Arman Tsarukyan OPENS UP: UFC Title Snub, Dana White Beef & Fighting for Armenia | PBD #786

Summary

PBD Podcast #786: Arman Tsarukyan OPENS UP – UFC Title Snub, Dana White Beef & Fighting for Armenia
Date: April 28, 2026
Host: Patrick Bet-David (“PBD”)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan joins Patrick Bet-David for a deep dive into his journey from Russia to the UFC, content creation stardom, the business and drama of fighting, pride in his Armenian heritage, life outside the cage, and his quest for a UFC championship. The conversation balances fight insights, career backstory, family values, financial transparency, and Arman's unfiltered views on rivals, promoters, and his hopes to inspire the next generation of Armenian athletes.

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Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Content Creation & Social Media Stardom

• Arman discusses how his organic, lifestyle-driven posts—like a simple In-N-Out meal—sometimes perform better than fight content ([02:37]).
• He emphasizes authenticity, resisting gimmicky follower-buying tactics used by influencers:

  “Who wants to follow? Not like that. If they like my content, they're gonna follow me… My biggest goal: enjoy my life.” ([05:52])

• Content is self-produced, daily, with minimal planning for maximum authenticity ([03:29], [03:49]).
• Monetization is booming: previously $500K/year for a sponsor, now $3-4 million ([05:27]).

2. Early Life & Path to MMA

• Arman started as a wrestler age six, switched to professional hockey from age 10 to 17 ([08:00]), nearly pursued NHL but pivoted back to grappling after hating construction work with his father ([09:41]).
• Despite a late start in MMA, he quickly rose through Russian and international ranks, highlighting both his innate competitiveness and willingness to take risks ([12:06]).

  “Thank God I won my first one. The next guy had 10 pro fights—I just took him on. Knocked out in 20 seconds, so I went to Thailand for a year, came back, and beat him.” ([12:06], [13:19])

3. UFC Breakthrough & ‘Title Snub’

• Joined UFC on short notice, accepting a fight with Islam Makhachev—without concern for reputation or odds ([16:27]).

  “I don’t care who is Islam, who is Khabib... I want to be in UFC.” ([16:27])

• Reflects on learning not to underestimate any opponent after that fight ([23:42]).
• On being the “one fight nobody wants”:

  “You’re the guy that everybody wants to delay.” – PBD ([00:20]) “If they like my content, they follow. I don’t need to chase, I just fight the best.” ([05:52])

• Confirms he’s designated as main card backup for a title fight, but expresses frustration at politics and ‘delays’ in getting a shot ([38:07], [40:46]).

4. Relationship with Dana White & UFC Power Structure

• Clarifies he has no personal beef with Dana White—but suggests White is insulated from matchmaking and contract negotiations ([49:14]):

  “He’s on a different level right now. He doesn’t know what’s going on over there.” ([48:34])

• Acknowledges top fighters often clash with UFC brass over money and matchmaking ([50:43]), but says:

  “For me, they send me contract, I sign and give it back. I don’t even watch how much.” ([51:23]) “If they called you... for the title for zero, would you take it?” – PBD
  “100%.” – Arman ([51:46])

5. Armenian Identity, Pride & Community

• Talks about growing up as an Armenian in Russia, unique cultural traits, and fighting for community representation ([27:04], [88:30]):

  “I want to be the first Armenian UFC champion. That’s important for me, for the country.” ([88:30])

• Notes lack of outreach from Armenian officials, compared to supportive Armenian business community in Russia ([87:14], [88:09]).
• Promises if he wins the UFC title, he’ll bring it to Armenia:

  “When I get the belt, I fly it out here, put it on this table, and we talk again, 100%.” ([00:48], [119:05])

• Sees himself as an Armenian at his core, despite Russian upbringing ([76:43]).

6. Training, Fight Prep & Wrestling

• Trains with top names (notably Khamzat Chimaev), discusses the importance of training smarter and not overtraining as careers advance ([32:06]).
• Contrasts top fighters: Khamzat does not study opponents, Arman prefers to analyze tape but is adapting a more relaxed approach ([34:41], [35:07]).
• Insights into the business of exhibition wrestling and MMA as entertainment, including viral moments and the necessity of “drama” to build the sport ([53:13]):

  “This sport is getting big because of drama, not just fighting. Like Conor, Khabib, Diaz…” ([22:22], [53:13])

7. Financial Transparency & Lifestyle

• Open about sponsorships, income, and expenses. Current lifestyle runs ~$6 million annually, supported by UFC, sponsors, and business in Russia ([74:54]).
• Talks real estate in Russia as an attractive investment (“double your money in one year”), due to family expertise and insider connections ([96:20]).
• Compares Russian and American opportunities, noting America’s accessibility for the average immigrant but Russia’s wealth for the highly-connected ([99:27]).

8. Russia vs. America: Lifestyle & Safety

• Describes Russia as being cleaner, safer, modernized:

  “Here [in US], every celebrity has a bodyguard. In Russia, nobody comes near you—they’re scared of the law.” ([77:00], [77:14])

• Talks about government support for athletes in Russia—continuous stipend and support for Olympic medalists, unlike US approach ([81:10]).

9. Notable Rivals & Fight Politics

• Extensive discussion around Ilya Topuria—potential mega-fight, respect for skills, and trash talk’s place in building hype ([42:35], [45:31])

  “He says he’d knock me out... But on camera they say anything. When time comes, they all make excuses.” ([45:31], [44:25])

• On being ducked by other contenders and strategic matchmaking, particularly when at #1 ranking ([47:17])
• Explains the fighter’s perspective on trash talk vs. composure inside the cage:

  “In the cage, you’re calm. If you’re not, you gas out. So you control yourself… Out of cage, it’s harder to control.” ([29:56])

10. Personal & Family Life

• Family’s work ethic and values shape his drive; parents are central figures ([19:55]–[21:39]).
• Two daughters—possible future fighters—but insists he won’t push his kids into MMA ([70:33]).
• Humorously aspires to 11 kids (“That’s the goal” [71:23]); faith and Armenian traditions are important.
• Details on close platonic friendship with content collaborator Nina, clarifying public speculation ([68:58]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You’re the one fight nobody wants.” – PBD ([00:17])
• “I want to be the first Armenian UFC champion.” – Arman ([88:30])
• “For me, they send me contract, I sign and give it back. I don’t even watch how much.” – Arman ([51:23])
• “If you called me right now for the title for zero, would you take it?... 100%.” – Arman ([51:38])
• “This sport is getting big because of drama, not because of fighting. Like Conor Khabib Diaz.” – Arman ([22:22], [53:13])
• “If I win the belt, I fly out here, put the belt on this table, and we talk again, 100%.” – Arman ([00:48], [119:05])
• “I like fancy things. My brother is like my dad, doesn't care, but me... I do for myself.” ([19:10])
• “I want to bring the belt. I want to represent Armenian... Russia has already a lot of champions.” ([89:17])
• “I know my skills. I can beat them. It’s not going to be a big problem for me.” ([91:32])

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Important Timestamps

• Content creation & going viral: [01:54]–[04:35]
• Sponsorship income: [05:15]
• MMA journey & career choices: [07:02]–[13:19]
• Entry into UFC & Islam Makhachev fight: [16:27]
• Lessons learned & underestimating opponents: [23:42]
• Fighter life, family values: [19:55]–[21:39]
• Being a backup for title): [38:07]
• Fight politics, title snub: [40:46], [44:25]
• Dealing with UFC management & money: [47:04]–[51:19]
• Relationship with Dana White: [48:34]
• Armenian pride & community support: [88:30]–[91:32]
• Russia vs. America—lifestyle & investment: [74:54], [76:00], [96:20]
• Trash talk in MMA & building hype: [22:22], [53:13]
• Family, marriage, and faith: [70:33], [71:26]

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Memorable Moments & Humor

• Offers to buy Topuria’s house in Spain as a trolling challenge ([54:02])
• On potential White House fight: “If something happens to Justin or Topuria, you’re in?” “Yeah.” ([38:33])
• Playful banter about luxury watches as fight bonuses ([25:47])
• Hilarious recounting of losing $40K bet with Ryan Garcia ([107:25])
• On Russia real estate: “You buy something, you get your money back in 8 years... Here, it’s 20.” ([97:04])
• Describes how random fans approach him in the US, but not Russia, due to cultural differences ([77:14], [103:33])

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Suggested Fights (If He Could Be Matchmaker)

1. Jon Jones vs. Pereira ([57:11])
2. Arman vs. Gaethje or Ilya Topuria
3. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland

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Conclusion

Arman Tsarukyan emerges as a multidimensional star: driven by family roots, national pride, and personal ambition—equally comfortable dissecting high-level fight strategy, discussing financials, or trolling opponents with viral flair. His relentless authenticity, content acumen, and willingness to challenge the UFC system while remaining respectful underscore why he's both a fan favorite and a feared opponent. The episode is rich in fight insight, business wisdom, and cultural perspective—vital for fans who want to understand the fighter beyond the octagon.

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To hear the story from Arman himself, watch for these standout segments:

• [01:54]–[05:52] — Content creation & social media
• [07:14]–[15:48] — Arman’s upbringing, switch from hockey to MMA
• [16:27]–[23:26] — UFC debut/Islam fight
• [38:07]–[40:46], [42:35]–[45:31] — Title snub, Topuria rivalry
• [74:54]–[76:00] — Financials, business, life between Russia & America
• [88:30]–[91:32] — Armenian identity & bringing the belt home

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*Summary by GPT-4, maintaining the original tone and spirit of the conversation.

Transcript

[A]

The world knows you as a fighter. Like, you're an incredible fighter, entertaining fighter, feisty fighter, wrestling, all of it, but content creation. I don't know if anybody's creating better content than you today.

[B]

You gotta take it and do it by yourself. If you fail, stand up and go try it again.

[A]

You're the one fight nobody wants.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You're the guy that everybody wants to delay.

[B]

This sport is getting big because of drama, not because of fighting. Like Conor Khabib Diaz.

[A]

What's the next big one for you, buddy? Don't say that. Are you serious?

[B]

They send me contract, I sign and give it back.

[A]

Take the fight against Ilya for zero. You take it, don't pay me nothing.

[B]

It's okay. I'll fight for usa.

[A]

Fight for us. And I look forward to the day we celebrate as the first Armenian UFC champion.

[B]

Yeah. So when I get the belt, I flew out here and put the belt on this table, and we talk again, 100%.

[A]

How are you?

[B]

Great, thank you. How are you?

[A]

Very. Do we want to do this

[B]

angler in English? If I don't understand, I'm gonna talk to you. So it's. It's my first time when someone knows Armenian and English, so.

[A]

So me, I'm gonna be both the translator and the interview.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which is gonna be good.

[B]

Yeah. I always have my friend, he's sitting and listening to the old podcast. If I don't understand question, I always, always ask him, him. And now I said, bro, today you

[A]

can leave because you don't need the translation.

[B]

Yeah. If I don't understand something, I'll. I'll let you know.

[A]

I got to tell you that I messaged you. What was it, two months ago? Three months ago, I said, brother, what are you doing with all this content? Of course the world knows you as a fighter. Like, you're an incredible fighter. Entertaining fighter, feisty fighter, wrestling, all of it, but content creation. I don't know if anybody's creating better content than you today. How did that happen?

[B]

It's. It's come natural. You know, I have a good lifestyle. I can afford fly, private jet, yachts, and I. I love that lifestyle, and people love it, too. So the nice cars when I posted like a food. And so I post maybe 3 years ago when I was eating in and out, and it went viral, I had maybe like 300 or 400,000 followers, and it was like, six, seven millions. And I said, okay, maybe people like, because I fought versus Daniel Isma Goulov, I beat him. I got. I gained like, a 40,000. 40,000 likes for the, for the winning

[A]

right after the fight.

[B]

Yeah, but when I post the in and out, I got 250,000 likes. I said why I beat this guy? Like and I didn't go viral and I just post the burgers and I went viral. So And I decided like to do something more with my social media. But like last half, last six months, we just crush it and like non stop working and you know, I don't push myself. It's like come natural and it's easy for me. So people think I, I have a, like a big team. Like we just create something crazy every day. Thinking about like a reels. What are we gonna post this? That it's like every, every post. Almost every rules. It's. It's like almost my. My, my lifestyle. You know, we don't. We just create by all organic, just

[A]

kind of like, yeah, why don't we do.

[B]

Yeah. We don't think even like Arsenal Hall. He came to me and said, bro, what are we gonna do? I said we're gonna train, do something. And they just, we just create from there because if we're gonna think and seed, it's not gonna be natural. So come we wrestle, we box, we run, we eat, and then we, we feel film something.

[A]

You know, it's one of the ones I like. Rob, can you go back? It was, I think it was a skiing one or, or a snowboarding one. Keep going the other way, Rob. Keep going. Lower, lower. You did a snowboarding clip?

[B]

Yeah, go.

[A]

It's got to come up. Keep going, keep going, keep going. It was, it was hilarious the way you post. I don't know which one it is. If it's still going. Oh, go down, go down a little bit more. Rob. Yeah, here, right there. Click on that one. Look at this. This is the one that I commented. You look at this.

[B]

Yeah. Thank you. The. The last part when I.

[A]

That's the best part.

[B]

Oh,

[A]

This is the thing getting the eyeballs and the attention. One and a half million likes. Rob, click on the views. Click on. Just click on the 1.5 million. If you click on a 1.5 to the right, it'll tell you. Look at this. It doesn't tell you. I don't know how many views it is. It's in the 10 millions.

[B]

More than 20 something. Yeah, millions.

[A]

So, so by the way, is it at a point for you right now where. Because are you starting to make money doing content or not yet? Are you doing. Are you getting millions of dollar sponsorship money or not yet.

[B]

Oh, right now?

[A]

Yes, you are now.

