelight. Yeah, absolutely. He's looking to upset the apple cart. like uh Alan Philpot I think has 37 38 fights as a pro uh on his resume. So like that guy is probably the most experienced fighter in the country uh who's still active. Um so look he definitely has the experience factor over McGrillin. McGrillin does have that X factor. Um very entertaining to watch him versus Dean Garnett was one of the fights of the year last year. Um like obviously that left hand like you know he's constantly compared to Conor McGregor with it. Um so it's it's an interesting one. Obviously I spoke to Alan Philpot at Akuma and it is a strange one where Allen is obviously the hometown guy. He's going to have more support but in a way like and I mean with like all respect he's been brought in to lose because obviously they want Lewis McGrillin to win like he's their guy. Um, do you think this one should have been for the European title? Just like if McGrill's a champ like and if PFL actually want to make those belts mean something, shouldn't like with a belt on the line, not like, you know, make it a bit fancier a bit. But then you could but then you could argue that should be the main event then, you know. No, not necessarily because they've sort of put the world people above the European people. That makes sense. Yeah. But who are the world people in Ghana? like Paul Paul and Miranda like like they'd be fighting in the world tournament if if if the world tournament was like like better organiz I think this is where PFL is getting things wrong if that makes I don't even think Miranda would be in that world tournament to be honest man I think he would do yeah I think after beating particularly Pitbull I think he'd be in there like um like could I see him as a top eight PFL lightweight Yeah, like like I don't think he'd be I don't think he'd get to the final of the tournament, but like definitely on a level enough that he could be in the tournament. I'm not arguing he's top talent more so. Yeah, but I'm saying like if you're doing the World Tournament and like you're trying to do it with the best eight guys, like could he be in the top eight guys that PFL have? Probably. Yeah. Okay. That's that's more what I'm getting at. Well, I know what you mean. like like I feel like despite the fact he's fought those three fights, I feel like his name doesn't maybe carry the weight of some maybe lesser fighters who maybe fought in the UFC type of thing. Yeah. Yeah. So like but that hence why I think Paul's on a different level to this guy. Oh no, no, I I totally get that. Uh um but like I don't think anyone on the PFL roster maybe Baron Ganu will be main event over Paul use. Yeah. Depending where it is maybe comes to Brandon Loch Nane although he hasn't fought in a while. Yeah. But I think that would it would it would that would depend geographically or who he was fighting if you know what I mean. Yeah. Yeah. Depending where it is. Yeah. Obviously I don't think they put Brendan Loch Nane in the main event in Belfast. Yeah. But uh Yeah. Well, I don't think they would have put McGrillin versus Philpot in the main event over Paul use Belfast either. No, but it's more like if it if there was a title on the line. I think it could be like Yeah, but I still don't think I think I think Paul is like the Conor McGregor for PFL as in like that guy's the main event no matter what else on the card. Yeah, the PFL I don't think they actually knew what they were getting when Paul arrived. Like I think they were like, "Oh, okay. for getting a good fighter, a good following, but like the way he's like just gone straight up to like the top five. They probably they probably told like, "Oh, we think you're going to be a big star, yada yada yada." But they probably weren't ready for the stardom that actually came with it. Yeah. And the absolute dog in them as well. And the way he brings people over to where was it? Dubai. Yeah. The big news crew travels. Yeah. And there's not many people like that on the PFL roster. So, uh, no. Look, hence why he's here in Belfast. I saw he said he wants this to be an annual thing as well. So, uh this won't be the last time. Um going back to what you said, should McGrill versus Philpot be for a title. The thing is PFL confused me like you win titles and then like when the calendar season changes all of a sudden you're not you don't have a belt anymore. It's like once the first punch is thrown of the next calendar year like you're no longer the champion. I think I think they're too fixated on like football sports and they're trying to make it like follow it like football, but like it's not. And I think like by them not having set champions, I think it's very hard for fans who like follow the narrative of where someone's going. Like I understand the tournament format and the European brackets and they're all great and all that. I'm all for that. But like why don't they do uh just say like this European tournament that like Decky Mle and the likes are in why doesn't like the winner of that then fight whoever won the belt last year type thing and like have it that way. You win the 100 grand and a title shot at the real European champion and then after a while if the European champion wins the belt and defends it twice, well then they get a title shot at the world champion. Like I'm okay with having multiple champions from different regions or whatever. As long as you can make it easier to follow, that's where the issue is. Yeah, that is. Yeah, that's that's really And like we're we're the ones who like cover it. So like people cheering in will be scratching their heads. Well, I saw Sean Oonnell on with Ariel Hmani and like he couldn't even describe what way the Tomies work. He works for them. He's the commentator. Former champ. Yeah, former champ. What What season? Three. There you go. Just the way. Oh, no. Yeah, I think it was actually like two or something. Um, McGrillan versus Philpod. Look, this so going