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

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. >> You got to take it and do it by yourself. If you fell, stand up and go try it again. >> You're the one fight nobody wants. Right? You're the guy that everybody wants to delay. >> This sport is getting big because of drama, not because of fighting. Like Conor, Khabib, Diaz. >> What's the next big one for you? >> Body, don't say that. Are you serious? >> They send me contract, I sign and I give it back. >> Take the fight against Ilia for zero, you take it, don't pay me nothing. >> It's okay, I'll fight for you, USA. >> [laughter] >> I'll fight for you head. >> And uh I look forward to the day we celebrate as the first Armenian UFC champion. >> Yeah, so when I get the belt, I flew out here and put the belt on this table and we talk again. >> 100% [music] >> [music] >> Arman Tsarukyan, how are you? >> Great, thank you. How are you? >> Very. Do we want to do this? >> Uh Angleren on English? If I don't understand, I'm going to talk [laughter] to you. So it's it's my first time when someone knows Armenian and English, so >> So I I'm going to be both the translator and the interview, which is going to be good. >> Yeah, [laughter] always have my friend. He's sitting and listening to the whole podcast. If I don't understand question, I always ask him and now I said, "Bro, today you can leave because >> You don't need the translation today. >> I don't understand something, I'll I'll let you know. >> to tell you that I I messaged you. What was it? 2 months ago, 3 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? >> It's it's come natural, you know. Um 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 post it like a food and uh So, I post maybe 3 years ago when I was eating In-N-Out, and it went viral. I had maybe like 300 or 400,000 followers, and it was like 6 7 millions. And I said, "Okay, uh maybe people like because I fought uh versus Damil Ismagulov. I beat him. I got I gained like a 40,000 uh 40,000 likes for the for the winning." >> Right after the fight. >> Yeah, but when I post the In-N-Out, I got 250,000 likes. I [laughter] said, "Why I beat this guy like and I didn't go viral?" And I just post the burgers, and uh I went viral. So, and I decided like to do something more with my social media. But, like last half last uh 6 months, we just crushed it and like nonstop working. And uh you know, I don't push myself. It's like come natural, and uh it's easy for me. So, people think I I I have a like a big team, like we just create something crazy every day thinking about like a uh reels, what are we going to post, this, that. It's like every every post, almost every reels, it's it's like almost my my uh my lifestyle, you know. We don't We just create by organic. >> just kind of like, "Hey, why don't we do this?" >> Yeah, we don't think Even like uh Austin Hall, he came to me and said, "Bro, what are we going to do?" I said, "We're going to train, do something." And they just we just create from there. Because if we're going to think and sit, it's not going to be natural. So, come, we we wrestle, we box, we run, we eat, and then we we feel feel something. >> You know what's one of the ones I like? it. can you go back? It was a 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. >> Yeah. Go down. >> 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. >> No, 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. >> Yeah. The The last part when I >> That's the best part. >> All. >> This is the thing. Getting the eyeballs and the attention. >> [laughter] >> See it's uh >> One and a half million likes. Rob, click on the views. Click on Just click on the 1.5 million. If you click on the 1.5 to the right, it'll tell you. Look at this. Uh it doesn't tell you. I don't know how many views it is. It's in the tens of millions. >> More More than 20 something millions. >> 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 dollars sponsorship money or not yet? >> Oh, right now, yes. >> You are now. >> Yeah, well, because last year I signed all my contracts, but in 1 month they're going to be done and I already like instead of like 500,000, I'm I'm going to make 3 million. >> 3 million a month in sponsorship? >> No, no, like I'm approximately >> of these things. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, like, for example, if I made like 500,000 a year from one brand, now I'm like making 3 million, 4 million. >> Yeah, so it 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. >> Yeah, but uh to gain followers is not easy. You just got to like for example, give a car for the followers and like, "Okay, follow me. I'm going to give you a car." And then you're going to 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 going to give them something. If they like my content, they they're going to follow me. So, and uh I before I will I will I was not thinking about I got to make money from the social media, this, that. I was just having fun, you know, and uh it's uh 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 I travel around the world. Yeah, the worst thing I don't I I don't spend too much time with my family, mom. I I got kids, so but uh you know, I'm 29 right now. I'm telling them when I'm going to be 36, 37, I'm not going to like train anymore and I'm going to be with you all day, so you're going to get tired from me, so enjoy your life. >> For now until 6 years from now. So, your story I've I've heard it from a lot of different people, you know, uh 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. >> Yeah, um I was born in Georgia. We moved to Russia for the good life, you know, um and then I went to karate and like I like karate, but it was too far and then I started wrestle because it's close to my home. We start start 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 here was hating this sport because of cut weight. But nowadays if someone ask me as a kid kid shouldn't cut weight 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 like what's stress. >> years old? >> Yeah. >> So you started training very early. >> Yeah, I started six. I started training six and from six to nine or 10 I was like beating everybody on the wrestling. And then when I was 10 I was playing for my 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'm from Khabarovsk it's like a cold place place in Russia it's like north north like at the coldest place in Russia and everybody >> Not an Armenian community? >> No no no no not a lot of Armenian only Russian people so they they play all day hockey uh in the winter time and my friends was the their hockey player so I was playing with them and then when I was nine 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. >> You were playing professional hockey from 10 to 17? >> 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 got to 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 uh Canada to play here. >> Were you that good that you think you could have made it in the NHL? >> Uh I was good. I was good. And uh my goal was the hockey, and then when I was 17, I understood like I cannot be a good hockey player. And and I said, "Okay, it's done. I'm going to work with my dad." And I was working 3 months with my dad and said, "No, this is not my thing. I I like to be in the sport because it's easier for me. You wake up you know, your time. You change 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 6:00. 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 to my dad, "Can I go to grappling school?" And he said, "Yeah, do." 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. >> So from 9 to 17, you didn't do any grappling or wrestling? >> Nothing. Nothing. >> So only 6 to 9 wrestled, then 9 to 17 hockey, and then you come back to grappling in 8 >> Yeah. So in 1 year, I I was a Russian champion. So yeah, it was like a everybody was surprised how I made it. And like and grappling for me was boring, and I 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. You're going to break your head. >> [laughter] >> Why you need that?" I said, "Just one fight." I I I like when they people go to to the cage, you know, with music. And I watched once when I was like 17. And I said, "I want to do this once in my life." >> Who'd you watch? What fight did you watch at 7? >> Uh it's a Dagestani guy. He was walk He was walking uh to his to the cage with the good music, you know, I said it it make make me so excited and I said I want to do this in my life. >> Just because the walkout? >> Yeah, walkout. 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 going to break your head. So, you're going to be stupid all your life." >> you been a fighter? Like were you a fighter or mainly wrestling? Would you get into a lot of fist fights or no? >> No, no, no. I didn't have experience. I I I was like a grappler and then I wanted to transition to MMA just for one one for one fight. So, and thank God I won my first one and then they offered me right away the second one with 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 a I have I have a like a strong heart, you know, I don't care who I I'm going to fight. I said, "If he wants to fight me, I'll go out because I'm I was young, no experience, nobody tell me you shouldn't do that, you got to uh box first. I get experience and then you you can go to fight with like these people." I said, "Okay, then 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, uh give me 1 year. And uh can you send me to uh Thailand?" So, I flew to Thailand, I stayed there 1 year and I came back, beat him, this guy that he knocked me out. >> What did you do in Thailand for 1 year? >> I was training. I was coming back uh for competition to Russia and then back to to Thailand. I was >> was the training in Thailand? >> It was hard. It was hard, so hard. And I didn't know how to train. I was training all day. I thought 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 got to go there, do one training and then evening and then rest and then evening. I I went there from 9:00 to 11:00, it was jiu-jitsu. From 12:00 to 2:00, it was MMA. And then from 5:00 to 6:00, it was sparring and I was doing like all all that trainings. >> Every day? >> Every day, yeah. Only Sunday day off. >> Who who told you about that place? >> Uh 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 Muay Thai and they nobody knew that. And then >> [clears throat] >> and then one of the the taxi driver, he he drove me there. It was like 30 minutes from the airport or from >> Did you go by yourself or did you go with a >> No, alone alone. I was there alone. Alone. >> By yourself? You're saying you went to Thailand based on a video you saw on YouTube. >> Yeah, nobody nobody. Yeah. Yeah. >> 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? >> Yeah, I was going back back to Russia, beat somebody and then come back. And then in 1 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 1 year five fights. 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 in 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 seven and one. Uh you can be like a good MMA fighter and you can you can you can be in UFC. So and then I and then I won started beating everybody and I was like 30 30 win streak. 