[B]

Yeah. Because last year I signed all my contracts, but in one month they're gonna be done. And already, like, Instead of like 500,000, I'm gonna make 3 million.

[A]

3 million a month in sponsorship?

[B]

No, no. Like on one of the. Yeah, I got like, for example, if I made like 500,000 a year from one brand, now I'm like making 3 million, 4 million.

[A]

Yeah. So. So, yeah, because if you think about, like, the way Jake Paul did it or Logan did, or some of these guys did it, you're on track to being one of these guys that's going to get, you know, 20, 30, 40, 50 million, 100 million followers. Like, literally, you, yourself, with the way you're creating content.

[B]

Yeah. But to gain followers is not easy. You just gotta, like, for example, give a car for the followers and like, okay, follow me. I'm gonna give you a car and you're gonna gain like 5 million followers. It's. It's easy. But I don't want to do that because I'm just. Who wants to follow? Not like that. I'm gonna give them something. If they like my content, they. They gonna follow me. So. And before, I was not thinking about, oh, I gotta make money from the social media is that I was just having fun, you know, and it's not my biggest goal right now to make money, so my biggest goal, enjoy my life. I enjoy my life. I fight, I wrestle, I travel around the world. Yeah, the worst thing, I don't spend too much time with my family. Mom, I got kids. But, you know, I'm 29 right now. I'm telling them when I'm gonna be 36, 37, I'm not gonna, like, train anymore, and I'm gonna be with you all day, so you're gonna get tired from me. So enjoy your life for now.

[A]

Until six years from now. So now your story. I've heard it from a lot of different people. You know, story of, you used to be a hockey player, and then all of a sudden you got into fighting. So maybe tell me a little bit about your upbringing.

[B]

Yeah, I was born in Georgia. We moved to Russia for the good life, you know, and then I went to karate. I didn't like. I like karate, but it was too far. And then I started wrestling because it's close to my home. I was starting wrestling and I could wrestle so good when I was kid. But like, my coach always tell me, you got to cut weight because you got to be lighter. And I was. I Was hitting this sport because of cut weight. But nowadays if someone asked me as a kid, kid shouldn't cut away because it's the worst thing ever for the kid. And I couldn't, I could not eat like three, four days as like eight years kid can imagine.

[A]

Like what's eight years old?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So you started training very early?

[B]

Yeah, I started six. I started training six and from six to nine or ten I was like beating everybody on the wrestling. And when I was 10, I was playing for myself. Like from six or seven years I, I wrestle like professional already. But like I used. I. I play hockey in my backyard with my friends because all my classmates were hockey player. I. I'm from Habarovsk. It's like a cold place place in Russia. It's like north, north, like the coldest place in Russia. And everybody.

[A]

Not an Armenian community?

[B]

No, no, no, no. Not a lot of Armenian, only Russian people. So they, they play all day hockey in the winter time. And my friends was the. Their hockey players. So I was playing with them. And then when I was 9 or 10, one of the coach see how I'm playing on the backyard hockey. And they said, you got something special like do you want to come and play like with professional. I said, how? Like they start when they were five, six. You got to start earlier when you're in hockey. And I started 10 and, and even I couldn't pick it up until 17. So I was playing professional from 10 to 17. Hockey.

[A]

You were playing professional hockey from 10 to 7?

[B]

Yeah, I wanted to go NHL. So my dad even was saying like whatever you want, I send you Canada, usa. Just if you want to play in NHL, so you gotta go there. I said the I like to be here, so. But I was kid, I didn't know what I should do. So if I was smart, I should tell to my dad to send me to US or to Canada to play here.

[A]

Were you that good that you think you could have made it in the NHL?

[B]

I was good. I was good and my goal was the hockey. And then when I was 17, I understood like I cannot be a good hockey player. And. And they said, okay, it's done. I'm going to work with my dad. And I was working three months with my dad and said, no, this is not my thing. I like to be in the sport because it's easier for me. You wake up, you know your time, you trains one or two times a day, you chill all day, you're like clean, you know, eat clean food. But when you're in construction business, you wake up at six, you don't have a schedule. You just drive everywhere, like, talk to people, like, help your dad. You know, they don't care about their body. They just work all day and like, it's a. It's not the best job. And I said, no, I want to go back to sport. And I said, my dad, can I go to grappling school? And he said, yeah, dude. And I went to grappling and I, I could do so good because I trained when I was from 6 to 9, wrestling and like, I could pick it up so fast. And grappling was just starting in Russia.

[A]

So from 9 to 17, you didn't do any grappling or wrestling?

[B]

Nothing. Nothing.

[A]

So only six to nine wrestled, then nine to 17, hockey, and then you come back to grappling in 18.

[B]

So in one, I was a Russian champion. So, yeah, it was like, everybody was surprised how I made it and, like, and grappling for me was boring. And I see like someone is fighting and I said, okay. I got, I asked my dad, can I do one fight in mma? He said, you're stupid. They're going to break your head. Why you need that? I said, just one fight. I like when people go to the cage, you know, with music. And I watched once when I was like 17, and they say, I want to do this once in my life.

[A]

Would you watch? What fight did you watch at 7?

[B]

It's a Dagestani guy. He was walking. He was walking to his. To the cage with the good music, you know, I said it make me so excited. And I said, I want to do this in my life.

[A]

Just because. The walkout.

[B]

Yeah, walk out. Yeah. I don't know why the walkout and people like, crowd watch you and I don't know, like, I like it so much. And I said, my dad, can I do once? And he said, just once. And my mom was crying all day, don't do that because someone gonna break your head. So you're gonna be stupid.

[A]

Earlier life now, have you been a fighter? Like, were you a fighter or mainly wrestling? Would you get into a lot of fistfights or.

[B]

No, no, no, no. I didn't have experience. I was like a grappler. And then I want to transition to MMA just so. And thank God I won my first one. And then they offered me right away. The second one was the guy who has 11 or 10 fights professional. And I didn't have a coach who said, no, don't do that. I had like, I. I have a Like a strong heart, you know, I don't care who I. I'm gonna fight. I said, if he wants to fight me, I'll go, because I'm. I was young, no experience. Nobody tell me, you shouldn't do that. You gotta box first, get experience, and then you. You can go to fight like this. I said, okay, I don't care. Like, I just go and take and wrestle him. And I went there in 15 or 20 seconds. He knocked me out. My dad said, what are you doing? Like I told you, don't go there. It's not your thing. And I was so mad, and I said, okay, give me one year and can you send me to Thailand? So I flew to Thailand. I stayed there one year, and I came back, beat him. This guy that. He knocked me out.

[A]

What'd you do in Thailand for one year?

[B]

I was training. I was coming back for competition to Russia and then back to. To Thailand.

[A]

How intense was the training in Thailand?

[B]

Was hard. Was hard. So hard. And I didn't know how to train. I was training all day. I felt like a professional fighter. They go to the gym in the morning and then come in the evening back. So I was in the gym all day. I didn't know, like, I gotta go there, do one training and then evening, and then rest and then evening out. I went there from 9 to 11 it was Jiu Jitsu, from 12 to 2 it was MMA. And then from 5 to 6 it was sparring, and I was doing like, all. All that trainings every day. Every day? Yeah. And only Sunday, day off.

[A]

Who told you about that place?

[B]

I was watching on the YouTube, I didn't know even where. Where that place. I just know it was in the island, Phuket, and I landed there. I was asking everybody, where's tiger? Mai Thai? And they. Nobody knew that. And then. And then one of the. The taxi driver, he. He drove me there. It was like 30 minutes from the airport.

[A]

Or did you go by yourself or did you go with a.

[B]

No, alone. Alone. I was there alone. Alone.

[A]

By yourself. You're saying you're going to Thailand based on a video you saw on YouTube?

[B]

Yeah. Nobody. Nobody. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

So you're training there and then you're. You're now at the same time, are you coming back and forth to Russia or no?

[B]

Yeah, I was going back. Back to Russia, beat somebody and then come back. And then in one year exactly same day, I beat the guy who knocked me out. I choked him out. And then my dad said, okay, you. You beat him. That's it. But I was, I was winning for one year Firefights. I was Russian champion, MMA master of sport of mma. And like, I, I asked the one guy, I want to retire because my dad doesn't. I was 19. And he said, you shouldn't do that. You have like a good potential. Like you can be in UFC and don't do that. I said, what is ufc? What are you talking about? I'm just fighting. Yeah. And then I flew to Korea. I beat the guy in Korea. And then one of my managers said, like, keep doing because you're 7 and 1, you can be like a good MMA fighter and you can, you can be in ufc. So. And then I was. And then I once started beating everybody and I was like 30 win streaked, 13 win streak. Then they sent me to in UFC for two weeks before.

[A]

So at what point did Dana know who you were? Do you have an idea? When the UFC found out who this kid is, Armand, that's beating everybody up.

[B]

Yeah, because the, they signed me before. It was the second, second event in Russia. Ufc. UFC in Russia. And they, they were looking for someone from there. So. And they, they got me there and they, it was short notice before two weeks. They, they told me before fight. But still, you know, I said, I gotta take this chance because you never know what's, what's gonna be tomorrow. Maybe they never going to call me again.

[A]

And is this an Islam fight?

[B]

Yeah, it's Islam fight. I, I went there and like my manager, it's Islam. I said, I don't care who is Islam and who is the Habib. I don't care. Like, I need the. I want to be in ufc. I knew they give you, they give you contract not for one fight. They give you contract for four fights. So if you go there, perform very well. And I knew I could beat him. I don't know why in my mind I was so confident. Yeah.

[A]

Is that you or someone's telling you this?

[B]

Like. No, just me.

[A]

You? Yeah, the confidence is you?

[B]

Yeah, just me.

[A]

Where did you, where did the confidence come from?

[B]

I think from my blood. I don't know. Because the, where I born hard lifestyle, you know, the, My, my parents, they, they came from nothing. Probably from that, that you gotta take risk and, and do what you gotta do.

[A]

You know, Your dad seems like an interesting guy. Is he very tough? Is he like.

[B]

If he's a tough guy, he's tough. He can work 24, 7 and never complain. And when I was growing up, I was watching what he's doing, you know, and like he, he. He never buys for himself, nothing. He just think about us for, for our future. And for example, if you ask him like, I want to buy this car or this. Yeah. He's saying buy it. But for him, he never gonna buy for him like a car or.

[A]

Simple guy.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, when he was like 40 something, I said like that, why you. You don't want to buy a car? He said, my time is left. When I wanted to, to have a cars when I was 25, 23, 24, that moment I didn't have money. But now I don't, I don't need that. But I want you to enjoy it. Because I didn't enjoy that time.

[A]

How many siblings I got?

[B]

The older brother and younger sister.

[A]

So that's your older brother?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

To your right. What does he do? Does he work with dad or.

[B]

He works with dad?

[A]

He works with that. So rumor has it your dad's very wealthy.

[B]

No, not very wealthy. He's okay. We good lifestyle. We travel around the world, we drive any cars we want. But we don't have like, I don't know, billions.

[A]

You're not billionaires?

[B]

No.

[A]

So broke. Like a half a billion. Like a few hundred million.

[B]

About. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So funny. Now, did you always have a. Like I have a. I have four kids, but out of my two boys, one of them, Arman, he is such a simple life. We can go anywhere. He will wear flip flops. Just relax, you know, he's happy. My younger son, Dylan, 12, he has a very expensive taste. He always wants the best of everything. Were you always like that? Did you always want the best of everything?

[B]

Yes. Me, yes. But my older brother, same like my dad. So he never, he never go and like spend so much money or something. He doesn't care what he's wearing. He never goes to the like Rolex store and buy for him watches. That. Watches he's wearing is mine. I give to. To him and he's same as my dad. But me, I'm opposite. My sister is opposite to my sister. She likes like flashy things. I like fleshy things. But my dad and my brother, they don't care like what watch they have, what clothes they wear. They just. They don't care. But yeah, but they're not. It's kind of for me, it's. I'm not, I'm not doing for anybody. I do for myself. I like watch, I like clothes I wear. You enjoy, not like show up, you know?

[A]

Yeah. What did you learn from mom? What did you learn from dad?

[B]

From that I learned you got, you get from that like you, you gotta work to get something. Not, not, not, not, not someone gonna give you something. No, don't wait like to anybody to gift you or like to tell you, you gotta do this. You gotta take it and do it by yourself, like how you think is good. If you fail, stand up and go try it again. So that's why I don't, I don't have too much patience. If I want to do this, I'll do it like my dad said, you know.

[A]

How about mom?

[B]

My mom, my mom athletic, she's. She, she, she likes working out, she likes to take care of her body. Like I take from my, from my dad, like a hard work. From my mom athletic thing. So she doesn't eat like from when I was young, I never eat like sausages, never drink juices. Juice, never drink. In our house it's like water or like a homemade juice. You know, we don't. So my mom, she always like take care of us so good and like she works out every day and from her I took that.

[A]

Really? Was she an athlete before or.

[B]

No, she just like it. So when we go to vacation, so my dad, my, my dad is sleeping, my sister is sleeping. But me, my mother, my mom, we go out running or like walking and she likes to, to work out.

[A]

Very cool. So, so the work ethic from dad, the athletic side from mom. That's amazing. And then you like to find her things like your, like your younger sister. Do two of you guys together?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. But she's lazy, so she doesn't like to work out. Yeah.

[A]

Just watching it, right?

[B]

Yeah. So what can I say? She's lazy. She doesn't like workout. She likes like the older brother gonna give her everything and like she doesn't like even study. So we cannot like.

[A]

Are you okay with that?

[B]

We tried to push, didn't work. What we can do. So now we're looking for what she likes to do. So we're trying to open for her like salon. Beauty salon. And she likes beauty things. So it's great. Yeah. So we. You cannot like push. For example, if I'm gonna have a boy, I want him to be a fighter. Right. I'm gonna see if he doesn't like that. I'm not gonna push him. He's never gonna be like, he's not never going to be a fighter.

