Cage Warriors 194 Dublin Recap, ADCC Ireland's Future & PFL Dubai Preview | The Energized Show

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What is up and welcome to The Energized Show! On this episode we discuss Cage Warriors 194 Dublin Recap, ADCC Ireland's Future & PFL Dubai Preview along with all the latest Irish MMA news. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Hit the notification bell for more Energized Shows! Youtube …

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Diana Joy. Here we go. It's time. >> Okay. What's going on, guys? Welcome to a brand new episode of Energized, brought to you by Ora Kings Competitions. Ross, >> are you intoxicated or something? How are you doing, man? Haven't seen you in ages, >> man. Recovering after that 15 hour shift we did on Saturday. Um, unbelievable stuff. We were at ADCC in the morning, Cage Warriors in the evening. Uh, what a day. We're going to talk all about that and the upcoming PFL um, Dubo Championship Series fight between Paul's news mag too. So stay tuned for all the Irish and May content that you need in your life. >> Amen to that. What a weekend. What an absolute cracker of a weekend. >> Cracker of a weekend. Cracker of a weekend. Um really really really enjoyed it. Um really really looking forward to talking talking to you about it, Basmo. So uh why don't we start with the Cage Warriors main event and work backwards. Um what a night um in Dublin. Uh the main card really banged. um really really stepped it up a level and you know Leon Hill he got the job done in one with a headkick finish. Um he obviously it it's quite the journey he's had since you know making his pro debut on I'm going to say hours notice over in one of the bubble shows during co then going from there to becoming the main event in Dublin opponent changes I think you were actually asking Baz tell us tell us the timeline of this uh turn of events for K Warriors Dublin from >> yeah so obviously we were talking to Leon after the event and he said that he found out he was going to be the main event on the Wednesday and then on the Thursday he found out that he had got an opponent change as well. So um >> and Friday weighins and then Saturday night main event. >> Yeah. But like as you said like shout out to Ian Dean the matchmaker for Cage Warriors for getting that over the line as well cuz like imagine being told that on the Wednesday you're going to be the main event and then the Thursday you could have been just off the card and then Max Latti would have been promoted to main event. And uh but also in the buildup to the event like Solomon King Simon was scheduled to be the main event on the show and then um his opponent fell off and now he's going to be fighting for the Cage Warriors feedway title at Cage Warriors 196 in London Ross. So that's actually that's a huge that's a that's a I think I think Saul will be happy over that outcome. >> Yeah. November 15th, Solomon King Simon versus Nick Bagley for the vacant cage Warriors featherweight title. It is going to be an absolute banger. H hopefully Solomon Simon brings home the goal. He's on an unbelievable win streak and finishing streak in Cage Warrior. So uh let's have it. Let's have it. But uh speaking speak of those finishes, Baz, how good was that head kick from Leon Hill? Oh, it was qui. Um there was a lot of pressure on Leon going into this. Like he's calling that he wants to go in Dana White Contender Series. Um, if you're on the YouTube channel right now, um, we posted all our postfight interviews with the likes of Leon, Jar, Gary, Max. Uh, there's a few more as well. So, make sure to check them out on the shorts. But, uh, no, it was a huge occasion for Leon. He got that win and, um, the question is now, Ross, do you think he should be in line to fight for the world title next or do you think that he's going to get a call up for Dana White's contender series? >> I think he's thereabouts. I I don't know how many more welterweights will be ahead of him. Um I think Leon Hill versus Justin Burlington sounds like like a pretty cool fight. I'd definitely be here for it. Um either that or maybe maybe he fights a Matt Figlak or something like that next. Um but yeah, Leon Hill looks really really dominant. I just don't know if um that particular win over Blasco and like obviously it's not his fault is the one that sort of gets it over the line but um look you got the job done under 60 seconds and when you have pull outs like that all you can do who's is fight who's in front of you you know >> no I understand but like also bearing in mind that Patty Mccuri's win against um the Israeli lad you wouldn't have thought he would have got a contender series shot after that as well and there was also Well, well, I think Patty McCari is slightly different because he was in tough already. So, like he was already on the UFC radar and he had other like devastating knockouts prior to that that like sort of did it. I think that was more of a formality of one. Well, like I know, understand that the Israeli guy didn't have the best record, but I think Patty's body of work prior to that, he had like some good wins and obviously was on he was on tough. I think uh that win over um Darte with like you know a full camp I think would have been the one for Leon Hill. Um but look we we'll see we'll see how it goes. I'm very interested to see where he does go next and look he's got some some good wins on his record and he also he's filling out that wel frame more and more every time you see him. So, uh, he he's he's definitely ed a step closer, but I think the thing that we've seen is we don't want fighters to get to contender series and get to the UFC too early. They lose one or two and then they bounce back. You don't, you know, I mean, we want to stop the the cageers bounce back. You want the get in the UFC and be staying in the UFC. >> No, I get you. I get you. So, you think >> Yeah, I wouldn't be against it. Um, why not? Especially if they intend on coming back to Dublin early 2026, I'll be all for it. But then again, Leon Hill obviously came out of that fight totally unscathed. So, who knows? Maybe there's an end of year show or something like that that Leon Hill can get get a tile fight on. >> Yeah. Do you know what he said? He he conceived this happening as well. >> So, the thing is only Leon Hill knows what is next for Leon Hill. >> Yeah, absolutely. And look he's