Solomon Simon | Cage Warriors World Champion, UFC Fights & Irish MMA | The Energized Show

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What is up and welcome to The Energized Show! On this episode Team Ryano's Solomon Simon joins us to discuss his World Title win at Cage Warriors 196, UFC Fights & Irish MMA. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Hit the notification bell for more Energized Shows! Youtube : Energized Show…

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[music] Diana. Okay, here we go. >> It's time. [screaming] Okay, what's going on, guys? Welcome to a brand new episode of Energized, brought to you by Orc Kings Competitions. Ross, >> are you intoxicated or something? Introduce the guest man. Today we are bringing you the and new cage warriors featherweight champion of the world. The one and only better call Saul. Solomon King Simon. Saul, how good does that sound? >> Sounds very good. Very, very good. I've repeated it to myself a few times before the fight. So like now it's just it feels it feels normal. Like I I should have been called that a while ago, you know. Nah, feels good. Amazing [ __ ] buzzing like uh few days now. Yeah, two days. So like it's settling in a bit more and then uh I'm going to try to chill out, embrace it as much as possible before I start [snorts] making up two month plans in my head. But so far so good. >> The king the king is right. The king is right. So h bring you back to the night of cage warriors uh Dublin. We were in the Yes. you were meant to be fighting on that card for the title on that occasion. The sort of fight fell through. When you were there watching that night, did did you feel like you missed out at the time? >> Yeah, like uh it was like amazing like uh cuz they I like the setup they brought out the TSC and was new on that um cage warriors and I was like, "Oh, that would be really nice. The the atmosphere just looks so much better again from the last one and it's always been great anyway." So I was really looking forward to it and then like being the main event there as well. That would have been amazing. You know what I mean? Like so it was all lining up really well until the whatever happened with injury with Aiden happened and that went off but it worked out better. That's when got like as soon as Aiden went off like sort of knew about the neck one then after that and like either way either way I would have still like to have fought in Dublin and then do the what's it called? do the November, but everything works out for a reason. And so that was that was Dublin roughly. That was the story there. >> Yeah, absolutely. And then obviously you were scheduled then for the vacant title against Nick Bagley. It was uh a fight that a lot of fight fans were really really looking forward to. You're sort of the clearly number one and two guy in in the division. Now obviously you're number one. Tell us what was going through your head. We were obviously talking to you in the buildup and then all of a sudden he pulls out. Were you thinking is this is this going to happen again? Am I going to miss out on this opportunity again or were you just believing that Cage Warriors would get the job done and get you an opponent? Yeah, like when the pull out happened like Andy called and I was just like I was like smirking a bit because I just thought it was like trying to make a joke like what's the chances that would happen just [snorts] the fight before that and then right now the same thing like that's not real but it was real and it was just say they're trying to find you another opponent and then based on that like I was just like [ __ ] it it's grand like I wasn't even expecting for it to be as much of a hassle as it ended up being because I was expecting like literally next week you're going to find me someone else. Like what the [ __ ] does I want to fight for the belt? all that kind of crap. So, um and like I was in limbo for a while like waiting like got get a name but like yeah no problem a week later no that didn't work out. So another name, same thing. But and I was just like is this up until literally I think it was like [snorts] the last week or so, the last week and a bit was when like something finally got solidified. everything got put in place like and like I but I was still hopeful like uh I was trying to stay as positive as possible because like I had a good few of my friends like they bought ticket for the Dublin one and like that didn't work out and then bought flights and tickets for them in London and I was like [ __ ] [snorts] I was just I was refusing to open some messages just until I signed a contract and be like so I could tell them good news rather than have to repeat and be like sorry I don't know if this is going to work blah blah blah but look it worked had in the end. So, [snorts] happy days. >> So, can you tell us how many opponents were you offered until you finally got the um the final opponent? I >> think ended up in the third name or the fourth name was like the Kiki Aragio at the end. I think I think it was the third name that like said yes to per se like so like uh and it was the one that everything worked out. It's not like uh like I I don't like I get this thing where like oh people don't want to fight you this like I don't think it's any of that. It's just there's a lot of other things that I play with that with medical here, flights here, this there like people as well like other people might have just been in camp for something else or like cutting away the way different things like there's a lot of things I play so like I do understand that but I would have still expected it to be a lot easier than it was but look I'm not going to complain it worked out in the end but yeah like I think K was the third name I'm pretty sure third or fourth but probably third I can't remember. And then and then also he he wasn't able to fight for the title on the night as