[A]

Yeah. If he doesn't want to, you can't force him to do it. I try to force my oldest son to play baseball and he just Hated it. He's like, nah, I'm not interested. You're interested.

[B]

I'm gonna.

[A]

I'm gonna fight. He's a fighter. He does Muay Thai. He couldn't stand doing Jiu Jitsu. I put him in jiu Jitsu. And my dad, his grandpa's videotaping him because he's in a class down the street here. And one of the girls in the closet was one girl. And this girl, this one time, is teaming up with him, and she's on top of him and he's just laying like this. He says, look, I want to learn how to fight so people don't come close to me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't want people come close to me. So he likes Muay Thai more. But going back to it, when you were talking about the fight with Islam that you had, you went the distance, if I'm not mistaken. Right? Is the.

[B]

Yeah. It was the three rounds or three

[A]

rounds, you guys went the distance.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What did you learn from that fight afterwards? Cause you only had two weeks. And this is the guy everybody's fearing. You face him. What clues did he leave with you

[B]

from that fight? I learned you shouldn't be so confident. You always gotta think twice. Don't underestimate your fighter. Even last week, I was like, last Saturday I was wrestling. Was the old legend. He's old, but still, like, I was doing warm up like I supposed to do. I was preparing the same. I was cutting same weight because every. Everything can happen in the. In the fight. So after that fight. Yeah. You. You never gotta underestimate your fighter.

[A]

Yeah. And with the. If you're talking about favor in the fight with Faber, this one clip went viral. Was the fight in Philadelphia. I don't know why I think it was in Philadelphia. It was in Philadelphia, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. And there's a clip of you, Rob. I don't know if you have it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Where? You know, is this it make this a little bit bigger, Rob. So what happened to you? Were you. Was this intentional? Was it accidental?

[B]

Accidental?

[A]

That's insane saying not intentional at all.

[B]

No, I mean, you got to do a show, right? If, like, it was like a simple wrestling, nobody going to talk about that. You got to do something unusual.

[A]

Did that hurt anything like when you fell? Adrenaline. Nothing. No injuries?

[B]

No, no, no. We know how to fell.

[A]

And him as well, he's okay as well?

[B]

Yeah, he's good. I'm going to send him a gift.

[A]

You're going to send him a gift?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What's the gift?

[B]

We'll see. How much Raf pay me.

[A]

Does this actually pay well? Is it a good paying fight? The wrestling?

[B]

Yeah, wrestling. I get paid good.

[A]

Like what's good?

[B]

I mean, they don't want to tell me how much they pay me because the other fight, other wrestlers gonna. Wants the same money. I got it. They tried.

[A]

I got better.

[B]

Like, you can buy a good Patek Philippe.

[A]

You can buy a good Patek Philippe that can raise.

[B]

Not. Not like yours.

[A]

You can, but you have a nice.

[B]

Like. Like this one. Yeah, you can buy, but like this one, you gotta do like a six. Seven.

[A]

Six, seven. Get this one. He knows watches. So from your experience with ufc, because UFC publicizes the biggest payday, right. What's the most money you made with ufc and of course ufc?

[B]

More than a half a million.

[A]

More than a half a million in a fight. Okay. And the last person you fought?

[B]

Dan Hooker.

[A]

Dan Hooker, which was about a year ago. Right. He's the one that you had butted

[B]

in the, in the pre before Waynes. Because I hate this guy. And, and then he tried to flinch me and then I said, sometimes I cannot control myself. If. So if, if the guy is good, cool, I'm cool too. But if someone wants to like flinch you and like make you scared, like, I'm not going to step back.

[A]

Straightforward to him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay, so this guy, you didn't like him from the beginning?

[B]

No, I didn't like. Because we were talking trash about. He was talking bad about me, this, that, and like. And then now I like him because I beat him.

[A]

Yeah, it's always like that. Once you beat him, you're friends with them.

[B]

Right.

[A]

It's different when you're fighting.

[B]

Yeah. So. But he has a like a bad mouth.

[A]

Armand. What. What do you think normal people don't know about Armenians? That there's certain rules with Armenians. You can't curse. You know what I'm saying? Like, there's certain, certain things with Armenians that if you say for whatever reason, we tend to get more angry than other communities. Why do you think that is?

[B]

Because of the place where we grew up. And second one is genetic testosterone that we have. It's from there coming.

[A]

You think that's what it is?

[B]

Yeah, for sure.

[A]

Yeah. Because in Armenia.

[B]

Because if you go to Armenia, I mean the. All the places, Armenia, Georgia, Dagestan, Chechnya. It's like kind of same culture everybody has. If you go there in the village, the, the kids is fighting to each other and they grow up like this. And then when they go to the city they have that mentality like. Like, you know, and that's why the best fighters, they coming from, from there. If they gonna sign a lot of Dagestani, Chechen, Georgian, Armenian fighter, they're gonna take over all ufc.

[A]

No, but what I'm asking is, I'm asking more about from the side of, you know, like in, in Americans, they'll say, hey, mother.

[B]

You know, they just talk and like, they just talk. Yeah, but they have.

[A]

But if you do that to. Even when Conor was doing it to Khabib, Khabib's like listening to everything he's saying, says, you don't talk about my father, my religion, nothing like that. Armenians have a side of that as well, where you can't speak a certain way. So how do you. You're in the game of promoting, guys are going to talk trash. How do you process that? Do you. Do you mentally set it aside and say, I can't take this thing personally. How do you deal with it?

[B]

No, I can deal it so easy. But sometimes for the show, you gotta do something. You gotta. If you think like, for example, Habib, he had already name, big name and he, he shouldn't do anything. If he's. Just listen him, it's okay. But for example, right now I. I gotta do something like crazy things that, that gonna bring a lot of eyes. And then I, when I. When I like fight or something, they already know who am I, you know, and that's why sometimes people think I'm too crazy. But it's like, I don't know. I. Sometimes I say, okay, I'm not gonna do anything, but like, I cannot control myself so much. So I need someone to. Who is gonna stop me.

[A]

Does it help to. When the opponent is somebody you really want to destroy or does it work against you? You know what I'm saying? Like, does it help if you hate the guy you're facing against? Or. It doesn't matter.

[B]

It doesn't matter. When you're in the cage, you calm, you don't care. But so in the cage, it's completely different game. It's just, it's a. It's no talking, nothing. It's just like a fight. And if, for example, I hate the Ben hooker, I used to hate him. And when I was in the cage, I was so calm, like, I was controlling myself because it's a fight you cannot do. If you're gonna be not calm, you're gonna lose, you're gonna gas out. So that's why you gotta control yourself and like be calm. So it's important.

[A]

Who did you fight that would talk to you? Are there fighters that would talk to you in the middle of the fight that we try to get to you or no?

[B]

Yeah, sometimes. But I don't care what they say. So in the cage it's easy. You know, you can beat them out of cage. Yeah, the. It's. It's hard to control yourself because you cannot beat him right away. That's why he can talk a lot, but in the cage he can talk whatever he wants. You can just smash him.

[A]

Yeah. I remember when Khabib would fight, he was talking. He would talk a lot and he would talk to Conor as well. In the fight, you know, there would be a certain level of conversation with him. But that's not your style. You're not the one. You're just focused on the fight versus your opponent.

[B]

Yeah, mostly. Yeah. But never know.

[A]

So you never know.

[B]

You never know. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

You could surprise somebody.

[B]

Yeah, for sure.

[A]

Have you ever grappled or wrestled or done anything with Khabib or.

[B]

No, no. His teammate there's. Yes, a lot.

[A]

His teammates, yes. But not him directly.

[B]

Not yet. I came a little bit late later, so he's already retired and coaching his cousins. But in the future, for sure, I'm gonna fight his cousins or somebody because they. He has a good team.

[A]

Do you guys ever communicate? Have you guys ever.

[B]

We cool, we cool. I'm cool with Habib Islam, with everybody,

[A]

with his whole camp.

[B]

Yeah, because we live in the same, same region and we have same culture and we don't like pass the lane, you know, you gotta respect.

[A]

And right now you're training with Hamza Khamzat. Yeah. How's the training with him so hard?

[B]

Hamza, the guy, he. I thought like I trained a lot, so I have the same problem, like Hamza, if nobody gonna control me what I'm doing, I'm gonna over train, over train always. And when you overtrain, you cannot perform. So that's why you need a good coach. Hamza, same. He. He works so hard and you gotta stop him. So that's why he like three, four, five fights ago, he couldn't make weight. He pulled out, got injured because he always overtrained. But now he has a good team and everybody control him. No, not over trained.

[A]

So it's important, so it's interesting. So over training works against you when it comes onto the fight?

[B]

Yeah. When you're young, you can over train because your body can like take it. But right now, when you're 30, 31, 32, you cannot do the same when you are 18. So that's why now you got to take care of your body and train smart. Especially we cut a lot of weight, too. So he cuts maybe like 15 kilograms, like about 30 pounds.

[A]

Wow. In what time? What time frame?

[B]

Like one month.

[A]

In one month. That's insane to go through that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And what do you notice when you've trained with a lot of different people, I'm assuming, over the years?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What are some of the big names you've trained against, not fought, but trained with?

[B]

Yeah, but Khamzat, I think the biggest name.

[A]

Biggest name, yeah.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Now, how does that help you training against somebody his size?

[B]

I mean, when I watch his training, what he's doing in the sparring. So I was trying to take something from him, you know, because he has a good, good wrestling. Good, good striking. It's always good to have a teammate like him. And he's. His mindset. He has a different mindset. Like, not everybody. He never watch his opponent fights. You don't care what he's gonna do. For example, me, I see and watch like, okay, hooker, he does the, like kick from the left, right? He does this, that, like, I'm going to do this, he's going to kick me, this. Okay, let's train. He's like, do a lot of straight kicks, and I do defense during the training. But this guy, he doesn't know, like, what even like a Strickland does or like his opponent. He never watched them. And he doesn't care what he's going to do. He cares what he's going to do to him. So he has his own game plan just on what he's going to do.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

So that's why he's different. That's why he's a champion different.

[A]

So he. He doesn't study his opponents at all.

[B]

At all. Yeah. So me, I'm opposite. I'm like looking what he's doing. This, that switch stand, when he throw like one, two, he's going this way or that way. He is different. Yeah. That I'm taking from the.

[A]

From.

[B]

From him. Nowadays, I don't think about my opponent so much. I watch once and that's it. So I let my coaches think about that.

[A]

Yeah, that's. That's pretty. That's pretty wild to be thinking about because typically in every sport, just like, study your opponent. We watch tape, we watch this, we watch that.

[B]

I think I. I watch more his opponent than him, for sure. I watch like, what Strickland does. That he's fighting next month.

[A]

But why did he bring you in? Because if he's fighting Strickland, why. Why train with you? Of course, you're one of the best in the world and in your weight class you're feared by everybody. But why bring you in?

[B]

We are good friends and he has a fight in us and he asked me, like, where I should train. So he came here one year ago and he liked it to train with me, with my coaches, the place where I train. And he feels free here because he's superstar in Russia, in oe uae, here in Newport. Nobody, like, bother him so he can focus on. On his thing. And he likes the energy. He likes to. To be.

[A]

How fun is he? How fun is he without, you know, with the camera off, with nobody being there? Is he as fun as he seems like he is, or is he very serious?

[B]

So this. You can see him once. He. He can be the funniest guy ever, but you can see him in one hour. He's gonna be the scariest guy ever. So he, he can change his mind about his mood so fast. And I asked my guys, like, my friends, they said, they tell me you're same so you can be funny in the morning and then in the evening you come and like, like, why you doing this? Like, and like, you're so, like, have a. You have bad, bad mood. So maybe because of. We are fighter fighters or I don't know, like, he's same. One day you cannot even talk to him because he say, hi, how are you? Good. That's it. So he doesn't talk one day. He never stop. He can talk like three, four hours.

[A]

It's funny that that's a. That's a very common pattern with a lot of creative minds who wouldn't stop and were not happy with, you know, their level of contentment was so low, they wanted to win at the highest level and they couldn't stop. Yeah, athletes, typically, the best ones, have a bit of that mindset. You know, Brady, if you're around Brady, there's moments that he's got a fun side, but, you know, he can all of a sudden be a psycho. It's like, hey, why are you guys sitting around so happy? We're losing. Let's get our act together. It's a very, very common pattern with highest level winner. So for you, what is, what is next for you? Because there's a lot. There's a lot of people that want to see you. You're not on the White House card. I thought you were Going to be on the White House card. I thought the big fight would have been, you know, a lot of names with you being included in it. What's the next big one for you?

[B]

I'm a backup for the White House. So main event in my weight.

[A]

You are?

[B]

Yeah. So if something happened on the main event. If someone pull out or is this public information? It's not public, but ufc, tell me if, if someone like.

[A]

Oh, buddy, don't say that. Are you serious?

[B]

Yeah, if someone pull out but they gotta get injured.

[A]

Well, I mean, there's a big one if a guy pulls out like you.

[B]

Yeah. So that's why I'm, I'm flying out tomorrow to back to Kali and the training.

[A]

Wait, if, if accidentally Gagey or Toporia pulls out, you're in?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh my God.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. That's the goal. So we never know. It's a dangerous sport. But these guys, they train so they don't train hard.

[A]

So low chance, lower chance of them.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So meaning the chance of them getting injured is not high. They're probably.

[B]

Yeah, it's not high because they're both. The Tapura is just hitting pads. He doesn't do anything else. Gage, he's super old. He just maybe like playing. He doesn't want to like have a strong, strong sparrings because it's, it's not, it's not good for him right now.

[A]

Well, for me, I, I, the challenge is I don't know if Dana would be good with Justin dropping out because it's a USA flag and it's 250.

