From UFC Fights to Building A Cannabis Empire | Tai Tuivasa DSH #1355

Summary

Digital Social Hour – Episode Summary

Podcast: Digital Social Hour
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa (UFC Fighter, Cannabis Entrepreneur)
Date: April 27, 2025
Episode Title: From UFC Fights to Building A Cannabis Empire | Tai Tuivasa DSH #1355

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Overview

In this episode, Sean Kelly sits down with Australian UFC heavyweight and personality Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa for a raw and candid conversation. Together, they traverse Tai’s journey from wild beginnings in a large family and a rocky start in professional fighting, through injuries and personal setbacks, to his recent venture into the cannabis industry. The discussion offers unfiltered insights on fight culture, mental health, the realities of fame, and the unique Australian perspective on life, food, and partying.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tai’s Fighting Origin & Family Background

• Large Family Upbringing (00:52–02:28)
  • Tai credits his inclination for fighting to growing up in a household with 11 siblings in Australia—an experience which he describes as normal for an Islander.
• Boxing Roots
  • Encouraged by his father, Tai’s first exposure was to boxing; he emphasizes defending oneself and comments on a younger brother with promising boxing potential.
  • “My dad was a boxer, so we always trained boxing and stuff like that or to defend ourselves.” – Tai (02:56)

Breakthrough, Setbacks, and Resilience

• Getting the UFC Call (03:16–04:15)
  • Tai describes being at a crossroads: learning he had a child on the way motivated him to go “all in” on fighting.
  • His entry into UFC came with personal hardship—a severe knee injury just as he was signed.
  • “I snapped everything except the ACL.” – Tai (04:47)
• Post-Surgery Complications (05:00–05:12)
  • Details the unexpected paralysis of his right arm for six months following knee surgery.
  • “When I woke up from the surgery, I could only feel one arm.” – Tai (05:00)
• Carrying On with Injuries (06:33–06:43)
  • Despite partial paralysis, he took and won his UFC debut fight—famously with a flying knee.
  • “I just kind of put my head down and said, I gotta do this.” – Tai (06:38)

Career Highs, Lows, and the UFC Experience

• Rapid Rise and First UFC Loss (07:03–07:50)
  • Headlined a major UFC event in Australia early in his career—lost after getting “clipped” by Junior Dos Santos (JDS).
  • “Next minute, I remember waking up, my eyes open, and I just saw his elbow hit me in the face. I was like, yeah. Fuck.” – Tai (00:53)
• Learning Perspectives
  • Admits not seeing himself as a “proper MMA athlete”—prefers fighting for the sake of the fight rather than technical mastery or fandom.
  • “I’m kind of more just a brawler, a fighter... I don’t watch fighting. If I do, it’s gypsy fights or bare knuckle...” – Tai (08:11, 08:43)
• UFC Organization Admiration (09:55–10:08)
  • Respects Dana White and UFC management for their professionalism and clockwork operation.
  • “The UFC as a whole is run to a T. Everything’s on time, fights are on time, all the workers are always on point.” – Tai (09:56)
• Recent Challenges: Losing Streak & Mental Fortitude (11:42–12:30)
  • Speaks candidly about enduring a five-fight losing streak, its mental toll, and the need to reset.
  • “Losing’s always—yeah, no one likes losing. But I think it’s how we dust ourselves off and go back at it again.” – Tai (12:01)

Life Beyond Fighting

• Cannabis Business Launch (11:42)
  • Founded “Bam Bam Buds,” a cannabis company in the US—finding purpose and staying busy during a fighting hiatus.
• Family & Personal Growth
  • Enjoys time with his son, values family, but remains candid about the hustle required to consider having more children.
  • “Yeah, I wouldn't mind more kids. I think I just need to work more.” – Tai (21:19)

Culture, Food, and Global Perspective

• Australian vs American Lifestyle (15:22–17:43)
  • Strong preference for Australia—especially the quality of food compared to processed US fare.
  • “The food here is not real food.” – Tai (16:47)
  • Praises Australian and New Zealand produce; shares anecdotes about the high price of Australian beef abroad.
• Party Culture & Wild Times (13:45–14:46)
  • Discusses the legendary party reputation of Aussies and contrasts nightlife from Europe to Dubai and beyond.