back Lewis McGrillan versus Alan Philpod. This one is a big one for Alan Philpot to upset the apple card. Yeah, big time. I think like obviously he has has the skills to get the job done. Like it's not like Lewis McGrillin uh is unbeatable, you know, but like it is it is it is a tall task. like it's it's a lot h to be asked to do in your promotional debut but uh who's to say Phil pack Phil Philp can't do it like uh Wesley Moya was able to do it so you know what I mean like and that was down to experience as well so yeah absolutely and that's that's that is the thing like there is a lot of experience on Phil pot side and you know what I mean he he's mixed in there with some really good fighters like people don't realize this but like he he has a win over Nathaniel Wood who's like killing in the UFC. So like this wouldn't even be the biggest win in Phil pot's career if he won it. Now it might be in terms of where he is now and in terms of like winning in front of a Belfast crowd at this stage of his career, but like it wouldn't be the biggest name on his on his record. Yeah, it' definitely be up there though. Yeah, definitely second. Yeah. Right. So on the night as well, there is a PFL European lightweight tournament. There are two Irish representatives representatives in it. Uh one is SVG Ireland's Cladio Pachella. He's taking on Gavin Hughes and then also Dei Mleen is taking on Gino Vaninis Ross. We'll start off with SPG Ireland's Claudia Pachella. This is a he's fought in the organization a few times. He's got some wins. Um what do you make of this fight against Gavin Hughes? Yeah, I I think it's actually fairly much a 50/50 one. Um, look, Gavin Hughes from Liverpool. Uh, but obviously for training out of SPG Ireland, Hughes is I think he's 37. He's fought in Cage Warriors ago a few times as well. Um, yeah. So, like I I probably favor Pella just because he's the younger of the two. um he's only 25 so like you got to believe sort of at 155 something he's 37 like you know they're coming towards the tail end of their career but Chell is young and hungry he's fought in the organization a good few times uh so I'd sort of just favor him uh just being the the younger line in this one Basmo no I'd 100% agree and then Deky Mlean as I said is taking on Gino Faninis um Decki is making his debut with PFL when he signed there was a lot of people very very excited to see him there. Ross Decky Mle and we were speaking to him over the weekend. What are you expecting from him in his PFL debut this weekend? Yeah, but look he he he he looked sharp, he looked ready, he was uh he was in good form. I think uh I know he he was talking about going back down to featherweight, but I think the lightweight really really suits him. I think uh he's not concentrating on cutting weight. He's concentrating on being fight ready. And I think Decki Malin, he's an absolute dog in there. H he's looking to finish the fight at all time. And look, he's got a tough out. Uh Gino Vancenis, I haven't personally seen him fight before, but we are probably more familiar with his brother Klo Vancenis. Um who it's funny that uh Gino represents Spain but Koslo represents Dutch when they're actually like um now obviously Gino has part Dutch in them as well. Uh but uh yeah obviously uh you know he come from a fighting family so uh we expect we expect him to be quite good very good on the feet that's where Klo Vancenis has done all his work that Dutch kickboxing should be uh should be should be fire so it'll be interesting to see how Deky approaches the fight but uh I can't pick against Deki. I think he's a very game fighter and for me I just think he has more tools to win this fight. I think uh a smart game plan game plan here from Deki and I think maybe a submission win could be on the cards for him. Yeah, sorry. I think uh Deki's experience will help him a lot and especially in front of a hometown crowd. Uh Ross Shan McCormack is going to be fighting on this one as well against Haidider Khan. Khan's record is 9 and one. Sean's coming in here now. Was on Cage Warriors then was meant to fight on Cage Conflict against Brian Manning. He was injured for that, but now he's has the opportunity on a big show. Yeah, absolutely. Uh this is one that Shawn McCormack is dying to fight in front of his hometown fans. Uh like I I think if you look at look at this on paper now, obviously fights aren't won on paper. This is a massive uphill task for Shawn McCormack. Like he's three and two fighting someone who's 9 and one. You'd expect Hyder to absolutely blow through them if you're unfamiliar with it. Like if if I just saw two lads walking to the gauge and they were the records, you nearly think it was some form of a squash match type thing. But yeah, when you look at it from this, like Shawn McCormack went toe-to-toe with Oan Elliot and look where Oban Elliot's gone. And that was three years ago. H we haven't seen Shawn McCormack in over two years. So I'm going to firmly believe if he's in that training room with the likes of Patty Mccuri, Brie McKe, Jordan O'Neal, he's primed them ready. He's got some big spars going into this camp and uh I think Shawn McCormack has the skills to pay the bills and I think if you're looking to have a bet on this one, it could be uh it could be one that you could uh get good odds on Shawn McCormack for. Oh, I'd agree. We were talking to Pat McCallister over the weekend as well and he was like, "Uh, K's record looks impressive, but some of these fights aren't um as against as impressive um opponents." So, uh Sean McCormack, looking forward to seeing you back in action. But, um Ross, also there's a women's fight in the card as well. Sammy Luxton's on the card. She's another one of PFL's um additions that has like a big background in I think it's boxing, isn't it? Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Yeah. So, make sure you check that one out as well. Uh the fight just before that as well, SPG Ireland's own Sheridan takes on Edwards. Um looking at this own Sheran I think is 6'4 6'5 against Edwards who is like 6'4 65 as well. This is a huge welterweight clash. Right. Yeah, absolutely. Um Maliki Edwards is no slouch. He's 4-1 coming into this one. Um we've seen him fight on Progress Czech uh FC which is the organization that um Arman Herzig fought on over the over the weekend. H actually also has a win over the fella uh uh Hassan who um Trevor Mckeno beat at heavyweight. Uh so like th this guy is uh definitely no slouch and I think on Sharon will be his toughest test today and it's going to be very interesting to see how this one plays out just based on the fact that like you said both are going to be very tall very long. So they're both going to be really used to having the reach advantage over their opponent. So when that's negated, I think it will all come down to whose skills can pay the bills. And I feel like Owen Sheran has been getting some good work in with uh some of the guys with the likes of uh Will Flurry and so so I feel like we'll see the best Owen Sheran we've seen to date and I'm looking forward to see him in there and I hope he gets hand raised. No, same here. Uh Owen Sheran has previously fought in the Smart Cage as well. He was victorious in Paris. So that was the end of last year, was it? Yeah. Or was that this year? Um Oh, now you're ask me. Um, it was it was definitely within the last six months, put it that way. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was. Yeah. No. Well, I don't think it's actually outrageously relevant when exactly it was. No, it has to be. It has to be last year, I think, because didn't they just start off with doing the tournaments on the Thursday? They they didn't come back, I think. So, yeah. Um, hold on. I'll pull up the date here for you. That was Yeah. 14th of December. So, you'll be will be forgiven for not knowing whether it was this year or last year. It was within the last six months, though. Yeah, it was indeed. And then Ross, the curtain jerker. Cory McGloin from Fight Academy Ireland against Nome Wedi from SPG Ireland. This is an all Irish clash. That's why if you're going to the event or if you're tuning in, you have to make sure to watch this fight. Cory McLolin, he's own one as a professional fighter now of fight academy Ireland. He previously lost against Mario Detofano in the main event at Cage Conflict. A teammate homei teammates from Nomedi. And if you're not if you're not too familiar with Nome Weddi, he he has a very decorated amateur career. He's making his pro debut. He's one of the most talked about fighters in the country. Um like you may have seen him over the last couple of years like calling out boxers to fight in Misfits. He was signed with Misfits. He was meant to fight Anderson Silva's son. That didn't come through fruition. But um I think I think he's actually quite viral on Tik Tok as well. But uh Ross, this John Cavan has previously been on with Eric Hawwani saying a person you have to look out for is Nome Wii. That's why this fight between these two guys is a huge fight in on the Irish MMA scene. Yeah, absolutely. I think uh if PFL did a press conference while the fighters and the home was there, he will definitely try and take over that press conference. He's one of those types of guys. Um, look, it's going to be very, very interesting to see how this fight plays out. Homy, I think was the number one ranked on topology between featherweight and lightweight for a while. I think Corin McLolin also was number one at one stage. Uh, both have very impressive uh amateur records. H obviously Corin McLolin fought a really tough fight in his pro debut against D. Stefano and like that was one of those ones where I was like, "Oh, this is like an absolute mouthwatering fight for the fans, but also like you felt like whoever came out with a loss off the back of things like had a small bit of rebuilding types to do." And uh I feel like what a way for Cory McLolin to come back. And look, I feel like um from speaking to Pat and then uh thinking about like the other sort of featherweights in the room at Fight Academy Ireland um and lightweights like your Paul Hughes, like your Scott Harvey, like your Matthew Elliot. I mean, Cory McLolin's going to be in absolute prime shape with this one. And you got to believe he's probably had one of the best camps of his life. So, I think uh this one's going to be an absolute like what a curtain jerk as you say like this this one here. Um absolute banger to start off PFL Belfast and it'll get the fans in early. No, it definitely will. Like the thing is PFL win no matter what who who wins this fight because obviously you have the outspoken the home ready and then also you have Paul Hughes one one of Paul Hugh's main training partners Cory McGin. I can't pick in this fight. Um, but if I was I can't pick this fight, but I'll give a prediction. I think just based on activity, Cory McGlin has to be the favorite going into this. There we have it. Basma PFL Belfast. Keep watching because it's going to be a big one. Yeah, make sure we'll be posting everything as well in the buildup to the fight. So, make sure to tune in. Um, also just what happened over the weekend. Carl Moore from SVG Ireland was defeated in the PFL light heavyweight tournament against shoeface Carlos Jr. Yeah, Antonio Carlos Jr. That's Antonio Jr. Yeah. Um, looking forward to seeing Carlmore back in action though, right, Ross? Looking at what happened over the weekend in Irish mixed martial arts, we have to start off with Virtuous that happened up in. Um, we should start with the most talked about fight first. Brian Manning defeating Shawn Kelly by second round submission. Ross, what did you make of this fight and what did you make of the drama that happened after? And what did you make of the continual drama that hap that unfolded over the last few days with Jordan O'Neal? Yeah. So, uh, I suppose um, shout out