[B]

It's okay. I'll fight for you USA and for sure, for sure they're gonna be proud. More than for Gage. I'm gonna show better fight than Gage.

[A]

If you enter Porio. Yeah, I think the world wants to see that.

[B]

Yeah. Everybody's waiting for that fight. So. But if it's not happen now, it's gonna eventually it's gonna happen.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And I take my time. I learn something new. I getting better every day. I'm not like, oh, why it doesn't happen? Like it didn't happen in January. Why they didn't put. I'm not mad. I'm just waiting for my chance.

[A]

And did they call you at all for this fight or no? For this card. Were you at all?

[B]

Yes, I, they called me for the, you see, Chandler, Rafi and Chandler, they wanted me put against the Chandler and then they understood, like, it's bad for Chandler and he represent us. It's like 99.9. That I'm beating him. So. And then they put Roofy. So if someone had hurt in Roofy or Chandler, they might call me, too. So.

[A]

Oh, so either one of them, they might call you.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

But ideal fight for you, there's two title. Yeah, you want the title fight.

[B]

Yeah, I want a title.

[A]

Yeah. So. And for you, in your mind, you told the story at the beginning. You said you went and fought your first guy. You lost, you went to Thailand, you trained for a year, then you came back and you beat the other guy. And you, I think, submission, you said. Right, that you did. Yeah, to the guy. Is that story gonna repeat itself with Islam when you go back and face him off? Is that kind of how you see that story taking place right now?

[B]

No, because I'm thinking about that title fight in my weight 155.

[A]

He moved up, right?

[B]

He moved up 170. Yeah. But if you stay long, long in this. In this game, yeah, I would like to go up and fight him. But right now, my goal is to get the title fight in the 155, probably. So there is probably in this summer and the end of the summer, or they give me BMF title in June 11th.

[A]

Oh, dude, you're so qualified for a BMF type of a. Yeah.

[B]

So they either BMF July or title fight, and then of this summer or September, October to Porio. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Well, I mean, listen, I love Justin. Of course, he. He's a fan favorite. He was at the UFC Miami, when we were here just last week. And when the audience sees him, he's got a big fan base, but he's at a different age. 37 Toporius. How old right now is he? 30. Is it 29 or 30?

[B]

29.

[A]

29. So he's 29 and you're 29.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What a perfect matchup. I mean, if. If that's the main. If. If you guys end up. Well, something needs to happen last minute for that to be the fight. But that'd be a big one. When you watch Toporia, what do you think about to party? Because I had to party here on the podcast. We had a very good conversation together. Different kind of a fighter.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

Different kind of a fighter.

[B]

Good. Good fighter, good mindset, good boxer. He. So he used to be a wrestler, and then he understood wrestling is a waste of energy. And then he started box. He improved his boxing. Now he box people because it's hard to wrestle and box, you know, 25 minutes. Unless if you're Habib or Hamza. So they can wrestle 25 minutes non stop. But nowadays he just do good, good thing. It's a, it's a box. That's it. He doesn't kick, he doesn't like wrestle. So his main thing, it's a box. For me, it's easy because I have a good kicks that I can stay on the kick distance. And if he comes with a box, I wrestle him or I clinch him. So they know that too. They gonna try to avoid. They're gonna try to move up after this fight. He's gonna say, they cannot fight me because it's like, it's like even his teammate, they know it's a tough fight. It's a tough fight. Why we should take the Thai fight if we can fight with Oliveira Gaethje, the guys who is like. And then of their career and they cannot do everything and they have a bad chin, they. They drop so much. So if he, if they're gonna hit them, they're gonna, they're gonna lose, you know, so, yeah, that's the main thing. So probably he's gonna get the title. He's gonna defend the title and say, I'm gonna leave this title.

[A]

He's gonna leave this title.

[B]

So it's my opinion if he, if he's on, on the camera, he's saying, I don't care, I fight Armand. But when the time comes to fight Armand, he's always like trying to find excuses.

[A]

Well, you're a little bit, you're, you're, you're. You're the one fight nobody wants. Right. You're the guy that everybody wants to delay. But he's also formidable. I actually think if the two of you guys fought, it would be one of the highest grossing viewership. I think it can be the matchups because I don't think either one of you guys are going to pour your fights. He's also good for the fans. Yeah, like he doesn't show up. There were certain fighters back in the days that they only fight for, you know, points scoring. They played safe. And when you fight, you're not going to play safe either. I think it would make for a hell of a fight for a lot of people. A lot of people probably want that fight. What has Toporia said about you when your name comes up? Because I'm sure you watch everything he says about you in interviews.

[B]

Last time he was on the stream, I don't know, he said knocking me out or something. I don't remember, to be honest.

[A]

He said he would knock you out.

[B]

I Don't remember, to be honest. But he said, easy. He. No, he said, I think, easy, I'll take this fight. Yeah. Yeah, probably. No, no, he said what he's gonna do? He's gonna wrestle me, I'm gonna defend. What. What else? He cannot box, and I'm gonna knock him out or something like that.

[A]

Rob, is this. Is this to pour you on the podcast? Yes, sir.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I don't remember what he said, but I do remember we talked about Armaan. Go for it. Can you look at that? Rob, I'm curious now because I. Is Charles is number.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Armand is number two armor number two. So would you fight an Armand before you go? Like, let's just say Dana says, I want you to fight Armand before you fight Islam. Would you entertain that? He wouldn't. He wouldn't tell me that. He wouldn't tell you that. No, Dana would say Islam. He would say for the belt. He would say for the belt. Yeah, I think so as well. Because you're undefeated, of course. Yeah. There's no way that I have to fight to. To the number one contender.

[B]

I have to fight directly for the belt.

[A]

How soon do you think that would happen, personally? I don't know.

[B]

Yeah, that. That moment, he. Islam was the champion, so that's why. So I was number one, and Islam moved up. Moved up. And. Yeah, so. And I supposed to fight him, and UFC decided to put the him versus Oliver.

[A]

How much. How much you like when. When it comes down to fighting Arman, do they call you and they just tell you, here's who you're fighting, or do they call you and say, between these two, who would you rather fight? They tell you the fight, or do you have a choice at times?

[B]

No, they never tell me. They don't. They. They never give me, like, two names. Only one.

[A]

Here's your fight.

[B]

Yeah. And I'll take it.

[A]

And then no matter when they call you, you're gonna take the fight because

[B]

I. I turned down just one fight because when I was number 10. Oh. I was number one, and they. They gave me, like, number 10 or 11, the guy who was losing everybody.

[A]

Yeah. Because Dana did say one time, he says with Armand, he doesn't take all the fights. We want people to take the fights. I think he made a comment about that in the past. How's the relationship with Dana?

[B]

I'm cool with him.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. So I'm good with. I'm good with everybody in ufc, and I turned down the fight because they never give me a fight when I was number 10 or number 11 with number one contender. Why I beat number nine? Why I beat number eight? Why. Why you give this guy like the present to fight with number one contender and he's nobody. And he lose to Oliveira, he lose to Dariush, he lose to Hooker, and I beat everybody. And you're going to give me this, this fighter and I said I don't want to give me the better fighters like from top five, that I deserve it.

[A]

What. Where were you ranked when he gave you number 10?

[B]

I was number one.

[A]

Oh, so that's when just one fight

[B]

in my life, I turned out once. Once in my life and I became the worst.

[A]

But you have to know that's Dana, though. You know Dana. If Dana calls, you gotta.

[B]

I think, I think Dana. Donna, he doesn't, he doesn't know what's going on, what fights is offering me because he, he's on. He decided on the, the title fights even I don't think so he decided they just give him like this card. He said yes or no or maybe he can switch because the, the Hunter and matchmakers, they do all this work. He. He doesn't, he doesn't do anything. He just run out like a business or like a sponsorships, like a big deals. I don't, I think he, he's on different level right now and he doesn't know what's going on over there.

[A]

You don't think, you know, you don't think he's. Well, he did say he's no longer negotiating contracts. Yeah, he said moving forward, it's Hunter and other people that are doing it. No longer me. Yeah, I think he just said that recently.

[B]

Yeah, I don't think so. He's like in, like making fights because he has a matchmakers and Hunter probably they just give him the, the card and he said yes or no. Probably. I think, I don't know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because it takes so much time. Can I imagine you like, how much time he has like to make all these fights.

[A]

Let me ask you a question. Can. Are you also a fan of the fight? Are you a fan of ufc?

[B]

Yes, I'm a fan of.

[A]

So you, you're a fighter, but you're also a fan, you watch it as well?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So if I have a time, I always fly to Vegas and yeah. So thank God UFC gave me good tickets. I'm still on, still alive.

[A]

So. So let me ask you this. It's. It's almost historically all the best fighters in every weight class had a little bit of conflict with Dana. It's not the regular ones. It's always the best ones. Yeah, that a little bit of issue. It's almost like it's, it's expected as, and I'm talking as a fan, you're on the inside. I'm not on the inside. I'm just a fan that goes and, and supports what's going on. Do you see that as a common pattern? Like, you know, the, the faces of the fighting game typically have a little bit of conflict with the top of ufc.

[B]

Yeah. Because everybody wants to make more money. So they hear like how much the NBA players, how much the football players making. And UFC fighters wants to make a lot of money too. And, and then they started like do the thing. Jon Jones, not just he wants big money Tapuria for the White House. He want Islam. He asked the big money. Everybody like asking for big money. That's why probably they argue.

[A]

So you think it's the money part? Well, Let me ask you.

[B]

100 money.

[A]

Let's say I'm negotiating on behalf of Dana. For the next two minutes, I work for Dana.

[B]

For me, they send me contract, I sign and give it back. I don't even watch how much they.

[A]

That's exactly what at the Hearthstone business, if they were to say, okay, something happened to Justin, I want you to be on the White House card, but we're not paying you nothing, would you

[B]

take the fight 100%.

[A]

So let me get this straight. I mean, this is very important because we can save UFC some money right now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If they called you from UFC right now and they said, take the fight against Ilya for zero. You take it, don't pay me nothing.

[B]

I gotta watch what's in my contract to fight for the title. I don't know how much I'm getting paid. So. Because last time before the hooker fight, they give me contract, I said, okay, I'll sign it because I want to be a right, a normal guy in UFC because I don't have too much tools. They give me contract. I signed it was a good money for. And I just signed it. I didn't say, oh, add me like 200 more because I want a more money. I said, okay, I want to fight for the title. They give me Hooker, I beat him. And then I go to fight for the title. I beat Hooker and then, and then, and then wrestling on the raf.

[A]

You headbutt it. You had butted and I didn't like that. He doesn't, you know, there's certain things he wants. So are you, are you, do you have a Relationship with Connor?

[B]

No.

[A]

Have you guys ever met?

[B]

Yeah. I fought on the same card as. I thought the same card as the Connor. Connor was done. Is good. Habib is good. Not like all fighters battles. Who's done a lot of fire, like, good with only maybe Jon Jones. Who else? And the.

[A]

The now Ronda, meaning not good with ufc.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But Connor was a little bit difficult at times. You know, Connor, you know, he gave him a little bit of a hard time with, you know, throwing that thing through the glass in the bus.

[B]

But it's good for the. For the ufc.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You think they didn't like it? They like it.

[A]

So are you thinking about throwing something through that window? You're like, let me go grab the chair right now.

[B]

Yeah. So the. The drama, the. The sport. Why they. This sport is like getting big because of drama, not because of fighting like a corner. Habib Diaz, you know, the trash talk, everything. Not just fighting. What was going on before the fight. The bass thing, it was like. It went viral too. It was.

[A]

It was everywhere.

[B]

Yeah. Because of that. That. That fight was the most biggest fight in the. In the. In the ufc, if it wasn't that conflict before that. Okay. Conor Habib. Yeah. They talk in the press conference, that fight, it's. It's gone.

[A]

Yeah. I saw what you said once. I thought it was so funny. You said to Toporia, correct me if I'm wrong here, I think you said, I'll buy your house if you fight me. Did you say something like that? I'll buy your three and a half million dollar house if you fight me.

[B]

Yeah. So he was selling his house and he didn't have a fight. And I said, yeah, I'll buy his house.

[A]

And I mean, this is just trolling at its best. I'll buy your house if you agree to fight me next. Ilya Toporia has put his three and a half million dollar home for sale.

[B]

And my dad called me and I heard you're buying the house in Spain. I said, yeah. When? He said, when we going to vacation?

[A]

Your dad said that?

[B]

Yeah, but who I'm gonna call. And he's. He's gonna say yes.

[A]

Yeah. Did he. Did he respond back to you or.

[B]

No, no, no.

[A]

Go a little bit down on the comment section. Rob Armand arriving in Madrid to buy Ilya's house.

[B]

Yeah, People.

[A]

People are funny with you. Yeah. That's interesting. So how. How much of. How much of match? Because right now, some people would say the ufc, they've had some good fights. Like I was at this last one no big names. It was actually very good card. Like, if you were at the fight, it was phenomenal. Probably the best heavyweight fight that took place, that went the distance. You know, the last fight where, you know, he is. I don't know if he was acl, was torn, you know, and he kept getting kicked, kick. It's like this is over with. And then all of a sudden, boom. And everybody was blown away by the fight, the way it ended. But a big card, they haven't had that for a minute.

[B]

Yeah, but it's hard people like expecting like every title fights, like it's going to be drama days that like. And like, they didn't sell a lot of like a per view or. What's it called that. I don't know.

[A]

Pay per view.

[B]

Yeah. But for example, like all bigger star book now, like Hamza, big fight coming up. Ilya Pereira on the White House. And UFC doesn't have so much, so much stars to put on this on the, on the every card. That's why, like. And the one fight pulled out too. The common event for the title, one versus, I don't know who. That's why they didn't sell it. A lot of, a lot of tickets and. But you see, you never know. You see the names, they run the big names and you come watch and like the best fight ever, right. Like you said title, the heavyweight fight. So that's why, that's why every, every event, they. They have something special. Matchmakers. Works, works good.