a he's a top lo so uh really wish him the best and look he's car carrying the the city of draw on his back you know. >> Yeah exactly and then Ross we have to get into the co-main event. Maximus Lai winning by split decision as well. Now the thing is Max Lai like the arena I think I think was said that there was nearly 2,000 people there. How many of the tickets do you think Max Lai sold for the event? I wouldn't be surprised if you saw about 200 to be honest. Uh it was very very loud for Max Valley. Um it it was a big moment for him. Co-main event. Um plenty of people in the crowd were massive supporters of his. Uh Ben Ellis, an absolute uh veteran of the sports as well. He he was really taking a massive step up and you know what, it's the first time I think we've seen for Maxi him have a bit of adversity in his uh career. I feel like the second round maybe I don't know whether to say he took the uh foot off the gas or you know Ben Ellis you know definitely I thought won that round so it's the first time I've seen Maxi probably lose around in the UFC or second cage wires um the UFC there in cage wires and look he came back and showed that he he had that heart and that grit in him and he went back out there and look he he he got the job done And like you know some people might look at Ben's record four and three and go not great or whatever but he has a win over the person who's fighting for the cage warriors featherweight title next Bagley. So he's no slouch whatsoever. >> Yeah that's the thing when the fight was announced when you look at Ben Ellis's record and who's actually beaten obviously Nick Bagley is a big name in it. M. >> So it was like right obviously the guys in Charles Town and also in Nate and then obviously his management they were like right this is the the next step forward and uh he he was tested and as I said earlier we did a post interview with Max and he said this was what he was looking for. H obviously would have liked to win it a lot cleaner but uh sometimes you have to go through these wars and he said that this is what he was meant to do. Um the like the way he was pushed in the buildup to the fight as well. Like cage warriors know that they have a star in their hands. >> Yeah, absolutely. Look, Maxi is no doubt an unbelievable talent. He went in there against a tough guy and had to dog out a war and that's what he did. He he also showed he has the capabilities taking a big shot and throwing one back. So, uh, look, you wouldn't want all his fights to look like that, but, uh, he he he'll have that now as a baseline on where he needs to make his improvements. And then also, he shows he he showed himself he can grit out a tough fight. I know he's probably done stuff like that in the gym before, but you can never fully replicate a fight fight as he did there. And he went and got his hand raised. Um, look, it it was probably not the perfect masterpiece he wanted to put on. Uh, cuz we know how clinical he's been, but again, I think that fight will stand to him in time. And I think, you know, he'll look back in a couple of years and go, "That was a really good win." And like that win, you know, could be the making of him. >> I know, I agree. It was It was mad exciting as well being out watching it and like the last like minute when they were just like going back and forth that like the the arena erupted. That was uh that was a great crack. But uh Ross, when would you like to see Max back in action again? >> I think some stage in the new year. That was that was quite a he was wearing that fight in his face afterwards. So I'd like to see him maybe maybe takes a break for a while and we see him early 2026. Very exciting. Very exciting stuff. Ross, what fight you want to get into next? >> We might as well go to the GTA sector. J Harris. Uh brilliant rear naked choke win. uh cutting unbelievable promos after the fight. Uh a man who lacks no confidence, a man who uh just needed to get that win back under his belt. And look, he he's love him, hate him, you know, you can't be entertained, but but be entertained by him. And in saying that, also, he is someone who Cage Warriors have a lot of time for. You can tell by the way they put him in the main spots. He he does well on their totals for them. And also, he's a fighter that's going to be in around that title contention sooner rather than later. It really was a must win for him at the time. Like, he's up to six and three now. Like, if he lost that, he would have went to five and four and just not a great look and not the record his talent would perceive. You know, >> look, obviously, I know I keep referencing the post interviews, but that's obviously when you get to chat to these guys after, but like J is like the funniest person Jar is like the funniest person on on when you got to put a microphone in front of him like like and that that that's that's what the great thing about this is cuz like obviously so many different fighters, so many different personalities. Some people are real quiet, some people are really like outgoing, but Jerry is just like he's just lions like in the pocket ready to shoot them out. And like he knew himself that like this is like this is he has to take this serious. Like I mean he has a he has the the fan base, he has the talent like like he's he has star potential, but the thing is like >> if you're not getting the wins and you have everything else, it's it doesn't really go anywhere. So, like getting that win and saying that he's going to be in and around the title contention. He wants to be out. He said he wants to be out two more times before the end of the year. Ross, do you think you can get the GTA selector out two more times before the end of this year? >> Look, I'd 100% be watching, but I don't foresee it happening. But, uh, look, uh, great that he won. Great that he came out of there unscathed. H, he wrapped up that rear naked choke really, really well as well. I don't think we really touched on the actual finish itself. It was a really nice rear naked choke. And look, a lot of young kids look up Jar Harris and um the win there probably means a lot to him and also brought a massive uh fan base with him. I think it was all more GTA sector tops than any other top there to be honest. >> They they were cool t-shirts. They were cool t-shirts, man. >> Very very very very cool tops. So uh fair play to to Jar Harris. Big win for him. And then speaking