UFC 298 Recap LIVE with Anik & Florian + Ray Longo on Merab Dvalishvili & Ilia Topuria | A&F.468

[@BigRonBetsVegas]

Great weekend boys. Great fights. Back to Vegas and then on to Miami next month!

[@bradmcfelin1594]

Longo is a stellar of a man , Watching from Nz Love the show boys and your hardcore accents 🤪 Biggest fan in the world here! Love to chat sometime fellas much love from down under

[@jeremy1724]

The unselfishness of longo when he always gives props to John wood. No egos involved in Merabs camp

[@josephboza7448]

Yup the fact that Merab split his camp between Serra Longo and Syndicate MMA probably 2 of the unsung gyms in MMA did Merab wonders on Saturday.

[@PozzaPizz]

You could just say selflessness

[@DevinMcSalty]

@@PozzaPizz 😂

[@timw4432]

How can anyone not love Longo. Absolute gem of a human. Love the haircut too 👌

[@ZachLawhead]

Took me quite awhile to scroll through the comments! A sure sign that this show is continuing to gain all the traction and attention it deserves 💯 Great PPV recap and insightful edition of the Ray Longo Minute. Really enjoyed how he pulled the curtain back for us on Merab, so to speak. Nothing we didn’t necessarily already know, but still awesome to hear those finer details about his training and preparation. Thanks for all you guys do to deliver such a great presentation! It’s surely not easy being the best 😉

[@godnimrod]

They should make a movie about Merab, coming from a village from a poor war-torn country to America for his dream, not even knowing the language, working as a construction worker and being a part-time fighter, struggling at the beginning, then getting 10 fight win streak and getting a possible title fight against a guy you've been calling out since 2018. Having to face a lot of hate because of your performances or because you cared for your friendship more than for money and just being overall one of the nicest persons ever, If he wins and gets to defend it a multiple times retiring as a champ, what can be a better scenario for a movie?

[@jonanik2547]

100%. Truly incredible perseverance against a lot of odds.

[@pwned2bad]

Made $850 this Weeknd betting on Topuria to win by ko let’s go

[@cl299]

How much was ur bet?

[@eddievargas704]

@@cl299he prob put down 150

[@DontReadMyUserName_]

Good bet - I lost three units on Volk.

[@a9s2w5]

I believe Merab's cardio is partly deeply rooted in his mental approach to fighting. Meaning, he's having fun. Expending energy, if you can approach it like that, it's not nearly as taxing on the body. It's like being in a different world. Merab doesn't need to get traditional takedowns against Chito or Sean. I think he's a bad matchup for both of them. He just needs to grab your arms and he can get in, trip you etc.

[@starseeddeluxe]

As good as his cardio is, I think 34 is when the lighter weight fighters stop being elite. When did TJ Dillashaw stop doing well? I think Luke Thomas said the real stat is actually 34, not 35. Merab is 33. I really hope that the UFC gets him into a title as soon as possible, because he needs to do 4 big title fights in the next year, while he is still the scary Merab. Colby sat out for 3 years, and can't even fight anymore at 35.

[@a9s2w5]

@@starseeddeluxe Of course there are a lot of changes men begin to go through in the mid 30s. But all of these people who have performed like you mentioned, have quite a few other commonalities. They took a lot of time off during those years. And were coming out of a lot of mental drama/stress. I think the biggest mistake is obviously taking time off, but also during that period is when you learn, okay I can still do this. But I can't do the BS I did in my 20s, early 30s. Where they just assume things like, "I've wrestled my whole life, maybe I can't compete at the top but certainly I can still wrestle against my competition." This is when they learn they can't train the same. I also believe that most of these men fail in the mental department before their body fails in it's capacity to perform. What do I mean? Men in particular become a lot more sentimental, aware of their own mortality during these ages. For a fighter who has competed for years, not only is it difficult to continue to train and have that desire. But it's also during the years many men see a softening of their demeanor. By this age, most people know what it is to know pain, lose people, have new life(children) etc. This makes it increasingly difficult to put yourself into harms way, also when you know what it means to drive an elbow into someone's face…you're just so much more aware of how precious life and health is. It becomes immensely harder to make yourself go, to put yourself in risky situations. If they can continue to train, are smart enough to make the adjustments in that department, and can mentally reconcile what is going on with themselves psychologically. There are many ways to combat, or induce, yourself to be able to perform physically. But by this age, much of the desire is just gone. What you think about life and want from life is profoundly changing.