Reflections on Celebrity, Social Media, and Authenticity

• LA & Dubai: Materialism and Image (19:45–20:30)
  • Critiques the obsession with image, social standing, and social media clout in Los Angeles and Dubai.
  • “People care about it like their followers and their… See, I wouldn’t… I don't follow any of that.” – Tai (20:00, paraphrased)
• The 'Shoey' Craze (28:34–29:52)
  • Origin story of his notorious “shoey” celebration—a drinking ritual out of a shoe popular in Australia, which became a signature after UFC victories.
  • “It was more like a bit of a marketing stint. Plus the fastest way to get some alcohol into me.” – Tai (28:43)
  • Recounted outrageous shoey moments, including with The Nelk Boys and Happy Dad.
  • “I remember doing some back in the day, just filthy ones, you know, like the whole club spitting in it.” – Tai (29:25, laughing)

Candid Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Fighting and Partying:
  • “I like the fight of fighting.” (01:46)
  • “We love to party… Aussies are a different breed.” (14:12–14:32)
• On Setbacks:
  • “Sometimes win, sometimes lose.” (12:38)
• On Authencity:
  • “I’m easy to get along with. If I feel a type of way, I’ll just say it.” (27:20)
• On Wild Nights:
  • “I’m still a man. You shouldn’t disrespect…sometimes you gotta set it straight.” (27:37)

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Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Beginnings in Fighting/Family Roots: 00:40–03:06
• Getting into the UFC/First Big Setback: 03:16–05:36
• Winning with Injury & Early UFC Career: 06:31–07:50
• Bare-Knuckle & Gypsy Fight Fandom: 08:40–09:19
• Admiration for UFC Organization/Dana White: 09:55–10:15
• Losing Streak & Mental Health: 11:42–12:30
• Cannabis Business & Break from Fighting: 11:42–13:00, 20:50–21:14
• Australian v. American Life, Food, and Partying: 14:12–17:45
• Social Media and LA/Dubai/Life as a Public Figure: 19:45–20:45
• Shoey Origin Story: 28:34–29:52
• Closing Comments & Promo: 30:08–30:30

---

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Tai on overcoming adversity:
  “I snapped everything except the ACL… I could only feel one arm.” (04:47–05:00)

• On adversity as a fighter:
  “Losing’s always—yeah, no one likes losing. But I think it’s how we dust ourselves off and go back at it again.” (12:01)

• The shoey phenomenon:
  “It was more like a bit of a marketing stint. Plus the fastest way to get some alcohol into me.” (28:43)

• On authenticity in a social media world:
  “People care about their followers… I don’t follow any of that.” (20:00)

---

Tai’s Outlook & What’s Next

• Tai plans a break from the UFC to focus on his cannabis business, spend time with family, and reset mentally and physically before aiming to return to compete in early 2026.
• Fans can follow and order his products at bambambods.com.

---

Overall Tone:
Candid, humorous, and down-to-earth, with Tai’s trademark Aussie bluntness and humor permeating the conversation. This episode is a must-listen for fans of MMA, entrepreneurship, and anyone curious about the intersection of sports, business, and authenticity in the digital age.

Transcript

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[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Career, I kind of shot out real fast, and that was against jds. And I just went out guns blazing and ended up.

[Podcast Host]

You got gassed?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Nah, I ended up getting clipped.

[Podcast Host]

Oh.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

And he dropped me. And then next minute, I remember waking up, just my eyes open and he. I just saw his elbow hit me in the face and I was like, yeah. Fuck.

[Podcast Host]

All right, guys, we got Ty here from Australia. Let's go, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

How are you, bro?

[Podcast Host]

Long flight.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very long flight. I've been. I've been over here for a little bit now, so I'm definitely ready to go home.

[Podcast Host]

You up or down gambling.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

From last night? Definitely down.

[Podcast Host]

Oh.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

But I. I haven't. I haven't been out to the. To the casino much. I'm staying there, but I haven't been down there.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Until last night.