30 win streak then they signed me to in the UFC for 2 weeks before. >> So at what point did Dana know who you were? Do you have an idea when the UFC found out who this kid is Arman that's beating everybody up? >> Uh yeah, because the they signed me before it 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 2 weeks they they told me before fight but still you know, I said I got to take this chance because you never know what's what's going to be tomorrow. Maybe they never going to call me again. >> And is this the Islam fight? >> 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 Khabib. I don't care like I need a 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, when I >> you or someone's telling you this? Like you have coaches? >> Yeah, just >> The confidence is you. >> Yeah, just me. >> What where did you where did the confidence come from? >> I think from my blood. I don't know because the where I born uh hard lifestyle, you know, the my my parents they they came from nothing probably from that that you got to take risk and uh and uh do what you got to do, you know. >> Your dad seems like an interesting guy. Is he very tough? Is he like if if >> he's tough. He's tough. >> Is he >> is. 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 our for our future. And uh For example, if you ask him like, "I want to buy this car or this." Yeah, he said, "Buy it." But for him, he never going to buy for him like a car or whatever. >> Simple guy. >> Yeah. I mean, when he was like 40-something, I said, like, "Dad, why you you don't want to buy a car?" He said, "My time is left when I wanted to to have a car is when I was 25, 23, 24. Uh that mo- moment I didn't have money, but now I don't I don't need that mo- but I want you to enjoy it because I didn't enjoy that time." >> How many siblings? >> I got a older brother and younger sister. >> So, that's your older brother? >> Yeah. >> To your right. >> Yeah. >> What What does he do? Does he work with dad or >> He he works with dad. >> He works with dad. So, rumor has it your dad's very wealthy. >> No. Not very wealthy. He's okay. We We good lifestyle. We We travel around the world. We drive any cars we want, but like we don't have like, I don't know, billions. >> You're not billionaires. >> No. >> So, broke like a half a billion. Like a few hundred million. >> About, yeah. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> That's 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 has such a simple life. He 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? >> 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 uh Rolex store and buy for him watches. That watches he's wearing is mine. I gifted 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 flashy things. But my dad and my brother, they they don't care like what watch they have, what clothes they wear. They just They don't care. But It's uh 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 it. >> Not like show up, you know. >> Yeah. Uh What did you learn from mom? What did you learn from dad? >> From dad? I learn You got to You got to From dad like uh You you got to work to get something. Not Not Not Not Not someone going to gift you something. Not Don't wait like to anybody to gift you or like to tell you you got to do this. Then you got to 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. >> How about mom? >> My mom >> uh >> 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. She So, she doesn't eat like from when I was young, I never eat like uh uh sausages, never drink uh uh 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 uh, she works out every day and from her I think >> Really? Was she an athlete before or like did she >> No, she just like it. So, when we go out when we go to vacation, so my dad, my my dad is sleeping, my sister is sleeping, but I'm uh, me, my mother, my my my mom my mom we are all running or like walking and she likes to to work out. >> 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 uh, younger sister. Do two of you guys together? >> Yeah, yeah, but she's lazy, so she doesn't [laughter] like to work out. Yeah, so >> watching it right now. >> Yeah, so what can I say? She's lazy, she doesn't like work out. She she she likes like the older brother going to give her everything and like she doesn't like even uh, study, so we cannot like uh, >> Are you okay with that? >> We tried to push. It It didn't It didn't work. What we can do? We're 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, I if I'm going to have a boy, I want him to be a fighter, right? I'm going to see if he doesn't like that, I'm not going to push. Never going to be like he's not never going to be a fighter. >> Yeah, if he doesn't want to, you can't force him to do it. I tried to force my oldest son to play uh, baseball and he just hated it. He's like, "Nah, I'm not interested. You're interested. I'm going to I'm going to fight." He's a fighter. He does Muay Thai. Uh, he couldn't stand doing jiu-jitsu. I put him in jiu-jitsu and my dad, his grandpa, is videotaping him because he's in a class down the street here and one of the girls in the class there 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. 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 it Is the >> Yeah, it was the >> three rounds or three rounds you guys >> Yeah. >> What did you learn from that fight afterwards? Cuz you only had two weeks and this is the guy everybody's fearing. You face him. What what clues did he leave with you? >> Uh from that fight I learned uh you shouldn't be so so confident. You always got to got to like think twice, you know, don't don't be don't underestimate your your your fighter. Even like last week like last Saturday I was wrestling with 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. Yeah. After that fight yeah you you never got to underestimate your fighter. >> Yeah, and so with the Faber if you're you're talking about Faber I'm assuming, right? 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. >> Yeah. >> Wasn't it Wasn't it Philadelphia, right? >> Yeah, yeah. >> And and and there's a clip of you Rob. I don't know if you have it. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Where you know, is this it? Yeah, make this a little bit bigger Rob. So what happened to you? Were you Was this intentional? Was it accidental? >> Accidental. >> [laughter] >> That's insane. Not intentional at all. >> 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. >> Did that hurt anything? Like when you fell, adrenaline, nothing, no injuries? >> No, no, no. We know how to fell. >> And him as well. He's okay as well. >> Yeah, he's good. I'm going to send him a gift. >> You're going to send him a gift? >> Yeah. >> What's the gift? >> We'll see how much RF pay me. >> Uh uh uh does does does this actually pay well? Is it a good paying fights? The the wrestling? >> Yeah, wrestling. I get paid good. >> Like what's good? >> I mean, they don't want to tell me how much they pay me because uh uh uh other fight other wrestlers going to wants the same money. So, they trying to But uh like uh you can buy a good Patek Philippe. >> You can buy a good Patek Philippe. They can range >> like yours. >> You can, but you have a nice one. >> Like like this one, yeah, you can buy. But like this one, you got to do like a six, seven. >> Six, [laughter] seven to get this one. He knows watches. Uh so, from your experience with UFC, cuz UFC publicizes the biggest payday, right? What's the most money you made with UFC >> With UFC? Um more than a half a million. >> More than a half a million in a fight. Okay. And the last person you fought um >> Dan Hooker. >> Dan Hooker, which was about a year ago, right? He's the one that you had butt it in the in the pre >> before weigh-ins. Because I hate this guy and and then he tried to flinch me and then I said Sometimes I cannot control myself. If 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 step back. Straightforward. >> To him. >> Yeah. >> Okay, so this guy, you didn't like him from the beginning. >> No, I didn't like because we were talking trash about uh he was talking bad about me, this, that. And like and then now I like him because I beat him. >> Yeah, it's always like the once you beat him, you're friends with them, right? >> It's different when you're fighting. >> Yeah, so but he has a like a bad mouth. >> Arman, what what do you think normal people don't know about Armenians that there's certain rules with Armenians, you can't curse. You 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? >> Uh because of uh the place where we grew up. And second one is a genetic uh testosterone that we have. It's from there coming. >> You think that's what it is? >> Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah, cuz in Armenia >> 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 uh that's why the best fighters they coming from from there. If they going to sign a lot of Dagestani, Chechen uh uh Georgian, Armenian fighter, they going to take over all UFC. >> No, but what what I'm asking is I'm asking more about from the side of uh you know, like in in Americans they'll say, "Hey, motherf- you know, they'll just kind of >> they just talk and like >> talk. >> Yeah, and nothing happen. >> 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. >> Yeah. >> Where you can't 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? >> No, I can deal it so easy, but sometimes for the show you got to do something. You got to if you think like for example Khabib 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 got to do something like crazy things that that going to bring a lot of eyes, and then I when I when I like a fight or something, they already know who I am I, you know, and um uh 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 going to do anything." But like I cannot control myself so much, so I need someone to who is going to stop me. >> 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? >> Yeah, 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 the no talking, nothing. It's just like a fight. And if for example, I hate Dan Hooker. I used to hate him. And then when I was in the cage, I was so calm. Like I was controlling myself because it's a fight. You cannot do like if you're going to be not calm, you're going to lose. You're going to gas out, so that's why you got to control yourself. And like be um calm. So it's important. >> Who did you fight that would talk to you? Are there fighters that would talk to you in the middle of the fight that would they would try to get to you or no? >> 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, they 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 want. You You can just smash him. >> 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 them, but that's not your style. You're not the one You're just focused on the fight versus your opponent. >> Yeah, mostly, yeah. But never know, so >> You never know. >> You never know. Yeah. >> You could surprise somebody. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Have you ever grappled or wrestled or done anything with Khabib or no? >> No. Oh, his teammates, yes, a lot. >> His teammates, yes, but not him directly. >> yet. Uh Um I came a little bit late later, so he's already retired and coaching his uh uh cousins, but in the future, for sure, I'm going to fight his cousins or somebody because they they he has a good team. >> Do you guys ever communicate? Have you guys ever communicate >> We cool. I'm cool with Khabib, Islam, with everybody. >> With his whole camp. >> Yeah, because we live in the same same country, and we have same culture, and we don't like pass the line, you know? You got to respect. >> And right now you're training with uh >> Khamzat. >> Khamzat, yeah. How's the training with him? >> Uh so hard. Khamzat, the guy he I thought like I train a lot. So, I have the same problem like Khamzat. If nobody going to control me, what I'm doing, I'm going to overtrain overtrain always. And when you overtrain, you cannot perform. So, that's why you need a good coach. Khamzat, same. Uh He he works so hard, and you got to 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 overtrained. >> So, it's important, so it's interesting. So, overtraining works against you when it comes out to the fight. >> Yeah, when you young, you can overtrain because your body can like take it, but right now when you're 30, 31, 32, you cannot do the same when you were 18, so that's why now you got to take care of your body and uh train smart. Especially we cut a lot of weight, too. So, he cuts maybe like 15 kg, it's like about 30 lb. >> Wow. And in what time what time frame? >> Like 1 month. >> In 1 month, that's insane to go through that. >> Yeah. >> And what what do you notice when you you've trained with a lot of different people, I'm assuming, over the years. >> Yeah. >> What are some of the big names you've trained against? Not fought, but trained with. >> Yeah, but Hamzat, I think the biggest name. >> Biggest name. >> Yeah, right now. >> How does that help you training against somebody his size? >> I mean, when I watch his training, what he's doing in the sparring, so I was try 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 uh he's a he's mindset. He has a different mindset. Like not everybody. He never watch his opponent fights. He don't care what he's going to do. For example, me, I see and watch like, "Okay, Hooker, he does the like kick from the left you righty, he does this, that. I like I'm going to do this, he's going to kick me this. Okay, let's train. He's like a 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 watch them and he doesn't care what he's going to do. He cares what he's going to do to him. So, he he has his own game plan just on what he's going to do. >> Wow. >> So, that's why he's different. That's why he's a champion different >> So, he he doesn't study his opponents at all? >> 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 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. >> Yeah, that's that's pretty that's pretty wild to be thinking about because typically in every sport it's like study your opponent. We watch tape. We watch this. We watch that. >> I think I I watch more uh his opponent than him. For sure. I watch like what Strickland does that he's fighting next month. But uh yeah. >> Why did he bring you in? Cuz if he's fighting Strickland, why why train with you? Of course, you're one of the best in the world in in your weight class. You're you're you're feared by everybody. But why bring you in? >> Uh we are good friends. And uh he he has a fight in US, and he asked me like where you I should train. So, he came here 1 year ago, and he liked it to train with me with my coaches the at the place where I train. And uh he feels free here because he's superstar in Russia in uh UAE. Here in Newport, nobody like bother him. So, he can focus on you on his thing, and uh uh he likes the energy. He likes to to be uh >> How fun is he? How fun is he without uh 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? >> So, this you can see him once, he can be the funniest guy ever, but you can see him in 1 hour, he's going to be the scariest guy ever. So, he can change his mind his mood so fast. And I ask my guys, like my friends, they say they tell me you're same. So, you can be funny in the morning and then evening 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 it's because of we're 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 3 4 hours. >> It's funny that that's it that's a very common pattern uh with a lot of creative minds who wouldn't stop and were not happy with uh 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 winners. So, for you, what is what is next for you? Cuz 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? >> I'm a backup for the White House. So, main event in my weight. >> You are? >> Yeah. So, if something happen uh on the main event, if someone pull out or >> Is this public information? >> It's not public, but UFC tell me if you if someone like >> Oh, buddy, don't say that. Are you serious? >> Yeah, if someone pull out, but they got to get injured. >> awesome. Like >> Well, I mean there's a big one if a guy pulls out. Like you >> Yeah, so that's why I'm I'm I'm flying out tomorrow to back to Cali and the trainings. >> Wait, if if accidentally Gaethje or Topuria pulls out, you're in. >> Yeah. 100%. Yeah. Yeah, uh that's the goal. So, we never know. Uh it's a dangerous sport. But these guys, they train so they don't train hard, so low chance. >> Lower chance of them >> Yeah. >> So, meaning their their chance of them getting injured is not high. They're probably going to keep the fight. >> it's not high because they're both uh Topuria is just hitting pads. He doesn't do anything else. Gaethje he's uh 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. >> Well, for me, I I um the challenge is I don't know if Dana would be a good with Justin dropping out. Because it's a USA flag. And it's 250. >> It's okay. I'll fight for you USA. >> Fight for USA. >> And uh for sure for sure they're going to be proud more than for Gaethje. I'm going to show better fight than Gaethje. >> If you and Topuria. >> Yeah, 100%. >> I think the world wants to see that. >> Yeah, everybody is waiting for that fight. So, but if if it's not happen now, it's going to eventually it's going to happen. 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 and >> Did they call you at all for this fight or no? For this card? Were you at all >> Yes, I they call me for the you see Chandler. >> Rafi and Chandler? >> They wanted me put against the Chandler. And then they understood like it's bad bad for Chandler and he represent US. It's like 99.9 that I'm beating him. So and then they put Rafi. So if someone hurt in Rafi or Chandler, they might call me too. So >> Also either one of them, they might call you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, but ideal fight for you. There's two >> [clears throat] >> yeah. >> You want the title fight. >> Yeah, I want a title. >> Yeah. So and and for you 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 to the guy. Is that story going to 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, no because I'm I'm thinking about that title fight in my weight 155. >> up, right? He >> Yeah, he moved up 170. Yeah, but if he 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 155 probably. So there is probably in this summer in the end of this summer or they give me BM BMF title in June 11. >> Oh, dude, you're so qualified for a BMF type of a >> Yeah, so they either be BMF July or title fight in the end of this summer or September, October. >> Topuria. >> Yeah. 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. Topuria is how old right now? Is he 30? Is it 29 or 30? >> 29. >> 29. So, he's 29 and and you're 29. >> Yeah. >> What a perfect uh matchup. I mean, if if that's the main if you if you guys end up well, something needs to happen last minute for that to be the fight. Um but that'd be a big one. When you watch Topuria, what do what do you think about Topuria? Cuz I had Topuria here on the podcast. We had a very good conversation together. Different kind of a fighter. >> Yeah. >> Right? Different kind of a fighter. >> Good good fighter, good mindset. Um 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 uh it's hard to wrestle and box, you know, 25 minutes. Unless if you're Khabib or Khamzat. So, they can wrestle 25 minutes nonstop. Uh 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 uh 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 his box, I'll wrestle him or I clinch him. So, they know that, too. They They going to try to avoid. They going to try to move up. After this fight he's going to say they cannot fight me because it's like it's like uh even his teammate or they know it's a tough fight. It's a tough fight. Why we should take the tough fight if we can fight with Oliveira, uh Gaethje, the guys who is like in the end of their career and they cannot do everything. And they have a bad chin. They They drop so much. So, if he if they going to hit them, they're going to uh lose, you know? So, uh yeah, that's that's the main thing. So, probably he's going to get the title uh he's going to defend the title and say, "I'm going to leave this title." >> He's going to leave this title. So, >> Uh it's my opinion. If he if he's on on the camera, he's saying, "I don't care. I fight Arman." But, when the time comes to fight Arman, he's always like uh trying to find excuses. >> 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 uh one of the highest uh uh grossing viewership. I think it can be the match-ups because I don't think either one of you guys uh are going to porier 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, point 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. Uh uh what has to porier said about you when your name comes up? Cuz I'm sure you watch everything he says about you in interviews. >> Last time he was on the stream, uh I don't know. He said knock me out or something. I don't remember, to be honest. >> he would knock you out. >> 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 going to do, he's going to wrestle me. I'm going to defend. What What else? He cannot box. And uh I'm going to knock him out or something like that. >> Rob, is this is this to porier on the podcast? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I don't remember what he said, but I do remember we talked about Arman. Go forward. Can you look at that, Rob? I'm curious now because I is Charles is number Oh, Arman is number two. >> Arman, number two. >> So, would you fight an Arman before you go like let's just say Dana says I want you to fight Arman before you fight Islam. Would you entertain that? >> he wouldn't tell me that. >> He wouldn't tell you that. >> No. >> Dana would say Islam. >> 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. I have to fight directly for the belt. >> How soon do you think that would happen? >> Personally, I don't know. I have a plan. >> like to wrap. >> Yeah, that that moment he Islam was the champion. So, that's why. So, I was number one. >> And then Islam moved up. >> Moved up and yeah, so and I supposed to fight him and UFC decided to put the him versus Oliver. >> How much how much you when when it comes on 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? >> No, they never tell me they don't they they never give me like two names. Only one name. Here's your fight. Yeah, and I'll take it. >> And then no matter when they call you, you're going to take the fight cuz I do >> I I turned down just one fight because I was number 10 or I was number one and they they gave me like number 10 or 11 the guy who was losing everybody. >> Yeah, because Dana did say one time he says with Arman he doesn't take all the fights. We want people to take the fights. I think he made a comment about that uh in the past. How's the relationship with Dana? >> I'm cool with him. >> Okay. >> Yeah, so I'm good with uh I'm good with everybody in UFC and um uh I turned down the fight because they never give me fight when I was number 10 or number 11 with