“That was insane, I can’t believe it went all 3 rounds. Curtis has the heart of a lion”

– via X, reacting to the heavyweight "war of attrition" between Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes that shocked the world at UFC 327.

“[Prochazka] is such a cool motherf**ker”

– via a Kick livestream with Adin Ross, praising Jiri Prochazka’s stoicism during a bizarre media day confrontation.

“Say what you want about the guy, he's been somebody that I've looked up to since I was a teenager. In my opinion, without him, this sport wouldn't be where it is today. He changed the whole sport as one single guy. Everybody says you can't be bigger than the sport, he was”

– via Fight Forecast, acknowledging the singular impact Conor McGregor had on the trajectory of Mixed Martial Arts.

“Arman is a f**king gangster. He's becoming a legend. We've never seen someone grow into a superstar like this while competing outside the UFC. He wants to fight but can't get matchups. He's building a legacy outside of it, and it's really cool to watch”

– via his YouTube channel, praising Arman Tsarukyan’s unconventional rise to superstardom while being "sidelined" by the UFC.

“Alex came over here when I was fighting Thiago Santos, I was already 40 years old, and I've played with him, I've said: 'I wish I knew you when I was 30. My striking, my career level would be so much more.”

– via an interview with Dylan Napoleone, reflecting on the profound impact Alex Pereira has had on his understanding of striking, even in retirement.

“My relationship with him is everything. The dude's a legend but he's also my close friend now. He's my close friend, he's my coach, he's everything in between”

– via MMA Fighting, defending his partnership with Jon Jones following recent criticism from Daniel Cormier

“He's so f**king strong and big, man... I'm like, 'I can fight him. Yeah, it didn't work out that way. That man is a machine”

– via The Ariel Helwani Show, recounting a recent training session with Khamzat Chimaev that left even the GOAT in awe

“I got hit with a clean uppercut last week... he's heavy handed bro, crazy”

– via Full Mount MMA, detailing a recent high intensity training session at SBG Ireland as he prepares for his light heavyweight clash at UFC 327.

“Best 2/3 takedowns right now, me vs. you, who wins? @JonnyBones”

– via X, issuing a direct wrestling challenge to Jon Jones following the legend’s viral "99.47%" clapback at Dana White.

“That's what makes things like Jon Jones, Khabib so impressive to me: to get on top and stay on top that long, especially in MMA. Too many variables, too many ways to slip on a banana peel, get caught in something”

– via The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE MMA Show #176), reflecting on the rare air of undefeated or long reigning champions.

“That's what makes things like Jon Jones, Khabib so impressive to me: to get on top and stay on top that long, especially in MMA. Too many variables, too many ways to slip on a banana peel, get caught in something”

– via The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE MMA Show 176), reflecting on the rare air of undefeated or long reigning champions.

“I fought 19 years, and until that Conor fight, that's when things changed for me recognition wise. The door opened for seminars, appearances, and I had been in so many UFC main events, fought for the belt, done all this stuff, but that guy's name.”

– via The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE MMA Show #176), discussing the "Conor Effect" on his legendary career.

“Yes, it makes sense. I’ll beat Volk, and then I’ll hire him as my chef because when I beat him, he’s going to retire, and he’ll have to do something, and I can pay him good money”

– via the Aviator interview, doubling down on his plan to end the legendary career of Alexander Volkanovski.

“My bestie in town! IYKYK, a man that has forced the best outta me can push me in the training room even with a few words. LEGEND!!!”

– via X, sharing a clip of himself training with former rival Robert Whittaker at City Kickboxing ahead of his main event clash with Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle.

“How many times have I sat up here and said he is not fighting at the White House? And have you all not seen the video of the dude with the Meta glasses on when he didn’t know he was being filmed and telling him his hips are f*** shot, hip replacement? Did you not see the videos of him running in the flag football game? What did I say that wasn’t true? And you guys all bust my balls about how much I love Jon Jones. Jon’s the greatest of all time, no way in hell Jon Jones was going to be booked for the White House card. It wasn’t going to happen but the matchmakers were talking to everybody, seeing what was possible, and they brought me every possible fight that could be made”

– via the Zuffa Boxing post fight press conference, reacting to Jon Jones' social media outburst regarding his omission from the Freedom 250 White House card.

“Khabib stepped away undefeated. Islam is making history—but when you look at the resume, the wins, the records, and what I've been through, I believe my resume is the best”

– via UFC on Paramount, making his case for being the greatest Lightweight in history just days before his dominant victory at UFC 326

“Khabib stepped away undefeated. Islam is making history—but when you look at the resume, the wins, the records, and what I've been through, I believe my resume is the best”

– via UFC on Paramount, making his case for being the greatest Lightweight in history just days before his dominant victory at UFC 326

“The perfect scenario for me would be fighting him in the welterweight division... But also [it] will be a greatest scenario for me to fight between 155 and 170 and to create a new belt. Why not call it pound for pound... Whoever wins is the best.”

– via Adin Ross livestream, pitching a first of its kind "P4P Belt" for a showdown with Islam Makhachev.

“I swear to God, I didn't know he was in the UFC. I saw him fighting in ONE Championship. His highlight was everywhere when he knocked out the guy with flying knee. Now I know him but I've never watched his fights.”

– via the JAXXON Podcast, shocking the MMA world by admitting he was unaware of Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson’s legendary 11 defense UFC title run

“Are we giving him time to train? He is training all day. If Islam is solely focused on wrestling, he would be a very good 74—kilogram wrestler. I think he would be top 5 in the world.”

– via Submission Radio, evaluating the elite wrestling pedigree of Islam Makhachev and how it would translate to the international freestyle circuit