[Podcast Host]

Do you gamble a lot in general or.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

But when I do, I kind of do. I'm kind of got that personality in anything I do.

[Podcast Host]

You got that addictive personality.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, yeah.

[Podcast Host]

That's probably why you're good at fighting. At least you like fighting, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I definitely like fighting. I like the. I like the. I like the fight of fighting.

[Podcast Host]

When did that start?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, since young. I grew up in a big household, so I was flying around.

[Podcast Host]

11 siblings, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

That's insane. It's unheard of these days.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I am an island, though. That's to my. Someone with someone. So it's kind of normal.

[Podcast Host]

It's normal out there, huh? Yeah. I'm an only child.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You're the only child?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. How's that?

[Podcast Host]

Honestly, it kind of sucked.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Kind of lonely. I wish I had some siblings.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Sometimes. You have too many.

[Podcast Host]

Are you close with all them?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, we're pretty close.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So it's good. We're a tightening family.

[Podcast Host]

Are there any of them fighters, too?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No.

[Podcast Host]

So just you had that. That anger in you?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, my brother, we definitely had it. Depending on which one definitely has it. My little brother actually is a boxer. He's. He's still young. He's only 14, but he's definitely. He's got it in him.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So I think he's probably going to be the next one.

[Podcast Host]

Did you start off with boxing or you went straight into mixed marketing?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

My dad was a boxer, so. So we always trained boxing and stuff like that or to how to defend ourselves.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So you just grew up in the fight scene?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I wouldn't say in the fight scene, but I grew up fighting, yeah.

[Podcast Host]

When did Dana make the call to you?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Dana? I don't even think I ever talked to Dana.

[Podcast Host]

Really?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Back then? Nah.

We had. We had Mick Maynard. He's Aussie, so he kind of looks after the Aussie fighters.

[Podcast Host]

I think you got the call. And then what was that first fight like? Was it a big, big change for you?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I went through a very big change in my life at that time. I.

I was kind of mixed up in still what I was doing and. Which wasn't too much, and then I had to kind of figure out what I wanted to do, and I found out I was having a kid and I had to make the choice.

[Podcast Host]

Damn. She had to go all in.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, I went all in and then I had a fight and he snapped to get into the ufc, so it was my title defense in Australia, and he snapped my knee.

[Podcast Host]

Holy crap.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So. And then I went to the UFC meeting and I signed the contract with a knee. And they. They asked me could I fight in four weeks, and I said, I don't think I could probably fight. I said, I probably won't fight for a year. So I was kind of hyped up. I got signed and then there was a bit of a hype up or like, bam, Bam from Australia signed. He's. He's meant to be pretty good. And then it kind of died off because I. My knee.

[Podcast Host]

Damn. So you never felt the same after that?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No, I still feel normal. I. I just went through a very, very rough time, so I had my knee surgery. I snapped everything except the acl.

[Podcast Host]

Holy crap.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

And then when I woke up from the surgery, I. I could only feel one arm.

[Podcast Host]

Geez. You were paralyzed?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, yeah, I kind of lost feeling to my whole right arm for about six months.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, my God. Was that supposed to happen?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Definitely not.

[Podcast Host]

So they just messed up?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, I think they up. It was a public. There's a. I don't know.

[Podcast Host]

Sounds like a lawsuit, so. Yeah. That's crazy, though. I didn't know that happened. Six months of no feeling in the.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Arms, and then at this time, I was Having. I had my son, so I was kind of up there for a bit.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Crazy timing having a kid. While the worst injury ever.

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[Audible Host]

That's great.

[Podcast Host]

Life's going on.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. And then when I signed the first fight, I. I couldn't. My arm wasn't fully working.

[Podcast Host]

Cheers.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So I just kind of put my head down and said, I gotta. I gotta do this.

[Podcast Host]

You win that fight?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I did. Flying knee.

[Podcast Host]

Couldn't use your arms. You had to use your knee?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. So it was funny. I went for a very rough time and then kind of. And once it was over, it was a kind of a big light, so.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. How many fights did you win, like in a row after. After you got signed?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Three or four.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. And then who was your first loss?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I headlined in Adelaide. So I've headlined. I headlined the show in Australia, which was a really big thing for me, and I was my first headline and it was kind of like very early in my career. Kind of shot out real fast and that was against jds.