number one contender. Why I beat number nine? Why I beat number why why you give this guy like a 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 going to give me this this fight and I said I don't want to give me the the better fighters like from top five that I deserve it. >> What were were you ranked when he gave you number 10? >> I was number one. >> Oh, so that's when he >> Yeah, that's why just one fight in my life. I turned out once once in my life and I became the worst >> [laughter] >> But you have to know that's Dana though. You know, Dana if Dana calls you got to say yes. >> I think I think Dana Dana 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 title title fights. They just give him like a this card. He said yes or no or maybe he can switch because the the Hunter and matchmakers they do all this work. >> Mhm. >> 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. >> You don't think you know you don't think he's he did say he's no longer negotiating contracts. >> Yeah. >> He said moving forward it's Hunter and other people that are doing it and no longer me. I think he just said that recently. >> Yeah, and I don't think so he's like a in like making fights because he has a matchmakers and Hunter. Probably they just give him the the card and he say yes or no. I think I don't know. >> Yeah. >> Because it takes so much time. Can imagine you like how much time he has like to make all these fights. >> Let me ask you a question. Can are you also a fan of the fight? Are you a fan of UFC? >> Yes, I'm fan of UFC. >> So you you're a fighter but you also a fan. You watch it as well. >> Yes. >> Okay, so >> If I have a time, I always fly to Vegas and watch. Yeah. So, thank God UFC give me good tickets. >> [laughter] >> I'm still I'm still on. Still alive. >> So >> [laughter] >> So, let me ask you this. It it's it's almost to 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 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 in and uh supports what's going on. Do you see that as a common pattern? Like uh you know, the the faces of the fighting game typically have a little bit of conflict with the top of UFC. >> 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 uh do the thing. Jon Jones not just he wants big money. Topuria for the White House, he want Islam. He asked the big money. Everybody like asking for big money. That's why probably they argue. >> So, you think it's the money part. Well, let me ask you >> Yeah, 100% money. >> Let's say I'm negotiating on behalf of Dana. For the next 2 minutes, I work for Dana. >> For me, they send me contract, I sign and I give it back. I don't even watch how much they put. >> what I I I I I I 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 take the fight? >> 100%. >> So, let me get this straight. I mean, this is very important because we can save UFC some money right now. >> Yeah. >> If 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. >> I got to watch what's that in my contract to fight for the title. I don't know how much I I'm getting paid. So, because last time before the Hooker fight, they 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 sign. It was a good money for and I just signed it. I didn't say, "Oh, add me like 200 more because I want to 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. >> [laughter] >> You head butt it. You head butt it and that's what they didn't like that. He doesn't you know, there's certain things he wants uh He Are you are you Do you have a relationship with Conor? >> No. >> Have you guys ever met? >> Uh yeah, I fought on the same card as uh I fought on the same card as Conor. Conor with Dana is good, Khabib is good. Not like all fighters bad with uh with Dana. A lot of fighter uh like good with Only maybe Jon Jones, who else? And the the the now Ronda. >> Meaning not good with UFC. >> Yeah, like >> Yeah, but Conor was a little bit difficult at times, you know, Conor you know, he gave him a little bit of a hard time with you know, throwing that thing through the glass in the bus. >> Yeah, but it's good for the for the UFC. It's You You think they don't like it? They like it. >> So, are you thinking about throwing something through that window? You're like, "Let me go grab the chair right now." >> Yeah, so [laughter] the the the drama, the the sport why they this sport is like getting big because of drama, not because of fighting. Like Conor, Khabib. Diaz. You know, the trash talk, everything. Not just fighting. What's going on before the fight. The bus thing, it was like it went viral, too. It was uh because >> 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 Khabib, yeah, they talk in the press conference and fight. It's It's gone. >> Yeah, I saw what you said once. I thought it was so funny. You said to Topuria, 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 $3.5 million house if you fight me. >> Yeah, um So, he was selling his house. >> Right. >> And he didn't have a fight. And I said, "Yeah, I'll buy his house." And uh and uh >> I mean, this is just trolling at its best. >> [laughter] >> I'll buy your house if you agree to fight me next. Ilia Topuria has put his $3.5 million home for sale. >> And my dad called me and I heard, "You're buying the house." And he >> [laughter] >> said, "Yeah." When he said, "When we going to vacation?" >> Your dad said that? >> Yeah, but who I'm going to call when he's he's going to say yes? >> Yeah. Did he Did he respond back to you or no? The No, no. Go a little bit down on the comment section, Rob. Arman arriving in Madrid to buy Ilia's house. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, people is is doing >> People are funny with you. Yeah. Um That's interesting. So, how how how much of how much of match cuz 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 the last fight where, you know, he is I don't know if he was ACL was torn or his knee, you know, and he kept getting kicked, kicked. 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. >> Yeah, but it's hard. People are like expecting like every title fights like it's going to be drama, this, that. Like And like they didn't sell a a lot of like a pay-per-view or what's it called that? I don't know. >> Pay-per-view? >> Yeah. But uh For example, like all bigger stars are booked now. Like Hamza big fight coming up. Ilia Pereira on the White House. And uh UFC doesn't have so much so much stars to put on the on the on the every card. That's why like uh And the one fight pulled out, too. The co-main event for the title, Von versus I don't know who. Uh That's why they didn't sell it a lot of a lot of tickets. And uh but you see, you never know. You see the names, they don't have big names, and you come watch, and like the best fight ever, right? Like you said, title uh the heavyweight fight. >> So, that's why That's why every every event they they they have something special. Matchmakers works works good, 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 what fights would you want to see in the UFC? >> In the UFC? >> Mhm. >> Jones versus Pereira. >> Jones-Pereira. >> Arman versus Gaethje. Oh, Arman versus Ilia. >> Okay. >> And the next one, Hamzat Chimaev versus Sean Strickland. >> Strickland. Those three fights. >> Yeah. Strickland has a fight that >> Yeah. >> versus Hamza. >> Yeah. >> And then Pereira, Jon Jones is a big fight. They wanted to do that fight on the White House, I guess. 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. >> Yeah, in UFC a lot of fights you can do. You can do a lot of fights. 145 is a >> Jones wanted over 15 million. Yeah, that's what he wanted. >> 15? >> Jones wanted 15 million for the bout. And it failed due to reported gap of 5 million. Now, keep in mind, this is, you know, ESPN reporting. >> 50 million? >> 15. >> 15 million? >> Yeah, easy. For White House, he deserve it, 15. And I think they they could pay him. It's it's something like a different issue. It's my opinion. >> Okay. >> Yeah. No chance, yeah. >> You know, this whole thing with Valuetainment 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 where 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. >> I think like one of the biggest biggest event ever and you think they're not going to pay 15 million? For sure they pay. >> Yeah. >> They got a lot of money, so >> a lot of money. I mean, if you you if you >> And he has not a lot of fights left, so maybe one two fights, Jon Jones. And And a legend and like Conor, he he made like 15, 20 millions, right? For the fights. >> What Can you pull up what are Conor's highest you know >> No, that on the boxing he made a lot but >> On the boxing he made 100 million. >> UFC he made I think for the of his pay-per-view something like 30 mil, 20 mil, 20 something mil. >> So not the UFC but on the including bonuses 5 to 6 million bucks 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 chat GPT Rob? And and >> No, but you never know maybe they pay him extra. >> Conversation side. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> But but to me >> Extra bonuses. UFC always send me extra bonuses. Yeah. A couple days ago they sent me 42k I don't know for what. >> [laughter] >> Maybe for my for my social media. >> Are you serious? >> Yeah, yeah. Yeah, they sent me >> explain where it's coming from or no? >> I didn't ask. They actually >> You just took the money. >> Maybe may maybe my manager going to say hey, where's my process? >> Yeah. >> I was I was not saying. >> So Eddie Alvarez 6.8 million. Interesting that Eddie's What did he get paid on Khabib? No way. It was a 3 million dollar flat fight? >> With Khabib? >> 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 What is the highest paid a UFC fighter got paid? What is the highest? >> You never going to know. Because they used to pay the the the not on the >> books >> on the books. Yeah, I heard they they pay so much money when it was Fertittas. >> Yeah, I I um 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 way 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 >> No, but I heard he makes around 20 million the corner. >> A fight? >> Yeah, from the Khabib's fight he made like 20 or 30 million. >> 20 or 30 million? >> It's good money, no? >> Yeah, but if you look at the most, there's a I think four out of the five highest uh uh pay-per-view tickets ever sold, four out of the five Conor's 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 Conor's in all of them. Okay, zoom in. There you go. Four out of actually five out of five is Conor. Isn't that amazing? 2.4 million. Damn. 1.8 million. Poirier three. 1.6 million. Poirier two. 1.6 million. Diaz two. 1.3 million. Diaz one. >> Can I imagine 2.4 on how much is the pay-per-view? 100? 150? >> 70 bucks? I don't know what it is. I want to say it's probably 70 to 100 bucks. So it's 200 a quarter of a million. >> Yeah. >> Damn. 80 bucks. 80 bucks times 2.4 million. That's a That's 200 million dollars right there. >> Yeah, probably he makes around 30 mil. >> On those fights? >> Uh Khabib maybe 10, 15 and he make probably about 30 mil. >> How much you think it's his fighting? How much you think it's his personality and ability to promote? >> Uh fighting is uh 80% 70% and 30% is promote. >> You think that's what it is? >> Yeah. >> So okay, so you put 70 of it on a skill set, 30 of it on the promoting side. >> Yeah, if you're if you're if you're bad, you're not you're not going to be in the top 10. >> Interesting. 