[@carsonborak568]

This sport is so beautiful and brutal at the same time

[@spaffron4285]

Cody Ray JA and Kenny great work yall can't miss programming... lets fucking go Merab!!!!

[@paujman]

Well fookin done on the live show y’all. Killing it as always.

[@subutai999]

Georgia, small nation of 3.5 million has their first champ now 🇬🇪 but whats more impressive is that they will have second, Merab is the future champ 100%. 2 other Georgian guys in top 10. Amazing result for a small nation where MMA is 10-15 year old sport

[@sandrovaro]

8 years old mma in georgia... and + also topuria represents spain and mma in spain is absolutely new! ) and good fact is that ilia is a first champion in spain and in georgia and also spain has first gold medalist in judo also georgian sandro sherazadashvili 😁

[@ryanmcemery354]

They will have their second champ by the end of the year

[@Melia_67]

The Caucasus countries/regions are producing the best MMA talents in the world at the moment.

[@bradmcfelin1594]

I appreciate your support but wasn’t he born in Germany n represented Spain ? He doesn’t seem very loyal

[@Lg10273]

@@bradmcfelin1594he represents georgia officially look at the flag next to his name when he walks out Its the georgian flag idk where u got spain from.

[@butterz9600]

Best consistent podcast every week hands down !!

[@henrybostick5167]

Certainly appreciate the Sunday recap after working all weekend Mr. Anick.... As always phenomenal coverage of the event known as UFC 298.... Good fight night coming this weekend and only 19 more sleeps till 299 and hopefully Marlon Vera knocking out Omalley (AGAIN)

[@jaseallenson316]

Yall need to relax. They get paid good money to do this, or they wouldnt do it. And its no knock on them, thats how they should treat it. Just saying, no need to thank them. You are taking time out of your day, which puts money in their pocket.

[@DraftKings]

Our pleasure!

[@Jacob-yp6rd]

Spot, spot on about Costa Kenflo and Longo

[@michaelorsini9695]

Topuria is not only a gifted MMA artist, he's perhaps the most cerebral fighter we've seen in a very long time. Kenny nailed it with his hypnotic way of fighting ...he's like a cobra who lulls you into a false sense of security and then he strikes without notice. Merab is a beast and he would have pulverized Cejudo ina 5 Round fight...he actually embarrassed Cejudo over 3 Rounds. So happy for Ray as well...he plays no small part in the success of his fighters professionally and personally.

[@justinclary3926]

This is how I see it. Sean O'Malley beats chito. Then the O'Malley vs toporia happens. O'Malley will pull for it hard. One huge payday before he gets eaten by merab.

[@justinclary3926]

Also merab is beating anyone. Honestly I'd bet on merab vs anyone in bantem, feather and Maybe even lightweight. Guy is a freak of nature animal

[@joneconomidis2125]

​@@justinclary3926hed be better off getting out wrestled by merab instead of starched by topuria

[@PhilSophia-ox7ep]

Good point by Kenney "ChatGPT" Florian.

[@kevvymetal666]

Merab's fight was awesome! Too bad DC or Cruz weren't there to describe the wrestling. Thx for the show. Best combo!

[@williejohnson9505]

Good content . I love your podcast and I love watching mma especially the presentation of the ufc

[@DraftKings]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@markdavis8430]

Seeing Dana chat about merab at the presser was Over due but well deserved Absolutely love this guy Team Serra longo all day ✌️ AAF

[@keepout7439]

GREAT SHOW AS ALWAYS GENTLEMAN , THIS SHOW BRINGS ME INTO GOOD SPIRITS 💯👍😁

[@LuisRamirez-hz2xf]

“He waited for his turn”, Merav is awesome man. Beating Suga will not be easy, but gotta love the guy. Strong Island in tha house!

[@cKxTaLenTs]

Great episode as always guys and thanks for the time! Kenny could’ve gone for twice that long he was excited, and I’m here for it. Jon understandably tired and busy after a long ppv week but still brings it for us

[@UFCFan1996]

The whole Longo Minute, Jon was so pissed about that light above Ray’s head lol, ADD Anik😂

[@RyMo702]

Jon high as a kite again. We love it !

[@jonanik2547]

Hahaha

[@jackblack6844]

Marab (THE NEUTRELIZER) DVALISHVILI....let that sink in...he's great no doubt

[@InTheGranite617]

Kenny with the CZARFACE Teeshirt #Epic INS and “R.I.P. MF DOOM.”👊🏼💯💪🏼

[@KillerB525]

Good video❤ thanks for respect and support Georgian Champions ❤ we respect u twice more for that ❤

[@baseballphenom512]

I’m not the biggest Aljo fan but Ray and Merab are awesome! I hope Merab gets the title shot next

[@lukeluna3732]

1:13:24 especially coming off that sleeper ian garry gave us.

