Club Shay Shay: Nightcap LIVE from Super Bowl Radio Row – Hour 2

Guests: Daniel Cormier, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins
Host: Shannon Sharpe & co-hosts
Date: February 4, 2026

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In this packed hour from Super Bowl Radio Row, Shannon Sharpe leads lively discussions ranging from the evolution and commercialization of the UFC with Daniel Cormier, to candid and insightful conversations about football, player health, and off-field branding with NFL stars Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The show captures the atmosphere on Radio Row with a steady flow of guests, hot Super Bowl takes, and authentic banter that blends sports knowledge with humor, life lessons, and behind-the-scenes perspectives.

Key Segments & Discussions

1. Daniel Cormier on the UFC’s Present and Future

[02:07–29:00]

UFC’s Evolving Business Model

• Daniel Cormier (“DC”) discusses the UFC’s new broadcast deal with Paramount, ending exclusive pay-per-views for greater reach:
  • “It was one of the most watched fights in UFC history… because it was in so many homes, you could just download the app.” (05:48, DC)
  • Compares UFC’s new accessibility to other major sports leagues.

Jon Jones & Dream Fights

• Jon Jones at 205 vs. Heavyweight:
  • “Jon Jones is better at 205...It takes discipline to get back down to weight.” (03:07, DC)
  • DC and hosts debate whether Jones could return to light heavyweight and what fights fans want to see.
• Dream UFC matchups hoped for:
  • DC wants to see Alex Pereira at heavyweight and Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones (07:21+).
  • “I think Ilya Topuria and Islam Makhachev would be the fight.” (08:04, DC)

Why Some Fighters Become Legends

• On Jon Jones:
  • “At his absolute best, is there anybody in UFC history who was a better fighter than Jon Jones? No.” (10:14, DC)
• Discusses Conor McGregor’s legacy and the difficulty of returning after financial success:
  • “When you’re sleeping on silk sheets… it’s hard to get up and run six, seven miles every morning.” (11:21, DC, quoting Marvin Hagler)
  • “He’s still a draw. He can fill out any arena wherever he goes.” (11:57, group)
• Parallels with Muhammad Ali’s comeback years and overall fighter mentality.

Athlete Longevity, Transition, and Parenting

• DC on his son’s sports path and youth specialization:
  • “I want him to do both. I think it’s important to do both.” (25:54, DC)
  • Concern about comparisons: “I’ve heard kids going, ‘I’ll beat DC’s son.’ And I’m like, come on man, you didn’t beat me, you beat my son.” (26:35, DC)
• DC reminisces about his own journey, choosing wrestling over football, and the importance of self-motivation.

Notable Quote:

“This sport—man, I was a world champion for five years... I am more recognizable today because I talk about the UFC than when I was playing the game.” – Daniel Cormier (23:17)

2. Super Bowl & NFL Team Analysis

[29:00–48:00]

Seahawks vs. Patriots – Who’s Favored?

• Most guests, including DC, pick the Seahawks for their strong defense.
  • “Collectively, at all three levels, the Seahawks are the better team defensively.” (45:32, D)
• Discussion on underappreciating the Patriots and how playoff games are decided, especially turnovers.
  • “If he [Sam Darnold] takes care of the football, they win. If he turns the ball over, they lose.” (46:07, C)
• Debate on “The Patriot Way,” team structure, and why New England should not be counted out.

3. NBA Trade Deadline Banter

[32:12–47:00]

• Recap and analysis of NBA trades:
  • “The NBA is having trades, but they're not the trades that we're waiting for. … If you wanted to steal some shine from the Super Bowl, it would have to be a Giannis or a Ja [Morant] trade.” (36:36, D/C)
• Extended James Harden discussion—his career path and the story of his constant movement.
• Chris Paul’s move to the Toronto Raptors “to finish his last season” is mentioned as breaking news (80:39, C).

4. Jordan Poyer on Career, Mindset, and Transition

[49:54–58:59]

• Returning “home” to Buffalo and thoughts on continuing to play:
  • “This was the first year I felt healthy in a long time... as I transition to whatever’s next, I’m a free agent right now. Buffalo is home.” (51:21, E)
• Mental health and athletes’ post-career transition:
  • “I struggled with alcohol for a long time... been sober for five years now. ... Football is what I do, it’s not who I am.” (54:31, E)
  • Advocates holistic events and mindfulness for athletes, describing “awareness” as crucial for performance and life after football.