well. Were you thinking of maybe the title won't be up like on the line? >> [ __ ] no. Like there like that was I've already that that was already here. I've envisioned it. I planned it or whatever it is. I don't care about anyone else. Like it had none to do with whoever they brought there. That person that's gonna there is just the like the face that's going to be there that I'm gonna get through to get the belt. Like it it didn't matter who it was. Like I was just worried about making weight myself, getting on the skills, getting that done, and then I know I'm fighting for the belt. I don't really give a [ __ ] about whoever else. That's up to them. >> And that was a lot of that was a lot of hurdles to overcome as well, like in such an important event, wasn't it, Ross? >> Yeah, absolutely. And I suppose one of the hurdles I do want to briefly touch on was the weight cut. Obviously, uh I think it was it was three times um before you officially made the weight. Was was that just a difference in scales where you were originally weighing in versus the cage warrior scale or or what happened there with the with the weight cup? >> I would I would say it's officially two, right? That middle one didn't count. I I went up there just to test to see where I am I am at and then went back. So that was going to say two, but like um the like scales a bit different. Um I don't even know. But I would say I had to go a lot lower on my one to get to uh Kid War. That's like sort of the best way I'll put it there. But like either way, it was a tough cut. Like um I think just the up and down trying to time out. But I was even lighter going into this one. So it wasn't like it was just it was hard to cut. But like I knew I was going to make the way anyway. And I could have made it the first time cuz it was like 145.2 originally like on the official one, but I could have literally 10 more minutes before I went out. But it was just cuz they wanted to start the show. So I was like I'll come out just step on and then go back and do the remaining. But like yeah, it was a tough cut like uh but it's grand kind going kind of defo like um plan the next one a bit better. But I don't even know what that cuz I I felt pretty good. Uh approach was not too dissimilar to what I'm used to doing. Like I've reached out to a few people like just like I'm going to try see if there's things I could change that just to try and improve that to make sure it's not as difficult but I can make it but I just don't want to have to be like oh wake up wake up wake up. Don't want to be thinking about it. >> Yeah. Well obviously it's most important now because obviously the champs so you have to make that championship weight and then obviously you have to be on the button to defend your title each time. So it it is an important one. And then uh >> so so tell us this. What would you have cut off first? your hair or your beard, man. >> Oh my Would you believe Would you believe Andy and Bobby were making a joke about that? They were saying they were going to cut my hair. I are younger [laughter] this [ __ ] for the last like [ __ ] since the amateur days. I think I started like grow [snorts] like my probably the from the four last fight from the amateur I've been like just kept keeping it long. I need to get a fifth floor properly. I'm actually going to try book an appointment with someone to actually get the hair done properly. But yeah, no, this hair is not going. Like it's [snorts] when I retire, I'll chop it off. Like it's not happening. >> Fair. Fair. In fairness, it's your it's your iconic look, S. It's your iconic look. It really is. >> In fairness, I said to Bar, I go, I go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go. And the B's like, "Oh, no, that's his look." >> So, uh, we had the conversation without you as well. We're like, [laughter] >> everyone was talking about him, man. >> Yeah. But I suppose the fight itself like Aruo really brought it especially in the first round. He was uh like I wasn't expecting to come out the trap so fast but do you think cuz he obviously took the fight on short notice he probably felt like he had to go in there and get a finish early but he really really came for it. Were you surprised how how aggressive he was in the first round? Yeah, like the um overall like I said like so opponents you pick this and like how I I Aiden uh orthodox tall [ __ ] 6 foot whatever guy it is prepping for him for like weeks and weeks and weeks that fell through and then Nick came in like he's probably like 5'6 or 52 or whatever he is like and then uh short guy stuck here orthodox as well prepping for him like that's that day and then a different name came up orthodox middle uh uh mid eye kind of thing and then different name came up. He was like Sao and then like there was just so many different things in your head that you always have to like start prepping for whatever. He came in and like I think the last video I've seen on him was like two years ago or four year there was one four years ago and one two years ago had a brief look not the same kind of thing but I knew it was like good but I haven't seen any recent kind of thing on them. General idea was like he's a southpaw. So my main thing was going in there to actually just try and figure him out when I'm in there like I'm like we'll see what our plays are and then we'll go from there. He came out aggressive like in a sense where he came out aggressive to take me down because like the I think that was a solid plan on his part like I just like get the red him off cuz like once I if I get flowing like it would be very tough to like stop my red him from that point on. So he had a good approach. um raising a dead I thought like any decent like if we're talking about Nick coming up he's going to try to do the same thing like anyone any good team would think about that and be like hey how do we approach this guy we probably should get on to him and