And I just went out guns ablazing and ended up.

[Podcast Host]

You got gassed?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Nah, I ended up getting clipped.

[Podcast Host]

Oh.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

And he dropped me. And then next minute, I remember, I wake you. I just. My eyes open and he. I just saw this elbow hit me in the face. I was like, yeah, geez. Yeah, this doesn't look too good.

[Podcast Host]

Was that your toughest opponent?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I wouldn't say toughest opponent. There's definitely a big learning curve. I'm still learning. I'm still learning a lot in this sport. Yeah, I wouldn't class myself as a proper MMA athlete. Yeah, I'm kind of more just a blower, a fighter.

[Podcast Host]

What would you do? What do you think? Separation there between you and like the professional.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I kind of don't like.

Watch it or. I'm into it as much as other people. I just like the, the battle of it.

[Podcast Host]

The mental battle or, I don't know, the whole thing.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

The. The getting in there and improving yourself. I. I kind of like that bit more. I don't know. It's really weird.

[Podcast Host]

So you're not as technical, basically?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I wouldn't say. I wouldn't say not technical. I just. I wouldn't. Not as interested.

[Podcast Host]

Interesting. So you don't like watching, like, Jon Jones or.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I don't watch any fighting. What if I do watch fighting? It's. It's. It's gypsy fights and like, bare knuckle. Hello. Have you ever watched gypsy fights?

[Podcast Host]

No, I've watched bare knuckle.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Have you ever watched gypsy call outs?

[Podcast Host]

No. What's that?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, my gosh.

[Podcast Host]

The gypsies on the streets are talking about.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So gypsies, like Irish gypsies and, and like English gypsies and like, they do call outs, so they. They call people out on video. It's hilarious. You gotta watch it.

[Podcast Host]

I gotta watch that.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Once you watch one, you kinda just sit there and rabbit hole. Yeah, it's. It's so funny.

[Podcast Host]

I like bare knuckle, though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Bare knuckles is cool.

[Podcast Host]

That's insane to.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Kind of taking over a little bit.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. They seem like they're riding the wave because no one's been able to challenge the ufc, but they might be. They might be next.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, I think it'd be hard to challenge ufc.

[Podcast Host]

They got a monopoly, Right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

They're the boss.

[Podcast Host]

I think they were the first to market, so they just have a big advantage.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I think Dan is very smart as well.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

And the way he's moved. What's.

[Podcast Host]

What's something you've learned from him just watching him over the years?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Look at the ufc. Look what he's done.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Not just that. The UFC as a, as a whole is run to a T. Like, everything's on time. Fights are on time. All the workers are always on point. Yeah, they run a. They run a tight ship over there.

[Podcast Host]

You see, he's getting into boxing now.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I see that.

[Podcast Host]

Saudi Arabia.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I see that.

[Podcast Host]

Crazy money out there.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very crazy money.

[Podcast Host]

You might have to get out there, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'm. I'm definitely not saying no.

I want to get back, you know, I want to get back in the gym and, and get focused on fighting and then get that out of the way and see what's next.

[Podcast Host]

You got any opponents this year you want to fight? Go.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

After this year. I'm gonna. I'm Gonna sit out. I'm gonna train when I get back and get in shape. A bit fat at the moment.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

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[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Obviously dropped my company, Bear Bear Buds Cannabis company here in America. So I've been busy doing other things. I just. The fighting I've been given a rest of. We've kind of been on a losing streak, so it's just. I needed a reset.

[Podcast Host]

Has that been tough on you mentally, the losing streak?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, losing's always. Yeah, no one likes losing, but I think it's how you, how we dust ourselves off and, and go back at it again.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Five losses straight. That's longest for you.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

It's crazy. Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I know.

[Podcast Host]

You had a lot of wins before that at least.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, always up and down.

[Podcast Host]

That's life though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very life. Very life.