[A]

So you said you're a fan. So if you're a fan and you. Everywhere you go, people are talking to you. They want to speak to you about UFC or different things. If you could make three fights happen and you're a matchmaker, who do you create? What fights would you want to see in the ufc?

[B]

In the ufc, Jones versus Pereira.

[A]

Jones. Pereira.

[B]

Armand versus Gage. Oh, I remember. Armando versus Ilya.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And the next one. Hamza Chima versus Sean Strickland.

[A]

Strickland. Those three fights.

[B]

Yeah. Strickland has a fight that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Versus Hamza.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then Pereira. Jon Jones is a big fight. They wanted to do that fight on the White House, I guess.

[A]

I think John asked for like 30 million or I don't know what the number was. 15 million. And they didn't want to do it. I read somewhere maybe John asked for a bigger number and they said, no, we're not going to pay it. So it went to. Went a different direction.

[B]

Yeah. And you see a lot of fights you can do. You can do a lot of fights 145 is Jones wanted over 15 million.

[A]

Yeah, that's what 15. Jones wanted 15 million for the bout and it failed due to a reported gap of 5 million. Now keep in mind, this is, you know, ESPN reporting.

[B]

Yeah, but I think UFC could pay him 50 million.

[A]

50 million.

[B]

15. 15 million, yeah, easy for White House. He deserved it. 15. And I think they, they could pay him. It's, it's something like a different issue. It's my opinion.

[A]

Okay, so no chance at all.

[B]

No chance. Yeah.

[A]

You know, this whole thing with Value Tim and PBD podcast started with a phone, me and Mario, that's it. And it grew today to, you know, 15 million subscribers almost and 164 full time employees. And that relationship. Are you watching us and supporting us? Wouldn't happen without you. But did you know 51% of you that watch the content are not subscribed to the channel and it would mean the world to us if you could press that subscribe button and notification.

[B]

Why?

[A]

It allows us to grow, hire more, do bigger interviews and have a bigger team and deliver a better product to you. So if you haven't yet, if you don't mind, press that subscribe button.

[B]

I think like one of the biggest, biggest event ever. And you think they're not going to pay 15 million? For sure they paid. Yeah, they got a lot of money.

[A]

So you got a lot of money. I mean if you, you.

[B]

And he has not a lot of fights left, so maybe 1, 2, 5. Jon Jones and he's a legend and like Conor, he, He made like 15, 20 millions, right, for the fights.

[A]

Can you pull up what are Conor's highest, you know.

[B]

No, on the boxing he made a lot, but on the boxing, uc he made, I think for the purpose of you, something like 30 mil. 20, 20 something.

[A]

So not the UFC. But on the including bonuses, 5 to 6 million bucks is UFC 100 million. Are you sure it's only 5 to 6 million bucks, the most he made? Can you ask the same question on ChatGPT, Rob?

[B]

And, and no, but you never know. Maybe they pay him.

[A]

Yeah, extra conversations.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, but, but two extra bonuses. UC always send me extra bonuses. Yeah, a couple days ago they sent me 42k. I don't know for what. Maybe for my, for my social media.

[A]

Are you serious?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Did they explain where it's coming from or.

[B]

No, I didn't ask the agent.

[A]

You just took the money?

[B]

Maybe, maybe my manager gonna say, hey, where's my person? Yeah, I was, I was not saying

[A]

so Eddie Alvarez, 6.8 million. Interesting that Eddie's. What did he get paid on Khabib? No way. It was a $3 million flat fight.

[B]

Was Habib.

[A]

There is no way it was only 3 million. McGregor claimed it was worth around 50 million total with pay per view. Dustin, they got 5 million a piece. What is the highest paid a UFC fighter got paid? What is the highest?

[B]

You're never going to know because they used to pay the. The note on the books. On the books. Yeah. I heard they pay so much money when it was Fertitas.

[A]

Yeah. I I. Is UFC a publicly traded company now where they have to report. Okay, zoom in on that one a little bit. Where's the biggest payday total earnings. But is that earnings to the fighter, or is that earnings to ufc? They say that that's all three fights combined between.

[B]

No, but I heard he makes around 20 million the corner a fight. Yeah. From the Habib's 5, he made like 20 or 30 million.

[A]

20 or 30 million.

[B]

It's good money.

[A]

Yeah, but if you look at the most, there's a. I think four out of the five highest pay per view tickets ever sold. Four out of the five counters in those fights. If you go to the highest. Is this. Go to the highest UFC pay per view tickets sold. Highest UFC pay per view tickets sold. I want to know top five fights. I think four out of five Connors in all of them. Okay, zoom in. There you go. Four out of. Actually, five out of five is Connor. Isn't that amazing? 2.4 million. Damn. 1.8 million. Poirier 3. 1.6 million. Poor year 2. 1.6 million. Diaz 2. 1.3 million Diaz One can imagine 2.4

[B]

on how much is the purple? 100. 150.

[A]

70 bucks. I don't know what it is. I want to say it's probably seven, 200 bucks. So it's 200. Carson million.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Damn. 80 bucks. 80 bucks times 2.4 million. That's a. There's $200 million right there.

[B]

Yeah. Probably he makes around 30 mil on those fights. Habib maybe 10, 15, and he make probably about 30 mil.

[A]

How much you think it's fighting? How much you think it's his personality and ability to promote

[B]

fighting. It's 80, 70, and 30. Is promote.

[A]

You think that's what it is?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, okay, so you put 70 of it on a skill set, 30 of it on the promoting.

[B]

Yeah. If you're. If you're. If you're bad, you're not. You're not going to be in the tent.

[A]

Interesting. 70, 30. That makes sense.

[B]

Yeah. You got to be a good fighter.

[A]

That's fine. Yeah, that's a very good point.

[B]

Unless if you're not petty pimlet penny. Petty pimlet. 10% fighting, 90% trash talk.

[A]

And so you think 10% Patty's a pretty good fighter. He said he's pretty.

[B]

Did you watch his last fight?

[A]

Yeah, that was not good. But the previous one, you know, versus who? Well, I've been. I've been to quite a few.

[B]

Yeah, he. He beat like a trash canes. He beat. He. They just give him so easy fights that even my dad can beat him. Yeah. Really? He beat like a Tony Ferguson who has nine losing streak. He beat. He beat the.

[A]

Was the Just put up his last fights. Rob, go down a little bit. It'll show his fights.

[B]

Chill. Michael Chandler.

[A]

Michael Chandler.

[B]

Michael Chandler. 10 fights in UFC 9 loses.

[A]

Is that. That's not my.

[B]

Approximately. Approximately.

[A]

Click on Chandler's record.

[B]

No, King Green. King Green. Check King Green.

[A]

Go. Go on King Green. Right.

[B]

King Green, brother. Check his last 15 or 10 fights in UFC. Okay. Last 10 fights go down three, three. Like five loses, five wins or yeah.

[A]

Maybe even go to Chandler. Thing with Chandler. Chandler is. The thing with Chandler is he's one of the most ex. Chandler's first round, maybe the most exciting round in the first. If you can make it past the first round, but you're going to have a lot of pain.

[B]

Last 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Last six fights, five loses.

[A]

Armand, respectfully, he almost beat Charles. He almost beat Justin.

[B]

I almost was a UFC champion,

[A]

But these were. These were pretty good fights that he had. I'm telling you his. And if you look at the two rounds, three rounds. Two rounds, three rounds, five rounds, five rounds with Charles. Yeah, he's.

[B]

He's last six fights, five loses. That's crazy.

[A]

He's a. He's a pretty. He's a pretty fun guy to watch. Yeah, he's a pretty fun guy.

[B]

Like a fan. Yeah, like first round. It's good. His fight versus Gagey Topuri. Oh, porier was good. I mean for fans it's good to watch, but like a fighter, it's hard.

[A]

You don't. You don't think. What. What's Today's what, Rob? April 20th. 20th. April 20th. Today. 4:20 today. Okay, so. And. And the White House card is when? June 16th. June 16th. So two months till the White House card. Yeah, I'm sorry. June 14th. You think there is a 0% chance Dana's going to make an announcement with a Trump, with a new fight.

[B]

If you call Trump and tell. Put Armand on the card and he's fighting for the US and maybe they make it. You got to.

[A]

That's the strategy, right?

[B]

You got to call Trump and say, this guy is the biggest star right now in Armenian community. And oh, my God, he wants. He wants to represent us.

[A]

Let me ask you, here's a question, serious question. If, God forbid, something happens to Justin, by the way, when I was at the fight, Justin spoke to the president for 10 minutes. They were standing, talking to each other. So he's a fan. They have a relationship, and he's American. So. But if something happens, Justin's not going. They put you in. Can Ilya say no?

[B]

No. He cannot say no.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Because it's a. It's a White House. And if they're not gonna be other names, who is gonna be ready? They cannot put anybody. But you see, There is a two guys in the 155 division. There is a channel. But can imagine if they're gonna say to me, no and put gender fight for the title.

[A]

Oh, the audience will be so pissed off.

[B]

That's going to be the worst.

[A]

Oh, the audience will be so pissed off. They would not be happy.

[B]

Or Rufy, I don't know.

[A]

Well, let me ask you, deep down aside, don't you think he wants to see that fight?

[B]

You against Toporio now they want to see that.

[A]

You don't think Dana wants to see

[B]

that fight right now? Dana wants.

[A]

Why are you saying right now?

[B]

Because they can see what I'm doing on my social media, on my wrestling and everything. I'm just bringing a lot, a lot of numbers. And they post the April. April 1st picture, me versus oh, that was the. And I gained more like likes and the views. Then UFC page announced a whole, whole, whole card.

[A]

Did you see that, Rob? Do you know what. Do you know what he's talking about? On April 1, he posted that the fight is him against Ilya. Did you post it on Instagram or Twitter? Go. Go on. Go on his Instagram and go to April 1st. Where's the card? I don't think you posted it. There it is right there. One million likes. White House, Washington D.C. this was posted on April 1st.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This just tells you people want to see this fight.

[B]

They're gonna see that. They're gonna see this fight. It's gonna be one of the biggest fight. And I'm so excited for that fight, too. I'm just working every day on that. And they, they think I'm, I'm doing this content, but I trained less, but I was training, getting better. Just show people that I'm chilling.

[A]

Yeah. Is that, is that, is that Nina?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So what's the story with you guys? Are you guys dating? Are you guys.

[B]

Nina and me, we're the best friends.

[A]

She's nothing, there's nothing in between.

[B]

And nothing happened because we respect each other, you know, and so we just create the content.

[A]

There's chemistry there though, bro. Like that's, you know, like when people watch you guys, there's a. I just

[B]

want to say one thing. If you, if you, if you do with something like, you're not gonna post anything. If you have something between you, you're not gonna post it. Yeah. So you don't, you don't gonna show that who you're dating or like, let's show. Yeah, this show. This is just the content we do together. And she has a boyfriend, so.

[A]

And it's amazing. Are you surprised by how well it performs?

[B]

Because her boyfriend, he create the videos and he always with her, which is.

[A]

Wait, when you guys do the videos, her boyfriend's always there?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

And is he a fighter as well, or.

[B]

No, no, he's a content creator. He does every videos and like he's so smart and he does a lot of social media for her. They work together. They work together and like. Wow.

[A]

And this is him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So he's a, He's a good looking guy. I didn't know this. I. I thought she was single.

[B]

No, no, she's not single.

[A]

Is she. Is this her husband or her boyfriend?

[B]

Boyfriend.

[A]

Okay. All right.

[B]

So.

[A]

And he's doing the content.

[B]

Yeah, we're like my team and her team and he's always on her team and he helps her with everything.

[A]

Did you say earlier you have kids or you don't?

[B]

I don't have two kids.

[A]

You have two kids. So are you married or Married? You are married?

[B]

Yeah. So my, my youngest, youngest daughter, she, she's like a fighter, but the older, older one, she's like, she doesn't like fights, anything.

[A]

Two girls.

[B]

Yeah. Maybe the young, young one is going to be a fighter.

[A]

And Armand, are you. You're married to an Armenian?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, to an Armenian from where you're at.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Very cool. Yeah, that was my mom's dream. My mom's dream was, you know, my son is going to marry an Armenian.

[B]

Yeah. But it doesn't matter if you find the. Find the right person who cares. Armenian.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

Black, white, Chinese.

[A]

So it's two enough for you or are you going to keep making babies? I can't say.

[B]

11 kids.

[A]

11 kids. That's the goal.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Armand, do. Are you a Christian or you. You're a Christian? Yeah, got it.

[B]

Yeah. You're thinking, like to gain three more wives.

[A]

Well, you can speed it up because, you know, if there's certain markets that you can accelerate that process, you know, I don't know if.

[B]

No. Nowadays you can do the thing. What's that called?

[A]

Surrogate.

[B]

Surrogate, yeah.

[A]

Yeah. What do you think about that?

[B]

Think it's okay.

[A]

Would you.

[B]

Would you entertain it if you want no more kids? Yeah.

[A]

I brought it up to my kids. My. My youngest son is like, you can never have surrogate. I said, why? I said, it's your mommy and daddy's. It's your brother or sister says, no, no. If it's not in my mom's stomach, no way. He. I'm telling you, he told me no. By the way, he. He is. He looks Armenian. His mom's white Texan, but Dylan looks Armenian and he has the Armenian temper and blood.

[B]

He is going to be a fighter, huh?

[A]

We'll see what he does right now. He plays. He plays. He's the one to the left. He plays soccer and he does some other sports. But we'll see. We'll see what's going to happen with him. By the way, did you ever train with any Armenian fighters? Like, are you. Did you train with other Armenian UFC fighters?