grab him grab onto him fairly quickly so I'm like not surprised that his approach um the overall like I I did not feel in danger at any point like I felt like what I didn't like about it was more like I felt fairly defensive for a bit like and which I have to be I have to be smart with my approach. I can't just like rush in and try throw them off me like fight the hands the right way get my hooks in and every time I got back out I came out and got my damage on and even at the end of the first round as well I was the one that was nearly finishing the fight. So I thought everything was good and coming into the second round I had a chat with Bob and I had a chat with Andy. They just told me what to do start picking it up and like I start picking up in a second and then we got the job done. >> Yeah 100% you certainly did get the job done. Uh, have you got the belt there, Saul? [laughter] >> There it is. The iconic belt. The iconic belt. And and in fairness all, um, we could hear Andy and Bobby in the corner letting you know at all times. Look, you have 25 minutes to get the job done here. And, uh, I think one thing that, uh, I was impressed with was your patience in there. You didn't seem frazzled in any of those positions. And uh as you said the second round you really turn it up a notch and uh you put it away. One of the the signature Solomon King Simon finishes a buzzer beater at the end. Uh incredible stuff. Is is that just something that you love doing pouring it on towards the end of the round just to make sure uh you know you get the every single second before the finish. >> Yeah. Like I like I literally if I had knew like I didn't know about how close it was to the end until like after interviews and stuff like but if I had known I would have like scrimmed that a little bit more because I didn't even know it was I don't I'm not thinking about it that way and like what you said there about their patience on the side of things and that was a lot of that first round was like even though optically it might have looked like I'm on the back foot but like he had not much on it. He had good grips on my hands and you have to like the game we're playing like at the level we're playing at you have to respect things like it was doing the right thing and if I try to disrespect it by just trying to muscle out or power out whatever it is it's going to put me in a worse position. So I'm like let me fight this win this battle win the next battle and every time I did that then I got back out on the on the front foot and got back to work kind of thing. And the second round, same thing. And Andy is saying picking it up, picking it up, like hurt him. And I could have like pulled back a bit before the body lock side of things. Maybe pulled back a bit and like I could try finish him on the feet. But like say, look, I have him now. Let me just go this go this way. I wasn't necessarily planning, oh, I'll do it this way. I'm just taking my time finding the right position. I don't waste energy until I feel like I have the right time to use what I need to do. And at that point when I got got him onto the fence, landed a clean elbow, he was hurt and I was just like, "Yeah, it's over." Well, not necessarily it's over now, but this is a good time to pour it on. And it turns out it happens to line up with the last 10 seconds. So, it was not tactical completely. It was more like luck, I'll call it. Even though lock is like five, I think five fights have been like that, I've been told. But look, I'm not trying. It just it just seems to happen. Yeah, you're like Max Holloway except except instead of pointing to the ground, you're just demolishing someone at that moment. >> It was it was unbelievable as well to see you get the win. Like before the fight, did you like how did you envision yourself to that you'd feel after you got the victory? And like how did that actually feel when you got the win? >> Yeah. Like uh just literally every time I was leaving a place when I was flying out, when I was leaving my house, I'm like, I'm coming back here, world champion. When I got to the car and I got out of the car to the airport, I was I'm coming back to this car, world champion. I just kept repeating that to myself non-stop up until got on the flight, got there, left the room, walked to the got into the uh octagon all the time. prior to that I was like the last time I'm walking out there um I'm coming back to watch champion and like I've envisioned it I've seen it I've expected it like believed it was going to happen and I think half of it was already done in my head and then when the physical representation of it came out like it was just completion of what was in my head already and uh it felt good felt great like um it's a great achievement like it's it's it's not a like it's a really big step career-wise and it's a big step on in the MMA world in general like the cage royers title is a big is a big deal there's a lot of prestige behind it and then when I look at in the featherweight side of things like the names I've held that like it's like Connor Hughes and then myself like those are big names to like following the footstep on so I'm not like diminishing it in any way I'm very proud of what I've accomplished and I'm going to take it in as much as possible before I end up going ahead because I'm just going to planning [ __ ] 10 years ahead again and be like I forget about what's what I've done. But I've done a I'm I'm proud of what I've done. I'm proud of my team. Like it it wasn't like uh this wasn't something that happened overnight. It happened from like years of work like uh and like that's from all the team in Waterford. Bobby Bobby Gaz back there. I know he's not as involved now, but like he was a big part of it in the early amateur days as well. like on and teammates we got Kevin Sam like Ko actually helping go build with this time ninja always there like and then if we go up to HQ as well like