of big wins, um Adam Derby had a massive step up in competition um against uh Roberto Constantine. Uh he was 6 and0 going into a Constantine, but uh Derby like he really is one of those people who as the fight goes on, he can maintain that high level of pace and his opponents start to fade. It's why in his amateur career and why in his pro career, he gets so many finishes later on in the fight and he's constantly there. I even felt the ref could have stopped the fight even earlier than than uh than he did. And Adam Derby put on an absolute clinic especially in that uh second and third round. And also you can see the improvement uh in his in his standup as well. It was really really impressive to see. So uh look uh I think I think he has a long way to h or a long and bright future ahead of him. And look, I think he's potentially one of the most underrated fighters on the Irish team. >> Um, I don't think people underrate Derby. I think the issue is he's not living in the country, so therefore he sort of goes under the radar. >> Um, also when he originally went over to San Diego to fight with Mave Fight Academy. >> Yeah. like it was meant to be a show, a TV show coming out. Not not so much like the Ultimate Ultimate Fighter, but some sort of maybe like a Jersey show. >> I actually think I actually think it's like randomly out somewhere. >> I don't know what I don't know what season I think they're by this stage. They could be on season four, but they still haven't even put out season one. Like you want to see what that stuff is cuz Derby wouldn't put that much stuff out in social media as well. So like it is hard. He's starting he's he's starting to do a little bit more. I think that's cuz Teddy Stringer is quite good. >> Okay. Well, it's something you'd like to see a bit more of that like like therefore it was also great to see um only Ryan in his corner as well. But uh look there look the thing is as we said just alluding on to Jared the winning is the the best formula to get people to know who you are and especially the way he loves coming back to the to fighting as well. Um, also I have to give a shout out to as well his uh I think he had the best shorts on the night as well, man. >> Yeah, brilliant shorts. Uh, shout out to Allure with the with with the best shorts of the night for uh Adam Derby. Look, great win. And again, like, you know, don't want to stir the pot here, but if they came back to Dublin and there was no there was no welterweight title fight H with Justin Burlington involved, they fought an amateur. Would you watch Leon Hill versus Adam Derby? >> That would be a great main event. >> I think that would be that's a that's a you see the thing is obviously both guys are represented by Graeme Bolan as well so that probably wouldn't happen but like that would be the perfect one for both guys um to get a massive push as well cuz like >> like both are sort of un you'd say are sort of under the radar and then um >> I I think maybe underappreciated is probably the >> Okay. Yeah. Okay. Okay. That's a better term. Both lads are underappreciated, but see the way Keith Ko fought Dame McKenna and both lads stock like improved massively. I think like an all Irish main event that would sell unbelievably well. >> Yeah, really, really, really well. Um, speaking of someone whose stock went up, uh, Connor McCarthy, uh, massive win for him. Um, his opponent Diego Vazani was absolutely tough as nails in there. Connor was throwing the kitchen sink at him in there. H again like Derby come rounds two and three he really took over. Um we were saying those those conditioning sessions he does in SPG Nace really really proved the point. He looked really really good in there. Um threw some massive shots. H spoke to Ian Dean afterwards and he he he actually um picked Conor McCarthy out and said his his ceiling is so ridiculously high and he's a massive fan. So that's that's something to to note as well. So, um, look, Colin McCarthy, massive win. Again, I think, uh, a bit more of a war than he probably would have liked, so probably wouldn't mind seeing, um, him take a tiny bit of time off. Um, and maybe we see him again in 2026. >> Yeah. No, Connor really impressed me. Um, I said it to said it to him after that. I thought that he looked quite mature in his game as well for being so young. And um look, he's still growing. Um the thing is what what would he like to do next? He loves the sport. I think he has a massive a like support fan base from Clay as well. >> And uh also the the team he's in as well is like SPG Nace is like a team that everyone knows how good their sessions are as well cuz Peter Ky likes to post them. So like Connor's definitely going places. Um, I think we did a postway interview with with Connor as well and the audio didn't work and the So, we're not hating on Connor, but the same thing happened last time we did an interview as well. The audio didn't work. I don't know who to blame, Ross. I don't know if that's your fault or my fault or our fault together, but uh, next time we promise we'll have a full Conor McCarthy victory post interview, won't we, Ross? >> Yeah, maybe we'll have to get him on the buildup to his next K Warriors fight. apologize, >> but uh no, we're we're massive fans of K McCarthy. He's really really uh really impressed every single time he goes out there. >> Yeah, exactly, man. Uh >> the last fight in the main card was what we dubbed as the people's main event. H Keith Ko for um Damian McKenna. Keith Spice Bag Ko, which you nickname for, Basmo. >> I could I could get that, man. But he's more of a chipper guy. He likes a chipper a bit more than a spice bag, I think. Yeah, fair. Fair. You could cook home. Keep salt vinegar. >> Love it. Love it. But uh look, he went out there and he he put on a clinic. He really uh set the tone very very early in the McKenna fight. He didn't let McKenna get going at all. And look, he looked brilliant on the feet. That that's something that I think uh people must underrate Keith Co's striking game. uh or potentially they might say they underrated his striking game because they reerate his grappling game but uh Kiko looked absolutely phenomenal there from start to finish. Uh he got the got the victory uh via submission in the first round vir choke and look looks like the sky's is the limit also for Keith Ko. I can't wait to see him back in there. I'd love to see Kiko back in there before the