[Podcast Host]

It's rare to go undefeated these days as a fighter.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Only Jon Jones. Right. And Khabib recently there's a few.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I just, I don't think it's always been me. I'm always a win or lose.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Sometimes win, sometimes lose.

[Podcast Host]

Well, with your weight class is tough.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, one punch is all it takes.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Definitely. That's definitely true. And definitely I think the, the, the time off that I'm having right now is good because the weight class is Pretty at the moment.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, that's what I think.

[Podcast Host]

Who's the champ right now, the weight class?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Jon Jones, isn't it?

[Podcast Host]

Or Thomas Jones. Yeah. He's got one more fight, I think.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I think, yeah. They're trying to fight Tom, but I don't know if it would happen.

[Podcast Host]

Who would you think. Who do you think would win that?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I think if there's anyone to beat Jones, it would be Tom.

[Podcast Host]

He's a lot younger. Yeah, yeah. Jones in his prime, I think, with destroying. But yeah, right now, anyone.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Anyone's ever been Jones.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, he's got one foot out the door now. He's getting up there in age.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, he's. He's on his way out, that's for sure.

[Podcast Host]

You think he's the goat?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, definitely.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I don't think it's close.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. Not fighting. He does some crazy outside the ring.

[Podcast Host]

But so do you.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Everyone does some crazy. Everyone does their own thing.

[Podcast Host]

You Australians are wild, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Aussies are pretty wild.

[Podcast Host]

Whenever I have Aussies on the pod, they ask me, you come to the club tonight with us? I'm like, hell, no.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. You're not going out with Aussies.

[Podcast Host]

I don't party.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You don't party?

[Podcast Host]

I don't.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You don't drink?

[Podcast Host]

I drink a little bit a couple times a year. I got hammered the other night playing darts.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So you do drink?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, a couple times a year.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Damn. You got him down the night. Yeah, yeah. You're not going out of Aussies?

[Podcast Host]

No, I wouldn't last.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, you're pretty crazy. We love to party.

[Podcast Host]

You do? I wonder why you guys are just trapped on the island out there, bored.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I don't know, actually. It's kind of like a weird.

Like, party culture. I've been around the world and I've partied around as well, and so, yeah, Aussies are different.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, you guys are a different breed. Where else has good parties, though? You've been around the world?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

Europe. Europe. Europe can party. The bar is fun.

[Podcast Host]

Dubai can party.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. Really was cool.

[Podcast Host]

I thought it was strict over there.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

It has its rules, but there also doesn't. It's a lot of fun. They definitely have the best venues.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, they got money out there.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, yeah. You got to spend some money, though. That's the only thing.

[Podcast Host]

Were you fighting out there or you were just chilling?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I actually moved over there and stayed there while Covert in Australia just because the rules were a lot lenient there.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So I trained and. And that's where I kind of went on my. On My run there for a little bit.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. I'd like to Dubai. I gotta get out there, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I love Dubai. Dubai's awesome.

[Podcast Host]

You like Australia more than the us?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh yeah, definitely.

[Podcast Host]

Really?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'm an Aussie, but not even just that. Like, I've. I've been eating some fat food, bro. The food here is not real food.

[Podcast Host]

Nah, it's all processed, bro.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

It's not real food. I don't know.

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[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

If anyone knows that. But the food here is not real. I don't. I don't know.

[Podcast Host]

I mean, there's a reason a lot of us are fat here.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'm fat too. But it's just we're very lucky as Australians and even New Zealand. I think anywhere over that world side of the world, we've got such good produce.

[Podcast Host]

Love me some Australian wagyu, so that shit's good.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I can't wait to get home, cook me a steak.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I prefer a wagyu over there. Thank you. Most of the steak here.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. Well, I think the best meats around the world that are sold are from Australia anyway.

[Podcast Host]

Are they?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'd say so. In Dubai and stuff. You paying fucking $400 for Australian steak? Damn. You can pay for 20 bucks down the pub.

[Podcast Host]

Holy crap. That's probably one of your biggest exports for Australia.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I think it'll be up there.