obviously we got James Lou J [snorts] Andy the big man himself Redzer like Neil [ __ ] like it just they it's such a community like it's not a it's not a small it's not like a oneman team like even though I step in there on my own like I I've had a lot of backing behind me and a lot of people that believe in me like and like that belief shines through and like the more I hear it the more I see it in their behavior and like cuz like you could say something but like the way they act and like the way they treat I I know they believe and they know a lot of times to be honest they believe in me more than I believe in myself a lot of times and that gives an extra fire in so like super proud of Tim Rhino like uh we've we've done a lot like Tim Rhino Waterford that was our first title there on the professional stage k title Tim Rhino overall. Tim Rhino HQ, that's the third one. So like it's a it's a big achievement. Very very happy, very very proud of what we've done. And yeah, that's just a flag. That's just a check mark there. And then we move on to the next things. >> No, that was to hear. Ross, tell us you're also part of team Rhino. Like how's it feel to be one of how's it feel that one of your teammates is now is a world champion? >> Not going to lie, I sort of expected to happen. Um, I feel like there was a massive shift in you saw from when you move from the amateur game to move to the pro game. It just felt like I know people say it all the time, oh the pro game suits that person better all the time, but it just it really seemed to click. It seemed that like you took all your experience from amateur and brought to the program and it was almost as if the hesitancy left you in the program. I felt like sometimes at amateur there was that touch of like hesitancy in the striking at times and I was like I was like s as an elite striker in the gym you see it and then since you moved to pro like you've really like I don't know whether you're sitting down your punches more you'll probably know the tendencies more but I feel like everything is show th sh th sh th sh th sh th sh th sh th sh th sh th sh th shown when you step into that cage with bad intentions you hit like an absolute truck Bobby said I I was speaking to him not this Saturday the Saturday before and he said like that fella hurts me when I have you know the full bodysuit on and he's hitting hitting him with the pads. He said he he hits like something he's never failed before. So like what whatever way you've stepped your game up going from amateur to pro like it's it's been seen and also I see like you're one of the hardest workers in the gym and I know people always say that about people who are you know being successful and it's a bit of a cliche but it's true. So many people say it to me that like that fella is one of the hardest workers in the gym and that's the other end lad saying that to me. So, uh, kudos for kudos juice all you've, uh, really really out outdone yourself and you know what I mean? You're going all the way to the top and look looks like you're going to headline the iconic event that's going to be Cage Warriors 200. Um, very rare Cage Warriors put a microphone in front of two fighters uh, post fight. They did that with you and Nick Bagy. Don't think he won the exchange of words either. I felt like him saying he's going to basically take you down and sniff your jocks wasn't really the best best uh bit of trash talk you could have done well like that well that that is going to be his approach like so I can't really I don't he's speaking his truth so we'll give him that like um n like that that fight is going to be beautiful and like in I think that's I just taking life as it comes but like everything really does work out for a reason like as in like say Dublin didn't work out this time ball like got the title. Now I could say I'm defending my title in Dublin like on the like Cage Warriors 200. It's going to be a big show, massive show, biggest show they've done yet. And I'm sure like the card itself is going to be phenomenal. And then being among that is going to be unreal. So looking forward to it. And then um like the challenge that is Nick. I've like again said this so many times. I've been looking at him for too long. But now I'm like over it at this point. I just like want him to just make it to that day cuz like I think at this point it's been like two or three times I've said yes to him and like I've made it every time something comes up on his on his end. So like look let him show up this on February 21st and then we'll get that work done. >> Is there any fear that he doesn't show up? S >> he will show up. He has to like he will show up like it's going to like No, there is no fear he's not going to show up cuz he will show up. I think it's going to be the first show of the year and the biggest show of the year as well for Cage Warriors 2026. H like you said, you know, I mean, h massive achievement with that featherweight belt. Um, you join Neil Siri and James Sheen as team Rhino uh cage warrior champions and you join Paul and Conor McGregor as Irish featherweight champions. Also, Patty Pimlet as well. Might as well give give him a shout out because he he's uh his trajectory is uh really high up there at the moment as well. So s unbelievable achievement like seeing you get up on top of that cage in front of the indigo with all the screaming fans like it feels like it was one of the iconic moments cage warriors. Um you you'll definitely be up for the energized fighter of the year. What an achievement. Uh unbelievable stuff. Like the the knockouts, the entertainment, the submissions that you provided on this Cage Warriors run has been undeniable. Second to none and without a doubt you are the best uh featherweight on the Cage Warriors roster and you have the belt to prove it. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I appreciate that. Yes. >> No, it's all massive congratulations like seven and0 undefeated like just like finishing every fight like mustsee TV and we cannot wait to see you at Cage Warriors 200 on February 21st headlining the RDS in Dublin. Uh Saul, is there anything else you want to say to the people that have been like following your professional journey uh all the way to becoming uh cage warriors feedway world champion? Look, forever grateful. Like I've said it other times before cuz I'm I am my life is jam-packed. Like I like I have full-time work obviously. I have the son, I have my wife there. Like I have a family as well to like look after the house, all that kind of things. Like so like I'm gone from the morning to the evening. So I like it's only it's work, training, family, family barely enough times until the week. Like so everyone else that then ends up coming out like cuz it's not it's not a case of these are people that I'm hanging out with every day and like what's it called like oh come to my fight come to my fight like they just they see me when they see me but like they're supporting without me needing to be there. That kind of makes sense. Like that's massive. like it's very like I'm very grateful for that because it's it's not like it's it surprises me cuz I'm like I'm not chasing it but I could see them supporting me and that gives me more energy then as well like so very grateful to the all my supporters like thank you very much I appreciate you showing up even when fight gets canceled you're still showing up I appreciate it and all the sponsors thank you very much because like that this [ __ ] is hard enough as it is and like that makes it so much easier and if more sponsors want to get on hit me up. And uh yeah, look, thanks everybody. Thank the team and then we'll just keep this going. >> Could you give us one last look at the belt before we wrap things up? >> Boom. >> Unbelievable. If you walk around water with the belt that that's [laughter] him. >> This is I'm going to hold my pants off from now on. Like allow that. >> Love us all. Well, thank you very much for your time and we'll let you get on with the rest of your day. But >> cheers. Thank you. Diana Joya show up the Irish. >> So Ross, that was Solomon King Simon, your favorite king, man. >> Yeah, great win for him. Great to see another Irish fighter pick up the Cage Warriors title. Unfortunately, Kieran Brady didn't get the job done. H he lost by knockout in the first round, but he looked super aggressive in the fight. So look, these things happen, Basma. >> I know, man. But the great thing for Saul was his face looked absolutely 100%. So there's not a mark in the chap. So, if you are new to the Energize Show, make sure to like and subscribe cuz we are here every week, Ross. We are indeed. We don't we don't miss to be here on the Energized Show, Basmo. But that is not all for Cage Warriors. We are going straight to Cage Wires 197 Unplugged. And we're going to first look at Immer Darcy. Immer Darcy is looking to extend her one fight win streak as she takes on Katarina Renova in a flyaway fight uh at Kwire's 197 Basmo. Um Emor Darcy definitely will be looking to build momentum Basmo. >> Yeah. Well, coming off the victory in Dublin, um I'm looking to see if he can go on a run now and then hopefully get a world title shot as well cuz like if you string a few titles few fights together in cage warriors, especially in the women's divisions, like you are on the verge of a title shot. >> Yeah, a absolutely. And tell me this Basmo obviously Jordan Jumbo O'Neal um he's had a very bad uh run of luck at the moment. He was supposed to fight last time out. I think he found out in the day or the day before that he wasn't happy. He he flew over to Newcastle to fight and it didn't go go down. He is going over here for uh Cagewires Unplugged. How much are you looking forward to watch Jordan O'Neil fight? Out of all the fighters on this island, he is definitely one of the most entertaining. >> Oh, no. Definitely, man. Uh there's not many heavy fighters we have in Ireland, especially on the Cage Warriors roster. So, Jordan is someone to definitely keep an eye on. Uh when he made his debut with the organization, he got that like devastating finish. So, uh I can't wait to see it again. I feel like he's he's dying to get a run together as well, Ross. >> Yeah, he definitely is. I think he's just looking to get some activity really in the Oxon and >> I can't wait to see it. But, uh, Basmo Cage Warriors 197 is very swiftly followed by Cage Warriors 198. Do you love when they do these cards back to back? >> Yeah. Well, like especially when there's Irish fighters on the cards, so like you can keep an eye like on like multiple fighters at once cuz obviously there's only two Irish fighters on Friday night, but there's four competing on Saturday night. Ross. >> Yeah, absolutely. And we're going to kick things off with Matthew Fel. Obviously, Matthew Fel was supposed to fight at Cage Warriors D, but h his opponent missed weight, so he did not get to fight on the night. And he's fighting against Ryan. H most people remember Ryan from uh that absolute classic fight he had with J. Harris. Jar threw everything at the kitchen with the kitchen sink at him and he still couldn't put him away. So, this is going to be a very interesting matchup for UT and for Freel and then also we have Roman David of team KF making his professional debut and his Cage Warriors debut. Um he's fighting Christian Soda. H Roman David picked up belt at Euro Fighting Championship in his last outing against Sha Lethal Alam. He's also fought the likes of Jordan Rutherford and Conor McCarthy. H he's fought at least I think seven or eight times as an amateur and the guys in team KF speak really really highly of them. So we have some guys who are sort of kicking off their pro career on the early prelims. But when we move towards the top of the card we have some real noise makers and some Irish fighters who are at