end of the year because that was that was a performance really to be reckoned with. And look, he looks phenomenal these days. He looks in great shape. Um, I feel like he's taken to the pro game very well in terms of interviews, the way he's promoting himself and the way, you know, Kwires did the unlocked uh version with him. I think all things are looking up for Kiko right now. So, uh, look, I feel like Kwire should get the rocket and strap it to his back. He looks like an absolute star for them. Yeah, like even when we were speaking post fight as well, the I think he was the one person who just spoke so passionately about where he wants to go and like how his plan is going according to plan and um when you hear him and the way he's like working in the background and working with Gaz Hickey and all the team in CMAC as well like cage war he like a star as well and um even in the unlock thing he came across very well as well. So like I I think Kiko is probably one of the biggest winners of the Wross. >> Yeah. The only negative thing I have to say about Kiko is he sports Liverpool, but other than that he's a great lad. Um we'll fly through a few of the other fights now before we get to a few more of the ones we want to touch on. Um unfortunately Steven Costo lost again fell foul to bad circumstances. Um Manuel Dval weighed in at 176 pounds uh six pounds over the wele limit. Steven Costlo got up to 173 pounds, but he was told at weigh-ins that his opponent wasn't going to make weight. So, h that was unfortunate for Klo. Honor Zoko uh won unanimous decision. Uh unfortunately, Ryan Shel was not victorious over 15 minutes against Gabrielle Galucho. Gabriel Kalucho got in our DMs asking us why we weren't post about him after the fact. Told him calm down. H don't worry about it. Um, we'll get you next time, bro. But, uh, shout out to Ryan Shelly. Absolute gent. Um, hopefully we see uh a better version of himself next time out. Uh, one that I really want to touch on though, Barry, is Gary Rooney. H, another unbelievable finish. It was the Rooney choke, as he referred to it as. H, it picked him up 5k bonus. He looked phenomenal in there. That's two unbelievable submissions from Gary Rooney on the cage roster. He also said he wants to take it a bit slow. but he feels like he has plenty of time to develop his game. He he just looks a lead when the when the fights hit the deck in there and obviously he's shown much improved boxing as well with the uh with Jordan Moore in his corner. But that's two unbelievable first round uh submission wins in the in the first round for Gary Rooney back to back on Cage Wires. Would you like to see Gary Rooney back out before the end of the year Basmo? Cuz I know I would. I know he has a baby on the way. Not too sure when it's due. So congrats on that as well. But uh I'd love to see Gary Rooney get one more in. >> Oh no, definitely. The thing is, I don't know what way the cards lining up and whether or not they can actually fit these guys on because like they they very rarely put Irish fighters on different cards, let alone multiple ver multiple fighters like >> the likes like like as as we're speaking right now, you almost want to see Keith Yo back in there, Gary Rooney back in there, um Leon Hill back in there, Derby back in there, like the J Harris straight, like the all these guys want to get on the rest of these cars for the rest of the rest of the year. Uh obviously you'd like to see Gary back. The thing is like Gary going going to the event the amount of up the flats chance um the the way >> they made a lot of noise. >> They made a lot of noise and like he also >> I think I think if Kor's return to Dublin in 2026 I think Gary Rooney needs to be on the main card. >> Oh definitely. But and then he he also got the five grand bonus for the performance of the night as well. >> Yeah. Um Gary Rooney was obviously like I know I said Kiko was one of the biggest winners of the week but Gary Rooney was definitely one of the biggest winners of the week as well. Um just across the board finish wise v viralitywise f like fan base wise um it was it was great to see. >> The thing is with those baz is that >> when Gary Rooney goes to fight next they have such a good highlight reel package for him after his last two wins. The way he got up on the cage the way his fans went nuts for him. the way he he got his two finishes, the way he talked into the camera, like he's going to make a perfect video package for his next fight. >> Yeah, they have they have they have a star there with Gary Rooney. And that's that's the thing like I'm thinking for the next Cage Warriors W depending who headlines it. There's going to be pictures of Keith Kio in the crowd with all of the fans. It's going to be pictures of Leon Hill on top of his fans shoulders in the crowd. There's going to be pictures of Gary Rooney on top of the cage with all his fans going nuts. Like there's so many brilliant picturesque moments there that Cage Warriors like have unlocked and especially as these guys go on in their career. You know, think of the video packages when they're going to be fighting for the title. Like this was promotional dreams happening for Cage Warriors in there for some of these guys. >> Oh, exactly man. Exactly. And then um and then obviously Pad Mccuri might be back as well. He could headline the event as well. >> There's the next show is just going to be even better. Yeah. Well, I I look at it this way, right? I think we were at a stage where, you know, James Sheen was champion and then unfortunately he lost his belt at the last cage wires 188 and then we had no champions. But I think in a very short space of time, this is the way I envision. I think Adam Derby and Leon Hill not a million miles off uh a welterweight title shot. I think if James Sheen returns, I wouldn't mind seeing him at middleweight and seeing if he make a run for for the belt up there. But I think next at middleweight for a title shot I think is going to be Patty McCari. I think depending on what happens with uh the current middleweight champion uh Baron Deli. Is that how you say it? Um well if I butchered it, you know who I'm talking about. Uh he's obviously defending his title fight at uh at Rome and at Cagewires Rome. If he wins, I wouldn't be surprised to see him off the UFC. That becomes vacant. You know, Patty McCari headlining K Dryers in Belfast will be a huge event and it will be something that I def we definitely be going to and it will be something that Irish MMA it would definitely create more viral moments for Cage Warriors and I think they do a lot of ticket sales up there. >> Yeah, I think they need to come back three times next year. Twice in Dublin, one in Belfast. >> Yeah, absolutely. I think that is what's needed. And I know like people be like, "Oh, what about somewhere like Cork or whatever?" But at the moment like the top guys the the guys who were selling tickets Max Ali Gary Rooney Keith Kio Conor McCarthy Harris like J Harris like Adam Derby like they're all dublin base so like that's that's where you put the shows it just makes sense. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Uh I'll finish off the card unfortunately Joe D lost in the first round. He ate a really vicious knee by Jame McGowan. So that was very well hunted. uh won the fights of the night. Trevor Mckeno versus uh Norbert. That was an unbelievable fight. Uh Trevor Mckeno showed the heart of a line in that one. H unfortunately didn't get his hand raised, but I don't think he was a million miles off getting his hand raised either. Uh Er Darcy picked up a decision win. Thought she was a bit tensive throughout the fight. A lot of sidekicks thrown, but great to see her back in the win column. uh she leaves there relatively unscathed. So I think that's a massive confidence boost for and uh looking forward to seeing her out there again and hopefully she she'll let the hands go a bit more because we've seen the power that she has in them. So I'd love to see her uh hunt for that knockout slightly more and uh Kenny Moana had a split decision win. That was a really tough fight against Damon Donald. That third round was a bit of a war in itself. Um, can can he drop Damon? And then Damon I I think that was in second. Then Damon came back and landed some uh big body shots. So look, overall I would give Cage Warriors Dublin a 9 out of 10. Really really enjoyed it. H I think it would only get 10 out of 10 if if human Irish that didn't win get their hand raised got their hand raised. But look, we're selfish like that Basma. I thought overall it was a great event. I think the main card absolutely banked. >> Yeah. No, it was overall a great event. And the most important thing is as well the people that buy the tickets that go to the events, did they have a good time? And a lot of them definitely did. And well, that's what's most important because therefore they'll want to come back again. And obviously the RDS was a great location. They added st like um what is it? Staging. >> Um >> tier tier seating. Tier seating. >> Tier seating. So it was better for people viewing and uh just enjoying the event. So uh things have gotten better since last time. and they're only going to keep getting better. And then uh also the stars were out as well. Obviously Ryan Curtis, Sha Bannon, Kefir Crosby and many many more. So uh overall it was a great event. It was it's always great to be part of it and also speaking to the fighters after when they're just fresh off the win, still on having the adrenaline there and uh just looking forward to seeing what they're going to do next because uh this is why we love covering the sport ros. >> Absolutely. And then one last thing on cage wires in Rome this weekend. we see the return of Alex O Sullivan, the head coach of CAMAC. He will be in action there. So, make sure to check that out. He's the only Irish fighter on that Rome card. He actually was meant to be on Dublin card, but then he asked to be moved to the Rome card, how he could coach his teammates. What a guy. Make sure you row in behind Alex O Sullivan and be supporting him this weekend. Exactly. Shout out to CMAC as well. Uh Ross, before we get into PFL Dubai that's going down this Friday, we have to discuss as well. We were at ADC ADCC Dublin in the DCU in DCU >> sports campus. >> Sports campus and um Ross, it was the first time we were covering jiu-jitsu at an event and uh what an event to kick it off with, man. >> Yeah, it was a really really highlevel jiu-jitsu event. We saw some of the best grapplers in the country. And look, there were some unbelievably high level matchups. Spaz, you haven't been to many jiu-jitsu uh competitions or seen much jiu-jitsu action uh in its purest form. What did you make of it? Um well, first of all, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. So, uh I was like, right, what should we expect? Um then going into the event like here on Davvern, we had him on the show last week discussing what people should look forward to and how to watch it and like like in the buildup as well, they were showing what medals and the belts and how much the money the winners get for male and female. And uh going in the way it was run so smoothly, it was uh it was really really cool to see the way they had the the ball the bullpen and then they had the formats and the way everything was being streamed and uh just the professionalism of it as well. >> Yeah, I I was really impressed by the way it was run. I thought, you know, the formats was brilliant. Um really really enjoyed watching the matchups and look it seemed to go off without out a hitch. I thought it it was a great show and we saw as I said some of the best grappers in the country uh go get the job done. Um I'll start with yourself party. Was there anyone who you know from maybe not being as aware of the G2 scene really stood out to you? >> Yeah so at the event there was a few people that stood out. Um, so basically like Ross, you were covering the the two mass to the right, no more covering the two mass to the left. And then um there was like a Charlie O'Burn. There was also Fion Donahghue. Um, who else? Um, I thought Zara was brilliant as well. And then obviously Muhammad and Germaine were another two people that like really really stood out. But like there there were other competitors but the way people were coming in and out so fast it was like you didn't really get to catch their names but there were ones that definitely stood out. Ross, what about yourself? >> Yeah, I have to I have to agree as Zary Dafano was really really impressive. She got a last minute arm bar in the final or last second armbar in the final win. H obviously um Germaine getting a win over Muhammad in the final was absolutely massive. Um that's something that probably probably was an upset I suppose. Uh but