Why UFC Is Dominating Boxing: Insider Reveals | Ali Abdelaziz DSH #724

Summary

Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour – "Why UFC Is Dominating Boxing: Insider Reveals | Ali Abdelaziz DSH #724"

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Ali Abdelaziz
Release Date: September 17, 2024

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1. Introduction

In episode #724 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly welcomes Ali Abdelaziz, a prominent UFC manager, to discuss the meteoric rise of the UFC in comparison to boxing. The conversation delves into Ali’s journey in the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry, his management philosophy, and the strategic elements that have positioned the UFC as the leading combat sport today.

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2. Ali Abdelaziz’s Career Path

Early Beginnings and Transition to Management

Ali Abdelaziz recounts his initiation into the fighting world, starting with judo at the age of five under the mentorship of a national champion cousin. His transition from athlete to manager began while he was still training and fighting professionally.

Ali Abdelaziz [01:14]: “Honestly, I was still fighting and training. This was at the Gracie Gym in New York. Before that, I trained with Greg Jackson and Jordan Pierre. When Jordan Pierre moved to New York, he invited me to join, and I decided to stay and help manage fighters.”

Ali highlights the significance of his first major client, Frankie Edgar, and how managing Edgar, alongside other key fighters like Gracie and Henzu, laid the foundation for his successful management career.

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3. The Success and Roster of Ali’s Management

Building an Impressive Roster Through Integrity and Dedication

Ali emphasizes that his success is rooted in hard work, dedication, and maintaining integrity in his relationships with fighters. Unlike many managers who actively recruit, Ali’s roster grew organically through word-of-mouth and mutual respect.

Ali Abdelaziz [02:30]: “Management’s like marriage. I don’t really manage or recruit actively. It’s all word of mouth. Gym talk, guys talk to each other. We do right by each other, and the trust is there.”

He proudly manages top-tier fighters such as Kamaru Usman, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Henry Cejudo, and Kayla Harrison, many of whom have been with him for nearly a decade. This long-term commitment underscores the strong, trust-based relationships he fosters.

Ali Abdelaziz [03:59]: “I’ve been with Kamaru for 10 years, Habib for 10 years, Islam Makhachev for 10 years, Henry almost 10 years, and Kayla Harrison almost 10 years. These relationships are built on trust and mutual respect.”

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4. UFC vs Boxing: Reasons for UFC’s Dominance

Systematic Growth, Consistent Scheduling, and Fighter Dedication

Ali attributes the UFC’s dominance over boxing to several key factors:

• Consistent Scheduling: The UFC hosts events every week, providing a steady stream of content and maintaining audience engagement.

  Ali Abdelaziz [25:27]: “The sport is growing every day. UFC is almost in 178 countries now, and they’re doing a fight every week. It’s consistent.”

• Fighter Commitment: UFC fighters demonstrate unparalleled dedication and work ethic. Unlike boxing, where fighters frequently switch management and promotions, UFC athletes often remain loyal to their teams, ensuring stability and sustained growth.

• Integrated Management and Promotion: The UFC employs matchmakers who are often martial artists themselves, like Sean Shelby and McMayner. This alignment between fighters, managers, and promoters fosters a cohesive environment conducive to the sport’s expansion.

  Ali Abdelaziz [07:28]: “The UFC has great matchmakers who are martial artists. They understand the sport deeply, which helps in creating compelling matchups.”

• Global Reach and Diversity: The UFC’s ability to attract talent from nearly 180 countries has broadened its appeal, making it a truly global sport.

  Ali Abdelaziz [24:51]: “Everybody’s different, man. UFC is so diverse, with fighters from almost 180 countries. It’s grown massively and will continue to do so.”

• Fighter Development: Ali notes that the UFC invests in developing fighters’ careers intelligently, ensuring they peak at the right times and maintain longevity in the sport.

  Ali Abdelaziz [23:12]: “I’m building guys to be smart about their careers, ensuring they have the right moments to shine.”

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5. Key UFC Fighters and Future Predictions

Highlighting Dominant Fighters and Upcoming Talent

Ali provides insights into some of the UFC’s top fighters and shares his predictions for future champions:

• Islam Makhachev: Currently the pound-for-pound number one, Ali praises Islam’s dominance and finishing ability.

  Ali Abdelaziz [05:15]: “Islam is on a different level. He finishes guys efficiently, making him the best fighter in the world today.”

• Kamaru Usman: Viewed as the greatest welterweight of all time, Ali believes Kamaru has surpassed previous legends in the sport.