the top of the division. Omar Tugarev is defending his interim cage warriors lightweight title against OM Brown. Ross, what you make of uh Omar Tugrev's rise with the company and h defending his interim title. This rise has been like nothing we've ever seen before. It is just one of those ones where he only turned pro I think less than two years ago. He has torn through everyone in his path. He uh he really really uh won a lopsided victory against James Power. We all know how good James Power is. >> And look, O'Neal Brown, I'd say, could be his toughest opponent today. Hil Brown ever since he's dropped down to lightweight has been formidable there. I think I'm pretty sure he's undefeated at lightweight. So, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one. Both guys biggest tests um of the career at lightweight. >> Oh, no. Without a doubt. Um Omar with a win here. Do you think he'd like fight for the world title and like unify the division or do you think he's going to get a shout out for Dana White Contender Series? >> Well, I think originally he was supposed to it was supposed to be a a unification bout. Um >> yeah, >> obviously uh the champion fought in Contender Series and lost. So I think a win here for Omar. I think contender series is where it should be for him. Um I think that's that's where he's destined to go. He he seems to be one probably actually the most active fighter in Europe over the last two years. So look, Dana White loves finishers and he loves activity and Omar seems to have both. >> Yeah, exactly. Uh we'll be keeping you up to date with all them results as they unfold on Friday and on Saturday and you can check them out both on UC FASA. Um, Ross, before we get into the UFC action, we have to give the one and only Dennis the Menace Friong a massive shout out. He is taking on Axu at Octagon 80 this Saturday night as well. Uh, Dennis and Axu have had some back and forths in the buildup to this fight. And uh, >> wouldn't be like him. >> Wouldn't be like him, man. But uh, how much you looking forward to seeing Dennis the Menace Fong back in action on Saturday night? >> Yeah. Well, I want to see Dennis Fong aim towards that lightweight title shot. I think he's the perfect film. I think Octagon would secretly love if he was a champion because they'd like pit every fight for him to lose and that's the way they build it. He'd be like Will Flurry 2.0 in Octagon. H I think Dennis the menace h he's just signed a new uh fight contract with Octagon. And I think a as we touched on earlier with uh Solomon King Simon and with Jordan O'Neal, Ben Shrimp Pong is mustsee TV. Anytime he goes out there, it's a show. So, I'm looking forward to see him do his thing and pick up another win and another finish as well. >> Yeah. And like Dennis is synonymous with Shamrock, who is fighting also on Saturday night at UFC Qatar. Um Ross, before we get into this card, there's a couple of things we have to touch on at UC 322 that happened over the weekend in Madison Square Garden. Um obviously the in the main and co-main event Islam Makachev defeated Jack Dela Madena by decision and Valentino Shenenko defeated Wii Zang by decision but arguably the fight of the night was Dylan Danis against team Kabib. Ross what did you make of the event and what did you make of that brawl outside the octagon? For me, it's a bit of a funny one because that's the second time team Kabib have been in a brawl at an event and seems to got away with Scott Free. Like there seems to be no ban on anyone from Kabib's team for anything. H Dylan Dannis seems to have, you know, taken the brunt of the blame for this as well. Now look, Dylan Dannis is the ultimate antagonist. He will be winding people up to the cows come home. probably a very good chance it was his fault, but uh look, not actually something I enjoy seeing at the at the fight. I just think it's not a good look for the sport. Yes, it's entertaining for those 30 seconds, but you know, the the commist columnists and the journalists who dislike MMA, you give them the perfect ammunition to sort of, you know, put the sort sport on the spotlight for negative press. >> Yeah. it. Who who do you point the finger at and blame? Cuz like Dana said that Dylan's going to be barred from future events, but like surely like team Kabib need to like relax. No. >> Yeah. Well, look, it takes it takes two to tango. Um, and >> it was like 10 on one. [laughter] >> Well, he seemed all right by the end of it, didn't he? Nobody should get barred. [laughter] >> I don't know. Like, I think it's a real funny one. spiring people and picking one or the other, but like maybe they get a year's ban or something and and go from there, you know? >> Yeah. Well, it was just funny the way like the first thing when I open my phone the next morning was the Dylan Dannis fight and nothing got to do with Islam or Valentina. So, Ross, do you think we'll see Dylan Danis at another UFC event ever again, man? >> Uh, I think they'll let him back in eventually, just not anytime soon. >> Okay. Okay. Well, uh, look, he's bringing the views in, man. That's what they care about these days. Yeah, exactly. Like he brings controversy everywhere he goes. So, look, I'm sure UFC aren't too too annoyed at him really. It's more They probably just have to please Team Kabib one way or the other. >> Yeah, exactly. But, uh, yeah, there's a couple other fights we have to talk about on this card as well. Um, which one would you prefer to start on? Carlos Pratess's win or the other huge Pro win that went down as well and that was the >> Michael Morales >> for Michael Morales. Ross, thank you for saving me. [laughter] >> No worries, bud. No worries. Look, two massive wins in the welterweight division. I think it's the perfect time to square these guys off against each other. H I know Michael Morales has got a big win over Shawn Brady, who's a top contender at welterweight, but I feel like Ian Garry with a win