UFC UNFILTERED PODCAST RECAP
JUNE 6, 2017
HOSTS: MATT SERRA & JIM NORTON
GUEST: ALJAMAIN STERLING
LINK: http://www.ufcunfiltered.com/
REPORT BY ROBERT VALEJOS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Fight Review Timestamps
13:34: Brian Kelleher vs. Iuri Alcântara
18:02: Vitor Belfort vs. Nate Marquardt
43:46: Yancy Medeiros vs. Erick Silva
44:24: Cláudia Gadelha vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
49:46: Jose Aldo vs. Max Holloway
Other Notable Moments
22:40 & 27:16: Discussion of Demetrious Johnson’s dispute with the UFC.
23:22: Cyborg-Magana altercation.
Full Rundown
Intro-1:30
Norton gives a short recap of his recent travels.
1:32
UFC Bantamweight Aljamain Sterling is introduced. They discuss Sterling’s new “grill.” The conversation moves to a discussion regarding the sleep apnea of both Norton and Sterling. At around the 2:50 mark Sterling talks frankly about his difficulties with regular sleep and subsequent fatigue. During this time Sterling also reveals that he talks and occasionally acts confrontationally while asleep. Sterling even admitted to believing he was fighting in his sleep.
6:47
Serra shifts the banter to focus on UFC 212. Norton explains that he thought of Serra while watching the finish of the fight between Antônio Carlos Júnior and Eric Spicely. (Serra has not seen the fight.) Sterling gives a recap of how Júnior applied the rear-naked choke. Serra makes an analogy to the Cláudia Gadelha/ Karolina Kowalkiewicz fight. Serra talked about this risk of a fighter exposing their back against an outstanding grappler.
9:44
Sterling discusses his upcoming fight against Renan Barão at UFC 214. Sterling reveals that he initially wanted to fight John Dodson, but conceded that Barão would be much more entertaining than the elusive Dodson.
11:48
The topic of Sage Northcutt comes up. They discuss the possibility of being cut by the UFC.
13:34
The trio discusses the finish of Brian Kelleher and Iuri Alcântara from UFC 212. Serra recalls initially seeing Kelleher while filming “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.” Serra explains his philosophy on countering a guillotine choke.
18:02
Short analysis of Vitor Belfort and Nate Marquardt from UFC 212.
20:00
Serra discusses his recent birthday.
21:40
Sterling once again discusses his persistent fatigue.
22:40
The discussion turns to the grievances of UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. Serra seems unaware of Johnson’s longform comments. The producer notes that Johnson is willing to be Ray Borg, but the producer and Norton agree that T. J. Dillashaw is the more intriguing fight.
23:22
Johnson’s reference of the UFC “bullying” him segues the conversation into a discussion about the Cris Cyborg/Angela Magana altercation at a recent UFC sponsored retreat. Serra admits that Dana White showed him a very clear video of the event. Serra jokes about Chris Weidman not stopping the altercation. Serra condemns Magana’s actions on social media. He contends that Cyborg was somewhat justified. Norton explains that the word bullying is overused.
27:16
The talk refocuses on Demetrious Johnson. Norton claims that Johnson is a great guy but a difficult interview. He explains that Johnson’s “lovely” personality prevents Johnson from being a more marketable fighter. Serra reveals that he has spoken to Dana White about this situation. Serra reiterates that him and White believe that the Dillashaw fight is more profitable. Serra and Norton are perplexed by Johnson’s position. The producer tells the trio that Johnson feels that Dillashaw is not currently a worthy contender. Norton is sympathetic to Johnson. When Norton makes an analogy to the Middleweight division, Serra proclaims that the champion has a special responsibility.
32:41
Sterling gives the perspective of an active fighter. He empathizes with Ray Borg claiming that he would be frustrated in a similar situation. Sterling says that at that point he would be more vocal. He also is sympathetic to Johnson’s plight. Sterling and Norton go back and forth on fighters not trash talking when it is not natural. Serra reiterates that the Dillashaw fight is the biggest potential payday for Johnson. Serra says that Johnson should be thankful for the potential Dillashaw fight.