  Ali Abdelaziz [28:37]: “I think Kamaru has bypassed George St. Pierre and is one of the greatest ever.”

• Future Champions: Ali predicts that fighters under his management, such as Magamat Uncle Life and Bilal Muhammad, will soon capture UFC titles.

  Ali Abdelaziz [28:49]: “Magamat Uncle Life will become the UFC Light Heavyweight champion. Bilal Muhammad will beat Leon Edwards in London and become UFC Lightweight champion this year.”

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6. Challenges and Politics in UFC

Navigating Internal and External Challenges

Ali discusses the complexities within the UFC, including the occasional overlap of fighters and the political dynamics that can influence matchups and promotions. He mentions instances where fighters he manages have had to fight against each other, a rarity in his management experience.

Ali Abdelaziz [04:24]: “I believe I’m the only manager with multiple fighters who have fought each other, proving the strength and depth of our roster.”

Additionally, Ali touches upon his views on broader political issues, including his support for Donald Trump, which occasionally intersects with his professional relationships.

Ali Abdelaziz [17:30]: “Donald Trump is all about peace, business, and making the economy better. He’s a great human being and treats people really well.”

However, he maintains that business relationships within the UFC are primarily professional, despite differing personal views.

Ali Abdelaziz [21:22]: “On a personal level, I love Dana White and respect him, even if we don’t always agree on business matters.”

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7. Relationship with Promoters and UFC Leadership

Strong Bonds with UFC’s Leadership

Ali emphasizes his positive relationship with Dana White and the UFC’s leadership team. He praises Dana’s consistency and dedication to the sport, which has been pivotal in the UFC’s sustained success.

Ali Abdelaziz [21:45]: “Dana White is a great promoter. We have a good relationship, and I respect what he does for the sport.”

He also highlights the importance of collaboration between managers and promoters to create lucrative and exciting fight cards.

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8. Closing Remarks

Continued Growth and Future Endeavors

As the podcast concludes, Ali reiterates his commitment to the UFC’s growth and his excitement for the future of MMA. He encourages listeners to follow his work on Instagram @AliAbdelaziz200 and shares his optimistic outlook on the sport’s trajectory.

Ali Abdelaziz [25:14]: “The sport has been around for 30 years and is already massive. Imagine how big it will be in the next 20 years.”

Sean Kelly wraps up the episode by thanking Ali for his insights, leaving listeners with a comprehensive understanding of why the UFC continues to outpace boxing in the combat sports arena.

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Notable Quotes

• Ali Abdelaziz [02:30]: “Management’s like marriage. I don’t really manage or recruit actively. It’s all word of mouth.”
• Ali Abdelaziz [05:15]: “Islam is on a different level. He finishes guys efficiently, making him the best fighter in the world today.”
• Ali Abdelaziz [24:51]: “Everybody’s different, man. UFC is so diverse, with fighters from almost 180 countries. It’s grown massively and will continue to do so.”
• Ali Abdelaziz [25:27]: “The sport is growing every day. UFC is almost in 178 countries now, and they’re doing a fight every week. It’s consistent.”

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Conclusion

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a deep dive into the strategic elements behind the UFC’s dominance over boxing, as revealed by insider Ali Abdelaziz. From management philosophies to fighter development and global expansion, Ali provides a comprehensive look at the factors fueling MMA’s rise. His candid discussions on the industry’s challenges and his optimistic predictions for future champions make this episode a valuable listen for fans and aspiring professionals alike.

Transcript

[Ali Abdelaziz]

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[Unknown Host]

For sure. People are waking up.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

People waking up.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Because if they can do this thing, what they can do to us.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. For real. They can put the president in jail. We're just easy, for sure. All right, guys, we got Ali Abdulaziz here today. Thanks for coming on, man.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You're welcome. Thanks for having me. Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

One of the best in the business. It's an honor.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Thank you, brother.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. You've probably got the most impressive roster I've ever seen.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. It's just a lot of hard work and dedication.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. I'd love to hear how you got there. Who was that first big client for you?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Honestly, I was. I was still fighting and I was training that. This. Hence the Gracie Gym in New York. And before that, I trained with Greg Jackson and Jordan Pierre came there and he's like, hey, come to New York. Train with me there. And I went there and I kind of liked it and stay. And I was just training and fighting a little bit. A lot of people doesn't know I have some professional fights.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And I started kind of helping guys around the gym with, like, all the Gracie boys, like Igor, Gracie Hollis, Gracie Greco, Gracie. And after that, Frankie Edgar was coming to the gym a lot, and at the time, he was a UFC champion. And at the same time, Hinzo said, hey, I want to fight back. I want to fight. And I think Henzu have a fight in the UFC. And he fought in Abu Dhabi in 2010 right after I started working with Frankie Edgar. He was my first kind of big client.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And we was training together for like a year, you know, he. And honestly, without Henzo, Gracie and Frankie, I wouldn't be here, because you take a lot of risk with me because I never managed anybody who's relevant. And that's how the whole thing started.