[@ARMY-ep6fz]

He needs to fight Max if he wants to say he controls the 145 division

[@adamrose6969]

Jon Anik swearing is so weird but I love it lmao

[@a9s2w5]

Conor did the same thing to Cowboy. I think he played the nice guy card, similar to how Garry changed the mentality with Neal. By the time they fought, it's like being in a weird mental state. You aren't in the mental space you were ALL camp. And I think there is something to be said here, I think it did affect the performance.

[@Ray_Ray919]

Love you guys and I understand you don’t love being critical of the fighters…but for Kenny to say Ian had a good performance is insulting to the fan base. His footwork is just circling completely out of range and then stopping. Then repeat. Also Gary said in the post fight press conference that Neal starting grappling because he didn’t like how the striking was going and Anik said “find me a lie”…yet Anik said during the fight that Neal had said clinching/grappling was part of the game plan going ahead of the fight. Neal’s an average fight, loses to almost anyone that doesn’t stand in front of him.

[@Gaverny]

Garry had success with those knees down the center. Some of those connected. Yeah he played it safe and was pretty boring fight but I thought more of that had to do with Neal clinching and then just stalling 🤷🏻. Someone on Twitter called him Hugz of Steel. Lol

[@Ray_Ray919]

@@Gaverny The knees seemed to land, however they never seemed to have any effect on Neal But I do agree, neal is a basic fighter, decent boxer, but he isn’t a high IQ fighter, he definitely would just come lunging in off balance and clinch with no actual takedown offense or clinch strikes. Main issue is saying Garry circling completely out of range is good footwork is disrespectful to guys like Stephen Thompson or even Sean o malley who actually understand the concept of using their footwork in and out of striking range without just flat out running away

[@a9s2w5]

I didn't know you were having Ilia Topuria on today! Jokes aside...my thoughts. By the time they walked, it seemed to me, Volk looked genuinely a bit, not nervous…but lackadaisical, I don't know something seemed off? Whereas Ilia looked to be succumbing a bit to the pressure over the week, but by the time he walked, he looked like he was free as a bird. I was surprised. Having said that, the shot that put down Volk, I think it'd have shut off nearly anyone. It was right….right behind the ear. Anyone can get caught. Up until that point, let's not forget the success Volk was having. I was a bit confused why he kept retreating back so much, with his head up etc. It was like a recipe to get caught eventually. If you think of swinging a baseball bat, all the power, or the most power, is at the end of the bat. He would have been better off to clinch, move into him to smother/shut him down/wrestle, or continue to turn him. You have to do it right, but this would have been a smarter approach, IMO.

[@a9s2w5]

My thoughts on the pressure getting to Ilia is mainly based on his behavior at the pre-fight presser. Outside of that, I dunno maybe I just read his demeanor wrong.

[@jc9291]

He was more concerned with antics during fight week than gettin the job done

[@dougevet8066]

As always😊😊😊😊 A great show!!!!!!

[@jonanik2547]

Thanks, Doug. -JA

[@hectorvivasjimenez9768]

We got a UFC champion! Thanks and lot of hugs for every body from Spain!

[@cKxTaLenTs]

Kenny came out on fire! Love it

[@jasonjames6637]

I love the Machado presser way to put the haters in there place Well done kid

[@spaffron4285]

I respect him as a fighter but hearing him say a single word makes me cringe I have to turn it off

[@CaseyKCRichards]

You have psychological issues

[@ryanbuckner2405]

Ray longo is a good dude

[@tomdewispelaere4727]

Viva Ilia, viva Georgia 🇬🇪 viva España 🇪🇸

[@raynaudrheuma759]

Vamos Ilia Topuria, Viva España 🇪🇸

[@sidhammond9265]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Rya_N33]

Marab’s walkout was legit I suggest to go rewatch it sometime. He seems unstoppable but Sean O’Malley 100% can win that fight

[@lukeluna3732]

IAN GARRY was humbled by the crowd and "his new found popularity" he always was bragging about meanwhile the comments are off and he gets booed out the building. Post fight interview we heard none of that brash bs people started not to like him for. #humbled

[@revivedwarrior5899]

There's a reason why the UFC made Merab win 10 I'm a row to get a title shot. Bachelor couldn't finish a sandwich

[@cKxTaLenTs]

Get Petrie’s thoughts on the Dern fight later this week at the very least

[@jimmielundqvist4710]

I Wonder how much illia got payed aftrer al the ppv money as well. , realy happy for him lots o respect and love from sweden ✌️🇸🇪

[@williamRE]

36:57 Jon doing duck lips every episode is weird

[@jonanik2547]

Haha just listening intently not acting

[@williamRE]

​@@jonanik2547your lips are as exaggerated as Jason's hair bro 😅

[@monkpato]

Kenny: I think a lot of Ian Garry fans... Has he not been paying attention?

