Podcast Summary: THE W.A.D.E. Concept - Week in Review

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Date: August 17, 2025
Hosted/Analyst: Wade Plemons

Overview

This episode is a deep-dive “Week in Review” format focused on major combat sports headlines. Host Wade Plemons, from North Carolina, addresses three main topics:

1. Moses Itauma’s crucial test vs Dillian Whyte – why it’s a potential changing-of-the-guard moment in UK heavyweight boxing.
2. Monumental UFC TV deal with Paramount/CBS – and the end of pay-per-view in MMA – analysis of impact, fan benefits, and unresolved questions on fighter pay.
3. Face-off highlights: Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold ahead of Misfits 22 – an unfiltered breakdown of their heated exchange and what it reveals.

Wade wraps up with a detailed UFC 319 preview (Chimaev vs. Du Plessis and more), delivering insights and predictions.

1. Moses Itauma Fight Week: Passing the Torch?

[01:27 – 12:51]

Key Points

• Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte preview:
  • Itauma (20) seen as the UK’s biggest heavyweight prospect in years, faces seasoned vet Dillian Whyte (37), now a “gatekeeper” but with strong pedigree (wins over Chisora, Parker; only real losses to Povetkin, Joshua, Fury).
  • Potential breakout moment for Itauma; raises the stakes for UK heavyweight legacy.
  • Itauma’s strengths: “Speed, quickness, precision… power and finesse. He’s got it all.” (04:55)
  • Concerns: Too much, too soon? He’s never been past six rounds; this bout is scheduled for 12.
  • Massive external pressure from UK media and promoter Frank Warren.
  • Interesting backstory: Itauma almost gave up boxing; coach Ben Davison rekindled his love for it.

Notable Quotes

• Wade on Whyte’s role:

  “Dillian Whyte, who is, I think, what you would consider now, honestly, a bit of a gatekeeper at heavyweight…he’s 37 years old. He does have a couple losses, is coming off a four fight win streak though, and does have wins over some big names at heavyweight and has fought pretty much everyone at heavyweight outside of Usyk.” (03:30)

• On Itauma’s talent and risk:

  “He passes the eye test with flying colors. But again, this is no walk in the park. Dillian Whyte is known for playing those mind games…this is what you could call a hype train derailer if Moses doesn't go out and take care of business.” (07:48)

• Pressure on Itauma:

  “Frank had a quote somewhere where he said Moses Atama was going to have the star power of a LeBron James or a Tiger Woods or somebody like that. And that's… pressure of the highest order.” (10:28)

Timestamps

• Background & significance: [01:27 – 06:00]
• Itauma’s skillset and unknowns: [06:01 – 09:00]
• Pressure, comparisons, and trainer story: [09:01 – 12:51]

2. UFC Pay-Per-View Model is Gone: $7.7 Billion Paramount/CBS Deal

[17:01 – 39:55]

Key Points

• UFC-Paramount $7.7B Rights Deal:

  • All UFC events—including numbered (former PPV) events—moving to Paramount+ starting January 2026; at least four cards per year airing free-to-air on CBS.
  • “Pay Per View is dead.”
  • Huge cost savings for fans (down to ~$120/year from over $1,000).
  • Level of mainstream legitimacy for MMA, now “playing where the big boys are.”

• Comparisons & Impact:

  • The UFC sold to TKO for $4B in 2016; just TV rights, seven years later, go for $7.7B.
  • Only NBA’s massive rights deal dwarfs this.
  • Boxing’s fragmented approach is contrasted: “Boxing has failed to do for two decades… what UFC has now done.”

• Fan Experience and Fighter Pay:

  • More exposure, easier access; no more multiple subscriptions or fragmented platforms.
  • Addresses complaints: more events with live crowds; Apex center to host up to 10,000 fans.
  • Unresolved: What about fighter pay? What replaces PPV points for top fighters?

Notable Quotes

• Wade on the transformation in fan access:

  “$7.7 billion…and it’s oddly enough, one that I never saw coming… pay per view is gone and you know, I have a smile on my face, but it’s a bit of a nuanced situation.” (19:12)

• On building stars:

  “Not only does this give you more incentivization to build a star because you’re not having to try to create one behind an $80 pay per view wall before they even become a star… whoever is on these undercards is going to get seen by so many more eyes.” (28:30)

• On fighter compensation:

  “If pay per view points are taken away from champions…it’s kind of their big incentive once they get the belt to sell pay per views… what’s the big difference now in pay for a champion?” (35:03)

Timestamps

• Deal explained & fan impact: [17:01 – 23:50]
• Comparisons, industry context, and fighter pay: [23:51 – 39:55]

3. Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold: Face-Off Explodes

[39:55 – 67:45]

Key Points

• Face-off analysis:

  • Hilarious, sharp, and personal exchange. Accusations fly: PEDs, quitting, age, chin, and work ethic.
  • Both men question each other’s toughness and legitimacy at this stage of their career.
  • Darren plays heavy mind games (“What are you, 56 or something?… you were brilliant, but you haven't got any balls and you've got no power.” [43:35]); Rockhold fires back (“You ran away from the hardest sport in the world in the prime of your life.” [44:15]).
  • Both ex-UFC stars dismiss the importance of the Misfits “belt”; pride and legacy loom larger.
  • Repeated motif: “I want to see if you quit. I want to see if you break.”
  • Real respect for each other’s technical ability, but Till insists: “I’m a fighter, you’re an athlete.”