[B]

Yeah, I trained to Melsig Edmund Shahwezan. Yeah. So. But they're in different weight class. That's why we don't train together. And they cannot keep up with me.

[A]

Who's gonna keep up with you today, though?

[B]

Yeah, that's hard. So. But you see, me, Hamza will be like we do together. And like when we in the gym always argue, who does this better? Who does this better? So. But I'm the number one on the bike. He cannot break my record.

[A]

You're the number one on the bike? Yeah, in bike. What. What's number one? Like, who can go the fastest?

[B]

Who can, like, keep more watts on the bike? I'm number one from garage. So put the garage thing. Yeah, yeah. This one. So in this bike from fighters, nobody can beat me. Other thing. And this thing for the shoulders. Yeah. So two those nobody. But other things like running speed. Running or like, I don't know what an exercise.

[A]

So they drop the ball while you're carrying the weight as well. You're pushing up the weight.

[B]

Yeah, this Is Coach Carl. And he has his own garage. He doesn't like fancy things. We just go there and train, train hard. So. And he pushed ourselves so much. So when I wanna. When I'm at home, I want to try to break the record. I cannot because he's not there. I gotta listen his voice and like, he's like trying to push me so much. He cannot.

[A]

Like, is he your coach or is he his coach?

[B]

It's my coach. And then when he came and he trained with him and he like it, so. Yeah, so good coach. But. But he has his own coaches too, with him. Like a jiu jitsu and boxing.

[A]

Yeah. What's. What's with you? With you doing the life that you're living right now? What's. How much is the expense on a monthly basis? How much money are you spending?

[B]

1, like in one place? I said 500,000, but it was wrong.

[A]

Was it more or less?

[B]

My dad called me after that. Where you spend 500, 000. Now I gotta say 100,000.

[A]

You gotta tell them a hundred thousand?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, so I have a big team, right? I have a big team. I have, I have a coaches, I have like a lifestyle family. If you. We're buying like vouchers, we're buying houses, we're buying cars. If you're gonna, if you're gonna like count everything, it's going to be 500,000 per month. Yeah.

[A]

So your lifestyle expense right now is 6 million a year.

[B]

About.

[A]

And is your fighting income and sponsorship paying for that lifestyle or. Not yet.

[B]

About. Yeah, so.

[A]

About.

[B]

Yeah. And I have a. I have a businesses in Russia that I make money. Yeah. So. And I always have a. On my back, Russian money. So if I need it, you have

[A]

access to that as well.

[B]

I call it so.

[A]

Yeah. You have access to that.

[B]

Yeah. You know, I grew up there, I live there, so I know how to make money over there.

[A]

What's. What's Russia to you? We're in America, so to us, you know, we, you know, we. We have a different, you know, Americans may have a different impression of, you know, Russia. What's Russia to. What makes Russia special for you?

[B]

Wherever I go to travel, to stay. You want to go back to Russia? No matter here, Miami, so beautiful roads, beach, food, cars, yachts. But you don't feel like you're at home and you want to go back to home. My home is in Russia. I grew up there. I like natural there. I like food there. Everything was going on over there. I like it.

[A]

Do you see yourself As a Russian or Armenian.

[B]

Say again?

[A]

You see yourself as Russian or Armenian citizen? No. Do you see yourself do cards must do highest Rusas?

[B]

No, no, I'm Armenian.

[A]

You're Armenian?

[B]

Yeah, I'm Armenian, but I live Russia. So. And where I live in Krasnar is like a lot of. A lot of Armenian people. Like 5, about 500000 Armenian people live. It's like. Yeah, it's like a Glendale in us. Same over there.

[A]

Yeah, I gotta go to. I've never been to.

[B]

Yeah, Russia. It's good, it's clean, it's safe. It's clean, it's safe. Yeah. If you compare to us, it's safer and cleaner.

[A]

Russia. Yeah, Russia safer and cleaner.

[B]

So safe.

[A]

Tell me why safer?

[B]

So you can wear, you can walk anywhere, any watches, nobody can come and trying to grab you.

[A]

Why is that? Why do you think?

[B]

Because people are scared to do something.

[A]

Why?

[B]

Because they go to jail right away. They're not gonna sue with you or do something. If you steal, you go to jail. And, and they cleaned the mafia everything. Now it's, it's a so safe country. And I've never heard like someone scared about watch. Like for example, here or la, you cannot go somewhere with your watches or with your cars. You cannot get in the. Some. Some certain places. But in Russia is you can go anywhere, any, any places and never never

[A]

happened because people are afraid of the

[B]

consequences and because of that and they clean the bad people too. So they, they're in the jail. So all mafia in the jails now or like they're abroad of from Russia.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

So that's why I never think like about bodyguard in Russia or like, oh, my family cannot go outside or something. But here I like everybody, every celebrity has a bodyguards. Every fighter is like who has a big name. They have a bodyguards. And people there respect you so much, especially if you're a fighter. They don't even come and like try to ask you about something. Get the picture? They just respect your time, you know, over there. Over there, yeah. And if they tell them you're in a rush, so they let you go. But here they can be talk to you, you know, and like say no, no, stop. I want a picture this, that. And then you need to someone to say them, please, he gotta go. So people here, they don't afraid that he. They can like get a problem. But there they afraid because you know, they, they let you do whatever you want to do.

[A]

How do Russians think of Putin? Is it a high level of respect and admiration?

[B]

Yeah. Mostly people like him because they live there. They, they respect what he's doing, they like him. And

[A]

so have you met him yet?

[B]

Yeah, two times.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah, two times. And I was fighting for his, for his team. So we got the pictures. You can put it. Yeah. So you see young me.

[A]

Oh, wow. How are you here?

[B]

20 years old.

[A]

Arma. It's a very different look.

[B]

Yeah, but I was 20 or 19.

[A]

And what was this year?

[B]

It was 17 or 18.

[A]

It says 20, 25.

[B]

Yeah. So I was, I was fighting two times. He has a, his own promotion. It's once a year. Once a year on the, in the Sochi. And the Russian fighters versus the world. So they bring all fighters from the world and, and yeah, they, they, they fight.

[A]

Is that Fedor?

[B]

It's a feather, yeah.

[A]

Really? Wow. Man. He. He still has the matter of fact, he looks better now.

[B]

Yeah, he's. His feet now.

[A]

Yeah, he looks better now. What, what, what did Putin tell you? Was it just a meeting or did he say anything?

[B]

I asked her, can I take a picture? She said, of course. Of course you take a picture. And then yeah, he's, he's cool and he likes the fighter. He, he helps so much fighters and the wrestlers and everybody in, in Russia. So if you're wrestler, for example, here, government, they don't pay money to you. But in Russia, we get paid. If you're like an Olympic team in your, if you're Russian champion, you get paid money. If you win once in your life, Olympic game, Olympic medal, you getting paid all your life until you die.

[A]

You're serious?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. You can check this information.

[A]

So you, you win one medal, you're getting paid for the rest of your life?

[B]

Yeah, like $1,000 for the rest of your life. Yeah, but can you imagine if you win three times, you're getting paid three

[A]

or four thousand every month for the restaurant.

[B]

Every month. Yeah. You can check it out.

[A]

Very interesting business model. So. So it's not like you're getting paid one time, because in America, I think we pay you one time.

[B]

One time. And no, America doesn't. Doesn't pay even one time. They tell you you got to find the sponsorship and they pay that way. Huh.

[A]

But in Russia, they pay their medalists, so there's an incentive to win for the rest of your life.

[B]

But can you check they pay you how much they pay.

[A]

Rob, can you check to see. Go. Go to. Yeah, go and ask and say, what does Russia pay its Olympic athletes if they win a medal?

[B]

It was like $800. Like like I heard one because I have a lot of friends who have one. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Metal M E D A L. Okay, there you go. So for recent Beijing, Russia has paid roughly 50 to 60 thousand dollars for gold, 30 to 35 for silver, 20 to 25 for bronze. Some broader estimates go a little bit lower. But here's the real kicker. Russia often goes above and beyond just cash. Luxury cars, apartments worth half a million to a million. Now, regional bonuses from local governments, extra payouts from sports federation total rewards can be hundreds of thousands of dollars to million plus. Wow.

[B]

Yeah. It's a Olympic sport. They take care of them so much. So, for example, if you want to be a box, you go to school, you don't pay money. You, if you're a wrestler, you go to school, you don't pay money for the sport.

[A]

How do they define you that you have to be at a certain level of skill set?

[B]

No, if your kid, you go to the school, you don't pay money for the, for your sport.

[A]

In Russia, no matter how old you

[B]

are, no matter if it's not commercial, there is like a. Every area has his own. The government pay for that school that kids can train for free. So you go there. So when I was young, I was, I was wrestling, right? Even government pay me for my traveling, if I travel to somewhere to compete. They, they paid us money for our travel even. Yeah, they take care of Olympic sports so much. And they. For example, you're a fighter. You got, you. Even Habib, he got paid for the, for his gym, put him built for him a gym. For example, your gold, you want a gold and you want to build your own gym, they give you money to build your own gym if you're a gold medalist.

[A]

Yeah, so. So Russia helped. So Putin helped Khabib build his gym.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That is powerful.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, they, they take care of, for example, somewhere you go somewhere in Russia, if you're a fighter or wrestler in government or somewhere, they take care of you because you, you do something for you for, for your country, they take care of you so much. So it's, it's the. Yeah, they take care of you different. So I don't know that. I mean, in US it's opportunity to make so much money. It's, it's a lot of good things here, a lot of good things there.

[A]

Do you get sponsorship money there or. No, it's mainly from the government in Russia.

[B]

No, I got.

[A]

So you get sponsorship as well?

[B]

Yeah, I got the energy drink in Russia.

[A]

In Russia, that'll pay you as well.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So you get a little bit of both.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

There's long term after ufc. Do you know, do you have any thoughts of what you're going to do after UFC or.

[B]

Depends how much money I make. But I want to leave. I want to have a house in, like, I want to live in Russia, my home base, but I want to travel around the world. Come to us, enjoy Miami, and then from Miami to la, from LA to New York, from New York to Hawaii, and then go back. Because the winter time is not the best weather in Russia. But from May to October is Russia weather.

[A]

Can you pull up Russia's map, Rob, just curious to know what part you're from.

[B]

Go to the Sochi. I want to show the. Our. The.

[A]

Yeah, right there.

[B]

The mountains that we do. We ski, we do snowmobile, everything over there.

[A]

So we're here. This is so true.

[B]

Go to the Krasna Polana. This is the Sochi. This is the biggest. This is the. The sea. So this is the mountains. Can you put the Sochi Mountains? It's beautiful. Just the pictures. Pictures. Yeah. From the browser. Yeah. Yeah, check it out.

[A]

Oh, my. Oh, my God. Click on that picture right there, Rob. The first one. Zoom in on that picture.

[B]

So beautiful. Wow. Yeah. I mean, when you stay in rush a long time, you want to leave from there, too. You want to go somewhere, travel, and then come back.

[A]

Totally makes sense. Yeah, but we're never going to get you in the us you're never going to be living here. You're always going to go back to Russia.

[B]

I mean, I like to be here

[A]

from November, from May to November.

[B]

November, December, January, February, March and April, maybe. Yeah. Six months here, six months there, May

[A]

to November there, and then the rest over here. Because the weather.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And your home here. You were telling me, you were saying you.

[B]

La. La. When I landed to la, I feel like I'm in Russia as well. Armenia. Yeah, Russia. Because when I'm in Armenia, I cannot stay long. Long time there. Everybody knows me. It's hard.

[A]

I gotta go. Have you met the Prime Minister of Armenia yet, Pashinyan or.

[B]

No.

[A]

Have they ever reached out to you or. No, Never.

[B]

Never.

[A]

Would you want to go, you know, meet him or.

[B]

I mean, I. I did so much for this country. Of course I would like to.

[A]

I'm surprised they've never reached out to

[B]

them to do something, because I'll make one phone call. They. They never done it. Something familiar, you know, like the. At least maybe give me a small medal that I'm doing. The. And putting the flag on my shoulders and, like, running out in whole us, you know.

[A]

Oh, they're gonna reach out to you. There's no way in the world, if you got a guy like you that you're doing what you're doing. I have.

[B]

For sure. For sure. They know about me, but of course they know about. I mean, I don't need their help, but if they go, if they want to help me, I'll be glad, you know.

[A]

Yeah, I think if you were to go visit.

[B]

But Armenians from Russia, they helped me, so Armenians from Russia, they helped me a lot.

[A]

How do you view the difference?

[B]

No, no, I'm saying because my friends from Russia, who is in business, that they help me, they give me houses, they give me apartments. So. Yeah.

[A]

Armand, question for you. Can you, like, what, what does it mean to be Armenian? Because to me, I'm Armenian and Assyrian, but what does it mean to be Armenian?

[B]

For me, yeah, I'm proud to be Armenian. I'm proud to represent Armenian. I want to be a first Armenian champion. And so in ufc, we don't have like a contenders, like a good fighter. So he's going to be a champion very soon. But I'm going to sign young kids and I see the potential so big, maybe because of me, because of, like, the sport is growing up so fast, getting so popular. That's why a lot of kids is training. And now I have a couple kids who was like 19, 18, and they, they, if they're gonna be in UFC, they can be a champion. Yeah.

[A]

Back in Russia.

[B]

And mostly in Russia. Yeah, mostly in Russia. Because in Armenia is not so popular, but we got someone from there, too, and I want to bring the belt. I want to represent Armenian BFS champion. Because Russia has already a lot of champions, so. Yeah. But anyway, I'll belt first. Belt first, and then I bring to Armenia, so, like, oh, my God, that

[A]

would be a spectacle. Armand. John, let me tell you, you know, everybody I speak to in the Armenian side, when they talk about you, you are beloved. They love you.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Absolutely love you. And you got. You know this already, so I don't need to tell you this. They're rooting for you, and we can't wait for the day. I gotta. And I like Ilia, I like Toporia. You know, there's something very. Because both of you guys, what's gonna make this exciting, both people have a lot of pride from the country they're from. He's got a very interesting dynamic. It'll be interesting to see how much animosity there is between Spain and Russia. I don't know.