two really high level grapplers. So that would be probably the biggest win of Germaine's domestic career anyway. So that was really really uh great to see. But then there's there's a few other ones that I I was watching along the way that I, you know, didn't know them as well, but then I thought, look, that was really really impressive to see. Uh I saw uh Terrone Quinn from Leam Jiu. Um he actually went against uh David Zamora who is uh one of his own students uh I think in the absolute at one stage. So that was really really uh funny to see. Um and Tyrone come put on a brilliant performance. He actually got a bronze medal in the absolute which is great considering he was in the 83 kg bracket. Uh Richard Buskavan out of East Coast Jiu-Jitsu. He was actually I think he's one of Charlie O'Burn's coaches. H he was in the 70 kg um bracket and he actually went against Germaine who was in the 100k plus bracket which uh was always an interesting watch. And then uh Sean Cary as well uh at 65 kilos all won the pros. Um have to give um few others a shout out. Uh Yogi and Ola who were in the intermediates and then they were sort of the ones on the mats that I was watching. Uh but yeah, I know uh if you want and Charlie, I know you followed the journey from almost start to finish. So um they look really impressed as well. But I I thought uh unbelievable stuff by the promotion like for the winners Zara and uh Germaine to get um lovely belts by the way. some of the nice belts I think I've seen in MMA or jiu-jitsu also to get a thousand euro cash like you know there'll be MMA fighters who might not have made a thousand euro cash in a pro fight so uh to get up on the day and uh win a couple of jiu-jitsu matches and walk out with a€,000 euro in your back pocket ain't bad is a bad one >> no it's great like um look and we have three dates announced for 2026 as well so I'm really looking forward to that paso >> yeah Same here, man. It was No, it was a great event. It was great to be part of it as well and promote it and the the buildup and uh cover it on the day. So, uh we want to give everyone at the ADCDC Ireland a massive shout out, especially Kieran Darvin and Shane Smith for running it. And uh also shout out to Rowan Degan for the best coffee at the event as well. Ross, >> yeah, absolutely fella moneybags Dean making all that cash selling the coffee at the event. But, uh, great great to chat to him and can't wait to see him at, uh, Clan Wars, uh, very, very soon. Also, um, looks like I think we're going to be working the evolution event on the 30th November as well. So, stay tuned for more action and updates on that. But, uh, the Energize Show have arrived on the jiu-jitsu scene with a bang. I think we probably put out over 60 posts about ADCC over the over the uh last two two or three weeks and we look forward to covering more jiu-jitsu. Um, I think it's something that we got a lot of positive feedback from the athletes and the fighters at Kry as well that were like, "Oh, thanks so much for all the help that you give us promoting the events and all the help you get promoting us and, you know, providing platforms for us and, you know, let them know when we're we're competing and stuff like that." Um, I was actually a bit blown away this weekend cuz obviously we were doing absolute slog working 15 16 hours straight that uh it it was really nice when people came up and said how much they appreciated us. >> Yeah. No, it's always very nice to hear. So, uh yeah. No, thanks to everyone that's that um got involved. Also, someone told my dad about how how important the Enjoy Show is to the Irish MAC scene. My dad just thought we were too Egypt. So, uh, whoever that was, if you're listening right now, thank you very much. >> We also are two Egypts. >> Oh, no. We we are definitely two Egypt, but uh not like cuz obviously like that out the blue was very very >> Yeah. Your dad just like doesn't understand it, but well, he understands a bit of it, but like not on the not not on like probably doesn't understand the intricacies of Irish MMA >> to that extent. >> Yeah. No, it was very cool. So, I appreciate >> we all took that as a legend. So, like I'm glad someone was saying something nice about his son. >> Yeah. So, they were going to Cage Warriors and they they met him. So, that was very nice. So, uh Ross, that was the action the from the Irish combat sports scene over the weekend. Uh we also have to look ahead to PFL Dubai this Friday. Ross, it is obviously being headlined by Paul Hughes against Nurmagamedov for the second time. Ross, Friday the 3rd of October. What you make the buildup for this event? >> Yeah, I think it's a big buildup. I think it's a big fight. I think it's the biggest fight that PFL can make at the moment. Um, I think these two fighters h have done a great job in selling the fight. I think the first fight was very, very close. I expect the second fight to be h very very close. I expect both fighters to improve uh from their first first performance. I feel like there'll be different reads and I think it's going to be a tactical battle. I think whoever can make the better adjustments will be the person who gets their hand raised. H Paul seems to be convinced he's going to get the finish come fight night. Um I wouldn't be anyone to doubt him and I feel like managed h is taking sort of oh I took him a bit lightly last time I won't take him lightly this time. So there, that's sort of the narrative from the two fighters um going into it. And I think we're in for an absolute banger. This uh the first fight was up for uh 2025 fight of the year. Uh >> I think I think I won it. >> Oh, did it? Okay, there we have it. And I wouldn't be surprised if uh this one has a chance to win it uh the next year's won if that's when it'll be George. So look, two absolute elite fighters, two of the best fighters signed to the PFL roster. Um, two two of their biggest stars. Um, two stars that feel sort of homegrown. Um, Paul, I feel like has sort of shaken the cage warriors fighter and now as a PFL fighter and I feel like you made also uh referred to as a PFL fighter as well. So, two voters that people really recognize the brand PFL with uh fighting for the belt and also PFL stating that this is like an official world champion like the winner of this is their lightweight champion and you know sort of poo pooing the rest of the belts which I'm totally okay with. Um is something