[Podcast Host]

That's nuts. I like New Zealand, too. I've been there.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

New Zealand's beautiful.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, the food was great out there.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Beautiful food in New Zealand.

[Podcast Host]

People out there were really nice, too.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very good.

[Podcast Host]

Australia is too hot for me, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Too hot.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You live in Vegas?

[Podcast Host]

I just moved here, but yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Where you from?

[Podcast Host]

Jersey. You've been out there?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I was just there.

[Podcast Host]

Really, bro.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

We got an Airbnb. We were staying right in the hood.

[Podcast Host]

Ah, why would you do that?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I don't know.

[Podcast Host]

You went. You stayed in Newark?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Newark? Yeah, yeah, yeah, bro. We. We turned in the street, these two girls were shaping up.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, my gosh.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

But we were laughing.

[Podcast Host]

Why would you pick Newark?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, we. We actually got this spot in like in Manhattan and we couldn't even open our bags, so.

[Podcast Host]

You couldn't open it?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

It was too. It was so small. Like they put like three rooms in this little. And we had to get out. I said, I'm. Take me to the hood. I'd rather. Yeah, at least we got some room.

[Podcast Host]

Manhattan's expensive.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Manhattan was expensive, man.

[Podcast Host]

I don't think.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I think the. I think the room in Newark for one night was as much as like, he could pay like three nights for one night easily.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, Jersey slept on, though. It's a good state. Not Newark, but I definitely need to.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I definitely need to go back and experience them.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that wasn't count as Jersey, but.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

My last experience was a bit.

[Podcast Host]

People only go there to fly.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Fly.

[Podcast Host]

That's where the airport is. Yeah. Oh, yeah, Newark. That's it, though. You're not there for any other reason.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, I'd say that too.

[Podcast Host]

The neighborhoods in Australia, any. Any are like that or they're all safe over there?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, no, it definitely depends where you go.

Where I grew up was pretty, Pretty rough, but that's home.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Definitely not like America. We don't have the numbers.

We've got 28 million people of the whole country. So.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, there's some states.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, LA's got more.

[Podcast Host]

So crazy.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

We're definitely a lot smaller.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. You like la?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I like la, but it's kind of. I wouldn't. It's not really.

[Podcast Host]

That's enough.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

It's not really. It wouldn't be like my spot.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I think it's just a bit full on and a bit.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, people care about social media there a lot.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

People care about it like their followers and their. Oh, yeah. See, I wouldn't go. I don't know. I don't. I don't follow any of that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, they care about their look, their image.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. I need to care about one a bit.

[Podcast Host]

It's a really materialistic city, though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. I suppose the bars would be like that as well.

[Podcast Host]

Is it?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I thought Dubai was more about money and.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, that's the same.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Everyone's faking it, probably.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, There's a lot of that. Yeah. That's one of the downsides of social media, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'd say so. Seen some people like that are really big on social media, but, like, they really ain't doing.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah. That's usually most. Most people with a big following, you know, they gotta, like, make up for it somehow.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

It's unfortunate. Well, what else is next for you this year, man? You're not fighting, so you're just gonna.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, I've been busy with this. This has been a. This has been a bit of a long process, but still learning a lot about the game, really. Just a foot in to get started, you know what I mean? But I've been spending time with my son, family time. But when I get back, I'm gonna get back into training and I want to book a fight for next year. I'll start early next year.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. You want more kids?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, that's a good question.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind more kids. I think I just need to work more.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. They're expensive, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. I grew up in a big family, so it's kind of. I know how it is. Like, I want to be set up a little bit more.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You grew up with 10, 11 siblings, so you got to catch up, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Let's see. Oh, I don't think I'm going that far, but my brothers have got like four or five a piece.

[Podcast Host]

Damn. Trump just offered 5k if you have a kid out here now.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

5K?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Today it's on me. Up.

[Podcast Host]

It goes to the woman, though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, I guess.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So they get five grand ahead now because we're losing numbers here.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

We used to do. We had a baby bonus in Australia, so it's kind of like.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, baby bonus. Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

But where's that? Just in those. In Vegas.