for Virtus first of all uh, for putting on 41 fights. to me personally probably think it's a little bit too much but again like obviously they did their alpha project which is a great to get young people involved in martial arts h it's fantastic but obviously it's a it's a massive ask for the staff who are working the virt uh all the cornmen all the teams all the country so shout out to everyone who worked on the show and then also then who went effectively the exact same squad went across then and worked at Kuma so shout out to all those people for a um you know without them. Um yeah, it's very important to the Irish M8 scene. So, shout out to everyone involved. Yeah, absolutely. Um and then I suppose the fight itself, uh look, I actually thought Sean Kennedy looked like good in moments of I thought he landed some nice leg kicks and shots of his own, but I think Brian Manning was just that step above on the night. Uh his leg kicks were absolutely devastating. I thought he was maybe going to finish the fight with leg kicks at one stage. Um, you know, sometimes there's no better way to put it, but like Bri man like just has an absolute dog in him when he's in there. He's just an absolute ferocious competitor in there. He's h constantly looking to hurt his opponent. He's constantly looking for the finish. And I I I think maybe what isn't said enough about Brian is, you know, he's very skillful in there. You know what I mean? Like he his uh decision- making in there has come on leaps and bounds. He's uh you know his killer instinct is is absolutely incredible in there. And look that's four wins and four finishes for him. H this time he got got things done with the with submission. So uh you know he left his decision merchant uh amateur career behind them and now he's an absolute killer at pro. So uh look absolutely fair play to him. Um, yeah, and obviously maybe I'll just finish off uh with Brian that like him and Jordan O'Neal had an altercation afterwards. They had an old chat outside the cage. Um, and look, I think that's a fight everyone would love to see. Um, obviously there was barbs going back and forth on social media between those two, uh, saying, you know, Brian Mannon said Jordan shat in April and, uh, you know, Jordan wants to fight in in July and Cage Warriors in London. U, we'd be all about that, Baz. We'd love to have that fight. Uh, if it does happen, I think absolute 100% that's a face off that uh, we get on the show, have the two of them on, let them talk their trash. I think it will be a absolute phenomenal crack and I think uh it'll be one of the most talked about all Irish fights of the year. Basma oh 100%. Look the thing is if two Irish fighters want to fight each other then let them fight each other. Yeah. Um I think any promotion in Ireland whether you're a cage conflict whether you're EFC um any of these organizations in Ireland should try and get that fight and their promotion like it's going to get serious traffic. Jordan Neil, Fight Academy Ireland, Brian Manning, um MMA Cork, they're having this back and forth like this is one of the most interesting potential fights. These these are two lads who are going to sell a lot of tickets as well. Oh, 100%. And and pay-per-view. Sell tickets and pay-per-view. They really really well. This is the fight that the fans will definitely want to see. Um how many times will Brian Manning have to make weight though is the question. Probably probably just just the once hopefully. Uh that that was another uh sort of crazy issue. But like again like that's that's more on the on the technical side of it. What I do want to touch on is what happened after the fight. Um and look, I'm not here to dig Sean Kelly out either. Uh obviously Brian won. He uh he goed Sean after the fight uh in in Brian Manning fashion. And look, Sean sort of he definitely let his emotions get the better of him and he sort of went to well, he attempted to try and go either attack Brian or have it out with him again after the fight. People got caught in the crosshairs. Unfortunately, uh um Jess Isacson h it was actually her birthday at the time. She got knocked over in the melee. Um, and like look, it ended up being quite an unsavory scene for Irish MMA. Uh, I think people need to realize that when they turn professional, it's not just you fighting the pro ranks. Now, you're actually actually like representing the sport at a higher level. Uh, and when things like that happen, it actually makes the sport look bad on a larger scale level. Uh, I did see some like comments online that I was half half tempted to write back to, but I was like I was like, "Look, I'll talk about it on the podcast when we see it." Um, there was a narrative that Jess wasn't doing her job or it wasn't Jess's job to try and break up the fighters or whatever, but that's not what she was doing. She was going in there to attend Tawn's face after he was in a fight, and that is her job. And despite the fact she was pushed over, she actually got back up and as the professional she is, she went over and actually started doing her job and attending Shashan's face. Um, so I want to say like absolute outstanding professional. She is like the leading cup person in Ireland. She is unbelievably phenomenal at her job. She is like such a strong figure in the Irish MMA space and she's so well respected. So, uh, just want to say the entire MMA community sort of gathered behind Jess and, you know, just checked in on her, made sure she was she was all right and wish her happy birthday at the same time. Um, so that was great. Um, things that I felt like could be different going forward. Now, look, this is also not trying to dig out Fergus either. Like, it was only their fourth ever show, so like they're still learning and developing as well. Uh, I felt like maybe they should have known the amount of bad blood between these guys and added more security for this fight. uh or had like more people involved. Um