that uh I'm looking forward to seeing them do more of and I think it makes the fight that little bit bigger. >> Yeah. No, I'm fully expecting this to be another very entertaining fight as well. Um Paul, he was obviously saying that Uzien was not interested in fighting again. He was running from him and um >> I think he was a little bit. >> Yeah, but now this is the fight everyone wanted to see. >> Um Paul was coming off a very impressive victory up in Belfast. So uh look, it's going to be very very close. I'd say the bookke I wouldn't say by much. So, uh, this is going to be very interesting because I actually thought Paul won the first fight. So, we will find out this Friday in Dubai. Uh, Ross, there's a couple of other Irish fighters to look out for, but uh, the fight people are very interested in is Artham Lob making his return to the MMA cage. Arum hasn't fought since, I think it's 2018 in mixed martial arts. Um yeah, Ross, what do you make of the signing of Artham Lov to PFL? And did you see it coming after his success in Baron Knuckle? >> No, I I was definitely surprised to see it coming, but I think this fight in particular makes sense. Um Artam and um Tugov or Zuber, whichever way you want to say it, they obviously had the altercation um back when the dolly was thrown through the window and the incident that let built up that. And then also uh Tugar was one of the guys who got in the cage and um punched McGregor um after the melee with Kabib and then they were also scheduled to fight in 2018. Look, it'll be interesting seeing when these guys come face to face. Will there be a bit of uh bad blood? What will Artum say? I'll be interested to see will they both be invited to the press conference? Is it too much drama for a fight that much lower down on the card? Uh will it steal the show? This one could be the second third most talked about fight come fight night. Um if PFL pay play play this right um this week in the media build up. >> Yeah. Well, it's funny how they're going back to the sort of like Ireland versus Dagger stand. >> Yeah. Back to that. Well, >> yeah, it is funny. But like look, if you you want to sell an event, so uh look, if you get Conor McGregor's name involved, there's definitely going to sell a few more. Well, I don't know if this is on pay-per-view, but if it was pay-per-view, you'd definitely sell a few more pay-per-views. Also, Artham's a big big big name in Ireland as well. >> Yeah, absolutely. He really is. >> Yeah. And then, um, Ross, another fight people are going to be making sure to tune in and see is Kale Lran making his PFL debut and he's now taking on Jack Cartrite. >> Ross, what's making this fight? >> Well, it's going to be a catchweight fight. He was obviously supposed to fight Lewis McGrillin. that was going to be really really hype. But we will we will uh see how this one goes. I favor Kay Lar to get the job done. I feel like Jack Cartright did his best work at Flyweight. H I felt like Kayn was a big bantamweight. So I feel like he's going to have the size advantage. He's obviously been training really really hard for this fight. Jack Cartright's coming in on short notice. Um and look, we saw Ken Lock fight Jake Hadley on short notice and didn't go his way. So I'm sure he'll want to make sure that that does not happen again. And I expect Kane Lran to get his hand raised uh come fight night. This is actually a pretty good card as well because uh we also have John Mitchell on the card. Um he is fighting against um Makashep Zakunov if that's how you say it. Um and that will be at lightweight. John Mitchell is now part of FAI. But if you look at the main card here, this is a pretty strong card. You have um Cory Anderson fighting uh against Dolvin Yagish Murdo uh for the vacant 205 title. Uh Archie Collins's fighting Jay Will JJ Wilson. I feel like the PFL have done a good job here that if someone gets injured in the main event, h Archie Collan will probably step in and fight them for the belt. Uh which is a good backup to have there. And then we also have um the well-known uh Sergio Pettis uh Pettis fighting Magamemed Magamemedov. And then also kicking off the main card is Slim Trapi who is an outstanding heavyweight who was a 8-0 uh former Olympic wrestler who um beat Ryan Splan when Ryan Splan uh made his pro debut. >> Yeah. Don't. But uh no the card I'm looking forward to that's so that's going to be Friday night. Also we want to give a massive shout out to Derek Kelly who was victorious at PFL nons on Friday over the weekend. Also shout out to Cla Bella and Kaio Sullivan who also competed on the card but were unfortunately unsuccessful. >> I think both decisions. >> Yeah. So look we'll get more into PFL next week. Ross as this that's like a very very interesting card and we'll be promoting it all week across social media. Um then Ross this weekend Saturday night before we get into what Irish fighters are competing. Oh no we no we'll get into the Irish ones first. Octagon is back. Richie Smullen is going to be competing on the card and uh Ross Richie Smullen has made a massive splash in Octagon so far. One fight in uh he's now fighting Bur Bersinger. >> No Ivan Buninger. >> Bun Bun Buninger. Sorry, excuse me. Uh and uh with a win here, Richie Small could be fighting for a Octagon world title next. >> Yeah, absolutely. I think Richie Small should definitely be fighting for an Octagon title next with a win over Buninger. Um obviously Buninger um was in that fight with H Conor McGregor when Conor McGregor came champ. Um he he's best known for taking that L. But uh Bunchinger is someone who's very well regarded in in the Octagon brass. And look, I think a win here for Richie Smol, no doubt about it, puts him puts him in that title uh contention. If if you look at Buminger, he what 45 wins, 10 losses. Like that's that's a big resume he's carrying in there. And Buminger has won his last two in uh in Octagon. So he's won them by finish. So I think for me, absolutely Richie Small should be fighting for uh a title next time out. Yeah, also we want to give a shout out to Amy Scully who's defending her title at Shock and all this weekend as well. That's obviously an amateur fight, but uh Manchester top teams Armen Hersig is competing in the main event that Samurai Fighting Champion fighting championships this Saturday as well. So, we'll keep you up to date on that as well. And also Ross mentioned earlier, Cage