[Unknown Host]

And then from there, look at who you have now, man. Crazy.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

I mean, your results speak for itself. I think that's why people stick with you.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, man. Listen I, at the end of the day, is like, management's like marriage, you know, I don't. I don't really manage. I don't. I don't recruit. You know, like, I never really recruit. It's kind of all the word of mouth.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You know, gym talk, guys talk to each other. Let's have somebody do right by you. We do right by him. And. And I've been working with people I want to work with, and they want to work with me.

[Unknown Host]

Right.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's not like a forced relationship.

[Unknown Host]

That's good. So integrity is important to you.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And it's, you know, we sign a contract, we keep going, and sometime I don't even resign a second contract. And, you know, wow. Like, guys, like, I've been with Kamaru 10 years, Habib 10 years, Islam Makhachev 10 years, Henry's almost 10 years. I've been Kayla Harrison almost 10 years. And guys who's the best in the business, and I can leave anytime they want. There's no paper, but, you know, the relationship is good. The trust is there, the respect is there. And. And I just. It's been an awesome experience. And. And after almost 20 years now being a manager, but I'm still hungry. Every morning I wake up, I want to do something, you know, I'm still hungry. I'm still driving. And, you know, being a martial artist, too, I think this is big, big, big part of it, you know, And I just. I'm grateful.

[Unknown Host]

I love that drive. A lot of fighters have issues with their managers, and they swap managers pretty often, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. It's happened every day.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Why do you think that is?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I don't know. I think a lot of the managers, some of them mean well, you know, and they make a lot of promises they can't keep. Like, one of the things I sign people, I don't make any promises, and that's the first thing I say. Not going to make any promise, but every morning I wake up, I'm going to try to do the best I can, and I will have my guys back 100%. I have my back 100%. Anything they need, I got them. Anything I need, I got them. It's. It's. It's a mutual relationship.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Have your clients ever had to fight each other?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, actually. Henry Sahuru fought Marlon Morris for the UFC title.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, that must have been tough for you to watch, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I didn't even go to the fight. I didn't. I don't. I just choose not to go to the fight. Kamaru Osman fought Gilbert Burn for UFC title.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And Khabib fought just engage for UFC title. I think. I believe I'm the only manager in the business. Have three guys or even two guys fought each other.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. That's crazy.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

There's just, you know, it's, it proved. I, I represent best fighter in the world. You know. The last three pound for pound fighters in the sport was Kamaru Khabib retired. Kamaru become the pound for pound number one. Now Islam pound for pound number one.

[Unknown Host]

Right. And Islam's dominating right now.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Islam is, you know, he's, he's, I think he's, he's good everywhere, man. Yeah, he's the best fighter in the world today.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

All combat sports, any sport, he's the most dominant. He finishes guys. And even if you come people compare him to Jon Jones, right?

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Last four years, Jon Jones fought one time. Islam fought nine times. They both last nine fight. Islam have seven finishes, two decisions. Jon Jones have seven decision, two finishes.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And I know Dana was saying Jon is pound for, but maybe one of the greatest of all the time. But right now is Islam is the pound for pound game right now.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, he's in his prime right now. I feel like Jon Jones has passed his prime.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

I didn't know that about this.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Good.

[Unknown Host]

So good. Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You know, he's a great fighter, but I think Islam right now is on a different level.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Who do you got winning the upcoming fights? McGregor and Chandler?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I got Chandler.

[Unknown Host]

You got Chandler?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, if it happened.

[Unknown Host]

If it happens. Yeah, that's true.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I think, I think Chandler is more dedicated. I think his wrestling, if you fast, smart, you know, he should win.

[Unknown Host]

What about Jamal Hill and Carlos Ulberg?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Honestly is an interesting fight. You know, the best guy in this division is, is not Alex Pereira. It's my uncle life. He's on a 10 first winning streak. And you know, Alex Pereira now is kind of protected. He's become a little bit of star and the UFC and I understand it, it's a business and they protect it. But the best life heavyweight in the world today is Maghamar Uncle Life. He's, he's on the same level as Khabib and he's on the same level of Islam. He's on the same level. Wow. Yeah, for sure.