over Blah Muhammad at Qatar that we'll get into shortly. He's probably ahead of him and Shavat whenever he comes back he's probably still ahead of Morales as opposed to Praes is after scoring a massive win over a former champion in Leon Edwards. So I think those two should sort of fight fight off next and maybe on the card where Islam defends his belt next. Therefore there's there's a backup in play. >> No, that's a great show. Who do you think had the more decisive victory between Praes and Morales? >> For me I think Morales. I think knocking out Shawn Brady in that fashion I think was something that people weren't expecting. I think people were expecting Tom Brady just be able to take him down at will um and m him. But I I also think people were sort of saying Leon or Leon Edwards is over over the over the hill. So I think uh out the two results I think the Michael Morales one was more of a surprise result. >> Yeah. No, it was devastating. But uh that's why we have to look at this weekend's UC QAR. And for the people tuning in now, it goes live on UC Fast at 3:00. So it's actually going to be competing with Cage Warriors this weekend, Ross. >> Yeah, it's um obviously a nice one for fight fans that we can watch UFC on dur during the day. And obviously, you know, Ian Garry's in a co-main event against Bal Muhammad and that's going to have huge title implications. Obviously, we just saw Islam Machev beat Jack Deladena. That was an absolute whitewash by Islam Machev. It was absolutely pure dominance. Now, look, I will criticize that it never looked like he was going for the finish. Uh the entire fight, he sort of rolled out a five round decision. There wasn't moments where I was like, "Oh, Jack Dela's in trouble here." Um I actually thought it was it was quite a boring fight if if I'm being honest. Um I think 19 minutes out of 25 minutes control time on the ground. Like that's that's a lot. Like I mean that's basically four full rounds on the deck with Machev on top of Jack. So look that fight was not one to write home about. But again obviously Islam Machev uh is a two-weight world champion and um you know I think himself and BJ Penn are the only ones who've done welterweight and lightweight. So it' be very interesting to see um how that one goes. But Baz is the most interesting match up for Islam Makv. Is it Ian Garry? Is Ian Garry the one that people be like, "All right, that would be cool to see." That's a great question. I I don't think many people are looking at Ian Garry being like that's the fight they want to see next, but like Ian's obviously fighting Bal Muhammad. Bal is a former champion. I don't think Islam and Bal will fight each other because they're also like training partners or teammates. I'm not too sure Bal is still part of that team. Um I saw Ali Abdul Aziz mentioned that they could do Usman against Islam which um I actually think would be very interesting. >> Yeah, but obviously Ali manages both so he get mega books off both so he clearly is going to try and push that fight. But um >> yeah, >> I just need to see more activity from to put him in the title shot next. I know he was a former champion. I know he's h one of the most dominant champions of all time, but for me, I need to see him go out there and get a win against another top welterweight before I see I want to see him in a title shop. But I do think stylistically Usman would be a very hard fight for him. We saw with Hamzat style that was a very hard match up uh for him. So it definitely would be interesting to see that. But uh I don't know. What about Shavcat? Well, Chabcat's like this like unknown boogeyman at the moment. Like like there's no talk of his return, you know? >> Yeah. >> So like yes, he like to my right, he's the number one contender, but >> when do we get to see Shavat back? >> Maybe with a title show cuz he was he was originally meant to fight for a title before he got injured as well, wasn't he? >> Yeah, when Bal became champion, he he he was he was supposed to be fighting there. >> Yeah. Well, look, it is a what have you done for me lately business. So, uh, look, we may as well like we we'll get into it more now in a second. We'll talk about the main event of the Arman Surukin making return. He's taking on Dan Hooker. Ross, looking at this fight, who do you think is the favorite and what do you think the winner will get next after this? >> Well, look, I think a win here for Armanukin, he's going to be asked for Elias Poria next. Uh and look I suppose this is probably the most favorable matchup Arman Sugi can get before getting a title shot. I think you know I have no doubt Arman Sukian will get his hand raised uh in guitar. It's more will he do it impressively enough to get a title shot. Who knows? And then also you have the likes of Justin Gatei who's a very entertaining style match up for Tapora. I think Tapori will probably start them but like it does create fireworks for that maybe seven or eight minutes the fight goes on and then you also have Patty Pimlet in the wings as well who is you know obviously have the hand sanitizer boy moments and they have that embedded rivalry there and I think that's a massive fight to uh see as well. Yeah. And then um I'll go I think Arma's going to win that one as well. But like as we were touching on earlier, Blah Muhammad against Ian Gary. Doesn't Gary need a viral finish in order to get that title shot? I don't think it necessarily has to be viral. I just think he needs to get the finish. Okay. Who do you think is a favorite in that one as well, Ross? I think Bal is probably the current favorite, but I think come fight night, Ian Gary will be the favorite. I think the money line will change as they get close to the fight. >> Okay. Okay, I'll be interesting to see what sort of said at the press conferences and stuff because Bal has been as haven't really seen much of them in the buildup to this as well. Um, there is other big fights