[B]

Spain, Russia, Armenia versus Georgia.

[A]

That's right. That's right.

[B]

I was born in Georgia, my home. Like, for example, when we go to Armenia, we stay there one day and then drive to back to Georgia and stay there, because our home in Georgia. So we'll build new house now in Georgia and all my family live there. So even like we close to Georgia. So now like Armenia versus Georgia, but I live in Russia and he lives in Spain. And like they're gonna know who is the best fighter in 155 division. Because in Russia, yeah, I'm Armenian, but Russian people, they, they support me so much too. They, they know I live there. They know like, I'm gonna bring the belt into Russia home, you know, if

[A]

if doesn't happen on the White House card and if your ideal place that you would want to fight to Pouria, where would it be?

[B]

No matter when, no matter where. Anytime, Anytime, anywhere. I just need that belt. Even not Topuria, I don't care. No, like, I just need to be a first get the belt and then I'm gonna get the. This hat, the big hats, big names. Because right now for me, it's number one to be a UFC champion. And I know, I know myself, I know my skills. I can beat them. It's not. It's not going to be a big problem for me. Yeah, this is good side quest, the raf grappling, like a media. But at the end of days, if they, they ask me, what are you gonna take UFC belt or these old things, I need just UFC belt because I wake up and I do this for UFC title too. I'm not doing this because, like, I need that because, like make money from that. Just that UFC gonna. Gonna know that it's big name because of this media. I'm making my. My name bigger and my goal is ufc. So right now is, is that. But then when I become a UFC champion, I'm gonna go for the names and make money because, like, you know, my lifestyle. Lifestyle money. Yeah. It's expensive and thank God I got money.

[A]

And have you thought about starting a product? Are you working on a product?

[B]

Because no yet. I don't want to think about, like, about business. That gonna take my time. So that's why I'm just focusing only on my social media and on them, on my trainings. Because when I'm done, when I'm gonna be like done with UFC sport, when I'm gonna be like 37, 38. Yeah. I'm gonna do my products or something, but I think when I'm gonna be 37, I'm not gonna be need products and then everything. So I'm gonna have a bunch of money, good investments and like family man. So enjoy retirement.

[A]

Yeah. And you'll be in Russia from May to November and in LA or Miami or other places, November to April, maybe April.

[B]

You said March from November, beginning of the November and then of October, beginning of November here and. And then a merch. All right, so. But summertime sometimes in Europe too?

[A]

In Europe too?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's your favorite spot in Europe. Yeah.

[B]

To be honest, I like all spots. Yeah, I like to travel around the Europe.

[A]

Have you been all over, like.

[B]

No, not yet. Not yet, but I've been a lot of places.

[A]

Have you been to Monaco yet?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You've been to Monaco?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm assuming you love Monaco.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. Central was my lifestyle. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. With your lifestyle. That's a. When you go to Monaco, you realize how broke you are.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You go to Monaco, you know, you know, the average net worth of a person living in Monaco is $30 million.

[B]

No, I feel broke every day because I have a lot of friends who is like, who has a lot of money. When they talk about money and I talk about two to three millions, they laughing at me. So everybody has his own thing, you know, that's why. So we work on it, you know, everybody has his own.

[A]

But you have the one skill set that's very hard, Armand. You have, you have a. So, you know, currency is, isn't different. You know, bitcoin could be a currency. Real estate is a currency. Right. Stocks is a currency. All this stuff is a currency. Getting attention is a currency. And dude, you are a master at getting attention. And you do it in the most effortless way. And that currency people pay. There's a reason why for super bowl they pay $10 million for a 30 second commercial to get in front of 110 million people. And you don't have a problem doing that.

[B]

Yeah. What about Bitcoin?

[A]

It's at 65, 70,000 right now. You know, if it goes to half a million, that's 8x. You know, I think if you're making money, you got a rob. It went up 3.4% today. Yes, sir. Really interesting.

[B]

Do you buy bitcoins?

[A]

I have bitcoin. I have bitcoin. I, you know, not a lot, though. I probably have less than 5 million of bitcoin. But my money Is more in equities. I have probably 100 million in real estate.

[B]

You know, the best real estate in Russia, by the way.

[A]

Best real estate in Russia. Tell me why. Safety.

[B]

Safety. And it never falls, so it's going up. So. So really? Yeah.

[A]

Russia real estate.

[B]

Yeah. And if you have a friends who is the developers and they give you a good price and you can make. And you can double your money in one year.

[A]

In Russia.

[B]

In Russia. So if you want to make money, let me know. We make money there.

[A]

Let's do it. So we're going to. We're going to buy property in Russia together. This means.

[B]

No, no. For example, like. Sorry for interrupting. For example, you buy commercial or house right here. You gotta wait like 20 years. For example, you buy a commercial for 100,000.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

For example. And you give it to rent. You getting back your money in 20 years here. But in Russia you get. Get back in eight years, eight to ten.

[A]

How is that? You're saying the rate of return is

[B]

that good in Russia, better than here? Because I calculate everything and. Yeah, their return is faster and like the price is growing faster.

[A]

Are you investing a lot right now as well or no?

[B]

Yeah, I invest in. Mostly in Russia. Mostly in Russia because I know people who.

[A]

Developers, connections, content.

[B]

I know like where.

[A]

But your dad was also in construction, so he knows everybody.

[B]

That's why it's easier. For example, if I buy something. He does everything inside me. Yeah. Outside. So we don't waste.

[A]

And you can't get ripped off because you know that business, your dad knows that business. You see, that's half the battle. Half the battle is the average person that gets into an industry, it takes three, five years, you know, seven years of making mistakes and then you make money. Yeah, but if you can get into a space that you already have the context, the relationship, and somebody can teach you to not make the mistakes. There's nobody better than dad to share that with you. I can't wait to meet your dad. I'm actually curious to know what his personality.

[B]

He needs a American visa. He doesn't. He cannot get it. Get the American visa. Five times he was in the embassy. Five times he didn't give him. I don't know why he is not terrorist.

[A]

Five times he tried to get it, they didn't give it.

[B]

Yeah, but he's. Maybe they ask him question and he's like a worry, you know, that he wants to get the American wizard so much. That's why he worry. And they think like he has something to hide, you know?

[A]

I think when you become a champion, you're going to be able to do a lot of things you want to do.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

And it'll be a phone call.

[B]

Yeah. But it's not, it's okay. Me to be a champion. He's going to be good in Russia too. So just, just bring their belt to him and give it to him. He's going to be happy to. Yeah, but I want. He likes us. I don't know why people who never been in us, they like more than who is in the U.S. everybody wants to come here.

[A]

It's true.

[B]

It's true. Yeah. It's a, It's a land of opportunity.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because you can like create something and like, you can.

[A]

What's different. You, you go. You're in Russia all the time.

[B]

Yeah. Because in Russia, less people, less money. People has no so much money. Like here, for example, you open the restaurant right. Here's so much people coming. Tourists. A lot of people live here and they. You're gonna have customers. And the, the. For example, in Russia, if you're smart, the, the millionaires and billionaires less in Russia because it's, it's, it's hard to. How do you say, for example, here you have a lot of opportunities. So much in Russia, if you're smart, you, you, you. You can make more money than here. But here, like for example, you came from Russia, you have nothing and you're not the smartest person ever. You can even go to Uber. You, you make money, 6 or 7,000 and you can afford the house for your family and food. But in Russia, if you're like a Uber driver, you cannot afford to. You got to do something different

[A]

because of people.

[B]

Because of people. So for example, they don't have. People don't have so much money. Like here they have money. The salary average of sal salary in US is bigger than in Russia. And here a lot of tourists. So much tourists. La. A lot of tourists can. How many flights is landing in Russia

[A]

doesn't have a lot of tourists.

[B]

Not so much like here.

[A]

Because the weather maybe because the weather

[B]

and visas I think and like they don't have so much thing like us has, you know, from movies. Everybody wants to come to go to New York to see New York, Miami. Every movie is from Miami. Everybody has a dream to come to see Ocean. The Ocean Driver was called that because of movies. Everything is coming from here. And like people.

[A]

What a way. I mean, it's crazy because when I was in Iran we watch movies about here. So everyone's Rocky. Oh, my God. You want to go see what, you know, New York is looking like, you know, all this stuff. And the movie industry almost promoted and sold America to the world.

[B]

Yes. Everybody wants to come from New York. If you're gonna ask every girl in Russia where you want to go. I want to go to New York. And they don't know. Like, maybe it's not the cleanest city in the world. It's not the. The safest city in the world, but everybody wants to go there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that's why they bring a lot of tourists here.

[A]

Well, a lot of men here want to go to Russia, find a wife and come back here because Russia's got some beautiful women over there.

[B]

Yeah. One of the best.

[A]

One of the best. Great genetics.

[B]

Yeah. So you gotta come Russia.

[A]

I look forward to it. I really want to go to Russia.

[B]

Like, and then. And then you're gonna. You're gonna see what's the different from Russia.

[A]

And where do I go if I go there? Like, if you tell me two places to visit. Of course, I. I think I got to go to Moscow. Leningrad.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, that place is. And then you come to Sochi. We go to mountain.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

We eat good food.

[A]

Was that video on Sochi, the snowboarding?

[B]

No, it's one. It was in crucial.

[A]

Who's in crucial?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Got it. Yeah. I really want to go to Russia for a couple of weeks.

[B]

Yeah, you will love Russia. You will love. Yeah, Yeah. I mean, I have friends who. Who lives all his life in the US but they come to Armenia and they want to go. Or Russia. They want to go back because they grew up here. They love. They love their.

[A]

Should I worry. Like, should my wife be worried that if I go to Russia, maybe I don't come back? Or will I come back?

[B]

I will come back, but maybe not alone. Okay. We're not gonna tell.

[A]

My wife's gonna be like, babe, why are you going to Russia so often all of a sudden? Rob. We're setting up a podcast set in Russia where there's six months out of the year. Business changes, lifestyle changes.

[B]

Yeah, but everywhere is good. Everywhere is good if you have a right people. And so, I mean, u. S. Nobody.

[A]

Like, do they treat you good when you're in the streets here? Does anybody bother you? They're all respectful.

[B]

So good. Respectful. And. Yeah. For example, yesterday I was sitting on the table and, like, one drunk guy came and, like, trying to, like. Like, like, he did like this. Yeah, like squeezing your crap. Squeezing. I'm like his kid, you know? And that day, I don't know why my friends gave me, like, bodyguard, but I don't need bodyguard, right? So he squeezed me and, like, I turned like. He was like, Albanian guy, you know, bro, I respect you. This, that. I said, bro, like, if you respect me, why you, like, treat me like your kid? Sorry. I was drunk. He was a good guy. So he said, sorry, this, that, but can I imagine if the. He was starting, like, why are you saying that? And like. And then, so when I, like, churning that, the bodyguard say, I was already angry, like, if. Why you, like, treat me like this? I'm not your kid. Like, come and, like, squeeze my. The shoulder or whatever. Yeah. Don't do that if you respect me. Right?

[A]

You told them that?

[B]

Yeah. And I said, if you respect me, don't do that.

[A]

Albanians are tough. Albanians are also tough.

[B]

Yeah, but.

[A]

But it's.

[B]

I mean, in us, you can meet everybody.

[A]

Yeah. I'm saying, like, has anybody tried to fight you or. No.

[B]

At all.

[A]

Has there ever been a time where you travel and someone try to fight you?

[B]

No. No. So not yet, maybe. But if they want to fight me, it's not a problem. I can. I know how to fight, not get hurt myself.

[A]

So, no, I think it's a bad idea. This the thing, you know, sometimes where you go and one time. Do you remember Diego Sanchez? Old UFC fighter?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Used to go, yes, yes, yes. He was one of my favorite fighters. One day, one of our friends, he goes to a party at a house in la, and he has no clue who he is. And my friend's a regular guy. He's not like a tough guy, he's not a fighter, but he's a big guy. He walks up to him and says something to him, and Diego looks at him, he says, you say one more thing, I'm gonna kill you. And Diego looked scary, right when. When he was fighting, he comes back around, he's like, I'm gonna go kick that guy's ass. And then one of Diego's people walks over and says, listen, just want to let you know that's the wrong guy to fight. That's Diego Sanchez.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He looks him up. So the. The challenge is you pick on sometimes the wrong guys who know how to fight, who knows what could happen? And nowadays, you know, Armand, more and more people are learning how to fight. Thirty years ago in la, people would fight all the time. You don't know who you were fighting. So at least two people who don't know how to fight, they're fighting. They just have A temper. Now there are more people who know how to fight today than 30 years ago.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. But you know, all time something happened, right? I meet every day some different people. I can feel like, you know, for example, if they tell me, like, even bad words, I just turn and go. If he's not a fighter or he's not, like, if he didn't, like, do something to me, why do you do that?

[A]

Why do you walk away?

[B]

Because I don't need the trouble. First of all, I don't want to hurt him. I don't. I have a, like a goal. I have a family. I'm not stupid, like, go to jail. And I can. Every day something happened with him. Because right now I'm a famous. And like a lot of people come do this, that. Like, for example, in Russia, if someone come and squeeze me and if my friends see that they gonna like fight him right away or just like a, like different. They. It. That's because of they can fight him. They not gonna do that because they afraid. They not like, come and touch someone, like, even like a fighter. How you can come if you respect him, like, touch like this in Russia, that won't happen. It won't happen because they know they're gonna kicked out from this place even if you do.