[Unknown Host]

Is he the champ right now?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Not the champ. He's on a ten foot winning streak, but he haven't got a title shot yet.

[Unknown Host]

Dang. What rank is he right now?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's number two.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, so he's about to get one soon, then.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. Whoever wins sometimes a little bit politics.

[Unknown Host]

Right. Because John's been injured and I don't know who the champ is right now, but per. Oh, Pereiras got it. Who's he fighting next?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

We don't know yet.

[Unknown Host]

How much decision or how much control do you have in who you fight that you get to pick?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's, it's. It's a. It's a 50. 50 between me and the UFC. Like sometime they want us to fight somebody. Sometime we say yes, sometimes we say no, sometimes we request to fight people, and then sometimes they say yes. Sometimes the other opponent, they said no. It's, it's. It's a matchmaker job.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

This. You know, UFC have honestly some great matchmaker who. Guy named Sean Shelby and gentleman named McMayner. They both actually. They martial artists. You know, they. They did martial art, I think make got some fights or kickboxing fight and, you know, a lot of the boxing and stuff like that, all this promoter, they never box, but now you have. That's why the UFC is the best or the MMA is the best, because a lot of the people who work, they actually competed or fought or they trained.

[Unknown Host]

Right. Yeah. Khabib started his only two. Right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Huh?

[Unknown Host]

Khabib.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. Yeah. He, He. He have his own league a little bit down now because, you know, Russia and sanctions.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. And Daniel Cormier is still pretty active in the business, so. You're right. A lot of the fighters end up working on the business after, too.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

[Unknown Host]

That's cool. Yeah. Boxing. I'd rather watch UFC personally than boxing.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Oh, for sure. It's a system. It's. It's consistent. Is. Is the show from the first fight to the last fight. It's. It's great, you know, and yeah, it's. It's good, you know, and big fight, Even, you know, McGregor and Chandler, you know, McGregor is. He's. I don't think he's any good, but people still going to tune in and still going to do big numbers, right?

[Unknown Host]

You don't think he's good?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No, I think. I think he's trash.

[Unknown Host]

Really?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Oh, yeah.

[Unknown Host]

McGregor.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Oh, for sure.

[Unknown Host]

Wow. What about in his prime, though?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He was. He was good.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

But, you know, he's. He's just. I don't like him as a person. I don't respect him as a person. I think he's a piece of.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. I don't think he's a good person.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. I mean, you can't deny that after some incidents.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. It's not about. It's about action, you know, like sometimes just that this guy's fighter, they go there and this whole thing goes Habib. And talk about his father and about his wife and about his family.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

About his religion, nation. And that's why, you know, we don't like this guy and we see him anywhere, it'll probably be a problem.

[Unknown Host]

Wow. Yeah, that one got personal. I remember that fight.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It was always gonna be, it's not over.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, it's still not over.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No, of course.

[Unknown Host]

Wow. So you hold grudges.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I don't hold grudges. He created a grudge.

[Unknown Host]

I love that mindset.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He created a grudge. You have to come out and apologize for it or you get dealt with, you know?

[Unknown Host]

He never apologized.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No.

[Unknown Host]

Even after the fight, he never apologized. Wow. That choke out seems. But that's a lot of marketing too.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I think it doesn't matter. Just at the end of the day, you can work so much, but you have to have integrity. You have to have level of respect of other people, ethnicity, religions, family. You never bring family in. In business, don't bring family, don't bring religious. It is not good. Just talk about him as much as you want. There's no problem. You can say whatever you want, but how are you going to bring somebody's father or wife or mother? It's just. It's just a low, low. Trash. Yeah, he's trash.

[Unknown Host]

He's had the biggest fall off I've seen in the UFC space. I'd say he's still a star.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

People still buy the hype, but at the end of the day, if you fight Islam Makachev, you finish him in the round or two.

[Unknown Host]

That's that quick, you think?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Oh, for sure.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's not. It wouldn't even be a close.

[Unknown Host]

Damn.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Won't even be a close fight.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, I feel like his style is the. The sports evolved so much. Right. His style is not as effective in a way.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Listen, at the end of the day, he was. He was well matched. He have the right opponents. But when he fought guys like Habib, he destroyed him.