[Podcast Host]

In America.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

In America, Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Because our numbers are dropping. We're not having enough sex. So, like, where more people are dying than are being born right now.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Why do you think the noise. Sex.

[Podcast Host]

I don't know. It's weird. I've been fine. But, yeah. Other people, I guess.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Good.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I mean, I'm chilling.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

That's good.

[Podcast Host]

Other people, though, they're not having kids. Okay. It's not sex. I think it's having kids. People are having sex, they're not having kids. I think that's what it is.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So Americans are shooting blanks.

[Podcast Host]

Shooting blanks or just wearing condoms. I don't know. People just don't want kids out here. I don't know if Australia has that issue right now, but.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I haven't looked into that much.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, it's concerning though, because you can, can't grow as a country if your numbers are going down.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

True.

[Podcast Host]

You know, you guys got to catch up to us. You're at 28 million.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. Way, way, way, way behind 300 million.

[Podcast Host]

Over here or something like that.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, it's so far away. And you can't kind of live in the middle of Australia.

[Podcast Host]

So you guys have some dangerous animals out there. I always see these crazy videos. Do you actually see those when you're out there?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Depends where you are.

[Podcast Host]

Those poisonous animals.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, we see snakes and stuff.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Like it depends where you live. If you live in some like one spot, you might have all of them.

[Podcast Host]

Have you ever had an incident with one of those?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I keep my ass near the street lights.

[Podcast Host]

You have a box of kangaroo?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Hell no.

[Podcast Host]

That looks fun, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, that'll probably run my fat ass down and jump on my back.

[Podcast Host]

You could take one. You could take a kangaroo.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'd have a crack. They got big, big nails though.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, those look sharp.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Big claws things.

[Podcast Host]

Damn. When I went out there, I ate one of them.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You ate everywhere?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

You like it?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, it's good.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very tough.

[Podcast Host]

I had it in a burger at the zoo.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

At the zoo?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Right.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Come on.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So the restaurant, they're playing up.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, it was right next to the Melbourne Zoo. Ate the burger, went to the zoo and pet a kangaroo there. They had a little joey there. It was cool.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

This is kind of like the full circle.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Got to experience it on both sides, you know, my. My fiance was pissed, though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

She wasn't.

[Podcast Host]

There's so many of them over there. You got to eat them.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, they're. They're. They're kind of like pests.

[Podcast Host]

That's what I heard.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Well, they just. All the time, so. They're not. They're not. Yeah, they're not. They're not running out.

[Podcast Host]

There's more of them than people, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

That's what I heard. Now you got me.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. You gotta. Can you hunt them there? Is that legal?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

She. I suppose so.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. You're not a hunter?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No, I told you, I'm staying in the street lights.

[Podcast Host]

Man. Hunting's big out here.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Hunter. Yeah. Hunting is big. Hunting's big in Australia as well. It's just kind of normal thing.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, you just stay in your lane.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

What's the craziest activity? Like you've done like skydiving.

Activity.

Now? Let's.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I can't skydive.

[Podcast Host]

Why?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'm too fat.

[Podcast Host]

Is that a rule?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Unfortunately, yes.

[Podcast Host]

I didn't know that.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So I went to ask one time and they go, yeah, It's a. It's 120 is the. The cutoff limit. And they go. But you can go by. You can jump by yourself.

[Podcast Host]

Screw that.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So I kind of. I don't know how I feel jumping the first time.

[Podcast Host]

No, not by yourself. That's sketchy. 120. That's kilograms, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. We use pounds here, so that's 265. 265. Damn. I got friends that weight. More than that.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

So do I.

[Podcast Host]

What's the lowest you've been in your adult years?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, one. It's when I fight is. That's when I'm at my lowest.

[Podcast Host]

Damn. You're in the hundreds when you're fighting.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I have to cut to. To fight. To Herbert. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Wow.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Always.

[Podcast Host]

Geez. So you're like way over right now then?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm heavy. Heavy weight.

[Podcast Host]

Patty the baddie, baby. That dude looks fat. Off season.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

He puts the beef on. Yeah, but he gets. He gets back to. He gets back to fight shape. Really?