36:40
The conversation about fighters being self-promoters shifts to the recent trash talk of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier.
37:02
Naturally the Cormier banter segues into praise for Jon Jones recent Twitter feud with Alexander Gustafsson. Norton recites many of Jones’s tweets.
39:32
The trio recaps Gustafsson’s recent win over Glover Teixeira.
39:45
The initial fight between Jones and Gustafsson is reminisced about.
41:43
Dollar Shave Club promo
43:46
Short review of Yancy Medeiros and Erick Silva from UFC 212
44:24
They review Cláudia Gadelha vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz in further detail. Serra heaps praise on both fighters. Serra further praises the ground game of Cláudia Gadelha.
47:46
Norton brings up the fight between Paulo Borrachinha and Oluwale Bamgbose. Sterling quickly jumps in to reveal that he along with Jon Jones went to the same college as Bamgbose. Sterling recalls Bamgbose’s penchant for lifting weights in college. They go on to quickly analyze the fight.
49:46
The discussion focuses on the main event of UFC 212 main event Featherweight title unification bout between Jose Aldo and Max Holloway. Serra says he loved the fight. Norton questioned why Also threw so few kicks. Sterling interjects, stating that he believes that the Conor McGregor fight caused Aldo to alter his style. Sterling noted that Aldo did not do a lot of kicking in his bout with Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. Serra noted that Aldo did start strong. Serra notes that prior to the fight he picked Holloway to win due to his Holloway’s great late fight performances. On the other hand, Serra also notes that Also tends to fade late in fights. The trio agreed with the timing of the stoppage. Serra says he believes that a Holloway vs. McGregor fight be great but unlikely. Serra makes a small case for Frankie Edgar being Holloawy’s first challenger.
58:26
ZipRecruiter plug.
1:00:10
A review of Raphael Assunção versus Marlon Moraes from UFC 212. Sterling notes that he now feels that he could beat Assunção based on this fight. Sterling criticizes Assunção for emphatically celebrating split-decision victory.
1:02:38
Quick review of Matthew Lopez vs. Johnny Eduardo. Sterling recalls his previous fight with Eduardo. Serra also recalls meeting Lopez from “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.”
1:04:04
Norton asks Sterling about the claim by Demetrious Johnson that smaller fighters are underpromoted by the UFC. Sterling explains that if a fighter has the right personality, he can be marketed so long that it is authentic.
1:04:34
The topic of fighter personality leads into some banter about Sterling referring to future opponent Renan Barão as a “Furby.” Serra is unaware of the existence of Furby’s; Sterling and Norton attempt to inform him of the popular fad toys of the late 1990s. They do coral the conversation, when Serra and Sterling agree that Barão is a “Dangerous Furby.” Serra and Sterling also discuss, that at the age of 30 Barão may not be old, but he may be worn down.
1:07:30
Serra gives a glowing review of the new “Wonder Woman” movie.
1:10:28
Norton, Serra, and the producer speculate on a future fight between Rose Namajunas and UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk. UFC 212 bonuses are discussed. Norton heaps further praise on Karolina Kowalkiewicz despite her losing effort at UFC 212.
1:12:11
Preview of Mark Hunt versus Derrick Lewis. The discussion gets off-topic very quickly. Norton picks Lewis to win. Serra picks Hunt.
1:16:42
Short preview of Dan Kelly versus Derek Brunson.
1:17:53
Mayweather-McGregor talk. They reference Dana White’s war of works with Oscar De La Hoya. Norton emphatically criticizes boxing promoters.
1:18:50
Brief discussion of the NBA Finals. This conversation segues into Sterling explaining his NBA aspirations while in high school. Sterling notes that doctors projected him to be taller than he turned out to be.
1:21:22
Sterling gives info about a house for sale in Arizona. Serra asks if Sterling is trying to act like Al Iaquinta.
1:22:55
Serra tries to convince Norton to train in jiu jitsu.
1:26:33
Closing
SHOW LINK: http://www.ufcunfiltered.com/
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