[Unknown Host]

That was four rounds though, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, but Habib mauled him. Every round he beat him. It's easy. Just have you can beat. Habib said this. I cannot finish him in the first round.

[Unknown Host]

Really just.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's kept punishing and punishing.

[Unknown Host]

He wanted it to drag on to.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Dragon just to make him suffer.

[Unknown Host]

That's funny.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, for sure.

[Unknown Host]

Who was his toughest opponent? Did he ever tell you? Habib, man.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Honestly, Habib. He's the only fighter in UFC history. He's been. Never been dropped, never been cut. Never have a bloody nose, no cut. Never. Never been. I watch this man spar for 10 years. I never see him lose around in training.

[Unknown Host]

Holy crap.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Never see him. Lost a tap to nobody. He's this dominant. He's the most dominant fighter in history.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

For sure.

[Unknown Host]

That's crazy. So he never had any problems?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No.

[Unknown Host]

Damn.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's different. He was. He's never gonna be at that second. Happy.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Yeah. It'd be tough. I mean, he was undefeated. That doesn't happen these days.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No.

[Unknown Host]

Even Sean O'Malley has a loss. Right, Sugar? Sean. He's already got a loss on his belt.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. And he will lose again.

[Unknown Host]

You think so? Because he's ranked. He's a champ now, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He was a little brother coming up.

[Unknown Host]

So he's gonna have troubles with him.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You think he will have problems.

[Unknown Host]

You training him, too?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's part of the team.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, God.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

18 0.

[Unknown Host]

You got a recipe, man. You got a formula.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Undefeated. You know, he's. He's the next big star.

[Unknown Host]

Wow. From this region, how do you pick who you take on?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Man, it's just this Dagesan region, you know, when 10 years ago. Nobody want to touch this region. And I start helping guys out to bring him to the US to fight, and now everybody jumping on it, but a little bit too late for some people.

[Unknown Host]

Right. What makes that region so tough, you think?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I think this, you know, history. So many wars. Dagestan is 3 million. People have more Olympic champion there and freestyle wrestling than anywhere in the world. Wow. You know this.

[Unknown Host]

I didn't know that.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

100.

[Unknown Host]

That's crazy. You grew up in Egypt, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

That's cool. I'm going there next month.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah?

[Unknown Host]

With Billy Carson? Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Who's Billy Carson?

[Unknown Host]

He's like a spiritual guy. He's taking me on a tour of the pyramids and stuff.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Cool, cool. Yeah, let me know.

[Unknown Host]

I'm excited, dude. I heard it's a little dangerous, but.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No, no, no, no, man. It's safe.

[Unknown Host]

Okay.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

If you. They are American. They love Americans.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

But you just go in the wrong time. It's going to be so hot there.

[Unknown Host]

What? When's the right time then you think?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Eight between October to, like, April.

[Unknown Host]

I think we're scheduled October 5th.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

October is okay.

[Unknown Host]

Okay.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Okay. Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

I'm really excited, man.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. That's good.

[Unknown Host]

How's the food out there?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's amazing.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. George St. Pierre went there and I. I take Care of him when he's there. He have the best time.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, I love that.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Habib was there too, last year. Exactly.

[Unknown Host]

Nice.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

When did you move over here?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I was, I was almost 18 years old.

[Unknown Host]

Okay.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I was, I was part of the Egyptian national team. They have some tournament, US Open. I come, I met a guy by name, Eddie lady was the Olympic coach at the time. And he's like, hey, you want to stay? And I just stayed. You know, I stayed and I began training on the Olympic training external Colorado Springs and working on the side, helping my family.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And this is how I begin.

[Unknown Host]

Was this for soccer or for fighting?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Judo.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, judo, yeah. Because I know you played soccer too, sometime. I play soccer, yeah. I did my research sometimes. Okay, so you got into fighting early, though. You got into judo early?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, I was five years old.

[Unknown Host]

Five. Wow. Was your dad a judo expert?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No, my cousin, My older cousin was a, was a, was a national champion. And I started like, he took me with him and I started training.

[Unknown Host]

Wow, that's awesome, man. I saw you and Donald Trump had a photo together.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, man, he's, he's the best, man. He's gonna be in Vegas tomorrow. I'm gonna miss him Tomorrow?