[@ryanbuckner2405]

Jamaal is getting screwed. He doesn’t understand that Alex is the wolf and he’s the lamb going to slaughter

[@lukeluna3732]

HILL BY KO Make sure to deal with those calf kicks esoecially coming off the achilles tear and surgery. I love the fight and if hill really is healthy its by KO

[@taffy1564]

Good podcast

[@tuffneggah]

sean def trying to figure out a way to avoid ilia and merab lmao

[@ameliathemonkey585]

Damn 152 views I’ve never seen that lol. Can somebody explain how Mackenzie doesn’t have Jason in her corner and only train wrestling and boxing period. I want her to win so bad, but she’s gotta help herself

[@kingRagnar616]

And not close her eyes when she throws

[@barkburton1]

I couldn’t believe how many people bet against Topuria. Every champ ends up losing if they stick around to long. Topuria is different now everyone knows it. I hate that Volk wants a rematch. It will be the same result.

[@jackblack6844]

Is it the (UNDEFEATED)father time? Or...is the talent just getting better and better? Please take a second to think. I'm trying to figure this out

[@louiematarazzo]

Czarface! Love the T shirt kenflo

[@gerardomartinez5865]

Kenflo gonna suck the soul out of Topouria like he did mcgregor. Almost a full 10 minutes of straight up glazing, ffs Kenny keep it in your pants

[@nikoqvacabaia1578]

for those who say it would go other way if volk would wait a bit longer after that headkick KO agains islam, yea we're just guessing and we can't say it bcs in any way it can't be fact and fact is what happened but... just if we look that final momentum right hand launched from illia wasn't ment to KO volk it was still preparation for next left hand that was missed just because volk was already folding and shut... on the movement you can see when illia hits right hand his right leg isn't even on the ground and he's moving on left side (so he's still loosing huge amount of energy for that punch) and the next movement that went right top of the head of volk and got missed was the what had to KO volk... even if volk would wait for a bit more and recover better from last KO, in the same scenario of the fight, just a thing that would change is that volk would get KO-ed with left hand instead of right... all the respect to volk by the way and he truly is the greatest but that long combinations that topuria is hunting with? bro can't imagine anyone surviving that 4-5 hit combos landed (body/head/body/head/head) in fw and lw eather...

[@arjunkul]

Ilia’s biggest challenge is going to keep himself disciplined and grounded and not fall into the McGregor trap.

[@CaseyKCRichards]

Like izzy Volk too had issues in been walked down and sniped out . Strickland and ilia just did that -

[@drewdrewson1384]

Dana guaranteed Merab a title shot! Quick ask Belal how much that matters

[@mateomartin3552]

Topuria winning wasn’t really a surprise. He was only a +100 dog

[@user-us2ik1vc2v]

I don't see how Aljo gave up anything for merab? He even earned from that while merab is taking out his opponents.he lost his belt and even asked for a rematch

[@kevinhernandez1449]

Truth be told I think the fan base would see Colby Covington as the face against Ian Garry bc no one fucks with Ian or at the very least they would see Colby as the antihero

[@michaelorsini9695]

Volk's old man costume backfired bigtime! No rematch...Topuria would only embarrass Volk even more...

[@GoldieXBL]

I will bet literally any of you that O Malley knocks Merab out. Kenny tried so hard to be nice when Jon asked him to break that fight down. Merab is the perfect match up for Sean. Sean’s a better counter wrestler than merab is a wrestler. Sterling is a better wrestler than Merab and he couldn’t take Sean down. I don’t think I’ve seen an easier bet.

[@derekyates43]

John would love Ian because he is cuk too for Kenny. Lil man that thanks cussing makes him sound tough

[@Art-xr6do]

It should be aljo move up to 145 aljo vs volk winner fights topuria

[@khachapuri_]

Merab is the Tasmanian Devil cartoon charatcer

[@PlusMoney_MMA]

It just won’t feel right for ray to have a clean legit set up with good lighting etc 😂

[@boclips3459]

Is it ok to like Ian garry or are we all still pretending?