I also think, you know, uh I saw Sean did did an apology um video as well. Um like fair play to him for what he said. I wasn't mad on the format of it. He was sort of like walking around his garden doing it and he was like out of the shot half time, but I think it would feel like you actually sat down and looked the camera it would have hit a bit harder I think uh for him. But like that's just like personal thing. Like I'm not saying he didn't mean his apology, but I felt like it would have felt a bit more heartfelt. Um yeah, like uh I felt like Ver should have come out and made a statement just about like you know obviously they're running shows like the staff they're hiring like it's on them to have them protected as well. And I feel like they they should have just come out and said something about it. And again that's not a get them. They're only four fights into their, you know, MMA journey and like they put on a lot of uh the Alpha Project fight. So, so it's not like they've been running, you know, many pro fights on their cars before. I think it's maybe their third that actually was probably their second pro fight because I think only Damian McKenna fought one pro fight before. So, like just things that I would like to see uh a bit better from from them. And then also like I know Jason McCabe who runs the team of all is an absolutely standout guy. And I feel like, you know, that sort of you'd like to hope that people wouldn't look differently upon the gym because at the end of the day when, you know, Sean Kelly is, I think, the only pro fighter out of team evolved there. So like therefore, he should be setting the standards uh for that team and he should be one of the leaders in that team. And look, his behavior at the end of the day was just not acceptable. And I think he knows that. And I I think um it's been said that he has like a year ban. I don't know how that gets unfortunate or maybe there's promotions on the island. Don't uh don't uh book him for a year or whatever way it works out. But um again, yeah, look, those things those scenes just can't happen uh in Irish MMA, especially at a pro level. And also, I don't think uh another thing that were sort of said is like, you know, uh people wrote, "Oh, don't worry, man. You just lost the head. Don't worry about But like I just don't think you know injuring in innocent parties saying oh you got annoyed and lost head is actually a good enough excuse um for that. Like to me like there is no excuses for that behavior that there are my thoughts on it. I know that was a bit of a ramble but let me know if you have anything to add. No, I'd agree. Um I just I think obviously the the battle up between Shawn and Brian that that's what like that that was that was basically it. like yeah I mean um the narrative going in that these two guys really don't like each other um like and like I'm all for a bit of bad blood but like once the fight's over the fight's over you can't go again like sure look what happened to Paul Daly after he punched Josh Cost like his career went down the toilet off that mean that was the first thing that was the first thing that came to my mind but uh look I'm sure Sean will learn from this as a lot of people do like that's why when that's thing like I don't think Sean 's necessarily a bad guy either. I mean like I don't think he's he's a terrible guy and I'm not trying to dig him out but like if anyone did that like I can't defend those actions cuz they're indefensible. Yeah, exactly. Just for people tuning in now as well like if like a lot of fighters watch this like just learn from this and then look we can all just we can all grow because like what like something when something bad happens in the scene everyone's painted with the same brush. You know yourself. Uh Ross then in the main event Dame McKenna defeated Alex Mcook in the first round by submission. He is there now featherweight champion. Dame McKenna like I think the time is right for him to either get a bigger fight on the likes of Cage Warriors. Um I heard uh Phil Campbell mentioned that a good fight against for Damian would be someone like Tier Laran on Cage Warriors. Yeah. Yeah, I'd be all over that. Um yeah. Well, look, I think the issue here with Damon McKenna is that if you add up all his opponent's records on the pro scene, they're like 0 and 10, 11, 12 or something at this stage. You know what I mean? Uh, so if he goes to Cagewiggers now and fights a Tan Lock, a pro who's like 2 and 0 also, but I've fought people who have won fights, I feel like that's a massive step up for him now. I feel like he's basically fought the same caliber of opponent three times. Been no progression there. And if anything, maybe even a small bit of regression. I feel like his the fight he just fought there was easier than the time he fought effectively. Uh, and look, this this is not a knock on Demi Mckenni. He's got lots of talent and he's a lovely fella. Uh, I only want the best from him, but I also don't want him to go too quick too soon because now his record is three and 0 or you know he has if he had another easy fight went 4-0 and then all of a sudden you know what I mean? Like look at someone like Kieran Lran's brother Ken Lran he won the Cage Warriors belt at 7 and0 you know what I mean? Like so like that's that's only you know that would only be four more fights for Damian McKenna. And if we actually look at cage wires 188 and all the featherweights that were fighting on that night I mean that's a very steep stack division you know I mean like D McKenna is now 3 and0 Solomon Simon six and0 you know what I mean like if you take you think Scott Harvey now five yeah five-0 you know I mean like if you look at who these guys are beating at that stage you know what I mean like Damian Kenna he needs to fight like his next fight needs to be someone who's like two and two type of thing you know what I mean That's that's where he needs to be next. So I don't