70-30, that makes sense. >> Yeah, you got to be a good fighter to fight for the title. >> Yeah, that's a very good point. >> Unless if you're not Paddy Pimblett. Paddy Paddy Pimblett 10% fighting, 90% uh uh trash talk and uh >> So, you think 10%? Paddy's a pretty good fighter. He's He's pretty >> Did you watch his last fight? >> Yeah, that was not good, but the previous one, you know, I've seen >> Versus who? >> Well, I've been I've been to quite a few. >> Yeah, he he beat like uh trash cans. He beat He beat 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 uh what's the >> Just pull up his last fights, Rob. Go down a little bit, it'll show his fights. >> Chael Michael Chandler. >> Michael Chandler. >> Michael Chandler 10 fights in UFC, nine loses. >> Is that That's not Michael Chandler. >> Approximately. Approximately. >> Click on Chandler's record. >> No, King Green. King Green. Check the King Green. >> Go Go Go on King Green, Rob. >> King Green, better. Check his uh last 15 or 10 fights in UFC. Okay, last 10 fights. Go down. >> Three three. >> Like five loses, five wins, or maybe more. >> Go to Chandler. I think with Chandler Chandler is like >> worse. >> 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 paint. Yeah. >> Last 1 2 3 4 5 Last six fights, five loses. >> Arman, respectfully, he almost beat Charles. He almost beat Justin. >> I almost I almost was a UFC champion. >> [laughter] >> 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 to five rounds with Charles. Yeah, he's um um He's uh >> Last six fights, five losses. That's crazy. >> He's a he's a pretty He's a pretty fun guy to watch. >> Yeah. >> He's a pretty fun guy to watch. >> Like a fan, yeah. Like first round is good. Uh his fight versus Gaethje, Poirier or Poirier was good. I mean, for fans it's good to watch, but like a fighter it's hard. >> You don't You don't think What What's today's What day is it, Rob? April 20 >> 20th. >> April 20th today. 4/20 today. Okay. So, and and the White House card is when? >> Uh June 16th, I think. >> June 16th, so 2 months till the White House card. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry, June 14th. >> You think there's a 0% chance Dana's going to make an announcement with a Trump uh with a new fight? >> If you call Trump and tell Put Arman on the card and he's fighting for the US and uh maybe they make it. You got to ask Destra right. You got to call Trump and say this guy is the biggest star right now in Armenian community and uh >> Oh, my god. >> He wants He wants uh represent US. >> 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 Ilia say no? >> No. He cannot say no. >> Okay. >> Because uh it's uh it's a White House and uh if there are not going to be other names, who's going to be ready? They cannot put anybody. But you see there is a two guys in the 155 division. There is a Chandler. But can't imagine [gasps] if they going to say to me no and put Chandler fight for the title. >> Oh, the audience will be so pissed off. >> That's going to be the worst. >> Oh, the audience will be so pissed off. They would not be happy. >> Or Luffy. I don't know. >> Well, let me ask you. Deep down inside, don't you think he wants to see that fight you against Topuria? >> And then now they want to see that. >> You don't think Dana wants to see that fight? >> And right now Dana wants to. >> Why are you saying right now? >> Because they can see what I'm doing on my social media, on my wrestling, everything. I'm just uh bringing a lot a lot of numbers and they post the April April 1st picture me versus um >> Oh, that was the best. >> And I gained more like likes and the views than UFC page announced whole whole card. >> Did you see that, Rob? Do you know what Do you know what he's talking about? On April 1st, he posted that uh the fight is him against Ilia. Did you post it on Instagram or or Twitter? >> Instagram. >> 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. 1 million likes. White House, Washington, D.C. This was posted on April 1st. >> Yeah. >> This just tells you people want to see this fight. >> They going to see that. They going to see this fight. It's going to be one of the biggest fight and uh 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 the this content, but I train less, but I always train and getting better. It's just show people that I'm chilling. >> Yeah. Is that Is that Is that Nina? >> Yeah. She's my friend. >> what's the story with you guys? Are are guys dating? Are are guys >> No, Nina and me are the best friends. She's a >> Nothing. There's nothing in between you guys. >> Nothing and nothing happened because we respect each other, you know, and uh So, we just create the content and >> There's chemistry there though, bro. Like that's you know, like when people watch you guys, there's a >> I just want to say one thing, if you if you if you do with something like uh you're not going to post anything. If you have something between you, you're not going to post it. Yeah, so you don't you don't going to show that who you're dating or like >> It's a show. >> Yeah, this show this just uh the content we do together and uh she has a boyfriend, so and uh >> It's amazing how are you surprised by how well it performs? >> Because the her boyfriend she he create the videos and uh he always with her. We just >> Wait, when you guys do the videos, her boyfriend's always there. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> And is he a fighter as well or no? >> No, he's a content creator. He does every videos and like he's so smart and uh he does a lot of social media for her. They they work together. They work together and like >> Wow. >> Uh and >> This is him? >> Yeah. So, he's a >> He's a good-looking guy. I didn't know that. So, I I thought she was single. >> No, no, no, she's not single. >> Is she Is this her husband or her boyfriend? >> Boyfriend. >> Okay. All right. >> So. >> And he's doing the content. >> Yeah, we're like my team and her team and he's always on her team and he helps her with uh everything. >> Did you say earlier you have kids or you don't have >> Yeah, I don't have I don't I don't have two kids. >> You have two kids? >> Yeah, two kids. >> So, are you married or >> Married. >> You are married? >> Yeah. >> God. >> 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 and anything. >> Two girls. >> Yeah, my maybe the young young one is going to be uh a fighter. >> Uh and Arman, are you you're married to an Armenian? Yeah, yeah. To an Armenian from where you're at. Yeah. Very cool. Yeah. That was my mom's dream. My mom's dream was you know, my son is going to marry an Armenian. >> Yeah, but it doesn't matter. If you find the find the right person, who cares? Armenian, American, black, white, Chinese. So >> Is two enough for you or you going to keep making babies? I can't see you having two. 11 kids. 11 kids. That's the goal. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Arman, do are you a Christian? Are you you're Christian? >> Yeah. >> Got it. Yeah. >> You you were you were thinking like to gain three more wives? >> Well, you can speed it up because you know, if there are certain markets that you can accelerate that process. You know, I don't know if uh >> No, nowadays you can do the the thing, what's it called? The >> Surrogate. >> Surrogate, yeah. >> Yeah. What do you think about that? >> I think it's okay. >> Would you would you entertain it? >> If you want to more kids, yeah. >> 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. He says, no, no, if it's not in my mom's stomach. >> No way. >> He I'm telling you, he told me that. I said, 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. >> Wow. He is he's going to be a fighter, huh? >> 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 uh Did you train with other Armenian UFC fighters? >> Yeah, I trained to Mel Sik, Edmond Tarverdyan. Yeah, so But um they're in different weight class, that's why we don't train together. And uh they cannot keep up with me. >> And who's going to keep up with you today, though? >> Yeah, that's hard. So, uh but uh you see me and 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. >> You're the number one on the bike. >> Yeah. >> In bike what? What's number one? Like who can go to fastest, longest? >> like uh keep more watts on the bike? I'm number one from garage. So, I put the garage thing, yeah, yeah, this one. So, in this bike from fighters, nobody can beat me. Other thing and this thing that's for the shoulders, yeah. So, two of those, uh nobody. But other thing like running, speed running, or like uh I don't know. >> What an exercise? So, they drop the ball while you're carrying the weight as well, you're pushing up the weight. >> Yeah, this is coach Cal, and then he has his own garage. He doesn't like fancy things, we just go there and train. Train hard. So. And he push ourselves so much. So, when I want to want to I when I'm at home, I want to try to break the record, I cannot because he's not there. I I got to listen his voice and like he's like trying to push me so much. He cannot like >> Is he your coach or is he his coach? >> It's my coach, and then he when he came and he trained with him, and he like it, so. Yeah, so, uh good coach. But uh but he has his own coaches too with him like a jujitsu and boxing. >> 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? >> One In one place I said 500,000, but it was wrong. >> Was it more or less? >> My dad called me after that. Where do you spend 500,000? Now I got to say 100,000. >> You got to tell him 100,000. >> Yeah. I mean, so I have a big team, right? I have a big team. I have a I have a coaches. I have like a lifestyle family. If you we buying like a vouchers, we buying houses, we buying cars. If you going to If you going to like count everything, yeah, it's going to be 500,000. >> Per month? >> Yeah. >> Oh, so your lifestyle expense right now is 6 million a year. >> About. >> And is your fighting income and sponsorship paying for that lifestyle or not yet? >> About, yeah. >> So about. >> 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 access to that as well. >> I call it, so. >> Yeah, you have access to that as well. >> Yeah, you know, I grew up there. I live there, so I know how to make money over there. >> What's What's Russia to you? We're in America, so to us, you know, we you know, we we have a different uh you know, Americans may have a different impression of you know, Russia. What's Russia to you? What makes Russia special for you? >> 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 nature there. I like food there. Everything was going on over there. I like it. >> Do you see yourself as a Russian or Armenian? >> Say again? >> You see You see yourself as Russian or Armenian? >> Citizen? >> No, do you see yourself to call yourself to highest Russias? How do >> No, >> no, I'm Armenian. >> You're Armenian? >> Yeah, I'm Armenian, but I live Russia. So, and where I live in Krasnodar, it's like a lot of a lot of Armenian people, like five about 500,000 Armenian people live. It's like >> Where you are right now? >> Yeah, it's like a Glendale in US, same yeah. >> I got to go to I've never been to >> Yeah, Russia is it's good, it's clean, it's safe, it's clean, it's safe. Um yeah, if you compare to US, it's safer and cleaner. >> 100% >> Russia? >> Yeah, Russia. >> Safer and cleaner? >> So safe. >> Tell me why safer. >> So, you can wear you can walk anywhere, any watches, nobody can come and trying to grab you. >> Why is that? Why do you think? >> Uh because people is scared to do something. >> Why? >> Because they go to jail right away, they're not going to sue with you or do something. If you steal, you go to jail. And and they clean the mafia, everything. Now it's uh it's a so safe country. And uh 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 happened to >> Because people are afraid of the 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. >> Wow. >> 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 fighters like who has a big name, they have a bodyguards. And people there respect you so much. Especially if you're fighter or 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. And if they tell them you're in a rush, so let you 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 got to go." So, people here they don't have 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. >> How How do Russians think of Putin? Is it a high level of respect and admiration? >> Yeah, mostly people like him because they they live there. They they respect what he's doing. They like him. And uh So, >> Have you met him yet? >> Yeah, two two times. >> Really? >> Yeah, two times and uh I was fighting for his uh for his team. So, we got the pictures. You can put it. Yeah. So, you see young me. >> Oh, wow. How old are you here? >> 20 years old. >> Oh, man, it's a very different look. >> Yeah, but I was 20 or 19. >> And what was this year? >> It was uh 17 or 18. >> Uh it says 2025 the photo. >> is uh >> Yeah, cool. >> 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 they uh Russian fighters versus uh the world. So, they bring all the uh fighters from the world. And uh And uh yeah, they they they fight. >> Is that Fedor? >> It's a Fedor, yeah. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Wow. Man, he he still has the Matter of fact, he looks better now. >> Yeah, he's he's fit now. >> Yeah, he looks better now. What what what did Putin tell you? Was it just a meeting or did he say anything? >> 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 wrestlers and everybody in in Russia. So, if you're wrestler, for example, here, the government they don't pay money to you. But in Russia, we get paid. If you're like a in Olympic team in your if you're Russian champion, you get paid money. If you are win once in your life Olympic game Olympic medal, you getting paid all your life until you die. >> You're serious. >> Yeah, yeah, you can check this information. >> So, you you win one medal, you getting paid for the rest of your life. >> Yeah, like $1,000. >> For the rest of your life. >> Yeah, but can imagine if you win three times. You getting paid three or 4,000. >> Every month for the rest of your >> Every month, yeah, you can check it out. >> Very interesting business model. So, it's so it's not like you're getting paid one time cuz in America, I think we pay you one time. >> One time No, America doesn't doesn't pay you one time. They tell you you got to find a sponsorship and they pay you sponsorship. >> that way. Huh. But in Russia, they pay their medalists. So, there's an incentive to win for the rest of your life. >> But can you check they pay you how much they pay? >> Rob, can you check to see a go go to uh Yeah, go and ask and say, "What does Russia pay its uh Olympic athletes if they win a medal?" >> It was like $800 like like I heard one because I have a lot of friends >> who have won. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Medal, m e d a l. Okay, there you go. So, for recent Beijing, Russia has paid roughly $50 to $60,000 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 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. >> Yeah. They it's a Olympic sport. They they take care of them so much. So, for example, if you're you want to be a boxer, you go to school, you don't pay money. You if you're wrestler, you go to school, you don't pay money for the for the sport. >> how do they define you that you have to be at a certain level of >> No. No, if you're kid, you go to the school, you don't pay money for the for your sport in Russia. >> No matter how old you are? >> No matter. If it's not commercial, there is a like a every area has a 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 Even Khabib, he got paid for the for his gym. I put him Vladimir Vladimirovich built for him a gym. For example, you're gold you won a gold and you want to build your own gym, they give you money to build your own gym. >> If you're gold medalist. >> Yeah. >> So, so Russia helped So, Putin helped Khabib build his gym. >> Yes. >> That is powerful. >> 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 >> How do I know that? >> in US, it's opportunity to make so much money. It's uh It's a lot of good things here. A lot of good things there in >> get sponsorship money there or no? It's mainly from the government. >> Uh in Russia, no I got >> So you get sponsorship as well. >> Yeah, I got the energy drink in Russia. >> In Russia, they'll pay you as well. >> Yeah, yeah. >> So you get a little bit of both. >> Yeah. >> There's a long-term after UFC. Do you know Do you have any thoughts of what you're going to do after UFC or >> Depends how much money I make. But I want to live 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. >> Can you pull up Russia's map, Rob? Just curious to know what part you're from. >> Go to the Sochi. I want to show the our the >> Yeah, right there. >> The mountains that we do we ski, we do snowmobile, everything over there. >> So we're here. This is Sochi. >> Go to go to the Krasnaya Polyana. Uh this is the Sochi. Yeah, this is the the biggest. This is the the sea. So this is the mountains. Uh can you put the Sochi mountains? It's beautiful. Just the pictures pictures. Yeah, from the browser, yeah. Yeah, check it out. >> Oh my god. >> Courchevel. >> Oh my god. Click on that picture right there, Rob. The the first one? Is it zoom in on that picture? >> So beautiful. >> Wow. >> Yeah. I mean, when you stay in Russia long time, you want to leave from there, too. You want to go somewhere, travel, and then come back. >> 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. >> I mean, I like to be here from November. >> [laughter] >> From May to November? >> November, December, January, February, March. And then April, maybe. Yeah, 6 months here, 6 months there. >> May to November there, and then the rest over here because the weather. >> Yeah. >> And you your home here, you were telling me, you were saying you >> LA LA, when I landed to LA, I feel like you know, I'm in Russia as well. Armenia. Yeah, Russia. Because when I'm in Armenia, I cannot stay long to long time there. Everybody knows me, it's hard. >> I got to go Have you met the Prime Minister of Armenia yet, Pashinyan, or no? Have they ever reached out to you or >> No. >> Never? >> Never. >> So would you want to go, you know, meet him or >> I mean, I I did so much for this country. Of course, I would like to >> I'm surprised they've never reached out. >> to them to do something because uh >> I'll make one phone call. >> They they never done it something for me, you know, like they at least maybe give me a small medal that I'm doing the putting the flag on my shoulders and like running out in whole US, you know. >> Oh, they're going to 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, >> Yeah, for sure they for sure for sure they know about me, but >> Of course, they know about you. >> I don't need their help, but if they go if they want to help me, I'll be glad, you know. >> Yeah, I I I think if you if you were to go visit >> But uh Armenians from Russia, they help me. So, Armenians from Russia, the uh they help me a lot. >> How How you view the difference? Yerevan see >> No, no, no. I'm saying the because my friends from Russia who is in business days that they help me, they give me a houses, they give me apartments. So, yeah. >> Arman, question for you. Can you like What What does it mean to be Armenian? Cuz to me I'm Armenian and Assyrian, but what does it mean to be Armenian? >> For me? >> Yeah. >> I'm proud to be Armenian. Uh I'm proud to represent Armenian. I want to be a first Armenian champion. And uh So, in UFC we don't have a like a contenders, like a good fighters who is going to be a champion as very soon. But uh I'm I'm going to sign young kids and I see the potential so big then 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 I now I have a couple kids who who's like 19, 18 and they they if they going to be in UFC they can be a champion. Yeah. >> Back in Russia and >> Uh mostly in Russia, yeah. Mostly in Russia because in Armenia is not so popular, but uh we got someone from there, too. And uh I want to bring the belt. I want to represent Armenian and be a first champion because Russia has already a lot of champions. So, yeah. But anyway, I'll uh belt >> First. >> belt first and then I bring to Armenia. So, like uh >> Oh my god, that would be a spectacle. >> Yeah, but >> Arman Jan, 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. >> Thank you. >> 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 got to and I like Ilya. I like Topuria. You know, there's something very because both of you guys, what's going to 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. >> Spain, Russia, Armenia versus Georgia. You know, I was I was born in Georgia. My home, like for example, but 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 uh live there. So, even like uh we close to Georgia. So, and now like Armenia versus Georgia, but I live in Russia and he lives in Spain and like they going to know who is the best fighter in 145 division because in Russia, yeah, I'm Armenian, but Russian people they uh they support me so much, too. They They know I live there. They know like uh I'm going to bring the belt in the Russian home, you know. >> If If doesn't happen on the White House card, and if your ideal place that you would want to fight Topuria, where would it be? >> No matter when, no matter where. 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 going to get the these hats, the big hats, so big names. Uh because right now for me is 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 uh the REF grappling like a major. But in the end of days, if they they ask me uh what are you going to take UFC belt or these all things? So, 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 going to uh going to know that it's big name. Because of this uh media, I'm I'm making my my name bigger. And uh >> [clears throat] >> my goal is UFC. So, right now it's is that, but then when I become a UFC champion, I'm going to go for the names and make money. Because like you know my >> lifestyle. You got to make money. >> Yeah, it's expensive. And thank God I got money and uh >> Have you thought about starting a product? Are you working on a product because >> Not yet. I don't want to uh think about like about business that going to take my time. So, that's why I'm just focusing only on my uh social media and only on my trainings. Uh because when I'm done, when I'm going to be like done with UFC sport, when I'm going to be like 37, 38, yeah, I'm going to do my products or something. But I think when I'm going to be 37, uh I'm not going to be need products and then everything. So, I'm going to have a bunch of money, good investments, and like family man. So, enjoy retirement. >> Yeah, and you'll be in Russia from May to November and in LA or Miami or other places November to April. Maybe April. You said March. >> Yeah. From November, beginning of the November. And then the October, beginning of November here. And the And then the March. >> All right. >> So, but summer time sometimes in Europe, too. >> In Europe, too? So, your favorite spot? >> In Europe? >> Yeah. >> To be honest, I like all spots. Yeah, I like to travel around the Europe. >> Have you been all over like >> No, not yet. Not yet, but I've been a lot of places. >> Have you been to Monaco yet? >> Yeah. >> You've been to Monaco. I'm assuming you love Monaco. Yeah, for sure. >> Central Bay, Monaco. With my lifestyle, yeah. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying, with your lifestyle. That's a When you go to Monaco, you realize how broke you are. >> Yes. >> You go to Monaco, you know, you know the average net worth of a person living in Monaco is $30 million. >> No, I I feel broke every day, even because I have a lot of friends who is like a uh who has a lot of money when they talk about money and I talk about two three three million. >> [laughter] >> They They're laughing at me, so everybody has his own thing, you know? That's why so uh We work on it, you know? Everybody has his own uh >> But you have the one skill set that's very hard, Armand. You have You have a So, you know, currency isn't 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 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. >> Yeah. Um What about Bitcoin? >> It's at 65,000 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 to Rabbit went up 3.4% today. >> Yes, sir. >> Really? Interesting. >> Uh do you buy Bitcoins? >> I have Bitcoin. I have Bitcoin. I uh you know, not a lot though. I probably have less than 5 million in Bitcoin. Uh but my money is more in equities. I have probably 100 million in real estate. Um you know. >> The best real estate in Russia, by the way. >> Best real estate in Russia? Tell me why. Safety? >> Safety and it never falls, so it's going up so so much. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Russia real estate? >> Yeah. >> What? >> And if you have a friends who is the developers and they give you good price and you can make and you can double your money in 1 year. >> In Russia? >> In Russia. So, if you want to make money, let me know. >> So, you say >> [laughter] >> We make money there. >> Let's do it. So, we going to we going to buy a property in Russia together. This means >> No, no, no. For example, like sorry for interrupt you. For example, you buy commercial or or house, right? Here you got to wait like 20 years. For example, you buy a commercial >> Mhm. >> for 100,000, for example. And you give it to rent. You getting back your money in 20 20 years here. But in Russia you get get back in 8 years, 8 to 10. >> How is that? You're saying the rate of return is that good in Russia? >> Better than here because I calculate everything. And uh yeah, their return is faster. And like the price is >> Are you investing a lot right now as well or no? >> Yeah, I'm investing mostly in Russia. >> Mostly in Russia? >> Because I know people who developers >> Connections, contacts. >> like where >> But your dad was also in construction, right? So, he knows everybody. >> That's why it's easier, for example, if I buy something, he does everything inside for me. Yeah, all sides, so we don't waste money. >> can't get ripped off cuz 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 3 5 years, you know, 7 years of making mistakes, and then you make money. >> Yeah. >> But if you can get into a space that you already have the contacts, the relationship, and somebody can teach you to not make the mistakes, there's nobody better than a dad to share that with you. I can't wait to meet your dad. I'm actually curious to know what his personality is. >> a He needs a American visa. He doesn't cannot get it get the American visa. Five times he was in embassy, five times he didn't give him. I don't know why. He is not terrorist. >> Five times he tried to get it, they didn't give it to >> Yeah, but he's maybe they ask him question and he's like a worry, you know, that he wants to get the American visa, so much that's why he worry and they think like he has something to hide, you know. >> I think when you become a champion, you're going to be able to do a lot of things you want to do. >> Yeah, yeah. >> And it'll be a phone call. >> Yeah, but it's not it's it's okay me to be a champion, he's going to be good in Russia, I think. So, I just just [laughter] bring their belt to and give it to him, he's going to be happy to him. 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 US. Everybody wants to come here. >> It's true. >> It's true, yeah. It's a it's a land of opportunity because you can like create something and like you can >> What's different? You you go you you're in Russia all the time. >> Yeah, because in Russia less people, less money. People has no so much money like here. For example, you open the restaurant, right? Here is so much people coming, tourists, a lot of people live here, and they you you going to have customers and the the For example, in Russia, if you're smart the the millionaires and billionaires less in Russia because uh It's it's it's hard to How do you say? For example, here you have a lot of opportunities. So much. >> Mhm. >> 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 six 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. You got to do something different. >> Because of people. >> Because of people. So for example, they don't have so people don't have so much money like here. They have money. The salary average of salary average of salary in US is bigger than in Russia. >> Mhm. >> And here a lot of tourists. So much tourists LA. A lot of tourists can How many flights is landing in LA? >> it. Russia doesn't have a lot of tourists. >> Not so much like here. >> Because the weather maybe because the weather >> Weather 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's from Miami. Everybody has a dream to come to see ocean the ocean drive What was it called that? Because of movies. >> Mhm. >> Everything is coming from here and like people have >> What 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. >> Yes. Everybody wants to come from New York. If you're going to 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. >> Yeah. >> And that's why they bring a lot of tourists here. >> 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. >> Yeah, one of the best. >> One of the best. Great genetics. >> Yeah, so you got to come Russia. >> I look forward to it. I really want to go to Russia like >> And then and then you're going to you're going to see what's the different from Russia and >> Where do I go if I go there? Like what if you tell me two places to visit? Of course I I I think I got to go to Moscow, Leningrad. >> yeah, the places and then you come to Sochi. We go to mountain. >> Okay. >> We eat the we eat good food there. >> Was that food a video on Sochi? There's snowboarding? >> No, it's on it was in Courchevel. >> It was in Courchevel? >> Yeah. >> Got it. Yeah, I really want to go to Russia for a couple of weeks. >> Yeah, you will love Russia. You will love Russia. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, I have a friends who who lives all his life in 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 their life their >> 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? I will >> You come back, but maybe not alone, okay? >> [laughter] >> You're so funny. >> And and may not go back home. >> My wife's going to 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 6 months out of the year. Business changes, lifestyle changes." >> Yeah, but everywhere is good. Everywhere is good if you have a right people. And uh so I mean, in US, nobody like >> Do they treat you good when you're in the streets here? Does anybody bother you? They're all respectful to you? >> 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 like like a >> Squeezing your traps? >> 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 this and he was a good guy. So he said, "Sorry this, that." But can I imagine if the he was starting like, "Why you saying that?" And like and then we So when I like turned the bodyguard say I was already angry like why you like treat me like this? I'm not your kid like come and like squeeze my the shoulder or whatever whatever. >> Yeah. >> Don't do that if you respect me, right? >> You told him that? >> Yeah, I said, "If you respect me, don't do that." >> Albanians are tough. Albanians are also tough. >> Yeah, but >> But it's >> I mean in US you can meet everybody. I'm saying like >> Has anybody tried to fight you or no? At all? Has there ever been a time where you travel and someone tried to fight you? >> No. No, so No yet, maybe. But if they want to fight me, it's not a problem. >> [laughter] >> I can I know how to fight not get hurt myself, so >> No, I think it's a bad idea. This is the thing, you know, sometimes where you go and and one time Do you remember Diego Sanchez? Old UFC fighter. >> Yeah, yeah. >> He used to go, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" He was one of my favorite fighters. One day uh 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 is 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 and says, "You say one more thing, I'm going to kill you." And Diego looked scary, right? When when he was fighting. He comes back around. He's like, "I'm going to 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." >> Yeah. >> 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, Arman, more and more people are learning how to fight. 30 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. >> Yeah, for sure. But, you know, all times something happen, right? You I meet every days 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 a if he didn't like do something to me. >> Why do you do that? Why do you walk away? >> 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 happen with me 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 friend see that, they going to like fight him right away. Or just like a like different they it that's because of they can fight him, they not going to do that because they afraid. They not like come and touch someone like even like a 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 going to kicked out from this place even. >> If you do 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?" >> No, he has a $40,000 with him. >> Okay. >> He said, uh he wanted to punch Ashton Hall, Ashton Hall, the 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." >> [laughter] >> And he put money on the stairs. 