• Host’s perspective:

  • Wade breaks down how both men’s MMA pasts, insecurities, and fighting philosophies collide.
  • Noted how Misfits events now allow aging MMA names to stay relevant while making money.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Steroid accusations (Luke denies; both joke about testing):

  “I’ll test right today.” – Luke Rockhold [40:19]
  “No way. You definitely.” – Darren Till [40:17]

• On legacy:

  “Eating Luke does nothing for me. He’s a bum right now… I’m the star. Luke used to be the star.” – Darren Till [53:06]
  “You ran away from the hardest sport in the world in the prime of your life.” – Luke Rockhold [44:15]

• On fighting mindset:

  “You're technical, Luke… but when things go bad, you’ll quit.” – Darren Till [63:48]

• Both on the belt:

  “I don't give a f*** about the belt.” – Darren Till [65:02]
  “We know what we want. We want the money. We want to right the wrongs of this stupid world that is boxing.” – Luke Rockhold [66:14]

Timestamps

• Steroid/chat banter & psychological warfare: [40:06 – 47:05]
• Technical breakdowns and legacy jabs: [47:06 – 54:50]
• Mindset/mentality, training, predictions: [54:51 – 67:45]

4. UFC 319 Preview and Predictions

[67:45 – End]

Key Fight Breakdowns and Picks

• Michael “Venom” Page vs. Jared Cannonier:

  • MVP’s reach, trickiness, and age vs. Cannonier’s power and possible wrestling; leans MVP by decision but predicts a close fight.
  • “If this does remain a striking bout, MVP will win this fight… I think he has enough ability.”

• Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal:

  • Two hard-nosed strikers, expects violence; picks Prates by stoppage.

• Aaron Pico’s UFC debut vs. Lerone Murphy:

  • “All my eggs in the Aaron Pico basket” – breaks down Pico’s much-hyped early career, stumbles, and resurgence; acknowledges Murphy is tough, but picks Pico via finish (bias noted).

• Main Event: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis (UFC Middleweight Title):

  • Outlines two outcomes:
    • Chimaev dominates early with wrestling and overwhelms Dricus.
    • Or, Dricus weathers storm and drowns Khamzat late, using his “will to win” and unusual style.
  • Sides, with reservation, with “Dricus and still” due to doubts about Chimaev’s cardio over five rounds and Du Plessis’ mentality.

Notable Quotes

• On who’s fighting for the main event:

  “This one has take your pick written all over it, right? ... Khamzat Chimaev, very dangerous ... but Dricus has found a way to beat everyone.” (84:35)

• On Chimaev’s strengths/vulnerabilities:

  “What isn't bullshit is the idea that Khamzat can be beat... seems people have a lot of short memory because we did just watch him arguably lose to Kamaru Usman... Gilbert Burns put hands on Chimaev” (81:30)

Timestamps

• MVP/Cannonier, Prates/Neal: [67:45 – 72:35]
• Pico/Murphy: [72:36 – 76:45]
• Chimaev/Du Plessis: [76:46 – End]

Summary Table of Important Segments

| Segment | Topic | Time | |--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Moses Itauma’s Fight Week | Prospects, pressure, significance | 01:27–12:51 | | UFC-Paramount Deal | End of PPV, fan impact, fighter pay | 17:01–39:55 | | Till vs. Rockhold Face-off | Trash talk, mentality, preview | 39:55–67:45 | | UFC 319 Breakdown | Fights, picks, analysis | 67:45–END |

Conclusion

This episode delivers a comprehensive, opinionated, and humor-laced tour through boxing and MMA’s shifting landscape, highlighting:

• The unique crucible facing Moses Itauma, a new era for UFC fans and business,
• Raw behind-the-scenes psychology of combat sport face-offs (Till vs. Rockhold),
• Key analyses and predictions for upcoming high-profile MMA events.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• “He passes the eye test with flying colors… but again, this is no walk in the park.” [07:48]
• “Pay Per View is dead.” [19:12]
• “I want to see if you quit. I want to see if you break.” [63:48]
• “This one has take your pick written all over it, right?” [84:35]

For those who missed the episode, expect informed but provocative commentary, deep contextual breakdowns, and plenty of colorful personality throughout.