know if his next fight is definitely Cage Warriors or not, but I feel like yeah, he need you know I feel like him beating Alex McCook and the fact he did it didn't really do much for stock, nor did it do much for, you know, a litmus test for him to know where he's at, if that makes sense. Uh like I don't know how good Damen McKenna is at pro from watching him beat those three guys. That's that that's where we're at. I I just don't want to go into dangerous territory where it's like, well, he's 3 and 0. Here's a guy who's six and one who like, you know, is further along in the pro game than he is, you know? No, I get you. Is there anyone else any other featherweights that are sort of trying to knock that are like knocking on the door of Cage Warriors that could have a main event fight against Damian for the featherweight title? Um, hard to know. Maybe Damian McKenna fights the loser of Nome Wii versus Cory McLolin uh on one of the regional shows. Um he's fought Nome Wii once if not twice before at amateur and Nome won and then obviously Corin McLolin if he went uh 0 and2 I feel like that's I know that again that's someone without a a win on the record but Cory McLolin was a different animal at F at amateur than any of the guys Dam McKenna has fought a pro I just got one here Mario Dtoano against Damian McKenna. Yeah, I think that's I think that's stylistically I think that's a very tough fight for uh Damian in terms of Mario's like jiu-jitsu level and stuff like that. I'm not saying Damon tells badges, but Mario's a black belt. Very, very good. Stylistically, it' be a very tough one. But I think that's the type of fight he should be looking for. Someone who is one and0, 2 and 0, two in one, two and two, those sort of fighters against like and when I say two and two, they have a somewhat credible win on the record as well. Well, there you go. Matchmaking. I'm sure I'm sure we'll hear back about what here cuz that that was like that. But like the thing is I just want to say on virt like fair play to them for putting on 41 fights like a lot for uh for them to do and like hopefully they do smaller shows going forward cuz uh it must be very hard for them for the guys at the top end of the card to know exactly when they're going to come out and fight because of the 41 fights beforehand. So uh yeah I I think Jerry said that they were going to sort of separate the alpha alpha project from virtual shows going forward. So like I think I think that's your best bet to do. So that was that was virtual absolute chaos in the arena and we weren't even there man. So uh we were there in spirit because when we put out the the the posters in the buildup the Fighting Irish ones put out Mr. Big Stuff for Sean Kelly and then when they were when Brian Manning was walking out he used that song and then Sean Kelly used the same song as well. So we were there in Spirit Man. Yeah. Um, but the the event we were at was Akuma Fighting Championships that went down in the Jim Baker Stadium in Antrum. Russ, what a night for Irish MMA, topped off by a very high level pro fight. Um, there was four four other title fights underneath it. Um, Steve Moore ran a great show as always and also everyone else that was involved in another fantastic performance, especially the the likes of the cut the cut team and shout out to everyone else involved. Ross, where do you want to start here? Yeah, I think we'll start maybe wi with uh one of the fights that uh I wasn't expect to be as invested in, but the fans were super invested in was the novice featherweight toy fight between Max Mafy and Fraser Roberts. Uh Max Mafy seems to be a future star. Um the crowd went nuts for him when he won. H there was plenty of like commentary on their fight and the buildup to the fight. Um, and the kid has great jiu-jitsu. So, uh, I think first of all, I just want to say that was incredible. There are one or two other like fights that I want to touch on that I was like, wow, that one was really, really impressive before we do go straight into the title fights. Um, give me two seconds here cuz uh oh, the uh the Franic uh Zajic fight uh against Gregorian uh Franic from Barbarian. Um he ate some massive shots at the start and then came back uh and got the rear naked choke win. That was outrageously impressive. And then for me, fight of the night was Miss Kimman. Um he was fighting I'm trying to think of the guy he was fighting. He was fighting um from uh Connor Griven from MFMA. Barry, that fight was insane, wasn't it? Those two went to war with each other. No, that that was a great fight that it sort of was. It was the fight of the night and then it could have potentially been either the Glenn Eager's fight against Eden Bole or also the main event. Yeah, there was those three points. Yeah. Yeah. I think it was more didn't know much about those two guys and then the fall and I was like right that's an absolute banger of a yoke. So uh yeah absolute whopper fight card really really good unbelievable matchmaking like to have the fights at that high standard. Yeah. Well like when we're there we're looking to see who could be the next person that people want to tune in and see and that one there especially was was a banger. Yeah. And then I suppose speaking of, you know, fighters people should look out for, let's go to our flyweight title fight. Ben Mattton picked up the strap with a win over uh Shay Cleland. These are two of the top guys in the flyweight division in Ireland. Uh unbelievable stuff. Uh I think you know Ben Matt is only 20. I think Shay Clean's maybe 21, 22. Like these guys have seriously high ceilings. Uh who knows where we see Ben Mang go here. That's his first uh title win. So yeah, he's definitely one to look out for Baz. Were you impressed by him? No, 100%. I was imp impressed by both lads, but like Ben, he's only 20, training under own. Um the the shape he was in now he has the strap, the confidence as well there. He is definitely something