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 done, if he if you if you could hit him, hurt him, and he's going to drop, I'll wire wire you right away because in my culture, if you shake the hand, and like we bet, you got to give back money. You cannot like say So, he punched him three times, he going to drop him, and I took the money, and his accountant 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, "Ryan, no. I need now my money." He said, "Bro, I swear God, uh like a man word, I'm going to give you I'm going to wire it tomorrow." One week, nothing. And my I was in I was uh I was someone like interviewed me, "Did you get paid back?" I said, "No, he didn't send me money, and he didn't >> You never got the money? >> Yeah, and he didn't even like call me, "What's your wire?" or "Why I'm not sending?" And I FaceTimed you I FaceTimed him, and I said, "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 friend." I said, "This is my friend. If you want to punch him, punch him." >> [laughter] >> I'm not stupid like to say you like, "Oh, listen, he's professional fighter. He's going to take your shots and I'm I'm not going to bet I'm going I'm going to bet." >> So, he thought you hustled him. >> 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 a like a huge guy with a broken nose. You got to You got to You got to think like he's Yeah, he's he do he does something. And then he fought with him. He did the boxing uh the sparring with him on the body shot. >> When? >> The same day. And he didn't say this guy's professional or what. He didn't say anything. >> Oh, so before this they sparred? >> No, after this they sparred. >> Okay, so you want to show the Is this the punch? Let me see it real quick. Let me see it real quick, Rob. >> No, neither. It's going to be right here. >> He knows the point that HE CAN'T HIT. >> I DON'T WANT TO >> I DON'T [clears throat] THINK I CAN DO THIS. >> SO, HE YEAH, he's he's he's he felt it that he's not going to drop him because he's a boxer. He He felt it he's not going to drop him with with with with his one punch and he has two left. He He stopped it and he's saying, "I don't want to hurt him." because he already know he's not going to drop him. Listen what he's saying. >> Yeah. I I I'd rather spar. Yeah, I'd rather spar. >> Let's spar. >> Now he wants to spar because he Yeah, you take it, brother. >> Okay. >> Yeah, you guys got it. >> Wait, he took the cash then his guy comes takes it from you and you never got the money back. >> then I said, "No, it's not fair." that punch him two times again. >> I'd rather spar. Let's do it. I'd rather I'd rather fight. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Oh, now they know they he throw the three times. He couldn't He couldn't drop him. >> No hitter. They did >> Do Good doing business with you, brother. One second. One Sad face for me. >> [laughter] >> So, and then they sparred. But, uh Uh to be honest, I don't care about 40K. Just uh >> So, you never got the money? >> No, no. And then I call him and say, "Bro, like what's going on? Why you didn't send money?" Bro, it was like he said, "Bro, it was a stream, so we always doing the stream like this, and I said, "Okay." So, what I'm going to say to him? We have a different uh culture. They do stream, and they do uh >> Yeah, but you're a serious guy. >> 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. Uh we're going to do a sparring. So, I can box him. He can uh but, I have elbows. >> You're not worried about it if you box him against Ryan? >> No, but >> So, you can't kick or wrestle. It's just boxing, except you can use elbows. >> Yeah, I can use elbows. >> And you think you're going to hang with Ryan? >> Yeah, I'm going to try. >> Ryan's a Ryan >> Yeah, he's a he's a legit uh the wrestler, but >> Oh, there's no question. >> But, uh elbows could help me, too. >> Elbows could help you. He's >> He never He never hit his elbows, so elbows >> [laughter] >> elbows, there is nothing. >> Yeah. >> It's nothing. >> Yeah. >> Even uh >> Oh, it hits the face. He's He's >> Yeah, one cut. That's it. >> Yeah. >> So, and then he uh >> Now, you got to get in though, right? You got to get >> And then and then now he said he he tweet he After that conversation, he tweet let's do eight rounds. I'll pay you a 100K. So, eight rounds. And I I tweet him back. I'll give you cash 1 million if you survive one round in a minute. So, now she's waiting just waiting. But it's just trash talking, you know. >> Yeah. >> So. >> And he's good at it as well. He is he is >> good on on his thing. I'm good on my thing. So. >> Yeah. >> 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 very exciting fighter. >> Yeah. >> He's a very exciting fighter. >> Fast. So. >> Yeah. He's He is very rare you >> But now I know if I'm going to do a stream with him, I'm not going to the bet money. >> Or if you do take the money and don't give it to his accountant when he comes up to you. >> First time in my life someone like >> 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 him No, no, no, I told Hamzat. He said, "40K? >> [laughter] >> I'll go for you for 40K to his house." I said, "Bro, like please do your thing." >> Leave him alone. >> And then we figure out. So. Yeah. But uh we'll see when we see him, we talk to him and we figure out. Maybe we do some different bet. >> Yeah. >> But but it's you know, it's always >> But let let let >> But but I have a bet with Adin Ross. Hamzat versus Hamzat versus uh I put 50K on Hamzat. He put 50K on uh uh Strickland. So. And I told him >> 50/50. >> Yeah, I told him >> He put 50 Strickland against Hamzat? >> No, I wanted to put like 1 million. He said like 100 He said 50 50. I said, "Okay, 50." He against Hamzat he put 50. Yeah, it's a tough fight. You never know. >> Well, Strickland >> Even even even Hamzat, my friend, he's my brother, but you never know. It's a fight. And second, Strickland is tough tough tough fighter. So. He has a lot of uh a lot of good things. You know. >> When is it? When is the Is it in May? >> May 9th. >> Yeah, so but I told Adrian Ross, brother, fly out with So, I uh fly out with money over there. Cash, and I'm going to bring cash as well. >> Is that GSP sitting next to you? >> Yeah. Legend. >> He's like one of the nicest >> Yeah. >> legends of all time. >> Uh he he was with the streamer with me, you know, and like GSP like he was in the zoo with us. >> Yeah, he is >> He got in the zoo with us. >> And that's not his style. He's not that guy. He's a He's a low-key guy. >> But when he was with us, we were like good, you know, like respectful. When he was gone and like we started like talking >> Yeah, he is truly a class act. >> Yeah, different level. >> class act. >> Different level of act. >> Yeah. 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 Have you seen that clip, bro? >> Yeah, with the gun he came came out with the gun and the >> Yeah, and he just I don't remember what happened. Oh, he's a he's really like this. Oh, he >> He carries all day the gun and like >> No, he's a he's a tough guy. He's not a uh Is this it? >> He is >> 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 he was a champ champion. He came outside with a gun. Yeah, so Strickland is not a guy to be messing around with. >> Sure. >> 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. >> It's going to be good fight. >> Yeah. >> And I'm so excited for that fight. >> Yeah. You're going to be there? >> Yeah. >> That's going to be May's going to be where? Where is that fight at? >> New Jersey. >> New Jersey. Okay. Got it. New Jersey. And then June is going to be Are you going to be at the White House? >> Uh we'll see. I got to talk to you see. How Maybe yes, maybe no. So. >> So if you're not on If you're not on the card, are you going to go? I feel you have to be there. >> I have I have to be there. >> You have to cuz right away the camera's going to go right on you. >> Yeah, I got to I got to ask you see and we'll see what they >> Oh, there is no way in the world you're not going to be there. Like it's not going to be them, it's going to be you choosing to be there. They have to have you in the arena. >> So we'll see. They they didn't ask me like to be there, but I'm going to ask them let me If I'm not going to fight, let me sit on the first row and 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? >> Oh, you don't need to buy it. You don't need to buy it. I think Dana you know, whoever it is, they they cuz here's what's going to happen. >> Whatever ends up happening >> say 90 10 to Poirier wins. And Justin is still a dog. Like he can make one contact and it's a Never know. I can't imagine like underestimated that Gaethje and he goes knock him out. By the way, 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 one. >> 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 >> so much 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. >> Yeah. >> That's what's going to happen. It's going to go right here. And then uh >> I'm excited. >> Yeah. >> Excited that >> I'm excited. I'm going to 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 uh we went to this last one. Dana's uh in my opinion, he's the best promoter in the world out of all sports. And Dana's uh one of a kind and we're a big fan. Arman Tsarukyan, this was great. I really appreciate you coming out. I'm glad I, uh, we, uh, 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, uh, I look forward to the day we celebrate as the first Armenian UFC champion. >> Yeah, so when I get the belt, I flew out here and put the belt on this table and we talk again. >> 100%. I like 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 going to be celebrating you. >> favorite food food >> I like >> more Armenian Armenian dolma >> Dolma and by man, but you know, remember I'm Pars Kahai. >> Yeah. >> So Pars Kahai for me, we have this too called ghormeh sabzi. I don't know if you've had it or not. Have you ever gone to Raffi's place? >> Yeah, I've been there. >> Okay, so if you go to Raffi's place >> Rice with the >> with this too that they have ghormeh sabzi. Can you type in ghormeh sabzi? >> [laughter] >> How he's going to >> He tried 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, 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. >> Yeah, I've tried this. >> Ghormeh sabzi. My And if the people know how to make it >> with the rice >> With the rice, yeah, and maybe a little bit of sumac. I know what that kind of something >> it's So now you gave me idea what I'm going to do next for my, uh, food in food in the >> Oh, if you know how to make this >> No, no, I just just order and like do food content with this food. >> Oh, brother, I, uh, uh, I'm willing to bet anybody that's watching this right now that is Armenian or Pars Kahai or Iranian they're going to know about ghormeh sabzi stew. 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. >> Yeah. >> Brother? >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Anytime. >> I hope you >> Absolutely. >> I'll see you in the in the Washington, D.C. >> I look forward to it. If you're telling me you're going, I look forward to it. I got I got to find a way to get out there. >> I'll I'll I'll call Dana Hunter. And they're going to let me be there because >> Yeah, it's it's a must. >> Because I'm the favorite there favorite fighter. >> You're their favorite fighter. That's I had no issues, no con nothing, no problems with you. Easiest guy to deal with. Yes. >> guy to deal [laughter] with. Never ever problem with me, so >> No. >> No more maniac anymore. >> No more. No more no more head movement. >> Yes. >> Can't imagine me doing something on the White House. >> Well, listen, you said spectacle, but you know, there's a balance to it, right? On what happens there. >> to know where you where you do. >> No, you're doing it in the White House. 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 uh >> I've seen him, but not in person. >> You haven't met him? >> Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I'm big fan of Trump, too, so >> There you go. You like strong personalities. Both Trump and Trump are >> Yes. Trump Putin. >> Take care, everybody. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. You know, this whole thing with Vadim 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 or 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 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.