Warriors 195 Rome is going down on Saturday. You can see that on UC Fight Pass as Alexander O Sullivan returns to action. And uh this weekend as well, the Farz Fighting Championship is going down in Cork as the Farez brothers, Abanoob and Fufu are putting on their first event in Cork. Ross, we have to look at UC 320. That's also going down Saturday night for all the absolute degenerates that listen to the whole Irish MMA scene and jiu-jitsu to hear about this Saturday night's pay-per-view event. >> One last thing I just want to say was Bruce Small's actually ranked fiveway at the moment and Binger's ranked at one. So, a win here means he beats the number one guy in the division. >> That's well before we before we get into 320 as well. That's going to be very interesting because obviously like Richie will be cornering Amy Scully at events. Uh Richie was obviously cornering Gary Rooney over the weekend. Uh like Richie would be has always been an Artam's corner as well. So it's gonna be really really interesting now to see what uh what way they they move the pieces around on who's cornering who over this weekend as well. >> Yeah, he look it definitely will be, but uh Richie is an absolute vet, so uh I feel like he go somewhere with no corner and still get the business done. >> Imagine Richie is Richie isn't Oh, no. No. He's obviously not going to corner Art and then fight his fight the next night. That would be that would be mad. No, >> but uh >> yeah, that's that's a bit bit too much. Uh Ross, UFC 320 this weekend, but yeah, absolutely. It's a big one. I feel like um last this or the weekend just gone UFC. Um you know, all eyes uh from that main event are now going to be on this one. Um UFC 320 is a massive card. Magamemed Ankolia versus Alex Pereira the rematch. H I think a lot of people people are torn on this one. I think some people think Angelia have Pereira's number and some people think Pereira um because it was so much fought on the feet the first time that they think Pereira is going to be able to take the second time out and then the other thing is is who's going to stop Morabas Philly Kos can Cory Sanhagen put a dent in him and stop him with his unique unorthodox style h for me um I think Morab is the dead I know a lot of Cory Sanhagen fans won't be happy to hear that, but I think the main event is 50/50. And then also that that uh sort of third u last fight that um Clemry versus Yuri Prohaska is an absolute barn burner fight. Um the top three fights in this card are absolutely whopper. Fans are going to be delighted to watch it. Um, I'm going to go two and steals for Magamemed and KV and Morab to Vashi. >> You're going to pick first B. So, is Morab going to be the guy? >> Yeah, I think so. I think you just unless you're leading me up the garden path, man. >> But, uh, no, I feel like it's going to be a while before you see a bantamweight that can topple that. >> Oh, so they have to putting patchy mix on the early prelims as well. Yeah, that that absolute reject treatment. >> That's what it is though, isn't it? >> Oh man, if you if you don't take your opportunities, you just get absolutely dumped. The UFC is just so ruthless, man. Yeah. Well, like he's actually 20 and two. >> 20 wins, two losses, and it's not like he lost to an absolute bum. Like he lost to Batista. >> Yeah. No. Yeah. Yeah. Like hit him with the police bomb one, two, three, and like that was it, you know? What can you do? >> What can you do, man? Just keep D on the good side. Can't let that chop down these days. Um, yeah, there was also one. >> Yeah. No, there was a couple of announcements as well. Uh, Owen Sheran is going to be fighting on the 18th of October. And also, we have James Gallagher come back in action on the 23rd of October as well. Um, as myself and Ross always say, the Energizer Show's Instagram page puts out all the content on all the latest fights and all the latest fighters, all the upcoming events. So, like look, if you're an Irish MMA connoisseur, that is the place to go. Um, we are almost on 20,000 followers. Um, like at the moment, we're the most followed, the people who put out the most content most regularly. Um, now covering more jiu-jitsu than ever as well, Ross. So, you're very happy walking around your ghee over the weekend as well. So, uh things are only going up. There's more Irish MMA events coming down going down this weekend. As I said, the Far Fighting Championships, the week after Elite Fighting Championships, the week after Cage Conflict, and the week after that, Clan Wars. Like, it's all it's all very very exciting stuff and very exciting times ahead in the buildup to the end of the year, Ross. So before we wrap things up, what's your overall thoughts on all of what we got up to at ADCC and Cage Warriors over the weekend? And >> yeah, I I love going to the events. I love socializing with people there. Um chatting to people that you don't see on a regular basis. um seeing how they're getting on, seeing talking to some people from the jiu-jitsu gyms that we don't really really see that uh that often, some people from uh the smaller MMA gyms and just fighters that you you know maybe haven't competed in a while but are competing in jiu-jitsu that was class you know being part of that atmosphere for cage warriors is always a unique experience that we're lucky to have. So, uh, just want to say shout out to Orings who are sponsoring us at the moment. And I think we'll probably be opening the door for one or two more sponsors, uh, to come on, how we can continue on, um, doing what we do and how we can, uh, you know, make waves and go to more events and and do more cool stuff. >> Yeah. Also, shout out LSD for the fabulous t-shirts, Ross, over the weekend. >> Yeah, you go Stro and LSD, thank you so much for getting us out. And to ADCC for our new ADCC t-shirts as well. Um, that's what had us looking so sexy at the weekend and and of course the green glasses. But uh, guys, thanks so much. Do make sure to continue supporting us. We we really do appreciate it. Give it a like, give it a share, give it a follow, tell a friend. Uh, if you don't have any friends. H just put in your work Slack channel and or your work WhatsApp group and just say h follow these lads. You're absolute legends. Um, thanks in for all your support. We love you and as always, >> see you later. The Enjoy Show up the Irish. 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.