to watch out for on the scene. Yeah, absolutely. You know, I suppose uh if you want to step up away class, we can actually have a look at the bantamweight champion Oliver. Um he he went out and he was victorious over Rian Dun Levy. This is a this is a guy who is actually ranked on topology the number one uh bantamweight in the country and with good reasons uh why I think he he looks absolutely phenomenal in this. I think him versus a Jac guy. If a promoter can get that fight booked, I think that's an absolute banger. Basma, what do you think? Yeah. Well, Steve was organizing fights for the next event that goes down in August. So, Mass Oliver against Jake and Guy is definitely a fight people would tune in for. Oh, 100%. I'd be all over that. Like, I think that's that's one that uh I' I'd definitely look at um to be booking if I was promoter. And then we had the interim lightweight title between Glenn Eagers versus Aiden Oil. This one was an absolute b uh absolute fight in a phone booth. I think I described it as it was an absolute banger of a fight. Both guys stood traded. Um I think both coaches got annoyed at their fighter that they were uh taking so much damage and giving out so much damage at the same time. Uh but this one was an absolute fans light. Um, I think it was a split decision win for Glenn Eagers. H I spoke to Glenn after the fight. He talked about maybe going pro in the near future, but he's going to talk to Chris Fields about it. And then he got into the cage face to face with Dominic Rhodess and it looks like that could be the fight next. That's a great fight for a new fighting championship. It's a great fight for both men. I'm really looking forward to it. And then no it was look it was an absolute it was an absolute epic fight and Dominic Rhodess against Glenn Eagers in August. It's booked so make sure to tune in to that one. Yeah absolutely. And then our last visit before we go into the pro ranks was the welterweight division. Uh Abdul Zub Zu Ray Bev I think is how you say his name from SPG Ireland. He picked up a win coming in on short notice uh against um Shawn McDerma. So, fair play Tom McDerma. He's game for taking that that fight on short notice. And sorry, excuse me. And with that, uh I think it'll be interesting to see who he fights next. And then also with that being said, we'll move on to the main event. Troy Gibson versus Ben Johnson. It was an absolute banger of a fight. Um, this is one of the best pro fights uh for someone's pro debut I've seen in a very long time. H Ben Johnson was um absolute game hell in this. He hit Troy with some massive shots at certain times. I was so impressed with it and then Troy gives show great composure and unbelievable chin and really worked so hard to get into the better positions and get his hand raised. I did think Troy deserved to get his hand raised this one. He landed some big shots, some nice short elbows and I think uh for me it was an unbelievable fight uh that capped off the night and that could easily also been a fight of the night contender as well. Unbelievable fights, Kuma Championship. What a job. What a fight night, Basmo. Oh no, it was absolutely epic and that's why we can't wait to see it again in August. Ross, absolutely. Uh guys, I just want to say thank you so much for everyone who uh interacted with the post on Kum as well. That was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for supporting your local MMA shows. Thank you for supporting Virt. Thank you supporting for the Android show. It's absolutely incredible. Irish MMA is on fire at the moment. So obviously Irish MMA is on the up and Ross, we cannot finish the show without speaking about the world of the UFC. Um before we look at this weekend's UFC 315 card, I just want to ask you this question. In last week, Eddie Hearn was on with Ariel Hwani and he was saying that he could not name I think it was five or six superstars in the world of mixed martial arts. Um, what are your thoughts on Eddie Hearn's opinion? I feel like now Dana White is venturing into boxing. He's changed his tune a bit. So I like I think the likes of you know maybe not at the absolute pinnacle but like think John Jones a will star. I think Tom as a star. I think Pereira is a star. H I think Israeli is still a star. I think Hamzacho is a star. Um like I think Patty Pim is a star. Islam Makv's a star. I think Morab's a star in his own right. I think Shawn Ali is a star. um Dustin Porier, Justin Gatey, Max Holloway, like I think these are all sort of bigname fighters who people are going to come out and see saying like equal if not more star power than you know, put it this way. I think I think like boxing looks good coming off like sort of Eubank versus uh Ben, but if you put just one of them against someone else, it's not as big a fight. Like that's the biggest fight either those two can get in. actually for their for their own stock if that makes sense. Yes, they could put one of them in against like a Canelo or something like that, but at the end of the day, like they're just pure Bside against Canelo, you know what I mean? So, at the end of the day, like I think now that Dana White's in the boxing game, I think Eddie Hearn's less matey matey and less complimentary. I got you. But like that that's the thing like a lot of a lot of people need a bigname opponent. Like look at the way when Jon Jones fought that you're like Dominic Reyes or Anthony Smith's Jiago Santos. No it didn't. Whereas that's why this big one against Asenol has to be made or that's why there were talks of he could have potentially fought Pereira. Yeah absolutely know. Yeah. So there was just there was just jabbing Eddie was just jabbing at the the mixed martial arts stars. Yeah. Yeah. Well, just just over the weekend, Cory has Sanhagen defeated Deon Figerado. Ross, you got that prediction right? Um Cory Sanhagen, who would you like to see him fight next? Just just about got it right. Um look, I I