[Podcast Host]

Job done, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

How good did he do? I didn't think he was gonna win. I'm not gonna lie.

[Podcast Host]

You thought Chandler was gonna win?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I don't know. Chandler's kind of like a G up.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I wanted chan.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I always. I always, like, think I'll go for him because he just. He always looks. He's like a machine, but he doesn't.

Patty did well.

[Podcast Host]

Patty look good, bro. He's on a good streak right now.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Very good.

[Podcast Host]

I don't think he's lost in years.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I wouldn't know.

[Podcast Host]

Off season, he's just. He looks like a dad bod. And then he. He.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, I like that.

[Podcast Host]

It's more like relatable. Yeah, that's why people like.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

When normal people. Yeah, I get it. Sometimes I might have put a bit too much weight on, like, as normal professionals, but like over normal people. People have normal lives as well.

[Podcast Host]

100. Do people try to test you outside of the ring, at the bars or anything?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No, not any.

[Podcast Host]

You're too nice.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, yeah. I'm a. I'm easy to get along with. I'M and if I feel the type of way, I'll just say it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Like if someone's rude or something, I'd.

[Podcast Host]

Say, hey, you'll call them out.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, yeah, I'll still slap her. I'll still slap someone if they play out.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, I'm still a man. Like, you shouldn't disrespect if someone's disrespectful. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You'll pull out a Conor McGregor slap.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No, I don't know. I don't know what that slap is, but. No, I just. You gotta set. Set the. Set it straight sometimes.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. You get in a lot of fights outside. Outside the ring or.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No way. No, no, not any. No way.

[Podcast Host]

That's good.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Not since I was a kid.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, well, that's probably smart because people want to go after you legally and stuff, I bet.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Probably see you as a target.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I don't know.

[Podcast Host]

As a kid, you gotten a lot, though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I had a few fights here.

[Podcast Host]

That's common with fighters, though.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Kind of starts somewhere, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Something like that.

[Podcast Host]

Were you getting picked on or what happened?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No, I just think. Probably where. I think just where I was, where I was from and where I grew up, it's kind of. I don't know what you did.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. When did the shoe we celebration start?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh.

My boys were doing the shoe way, way before me.

[Podcast Host]

Really?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah. It's been around for a long time. I think for me it was more like a bit of a marketing stint. Plus the fastest way to get some alcohol into me.

[Podcast Host]

It worked well.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Worked very well.

[Podcast Host]

Became known for it.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah.

Definitely worked out well.

[Podcast Host]

And you were the first fighter I saw do it in the ufc. Yeah, I don't remember anyone else doing that.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

No, I think I was definitely one of the first.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

But, like, again, it's. It's. It was never like a my thing. It was. It's kind of like in Australia, people.

[Podcast Host]

Doing them just random way.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, Aussies, bro. We're weiros, me.

[Podcast Host]

That shit's nasty, bro. Someone's wearing their shoe.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Oh, yeah, You. I. I remember doing some back in the day, like, just filthy ones, you know, like the whole club spinning in it.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, my God.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I don't know why.

[Podcast Host]

Dude, you're wild now.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I'm older. You think back and you're just like, what the hell?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Now you're using new shoes, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Not necessarily.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, you use. I saw you did something with the Nelk boys, right?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, no boys with happy dad. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

That was actually probably the most famous one.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that one got millions of views.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, that was cool.

[Podcast Host]

I hope to see you do it again one day, man.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I fucking hope so too, bro. I really do.

[Podcast Host]

You got to win this next one.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

I will. I will. I'm definitely. This time has been good for me. I think I needed it.

[Podcast Host]

That's good, man. Well, where can people find the product and find you and keep up with you?

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Yeah, Head to Bam bambods dot com. We got all our products on there. We deliver straight to your door and if you enter the code Bam tour, you get 20% off while we're on this American tour. Finally finished. Now I'm ready to go home to my family and definitely get back in the gym.

[Podcast Host]

Let's do it. I'll keep up with you, man. Thanks for coming on.

[Bam Bam (MMA Fighter)]

Definitely, bro. Thank you for having me.

[Podcast Host]

Check them out, guys.