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. At the Ahern, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I'm gonna see him tomorrow.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Did you get a lot of hate for supporting him?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I don't really care. I don't care. I don't care. People think I think this man is a. He's, he's. I know a lot of people know him, Dana, know him really well. You know, he and I. The guy always keep his word. He's very kind, he's, he's very witty, he's smart. Look at the economy, you know, like the average oil gas prices was $2. Now it's 450. The average home is 300,000 now his average home is like 450,000. Yeah, everything, everything has become so much more since Joe Biden took office. In the last four years, got 13 million. Illegal immigrant when Donald Trump was A president was 1.7 million. Jeez, you know what I'm saying? It's, it's, this is 13 million more than a lot of country population. People come here and people, a lot of say, you know, I'm Muslim, you know, I'm devout Muslim, I believe in Allah, I believe in God, just period, you know, and people said he doesn't like Muslim people. I didn't know this. I found out his son in law, who married Tiffany Trump, he's Lebanese and he have Sean J. Kushner he married to Ivanka, he's Jewish. Right. And how you think you don't like Arabs or Muslims or Middle Eastern, you marry your son to one, you know what I'm saying? And I think just people don't like this man some because he's not a politician. He doesn't fit in the circle.

[Unknown Host]

Right.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

But Donald Trump is a very sincere man. You know. See the whole thing is going on. He's the only president over 40 years US president did not went to war with any Muslim nation, with any nation at all. There was no war in four years. It was peace. He got all the troop back from Iraq, he got all the troop back from Afghanistan, you know, and, and how are you going to compare him now? You have your, you have war in Ukraine, you have Israel people, 40,000 people dying, you know, and when Habib, Matt him said, hey, told him, I know you're going to stop this war, Donald Trump immediately. And I truly believe, I know a lot of people around him. Donald Trump is all about peace, he's all about business, all about making economy better. You know what I'm saying? He's a great human being and he treats, I know, I know people known for 20 years, he treat him really well.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's very, very kind man, you know.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And look, man, now it's like a third world country now they try to put the opponent will run for the election in jail. This is like.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, he got convicted.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's crazy.

[Unknown Host]

33 felonies or something.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's crazy. You know, it's. But honestly, they put him to jail automatically become the president for sure. For sure.

[Unknown Host]

People are waking up.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

People waking up.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Because if they can do this to him, what they can do to us.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. For real. They can put the president in jail. We're just easy.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

For sure.

[Unknown Host]

I mean, damn. Yeah, I saw that video of him in Habib though. He really looked genuine about his answer 100.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's very genuine man. He's a very good man. His kids is great. He's. Everybody around him is good people, you know. And you know, son in law is Michael. He's a Lebanese guy and his father. They're very wealthy people. I think they're billionaires. You meet these people, they act like they like one of the most humblest people you could ever meet.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Him and his father. Right. And in a way like you cannot tell me I experience dealing with these people, talking to them, you understand? You know, it's just Donald Trump is the right guy for this country, man. The Economy was better, the border was secure. It was no war, you know, And American taxpayer was not sending $140 billion to Ukraine for a war the US have nothing to do with.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. They just saw what the President of Ukraine was spending it on. Did you see this? He's been buying luxury cars and luxury resorts and all this crap.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's a punk.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. It's crazy. We're literally giving tax dollars to that.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Your money and my money, my kids college fund is all going to these people.

[Unknown Host]

Yep. I just paid 300k in tax. That's going to that crazy, man. It's going to the Ukraine. President, who I don't really support, and he's paying for cars and houses.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I know people from Ukraine, they have in parties, they, they, you know, but listen, the war is serious now, you know, but you know, Donald Trump, North Korea, he visited North Korea prison. He was have relationship with Putin. It was all this president, it was peace with the Middle East. He got, he was respected. We're respected right now. The United States is now respected because it's not represented. Well, you know, and this is what I, you know, is the Middle east was the peace treaty between Israel and Palestine.

[Unknown Host]

Right? Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

The Ibrahim Accord. Right. Everybody was happy Donald Trump did this, but now he left this peace treaty, went to the garbage.

[Unknown Host]

Yep. President can barely stand up for sure. Let alone give a speech. I see videos all the time.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. For sure.

[Unknown Host]

Him falling. I. I can't believe he's president.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's time for a change.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Every time Trump goes to a UFC event, standing applause.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Oh, yeah. Did he. Do you go to UFC event?

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, every time I'm there, he gets applause.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

When the last time you go to UFC event?

[Unknown Host]

It's been like a year.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Maybe a year.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. There's one coming up right this month, June 29th. Yeah. 304. Yeah. I might try to get to that one. I've been to the Power Slap too. Have you been to that yet?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. Power Slap is great.

[Unknown Host]

He likes our slot.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You go there?