I think there's a few potential opponents for Cory Sanhagen next. Like the banter division, you have to say, is one of the most stacked divisions that there is. Um also with the fact that like we already know who the next um title fight's going to be. Obviously it's going to be um Sha Madi fighting on against Morab. I think it sort of leaves you open to uh you know who's next. I think Pod Yan is a great option as a fight h for Cory Sanhagen. But I also think a rematch against Omar and a magma made off is also a fantastic fight cuz some people thought Cory Sanhagen beat Umar Magma made off. So seeing those two run it back for number one contender fight will be quite thrilling. And I do think Sanhagen versus Omadi is a fantastic fight. I'm not as mad on Sanhagen versus Morab as a fight. Okay, that's right. This is that's a lot of options, Ross. And options are always good in the fight game. People few options. Yeah. Okay. So, Ross, this weekend you'll see 3:15. Do you prepare 3:15 or 315? 3:15, I think. 3 315. Okay. Okay. H goes down this weekend. Absolutely. And boss, don't forget the curtain jerker is one of Ireland's own Brad Katon. Yeah, we we will get there. But we will speak in the main event first. Ross, there was two title fights. The first one being Bal Muhammad, remember the name, against Jack Delena, one of Max Li's training partners or the welterweight title. Yeah, I think this is a very tall order for uh Jack Lena to live up to. Bel Muhammad has looked unbelievable in his last couple of fights. He's really shut down his opponents. Uh and look, I think he's I think it's going to be very very hard for uh Jack Medalena to win this one. Um, Bal's pace and his wrestling ability is what sort of got him to the dance and I think we can see him implement that again. I think Jack Deland's best chance to win here is probably a knockout. Basma, what are your thoughts? No, I'd agree. And I did notice when you were saying superstars, you didn't mention Bal Muhammad's name. Remember, I didn't I didn't remember the name. I didn't remember the name. Exactly. Uh, just looking at this fight, I think Jack Dealeni comes from a boxing background. Bal Muhammad like he's been training with the likes of Kabib's team. I just think Bal is in his prime right now and he will get the job done. I wouldn't say it'll be emphatic but uh it'll be another win for Bal. Um the thing is who would do you think the UFC would prefer to win? Hard to know. Um maybe Jack. I I think I I think there sort of what is sort of interesting interestingly looming is that like there's talks of Islam moving up to welterweight and I can't see Islam versus Bal happening but I also couldn't really see Islam versus Jackal and Matalena happening either. So um I don't know I just don't see Jackal and Matalena with the belt but again I've been wrong before be wrong again. Bal Muhammad is the favorite in the fight. So we'll see how it goes down. All right. So then in the co- main event, Valentina Shashenko is taking on Manon Furro for the women's flyweight title. Ross, you can't see past Valentine in this one, can you? Well, interestingly enough, man is actually the favorite in the bookies uh for this fight. Faux has been on absolute fire at the moment. She's looked absolutely fantastic. like she's beat uh she beat Aaron Blanchfield in her last fight and I think people were very very high on Aaron Blanchfield and the fight before that she beat Rose Namunis. So like the caliber of fighters she's beat in her last two uh fights have been very very impressive. So like I wouldn't I wouldn't back against Manon Fau. So, and I think Valentina um after losing to Alexa Graasso, then obviously um there was that um draw in the middle uh of their trilogy. You know, people I think she's been humanized a bit more, Valentina. So, I think she feels more beatable. And also, she had that really fight with Talio Santo. So, maybe is age coming in as a factor for Valentina Shuenko? Who knows? Oh, I actually think I got to pick for on this one if I'm being honest. Really? Yeah. Well, that be she'd be good person for the UFC to get a title so she could headline potentially headline one of these French cards as well. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And it looks like UFC have like a backup plan in place as well for this fight cuz uh Alexa Graasso is fighting Natalyia Silva on this card. So, it looks like if uh if one of those two fighters uh pull out, we'll probably see one of those two moved into in for either a title fight or an interim title fight depending if injured. Yeah. And then uh José Aldo is on the card as well. And Ben Saint Deni is also on the card. Um Ross, you were saying that Braatona is going to be on the card by SPG Ireland. He is taking on uh Bezac a man. Uh this event that obviously goes down in Canada. Yeah, absolutely. Obviously uh Bragona, a Canad a Canadian native. Um obviously a hometown fighter for him. Um he's actually the underdog in this one. He's fighting a Kazakhstani fighter and we all know the Kazakhstanis have a solid uh solid um fight results in the UFC. He's 11 and two, but uh he is not the ultimate fighter. That is Brad Katona. He's the ultimate fighter champ. And I'm picking Brag Katona to get W in this one. Basmo. Very biased as always, bud. Very biased. Um Ross, just before we wrap things up, what else is going on this weekend? We said make sure to check out PFL Belfast on Saturday. That leads into UC 315. Then also there's a Evolution Muay Toy goes down on Saturday as well. and Lee Wood takes on Kane for the world title as well on Saturday night. Ross, that sort of wraps up everything. It's been very eventful. The last couple of weeks have been uh action-packed. Absolutely. And if you didn't know, now you know. So, make sure to like, make sure to share, make sure to subscribe, make sure to come back next week, and as always, stay energy. The Enjoy 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.