Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - "THE W.A.D.E. Concept - WEEK IN REVIEW"

Release Date: June 23, 2025

Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Jon Jones' Shock Retirement from UFC [01:01 - 11:38]

The episode opens with breaking news: Jon Jones, one of MMA's most illustrious fighters, has officially retired from the UFC. This announcement comes shortly after the UFC Baku event, where Jones' decision was confirmed by Dana White during the post-fight press conference.

Key Discussions:

• Legacy and Retirement Reasons: Analysts debate the impact of Jones' retirement on his legacy. One analyst states, “Jon can still be one of, if not the greatest to have ever fought in MMA” ([03:25]). However, they express disappointment that Jones avoided a high-profile fight against Tom Aspinall, which many believed was essential for cementing his status as the greatest.

• Tom Aspinall's New Role: With Jones stepping down, Tom Aspinall is hailed as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC. An analyst remarks, “Tom Aspinall is finally what, in my opinion, he always was when he won the belt” ([02:15]).

• UFC's Handling of Jones' Retirement: The conversation touches on UFC's strategies, suggesting that the organization struggled to negotiate with Jones, ultimately leading to his unexpected retirement. “They had to have Jon Jones come to them and offer the belt up. That, to me, is bizarre” ([03:25]).

• Impact on the Heavyweight Division: Analysts express mixed feelings, acknowledging Aspinall's deserved rise but lamenting the lack of a climactic showdown with Jones. “It’s a bittersweet, because I think everybody wanted to see Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall” ([02:15]).

Notable Quotes:

• Analyst 3: “Jon Jones was a massive part of MMA for the last 15 years. And whether you want to believe this or not, one of the greatest of all time is done.” ([11:23])
• Analyst 3: “Jon ducked Tom Aspinall, and there’s no way to really excuse it.” ([05:05])

2. Canelo vs Terence Crawford Press Conference Highlights [11:38 - 28:10]

Transitioning from MMA to boxing, the podcast delves into the first press conference for the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence "Bud" Crawford fight, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Key Discussions:

• Collaborative Effort: The press conference was a joint event streamed across multiple platforms, including WWE, UFC, and Netflix, signaling a significant shift in how major boxing events are broadcasted. “This was insane. And this truly shows you the flex that Turkey and TKO Boxing are putting out into the boxing world” ([12:18]).

• Turkey Al-Shahi's Role: As the promoter, Turkey Al-Shahi emphasizes a desire to eliminate the typical "Tom and Jerry" style fights, advocating for more decisive and thrilling matchups. “[...] he just laying down the law (…) ‘We want to make these big fights again’” ([17:05]).

• Streaming vs. Pay-Per-View: Al-Shahi discusses the transition from traditional pay-per-view to streaming services like Netflix, aiming to reach broader global audiences. “It’s a losing battle to try to continue to put on pay-per-view events” ([17:52]).

• Canelo and Crawford's Exchanges: The fighters engaged in intense verbal sparring, showcasing their competitive spirits. Canelo promises to demonstrate his full range beyond just power, while Crawford asserts his dominance and uniqueness. “Canelo: I have more than that. This fight is going to be one of my best fights in my history.” ([21:09])
  “Crawford: Terrence Crawford will be the first male boxer three-way undisputed champion of the world.” ([25:10])

Notable Quotes:

• Turkey Al-Shahi: “We will not have have him anymore. This is the first things. The second we will have in this fight and the next fight, bonus for KO.” ([15:31])
• Canelo Alvarez: “This fight is going to be in the books of the history of boxing for sure.” ([22:02])
• Terence Crawford: “I’m going to bring some more jewelry home, you know, and it’s going to be an exciting day for boxing.” ([25:47])

3. Future of Boxing Events and Streaming Innovations [28:10 - 44:01]

The podcast explores the implications of streaming high-profile boxing matches on platforms like Netflix, debating the benefits and potential challenges of this modern approach.

Key Discussions:

• Financial Aspects: The cost of championship belts has skyrocketed, with new belts costing up to £140,000 ($188,000), highlighting the high stakes involved in major boxing events. “The belt that's on Canelo's table was a hundred thousand pounds. They made a new one as well. To a hundred and forty thousand pounds.” ([26:10])

• Global Reach and Accessibility: Streaming on Netflix aims to make boxing more accessible worldwide, potentially surpassing traditional pay-per-view numbers. Al-Shahi mentions goals such as “108 million live viewers globally and 65 million concurrent” ([18:31]).

• Integration of Entertainment Elements: The inclusion of celebrities and influencers, such as Turkey Al-Shahi interacting with figures like Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg look-alikes, indicates a blending of boxing with mainstream entertainment to attract diverse audiences. “[...] they had stand-ins like Ed Sheeran, Hulk Hogan, and Snoop Dogg look-alikes.” ([77:30])

Notable Quotes:

• Analyst 1: “We want to make sure you guys get the fights you want to see, and it hasn’t been happening for the last however long.” ([12:40])
• Analyst 1: “If you think back on the KSI Tommy fight, the rounds are super murky.” ([46:52])

4. KSI's Grappling Session and MMA Insights [44:01 - 100:29]

In a lighter segment, the podcast features a humorous yet insightful grappling session between KSI and someone referred to as DJ (possibly DJ Jobi or a similar figure), showcasing KSI's attempts to navigate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) techniques.

Key Discussions:

• Training Challenges: Analysts critique KSI's grappling techniques, highlighting his lack of experience and the inherent difficulties for non-trained individuals in mastering BJJ. “KSI grappling DJ was a nightmare, but not in the way he normally is.” ([99:07])

• Fundamentals vs. Content Creation: There's a debate on whether KSI's grappling attempts are earnest efforts to improve or merely content for his online presence. “I truly believe KSI is doing this for content.” ([90:47])

• Importance of Technique: The analysts emphasize the necessity of fundamental training in grappling to advance beyond basic moves, suggesting that KSI's current approach may lead to a plateau in skill development. “If KSI is continuously doing this and people get more and more tape, eventually you're going to run into a guy that has better fundamentals.” ([52:43])

Notable Quotes:

• Analyst 2: “Grappling strength is way, way, way different.” ([78:02])
• Analyst 1: “KSI is a generational hater of Jake Paul.” ([67:26])
• KSI: “I'm gonna knock him out.” ([62:50])

Humorous Highlights:

• The grappling session is filled with lighthearted banter and playful remarks, such as KSI's exaggerated struggles to execute moves and the analysts' mock-serious critiques. A memorable moment includes KSI attempting a choke and humorously underestimating the complexity of grappling techniques.

Conclusion:

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides a comprehensive review of significant sports events in MMA and boxing. From Jon Jones' abrupt retirement and the rise of Tom Aspinall to the innovative broadcasting strategies for the Canelo vs. Crawford fight, the hosts and analysts offer in-depth commentary and insightful analysis. Additionally, the lighter segment featuring KSI's grappling attempts adds a comedic touch, balancing the intense sports discussions. Notable quotes throughout the episode provide memorable insights and highlight the passionate opinions of the hosts.

End of Summary.