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. I thought you wouldn't like it because the fighters think it's kind of funny.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

That's cool. Anything Danoi does, I support. It's my guys. He's been there for me since day one.

[Unknown Host]

That's loyalty.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

If he, if he have a league like Jumping Jack, I'll support him. He's a good guy. He's very genuine. And normally promoter and manager don't have a good relationship. Right. I know what Dana White does behind close to and what the things he help what the things he does. And on a personal level, I love him and I respect him. Sometimes business, we don't see eye to eye, but this is business.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You can agree on everything in life, right?

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Yeah. A lot of promoters have issues with managers, especially in boxing.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

For sure. That's. I got no. I got no. I got no issue with nobody.

[Unknown Host]

I love him, man.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I'm Switzerland.

[Unknown Host]

Any upcoming fights here you guys are focused on right now?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, many. You know, you got Omar Habib's brother fighting Corey sanhagen. Main event, August 3rd.

[Unknown Host]

Nice.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You know, got Kayla Harrison. She just come over to the ufc. She's probably gonna fight for the number one contender match. You know, so many fights, brother, left and right.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's a lot of big fights coming up.

[Unknown Host]

Are all your fighters in Vegas?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No, no, they're all over. Around the world, man.

[Unknown Host]

So how do you train them?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I don't. I'm. I'm the manager. I train some of the guys who here. I train them, but I'm not a coach. But a lot of the guys who I manage, I train.

[Unknown Host]

Got it.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

But I just do it because just out of love and, you know, just. Just respect him and just give him some knowledge. I learned from someone, you know.

[Unknown Host]

Man, you are a legend in the sport, dude. And you're so young, too, but you still have that fire in you. It's impressive, man.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I love, man. Listen, I'm a poor kid from Egypt. I never thought I'll be here today. I. I just. I could never dreamt to have anything. I have. And I just have a gratitude, and I'm very grateful what I have.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. How did you keep that mindset with all the success? Was it hard battling your ego?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Oh, man, it's just. Just. Just going to the gym and training with these guys, getting beat up, that will humble you.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. You get humbled every day, probably, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I get humbled every day.

[Unknown Host]

I was looking up your Wikipedia. You fought for a bit too.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Little bit. I was not. I was not a great fighter. I just. I just kind of, you know, and this is why I made a lot of mistakes as. As a fighter. Right. And that's what I tried not to make this mistake as a manager, you know, just to make sure my guys have the right moment, the right time. When I have three fight. I have 30 fights. I have no business fighting this guy. Right. But in a way, now I slowly try to build guys, be smart about their career, about their girls and stuff.

[Unknown Host]

Right. So you thought you could beat him, but he had so much experience that.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You know, I have a manager who offered me 25 grand to fight somebody in Japan who's a legend. I flew to Japan, fought him, and I lost. Damn.

[Unknown Host]

You know, but you needed the money at the time, so.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And I really thought, I'll beat him. Okay. I, I listen, I have a mindset, I think I see I'm old. I still, I can be people who. Professional fighters. Maybe it's delusional, but this is my mindset. It's a winner mindset.

[Unknown Host]

All it takes is one good move, one good punch, one good counter, right.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You never know.

[Unknown Host]

You never know.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Go on me or on him. Right.

[Unknown Host]

What do you think of Sean Strickland? He's been pretty viral.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Man, is like, listen, you know, he said some stuff, you know, I kind of, you know, I agree with, and he said a lot of stuff, you know, I don't agree with. But, you know, I think Sean is. It's come a long way, you know, he's a good fighter, you know, and I, you know, he keep winning fights. You know, he keep winning fights. He can deny him. He's nice about fighter, but his personality is just a little bit different.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, he's an interesting one to me because he doesn't have good mind control. Right. His emotions, but he's able to really perform well.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Maybe he speak his mind, you know, but I think he's very smart. I think he's calculated. I think he's calculated and I think he. He never talked. But when he start talking, people start buying into it, Right. And he pissed people off, and he make other people happy. And long as you people listening, it's good.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. What qualities do you see in all the champions? You see anything similar?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Everybody's different, man. You got the Habib crew. We got the Omar, the Habib, the Osman, you know, and you got the Henry Sahuru, the Camaro, Osman. They're different. Everybody's so different, man. It's so diverse, you know, UFCA almost 30, 40 countries have guys from, you know.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And it's just. And it's grown. Let's keep growing. Ufc is almost 178 countries around.