[A]

By the way, what happened with Ryan Garcia? You had your friend with you, and he said, hey, punch him in the stomach for $40,000.

[B]

No, he has a 40,000 with him.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

He said he wanted to punch Ashton Hall. Austin hall, the. The guy who is running the runner? Yes. And Ashton has said, no. I said, Bro, like 40,000 for me, it's nothing. Double it, I'll take three punches. He said, no, I don't. I'm not rich like you. This, that. I said, okay, here's my friend. You want to punch him? He said, yes, let's do it. And he put money on the Strayers. I said, bro, I don't have cash with me. I'll show. I'll show him my bank account that I have 30, 40K there. I said, I'll leave my phone here when we're done. If he, if you, if you could hit him, hurt him, and he's gonna drop, I'll viral wire you right away. Because in my culture, if you shake the hand and like, we bet you gotta give back money, you cannot, like, say, so he punched it three times. He couldn't drop him. And I took the money. And his accounter or whatever came and said, bro, here's more than 40,000. Let me go upstairs, like, count money and then come back. I said, okay. He came back without money. I said, where's the money? No, no, bro, we wire you. We need this money for tonight. We do something. I said, right? No, I need now my money. He said, bro, I swear, God, like a man word I'm gonna give you. I'm gonna wire tomorrow. One week. Nothing. And my. I was in. I was. I was. Someone, like, interviewed me. Did you get paid back? I said, no, he didn't send me money. And he didn't.

[A]

You never got the money?

[B]

Yeah. And he didn't even, like, call me. What's your wire? Or why I'm not sending. And I FaceTime you. I FaceTime him and say, bro, like, what's going on, bro? You didn't tell me your guy is professional boxer. I said, why I should tell you? Like, he's a professional boxer. He's my. I said, this is my friend. If you want to punch him, punch him. I'm not stupid. Like, to say you like, oh, listen, he's professional fighter. He's gonna take your shots. And I'm not gonna bet. I'm gonna bet.

[A]

So he thought you hustled him.

[B]

Yeah, so I'm a smart guy. Like, I want to bet and make money, right? So why I should tell him he's a professional boxer. And you see, he's like a huge guy with a broken nose. You gotta. You gotta. You gotta think like, he's. Yeah, he's. He do. He does something. And then he fought with him. He did the boxing, the sparring with him on the body shot.

[A]

When?

[B]

The same day. And he didn't say, this guy's professional world. He did not say anything.

[A]

Oh, so before this, they sparred.

[B]

No, after this, they sparred.

[A]

Okay, so you want to show the. Is this the punch? Let me see it. Yeah, let me see real quick. Rob.

[B]

No, neither. It's gonna be right here. He knows the point that he can't hit. Come on. Come on.

[A]

I don't think I could do this.

[B]

So he. Yeah, he felt it, that he's not gonna drop it because he's a boxer. He. He felt it. He's not gonna drop him with. Was. Was. Was his one punch, and he has two left. And he. Stop it. And he's saying, I don't want to hurt him because he already know he's not gonna drop him. Listen what he's saying. Yeah, okay, I. I'd rather spar. Okay. Yeah, I'd rather spar. Let's spar. Now he wants to spar because you take it, brother. I'm gonna rather spar him. Yeah, you take it. Another man try to hit me. Okay, yeah, you guys got it.

[A]

Wait. Took the cash. Then his guy comes, takes him from you, and you never got no, no.

[B]

And then I said, no, it's not fair. The punch him two times again. Let's do it. I rather. I rather fight. Yeah, yeah. Oh, now they. No, they. He throw the three times. He couldn't. He couldn't drop him. No hater. No, no. They did do good doing business with you, brother. Sad face for me. So. And then they spark. But to be honest, I don't care about 40k. Just so you got the money. No, no. And then I call him and say, bro, like, what's going on? Why you didn't say money? He said, bro, it was a stream. So we always do on the stream like this. And I said, okay, so what I'm gonna say to him, we have a different culture. They do stream and they do.

[A]

Yeah, we're serious guy.

[B]

Yeah, they live like this. I live different. And then he said, let's. Let's do sparring. Let's do eight rounds this, that. I said, okay, let's do sparring, but box. But let me use my elbows. He said, no problem. So now we're waiting. We're gonna do a sparring. So I can box him. He can. But I have elbows.

[A]

You're not worried about if you box him against Ryan?

[B]

No.

[A]

So you can't kick or wrestle. It's just boxing. Except you can use elbows.

[B]

Yeah, I can use it.

[A]

And you think you're gonna hang with Ryan?

[B]

Yeah, I'm gonna try. Ryan's Ryan, he's a legit. The wrestler.

[A]

Oh, there's no question.

[B]

Elbows could help me too.

[A]

Elbows could help you. He's.

[B]

He never, he never heed with elbows. So his elbows, elbows. There is nothing. Yeah, it's nothing.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Even.

[A]

Oh, it hits the face. He's.

[B]

Yeah, one cut. That's it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So. And then he.

[A]

Now you got to get Indo, right? You got to get him. Cuz he's got the reach.

[B]

Now he's saying he, he tweet. He. After that conversation, he Tweet, let's do eight rounds, allocate, pay you 100K. So eight rounds. And I, I tweet him back, I'll give you cash. 1 million if you survive one round in a May. So now she's waiting, just waiting. But it's just trash talking, you know?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So.

[A]

And he's good at it as well.

[B]

He is, he's good on his thing, I'm good on my thing, so.

[A]

Totally.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Both of you guys get eyeballs. You know at one point he was the guy in the boxing time and, and I hope he gets back into it because he's actually a very exciting fighter. Yeah, he's a very exciting fighter. So yeah, he's, he is very rare. You.

[B]

But now I know if I'm gonna do a stream with him, I'm not gonna the bad money or if you

[A]

do take the money and don't give it to his accountant when he comes up to you.

[B]

First time in my life someone like

[A]

you say stuff like this. If an Armenian sees him in the streets, you don't want the Armenians to go after him and say hey, no, I told Armani Povahettas.

[B]

No, no, I told hamza, he said 40k, I'll go for, for 40k to his house. I said bro, like please do your

[A]

thing, leave him alone.

[B]

And then we figure out. So yeah, but we'll see when we see him, we talk to him and we figure out maybe we do some different bad. Yeah, but, but it's, you know, it's always. But listen, but I have a bad with aiden Rose. Hamza versus Hamza versus I put 50K and Hamza, he put 50K on Strickland. So. And I told him 50.

[A]

50?

[B]

Yeah, I told him he put 50.

[A]

Strickland again, Hamza.

[B]

No, I wanted put like 1 million. He said like 100. He said 50. 50. I said okay, 50. He against Hamza, he put 50. Yeah, it's a tough fight. You never know. Even Hamzat my friend, he's my brother, but you never know. It's a fight. And second, Strickland is tough, tough, a tough fighter. So he has a lot of, a lot of good things, you know.

[A]

When is it, when is it in May 9th. May 9th.

[B]

Yeah, so, but I told Aiden Rose, brother fly out with. So I fly out with money over there. Cash. And I'm going to bring cash as well.

[A]

Is that GSP sitting next to you?

[B]

Yeah, legend.

[A]

He's like one of the nicest.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Legends of all time.

[B]

He, he was with the streamer with me, you know, like gsp. Like he was in the zoo with us. Yeah, he got in the zoo with

[A]

us and that's not his style. He's not that guy. He's a, he's a low key guy.

[B]

But when he was with us we were like good, you know, like respectful. When he was Gone. And, like, we started, like, talking.

[A]

Yeah. He is truly a class act. Yeah, he's a class act.

[B]

Different level. Yeah.

[A]

Strickland, you know, Strickland is a guy that. Do you. Did you. Did you see the clip that one time where a guy came in to try to rob him? Or did you. Have you seen that clip?

[B]

Was the gun? He came.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Came out with the gun and.

[A]

Yeah. And he just. I don't remember what he's.

[B]

He's really like this.

[A]

Oh, he.

[B]

He cares all day. They're gone and, like.

[A]

No, he's a. He's a tough guy. He's not a. Is this it?

[B]

He is.

[A]

I think he shows up out of nowhere. I don't know if this is the one or not, but there's a clip where usage champions. He came outside with a gun. Yeah. So Strickland is not a guy to be messing around with. But at the same time, I mean, listen, you know, Khamzat is. You know, it should. I hope it's a good fight. That's the only thing any. Any of these things that happen. You want to see a good fight?

[B]

It's gonna be a good fight.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm so excited for that fight.

[A]

Yeah. You're gonna be there. Yeah, that's gonna be. May is going to be. Where. Where's that fight at?

[B]

New Jersey.

[A]

New Jersey. Okay.

[B]

Got it.

[A]

New Jersey. And then June is going to be. Are you going to be at the White House?

[B]

We'll see. I gotta talk to uc. How. Maybe is maybe. No. So.

[A]

So if you're not. If you're not on the card, are you gonna go? I feel you have to be.

[B]

I have. I have to be there.

[A]

You have to, because right away, the camera is going to go right on you.

[B]

Yeah, I gotta. I gotta ask ufc and we'll see what they.

[A]

Oh, there is no way in the world you're not gonna be there. Like, it's not gonna be them. It's gonna be you choosing to be there. They have to have you in the

[B]

arena, so we'll see. They. They didn't ask me, like, to be there, but I'm gonna ask them. Let me. If I'm not gonna fight, let me see it on the first round. Like to be there, because it's my title fight, it's in my weight class. If not, I heard they selling tickets, so I just buy it and go, who cares? Who cares?

[A]

You don't need to buy it. I think, Dana, you know, whoever it is, because here's what's going to Happen. Whatever ends up happening. Say 90, 10 to Porio wins. And Justin is still a dog. Like he can make one contact and

[B]

it's a never know. And imagine you're like underestimated gauge. And he goes, oh, knock him out, by the way.

[A]

Every single time he's been in a fight, every single time he's been in a fight, you're like, wow, you know, maybe the other guy could win it even last. And he comes out of. He's like, how the hell does he do. He's. He's an insane fighter. He's an insane fighter who is experience. He has so much experience. Yeah. But whatever, whatever happens in the results, the camera's going to pan out and it's going to go right here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's going to happen. It's going to go right here.

[B]

And then I'm excited. Yeah, excited.

[A]

I'm excited. I'm going try to be there as well. If you're going to go there and they're fighting, I'm going to try to go there as well myself. And we went to this last one. Dana's, in my opinion, he's the best promoter in the world. Out of all sports. Dana is one of a kind and we're a big fan. Arman. John, this was great. I really appreciate you coming out. I'm glad I, we, we exchanged messages and we made it work. I know you had a fight going on, so you did your thing and now you're here. And I look forward to the day we celebrate as the first Armenian UFC champion.

[B]

Yeah. So when I get the belt, I flew out here and put the belt on this table and we talk again 100.

[A]

And then maybe we fly to Armenia together. Oh, and then that's a whole different story. And we go out there and celebrate how the people are going to be.

[B]

What's your favorite, favorite food? I like Armenian.

[A]

Armenian Dolma. Dolmaim. But you know, remember I'm parskahai.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So Parskahai for me. We have this stew called horme sabzi. I don't know if you've had it or not. Have you ever gone to Rafi's place?

[B]

Yeah, I've been there.

[A]

Okay, so if you go to Rafi's place with the stew that they have, can you type in? You try to spell it. Okay, do G, H, O, R, M E. And then go space there. You go right there. And then go to images. I'm not even kidding you watching it. I'm getting hungry. Yeah, that is the greatest meal. If I have a last meal. They come to me, they said, what do you want your last meal to be? It's this guy right here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I've tried this and if the people know how to make it was the rice with the rice. Yeah. And maybe a little bit of somal. I know that kind of.

[B]

So now you gave me idea what I'm gonna do next for my fooding for in the.

[A]

Oh, if you know how to make this.

[B]

No, no, I just, just order and like do food content with this food.

[A]

Oh, brother. I, I'm willing to bet anybody that's watching this right now that is Armenian or Parsaha or Iranian, they're going to know about gab. This is hands down the greatest meal in the world. You will age backwards if you eat it from the right person. It's that good.

[B]

Yeah, brother. Thank you.

[A]

Anytime. Absolutely.

[B]

I'll see you in the, in Washington

[A]

D.C. i look forward to it. If you're telling me you're going, I look forward to it. I gotta find a way to get out.

[B]

I'll, I'll call Donna Hunter and they're gonna let me be there because it's, it's a must because I'm a favorite. Their favorite fighter.

[A]

You're their favorite fighter. That said, no issues, no con, nothing. No problems with you.

[B]

Good.

[A]

He's like this guy to deal with.

[B]

Yes. Is this guy to do it. Never, ever problem with me. So no. No more maniac anymore.

[A]

No more. No more. No more. Yes.

[B]

Can imagine me doing something on the White House.

[A]

Well, listen, you said spectacle, but you know there's a balance to it. Right on what happens, you got to

[B]

know where, where you do that White House.

[A]

There's snipers at the top. You got drones, you got the president sitting there. Have you met, have you met the President? Have you.

[B]

I've seen him, but not in person.

[A]

You haven't met him.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm a big fan of Trump too.

[A]

So there you go. You like strong personalities. Both.

[B]

Trump, Putin. Yes, Trump, Putin.

[A]

Take care, everybody. Bye bye. Bye bye. You know, this whole thing with Valley Tim and PBD podcast started with a phone. Me and Mario. That's it. And it grew today to, you know, 15 million subscribers almost and 164 full time employees and that relationship. Are you watching us and supporting us? Wouldn't happen without you. But did you know 51% of you that watch the content are not subscribed to the channel and it would mean the world to us if you could press that subscribe button. And notification. Why? It allows us to grow, hire more, do bigger interviews, have a bigger team and deliver a better product to you. So if you haven't yet, if you don't mind, press that subscribe button. It would mean the world to us. Thank you so much.