[@CaseyKCRichards]

Volk was told sure to relaxed in himself of beating ilia . A few combinations and Volk was kod

[@dogstar5927]

I'm really not keen on seeing Volk fight again, at least for another six months. Let the division get a breath of fresh air with some new match ups and contenders ! I'm done with all these rematches ! 🙄🤦🏽

[@keithdalton2095]

Always skips to Ray then turns on the start of podcast

[@JoocedElvis]

Hardened belief that he could easily take one from Volk to throw one…he has power and chin combo that allows him to get over Volk even tho technically Volk ‘may’ be better

[@tonyalaney7360]

Max will bust topuria up just wait max is still young people don’t know max he’s like 33

[@godfred824]

KENNY FLORIAN IS 💯💯WRONG!!!!!! Talking biut Volk’s mindset

[@giovanniperez4131]

Am I the only one who finds the “cardio” of Merab to be obnoxiously suspicious ??

[@michaelorsini9695]

Ian Garry is a good guy deep down but he did stupid things he didn't need to do to antagonize Neal and Magny.

[@CaseyKCRichards]

He os not stupid he knows how to sell a fight , build his brand just like Conor a marketing genius . Ian is there to get big pay days $$ become a star … ❤

[@kevinbryantsr.6443]

We need to quit talking about how dangerous Dern is on the ground when she hasn't submitted anyone relevant

[@traevonhennessy2813]

Bad take about Volk Kenny. You know Volk respected the skill of illia and trained his tail off for him. The old man Volk gimmick just brought more attention to the fight, more attention and eyeballs on the fight = more $ in volks pocket.

[@lourencorp-ly6tn]

this rematch is a tit uninteresting but i dont see anything else for the Alicante boy, rematch costa also and whitekar can fight together 2x a year .. just a 2 man tournament until the end of their careers. no more title contentment

[@timmit-s4d]

Volk is done for good at 145. He should go up to 155 and try a run.

[@jaseallenson316]

There is noooooo wayyyyy, volk gets the inmediate rematch. Unless the spain card isnt until late late summer early fall.

[@Highsen]

Wish they would've asked Ray how he felt about Kenny losing all that money betting on Cejudo like a tard.

[@jonanik2547]

LOL

[@powerlung2631]

Why didn't you say anything about Dana's 300 bullshit response about how 3 figters declined Leon Edward's. Where the fuck is the Belals title shot Anik and Florian COME ON

[@kingRagnar616]

Somone needs to teach kenny how to shape his beard jaja 😂 looks like a teen shaving for the 1st time

[@Cnote779]

Why does Kenny look like a white ilia lmao

[@CaseyKCRichards]

I love Merhab the entertainer …. but he will get knocked out by. Sean O’Malley just like ilia knocked out Volk .. the power punchers have a huge advantage …

[@ryanbuckner2405]

Sugar Sean doesn’t have a fiddlers fart of a chance against Toporia. Period. Never!

[@alexanderphillips3697]

Anyone else watch the whole episode except skip the Ray Longo minute ? Cause same

[@raaid85]

weird to give a referenxd on russia vs afghanistan when ur the country yhats invaded.over 50 countries post ww2 and pretty much lost every war

[@jasonmacphail8596]

Volk better check himself, or gonna end up like liddell, getting CTE, KO d 5 of last 6, bad brain damage, not gd

[@jeffhill183]

I wish Anik would stop trying to sound tough he doesn’t look the part looks like an elementary school teacher

[@TheBankerYouTrust]

You dont have enough good things to say about Ian Machado Gary? 😅 He only has to look in the mirror to find the cause of all the backlash ovee recent months. Just doesnt seem authentic and he seems to only care about himself. Seems pretty full of himself. Shouldve never went down that road with Magny and Neal

[@cKxTaLenTs]

Movsar is definitely not the most dangerous fight there was an argument that he lost to Arnold Allen

[@GoldieXBL]

Always bet on the Georgians 🇬🇪

[@lourencorp-ly6tn]

the overhype of a company man is to me, a giver by now, following ufc... but a new champion from nowhere can reach cringe levels that o dont know i can bare

[@chadfrye934]

Yo J u giving ROGAN the Valentine's Day Goat was ALL THE WAY HOE!!! not to mention WEIRD know Hate just FACT'S😢 #AskBispingucanseeitonhisface