[Unknown Host]

Damn right. That's incredible.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You know, and. And I just. The sport is growing every. The sport on being around for 30 years, you know, and it's already massive. Can you imagine in the next 20 years how big the sport will be?

[Unknown Host]

It's going to be huge. They're already doing a fight a week or something, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Every week. Every week.

[Unknown Host]

Every week is a fight that's crazy.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host]

How much of it is just natural talent versus work ethic in your experience.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Listen, talent is always good. But work work what you know, hard work could be talented. A lot of guys who's talented, they're lazy. A lot of guys who's not very talented, but they work hard, they will always be the beat the talented guys. But also have some talented guys who can train hard, you know, because. Because a lot of guys talented, they. They depend on their talent. Right, Right. But talent can carry so much that you want to, you know, but you have to put talent with hard work.

[Unknown Host]

You need both.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

You have to.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Jon Jones, right.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He's talented.

[Unknown Host]

He doesn't work hard.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No. It's like he's just a different guy, man. He. Jon Jones should have been like. Like Michael Jordan. He should have. He should have been such a massive star. But he demised himself taking pedestrian, getting car accidents, driving drunk, going to jail, you know. But who I am to judge. He's a human being, you know. He's still one of the greatest of all the time. I can't take this away from him. But he have some stuff in front of his name is always going to be there.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Well, back then it was more common.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Right.

[Unknown Host]

To take stuff like 20 years ago.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

No, no.

[Unknown Host]

Oh, it wasn't.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He was not coming.

[Unknown Host]

Oh really?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He got. He got busted. He got busted for it. Oh.

[Unknown Host]

I thought a lot of the fighters like early on in the UFC were taking John drunk.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Was. He was not fighting 20 years ago.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, maybe 10, 15.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Like he got busted two times. Yeah. But you know, I don't know what he took. Well, you know, I don't get into these things, but when it comes to like Barry Bond. Right. He was not in the hall of Fame for a long time because I don't think he's in hall of Fame.

[Unknown Host]

I think they took it away. Yeah, same with a rod too.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

And I think if you use any performance enhanced, you should not be in the hall of Fame. You should not be considered one of the greatest.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

My opinion for sure.

[Unknown Host]

Dang.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Because you cheated.

[Unknown Host]

What about Ryan Garcia?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Ryan Garcia? The things he took is a. Is Austrian Austrian is some supplement. I think is. Is a mistake.

[Unknown Host]

Okay.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I like Brian Garcia. I I think it's a little bit. Little bit out there. I you cannot. I. I think this is accident because I know this happened to a lot of guys.

[Unknown Host]

Really.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

It's Australian things isn't a lot of supplement and people think the supplement and make mistakes.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. They found out those two supplements actually had it in it. So that might clear and we'll see.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

He. He will get a little punishment, but not much.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Do you follow boxing at all?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, I do.

[Unknown Host]

A lot of your fighters want to transition into that eventually.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Not really. Honestly.

[Unknown Host]

Really? Because the money's really good in it, right?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, but in a way, like, you know, you can't bring an MMA fighter to box, and you can't take a boxer to mma. It's. It's very hard. That's completely different sport, you know?

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, well, Usman held his own for a bit.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Kamaru's man.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah, he's. He's one of the greatest ever. Yeah, he's the greatest hit, like, welterweight of all the time.

[Unknown Host]

Wow.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

That's what Dana said. That's what I believe.

[Unknown Host]

Damn.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I think he bypassed George St. Pierre bypass. All those guys love that, man.

[Unknown Host]

Well, what do you got working on next? And where can people find you?

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Man, I'm. You know, people can find me just Instagram. Ali Abdelaziz double double zero. Just, you know, I believe by the next year, I'm making some prediction. Magamat Uncle Life will become the UFC Light Heavyweight champion. I believe Kayla Harrison will be. She's the number one contender, but she'll be the next UFC heavyweight champion. I believe Omar Habib's brother will be the. Omali will be the UF UFC Phantom Weight champion. I have a lot. I have a lot of champions, and I believe Bilal Muhammad will beat Leon Edward in London and he'll become UFC lightweight champion this year.

[Unknown Host]

Wow. I love it, man. We'll see if it comes through. I can see it.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

Yeah. This is what I predict. Maybe I'm a little bit biased, but my prediction all the time.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, you got to start betting, putting some money behind these.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

I can't bet.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah, you probably can, you know, too much. Thanks for coming on, man.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

My pleasure.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah. Thanks for watching, guys, as always. See you next time.

[Ali Abdelaziz]

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