for people to make sure to tune in for as well. Uh, they're actually on the prelim card as we had Ireland's own Shem Rock. He's fighting this weekend. We had Shem on the show last week. I'm going to pin it to the end of this show. So, make sure to check it out. Ross, the Sham show goes down in Qatar this Saturday night. >> Yeah, absolutely. Shamrock h signed from Octagon. I think he's 12 and one at the moment. He is a absolutely brilliant fighting style to watch. Also, uh brilliant character. Uh hopefully the UFC get involved in the media and the build to the fight. Uh the Sham Show will be truly something to behold and something to follow on that journey as well as seeing his teammate Luke Royley who uh when he fought Alexander Lof that's probably easily top five best Cage Warriors fights of all time. I would definitely recommend watching it. Um both those guys are very exciting talents and I'm looking forward to seeing them both make their UFC debut. >> Yeah. And also Ilia Tabora's brother Alexandre Topora is on the card as well. So, there's going to be a huge mixture of massive personalities and talents in Qatar for this one. So, make sure to check it out cuz uh it is definitely not a card to be missed on Saturday. >> Does that baso? Does that lead you to believe Ilia versus Sooqi is what they're targeting next to have Tapora there in person for when Sukian fights in the main event? >> No, because Patty Pimlet's going to be there as well, man. >> Jesus. Absolute carnage. >> Yeah. So that's why you there's something big. >> You saying you saying UFC is going to put them in the triple threat match. >> You never know, man. You never know these days. Maybe they'll power slap each other >> and the winner, whoever stays awake the longest wins. I love it. I love it. Um yeah. So look, there's going to be plenty of content coming out this week on the Energize Shows Instagram page. So make sure to check it out. So, Ross, Irish MMA is back this weekend as Wrath is going down and it is a card with plenty of Irish amateur fights to keep an eye on. There are three title fights not to be missed. Uh, one is Nathan Chambers is taking on Henry Lea. So, that's a team SPG Nate and Semac competing on that one. >> Great boy. >> Yeah. Then uh also Ardoines O'Reilly is taking on de Harujo from team Torres and also Bley from Samson MMA and Wallace uh from Fight Academy Ireland are also competing for a title on this card as well. Ross, um is there any other fights in this card you think people should keep an eye out for on this one? Ross, I I actually just want to double down on the Bokeley versus Wallace fight. I think that's that's a fight that's going to be very very interesting. Uh obviously Tom Bley was meant to fight up at Akuma. Uh so he's probably raring to go and uh I think I think it's um James Wallace of Fight Academy Ireland. Another top prospect. So that's that's the fight I'm looking forward to most on the Wrath card. >> Okay. Uh also I want to give a shout out to the women competing on the card as well. There is Sarah Carney taking on uh Rod Dutra. So, Hoola martial arts and VR martial arts also on the card as well. And then also Valard Combat series is on Saturday as well. They have different types of martial arts going on on the card. So, there's going to be like BJJ, there's going to be there's going to be like MMA, there's going to be boxing as well. So, that is one as well. And last but not least on Sunday, Slice and Scrap BJJ is going down on Sunday Ross. They're making their It's their second show and uh Slice and Scrap. What a name. >> Yeah, I like it. I like it. I think it's a a great name for a show. Um and look, the more BJA shows on the better. Obviously, Grapple Industries went down at Dublin on the weekend there. Um huge turnout. Um some some big MMA stars picking up gold medals. Jared Burns from Fight Academy Ireland. Um he went and got a gold medal. Scott Harvey got a gold medal. Max Lai got a gold medal. um some really really big MMA names competing and so great to see that uh on the BJJ scene. So uh long made that last. >> Exactly. So before we wrap things up, we want to give a massive shout out to Troy Parrot as well who got a hat-tick for Ireland against Hungary Ross. >> Yeah. Um y Troy Parrot, five goals in three days. He got um what a player, what a man. Uh you know, Ireland's answer to Cristiano Ronaldo. absolute goal machine. He's moved into what the top 10 top arena goal scorers of all time. H and he's only just getting going. So, we have a semi-final and then a final to play in the playoffs. And then we're going to Canada, America, and Mexico for the World Cup. We're going to take over. We're not here to take part. We're here to take over. You up the Irish. You up Troy Par big. We're going to win the World Cup, baby. >> Exactly, man. Yeah. No. And shout out to the Irish rugby team as well. The Irish sports is really like it's hitting a new wave at the moment. feel um new gear, new level. Uh Solomon King Simon is leading that charge now at the moment with Cage Warriors. Uh going into 2026, there's definitely going to be more Irish cage warriors, world champions as well. You can see the likes of Patty McCari uh for instance. I think he'll be the next world champion from Cage Warriors. Um Ross, what a show. Very energizing as always. Is there anything else you want to say to the people tuning in the the loyal energized show? um supporters. >> Just want to say to everyone who is constantly supporting us, we really really appreciate it. And those who do watch the podcast on YouTube or listen to on Spotify, just make sure to like, share, subscribe, leave a comment if you think uh if you disagree with anything or you agree with anything, let us know. We love the interactions. And as always, stay >> energized. [sighs] >> The Enjoy Show up the face that runs the place, Chaos Cortis. I want to thank the Irish MMA community so much for getting behind me. Yep.