Notable Quote:

“We are all more than athletes... we are all one. We are all connected beyond what you can even fathom.” – Jordan Poyer (56:48)

5. Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins: Candid Bengals Talk & Off-Field Life

[60:03–79:53]

Bengals’ Super Bowl Aspirations & Building a Contender

• On what it takes:
  • “Everybody knows the term, ‘defense wins championships.’ We gotta start that first… then we can worry about the offensive side.” (61:03, Ja’Marr Chase)
• Team needs:
  • Defensive line focus: “I would go and get somebody on the interior D-line.” (61:43, Tee Higgins)
  • Dream additions listed: “I said Maxx Crosby; he said Jeffery Simmons. That's two dogs we’re gonna need for sure.” (61:52, Chase and T)
• Keeping Joe Burrow healthy:
  • “Maybe [Joe Burrow] has to do more with himself… maybe the eating, you know what I'm saying?” (63:06, Chase)
  • Amusing McDonald’s references:
    • “I'm the only one that eat McDonald's and lager and ask him that at Malaga every morning.” (63:37, Chase)

NFL Receiver Duos & Dynamics

• “Y’all the best duo in football?”
  • “Yeah, I believe so.” (66:45, Chase and T)
• Favorite other duo: CeeDee Lamb & George Pickens.

Insights into Offensive Philosophy

• On targets and keeping receivers involved:
  • “If you give it to me early—I’m not saying you gotta throw me 15 balls in the first quarter… but give me an opportunity. I just want to touch the ball.” (71:20, F)

Branding, Podcasting, and Fashion

• Both players detail off-field pursuits:
  • Ja’Marr’s new podcast “Chasing No One,” and plans for Twitch streaming and YouTube.
  • Tee details his fashion ventures, including collaborations with Fabletics and upcoming drops.
• The impact and meaning of fashion among today’s players:
  • “My clothes just make me feel better about my character when I’m talking at the end of the day.” (78:24, Tee Higgins)
• Origins of their close friendship:
  • “First year… he come in, took a year off, he dropping balls. I go to receiver coach, I’m like, ‘Troy, man, I don’t know, man…’ but then just working together, the bond got closer and closer.” (76:08, T)

Notable and Fun Moments

• “Let’s turn on the film and look at duo tapes… that’s all I need to say.” (67:07, Chase)
• On coaching and player engagement:
  • “Coaches at times overcomplicate things. … If you want to get a player the ball, you can get the player the ball.” (72:12, D)

Standout Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “At his absolute best… was there anybody in UFC history a better fighter than Jon Jones? No.” – Daniel Cormier [10:14]
• “When you’re sleeping on silk sheets, it’s hard to get up and run six, seven miles every morning.” – Daniel Cormier quoting Marvin Hagler [11:21]
• “I play the game to make it to the Super Bowl... if we’re not doing that, we’re not doing nothing for the organization.” – Ja’Marr Chase [62:29]
• “If you walk into, as great as [James Harden] is, if every room that you walk into and it smells, it might be you the dookie.” – Shannon Sharpe [38:29]
• “My clothes just make me feel better about my character… that's going to give me that edge. … That’s just how my mind works about it.” – Tee Higgins [78:24]

Recurring Themes & Tone

• Camaraderie and Real Talk: The episode shines with the guests’ chemistry, playful jabs, and honest talk about challenges in sports and life.
• Balance of Entertainment & Insight: In typical Club Shay Shay fashion, football and fighting breakdowns effortlessly pivot into lessons about mindset, transition, and the realities of the athlete’s journey.
• Behind-the-Scenes Access: Listeners are treated to an “inside the locker room” feel, whether it’s Chase and Higgins debating burger joints or Cormier’s reflections on parenting and legacy.

Important Timestamps

• DC on UFC’s evolution: [05:48]
• Jon Jones & dream fights: [03:07–08:20]
• Best ever UFC fighters debate: [10:14]
• Daniel Cormier on athlete longevity: [14:12]
• Bengals duo talk with Chase/Higgins: [60:03–67:11]
• Branding, podcasts, fashion: [74:03–79:14]
• Chris Paul NBA trade news: [80:39]

Closing Thoughts

If you missed the live show, this episode delivers a rich blend of sports knowledge, candid athlete experiences, and the contagious atmosphere of Super Bowl week. Whether you’re a fight fan, NFL junkie, or just appreciate great conversations, there’s something here for everyone—complete with plenty of laughs and wisdom.